Sabalenka, Rybakina Set Up Blockbuster Indian Wells Final

Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Sabalenka, Rybakina Set Up Blockbuster Indian Wells Final

Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina moved into the Indian Wells final with straight-sets victories over Linda Noskova and Elina Svitolina on Friday, setting up a rematch of their Australian Open Grand Slam title clash.

World number one Sabalenka has been in formidable form this season, winning 16 of her first 17 matches, with her only defeat coming against Rybakina in the Melbourne showpiece in January.

She powered past Noskova 6-3 6-4 and will compete for the Indian Wells crown for the third time in four years, seeking her maiden title in the Californian desert.

"It feels great, I've lost a couple of finals here, so I'll make sure that I'm more than ready on Sunday. I'll bring my best tennis and this is the year," Reuters quoted Sabalenka as saying.

Twice ⁠Grand Slam champion ⁠Rybakina overcame a stiff test to see off Ukraine's Svitolina 7-5 6-4, staying on track to claim a second title in the event.

Sunday's title match will mark the third final between Rybakina and Sabalenka in the last six months. Kazakh Rybakina has won their previous two encounters, lifting the WTA Finals trophy in November and securing the Australian Open title.

"I'm going to fight as much as I can," Rybakina said.

"Hopefully ⁠it's going to be a great match."

Sabalenka seized early control, breaking for a 3-1 lead after a Noskova forehand sailed long, and then the Czech's inconsistent serving - including a double fault - handed the Belarusian another break for 5-1.

Noskova briefly halted the momentum by breaking back when Sabalenka served for the set, only the second time that the top seed had dropped her serve during the tournament.

Sabalenka quickly regrouped when she served again at 5-3, sealing the opener with an ace, while Noskova won just half of the points behind her own serve.

A break in the opening game of the second set proved enough for Sabalenka to ⁠seal the victory ⁠over the 21-year-old Noskova, who had just one chance to break back but could not convert against the Belarusian's formidable power and serving.

"Serve was the biggest thing in this match," Sabalenka added. "(Noskova) is an incredible player, I felt that if I give her a small opportunity she will take it."

It will be the 14th WTA 1000 final of Sabalenka's career.

Rybakina struggled early in her semi-final as Svitolina fired four aces in the opening set. But unforced errors from the Ukrainian opened the door for Rybakina, who seized control with her serve and dictated the remainder of the contest.

Rybakina surged ahead 4-0 in the second set, and though Svitolina attempted to claw her way back Rybakina steadied herself to protect the lead and finish the job.



F1 Commission Agrees Shorter Races from 2027

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, steers through a turn during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP)
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, steers through a turn during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP)
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F1 Commission Agrees Shorter Races from 2027

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, steers through a turn during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP)
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, steers through a turn during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP)

The governing ‌FIA's Formula One commission agreed on Monday to reduce the standard Grand Prix distance from 305km to 290km from 2027, cutting races by two or three laps.

The commission approved the change in line with planned refinements to 2027 power unit regulations concerning fuel flow, ‌they said ‌in a statement after ‌a ⁠meeting in London at ⁠the International Automobile Federation offices.

They also agreed to remove the current three-hour maximum time limit from the start to finish of a race, including any interruptions ⁠caused by rain or other ‌factors.

A two-hour ‌limit on actual racing will remain, while ‌a hard stop time for ‌the end of racing activity will be introduced for disrupted events.

The objective is to give spectators the best possible ‌chance to enjoy a full race when disruptions occur, ⁠the ⁠FIA said.

The commission agreed that organizers should also have greater flexibility to extend free practice sessions if they are interrupted.

Gearbox homologation will be removed for 2027 following consultation with manufacturers and a recommendation from the Sporting Advisory Committee, a move the FIA said would preserve development freedom for suppliers.


Irish Athletes Group Urges National Team to Boycott Israel Fixtures

Football - Nations League - Play-offs - First Leg - Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland - Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, Bulgaria - March 20, 2025 Republic of Ireland players pose for a team group photo before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Nations League - Play-offs - First Leg - Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland - Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, Bulgaria - March 20, 2025 Republic of Ireland players pose for a team group photo before the match. (Reuters)
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Irish Athletes Group Urges National Team to Boycott Israel Fixtures

Football - Nations League - Play-offs - First Leg - Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland - Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, Bulgaria - March 20, 2025 Republic of Ireland players pose for a team group photo before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Nations League - Play-offs - First Leg - Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland - Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, Bulgaria - March 20, 2025 Republic of Ireland players pose for a team group photo before the match. (Reuters)

More than 160 Irish sportspeople ‌have signed an open letter asking the Ireland national football team to boycott their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine Group said on Monday.

Ireland are due to play Israel on September 27 in Hungary before the reverse fixture in Serbia on October 4. Both matches are set to be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors after protests by players and fans ‌over the death ‌toll of Palestinian civilians during the ‌war ⁠in Gaza.

Irish Sport ⁠for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

"This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing," the ⁠letter said.

"Not playing the game would be ‌the most sporting thing ‌you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would ‌show the power of sport to unite, remind ‌us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game."

In May, leading Irish footballers joined celebrities in a campaign urging Ireland to ‌boycott the Nations League matches against Israel.

Ireland has been one of the European ⁠Union's most ⁠outspoken critics of Israel's war in Gaza, and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) members voted overwhelmingly in late 2025 for its board to request that UEFA immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions.

The FAI later committed to playing the fixtures, citing possible sanctions that could affect the national team and the association.

Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said last week he had spoken individually to players about facing Israel and that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games".


Fleet Races Continue at Arab Sailing Championship in Jeddah

Fleet races continued Sunday at the Arab Sailing Championship for the Optimist class at the Jeddah Sailing Center. (SPA)
Fleet races continued Sunday at the Arab Sailing Championship for the Optimist class at the Jeddah Sailing Center. (SPA)
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Fleet Races Continue at Arab Sailing Championship in Jeddah

Fleet races continued Sunday at the Arab Sailing Championship for the Optimist class at the Jeddah Sailing Center. (SPA)
Fleet races continued Sunday at the Arab Sailing Championship for the Optimist class at the Jeddah Sailing Center. (SPA)

Fleet races continued Sunday at the Arab Sailing Championship for the Optimist class at the Jeddah Sailing Center, with strong competition for the top positions and Arab titles, the Saudi Press Agency said.

After seven races, Jean Luc Soares Herve leads the overall standings, followed by Tong Xuan Ya of the Saudi Optimist team in second place and Saudi sailor Ahmad Alshammari in third.

Under the championship regulations, competition for the titles of Arab champion and Arab female champion is limited to sailors from Arab countries. Alshammari, competing in the under-12 category, leads the standings among sailors eligible for the title of Arab champion.

Egypt's Laila Abdelazim leads the standings among sailors eligible to compete for the title of Arab female champion after placing sixth overall. The list of the top 10 includes four female sailors. The championship, organized by the Saudi Sailing Federation, concludes Monday.