Second seed Dmitry Tursunov will play Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic in the final of the inaugural men’s Eastbourne International after winning P>
Russia’s Tursunov, the world No. 27, had a straightforward 6-2, 6-2 victory over eighth-seeded Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, while Dancevic beat French fourth seed Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-4.
The two finalists met two years ago in Dancevic’s only previous ATP Tour final in Indianapolis where the Russian won.
PHOTO: EPA
Dancevic, ranked No. 126 in the world, surpassed his own expectations by surviving qualifying after falling and twisting his leg during a match.
After treatment, he went on to beat top seed Igor Andreev of Russia in the first round of the main draw of the grass-court event.
“I just came here before Wimbledon trying to get a few matches in the qualifiers and here I am in the final,” said Dancevic, who comes from Niagara Falls. “I have had an awesome time this week.”
Santoro, who has said this will be his last year on the ATP Tour at the age of 36, has delighted the crowd here with his ability to chase down every ball and his trademark deft touches, which long ago earned him the nickname “The Magician.”
Dancevic, 12 years the Frenchman’s junior, had some magic tricks of his own, often winning points at the net in exquisite exchanges.
He fought off three breakpoints in a long fourth game, which went eight times to deuce, and took the only break of the first set in the ninth game when Santoro put a backhand into the net.
A single break also decided the second set and Dancevic saved a breakpoint as he served for the match, before volleying the winning shot on his first match point.
Tursunov, who underwent ankle surgery last month, said the gusting winds in the seaside town had caused problems for all the players.
“It was swirly, it was wavy, it was zig-zagging; it had everything that it is not supposed to be when you play tennis,” he told a news conference. “It was definitely not the easiest conditions to play in.”
■ORDINA OPEN
‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NETHERLANDS
World No. 1 Dinara Safina suffered a blow ahead of Wimbledon when she was beaten 7-5, 7-5 by Thai star Tamarine Tanasugarn in the semi-finals of the WTA grass-court tournament.
It was a case of deja vu for the Russian — who is yet to win a Grand Slam after three finals appearances — as she lost in the final of the same tournament to 32-year-old Tamarine last year.
The Thai veteran, who has won two WTA Tour singles titles, came back from 4-2 down in the second set to win, raising her record against the top-seeded Russian to 2-1. This one held special significance, however, as it was Tamarine’s first career win over a reigning world No. 1.
“Today was a very difficult match for both of us, especially because of the conditions — the wind kept on changing,” Tamarine said. “The match could have gone either way. I just tried to play my game and stay focused.”
Tamarine, ranked No. 42 in the world, will meet Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer in the final after she disposed of Italy’s Francesca Schiavone with a hard fought 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3 victory.
It will be the third time the 19-year-old Belgian — ranked No. 72 in the world — will contest a WTA final having lost to Ukraine’s Kateryna Bondarenko in Birmingham, though she won in Estoril last year.
Benjamin Becker had earlier won an all German battle in the ATP tournament as he beat fourth-seeded Rainer Schuttler in three sets to reach the final.
He will now play Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, who defeated Ivan Navarro of Spain 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3.
US President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, is poised to make her LPGA Tour debut after receiving a sponsor invitation on Tuesday to the Nov. 13 to 16 tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Kai Trump said in a statement posted on the LPGA’s Web site. “This event will be an incredible experience,” she said. “I look forward [to] meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.” The 18-year-old high-school senior,
REACTION: Less than 24 hours after a 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays’ win ensured that the best-of-seven series is to head back to Toronto for Game 6 tomorrow Vladimir Guerrero Jr on Tuesday blasted a two-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 and tie the MLB World Series at two games apiece. Less than 24 hours after a shattering 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays climbed off the canvas to breathe new life into their hopes of a first MLB title in 32 years. Guerrero’s two-run blast off Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani and a superb pitching performance from ace Shane Bieber laid the foundations for a gutsy victory that silenced Dodger Stadium. “I’m always trying to compete
Jannik Sinner on Thursday eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round. A maiden crown in the French capital would return Sinner to No. 1 in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the
Jemimah Rodrigues on Thursday hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia to set up a Women’s World Cup final against South Africa. Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at DY Patil Stadium, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The hosts finished on a total of 341-5 in reply to Australia’s impressive 338 and ensured there would be a new name on the 50-over trophy tomorrow. Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations
RSS