SPORTS Tuesday, February 28, 2017 23 Ibra thanks kids, Mourinho London Ibrahimovic said: “Let’s see latan Ibrahimovic thanked what happens. his children and Jose Ibrahimovic, 35, added: MourinhoZ for getting him to “If we speak about the coach sign for Manchester United but (Mourinho), England, the refused to commit his future to Premier League, the club the club after his goals helped has to thank him because he them win the League Cup. called me and asked me to Ibrahimovic’s contract expires come here, otherwise I would at the end of the season. not have been here. “Even His double against the Saints my two kids wanted to see took his tally for the campaign me play at United. I had my to 26 goals and helped him win mind somewhere else. Before, the 30th major trophy. Asked everything was coming on top about his plans for next season, of the table, then Jose called.

Everton legend Alex Young dies London verton legend Alex Young, an integral part ofE the 1963 title-winning side and then the 1966 FA Cup, has died aged 80 his family said yesterday. The Scottish international striker, who earned the nickname “The Golden Alex Young Vision” from Northern Irish in Everton’s title-winning icon Danny Blanchflower season. Young, capped eight during his time at Everton, times, went on to become scored 87 goals in 273 player-manager of Northern appearances in his eight Irish outfit Glentoran years there after joining from before finishing his career Hearts. Young, whose goals at Stockport County and also helped Hearts to two subsequently ran the family’s league titles, scored 23 goals upholstery business.

Dubai defeat. Phelps frustrated oger Federer is Roger Federer of Federer playing the Switzerland serves the happy tookR the event for the ball to France’s Benoit with how opening 13th time, Paire I played, step in improving I was able to his bid to 48-5 in stay aggressive,” for a the emirate Federer said as the record where he event began it’s 25th eighth keeps a edition. “I couldn’t have title training had a better first round at the base. start. Dubai Federer “I still cannot belive my Tennis won his start to the season.” Michael Phelps (file) 11th Paire had his ankle strapped Washington a build-up to the Games Championships match trailing 4-1 in the opening set and S swimming legend dogged by drugs scandals and yesterday with a comprehensive 6-1, since then lost serve as Federer took a Michael Phelps has revelations of a state-backed 6-3 defeat of Benoit Paire. losing to 5-1 lead. The third seed wrapped it spokenU of his frustration Russian doping program Federer, playing his first match since Tomas up after less than 30 minutes with a at the possibility rivals were across multiple sports. “Rio winning a record 18th Grand Slam title Berdych service winner. using drugs at last year’s Rio was also unique because of a month ago in Melbourne over Rafael in the 2013 The second set was equally one-way de Janeiro Olympics. Phelps, increased doping concerns,” Nadal, had been unsure of his form semi-finals. as Federer went through in well under in written testimony released Phelps wrote in his statement. after dealing with a leg injury picked He has yet an hour. ahead of his appearance on “In the year leading up to the up at the Australian Open combined to lift an eighth Spanish sixth seed Roberto Tuesday at a US congressional Games there was uncertainty with a month off court after his title title at any event Bautista Agut advanced over Russian hearing into drug use in sport, and suspicion. I along with triumph. having achieved hope Karen Khachanov 6-1, 7-6 said he and teammates were a number of other athletes But he need not have worried seven in Dubai, (7/4) while 2014 semi-finalist Philipp left wondering whether they signed a petition requesting as he defeated Paire for the fourth Wimbledon, Kohlschreiber moved to within two were competing on a level that all athletes be tested in the time without a loss with the streaky Basel, victories of his 400th career win after playing field in Rio. It followed months prior to the Games.” Frenchman treated on his right ankle Cincinnati he defeated eighth seed Gilles Muller and also jeered for tossing a racquet and Halle. of Luxembourg 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) in the second set as he was crashing to “I’m “I didn’t know, actually, to achieve my record would be great,” the 33-year- Netball schedule old German said. “It would put me in ive matches are scheduled Dilmun Club A and second First round the semi-finals. Ftonight in the DHL Bahrain placed Rugby Club A playing Gael Monfils (FRA x4) bt Mohamed Safwat (EGY) 6-4, 6-3 “But I still have a few years to play on Expatriate Netball League at British Club B. At 8.10pm, Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-1, 6-3 the Tour, so I’m pretty confident that the Bahrain Rugby Club in Saar Division Two leaders Dilmun Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Gilles Muller (LUX x8) 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) I’m gonna make 400-plus, hopefully.” starting at 7.30pm. The semi- Club B face Dilmun Club C Spain’s Marcel Granollers put Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt Jiri Vesely (CZE) 6-3, 6-2 finals knockout of Division and second placed Sri Lanka out Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-2 while One gets underway at 7.30pm Club play British Club C. The Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4, 6-3 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Serb following a four-team round- evening concludes with Rugby Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-3. (AFP) robin with top placed British Club B playing St Christopher’s Club A taking on third placed at 8.50pm.