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For Second Year in Row Diriyah Named Official Sponsor of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup

The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
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For Second Year in Row Diriyah Named Official Sponsor of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup

The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation, in partnership with SMC as the exclusive commercial partner, signed an agreement with Diriyah Company to sponsor the Saudi Super Cup tournament for the second consecutive year under the name of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup.

The event is scheduled to take place in Abha from August 13 to 17, with the participation of four clubs: Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahly, and Al Taawoun, SPA reported.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi from April 8 to 11. Al Hilal emerged as the Diriyah Saudi Super Cup champion in that edition.
Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo emphasized that "the popularity of Saudi football and its top teams was the main motivation behind renewing the partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to sponsor Diriyah Saudi Super Cup again. He added that Diriyah Company Group seeks to capitalize on the marketing opportunities in sports and the attention it garners, thanks to the presence of several international players and the high level of competition."
Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Ibrahim Al Kassim, said that renewing the agreement with Diriyah Company indicates the success of the previous Diriyah Saudi Super Cup. The competition featured strong matches between Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Wahda. Al Kassim pointed out that this agreement is part of the federation's efforts to create investment and marketing opportunities, increase revenues, and diversify income sources aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goals.
Al Kassim stated: "We in the Football Association are proud of the ongoing sponsorship, which is instrumental in promoting the key cultural, heritage, and tourism destinations throughout the Kingdom. This initiative not only highlights the historical, cultural, and competitive tourism benefits of the Kingdom but also demonstrates the considerable support and notable advancements being achieved. The partnership reflects the objectives of governmental entities and both public and private sectors in fostering collaborations that improve competitiveness and bolster investment initiatives in alignment with the Kingdom's goals."
SMC CEO Khalid bin Waleed AlKhudair said: "We take pride in renewing our partnership with Diriyah Company, a move that reflects our commitment to enhancing the sports landscape in Saudi Arabia and elevating its status on the international stage in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030."
AlKhudair added that "the success of the previous edition has strengthened the status of the Saudi Super Cup as one of the most prominent sporting events in the region. Furthermore, our collaboration with Diriyah aligns with our commitment to providing an exceptional sports experience that reflects the significant advancements the Kingdom is achieving across various sectors."

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Zheng Loses to No 97 Siegemund, Osaka Rallies to Advance at Australian Open

Germany's Laura Siegemund (L) shakes hands with China's Zheng Qinwen after the women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
Germany's Laura Siegemund (L) shakes hands with China's Zheng Qinwen after the women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
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Zheng Loses to No 97 Siegemund, Osaka Rallies to Advance at Australian Open

Germany's Laura Siegemund (L) shakes hands with China's Zheng Qinwen after the women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
Germany's Laura Siegemund (L) shakes hands with China's Zheng Qinwen after the women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Distracted by a time penalty and unable to counteract No. 97-ranked Laura Siegemund's aggressive approach, Zheng Qinwen's loss in the second round Wednesday fell a long way short of last year's run to the Australian Open final.
Zheng lost the 2024 decider at Melbourne Park to Aryna Sabalenka and went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Paris and finish runner-up at the WTA Finals in a breakout season.
But her first tournament of the year ended in a 7-6 (3), 6-3 loss on John Cain Arena against 36-year-old Siegemund, who attacked from the first point and put Zheng off her game.
Zheng needed a change of shoes early in the second set, got a time warning on her serve from the chair umpire — she said she couldn't clearly see the clock — and was worried about some minor issues which sidelined her before the Australian Open.
“I feel maybe today is not my day. There’s a lot of details in the important points. I didn’t do the right choice,” The Associated Press quoted Zheng as saying.
Of a weak serve that bounced before the net, Zheng said the time warning from the umpire “obviously that one really distracted me from the match.”
“This is my fourth year in the tour, and never happen that to me.”
Both of last year's women's finalists were playing at the same time on nearby courts.
Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, extended her run to 16 wins at Melbourne Park by winning the last five games to beat No. 54-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5.
Naomi Osaka, another two-time Australian Open champion, reached the third round of a major for the first time since 2022 when she weathered an early barrage from US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova before rallying to win 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Osaka lost in the first round here last year to Caroline Garcia in her comeback from maternity leave but avenged that with a first-round victory over Garcia this week.
Osaka said she used a loss to Muchova at the US Open as motivation.
“She crushed me in the US Open when I had my best outfit ever,” Osaka joked in a post-match interview. “I was so disappointed. I was so mad. This was my little revenge.”
Osaka will next meet Belinda Bencic, the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist who is playing in her first major since the birth of her daughter, Bella, last year.
Also advancing were No. 7 Jessica Pegula, had a 6-4, 6-2 win over Elise Mertens, and 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the No. 14 seed who beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8).
The scoreline in Sabalenka's match didn't reflect the difficulty, with Bouzas Maneiro taking huge swipes at the ball in her Australian Open debut and dictating some of the points against the world No. 1-ranked player. Her serve let her down, with Sabalenka able to relieve some pressure on her own serve with five breaks.
No. 7 Jessica Pegula had a 6-4, 6-2 win over Elise Mertens to reach the third round, along with Belinda Bencic and 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the No. 14 seed who beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8).
Siegemund has never been past the third round in Australia, but is taking confidence from her big upset. Her only lapse was when she was broken serving for the first set. She recovered to dominate the tiebreaker, while Zheng remained too conservative in her tactics until right near the end.
“I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose. I just told myself to swing free,” Siegemund said. Zheng is “an amazing player. One of the best players right now, but I know I can play well and I wanted to show that to myself.”
Third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, aiming to add the Australian Open title to complete a set of all four major crowns, advanced 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Yoshihito Nishioka.
“The less time you spend on the court in the Grand Slams, especially at the beginning of the tournament, it’s gonna be better, especially physically,” Alcaraz said. “I just try to be focused on spending as less time as I can,” on court.