Headlines
Optimistic Serena emerging from her tennis ‘tunnel’
Serena Williams stepped onto a hardcourt for the first time in a year and a half on Monday and fought through for a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz.
The 40-year-old American was competing in only her second match this season in defeating the 57th-ranked lucky loser to reach the second round.
Williams earned her first victory since last season at Roland Garros, some 14 months ago.
The relieved 23-time Grand Slam winner said the victory boosted what had been fragile confidence after her long periods of recent competitive inactivity.
“I guess there’s just a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m getting closer to the light,” she said.
“I can’t wait to get to that light. I love playing though, it’s amazing but I can’t do this forever.
“Sometimes you just want to try your best to enjoy the moments and do the best that you can.”
The opening match took two hours, with the veteran winning a 25-minute game to level 4-4 in the second set.
She then served out for victory as she plays the event for the 10th time.
Williams earned her first title in Canada in 2001 and her third and most recent nine years ago.
She defeated Diaz with seven aces and saved seven of the eight break points she faced.
Williams last played in Toronto in 2019, when she had to retire injured after four games to hand over the final to local Bianca Andreescu.
“It’s great to be back in Toronto, I didn’t know if I would be able to play here again,” she said.
“This being one of my favorite stops on Tour, I was really happy to be here again.”
Another multiple Grand Slam champion also advanced on opening day, with Simona Halep sweeping the opening seven games on her way to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic to also reach the second round.
Romania’s former number one and two-time Canadian champion lost no time in collecting her triumph over the number 82 qualifier in 62 minutes on a day where rain threatened.
Halep, ranked 15th, handed Vekic a 10th defeat in her last 11 matches against a top-20 opponent. The Croat last defeated a member of the ranking elite at the Olympics last summer when she put out No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka.
Halep added a 33rd match victory to her 2022 total as she advanced at one of the five WTA events she has won twice (2016, 2018).
The 15th seed leads the WTA with the most career wins at 1000-level tournaments on 180, ahead of Victoria Azarenka and now-retired Caroline Wozniacki on 177.
Reigning Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, playing only her second Canadian match, defeated Czech Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 6-7(3/7), 6-1.
Roland Garros 2017 titleholder Jelena Ostapenko advanced past Anhelina Kalinina, overcoming 11 double faults in a 6-4, 6-2 decision.
Canada’s US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, out injured since Roland Garros in May, made a winning return with an opening defeat of Australian Storm Sanders 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 after two hours and 41 minutes.
Czech Karolina Pliskova put out 2021 Paris champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-4.
Headlines
Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.
The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.
He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.
“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.
“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.
“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.
Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.
“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.
He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.
Headlines
Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.
The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.
He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.
“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.
“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.
“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.
Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.
“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.
He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.
Crime
Court remands man for allegedly causing death of his unborn child
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of a 52-year-old man, Taiwo Olaniyan, in Agodi correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of his unborn child.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan.
Ogunkanmi held that the defendant would remain in custody pending receipt of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till Dec. 12 for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had arraigned the defendant, who resides at Apata area of Ibadan, on a three-count charge bordering on assault and causing death of an unborn child.
Akinloye told the court that the defendant had, on May 2018, assaulted his wife, Rukayat Babajide, by inflicting injury on her.
He said that the defendant caused the death of the foetus due to his assault on his wife during pregnancy.
The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for 14 years, with two children.
According to him, the offences contravene Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319, 328 and 355 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
NAN reports that if found guilty of the charges, the defendant maybe sentenced to three years imprisonment under section 355, while section 328 stipulates life imprisonment and section 319 death sentence for any convicted offender.
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