Month: August 2017

Federer will face Alexander Zverev in Montreal final

Roger Federer has booked a place with Alexander Zverev in the Rogers Cup final after a comfortable victory over Robin Haase in the Semi’s.

The win meant Federer took his current win streak to 16, having won the match 6-3 7-6 (7-5) in straight-sets.

The Swiss will now compete for his third Canadian Masters title when he faces Zverev.

When asked about the final, the 36-year-old said he was delighted with his current physique.

“I’m happy – most happy that I’m actually really healthy going into the finals.

“I haven’t wasted too much energy. I’ve been able to keep points short. I’ve been really clean at net. I think my concentration and just my playing has gone up a notch. I’m just playing better.”

Alexander Zverev.jpg

Federer’s opponent in the final was humble in victory, as he praised the 18-year-old semi finalist he defeated, Denis Shapovalov.

“I told him he had a great run. Well done to him, to not worry too much that he lost today.

“I also told him that this is just the first match of very, very many that we will play against him.

“Hopefully a lot of other big matches, maybe in Grand Slams, maybe in finals of tournaments. I just told him that this is the beginning for him.”

The final will take place at 21:00 tonight, and it would be worth taking advantage of the better offers available at biggestfreebets.com before the match starts.

Manu Tuilagi named in Eddie Jones’ England squad for training camp

Manu Tuilagi has been named as one of the 37 man squad that Eddie Jones will take for a three-day training camp, which begins this weekend.

The Leicester centre hasn’t represented England on an international stage since 2016, as continuous injury setbacks threatened to hamper the 26-year-old’s career.

Seven of the chosen 37 – Dan Cole, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Jack Nowell, Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson – will spend only one day at the camp, to undergo medical check-ups.

The England head coach said:

“We are at an incredibly important stage with two years to go to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and there is still a big step to make if we want to be the number one team in the world.

“We are going to have to be meticulous in preparation in everything we do as we build towards Tokyo, and that is why this camp is vital ahead of this season.

“The players, coaches and staff will use these three days to reconnect and ensure we are all clear on what our priorities and expectations are ahead of the Premiership season, as well as the upcoming Old Mutual Wealth Series (in November).”

England training squad: Backs – M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), N Earle (Saracens), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester), P Francis (Northampton), A Lozowski (Saracens), H Mallinder (Northampton), J Marchant (Harlequins), J Maunder (Exeter), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), H Slade (Exeter), M Smith (Harlequins), D Solomona (Sale Sharks), M Tuilagi (Leicester), A Watson (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester).

Forwards – D Cole (Leicester), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), T Curry (Sale Sharks), T Dunn (Bath), C Ewels (Bath), E Genge (Leicester), J George (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton), N Hughes (Wasps), N Isiekwe (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Harlequins), S Underhill (Bath), H Williams (Exeter), M Wilson (Newcastle), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Klitschko announces his retirement

Image result for Wladimir Klitschko

Former heavy weight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has today announced his retirement from boxing, after 17 years as a pro.

The announcement ruled out the possibility of the proposed rematch with Anthony Joshua, which had been touted since Joshua’s defeat of Klitschko on April 29.

The fight with Joshua could have gone either way, which was great credit to the 41-year-old, who was only defeated in the 11th round.

Joshua was hopeful of Klitschko signing a rematch clause for a proposed fight in Las Vegas on November 11.

When officially announcing his retirement, the Ukrainian said: “I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports.

“I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career.

“Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport. It was the best choice of a profession I could have made. Because of this choice I have travelled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.

“At some point in our lives we need to switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter – obviously I am not an exception to this.

“I am expecting and hoping my next career, which I have already been planning and working on for some years, will be at least as successful as the previous one, if not more successful.”

Klitschko retires on the back of a 64 wins and 5 defeats, and was the heavyweight champion for 11 years straight between 2006-2015.