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New Zealand's Erin Routliffe (right) and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski have won their second round at the Australian Open PHOTO: NZSW New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski have won ugly into the third round of the women's doubles at the Australian Open. The No 2 seeds were down a set but eventually defeated Maia Lumsden from Britain and the Czech Republic’s Anna Siskova 4-6 6-3 6-4 again having to find a rhythm to game after a three set win in round one. LATEST HEADLINES: Ryan Fox, Daniel Hillier top 10 in Dubai Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win Venus loses in Australian Open first round Chiefs returning to the Bay on Anzac Day Phoenix take draw against Sydney FC Dabrowski was broken in the opening game of the match as the highly ranked pair struggle against their lower ranked oppoents who eventually wrapped up the first set on a couple of mistakes from the Canadian player Into the second set it was Siskova who was broken in the second game and the Kiwi - Candian combo reached a 4-2 lead only for Dabrowski to drop her serve, but they broke the Brit's serve next and then Routliffe finished it off. In the third set the second seeds took a 3-0 lead only the scored to make it's way to 4-4 after a Dabrowski break. Siskova was up 40-0 in the next game, but after a long series of points Routliffe and Dabrowski came back to get the break. Routliffe then served out the match in a scarppy victory, but in the end it's not how you win, but the result that matters.

Chiefs player Rameka Poihipi in action in Super Rugby Pacific 2024 will get to play at Bay Oval this season on ANZAC Day PHOTO: SIMON WATTS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY After more than a decade, the Chiefs will to return to Tauranga to play a regular season game at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. It's the first time that a Super Rugby Pacific fixture is played at this sports ground, which has been largely used for cricket. LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix take draw against Sydney Routliffe, Dabrowski first round win Wood 13th goal in Forest draw Williamson, Kiwis in Pakistan T20's Sun struggles at Australian Open The Chiefs will face the Western Force in round 11 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition on Friday 25th April kick off 7:05 pm. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said it's a great coup for the city. “I’m excited that our community will experience Super Rugby in Tauranga for the first time in over ten years, inaugurally at the iconic Bay Oval. We look forward to welcoming the Gallagher Chiefs and the Western Force to our city for what I’m sure will be a fantastic evening of rugby.” Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillian can't wait to take the team back to the Bay and a new venue too. “it's great to bring Super Rugby back to my home region and know that our fans will appreciate the opportunity to see the team play in their backyard at this premiere sports ground.” Being on Anzac Day adds to what will be a special occasion and will feature an Anzac service supported by the RSA in Mount Maunganui.

Ryan Fox along with feloow New Zealander Daniel Hillier are inside the top 10 after the first round at the DP World Tour Dubai Classic PHOTO: DP WORLD TOUR New Zealand golfers Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier are tied for ninth after carding four-under par 68's in the opening round of the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic, They are three strokes off the lead in a group of nine players. LATEST HEADLINES: Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win Venus loses in Australian Open first round Chiefs returning to the Bay on Anzac Day Phoenix take draw against Sydney FC Routliffe, Dabrowski get first round vict ory The lead iss held by three players at seven-under with one of them American amateur David Ford alongside Australian David Mecheluzzi and Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia. Fox hit bogeys on the second and 11th holes, but birdies at three, five, seven, 10, 13 and the 17th. Twenty-six-year-old Hillier had just one bogey at the 18th to spoil his round. Otherwise he birdied at the third and ninth holes. On the back nine he had two consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th with one more on the 17th. Defending champion Rory McIlroy is at two-under after the first round.

The Central Hinds were too strong for the Canterbury Magicians while the Stags beat the Kings in Super Smash cricket PHOTO: IAN COOPOER/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY A double for Central Districts in the latest round of Super Smash cricket as they defeated Canterbuiry in both women's and men's competition. Victory for the Central Hinds was a first for the season as they saw off fellow cellar-dwellers Canterbury. The Hinds beating the Magicians by eight wickets in Napier. LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe, Dabrowski battle into 3rd round Ryan Fox, Daniel Hillier top 10 in Dubai Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win Venus loses in Australian Open first round Chiefs returning to the Bay on Anzac Day Set 120 for victory after bowling the visitors out for 119 with Nat Cox top scoring with 28. Jess Ogden taking 3-19. The hosts cruised to the target in 17 overs, finishing on 120 for 2, Hollie Armitage making 78 not out. Despite the victory, the Hinds remain last and highly unlikely to make the finals. Meanwhile the Central Stags won the men's game by 15 runs over the Canterbury Kings. Curtis Heaphy was top scoring for the Stags with 78 before being caught Kyle Jamieson, bowled Zak Foulkes. Tom Bruce was left 50 not out in the CD total of 190-4. In reply the Kings, who featured 10 current or former internationals made 175-8 in their 20 overs. Mitch Hay with 35 and Michael Rippon 38 were the only Canterbury players to score over 30 runs in the loss as Blair Tickner took 4-34.

A huge effort by Sam Mennenga as he put up a career-best 29 points as the NZ Breakers won at home over the Tasmania JackJumpers. It was the lowest-scoring first quarter for Tasmania with just eight points, but a comeback in the second and third had them in contention, but not enough as the Breakers prevailed 95-85 at Auckland's Spark Arena on Thursday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Venus loses in Australian Open first round Chiefs returning to the Bay on Anzac Day Phoenix take draw against Sydney FC Routliffe, Dabrowski get first round vict ory Wood scores his 13th goal in Forest draw The Breakers welcomed back superstar point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright after a five-game suspension against a JackJumpers team without Majok Deng, Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald. It had the potential for Tacko Fall to dominate inside for the home team with Tasmania missing big men Magnay and Deng, but it ended up being Mennenga who took the most advantage for a career-best night. It was a rollercoaster affair with Breakers dominating the first quarter to lead 19-8 but the visitors making 37 points for their highest ever scoring second quarter with Jordon Crawford putting up 17 of those in a stunning turnaround. The JackJumpers ended up leading by as much as 10 early in the third quarter, but the Breakers worked back led by Mennenga from there and then dominated the fourth term. NZ Breakers big man Sam Mennenga took control in his sides win over the JackJumpers in the ANBL. PHOTO: ANBL The outscored Tasmania 24-13 in the last 10 minutes to score their second win in their last 14 minutes to improve to a 9-15 record. It's a first win at home for the Breakers since November 2 against Adelaide with Mennenga producing 29 points and nine rebounds on a remarkably efficient 13/15 shooting including 3/4 from downtown. 'Next Star' Karim Lopez had another 17 points and two blocks with Matt Mooney adding 11 points and 11 assists, Fall 11 points and seven rebounds, and the returning Jackson-Cartwright eight points, six boards and five assists. The loss from the JackJumpers leaves the door open for the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets with them now 12-12 with Crawford finishing with 26 points and four assists. Fabijan Krslovic also 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, Milton Doyle 10 points, six boards and five assists, and Anthony Drmic nine points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jackson-Cartwright was back from suspension for the home side and made the perfect start stealing Tasmania's development player Nick Stoddart to score the game's first points. The Breakers would soon score eight straight points before Matt Mooney knocked down a three, and Tacko Fall made a couple of buckets and the Breakers led 19-8 after one on the back of 60 per cent shooting and forcing Tasmania into eight turnovers. Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford were kept scoreless in the opening stanza, but that changed dramatically in the second stanza. Clint Steindl got the ball rolling for the defending champions when he knocked down a three but then Crawford got going with 10 quick points to fire the JackJumpers right back into the contest. Tasmania then closed out the first half with the last 11 points with Doyle and Crawford scoring nine of those which saw them turn a 13-point deficit into six-point half-time lead after their best ever second period. Steindl landed another three to start the second half for the JackJumpers to stretch their lead to nine points but the Breakers fired back and it was Mennenga leading their charge. He scored 10 points on his own in the quarter and then Fall came on for a couple of quick buckets, but still a triple from Crawford just before three quarter-time saw the JackJumpers leading 62-61. Mennenga regained the lead for the Breakers with his third three-pointer of the game to open the fourth and the Breakers ended up starting the term with an 11-2 run with Mennenga putting up seven of those. The Breakers lead was back out to double-figures with four minutes to play thanks to Matt Mooney hitting a three ball and from there the Breakers got the job done to win by 10. The Breakers now head to Melbourne to play the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday while the JackJumpers go to Sydney to play a rested Sydney Kings on Sunday afternoon. NZ Breakers 85 (Sam Mennenga 29, Karim Lopez 17, Matt Mooney 11, Tacko Fall 11) Tasmania JackJumpers 75 (Jordon Crawford 26, Fabijan Krslovic 14, Milton Doyle 10)

New Zealand's Michael Venus (right) and Croatia's Nikola Mektic lost their first round match at the Australian Open NPHOTO: NZSW The highs and lows of pro tennis have featured recently for New Zealand doubles player Michael Venus. He reached the quarterfinals with Croatian Nikola Mektic in Brisbane in week one of the year, then won the title at Auckland, but found themselves defeated in the first round of the Australian Open. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs in the Bay on ANZAC Day Phoenix take draw against Sydney Routliffe, Dabrowski first round win Wood 13th goal in Forest draw Williamson, Kiwis in Pakistan T20's The match started badly for the Kiwi and Croatian pair as Mektic got broken in the opening game. However the fifth seeds were able to come back into the set and win the serve of Borges to level the score at 4-4 and go ahead 6-5 before the the Portuguese forced the tiebreak and raced away with the set. The second set was tight initially, but serving at 3-4 Mektic was broken again and Borges then served out the match to love.. “No matter who you play, it's going to be a few points here or there and if you can take the momentum when you get it and kind of roll with it, you'll probably do a little bit better,” said Venus after the match. "Unfortunately, it was not an ideal start, but these things are going to happen throughout the year, and it's about how you rebound and come back from them. “We did a good job getting back in the set and really turned that momentum around. “We were 6-5, 0-30 there and had a look at a couple of those points that the majority of the time, maybe we take one of those and then we're looking at set point. “You do that, and things can swing quite quickly in the other direction.” Thirty-seven-year-old Venus will now combine with fellow Kiwi Erin Routliffe in the mixed doubles.

Alby Kelly-Heald was keeper for the Phoenix was joined by his twin Lukas in the side as they drew with Sydney FC PHOTO: A-LEAGUE A big night for the Wellington Phoenix as they farewelled club stalwart David Ball, had a set of twins on the field and gained a vaulable point. Sydney thought they had a win with a penalty in the 69th minute however it was overturned upon VAR review as Wellington defender Isaac Hughes was adjudged to have made contact with the ball before Patryk Klimala went to ground. LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe, Dabrowski first round win Wood 13th goal in Forest draw Williamson, Kiwis in Pakistan T20's Sun struggles at Australian Open Super Rugby release for Stevenson It extended Sydney’s drought away to the Phoenix in New Zealand to six years while history was made as Wellington goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald was handed his starting A-Leagues debut at the expense of number one shot-stopper Josh Oluwayemi at Sky Stadium. With brother Lukas also in the line-up, it meant there were only the third set of twins to play in an A-League match, and the youngest at 19-years-old. The duo were also the first twins to play for the Phoenix and they helped keep a clean sheet. Lukas Kelly-Healdjoined brother Alby as one of only three sets of twins to play in the A-League as the Phoenix drew with Sydney FC PHOTO: A-LEAGUE After ending their two-game losing streak, the Phoenix are ninth and seven points outside the top six, including Sydney, who move into the top four. The Phoenix fired an early warning shot via Kosta Barbarouses, who was chasing his 100th goal. Sydney applied pressure as the half wore on and dominated periods of the contest but the Phoenix – coming off back-to-back losses, managed to deal with Joe Lolley and Co. Harrison Devenish-Meares did not have too much to do in the opening half, though the Sky Blues goalkeepers was forced into a diving save by Isaac Hughes with half-time approaching. Sydney tried their luck from distance a couple of times, with Alby Kelly-Heald keeping out Adrian Segecic’s long-range effort in the second half, which was disrupted by injuries to Wellington full-back Sam Sutton and Sydney’s Zac De Jesus. Patryk Klimala had a great chance to put Sydney ahead in the 66th minute but Sydney’s former Celtic striker directed his header just over the crossbar after finding himself unmarked. The referee awarded Sydney a penalty in the 69th minute after Klimala went down under a Hughes challenge and the Phoenix defender immediately protested his innocence and the decision was overturned upon a VAR review.

New Zealand's Erin Rouliffe and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski staged a significant comeback to win their first round women’s doubles match at the Australian Open. PHOTO: NZSW A big comeback has seen New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski win a difficult first round clash at the Australian Open. The second seeds were down a set and 0-3 in the third against Americans Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk before winning the next six games for the 4-6-4 6-4 victory in just over two hours on a windy court 12. LATEST HEADLINES: Wood 13th goal in Forest draw Williamson, Kiwis in Pakistan T20's Sun struggles at Australian Open Super Rugby release for Stevenson David Havili new Crusaders capt On paper the match was going to be tough with Collins known for her fight and low, powerful shots while Krawczyk is currently 11th in the world and has been as high as No 7. In an sometimes messy first set there were ome early holds mixed with Krawczyk getting broken but then both Dabrowski and Routliffe dropped their serves as the Americans moved ahead. There were no break points in the second set until the 10th game, when Collins went down 15-40 on her serve, to give Routliffe and Dabrowski two sets points and on the second of them Dabrowski hit a winner for the set. The thid set started with Dabrowski being broken and Rouliffe the same fate a couple of games later as the score went to 0-3. However as doubles so often shows things can change quickly. The Kiwi and Canadian broke Krawczyk in the next game, the Dabrowski held serve before Collins lost her serve to make it 3-3. Routliffe then held her own serve and for the first time in the match the pair took a significant lead 4-3. Krawczyk was broken yet again as Dabrowski got the opportunity to serve it out for a place in the second round, but after a long rally, the Americans saved the match point. However, on a second match point Routliffe and Dabrowski sealed a somewhat unlikely win.

Chris Wood scored for Nottingham Forest in the draw with Liverpool in the EPL PHOTO: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Another game, another goal for New Zealand's Chris Wood as Nottingham Forest cam agonisingly close to defeating Liverpool in the Premier League The end result was a 1-1 draw leaving Liverpool six points clear of Forest with a game. However despite the draw the result proved once and for all that Forest deserve their place in the top few teams this season. LATEST HEADLINES: Williamson, Kiwis in Pakistan T20's Sun struggles at Australian Open Super Rugby release for Stevenson David Havili new Crusaders capt Hillier, Jones look for NZ Open win Wood's goal came after Anthony Elanga pushed a pass beyond Virgil van Dijk into the path of striker Chris Wood who was clinical with his finish for his 13th goal of the season in the eighth minute of play The score remained 1-0 until the 66h minute when Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota combined to header the ball home.. It was Jota's first touch, and Liverpool's fastest goal by a substitute in a Premier League match since records began in 2006-07. As both sides battled for a winner neither team could find the winner at the City Ground in front of a passionte crowd who willed their side for more but couldn't find goal in an otherwise entertaing game. The draw has Forest second on the points table on 41 points after 21 games with Arsenal a point behind and facing Spurs next.

Kane Williamson is currently in South Africa but will now play the Pakistan T20 Super League after missing out on the IPL PHOTO: DURBAN SUPER GIANTS Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is one of a number of New Zealand players to receive contracts in Pakistan T20 Super League. Williamson missed out on the Indian Premier League and instead will play for the Karachi Kings having also missed the initial draft in Pakistan. LATEST HEADLINES: Sun struggles at Australian Open Super Rugby release for Stevenson David Havili new Crusaders capt Hillier, Jones look for NZ Open win Breakers broken by Goulding 3's He's been joined at the Karachi Kings by former Australian international David Warner. Currently Williamson is in the South African T20 competition playing for the Durban Super Giants. Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson and Adam Milne have also been signed by Pakistan franchises. Tim Southee and Jimmy Neesham did not pick up contracts. The PSL runs from 10 April to 25 May, over the same dates as the Indian Premier League. All up nine New Zealanders will play in the PSL, with Colin Munro at Islamabad United and Northern Districts wicketkeeper Tim Seifert at the Karachi Kings having both retained by their franchises. There are seven New Zealand players in the IPL; bowlers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, batters Devon Conway, Bevon Jacobs and Rachin Ravindra and all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner.

Lulu Sun (pictured) had her chances in her first round match against Danka Kovinic but finished up losing in straight sets PHOTO: NZSW In the ruthless world of professional tennis New Zealand's Lulu Sun hasn't won a match so far this year with three first round losses, the latest at the Australian Open. Sun ranked 43rd lost to Danka Kovinic from Montenegro 6-3 7-5 on a windy and noisy court six at Melbourne Park. LATEST HEADLINES: Super Rugby release for Stevenson David Havili new Crusaders capt Hillier, Jones look for NZ Open win Breakers broken by Goulding 3's Young riders take NZ MTB titles The loss followed opening defeats at the ASB Classic and then the Hobart WTA event. :"To be honest it was a pretty bad much from my part. but props to her she's coming back as well she played decently and she was the better player today. It's pretty disappointing.I haven't felt that well in my matches," said 23-year-old Sun. "I feel like these past three matches the scored is close, but it's not where I want to be on a consistent level and where I want to be." In the first set Sun looked a little lost as she struggled to get any rhythm and feature in any rallies. She was broken in the eighth game and the set went quickly from there. In the second there was a break each before both players held their serve until 5-5, however the New Zealander was then broken and Kovinic held her own serve for the match. Overall Sun made 44 unforced errors compared to her opponents 16, although she did hit nearly twice as many winners at 21 to 12. Sun and Dutchwoman Fanny Stollar take on top seed Katerina Siniakova (Czech) and American Taylor Townsend in their first round doubles match.

Alyssa Whinham put in the cross for the Wellington Phoenix women which was deflected in for a goal agaainst Adelaide PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Wellington Phoenix women have been beaten for the first time in 2025, losing 2-1 to Adelaide United in the heat.. Adelaide scored both of their goals late in the first half to lead 2-0 at break and held on despite conceding an own goal in the 59th minute. LATEST HEADLINES: Lulu Sun keen to get back to winning Black Caps pace for Champions Trophy Black Caps well-beaten in Eden Park ODI Another NBL loss for New Zealand Breakers Wellington Phoenix side continues to struggle Fatigue seemed to play it's part for the Nix who beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 on Thursday but were not able to complete the double on Sunday. The result sees the two sides trade places on thepoints table with Adelaide moving into fourth and Wellington dropping to fifth and level on points with sixth-placed Central Coast. The match kicked off in 34C degree heat at Marden Sports Complex and play was stopped twice in each half for drinks breaks. The Phoenix looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the opening 15 minutes but could not convert opportunities. Adelaide finished the half the stronger of the two sides keeping hold of possesion and staging a couple of late attacks. The Phoenix found themselves behind in the 41st minute when Carolina Vilão was unable to claim a cross-come-shot from Emily Condon as she was put under pressure by Adelaide captain Ella Tonkin. Vilão believed she was fouled but the goal stood. Three minutes later Adelaide doubled their lead when Chelsie Dawber won possession inside Wellington's half, and slotted home from six yards out and the Nix were unable to find a way back into the match before half-time. Alyssa Whinham helped the Phoenix pull a goal back before the first drinks break of the second half when she delivered a cross from the byline that Lucia Leon turned into her own net. The Phoenix will make the long trip back to Wellington today and will be back at home on Sunday to play Newcastle Jets at Porirua Park.