Crusaders name Penney as head coach to replace Robertson
The Crusaders on Tuesday named Rob Penney as their head coach to replace Scott Robertson, who will take charge of the All Blacks next year.
France Sport News
Major 23 still on the cards as Djokovic springs into French Open last four
PARIS : Novak Djokovic overcame a first-set blip to beat Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-6(0) 6-2 6-4 and reach the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday, staying on course for a record-breaking 23rd men's singles Grand Slam title.
Murray and Peniston kick off grass court seasons in style at Surbiton
Andy Murray and Ryan Peniston highlighted an encouraging day for British players as the grass court season got underway at the LTA's Lexus Surbiton Trophy. Former world No.1 Murray beat Hyeon Chung in straight sets to progress to the round of 16 in West London. Ad Murray, 36, eased to a 6-3 6-2 triumph after opting to skip the French Open to give himself more time on grass ahead of Wimbledon next month.
Sabalenka Sets Up Svitolina French Open Clash, Boycotts Media
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus moved into a politically-charged French Open quarter-final with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Sunday and immediately set the tone for the high-profile confrontation by boycotting Roland Garros media for a second time. Australian Open champion and world number two Sabalenka defeated Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to reach the last eight in Paris for the first time. Tuesday's clash will be the third meeting between Sabalenka and Svitolina but first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Belarus is a key military ally of Moscow.
Novak Djokovic Into French Open Semi-finals For 12th Time
Novak Djokovic closed in on a potential blockbuster French Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz after beating Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the last four. Djokovic, chasing a third French Open crown and record 23rd men's Grand Slam singles title, advanced to a 45th major semi-final and his 12th at Roland Garros. He will take on world number one Alcaraz or Stefanos Tsitsipas, the player he beat from two sets down in the 2021 final, for a place in Sunday's championship match.
Coco Gauff backed by Chris Evert 'to play a lot better' in quarter-finals after 'inconsistent' last-16 win
Chris Evert believes Coco Gauff will play «a lot better» after overcoming windy conditions to beat Anna Karolina Schmiedlova to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open. Gauff's hunt for a first Grand Slam title continues in France and will face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the last eight in a rematch of the 2022 final at Roland-Garros.
French Open 2023: Masterful Novak Djokovic battles back against Karen Khachanov to reach semi-finals
Novak Djokovic battled back from a set down to beat Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-6(0) 6-2 6-4 and reach the semi-finals of the French Open in a masterful performance following an early wobble. A lone break in the opening set was enough for Khachanov to take the first set in a surprise on Court Philippe-Chatrier, with Djokovic struggling to get going. Ad But the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion dug deep and responded by winning the second set tie-break in emphatic fashion, dishing out a 7-0 'bagel' in the decisive game as Khachanov wilted, while the Serbian stepped it up.
Pavlyuchenkova not expecting red carpet for Russians at Wimbledon
PARIS: Russian players will be allowed to take part in Wimbledon this year but Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is not expecting the grasscourt Grand Slam to roll out the red carpet for them.