TENNIS

Fernandez wins Japan Open

Leylah Fernandez beat 18-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the final of the WTA’s Japan Open yesterday for her fifth career title. Playing in her eighth career final, the one-time US Open runner-up raced through the first set in 29 minutes, before Valentova settled her nerves in the second set and found a way to level the match when she broke Fernandez in the 12th game. In the deciding set, the 27th-ranked Fernandez made a crucial break in the fourth game and then saw off a late challenge by the Czech player to claim her second title of the season after taking the WTA 500 DC Open in July. The Japan Open’s top seed, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, pulled out ahead of her quarter-final after failing to recover from a leg injury.

Photo: EP

Fernandez is to compete at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, which runs from today through Sunday.

ICE HOCKEY

Sharks sorry for message

The San Jose Sharks apologized for a message that was displayed on the video board that appeared to praise US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a night the team celebrated Hispanic heritage. A message from a fan was shown on the videoboard during the first intermission of San Jose’s game against Pittsburgh on Saturday night that said, “SJ SHARKS FANS/LOVE ICE !!/GET ‘EM BOYZ !” The Sharks issued an apology later in the game, saying “an offensively worded message which had been externally submitted was inadvertently displayed on the in-arena scoreboard.” “Sharks Sports & Entertainment deeply regrets that this message, which does not meet our organization’s values, was not detected during our standard review process,” the statement said. “The Sharks organization sincerely apologizes for this oversight, and we are actively working to determine the origin of the message,” it said. The Sharks were holding their ninth annual celebration of Hispanic heritage on what they call “Los Tiburones Night.”

MOTOGP

Fernandez gets maiden win

Raul Fernandez delivered a dominant performance to claim his maiden MotoGP victory at the Australian Grand Prix yesterday, securing a first-ever triumph for Trackhouse Racing in the premier class. Sprint-winner Marco Bezzecchi, who began second on the grid, made an electric start to snatch the lead from pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo before the first corner. The Italian’s rapid getaway also allowed Fernandez and Pedro Acosta to overtake Quartararo, who had set a record-breaking lap in Saturday’s qualifying. However, Bezzecchi’s charge was short-lived, as he had to serve a double long lap penalty for his collision with newly-crowned MotoGP champion Marc Marquez at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider served his penalty and fought his way back to an impressive third-place finish. Fernandez capitalized on Bezzecchi’s setback to take the lead, and once he found himself with a clear track ahead, the 24-year-old Spaniard was untouchable. Acosta, Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio traded places in a fierce contest before VR46 Racing’s Di Giannantonio managed to clinch second place, with Bezzecchi completing the podium after his remarkable recovery.