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Konta aims to transfer French Open form to grass before Wimbledon

Published in Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 09:03

British number one Johanna Konta says her superb clay-court form bodes well for Birmingham and Wimbledon despite limiting her practice on grass.

Konta withdrew from last week's Nottingham event to ease her schedule after making the French Open last four.

"You can only take good things from match fitness, confidence in decision-making and knowing you can come through different situations," she said.

"I haven't spent as much time on grass, but that's a good problem to have."

Konta, 28, will play Estonia's Anett Kontaveit, ranked two placed below her at 20th in the world, in the first round.

Konta had an indifferent start to the year, but turned her season qround after playing a key part in Great Britain's return to the Fed Cup World Group II, beating Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas and Yulia Putintseva in front of a raucous crowd in London's Copper Box Arena.

Since then, she has reached finals in Rabat and Rome before a run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

Ranked 47th in the world before the clay-court swing, she is now up to 18th.

However, Konta has never been beyond the second round in Birmingham, losing to eventual champion Petra Kvitova in the first round last year.

"I've played Nottingham every year so it's a different situation, it's a different dynamic," Konta said of this year's campaign.

"Last year I lost to Petra, the year before Coco Vandeweghe, so I've played some very capable players, especially on this surface.

"There's no reason why this year I can't do better. It might not happen but I'll be working towards hopefully making it happen."

Konta reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2017, but has fallen before the third round in her other six appearances at the All England Club.

World's top three and a five-time SW19 winner

The top three-ranked players in the world are in the draw for the first time in Birmingham with US and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka joined by world number two Ashleigh Barty, fresh from winning the French Open, and third-ranked Czech Karolina Pliskova.

Barty could overtake Osaka to take top spot for the first time in her career. The Australian would need to make the final at least, however, with her task increasing to lifting the trophy should Osaka win her opening match.

Before entertaining thoughts of world number one status, though, 23-year-old Barty faces a testing opening match against Croatia's Donna Vekic, who reached the final of the Nottingham event.

Osaka faces Greece's Maria Sakkari and Pliskova takes on Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu, while five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams - making her Birmingham debut at the age of 38 - plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

American Williams will also play doubles with Britain's Harriet Dart who, along with compatriot Heather Watson, has been given a wildcard into the singles draw.

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'I was getting no enjoyment' - Murray says surgery revived love of tennis

Published in Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 10:24

Britain's Andy Murray says "life-changing" surgery rekindled his love of tennis as he prepares to make his comeback - five months after he was seemingly set for retirement.

Murray, 32, will play doubles with Spain's Feliciano Lopez at Queen's on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion had planned to retire because of hip pain, before having an operation in January.

"I didn't expect to be in this position," the Scot said.

"I didn't know how it would feel if I went and had the operation. But it has been brilliant, completely life-changing for me from where I was.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there, but I don't know what to expect and I'm not putting any kind of expectations on myself.

"Just being out on the tennis court and being pain free is enough."

At the Australian Open in January, an emotional Murray said he planned to retire after Wimbledon because he had been suffering "too much pain for about 20 months".

He also feared the opening Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne, where he lost in the opening round to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, would be the last tournament of his illustrious career.

Murray said the pain had made it difficult to play with his two children and do basic everyday tasks like putting on his socks.

But he says he is now pain free after having the hip resurfacing operation - which keeps more of the damaged bone than a hip replacement, smoothing the ball down and covering it with a metal cap - in London on 28 January.

Now the former world number one is back on court alongside 37-year-old Lopez, saying his priority is simply enjoying the sport which has brought him two Wimbledon titles, a US Open crown and two Olympic gold medals.

"There have been a number of times over the past 18 months where I did want to stop. I was getting no enjoyment out of tennis at all, whether that be training, practice, matches," he said.

"I wasn't bothered about winning matches either because it wasn't fun.

"Now I like playing tennis, getting out on the court and hitting balls. I want to keep playing if I can because I enjoy it.

"It would be nice to be winning Wimbledon and other major tournaments but hardly anyone gets the opportunity to do that.

"There are loads of players and it is still about having the love and enjoyment for the sport without being able to win the biggest competitions. I would hope I would be able to deal with that absolutely fine."

Murray also hopes to play in the Wimbledon doubles next month, although he has not said whom he will play with.

Asked if he could win the doubles, he said: "It is possible, but it doesn't matter either way. I'd like to but it doesn't matter if I don't.

"I'd say it is unlikely because I've not played many matches."

Murray has said he will not play alongside older brother Jamie, who has linked up with fellow Briton Neal Skupski.

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Chinese success continues in Taicang

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 07:34

At the final hurdle of the junior boys’ singles event, Quan Kaiyuan accounted for Japan’s Horoto Shinosuka (7-11, 9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 17-15, 11-5), having in the latter stages overcome Japan’s Yuma Tanigaki (11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, 11-5) and India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah (11-4, 12-10, 11-7, 11-4).

Impressive from Quan Kaiyuan, it was equally impressive from Yuan Yuan. At the quarter-final stage she accounted for Japan’s Kaho Akae (12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7, 11-5), before overcoming colleagues Chen Yi (11-8, 11-2, 5-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8) and Wu Yangchen (11-6, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9) to secure the title.

Disappointment for Chen Yi but not in the cadet girls’ singles event where she emerged successful. She accounted Japan’s Miwa Harimoto in the final, offering no presents on her adversaries 11th birthday; she succeeded in three straight games (11-8, 11-8, 11-7).

A convincing success for Chen Yi, for Chen Yaxuan in the cadet boys’ singles final, life was much more exacting; in opposition to Korea Republic’s Gil Minseok, he required the full five games, securing victory by the minimal two point margin in the deciding game (11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10).

Gold for China in the junior and cadet age group categories; in the mini-cadet girls’ singles event it was the same but not in the counterpart mini cadet boys’ singles competition.

Zhang Jinglei won the min-cadet girls’ singles event beating Singapore’s Ser Lin Qian in the final (7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9); in the counterpart mini-cadet boys’ singles competition, Korea Republic’s Oh Junsung prevented a Chinese clean sweep, in the final he overcame colleague, Lee Hoyun (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 15-13).

Proceedings concluded in Taicang, the next tournament on the ITTF World Junior Circuit is the 2019 Hang Seng Hong Kong Junior and Cadet Open; play commences on Wednesday 7th June.

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Vincent Picard justifies status, wins junior boys’ singles title

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 13:04

After recording a quarter-final win against Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Alshareif (11-7, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7), followed by success against Nigeria’s Taiwo Matti (7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7), he accounted for Slovakia’s Filip Delincak (11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6) to seal the title.

Disappointment for both Taiwo Mati and Filip Delincak but there was success. Earlier in the day Filip Delincak had partnered Adam Klajber to junior boys’ doubles gold, the pair accounting for Vincent Picard and the Czech Republic’s Matyas Lebeda to seal the title (9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9). Meanwhile, Taiwo Mati had joined forces with Hungary’s Balazs Lei to claim cadet boys’ doubles gold, prior to securing the cadet boys’ singles title.

In the final of the cadet boys’ doubles event a straight games win was posted against the combination of Saudia Arabia’s Khalid Alshareif and Remi Chambet-Weil of the Netherland (11-2, 11-8, 11-9). Similarly in the cadet boys’ singles final, Taiwo Mati excelled, he accounted for Slovakia’s Jakub Goldir, in four games (13-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8).

Silver for Slovakia, in the mini-cadet boys’ singles competition, it was gold. Kristian Uherik overcame Sweden’s Isak Edwarsson (13-11, 11-1, 11-6) to secure the title.

Success for Kristian Uherik, there was also success for compatriots Ema Labosova, Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova. Ema Labosova won the junior girls’ singles title beating Claire Picard of France in the final (11-3, 11-7, 12-14, 12-10, 11-9), Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova combined to secure junior girls’ doubles gold. In the final they accounted for colleague Eliska Stullerova and Dominika Wiltschova (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7).

Defeat in the junior girls’ doubles final for Eliska Stullerova and Dominika Wiltschova; in the cadet doubles title decider it was the exact opposite scenario. They beat Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova in straight games (11-5, 12-10, 11-9).

Titles for Europe, in addition to Taiwo Mati there was also success for Africa. Algeria’s Melissa Belache won the cadet girls’ singles event, at the final hurdle she overcame Morocco’s Ines Outolla (9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-6).

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Brok Harris: Prop re-signs for Dragons

Published in Rugby

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:40

Prop Brok Harris has signed a new deal to keep him at Dragons.

Harris joined the Newport-based team in 2014 under former coach Lyn Jones and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for them.

He will be under new boss Dean Ryan at Rodney Parade for next season.

"I believe that we'll be able to turn this ship around and give the Rodney faithful something to cheer about," said the South African, who qualified for Wales on residency in 2017.

He had played for Super Rugby side Stormers and represented Western Province in the Currie Cup before moving to Dragons.

"There is a lot of talent at the Dragons and I'm excited to be part of the squad and to contribute in leading this team on the road to victory," added Harris.

Forwards coach Ceri Jones said of Harris: "He continues to perform at the very highest level and have a huge impact, both on and off the field, with his leadership and vast experience."

Dragons have also re-signed Lewis Evans, Matthew Screech, Lloyd Fairbrother, Tavis Knoyle, Arwel Robson, Adam Warren, Connor Edwards, Jared Rosser and Ashton Hewitt, and recruited fly half Sam Davies and prop Jack Cosgrove for 2019-20.

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Illinois Speedweek Finale Falls To Rain

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 11:47

LINCOLN, Ill. – Saturated grounds from several days of rain have forced the cancellation of the Sunday’s POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League Illinois Speedweek event.

Rains throughout the day on Saturday, in addition to another wave of overnight rain into Sunday proved to be too much for the quarter-mile facility.

Pit parking in addition to the horse track that surrounds the quarter-mile track are overly saturated, forcing the cancellation.

The race at Lincoln was slated to be the finale of Illinois Speedweek. Only one race scheduled as part of Illinois Speedweek took place, with Logan Seavey winning at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., on June 13.

Seavey also won a make-up feature at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on June 14 before rain washed out the Illinois Speedweek feature the same night.

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PHOTOS: MLRA Invades Dubuque Fairgrounds

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:00

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Custer Earns Iowa Xfinity Series Pole

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:36

NEWTON, Iowa – Cole Custer will lead the field to the green flag during Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 at Iowa Speedway.

Custer earned the pole during qualifying Sunday afternoon with a 23.779-second lap at 132.470 mph. He was the final driver to make a qualifying effort on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s really nerve wracking doing this single-car qualifying deal,” said Custer after his fourth Xfinity Series pole this year. “I think it was a huge advantage for us to go out last. I think there is some gamesmanship going on on the radios. We scanned the 20 (Christopher Bell) and he was talking about what his lap was like.

“I think he was saying the opposite of what he thought. I was lucky enough to guess the right line to run.”

Christopher Bell will join Custer on the front row for Sunday’s race. Zane Smith, making his fifth start of the year for JR Motorsports, qualified third ahead of Noah Gragson and championship leader Tyler Reddick.

Sunday’s CircuitCity.com 250 is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. EST.

NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Starting Lineup:

1. Cole Custer
2. Christopher Bell
3. Zane Smith
4. Noah Gragson
5. Tyler Reddick
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Austin Cindric
8. Justin Haley
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Harrison Burton
11. Brandon Jones
12. Michael Annett
13. Jeremy Clements
14. Justin Allgaier
15. Brandon Brown
16. Ryan Sieg

17. Shane Lee

18. Gray Gaulding
19. Ray Black II

20. Chad Finchum
21. Joe Graf Jr.
22. Stephen Leicht

23. Josh Williams
24. David Starr

25. Garrett Smithley
26. Matt Mills
27. Ronnie Bassett Jr.
28. Ryan Ellis
29. Morgan Shepherd
30. Joey Gase
31. Vinnie Miller
32. Ryan Repko
33. Tyler Matthews
34. Mike Harmon
35. Jeff Green
36. Josh Bilicki
37. Stan Mullis
38. Timmy Hill

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Chastain DQed, Moffitt Awarded Iowa Truck Win

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:55

NEWTON, Iowa – Ross Chastain went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a matter of minutes following Sunday’s rain-postponed M&M’s 200 presented by Casey’s General Stores at Iowa Speedway.

After appearing to have won the race in a dominant rout and moving to within a whisker of making the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series playoffs, Chastain’s No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado was found to be too low in the front during post-race technical inspection at the track.

As a result, Chastain was officially disqualified from the event, elevating Moffitt – who originally crossed the finish line in second for GMS Racing – to his first Truck Series victory of the season.

Chastain becomes the first driver in a NASCAR national series to be fully disqualified from an apparent win since April 17, 1960, when Emanuel Zervakis’ Cup Series victory at Wilson (N.C.) Speedway was thrown out due to an oversized fuel tank on his No. 85 Chevrolet.

“We have a procedures and rules in place, and the Trucks are restricted on their ride heights at the front and rear of the vehicles. Unfortunately, the 44 (Chastain’s truck) was low on the front, extremely low,” Truck Series managing director Brad Moran told NBC Sports of Chastain’s Chevrolet. “We have a process of what happens at that point. They do get an opportunity to roll around. They put fuel in the vehicle, they air the tires. (We) give them at least five to 10 minutes. (Then we) check them a second time.

“Unfortunately, the 44 did not rise on the front at all.”

Sunday afternoon’s win is Moffitt’s second in a row at Iowa and the eighth of his Truck Series career.

Moffitt also collects the $50,000 bonus for winning the second leg of the Triple Truck Challenge, while Chastain receives last place points and loses the stage and playoff points he would have earned as well.

Niece Motorsports has the option to appeal the disqualification in an expedited process, and team owner Al Niece indicated that they will do so before next weekend’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.

“Our Niece Motorsports team works hard to ensure that our race trucks are within the confines of NASCAR’s rules, and both of our Chevrolets passed opening and pre-race inspections,” said Niece. “We believe that the No. 44 sustained minor damage during the event which left the truck too low following the race.

“We will appeal NASCAR’s decision, and regardless of the outcome, this team will be prepared to go to Gateway and win again.”

Brett Moffitt at speed on Sunday at Iowa Speedway. (Ray Hague photo)

Moffitt never led a lap on Sunday, but placed heavy pressure on Chastain throughout the closing stage of the 200-lap race. He made a charge to Chastain’s back bumper with 40 to go, but faded off the Niece Motorsports Chevrolet in the closing laps and ended up 2.717 seconds adrift of the apparent winner.

However, Chastain’s post-race heartbreak becomes Moffitt’s jubilation, as he moves from solidly into the playoffs on points to locked in with a victory and in position to defend his series championship.

Ben Rhodes becomes the new second-place finisher, with Harrison Burton tying his best finish of the season in third. Grant Enfinger and Stewart Friesen completed the top five.

Sheldon Creed was sixth, followed by Matt Crafton in seventh.

Rookie Chandler Smith started from the pole and led the first 55 laps of his Truck Series debut, despite a lack of radio communication with his team, but was hampered by a speeding penalty during the second stage break that relegated him back as far as 17th.

The 16-year-old Georgia native drove back through the field and ended up finishing eighth. Two of his Toyota teammates, Raphael Lessard and Todd Gilliland, closed the top 10.

Because Chastain also lost his stage wins by virtue of the disqualification, Crafton and Rhodes were elevated to the victories in the first and second stages, respectively.

The on-track action in the final stage was punctuated by a crash with 63 to go, after contact between Johnny Sauter and Austin Hill while racing inside the top 10 led Hill to retaliate, sending Sauter into the wall and leaving his No. 13 with race-ending damage.

Sauter drove back around the track, got into Hill under caution and shoved the No. 16 Toyota up to the outside wall. Sauter was parked for the day by NASCAR officials, while Hill finished 12th.

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

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Scott Greenwood Conquers Loudon Classic

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 14:32

LOUDON, N.H. – The 96th annual Loudon Classic was a fierce battle through wet conditions, ending with two generations of Greenwoods on the podium on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Ending the reign of Shane Narbonne, Scott Greenwood took the win with his son Sam in third, sandwiching Cole Hall in second.

“I’ve been trying hard the past couple years to beat Shane in dry conditions,” said Scott Greenwood. “I was looking forward to making another attempt this weekend, but the rain came, and you never know what happens in the rain. I’m comfortable in the rain; I like riding in the rain. I’m sure Shane will be back stronger next year for sure.”

Sunday’s win marks Scott Greenwood’s fourth Loudon Classic victory, dethroning Narbonne, who was dubbed the King of the Classic in 2018 after his fourth consecutive Loudon Classic victory and seventh overall.

Scott Greenwood led all 20 laps, while Hall, Sam Greenwood, Alex Guilbeault and Narbonne had a tight battle for second, third and fourth for most of the race. Narbonne worked his way up from his 18th place start to reach third by lap five and second at the halfway point before wrecking in turn five with six laps to go, ending his run early.

After a strong restart following the second red flag of the race, Guilbeault, who took an early second place at the start of the race, dropped to seventh after crashing in the exit of turn two with 10 laps to go and returned to second with Hall close behind. Hall made the pass on Guilbeault with four laps to go, taking second, and Sam Greenwood took third with three laps to go, leaving Guilbeault to eventually finish fifth after dropping behind Kristopher Hopkins, who finished in fourth.

“It feels good; I’m super stoked,” said Sam Greenwood when asked how it feels to be standing on the podium with his dad on Father’s Day. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”

John Beaulieu ran away with the win for the amateur class after launching off the start and never looking back for the entirety of the race.

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