Sport

TUESDAY 1 JUNE 2021

BarcelonaB confirm Aguero signing We all know that Barça is the best team in the world, so it's a good decision to be here. Hopefully I'll be able to help the team. I'm very happy.

Sergio Agüero Sport | 19

FOOTBALL FIXTURES: INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES Croatia vs Armenia; Lithuania vs Estonia; Slovakia vs Bulgaria; Poland vs Russia Federer dazzles on Slam return

REUTERS – RESULTS (SELECTED) Roger Federer marked his return to the arena MEN'S SINGLES: FIRST ROUND in dazzling fashion with a 6-2, John Isner (31), United States, def. Sam Querrey, United 6-4, 6-3 first-round defeat of States, 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4. qualifier Denis Istomin at the Steve Johnson, United States, def. Frances Tiafoe, United French Open yesterday. States, 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. The 39-year-old Swiss had (18), Italy, def. Pierre-Hugues Herbert, not played a Grand Slam match France, 6-1, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. since the 2020 Daniil Medvedev (2), Russia, def. Alexander Bublik, and had managed only one Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. claycourt match in the build- Reilly Opelka (32), United States, def. Andrej Martin, up to Roland Garros. Slovakia, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Fans may But any fears that eighth- Nikoloz Basilashvili (28), Georgia, def. Dusan Lajovic, seed Federer might suffer an Serbia, 6-4, 6-3, 0-6, 6-2. have to show opening round defeat at a Roger Federer (8), Switzerland, def. Denis Istomin, Grand Slam for the first time Uzbekistan, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. negative tests, since 2003 were quickly erased Marin Cilic, Croatia, def. Arthur Rinderknech, France, 7-6 as the Swiss outclassed Istomin (6), 6-1, 6-2. vaccinations with a consummate display. Taylor Fritz (30), United States, def. Joao Sousa, Portugal, The Uzbek served two 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. double faults in the opening REUTERS – TOKYO WOMEN'S SINGLES: FIRST ROUND game of the match as Federer took early control and never Polona Hercog, Slovenia, def. Kiki Bertens (16), Japan is considering requiring looked troubled as he went Netherlands, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. fans attending the Tokyo through his usual repertoire of Iga Swiatek (8), Poland, def. Kaja Juvan, Slovenia, 6-0, 7-5. Olympics to show negative shot-making. Rebecca Peterson, Sweden, def. Shelby Rogers, United COVID-19 test results or vacci- Federer landed 95% of his States, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (8), 6-2. nation records, the Yomiuri first serves in a one-sided Tamara Zidansek, Slovenia, def. Bianca Andreescu (6), newspaper reported yesterdau, opening set and although Canada, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (2), 9-7. as a new poll showed public Istomin did offer a little more Switzerland’s Roger Federer Sorana Cirstea, Romania, def. Johanna Konta (19), Britain, opposition to the Games resistance thereafter he failed in action during his French 7-6 (5), 6-2. remained strong. to lay a glove on his opponent Open first round match Belinda Bencic (10), Switzerland, def. Nadia Podoroska, With the opening of the who appeared in cruise control against Uzbekistan’s Denis Argentina, 6-0, 6-3. Games less than two months throughout. Istomin at Roland Garros in Sofia Kenin (4), United States, def. Jelena Ostapenko, away, public confidence has Federer will be pushed Paris, yesterday. Latvia, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. been shaken by a fourth wave harder in the second round of coronavirus infections and against Croatian Marin Cilic a slow vaccination rollout. who despite a ranking of 47 women's seed to fall at the Foreign spectators have represents a dangerous first- French Open so far as she lost already been banned and week obstacle. a three-hour marathon match Osaka withdraws following organisers are expected to Earlier, Second seed Daniil against Timara Zidansek in the make a decision next month on Medvedev beat Kazakhstan's first round yesterday. whether Japanese fans will be Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-3 7-5 The former US Open row over media boycott able to attend the Games and, in an entertaining clash at the champion, seeded sixth, went if so, under what conditions. French Open on Monday to down 6-7(1), 7-6(2), 9-7 to the REUTERS – PARIS “This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or In addition to other coro- finally win his first-ever match Slovenian. intended when I posted a few days ago,” the navirus measures like banning at Roland Garros on his fifth Canadian Andreescu, 20, Japan’s Naomi Osaka (pictured) stunned the 23-year-old Osaka said on Twitter. loud cheering and high-fives, attempt. served for the match at 5-4 in French Open yesterday when she announced “I think now the best thing for the tour- the Yomiuri said the gov- Clay is Medvedev's least the deciding set but Zidansek she was withdrawing from the tournament in nament, the other players and my well-being is ernment was considering favourite surface, and despite broke back before missing a the wake of her decision to boycott post-match that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to whether spectators should be arriving in Paris having lost in match point of her own in a media duties, explaining she had been suffering focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. required to show a negative test the first round during all four gripping finale. from depression for almost three years. “I never wanted to be a distraction and I result taken within a week of of his previous main draw Andreescu found herself in Osaka said in the build-up to the tournament accept that my timing was not ideal and my attending an Olympic event. appearances, the lanky Russian trouble again serving at 7-8 and that she would not attend thehe obligatory press message could hahaveve been cleareclearer.” The report provoked thou- mastered his initial nerves and this time was unable to dig her conferences, citing that the wwayay journajournalistslists qquizuiz Osaka,Osaka, one ofof thethe biggestbig name’s in sands of posts on social media turned in a dominant display. way out of trouble with world players adversely impacts herer mental well- women’s sport, wentwen on to say she criticising the country’s con- Italian prospect Jannik number 85 Zidansek winning being. The four-time Grandd SlamSlam hadhad susufferedffered ffromrom depressiond since tinued push to host the Sinner saved a match point as in three hours and 20 minutes. champion made good on her 2018.2018. Olympics in the middle of a he laboured to a 6-1, 4-6, While on paper it was a threat on Sunday when, aafterfter “The“The truthtruth isis that I have suf- pandemic. 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4 victory against shock, Andreescu was playing winning her first round match,h, she fered lolongng boubouts of depression The term “negative test cer- France's Pierre-Hugues at only her third Tour-level did not hold a press conference.nce. sincesince the US OpenOp in 2018 and tificate” was trending on Herbert. claycourt tournament and her She was fined $15,0000 bbyy the I have had a rreally hard time Twitter in Japan, garnering The 19-year-old Sinner, lack of experience on the Roland Garros referee and Grandrand SlSlamam copingcoping with that,” she said. over 26,000 tweets by yes- who reached the quarter-finals surface ultimately proved organisers later issued a statementtatement “Anyone that knows me terday afternoon. on his Roland Garros debut last decisive. The women's draw warning of possible expulsionn from the knowsknows I’m introverted,in and “If you can’t eat, cheer, or year, was 5-4 down in the lost another big name when French Open and future majorsajors if she anyoneanyone that hhasa seen me at the do high-fives, what’s the point fourth set when Herbert sent a former French Open semi- fails to change her stance. tournamentstournam will notice in paying for a ticket and an backhand wide to give the finalist Kiki Bertens fell at the Yesterday, the worldld thatthat I’mI’ often wearing expensive test?” asked a world number 19 a lifeline. first hurdle, losing 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 number two decided to take headphoneshea as that Twitter user, while others ques- In the women's side, Bianca to another Slovenian Polona matters into her own hands helpsh dull my tioned the accuracy of such Andreescu became the highest Hercog. to end the stand-off. social anxiety.” tests. Japan’s top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Monday he was unaware of any decision Younousse, Tijan jump to Afif back on the issue. “In order to make the Games a success it’s necessary in training to take into account the feelings fourth in world rankings of the people,” Kato said. Qatari star Akram Afif in The Tokyo Olympics THE PENINSULA – DOHA points following their silver A medal in Sochi was Qatar action during national organising committee did not medal run at the Sochi 4-star stop team’s eighth medal including team’s training session immediately respond to an Qatar’s pair of Cherif Younousse on the 2021 FIVB Beach Vol- two gold, three silver and as yesterday. The feared email requesting comment on and Ahmed Tijan jumped to leyball World Tour. many bronze medals on the Al Sadd striker missed the report. Japan extended on fourth position in the global Younousse and Tijan are World Tour. weeks of action due to a Friday a state of emergency in beach volleyball rankings, now just 160 points behind Meanwhile, Norway’s Anders thigh muscle injury he Tokyo and other areas to June according to the latest Rio 2016 Olympic champion Mol and Christian Sørum lead suffered during the 20. The country has seen a standings issued by FIVB Alison Cerutti and team- the world rankings with 7,760 QNB Stars League record number of COVID-19 yesterday. mate Álvaro Filho of points, followed by Russia’s game against Umm patients in critical condition in The duo improved Brazil, who are Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoy- Salal in March. Afif recent days, even as the pace their ranking after third in the anovskiy on second position has been named of new infections has slowed. accumulating 5,520 rankings. with 6060 points. in Qatar squad In a poll published by the from remaining Nikkei paper on Monday, over Group E matches 60% of respondents were in of joint Asian favour of canceling or delaying qualifiers for the the Games, a result in line with 2023 AFC Asian Cup previous polls by other media in China, and the outlets. 2022 FIFA World The Games have already Cup in Qatar. Al been postponed once due to the Annabi will play pandemic but the Japanese against India government and the Interna- on June tional Olympic Committee have 3. said the July 23-Aug. 8 event will go ahead under strict COVID-safe rules. TUESDAY 1 JUNE 2021 SPORT 19 Brazil to host Copa America as Argentina withdraws

REUTERS – ASUNCION/RIO DE JANEIRO deaths, and currently ranks second highest in the world for both daily reported cases and deaths. South America’s football federation CONMEBOL Large protests took place across Brazil on Sat- said yesterday it would move next month’s Copa urday against Bolsonaro. America to Brazil, thanking Brazilian President Jair Omar Aziz, one of the senators running a high- Bolsonaro for stepping in after original host profile congressional probe into Bolsonaro’s han- Argentina pulled out over surging COVID-19 cases. dling of the pandemic, said he did not see any major The surprise decision, which relocates the com- problems with Brazil hosting the tournament, as petition from one South American coronavirus hot long as there were no crowds and the correct safety spot to another, means the oldest international tour- measures were followed. nament in the world will kick off as planned on But many others in Brazil, where football is a June 13, with the final on July 10. It is a boost for national obsession, were outraged by the decision. Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain who The CONMEBOL announcement comes less than has railed against lockdowns and urged Brazilians 24 hours after Argentina said its outbreak meant it to return to normal life. could not longer host. “The 2021 Copa America will be played in This year’s Copa America was to be the first fea- QFA President meets Brazil!” CONMEBOL said in a statement. turing joint hosts, but Colombia was removed as “The start and finish dates are confirmed. The co-host on May 20 after a wave of protests host cities and the matches will be revealed by CON- demanding social and economic change spread Dutch Ambassador MEBOL in the coming hours.” across the country. In a separate tweet, CONMEBOL thanked Bra- CONMEBOL hoped Argentina could then host THE PENINSULA – DOHA The visiting Ambassador praised the zil’s President, who has long minimized the severity all 28 games or share them with South American important role of Qatar on the sporting front of the virus, for his help. neighbors. Organisers had been reluctant to call Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al and acknowledged the rising status of Doha “CONMEBOL thanks president @jairbolsonaro the lucrative tournament. The last Copa America, Thani, President of the Qatar Football Asso- as sports hub of the region. and his team, as well as the Brazilian Football Con- held in Brazil in 2019, brought in $118m in revenue. ciation (QFA), received H E Marjan Kamstra, She also praised the leadership of Qatar federation for opening the country’s doors to what Although no decision has yet been made on Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Nether- on the country's journey to hosting the 2022 is now the safest sporting event in the world,” it venues, many of the stadiums Brazil built for the lands to Qatar. FIFA World Cup, saying the country should tweeted. 2014 World Cup will likely host matches, with the Saud Al Muhannadi, Vice President of be proud to stage the region’s first ever World More than 450,000 people have died from Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro or the Mane QFA, and Mansour Al Ansari, Secretary- Cup. During the meeting, the two discussed COVID-19 in Brazil. The country has routinely Garrincha stadium in the capital Brasilia likely loca- General of QFA, were also present during the strengthening means of cooperation between reported the continent’s highest case numbers and tions for the opening match or final. meeting that took place at Al Bidda Tower. the two sides in various sports fields. AFC moves Barca confirm Aguero signing Qatar 2022 AP – MADRID league's top scorer with 30 goals, but he qualifying got little help from teammates such as After a decade of success in the Premier Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, League, Sergio Agüero (pictured) is Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati and Fran- group out returning to Spain to try to help Barcelona cisco Trincão. get back on track. Griezmann was the second highest The Catalan club announced on scorer for Barcelona in the league, with of China Monday that it reached an agreement to 13 goals. Dembélé was next with six. sign Agüero on a two-year deal. The Suárez, who missed time because of REUTERS – HONG KONG Argentina striker will officially join Bar- injuries and the coronavirus, scored 21 celona on a free transfer on July 1, after goals for Atlético, including the title- Matches in Group A of Asia’sia’s his contract with Manchester City expires. clincher in the last round. Hazard hopes 2022 World Cup prelimi-mi- He will sign a contract until the end of Agüero played for Atlético for five naries will be played in an the 2022-23 season with a buyout clause seasons before moving to Man City in to be ready for as-yet undetermined neutraltral set at €100m ($122m). 2011-12, helping Barcelona's Spanish venue after the Chineseese "We all know that Barça is the best league rival win the 2010 Europa League Euros, but not Football Associationon team in the world, so it's a good decision and the 2011 UEFA Super Cup. announced the games coulduld to be here,” Agüero said. "When I arrived in Europe as an sure of fitness no longer be played in China,na, "Hopefully I'll be able to help the 18-year-old with Atlético Madrid, it was the Asian Football Confed-ed- team. I'm very happy.” a learning experience, the club helped me eration has said. The 32-year-old Agüero was set a lot,” Agüero said. The remaining matcheshes to be introduced by Barcelona later "I've changed the way I play since It has been a complicated involving China, the Mal-al- yesterday. Spanish media said he then. I'm a more established player now.” year but I hope to be ready dives, Syria, the Philippinesnes underwent a medical in the morning. He spent 10 seasons in England, and Guam were due to bebe He was plagued by fitness issues becoming City’s record scorer with 260 for the first game. I have to held in a bio-secure bubblee throughout his final season with City goals and one of its greatest-ever players. take it day by day and see in that would have and had to undergo knee surgery last In was at the end of his first season with how it goes with the medical allowed overseas players year. Barcelona's only title this season City that he scored the dramatic stoppage- staff. I missed the last games and officials into the came in the Copa del Rey, and time winner against Queens Park Rangers Chinese city without finished trophyless in the in the final game of the season to clinch of the season at Real Madrid, quarantine. But a series previous one, when the the title for the club. so I have had time to rest and of positive tests among club was marred by Agüero was with Argentina's under-20 so we’ll see how it goes. players from Syria and thee political turmoil and World Cup winning squads in 2005 and We will see at training over Maldives meant teams trav-av- financial difficulties. 2007, as well as in the national team that the next days before the elling to China would haveave Barcelona missed won an Olympic gold medal in in been required to isolateate an experienced true 2008, alongside Messi. Euros. We have some time upon arrival in the country.try. striker like Agüero after it let go It still remains unclear whether Messi before our first match and I “The Asian Football Con-on- Luis Suárez, who eventually will stay with Barcelona after having his want to ready for that one. federation has today decidedded helped lead Atlético Madrid request to leave denied last season. His to move the remaining cen-en- to the Spanish league title. contract ends now but he has yet to Belgium captain tralised Group A matchess ooff still thrived as announce his decision. It's also unknown the Asian qualifiers for tthehe usual for Barcelona, fin- if coach Ronald Koeman will return to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022022 ishing as the Spanish finish his contract. and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 from China PR to a neutral venue, which will be decided and announced in the coming days,” the Injury concerns for star-studded Belgium statement said. “The decision was made AP – BRUSSELS Despite his poor showings, role” during the due to the mounting chal- Martinez included Hazard in tournament. lenges faced by several par- With its golden generation of players his 26-man squad for the tour- De Bruyne’s current ticipating teams in travelling scattered throughout Europe’s biggest nament, hoping he will get his issues are less serious. With to China PR.” clubs, Belgium has all it needs to finally form back at the right time. so many uncertainties about The AFC said it was land the major soccer title it craves. “I think the medical con- Witsel and Hazard, Martinez working with the Chinese On paper, at least, because the form dition is the best moment Eden is even expected to give the Football Association (CFA) of some of the players on the top-ranked had for a long, long time,” Mar- City player more responsi- and the other participating FIFA team raises a big question mark on tinez said. “The level of fitness bilities, and could switch to nations as well as potential its ability to go deep at this year’s is really satisfactory. And from a five-man midfield with De venues to determine the next European Championship. that point we always look back Bruyne used as an additional course of action, with the aim In the wake of their third-place finish on how important Eden playmaker. of completing the qualifying at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium coach Hazard is for the national De Bruyne has been in schedule. The CFA had said Roberto Martinez’s players breezed team. He is our captain and the stellar form with City in an earlier statement the through their Euro 2020 qualifying cam- way that he performs in our throughout the year, leading games would be played to paign with a perfect record of 10 wins - environment is essential, and the Manchester club to the Dubai. with 40 goals scored and only three is vital.” title and the Only the group winners conceded. Back in January, it seemed Champions League final. An are guaranteed to advance But that was more than a year ago, almost certain that Witsel accumulation of small to the next round of Asia’s before the tournament was pushed back would miss the tournament physical problems in recent preliminaries along with the by a year because of the coronavirus after undergoing surgery on weeks, however, is casting four runners-up across the pandemic. an Achilles tendon injury. doubts about his ability to eight groups with the best Things have changed, and Belgium Martinez, however, made recover enough, especially records. China resumed their will start the competition with captain the most of UEFA’s decision to with less than two weeks to qualifying schedule on Eden Hazard struggling with form and increase squad lists from 23 rest between the Champions Sunday after 18 months confidence, the experienced players to 26, including the Belgian players arrive at their Proximus Basecamp in Tubize, League final and Belgium’s without a competitive game only recently back from a long absence, Borussia Dortmund winger in Belgium, yesterday as they gear up for Euro 2020. PIC: TWITTER opening game against Russia due to the ongoing pan- and Manchester City playmaker Kevin his selection. Martinez hopes / @ROYALBELGIANFA on June 12. demic as Li Tie’s side De Bruyne showing signs of fatigue. Witsel will be fully fit for the But with a solid defense defeated Guam 7-0 in the Hazard, who had surgery on his knockout phase of the tour- and so many attacking riches former Everton midfielder’s ankle last year and has been undera- nament, even if he misses early matches. not fully recovered from an injury. at his disposal, Martinez can expect his first game as coach. chieving with Real Madrid since joining Belgium has been placed in what Kompany missed the start of the com- experienced team to deliver. After all, Nearly 30,000 fans were from Chelsea, has not played with the appears to be a relatively easy group petition but featured in five of Belgium’s striker is in excellent in attendance in Suzhou for national team in 18 months. More alongside Denmark, Russia and Finland seven matches as the Red Devils form, and so is - he the match and watched recently, following a forgettable display and is expected to progress without too advanced to the semifinals before losing scored a superb long-range goal to win Spain-based striker Wu Lei in the Champions League semifinals much trouble. to eventual champion France. the FA Cup for Leicester - while the less- and naturalised forward Alan against his former club, he was mainly Martinez took a similar risk with Martinez said Witsel needs some known but consistent Jeremy Doku and Carvalho both score twice. used as a substitute by then-Madrid defender Vincent Kompany back in 2018, more time to be ready but insists he feels Leandro Trossard add depth to the coach . taking him to Russia even though he had “very confident that he could have a big bench. Sport TUESDAY 1 JUNE 2021 18

Button Paul helps Suns even series with predicts more carmakers Lakers; Clippers beat Mavericks joining Lotus in Extreme E REUTERS — LOS ANGELES Eastern Conference first-round series. Chris Paul collected 18 points The Nets, the No. 2 seed in REUTERS — LONDON and nine assists to lift the the East, lead the series three visiting Phoenix Suns to a games to one and can secure Team owner and 2009 100-92 victory over the Los their first trip to the conference Formula One world champion Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of semifinals since 2014 on Jenson Button expects the new their Western Conference first- Tuesday night in Brooklyn. Extreme E off-road racing round series. Durant produced his 12th career series for electric SUVs to see Devin Booker and Jae 40-point postseason game by an influx of manufacturers in Crowder each scored 17 points shooting 14 of 20 from the field the next year or two. and Deandre Ayton recorded and hitting all 11 of his free Button’s JBXE team is part- 14 points and 17 rebounds for throws. James Harden added 23 nered by Lotus Engineering, a the Suns, who evened their points and a play-off career- subsidiary of the British best-of-seven series with Los high 18 assists to fall one shy of sportscar maker, in a series Angeles at two wins apiece. The the franchise’s play-off record that races in remote locations teams reconvene in Phoenix on for assists set by Jason Kidd to highlight climate change Tuesday for Game 5. against Toronto in 2007. and promote sustainability. LeBron James had 25 points Jayson Tatum followed up A Lotus engineer joined the and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, his 50-point game from Friday team last weekend for the who saw Anthony Davis exit the by scoring 40 but Boston had second round in the coastal contest with a strained left groin little answers defensively for dunes of Senegal, with JBXE following a drive to the basket the Brooklyn’s stars. finishing third. with 48.3 seconds left in the Hawks 113, Knicks 96 “It has to be a fantastic second quarter. Davis made just Atlanta’s Trae Young playground for manufacturers 2 of 9 shots for six points before torched visiting New York for to really learn and prove out departing. 27 points and led the Hawks to their systems. And it’s a fun Phoenix exploited Davis’ a blowout win in Game 4, giving way to do it,” Button said by absence in the third quarter, them a 3-1 lead in the Eastern video conference from his outscoring Los Angeles by a Conference first-round series. home in Los Angeles. 27-15 margin to take an 81-65 Young added nine assists “It’s really good for lead. James sank a free throw and made four 3-pointers, Extreme E to have a manufac- to trim Phoenix’s lead to 95-88 raising his scoring total to 110 turer like Lotus and I think it points in the series. Atlanta will attract a lot more Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul (right) moves the ball as forward Jae Crowder (left) provides coverage extended its home winning manufacturers. against Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the first half in game four of the first round streak to 13 games, the NBA’s “You will see the OEMs of the 2021 NBA play-offs. LeBron James had 25 points and longest active streak. (carmakers) coming to the cat- 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who with 2:40 left in the fourth Paul George added 20 points, six rebounds and six Atlanta’s John Collins posted egory, whether its next year or saw Anthony Davis exit the quarter. Crowder stopped the points and nine rebounds for assists. He made just 9 of 24 22 points and eight rebounds the year after. And it will just contest with a strained left momentum by drilling a corner the Clippers, who lost the first shots from the field, including and the Hawks also got 21 grow very quickly when we 3-pointer with 1:23 to play. two games of the series in Los 1-for-7 from 3-point range. points from Danilo Gallinari. see that happen.” groin following a drive to the Clippers 106, Mavericks 81 Angeles before bouncing back Nets 141, Celtics 126 New York was led by Julius Lotus, owned by China’s basket with 48.3 seconds left in Kawhi Leonard had 29 to win the next two on the road. Kevin Durant scored 42 Randle with 23 points, on Geely and Malaysia’s Etika the second quarter. Davis made points and 10 rebounds to help Reggie Jackson scored 15 points. points and Kyrie Irving added 7-of-19 shooting, with 10 Automotive, hopes to sell only just 2 of 9 shots for six points Los Angeles even its Western Mavericks All-Star Luka 39 as Brooklyn took control in rebounds and seven assists. RJ electric cars by 2028 with a before departing. Conference first-round play-off Doncic, who had averaged 38 the second quarter and pulled Barrett scored 21 and Derrick new plant in the Chinese city series against host Dallas with points in the first three games away in the third in a rout of Rose added 18 points and six of Wuhan and ‘lifestyle’ a win in Game 4. of the series, was limited to 19 host Boston in Game 4 of its assists. models expected to include an electric SUV. Group Lotus PR manager Rob Borrett hoped the part- WTC: Final as good as World Hockley confirmed nership would be a long one and said it was all about as CA chief after learning for the future. “What better race series Cup decider for NZ's Wagner to be in from the beginning ‘impossible summer’ than Extreme E for us,” he REUTERS — LONDON added. Neil Wagner Volkswagen-owned Seat’s Neil Wagner has never been REUTERS — MELBOURNE biosecure bubble and went Cupra brand is the other auto- able to break into New off without a hitch despite an motive manufacturer involved Zealand’s limited-overs squads Nick Hockley has been outbreak of COVID-19 in in Extreme E as a technical but the left-arm fast bowler confirmed as Cricket Sydney that threatened to partner to Germany-based says next month’s World Test Australia’s (CA) permanent disrupt the third match. ABT. Championship (WTC) final Chief Executive after steering Hockley faces further The teams all use against India will feel like a the game through an “impos- challenges, including ODYSSEY 21 SUVs, manufac- World Cup title decider. sible summer” during the working on a new collective tured by Spark Racing Tech- The 35-year-old pacer COVID-19 pandemic. bargaining agreement with nology. The French company played 51 Tests but has always The Englishman, previ- players. also makes cars for the city- been overlooked for the shorter ously the chief organiser of The last negotiations based Formula E series which formats, in which New Zealand Australia’s postponed became acrimonious in 2017 has been embraced by leading reached the finals of the last Twenty20 World Cup, was after CA attempted to replace manufacturers. two 50-overs World Cups. appointed interim CEO last a long-standing revenue- Formula One champions Wagner said the final of the June after Kevin Roberts sharing model with the Lewis Hamilton and Nico inaugural WTC in Southampton resigned amid growing crit- players. Rosberg also have their own from June 18 held huge icism of the board’s per- The players union Extreme E teams but Button is significance for him. “It is like Championship final is like a formance during the health refused to budge and CA was the only one of the three also a World Cup final for me,” the World Cup for me.” crisis. forced into a humiliating racing. bowler told reporters Kane Williamson’s team “I think what we’ve seen retreat before the pay deal “I’m definitely on the back For me now, it’s about yesterday. play a two-Test series against him deliver over the impos- was signed. foot but for me it’s all about putting all my focus and “The biggest disap- England before the WTC final, sible summer, in some Hockley said relations learning, I want to do stuff that pointment in my career is that which is likely to be a battle respects, him working with with the players were sound. is challenging,” said Button. energy into test cricket and I’ve never really played a between New Zealand’s for- Australian cricket was able “We’re already starting to “However scary it is, I still to be able to play in a white-ball game for New midable pace attack and to deliver an outstanding talk about what’s important want to race the car. World Test Championship Zealand or never been able to India’s vaunted batting result,” CA Chairman Earl to the playing group, what’s “In an F1 car you kind of final is like a World Cup for crack into the T20 or the line-up headlined by skipper Eddings told reporters important to the game and know the limits... With this me. one-day game. That ship has Virat Kohli. yesterday. those discussions will con- thing, it can throw you through probably sailed now... “I know this final is the first Australia’s Test series tinue in the upcoming a bush. It might be OK but “For me now, it’s about and there isn’t a lot of history against India, hugely vital for months,” he said. there might be a giant boulder Neil Wagner putting all my focus and energy around it, but it’s the start of the domestic game in terms “I think we’re starting on the other side. It’s definitely into Test cricket and to be able something that’s pretty big,” of revenues, was staged in a from a really strong footing.” a little bit scarier than F1,” he to play in a World Test Wagner said. said. Golf: Kokrak outduels Spieth to win at Colonial

REUTERS — FORT WORTH, TEXAS you anything, and you know, you take “I could have shot even par today each shot for what it is, whether you Jason Kokrak lifts the trophy. and won the golf tournament but from Jason Kokrak shot even-par 70 to make a bogey or a par or a birdie.” the very get-go, just a really bad start, outduel Jordan Spieth and notch a two- Charley Hoffman shot a sizzling 65 and then tried to fight my way through stroke victory at the Charles Schwab to finish in a four-way tie for third at it. But I was just really off with my golf Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. 10 under. Patton Kizzire (67 on swing. I really lost it this weekend. You Kokrak finished at 14-under 266 Sunday), Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz just have to be in control around while recording his second career PGA (68) and England’s Ian Poulter (68) also Colonial." victory. He also won at Shadow Creek finished four shots back. Kokrak had five birdies and five last October. Troy Merritt also shot 65 to match bogeys in the final round. He shot Spieth shot 3-over 73 while falling Hoffman for the low round on Sunday. 65-65-66 over the first three days. short in his bid for his 13th career Merritt was alone in seventh at 7 under. “Each hole is an individual match victory. Despite carding bogeys on Nos. 15 against yourself, and Jordan was there The Dallas native had the over- and 16, Kokrak took a one-shot lead the whole day,” Kokrak said. “He was whelming support of the fans who to the 18th. up a couple, down a couple, and I made lined up around the greens at Colonial But Spieth hit his tee shot into the my mistakes. He made his mistakes. I Country Club, but Kokrak spoiled the right rough and his second shot was tried to stay patient.” hometown celebration. disastrous, sailing past the hole and the Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who shared “I don’t know if it motivated me or green to the left and dropping into the the first-round lead with Spieth after not but I told myself like the last time water hazard. a 63, had a rough final round. He had -- just stay patient, one shot at a time,” Spieth eventually got the ball in the five bogeys, one double-bogey and one the 36-year-old Kokrak said. “That cup for a bogey, while Kokrak hit his Spieth won at Colonial in 2016 included five bogeys and just two birdie to shoot 76 and finish in a tie for sounds like everybody else, but you third shot to less than four feet from when he shot 67 or less on all four days. birdies. 20th at 4-under 276. Defending cham- know, you can’t get ahead of yourself the hole. He knocked in the par putt to He had rounds of 63-66-66 this time “I didn’t play well at all, quite pions Daniel Berger (68 on Sunday) in this game. This game doesn’t owe seal the win. around before the Sunday collapse that simply,” Spieth said. also finished at 4 under.