Latest- Auckland Netball sides victorious, Alcaraz takes down another giant, Watford relegated, Liverpool drop the ball
Both Auckland teams won their ANZ Premiership matches yesterday to set up an exciting local derby today in Papakura.
The Northern Mystics took care of the Mainland Tactix 70-51 in the first match of the double header at Pulman Arena.
Grace Nweke Photo: Photosport
Grace Nweke was one again the standout at shooter for the top of the table Mystics, slotting 45 goals from 49 attempts.
Meanwhile in the later game the Stars ground out the Magic 47-39 in a low scoring affair.
The Stars trailed 14-12 at the first break but turned around the defecit to take a three goal lead into half-time.
Stars shooter Maia Wilson did the damage in the third quarter, taking her side to a 37-28 lead and giving them enough buffer to cruise through the final quarter.
The Magic take on the Tactix from 2:10pm today, while the Stars and the Mystics face off from 4:10pm.
Tennis-Alcaraz beats Djokovic to reach Madrid Open final
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz came from behind to beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5) to reach the Madrid Open final on Saturday.
Djokovic, who has yet to win a title this season, rallied from a break down to take the opening set in a tie-breaker and the 34-year-old looked dangerous on his serve as he won 21 straight points on it in the opener.
Photo: AFP
But Alcaraz, who turned 19 this week, showed resilience in the second set as he clawed his way back into the contest, saving a break point and holding for 6-5 before breaking Djokovic to force a decider.
The crowd in the Spanish capital got to their feet when Alcaraz completed his comeback, edging out Djokovic in the deciding tiebreak to become the first player to beat Rafa Nadal and Djokovic at the same claycourt event.
"This gives me a lot of confidence to play the final tomorrow," said Alcaraz after the match which lasted three hours and 35 minutes.
"I know that I played a really good game, and for the rest of the season I think I am able to play against the best players in the world and beat them as well, so it gives me a lot of confidence."
Alcaraz showed his all-round ability throughout in his first meeting with Djokovic, pinning the Serbian back with his huge groundstrokes and using his trademark drop shots.
He struck 51 winners to Djokovic's 24 as his aggressive style troubled the world number one.
Bidding for his second Masters 1000 title, Alcaraz will play either defending champion Alexander Zverev or fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final.
New Zealand doubles player Michael Venus and his partner Jamie Murray were defeated in straight sets in their semi final.
-Reuters
Watford relegated after 1-0 defeat at Palace
Watford were relegated from the Premier League overnight after a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace as Wilfried Zaha's first-half penalty soured former manager Roy Hodgson's return to Selhurst Park.
Palace were awarded a penalty following a VAR check for handball by Hassane Kamara and Zaha stepped up to slot home his 13th goal of the season after sending Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster the wrong way.
Former Palace boss Hodgson, who left the Croydon club at the end of last season after four years in charge, arrived at Vicarage Road in January to try and save Watford from being relegated after they had slumped to 19th place.
Wins remained hard to come by under Hodgson, Watford's third manager this season after Xisco Munoz and Claudio Ranieri, as they beat only Southampton and Aston Villa this year in his 15 games in charge.
Hodgson, 74, is set to retire from top-level management when his contract at the Hertfordshire club expires at the end of the season, ending his long and distinguished career on a bitter note after suffering his first Premier League relegation.
-Reuters
Liverpool suffer title blow in home draw with Spurs
Liverpool suffered a huge blow in their hopes of winning the Premier League title as they could only draw 1-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur on a tense night at Anfield overnight.
Luis Diaz cancelled out Son Heung-min's opener to preserve Liverpool's long unbeaten run at home in the Premier League and send them top of the table on goal difference.
But reigning champions Manchester City can move three points clear with three games to play if they win their game in hand at home to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Liverpool dominated possession but Tottenham dug deep defensively and Son stunned the hosts when he converted Ryan Sessegnon's cross from close range in the 56th minute.
Tottenham looked capable of holding on and moving into fourth spot until Diaz cut in from the left in the 74th minute and his shot took a wicked deflection to beat Hugo Lloris.
Liverpool and Manchester City both have 83 points while Tottenham remain in fifth spot with 62 points, one behind fourth-placed Arsenal who host Leeds United on Sunday
-Reuters