AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Nepal to take on host Tajikistan
Nepal are set to begin their journey in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers tonight, facing host nation Tajikistan in their opening match.
The game will take place at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe and is scheduled to kick off at 8:15pm Nepal time.
Nepal are in Group 'K' of the qualifiers, alongside Tajikistan, the Philippines, and Syria.
The tournament is being held in a single round-robin format.
Nepal will play their second match against Syria on September 6, followed by a clash with the Philippines on September 9.
Syria and the Philippines are also set to face each other today in their group opener.
The top team from each of the 11 groups will earn a spot in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia next year. In addition, the four best first-runner up teams across all groups will also qualify for the tournament.
Nepal’s squad includes Krishal Moktan, Amit Tamata, and Bishal KC as goalkeepers; Bibek Gurung, Bishal Nepali, Lahan Subba, Nigma Lama, Ram Thapa, Shankar Tharu, and Semanta Thapa as defenders; Abhishek Syangtang, Ayush Ghalan, Aaron Thapa, Niraj Karki, Dipesh Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Pujan Thapa, Sanjeev Lama, Santosh Khatri, Sujan Magar, and Sumit Shrestha as midfielders; and Rohan Khadgi and Nirajan Dhami as forwards.
Alcaraz zips past Lehecka into US Open semis
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows and cruised into the U.S. Open semi-finals on Tuesday, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Reuters reported.
Alcaraz had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he fired off 28 winners and never faced a break point, putting on yet another almost pristine performance. He will next play either 24-times major winner Novak Djokovic or American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Lehecka is one of the few players to beat Alcaraz this season, winning in the Doha quarter-finals, but was outclassed this time around and could only watch helplessly as the Spaniard's forehand winner zipped by on match point, according to Reuters.
Sabalenka gets walkover into US Open semis following Vondrousova injury
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka received a walkover into the U.S. Open semi-finals on Tuesday after Marketa Vondrousova was forced to withdraw from their last eight showdown due to a knee injury, organisers said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, had impressed in New York with upset victories over seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and ninth seed Elena Rybakina, but her run came to a painful end after she pulled up in practice earlier on Tuesday.
ESPN showed footage of the 26-year-old bending over in pain after hitting a forehand, before leaving practice in tears, and she later confirmed the injury, according to Reuters.
Venus Williams exits US Open in style after age-defying run
Venus Williams exited the U.S. Open in good fashion on Tuesday, putting up a solid effort in her women's doubles quarter-final defeat after taking the headlines back once again for her style and substance on the court, Reuters reported.
The 45-year-old made an age-defying return to tennis this year, becoming the oldest WTA singles match winner since 2004 in July, and her matches in the women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles made her appointment viewing across Flushing Meadows.
A breathless account of her on-court fashions followed, from Vogue to InStyle, more than a quarter-century after she and sister Serena changed tennis' fashion game, a testament to her enduring influence, according to Reuters.
