Event of the Day: Connecticut Open Day 1
Our event of the day is the opening day of the Connecticut Open on the WTA World Tour at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Centre in New Haven. With the US Open fast approaching, this week’s tournament will be the last opportunity for the biggest names in women’s tennis to get their final preparations in before the last grand slam of the year. With four top ten players in the draw, it should be a top-quality week of tennis. Notable last 32 matches include a clash between two former world number twos. Current world number six Petra Kvitová is seeded three for the Connecticut Open, and she faces 2012 Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwańska. Double grand slam champion Kvitová has been recovering from an injury she sustained in 2016. She returned to the top ten this year for the first time since the setback. Her opponent Radwańska has also suffered from injury problems over the last two years, causing her to fall out of the top 30. She has had a mixed year, which has included a victory over Simona Halep. However, highs such as the Halep triumph have been accompanied by early grand slam exits. If both players are at their best, it will be a terrific encounter.
Former world number one Karolína Plíšková is another favourite for the WTA title. She plays former world number eight Ekaterina Makarova of Russia. Other highlights from the last 32 include Johanna Konta, who has had an up and down year, up against German Laura Siegemund. With world number one Simona Halep and world number five Caroline Garcia receiving byes into the second round, this week promises to serve up some top-class tennis.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to day 3 in the third test between England and India at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. England lead the series 2-0, but there were very strong signs of a comeback from the tourists with a strong batting display in the first innings and more importantly an impressive bowling display, resulting in England been dismissed for 161. India currently lead by 292 runs with 8 wickets remaining in their second innings. In the County Championship, Surrey versus Lancashire enters its second day. Elsewhere in the UK, the weekend of Premier League fixtures rounds off at Selhurst Park, as Crystal Palace welcome big spending Liverpool. In Serie A, Atalanta host Frosinone in Bergamo, whilst in La Liga, two Spanish giants clash at the Mestalla Stadium, as Valencia welcome Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile in the States, there’s an assortment of MLB fixtures to look forward to, including the New York Mets against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field, and the Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. On the ATP World Tour, final preparations for the US Open get underway at the Winston-Salem Open. It is the second day of the Asian Games featuring a variety of sports.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Sporti; Connecticut Open