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Rybakina rallies past Badosa, Potapova upsets Gauff in Miami – ARN News Centre

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Elena Rybakina kept her “Sunshine Double” hopes alive as she battled from the brink to beat Paul Badosa in the Miami Open third round on Saturday, while Russian Anastasia Potapova upset Coco Gauff in three sets.

Wimbledon champion Rybakina, fresh off her Indian Wells triumph last week, calmly saved a match point on serve in the second set and fired 60 winners, including a dozen aces, as she earned a gutsy 3-6 7-5 6-3 win.

Rybakina, who also had to go the distance in her opening match against Anna Kalinskaya, struggled to find her rhythm on serve in the opening set but wrestled back momentum in the second.

After being broken four times in the first set, Rybakina held her serve in all but one game in the remainder of the contest and confidently closed out victory in two hours and 31 minutes.

“It didn’t start well in the first set but in the end I just found some energy,” Rybakina said. “I was trying to push more on the serve and started to move better on the court. It was a really tough battle.

“I was trying to focus on every point because the first set didn’t go my way. But it was just a few mistakes here and there. Overall, I played well. Paula was serving well. Just happy that I was able to manage in three sets.”

Russian 27th seed Potapova produced some of her best tennis to see off world number six Gauff in a 6-7(8) 7-5 6-2 win and set up a meeting with China’s Zheng Qinwen.

Potapova mounted a stout defense to fend off 10 of 13 break points and grinned widely as she fired down an unreturnable serve to secure the win.

Up 5-2 in the first set, it looked as though it might be an easy day for Potapova. But Gauff turned the tables when she converted break point chances in the ninth and 11th games and closed the tiebreak with a lethal backhand.

Potapova regained her composure in the second set and pummeled her opponent with her mighty forehand as she broke serve in the penultimate game and dropped only one first-serve point as she won the final five games.

On the men’s side, Indian Wells runner-up Daniil Medvedev breezed past Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour to reach the third round, where he will face Alex Molcan of Slovakia.

In his first match since Carlos Alcaraz snapped his 19-match winning run, Medvedev barely broke a sweat as he hit 18 winners to Carballes Baena’s five in a dominant victory.

Canadian fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime unleashed a dozen aces to edge out Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 7-6(5) 7-6(8) and set up a third-round meeting with last year’s semi-finalist Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.

“That’s the longest I’ve ever played two sets, definitely,” Auger-Aliassime said after the two hour, 40 minute match. “He made me work for it.”

Greek second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, runner-up at this year’s Australian Open, reached the third round after opponent Richard Gasquet of France withdrew with an ankle injury. Tsitsipas will next face Chile’s Christian Garin.

World number three Jessica Pegula made quick work of her fellow American Danielle Collins 6-1 7-6(0). She will meet Polish 20th seed Magda Linette for a place in the quarter-finals.

Earlier, the home fans leapt to their feet as 55th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald survived a barrage of aces to upset Italian 19th seed Matteo Berrettini 7-6(8) 7-6(5). He will next face France’s Quentin Halys.

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Journalist for 25 years with leading publications in India and UAE such as The National, Mumbai Mirror, DNA, Indian Express and former Sports Editor of eIndia.com. Now managing editor of Headline.ae, part of MEMc (https://www.memc.co)

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How World Championship of Legends will change legends cricket forever

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Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are witnessing a groundbreaking shift in the legendary game of cricket through the World Championship of Legends. Here’s why this championship is reshaping the cricketing landscape

Firstly, it stands out as the only league in its category approved by a Test Playing Nation. This validation brings a new level of prestige and authenticity to the championship.

Secondly, the matches are set to unfold on the iconic grounds of Edgbaston. These hallowed cricketing grounds hold a rich history and add an aura of grandeur to the championship.

One of the distinctive features of this league is that players will proudly don their country’s colors while competing. This patriotic display adds a layer of pride and passion to the matches, fostering a deeper connection with fans.

A highlight of the championship is the India versus Pakistan clash, a rivalry steeped in cricketing lore. This showdown not only ignites the competitive spirit but also captures the imagination of fans worldwide.
Moreover, the championship boasts an extensive pool of cricketers, including legends like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, and many others. This diverse lineup ensures fierce competition and thrilling performances on the field.

Cricketing legend Kevin Pietersen current player for England Champions at WCL, shares, “I can’t wait to feel the energy of Edgbaston. It is truly one of the exciting atmospheres to be in, especially when you are playing for England at one of the prestigious venues of cricket. Edgbaston is known to have one of the most passionate crowds, and I am excited to be in action.”

Cricketing icon Brett Lee, playing for Australia Champions, shares, ‘I am beyond proud to be a part of World Championship of Legends. Putting on my country’s colors back again and playing on one of the leading venues of world cricket, Edgbaston, is about representing the pride and passion of millions of fans while giving it my all on the field.’

Sharing more on playing for Australia Champions, Brett Lee shares, “Playing for the World Championship of Legends is not just a privilege, it’s a reminder of the honor and passion that fuels the game.”

What sets this league apart is its inclusion of not just retired players but also those who are not currently signed with their respective cricket boards. This inclusion of free agents adds an element of unpredictability and toughness to the competition, making every match a must-watch spectacle.

Adding to the league’s allure is Bollywood megastar Ajay Devgn, who has invested in the championship, further elevating its profile and appeal. This partnership has garnered significant interest, evident in the sale of tickets worth 125K USD on the very first day.

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Al Ain v Al Hilal ACL semi-final postponed due to weather – ARN News Centre

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Tuesday, 16 April 2024 16:59

By ARN News Staff

via X

The Asian Champions League semi-final first leg between Al Ain and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal has been postponed due to the weather, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Tuesday.

The match was set to be played on Tuesday evening in Al Ain but will now be played on Wednesday, April 17 after the country experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

UAE authorities had urged residents to stay at home due to the weather conditions.

“The UAE Football Association has suspended all football activities for Tuesday, keeping in view the safety of all fans, players and stakeholders,” AFC said in a statement.

The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

 



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England’s highest wicket-taking spinner Underwood dies at 78 – ARN News Centre

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Former England bowler Derek Underwood has died at the age of 78, his former team Kent County Cricket Club said on Monday.

Underwood played 86 test matches for England and took 297 wickets, the country’s highest wicket-taking spinner of all time in the format and the sixth highest wicket-taker overall. His 16-year international career includes 17 five-wicket hauls.

The retrospective ICC rankings put him as the world’s number one bowler for nearly four years between 1969 and 1973.

Underwood, born in Kent, played for his local club for 24 years before retiring in 1987 and had 10 seasons where he took 100 or more wickets.

“Watching Derek weave his unique magic on a wet wicket was a privilege for all who were able to witness it,” Simon Philip, chair of Kent Cricket, said in a statement.

“His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame shows the esteem in which he was held in world cricket.”

Underwood also served as the president of Kent Cricket and the Marylebone Cricket Club after retiring as a player.

“Derek also made substantial contributions off the field as well as on it and he will be sorely missed by everyone at Kent Cricket,” Philip added.

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