Novak Djokovic surveyed the wreckage of his painful Queen's Club final collapse against Marin Cilic and admitted he doesn't expect to challenge for the Wimbledon title which begins next Monday.
Djokovic was within touching distance of his first title for 12 months after earning a match point in the second set of Sunday's gripping showdown.
But the 31-year-old lost his cool, squandering that opportunity and then nervously wasting another big chance after taking a 4-1 lead in the second set tie-break.
"I wouldn't say I'm a contender, you know, for a (Wimbledon) trophy or anything like that," said Djokovic, who paid a heavy toll for allowing Cilic to scramble out of trouble as the former world No 1 slumped in the deciding set.
With Wimbledon starting on July 2, the Serb has just a week to pick up the pieces if he wants to compete for the trophy currently held by Roger Federer.
Still, Djokovic－who hasn't won a title since Eastbourne last July－should take heart from winning four matches on the lawns of Barons Court, west London.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion is accustomed to fighting for the biggest prizes in the sport and, in a frank admission, he insisted he's still some way from the form required to triumph at Wimbledon.
"At this point I have to keep my expectations very low, considering my results in the last 12 months," he said.
"I think everyone will agree that Roger is the top favorite. But Cilic is right up there next to him."
Djokovic is a lowly 22nd in the ATP rankings after a French Open quarter-final loss to Italian journeyman Marco Cecchinato earlier this month.
The three-time Wimbledon winner hasn't earned a major title since completing his career Grand Slam by winning the 2016 French Open.
Nigeria penultimate Saturday failed to gain promotion to the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II.
The Nigerian team lost 1-2 to their counterparts from Namibia in the Group III tournament held in Nairobi, Kenya which attracted 13 countries.
Hosts Kenya joined Namibia in the 2019 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II as they also defeated Benin Republic 2-1.
Sylvester Emmanuel a.k.a. Major had given Nigeria hope with a brilliant performance as he hammered 27-year-old Jean Erasmus 6-1, 6-2 in the first rubber.
However, the Nigerian team failed to build on Emmanuel's victory as Christian Paul retired in the second rubber against Tukhula Jacobs.
Christian who played for Team Kalotari last season sustained an injury and had no option but to retire with scores at 2-3 in the second set. He had earlier lost the first set 1-6 to Tukhula.
Nigeria bungled the ticket as Joseph Imeh and Sylvester Emmanuel lost 7-6(1), 6-4 to the duo of Jean Erasmus and Tukhula Jacobs in the final rubber.
Meanwhile, Kenya which last hosted the Davis Cup in 2002 recorded victory in the first rubber when Sheil Kotecha pipped Delmas N'tcha 6-4, 6-4.
Alexis Klegou restored hope for the Beninoise when he defeated Kenya's top seed Ismael Changawa 7-6, 6-4 in the second rubber.
The Kenyans in the doubles eventually triumphed as the duo of Changawa and Ibrahim Kibet beat Felix Hounkpevi and Klegou 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to grab the ticket to feature at the 2019 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II.
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Caption:
Christian Paul, sustained an injury during his game against Namibia's Tukhula Jacobs.
THE first round matches of the 40th Senior Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open Tennis Championship serves off on Monday at the Tennis Complex of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Defending champion and second seed Abdulmumin Babalola will begin his title defence against Henry John as last year's finalist, Joseph Imeh takes veteran Taiwo Owolabi in the first round.
In the same half, Rainoil-sponored Sylvester Emmanuel will confront Isaac Attah as former national champion, Henry Atseye faces Benjamin Chiwendu, while veteran, Shehu Lawal squares off against Christopher Itodo.
Christian Paul, who only just returned from representing Nigeria at the Davis Cup in Kenya, will fancy his chances against Amos Michael and could potentially face Mexico-based Christopher Bulus in the third round. Bulus, however, would have to get past qualifier, Ibadan-based Adewale Samson first.
Dala Hard Court champion, Thomas Otu, who’s seeded third, will play Peter Lawal, while Clifford Enosoregbe will hope to use his experience to his advantage when he takes on qualifier, Matthew Akor.
In the women’s draw, defending champion, Sarah Adegoke begins her title defence against Afolarin Akosile, while four-time Dala Hard Court winner, Blessing Samuel confronts Omotayo Osewa.
Veteran, Christie Agugbom keeps a date with Favour Moses among other pairings in the main draw.
The final of the annual championship is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 30 at the same venue.
Caption: Babalola, set to defend the CBN Senior Open title in Abuja?
*Kwara United 1 FC IfeanyiUbah 0
Chinedu Sunday -14th minute
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Mubarak Ejiogu -28th minute
*Yobe Stars 0 Akwa United 1
Micheal Ibe -14th minute
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Shedrack Oghali (69th minute)
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Ifeanyi George -24th minute
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Uche John
Joseph Osadiaye
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Saidu Salisu -Plateau (50th minute)
Sunday Adetunji -Abia (68th minute)
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Saidu Salisu -Plateau (90th minute)
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Chijoke Akuneto -14th minute
Simona Halep's long wait for a grand slam title ended on Saturday as she won a thrilling French Open final against Sloane Stephens.
The world number one finally got her hands on the coveted Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen four years after her first appearance in the final at Roland Garros.
Halep became first Romanian to win major in 40 years as she sealed the title with an unreturnable serve before covering her face with her hands in disbelief following a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory.
She did it the hard way, though, falling a set and a break behind to Stephens, who was hunting a second major title to add to her triumph at last year's US Open.
But the hard-hitting Romanian managed to turn the match around to finally break her grand slam final duck at the fourth attempt.
Halep climbed into the stands, Pat Cash style, to celebrate with her team before a courtside interview.
She said: "In last game I couldn't breathe anymore. I did everything I could. It's amazing what is happening now."
Amid some spellbinding rallies, Stephens clinched a solitary break to take the first set.
Halep was widely regarded as having played too defensively in her final defeat by Jelena Ostapenko 12 months ago, so she was the aggressor in the early stages.
But she could not breach the defence of the composed Stephens, who was barely deviating from her stock position two yards behind the baseline, and it was the American who secured the break for 3-1.
Halep ensured Stephens would have to serve the set out, and forced a break point of her own, but the 25-year-old front-runner held her nerve to take it in 42 minutes.
Stephens looked to have taken control of the match with another break at the start of the second set.
But Halep, stung into action, levelled up in the fourth game, breaking Stephens to love as the first chinks in the American's armour appeared.
A hold to love meant Halep had taken eight unanswered points, and another break followed as Stephens' levels dipped for the first time in the match.
But just as the set was slipping away from Stephens, a series of unforced errors by Halep gifted the break back for 4-4.
Halep survived a pressurised service game and then turned the screw, eking out a break point from which Stephens planted wide to take the contest to a deciding set.
A hold and a break later and Halep was ahead for the first time in the match, with Stephens' error count rising and rising.
A second break followed, the result of a stunning rally with both players slugging it out at the baseline before charging into the net, Stephens blinking first.
Halep was closing in on the title she craved so much, while Stephens was wilting fast, and a comfortable hold made it 5-0.
Stephens forced Halep to serve it out but, as yet another chorus of 'Simona' rang around Court Philippe Chatrier from the vast Romanian contingent, she did just that.
Meanwhile, Halep speaking after the match expressed surprise at her triumph.
“Honestly, I can’t believe it. In last game I didn’t breathe anymore. I did everything I could. It’s amazing what is happening now.”
“I see Darren [Cahill] there with the Romanian flag,” Halep says. She adds that she’s really like to play another final at Roland Garros “because this is my favorite court, it’s a really beautiful one”.
She adds: “Last year it was tough to talk because I lost that match. I was dreaming about this moment since I was 14. Thank you for supporting me. I wanted this trophy to be here in France. Of course many congrats to Sloane. Last year you won US Open and you done a great job after those injuries. I know you will play many finals in the future. Good luck and take care of your body.”
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ECSTASY: Halep admires the French Open trophy after her victory over Stephens.
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David Tyavkase
Augustine Ogunye
Cletus Itodo
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Paul Obata
Gabriel Wassa
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Sunday Anthony -61st minute
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Destiny Ashadi -30th minute
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Emmanuel Makama -Nasarawa (2 goals)
Nojeem Olukokun -Nasarawa
Micheal Okoyoh -Nasarawa
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Balogun Alade -59th minute
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Zeidine Ahimeye
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