Sports
Ruud Ends Djokovic Jinx In Monte Carlo To Set Up Tsitsipas Title Clash
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ruud-Ends-Djokovic-Jinx.jpg&description=Ruud Ends Djokovic Jinx In Monte Carlo To Set Up Tsitsipas Title Clash', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ruud-Ends-Djokovic-Jinx.jpg&description=Ruud Ends Djokovic Jinx In Monte Carlo To Set Up Tsitsipas Title Clash', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Casper Ruud finally defeated Novak Djokovic at the sixth attempt on Saturday, setting up a Monte Carlo Masters title showdown with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Norwegian eighth seed Ruud, who had been swept off the court by the world number one in a demoralising French Open final loss last year, came through 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in his semi-final when Djokovic double-faulted after saving two match points.
An inspired Tsitsipas handed world number two Jannik Sinner just his second loss of the season as the two-time champion Greek booked his place in Sunday’s final, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
“I’m super-happy, this is a day I will remember for a really long time,” said Ruud who had never taken a set off Djokovic in their five previous meetings.
“I’ve never beaten Novak and I’ve never beaten a world number one. I’m still in a little bit of shock.”
Ruud and Djokovic traded breaks in the final set, with the Norwegian getting the final word when Djokovic blinked first after just over two and a quarter hours.
“I was up and he came back, the top guys are good under pressure,” Ruud said. “I was just hoping the match would not slip away.
“In the last game I was hoping something or someone up above was listening… I was so happy to see that last ball sail along.”
On Sunday’s final, Ruud added: “Stef will be tough in the final but I will give it my all.”
Djokovic was competing in his first semi-final in Monte Carlo since he lifted his second title in 2015. He was hoping to reach a 59th Masters final.
“Congratulations to Casper. He played really good, especially in the beginning of the first and third set,” said the 36-year-old top seed.
“Of course I’m disappointed now, to lose a match like this… it was a close one.”
‘Great Day’
Tsitsipas’s victory ended the nine-match winning streak of Australian Open champion Sinner who also has titles in Rotterdam and Miami to his name this season.
“Today was a great day, I’m hoping for a good recovery and a fresh mind,” said Tsitsipas. “I hope to come out extra strong tomorrow.”
Sinner began the final set, during which he was twice treated for a right knee injury, with a break of serve.
But he lost it in the eighth game after saving four break points which allowed Tsitsipas to level at 4-4.
The Greek then finished it off by playing what he called “tennis at the highest level that I’ve been able to play recently”.
Tsitsipas, ranked 12th, won the title in Monte Carlo in 2021 and 2022 and declared he is returning to top form after falling out of the top 10.
“It will help my confidence to have a win like this,” he said. “I’m aiming for the top level again.”
Tsitsipas secured the opening set with a break in the third game, but the Italian put up a fight to level in the second.
Sinner broke on the way to a 3-0 lead and fought to save five break points in a 13-minute marathon final game before squaring the match on his second set point.
Sinner said a poor third-set line call caused him to cramp up and lose focus.
Instead of a double-fault being called, which would have given the Italian a double break, the point played on, with Tsitsipas holding serve for 2-3.
After two more games, Sinner called for the trainer.
“It’s hard to accept it,” the Italian second seed said of the call. “I was playing really well at that time.”
“Everyone can make a mistake. Afterwards, I had cramps, most likely because of what happened, because it also affects your nerves.”
Argentina comeback to overturn a two-goal lead and wallop Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday, booking their place in the quarter-finals.Soccer
The South American giants looked destined for a shock exit after Egypt raced into a two-goal lead through Youssef Ibrahim El Hanafi and Mohamed Zaki Abdelraouf.
El Hanafi opened the scoring in the 15th minute, giving the Pharaohs an early advantage before Abdelraouf doubled the lead in the 67th minute, leaving Lionel Messi and his teammates with a mountain to climb.
However, Argentina mounted a remarkable fightback in the closing stages of the contest.
Cristian Romero sparked the revival in the 79th minute, heading home to halve the deficit and breathe life into Argentina’s hopes.
Just four minutes later, captain Lionel Messi restored parity with a clinical finish in the 83rd minute, sending the Mercedes-Benz Stadium into celebration as Argentina drew level at 2-2.
With extra time looming, Enzo Fernández completed the stunning turnaround in stoppage time, firing home the decisive goal in the 90+2nd minute to seal an unforgettable 3-2 victory.
The dramatic win ensured Argentina progressed to the quarter-finals after one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament, while Egypt bowed out despite producing a spirited display and coming within minutes of a famous upset.
Argentina will now shift their attention to the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for another FIFA World Cup title.
Belgium dumped the United States out of their own World Cup on Tuesday, as Charles De Ketelaere’s brace secured a 4-1 win that was eclipsed by the bitter row over Folarin Balogun’s ban.
Victory means the Belgians face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the US follow co-hosts Canada and Mexico out of the tournament with elimination in the round of 16 after a thoroughly flat performance.
All attention pre-game had been on Balogun’s place in the US starting lineup, after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the striker’s one-game suspension for a red card, and the governing body controversially obliged.
But Belgium’s XI had a few surprises of its own, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among the heavyweights benched. And coach Rudi Garcia’s gambit proved inspired, with De Ketelaere grabbing an early goal to puncture the feelgood vibes in Seattle.
Malik Tillman grabbed one back from a free kick, but De Ketelaere swiftly restored Belgium’s lead. A catastrophic piece of goalkeeping by Matt Freese and a late Romelu Lukaku goal left the Americans dead and buried.
FIFA’s move to suspend Balogun’s ban after he was sent off in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been slammed by football fans, pundits and players around the world, but there were no such misgivings among the Seattle crowd.
A colossal roar greeted the stadium announcement of Balogun’s name in the starting XI, vastly dwarfing the cheers even for US talisman Christian Pulisic.
The “USA” thunderclap then echoed around the stadium, utterly drowning out a small corner of chanting Belgium fans in the opening minutes.
But the American party was swiftly silenced. The majority of 67,000 fans fell silent in the ninth minute as De Ketelaere scored, easily tapping home from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cross evaded some lax defending.
It was the first time the Americans had conceded the opener all World Cup. With the atmosphere deflated, no immediate fightback was visible on the pitch either. The midfield was outgunned and the defense looked nervous.
On the half-hour mark, Balogun drew a foul on the edge of the area and whipped the crowd back to life. He waved his arms frantically as Malik Tillman — fresh from scoring a free kick against Bosnia — lined up the ball.
Tillman’s shot deflected off the Belgian wall and span into the net, and the stadium shook.
– Dream over –
But the joy was again short-lived. In the 33rd minute, De Ketelaere leapt up to meet Leandro Trossard’s cross and comfortably out-jumped an off-balance Tim Ream to score his second.
The US inched back into the game as the first half closed out, with Balogun blasting over from a long Tillman throw, then narrowly failing to catch a long ball, again from the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino switched formation at half-time, sending Gio Reyna into the number 10 role and pushing Weston McKennie out to the right. The Americans resumed play with more intensity, pushing higher up the pitch.
But self-inflicted disaster struck in the 57th minute. Freese came out to collect a Belgium long ball, turned to evade the charging De Ketelaere, but then hesitated with his pass.
De Ketelaere jabbed the ball to Hans Vanaken, who made no mistake with an open goal from long range.
Pulisic limped off with an injury minutes later, and with him went the US dreams of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.
His replacement, Sebastian Berhalter, flashed an ambitious shot narrowly wide in the 79th minute, and Balogun had a close-range effort saved soon after.
But Chris Richards handed the ball to Lukaku in stoppage time, and the veteran striker did not hestitate to seal the rout.
Sports
Heartbreaking Moment Cristiano Ronaldo Cries Profusely As His #FIFAWorldCup Career Ends After Spain Loss
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream ended in heartbreak as Portugal crashed out to Spain in the Round of 16.
The veteran forward fought back tears after what is expected to be his final World Cup, with football’s biggest prize set to remain beyond his reach.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday.
The 41-year-old forward was visibly emotional after the final whistle, fighting back tears as Portugal’s campaign ended. Widely expected to be Ronaldo’s final World Cup, the tournament represented his last realistic chance to lift the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
Spain’s victory ended Portugal’s hopes, while Ronaldo walked off the pitch knowing his long pursuit of World Cup glory was finally over.
FG mourns Nigerian Medical Graduate Killed in Russian Attack on Ukraine
Security operatives nab El-Rufai’s personal physician
Finally, Court grants Peller bail after four days in custody for ‘obstructing’ police
-
Metro19 hours agoEFCC Opens N15.6 Billion Fraud Case Against Ex-Skye Bank Chairman, Ayeni
-
Economy19 hours agoUBA Appoints New Chairman As Tony Elumelu Set To Retire
-
News19 hours ago2027: Peter Obi wants to divide Nigeria – Former Borno Gov, Sheriff
-
Sports19 hours agoHeartbreaking Moment Cristiano Ronaldo Cries Profusely As His #FIFAWorldCup Career Ends After Spain Loss
-
Sports19 hours agoSpain Defeat Portugal To End Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Career
-
Metro19 hours agoAlleged Motorcycle Theft: Mob Burns Man to Death in Kano Community
-
News19 hours agoCourt orders ADC welfare secretary to pay N100m damages to two judges
-
News19 hours agoDSS Arrests, Releases Nnamdi Kanu’s Doctor
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login