It’s Sofia, so good for Gael
GAEL MONFILS doled out another impressive tennis lesson as he reached the semi-finals of the Sofia Open with a 6-3 7-6 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The experienced Frenchman, who has slipped to No.33 in the world rankings after a series of injuries, looked in ominously good form as he took his place in the last four without dropping a set this week.
The 32-year-old, who won 93 per cent of points on his first serve, eased through the first set after breaking emerging Greek talent Tsitsipas’ serve at the first time of asking and comfortably won the tie-break in the second.
“I was very aggressive today,” said Monfils. “I tried to dictate the tempo and I did my job at the end.
“Today, I served very well, this is my best serving day so far.”
Monfils will meet Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev today who dismantled Slovakian Martin Klizan 6-4 6-1 to make the semis. 2nd T20, Auckland
New Zealand 158-8 v India 162-3. India won by 7 wkts
ATP SOFIA OPEN, Bulgaria, Quarter-finals
M Fucsovics (Hun) bt (4) R Bautista Agut (Spa) w/o, M Berrettini (Ita) bt (6) F Verdasco (Spa) 4-6 7-5 6-4, (3) A Medvedev (Ukr) bt M Klizan (Svk) 6-4 6-1, (7) G Monfils (Fra) bt (2) S Tsitsipas (Gre) 6-3 7-6 (7-5)
WORLD GRAND PRIX, Cheltenham, Quarter-finals
J Trump (Eng) bt M Selby (Eng) 5-1, B Hawkins (Eng) bt K Wilson (Eng) 5-2
NBA
Atlanta 101 Toronto 119, Boston 128 LA Lakers 129, Indiana 116 LA Clippers 92, Oklahoma City 117 Memphis 95, Orlando 122 Minnesota 112, Portland 127 San Antonio 118
(2 unless stated)
Guinness Six Nations
Italy v Wales (4.45) Scotland v Ireland (2.15) Premiership Rugby Cup Semi-Final
Northampton v Newcastle (12.15) Championship
Bedford v London Irish (3) Coventry v Hartpury RFC (3) Ealing Trailfinders v Doncaster (3) Jersey Reds v Ldn Scottish Richmond v Cornish Pirates (3)
Betfred Super League
Catalans v Huddersfield (5) Warrington v Hull KR (3) Championship
Toulouse v Widnes (2.30) Challenge Cup 2nd Round Underbank v Featherstone L, Thornhill v Rochdale Mfd, Thatto Heath v Leigh Miners, Ovenden v West Bowling, Normanton v Haydock, West Hull v Bentley, Milford v Lock Lane, Wath Brow v York Acorn, Drighlington v Wigan St Judes, Millom v Siddal, Distington v Royal Air Force, East Leeds v Dewsbury Moor
3rd Test, Gros Islet West Indies v England (2)
vTomorrow, kick-off 3pm WAKEFIELD captain Jacob Miller says his side have put their London video nasty behind them as they bid to kick-start their season.
Trinity threw away two 12point leads to crash to a shock opening-day defeat at the promoted Broncos on Sunday, despite being tipped to challenge for the play-offs again this year.
Coach Chris Chester (right) made his players sit through what he had described as “probably the worst performance” of his three years in charge the following day.
But Miller now wants to focus on putting things right in tomorrow’s clash with title favourites St Helens.
He said: “It was an extremely tough watch back. We let ourselves down last week collectively and individually. We spoke on the video on Monday, found out where we went wrong and put it to bed pretty quickly.
“There’s no point in dwelling on that, it’s no good for anybody.
“It’s one game – if you pick up a win you’re not supposed to later in the year then you’re back to even.
“It’s definitely not panic stations, but we were disappointed with ourselves.
“We’ve had a really good preseason and to start like that was no good for anyone.
“It was just one of those freak things that happen – and I’m not saying London aren’t a good team. It was just a bad day and there were a lot of us off at the same time.
“Sometimes you can get away with one, two or three, but on that day there was about 14 or 15 of us all off and you can’t have that at the top level.”
Miller knows all 17 will have to be on their game to topple a Saints side that looked ominously well prepared for the campaign in their opening-night win over Wigan.
But Trinity have consistently shown they can beat Super League’s best at Belle Vue - including Justin Holbrook’s men in April last year.
Miller added: “We’re going to have to be on our game because St Helens are unreal, one of the best teams in the competition.
“But we tend to do well against the big teams at home - maybe we like going into the games where nobody gives us a chance.
“We let the fans down last week and hopefully we can put a smile on their faces this week.”
vNIALL EVALDS says practice makes perfect for Salford’s attack as they look to make it two wins from two. Evalds scored a hat-trick at Huddersfield and believes his combinations with halfbacks Jackson Hastings and Rob Lui are crucial. He said: HUDDERSFIELD coach Simon Woolford wants a reaction from the loss to Salford – but he fears a Dragons backlash too.
Catalans also lost their first match at Castleford, although Aussie Woolford
vvWARRINGTON skipper Chris Hill has warned his side to be wary of Hull KR’s new half-back partnership of Danny McGuire and Josh Drinkwater.
The pair combined well in Rovers’ opening win over Hull FC, and will now be Tomorrow, kick-off 3pm “They’re two outstanding players. We’ve worked hard all pre-season – just repetition after repetition of putting on our plays, going through sets and how we grind out games.
“Our attack will cause teams problems.”
Kick-off 5pm believes they will be a different proposition today.
He said: “The Dragons are a completely different side at home so we’re expecting a better team. We must right a few wrongs from the Salford game.”
Kick-off 3pm looking to unlock a Wolves defence that excelled in beating Leeds.
Hill said: “Rovers are very unpredictable and will throw a lot at you. They have a lot in their armoury, especially with Danny Mcguire and Josh Drinkwater.”