I Dig Sports
A man in the spotlight
Following a highly successful outing at the recent Seamaster 2019 LION Japan Open in Sapporo, where he won all three titles he was eligible to compete for, Xu Xin is very much a player of significant relevancy at this period in time.
So far in 2019 alone Xu Xin has collected six ITTF World Tour trophies to his name, five of which have come in doubles. Combining with Liang Jingkun and Fan Zhendong to men’s doubles success Xu Xin has also prevailed with two different partners in the mixed doubles, winning silverware twice with Liu Shiwen and once most recently with Zhu Yuling. More importantly Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen emerged victorious at the Liebherr 2019 World Table Tennis Championships.
Xu Xin’s efforts as a singles player at the recent Japan Open should also be recognised for it was he that ousted World no.1 Fan Zhendong in an all-important semi-final clash before seeing off up-and-coming Chinese Taipei star Lin Yun-Ju in the final.
Plethora of strengths but is there a cost?
A unique player in his own right but Xu Xin’s fundamentals draw similarities to many of his penhold predecessors. Similar to three-time Olympic silver medallist Wang Hao, Xu Xin uses the backhand to top spin and block but he also likens to Liu Guoliang and Ma Lin who, in their day, used the backhand top spin not as a winning stroke but one to unleash a thunderous forehand top spin.
An advantage from a doubles point of view is that Xu Xin is left-handed which when used in combination of a right-handed player allows both the penhold specialist and his partner extra space to operate their forehand attack. Lightning quick sideways movement, Xu Xin excels playing short near the net, returning short and creating angles. An essential feature in doubles, he creates the opening for his right-handed partner.
Yet, as with any other player Xu Xin’s game does have its potential weak spot. While the left-handed/right-handed partnership has its benefits it can at times prove troublesome especially when the right-hander opts for a ‘banana’ return, leaving Xu Xin with less room to play to the best of his abilities. However, it’s fair to say that the positives clearly outweigh the negatives when it comes to Xu Xin as a doubles player.
Does a trip to Tokyo await?
Even with the scope of talent China has to offer it’s somewhat bewildering to reflect upon the fact that Xu Xin is yet to compete in the men’s singles event on the Olympic stage, having been restricted to the men’s team line-up in 2016.
Ma Long and Fan Zhendong are the hot favourites to gain the two available singles positions at Tokyo 2020 while we can also expect the likes of Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun to challenge for the privilege. However, don’t rule out Xu Xin – a strong finish to 2019 and a solid opening to his 2020 campaign surely keeps him in the picture?
When it comes to the men’s team and mixed doubles events the odds appear very much in Xu Xin’s favour. The fact of the matter is that at Rio 2016 the penholder helped China to the top step of the men’s team podium while he has also proven a highly formidable mixed doubles competitor in the past year. Will Xu Xin be present at Tokyo 2020? Nothing is for certain but if he stays fit and continues to deliver success on the international scene, then the odds are surely favourable?
MONTEREY, Calif. — Twenty years after earning his second consecutive Formula One drivers’ championship, Mika Häkkinen will demonstrate his considerable driving talents behind the wheel of the 1970 McLaren M8D/3 “Batmobile” at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Aug. 15-18 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
American racing legend Dan Gurney and British Formula One driver Peter Gethin each raced the “Batmobile” during the 1970 Can-Am season as teammates to Denny Hulme following the tragic loss of Bruce McLaren.
Gurney drove it during the first three races of the season, winning twice from the pole position at Mosport and Mont-Tremblant. Gethin raced the car seven times, scoring a victory at Road America along with two other podiums. The car was used as a spare for Bruce McLaren Motor Racing drivers Peter Revson and Denny Hulme in 1971 and was in privateer hands from 1972 to 1974.
The vivid papaya-colored race car is powered by a roaring 7.6-liter Chevrolet engine. The high strut-mounted rear wing of its predecessor – the M8B – had been banned by Can-Am, so the M8D’s rear wing was mounted low on fins, earning the car’s “Batmobile” nickname.
The McLaren team dominated the 1970 season with nine wins in the 10-round championship. McLaren drivers Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Peter Revson had won five straight Can-Am championships from 1967 to 1971.
This will mark the third consecutive year that Häkkinen, who had not previously driven at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, will make demonstration laps at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. He drove the 1974 McLaren M23 in 2017 and the 1995 McLaren F1 GTR in 2018.
“This track is fun, really enjoyable,” said Häkkinen. “The track goes up and down, and some of the corners have great camber. It looks tighter than it is from a distance, so you need a lot of guts to brake later and take the right line.”
Häkkinen will make spirited exhibition laps in the M8D/3 in the noon hour during the first three days of the four-day event. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion takes place Aug. 15-18 and will honor the 50th anniversary of the International Motor Sports Ass’n. Tickets and information are available by visiting www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or calling 831-242-8200.
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Persistent storms have forced Limaland Motorsports Park and All Star Circuit of Champions officials to cancel the Cometic Gasket Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Indy Metal Finishing event scheduled for Friday.
The Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 will now switch directions and head south on Friday, setting aim for the highbanks of Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Pit gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. with main gates to follow at 3 p.m. Hot laps will hit the speedway at 6:30 p.m.
ANDERSON, Ind. – Veteran Aaron Pierce made a picture perfect crossover pass on lap 71 to take the lead from Justin Grant and win Thursday’s non-winged 410 sprint car feature at Anderson Speedway.
With a tightly bunched field track position was crucial on Sugar Fork Crossing night at Anderson Speedway.
Grant took the lead on lap 47 after an incident with Travis Welpott. The front seven cars ran nose to tail until Pierce took the point.
Bobby Santos got around Grant on lap 80 with Kody Swanson climbing from the fifth spot to third by lap 84. Santos closed on Pierce but when the leaders encountered lap traffic in the last five circuits, he went high in the first turn.
Pierce won by 1.8 seconds over Santos and Swanson.
“The car was really good tonight,” Pierce said in the Star Financial Winner’s Circle. “The field was so tight that you had to take advantage of the opportunity when it came.
“I didn’t know how close Bobby (Santos) was at the end, but I know he nudged me a couple of times.”
Santos, who is still seeking his first Anderson Speedway win, said the team learned more about racing the track.
“We keep getting close,” he said of a win. “At the end I was lucky to save it and not make contact with the outside wall.”
Swanson said he made a mistake on the only restart when he tried the outside line and was then forced to fall back into line.
“When the field sorted out some, we were able to gain some spots to finish third,” he said.
Welpott took advantage of the inversion following qualifying and led the first 46 laps before his night ended.
From the start Welpott was chased by Justin Grant, Aaron Pierce, Jacob Wilson and Bobby Santos.
He was able to hold off Grant by running the middle groove through the corners. But for several laps Welpott’s car was pushing in the corners.
On lap 47 Grant got inside of Welpott in turn one and the two made contact with Welpott flipping and coming to a rest against the retaining wall in turn two.
Swanson set fast time during qualifying just one-one thousandth of a second quicker than the lap turned by Santos with Pierce third quick.
The finish:
Aaron Pierce, Bobby Santos, Kody Swanson, Nick Hamilton, Kyle O’Gara, Jimmy McCune, Jacob Wilson, C.J. Leary, Joe Liguori, Brian Vaughn, Justin Grant, Chris Jagger, Travis Welpott, Jim Payne.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan is being placed on long-term injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a serious back issue, the team announced.
General manager Julien BriseBois said that doctors recommended that he no longer play hockey because of degenerative disc disease of his lumbar spine.
"He's such a proud competitor, such a fierce competitor. I know he was planning to not only play out this contract, but sign another contract after that," BriseBois said, according to NHL.com
The 34-year-old Callahan had seven goals and 10 assists in 52 games last season. He was a candidate to be traded this offseason as the Bolts try to create cap room to pay restricted free agent Brayden Point. Callahan has one year left on his contract with a $5.8 million cap hit. The Lightning will now be able to exceed the cap to fill out their roster using an LTIR exemption.
Callahan was acquired by the Lightning from the Rangers in 2014 in the deal that sent Martin St. Louis to New York. Callahan responded with 24 goals and 30 assists to match his career high in points in his first full season in Tampa. But his numbers have declined precipitously since then as he battled injuries.
Callahan, who is a New York native, eclipsed the 20-goal mark four times in his career.
Martin Kaymer fired an opening 5-under 67 and sits just one shot off the lead at the BMW International Open, which was suspended Thursday for darkness after a nearly-three-hour weather delay for lightning and heavy rain.
Kaymer, playing in front of his home crowd in Munich, notched four of his five birdies on the back nine of Golf Club Munchen Eichenried. He is 5 under, right behind leader Andrea Pavan.
“As a German, it’s rare that we have these chances,” said Kaymer, who won the 2008 BMW International Open. “If you’re from Great Britain or America, you play many tournaments in those countries. It’s also a little bit tricky [playing in front of big crowds]. You know this will happen because I’ve played here for 15 years or so, it leads to a little adjustment on the first few holes, but it’s very fun.
“I didn’t make many major mistakes. I played solid – I didn’t play great, but I played solid.”
The 34-year-old Kaymer, an 11-time European Tour winner, hasn’t won on the tour since winning the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. That is his last win anywhere.
Pavan is coming off his best season on the tour, finishing 34th in the Race to Dubai and winning the D+D Real Czech Masters. But he has yet to notch a top-10 finish so far this season.
Oliver Wilson is tied with Kaymer for second. Lee Westwood and Jeff Winther share fourth at 4 under. Matt Wallace is part of a huge logjam at 3 under that also includes Alex Noren, who is among the 33 players who will have to return Friday morning to wrap up their first rounds.
More Hazeltine, please: Park (70) embraces challenge at Women's PGA
CHASKA, Minn. – Annie Park was raised to play brutes like Hazeltine National.
She grew up in New York and honed her game on the golf courses at Bethpage State Park, including the famed and beastly Black Course.
“I grew up in Levittown, two exits from Bethpage,” Park said Thursday after opening the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a 2-under 70, which put Park just two shots off the lead.
Park was 8 years old when her mother, Ann, first put a golf club in her hands. By 10, Annie was such a regular at Bethpage, the staff all knew her by name.
“I learned a lot playing those tough courses at Bethpage, not only how to swing the club but how to game plan,” Park said.
Park, 24, who won the 2013 NCAA individual title while at USC, broke through to win her first LPGA title at the ShopRite Classic last year.
Hazeltine is playing tough as the longest layout in the 65-year history of the Women’s PGA Championship, which was previously played as the LPGA Championship and continues to honor those records. At 6,807 yards, Hazeltine is 250 yards longer than the U.S. Women’s Open was played at the Country Club of Charleston two weeks ago.
“I tend to like the KPMG courses,” Park said. “I don't know if it's because I grew up with a kind of similar look and type of grass growing up in the Northeast in New York, playing a bunch of tournaments in the East Coast, but I really like the golf course.”
Hovland, Wolff handle pressure in pro debuts at Travelers
CROMWELL, Conn. – Viktor Hovland started his professional career with a 3-under 67 Thursday at TPC River Highlands.
The 2018 U.S. Amateur champ, Oklahoma State standout and low amateur at both the Masters and U.S. Open made five birdies against two early bogeys.
This wasn’t Hovland’s first PGA Tour event, but it was his first start playing for money, which he’s doing his best not to think about.
“I think instead of thinking about money I'm thinking more about, 'OK, I want to have some sort of status for next year.' That's kind of the goal,” he said. “Obviously, this means I'm going to be making more money if I'm playing good, but it is a little different because I feel like I have to capitalize more on these starts.”
Hovland is playing on a sponsor exemption, along with newly minted pros Collin Morikawa, Matthew Wolff and Justin Suh.
Morikawa, who tied for 14th in his pro debut at the RBC Canadian Open, matched Hovland with a 67 of his own.
Wolff, this year’s NCAA Division I individual champion, struggled early in his round, making the turn in 2 over, but fought back with two back-nine birdies, including one at the last, to shoot even par.
“I talked to [caddie J.P. Fitzgerald] before we got to 16, and I said, ‘I want to finish this round at even par,’ and to do it was pretty special," Wolff said.
Wolff handled the wild environment at the Waste Management Phoenix Open quite well as an amateur earlier this year, but even he lost a little of his trademark cool Thursday in his first start as a pro.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little more pressure,” Wolff said. “Definitely before the round, it was a little stressful.”
Wolff was told that he had been compared to Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft, on the afternoon’s edition of Golf Central. His eyes went wide and he took a deep breath.
“Obviously, he’s going to go No. 1 in the draft,” Wolff said. “I take that as a confidence booster.”
Rounding out the group of four young pros in the spotlight this week, Suh shot 3-over 73, his one-birdie, one-bogey, 15-par round undone by a trip out of bounds and a triple bogey at 12.
Coaching change paying off for Ko at KPMG Women's PGA Championship
CHASKA, Minn. – Lydia Ko is giving David Whelan a try as a new swing coach.
So far, so good.
Ko got herself in early contention with a 1-under-par 70 Thursday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National. She’s three shots off the lead.
Whelan, once Paula Creamer’s long-time coach, works with Jessica and Nelly Korda. He’s at Hazeltine helping them and Ko this week. Ko has also had Sean Foley and Chris Mayson look at her swings since leaving Ted Oh back in April.
Ko and Whelan spent time on the range Wednesday working on her swing.
“I was like 'Oh, maybe I could just kind of get insight on what he thinks,’” Ko said. “I think we were trying to simplify it.
“He's getting me to understand my swing a little bit more, so that even if he's not there, I'm still able to figure it out. It's just trying to get a few key points, just to make sure that I can think about it, but not think about it too much . . . just making sure that every shot I hit I'm hitting with confidence and not worrying about it.”
Ko began working with Oh at the beginning of the 2018 season, after leaving Gary Gilchrist, who she worked with for nearly a year. Before that she was with David Leadbetter for three years, after leaving her childhood coach, Guy Wilson, at the end of 2013.
A. Jutanugarn (70) drives into contention with seldom-used big stick
CHASKA, Minn. – Ariya Jutanugarn’s lonesome driver made an appearance Thursday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
It’s lonesome because Jutanugarn so rarely puts it in her bag.
With Hazeltine National playing as the longest layout in the 65-year history of the Women’s PGA history, which was previously played as the LPGA Championship, Jutanugarn wanted her driver to help her reach the course’s long par 5s.
“Hit my driver twice, pretty good,” Jutuanugarn said.
Actually, Jutanugarn said it could have been better. She used driver at two of the par 5s, the 566-yard third hole and the 555-yard 11th hole. She made par at the third, bogeyed the 11th.
“Fairways are too narrow for me,” Jutanugarn said.
That didn’t stop Jutanugarn from climbing into contention with a 2-under-par 70, which left her two shots off the lead. She swept the LPGA’s most important awards last year, winning Rolex Player of the Year, the Vare Trophy for low scoring average, the Race to the CME Globe and the money title. She is however, seeking her first title in almost 11 months.
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