Hamilton looks like his old self again, but Ferrari's woeful run continues
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton gestures to supporters before the 2025 Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Imola autodrome. PHOTO: AFP
The tifosi, the super-enthusiastic followers of Ferrari's racing fortunes, always crave solid results. But never more so than when their beloved red cars race on home ground. Thus the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola is second only to the Italian GP at Monza in their hearts.
And like most intense fans, they don't take well to failure.
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Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Risky business or lethal weapon? Drop shot in focus after Bublik barrage
PARIS - Hit with lots of backslice and a soft touch, the drop shot can be a well-masked weapon in tennis but Alexander Bublik's staggering 37 attempts in Monday's French Open fourth round win over Jack Draper brought the shot sharply into focus. In today's power game where players -- women and men -- thump the ball from baseline to baseline at a speed of more than 120 kmh, applying the shot can be extremely risky. When it does work it gets the crowd going and can crush an opponent's spirit. But Kazakh Bublik, among the most naturally gifted players of his generation, used it to maximum effect against his British opponent, leaving even women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka impressed. "That was crazy. I was watching that match," Sabalenka said on Tuesday after her own march into the semi-finals with a straight sets victory over China's Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka and Zheng hit a total of 20 drop shots combined, compared to Bublik's 37. "I have to say that the drop shot is quite a risky shot, and you really have to have good hands and good understanding of the court to be able to make it," Sabalenka said. "Not every girl is that fearless like Bublik. I watched that match yesterday, and sometimes it was just, like, wow, it just seems like it was his day." Bublik's drop shot frequency also left his opponent stunned. "He was hitting incredible drop shots all around. I don't play many matches where I feel like it's almost out of my control what's going on, and he made that happen," Draper said. Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek hit just three in her own quarter-final win over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Tuesday. "He (Bublik) would just go for the drop shot from the serves, from returns. It doesn't make sense, you know?," Sabalenka said. "If you feel that this is the day when things are going to work out for you, you definitely have to go for it because it's a good shot, especially on the clay court," she added. "But it's a risky shot. Not everyone has that good hands as Bublik had yesterday." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Netherlands 'obligated' to top World Cup qualifying group, says Koeman
The Netherlands are obligated to win their World Cup qualifying group, coach Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday as they began preparation for their opening Group G clash against Finland in Helsinki on Saturday. It will be their first match in their bid to qualify for next year's finals in North America, followed by a second fixture on Tuesday when they host Malta in Groningen. The Dutch belatedly kick off their qualifiers because they played in the Nations League quarter-finals in March where they drew twice with Spain before being eliminated on penalties. "Maybe it is easier to play football against Spain," Koeman told a press conference. "Because no one expects anything from us then. "Finland and Malta are different types of opponents. We will have more of the ball, and they try to stop us. "We are obligated to finish first in this group, but we do not underestimate anyone and we need to bring the energy that we have shown in our last few matches." The group also includes Lithuania and Poland, who top the standings after two wins in March. The winners qualify for the World Cup while the runners-up advances to a playoff competition. "We want to be good for all the matches and perform much more consistently," Koeman said. "We have shown that against one of the best countries in the world, which gives us confidence." One problem Koeman admitted, however, was the lack of a recognised centre forward. "We don't have top strikers now. I don't know what is coming through the ranks with the 15-16-year-olds, but it is clear that at the moment we do not have the classic striker of the past. Players like (Patrick) Kluivert, (Klaas-Jan) Huntelaar, and (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy. You don't see players like them around anymore." Koeman is not sure who would lead the line in the qualifiers over the next week. "It will probably be Memphis (Depay) or Wout (Weghorst) at the top of the attack," he said. "But (Cody) Gakpo and (Donyell) Malen are all possibilities in that position." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Accidental double-touch penalties must be retaken if scored, says IFAB
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 12, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez scores a penalty during the penalty shootout wich is later disallowed after a VAR review for a double touch. REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - April 14, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo Accidental double-touch penalties must be retaken if scored, says IFAB Penalties scored when a player accidentally touches the ball twice must be retaken, world soccer's lawmaking body IFAB has said after Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez had his spot kick disallowed in a Champions League last-16 match. During a tense shootout with Real Madrid in March, Argentine forward Alvarez slipped and the VAR spotted that his left foot touched the ball slightly before he kicked it with his right. Although Alvarez converted the penalty, the goal was chalked off and Atletico went on to lose the shootout and were eliminated from the Champions League. European soccer's governing body UEFA said the correct decision was made under the current laws but IFAB (International Football Association Board) has said that in such cases the penalty must be retaken. "(When) the penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: if the kick is successful, it is retaken," IFAB said in a circular. "If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team). In the case of penalties (penalty shootout), the kick is recorded as missed." The decision to disallow Alvarez's penalty left Atletico boss Diego Simeone livid and the club's fans outraged. IFAB added that if the penalty taker deliberately kicks the ball with both feet or deliberately touches it a second time, an indirect free kick is awarded or, in the case of shootouts, it is recorded as missed. The new procedures are effective for competitions starting on or after July 1 but IFAB said it may be used in competitions that start this month. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
