Final round
American Brooks Koepka equalled the US Open's lowest winning score of 16 under to claim his first major at Erin Hills.
Koepka had three successive birdies from the 14th to match the total set by Rory McIlroy when he won in 2011 on a par-71 layout compared to this par 72.
His five-under 67 was only bettered by Japan's Hideki Matsuyama who posted 66 to tie for second on 12 under with overnight leader Brian Harman (72).
England's Tommy Fleetwood, shot a level-par 72 to end fourth on 11 under.
The 26-year-old from Southport, playing in just his second US Open, was unable to keep pace with playing partner Koepka on the front nine.
Monday, 19 June 2017
Saturday, 17 June 2017
2017 US Open Erin Hills Wisconsin Day 2
-7 P Casey (Eng)*, B Harman, T Fleetwood (Eng), B Koepka*
-6 J Lovemark, R Fowler, JB Holmes*
-5 S W Kim (Kor)*, X Schauffele, C Champ (a), B Snedeker*, H Matsuyama (Jpn)
If Rory McIlroy was a racehorse, there would have been no logic at all in ranking him among the favourites for an event of equivalent significance to the US Open. As golf’s version of a performer who is lightly raced, McIlroy arrived at Erin Hills having played only 22 competitive rounds in 2017.
That figure increased by only two, McIlroy’s second-round 71 in the second major of 2017 proving insufficient to improve the damage caused by an opening round of 78. McIlroy at least departed in reasonable spirits, his run of four birdies in six closing holes providing a glance back towards what the four-time major champion is capable of.
“In practice I was really good,” McIlroy said. “You play 54 holes around here before the tournament; I felt really comfortable. I drove the ball well, my irons were good. Everything was in good shape. But you never really know until you put a card in your hand and you’re under the gun a little bit.”
Rickie Fowler encountered pressure of his own, the first-round leader having reached the 11th on Friday without having dropped a shot in the tournament. Fowler promptly bogeyed three holes in a row. At six under, he is one from the halfway lead as held by four players. Two of that group, Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood, are English; Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman complete the quartet. Casey’s prominence is remarkable given the eight he posted at the 14th in round two.
The investigative skills of Quincy are hardly necessary when determining why McIlroy missed a second US Open cut in succession. This tournament has not been altogether kind to McIlroy aside from the 2011 occasion when he won it, let alone when the buildup was disrupted by fitness troubles. The rib problem that upset his opening to the year provides perfect explanation for the appearance of rust at Erin Hills.
The equipment switch that was triggered by Nike’s withdrawal from the market also inevitably adds an element of upheaval that McIlroy would ideally have done without. These matters are all intrinsically linked; only by featuring at the business end of events can McIlroy perfectly attune himself to what new tools he has at his disposal, just as history shows he benefits from the confidence acquired from the very same scenarios. McIlroy relishes the momentum he has thus far been denied for reasons beyond his control.
“I’ve been very light on competitive rounds,” McIlroy said. “I think at this point in time I just need to play. And I feel, even though it’s very disappointing to not be here on the weekend, these last two rounds will serve me well going into the summer. Yesterday, coming off an injury, I was a little anxious going out there. I got off to a good start but it sort of caught up with me as the round went on. I think the more rounds I can play, I’m hopefully going to get rid of all that stuff and hopefully strip it down to what you saw the last six holes.”
Here is another reason for McIlroy cheer; no other player among the world’s leading group has recently embarked on a profitable run. The 28-year-old is hardly lagging behind in a wider context.
The next part of the season is key for him. Next week’s Travellers Championship begins a stretch of six events in eight weeks, including two major championships and one, the US PGA Championship, at the Quail Hollow venue he has previous for pulling apart. Should success arrive within this period, the frustrations of the first part of 2017 will be readily forgotten. Even when the major season concludes, McIlroy will not lack focus in respect of defending the FedEx Cup.
“I’m just excited to get a run of golf now,” he added. “I’m optimistic with where my game is. Hopefully I’ve got a lot of the bad stuff out of my system yesterday and some parts today. And again, it’s just a matter of getting competitive rounds under my belt. I’m playing next week in Connecticut. I’ve got a nice run leading up to the Open Championship. I’ve got a busy summer, so I’m excited to play a lot of golf. I feel like that’s going to help me to get back into contention and try to win some of these things. I’m hungry but I’m not going to force it. I’m going to let it happen. I’m going to play. The worst thing I can do is go and force it because that’s not my game.”
The key McIlroy problem on Friday was on the greens, leading to inevitable comment regarding his switch to a new putter in recent days. “I didn’t think it was the putter.It was the guy on the end of it,” he said. Jason Day also failed to survive for the closing 36 holes. Yet there was contrasting sentiment from the Australian. Day was bemused by an aggregate of 10 over par. “I felt the most calm I have in a major in a long time this week,” said Day after his 75. “Unfortunately this didn’t pan out. The golf course is beautiful. I just didn’t execute.”
Late on Friday, the world No1 Dustin Johnson completed a high-profile exodus from Wisconsin. Johnson added a 73 to his Thursday 75, thereby missing the cut by three. Only three months ago, an imperious Johnson appeared unbeatable. He has since missed the Masters through a freak accident and, via different circumstances, now been forced to watch another major weekend on television. “I couldn’t have shot any higher,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t possibly shoot any higher than I did. I just struggled on the greens. It’s simple.”
As McIlroy, Johnson and Day exited, Casey kept his dream of a first major win alive. “It’s not every day you can enjoy a round with an eight on the card but I’m a happy man,” Casey said. Casey has recorded three consecutive top-six finishes in the Masters but has only one top-10 in the US Open in 13 attempts, which came a decade ago at Oakmont.
“It feels good,” the 39-year-old said. “It shows what can happen if you get out of position on this course. Even just trying to take my medicine is very difficult. It’s a good eight in the end.”
Australia’s Adam Scott also failed to progress to the weekend.
-6 J Lovemark, R Fowler, JB Holmes*
-5 S W Kim (Kor)*, X Schauffele, C Champ (a), B Snedeker*, H Matsuyama (Jpn)
If Rory McIlroy was a racehorse, there would have been no logic at all in ranking him among the favourites for an event of equivalent significance to the US Open. As golf’s version of a performer who is lightly raced, McIlroy arrived at Erin Hills having played only 22 competitive rounds in 2017.
That figure increased by only two, McIlroy’s second-round 71 in the second major of 2017 proving insufficient to improve the damage caused by an opening round of 78. McIlroy at least departed in reasonable spirits, his run of four birdies in six closing holes providing a glance back towards what the four-time major champion is capable of.
“In practice I was really good,” McIlroy said. “You play 54 holes around here before the tournament; I felt really comfortable. I drove the ball well, my irons were good. Everything was in good shape. But you never really know until you put a card in your hand and you’re under the gun a little bit.”
Rickie Fowler encountered pressure of his own, the first-round leader having reached the 11th on Friday without having dropped a shot in the tournament. Fowler promptly bogeyed three holes in a row. At six under, he is one from the halfway lead as held by four players. Two of that group, Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood, are English; Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman complete the quartet. Casey’s prominence is remarkable given the eight he posted at the 14th in round two.
The investigative skills of Quincy are hardly necessary when determining why McIlroy missed a second US Open cut in succession. This tournament has not been altogether kind to McIlroy aside from the 2011 occasion when he won it, let alone when the buildup was disrupted by fitness troubles. The rib problem that upset his opening to the year provides perfect explanation for the appearance of rust at Erin Hills.
The equipment switch that was triggered by Nike’s withdrawal from the market also inevitably adds an element of upheaval that McIlroy would ideally have done without. These matters are all intrinsically linked; only by featuring at the business end of events can McIlroy perfectly attune himself to what new tools he has at his disposal, just as history shows he benefits from the confidence acquired from the very same scenarios. McIlroy relishes the momentum he has thus far been denied for reasons beyond his control.
“I’ve been very light on competitive rounds,” McIlroy said. “I think at this point in time I just need to play. And I feel, even though it’s very disappointing to not be here on the weekend, these last two rounds will serve me well going into the summer. Yesterday, coming off an injury, I was a little anxious going out there. I got off to a good start but it sort of caught up with me as the round went on. I think the more rounds I can play, I’m hopefully going to get rid of all that stuff and hopefully strip it down to what you saw the last six holes.”
Here is another reason for McIlroy cheer; no other player among the world’s leading group has recently embarked on a profitable run. The 28-year-old is hardly lagging behind in a wider context.
The next part of the season is key for him. Next week’s Travellers Championship begins a stretch of six events in eight weeks, including two major championships and one, the US PGA Championship, at the Quail Hollow venue he has previous for pulling apart. Should success arrive within this period, the frustrations of the first part of 2017 will be readily forgotten. Even when the major season concludes, McIlroy will not lack focus in respect of defending the FedEx Cup.
“I’m just excited to get a run of golf now,” he added. “I’m optimistic with where my game is. Hopefully I’ve got a lot of the bad stuff out of my system yesterday and some parts today. And again, it’s just a matter of getting competitive rounds under my belt. I’m playing next week in Connecticut. I’ve got a nice run leading up to the Open Championship. I’ve got a busy summer, so I’m excited to play a lot of golf. I feel like that’s going to help me to get back into contention and try to win some of these things. I’m hungry but I’m not going to force it. I’m going to let it happen. I’m going to play. The worst thing I can do is go and force it because that’s not my game.”
The key McIlroy problem on Friday was on the greens, leading to inevitable comment regarding his switch to a new putter in recent days. “I didn’t think it was the putter.It was the guy on the end of it,” he said. Jason Day also failed to survive for the closing 36 holes. Yet there was contrasting sentiment from the Australian. Day was bemused by an aggregate of 10 over par. “I felt the most calm I have in a major in a long time this week,” said Day after his 75. “Unfortunately this didn’t pan out. The golf course is beautiful. I just didn’t execute.”
Late on Friday, the world No1 Dustin Johnson completed a high-profile exodus from Wisconsin. Johnson added a 73 to his Thursday 75, thereby missing the cut by three. Only three months ago, an imperious Johnson appeared unbeatable. He has since missed the Masters through a freak accident and, via different circumstances, now been forced to watch another major weekend on television. “I couldn’t have shot any higher,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t possibly shoot any higher than I did. I just struggled on the greens. It’s simple.”
As McIlroy, Johnson and Day exited, Casey kept his dream of a first major win alive. “It’s not every day you can enjoy a round with an eight on the card but I’m a happy man,” Casey said. Casey has recorded three consecutive top-six finishes in the Masters but has only one top-10 in the US Open in 13 attempts, which came a decade ago at Oakmont.
“It feels good,” the 39-year-old said. “It shows what can happen if you get out of position on this course. Even just trying to take my medicine is very difficult. It’s a good eight in the end.”
Australia’s Adam Scott also failed to progress to the weekend.
Friday, 16 June 2017
2017 US Open Erin Hills Wisconsin Day 1
Day 1
-7 R Fowler (US); -6 P Casey (Eng), X Schauffele (US); -5 B Harman (US), T Fleetwood (Eng), B Koepka (US); -4 P Reed (US), M Leishman (Aus), K Na (US), A Hadwin (Can)
Selected:-3 L Westwood (Eng), A Johnston (Eng); -2 E Els (SA), S Garcia (Spa), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -1 S Lowry (Ire); Level M Laird (Sco), E Pepperell (Eng), J Rose (Eng); +1 A Rai (Eng), R Knox (Sco), J Spieth (US), R Ramsey (Sco); +2 B Dredge (Wal), H Stenson (Swe); +3 D Johnson (US), B Watson (US); +4 J Rahm (Spa), G McDowell (NI); +6 R McIlroy (NI); +7 J Day (Aus); +9 D Willett (Eng)
What Erin Hills gave to Rickie Fowler it menacingly took back – and some – from his illustrious chums. Anyone labouring under the illusion that the US Open, an environment famed for brutality, was going soft after Fowler charged to the top of the leaderboard with a 65 was swiftly corrected. Day one casualties were of the highest profile.
Dustin Johnson, 75. Jordan Spieth, 73. Jason Day, 79. Rory McIlroy, 78. Hideki Matsuyama, 74. The world’s top five ranked golfers were all unable to break par, with their aggregate score on Thursday of the 117th US Open a staggering 19 over. The prospect of a blue chip exodus from this major by Friday evening is live.
McIlroy at least has a decent excuse, this marking just his second competitive start since the Masters because of the rib injury which has disrupted his season. The Northern Irishman was always likely to be punished here for rustiness and duly was, spending too much time wading through thigh-high rough than would be healthy for anyone.
“I didn’t hit a fairway after the 10th,” McIlroy said. “You cannot play this golf course if you are not in position off the tee. I paid the price for that today.
“I feel fine, I was hacking around in the rough and didn’t feel the injury one bit. My timing was just a little bit off.”
If McIlroy’s stumble was a slow burner – he was level par after 10 – Day found himself seven over after 11 holes having carded two triple bogeys in the same round for the first time in his PGA Tour career. This marked his worst ever US Open score.
“I just played bad golf,” said Day. “I can’t put it any other way. Some good stuff was mixed in with an awful lot of poor stuff.”
This was the creation of history Fowler was perfectly happy to accept but immediately of a mind to look beyond. Only four players have ever produced a lower US Open first round than the 65 Fowler signed for here. This matched the all-time score under par, seven, for a US Open Thursday. Not a bad start, in other words.
The 28-year-old has wider aspirations, however. Fowler is seeking to end a career wait for a major which undermines his status as one of this sport’s marquee players.
“It’s always cool to be part of some kind of history in golf,” said Fowler. “But I’d rather be remembered for something that’s done on a Sunday.
“There are a lot of really good players out here that haven’t won a major. So it would be nice to get rid of that at some point. I’m not saying that this is the week or isn’t the week but I like the way this golf course suits me.”
Whilst Fowler’s ability isn’t in doubt, the shock was that he finds himself in such prominence at the second major of the year. The US Open hasn’t been kind to the Californian, who has missed cuts in this event four times, including each of the past two years. Fowler’s aggregate score in the five US Open rounds before this was 27 over par.
Just don’t mention to Fowler that his start was blissfully easy. “You don’t get many rounds at the US Open that are stress-free,” he said. “I just did a good job. I knew I needed to drive it well; from there I was able to hit good shots and roll a couple of putts in. So, it was a simple day when you look back on it, and how we kind of pieced our way around the golf course, but it is a lot easier said than done.
“The first thing is getting off to a good start Thursday, keeping that rolling and getting ourselves in contention Sunday. There’s a lot of golf to be played but I’m ready to be out there contending.”
Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman all carded 67s. They were later upstaged by Paul Casey and the little-known Xander Schauffele, who marched into second place thanks to 66s. Schauffele began this week as the world No352.
Lee Westwood’s 69 was highly credible. Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston matched Westwood’s Thursday tally; how others would have gleefully traded places.
“I hit the ball phenomenally well,” insisted Spieth. “I just didn’t make anything on the greens. I missed one fairway today, which is maybe the best driving round I’ve had in my life.
“I had 15 looks at birdie, all of them makable, and holed one of them. It was just a really off day putting-wise but I’ll figure it out. I can’t change anything about my approach; if I get that many looks, normally I would shoot eight under par.”
Johnson, who partnered Spieth, pointed towards similar putting woes. Fleetwood, conversely, enjoyed a terrific day on the greens in hand as he signed for his 67. His stunning 2017 shows no sign of slowing in pace.
“The thing I told myself was not to do anything stupid and ruin it, just to play sensible golf and see what came along,” said the Englishman. “I started at the 10th and that was a perfect example of the approach I took. I aimed 15ft from the flag, hit the spot I wanted, and made a nice putt for birdie.
“That sort of set the tone for the round. The course was ‘gettable’, but only if you went about it the right way. There were enough high scores out there to prove that point.”
Ideal Wisconsin conditions ensured confirmation that Phil Mickelson wouldn’t participate arrived by mid-morning. Mickelson, who attended his daughter’s high school graduation in San Diego on Thursday lunchtime, needed a lengthy weather delay in order that he could take his place in the field. This now becomes the first major since the 1994 Masters to take place with both Mickelson and Tiger Woods as absentees.
Amongst those who did play, but perhaps wishes he didn’t, was Danny Willett; the struggles of last year’s Masters champion continued courtesy of an 81. The Yorkshireman’s only solace for now resonates in glories of the past; his toiling has become painful viewing.
-7 R Fowler (US); -6 P Casey (Eng), X Schauffele (US); -5 B Harman (US), T Fleetwood (Eng), B Koepka (US); -4 P Reed (US), M Leishman (Aus), K Na (US), A Hadwin (Can)
Selected:-3 L Westwood (Eng), A Johnston (Eng); -2 E Els (SA), S Garcia (Spa), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -1 S Lowry (Ire); Level M Laird (Sco), E Pepperell (Eng), J Rose (Eng); +1 A Rai (Eng), R Knox (Sco), J Spieth (US), R Ramsey (Sco); +2 B Dredge (Wal), H Stenson (Swe); +3 D Johnson (US), B Watson (US); +4 J Rahm (Spa), G McDowell (NI); +6 R McIlroy (NI); +7 J Day (Aus); +9 D Willett (Eng)
What Erin Hills gave to Rickie Fowler it menacingly took back – and some – from his illustrious chums. Anyone labouring under the illusion that the US Open, an environment famed for brutality, was going soft after Fowler charged to the top of the leaderboard with a 65 was swiftly corrected. Day one casualties were of the highest profile.
Dustin Johnson, 75. Jordan Spieth, 73. Jason Day, 79. Rory McIlroy, 78. Hideki Matsuyama, 74. The world’s top five ranked golfers were all unable to break par, with their aggregate score on Thursday of the 117th US Open a staggering 19 over. The prospect of a blue chip exodus from this major by Friday evening is live.
McIlroy at least has a decent excuse, this marking just his second competitive start since the Masters because of the rib injury which has disrupted his season. The Northern Irishman was always likely to be punished here for rustiness and duly was, spending too much time wading through thigh-high rough than would be healthy for anyone.
“I didn’t hit a fairway after the 10th,” McIlroy said. “You cannot play this golf course if you are not in position off the tee. I paid the price for that today.
“I feel fine, I was hacking around in the rough and didn’t feel the injury one bit. My timing was just a little bit off.”
If McIlroy’s stumble was a slow burner – he was level par after 10 – Day found himself seven over after 11 holes having carded two triple bogeys in the same round for the first time in his PGA Tour career. This marked his worst ever US Open score.
“I just played bad golf,” said Day. “I can’t put it any other way. Some good stuff was mixed in with an awful lot of poor stuff.”
This was the creation of history Fowler was perfectly happy to accept but immediately of a mind to look beyond. Only four players have ever produced a lower US Open first round than the 65 Fowler signed for here. This matched the all-time score under par, seven, for a US Open Thursday. Not a bad start, in other words.
The 28-year-old has wider aspirations, however. Fowler is seeking to end a career wait for a major which undermines his status as one of this sport’s marquee players.
“It’s always cool to be part of some kind of history in golf,” said Fowler. “But I’d rather be remembered for something that’s done on a Sunday.
“There are a lot of really good players out here that haven’t won a major. So it would be nice to get rid of that at some point. I’m not saying that this is the week or isn’t the week but I like the way this golf course suits me.”
Whilst Fowler’s ability isn’t in doubt, the shock was that he finds himself in such prominence at the second major of the year. The US Open hasn’t been kind to the Californian, who has missed cuts in this event four times, including each of the past two years. Fowler’s aggregate score in the five US Open rounds before this was 27 over par.
Just don’t mention to Fowler that his start was blissfully easy. “You don’t get many rounds at the US Open that are stress-free,” he said. “I just did a good job. I knew I needed to drive it well; from there I was able to hit good shots and roll a couple of putts in. So, it was a simple day when you look back on it, and how we kind of pieced our way around the golf course, but it is a lot easier said than done.
“The first thing is getting off to a good start Thursday, keeping that rolling and getting ourselves in contention Sunday. There’s a lot of golf to be played but I’m ready to be out there contending.”
Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman all carded 67s. They were later upstaged by Paul Casey and the little-known Xander Schauffele, who marched into second place thanks to 66s. Schauffele began this week as the world No352.
Lee Westwood’s 69 was highly credible. Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston matched Westwood’s Thursday tally; how others would have gleefully traded places.
“I hit the ball phenomenally well,” insisted Spieth. “I just didn’t make anything on the greens. I missed one fairway today, which is maybe the best driving round I’ve had in my life.
“I had 15 looks at birdie, all of them makable, and holed one of them. It was just a really off day putting-wise but I’ll figure it out. I can’t change anything about my approach; if I get that many looks, normally I would shoot eight under par.”
Johnson, who partnered Spieth, pointed towards similar putting woes. Fleetwood, conversely, enjoyed a terrific day on the greens in hand as he signed for his 67. His stunning 2017 shows no sign of slowing in pace.
“The thing I told myself was not to do anything stupid and ruin it, just to play sensible golf and see what came along,” said the Englishman. “I started at the 10th and that was a perfect example of the approach I took. I aimed 15ft from the flag, hit the spot I wanted, and made a nice putt for birdie.
“That sort of set the tone for the round. The course was ‘gettable’, but only if you went about it the right way. There were enough high scores out there to prove that point.”
Ideal Wisconsin conditions ensured confirmation that Phil Mickelson wouldn’t participate arrived by mid-morning. Mickelson, who attended his daughter’s high school graduation in San Diego on Thursday lunchtime, needed a lengthy weather delay in order that he could take his place in the field. This now becomes the first major since the 1994 Masters to take place with both Mickelson and Tiger Woods as absentees.
Amongst those who did play, but perhaps wishes he didn’t, was Danny Willett; the struggles of last year’s Masters champion continued courtesy of an 81. The Yorkshireman’s only solace for now resonates in glories of the past; his toiling has become painful viewing.
Sunday, 11 June 2017
Super League
Super League
Thursday
Leigh Centurions 50-34 Wigan Warriors
Friday
Salford Red Devils 10-34 Hull FC
St Helens 26-10 Widnes Vikings
Saturday
Catalans Dragons 12-56 Huddersfield
Wakefield Trinity 16-18 Leeds Rhinos
Castleford Tigers 36-16 Warrington Wolves
Thursday
Leigh Centurions 50-34 Wigan Warriors
Friday
Salford Red Devils 10-34 Hull FC
St Helens 26-10 Widnes Vikings
Saturday
Wakefield Trinity 16-18 Leeds Rhinos
Sunday
Castleford Tigers 36-16 Warrington Wolves
2017 French Open Day 15 Men's final
Rafael Nadal beats Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to claim his 10th French Open title!
Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the 10th time, shrugging off the weight of history and the best but weakened efforts of Stan Wawrinka over three sets to become the oldest champion at Roland Garros in the Open Era on a baking Sunday afternoon in his favourite arena. It is more likely the Seine will dry up than anyone will match the Spaniard’s La Decima.
Nadal, who was 19 when he won for the first time and turned 31 eight days ago, crushed the dregs of resistance from his exhausted Swiss rival, who is 32, in two hours and five minutes to win 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. In seven matches, Nadal had dropped only 35 games. That is dominance on a grand scale.
It was not a great final; indeed it was an anti-climax after a fortnight of almost daily drama. But the occasion was adorned by a great champion, and a stout if outclassed challenger.
The world No 1, Andy Murray, fell to Wawrinka in more than four-and-four-and-a-half hours over five sets on Friday; and the world No 2 Novak Djokovic collapsed worryingly in the quarter-finals to Dominic Thiem, who in turn could not give Nadal a decent fight in their semi-final.
So Nadal and Wawrinka were obviously worthy finalists - the first since 1969 to both be 30 or older, but the event did not live up to the billing or the expectations. Wawrinka’s compatriot, Roger Federer, is waiting for all of them, refreshed and confident, at Wimbledon in a few weeks time. What a summer it has been.
Wawrinka wore his sponsor’s wrist watch, like a good Swiss. But his time was up long before he’d had a chance to get properly into the match.
It was the hottest day for at least a week, in a tournament where stormy weather has intruded only occasionally. White shirts and hats made for a bright backdrop as nearly 15,000 patrons crammed on to the main court, their paper fans fluttering feverishly for a windless couple of hours.
Sport has always been a go-to mirror of troubles elsewhere, of which Paris and other cities have had their share. So it wasn’t hard to spot the hardcore security muscle: who wears a dark suit, arms folded with eyes behind the darkest of sunglasses trained on the crowd, on a boiling day like this?
The tension on court, meanwhile, was more innocent. Each had a break chances and blew them inside the first quarter of an hour, thwarted by bursts of powerful counter-punching. An epic struggle beckoned.
But the mood shifted mid-set. Wawrinka survived a brutal examination of his serve to hold in a long fourth game, Nadal held quickly with an ace for 3-2, then broke to 15 just past the half hour. The exertions of beating Murray looked to have drained Wawrinka of his legendary stamina at just the wrong moment.
Nadal, who had spent five fewer hours getting to the final, was now full of bounce and vim, charging the net and ripping his famous forehand. When Wawrinka planted a lazy forehand long, the first set belonged to Nadal.
Wawrinka chomped down on a ball with his teeth after Nadal stuck another wicked crosscourt into the unattended deuce corner for an early break in the second. Frustration painted his weary face.
In the space of maybe 20 minutes, the final had swung from a fair fight to a mugging. Rumours that Wawrinka was carrying a minor arm injury were given substance as backhands that had dazzled Murray two days earlier now found a home in the net or out of court. Those that reached Nadal were despatched imperiously.
Wawrinka needed to get his game back immediately to avoid a defeat on a par with that of David Ferrer against Nadal here in 2013. There was resistance, but it flickered rather than burst into a sustainable flame. When Nadal went 2-0 up in the third, Wawrinka’s challenge was to avoid embarrassment.
He kept punching his ground strokes, chasing down lost causes, but Nadal was pushing him so deep he could not find sharp enough angles to get into the points. He forced Nadal to deuce in the fourth game, but could not cash in.
Wawrinka was in touch, but not for long. After fighting through deuce, he struck a forehand long to hand Nadal his fifth break of the match at 1-4 in the third. Two games from the championship, Nadal held without hindrance. Wawrinka served like a condemned man, shaking his head between points before dumping a final backhand. Nadal fell to his beloved clay, got up to shake the loser’s hand then soaked up the acclaim of his Parisian faithful.
Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the 10th time, shrugging off the weight of history and the best but weakened efforts of Stan Wawrinka over three sets to become the oldest champion at Roland Garros in the Open Era on a baking Sunday afternoon in his favourite arena. It is more likely the Seine will dry up than anyone will match the Spaniard’s La Decima.
Nadal, who was 19 when he won for the first time and turned 31 eight days ago, crushed the dregs of resistance from his exhausted Swiss rival, who is 32, in two hours and five minutes to win 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. In seven matches, Nadal had dropped only 35 games. That is dominance on a grand scale.
It was not a great final; indeed it was an anti-climax after a fortnight of almost daily drama. But the occasion was adorned by a great champion, and a stout if outclassed challenger.
The world No 1, Andy Murray, fell to Wawrinka in more than four-and-four-and-a-half hours over five sets on Friday; and the world No 2 Novak Djokovic collapsed worryingly in the quarter-finals to Dominic Thiem, who in turn could not give Nadal a decent fight in their semi-final.
So Nadal and Wawrinka were obviously worthy finalists - the first since 1969 to both be 30 or older, but the event did not live up to the billing or the expectations. Wawrinka’s compatriot, Roger Federer, is waiting for all of them, refreshed and confident, at Wimbledon in a few weeks time. What a summer it has been.
Wawrinka wore his sponsor’s wrist watch, like a good Swiss. But his time was up long before he’d had a chance to get properly into the match.
It was the hottest day for at least a week, in a tournament where stormy weather has intruded only occasionally. White shirts and hats made for a bright backdrop as nearly 15,000 patrons crammed on to the main court, their paper fans fluttering feverishly for a windless couple of hours.
Sport has always been a go-to mirror of troubles elsewhere, of which Paris and other cities have had their share. So it wasn’t hard to spot the hardcore security muscle: who wears a dark suit, arms folded with eyes behind the darkest of sunglasses trained on the crowd, on a boiling day like this?
The tension on court, meanwhile, was more innocent. Each had a break chances and blew them inside the first quarter of an hour, thwarted by bursts of powerful counter-punching. An epic struggle beckoned.
But the mood shifted mid-set. Wawrinka survived a brutal examination of his serve to hold in a long fourth game, Nadal held quickly with an ace for 3-2, then broke to 15 just past the half hour. The exertions of beating Murray looked to have drained Wawrinka of his legendary stamina at just the wrong moment.
Nadal, who had spent five fewer hours getting to the final, was now full of bounce and vim, charging the net and ripping his famous forehand. When Wawrinka planted a lazy forehand long, the first set belonged to Nadal.
Wawrinka chomped down on a ball with his teeth after Nadal stuck another wicked crosscourt into the unattended deuce corner for an early break in the second. Frustration painted his weary face.
In the space of maybe 20 minutes, the final had swung from a fair fight to a mugging. Rumours that Wawrinka was carrying a minor arm injury were given substance as backhands that had dazzled Murray two days earlier now found a home in the net or out of court. Those that reached Nadal were despatched imperiously.
Wawrinka needed to get his game back immediately to avoid a defeat on a par with that of David Ferrer against Nadal here in 2013. There was resistance, but it flickered rather than burst into a sustainable flame. When Nadal went 2-0 up in the third, Wawrinka’s challenge was to avoid embarrassment.
He kept punching his ground strokes, chasing down lost causes, but Nadal was pushing him so deep he could not find sharp enough angles to get into the points. He forced Nadal to deuce in the fourth game, but could not cash in.
Wawrinka was in touch, but not for long. After fighting through deuce, he struck a forehand long to hand Nadal his fifth break of the match at 1-4 in the third. Two games from the championship, Nadal held without hindrance. Wawrinka served like a condemned man, shaking his head between points before dumping a final backhand. Nadal fell to his beloved clay, got up to shake the loser’s hand then soaked up the acclaim of his Parisian faithful.
Saturday, 10 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 14 women's final
Unseeded Jelena Ostapenko fought back to stun third seed Simona Halep and become Latvia's first Grand Slam champion at the French Open.
The 20-year-old trailed by a set and was 3-0 down in the second to Halep - who would have become world number one with a win - but prevailed 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Ostapenko, ranked 47th, had never won a Tour-level title before and was playing in only her eighth Grand Slam.
She is the first unseeded woman to win at Roland Garros since 1933.
Halep, 25, was playing in her second French Open final, after losing in three sets to Maria Sharapova in 2014.
She had been the tournament favourite this time in the absence of Serena Williams, but again missed out on a first major title.
The 20-year-old trailed by a set and was 3-0 down in the second to Halep - who would have become world number one with a win - but prevailed 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Ostapenko, ranked 47th, had never won a Tour-level title before and was playing in only her eighth Grand Slam.
She is the first unseeded woman to win at Roland Garros since 1933.
Halep, 25, was playing in her second French Open final, after losing in three sets to Maria Sharapova in 2014.
She had been the tournament favourite this time in the absence of Serena Williams, but again missed out on a first major title.
Friday, 9 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 13 men's semi finals
Stan Wawrinka beats Andy Murray 6-7, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1
Rafael Nadal beats Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0
Thursday, 8 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 12 women's semi finals day
The unseeded Jelena Ostapenko battled past Timea Bacsinszky in the battle of the birthdays, while favourite Simona Halep saw off the challenge of Karolina Pliskova
Jelena Ostapenko, who has yet to win a Tour title, is one away from picking up her first grand slam crown after a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory against Timea Bacsinszky in an epic semi-final at the French Open on Thursday. Hammering groundstrokes with the fearlessness of youth, the 20-year-old bashed 50 winners to get over the line after 2hr 24min and become the first Latvian to reach a major singles final.
Bacsinszky, a semi-finalist two years ago, has the greater experience and more variety but that can count for little when you are being bludgeoned. The Swiss threw everything at her younger opponent and, after levelling the match and then breaking back for 3-3 in the decider, it looked like she had the momentum to go on and win it.
However, Ostapenko never wavered from her all-or-nothing approach and she regained her hot streak in the last three games to become the first unseeded woman to reach the final since 1983. She will play either the second seed Karolina Pliskova or the third seed Simona Halep in the final on Saturday.
Firing stunning winners on both sides, Ostapenko was always the aggressor and after three breaks apiece in the opening set she took the tiebreak 7-4. Bacsinszky knew more than most what to expect, having played doubles with her a couple of times on Tour. The match on Thursday was also a joint birthday celebration for the pair but Ostapenko will have the better memories after holding her nerve on the biggest day of her career.
Bacsinszky needed strapping added to her right thigh at 4-3 in the first set but it did not seem to affect her movement. After Ostapenko won the first set, Bacsinszky broke for 4-3 in the second and went on to level. When she broke back for 3-3, she looked the more likely winner but Ostapenko upped her game again and stormed into the final.
Jelena Ostapenko, who has yet to win a Tour title, is one away from picking up her first grand slam crown after a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory against Timea Bacsinszky in an epic semi-final at the French Open on Thursday. Hammering groundstrokes with the fearlessness of youth, the 20-year-old bashed 50 winners to get over the line after 2hr 24min and become the first Latvian to reach a major singles final.
Bacsinszky, a semi-finalist two years ago, has the greater experience and more variety but that can count for little when you are being bludgeoned. The Swiss threw everything at her younger opponent and, after levelling the match and then breaking back for 3-3 in the decider, it looked like she had the momentum to go on and win it.
However, Ostapenko never wavered from her all-or-nothing approach and she regained her hot streak in the last three games to become the first unseeded woman to reach the final since 1983. She will play either the second seed Karolina Pliskova or the third seed Simona Halep in the final on Saturday.
Firing stunning winners on both sides, Ostapenko was always the aggressor and after three breaks apiece in the opening set she took the tiebreak 7-4. Bacsinszky knew more than most what to expect, having played doubles with her a couple of times on Tour. The match on Thursday was also a joint birthday celebration for the pair but Ostapenko will have the better memories after holding her nerve on the biggest day of her career.
Bacsinszky needed strapping added to her right thigh at 4-3 in the first set but it did not seem to affect her movement. After Ostapenko won the first set, Bacsinszky broke for 4-3 in the second and went on to level. When she broke back for 3-3, she looked the more likely winner but Ostapenko upped her game again and stormed into the final.
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 11 (quarter finals)
Women's quarter finals
Simona Halep beats Elina Svitolina 3-6, 7-6, 6-0!
Karolina Pliskova beats Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-4!
Simona Halep beats Elina Svitolina 3-6, 7-6, 6-0!
Karolina Pliskova beats Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-4!
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
2017 French Open day 10 (1/4 finals)
Ostapenko beats Wozniacki 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Bacsinszky beats Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4!
Men's quarters suspended to Wednesday
Bacsinszky beats Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4!
Men's quarters suspended to Wednesday
Monday, 5 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 9
Andy Murray beats Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 6-4!
Kei Nishikori beats Fernando Verdasco 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0!
Stan Wawrinka beats Gael Monfils 7-5, 7-6, 6-2!
Caroline Garcia beats Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4!
Karolina Pliskova beats Veronica Cepede Royg 2-6, 6-3, 6-4!
Kei Nishikori beats Fernando Verdasco 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0!
Stan Wawrinka beats Gael Monfils 7-5, 7-6, 6-2!
Caroline Garcia beats Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4!
Karolina Pliskova beats Veronica Cepede Royg 2-6, 6-3, 6-4!
Sunday, 4 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 8
Wonzniacki beats Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Karen Khachanov beats John Isner 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6!
Richard Gasquet retires from his round-of-32 match with Gaël Monfils!
Oh no! He was struggling last night before the players went off, and despite a night’s rest, Gasquets has called it quits on Philippe-Chatrier. The two Frenchman embrace at the net, there seems to be genuine sympathy from Monfils. Monfils is through, then, to the last 16, the scores 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-3 (ret).
Gasquet can console himself with the fact that he still has both the most graceful backhand in tennis, and the best polo shirts in France.
Sam Stosur is out!
Sam Stosur, a former finalist here in 2010, is out! The Australian falls to the unseeded Jelena Ostapenko, who comfortably lost the fist set 6-2, but is now through to her first ever grand slam quarter final
MUGURUZA NETS! THE CHAMPION IS OUT!
Brilliant win from Mladenovic, who reaches her first Grand Slam quarter-final. She wins 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, and the crowd go mad! where she will face Caroline Wozniacki.
Bacsinszky beats Venus 5-7, 6-2, 6-1!
A drop-shot seals is, and that’s the second year in a row she’s despatched the older Williams. She plays Mladenovic next, and with Wozniacki meeting Ostapenko in this half’s other quarter, will be conteplating a passage to the final.
Thiem has beaten Zeballos 1,3 and 1!
What a performance that is. He plays Ramos-Vinolas or Djokovic next and neither will relish the prospect.
Djokovic beats Ramos-Vinolas 7-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach quarter-finals!
Karen Khachanov beats John Isner 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6!
Richard Gasquet retires from his round-of-32 match with Gaël Monfils!
Oh no! He was struggling last night before the players went off, and despite a night’s rest, Gasquets has called it quits on Philippe-Chatrier. The two Frenchman embrace at the net, there seems to be genuine sympathy from Monfils. Monfils is through, then, to the last 16, the scores 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-3 (ret).
Gasquet can console himself with the fact that he still has both the most graceful backhand in tennis, and the best polo shirts in France.
Sam Stosur is out!
Sam Stosur, a former finalist here in 2010, is out! The Australian falls to the unseeded Jelena Ostapenko, who comfortably lost the fist set 6-2, but is now through to her first ever grand slam quarter final
MUGURUZA NETS! THE CHAMPION IS OUT!
Brilliant win from Mladenovic, who reaches her first Grand Slam quarter-final. She wins 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, and the crowd go mad! where she will face Caroline Wozniacki.
Bacsinszky beats Venus 5-7, 6-2, 6-1!
A drop-shot seals is, and that’s the second year in a row she’s despatched the older Williams. She plays Mladenovic next, and with Wozniacki meeting Ostapenko in this half’s other quarter, will be conteplating a passage to the final.
Thiem has beaten Zeballos 1,3 and 1!
What a performance that is. He plays Ramos-Vinolas or Djokovic next and neither will relish the prospect.
Djokovic beats Ramos-Vinolas 7-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach quarter-finals!
Super League Round 17
Friday
Leeds Rhinos 22-14 Leigh Centurions
Saturday
Hull FC 39-26 Wigan Warriors
Huddersfield 44-4 Warrington
Salford 24-34 Wakefield
Widnes 26-6 Catalan
Castleford 16-12 St Helens
Leeds Rhinos 22-14 Leigh Centurions
Saturday
Hull FC 39-26 Wigan Warriors
Sunday
Huddersfield 44-4 Warrington
Salford 24-34 Wakefield
Widnes 26-6 Catalan
Castleford 16-12 St Helens
Saturday, 3 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 7 (Round 3)
Cornet beats Radwanska 6-2, 6-1
Murray beats Del Potro 7-6, 7-5, 6-0
Murray beats Del Potro 7-6, 7-5, 6-0
Super Rugby
Super Rugby
Friday
Blues 34-29 Reds
Saturday
Crusaders 25-22 Highlanders
Chiefs 46-31 Waratahs
Brumbies 32-3 Rebels
Force 12-34 Hurricanes
Friday
Blues 34-29 Reds
Saturday
Crusaders 25-22 Highlanders
Chiefs 46-31 Waratahs
Brumbies 32-3 Rebels
Force 12-34 Hurricanes
Friday, 2 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 6 (Round 2)
Garbine Muguruza beats Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 6-2
Rafa Nadal beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-0, 6-1, 6-0
Novak Djokovic beats Diego Schwartzman 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Rafa Nadal beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-0, 6-1, 6-0
Novak Djokovic beats Diego Schwartzman 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Thursday, 1 June 2017
2017 French Open Day 5 (Round 2)
Agnieszka Radwanska beats Alison Van Uytvanck 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
Stan Wawrinka beats Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.
Andy Murray beats Martin Klizan 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6
Kyle Edmund beats Renzo Olivio 7-5, 6-3, 6-1
Kyle Edmund’s third-round opponent will be Kevin Anderson. The big South African has fought back from a set down to defeat Nick Kyrgios, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 on Court 2. It’s an excellent win for Anderson, who is very dangerous on his day, and more grand slam disappointment for Nick Kyrgios, who hasn’t cracked it yet.
Gael Monfils is also safely through after a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win over Thiago Monteiro.
Stan Wawrinka beats Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.
Andy Murray beats Martin Klizan 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6
Kyle Edmund beats Renzo Olivio 7-5, 6-3, 6-1
Kyle Edmund’s third-round opponent will be Kevin Anderson. The big South African has fought back from a set down to defeat Nick Kyrgios, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 on Court 2. It’s an excellent win for Anderson, who is very dangerous on his day, and more grand slam disappointment for Nick Kyrgios, who hasn’t cracked it yet.
Gael Monfils is also safely through after a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win over Thiago Monteiro.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)