Barty is wta Player of the Year
Los Angeles: Australian Ashleigh Barty, whose breakout 2019 campaign included a French Open crown and world number one ranking, was named the WTA Player of the Year. She took the award with 82% of the media vote. Her coach, Craig Tyzzer, was named WTA Coach of the Year. Canada's 19-year-old US Open champion Andreescu was named Newcomer of the Year. American Sofia Kenin was Most Improved Player, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic was Comeback Player and top doubles team honors went to Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic.
Al-Sadd beat hienghene sport 3-1
Doha: Qatar's Al-Sadd defeated Hienghene Sport 3-1 after extra-time, shattering the New Caledonian part-timers' dreams of facing Liverpool in the Club World Cup. Al-Sadd, coached by Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez, will now face Mexico's Monterrey, the CONCACAF Champions League winners tomorrow. Whoever emerges from that match will then be able to look forward to a plum semi-final against European champions Liverpool on December 18.
Haaland in talks with Dortmund
Salzburg: Norwegian teenage striker Erling Haaland could be joining Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund from Austrian champions Salzburg in the January winter break, according to reports in Germany. Several German media outlets reported the prolific 19-year-old forward landed at Dortmund's airport on a chartered plane and was met by a club representative on Wednesday. Aged 19 years at 58 days, Haaland became the third youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trick and has scored in his first five European matches, claiming eight goals in the group stage.
Gattuso named new Napoli coach
Naples: Gennaro Gattuso said it was “embarrassing” for Napoli to be seventh in the Serie A table, after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti as coach at the Stadio San Paolo. Ancelotti was sacked as boss despite taking Napoli into the CL last 16. “The aim is to recoup points and get back into the Champions League positions,” said Gattuso, who won the 2006 World Cup as a player with Italy. “We need to work hard, win back points and come through this tricky period. “It's embarrassing to see Napoli where we currently are in the table.”
Everton stick with Ferguson
Liverpool: Duncan Ferguson is to stay on as caretaker manager of Everton for their Premier League match away to Manchester United this weekend. “Duncan Ferguson will remain as Everton caretaker manager for Sunday's Premier League visit to Manchester United,” said a club statement. “Ferguson will again be assisted by coaches John Ebbrell and Francis Jeffers and goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly.”
murray suffers groin injury
Miami: Britain's Andy Murray has cancelled his training block in Miami because of a groin injury that has left him unable to practise on the court, according to a report. The former world number one suffered a bruise to his pelvic bone during Britain's Davis Cup campaign in Madrid last month, The Times newspaper said. He played one singles match before missing the rest of the event. Murray's Grand Slam comeback at next month's Australian Open, which starts on January 20, is apparently not in doubt, however.
Clasico will be played: barca prez
Barcelona: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday the Clasico against Real Madrid next week will not be postponed again, amid renewed fears of unrest around the fixture. Protestors from the Catalan separatist movement, Democratic Tsunami, have called for a “massive” protest outside Camp Nou, where Barcelona are due to play against Real Madrid on December 18. “I can say that the Clasico will be played, it will not be postponed again. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure it goes ahead. “The club is preparing for the Clasico with complete normality and we tell our fans to come with their family and friends.”