SPORTS
Djokovic Survives Halys Scare to Reach Adelaide Quarters
Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Quentin Halys 7-6(3), 7-6(5) and move into the Adelaide International 1 quarterfinals yesterday.
Halys, ranked 64th in the world, has never beaten a top-10 opponent but gave Djokovic a big scare before the former world No 1 prevailed in two tiebreakers.
Djokovic, who has now won 31 consecutive singles matches in Australia, is preparing for the January 16-29 Australian Open, where he is seeking a record-extending 10th crown.
The Serb was unable to defend his title last year after he was deported on the eve of the tournament for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
“It was a great performance from my opponent today.
I want to congratulate him for great quality and a great fight. Tough luck but he played like a top 10 player today, no doubt,” Djokovic, now ranked fifth in the world, said.“As far as my game goes, I feel good on the court. I didn’t have such a great start, I lost my serve early. He was serving really well, fast, big serves, hitting his spots in the box very well.
“Just difficult to play in this kind of court that is really fast. It kind of favours the server. If you’re serving well, it’s tough to break the serve of a big server like him, so two tiebreaks were probably the most realistic score.”
The 35-year-old Serbian will next play Denis Shapovalov, who he has beaten in all seven of their meetings.
“Denis is one of the most complete players out there, he’s got a very dynamic style of tennis, a big serve, comes to the net and (he is) comfortable playing from the back of the court,” Djokovic added.
“He’s a very great athlete, moves fantastically. We haven’t played for a while so I’m looking forward to that. Every match now gets tougher, I’m going to be ready for that.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
Bago Orders Immediate Repairs of Wind-Damaged Buildings at NYSC Camp
Share From Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed the immediate rehabilitation of buildings damaged by a windstorm at the National Youth Service Corps...
2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today
ShareNigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying...
Ghana Military Convoy Attack Kills Three Civilians, Seven Assailants
ShareFor Somalia’s malnourished children, already suffering the twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts in foreign aid, the U.S.-Israeli...
Imo Deputy Governor Resigns
ShareFrom Marcel Duru Owerri The Commissioner for Information and Strategy Chief Declan Emelumba has said that Imo State Deputy Governor, Ekemaru has resigned. Speaking...
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorists’ Structures in Mandara Mountains
ShareThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sustained its counter-terrorism offensive with precision airstrikes that destroyed terrorists’ structures and logistic hubs in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno....
NDPC Awards Heirs Insurance Brokers 2025 Compliance Trust Mark
ShareHeirs Insurance Brokers Ltd. (HIB) has been awarded the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Audit Compliance Trust Mark for 2025....
Senate Raises the Alarm as States Mobilise Against Fresh Covid-19 Threat
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Nigeria’s public health system has come under renewed scrutiny as the Senate called for urgent funding...
Tinubu Kicks- Off 2027 Re-Election Bid, Picks APC Nomination Forms
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has formally set in motion his bid for a second term in office,...
APC Adopts Charter of Equity in Imo
ShareFrom Marcel Duru, Owerri The former Commissioner in Imo state on Environmental Transformation and General Supervisor and coordinator of All...
Ex-Zamfara Kaura, Declares Intention for Second Turn
ShareFrom Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau A former Zamfara Senator, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara North...