Sport
Stockport’s Liam Broady batters his way into Wimbledon second round
It might only have been the first round, but Broady opened the tournament in style.
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:
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.
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”.
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.
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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.
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?
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Liam Broady (via Instagram)/ATP Tour (via Twitter)
Sport
England head coach Shaun Wane quits ahead of 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Danny Jones
England head coach Shaun Wane has stepped down from his role as the national team setup after more than half a decade in the post.
His resignation comes as the Rugby Football League (RFL) looks to pivot and set out a long-term vision ahead of the World Cup later this year.
The Wigan-born former Warriors manager’s replacement is expected to be merely a part-time appointment as future planning begins.
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, Shaun Wane’s tenure has ended “effective immediately”.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
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Featured Images — Fleets (via WikiCommons)/England Rugby League (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.
Happy with the business, Blues?
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Featured Images — Hameltion (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City Women’s Football Club
