Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4 in a thrilling contest on Friday to reach the Miami Open final, where he will face world number three Jannik Sinner.
Dimitrov, the 11th seed, utilised his forehand to devastating effect throughout the match, making just three unforced errors to take the first set.
Fourth seed Zverev regained some control in a tight second set, serving with accuracy to deny Dimitrov any opportunities to break before clinching the tie-break to level the match.
Dimitrov took his tally of winners up to 44 in the decider as he defended a breakpoint and then took the lead at 4-3 before confidently settling the match on serve for his first win over Zverev since 2014.
“It was like a dogfight on both ends; we really went after each other,” said Dimitrov, whose victory will see him return to the top 10 for the first time since 2018.
“He upped his game in the second set. In the third set, he also had a chance, but I served well.”
In Sunday’s final, Dimitrov will face Sinner, who powered past defending Miami Open champion Daniil Medvedev 6-1 6-2 to reach the final for the second year in a row.
SINNER’S HOT STREAK CONTINUES
When Medvedev beat Sinner to claim the Miami title 12 months ago, he extended his head-to-head record over the Italian to 6-0.
But since then, the second seed has enjoyed the upper hand as he has delivered the knockout blow on five successive contests, including a five-set thriller in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
There was no such drama on Hard Rock Stadium court as Sinner delivered a clinical performance to end Medvedev’s challenge in 69 minutes.
“I felt great on court today. Usually, the more you go on in a tournament, the more comfortable you feel, and I’m very happy about today’s performance,” Sinner said after reaching the Miami final for the third time in four years.
“I don’t think Daniil felt too well today; he made a lot of mistakes he usually doesn’t make.
“For me, it is an important tournament if I can get it good; if not, I have another great chance.”
Sinner, whose only loss this season was a semi-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells two weeks ago, becomes the first player this season to reach three finals.
The Italian had Medvedev under pressure right from the gun with three break chances on the Russian’s opening service game, converting on a blistering forehand winner for a 2-0 lead.
The third-seeded Russian would finally hold serve at 5-1 but only delayed the inevitable, as Sinner bagged a high-quality opening set without committing a single unforced error.
Baffled and lost for ideas, Medvedev could do nothing to slow the rampaging Sinner, who kept his foot firmly on the gas with another break to open the second set, which left the World Number four staring across the net with a stunned look.
For decades, the blue of Italy has been synonymous with soccer. But as the once-mighty Azzurri football team teeters on the brink of missing a third successive FIFA World Cup, it is another, far less storied national side that is offering the country a shot at global glory.
Italy’s cricketers are now within touching distance of a historic first appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, following a 12-run victory over Scotland on Wednesday in the European regional qualifiers.
The win, achieved in Voorburg, propels Italy to the summit of the standings with one crucial fixture remaining. Victory over the Netherlands on Friday would see them qualify automatically for the 2026 tournament. Even a narrow loss may suffice, should Jersey and Scotland fail to produce the kind of crushing wins required to overhaul Italy’s superior net run rate (1.722, compared to Jersey’s 0.430 and Scotland’s -0.150).
At the centre of this unlikely charge is Joe Burns, the former Australian Test opener who has found new purpose, and a new passport, in leading the Italian side. “It’s a very surreal feeling,” said Burns, whose 23 Tests for Australia included Ashes appearances.
“To come and beat Scotland, who are an exceptional team, is a wonderful reward for the sacrifices made by our players, our staff and the federation.
“This is hopefully the beginning of something special for Italian cricket. The group is very emotional right now, we know what’s at stake.”
With their final fixture scheduled after Scotland and Jersey conclude their clash earlier on Friday, Italy will take the field knowing precisely what is required.
Scotland, long considered Europe’s most capable challengers outside England, were left to rue a stuttering display with both bat and ball. Captain Richie Berrington admitted his side had been outmanoeuvred. “We stayed in the fight but couldn’t quite execute at the end,” he said.
“Full credit to Italy, they out-skilled us with the ball in those conditions.
All eyes will now turn to Voorburg, where Italy’s date with destiny awaits, and history is within their reach.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is set to make a thrilling return to the UAE capital on Saturday, July 26, with a blockbuster middleweight clash headlining the action at Etihad Arena.
Top-ranked contender and fan favourite Robert Whittaker, currently No.5 in the middleweight division, will square off against rising star Reinier de Ridder in what promises to be an electrifying battle.
In a poetic twist, Whittaker returns to Abu Dhabi exactly five years after his victory at the final Fight Island event on July 26, 2020. That win over Darren Till, played out in a silent, pandemic-era arena, became a defining chapter in Whittaker’s storied career. This time, the stage is set for redemption and roar, as he steps back into the Octagon in front of a packed house.
Will the former champion recreate history, or will de Ridder seize his moment on the big stage?
Also on the fight card is a high-intensity light heavyweight bout featuring Türkiye’s Ibo Aslan taking on the USA’s Billy Elekana, a showdown guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its global reputation as a world-class destination for combat sports, and this event is shaping up to be another unmissable chapter in the UFC legacy.
Cricket fans in the UAE are in for another blockbuster season as the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) returns for its fourth edition, kicking off on Tuesday, December 2, coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad). The month-long, six-team tournament will conclude on Sunday, January 4, 2026, promising 34 high-octane matches featuring some of the world’s most exciting T20 players.
Big Names Back for Season 4
The first phase of squad selection is complete, and it features a stellar cast of returning favourites and headline-making new signings. Among the top international stars confirmed for Season 4 are:
England’s T20 World Cup winners: Alex Hales, Sam Curran (Season 3 MVP – Red Belt Winner), Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes
West Indies heavy-hitters: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shai Hope (Season 3 Best Batter – Green Belt Winner)
Asia’s top talent: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi (Season 3 Best Bowler – White Belt Winner), and Sikandar Raza (Season 2 MVP – Red Belt Winner)
Australia and New Zealand powerhouses: Tim David, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson
Player Auction Coming Soon
Each team has completed eight-player rosters in this initial phase, which included retentions from Season 3 and new signings. The final squads will be completed during the upcoming DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, with dates and details to be announced shortly.
Key Retentions – Season 3 Heroes Stay Put
Teams have locked in key players from the previous edition:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Charith Asalanka, Sunil Narine
Desert Vipers: Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lockie Ferguson, Dan Lawrence
Gulf Giants: James Vince, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus
MI Emirates: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem
Sharjah Warriorz: Tim Southee, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis
New Signings Heat Up the Transfer Window
Several big-name players have changed franchises or made their ILT20 debut:
Dubai Capitals: Added Afghan spinner Waqar Salamkheil, pacers Luke Wood and Muhammad Jawadullah
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Signed explosive batters Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, and Sherfane Rutherford
Desert Vipers: Welcomed opener Andries Gous
Gulf Giants: Secured Moeen Ali, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz
MI Emirates: Added Chris Woakes and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis
Sharjah Warriorz: Signed Sikandar Raza, Maheesh Theekshana, Tim David, and USA quick Saurabh Netravalkar
Mark Your Calendar
The tournament opens on UAE National Day, setting the tone for a festive month of cricketing fireworks across UAE stadiums. With star-studded squads, huge fanbases, and intense franchise rivalries, DP World ILT20 Season 4 is shaping up to be the biggest edition yet.
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