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Strop's car stolen before he saves Cubs' wild win
CHICAGO -- Cubs closer Pedro Strop had to cut short talking with the police about his stolen car on Wednesday, just in time to secure a save in a wild 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Strop said his car was stolen earlier in the day. The incident disrupted his pregame routine, and he said he was still dealing with it during the game when he told police he had to go.
"I was still giving them my information in the fourth inning, and I told them, 'I have to go. I might have to pitch,'" Strop said.
Strop came on in the ninth inning, inducing a game-ending double play to earn his third save of the season.
Earlier, the Cubs erased a three-run deficit with a six-run sixth inning that featured a pair of two-out, three-run home runs by Javier Baez and Jason Heyward. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Cubs are the first team since the 2010 Blue Jays to record multiple two-out, three-run (or more) home runs in the same inning.
The big inning meant Strop went from probably sitting the night out to having to get ready to pitch in a hurry.
"I didn't know if I was going to get in the game," Strop said. "But I had to be ready."
Strop said he was told that his stolen car was involved in a police chase Wednesday, but he didn't have many other details. He said he wasn't distracted by the events of the day and evening, though he did walk the leadoff hitter in the final inning.
After getting Justin Turner to hit into a double play, Strop gave a loud scream and fist pump, which isn't too far from his normal reaction when he gets a save.
"It was a crazy day," Strop said. "I'm still dealing with it."
Yanks' Frazier to IL; Stanton's recovery hits snag
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- On the day the New York Yankees finally got back one reinforcement from their 13-man injured list, manager Aaron Boone disclosed some less promising news about two other banged-up stars.
According to Boone, outfielder Clint Frazier will go on the injured list Thursday because of a left ankle injury that popped up this week and has been more temperamental than previously believed.
An MRI revealed "enough in there" to shut Frazier down, Boone said.
"Some partial tear and stuff that it's going to cost him the 10 days," Boone said, adding that he didn't know at the time the exact nature of what was partially torn. "The good news is we feel like [the IL stint] will be short. [Doctors] feel like it's 10-14-day thing. Maybe a little less. So we don't feel like it's a long thing."
Several hours before announcing the update on Frazier, Boone revealed that outfielder and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton's recovery from an arm injury has hit a snag. Although the left biceps strain that landed Stanton on the IL on April 1 has completely healed, Boone said Wednesday that a separate, "residual" left shoulder problem has appeared.
Boone didn't specify the nature of the injury but said Stanton in recent days has been dealing with "stuff" in his left shoulder.
"He's just kind of had it," Boone said.
Once, early in the 2013 season while he was with the Miami Marlins, Stanton was scratched from a game because of a sore left shoulder. He was listed as day-to-day with the injury over the next six days before returning to the lineup. He hasn't been formally diagnosed with any other shoulder ailments during his big league career.
Upon arriving in Anaheim with the rest of the club earlier this week, Stanton had a cortisone shot, Boone said.
"He's in day two or three of not swinging," Boone said.
The Yankees will let the effects of the shot settle into Stanton a little longer before he's able to pick up a bat. The plan is to leave the superstar in Southern California this weekend while the rest of the team travels to Northern California for its scheduled three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
A native of suburban Los Angeles, Stanton has rehabbed from other injuries in Southern California in the past, and the Yankees will be allowing him to do that for the next several days. When the Bronx Bombers conclude their three-city road trip with a visit to Phoenix to face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Stanton will join them.
"We figured now while he's down coming back from [the biceps injury], let's make sure to treat this as best we can so it doesn't become a lingering issue if we can help it," Boone said.
While it's unclear exactly when Stanton hurt his shoulder, the Yankees are able to pinpoint the moment Frazier got hurt. It was in the middle of Monday's series opener, when he jammed his foot awkwardly into second base while retreating on a pickoff attempt.
Frazier, 23, was visibly hobbled by the injury but played through it the rest of that game. He also said Tuesday that he believed he was good enough to play on the bum ankle.
Frazier is batting .324 with six homers and 17 RBIs in the 18 games since he was called up for Stanton.
Besides getting what he believed was a somewhat expected day off Tuesday, Frazier said the only other thing that would keep him out of any future lineups was if the ankle was broken. The Yankees apparently had a somewhat favorable original prognosis, too.
"Initially when the doctor saw him [Monday], he didn't feel like he needed to get any tests," Boone said Wednesday afternoon, before results of the MRI came back. "And then we kind of proactively [Tuesday], when he had some black and blue in there, decided, 'Hey, let's just make sure we get this thing covered the best we can and make sure we have all the answers we need.'"
Both of these injury updates came on a day when the Yankees reinstated catcher Gary Sanchez following his stint on the 10-day IL for a left calf strain.
Sanchez went 0-for-4 in the Yankees' 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.
"Felt we were pretty conservative in how we treated this," Boone said of Sanchez's injury. "Obviously really excited to get him back. It was good to write his name in the lineup, no question. Looking forward to him getting back in the fray and helping us continue to win games."
Sanchez started at catcher and batted fourth Wednesday. Before going on the 10-day IL on April 12, Sanchez batted .268 with six homers.
In addition to Sanchez's return, the Yankees had some other more promising injury news Wednesday. Boone said third baseman Miguel Andujar (small labrum tear) is "doing really well" in his rehab at the team's facility in Tampa, Florida, and trending in the direction of not needing surgery.
He still needs a formal reevaluation to determine that, but it appears the injury can be best managed healing on its own. That will allow Andujar to stay on the field and avoid a season-ending issue.
"There's a chance this weekend he could get some at-bats in an extended spring and then maybe make a decision about a rehab assignment from there," the manager said.
Along with Andujar, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (left calf strain) and center fielder Aaron Hicks (lower back tightness) could be close to playing in a rehab game, as well, Boone said. Hicks has been making throws from the outfield and running, and will soon face live pitching.
All three players have been rehabbing in Tampa, along with shortstop Didi Gregorius, who "continues to progress how we hoped" from his offseason Tommy John surgery. Gregorius recently made throws from shortstop, Boone said.
Even with their packed IL, the Yankees have been producing on the field. They are on a six-game winning streak, and have taken eight of their past nine.
"We never put our heads down at all, even with all the injuries," Sanchez said through an interpreter.
Added Boone: "We got a lot of good players in there that are capable of getting this thing done, so we'll keep doing that."
Vlad Jr. to join Jays, make MLB debut on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball, will be called up by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and is expected to make his major league debut, manager Charlie Montoyo announced.
Guerrero, a 20-year-old third baseman and the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, was No. 2 on ESPN insider Keith Law's 2019 top prospects list. The Jays have yet to announce a corresponding roster move.
"It's going to be a great moment. I get goosebumps just thinking about it," Montoyo told ESPN's Marly Rivera. "We have been talking about this for a long time, and it's just so exciting that the moment is finally here.
"I am so happy. This was such an important moment, not only for the city of Toronto and for the Toronto Blue Jays but for our entire baseball community, that the No. 1 prospect in baseball will debut Friday. He is so talented, that the sky is the limit for that young kid. In my case, personally, I am just excited to see him play every day and see what he can do."
Guerrero's father, who played the first eight seasons of his 16-year career with the Montreal Expos, took to Twitter to celebrate the news.
My son! The country that saw you as a child will now see you turn into a big one.
Working hard everything can be done. I'm proud of you!
Love you! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WJyLBVKWoR
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) April 25, 2019
Toronto will host Oakland on Friday for the start of a three-game series, with right-hander Mike Fiers scheduled to start for the A's and Marcus Stroman taking the hill for the Blue Jays.
Montoyo told Rivera that he hasn't decided where he'll slot Guerrero in the lineup.
Guerrero hit .381 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs in 95 games while rocketing through four levels of minor league ball last season.
There was a possibility that he could make the Blue Jays' big league roster out of spring training, but a strained oblique early in spring camp ruined any chance of that.
Guerrero has continued to perform this season with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .367 with three homers and eight RBIs in eight games, including a home run in Wednesday's game.
Montoyo told Rivera that it will be his job as manager to ease the amount of pressure on Guerrero.
"The great thing about this kid is that he's so humble, he's so unique," Montoyo said. "He acts and plays like he's been in the big leagues for a long time, and it will be an easy transition for him."
NEW YORK -- Rhys Hoskins homered off reliever Jacob Rhame and taunted him with a slow jog around the bases a night after Rhame buzzed him with two fastballs, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-0 on Wednesday.
Hoskins was furious after Rhame sailed two pitches over his head with two outs in the ninth inning of New York's 9-0 win Tuesday. The slugger faced Rhame again in the ninth Wednesday, flipping his bat emphatically after hooking a two-run shot over the wall in left.
It took Hoskins 34.23 seconds to touch 'em all, the slowest trot in the majors this season. His previous slowest time around the bases this season was 23.82 seconds.
"He got me," Rhame said after the game when asked about the home run. "[If I] make a better pitch, he doesn't get to run the bases."
Added Mets manager Mickey Callaway: "I really don't have any thoughts on it. That's their team. They can do what they wanna do. I'm not really worried about what they do."
Hoskins has five career home runs at Citi Field, his most at any visiting ballpark and tied for the most by any visiting player since his debut in 2017.
"If a ball goes over your head the night before, the best way to get back at the pitcher is by putting the ball in the seats," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. "So I thought it was worthy of him having that moment and really taking it all in, soaking it all in. He deserved that."
Hoskins said the leisurely jog wasn't about retaliation, but he didn't mind giving a jolt to the struggling Phillies.
"A couple of guys kind of said the phrase, 'Don't poke the sleeping bear,'" he said. "Seemed to be the last couple innings was a pretty good indication that may have happened."
Bryce Harper doubled in a run but struck out three times, and Vince Velasquez pitched five innings for Philadelphia. The Phillies avoided a three-game sweep and won for the second time in seven games.
Velasquez (1-0) struck out six and allowed three hits, dropping his ERA to 1.99. Pat Neshek, Seranthony Dominguez, Adam Morgan and Juan Nicasio pitched an inning each to close up shop.
Jason Vargas (1-1) allowed Harper's RBI double in the first but was otherwise strong, dropping his ERA to 7.20. He allowed a run and three hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking off to applause after striking out Harper for the second time. Mets fans had been calling for the struggling left-hander to be bounced from the rotation.
Hoskins sparked a three-run eighth with his first career triple, and then made his statement against Rhame in the ninth.
"Baseball's a funny game like that," said Hoskins, when asked how much he enjoyed the home run in light of the previous night's events. "It seems to put you in situations that have happened before -- usually on the next night, and of course that's what happened. Good exclamation point for us at the end there, I think. Kinda needed that as a club, a win like that, going back home right before the long homestand."
Kapler said before the game he was "still fairly upset" over Rhame's high-and-tight pitches to Hoskins, which Philadelphia took as retaliation for two Mets who got plunked Monday night.
Kapler didn't sound eager to throw at the Mets, though.
"We do not retaliate, and we do not throw at anybody intentionally," he said before the game.
Velasquez did hit Todd Frazier in the upper arm with a fastball leading off the fourth, but Frazier was unfazed and took his base calmly. Plate umpire Brian Gorman issued warnings to both dugouts.
Kapler spoke with Gorman during the next inning break.
Harper's double in the first ended the Phillies' 14-inning scoreless streak. Vargas got out of the inning when right fielder Michael Conforto made a sliding catch and shortstop Amed Rosario picked a tough grounder.
Each of Harper's strikeouts came with runners on, and he went 1-for-9 with seven punchouts in the series. He let out a frustrated yell after nearly colliding with second baseman Cesar Hernandez while catching a popup in the sixth.
Philadelphia's only other run in the series was Hoskins' homer in a 5-1 loss Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Brit becomes embroiled in row with Haile Gebrselassie on eve of Sunday’s big race following hotel theft claims
Mo Farah’s preparations for the Virgin Money London Marathon took a stormy turn four days before the big race when he got involved in a heated spat with Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie.
At the end of his London Marathon press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Farah said that while staying at a hotel owned by Gebrselassie in Addis Ababa, where the Briton was on a training camp, he had money, a watch and two phones taken from his room.
Farah said that Gebrselassie did not help him, and added: “I was just disappointed with Haile.
“Just to be honest, it’s Haile who owns the hotel and when you stay for three months in that hotel, it was very disappointing to know that someone who has that hotel and that kind of support couldn’t do nothing.”
Gebrselassie later issued a response including some claims of his own relating to Farah’s time at the hotel.
“It’s with deep sorrow that I learn Mo Farah dispatched a deceit information against me and my property in Addis Ababa, towards our unreserved support and commitment in regarding to his unproven claim of robbery at YAYA Village on 23rd March 2019, in today’s press conference held at London ahead of the 2019 London Marathon,” began the statement.
Gebrselassie claimed that there had been “multiple reports of disgraceful conduct” by Farah and his entourage made by hotel staff.
@HaileGebr Statement on Mo Farah's robbery report pic.twitter.com/fjkO6FvkRD
— ??Haileegziabher?? (@haileadhanom) April 24, 2019
Following Gebrselassie’s statement, a spokesperson for Farah said: “Mo is disappointed with this statement and the continued reluctance by the hotel and its owner to take responsibility for this robbery.
“Mo disputes all of these claims which are an effort to distract from the situation, where members of his hotel staff used a room key and stole money and items from Mo Farah’s room (there was no safe as it was faulty, and Mo requested a new one).
“Police report confirm the incident and the hotel admitted responsibility and were in contact with Mo’s legal advisor. The hotel even offered to pay Mo the amount stolen, only to withdraw the offer when he prematurely left the hotel and moved to other accommodation, due to security concerns.
“Despite many attempts to discuss this issue privately with Mr Gebrselassie, he did not respond but now that he has, we would welcome him or his legal team getting in touch so that this matter can be resolved.”
Eliud Kipchoge and Mo Farah braced for London Marathon battle
The world’s greatest marathoner faces a fired-up Farah in the UK capital and neither will be backing down without a fight
Given his incredible track record on the roads, not many would bet against Eliud Kipchoge winning a fourth title at the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday.
The stats speak for themselves. Beaten only once over the marathon distance, the Kenyan’s 10 wins include 2016 Olympic victory and world record-breaking success in Berlin, plus there’s the 2:00:25 he ran for 26.2 miles at the non-record-eligible Breaking2 time trial in Monza in 2017.
Kipchoge, however, does believe he is beatable.
“Anybody can be beaten,” said the world record-holder, preparing to return to marathon action for the first time since his remarkable time of 2:01:39 in the German capital last September.
“Mo can beat me, others can beat me, but the best thing is that if you can accept the results, that’s the only way to enjoy the sport.”
While the field features six other sub-2:05 runners, it’s Kipchoge vs Mo Farah which is being billed as the big head-to-head in the UK capital, as the Briton aims to build on his maiden major marathon win in Chicago where he broke the European record with 2:05:11.
October’s Chicago race was 10-time global track gold medallist Farah’s third marathon and Kipchoge admitted to being surprised and motivated by his progress.
“I’m really surprised that [Mo] is learning so fast,” he said. “As far as the sport is concerned, he is a fast learner. It doesn’t worry me, but it makes me get interested in him because that’s what you want in sport; it’s what helps you perform.
“I am coming to London to win the race and defend my title. If I can win again in London, I will be a happy man because it will be my first race after running the world record.”
Farah made a strong statement by breaking the British record to finish third in the UK capital behind Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata last year, with his decision to stick with the leaders despite the brutal early pace paying off.
Kitata also returns to race, while they will be joined by athletes including Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang, who beat Kipchoge over 26.2 miles in 2013 when he broke the world record in Berlin.
Others with PBs faster than Farah’s 2:05:11 are Ethiopia’s Chicago runner-up Mosinet Geremew (2:04:00), Valencia Marathon champion Leul Gebrselassie (2:04:02), world silver medallist Tamirat Tola (2:04:06) and Amsterdam runner-up Mule Wasihun (2:04:37).
At the pre-event press conference, 61:20-61:25 was mentioned as a potential target halfway split time for the leading men’s group, with 61:00 clocked at that stage last year.
“My aim is to win the London Marathon one day, that is my task, but you can’t take anything for granted because Eliud is a great athlete and he’s the world record-holder – 2:01. On Sunday, if I do beat him, and it comes down to that, it would be an amazing achievement,” said Farah.
On whether he’d again stick with the lead group at that pace, he added: “I’ll have a chat with my coach and see what we can do. If I’m feeling good, then why not?
“Chicago was 2:05, I know I can run 2:05, I know I can run 2:04-something. I’ve done some great training over the last few months.
“I’m learning as I go along. The marathon is completely different to the track. Since racing against Eliud in London last year and having to learn the hard way – I believe I’ve learned a lot. Each race you get better and get a bit more experience.”
Away from road race action, Farah’s head-to-head with Kipchoge wasn’t the only clash hitting the headlines on Wednesday as a dispute over an alleged theft led to a public spat between Farah and Ethiopian running great Haile Gebrselassie. Read more here.
ATP Finals moving from London to Turin from 2021 to 2025
The ATP Finals will move from London to Turin after the Italian city was named as host of the event from 2021 to 2025.
Manchester, Singapore and Tokyo were also on a five-city shortlist to stage the season-ending tournament.
It has been held at London's O2 Arena since 2009 but will move to the Pala Alpitour stadium.
"We believe that Turin has all the ingredients to take the event to new heights," said the ATP's executive chairman Chris Kermode.
The ATP Finals feature the world's best eight singles players and doubles teams of the season and will boast a record prize fund of $14.5m (£11.2m) in 2021.
Turin will be the 15th city to host the event, and first in Italy, since it was first staged in 1970.
A cumulative total of more than 2.5 million spectators have watched the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena, which will host the event in 2019 and 2020.
The Pala Alpitour stadium, which was opened in 2005, has a capacity of around 15,000 and is Italy's largest indoor sporting arena.
World number one Novak Djokovic, who lost to Alexander Zverev in last year's final, said: "The ATP Finals is the biggest and most prestigious event that we have at the ATP.
"It's a tournament that has historically moved around and so I'm very excited to see it move to Turin from 2021."
Italy also hosts the Next Gen ATP Finals, with Milan staging the first five editions of the tournament for 21-and-under players from 2017 to 2021.
"We are disappointed that the ATP Finals will move from London in 2021. We have been fortunate to have had such a fabulous tournament staged in this country for so long and it has been a great asset to tennis in Britain," a statement from the LTA read.
"The LTA believes events play an important role in increasing visibility of our sport and inspiring people to pick up a racquet."
Analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
With the exception of New York's Madison Square Garden, no other city has hosted the ATP Finals for as long as London.
The event does need to move around, and the world number one and ATP Player Council president Novak Djokovic has been making that argument for some time.
The O2 Arena's 12-year run has been a phenomenal success, consistently attracting more than 250,000 people with style and panache. The departure of the Finals robs British tennis of a prime spot - at a traditionally fallow time - to showcase the sport.
Turin has a very hard to act follow. But there is a lot of money behind this bid.
Prize money will increase by more than 50%, and put men on a par with women.
The current disparity had not gone unnoticed by ATP players. The prize fund in London this year will be $9m; in Shenzhen, at the start of a 10-year run in China for the WTA Finals, it will be $14m.
End of road, Natalia Partyka most successful para athlete in Budapest
In the women’s singles event after overcoming Croatia’s Mateja Jeger (11-9, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7), Natalia Partyka was beaten by Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut, the no.23 seed (11-8, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8).
The defeat came after an exit in the women’s doubles event when partnering colleague Natalia Bajor and in the mixed doubles in harness with Jakub Dyjas. In the former, after overcoming Iran’s Mahshid Ashtari and Neda Shahsavari (11-7, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4), it was farewell at the hands of Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee and Lee Zion (11-8, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6). Similarly in the mixed doubles, having qualified for the main draw by beating Callum Evans and Charlotte Carey of Wales (11-6, 11-8, 11-7), it was a first round defeat at the hands of the United States partnership formed by Kanak Jha and Wu Yue (12-10, 11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 14-16, 11-2).
Meanwhile, for Melissa Tapper, it was farewell in the group stage of the women’s singles event, as it was in the men’s singles for Patryk Chojnowski, Filip Radovic and Joshua Stacey.
Likewise in the women’s doubles, it was a first round departure for Melissa Tapper in partnership with Michelle Bromley; they suffered at the hands of Italy’s Chiara Colantoni and Giorgia Piccolin (11-5, 15-13, 11-8, 11-3). A first round main draw farewell, it was for Melissa Tapper no different in the mixed doubles when partnering Heming Hu; the duo experienced defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic’s Tomas Polansky and Hana Matelova (8-11, 11-9, 1-7, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6).
No major upsets, the surprise was the loss experienced by Patryk Chojnowski in partnerships with Jakub Dyjas; the duo experienced defeat in the second preliminary round at the hands of Venezuela’s Cecilio Correa and Jan Medina (11-5, 11-6, 11-7).
A surprise exit, for Joshua Stacey partnering Callum Evans in the men’s doubles they nearly caused a minor upset, they came so close against Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman and Zeyadd Aldmaisy (9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11). Rather differently for Filip Radovic in harness with Filip Radunovic. it was a straight games qualification defeat when opposing Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic and Jan Zibrat (11-2, 12-10, 11-8).
Qualification round defeats, it was the same in the mixed doubles for Joshua Stacey and Filip Radovic. Partnering Anna Hursey, for Joshua Stacey it was defeat when facing Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko and Zaura Akasheva (8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 13-15, 11-3); for Filip Radovic in harness with Ivona Petric, it was a reverse when opposing DPR Kore’s An Ji Song and Kim Nam Hae (11-5, 11-6, 11-6).
Joshua Stacey is a class 9 player as opposed to Natalia Partyka, Melissa Tapper, Patryk Chojnowski and Filip Radovic who are all class 10.
Latin American continent believes
Stopped in round three in 2017 when the World Championships were staged in Düsseldorf, but two years later Hugo Calderano has surpassed that feat. The no.7 seed from Brazil accounted for the ever-improving Sathiyan Gnanasekaran by a 4-0 margin (11-6, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9) to set up a Round of 16 meeting with Ma Long.
“I made a good start, I gave him no chances. He’s a good player, he can adapt and he did start to play better but fortunately I was able to stay on top.” Hugo Calderano
Qualifier continues fantastic run
An Jaehyun remains in the men’s singles race after knocking out another seeded opponent in Budapest: the Korean player came through a difficult battle against no.25 seed Daniel Habesohn in round three but eventually got the job done across six games (10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-4).
Defeated, Xu Xin reacts
Following his shock defeat Xu Xin has reflected on the match:
“I made some errors when carrying out the tactics, especially when I led 8-3 in the fifth game. Simon has always been one of our opponents his playing style is very stable and he played very very aggressively today. He used spins quiet well in this match. There was nothing wrong related to my body condition, it was all because of my mentality.” Xu Xin
XU XIN FALLS!!!
The crowd are on their feet as France’s Simon Gauzy embraces coach Patrick Chila after claiming a massive upset, eliminating second seed Xu Xin in a breathtaking encounter. Producing some of his finest table tennis to date, an inspired Gauzy fought back from 1-2 down to beat the Chinese penhold specialist 4-2 (11-8, 6-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9) – What a result!
“It is a fantastic win; I am so happy to overcome such an exciting player… I had the advantage. I went deep into his forehand and put pressure on him. He recovered, but I attacked with the backhand and lost the third game really close. Nevertheless, I saw that my tactics were working and that it was only a matter of time before he would start to suffer from the pressure. I came close and kept forcing the same game. The dangerous moment was in the sixth game when I realised I could win. I was 8:3 up and he narrowed the advantage. I was afraid he might start to play riskier, but he was very nervous and could not return to the game.” Simon Gauzy
Falck and Boll prevail
Sweden’s Mattias Falck moves through to the last 16 of the men’s singles following a dominant performance against Portuguese opponent Tiago Apolonia (11-6, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8). German legend Timo Boll also advances at Masataka Morizono’s expense (11-3, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8).
Journey ends for Nigerian star
Quadri Aruna won’t be playing any further part in the men’s singles event after the Nigerian’s progress was halted by top seed Fan Zhendong (12-10, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9).
“It was a very difficult match and he was a much better player than me. I was just hoping that if I could win the first set then maybe I could be able to play more and more. But immediately he won the first set. Fan Zhendong was not himself but… he started dictating the match. Even in the last set, I was leading 8-5 and he caught up with me to win and that showed he is a better player than me. For me this tournament is another best competition in my career because I had never made it to the Round of 32 at the World Championships. So, getting to this stage is another milestone for me. I hope to do much better in future!” Quadri Aruna
Pros speak Hungarian
Find out which pros are masters of the Hungarian language and which players need a little more practise:
Mature display
While we’ve witnessed a couple of major upsets back-to-back that was not the situation that unfolded when Tomokazu Harimoto met Marcos Freitas. Showing great maturity throughout the match no.4 seed Harimoto posted a convincing 4-0 victory over his Portuguese rival (11-8, 14-12, 11-7, 11-7).
OVTCHAROV IS OUT!!!
What a match! Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov has been eliminated in round three of the men’s singles draw after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar. Trailing 2-3 in a breathtaking contest Pucar, seeded 50th, showed great courage in games six and seven to defy all the odds, ending the no.12 seed’s podium ambitions in the process (11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7).
“I had great help from Andrej Gacina. He played against Ovtcharov many times before so he wrote me a few tips; I watched his matches on YouTube and set up a few good tactics with my coach. I was well prepared.” Tomislav Pucar
Korean star stuns Japanese Giant!
Japanese star Jun Mizutani is out of the men’s singles tournament at the third hurdle following a full distance thriller against Korea Republic’s Jeoung Youngsik: In the deciding seventh game Mizutani saved three match point opportunities but ultimately it wasn’t enough as Jeoung held his nerve (7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8).
Ma Long wins clash of titans affair
In a star-studded encounter between two legends of the game it was China’s Ma Long who took the plaudits against Belarus’ Vladimir Samsonov across five games (11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8) to earn his place in the last 16. Defeat for Samsonov but another highly respectable World Championships performance from the 43-year-old.
Shock or not?
End of the road for Japan’s Mima Ito but was her defeat to Sun Yingsha a shock or not?
Homework complete
Considered in many circles the major threat to Chinese ambitions, having last year beaten Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling, Japan’s Mima Ito, the no.6 seed, was beaten in five games by Sun Yingsha, the no.24 seed (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 13-15, 11-2). Simply from the defeats of 2018, the Chinese coaches had done their homework.
“I am satisfied with my performance today as I took the match. Ito is now the big threat to China, I just tried to challenge her today. I prepared this match last night. Chinese Table Tennis Association President Liu Guoliang and my coach Li Sun also gave me a lot of advice. It was impossible for me to stay cool. Frankly I was so nervous during the match. I just told myself one word: win. I was preparing the for the match until 11.30 pm last night and wrote down some key points which I needed for today’s match. After that I played two computer games and watched some interesting videos on tiktok before going to sleep. It helped me relax.” Sun Yingsha
“I think Sun Yingsha played really well today. Even she met some difficulties, she carried out the tactics very firmly; this is not easy for a young player. Mima Ito has the strength to compete against Chinese players. She has won many times; her playing style is unique especially in the first three strokes which are powerful” Li Sun (Chinese National Coach)
Reality check for Adriana Diaz
Setting who new standards in Latin America but for Puerto Rico’s 18 year old Adriana Diaz, the no.26 seed, there was a lesson from the best player in the world.
She was beaten in straight games by highly focused Ding Ning (11-1, 11-8, 11-2, 11-5), the Chinese star giving the young lady the picturesque town of Utuado no time the draw breath.
Miu Hirano tested
Women’s Singles – Round Three
Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.8 seed, beat Canada’s Zhang Mo, the no.21 seed but she was severely tested; she needed six games to secure victory (11-6, 13-11, 11-13, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4).
“When the match was 2-2 she changed her service and she started pushing me half long; this became difficult for me. I came here with the intention of getting to last the last 16, unfortunately it was a last 32 exit.” Zhang Mo
“At 2-2 I had to change my service and receive as well as my tactics; this really changed the game for me. It was very tough but I was well prepared.” Miu Hirano
Minnie Soo Wai Yam in form
Hong Kong’s Minnie Soo Wai Yam was very much the player in form; the no.24 seed, she player error free, secure in every department of her play.
She accounted for Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the no.14 seed, in four straight games (14-12, 14-12, 11-5, 11-6)
Host nation hopes end
Defeat for Dora Madarasz, the no.53 seed, beaten by Singapore’s Feng Tianwei (11-7, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8), ended the hopes of the host nation, Feng Tianwei very much in the comfort zone.
“Yesterday I played two matches, so I felt a bit tired. Today I feel much better. I am getting used to the venue and atmosphere here.” Feng Tianwei
European bronze medallists succeed
Germany’s Patrick Franziska and Petrissa Solja, bronze medallists at the Liebherr 2019 European Championships and the no.12 seeds, caused somewhat of an upset. They accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching, the no.6 seeds (11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8). Notably two years ago in Düsseldorf, Cheng I-Ching emerged the runner up in partnership with Chien Chen-An.
“Everything comes to small details. It was crucial to maintain a good service and receive game, but also to play fast and aggressive. To keep the ball short.” Patrick Franziska
”More then result I am happy that I can say that our game improved. We have more confidence. This match was not easy at all as the 4-1 result predicts.” Petrissa Solja
Defending champion, national champions progress
Defending champions and no.2 seeds, Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa alongside colleagues Masataka Morizono and Mima Ito, the no.4 seeds and reigning national champions, duly advanced but in contrasting fashions.
Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa had to recover from a two games to one deficit to beat the host nation’s Adam Szudi and Szandra Pergel, the no.13 seeds (5-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10).
“We attacked them, started in good form at the beginning, but they were better.” Szandra Pergel
Rather more comfortably Masataka Morizono and Mima Ito accounted for Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin and Choi Hyojoo, the no.10 seeds (11-7, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6).
Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning relentless
China’s Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning continued to progress in an authoritative manner; they beat the French partnership of Tristan Flore and Laura Gasnier in five games (11-6, 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5)
“When leading 3-0, we made some mistakes in the fourth game but it did not affect the situation too much. We need to communicate more and get prepared for the next match. Singles and doubles events are both important for Team China. Coaches trust me and give me the chance to play in two events, so I will try my best to fulfill the task.” Fan Zhendong
Day Four action begins
The time has arrived for the proceedings to get underway on Day Four of the Liebherr 2019 World Championships – for detailed information take a look at the fixture schedule below:
Preview Day Four
Take a look at what’s coming your way on Day Four with our quick preview article:
Preview Day Four: Stars to meet in unmissable encounters
Adriana Diaz x TATA Trickshot
Watch Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz show off her amazing trickshot!
The workshop commenced with a welcome by Thomas Weikert, ITTF President, who then passed the floor to Ryu Seungmin.
In his keynote speech on the “Secrets behind a successful Dual Career”, he shared his own journey from athlete to current IOC member. Speaking about training as a child, with the Olympic Games in mind as the ultimate goal, he recalled that he put his determination to become a successful table tennis player before anything else, including a formal education.
He emphasized the important role of the athlete’s entourage, in particular the coaches, in preparing players not only for challenges during their playing career but also for those they will face after they retire. He also shared his own role in educating today’s athletes to prepare for life after sport, as an IOC educator for the Athlete 365 Career Plus programme.
The workshop continued with a Round Table on Education; the panelists being Bruce Burton, Executive Vice President in charge of Development, Ladislav Petrovic, Secretary General of the International Council for Coaching Excellence and Richard Prause, Technical Director of the German Table Tennis Federation. In connection with the newly developed Educational Matrix, the panel discussed the background and structure of a successful educational programme.
Richard Prause addressed the subject of the German coach accreditation system, which blends an online platform with practical skill sessions and examinations. Ladislav Petrovic suggested that since the skills a coach needs are well known, one of the most important things to consider when creating an educational system, is the way coaches learn. He believed an online element was essential. He also stressed the importance of the development of coaching course instructors and that a successful educational structure relies heavily on these educators.
Ramon Ortega Montes, ITTF Head of Education, explained the plan for the creation of new courses and a new structure that would be truly global; the aim to have a globally recognized coach accreditation system that will make a move from one country to another an easy process.
The Round Table was followed by a group work session. Four groups each discussed a dedicated topic. The impact of social media on participation and education, the biggest challenges and best practices for women’s development and the main components a national association’s strategic plan. In addition the subject of a national high performance pathway, with ITTF High Performance and Development staff acting as facilitators was addressed.
Although not being able to attend the workshop in person, Italian social media expert Marco Montemagno prepared a video message addressing national associations as well as players and coaches about the different strategies to raise their profile and engage their audience on social media.
The workshop concluded with a farewell address by Steve Dainton, ITTF Chief Executive Officer; he thanked everyone who attended and expressed his hope to see everyone again next year in Busan!
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