Aussie surfers Robinson and Nichols salute at Bells
Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols have made it a double triumph for Australia with thrilling victories in the Rip Curl Pro finals at Bells Beach.
Paris Olympics silver medallist Robinson left it late before edging out Japan's Kanoa Igarashi 14.14 points to 13.87 in the men's final on Sunday.
'Far out man, it's just a surreal feeling,' Robinson said.
'It's been a special week, I've had my whole family here.'
Nichols claimed the biggest victory of her career by downing young Brazilian star Luana Silva.
Nichols threw down the gauntlet with a big early score of 8.33 points and backed it up to win 16.26-12.67.
Nichols' title triumph came after the 27-year-old only made her way back on to the Champions Tour this year.
She advanced all the way to the final of this month's El Salvador Pro - after making the heartbreaking decision to miss her twin sister Helena's wedding - then went one better on Sunday at the famous Victorian break.
'The process for this win has honestly been a 15-year process,' Nichols said.
'I've been coming here since I was 15 years old.
'All the trips down here, three times a year to come down and work on my technique and it's all paid off.
'To have a bell, honestly this does not feel real.
'I'm speechless.'
Nichols' only other victory on the CT came three years ago at the Margaret River Pro.
The Hawaiian-born Silva, 20, won the world junior title this year, the same event that Nichols saluted at back in 2016.
Earlier on Sunday, Nichols took down her celebrated countrywoman and two-time world champ Tyler Wright in the semis.
The 27-year-old Robinson left it late before sneaking past American Griffin Colapinto in the second semi and into the title match-up with Igarashi.
Robinson's final 7.17-point wave saw him edge ahead 14.67-14.33.
The Aussie started his day with a 15.94-14.57 victory over American Jake Marshall in the last quarter-final.
After a thrilling run through the event, Australian wildcard Morgan Cibilic had no luck in a low-scoring semi-final loss to Igarashi, where decent-sized waves were at a premium.
Cibilic only caught his second wave of the heat in the final minute and fell, gifting victory to Igarashi, 10.27 points to 5.37.
'It is what is at the end of the day - you can't argue with the ocean,' said a philosophical Cibilic.
'But it is pretty brutal.'
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7NEWS
40 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Emotional admission sends tears flowing after Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win French Open final
Coco Gauff has won her maiden French Open women's singles title after battling back from a set down to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. After a topsy-turvy opening set that Belarusian Sabalenka edged after a tiebreak, second seed Gauff responded with an immediate break and won the second set 6-2. And the 21-year-old American, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, maintained her momentum to serve out for victory in the deciding set 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title and her first on clay. Gauff became the first American woman to capture the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest from the United States to achieve the feat since her decorated compatriot in 2002. It was the first world No.1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland Garros since 2013, when Serena defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open initially failed to live up to its billing on a blustery Court Philippe Chatrier. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the young USA star fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she then hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost in her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. In her on-court speech, she admitted that defeat in 2022 had put her in a 'dark place' and then thanked the fans on Court-Philippe Chatrier, who were rooting mostly for her. After collecting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup, she admitted: 'I didn't think honestly that I could do it. 'I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. I'm just happy to be here. 'I'd like to congratulate Aryna. You're a fighter. You're the number one player in the world. Today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you've been having. Every time we play, it's such a tough match. 'The crowd helped me today. You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I do to deserve such support from the French crowd. I didn't think I could do it.' After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes. 'This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions,' three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said as she stifled her sobs. 'Thank you my team for the support, I'm sorry for this terrible final. 'As always I will come back stronger. 'To Coco: you deserve it, you're a hard worker, a fighter.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Gauff recovers to stun Sabalenka in French Open final
Coco Gauff has won her maiden French Open women's singles title after battling back from a set down to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. After a topsy-turvy opening set that Belarusian Sabalenka edged after a tiebreak, second seed Gauff responded with an immediate break and won the second set 6-2. And the 21-year-old American, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, maintained her momentum to serve out for victory in the deciding set 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title and her first on clay. Gauff became the first American woman to capture the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest from the United States to achieve the feat since her decorated compatriot in 2002. It was the first world No.1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland Garros since 2013, when Serena defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open initially failed to live up to its billing on a blustery Court Philippe Chatrier. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the young USA star fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she then hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost in her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. In her on-court speech, she admitted that defeat in 2022 had put her in a "dark place" and then thanked the fans on Court-Philippe Chatrier, who were rooting mostly for her. After collecting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup, she admitted: "I didn't think honestly that I could do it. "I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. I'm just happy to be here. "I'd like to congratulate Aryna. You're a fighter. You're the number one player in the world. Today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you've been having. Every time we play, it's such a tough match. "The crowd helped me today. You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I do to deserve such support from the French crowd. I didn't think I could do it." After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes. "This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions," three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said as she stifled her sobs. "Thank you my team for the support, I'm sorry for this terrible final. "As always I will come back stronger. "To Coco: you deserve it, you're a hard worker, a fighter." Coco Gauff has won her maiden French Open women's singles title after battling back from a set down to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. After a topsy-turvy opening set that Belarusian Sabalenka edged after a tiebreak, second seed Gauff responded with an immediate break and won the second set 6-2. And the 21-year-old American, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, maintained her momentum to serve out for victory in the deciding set 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title and her first on clay. Gauff became the first American woman to capture the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest from the United States to achieve the feat since her decorated compatriot in 2002. It was the first world No.1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland Garros since 2013, when Serena defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open initially failed to live up to its billing on a blustery Court Philippe Chatrier. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the young USA star fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she then hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost in her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. In her on-court speech, she admitted that defeat in 2022 had put her in a "dark place" and then thanked the fans on Court-Philippe Chatrier, who were rooting mostly for her. After collecting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup, she admitted: "I didn't think honestly that I could do it. "I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. I'm just happy to be here. "I'd like to congratulate Aryna. You're a fighter. You're the number one player in the world. Today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you've been having. Every time we play, it's such a tough match. "The crowd helped me today. You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I do to deserve such support from the French crowd. I didn't think I could do it." After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes. "This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions," three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said as she stifled her sobs. "Thank you my team for the support, I'm sorry for this terrible final. "As always I will come back stronger. "To Coco: you deserve it, you're a hard worker, a fighter." Coco Gauff has won her maiden French Open women's singles title after battling back from a set down to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. After a topsy-turvy opening set that Belarusian Sabalenka edged after a tiebreak, second seed Gauff responded with an immediate break and won the second set 6-2. And the 21-year-old American, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, maintained her momentum to serve out for victory in the deciding set 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title and her first on clay. Gauff became the first American woman to capture the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest from the United States to achieve the feat since her decorated compatriot in 2002. It was the first world No.1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland Garros since 2013, when Serena defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open initially failed to live up to its billing on a blustery Court Philippe Chatrier. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the young USA star fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she then hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost in her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. In her on-court speech, she admitted that defeat in 2022 had put her in a "dark place" and then thanked the fans on Court-Philippe Chatrier, who were rooting mostly for her. After collecting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup, she admitted: "I didn't think honestly that I could do it. "I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. I'm just happy to be here. "I'd like to congratulate Aryna. You're a fighter. You're the number one player in the world. Today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you've been having. Every time we play, it's such a tough match. "The crowd helped me today. You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I do to deserve such support from the French crowd. I didn't think I could do it." After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes. "This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions," three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said as she stifled her sobs. "Thank you my team for the support, I'm sorry for this terrible final. "As always I will come back stronger. "To Coco: you deserve it, you're a hard worker, a fighter." Coco Gauff has won her maiden French Open women's singles title after battling back from a set down to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in Paris. After a topsy-turvy opening set that Belarusian Sabalenka edged after a tiebreak, second seed Gauff responded with an immediate break and won the second set 6-2. And the 21-year-old American, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, maintained her momentum to serve out for victory in the deciding set 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title and her first on clay. Gauff became the first American woman to capture the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest from the United States to achieve the feat since her decorated compatriot in 2002. It was the first world No.1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland Garros since 2013, when Serena defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open initially failed to live up to its billing on a blustery Court Philippe Chatrier. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the young USA star fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she then hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost in her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. In her on-court speech, she admitted that defeat in 2022 had put her in a "dark place" and then thanked the fans on Court-Philippe Chatrier, who were rooting mostly for her. After collecting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup, she admitted: "I didn't think honestly that I could do it. "I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago. I'm just happy to be here. "I'd like to congratulate Aryna. You're a fighter. You're the number one player in the world. Today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you've been having. Every time we play, it's such a tough match. "The crowd helped me today. You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I do to deserve such support from the French crowd. I didn't think I could do it." After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes. "This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions," three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said as she stifled her sobs. "Thank you my team for the support, I'm sorry for this terrible final. "As always I will come back stronger. "To Coco: you deserve it, you're a hard worker, a fighter."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Out with the young and in with the old: A mid-year All-Australian team with a difference
So, seven players aged 30-plus make this mid-year 22, as the AFL competition follows the trend of tennis – see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams – and American team sports in which 35 is the new 30, and quarterbacks play until they can't walk. Selecting three of the forwards for this mid-year team – picked inclusive of round 12 performances (not this weekend's games) – was easier than usual. Cameron, Hogan, and Elliott (who has never been All-Australian) pick themselves and while some would push up Ben King, given his goal tally, Gold Coast's key forward hasn't shaped outcomes in the same way as Jezza and Jesse. King's teammate Ben Long, though, is another story. Loading Long, who has jagged 23 goals in his 10 games to round 12, has been a standout in a role that is not dissimilar to Elliott's – as a forward who can lead and mark, but is no mug on the deck and assists others in scoring. Dangerfield's impact as an explosive aerial and ground ball mid-forward can't be undersold, and if his hamstrings hold up, he should be headed for his record ninth All-Australian blazer. Riley Thilthorpe, a Tom Lynch-style key forward, is named at centre half-forward, allowing me to pick Cameron as a flanker, which reflects his freaky ground-level abilities. As the AFL's headband act, Bailey Smith has been omnipresent, his every gesture captured by cameras and dissected by pundits and the public. But, much as there is focus on his postings and postures, everyone must have cottoned on, so to speak, to the fact that Bailey's been nearly the AFL's peak midfielder – as the Brownlow odds suggest (he's one of the favourites). He has prospered mightily from Geelong's decision to deploy him in the middle, rather than the wing or as a high half-forward. So, @bazlenka – as he's known by his Instagram idolaters – is in the centre, in every sense, in this mid-year side. Hugh McCluggage isn't a wingman in 2025, as he enjoys his best season yet, but I've conveniently picked him – and Sidebottom – on the wings that they've vacated this year; no specialist wingman (eg. Ollie Dempsey) has done enough to warrant selection to this point. Gun midfielders, on the whole, have been less than dominant this year. Marcus Bontempelli missed the early games and could yet make the All-Australian side by season's end. Nick Daicos has been paramount to Collingwood winning some games, but has also been relatively subdued in three or four outings, having been more heavily tagged this year. Still, the younger Daicos is so brilliant that he's still up on the midfield leaderboard. I've picked him on the bench, behind Adelaide's super skipper Jordan Dawson – still underrated in Victoria – and his Gold Coast counterpart Noah Anderson. The numbers – in the form of the AFL's official ratings (Champion Data) – would rank Anderson as the competition's third-best performed player to round 12, behind only Bulldog Ed Richards and North's version of 'the Mountain' from Game of Thrones, Tristan Xerri. Richards gets a game in this side, with Nick Daicos, on the bench. It's conceivable that the rise of Ed Richards was a factor in Smith heading to Geelong, given the Dogs found it difficult to fit 'the Bont', Tom Liberatore, Richards and Bailey (plus Adam Treloar when fit) into the same centre square. Loading Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is making noises about re-signing with the Saints, and for their sake, let's hope that transpires. He's a superb play-maker from half-back, with further growth ahead, and was accordingly picked at half-back in my team. Bailey Dale, a rare half-back capable of garnering 40 disposals, is the other flanker in defence, edging out Fremantle's Jordan Clark, Collingwood's Josh Daicos, Lion veteran Dayne Zorko and others for that berth. The consistent Lachie Ash of GWS fills the remaining running defender spot (notionally back pocket). Teammate Sam Taylor, whom Matthew Lloyd compared to Glen Jakovich for influence, was picked at centre half-back. The key backs, as with the midfielders this year, haven't been as outstanding as in years past. Jacob Weitering of Carlton has put up respectable numbers – and lord help the Blues if he went down – but hasn't had a terrific season. Possibly the stiffest to miss the defensive spots are St Kilda's interceptor Cal Wilkie and Richmond's perennial gun Nick Vlastuin. I judged that Gold Coast's Collins had been marginally more effective, in a collectively superior defence. North people will wonder why Xerri hasn't made this team, since he is rated statistically better than Gawn (on Champion Data ratings) this year, and might view this as a plot against Shinboners. Loading Here's major difference: Xerri, while heroic in ruck battle and adept at winning clearances, doesn't fulfil one key performance indicator for ruckman and tall players – marking the footy (only 1.7 per game to round 12). Luke Jackson is aerially superior and more versatile – as shown when he played as a tall midfielder against the Suns last weekend. He gets the second ruck slot on the bench. The final interchange berth – there is no sub here – belongs to the spare midfielder, Freo's Andrew Brayshaw, who isn't as skilled as Bontempelli and Daicos, nor as powerful as Dangerfield, or as smooth-moving as McCluggage. But Brayshaw does two essentials exceptionally well – running and getting the footy.
