Tennis

Nauru tennis players conduct training camp in Kiribati

The team comprised of ten players under 8, 10, 12 and 14 years, four adult players and the young players parents.

KTF President Bantarawa Ietimeta told Radio Kiribati News the NTA has chosen Kiribati for its training camp because its young players are among the best in the Pacific region.

Ietimeta said training sessions for young players started from 10am to 12pm and the adults from 12pm to 2pm. The team will complete their trainings and return to Nauru on October 7th.

The team’s visit to the country was supported by the Nauru Government and assisted by KTF.

Osaka targets more major glory

Osaka triumphed 6-2 6-4 on Saturday in a final that was overshadowed by a dispute between opponent Serena Williams and umpire Carlos Ramos.

Williams was issued a code violation for what the official deemed to be coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou, irritating the 23-time major champion who insisted she was not a cheat.

A point penalty for racquet abuse led to her branding Ramos a "liar" and a "thief" and she was then docked a game, after which the American called for the match referee and alleged she was being treated differently to male players.

Pacific Oceania expecting big step up after Fed Cup promotion

The regional team came from behind to beat Singapore 2-1 in their promotion play-off semifinal in Bahrain at the weekend, winning the decisive doubles rubber in straight sets.

Team captain Gilles De Gouy said, after three years in Group Two, taking on the likes of China, Korea and Kazakhstan will be a whole new level.

"Because now we are going to compete with girls definitely in big countries of tennis, girls who are in the top 100 or top 200 for most of them...definitely playing between the middle of the big nations of Asia," he said.

Pacific Oceania a step closer to Fed Cup promotion

Carol Lee from the Northern Marianas thrashed Maryam Al Balushi 6-0 6-0 in the opening singles rubber before Abigail Tere-Apisah held off a strong challenge to beat Fatma Al Nabhani 7-6 7-5.

The Papua New Guinean then combined with Samoa's Steffi Carruthers for a 6-0 6-1 win in the doubles.

Pacific Oceania, who also swept Iran in their opening match, are top of Pool C with a round to play.

The composite team only need to win one rubber in today's final pool match against second-placed Malaysia to advance to the semi-final promotion playoff.

     

Satisfied Federer eyeing improvement at Finals

The Swiss great opened Group Boris Becker with a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) over American Sock in London on Sunday.

Federer, whose win was his 50th of the season, said he was pleased with his form, having last played competitively in his Swiss Indoors Basel final win over Juan Martin del Potro in late October.

"I'm happy that I was able to come out today and had actually good energy," he said, via the ATP World Tour.

"This is the best I've felt since the Del Potro final. I'm very happy to see that I didn't have to pay the price for taking it easy and resting and recovering.

Nadal to finish year as No.1

The 31-year-old Spaniard assured himself the world No.1 ranking by beating Hyeon Chung 7-5 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters.

The 16-time grand slam winner had not finished the year at the top since 2013, with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray doing so after that.

"One year ago, for sure I never dreamed about being No.1 again at the end of the season," Nadal said.

Nadal's comeback from injury, loss of form and confidence, has been remarkable.

Nadal cruises into semi-finals

The 19-year-old, who grew up idolising Nadal and had the Spaniard's poster pinned up on his bedroom wall was smiling from ear-to-ear as he posed for pre-match photos on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with his hero.

That would be the highlight of an eye-opening afternoon for the Russian youngster as Nadal showed no mercy during a one hour, 37-minute thrashing.

Nadal to return to world number one

Federer was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the final of the Rogers Cup on Sunday, his limited mobility leading to concerns over his fitness ahead of the US Open.

The Swiss, who has already triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, reported only "aches and pains" after the tournament.

But the 19-time grand slam champion's condition is bad enough for him to pull out of a competition he was won seven times.

Williams earns spot in Wimbledon final

Konta was looking to become the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Virginia Wade lifted the trophy in 1977, but she was picked off at crucial times by Williams, who claimed the last of her Wimbledon titles nine years ago.

Williams, who will face Garbine Muguruza in Sunday's final, broke in the 10th game to clinch the first set and then turned the screw on her sixth-seeded opponent, breaking twice more to wrap up the match.

Konta saved two match points before Williams crunched a forehand past the Briton and then twirled in celebration on Centre Court.

Venus Williams battles back to oust Wang

The 37-year-old, a five-time winner at the All England Club, wrapped up a 4-6 6-4 6-1 second-round success to mark her 97th main-draw match at the grass-court grand slam – a record for an active player.

The pair also met in the first round of the French Open, when Williams – who has endured an emotional week amid questions over her involvement in a fatal road accident – prevailed in straight sets, but it was a tougher test on this occasion against the world number 55.