A unique season deserves a unique finals series, and we’ve got one.

Marc Polmans is the unlikely last Australian man standing in Paris after making the most of his 11th-hour main-draw call up to reach the second round of the French Open.

The 23-year-old continued his breakout year on Tuesday with an assured 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3 defeat of impressive French talent Ugo Humbert, ranked 84 places higher at No.38 in the world.

Polman’s maiden main-draw Roland Garros win came despite losing in the final round of qualifying – one of three late entries after a number of withdrawals on the eve of the tournament.

The win over Humbert guarantees world No.122 Polmans at least $130,000 and comes on the back of a gutting five-set loss in the first round of the US Open and a second-round appearance at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Aussie @marcpolmans has just scored his first top-50 win to advance to the #RolandGarros second round.

Great effort, Marc #GoAussieshttps://t.co/kp68UB3thE

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) September 29, 2020

Remarkably, six other Australian men had played before Polmans and lost without winning a set in cold, difficult Paris conditions.

But South African-born Polmans looked far more comfortable than the red-hot hometown favourite as he defied some late nerves in a three-hour, two-minute contest.

Wearing his trademark legionnaires hat, Polmans raced through the first two sets before a gritty hold of serve early in the fourth set sent him on his way.

The Australian hit back-to-back winners for the decisive break before saving break points as he served out the match.

Polmans will play Chilean 20th seed Cristian Garin or German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round.

His victory puts him into the round of 64 with Australian women Daria Gavrilova and Astra Sharma, and came on the heels of Alexei Popyrin’s 6-4 6-4 7-6 (9-7) loss to South African Lloyd Harris earlier on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Popyrin, junior champion at Roland Garros three years ago, ended the match with 20 unforced errors more than Harris and 12 less winners.

His loss followed comprehensive straight-sets losses by Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, James Duckworth, John Millman and Aleksandar Vukic across the tournament’s first two days.

-AAP

The post Marc Polmans is last Aussie man standing at Roland Garros appeared first on The New Daily.

AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson believes it is a “no-brainer” for North Melbourne to go after delisted Giant Heath Shaw, which would see him reunited with brother and coach Rhyce.

One of Essendon’s most sought-after signatures is well and truly torn on his future.

One of the key figures behind the US women’s national soccer team’s success, Tony Gustavsson, has been appointed the new Matildas head coach.

The FFA announced the 47-year-old Swede’s appointment on Tuesday evening on a four-year contract that will include coaching the Matildas at the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil.

Gustavsson is best known for his five-year stint as assistant to former US coach Jill Ellis – a partnership that delivered 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup wins.

Former Italy striker and ex-Canada coach Carolina Morace had also been linked to the role, along with Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro and Chelsea counterpart Emma Hayes.

BREAKING NEWS

Welcome to the Westfield Matildas family, Tony Gustavsson! #WelcomeTony

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) September 29, 2020

“I feel that my 21 years of coaching have put me in the position to be ready for this,” Gustavsson said.

“It feels as if I have come to a moment where this is what I have been waiting for – to lead the Matildas for four years and also at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

“I have always said that the Matildas have the potential to be one of the best teams in the world and that is one of the reasons that I wanted to get on board with this job.

“I have been in the pressure cooker a lot of times and in environments that demand success.

“These experiences will be beneficial as we do this together with the fans, the stakeholders, the players, and the staff as a team.”

Welcome Tony! Can’t wait to get to work https://t.co/qbopqS1myN

— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) September 29, 2020

Gustavsson previously served as an assistant to then-US coach Pia Sundhage in 2012, winning an Olympic gold medal.

He then coached Tyreso FF between 2012 and 2014, including leading the Swedish club to the 2014 Women’s Champions League final.

When Ellis was appointed US head coach ahead of Gustavsson in 2014, she enlisted the Swede as her deputy.

Gustavsson was popular among the US playing group and is also well-respected for his tactical acumen.

He stepped down from his US role at the same time as Ellis in July 2019 and is currently working at Swedish club Hammarby IF.

Gustavsson will likely take the reins for the first time in November, when the Matildas meet for a camp in Europe.

Australia has been without a head coach since Ante Milicic stepped down in July.

The Matildas are poised to participate in four major tournaments in as many years – the Tokyo Olympics, 2022 Asian Cup, 2023 Women’s World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.

-AAP

The post Football Federation Australia names Tony Gustavsson as Matildas head coach appeared first on The New Daily.

Recently retired Port Adelaide veteran Jack Watts is reportedly facing two charges after an alleged car crash in Adelaide’s west earlier this month.

Recently retired Port Adelaide veteran Jack Watts is reportedly facing two charges after a hit-run crash in Adelaide’s west earlier this month.

Thanks to the pre-finals bye, the eight remaining contenders for the 2020 flag are getting healthy.

Geelong have been urged to ask the question of a rival star for the second year running.