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Australian Open 2020: What happens when tennis greats call it a day?

Published in Tennis

Saturday, 18 January 2020 02:06

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki will retire after the Australian Open, calling time on her playing career before she turns 30.

The 2018 Australian Open champion, who won 30 WTA singles titles, plans to focus on her life away from tennis and hopes to start a family.

At 29, it is an early departure for the Dane, who is ranked inside the world's top 40.

But how much do you remember about other tennis stars who decided to hang up their racquet at an early age?

Take our quiz below to find out...

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'I'm pretty fit' - Evans responds to Henman's 'miss a few meals' quip

Published in Tennis

Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:28

British number one Dan Evans says he is happy with his physical condition after Tim Henman suggested he should "miss a few meals" if he wants to break into the world's top 20 players.

Evans, 29, has leapt up the rankings to be seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam in next week's Australian Open.

Henman made the comment after captaining Britain at the ATP Cup, where Evans was the team's best player.

"I'm pretty fit, it's just how I look I guess," said Evans, seeded 30th.

Former world number four Henman, who made a return to top-level tennis after being chosen by Andy Murray to lead Britain, bonded well with Evans during the inaugural tournament held in Australia, where they were beaten by the hosts in the quarter-finals.

Evans won three of his four matches, including impressive victories over Belgium world number 11 David Goffin and Australia's world number 18 Alex de Minaur.

That prompted Henman to say the world number 33 had the ability to break into the top 20 if he looks after himself better off the court.

"Just because you were a good tennis player doesn't mean you're an expert in all fields," Evans told BBC Sport.

"Tim has plenty of opinions, that was his opinion on this subject and I'll leave him to it."

Nevertheless, Evans said he still wants to lean on Henman, who had a similar playing style, in the future after their success together at the ATP Cup.

"If I see him I'll ask him stuff, he was really good and a big help," Evans added.

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Turn Of The Decade: Mima Ito eyes up world domination

Published in Table Tennis

Saturday, 18 January 2020 00:52

History maker to world beater

Born Saturday 21st October 2000, Mima Ito has just entered the final year of her teens but has already become somewhat of a seasoned veteran on the international table tennis scene having represented her country on the biggest of stages for a good decade already.

Ito caught the eye young from a very young age, most notably with her run of record-breaking performances: the youngest player to win a match at the Japanese National Championships aged 10, Ito also became the youngest ITTF Junior Circuit event champion with victory at the 2011 Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open. Named Breakthrough Star of the Year at the 2015 ITTF Star Awards, Ito also set a new record for becoming the youngest table tennis player to win an Olympic Games medal as she helped Japan to women’s team bronze at Rio 2016.

Now, Ito has developed into one of Japan and the world’s finest competitors with the trophy collection to support.

Fine tally, but still room for improvement

Notably, when it comes to Ito’s record in team competitions, the readings are also most impressive: in addition to her bronze medal finish at Rio 2016, Ito has reached the second step of the medal podium with Japan at the World Team Championships and Team World Cup twice at both events. Ito has also proven to be a valuable asset in doubles having won two golds at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and, alongside Hina Hayata, emerging as runner up at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships.

On an individual note, Ito’s achievements are equally most impressive, either having already acquired seven women’s singles trophies on the ITTF World Tour and being the sole player from outside of China to secure such a title in 2019 with her victory in Linz. In 2019 alone, Ito claimed victory over the likes of Zhu Yuling, Ding Ning, Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha!

However, if there’s one area Ito is fully to leave her mark on it’s the so-called big stage. A quarter-finalist at the 2015 World Championships and the same again at the 2016 Women’s World Cup, Ito hasn’t been able to surpass those results at either. Perhaps fate is beginning to shift in her favour after successfully taking home bronze at the Agricultural Bank of China 2019 World Tour Grand Finals last month.

Changing of the guard

Excitingly Ito is set to make her Olympic singles debut this year, and what better place to do so than in front of a passionate set of home fans at Tokyo 2020? It presents perhaps Japan’s best opportunity to land its first ever gold medal at the event – Ito has shown time and again that she can topple the very best and you can imagine the momentous scenes if she was to go all the way in the Japanese capital.

Regardless of whether she makes history or not in Tokyo, Ito’s long-term future is looking most promising and the big goal is clear for all the see. China is undoubtedly the nation to beat in the women’s game with all eight Olympic singles golds and the last 13 World Championships titles belonging to the nation. Having beaten the very best China has to offer, with the exception of Chen Meng, Ito is clearly the one player who provides the biggest threat to Chinese superiority.

Ito has more than enough skill and tenacity to see off anyone on her day and is always in contention for whatever trophy lies in front of her. There’s no denying that on potential alone she has a great opportunity to lead Japan right to the very top once again and could well develop into a dominant force in the years to come.

It’s still early days in the new decade but gazing into a crystal ball, one can only ask the question: who will be the player leading the pack over the next decade – could it be Mima Ito?

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Shock winner in Rabat, repeat performance for Olajide Omotayo in Gondomar?

Published in Table Tennis

Saturday, 18 January 2020 01:40

In Rabat, the 24 year old exceeded all expectations, at the quarter-final stage of the men’s singles event he accounted for Egypt’s Ahmed Ali Saleh, before ending the hopes of colleague Segun Toriola and Quadri Aruna to seal the title; in Gondomar both Segun Toriola and Quadri Aruna appear on the team sheet as does Bode Abiodun alongside Taiwo Mati.

A challenge met in Rabat, the challenge in Gondomar is just as demanding. At the ZEN-NOH 2019 Team World Cup in Tokyo, Nigeria finished in third place in their initial phase group behind China and Chinese Taipei. Now at the 2020 ITTF World Team Qualification Tournament, Nigeria occupies the no.14 seeded position.

Only nine places available for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it is tough task but in the past Nigeria has proved an ability to respond. Memorably, without Quadri Aruna in the selection, they beat England to reach the men’s team final at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Aware of task

Olajide Omotayo is aware of the huge task ahead at an event that could prove a watershed in his career.

“It’s a difficult task ahead of us but we have what it takes to qualify. Nigeria is ranked number 16 in the world; I know with time we will get better and better.

I have never featured at any Olympics in my life; this will be the first time I am even going to play at any Olympic qualification tournament. Playing at the Olympic Games means a lot to me because it is the biggest sporting event on this planet and I have always dreamt of participating at the Olympics since I was child.

Now that I have the opportunity to play at the qualification tournament, I’m going to give it my all and make sure I give my 100 per cent best. I have been putting in a lot of work ever since I moved to Belgium National Training Center in Blegny. The members of the team are also ready to put up a good fight in Portugal.

My target is to improve my standard and attend more tournaments as possible. I must also admit that table tennis has given a lot in terms of exposure; an opportunity to have a better life and also self-discipline. I have travelled to so many countries and also have the privilege to have friends almost everywhere I go.”

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Team China prepare for Tokyo with military training

Published in Table Tennis

Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:05

Starting from Monday 13th January 2020 until Saturday 18th January 2020, the Chinese national table tennis team, including the likes of Xu Xin, Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, reported for a stringent military training regime.

This is a popular method of getting ready for the most important year of table tennis ahead, as they have previously entered into a troop of Shenyang Military Region over the years to start the week-long military training with CTTA President, Liu Guoliang.

“We have a tough task for Tokyo 2020. We have a very big challenge ahead. I hope that through the military training, we can improve our fighting spirit and team spirit. It will be helpful for our preparations leading up to Tokyo. This time, not only players, but also our coaches and association staff will join the military training as well. They are all part of Team China” – Liu Guoliang

Having succeeded with much vigour at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, this training was a major part of their preparations. Similarly, this year the top paddlers entered the camp and found the training subjects arranged for them by the artillery unit were very different from those they received in the past.

In what is both a matter of pride and passion, China’s athletes were put to the test over a variety of activities, ranging from proper military cardio drills to escorting the Chinese national flag during the graduation ceremony of the military camp.

“As I said before, we need to strengthen our team spirit to become a better united team. We set very strict and high standards for this training. We hope our players can endure the hardships and stand up to the hard work required.” – Liu Guoliang

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Harlequins end Champions Cup campaign with defeat

Published in Rugby

Saturday, 18 January 2020 13:37

Harlequins' Heineken Champions Cup season came to an end with a narrow defeat against Clermont, who boosted their chances of a home quarter-final.

Peter Betham's try took Clermont ahead in the second minute but Luke Northmore levelled the scores.

Apisai Naqalevu scored a try and Morgan Parra a penalty to regain Clermont's lead, before Alex Dombrandt crossed.

Parra claimed nine more points from the tee before Brett Herron's try reduced the deficit again.

Clermont could finish as one of the top four teams, giving them a home quarter-final, if one of Racing 92 or Toulouse lose their final pool games, while Quins were already out of contention and finish third in Pool Three.

Dombrandt shines again despite defeat

Quins lost 53-21 when they played at Clermont in November and it initially looked as though it could be another difficult afternoon at The Stoop.

The visitors took just two minutes to strike as Camille Lopez's cross-field kick found wing Betham, but Quins hit back almost immediately when Northmore managed to keep hold of Dombrandt's pass to sprint over.

Parra sent the ball left from the base of the ruck and Lopez found centre Naqalevu, who had plenty of room to dive across the tryline.

The hosts' forwards kept Quins in the fight as they drove a maul over, with man of the match Dombrandt - who is expected to be named in England's Six Nations squad next week - dotting down.

Parra's three penalties - Quins conceded 11 in total - extended Clermont's lead after the break before a moment of individual brilliance from Herron, who chased his own kick to score his first Champions Cup try.

But it was not enough to help the hosts to victory and there was further bad news as Northmore left the field injured, deepening Quins' injury woes.

'We're almost there' - what they said

Harlequins captain James Chisholm:

"We've picked up some good momentum in the last couple of weeks to take it back into the Premiership.

"I feel we played really well and we're almost there in terms of winning big games like this."

Line-ups

Harlequins: Morris; R Chisholm, Northmore, Penny, Murley; Herron, Landajo; Marler, Musk, Collier, Young, Cavubati , Lamb, J Chisholm (c), Dombrandt.

Replacements: Riley, Auterac, Sinckler, Freeman, Kunatani, Saunders, Smith, Ibitoye.

Clermont Auvergne: Abendanon; Penaud, Toeava, Naqalevu, Raka; Lopez, Parra (c); Falgoux, Ulugia, Slimani, Timani, Vahaamahina, Fischer, Lapandry, Iturria.

Replacements: Beheregaray, Uhila, Falatea, Jedrasiak, Levave, Laidlaw, McIntyre, Betham.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

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Exeter secure home Champions Cup quarter-final

Published in Rugby

Saturday, 18 January 2020 13:38

Exeter secured a first home Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final with a bonus-point win against La Rochelle.

Luke Cowan-Dickie's try was a promising start for Chiefs and La Rochelle responded through Kini Murimurivalu.

Dave Ewers regained the lead for Exeter but his work was undone when the French side were given a penalty try after Stuart Hogg's deliberate knock-on.

Sam Simmonds' two tries earned the bonus point, before Stu Townsend added a fifth to seal victory.

The result means Exeter are guaranteed to finish as one of the top four seeds, meaning their quarter-final will take place at Sandy Park.

Exeter pull away in second half

Exeter had clinched their spot in the last eight with last week's draw at Glasgow and looked intent on maintaining their unbeaten Champions Cup record from the outset.

The hosts formed a maul off a line-out, allowing Cowan-Dickie to score, but La Rochelle - who were already out of contention in the Champions Cup - soon hit back.

The French side were awarded a scrum under the posts and sent the ball left to Murimurivalu, who barrelled his way through three Chiefs defenders for his try.

Exeter flanker Ewers then picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and scrambled over the line before Hogg was given a yellow card for the deliberate knock-on that led to La Rochelle's penalty try, leaving the scores level at half-time.

Exeter started strongly after the break, taking a quick penalty to give Simmonds the chance to dive over and take them ahead once more.

The hosts then drove a scrum across the tryline to allow Simmonds to claim his second try before Townsend finished off an attack which started from 70m out to put Exeter firmly out of reach.

Chiefs could book a potential semi-final at Sandy Park too if this win betters both Racing 92 and Toulouse's results in their respective fixtures against Saracens and Gloucester on Sunday.

'A home quarter-final is hugely satisfying' - what they said

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said:

"It is hugely satisfying [to be at home in the quarter-finals]. It gives us everything we want out of the competition, which is an opportunity for as many of our supporters to watch it as possible, and it obviously cuts down on the travelling.

"When you get to the last eight in Europe, you are not going to have an easy game. There is not going to be a team that is not quality. It's going to be a humdinger, whoever we play."

Line-ups

Exeter Chiefs: Hogg; Nowell, Whitten, Hill, Woodburn; J Simmonds, Maunder; Hepburn, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Dennis (c), Hill, Ewers, Vermeulen, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Taione, Moon, Pieretto Heiland, Kirsten, Kvesic, Townsend, Steenson, Devoto.

La Rochelle: Rattez; Murimurivalu, Doumayrou, Aguillon, Retiere; West, Berjon; Priso, Bourgarit, Atonio, Sazy (c), Leroux,Timani, Kieft, Alldritt.

Replacements: Bosch, Aouf, Puafisi, Lavault, Liebenberg, Bales, James, Roudil.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

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Northampton keep quarter-final hopes alive

Published in Rugby

Saturday, 18 January 2020 13:35

Northampton claimed a late bonus-point victory at Lyon, keeping their hopes of reaching the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals alive.

Lyon led at the break after tries from Felix Lambey and Liam Gill, though Mikey Haywood also crossed.

The lead changed hands twice as Saints' Teimana Harrison and Cobus Reinach and Lyon's Charlie Ngatai scored.

But George Furbank and James Fish's tries moved Saints into the runners-up qualification spots.

The five pool winners and three best-placed runners-up will advance to the knockout stages.

Northampton finish the pool stage on 19 points, but could still be pushed out of the last eight by Saracens and Gloucester, who are yet to play their final group games.

Lyon were out of contention before the match and end the pool stage third in their group.

Saints recover after another slow start

Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd made 10 changes for the fixture against Lyon after apologising for his side's performance against Benetton last weekend.

That did not aid Saints in an uneventful first 20 minutes, but they were given a helping hand when Lyon prop Francisco Gomez Kodela was shown a yellow card for driving in before line-out jumper Lewis Ludlam had landed.

Northampton, who last reached the Champions Cup knockout stages in 2016, capitalised on the man advantage and drove over shortly after for hooker Haywood to score.

Lyon hit back almost immediately as Scottish scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne found a gap and sent the ball inside to Lambey, who dived across the tryline under the posts.

With the hosts restored to 15 men, Gill took a quick penalty from five metres out and caught Northampton's defence off guard to claim Lyon's second try.

Lyon fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski added to his two conversions with a penalty on half-time to take his side in with a 17-5 lead.

But Northampton, who are second in the Premiership, got off to an ideal start in the second half as number eight Harrison scrambled over from short range.

Reinach sprinted on to a Dan Biggar kick and scored to give Saints the lead, before Ngatai turned the tables as he stepped through defenders for his try, with Wisniewski's conversion taking Lyon ahead again.

But full-back Furbank ran round Lyon wing Xavier Mignot to put Northampton back in control before Fish dealt the final blow, earning Saints their first win in France for nine years.

'The win was a must' - what they said

Northampton co-captain Teimana Harrison: "The win was a must, to come away with five was awesome. It puts us in a really good spot so we're excited.

"We've left it a little late the last couple of weeks."

Line-ups

Lyon: Arnold; Mignot, Tuisova, Ngatai (c), Nakaitaci; Wisniewski, Hidalgo-Clyne; Chiocci, Alkhazashvili, Gomez Kodela, Bruni, Roodt, Cretin, Sobela, Gill.

Replacements: Maurouard, Devisme, Yameogo, Oosthuizen, Lambey, Pelissie, Dumortier, Buttin.

Sin-bin: Gomez Kodela (19)

Northampton Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Dingwall, Symons, Sleightholme; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (c), Haywood, Franks, Moon, Lawes, Wood, Ludlam, Harrison (c).

Replacements: Fish, Van Wyk, Painter, Ratuniyarawa, Coles, Taylor, Hutchinson, Mallinder.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

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Saracens to be relegated from Premiership at end of season

Published in Rugby

Saturday, 18 January 2020 12:43

Reigning champions Saracens will be relegated from rugby union's top flight at the end of this season following persistent salary cap breaches, Premiership Rugby have confirmed.

Sarries had already been deducted 35 points for the current Premiership campaign and fined £5.4m for three seasons' spending above the cap.

Proof of immediate cap compliance was required to avoid further sanctions.

The club will finish this season before entering the Championship for 2020-21.

"Premiership Rugby is prepared to take strong action to enforce the regulations governing fair competition between our clubs," chief executive Darren Childs said.

"At the conclusion of dialogue with Saracens about their compliance with the Salary Cap Regulations, it has been decided that Saracens will be relegated at the end of this season.

"At the same time as enforcing the existing regulations, we want to ensure a level playing field for all clubs in the future, which is why we have asked Lord Myners to carry out an independently-led review of the salary cap."

In the past five years Saracens have dominated both domestically and in Europe, winning four Premiership titles and three European crowns.

This decision also means that should the club successfully retain its European Champions Cup crown, they would not be permitted to defend the title next season.

Their cup campaign continues on Sunday, when they welcome Pool Four leaders Racing 92 to Allianz Park, hoping to better Munster's result and qualify for the knockout phase.

Neil Golding, who took over from Nigel Wray as Saracens chairman earlier this month, said: "I acknowledge the club has made errors in the past and we unreservedly apologise for those mistakes.

"I and the rest of the board are committed to overseeing stringent new governance measures to ensure regulatory compliance going forward."

Premiership Rugby introduced the salary cap in 1999 to ensure the financial viability of all clubs and the competition.

'They had two choices - they took relegation'

Although Saracens' relegation is the punishment some clubs were seeking, there is still a sense of dissatisfaction with the outcome among their fiercest critics.

Exeter Chiefs were beaten by Sarries two years in succession in the Premiership's showpiece final, and their chief executive Tony Rowe is still bitter about how long it has taken the game's authorities to take firm action.

"They've taken relegation," Rowe told BBC Radio Devon following the news. "Let's be very honest about this before people have sympathy with Saracens.

"They had two choices: they could either open up their books so that Premiership Rugby could do a forensic audit of exactly what has gone on, or they could take relegation. So it was their choice not to open up their books.

"Premiership Rugby - all the chairmen - we just want to move on. It was their opportunity to open up everything to the salary cap people, or take relegation. They have decided to take relegation."

He added: "We just want to move on. They have cheated. And I'm just a bit upset it has taken so long to do this. At the moment they are still picking their team each week largely from the squad they had last year which is still in breach of the salary cap. They have been asked by the rest of the Premiership clubs to reduce that (the squad) back as well.

"Everybody has had their suspicions for a long time. Five years ago they were hauled over the coals for similar offences. We just want a level playing field. Every club just wants the same opportunity and chances and let's hope we get back to that."

Asked whether Saracens should be allowed to keep their titles, he replied: "I'm not sure about that. There is still some more to come out and I'm not privy to talk about that at the moment."

Dilemma for star names

The move calls into question the futures of the club's international stars, such as England players Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje, given the need to trim the wage bill and the fact the club will no longer be competing in elite competition, both domestically and continentally.

While the Rugby Football Union have confirmed that players operating in the Championship will be eligible for England duty, financial constraints could make it difficult for the club to retain the services of their elite personnel.

One issue the players themselves may find is that potential suitors among other clubs have already put much of their recruitment for next season in place and already spent a large extent of their cap.

The other concern is that a move to France's Top 14, a regular destination for top-level southern hemisphere talent and rugby league converts from the Australasian National Rugby League, may be a potentially lucrative option.

Such a move would guarantee elite-level competition but would also rule out international representative rugby as the RFU will only select home-based talent.

Thus far, Scarlets-bound full-back Liam Williams is the only confirmed departure from the club, and the Wales international was due to end his contract at Saracens at the end of the season in any event.

Analysis

BBC Rugby Union correspondent Chris Jones

This is an extraordinary story - the biggest in English club rugby history - as the Saracens dynasty dramatically crumbles.

Who knows what would have happened if the club had taken a different approach back in November, when they met the initial punishment with indignation rather than contrition - a stance that infuriated their rivals.

But with the club still breaching the cap in January, Saracens and Premiership Rugby have come to what appears to be a negotiated settlement, with the club accepting relegation.

However, while there is finally confirmation of their fate, the questions still come thick and fast: namely, what on earth happens to this star-studded squad between now and next season?

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PHOTOS: Chili Bowl Vacuworx Qualifying Night

Published in Racing

Saturday, 18 January 2020 07:00

How to Watch the Chili Bowl:

LIVE From the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Presented by MyRacePass – Story Index Page
News, analysis, interviews, behind-the-scenes and more – updated throughout each day.

LIVE PPV Streaming Broadcast – Racinboys.com
Monday – Saturday coverage

LIVE Television Broadcast – MAVTV.com
Saturday, Jan. 18th at 8:30pm EST

LIVE Timing and Scoring – MyRacePass
https://www.myracepass.com/app

SPEED SPORT’s Chili Bowl coverage is presented by MyRacePass, the official timing and scoring app of the 2020 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Fans can download the MyRacePass app on their phones to follow all the action during the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. For more information on MyRacePass, visit www.myracepass.com and use the hashtag #GetTheApp on Twitter!

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