SERENA WILLIAMS TO FACE BIANCA ANDREESCU AT THE US OPEN FINAL

Serena Williams defeat Elina Svitolina to reach her tenth final US Open final at Flushing Meadows, Williams is on the verge of winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

It all looked so reassuring again on Thursday night as serena pounded first serves and ripped winners on the run against an overwhelmed younger opponent to reach her 10th United States Open final in style and the American will now seek her record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title on Saturday against Bianca Andreescu.

Williams, seeded eighth, is aiming for her first Grand Slam win since giving birth in September 2017.

She has won 21 of her first 25 Grand Slam finals but has lost five of her last seven and has lost all three she has played since returning to the game last year after the birth of a daughter, Olympia, in September 2017.

The six-time champion will face Canadian 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu in Saturday's final in New York.

In a gripping encounter, Andreescu defeated 22-year-old Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-6 (7-3) 7-5, winning the last five games of the match.

Andreescu, who is playing in the US Open main draw for the first time and competing in only her fourth Grand Slam, was born nine months after Williams won her first title at Flushing Meadows in 1999

Federer beats Nadal to set up Wimbledon final with Novak Djokovic

 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s match  on Friday was not just a contender for the greatest match of all time but it had its moments and it also had a different finish even though eleven years passed between the last “Fedal” meeting at Wimbledon – in the legendary 2008 title match.

Nadal won the 2008 final at Wimbledon, prevailing by 9-7 in the fifth set in something much closer to darkness than daylight.

 It took more than three tense, nerve-shredding hours of the highest quality tennis for both to wrap up the game with Federer  edging Nadal 7-6 1-6 6-3 6-4 . Federer will now face Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final after the Serb beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 earlier Friday.

The victory earned Federer, 37, a chance to renew another great rivalry: this one with Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1, in Sunday’s final.

 Djokovic, the defending champion, has won four Wimbledon singles titles. Federer has won eight, the men’s record. He is the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon final since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall lost to Jimmy Connors in 1974.

The Swiss  remains on course for a ninth Wimbledon title after beating Rafael Nadal in an enthralling encounter to reach his 12th final at the All England Club.

🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal’s 21-match run on clay is over

Rafael Nadal's record-breaking run ends with shock loss to Dominic Thiem in Madrid Open quarter-final, the world No.1, was beaten in straight sets by the Austrian, going down 7-5 6-3.

Five-time Madrid champion Nadal was below his best, hitting 29 unforced errors in the two sets, but Thiem produced a fine performance.

It brought to an end his 21-match unbeaten run, and curtailed his new record of 50 consecutive set wins on a single surface - a record he only claimed on Thursday, breaking John McEnroe's 34-year record.

 Ironically, Nadal had not dropped a set on clay since a defeat by Thiem in 2017.

The defeat means Roger Federer will replace Nadal as world number one.

Wimbledon 2018: Serena On The Verge Of Getting A Top Seed

After giving birth last year, Seven-time champion Serena Williams dropped to 449th in the world rankings but she could be top seeded at this year’s Wimbledon open.

Williams, 36, failed to defend Wimbledon title last year as she was pregnant, the American believes players returning from pregnancy should have protected seedings as well as protected rankings.

At its spring unveiling Wimbledon was forced to examine its rulebook in regard to Williams's clearly false position in the rankings. A few hours later clarification came that it would be at the discretion of the tournament committee whether to seed her or not in order 'to produce a balanced draw'.

World number one Simona Halep said she believed Serena Williams "should have been given top seed", while Miami tournament director James Blake said the seeding rules for players returning from pregnancy were "a kind of punishment".

Serena won the competition in 2015 and 2016, The seeding meeting is due to take place on 26 June.

Rafael Nadal Wins 11th Barcelona Open title

World number one Rafael Nadal produced a legendary display to win his 11th Barcelona Open title with a 6-2 6-1 win over Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The spaniard has won 19 successive matches, and 46 consecutive sets, on clay, after winning his 11th Monte Carlo title last weekend, this was his 55th title on clay - and the 77th overall in his illustrious career.

Nadal’s dominance on the clay was eminent against young Tsitsipas being only 19 and the first Greek to make the final of a main tour ATP final in 35 years.

 "It was emotional. I could never have dreamed of having a career like this Nadal said.

Nigerian Tennis Superstar, Funke Oshonaike Reveals How She Was Sexually Abused

My name is olufunke oshonaike(God gave me to my parents to take care of) . I’ve really been loved and well taken care of by my parents. After getting a lot of discouraging messages from lot of people, though not new to me , I’ve decided to let you know a little about this super woman.

I started representing Nigeria at the age of 14. I give God almighty the glory for this talent and all that I’ve achieved today. This are some of the downs in my life that made me a strong woman;

*When I was in primary 6, I ran out of school to play a competition at Rowe Park and I was seriously caned by my teacher but I never gave up on Table tennis

*I was always booed every time I played a competition back then in Nigeria because I was very shy! I asked why and I was told that I was proud, arrogant, and blunt and I don’t mix with people. I’m talking about Funke at the age of 13 till 19. I cried a lot, went through a lot, and there was even a time the crowd was going to stab me in Lagós because I defeated there darling Biola Odumosu my arch rival back then at Rowe park. My No 1 fan, my dad consoled me and still never gave up on table tennis in Nigeria. My decision

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1676428002416394&id=100001476321803

* left Nigeria after my diploma course at university of Lagos to pursue my professional career, that was my decision even when I was advised not to go.

*left Italy after 4yrs to Germany in 1998 because I wanted more, that was my decision.

*I got pregnant during my career and I was confused on what to do, but I kept it and I was still playing professional tt till I was 7 months pregnant which is like a taboo in Nigeria! I even played African championship and won it , though nobody knew I was pregnant !That was my decision .

*I gave birth to my first child 2003 and I played all Africa games the same year and won 4 gold medals for Nigeria. My child was barely 6 months old. That was my decision

* I went to see my boyfriend of 10yrs relationship and I saw him sleeping in a bed with her girlfriend! I was heartbroken! The next day I had to travel to Australia, Sydney 2000. I cried all the way from Nigeria to Australia but I never gave up on men and my training. That was my decision

* I was physically, sexually, emotionally and mentally abused by a man that was 10yrs older than me. This man beat me ooo for more than 3 yrs and I remembered always going to Unilag with a battered face but I still never gave up on TT, men or living. That was my decision

I was duped of all my properties and my bank account was in his name (olodo funke). I left everything without looking back and I started my life all over again. It was very hard for me, but that was my decision

I fell in love again with my best friend here in Germany, 3 months to our wedding, he went to Nigeria on holiday and he was shot by armed robbers! I went through hell here in Germany without him. I mourned him for 2yrs, stopped going to Nigeria because of him but still never gave up on TT and living. That was my decision.

*I’ve been spending my money to represent Nigeria lately and I can’t remember the last time I’ve been payed any allowance or the last time I was awarded for winning for my country. I’m very hurt about a lot of things that’s happening in sports in Nigeria but because of the love I have for my country, I’m still trying my best to keep on keeping on. That’s my decision.

I was born in the 70s and I know one thing for sure that people born in 70s don’t give up on things easily. We learned ‘ise ni OGUN ise Mura si ise ore mi…….’. . So to some of you discouraging me, you’re just encouraging me indirectly because I’ve gone through a lot in my life that has made me stronger than you. Live your life and allow others do the same. I ain’t giving up on my dreams because of some no life, no dream people. TOKYO 2020, HERE I COME

Team Nigeria lists 90 Athletes For Commonwealth Games

According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ninety athletes will represent Nigeria at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games scheduled to run from April 4 to 15 as the country will take part in 10 events, including Athletics, Basketball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Boxing, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Para table tennis, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting.

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung revealed in a meeting the ministry held yesterday with presidents of the 10 federations, whose athletes will be taking part in the Games. Speaking at the meeting, said it was convened to scrutinize and defend the athletes’ participation at the Games, evaluate their prospects and finalize arrangements for the last phase of training before the games. 

A breakdown of the contingent shows that wrestling will be represented by six male and six female athletes, who will depart for Australia tomorrow to continue preparations for the games.

Weightlifting will feature four athletes, two men and two women, but athletics has the largest contingent with 37 stars, including 17 men and 20 women. Three medals prospects, including Divine Oduduru and gymnast, Uche Eke will not be at the championship due to academic commitments. The development means that Gymnastics will be represented by just one gymnast. “Athletics will hold its final training for 10 days while its top 10 athletes will attend the World indoors in Birmingham before arriving on March 1,” the ministry said.

It added that table tennis, which has five male players, would begin camping three weeks before the games, while Para Powerlifting, which will spend one month in the Gold Coast training for the competition, will present two players and two Para Athletes. The Commonwealth Games Athletes Village will open on March 25.

Roger Federer Crowned Sportsman Of The Year

Roger Federer has been named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus awards in recognition of his return to the top of tennis.

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The Swiss won Australia open again this year, becoming the first man to reach the milestone of 20 Grand Slam singles titles and reclaims the world number one spot at the age of 36 being the oldest to ever do so.

Federer also picked up the prize for Comeback of the Year at a ceremony in Monaco taking his total number of Laureus awards to six.

'Last year was something else,' said Federer as he collected his Comeback award. 'It was a dream come true and I want to thank all the people who got me back, my doctor who did the operation, my physio and my fitness coach.'

Serena Williams was named Sportswoman of the Year for 2017 when she won in Australia, her 23rd Grand Slam singles title

Roger Captures 97th Title As The Oldest World Number 1

Roger Federer capped an excellent week in Rotterdam by winning his 97th ATP World Tour title.

The 36-year-old sealed his return to world No 1 when he reached the quarter-finals and he went on to win the tournament, beating second seed Grigor Dimitrov in the final.

It was an easy afternoon for the oldest ATP No 1 in history as he triumphed in just 55 minutes 6-2 6-2 to claim a third title in the Netherlands.

In an open era, Only American Jimmy Connors has won more titles than the Swiss international with 109. Federer a record 20-time Grand Slam winner, will retake the number one ranking he last held in October 2012 when the ATP rankings are published on Monday.

He has played in two tournaments this year and won both- the other being January’s Australian Open. He is three years older than American Andre Agassi who was previously holding the record for the oldest No.1 back in 2003. This was his third victory in Rotterdam following successes in 2005 and 2012.

Davis Cup 2018: Great Britain beaten by Spain

Great Britain were beaten 3-1 by Spain in their Davis Cup tie after Cameron Norrie lost in four sets to world number 21 Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

It was another superb effort from Norrie, ranked 114, but he finally lost 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in three hours and 43 minutes in Marbella.

Kyle Edmund could have played in a deciding fifth rubber had Norrie won.

Britain now face a play-off in September which they need to win to stay in the World Group in 2019.

Norrie, 22, had come back from two sets down on Friday to defeat world number 23 Roberto Bautista Agut.

"I can't speak highly enough of what Cam has done all weekend," Great Britain captain Leon Smith said.

"People might have thought Friday was a one-off but he did it again against another high-quality player. He pushed him really close and I'm really proud of him.

"The only way is up for him."

While heavy favourites Spain ultimately prevailed, Norrie was the revelation of the weekend as he pushed two world-class clay-courters to the limit despite his inexperience.

Rafael Nadal Injured In Australian Open Quarter-Final Clash

Rafael Nadal was forced to pull out injured in the fifth set of his quarter-final, the World No 1 had treatment on his back and upper leg in the fourth set though Cilic was leading 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 2-0 when Nadal, who had been having issues with his lower back and upper leg, abruptly shook the umpire's hand an quit.

It was the second time in 24 hours that one of the Big Four was hampered by physical issues, with Novak Djokovic struggling in defeat the previous evening.

The rangy Croatian, winner of the US Open in 2014 and himself impaired in last summer's Wimbledon final, has a 1-0 record against Edmund after beating him in Shanghai last October.

Aruna Quadri Inspires Team To Portuguese Cup

Aruna Quadri continued his fine form for Sporting as the Nigerian led his team to retain the Portuguese Cup played at High Performance Center in Caldas da Rainha over the weekend.

Quadri started the whitewash against ADC Ponta do Pargo with a 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-8) after beating Énio Mendes to give Sporting the confidence going into the second match.

Portuguese international, Diogo Carvalho increased the lead for Sporting with another 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-4) bashing of Nigeria-born Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu.

The partnership of Bode Abiodun and João Monteiro completed the 3-0 rout for Sporting as they defeated the duo of Idowu and Nigeria’s Jide Ogidiolu with a 3-1 ((11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 14-12).

“I am happy that we were able to retain this title because we worked hard for the title. It was not an easy win because every team in the league is now getting quality players and I must thank the management of Sporting for the huge support.

“We will be playing the first leg of the ETTU Champions League this week against France’s Stella Sporta La Romagne and I hope that the win would help our confidence going into the Champions League quarterfinal match on Friday,” Quadri said.

Novak Djokovic Returns After Six-Month Absence

Novak Djokovic resurfaced in public for the first time since Wimbledon as the most interesting exhibit of the Australian Open's walking wounded.

The six-times Melbourne champion played in not just one exhibition tournament but two on Wednesday as he prepares to take his unaccustomed seeding of number fourteen in Thursday morning's draw.

He has been recovering from a knee injury although the official reason yesterday was shoulder problems. The Swiss could join Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori on the star absentee list.

Djokovic has taken to wearing a sleeve on his right arm after contending with elbow issues which last saw him pull out of his Wimbledon quarter-final on the same day that Murray played his last proper match.

His first assignment was to play in the Kooyong Classic four miles from Melbourne Park, where he beat world number five Dominic Thiem 6-1 6-4.

Thiem, however, looked so disinterested it was hard to read too much into it, and he lost 10-6 in a tiebreak to Lleyton Hewitt later in the day.

The most notable aspect of his return was that Djokovic – whose consultant coach Andre Agassi is due to arrive on Saturday – has slightly remodelled his serve, shortening his action and cutting short his take back.

Serena Williams Was Bedridden For Six Weeks After Birth Of Daughter

In an interview with the US fashion magazine Vogue, Serena Williams speaks for the first time of the medical complications she faced during her daughter’s birth. She said Alexis was delivered by C-section after the baby’s heart-rate dropped.

Williams said becoming a mother had at times left her feeling “broken”. “Sometimes I get really down and feel like, man, I can’t do this,” she told the magazine. “It’s that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes. I guess that’s just who I am.

“No one talks about the low moments – the pressure you feel, the incredible letdown every time you hear the baby cry. I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times. Or I’ll get angry about the crying, then sad about being angry, and then guilty, like, why do I feel so sad when I have a beautiful baby? The emotions are insane.”

In the interview, Williams spoke of her hope that her daughter would share her drive. “I think sometimes women limit themselves,” she said. “I’m not sure why we think that way, but I know that we’re sometimes taught to not dream as big as men, not to believe we can be a president or a CEO, when in the same household a male child is told he can be anything he wants.

“I’m so glad I had a daughter. I want to teach her that there are no limits.”

Rafael Nadal set to discover verdict of £90,000 lawsuit against doping claim

World No 1 Rafael Nadal On Thursday is scheduled to hear the outcome of his longstanding lawsuit against France’s former heath and sports minister Roselyn Bachelot, who he is suing for €100,000 (£90,000).

In the aftermath of revelations over Maria Sharapova’s use of Meldonium a year last March, Bachelot asserted on French TV that current world No 1 Nadal had in 2012 sat out a ‘silent ban’ due to a positive doping test

Between Wimbledon 2012 and February 2013 he did not play. Nadal has strongly denied that anything other than injury was behind this.

Andy Murray Gears Up For Long-Awaited Comeback Against Roger Federer

After 118 days on the side line Andy Murray will walk out to play competitive tennis for the first time on Tuesday.  After his limping exit from the Wimbledon quarter-finals, followed by an aborted attempt to appear in August’s US Open, this is the longest period he has spent away from a match court in his entire career.

Rather than an official ATP tournament, we are talking about a fundraising exhibition entitled Andy Murray Live. Such extra-curricular outings are usually ignored by the wider game, yet Tuesday’s outing will be assessed as closely as many finals – and not just because his opponent is Roger Federer. Everyone wants to know how Murray’s dodgy hip is bearing up.

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters

World number one Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters with a knee injury.

The Spaniard was due to face Serb Filip Krajinovic in the quarter-finals on Friday, but pulled out with a right knee problem before the match.

Nadal had the knee strapped during his third-round win over Pablo Cuevas.

Nadal said he would "do his best" to return for the season-ending event in London, which takes place from 12-19 November.

"For me it's not about London. For me it's about the longer term," he added.

"And longer term, I'm going to do the treatment I believe that is going to be more safe and more important to keep playing tennis as long as possible."

Caroline Wozniacki beats Venus Williams to win season finale

Caroline Wozniacki finally beat Venus Williams to claim the biggest title of her career at the WTA Finals in Singapore.Fifth seed Williams went into Sunday's final with a 7-0 record against Wozniacki stretching back to 2007, and having won just one set against the American.

The world number five has been in fine form this year and was a finalist at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

But the veteran will finish 2017 without a title after Wozniacki prevented her from regaining the Finals trophy she won nine years ago.

"I didn't seem to come up with my best tennis until it was too late," said Williams.

"I love being here, it is an honour. Only eight players get to be here and I hope to return."

Former world number one Wozniacki saw huge success on her serve on the slow surface in Singapore, ending with a tournament-leading 21 aces.

Tennis Anti-Doping Programme to Introduce Enhanced Measures

The governing bodies of tennis have approved enhanced measures for the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (the “Programme”) for 2017, including an increase in the volume of testing and a strengthening of the sample storage policy.

These enhancements to the Programme, which is a joint initiative between the ATP, Grand Slam Board, ITF and WTA, come into effect on 1 May.

The changes will see a significant increase in the volume of testing up to an annual total of 8,000 samples (from 4,899 in 2016). This will include the collection of more urine and blood samples both in-competition and out-of-competition across more events, thus providing greater coverage of professional tennis.

The number of players included in the International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) will increase to approximately 250, with all players subject to testing under the Athlete Biological Passport programme.

More samples (up to 50 per cent for top-ranked players) will be placed into long-term storage, allowing reanalysis of those samples, such as when new or more sensitive detection methods become available.

To fund these changes, the annual budget for the Programme will be increased by over 50 per cent to approximately $4.5 million in 2017 (excluding administration costs).

ITF President David Haggerty said: “On behalf of the partners in the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, we welcome this strengthening of the sport’s anti-doping efforts. Protecting the integrity of tennis is an ongoing priority of the governing bodies of tennis to ensure that tennis is and remains a clean sport, and these enhancements will make a positive contribution to achieving that priority”

Manchester Expresses Interest in Hosting WTA Finals From 2019

The city of Manchester is one of several destinations that has expressed an interest in succeeding Singapore as the host of the Women’s Tennis Association’s Finals from 2019.

The season-ending event, which features the top eight players of the year, is contracted to the Asian city until 2018 as part of a five-year deal with the WTA.

A WTA spokesperson confirmed to the Press Association that a number of cities had declared an interest in taking over the next cycle, and that Manchester was one of them.

“We are talking to a number of venues that have indicated an interest in the WTA Finals event for 2019 and beyond,” they said.

“We're in the early stages of this process. Manchester is one of several destinations that have reflected an initial interest in learning more about the opportunity.