Latest- Swaitek dominates, Ko climbs leaderboard, Alker dream run continues, Na leaves PGA Tour, England fall to Hungary
Newly crowned French Open women's champion Iga Swiatek urged Ukraine on Saturday to "stay strong" following the invasion by Russia.
Minutes after she had crushed American Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3, the Polish top seed, who played the entire tournament with a ribbon in the Ukrainian colours pinned to her cap, said: "I would like to say something to Ukraine. Stay strong, the war is still there.
Iga Swaitek celebrates Photo: JB Autissier
Swiatek, who is on a 35-match winning run, had addressed the situation in Ukraine following her title win in Doha on February 26, two days after Russian troops had launched the invasion.
The men's and women's tennis tours have banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions following the invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", but allowed players from the two countries to compete as neutrals.
Poland was the European Union country that in March granted temporary protection to the highest number of Ukrainians fleeing war, with 675,085 Ukrainians seeking refuge there, EU data showed on Friday.
Gauff praised the Pole for mentioning Ukraine, saying it was important to speak out.
The war has triggered Europe's worst refugee crisis since the end of World War Two, as more than 6 million people fled Ukraine, a United Nations' migration report said in May.
Swiatek ruthlessly crushed American teenager Gauff with her punishing groundstrokes to end the encounter in just over an hour.
"Two years ago winning this title was amazing. Honestly I wouldn't expect it, ever. But this time I feel like I worked hard and did everything to get here even though it was pretty tough. The pressure was big," she said.
Swiatek, who dropped just one set in the entire tournament, had earlier teared up when hearing the Polish national anthem following her win.
Reuters
Ko makes a move, Alker keeps the foot down
Lydia Ko has made a move in round three of the US Womens Open in North Carolina.
Lydia Ko Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ko fired a round of the day 66 to move from 21st place into a share of fourth.
The 25 year old is 7 shots behind Australian leader Minjee Lee.
Lee leads by three shots at 13 under par.
Meanwhile on the Champions Tour, Steve Alker is in a share of the lead at the latest event in Des Moines Iowa.
Alker, who last week won his first senior major at the Senior PGA Championship, shot a flawless 64 in round two to sit at 13 under par.
The 50 year old currently leads the season long points race for the PGA Tour Champions
Kevin Na resigns from PGA Tour, will play in LIV Golf series
Kevin Na is resigning from the PGA Tour and will join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, he announced Saturday.
A five-time winner on the PGA Tour, Na announced on social media that his reasoning for his resignation is to avoid facing potential discipline and/or legal action for competing in the rival tour. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan previously told tour members that players who elect to participate in the LIV league face disciplinary action, which could include fines, suspensions and potential banishment from the PGA Tour.
Kevin Na is walking away from the PGA Tour Photo: Matthew Bolt/Icon Sportswire
"For 19 years, I've played on the PGA Tour and I have loved every minute of it. I appreciate the platform the tour has provided me to play the game that I love and for the opportunities that have come with it," Na, 38, wrote on both Twitter and Instagram.
"Recent developments in the professional golf world have given me a chance to reconsider my options. I would like the freedom to play where I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity. However to remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make these choices about my career. If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour.
"I am sad to share that I have chosen to resign from the PGA Tour. This has not been an easy decision and not one I take lightly. I hope the current policies change and I'll be able to play on the PGA Tour again."
Na, who is ranked 33rd in the world, was listed in the field for next week's inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event outside London. Other notable names in the field include former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Englishmen Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Richard Bland, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Germany's Martin Kaymer and South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace.
For 2022, LIV Golf will hold eight events with a total payout of $255 million.
Na's most recent victory was the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii. Na, who has earned nearly $38 million during his PGA Tour career, was born in South Korea and lives in Las Vegas.
--Field Level Media
England lose to Hungary
A second-half penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai earned Hungary a shock 1-0 win over England in the Nations League on Saturday - their first victory against Gareth Southgate's side in 60 years.
Looking to get their preparations for the Qatar World Cup, which begins later this year, up and running, England were surprisingly second best from the off in Budapest, and were fortunate to go into the break all square.
The hosts kept coming and made their pressure count as Szoboszlai converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute after Zsolt Nagy was fouled by Chelsea defender Reece James - a decision which incensed the England players.
England pressed as they looked for a leveller, but they could not create that killer chance as their Nations League campaign got off to a disappointing start.
The tests keep coming with Germany England's next League A, Group Three opponents on Tuesday, while Hungary will look to make it five wins in six when they face European champions Italy.
Hungary were forced to host England 'behind closed doors' after being disciplined by both FIFA and UEFA for repeated racist behaviour from their fans, but the Hungarian FA said last month that children could attend the match at the Puskas Arena.
Under Article 73 of UEFA's disciplinary regulations, children up to the age of 14 from schools and/or football academies can be invited to a 'behind closed doors' match free of charge, provided they are accompanied by an adult, meaning the stadium could be half full, mostly with children.
Some of those in attendance chose to boo the England players as they took the knee in protest against racial injustice before kick off.
Reuters
