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Sinner, Sabalenka Chasing Rare Repeats As US Open Begins

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Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are chasing rare repeat US Open triumphs as the final Grand Slam of the season gets underway in New York on Sunday.

Women’s world number one, Sabalenka, opens the defence of her 2024 crown on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre’s Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt against unseeded Swiss player Rebeka Masarova in one of the highlights of the opening day of the singles, which is being held on a Sunday for the first time in history.

Italy’s world number one, Sinner, meanwhile, begins his bid for back-to-back titles on Monday, when he takes on unseeded Czech Vit Kopriva.

Both Sabalenka and Sinner are attempting to become the first players to successfully defend their titles for more than a decade.

No woman has repeated at the US Open since Serena Williams won the last of a hat-trick of titles in 2014, following wins in 2013 and 2012.

On the men’s side, it has been 17 long years since a successful title defence, with Roger Federer’s 2008 victory capping a remarkable run of five straight championships.

Sabalenka believes difficulty in repeating is part of the challenge of the Flushing Meadows fortnight, where everything is noisier, flashier, and simply bigger than other Grand Slams.

“I think it’s a lot of pressure, definitely.

“Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other slams in some ways,” the Belarusian said.

“Maybe every time defending champions come, they put so much pressure on themselves. But I feel like I’m experienced enough to just focus on myself and try to replicate that result.”

Asked for her thoughts on the fact that the last 11 US Open titles have been split by 10 players, Sabalenka quipped, “My thought is to change it.”

‘Very Difficult’

Sinner echoed Sabalenka’s comments, attributing the difficulty of repeating in New York to a combination of factors  season-ending fatigue, scheduling of games, and size.

“We are heading towards the end of the season, so some players are tired,” Sinner said.

“It’s also the last big trophy of the year. Things can change… I don’t know what’s gonna happen this time. But of course it’s a very, very difficult tournament to play,” he added.

Sinner and Sabalenka are the top seeds in a field that will be rewarded with a record $90 million purse, making the US Open the richest tournament in the world.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5 million.

The biggest threat to Sinner’s hopes of defending his title is likely to come from Spain’s second seed, Carlos Alcaraz.

 

Carlos Alcaraz
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning a game during his men’s singles final match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner on day 15 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

 

The 22-year-old, winner of the US Open in 2022, has already faced Sinner twice in Grand Slam finals this season, winning a five-set classic in the French Open in June before losing to the Italian in the Wimbledon final last month.

“Every time we face each other on court, we raise the level to the top,” Alcaraz said on Saturday as he prepared to face unseeded American Reilly Opelka in the first round on Monday.

The men’s draw will also see former world number one Novak Djokovic take another tilt at winning a record 25th Grand Slam.

Djokovic, 38, has not played since reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon last month, where he was comprehensively beaten by Sinner.

 

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures as he speaks to the audience after winning his men’s singles second round tennis match against Britain’s Daniel Evans on the fourth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP).

 

Back in the women’s draw, Sabalenka will be wary of the threat posed by second seed Iga Swiatek, who warmed up for New York with victory at the Cincinnati Open, which in turn followed a breakthrough win at Wimbledon.

Swiatek opens her campaign on Monday against Colombia’s Emiliana Arango.

 

FILE: Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates victory against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa after their women’s singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / — IMAGE 

Monday’s first round games could also see a possible US Open farewell for Venus Williams.

The 45-year-old tennis icon was given a wild card into the main draw after recently returning to tennis from a 16-month absence.

 

FILE: USA’s Venus Williams serves to Belgium’s Greet Minnen during the US Open tennis tournament women’s singles first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 29, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP)

 

“Super thrilling to be back. It does not get old; it just gets more exciting,” Williams said on Saturday ahead of what will be a record-extending 25th US Open appearance.

 

 

AFP

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NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.

 

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.

 

Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.

“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.

 

The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.

According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.

Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.

He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

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Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date

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The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.

 

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.

He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.

The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.

The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.

They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.

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Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal

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Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.

 

Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.

Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.

On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.

Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.

The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.

“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.

“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.

“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.

“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.

“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”

The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.

Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.

His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.

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