Bobby Crutchley’s Great Britain team kick-started their Hockey Champions Trophy campaign with a 4-1 win over South Korea, while Heather Watson progresses at wet opening day of tennis in Birmingham.
Great Britain’s men got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-1 win over South Korea at the Hockey Champions Trophy in London.
After a goalless draw with world champions Australia and a 2-1 loss to India, Bobby Crutchley’s men were back in goalscoring form as David Condon bagged a brace, with Alistair Brogdon and Ashley Jackson each netting once.
“We played a bit more like ourselves today and that was pleasing,” said the head coach.
“It was a lot more of our flowing, passing game, we created some great chances and putting them away helps.
“We defended well for long periods, we had to defend penalty corners but the key thing for us was our passing as the game went on.
“We broke the lines, and then when the big space opened up and we ran into it, we saw some of the nice skills the players have.”
Crutchley’s side are next in action against Germany on Tuesday night. Read more here.
Rio-bound British number two Heather Watson overcame Italy's Camila Giorgi, despite rain affecting the opening days both in Birmingham and at Queen's Club.
The 24-year-old won 6-4 7-5 with their match not starting until five o’clock as a result of the downpours.
Watson, who heads to Rio this summer for her second Olympic Games, nicked the sole break of the first set before withstanding six break points for Giorgi in the second.
She now faces either Barbora Strycova or Karolina Pliskova in the next round, and was pleased to have kept her concentration despite the delay.
“I was very focused at the end and I'm so glad we got to play the full match without any rain delays,” she said.
“She's a very tough opponent and hits the ball extremely hard. I had to accept she will hit a lot of winners but had to take advantage when she made mistakes.
“I feel fully fit and think I'm playing very well.” Over at Queen's, Dan Evans was due to face France's Paul-Henri Mathieu but thanks to the rain they will now play on Tuesday, as will Andy Murray whose clash with Frenchman Nicolas Mahut is on the schedule.
Charlotte Taylor’s six-year journey from novice club rower to Rio-bound Olympian may have surprised many – but not her dad.
In just her third season on the British team, the 30-year old is already a European champion and World Championship silver medallist and travels to Brazil alongside Kat Copeland, who will be seeking to retain the lightweight double sculls title she won at London 2012.
For many taking ownership of such a high-profile seat, Sophie Hosking retired from the sport after winning gold with Copeland, would be daunting.
For Taylor, it’s just another ‘fun’ challenge to embrace.
“I probably get my mental toughness from my dad, I like physically putting myself through the ringer,” she said.
“I’ve only been rowing for six years and the irony is I told dad at the time that I didn’t want a sport that would take over my life, just one to settle me into London life.
“Soon after I started rowing this became an ambition, I thought, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it properly.” Read more here.
Just 53 days remain until this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, but there is still plenty keeping our Team GB athletes busy.
Whether that is attempting to qualify or fine-tuning preparations for those already selected, no-one is resting on their laurels.
Each Monday we are looking back at what our athletes have been getting up to during the last week and who to keep an eye on over the coming seven days.
For our latest round-up click here.
The legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games continues to go from strength to strength with over 100 Rio volunteers coming together on Sunday at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ahead of flying to Brazil later this summer.
The gathering, organised through a Facebook page, helped start the process of building relationships and sharing tips ahead of this year’s Olympic Games.
Many were part of the now infamous purple-shirted Games Makers team during London 2012, including 59-year-old Barbara O’Neill who will be flying out to Brazil at the end of July.
“London 2012 volunteers were very skilled people and they put their heart and soul into it and that’s what we enjoyed,” she said.
“There’s a lot of pride that comes from the job we did in London, because it was a job.
“The satisfaction you get is from doing a job well; it doesn’t matter what the job is you have to do it well, whether its box carrying or helping out with media, you do it to the best of your ability.” Read more here.
Sportsbeat 2016