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Matildas lead 3-0 at half-time on the Gold Coast
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It’s obviously going to case a shadow over tonight’s match so, as a reminder, The Guardian is bringing you live updates on the crisis in the Middle East.
“These women are prisoners,” says Cyrus Jones, a human rights activist who will be attending the match. “Iranian security is up on their floor [of the hotel] at night. They can’t leave their rooms. They can’t use the public bathrooms. They’re monitored when they go for breakfast, when they get on the bus. They’re monitored in a way no other players from other teams are.
Continue reading...3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following much-needed win over Jazz
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers needed a win in the worst way as they played host to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. On the second night of a back-to-back following their 40-point blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, the Sixers were down four starters, but pulled together for a 106-102 win over a pesky Jazz team.
Tyrese Maxey had 25 points and six assists for Philadelphia while Jabari Walker hopped off the bench and had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Quentin Grimes added 16 points and five rebounds, Adem Bona had 12 and five boards, Tyrese Martin had eight, and Dominick Barlow added seven points.
Here are the three biggest takeaways following the win:
Walker stepping up
After scoring 20 points in garbage time in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs, Walker received first quarter minutes against the Jazz and immediately went to work. He scored seven points in the opening quarter and had 15 points in the first half overall. He knocked down his first four 3-pointers and was able to make a big impact for this group. The Sixers probably don't win this game without his contributions when considering how well the Jazz did play in this game. Walker made a big difference and he did it on a day he described an unfortunate event he had to go through.
Walker explained:
When I saw that one go in, it was rattling around the rim, and I was like, ‘OK, yeah, this is my day today.’ I actually had an unfortunate event today. I just got a new car, and I was driving it for no less than 30 minutes, and I scratched it today, and talking about being in the zone and just wanting to get to the game and continue that, that was an unfortunate event for me. So, mentally, I'm walking in here like my brand new car I just got? I scratched it. So talking to somebody coming in, I told them the story. They're, like, it's gonna get better for you today. And I was like, Alright, OK, I'm in my zone right now. I'm in basketball world. So whatever happened before stays out. So, when I saw the first two go in, I was like, ‘OK, all right, this is a whole new world. I got a chance to redeem myself.’ So, I forgot about what happened earlier today.
I was backing up. I was excited. I was ready to get to the gym, and there was a pole behind me, and honestly, I haven't driven in a while. I've been Ubering everywhere, and Philly is very tight spaces, so it's a learning experience. I'll get it fixed.
Earning a much-needed win
Many will downplay this win. The Jazz are now 18-44 on the season with this loss and are now on a 7-game losing streak as they are in the midst of trying to tank and get the best pick in the upcoming June draft, but Utah plays hard on a nightly basis as coach Will Hardy has gotten them to play well every night. Combine that fact with Philadelphia also missing Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and VJ Edgecombe, and the fact that the Sixers entered this contest only half a game up on the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic for the No. 6 seed in the East, every win matters. Even if it is just the Utah Jazz.
"That’s a hell of a win considering all the guys out," coach Nick Nurse said after the win. "I think any win, this is what I'm talking about, we just got to figure out some way to pick them off. We don't care what they look like. Just pick off a win here and there. So, good job, I think, by a lot of guys stepping up and at least, I think, contributing in some way."
The other Tyrese makes a contribution
The Sixers received a big second half from Tyrese Martin in this one. With Utah hard-charging and taking a lead, the Sixers needed somebody to step up and knock down some shots with Tyrese Maxey resting on the bench. Martin knocked down two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and had eight points after halftime. It was good to see Martin be able to step in and knock down some big shots when considering his early struggles since signing in Philadelphia.
"Well, I mean, (expletive), I ain't make a jump shot since I've been here," Martin laughed after the win. "So, to see definitely one going, I was confident about the next one, for sure. So, they felt good, and we needed it in a timely manner and it went in. So, I was grateful for that."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following much-needed win over Jazz
Arsenal told how much their free transfer target wants
Leon Goretzka has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in Europe, and Arsenal are reportedly keen to secure his signature. The Gunners view him as an experienced figure capable of strengthening both their squad and dressing room dynamics.
A serial winner with Bayern Munich, Goretzka has continued to feature regularly under Vincent Kompany despite the knowledge that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. His desire to join a team with strong prospects in European competition makes Arsenal a potentially appealing destination as he looks to continue his career at the highest level.
Arsenal Lead Interest
The Gunners are not alone in pursuing Goretzka. Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and Tottenham have also expressed interest in signing the midfielder, making the race for his services highly competitive. Nevertheless, Arsenal appear well placed to add him to their squad, with reports suggesting that he is seeking a three-year contract worth approximately £100,000 a week.
While that figure is modest compared to some of the top earners at Arsenal, it makes the deal feasible for the club and increases the likelihood of a successful transfer in the summer. His experience, winning mentality and versatility in midfield are qualities that could have an immediate impact on Mikel Arteta’s squad.
(Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Future Prospects
According to Tuttosport, Goretzka’s proposed terms indicate a clear interest in joining Arsenal, but he is expected to consider proposals from other clubs once his current contract concludes. The summer window will therefore be crucial, as Arsenal look to secure a high-calibre free agent who can contribute both on and off the pitch.
If successful, the move would not only bolster their midfield options but also provide the squad with a proven winner capable of influencing key moments in domestic and European competitions. Goretzka’s arrival could signal Arsenal’s intent to strengthen their ambitions at the top level.
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Raducanu to 'tap into a few people' over coaching
British number one Emma Raducanu says she is going to be "tapping into a few people" as she tries to rediscover her natural way of playing.
The 2021 US Open champion says she remains open to the idea of having another full-time coach - as long as they do not dictate the way she should play - but is wary of the scrutiny they will attract.
Raducanu's partnership with Francisco Roig ended after January's Australian Open because of a disagreement over her playing style.
The Spaniard was the seventh full-time coach Raducanu had worked with.
"Right now, it's more about bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself," Raducanu told BBC Sport after a two-hour practice session before her first match at Indian Wells in California.
"I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn't necessarily fit.
"So I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that's something that has been coached out of me a little bit.
"I don't necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised - even if it's a trial.
"I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it's not necessarily the right decision.
"I would love to have a coach that works well, but I don't think it's necessarily going to be easy to find one person and they are going to check every box.
"I definitely have my mind open to it. It's just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me 'let's do this', and I disagree with it but have to listen to them.
"So far Alexis [Canter] has been really good, but I am definitely going to tap into a few people here and there."
Petchey helping in day-to-day role
Mark Petchey is at the top of that list. His day job with the Tennis Channel brings him to Indian Wells anyway, and he has answered the call for assistance.
He has been on court regularly this week and, even though the arrangement with Raducanu is on a day-to-day basis, it is possible that Petchey could resume the ad hoc role he had last spring.
Petchey, who coached Andy Murray at the start of his career, joined Raducanu's team in Miami last March as she reached the quarter-finals.
He was also a regular presence throughout the clay-court season, when Raducanu reached the fourth round in Rome.
Raducanu said she asked for Petchey's help as she felt uncomfortable about her game, and has noticed an improvement over the past few days.
"I work really well when I'm with him," she said.
"I'm really happy to be on the court and just really enjoy it overall. I'm not sure, going forward, what it will look like."
Raducanu aims to bounce back from Middle East swing
Canter has limited coaching experience and very much takes a back seat when Petchey is also on the court.
But Canter was with Raducanu as a hitting partner in Washington last summer when she made the semi-finals, and also in Cluj last month when the world number 24 reached only the second final of her career.
Raducanu did not win a match in Doha or Dubai, where she had a chest infection, but is healthy again for Friday's second-round match - following a first-round bye -against qualifier Anastasia Zakharova.
Raducanu has had a full week of practice to get used to the thin desert air and the Californian sun.
She thinks the best way to climb the rankings is by trusting her natural instincts - irrespective of who is in the coaching box.
What is Raducanu's natural way of playing? - analysis
Remember when Raducanu caused a seismic shock by winning the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier who had barely played a professional tournament?
She managed to achieve the unthinkable by playing with a freedom which she has not been able to replicate consistently since.
Almost five years later and having reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament only once since, Raducanu is determined to get back to basics.
That means rediscovering her natural instincts to be an aggressive baseliner. Her early success was built around not being afraid to take returns early in a bid to hustle opponents.
First serves were put back deep in the court to instantly put her rivals on the back foot and second serves were swatted away with impunity.
Raducanu's power off both wings was impressive, although it was clear her forehand needed more work than her solid and stylish backhand.
Over the next year or so, the forehand deteriorated to a place where it lacked any punch and, following the wrist surgery which ruled her almost completely of the 2023 season, is what Roig tried to remodel.
The lack of trust in what Raducanu was being asked to do, though, was clear at the Australian Open.
In a demoralising second-round exit, she made 19 unforced errors off that wing and spoke afterwards about returning to a simple philosophy - "hitting the ball to the corners and hard".
There is another aspect to Raducanu's ambitions of returning to the top 10 and challenging the very best players - her body and mind.
She must continue to build fitness and durability, and have the heart for a scrap in tough moments, to implement the style she wants.