All-Stars James and Irving Lead Cavs Past Suns Murray Avoids Djokovic's Fate at Open
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TENNIS| Page 2 NNBABA | Page 5 Murray All-Stars To Advertise here avoids James and Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Djokovic’s Irving lead fate at Open Cavs past Suns Saturday, January 21, 2017 FOOTBALL Rabia II, 23, 1438 AH Zidane seeks GULF TIMES quick solution to Madrid collapse SPORT Page 7 SPOTLIGHT The maestro Djokovic Vintage Federer issues warning to era is over, rivals with quick rout of Berdych hints former coach Becker AFP “I didn’t expect it as such, to be Melbourne honest, especially not this kind of a scoreline,” Federer said. “Especially having to save no breakpoints, just wiss marvel Roger Federer always rolling on the serve. blitzed long-time rival To- That was a big surprise to me. mas Berdych in straight “I think it was a great mental test Ssets to storm into the for me to see if I could stay in the fourth round with a vintage per- match point for point, keep rolling. I formance at the Australian Open was able to do that. File photo of Djokovic and Boris Becker. yesterday. That’s where I’m just really happy The 17-time Grand Slam champion, that I was able to deliver that. I had AFP Arena court where he has won six fi - seeded 17th after an injury-hit 2016, no expectations really for tonight, Melbourne nals, agreed that his opponents now downed the 10th-seeded Czech 6-2, but I did surprise myself.” know he is beatable. 6-4, 6-4, in just 90 minutes. On facing Nishikori in his next “Sure. They wouldn’t be playing Federer reached the round of 16 in match, the 35-year-old Swiss legend ormer coach Boris Becker against me or any other opponent or Melbourne for the 15th time where said: “I’m a big fan of his game. claimed Novak Djokovic has any other tournament, for that matter, he will face Japanese fifth seed Kei He’s got one of the best backhands lost his aura of invincibility and if they don’t believe that they can win,” Nishikori. out there. I love how he can crush his era of dominance is over af- he said. “They go out and they try their Fter his seismic early exit at the Austral- best.”Asked what he would take from “From the baseline, honestly I felt it down the line or crosscourt. worlds better than in the first cou- “He’s got wonderful second serve ian Open. the defeat, he said: “Take my bags and ple of rounds. Yeah, it’s wonderful. returns. He’s fast on his legs. Strong The tennis world was abuzz over six- I go home.” I’m really happy, yeah, of course,” in his mind. time champion Djokovic’s stunning Rafael Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam Federer said. “I know how tough he is as the fi ve-set loss to the 117th-ranked Uzbek champion and the 2009 Australian “I’m sure I’ve done some sort of match goes along. He finds his Denis Istomin, his earliest exit from a Open winner, and one of those who can a performance like this (before). range and his rhythm, he’s tough Federer wallops the ball as wife major since Wimbledon 2008. capitalise on Djokovic’s early depar- When you don’t get broken, you to stop.” Mirka applauds at the Australian The 12-time Grand Slam champion’s ture from the draw, said he saw nothing don’t have to save any break points, It was the 23rd career meeting Open yesterday. latest calamity comes on the back of a signifi cant about his great rival’s loss. you’re always in the lead, it’s always between the pair and their seventh troublesome second half of last sea- “What Novak did here is just amaz- easier to play.” meeting at a Grand Slam, and son where he lost his world number ing. Six victories, six titles. For a lot of Any concerns that Federer might fourth at the Australian Open. one ranking to Andy Murray and relin- years he has been in the semi-fi nals, be in for a tough night evaporated Federer extended his record to 17-6 quished his Wimbledon and US Open fi nals and winning here,” Nadal said with a double service break to lead over Berdych and has won their last titles.After winning the French Open after reaching the third round. Berdych 5-2 in the opening set. six meetings. in June for the fi rst time, Djokovic held “This is probably an accident, that’s The Swiss maestro continued to put The last time the Czech defeated all four Grand Slam singles titles, but all,” added the Spaniard. “He’s playing on a tennis masterclass to leave the Federer was in the semi-finals at he has not won a major since. well. Everybody has the chance to lose big Czech floundering. Dubai in 2013. The Swiss legend is Becker, who split with Djokovic at when you go on court.” Federer breezed through the looking to become the third man the end of last year after three years as opening set in 26 minutes, made to win five Australian Open singles his coach, says the door is now open to it 2-0 another 31 minutes later and titles after Novak Djokovic and Roy the next generation as the Serb nears Life is beautiful, cruised through the final set in 33 Emerson, who have both won six. his 30th birthday. Venus says, brushing minutes to complete an astonishing “I’m really shocked that Novak demolition of one of his long-time ‘I’m sure I’ve done some Djokovic lost,” said Becker, who is part off commentator row rivals. sort of a performance like of Eurosport’s live coverage of the Aus- Federer broke Berdych’s big serve this (before). When you don’t tralian Open. MELBOURNE: Seven-times grand four times and did not face one get broken, you don’t have to “I thought he was playing much too slam winner Venus Williams on Friday break point on his own service, save any break points, you’re defensive and never really took the ini- brushed off a remark made about her while hitting 40 winners against always in the lead, it’s always tiative and never really fought for it.” at the Australian Open which led to a just 17 unforced errors. easier to play’ Becker, a six-time Grand Slam cham- TV commentator being stood down pion and twice winner of the Austral- by broadcaster ESPN. ian Open, said Djokovic’s fall off ers his Doug Adler, commentating on the younger rivals the incentive to push on. African-American 13th seed’s second- “It’s a big door open now,” Becker round match against Switzerland’s BOTTOMLINE told the New York Times in Melbourne. Stefanie Voegele on Wednesday, “We talked about the next gen for a provoked outrage on social media long time, and now is the time for these when he was taken to have described 19-, 20-, 21-year-olds to go through Williams charging “like a gorilla”. Adler, Impressive Nishikori powers into fourth round the door. a former tennis professional, said he “When the top dog is struggling a bit had said “guerrilla”. AFP pearances at the Australian Open, hand. — and no disrespect to Andy Murray, Williams was questioned about the Melbourne losing to Andy Murray in 2012, Stan The Japanese star got a double but Novak was the top dog — the way comment after thrashing China’s Wawrinka in 2015 and Novak Djok- break to lead 3-0 and Lacko got was blocked. But now it’s a shift.” Duan Ying-Ying 6-1 6-0 to reach the ovic last year. one break back to trail 3-5 before Becker said Djokovic was missing his fourth round. apan’s Kei Nishikori “There were some little tough Nishikori served out for a two sets trademark intensity and will to win in “All I can say is it’s been a wonderful, reached the Australian Open moments, but I stayed tough in the to love advantage. Thursday’s match, and wasn’t “men- wonderful career for me full of posi- fourth round with a convinc- third set,” Nishikori said. Nishikori peeled off a ripping tally going crazy” as he used to. tives. That’s what I focus on. I mean, ing, straight-sets win over Nishikori broke the 121st-ranked forehand return winner to grab an Australia’s former Wimbledon what else can I do? It’s a beautiful life. JLukas Lacko yesterday. Lacko’s serve four times and gave early break in the fi nal set to hit the champion Pat Cash was adamant that That’s how I feel about every single The fi fth seed made it to the last up his own service only once. front and stay there. Djokovic’s time as a dominant force thing,” the 36-year-old told reporters. 16 for the sixth straight year with a “I did well with my service games He hit 46 winners, 27 of them on was over. “I pay attention and address situa- 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Slo- and came up with some important his forehand, and dominated the “His defeat just shows that Novak tions that are noteworthy. That’s been vak qualifi er in two hours, 11 min- fi rst serves on the big points,” he rallies. has absolutely lost his edge, there’s no my past record, clearly.” utes.Nishikori will next face his fi rst said.