![]() ![]() We fought right to the end and after the last few games it was really important for us to go out there and let everything out of the tank and we did that… It’s out of our hands now but we’ve done our part today so we’ll just hope for the best.” Hope Ralph was named Player of the Match and said: “I’m so proud of the girls. The USA still have four more matches to play and can ensure their safety by securing three more points. The two points for New Zealand rather than three in their final match of the tournament means China’s women are safe from relegation thanks to their superior goal difference. That took the match to a shoot-out where O’Hanlon once again proved to be the star, helping her side to clinch it 3-1. Olivia Merry came nail-bitingly close to sneaking an upset win but Sontag did exceptionally well to keep it out. Then with just seconds remaining in the match, Germany’s keeper Julia Sonntag was brought into meaningful action for the first time. But the New Zealand defence stood firm, keeper Grace O’Hanlon in particular, making several excellent saves in the second quarter to keep the score 0-0 at the break.ĭespite more German pressure, the third quarter also remained goalless. Germany were on top for the majority of the first half, making regular forays into the circle and taking shots on goal. (Women’s) New Zealand vs Germany 0-0 (SO: 3-1) Both Spain and Belgium also remain in the running for the men’s title, making for a thrilling final mini-tournament in Antwerp, starting on Friday. The Dutch claimed a comfortable 4-1 victory to take a step closer to overtaking Great Britain at the top of the standings, with two matches remaining. Later in the day, the already relegated Black Sticks men couldn’t prevent the Netherlands from continuing their quest for FIH Hockey Pro League honours. Despite Germany’s dominance throughout, it was the Black Sticks who eventually prevailed 3-1 in a shoot-out after the match ended goalless, so keeping alive their hopes of avoiding relegation. But equally, it is not yet impossible – and that is all Nadal needs to know to get his head down and bear the agony.The final day of the Amsterdam mini-tournament brought with it the 500 th FIH Hockey Pro League match as New Zealand’s women took on Germany. To win all four, it seems crazy to me because it is something that nobody has done since Rod Laver.”Ĭrazy it may be indeed it would be farcical to suggest that a calendar-year Grand Slam is probable. ![]() “More than winning the Grand Slam, I would sign up just to be able to play all four tournaments. “It is crazy to think about completing the Grand Slam after Australia and Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic – whose loss in last year’s US Open final was all that separated him from his own calendar-year Grand Slam – remains as potent as ever, while World No 1 Daniil Medvedev and No 2 Alexander Zverev will surely return to competitive action with a vengeance after their absence from Wimbledon. He has only won Wimbledon twice, the last time coming 12 years ago in 2010, and his post-surgery match fitness remains unclear. In several respects, it seems a bit of a long one. Novak Djokovic (2021) – won Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon but lost in US Open final to Daniil Medvedev.Serena Williams (2015) – won Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon but lost in US Open semi-finals to unseeded Roberta Vinci.Roger Federer (2006, 2007) – in successive years, Federer won Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open but lost in the French Open final.Combine that with Nadal’s staggering determination and it becomes understandable to see him put his body on the line for this shot at glory. Given his injury woes and the fact Laver achieved the feat just one year into the Open era, it would be one of the greatest achievements in the history of the sport. He could quite easily never have it again. Nadal has never had this opportunity before. It means there are just two Grand Slams – Wimbledon and the US Open – between him and becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four in the same calendar year. Significantly, this year Nadal has achieved something he never has before: winning the Australian Open and French Open in the same year. Finding the willpower to go on is not a choice: it is who he is. To him, the behaviours involved in striving incessantly towards that will now, by the age of 36, seem inseparable from his personality. Having turned professional at 15, the World No 4 has spent 21 years and nearly two-thirds of his life focused on winning elite competitions. Novak Djokovic has seen off Federer, Nadal and Murray - now he faces his biggest challenge 18 July, 2023 Wimbledon's diesel SUV fleet is 'a climate disaster' that undermines its green credentials 17 July, 2023 ‘I'm full Carlos Alcaraz’: Wimbledon winner humbled by Novak Djokovic’s ‘crazy’ comparison 16 July, 2023 ![]()
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