Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...
I Dig Sports

I Dig Sports

Petra Kvitova has become the first player to win two WTA singles titles this year after beating Anett Kontaveit in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final.

The Czech, 29, won 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in one hour 31 minutes in Stuttgart on Sunday.

World number 15 Kontaveit reached the final after world number one Naomi Osaka withdrew from Saturday's semi-final because of an abdominal injury.

Prior to Kvitova's triumph, the 18 previous WTA Tour events this year had all been won by different players.

Estonian Kontaveit, 23, led 3-1 in the second set before world number three Kvitova responded to force a tie-break.

The two-time Wimbledon champion then dominated, lining up six match points and winning on the third to claim her maiden title at the clay tournament as she builds towards next month's French Open.

Kvitova won the Sydney International in January before being beaten in the Australian Open final by Osaka later that month. She also lost to Belinda Bencic in the Dubai Championships in February.

Budapest revisited: heroes only

Published in Table Tennis
Sunday, 28 April 2019 10:31

However, some things did remain the same, one name stood out above all others.

…………Ma Long won the men’s singles and thus joined the legendary group of Hungary’s Victor Barna and Chinese compatriot, Zhuang Zedong, who likewise won three in succession

…………Liu Shiwen emerged the women’s singles champion after having twice previously been the runner up; in addition she won the mixed doubles with Xu Xin and thus completed a career full house of World Championship titles.

…………Against all odds, Mattias Falck reached the men’s singles final, the first Swede to achieve the distinction since Jan-Ove Waldner when he won in 1997 in Manchester

…………China completed a clean sweep of all five titles, the ninth time they have achieved the feat but the first since 2011 in Rotterdam

…………Xu Xin, the no.2 seed, suffered a shock first round exit, later Fan Zhendong departed unexpectedly in round four; Xu Xin lost to Frenchman Simon Gauzy, Fan Zhendong to colleague Liang Jingkun

…………On debut both An Jaehyun and Liang Jingkun progressed to the men’s singles semi-finals

…………Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu and Wang Chuqin all won gold on debut, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu secured the women’s doubles title, Wang Chuqin partnered Ma Long to men’s doubles success

…………First ever medals at a World Championships for Spain and Portugal; Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu partnered Spain’s Alvaro Robles to runners up spot in the men’s doubles event, the pair beating Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and João Monteiro in the semi-finals

…………Ding Ning relinquished her women’s singles throne, at the semi-final stage she was beaten by Liu Shiwen; in the fifth game Liu Shiwen did not afford Ding Ning a single point, it was the same in the fifth game in the final when facing Chen Meng

…………Adriana Diaz reached the third round of the women’s singles event; the first player from Latin America to progress such a stage

MA LONG – THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME?

Only in February, MA Long’s World Championships participation was in serious doubt. The 30-year-old had been out with a persistent knee injury for over six months. Even attending the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games seemed a distant dream. Winning the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in March then made the world sit back up and pay attention. ‘The Dragon’ was on the rise again.

Wind the clock forwards just a couple of months and MA now has his hands on the most coveted Men’s Singles prize in the annual international table tennis calendar for a third time in a row.

His sensational achievement was confirmed on Sunday, as he saw off the spirited challenge of Mattias FALCK (SWE), posting a 4-1 victory (11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5) in a gripping final in front of a raucous capacity crowd at the HUNGEXPO Budapest.

The scoreline really only told half the story of an enthralling contest, which saw FALCK threaten to fight back from 2-0 down. After winning the third game, the Swede also led 8-6 in the fourth. It was at this moment that MA utilised his timeout, clearly sensing the need to turn the tide. It proved a very intelligent move, as he stormed back onto court to go 3-1 up and take full control of the match.

When victory was confirmed in the fifth game, he let out an enormous roar, in tune with the deafening cheers of the thousands of supporters who have travelled from China and the world over to the Hungarian capital, hoping to see ‘The Dragon’ create another piece of history.

That is exactly what he did, by becoming only the third player of all time to win three consecutive Men’s Singles titles, following in the footsteps of Victor BARNA (who won four in a row between 1932-1935) and ZHUANG Zedong (1961, 1963, 1965).

MA Long

FAIRYTALE ENDS FOR FALCK

As for FALCK, his remarkable journey ended here. The 27-year-old played an integral role during the event and became the first Swede since Jan-Ove Waldner in 22 years to reach the Men’s Singles final of a World Championships.

How the world no. 16 has taken his game to the next level in the Spring of 2019 has impressed the world of table tennis and MA Long himself, who expects the Swede to be China’s main adversary in the future.

“He (FALCK) has improved his game a lot. I played against him last year in Halmstad and it was far from what he showed here.” MA Long

FALCK too confirmed that he had played the best table tennis in his career here in Budapest:

“Just give me one more year. I will be closer. I improved my tactics and I made a big step forward. Today I also learnt that not only tactics and skills work in MA’s favour. He is a very clever player, who can adjust to all situations.” Mattias FALCK

WHAT A WAY TO WIN WOMEN’S DOUBLES GOLD!

SUN Yingsha and WANG Manyu (CHN) are sitting on top of the world after winning Women’s Doubles gold in their first ever appearance as a pair at a World Championships.

The dynamic duo and 2nd seeds staged a remarkable comeback to take the title from the grasp of Hina HAYATA and Mima ITO (JPN), who had led by two games to nil and were seemingly on course for their first world titles of their own.

However, the top-ranked pair in Budapest could not withstand an exceptional fightback from SUN and WANG, who surged to win the next four games for a 4-2 victory (8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10, 11-8).

“When we were trailing in the match, we just tried our best because our opponents are very strong and competitive. We just told ourselves not to give up, but focus fully on the task at hand.” WANG Manyu

The first Japanese Women’s Doubles pair since 1971 to reach a World Championships final, there would be no happy ending to the journey of HAYATA and ITO, as China once again confirmed its historical supremacy at the event. This was the 22nd time that a Chinese pair had won the Women’s Doubles competition at an individual World Championships.

CURTAIN FALLS ON EIGHT-DAY EPIC

The Liebherr 2019 ITTF World Championships will go down as one of the greatest of all time, not least in terms of all the drama, shocks and raw emotions it provided.

From the moment that Men’s World no. 1 FAN Zhendong (CHN) was eliminated in the round of 16, quickly followed by that of no. 2 XU Xin (CHN), no. 4 Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) and the sad withdrawal through illness of no. 5 Timo BOLL (GER), this was a tournament where so-called underdogs rose to the challenge and put themselves forward for the sport’s most prestigious silverware, playing some exhilarating table tennis along the way.

In this light, special mentions go to Men’s Singles silver medallist, Mattias FALCK (SWE) and bronze medallists LIANG Jingkun (CHN) and AN Jaehyun (KOR), ranked 16th, 9th and 157th respectively, proving the impressive depth in quality now on show in the sport.

The Women’s Singles event provided its own rollercoaster ride of emotions, not least for LIU Shiwen (CHN), who brought an end to her 10-year wait for gold at the World Championships, defeating compatriots DING Ning (world no. 1) and CHEN Meng (no. 3) in the semi-finals and final respectively.

Budapest indeed brought the best out of LIU also in the Mixed Doubles, which she won alongside XU Xin on Friday, while MA Long too made it two titles in the Hungarian capital by winning the Men’s Doubles alongside WANG Chuqin, seeing off the challenge of Alvaro ROBLES (ESP) and Ovidiu IONESCU (ROU) who, like FALCK, provided plenty of cheer for the many local and European followers, excited to see young players from the Old Continent asking bigger questions than ever before of their esteemed Asian opponents and taking home medals in the process.

In many ways, Budapest was different to before, but also a sign of how table tennis has the potential to be more internationally competitive across the entire globe. Bright times are ahead!

QUICK LINKS:

Consolation for Ding Ning, top spot retained

Published in Table Tennis
Monday, 29 April 2019 00:53

On a list dominated by China, she appears ahead of colleagues Chen Meng, Wang Manyu, Liu Shiwen and Zhu Yuling. It is a climb of one place for each of Chen Meng, Wang Manyu and for Liu Shiwen, the newly crowned world champion; making way, it is a drop of three rungs down the ladder for Zhu Yuling.

Next in line is the Japanese challenge with Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito retaining the next two places; Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching remains at no.8 followed once again by Miu Hirano also from Japan. Korea Republic’s Suh Hyo Won climbs one position to secure the top 10 spot.

Notably, Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and Singapore’s Feng Tianwei complete the top 12 names; formerly Doo Hoi Kem was listed at no.12, Feng Tianwei at the 10.

Changes and lower down the order there are more notable movements. China’s Sun Yingsha, Zhang Rui and Wu Yang all make considerable progress. Sun Yingsha advances from no.29 to no.17, Zhang Rui from no.77 to no.64 and Wu Yang from no.100 to no 82.

Likewise there is major progress for the Korea Republic. Cho Hyojoo now appears at no.55 having previously been listed at no.80; Cha Hyo Sim moves from no.81 to no.51. Similarly, Kim Hayeong climbs the ladder; she advances from no102 to 83.

Also there is significant progress for Japan’s Yui Hamamoto, Poland’s Natalia Partyka and Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin. Impressively, Natalia Partyka strides from no.91 to no.72, Yui Hamamoto from no.104 to no.87 and Yang Xiaoxin from no.85 to no.66. Meanwhile, not to be left out, Nadezhda Bogdanova of Belarus, makes her top 100 debut, she advances from no.106 to no.96.

Monday 29th April: Complete World Rankings

Budapest medallists progress but no change at top

Published in Table Tennis
Monday, 29 April 2019 01:01

The status quo for Fan Zhendong, for his colleagues there is major progress, Ma Long climbs from no.11 to no.5; Liang Jingkun advances from one career high to another. He moves from no.9 to no.6.

Similarly, for Mattias Falck, the runner up in Budapest, it is unchartered waters, he progresses from no.16 to no.11; his previous best being earlier this year at no.13 in both January and February. Progress but none can match An Jaehyun, like Liang Jingkun, a bronze medallist in the Hungarian capital city; he advances from no.157 to an unprecedented no.73.

New heights, it is the same for Lin Gaoyuan, who despite a quarter-final exit in Budapest at the hands of colleague, Ma Long, climbs one place to no.2, the highest ranking of his career. The effect is that Xu Xin, also from China, drops one place, being one step ahead of Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto who remains at no.4.

A drop down the list for Xu Xin, it is the same for Germany’s Timo Boll who descends two places to no.7, whilst for Brazil’s Hugo Calderano it is fall of one position to no.8. Next in line are the Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin and Lee Sangsu. Jang Woojin advances one rung up the ladder to no.9, for Lee Sangsu it is a drop of four positions to no.10. Japan’s Koki Niwa, formerly at no.8, now completes the top 12 names.

Meanwhile, within the top 50 names there is major progress for Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar, who advanced to the fourth round in Budapest. He moves from no.58 to no.43. Notable progress and as you scroll further down the list the names, Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro, Korea Republic’s Park Ganghyeon and China’s Zhen Peifeng alongside that of Germany’s Qiu Dang stand out.

Thiago Monteiro progresses from no.91 to no.71, Park Ganghyeon from no.116 to no 78; likewise Zheng Peifeng climbs from no.84 to no.64, Qiu Dang from no.98 to no.72.

Monday 29th April: Complete World Rankings

Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong share spoils

Published in Table Tennis
Monday, 29 April 2019 01:32

In the group stage of proceedings a 3-1 win had been recorded against the Malaysian combination formed by Wong Qi Shen and Amos Ling Yi Heng; in the final it was exactly the same.

Wong Qi Shen gave his team the perfect start by beating Li Hsin-Yu but that was the end of success. Tai Ming-Wei beat both Amos Ling Yi Heng (11-4, 11-4, 4-11, 11-3) and Wong Qi Shen (11-9, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4), whilst sandwiched in between partnering Li Hsin-Yu to doubles success (11-5, 13-15, 11-5, 11-7).

Titles for Chinese Taipei, in the cadet boys’ team and cadet girls’ team events it was success for Hong Kong; in fact in the latter it was both gold and silver.

At the final hurdle, Phoebe Hui Wai and Yenn Ho Hing recorded a 3-1 success in opposition to colleagues Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Wong Hoi Ting. Mainstay of the victory was Phoebe Hui Wai; she accounted for both Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam (11-9, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10) and Wong Hoi Ting 11-8, 7-11, 14-12, 11-8). The one further win for the victors was recorded by Yenn Ho Hing, in the second match of the fixture, she beat Wong Hoi Ting (16-14, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8); the one success for the defeated was secured in the doubles, Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Wong Hoi Ting recording a four games win (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-12).

Impressive from Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Wong Hoi Ting, it was very much the same from Baldwin Chan Ho Wah and Yiu Kwan To in the cadet boys’ team final; a 3-0 win was posted against the Macao combination of He Chan Fai and Mak Tin Ian. Yiu Kwan To gave his team the ideal start by beating He Chan Fai (11-4, 11-9, 11-6), before Baldwin Chan Ho Wah overcame Mak Tin Ian (11-5, 15-13, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7) and a straight games doubles win (11-6, 11-5, 11-7) ended matters.

Team events concluded, the individual competitions take centre stage.

Worcester secured Premiership survival with a 27-20 win over Gloucester.

Duncan Weir's two early penalties were separated by a Henry Purdy try for Gloucester before the Scot converted his own try to give the hosts the lead.

But a Billy Twelvetrees penalty and a well-worked Willi Heinz try saw the visitors take the lead at half-time.

Niall Annett's try put Worcester in front before Darren Barry extended their lead as they dominated the second period, before Purdy got one back.

The victory leaves Worcester 11 points clear of bottom side Newcastle with 10 left to play for, while the losing bonus point ensures that Gloucester will finish in the top four.

Newcastle's only hope of avoiding relegation - and a remote one at that - is to overhaul Leicester, who are nine points ahead of the Falcons with two games remaining.

Gloucester had good possession throughout the first half, but struggled to find a clinical finish after Purdy's 11th-minute try from a line-out.

Perry Humphreys' break through the Cherry and Whites defence set up Weir to go over under the posts for Worcester's opener.

The hosts almost held out under great Gloucester pressure on their try-line before a fine move in the backs sent Heinz over between the sticks to give Gloucester a 15-13 half-time lead.

Worcester impressed after the break - Annett finding the base of the post after a period of pressure while Barry bravely went over soon after.

That followed three minutes of the Warriors bashing away at the Gloucester line, then Ethan Waller's excellent football skills set up the ruck from which Barry scored.

Purdy's second came after some silky passing from the Gloucester backs, Charlie Sharples sending a long final pass out for his fellow winger to dot down on the left.

Gloucester had an opportunity to reduce the arrears in the final minute, but Jason Woodward dropped a pass when he had a chance to go through the home defence, to the relief of the Sixways crowd.

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons:

"I felt it was important that we put it to bed. It was a fantastic performance, and a brilliant defensive performance as well. When we perform well, we give ourselves every prospect of the result.

"(Scrum-half) Francois (Hougaard) was unbelievable. You are reluctant to single people out, but he was absolutely exceptional in defence.

"It was absolutely vital we kept things in our own hands. The players would have known exactly the situation, and I just felt if we played really well and were emotionally there, the rest would hang together.

"The competition is an incredibly tight one. All the teams have got good players who are well prepared and well coached, and on any given day, any team can beat anyone else."

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann:

"Like I have constantly said, when people started to get carried away after we had a good run, we are still not there.

"There are times when we don't play as well, and today just showed it.

"Saracens are the best side in this competition, in my view. To be competitive in Europe and competitive in the Premiership, there must be something special about them.

"And if we don't want to be just a number, we have to be better than what we are."

Worcester Warriors: Pennell; Humphreys, Venter, Te'o, Adams; Weir, Hougaard; Waller, Annett, Schonert, Bresler, Barry, Mama, Lewis, Du Preez.

Replacements: Singleton, Black, Milasinovich, Fatialofa, Kitchener, Hill, Heaney, Lance.

Gloucester: Banahan; Sharples, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Purdy; Cipriani, Heinz (capt); Rapava Ruskin, Marais, Denman; Slater, Mostert; Ackermann, Polledri, Morgan.

Replacements: Sherry, Hohneck, Balmain, Kriel, Ludlow, Braley, Evans, Woodward.

Referee: JP Doyle.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Worcester Warriors have signed London Scottish tight-head prop Richard Palframan for next season.

The 25-year-old former London Irish man becomes the eighth player to commit to the Premiership club for the 2019-20 campaign.

"It's a great club with such passionate supporters, a great group of players and quality coaching staff," he said.

"I can't wait to join up with the squad and I'm looking forward to contributing to the club's future."

Warriors secured their Premiership survival this season with Saturday's 27-20 win over Gloucester

Alex Day: Saracens sign Cornish Pirates scrum-half

Published in Rugby
Monday, 29 April 2019 02:18

Saracens have signed Cornish Pirates scrum-half Alex Day, who will join the Premiership side this summer.

The 26-year-old former Northampton Saints youngster is a former England Under-20 international.

"I'd like to thank everyone at Cornish Pirates for everything they have done for me," Day - who joined the Pirates in 2015 - told the Saracens website.

"[Sarries] been really successful over the past five years or so and I'm excited to be a part of that."

The length of his contract with Sarries has not been disclosed.

Leinster scrum coach John Fogarty will join the Ireland coaching team after the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Fogarty will replace New Zealander Greg Feek as part of the new backroom team under incoming head coach Andy Farrell.

Feek plans to end his eight-year spell with the Ireland team at the end of the tournament to focus on coaching Japanese club NEC Green Rockets.

Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde will succeed Fogarty at Leinster after the World Cup in November.

Former hooker Fogarty will also work across all four Irish provinces in his role as IRFU National Academy forwards coach.

"I've enjoyed my time in Leinster Rugby. Working with some of the players from a young age and seeing them grow into senior players with Leinster and for some, with Ireland, has been brilliant," said Fogarty.

"To get the chance to now develop that further with all four academies and to work with Andy Farrell and the rest of the Ireland set up is something that I'm very much looking forward to.

"I wouldn't have had this chance though if Leinster Rugby and Leo Cullen hadn't given me the opportunity to work with the Leinster senior team. I am very grateful for that opportunity. I'll miss what we have built here at Leinster but I am equally excited by what lies ahead."

Ireland defence coach Farrell will succeed Joe Schmidt at the end of this year's tournament in Japan with existing coaches Simon Easterby and Richie Murphy also contracted to remain.

But Feek, who also served as a Leinster coach before joining the Irish set-up, had indicated his intention to step down after dividing his time between Japan and Ireland for the past year.

As the National Academy forwards coach, Fogarty will oversee the development of forward coaches within the Irish system and also hold technical clinics with the provincial academies, national age-grade squads and players in the National Talent squad.

Fogarty, who was part of the 2009 European Cup-winning Leinster squad, made 44 appearances for the province and also represented Munster and Connacht during a playing career in which he was also capped once by Ireland against New Zealand in 2010.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says he is "really excited about getting the opportunity" to work with McBryde after the Irish province moved quickly to recruit the former Welsh international to replace their outgoing scrum coach.

Speaking about his move, McBryde added: "I see it as a great opportunity to join a very experienced and exciting coaching team and to help continue Leinster's great successes. They are a world renowned team, with passionate supporters and I am looking forward to working with the squad and the coaches.

"I'm hugely proud of my time with Wales, and it has been an honour to coach my country. I have never taken it for granted and it has been a hugely rewarding experience to have been part of the coaching team under Warren Gatland and the success we have had over the years.

"I am thrilled to have secured my future with Leinster post RWC, and it now allows me to focus all my energy on the task at hand with Wales."

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Harden tied with Allen for second in all-time 3s

Harden tied with Allen for second in all-time 3s

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- LA Clippers star James Harden moved into a tie with Hall...

Baseball

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- The Orioles are ready to adjust their wall in left fie...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated