Denis Shapovalov credits his girlfriend Mirjam Bjorklund with helping his tennis game. Pic: Instagram
Tennis young gun Denis Shapovalov has praised his girlfriend Mirjam Bjorklund for inspiring a record-setting run at the US Open.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The 21-year-old became the first Canadian man in history to reach the quarter-finals of the New York grand slam with his fourth round victory over David Goffin.” data-reactid=”24″>The 21-year-old became the first Canadian man in history to reach the quarter-finals of the New York grand slam with his fourth round victory over David Goffin.
Shapovalov credits the positive impact his girlfriend has had on his game as he chases more records and possibly even a maiden grand slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The men’s draw has been thrown wide open with the absences of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Novak Djokovic’s disqualification meaning there will definitely be a first-time winner of the men’s singles title in 2020.
After booking his spot in the last eight of the tournament, Shapovalov has a golden opportunity to go one step further and reach his first grand slam semi-final.
Speaking after his win over Goffin, the Canadian young gun heaped praise on Bjorklund for the positive effect she’s had on his game.
“I just think as soon as we started dating, it’s kind of a reason for someone to want to man up,” Shapovalov said.
“I felt like she’s definitely inspired me to become a better person, a better tennis player.
Bjorklund is also a professional tennis player and the 22-year-old will be following intently as Shapovalov chases his dream in New York.
The Swede has travelled with Shapovalov around the world and shared a happy snap of the couple in Melbourne during the Australian Open earlier in the year.
Bjorklund last month broke into the world’s top 300 for the first time in her career, but Shapovalov was quick to stress that she’s not the only major influence on his career.
“I don’t mean to take anything away from my parents or my team, as well. I feel like everybody’s inspiring me. They’re staying up at night watching my matches. Everybody is supporting me.
Canadian facing Carreno Busta in last eight
“Throughout the start of my life my parents have just been there always for me. I think it’s everybody.
“But, of course, she (Bjorklund) inspires me as well.”
The Canadian’s girlfriend captioned a photo of the pair on the eve of the US Open by saying: “Goodluck tomorrow at the US Open my superstar”.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Shapovalov's opponent in the US Open quarter-finals is Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, who won via default against Djokovic after the World No.1's now infamous incident with a female line judge.” data-reactid=”50″>Shapovalov’s opponent in the US Open quarter-finals is Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, who won via default against Djokovic after the World No.1’s now infamous incident with a female line judge.
Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament, docked his ranking points and hit with significant fines after accidentally hitting a ball into the throat of the official.
“Of course I think that this was not intentional,” Carreno Busta said after the match.
“I don’t think that any one of the players does these kind of things intentionally.
“It’s just the moment… You cannot do this, but of course I think that Novak never wanted to hit the line umpire.”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
