MONDAY 6 MAY 2019 SPORT 06 I was lucky, we had good weather when I started. So that helped because I remember three or four years ago, when I Roger Federer FOOTBALL TENNIS was practicing it was snowing, like this weekend in Says he has enjoyed practising on Switzerland, and that didn’t inspire me very much to go AFC Champions League ATP/WTA Madrid Open the red dirt ahead of this week’s Esteghlal FC (IRN) vs Al Duhail SC Round of 64 practise on clay, or go into an indoor bubble and stuff, so Madrid Open.

this year was easy. I enjoyed myself a lot. ACTION Al Sadd SC vs Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) At Caja Mágica in Madrid TODAY’S WI’s record stand sets up Ireland win BRIEF SCORES: WI VS IRELAND AFP Fakhar Zaman against Zim- with Hope’s 152-ball knock fea- DUBLIN West Indies: 381/3 (John babwe in Bulawayo in July last turing 22 fours and two sixes. Campbell 179, Shai Hope 170) year. Ireland’s attack had West Indies openers John Ireland: 185 all out in 34.4 Hope was first to his sparked an England top-order Campbell and Shai Hope shat- overs (O’Brien 68, Nurse 4-51, century while Campbell quickly collapse at nearby Malahide on tered the record for the highest Gabriel 3-44) followed to him to a hundred Friday but had no answer as the first-wicket partnership in a -- his first in international West Indies ran riot in the one-day international with a cricket. opening match of a triangular stand of 365 as their side wicket in a men’s ODI, with They were both dismissed series also featuring thrashed Ireland by 196 runs in their fellow West Indians Chris in the 48th over, Campbell top- Bangladesh. Dublin yesterday. Gayle and Marlon Samuels edging Barry McCarthy to Faced with a mammoth Campbell made 179 and smashing 372 for the second mid-off with Hope falling three chase, Ireland promptly col- Hope 170 in an eventual total wicket against Zimbabwe in balls later when he holed out to lapsed to 21 for three before of 381 for three after the visitors Canberra during the 2015 deep square-leg. Kevin O’Brien’s 68 at least gave were sent in to bat by Ireland World Cup. McCarthy’s figures of two the West Indies bowlers some- captain William Porterfield at Campbell and Hope did, for 76 in a maximum 10 overs thing to think about. Naomi Osaka Clontarf. however, comfortably exceeded were almost respectable amid But the West Indies were The Caribbean duo were the previous opening best at the torrent of runs. always in control with off- only seven runs shy of the this level of 304 set by Paki- Campbell faced 137 balls, spinner Ashley Nurse taking four record partnership for any stan’s Imam-ul-Haq and including 15 fours and six sixes, for 51 in Ireland’s 185 all out. World No.1 Osaka overcomes first Captain Morgan stars as hurdle in Madrid

AFP successes have come on hard, MADRID at the US and Australian Opens, but she is yet to find her best on England down Pakistan Naomi Osaka eased concerns clay. about her form and fitness by If the abdominal injury has AFP England captain Eoin coming through a tricky first healed, Osaka can feel CARDIFF ONE-OFF T20 Morgan in action during round against Dominika encouraged by her performance one-off Twenty20 against Cibulkova yesterday at the against Cibulkova, one of the England captain Eoin Morgan led Pakistan, yesterday. Madrid Open. tour’s gutsiest competitors even his side to a seven-wicket win IN CARDIFF The World No.1 has if the Slovakian is also enduring over Pakistan in a lone Twenty20 struggled since splitting with her a difficult start to 2019. international in Cardiff yesterday coach Sascha Bajin in February Meanwhile, French Open with an unbeaten innings of 57. while an abdominal injury champion and two-time Madrid Test skipper Joe Root made forced her to withdraw in winner Simona Halep brushed 47 and James Vince 36 as Stuttgart eight days ago, creating past Russian qualifier Margarita England overhauled Pakistan’s doubts about her challenge at Gasparyan 6-0, 6-4. total of 173 for six with four balls the French Open later this “It was a good match, even to spare at Sophia Gardens. month. if the first set was fast. The This was England’s second But there was little sign of second one was tougher, and I victory in three days after their physical problems during a feel happy that I could win this one-day international success testing 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) victory over match,” said third-seeded Halep. away to Morgan’s native Ireland Cibulkova and afterwards, Former world number one in Dublin on Friday as they con- Osaka said: “I feel good. I don’t and four seed Karolina Pliskova tinued an encouraging start to a have much pain in my abs so saved five match points to see season that sees them staging that’s always a good sign.” off highly-rated Ukrainian both the 50-over World Cup and The Japanese world number teenager Dayana Yastremska the Ashes. one will now face Spain’s Sara 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. England fast bowler Jofra Sorribes Tormo in round two. Unseeded Pauline Par- Archer also continued his push Osaka looked set for a more mentier of France defeated for a World Cup call-up by comfortable passage after a Ukrainian sixth seed Elina Svi- taking two for 29 in Pakistan’s Vince was caught down the two following Sarfraz’s decision tournament hosts’ World Cup dominant opening set but she tolina, who had been struggling innings. legside by Pakistan captain and to bat first on a green-tinged squad. The Barbados-born fast was stretched by the battling with a knee injury, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6). The recalled Ben Duckett fell wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed pitch. bowler made his much talked Cibulkova in the second. US 13th seed Madison Keys early in England’s chase, driving off Imad Wasim but Morgan kept Haris hit Chris Jordan for six about England debut in a tense By the end, Osaka had hit 43 was also a surprise first round Shaheen Afridi to mid-off, but the runs coming, taking 14 off before Babar struck successive four-wicket win away to Ireland winners and eight aces while loser, going down 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Vince and Root kept England up three successive balls from sixes off spinner Joe Denly to in a lone one-day international world 33 Cibulkova conjured up to Sorana Cirstea of Romania. with the run-rate thanks to a medium-pacer Faheem Ashraf. complete a 31-ball fifty. in Dublin on Friday. 23 winners. However, there were no series of sparkling shots. And even when Sarfraz Pakistan then saw both their “It’s been very welcoming,” “I was also kind of thinking, such problems for former US caught Root, there was little well-set batsmen fall in quick said Archer. like, there is nowhere else I’d Open champion -- and recently ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN danger to England’s hopes of succession with Barbados-born “Sometimes the media can rather be and honestly I train for engaged -- Sloane Stephens as victory with Morgan hitting five Archer, renowned for his form get things wrong and misquote these moments so I have to give the eighth seed defeated Polona Brief scores fours and three sixes in his in T20 franchise cricket, people. Since I’ve been here I it 100 percent,” said Osaka after Hercog of Slovenia 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). At Sophia Gardens: 29-ball stay. removing Haris before he ran out didn’t feel any malice at all. It’s her first main draw win in Stephens, who announced Pakistan 173-6, 20 overs There was a bizarre incident Babar. a really welcoming bunch of lads. Madrid. her engagement to US football (Babar Azam 65, Haris Sohail at the start of Pakistan’s third England and Pakistan will “I knew most of the guys “I feel like there’s an international Jozy Altidore last 50; J Archer 2-29) over when the ground made way now play a five-match ODI series before coming here and it’s nice adjustment period for me on week, goes on to face former England 175-3, 19.2 overs (E beneath David Willey as the starting at The Oval on to come into a new team with clay and it took a few years. world number one Victoria Morgan 57 no) England seamer was just about Wednesday. some people you know. I’m here “But now I’m more com- Azarenka. Result: England won by to make his delivery stride. Meanwhile, Archer insisted with a great team at a great time. fortable. I’m not sure if it’s In one of the few ATP seven wickets Fortunately for England, he had received a warm I’m happy.” because I had a really long matches played Sunday, Aus- Man-of-the-match: Eoin Willey avoided serious injury. welcome into the England set-up England selection chief Ed training block before I came to tralia’s Nick Kyrgios was a 7-6 Babar Azam (65) and Haris but stressed he would have no Smith is due to unveil his final start the season, but yeah, it feels (7/4), 6-4 loser to Germany’s Morgan (ENG) Sohail (50) shared a stand of 103 complaints if he failed in a late 15-man squad for the World Cup good.” Jan-Lennard Struff, a quarter- after Pakistan had been 31 for bid to make it into the on May 23 Osaka’s pair of Grand Slam finalist in Barcelona last month. Rockets edge Warriors in NBA overtime thriller

AFP home floor in Oakland, California, “It’s going to be a fight, every LOS ANGELES narrowed the gap in the best-of- possession, every game,” Harden seven Western Conference second- said. “You’ve got to be physically James Harden out-dueled Kevin round series to 2-1. tough, mentally tough.” Durant down the stretch to lift the The Rockets withstood a Forward Eric Gordon scored 30 Houston Rockets to a 126-121 46-point performance from Durant, points -- 20 in the first half -- and overtime victory over Golden State who threatened to spoil the Clint Capella added 13 points and on Saturday that trimmed the Rockets’ return home when he 11 rebounds for the Rockets. deficit in their NBA play-off series. opened the fourth quarter on a 10-2 In addition to Durant’s big Harden drained a three-pointer scoring spree that Warriors turn a night, Draymond Green posted his with 49 seconds left in overtime seven-point deficit in to a 94-93 sixth career playoff triple-double and after Durant made three free lead. with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 throws he added a step-back floater In a see-saw final period, two assists for the Warriors. that proved the final nail. free throws from Harden knotted Andre Iguodala scored 16 “Close the game -- that’s what the score at 112-112 with 38.7 points, connecting on three of four I’m here for, that’s what I do,” said seconds left. three-pointers to help the Warriors Harden, who finished with 41 Durant missed a jump shot and challenge despite a poor shooting Houston Rockets guard James Harden (left) dribbles the ball as Golden points, nine rebounds and six then Houston point guard Chris night for Stephen Curry and State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala defends during the third quarter in assists. Paul got wrapped up by Klay Thompson, who combined to make game three of the second round of the 2019 NBA Play-offs on Saturday. The Rockets, coming off back- Thompson and Durant as he drove just four of 15 from three-point to-back defeats on Golden State’s for a basket and it went to overtime. range. MONDAY 6 MAY 2019 SPORT 07 Liverpool face nervous wait on gravity of Salah’s head injury

AFP against Wolves next NEWCASTLE weekend to take advantage if City do slip up. Liverpool face an anxious Despite their desper- wait to see if Mohamed ation for silverware, Liv- Salah will be fit to play erpool will be under the against Barcelona in the spotlight for how they second leg of their Cham- handle Salah’s injury after pions League semi-final a week in which the pro- tomorrow after the Egyptian tocols surrounding head star suffered a head knock injuries in football were in a thrilling 3-2 win at questioned. Newcastle that kept their Tottenham defender Jan Premier League title dreams Vertonghen was allowed to alive. briefly return to the field Salah was stretchered during his side’s 1-0 Cham- off after challenging New- Liverpool’s Mohamed pions League semi-final, castle goalkeeper Martin Salah reacts after first leg defeat to Ajax after Dubravka for a high ball sustaining an injury receiving treatment to a with scores level 20 minutes on Saturday. head injury. from time. However, the Belgian “What I heard, he got the defender lasted only a few hip of the goalie on his the decision was off the fine, but of course we have Brazilian striker Roberto seconds before having to be Bayern Munich’s head,” said Liverpool pitch. We accept that of to wait. He got a proper Firmino due to a groin substituted as he struggled Franck Ribery manager Jurgen Klopp. course. knock, obviously, in that injury. to walk unaided and retched celebrates after “He was then on the “When we came in he situation.” However, they remain on the side of the pitch. scoring their ground and the doc had to was sitting in the dressing Salah, who had in the hunt for a first English Tottenham have insisted third goal against make a decision ‘on the room watching the game on extended his lead in the race title for 29 years as Salah’s Vertonghen did not suffer Hannover 96 during pitch or off the pitch’, and television. So he was then for the Golden Boot earlier replacement, Divock Origi, concussion, but he was left their Bundesliga in the game with his 22nd headed home a late winner out of Saturday’s defeat at match on Saturday. league goal of the season, at St. James’ Park to move Bournemouth after spe- will undergo further tests to back two points clear of cialists advised a “brief assess his fitness for Barca’s Manchester City at the top period of rehabilitation.” visit to Anfield tomorrow of the table. The incident has led for When we came in he was sitting in and the final day of the The title remains in renewed calls for football to the dressing room watching the game league season against City’s hands as they have adopt a head injury Ribery to leave on television. So he was then fine, Wolves on next Sunday. two games to play to Liver- assessment protocol similar Liverpool face a monu- pool’s one. to rugby where teams are but of course we have to wait. He mental task to overturn a Salah was seen walking permitted to make a tem- Bayern at the got a proper knock, obviously, in that 3-0 first leg deficit against unaided to the team coach porary substitution while situation: Jurgen Klopp the Spanish champions and after the game and the Reds the extent of head injuries end of season will also be without hope he could feature are examined.

REUTERS MUNICH French winger Franck Ribery will leave Bayern Serie A: Atalanta down Lazio Madrid Munich at the end of the season, the German Bundesliga club said yesterday. REUTERS secure 5th The 36-year-old made over 400 appearances ROME and won 21 major honours with Bayern since consecutive joining from Olympique de Marseille in 2007. Atalanta took a big step His trophies include eight Bundesliga titles, the towards Champions home win Champions League, Super Cup and the Club League qualification with REUTERS World Cup. a 3-1 win at Lazio in Serie MADRID “When I came to Bayern, it was a dream A yesterday. come true. It won’t be easy to say goodbye, but Marco Parolo gave the Real Madrid earned a fifth we must never forget what we’ve achieved home side an early lead but consecutive home win by together,” Ribery told the club’s website. goals from Duvan Zapata, beating Villarreal 3-2 in an Former France international Ribery will join Timothy Castagne and an open and entertaining fellow veteran forward Arjen Robben in leaving own goal by Wallace saw game yesterday in front of the club at the end of the campaign, marking Gian Piero Gasperini’s side their lowest crowd for a the end of the iconic ‘Robbery’ partnership at complete a comeback. league fixture this season. the Allianz Arena. The Bergamo team is Madrid got off to an Bayern confirmed they will honour the duo fourth on 62 points but ideal start when Mariano with a testimonial match in 2020. have moved within one Diaz netted in the second “Franck and Arjen are great players,” Bayern point of third-placed Inter minute after teenager chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. Milan, who were held to a Brahim Diaz had chased “FC Bayern owes a lot to both of them and goalless draw by Udinese. Atalanta’s defender from Albania Berat Djimsiti (centre) celebrates with his team- down Santi Cazorla but we will give them a wonderful and emotional Lazio, who will face mates after scoring against Lazio during their Serie A match, yesterday. Villarreal hit back in the farewell. They’ve helped shape FC Bayern’s most Atalanta again in the Coppa 11th when Gerard Moreno successful decade with fantastic football.” Italia final on May 15, are It was the Colombian’s teeing up Castagne’s Empoli moved within two slammed the ball inside the The 36-year-old made over 400 now seven points adrift of 22nd league goal of the finish. The win was points of safety with a 1-0 near post from outside the the top four in eighth place campaign, the most any secured when Wallace Tuscan derby win over area after Real midfielder appearances and won 21 major with three rounds Atalanta player has scored rose to head into his own Fiorentina. Casemiro was honours with Bayern since joining from remaining. in a single Serie A season net from a corner. Sampdoria striker dispossessed. Olympique de Marseille in 2007. His Parolo rolled a shot since Filippo Inzaghi Elsewhere, Frosinone’s Fabio Quagliarella scored Madrid, got themselves trophies include eight Bundesliga titles, into the bottom corner struck 24 times in relegation was mathemat- a brace in his side’s 3-3 back in front shortly before the Champions League, Super Cup and after just three minutes but 1996-97. ically assured when they draw with Parma to move halftime when defender the Club World Cup. Zapata equalised with a After the break Papu surrendered a two-goal three goals clear at the top Jesus Vallejo stuck the ball composed finish midway Gomez intercepted a slack lead to draw 2-2 at Sas- of the Serie A scoring into an empty net after a through the first half. pass from Wallace before suolo, while 18th-placed charts with 25 strikes. deflected shot from Marcelo, while Mariano struck again early in the second half to stretch his side’s advantage. United’s top-four hopes over after a draw Villarreal continued to threaten and after they AFP just one game of the season to Solskjaer had kept faith with missed several chances HUDDERSFIELD go. David de Gea in goal despite three Jaume Costa pulled a goal And failure to beat statisti- high-profile errors leading to goals back in stoppage time, Manchester United’s hopes of cally one of the worst teams ever in his previous four games. Hud- while defender Xavier Champions League football next to play in the Premier League dersfield did not even test De Gea’s Quintilla had an oppor- season were ended after an will see further questions raised nerve until five minutes before tunity to level in the final embarrassing 1-1 draw at already over the decision to hand Sol- the break when Karlan Grant seconds of the game but relegated Huddersfield skjaer a three-year contract in broke clear after an errant missed the target. yesterday. March. clearance from Phil Jones. As a disappointing United have now won just The Norwegian has Manchester However, De Gea spread season for Madrid winds to two of their past 11 games in all bemoaned United’s lack of goals United manager himself well to block a weak a close, the encounter at competitions as Huddersfield of late and recalled Alexis Ole Gunnar finish with his legs. the Bernabeu was played ended a run of eight straight Sanchez to his starting line-up Solskjaer Huddersfield had only scored in front of only 46,294 fans, defeats despite goalkeeper Jonas for the first time in two months (foreground) nine goals at home all season, but in a stadium that holds Lossl’s error handing the visitors in the search for more looks dejected one hopeful punt from Lossl cut over 80,000. an early lead through Scott firepower. United open for the equaliser on Madrid are third in the after the match, McTominay. But the Chilean again failed the hour mark. standings on 68 points yesterday. Terrible defending from Ole to live up to his status as the Luke Shaw failed to cut out after 36 games and still Gunnar Solskjaer’s men gave the club’s highest earner before the Danish goalkeeper’s have an outside chance of Terriers something to celebrate limping off just before the hour United quickly got the game season, United could not press clearance and allowed Mbenza catching second-placed in their final home game before mark. restarted as they sought more home their advantage. a clear run on goal to slot Atletico Madrid who have heading down to the Champi- Instead the visitors had to goals to improve their inferior Juan Mata curled inches wide between De Gea’s legs. 74 after losing at Espanyol onship as Isaac Mbenza levelled rely on Huddersfield for a goal difference compared to their after some neat interplay A lengthy delay then ensued on Saturday. on the hour mark. helping hand as McTominay’s rivals for a top-four finish. between Marcus Rashford and as a new corner flag was found Champions Barcelona Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over strike from the edge of the box However, even against a Paul Pogba before Pogba also to replace the one Mbenza kicked have 83 points after losing Watford means United fall four went straight through Lossl’s legs Huddersfield side that previously saw a looping header come back over and snapped in 2-0 at Celta Vigo. points outside the top-four with after just eight minutes. registered just 14 points all off the crossbar. celebration. SPORT Monday 6 May 2019 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07 Osaka defeats Liverpool face Cibulkova nervous wait on in Madrid gravity of Salah’s opener head injury Mumbai ACL: High-flying Al Sadd and sweep aside Kolkata IANS MUMBAI Al Duhail eye knockout stage Mumbai Indians (MI) finished AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THE PENINSULA Al Duhail’s Japanese international player Shoya Nakajima passes the atop the Indian Premier League Today DOHA ball to team-mate Almoez Ali (right) during a training session held in (IPL) points table at the end of Al Sadd (QAT) vs Al Ahli (KSA) Tehran, Iran, yesterday, ahead of today’s AFC Champions League Group Venue: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha the group stage of the 12th The high-flying QNB Stars C match against Esteghlal FC. Kickoff: 9:45pm edition of the cash-rich league League champions Al Sadd will with a commanding nine-wicket be looking to maintain the top Esteghlal (IRN) vs Al Duhail (QAT) victory over a listless Kolkata spot in Group D while Al Duhail Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran Knight Riders (KKR) at the will target their third win in Kickoff: 7:00pm Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Group C to grab one of the eight Veteran Lasith Malinga places in the 2019 AFC Cham- Tomorrow snared three wickets with pions League (ACL) knockout Al Rayyan (QAT) vs Al Ittihad (KSA) Hardik Pandya (2/20) and stage today. Venue: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha Jasprit Bumrah (2/31) also Al Sadd and Al Ahli face-off Kickoff: 9:30pm shining with the ball to limit the in Doha 364 days after their last Knight Riders to a paltry 134. encounter at the same stadium Mumbai were never in in the 2018 Tournament’s Round Farhad Majidi, who replaced trouble during the chase as of 16. Winfried Schafer, when they skipper Rohit Sharma led from Then, Al Sadd emerged 2-1 welcome Al Duhail to Azadi the front with an unbeaten 55 winners, laying the foundations Stadium. Any result except a win off 48 deliveries, his innings for quarter-final progression, will send the Iranians out of the laced with eight fours. It was having earned a 2-2 draw in the competition early and Rui Faria Rohit’s 36th IPL fifty, as reverse fixture in Jeddah a week will be looking to make sure his Mumbai eased to 134/1 in just later. men will do their best to ekim- 16.1 overs. This time around, Al Sadd inate the Iranians. South Africa stumper- are a point ahead of their oppo- The kick off is at 7:00pm batsman Quinton de Kock (30; nents and the three points today Qatar time. 23b, 4x1, 6x3) gave Mumbai a would put the winning side in a Tomorrow, Al Rayyan cannot flying start before Dinesh comfortable position, although afford to lose against Al Ittihad in Karthik took a stunning catch official qualification may have doha and they will be looking to to get rid of him off Prasidh to wait until the final matchday give their best to avoid a third Krishna’s bowling. nevertheless. consecutive defeat. Al Ittihad But there was no stopping Every team in Group D could return to continental action off the Rohit with Suryakumar Yadav still finish top or bottom, with back of a disappointing domestic (46*, 27b, 4x5, 6x2) also playing just three points separating defeat to Al Tawoun in the King’s a brilliant hand to smash a six leaders Al Sadd from fourth- need a result when they travel group that boasts four of the 2019 ACL Group C tie in the pre- Cup final. off Russell in the 17th over and placed Persepolis. to Taskhent for the clash of Continent’s finest sides and all vious marchday and will be keen The two-time AFC Champions take the team home with 23 The match kicks off at Pakhtakor today. The Iranians of them will go through turmoil to repeat the same in today’s League winners are second in the balls to spare. 9:45pm. are bottom of the group with ahead of a decisive round. away game. table with seven points and a win The duo shared an Last year’s finalists, Perse- four points, just one behind their Al Duhail turned on the Esteghlal who have swapped on Tuesday will see them through unbroken 88-run partnership polis have lost both their away hosts. power in the second half to beat coaches since their last conti- to the knockout stage for the first for the second wicket. trips this campaign, but they Al Duhail sit on a tough Esteghlal 3-0 in their opening nental outing, will be led by time in five years. Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders: 133/7 (Chris Lynn 41, Robin Uthappa 40; Lasith Malinga 3/35, Hardik Pandya 2/20, Jasprit Bumrah 2/31) Champion Marquez regains top Mumbai Indians: 134/1 in 16.1 overs (Rohit Sharma 55 not out; Suryakumar Yadav 46 not spot with victory in home race out) KL Rahul’s REUTERS JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc carnage helps World champion Marc Marquez swept Marquez celebrates after Punjab beat back to the top of the MotoGP standings winning the MotoGP race by a single point yesterday after running of the Spanish Grand Prix Chennai away with his home Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez Circuit in at Jerez. Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, IANS The Honda rider led from the first yesterday. MOHALI corner to chequered flag, heading a Spanish one-two-three with Suzuki’s Alex Opener KL Rahul’s blistering 71 Rins 1.654 seconds behind as runner-up off 36 balls, followed by and Maverick Vinales third for Yamaha. Nicholas Pooran fireworks (36 Marquez, who crashed while leading off 22 balls) guided Kings XI in the previous round in Texas, started Punjab (KXIP) to an impressive third on the grid and now has 70 points six-wicket win over defending after his second win of the campaign. champions Chennai Super Rins is on 69 thanks to his second suc- Kings (CSK) in the Indian cessive podium, with Andrea Dovizioso Premier League (IPL) contest in dropping from the overall lead to third on Mohali yesterday. 67 after finishing fourth on his works Rahul’s run rampage made Ducati. most Chennai bowlers look The Italian was right on the tail of SPANISH MOTOGP RESULTS helpless. The opener, whose Vinales in the closing stages but ran out of 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 41min 08.685sec stunning knock was decorated time to get past. 2. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) at 1.654sec with seven fours and five “It was more difficult mentally than 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 2.443 massive sixes, bought up his physically. After the mistake in Austin it is 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 2.804 half-century off just 19 balls. It’s not easy to race here and lead the race 5. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 4.748 now the third fastest half- from the beginning to the end,” said 6. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 7.547 century of the ongoing season. Marquez. 7. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 8.228 Earlier, opener Faf du Ples- “But I am convinced about my per- “Actually I won some places at the start so on lap 14 after getting stuck in third gear. 8. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda-CR) 10.052 sis’s 96 off 55 balls and Suresh formance and of the bike, I’m feeling really I’m really happy. The team is working The distraught rookie headed back to 9. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Yamaha) 10.274 Raina’s 53 off 38 balls helped good. good, I need confidence.” the garage and retired. 10. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda) 13.402 Chennai post 170/5 in the “It was a bit hard to know why we His Italian team mate Valentino Rossi Australian Jack Miller crashed his allotted 20 overs. crashed in Austin so today, this weekend, took sixth place after starting 13th. The Pramac Ducati after colliding with Aprilia’s WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS Brief Scores: I felt really good, really smooth, riding like 40-year-old great tumbled from second Spaniard Aleix Espargaro while trying to (AFTER FOUR ROUNDS): Kings XI Punjab: 173/4 in I want.” to fourth in the championship on 61 points go through on the inside at turn 13. 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda): 70 points 18 overs (KL Rahul 71, Nicholas Vinales said being on his home podium after four rounds of the season. Aprilia’s Andrea Iannone, who crashed 2. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 69 Pooran 36; Harbhajan Singh felt like a victory after a tough start to the French 20-year-old Fabio Quartararo, in Saturday practice, was ruled unfit to 3. Andrea Dovizioso, (ITA/Ducati) 67 3/57) season and struggling with starts. who had started as the youngest ever rider start after a morning medical. 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 61 Chennai Super Kings: “Finally I think we found out a method on pole position, had looked set for the The next race is the French Grand Prix 5. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 41 170/5 (Faf du Plessis 96, Suresh that is working really good,” he said. podium but his Petronas Yamaha slowed at Le Mans on May 19. Raina 53; Sam Curran 3/35)