Tennis: Andrea Van Den Hurk from the Netherlands lost to Britain's Hannah Collin in the quarter-finals of the Dolmen Irish Open at Fitzwilliam yesterday, writes Pat Roche.
The British number one junior, who had dismissed Ireland's Yvonne Doyle on the previous day, has yet to play her first semi-final at this level and will find it tough against South African Mareze Joubert.
Britain's Lucie Ahl, the holder trying for a record three-in-a-row, will be extremely difficult to beat. Her quarter-final opponent, British compatriot Karen Cross, had to wait until the sixth game of the second set before claiming a game.
"To be honest, I was surprised it was so easy for me," said Ahl after her whirlwind display. Ahl meets 22-year-old Australian Trudi Musgrave in today's semi-finals in a repeat of last year.
Motor Sport: Tomorrow's Mondello Park race meeting is all about vital championship points, as the season is fast running out.
The closest battle is in Formula Ford Zetec with Alan Ring and James Murphy the joint-leaders on 58 points each. In the first division (for newcomers) Niki Meredith (72 points) is well clear. Stephen Colbert on 90 points leads the ACEC Formula Ford 1600's.
In Dunlop Formula Vee, Ray Moore (258 points), looks like finally beating Brian Hearty (221). Keith Dempsey leads the Europa Cup on 93 points.
Athletics: World 100-metres champion Maurice Greene has been forced to withdraw from the British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on August 5th through lack of fitness. The American pulled up with cramp during his much-hyped 200-metres showdown with Michael Johnson at the US Olympic trials in Sacremento last Sunday.
The British public, however, will be able to see world 200-metres champion Ato Boldon. The 26-year-old goes in the 100 metres and will be up against Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin both from Canada and Britain's Darren Campbell.
Rugby: South Africa face Australia today in a Tri-Nations match they desperately need to win to restore some lost pride to their republic's bruised sporting ego. After losing their last three tests, the Springboks are under enormous pressure to beat the world champions at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
South Africa suffered an embarrassing loss at home to England before falling to Australia and then New Zealand.
The Australians, though, are taking nothing for granted. Coach Rod Macqueen said: "I certainly don't think we'll be in for a cakewalk. South Africa have got their backs against the wall."
