Carlos Alcaraz advances to the 4th round at the Shanghai Masters
SHANGHAI, Oct 9: Carlos Alcaraz had to rally from a break down in the first set to beat 30th-seeded Daniel Evans 7-6 (1), 6-4 Monday and advance to the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters.In the second set, the Spaniard committed only two unforced errors.“It was a really tough match. It was one of the toughest matches I have played outside of the Grand Slams,” Alcaraz said.“Every time I play Daniel, it is a tricky match, and I have to play my best to beat him. Both of us played a high quality of tennis and I am really happy to get through.” Alcaraz will next face 18th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who beat 13th-seeded Karen Khachanov 7-6 (6), 6-4.Also Monday, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev hit 35 winners as he defeated 31st-seeded Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-0. The Russian player will next play 12th-seeded Tommy Paul after the American beat 19-year-old Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-4.Wild-card Diego Schwartzmann upset eighth-ranked Taylor Fritz 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) for his first win over a top-10 player in almost 18 months. The 31-year-old Argentine will next meet 22nd-seeded Nicolas Jarry, who beat Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (4), 6-2. (PTI)
Saudi Arabia submits letter of intent to host 2034 World Cup
GENEVA, Oct 9: Saudi Arabia formally informed FIFA of its wish to host the men’s World Cup in 2034 on Monday in a bidding contest that increasingly looks designed for the kingdom to win.The Saudi Arabian soccer federation said it “submitted a letter of intent and signed declaration to FIFA to bid” in a vote that is open only to members of the Asian and Oceania soccer governing bodies.FIFA fast-tracked starting the 2034 contest last week after its ruling body also agreed to accept only one candidate for the 2030 World Cup, now an unprecedented six-nation, three-continent co-hosting plan in Europe, Africa and South America that removed those continents from bidding to get back-to-back tournaments. (PTI)
Arsenal’s Saka to miss England matches with hamstring injury
LONDON, Oct 9: Bukayo Saka will miss England’s two games in the upcoming international break because of a hamstring injury, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Sunday.Saka missed Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League after limping off during a Champions League loss to Lens in midweek. It ended Saka’s run of 87 consecutive Premier League appearances and Arteta said after the game he will miss England’s friendly against Australia on Friday and the European Championship qualifier against Italy four days later.“No, he will not make it,” Arteta said. “He has not trained for a single session. He is not available to play football at the moment.” (PTI)
Bowen signs new 7-year contract
LONDON, Oct 9: West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen has signed a new seven-year contract to stay in east London until 2030, the Premier League club said Sunday.Bowen has emerged as one of West Ham’s key players and was recalled to the England squad for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy.The 26-year-old has scored 45 goals in 166 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Hull in 2020. (AP)
