The British marathon champion has been running in heat chambers and out in Dubai to get ready for the IAAF World Championships in Doha

Charlotte Purdue admits that the conditions she faced at the Great Britain holding camp in Dubai were a lot more challenging than she expected but the 28-year-old adds that running there, and undertaking heat chamber sessions, has left her feeling as prepared as possible for the IAAF World Championships marathon on Friday night.

The marathon and race walk events at the championships are being held at night to avoid the worst of the heat out on the roads of Doha, but temperatures are still expected to be over 30C, with humidity forecast at 60%.

Purdue has pushed her days back in preparation for the start time of one minute to midnight, but says the real challenge will be the humidity.

“I’m glad I came out to Dubai because the conditions are a lot more challenging than I first thought,” Purdue explained as she sat down with AW at the team preparation camp in the UAE. “I didn’t really think the humidity would be as high as it has been out here, which has taken a bit of getting used to, but every day I feel better running.

“If I didn’t come to Dubai and flew straight in I think it would have been a lot tougher,” added the Nic Bideau-coached runner, who moved to third on the UK all-time marathon rankings with her PB of 2:25:38 to win the British title in London in April. “I’m feeling good about the race and it’s going to be the same conditions for everyone, so I’ve just got to give it my all.

“I’ve been running in the heat chamber at St Mary’s (University) twice a week, doing my easy runs in there. It was hot in there but not the humidity. In the heat chamber I actually thought ‘this is hard but I can deal with it’ and then when I came out here I was like ‘oh my gosh, it’s something completely different’. I’m so glad I did come here because it’s really tough, but it’s the same for everyone. I’ve been adapting every day here, trying to run in the evenings as well, so I can get some idea of what it’s going to be like in the race.”

Purdue further proved her fine current form by clocking a half-marathon PB of 68:08 at the SimplyHealth Great North Run earlier this month and now hopes to improve on her 13th-place finish at the 2017 world championships when she races on the loop course along Doha’s Corniche waterfront promenade.

“I always want to win, so I still want to win even though it’s a world champs,” she said. “Obviously I’d like to finish as high up as I can. Two years ago I was 13th so I’d love to improve on that – top 10, top eight, and then you just never know.”

Also getting ready to race in Doha is Purdue’s team-mate Dominic King, who will contest the 50km race walk, and the Olympian emphasised how important it will be to respect the conditions.

“I’m probably apprehensive as to what’s coming but at the same time I know that I have done all the preparation that I possibly can in getting to the start line as fit as possible. Experiencing the heat out in Dubai has been really worthwhile for me,” he said.

“It won’t be about times,” he added, with the men’s and women’s 50km race walk events getting under way at 23:30 local time on Saturday night. “I think it’s really important to respect those conditions.

“I’m hoping to take out a few scalps because I feel like I have prepared as best as I possibly can. In the early stages of the race the position might not be where we want to be but I think for the marathon and walks the back end of the races will be where it will be really testing on the preparation and hopefully I can come through the field as best as I can.”

Speaking at a pre-championships press conference, IAAF president Sebastian Coe explained the extra provisions which have been put in place amid concerns over the extreme conditions.

“We have to be mindful all the time of the welfare of the athletes,” he said. “We have a medical team that will monitor those conditions all the time.

“It has given us an opportunity to undertake a lot of work around heat management.

“We do recognise that the road events are the events that we need to watch carefully.

“Humidity is really a challenge. We do have extra precautions, we do have extra stuff out on the course – more medical support, more water. But yes, it is going to be tough.”

Nick Kyrgios has received a suspended 16-week ban and $25,000 (£20,300) fine for "aggravated behaviour", subject to a six-month probationary period.

The Australian smashed two racquets in a bad-tempered Cincinnati Masters defeat by Karen Khachanov in August.

He was later fined $113,000 (£93,254) for five separate offences.

However an ATP investigation determined Kyrgios' "pattern of behaviour" over the past 12 months to be in violation of the governing body's code.

Both fine and suspension will be triggered if the 24-year-old does not comply with certain conditions - including avoiding any further code violations incurring a fine.

"Everyone, I can still play," wrote Kyrgios on social media. "I'm just on probation.

"I just have to keep a lid on my behaviour, that's all."

At the end of August Kyrgios was warned by umpire James Keothavong for his conduct during his US Open first-round match, and later, when asked about his fine in Cincinnati, claimed the ATP was corrupt .

He then clarified those comments, adding it was "not the correct choice of words" - although he believed the ATP was guilty of "double standards".

A second investigation into those comments, allowing for Kyrgios' clarification, found no violation had occurred.

In May, he was fined after he kicked a bottle, threw down his racquet and hurled a chair before defaulting in the final set of a match at the Italian Open.

A month later, he was fined £13,766 for unsportsmanlike behaviour at Queen's.

He previously received an eight-week ban for his behaviour at the Shanghai Masters when his level of effort during a defeat by Mischa Zverev was questioned.

With Thursday's decision, any further verbal or physical abuse, unsportsmanlike conduct or any visible obscenity directed towards an official at an ATP Tour or ATP Challenger Tour event will result in a ban.

He has been given five working days to lodge an appeal.

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Any suspension served immediately was likely to have had little effect.

Kyrgios has just withdrawn from the remainder of his scheduled events in Asia, and is heading back to Australia for treatment on a collarbone injury, so may barely feature before the end of the season.

That, in turn, will help him to keep his nose clean, as the conditions imposed on him are stringent.

The way Kyrgios treats people, and the lack of respect he shows them, has become a dominant theme.

And so any verbal or physical abuse of umpires, line judges or spectators will see the punishment enforced in full.

Kyrgios will also be banned for 16 weeks if he makes a visible obscenity, or shows unsportsmanlike conduct like spitting towards an official.

The six-month probationary period will not end before 30 March.

Lawn Tennis Association president Martin Corrie has resigned after an investigation found the way a committee he was on dealt with a sexual assault allegation was "not good enough".

An independent investigation criticised Hertfordshire LTA's handling of an allegation made in 2004 by a player against a coach, relating to the 1990s.

Corrie was a member of Hertfordshire's Executive Committee at the time.

He temporarily stood down as LTA president in March 2018.

Corrie, who will not face a full disciplinary hearing after resigning, admitted the matter should have been handled differently at the time.

The LTA "sincerely apologised" for its failings.

The independent investigation found that the communication between the LTA and Hertfordshire LTA was "not good enough" during the 2004-05 investigation into the allegation.

The accused coach was sanctioned and his licence to coach children was revoked following an LTA enquiry in 2005.

"The independent investigation established failings in the way the matter was handled between the LTA and the Hertfordshire LTA Executive Committee, for which we sincerely apologise," said LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd in a statement.

"We will continually work to improve safeguarding standards and provide support to any members of the tennis community with concerns."

Britain's Andy Murray said he played "only top-70, top-60 level" tennis as he lost to Alex de Minaur in the last 16 of the Zhuhai Championships.

Former world number one Murray - now ranked 413 after returning from hip surgery - won the first set against the Australian in China.

But the 32-year-old slipped to a 4-6 6-2 6-4 defeat by the world number 31.

"Physically, I was struggling," he said. "My level dropped off a little bit and he capitalised on that."

Murray won two matches on the lower-level Challenger Tour at the Rafa Nadal Open last month.

But Tuesday's three-set win over Tennys Sandgren in the first round of the Zhuhai Championships was his first singles victory on the ATP Tour since January.

"My body held up well after two pretty long matches but the rest of my body is just tired," Murray said.

"I wasn't able to sustain it for long enough. I played one or two good points, but then I was trying to finish the points a little bit early and shot selection goes down when you're tired."

Seventh seed De Minaur will now face Borna Coric in the quarter-finals after the Croat beat China's Wu Di 6-3 6-3.

Also in China, fellow Briton Dan Evans lost 5-7 5-7 to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in last 16 at the Chengdu Open.

Women's world number one Ashleigh Barty is through to the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open after beating Croat Petra Martic 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-3.

The Australian, 23, will face Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final after the Belarusian won 6-3 1-6 6-1 against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina.

World number seven Petra Kvitova beat Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-4 to set up a semi-final clash with Alison Riske after the American upset world number three Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3.

Carlos Cornes takes out top seed Max Lee
By ZHENG GUAN KNG – Squash Mad Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR – The big guns came out to play but it was teenager Aira Azman who completely stole the show on the second day of the Malaysian Open squash championships.

The 14-year-old, without even a PSA world ranking, was a late entrant to the tournament. But she’s certainly making the most out of it after producing yet another outstanding performance to beat world No. 51 Lee Ka Yi of Hong Kong in the second round at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil on Thursday.

Aira, who turns 15 on Sunday, was really cool and calm beyond her tender years as she bounced back from an opening game loss to complete a 13-15, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 turnaround against world No. 51 Ka Yi.

It’s her second big upset after she had packed off world No. 71 Tessa ter Sluis of Holland in the first round on Wednesday.

“It’s really an unexpected outcome for me. I wasn’t even supposed to play in this tournament but I got a late call-up,” said Aira. “Today I was really just trying to play my best against a senior player. I know that if I want to progress then I just have to go all out.

“I’m really delighted to make it into the quarter-finals. And it’s double the joy since I turn 15 in three more days,” added Aira.

The Kedahan goes on to meet fourth seed Vanessa Chu of Hong Kong in the last eight. World No. 49 Vanessa was convincing in beating Lai Wen Li 11-9, 11-5, 11-7.

There was no joy for sister Aifa, however. The 17-year-old saw her 10-match winning streak on the PSA Tour cut short as she lost to compatriot and defending champion Low Wee Wern.

Former world No. 5 Wee Wern, who is seeded second, made the best of her experience as she claimed an 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 win.

“I’m pleased with this win because Aifa was coming back very strong in the third so I’m happy to close it out in three,” said Wee Wern.

“She’s been in top form and in confidence while I lost a couple of matches here and there so it was really a balance for me to use as much experience I had over her to win.”
The Penangite goes on to meet seventh seed Menna Hamed of Egypt, who edged past Chan Yiwen 14-12, 11-6, 12-10.

“It was quite a big battle. She was up in the first game and I had to stay calm because I know winning the first is always important,” said Menna.

“I was better in the second but the third was really too close as she went 10-8 and I’m glad to get through in the end.”

Also through with an upset is world No. 86 Ooi Kah Yan who showed great resolve as she came from two games down to knock out sixth seed Anna Serme of Czech Republic.

The pint-sized Kah Yan saved match balls in the third and fourth games before coolly holding her nerves to seal an 8-11, 10-12, 14-12, 12-10, 12-10 win in 53 minutes.

The was nearly a major upset but two-time world junior champion and top seed Rowan Elaraby of Egypt survived a fierce challenge against compatriot Hana Ramadan for an 8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4 win.

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In the men’s competition, Spanish pair Edmon Lopez and Carlos Cornes stunned the field to gatecrash into the last eight.

World No. 59 Lopez was on song as he defeated eighth seed Karim El Hammamy of Egypt 11-5, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8.

“It’s a good win for me. I played well, played solid against Karim whom I’ve never beaten before so I’m happy with my performance,” said Lopez who meets another Egyptian in third seed Youssef Soliman next.

World No. 80 Cornes on the other hand delivered a huge upset by taking down top seed and world No. 26 Max Lee of Hong Kong 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9.

“It’s massive for me. I know that on the day rankings don’t matter and it’s just who’s hungrier to win. I was really hungry to win today and I’ll be hungrier tomorrow,” said Cornes.

The Spaniard goes to meet Portugal’s Rui Soares, who also scored an upset by knocking out seventh seed Mahesh Mangaonkar of India 11-13, 11-9, 1-11, 11-5, 11-7. It was an astonishing scoreline, with Mangaonkar dominating the third game but then unable to repeat that form as Soares regrouped.

The Malaysian challenge, meanwhile, will be carried out by Ng Eain Yow and Ivan Yuen, with the pair both notching convincing victories.

Fourth seed Eain Yow was too good for Hong Kong’s Henry Leung as he strolled to an 11-2, 11-5, 11-2 win.

Fifth seed Ivan on the other hand was purely business as he dispatched surprise package Ong Sai Hung 11-3, 11-7, 11-2.

Eain Yow goes on to meet Pakistan’s Tayyab Aslam, who knocked out Syafiq Kamal, while Yuen will have a daunting task against second seed Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland

Malaysian Open 2019, Bukit Jalil National Squash Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Men’s $30k Second Round:
[9/16] Carlos Cornes (ESP) bt [1] Max Lee (HKG) 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 (40m)
Rui Soares (POR) bt [7] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 11-13, 11-9, 1-11, 11-5, 11-7 (61m)
[6] Tayyab Aslam (PAK) bt Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 11-4, 20-18, 7-11, 11-8 (61m)
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [9/16] Henry Leung (HKG) 11-2, 11-5, 11-2 (30m)
[3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt [9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 13-11, 11-7, 11-3 (43m)
[9/16] Edmon Lopez (ESP) bt [8] Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 11-5, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8 (53m)
[5] Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt [WC] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) 11-3, 11-7, 11-2 (22m)
[2] Nicolas Müller (SUI) bt Lau Tsz Kwan (HKG) 11-5, 11-13, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4 (48m)

Quarter Finals:
[9/16] Carlos Cornes (ESP) v Rui Soares (POR)
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) v [6] Tayyab Aslam (PAK)
[3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) v [9/16] Edmon Lopez (ESP)
[2] Nicolas Müller (SUI) v [5] Ivan Yuen (MAS)

Women’s $20k Second Round:
[1] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [9/16] Hana Ramadan (EGY) 8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4 (47m)
[8] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt [9/16] Farah Momen (EGY) 11-3, 11-5, 13-11 (26m)
[9/16] Ooi Kah Yan (MAS) bt [6] Anna Serme (CZE) 8-11, 10-12, 14-12, 12-10, 12-10 (53m)
[3] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Tanvi Khanna (IND) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (24m)
[4] Vanessa Chu (HKG) bt [9/16] Lai Wen Li (MAS) 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 (25m)
Aira Azman (MAS) bt [5] Lee Ka Yi (HKG) 13-15, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (43m)
[7] Menna Hamed (EGY) bt [WC] Chan Yiwen (MAS) 14-12, 11-6, 12-10 (34m)
[2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [WC] Aifa Azman (MAS) 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 (33m)

Quarter Finals:
[1] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) v [8] Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
[3] Rachel Arnold (MAS) v [9/16] Ooi Kah Yan (MAS)
[4] Vanessa Chu (HKG) v Aira Azman (MAS)
[2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v [7] Menna Hamed (EGY)

Pictures courtesy of ZHENG GUAN KNG

Banned Australia winger Reece Hodge said he had no knowledge of World Rugby's new guidance on high tackles.

He was given a three-match ban for a dangerous challenge on Peceli Yato in Australia's win over Fiji.

World Rugby said: "The player conceded he had no effective knowledge of World Rugby's 'Decision making framework for high tackles'.

"[He said] had not been trained on it... because [his] tackles are mainly in the waist to knees area."

Hodge will miss the remaining pool games with Wales, Uruguay and Georgia.

Yato had scored the game's opening try but after Hodge's tackle in the 25th minute he failed a Head Injury Assessment and had to be replaced.

The ban was reduced from six games because of "Hodge's exemplary disciplinary record, good character and conduct at the hearing".

The Australian escaped on-field punishment before going on to score his side's second try in their comeback win, and Fiji head coach John McKee said losing the impressive Yato so early "was a big loss ".

England coach Eddie Jones joked Owen Farrell was "missing half his nose" after a shoulder charge by John Quill saw the United States flanker sent off in England's 45-7 win.

Quill received the first red card of the tournament when he made contact with Farrell's head in the second half.

But the England talisman stayed on the pitch as his side completed a seven-try thrashing in Kobe.

"I'm sure his nose is out there," Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I don't think he [John Quill] deliberately tried to take Owen [Farrell] out but he ended up hitting his head."

It follows Australian winger Reece Hodge's three-game ban after being cited for a no-arms tackle on Fiji's Peceli Yato, and Samoa centre Rey Lee-lo, whose yellow card for a high tackle on Russia captain Vasily Artemyev has also been upgraded to a three-match ban.

Former England international Lewis Moody said Quill's challenge was a "classic American football-style tackle where you lead with the shoulder".

"After all the conversation around high tackles the referee was only going to go one way," Moody told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It was clear red card and it sets a precedent for the rest of the tournament."

While Quill was shown a straight red card, England centre Piers Francis avoided any on-field punishment, but could also be cited after a high challenge on Will Hooley.

"Piers [Francis] went in to make a tackle and there is not one player in our team who deliberately tackles high," said Jones.

"We will leave all of that to the judicial process and we are happy to take whatever they give us."

After a laboured win against Tonga on Sunday, England's World Cup campaign gathered pace in hot and humid conditions.

Captain George Ford broke free to score under the posts before Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie claimed tries from rolling mauls.

Joe Cokanasiga crossed twice in the second half and Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam both scored their first World Cup tries.

England could have had more, but handling errors denied them an even greater scoreline, something Jones put down to humidity.

"It was like a wet-weather game," he added. "But we found our rhythm and tempo really well in the second half.

"We will improve. They are quite unique conditions, it's 27C and it's 70% humidity. The ball is like a cake of soap because we know we have got good players who can catch and pass, so it must be something else."

'Argentina are a difficult team to beat'

Things will only get tougher from here as England prepare to face Argentina on 5 October before their final pool game against France.

But they may be buoyed by the return of prop Mako Vunipola and wing Jack Nowell, who will both undergo a "tough session" on Friday to test whether they are ready to play again.

"Can we play better?" Jones said. "Yes. We'll need to play better in our next game.

"We understand Argentina are going to be playing for their life. They're a passionate, proud rugby country.

"It's going to be important that we match their passion and play with control. They're a difficult team to beat."

'A calamity in Kobe'

United States head coach Gary Gold, who has worked at Premiership sides Bath and Worcester, struggled to find positives despite a late try from Bryce Campbell.

He also did not seem in any doubt that the decision to give Quill a red card was the right one.

"You're not allowed to make contact with the head and you certainly need to use the arms," he explained. "He didn't do either.

"We were taught a lesson today. We lost every single aspect of the game. That's what happens when you play world-class teams - they punish you very badly.

"It was a bit of a calamity in Kobe tonight. We're not better than England but we're a better team than that."

Analysis

Former World Cup winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson, on BBC Radio 5 Live

John Quill is absolutely shattered and he has just had a blip in the mind. It is cut and dry and no-one can argue that it wasn't a red card. He knew he was in trouble.

The highlight for me was England's discipline. I think there were only three penalties that were all in the first half. It is in stark contrast to where they were last week and the team needed to move on.

If they can get anywhere near four or five penalties against Argentina, they will blow them away. If they keep progressing like that, they are going to be a difficult team to beat.

Harlequins and England scrum-half Danny Care on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think anyone will begrudge the United States that try at the end. Referee Nic Berry did a great job of owning the game and making the big decisions - England will be quite happy with that.

Jonny May will definitely come back in [against Argentina], especially as England will kick more. Jonny has made that chase his own - he is genuinely rapid. If Jack Nowell is fit I'd throw him in. He's got something different to the other wingers out there.

MONTREAL – Alex Guénette will once again sub for a sidelined Alex Tagliani this weekend in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series season finale at Jukasa Motor Speedway.

The 23-year old from Terrebonne, Quebec, will be making his 19th NASCAR Pinty’s Series start, his second-straight at the wheel of the No. 18 EpiPen/RONA/St Hubert/Spectra Premium Chevrolet.

Last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Guénette posted the best result of his Pinty’s Series season with a seventh place finish for Team 22 Racing.

“The healing process is almost complete, and I was mentally ready to return to competition at Jukasa,” said Alex Tagliani, who is recovering from a minor myocarditis viral infection. “But on second thought, I realized that I nothing to prove this season except preserving our fourth place standing in the owner’s championship, something that can be achieve by Alex Guénette.

“It is best for me to continue on the road to recovery and rest until the date set by my physician, so I don’t suffer any after-effects. The risk of violent contact while driving my car could endanger and lengthen the healing process. I would rather close the book on this season and start training for the next one when I get the green light from my doctor. But really, there was no other option.”