Sports

Ons Jabeur crashes out of French Open after loss to Coco Gauff

Published

4 weeks ago

June 5, 2024

The quest for a maiden Grand Slam title by Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur, took another hit on Tuesday night as she was knocked out of the French Open quarter finals by American third seed, Coco Gauff, in what turned out to be an absorbing contest.

Gauf who is the current US Open champion, showed her maturity and mentality at Roland Garros to defeat the 8th seeded Jabeur win 4-6 6-2 6-3 and will play Polish top seed Iga Swiatek, who beat her in the 2022 final, in the last four on Thursday.

Court side reports on the match say after a superb opening set which was dominated by Jabeur, the “20-year-old Gauff continued to believe in her game and took advantage of her opponent’s level dipping.”

“Gauff was unable to convert a match point on Jabeur’s serve at 5-2 in the decider, and survived a break point at 5-3, before getting over the line when her opponent dumped an overhead long,” the report said.

“A passionate roar as Gauff celebrated in the middle of the court indicated the magnitude of the test she had come through.”

After the pulsating match, Gauff, however, gave credit to her opponent.

“She’s a tough opponent. I was trying to be more aggressive, she was playing really well and hitting a lot of winners – which I’m not used to.

“I got a little bit tight but I did what I needed to do.

“Whenever I’m not playing, I cheer for Ons too, so thank you guys for making it a great atmosphere. I like playing in atmospheres like this.

“I know you wanted her to win, but even when I was in the bathroom after the first set, I was thinking ‘this is really fun, win or lose’,” she told the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Jabeur who is a three-time major finalist, has endured a tough season because of a niggling knee injury and struggled for form before rediscovering her level at Roland Garros.

However, the 29-year-old was unable to sustain the pressure she put Gauff under after struggling to land as many first serves, and beginning to make rash decisions in her returning, was costly as Gauff turned the match around.

“The quarter-finals is not bad. I’ll take it,” said Jabeur.

“I’m trying to be less hard with myself and be proud with the way I was fighting.”

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Sports

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes history at Tour de France

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Unheralded Eritrean cyclist, Biniam Girmay, on Monday, made history by becoming the first Black African rider to claim victory in a Tour de France stage.

Girmay crossed the finish line ahead of tour favourites, Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie, completing the stage in 5 hours, 26 minutes, 48 seconds.

Girmay won stage three of the 2024 Tour in Turin after a crash in the peloton, three kilometres from the finish, dashed Mark Cavendish’s hopes of becoming the Tour’s record-breaking stage winner for yet another day.

The 24-year-old Girmay who rides for the Intermarché-Wanty team, had already won a stage in the 2022 Giro d’Italia and of the Belgian classic Gent-Wevelgem, and took his first Tour success after sprinting ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

Speaking after the race, the Eritrean said:

“Ever since I started cycling, I’ve always been dreaming of the Tour. But to win in my second Tour, in a big bunch sprint, is unbelievable. It means a lot, personally for me, and for the continent.

“I remember my father really liked to watch the Tour every July. He always showed us the Tour de France on TV. One day, I asked him if it was possible to be part of the Tour, and he said: ‘Keep going and everything is possible.’

“Today, everybody will believe African riders can succeed in the World Tour. We must be proud, now we are really part of the big races, now it’s our moment, our time.”

Girmay’s victory came on the third day and the longest stage of this year’s race, spanning 230.8 kilometers (roughly 143 miles) between Piacenza and Turin.

Girmay had previously achieved a milestone in Italy two years ago by winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, making him the first Black African to secure a victory in a Grand Tour, which includes the Giro, the Tour de France, and the Spanish Vuelta.

Sports

Samuel Eto’o threatens to sue CAF after match-fixing hearing

Published

24 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, has threatened to institute a lawsuit against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a disciplinary hearing over match-fixing allegations against him.

The Cameroonian football legend announced the threat after he was invited for questioning over the allegations.

The ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan striker has been a subject of match-fixing allegations in his capacity as head of the FECAFOOT after he was accused of having orchestrated the promotion of a team owned by a close associate of his.

Apart from the match-fixing allegations, Eto’o is also accused of spreading false information, making threats, inciting violence and abusing power, in a scalding report sent to FIFA.

According to the report, Eto’o was charged by CAF over the alleged offences and on Wednesday, June 26th, he appeared before a disciplinary panel.

Though the outcome of the hearing are yet unknown as CAF is yet to publish an official statement, Eto’o says he is not satisfied with the process and will be seeking redress in court.

“I have mandated my lawyers to file a complaint against CAF and for responsibilities to be established,” Eto’o said while addressing journalists.

“It was too easy to tarnish everything I had built during these few years in the world of football. CAF launched a press release much too early. This is unacceptable behaviour.”