22 Sunday, April 29, 2018 SPORTS Barcelona Open Coco Vandeweghe enters Stuttgart final Nadal

CoCo Vandeweghe enjoys Stuttgart Pliskova and Estonia’s Anett merican CoCo Kontaveit in Sunday’s final. Vandeweghe cruised past Asked about her success ACaroline Garcia 6-4 6-2 in in Stuttgart on a clay surface the semi-finals of the Porsche that she has previously stated Grand Prix yesterday to a dislike for, Vandeweghe said: move a step closer to her first “My mom told me I have some title of the season. German heritage from my great 400th win Vandeweghe needed just grandmother so that’s probably 74 minutes to knock out the why it’s clicking here. French world number seven “I’m definitely trying for her third win over a top 10 different things and enjoying player this week. The 26-year- my time out on the court old Vandeweghe beat world instead of taking it too number one Simona Halep and seriously. It’s chill. It’s like I’m U.S. Open champion Sloane back in California on the beach on clay Stephens earlier in the event. and I don’t care.” Flushing Meadows semi- Vandeweghe won her first finalist Vandeweghe will take break with the scores at 4-4 to meet in final on the winner of the contest before serving out for the first Barcelona showpiece when he will target in the opening game and Agut in the last quarter-final between fifth seed Karolina set. (Reuters) afael Nadal booked a place a record-extending 11th title 10th-ranked Goffin held to on Friday, began to wilt. in the Barcelona Open in Barcelona a week after take a 2-0 lead. The Belgian finally came finalR by breezing past David claiming the Monte Carlo Nadal immediately broke out fighting in the sixth game Goffin 6-4 6-0 yesterday with Masters for the 11th time. back to level and the home but eventually succumbed to Dan Evans surges to his 18th successive claycourt Nadal has won every final favourite broke again in the claycourt specialist Nadal, win and 400th overall on the he has played in Barcelona. 10th to take the first set. surrendering serve for the surface. The Mallorcan got off to The Spaniard came into third time in the set by firing victory in first match World number one Nadal a slow start in the semi-final his own in the second while a shot beyond the baseline, will meet Greek teenager on the Rafael Nadal Court Goffin, who had to play three ending a match lasting one Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s as he surrendered his service sets against Roberto Bautista hour 22 minutes. (Eurosport) Step Back puts Bradstocks on Gold Cup Sandown Park he tiny Letcombe Bassett yard of Mark and Sara Bradstock,T made famous by ’s Gold Cup success, is back in the big time thanks to Step Back, who galloped his Dan Evans (file pic) rivals into the ground in the . set point, Evans dug out a fine The lightly raced chaser was here was rust and a few low volley to set up his first surely unknown to all but the extra pounds but also match point and took it with most ardent followers of racing plentyT of signs that Dan Evans a winner on the run until this contest, problems remains a high-quality tennis that left him shaking his head. having combined to shroud his player as he marked his return He said: “I pretty much felt light, but he is now a serious from a year-long drugs ban like I’d won the tournament. prospect for with victory over countryman I didn’t know what was going next year. Ed Corrie. to happen today so it’s good “We’ve got no bloody The 27-year-old tired to come out on top and get horses, that’s the trouble,” towards the end of the 6-3 7-6 another chance to play again said Sara Bradstock, grinning (8/6) win but did enough to tomorrow. a little ruefully in the winner’s book his place in the second “I was pleasantly surprised. I enclosure. “We prove again Jamie Moore riding Step Back (left) on their way to win- round of qualifying at the played better than I have been. and again that we can do it if ning the big handicap chase (Pic courtesy: theguardian) Glasgow Challenger. Some parts of my game need you give us the horses.” The final three points a bit of work but it’s the first Step Back was bought at an showed why Evans is a talent match. I felt fine physically. I auction in Cheltenham two when the money seemed lost I knew he was in really, really who was for so long a source of British tennis has never been was getting a bit tired towards years ago for £45,000, about a for good. good nick. He’s the most lovely gravitas for prepared to let slip away despite the end but after so long off tenth of what one can expect “He’s had terrible problems horse and he just jumps and and had previously been an various misdemeanours, of that’s pretty normal I think.” to pay for the very best chasing with his muscle enzymes,” gallops forever.” amateur of some skill. which the latest was by far the Evans did not pick up a prospects. It looks like good Bradstock said. “He’s taxed us Victory raised happy He won the second running most serious. racket between learning of business now but evidently and the vets and the farriers memories of Bradstock’s father, of this race, 60 years ago, on After whipping a backhand his failed test last June and there have since been times and everybody. But he’s a star. the much-missed John Oaksey Taxidermist. (theguardian) winner past Corrie to save a February 24. (PA Sport)