Daria to discard pressure
BRAD Fittler insists Laurie Daley’s sacking as NSW coach was such a shock that he’ll wait for the dust to settle before potentially starting discussions about taking over the job.
Fittler is viewed as one of the leading candidates for the role after the NSWRL board last Friday decided not to renew Daley’s contract after four State of Origin series losses in five years.
Up until last week, Daley was tipped to be offered a oneyear contract extension and it’s understood he had the backing of several key decision- makers including NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden.
However, following a review of the 2017 series they lost 2- 1 after winning the first game convincingly, Daley was let go and Fittler said the call surprised everyone around the game.
“It’s pure paper speculation,” Fittler said of suggestions he was a shoo- in for the position.
“It was a shock to the board. Everyone just thought Laurie Daley was going to get another year.
“I haven’t spoken to Loz but obviously he’s been bombarded and the key here is to let it settle.” DARIA Gavrilova is vowing to “stay in the moment” as she attempts to parlay her breakthrough tour win into a tilt at US Open glory.
The junior champion at Flushing Meadows in 2010 and a former under- 18 world No. 1, Gavrilova had to wait seven years before landing her maiden WTA trophy in New Haven on Sunday.
“I actually thought about it today and thought ‘ crap’, that was a long time ago,” Australia’s top women’s hope said.
“It was crazy last night, so many emotions. Yeah, it was a pretty special feeling.
“But I’m right now here at the US Open and I’ve come down for sure and I’ve already had a hit, so it’s a new start, new opportunity.”
The 23- year- old has arrived in New York riding high at a career- high No. 20 in the world after taking down grand slam finalists Agnieszka Radwanska and Dominica Cibulkova, the top two seeds, to land the title in Connecticut.
But she’s made the mistake too many times before of placing undue pressure on herself to perform at the majors.
First- round exits at the French Open, after making the final in Strasbourg two days before, and at Wimbledon have Gavrilova on guard of a letdown.
“My form’s as good as my next match,” she said ahead of her first- round tussle with American qualifier Allie Kiick.
“So it’s a new opportunity but I’ll definitely build on my win yesterday and try and produce similar tennis or the same level of tennis as I did in New Haven.
“I have to stay in the moment and try and focus on the process and not so much the outcome.”