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Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
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Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)
FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)

Hady Habib isn't likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he's become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men's singles draw.
He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he'll long remember.
Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.
The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the US to pursue a pro career and feels now like he's representing of the spirit of Lebanese people.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia's SBS News this week.
His personal success has come at a difficult time during the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Every morning, I was waking up during that challenging time, I was contacting all my family members, my friends, making sure they’re okay,” Habib told SBS News. "My heart’s just shattered to see what’s happening to our country and people.
“It was a hard time mentally for me, knowing that you can’t do anything to help, but I’m glad things are calming down now. Hopefully we’ll find some peace.”
Habib's first-round opponent at Melbourne Park will be determined when all qualifiers are inserted into the main draw.

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Barcola Returns to PSG Squad Ahead of Champions League Clash with Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Barcola Returns to PSG Squad Ahead of Champions League Clash with Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Paris St Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been named in the squad for their Champions League quarter-final second leg at Liverpool, the Ligue 1 club ⁠said on Monday.

The France international had been sidelined for a month after suffering a ⁠severe ankle ligament sprain during the Champions League last-16 second leg at Chelsea.

Barcola missed PSG's last three matches across all competitions, as well as France's ⁠friendlies ⁠in the US against Brazil and Colombia.

PSG, the European Cup holders, take a 2-0 lead over Liverpool into Tuesday's game.

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Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
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Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)

Marcus Rashford had his chance against Atletico Madrid, but failed to take it -- or any of the next five that came along on a frustrating European night.

On Tuesday the England international has another opportunity to try and inspire Barcelona to a Champions League comeback in the Spanish capital.

Rashford fired blanks as Barca suffered a 2-0 quarter-final first leg defeat, but the England international was also his team's brightest spark against the Rojiblancos, even though the killer finish eluded him.

The 28-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has a point to prove in the second leg, particularly with his future at the club on the line -- as well as a potential World Cup spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Barcelona have not yet made a decision on whether to trigger the 30 million euro ($35 million) clause in Rashford's loan deal to make his switch to Camp Nou permanent.

With Raphinha out injured, Rashford has been the natural choice on Barca's left flank.

Rashford burst beyond Atletico full-back Nahuel Molina on numerous occasions at Camp Nou but could not capitalize.

"This team is always going to create chances, there's so much quality in possession... today the goal didn't go in, but we can't shy away from the responsibility to take these chances," Rashford told CBS.

"On another day, on another night, they go in."

On Saturday, Flick began with Rashford on the bench for Barcelona's 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol in La Liga, likely to save the forward's energy for the visit to Atletico's Metropolitano stadium.

Rashford came on after 65 minutes and netted the fourth in the last minute with a cushioned volley, which Flick hopes will raise his confidence levels.

"I'm happy Marcus scored a goal today, it was very important for us," said Flick.

Rashford also scored against Atletico at the Metropolitano on April 4 in La Liga, with the second leg the third in a trilogy of clashes between the sides in under a fortnight.

The Englishman has six goals in 26 La Liga appearances, with his finishing an area that could be improved.

In the Champions League, Rashford has netted five times in 10 games and, if the pattern of the first leg is repeated, could be Barca's main attacking threat again.

Talented teenager Lamine Yamal was double and triple marked, in the first leg, creating more room for Rashford to fly into.

- 'Unbelievable' mindset -

Rashford believes Barca can mount a comeback to reach the semi-finals for a second season running.

"The mindset and the intent that we had to try to get back into the game is unbelievable, and we're going to have to use this, and we need all of this in the next game in order to come back," said Rashford.

"We know what we are capable of when we're playing at our highest level and we can take the game away from anybody. We have to look to do this in the next game."

Barca left the first leg furious at not being given a penalty when Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand at a goal kick.

"It's a penalty, it's happened before and it's always given as a penalty," Rashford added. "It's common sense that it's a penalty."

One area of the game where Rashford has not always satisfied Flick this season has been in his work-rate off the ball, not close to Raphinha's intense pressing, which is a key to how the coach likes to play.

"(Pressing) is also a part of our game which is very important, not just with the ball (where) everyone knows he's fantastic," said Flick on the eve of the first leg.

"We need him... to help his team-mate on the flank."

In response, Rashford produced one of his best displays in that regard, and also tracked back well against Espanyol, showing he is heeding his coach's instructions.

The forward's 30-million-euro fee would be straightforward for some clubs given Rashford's numbers this season.

The attacker has 12 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances, many as a substitute, but at cash-strapped Barca any such deal would represent a significant chunk of the summer budget.

Signing Rashford might mean not being able to move for a much-needed defensive reinforcement.

Rashford's job against Atletico is to make the question a no-brainer, even on Barca's budget.

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Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
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Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo

Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong has been killed in an armed robbery on his side’s team bus as they returned from a Ghana Premier League fixture at Samartex on Sunday, the Ghana Football Association said.

The robbers fired at ⁠the bus as ⁠it tried to reverse, striking Frimpong, 20, in the head. He later died in hospital and is the ⁠only reported casualty from the incident.

"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has received with profound shock and deep sorrow the tragic news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club," it said.

"The incident ⁠has ⁠sent shockwaves across the entire football fraternity. The GFA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his teammates, technical staff, management, and all at Berekum Chelsea during this extremely difficult time."