sabalenka targets strong
|

Sabalenka targets strong comeback at Toronto Open

ByJustpaste.in

TORONTO: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to rediscover her best form as she begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, with the top ranking and momentum ahead of the US Open at stake.

The Belarusian has enjoyed an outstanding hard-court season, winning 23 of her 24 matches on the surface in 2026. Her only defeat came against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Despite her dominance on hard courts, Sabalenka struggled to produce similar results during the clay and grass-court seasons. She was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the French Open before suffering a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon against Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

The Toronto tournament could have a significant impact on the WTA rankings. Sabalenka risks losing the world No. 1 position if she fails to reach the round of 16 and Rybakina goes on to win the title.

Although Sabalenka has never progressed beyond the semi-finals at the Canadian event, she believes she is mentally refreshed after taking a short break following Wimbledon. The 27-year-old spent several days on the Greek island of Mykonos before returning to training with renewed motivation.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sabalenka said the time away from tennis allowed her to recover physically and mentally. She admitted that some adjustments made during the clay and grass seasons did not deliver the desired results but expressed confidence that returning to her usual approach would help her regain consistency.

The tournament draw presents another tough challenge for the top seed. Sabalenka leads the upper half, which also features two-time champion Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who is looking to bounce back after an early Wimbledon exit.

Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina heads the bottom half of the draw alongside Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Noskova, who recently captured her maiden Grand Slam title, enters the tournament with growing confidence and could face rising Philippine star Alexandra Eala in the third round.

Several notable players will miss the tournament. Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova remains unavailable while recovering from minor surgery, while defending champion Victoria Mboko is also sidelined with the knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits western Colombia, killing at least 111

    ByJustpaste.in

    A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring dozens more in what authorities have confirmed is the country’s strongest earthquake of the 21st century. The massive tremor struck at a depth of 107 kilometres, with its epicentre located near Chocó. Despite occurring deep beneath the Earth’s crust, the intense seismic shock waves triggered widespread destruction across densely populated urban valleys throughout western Colombia and the primary coffee-growing regions. In Pereira, a four-story building collapsed into rubble, while video footage from Manizales captured the catastrophic collapse of one of the side towers of the city’s historic neo-Gothic cathedral. Severe building collapses and casualties were also reported in Cali, where local residents formed human chains alongside emergency responders to shovel away fallen concrete and pull survivors from trapped spaces. Thrusting the administration into its first major crisis just days after his inauguration, President Abelardo De La Espriella declared a national state of emergency. In a live television address, De La Espriella announced that all available state and military resources were being deployed to western Colombia, confirming that the national government’s immediate priority remains the location and rescue of victims trapped beneath collapsed structures. Severe regional communications outages initially delayed casualty reporting from rural zones near the epicentre in Chocó, where Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba confirmed at least 12 fatalities and scores of injuries. Meanwhile, Colombia’s civil aviation authority halted flight operations across key regional airports, including facilities in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, while structural engineers assess airfield and terminal safety. The Colombian Geological Service recorded over 20 aftershocks following the initial quake and warned that additional tremors remain likely. Sitting directly along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, western Colombia previously suffered a devastating magnitude 6.2 earthquake in 1999 that claimed more than 1,000 lives across the same region.

  • | |

    JI seeks Rs1 billion damages from former FBR chief

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation. The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms. According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui. JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues. The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests. The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions. JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it. The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation. The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims. JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence. When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter. The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.

  • |

    Hamas accepts breakthrough disarmament framework as US announces Gaza peace deal

    ByJustpaste.in

    US President Donald Trump announced that the international Board of Peace has reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. Under the proposed framework, Hamas has agreed to the phased inventorying, storage, and decommissioning of its heavy and light weaponry under Palestinian supervision, marking the first time in the group’s history that it has accepted a formal plan to disarm completely. The agreement forms the core of the second phase of the US-brokered 20-point peace plan designed to end the long-running war. According to the terms, Israeli military forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza as disarmament milestones are met, transferring local security to an International Stabilisation Force operating alongside a newly formed Palestinian police force. Civil administration will simultaneously transition to a technocratic governing body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The breakthrough follows months of intensive negotiations in Cairo mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Internal momentum within Hamas shifted following leadership elections that elevated Gaza-based leader Khalil al-Hayya, alongside mounting pressure from the severe humanitarian crisis affecting over two million residents in the enclave. Senior Hamas officials confirmed their acceptance of the framework and indicated an official statement would be issued shortly, expecting mediators and the Board of Peace to guarantee Israeli compliance with the withdrawal timeline. Uncertainties remain regarding full implementation, as Israeli officials have expressed skepticism and maintained that complete demilitarisation remains a non-negotiable prerequisite. US officials acknowledged that whilst full disarmament and troop withdrawal could take up to a year, the consensus represents the most viable operational roadmap for ending the conflict to date.

  • |

    Cooper Hoffman breaks silence on Nico Parker dating rumors

    ByJustpaste.in

    Cooper Hoffman has officially confirmed his relationship with actress Nico Parker, ending months of speculation surrounding the pair’s romance. The 23-year-old actor opened up about his relationship during a recent interview, revealing that the couple first met while working together on Poetic License, the directorial debut of filmmaker Maude Apatow. Although they quickly developed a close connection on set, Hoffman explained that they did not begin dating until after filming had wrapped. According to the actor, the relationship became official when Parker visited New York to meet his mother, renowned costume designer Mimi O’Donnell. It was during that trip that Hoffman asked Parker to be his girlfriend, describing the moment as heartfelt and memorable. The actor shared that while filming helped them get to know each other, they intentionally waited until production had ended before taking their friendship to the next level. Their decision allowed them to separate work from their personal lives and build a relationship naturally. Following Hoffman’s confirmation, fans flooded social media with supportive messages celebrating the couple. Many admired their chemistry and expressed happiness that the actors had finally made their romance public. One fan commented that the pair appeared genuinely happy together and praised Hoffman for seeming kind and sincere. Another wrote that they loved seeing the two together, while a third jokingly referred to them as “two nepo babies,” acknowledging their famous Hollywood family backgrounds. Although their relationship has only now been publicly confirmed, rumors linking Hoffman and Parker have circulated since 2025. The pair first met in November 2024 while filming Poetic License, where they formed a close friendship. Despite their growing bond during production, they chose not to pursue a romantic relationship until several weeks after filming concluded. Speculation about their romance intensified in June 2025 when Parker hinted during an interview that she was seeing someone she described as “sweet.” Although she did not reveal the person’s identity, fans quickly began connecting the dots after noticing her frequent appearances with Hoffman. The rumors gained further momentum as the two were spotted together on multiple occasions, including social media posts that showcased their time together away from the spotlight. Interest in their relationship continued to grow in September 2025 when Hoffman and Parker attended the Toronto International Film Festival to promote Poetic License. During the event, the actors were photographed sharing a lighthearted moment while playing with a puppy, fueling even more speculation that they were more than just co-stars. Despite increasing public attention, both actors largely kept their private lives out of the spotlight, avoiding public discussion about their relationship for more than a year. Now, with Hoffman openly confirming their romance, fans finally have official confirmation that the pair are indeed together. His candid comments have been warmly received by supporters, many of whom have followed the couple’s journey from co-stars to partners. As both actors continue to build successful careers in Hollywood, their relationship has become one of the entertainment industry’s most talked-about young romances, with fans eager to see what lies ahead for the couple both on and off the screen.

  • |

    Dananeer Mobeen and Shuja Asad join hands for Soulmates

    ByJustpaste.in

    Dananeer Mobeen has quickly established herself as one of the promising young faces of Pakistan’s entertainment industry. The actress first became widely recognized after her viral “Pawri Horahi Hai” video turned her into an overnight internet sensation. Since then, she has successfully moved beyond social media fame and built a growing career in television. Dananeer has already been part of several popular drama projects, including Sinf-e-Aahan, Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri and Meem Se Mohabbat. Her performances have helped her connect with a younger audience, particularly Gen Z viewers, while her growing list of projects shows that she is becoming a sought-after name among drama makers. Now, Dananeer is preparing for another major television project, and this time she will be sharing the screen with actor Shuja Asad. The two young stars are set to work together for the first time, creating considerable interest among their fans. Shuja Asad has also been steadily strengthening his position in the Pakistani drama industry. The actor has impressed viewers with his performances in recent projects and recently attracted attention for his role as Salman in Dr Bahu. His pairing with Dananeer will introduce audiences to a completely new on-screen combination. The upcoming drama is currently being referred to by the tentative title Soulmates. While further details about the storyline and characters are yet to be revealed, the project already appears to have several reasons for viewers to look forward to it. Adding to the excitement is the drama’s creative team. Soulmates will be directed by Musadeq Malik, who has previously been associated with successful dramas including Noor Jahan and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu. His recent projects have received considerable attention, making his collaboration with two young actors particularly interesting. The drama has been written by Rida Bilal, another name attached to the upcoming project. With an experienced director, a promising writer and two rising stars in the lead, Soulmates is shaping up to be another notable addition to the television lineup. The drama is expected to air on ARY Digital, marking another significant television appearance for both actors. For Dananeer, the project will also bring her back to the channel after her appearance in Sinf-e-Aahan. Meanwhile, Shuja Asad continues his association with ARY Digital as he takes on another major role. His growing popularity and Dananeer’s strong Gen Z following could make their pairing one of the more talked-about new combinations on television. Although the production is still under development and details about the story remain limited, the announcement has already sparked curiosity. Fans will now be waiting to discover what kind of characters Dananeer and Shuja will portray and how their chemistry will unfold on screen. With Soulmates, both actors are stepping into a fresh collaboration that could potentially become another important milestone in their careers.

  • | |

    PML-N wins LA-27 as PPP takes LA-28

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shared victories in the delayed second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with each party securing one constituency in Muzaffarabad, according to unofficial and provisional results. The polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was held after voting in several polling stations was postponed on August 2 due to heavy rainfall and landslides that disrupted transportation and created safety concerns for voters and election staff. In LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif was declared the winner after receiving 18,919 votes. She defeated Sardar Tabarak Ali of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), who secured 18,621 votes, giving the PML-N candidate a narrow lead of 298 votes. Meanwhile, PPP candidate Bazil Ali Naqvi emerged victorious in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II. He received 28,170 votes, defeating PML-N candidate Chaudhry Shehzad, who polled 26,864 votes. The unofficial results gave Naqvi a winning margin of 1,306 votes. Election authorities had postponed polling at 57 polling stations across the two constituencies after severe weather and landslides affected access to several areas. Once conditions improved and logistical arrangements were completed, voting was conducted peacefully under the supervision of election officials. With the completion of vote counting, the unofficial results confirmed PML-N’s continued dominance in the Muzaffarabad Division. The party has secured 15 of the division’s 21 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party has won six seats, making it the second-largest political force in the region.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *