Tennis

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu led Great Britain to a thrilling 3-1 victory over France in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, securing their place in the championship-deciding round. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Raducanu showcased her resilience by defeating Diane Parry in a hard-fought three-set match.Japan also made history by reaching the finals for the first time, defeating Kazakhstan in Tokyo. Nao Hibino clinched the winning point with a hard-earned victory over Yulia Putintseva. Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka, who helped Japan take an early lead, sat out Saturday's action.Poland, led by world number one Iga Swiatek, cruised past Switzerland 2-0. Swiatek dominated her match against Celine Naef, putting her team on the brink of a sweep. Australia, under the guidance of new captain Samantha Stosur, also advanced to the finals with a convincing win over Mexico. Taylah Preston, just 18 years old, sealed the tie with a dominant performance.In Bratislava, 16-year-old Renata Jamrichova secured Slovakia's victory over Slovenia. The Australian Open junior champion displayed her talent with a straight-sets win. Ukraine, USA, Germany, and Belgium are also in contention for the remaining spots in the finals.The eight winning countries will join hosts Spain, defending champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, and wild-card Czech Republic in the 12-team finals in Seville in November.

Coleman Wong, the 19-year-old Hong Kong sensation, continued his remarkable run at the Dafa News $82,000 Delhi Open Challenger tennis tournament, reaching the final after a hard-fought victory over Yuta Shimizu of Japan.Wong, ranked 241st in the world, displayed exceptional athleticism and energy in overcoming Shimizu, who had previously eliminated top seed Benjamin Bonzi. The match was a battle of attrition, with both players struggling to convert break points. However, Wong's superior shot-making and ability to handle the windy conditions proved decisive.In the other semifinal, Geoffrey Blancaneaux of France outplayed Tristan Boyer of the United States in straight sets. Blancaneaux, a former world No. 134, showcased his crafty play and powerful strokes to secure a place in the final.The doubles title was claimed by the third-seeded pair of Piotr Matuszewski of Poland and Matthew Romios of Australia. They defeated the German duo of Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner in straight sets.Wong's victory marks a significant milestone in his young career. The Hong Kong native has now won two singles titles and is poised to add another to his tally in the final against Blancaneaux. The Frenchman, on the other hand, will be seeking his 15th singles title and second Challenger title.The Delhi Open Challenger tournament has provided a platform for rising stars like Wong to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience. The tournament's success highlights the growing popularity of tennis in India and the region.