Caroline’s still sweet in Madrid
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI survived a scare from Ashleigh Barty to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open.
The world No.2 found herself on the brink of defeat as she trailed 4-2 in the final set, but the Dane roared back to claim the last four games to seal a 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory.
Wozniacki will now face Kiki Bertens, who stunned 15th seed Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 6-4.
Maria Sharapova’s revival on clay is gathering pace as she beat Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5 6-1.
The 31-year-old Russian, who entered on the back of four straight losses, faces Kristina Mladenovic, who edged China’s Zhang Shuai 6-4 4-6 6-3.
Sharapova said: “I was aggressive, played deep, returned a lot better. That will help moving forward.” ● Great Britain’s Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Uzbekistan will be held at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.
The clash, running from September 14-16, will see the losers drop into the Europe/Africa zonal group. CRICKET: Riyaad Henry emerged as the hero as the Western Warriors shook off jitters to beat the Eastern Knights in a thrilling Tilney Pro50 Series encounter.
The hosts had appeared to hold the upper hand at Raeburn Place, but a superb knock of 95 by Henry turned the tide.
Knights rattled up 255 all out then captured a spate of key upper order wickets.
But Henry blunted their attack before chipping a return catch to Mark Watt five short of his century.
Adil Raza then holed out to George Munsey off James Dickinson for a breezy 24 to make it 237 for eight.
Scott McElnea (13 not out) and Mitchell Rao (8 not out) finished the job with eight balls to spare. GUTTED John Higgins laid bare his agony last night as Mark Williams celebrated by getting starkers after one of the all-time great World Championship finals.
The Scot looked down and out when he trailed Williams 14-7 before heading into the final session 15-10 down.
But he staged a brilliant recovery, reeling off five straight frames to level it up before Williams hit back like a true champ to take his third world title 18-16.
The Welshman then lived up to his promise of doing his press conference naked, walking in wearing a towel before taking it off as he took his seat.
The narrow defeat is a second successive Crucible sickener for Higgins who collapsed from 10-4 up to lose 18-15 to Mark Selby last year.
He said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. It was an unbelievable final but I’m devastated. I was massively
“Every credit to Mark, he’s a brilliant champion.”
Higgins, 42, was vying to land a fifth world title 20 years on from his first.
But he couldn’t halt the fairytale charge of Williams, 43, who clinched a third Crucible crown by edging out his “Class of 92” rival in a battle of the golden oldies. The prolific pair