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Federer set for French Open return as Nadal eyes 12th title

Published in Tennis

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 05:12

Roger Federer returns to the French Open for the first time in four years to challenge Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's bids for more records.

Nadal is chasing a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title, while Djokovic can become the first man in the Open era to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once for a second time.

Federer, 37, missed the 2016 event with a back injury and skipped the past two clay-court swings to preserve his body.

The event in Paris begins on Sunday.

Swiss Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, reached the Madrid Open quarter-finals this month in his first clay-court tournament in three years.

"I feel good about my game. I feel good on the clay," he said.

Federer appears to have shaken off the leg injury that forced him to pull out of his Italian Open quarter-final last week, coming through a practice session on the Philippe Chatrier show court at Roland Garros on Tuesday without any strapping.

Serbia's world number one Djokovic is expected to provide the sternest challenge to Spaniard Nadal, while American Serena Williams will aim for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title in the women's singles - if she is fit.

Former world number one Andy Murray is not playing as he continues his recovery from a hip operation, leaving Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund as Britain's leading hopes.

In-form Konta leads British charge

Konta has raced up the rankings - and earned herself a seeding in Paris - on the back of an impressive clay-court season in which she has reached the final of the Morocco Open and Italian Open.

The British number one, who will be seeded 26th, has lost in the first round in her four previous French Opens.

Konta, 28, is the only British woman with direct entry into the main draw after 22-year-old Katie Boulter pulled out with a back injury.

British number two Heather Watson and number five Katie Swan must qualify to reach the main draw.

Edmund, Britain's leading man, has suffered five successive first-round exits this season to drop to 31st in the rankings from 14th at the start of the year.

Cameron Norrie, who this week reached a career-high ranking of 41, and Dan Evans, who has qualified directly for a Grand Slam for the first time in two years, join Edmund in the main draw.

Britain's Jamie Murray has won six Grand Slam doubles titles, although he has yet to reach a French Open final, where his best results are a quarter-final in the men's doubles in 2017 and a semi-final in the mixed in 2011.

While some of the entry lists have not yet been published, other Britons to look out for are Joe Salisbury, Dom Inglot, Luke Bambridge, Ken and Neal Skupski in the doubles and Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett in the wheelchair events.

Nadal 'finally' wins a title

Beating Nadal, the 17-time Grand Slam champion, on clay is widely considered the ultimate challenge in men's tennis and, once again, he is the favourite at Roland Garros.

The 32-year-old triumphed in Paris last year to become only the second player to win the same Grand Slam 11 times, following Margaret Court at the Australian Open between 1960 and 1973.

Despite dominating clay-court tournaments in the build-up to the French Open in previous years, Nadal had not reached a final this year until his triumph at the Italian Open on Sunday.

He did not drop a set on his way to the final, where he beat Djokovic 6-0 4-6 6-1 to claim his first title since August.

"You were asking for titles. Finally, I have a title," Nadal said after his 81st tournament win.

"For me, the most important thing is feeling myself playing well and healthy, with the energy that I need. If that happens, the experience is that I'm going to fight for titles sooner or later.

"I'm happy to reach that level in the last tournament before a Grand Slam."

Who can stop the King of Clay?

Top seed Djokovic, 32, is bidding to hold all four Grand Slam titles for the second time in his career - after following Australian great Rod Laver in becoming only the second man to achieve the feat in 2016.

The 15-time Grand Slam champion, who won in Paris in 2016, warmed up for the tournament by winning the Madrid Open and reaching the Rome final.

"Nadal, number one favourite, without a doubt, then everyone else," Djokovic said.

Djokovic also identified Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem and Italian 11th seed Fabio Fognini, both of whom beat Nadal on their way to winning the Barcelona Open and Monte Carlo Masters titles respectively, as possible threats.

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, 20, is the rising star on the ATP Tour and, having beaten Federer in Melbourne and Nadal in Madrid, the sixth seed will be fancied to make a challenge in Paris.

Serena has been 'eating grass' but will she be fit?

Williams, 37, made her Grand Slam comeback from maternity leave at the French Open last year but, after reaching the Wimbledon and US Open finals, has struggled with a persistent knee injury.

The problem forced the 23-time Grand Slam champion to pull out of the Italian Open last Tuesday before her match against sister Venus.

Since losing to Karolina Pliskova in the Australian Open quarter-finals in January, Williams has played in only three tournaments - Indian Wells, Miami and Rome - and has withdrawn from all of them.

"I've just been on this diet - it's been awful," Williams, who has practised at Roland Garros this week, told the official tournament website.

"When you're sedentary, it becomes hard to manage your body. So you have to eat grass. That's kind of what I did. It was a nightmare.

"But it worked and paid off. I feel like I'm taking it one day at a time. I've been really putting in the hours in terms of keeping my cardio as much as I could with a knee injury, which is really impressive how I've been able to do it."

Halep looking to enjoy title defence

Romania's Simona Halep says she has "no expectations" as she prepares to defend her maiden Grand Slam title.

Halep, then the world number one, beat American Sloane Stephens in last year's final after losing in three previous Slam showpieces.

Only five women have successfully defended their titles at the French Open - Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf and Justine Henin.

"I have no expectations because it's the first time when I have to defend a trophy at a Grand Slam," third seed Halep said.

"I just want to be relaxed, enjoy the tournament and try to win some matches. Nothing more."

Japan's world number one Naomi Osaka, who became the first woman since Williams in 2015 to win back-to-back Grand Slams with victory at the Australian Open, goes into her first major as the top seed.

The 21-year-old has never gone past the third round in Paris, but has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of her three clay-court tournaments this year.

Czech Petra Kvitova, who lost to Osaka in the Melbourne final, won her second WTA title of the year with victory on clay in Stuttgart last month, while Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands are also among the in-form players.

BBC coverage

There will be a selected radio commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, and there will also be daily live text commentaries - featuring all the best images and social media from Paris.

You can also follow BBC Tennis on Twitter and the BBC Sport Instagram account for more behind-the-scenes coverage from Roland Garros.

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2020 ITTF Challenge Series: dates and locations revealed!

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 03:19

One of table tennis’ fastest-growing competitions, the ITTF Challenge Series – which has already thrown up plenty of drama and had a positive impact on the game so far in 2019 – is set to get even better next year.

The 2020 schedule will see an even split of seven Challenge Plus and seven Challenge events, following this year’s successful implementation of the two-tier system.

The Challenge Plus Series offers players higher world ranking points, increased prize money and, most importantly, greater exposure to elite table tennis competition, enabling them to raise their game and reach the next level in their careers.

Furthermore, the more flexible requirements of the ITTF Challenge Series allow a higher number of cities to get on board and stage an international table tennis event, as is evident from the 2020 Challenge Series schedule below:

Challenge Plus:
12-16 Feb 2020 (Dates to be confirmed), ITTF Challenge Plus Portugal Open, Lisbon
11-15 Mar 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Oman Open, Muscat
3-7 Jun 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Belarus Open, Minsk
18-22 Aug 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open, Lagos
9-13 Sep 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Pyongyang Open, Pyongyang
27-31 Oct 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Belgium Open, De Haan
1-5 Dec 2020, ITTF Challenge Plus Canada Open, Vancouver

Challenge:
12-16 Feb 2020 (Dates to be confirmed), ITTF Challenge Spanish Open, Guadalajara
11-15 Mar 2020, ITTF Challenge Polish Open, Gliwice
1-5 Apr 2020, ITTF Challenge Italy Open, Riccione
22-26 Apr 2020, ITTF Challenge Slovenia Open, Otocec
28 Apr – 2 May 2020, ITTF Challenge Croatia Open, Zagreb
29 Apr – 3 May 2020, ITTF Challenge Thailand Open, Bangkok
9-13 Jun 2020, ITTF Challenge Mexico Open, Cancun

Zena Sim, Head of World Cups & ITTF Challenge

Followers are reminded that they can enjoy this year’s ITTF Challenge Series live on the ITTF’s official Twitter account @ittfworld.

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Invitation to umpire at the 2019 Para Finland Open – Matti Launonen Memorial

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 04:51

It is an open invitation; therefore not all nomination may be accepted. Furthermore only nominations submitted by bona fide national associations will be considered.

Full hospitality will be provided from dinner on Thursday 10th October to breakfast on Monday 14th October. Each umpire will receive a daily allowance per competition day of US$ 30.00 according to ITTF regulations.

All invited umpires must organise their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance. In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure. Local transport will be provided from and to Helsinki Railway Station, Lahti Railway Station, Port of Helsinki and Helsinki Airport (IATA Code: HEL).

Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details when submitting the nomination (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport). A letter of invitation will be provided. Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.

Umpires must wear the International umpiring uniforms and bring the equipment as described in the Handbook for Match Officials.

The Referee for the tournament is Maria Tsipou from Greece, the Deputy Referee is Spain’s Carlos Zapata.

The closing date for nominations is Monday 19th August. The list of umpires accepted will be advised on or before Monday 26th August. Travel details are requested to be advised on or before Monday 16th September.

For replies and questions, please address:

Eve Autio, General Secretary, Para Finland Open

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2019 Para Finland Open: Official Letter of Umpire Invitation (issued Wednesday 22nd May)

2019 Para Finland Open: Official nomination form (closing date is Monday 19th August)

Matti Launonen remembered: A true great of para sport

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Bangkok highlights; decisions pending

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 07:20

Few problems for Abdel-Kader Salifou of France and India’s Selena Selvakumar but there were notable names who experienced problems.

Men’s Singles

…………Abdel-Kader Salifou emerged the only player to be assured of first place in his group.

…………Japan’s Asuka Machi and India’s Abhishek Yadav, the second and third highest ranked players on qualification duty experienced defeats. Asuka Machi lost to Singapore’s Beh Kun Ting (11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6), Abhishek Yadav was beaten by Korea Republic’s Park Gyeongtae.

Women’s Singles

…………Selena Selvakumar and colleague Sutirtha Mukherjee, in addition to Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee and Korea Republic’s Kim Yedam all concluded their group stage matches without defeat. Similarly, Japan’s Yuka Umemura and Ayami Narumoto achieved the same feat. Main draw places were reserved.

…………Korea Republic’s Dana Jung caused the most significant upset of the day; she beat Singapore’s Eunice Lim (9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 12-14, 11-4) the third highest rated player on qualification duty.

Under 21 Men’s Singles

…………The top two names in the group stage both experienced defeats. Germany’s Cedric Meissner lost to Korea Republic’s Kwak Yubin (11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6). Singapore’s Josh Chua Shao Han suffered at the hands of Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse (11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6). Both Kwak Yubin and Adrien Rassenfosse ended the day unbeaten and thus secured first places.

Under 21 Women’s Singles

…………Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan and Korea Republic’s Yoon Hyobin, the most prominent names on initial stage duty both made successful starts. Goi Rui Xuan beat Thailand’s Pakawan Karnthang (7-11, 11-3, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9); Yoon Hyobin accounted for Japan’s Mitsuho Kimura (11-9, 15-13, 11-6).

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Destination Sveti Martin Na Muri

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 07:25

Organised by the European Table Tennis Union in conjunction with ITTF High Performance and Development, proceedings are under the direction of Neven Cegnar, the Development Manager for the European Table Tennis Union.

“Two Croatian former Olympians, Ronald Redjep and Tian Yuan are present with the help of fitness trainer Mario Starek; they are in charge of training procedures. In addition there are six practice partners from TTC Starr, the reigning Croatian Champions; all are working together.” Neven Cegnar

Overall, a total of 14 players are in attendance; in addition to Croatia, players have travelled from Belgium, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey.

A detailed programme in place, all are enjoying splendid conditions both in the training hall and with regards to hospitality; the Terme Life Class Hotel possesses all the facilities required for a comfortable stay.

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Scottish Rugby to look 'very closely' at Six Nations plans

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 03:19

Scottish Rugby will look "very, very closely" at any proposals for promotion and relegation in the Six Nations.

World Rugby will meet in Dublin on Wednesday to discuss the revolutionary Nations Championship concept.

It would involve a top division of 12 teams from both hemispheres playing each other once in a calendar year.

"We have an outstanding tournament and we wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise it," said Scottish rugby director Dominic McKay.

"It's going from strength to strength and anything we could do to enhance that [Six Nations] we would look at."

A final decision on the plan to designed to globalise the calendar and increase competitiveness will likely to be set for June.

A major sticking point is the concept - and the timing - of promotion and relegation, with certain unions keen on a period of ring-fencing in order to establish a sustainable second tier.

Murrayfield 'open for business'

McKay also confirmed that Murrayfield is still "open" for the Scottish FA to use it for major matches in the future.

Scottish Rugby made a case last autumn to become the new home of Scottish football, but the Scottish FA instead opted to remain at Hampden Park.

"We are very open-minded at working with anybody," McKay said. "We've got an outstanding stadium - the biggest in Scotland.

"The Scottish FA board have made a very clear decision and they're working through their plans with respect to Hampden. We're open for business whether that's football or rugby or whatever."

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Geordan Murphy: Leicester head coach charged with verbally abusing match officials

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 08:05

Leicester Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy has been accused of two counts of verbally abusing match officials.

The incidents occurred as his side lost 32-31 to Bath on Saturday.

He faces one charge of verbally abusing a match official with an alternative charge of failing to respect the authority of a match official.

The Irishman faces another charge of failing to respect the authority of match officials in relation to separate comments he is said to have made.

Murphy will appear before a disciplinary panel in London on Wednesday, 29 May.

If found guilty, a low-end offence of verbal abuse has a starting point of a six-week ban, with a maximum suspension of one year for the most serious verbal abuse.

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PHOTOS: Ethanol Late Models At Brownstown

Published in Racing

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 07:00

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NASCAR To Acquire International Speedway Corp.

Published in Racing

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 07:55

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – International Speedway Corp. announced Wednesday that it has entered into a merger agreement with NASCAR Holdings Inc., where NASCAR will acquire ISC.

The transaction is valued at approximately $2.0 billion.

The consideration to be paid to ISC’s shareholders, other than certain controlling shareholders of ISC and certain related entities, will be $45.00 in cash for each share of ISC Class A Common Stock and ISC Class B Common Stock.

The merger agreement was unanimously recommended and approved by a special committee comprised solely of independent directors of the Board of Directors of ISC and was unanimously approved by the full board.

In addition, the participating shareholders have signed a letter agreement to cause their respective shares of ISC Class A Common Stock and ISC Class B Common Stock to be transferred to NASCAR prior to the effective time of the merger.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, ISC shareholders other than the participating shareholders will be entitled to receive $45.00 in cash, without interest, for each share of ISC Class A Common Stock and ISC Class B Common Stock held immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.

The transaction, which is expected to close before the end of the year, is conditioned on the approval of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of ISC Class A Common Stock and ISC Class B Common Stock not owned by the controlling shareholders of ISC, voting together as a single class.

The transaction is also conditioned on other customary closing conditions.

“We are pleased with the progress that the negotiation and execution of the merger agreement between NASCAR and ISC represents,” said NASCAR officials in a prepared statement. “While important regulatory and shareholder approval processes remain, we look forward to the successful final resolution of this matter and continuing our work to grow this sport and deliver great racing experiences for our fans everywhere.

“With a strong vision for the future, the France family’s commitment to NASCAR and the larger motorsports industry has never been greater.”

In connection with the transaction negotiations, counsel for the plaintiff in The Firemen’s Retirement System of St. Louis v. James C. France, et al., Case No. 2018-CA-032105-CICI in the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Volusia County, Fla., the previously-disclosed class action lawsuit on behalf of ISC shareholders challenging the transaction met with representatives of the special committee and will not challenge the fairness of the transaction price.

Dean Bradley Osborne Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to the ISC Special Committee, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal counsel to the ISC special committee.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to NASCAR, and Baker Botts L.L.P. is acting as legal counsel for NASCAR. BDT & Company is serving as financial advisor to the France family. Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP is acting as legal counsel to ISC.

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Chastain Adds Kansas To Schedule With Kaulig

Published in Racing

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 08:30

LEXINGTON, N.C. – Ross Chastain has added the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Kansas Speedway in October to his schedule with Kaulig Racing and Nutrien Ag Solutions.

The count now totals five races for Chastain and the No. 10 team this season.

“I couldn’t be prouder and more honored with my partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions,” Chastain said of the world’s largest provider of crop inputs, services and solutions. “The support Brent (Dewars), Matt (Kaulig) and the team have given me is incredible. I’m so grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to drive the Nutrien Ag Solutions colors for a fifth race and have the chance at getting them to victory lane.”

Chastain and the No. 10 team have led the field for a combined total of 30 laps between his two starts this year at Daytona Int’l Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

The partnership has also claimed one stage win (Daytona) and four top-five stage finishes in their two starts together so far this season.

On May 10, Chastain claimed his first-career NASCAR Truck Series victory at Kansas. To date this season, he has participated in all 29 races in the three NASCAR national series, the only driver to do so.

Chastain is also scheduled to drive for Kaulig Racing at Chicagoland Speedway (June 29) and Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 2), wearing the Nutrien Ag Solutions colors in both races.

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