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Bryson DeChambeau: US Open champion says Rory McIlroy’s late collapse will only fuel his quest for a fifth major title | Golf News

On: June 17, 2024 By: admin

Bryson DeChambeau said he hopes for lots more final-round battles with Rory McIlroy and believes the Northern Irishman’s collapse over the final few holes of their epic US Open battle will only fuel his quest for a fifth major title.

DeChambeau took a three-shot lead into the final day at Pinehurst but found himself two behind before birdieing the 13th. McIlroy then bogeyed three of his final four holes, missing two putts from inside four feet over the closing stretch, handing the 30-year-old American his second US Open.

“Rory is one of the best to ever play,” DeChambeau said. “Being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special. I’d love to have a lot more battles with him.

“I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf… to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, I was like, ‘Uh-oh’, but luckily things went my way today.

“For him to miss that putt [on the 18th], I’d never wish it on anybody.

“I’m sure it will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong-minded individual. He’ll win multiple more major championships, there’s no doubt.”

DeChambeau: Bunker save at 18 the ‘shot of my life’

McIlroy second missed put from short range, this one from inside four feet at 18, gifted DeChambeau a one-stroke lead, only for him to pull his tee shot into the native area and miss the green with his second.

What followed, however was extraordinary, with DeChambeau’s chip out of the front-right bunker hailed by Dame Laura Davies on Sky Sports as “one of the all-time greats up-and-downs to win a major championship”.

“That bunker shot was the shot of my life,” DeChambeau reflected.

“I knew where Rory was. After my tee shot, I was up there going, ‘Man, if he makes par, I don’t know how I’m going to beat him’. I just really didn’t know.

“Then I heard the moans. It was like a shot of adrenaline got in me. I said, ‘Okay, you can do this’.

“I’m so happy I got that shot up-and-down.”

DeChambeau’s insistence on McIlroy’s ability to bounce back from this latest major near-miss is perhaps based on his win here following swiftly off the back of a second-placed finish to Xander Schauffele at the PGA Championship last month – albeit in not quite such heart-breaking fashion.

Reflecting on that disappointment, as well as his eagerness to win at Pinehurst, DeChambeau paid tribute to his father, who died in 2022, and one of his golfing idols, the late Payne Stewart, who was victorious on the same course at the 1999 US Open.

“Oh, man, I didn’t want to finish second again,” DeChambeau said. “The PGA really stung. Xander played magnificent.

“I wanted to get this one done, especially at such a special place that means so much to me, SMU [Southern Methodist University where DeChambeau and Stewart both studied], my dad, what Payne meant to him, the 1000th USGA championship. Stack them on top.”

He added: “I don’t know what to think. It fully hasn’t sunk in yet. As much as it is heart-breaking for some people, it was heartbreak for me at the PGA. I really wanted this one.

“I was a little lucky. Rory didn’t make a couple of putts that he could have coming in. I had an amazing up and down on the last.

“I don’t know what else to say. It’s a dream come true.”

What’s next?

McIlroy is due to be back in action at the Travelers Championship, the latest of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, with early coverage live on Thursday from 12.30pm via the red button and 5pm on Sky Sports Golf.

The final men’s major of the year is The Open, taking place at Royal Troon from July 18-21, where DeChambeau will again be among the pre-tournament favourites. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.

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Euro 2024 – Poland 1-2 Netherlands: Former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst scores winner with Cody Gakpo also on target | Football News

On: June 16, 2024 By: admin

Netherlands survived an early scare to defeat Poland 2-1 in Hamburg in the opening game of Group D at Euro 2024 as former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst came off the bench to score a late winner.

Robert Lewandowski was absent for the Poles due to a hamstring injury, but his replacement Adam Buksa filled the void to glance Michal Probierz’s side in front (16) from Piotr Zielinski’s corner.

Netherlands, who had already missed good chances through Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons, ought to have levelled when Memphis Depay lifted his shot over the bar six minutes later – but they restored parity when Cody Gakpo’s deflected shot wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny (29).

It was the first of five attempts Gakpo had in the first-half during a wasteful performance – the joint-most on record (since 1980) for a Dutch player in the first half of a match at the Euros.

Poland needed the interval, but they showed more attacking intent upon the restart as Jakub Kiwior’s shot took a nick off Nathan Ake and forced Bart Verbruggen to make the save, before Piotr Zielinski’s attempt from 20 yards brought another smart stop from the Dutch goalkeeper.

This was a spirited Polish team but after Denzel Dumfries swept another attempt wide of the far post, it was substitute Weghorst – still a Burnley player – who scored the winner within five minutes of coming off the bench, latching onto a clever through ball from Nathan Ake to guide home his seventh goal in his last 11 appearances for the Oranje.

Poland refused to give up as substitute Karol Swiderski nearly levelled when he met Jakub Piotrowski’s cross to fire low towards the near post and have Verbruggen at full stretch before Piotrowski’s follow-up was blazed into the side-netting.

The result means the Netherlands top the group ahead of France facing Austria in the other match from the opening gameweek in Düsseldorf on Monday.

Stats: Story of the match

So far in Group D…

T20 World Cup: Scotland can ‘hold heads high’ after tournament exit, says captain Richie Berrington | Cricket News

On: June 16, 2024 By: admin

Scotland captain Richie Berrington says his side can “hold their heads high” after defeat to Australia ended their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s.

Scotland would have advanced into the second round at England’s expense had they beaten Mitchell Marsh’s team in St Lucia on Sunday but lost by five wickets as the 2021 champions reached their target of 181 with two balls to spare.

Berrington’s men racked up the highest score by an associate nation against Australia in T20 cricket of 180-5, with the skipper contributing 42 from 31 balls after Brandon McMullen thumped 60 from 34 and George Munsey hit 35 from 23.

Scotland were knocked out on net run-rate after finishing level on points with England, a side they smashed for 90 runs from 10 overs – Munsey nailing 41 from 31 and opening partner Michael Jones 45 from 30 – before that game was rained off earlier this month.

Berrington said: “The guys can hold their heads high in terms of how they’ve played their cricket throughout this tournament.

“It’s great learning for us, great experience for the guys. We’re disappointed because we were in a position where we could win.

“[Australia] have great ball strikers all the way through the team and a few big overs in the back end got them back into the game and made it hard to pull back.”

‘Scotland have improved a hell of a lot’

On Scotland, Australia captain Marsh said: “They are a really good outfit. They’ve improved a hell of a lot over the last few years. We’ve got a lot of respect for them, they took it down to the wire.

“T20 is a hard format, you can be slightly off and lose to anyone – as we almost saw today. We were pushed right to the end there and a bit of experience came through.”

Australia finished top of Group B on eight points after four wins from four and will meet India, Afghanistan and one of Bangladesh or Netherlands in Super 8s Group 1, with England to take on West Indies, USA and South Africa in Group 2.

Marsh added: “The World Cup starts again now. We’ve got a lot of trust in our group that we can keep winning games of cricket.”

Australia are aiming to complete an ICC trophy treble at this World Cup as they already hold the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup titles, defeating India in the finals of those respective tournaments in 2023.

Marsh’s side will also visit Scotland in September for three T20 internationals, on a tour of the UK which will also include three T20s and five one-day internationals against England.

Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

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Luke Littler claims outstanding victory in Poland Darts Masters following three-match masterclass | Darts News

On: June 16, 2024 By: admin

Teen superstar Luke Littler claimed the title on his Poland Darts Masters debut with a stunning performance on Saturday night.

The 17-year-old sensation dispatched Peter Wright 6-3 and 2023 world champion Michael Smith 7-6 before beating Rob Cross comprehensively 8-3 in the final in front of a crowd of 9,000 at the PreZero Arena.

As he moved 4-1 up in the showpiece against Cross, Littler nailed a 164 monster checkout, proving he lives for the big occasion.

But it was not all easy for Littler, on Friday he survived a late scare to see off UK Open semi-finalist Adam Gawlas, who fought back from 5-1 down, taking three successive legs to threaten to send the ‘The Nuke’ packing.

Littler, though, took care of business 6-4 in the end and showed no such nerves on Saturday as he dispatched three of the world’s top 10 to claim victory – including a bang-in form Cross who was in the final of a World Series tournament for the third time this month.

Cross beat Sebastian Bialecki 6-1, Stephen Bunting 6-4 and Michael van Gerwen 7-2 en route to the final, but he found Littler in irrepressible form.

A tight fourth leg proved to be the turning point as Littler broke his throw with 16-darter before compounding the misery for Cross with a 164 finish to move 4-1 ahead. Although Cross punched back, Littler again managed a 121 finish in the seventh leg and claimed a romping victory to add to a growing list of honours.

Currently, Littler is the Premier League Darts champion, as well as Junior and World Youth champion. He adds the Poland Darts Masters to the Bahrain title he won in January as well as being the current Belgian and Austrian Darts Open champion.

Littler, who started the week on a break in the United States, admitted he played his way into the tournament and was delighted to claim the title.

“I’ve just had a week off in Orlando and there was a bit of rust. But I think this weekend I’ve played well,” he said.

“Obviously Rob (Cross) has been at it all weekend up until now. I’ve had a week off and I thought I was in for a game but Rob didn’t turn up. I did punish him and got over the line.

“I love playing in big arenas in front of thousands. I’m just playing well. It’s another one to add to the list.”

Littler had earlier survived a tense semi-final with Smith, who led 4-1 and narrowly missed the bull going for a 124 finish and then two match darts at double eight in the deciding leg before Littler found double five to prevail 7-6.

It proved something of a battle throughout with Littler having earlier taken out treble 19, double top, double top for 137 to level at 5-5.

Now, after winning another title at such a tender age, Littler is eager to continue to add to his list of accolades.

“I want to win as much as I can,” he added. “This first half of the year has been really good with six titles and numerous nine-darters. I can’t wait for the second half of the season to kick in.

“I hope to win everything. But it might not happen. The Matchplay I’m looking forward to, the Grand Prix and Grand Slam.”

2024 Superbet Poland Darts Masters

Friday June 14
First Round
Rob Cross 6-1 Sebastian Bialecki
Boris Krcmar 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Michael Smith 6-4 Radek Szaganski
Peter Wright 6-0 Jacek Krupka
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Karel Sedlacek
Luke Littler 6-4 Adam Gawlas
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Humphries 6-1 György Jehirszki

Saturday June 15
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler 6-3 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 5-6 Michael Smith
Rob Cross 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Boris Krcmar

Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 7-6 Michael Smith
Rob Cross 7-2 Michael van Gerwen

Final
Luke Littler 8-3 Rob Cross

What’s next on Sky Sports?

The World Cup of Darts will take place from 27 to 30 June 2024 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany.

Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are the defending champions and they’ll be determined to fend off 39 other nations to retain their title.

Luke Humphries and Smith are in line to represent England but Littler will not feature because the two highest-ranked English players in the PDC Order of Merit are picked. ‘The Nuke’ is currently 25th in the Order of Merit.

Fans are also able to stream the entire action on NOW TV through their mobile device or tablet.

World Cup of Darts: Fixtures

Thursday, June 27 (6pm BST)
Group Stage – Opening Matches

Friday, June 28
Afternoon Session (11am BST)
Group Stage – Second Matches

Evening Session (6pm BST)
Group Stage – Final Matches

Saturday, June 29
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
Second Round x4

Evening Session (6pm BST)
Second Round x4

Sunday, June 30
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (6pm BST)
Semi-Finals
Final

What is the format?

Group Stage – Best of seven legs
Second Round – Best of 15 legs
Quarter-Finals – Best of 15 legs
Semi-Finals – Best of 15 legs
Final – Best of 19 legs

All matches will be played in a doubles format

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Nottingham Open: Emma Raducanu through to first semi-final since 2022 after Fran Jones’ injury withdrawal | Tennis News

On: June 15, 2024 By: admin

Emma Raducanu is through to her first semi-final since 2022 after Fran Jones withdrew from their Nottingham Open quarter-final.

Raducanu has looked in good form on her return after a six-week hiatus to prepare for the grass-court season, beating Ena Shibahara and Daria Snigur on her way to the last eight.

A quarter-final with Jones was waiting on Saturday afternoon, but her British compatriot has had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury.

That sets up an all-British blockbuster between Raducanu and defending champion Katie Boulter later on Saturday.

Boulter won her quarter-final on Friday as she looks to retain the title she won last year.

Jones was on court on Friday afternoon ready to play Raducanu before rain forced play to be abandoned for the day and she woke up on Saturday and chose to withdraw.

Jones said: “Unfortunately today I’ve had to withdraw from what was an exciting match with Emma.

“Hopefully everyone can understand that with the big events coming up, I’m not in a position to be taking many risks especially with my last couple of years.

“I think it’s a massive shame, I’ve really enjoyed playing this week and I’ve played at a good level, but I need to continue to think big picture which has got me into the place I’m in so far this year.”

What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?

In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.

Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29

Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

LPGA Classic: Nelly Korda misses cut by a shot with Ally Ewing and Grace Kim tied for lead | Golf News

On: June 15, 2024 By: admin

Ally Ewing shot a scorching, nine-under 63 to move into a tie with Australia’s Grace Kim for the lead at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Belmont, as world No 1 Nelly Korda missed the cut.

Ewing and Kim stand at 11 under after two trips around Blythefield Country Club after Kim posted a 65 on Friday. They are two shots ahead of Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen (64 Friday) and South Korea’s Narin An (68).

Korda couldn’t recover from an opening-round 76. She shot a second round five-under 67 but missed the cut line of two under by a single stroke, missing her second straight cut after winning six of seven events.

“I’m very pleased with the way that I struck the ball today off the tee, something I’ve been struggling with this year,” Korda said. “This was by far the best I’ve hit it off the tee, so a little bit of positivity.

Ewing’s bogey-free round began with three birdies over her first five holes, and she chipped in for eagle at the par-five eighth hole. She sank four more birdies coming home, including a short putt at the par-three 11th after an excellent tee shot.

“I think you can make a lot of birdies out here,” Ewing said. “At the same time, I approach a golf course with what it gives me, so I try to play smart but aggressive golf.”

The 31-year-old, who has three LPGA wins to her name, found her form again after tying for third at the US Women’s Open two weeks ago.

“Yeah, I think any time you get a good finish in any tournament, much less a major, you just see good golf for four days, definitely helps your confidence when you carry it over,” Ewing said. “The golf ball doesn’t know what I did last week, but it’s still important to attack it but also have confidence with it.”

Kim started her round on the back nine and also piled up three birdies over her first five. After bogeying the 17th, she bounced back with an eagle at the par-five 18th. She added a final bang with three straight birdies from the sixth to eighth holes.

Kim said the conditions changed drastically for her after playing Thursday’s round in heavy wind.

“I think I was the second-lowest scorer of the day [Thursday] in the afternoon, and, yeah that says a lot of how tough the conditions were,” Kim said. “But to be able to pull through and make a few more birdies, back-to-back birdies to finish my round, yeah, very much topped it off.”

Brooke Henderson of Canada, a two-time winner of this event, shot 69 Friday and is part of a tie for fifth at eight under with Lauren Hartlage (69), Allison Corpuz (68), South Korea’s Jin Hee Im (65) and China’s Jing Yan (68).

Who will win the third men’s major of the year? Watch the US Open live on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the third round begins on Saturday from 3pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the US Open and more with NOW.

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Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic dies aged 26 | Football News

On: June 15, 2024 By: admin

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died aged 26, the club have announced.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26.

“Sarkic, The Lions’ number one goalkeeper, made 33 appearances for the club since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023.

“Montenegro international, Matija proudly represented his country on numerous occasions.

“Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this immensely sad time.

“The club will make no further comment at this time and asks that the privacy of Matija’s family is respected.”

The Montenegro Football Association said in a statement that Sarkic had “died suddenly” on Saturday morning.

“A beloved member of the ‘Brave Falcons’, an eternally smiling guy, played for our ‘A’ selection in nine games, in which he showed how much he means to this team,” the statement added.

“Together with his twin brother Oliver, he passed all the junior categories of the Montenegrin national team.

“In the jersey of that iconic London club [Millwall], he left his mark, which was yet to become part of a bigger and more beautiful story.

“Premature death stopped that and caused great pain to the Sarkic family. The Football Association of Montenegro expresses its sincere condolences to the Sarkic family.”

Grimsby-born Sarkic began his career in Anderlecht’s academy before joining Aston Villa in 2015.

He played 60 games during loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke before joining Millwall last August, where he made 33 appearances.

Sarkic made his Montenegro debut against Belarus in 2019 and was on international duty last week for a friendly against Belgium.

His former club Aston Villa also posted on X: “Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of our former goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

“Matija joined our Academy in 2015 and spent five years with the club, during which time he made his full international debut for Montenegro, before departing in the summer of 2020.

“The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Birmingham, where Sarkic made 23 appearances on loan during the 2021-22 season, said on X: “Everyone at Birmingham City is shocked and saddened to learn of the news that our former goalkeeper, Matija Sarkic, has passed away at the age of 26.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all those that knew him.”

The Football Association added: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends, as well as everybody at the club and the Montenegro national team at this very sad time.”

Millwall Supporters’ Club posted on X: “What horrendous news to wake up to this morning that our goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died at the young age of 26. Devastating news for his friends and family and for all of us associated with Millwall. Once a lion, always a lion.”

Stoke, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the English Football League also offered their condolences to Sarkic’s family and friends.

Bryson DeChambeau: Golf’s ‘mad scientist’ mounting US Open challenge at Pinehurst | Golf News

On: June 15, 2024 By: admin

Bryson DeChambeau: meet golf’s ‘mad scientist’ and quite possibly a soon to be two-time US Open champion.

DeChambeau has been a headline-maker, sometimes for the wrong reasons, ever since turning pro in 2016 and, when winning the US Open in 2020, was seen as a particularly controversial figure in the game after muscling his way to a six-stroke triumph at Winged Foot.

Four years on, albeit still with his mad scientist streak, this is a new-look DeChambeau that is tearing it up around Pinehurst after rounds of 67 and 69 through the opening two days of the US Open.

While certainly still bulky, DeChambeau spoke of losing ’18 pounds in 24 days’ at last year’s PGA Championship and his weight has stayed steady since, prompting a tied-fourth finish at that tournament, a career-best tied-sixth placing at Augusta this year and a runners-up finish at the US PGA last month, edged out by Xander Schauffele and a solitary stroke.

This is no longer a man angrily muscling his way around a golf course and he is winning more fans because of it.

A huge throng of at least 10 spectators deep lined up along the ropes in the morning wave to gawk at DeChambeau’s length off the tee and cheer him on.

“Go win it, Bryson!” one fan shouted.

“They’re awesome [the fans],” he told Sky Sports after his round on Friday. “They’ve been super nice to me and it’s fun feeding off that energy. I love it.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself in general and what makes me not just a better golfer, but a person – how can I be more entertaining and give the fans what they deserve?”

Having such a connection with supporters is world away from the man who used to have to endure heckles of ‘Brooksy’, among other barbs, due to his long-running feud with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka.

The animosity between the pair, though it has settled of late, dates back to 2019 when Koepka criticised DeChambeau’s slow play as “embarrassing”. That led to an incident later that year where DeChambeau confronted Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott, and the pair have been known to go at it on social media.

DeChambeau finds himself on the favourable end of the feud right now, partly because he no longer seems troubled by it, playing with a smile on his face and, frankly, playing better golf.

“I’m excited for the game that I have right now,” DeChambeau said after his second round. “I feel pretty confident and ready to get after it this weekend.”

And why wouldn’t he be at the moment?

This week is just the third time in DeChambeau’s career that he’s opened a major championship with back-to-back rounds of under 70… the first was when victorious at Winged Foot four years ago, with the second coming in that second placing at Valhalla a month ago.

DeChambeau’s physical transformation prior to his first major win was marked – a three-stone weight gain over a nine-month period aiding his unmatched length off the tee and earning him the nickname of ‘The Incredible Bulk’.

He hit only three fairways on the Saturday of his 2020 triumph, six on the Sunday and 23 for the week.

Rory McIlroy said at the time: “That’s just the complete opposite of what you think a US Open champion does… look, he’s found a way to do it.”

A couple of months later at the Covid-delayed 2020 Masters, DeChambeau cockily proclaimed Augusta National as “a par 67 for me”.

He has since spoken of his regret at the comment. “Regarding the 67,” he said at Augusta this year. “You mess up. I’m not a perfect person. You learn from your mistakes, and that was definitely one.”

And there’s a marked difference in the way he’s doing it this time around compared to four years ago, with DeChambeau finding 19 fairways through the first two days, including a stonking 12 of 14 on Thursday.

Over his career, another reputation DeChambeau has developed is for his physics-based analysis of golf, seeing him currently use a custom-designed set of 3D-printed single-length irons.

“I can’t tell you how important it is to have stuff that works for you, for anyone out there listening,” DeChambeau said on Friday.

“It’s a lot of the equipment that’s really helped give me that confidence back.”

The mad scientist won’t be looking quite so crazy if his new-found combination of science, support, strength and skill seal a second major title come Sunday.

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Kings Birthday Honours list 2024: Mark Cavendish awarded knighthood while Graeme Souness and Katherine Sciver-Brunt also honoured

On: June 14, 2024 By: admin

Cyclist Mark Cavendish has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.

The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man has won a joint-record 34 Tour de France stages and won the world road race title in 2011, the same year he was made an MBE. Cavendish is also a silver medallist in the omnium at the 2016 Olympics.

Dot Tilbury, Cavendish’s first coach, said: “Everyone in the Isle of Man, from young children to grannies, is so very proud of what he’s achieved.

“He has inspired many children to think that you don’t have to come from a big city to go after what you want in life.”

Former Scotland footballers Graeme Souness and Ally McCoist have also been recognised.

Souness, 71, becomes a CBE for services to football and charity while McCoist is made an OBE for services to football and broadcasting.

Other names from the world of sport to be honoured are former cyclist Chris Boardman, gold medalist in the men’s individual pursuit at the 1992 Olympics, who becomes a CBE, while golfer Sandy Lyle and former England cricketer Katherine Sciver-Brunt are made OBEs and former England international Chris Powell becomes an MBE.

Anita Neil, the sprinter who became the first black woman to compete for Great Britain at an Olympic Games in 1968, has been made an MBE.

Souness featured in three World Cups for Scotland and enjoyed great success at club level with Liverpool, where he won five league titles and three European Cups. Souness is also vice president of DEBRA, a charity which raises funding for, and awareness of, the skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

McCoist, 61, is best known now as a co-commentator and pundit but enjoyed great success during his playing days, chiefly at Rangers where he remains the club’s all-time top goalscorer, having been on target 355 times in 581 matches and winning eight league titles.

Fast bowler Sciver-Brunt, 38, won two 50-over World Cups and one T20 world title in a glittering career with England.

Powell was part of Gareth Southgate’s England coaching team at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

He played over 700 matches with clubs including Southend, Charlton and Derby, is currently an assistant manager at Sheffield Wednesday and won five England caps.

“I always thought that representing my country and the FA would be the pinnacle of my career, as both a player and a coach, but this honour is beyond my expectations,” Powell said.

Boardman’s CBE recognises his work as commissioner at Active Travel England, the government’s executive agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around.

“I’m delighted to receive this honour for services to active travel,” Boardman said.

“I started this journey many years ago when my daughter, Agatha, wanted to ride to the park. Even though it was just 500 metres away, I felt I had to say no, because I wasn’t sure I could keep her safe. That felt wrong, so I decided to do something about it.

“Nearly 20 years on, the fight has never been more relevant, so it’s been an easy cause to champion, especially as I know most parents would love transport independence for their kids too. And if they have it, we all do.”

Karen Carney, the former England football international, who is leading efforts to reform the women’s game at elite and grassroots level, becomes an OBE.

Kay Cossington, the Football Association’s women’s technical director, has been made an MBE.

Wayne Barnes, who refereed last year’s Rugby World Cup final, becomes an OBE for services to his sport.

Lyle, 66, who now becomes an OBE having been made an MBE in 1987, won The Masters in 1988 having won his first major at the US Open in 1985.

Lyle said: “I am both honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way for my contribution to the game I have loved for as long as I could hold a club.

“The game of golf has brought me so many incredible moments and memories over the years and I have been blessed and privileged to share these with family and great friends throughout my career.”

Kevin Miles, the chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, which has campaigned tirelessly for an independent regulator in the sport, becomes an OBE, while Rebecca Redfern, who won swimming silver medals at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics, has been made an MBE.

Stuart Benson, who was part of Britain’s four-man bobsleigh team which won bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, has also been made an MBE.

Katie Boulter: British No 1 guarantees a British finalist at Rothesay Open in Nottingham | Tennis News

On: June 14, 2024 By: admin

Defending champion Katie Boulter guaranteed there will be a British finalist at
the Rothesay Open in Nottingham again after defeating Magdalena Frech in a
rain-hit contest.

The British No 1, who won her first WTA Tour title in her home event 12 months ago, defeated her Polish opponent 6-2 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.

There she will take on either Emma Raducanu or Fran Jones, who needed only four points to complete a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory over American Ashlyn Krueger earlier on Friday.

More rain forced a lengthy stoppage with 27-year-old Boulter leading Frech 4-2, but the Leicestershire star finished off the first set before recovering from a break down in the second.

“The first set I thought there was some really good tennis from me, some of the best I’ve played,” said Boulter in an on-court interview.

“I’m slowly building some momentum. I’m just really happy to get through today. I can see a rain cloud coming so I just wanted to finish it off as quickly as possible. I can’t do any more rain delays.

“It’s absolutely awesome to see a lot of Brits doing really well. Last year was myself and Jodie (Burrage) in the final. I played Hev (Heather Watson) in the semis, Harriet (Dart) in the quarters, so I think we’re in a really good place.”

Jones booked a match with Raducanu earlier in the day, claiming the four points she needed to secure victory over Krueger in a match suspended on Thursday afternoon due to rain.

Krueger won the first point to force a break opportunity but Jones took the next three to wrap up a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory and reach her second WTA Tour quarter-final and first on home soil.

The 23-year-old said: “I think that was a more excruciating wait than when Man Utd were 2-1 up against Man City at the end of the FA Cup final.

“Definitely testing my worst attribute, which is my patience. I’ve heard a lot of jokes. Ons (Jabeur) was telling me to serve two aces, but I put first serves in so we’ll take it.”

Jones is due to take on Raducanu later on Friday, with the pair having become close friends since being part of the same Billie Jean King Cup team in April.

“Emma and I get on really well,” said Jones. “We’ve spent a lot of time with each other the last couple of weeks, to the point that we’re both actually ill and I think we’ve given it to each other – I’m going to blame her.

“It’ll be a great match, obviously no pressure for me and I’ve just got to enjoy it. I hope we both enjoy it and we can give the crowd a little bit of a taste of what hopefully is the future of British tennis.”

Raducanu has eased through her first two rounds as she chases a first WTA Tour title.

The 21-year-old said of facing Jones: “She’s a really dangerous opponent. Whatever happens, a Brit is into the semi-finals, which is great for us. I think she’s overcome a lot of challenges with injury as well so it’s nice to see her back and doing well.

“She’s very fun. I think we’re quite similar in the way that we think. We both have a lot of interests outside of tennis and our conversations aren’t just about tennis, which is always nice and always refreshing.”

Meanwhile, top seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia also reached the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Czech Linda Fruhvirtova.

What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?

In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch the biggest tennis stars live on Sky Sports:

Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29

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