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Home , Casper Ruud, Cincinnati Masters, Daniil Medvedev, Diego Schwartzman, Hubert Hurkacz, Nuno Marques

14 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, August 17, 2021 Federer to undergo more knee surgery, will be out ‘for months’

PARIS: said on Sunday he will ‘Bodies breaking down’ undergo further knee surgery and admitted he After turning 40 last weekend, Federer said he “will be out for many months”, a decision which was learning to adjust to the fact that recovering casts further doubt on his future in at the from niggles takes two weeks rather than two age of 40. “I will be on crutches for many weeks days. “It was different before. The questions were and out of the game for many months,” 20-time simple: what is my place in the ranking? What will title winner Federer said in a video my next tournament be?”, he told Blick newspaper. posted on his Instagram account. “Today, it’s more difficult: how do I feel when I The decision immediately rules him out of the start training again? What are my goals? How to US Open, where he has been champion five times reconcile all this with the family? What does the and which starts in two weeks’ time. “I want to rest of the team say? I am much more enthusiastic give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the than before, the attitude is different. It’s really tour in some shape or form,” added Federer. “I am completely different from 10 years ago.” realistic, don’t get me wrong. I know how difficult Federer captured his most recent major at the it is at my age to go through another surgery. I 2018 . He was already well past 36 will try it. I want to be healthy, I want to be run- and the second oldest man to clinch a Slam title. ning around.” Since then, has claimed eight Federer, who has played just 13 matches in 2021, more majors and old rival has picked underwent two knee surgeries in 2020 when he up four. played only six times. He had already pulled out of Both now stand level on 20 Slams with Federer. the Tokyo Olympics to rest his knee. Federer with- Should Federer be preparing to bow out after 23 drew from this year’s after reaching years on tour, he will leave behind a career deco- the fourth round and was knocked out in the quar- rated by 103 titles — only with 109 ter-finals of Wimbledon, a tame 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 has more — a combined 310 weeks at number one loss to ’s . and more than $130 million in prize money alone. That defeat was only his 14th at the All England Later Sunday, the US Open confirmed Federer’s Club in 119 matches, and the first time he had been withdrawal from the final Grand Slam event of the LONDON: In this file photo taken on July 07, 2021, Roger Federer leaves the court after losing to Hubert beaten in the tournament in straight sets since a year with his spot in the draw taken by Tallon Hurkacz during their men’s quarter-finals match of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships in Wimbledon, first-round exit at the hands of Mario Ancic in Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Nadal remains a southwest London. —AFP 2002. It was also the first time he had lost a set 6- doubt for the US Open where he is a four-time 0 at Wimbledon and just the third time at a Slam. champion. “I’ve been doing a lot of checks with the doc- The 35-year-old Spaniard suffered a foot injury from the Toronto and Masters events. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. “Things are tors on my knee,” he added on Sunday. “I hurt in his semi-final loss to Djokovic at the French Djokovic is also skipping Cincinnati after his changing. Bodies are breaking down instead of top myself further during the grass-court season and Open in June. The Spaniard skipped Wimbledon disappointing Olympics campaign. The field, - players being overtaken by tennis (progress),” said it’s just not the way to go forward. “They told me and the Olympics and played just one match in ed by Russian , is without resting three-time major winner in to feel better I’ll need surgery. I decided to do it.” Washington earlier this month before withdrawing world number one Novak Djokovic plus injured Cincinnati on Sunday. —AFP Medvedev dominates Opelka to win ATP Toronto Masters

TORONTO: Daniil Medvedev neu- Masters, the final major tuneup for tralized the attack of American serv- the US Open that starts August 30, ing giant on Sunday, had praise for Opelka, the US number dominating 6-4, 6-3 to win the ATP one who is ranked 32nd in the world. Toronto Masters. The world number “It was a great week for him, he two Russian needed just 87 minutes, fought to the end,” Medvedev said. limiting his 2.11m opponent to just Playing a first Masters final is never eight aces and breaking him three easy. My first was in Canada times while saving all four break (Montreal, 2019) and I won just three points he faced. games,” he recalled of a title tilt Medvedev, aided by 34 unforced against Rafael Nadal. errors from Opelka, became the first Opelka said he was outplayed from TORONTO: Daniil Medvedev of celebrates victory in the National Russian to win a Canadian trophy the start by the top seed. “Daniil Bank Open singles final against Reilly Opelka of the United States at Aviva since 21 years ago. The played great, as expected. He was Centre on Sunday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. —AFP winner was playing a fifth career final flawless. I had one chance to break at the Masters 1000 level. “When I early and I don’t think that would have was starting I could barely have changed much. It was a little windy Opelka’s big delivery. “The goal was teams were due to take a private dreamed of a Masters final,” he said. and a little bit swirlier out there, so it to get as many balls back as possi- plane laid on by organizers in order Now I’ve played five of them and was really tough to be consistently ble, not go for crazy shots, make him to reach next week’s Cincinnati won four. “I’m just happy,” he added. powerful. Even when I hit some big move and make him doubt,” Masters, 660 kilometers away, later “I want to achieve more, I want to shots, he countered well. It was very Medvedev said. “The more balls you in the evening. Medvedev said that if play better.” tough to disrupt him at all.” put back the more pressure you put offered the chance, he would not Medvedev, who will be the top Medvedev said he went into the on the opponent.” turn down a glass of celebratory seed at next week’s Cincinnati match with a plan to combat Medvedev, Opelka and their champagne in flight. —AFP

Novak Djokovic matches coming into the final, which lasted almost Giorgi topples one and three-quarter hours. But Giorgi’s seven aces, and four service breaks, Djokovic clocks 334 were enough to again overcome Pliskova, who Pliskova for WTA remained impressed with her opponent’s top form. weeks at number “She played super-solid all week actually, not crazy Montreal title like she can play sometimes,” Pliskova said. “I think she played really well, serving well at the important one in ATP rankings MONTREAL: Italian underdog upset moments ... she was just a bit better today.” fourth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday to The first Italian winner of the prestigious US PARIS: Novak Djokovic, who has won all three win the biggest title of her career at the WTA hard- Open tuneup now owns three career titles after majors this year and has his eyes firmly set on court event in Montreal. The world number 71 com- winning in Linz in 2018 and in the Netherlands three completing the sweep with another success at pleted a 2021 hat-trick of victories over the sixth- years earlier. Giorgi is expected to rise into the top the US Open, remains comfortably at number ranked Czech, who has now lost three finals this 35 in the world rankings for the first time since May, one in the ATP rankings, released yesterday. season. “I was very emotional inside,” Giorgi said. 2019, as a result of her victory. The Italian, whose The Serb has now spent a record 334 “Of course, I’m not the one that shows a lot. “It’s stylist mother designs her tennis wear, retains a MONTREAL: Camila Giorgi of Italy (left) and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic pose with their trophies weeks in top spot, well ahead of next-best just amazing,” she added. “I’m very happy for what I close bond with her father/coach, who was not in Roger Federer, who managed 310 and is now Canada this week for his 29-year-old daughter’s after their Women’s Singles Final match of the National did this week.” Bank Open on Sunday in Montreal, Canada. —AFP down at number nine and faces several Wimbledon finalist and Rome runner-up Pliskova biggest moment on court. months out of action while he undergoes fur- had no answer for the inspired shotmaking of “I’ve been working all my life with my father, we ther knee surgery. Giorgi, who also defeated Pliskova in the first round work hours and hours on the court,” Giorgi said. “Of py to have this gift. I dedicate it to him. When you Daniil Medvedev remains at number two at Eastbourne and in the third round at the Tokyo course, the results should come. I believe it and he dedicate all your work, one day comes beautiful after his victory in Toronto on Sunday while Olympics. The Czech had won 12 of her past 14 believe it. This was an amazing week, I’m very hap- things.” —AFP the man he beat in the final, the American Reilly Opelka, climbed nine places to 23. Norwegian continues to knock on the door of the Top 10, moving up one place Kuwait prepares to 11, shadowed by the Pole Hubert Hurkacz, who beat Federer in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. for

ATP rankings as of August 16: Asia qualifiers 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12,113 points 2. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 10,620 By Abdellatif Sharaa 3. (GRE) 8,350 4. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,815 KUWAIT: President of Kuwait Tennis Federation (KTF) 5. (GER) 7,263 Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah met members of the Kuwait national team as they prepare 6. (AUT) 7,005 to leave for Spain to join a training camp at Rafa Nadal 7. (RUS) 6,005 International Academy in Majorca in collaboration with 8. (ITA) 5,533 Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait (RNAK). They will pre- 9. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,215 pare for the Davis Cup qualifiers for Asia and Oceania 10. (CAN) 3,625 to be held in Jordan from Sept 13-18 with the participa- 11. Casper Ruud (NOR) 3,350 (+1) tion of nine countries: Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, Hong Kong, KUWAIT: President of Kuwait Tennis Federation Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah poses for a 12. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3,288 (+1) Malaysia, Pacific Oceania, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the group photo with members of the Kuwait national team and other executives. 13. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 3,260 (-2) host country Jordan. 14. (ARG) 2,980 The meeting was held at the Sheikh Jaber Al- 15. (ITA) 2,745 Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Tennis Complex, attended by KTF Vice President achieve the best results for Kuwait. second group at the Jordan qualifiers. 16. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,720 (+1) Sheikh Ahmad wished the players the best of luck as Sheikh Ahmad thanked the Public Authority for 17. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 2,693 (-1) Abdelsamad Al-Aryan, Secretary General Faleh Al- Otaibi, Treasurer Ali Al-Daihani and head tennis coach they participate for the first time as main players in the Sports (PAS) for its continued support in Kuwait and 18. (AUS) 2,600 at RNAK . Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Kuwait Davis Cup team. He hoped the players will be abroad, and thanked all member clubs for their coop- 19. (BEL) 2,513 urged players to exert their best efforts and benefit able to take advantage of this precious opportunity and eration. He also thanked Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait 20. Cristian Garin (CHI) 2,510 from the training camp, adding that KTF exerts all benefit from all the facilities available for them to prove for its cooperation and invitation of the national team efforts to prepare a new generation of players to themselves, represent the country and qualify for the to train at its main academy in Majorca.