Der VfL Bochum hat am 18. Spieltag der Fußball-Bundesliga gegen RB Leipzig ein echtes Ausrufezeichen gesetzt und weiter Hoffnung im Kampf um den Klassenverbleib geschöpft. Der Tabellenletzte holte beim 3:3 gegen die Leipziger einen 0:3-Rückstand auf.
Nach den frühen Treffern von Willi Orban (10, Minte), Antonio Nusa (13.) und Christoph Baumgartner (22.) sah es nach einer klaren Angelegenheit für das Champions-League-Team aus Leipzig aus.
Boadu Mann des Tages – erster Bochumer Hattrick seit 1987
Doch Bochum startete nach der Pause ein unverhofftes Comeback: Myron Boadu (48., 57., 61.) egalisierte den Rückstand den Abstiegskandidaten mit drei Treffern in weniger als einer Viertelstunde. Es war zugleich der erste echte Hattrick eines Bochumer Stürmers seit Mai 1987, seinerzeit erzielte Frank Schulz beim 6:1-Erfolg gegen Mannheim drei Tore nacheinander.
Das zuvor letzte Mal, das ein Bochumer dreimal in einem Spiel traf – Stanislav Sestak im April 2009 gegen Hoffenheim – ist auch schon mehr als 15 Jahre her.
Die Bochumer bleiben mit 10 Punkten Schlusslicht. In der bereinigten Tabelle, mit der nachträglich als Sieg gewerteten Partie gegen Union Berlin, würde der VfL nun aber den Vorletzten aus Kiel überholen.
Nach nur fünf Toren in acht Spielen unter seiner Regie hatte VfL-Trainer Dieter Hecking vor allem in der Offensive umgestellt. Philipp Hofmann, mit seinem Traumtor der Matchwinner beim 1:0 gegen den FC St. Pauli, musste auf die Bank, dafür kam Boadu. Dass der Niederländer dem Spiel derart seinen Stempel aufdrückte, damit konnte aber wohl auch Bochums Coach nicht rechnen. Auch Moritz Broschinski und Dani de Wit rückten ins Team.
RB-Coach Marco Rose musste im Angriff gar ohne echten Mittelstürmer auskommen. Ohne die gesperrten Lois Openda und Benjamin Sesko, die beim 1:2 in Stuttgart Gelb-Rot gesehen hatten, sowie den noch nicht wieder einsatzbereiten André Silva und Yussuf Poulsen blieb nur Mittelfeldspieler Baumgartner als “falsche Neun”.
Leipzig dominant – aber nur eine Halbzeit lang
Das erste Tor erzielte ein Abwehrspieler: Orban erhielt an der linken Strafraumkante den Ball und schlug ihn in die Mitte. Was wohl als Flanke gedacht war, senkte sich zur Überraschung aller über den Innenpfosten in den Winkel.
Nur drei Minuten später legte ein Offensiver nach: Nusa kam eher zufällig an den Ball, den Baumgartner und Xavi Simons eigentlich verstolpert hatten, und traf per Flachschuss ins linke Eck. Allerdings hatten die Leipziger dabei auch Glück gehabt: Eine mutmaßliche Abseitsstellung konnte nicht vom VAR verifiziert werden, weil wegen technischer Probleme die kalibrierte Linie nicht gezogen werden konnte, wie Sky mit Bezug auf die DFL berichtete. Wie am Reißbrett geplant war dagegen das 0:3. Nach Steilpass von Ridle Baku und Hereingabe von David Raum vollendete Baumgartner.
Boadu macht Comeback vom Elfmeterpunkt perfekt
Nach der Pause drehte sich das Spiel völlig: Nach einem Leipziger Fehler im Aufbau bediente der eingewechselte Gerrit Holtmann Boadu, der zum ersten Mal zuschlug. Nach einer Hereingabe von Bernardo folgte der zweite Streich. Vor dem Ausgleich gab es freundliche Hilfe der auf einmal komplett kopflosen Leipziger: Nusa ging nach einer harmlosen Hereingabe an der Strafraumgrenze amateurhaft in den Zweikampf gegen de Wit – den fälligen Elfmeter verwandelte Boadu sicher – im Ruhrstadion war endgültig der Teufel los.
In der Schlussphase hatten die Bochumer sogar noch Chancen auf den Siegtreffer. Leipzig verstärkte in den Schlussminuten noch einmal die Offensive, konnte aber keinen “Lucky Punch” mehr setzen.
Bochum in Gladbach, Leipzig gegen Leverkusen
Bochum ist am 19. Spieltag am kommenden Samstagabend in Mönchengladbach zu Gast (18.30 Uhr). RB Leipzig erwartet ebenfalls am Samstag (15.30 Uhr) den Meister Bayer Leverkusen.
In einem packenden Spiel hat der VfL Bochum am Samstagabend eine beeindruckende Aufholjagd gegen RB Leipzig hingelegt. Zur Halbzeit lag Bochum noch mit 0:3 zurück, doch in der zweiten Halbzeit zeigten sie eine starke kämpferische Leistung und konnten das Spiel noch drehen.
Mit drei Toren binnen 30 Minuten gelang Bochum der Ausgleich gegen den favorisierten Gegner aus Leipzig. Die Fans waren begeistert von der Leidenschaft und dem Willen der Spieler, die sich trotz des Rückstands nicht aufgaben und bis zum Schluss kämpften.
Trainer Thomas Reis lobte nach dem Spiel die Moral seiner Mannschaft und betonte, wie stolz er auf die Spieler war. Das Comeback gegen Leipzig wird sicherlich als einer der denkwürdigsten Momente der Saison in die Geschichte des VfL Bochum eingehen.
Die Spieler feierten den Sieg ausgelassen auf dem Platz und bedankten sich bei den Fans für die Unterstützung. Mit diesem Sieg hat Bochum gezeigt, dass sie in der Lage sind, auch gegen starke Gegner zu bestehen und für Überraschungen zu sorgen.
Flair has been sidelined since December 2023, as she suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus during a match against Asuka. She underwent surgery, and she has been training for her in-ring return in recent months.
In a new post on social media, Charlotte Flair shared a clip of herself training and teased that she would prove everyone wrong when she returned.
As of this writing, there is no word on when Charlotte Flair will return. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
“I am so excited for my daughter to come back,” he said. “I mean, geez. She won’t tell me anything because she says I have a big mouth. She tells her mom everything and won’t tell me, and I can’t get her mom to tell me. I really think it’s time. When she comes back…John Cena doesn’t want to break a record. He doesn’t give a shit about that. He’s in a different world now. I still think the biggest thing in the business when it happens, and it’ll be a real game-changer, just like she is in real life, is her breaking the title record, or even tying the record.”
“I believe it’s in the cards,” Flair continued. “I can look at the show, and I just think it’s a woman’s world now, and she’s the best women’s wrestler alive, and I think this time off, as unfortunate as it was because of the severity of the injury, I think that she’s been able to sit back and realize just how damn good she use. Because I guarantee you, when she walks back in the door, it’s gonna be a game-changer. I would bet $10,000 dollars that the first match she wrestles, if it’s a good opponent, will get a rating that’ll be the highest women’s rating in a long time in a singles match.”
Charlotte Flair, the queen of WWE, has sent fans into a frenzy with a new video teasing her highly anticipated comeback to the ring. The video, posted on her social media accounts, shows Flair training intensely in the gym, showcasing her strength and determination.
In the caption accompanying the video, Flair simply wrote, “The queen is coming back.” This has sparked speculation among fans that she may be making her return to the WWE sooner rather than later.
Flair has been out of action for several months due to injury, but it appears that she is ready to make her triumphant return. With her undeniable talent and charisma, fans are eagerly awaiting her comeback and are excited to see what she has in store.
Stay tuned for more updates on Charlotte Flair’s return to the ring, as she continues to prove why she is one of the most dominant forces in WWE history. The queen is back, and she’s ready to reclaim her throne.
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Devin Booker scored the game-high 37 points and Kevin Durant added 23 as the Phoenix Suns thwarted the Washington Wizards‘ late comeback for a 130-123 win Thursday.
This was Booker’s fourth straight game scoring more than 30. The Suns’ victory put them back at the .500 mark (20-20), and handed the struggling Wizards (6-33) their ninth consecutive loss.
Grayson Allen scored 21 points (8-of-12 FG, team-high five 3s) off the Suns’ bench. Ryan Dunn set the bar for himself with his career-highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double. He shot a game-high 80%, and added one block. Tyus Jones barely missed his fifth double-double of the season contributing nine points, 10 assists, and game-high three steals.
The Wizards’ top performers were Kyshawn George (career-high 24 points, 80% FG, game-high six 3s), Jordan Poole (18 points), and their top rookie Alexandre Sarr (16 points, nine boards, two blocks, one steal).
The Suns had a double-digit lead for most of the game, including their largest lead 24 at one minute left in the third quarter. But the Wizards outscored them 40-26 in the fourth and cut the lead to three as George drained his sixth 3 at 1:06 remaining. Then Booker hit his fourth trey during the Suns’ ensuing possession to extend the lead to six and the Suns closed the game thereafter. The Suns gave up 29 points off 16 turnovers.
The Suns play next at the rising Detroit Pistons (21-19) on Saturday at 2 p.m., the third game of Phoenix’s five-game road trip.
Booker, Suns extend lead in 3rd quarter
Phoenix kept scorching Washington in the third, up 104-83 entering the final quarter.
Devin Booker reached the game-high 27 points, adding nine in the third quarter. Kevin Durant contributed 10 of his 23 points during the quarter. Allen had 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Ryan Dunn has been the Suns’ second-most efficient shooter, hitting 7-of-9 and matched his season-high 16 points.
The Wizards’ top scorers are Jordan Poole (18) and Bilal Coulibaly (13).
The Suns extended their largest lead to 24 on Durant’s jumpshot at one minute left. They’ve dished 28 assists on their 28 made shots, hitting a stellar 57.6% including 13-of-25 from 3.
Allen hot, Suns still ahead in 2nd quarter
Grayson Allen was on fire with 18 points (7-of-8 off the bench), and Phoenix remains in front 69-55 at halftime. Allen was five points away from his season-high and has hit four of the Suns’ nine 3s.
Devin Booker scored nine of his 18 points in the second quarter, Kevin Durant had 13 points, and Ryan Dunn put up all 12 of his points in the second. The Wizards’ top scorer is Jordan Poole with 14.
After the Suns went up 38-23 from Booker’s mid-range jumpshot at 11:04, the Wizards struck back on a 11-2 run over the next two minutes, cutting the lead to six. Allen quickly answered the Wizards with his 5-0 run from his third trey and a steal off Kyle Kuzma and fast-break dunk to push the lead to 11 at 8:27. The Suns have shot 62.8% overall, including 56.3% off their 16 attempts from deep. The Wizards have shot 47.7% and a paltry 28.6% on their 21 tries from 3.
The Suns reached their largest lead 20 after Durant’s floater at around three minutes left. Then the Wizards went on a 11-0 run from 2:35 until the 59 second mark. Phoenix committed seven of their nine turnovers in the second quarter, including four in the final 2:40, and have allowed 18 points off those giveaways.
Suns surge behind Booker, Durant, Allen in 1st quarter
Phoenix rolled to a 34-21 lead to close the opening period. They were driven by the hot shooting of Grayson Allen’s game-high 10 points (4-of-5, two 3s) off the bench and Devin Booker’s and Kevin Durant’s nine points each. Booker shot 3-of-5 and Durant was 3-of-4.
Jordan Poole leads the Wizards with nine points.
The Suns jumped out to an 18-3 lead, including their 11-0 run to start the game, and reached their largest lead of 16 twice after 4:21 left in the quarter.
Starting lineups
The Suns are starting Durant, Booker, Tyus Jones, Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee.
The Wizards are opening with Jordan Poole, Carlton Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyle Kuzma and last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick Alexander Sarr.
Suns’ Nurkic still out sick
Phoenix’s reserve big Jusuf Nurkic (illness) is out for the third straight game after catching the flu. Coach Mike Budenholzer said before the Atlanta game that Nurkic might join the Suns for the final game of their road trip against Brooklyn next Wednesday. Before his absence, Nurkic was removed from the starting lineup.
The Wizards’ Marvin Bagley III (knee) and Malcolm Brogdon (foot) are out.
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In a thrilling matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant put on a show, combining for 60 points to lead the Suns to a nail-biting victory. Despite a late comeback attempt by the Wizards, the Suns held on for the win, thanks to the stellar performances of Booker and Durant.
Booker, known for his scoring prowess, poured in 30 points, while Durant added 30 of his own to lead the Suns to victory. Their dynamic scoring duo proved to be too much for the Wizards to handle, as they struggled to contain the offensive firepower of Booker and Durant.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets throughout. However, it was the Suns who were able to make the crucial plays down the stretch to secure the win. Despite the Wizards’ late comeback attempt, the Suns’ defense held strong, ultimately sealing the victory.
With Booker and Durant leading the charge, the Suns look poised to make a deep playoff run this season. Their combination of scoring ability and leadership will be crucial as they look to compete with the top teams in the league. Suns fans can be excited about the potential of this dynamic duo leading their team to success.
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CINCINNATI (AP) Jaden Bradley had 15 points, including two free throws that helped Arizona clinch a 72-67 win over No. 16 Cincinnati on Saturday.
Carter Bryant added 14 points and Caleb Love scored 12 as Arizona (8-5, 2-0 Big 12) won it’s second straight game.
Cincinnati (10-3, 0-2) lost for the second straight game. Dan Skillings Jr. scored 18 points and had two steals.
The Bearcats were down 19 points with just over 17 minutes remaining. They tied it at 64 with 58 seconds left on Skillings’ layup. That was as close as they’d get to a comeback win.
Dillon Mitchell added 13 points for the Bearcats.
Arizona averaged about 97 points in its seven wins coming into this game, including three games over 100. It averaged 70 in its five losses. The 72 points are the Wildcats’ third-lowest point total of the season.
Cincinnati started the season 6-0, but has dropped three of its last seven games.
Love stole a pass from Jizzle James with under 10 seconds to go in the first half and was fouled by Skillings with less than a second remaining. He made one of two at the free-throw line to give the Wildcats a 39-26 halftime lead.
Cincinnati has committed 39 turnovers in its three losses.
Both teams play Tuesday night: Arizona visits West Virginia and Cincinnati visits No. 25 Baylor.
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The Arizona Wildcats pulled off a thrilling victory against the No. 16 Cincinnati Bearcats, holding off a 19-point comeback to win 72-67. The Wildcats came out strong, building a commanding lead in the first half. However, the Bearcats mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, cutting the deficit to just two points with under a minute left to play.
But Arizona remained composed under pressure, hitting key free throws and making crucial defensive stops to secure the hard-fought victory. The Wildcats’ balanced scoring attack and tenacious defense were key factors in their success, as they managed to contain Cincinnati’s potent offense down the stretch.
The win was a statement victory for Arizona, showcasing their resilience and ability to close out tough games against ranked opponents. With this impressive win, the Wildcats have cemented their status as a team to watch in the college basketball landscape this season.
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In what mathematically may have been the biggest game so far for University of Cincinnati men’s basketball, the Bearcats picked the wrong day to be statistically inaccurate, losing to Arizona 72-67.
It wasn’t without a fight as the Bearcats, on the verge of being blown out in front of a crowd of 11,212 at Fifth Third Arena, tied the game in the final minute. From there, they could only get a Day Day Thomas 3-pointer in the final seconds. UC had its worst shooting day of the year from the perimeter, hitting only 5-of-25 for a lowly 20%.
“We did a nice job of digging back in the game,” UC coach Wes Miller said. “I was proud of that part. I was not pleased with the offense and defense execution in the last minute but you’ve got to give them (Arizona) credit for making plays.”
Down as many as 19 points in the second half, UC livened the crowd up with a 9-0 run with just under nine minutes to go, cutting the Arizona lead to 58-52 and forcing a timeout with 7:19 left.
With just over three minutes to go, Jizzle James whittled the Wildcats lead to three at 64-61. An Aziz Bandaogo free throw at 1:51 made it 64-62. Then, Dan Skillings tied it with a putback with 59 seconds left. From there it came down to Arizona’s free throws to pull away as the Wildcats finished 21-for-27 in that category for the five-point win.
UC was a woeful, 12-for-23 for just 52% from the line. For the game, they were outshot 43-39%. The Bearcats did outrebound the Wildcats 39-34.
Arizona was led by Jaden Bradley with 15 points while Carter Bryant added 14. Bradley drove straight to the basket for a layup 15 seconds after UC tied the game to give Arizona the lead for good.
“We drew up something out of the timeout that we’d never really done before,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “It allowed Jaden Bradley to get downhill to make a lay-up. The play wasn’t necessarily for that but that was one of the options. We were able to possession-by-possession find a way from there.”
UC got 18 for a second straight game from Skillings. Dillon Mitchell had 13 points.
“We all knew that we had to turn that switch on and have that switch on in the second half,” Mitchell said of the failed comeback. “It starts on the defensive end. Offensively, even if we’re not making shots, we eventually will. That’s something that we have to continue to lock on.”
Though UC carried the No. 16 Associated Press ranking into the game, Arizona was ranked higher in the KenPom.com ratings (No. 20 to UC’s No. 23) and NCAA NET rankings (No. 21 to UC’s No. 25).
Arizona has won all five games in the series, but this was the Wildcats first visit to Cincinnati. The other matchups were played in neutral sites with two in Phoenix and two in Hawaii.
What’s up with Bearcats vs. Wildcats?
Villanova, Kansas State, Arizona. Those are UC’s losses. Though the Bearcats came back and tied, they are now 11-28 under Wes Miller when trailing at halftime, 1-3 this season. UC is now 10-2 (0-2 Big 12). The Arizona Wildcats go to 8-5 (2-0 Big 12).
The Bearcats outscored Arizona 41-33 in the second half when Miller preferred the ball movement.
“We played the right way in the second half offensively, then we missed a bunch of open shots and free throws,” he said. “It’s got to be consistent and you didn’t see that in the second half at all.”
An assist from Xavier
With Xavier coach Sean Miller formerly heading up the Arizona Wildcats, coach Tommy Lloyd’s squad took advantage of his hospitality by getting in a practice at Cintas Center. There are still several connections among the two teams. Among those is current Arizona Assistant AD/Equipment Operations Brian Brigger who facilitated the practice. Brigger is from nearby Wyoming and graduated from Xavier, working with Skip Prosser and Thad Matta, then Sean Miller at Arizona.
Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats basketball vs. Arizona
1. Was UC able to contain Arizona Wildcats star Caleb Love?
Love didn’t score for nearly the first 14 minutes in the first half. When he did, his 3-pointer gave Arizona a 21-19 lead and the Wildcats finished the half on an 18-7 run from there with Love leading Arizona with nine points. Love would only score three more points to finish with 12, but Carter Bryant, who came into the game averaging 4.5 points had 14 for Arizona to offset Love.
Bryant made all five of his shots including a trio of threes.
“It was just one we had to get,” Bryant said of the game. “We fought with it, we stuck with it, we trusted the game plan, we executed everything not necessarily to a tee, but as well as you can ask for in an environment against a great defensive team like this.”
2. Was pace of play a factor?
Both teams like to get up and down and the Wildcats came in having surpassed the century mark five times. In four of their losses, they were held below 80 points with former Bearcats coach Mick Cronin’s UCLA Bruins keeping them to a season-low 54. For most of the first half, it looked like UC would be able to keep the Wildcats in check. But, while Arizona caught fire, UC couldn’t buy a bucket, not scoring in the final 2:40 of the first half. Their 13-point deficit at halftime was the largest of the season. On the final free throws, Arizona’s 72 points was the most scored against UC this season.
“I was displeased with defense in the first half, I thought we were casual to start the game and slow to the basketball,” Miller said. “I was very pleased with us defensively to dig back in the game. You can’t keep spotting people and digging yourself in holes. We did that tonight in the first half.”
Several times in the game the Bearcats clanked both free throws. Those were momentum killers. They finished 12-for-23. Dillon Mitchell missed all five tries and Aziz Bandaogo was 1-for-4. UC has only surpassed 70% from the line in four games: Morehead State, Xavier, Dayton and Grambling State.
“I believe in our guys,” Miller said. “Guys the ball goes in some, it doesn’t go in some. I don’t concern myself a lot with the things we can’t control. Guys, they’re going to step up and make free throws. It’s a long season. They’re going to make them.”
As for three-point shooting, Saturday’s 20% was their lowest output since shooting just 25% vs. Xavier. In four of their last five games, the Bearcats have shot less than 30% from behind the arc. Among UC’s shooters, Skillings Jr. was 2-for 7, but Simas Lukošius, Day Day Thomas and Tyler Betsey combined to go 2-for-13.
New Cincinnati Bearcats signee Keyshuan Tillery on scene
Four-star point guard Keyshuan Tillery from the New Hampton School in New Hampshire was flying the Bearcat colors at the UC/Arizona game. Tillery committed in September and signed with Wes Miller and company in November. Tillery was introduced during one of the first half timeouts.
Next up on Big 12 menu?
UC heads to Waco, Texas for a Tuesday night encounter with the Baylor Bears at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. Baylor, ranked No. 25, lost by 19 at No. 3 Iowa State Saturday, 74-55 so they’ll be hungry for a win. Arizona heads to Morgantown for West Virginia Tuesday night. The Mountaineers won at home over Oklahoma State Saturday 69-50.
Cincinnati Bearcats football notes
UC guard Luke Kandra from Elder High School earned a Hula Bowl invite Saturday. The game is next Saturday, Jan. 11 at UCF’s FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando. Friday UC running back and Roger Bacon product Corey Kiner was invited to the NFL Combine Feb. 27-March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Last night, the UC Basketball team faced off against Arizona in their Big 12 home opener, and despite a valiant effort, they ultimately fell short in a thrilling matchup.
After falling behind early in the game, the Bearcats made a strong comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap and even taking the lead at one point. However, Arizona’s offense proved to be too much to handle, as they were able to regain control and secure the victory.
Despite the loss, the Bearcats showed great determination and resilience, and their performance has given fans hope for a successful season ahead. With plenty of games left to play, there is still plenty of time for the team to bounce back and make a strong push towards the top of the Big 12 standings.
Stay tuned for more updates on UC Basketball as they continue their journey in the conference and aim to make a statement in the postseason. #GoBearcats
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – Trailing by 14 with 1:05 left on the clock, Texas State was able to get within five but could not get any closer as Marshall won 77-71 Thursday night in the Cam Henderson Center. With the result, the Bobcats drop to 8-6 on the season and the Thundering Herd are now 8-7 overall. Both teams sit at 1-1 in Sun Belt Conference play. Tyrel Morgan led the way offensively for TXST with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting and five made free throws. He also finished with five rebounds and three steals. Kaden Gumbs added 10 points,…
The [insert team name] made a valiant effort to stage a comeback in their game against [opposing team] in Huntington, but unfortunately fell just short of victory. Despite a strong second-half performance, the [team name] was unable to overcome the deficit and ultimately lost the game.
Fans were on the edge of their seats as the [team name] fought back from behind, showing great resilience and determination. However, costly turnovers and missed opportunities proved to be their downfall in the end.
Although the outcome was not what the team had hoped for, they can take pride in their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. With this loss serving as a learning experience, the [team name] will regroup and come back stronger in their next game.
Stay tuned for more updates on the [team name] as they continue their journey towards success in the season. #GoTeamNameGo #HuntingtonHeroes #ComebackFallShort
Naomi Osaka stands within two wins of her first WTA title in almost four years at the ASB Classic, clinching a quarterfinal comeback over Hailey Baptiste, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2.
“I think the key focuses that I had were just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself. I think I put a lot of work in throughout last year even though the results didn’t show it. I think, just continuing to try as hard as I can and seeing where that gets me.”
Seeded seventh in Auckland, the former world No. 1 last held a winner’s trophy at the 2021 Australian Open, where she won her fourth major title. Though she dropped her first set of the week against Baptiste, Osaka executed a near-flawless performance in the final two sets to advance in two hours and two minutes on Stadium Court.
Naomi Osaka completes Hailey Baptiste comeback in Auckland to reach semifinals
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Auckland Open, Naomi Osaka staged an impressive comeback to defeat rising American star Hailey Baptiste and book her spot in the semifinals.
Baptiste, who had stunned the tennis world with her impressive run in the tournament, took an early lead in the match with her powerful serves and aggressive play. However, Osaka, the former world No. 1, showed her championship pedigree by fighting back from a set down to ultimately claim victory in a hard-fought battle.
Osaka’s win not only showcased her resilience and determination, but also highlighted her ability to compete at the highest level against the sport’s up-and-coming talents. As she looks ahead to the semifinals, Osaka will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with as she continues her quest for another title.
Stay tuned for more updates on Osaka’s journey in Auckland and her quest for glory in the upcoming matches.
“You need to have the will to fight more than the other person, and I feel like I finally found that again,” Naomi Osaka, who started 2025 with a powerful statement, said on Wednesday. The former World No. 1 made her return to the spotlight by reaching her first WTA Tour quarterfinal in six months, defeating Julia Grabher 7-5, 6-3 at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Osaka, who admitted to not being a confrontational person, has caught the attention of an ex-WTA pro, who was best known for her angry on-court outbursts!
Last year was no walk in the park for the four-time Grand Slam champion. Returning from maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023, Osaka faced a tough road. She didn’t advance past the second round in any Grand Slam or the Paris Olympics, and a back injury in October cut her season short. Her final record for the year, 22-17, reflected her struggles. Talking about her journey in an interview before the Auckland Open, she admitted, “I think 2024 humbled me, but I also feel like I grew a lot. I worked way harder than I’ve ever worked before.”
Despite the challenges, Osaka remained determined to turn things around and her resilience has not gone unnoticed by an ex WTA pro, Coco Vandeweghe.
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On January 2nd, the ‘Tennis Channel’ podcast team, including Vandeweghe, Steve Weissman, and Prakash Amritraj, analyzed the United Cup semifinals and Osaka’s performance at the ASB Classic. Steve, the show’s host, recalled what said after her United Cup match.
“I was thinking about this last year, but I’m not a really confrontational person. But when you’re on the court, it’s like you’re in a boxing match. You need to have the will to fight more than the other person and I feel like I finally found that again. So I’m just really grateful for that,” said Osaka.
Vandeweghe, praising the Japanese star’s resilience, said, “I think it is the will to fight and the will to win because that’s the difference maker of when the chips are down and your back’s against the wall, can you push? Can you find that next gear?”
She added, “Last year, Naomi was still finding herself, finding the Naomi of new because she was always banking on the Naomi of old… Now it’s a different Naomi. She’s playing with a different motivation. And I think it’s really nice to see that she still has that fire in the belly.”
That fire has defined the 4-time Grand Slam champion’s career. In 2018, she shocked the world by defeating Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 in the US Open final to win her first Grand Slam. She went on to claim three more major titles: the 2019 Australian Open, the 2020 US Open, and the 2021 Australian Open. These victories cemented her place in history as the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title and the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win back-to-back majors.
However, after her 2021 Australian Open triumph, things took a difficult turn.
Osaka began grappling with mental health challenges, even publicly expressing that winning no longer brought her joy. These struggles, coupled with injuries and time away from the sport, created a bumpy road ahead. But while the 27-year-old is ready to brave it all, she has also given herself an ultimatum.
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Naomi Osaka states she won’t ‘hang around’ for a long time
Naomi Osaka has made it clear that while she will put in her all for this season, if it does not yield good results, she might just hang up her racket.
Ahead of the ABS Classic, in an interview, she hinted the possibility of stepping away from the sport if she doesn’t meet her own standards. “I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” Osaka told reporters. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while. I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
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Currently ranked No. 57, Osaka is focused on climbing back up the rankings and making her mark once again. She will face the victor of the Hailey Baptiste-Jodie Burrage match on Friday, potentially securing her first career semi-final since returning from maternity leave in 2024.
The ASB Classic is an important lead-up to the Australian Open, which begins on January 12. Osaka’s last appearance in Melbourne ended in a disappointing first-round loss, but this time, she’s determined to write a different story. With her newfound determination and fire, can Osaka replicate the glory of her 2019 and 2021 Australian Open wins?
Naomi Osaka’s Inspirational Comeback Leaves Ex-Pro Stunned as She Builds High Anticipation Ahead of New Season
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has made an incredible comeback after taking a break from the sport to focus on her mental health. Her resilience and determination have left fans and fellow players in awe, and now, as she prepares for the upcoming season, the anticipation is building for what she will achieve next.
Former professional tennis player and commentator John McEnroe has been particularly impressed by Osaka’s comeback, stating that he is “stunned” by her ability to overcome adversity and return to the top of her game. He praised her for being a role model for other athletes and for showing that it is possible to prioritize mental well-being while still excelling in sports.
Osaka’s return to the court has been met with excitement and anticipation from fans around the world, who are eager to see her compete at the highest level once again. With her powerful serve, precise groundstrokes, and mental toughness, Osaka is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
As Osaka continues to inspire and impress, all eyes will be on her as she looks to add to her already impressive list of accomplishments. Her comeback story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination, and fans can’t wait to see what she will achieve next.
Stocks erased session gains on Thursday to kick off the first trading day of the new year as Wall Street returned from a holiday break.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.2% after opening in green territory. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) shed about 0.3%, or 150 points, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell less than 0.2%.
Markets had been eyeing a comeback after a year-end slide to begin the week dented hopes for a “Santa Claus rally.” The decline capped a blowout 2024 for US stocks that saw the S&P 500 (^GSPC) post two years in a row of over-20% gains — something it hasn’t achieved in almost three decades.
Bond yields and the US Dollar Index (DX-Y.NYB) continued to march higher on Thursday. The 10-year Treasury yield was up about 2 basis points to hover around 4.57%. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index rose above 109, hitting its highest level since November 2022.
Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL) shares fell more than 2.5% after the iPhone maker offered rare price discounts on its latest models in China, reflecting rising competition from local handset makers.
Over the holiday week, US mortgage rates rose to 6.97% to reach the highest level since early July, data showed. The gain weighed on applications for home purchases and dented refinancing, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Weekly jobless claims fell to their lowest level since April. Data released by the Department of Labor on Thursday morning showed claims of 211,000, a decrease from the previous week’s upwardly revised level of 220,000.
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Stocks end first trading day of 2025 lower
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.2% after opening in green territory. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) shed about 0.3%, or 150 points, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell less than 0.2%.
A more than 6% slide in Tesla (TSLA) and an over 2% drop in Apple (AAPL) helped weigh down the indexes on Thursday.
A ‘sell’ signal has nearly been triggered
Many market strategists are bullish on further gains for the S&P 500 (^GSPC) in 2025. But one signal is close to indicating it’s time to sell.
Bank of America’s Sell Side Indicator (SSI), which tracks sell-side strategists’ average recommended allocation to equities in a balanced fund, moved up to 57% in December. That’s just one percentage point shy of the “sell” signal that is usually triggered at 58%.
Given that the Sell Side Indicator is seen as a “contrarian” sentiment signal, the measure is used to decide when investors have become too bullish.
But Bank of America Securities equity and quant strategist Savita Subramanian wrote in a note to clients on Thursday that using the Sell Side Indicator as a timing tool can be challenging.
“Although a growing chorus of bulls increases the risk of complacency, our data show that sentiment can stay elevated for relatively long stretches before a bull market ends,” Subramanian wrote. “Like today, the SSI was roughly 1 [percentage point] away from “Sell” in February 2021, 10 months before the market peaked. The S&P 500 returned 27% during that time.”
Subramanian added, “The SSI’s current level of 57.0% suggests that the 20%+ annual returns we’ve seen over the past two years are likely behind us, but still points to a relatively healthy price return of 10% over the next 12 months.”
Consumer Discretionary lags after Tesla’s deliveries miss
The Consumer Discretionary (XLY) sector was the biggest laggard in the S&P 500 on Thursday, falling more than 1.5% as a 6% drop in Tesla (TSLA) weighed down the sector.
Before the opening bell on Thursday, Tesla said it delivered 495,930 vehicles globally in the fourth quarter, missing analyst estimates of around 510,400 as compiled by Bloomberg.
Dollar Index hits highest level since November 2022
A potential headwind for US stocks is on the rise.
The US dollar index rose above 109 on Thursday, hitting its highest level since November 2022. Eventually, an increasingly strong US dollar could serve as a headwind for stocks.
One reason is how a stronger US currency impacts companies that do business internationally. If the dollar is stronger, then foreign sales could convert into fewer US dollars, potentially weighing on earnings.
And when taking a look at the companies that drove S&P 500 (^GSPC) earnings growth in the third quarter, many have large international exposure. Data from FactSet shows S&P 500 companies with less than half of their revenue in the US grew earnings by nearly 14% over the year prior during the third quarter. That far outpaced the 1.8% earnings growth seen by companies with more than half of their revenue coming in the US.
Why Trump is antsy about the coming debt ceiling fight
A new debt ceiling was established this week, setting up a debate for the months ahead about averting a government default.
The parameters of that coming standoff are already making Donald Trump unhappy.
The issue for the President-elect is how events are conspiring — thanks to the nudging of both Democrats and far-right Republicans — to make the inevitable move by Trump and his allies to allow new governmental borrowing a messy one.
Mortgage rates start 2025 near 7%, hitting highest level since July
Mortgage rates continued their trek higher last week, nearly hitting 7%.
Yahoo Finance’s Claire Boston reports:
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.91% in the week through Wednesday, from 6.85% as of Dec. 26, according to Freddie Mac data. 15-year mortgage rates jumped to 6.13% from 6% a week earlier.
“Inching up to just shy of 7%, mortgage rates reached their highest point in nearly six months,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a statement. “Compared to this time last year, rates are elevated and the market’s affordability headwinds persist.”
It’s the third straight week of rate gains and the highest level since July.
FBI says ‘no definitive link’ between attack in New Orleans and Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas
On Thursday, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia said authorities have found no “definitive link” between the Bourbon Street attack in New Orleans on Wednesday, and the explosion of a Tesla (TSLA) Cybertruck filled with fireworks and fuel tanks outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.
“At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas,” Raia said at a press conference on Thursday morning, adding that the investigations are still in a very early stage.
Earlier on Thursday, CNN reported the suspect believed to be linked to the explosion of a Cybertruck in Las Vegas on Wednesday was a US special forces soldier.
The Cybertruck had been rented on an app called Turo, the same service used to rent the vehicle involved in running over a crowd of people in New Orleans early Wednesday morning.
Dow hovers near flat line as Boeing, Apple shares drag on the blue-chip index
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) erased early morning gains to hover near the flat line by 11:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.
A fall in shares of Boeing (BA) weighed on the blue-chip index. The industrial giant’s stock dropped as much as 3.5% following Sunday’s deadly crash of a 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air in South Korea. Analysts were however quick to point out it’s unlikely that the incident was related to Boeing’s production challenges last year.
Apple (AAPL) shares fell to session lows after the iPhone maker offered rare discounts on its latest devices in China.
Man connected to rental of Cybertruck in Vegas was reportedly US soldier
A man alleged to be linked to the explosion of a Tesla (TSLA) Cybertruck filled with fireworks and gasoline in Las Vegas was a US soldier, according to a report from CNN.
“The man connected to the rental of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday is a US Special Forces soldier assigned to 10th Special Forces Group, per 4 US officials,” CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand wrote on X.
“The man is a US Army special forces operations sergeant, holding the rank of master sergeant, a senior enlisted rank, the officials said. Three officials said he was on active duty and was on leave from Germany, where he was serving with 10th Group, at the time of the incident,” said the posting.
The Cybertruck had been rented on an app called Turo, the same service used to rent the vehicle involved in running over a crowd of people in New Orleans early Wednesday morning. Authorities are investigating whether there is any link between the two incidents.
Tesla shares slid almost 6% on Thursday morning after the EV giant posted its first annual delivery decline. The stock is down roughly 18% over the past five trading sessions.
Shares of Tesla hit all-time highs in mid-December on the heels of a massive rally following Donald Trump’s White House victory in early November.
Cloudflare stock jumps 5% after double upgrade from Goldman Sachs
Shares of Cloudflare (NET) jumped more than 5% on Thursday after the cloud platform company received a double upgrade from Goldman Sachs.
The analysts said they see a 28% upside for the stock and raised their price target to $140. They upgraded the stock to a Buy from a Sell recommendation.
Goldman analysts cited “improving sales and marketing productivity cycle” and “new AI inferencing use cases”
Nvidia, Amazon, Meta lead Nasdaq higher
AI chip heavyweight Nvidia (NVDA) rose more than 2% to lead the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) higher on Thursday morning.
Other “Magnificent Seven” stocks also helped lift the tech-heavy index, with Meta (META) and Amazon (AMZN) rising almost 2%.
Meanwhile, shares of Tesla (TSLA) pared some of the losses that came after the EV giant posted its first annual decline in deliveries. The stock fell by as much as 6% in early trading.
Apple’s (AAPL) stock also came off session lows. The iPhone maker has offered rare price discounts on its latest models in China, highlighting rising competition from local device makers.
Dow, S&P 500 rise to kick off 2025
Stocks rose on the first trading day of the new year following a holiday break and a roaring 2024 for the markets.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) jumped 0.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.6%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped but quickly erased early session gains.
Tesla (TSLA) stock dropped after the electric vehicle giant said it delivered 495,570 vehicles in the fourth quarter of last year, making 2024 the first year of a decline in annual deliveries since 2011, according to Bloomberg data.
Tesla delivers over 495,000 vehicles in fourth quarter, stock drops
Tesla (TSLA) stock dropped 3% in premarket trading after the electric vehicle giant said it delivered 495,570 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing total deliveries to roughly 1.79 million for the whole year.
Wall Street analysts expected the automaker to deliver roughly 512,300 EVs for the last three months of the year, or about 1.8 million vehicles,
In the fourth quarter, Tesla said it produced approximately 459,000 vehicles.
Tesla stock rises premarket ahead of deliveries release
Tesla (TSLA) stock rose more than 1% premarket as investors prepared for the Elon Musk-led electric vehicle maker to release its fourth quarter deliveries Thursday.
Wall Street analysts expect the company to report deliveries of roughly 512,300 EVs for the period, bringing its annual deliveries for the 2024 fiscal year to 1.8 million EVs, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates.
If the average analyst forecast holds true, that would mean Tesla’s annual EV deliveries fell 0.3% from the prior year — making 2024 the first year since 2011 that Tesla EV sales failed to grow, according to Bloomberg data.
Tesla shares fell more than 3% on the last day of 2024 as megacap tech stocks lagged, but the EV company’s stock was still up more than 60% for the year.
Tesla had warned in 2023 that production growth would be “notably lower” in the year ahead, as Pras Subramanian noted in his roundup of Tesla’s biggest news in 2024 (you can read that story here).
The stock market took a hit today as the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all fell, putting an end to a recent comeback attempt. Tech giants Tesla and Apple were among the biggest losers, with both companies seeing their stocks slide.
Investors are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of rising inflation and interest rates on the economy, leading to a sell-off in the tech sector. Tesla, which has been struggling with production issues and supply chain disruptions, saw its stock drop by over 5%.
Apple, on the other hand, faced a decline of nearly 3% as the company grapples with a slowdown in iPhone sales and concerns about its ability to maintain its high margins.
Overall, the market is facing a period of uncertainty as investors weigh the potential risks and rewards of different sectors. It remains to be seen whether today’s losses are just a temporary setback or the beginning of a larger correction in the market. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
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