Connect with us

Sports

The rambunctious Emma Raducanu sprints past Victoria Azarenka in Cincinnati

Published

on

As Emma Raducanu wrapped up her media commitments near 10pm on Tuesday night, actually processing every one of the wondrous minutes she had encountered that night, she confronted another of the opportunities for growth that have described her previous year.

After the rapture and adrenaline of snuffing out Serena Williams before her booming home group, Raducanu was accused of failing to remember everything and rapidly continuing on, one more previous No 1 to come.

She took care of the test with preeminent, frightening straightforwardness, following up her destroying of Williams with a significantly more damaging exhibition. In only 62 minutes Raducanu destroyed Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2 to arrive at the third round on her Cincinnati debut. At the most lucky time, with her US Open title protection one competition away, Raducanu’s certainty keeps on developing.

While noticing the need of appreciating these minutes against players she had grown up watching win huge homeruns, Raducanu said that she entered both matches totally backing herself. “I just needed to zero in on what I had some control over, and in the focuses you can’t contemplate who is on the opposite finish of the court,” she said. “You’ve quite recently got to play the ball.”

Consistently, Raducanu has spoken about her expectation to not get “excessively low or high” after minutes throughout the last year where either her extravagance or antagonism have not assisted her with opening her best tennis.

“I assume I have attempted a ton of things, and this year I think some matches, I have lost a great deal of matches from driving circumstances and most likely played excessively tense,” she said. “I believe that I simply have to swing, and I recently said that these two competitions, or this competition particularly, I’m about to swing openly and take that and see what occurs.”

Perhaps of the most troublesome undertaking in proficient tennis is to back up a major win, staying sufficiently formed to create tennis of similar quality in the accompanying rounds. It turned out to be promptly certain that there would be no headache as she broke Azarenka’s serve in the initial game and ran with the lead, embracing the pattern and looting time from the Belarusian with her initial ball-striking while at the same time offering not many blunders.

While Raducanu played incredibly well, Azarenka’s exhibition was shocking. She showered natural mistakes and moved languidly, and completed the primary set with only four champs to 16 blunders in the principal set alone. Ahead of time, Raducanu said she planned to be “miserly” with her game, not permitting rivals any free focuses, and she experienced that miserliness to the fullest as she laid out a 6-0, 4-0 lead, perilously near incurring Azarenka’s very first double bagel.

At 33 years of age and with her stale positioning of 22, Azarenka is significantly additionally eliminated from her days as a top player than Williams, her hurry to the 2020 US Open last an oddity in the a long time since she was a best 10 player. Raducanu productively uncovered those frailties, and Azarenka could battle for her standing. She held serve two times before Raducanu shut off the success easily.

This week points Raducanu’s subsequent competition joined by mentor Dmitry Tursunov, who started their time for testing at the Citi Open and it is clearly working out positively. In their two occasions together, she has won successive matches each time and clarified progress. All the more extensively, her exhibitions are an update that in any event, when players are battling, energy can rapidly construct.

There are harder difficulties ahead against players contending at the high level in their actual primes, and another gauge is standing by. Raducanu will next confront the American Jessica Pegula, the significantly better seventh seed, who will be only the second top 10 rival of Raducanu’s profession.

In any case, this has been some week. While Williams’ presence has lingered over tennis since Raducanu was conceived, she noticed that she has additionally watched Azarenka starting from the beginning of her profession. At the point when Azarenka challenged the US Open last in 2020, Raducanu was reading up for her tests, longing for one day joining her on those stages.

“I think after the competition I really need to, you know, make a stride back and be like, ‘Look, similar to, you just beat two unimaginable bosses.’ It’s a very decent accomplishment. You know how troublesome the successes are to stopped by,” she said.

Sports

India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

Published

on

India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

India started their three-match ODI series against England on a winning note, securing a four-wicket victory in the first match at VCA Stadium on Thursday. The win was powered by Shubman Gill’s 87-run knock and a three-wicket haul from debutant Harshit Rana.

England’s Innings: A Strong Start but a Sluggish Finish

After winning the toss, England skipper Jos Buttler opted to bat first. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett gave their team a flying start, adding 73 runs in just 53 balls. Salt was particularly aggressive, smashing 43 off 26 deliveries, including three sixes and five boundaries. However, a mix-up between the wickets led to his unfortunate run-out.

England then suffered a setback, losing two wickets in quick succession. Harshit Rana struck on his debut, dismissing Duckett (32) with a brilliant diving catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Soon after, Harry Brook was dismissed for a three-ball duck, reducing England to 77/3.

Veteran batter Joe Root (19) tried to stabilize the innings alongside Buttler, but Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW before he could make a significant impact.

Buttler and Bethell’s Effort Goes in Vain

Despite the setbacks, Jos Buttler played a responsible innings, scoring 52 off 67 balls, marking his first ODI half-century in India. He stitched a crucial partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed 51 off 64 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

However, once Buttler fell to Axar Patel in the 33rd over, England collapsed from 170/4 to 206/7. Rana sent Liam Livingstone (5) back to the pavilion, and Mohammed Shami cleaned up Brydon Carse (10). Jadeja then struck again, dismissing Bethell LBW, leaving England all out for 248 in 47.4 overs.

India’s Bowlers Shine

  • Harshit Rana (3/53) made an impressive debut.
  • Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) was economical and deadly.
  • Mohammed Shami (1/38) kept the pressure on.

India’s Chase: Gill Anchors the Innings

Chasing 249, India had a shaky start. Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing his maiden ODI, was caught behind for 15 off 22 balls. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, as he departed for just 2 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Shreyas Iyer took charge with a 31-ball half-century. His 59-run knock, featuring two sixes and nine boundaries, shifted momentum in India’s favor. He also shared a 94-run stand with Gill in just 64 balls, accelerating India’s chase.

Gill and Patel Take India Home

After Iyer’s dismissal, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 5, forming a 108-run partnership with Gill. Patel played a composed innings, scoring his maiden ODI fifty (52 runs off 58 balls).

Gill, on the other hand, paced his innings brilliantly. Battling cramps, he played some exquisite shots, hitting 14 boundaries in his 87-run innings off 96 balls. Unfortunately, he missed out on a century when Saqib Mahmood cramped him for room, leading to a catch at mid-on.

Despite his departure, India comfortably chased the target in 38.4 overs, winning with 11.2 overs to spare.

Series Status and Next Match

With this win, India leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday, where England will look to bounce back.

Continue Reading

Sports

NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

Published

on

NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

For the third year in a row, the NFC dominated the Pro Bowl Games and showcased its strength in flag football.

One week before the Kansas City Chiefs sought their third straight Super Bowl title, the NFC achieved its own three-peat, beating the AFC 76-63 in all events, including a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup on Sunday.

Flag football’s dominance continues


Since the Pro Bowl switched to flag football in 2023, the NFC has gone undefeated in the new format.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the charge, earning Offensive MVP honors after completing 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. made a huge impact in his first Pro Bowl, intercepting New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and returning him eight yards for a touchdown, earning him the Defensive MVP award.

A competitive leap with a big incentive

The shift to flag football has increased competition as players are not as concerned about injury risks compared to the previous tackle format.

However, a financial incentive also played a role in the NFC’s determination to win.

“We prepared to win,” exclaimed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. “They told us what the price was, and I thought, ‘Maybe we should do something more.'”

Each member of the winning team took home $92,000, while the member of the losing team received $46,000.

A winning formula for the future of the Pro Bowl


After years of debate over the format of the Pro Bowl as a result of the declining intensity of tackle football, the flag football model appears to have revived the event.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who has played in both versions, has expressed a clear preference for flag football.

“I like this more because it gives the fans a chance to see our faces and who we are off the field,” Baker said. “We compete, but we keep it very civil.”

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold agreed: “Vlag is a lot of fun, especially after the season where the guys have been kind of chill for three weeks. It’s good to make a game like this.”

Skills Battle Highlights


In Sunday’s additional skills challenges, the NFC continued its dominance by winning the relays and tug-of-war competitions, while the AFC vouched for a victory in the “Point Perfect” event.

With three consecutive Pro Bowl victories, the NFC has cemented itself as the team to beat in the new era of flag football.

Continue Reading

Sports

Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens’ Playoff Exit Against the Bills

Published

on

Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens' Playoff Exit Against the Bills

After another disappointing playoff exit, Lamar Jackson made it clear he wouldn’t pin the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 AFC Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills on Mark Andrews’ dropped pass during a critical late-game 2-point conversion.

Instead, the reigning NFL MVP channeled his frustration toward the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Every time we’re in situations like this, turnovers play a role,” Jackson said, slapping one hand against the other. “We can’t have that, and that’s why we lost the game. You can see it — we’re moving the ball beautifully, but we need to hold on to the ball. I’m sorry for my language, but this is frustrating. I’m tired of it.”

Despite the turnovers — including two by Jackson — the Ravens had a chance to force overtime in the fourth quarter. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-25 with just 1:33 remaining.

On the ensuing 2-point conversion, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the chest, but the ball slipped through his hands as he fell backward in the end zone.

“There’s no one with more heart or fight than Mark,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “We wouldn’t even be in this position without him. Destiny is shaped by how you handle moments like these, and Mark will respond with resilience.”

Andrews declined to speak with reporters following a game in which he made rare mistakes. Before Sunday, he hadn’t dropped a pass since Week 6. Against the Bills, he dropped two, including the pivotal 2-point conversion, and fumbled near midfield during the fourth quarter — only the second fumble of his career.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton defended his teammate. “One play doesn’t define anyone,” he said. “Mark is the all-time-leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history. For anyone to criticize him is unfair. He’s been a consistent leader and workhorse for this team.”

Jackson also offered words of support for Andrews. “I’m just as hurt as Mark,” he said. “This loss isn’t on him. It’s a team effort. Everyone played a role. Mark has been incredible all season, and sometimes things just don’t go our way. We need to figure it out as a team.”

Jackson, however, wasn’t immune to errors. After throwing a career-low four interceptions all season, he threw one early in the game and fumbled on the following possession while scrambling under pressure. It was an uncharacteristically erratic performance, marking his fourth postseason game with both an interception and a fumble.

“Protecting the ball is the top priority, and I didn’t do that,” Jackson admitted. “As the leader, I need to set the example, and I didn’t deliver today. That’s on me.”

The Ravens have yet to win back-to-back playoff games during Jackson’s seven seasons as their starter. Now, he’ll face another offseason with the elusive Super Bowl remaining just out of reach.

“I have to get past this because we’re so close,” Jackson said. “I’m tired of being right there. We need to seal the deal, punch that ticket, and get it done. It starts with getting better in the offseason.”

Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!