Two-times champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open, organisers of the year’s first Grand Slam which begins on Jan. 16 said on Sunday without elaborating on the reason, as a cloud hung over one of the sport’s brightest stars.

The Japanese former world number one’s name was on the entry list for the Australian Open, but Osaka was not scheduled to play in warm-up tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart, raising doubts about her participation in the hardcourt major

“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the Australian Open tweeted. “Dayana Yastremska moves into the main draw.”

Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 Melbourne Park champion, has not played on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in September, where she pulled out of her second-round match against Beatriz Haddad Maia in Tokyo due to illness.

She had crashed out in the first round of three tournaments before that event, including the U.S. Open.

Her withdrawal marks a double blow for Australian Open organisers a day after American seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was ruled out due to injury.

Osaka, who has slipped to 42 in the world rankings, had taken a break to prioritise her mental health after skipping the 2021 French Open. She later said she had been battling depression and anxiety for years.

The four-times major champion is one of the highest-earning women athletes in the world, according to Forbes, with a growing business portfolio, but her latest pullout is likely to further fuel speculation about whether she will continue her playing career.

The Australian Open was already short of some of its star players following the retirements of Serena Williams and Roger Federer last year and the withdrawal of men’s world number one Carlos Alcaraz due to injury.

Simona Halep, the 2018 runner-up, is also absent after being provisionally suspended in October for failing a drug test.

Manchester City’s English midfielder Phil Foden (C) vies with Chelsea’s English midfielder Conor Gallagher (centre right) during the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on January 8, 2023.

Manchester City powered to a second victory against troubled Chelsea in the space of four days as Riyad Mahrez inspired a 4-0 rout in the FA Cup third round, while Aston Villa crashed to a 2-1 defeat against fourth tier Stevenage on Sunday.

After Premier League sides Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were humiliated by lower-league opposition on Saturday, Unai Emery’s Villa were rocked by Stevenage’s two-goal blast in the final minutes.

Premier League champions City rarely suffer such humiliation and they made the strongest possible start by dismissing Chelsea with contemptuous ease at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes from the City side that won 1-0 at Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.

But City were still far too dynamic for struggling Chelsea as Mahrez struck with a brilliant free-kick and a late penalty, with Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden also scoring.

In the fourth round, City will host Premier League leaders Arsenal or third- tier Oxford, who meet on Monday.

City had already eliminated Chelsea from the League Cup this season and the west London club’s first FA Cup third-round exit since 1998 was another blow to a season in danger of spiralling out of control.

While it is probably too early for Chelsea boss Graham Potter to be fearing the sack, just four months after he arrived from Brighton to replace the axed Thomas Tuchel, the 47-year-old might be having a few sleepless nights as he wrestles with his team’s woeful form.

Chelsea have won just three of their last 12 games in all competitions and sit 10th in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of the top four place the club’s American owners would surely have expected Potter to deliver.

Potter will hardly have been comforted by the sound of Chelsea fans chanting Tuchel’s name as they pine for the German who led them to Champions league glory in 2021.

Given Chelsea’s predicament it was curious that Potter elected to make six changes, with Bashir Humphreys given his debut and fellow teenager Lewis Hall also starting.

Mahrez took advantage of Potter’s selection gamble when he drew a rash foul from Hall in the 23rd minute.

The Algeria winger had scored the winner against Chelsea on Thursday and this time he bent a superb free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

– Woeful Chelsea –

City’s second goal was a gift from Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, who punched the ball as he challenged Aymeric Laporte at a corner.

Alvarez slotted the 30th minute penalty past Kepa Arrizabalaga despite the Chelsea keeper’s attempt to distract the Argentine World Cup winner by talking to him before the kick.

Chelsea were being torn apart and Foden hit the third goal in the 38th minute, the England forward finishing off Kyle Walker’s cross after Mahrez’s pass unhinged the ragged visitors.

Beaten in the last three FA Cup finals, Chelsea’s misery was compounded in the 85th minute as Mahrez scored from the spot after Kalidou Koulibaly fouled Foden.

Villa boss Unai Emery made eight changes against Stevenage and the team currently second in League Two made the Spaniard pay for his decision.

Morgan Sanson put Villa ahead in the 33rd minute but Jamie Reid equalised with an 88th minute penalty after Leander Dendoncker was sent off for fouling Dean Campbell.

And Campbell sparked wild Stevenage celebrations in the 90th minute when he smashed home from a short corner.

Leeds were fortunate to avoid embarrassment after escaping with a dramatic 2-2 draw at second tier Cardiff.

Jesse Marsch’s side were shocked by first-half goals from Jayden Philogene-Bidace and Sheyi Ojo.

Rodrigo got one back in the 65th minute, then missed a penalty after Cardiff’s Joel Bagan was sent off for handling on the line.

With just seconds left, Sonny Perkins spared Rodrigo’s blushes as the 18-year-old substitute netted from close-range to force a replay.

Novak Djokovic battled back from match point down to win his first tournament of the year with a thrilling victory over Sebastian Korda in the final of the Adelaide International 1.

The 35-year-old certainly did not have it all his own way as the American gave a brilliant account of himself, but Djokovic had the nous to get his 92nd tournament win over the line 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.

During a gruelling encounter that lasted three hours and 11 minutes, there was precious little to separate them with only three breaks of serve in total. Two of those came in the first set. Korda had the initial advantage, a gorgeous backhand down the line punishing a stranded Djokovic, but he instantly hit back as his opponent found the net with what looked a routine shot.

The subsequent tie-break was similarly neck-and-neck until a Djokovic slice went long and then he put another return into the net to hand Korda the set, the Serbian venting his frustration at his team at the interval.

Korda then had the opportunity to win the championship towards the end of the second set, but Djokovic worked the situation bravely before a smashed volley emphatically saved him, with another tie-break soon arriving.

Djokovic surged into a 6-1 lead and eventually grasped his third set point, and from then on there only looked like being one winner, with the 21-time grand slam champion pouncing on his first break point in the decider to take the win.

This tournament was of course Djokovic’s first in Australia since being deported ahead of the 2022 Australian Open due to his unvaccinated status. Upon his return to the country where he has won nine grand slams, Djokovic was feeling the love.

“It’s been an amazing week and [the fans] made it even more special. For me to be standing here is a gift, definitely,” Djokovic said in the trophy ceremony.

“I gave it all today and throughout the week in order to be able to get my hands on the trophy.

“The support that I’ve been getting in the past 10 days is something that I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life, so thank you so much [to] everyone for coming out every single match.”

Success ensured Djokovic levelled Rafael Nadal (92) for fourth-most men’s singles titles in the Open Era, with only Ivan Lendl (94), Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) winning more.

Isah Ladan Bosso, Head Coach of Nigeria’s U20 boys, has invited 35 players to resume camping in Abuja on Monday as preparations for this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations begins in earnest.

Goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu, who is also number one choice for the Olympic Eagles, is at the top of the roster alongside midfielder Daniel Daga and forward Promise Bernard. Training sessions will commence on Monday as Bosso looks to pick his final squad for the tournament that also serves as the qualifying tournament for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Indonesia.

There are also goalkeeper Chijioke Anigboso, defenders Benjamin Frederick, Nathaniel Tambe and Hassan Shaibu, midfielders Ibrahim Yahaya and Muhammad Aminu, and forwards Adams Olalekan and Ayuba Francis.

Seven-time champions Nigeria will do battle with host nation, Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique in Group A of the 12-nation tournament taking place in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Ismailia, 19th February – 11th March. All four semi-finalists at the championship will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup.

Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Congo are in Group B, while The Gambia, Tunisia, Benin Republic and Zambia will slot it out in Group C.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Chijioke Anigboso (Giant Brillars); Saheed Akanbi (Adoration FC); John Otunbulon (Mavloon FC)

Defenders: Benjamin Frederick (Nasarawa FC); Adedoyin Odole (36 Lions); Daniel Bamaiyi (YumYum FC); Femi Abubakar (Madiba FC); Nathaniel Tambe (Box2Box FC); Solomon Agbalaka (Broad City); Aminu Yusuf (Lobi Stars); Hassan Shaibu (Smart City); Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Daniel Daga (Dakkada FC); Ogbelu Onoche (Nasarawa United); Frederick Godwin (City FC); Jonathan Nicholas (Simoiben FC); Muhammad Aminu (Mailantarki FC); Shatima Umar; Abdulrahman Adam (Mahaniam FC); Caleb Ochedikwu (Mavloon FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Mailatarki FC); Bilyaminu Musa (Mailafia FC); Musa Usman (Mailatarki (FC)

Forwards: Jude Sunday (Realsaphier FC); Ifesinachi Obiakwu (36 Lions); Adams Olalekan (Remo Stars); Emma Ochegbu (Plateau United); Haliru Sarki (Maikunkele FC); Christogonus Ibe (Chukwuebuka FC); Faruk Salami (Ikorodu City); Segun Otusanoya; Ayuba Francis (Nasarawa United); Promise Bernard (FAME FC); Shatima Abani (Plateau United)

Humphery Gabriel recorded his first Double Double in Taiwan’s Super Basketball League as Taiwan Beer records their first win of the season 80-65 against Changhua Bulili on Sunday.

Taiwan Beer needed to bounce back from their Defeat on Saturday in the League’s opener against Yulon and they did just that.

“It was a painfull lose, on Saturday, we knew we had to respond and we did that” Gabe said after the match on Sunday.

Taiwan Beer lost 83-79 on Saturday in a match that both sides were neck in neck throughout the game. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Yulon were 2 points up at 81-79 when Coach Chou Jun San called for a time out. With Possession advantage to Taiwan Beer, they needed to make the basket and when the pass got to Feng Cheng Kai, the small forward shot hit the rim and Yulon Grab the ball to hit the Bears on a counter to make the basket at the other end as the clock runs down.

On Sunday, Taiwan beer came out with high spirit and and took a 10 points lead in the first quarter 23-13. Changhua Bulili bounced back in the second quarter to cut down the lead to end the first half 35 – 29 in Favour of Taiwan Beer.

Gabe took the game on in the third quarter and became the provider generalismo for Wang Hao-Chi who hit record 28 points on the day to win the MVP along with US import Jordan Albert with 19 points. Taiwan Beer Finished the game on the high in the 4th quarter with Gabe hitting 14 points, 12 rebounds and providing 9 assists in 38 minutes of play.

“I am so excited for our first win of the season, we can look forward to doing better as the season gets on” Gabe said.

The NPFL Club Secretaries Forum congratulates the Gbenga Elegbeleye led Interim Management Committee of the league for the successful take off of the league after passing through tortuous and turbulent experiences.

According to the the press release signed by Chibuzo Nwogu, Chairman NPFL Club Secretaries’ Forum;

We thank God for the responsible leadership of the NFF President Ibrahim Gusau who bridged a reconciliation between IMC and Club Chairmen in such a short time. Our happiness now lies in the fact that the effort of IMC at rebranding the league with strong will is beginning to pay off as certain milestones have been achieved.

The partnership with GTI which guarantees complete sponsorship package of Referees indemnities, 200,000,000 naira take off fund for the clubs and the undaunted effort at harmonizing our league calendar with the global football community.

It is our sincere hope that this zeal will be sustained to ensure our elite league transit to a truly professional one with international best practices in the shortest possible time.

We therefore call on the Referees to show professionalism as arbiters of integrity in compliment of the efforts of the IMC as they will no longer be left at the mercy of the clubs.

The Referees Committee headed by the incorruptible Faith Irabor should raise the bar of incorruptibility as good officiating remains key to development of football.

Two-time Nigerian league champions before the advent of professional league, Insurance of Benin made a bold statement as they beat 2020/21 champions, Akwa United 2-0 at home as the NPFL kicked off this weekend.

Insurance have spent the greater part of the last decade in the lower tier league look like re-enacting their superb form of the late 1970s.

Imade Osarenkhoe shot the newly promoted Insurance ahead in the 40^th minute. Divine Nwachukwu doubled the lead four minutes later to give the visiting Insurance a 2-0 lead at half time.

No further goal was recorded in the second half.