Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final

Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Dean Henderson celebrate after their FA Cup — Semi Final match against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium, London, Apr. 26, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 26 April 2025

Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final

Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
  • Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast
  • “All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said

LONDON: Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr’s double and a rocket from Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.
Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast before Sarr netted twice in the second half.
In the final on May 17, Palace will face Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semifinal on Sunday.
The Eagles have never won the FA Cup, losing their two final appearances against Manchester United in 2016 and 1990.
“All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said.
“We got more control and it was an unbelievable performance. The players stuck to the plan and we never lost our heads.
“I don’t know at the moment how I feel — a bit exhausted. The players have four days off now. They should enjoy the moment.”
Villa, who last won the FA Cup in 1957, were hoping to make the final for the first time since 2015.
But Unai Emery’s team produced a dismal display and will have to settle for fighting to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish in the Premier League.
“When they scored the first goal it was more difficult for us and we only reacted after 2-0 and then we created more chances to score and we didn’t do. In transition they are very good, and they deserve to win,” Emery said.
“Sorry to our supporters because they were motivated. We have to accept it. We have to be quick to react because in the league we have the most important objective.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, but it was chalked off after a VAR check confirmed the Palace striker had fouled Ezri Konsa in the build-up.
There was no such doubt about Eze’s opener, however, after Sarr got in the way of Pau Torres’ pass, then collected the resulting ricochet to the right of the Villa area.
Sarr found Eze and the midfielder curled a superb strike beyond the reach of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Torres looked for an instant reply when he nodded just over the crossbar.
Konsa came closer, forcing Dean Henderson into a low save with a header of his own from a corner.
Villa piled on more pressure after the restart when Henderson made another fine save to deny John McGinn’s sharp volley, then Lucas Digne fired narrowly wide through a crowd of players.
Palace were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty after Eze was tugged down by Boubacar Kamara and Mateta stepped up to the spot after a VAR check, but his shot clipped the post and went wide.
Just as Villa started to gain momentum, Adam Wharton intercepted a pass and, after a quick touch from Mateta, Sarr fired into the bottom corner.
Henderson repelled a blast from Villa substitute Leon Bailey, moments after Mateta slid in to deny Ross Barkley.
Sarr nodded Eze’s cross off target, while Matty Cash’s attempt to claw a late goal back for Villa sailed wide.
Sarr put the seal on Palace’s impressive performance in stoppage-time, outpacing Konsa before slotting home to send the Eagles into the final.


Jannik Sinner reaches the Wimbledon quarterfinals despite a bad elbow when an injured Dimitrov stops

Jannik Sinner reaches the Wimbledon quarterfinals despite a bad elbow when an injured Dimitrov stops
Updated 07 July 2025

Jannik Sinner reaches the Wimbledon quarterfinals despite a bad elbow when an injured Dimitrov stops

Jannik Sinner reaches the Wimbledon quarterfinals despite a bad elbow when an injured Dimitrov stops
  • Sinner entered Monday having lost a total of just 17 games in the tournament

LONDON: Jannik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals despite hurting his right elbow in a fall and dropping the first two sets Monday night, because his opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, had to quit with an injured pectoral muscle.
The No. 1-seeded Sinner hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament until falling behind No. 19 Dimitrov 6-3, 7-5. But at 2-all in the third set, Dimitrov stopped playing.
It’s the fifth consecutive Grand Slam tournament where the 34-year-old Dimitrov failed to complete a match. He also did it at the Australian Open in January and the French Open in May, plus last year’s Wimbledon and US Open.
“He’s been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player. A good friend of mine, also. We understand each other very well, off the court, too,” Sinner said. “I hope he has a speedy recovery.”
On the last point against Sinner, Dimitrov served and immediately clutched his chest with his left hand. He took a few steps and crouched, before sitting on the grass. Sinner walked over to that side of the court to check on him.
“My pec,” Dimitrov told Sinner.
Dimitrov — a three-time major semifinalist, including at Wimbledon in 2014 — then went to the sideline, sat in his chair and was checked by a trainer and doctor. As Dimitrov talked with them, Sinner knelt nearby. After a delay of a few minutes, Dimitrov walked toward the locker room with the medical personnel.
Soon, he reemerged and said he couldn’t continue.
“I don’t take this as a win, at all,” Sinner said. “This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.”
Two hours earlier, it was Sinner down on the ground and seemingly in trouble. He was hurt in the opening game, when his foot gave out from under him and he slipped and fell behind a baseline, bracing his fall with his right hand while still holding his racket.
During a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set, Sinner winced as a trainer massaged the elbow. Sinner’s coaches, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, looked on from their box with concern.
Sinner was given a pill to take and play resumed. He frequently shook his right arm or rubbed his elbow between points.
The 23-year-old Italian is a three-time Grand Slam champion who will play No. 10 Ben Shelton of the United States for a berth in the semifinals. Sinner leads the head-to-head series 5-1 and has won their past five matches, all in straight sets, including at Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open this year.
Sinner entered Monday having lost a total of just 17 games in the tournament, tying the record for the fewest in the Open era by man at Wimbledon through three completed matches.
Right after he fell behind by two sets against Dimitrov, the match was paused so the stadium’s retractable roof could be closed because of fading sunlight.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray was not a fan of that decision, writing on social media: “So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match. At least an hour of light left….well over a set of tennis can still be played..its an outdoor tournament!”
About a half-hour later, the match was over.
 


Bencic downs Alexandrova to break Wimbledon 4th-round barrier

Bencic downs Alexandrova to break Wimbledon 4th-round barrier
Updated 07 July 2025

Bencic downs Alexandrova to break Wimbledon 4th-round barrier

Bencic downs Alexandrova to break Wimbledon 4th-round barrier
  • Bencic, who has been knocked out in the fourth round here three times before, said she turned the tide by being more courageous

LONDON: Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic reached her first Wimbledon quarterfinal in nine attempts on Monday, dismissing 18th-seeded Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(4) 6-4 in just under two hours on a breezy Court One.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, 28, shed tears after she finally broke the fourth-round barrier 15 months after giving birth to her daughter Bella and said she felt very proud of herself.

But she needed six match points to down 30-year-old Alexandrova, who just last month beat Bencic with the loss of only three games at the Den Bosch grasscourt tournament in the Netherlands.

Bencic, who has been knocked out in the fourth round here three times before, said she turned the tide by being more courageous.

“I think I tried to be more brave. I had more matches under my belt and it turned out better than the last time I played her,” she said.

“I always got stuck in the fourth round. It was so important for me to break through to the quarterfinals,” she added.

Alexandrova, who has also never passed the fourth round at the All England Club, blew hot and cold in the first set, dropping two service games before turning on the aggression, improving her second serve and fighting back to force a tiebreak.

But Bencic, calm and businesslike, won four points in a row in the tiebreak and sealed the set after an hour and one minute when Alexandrova sent a backhand long.

Bencic broke Alexandrova’s serve in the eighth game of the second set but was unable to capitalize when serving for the match in a mammoth eight-deuce game that lasted some 15 minutes and during which the Russian saved five match points.

But Bencic came fighting back on the Russian’s serve with a forehand winner for a sixth match point, converting it when Alexandrova put a forehand long.

The Swiss, ranked 35 but a former world number four, was one of nine mothers in the draw, but the only one to reach the fourth round. She gave birth in April last year and was back playing competitively within six months even reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open in January 2025.

“I’m really proud of myself and the whole team. We did an amazing job coming back,” she said.

“It’s amazing to share the memories together as a family. I’m enjoying it more. I juggle it like every mum does.”


Two-time EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa signs for Dubai Basketball from Real Madrid

Two-time EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa signs for Dubai Basketball from Real Madrid
Updated 07 July 2025

Two-time EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa signs for Dubai Basketball from Real Madrid

Two-time EuroLeague champion Dzanan Musa signs for Dubai Basketball from Real Madrid
  • Bosnian will join Dubai in a three-year contract after a title-winning campaign with Spanish giants
  • head coach Jurica Golemac is assembling a roster capable of challenging the very best in Europe

DUBAI: Dzanan Musa, one of Europe’s most sought-after shooting guards, joins Dubai Basketball on a three-year deal starting with the 2025-26 season. The two-time EuroLeague champion will join the Dubai side directly from a title-winning campaign with one of the world’s most celebrated teams, Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old Bosnian has created a name for himself with a brief stint in the NBA, followed by his immediate ascent in the EuroLeague. Speaking on his transfer to Dubai that will see him on the team until 2028, Musa commented: “Joining Dubai Basketball is an incredible opportunity and a challenge I’m fully prepared to take on. Coming off a championship season in Spain, I feel confident in what I can bring to the court, and I’m excited to help this team create history in both the EuroLeague and ABA League.

“It’s been an amazing journey to reach this stage of my career. Now being here in Dubai, ready to write a new chapter, it’s truly special,” he added. “I’m looking forward to supporting the growing basketball community here, connecting with our fans, and making them proud. I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to help this team grow and leave a lasting legacy in this city.”

Before returning to Europe, Musa spent two seasons in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets, who selected him 29th overall in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. During his time in the US, he appeared in 49 NBA games, gaining playing time alongside All-Star teammates, including NBA stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Musa also excelled in the NBA G League, where he averaged 19.5 points per game with the Long Island Nets, underlining his offensive potential.

Musa made an immediate impact since his debut, which started with Slovenian side Cedevita Olimpija, where he made his first EuroLeague appearance at just 16 years old. Following his time in the US, Dzanan joined Spanish side Rio Breogan in 2021, where he was named the Spanish league’s MVP for his standout season.

The Bosnian was quickly scouted to join Spanish giants Real Madrid at 23 years old. He became a key figure in the team’s 2022-23 EuroLeague title-winning run, contributing an average of 14.8 points and 2.7 assists per game, which led him to be selected in the All-EuroLeague First Team in his inaugural year at Madrid. Musa joins Dubai Basketball after wrapping up a successful domestic league campaign where he contributed a total of 466 points to clinch the Spanish side’s 16th league title.

Musa becomes the first signing ahead of what promises to be a historic season, not only for Dubai but for European basketball. Since the team’s inception in the 2024-25 season, Dubai Basketball has consistently made headlines by reaching milestones, setting records, and paving the way for a new era in the sport. As the club prepares for its EuroLeague debut this season, head coach Jurica Golemac is assembling a roster capable of challenging the very best in Europe.


Cricket stars confirm return to DP World ILT20 for season 4

Cricket stars confirm return to DP World ILT20 for season 4
Updated 07 July 2025

Cricket stars confirm return to DP World ILT20 for season 4

Cricket stars confirm return to DP World ILT20 for season 4
  • Salt, Hales, Hasaranga, Powell, Curran, Ferguson, Farooqi, David, and Sikandar will take part in the UAE-based T20 league
  • DP World International League T20 season 4 will feature 6 teams across a 34-match tournament, with the final on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

DUBAI: For the fourth consecutive season, some of the biggest T20 superstars from around the world will feature in the DP World International League T20.

England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 winners Alex Hales, Chris Woakes, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Phil Salt and Sam Curran (Season 3 Red Belt Winner — Most Valuable Player) will again display their talent in the Gulf region’s biggest T20 tournament.

Besides the star-studded England lineup, West Indies mega stars Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sherfane Rutherford and Shai Hope (season three Green Belt Winner — Best Batter of the Tournament) will also return to their respective franchises.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza and Afghanistan’s premier new-ball bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (Season 3 White Belt Winner — Best Bowler of the Tournament) will ake part in the month-long competition. Australia’s big-hitting batter Tim David and New Zealand’s fast bowling duo Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee have also declared their availability for Season 4.  

The teams have now completed the halfway stage in the squads’ selection process for Season 4 (eight players each). The first phase for the squad selection included the retention window for players from Season 3 and the new signings window which finished on June 16 and 30, respectively.

In the second phase of the Season 4 squad selection process, the teams will complete their respective squads at the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, with date and details to be announced in the next few days.

Defending champions Dubai Capitals have added more depth to their bowling stocks by including Season 2 White Belt Winner — Afghanistan left-arm-wrist spinner Waqar Salamkheil as a new signing (previous team MI Emirates) alongside left-arm pacers Luke Wood (previous team Desert Vipers) and Muhammad Jawadullah (previous team Sharjah Warriorz).  

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have added firepower to their batting with three explosive T20 batters Alex Hales (previous team Desert Vipers), Liam Livingstone (previous team Sharjah Warriorz) and Sherfane Rutherford (previous team Desert Vipers).

The Desert Vipers have included former ADKR opener Andries Gous as their new signing; the Season 1 and Season 3 finalists have retained the core of their Season 3 squad. Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga will be rejoining the Vipers for Season 4.

Season 1 winners Gulf Giants have signed Afghanistan’s globally recognized all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who will be making his DP World ILT20 debut this season while donning the Giants kit as one of their new signings. England’s Moeen Ali (previous team Sharjah Warriorz) returns to the DP World ILT20, the T20 great will be playing for the Giants as a new signing. Dashing Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the other new Giants’ Season 4 signing.

Gurbaz’s earlier DP World ILT20 stints were with Sharjah Warriorz (Season 1), Dubai Capitals (Season 2) and Desert Vipers (Season 3).

Season 2 winners MI Emirates have added all-round strength to their squad by including the all-format all-rounder — Chris Woakes (previous team Sharjah Warriorz) as a new signing. Sri Lanka’s upcoming all-rounder Kamindu Mendis is the other MI Emirates new signing for Season 4. Mendis will be making his DP World ILT20 debut.

Sharjah Warriorz have added Sikandar Raza (previous team Dubai Capitals). The globetrotting Zimbabwean all-rounder was the Season 2 Red Belt Winner — Most Valuable Player. Sri Lanka’s star white-ball spinner Maheesh Theekshana returns to the side as a new signing. He had appeared in eight games for the Warriorz in Season 2 of the DP World ILT20.

Warriorz have also bolstered their batting prowess for Season 4 with the inclusion of Australia’s big-hitting batter Tim David as a new signing. David played for MI Emirates in Season 1 and the Gulf Giants in Season 2. USA left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar has also joined the Warriorz.

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 2 — UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

 DP World ILT20 Season 4 — players rejoining their Season 3 teams:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovmann Powell and Shai Hope.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince and Mark Adair.

MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton and Muhammad Waseem.

Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles,  Kusal Mendis, Tim Southee and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

DP World ILT20 Season 4 — new signings:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone and Sherfane Rutherford.

Desert Vipers: Andries Gous.

Dubai Capitals: Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil and Muhammad Jawadullah.

Gulf Giants: Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

MI Emirates: Chris Woakes and Kamindu Mendis.

Sharjah Warriorz: Maheesh Theekshana, Sikandar Raza, Saurabh Netravalkar and Tim David.


Wimbledon blames ‘human error’ for embarrassing line-calling glitch

Wimbledon blames ‘human error’ for embarrassing line-calling glitch
Updated 07 July 2025

Wimbledon blames ‘human error’ for embarrassing line-calling glitch

Wimbledon blames ‘human error’ for embarrassing line-calling glitch
  • Officials apologize to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal after the malfunction during their fourth-round match
  • A fully automated system has replaced human line judges at Wimbledon in 2025, in line with the Australian Open and the US OpeN

LONDON: Wimbledon chiefs on Monday blamed human error for an embarrassing failure of the tournament’s electronic line-calling system.

Officials apologized to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal after the malfunction during their fourth-round match on Center Court on Sunday, which Pavlyuchenkova won in straight sets.

After an investigation, organizers admitted the technology was turned off in error on a section of the court for a game, with the mistake only becoming apparent when a shot from Britain’s Kartal that clearly missed the baseline was not called out.

Had the call been correct, it would have given Russia’s Pavlyuchenkova a 5-4 lead in the first set, but instead umpire Nico Helwerth ruled the point should be replayed, with Kartal going on to win the game.

The Russian accused the official of home bias, saying: “Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me.”

Wimbledon issued a statement on Sunday saying the system had been “deactivated in error” for one game by those operating the system.

“In that time, there were three calls not picked up by live ELC on the affected part of the court. Two of these were called by the chair umpire, who was not made aware that the system had been deactivated,” it said.

“Following the third, the chair umpire stopped the match and consulted with the review official. It was determined that the point should be replayed.

“The chair umpire followed the established process. We have apologized to the players involved.”

Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, told reporters on Monday that the system was “working optimally.”

“The issue we had was human error in terms of the tracking system having been inadvertently deactivated, and then the chair (umpire) not being made aware of the fact that it had been deactivated,” she said.

She added: “We’ve spoken to the players, we’ve apologized to them, we’ve very quickly moved into reviewing everything that had happened yesterday afternoon and putting in place the appropriate changes to the processes.”

A fully automated system has replaced human line judges at Wimbledon in 2025, in line with the Australian Open and the US Open.

But the glitch in Sunday’s fourth-round match follows concerns raised by other players about the technology, including British stars Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper.

Around 80 former line judges are employed as match assistants, with two on each court offering support to the umpire.

But Bolton said there was no need to put them back on the courts.

“The system was functional,” she said. “It had been deactivated. We didn’t need to put line judges back on the court again, we needed the system to be active.”

Automated line-calling technology has become standard across tennis, with all events on the men’s ATP Tour and many WTA tournaments using it.