French Open: Su-Wei Hsieh stuns Johanna Konta to secure biggest win of her career

by Joshua Coase, posted in Tennis

Su-Wei Hsieh secured the biggest singles win of her career as she defeated a top 10 player for the first time in the form of Johanna Konta 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in the first round at the French Open.

Ranked at 109 in the world, the Chinese Taipei player was on a five match losing streak and the signs looked ominous after losing the first set 6-1, but Hsieh dug deep and staved off five break points in the second set before taking it on a tiebreak. After trading breaks in the final set she held her nerve, staving off four break back points in the final game before ousting the seventh seed.

Hsieh advances to face Taylor Townsend in the second round after the American defeated Miyu Kato in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. There were also opening round victories for fifth seed Elina Svitolina, 21st seed Carla Suarez Navarro, Tsvetana Pironkova and Sorana Cirstea.

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French Open: Garbine Muguruza defeats Francesca Schiavone in battle of the former champions

by Joshua Coase, posted in Tennis

Garbine Muguruza got her title defence at Roland Garros off to the perfect start after she came through a tough test against former champion Francesca Schiavone in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.

Making her final appearance at the French Open, Schiavone gave it everything she had out on court Philippe Chatrier but an early double break in the first set put the Spaniard in control. The Italian recovered from a break down in the second and even had a chance to up a break herself but Muguruza hung tough and closed it out in just over an hour and a half.

That win sets up a tough second round clash with Estonian Anett Kontaveit, who defeated Monica Niculescu in straight sets 7-5, 6-1. So far on day two there have also been wins on the women’s side for Yulia Putintseva, Richel Hogenkamp and Ons Jabeur.

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French Open: Tommy Robredo defeats Dan Evans, Ramos-Vinolas & Carreno Busta also advance

by Joshua Coase, posted in Tennis

Tommy Robredo recovered from a set down to defeat Dan Evans 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 to book his place in the second round at the French Open in what is his last tournament with a protected ranking.

Evans has been very public about his dissatisfaction and lack of confidence playing on the clay but any signs of that looked far from his mind as he took a set and a break lead. Robredo did not panic and dug deep to get himself back in the set and once he snatched that he was in command. Breaks were traded but the 35-year-old was always in control and wrapped up the match after two hours and 47 minutes.

Elsewhere on day one at Roland Garros there were victories for three of Robredo’s Spanish compatriots. 19th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated qualifier Marius Copil 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, while 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta eliminated Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez upset 26th seed Gilles Muller, winning 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2. There were also wins for Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, Mikhail Kukushkin, Taro Daniel and Horacio Zeballos.

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AFC Bournemouth set to sign Jermain Defoe

by Joshua Coase, posted in Football

AFC Bournemouth are set to sign Jermain Defoe on a free transfer from Sunderland following the striker’s contract talks with the club.

The England international has agreed a three-year deal worth £65,000-a-week and will return to the club where he spent a successful six-month loan spell in 2000/01.

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ATP Rome: Dominic Thiem ends Rafael Nadal’s unbeaten run on clay as Djokovic and del Potro are forced to come back Saturday

by Joshua Coase, posted in Tennis

Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro will have to resume their quarterfinal match at the Rome Masters on Saturday after play was interrupted due to heavy rain and lightning, with the world number two leading 6-1, 1-2.

Earlier in the day Dominic Thiem stunned the Rome crowd as he inflicted the perfect revenge on Rafael Nadal, defeating the seven-time former champion in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.

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AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Burnley: Cherries end home campaign with hard fought win

by Joshua Coase, posted in Football

AFC Bournemouth marked the final home game of the Premier League season with the perfect result, seeing off Burnley 2-1 to reach 45 points, surpassing their total tally from last season.

After a slow start to the game with few chances Junior Stanislas gave the home side the lead after 25 minutes, taking them to the half time break in control. Eddie Howe’s side continued to press for a crucial second goal throughout the second period, but a well crafted equaliser converted by Sam Vokes threatened to put a dampener on the day. Josh King delighted the home crowd and granted them their wish of a final home game victory just two minutes after being pegged back, slotting home to secure a first win over Burnley since 1998.

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Eddie Howe eager to surpass last season’s 42 points total ahead of Burnley clash

by Joshua Coase, posted in Football

Eddie Howe was in a buoyant mood as he faced the media on Friday ahead of AFC Bournemouth’s clash with Burnley in the Premier League.

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