Zarazúa says goodbye to the Cincinnati Masters

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 10, 2025, p. a10

Mexican tennis player Renata Zarazúa bowed out of the Cincinnati Masters after losing a close second-round match to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina.

In a match of back-and-forths, the tricolor played toe-to-toe with the world number 10, who ultimately took the victory with scores of 4-6, 6-0, and 7-5.

In the first set, the sun beat down on me quite strongly. I honestly didn't feel well. Somehow, I got used to the weather and improved my game. I was happy to have advanced to the next round. Renata played very well , Elena said.

Zarazúa came into the match without being considered the favorite. In the first set, she unleashed her full tennis repertoire to take the set, surprising the crowd. In the second, the story was completely different, with the Kazakh player completely dominant to tie the match.

In the final, the Mexico City native maintained her fighting spirit and extended it to 5-5. It was then that, despite the Mexican's resistance, Rybakina prevailed to halt the tricolor's dream. Zarazúa won the support of the crowd, who chanted "Let's go Renata, let's go."

This year, the 70th- ranked player has faced top -10 players four times: world number one Aryna Sabalenka; Italian Jasmine Paolini (9), Spaniard Paula Badosa and Rybakina (10).

Zarazúa's next match will be in Monterrey.

Sinner and Swiatek advance

In other results, Jannik Sinner demonstrated his credentials as world number one in tennis by debuting with a resounding victory in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, which saw two favorites, Norwegian Casper Ruud and Italian Lorenzo Musetti, be dismissed yesterday.

The 23-year-old Italian defeated Colombian Daniel Galán (144) with a double 6-1 in the fastest victory (59 minutes) of his career on the professional circuit.

In WTA 1000 action, Poland's Iga Swiatek had no major problems in her debut, defeating Russia's Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4.

Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka got off to a successful start in the tournament by defeating Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1. She will face Emma Raducanu in the second round. "I'm so happy to be back. I hope to improve with every match ," said the defending champion.

▲ The moment Jen Pawol calls out Marlins' Javier Sanoja in the eighth inning. It was simply incredible, the dream truly came true , the umpire declared after the game. AP Photo

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 10, 2025, p. a11

Atlanta. Jen Pawol felt the love and support of fans, family, teammates, and players as she made history as the first woman to umpire in a regular-season game in Major League Baseball (MLB).

It was incredible when we walked out onto the field , Pawol said. It seemed like quite a few people were clapping and chanting my name. It was pretty intense and emotional.

Pawol's long-awaited debut came at first base in the first game of a doubleheader, where the Atlanta Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 7-1 in the first game. It was a quiet debut.

He did a good job , Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

Pawol said a group of about 30 friends and family members, including his father, attended the game. He immediately recognized a big difference in working at a major league stadium. Those familiar faces weren't as easy to find at Truist Park.

“When I looked up, they weren't at the bottom level like they were in the minor leagues. It took me a while. 'Wow, they're up there!' I'll never forget that. It was just incredible.

The dream truly came true today. I'm still living it. I'm so grateful to my family and to Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment. I'm so thankful.

Pawol's first real test came in the third inning of Game 1, when he ruled Braves catcher Sean Murphy safe on a close play. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough didn't challenge the call.

Pawol also showed she'll make emphatic calls. In the third inning, when Miami's Xavier Edwards grounded into a double play, the umpire raised a fist and a leg when she declared Edwards out.

Pawol noticed that her debut was being closely watched. Fans responded with a warm ovation when the video board focused on her between innings, forcing her to quickly glance at her image.

Pawol worked third base in the second game of Saturday night's doubleheader. And he'll be in the spotlight when he calls pitches behind the plate this Sunday, in the final game of the series.

While he waits, the umpire's cap he wore in his first game will be on its way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“ This is one of the proudest moments of my entire career ,” crew chief Chris Guccione emphasized. “I’ve been blessed to work in the playoffs , I’ve worked two World Series, All-Star Games, and this is right up there. It gives me chills even thinking about it. And the magnitude of it just hit me, the magnitude of this and how hard she’s worked. She’s just a great role model for girls and women out there, and I’m so proud of her. This is a special moment.”

There was much anticipation. A crowd of photographers gathered as they waited for the umpires to walk onto the field from their entrance ramp near the Marlins dugout .

Pawol's rise to the historic achievement in the majors comes 28 years after the NBA broke the gender barrier for referees, 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time female official, and the men's World Cup hired a female referee for the first time three years ago.

▲ The gold and blues celebrate their victory over Puebla. Photo @PumasMXFemenil

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 10, 2025, p. a11

América extended its unbeaten streak and regained the lead in the Liga MX Femenil Apertura 2025 tournament after beating Necaxa 4-0 in the fifth matchday match yesterday at Estadio Victoria.

In a match that started several minutes later than scheduled due to the presence of bees on the field, the Eagles opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Scarlett Camberos connected with a pass from Irene Guerrero and finished with her right foot from the center of the area to make it 1-0.

Camberos herself extended the lead in the 45th minute to make it 2-0.

In the second half, which was also delayed due to a thunderstorm, Kimberly Rodríguez made it 3-0 after surprising the home goalkeeper, Jennifer Amaro, with a header in the 56th minute. This third goal completely annihilated the Centellas' hopes, and the game became even more complicated in the 76th minute when Karen de León was sent off for a second yellow card.

As if that weren't enough, in the final stretch, the home side received another blow at 90+6, after Montserrat Saldívar scored from a direct free kick to make it 4-0.

With this result, the Azulcremas, who have accumulated five consecutive wins, reached 15 points and moved to the top of the standings, while the Centellas remained in 14th place, with four points.

At the Hidalgo stadium, the current champion Pachuca defeated Santos Laguna 3-1 with goals from their top scorer Charlyn Corral (15), Nina Nicosia (31) and Ohale Osinachi (78), with which they added 10 points and placed in fifth place.

In turn, the Warriors, who scored through Mayra Santana (41), placed themselves in 13th place, with four points.

In their visit to Cuauhtémoc Stadium, Pumas came back from behind to defeat Puebla 2-1, thus maintaining their unbeaten record.

Thanks to goals from Julissa Dávila (52) and Laura Herrera (90+3), the auriazules added 13 points and placed third in the table. The La Franja team, which has not been able to win, remained in second-to-last place (17), with no points.

From the Editorial Staff and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 10, 2025, p. a11

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has lashed out at UEFA on social media following a post in which European football's governing body expressed its condolences for the death of former star Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the Palestinian Pelé , who was killed in an Israeli strike during an aid distribution in the southern Gaza Strip.

“Farewell to Suleiman Al-Obeid, the Palestinian Pelé . A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the most difficult times,” UEFA posted on a picture of the 41-year-old former player on social media, to which Salah, the Egyptian national team player, added questions that were echoed by thousands of followers.

"Can you explain to us how, where, and why he died?" the Egyptian asked, given the organization's stance of not mentioning the conflict and distancing itself from the humanitarian crisis reported in Gaza.

On Friday, the Palestinian Football Association announced the death of Al-Obeid, who was married and the father of five children, according to AFP.

Nicknamed "The Gazelle" and the Palestinian Pelé , Al-Obeid began his career with local club Khadamat Al-Shati. His talent and speed led him to the national team, with whom he earned 24 international caps. With over 100 goals scored throughout his career, he was considered a star of his country's football.