Goule hoping for berth in final
Natoya Goule hopes to make the final of the 800 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Championships that begins at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, China, this weekend. From there, she hopes to produce her best performance for Jamaica.Goule, 24, will be one of two athletes, the other being Simoya Campbell, representing Jamaica in the event that Jamaica traditionally does not do well in. However, both women have broken two minutes this season.Goule won the National Championships in June in a personal best 1:59.63, while Campbell clocked 1:59.29 at the World University Games in South Korea in July, making her the fastest Jamaican this year.Goule’s last race was a disappointing 2:02.16 effort for third at an American track league meet in Atlanta in early August. Her coach, Mark Elliott, who directed her to National Collegiate Athletic Association titles both at Louisiana State University and at Clemson, believes that despite the poor showing last time out the diminutive runner should be faster in China.”That last race does not indicate much. She ran a bad, excited race,” he said. “We thought she would have gone out faster, but she did not. She has not run enough races where she did not have to worry about the pace and that did not lend itself for a better result. As for Worlds, she is ready training-wise. Her workout indicates that she is ready for good performances as long as she runs her race.”The hope is to make the final,” Elliott continued. “Then we will see what happens in the final.”Having Campbell alongside her representing Jamaica makes Goule a happy camper as it means that her event will start to attract more interest among Jamaicans, Elliott revealed.”Simoya is running well also and knowing Natoya she is happy another Jamaican is running well. But her motivation is to race well against the 1:57 and 1:58 athletes. She speaks of having more Jamaicans in her events. That makes it more likely to drum up more interest in the middle distance and long distance events.”
Jamaica is looking to load up on its goalscoring firepower for upcoming World Cup qualifiers by wooing one of the most prolific club strikers in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).Former England youth international, Bradley Wright-Phillips, who led Major League Soccer in scoring last season with a MLS record-tying 27 goals playing for New York Red Bulls, is being recruited by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which is trying to convince the 30-year-old London-born player to join the Reggae Boyz’ campaign.”Yes, we have reached out to Bradley Wright-Phillips,” national team manager Roy Simpson confirmed on September 10.According to Simpson, Wright-Phillips, son and brother of ex-England internationals Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips, respectively, traces his Jamaican roots through his grandmother.He has 41 goals in 64 appearances since joining the Red Bulls in 2013, scoring 13 in 25 games so far this season.Starting with his professional debut in 2004, he scored 77 times in 272 appearances representing Manchester City, Southampton, Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Brentford in the United Kingdom.But the lure of international football has not been overtly strong for the 5′ 8″, 155-pound Wright-Phillips so far. According to sources, he has followed Jamaica’s progress in recent competitions, including Copa America and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and discussed the national set-up with clubmate and Reggae Boy Kemar Lawrence. But, he’s been uncertain about his commitment.deadlineSimpson said Wright-Phillips expressed appreciation at the JFF’s interest in him. However, he added, the player requested time to discuss the matter with his family after being contacted by the JFF in early August.Simpson said Wright-Phillips, a MLS All-Star, didn’t set a deadline for making a decision on whether or not to join Jamaica, which resumes World Cup qualifying on November 13 against Panama to kick off the CONCACAF semi-final.The Boyz advanced to that round after defeating Nicaragua 4-3 on goal aggregate, following a 3-2 loss in the first leg on September 4 and winning 2-0 in the return match on September 8.Those fixtures again highlighted inconsistent scoring form as Jamaica failed to capitalise on numerous chances. The team, which has received praise for overall organisation and competitive spirit, also failed to score in three straight 1-0 defeats during Copa America.In the Gold Cup, Jamaica managed eight goals and conceded six in half dozen games while advancing to the final.Jamaica wants Wright-Phillips to join a strike force that includes Darren Mattocks, Giles Barnes and Deshorn Brown. Even in the absence of his immediate commitment, the JFF is pushing forward with the process of making him eligible to play for Jamaica.”Both parties agreed that it is OK to pursue the paperwork,” said Simpson, “just in case he decides to take up the offer.”Efforts to contact Wright-Phillips through his club this week were unsuccessful.
Kisner comes good ST SIMONS ISLAND, Ga (AP): Kevin Kisner ended a year marked by runner-up finishes with his first PGA Tour victory yesterday at Sea Island. With the RSM Classic in his hands, Kisner ran with it. His three-shot lead turned into a six-shot lead at the turn, and he breezed home with a 6-under 64 to win by six shots over Kevin Chappell. Kisner became the sixth first-time winner in the fall start of the new season, though this was hardly a surprise. He became the first player in nearly 70 years to lose three times in a play-off. He was runner-up in a World Golf Championship two weeks ago in Shanghai. Husbands lands brace TORONTO, Canada (CMC): Patrick Husbands won twice but came up short in the feature Glorious Song Stakes, on the ten-race card at Woodbine on Saturday. The 42-year-old Barbadian took victory in race six with favourite West L.A Girl before following up with another win in race seven aboard 7-1 chance Magni. However, paired with 5-1 bet Conquest Babayaga in the Glorious Song over seven furlongs, Husbands was forced to settle for second, 1-1/2 lengths behind eventual winner, favourite Ami’s Mesa, ridden by Luis Contreras. Atletico pass Real BARCELONA, Spain (AP): Atletico Madrid took advantage of Real Madrid’s humbling loss in the ‘clasico’ by moving past their cross-town rivals into second place in the Spanish league after winning 1-0 at Real Betis yesterday. Jorge ‘Koke’ Resurreccion blasted in what proved to be the winner in the seventh minute, and the outmatched hosts never mustered a serious challenge.
New Canadian Olympic Committee chief MONTREAL (AP): Olympic medallist rower and lawyer Tricia Smith has been voted president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. She is a four-time Olympian who won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games in coxless pairs with team-mate Elizabeth Craig. She is also the vice-president of the International Rowing Federation. Smith had been vice-president of the Canadian Olympic Committee since 2009. She recently became interim president of the organisation following Marcel Aubut’s resignation in October.
KOLKATA, India (CMC):Stafanie Taylor, the captain of West Indies Women, who have just won the T20 World Cup for the first time, says a recruitment programme is needed as part of an elaborate plan to keep the sport alive in the region.Taylor, who was voted player of the tournament, is worried that women’s cricket in the region could suffer a significant decline if a proper system is not put in place for when the current crop of players retire.”We need to go into the schools and try to get girls to come out,” said Taylor.”I think we do have girls that are interested. It’s just that you don’t have anyone to push it, and I think that’s where we need to start, by going into the schools and getting these girls out.”In their impressive eight-wicket victory over Australia to win the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday, the Caribbean side surpassed a challenging target of 149 with three deliveries remaining, following a rollicking opening stand of 120 between Taylor and teenager Hayley Matthews.PLAYER OF THE MATCH”I think we definitely need some infrastructure, whereas Australia and England they do have it. We need young girls coming up,” said Taylor, who scored 59 off 57 balls in the final, while Matthews earned the award for Player-of-the-Match by smashing 66 off 45 balls.”When you, look at our team, most of us are fairly young, and when these core players are gone, it’s going to deteriorate, and we need to start building young players coming up.”Taylor has also been effective as a bowler taking a total of eight wickets in the tournament, three of which came in the semi-final against New Zealand.Taylor says her dream is to play Test cricket which she feels will also help her colleagues improve.”That’s one of my dreams, to play Test cricket. The type of player I am I think it will definitely suit and build my game as time goes on, but I would definitely love to play Test cricket,” said Taylor.”I think it will definitely help some of the girls. Longer format of the game where they could build their game and I think it will definitely help us in playing in one day games.”
Good faith However, I commend him for three things. For looking towards hiring West Indians such as coach Phil Simmons to assist in the development of West Indies cricket, for professionalising regional cricket, and for getting West Indies first-class cricket to be played on a return basis. A week or so ago, however, when I read his interview in Mumbai and read what he had to say about the reasons for his attitude towards the players, I was touched. I was moved. Cameron, whatever we thought of him, was, indeed, a West Indian. He wanted the West Indies to win, he wanted the players to play well and, like every West Indian, he wanted the players to play for the West Indies and to win for the West Indies. He wanted them, however, to be reasonable, to realise that the West Indies is a poor place and cannot afford to pay them what they probably deserve, or what some other countries pay their players. He wants them to understand that they are West Indians and he wants them to understand that while it is hard for them to do, they should be West Indians and give a little to other West Indians to help in their development. He probably remembered how they benefited as youngsters coming up in the region from those who went before and probably argued that they should give back a little. He also wants them to make as much as they can make by allowing them to go and play in the many T20 leagues around the world, by giving them the required “no objection certificates” and whatever they want in order to play. In other words, he would like the players to cooperate with the board, particularly in the interest of West Indies cricket. In other words, although money is important, he would like the West Indies players to respect West Indies cricket, to play whatever cricket they want to play, but only when the West Indies are not in action. All he wanted was that the players be a little bit less selfish. Regional cricket “As a matter fact, for the first time my board said to me, ‘President, you are not authorised to do anything to this agreement because you paid the guys money for the last year and a half when you had the opportunity to change the agreement. You have demonstrated good faith. You have worked with WIPA (West Indies Players’ Association) to get the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) done. For the last how many years, every time we are trying to move the process forward so that we can create a professional set-up, we get held to ransom. We are just tired as an organisation’. “Wes Hall had strikes against him. Sir Julian Hunte had a couple of issues. It started under Pat Rousseau. It happened to Teddy Griffith. “Everybody went and gave them what they wanted. Did our system get any better? It got worse. We moved from number one in the world in 1995 to eight and nine in Tests and ODIs.” I am not a fan of Cameron for many reasons, including his treatment of the players, his treatment of Caribbean journalists especially one like Tony Cozier, his attitude overall, his use of the little money in West Indies cricket and, last but not least, the part he played in the takeover of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by India, England and Australia. One day before the semi-final of the World Twenty20 in India recently, before the West Indies dazzled the world by clipping India and England with three deliveries and two deliveries to spare, respectively, to win the championship in style, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron opened up and explained his philosophy, the reason why he is, or was, probably public enemy number one in the West Indies. Sitting in a Mumbai hotel, he said, apparently quite meekly: “I just want us to get better. I am tired of losing.” And then, as arrogantly as ever, he said: “My role is to run the business and your role is to play cricket.” The “your” he was referring to was the players – and he was correct. Cameron, not knowing that his team would have won the match the following day, or the final showdown a few days later, but hoping against hope that they would, was engaged in a long interview at the time and he tried to explain his unpopularity around the West Indies and the reason why he behaves the way he does, especially when it comes to his treatment of the West Indies players. “We have had strikes or potential strikes for the last 14 years. And we have gone and met the players and given in. And we are ranked eight or nine. I am not sure going and meeting them would have solved it. Problem continued The players, however, right or wrong, and from way back when, quarrelled with the board over money, from George Headley and Alfred Valentine and even in those times when the board had no money, or very little money. The problem continued with the coming of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, it continued when West Indies became champions of the world, and it got worse under presidents Peter Short and Rousseau. Short went to London to sort out Brian Lara’s problem when Lara moved out of the team’s hotel; and Rousseau went to London when the team flew from a series against Pakistan to Johannesburg and then to London to sort out the dispute over money. The West Indies were big, the players were big and it appeared that every problem the board had with the players ended with the players rolling up their sleeves and ready for a fight. On many of those occasions, the board had dialogue with representatives of the players before they left the West Indies, but it was as if the players were saying to the board, “You can’t do without us; pay us, or else.” And the board always paid up, more or less. Cameron is right. Every time there was a tour in recent years, the players threatened or went on strike for one thing or the other. No one, except the senior players, ever knew if a tour was really on. That had to stop, or rather, have to stop. West Indies cricket is big. It means a lot to the people. The board, the players’ association and the players must get together in the interest of West Indies cricket and the people. Cameron’s attitude to solve the problem is not the recommended style, but there are some who believe that there comes a time when you should, or must fight fire with fire if you hope to survive. On top of it all, the players’ way doing of business can only be successful if they win all the time. When they win, as they did in India, they can flex their muscles, or cock a hoop at the board, as they did in India. Well said, Cameron. Your role, as president of the board, and as you said, is definitely to run West Indies cricket and the players’ role, as players, is definitely to play cricket to the best of their ability. If you both do that, definitely to the best of your abilities, West Indies will shortly be on top, or they will be very close to the top.
Windies almost bottom of Test table DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC): Lowly ranked West Indies have experienced an 11-point slide and are in danger of replacing Bangladesh at the bottom of the table in the ICC Test team rankings. Bangladesh are breathing down the necks of the West Indies Test side, trailing them by just eight points, according to the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings, which included the annual update, released yesterday. West Indies have retained eighth position, but have dropped from 79 points to 65. The gap between the Caribbean side and ninth-ranked Bangladesh has been slashed from 29 points to just eight points. The ICC says with the annual update the results from 2012-13 are no longer included in the calculations and outcomes from the 2014-15 series are weighted at 50 per cent. Meanwhile, Australia have opened up a six-point gap over India at the top of the rankings, while India now lead third-placed Pakistan by just one point. Wade ‘honoured’ to be Prince’s favourite player MIAMI (AP): Dwyane Wade says he’s feeling “all kinds of emotions” after hearing that he was Prince’s favourite basketball player. The Miami Heat star took to Twitter after hearing Prince’s comments in a 2012 Australian radio interview the late pop icon conducted with model Damaris Lewis. Wade tweeted that he knows he has fans and supporters around the world, but “hearing Prince say those words was an ultimate compliment”. Prince died last month at his Minnesota home at the age of 57. Bahamas FA backs Haven against FIFA ban NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC): The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) has thrown its support behind Lionel Haven, a former executive member of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), who has been slapped with a five-year ban by FIFA, football’s governing body. “Lionel has worked with the BFA for a number of years,” Sealey said. “He was a dedicated and committed general secretary, who helped us achieve much of what we are being credited for today.” Haven, also a former Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) secretary general who has denied any wrong doing, was slapped with a fine of US$3000 in addition to the five-year ban. FIFA’s ethics committee says Haven has failed to disclose information on cash payments at a CFU event in 2011. “We are confident and satisfied that his involvement in this, is as he stated,” said Sealey. “I spoke to him immediately after having reported it and I’m satisfied that he had no involvement in this and we stand behind him.” The ban stems from the so-called cash for votes controversy, in which Caribbean football executives were handed US$40,000 stuffed in envelopes at an upscale hotel in Trinidad ahead of the 2011 FIFA presidential election.
UNIONDALE, NY – JULY 22: Chris Weidman (R) lands a kick on Kelvin Gastelum (L) during their UFC Fight Night middleweight bout at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 22, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Ed Mulholland/Getty Images/AFPUNIONDALE, N.Y. — Chris Weidman sat on top of the Octagon, his arms outstretched, his mouth agape.It had been a long time since he could experience that feeling.ADVERTISEMENT Indian national gunned down in Camarines Sur Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ “This is a surreal feeling,” Weidman said. “This is an indescribable moment. I wanted to come out here and prove myself.”After spending much of the first two minutes feinting and circling, Weidman successfully wrestled Gastelum to the canvas. But with seconds left in the round, Gastelum landed a hook to Weidman’s chin that dropped the former middleweight champion before the bell rang.“Thirty more seconds and I could have finished the fight,” Gastelum said.Weidman then relied on his wrestling skills against the former Ultimate Fighter winner, setting up opportunities to land hard, accurate punches in the third. Following a sequence in which the two grappled alongside the cage, Weidman took down Gastelum and transitioned to the submission. After a few moments, Gastelum tapped out.Weidman hopped the cage and celebrated with 11,198 of his Long Island fans before returning to the octagon to hugged family and team members.ADVERTISEMENT Kawhi Leonard, Clippers rally to beat Pelicans “I did it in the Nassau Coliseum. I grew up five minutes down the road,” said Weidman, who later pushed for a fight with current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. “Bisping has been running. I’m the champ. I’m the best guy in the world. I think people know that.”The bout headlined the 13-fight card in the first UFC event to be held at the Coliseum. Six of the 26 fighters were from Long Island, and overall, nine were from New York state.But there was not much a home field advantage, with Weidman, Chris Wade and Shane Burgos the only New Yorkers to win.Darren Elkins earned a split decision over Dennis Bermudez in the semi-main event. Elkins routinely used his wrestling to neutralize Bermudez in the first two rounds of the featherweight fight. Bermudez pressured Elkins in the third, but ultimately lost his second straight fight and his fourth out of sixth overall.Patrick Cummins earned a split decision over Gian Villante in a light heavyweight fight. Cummins suffered a gash over his left eye due to an inadvertent head-butt in the first round.Cummins was taken to a hospital for examination, but tweeted a photo of his face from an ambulance.No. 4 ranked bantamweight Jimmie Rivera kicked off the main card with a unanimous decision over No. 9 Thomas Almeida. The win was Rivera’s 20th straight, and might have put him in line for a title shot. During an in-cage interview after the fight, Rivera challenged former champions TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz, who was working the show as an analyst for Fox.Wade beat Frankie Perez, and Burgos topped Godofredo Pepey.Junior Albini knocked out Tim Johnson 2:51 into the first round, Marlon Vera submitted Brian Kelleher with a first-round arm bar, and Jeremy Kennedy improved to 11-0 with a unanimous decision over Kyle Bochniak.Chase Sherman had a unanimous decision over Damian Grabowski, and Alex Oliveira knocked out Ryan LaFlare with an uppercut at 1:50 of the second round. Eryk Anders, a former Alabama linebacker, remained unbeaten with a first-round knockout of Rafael Natal, and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos took a split decision over Lyman Good. MOST READ Seven hundred and ninety one days, to be exact.“It feels like a championship,” Weidman said, after he submitted Kelvin Gastelum with an arm triangle choke at 3:45 of the third round Saturday night in a UFC on Fox event at Nassau Coliseum. “I can’t wait to tell my kids I won.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’Weidman the former Hofstra wrestler fighting just across the Hempstead Turnpike from the university’s campus, snapped a three-fight losing streak to improve to 14-3. Gastelum dropped to 14-4-0 with one no-decision.The win was Weidman’s first since knocking out Vitor Belfort at UFC 187 on May 23, 2015. LATEST STORIES McGregor blasts Cerrone in 40 seconds in UFC return LeBron James scores 31 points, Lakers beat Rockets
OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend ‘I’m out!’: PewDiePie releases last video before taking break from YouTube 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano According to the UFC, the show did a $1,088,332 gate. Goodman and Zaleski dos Santos received bonuses for Fight of the Night, while Albini and Oliveira earned Performance of the Night bonuses.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:15Trump signs Anti-Semitism order at Hanukkah event00:50Trending Articles01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite McIlroy wastes fast start, rues ‘opportunity lost’ at British Open Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next St. Benilde refused to go down without a fight and edged Arellano in penalty shootout, 4-3 (1-1), to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the NCAA Season 93 senior football Finals Monday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.Blazer Moiselle Angelo Alforque sent the ball to the back of the net as he broke the 3-all deadlock in the shootout after Chief Patrick John Bernarte sailed over the crossbar to surrender the win in the tense Game 2 duel.ADVERTISEMENT Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Scottie Thompson also worthy of Finals MVP, thinks Cone Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson LATEST STORIES Zark’s, Marinero emerge as favorites in wide-open D-League Aspirants’ Cup
Arellano seemed to have gotten in the head of St. Benilde early after Cyrus Sanquilos put his side up 1-0 at the seventh minute.The Blazers, however, couldn’t stomach the idea of a repeat of last season’s runner-up finish and came out as the aggressors in the second half with Major Dean Ebarle knotting the score at a goal apiece which remained until the end of extra time.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkAs the match went on to a penalty shootout, Arellano’s Sanquilos, Charles Gamutan, and Roberto Corsame and St. Benilde’s Earl Real Laguerta, Vincent Erik Lovitos, and Renz Joseph Tulayba all traded goals to tie the score at 3-3.Bernate, however, went too strong on his attempt for the Chiefs that allowed Alforque to deliver the clincher. Brian Heruela arrival bolsters Phoenix backcourt, defense Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina View comments For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson “I told the players at halftime that if we score the equalizer in the second half, we’ll win this. And we did,” said Blazers coach Marlon Maro.Game 3 is on Wednesday, still at the historic Rizal Memorial pitch.In the juniors division, Mariano Suba uncorked a hattrick before goalkeeper Jessie Reil Semblano showcased his defensive whiz in the shootout to deliver San Beda to a 3-1 (3-3) victory over CSB-La Salle Greenhills and take home the Red Booters’ 17th juniors crown.ADVERTISEMENT Meralco ‘never the same’ after Almazan injury in PBA Finals
Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro wipes sweat from her face during her fourth round match against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro blitzed into the Australian Open quarterfinals with a stunning 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win over Anett Kontaveit Sunday.The Estonian 32nd seed blew a set and 4-1 lead with two breaks to allow the 39th-ranked Spaniard back into the match.ADVERTISEMENT OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Michael Porter Jr. stays patient as playing time increases – Lifeline –When she double-faulted on break point, Suarez Navarro had a lifeline at 4-2.The Spaniard easily held for 4-3 and levelled the set as Kontaveit went wide with another misdirected forehand.The momentum shift was completed when Suarez Navarro held again and Kontaveit had to serve to save the set at 4-5, having been 4-1 up.Anxiety took over the young Estonian. A double fault and another forehand error helped Suarez Navarro create two set points.Kontaviet regathered to save those but, when a second double fault brought up a third, Suarez Navarro’s stunning comeback sent the match went to a decider.A ripping winner crosscourt brought up a break for Kontaveit to lead 5-4 but as in the second stanza nerves prevented her getting over the finish line and Suarez Navarro broke back.At 6-7 Kontaveit’s capitulation was complete when she conceded match point on her serve, the Spaniard taking her chance when the Estonian went long.The reward for the former world number six is a clash against either second seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark or Slovakia’s 19th seed Magdalena Rybarikova. Djokovic meditates to ‘lose fear and stress’ OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson LATEST STORIES Suarez Navarro was ranked in the top 10 less than two years ago but has been on a downward slide and had no answer to the pace of Kontaveit’s early ground strokes.The 22-year-old made the decisive break in the fifth game and secured a 5-3 lead with the standout shot of the first set, a superb running forehand pass that flew around the net post to bring the Rod Laver Arena crowd to their feet.Kontaviet served out after 42 minutes and in the second, a bullet-like backhand gave her a second break of serve to 4-1 up with one foot in the quarter-final.But 29-year-old Suarez Navarro, whose first Grand Slam quarter-final at Melbourne Park was nine years ago, drew on her experience and began to play a patient game, extending the rallies.Nerves set in for Kontaveit as she neared her first Slam quarter-final and a forehand which had powered 15 winners in the first set alone faltered.ADVERTISEMENT Almazan vows to comeback stronger after finals heartbreak Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparc
Read Next MOST READ Nonito Donaire vs Naoya Inoue is BWAA 2019 Fight of the Year She also stumbled when serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, as the experienced Suarez Navarro reached her third Australian Open last eight after 2hr 15min.“Was tough today. She started really well,” said the Spaniard who has also reached the quarter-finals twice at Roland Garros and also at the US Open, but never progressed further.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk“I always have to fight to the end,” she added. “I just tried to play my game and stay really focused. I just run and run. That’s it.”Oozing confidence after despatching French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the third round, Kontaveit was on the front foot from the off. Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina View comments Newsome sets focus on helping Bolts open new PBA season on right track Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew
Nonito Donaire vs Naoya Inoue is BWAA 2019 Fight of the Year OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson LATEST STORIES Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Almazan vows to comeback stronger after finals heartbreak View comments Belangel jumps to top 3 in second week of NBTC 24 Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Newsome sets focus on helping Bolts open new PBA season on right track Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award
Michael Porter Jr. stays patient as playing time increases Djokovic was full of praise for Chung, who turned professional in 2014 and climbed 122 places in the rankings in 2015. Injures in 2017 limited Chung’s appearances but gave time to make changes to his grip and other technical adjustments.“He definitely has the game to be a top 10 player, without a doubt,” Djokovic said. “How far he can go? That depends on him. I’m sure that he’s going to get some really good results in the future.”The 12-time Grand Slam champion was impressed by the improvement of the bespectacled, softly-spoken Chung, who took up tennis as a boy in an attempt to improve his eyesight.“There’s a big difference. Obviously, he’s physically stronger. I think he got some big matches in the past 15 months on the big stage.”Chung’s previous Grand Slam best was the third round of the 2017 French Open, but he made headlines last November for winning the inaugural edition of the Next Generation ATP finals.As well as having a great opportunity to reach the last four, Chung is making waves at home.“Today, victory is for my country, I think tennis is coming up,” he said. Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina South Korea’s Chung Hyeon, left, is congratulated by Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)SEOUL, South Korea — It took something unique to make tennis the center of sports attention in South Korea, where the Winter Olympics are only weeks away from opening.Hyeon Chung’s win over six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic did the trick. The headlines ran “Sensation” after Chung became the first Korean to reach the quarterfinals of a major.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Tennis has struggled to take off in South Korea, partly because of the expense and a relative lack of facilities and coaches.Also missing has been a role model with success on the international stage to inspire a new generation of players. Until Monday, the best performances by Korean players came from Lee Hyun-taik, who reached the round of 16 at the U.S. Open, and Lee Duk-hee, who made the women’s fourth round at the 1981 U.S. Open.Chung’s success could be a game-changer.“If we have all the right support then there is the potential for Korea to produce enough good players,” Son Sung-ri, a coach who works with Chung, told Seoul’s CBS Radio. “It is good if Chung can have success and if people start to have more interest in the Australian Open and tennis in general.”“Of course, our target is always to try and win,” Son added. “We shouldn’t count our chickens however as there is still a lot of hard work to be done.”ADVERTISEMENT The No. 58-ranked Chung beat his childhood hero on Rod Laver Arena to secure a spot in a quarterfinal against No. 97-ranked Tennys Sandgren, who had never won a match at a major until last week. So expectations are growing.“For the Korean fans watching me live in Korea right now, I sincerely thank you for cheering me on and for watching me this late.” Chung, speaking in Korean, said in an on-court interview broadcast live. As he spoke, he looked the direction of his parents and brother who were in the crowd.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk“I am still not finished in this tournament and I will show you a better performance on Wednesday.”The mainstream media was full of praise, and social media was buzzing — former President Lee Myung-bak issued a post saying “I am supporting the ongoing challenge of the beautiful young man Chung Hyeon.” OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson