Linda Noskova recovered from an attack of nerves that saw her squander five match points in the second set as she completed a 6-2 5-7 6-3 win over fellow Czech Karolina Muchova in a roller-coaster Wimbledon women’s singles final on Saturday.

The 21-year-old was in complete control as she won the opening set in 32 minutes and led 5-2 in the second in the first Grand Slam singles final between two women from the Czech Republic in the professional era.

But a battling Muchova saved three match points at 2-5, another in the next game when a faltering Noskova served a double fault, and then another at 4-5 as a previously one-sided contest belatedly burst into life on Centre Court.

Ninth seed Noskova lost five successive games as Muchova dragged the match into a decider.

Somehow Noskova banished the demons in her head as she regained control to forge 5-2 ahead in the third set.

The 29-year-old Muchova pulled one game back as the shadows crept across the court, but when Noskova was asked to serve for the match for a second time, she made no mistake to claim her first Grand Slam title.

After bringing up another two match points, well more than an hour after her first one, she banged down an unreturnable serve before collapsing to the court in relief as much as joy.

She is the third Czech player in four years to win the Wimbledon women’s title after Marketa Vondrousova in 2023 and Barbora Krejcikova in 2024.

“I have ⁠been enjoying these two weeks so much, through the sad tears and the happy tears, all the sweat and blood I put into ⁠this,” an emotional Noskova said on court after blowing a ⁠kiss to the sky in honour of her mum who died two years ago.

“It was all worth it, so I will definitely never forget this week, these two weeks.”

It was an emotional moment too for Muchova, who for the ‌second time in a Grand Slam final ended up beaten.

“It’s really tough to find any words,” 10th seed Muchova, who reached the French Open final three years ago but has had ‌to ‌battle with injuries, said. “To my ex-friend … I’m only kidding.

“This was your first Grand Slam final and the way you handled it and the way you played was really unbelievable.”

The Father Emir of Qatar, ⁠Sheikh Hamad bin ⁠Khalifa Al Thani, ‌has died at the age of ⁠74, says the Amiri ⁠Diwan.

“With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late – may God have mercy on him – His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning,” the Amiri Diwan said in a statement on Sunday.

Qatar announced a four-day period of public mourning starting Monday, with work suspended at government agencies and public bodies and flags to be lowered to half-mast.

Sheikh Hamad , who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a key architect of the energy-rich country’s development.

During his reign, the nation saw economic, social and cultural development that bolstered its status in the international community.

Sheikh Hamad oversaw major economic investment and fostered wide-ranging international partnerships as the country became the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

Qatar’s political influence today stretches across many parts of the world including North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2022, Qatar hosted the men’s FIFA World Cup, the world’s most-watched football tournament. Sheikh Hamad received rapturous applause from fans attending its opening match.

His time in power saw the launch of Al Jazeera News Channel in 1996 which within years transformed into one of the world’s most influential media networks.

Sheikh Hamad’s tenure also saw the promulgation of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and the introduction of municipal elections, in which women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates.

In 2013, he handed over power to his son and heir apparent, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was then 33, in a rare ‌abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler.

Abdulla Banndar el Etaibi, Assistant Professor in International Affairs at Qatar University, said Sheikh Hamad turned Qatar into an “extraordinary country”.

“We’re talking about someone who left a legacy all over the world, not only on Qatar. He worked really hard to turn Qatar from a normal country into a prominent and extraordinary country,” he told Al Jazeera.

“He had so many dreams of so many things. He invested a lot in LNG. This helped Qatar develop even more.”

Tributes pour in

Several world leaders offered their condolences for the death of Sheikh Hamad.

“Deepest condolences and sympathies to the sisterly State of Qatar, to its Amir, government, and people, on the passing of the late, by God’s permission, His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wrote on X.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep grief” over the passing of Sheikh Hamad.

“The President extended his heartfelt condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Government and the brotherly people of Qatar on this sad occasion. He paid tribute to the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s visionary leadership and his valuable contributions to the progress and development of Qatar, as well as to regional peace and cooperation,” the president’s office said in a statement.

United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also offered his sympathies.

“I extend my sincere condolences and sympathy to my brother @TamimBinHamad and his family on the passing of his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al ⁠Thani. May God grant him mercy, rest his soul in eternal peace, and bring comfort to his family during this difficult time,” he wrote on X.

[Aljazeera]

Sourav Ganguly, Kevin Petersen and Anjum Chopra have become the latest inductees to the ICC Hall of Fame, unveiled at a ceremony in Edinburgh. Their induction takes the total number of ICC Hall of Fame members to 125.

Ganguly, considered one of India’s best captains, played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs. He started his Test career against England in 1996 and made two hundreds in his first two Tests. In all, he scored 7212 runs at an average of 42.17 in Test cricket and 11,363 at 41.02 in ODIs. In white-ball cricket, he formed a prolific opening pair with Sachin Tendulkar. The two opened together 136 times, adding a record 6609 runs with 21 century stands.

Ganguly’s bigger contribution probably was as captain. He took over the side after the 2000 match-fixing saga and made India a formidable side outside India. Under his captaincy, India won the NatWest Series in England in 2002 and were the joint-winners of the Champions Trophy later that year. In 2003, he led the team to the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup, where they lost to Australia. In Test cricket, Ganguly’s side beat Australia 2-1 in the famous 2000-01 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home before drawing 1-1 in Australia in 2003-04.

“To have my name included among cricket’s greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments,” Ganguly said. “Representing India and playing along with several greats of the game has been a privilege, and to now be recognised in this way is truly special. This game has given me a lot, and I hope to continue to serve the game in the years to come.”

England’s Pietersen played 104 Tests, scoring 8181 runs at 47.28. In his very first Test series, the 2005 Ashes, he played a key role in England winning the urn after 17 years with a stroke-filled 158 at The Oval on the final day of the series. In 2012-13, he was also instrumental in England winning a Test series in India for the first time in 28 years.

Known for his flamboyant strokeplay, including the switch hit, Pietersen also scored 4440 runs in 136 ODIs, and was the Player of the Tournament in England’s 2010 T20 World Cup win.

“It is the highest recognition a cricketer can receive, and I know it will take some time for it to fully sink in,” Pietersen said. “I feel privileged to have played across all three formats of the game, and I look back on my career with immense pride and satisfaction.”

Chopra, a left-hand batter who captained India in all three formats, made her international debut in 1995. She was the first Indian woman to reach 1000 ODI runs and the first to play 100 ODIs. She also made notable contributions for India in the 2000 and 2005 ODI World Cups. Overall, she scored 2856 runs in 127 ODIs.

She played 12 Tests, scoring 548 runs with a best of 98 that came in the 2006 victory over England in Taunton. She also captained India to their overseas Test victory, in South Africa in 2002.

“As a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements,” Chopra said. “A dream to play for India got instilled very early on. I was encouraged to think big by my parents, teachers and coaches who have always been there to support me during tough times.

“I also got the timely support of administrators as I went on to wear the national colours with great pride. This honour – to be recognised amongst the game’s greatest – is an award for all those who have helped shape my career.”

Launched in January 2009 as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, the ICC Hall of Fame honours those whose achievements, skill and lasting influence have shaped the game. Players become eligible for induction only five years after their final international appearance.

[Cricinfo]