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.



Saudi Arabia, Argentina Discuss Means to Enhance Football Cooperation

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia, Argentina Discuss Means to Enhance Football Cooperation

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) President Yasser Almisehal met on Wednesday with Argentina’s Ambassador Facundo Vila at the federation’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed means of enhancing cooperation between the Saudi and Argentinean football federations.

The meeting aligns with SAFF’s football transformation strategy launched in September 2021, comprising seven pillars that include strengthening international relations.