Latest news with #Wales
The Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Rising star Mimi Xu relishing clash with ‘really good role model' Emma Raducanu
Four years after she burst into public consciousness as a teenage hopeful at Wimbledon, the grass-court shoe will be on the other foot on Monday for Emma Raducanu. One of the standout draws of the first round from a home perspective saw the former US Open champion paired with 17-year-old Mimi Xu, who is among a trio of talented teenage British girls aiming to make a name for themselves. Xu, along with 16-year-old duo Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic, has been rewarded for an impressive junior career and strong early strides in the women's game with a coveted wild card. The Welsh player, ranked 318, was left scrambling to try to find out who she had drawn, saying: 'It's quite funny because we're moving into the Airbnb this morning at five past 10 and I get a message from my coach, and he was like: 'What an exciting draw!' 'And then my mum's getting messages saying, 'That's so good, so exciting this and that', and not saying the name. And I haven't seen the draw. I'm like: 'Oh my gosh, what is the draw? Who am I playing?' 'And no one was replying afterwards, so I went on to the Wimbledon website and it wasn't there, and eventually someone told me I'm playing Emma. 'I feel like I'm really ready for it. I'm really excited for it. Obviously she's done so well in her career and I'm at the beginning of mine. So I think it's going to be a really good test for me, really good opportunity for me to just go out and play and have fun. I think she's a really good role model to have.' Xu came through the Lawn Tennis Association's national academy at Loughborough and remembers watching Raducanu win the US Open in 2021 with the other players who boarded there. The pair are friendly, sometimes talking together in Mandarin, with Xu's parents both of Chinese heritage along with Raducanu's mother. They got to know each other better when Xu was a hitting partner for the British team at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga last November, and the teenager is quietly confident of causing an upset having already beaten two top-100 players on grass this summer. 'I've been playing really well,' she said. 'I was probably the first one on the grass this year. So I think my game really suits grass. I'm really confident in my game at the moment. 'I'm going to go out there, enjoy every moment, give it a good go. And I believe I've got a good chance if I do all that.' Raducanu came into the tournament after a difficult couple of matches at Eastbourne amid 'some really bad' personal news, while she continues to battle a niggling back problem. There were no signs of discomfort when the 22-year-old trained at the All England Club on Friday, although she was well beaten in a practice set on Court One by former champion Elena Rybakina. Raducanu did look a lot more smiley later when she was spotted walking around the grounds with US Open mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz. Her clash with Xu could be scheduled for one of the main courts, which would not phase the teenager. 'I said to my coach: 'When am I going to get to play on Centre Court again or Court One',' said Xu. 'I'm really ready to embrace it and really just go out and enjoy it. At the US Open last year I got to play on Louis Armstrong, which I think was an amazing experience as well. So I've had that kind of big court, big stadium experience. And if I do get to play on that court, I'm really excited.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- General
- BBC News
Endangered moon bears arrive at wildlife park in Tenby
Four critically endangered Asian black bears, also known as moon bears, have arrived in Wales for the first from poor conditions, Martha, Irene, Gigi, and Coco arrived at Manor Wildlife Park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on 27 June to enjoy a custom-built habitat complete with pools, climbing frames, and a arrival highlights global conservation efforts, supported by the wildlife park and the charity Free the Bears, which has rescued more than 1,000 vulnerable black bears from across Ryder Richardson, owner of Manor Wildlife Park, said she looks forward to visitors meeting the "magnificent" bears and learning about efforts to protect the species. Critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade, more than 10,000 moon bears are still believed to be held in bile farms. Native to 18 countries, Asian black bears are known for their V-shaped chest markings and white patch on their females typically weigh between 65kg (143lb) and 90kg (198lb), with a life expectancy of up to 25 there are no current plans to breed the bears, the Manor Wildlife Park said it may do so under guidance from the wider breeding programme. Ms Ryder Richardson said the park is "beyond thrilled" to welcome the moon bears."These charismatic creatures, with their striking crescent-shaped chest markings and playful personalities, have already stolen the hearts of our team," she Ryder Richardson said their arrival marks a new "exciting" chapter in the park's mission, with more animals expected this summer in the tiger and red panda enclosures, she also explained in a "world first", two tunnels will link the new Asian black bears enclosure to the tigers', allowing species to swap spaces for enrichment. Chief executive of Free the Bears Matt Hunt said the charity works across Asia to raise awareness of the wildlife trade and support enforcement efforts to combat it. He added that, despite challenges, they remain committed to "protecting, preserving, and enriching" the lives of bears worldwide, alongside partners such as Manor Wildlife Park.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Axed Love Island bombshell takes a swipe at the show after brutal dumping
AN axed Love Island hunk has taken a swipe at the show after his brutal dumping. Personal trainer Will Means arrived as a sleepover bombshell and pursued Welsh beauty Emily Moran in the other villa. 4 The pair got on well as friends but lacked any romantic spark and she decided to remain couple with Conor Phillips, despite the I rishman's growing attraction to Megan Clarke back in the original villa. As a result, Will was sent home, along with bombshells Caprice and Poppy, neither of whom were picked by villa boys Dejon Williams and Remell Mullings. Back in the other villa, Shea Mannings was dumped after Helena Ford chose to recouple with new boy Gio Russo. Now back in the UK, Will shared a selfie on Instagram and wrote: "Just got my phone back. "First thoughts are I was shafted with my Love Island pictures [laughing emojis]. "Thank you for all the messages. Will go through them next couple of days." The departures are continuing to come thick and fast with another two Islanders already out the door. In scenes that will air tonight, the least popular boy and girl, as voted by the public, were dumped. While The Sun is not naming the duo to preserve the surprise, fans will be rocked by the departures. We can reveal the girl is an OG who has been at the centre of plenty of drama this series and will be much missed by all. Love Island fans convinced couple secretly had sex after steamy bed scenes at night Meanwhile, in a further clue, the lad could be considered a 'cheat' for his antics in the villa. A source said: 'Couples have been in constant flux this series and there's a good few that have been accused of 'cheating' with secret snogs leading to explosive rows. 'Conor and Megan have just caused chaos with their Hideaway stay over and terrace smooches, while Harry and Helena first got that ball rolling in the first week. 'Remell was trouble in the sleepover too and even Shakira has got up to some illicit snogging. 'It could be anyone so bosses are hoping viewers have fun speculating what's gone down before the big reveal.' 4 4
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Mullan stars as Glamorgan win on her debut
Glamorgan 145-5 (20): Mullan 63*, Gammon 32; O'Neill 2-27Sussex 115-8 (20): King 35; Reid 3-12, Phillips 2-21Glamorgan won by 30 runsMatch scorecard Glamorgan eased to their fourth win of the season over Sussex with a comfortable 30-run victory in Newport in the the T20 Blast Women League Mullan, making her debut on loan from Hampshire, anchored the Glamorgan innings of 145-5 with 63 not out, adding 70 for the third wicket with Bethan started well with a stand of 63 between Rachel King (35) and Izzy Collis, but lost wickets frequently through the second half of their innings to finish on Phillips (2-21) and Nicole Reid (3-12) did most of the have three wins from four in the Blast Tier Two southern division, while Sussex have two from five. Mullan came in to face the third ball of the home innings and batted through, facing 65 balls and hitting six gave the innings momentum with 32 off 20 balls, while Poppy Tulloch added a late flourish with 18 not out off O'Neill, with 2-27 off her quota of four, prevented Glamorgan from accelerating got off to a positive start in the sunshine, with King and Collis rattling up 50 without loss in the once King played on to Poppy Walker, Sussex fell away with a direct hit run-out from Lauren Parfitt to get rid of Collis (23) and two wickets in an over from then ran through the middle order as Sussex could not find any momentum, with number 10 Anna Buckle the only other batter to reach double well as the double in the Blast, Glamorgan have also beaten Sussex in the T20 Cup and One Day Cup.
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lock Thomas back for Wales U20s against Argentina
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has recalled fit-again lock Nick Thomas to start in their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener against Argentina in Verona on Sunday (19:30 BST).Dragons lock Thomas missed most of the U20 Six Nations in which Wales beat England in Cardiff to deny them a Grand Tom Bowen started that game, but is on the bench at Payanini Center, where Jack Woods will be wing Harry Rees-Weldon was ruled out by injury so Elijah Evans switches to wing, while Harri Ford starts at fly-half with Harri Wilde on the bench. "It was tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina," said Whiffin."We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready."The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men."Whiffin expects Argentina to pose their traditional physical threat with the added threat of full-back Pascal Senillosa, who starred in the U20 Rugby Championship this year."Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy," added Whiffin. Wales: Jack Woods; Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Sion Davies; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Saul Hurley, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Dan Gemine, Caio James, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Tom Bowen.
