I Dig Sports
Kartal 'far below expectations' in Melbourne defeat
Kartal and Bouzas Maneiro were made to wait several hours to get on to court after thunderstorms held up play.
Even when they arrived at 18:15 local time, there was still a delay as the chair umpire and staff dried the court with towels.
Kartal sees herself as a "disrupter" but she was unable to unsettle Bouzas Maneiro in the early rallies.
Bouzas Maneiro managed to get on top in the baseline duels, knocking powerful winners off both flanks as she won 29 of the 44 points in a one-sided first set.
When Kartal lost serve and went 3-0 down in the second set, it looked as though she was heading towards a rapid defeat.
But Bouzas Maneiro began to look nervous, suddenly making more unforced errors as Kartal clawed back the break.
A chance for the Spaniard to clinch the match came at 5-4 30-40, but a tight forehand volley wide indicated the pressure she was feeling.
However, Kartal did not fully capitalise on her opponent's tension.
The Briton moved 4-2 ahead in the tie-break, but was pushed back on her weaker backhand as Bouzas Maneiro wiped out the mini-break and turned the match back in her favour.
Bouzas Maneiro will now go on to face Sabalenka after the top seed started her bid for a third consecutive title with a straight-set win over American Sloane Stephens.
'Feels like home' - Sabalenka starts title defence with win
Sabalenka entertained the Melbourne crowd with some dancing on court after the match, having built up a following on social media by posting videos of her dancing with her team on TikTok.
Fast becoming a fan favourite, she then went to take a picture of the crowd with a polaroid camera before realising it had run out of film.
The top seed will face Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who knocked out British hopeful Sonay Kartal, in the next round.
Rain affected proceedings on the outside courts on day one of the season's first Grand Slam, but the Rod Laver Arena roof was open in time for Sabalenka's evening match after Zheng Qinwen, her opponent in last year's final, beat Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni.
Sabalenka finished 2024 as the year-end world number one for the first time and, beginning her campaign in Australia as two-time defending champion and top seed, looked in fine form as she raced to a 4-0 lead.
But Stephens, who has pedigree on the hard court as a former US Open champion, pegged Sabalenka back, breaking back twice for 4-3 as Sabalenka made a series of unforced errors.
Often animated on court, Sabalenka roared in frustration at each mistake, waving her arms around in exasperation.
What had looked likely to be a straightforward opening set of her campaign turned out to be more tricky but the three-time Grand Slam champion converted her fifth break point for 5-3 then served to take the set.
Sabalenka once again earned herself a double break in the second set and this time was able to hold on to her advantage over Stephens, who has not won a match since last year's Wimbledon.
By contrast, Sabalenka warmed up for the tournament by winning the Brisbane - and she looks in fine form for a historic 'three-peat'.
Gwalia Lightning produced a second half fightback and scored a try in the 80th minute to earn a dramatic victory over winless Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.
The Welsh side were favourites, having won two of their first three matches, while the Warriors remain at the bottom of the table.
Wales flanker Bryonie King returned to captain Gwalia after sustaining an ankle injury in round two.
The home side quickly took the lead when Rhodd Parry scored the opening try two minutes into the match. Carys Hughes, who had already amassed 22 points in the first three rounds, added the conversion.
Glasgow responded when Briar McNamara broke through to power over under the posts, but she missed the conversion.
Gemma Bell followed the same path, breaking through Gwalia's defence in the 28th minute and McNamara added the conversion.
Glasgow's third try came a minute later, with full-back Sky Phimister taking control of a high kick.
She shrugged off a defender with a quick dummy and goosestep, then ran almost the length of the pitch for a magnificent solo try for Warriors to lead by 12 points at the break after McNamara's conversion.
Alaw Pyrs scored Gwalia's second try from a close-range line-out to bring the score to 12-19 after 54 minutes.
Warriors hit back instantly to secure a crucial bonus point through McNamara, who also converted, as the visitors led 26-12.
But that first win was not to be. Courtney Greenway showed great awareness close to the try line, scooping the ball up and diving over the ruck to score Gwalia's third try.
Two minutes later Greenway's pace in open space allowed her to glide over to bring Lightning back to 24-26 after Hughes' conversion.
Gwalia needed one last push to secure the win, and as the clock hit 80 minutes, captain King seized the moment with a pick and go from the back of a ruck to power through the weary Warriors defence.
Hughes stepped up and nailed the conversion, putting Gwalia five points ahead to complete the comeback.
Gwalia Lightning have notched up three wins from four matches, moving up to third place in the Celtic Challenge table, just behind the Irish teams Wolfhounds and Clovers.
Dragons: Cai Evans; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser; Angus O'Brien (capt), Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Barny Langton-Cryer, George Young, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: James Benjamin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Ewan Rosser
Pau: Clément Mondinat; Theo Attissogbe, Eliott Roudil (capt), Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gregoire Arfeuil; Axel Desperes, Dan Robson; Remi Seneca, Romain Ruffenach, Jon Zabala Arrieta, Hugo Auradou, Jimi Maximin, Mehdi Tlili, Reece Hewat, Thibaut Hamonou.
Sin bin: Hamonou (3)
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Harry Williams, Remi Picquette, Loic Credoz, Thomas Souverbie, Quentin Valentino, Jack Maddocks.
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira & Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Bristol: Elizalde; Bates, Ravouvou, Williams, Heward; Byrne, Marmion; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Owen, Batley, Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.
Replacements: Oghre, Genge, Kloska, Barker, Luatua, Randall, Van Rensburg, Lane.
Benetton: Smith; Gallagher, Menoncello, Brex, Ratave; Albornoz, Uren; Gallo, Maile, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.
Replacements: Bernasconi, Ferrari, Avaca, Snyman, Favretto, Izekor, Garbisi, Marin.
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)
Leinster maintain winning run with La Rochelle victory
La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.
Leinster: Barrett; J O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J Osbourne; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Frawley.
Toulon: Domon; Drean, Frisch, Sinzelle, Wainiqolo; Garbisi, Serin; Priso, Lucchesi, Sinckler, Halagahu, Ribbans (capt), Ludlam, Abadie, Isa.
Replacements: Ivaldi, Brennan, Setiano, Alainu'uese, Rebbadj, Coulon, White, Biggar.
Harlequins: Green; David, Beard, Northmore, Murley; Smith, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, Launchbury, Hammond, Chisholm, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).
Replacements: Riley, Jones, Kerrod, Cunningham-South, W Evans, Care, J Evans, Waghorn.
Sin-bin: Chisholm
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. Saturday was the halfway point of the Pitt Stop Motorsports IMCATV Western Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway.
IMCA sanctioned divisions added more cars to set a Casa Grande record of 238 for the five divisions.
Modified action produced a sterling drive by Ricky Alvarado with his flag to flag and traffic filled effort leading to a win. Alvarados heat win from 5th starting earned him a front row starting spot.
Chaz Baca drew closer to Alvarado in traffic but settled for second and Dylan Thornton was third.
Braden Richards controlled the stock car main but did have a little close call on the next to last lap when he appeared to brush the wall in turn two. Richards recovered from that and claimed the win over Justin Luinenburg and Mike Albertsen.
Northern sport mods were led by Gilbert Deschamp for 13 laps with Taylor Kuehl and Jake Smith steadily closing.
Eventually it became three drivers in a group and it was Smith who used the bottom of turn four to take the lead with seven laps remaining.
Smith led the last seven to get the win over Taylor Kuehl and Cole Suckow.
Dillon Richards won another hobby stock main and Billy Foultz matched Richards with his sport compact win.
Action resumes next Tuesday with the Gene Freeman Memorial Pit Crew Contest along with a non-points hobby stock main. Practice sessions will complete the evening.
ANAHEIM, Calif. A sold out Angel Stadium was alive with the excitement and anticipation of Round 1 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, part of the SMX World ChampionshipTM series. Red Bull KTM Racings Chase Sexton took his first opening round win in convincing fashion.
Even with a brief stall near the midpoint, Sexton never relinquished the lead after taking it less than four minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap main event.
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzukis Ken Roczen also battled forward, reaching second place early and holding the spot to the finish.
Monster Energy Kawasakis Jason Anderson managed to avoid first-turn chaos and found himself in the lead on the first lap. After intense battles with Sexton and Roczen he finished the race on the podium with third place.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racings Eli Tomac crashed on the opening lap while leading. The defending champion, Team Honda HRC Progressives Jett Lawrence, had two big mistakes in the opening laps and was only able to climb back to 12th spot.
I kind of knew where I was at coming in here. I knew I had good speed. I feel more like myself in 2023 when I was fast, but I feel like Im a little more mature now and I can get out front and kind of run my own laps and not make mistakes, so it was a fun race, Sexton explained. [I] had Kenny behind me, and also Jason, and it was just a good ride.
Honestly, I had so much fun on this track tonight. I cant give it up to the team enough. They put in so much hard work this off-season to get me comfortable, knowing that I wasnt comfortable last year; and coming in now were back where we need to be. We still have lots to improve; its only one race in and theres 16 left, but were off to a good start and first time winning A1 feels pretty good.
In 250SX class racing, Joe Shimoda took the win without being challenged throughout the 15-minute plus 1 lap Main Event. It was Shimodas first opening round podium finish.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racings Julien Beaumer put in a strong performance; Beaumer was the fastest qualifier and won his heat race. He held close to Shimoda for much of the race but never got close enough to make a run at the lead. Triumph Racing Factory Teams Jordon Smith recovered brilliantly from a tip-over in a left-hand turn. With just 11 seconds on the race clock he reached third place and held the spot to the end.
VADO, N.M. Bobby Pierce and Rob Moseley returned to Hoker Trucking Victory Lane on Saturday night at the 19th annual Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by OReilly Auto Parts at FK Rod Ends Vado (N.M.) Speedway Park, while Dustin Sorensen notched his first win of the year.
Controlling all 40 laps of the super late model feature, largely unchallenged, Pierce cruised to win Saturdays $10,000 fifth round of the 19th annual Wild West Shootout at Vado Speedway Park.
Pierce earned his third victory of the week and the 15th miniseries victory of his career, further extending his lead on the all-time wins list.
I was happy in the lapped traffic, I felt like I was getting through them good, Pierce said. It took a little rubber where the left-rear tire was hitting over there in (turn) one, so it started making me tight. I know it probably didnt look like it, but it made it a little nerve wracking in the car on the restarts, ya know, just wanting to gain a healthy lead again that was a little nerve wracking just trying to hit my marks on the restarts, get a big gap again and kinda cruise from there.
Brandon Sheppard raced from the sixth-starting spot to finish second, with fifth-starting Tyler Erb finishing fifth, 15th-starting Ethan Dotson in fourth, and Drake Troutman rounding out the top five.
In the Shocker Hitch X-Mod division presented by Border Tire, Rob Moseley fended off race-long challenges from Christy Barnett to pick up his third win of the week. The sixth-starting Barnett finished second with 18th-starting Josh Cain in third, seventh-starting Hunter Sandy fourth, and eighth-starting Scott Bintz finished fifth.
With the victory, Moseley is one win away from claiming the Arizona Differential by Nate Four-Or-More Challenge, which posts a $2,500 bonus for any driver, who can win four-or-more Shocker Hitch X-Mod features.
The Mesilla Valley Transportation / Border Tire Modified feature presented by Rancho Milagro saw Dustin Sorensen decimate the field from the pole position. Seventh-starting Cade Dillard finished second with 11th-starting Kyle Strickler in third, while Gary Christian and Joseph Thomas completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[1]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[6]; 3. 1-Tyler Erb[5]; 4. 74X-Ethan Dotson[15]; 5. 22*-Drake Troutman[4]; 6. 14S-Collen Winebarger[8]; 7. 58-Garrett Alberson[9]; 8. 97-Cade Dillard[3]; 9. 69-Ross Bailes[11]; 10. 157-Mike Marlar[20]; 11. 49-Jake Timm[13]; 12. 74-Mitch McGrath[17]; 13. 42S-Don Shaw[7]; 14. 28M-Sam Mars[10]; 15. 28B-Carson Brown[2]; 16. 8-Dillon McCowan[18]; 17. 13-Bricen James[25]; 18. 11-Jon Kirby[16]; 19. 77-Preston Luckman[22]; 20. 6-Jake Neal[24]; 21. 86-Kyle Beard[14]; 22. 2S-Stormy Scott[21]; 23. 19-Dustin Sorensen[19]; 24. 56-Tony Jackson Jr[23]; 25. 18-Chase Junghans[12]
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