Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 22 January 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start with tennis: Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek dropped only 14 games on her way to her second Australian Open semifinal. The world number two from Poland defeated American Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2 and will face another American, Madison Keys, tomorrow for a place in the final. Keys clinched a spot in her third semifinal in Melbourne with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. The other semifinal will see world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus take on Spain’s Paula Badosa.

Meanwhile, the world number seven, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, is searching for a new coach after her trial contract with 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic ended following her exit from the Australian Open. She lost to Keys in the fourth round in Melbourne. Rybakina and the Croatian started working together last month after he previously coached 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Rybakina is reportedly contemplating bringing back her previous coach, another Croatian, Stefano Vukov.

# Rugby: Wales’s head coach, Warren Gatland, realises everyone is writing the struggling team off before this year’s Six Nations. The country last won a Test in the pool stage of 2023’s World Cup, where they went down to Argentina in the quarterfinal. Wales ended in last place in last year’s Six Nations. Gatland says they have to create confidence and belief when seeking a first victory at the Stade de France in six years against France in the first round in Paris next weekend.

# Motorsport: Haas has appointed Laura Mueller as the first female race engineer in Formula One as part of a shake-up of their team. The German will work with newly recruited driver Esteban Ocon while another woman, Carine Cridelich, is set to join as head of strategy from Red Bull’s Racing Bulls team. Francesco Nenci is the new chief engineer. US-based Haas is seeking to build on last season’s seventh-placed finish in the constructors’ championship with a new drivers’ line-up that features Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

# And finally, soccer: Liverpool remains unbeaten in the Champions League after beating ten-man Lille at Anfield to book their place in the last 16. Mohamed Salah’s 50th goal in Europe and Harvey Elliott secured the win for Arne Slot’s side. Barcelona came from behind to clinch a five-four victory over Benfica and secure their spot in the last 16. Juventus was held to a goalless draw by Club Brugge. Slot was happy with their performance:

Stay tuned for more news………….