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Konta advances at French Open for first time

Published in Tennis

Monday, 27 May 2019 07:01

British number one Johanna Konta says she stopped herself "overthinking" in the win that sent her into round two of the French Open for the first time.

Konta, seeded 26th, won 6-4 6-4 against German world number 147 Antonia Lottner.

She had lost her four previous first-round matches at Roland Garros.

"Obviously, it's nice to have won a main-draw match here," the 28-year-old said. "But I have never doubted my ability on the surface."

Konta took her first match point when Lottner could not return a thumping backhand, setting up a second-round match against American wildcard Lauren Davis.

The former Wimbledon semi-finalist is the first Briton through at Roland Garros, with men's number one Kyle Edmund meeting France's Jeremy Chardy later on Monday.

Compatriots Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans play their opening matches on Tuesday.

End of Konta's barren run

Konta, who won qualifying matches at Roland Garros in 2013 and 2014, said her barren main-draw run had not been playing on her mind.

Yet the importance of finally getting over the line against Lottner - ranked 121 places below and making her Roland Garros debut - was abundantly clear.

"It is in human nature to have doubts and negative thoughts. There are plenty of stats on that, that we have more negative thoughts than positive ones," she told BBC Sport.

"But I think it was more about me trusting my habits, giving me the space to miss and the space to just play."

On paper, it should have been a formality given the 28-year-old's superb clay-court season leading up to the second Grand Slam of the year.

Konta reached WTA finals at the Morocco Open and the more prestigious Rome Masters, racking up wins against Grand Slam champions Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams, plus world number four Kiki Bertens, on the way.

Rediscovering a potent first serve has been key to her recent success, although it deserted the Briton in a strange opening set where there were seven breaks of serve.

A first-serve percentage down at 62% was hampered further by only winning 56% of these points, although it proved to matter little because of equally erratic serving from the other end.

The second set was completely contrasting.

Apart from Konta being unable to convert two break points for a 3-1 lead, chances were rarely offered as both players regained composure in their service games.

Out of nowhere, Lottner rustled up a pair of break points for a 5-4 lead, only for former world number four Konta to save them with a big first serve followed by a backhand winner.

Lottner saw another chance disappear with an unforced error and that proved vital as Konta - backed by a typically strong British support in Paris - held before breaking for victory in what proved to be the final game.

"I had to trust myself in giving me some opportunities, my opponent was tricky because she didn't give much rhythm," Konta added.

"There was a lot of time to think, or overthink, but I did a good job of not doing that."

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

However well Johanna Konta has been playing on clay this year, four previous Roland Garros first-round defeats were bound to play on her mind.

She was not at her most fluent on serve, and was broken three times in the opening set.

But when the chips were down, and Konta was facing two break points at 4-4 all in the second set, her resolve strengthened - and she was soon back in the locker room.

A second-round match lies ahead with Lauren Davis, who is currently outside the world's top 100. But the 25-year-old is in the draw because of recent performances on clay, which earned her the wildcard reserved for an American player.

BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women's sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women's sport and alter perceptions. Find out more here.

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Nadal beats Hanfmann to move in French Open second round

Published in Tennis

Monday, 27 May 2019 06:49

Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets to reach the French Open second round.

The second seed, chasing a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title, beat the world number 180 6-2 6-1 6-3.

After saving four break points in the first game, 17-time Grand Slam winner Nadal dominated throughout.

The 32-year-old won his first title since August at the Italian Open earlier in May.

Nadal will face German qualifier Yannick Maden in the second round.

Despite dominating clay-court tournaments in the build-up to the French Open in previous years, the win in Rome was Nadal's only 2019 final on the red dirt.

But, after a slow start in the opening game, the Spaniard looked increasingly comfortable on his favourite surface as he claimed the first set.

Hanfmann won just one point in the first three games of the second, but recovered to hold his next service game.

Nadal soon got another break to go 5-1 up, though, and quickly wrapped up the second set.

The German 27-year-old showed impressive composure as he saved two break points at 1-1 in the final set, but Nadal was successful on his third attempt.

The two-time Wimbledon champion increased the pressure at 5-3 to break Hanfmann's serve again and close out the match.

Elsewhere, French world number 43 Pierre-Hugues Herbert gave the home crowd something to cheer about when he came from two sets down to beat Russian 12th seed Daniil Medvedev 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5.

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Chile heads seeding, women outnumber men

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 26 May 2019 22:42

In the men’s team event Chile selects from Manuel Moya, Nicolas Burgos, Andres Martinez and Gustavo Gomez; in the counterpart women’s competition from Paulina Vega, Daniela Ortega, Judith Morales and Valentina Rios.

Cuba, represented by Andy Pereira, Jorge Campos, Livan Martinez and Carlos Hernandez represents the major challenge to Chilean ambitions in the men’s team event; for the women, Colombia in the guise of Paula Medina, Maria Perdomo and Cory Tellez occupy the second seeded spot.

Notably in both events, the Dominican Republic reserves the third seeded position. Emil Santos, Samuel Galvez, Isaac Vila and Mariano Lockward form the men’s team; the women’s selection comprises Eva Brito, Yasiris Ortiz, Esmerlyn Castro and Dahyana Rojas.

Play in the men’s team and women’s team events concludes on the third day of action, the day that signals the start of both the men’s singles and women’s singles events. The men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles events start one day later.

Emil Santos heads the men’s singles seeding followed by Gustavo Gomez, Andy Pereira, and Jorge Campos; in the women’s singles Paula Medina is the top seed with Paulina Vega and Daniela Ortega being the next in line, Guatemala’s Mebelyn Enriquez completes the top four names.

Meanwhile, Jorge Campos and Andy Pereira alongside Samuel Galvez and Emil Santos occupy the respective top two men’s doubles seeded positions; the top women’s doubles pair is that of Judith Morales and Paulina Vega, they are one place ahead of Paula Medina and Maria Perdomo. Gustavo Gomez and Judith Morales form the leading pair in the mixed doubles event, immediately ensuing is that of Emil Santos and Eva Brito.

The national associations represented are: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Puerto Rico.

Entry and Schedule of Play

2019 Latin American Championships: Participating National Associations
2019 Latin American Championships: Entry List

2019 Latin American Championships: Schedule of Play

Seeding

2019 Latin American Championships: Seeding – Men’s Team & Women’s Team
2019 Latin American Championships: Seeding – Men’s Singles & Women’s Singles
2019 Latin American Championships: Seeding – Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles

Draws

2019 Latin American Championships: Men’s Team – Stage One
2019 Latin American Championships: Women’s Team – Stage One

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Can Liu Shiwen maintain form? Can Japan respond?

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 26 May 2019 23:09

A storm, in the Hungarian capital city her opponents were hit by a veritable typhoon; has she ever played better? I suggest that she has never played faster! It was her speed that afforded colleagues Ding Ning and Chen Meng at the semi-final and final stages no time to react.

Moreover, surely she set a record by affording each opponent zero points in the fifth game!

Prior to the tournament starting was there not a question mark over Liu Shiwen? At the Liebherr 2018 World Team Championships and then later in the year on the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour in Stockholm, Japan’s Mima Ito had beaten Liu Shiwen.

Although Liu Shiwen did not play Mima Ito in Budapest, any thoughts that there might be a threat to Chinese hegemony from Japan’s female players was laid to rest. At the quarter-final stage Ding Ning beat Miu Hirano in five games (11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9), at the same stage in a similar fashion Liu Shiwen ended the ambitions of Miyo Kato (11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5). One round earlier in six games, Wang Manyu had overcome the defensive skills of Hitomi Sato (9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9).

However, the contest to attract the attention was the opening round engagement between Sun Yingsha, required to qualify, the lowest ranked member of the Chinese quintet on women’s singles duty in Budapest and Mima Ito. In Stockholm, in addition to ousting Liu Shiwen, Mima Ito had beaten both Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling; surely she had a good chance, a very good chance against Sun Yingsha?

Maybe; but Sun Yingsha guided by coach, Li Sun, had other ideas, Sun Yingsha won in five games (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 13-15, 11-2).

Only one member of the Japanese team in Budapest, did not suffer at Chinese hands; that was Kasumi Ishikawa who in round four was beaten by Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem (11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9).

No places in the podium for Japan, different to two years earlier in Düsseldorf when Miu Hirano had won bronze; nevertheless, the evidence presented was that Japan remains the closest challenger to Chinese excellence. Frankly it shows how far China is ahead of the field.

In 2018 Japan had posed China questions, as in 2017 had Miu Hirano when in succession beating Ding Ning, Zhu Yuling and Chen Meng at the Seamaster Asian Championships in Wuxi. China found answers and responded in style.

Now the boot is on the other foot. All five Japanese players and all five Chinese players who played in Budapest are on duty at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open.

Can Japan respond and once again record wins against China’s elite? Furthermore, can Liu Shiwen find the rhythm, execute the speed and replicate the desire that took her to gold in Budapest?

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The 100 club meets, titles exceed entries

Published in Table Tennis

Monday, 27 May 2019 05:38

The quality of the men’s singles entry is mind blowing, consider the current men’s world ranking for May and the top 34 names all appear; in fact of the top 50 there are only four absentees, those being Korea Republic’s Jeong Sangeun, Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi, India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and the host nation’s Liu Dingshuo.

Seeding is based on the world rankings for April, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin and Lin Gaoyuan occupy the top three seeded places, add the names of Ma Long, the no.11 seed and Liang Jingkun, the no.9 seed, the elite of China is present; only two of those may play in the men’s singles event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Equally, Lim Jonghoon did not make the Korea Republic selection for the recent Liebherr 2019 World Championships; he is the leading name on duty in the qualification tournament.

It’s tough, in order to be seeded and gain a direct entry to the main draw, a player must me a member of the 100 club; that is the number of ITTF World Tour men’s singles titles shared by the top 16 names; in fact it is shared by the top 14 names, England’s Liam Pitchford and Sweden’s Mattias Falck, the players who complete the elite list have no such accolade in their curriculum vitae.

Now for those who must qualify, the total number of titles shared would be most acceptable for the majority of open international tournaments; overall 53 ITTF World Tour men’s singles titles have been won by those who must qualify.

An overall sum of 153 players and you can add even more; since January 2017 when the Challenge Series became separate to the ITTF World Tour, a total of 18 men’s singles titles have been secured by players on Shenzhen duty.

Thus in the men’s singles event 45 players share a total of 171 titles, more than the total entry of 153 players!

Furthermore, a men’s singles winner from ever year of the ITTF World Tour is represented, mainly thanks to Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus and Germany’s Timo Boll, bothplay in Shenzhen.

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World Cups here we come!

Published in Table Tennis

Monday, 27 May 2019 05:40

The green and gold of Australia will be represented at both the ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cups later this year in Chengdu, China, after Heming HU and Jian Fang LAY won the respective men’s and women’s titles at the 2019 ITTF Oceania Cup in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, on Sunday 26 May.

HEMING HU RETURNS TO WORLD STAGE

Second seed HU (AUS) overcame top-ranked compatriot Rohan DHOORIA (11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8) to seal the men’s singles title, the world no. 100 sinking to his knees in both delight and relief after clinching the final point.

Victory means a second successive Men’s World Cup appearance for the 25-year-old, who will be eager to improve on his group-stage exit at last year’s event held in Disneyland Paris.

Prior to his 4-2 victory over DHOORIA in Sunday’s final, HU had dropped just one game throughout the weekend’s action, as he recorded 4-0 wins in his quarter-final against Dean SHU of New Zealand (NZL) and Ocean BELROSE of Tahiti (PYF).

Fifteen-year-old, Nathan XU (NZL) tasted success in his bronze medal match against BELROSE (11-3, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-2).

EXPERIENCE TELLS FOR JIAN FANG LAY

If HU was impressive in the men’s competition, the women’s draw was completely dominated by 46-year-old pen-holder Jian Fang LAY (AUS), who has now qualified for her third consecutive World Cup.

The world no. 85 did not lose a single game en route to the women’s singles title, which she sealed with a final victory over compatriot Parleen KAUR (11-6, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5) having defeated ZHOU Jiayi (NZL) in the semi-final (11-3, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8).

ZHOU, the bottom seed, made sure of a creditable third-place finish after overcoming CHENG Zhiying (NZL) in the bronze medal match (5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4).

THE PACIFIC CUP CHAMPIONS ARE…

In the contests to decide the Pacific Cup champions (the event for which players from Australia and New Zealand are not eligible) Tahiti struck gold with BELROSE beating Vanuatu’s Yoshua SHING to the men’s singles title (3-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8), while in the women’s singles event, Fiji’s Sally YEE overcame sister Grace Rosi YEE (11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9, 15-13) to claim the top prize.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 2019 ITTF WORLD CUPS

The 2019 ITTF Men’s World Cup and Uncle Pop 2019 ITTF Women’s World Cup will both take place in Chengdu, China, later this year.

The ITTF World Cups represent the second most prestigious events on the international table tennis calendar, after the ITTF World Championships, and they count towards the Grand Slam (Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cups).

Each of the 2019 ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cups will feature 20 of the globe’s top table tennis players, 18 of which will have qualified through their respective Continental Cups, together with the ITTF World Champion and a wildcard.

Here are the players who have qualified so far for the 2019 ITTF World Cups:

Liebherr 2019 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships: MA Long (CHN); LIU Shiwen (CHN).
China Construction Bank 2019 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER), Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR), Timo BOLL (GER); Petrissa SOLJA (GER), Bernadette SZOCS (ROU), Sofia POLCANOVA (AUT).
Universal 2019 ITTF Pan American Cup: Hugo CALDERANO (BRA), Kanak JHA (USA); Adriana DIAZ (PUR), ZHANG Mo (CAN).
Lion 2019 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup: FAN Zhendong (CHN), Koki NIWA (JPN), Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN); ZHU Yuling (CHN), Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN), FENG Tianwei (SGP).
2019 ITTF Oceania Cup: Heming HU (AUS); Jian Fang LAY (AUS).

Further names will book their places at the 2019 ITTF World Cups via the ITTF Africa Cup (3-5 August in Lagos, Nigeria).

QUICK LINKS:

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Foundation welcomes Rowan Fajerman

Published in Table Tennis

Monday, 27 May 2019 06:57

by Ian Marshall, Editor

At his previous role as Participation Officer, he worked primarily with national associations to increase capacity and ensure delivery of participatory programmes that promote inclusive and healthy lifestyles.

Notably the “Bounce it Back” school programmes were launched officially on World Table Tennis Day, 6th April. He also contributed to extending the “Smash Down Barriers” initiative and the piloting of the ITTF “Developing National Associations” programme in the Pacific.

In his nine years of experience in sport, education and sport for development, he has managed Sport for Development initiatives including having a focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities in the Pacific islands. He believes that Dream Building Fund Projects highlight the power of sport to achieve shared development objectives and create change at all levels, encouraging the table tennis community, leaders and organisations to collaborate towards maximizing the use of sport to achieve sustainable development goals

Leaving a positive and far reaching table tennis legacy is a keen plan for the Foundation; Rowan’s contribution will enable grow Dream Building Projects and spearhead the unwavering support for the many people believing in a better world through table tennis.

“I hope the projects generate further support from key stakeholders and partners to ensure sustainability and wider reach”. Rowan Fajerman.

ITTF Foundation’s Dream Building Fund: Dream Building Fund

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Sean O'Brien: Flanker's injury a 'huge blow' to Ireland's World Cup hopes

Published in Rugby

Sunday, 26 May 2019 16:02

Sean O'Brien's injury will come as a 'huge blow' to Ireland's World Cup plans, says former fly-half Tony Ward.

Leinster flanker O'Brien, 32, faces a six-month lay-off with a hip injury.

The absence of the two-time British and Irish Lions tourist means Ireland coach Joe Schmidt must forge a new back-row combination before the tournament.

"O'Brien is one of those players in the dressing room who is a 'go to player'. He's a player you always want alongside you going into battle," said Ward.

O'Brien, who featured in four of Ireland's matches in this year's Six Nations, is the second open-side specialist to be ruled out Ireland's World Cup campaign after his Leinster team-mate Dan Leavy suffered a knee ligament injury in March.

"It is a huge blow. In an area where we have been so strong for so long, with players of the quality of Dan Leavy and Sean O'Brien it is a big loss," added Ward.

"There are still options there, and clearly CJ Stander could be moved from number eight to allow Jack Conan to move into that position and Stander could then possibly play either open-side or blind-side, but no matter how you dress it up it's a big blow losing O'Brien at this stage."

Schmidt has spent much of the four years since Ireland's 2015 World Cup quarter-final exit expanding his pool of players, but the injury to O'Brien is another unwanted problem as the Irish medical staff hope for a positive update on the fitness of line-out specialist Devin Toner.

Ward added: "Joe knows that he can rely on Sean and he plays the type of game that Joe likes to play.

"He's similar to Stander in that he is a very direct ball carrier but O'Brien is a player that Joe has always placed his faith in and this is a setback for Joe and for Ireland.

"Other players will come in but I do think this is a blow at this point in the build up between him and Devin Toner coming off in the Leinster Pro14 semi-final against Munster, they're two big blows to two key players as they begin the warm-up for the World Cup."

A former European Player of the Year, O'Brien has already agreed to join London Irish next season, leaving his international future in doubt because of Ireland's preference to select home-based players - although that policy could change under incoming head coach Andy Farrell.

"Nobody expected him to be ruled out of the World Cup and to be ruled out for a significant amount of time," said former Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris.

"From my own personal point of view, you never really know when your last international game is going to be because rugby is such a physical sport and you pick up injuries along the way.

"I finished my international career with a pretty disappointing defeat away to England in 2011 so he'll be disappointed for sure and the whole of Irish rugby will be too because when Sean O'Brien is on his game he's one of the best back rowers in the world.

"Everybody thinks now that he might be past his best with all these injuries but he's a big-game player and Ireland will certainly miss him in Japan."

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Marcoullier Earns Merritt Speedway Spoils

Published in Racing

Monday, 27 May 2019 04:27

LAKE CITY, Mich. – Dona Marcoullier earned a $4,000 payday during Sunday’s American Ethanol Late Model Tour event at Merritt Speedway.

It seemed as though track position would be everything during Sunday’s 40-lap feature as passing was nearly unseen leading up to the main event.

Rusty Schlenk and Brandon Thirlby would lead the field to the green flag and the race was, quite literally, on. Thirlby used momentum off the top of turn two to power around into the lead on the opening lap.

Thirlby appeared to be opening up a gap on second-place Schlenk, when suddenly the No. CJ1 of Schlenk found new life. As the leaders neared in on back markers, Schlenk made his move to the inside of Thirlby’s No. M14, and took the top spot just before the halfway point.

Thirlby started to slide back to third place running Travis Stemler when Schlenk would have problems with backmarkers. The pair went side-by-side for the lead, behind a pair of side-by-side back markers – Thirlby would find the fast line around the bottom, and edge pack ahead of Schlenk.

As they did that, it allowed Stemler and Dona Marcoullier to reel them in. Thirlby began to try and put lapped cars between he and Schlenk, but with 11 laps to go, the caution waved for a single car spin that allowed Schlenk to get right back behind Thirlby.

On the ensuing restart, the entire feel of the race changed when fourth starting Marcoullier took Thirlby and Schlenk three wide down the back straightaway, jumping into the lead in turn three.

Schlenk would find a way around Thirlby and the dash to the finish was a good one. Two single car spins with seven laps to go would not phaze the two time AELMT champion, and Marcoullier went on to victory lane.

Schlenk finished second, Thirlby was third, Rich Bell took fourth and Travis Stemler rounded out the top five.

The finish:

Dona Marcoullier, Rusty Schlenk, Brandon Thirlby, Rich Bell, Travis Stemler, Dennis Erb Jr., Frank Heckenast Jr., Nick Kurtz, Rich Neiser, Chad Finley, Steven Hilliker, Dave Baker, Andrew Terrill, Herb Reich, David Mielke, Eric Spangler, Rob Anderzack, Dusty Moore, Kyle Novak, Mike Staszak, Jason Playter Jr., Kyle Roberts, Michael Luberda, Logan Arntz, Joe Godsey, Josh Knoll.

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Smith & Blank Top Double-X Mains

Published in Racing

Monday, 27 May 2019 04:27

CALIFORNIA, Mo. — Tyler Blank and Wesley Smith captured sprint car features Sunday night at Double-X Speedway.

The headline division on the card was the POWRi WAR Sprint Cars with the final feature event of the evening.

Brad Wyatt and Quinton Benson led the field to the green in the marquee event. Benson would move out to the early lead while the racing was going on behind him. Wesley Smith moved into second and moved to the rear bumper of the leader when the caution flew with seven laps in the books for Samuel Wagner and Brian Beebe.

On the restart, Benson continued to lead with Smith giving chase. Fans eyes were on Tyler Blank as he started at the rear of the field and was knocking on the top ten on the restart. On the restart Wesley Smith held off a hard charging Riley Kreisel and then set his sights on Benson. The two would dance around the oval high and low until Smith was able to make the pass on the low side of the back stretch.

Benson would settle into second with Joe B. Miller in third. Riley Kreisel, Korey Weyant and Jack Wagner were al racing hard for position behind the leaders.

At the checkered flag, it was Smith picking up the winners hardware. Hard charging Joe B. Miller came across second, Benson held on for third, Jack Wagner was fourth and Korey Weyant completed the top five.

The winged sprint car feature saw Tyler Blank have to pass the leader twice to pick up win No. 3 on the season. The earlier pass was negated by a caution flag relegating Blank to second behind leader Taylor Walton.

On the restart, it was obvious that Blanks JR1 Chassis would get better as the run went on and he was able to pass Walton one more time, this time for keeps as he collected feature win number three on the season at Double X. Walton would finish a strong second, Riley Kreisel finished third with only a handful of winged sprint car starts to his credit, Quinton Benson finished fourth and Randy Martin was fifth.

Kyle Smith earned his second victory of the season in the hobby stock division and John Clancy Jr. won the super stock main event.

The finish:

Wesley Smith, Joe B. Miller, Quinton Benson, Jack Wagner, Korey Weyant, Kaitlyn Leer, Riley Kreisel, Kory Schudy, Tyler Blank, Chris Morgan, Broc Elliott, Neal Matsukas, Brad Wyatt, Samuel Wagner, Braydon Cromwell, Jason Billups, Brian Beebe, Chris Parkinson, Slater Helt.

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