SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Chelsea/Germany defender Rudiger donates $101,000 to support free education in Sierra Leone



             


Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has donated $101,000 to help children in Sierra Leone have free education.
 
Rudiger, born to Sierra Leone parents but born in Berlin, Germany and now representing the German national team, made his pledge on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment summit in London to support Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education initiative after meeting with Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio.
 
                     
 
“Sierra Leone is my home. I’m not the talking type of a person, I am about action. You can count on us and do not hesitate,” Rudiger said after making his donation.
“We are here to support your vision and agenda, especially on education. I am ready to take on my responsibility to change the narrative and image of Sierra Leone.”
 
President Bio, then received his signed jersey from the 26 year old footballer while Rudiger was honoured as an ambassador of Sierra Leone.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Cavani told club to choose between Chelsea, Man Utd

 January 21, 2020


Arsenal hero, Paul Merson has backed Paris Saint-Germain striker, Edison Cavani to make a transfer to Manchester United ahead of Chelsea.

According to Merson, Cavani would lift Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side just like the way Zlatan Ibrahimovic did when he was brought to Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho.

DAILY POST had reported that Cavani has drawn interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.

Cavani has started just four games in Ligue 1 this season for PSG, having lost his place to Mauro Icardi who is on loan from Inter Milan.
His current contract with the Parisians is set to expire at the end of the season, when he will be available on a free transfer.
“I think Cavani ticks the boxes as much for Man Utd as he does for Chelsea,” Merson told The Debate.

“Because they’re a young team Man Utd going forward. Fred’s not a player who is going to score you goals, McTominay, who’s out, he doesn’t score goals, Matic definitely doesn’t score goals, Mata doesn’t play a lot… then you look at James who looks a little bit lost at the moment, he probably needs to be pulled out.

“I like Greenwood, I think he’s going to be a good player, but you don’t want to throw people into struggling teams when they’re young kids.
“For me you bring someone in like a Cavani – I don’t want to take him off Chelsea – but I’d be looking at him for experience, like Zlatan did when he came in. You lift the club.

“These players are legends as well. They’re not just top players, they’re legends who played at the top level and have produced for their countries in World Cups, in the Champions League and, you know, he comes in and James and Greenwood and he even might get Martial waking up a little bit, do you know what I mean?

“And it just clicks it off, he’ll tell these players – I don’t see too much, I don’t see anybody trying to wind anybody at the club at the moment, it’s just nice. Discussing if he would choose to sign for Chelsea or United,” Merson added.

“I know they’re struggling Man Utd at the moment, but for me they’re still the biggest club in the world so that could be the case.
“He’ll want to play football wherever he goes, he’ll want to make sure he’s playing every week. He doesn’t want to end his career sitting on the bench like he is now. That’s why he’s put in a transfer request.”

[Edoman]

Manchester United hit with FA charge for surrounding referee Craig Pawson during Liverpool clash






Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association for failing to "conduct themselves in an orderly fashion" during their 2 - 0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
 
The incident happened after Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk challenged goalkeeper David De Gea, which led to Roberto Firmino's goal but it was later disallowed and free-kick was given to Manchester United. 
 
Before the goal was disallowed, about seven United's players were seen surrounding referee Craig Pawson to confront him for not disallowing the goal initially. 
 

 
A statement from the FA read: "Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20(a).
 
"It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of the Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Sunday (19/1/20)."
 

 
Speaking about the charge today, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "Maybe I shouldn't talk too much about that. Let's get that decision done. The goal - it's overturned. I reacted myself because everybody could see it was a foul."
 
United have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
 
 

[Edoman]

Ex-Man.U striker Javier Hernandez becomes highest-paid player in MLS after joining LA Galaxy in a three-year deal






Former Manchester United and Mexican striker, Javier Hernandez is now the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after agreeing a three-year deal worth £103,000 a week to join LA Galaxy from Sevilla.
 
According to Mail Online Sport, the deal is worth £8million - £3m more than Galaxy paid Villarreal for Giovani dos Santos in 2015.
 
The deal comes days after Galaxy boss Dennis te Kloese told Spanish newspaper Marca that he was interested in the 31-year-old.
 
Kloese said: 'We are going to try seriously to sign him, it would be a good deal for us.
 
After signing the Mexican today, Galaxy boss Dennis te Kloese in a statement said: 'Javier has consistently scored goals in top leagues throughout the world and has been his country’s most successful player over the last decade.
 
'He is a competitor who has proven success at the highest level and has scored the most goals ever of one of the best teams in Concacaf. 
 
'We think he can be one of Major League Soccer’s best attacking threats and help our team in multiple ways. 
 
'We are excited to bring Javier to Los Angeles and we look forward to him representing this city and our fans as a member of the LA Galaxy.'
 
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker who will now replace Swedish legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who moved to AC Milan, used Instagram to bid farewell to Sevilla.
 
He wrote: 'I say goodbye to a club where I was a short time, but enough to keep a special affection and know what it means in the world of football. 
 
'It is a goodbye with nostalgia, because I am sure that if I had had more minutes, I would not have had to leave so soon. I just have to respect it. As a result, it has been decided that I could take this incredible opportunity to continue enjoying my passion. I leave calm and happy, because I gave everything for this club.
 
It is difficult to say goodbye to a city as incredible as Seville, but I say goodbye very grateful to her and all her people that from the second one they treated me very well. 
 
'I want to thank all my colleagues, people who work throughout the club, coaching staff and especially Monchi; for all the help provided and for giving me the opportunity to belong to this club. I hope they achieve all the proposed goals and that the name of Sevilla FC continues to grow. See you forever!' 
 

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Lampard speaks on Kante, reveals who to blame for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal

 January 22, 2020


Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard has refused to blame midfielder, N’Golo Kante after the France international slipped during his side’s Premier League 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Lampard believes Kante’s slip was not the error that resulted in the equaliser but defender, Emerson Palmieri, who lost Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s box and never recovered.

Gabriel Martinelli took advantage of Kante’s slip to race through on goal and equalise for Mikel Arteta’s men after Jorginho had scored from the penalty spot.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Hector Bellerin also scored in the second half to ensure both teams got a point each at Stamford Bridge.
“It was on the edge of the box that was the problem,” Lampard said as quoted by Metro UK after the match.
“People have got to do their jobs. We have people on the edge of the box that ran forward when they should have run backwards.


“It left N’Golo, it went to N’Golo and he slips. That wasn’t the error. That’s something that can happen.
“The edge of the box was the error, as I say, a job that should have been done but not done,” he said.

He added: “Frustrated because you want to win. We got a goal, they went down to 10 men and we have to do better to score another goal.

“Then we didn’t defend and gifted them two goals. That’s people not doing their jobs which they should know. Moments like that lose you points at this level.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Cavani’s mother reveals club PSG striker wants to join

 January 22, 2020


Edinson Cavani’s mother, Berta, has admitted her son has his heart set on a move to Atletico Madrid.

The Uruguayan striker is determined to leave Ligue 1 this January and is attracting attention from Premier League sides like Manchester United and Chelsea.

However, Berta has accused PSG of “not behaving well” on the 32-year-old’s future.

She told Spanish newspaper AS: “There is an open negotiation. PSG have rejected three proposals from Atletico but my son has asked to leave and we are waiting for an agreement to be reached by both clubs.

“It’s complicated but he wants to play at Atletico, if not now, then in the summer. We have been wishing it for years but it does not now depend on my son but on PSG and Atletico.

“They are not behaving well with him, [especially] with everything he has given to PSG in the near seven years he has been there.”

“If you don’t use him, let him go to a club that needs your goals like Atletico Madrid.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: PSG tell Chelsea Cavani’s price tag

 January 22, 2020


Former Premier League champions, Chelsea have been told that they will have to pay close to £25million for striker, Edison Cavani in this January transfer window, according to the Manchester Evening News.


DAILY POST had reported that Cavani has drawn interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.

The Uruguay international has started just four games in Ligue 1 this season for PSG, having lost his place to Mauro Icardi who is on loan from Inter Milan.


His current contract with the Parisians is set to expire at the end of the season, when he will be available on a free transfer.
Chelsea technical mentor, Claude Makelele has reportedly held initial talks with the French Ligue 1 champions in France over a possible transfer for the former Napoli star.

Speaking on Cavani’s future, PSG manager, Thomas Tuchel said recently: “It has been difficult for Edinson after picking up an injury.

“If there can be departures and arrivals in the group? It’s still possible in football, I can’t say.
“Cavani? We have to ask Edi the question. He is injured right now. He felt something in training and he couldn’t be there [against Monaco].

“If I want him to stay? It’s better, to achieve our goals, to have him, yes.”

[Edoman]

Real Madrid confirm deal for 24-year-old right-back

 January 22, 2020


Real Madrid have confirmed that 24-year-old right-back, Alvaro Odriozola has left the club to join Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the season.

The Los Blancos made this known in a statement on their official website on Wednesday.
The statement read: “Real Madrid CF and Bayern Munich have agreed to transfer the player Álvaro Odriozola for this season, until June 30, 2020.”

Odriozola joined Zinedine Zidane’s side from Real Sociedad in 2018.
The defender was included in Spain’s final 2018 World Cup squad, but never got off the bench as La Roja were eliminated in the round of 16 to Russia.
He started 32 games for Sociedad in the La Liga before he joined Real Madrid.

[Edoman]

Eniola Aluko becomes Aston Villa's first-ever Women's sporting director













Former England Women striker, Eni Aluko, has been named the sporting director of Aston Villa Women. 
 
The former Nigerian-British footballer, 32, who earned 102 caps for England over the course of her career, had recently announced her retirement from playing after leaving Juventus Women. 
 
Speaking on her new role after being made Villa Women's first-ever sporting director, Aluko, who played for Chelsea and Juventus thanked a number of people who helped her land the job, including Aston Villa assistant coach, John Terry. 
 
She said: 'I'm very excited to transition into a sporting director role. I feel it's something that I'm ready for at this point in my career. I've always been passionate about the women's game, its development and setting cultures that drive excellence.
 
'I'll be helping to create a successful club in Aston Villa Women, and obviously I'm back home in Birmingham where it all started for me. I'm excited for this next step.'
 
Shealso wrote on Twitter: 'A special thanks to Christian Purslow, corporate affairs director Paul Tyrell and assistant coach, the legend John Terry.'
 
 

[Edoman]

#OleOut trends on Twitter as fans call for Solksjaer's sack after Burnley beat Man U at home for the first time since 1962



               


Manchester United fans have gone on Twitter to lament and criticize the club's hierarchy after Burnley stunned Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
      
                       
 
Burnley who have never won at Old Trafford since 1962, beat the Manchester club and fans are now raging on Twitter, calling for Man United coach Ole Gunnaer Solksjaer to be sacked immediately and the United executive Ed Woodwars to resign immediately.
 
See Twitter reactions below. 
 

        








 

by 

[Edoman]

#WelcomeVictor: Inter Milan unveil Victor Moses, hand him number 11 jersey (photos)



                                     

             

Victor Moses is officially an Inter Milan player. The 29-year-old Nigerian player has joined the Nerazzurri on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. He has been handed the number 11 jersey at the club after he was unveiled at Inter's stadium on Thursday evening.
 
                                
 
Inter Milan, one of the European continent's biggest club, wrote a long article on their official website about Moses after signing him. Read it below.

"The thread that binds Victor Moses to the ball is infused with passion, deep meaning, joy and suffering. It’s a story of courage and determination, of enormous strength and character."
 
                              
 
"He once played on the streets of Kaduna, Nigeria, the place where he was born. Here, come rain or shine, a barefooted Moses would run with the ball at his feet."
           

 
" And on one of those days, when he was accelerating and dribbling, something happened that would change his life forever: he suddenly found himself without his father Austin and mother Josephine, both of whom were killed in their own home during religious riots."

"On that exact day, Moses, who was not at home precisely because he was playing football with friends, was forced to grow up. He hadn’t even turned 12."

"He then set off for England. It was the beginning of a new life in South London, one which was marked by two requirements: to be strong and never give up.

 To help him along the way, he had an innate ability to play with the ball between his feet and overwhelming physical power that allowed him to be the dominant figure when up against his peers. "

"After getting involved in local football, he was soon discovered by Crystal Palace. At a young age, he began to dominate. Quite literally."

"Many still remember the final of the 2005 Under-14 FA Youth Cup, with Whitgift winning 5-0 thanks to five goals from Moses. Three years and over 100 goals later, he made his debut for Palace’s first team."
"This is how his path in English professional football began. He moved to Wigan in 2010, where he debuted in the Premier League, before making a big step forward in 2012 when he was signed by then European champions Chelsea."

 "During his first season at The Blues, he scored ten goals in 43 matches, winning the UEFA Europa League in the process. But this wasn’t enough to convince Chelsea’s new boss."
" So, with his usual determination, Victor rolled up his sleeves and went again. Loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham followed.
 
When Antonio Conte became Chelsea’s Coach in 2016, a new chapter began in Victor Moses’s career."

"He became an important part of the current Nerazzurri Coach’s side, contributing to the Blues’ 2016/17 Premier League triumph and FA Cup success in 2018. Over two seasons, he played 78 times, scored eight goals and provided eight assists. "

"Conte used him out wide in midfield, whereas in the two years prior to this he’d often been used as an out-and-out winger or a second striker. More recently, Moses has spent time at Fenerbahce in Turkey."

"On an international level, Moses played for all of England’s youth teams, also finishing as the top scorer at the U17 European Championship. In 2012, however, he made the decision to play for Nigeria, the country where he was born."

"He’s since scored twelve goals in 38 matches for the Super Eagles and taken part in two World Cups. Most notably, he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, at which he left his mark with an assist for the winning goal in the final."

'Fast and determined, shy but aware of his abilities: Victor Moses, who possesses a great affinity for the ball, knows that every time he’s taken to the pitch, his father Austin and mother Josephine have been watching on proudly.'

 "And now he’s ready to start a new adventure. He’s the eighth Nigerian player in Inter’s history and follows in the footsteps of big names like Nwanko Kanu, Taribo West and Obafemi Martins."

On behalf of the Nerazzurri family, we’d like to wish Victor all the very best!
#WelcomeVictor!

[Edoman]

Transfer: Two players Lampard wants to buy before January 31 revealed

 January 23, 2020


Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, is looking to bring in a goalkeeper and a striker before the close of the January transfer window, the UK Express reports.



The Blues have been linked with Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and Lille star Boubakary Soumare, but have completed just one signing this month – an £860,000 deal for 16-year-old Bryan Fiabema.

However, it is believed Lampard is planning to get two deals over the line.



The Chelsea boss is targeting a goalkeeper to challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga and a forward to strengthen his attacking options.


An injury to Tammy Abraham has intensified the need for another striker, while there are still doubts over Arrizabalaga.


The Spaniard came under fire for his performance against Arsenal and was blamed for Hector Bellerin’s late equaliser.



Burnley’s Nick Pope has been touted as a possible option for Lampard.

[Edoman]

EPL: What Wilfred Ndidi said after helping Leicester beat West Ham 4-1

 January 23, 2020


Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi returned to action on Wednesday night to help the Foxes record a 4-1 win over West Ham United.



The Nigeria international said he is delighted to be back on the pitch and relief after making his comeback from injury.

Ndidi has been out of action since early January after suffering a knee injury in training ahead of their League Cup semi-final first leg tie against Aston Villa.
The midfielder played 56 minutes against the Hammers last night, helping Brendan Rodgers men to record the emphatic victory.



“Feels good to be back, slowly and steady we keep moving back to our Leicester ways. Love it foxes,” he tweeted.

Ndidi was not available for selection in Leicester’s last three matches in all competitions with the former English champions losing two and drawing one
Leicester are third in the EPL log with 48 points from 24 outings.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Mourinho asks about Man Utd deal for Bruno Fernandes

 January 23, 2020


Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, on Wednesday took a slight jab at former employers Manchester United and their seemingly endless transfer saga for Bruno Fernandes.



United have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Sporting Lisbon captain.

However, they are yet to settle on a fee for Fernandes with the club.



Following Spurs’ 2-1 win over Norwich City, Mourinho asked a reporter about the status of the deal.


“How was Lisbon? Lisbon was good? So Bruno Fernandes come to United or no?” Mourinho quipped.
“So you go to Lisbon and he’s not coming? But coming or no?”



His sarcastic comments came on the same night United lost 2-0 at home to Burnley.

[Edoman]

Transfer: Chelsea, PSG disagree over Cavani deal
 January 22, 2020


Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have reached a stand-off over a deal for Edinson Cavani, the UK Telegraph reports.



PSG want to get a transfer fee for Cavani, whose current deal will expire in June.
However, the Blues are only willing to pay for a loan deal.



Cavani’s parents prefer a move to Atletico Madrid, although that hasn’t put off Chelsea’s chase for the Uruguayan.

The player’s mother, Berta, told Spanish newspaper AS: “There is an open negotiation. PSG have rejected three proposals from Atletico but my son has asked to leave and we are waiting for an agreement to be reached by both clubs.

“It’s complicated but he wants to play at Atletico, if not now, then in the summer. We have been wishing it for years but it does not now depend on my son but on PSG and Atletico.



“They are not behaving well with him, [especially] with everything he has given to PSG in the near seven years he has been there.”

“If you don’t use him, let him go to a club that needs your goals like Atletico Madrid.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Mbappe reveals one player he wants to emulate


Paris Saint Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has expressed a desire to follow in the footsteps of Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.



The France World Cup winner said this ahead of PSG’s Coupe de la Ligue clash with Reims on Wednesday night.

Asked about his idols, Mbappe told Gazzetta dello Sport: “If you’re French, obviously you would have grown up with (Zinedine) Zidane as your idol.



“After that, it was Cristiano Ronaldo, who I have been fortunate enough to have faced as a rival, at club level and with the national team.

“I also love Brazilian players like Pelé, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario and Ricardo Kaka.


“And to the young players who look up to me, I’d like to send them a message from someone who believed in their dream, always giving the best they had to give, trying to push their own limits to be able to make a mark in the sport.



“It’s too late for me to carve out a career like Messi’s, I would have had to stay at Monaco.
“Without taking anything away from Messi, now I have to draw on Cristiano’s career for inspiration.”

[Edoman]

You must give credit to Cristiano Ronaldo's mother for producing a fine specimen' Elated Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri says



          


Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has made a rather funny comment about the reason Cristiano Ronaldo has been in such a rich vein of form this season.
 
                                  
 
The Portuguese superstar has scored  seven goals in his last four games for Italian league leaders, Juventus and after Juve beat Roma 3-1 in the Italian cup on Wednesday night, Sarri has refused to share glory for Ronaldo's form in front of goal, rather giving the accolades to Ronaldo's mum.
 
                           
 
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner took his tally to 19 goals for the season, leading Sarri to say;

'I cannot take credit for Ronaldo's current form, he told Rai Sport after the game. 'You can only give credit to his mother for creating such a specimen!'

"We had a good first half, but didn't come out of the locker room for the start of the second,' he added. 

"After a little while, we again got into it against a team that has a good passing game. Gigi Buffon made some saves that confirm he's still in good shape and a top level goalkeeper.''
 

[Edoman]

Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski completes move to Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor

















Former Arsenal striker and German footballer, Lukas Podolski, has completed a move to Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor on a free transfer.
 
The retired Germany star, 34, was a free agent after he ended his three-year stay in Japan with Vissel Kobe, where he bagged 17 goals in 60 appearances as well as winning the Emperors Cup with the Japanese club. He also won the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
 
Antalyaspor are currently in the relegation zone after 18 matches but with the addition of Podolski in the team, the club will be hoping his arrival can help them get out of relegation.
 
Lukas Podolski, who also played for Arsenal between 2012 and 2015 scored 31 goals in 82 games for the premiership club. 
 

[Edoman]

Andy Ruiz Jr. sacks his coach Manny Robles one month after losing to Anthony Joshua



 
                                          


Andy Ruiz Jr. has sacked his coach Manny Robles who helped him to defeat Anthony Joshua in June last year.
 
Robles coached Ruiz and helped him defeat the odds to beat Joshua in June 2019 before Joshua came back to school the Mexican-American six months later in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
 
                                  
 
Now a month after Ruiz' defeat, Robles has been sacked by Ruiz as he prepares to mount a come back in 2020, but Robles has blasted Ruiz saying he refused to listen to him or his dad after winning the heavyweight belts from Joshua and his stubbornness eventually led to his loss six months later.
 
Speaking to ESPN,  he added that the relationship between him and Ruiz was never going to work going forward because Ruiz 'wasn't listening'. 
'I've seen it coming, I'll be honest with you,' he said. 'Andy was just doing whatever the hell he wanted to do. The dad, obviously with him being the manager, he just had no control over his son. None of us had control of him, for that matter.
'So I just saw it coming, it wasn't going to work because he wasn't listening. He's not listening to me, he's not listening to his dad, he's not listening to anybody. He said it himself after the [post-fight] press conference..
'Fortunately for me, Andy took the blame on himself and didn't sit there like a majority of fighters and blame the coach.'..
 
Robles said the decision was taken by the fighter's promoter Al Haymon to give him a fresh start.
'They apparently told them that they didn't want the same thing to repeat itself again,' Robles continued.
'It is what it is, I don't know what to tell you. It's not the first time it's happened to me. I'm absolutely grateful and blessed to have been able to experience everything that I was able to experience in 2019
 
Speaking after his one-sided loss to Joshua in December, Ruiz said his emotional victory over his rival last year had put him on cloud nine ..
'I think I ate everything... EVERYTHING... that's why I gained so much weight,' he said...
I was having too much fun, I was celebrating too much. Even out of shape, even the way that I was training back and forth (between Mexico and California)... f******, I did pretty good, dude! I did pretty good! But, I wish I had taken it more serious.'
'I mean, we made history, and I have to be thankful for that. I have to be thankful to Andy and his dad for giving me the opportunity to be part of something special, to have made history – for him to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world.'
 
 

[Edoman]

15-year-old Cocu Gauff defeats defending champion Naomi Osaka in straights sets at Australian Open


















15-year-old Cocu Gauff has defeated defending champion Naomi Osaka, 22, at the Australian Open, and it took her only sixty-seven (67) minutes to claim one of the biggest wins of her young career.
 
The young American sensation stunned the world No.3  by defeating her 6-3 6-4 in straights sets at The Rod Laver Arena on Friday to book her place in the fourth round in Melbourne.
 
After the game, an excited Cocu Gauff said: "Two years ago, I lost in the first round at juniors and now I'm here!" 
 

 
'What is my life? Oh my gosh, Two years ago I lost first round in juniors, and now I'm here. This is crazy,' said Gauff, who is still doing schoolwork online.
 
'I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court. I'm on Rod Laver Arena, I can't believe this.'
 

 
The win comes four days after she defeated tennis legend, Venus Williams, in the first round of the Australian Open. 
 
Cocu will now face either American Sofia Kenin or Shuai Zhang of China in the next round.