I Dig Sports
Sabalenka beats Paolini to reach fourth Stuttgart final
"She makes me work for every point. It was hard to get the win," said the Belarusian of Paolini, 29. "I was just trying to stay aggressive, to put as much pressure on her."
Sabalenka has won all three of her previous meetings with world number 24 Ostapenko.
The 27-year-old Latvian, who upset world number two Swiatek in the quarter-final, comfortably overcame unseeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 6-4 in her last-four tie.
Elsewhere, Elina Svitolina picked up her first title in nearly two years with a 6-4 7-6 (10-8) win over Serbian Olga Danilovic in the final of the ATP event in Rouen.
The Ukrainian, who returned to competing two months ago after taking maternity leave, last won a title in Strasbourg in 2023.
"I feel confident about my game," said Svitolina, who did not drop a set all week.
"I trust my game. When I play well, it's difficult to beat me. I have to keep a very strong mindset and keep fighting."
The first set in Barcelona was a high-quality encounter between two players born just six days apart and who have been playing one another since their teens.
Alcaraz broke first, thumping his forehand with increasing ferocity, but Rune was equally impressive to immediately force the match back on serve.
Both aggressive baseliners, Alcaraz and Rune sent the ball thudding around Pista Rafael Nadal, but Rune was superior at the net, winning 12 of 16 points there.
Monte Carlo champion Alcaraz fended off four set points but a long forehand in the tie-break handed the initiative to Rune.
Again, Alcaraz had his chances, missing two break points in Rune's first service game. But at 2-1 up, he left the court for a medical timeout, and could not find his rhythm on his return.
Rune reeled off the next five games, committing 24 unforced errors to Alcaraz's 33, and ultimately secured victory on a missed Alcaraz forehand.
The pair are set to play in the Madrid Masters, which begins on Tuesday.
In the men's doubles final, Britain's Luke Johnson and Dutch partner Sander Arends triumphed 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 10-6 against Britis pair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.
Hugo Calderano Makes History With First ITTF World Cup Title For Brazil and Pan America
Hugo Calderado created history at the Galaxy Arena tonight, becoming the first Brazilian and Pan American player to win the ITTF Mens World Cup with a sensational 4-1 comeback victory over world number one Lin Shidong of China.
After dropping the opening game 6-11, the 28-year-old Brazilian produced an extraordinary performance to win four consecutive games (11-7, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5), completing a fairytale tournament that also saw him defeat world number two Wang Chuqin in the semifinals.
Calderanos victory marks a watershed moment for table tennis, breaking the Chinese dominance of the mens competition and signaling a new era of global competitiveness in the sport. His tactical brilliance was on full display throughout the final, consistently taking the ball early and disrupting Lins rhythm with clever variation of pace and placement.
The Brazilians path to glory included a heroic semifinal comeback from 1-3 down against Wang Chuqin, followed by this masterclass against Lin, who had been in imperious form throughout the tournament.
Hugo Calderanos achievement is truly remarkable as he becomes the first non-Chinese player since Dimitrij Ovtcharov (2017 Mens singles World Cup winner) to win a major mens singles tournament. Additionally, being the first Pan American player since Wenguan Johnny Huang in 1993 to secure a mens singles medal at the World Cup highlights his incredible talent and dedication to the sport. He will also regain his career best ranking of World No. 3 by Tuesday.
In the womens singles final, defending champion Sun Yingsha of China retained her title with a commanding 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6) victory over compatriot Kuai Man. The world number one never looked troubled as she secured her second consecutive World Cup crown with a performance of clinical precision.
For 21-year-old Kuai, reaching the final represents a significant breakthrough in her career, having defeated both Wang Manyu and Mima Ito with remarkable comeback victories earlier in the tournament.
The 2025 ITTF Mens and Womens World Cup will be remembered as a tournament of historic significance, marking Brazils arrival at the pinnacle of the sport while reaffirming Chinas continued excellence in the womens competition.
FINAL RESULTS:
Mens Singles Final
Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) def. LIN Shidong (CHN) 4-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5)
Womens Singles Final
SUN Yingsha (CHN) def. KUAI Man (CHN) 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6)
Ireland back row Aoife Wafer says Sunday's 40-14 win in Wales in the Six Nations is "huge" but there are still things to improve.
Wafer was named player of the match as she scored two of Ireland's six tries in Newport.
Forwards Linda Djougang and Dorothy Wall also touched down twice as Ireland ran out comfortable winners.
"It's huge. We can take a lot out of that but we can also build on it," Wafer told BBC Sport after the game.
"We gave Wales some really easy ins at the breakdown in the first half and that put us defending when we wanted to attack. So there's a lot to build on."
Ireland need just one point from their final fixture in Scotland to secure third place in the Six Nations table for the second year in a row.
While still a level below England, who ran out big winners in Cork in round three, Ireland have shown improvement against France in their opening and followed that up with a first away win in the tournament in four years when Scott Bemand's side defeated Italy in Parma.
The victory over Wales was another step in the right direction, and Ireland will look to finish on a high away to Scotland, who are fourth in the table, as their World Cup preparations continue.
"Winning away is tough, so to do it in Parma and Wales, we can take a lot from it," added Wafer.
"The crowd were brilliant, so to quieten them down and put on our own game is something we can take from it into our final match."
Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender.
Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Hannah Bluck, Catherine Richards.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Siobhán McCarthy, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Edel McMahon (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Sadhbh McGrath, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
Sin bin: O'Brien (36 mins)
England's 'selection headaches' for Grand Slam decider
Usually a head coach sticks with his main starting fly-half and builds the rest of the team accordingly.
But that has not been the case with Mitchell this Six Nations - the New Zealander has used three different fly-halves across four games.
Utility back Helena Rowland started the opening-round win over Italy, with Saracens' Zoe Harrison starting the back-to-back victories over Wales and Ireland.
Holly Aitchison, who was Mitchell's main 10 last year, started her first game at fly-half this campaign in Saturday's win over Scotland.
Harrison's tactical kicking has been praised by Mitchell, who previously favoured Aitchison's running game.
But Aitchison showed improvement in her kicking game on Saturday, summed up by a well-weighted nudge in-behind Scotland's defence during the first half, to show the England coaches that she can also control a game like Harrison.
Seven out of nine conversions also indicated improvement from the kicking tee - an area the Bristol Bears fly-half struggled with last Six Nations.
"Holly has put that [goal-kicking issue] to bed and ticked the box that says 'you can't pick me because I can't do that', which is all you can do as a player," former England fly-half Katy Daley-McLean told BBC'S Rugby Union Weekly.
France enjoy an unstructured game, well-suited for attacking rugby, which may mean Mitchell leans towards kicking control at 10.
Editors Note: The Trans Am Series will compete at Californias Sonoma Raceway this weekend with race three of its season. Courtesy the SPEED SPORT archives, we look back 40 years at the 1985 Trans Am race run at the track, which was then known as Sears Point Intl Raceway. Heres the story from the Oct. 2, 1985 edition of National Speed Sport News.
SONOMA, Calif. Elliott Forbes-Robinson won his second Bendix Brake Trans-Am race of the season here Sunday (Sept. 29, 1985), in a 100-mile Mercury Capri Fall Classic at Sears Point Intl Raceway.
Forbes-Robinson, who drives the Performance Motorsport Buick Somerset, took the lead 10 laps from the finish and claimed the victory in a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes. He averaged 82.94 mph, despite two caution flag periods that slowed the race for seven of the 40 laps.
The Buick ran super, said Forbes-Robinson, the 1982 Trans-Am Champion. I have followed Willy (T. Ribbs) and Wally (Dallenbach Jr.) around all season, and Im just glad that for once I ended up front of them.
Forbes-Robinson got by Motorcraft Capri driver Ribbs on the 31st lap and he wasnt passed again, en route to a 2.62-second victory over Ribbs at the checkered flag.
At the beginning, I was holding back a little, said Forbes-Robinson. Willy (Ribbs) was not slowing down, so I finally had to make my move. He had done a good job shutting the door I went into turn 10 really well and was able to get off it well and I got by him.
Ribbs, who has won six Bendix Brake Trans-Am races this season, did his best to hold off the charging Forbes-Robinson, but his efforts were all for naught.
I was saving everything as best I could. I knew Elliott would be quick but I didnt think hed last, Ribbs said. He really came after me and I tried to make it hard to pass. I knew I wasnt going to be able to hold him off the way he was going in and out of corners.
Forbes-Robinson did have a few anxious moments in the races final laps.
My car wouldnt stay in third gear, he said. It was starting to worry me, but I got it across the finish line.
Tom Gloy finished third in his 7-Eieven Mercury Capri. Gloy, the 1984 Trans Am Champion, grabbed third from Paul Miller seven laps from the finish.
It has been a miserable year for us, Gloy. said. We tried and tried to find the right combination early in the year but never could. We finally found it in the last three races.
Miller, the Porsche Turbo Carrera driver, finished fourth, followed by Chris Kneifel in his Motorcraft Capri.
Wally Dallenbach, Jr., who clinched the Bendix Brake Trans-Am Championship at St. Louis, finished 11th, one lap down.
The finish:
- Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Buick Somerset, 40 laps; 2. Willy T. Ribbs, Mercury Capri. 40; 3. Tom Gloy, Mercury Capri, 40; 4. Paul Miller, Porsche Turbo Carrera, 40; 5. Chris Kneifel, Mercury Capri, 40; 6. Jim Miller, Mercury Capri. 40; 7. Pancho Weaver, Chevrolet Camaro, 40; 8. John Brandt Jr., Chevrolet Camaro, 40; 9. Larry Park. Chevrolet Corvette, 39, accident; 10. Frank Emmett, Pontiac Trans-Am, 39; II. Wally Dallenbach Jr., Mercury Capri, 39; 12. Brent Regan, Porsche 911, 39; 13. Rich Sloma, Chevrolet Corvette, 39; 14. Keith Lowande, Chevrolet Camaro, 39; 15. Buzz Dyer, Pontiac Firebird, 39; 16. Rob McFarlin, Pontiac Trans-Am, 38; 17. Les Lindley, Chevrolet Camaro, 38; 18. Rick Stark. Chevrolet Corvette, 37; 19. Walter Benson, Chevrolet Camaro, 36; 20. Jim Derhaag, Pontiac TransAm, 35, accident; 21. Ken Yeo, Chevrolet Corvette, 30, mechanical; 22. Bob Hagestad. Porsche 924 Turbo, 30, engine; 23. Andy Porterfield, Chevrolet Camaro. 28. mechanical; 24. Vic Manuclli, Mercury Capri, 28, oil leak; 25. Bob Zulkowski, Porsche 911, 27; 26. Casey Mollett, Mercury Capri, 26, wheel; 27. John Schneider. Porsche 924 Turbo, 24, gear box; 28. Bruce Jenner, Pontiac Trans-Am, 23; 29. Roberi Kahn, Chevrolet Camaro, 18, crash; 30. Bill Doyle, Pontiac TransAm, 13, rear end; 31. Jerry Brassfield, Chevrolet Corvette. 7, crash; 32. Bob Brewer, Chevrolet Camaro, 0, fuel pickup; 33. Jerry Miller, Buick Century, 0, engine; 34, Mark Pie! s ticker, Chevrolet Camaro, 0, oil seal.
Watch the April 26-27 Trans Am Series races from Sonoma Raceway LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1.
South Boston Racer Bob Davis Fights For More Than Victory
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. As a former road racer, Bob Davis conquered the competition, winning races and earning numerous podium-finishes while competing on some of the countrys top road courses. He then turned to a new challenge short track racing and found success.
Now, Davis is facing and fighting the biggest battle against the biggest opponent of his life cancer. Its a battle he has been waging since March 2023.
Davis story is one of multiple components. Its a story of his deep faith in God. Its a story of having a never-give-up attitude. Its a story of thinking outside the box, journeying alone to Mexico to receive treatments that so far have yielded success. Its a story of a desire to race and to use racing to inspire those that face difficult struggles and dire circumstances.
Many people may not think of his seventh-place finish in last weekends Kenny Meadows Limited Sportsman Memorial, a 75-lap race that took the better part of an hour to complete, as a major accomplishment. In Davis book, and in the book of those that know the Thaxton, Va., resident, it was a win.
I was kind of surprised at my performance, Davis remarked. I really didnt know how I would do. Like most cancer patients, I am slightly anemic. Its tough to get your energy level up. I think most drivers will tell you when they get in the car, start the engine and start making the pace laps we come to life. Thats the case for me. I was very energetic in the that car. I really had no trouble driving. I really had a good time. I must be on the rebound, on the way to being healed.
The overwhelming majority of racers race to win. Davis goal in the seasons opening race for South Boston Speedways Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division was far more modest.
Our goal was to see how the car did, keep the car together, and finish the race, Davis explained. I was happy at the end of it all because thats what we accomplished. We found out the car raced well, and it was fast. It felt good knowing the car was really working well and that I could race with those guys. That really helped me a lot.
What Id like to do, Davis continued, is finish races this year and drive the car onto the hauler. Thats my number one goal. If weve got a car thats good enough to run toward the front, then that will be an even bigger plus.
Cancer battles are something Davis has seen far too often in his family. His father, his brother and a sister died from cancer and two sisters have been affected by it.
I never figured it was going hit me, Davis pointed out. It hasnt got me, and I dont know that it will.
Davis battle against cancer has been a tough one. Last September his situation became dire.
I was really beat down, he explained. I had a lot of problems with my health. My kidneys were at the point of shutting down. After I got so bad and the doctor told me about hospice, I went to Mexico. I found out about a place in Mexico called the Oasis of Hope Cancer Center through some health people. My wife and I talked to them, and they felt they could help me, so, in January, I flew out to San Diego, California. They (hospital personnel) picked me up at the airport and drove me to the hospital. I spent the next three weeks there under treatment. I got my blood tested when I got back home, and it was looking really good compared to what it was in late September and October.
It isnt just medical treatments that have helped Davis in his battle.
Theres a couple of things that have helped me, he noted. Ive got a thousand or more people praying for me. I do believe that God has a plan for me. I know God can heal me if he wants to. I know He has a plan.
The three weeks spent in the hospital in Mexico not only gave Davis an opportunity to receive intense medical treatment, it also offered a time for inward reflection.
Having this cancer is the best thing that has happened to me, Davis said. I mean that from my heart. It (the three weeks in Mexico) gave me a lot of time to look back on my life and reflect, pray, and read my Bible. Looking back on my life I really didnt like what I saw and being faced with the end maybe being closer than most people having any idea of, it gave me a lot of reason for wanting to do better.
Feeling better and being on a better path health-wise after his return from Mexico in late January, Davis began thinking about racing again. Conversations with close friends Bruce Anderson and H.C. and Peyton Sellers led to Davis buying a car and setting out on plans to race in 2025.
I told Bruce Id like to race if my health was going to improve, Davis explained. He and H.C. got together. They got Mike Chambers attention and Mike stepped up and I got a car. I bought the car from Peyton and H.C. Mike picked it up and took it to his shop in Durham, North Carolina. He looks after it and brings it to the track. Hes got his own crew, and Joey Conner still spots for me.
Things just came together, Davis added. I started feeling better and, as a result of that, there I was racing Saturday.
Davis admitted weighing his decision to return to racing this season was difficult.
I was really, really struggling with why am I racing, he said. Was this an ego trip for me? Is this just about having fun? H.C. and I were talking one day, and I said you know H.C., I really want a better reason to race. I feel like if were doing this maybe somehow we can help people, maybe do something that will please God. He said thats what we need to do.
Thats how we need to look at this, Davis continued. He felt like with the cancer it was a great opportunity to help people who may be struggling and suffering, people not really believing they can get better or who need some help, some advice or whatever. If we can inspire people by being there thats our goal. Thats what I want to do.
Im so lucky to be a part of racing, added Davis. I really thought it was done for after last season. Through Gods grace and those people in Mexico, they have brought me back to life.
Davis pointed out his plan for now is to compete in five events.
I thought lets just do it for five races and see how we go, he remarked. I felt five consecutive races was a good number to shoot for. After that, we will take a look and see where we stand.
His belief is that approach is doable.
I believe that I am going to feel good, Davis said. I really want to have a positive impact on the people at the racetrack, the crew, and everyone around there. I feel like God has given me a second chance.
IMOLA, Italy Ferrari has made it two-from-two in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship on home soil at Imola Sunday.
The six-hour victory sent the devoted tifosi into delirium as the No. 51 crew of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi converted the pole into victory in the Hypercar class.
In what turned out to be a tactical six-hour contest reliant on strategic skill and astute tire choice, the Prancing Horse held its nerve to take the checkered flag in front repeating the success it achieved with its No. 50 Hypercar in the Qatar curtain-raiser.
In LMGT3, defending champion Manthey opened its account for the season with a win for the Porsche 911, as Richard Lietz fended off BMWs Kelvin van der Linde in a tense duel that went right the way down to the line, narrowly denying home hero and polesitter Valentino Rossi a famous home triumph.
That was very exciting and extremely close! And it was a stressful race, Lietz said. Others made a few mistakes, but our six-hour race was flawless. That was the deciding factor. One more lap would have been difficult for us in the tough and spirited duel against BMW. I want to thank Ryan, Riccardo, and the entire team. Hopefully, things will continue to go this well perhaps with a little less drama at the end.
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