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Hamish Kerr on his way to gold in the Rabat Diamond League PHOTO: WANDA DIAMOND LEAGUE Olympic highjump champion Hamish Kerr has claimed gold at the Rabat Diamond League, claiming his first win of 2025 in the men’s high jump. Competing at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco, the fourth stop on this year’s Diamond League circuit, New Zealanders competed in five disciplines against some of the world’s best in one of athletics’ premier global series. LATEST HEADLINES: Mystics close win over Steel in Premiership New Zealand team World Aquatics Champs Alker rallies at Senior Major, Kobori top-10 Disastrous start for NZ drivers at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Kerr continued his early-season form with a clean scorecard through 2.16m, 2.21m, and 2.25m the lead ahead of a strong field that included JuVaughn Harrison (USA) and fellow Oceanian Yual Reath (AUS). When no athlete managed to clear the next height of 2.28m, Kerr was awarded victory on countback. Kerr relished the competition in Rabat “The crowd was great, and it’s my first time in Africa. I’m already looking forward to being back next year.” “Just being patient this season, I feel like I’m building nicely, each comp we’re learning and developing and pushing a bit deeper into the curve and the run up….I’m very happy with where I’m at, obviously wanting a little bit more, but that’s the nature of the beast. I’m looking forward to Rome [Diamond League] in a couple of weeks.” Said Kerr, reflecting on his performances in Rabat. In the women’s pole vault, Imogen Ayris recorded her best-ever Diamond League finish, clearing 4.50m to place fourth. Olivia McTaggart also opened at 4.30m, needing three attempts to progress, and finished ninth overall after being unable to clear 4.50m. Tom Walsh, coming off a second-in Zagreb, continued his early-season campaign with a best throw of 21.41m in round five to finish sixth in the men’s shot put. The field featured eight athletes throwing over 21 metres, including world-leading competitors like Payton Otterdahl (USA), Joe Kovacs (USA), and Leonardo Fabbri (ITA). In the women’s 100m, Zoe Hobbs clocked 11.16s to finish fifth, just shy of her season’s best of 11.11 set at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships. Jamaican sprint star Shericka Jackson took the win in 11.04. Sam Tanner kicked off his international season in a competitive men’s 1500m field. He sat at the back of the pack through the early stages but closed strongly, overtaking five athletes over the final lap to finish 13th in 3:35.48. The race was won by USA’s Jonah Koech in a meeting record and world lead of 3:31.43. The next meet on Diamond League calendar for the Kiwis is the Rome Diamond League on 6 June, with Tanner, Kerr, and Walsh set to return. Hobbs and Walsh will compete on the World Athletics Continental Tour at the Irena Szewińska Memorial in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on the 30th of May.

The Steel came close but couldn't quite beat the Mystics PHOTO: NETBALL NZ/MICAHEL BRADLEY PHTOGRAPHY The Northern Mystics kept their unbeaten record intact after snatching a dramatic last-gasp 55-54 win over Southern Steel to close out Round 3 in Dunedin.. Losing their key shooting weapon Donnell Wallam just ahead of the three-quarter break to injury, the Mystics produced a masterstroke when shifting dynamic midcourt pivot Peta Toeava into the goal attack role for the last nine minutes. LATEST HEADLINES: New Zealand team World Aquatics Champs Alker rallies at Senior Major, Kobori top-10 Disastrous start for NZ drivers at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders It turned out to be a pulsating nine minutes, Toeava proving she’s a magician in most positions on the court as the teams turned on a thirilling contest. Down by five at the last break, intercepts to defender Carys Stythe and Kimiora Poi set the Steel up for a spirited comeback. Mystics shooter Filda Vui negated the Steel’s two-point lead to level the scores with a super shot with under two minutes to play. One last Holly Rae turnover gave the Mystics the sniff they needed to clinch a hard-fought win against an impressive Steel challenge. The result helped the visitors retain the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy in a match which also celebrated umpire Kristie Simpson, who was officiating in her 150th national league match. Still missing midcourter Kate Heffernan through injury, the Steel retained their winning starting seven from the previous week. For the visitors, goal attack Hannah Glen got her first start of the season in an otherwise predictable line-up. The connection between clever feeder Peta Toeava and her tall shooting target Wallam was evident from the first whistle as the Mystics quickly sprung into action with their quick through-court transition. The Steel needed to show more patience threading the ball through in the face of strong defence but showing traits of old, the southerners ball retention was a feature. The visitors held the slimmest of early leads where Wallam and her opposite Aliyah Dunn showed perfect positioning and great accuracy under the hoop. With everything very even on the statistics sheet, a steady, calm and patient Steel forged their way into the lead, Georgia Heffernan nailing the first and only super shot of the quarter to take the momentum and a 17-13 lead into the first break. Both shooters remained in dominant form on the resumption where a goal-for-goal stand-off was the order of play for the opening exchanges. Both teams spun the ball through court seamlessly with Steel centre Poi in the thick of all the action. A lift in the Mystics intensity helped the visitors eventually gain the slightest of edges through the second spell. The injection of super shot specialist Vui at goal attack for the last five minutes paid off handsomely in changing momentum the Mystics’ way.. With unassuming ease, Vui drilled three super shots to Heffernan’s one as the Mystics hit the front when taking a tenuous 31-30 lead at the main break. The Mystics opened the third quarter with serious intent, tightening the screws and disrupting the Steel’s attacking flow. Captain Micahela Sokolich-Beatson was a telling presence from wing defence, upsetting the Steel’s feeds into the circle while getting her hands on a succession of turnover ball. It resulted in errors from the Steel, who at the other end of the court couldn’t harness the growing dominance of pin-point feeds from Toeava and Vui into the safe hands of Wallam. With the Mystics lead stretching out to six, Dunn showed she could shoot from anywhere when slotting a super shot to keep the Steel well in the race. Disaster struck on the brink of three-quarter time when Wallam fell heavily while trying to retrieve a rebound, sustaining a wrist injury in the process and forcing her off the court. Vui went back to goal shoot with Glen returning to goal attack as the Mystics headed into the last break with a 47-42 lead

Andrew Jeffcoat celebrates hitting the qualification time for the World Aquatics Championships. PHOTO: SIMON WATTS BW MEDIA Three Backstroke swimmers qualified for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on the final day of racing at the 2025 New Zealand Swimming Championships in Auckland. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Andrew Jeffcoat led the way for the backstrokers. The 25-year-old had taken a step back from the sport but returned to the pool this year. LATEST HEADLINES: Alker rallies at Senior Major, Kobori top-10 Disastrous start for NZ drivers at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership He wasted no time in showing he’s still got what it takes, winning the 50m Backstroke national title in 24.89s, to again go under the qualification time for the World Aquatics Championships which he had achieved in the heats this morning. The women’s 50m Backstroke saw another two swimmers hit the World Champs qualification time. Amber George swam a 27.92s to win the national title and again go under the Worlds qualification mark. Savannah-Eve Martin posted the time required in her morning heat, clocking 28.50s in the final to place third. Laura Quilter placed second in 28.43s. The multi class events produced some of the standout moments of the night. In the men’s 200m Individual Medley multi class final Asher Smith-Franklin (SM14) emptied the tank as he desperately tried to swim under the time required for the World Para Swimming Champs. The 19-year-old powered home in the last 50m, slapping the water and yelling in delight as he made the time required, touching the wall in 2:16.06s to also break his SM14 New Zealand record. Daniel Smith placed first in the event to set an SM19 New Zealand record in 2:21.91s. Ian Chen took second while Smith-Franklin placed third. The 200m women’s Individual Medley multi class saw Gaby Smith (SM10) again swim under the qualification time for the World Para Swimming Championships. Smith powered across the pool to take the win in 2:43.21s, Charlotte Murphy was also impressive, placing second to set an SM6 New Zealand record in 4:12.53s. McKenzie Drage (SM8) placed third. The women’s 1500m Freestyle saw Olympian Caitlin Deans pace hersel well, finishing strong to go comfortably under the World Championships qualification time in 16:12.18s. Eve Thomas placed second and Sophie Hay third. Georgina McCarthy delivered a fantastic swim in the women’s 200m Individual Medley. The Hamilton Aquatics swimmer was particularly strong in the backstroke and built her lead throughout the race to clock a time of 2:15.38s. Zyleika Pratt-Smith was second and Monique Wieruszowski third. The men’s 200m Individual Medley was a tight race. Sam Brown from Coast Swimming Club was leading at the 100m mark. Kevin Zhang put in a gutsy effort attempting to reel him in but had to settle for second as Brown touched the wall in 2:03.47s. Blair Helms placed third. The final races of the evening saw the 4x100m medley relays. North Shore Swimming Club A won the women’s event in 4:07.82s, while Coast Swimming Club A won the men’s in 3:44.03s. The Aquablacks teams for the World Aquatics Championships and the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships were named, however one of he stars of the meet Hazel Ouwehand who broke her own 50m Butterfly New Zealand record decided not to put her name forward for selection. The team for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, to be held in Singapore in July and August, is: Lewis Clareburt Louis Clark (debutant) Caitlin Deans Erika Fairweather Amber George (debutant) Finn Harland (debutant) Andrew Jeffcoat Savannah-Eve Martin (debutant) Zoe Pedersen (debutant) Laura Quilter Milana Tapper (debutant) Eve Thomas The team for the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships, to be held in Romania in August, is: Milan Glintmeyer Daniel Kregting Alyssa Lawson James Leigh Ariel Muchirahondo Zoe Pederson Igor Russanov Alyssa Tapper Monique Wieruszowski

Ryan Fox is top-10 after two rounds of the PGA tournament at Myrtle Beach PHOTO: PGA TOUR New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox is tied for ninth after the second round the PGA Tour's Mrytle Beach Classic. He's shot a one-under 70 to move to seven-under for the tournament after an eagle, four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues beat Drua playoffs still alive Auckland United FC OFC League Fox top-five PGA, Ko down order Delany Tall Blacks for trans-Tasman Murray leads NZ riders at UCI MTB Fox needs to win the tournament to make it into next week's second major of the year - the PGA Championship. Meanwhile Lydia Ko is tied 13th at the LPGA tournament at Jersey City five-under after a second round 70. She's three shots back from the leaders. Fellow New Zealander Fiona Xu missed the cut. Kazuma Kobori has just made it inside the cut after a second round 69 to be one-under at the DP World Tour in Antalya in Turkey. However he's 10 shots behind the leader Martin Couvra of France.

Seven tries for Portia Woodman-Witcliffe in the Black Ferns win over USA PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Black Ferns have re-taken the Pacific Four Series title with a fearless and frantic 79-14 thrashing of the USA at North Harbour Stadium over the weekend. Following Canada’s 45-7 blitz of Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the Black Ferns had to pile on the points against the Eagles by 25 points with a four-try bonus point. LATEST HEADLINES: Disastrous start for Kiwis at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Harrison wins fifth Auckland squash title Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored seven tries, passing Vanessa Coutts as the Black Ferns all-time leading try scorer with 45 in 26 Tests. Cootes scored 43 tries in 16 Tests. Her most famous performance was against the USA when she scored five tries in the Black Ferns first Rugby World Cup final win in Amsterdam in 1998. In 1999, Tammi Wilson scored six tries against the USA in Palmerston North on her birthday. She bemoaned that she was at fault for the Eagles' solitary try, allowing the ball to bounce into an opponent's hand. Woodman-Wickliffe scored four tries against the USA in Belfast in the 2017 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. She matched her tally for the most tries she has scored in a Test in New Zealand. She also bagged seven in a 95-12 win against Japan at Eden Park in Auckland in 2022. She scored eight in a 121-0 whitewash of Hong Kong at the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Dublin. Cootes scored nine in a 109-0 demolition of France in Edmonton in 1996. On the opposite wing, Katelyn Vahaakolo bagged a quartet of tries to boost her tally to 23 tries in 16 Tests. She actually carried three more metres (153-150) than Woodman-Wickcliffe. The pathway for the lethal finishers to flourish was paved by the forwards. Props Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu on debut and Kate Henwood set the tone in the lower numbers. Lock Alana Bremner was twice held up over the line while Sevens superstar Jorja Miller ran amok on her debut. The 2024 Kel Tremain Memorial Medal winner had two line breaks, 69 metres gained, 13 tackles, and assisted a try for Woodman-Wickliffe. The second half was 45-0 to the hosts. Debutant halfback Risi Pouri-Lane grew in stature. First five Ruahei Demant kicked a conversion, falling over, giggling. Fullback Braxton Sorenson-McGee gained 114 metres in nine carries with two line breaks. The Black Ferns delivered double the passes of the USA, 235-117 and had 18 line breaks to one. The biggest win the Black Ferns have enjoyed against the USA was 86-8 in Edmonton in 1996. Cootes scored five tries in that match too. Hooker Georgia Ponsoby and openside Kennedy Tukuafu celebrated their 30th Test matches. Co-Captain Tukuafu labelled the Black Ferns display as “epic.” Black Ferns: 79 (Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 7, Katelyn Vahaakolo 4, Ruahei Demant, Stacey Waaka tries; Demant 4 cons, Hannah King 3 cons) USA: 14 (Freda Tafuna, Hope Rogers tries; McKenzie Hawkins 2 cons) HT: 34-14

Steven Alker finished in a share of 14th at the Senior PGA Championship in Maryland. PHOTO: PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS New Zealand golfer Steven Alker has surged on the final day for a top-20 result at golf's second senior major. Alker fired a six-under 66 in the fourth round to finish tied for 14th at the Senior PGA Championship at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on Sunday (Monday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES: Disastrous start for NZ drivers at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership Auckland FC bow out after loss to Victory The 53-year-old made four straight birdies on the front-nine, among six birdies and one bogey in the second-best round of the day, helping him get into red numbers and rise 24 places on the leaderboard. After bogeying the first hole, Alker reeled off fourth straight birdies at the par-three second and third, fourth and fifth, all par-fours, to make the turn at one-over. He added more birdies at the par-five 11th and par-four 12th to get below par for the first time since his first-nine during the opening round on Thursday (Friday NZT), before a final birdie at the par-five 16th. Alker, who had rounds of 75, 73, 72 and 66 at Congressional, finished in solo fourth at the first senior major of 2025, the Regions Tradition, last weekend. It was Alker's eighth top-20 finish in nine PGA Tour Champions tournaments this year, remaining second in the Schwab Cup standings behind Miguel Angel Jimenez. Alker had the day's best round by two strokes, ahead of Dane Thomas Bjorn and Irishman Padraig Harrington, who both finished one stroke behind the winner, Argentinian Angel Cabrera. On the Ladies European Tour, Momoka Kobori has recorded her second straight top-10 result to move to 28th in the Order of Merit. Kobori posted an even-par 71 in the third and final round of the Ladies Open at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France to finish tied for 10th at four-under, six shots back of the winner, Czech Sara Kouskova. Kobori aced the par-three eighth and made three other birdies, but also had three bogeys and a double-bogey. She carded rounds of 70, 68 and 71. Fellow Kiwi Wenyung Keh missed the cut by four shots after rounds of 70 and 81. Kobori's younger brother Kazuma also had an impressive result at the DP World Tour's Soudal Open in Belgium. Kazuma Kobori carded a one-under 70 in the final round at the Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp on Sunday (Monday NZT), ending in a share of 25th at five-under, eight strokes adrift. Kobori had two early birdies and a bogey, before nine straight pars to end his round. He moved up to 67th in the DP World Tour's season-long rankings. Kiwi Daniel Hillier, who remains sixth in the Race to Dubai Rankings, missed the weekend cut by four shots at three-over after rounds of 73 and 72. Harry Hillier put together rounds of 72, 68, 69 and 67 to climb 10 places into a tie for 35th at eight-under, 11 shots back of the winner, at the Knoxville Open on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour in the US. Charlie Hillier carded back-to-back one-under 71s to end in a share of 54th at the PGA Tour Americas' Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship in Colombia, which was reduced to 36 holes due to heavy rain. At the Danish Golf Challenge on Europe's secondary HotelPlanner Tour, Taranaki's Sam Jones finished tied for 64th at one-over after rounds of 75, 67, 72 and 75. He had six birdies, two bogeys, two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey in the final round. It was a tough time for LIV Golf player Danny Lee at the Asian Tour's Korea Open, with rounds of 83 and 72 to finish in a share of 122nd at 13-over, nine strokes away from making the cut.

Sammie Maxwell with silver on the podium after the third round of the UCI MTB cross-country in the Czech Republic PHOTO: UCI New Zealand mountain biker Sammie Maxwell emerged from the pack to claim runner-up in the third round of the UCI MTB Cross-country World Series in the Czech Republic. The Decathlon Ford rider started from 25th on the grid after an indifferent short track race result earlier in the week. Maxwell worked her way forward gradually, catching the leaders midway through the eight-lap race at the famed course in Nové Mesto Na Moravé. LATEST HEADLINES: Disastrous start for Kiwis at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Harrison wins fifth Auckland squash title Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership Maxwell diced with the leaders over the final few laps, before the kiwi and Austrian Mona Mitterwallner, the two-time marathon world champion, went clear on the final lap. The kiwi recovered from an issue on the final climb, as the pair moved clear with Mitterwallner able to hold off Maxwell in a frantic final sprint. The 22-year-old maintains her overall lead in the championship after three rounds, thrilled with her form and racing IQ in her first season in elite competition. “It was an absolutely incredible race. I am super-proud about the way I am racing – super-mature. I am backing myself and I am confident,” said the New Zealand Olympian. “People are making attacks at places where I don’t need to fight for position or time, and I am confident to let them go and know that I can catch them towards the end of the race when things get pointy. I have not burnt my matches and I have more to give. “I am super-happy and excited and I am looking forward to Leogang. The form is still there and hopefully we can keep building from here.” There was no such fortune in the men’s race with Sam Gaze, who had worked his way through the field but had his hopes dashed with a crash late in the race, in the first race of the season for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider. Compatriot Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing), who started back on the sixth row in his return to racing after most of last year off, finished 53rd from 93 starters after threading his way through the packed field. Fellow Christchurch rider Ethan Rose had his best finish in the under-23 race, with the Trek Future rider finishing in 12th place, 1:46 behind the winner with Mondraker NZ riders Coen Nicol (Taupo) mid-field in 53rd ahead of Whakatane’s Bailey Fredericksen. Emerging young kiwi, Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) was 38th in the under-23 women’s race. The UCI World Series moves back to Downhill and Enduro competition next weekend at Loudenvielle in the French Pyrenees. The next round for cross-country is at the renowned venue of Leogang in Austria in two weeks, which will also include downhill and enduro. Results, Elite Female: Mona Mitterwallner (Mondraker Factory, NOR) 1:28.39, 1; Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford, NZL) same time, 2; Candice Lill (SAF) at 25s, 3; Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon, SUI) at 41s, 4; Rebecca Henderson (Orbea Fox, AUS) at 48s, 5. Standings: Maxwell 757, Nicole Koller (SUI) 572, Evie Richards (GBR) 517. Elite Male: Christopher Blevins (Specialized, USA) 1:26.00, 1; Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing, FRA) at 7s, 2; Lars Forster (Thomus Maxon, SUI) same time, 3; Victor Koretzky (Specialized, FRA) same time, 4; Fabio Puntener (SUI) at 16s, 5. NZ riders: Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing) at 2:43, 53; Sam Gaze (Alpecin Deceuninck) dnf. Standings: Blevins 940, Koretzky 725, Martin Vidaurre Kossman (CHI) 566, 3. Under-23 Male: Paul Schehl (GER) 1:19.32, 1; Rens Teunissen (NED) same time, 2; Finn Treudler (SUI) at 12s, 3. Also NZers: Ethan Rose (Trek Future, Christchurch) at 1:46, 12; Coen Nicol (Mondraker NZ, Taupo) at 6:42, 54; Bailey Fredericksen (Mondraker NZ, Whakatane) 4 laps, 93. Under-23 Female: Ella Macphee (CAN) 1:20.19, 1; Fiona Schibler (SUI) at 17s, 2; Sara Cortinovis (ITA) at 42s, 3. NZers: Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) at 8.13, 38;

The front damage on Scott McLaughlin's No 3 Chevrolet after a pace lap crash at the Indy 500. PHOTO: INDYCAR The three New Zealand drivers have had starts to forget at the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday (Monday NZ Time). Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin crashed out during the pace laps, Scott Dixon had smoke and fire coming from his left rear tyre on the warm-up laps and Marcus Armstrong almost got taken out on the opening lap. LATEST HEADLINES: Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Harrison wins fifth Auckland squash title Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership Auckland FC bow out after loss to Victory After light rain fell to delay the start of the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, McLaughlin spun while swerving to heat up his tyres, hitting the inside wall at the end of the front straight. "I really have no idea what happened," a devastated McLaughlin said after being cleared at the medical unit. "Just really upset for my team, they gave me a fantastic car again. "I'm really sorry to my sponsors, my fans, my family. I don't know what happened. I still can't believe we're out of the race. I had so much hope today. "By far the worst day of my life. That's probably dramatic, whatever. I put so much into this race, everyone does, and we didn't even see the green flag." Seconds after cameras caught the front damage to McLaughlin's No 3 Chevrolet, the broadcast showed smoke and then fire from Dixon's No 9 Chip Ganassi Honda from overheated brakes. Dixon, starting on the inside of the second row, was told to stay off his brakes during the remaining pace laps to avoid a pre-race pitstop. Once the race got underway, he quickly dropped from fourth to seventh, before more light rain fell brought out the safety car. The 44-year-old lost further places when the air jack failed during a pitstop under caution, and more when he made another stop to replace the problematic brakes. Just after crossing the start/finish line on lap 1, Armstrong, who started 32nd, was almost collected by a spinning Marco Andretti at the first corner. He made slight contact but was able to continue in the race. When the race restarted on lap 31 with Dixon on pit-lane, Armstrong was 27th and Dixon, who rejoined the race three laps down, in 31st. Dixon ran the rest of the race three laps down, eventually finishing 23rd, while Armstrong rose as high as 16th but was never in the reckoning, finishing 21st.

Lulu Sun has lost her first round at the French Open. PHOTO: WTA TOUR Lulu Sun has been beaten in the first round of singles at the French Open by rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko. Sun lost 6-1 7-6(4) on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) at Roland Garros in a match that lasted just over an hour and a half to the 18-year-old qualifier, who has made an impact on the ITF Tour. LATEST HEADLINES: Maxwell silver at UCI MTB third round Disastrous start for Kiwis at Indy 500 Liam Lawson finishes eighth at Monaco GP Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Harrison wins fifth Auckland squash title The New Zealand No 1 had a break point in the opening game, but went a bit too long with a backhand slice on it and she was broken herself in the following game. It did take Sun a while to settle into the match and it wasn’t until the sixth game that she was able to get on the scoreboard. By then Mboko was already well on her way towards taking the opening set. Sun got a confidence boosting hold in the opening game of the second set as light rain started to fall. The sixth game of the set, which Mboko served, took almost 14 minutes to play, but Sun couldn’t convert any of the four break points she had in it and the Canadian eventually managed to get the hold. The set ended up going to a tiebreak and the first minibreak came when Sun put a backhand into the net at 2-2. It turned out to be the only one of the tiebreak, with Mboko securing the victory on her first match point. The men’s and women’s doubles have. Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic as the seventh seeds and will play against Gregorie Jacq from France and Australia’s Romios in the opening round. Erin Routliffe and former singles No 1 Victoria Azarenka are up against the all-Italian team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, who are the second seeds. Regular partner Gaby Dabrowski had to withdraw from the tournament with a rib injury. Sun has also entered the women’s doubles. She has partnered up with Yuan Yue from China and in the first round are up against Russia’s Anna Blinkova and Mayar Sherif from Egypt.

Liam Lawson has finished eighth in a Formula 1 grand prix for the first time in his career. PHOTO: RACING BULLS New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has recorded his best-ever finish in a Formula 1 grand prix on the streets of Monaco. The 23-year-old raced to eighth position at a pedestrian Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), collecting points for the first time in 13 races and for the fourth time in his F1 career. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors winning streak ended by Raiders Harrison wins fifth Auckland squash title Tactix hold off Magic in ANZ Premiership Auckland FC bow out after loss to Victory Tapper betters Fairweather, world time The result bettered Lawson's previous best finish of ninth, which he has achieved three times - the Singapore Grand Prix in 2023 and United States and Sao Paulo Grands Prix in 2024. He has matched his points total from last season. After producing a career-best qualifying session on Saturday (Sunday NZT) to start ninth, Lawson picked up a place when Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso retired on lap 38, then frustrated the field with slow lap times. Under team instructions to help out RB teammate Isack Hadjar, who eventually finished sixth, Lawson held up the rest of the field, regularly clocking up lap times five seconds slower than the leaders, creating a procession of cars behind him. Ultimately, Hadjar and Lawson finished a lap down on the winner, McLaren's Lando Norris. Only five drivers finished on the lead lap, while only three were a lap down. “It’s not often you have a plan and it executes perfectly and today to have done that is that great,” Lawson told F1TV. The 12 points Racing Bulls’ two rookies earned moved the team up from eighth to seventh in the constructors’ championship, moving ahead of Aston Martin. The F1 season continues with the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next Sunday (1am Monday NZT).

Wallace Sititi is staying with the Chiefs and NZR PHOTO: FOTOSPORT/HIROYUKI IRIE World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Wallace Sititi has committed for another two years with the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby, signing a new contract until the end of 2027. Sititi, 22, made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Chiefs in 2024 and quickly earned a place in the All Blacks. That same year, he was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year and All Blacks Player of the Year. LATEST HEADLINES: Steel dominate Magic wrap up round 2 Alker lurks at delayed senior golf major Scott Dixon qualifies fourth at Indy 500 Giants win two in a row; Sharks strike gold Ardie Savea Super Rugby Player of Year A proud Chief, Sititi is looking forward to many more games and says the team culture is a big part of his decision to stay. “Everyone can see how well we gel as a team and how well we connect. The Chiefs took my family in with open arms and welcomed us right from the start. We really feel at home here. I know my parents and my family enjoy being part of the team culture just as much as I do.” “I love playing for the Chiefs. Their style of play suits me. There is still a lot of room for me to grow and develop as a player and I think the best place for me to do is here in New Zealand with the Chiefs.” Sititi’s rise has also captured the imagination of fans. His strong performance and fearless playing style make him a firm favourite, something he says doesn’t go unnoticed. “I really want to thank the fans for their support. I feel it whenever I run out onto the field and off the field too. I’m looking forward to many more games and opportunities to connect with the Chiefs whānau. Hopefully we can create more memories together over the next few years. Beyond his on-field skills, Sititi brings a professionalism that lifts those around him, and his leadership qualities are emerging as he continues to mature into a key figure for both the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby. Head Coach Clayton McMillan says Sititi’s decision to re-sign is a major win for the club’s future. “Wallace is one of the most dynamic young players in world rugby. He’s shown incredible resilience to overcome injury and come back even stronger. The energy, skill, and physicality he brings to every game is infectious. We’re stoked to have Wallace locked in and leading the next generation of Gallagher Chiefs,” said McMillan. “He brings a professionalism that lifts those around him, and he has strong leadership potential. He’s a player with a huge future and to have his commitment to the Chiefs gives me confidence in the environment we’ve built and where we’re heading as a club.”

The Pulse were too good for the Stars in round three of the ANZ Premiership PHOTO/ MICHAEL BRADLEY/NETBALL NZ The Pulse are quickly back to winning in the ANZ Netball Premiership after a comprehensive 69-45 victory over the Stars. The back three of Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason and Fa’amu Ioane were outstanding in smothering the Stars attacking momentum while setting up an unstoppable team performance. At the other end, the Pulse were fluid with their through-court play where shooter Amelia Walmsley provided the finishing touches with a masterful 55 goals from 57 attempts under the hoop. LATEST HEADLINES: Crusaders escape, Hurricanes win Ouwehand 50m butterfly record Early shocks Auckland Squash Open Jensen leaves international cricket Mayne new Football Ferns coach Buoyed by last week’s win, the Stars started with the seven that had served them so well, including younger defender Lili Tokaduadua, who made such an impact at goal defence. The Pulse also retained a familiar look with midcourters Whitney Souness and Maddy Gordon increasing their on-court minutes after coming back from injury. Both teams employed plenty of early defensive pressure but it was ultimately the Pulse who gained the upper hand as the first quarter unfolded. The well-acquainted Pulse In-circle defensive pairing of Mason and Jackson caused the Stars shooters all sorts of problems, when either smothering the shot or hunting the ball. At the other end, Tokaduadua and Remi Kamo also produced turnover opportunities but the Stars accuracy on attack let them down. With eight gains under their belt – and Gordon and Souness dynamic on attack – Walmsley enjoyed a bounty of quality ball under the hoop, going through the quarter with a perfect return, while an Amorangi Malesala super shot on the buzzer pushed the visitors into a handy 16-8 lead at the first break. The Stars started the second stanza with plenty of promise but couldn’t sustain their consistency while Jackson and Mason continued to be a menacing presence in disrupting the home side’s scoring opportunities. That prompted changes to the Stars midcourt with former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson, providing injury cover, coming on at wing defence in a bid to stem the Pulse’s flow and impact being made by the speedy Souness. It failed to materialise as the Pulse kept pushing hard across all areas. Charlie Bell provided a glimmer of hope when sinking a super shot but that was negated by two-pointers from Malesala and Tiana Metuarau, as the Pulse swept into a 36-19 lead at the main break. Three two-pointers from Stars shooters Maia Wilson and Monica Falkner helped the home side remain on level terms through the third quarter but there were few chinks in the Pulse output. The 1.92m frame of Jackson continued to intimidate the Stars shooters while the Pulse midcourt effectively mixed their variety and quality of ball into the key figure of Walmsley. The vision and clever delivery from Metuarau gave the Pulse plenty of options into the circle, where the quality of long-range feeds and shorter passes provided a constant headache for the Stars defenders. Not a lot went right for the Stars who struggled to stem the constant attacking raids from a well-performed Pulse, who dominated across all facets as they took a stranglehold on proceedings when taking a 50-32 lead into the last break. Well placed heading down the home straight, the Pusle had the luxury of introducing younger players Laura Balmer (defender) and midcourter Ainsleyana Puleiata during the last quarter for their first game-time of this season’s campaign.