Ashleigh Barty is one win from becoming world number one after beating Barbora Strycova to reach the final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.
The French Open champion will replace Naomi Osaka at the top of the rankings if she wins the title on Sunday.
Barty, who won her maiden singles Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, beat the Czech world number 51 6-4 6-4.
The 23-year-old Australian will face Germany's Julia Gorges - her doubles partner - in the final.
"It's nice to be in another final. It's been a hell of a year so far," said Barty.
"Whatever happens happens. We're having a really good time at the moment and hopefully we can go one more tomorrow."
World number 19 Gorges beat Croatia's Petra Martic 6-4 6-3 in the second semi-final.
Barty and Gorges withdrew from their doubles semi-final against fourth seeds Anna-Lena Gronefeld and Demi Schuurs because of a right arm injury to the Australian, but said there was no concern for her fitness in the singles final.
Roger Federer will play David Goffin in the Halle Open final as he bids for a 10th title at the tournament.
The Swiss, 37, beat Andy Murray's Wimbledon doubles partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-3 in the semi-final.
Belgian world number 33 Goffin, 28, reached his first ATP tour final since 2017 with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win against rising Italian star Matteo Berrettini.
Federer - the top seed at Halle - has won eight Wimbledon titles, with the last of these coming in 2017.
But it has not been a straightforward run on grass in Germany for the 20-time Grand Slam champion so far, who dropped a set against both Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roberto Bautista Agut in earlier rounds.
Goffin knocked out world number five and home favourite Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals on Thursday, but has lost seven of his last eight meetings with Federer.
Andy Murray and new Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo will play top seeds Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal in the doubles first round at Eastbourne.
Murray, 32, beat the Colombians in his comeback match alongside Spaniard Feliciano Lopez at Queen's this week.
British number one Johanna Konta, 28, will begin at the Nature Valley International against Donna Vekic.
Top British man Kyle Edmund, who has a bye, will face compatriot Cameron Norrie or France's Jeremy Chardy first.
Edmund, 24, who was given a wildcard for Eastbourne, beat Chardy in the first round of the French Open last month, while Konta defeated Croatia's Vekic in the last 16 at Roland Garros.
Britons Dan Evans and Jay Clarke also have wildcards, as do Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swan.
Eastbourne will be Murray's second tournament since returning to the court following career-saving hip surgery.
France's Gilles Simon reached his first final of the season after coming through another long match against fourth seed Daniil Medvedev at Queen's.
The world number 38 came from a set down to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-3 in two hours and 39 minutes.
Simon, 34, played the longest Queen's match since records began when he beat Nicolas Mahut in the quarter-finals in three hours and 20 minutes.
"It was hard to recover for this one," said Simon.
"It was tough until the end with long rallies. It was a tough match. But you relax a bit when you're really tired and you've played a long match."
Simon could now become the first Frenchman to claim the Queen's title when he faces either Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime or Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in Sunday's final.
Medvedev, at a career-high 13 in the world rankings, was the first Russian to reach the semi-finals of the tournament in the professional era.
The 23-year-old appeared to struggle with injury throughout the match, icing his shoulder during changeovers several times and holding his back in pain.
Born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, the home of the Qoros 2015 World Championships; by profession Zhou Jianguo is real estate manager, notably in 2012 he was involved in a 4.5 billion yuan project. Successful but the lure of table tennis was too great.
“There is a popular saying in China; “the world is big, I want to see it”; that sentence touched me.” Zhou Jianguo
A decision maker in the real estate business but his biggest decision was to assume the role as the man at the helm of the first ever ITTF World Veteran Tour tournament.
“I have enjoyed playing table tennis since high school; this sport has allowed me to make many friends. Moreover, people who like table tennis are very good people. I thought about it for a whole year. I decided to pursue what I liked. I quit my real estate job. I joined an internet company that operates table tennis competitions. At that time, my income was greatly reduced, so my wife and I had a big fight. In the end, she supported me.” Zhou Jianguo
Family support but the lifestyle change presented a major challenge; in many ways it was start from the very beginning.
“I changed from an expert in real estate to a novice on the internet; there was a huge price to pay. Every day I have to work harder than others because I don’t understand as much as they do. I invested all my salary in transportation because there are a lot of events happening in China every day; I have to go to the scene to learn. I study all aspects; for example, arrangements for the athletes, the work of the referee, television broadcasts, arrangements for spectators; learning to co-ordinate everything.” Zhou Jianguo
A novice but that is modesty, Zhou Jianguo is rapidly gaining experience; he’s the sort of person who sets a target and then seeks to go beyond that target. He would happy if someone could organize 36 hours in a day!
“In 2015 I was the leader of a diplomatic exchange competition at the Suzhou World Championships. In 2017, I was the leader of the sand bat table tennis competition in London. I have participated in many innovative table tennis competitions. For example, the first competition using lights and sound; the competition was held in a television studio, the company is called Happy Table Tennis, an interesting company. Later in 2017, I was most honoured to be invited to participate in work regarding the Chinese Table Tennis Super League. You know, this is the top club league in China.” Zhou Jianguo
Involved with the very best, conversely Zhou Jianguo is just as happy promoting table tennis at grass roots level.
“I also serve young people who like table tennis online. I became one of the administrators of China’s largest table tennis forums. I hope table tennis can bring happiness to more young people. In 2018, I participated in the shooting of a television series. There are plenty of games and practice scenes involving table tennis. I was the technical director of table tennis for the whole television series. I arranged all competitions, exercises, stunts and techniques. After the shooting of the television series, I set up a table tennis club in Shenzhen with a friend. The name is Guohong Table Tennis Club. We try to invite foreign coaches to teach table tennis. Many people say I’m crazy.” Zhou Jianguo
Crazy; maybe I should pose that question to his wife?
“Every parent, every friend, every person who plays table tennis tells me that China is the king of table tennis; why do you invite foreigners they ask? And you also let foreigners teach table tennis! In fact, I have my own reasons. They can teach English, share their own experiences, explain table tennis techniques in different ways and can advise the experience of playing many world competitions. China has a large number of new athletes every year but how many people can finally participate in the Olympic Games?” Zhou Jianguo
Now this is where Zhou Jianguo is not crazy, I would suggest he is very astute and thinking beyond accepted boundaries.
“The foreign coaches I invited have world rankings and have participated in many world competitions. I have to thank Russia’s Maksym Shmyrev and Lily Yip from the United States. Through their help I successfully organised an International Table Tennis Training Camp and exchange with the help of world champion, Werner Schlager.” Zhou Jianguo
Welcoming challenges, the current for Zhou Jianguo is the World Veteran Tour; he revelling in the opportunity even though he has experienced obstacles.
“The World Veteran Tour competition, for me, may be the highest level of competition I have undertaken; I believe it will be very difficult for me to organise a higher level of competition in the future. Internet links between China and foreign countries has been a problem. It is difficult to link the registration address in mainland China. There are many restrictions on the internet in China. Often we can’t open the ITTF registration link. In addition, the need to use foreign currency credit cards, it is also a very big obstacle. Thirdly, it is very difficult for the elderly people in China who do not know English. In view of this registration question, I suggest that the next Chinese athlete’s registration adopts a way of a domestic registration agent, use WeChat payment and Alipay. Moreover, the registration interface must be in Chinese.” Zhou Jianguo
Exacting times but true to his character, Zhou Jianguo is positive.
“It will be a very difficult task to do well in this competition. Nevertheless, I welcome friends from all over the world to participate in the competition in China. I hope they will feel the passion for table tennis in China. I also hope that more players will communicate with Chinese players. I hope we can make a contribution and give a service for people who like table tennis. I hope to see beautiful table tennis.” Zhou Jianguo
Over 50 volunteers will be present; a special occasion awaits in Shenzhen; entries close on Tuesday 9th July.
Asal out to keep trophy as El Hammamy bids for a first win By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent
Almost 200 players representing 30 nations have confirmed entry to the 2019 WSF Men’s and Women’s World Junior Individual Squash Championships which will be held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur from July 30 to August 4.
Hosted by the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), the World Squash Federation championships will take place at the National Squash Centre, followed by the biennial WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship, which will feature 18 nations, including debutants Chinese Taipei, from August 5-9.
Both individual titles are likely to stay in Egypt, with world No.15 Hania El Hammamy expected to be top seed in the women’s event and world No.29 Mostafa Asal the predicted favourite in the men’s championship.
Hania El Hammamy has been runner-up twice
After finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2018, El Hammamy will be hoping for ‘third time lucky’, while 2018 champion Asal (pictured above) will be looking to become the fourth Egyptian since 2006 to win the men’s title twice in a row.
The full seedings and draws will be announced by the WSF next month.
Reigning champion Mostafa Asal
Pictures courtesy of WSF, PSA and Indian Squash Circuit
More than 7,000 people had contributed some AU $565,000 (£307,000) to the appeal by Saturday morning UK time.
Rugby Australia says Folau - who has also represented his country in rugby league and Australian rules football - was sacked "because of a serious breach of the Professional Players' Code of Conduct".
He has taken the matter to the Fair Work Commission, Australia's workplace relations tribunal, claiming his contract was unlawfully terminated.
Last weekend, Folau was recorded delivering a sermon at his church in Sydney. He said "the devil" is trying to influence the debate over transgender rights.
His wife has been questioned about his comments since his original social media post in April, but refused to comment. Netball chiefs in Australia spoke of the sport's inclusivity when asked about the issue in April.
Neither her club side Adelaide Thunderbirds, nor the national set-up commented when contacted by BBC Sport.
Folau has 138 Test caps for the Silver Ferns and is expected to feature for her country at this summer's Netball World Cup in Liverpool, which starts on 12 July.
Mike Catt is expected to join Ireland as attack coach after this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
It is understood the former England coach will leave his current role in the Italy set-up for Ireland.
The move will see Catt, 47, link up once again with former England coaching colleague Andy Farrell, who will take over from Joe Schmidt as Ireland head coach after this autumn's World Cup.
John Fogarty is leaving Leinster to become Ireland's scrum coach.
Simon Easterby will continue in his role as forwards specialist, with Richie Murphy staying on as kicking and skills coach.
Catt has formed part of Conor O'Shea's Italy staff, with the Azzurri working through a laborious task of building infrastructure for future success.
As a player he helped England win the 2003 World Cup, winning 76 caps between 1994 and 2007, while he also won one Lions cap on the victorious South Africa tour in 1997.
Outgoing Ireland boss Schmidt will hope to steer Ireland past the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in Japan, before returning to his native New Zealand.
Former schoolteacher Schmidt has said he will take a break to spend time with family following the World Cup.
Catt's impending arrival will mean all of England's World Cup 2015 coaches will be working in Ireland, with Stuart Lancaster excelling at Leinster and Graham Rowntree joining Munster.
England became the first hosts in World Cup history not to progress past the group stages in 2015, a record that cost Lancaster and his coaching staff their jobs.
Since then Farrell has forged a pivotal part of Schmidt's Ireland set-up as the national side swept to the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam, before claiming a first win over New Zealand on home soil last November.
SARVER, Pa. — For the second consecutive year, Michael Norris outdueled the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series stars on his home dirt in the Friday night feature during Firecracker 100 weekend at Lernerville Speedway.
This time it was a different car, but the same winning ambition and driving skill his Western Pennsylvania fans are so accustomed to seeing, and those family, fans and friends were there again Friday to see him pick up the $6,000 win.
Norris held off a hounding Mason Zeigler and a hard-charging Brandon Sheppard over 30 laps to pick up his second series victory.
“There were a lot of heroes, in my book, behind me, and that’ll get you rattled pretty quick,” a smiling Norris, 27, said. “I just tried to pretend like it was another Friday night, another 25 or 30 laps here, hit my marks and drive as fast as I can.”
In what was almost a mirror result of his big Firecracker victory last year, Norris again set the second-fast time overall in Qualifying, won his Drydene heat race, redrew inside row two and led 26 laps en route to the checkers. But just as it was for him last year, the win did not come easily.
Norris had to survive several restarts after cautions and even one red flag, but he held his ground on the top side of the track, narrowly skating the cushion for most of the green-flag action while defusing the pressure bombs behind him on each restart.
“Restarts were tricky because I didn’t really know where to go,” said Norris. “Once we got rolling, I felt like I got a good enough rhythm that they were really going to have to work to get by me, but I wasn’t sure to go high or low or anything like that. At the end of the day, we’re standing here and super blessed to be here.”
Norris is now two-for-two in the Todd Cerenzia-owned No. 02. Last Friday night, he made his debut behind the wheel of the blue-and-green Rocket XR1 at Lernerville and ran away with the show, picking up his second win of the season.
He’s normally seen behind the wheel of his family-owned No. 72, but that operation went sour after his engine expired in night one of Dirt Late Model Dream competition at Eldora two weeks ago.
Michael Norris in victory lane at Lernerville Speedway. (Paul Arch photo)
Norris said he got in touch with Cerenzia through Brian Daugherty of Integra Shocks, who he spoke with after his Dream weekend came to an early end. Daugherty mentioned Cerenzia’s name and, after some deep thought and conversation, the new team materialized just one week ago.
“At the time, I didn’t think anything of [the partnership], and on the ride home from the Dream I was thinking more about it,” Norris said. “It sounded like it was going to be more of a possibility, and the next thing I know, I was driving up on Tuesday to put my seat in it.”
Zeigler served as the thorn in Norris’s side for much of the race, planting himself on the No. 02’s bumper for almost every restart. He grabbed the early lead but quickly gave it up to Norris after trading slide jobs out front.
“It was all about just slinging it in there, getting the nose pointed straight and trying to keep from pushing,” Zeigler said. “Norris did a really great job of keeping it out front and not making any mistakes.”
Tacking on his 12th top-three finish in 15 World of Outlaws races this year, Brandon Sheppard drove the wheels off of his Rocket1 Racing ride Friday night, coming from the 12th starting spot to finish third.
“All in all, we came from 12th, so we were passing a little bit,” said Sheppard. “A few guys fell out, we passed a few cars and it just worked out for us tonight.”
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