The Decathlon: Johanna Konta’s French Open heartbreak and Lando Norris hits back at Lewis Hamilton
Ten things from the world of sport on Friday 7 June
1. Konta beaten in French Open
British No.1 Johanna Konta suffered heartbreak at the French Open today after losing her semi-final against Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova.
Konta was bidding to become the first British woman to reach a grand slam final since 1977, but the 26th seed was beaten 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) by the unseeded 19-year-old.
Vondrousova will play Australia’s eighth seed Ashleigh Barty in tomorrow’s final at Roland-Garros.
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2. Chelsea take appeal to Cas
Chelsea will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to appeal their two-window transfer ban. The BBC reports that the Blues have “not asked for the ban to be lifted while Cas considers its decision”.
3. England need to put on a ‘real show’
England play Bangladesh tomorrow in a Cricket World Cup clash they can’t afford to lose after their 14-run defeat to Pakistan earlier this week. England bowler Mark Wood said: “We need to bounce back with a bit of authority and say that we’re here to win it and put on a real show.”
4. PSG favourites to sign De Ligt
Paris Saint-Germain are now favourites to sign Ajax and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt. According to reports Manchester United are out of the running with only PSG and Barcelona remaining in the race.
Premier League transfer news: De Ligt, Rashford, Tielemans, Maguire, Cancelo
5. Lando hits back at Lewis
McLaren driver Lando Norris has hit back at world champion Lewis Hamilton after the Mercedes star said that Formula 1 is “too easy” for youngsters. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, 19-year-old Norris said: “I don’t know why he would say it now, and not when he first started. It must be targeted at me, George [Russell] and Alex [Albon], because we’re the youngest in F1 and I’m not suffering perhaps as much as he thinks I should. I don’t think it’s intimidation, I just don’t know why he wouldn’t say it any other year.”
6. France welcomes the world
The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup kicks off today with host nation France taking on South Korea in the tournament’s opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris. In group D on Sunday England face Scotland.
This weekend’s Women’s World Cup fixtures:
- Friday 7 June: France vs. South Korea (8pm, BBC One)
- Saturday 8 June: Germany vs. China (2pm, BBC One); Spain vs. South Africa (5pm, BBC Red Button and online); Norway vs. Nigeria (8pm, BBC Red Button and online)
- Sunday 9 June: Australia vs. Italy (12pm, BBC Red Button and online); Brazil vs. Jamaica (2.30pm, BBC Red Button and online); England vs. Scotland (5pm, BBC One and BBC ALBA)
7. Warriors investor banned
Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens has been fined $500,000 (£393,400) and banned for one season by the NBA for shoving Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry during game three of the NBA Finals. Raptors lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 and game four will be held in Oakland on Saturday (2am BST, live on Sky Sports Arena).
8. Wentz’s big deal at the Eagles
Quarterback Carson Wentz has signed a four-year contract extension with NFL franchise the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN reports that the extension is worth $128m (£100.7m).
9. Khan defends Saudi fight
British boxer Amir Khan has defended the choice of Saudi Arabia as the location for his next fight. Khan faces Neeraj Goyat at King Abdullah Sports City in July and will earn a reported £7m. Khan said: “For me I would be stupid to not take this opportunity.” The Guardian reports that Saudi Arabia’s human rights record was described as “abysmal” by Amnesty International.
10. Van Dijk to face Ronaldo in final
Netherlands will play Portugal in Sunday’s Uefa Nations League final after beating England 3-1 after extra-time in Guimaraes last night.
In the added 30 minutes of the semi-final defensive errors by England’s John Stones and Ross Barkley gifted the Dutch two goals.
The final will see Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo go head-to-head with Holland’s star defender Virgil van Dijk.
Today’s back pages: woeful England throw it away and sink like a Stones
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