Sports

Serena, Venus Williams team up for doubles at US Open

Published

4 years ago

August 28, 2022

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Serena Williams will play doubles with sister Venus at the US Open after the pair were awarded a wild card.
The US Open is set to be the final tournament of Serena’s career, and she is giving herself two shots at success.

The Williams sisters have a remarkable record of winning all 14 of the grand slam doubles finals they have contested.

But the last one was back in 2016 at Wimbledon, and they have not played a slam together since the French Open four years ago.

Serena Williams’ farewell will dominate the tournament for as long as she is in it, but it looks set to be another wide-open women’s singles event.

World number one Iga Swiatek has not been in good form since the end of her 37-match unbeaten run at Wimbledon.

The same can be said for most of the top 10.

There are 15 current or former grand slam champions in the women’s draw, including two-time US Open winner Naomi Osaka.

It has been a tough 12 months for the 24-year-old, who did not compete after the US Open last year.

She had prioritised her mental health and has struggled with form and fitness this season.

A troublesome Achilles problem kept her out of Wimbledon and she retired during her first-round match in Toronto two weeks ago with a back issue.

Osaka has won just one match since April, and she admitted she goes into the US Open with her confidence low.

She told a press conference in New York: “I feel like I would have lied a day ago or so and said that I was really relaxed.

“But actually, when I practised today, I felt very anxious. I think it’s because I really want to do well because I feel I haven’t been doing well lately.

“It’s tough. Of course, you don’t want to lose in the first round of a slam. I feel like I always do pretty well here. It’s kind of taking the pressure off of myself, but it’s always going to be there.

“I think the opponent I’m going to play is also really tough, so it adds a little bit extra. I’m just trying to enjoy the time that I have here.”

Now ranked down at 44, Osaka is unseeded and will take on Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins in the first round on Tuesday.

On her physical struggles, she added: “I would say it’s something that’s very frustrating but at the same time interesting because it made me feel like, ‘Wow, I really want to be able to play again like back how I used to.’

“I think my mindset now is just trying to have fun because I wanted to be here when I was a kid.”

Sports

U.S. President Trump: Iran should skip World Cup ‘for their safety’

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the Iran national soccer team is “welcome” to compete at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, but advised the team not to participate for “their own life and safety.”

Trump wrote on the social media site Truth Social: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

On Wednesday, the Iranian sports minister said that Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel.

“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali reportedly told Iranian state television.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the first day of attacks. He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Trump’s message appears to depart somewhat from what the Republican president relayed Tuesday at the White House to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who later publicly said that Trump assured him the Iranian players and coaches would be welcome.

Infantino had subsequently posted on social media Wednesday that Trump had assured him Iran would be “welcome” to compete.

A White House official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, had confirmed Trump’s message to Infantino about Iran’s participation.

On Thursday, the White House did not immediately clarify what Trump meant by “their own life and safety,” such as whether he anticipated threats against them while in the United States after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28.

The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Since June, Iran has been subject to a travel ban into the U.S. as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. But athletes and coaches from the target nations are exempt, which means the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the U.S.

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Senegal defeat Morocco to clinch second AFCON title

Published

3 months ago

January 18, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Senegal’s midfielder #26 Pape Gueye celebrates his goal with teammates during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

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Senegal on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in a match marred by controversy, prolonged stoppages and players briefly leaving the pitch.

The dramatic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was interrupted late in regulation time after a contentious penalty decision awarded to Morocco following a VAR review, sparking protests from Senegal players.

The penalty, awarded deep into stoppage time, led to chaotic scenes as Senegal players surrounded the referee, with play halted for several minutes.

Players from both teams eventually walked off the pitch before returning after intervention by match officials and security personnel.

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Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving his attempted Panenka, further escalating tensions inside the stadium.

After regulation time ended goalless, the match proceeded to extra time amid a charged atmosphere. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner.

Morocco pushed for an equaliser, hitting the crossbar and forcing late saves, but Senegal held on to secure victory in a final that saw extended delays, heated exchanges and repeated VAR interventions.

The match lasted well beyond the scheduled time due to stoppages caused by protests, referee consultations, and crowd unrest.

Senegal’s win crowned them African champions after one of the most dramatic and controversial finals in recent AFCON history, played before a packed home crowd in Rabat.

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AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to face Senegal in final

Published

3 months ago

January 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Morocco's forward #10 Brahim Diaz celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The semi-final was an evenly contested affair over 120 minutes, with Morocco dominating much of the attacking play, registering 16 shots to Nigeria’s 2.

Both sides created chances, but Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou kept their teams in the game with key saves.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman struggled to influence the match, and their efforts in extra time were thwarted by the hosts’ defence and goalkeeper.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was superb at right-back, as was his counterpart on the left side, Noussair Mazraoui.

Both played prominent roles in the attack, keeping pressure on Nigeria while also limiting the impact of the Super Eagles’ attackers.

The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout, with En-Nesyri converting the decisive penalty to send the home team into the final.

Nigeria’s hopes were dashed when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyamaechi failed to convert, giving Morocco a 4–2 shootout victory.

Both Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored, while Chukwueze missed, and Onyamaechi’s attempt was saved.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, aiming to claim only their second AFCON title, following their last triumph in 1976.

Nigeria will contest third place on Saturday with Egypt, who lost 1–0 to Senegal earlier on Wednesday.