So nasty for Britain
MARC MARQUEZ kick- started his bid to take the world title Yamaha team- mate for a fourth time with Maverick Vinales the a stunning fi fth series lead. “It was a victory at the Circuit very diffi cult race but of the Americas. I was able to push and
The Repsol Honda take my best result rider was able to here at Austin and dictate terms take big in Texas points ,” said as he Rossi. comfortably Marquez held off was relieved Valentino to be back to Rossi, for winning ways whom after second best MARQUEZ crashing out was just enough to in the last round. give him a six- point “It was hard but I lead in the standings. am really happy
Rossi had ridden coming back after the hard to reel in Dani crash in Argentina Pedrosa, allowing him and now we are really to take full advantage close in the title race,” of the early crash that he said. cost his Movistar MOVISTAR cyclist Alejandro Valverde has said he will donate his winnings from yesterday’s Liege- Bastogne- Liege triumph to the family of Astana’s Michele Scarponi, who died in a road accident while on a training ride last week. BRITAIN’S Fed Cup play- off against Romania ended in defeat and bad blood between the teams after a stormy weekend.
Wins for Simona Halep over Johanna Konta and Irina- Camelia Begu against Heather Watson clinched the tie for Romania before Laura Robson and Jocelyn Rae won a consolation doubles rubber to make the fi nal score 3- 2.
But this is not a tie that will be remembered for the tennis. The row appeared to have subsided after Romania captain Ilie Nastase was barred following his foul- mouthed meltdown on Saturday.
But the Romania players let it be known how aggrieved they were at claims by Konta that she had felt threatened by the crowd in Constanta THE SCOUT during her match against Sorana Cirstea.
After Nastase was sent off the court, shouting “**** ing bitches” at Konta and captain Anne Keothavong, the British No1 became tearful and play was suspended. On resumption, Konta won fi ve games in a row and the match.
Nastase has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation and Konta, 25, said the incident had affected her in her 6- 1, 6- 3 defeat by Halep. She said: “There’s obviously an effect that yesterday had on me.”
Halep said: “I had extra motivation because in my opinion the public was very fair yesterday.”
Begu and stand- in captain Cirstea did not shake hands with Watson or Keothavong after Begu’s tense 6- 4, 7- 5 win over Watson. The British No2 said: “I always shake my opponent’s hand. I was surprised.”
RAFAEL Nadal won a record 10th Monte Carlo Rolex Masters title. His 6- 1, 6- 3 win over fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos Vinolas meant he became the fi rst Open era player to win an event 10 times.