Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...
I Dig Sports

I Dig Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nine miles apart, two superstars started spring training by answering the same questions about a winter filled with trade rumors. But the vibe in the responses given by Nolan Arenado at Rockies camp and Kris Bryant as the Cubs opened spring training couldn't have been more different.

The reason? One would love to stay where he is while the other has more than intimated a change in address might be best.

"I don't hold grudges," Arenado said after reporting to camp. "That's not really me. I'm also here and also have to be who I am and stand up for what I believe in.

"I'm committed. I'm committed here. I'm here and ready to go out there and play hard. I'm not going to be a negative presence in that locker room."

Arenado spoke through clenched teeth, in the hallway at the Rockies spring facility, answering questions about his disconnect with team management. He hasn't exactly asked for a trade, at least not publicly. Not long ago, Arenado thought the Rockies were headed in the right direction when he signed an eight-year, $260 million contract before the 2019 season. Colorado was coming off a 91-win season and back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in franchise history.

That all changed in 2019, when the Rockies' win total plummeted to 71. An opt out following the 2021 season has given Arenado some leverage -- and possibly a ticket out of town via trade.

Just a few exits down the 101 Highway from Colorado's spring training home of Scottsdale, Bryant arrived in Mesa in the mood to talk right away. At 8 a.m. Saturday, he set the record straight: He wants to be a Cub. For the next 35 minutes, at a table in the media room, he answered every question. He was at ease, comfortable in his own skin.

Bryant's name has surfaced in trade rumors, in part, because he'll be a free agent after the 2021 season. Like the Red Sox's situation with Mookie Betts, the Cubs don't want to lose a star and get nothing in return. Contract extension talks have gone nowhere so the team is looking at its options, according to multiple league sources. With so much swirling, Bryant had a much-needed meeting with team management.

"It was cool to sit down and get that off our chest and checklist and now we move on and I'm ready to win games," Bryant said. "I really am."

Bryant might have gotten some short-term assurances, but there's little chance the Cubs can convince him he'll be with the club long term, barring a mega-contract offer. Meanwhile, Arenado has yet to have that heart-to-heart with management. As at ease as Bryant was in detailing his feelings, the Rockies slugger was searching for words.

"We always have meetings and stuff like that," Arenado said. "There is not a lot of talk yet. There will be some meetings, for sure, about the team and how we can get better. We're trying to win so a lot of the talks will be about that."

ESPN Daily Newsletter: Sign up now!

Arenado seemed most comfortable when he admitted that he and the front office aren't on the same page. Bryant feels like he got some answers while Arenado might still be waiting for his.

"I wasn't panicking about it at all, to be honest," Bryant said. "It didn't fluster me. These talks are what they are. They happen and sometimes there's a little bit of friction, but that's OK."

Asked if he thought the lines of communication are open, Arenado paused for a moment.

"I thought there would be more," he responded.

Bryant had some of the same feelings until he had his sit-down with Cubs brass. Hardly a day went by this offseason without his name attached to another team as a potential trade suitor. Would the Braves trade for him to bat cleanup? Did the Nationals want him to replace Anthony Rendon? The Rangers could have used another hitter as they enter a new ballpark. There was even a scenario that had Bryant ending up on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Rumors are just rumors," Bryant said. "I guess I would like to be in the loop a little bit, and it's safe to say they obviously don't have to keep me in the loop by any means. I feel like I've earned a little respect here."

He didn't say it in as many words, but Arenado seems to be feeling the same. And this is where their stories really converge in the craziest of offseason rumors: The Cubs and Rockies talked this winter about a star-for-star trade -- one that would rock the baseball world and assuredly both fan bases. It got to the point that ownership was on the phone with each other, according to sources familiar with the talks, but nothing got that close.

"That would have been interesting," Arenado said of a deal to the Cubs. "That would have been crazy."

Where they go from here

play
0:41

Will Bryant remain a Cub long term?

Pedro Gomez reports on Kris Bryant's desire to remain with the Cubs for the long term.

Bryant got some kind of quasi-assurance he'll be with the Cubs on Opening Day and all indications are Arenado will be with Colorado. Internally, the Rockies are confident they'll return to their winning ways and their cornerstone player will want to stay.

The Cubs think they can win too, but still have a player who will be less than two years from free agency with every passing day. One executive in Arizona this February -- who actually thought Bryant would have been traded by now -- believes there is little chance both players will be on their respective teams come Aug. 1.

"It all depends on how the first three months go, but I see something happening with one or both of those guys," the executive said, adding that the issues that put them on the trading block in the first place may well still be in place come July.

As for the two players, the people around them are their biggest advocates.

"Who wouldn't want that guy at the hot corner?" Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland said of Arenado. "He's a guy you want to hold on to no matter what. As a pitcher, it's a different mindset over there [third base] when he's playing."

Asked if he hoped Bryant would not be traded this winter, new Cubs manager David Ross had to laugh.

"Duh," he joked. "Don't trade my All-Stars. Kris Bryant helps us win games. If Theo [Epstein] calls me and asks me, 'Do you want Kris Bryant on your team?' I would tell him 'yes.'"

For now, camp will dictate both players' schedules. Bryant, more comfortable than he was a few days ago, and Arenado, still unsure, need to prepare for the 2020 season. The batting cages and baseball diamonds will be their refuge.

"I have to be optimistic," Arenado said. "I'm not going to sit here and mope about this. You have to be optimistic. It's spring training. You never know what's going to happen."

Bryant added: "I'm ready to play and put that other stuff behind us."

For now, that should be possible, but the issues that brought these players into the same narrative probably aren't going away -- save a great start to the Rockies' season or a contract extension for Bryant. It means we'll revisit this in July when the trade deadline could finally force a move for one or both players. And who knows, maybe for each other.

Norrie knocked out by youngest player at Delray Beach Open

Published in Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 14:57

British number two Cameron Norrie was knocked out of the Delray Beach Open in Florida by teenager Brandon Nakashima, who is ranked 294th in the world.

Norrie, 24, who has a world ranking of 60, lost 7-5 6-2 to the 18-year-old American in the second round.

Nakashima, who is competing in his debut ATP Tour event on a wildcard, is the youngest player in the tournament.

On Tuesday, British number three Kyle Edmund was forced to withdraw because of illness.

Norrie knocked out by youngest player at Delray Beach Open

Published in Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 14:57

British number two Cameron Norrie was knocked out of the Delray Beach Open in Florida by teenager Brandon Nakashima, who is ranked 294th in the world.

Norrie, 24, who has a world ranking of 60, lost 7-5 6-2 to the 18-year-old American in the second round.

Nakashima, who is competing in his debut ATP Tour event on a wildcard, is the youngest player in the tournament.

On Tuesday, British number three Kyle Edmund was forced to withdraw because of illness.

Key moments from Budapest: champions fall

Published in Table Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 17:18

Highlights of the day……….

Champions depart

Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan, the men’s singles winner in 2016 experienced defeat at the hands of Frenchman Alexandre Cassin (4-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 7-11) in what was the biggest upset of the day. Presently, Alexandre Cassin, winner of the junior boys’ singles title at the European Youth Championships in both 2014 and 2016, is listed at no.206 on the men’s world rankings. Chuang Chih-Yuan appears at no.33.

A surprise defeat for Chuang Chih-Yuan, for Liu Jia, the women’s singles winner in 2014, there were no belated birthday presents. Listed at no.106 on the current rankings, she was beaten by Luxembourg’s Ni Xia Lian, named at no.46 (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9).

On Sunday 16th February, Liu Jia celebrated her 38th birthday.

The unexpected, expected

According to ranking, India’s Manika Batra, Germany’s Shan Xiaona, Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki and Spain’s Liu Xin were the surprise names to book main draw places in the women’s singles event.

In reality they were not; all have major successes to their credit. Manika Batra guided India to gold in the women’s team event at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games before securing the women’s singles title. On the ITTF World Tour in 2014 Shan Xiaona was crowned the women’s singles champion in Germany, Liu Xin when representing China, in Brazil.

Miyu Nagasaki is the reigning Asian and World junior champion.

Seizing the opportunity

In the men’s singles event, Japan’s Shunsuke Togami, Poland’s Jakub Dyjas, Germany’s Qiu Dang and Lam Siu Hang made most of the opportunity afforded.

Shunsuke Togami beat Belgium’s Martin Allegro (11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 11-3), the winner earlier in the day against Romania’s Rares Sipos (13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9), successful in the second preliminary when opposing Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar (12-10, 15-13, 7-11, 14-12, 13-11), at no.32, the highest ranked player on qualification duty.

Likewise, Poland’s Jakub Dyjas overcame India’s Harmeet Desai (11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 13-11), the winner in the previous round against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An (11-9, 2-11, 5-11, 4-11, 14-12, 11-9, 13-11), at no.55 on the rankings, a player predicted to qualify.

It was no different for Qiu Dang, the winner at the recent ITTF Challenge Polish Open. He beat Frenchman, Bastian Rembert (9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9) the victor one round earlier when confronting Japan’s Masataka Morizono (14-12, 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8), at no.43 on the rankings expected to progress. One round later he caused yet another upset, he ousted Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3). On the current world rankings, Tiago Apolonia is at no.58, Qiu Dang at no.77.

Not to be outdone, Lam Siu Hang accounted for Austria Stefan Fegerl (7-11, 13-15, 9-11, 13-15, 8-11, 11-7, 11-1), the winner in the immediate prior round against India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta (11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6), at no.34on the rankings, the second highest rated on qualification duty.

Test of stamina

Russia’s Alexander Shibaev emerged the player with the greatest level of stamina. In the third preliminary round, he recovered from a three games to nil deficit to beat Slovenia’s Deni Kozul by the very narrowest of margins (4-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11), before in the crucial determining round prevailing against Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck in an even closer contest (10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 7-11, 17-15).

The win against Cédric Nuytinck was an upset. Listed at no.47 on the world rankings, the Belgium was the player predicted to progress; currently Alexander Shibaev is named at no.93.

A notable upset in the final preliminary round; it was the same for Iran’s Noshad Alamiyan. Listed at no.61 on the present day rankings, he beat Sweden’s Jon Persson, named at no.53 (15-13, 11-7, 3-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8) and expected to progress to reserve his main draw place.

Seconds out, round two

On Sunday 8th February, Iran’s Nima Alamian and Noshad Alamiyan won the men’s doubles title at the 2020 ITTF Challenge Portugal Open in Lisbon; in Budapest, they were beaten in the second preliminary round. They lost to Romania’s Cristian Pletea and Rares Sipos (13-11, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-7).

Defeat for Nima Alamian and Noshad Alamiyan, the second highest rated pair on duty, it was the same in the women’s doubles; the French pairing of Stéphanie Loeuillette and Audrey Zarif lost to Germany’s Chantal Mantz and Wan Yuan (11-7, 11-7, 11-4).

India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, the leading pair on qualification men’s doubles duty booked their main draw place as did Romania’s Irina Ciobanu and Elizabeta Samara in the women’s doubles. Similarly, in the mixed doubles there was progress for the top pair, Serbia’s Aleksandar Karakasevic and Izabela Lupulesku.

Key moments from Budapest: champions fall

Published in Table Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 17:18

Highlights of the day……….

Champions depart

Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan, the men’s singles winner in 2016 experienced defeat at the hands of Frenchman Alexandre Cassin (4-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 7-11) in what was the biggest upset of the day. Presently, Alexandre Cassin, winner of the junior boys’ singles title at the European Youth Championships in both 2014 and 2016, is listed at no.206 on the men’s world rankings. Chuang Chih-Yuan appears at no.33.

A surprise defeat for Chuang Chih-Yuan, for Liu Jia, the women’s singles winner in 2014, there were no belated birthday presents. Listed at no.106 on the current rankings, she was beaten by Luxembourg’s Ni Xia Lian, named at no.46 (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9).

On Sunday 16th February, Liu Jia celebrated her 38th birthday.

The unexpected, expected

According to ranking, India’s Manika Batra, Germany’s Shan Xiaona, Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki and Spain’s Liu Xin were the surprise names to book main draw places in the women’s singles event.

In reality they were not; all have major successes to their credit. Manika Batra guided India to gold in the women’s team event at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games before securing the women’s singles title. On the ITTF World Tour in 2014 Shan Xiaona was crowned the women’s singles champion in Germany, Liu Xin when representing China, in Brazil.

Miyu Nagasaki is the reigning Asian and World junior champion.

Seizing the opportunity

In the men’s singles event, Japan’s Shunsuke Togami, Poland’s Jakub Dyjas, Germany’s Qiu Dang and Lam Siu Hang made most of the opportunity afforded.

Shunsuke Togami beat Belgium’s Martin Allegro (11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 11-3), the winner earlier in the day against Romania’s Rares Sipos (13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9), successful in the second preliminary when opposing Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar (12-10, 15-13, 7-11, 14-12, 13-11), at no.32, the highest ranked player on qualification duty.

Likewise, Poland’s Jakub Dyjas overcame India’s Harmeet Desai (11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 13-11), the winner in the previous round against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An (11-9, 2-11, 5-11, 4-11, 14-12, 11-9, 13-11), at no.55 on the rankings, a player predicted to qualify.

It was no different for Qiu Dang, the winner at the recent ITTF Challenge Polish Open. He beat Frenchman, Bastian Rembert (9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9) the victor one round earlier when confronting Japan’s Masataka Morizono (14-12, 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8), at no.43 on the rankings expected to progress. One round later he caused yet another upset, he ousted Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3). On the current world rankings, Tiago Apolonia is at no.58, Qiu Dang at no.77.

Not to be outdone, Lam Siu Hang accounted for Austria Stefan Fegerl (7-11, 13-15, 9-11, 13-15, 8-11, 11-7, 11-1), the winner in the immediate prior round against India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta (11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6), at no.34on the rankings, the second highest rated on qualification duty.

Test of stamina

Russia’s Alexander Shibaev emerged the player with the greatest level of stamina. In the third preliminary round, he recovered from a three games to nil deficit to beat Slovenia’s Deni Kozul by the very narrowest of margins (4-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11), before in the crucial determining round prevailing against Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck in an even closer contest (10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 7-11, 17-15).

The win against Cédric Nuytinck was an upset. Listed at no.47 on the world rankings, the Belgium was the player predicted to progress; currently Alexander Shibaev is named at no.93.

A notable upset in the final preliminary round; it was the same for Iran’s Noshad Alamiyan. Listed at no.61 on the present day rankings, he beat Sweden’s Jon Persson, named at no.53 (15-13, 11-7, 3-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8) and expected to progress to reserve his main draw place.

Seconds out, round two

On Sunday 8th February, Iran’s Nima Alamian and Noshad Alamiyan won the men’s doubles title at the 2020 ITTF Challenge Portugal Open in Lisbon; in Budapest, they were beaten in the second preliminary round. They lost to Romania’s Cristian Pletea and Rares Sipos (13-11, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-7).

Defeat for Nima Alamian and Noshad Alamiyan, the second highest rated pair on duty, it was the same in the women’s doubles; the French pairing of Stéphanie Loeuillette and Audrey Zarif lost to Germany’s Chantal Mantz and Wan Yuan (11-7, 11-7, 11-4).

India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, the leading pair on qualification men’s doubles duty booked their main draw place as did Romania’s Irina Ciobanu and Elizabeta Samara in the women’s doubles. Similarly, in the mixed doubles there was progress for the top pair, Serbia’s Aleksandar Karakasevic and Izabela Lupulesku.

Progress for top seeds but noteworthy names stumble

Published in Table Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 19:10

Pride of place went to Germany’s Vincent Senbeil, in the second round of the junior boys’ singles event, he ousted the host nation’s Martin Friis, the no.2 seed (6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7).

Defeat for one leading name, in the same round three further notable names fell by the wayside. Ukraine’s Andrii Grebeniuk, the no.6 seed followed by Kaii Zarehbin of the United States and Germany’s Felix Wetzel, the next in line in the order of merit all departed.

Andrii Grebeniuk lost to Aziz Zarehbin (11-8, 11-2, 11-7, 11-8), brother Kaii Zarehbin was beaten by Mikhail Tsyhanouski (11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9), Felix Wetzel suffered at the hands of Sweden’s Charlie Widing (12-10, 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9).

Surprise outcomes; for the remaining principal names, in addition to Dorian Zheng, Singapore’s Izaac Quek Yong, the no.3 seed, duly booked his third round place as did the next on the lis, Ireland’s Owen Cathcart and Puerto Rico’s Angel Naranjo.

Major casualties

Likewise in the junior girls’ singles second round there were major casualties. Egypt’s Hana Goda, the no.3 seed, was beaten by Sweden’s Nomin Baasan (11-7, 7-11, 13-11, 10-12, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9), Emine Ernst of the Netherlands, the no.4 seed, experienced defeat at the hands of India’s Suhana Saini (11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10).

Unexpected exits but amongst the other leading names it was progress. Alongside Prithika Pavade, colleague Isa Cok, the no.2 seed booked her third round place as did Hungary’s Helga Dari, Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor, Russia’s Vlada Voronina and Turkey’s Ece Harac.

Also note the name of the no.13 seed, Japan’s Miwa Harimoto, the winner of both the junior girls’ singles and cadet girls’ singles titles last week in the Czech Republic, she secured her place in round three.

Top seeds on course

Meanwhile, in both the junior boys’ doubles and junior girls’ doubles events, the top seeds remained on course for a clash in the final.

In the former, the top seeds Owen Cathcart partnering Norway’s Borgar Haug reserved a quarter-final place, as did the no.2 seeds, Singapore’s Nicholas Chong and Izaac Quek Yong. Similarly, in the latter, Isa Cok and Prithika Pavade, the top seeds, advanced as did the pairing formed by Turkey’s Ece Harac and Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor, the no.2 seeds.

Play in all junior individual events concludes on Thursday 20th February.

Destination Wladyslawowo, champions return

Published in Table Tennis
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 20:19

In the men’s singles events, Belgium’s Marc Ledoux, Poland’s Patrick Chojnowski and Hungary’s Peter Palos all compete.

Patrick Chojnowski is the top seed in class 10, as is Peter Palos in class 11; for Marc Ledoux, arguably he faces a much more testing challenge, he is the no.3 seed in class 8, behind Frenchman Thomas Bouvais and Sweden’s Linus Karlsson.

Somewhat similarly in the women’s events, Croatia’s Andela Muzinic, Russia’s Nadejda Pushpasheva, Norway’s Aida Dahlen and Turkey’s Merve Demir are the players aiming once again to secure the top prize in Wladyslawowo.

However, only three can achieve the feat. Aida Dahlen is the top seed in class 7-8, Merve Demir in class 10; Andela Muzinic is at the head of the order in class 2-3 and appears in the same first stage group as Nadejda Pushpasheva. Last May, Nadejda Pushpasheva emerged the winner in class 1-2, Andela Muzinic secured the class 3 title.

May medallists

Also, significantly, in the men’s singles events, finishing last year as silver medallists, Chile’s Cristian Dettoni is the top seed in men’s class 6; likewise Great Britain’s Billy Shilton is once again on duty in class 8, as is Russia’s Dmitry Lavrov in class 1 and the host nation’s Maksym Chuzicki in class 7.

Furthermore, bronze medallists at the 2019 edition, Chile’s Luis Bustamente Flores is the top seed in class 2 as is Great Britain’s Josh Stacey in class 9.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Korea Republic’s Joo Youngdae leads the list in class in class 1, Poland’s Maciej Nalepka is at the top of the order in class 3 as is colleague Rafael Lis in class 4. Norway’s Tommy Urhaug is the no.1 seed in class 5, the position Germany’s Björn Schnake holds in class 7.

In the women’s events, Hong Kong’s Ng Mui Wui, silver medallist in 2019, is the top seed in class 11; Korea Republic’s Kang Oejeong heads the order in class 4-5, Germany’s Stephanie Grebe in class 6, Turkey’s Nesilhan Kavas in class 9.

Play concludes on Saturday 22nd February.

Harimoto hoping to kickstart year in Hungary

World no.5 Tomokazu Harimoto appears in the same half of the draw as Germany’s world no.10 Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.3 seed. At the first ITTF World Tour event of the year, the German Open in Magdeburg, the pair experienced contrasting fortunes.

Surprisingly, Harimoto was beaten in the opening round by Chinese Taipei’s 38 year old Chuang Chih-Yuan; by contrast Ovtcharov reached the semi-finals by eliminating Fan Zhendong, who started the year on top of the world rankings. Ovtcharov’s progress on home soil eventually came to a halt in the penultimate round at the hands of Ma Long, the reigning Olympic Games and World Champion.

In Budapest, Harimoto is joined in the same quarter of the draw by compatriot Koki Niwa, the no.5 seed and a player with whom he will line up alongside at the upcoming Hana Bank 2020 World Team Championships in Busan, Korea Republic, and at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Harimoto held the upper hand over Niwa in their most recent meetings at the T2 Diamond in Singapore and the Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ovtcharov could potentially face a former Hungarian Open winner at the quarter-final stage, with Japan’s Jun Mizutani, the no.6 seed and winner in 2010, and Austria’s Daniel Habesohn, the no.15 seed and 2014 champion, both positioned in the same section of the draw.

Can Calderano strike twice in two weeks?

In the opposite half of the draw, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the no.2 seed and world no.7, is in the hunt for his first ever ITTF World Tour title just two weeks after retaining the Pan America Cup in Puerto Rico.

Calderano is named in the same half as his TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen clubmate, Frenchman Simon Gauzy, the no.8 seed, who in turn faces a first-round showdown with Germany’s Qiu Dang, winner at last week’s ITTF Challenge Plus Portugal Open.

Fellow German, Patrick Franziska, the no.4 seed, will be keen to bounce back from his shock opening round defeat to Japan’s Mizuki Oikawa at the German Open. Franziska could face a second round meeting with American rising star Kanak Jha, the no.12 seed, or recently crowned Japanese national champion Yukiya Uda.

Meanwhile, potential quarter-final opponents are Hong Kong China’s Wong Chun Ting, the no.7 seed, and 43 year old Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, the no.10 seed and the winner of no less than 27 ITTF World Tour men’s singles titles.

Japan’s women going for gold

Names from the Land of the Rising Sun prominent in the men’s singles event, they are even more prevalent in the women’s singles competition. Top seed and world no.3 Mima Ito, a quarter-finalist in Germany, beaten by China’s Ding Ning, is in the same quarter of the draw as colleagues Hitomi Sato, the no.6 seed and Miyu Kato, the no.10. Kato and Sato are scheduled for a second round meeting; in world ranking events, Kato has always beaten Sato.

Miu Hirano, the no.4 seed, also appears in the same half of the draw as Ito and company. A potential quarter-final against Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the no.7 seed, could materialise. Hirano is currently unbeaten against Szocs on the international scene.

In the lower half of the draw, Kasumi Ishikawa is the only seeded Japanese name present, though the no.2 seed starts her campaign against compatriot Haruna Ojio with a potential second round meeting against another Japanese, Miyu Nagasaki, the reigning ITTF World Junior Champion.

Featuring in the same quarter of the draw are two players who recently booked their places in the Women’s World Cup to be staged in October 2020 in Bangkok. Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, the no.9 seed, lines up against Nagasaki in an eye-catching opening round duel, while Germany’s Petrissa Solja, the no.8 seed, could be a quarter-final opponent for any of the aforementioned players. Earlier this month, Diaz retained her crown at the Universal Pan America Cup and Solja likewise at the CCB Europe Top 16.

Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.5 seed, and Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.3 seed, could be in line for a quarter-final battle. Last year they met twice on the international scene, Doo Hoi Kem winning at the ITTF-Asian Cup in Yokohama, Cheng I-Ching at the ZEN-NOH Team World Cup in Tokyo.

The pick of the doubles pairs

In the women’s doubles, Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu head the seeding. The Chinese Taipei pair were silver medallists at the Agricultural Bank of China 2020 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. They appear in the same half of the draw as Japan’s Miu Hirano and Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.4 seeds, runners up earlier this month in Germany.

In the opposite half, Doo Hoi Kem and Hong Kong China colleague Lee Ho Ching occupy the no.2 seeded spot, while the mixed nationality pairing of Slovakia’s Barbora Balazova and Czech Republic’s Hana Matelova weigh in at no.3.

Chinese Taipei is represented prominently again in the men’s doubles with Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan the no.3 seeds. World champions in 2013, interestingly they have never reached an ITTF World Tour final. In Budapest, they sit in the same half of the draw as the somewhat untried German partnership of Benedikt Duda and Patrick Franziska, the no.2 seeds.

The pair to note in that half of the draw is Poland’s Jakub Dyjas and Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck, the no.6 seeds, recent semi-finalists in Germany and Sweden on the ITTF World Tour.

In the opposite half of the draw, the home Hungarian crowd will be behind Nandor Ecseki and Adam Szudi, the no.4 seeds and winners at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Croatia Open. The top seeds are Hong Kong China’s Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chung Ting, the runners up at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in both 2017 and 2018.

Top of the order in the men’s doubles, it is the same for Wong Chun Ting in the mixed doubles, where he partners Doo Hoi Kem; they are listed ahead of no.2 seeds, Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito. Both pairs have reached the title deciding round at the ITTF World Grand Finals: Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem won in 2018; last year Mizutani and Ito finished with silver medals.

Hong Kong China colleagues Ho Kwan Kit and Lee Ho Ching, the no.4 seeds, appear in the same half of the draw as Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem; Mizutani and Ito are joined in the same section by Slovakia’s Lubomir Pistej and Barbora Balazova, the no.3 seeds.

Successful partnerships but the pair to note is that of the host nation’s Adam Szudi and Szandra Pergel, the no.5 seeds and last year’s Hungarian Open silver medallists.

Quick Links

'England match is a step up for Ireland'

Published in Rugby
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 22:49

There's nothing quite like a game week at Twickenham. It's the fixture I always really looked forward to as a player.

But in saying that, you can't enjoy the occasion too much because of the white storm that awaits you.

At Twickenham, you find out what your players are made of when your backs are against the wall - and Andy Farrell is going to learn a lot about Ireland on Sunday.

It's going to be an epic battle and one that England will really fancy.

So far, we haven't seen a lot from Eddie Jones' side, so they will be going out with a point to prove.

The physicality Ireland brought to Twickenham in 2018 gave them the edge and they will need to do the same this time around.

It's easy enough in a couple of home games when you don't play particularly well and still get the result. England at home is an entirely different story.

They have super power and physicality all over the pack. You just have to look at their back row, with effectively the three sevens probably going to play.

Any time Scotland touched the ball, England smashed them back behind the game line. The Scots couldn't get any momentum and that's what Ireland will be up against next weekend. It's something they haven't faced in the competition so far.

To that end, I'm a little bit disappointed that Farrell has opted to retain Peter O'Mahony in the back row instead of putting fit-again Caelan Doris in from the start after his debut against Scotland lasted only four minutes.

Pete was solid as ever in defence against Wales and made a couple of crucial turnovers but his carry total of four for a combined distance of 3.5 metres was fairly meagre.

You had CJ Stander making 18 to 20 carries and I just think it's a bit unrealistic to expect him to have shoulder that kind of burden time after time.

Young Doris might just have been the man to take on some more of carrying load this weekend but that's academic now after Farrell made his choice.

Who knows? Maybe Pete will prove me wrong, given the warrior he is.

Back three 'very exciting'

Looking at the performance of Ireland's backs to date in the championship, Jordan Larmour has been outstanding. He put a lot of responsibility on himself for his try against Wales and backed himself to the hilt.

Over the past five years, when have you seen Rob Kearney do that? His first thought was always to put boot to ball or take the 'safety first' option, meaning Ireland just haven't had that extra dynamism Larmour provides.

It's great to see that spark in Ireland's back three. Andrew Conway also deserves the opportunity he's getting and Jacob Stockdale's work-rate remains impressive even though he is having a comparatively lean spell by his standards on the tries front.

Try-scoring opportunities will come for him if he just keeps plugging away.

Johnny Sexton said every time the back three touched the ball against Wales, you knew something was going to happen. You can't disagree with that - and Johnny making that kind of comment suggests a team full of confidence.

In years gone by, Ireland have had one exceptional winger in Stockdale but now these three guys are working really well together and it is a very exciting prospect moving forward.

Backs wise, a further boon for Ireland is the versatility and impact capability that Keith Earls offers from the bench. I like the balance and options that gives.

Ireland 'a little bit soft'

There's no doubt that Ireland improved against Wales, but they will need to raise their performance in all the component parts to come away from Twickenham with a win.

It is noticeable that Ireland really up their defence when the opposition are five or 10 metres away from their try line. The question I would ask is: why can't they do that when teams are 50 or 60 metres out from their line?

It's maybe a mentality issue further up the pitch when the try line isn't under as much threat.

Through defensive pressure, Ireland can put England in a position where they make unforced errors. That could mean England kicking the ball back to Ireland earlier in phase play than they would like. Stockdale, Conway and Larmour would be licking their lips at the thought of this.

At times, Ireland are a little bit soft defensively as they soak up a lot of tackles. Teams that do have waves of momentum, which England will, can dominate them if they don't tighten up from 22 to 22.

There was a massive improvement in that regard against Wales. They way Ireland set up and went about their business was a big step up from the Scotland game, but, in truth, the Welsh front five seemed a bit leggy.

Ireland were efficient against Wales but by no means exceptional. They will need will to find another level to win at Twickenham.

This game is England's year

Eddie Jones has come under a lot of criticism over his team selection and the comments he made in the build-up to the tournament.

But England still have a massive opportunity to win this Six Nations. If they can beat Ireland, then they can kick on from there and they will have as a good a chance as any side.

However in saying that, England have to be perfect over the next 240 minutes of rugby.

If Ireland lose, or even get a losing bonus point, then it's not the end of the world and they can go again.

It's a crucial game for both teams and the winner will have a great platform for the remainder of the tournament, but this game is more or less England's year.

It's win or bust for them. That's the bottom line.

Stephen Ferris was speaking to BBC Sport's Andy Gray.

Ball hopes Wales' home form is decisive against France

Published in Rugby
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 14:40

Lock Jake Ball hopes Wales' Six Nations home record will continue when they face unbeaten France.

Wales have won seven successive home games in the tournament, with England the last away side to triumph in the Six Nations in Cardiff in 2017.

France have lost their past four Six Nations games in the Welsh capital, with the last victory in 2010 - the year Les Bleus last won the Grand Slam.

"You take massive pride from playing at home," said Ball.

France arrive in Cardiff after starting this season's tournament with victories over England and Italy, while Wales have defeated the Italians but lost to Ireland.

Ireland and France are the only two countries still harbouring Grand Slam hopes but Fabien Galthie's side have not yet won away in the tournament.

Wales' overall home Six Nations record in recent seasons makes for impressive reading. as they have lost only three of their past 22 games.

"Every time you pull on the shirt, you feel proud, and you also know what it's like when you lose a game - you don't want to leave the house, it's a horrible feeling," said Ball.

"So just that feeling you have of winning and of the pleasure you take from it is a massive part of why I play the game.

"It [Principality Stadium] is a great place to play, but it can be pretty hostile as well, and we can use that to our advantage.

"They've had two home games, two wins, but this is their first away game, so it's an opportunity for us to put them under pressure.

"When you are on the field you don't tend to hear a massive amount.

"But sometimes in those key moments of the game, when there might be a stoppage in play or maybe a penalty kick to the corner, you do hear it and you do feel that energy. There is no doubt that is an advantage."

Wales will take on a familiar face in defence coach Shaun Edwards, who filled that role for 12 Six Nations campaigns as part of Warren Gatland's support team before joining the France set-up.

He made an immediate impact in his new job by masterminding a huge defensive effort when Les Bleus beat England on the tournament's opening weekend.

"He has done a great job, hasn't he? They are two [wins] from two, the defence has been good," Ball added.

"We know Shaun well, we know what he likes to bring in defence, so potentially that could give us a bit of an advantage.

"You can see what he has done for them in the first couple of games, but from our point of view, we have a new defensive team in as well.

"All of the teams seem pretty close and are competitive, so it probably will be one of those years when it comes down to the final week. It's going to be interesting."

For the latest Welsh rugby union news follow @BBCScrumV on Twitter.

Soccer

Alonso slams Leverkusen 'complacency' after draw

Alonso slams Leverkusen 'complacency' after draw

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLEVERKUSEN, Germany -- Hosts Bayer Leverkusen paid the price for be...

Rooney sent off as Plymouth score late winner

Rooney sent off as Plymouth score late winner

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPlymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney was sent off during his sid...

Obi-Martin confirms Man Utd move from Arsenal

Obi-Martin confirms Man Utd move from Arsenal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChido Obi-Martin has confirmed he has signed for Manchester United...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bronny's 'disruptive' D touted in preseason debut

Bronny's 'disruptive' D touted in preseason debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPALM DESERT, Calif. -- It might have come directly following his tu...

Man found guilty of cheating ex-NBAers of $8M

Man found guilty of cheating ex-NBAers of $8M

EmailPrintA Georgia businessman was convicted Friday on five counts by a federal jury in Manhattan o...

Baseball

Phillies' Sánchez becomes dad ahead of G2 start

Phillies' Sánchez becomes dad ahead of G2 start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHILADELPHIA -- Cristopher Sánchez has a new job ahead of his playo...

Follow live: Guardians use 5-run first inning to take early control of Game 1

Follow live: Guardians use 5-run first inning to take early control of Game 1

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIt's time for the division series!After a wild-card round that live...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated