Sports
Ruud Ends Djokovic Jinx In Monte Carlo To Set Up Tsitsipas Title Clash
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.”
Sports
From Junk Food To Nigerian Fufu With Ewedu Soup : How My Mum Introduces Fufu To Me, Transformed My Game On The Pitch – Ademola Lookman
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, the winner of the Africa Player of the Year award at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco.
Lookman was the biggest winner at a star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, as Africa’s best performers for the year were honoured.
Ademola Lookman reflects on a pivotal moment in his life as a Nigerian growing up in the UK.
According to him,”During my childhood in the UK, I often found myself indulging in convenient junk food. It was quick and easy, but not exactly nourishing.
“One day, when I was around ten years old, my mum came to watch me play soccer with my friends. After the game, she noticed that I was frequently knocked down by the other kids when we battled for the ball.
With a concerned look, she said to me, ‘Ademola, my son, I’m not pleased with how easily you fall during the game. You’re a Nigerian, and you should possess the stamina that comes with that heritage.’
The very next day, my mother introduced me to Fufu (Nigeria Food). At first, I was put off by its strong smell, but when paired with ewedu soup, I began to appreciate it. Before long, I noticed a remarkable boost in my stamina.
Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how I would have made it this far without embracing Fufu. I will always carry the pride of representing Nigeria,”he said.
Sports
Super Eagles Coach Eguavoen Undergoes Surgery
Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has undergone a successful surgery in Belgium after several delays. The procedure had been postponed multiple times due to his busy schedule with the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers campaign.
Eguavoen played a key role in leading the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in November. However, health issues kept him away from the 2024 CHAN qualifiers against Ghana. In his absence, assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede has taken over responsibilities, guiding the home-based Super Eagles.
In the first leg of the CHAN qualifier in Accra, the Eagles secured a goalless draw, setting up a decisive second leg. The team returned to Nigeria on Tuesday and arrived in Uyo, where they are preparing to host the Black Galaxies at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, December 28.
Assistant coach Ogunmodede expressed optimism about the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of a win to secure the team’s place in CHAN 2024. Preparations began immediately upon their arrival, with the squad scheduled for their first training session at the stadium’s practice pitch on Tuesday night, December 24.
The Super Eagles aim to leverage home advantage to achieve victory in this crucial encounter.
Sports
EPL: Arsenal suffer another major blow
Raheem Sterling will be sidelined for the next few days, dealing Arsenal yet another serious injury blow.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, revealed this and acknowledged that the England attacker had suffered a knee injury.
“Raheem Sterling will also be out for weeks. He’s suffered an injury, it’s his knee,” Arteta told reporters as quoted by Fabrizio Roman.
“He will be assessed again in the next days to understand how long he will be out.”
Bukayo Saka would be out due to injury, Arteta has previously stated.
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