Wales’ Xu beaten by Raducanu at Wimbledon

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Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

related subjects

  • Tennis

Raducanu beats compatriot Xu at ‘favourite tournament’

Images courtesy of Getty

Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

related subjects

  • Tennis

Equestrian body lifts Sir Lee Pearson’s suspension

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Following an internal investigation into Sir Lee Pearson’s conduct, British Equestrian and British Dressage have lifted his suspension as a 14-time Paralympic gold medalist.

After his membership was reinstated, Pearson is now free to compete abroad and not compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Sir Lee will return to the British Equestrian World Class Program with “urgent effect” and will be able to compete and coach both domestically and abroad, according to a statement from British Equestrian.

With 14 gold medals, the 51-year-old cyclist is Britain’s third-most successful paralympic athlete, only to be surpassed by swimmer Mike Kenny and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

The Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, which ParalympicsGB claimed it was open to, was a statement released last year. Pearson, a British flagbearer at Rio 2016, had already stated his intention to compete there.

Lee has publicly stated that because of personal reasons, he did not intend to apply for Paris 2024.

He and the British Equine team are in charge of this, and it does not diminish his previous accomplishments or the possibility that he might compete in the Paralympics in the future.

Prior to the Paris Paralympics in May of last year, a four-strong British Para-equestrian team was chosen for the event. Pearson’s suspension was in place. He was not qualified for selection because he had not competed since March 2023.

related subjects

  • Sport for people with disabilities
  • Equestrian

Equestrian body lifts Sir Lee Pearson’s suspension

Images courtesy of Getty

Following an internal investigation into Sir Lee Pearson’s conduct, British Equestrian and British Dressage have lifted his suspension as a 14-time Paralympic gold medalist.

After his membership was reinstated, Pearson is now free to compete abroad and not compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Sir Lee will return to the British Equestrian World Class Program with “urgent effect” and will be able to compete and coach both domestically and abroad, according to a statement from British Equestrian.

With 14 gold medals, the 51-year-old cyclist is Britain’s third-most successful paralympic athlete, only to be surpassed by swimmer Mike Kenny and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

The Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, which ParalympicsGB claimed it was open to, was a statement released last year. Pearson, a British flagbearer at Rio 2016, had already stated his intention to compete there.

Lee has publicly stated that because of personal reasons, he did not intend to apply for Paris 2024.

He and the British Equine team are in charge of this, and it does not diminish his previous accomplishments or the possibility that he might compete in the Paralympics in the future.

Prior to the Paris Paralympics in May of last year, a four-strong British Para-equestrian team was chosen for the event. Pearson’s suspension was in place. He was not qualified for selection because he had not competed since March 2023.

related subjects

  • Sport for people with disabilities
  • Equestrian

UK police say pro-Palestine performances at Glastonbury subject to probe

The Irish-language band Kneecap and the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan performed at the Glastonbury Festival over the weekend and chanted slogans for “death” to the Israeli military and a “free Palestine,” according to British police.

According to police, the performances at Britain’s biggest summer music festival were “recorded as a public order incident” on Monday.

Up until the weekend, rapper Bobby Vylan, who was largely unknown, sung chants to “free, free Palestine” and “death, death” to the Israeli military.

The BBC said it regrets having the performance livestreamed, and that the broadcaster should have canceled it.

There is no justification for such “appalling hate speech,” according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other UK politicians. Starmer added that the BBC must “tell us how these scenes came to be broadcast.”

The broadcasting regulator Ofcom expressed “very concern” about the BBC livestream and stated that the broadcaster “clearly has questions to answer.”

In response to Bob Vylan’s “hateful tirade at Glastonbury,” the US Department of State announced that it had suspended his visas for the country.

In a social media post, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

Pro-Palestinian protests are erupting all over the world as a result of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, which has sparked pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and in many capitals. Israel and some of its supporters have called the demonstrations anti-Semitic, but its opponents claim Israel uses such descriptions to silence its supporters.

Kneecap performs at the Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, Somerset, England [Jaimi Joy/Reuters]

According to the Gaza-based Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have killed at least 56, 531 people and injured 133, 642 while maintaining a crippling siege over the bombarded enclave.

In its lyrics, Bob Vylan, who is known for bringing together grime and punk rock, addresses racism, homophobia, and the class divide, and has previously endorsed Palestinians.

In a post on Instagram, the group’s lead vocalist, Bobby Vylan, said, “I said what I said,” referring to the weekend performance.

The only way to improve the world is to teach our children to speak up for the changes they need, he continued.

The duo’s set was not livestreamed by the BBC but still attracted a sizable online following thanks to TikTok, which the duo performed Saturday afternoon just before Kneecap. Another band with a strong pro-Palestine stance that has previously sparked controversy.

Kneecap chanted “Free Palestine” to a crowd of tens of thousands at the festival. Starmer, who had claimed he didn’t think it was “appropriate” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury after one of its members was accused under the Terrorism Act, was also sprayed with expletive-laden chants.

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who goes by the name Mo Chara, is accused of supporting a prohibited organization after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year.

Israel’s war effort in Gaza has been met with constant international apprehension. In support of Palestinians, thousands of people gather every week in Europe and around the world.