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Tag: Opener

  • Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui set to leave just THREE DAYS out from Man United opener – with ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil in the frame to replace him

    Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui set to leave just THREE DAYS out from Man United opener – with ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil in the frame to replace him

    Julen Lopetegui has left Wolves three days before the start of the Premier League after agreeing a seven-figure compensation package with the Molineux club.

    The Spaniard, who is set to be replaced by Gary O’Neil, had two years to run on a lucrative contract that made him the highest-paid manager in the club’s history. Lopetegui kept Wolves up last season after joining in November when they were bottom of the table, but relations have soured since then due to disagreements over transfer policy.

    O’Neil led Bournemouth to a comfortable survival last season after replacing Scott Parker early in the campaign, yet – to the surprise of many – he was moved on in June in favour of Spanish coach Andoni Iraola.

    In preparation for Lopetegui’s potential departure, Wolves had been considering possible successors for some time and O’Neil topped the list.

    Wolves would not have to pay compensation for O’Neil and he would cost substantially less than Lopetegui, who was the highest-paid manager in the club’s history. O’Neil, 40, was expected to sign a three-year deal.

    Julen Loptegui departed Wolves on Tuesday night after discussions with the club

    Julen Loptegui departed Wolves on Tuesday night after discussions with the club

    Gary O'Neil was moved on at Bournemouth despite a strong season in charge and tops Wolves' list of potential successors to Lopetegui

    Gary O’Neil was moved on at Bournemouth despite a strong season in charge and tops Wolves’ list of potential successors to Lopetegui

    Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote an open letter explaining the club's need to meet FFP regulations

    Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote an open letter explaining the club’s need to meet FFP regulations

    Lopetegui’s son Daniel, who had forged a strong rapport with sporting director Matt Hobbs, will also depart along with Lopetegui’s assistants Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado and Edu Rubio, and fitness coaches Oscar Caro and Borja Alonso.

    Lopetegui did not lead first-team training, which took place late on Tuesday afternoon, as his representatives finalised the terms of his exit.

    Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote an open letter on the club website last week, explaining the need to meet Financial Fair Play requirements. 

    Shi wrote: ‘As the owners and management of the club, one important thing we must learn and follow is the Premier League’s rules on profit and sustainability (formerly called financial fair play or abbreviated to FFP). Before the end of 2023/24 season there will be an annual test and we are going to make sure we pass it, as we have done in the last five seasons.’

    To hit that target, Wolves have recouped £91million in player sales this summer, including the £47m departure of captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

    They have added only defender Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King on free transfers, leading to Lopetegui’s anger. 

    Wolves counter that they backed Lopetegui heavily last January, sanctioning deals worth up to £77m, after also committing more than £120m in fees 12 months ago.

    Some of the money spent in January had been originally set aside for the summer but Wolves decided to use it early to give themselves a better chance of survival.

    Despite keeping the Molineux club up last season, relations soured over a disagreement in transfer policy

    Despite keeping the Molineux club up last season, relations soured over a disagreement in transfer policy

    Wolves received £47million from Al-Hilal after selling star midfielder Ruben Neves

    Wolves received £47million from Al-Hilal after selling star midfielder Ruben Neves

    Matt Doherty is one of only two summer signings at Molineux, having returned on a free

    Matt Doherty is one of only two summer signings at Molineux, having returned on a free

  • Salah shocks Man City with opener for Liverpool at the Etihad

    Salah shocks Man City with opener for Liverpool at the Etihad

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    Things had been heating up nicely in the Man City v Liverpool game on Saturday afternoon, and a hush descended upon the Etihad Stadium as Mo Salah reacted to a loose ball to thump the visitors ahead.

    The hosts had attempted to play the offside trap, but Manuel Akanji just didn’t step up quickly enough near the halfway line.

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    Diogo Jota ran clear but as the ball was taken off him, Salah was in range to move in and slam the ball beyond the reach of Ederson.

    Pictures courtesy of BT Sport and CBS Sports Golazo

    The post Video: Salah shocks Man City with opener for Liverpool at the Etihad appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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  • Djokovic Dominant In Tel Aviv Opener

    Djokovic Dominant In Tel Aviv Opener

    Novak Djokovic has wasted no time finding his top form after more than two months away.

    The 88-time tour-level titlist cruised past Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-3 on Thursday evening to reach the quarter-finals of the Tel Aviv Watergen Open. It was the fewest games Djokovic has lost in any match this season.

    “Fantastic atmosphere here tonight, thank you very much,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I like the court, it’s very intimate and it’s very loud. The crowd here is very passionate about the sport, about tennis and I’m really, really happy to be here and to perform here in front of you, so thank you for your support.”

    In his first match back at the Laver Cup, Djokovic performed at a similarly high level in a straight-sets victory against US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, before suffering an upset loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Serbian showed no ill effects from that defeat in Israel. 

    Djokovic broke Andujar’s serve four times and did not face a break point to triumph after one hour and 27 minutes. He will next play Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who eliminated Israeli qualifier Edan Leshem 6-3, 6-2 behind nine aces and three service breaks.

    [ATP APP]

    Djokovic last competed in Israel in 2006 in a Davis Cup tie when he was a teenager. But the 35-year-old looked at home on the indoor hard court, answering all of the questions Andujar posed without problem.

    “The first match started off in a perfect way for me. I won seven games in a row and we were fighting in that eighth game for 15 minutes I think,” Djokovic said of a game that actually lasted about 20 minutes. “It was one of the longest games I’ve ever played in my life and I’ve played many, many games in my life. But credit to Pablo for fighting and playing a great match as well.”

    Andujar is a four-time ATP Tour titlist who reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2019, the third round at Flushing Meadows in 2021 and the third round of the Australian Open this year. But whether he tried to control the action or throw in drop shots and angles, Djokovic was always a step ahead.


    Photo Credit: Tel Aviv Watergen Open
    With his back against the wall, Arthur Rinderknech survived on Thursday at the Tel Aviv Watergen Open to reach the quarter-finals at the ATP 250 event. The Frenchman saved one match point en route to a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(7) win against third seed Diego Schwartzman in Israel.

    In a tight first meeting between the pair, the 27-year-old held his nerve in the third-set tie-break. The World No. 58 saved one match point on Schwartzman’s serve at 6/7, before eventually converting his second match point to advance after two hours and 38 minutes.

    Rinderknech, who enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals in Metz last week, will next play Roman Safiullin. 

    British qualifier Liam Broady continued his strong run, upsetting fifth seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to set a meeting with second seed Marin Cilic. The 28-year-old is up 25 spots to No. 149 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings after advancing to his first tour-level quarter-final of the season.

    Constant Lestienne also advanced, eliminating Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-2. The Frenchman is into his second quarter-final in as many weeks after enjoying a run to the last eight on home soil in Metz.

  • Norrie Flies Through Flushing Meadows Opener

    Norrie Flies Through Flushing Meadows Opener

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    Cameron Norrie wasted no time bringing his impressive 2022 form to the US Open on Tuesday, when the sixth seed raced past Benoit Paire 6-0, 7-6(1), 6-0 to reach the second round in New York in style.

    Norrie claimed the first and third sets of his second tour-level meeting with Paire in just 18 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively, as his consistency overwhelmed his opponent. He also held firm in a far tighter second set during which former World No. 18 Paire let slip the opportunity to level the first-round match when serving at 5-3.

    Norrie fired 24 winners, including nine aces, to capitalise on a wayward performance by Paire, who reached the fourth round in New York in 2015. The win represented a comprehensive start for the Briton as he seeks to back up his run to his maiden Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon in July.

    [ATP APP]

    The 27-year-old Norrie has pedigree on American hard courts. The former Texas Christian University Horned Frog lifted his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Indian Wells in 2021 and also claimed the title in Delray Beach in February. Alongside his Wimbledon run, those triumphs have headlined a stellar 2022 for the Briton, who improved his season-record to 42-19 with Tuesday’s win.

    Norrie will next face Joao Sousa or Mackenzie McDonald as he seeks to equal his best performance in New York, a third-round appearance in 2020. A deep run at Flushing Meadows would also boost his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time — Norrie currently sits 11th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin.

      

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  • Medvedev Cruises Through Opener In New York

    Medvedev Cruises Through Opener In New York

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    Reigning champion Daniil Medvedev started his US Open title defence with victory Monday, cruising past American Stefan Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the second round in New York.

    The top seed, who defeated Novak Djokovic to lift his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows last year, quickly found his range on the hard courts. He struck his flat groundstrokes with consistency as he overpowered Kozlov to advance after two hours and one minute in their first ATP Head2Head meeting.

    The 26-year-old now holds a standout 21-4 record at the final Grand Slam of the year. The 14-time tour-level champion next plays Quentin Halys or Arthur Rinderknech as he looks to continue his quest to become the first player to win consecutive US Open titles since Roger Federer lifted the trophy for five consecutive years from 2004-08.

    “I am pleased to win. Not easy conditions. Pretty hot and humid here,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “I was sweating a lot but I thought there were some good points. I managed to be pretty solid and I thought the serve was key today. I am happy to go through to the second round.”

    [ATP APP]

    With his No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on the line, Medvedev will need a deep run in New York. He is one of five players – Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud – who have the opportunity to finish the US Open as the World No. 1. All but Nadal must reach the championship match to have a chance of leaving New York as World No. 1. More On Key Matches In Battle For No. 1.

    Medvedev, who arrived in New York off the back of a semi-final run in Cincinnati, looked in control in the opening match of the tournament on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 26-year-old struck 37 winners and committed 19 unforced errors as he moved through the gears to outmanoeuvre the American, who was making his main draw debut on home soil.

    Medvedev is seeking his second major title and second tour-level title of the year this fortnight, having triumphed in Los Cabos earlier this month.

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

    In other action, Matteo Berrettini bounced back from a disappointing first-round exit in Cincinnati by overcoming Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

    The Italian, who soared to the semi-finals in New York in 2019, fired 26 winners and did not face a break point to triumph after one hour and 58 minutes. The 13th seed has now improved to 1-1 in his ATP Head2Head series against Jarry and will next play Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry or French lucky loser Hugo Grenier.

    Norway’s Ruud also advanced, defeating Briton Kyle Edmund 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes.

    The fifth seed, who is in contention to leave New York as the World No. 1 for the first time, looked comfortable against Edmund, hitting with great depth to force the 27-year-old into errors in their first meeting.

    Nine-time tour-level titlist Ruud will face Tim van Rijthoven in the second round after the Dutchman saved seven match points to edge Chinese qualifier Zhang Zhizhen 3-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(9), 6-1, 6-4.

    Zhang’s defeat left Wu Yibing alone in the draw trying to become the first Chinese man to win a singles main-draw match at a Grand Slam in the Open Era, and the 22-year-old achieved the feat in spectacular style by taking out 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

    “It’s happy and exciting but still more matches to come,” said Wu, who was the boys’ singles champion at Flushing Meadows in 2017. “The third set, I don’t know if he was hurting or something, I just tried to make all the balls and tried to stay in the game, not thinking about winning or losing. That’s why I guess I didn’t show much emotions. I feel pretty calm.”

    Wu’s reward for his quickfire one-hour, 33-minute win is a second-round clash with home wild card Ben Shelton or Portuguese qualifier Nuno Borges.

      

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