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Fed Cup: Great Britain to face Mexico away in play-off tie

Published in Tennis

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 04:05

Great Britain will travel to Mexico in April for a Fed Cup play-off tie that they must win to avoid relegation.

Anne Keothavong's team failed to reach this year's inaugural Fed Cup Finals by losing a qualifying tie to Slovakia last weekend.

If they win in Mexico they will get the chance to qualify for the 2021 Finals but if they lose they will be relegated to the Europe/Africa zone that is notoriously difficult to get out of.

The tie will be played on 17-18 April.

Mexico, who as hosts will be able to choose the surface the best-of-five tie will be played on, will confirm the venue at a later date.

Last year, Great Britain ended a 26-year wait for promotion to the World Group level of the women's team competition.

They had reached promotion play-offs five times in eight years before finally getting out of the Europe/Africa zone and will be keen to avoid slipping back so soon.

Britain were without world number 14 Johanna Konta for the 3-1 defeat in Bratislava after she opted to sit out the Fed Cup this year to protect her body following a knee injury.

Keothavong has said she will try to persuade Konta to change her mind and return to the team for the play-off.

But it could be a hard prospect to sell with the tie being played so far away and at a time when several of the WTA events are being played on clay in Europe as players gear up for the French Open in May.

The draw included two spaces for the nations advancing from the delayed Asia/Oceania Group I event that is now taking place in Dubai on 3-7 March.

The event was delayed and the venue changed from China because of the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The full draw:

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Quadri Aruna and Dina Meshref head seeding in Tunisia

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 09 February 2020 19:56

Comprising regional champions and top ranked players from throughout the continent, notable absentees are Nigerian veterans, Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike, former winners and African representatives at the World Cup events.

In the men’s seeding, Egypt’s Omar Assar is the no.4 seed behind colleague Ahmed Ali Saleh of Egypt and Olajide Omotayo, like Quadri Aruna from Nigeria. A potential semi-final meeting between Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar is a distinct possibility, a situation that occurred at the 2019 ITTF Africa Cup in Lagos, the Egyptian claiming a six games success and progressing to win the event.

Notably, both men’s and women’s events will be played in an initial phase of four groups, four players in each group, best of five games. Players finishing in first and second positions advance to the main draw when matches become best of seven games.

The draw will take place according to the latest African seeding with the top four seeded players being drawn in separate groups. All remaining players will be drawn accordingly to a modified snake system.

There will be separation by association in the first phase.

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ITTF providing full assistance to Chinese National Team training in Qatar

Published in Table Tennis

Monday, 10 February 2020 21:39

The Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) has helped to arrange a high-quality training environment for the Chinese team with just a single day’s notice, after receiving confirmation from the Chinese team on its plans. This includes a 15-table set up, the best facilities for physical training, rehabilitation, medical equipment, meals and accommodation.

President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), Liu Guoliang has expressed his gratitude to QTTA President and ITTF Deputy President Khalil Al-Mohannadi as well as ITTF CEO Steve Dainton:

“We are very grateful for all the assistance provided to us during this time of difficulty. We didn’t expect that they could prepare the venue, tables and facilities for us within such a short period of time. The tables that we are using for training are those that will be used at the Qatar Open. QTTA has even given us all two thousand balls that they had in storage for us to train. It might be a common situation in China but it’s very heart-warming, especially during this particular period and we really appreciate all this help from our international friends.” – CTTA President, Liu Guoliang

Liu Guoliang also received invitations from ITTF President Thomas Weikert, representing Germany, as well as from the Austrian Table Tennis Association, Japan Table Tennis Association and many more, for the Chinese team to train at their respective training facilities. The Chinese team accepted QTTA’s with the upcoming ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open taking place in Doha and will remain in the country to bolster its preparations for the upcoming 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships to be held in Busan, Korea Republic from 22-29 March.

Personally witnessing the Chinese team’s training in Qatar, ITTF CEO Steve Dainton was impressed with QTTA’s ability to arrange all the facilities and preparations for the Chinese team’s arrival at short notice:

“Everybody worked hard to find a good solution for our friends in China when we knew that the situation had become very difficult. It wasn’t easy in the short time we had, but we did it! It was an amazing job for them to do this in such a short time. It doesn’t matter if it’s China or any other country, when there’s any big disaster or problem, we always try our best to help our brothers and sisters out.” – ITTF CEO, Steve Dainton

After receiving requests from CTTA, the ITTF sent out a call for support last week to the global table tennis family in search for medical equipment and protective gear. The response was tremendous with many friends looking for masks and other medical supplies around the world to help China in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus.

Boasting a long and proud history of hosting ITTF events, the QTTA is gearing up for the 25th edition of the Qatar Open. Khalil Al-Mohannadi, QTTA President and ITTF Deputy President, is well-versed in the organisation and management of prestigious events and continues to work hard around the clock to ensure the Chinese team’s arrival in Qatar pans out as smoothly as possible.

“When I heard about the Coronavirus in China, our worry was that the Chinese national team would not be able to play at the Qatar Open. For me it is not the Qatar Open and not the World Championships without China. We are all part of the ITTF family and we are doing this as friends for the whole table tennis family. I need to thank the government, the Aspire Academy, Aspetar and everyone else involved in the process. In just a few hours I got the answer that China could come to Doha. I think now we must do our best to provide a nice facility because these are really world-class players. I think everything is good and when I saw Liu Guoliang and the players today, I was happy that all is okay and everyone is happy to train in Qatar.” – QTTA President and ITTF Deputy President, Khalil Al-Mohannadi

World and Olympic champion Ma Long expressed his gratitude to QTTA for its assistance and has happy memories of Qatar, a country in which he has proven most successful over the years:

“I won my first senior World Tour title here in Qatar and I have been crowned champion four times since, so there’s a special connection with Doha. I pass on huge thanks to QTTA for providing us with such a good training environment. I will prepare well for the upcoming Qatar Open.” – Ma Long

Please note that the ITTF is still monitoring the situation and the impact it could have on upcoming table tennis activities. If there are any changes to the schedule, we shall inform you immediately.

Join the ITTF family in sending support to our friends in China.

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Liverpool fan Sarah-Jane Perry out to Kop a second Nationals title in Nottingham

Published in Squash

Monday, 10 February 2020 04:51

Sarah-Jane Perry in action against England team-mate Alison Waters

‘Winning when you’re not always playing well is a lesson to learn from Liverpool’
By ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY – Squash Mad Correspondent

British no.1 Sarah-Jane Perry is relishing the opportunity to get back out on court at the AJ Bell British National Championships in Nottingham from 13-16 February.

The 29-year-old won her maiden National crown in 2015 and reached the final in 2017, but was forced to watch from the stands last year after failing to recover from injury.

This time round, she is determined to put that disappointment behind her and compete for her second title at a tournament she describes as one of the highlights of her season.

“When I won the title in 2015 it was one of the defining moments of my career so far. It’s an event I look forward to on the calendar every year and you want to make sure that you’re playing well.

“It’s been a while since my last Nationals. I missed last year because I wasn’t quite back from my elbow surgery. I went down to watch the final and although it was good to see, it was gutting not to be playing.”

Unlike in previous years, the World No.7 enters the tournament as top seed and favourite to lift the trophy a second time. The Warwickshire native, however, is unfazed by the extra expectation and hopes her travelling fans can inspire her to victory.

“When I won in 2015, I beat two players seeded ahead of me [Laura Massaro and Alison Waters] so it was a bit of an upset. It’s a different challenge as top seed but one I’m looking forward to.

“Of course, there’s added pressure as top seed, but I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I just want to get the best level of squash out that I can and hopefully that will be enough to win. If it’s not, then I want to make it so that if someone does beat me they have to put in a really good performance.

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“It’s a bit closer to home this time being in Nottingham rather than Manchester, so hopefully I’ll have a lot of home support!”

Following Laura Massaro’s retirement last season and back-to-back champion Tesni Evans’ withdrawal from the tournament through injury, Perry could be forgiven for thinking she has one hand on the trophy. However, with four of the world’s top 30 competing in Nottingham and a host of emerging talent, Perry knows the competition will be fierce.

“There are some really strong players in the draw. There’s the experience of Alison Waters, who’s won it a few times before, but also the young players who’ll be trying to upset the rankings.

“I’m just going to try and play the best squash I can and hopefully that will be enough. It’s always a battle and if I can win, it will be a big achievement.”

As she prepares to fight for victory, Perry is taking inspiration from an unlikely source, her beloved Liverpool F.C.

“If you look at some of their recent performances, they haven’t played the best football but they’ve found a way to win. This is something that’s really underestimated.

“Sometimes your best results come when you didn’t play so well and still managed to find a way to win. Just keeping the belief that you can win. That’s what I’m taking from Liverpool.”

Pictures by STEVE CUBBINS courtesy of England Squash

Posted on February 10, 2020

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PSA team up with Fun With Balls as squash embraces technology

Published in Squash

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 03:56

Germany’s world No.6 Simon Rösner tests out the interactiveSQUASH ‘Monster Match’ game

‘We are excited by the impact this technology can have on the sport’
By SEAN REUTHE – Squash Mad Correspondent

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has announced today that it has made an investment in Munich-based sports technology company Fun With Balls in a further example of the organisation’s commitment to adopting new technology to help grow the sport.

The PSA has worked closely with Fun With Balls for the past two and a half years, developing the pioneering ‘MoTrack’ statistical tracking system at the 2018 Swedish Open in association with court manufacturer ASB, while their innovative interactiveSQUASH system was successfully implemented at the 2018-19 PSA World Championship in Chicago and the 2017-18 PSA Dubai World Series Finals.

interactiveSQUASH enables sponsors’ content and branding to be displayed on the playing surface of the court during matches, while it also has the ability to project player stats, replays and visual effects to help increase the spectacle of the sport.

In addition, over 25,000 people witnessed interactiveSQUASH in the flesh when squash was used as a showcase sport at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in October 2018. Local attendees were also invited on court to play a series of interactive games using the technology.

“We are excited to support Fun with Balls and are enthused about the impact that their technology can have on the sport,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.

“We have an excellent working relationship with Fun with Balls and believe that their commitment to innovation and breaking boundaries is in line with that of the PSA. Their ‘MoTrack’ feature has enabled us to analyse player behaviour in greater depth than ever before, while their interactiveSQUASH system has improved the presentation of the sport and increased crowd participation at events where it has been present.

“Their technology has undoubtedly had a positive impact on squash and we look forward to working closely with them in the future as we aim to further improve the spectacle of our world-class events.”

Fun With Balls Founder and Chief Executive Markos Kern said: “Having worked with the PSA for almost two years, we are extremely happy to also welcome them as our investors. From the beginning, the goal of our company was to bring squash into the digital age, attract new players to the sport and build a larger audience for this amazing sport.

“This partnership is a great example of how governing bodies in sport and startups can innovate together to make sports more attractive in our digital world.”

The PSA’s investment in Fun With Balls comes shortly after the organisation announced in December that it has become an investor in human data technology provider Sports Data Labs (SDL). The PSA utilises SDL’s comprehensive in-game human data solution to provide human performance metrics for its live broadcasts, as well as for player optimisation and training purposes.

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About PSA
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) is the global governing body responsible for the administration of both men’s and women’s professional squash around the world.
With over 950 registered players and more than 200 events taking place around the globe every year, the PSA World Tour and the PSA Challenger Tour – both managed and run by the PSA – showcases the game of squash at its highest level in some of the world’s most unique and stunning locations.
For further information, please visit: www.psaworldtour.com

About Fun With Balls GmbH
Munich-based Fun with Balls is merging sports and gaming to become the market leader for a new industry.
With their first product, interactiveSQUASH, they have already taken the sport by storm by offering a new business model and new revenue streams to club managers, while they have engaged players like never before, with more than 50,000 hours played on their more than 30 interactive courts around the world so far.
Their second product now available worldwide, MultiBall, is an innovative technology that transforms any wall into a fully immersive interactive sports experience. It aims to provide a fun solution to tackle the inactivity problem of today’s digital society in the most creative and effective way.
Website: www.funwithballs.com
Melior Squash are the UK Distributors for Fun With Balls: www.meliorsquash.co.uk

Pictures courtesy of PSA and FWB

Posted on February 11, 2020

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England beat Scotland in snowy rearranged Women's Six Nations match

Published in Rugby

Monday, 10 February 2020 08:29

Champions England beat Scotland in freezing conditions to go top of the Women's Six Nations standings.

The match was switched to Murrayfield on Monday because of Storm Ciara but conditions were still difficult as snow left players struggling to keep warm.

Sarah Bern, Jess Breach and Abby Dow, who sprinted 50 metres for a superb try, put England 22-0 up at half-time.

Emily Scott (two), Dow, Sarah Hunter and Claudia MacDonald scored after the break in deteriorating conditions.

Centre Emily Scarratt kicked 13 points in the swirling wind to overtake team-mate Katy Daley-McLean as England Women's leading points scorer of all time with 539.

The match was scheduled to take place in Glasgow but because of Sunday's extreme weather was moved to Edinburgh on Monday, where it was played behind closed doors at the national stadium.

England have never lost a Women's Six Nations match to Scotland, with Simon Middleton's professional side scoring 12 tries in an 80-0 win last season.

The visitors did not quite match that scoreline this year but having beaten France in the opening weekend, remain on course to defend their Grand Slam title.

Player of the match Scott said: "It was really difficult. It's not often you play in the snow like this and it got icy towards the end as well.

"We handled the postponement well. We kept our heads switched on and knew we had to perform. We had hot water in drinks bottles to keep our hands warm which was a dream."

England will host Ireland in their next match on 23 February, while Scotland will seek a first win of the tournament when they travel to Italy.

Dow try lights up first half

England made five changes from last weekend's win in France, bringing in an entirely different front row, and one of those players, prop forward Bern, powered over from close range for the opening try in the third minute.

Fly-half Zoe Harrison dropped the ball three times as England struggled to find their rhythm as snow started to fall.

But that changed when Breach found space to score in the corner and then her fellow wing Dow ran half the length of the pitch, fending off three tackles, for a superb solo score.

Five England tries as conditions worsen

As the weather worsened in the second half, England did well to hold on to the slippery ball and set up full-back Scott for the bonus-point fourth try.

With Scotland tiring after their first-half efforts, Scott scored again when she pounced on a loose ball following a high kick, and then turned provider to set Dow up for her second try.

Players took the chance to collect bottles of hot water to try to keep their hands warm but there was still time for two more tries.

A more traditional pack move produced the next score for number eight Hunter and then replacement scrum-half MacDonald kicked forward and dived down for the final try.

'A gulf in class' - What they said

Scotland coach Philip Doyle: "It was a very hard day at the office. In the first half our scrum was excellent. Unfortunately our line-outs let us down and we paid the price.

"You are looking at a professional side and we're not but we've at least closed the gap on them. That's all I asked today. It's a gulf in class. It's hard to take but we'll look forward to Italy now. That is a side we can definitely challenge a lot closer."

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: "Though the scoreline doesn't show it, we've taken a step forward compared to Twickenham last year.

"Playing against England is an amazing opportunity. Playing one of the best teams in the world, they're going to expose your weaknesses and it was great to learn as a team."

England coach Simon Middleton: "It's a seven out of 10. It was a pretty good performance bearing in mind the conditions. We're pleased with the score and particularly with keeping Scotland to nil because they've got dangerous players.

"We've played two games away against two very good sides in totally contrasting conditions. I'm thrilled and we've got plenty to build on. The most important thing is we can see progression in the side. There's a great buzz in the changing room."

Line-ups

Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Thomson, Nelson, Tonkin; Law, McDonald; Bartlett, Skeldon, Forsyth, Wassell, Bonar, Malcolm, McLachlan, Konkel.

Replacements: Wright, Muzambe, Cockburn, Cattigan, McMillan, Law, Sergeant, Wallace.

England: Scott; Dow, Scarratt, Reed, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Cleall, Aldcroft, Beckett, Fleetwood, Hunter.

Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Brown, Millar-Mills, Harper, MacDonald, Daley-Mclean, McKenna.

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Wasps: Dai Young steps down as director of rugby, replaced by backs coach Lee Blackett

Published in Rugby

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 04:32

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young is to 'step back' from first-team duties with the Coventry-based Premiership club for an unspecified period.

Former dual code Wales international Young, 52, has been Wasps boss since their High Wycombe days, having been appointed in 2011.

Lee Blackett, 37, who is part of Young's backroom team, will step up to become interim head coach.

Wasps are currently ninth in the Premiership table after nine games.

They have only won 13 of their last 46 matches in all competitions and have been knocked out of Europe early in the last two seasons.

They have also lost a lot of their big names in that period, most notably England's Elliot Daly to Saracens last summer, as well as World Cup winner Willie Le Roux, Kurtley Beale, Danny Cipriani, James Haskell, Guy Thompson and also Christian Wade to American football.

Attack and backs coach Blackett has been with Wasps since arriving from Rotherham Titans in 2015.

Wasps' club statement said: "Director of Rugby Dai Young will be stepping back from first-team duties for an interim period.

"Lee Blackett will step up to interim head coach. Further announcements will be made in due course."

Blackett's first game in charge will be Wasps' return to action after a three-week break at Leicester on Saturday.

They went into the enforced break after a thrilling 30-26 comeback win at Worcester, which included two stunning tries by wing Zach Kibirige and twice-capped England scrum-half Dan Robson.

Analysis

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Alec Blackman

"It's a move that's taken some fans by surprise, but Wasps have struggled in the last two seasons, since losing the Premiership final to Exeter in 2017.

"The team that Dai Young took to the final has been broken up, with Danny Cipriani moving to Gloucester, James Haskell going to Northampton before retiring, Guy Thompson choosing to play for Leicester and Elliot Daly going to Saracens.

"Losing prolific try-scorer Christian Wade to a potential career in the NFL at the start of the 2018-19 season was also a blow.

"But results show that, of their last 46 games in all competitions, Wasps have won just 13 under Young's stewardship."

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Six Nations 2020: France wing Vincent Rattez out of tournament with broken leg

Published in Rugby

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 02:30

France will be without wing Vincent Rattez for their Six Nations game against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, 22 February.

The 27-year-old suffered a broken fibula as France beat Italy 35-22 to go top of the table on Sunday. He will miss the rest of the tournament.

The La Rochelle player came off in the closing moments at Stade de France, leaving France with 14 men.

Rattez later confirmed the fracture via social media.

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

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Townsend 'cannot' pick Russell in this Six Nations - Care

Published in Rugby

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 05:13

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend "cannot pick" fly-half Finn Russell in this Six Nations, says Danny Care.

Russell, who has missed Scotland's first two Six Nations matches for "breaching team protocol", told the Sunday Times he "doesn't have a personal relationship" with Townsend.

England scrum-half Care said Russell had "stoked the fires massively" and put his coach "under pressure".

"Who is more important, player or coach?" Care told Rugby Union Weekly.

"That is an issue Scottish rugby is going to have to deal with because he is their best player.

"He has put a pressure on Gregor Townsend now that I do not think he can possibly pick him."

However, Care says the door may not be permanently shut for the 27-year-old.

"They may be able to mend their bridges when the dust has settled," he added.

"I think if Finn had been on the pitch against England they may have won the game because they will have tried something different to batter down England's line rather than just picking and going.

"Their pack is not as big or as dynamic as England and they got hit backwards."

Those comments are echoed by England winger Chris Ashton, who says the situation would not have happened if the Racing 92 fly-half was still playing at Glasgow Warriors.

"Because he is at Racing, where they love him, and he is playing well with a freedom, he is thinking, 'Why do I have to go and listen to a man I have no respect for?'" he said.

"He is getting paid an awful lot of money compared to what the other Scottish lads are getting, he feels wanted and comfortable and he is loving his rugby in France."

Scotland are fifth in the table after losing their opening two games to Ireland and England, and they face bottom side Italy in their next match on Saturday, 22 February (14:15 GMT).

Townsend, who was expecting to meet with Russell before his side's meeting with the Azzurri, still hopes Russell will play for him again.

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'It's not about you' - Erasmus' pre-final pep talk to Springboks revealed

Published in Rugby

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 05:09

Coach Rassie Erasmus has released footage of his Rugby World Cup final team talk, in which he tells his Springboks their performance against England can change South Africa.

"You don't have the right to worry about your mistakes," Erasmus tells his team in a video on his Twitter account.

"You are not representing yourself.

"You are fighting for the things that happen in South Africa. If you play badly today, you don't have the right to drop your head. It's not about you."

South Africa went on to win November's match 32-12, securing their third world title.

The story of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who grew up in a Port Elizabeth township in such poverty that his favourite toy was a brick, became an emblem of South Africa's victory as they toured their home country with the Webb Ellis trophy.

It was a story Erasmus referenced in the dressing room of the Yokohama Stadium before kick-off.

"You are fighting, Siya, for the next Siya to not suffer like you suffer," he tells his captain. "You are tackling for the boy who didn't get the same opportunities that you got eventually.

"This last week, I've been pressing so hard for you guys to understand that I was never the guy that said you are doing things to give people hope.

"Because first you have to play well. But now you are playing well and now you give hope."

The video finishes with Erasmus again urging his players not to fear making errors in the biggest game of their lives.

"Boys, get yourself into 120 battles and win 80 of them. But don't get yourself in 50 and lose only four," he said.

"Don't worry about your mistakes. I'll worry about your mistakes. If you make too many, I'll tell you and we'll have a beer afterwards and I'll say: 'Bad luck, you didn't have a great game.'"

A media report in South Africa claimed that Erasmus, who was in attendance to watch England's 13-6 Calcutta Cup win over Scotland on Sunday, had met the Rugby Football Union to discuss the possibility of taking over from England coach Eddie Jones when the Australian's contract expires in 2021.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney subsequently described the reports as "100% inaccurate" and Erasmus appeared to rule out any possibility of taking over from Jones, writing on Twitter that he was "not sure I would know what to say to any other team before a World Cup final. Not happening!!!"

Erasmus has returned to his more strategic role as South Africa's director of rugby in the wake of the team's World Cup triumph with Jacques Nienaber taking over the running of the team. South Africa play two Tests against Scotland in July.

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