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Djokovic sets up blockbuster match with Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic set up a mouth-watering Australian Open quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz with a convincing victory over Jiri Lehecka.
Djokovic continued his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win against the Czech 24th seed.
He will face Alcaraz in the last eight after the Spaniard progressed when British number one Jack Draper retired with a hip injury earlier on Sunday.
Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, but the Serb got the better of the 21-year-old to win gold at the Paris Olympics last summer – Djokovic’s self-proclaimed “biggest sporting achievement”.
Djokovic was booed by the crowd as Lehecka threatened to force a fourth set, and the 11-time Australian Open champion was quick to leave Rod Laver Arena after his victory.
“Thank you very much for being here tonight. I appreciate your support and I will see you in the next round,” the 37-year-old said.
Speaking in a news conference afterwards, Djokovic clarified his reasons for swerving the usual on-court interview with four-time major winner Jim Courier.
He referred to the actions of Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones, who shouted “Novak, he’s overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out” towards Djokovic fans while live on camera on Friday.
“A couple days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel 9 here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” Djokovic said. “So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel 9. I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. “It was a very awkward situation for me.”
On Monday, Jones said he thought the comments were “banter” and “humour”, but gave an on-air apology – one he said he had already offered to Djokovic’s team 48 hours earlier. “I stand by that apology to Novak, if he felt any disrespect, which quite clearly he does.”
Channel 9 issued a public apology as well, saying “no harm was intended towards Novak or his fans”.
[BBC Sports]
Ninety Palestinian prisoners have been released as part of the first phase of a much-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli prison service has said
Earlier, on Sunday, three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza City hours after a ceasefire began, before being handed to the Israeli military. Israel says the three are now back in Israeli territory
The released women – 31 year old Doron Steinbrecher, dual British-Israeli Emily Damari 28 and Romi Gonen 24 – are being treated in a Tel Aviv hospital, and are in a stable condition.
Emily was seen with bandages over two missing fingers, hugging her mother in a video call shared with BBC’s Lucy Manning.
Hamas says for every hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails – it means 90 Palestinians were expected to be released.
[BBC]
The Provincial Directors of Education of the North Central and Eastern provinces have announced that all government schools in the North Central and Eastern Provinces will remain closed today (January 20) in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
Defending champions India started their Under 19 Women’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a bang, routing West Indies for just 44 before scripting a nine wicket win.
In the second game of the day, India’s bowlers cashed in on their decision to bowl first by troubling West Indies with swing and spin. Fast bowler VJ Joshitha handed them a double-blow when she trapped Samara Ramnath in front and on the next ball had Naijanni Cumberbatch caught at slip to a superb diving catch from Sanika Chalke.
When left-arm spinners Ayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia struck in consecutive overs to remove Jahzara Claxton and Brianna Harricharan respectively for ducks, West Indies were 17 for 4 after 5.1 overs. Three run outs in as many overs added to their woes, and 39 for 7 soon became 44 all out as Shukla and Sisodia wrapped things up. Sisodia finished with 3 for 7 while Joshitha and Shukla picked up two each.
India lost only Gongadi Trisha, for 4, in the modest chase as G Kamalini and Chalke finished things off in 4.2 overs.
Brief scores:
West Indies Women Under 19 44 in 13.2 overs [Asabi Callender 12, Kenika Cassar 15; VJ Joshitha 2-05, Aayushi Shukla 2-06, Paruniks Sisofs 3-07] lost to India Women Under 19 47/1 in 4.2 overs [G Kamalini 16; Shanika Salke 18; Jahzara Claxton 1-18]
[Cricinfo]
Djokovic sets up blockbuster match with Alcaraz
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