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Game Changers Falcons crowned Champions of World Tennis League Season 3, after a thrilling last-set victory over TSL Hawks

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Game Changers Falcons clinched the World Tennis League Season 3 title with a hard-fought 20-16 victory over TSL Hawks at the iconic Etihad Arena on Sunday. 

Despite losing the first two sets – women’s doubles and women’s singles – Game Changers Falcons staged a remarkable comeback, dominating the men’s doubles and men’s singles to claim the title in a thrilling fashion.

In a rematch of the season opener, Game Changers Falcons’ Elena Rybakina and Caroline Garcia began strongly, breaking the opening serve of the match against TSL Hawks’ Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva. Despite their stellar performances in the league stage, Sabalenka and Andreeva looked unsettled early on. However, they mounted an impressive comeback as they recovered from a 0-5 deficit to level the score at 5-5. Rybakina and Garcia then managed to break the serve again to regain the lead, but a series of unforced errors allowed their opponents to force a tie-break.

In the tie-break, Sabalenka and Andreeva found themselves trailing once again but displayed remarkable composure to turn the tables and clinch the women’s doubles set 7-6.

Teenage sensation Andreeva carried her remarkable form into the women’s singles against Rybakina. She broke Rybakina’s second and third serves to gain the upper hand and comfortably close out the set 6-2, extending TSL Hawks’ overall lead to 13-8 in the match.

In the men’s doubles, Game Changers Falcons’ Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov dominated the entire set against TSL Hawks’ Sumit Nagal and Jordan Thompson. They broke Nagal’s serve twice to maintain the lead and sealed the set 6-2. This win narrowed the overall game tally to 14-15, setting the stage for a thrilling men’s singles.

Riding on his form, Rublev held his opening serve to level the overall game tally at 15-15 before winning three consecutive games to take 18-15 lead and put his team firmly in control. While Nagal managed to pull a game back, Rublev closed the men’s singles set 6-1 in a dominant fashion to help his team clinch the title with a 20-16 win, marking a memorable end to World Tennis League Season 3.

Addressing the media in a post-match press conference, Game Changers Falcons Coach and Captain, John-Laffnie de Jager said, “I’ve done team events for a while, and I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have really good people on the team. They get along well, they’re professional, they show up and at the end of the day, they perform. First time we played against the Hawks, we were behind. We came back from that point to win it and the same happened tonight. So, the format is great, because you are never out and always have a chance to win it. It was an awesome campaign for us, and everybody enjoyed it.”

Shapovalov added, “You always look for matches in the off-season, and a team event like the World Tennis League is the perfect way to check where your level is at. It was great to be alongside these players and win the competition.”

Meanwhile, Garcia said, “In tennis it’s not very often you have an opportunity to play in a team set-up, and I really enjoyed it. I had a great time knowing a bit more about everyone in the team and looking forward to more fun next year.”

Rybakina reflected, “It’s always amazing to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I really enjoyed my time at the World Tennis League. Hopefully next year also, it’s going to be the same fun.”

With the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and Miral, Season 3 of the World Tennis League turned out to be bigger and more exciting than ever. The event featured thrilling world-class tennis action alongside electrifying performances by global artists such as Bryan Adams, Anastacia, and Akon, living upto the event’s true essence of being ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’.

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Norway Chess launches Total Chess World Championship Tour with FIDE approval

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Norway Chess, the prestigious organiser of elite international chess tournaments, has officially launched a new World Championship series approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Dubbed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, the initiative aims to identify the player who excels across three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

“We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’, a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and the new championship.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments annually, held in different cities worldwide. A pilot tournament is planned for fall 2026, with the first full championship season kicking off in 2027. The overall winner at the final stop will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion.

Tour Structure and Prize Pool

Each of the first three events will carry a minimum prize pool of $750,000, while the Finals, featuring the top four competitors, will award at least $450,000, in addition to performance bonuses for top scores at individual events and across the tour.

The Fast Classic format, featuring 45 minutes plus 30-second increments per move, will receive a classical chess rating, giving players the chance to demonstrate strategic skill in a faster-paced environment.

A New Era for Chess Fans

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed strong support for the initiative: “Chess is already a global phenomenon, but the Total Chess World Championship Tour will bring a new title, faster formats, and engaging broadcasts to captivate both existing fans and new audiences. This complements the traditional World Chess Championship and represents a long-term collaboration with Norway Chess.”

Norway Chess is now inviting host cities, investors, and partners to join discussions about the tour, which promises cutting-edge technology, innovative broadcasts, and an exciting format aimed at broadening the global appeal of chess.

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Game on: Abu Dhabi to build a 24,000-seat, fully air-conditioned stadium

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The UAE capital is getting ready to build a massive 24,000-seat stadium, and yes, it’ll be fully air-conditioned for year-round comfort.

Set to rise in Zayed City, the new sports complex will feature retractable roofing, sustainable cooling systems, and advanced digital screens for an immersive fan experience.

Planned as part of Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion strategy, the stadium will host international matches, concerts, and community events, all in climate-controlled comfort.

Officials say the project underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global destination for major sporting events while keeping sustainability at its core. The design uses energy-efficient cooling and solar integration to minimise carbon emissions.

This comes as the UAE continues to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, from cricket and football arenas to Formula 1 circuits, reinforcing its global sporting appeal.

So next time the temperature soars past 45°C, don’t worry, Abu Dhabi’s got you covered, literally.

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Brampton Blitz clinch inaugural Canada Super 60 title with convincing win over Montreal Royal Tigers

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The Brampton Blitz were crowned the first-ever champions of the Canada Super 60 at BC Place, cruising past the Montreal Royal Tigers by eight wickets in a dominant final.

The Blitz showcased their supremacy with the ball, as Dillon Heyliger (4/9), David Wiese (3/6), and Chris Greaves (3/16) bundled out the Tigers for a mere 69 in eight overs. Shakib Al Hasan (29 off 12) and Dilpreet Bajwa (18 off 8) were the only batters to reach double figures for Montreal.

Chasing a modest total of 70, the Blitz wrapped up the victory in just 5.5 overs. James Vince top-scored with a blistering 34 off 16 deliveries, while Martin Guptill contributed a quick 23*. Alex Davies finished proceedings with a six to seal the championship.

Blitz Storm into Final with Nine-Wicket Semi-Final Win Over Mississauga Masters

Earlier in the day, the Brampton Blitz displayed their firepower in the semi-final, demolishing the Mississauga Masters by nine wickets. Chasing 148, Martin Guptill (79 off 25) and Will Smeed (63 off 21) shared a record-breaking 141-run stand in just 6.5 overs. Guptill smashed 11 sixes, while Smeed hit eight, taking the Blitz comfortably past the target in eight overs.

Leus de Plooy (43 off 20) and Sikandar Raza (29 off 13) had provided the Masters with a quick start, supported by Shubham Ranjane (25 off 9) and Rayyan Pathan (19 off 7). Piyush Chawla’s three-wicket haul (3/23) was the highlight for the Blitz bowlers.

Montreal Royal Tigers Overcome Vancouver Kings to Reach Final

In the first semi-final, the Montreal Royal Tigers defeated the Vancouver Kings by 24 runs. Nick Hobson’s 50 off 23 balls rescued the Tigers after an early collapse, lifting them to 100/6 in 10 overs. Baltej Singh (3/21) was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers, while Jaskaran Singh, Dwayne Pretorius, and Tajinder Singh shared three wickets.

During the chase, Shakib Al Hasan (2/5) and Ryan Higgins (2/16) restricted the Kings to 76/7, despite efforts from Max Chu (25 off 10), Obus Pienaar (20 off 11), and Jaskarandeep Singh (16 off 13).

End-of-Season Awards

  • Most Valuable Player: David Wiese – 149 runs at a strike rate of 213+, plus nine wickets.
  • Top Scorer: Leus de Plooy (Mississauga Masters) – 238 runs in six innings at a strike rate over 231.
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Dillon Heyliger (Brampton Blitz) – 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 11.76.

The inaugural Canada Super 60 concluded with the Brampton Blitz leaving an indelible mark on the tournament, blending explosive batting and lethal bowling to lift the trophy.


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