Connect with us

SPORTS

Venus Williams Slumps to Opening Defeat at French Open

Published

on

Share

Former French Open runner-up Venus Williams suffered her second successive first round loss in a Grand Slam as she went down 6-4 6-4 to Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Sunday.

With a chill wind blowing and drizzle falling on the Simonne-Mathieu arena, the 40-year-old Williams began strongly but got bogged down in a baseline battle on a slow surface.

The American has now fallen in the opening round at the French Open for the past three years.

Williams led 3-1 and 4-2 in the first set against the 26-year-old who is playing under a special ranking after undergoing knee surgery.

But she lost a series of lengthy games as a first set lasting 68 minutes slipped away.

Unable to hold her once mighty serve, Williams, the oldest player in the draw, fell 4-1 down in the second set.

This came as Schmiedlova moved within sight of snapping a streak of 12 successive Grand Slam first round defeats since 2016.

Williams, who played in black leggings and a bodywarmer, finally held serve.

That was after being broken six times in a row to close to 3-4 in the second as Schmiedlova began to look a little nervy.

But the Slovak edged 5-3 in front.

Seven-times Grand Slam champion Williams fought ferociously until the end, saving two match points on serve.

But Schmiedlova showed great composure to serve it out, sealing victory with a forehand down the line.

Williams, playing her 87th Grand Slam and now ranked 76th in the world, also lost in the opening round at the U.S Open.

It was the first time she had fallen at the first hurdle at her home Slam in 22 appearances.(Reuters/NAN)

SPORTS

NPFL: Late Penalty Kick Helps Kwara United to Narrow Win

Published

on

Share

A penalty kick awarded late in the game on Sunday helped hosts Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to a 1-0 win over Katsina United.

The win was in a match day 18 encounter in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played at the Kwara Stadium Complex.

The hosts did dominate possession, especially in the first half, but they struggled and failed to convert their goal scoring chances.

Junior Aimufua and Issa Gatta posed occasional threats from the flanks but were unable to break the deadlock.

The first half saw Kwara United losing Akeem Akanni who was forced out of the game due to injury and was subsequently replaced by Sodeeq Yusuf before the break.

The second half saw relentless pressure from Kwara United in the search for a goal, but Katsina United employed delay tactics to disrupt the flow of the game.

However, substitute Ismail Gatta, who replaced Wasiu Alalade in the 53rd minute, became the hero in the 87th minute after confidently converting a penalty kick.

This was after a Katsina United defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.

Kwara United’s Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, later insisted that his side was still a work in progress even though he praised their resilience against a tough Katsina United.

“We are proud of the young players we are using. Modern football favours youthful energy over big names,” he said.

Sanni also assured the club’s fans that Akanni’s injury was minor and he should return to action soon in about one or two weeks.

Report says that Kwara United are now in 11th place on the log with 23 points, and an outstanding home game against Enyimba International of Aba.

They will face the Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday in their final match day fixture in the first stanza of the league.(NAN)

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Tottenham Edge Manchester United 4-3 in Thrilling League Cup Win

Published

on

Share

Dominic Solanke’s brace helped Tottenham Hotspur edge a rip-roaring League Cup quarter-final game with Manchester United by a 4-3 win.

The win ensures that Tottenham are still in hunt of a first trophy since 2008.

Spurs were in cruise control when Solanke rifled home his second in the 54th minute to add to his first-half opener and Dejan Kulusevski’s effort 46 seconds into the second half.

Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster pressed the self-destruct button, though, as his two errors set up a nervy finale.

First Manchester United substitute Joshua Zirkzee tapped in after Forster’s pass out from the back had been intercepted before Amad Diallo blocked his clearance to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes left.

Ange Postecoglou’s men were teetering on the brink of collapse at this point, but captain Son Heung Min scored directly from a corner with two minutes left despite protestations from keeper Altay Bayindir.

It ensured Jonny Evans’ stoppage-time header was a mere consolation as Spurs march on towards the semi-finals.

The loss left Ruben Amorim to pick the bones out of the third defeat of his short tenure. (dpa/NAN)

Continue Reading

SPORTS

NPFL: Nasarawa Utd pip Lobi Stars 1-0 in North Central Derby

Published

on

Share

Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.

The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.

The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.

The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of  the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.

Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.

The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.

In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.

He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.

“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.

With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS4 hours ago

Abuja Stampede: CAN Mourns

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the weekend, said it is...

NEWS4 hours ago

Benue unveils Zeva Premium Lager Beer

Share The Benue Government on Sunday unveiled a new beverage, Zeva Premium Lager Beer, produced by Benue Investment and Property...

NEWS4 hours ago

NAFDAC, Manufacturers Collaborate to Strengthen Food Safety Culture in Nigeria

Share The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has partnered with the Association of Food, Beverages,...

NEWS4 hours ago

CHAN: Nigeria, Ghana Clash Ends in Goalless Draw

ShareThe Nigeria, Ghana final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship ends a goalless draw in...

NEWS4 hours ago

FG Lifts Ban on Mining to Boost Zamfara IGR – Minister

Share Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, says President Bola Tinubu has lifted the ban on mining in...

NEWS4 hours ago

Kaduna’ll be Secure During Yuletide-CP

Share The Police Command in Kaduna State said it  has enhanced security measures ahead of the yuletide festivities in the state....

NEWS4 hours ago

IG Visits Family of Man Who Died in Police Custody in Ilorin 

ShareThe Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday paid an unscheduled visit to Ilorin in view of the death...

NEWS5 hours ago

2024 was Turbulent for us But God Strengthened us, Makinde Says

ShareGov. Seyi Makinde on Sunday in Ibadan said God’s intervention helped the government and people of Oyo State to go...

SPORTS5 hours ago

NPFL: Late Penalty Kick Helps Kwara United to Narrow Win

ShareA penalty kick awarded late in the game on Sunday helped hosts Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to a...

Missing N500bn: Probe CBN, Falana, Others Tell PMB Missing N500bn: Probe CBN, Falana, Others Tell PMB
POLITICS5 hours ago

Poverty, Behind Deadly Stampedes Across Nigeria, says Falana

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, on Sunday attributed the deadly stampede that claimedmore than 105...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc