Sabalenka advances to the round of 16 in Cincinnati

▲ The Belarusian defeated Britain's Emma Raducanu 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in three hours. Photo @CincyTennis

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a11

Cincinnati. After some hardship, Holger Rune and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open on a day when a power outage forced a temporary halt to action.

The Belarusian world number one had to pull out all the stops to defeat Britain's Emma Raducanu 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in a grueling three-hour, 10-minute match.

"She's an excellent player and a good person, I'm happy to get through this match. I hope tomorrow is a day off," said the winner. In the round of 16, she will face Spaniard Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro, who earlier defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-1.

In other results, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Australia's Maya Joint 6-4, 6-3, while Romania's Sorana Cirstea defeated China's Yuan Yue 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, ninth- ranked Dane Holger Rune became the first player to qualify for the round of 16. The European, a semifinalist in 2024, defeated American Alex Michelsen in one hour and 33 minutes, scoring 7-6, 6-3.

“It was very hot and it was very difficult,” said the 22-year-old. “I found a better rhythm; my training yesterday was key.” In the round of 16, he will face another local player, Frances Tiafoe, who eliminated Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, doubles.

In addition, weather conditions are taking their toll on many players.

Yesterday, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, playing his third-round match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, reached his limit. After several minor warnings, on a day of 32 degrees and over 50 percent humidity, the Frenchman collapsed at the back of the court and needed medical assistance to return. He eventually retired two games later, following a collapse that, fortunately, proved to be a scare.

Meanwhile, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, as well as local Taylor Fritz, were fighting to secure their respective tickets to the round of 16, the prestigious American event suffered an untimely accident due to a fire that started in one of the power generators, which sent a stream of black smoke flying over the environment, and forced the matches in play to be stopped.

In another match, with several interruptions due to screen failures, Jannik Sinner defeated Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 7-6.

▲ The Trinca fans are an important part of the team's rebirth. Photo @clubirapuato

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a12

At the Irapuato club, the past always returns. Fans who attend the Sergio León Chávez stadium look back and wonder what their story would be like had they followed a different path. Mismanagement, the entry of business groups that used football for fraudulent business deals and negotiated the sale of the franchise at various stages, denied them the opportunity to play in the first division since their last relegation in 2004. The intervention of municipal and government authorities, in conjunction with the Mexican company Healthy People, headed by principal investor Selomith Ramírez, spurred a new rebirth for La Trinca, first in the Premier League and now in the Expansión as a guest.

The registration process with the Mexican Football Federation involved submitting financial statements, permits, and membership certificates, as well as obtaining an agreement from Club Deportivo Irapuato AC, chaired by Juan Manuel Albo, to use the team's name, crest, colors, and home. That dispute nearly ended their return. "It's complicated to talk about things you can't. If we didn't accept the terms of the new contract, the only option was to litigate the case and fight in court. That would have meant forgetting about football in the city for two or three years, as had already happened," Ramírez told La Jornada , emphasizing the times the team disappeared from the professional circuit (2001, 2004, 2013, and 2015).

Since late 2023, dozens of workers have spearheaded the renovation of the Sergio León Chávez stadium, which hosted the 1986 World Cup, but then suffered from structural flaws, chipped and sun-faded walls, and access points blocked by garbage bags. According to state government figures, the improvements totaled an investment of 139 million pesos as of last May. "We're not going to think about whether someone was to blame for what we lost, whether they took it away or stole it, but we'll soon get to where we want to be," adds the owner of La Trinca, proud and reflective, without quantifying possible titles or raising false hopes, although convinced that her team fulfills the old wayfarer's moral: he who leaves, always returns.

“We've been a hard-hit city, and that's something that's hurt us for a long time. I don't know the history of previous administrations, whether they couldn't prove their resources or believed that so much wear and tear on a soccer team wasn't worth it. Two years ago, we said we were going to reach the Expansion League. We had a stadium in pieces, an agreement they refused to honor, but we kept it. If the municipality hadn't wanted to sign, we wouldn't have been able to play even the first game (4-1 against Venados). It was practically a last-minute decision. The owners were still in the assembly when the contract arrived. What does that represent? The hope of believing again, because Irapuato deserves to dream big.”

By registering the new trademark holder for the team in 2018 with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial), Juan Manuel Albo, Club Deportivo Irapuato AC agreed to a 2023 license for Healthy People, owned by Selomith Ramírez, which would be valid for 10 years, provided both parties fulfilled the contract obligations, which included license fees. "The debt is approximately 1.2 million pesos, including all accrued interest over the past 16 months," said the director of the civil association days before signing the agreement. This year, La Trinca won the Premier League championship, formed a 30-player squad, and hired Daniel Alcántar as its technical director.

“In one or two years, promotion and relegation will return. It's something Mexican soccer needs,” says the owner of the old Liga MX competition system, modified in 2020. “When that time comes, we'll be ready. We're here and we're not going away. People can rest assured that we're here to stay.”

▲ Jesús Tecatito Corona scored the first goal of the match in his 100th match in Mexican soccer. Photo @Rayados

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a12

Monterrey won the match comfortably. In less than 30 minutes of their visit to León Stadium, the Monterrey team settled the match (3-1) against La Fiera with goals from Jesús Manuel Corona (14) and Ricardo Puma Chávez (31). Later, Spaniard Sergio Canales closed the scoring with a left-footed shot (60).

The Rayados' victory not only silenced the thousands of Guanajuato fans, but also served as an impetus for Spanish coach Doménec Torrent, who was initially questioned for his early elimination from the Leagues Cup , to finish the fourth round in third place in the Liga MX.

Just like in his prime in Europe, Jesús Tecatito Corona spearheaded Monterrey's offense. He scored the 1-0 in his 100th match in Mexican football and then took charge of disrupting the Esmeralda defense with goals from Chávez and Canales, who finished the match with a left-footed shot inside the box.

The only firm response from the Panzas Verdes was a goal from Daniel Felipe Arcila (65), a Colombian midfielder who came on as a substitute and generated a small glimmer of hope. But nothing changed the image of a dominant Monterrey, capable of attacking on the ground and then in the air.

Since the board headed by Jesús Martínez renewed his contract, Argentine Eduardo Berizzo has recorded five consecutive defeats at the helm: three in the League and the rest in the League Cup . His continued tenure is uncertain, given the numerous questions and criticisms surrounding his poor performance.

For the Rayados, the future looks bright. They're three points behind leader Pachuca after three wins and just one setback, precisely in their debut this season.

Sputnik

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a12

Moscow. FIFA yesterday launched registration for the 2026 World Cup volunteer program, with locations in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with approximately 65,000 volunteers expected to participate.

The tournament, which will be held in three countries for the first time, will bring together 48 teams in 16 host cities over six weeks.

"Approximately 65,000 people are expected to be part of the World Cup volunteer community, making it FIFA's largest volunteer program to date," the statement published on the world football governing body's website states.

Applicants do not require prior experience, but must be at least 18 years old at the time of application, have legal authorization to volunteer in the host country, and possess a good command of English. In Mexico, knowledge of Spanish will be especially valued, and proficiency in other languages will be an asset, "as FIFA seeks to build a diverse and inclusive international community."

The volunteers, considered by the organization to be the "heart, soul, and joy" of their tournaments, will work in 23 functional areas. Their work will include stadiums, training centers, airports, hotels, and other official and non-official venues.

“They have the opportunity to proudly showcase their city, experience the tournament from the inside, create unforgettable memories, and forge lifelong friendships,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

More than one million people make up the global volunteer community, including Craig Collins, at the 1994 USA Cup and the 2025 Club World Cup in Atlanta, who became the one millionth volunteer in April.

“I'm ready to submit my application for 2026 and show the world the best of my community again,” he said.

"FIFA welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills, with the aim of bringing diverse groups together around the greatest sport that unites the world," the statement said.

Interested candidates can apply at fifaworldcup.com/volunteers. Selected candidates will be invited to Volunteer Team Tryouts in October 2025, and training will take place in March 2026.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a35

If Cruz Azul suffered a crushing defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the League Cup, Nicolás Larcamón's team appears unbeatable in Liga MX. The cement-based team continues its perfect run in the 2025 Apertura tournament, after beating Atlético San Luis 2-1 yesterday at the Alfonso Lastras Stadium.

The cement-based team, which was recently eliminated from the Leagues Cup group stage after being thrashed 7-0 in its match against the Seattle Sounders, shook off the thorn and demonstrated the offensive prowess that has made it a title contender.

Argentine Rodolfo Rotondi opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after receiving a through ball and firing a powerful low shot past goalkeeper Andrés Sánchez. Minutes later, striker Ángel Sepulveda sealed the match with a perfect penalty (57).

Near the end, the Potosí team got on the scoreboard with a goal from Román Torres, who finished with a subtle shot past Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier.

In another match, Toluca, the reigning Mexican soccer champion, maintained its strong run by defeating the Bravos 2-0 at the Benito Juárez Olympic Stadium.

Antonio Mohamed's team took the lead in the 34th minute thanks to an acrobatic finish from Portuguese player Paulinho. In the second half, Juan Pablo Domínguez sealed the final score in the 48th minute with a precise header despite a defensive lapse.

Toluca's victory confirmed the team's strong form, which has advanced to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals in first place, while in the local tournament they sit in third place with nine points.

▲ Photo Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a35

Mexican Ramón Urías hit his first home run with the Houston Astros in his team's 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox. In another game, Rowdy Tellez also homered in the Texas Rangers' 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.