SPORT 16 SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 R esurgent Venus eyes history by overcoming formidable Muguruza

London While those following her remark- Reuters able resurgence - she also reached this year's Australian Open final, losing to enus Williams will try to become Serena - leaf through the record books the oldest woman to win Wimble- picking out the key numbers, Williams, Vdon for 109 years today although, as she so often does, remains in her own ominously for her the last time a 37-year- serene world. old reached the final, it was a Spaniard "I feel very focused still. There's still who ruined the script. a lot to be done. I have one more match While it was Conchita Martinez who that I'd like to be the winner of. I have to defeated Martina Navratilova in 1994, go out there and take it," said Williams, Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action against Czech standing in the way of Williams and a sixth who reached her first major final 20 years Republic’s Tomas Berdych during their 2017 Wimbledon title, an almost unthinkable 17 years after ago in New York. Championships semi final match at The All England Lawn her first, is the tall and powerful Garbine "But I like to take courage in the fact Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday . Muguruza. that I've been playing well this tourna- Seven-time champion Federer reached his 11th Wimbledon "I think it's very impressive. I think ment and this year, and all these moments final beating Berdych 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. not everybody can do that," the 23-year- have led to this." old, 14th-seed Muguruza, who shot to By a twist of fate Martinez will be in fame two years ago when losing to Ser- Muguruza's corner today, as she has been ena Williams in the Wimbledon final, said for the past fortnight in the absence of her on the eve of the match. regular coach Sam Sumyk, whose wife is "For me it's incredible. I don't think expecting a baby. I could be 37 and playing at that level." Martinez remains the only Spanish Ageless Federer It is a testament to her durability and woman to win Wimbledon. But Mugu- strength of character - not to mention a ruza, like Williams, has dropped only one thoroughbred grasscourt game that is sur- set to reach the final and on Thursday pro- passed only by her sister who has seven duced a superb display of controlled Wimbledon crowns - that Williams still aggression to thrash Magdalena Rybarik- is at a level others can only dream of. ova 6-1, 6-1. There have been times since her last She also has the belief of knowing she storms into final Wimbledon triumph in 2008 against Ser- can beat a Williams in a grand slam final ena when it seemed the older of the two - having overpowered Serena to win the London fourth game of the second set before Williams sisters would hang up her French Open last year. AFP Roger Federer Federer again swept through the racket. Since then, her form has been in 11th final breaker on the back of a 5/1 lead. She has a plethora of off-court inter- patchy. even-time champion Roger The big Czech would have to win ests, including her own fashion label, and "I definitely want to be the one who Federer reached his 11th Federer one step from two sets down at the Slams for has been battling Sjögren's syndrome, takes the big one," Muguruza said. Wimbledon final yesterday, away from historic the first time in 38 matches if he were an auto-immune illness diagnosed in With both players boasting similar downing 2010 runner-up eighth Wimbledon to return to the final. 2011 which often leaves her fatigued and weapons - big serves and clubbing fore- Tomas Berdych of the Czech title. Berdych, who had the face of his suffering with joint pain. hands, the outcome could depend on SRepublic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. vanquished quarter-final opponent Her love for the sport remains as who shakes off the inevitable final nerves The 35-year-old, bidding to win The 35-year-old Swis Djokovic painted on the tongues of strong as ever, though, and when she steps more quickly. a record eighth title and become the his tennis shoes, saved a break point on Centre Court today she will do so as Of the 42 grandg slam oldest champion at the All England star will face Croatia's in the fifth game of the third set. the popular favourite, having produced matchesatches in which Mugu- Club in the Open era, will face Marin Cilic in Federer then saved two to go to a vintage performance to end the run of ruzaza hashas wonwon thethe Croatia's Marin Cilic in tomorrow's tomorrow's final. 3-3, made the Czech pay with a break British hope Johanna Konta in the semi- firstst set sheshe hashas final. for 4-3 and raced through a 50-sec- final. Should she prevail today, she would lostst only two, Seventh seeded Cilic reached his ond service game for 5-3. surpass Serena as the oldest Wimbledon whilehile Wil-Wil- first Wimbledon title match at the 11th won in 1975. But despite leading Cilic Victory was his in the 10th game women's singles champion in the profes- liamsms has won attempt with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 6-1 in career meetings, Federer will when Berdych netted a weary sional era and the oldest since Charlotte 2322 ooff tthehe 225050 (7/3), 7-5 win over America's Sam be wary of a man who was two sets forehand. SterrySte y in 1908. 908. ini whichwhich sheshe Querrey. to love up on him in the quarter-finals Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner, hashas taken the "I feel very privileged to be in last year and held match points. fired 25 aces and 70 winners past opener.opener. another final and get the pleasure to Federer had defeated 2010 run- world number 28 Querrey, the man play on Centre Court another time," ner-up Berdych 18 times in 24 who ended Murray's reign as Wim- said Federer who was playing in his matches before Friday and he was bledon champion in the 42nd Grand Slam semi-final. quickly in the ascendancy, breaking quarter-finals. He is the second oldest man to for 3-2. "It's unbelievable. I have played make the Wimbledon final after But an uncharacteristic double really well from the start of the tour- 39-year-old Ken Rosewall finished fault handed the break back in the nament," said 28-year-old Cilic. runner-up in 1974. eighth game before the 18-time major Cilic admitted he faces a tough With Andy Murray and Novak winner played a more composed challenge trying to depose sentimen- Djokovic suffering injury-hit exits in tiebreak. tal favourite Federer tomorrow. the quarter-finals and Rafael Nadal He pocketed the opener when Cilic took a 4-0 career lead over losing in the last 16, Federer will be Berdych miss-hit and ballooned the Querrey into yesterday's semi-final, the favourite to become Wimbledon's ball wide. including a marathon 5hr 31 min win Garbine Venus oldest champion, succeeding Arthur Berdych kept pressing but had to at Wimbledon in 2012, the second long- Muguruza Williams Ashe who was almost 32 when he fend off more break points in the est match in tournament history.

Aru leads Tour as Frenchman Barguil wins stage S TAGE 13 RESULTS Foix, France Contador, who attacked on the first of (TOP 10) AFP three mountain climbs, and Quintana 1. Warren Barguil (FRA/SUN) 2hrs 36min 29sec. who attacked early on the second. 2. (COL/MOV) at 0:00. renchman Warren Barguil took Contador's move with 70km to ride 3. (ESP/TRE) 0:00. an emotional stage 13 victory on was marked by Landa while Quintana, less 4. (ESP/SKY) 0:02. Bastille Day at the Tour de France than 10km later, brought along Barguil. F 5. (GBR/ORI) 1:39. on Friday as Nairo Quintana and The latter two caught the former Alberto Contador resurrected their yel- just before cresting the final summit of 6. Daniel Martin (IRL/QST) 1:39. low jersey hopes. the day, 27km from the finish. 7. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/SKY) 1:48. Colombia's Quintana was second And those were the four who con- 8. Christopher Froome (GBR/SKY) 1:48. and Spaniard Contador third to take tested the sprint finish for victory, with 9. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) 1:48. back almost two minutes on Italian Barguil bringing great delight to the 10. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 1:48. Fabio Aru, who maintained the race home fans on their national holiday. lead at the end of the short 101km Both Contador and Quintana had CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 13 Pyrenean stage from Saint Girons to lost significant time over the first 12 days Foix. that left their overall hopes in tatters. (TOP 10) Reigning champion But Contador moved into the top 1. Fabio Aru (ITA/Astana) 55hrs 30mins 06sec. finished alongside Aru, 1min 48sec 10, although still more than five min- 2. Christopher Froome (GBR/SKY) at 0:06. behind the winner, to keep hold of sec- utes back, while Quintana, still eighth, 3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:25. ond place at 6sec with Frenchman now has a deficit of just 2:07 to Aru. 4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:35. Romain Bardet remaining third at With two stages in the Alps to come, 5. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 1:09. 25sec. a resurgent Quintana is once again a 6. Daniel Martin (IRL/QST) 1:32. The biggest winner, though, was serious threat for overall victory. Froome's Sky team-mate Mikel Landa, In the final 10km, Ireland's Dan Mar- 7. Simon Yates (GBR/ORI) 2:04. France's Warren Barguil, wearing the best climber's polka dot jersey, celebrates who finished fourth at just 2sec and tin and Simon Yates of Britain escaped 8. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 2:07. moved up two places to fifth overall, out of Aru's group to snatch back a few as he crosses the finish line ahead of Colombia's Nairo Quintana (left) and 9. Louis Meintjes (RSA/EAU) 4:51. now just 1:09 back. seconds, although both lost a place to Spain's Alberto Contador (right) at the end of the 13th stage of the 104th edition 10. Alberto Contador (ESP/TRE) 5:22. But the race was made first by Landa. of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Girons and Foix yesterday. SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 SPORT 17 F1: Bottas doubles up in South Africa rally to 309-6 Silverstone practice Silverstone, UK on fluctuating opening day AFP n-form Valtteri Bottas Nottingham Ervine ton lifts (pictured below) regis- Reuters Itered a 'double top' ahead of Mercedes team-mate outh Africa lost four Zimbabwe out Lewis Hamilton to confirm in the final ses- his title credentials in yester- sion of a fluctuating first of Test trouble day's opening practice day of the second Test sessions ahead of this week- against England at Colombo end's British Grand Prix. STrent Bridge yesterday but fin- AFP The Finn, who joined the ished with a defiant flourish to team as a replacement for end on 309 for six. atsman Craig Ervine hit retired 2016 world champion Heavily beaten in the first an unbeaten 151 to pull Nico Rosberg, emerged as a Test, where spinners Moeen Ali BZimbabwe out of trou- genuine championship con- and Liam Dawson took 14 wick- ble on the opening day of tender when he won last ets between them, the tourists their one-off Test against Sri Sunday's Austrian race. had to battle swing and seam this Lanka in Colombo His current consistency time. Pacemen took all six wick- yesterday. has made him the highest ets, Stuart Broad picking up Ervine's career-best effort points-scorer over the last three on his home ground. lifted Zimbabwe from a pre- four races while Hamilton, Morning cloud cover meant carious 70-4 to 344-8 at who trails championship that deciding to bat first after South Africa's Hashim Amla (right) hits a shot past England's Alastair Cook during play on stumps. Sri Lanka left-arm leader Sebastian Vettel of winning the toss was "a tricky the first day of their second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, yesterday. spinner Rangana Herath took Ferrari by 20 points, has bat- decision" according to return- Inset: England's James Anderson celebrates dismissing South Africa's Dean Elgar. four wickets. tled unexpected setbacks and ing Faf du Plessis. The left-handed batsman misfortunes. By tea, a score of 142 for two held on with Donald Tiripano Bottas clocked a best lap appeared to have justified his test runs, and Quinton de Kock, Kuhn off an inside edge without Milestone (24 ) at the end of play, of one minute and 28.496 choice but after a century stand both were dismissed in the first adding to his lunch score of 34. putting on a frustrating seconds to outpace Hamilton by Hashim Amla, passing 8,000 six overs after the interval. Kuhn had earlier been struck 62-run stand for the ninth by 0.047 seconds at the top Ben Stokes then snapped up two painful blows by Broad and . of the timesheets in the after- SCOREBOARD two quick wickets but Vernon Mark Wood, one on the hand 300 Ervine, who surpassed his noon's second session, with Philander, with an unbeaten 54, and one on the back of the hel- previous Test best of 146 South Africa (I innings): James Anderson became the Ferraris of Finn Kimi and Chris Morris (23 not out) car- met, before being given a brief against New Zealand in Bul- D Elgar c Dawson b Anderson ...... 6 the first man to take Test Raikkonen and Vettel third ried the tourists past 300 respite with a 20-minute break awayo last year, built crucial H Kuhn b Broad ...... 34 300 wickets in England and fourth. H Amla c Wood b Broad ...... 78 without further damage. for rain. partnerships including a Dutchman Max Verstap- Q de Kock c Cook b Broad ...... 68 James Anderson became the In brighter afternoon when he had opener Dean 84-run fifth-wicket stand pen was fifth ahead of his Red F du Plessis c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 19 first man to take Test 300 wick- weather Amla and De Kock took Elgar brilliantly caught at with (36). Bull team-mate Daniel Ric- T Bavuma c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 20 ets in England when he had the game to the hosts as they put backward point by a diving It was the 31-year-old's ciardo, German Nico V Philander () ...... 54 opener Dean Elgar brilliantly on 113 in 25 overs. Dawson for six. second Test ton in the 12th C Morris (batting) ...... 23 Hulkenberg of Renault and Extras (LB7) ...... 7 caught at backward point by a Alastair Cook dropped a Test of his seven-year-old Felipe Massa of Williams. Total (6 wkts) ...... 309 diving Dawson for six. sharp chance at slip with Amla international career. He "Yes, we had a new To bat: K Maharaj, M Morkel, D Olivier Anderson has always on 56 but to the first ball after when he was superbly caught swept Herath for a single to engine, but it was quite nor- Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-66, 3-179, 4-194, enjoyed Trent Bridge, where he tea the former captain snapped behind one-handed by Jonny achieve the feat. mal, one of those things," said 5-220, 6-235 took 7-43 against New Zealand up De Kock off Broad for a lively Bairstow from the merest touch "It was very satisfying as Raikkonen. : Anderson 20-4-68-1; Broad 19-4- in 2008 and 11 wickets against 68 from 81 balls. off his glove, giving Stokes a first I had not got a big one away "It's a fresh one and it's a 47-3; Wood 17-3-61-0; Stokes 18-3-77-2; Daw- Pakistan two years later. So has That was 179 for three and wicket. The same combination from home. To get a hundred son 7-1-26-0; Ali 8-1-21-0; Jennings 1-0-2-0 little bit better, but nothing England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Broad, taking 8-15 as Australia 15 runs later Broad's bouncer accounted for Temba Bavuma, in Sri Lanka and in a Test major. It was planned... Today Gary Ballance, Joe Root (capt), were dismissed for 60 two years tempted Amla, on 78, into hook- who had made 20 but Philander match means a lot to me,"

was a bit windy, but not too (wkt), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, ago. ing to deep square leg where and Morris offered South Africa Ervine said at the end of the bad. Sometimes a bit tricky, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Mark Wood Broad claimed the second Wood took the catch. every hope of at least a par score day's play. but quite normal for here." wicket, bowling opener Heino Du Plessis had made only 19 of 350. "At the start, the wicket Two-time champion was a little bit damp. But once Fernando Alonso was ninth it dried out, it was nice to bat for McLaren ahead of French- Top WI players on. We wanted to have a good man Esteban Ocon of Force rate throughout the day." India. Ranatunga seeks probe into Herath, 39, who returned Hamilton set his time set for return figures of 4-106, provided using 'soft' tyres while all his early delight for Sri Lanka's rivals in the top ten clocked after dispute new Test captain Dinesh their best laps using 'super- SL's 2011 World Cup defeat Chandimal after he lost the soft' tyres, a feat that suggests eases toss. the three-time world cham- Herath sent back openers pion, who is seeking a Colombo three-year ban on a top Sri Jamaica for 12 and record-equalling fifth British AFP Lankan official Jayananda Reuters for 19 win, has plenty of perform- Warnaweera for failing to to rattle the Zimbabwe top- ance in reserve. ormer Sri Lanka skipper cooperate with an anti-cor- eading West Indies order at the R Premadasa The session was run in Arjuna Ranatunga (pic- ruption investigation. cricketers such as Chris Stadium in Colombo. cool and overcast conditions, Ftured) yesterday Warnaweera, a former LGayle and Sunil Narine Paceman Lahiru Kumara presenting a challenge to the demanded an investigation Test player who was facing a could soon return to the got debutant batsman Tarisai teams to work warmth into into the country's 2011 World two-year domestic ban over national one-day interna- Musakanda caught behind for their front tyres Cup final defeat by India amid allegations of involvement in tional side as a long-running six as Zimbabwe suffered reg- particularly. allegations of match fixing. match-fixing, failed to attend pay saga appears to be finally ular losses in the first two In this respect, Mercedes Ranatunga, 53, in a video interviews with an ICC anti- showing signs of reaching a sessions. Herath took Raza looked to have mastered the posted on his Facebook page, corruption unit. conclusion. and then Malcolm Waller (36) challenge while Ferrari, who said he was shocked by Sri Sri Lankan players and Cricket West Indies (CWI) but Ervine, who piled on the were running in new engines, Lanka's six-wicket defeat in umpires have been accused of showed it was willing to wel- runs while playing the sweep appeared to be finding it the final at the Wankhede sta- Ranatunga's spokesman match fixing in the past, but come back top players on and the reverse sweep, stood more difficult. dium in Mumbai. Thamira Manju said that he Warnaweera was the high Thursday when it cleared Dar- firm from one end to thwart In the conditions, it was "I was also in India giving was writing to President ranking official to be found ren Bravo to play in all forms Sri Lanka's bowlers. surprising that there were no commentaries at the time. Maithripala Sirisena and Prime guilty and penalised. of cricket after the batsman Medium-pace bowler major incidents, but several When we lost, I was distressed Minister Ranil Wickremesin- Sri Lanka's cricket board apologised to the board and its Asela Gunaratne claimed two drivers made unscheduled and I had a doubt," Ranatunga ghe complaining about the suspended a president, Dave Cameron, for wickets while off-spinner Dil- off-circuit excursions - the said. state of cricket in the coach and sacked a part-time a Twitter outburst. ruwan Perera and Kumara most spectacular delivered by "We must investigate what country. employee for their alleged That resolution was not took one each. Zimbabwe are Carlos Sainz in his Toro Rosso happened to Sri Lanka at the There have been recrimi- roles in approach to two Sri the only positive news for the on a high after their victory in and later from Brazilian 2011 World Cup final." nations in the country since Sri Lankan players to arrange a side, though, with former the one-day series this week. Massa, who had a big 'off' at "I cannot reveal everything Lanka suffered a humiliating defeat by West Indies at Galle captain Gayle, spinner Nar- Becketts. now, but one day I will. There 3-2 loss to bottom-ranked in October 2015. ine, and all-rounders Kieron SCOREBOARD "It was a bit of a mixed must be an inquiry." Zimbabwe in a five-match An unnamed man linked Pollard and Dwayne Bravo all day, a bit up and down," said Without giving names, one-day series on home soil to a bookmaker had offered said to be nearing a truce with Zimbabwe (I innings): H Masakadza c Mendis B Herath ...... 19 Vettel. "I don't really know. Ranatunga said players could this month. the two players some 10m the CWI, according to R Chakabva b Herath ...... 12 We haven't seen much yet. not hide the "dirt" with their Sports Minister Dayasiri rupees (around $70,000) to ESPNcricinfo. T Musakanda c Dickwella b Kumara ...... 6 Yes, the new engine will clean white cricket clothing. Jayasekera has said he wants lose the match. Players have been C Ervine (batting) ...... 151 help... but - well, it's fun to Sri Lanka, batting first, to regulate agents in cricket in Betting is illegal in most of embroiled in contractual dis- S Williams c Gunaratne b Perera ...... 22 drive around here!" scored 274-6 off 50 overs and a bid to prevent the possibil- the cricket-mad Indian sub- putes with the board for S Raza lbw b Herath ...... 36 appeared in a commanding ity of one individual fixing continent, but backstreet several years with the team P Moor c Kumara b Gunaratne ...... 19 position when Indian super- matches using a network of bookmakers -- many with even abandoning a tour of M Waller b Herath ...... 36 G Cremer b Gunaratne ...... 13 star Sachin Tendulkar was players under his underworld links -- still India midway through their D Tiripano (batting) ...... 24 caught for 18. India turned the management. flourish. 2014 series over a payment Extras (w1, nb5) ...... 6 game dramatically thanks Former Skipper Kumar Although no big-name Sri structure row. Total (8 wkts) ...... 344 partly to poor fielding and Sangakkara, who led Sri Lanka Lankan player has ever been At present, CWI only To bat: C Mpofu bowling by Sri Lanka. in the 2011 World Cup defeat, convicted of corruption, sev- select players for their inter- Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-38, 3-38, 4-70, Local media have raised has publicly defended his eral former stars have made national sides if they feature 5-154, 6-195, 7-260, 8-282 suspicions of Sri Lankans manager, a foreign national, allegations of match fixing or in corresponding domestic Bowling: Lakmal 14-1-58-0, Kumara 15-2- 66-1 (w1), Herath 30-4-106-4; Perera 24-0- throwing the match, but there who is also an agent for many spot-fixing -- when players competitions, a policy that 86-1 (nb1); Gunaratne 7-0-28-2 (nb4) was no formal call for an other local players. deliberately bowl or field badly leads to many high-profile Sri Lanka: D Chandimal, U Tharanga, D Karu-

investigation till Ranatunga's Last year, the International to give away a set number of absentees who instead pre- naratne, K Mendis, A Mathews, A Gunaratne, N outburst. Cricket Council imposed a runs. fer to ply their trade in Dickwella, D Perera, R Herath, S Lakmal, L Kumara. overseas leagues. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 Defoe bids tearful Walker thrilled with farewell to Bradley

London them and people dressed up as record-breaking move AFP Batman, Spider-Man and Cap- tain America accompanied the he funeral of Bradley procession. Lowery, one of the iconic Some Sunderland players LondonLond "Kyle is a fine full-back, one Tfaces of last season's Pre- and members of staff also were AFAFP capable of producing quality at mier League season as the part of the procession which both ends of the pitch," he told devoted Sunderland fan battled passed by his former school ngland inter- the club website. a rare form of cancer, drew where teachers and pupils lined national Kyle "We've followed his thousands of mourners onto the up with many in tears. Walker signed progress at Tottenham and have streets yesterday. Hundreds of tributes were for Manches- been really impressed by how Lowery died last Friday also on view outside Sunder- ter City from he has developed. aged just six of neuroblastoma, land's Stadium of Light. TottenhamToEt Hotspur yes- "He is now one of the best and his parents wore football Football players and clubs terdayterd in a deal that could right-backs in the Premier shirts to the service to honour from across the world also seesee him become the League and justifiably an Eng- his love of the sport. posted tributes online to the world'swor most expensive land regular. England striker Jermain youngster. defender.defen "I am sure he will be a suc- Defoe, who formed a special Spanish club Villareal TheT 27-year-old right- cess at Manchester City this attachment with Lowery dur- posted: "Forever Bradley Low- backback signed a five-year season and beyond." ing his time at Sunderland, flew ery. We'll never forget your contractcontra for a fee that could The 27-times capped back from his new club Bourne- courage. Rest in peace dear riserise wwithit add-ons to £54m Walker, who joined Spurs mouth's training camp in Spain fighter." ($70m),($70m), accordinga to The Times alongside Kyle Naughton in to attend the funeral of his "best Lowery was first diagnosed andand otherothe media. 2009 for £9m from Sheffield mate". with the cancer when he was "I aamm thrilled to be signing United, will cost an initial £45m The 34-year-old striker just 18 months old and his cou- forfor CityCity and can't wait to get with another £5m due in a year's dressed in an England shirt rageous battle was exposed to started,"started," Walker told the club time and £4m due in add-ons, broke down in tears following a wider audience at the begin- website.website. according to The Times. the funeral. ning of last season. "Pep"Pep Guardiola is one of the That would break the record Balloons and tributes At the Premier League mostmost respectedresp managers in the £50m paid by Paris Saint-Ger- adorned the roads leading to game between Everton and worldworld andan I feel he can help me main to Chelsea for Brazilian the church where the service Sunderland his name was taketake mymy game to a new level." defender David Luiz in 2014, took place, in the village of chanted by both sets of fans Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Kyle Walker taking a City director of football while also eclipsing the £49m Blackhall Colliery in the north- in the fifth minute -- as he throw-in during the English Premier League match against TxikiTxiki BegiristainBeg said they had forked out by City to Liverpool east of England. was then five -- and Everton Chelsea in London in this January 2017 file photo. Walker beenbeen trackingtra Walker for a for Raheem Sterling in 2015, the Following the carriage were then donated generously to has joined Manchester City on a five-year deal that could while.while. most for an English player. Gemma and father Carl -- also the fund for his proposed see him become the world's most expensive defender. dressed in football shirts -- treatment in the United whilst Defoe was just behind States. Rooney scores on Fifa lifts Everton return ban on

Dar es Salaam football fans eager to greet Rooney AFP and his new team-mates. Sudan In May, Everton announced they ayne Rooney (pictured) had penned a five-year sponsorship marked his first game back deal with SportPesa to succeed Thai Johannesburg Win an Everton jersey with brewing company Chang. AFP a goal in a friendly against Kenya's "We're pleased to have secured Gor Mahia in Tanzania on the biggest commercial partnership orld football body Thursday. deal in the club's history with an FIFA said on England's record goalscorer was ambitious and growing, global com- WThursday that it making his first appearance since he pany," Everton chief executive Robert had lifted a ban imposed on rejoined his boyhood club from Man- Elstone said at the time. Sudan last week for govern- chester United last week on a free "From the outset we have been ment interference in the transfer after 13 years at Old impressed by SportPesa and the com- sport. Trafford. pany's plans for the future. Over the The move follows the And Rooney delighted the crowd coming months and years we will be reinstatement of Mutasim by scoring a superb goal from long working closely to realise our ambi- Gaafar Sir Elkhatim as pres- range to help the Toffees win 2-1 in tions together. We are thrilled to have ident of the Sudan Football what was the first match for a Pre- secured an alignment with Everton, Association. mier League side in East Africa. a club weaved prominently through- He had been forcibly Mexico's Hugo Ayala (left) falls as Jamaican goalkeeper catches the Youngster Kieran Dowell scored out the tapestry of world football," removed from the associa- their winner. added Ivo Bozukov, director of glo- ball during their Group C game of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Sports tion offices by police with Everton are touring the region as bal strategy for SportPesa. Authority Field in Denver, Colorado on Thursday. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. unelected official Abdel Rah- part of their preparations for the SportPesa, which is looking to man Elkatim taking over. upcomingpg Premier League g season increase its visibilityyg through the Pre- FIFA, which frequently after signingsigning a deal with KenyanKenyan bet-bet- miermier League,League, is further strengtheningstrengthening Jamaica hold champions suspends African countries ting firm SportPesa to itsits ties with the city of Liverpool by over government interfer- becomebecome the club'sclub's new movingmoving its European headquarters ence, confirmed the lifting of shirt sponsor.sponsor. there.there. the worldwide ban on Sudan TheThe ToffeesToffees The Kenyan company were Mexico to goalless draw in a statement on its receivereceivedd a warm HullHull City's shirtshirt sponsors lastlast website. wewelcomelcome afterafter season, butbut thethe Tigers were First to benefit from the arriving in DDarar es relegatedrelegated ffromrom tthehe top flightflight Los Angeles The top two teams in Hedgardo Marin's header removal of the suspension SalaamSal aam on at thethe endend ofof thethe 2016-17 AFP each group advance to the from the centre of the area will be the African Nations WWednesdayednesday withwith campaign. SportPesa also has knockout stage, with the two was also stopped by the Championship team, which llargearge num- partnershipspartnerships withwith ArsenalArsenal efending cham- best third-place teams out of Jamaican keeper. is scheduled to play a quali- bbersers of and Southampton. pions Mexico the three groups also reach- Coach Juan Carlos Oso- fier in Burundi today. Tanza- couldn't make ing the quarter-finals. rio, who made four changes However, the dropping of the nniani an their dominance In a lackluster first half, to the side that beat El Sal- ban came too late for CAF pay dividends the best chance fell to Mex- vador 3-1 in their opener, club title hopefuls Al Merrikh Don Thursday as they were ico striker Erick Torres. The could only look on from a and Al Hilal Obeid. held to a frustrating score- Houston Dynamo player had stadium suite as he served Merrikh were poised to less draw by Jamaica in the Blake beaten but nodded his the second of a six-match reach the Champions League CONCACAF Gold Cup. header off the far post in the ban handed out by FIFA for quarter-finals and Hilal In a rematch of the 2015 23rd minute. insulting officials at the Con- Obeid had already secured a final won by Mexico, El Tri The near-miss brought federations Cup in Russia last Confederation Cup last-eight dominated possession but the crowd to life, but did lit- month. place. couldn't get the ball into the tle invigorate the players. Many Mexico fans among Group fixtures involving net of Jamaican keeper Torres had to leave the the crowd of more than them last weekend were Andre Blake. field briefly with a cut on his 49,000 at Sports Authority cancelled and the two clubs Kagawa extends Dortmund deal The draw, in the second hand in the 27th after a hard Field were heading for the disqualified along with Al match of a Group C double- challenge from Jamaica's exits in the waning Hilal Omdurman, who were Berlin "Shinji identifies with our club, header in Denver, Colorado, Damion Lowe. minutes. out of contention in the AFP the city and the fans. He's also an left both teams on four points In the 38th, Jesus Moli- Group C action contin- Champions League. important role model for our young after two games. na's short header caught ues tomorrow when Mexico Merrikh and Hilal apan international midfielder Shinji team." El Salvador are third in Blake off guard but defender play Curacao and Jamaica Omdurman are the most suc- Kagawa has extended his contract The 28-year-old has scored 54 the group on three points Jermaine Taylor cleared the face El Salvador in San Anto- cessful and popular football Jwith Borussia Dortmund until 2020, goals in 185 appearances for Dortmund after a 2-0 victory over ball off the line. nio, Texas. clubs in Sudan and perennial the German club said yesterday. over two spells, winning the Bundes- Curacao. Mexico came out with The quarter-finals of the competitors in African "We're very pleased that Shinji will liga twice in a row following his arrival Rodolfo Zelaya set up more urgency in the second regional championship for competitions. play for us for another three seasons," in 2010. Gerson Maye's 21st minute half, with Blake forced into North and Central America The Sudanese national Dortmund sporting director Michael He rejoined the club in 2014 after goal and scored himself three a diving save of Elias Hern- and the Caribbean start on team has performed poorly Zorc said as the club arrived in Tokyo a couple of seasons with Manchester minutes later to lift El andez's shot from outside the Wednesday. in recent years, however, and yesterday on its pre-season tour. United. Salvador. area in the 53rd minute. is ranked 49th in Africa. SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 SPORT 19 Howell shares lead in bid to end drought

Chicago tour event at Riviera in 2007 by US PGA SCORES AFP beating Phil Mickelson in a playoff. 63 - Charles Howell, Ollie Schniederjans harles Howell III, try- South Africa's Rory Sab- 65 - Rory Sabbatini (RSA), Zach Johnson, ing to snap a batini shared third on 65 with Patrick Rodgers, Chad Campbell decade-long win Americans Chad Campbell, 66 - Daniel Summerhays, Wesley Bryan, Brys- drought, fired a Patrick Rodgers and Zach John- on DeChambeau, Chez Reavie, Brandon Hagy, bogey-free eight- son, the 2015 British Open Trey Mullinax, Sam Horsfield (ENG) Cunder par 63 on Thursday to champion. 67 - Dominic Bozzelli, Kevin Streelman, Kyle match fellow American Ollie Howell, playing for a third Reifers, Robert Garrigus, Camilo Villegas (COL), Schniederjans for the first- consecutive week after return- Andres Romero (ARG), Troy Matteson, Chris

round lead at the US PGA John ing from a 10-week layoff for a

Stroud, Charley Hoffman, Ben Crane Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) speaks as Conor McGregor looks on during the Floyd Mayweather Deere Classic. fractured rib, booked a spot in WD - Danny Lee (NZL), Carl Pettersson (SWE) Howell, who settled for his next week's British Open with Jr. vs Conor McGregor World Press Tour event at Barclays Center on Thursday in New York. 16th career PGA runner-up fin- his latest second-place effort. ish two weeks ago in The 38-year-old Augusta, enter his first major since the Washington, is playing his 295th Georgia, native would love 2015 PGA Championship, and event since last winning a US nothing better this week than to first British Open since 2012, by Mayweather and McGregor ending his victory hoodoo. His Charles Howell III hits his second shot best result in 40 major starts on the 15th hole during the first round was a share of 10th at the 2003 of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere PGA. circus hits the Big Apple Howell opened on the back Run on Thursday in Silvis, Illinois. nine with back-to-back birdies, his first birdie putt from six feet New York his muscles, striking poses and wraps up on Friday with a stop and second from twice as far, Reuters rattling off a dance step or two in London. added another at 14 and struck as he waited for the undefeated Famous for his knockout for back-to-back birdies again he Floyd Mayweather Jr. boxer. power in the MMA cage, McGre- at the par-3 16th and par-5 17th, and Conor McGregor It looked for a moment as if gor managed only glancing putting his approach two feet Tworld media tour stormed the circus was going to take a blows on Thursday as May- from the cup on the former and into New York on Thursday with turn for the worse when McGre- weather, widely regarded as one two-putting from 75 feet on the the fighters unleashing more gor, who addressed the of the best defensive fighters of latter. profanity-laced attacks on each 40-year-old Mayweather as all-time, side-stepped and After opening his second other as they looked to build up "boy" in Toronto, let a howling returned fired by dubbing nine with back-to-back birdies interest in their light middle- crowd know he did not take the McGregor a quitter. as well, Howell made six pars weight boxing bout. charges of racism seriously. "(He) didn't quit once, (he) and sank his longest putt of the On the third stop of four- "A lot of media have said I didn't quit twice, (he) quit three day from 26 feet for a birdie at day, four-city barnstorming blitz am against black people, that's time," Mayweather screamed the par-3 seventh. to promote their August 26 Las absolutely ... ridiculous," McGre- with another volley of profan- Schneiderjans, 24, is mak- Vegas clash, the witty barbs that gor roared. ity, referring to McGregor ing a run at improving on his characterised their exchanges The Irishman, who at times tapping out in his three career best career PGA finish, a share Los Angeles and Toronto were during the earlier stops had defeats. of third at the Heritage last April, replaced by what appeared to appeared to get under May- While boxing purists have and taking the lone available be real venom. weather's skin, had no such luck denounced the fight as nothing spot on offer for next week's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Brooklyn, where the Ameri- more than a laughable cashgrab British Open at Royal Birkdale. champion McGregor traded in can ignored the jibes and took it has nonetheless captured the He opened birdie-birdie on the stylish suits he wore on the selfies while McGregor barked fascination of many fight fans. 10 and 11 as well and drove the previous two legs of the tour for in his ear. McGregor has been the green at 14 to set up a tap-in psychedelic pants and a furry McGregor is expected to be undisputed favourite at each birdie. white coat worn over a bare, tat- the aggressor in the ring stop on the media tour, and can He birdied 17 but stumbled tooed chest. against the former five-divi- expect more of the same in Lon- to his lone bogey at 18, finding He strutted imperiously onto sion world champion to make don, but few give him any rough right off the tee and only the Barclays Center stage to an up for his lack of boxing expe- chance in the ring against one reaching the fringe on his Irish ballad and thunderous rience and has played that role of the most skilled and tactically approach. applause before flexing throughout the tour, which astute boxers of all time. China's Feng leads at US Open Selby to defend title despite New York AFP Feng mother's death Shanshan hina's Feng Shanshan of China London remained atop the lead- watches AFP Cerboard yesterday her tee morning after the conclusion of shot. ritain's Lee Selby will the storm-interrupted opening defend his International round of the US Women's Open. BBoxing Federation (IBF) Sixth-ranked Feng, seeking world featherweight belt on Sat- her second major crown after urday against Argentine the 2012 LPGA Championship, challenger Jonathan Victor Bar- fired a bogey-free six-under-par ros despite his mother dying on 66 Thursday to grab a one- Tuesday. stroke lead over South Korean The 30-year-old Welshman Lee Selby (left) and Jonathan Victor Barros pose for a photo Amy Yang after 18 holes. -- who has held the title since Darkness halted play with 2015 -- has been hailed as a after the press conference in London on Thursday. several contenders still on the Yoshiba completed her first back nine, overcame a double 'brave young man' by his man- course at US President Donald round Friday to share third with bogey at 18, with seven birdies ager Jamie Sanigar for not Saturday," Sanigar was quoted tragedy has struck Selby as his Trump's golf resort, Trump world number one Ryu So-Yeon and a bogey. withdrawing after his mum as saying by the BBC. older brother Michael drowned National in Bedminster, New of South Korea and former She birdied three of her final Frankie passed away. "Lee is a brave young man nine years ago, leading the Jersey, but none could overtake world number one Lydia Ko of five holes, although the run also "Lee and the team have and he's here to do a job on boxer to go 'on a binge of drugs Feng and Yang. New Zealand on 68. included a bogey at the par-3 made the decision that they will Saturday." and drinking' before turning his Japan's Rumi Yoshiba, who started on the seventh hole. proceed with the contest on It is not the first time life round. Hingis hails 'amazing' Venus for reaching final at 37

London she is into the semi-finals of the American, she now only plays chronic fatigue and muscle Switzerland's Martina Reuters mixed doubles. doubles and mixed doubles, soreness. Hingis returns during her "Maybe nobody would have having last played singles on the "It's been a little bit of a mixed doubles quarter- ormer world number one picked right from the start that Tour in 2007. roller-coaster for her, with her final match on Thursday in Martina Hingis said yester- Venus would be there in the The Swiss is also the only injuries, her virus (Sjogren's) and London. Fday it was "amazing" that finals. woman other than Serena Wil- all these issues but now it seems her old rival Venus Williams has "But I think the longer the liams to have beaten Venus in a like she's fine and she's sorted reached the Wimbledon final at tournament went on, she got grand slam final, having done it all out and she's playing great the age of 37. herself out of a couple of tough so in the US Open in 1997. tennis," Hingis said. Five-time champion Wil- matches, tough situations and Hingis, who won four of Hingis, who won five grand liams is the oldest woman to struggles maybe in the first cou- her six Grand Slam battles slam singles titles, is happy to reach the final since Martina ple of rounds, but the more the with Venus, said the achieve- concentrate now on doubles. Navratilova did it in 1994 and draw opened up, the more she ment was all the more "That's one of the reasons I will take on Spain's Garbine feels like it's her time to shine." remarkable given that she don't play singles anymore Muguruza for the title today. The 36-year-old Hingis is was diagnosed with Sjogren’s because I don’t want to put my "It's amazing," Hingis told just three months younger than syndrome in 2011, an auto- body through the struggles any reporters at Wimbledon, where Williams but unlike the immune disease that causes more," Hingis said.