World number five Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open first round by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The epic five-set match ended 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours, 41 minutes. It’s only Nadal’s second ever opening round defeat at a major tournament. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, former world number one Ana Ivanovic beat the unseeded Tammi Patterson 6-2, 6-3.
Baptiste's variety drags Sabalenka out of comfort zone in Madrid shock
Hailey Baptiste offered a glimpse of how Aryna Sabalenka can be unsettled on clay after mixing forays to the net with changes of pace to save six match points and prevail over the world number one in their Madrid Open quarter-final on Tuesday.
FIFA to increase financial distribution to all 48 World Cup teams by 15%
Amid widespread complaints about the cost of tickets and transportation related to World Cup games, FIFA announced Tuesday that it will hike the money received by all 48 teams participating this summer by 15 per cent.
Sabalenka stunned by Baptiste in Madrid Open quarter-finals
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has suffered a shock 2-6 6-2 7-6(6) defeat by Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the American produced the biggest win of her career after saving six match points to reach the semi-finals for the first time.
Palestinian football body appeals to sports court over FIFA Israel ruling
The Palestinian Football Association has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements, a senior PFA official said on Tuesday.
Holders PSG edge Bayern 5-4 in record-breaking semi-final first leg
Defending champions Paris St Germain has battled past visitors Bayern Munich 5-4 in a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday that had a record number of goals at this stage of the competition.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Wednesday, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The UAE’s National Anti-Narcotics Authority has announced the dismantling of a criminal gang involved in drug trafficking and distribution, following a month-long joint operation with Dubai Police, Sharjah Police and authorities in Bahrain.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, held talks with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, focusing on strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
