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Ons Jabeur beats Yuliia Starodubtseva to progress to Australian Open second round

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It took Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur, only 63 minutes to secure her passage into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-1 win against Yuliia Starodubtseva on Margaret Court Arena.

The Tunisian sensation, who is looking to better her 2020 quarter-final placing at Melbourne Park, was in such dominant form, only broken in the first game of the match before storming to the emphatic victory.

Starodubtseva, who is ranked 150 in the WTP, showed no signs of nerves as she opened up her first match against a top 10 player, and only her second against a player in the top 100, with a break of serve.

However, Jabeur, the world number 6 ranked player, was in her elements as she unleashed her full arsenal of shots as three breaks of her opponent’s serves saw her collect the first set and an early break to put her in total control.

“It is very, very special to come back here again,” Jabeur said after the match.

“I decided to rest a bit before coming to the Australian Open and just play this tournament. But the crowd really helped today and hopefully it will be a much better match for the next round.”

“It’s been a year. Especially last year wasn’t so great here. Coming back here, I was a little bit stressed but seeing the crowd made me less stressed. I saw some guys I’ve known from 2016 cheering for me when I was playing qualifying.”

“They’ve been following me since qualifying; that is really something. Thank you for coming and supporting me for so many years,” she said.

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Kenyan marathon legend Kipchoge advises young athletes to prioritize success over money

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Kenyan marathon legend, Eliud Kipchoge, has advised young athletes to place success ahead of quick money and riches.

The former world marathon record holder who gave the admonition in an interview with TelecomAsiaSport, urged upcoming athletes to prioritise their careers and personal values over the lure of fast money

He noted that in light of rising mental health concerns and growing cases of doping in sports, young athletes must to shift their focus from chasing quick financial gains to building lasting careers with integrity and resilience.

Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and celebrated for his record-breaking marathon runs, said since retiring from the sport, he has dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of sportsmen and women.

“I am trying to talk to the young people because no one has really gone under the skin of athletes,” he said.

‘There is a lot going on under their skins but above all we need to sensitise them that life is not all about money.

“You need to have your own values as a person, and that is what should drive you,” Kipchoge emphasised.

He added that his hopes are to use his influence to guide young athletes in prioritising personal values, mental well-being, and career longevity over the fleeting allure of fame and money.

The marathon great reiterated that he is deeply concerned with the current state of affairs, especially as he sees the tragic impacts of depression and substance abuse on those who struggle to cope.

He made particular reference to the deaths of young athletes who succumbed to the pressures of the industry, citing the tragic death of former world Under-20 champion, Kipyegon Bett, who passed away after battling depression and alcoholism, according to close family members.

He also mentioned the demise o Clement Kemboi, a former All Africa Games steeplechase champion, who was found to have taken his own life at his home in Iten.

“I will still continue talking to them. And if all of us can come together and get our minds together, we can get rid of these things. It is unfortunate that we can lose athletes at such a young age, and it is more unfortunate that we can have young people get into depression and die.”

He attributes much of the current doping crisis to the culture of seeking quick, easy money, rather than focusing on building a reputation of dedication and integrity, adding that he has witnessed how the pressure for financial success can steer young athletes down dangerous paths, often leading to doping as a shortcut to fame and prosperity.

Despite the challenges, Kipchoge said he remains hopeful that a positive shift is possible if athletes receive the right mentorship and guidance early in their careers.

“There is a need for athletes to understand that a fulfilling life extends beyond medals and money. The fame and fortune are secondary to the peace and pride of knowing you did it the right way,” he concluded.

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South Africa’s FA president Danny Jordaan arrested on fraud, theft allegations

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The President of South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, has been arrested on allegations of fraud and theft.

Jordaan, who was pivotal to the country hosting the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament in Africa in 2010, is being accused of using about R1.3 million ($72,372) of SAFA funds to hire a PR firm and a private security company for his personal benefit.

His arrest follows a raid carried out by the country’s Special Investigating Unit (SPU) at the offices of SAFA in March where it was alleged that an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, thus leading to the arrest.

SA Police spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, who confirmed Jordaan’s arrest, told journalists that he was
arrested along with one other official and a businessman and are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

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