Tennis

In the men’s doubles quarter finals, Tongan brothers Matavano and Semisi Fanguna upset second seeds, PNG’s Mark Gibbons and Matthew Stubbings, to progress to the semi-finals. An excited Matavano Fanguna said: ”This win means a lot. It’s our second Pacific Games but our first time to progress to the semis”.

Osaka triumphed 6-2 6-4 on Saturday in a final that was overshadowed by a dispute between opponent Serena Williams and umpire Carlos Ramos.

Williams was issued a code violation for what the official deemed to be coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou, irritating the 23-time major champion who insisted she was not a cheat.

A point penalty for racquet abuse led to her branding Ramos a "liar" and a "thief" and she was then docked a game, after which the American called for the match referee and alleged she was being treated differently to male players.

The regional team came from behind to beat Singapore 2-1 in their promotion play-off semifinal in Bahrain at the weekend, winning the decisive doubles rubber in straight sets.

Team captain Gilles De Gouy said, after three years in Group Two, taking on the likes of China, Korea and Kazakhstan will be a whole new level.

"Because now we are going to compete with girls definitely in big countries of tennis, girls who are in the top 100 or top 200 for most of them...definitely playing between the middle of the big nations of Asia," he said.

Carol Lee from the Northern Marianas thrashed Maryam Al Balushi 6-0 6-0 in the opening singles rubber before Abigail Tere-Apisah held off a strong challenge to beat Fatma Al Nabhani 7-6 7-5.

The Papua New Guinean then combined with Samoa's Steffi Carruthers for a 6-0 6-1 win in the doubles.

Pacific Oceania, who also swept Iran in their opening match, are top of Pool C with a round to play.

The composite team only need to win one rubber in today's final pool match against second-placed Malaysia to advance to the semi-final promotion playoff.

Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah and Samoa's Steffi Carruthers are back for a fourth consecutive year, while Carol Lee from the Northern Marianas will make her second appearance for the composite side.

The women face Iran in today's opening round, a side they defeated during last year's Group Two tournament, and will also face Oman and Malaysia in Pool C.

Team captain Gilles De Gouy said the team has arrived in Bahrain fit and ready to go.

The 19-year-old, who grew up idolising Nadal and had the Spaniard's poster pinned up on his bedroom wall was smiling from ear-to-ear as he posed for pre-match photos on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with his hero.

That would be the highlight of an eye-opening afternoon for the Russian youngster as Nadal showed no mercy during a one hour, 37-minute thrashing.

Federer was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the final of the Rogers Cup on Sunday, his limited mobility leading to concerns over his fitness ahead of the US Open.

The Swiss, who has already triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, reported only "aches and pains" after the tournament.

But the 19-time grand slam champion's condition is bad enough for him to pull out of a competition he was won seven times.

Konta was looking to become the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Virginia Wade lifted the trophy in 1977, but she was picked off at crucial times by Williams, who claimed the last of her Wimbledon titles nine years ago.

Williams, who will face Garbine Muguruza in Sunday's final, broke in the 10th game to clinch the first set and then turned the screw on her sixth-seeded opponent, breaking twice more to wrap up the match.

Konta saved two match points before Williams crunched a forehand past the Briton and then twirled in celebration on Centre Court.

The 37-year-old, a five-time winner at the All England Club, wrapped up a 4-6 6-4 6-1 second-round success to mark her 97th main-draw match at the grass-court grand slam – a record for an active player.

The pair also met in the first round of the French Open, when Williams – who has endured an emotional week amid questions over her involvement in a fatal road accident – prevailed in straight sets, but it was a tougher test on this occasion against the world number 55.

Players including men's No. 1 Andy Murray, seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams, twice grand slam winner Angelique Kerber and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki have all weighed in on whether the five-time grand slam winner and one of the world's most recognizable athletes should benefit from wildcards as she tries to rebuild her tennis career.