MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015 SPORTS Lost opportunity in Super Rugby for Hurricanes WELLINGTON: The Wellington Hurricanes The players executed the tactics almost title. “I’m gutted for management, the play- heading to England. Smith, Nonu and squad in the near future. blew their best chance of winning a maid- to perfection, thrilling their fans with 14 ers, the club because we deserve better Thrush have all played more than 100 Utility back Nehe Milner Skudder also en Super Rugby title on Saturday and the wins in their 16 regular season games. The than this,” captain Conrad Smith said. “We games for the team. That kind of experi- had a breakout year and was named in the concern of their long-suffering fans is what team were also riding the emotion from made it harder on ourselves. It wasn’t their ence and commitment to the yellow and extended All Blacks squad, while Otere happens next year when conditions might the untimely death of former flanker Jerry defence, it was usually our own doing. “It black jersey will be hard for Boyd to Black and Callum Gibbins made successful not be so favorable. Collins and aware that six players, three of was the spilt ball because we didn’t look replace. While the Hurricanes are losing transitions from the wider training group. It looked like the perfect storm had them club stalwarts, were leaving after the after it and that cost us more than any- that experience, they have locked in several Those younger members could also take been brewing for the Hurricanes finally to final. They could not have picked a worse thing. We still created plenty of opportuni- of their young players. Dane Coles, James heart from some parting public words be crowned southern hemisphere provin- time to produce their most error-strewn ties.” Creating more of those opportunities Broadhurst, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, TJ from Smith after 12 seasons and 126 cial champions ahead of the final against game of the season. will be at the forefront of many fans minds Perenara and Beauden Barrett have all had games for the Hurricanes. “I always try and the Otago Highlanders. Spurred by a strong defence, an astute next year with stalwarts like Smith and his their best seasons in Super Rugby. keep a bit of perspective on things and I’ll Chris Boyd’s side had an exceptionally tactical game based on kicking for territory centre partner Ma’a Nonu leaving for con- They will only get better with exposure be telling the guys to lift their heads well worked out plan that played to their and slowing down the quick ball the tracts in France. The midfield depth will be to the All Blacks environment, with loose because there is a lot to be proud of,” Smith strengths out wide and was supported by a Hurricanes thrive on, the Highlanders sorely tested with Ray Lee-Lo also depart- forwards Savea and Shields likely to join added. “It’s a game of footy, we lost, that’s mobile, ball-playing and aggressive pack. stunned the favourites to claim their first ing, while workaholic lock Jeremy Thrush is the others and take the step up to the test all there is.” — Reuters Upsets unlikely as big guns set for Wimbledon last 16 LONDON: Rafa Nadal may have left the stage but the smooth progress into Wimbledon’s sec- ond week of the remaining members of tennis’s established powerbase suggests further upsets are unlikely in the men’s last 16 today. The ‘Big Four’ have been whittled down to a top three, but for Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who were largely untroubled in their opening matches, there seems no end on the horizon to their dominance at the All England Club. The trio, along with Nadal, have had a monopoly on the Wimbledon title after Lleyton Hewitt beat David Nalbandian to lift the Challenge Cup trophy in 2002. On the evidence of the first week, only Stan Wawrinka, winner of two of the last six majors including last month’s French Open, looks capa- LONDON: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after winning a point in ble of stealing a march on the top three. this file photo. — AP The hard work of maintaining promising starts, however, is likely to begin with more test- ing encounters today. The relentless retriever Williams renew rivalry as Djokovic faces the towering figure of Kevin Anderson, Federer’s quest for a record eighth little sister eyes Serena Slam Wimbledon title continues against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and Murray faces the LONDON: With her heart racing as she stood posed to win. Serena is feeling a lot of pres- huge-serving Ivo Karlovic. two points from defeat in her third round sure as she’s going for history, go for the Having cruised into the last 16 without drop- match at Wimbledon, Serena Williams looked grand slam, so Venus has got an opportunity.” ping a set, world number one Djokovic’s in serious danger of missing out on a 26th on- Serena leads their overall head-to-head renowned return will be tested by the serving of court date with older sister Venus. For a fleet- 14-11, and is 3-2 at the grasscourt major hav- Anderson, whose recent form has prompted a ing second, the American even contemplated ing won their last grand slam meeting in surge up the rankings to a career-high 14. finding “a dance class” while she “hung straight sets in the 2009 Wimbledon final. Not “I think he is probably playing the tennis of LONDON: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a ball to Bernard Tomic of Australia in this file photo. — AP around to watch Venus play” as brave Brit everyone was sure if Serena was engaging in his life all in all,” Djokovic said of the South Heather Watson looked like she would deny some mind games when she declared Venus African after easing past Bernard Tomic in the the sisters a chance to renew their was “in better form than I am and I think she third round. Wimbledon rivalry by toppling the world has a little bit of an advantage going into that The Serb’s elastic-limbed defence has been Federer still not number one. match. “I’m playing the toughest player I’ve untroubled in his three opening skirmishes, yet Those dance classes were soon a distant played in women’s tennis. That’s never fun.” Anderson has weapons and can test the best if memory as US, Australian and French Open Five-times champion Venus, however, took they are not on their game. happy with Hawkeye champion Serena kept alive her dreams of that observation with a pinch of salt. LONDON: If it is so dark that Hawkeye stops killing me today.” Eight years on and Federer completing the “Serena Slam” by setting up a “There’s no easy points against Serena. No PARTY TRICKS working, then matches should be called off at still has concerns about the technology that is fifth All England Club showdown with her sis- matter how Serena’s playing, she knows how Federer pulled out the party tricks in the Wimbledon, Roger Federer said on Saturday. used at all the grand slams except the French ter. A contest that will feature two women to win,” said 16th seed Venus, who a year ago opening week and laid down an early marker for For the second year running, Tomas Open. “What I struggle with is I don’t think it’s who between them have hoisted the snapped a run of five successive losses to her the accolade of shot of the tournament with an Berdych found himself playing into the night 100 percent accurate. Let’s say 99 percent, fine. Rosewater Dish 10 times since 2000 has the sister in their last meeting in Montreal. outrageous lob from between his legs over Sam at Wimbledon even though technology had It’s still not 100 percent, in my opinion. I still potential to be a classic but could very well What is true is that Venus’s progress has Querrey in his second round match. given up the ghost. see calls I don’t quite understand,” the Swiss turn out to be the ultimate anti-climax as has been drama free and her run includes a 6-0 6- Having followed that by taming the huge- At least on this occasion, the Czech sixth said after reaching the second week of been the case in many of their previous meet- 0 walloping of the unfortunate Madison serving Sam Groth in four sets, he heads into seed won his first round match which con- Wimbledon for the 12th time in 13 years. ings. “I’m one of the few people that has Brengle in the opening round. week two with the prospect of surpassing Pete cluded at 9.29pm on Tuesday even though “But it’s fine to have it... because you ... experienced what it’s like to play, in my case, The one thing they both agreed was that it Sampras and William Renshaw as the only man barely anyone on Court One could see the yel- don’t want to lose at Wimbledon because of my brother (Patrick) on the tour,” said was “unfortunate the match was so soon” as with eight Wimbledon titles looking plausible. low ball as it flew back and forth over the net. one bad call or a missed call by someone. American great John McEnroe. Monday’s clash will be the first time they have Not that the Swiss maestro is allowing him- Twelve months ago, Berdych was left fum- “What I don’t understand is if we have “I know this is wrong but I thought to met at the All England Club before the semi- self to get excited about the possibility.