27 Jun 2022

Today's sports news: What you need to know

5:48 am on 27 June 2022

Latest - Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a seventh Wimbledon title in an engrossing opening day at the All England Club.

Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2021.

Novak Djokovic Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Also playing on centre court are British teenager and US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Scotsman two-time champion Andy Murray.

New Zealand raised British No 1 Cam Norrie will be moving under the radar on the No. 2 court against an unseeded Spaniard.

Meanwhile another two-time champion, Petra Kvitova wrapped up her preparations by winning the title at Eastbourne overnight.

At the Bad Homburg Open in Germany, New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and her Polish partner Alicia Rosolska were beaten in three sets by the Japanese top seeds.

Routliffe and Rosolska earlier today won their rain interrupted semi final, before the final match.

Coll makes breakthrough at World Tour Finals for biggest payday

New Zealand squash player Paul Coll.

Paul Coll Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand's World No.2 Paul Coll is into the final of the PSA World Tour Finals for the first time in his career after overcoming the challenge of England's Mohamed ElShorbagy in straight games in the last match of semi-finals night.

Coll had struggled a little bit recently after reaching the summit of the world rankings, but he put in an almost flawless performance, forcing the Englishman into making too many errors.

Coll won the best-of-three games match 11-6, 11-5 in 31 minutes.

ElShorbagy was unable to keep the ball out of the tin, unlike his usual high-quality game, but the Kiwi was able to also restrict the opportunities that the World No.3 had, and he took the win in just over half an hour to set up a meeting in the final with defending champion Mostafa Asal.

"Obviously if I get the win tomorrow, then it will be quite a tidy celebration back in New Zealand next week, that's for sure," Coll said.

"He [Mostafa Asal] played bloody well tonight. I thought he really controlled the game, found his back corners well and he didn't give Ali much on the volley."

"It's already my biggest payday in terms of prize money so I am looking forward to that."

New world mark for women's 400 metres hurdles

Olympic gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin broke her own women's 400 metres hurdles world record at the U.S. championships in Eugene, Oregon, winning the final in 51.41 seconds.

EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 24: Sydney McLaughlin competes in the Women's 400 Meter Hurdle Final setting a new world record with a time of 51.41 during the USATF Championships at Hayward Field on June 24, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon.   Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sean M. Haffey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Sydney McLaughlin Photo: SEAN M. HAFFEY

The 22-year-old took the lead early and never gave her opponents a chance, clinching her spot in the world championships in front of an adoring crowd.

"I was just gonna finish the race, knew anything was possible," she said.

Britton Wilson finished 1.67 seconds behind with Shamier Little taking third in 53.92.

McLaughlin previously set the record with a 51.90-seconds performance at the U.S. Olympic trials a year ago, only to shatter that figure in Tokyo, collecting gold in 51.46.

She faces a potential showdown at worlds with chief rival and reigning champion Dalilah Muhammad, who was absent from the national championships due to injury.

The top three finishers in Eugene, Oregon, who meet certain qualifying standards, and reigning global title-holders will compete at the world championships, which will be held in the United States for the first time from July 15 at the same track.

- Reuters

Football Ferns outclassed by Norway in Oslo

Kate Taylor of the Phoenix

Kate Taylor Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand have been beaten 2-nil by Norway overnight in their international friendly in Oslo.

Norway striker Ada Hegerberg scored in the 34th minute.

Jitka Klimkova's side pressed for an equiliser but the home side sealed the result in the final seconds when defender Guro Bergsvand scored.

"The result is quite disappointing," Klimkova said.

"I'm disappointed that we conceded in the last minute of the game from the corner."

"On the other hand we really went for the risk."

"This time it didn't work out but this is the way we are always going to play."

Klimkova said teenage centre back Kate Taylor performed extremely well on debut.

New Zealand face Wales in Spain on Wednesday.