Latest news with #Tunisian
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Aryna Sabalenka saves four match points against Elena Rybakina to reach Berlin semis
BERLIN - World number one Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to book her ticket to the semi-finals on grass in Berlin on June 20. Trailing the 2022 Wimbledon champion 6-2 in the final-set tie-break, Sabalenka won six straight points in a 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) comeback to reach her eighth semi-final of the season after two hours 42 minutes. She next meets 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova who defeated Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1 earlier on June 20. 'Elena, she's a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles... I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest,' said Sabalenka who now leads 7-4 in meetings with the Kazakh. 'I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago, I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. 'It's amazing to win matches like that... and I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point.' After winning the first set in a tiebreak, the three-time Grand Slam champion lost the momentum and the second set to Rybakina. Sabalenka led 5-4 with serve in the final set, but let the Kazakh, world number 11, come back, and everything came down to the tie-break. Sabalenka saved her first match point with the help of the net, and closed out the match five points later on her serve (8-6). On June 21, she will face another Wimbledon winner, the returning Vondrousova, who has fallen to 164th place in the world after missing several months with a left shoulder injury. It will be Vondrousova's first last-four appearance since Stuttgart in April 2024. Vondrusova breezed past Jabeur in a repeat of their 2023 Wimbledon final which the Czech won. Both players have been beset by injuries and have plummeted in the rankings since being in the top 10 in 2024. In the other half of the draw, China's Wang Xinyu – conqueror of French Open champion Coco Gauff on June 19 – reached the semi-finals after Spanish opponent Paula Badosa retired having lost 6-1 in the first set. Wang will play Liudmila Samsono in the semi-finals after the Russian, ranked 20 in the world, continued her excellent form on the grass. Having already beaten defending champion Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka this week, she dispatched last weekend's Queen's finalist Amanda Anisimova of the United States 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The South African
an hour ago
- Sport
- The South African
New face spotted at the Kaizer Chiefs training grounds
Kaizer Chiefs players returned to Naturena on Friday as they prepare for the upcoming season. Although three players were absent from the squad, one new face was spotted: left-back Kabelo Nkgwesa, who seems to have been promoted from Amakhosi's DStv Diski Challenge (DDC). The Soweto giants are in need of a left-back, with Bradley Cross being the only player available for that position. Kaizer Chiefs have not yet signed new players, but they have been linked with several this month. One player poised to join Amakhosi is Asanele Velebayi. The Cape Town Spurs captain was sought by the Soweto giants last season, but the transfer did not materialize. Velebayi could add some flair to the Chiefs' attack, particularly on the wing. As their pre-season training resumes next week, more players are expected to be released. club has already parted ways with Edmilson Dove and Ranga Chivaviro. Kaizer Chiefs are set to travel to the Netherlands for their pre-season training, where they will participate in several friendly matches. Amakhosi pre-season tour of the Netherlands will take place from July 3 to July 19. New players are expected to join Chiefs during the tour according to reports. Will Nabi remain Kaizer Chiefs coach? After Nabi won the Nedbank Cup with the club, there were reports linking him with an exit. The Tunisian coach seems to be content with the Glamour Boys and have pleaded with the Chiefs management to help him bring quality players ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Amakhosi finished ninth this past campaign. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
France 24
2 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Sabalenka saves four match points against Rybakina to reach Berlin semis
Trailing the 2022 Wimbledon champion 6-2 in the final-set tie-break, Sabalenka won six straight points in a 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) comeback to reach her eighth semi-final of the season after two hours 42 minutes. She next meets 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova who defeated Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1 earlier Friday. "Elena, she's a great player and we've had a lot of tough battles... I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky, to be honest," said Sabalenka who now leads 7-4 in meetings with the Kazakh. "I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points, and not so long ago, I was thinking that it's been a while since I've made a crazy comeback, and here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like that... and I'm proud of myself for how I stayed in. I was fighting, I was trying until the very last point." After winning the first set in a tiebreak, the three-time Grand Slam champion lost the momentum and the second set to Rybakina. Sabalenka led 5-4 with serve in the final set, but let the Kazakh, world number 11, come back, and everything came down to the tie-break. Sabalenka saved her first match point with the help of the net, and closed out the match five points later on her serve (8-6). On Saturday, she will face another Wimbledon winner, the returning Vondrousova, who has fallen to 164th place in the world after missing several months with a left shoulder injury. It will be Vondrousova's first last-four appearance since Stuttgart in April 2024. Vondrusova breezed past Jabeur in a repeat of their 2023 Wimbledon final which the Czech won. Both players have been beset by injuries and have plummeted in the rankings since being in the top 10 last year. In the other half of the draw China's Wang Xinyu -- conqueror of French Open champion Coco Gauff on Thursday -- reached the semi-finals after Spanish opponent Paula Badosa retired having lost 6-1 in the first set. Wang will play Liudmila Samsono in the semi-finals after the Russian, ranked 20 in the world, continued her excellent form on the grass. Having already beaten defending champion Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka this week, she dispatched last weekend's Queen's finalist Amanda Anisimova of the United States 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisian court hands 15‑year sentence to opposition figure Sahbi Atig
TUNIS (Reuters) -A Tunisian court has sentenced Sahbi Atig, a senior official in Ennahda, the country's main opposition party, to 15 years in prison on charges of money laundering, his lawyer said on Friday, the latest move against opposition figures under President Kais Saied. Atig was detained in 2023, one of many opponents of Saied who have been imprisoned since the president began expanding his powers in 2021, dissolving parliament and ruling by decree in what critics have denounced as a coup. Saied has said that all his steps are legal and aimed at ending years of rampant corruption and holding accountable what he calls a corrupt elite. Atig denied the charges against him, saying they were fabricated. "The verdict aims to eliminate political opponents and lacks any credible evidence,' Atig's lawyer, Mokthar Jmaayi, told Reuters. "It is a continuation of the punishment of opponents by using the judiciary and distracting people from their real problems,' he added. The 15-year sentence was shorter than some sentences handed down recently. In April, a court sentenced a string of opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers to prison terms of up to 66 years, on charges of conspiring. Saied has dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges in 2022, raising concerns about judicial independence. The president has said he does not interfere in the judiciary and that his actions aim to purge the judiciary of corrupt judges. Most of the leaders of political parties in Tunisia are in prison, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Ennahda - two of Saied's most prominent opponents.
Libyan Express
7 hours ago
- Business
- Libyan Express
Tunisia calls for stronger ties with Libya and Algeria
Tunisia eyes Libya reconstruction as investment opportunity Tunisian lawmakers have called for a more proactive governmental role in supporting Libya's reconstruction efforts and revitalising free trade zones, highlighting the need to enhance Tunisia's diplomatic initiatives in the region. During a recent consultative session with officials from Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of parliament stressed the importance of reinvigorating economic cooperation not only with Libya but also with neighbouring Algeria, according to an official parliamentary statement. The MPs underscored the strategic significance of activating free trade zones and advocated for a strengthened role of the Arab Parliament in facilitating coordinated regional action. Discussions also focused on Tunisia's commitment to supporting Libya's ongoing political reconciliation process, alongside efforts to boost Maghreb integration and bilateral ties with Algeria. Libya's extensive reconstruction needs—estimated by Tunisia's Export Promotion Center to reach as high as $570 billion—represent considerable investment opportunities for Tunisian companies, particularly in construction, infrastructure, and industrial equipment sectors. As Tunisia's foremost trading partner across the Arab world and Africa, Libya accounts for a substantial share of Tunisian exports, with industrial goods constituting approximately 40% of shipments. Meanwhile, Tunisia imports primarily energy resources, iron, and steel from Libya. Despite this robust trade relationship, the stalled development of the Bengardane Free Trade Zone on the Tunisia-Libya border has hampered economic exchanges. Nearly 12 years after its announcement, progress remains limited to preliminary land development and technical assessments, while other regional actors expand their commercial footprint amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Tunisian lawmakers' renewed calls highlight the urgency of accelerating regional economic integration and capitalising on Libya's reconstruction as a catalyst for broader Maghreb cooperation. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
