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Friday, June 28, 2019 FORMULA 1 Shawwal 25, 1440 AH Vettel still has what GULF TIMES it takes at Ferrari, says Webber SPORT Page 4

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP Kohli’s India end West Indies’ World Cup hopes Indian captain also becomes fastest batsman to reach 20,000 international runs during the 125-run victory

Scorecard

INDIA S. Ambris lbw b Pandya 31 K.L. Rahul b Holder 48 S. Hope b Shami 5 R. Sharma c Hope b Roach 18 N. Pooran c Shami b Yadav 28 V. Kohli c sub b Holder 72 S. Hetmyer c Rahul b Shami 18 V. Shankar c Hope b Roach 14 J. Holder c Jadhav b Chahal 6 K. Jadhav c Hope b Roach 7 C. Brathwaite c Dhoni b Bumrah 1 M.S. Dhoni not out 56 F. Allen lbw b Bumrah 0 H. Pandya c Allen b Cottrell 46 K. Roach not out 14 M. Shami c Hope b Cottrell 0S. Cottrell lbw b Chahal 10 K. Yadav not out 0 O. Thomas c Sharma b Shami 6 Extras (1b, w6) 7 Extras (b9, lb3, nb1, w5) 18 Total (seven wickets, 50 overs) 268 Total (all out, 34.2 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Sharma), Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Gayle), 2-98 (Rahul), 3-126 (Shankar), 2-16 (Hope), 3-71 (Ambris), 4-80 4-140 (Jadhav), 5-180 (Kohli), (Pooran), 5-98 (Holder), 6-107 6-250 (Pandya), 7-252 (Shami) (Brathwaite), 7-107 (Allen), 8-112 Bowling: Cottrell 10-0-50-2 (2w); (Hetmyer), 9-124 (Cottrell), 10-143 Roach 10-0-36-3; Thomas 7-0-63-0 (Thomas) (2w); Allen 10-0-52-0; Holder 10-2- Bowling: Shami 6.2-0-16-4 (1w); 33-2; Brathwaite 3-0-33-0 (2w) Bumrah 6-1-9-2; Pandya 5-0-28-1 (1nb); Yadav 9-1-35-1 (2w); Jadhav WEST INDIES 1-0-4-0; Chahal 7-0-39-2 C. Gayle c Jadhav b Shami 6RESULT: India won by 125 runs

India’s Mohamed Shami (centre) celebrates with captain Virat Kohli (left) and teammate KL Rahul after taking the wicket of West Indies’ Chris Gayle (not pictured) during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP dismissed West Indies for 143 in playing like that for a while now,” Caribbean batsman Brian Lara cluding the wicket of India open- Manchester, United Kingdom 34.2 overs to end the West Indies’ said captain and man-of-the- both required 453 international er Rohit Sharma for 18. Pakistani and Indian super fans cheer during the 2019 ICC Cricket hopes of progressing. match Kohli. innings to reach the landmark. Kohli, whose 82-ball knock in- World Cup match between West Indies and India at Old Traff ord in India, who have displaced “Things hadn’t gone our way Wicketkeeper-batsman MS cluded eight boundaries, extend- Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) kipper Virat Kohli’s gritty England as the top-ranked one- with the bat in the last few games Dhoni and Hardik Pandya boost- ed his fi ne run of form with some half-century and an in- day team, remain the only un- but we have found a way to win.” ed the total, putting on 70 runs eye-catching shots that charmed slipped to 16-2. ourselves down with the bat. cisive bowling perform- beaten side in the tournament Shami, who took a hat-trick in for the sixth wicket to punish the a partisan crowd at Old Traff ord. It was all downhill from there “We didn’t seize the moment ance powered India to a and need just one victory from the previous game, returned fi g- otherwise-disciplined bowlers. West Indies were in trouble for a struggling Caribbean side but I would have taken chasing comprehensiveS 125-run win over their remaining three league ures of 4-16, removing the dan- Pandya hit 46 off 38 balls while early in their reply when Gayle who failed to maintain momen- 268. We didn’t do it. West Indies yesterday, all but games to guarantee a semi-fi nals gerous Chris Gayle early after a Dhoni remained unbeaten on 56, mistimed a short ball from Shami tum after their opening World “We have let ourselves down assuring them of a spot in the berth. scratchy innings from the opener. ending the innings with a big six. and was caught by Kedar Jadhav Cup win against Pakistan. signifi cantly in this tournament. World Cup semi-fi nals. West Indies joined Afghani- The West Indies bowlers, led to the left of mid-on after strug- Paceman Jasprit Bumrah and The bowlers had a reasonable Kohli top-scored with 72 to lay stan and South Africa as the three KOHLI RECORD by paceman Kemar Roach, had gling to just six runs off 19 balls. leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal campaign but our batting has the foundations for India’s 268 teams to bow out of the race for But it was Kohli who set up the kept India in check until the lat- Shai Hope tried to take the took two wickets each. been too inconsistent. This is our for seven after electing to bat fi rst the fi nal four so far. win as he became fastest bats- ter stages, stemming the fl ow of Shami on and hit him for a West Indies captain Jason weakest format of the three.” at Manchester’s Old Traff ord. “We can’t complain, we have man to reach 20,000 interna- runs with regular wickets. boundary but the bowler re- Holder said: “The bowlers did Two-time champions India The Indian bowlers, led by just become the number one side tional runs in his 417th innings Roach returned impressive sponded by rattling his stumps a fantastic job on this surface. I next play hosts England in Bir- paceman Mohamed Shami, then in the world and we have been — India’s Sachin Tendulkar and fi gures of 3-36 in his 10 overs, in- with the next ball as West Indies couldn’t ask for more but we let mingham on Sunday.

FOOTBALL Australia, Indonesia held talks for joint 2034 World Cup bid

Reuters had met Indonesian soccer fed- tion Council Meeting in Laos.” South East Asian bid was en- federation had decided to part- “Indonesia is ready to work ods by a FIFA-appointed eth- Melbourne eration (PSSI) offi cials to discuss The revelation came only days dorsed at the Asean summit and ner with Australia after Thai- with anyone, it can be Asean, it ics investigator who found the a 2034 bid at an Asean meeting after Thai Prime Minister Prayuth declined to elaborate whether land had pulled out of the 2034 can be with Australia.” federation had funnelled mon- last week. Chan-ocha told a news confer- talks with Indonesia were ongo- bid because it was “not ready”. Australia was a candidate in the ey into development projects ustralia has held talks “Football Federation Australia ence in Bangkok that 10 countries ing. A PSSI executive told Reuters controversial bidding process for with ties to FIFA’s voting exco with Indonesia about confi rms it has held discussions from the Asean bloc, including “FFA welcomes the opportu- the Indonesian federation would the 2022 World Cup awarded to members. making a joint bid for with the Indonesia Football As- Indonesia, would bid for 2034. nity to further discuss a Asean be willing to work with “any- Qatar but managed to win only The 2026 World Cup is be- the 2034 FIFA World sociation (PSSI) about the pos- It was unclear how advanced bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup one” on a 2034 bid. one vote from FIFA’s executive ing jointly hosted by the United Cup,A despite the Southeast sibility to jointly bid for the 2034 discussions were between Aus- with fellow Member Associa- “Of course we welcome it (a council members in 2010. States, Canada and Mexico. Asian nation’s involvement in FIFA World Cup,” the FFA said in tralia and Indonesia, with state- tions in the region,” the state- joint bid with Australia) and we The losing Australian bid, Multiple countries have ex- another bid with regional neigh- a statement emailed to Reuters. ments from both federations ment added. will work hard to make it hap- funded by over A$40mn pressed interest in making joint bours for the same tournament. “An Indonesia-Australia joint suggesting the talks were pre- Indonesian media, citing PSSI pen,” Yoyok Sukawi, a member ($27.96mn) of government bids for the 2030 fi nals, includ- Football Federation Australia bid was also discussed at last liminary, at best. secretary general Ratu Tisha, of the PSSI’s executive commit- money, triggered strident crit- ing South American and eastern told Reuters yesterday that it week’s Asean Football Federa- The FFA said it noted the joint reported on Wednesday that the tee, said. icism of the FFA and its meth- European nations. Gulf Times 2 Friday, June 28, 2019 CRICKET

FOCUS Sri Lanka look to improved batting to keep hopes alive ‘For us, most of the top order got some runs somewhere down the line, so hopefully we click as a batting group’ Duminy ‘ashamed’ of South Africa fl op

AFP Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom

P Duminy has apologised to South Africa fans after Jthe country’s “dismal” showing at the World Cup. Faf du Plessis’s men have beaten only win-less Afghani- stan in their opening seven games, meaning they cannot mathematically reach the last four. “It’s been pretty dismal from our part,” said Duminy, who will retire from the 50-over game after the tournament in England and Wales. “We obviously want to apolo- gise to the public and the South coach Ottis Gibson will be in the speaking ahead of South Af- African fans for letting them firing line after the tournament, rica’s match penultimate match down. with Cricket South Africa (CSA) against Sri Lanka today. “You know when you represent president Chris Nenzani promis- “The important thing for us is to your country it is always a ing that “heads will roll”. take responsibility for that and proud moment and you under- All-rounder Duminy, who has sort of stand up and be man stand that you represent 50, not featured in the past four enough to know that you know 60mn people, that is a proud matches, said the players, we have come up short. moment in itself. not the coaches, should take “They have given us the sup- “And when you put in perform- responsibility for a dismal port. They have given us all the ances like that, you know, you campaign. backing that we need to go out in a way almost feel ashamed “It’s always a diff icult one when there and put in big perform- of that.” they bear the most brunt of ances, but we are the ones that Reports have emerged that our performances,” he added, have come up short.”

Sri Lanka’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket during the match against England at Headingley in Leeds, United Kingdom, last week. Karunaratne, the team’s top run-getter in the World Cup so far, was not part of the team that lost to South Africa in a 5-0 sweep at home last year. (AFP)

Reuters was not there, and Kusal (Perera) our best cricket to win the game Durham, United Kingdom did not play in the last few games in terms of batting. … Dimuth (Karunaratne) as well,” “I think we had a perfect bowl- he said. ing display, defending that tar- ri Lanka coach Chandika “For us, fortunately, most get.” Hathurusingha has tar- of the top order got some runs With South Africa already out, geted an improved bat- somewhere down the line, so Hathurusingha admits he is un- ting display from his side hopefully we click as a batting sure what the intensity of their asS they seek to keep their Cricket group this game. opponents will be. World Cup semi-fi nal hopes alive “Cricket is funny game. You “When you have no pressure with victory over ailing South can lose so many games and win of qualifying, they can come Africa today. sub-continent side passed 200 in the one that is the most impor- and play without any pressure, A win would move Sri Lanka only two of the matches. tant. I think we have enough fearless cricket, and that can get level with fourth-placed Eng- The fact that a number of his talent and skill to compete with them going. land on eight points and leave leading players were either not in them.” “At the same time they can both teams with two matches to South Africa, or were used spar- Sri Lanka’s top score so far turn up and just want to go home, play — in the case of the Lankans ingly in the series, means they has been 247 at the World Cup, so you never know.” against West Indies and India. will not carry the scars from that though two of their matches have Sri Lanka are waiting on the Already-eliminated South Af- mauling, according to Hathurus- been rained off . They success- fi tness of fast bowler Nuwan Pra- rica have been dismal in the tour- ingha. fully defended just 232 against deep, who has been unwell. nament to date, but won a series “The thing I’m looking at is England last time out. “He is going to see a doctor in Sri Lanka last year and then some of the players that are play- “We’re coming off two wins today and then I will know in South Africa’s Faf du Plessis attends a training session at the Riverside Ground, in Chester-le-Street, claimed a 5-0 clean-sweep at ing tomorrow were not in South and a very good victory against the evening what the situation is United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) home in March during which the Africa, like Angelo (Mathews), he England, although we didn’t play with him,” Hathurusingha said.

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Former England Bring on the boo-boys, says opener Trescothick Australia’s smiling assassin Warner to end 27-year career AFP Reuters living the dream, I am out here London London at Lord’s, playing cricket for my country.” Warner said 12 months out ormer England star Mar- avid Warner says he’s of international cricket and re- cus Trescothick yester- living the dream play- turning to his Randwick-Peter- day announced he would ing for Australia at sham club had eff ected a change retire at the end of the the World Cup and no in his outlook on his sport. season,F bringing down the cur- amountD of booing from England “For me it is about enjoying tain on a 27-season career with fans eager to remind him of his the game,” he said. “When it is county side Somerset. one-year ban for ball tampering taken away from you, you realise The 43-year-old opening is going to spoil his mood. what it is all about. Going back batsman, who played 76 Tests The left-handed batsman to grassroots was fantastic. and 123 one-day internationals, shared an opening stand of 123 “I really saw smiles on peo- has scored a total of 26,234 fi rst- left and I’ll be doing everything I with his captain Aaron Finch as ple’s faces to be out there on a class runs since making his debut can to put in performances for the defending champions beat Saturday afternoon, all the vol- for Somerset in 1993. the second XI in order to force hosts and pre-tournament fa- unteers that come down and put Trescothick, whose interna- my way back into contention for vourites England at Lord’s on time and eff ort in, whether it is tional career was ended by anxi- the fi rst team.” Tuesday to book a place in the making the drinks, making the ety attacks, still holds an ambi- Trescothick, who holds the semi-fi nals. lunches. tion to win his place back in the Somerset record for number of It was Warner’s seventh “People’s parents, my mum, fi rst XI of the title-chasing side fi rst-class centuries (52) and match for Australia after return- my dad coming down, it is before the end of the season. fi rst-class catches (445), said ing from the ban for his part in just great. You can’t take that “It’s been an incredible 27 he had been blessed to be able the Newlands scandal and his for granted. I am just grateful years and I’ve loved every minute to play the game he loved for so innings of 53 runs took his tour- for the second opportunity to of it,” he told the Somerset web- long. nament tally to 500 at an average come back here and represent site. “However, everything has to “Twenty-seven years is a of 83.33. my country and do the country come to an end eventually. long time but it’s gone incred- There were boos for Warner Australia’s David Warner (left) plays a shot during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match against England proud. “I’ve been discussing my fu- ibly quickly,” he said. “I consider and his former captain Steve at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Tuesday. (Reuters) “You know I am just excited to ture with the club and my family myself very fortunate to have had Smith when they took the fi eld be back here and playing World for a while and we felt that now the opportunity to do something but the 32-year-old from the they pay their dollars and if they the corner there... and copped it. down and watch us. Cup cricket for Australia.” was the appropriate time to make that I love for that length of time. tough southeastern Sydney sub- want to boo us, they can,” Warn- “At the end of the day you have “I always just smile. I take my Australia’s next match is back this announcement in order for “I’m extremely grateful for all urbs was not letting it bother him. er told reporters at Lord’s. to smile — they pay their money glasses off and look everyone in at Lord’s tomorrow against New both the club and I to put plans the support that I’ve received “At the end of the day. People “As I said before, I thrive on to come and watch us and we are the eye and just smile. Zealand, who they beat in the in place. throughout this remarkable have the right to come in here, that stuff , I love it. I went out to grateful for them to come and sit “That is what it’s about, I am fi nal to win the 2015 World Cup. “There’s still a lot of the season journey.” Gulf Times Friday, June 28, 2019 3 CRICKET WORLD CUP

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT India and New Zealand games are 1992 all over again ‘quarter-fi nals’ for England, says Root

Reuters ally starts to kick in. London “I personally think we’ve got as Pakistan take to be very calm about how we ap- proach the next couple of games. ourth-placed England The games themselves might get will be playing two vir- quite emotional, especially the tual “quarter-fi nals” at atmosphere at Edgbaston against the Cricket World Cup India.” whenF they face India and New Root also said that England Zealand in their last two round have not adapted to the slow identical WC path robin matches as they look to pitches at the tournament, hav- seal a semi-fi nal spot, batsman ing played on batsman-friendly Joe Root has said. surfaces at the same grounds ‘It was same... and then we wanted Australia to beat the West Indies for us to qualify’ England’s 64-run loss to Aus- during one-day international bi- tralia on Tuesday left their quali- lateral series played in the build- AFP fi cation hopes in the balance up to the World Cup. Birmingham, United Kingdom with Bangladesh, Pakistan (both The hosts were criticised for one point behind) and Sri Lanka not making most of the condi- (two points behind with a game tions against Australia despite wenty-seven years and in hand) breathing down their winning the toss while their a generation apart, Pa- necks. “one-dimensional” approach to kistan’s World Cup England have not beaten In- batting during the tournament bears striking similari- dia or New Zealand in seven at- has been slammed by pundits. Tties with their 1992 campaign tempts at the World Cup since “We’ve been turning up to — when they started slowly but 1992 but Root is confi dent they some venues and things have ended up lifting the trophy in can still reach the knockout stag- been quite diff erent through- Melbourne. es. out this tournament to when we An identical sequence of wins “We’ll see these two games play one-day series there in the and losses, and other eerie par- as quarter-fi nals... which in a past and we haven’t necessar- allels, have struck a chord with way when it comes round to the ily adapted as well as we could,” millions of fans who believe that knockout stage should serve you Root added. Pakistan could be set to come well,” Root told reporters. “You look at some of the par out on top once again. “We believe we’re still more scores and they have been very In both World Cups, Pakistan than capable of qualifying for diff erent to when we have played started with a one-sided defeat the semi-finals and when that there in bilateral series.” to the West Indies, before recov- happens, it doesn’t really mat- England play India on Sunday ering to win their second game ter how you got there because and their fi nal game against New — against Zimbabwe in 1992, that’s when the tournament re- Zealand next Wednesday. and England this time around. At both tournaments, their third game was rained off and they then went on to lose their next two games and win the fol- lowing two.

It’s moving in the direction that they might qualify and, if ‘ it does, that would be something very special if they could win the World Cup. — Waqar Younis, Former Pakistan captain Pakistan’s Mohamed Amir delivers a ball during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on Wednesday. While Wasim Akram was the leading wicket-taker in 1992 with 18, another left-arm pacer, Amir, is second on Not only that, but the fi - the bowler’s chart with 16 so far. (AFP) nal win in both sequences was against New Zealand, who were the end result is also similar now “It’s moving in the direction bowler’s chart with 16 so far. reached their 238-run target in unbeaten in both 1992 and 2019 and we win the World Cup,” said that they might qualify and, if it “I am not sure if players are 49.1 overs on Wednesday. until they ran into Pakistan. Wasim, now a TV commentator. does, that would be something following all these (discussions) Fans are now hoping that the “It was same, the same se- “It is becoming impossible to very special if they could win the but this should motivate them,” similarities don’t end there, and quence of results, points and ignore the parallels with 1992,” World Cup,” said Waqar, a pro- said Wasim. even that they continue beyond then we wanted Australia to beat said former captain Waqar lifi c fast bowler who was robbed But Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz the World Cup. the West Indies for us to quali- Younis in a column for the Inter- of his role in the tournament 27 Ahmed played down any paral- “Imran Khan was Pakistan fy,” said legendary fast bowler national Cricket Council. years ago due to a back injury. lels with 1992. “That’s history but captain in 1992 World Cup and Wasim Akram, who played for “The similarities are freaky In another similarity, Wasim after we won against New Zea- 26 years after that triumph he be- Pakistan in 1992. and even though the players was the leading wicket-taker land someone told me that even came country’s prime minister, so “Then also we beat New Zea- won’t have been thinking about in 1992 with 18 and another in 1992 we chased down New Sarfaraz should also join politics land — who was unbeaten then it, there is no way they can put it Pakistan left-arm pacer, Mo- Zealand’s target with fi ve balls to and become premier in 2045,” said too. A lot of similarities, I hope out of their minds altogether. hamed Amir, is second on the spare,” said Sarfaraz, whose team one comment on social media.

BOTTOMLINE

England’s Joe Root attends a training session at Lord’s Cricket Ground Unbeaten ton against NZ my best innings: Azam in London on Monday. (AFP)

Reuters London COMMENT

akistan’s Babar Azam said his match-winning 28 - 06 - 2019 New Zealand won’t century against New Zealand was the best Pof his career as he guided the panic aft er World Asian side to a six-wicket win on Wednesday to keep their World Cup semi-fi nal hopes alive. Cup defeat: Vettori Chasing a modest target of 238 in bowler-friendly condi- AFP finals despite the hiccup. tions, Azam scored an unbeaten Birmingham, United Kingdom Vettori said the tournament 101 off 127 balls to push Pakistan was benefi ting from a good bal- over the line in the fi nal over and ance between bat and ball, with hand the Black Caps their fi rst ormer captain Daniel early predictions of a run-fest loss of the tournament. Vettori said New Zealand proving wide of the mark. “This is my best innings,” would not panic after “The traditional road we’ve Azam told reporters. “The wick- Kane Williamson’s side seen in one-day cricket, where et was very diffi cult and turned suffF ered their fi rst defeat of the 350 plays 350, is not quite as a lot in the second half. The plan World Cup against Pakistan. prevalent and it makes for an ex- was to go through to the end and The beaten 2015 fi nalists had citing game,” he said. give my 100 percent. the chance to seal their semi- “It brings the spinners into “When we started, the plan fi nal place alongside Australia play and brings the bowlers in was to see out (fast bowler) at Edgbaston on Wednesday but general into play. It allows real Lockie Ferguson but when lost by six wickets as Pakistan’s batsmanship to be on display. We Mitchell Santner came on, the Babar Azam starred with the bat. saw that from Babar Azam, who plan became not to give wickets “The one thing New Zealand was just exceptional.” to him and cover up later when won’t do is panic after the defeat New Zealand’s next game is the fast bowlers come on.” to Pakistan. This team doesn’t tomorrow against defending Santner praised Azam and panic and hasn’t for a long time,” champions Australia, who are Haris Sohail (68 off 76 balls) said Vettori in a column for the top of the 10-team table with 12 for their 126-run partnership, International Cricket Council. points, and Vettori said stopping which forced New Zealand skip- “They have been playing a the openers would be key. per Kane Williamson to try eight style of cricket that has deliv- “The big challenge in the next diff erent bowlers. ered success and they have won game against Australia at Lord’s “It’s not easy, that was a pret- fi ve games out of seven, with one will be Aaron Finch and David ty special knock out there to- washout.” Warner — they have been excep- day,” Santner said. “He (Azam) “That success breeds confi - tional in this tournament,” he said. looked like he had it in him dence and calmness, so there is no “They have set Australia up. from the word go and the way point in changing strategy just be- No one else has had to bat that he paced his innings was pretty “We saw Pakistan do that in in his quota of 10 overs but he for the way they batted,” the the way to go about it.” cause of one loss” he added. “They much. The ability to dismiss special. the Champions Trophy and they was unlucky to go wicketless 27-year-old said. Pakistan are now one point will stay true to how they have those two early on will be crucial “Him and Haris Sohail took couldn’t be stopped, so they’re after beating the bat a number “That partnership through behind fourth-placed England played for a number of years.” and more often than not, that it away from us in those mid- obviously timing their run well.” of times. the middle was pretty special. with two matches left and they New Zealand remained sec- falls on Trent Boult to do that.” dle overs. When teams get mo- Santner was the most eco- “It’s the spinner’s role to take “The way they were able to play Afghanistan next tomorrow ond in the table, on 11 points, New Zealand’s fi nal match of mentum, they are difficult to nomical of the New Zealand wickets on a surface like that, manipulate the fi eld when they at Headingley. The top four ad- after their loss to Pakistan and the group stage is against host stop. bowlers, conceding only 38 runs but credit has to go to Pakistan were only chasing 237, that was vance to the semi-fi nals. look likely to reach the semi- nation England next Wednesday. Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 28, 2019 SPORT

FORMULA 1 MOTORCYCLING ‘Cathedral of Speed’ awaits Vettel still has red hot Marquez what it takes at Ferrari: Webber Questions have increasingly been asked about Vettel’s performance under pressure

AFP the Ducati rider who took a tum- Assen, Netherlands ble last time out in Montmelo forcing Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales out ith temperatures of the race. soaring across Eu- MotoGP legend Rossi has 10 rope, Marc Mar- Dutch GPs to his name, the last quez wants to turn in 2017. Wthe heat up even higher on his “In Montmelo we did a good championship rivals at this job in the garage, we worked weekend’s Dutch MotoGP. well, and we were very fast,” re- The fi ve-time world champion fl ected nine-time world cham- arrives at Assen on the back of pion Rossi. success in Catalonia which gave “I felt good during the two him a 37-point cushion in the laps in the race, so in the Neth- race for the 2019 riders’ title. erlands this week we will work Twelve months ago, the hard to get ready for the fi ght at eighth leg of the season at the the front again. ‘Cathedral of Speed’ served up “We come to Assen with fi re an epic encounter, with Honda’s in our bellies.” Spanish star triumphing in a The evergreen 40-year-old seven-bike battle for victory. Italian is fi fth in the standings, “I’m looking forward to rac- on 72 points, with Marquez on ing there again as we have had 140. some good battles in the past Another rider to hit the deck and have put on a great show for at Montmelo was Aleix Espar- the fans,” Marquez told motoGP. garo, who suff ered a micro- com. fracture to his left femur and a “I am sure we will have a great knee injury but is confi dent of race on Sunday. The weather is getting the all clear to compete. also looking good so I am confi - The Aprilia rider has under- dent we can have a strong week- gone “intense rehabilitation” end.” and says “I am pleased with Marquez says the key to doing the results because I feel rather well at Assen lies in being “con- well”. The crowd in Catalonia sistent and precise in the fast got two Marquez’s for the price change of directions”. of one, with Marc’s younger He hasn’t done too shabbily brother Alex landing the Moto2 here in the past, with last year’s race to leapfrog his Kalex team- win his sixth at the circuit which mate Lorenzo Baldassarri in the often draws crowds of more than category standings. Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel (L) during a track walk ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, yesterday. 100,000 fans. Marquez junior is seeking his The closest challengers in the fourth straight victory on Sun- Reuters of the rest behind the Mercedes standings is Andrea Dovizioso, day. London Formula E expects to turn a profi t in 2020 drivers, with teammate Charles Leclerc fi fth and 24 points fur- Reuters, London: The all-electric Formula E significantly in marketing and promotion. ther adrift. RUGBY ebastian Vettel took the motor racing series will make a profit for the Agag said the series had come through early Formula One’s most success- Formula One lead from first time next season despite its biggest ever financial diff iculties and the precarious years ful team have not won any title Lewis Hamilton at last marketing spend, founder and chief executive were now over. “Now this is like a rocket,” he since 2008. Syear’s Austrian Grand Alejandro Agag said yesterday. said. “I don’t fi nd the challenge Scotland’s most Prix but the Ferrari driver has “We are going to have our biggest ever market- The series has attracted a list of major carmak- now diff erent to last year or now fallen so far behind there ing expenditure, many tens of millions. But ers, with Mercedes and Porsche set to enter the years before,” Vettel said in can be no repeat at Spielberg this even with that spend we are going to show a the sixth season that starts in December to France last Sunday. “We are in capped player weekend. profit,” the Spaniard told Reuters in an inter- compete against the likes of Nissan, Citroen, a better place than maybe 2015 After eight races, Ferrari’s view. BMW, Jaguar, Audi and Mahindra. and 2016 so I think 2017 and German lags his Mercedes rival “It’s sponsors, city fees for some cities that are The cars remain a way off Formula One pace ’18 have been a clear step in the Ford hangs up boots by 76 points and cannot catch up starting to get significant and media rights are but can accelerate from 0-100kph in 2.8 sec- right direction. until August, even if Hamilton starting to go up,” he added. onds and hit a top speed of 280kph. “It’s true that last year at this had three retirements in a row — Formula E posted losses of 26.4mn euros Season Five saw the introduction of a new ‘at- point we were more competitive unlikely for a man with only one ($30.00mn) in season four ending July 31, 2018 tack mode’, a new level of strategy with drivers but it is what it is now...what since 2016. Vettel, who won all after being 20.8mn in the red a year earlier. going off the racing line in certain sectors to is important is to look back at four of his world championships The city-based street series, whose 13-race collect more power as in the video game Mario these races and understand what with Red Bull, has gone 16 races fifth season ends in New York on the weekend Kart. The series also features ‘Fanboost’, an on- we need to do better. without a victory and made of July 13-14, has Liberty Global and Discovery line vote by fans to give a limited spell of extra “I love racing, nothing has some costly errors, while Ham- Communications as major shareholders. power in the race to the most popular driver, changed about that.” ilton has won 14 of the last 20. Agag told Reuters in 2017, after Formula E but Agag indicated that could be dropped This year’s car was the talk Questions have increasingly reported an operating loss of 33.7mn euros to in future. “We may eventually not continue of pre-season testing with its been asked about Vettel’s per- end-July 2016, that the series would have bro- with Fanboost but focus everything on attack straight-line pace in Barcelona formance under pressure while ken even already without a decision to invest mode,” he said. but is losing time overall to Mer- Hamilton speeds towards a sixth cedes through the corners. Cor- championship. recting the problems will take Australian Mark Webber, from the oldest and most glam- team and just more reassurance a real challenge to stay ahead time. now-retired former Red Bull orous team. that the Monday to Friday stuff against a Mercedes-Lewis Ferrari should still have won teammate, feels Vettel still has “I think he needs a couple is going to be dealt with,” he told Hamilton factor week in and in Bahrain but an engine prob- what it takes but needs better more lieutenants, he needs to Reuters. week out.” lem thwarted Leclerc while support and more ammunition have less responsibility in the “Seb’s still has got it, but it’s Vettel is third overall, and best leading from pole.

BOTTOMLINE

Reuters over 100 and Sean (Lamont) is London up over 100 as well. “I never set out to get certain number or beat them. I just kept oss Ford, Scottish playing because I was enjoying Muirfi eld invites women to rugby’s most-capped it.” player with 110 Test ap- Ford, who started out his ca- Rpearances, announced reer as a back row forward, said his retirement yesterday. he is looking forward to devel- The 35-year-old hooker — oping young talent at the Acad- join for fi rst time in 275 years who won one cap for the British emy in the Scottish Borders. Reuters by organising body the R&A. & Irish Lions in the 2009 series “I always enjoyed the strength London “It is my great pleasure to announce with South Africa — is to move and conditioning side of things,” that 12 women have been formally invit- into coaching with the Scottish he said. ed to join the HCEG this month,” HCEG Rugby Academy. “It was always a big part of my uirfi eld has invited women captain Alistair Campbell said in a state- Ford, who made his Test debut game and it was something I was to join as members for the ment. in 2004 and earned his record- good at. fi rst time in its 275-year his- “This marks a milestone in the club’s breaking and fi nal Scotland cap “Later in my career I took a tory, two years after a vote to illustrious history, and we look forward against Fiji two years ago, said big interest in it and it became Mchange the club’s all-male policy. to welcoming all of our new members to he never targeted becoming the something I wanted to do after The Honourable Company of Edin- share in the great values and traditions of record caps holder. I fi nished playing, so I was re- burgh Golfers (HCEG), based in East our club.” “I never had any specifi c tar- ally keen when this opportunity Lothian, Scotland invited 12 women in- Individuals who are invited to become gets in mind, it (reaching 110 came up, especially being a Bor- cluding two from overseas and three men members must fi rst be proposed and caps) just kind of crept up on ders lad as well. for membership from July 1. seconded by existing members and fi ve me,” said Ford. “There’s a lot of talent here so The club had voted in 2017 to admit referees. “I recognise it as a big if I can help them develop and women members, scrapping an earlier The club’s membership is then invit- achievement but it’s just some- make this one part of their game policy that had led to the historic Scot- ed to write in support, or otherwise, of thing that came hand-in-hand world class then, hopefully, tish links course being stripped of its eli- Greenkeepers prepare the Muirfield course for the 131st British Open Championship in those put forward with the same process with playing the sport. they’ll come through and go on gibility to host the Open Championship this July 17, 2002 file photo. being followed for both men and women. “Mossy (Chris Paterson) got to bigger and better things.” Gulf Times Friday, June 28, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB Keuchel earns fi rst win as Braves beat Chicago Cubs Pitcher Keuchel allows three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out two

Reuters ing of Patrick Corbin with a three-run, runs to power Colorado past host San Chicago tiebreaking home run in the sixth in- Francisco. German Marquez (8-3) ning, propelling visiting Washington worked fi ve innings for his second win to a victory over Miami. Corbin (7-5) this season over the Giants, giving the ick Markakis hit a three-run allowed just three hits in seven innings, Rockies a 2-1 series win. homer, Brian McCann had leaving with a 4-1 lead, in pitching the Dahl’s grand slam came after the Gi- a solo shot, and the Atlanta Nationals to the seventh win in their ants took a 2-0 lead against Marquez in Braves held on for a 5-3 win past nine games and second straight in the fi rst inning on RBI doubles by Pablo Nover the host Chicago Cubs on Wednes- the three-game series. Sandoval and Alex Dickerson. day night. Dallas Keuchel (1-1) earned Miami’s Zac Gallen (0-1) pitched well his fi rst win since signing a free agent in his second major league start but was DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 2 deal with the Braves earlier this month. charged with his fi rst big-league loss Arizona led 4-0 after four batters to He allowed three runs on eight hits nonetheless. He was charged with three spoil the debut of Los Angeles’ Tony in 5 2/3 innings while walking three runs on four hits and two walks in fi ve- Gonsolin, and the Diamondbacks and striking out two. Willson Con- plus innings. He struck out eight. cruised to a win. Jarrod Dyson had a treras went 2-for-3 with a triple and huge day, with three hits — including a homer to lead the Cubs. Kris Bryant RANGERS 4, TIGERS 1 a double — a run, an RBI, two stolen also homered for Chicago, which lost Texas hit three solo homers in the fi fth bases and a leaping grab over the fence its second straight game. inning, and Mike Minor pitched a com- to rob Joc Pederson of a potential home Cubs starter Yu Darvish (2-4) gave up plete game while handing host Detroit run. Arizona won twice in the three- fi ve runs on fi ve hits in fi ve innings. He its sixth consecutive defeat 4-1. Willie game series as the Dodgers dropped a walked two and struck out eight. The Calhoun, Jeff Mathis and Danny San- three-game set for the fi rst time since defeat snapped a streak of 10 straight tana went deep against Tigers starter late April. Los Angeles catcher Russell no-decisions for Darvish, which is a Matthew Boyd (5-6) to support Minor Martin pitched for the second time in franchise record. (8-4), who allowed one run on fi ve hits his 14-year career, both times against and struck out seven. Arizona. He needed only eight pitches ANGELS 5, REDS 1 It was Minor’s third career complete to work a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Justin Bour hit two home runs, and Los game and second of the season. Cal- Angeles defeated Cincinnati to sweep a houn also had two doubles and scored PADRES 10, ORIOLES 5 two-game series. Bour hit a solo shot in from second on a sacrifi ce fl y. Boyd re- Franmil Reyes hit two of San Diego’s the fi fth inning to tie the score at 1-1, corded 11 strikeouts in seven innings, fi ve home runs as the Padres completed and a two-out, three-run shot in the his fourth career double-digit strikeout a two-game sweep at Baltimore. Reyes eighth to make it 5-1 after the previous performance. Brandon Dixon hit a solo drove in three runs with a solo, 452- batter, David Fletcher, drove in the go- homer for Detroit, which has lost 19 of foot homer off Orioles starter Dylan ahead run with an infi eld single. its last 21 home games. Bundy in the third and a 412-foot, two- Shohei Ohtani had three hits for the run shot off reliever Shawn Armstrong Angels, who have won three in a row. PIRATES 14, ASTROS 2 in the fi fth. Greg Garcia put the Padres Cam Bedrosian (3-3) pitched a score- Dario Agrazal recorded his fi rst career ahead 2-1 with a two-run homer in the less eighth for Los Angeles before Ty victory as Pittsburgh slugged its way second. Eric Hosmer added a two-run Buttrey worked the ninth. to a victory at Houston. The Pirates homer off Armstrong in the sixth, and have won seven of 10 games following Hunter Renfroe greeted reliever Tanner A’S 2, CARDINALS 0 a seven-game losing skid. Agrazal (1- Scott with his 24th homer leading off Daniel Mengden and three relievers 0) was sharp in his second career start, the seventh. combined for a fi ve-hit shutout, and limiting the Astros to a George Springer Oakland completed a two-game sweep leadoff home run in the fi rst inning dur- INDIANS 5, ROYALS 3 at St. Louis. Beau Taylor and Matt ing his six-inning outing. He scattered Trevor Bauer struck out a season- Chapman homered for the A’s, who fi ve hits and three walks while striking high 12 batters over 6 2/3 innings as have won seven of nine. The Cardinals out three. Josh Bell, Jung Ho Kang, Jose host Cleveland recorded a victory over have lost three straight. Mengden (2- Osuna and Kevin Newman homered for Kansas City in the rubber match of a 1) allowed four hits and a walk while the Pirates, the latter two off position- three-game series. Jake Bauers and striking out fi ve over six innings. After player Tyler White, who pitched during Tyler Naquin belted a solo homer, and contributing 5 2/3 scoreless innings on Pittsburgh’s six-run ninth. Francisco Lindor collected three hits Tuesday night, the A’s bullpen tossed and scored twice for the Indians, who three more on Wednesday, with Liam PHILLIES 5, METS 4 have won 10 of their past 13 games. Bau- Hendriks pitching around a Marcell Jay Bruce doubled home pinch runner er (6-6), who allowed one run on three Ozuna double in the ninth inning for his Atlanta Braves centre fielder Ronald Acuna Jr (right) and second baseman Ozzie Albies celebrate after their win over Roman Quinn from second base in the hits, recorded his fourth double-digit second save. Yusmeiro Petit and Joakim Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) bottom of the 10th inning as host Phila- strikeout performance of the season. Soria each tossed a hitless inning before delphia rallied for a win over New York. Hendriks closed it out. fi ve-run defi cit and extended their ma- missing a chance to become the majors’ nings as Seattle defeated host Milwau- Bruce also doubled earlier for the Phil- WHITE SOX 8, RED SOX 7 jor-league-record homer streak to 29 fi rst 11-game winner. Taylor Rogers got kee. The Mariners won for the second lies, who trailed 4-0 as late as the sixth Jose Abreu hit a two-run home run in YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 7 games on long balls by Didi Gregorius the fi nal four outs for his 10th save, straight night against the Brewers and inning. Jean Segura homered among the ninth inning, and Chicago avoided Gleyber Torres hit a game-winning and DJ LeMahieu. sealing Minnesota’s fourth victory in for the sixth time in their past seven his two hits and had three RBIs for the a three-game sweep by winning at Bos- single with one out in the bottom of the fi ve games. Kevin Kiermaier, Tommy games. Milwaukee lost for the sev- Phillies, who won their third straight ton. Abreu battled Matt Barnes (3-3) in ninth inning as the New York Yankees TWINS 6, RAYS 4 Pham and Willy Adames homered, and enth time in nine games. LeBlanc (5-2) over the Mets in the four-game series a 10-pitch at-bat, fouling off six off er- overcame blowing a late lead and pulled Nelson Cruz had three hits, including Austin Meadows had two hits for the entered after Matt Carasiti pitched a that ends Thursday. Cesar Hernandez ings before taking a 2-2 pitch over the out a victory over visiting Toronto. The a game-deciding, three-run double in Rays, who lost for the seventh time in scoreless fi rst inning, and he allowed and JT Realmuto added two hits apiece Green Monster and out of the park. His win completed a three-game sweep and the seventh inning, as Minnesota ral- nine games. two runs on fi ve hits with one walk and for Philadelphia, which posted a walk- one-out blast drove in Yolmer Sanchez, gave the Yankees 11 victories in their lied for a victory over Tampa Bay in six strikeouts. Roenis Elias tossed two off win for the fi rst time this season. who had singled. Abreu fi nished 3-for- past 12 games as they head to London to Minneapolis. Trevor May (3-1) picked MARINERS 4, BREWERS 2 shutout innings for his 10th save. 5 with four RBIs. His homer spoiled an face the Boston Red Sox in the fi rst two up the win in relief of Jake Odorizzi, JP Crawford went 3-for-5 with two ROCKIES 6, GIANTS 3 eighth-inning comeback by the Red major league games in Europe. who allowed three runs on four hits doubles, a triple and three RBIs, and NATIONALS 7, MARLINS 5 David Dahl hit a third-inning grand Sox, who took a 7-6 lead on Xander The Yankees came back from an early and two walks over 5 1/3 innings while Wade LeBlanc pitched fi ve solid in- Matt Adams backed the strong pitch- slam and drove in a career-best fi ve Bogaerts’ two-run single.

FOCUS NBA Panthers’ goalie Luongo Warriors' Durant opts for free agency AFP pact. The 34-year-old arrived San Francisco in Toronto in February via trade retires aft er 19 NHL seasons from the Memphis Grizzlies, with whom he spent his fi rst 10- AFP olden State Warriors plus NBA seasons. Miami star forward Kevin His numbers dipped in short- Durant has declined ened minutes after joining the a $31.5mn option for Raptors, but he helped the team lorida Panthers goal- Gnext season and will become an to a lengthy playoff run capped tender Roberto Luongo, unrestricted NBA free agent, by its fi rst NBA championship in a two-time Olympic and ESPN reported on Wednesday. franchise history. world champion for Can- Durant, the 2017 and 2018 Gasol averaged 9.1 points, ada,F announced his retirement NBA Finals Most Valuable Play- 6.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in on Wednesday after 19 National er and 2014 NBA MVP, ruptured 24.9 minutes per game across 26 Hockey League seasons, calling it his right Achilles tendon in the games (19 starts) in the regular quits at age 40. second quarter of game fi ve season with Toronto, down from Luongo, a hero in Canada’s of the NBA Finals earlier this 15.7-8.6-4.7 in 33.7 minutes per 2010 Winter Olympic gold medal month and underwent surgery game in 53 starts with Memphis. run, was the third-winningest to repair the injury. In 11 NBA seasons, Gasol has ca- goalie in NHL history with a The 30-year-old forward is reer averages of 15 points, 7.7 re- career record of 489 wins, 392 looking at missing the 2019-20 bounds and 3.4 assists, earning losses, 91 overtime defeats and NBA season while rehabilitating three All-Star nods. 33 draws. “This is one of the is where my home is and I still and eff ort required and I found and using the following cam- Kevin Durant has declined a $31.5mn option for next season and toughest decisions I’ve faced in love and want to be involved with my body telling me that it didn’t paign to rebuild to peak form, will become an unrestricted NBA free agent. (AFP) SEEKING BUTLER, my life and it took me a long time hockey,” Luongo said. want to go through it.” a prospect that could scare off ROCKETS SHOPPING to make it,” Luongo said. “After “Maybe I didn’t win the Luongo took over for Brodeur some suitors who hoped for be completed early, NBA rules the leaders in money to spend CAPELA, GORDON thinking about it a lot over the Stanley Cup on the ice, but per- in the knockout stage of the 2010 more instant returns from a big- mandate no new contracts can under NBA salary cap rules, are Eyeing a sign-and-trade for past two months and listening to haps I can still put my name on Vancouver Olympic tournament money deal for one of the NBA’s be signed until July 6, leav- expected to make a pitch for Du- Philadelphia 76ers All-Star my body, I made up my mind. It it in another way. It wouldn’t be and backstopped Canada to four biggest talents. ing a week of various reports of rant, whose agent is in New York Jimmy Butler, the Houston just feels like the right time for quite the same, but it would still wins in a golden run while a Durant averaged 26.0 points, agreements to terms but noth- ready for off ers. Rockets are shopping centre me to step away from the game.” be quite the accomplishment. For member of the NHL’s Vancouver 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and ing teams can confi rm until Clint Capela, guard Eric Gordon Luongo had a 2.52 goals- now though, I’m just another re- Canucks, whom he helped to the 1.1 blocked shots a game for signings are complete. RAPTORS’ GASOL and forward PJ Tucker to cap- against average, a.919 save per- tiree in South Florida. I’ll be go- 2011 Stanley Cup Final. the Warriors this season and Boston’s Kyrie Irving, Toron- EXERCISES $25.6MN OPTION abundant teams. ESPN reported centage and 77 shutouts over ing to get my senior citizen’s card “He has always approached boosted his production to 32.3 to’s Kawhi Leonard and Golden Center Marc Gasol will pass on that the Rockets are shopping 1,044 NHL games with the New here pretty soon.” everything with a determination points and 7.7 rebounds a game State guard Klay Thompson are free agency and return to the those players individually, seek- York Islanders, Vancouver Ca- Luongo, who trailed only and level of class that was second in the playoff s until suff ering expected to be among the other Toronto Raptors in 2019-20 af- ing the best available fi rst- nucks and the Panthers, going Martin Broduer’s 691 wins and to none,” Panthers general man- a right calf injury and missing top free agents on off er when ter exercising his $25.6mn play- round pick that they could then 18-16-5 with a 3.12 GAA and a Patrick Roy’s 551 on the all-time ager Dale Tallon said. “He leaves nine games before his brief NBA talks begin, although Thomp- er option on Wednesday. Gasol include in a deal for Butler. The shutout for Florida this past sea- NHL win list, said: “I found my- not only a legacy in South Flori- Finals comeback. son suff ered a torn left knee could have been an unrestricted Rockets would need to move two son. “Once I’ve had some time self dreading getting back into da, but a legacy in the game itself. Durant is still expected to ligament in game six of the NBA free agent when the new league or all three players in order for to process this and make the ad- my routine” and “I wasn’t look- I have no doubt that ‘Lu’ will one have several off ers when NBA Finals and will also miss signifi - year begins on Sunday, but he the salaries to match a max con- justment, I’d love to be part of ing forward to getting back in day be a Hockey Hall of Famer free agency opens on Sun- cant time next season. will instead play out the fi nal tract for Butler, which would be the Panthers organisation. This the gym. There’s a lot of work and deservingly so.” day. While terms of deals can The New York Knicks, among season of a fi ve-year, $113.2mn $140mn over four years. Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 28, 2019 FOOTBALL

COPA AMERICA SPOTLIGHT Uruguay-Peru Argentina’s Armani quarter-fi nal promises goal fest AFP against Peru in the Copa America Salvador, Brazil alone. He and Cavani have found the net twice each here in Brazil, wary of pacy with the PSG forward bagging ave you heard the one the crucial winner in Monday’s about the gunslinger, 1-0 success over champions the assassin and the Chile that allowed Uruguay to predator? Football fans top Group C. inH Salvador attending the Copa “We needed to win, we wanted America quarter-fi nal between to top the group and give a good outsiders Venezuela Uruguay and Peru soon will be- account of ourselves and con- cause that’s what’s in store for tinue with this attitude,” said them tomorrow. ‘the assassin’ Cavani, 32, second Argentina haven’t beaten Venezuela in the last three meetings, and lost 3-1 in March Three of South America’s most only to Suarez with 48 interna- feared forwards will square off , tional goals. Lining up in Peru’s AFP weapons cocked and ready for attack will be their own all-time Rio de Janeiro battle. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez top scorer, Paolo Guerrero (37 scored 25 goals for Barcelona last goals). Alongside Eduardo Vargas season and Edinson Cavani man- of Chile, he’s also the top active rgentina goalkeeper Franco Ar- aged 23 for Paris Saint-Germain. Copa America goalscorer with 12. mani warned his teammates on Lining up opposite them will Guerrero began his senior ca- Wednesday not to be caught out be Peru’s Paolo Guerrero, a reer in Germany and after a dec- by minnows Venezuela when the player who netted nine times for ade at Bayern Munich and then sidesA meet in the Copa America quarter- Brazil’s Internacional since April Hamburg, he left for Brazil where fi nals. Argentina scraped into the knock- after returning from a 14-month he helped Corinthians win the out rounds courtesy of a 2-0 win over doping ban. With that kind of Club World Cup, scoring the only invitees Qatar in their fi nal pool match fi repower on the pitch, fans goal in the fi nal against Chelsea. having gone into it bottom of Group B. in the northern Brazilian city But Corinthians’ home stadium And now they’re wary of avoiding a should be in for a feast of goals. in Sao Paulo was the scene of banana skin against the tournament min- “Suarez and Cavani are irre- Peru’s painful scolding against nows, one of only two of South America’s placeable,” said Uruguay’s coach the hosts and that’s something 10 national sides — the other being Ecua- Oscar Tabarez a few months ago. Guerrero wants to put right. dor — never to win the Copa. “Given their incredibly high per- “We have a rematch where “We need to score goals, to be very formance level, we can expect to we can make amends, we can careful... to avoid a surprise,” said the achieve much more.” do better, correct our mistakes,” River Plate goalkeeper ahead of today’s Only hosts Brazil scored more said ‘the Predator’ about Peru’s clash at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadi- goals than Uruguay in the group quarter-fi nal tie. Guerrero, 35, um. Armani said Venezuela would “look stages — in part thanks to a 5-0 is also raring to go after serving to win back the ball quickly and attack” thrashing of a self-destructing a 14-month doping suspension from the fl anks, where “they have quick Peru in their fi nal pool match after testing positive for traces of players.” — and only pitch-perfect Co- cocaine. And in Newcastle United forward Salo- lombia managed a better record. While other players are at mon Rondon, they have “a centre-for- Uruguay’s dynamic duo, both the end of a long hard season, ward who holds up the ball well and has from Salto in the north west, are Guerrero is much fresher having good movement.” While 14-time former feeling confi dent ahead of the played only a couple of months of winners Argentina may have been a dis- knock-out stages of a competi- football before the tournament appointment for many onlookers, Armani tion the country has won a record began. With a combined age of feels they are fi nding their form as they 15 times. “We’re one of the po- 99, time is not on the side of progress deeper into the competition. tential winners. We’re Uruguay, these three veteran strikers and They began with a 2-0 defeat to Co- the team that has won the Copa this may well be one of the last lombia before benefi ting from a couple of America the most times, and we major competitions any of them contentious decisions in a 1-1 draw with need to demonstrate this by win- features in. Paraguay, only securing qualifi cation to ning matches,” said 32-year-old The era of the gunslinger, the the latter stages with victory over Qatar. Suarez, the gunslinger, his coun- assassin and the predator may There has been little so far to suggest try’s all-time record goalscorer soon be at an end, but football they might end a 26-year trophy drought, with 58. fans will be hoping they combine though. “We’ve gone from worse to bet- He’s scored three times in explosive fashion today. ter in this Copa. Match by match we’ve gained confi dence, we’ve gained the functionality the team needs, and we ar- rive in good shape for this quarter-fi nal,” Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre) and Sergio Aguero train in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. (Reuters) he said. But Argentina haven’t beaten Ven- d’Or winner Lionel Messi made his long- Argentina have lost the fear factor they said Rincon. “What’s important now is ezuela in their last three meetings, and awaited return to the national team after once had thanks to a multitude of star the teamwork, how you play as a team. We lost 3-1 when the sides met in Madrid in a an eight-month absence. players. “It’s been a while since they won, respect everyone, but we fear no-one.” friendly in March, when fi ve-time Ballon For Venezuela captain Tomas Rincon, with their history and their (star) names,”

FOCUS Colombia’s Uribe delighted to encounter ‘ball-playing’ Chile AFP “But they also leave spaces, they also Juan Cuadrado and Roger Martinez on the Sao Paulo let you play and we’ve been using the fl anks, with James Rodriguez pulling the ball very well. “We’ve been very direct strings in the hole behind either Radamel and that’s helped us to negate our rivals’ Falcao or Duvan Zapata in the centre- olombia midfi elder Mateus game.” However, he warned that Colom- forward role at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Uribe insisted on Wednesday he bia’s results “haven’t made us a perfect Arena. was happy with the quarter-fi nal team.” History is against Colombia, though, draw that pits his in-form side “We have to make sure that other having never before beaten Chile in the againstC reigning champions Chile at the teams can’t keep the ball from us, we need Copa knock-out stages on three previ- Copa America today. Colombia stormed to be direct and more incisive in attack.” ous occasions. And veteran Chile forward through the group phase with the only Chile may be the “champions, but we’re Jose Pedro Fuenzalida believes the cham- perfect record to top Group B but argu- not inferior,” said Tottenham’s Davinson pions have the kind of players who always ably landed the toughest draw of the pool Sanchez, set to partner Yerry Mina in the perform when it matters most in the likes winners. centre of defence. “Everyone knows the of Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez, Chile fi nished second in Group C after quality of players we have in attack, at Arturo Vidal of Barcelona and Eduardo losing their fi nal pool match 1-0 against any moment he can hurt teams,” added Vargas, the joint active leading scorer in Uruguay. And Uribe thinks the holders’ game because they’re a team who pass the the 23-year-old. Copa history. style will suit his side. “Of the two oppo- ball around really well, keeping it on the Colombia’s Portuguese coach Carlos “We’re very strong mentally with top Peru’s Paolo Guerrero (left) and Christian Cueva take part in a nents we could have got, personally, for fl oor,” said Uribe, who plays his club trade Queiroz has an embarrassment of riches class players on a world level who always training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil ahead of their Copa America me, Chile are much better for us or for our with America in Mexico. at his disposal up front. He’s likely to play show it on such occasions,” he said. quarter-final match against Uruguay tomorrow. (AFP)

ROUND-UP PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool snap up teenager Van den Berg Lampard will succeed as iverpool have completed their as understudy to Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He fi rst signing of the summer with never managed to unseat the German star Chelsea manager, says Terry the capture of 17-year-old Dutch who remains the fi rst choice goalkeeper with defender Sepp van den Berg from Neto, 29, formerly of Fiorentina and Juven- AFP manager since Russian oligarch Chelsea’s greatest-ever player. LPEC Zwolle. The European champions have tus, moving in as number two. Roman Abramovich bought the What made him that player was London paid just £1.3mn ($1.7mn) for Van den Berg, club in 2003 — will succeed in his desire to drain every ounce beating Bayern Munich to the youngster’s ATLETICO TABLE 126MN diffi cult circumstances. out of his body and that of eve- signature. EURO BID FOR BENFICA’S FELIX rank Lampard can be He believes Lampard has the ryone around him in training. Van den Berg is expected to spend next Atletico Madrid have made a 126mn euro a successful manager right stuff to meet the challeng- “People would be amazed at his season with the club’s academy sides. “It is, ($143mn) off er for Joao Felix, the Portuguese of Chelsea due to his es head on. The thorniest could goal return but they just didn’t for me, the biggest club in the world and it’s teenager’s club Benfi ca announced. If the work ethic and ability be the fact that Chelsea cannot realise how much dedication a dream come true. I am really excited,” said deal goes through it would make the 19-year- toF thrive under pressure, says replace their star player Eden was put into that and his whole Van den Berg. “I’ve seen what kind of players old forward the fi fth most expensive signing close friend and fellow club leg- Hazard — who signed for Real game. He is just as exacting on from the academy grew into the fi rst team of all time after Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, end John Terry. Lampard — who Madrid — due to a transfer ban himself now as a manager.” here. It is unbelievable, especially when this Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. along with Terry won a treas- although they are appealing it. Terry says that Lampard can kind of big club does that. Felix has been linked with a number of ure trove of trophies including “After the season he has had use the transfer ban to get the “Of course, the trainer (Jurgen Klopp) is Europe’s leading clubs including Manches- three Premier League titles and with Derby and with Chelsea’s best out of the young players a great guy and one of the reasons they are ter City, Manchester United and Juventus. the 2012 Champions League transfer ban in place, there is coming through the Chelsea successful — and also one of the reasons I So winning the race for his signature would — is expected to leave second no-one better equipped than academy. Sarri was criticised for came here. “I think this is the best place for come as a signifi cant boost to Atletico, who tier Derby after just one season Frank to succeed at Chelsea,” not playing talented youngster me to grow and hopefully play a lot of games are expecting to lose Antoine Griezmann this in management and become said Terry. “It is perfect timing Callum Hudson-Odoi enough here.” Liverpool are expected to have a quiet summer after the Frenchman said he is seek- Chelsea’s new manager. for him and the club.” and appeared reluctant also to summer in the transfer market after splash- ing a new challenge. Maurizio Sarri’s departure Terry, who is assistant coach fi eld Ruben Loftus-Cheek, de- ing out over £170mn on Alisson Becker, heading the other way, the Spanish cham- Felix, a forward who can play on either for Juventus after one sea- at newly-promoted Premier spite the 23-year-old midfi elder Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri pions said. Neto, 29, has signed a four-year fl ank or centrally, has just enjoyed a break- son — in which they won the League outfi t Aston Villa, said having caught the eye for Eng- last year. deal at Camp Nou for 26 millions Euros with through season at Benfi ca, scoring 20 goals Europa League and qualifi ed Lampard is excellent in dealing land at the 2018 World Cup. “For 9mn in add-ons and a 200mn release clause, in 43 competitive games and helping the club for the Champions League — with pressure. “Frank was under some time, perhaps only myself BARCA SIGN BRAZILIAN ‘KEEPER Barcelona announced on their website. win the Portugese league title. opened the way for Lampard’s pressure to succeed at Chelsea and Ruben had come through NETO FROM VALENCIA Dutchman Cillessen’s departure in the op- He also made his debut for Portugal earlier return. Terry told the Daily Mail the day he arrived from West the academy to become regulars Brazilian goalkeeper Neto is on his way to posite direction was announced the previous this month, starting alongside Cristiano it is not because of their close Ham (2001) and he never hid and that has probably left many Barcelona from Valencia in an exchange deal day for a similar sum. Ronaldo in their Nations League semi-fi nal friendship he believes Lamp- from that,” said Terry. “He rev- young players questioning their with Jasper Cillessen, Barca’s backup ‘keeper He arrived at the Spanish giants in 2016 win over Switzerland. ard — who will become the 14th elled in it and went on to become future,” said Terry. Gulf Times Friday, June 28, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Salah says Warda should not be sent to Salah sends Egypt into guillotine

Cairo: Egypt star Mohamed Salah said exiled teammate Amr Warda “shouldn’t be sent straight to the guillo- tine” after the forward was Cup of Nations last 16 banished from the squad over mounting sexual harassment allegations. The 25-year-old Warda was excluded ahead of Record seven-time champions rode their luck at times as Congo twice struck the crossbar Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of AFP Congo after sexual harass- Cairo ment claims surfaced earlier this week on social media platforms. ohamed Salah scored his Multiple women posted fi rst goal of the Africa Cup screenshots and testimonies of Nations as hosts Egypt of Warda’s alleged lewd com- secured a place in the last ments. The decision came M16 on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win hours after another viral clip over the Democratic Republic of Congo. posted on Twitter by a social Ahmed Elmohamady prodded Egypt media user showed him ahead on 25 minutes after a wicked Salah apparently exposing himself cross and the Liverpool star slammed to her. AFP cannot verify the in a second shortly before half-time to authenticity of the brief video. spark frenzied celebrations at a packed Salah, who has made a Cairo International Stadium. point of speaking up for Record seven-time champions Egypt women in the Muslim world, rode their luck at times as DR Congo lent his support to the embat- twice struck the crossbar in the fi rst tled Warda while condemning half but the Group A leaders held fi rm his actions. to join Nigeria as the fi rst teams through “Women must be treated to the knockout phase. Egypt overcame with the utmost respect. ‘No’ the distraction of Amr Warda being means ‘no’. Those things are banished from the squad earlier in the and must remain sacred. I day over mounting sexual harassment also believe that many who allegations. make mistakes can change for The claims surfaced earlier this the better and shouldn’t be week on social media platforms. Mul- sent straight to the guillotine, tiple women posted screenshots and which is the easiest way out,” testimonies of Warda’s alleged lewd Salah tweeted shortly after comments. “I think the team is strong Egypt’s qualification for the and the squad is strong but we are not last 16 at the Africa Cup of happy to lose a member of our family,” Nations. said coach Javier Aguirre. “The team fo- “We need to believe in cused more on our match and played the second chances... we need to 90 minutes in a serious manner. I don’t guide and educate. Shunning think the Egyptian team will be aff ected is not the answer.” by the absence of anyone.” Warda, who spent the Mexican Aguirre fi elded the same second half of last season on side that defeated Zimbabwe 1-0, with Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah (centre) in action during the Africa Cup of Nations match against DR Congo in Cairo on Wednesday night. (AFP) loan at Atromitos from PAOK centre-back Ahmed Hegazy sport- in Greece, issued an apology ing a mask after breaking his nose in to make a timid quarter-fi nal exit two tian nerves two minutes before half- MADAGASCAR ON VERGE OF Guinea one and Burundi none after two in a video on Facebook. “I the opening game of the tournament. years ago, and they fell behind for the time with a typically brilliant fi nish. LAST 16 AFTER BEATING BURUNDI series of mini-league matches in the apologise for what I’ve done, Salah was guilty of missing a hateful of second straight game as Elmohamady Played into space down the right by Meanwhile, Madagascar are on the Mediterranean city. Belgium-based Il- I apologise to my family, the chances in the curtain-raiser and this forced home after the ball fell kindly to Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, Salah verge of making the last 16 in their fi rst aimaharitra rifl ed a free-kick into the players and the technical season’s Premier League joint top scor- him following an aerial challenge with skipped inside Tisserand and ripped a Africa Cup of Nations after Marco Il- net on 76 minutes at a time when Bu- staff ,” he said. “I’m sorry, I er again threatened inside fi ve minutes Christian Luyindama. crisp low drive inside Matampi’s near aimaharitra scored to earn a 1-0 win rundi were looking likelier winners af- promise that in the coming here when an interception broke his way Having created the opener with his post to cue a volcanic eruption from the over Burundi in Alexandria yesterday. ter Madagascar dominated the opening period I will not do anything only for the Egyptian to skew wide un- vicious right-wing cross, Salah then masses of delirious Egyptian support- The Indian Ocean islanders, ranked 108 half. Charles Andriamahitsinoro, who to bother others.” der pressure. stung the palms of Ley Matampi with ers. in the world, can fi nish fi rst, second or stood out on the pitch because of his In 2017, Portuguese football After four days of small crowds, an- a powerful 25-yard free-kick. Egypt Mohamed El Shenawy produced an third in Group B depending on how they height and dyed blond hair, starred for club CD Feirense terminated other capacity 75,000 crowd turned out would be rescued by the woodwork excellent sprawling second-half save fare against leaders Nigeria this Sunday. Madagascar in the fi rst half. His early Warda’s contract over claims to cheer on the hosts in the capital, but once more though when a deep cross to claw out a Jacques Maghoma header, But whatever place they occupy in free-kick from the touchline dipped that he sexually harassed the they were nearly silenced when Marcel was nodded back across goal by Bokadi but despite an improvement on a horror the fi nal standings will almost certainly dangerously as it fl oated into the box wives of two of his team- Tisserand slammed against the bar at Bope and Jonathan Bolingi’s looping fi rst outing, DR Congo now know they take them through as group winners and goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana did mates. His tenure lasted a corner. DR Congo came to Egypt as header bounced back off the bar. must beat Zimbabwe in their fi nal game and runners-up and the best four of well to push it away. The Malagasy then only three days and he was one of the most unpredictable quali- With his side riding their luck, Salah in order to possibly advance as one of the six third-place teams progress. Ni- produced a shot soon after that forced a transferred to PAOK. fi ers having fi nished third in 2015 only rose to the occasion and settled Egyp- the four best third-place fi nishers. geria have six points, Madagascar four, fi ne save from the Burundi goalkeeper.

MLS PREVIEW Rooney smashes winning goal France-US showdown in Paris cauldron from inside his own half keeps women’s World Cup burning AFP Los Angeles

ayne Rooney scored a sensational goal with a blast from his own half for his WUS club DC United that triggered social media storm of applause across the globe yesterday. His ‘goal of the season’ lifted United to a 1-0 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday and saw the veteran former England striker dance an excited little jig. The ex-Manchester United star hammered a 68-yard strike over the head of Orlando goal- keeper Brian Rowe and into DC United’s Wayne Rooney (left) dribbles the ball past Orlando City’s the back of the net in the 10th Lamine Sane (centre) during the MLS match. (USA TODAY Sports) minute. “I thought it was nice and it was special to score the time shot. practising this, you won’t score goal this evening,” Rooney said. As the ball swerved and dipped from this position, but for nights Rooney was the most ad- over the despairing goalkeeper, like tonight that’s why I do prac- vanced DC United player as his Rooney broke into a brief dance. tise it.” team defended in depth. When He spread his arms wide in cel- The training had paid off in the the ball was hoofed clear, two ebration as the ball curled inside past. In 2017, Rooney rifl ed a shot United States’ co-captain Megan Rapinoe (second right) trains with teammates in Croissy, France, yesterday. (Reuters) City men converged but only the near post for one of Major past Joe Hart from his own half defl ected it into Rooney’s path. League Soccer’s goals of the year. for Everton against West Ham. In Reuters a heatwave. The temperature is expected to — you come in and you’re in the spotlight Facing the Orlando goal and with “It’s something that I’ve prac- 2014, Rooney lobbed a goal from Paris hit 35 Celsius today, although by the time right away.” the ball bouncing in front of him, tised so many times,” Rooney just inside the opposition half for the match kicks off at 10pm Qatar time, it If the French win today, it would be the Rooney saw Rowe was out of his said. “Diff erent managers and Manchester United, also against should have dropped to around 28 degrees. fi rst time in tournament history the United 18 yard box and smashed a fi rst- teammates are, like, why are you West Ham. igh stakes, high heat, high turn- TV viewing fi gures have exceeded all expec- States have failed to advance to the semi- out and high expectations — the tations, with nearly 11mn people tuning into fi nals. The Stars and Stripes have won three US women’s football team have France’s 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday. World Cups. Overall, this World Cup has BUNDESLIGA declared themselves ready for a More than 35mn watched the match in shown that women’s soccer has star-power high-profiH le women’s World Cup quarter- Brazil, underlining the popularity of wom- and can pull in fans, creating a buzz and mo- fi nal against hosts France in Paris today. en’s football globally. “This is a magnifi cent mentum that advertisers and sponsors can- For many fans the match is like a fi nal, showcase piece for our sport,” Jill Ellis, the not ignore. We need four more players: Kovac with “Les Bleues” among the stand-out US head coach, said yesterday. “This game “The women’s game in general has grown AFP senior players have left this year. much with 17 players. We need teams of the tournament and perennial makes it bigger. Both teams want it and tremendously,” said Rapinoe. “I guess the Berlin Veterans Arjen Robben, Franck 19 really,” Kovac said.. With Jer- challengers to the domination of the Ameri- have to go earn it. It’s going to be a fantastic task for each team is to try to be the team Ribery and Rafi nha went at the ome Boateng and Renato Sanch- can defending champions. “It’s going to be game.” that is growing as fast as the game is. France end of last season, and defender es also expected to leave ahead a fantastic match,” US co-captain Megan France and the United States were the has done a really good job of that.” ayern Munich coach Mats Hummels is set to make of next season, Bayern need to Rapinoe told reporters yesterday. “It’s go- pre-tournament favourites to lift the trophy Although France’s highest World Cup Niko Kovac has de- a 38mn euro return to Borussia sign several players if they are to ing to be a great stage for both teams who and they have been on a crash course since fi nish is fourth, the team have been making manded that the club Dortmund. Real Madrid loanee reach that mark. “We need four have had a lot of pressure and a lot of eyes December, when the draw suggested they waves in international football recently with sign four new players James Rodriguez will also quit more players,” said Kovac. Bay- on them to really just go out and perform.” would meet in the quarter-fi nals if both top-notch players like Wendie Renard and asB they rejuvenate their squad Munich after the club decided ern signed one French defender The atmosphere at the Parc des Princes teams topped their groups. Amandine Henry. “This is the kind of game ahead of next season, Kicker re- not to sign the Colombian on a Benjamin Pavard for 35mn euros is expected to be highly charged, not just “This is a big game and the players know that makes World Cup so exciting,” US for- ported. The 28-time Bundesliga permanent deal. The departures earlier this year, and broke their because of the quality of the teams but the that,” said Ellis. “They’re wired for this, ward Tobin Heath said. “This is a game that winners are undergoing a ma- have left Bayern with a squad transfer record with an 80mn groundswell of support from French World they’re built for this, you don’t come into we’ve been looking forward to, I guess, our jor squad overhaul, and several of just 17 players. “We can’t do euro swoop for Lucas Hernandez. Cup fans and the soaring temperatures amid the US programme and hide in the shadows whole lives.”

Friday, June 28, 2019 GULF TIMES TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Kyrgios the hottest Wary of past pain, ticket in Nadal eyes third town Wimbledon title Despite winning twice the All England Club’s lawns have not always been a happy hunting ground for him

Reuters London US men likely afael Nadal received a degree of sympathy this week when he questioned a Wimbledon to wander the seedings formula that rel- egatedR him down to third in this year’s draw despite a world ranking of two. wilderness again After all, he has been champion there twice, is bang in form after a Reuters record-stretching 12th French Open, is London injury free and last year was a whisker away from reaching the fi nal. Despite that, the 33-year-old would he Americans set to com- be the fi rst to admit that despite twice pete at Wimbledon are lifting the trophy the All England unlikely to end the United Club’s lawns have not always been a States’ 19-year drought for Reuters happy hunting ground. T the men’s title at the All England Club London While his 2008 defeat of Roger Fed- as the nation’s top athletes continue erer in a fi nal for the ages stands as one to be drawn to other sports, tennis of his greatest days, shock losses at the great John McEnroe has said. erhaps, in years to come, tennis hands of Steve Darcis, Lucas Rozol, Normally US tennis fans would hold fans will yearn for the days of Dustin Brown and Gilles Muller repre- out hope that 34-year-old John “characters like Nick Kyrgios”, sent some of his darkest moments. Isner, who reached the semi-finals 12 Pjust as they do for John McEn- Wimbledon’s low bouncing lawns months ago and is this year’s ninth roe, the one-time Superbrat everyone also provide the ultimate test of the seed, could break through and cap- ner Andre Agassi in 2006. loved to hate who is now embraced as a creaky knees that disrupted Nadal’s ture his maiden major title. Sampras was the last American lovable rogue from the golden age. season this year and forced him to But the big-serving Texan hasn’t man to win Wimbledon in 2000, his Maybe the Australian will publish withdraw from Miami. played since suff ering a foot injury in seventh. an autobiography titled Bothered (as in It is why Nadal’s excitement is tem- his final loss to Roger Federer at the One reason is that the best male ath- not), just as McEnroe did with Serious pered by a little trepidation every time Miami Open in March and none of his letes from the US tend to gravitate (as in “you cannot be”, his most famous he heads to his most erratic Grand countrymen are at a level where they toward more accessible sports. outburst of all). Slam and why there is a sense of un- can threaten the best, McEnroe said “We’ve been seeing this for years or The main diff erence between the two, fi nished business. in a call with reporters. decades, but our best athletes seem of course, is that McEnroe won titles — After backing up his 2008 triumph “I think that the odds are pretty low,” to be playing football and basketball 77 of them, including seven Grand Slam by beating Tomas Berdych in the 2010 the American seven-time major more. Soccer has grown as well, so singles crowns, and loved the game. fi nal and reaching the fi nal again in champion said when asked if compa- you need to go after athletes,” he Kyrgios would appear to have more in 2011 — Nadal then went fi ve visits triots might challenge. said. common with Andre Agassi, who also without going past the fourth round. “Isner has been out... so he’s sort of “Tennis, if anything, is more expen- achieved greatness on court despite, he Those dismissing his grasscourt an unknown quantity. sive than it was before. So the acces- later revealed in his autobiography, hat- prowess were forced to eat humble pie “And the other guys to me, whether sibility is a big factor.” ing almost every minute of his career. last year when Nadal roared through to it’s (Reilly) Opelka, who is like He pointed to Tiafoe, the son of im- Kyrgios should be challenging the the semi-fi nals when he lost 8-6 in the a younger version (of Isner) or migrants from Sierra Leone, as one dominance of the Big Three. His head- fi fth set to Novak Djokovic in one of (Frances) Tiafoe, who has been to watch. to-head record against them is impres- the highest-quality matches ever seen struggling — it doesn’t look to me “We have Tiafoe who is a great ath- sive (2-0 against Novak Djokovic, 3-3 on Centre Court. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his semi-final match against Serbia’s Novak like there are guys ready to go and lete but he’s still learning,” he said of against Rafa Nadal, but 1-5 against Rog- With an exhausted Kevin Anderson Djokovic last year at Wimbledon. (File photo) make that move.” the 21-year-old who learned the sport er Federer) and it seems to be generally waiting in the fi nal Nadal’s chances McEnroe said the situation would im- at a facility in Maryland where his accepted that he has the talent to win of claiming a third Wimbledon crown soundly beaten by Marin Cilic. Nadal will sharpen his game before prove as up-and-comers like 21-year- father was head of maintenance. Grand Slams. were bright. Not that Cilic was reading too much Wimbledon starts and despite being old Taylor Fritz gained experience Attracting more natural athletes The problem appears to be that Kyr- “Last year he was very close,” uncle into that and even suggested Nadal third favourite behind Djokovic and but for now the stranglehold that like Tiafoe to the sport will be key gios doesn’t seem to care about it and and former coach Toni Nadal told Re- could be favourite to win the title and Federer, appears to be in the mood to veterans Federer, Rafa Nadal and if American men are going to hoist has never gone beyond the quarter-fi - uters this month in Mallorca. “If had match Bjorn Borg’s record of winning do some damage. Novak Djokovic have on the sport trophies at majors or compete for nals in a major. beaten Djokovic I think he would have Wimbledon immediately after win- “I know I played a great event last would likely continue. the world’s top ranking. Still only 24, his career is littered with won the fi nal.” ning the French on three occasions. year. I have been able to be very close Despite being a country of nearly “There are going to be guys that are fi nes and penalties, particularly for Nadal has again opted to play no “Rafa now winning the French Open to win another title there. I love to play 330mn people, American men have dangerous but at the moment, the “tanking” — not trying — which he of- competitive grasscourt matches in the I feel he might be a great contender, on grass,” he said shortly after claim- not been much of a factor in tennis more athletes in the game because ten does when anything gets under his build-up to Wimbledon, preferring compared even to Roger and Novak he ing his 18th Grand Slam title by de- since the retirements of 14-times of the quickness of the game, the skin. He serves under-arm, argues with instead to practise in Mallorca and might be, in my own feeling, he might feating Dominic Thiem in Paris. Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras better chance we’ll have of making and abuses offi cials and fans, and shows then take part in the Aspall Classic ex- be slightly ahead. We’ll see,” Cilic said “Honestly, the last two years that in 2003 and eight-times major win- that breakthrough,” McEnroe said. scant respect for opponents. hibition event at the swanky Hurling- after handing Nadal something of a I played in Wimbledon, I felt close In a recent interview he ripped into ham Club where on Wednesday he was grasscourt lesson. again.” Djokovic (“super player” but with a “sick obsession with wanting to be liked”) and Nadal (“super salty” and ROUND-UP “gracious only when he wins”). He says he does not care about fans when he tanks or is ejected from a tour- nament as he was at this year’s Italian American Cori Gauff qualifi es for Wimbledon, aged 15 Open for throwing a chair. He boasts of the millions he has in the bank and uses those riches to jus- Reuters Bjorn Borg’s son set tify not needing to try. He pulled out of London this year’s French Open citing illness, for ‘incredible’ junior days after saying the tournament “ab- Wimbledon spot solutely sucks”. ori Gauff became the young- Stockholm: Almost 40 years At Queens last week he accused a line est player in the professional after his father Bjorn Borg won a judge of “rigging the game” and when era to survive the Wimbledon fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, warned by the umpire, told him “your qualifying draw yesterday as 16-year old Leo Borg is set to make hat looks ridiculous”. He also berated theC 15-year-old American thrashed himself out loud courtside for prepar- his debut at the legendary tourna- Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-1 6-1 to seal ment, according to media reports. ing for his match by playing computer her place in next week’s main draw. According to reports in British tab- games until 3am. Gauff , who is combining her practice loid The Sun and Swedish tabloid All this and much more takes place sessions with her schoolwork, looked Expressen, Borg will be awarded a in between and alongside some of the like a seasoned grasscourt player as she wildcard to play in the Wimbledon most sublime tennis produced by any- claimed her a third successive straight- junior event. one on the circuit. sets victory. “Leo is very grateful about getting Which, of course, makes him box of- “I knew I was the underdog and I a wildcard for the qualifiers to fi ce. was just enjoying it,” Gauff , who says it junior Wimbledon,” Bjorn Borg told “After the top few guys I’m guessing would be a dream to play idols Serena or Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet. the fourth or fi fth most desirable guy Venus Williams at Wimbledon, told re- “It will be an incredible experience to watch is him,” McEnroe said of the porters fresh from walking off court at and useful practice for the future,” 43rd-ranked Australian. Roehampton. he added. McEnroe also said, however, that he “Serena is the reason why I play ten- A spokeswoman for the Wimble- might one day rue wasting his talent. nis and why my dad decided to get me don tournament did not want to “We all think about that,” said the a racket. confirm the decision, only saying American. “What could I have done?, “Obviously, I don’t care who I play that wildcard announcements myself included. It would be hard to I’m just happy to be in the draw but I and the main draw for the Juniors believe he wouldn’t think that, but he would love to share the court with Ser- tournament would be made next seems not to care what people think. ena. If I played any one of them it would KERBER ADVANCES best tennis.” Tunisian Jabeur was made rything will be good. I tried to move week. If confirmed, Leo Borg’s It takes some guts to put yourself out be a dream come true.” Eastbourne, England: Angelique to work hard for a victory over Alize better, be better on court, and that Wimbledon debut comes 39 there.” Gauff , who won the French Open Kerber’s Wimbledon preparation Cornet as she shook off an ankle injury helped me regain my shots.” years after Bjorn Borg defeated Unseeded at Wimbledon, Kyrgios junior title in 2018, was given a wildcard gained momentum as she thumped in the fi nal set to prevail 1-6 7-5 6-3. Kiki Bertens survived a mid-match American rival John McEnroe, will be the classic “dangerous fl oater” into the Wimbledon qualifying event Simona Halep 6-4 6-3 in a battle of “At this tournament, I’m the queen wobble to extend her dominance over winning him his fifth consecutive none of the big guns want to meet early and took advantage in spectacular fash- former world number ones to reach the of losing the fi rst set and then com- world number 10 Aryna Sabalenka, Wimbledon title. and he could make a great Centre Court ion. She will be the fi rst 15-year-old in semi-fi nals at Eastbourne yesterday. ing back,” Jabeur, who has rallied back beating last year’s runner-up 6-4 3-6 The iconic match has been called attraction. the main draw since Britain’s Laura The Wimbledon champion con- from a set down to win three of her four 6-4. one of the greatest matches of all Alternatively he could be kicking up a Robson in 2009. verted fi ve out of seven break points to matches in Eastbourne, said. The St Petersburg and Madrid cham- time and the story was adapted storm on a distant outside court. “I had no expectations really,” she secure the victory and set up a last-four “It’s another motivation for me to pion’s fourth victory over Sabalenka in for the screen in the 2017 feature Wherever and whoever he plays, said. “I feel really blessed. My parents clash with unseeded Ons Jabeur. win, to play better in the second set, but as many career meetings took her to a film “Borg vs McEnroe,” where Leo however, the broadcasters will be on never put any limitations on my goals “I am really happy how I played,” I’m really happy with this win. seventh semi-fi nal of the year, where played a younger version of Bjorn standby and there will not be an empty and told my to shoot as high as I can.” Kerber told the BBC. “To play against “It wasn’t easy at the end, I was she will meet former world number one Borg. seat in the stands. Simona, you know you have to play the scared for my ankle, but hopefully eve- Karolina Pliskova.