Hannah Green keeps 2-shot lead after three rounds of the BMW Ladies Championship

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – Canada’s Gabriel Diallo advanced to his first career ATP Tour final on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo at the Almaty Open.

The 23-year-old from Montreal needed 68 minutes to complete the victory.

Diallo, the world No. 118, had a 5-1 edge in aces and saved the lone break point he faced. The 31st-ranked Cerundolo won just 55 per cent of points on his first serve and had six double-faults.

The Canadian will next face 26th-ranked Karen Khachanov of Russia in Sunday’s final. Khachanov defeated Aleksandar Vukic of Australia 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

The six-foot-eight Diallo upset 23rd-ranked Alejandro Tabilo in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event.

Diallo will move into the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — New Zealand’s reign as the master of high-speed yachting remains intact. Britain’s long, long wait goes on.

Emirates Team New Zealand clinched match point in the 37th America’s Cup on Saturday, beating INEOS Britannia 7-2 in the best-of-13 final off Barcelona’s beachfront.

The team led by Grant Dalton won its third consecutive cup, adding to wins in 2017 in Bermuda and 2021 in Auckland.

New Zealand’s eight-man crew embraced and cheered on the deck of the 75-foot Taihoro after holding Britannia off to win Race 9.

“It is just sinking in. What an amazing day, this team has been amazing, what an amazing feeling,” New Zealand skipper Peter Burling said after his third America’s Cup and his finals-record 22nd race win.

Britannia, meanwhile, fell one step short of winning the Auld Mug for Britain for the first time in the competition’s 173-year history.

“We’ve got to give credit to Team New Zealand,” Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie said. “What an amazing performance to win three in a row. In my book that makes them the best team in the history of the cup.”

Burling and the New Zealand team posed behind a winner’s banner as a fleet of fan boats gathered around and sounded horns in celebration. The team ran a New Zealand flag up its mast along with a huge white flag saying “Thank you very much Barcelona” in Catalan.

Many of the team’s fans back home had been disappointed when Dalton took the cup from Auckland to Spain in search of better financing. But thousands of fans wearing team shirts cheered the boat as it pulled into the team base, where it received a traditional Maori welcome.

After needing a repair following a crane mishap that damaged its hull at the start of the two-month competition, Taihoro raced aggressively in the final, winning the first four races. After Britannia capitalized on its mistakes to pull back two wins, Burling’s bunch shifted back into ruthless mode to finish them off with three more wins in a row.

“We had the pressure on us today,” said Dalton, the New Zealand team’s chief executive. “These guys on the boat had to deliver, but they have to have the tools to do it, so a great job by everyone.”

The first final in 60 years for a British yacht ended in more frustration and with work to do after Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, saw his boat far too often in Taihoro’s wake.

Britannia had the backing of billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who also is part owner of Manchester United, and the engineering know-how of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

But it was Team New Zealand, and its elite in-house design team that wowed the world with its foiling AC75 monohulls, which proved that it still is the best in the game. The yachts broke speed records for the America’s Cup with velocities of up to 55.6 knots (64 mph/102kph) in the fickle Mediterranean winds.

“We were not overly daunted being up against Mercedes Benz,” New Zealand technical director Dan Bernasconi said. “We are pretty happy to be in our own little silo and get on with it.”

The America’s Cup was born some four decades before the modern Olympic Games. Queen Victoria was in attendance when the schooner America bested the Royal Yacht Squadron in the first regatta in 1851.

The Americans held the cup until its incredible 132-year run ended in 1983 at the hands of the Australians. The Swiss have won it twice, and the Kiwis five times overall, after first winning it in 1995 and again in 2000.

As the defending champion, New Zealand picked Barcelona as the venue, set the rules and raced with the challengers — gathering data and insight on Britannia and the four other rivals — while holding a guaranteed spot in the America’s Cup final.

The Brits put up a fight on Saturday, pulling level midway through, only for Taihoro, which in Maori means “to move swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth,” blocked their passing attempt and then sped off to win by a comfortable 37 seconds.

“We had our moments in the finals,” Ainslie said, “but at the end of the day the better team won.”

The future of the cup — and Ainslie

Dalton can start planning on how to host, and win, the 38th America’s Cup.

The defender can keep it here in Barcelona, where boats glide through the Mediterranean with the beachfront and La Sagrada Familia basilica in the background, and super yachts and their wealthy owners come in from around Europe and further abroad.

Or, as Dalton said, it could go back to Auckland, if, and only if, there existed the financing that was lacking when he decided to bring it to Spain. Saudi Arabia, however, was also in the mix after it hosted a preliminary regatta last year.

The decision should be made public in the coming months.

Ainslie, at age 47, said he was undecided whether to stay in the Britannia for the next America’s Cup, or dedicate himself to his other role as the team chief executive.

“I don’t know if next time I am going to be on the water or not,” he said, “but I am committed to moving the team forward, getting the job done and winning the cup.”

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AP sports writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed.

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AP sports:

LONDON (AP) — Friends, collaborators and fellow musicians expressed shock and sadness Thursday over the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died in Buenos Aires, Argentina Wednesday at age 31.

A look at some of the reactions:

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“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.” — Payne’s family, in a statement.

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.” — The surviving members of One Direction, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, in a statement.

“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.” — Styles, on Instagram.

“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.” — Tomlinson, on Instagram.

“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.” — Malik, on Instagram.

“Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking. He was such a loving and kind soul. I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him.” — James Corden, on Instagram.

“I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage.” — Singer Rita Ora on X.

“Just a boy.” — Anne Twist, mother of former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles, posted on Instagram with a broken-heart emoji.

“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” The X Factor’s official account on X, formerly Twitter.

“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed.″ — Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones wrote on X.

“I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone.” — Singer Charlie Puth, who wrote a song for Payne’s solo debut album, on Instagram.

“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.” — Paris Hilton wrote on X.

“We greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship. His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.” — Emma Revie, chief executive of the U.K. food bank charity Trussell Trust, in a statement.

“R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it prayers up for the family.” — Rapper Juicy J, who had Payne sing on the 2016 track “You,” via X.

“RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.” — Producer and DJ Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on the 2017 song “Get Low,” via X.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.