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Sport on the BBC: Best of this week's TV & radio coverage

  • Posted: Apr 25, 2018

Find out the details of the major sports coverage on offer across BBC television, radio and online this week.

Visit our live guide for direct links to all our live sporting coverage – including text commentaries – while BBC Sport app users can also set event reminders so they never miss a moment of their favourite sports.

All times BST. Times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. For more details of forthcoming coverage, visit the specific sport page on the website. Coverage on BBC Red Button can be subject to late schedule changes.

Wednesday, 25 April

Follow live BBC Radio 5 live football commentary as Real Madrid travel to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final, and the World Snooker Championship continue across BBC TV and online.

World Snooker Championship

10:00-11:30 & 13:00-18:00, BBC Two

10:00-13:00, 14:30-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00; 14:30-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:15-00:05, BBC Two (23:45-00:35, BBC Two Scotland)

Extra, 00:05-02:05, BBC Two (00:35-02:05, BBC Two Scotland)

Replays, 06:20-10:00, 13:00-14:30 & 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

14:55-18:00, Ice Hockey – Great Britain v Poland, Ice Hockey World Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

19:45-22:30, Football – Bayern Munich v Real Madrid, Champions League semi-final, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 19:00)

Thursday, 26 April

Salford Red Devils welcome St Helens in the Super League on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, while Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals, plus the World Snooker Championship coverage continues across BBC TV and online.

World Snooker Championship

13:00-18:00, BBC Two

13:00-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 13:00-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:15-00:05, BBC Two (23:45-00:35, BBC Two NI)

Extra, 00:05-02:05, BBC Two (00:35-02:05, BBC Two NI)

Replays, 06:35-07:25, 09:20-10:10, 12:10-13:30 & 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

20:05-22:00, Football – Arsenal v Atletico Madrid, Europa League semi-final, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 19:00)

19:00-21:00, Rugby league – Salford Red Devils v St Helens, Super League, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

19:30-21:30, Basketball – Sheffield Sharks v Glasgow Rocks, BBL Championship, BBC Sport online

22:00-22:30 Football – MOTD: The Premier League Show, BBC Two (23:15-23:45, BBC Two NI)

Friday, 27 April

Follow live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live as Lancashire host Surrey in the County Championship, and the first and second practice sessions take place in Baku before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. There is also Super League action on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and continued coverage of the World Snooker Championship on BBC TV and online.

World Snooker Championship

10:00-12:00 & 13:00-18:00, BBC Two

10:00-13:00, 14:30-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00; 14:30-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:35-00:25, BBC Two

Extra, 00:25-02:25, BBC Two

Replays, 06:20-07:10; 09:10-10:00; 13:00-14:30 & 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

09:55-11:35, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, first practice, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

11:35-13:55 & 15:35-18:30, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship Division One, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

13:00-14:00, The Friday Sports Panel, BBC Radio 5 live

13:55-15:35, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, second practice, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

19:00-22:00, Football – 5 live Football Social, BBC Radio 5 live

19:00-22:00, Rugby league – Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity, Super League, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Saturday, 28 April

Coverage of the World Snooker Championship continues on BBC TV and online. Plus, catch the Premier League action from Anfield on BBC Radio 5 live as Liverpool take on Stoke City.

World Snooker Championship

13:15-16:30, BBC One (13:15-14:50, BBC One Wales & 14:50-16:30, BBC Two Wales)

10:00-12:00 & 16:30-17:30 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Two (16:30-17:30 not in Wales & 19:00-20:00 not in NI)

10:00-13:00, 16:30-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00; 14:30-18:30; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:25-00:15 , BBC Two

Extra, 00:15-02:15, BBC Two

Replays, 13:00-14:30 & 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

05:00-05:30, Boxing – 5 live Boxing with Costello and Bunce, BBC Radio 5 live

10:55-12:05, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, third practice, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

11:00-12:00, Fighting Talk, BBC Radio 5 live

12:00-13:00, Football – Football Focus, BBC One

12:05-13:55, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

12:30-14:30, Football – Liverpool v Stoke City, Premier League, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 12:00)

13:55-15:05, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, qualifying, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

14:10-15:45, Football – FA People’s Cup Finals, Connected TV & online

14:30-16:30, Football – Final Score, BBC Red Button

14:50-17:05, Rugby union – Dragons v Scarlets, Pro14, BBC One Wales (15:00-17:00, Connected TV and online)

15:00-17:00, Rugby union – Dragons v Scarlets, Pro14, Connected TV and online

15:00-17:00. Football – Premier League commentary, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 14:30)

15:05-17:00, Rugby union – Exeter v Sale Sharks, Premiership, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

16:30-17:20, Football – Final Score, BBC One (not in Scotland; 16:30-17:00, BBC Two NI; 16:30-17:20, BBC Two Wales)

17:35-19:20, Football – FA People’s Cup Finals, Connected TV & online

17:00-18:00, Football – Sports Report, BBC Radio 5 live

17:00-18:25, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

17:00-19:00, Triathlon – Women’s Race, World Triathlon Bermuda, Connected TV & online

17:00-18:00, Football – Sports Report, BBC Radio 5 live

18:00-20:00, Football – 606, BBC Radio 5 live

18:25-21:30, Ice Hockey – Hungary v Great Britain, Ice Hockey World Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

20:00-22:00, Triathlon – Women’s Race, World Triathlon Bermuda, Connected TV & online

22:20-23:45, Football – Match of the Day, BBC One

Sunday, 29 April

Listen to commentary of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and Manchester United v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 live. There’s also live coverage of the English hockey league finals and continued coverage of the World Snooker Championship on BBC TV and online.

World Snooker Championship

10:00-11:00, 13:00-18:00, 19:00-20:00, BBC Two

10:00-13:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00; 14:30-18:30; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:20-00:15, BBC Two (23:55-00:45, BBC Two Northern Ireland)

Extra, 00:15-02:15, BBC Two (00:45-02:15, BBC Two Northern Ireland)

Replays, 13:00-13:40 & 18:30-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

07:30-09:00, Football – Match of the Day, BBC One (repeat)

09:00-10:00, Sportsweek, BBC Radio 5 live

10:55-13:45, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

11:00-12:15, Triathlon – World Series: Bermuda (Highlights), BBC Two

12:15-13:00, Football – MOTD2 Extra, Premier League, BBC Two & BBC Radio 5 live

13:05-14:00, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra (14:00-16:00, BBC Radio 5 live)

13:30-18:00, Hockey – England Hockey League Finals, Connected TV & online

13:40-15:45, Football – Lyon Feminin v Manchester City Women, Champions League semi-final second leg, BBC Red Button and online

14:00-16:15, Women’s Football – Birmingham City Ladies v Arsenal Women, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

14:10-15:45, Football – FA People’s Cup Finals, Connected TV & online

16:15-18:30, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

16:25-18:30, Football – Wolfsburg Ladies v Chelsea Ladies, Champions League semi-final second-leg, BBC Red Button and online

16:30-18:30, Football – Manchester United v Arsenal, Premier League, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 15:00)

17:40-19:15, Football – FA People’s Cup Finals, Connected TV & online

18:30-19:30, Football – 606, BBC Radio 5 live

22:30-23:30, Football – Match of the Day 2, BBC One

23:30-00:10, Football – Women’s Football Show, BBC One

Monday, 30 April

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live football commentary as Tottenham host Watford in the Premier League, and watch continued coverage of the World Snooker Championship on BBC TV and online.

World Snooker Championship

13:00-18:00, 19:00-20:00, BBC Two

13:00-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 13:00-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:15-00:05, BBC Two

Extra, 00:05-02:05, BBC Two

Replays, 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

04:30-05:00, Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix review, BBC Radio 5 live

10:00-20:00, Tennis – Glasgow Trophy, ATP Challenger Tour, Connected TV and online

10:55-18:30, Cricket – Lancashire v Surrey, County Championship Division One, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

20:00-22:00, Football – Tottenham Hotspur v Watford, Premier League, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 19:00)

22:00-22:30, Football – The Football Social, BBC Radio 5 live

23:00-04:10, Football – Women’s Football Show (repeat), BBC Red Button

23:30-00:15, Rugby league – The Super League Show, BBC One in the North of England – North West, North East & Cumbria, Yorks & Lincs & Yorkshire

Tuesday, 1 May

Listen to build-up, commentary and post-match reaction as Real Madrid welcome Bayern Munich to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

World Snooker Championship

10:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Two

10:00-13:00, 14:30-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00, 14:30-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:15-00:05, BBC Two (23:45-00:35, BBC Two NI and 00:05-00:55, BBC Two Wales)

Extra, 00:05-02:05, BBC Two

Replays, 13:00-14:30 & 18:00-19:00, BBC Red Button

Other sports

07:10-08:00, Rugby league – The Super League Show, BBC Two (repeated 23:00-04:15, BBC Red Button)

10:00-20:00, Tennis – Glasgow Trophy, ATP Challenger Tour, Connected TV and online

10:55-1900, Cricket – Kent v Pakistan, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

19:45-22:00, Football – Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, Champions League semi-final, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 19:00)

22:00-22:30, Football – 5 live Football Social, BBC Radio 5 live

Wednesday, 2 May

Listen to build-up, commentary and post-match reaction as Liverpool face Roma in the the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

World Snooker Championship

10:00-11:30, 13:00-18:00 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Two

10:00-13:00, 14:30-18:00 & 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button

Tables One & Two, 10:00-14:00, 14:30-18:00; 19:00-23:00, BBC iPlayer, Connected TV and online

Highlights, 23:15-00:05, BBC Two (23:45-00:35, BBC Two NI and 00:05-00:55, BBC Two Wales)

Extra, 00:05-02:05, BBC Two

Other sports

10:00-20:00, Tennis – Glasgow Trophy, ATP Challenger Tour, Connected TV and online

19:45-22:00, Football – Roma v Liverpool, Champions League semi-final, BBC Radio 5 live (build-up from 19:00)

22:00-22:30, Football – 5 live Football Social, BBC Radio 5 live

Catch-up

You can view BBC Sport output as well as listen to our radio sports programming on the BBC iPlayer.

The BBC Sport website is available via desktop, mobile, tablet and app, giving fast and easy access to the live stream, text commentaries, news, reports, schedules, videos, as well as highlights of the day’s action. The BBC Sport app is available free on Apple and Android devices.

National and regional variations

National and regional variations have been included in this list where possible, but please check your local listings for more detailed information.

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Klizan Stuns Djokovic To Reach Third Round

  • Posted: Apr 25, 2018

Klizan Stuns Djokovic To Reach Third Round

Apr252018

Klizan wins first match in five meetings with former World No. 1

Slovakia’s Martin Klizan produced a big upset to beat Novak Djokovic 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Wednesday.

The 2015 semi-finalist (l. to Nishikori) converted each of his three break-point opportunities in the one-hour, 39-minute contest to defeat Djokovic, who was playing his first match in Barcelona since losing on his debut to Daniel Gimeno Traver in 2006. Klizan, who reached a career-high ATP Ranking of No. 24 after his run to the last four in 2015, will meet Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals after the Spaniard beat Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic in three sets on Tuesday.

Klizan began the match in fine form, breaking in the first game to capture the initiative. A further break came in the fifth game, as the Slovakian raced to a 4-1 lead before two service holds secured a one-set advantage.

Djokovic replied emphatically in the second set, dropping just seven points in a sequence reminiscent of his opening-round form against Lajovic at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Djokovic recorded a 94 per cent first-serve percentage in the set and conceded just two points behind his own delivery to enter the final set with considerable confidence.

However, the momentum was halted in the decider. Both men held serve with relative ease in the first seven games, with a single break of serve in the crucial eighth game proving the difference. Klizan broke to 15 and served the match out by the same margin to record his first win in five FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings against Djokovic.

Karen Khachanov also advanced to the third round, beating Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 6-0. The 16th seed won 79 per cent of first-serve points during the one-hour, 33-minute second-round encounter and saved all four break points against his serve. The 21-year-old, who won the Open 13 Provence in February (d. Pouille), has now won 15 matches on the ATP World Tour this season and will meet Belgium’s David Goffin for a quarter-final spot. Goffin leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 3-1.

Watch Live

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Did You Know?
Martin Klizan reached the semi-finals on his last appearance at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in 2015. The left-hander beat Juan Monaco, Victor Estrella Burgos and Tommy Robredo before falling to eventual champion Kei Nishikori in the last four.

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Andy Murray to sit out new Glasgow ATP Challenger event

  • Posted: Apr 25, 2018

Andy Murray has decided not to launch his comeback to tennis following injury in Glasgow next week.

He was considering playing in the new ATP Challenger event in Scotstoun, which gets under way on Sunday.

But the former world number one has opted to continue his recovery from hip surgery away from the match court.

The next confirmed tournament in Murray’s schedule is the Rosmalen grass-court event, the Libema Open, in Netherlands in May.

  • Murray considering Glasgow comeback

That comes before the tournament at Queen’s Club that immediately precedes Wimbledon.

Murray does, however, also have an option to play a Challenger event in Loughborough next month.

Although the 30-year-old’s name is among the entries for the French Open, it is understood the former Roland Garros finalist will not be playing in Paris or at any other tournament in the current clay-court swing.

Murray last played competitively at Wimbledon, the scene of two tournament triumphs, in July.

Several other Scots are expected to play in Glasgow, including Murray’s protégé, Aidan McHugh, who is in the former world number one’s management stable.

Details of the final entry list, including wild cards, will be released later on Wednesday.

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In Zambia, Federer Shares Foundation's Aspirations

  • Posted: Apr 25, 2018

In Zambia, Federer Shares Foundation’s Aspirations

Apr252018

No. 2 player in ATP Rankings is focusing on his foundation this week

Roger Federer kicked around the football with kids, talked with teachers and stood at the blackboard himself on Tuesday as he continued working on his self-named foundation this week in Zambia.

View More Photos of Federer Visiting Zambia

Federer, who’s skipping the clay-court season for the second year in a row, visited two community schools in the District of Lundazi in the Eastern Province of Zambia. He also met with the District Council and spent time with parents, children and teachers.

You May Also Like: Federer Focusing On Foundation During Time Away From Tour

 

“It is my hope that in 10 years’ time all children will have access to early childhood education in Zambia, as it is the foundation of all learning,” Federer said.

On Wednesday, the No. 2 player in the ATP Rankings plans to visit another community school in the Chipata District, where he will participate in a small inauguration ceremony for a new classroom block.

© Roger Federer Foundation

Federer Visits Zambia 2018

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Djokovic: Rafa Is 'The Guy To Beat'

  • Posted: Apr 24, 2018

Djokovic: Rafa Is ‘The Guy To Beat’

Apr242018

Serbian could meet Nadal in QF

Novak Djokovic knows what almost everyone wants to see this week at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Sure, the fans will be pleased to watch the sixth-seeded Serbian face Martin Klizan of Slovakia in the second round on Wednesday. The contest will be only Djokovic’s second match ever in Barcelona, after his one-and-done debut in 2006 when he was 18.

But what will really make fans smile wide? A 51st FedEx ATP Head2Head matchup between Djokovic and 10-time Barcelona champion Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 26-24, and a quarter-final meeting in Spain would be their earliest matchup at a tournament since the 2016 Rome quarter-finals, when Djokovic advanced in straight sets. Nadal, however, won their most recent meeting during the 2017 Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals 6-2, 6-4.

Watch: Djokovic Shares Why He Decided To Play Barcelona

To make the fans’ dream matchup come true, Djokovic needs to beat Klizan and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, and Nadal needs to overcome Ecuador Open champion Roberto Carballes Baena, and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Kei Nishikori.

“First of all the tournament is very lucky here because it has a lot of great players. Barcelona, in general, this tournament has always had top players,” Djokovic said.

“Obviously I have to be a little bit more modest with my expectations for the tournament. I have to focus only on winning the next match, even though potentially I understand that everybody would like to see Nadal-Djokovic in the quarter-finals.”

For Djokovic, just playing without pain is almost a victory at this stage. The 30-year-old Serbian said that last week’s Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters was the first event he’s played in almost a year in which he hasn’t competed with pain or thought about his right elbow during matches.

Read More: Nishikori: I Always Have A Chance Against Rafa

Last year, Djokovic ended his season after Wimbledon because of persistent pain in his right elbow. He had been bothered by it for more than two years. Earlier this year, in January, after playing at the Australian Open, Djokovic also underwent surgery on the elbow.

“The last 15 months have been quite tough, to understand the situation, how to deal with it. And I also did make some mistakes, where I came back too early because I wanted to play so much, and then I was not ready and then I made more problems with the elbow. It’s all a learning process, it’s all a school of life. I’m just trying to be conscious of all of this,” said Djokovic, who’s played only nine matches since July 2017.

“I haven’t played too many matches and I’m really looking forward to playing without thinking about my elbow or other things right now.”

The former No. 1 in the ATP Rankings has mastered all three surfaces but he might best be known for his hard-court success. Twenty-two of Djokovic’s 30 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles have come on hard. Djokovic, however, said he also feels very comfortable on clay, having grown up playing on the surface in Belgrade.

You May Also Like: Nadal Ties Djokovic In ‘Big Titles’ Race

“I think my game has improved on this surface. Winning [Roland Garros] 2016 was obviously the highlight of my clay-court career, but I won also Rome, Madrid, big tournaments, and Monte-Carlo, and plenty of other good results. But obviously there’s a guy named Rafael Nadal who is always on the way to winning more ‘Big Titles’ and he still keeps on dominating this surface, and he’s definitely always the guy to beat,” Djokovic said.

“But as I said, I’m really pleased that I’m able to be healthy, to train, to put a lot of hours on the court and slowly build my game. Because I know that I’m not still at my best and for that I need time. How long? I don’t know but I feel like in Monte-Carlo already, I was putting some good matches together.”

His third-round run in the Principality included a dominating victory against countryman Dusan Lajovic and a straight-sets win against Borna Coric, who had reached the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the quarter-finals at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Djokovic also pushed Dominic Thiem, the only man to beat Nadal on clay last year, to three sets before falling 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3.

“The long-term goal is obviously trying to win the biggest tournaments in this sport and fight for the peak of what our sport is and that is to be No. 1. I’ve been in that position so many times and for a long time in my career, especially throughout the last five, six years,” Djokovic said. “I believe I can get there [again].”

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Nishikori: I Always Have A Chance Against Rafa

  • Posted: Apr 24, 2018

Nishikori: I Always Have A Chance Against Rafa

Apr242018

Two-time champion could meet Nadal in the third round

Rafael Nadal and his 10-match win streak at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, understandably, will garner most of the attention this week at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament.

But, away from the spotlight, two-time champion Kei Nishikori of Japan will look to start a winning streak of his own during his return to the clay-court event.

Nishikori missed Barcelona last year because of a right wrist injury. But, a year prior, he had won 14 consecutive matches in the Spanish city, including back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. His run ended in the 2016 final against Nadal.

Watch: Nishikori Looks Forward To Barcelona Return

The two played again on Sunday during the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters final, which Nadal won in straight sets, his 10th victory from 12 FedEx ATP Head2Head matchups.

Nishikori’s two wins against Nadal came on hard (2015 Montreal, 2016 Rio Olympics), but the Japanese right-hander has pushed Nadal on clay. During the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open final, Nishikori was leading by a set and a break before having to retire down 6-2, 4-6, 0-3.

“It was really tough to play Rafa last week, because he was playing great tennis, very heavy. He’s on fire right now. But I try to win one match at a time and try to enjoy the big challenge against Rafa,” Nishikori said on Tuesday in Barcelona.

You May Also Like: Scouting Report: 20 Things To Watch In Barcelona & Budapest

“I always enjoy playing Rafa, especially on clay, he is the best in history. I have to enjoy playing Rafa. I beat him before, only twice, but I beat him before so I think there is always a small chance.”

The two could meet in the third round in Barcelona, if No. 1 Nadal beats countryman and Ecuador Open champion Roberto Carballes Baena, and Nishikori takes care of Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Thirteen Spaniards reached the main draw.

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For Nishikori, though, his focus remains on improving little by little after right wrist surgery forced him to miss the final four months of the 2017 season. The 28-year-old returned to tour-level action in February at the New York Open and posted his best result of the year in Monte-Carlo.

“My first goal is to come back to the Top 10. Last week gave me a lot of confidence,” Nishikori said. “It was a great week… Since injury, it was the best week so far, so I am very happy and proud. This tournament, it’s always my favourite and I hope I can do well but, it’s always been a really tough tournament. [I will] try to play one match at a time and hope I can do well this week.”

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Sharapova to drop out of world's top 50 after suffering fourth straight loss

  • Posted: Apr 24, 2018

Maria Sharapova will drop out of the world’s top 50 after losing four matches in a row for only the second time in her career.

The five-time Grand Slam champion, 31, was beaten 3-6 7-6 (7-6) 6-4 by French world number seven Caroline Garcia at the Stuttgart Open in Germany.

The Russian spoke this week about her desire to win more major titles after returning from a 15-month doping ban.

But she has not won a match since the Australian Open second round.

Sharapova beat Germany’s Tatjana Maria and Latvian 14th seed Anastasija Sevastova at the year’s opening Grand Slam in January, before losing to two-time Slam champion Angelique Kerber in the third round.

She then lost to Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu in Qatar and Japan’s Naomi Osaka in Indian Wells.

Sharapova has not climbed back into the top 40 since returning from her ban in April 2017.

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