Aussie Nichols into Bells Beach title decider
Isabella Nichols will get a second chance this month to go for a World Surf League title after taking down two-time champion Tyler Wright in the Rip Curl Pro semi-finals at Bells Beach.
The 27-year-old Queenslander is into back-to-back finals after reaching the title showdown at the last tour stop in El Salvador, when she made the agonising choice to miss her twin sister's wedding to go for glory.
Nichols suffered a narrow defeat against Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan in El Salvador but gets another crack, facing Brazilian Luana Silva in the final which will be held at the Victorian coastal break on Sunday afternoon.
Nichols and Wright were the last surfers into the water before the event went on a three-hour hold with organisers expecting improved conditions with the tide change.
Earlier on Sunday, West Australian Jack Robinson joined wildcard Morgan Cibilic in the men's semi-finals, outclassing American Jake Marshall 15.94-14.57.
all out attack from Robbo ⚔️and a solid 8.17 for the effort📺 #RipCurlProBellsBeach is LIVE@ripcurl @originalbonsoy @visitmelbourne pic.twitter.com/dtCixwC0a9
— World Surf League (@wsl) April 26, 2025
Robinson faces another American Griffin Colapinto while Newcastle surfer Cibilic, who was ranked world No.5 in 2021 before falling of the Championship Tour, takes on Japan's Kanoa Igarashi in the other semi-final.
Cibilic and Igarashi both won their quarter-finals late on Saturday.
With the sets slowing down, Nichols had to wait for her chance against Wright, who rang the famous bell in 2022 and 2023.
She then put together back-to-back scores for a comprehensive 10.67-2.50 win to reach her first Bells decider.
Nichols' only previous CT title win came at the Margaret River Pro in 2022.
"It's making me emotional thinking about it," Nichols said after her victory.
"I got so close to owning a bell a couple of years ago and regardless of if it's the grande or the small size, I'm going to have a bell at home now so I'm speechless."
In the other semi-final, Silva won a thriller against Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy to reach her first ever CT final, edging her rival 12.67 to 12.07.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win
The post WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win appeared first on ClutchPoints. Coco Gauff is on top of the world. The tennis phenom is fresh off her historic win at the French Open, becoming the first American to win since Serena Williams in 2015. Advertisement She has made numerous public appearances since while still soaking in her victory. On Tuesday, Gauff sat courtside to watch the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky. '2x Grand Slam champion- Coco Gauff is courstdie in New York @newbalance' the WNBA posted on their X page. Her greatness on the tennis court extends to the basketball court as well. Gauff is one of the investors in the Unrivaled League, the 3-on-3 professional league that debuted earlier this year. Among the other investors include Steph Curry, Carmelo Anthony, JuJu Watkins, Alex Morgan, and Dawn Staley. Gauff is in the process of preparing for Wimbledon as well as looking to win her second grand slam title this year. Advertisement All the while, Gauff's become an icon in this era of popularity for women's sports. In many ways, she is on the same trajectory as the WNBA. Coco Gauff and the WNBA are in this together. While individual and team sports have different dynamics, Gauff and the WNBA share a mutual connection. In other words, their growth in stature is not mutually exclusive. Both are experiencing a tremendous increase in popularity and recognition. The media coverage they generate speaks volumes as Gauff and players in the W are sought after for interviews, endorsement deals, and other aspects of visibility. Gauff herself has expressed admiration for A'ja Wilson. They also share a common bond in speaking out on political and social issues. Advertisement In her spare time, Gauff has used her platform to call out racism and has openly supported the LGBTQ+ community. She also spoke at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Social justice is very much embedded within the fabric of the WNBA when it comes to race, gender, and sexuality. In more ways than one, Gauff and the WNBA are much alike. Related: Vanessa Bryant, family spend time courtside at Sky-Liberty matchup Related: Fever-Sky still hit CBS milestone despite Caitlin Clark's absence
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff's ‘insane' reaction to frenzied ovation at Liberty vs. Sky game
The post Coco Gauff's 'insane' reaction to frenzied ovation at Liberty vs. Sky game appeared first on ClutchPoints. The stars were out in full force for Tuesday's WNBA Commissioner's Cup game between the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky in Brooklyn, with Coco Gauff, Lisa Leslie, Vanessa Bryant (and family) and Elliot Page among those sitting courtside. Advertisement Gauff, fresh off her French Open title, got a huge ovation from the adoring crowd. Gauff spoke to ESPN's Holly Rowe after the cool moment and expressed her surprise at just how much love she got. The American tennis star also revealed it was her first WNBA game. 'That was insane,' Coco Gauff admitted. 'I wasn't expecting everyone to stand up and it just feels so cool to come back to such a warm reception. And this is my first W game, so I'm really excited that I get to be here and support the Liberty.' Gauff also spoke about her love for basketball and her involvement with Unrivaled, which led to her wanting to make sure she got out to a WNBA game this season. This was the perfect time to do it after beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, and the Barclays Center crowd made sure she knew she was supported. Advertisement Gauff sat next to the Bryant family, who had their own moment with stars Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese after the game. Ionescu shared a special relationship with Kobe Bryant, so this had to mean a lot. And as for the game itself, the defending champion Liberty continued their dominant start to the 2025 WNBA season. New York is now 9-0 on the year after smashing Chicago, 85-66. Ionescu poured in 23 points to lead the way for the Liberty, who became the ninth team in WNBA history to begin a season 9-0. With New York rampaging through the league once again, a fellow champion like Coco Gauff should definitely make it a point to make it to more games when she can. Advertisement Related: Vanessa Bryant, family spend time courtside at Sky-Liberty matchup Related: WNBA news: Coco Gauff supports Sky-Liberty fresh off French Open win
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lucas Perri could leave Lyon as Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner looks set to complete move
Whilst Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner (30) is on the verge of completing a move to Olympique Lyonnais, the club's current No.1, Lucas Perri (27), could be on his way out of the club, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. Turner is expected to complete a move to Turner soon, as per Fabrizio Romano. The USMNT goalkeeper is set to join in a deal worth €8m. A deal has already been verbally agreed upon between the two clubs. However, Perri, who enjoyed an excellent first full campaign with Lyon, could leave. Advertisement The Brazilian is on AC Milan's shortlist to replace Mike Maignan, who is the subject of intense interest from Chelsea. The Frenchman has expressed a desire to move to Stamford Bridge with just one year on his AC Milan contract remaining. Perri is one name on AC Milan's shortlist to replace Maignan. AS Roma's Mile Svilar and Parma's Zion Suzuki also feature on their shortlist. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
