Stockport’s very own Liam Broady has cruised his way into the second round of Wimbledon 2023, beating his first opponent in straight sets for the first time at the tournament.
Broady, 29, beat Frenchman and world number 74 Constant Lestienne by 6-3, 6-1 7-5 in the opening round of this year’s Wimbledon Championships, doing so in fine fashion.
Hailing from the Heaton Chapel area of the town — just about a mile down the road from where fellow Stopfordian and British tennis legend Fred Perry grew up — Broady is the only English tennis player currently flying the flag for Greater Manchester at this year’s Grand Slam.
Winning the opening set in just 27 minutes, here’s the moment he secured his place in the next round, as captured by his coach David Sammel:
Liam Broady made it to the third round at Wimbledon in 2022 but is hoping to go even further this year.
Speaking to BBC Sport Manchester after the convincing victory, the British no.5 said remarked how he’d had a pretty “up and down year” so far, but a strong practice on Monday night helped him go into the opening match with some much-needed momentum.
ADVERTISEMENT
Broady went on to add that it was probably “one of the best performances [he’s] had at Wimbledon”, especially given the difficulty of his opponent and he managed it in straight sets.
However, as he told the Lawn Tennis Association, the wind out on-court meant that it wasn’t as comfortable as perhaps he made it look and his confidence hadn’t been as high as it was “five or six months ago” when he says he was “on the best run of form in [his] career”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nevertheless, having now come back from an injury and started the sport’s biggest major off in style this year, he is now set to face the world no.4 in Norway’s Caspar Ruud in the second round and is hoping for a career-best finish this time around.
"He's stood next to me, so I won't speak too loud" 🤣
Elsewhere in the competition, another compatriot managed a momentous victory in the opening rounds as Jodie Burrage, who nearly had quit the sport a few years ago, finally managed to put injury woes behind her and win at Wimbledon for the first time, breaking down in tears in the post-match interview.
Fellow Brit Jan Choinski also progressed into the second round of his first Grand Slam as the wildcard marked his debut with an equally impressive win by 5-7 7-6 (4) 6-2 6-2.
ADVERTISEMENT
Harriet Dart and Katie Swan sadly fell at the first hurdle but with Andy Murray getting underway against countryman Ryan Peniston on Tuesday afternoon, not to mention Katie Boulter — who recently won her first WTA Tour title in Nottingham last month — there’s still plenty of British talent on show this year.
The question is, who’s going to go the furthest? To be honest, all we want is another big celebration from big Blue, Broady, following the treble — maybe the Haaland this time?
Featured Image — Liam Broady (via Instagram)/ATP Tour (via Twitter)
Sport
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
4th July 2023 
