Event of the Day: Day 4 of the China Open
Our event of the day is day 4 of the China Open at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing on the WTA World Tour. The opening days of the tournament have already served up a few surprises. Double grand slam champion Petra Kvitová crashed out in the first round, as she was comprehensively beaten by world number 33 Daria Gavrilova. Top seed Simona Halep was the second big name casualty of the first round, as she retired after losing the first set 6-1 to world number 116 Ons Jabeur. Former world number one Garbiñe Muguruza suffered a surprise straight sets defeat to 20-year-old Aryna Sabalenka.
However, many of the biggest names on the tennis circuit still remain in the draw, and are in action today in the last 16. World number two Caroline Wozniacki, faces the young Estonian Anett Kontaveit, who rose to a career high ranking of 16 following her run to the final of the Wuhan Open last week. Since June, Kontaveit has recorded seven victories over top 10 players, and will be hoping to make it eight today. Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber is also in action against home favourite Zhang Shuai, and there’s a tasty encounter between tenth seed Julia Görges and eighth seed Naomi Osaka, fresh from her stunning victory at the US Open. The men’s draw has been equally as enticing. Big names such as Jack Sock and Gregor Dimitrov have already been eliminated. Today will see the exciting young German Alexander Zverev up against Malek Jaziri of Tunisia. Former world number seven Fernando Verdasco, who knocked out Gaël Monfils in a closely fought three setter in the previous round, plays Georgian star Nikoloz Basilashvili. With the likes of Kyle Edmund and Juan Martín del Potro also still in the draw, it should be a week of tennis of the highest quality. Tune in today for some great matches.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Super League semi-final between St Helens and Warrington Wolves at the Totally Brilliant Stadium. Hosts St Helens were runaway leaders at the summit of the Super League after 23 rounds and after the Super 8s stage. With the sides one win away from the prestigious Grand Final at Old Trafford, there’s everything to play for. Elsewhere in the UK, the European Tour stops off in St Andrews for the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour tees off in Incheon for the International Crown event. Further ATP World Touraction comes from Tokyo, with the fourth day of the Rakuten Japan Open. A multitude of Europa League group stage fixtures take place across Europe, including Chelsea versus Hungarian outfit MOL Vidi FC at Stamford Bridge and AC Milan against Olympiakos at the San Siro. In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. Further sporting action in the States comes from the NFL fixture between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Day 1 of the First Test between India and the West Indies gets underway in Rajkot.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by WTA