28/03/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | MAR 28, 2026

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W ORLD NO. 1 and defending cham pion Aryna Sabalenka subdued sec ond-ranked rival Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 yesterday to book a Miami Open title clash with American Coco Gauff. Sabalenka, who fell to Rybakina in the Australian Open final before turning the tables on the Kazakh in the Indian Wells title match this ear lier this month, broke the big-serving Rybakina twice in each set to come out on top in the block buster semifinal and keep her bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami on track. Men’s world number two Jannik Sinner, who like Sabalenka lifted his first Indian Wells title two weeks ago, also advanced, dominating American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 6-2 to reach the men’s semifi nals. Their victories mean both the ATP and WTA could see a “Sunshine Double” in the same year for the first time since Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka swept the two prestigious hard court tournaments back in 2016.

‘Sunshine double’ in sight Miami lights up as Sabalenka downs Rybakina, Sinner storms through in pursuit of a rare sweep

and running, dropping just nine points on his serve in the match. Sinner, the 2024 Miami cham pion, fired 14 aces and 33 winners in all against 15 unforced errors. “It was a good serving day for sure,” said Sinner, who is vying to become the first man to win both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year since Roger Federer in 2017. He’ll face a familiar semifinal foe in Zverev, having beaten the German in straight sets in the same round at Indian Wells. “Tomorrow will be the toughest test,” Zverev acknowledged. “I’m looking forward to it.” – AFP

ranked Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2 in just 65 minutes. Fourth-ranked Gauff, who had needed three sets in each of her prior four matches, over whelmed Czech Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1 to secure her place in the final. “I think I feel the improvements are happening – especially with my forehand – I was happy with how it’s been this whole tournament,” Gauff said. Sinner stretched his ATP Masters 1000 set win streak to 30, having not dropped a set at the level since last October in Shanghai. He broke Tiafoe to open the match, and was off

Sabalenka, who had to save a match point in overcoming Rybakina in the Indian Wells final, applied ruthless pressure on Rybakina’s serve while delivering a sterling service performance that featured nine aces – including four in a row across the seventh and ninth games of the open ing set. “I think I did everything right,” the Belarusian said. Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Tiafoe and set up a semifinal meeting with fourth-ranked German Alexander Zverev – who swept past 19th

N EW ZEALA N D’ S Lydia Ko fired a 12-under par 60 to seize a one stroke lead over South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo in yesterday’s first round of the LPGA Ford Championship. Three-time major winner Ko, a 28-year-old Seoul-born Kiwi, shot her career-low LPGA score at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail course in Phoenix, Arizona. With 12 birdies in a bogey-free round, Ko delivered only the eighth 60 in LPGA history and just the third since 2010. “I holed some putts that I didn’t expect to go in and I got a few good breaks and also hit a few good shots. Just a combination where things were going well,” Ko said. “I really wasn’t that nervous and nine and eight aren’t just gimme birdies anyway, so to birdie those and just finish at 60, I’m excited I fin ished at that score rather than feel ing disappointed that I didn’t break 60.” The only lower 18-hole score in LPGA history was Annika Sorenstam’s 13-under 59 in the sec ond round of the Standard Register Ping tournament in Phoenix in 2001 at Moon Valley Country Club. “Annika is the only one that has shot 59, so any record that matches Annika’s record is going to be pretty incredible,” Ko said. “I felt like I gave myself a good run at it and I didn’t really feel that much pressure or extra nerves just because I was in that position. “I think the number 59 did cross my mind by the time I holed my birdie putt on six, but it wasn’t like I had a lot of pressure to like break 60. It was just more like oh, it’s really cool to be in this position.” World No. 4 Kim had nine birdies and an eagle in her bogey-free round, which also began off the 10th tee. She birdied three holes in a row starting at the par-five 12th, then four in a row on holes one through four and then closed with birdies at the par-five seventh and ninth around her eagle at eight. World No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States was third after firing a 63 with seven birdies and an eagle at the par-four 18th. – AFP Ko grabs early lead in Arizona

SHORTS

Reggae Boyz stay alive JAMAICA defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in their inter-confederation play off semifinal in Guadalajara yester day to keep alive their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1998. Jamaica will next face DR Congo on Tuesday for a spot in Group K at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup in North America along side Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan, while New Caledonia’s hunt for their first finals berth came to an end. “It was a very tough game,” Jamaica goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake said. “New Caledonia is a really good team. “They can play if you give them time and space. We did a good job defending. “We could have scored a couple of more goals, but we are happy with the win.” Jamaica’s Bailey Cadamarteri scored the only goal in the 18th min ute, converting from close range after New Caledonia keeper parried Ronaldo Webster’s free kick into his path. “I thought we were aggressive, pressing and trying to win back the ball as much as possible,” Jamaica head coach Rudolph Speid said. “I think we put some smiles on our supporter’s faces and we know that the next match will be difficult TU R KEY moved within one game of ending their long World Cup absence as Ferdi Kadioglu’s second half goal secured a 1-0 win over Romania in their playoff semifinal yesterday, fol lowing a moment of brilliance from Arda Guler. In a high-stakes encounter at Besiktas Park, the deadlock was bro ken in the 53rd minute when Real Madrid midfielder Guler produced a superb defence-splitting pass to pick out Kadioglu, who controlled and fin ished calmly to give the hosts the lead. That proved decisive in a tight contest between two sides seeking a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Romania, who had kept the hosts at bay in a cautious first half were unable to break through as Turkey held firm to see out the victory. but we’re up for the fight.” Guler-inspired win

Jamaica’s Ephron Mason-Clark (left) battles for the ball against New Caledonia’s Joris Kenon during the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers semifinal playoff match at Akron Stadium, Mexico yesterday. – A FPP I C

Majak stars for Sudan TEE N AGE R Keer Majak starred for South Sudan yesterday when they trounced Djibouti 4-0 in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round first leg qualifier. The 19-year-old winger from local club El Merriekh Bentiu scored one goal and created two at the national stadium in the South Sudan capital, Juba. Majak was the second teenager to impress in an Afcon qualifier this week with 18-year-old Siem Eyob Abraha scoring direct from a corner for Eritrea in a 2-0 win over Eswatini on Wednesday. Teng Kuol scored the only goal of the first half after 31 minutes as Djibouti battled to contain the agility and pace of the South Sudanese. Goals from Bangasi Bakosor o and Peter Maker stretched the lead to 3-0 midway through the sec ond half before Majak completed the rout on 81 minutes. It was a satisfactory start as South Sudan coach for Cameroonian Cyprian Besong Ashu, a recent replacement for French tactician Nicolas Dupuis. Meanwhile, Seychelles forced a surprise 0-0 draw with Lesotho in South African city Bloemfontein in

another first leg. Iran slams travel door

The win sends Turkey into the playoff final on March 31, where they will face Slovakia or Kosovo for a place at the 2026 World Cup. Croatia rally past Colombia C R OATIA secured a 2-1 win over Colombia in a World Cup warm-up match yesterday, overturning an early deficit with goals from Luka Vuskovic and Igor Matanovic. Jhon Arias put Colombia ahead in the third minute, his deflected shot beating Croatian goalkeeper Ivica Ivusic after a smart back heel from Luis Suarez. Croatia responded three minutes later when Vuskovic scored a brilliant equaliser from outside the box, his shot bouncing off the post and into the net. Croatia completed the turn around in the 42nd minute after Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas misjudged a high ball and Matanovic capitalised on the mis take, heading into the bottom cor ner. Colombia are drawn in Group K for the June 11 to July 19 World Cup in North America alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and a playoff winner, while Croatia are in Group L with England, Ghana and Panama.

I R A N has banned national and club sports teams from travelling to coun tries it considers hostile until further notice, Iranian media reported yes terday, citing the Sports Ministry, which said the move was due to con cerns over the safety of its athletes. “The presence of national and club teams in countries considered hostile and unable to ensure the security of Iranian athletes and team members is prohibited until further notice,” the ministry said. The ministry added that the Iranian football federation and clubs were required to notify the Asian Football Confederation so match venues could be relocated. Iran have qualified for this year’s World Cup. Although their participa tion in the football tournament has been under threat since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the US and Israel began in late February. Iran’s football federation is in dis cussions with football’s world gov erning body Fifa about moving its World Cup matches to Mexico from the US, federation President Mehdi Taj said last week.