Sports
Injured Naomi Osaka withdraws from Auckland Classic final
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the final of the Auckland Classic with an abdominal injury Sunday, a blow to the Japanese star just a week before the start of the Australian Open.
Playing in her first WTA final for three years, against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, the four-time Grand Slam champion called for the physio after taking the opening set 6-4 and pulled out shortly afterwards.
Osaka’s sudden withdrawal came as a shock after playing with no apparent problem in the 35-minute opening set, unleashing some powerful groundstrokes to break her opponent in the third and fifth games.
At the changeover, the 27-year-old stood and performed a series of stretches during a medical timeout.
After consulting with the trainer she shook the hand of Tauson, who picked up a third career title and her first since 2021.
Osaka didn’t divulge details of what forced her withdrawal in a short courtside interview.
However, in a statement, the WTA said she retired “due to an abdominal injury”.
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city. I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m sorry about how it ended.
“I hope you did enjoy the tennis that we did play and I’m just really grateful to be here,” Osaka said.
It was an anti-climactic finish to the week for Osaka, who was chasing her first title since winning the 2021 Australian Open.
Her most recent final appearance was at the Miami Open the following year, before taking a 15-month break and giving birth to her first child midway through 2023.
She returned to tennis 12 months ago and has climbed to 57th in the world rankings.
AFP
Newcastle will be delighted to take a 2-0 advantage into the second leg of this semi-final, which will take place at St James’ Park on 5 February, as they look for their first-ever League Cup title.
Arsenal have left themselves an uphill challenge if they are to win the competition for the first time since 1993.
Up next for Arsenal is an FA Cup third-round clash at home to Manchester United before another massive tie as they host the North London Derby in the Premier League next Wednesday.
Newcastle have a slightly more favourable cup draw as they welcome League Two Bromley to St James’ Park before hosting Wolves in the Premier League in the midweek round of games.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has been given a two-match ban for violent conduct in his team’s 2-1 LaLiga win at Valencia on Friday, the Spanish FA (RFEF) confirmed on Tuesday.
Vinicius was sent off for slapping Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the second half at the Mestalla stadium when his team were trailing 1-0.
After an appeal by the club, the RFEF suspended the striker for two league games, clearing him for Thursday’s Super Cup game against Mallorca.
Real, LaLiga leaders with 43 points, will look to retain their Super Cup title in the four-team tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Petr Cech, a legend at Chelsea, believes that his countryman Antonin Kinsky would excel at Tottenham Hotspur.
The teenage goalie recently moved permanently from Slavia Prague to the north London team. Over the weekend, Kinsky paid £12.5 million to sign with Spurs.
In the upcoming weeks, the 21-year-old will probably start for the Premier League team before Fraser Forster and Brandon Austin, the other goalkeepers.
Cech, who plays ice hockey today and is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time, recently opened out about the 21-year-old goalie in an interview with The Playbook House.
“I wouldn’t worry about him being at a disadvantage because of his younger age. When we look at the Premier League, it’s not uncommon to come across players who are maybe 17 years old. When they [players] have something to give to the team, they just play. So, I think with Antonin, it will be all about his performance,” he said.
“I am very happy that he got the opportunity. Tottenham are a traditional club that regularly fights for the UEFA Champions League,” he added. “I believe that he will do well and that the club will suit him. The role in the team should suit him because the head coach wants the goalkeepers to play with their feet, which is his great asset.”
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