It took Fernando Gonzalez three days to travel back from Mexico for Chile’s delayed Davis Cup first-round tie against Israel, but is hoping a win can lift his compatriots’ spirits after last weekend’s deadly earthquake.
Because of the transport chaos cause by the disaster, Chile’s tie against Israel in Coquimbo will start tomorrow, instead of today when other first-round matches begin, the International Tennis Federation said on Wednesday.
Gonzalez arrived in Santiago on Tuesday after an odyssey including four flights and rides in a taxi and a van.
“The Davis Cup issue is a difficult one,” Gonzalez said on his Web site.
“On the one hand, it’s uncomfortable to have to concentrate on playing when you know there are people suffering. On the other, I believe that if we manage to beat Israel we will be bringing a little bit of happiness to all the people who have suffered so much in recent days.”
Champions Spain begin the defense of their title against Switzerland on clay in Logrono without the injured Rafael Nadal. The hosts are also missing Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Bernard Tomic became Australia’s youngest Davis Cup player in 77 years when he was named yesterday to lead off the Asia Oceania Group One tie against Taiwan.
The 17-year-old was preferred ahead of the higher-ranked Carsten Ball to win a singles spot, alongside Peter Luczak for the zonal tie, starting at Melbourne Park today.
At 17 years and 135 days, Tomic will be Australia’s youngest player since Vivian McGrath played at the age of 17 years 84 days against Norway in 1933, Tennis Australia said.
Tomic, ranked 298, will face Taiwanese No. 2 Yang Tsung-hua, ranked 322, while the 75th-ranked Luczak will take on Yi Chu-huan, listed at 514.
Ball and Paul Hanley will team up for the doubles rubber tomorrow against Yang and Yi.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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