分类： sports

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — South Korean golfer Hye-Jin Choi continues to dominate the Maybank Championship, maintaining a commanding four-stroke lead after an impressive 5-under 67 in the third round on Saturday. The 26-year-old, who has yet to secure her first LPGA Tour victory, now holds a 54-hole total of 19-under 197 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Choi, a seasoned player with 28 career top-10 finishes, including a runner-up spot at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur, started the day with a five-stroke advantage and solidified her position as the frontrunner. China’s Liu Yan trails in second place after a stellar 65, while Australia’s Hannah Green, fresh off her team’s victory at the International Crown, sits in third after a 67. A Lim Kim made significant strides with a 64, tying for fourth place, six strokes behind Choi. Kim’s round featured a remarkable 25-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole and six birdies. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, a two-time runner-up in Malaysia, also tied for fourth after a 65, crediting her strong finish and the enthusiastic support of her fans. Defending champion Yin Ruoning shot a 69, placing her in seventh place, seven strokes behind Choi. The LPGA’s five-week Asian swing concludes next week with the Japan Classic at Shiga.

Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has revealed her battle with anxiety during the Women’s World Cup, crediting her resilience and support system for her triumphant return to form. Rodrigues, who was dropped earlier in the tournament, staged a remarkable comeback with an unbeaten 127 runs in the semi-final against Australia, propelling India to a historic five-wicket victory. This win, achieved at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, secured India’s place in the final against South Africa on Sunday. The 25-year-old all-rounder, who missed the 2022 edition due to poor form, faced immense pressure playing on home soil. After inconsistent performances, including two ducks and a pair of 30s, she was benched for India’s group-stage match against England. Rodrigues admitted to breaking down in calls to her parents as she grappled with the stress. ‘I am so blessed to have friends and family I can call. It’s okay to ask for help,’ she said, holding back tears. A composed 76 not out against New Zealand restored her confidence, setting the stage for her semi-final heroics. Rodrigues emphasized that her sole motivation was to ensure India’s victory, not personal milestones. Both India and South Africa will compete for their first Women’s World Cup title, as no team outside Australia, England, or New Zealand has ever won the tournament since its inception in 1973.

In a poignant start to the second Twenty20 international between Australia and India, both teams paid heartfelt tributes to Ben Austin, a 17-year-old cricketer who tragically passed away following a training accident earlier this week. The match, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, saw players from both sides wearing black armbands in memory of the young talent. A moment of silence was observed before the game, with Austin’s image displayed on stadium screens and his favorite song played as a tribute. The emotional atmosphere was further heightened by the presence of representatives from Austin’s club, as well as state and national cricket administrators. Australia’s captain, Mitch Marsh, won the toss and chose to field first, making one lineup change by replacing Josh Philippe with Matt Short. India, on the other hand, retained the same lineup from the washed-out first game of the five-match series. The match attracted a capacity crowd, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Earlier in the day, a similar tribute was held during the Sheffield Shield domestic first-class match between Victoria and Tasmania at Junction Oval in Melbourne, where players also wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence. The series continues with both teams aiming to secure a victory in honor of Austin’s memory.

In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, India’s women’s cricket team achieved a historic victory over Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final with a record-breaking chase. The match, held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, saw India successfully chase down a daunting target of 338 runs, winning by five wickets with five balls to spare. This triumph marked the end of Australia’s 16-match unbeaten streak in World Cup tournaments, dating back to 2022. The star of the match was Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten 127-run innings was hailed as one of the greatest ODI centuries in women’s cricket. Rodrigues’ tactical brilliance, composure, and innovative strokeplay were instrumental in India’s victory, as she anchored the innings alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a crucial 89 runs. The partnership of 167 runs between the two players turned the tide in India’s favor. Australia, despite a strong start with Phoebe Litchfield’s 119 and a 155-run partnership with Ellyse Perry, could not defend their total. India’s bowlers managed to restrict Australia’s momentum, preventing them from reaching an even higher score. The victory was particularly sweet for Rodrigues, who had faced personal struggles and uncertainty about her place in the team earlier in the tournament. Her resilience and faith helped her overcome anxiety and deliver a match-winning performance. India now faces South Africa in the final, with the opportunity to create history and elevate the profile of women’s cricket globally. The match promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams have shown remarkable resilience and ambition throughout the tournament.

Arsenal, riding high on a wave of confidence, will face Burnley this Saturday as they continue their dominant run in the Premier League. Under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, the Gunners have secured four consecutive victories, conceding just one goal in the process. Key players Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have been in exceptional form, driving the team’s success. However, Saka has cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that the title race is decided in the latter stages of the season. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard, along with concerns over William Saliba and Declan Rice, could pose challenges for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Burnley, led by Scott Parker, are battling to avoid relegation. Despite a recent dramatic win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, they remain 16th in the table with only three victories. In other fixtures, Liverpool, struggling with four consecutive league defeats, face a tough test against Aston Villa, who are on a four-match winning streak. Manchester City, currently fifth, will host Bournemouth, while resurgent Manchester United take on Nottingham Forest, a team in disarray with four straight league losses. Other notable matches include Sunderland versus Everton and West Ham United’s clash with Newcastle United as they seek to improve under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

In a thrilling encounter at the ICC CWC League 2, the UAE secured a decisive five-wicket victory against Nepal, thanks to a standout performance by Aryansh Sharma. The young batsman delivered a masterful 98 runs, narrowly missing a century, and was ably supported by Alishan Sharafu, who contributed a solid 45. Together, they guided the UAE to successfully chase down Nepal’s target of 234 in just 43.3 overs. Earlier in the match, Nepal had posted a total of 233 all out, largely due to a brilliant century by Rohit Paudel, who scored 109. However, the UAE’s bowlers, led by Zahid Ali with four wickets and Junaid Siddique with three, managed to restrict Nepal’s innings. This victory not only highlights the UAE’s growing prowess in cricket but also strengthens their position in the qualifying event for the 2027 ICC World Cup.