Raducanu Retires with Foot Injury in Korea Open

Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after a play against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during their quarterfinal match of the Korea Open tennis championships in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP)
Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after a play against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during their quarterfinal match of the Korea Open tennis championships in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP)
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Raducanu Retires with Foot Injury in Korea Open

Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after a play against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during their quarterfinal match of the Korea Open tennis championships in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP)
Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after a play against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during their quarterfinal match of the Korea Open tennis championships in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP)

A foot injury forced former US Open champion Emma Raducanu to retire from her Korea Open quarter-final clash with top seed Daria Kasatkina after losing the first set 6-1 on Saturday.

Britain's Raducanu struggled to serve with her injured left foot, her landing leg, as she played on after a medical timeout, committing a double fault and not chasing returns across the court.

The foot injury also surfaced during 21-year-old Raducanu's round of 16 clash with Yuan Yue, where she was able to continue after a medical timeout and win 6-4 6-3.

"I feel sorry for Emma ... it's a pity to get injured, especially in the deeper stages of the tournament," Kasatkina said after the match. "I wish her a speedy recovery."

Kasatkina will play fellow Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals later on Saturday, after rain washed out Friday's play in Seoul.

Fourth seed Shnaider beat Australian Open quarter-finalist and Ukrainian fifth seed Marta Kostyuk 7-6(7) 6-3 in the quarter-finals.

Brazilian third seed Beatriz Haddad Maia faces former French Open quarter-finalist Veronika Kudermetova in the other semi-final, after brushing aside Veronika's sister Polina Kudermetova 6-2 6-1 in the last eight.

Russia's Veronika beat Viktoriya Tomova 7-5 6-3 to reach her first semi-final of the year.



Al Ahly Goalkeeper El Shenawy Suspended for 4 Matches for Assaulting Referee

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al-Ahly official website)
Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al-Ahly official website)
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Al Ahly Goalkeeper El Shenawy Suspended for 4 Matches for Assaulting Referee

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al-Ahly official website)
Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al-Ahly official website)

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy was handed a four-match ban after striking a referee on the head following a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra, the Egyptian Pro League said on Thursday.

The Egypt international, who was on the ⁠bench for Tuesday's ⁠game, was incensed after Al-Ahly's appeal for a penalty following a handball in stoppage time was denied.

"He handed a ⁠four-match ban and fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($942) for assaulting the referee by pushing or pulling (use of the hand without violence)," the league said in a statement.

The ban means El-Shenawy, who is expected to be Egypt's starting ⁠goalkeeper ⁠at the World Cup in North America, will be sidelined until the final week of the league play-offs, Reuters reported.

Al-Ahly are third on 41 points, five points behind leaders Zamalek.


FIFA Selects Saudi Refereeing Crew for 2026 World Cup

The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
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FIFA Selects Saudi Refereeing Crew for 2026 World Cup

The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)

FIFA has selected the Saudi refereeing crew, comprising referee Khalid Al-Turais, assistant referee Mohammed Al-Abakry, and VAR official Abdullah Al-Shehri, to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 18.

The selection follows the crew's distinguished performances in various regional, continental, and international refereeing assignments, most notably their successful participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup held last year in Chile.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Almisehal congratulated the selected officials, wishing them success at the World Cup and expressing hope that they would represent Saudi refereeing with distinction at the global football event.

Almisehal affirmed that FIFA's selection of a Saudi refereeing crew reflects the continued confidence the international federation places in Saudi officials, in recognition of their performances that have been widely praised in recent times.


Sabalenka Pulls Out of Stuttgart Open with Injury

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Singles Final on Day 12 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.   Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Singles Final on Day 12 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
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Sabalenka Pulls Out of Stuttgart Open with Injury

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Singles Final on Day 12 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.   Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Singles Final on Day 12 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday pulled out of next week's Stuttgart Open citing an injury sustained at the Miami Open in March.

The Belarusian wrote on social media that she had failed to recover in time for the clay court tournament, which starts on Monday, AFP reported.

"Unfortunately, I suffered an injury after Miami, and even though I tried everything to recover in time, I'm not ready to compete," Sabalenka said Thursday.

The 27-year-old did not specify the nature of the injury.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has made it to the final in Stuttgart in four of the past five years but is yet to win the tournament.

"I always love coming back to Stuttgart. The atmosphere, the fans, and the support I feel there are so special to me. And of course, I was really hoping to have another chance."

Sabalenka beat local favorite Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Miami Open to make it a "sunshine double," having won the WTA 1000 at Indian Wells two weeks prior.