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Sunday, July 8, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 24, 1439 AH Hazard, not GULF TIMES Neymar, takes over as star of the tournament SPORTSPORT Page 3

REPORT SWE 0-2 ENG Confi dent England reach fi rst WC semis in 28 years ‘I wasn’t born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final. We have always said we’d take one game at a time’

Reuters Samara, Russia Sweden ngland defi ed almost three coach says decades of disappointment to move confi dently into the England ‘can World Cup semi-fi nals for the fiE rst time since 1990 as headers from go all the Harry Maguire and Dele Alli downed a dogged but toothless Sweden 2-0 yes- way’ terday. Far more fancied England sides had AFP failed to reach the last four in the past Samara, Russia but Gareth Southgate’s young squad powered on as they continued to make a mockery of dampened pre-tournament weden coach Janne expectations with another impressive Andersson said England display in Russia. Sare capable of winning the They were set on their way when World Cup after seeing his side Maguire rose imperiously to head home beaten 2-0 by Gareth South- from a corner and Alli added the killer gate’s side in the quarter-finals blow after the break as England showed yesterday. they are not entirely dependent on the England will meet hosts Russia tournament’s leading scorer Harry or Croatia on Tuesday for a spot Kane for goals. in the final, after goals from If anything, England’s hero on the Harry Maguire and Dele Alli sent day was to be found at the other end through to the last four of the of the pitch as keeper Jordan Pickford competition for the first time produced three superb saves to shut out since 1990. the workmanlike Swedes. “Yes, I definitely believe they “We had to withstand a lot of physi- are,” Andersson responded when cal pressure,” said England coach Ga- asked if England were good reth Southgate. “The resilience of the enough to win the tournament. team and togetherness of the team to- “They’re strong and well-organ- day was crucial. Today our spirit was as ised. I’d like to pay tribute to both good as theirs and our quality a little bit the team and the coach. better.” “They’re a good football side, The fans who serenaded their side at they don’t give a lot of openings. the Samara Arena stayed long after full- I believe they are perfectly capa- time to herald the achievement, know- ble of going all the way.” ing that with so many of the favourites For Sweden, who failed to qualify having departed, England have argu- for the previous two World Cups, ably their best chance of global glory in it was their best result since fin- more than half a century, having won England’s Harry Maguire (left) celebrates with teammate Harry Kane after scoring during the World Cup quarter-final against Sweden in Samara, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) ishing third at the 1994 finals. the tournament on home soil in 1966. “We came through to the by Maguire charging forward with con- tribution was swiftly underlined with quarter-finals in a World Cup. I “The resilience of the team and viction and barging Emil Forsberg out England doubling their lead in the 59th think we performed really well togetherness of the team today of his way to power a header down into minute as Jesse Lingard’s teasing cross to get here, we just weren’t good was crucial. Today our spirit was the net. into the box was met by Alli unmarked enough to beat this side today,” as good as theirs and our quality That was England’s eighth set-piece at the far post to head powerfully past Andersson said. a little bit better,” England coach goal at this World Cup, but, while they Olsen. Gareth Southgate said are lethal from dead balls, apart from England had not kept a clean sheet Kane they are not blessed with too in their four previous matches and had Yet while England’s victory, only many other sharp shooters. Pickford to thank for ensuring they did their third quarter-fi nal success in nine Forward Raheem Sterling has faced not concede this time. attempts, was largely a one-sided aff air some criticism over his struggles to He saved superbly from Viktor it was certainly not straightforward. score for England and just before half- Claesson before tipping a shot from Sweden had reached the quarter-fi - time his doubters were handed am- Berg over the bar and that was enough nals by making life hard for supposedly munition when he was twice left alone to ensure Swedish hopes of reaching superior opposition and it was easy to bear down on Sweden keeper Robin their fi rst semi-fi nal since 1994 were to see why after a dour opening when Olsen. dashed. England looked incapable of string- His blushes were saved by the lines- “I wasn’t born the last time Eng- ing passes together against their hard- man’s fl ag as he fl uff ed the fi rst chance, land reached a World Cup semi-fi nal,” working opponents. but moments later he ran through said Pickford. “We have always said we It was predictable in many ways, again, this time trying to round the would take one game at a time and we therefore, that the deadlock was broken keeper, only to be denied once more. can go on and create our own history.” from a set piece. England were almost made to pay straight after the interval and would BULLET HEADER have been pegged back if Pickford had England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford Sweden coach Janne Andersson England had laboured without reward not produced a top-drawer save to keep makes a save during the FIFA World embraces a player after the loss before Ashley Young lined up a corner out a Marcus Berg header. Cup quarter-final against Sweden in to England yesterday. (Reuters) on the left and his curled eff ort was met The importance of the keeper’s con- Samara, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT 48-team World Cup doable if ‘format is right’, says SC’s al-Khater

DPA general of the Supreme Committee for 48 teams could already play in Qatar. fectively rule out the 2026 World Cup December because of the climate, Moscow Delivery & Legacy (SC), told interna- “Our plans have been toward a 32- format of 16 groups with three teams. additional weeks have already been tional media representatives in Mos- team World Cup. Everything we have Another format could see 16 teams rejected by the European Leagues. cow yesterday. done is toward a 32-team World Cup,” seeded and 32 teams playing in 16 But al-Khater said the format must orld Cup 2022 organis- “I think it’s all in the format. If the al-Khater said. play-off games for 16 other berths — be known before the qualifi ers start, ers in Qatar are open to a format is done right, it could actually “If we see that it’s in the benefi t of and the tournament then continuing likely by early 2019. 48-team event in princi- be an edition that is exciting.” football, the World Cup itself, and we in the present format with 32 teams in Meanwhile, Russia has been praised ple if desired by the ruling FIFA has already raised the number feel like it’s going to add, we would be eight groups. by SC secretary-general Hassan al- Wfootball governing body FIFA. of teams for the 2026 edition from 32 all for it. If we feel that it’s not in fa- Al-Khater said this “sudden death Thawadi for its eff orts in hosting the “It’s doable, we just need to fi gure to 48, and is now — based on a pro- vour of us or of football, we won’t go element... might add an element of current World Cup. out how it is done. What’s the format? posal from South America which has for it.” surprise” but this would also lead to “It is an amazing tournament with We don’t even know what that is,” been rejected for the time being by the The 2022 World Cup is planned a longer tournament. With the tour- fantastic organisation,” al-Thawadi SC assistant secretary-general Nasser Nasser al-Khater, assistant secretary- FIFA council — looking into whether across eight venues, which would ef- nament already moved to November- said. al-Khater. England captain Harry Kane failed to score for the fi rst time in seven matches for his country yesterday 2 Gulf Times Sunday, July 8, 2018

REPORT CRO 2 (4-3) RUS 2 SPOTLIGHT More hairstyles than goals as Neymar Croatia prevail on fails to rule in Russia penalties to reach World Cup semis Heartbreak for hosts Russia as their gallant run is ended in dramatic shootout

Brazil’s Neymar walks out of a bus at the Kazan International Airport to catch his flight back to Brazil yesterday.

DPA tunities to shine but he kept on Sochi making the wrong choices.” Neymar scored a late goal against Costa Rica when the o much for Neymar be- group game was already over as ing heir to the throne a contest and also netted against — Lionel Messi and Mexico in the last 16. But he was SCristiano Ronaldo may found wanting against Belgium. have abdicated in Russia but the “Brazil lacked a De Bruyne,” Brazilian showed no signs of be- added Tostao after the quarter- ing mature enough to take their fi nal. Some pundits have put place. Neymar’s disappointing World The 26-year-old stayed in the Cup down to him having been competition for one round long- injured in the second half of the er than Messi and Ronaldo but, season. Others see a more long- just like the Argentinian and the term decline since he left Barce- Portuguese, he will be watching lona a year ago. the semi-fi nals on TV after Fri- Former Brazil coach Luis day’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium in the Felipe Scolari was asked if Ney- quarter-fi nals. mar was at Cristiano Ronaldo The most expensive player and Messi’s level yet by Spanish in history was always making newspaper El Mundo on Friday. headlines but it was for Inter- “At Barcelona he evolved a net-meme provoking dives and lot and he almost reached their exaggerations to tackles more level,” he replied. “But it is not than for his football. He took two something that happens from hairdressers to Russia and style one day to the next. He is on the commentators recorded fi ve dif- right road but he still needs time. ferent haircuts but there were Perhaps in one year or two he just two goals and one assist to will be at their level.” Perhaps the his name by the time his tourna- World Cup in 2022 in Qatar will ment ended. be his tournament. “Neymar is a It was perhaps a measure of brilliant player and he will defi - how he had underperformed nitely win a World Cup”, said his that when Spanish sports paper team-mate Miranda in Kazan on Diario AS ran an online poll to Friday. see who Real Madrid supporters But he will be 30 by the time wanted the club to sign, 89 % of his next chance comes. Pele had over 180,000 responses were for won two World Cups before he Kylian Mbappe over the Brazil- was 22-years-old. Ronaldo was Croatia’s Domagoj Vida (R) and Josip Pivaric celebrate their winning penalty against Russia at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi yesterday. ian. 26 in 2002 when he had his fi nest Brazil legends have not held hour with the national team. AFP shev wonder goal in the fi rst half, there is little over four million but amongst that second half they controlled, yet they had back in criticising his failure to “In Brazil we know who Ney- Sochi only heartbreak as they fi nally go out. number are two of the fi nest midfi elders to limp on into extra-time, with goal- ignite the tournament for the mar is and who Pele is and who They can however be proud of their ef- in the world in Rakitic and Luka Modric. keeper Danijel Subasic providing a scare fi ve-time winners. Ronaldo is,” added Scolari. forts, with a run to the last eight exceed- They dominated the match, but Russia as he hurt a hamstring late on. Former Brazilian internation- “There will only ever be one van Rakitic scored the winning pen- ing expectations for a side written off as contributed to another fantastic occasion However, Croatia took the lead for the al Tostao, who won the World Pele.” Russia was Neymar’s big alty as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 in a no-hopers before the tournament. in what has been an outstanding World fi rst time in the 101st minute, defender Cup in Mexico in 1970 told daily chance to be mentioned in the shoot-out after a dramatic 2-2 draw And it remains to be seen how quick- Cup. Vida getting his head to a corner to send newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo: same breath. But he was unable yesterday to end the World Cup ly Croatia — whose President Kolinda The hosts went ahead thanks to a bolt the ball low into the net, helped by sub- “Neymar had various oppor- to take it. Ihopes of the host nation and advance to a Grabar-Kitarovic was watching from the from the blue just after the half-hour stitute Vedran Corluka getting out of the semi-fi nal against England. stands in her country’s colours — can mark. Cheryshev, who scored three times way. Vida removed his shirt as he ran Brazilian-born Mario Fernandes had recover from this draining night, having in the group-stage wins over Saudi Ara- away in celebration, possibly thinking FOCUS kept Russia’s dream alive when he head- also been taken to extra time and penal- bia and Egypt, was back in the line-up Croatia were heading through. ed home in the 115th minute to level the ties by Denmark in the last round. here after beginning on the bench against However, Russia found the resources to scores and force penalties, but he and The arrival of the host nation for the Spain last weekend. draw level again, substitute Alan Dzagoev Fedor Smolov both failed to convert their fi nal World Cup match at the Fisht Stadi- He cut in from the left, exchanged holding up a free-kick for Fernandes to Luck was not spot-kicks in Sochi. um meant by far the most vibrant atmos- passes with Artem Dzyuba and skipped head home in the 115th minute. Croatia, for whom Andrej Kramaric and phere yet at this Black Sea beach resort. away from a Modric challenge before fi r- His shoot-out miss proved pivotal, Domagoj Vida had earlier found the net, The Russians, riding a wave of eupho- ing home a superb shot from 25 yards on however, especially after Smolov’s weak on Brazil’s side in advance to their fi rst World Cup semi- ria after unexpectedly knocking out Spain his left foot. attempt at a chipped penalty was saved fi nal since 1998. They will face England, in the previous round, were determined Croatia were stunned. But the Russian by Subasic. who beat Sweden 2-0 earlier, at the Luzh- to carry on to a fi rst World Cup semi-fi nal lead had lasted only eight minutes before For Croatia, Mateo Kovacic had his painful defeat: Tite niki Stadium Moscow on Wednesday. since the break-up of the Soviet Union. they drew level, Mario Mandzukic cutting penalty saved, but Marcelo Brozovic, In contrast for Russia, who had taken But Croatia came into this game as the the ball back for Kramaric to head home. Modric and Vida all netted theirs before the lead through another Denis Chery- favourites. They may have a population of Ivan Perisic hit the post for Croatia in a Rakitic stroked in the winner. Reuters a polite way of putting down the Kazan, Russia opponent. So I don’t believe in luck. Was Courtois lucky? No, he BOTTOMLINE was great. It hit the woodwork, razil coach Tite felt a ter- what can you do. Belgium were rible bitterness after they competent and eff ective. were knocked out of the “Randomness, accidents, they England ‘not the fi nished article’ – Southgate World Cup by Belgium in happen. And today they hap- theB quarter-fi nals on Friday and pened. It hurts to say that. That AFP He pleaded with Premier League clubs goalkeeper should be,” Southgate said of said his side never got the breaks is not to undermine Belgium, who Samara, Russia to show faith in youngsters, who often Pickford, who only made his internation- in an enthralling end-to-end con- are a great team. But chance was fi nd their chances restricted by the vast al debut last November. test. cruel to us. It was so hard and it is number of foreign imports. “His speed around the goal today, the Fernandinho put Belgium ahead very hard to accept.” ngland manager Gareth South- “We’re in a World Cup semi-fi nal. saves he made at critical times, and gen- with an own goal when the ball The defeat was Tite’s fi rst in a gate said his side was “not the Whether we’re in the top four in the world erally his distribution — there were some came off his shoulder from a cor- competitive match since he took fi nished article” after qualifying is something we would still have to prove excellent moments within that.” ner after 13 minutes before Kevin over in mid-2016 and only his for the country’s fi rst World Cup I think, but we’re progressing really well England captain Harry Kane failed to De Bruyne hammered home a sec- second defeat overall. It was also semi-fiE nal appearance since 1990 with a and we do have some good players and score for the fi rst time in seven matches ond just past the half-hour. the fi rst time his side had allowed 2-0 victory over Sweden yesterday. they need opportunities to play,” South- for his country, but the Tottenham striker Brazil substitute Renato Au- two goals in a game after conced- Headed goals from Harry Maguire and gate said. is still the leading scorer at this World gusto reduce the defi cit after 76 ing only six in their previous 25 Dele Alli in Samara, and a handful of “Hopefully with what our junior teams Cup on six goals. minutes with a fi ne header but matches. key saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pick- have been doing at international level as He said the players are desperate to although Tite’s team piled on the Yet Brazil were the dominant ford, sent England through to a last-four “We’re not the fi nished article, we well, it will be a sign to all clubs, whether make next Sunday’s fi nal as an improb- pressure they could not get an team for much of the game, and showdown with either hosts Russia or don’t have renowned world-class players in England or abroad, that English players able triumph edges ever closer. equaliser and Belgium now go especially in the second half when Croatia on July 11. yet,” he said. can play. “We said we want to write our own his- through to the semi-fi nals to play substitutes Douglas Costa and Re- Vanquished Sweden boss Janne An- “We have lots of good young players “But today was a huge opportunity for tory and hopefully we can go one step fur- France. nato Augusto ran at the Belgium dersson suggested England were good who are showing on a world stage they’re us and was not something we wanted to ther and get to the fi nal,” Kane said. Brazil were every bit Belgium’s defence. enough to “go all the way” in Russia, prepared to be brave with the ball. They miss out on.” “It’s amazing to be part of this World equal and had chances to score, Tite, though, praised their op- while Southgate believes there is much try to play the right way and have shown England were the last team remaining Cup so far but I get the feeling from the hitting the woodwork early on ponents — who had eight shots at more to come from his youthful group of some mental resilience now over the last in the competition without a clean sheet, boys and myself that we’re not fi nished through Thiago Silva and forcing goal to Brazil’s 26 — for their supe- players. few weeks. but a handful of terrifi c second-half saves yet. Thibaut Courtois to make several rior fi nishing. “We are a team who are still improv- “We know in years to come they’re go- from Pickford — twice from Marcus Berg “We don’t want to go home, we want to great saves. “We had the upper hand for ing. We know where we are, we’re having ing to be stronger.” and once from Viktor Claesson — kept go all the way. We know we’ve got a dif- Brazil’s coach, though, made no two-thirds of the game, a very success because everybody is working so England have avoided several title con- Sweden at bay. fi cult game coming up but we’re ready for excuses, even as he said luck was high quality game,” he said. “Bel- hard,” Southgate said, after joining Alf tenders in a more favourable half of the That saw the 24-year-old Pickford it. not on their side. gium turned their chances into Ramsey and Bobby Robson as just the draw, but Southgate said the success of become the youngest England keeper to “We’re looking forward to fi nishing “Football has a randomness but goals. It’s very diffi cult to say this third manager to guide England to the the nation’s youth teams was a clear indi- record a World Cup clean sheet. strong and whatever happens we can say I don’t like to talk about luck,” he but it was a great game. Two very World Cup semi-fi nals. cator of the talent coming through. “He’s the prototype of what a modern we’re proud of each other.” said. “When it is on our side it is impressive teams technically.” With the goal against Brazil, Kevin De Bruyne became the 100th player to score at this World Cup (excluding own goals) 3 Gulf Times Sunday, July 8, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Hazard, not Neymar, France can still get better, takes over as star of warns coach Deschamps Reuters suspension. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia With an average age of 26, the tournament France came into the World Cup in Russia with the second young- rance have dispatched est 23-man squad. Chelsea winger dictated tempo, pressing accelerator for counter-attacks vs Brazil two former World Cup “I have a young squad who are winners in the knockout now working as a team and be- stage but are still far from coming more and more resolute. Fa polished product and only get- You can see their state of mind is ting better, suggested coach Di- positive and there has been a lot dier Deschamps in an ominous of progress,” the coach said. warning to semi-fi nal opponents Advancing to the semi-fi nals Belgium. allows Deschamps, who broke After a sluggish fi rst round, the the record as France’s longest French team exploded to life in a serving coach during the fi rst thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina round, another chance to emu- at the start of the knockout phase late his playing success with a and further verifi ed impressive major title. Deschamps was the credentials with a workman-like midfi eld enforcer in France’s 2-0 victory over plucky Uruguay 1998 World Cup winning side. in Friday’s quarter-fi nal at the France were knocked out in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. the World Cup quarter-fi nals in “We had a complicated fi rst Brazil four years ago and beaten round, without being fl amboy- in Paris in the fi nal of the 2016 ant but realistic and eff ective. We European Championship. did not break our stride. But from Asked if he had now achieved the match against Argentina, we his goal for this tournament have grown in strength,” said the by making the fi nal four, Des- France coach. champs has given little away. “We were the better team “I like to reach objectives but against Uruguay but there are still I’m not looking at it from a per- some imperfections. We have a lot sonal point of view. My pride is in more potential to show.” my squad and my coaching staff .” Deschamps was most pleased And can they go all the way to by the fact a relatively young next weekend’s fi nal? “We are in squad “showed their maturity” the semi-fi nals,” he smiled. albeit scenes of petulance near France take on their Belgian the end could have cost one of neighbours in St Petersburg on two of the French a semi-fi nal Tuesday.

Belgium’s Eden Hazard (centre) controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Brazil in Kazan, Russia, on Friday. (AFP)

Reuters up another contender but at this stage it the eye-catching moments of skill. had nine diff erent goalscorers, excluding St Petersburg, Russia is Hazard who is setting the standard. Hazard dictated the tempo of the game, own goals, in this tournament. Only Italy Face to face with Neymar on Friday, the pressing the accelerator for counter- in 2006 and France in 1982 with 10 each diff erence between their contributions attacks that ripped open Brazil’s defence have ever had more in a single tourna- hen Lionel Messi and Cris- was strikingly evident. but also, especially in the second half, ment. tiano Ronaldo were sent Many will blame Brazil’s exit on the slowing down play and maintaining pos- Hazard’s ability has never been in packing from the World Cup way in which their attacks were con- session. question but there were some, heading a week ago, the stage was set stantly funnelled towards Neymar in the That aspect of game management, of into this tournament, who wondered if he Wfor Brazil’s Neymar to take over the role of hope that he would deliver the world- understanding the right moment to burst had the mental fortitude to deliver on the the tournament’s true star. class individual skill he has shown he is forward and equally the opportune time biggest stage. But it is now Belgium’s Eden Hazard capable of but which he rarely delivered to calm things down, is what makes Haz- He was disappointing at the last World who is making the strongest bid for that in Russia. ard more than just a tricky winger or sup- Cup in Brazil and two years ago at the Eu- crown. With all the talent and Brazilian coach port striker. ropean Championship he drifted out of On Friday night in Kazan, Neymar too Tite’s disposal, the vortex of Neymar And he is part of an attacking unit that the game during his team’s quarter-fi nal saw his World Cup end prematurely, as a ended up weakening their collective ef- the French will be very wary of on Tues- loss to Wales. Brazil team packed with talent but over- fort, whereas Hazard has had the exact day night in St Petersburg. But here, when Belgium were facing a reliant on the forward’s inconsistent in- opposite eff ect on Belgium. The highlight moment of the win was similar upset, trailing Japan in the last 16, dividual contribution, were beaten 2-1 by The Chelsea winger showcased his Kevin De Bruyne’s superb strike for Bel- it was his magical twist and turn and then a brilliant Belgium team, inspired by the individual skill numerous times against gium’s second, after a glorious run from pin-point cross that created Marouane gifted Hazard. Brazil, especially with a mesmerising midfi eld and killer pass from Romelu Lu- Fellaini’s headed equaliser. The semi-fi nal clash against France dribble from wide in the second half, and kaku. He may not have an attention-grabbing will give a chance for the 19-year-old the statistics showed that all 10 of his The goal showed that while Belgium personality or a strong marketing appeal Frenchman Kylian Mbappe to make his dribbles in the game ended with his team hugely benefi t from Hazard they are far but Hazard will surely be in demand after claim to be the tournament’s most excit- still in possession. from dependent on him. this tournament from Europe’s biggest ing talent and the fi nal itself could throw But his contribution went well beyond Indeed, Roberto Martinez’s side have spenders.

BOTTOMLINE Foreign fans adopt traditional Russian headdress

With football on their minds, Belgium’s Lukaku shows he is many fans from around the globe at the World Cup in Rus- sia have tried something new on their heads: a traditional Russian headdress known as capable of more than just scoring “kokoshnik”. Russian female football fans Reuters all-rounder. Providing assists is have worn the headdress, Moscow also important and this year I have which resembles a tiara, with provided more than ever. team jerseys and traditional “Of course, I want to score but, costume at matches and fan elgium’s Romelu Lu- at the same time, I try to work as zones to show their allegiance. kaku moved closer to his hard as I can for the team. I don’t Some men have taken a liking A Brazil fan wears a Russian desire to be considered have to prove myself any more (as to the headdress, too. kokoshnik headdress. more of an all-round a goal-scorer). Everyone knows I They had their moment of footballerB with an assist that set can score with every chance pro- fame when three fans became “It’s beautiful,” said one Brazil- up Kevin De Bruyne for the de- vided to me in the box, but the Internet stars after being ian fan in the St Petersburg fan cisive goal in Friday’s World Cup individual doesn’t count here.” shown on national television zone. “They are very colourful. quarter-fi nal win over Brazil. For De Bruyne, the euphoria while wearing the traditional They are very nice. And they The powerfully built striker that followed Friday’s win needs headdress. Wearing kokoshni- look very good on me.” showed a quick turn of pace as he some tempering with nothing ki, the fans ate hot dogs in the Kokoshniki have been among moved out of defence after Bel- achieved yet by Belgium’s “gold- stands during Russia’s round the souvenirs World Cup fans gium won possession from a cor- en generation”. of 16 match against Spain at have been purchasing in Rus- ner, crossing the halfway line and “In football it’s all about the Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium. sia, one designer said. driving upfi eld before feeding De winning of titles and it is when I’ve “I really want to support (the “This is a part of our culture Bruyne, who then advanced a won trophies that I have had my team) by wearing a koko- that a tourist can take away few metres before striking a su- greatest memories in the game. shnik,” said Russian fan Ker- with him,” said Tatyana Dom- perb shot into the corner. Scoring against Brazil is not the men Mandzhiyeva as she tried brovskaya, who designs the It ensured Belgium a 2-0 half- best moment of my career. on the headdress. “It should headdresses. time lead and although Brazil “We haven’t won the World bring them luck. I believe it!” Traditionally worn by married pulled one back after the inter- Cup. For that we still need to win Russia played Croatia for a women in the pre-Soviet era, val, proved the diff erence at the two more matches,” De Bruyne place in the semi-finals later kokoshniki are now often worn Kazan Arena, propelling Belgium added. yesterday. by folk dance group members. to the last four of the World Cup It starts with the semi-fi nal However, foreign fans have not Russia is hosting the football for only the second time. against France in St Petersburg necessarily worn the kokoshni- World Cup in 11 cities including “Everyone thinks Romelu Lu- on Tuesday and if Belgium, who ki to support their team but Moscow, St Petersburg and kaku is just about goals, goals, previously got to the 1986 semi- have adopted the headdress Sochi. The final of the tourna- goals,” said the Manchester United fi nals, win that, the fi nal in Mos- Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (left) in action with Brazil’s Miranda during the FIFA World Cup quarter-final as a fashion accessory. ment will take place on July 15. player, “but I want to be seen as an cow next Sunday. in Kazan, Russia, on Friday. (AFP) This would be the fi rst World Cup without at least one of Brazil, Argentina or Germany in the semi-fi nals 4 Gulf Times Sunday, July 8, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Kazan confi rmed Teary Uruguay exit as WC graveyard of champions

Reuters among the more surprising se- Kazan, Russia crets Russia has revealed to the world during the tournament. WCup dreaming of The city, which has a repu- azan’s offi cial partici- tation for harmony largely be- pation in the World Cup cause of the way equal numbers ‘There’s nothing to reproach. Thanks to was coming to an end of Muslim Tatars and Orthodox yesterday as the Brazil Russians have managed to rub the players for again being World Cup squadK made their way to the air- along for centuries, welcomed port for the long fl ight home and throngs of foreign fans to their protagonists and stirring a nation’ their fans consoled each other bars and restaurants with open next one over beers on the streets of the arms. Tatarstan capital. Their reward was the memo- Reuters The Selecao’s quarter-fi nal exit ries of a four-week football- Nizhny Novgorod, Russia at the hands of Belgium in the last themed party played out in sul- of the six matches in the city on try summer weather with barely Friday night ensured this would a sour note for the accompanying ruguay’s never-say-die play- be the fi rst World Cup without at media to report. ers fell to the fl oor in tears after least one of Brazil, Argentina or There are more permanent losing their World Cup quarter- Germany in the semi-fi nals. reminders of the tournament in fi nal to France, but they depart Remarkably, all three of the the murals of Neymar and Messi Uwith heads high after yet again shaking it football superpowers, who have painted near the team hotels to up among the world’s best. won 11 World Cups between aff ord them the same honour Despite a tiny population of 3.3mn them, bowed out of the tourna- that Cristiano Ronaldo received people, Uruguay got out of the group ment at the Kazan Arena. when he came to Kazan for last stages in the last three tournaments, First to go were defending year’s Confederations Cup. reaching the semi-fi nal in 2010 and the champions Germany, beaten 2-0 Kazan has many older and last eight this time. by South Korea to fi nish bottom more impressive monuments, In Russia, they won three group games of their group in a match that not least the Annunciation Ca- without conceding a goal, before elimi- certainly made up for in late dra- thedral and Qol Sharif Mosque nating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 2-1 ma what it lacked in quality. that tower above the river in the in the last 16. They were well-beaten 2-0 Next to depart were Lionel Kremlin, but sport has a special by France on Friday, but will always won- Messi’s Argentina, who were place in the life of the city. der what might have been if infl uential overwhelmed by the pace of The World Cup is only the the striker Edinson Cavani had not been out Kylian Mbappe and 4-3 losers to latest major event to be held in with injury. France in thrilling last-16 clash “Sports capital of Russia”, which The absence of Cavani, who scored two that married quality football has hosted the Summer univer- wonder goals against Portugal and draws with tension and atmosphere. sity games, the world swimming defenders away from strike partner Luis Finally, it was the turn of the championships and world fenc- Suarez, distorted Uruguay’s game plan and Brazilians, unpicked early by the ing championships over the last gave France an easy evening except for one counter-attacking of Belgium’s fi ve years. superb save by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. richly talented side and unable The ambitious government “I didn’t even get a shot in,” lamented a to quite clamber back into the eventually wants to launch a frustrated Suarez, who astonishingly did contest. bid for the Winter Olympics but not have a touch in the French box. If it was a rude ending for the yesterday, the people of Kazan Yet the team walked off to resound- travelling fans of the three pow- looked happy enough to still have ing chants of “Uruguay!” from Russian ers, they at least got the chance a team in the World Cup, for a the fans, an ovation from their own support- to spend some time in Kazan, few hours until the quarter-fi nal ers, hugs from the French, and inspiring Uruguay’s Luis Suarez (left) and teammate Edinson Cavani are dejected after the FIFA World Cup quarter-final loss to France in an elegant city that must rank against Croatia at least. words by their coach. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on Friday. (Reuters) “We dream on. Things never end. A World Cup comes around every four There was huge sympathy from Uru- Diego Godin and strikers Cavani and Not only did he supply the cross for years,” said Oscar Tabarez, noting Uru- guayans towards defender Jose Gimenez, Suarez are now all in their early 30s. France’s fi rst goal, but it was his shot that guay had surpassed great soccer nations whom cameras caught crying minutes Tabarez, in charge for 12 years and squirmed through goalkeeper Fernando like Germany and Argentina in reaching before the end as he realised it was too known lovingly as ‘El Maestro’ (The Muslera’s hands for the second. the last eight. late to turn the game around. Teacher) at home, said his future was up Out of respect, he did not celebrate. One British pundit called that “embar- to local football association bosses — but “Uruguay are a tough team, who re- ‘NOTHING TO REPROACH’ rassing”, but for Uruguayans it was proof there has been no sign they want to move mind me of my club side Atletico... They At home, Uruguayans were sad but burst- of the passion that has seen them punch him on after such success and stability. are a pleasure to watch,” he said. ing with pride. above their weight since winning the fi rst Inevitably, it was French forward An- Griezmann has promised to visit Uru- “There’s nothing to reproach,” said World Cup in 1930. toine Griezmann — a fan of Uruguay and guay for the fi rst time in December. De- former captain Diego Lugano. “Thanks Once the emotions settle, Uruguay friend of Godin and Gimenez from Atleti- spite putting them out of the World Cup, to the players for again being World Cup have some serious work to groom a new co Madrid — who put the nail in the South Uruguayans are sure to give their French protagonists and stirring a nation.” generation, given mainstays like captain Americans’ coffi n. amigo a warm welcome.

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Varane buries ghosts of Brazil A fan reacts to Brazil’s defeat at the end of the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in Kazan on Friday. (AFP) as France look to semi-fi nals Swiss FA offi cial suggests players

Reuters should drop second nationality Moscow Reuters players with several nationali- Zurich ties could be tied to the Swiss fter taking the blame for national team at an early stage. France’s World Cup quarter- It’s an idea that has grown fi nal exit four years ago, Raphael top Swiss football of- in me....The events with the Varane exorcised the ghosts of ficial has suggested that double eagles have shown that 2014A with the opening goal as France beat A dual citizens should only there is a problem.” Uruguay 2-0 to advance to the semi-fi - be allowed to play for the coun- Players who have represented nals in Russia. try if they drop their second Switzerland at youth team level The centre back, who was only 21 at the nationality. but then switched allegiance time, took the blame for France’s defeat Swiss football federation gen- include Xhaka’s brother to Germany in Rio de Janeiro when he was eral secretary Alex Miescher, Taulant, who players for Alba- dismissively brushed aside in an aerial whose comments are likely to nia, Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) and duel with Mats Hummels that proved de- spark fierce debate, said he Frank Feltscher (Venezuela). cisive his team’s 1-0 defeat. was worried that players could “We hear many promises. And But in Nizhny Novgorod four years on, benefit from Switzerland’s then the player turns 21, and Varane rose to apply a perfectly-timed youth development pro- decides for another country, header to a deft free kick from Antoine grammes only to play for other because he sees greater Griezmann to send the ball into the cor- national teams at senior level. chances for international ap- ner of the Uruguay net and set France on The Swiss national side, which pearances,” said Miescher. their way to victory. was eliminated in the second “I find it shocking that we “I told Antoine to give me a chance to round at the World Cup after have no leverage there. Such try with my head and he delivered per- a 1-0 defeat to Sweden on a player has taken away a very fectly,” Varane told French television after Tuesday, draws heavily on valuable, expensive training scoring in Friday’s game. second generation immigrants, place....Maybe we could say It was a much more confi dent attack many from the former Yugo- that the doors to funding of the ball in contrast to the way he tried slavia and some from African programmes are open only to to defend against Hummels in Brazil and countries. junior players who do not have ended up being outdone by the more ex- The issue was pushed into the dual citizenship.” perienced German. spotlight after Granit Xhaka He added: “Today, we ben- Didier Deschamps said he had appor- and Xherdan Shaqiri, who efit from the strength of our tioned no blame four years ago but was are ethnic Albanians and of national team. But if Bosnia, pleased to dish out praise in Russia. Kosovar heritage, were fined Croatia, Albania and certain “He was not guilty four years ago by FIFA for celebrating their African countries were present against Germany,” said the coach after goals in the 2-1 win over Serbia at a future World Cup, we could France booked a semi-fi nal against Bel- France’s Raphael Varane (right) scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay in Nizhny with a gesture which appeared have trained many players for gium in St Petersburg on Tuesday. Novgorod, Russia, on Friday. (Reuters) to imitate the eagle displayed other nations.” “I’m happy for him, and I told him that on Albania’s flag. He also suggested such a rule at the end of the match. In football you though he is only 25, is now on course 2016, also missing the European Cham- “His style of play serves as motiva- “One might have to ask: do we could make life easier for the have to face up to the diffi cult moments. to win both the Champions League and pionship as a result. tion to his teammates,” said Deschamps’ want dual citizens?” said Mi- players themselves. “It would And four years on, my players have grown World Cup in a matter of months. Deschamps made him captain when deputy Guy Stephan earlier in the week. escher in an interview with the be liberating for many players up. They have more maturity and experi- He has already won three Champions resting several players for the last of their “Raphael has a lot of confi dence from daily newspaper Tagesanzeiger. if the decision were made ence.” League titles with Real Madrid and might Group C game, a goalless draw against playing so many games at a high level “There should be a plan where earlier,” he said. Varane, closing in on 50 caps even have had one more but was injured in Denmark in Moscow. with Real Madrid.” Gulf Times Sunday, July 8, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB BOXING Ramirez title defence off as challenger Betts, Sale notch O’Connor hospitalised

AFP Los Angeles

ose Ramirez’s fi rst de- milestones as Red fence of his World Box- ing Council super light- weight world title was calledJ off Friday as challenger Danny O’Connor Danny O’Connor was hospital- ised with severe dehydration. “I let the idea of being a The WBC said in a brief world champion cloud my item on their website that the judgment of my personal Sox rout Royals bout scheduled for Satur- health. Nothing is more im- day in Fresno, California, had portant than my health.” ‘You get four runs before you even take the mound and it’s nice’ been called off after O’Connor In a second post he added: “suff ered various dehydration “As I rest and recover with my Reuters symptoms during the offi cial family I ask for privacy. Thanks Boston weighing,” adding that he was for all the well wishes and your taken to hospital. continued support.” A post on the Facebook DeGuardia said O’Connor ookie Betts clubbed page of O’Connor’s promoter had been trying to shed a last his 100th career – Joe DeGuardia of Star Box- two pounds (900 grams) to home run, Chris Sale ing – said emergency medical make the 140-pound weight struck out 12 over six personnel were called when limit. O’Connor, a 33-year- Minnings of one-run ball for his O’Connor collapsed upon old from Massachusetts with 100th win and the Boston Red leaving a sauna Friday. a record of 30-3 with 11 knock- Sox routed the host Kansas City The fi ghter was taken to outs, was preparing for his fi rst Royals 10-5 on Friday night at hospital with dehydration and world title fi ght. Kauff man Stadium. possible kidney failure, the Ramirez, 22-0 with 16 Betts’ solo blast to lead off the post said. O’Connor’s Twitter knockouts, was to make the game was his 22nd of the season feed later carried a post show- fi rst defence of the title he won and his 16th career leadoff blast, ing a picture of the fi ghter in with a defeat of fellow Ameri- extending his own franchise hospital, with a message. can Amir Imam in New York on record. The American League “heartbreaking to be rushed March 17. Since then Ramirez MVP candidate joined Ted Wil- to the hospital and deemed had parted with trainer Freddie liams, Jim Rice and Tony Co- medically unfi t to fi ght the Roach, and was to fi ght for the nigliaro as the only players to day before fi ghting for my fi rst fi rst time with trainer Robert hit 100 homers with the Red Sox world title,” he posted. Garcia in his corner. before the age of 26. J.D. Martinez added a two- run shot in the second inning for NBA his major-league-leading 27th homer, and Xander Bogaerts also hit a two-run homer in the frame. Boston starter Sale (9-4) Mavs’ Cuban on Jordan: allowed fi ve hits and walked one while lowering his season ERA to 2.36. ‘I just want to win’ “You get four runs before you even take the mound and it’s Reuters period anyway. All of our guys nice,” Sale said. “And then we New York were like, ‘Go get him! Go get were right back on it in the sec- him!’ ond inning. You don’t have to “I talked to him on the worry about being too cute or he past is offi cially in phone and he’s like, ‘Every- too fi ne. Just throw strikes.” the past for DeAndre thing behind us?’ I’m like, The Red Sox have won four Jordan and the Dallas ‘Let’s go win.’ He goes, ‘Let’s straight games following a Mavericks. go to war.’ Done.” three-game sweep of the Na- TThe Mavericks announced Jordan’s reported contract tionals in Washington. They lost the signing of Jordan, who with the Mavs is worth less two of three games to the Yan- became a free agent when he than the $24.1 million he could kees in New York before that. declined his player option have made if he exercised his Boston extended its lead over Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauff man Stadium in Kansas City, with the Los Angeles Clippers, player option to remain with New York atop the AL East to USA. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports on Friday. Terms of the deal the Clippers. The decision to two games. Mike Moustakas hit were not disclosed, though it join Dallas for one season was a two-run homer and Alcides in the seventh, giving up the run walk in the opener of a three- Randal Grichuk led off the Giancarlo Stanton and getting a is reportedly for one year and mutual between the team and Escobar, Adalberto Mondesi and on Mondesi’s groundout. game series. second with a double and scored lineout to left by Didi Gregorius. worth $23 million. Jordan, according to Cuban, as Whit Merrifi eld added one RBI Jackie Bradley Jr. hit an RBI Aaron Hicks hit a solo homer on a single by Devon Travis, who Aaron Loup allowed a walk In July 2015, Jordan verbally the two sides want to test the apiece for the Royals, who suf- double for the Red Sox in the top for the Yankees. Toronto starter took second on a wild pitch and and a strikeout in the top of sev- agreed to join the Mavs on a fi t before cementing some- fered their seventh loss in a row. of the eighth. Moustakas homer- Sam Gaviglio did not factor in came home on a Curtis Grander- enth before being replaced by four-year, $80 million contract thing long-term. Kansas City starter Jason ed in the eighth off Red Sox re- the decision after allowing two son single. Solarte singled with Seunghwan Oh, who recorded a during the moratorium period “It’s not like it was a few Hammel (2-11) surrendered liever Brandon Workman. Mer- runs (one earned), four hits and two out to set up Smoak’s 12th strikeout and a groundout to end before contracts could be of- years back when we had a vet- eight runs on nine hits with one rifi eld’s RBI single in the ninth three walks with six strikeouts in homer of the season. the inning. fi cially signed. After having eran team and we were trying walk over two innings. made it a fi ve-run game. 4 1/3 innings. Hicks hit his 16th homer of the second thoughts and getting to make it all work together,” Boston made quick work of Red Sox left-hander David Joe Biagini (1-5), who replaced season with two out in the third. RESULTS recruited by his Los Angeles Cuban said. “We have a rela- Hammel with a pair of four-run Price (9-6, 4.28 ERA) opposes Gaviglio in the fi fth and worked David Hale replaced Gray in Red Sox ...... 10 Royals ...... 5 teammates to re-sign, he re- tively young team. We wanted innings to lead off the game. Royals righty Brad Keller (2-3, out of a bases-loaded jam, got the third inning and allowed one Blue Jays...... 6 Yankees ...... 2 neged and signed a four-year, to get a chance to see how he After Betts’ homer in the fi rst, 2.09) on Saturday night. the win in going 1 2/3 perfect in- run, fi ve hits and a walk and had Angels ...... 3 Dodgers ...... 2 $88 million deal to stay with fi ts, he wanted to see how he Brock Holt had a two-run single nings with one strikeout. Tyler one strikeout in 5 2/3 innings. Astros ...... 11 White Sox ...... 4 the Clippers. Although there fi ts, and if we make it work and and Sandy Leon added an RBI Smoak’s blast leads Jays Clippard pitched a perfect ninth The Yankees scored once in Indians ...... 10 Athletics ...... 4 may have been hard feelings at we get to where we think we single. Escobar put the Royals past Yankees, 6-2 in a non-save situation. the fi fth and left the bases load- Nationals ...... 3 Marlins ...... 2 the time of Jordan’s change of can be, we keep it all together. on the board with his RBI single Justin Smoak hit a three-run Yankees starter Sonny Gray ed. After Austin Romine and Phillies ...... 17 Pirates...... 5 heart, Mavericks owner Mark “It was really just making in the second. Mondesi pushed home run to cap a fi ve-run sec- (5-7) allowed fi ve runs, six hits Brett Gardner singled, Aaron Brewers ...... 5 Braves ...... 4 Cuban has put it all behind him. us both comfortable. There’s another across with a groundout ond inning, and the Toronto Blue and two walks in two innings, his Judge reached fi rst on an error Mets ...... 5 Rays ...... 1 “There’s like four guys I no question about his skill set. in the seventh. Jays went on to defeat the visit- shortest outing of the season. charged to Solarte on a grounder Twins ...... 6 Orioles ...... 2 hold grudges with, and three There’s no question about his Boston reliever Tyler Thorn- ing New York Yankees 6-2 on He also had two wild pitches, to third to load the bases with Tigers ...... 3 Rangers ...... 1 of them are from grade school, abilities. There’s no question burg made his season debut after Friday night at Rogers Centre. a hit batter and four strikeouts. one out. Reds ...... 3 Cubs ...... 2 maybe even before,” Cuban about any of it. It’s just that he missing the fi rst 88 games recov- Yangervis Solarte had three Gray lasted only 2 1/3 innings Hicks walked to force in a run. Diamondbacks 3 Padres ...... 1 told ESPN on Friday. “I just wanted to check us out, too, ering from right shoulder sur- hits and a walk for the Blue Jays, Saturday in a loss to the Boston Biagini replaced Gaviglio and Rockies ...... 7 Mariners ...... 1 want to win. Look, only Dirk and I think he was just done gery. He allowed a leadoff triple and Smoak had two hits and a Red Sox. ended the threat by striking out Giants ...... 3 Cardinals ...... 2 and J.J. were there from that with where he was.”

SPOTLIGHT Cavs GM ‘hurt,’ but ‘thankful’ aft er end of LeBron era Reuters we accomplished this year and The Cavaliers GM said af- Cousins on return to court: ‘It’ll be when I’m ready’ Los Angeles the last four years, and we did a ter hearing the news, he im- lot. I mean, it was four incredible mediately called a group of the Shortly after news broke earlier this week that the Golden State years led by him, and I’m very team’s veteran players – includ- Warriors signed free-agent center DeMarcus Cousins on the cheap, n his fi rst public reaction thankful for the years he gave our ing Kevin Love, Tristan Thomp- word came that the Los Angeles Lakers passed on the chance to since LeBron James chose to team, this organisation, the city.” son, Kyle Korver, JR Smith and sign him to a similar deal. leave his hometown Cava- Altman said he and the Cleve- George Hill. Altman wanted to The reason, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, was the liers for the Los Angeles land front offi ce felt the team inform the team’s remaining Lakers’ concern that Cousins would miss half the season or more ILakers in free agency, Cleveland had a legitimate chance to re- core that the Cavs wanted them recovering from his torn left Achilles tendon sustained in January. general manager Koby Altman tain James, who opted out of his back, and still aimed to win. Turns out the Warriors may be waiting longer than they anticipat- on Friday said he was “extremely contract a week ago and became Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue ed, too. Speaking with reporters while in Las Vegas on Friday, the thankful” for James’ contribu- the most sought-after free agent later said on an NBA TV summer day he off icially signed his reported one-year, $5.3 million deal with tions, but admitted “a level of in the league since, well, the last league broadcast that he also the defending champs, Cousins said his earlier hope for a return to hurt” over the superstar’s de- time James was a free agent four “was shocked and hurt a little bit the court during training camp no longer seems feasible. parture. years ago – when he returned by the decision. But like I said, “I was aiming for training camp, but I’ve kind of communicated Talking to a group of report- home for his second stint in we talked, and he said that I’m with the staff and the coaches,” Cousins said when asked about ers in Las Vegas at the site of Cleveland after four successful his favourite guy. the earlier comments about being ready for camp. “It’s kind of up the 2018 NBA Summer League, seasons in Miami with the Heat. “He loved being coached by in the air. It’ll be when I’m ready, 100 percent ready. Then we’ll take Altman explained the range The Cavs’ GM shared a con- me. He loved the four seasons we it from there.” of emotions he experienced in ference call with James and had together, and that this deci- He later added that being able to take his time with his return “is dealing with the loss of James, agent Rich Paul the minute free sion was totally just a decision one of the luxuries” of joining a team with All-Stars Kevin Durant, the greatest player in franchise agency offi cially began on Sun- for himself and his family. I can Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green already history who led the Cavaliers day at 12:01am ET. live with that.” on the roster. Before his injury, Cousins, 28, was averaging 25.2 to four straight NBA Finals and Little did Altman know that Altman added of James, “So we points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game their only NBA championship in after his call, James headed to can’t take it personal. We’re not through 48 games with the New Orleans Pelicans, figures that 2016. meet with Magic Johnson at one bitter. We’re thankful and happy have never been reached by one player in a single season in NBA “When you fi rst get hit with it, of the Lakers president’s Brent- that he spent the last four years history. Picked fifth overall in the 2010 draft, the eight-year veteran there is a level of hurt,” Altman wood, Calif., residences. process. But found out sort of posted the news on Instagram. with us, and again, I personally has career averages of 21.5 points, 11.0 rebounds. 3.2 assists, 1.4 said, per ESPN. “You’re hurt be- “I didn’t know that was going like you guys found out.” “I don’t think it was anything have a lot of gratitude for what steals and 1.2 blocks per game. The Lakers instead agreed to terms cause of what you went through on,” Altman said of the LeBron- Altman said he found out we did right or we did wrong,” he did for my career as well, what with former Warriors center JaVale McGee for the veteran’s mini- for the four years with him and Magic meeting. “At that time, about LeBron’s latest free-agen- Altman said of James’ deci- he’s meant for me. I have a cham- mum on Sunday. The Pelicans completed the free-agent triangle what he meant to us. thought we were still in the mix, cy decision when Paul called him sion. “I think this was a decision pionship ring. That’s an incred- by reportedly agreeing with former Lakers big man Julius Randle “But I was extremely thankful, obviously. I think he was still go- Sunday, shortly after the world largely for him, and he deserved ible thing that we accomplished. on a two-year, $18 million deal Monday. at the same time. I realise what ing through his decision-making found out when Paul’s agency that.” So, no, we’re very thankful.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 8, 2018 SPORT

CYCLING/TOUR DE FRANCE IRISH OPEN Van Rooyen looks to lock-up title Froome loses time en. "I wasn't very much aware AFP Dublin of my score or the situation. "You sometimes get in a groove as a Golfer where rik van Rooyen will be things just happen and you hit favoured to become great shots and great putts and only the second South that's what happened." African to win the England's Danny Willett is in crash as Gaviria IrishE Open as he takes a four another player who has shown shot lead into the fi nal round signs of a return to his old self, yesterday. injuries and a loss of confi - The 28-year-old - who dence on the course - this sea- would emulate compatriot son alone he has missed nine Bobby Locke's victory in 1938 cuts in 12 tournaments - see- - shot a scintillating six-un- ing the 2016 Masters champi- der-par 66 to sit on 14-under on slump to below 400 in the claims stage one for the £5.3million ($7million) world rankings. tournament and tantalisingly However, the 30-year-old ‘We knew the first days were going to be tricky, what happened is part of the game’ in sight of his fi rst win on the is in contention for at least a EPGA Tour. welcome large pay cheque and AFP Van Rooyen's closest pur- even victory if van Rooyen im- Fontenay-le-Comte, France suers are fi rst round leader plodes after shooting a three- Ryan Fox of New Zealand - the under par 69 and sits fi ve off son of All Black fl y-half great the South African. hris Froome’s bid for a Grant Fox was joint fourth last Willett, who rattled in four record-equalling fi fth year - and Sweden's Joakim successive birdies, says he is Tour de France title got Lagergren, who has returned not intimidated by the gap be- off to a shaky start yes- to form after missing several tween himself and van Rooyen. Cterday after a dramatic crash left cuts since landing his maiden "It was nice to fi nish fi ve him trailing fi rst stage winner tour win in the Sicilian Open shots back and there's still a lot Fernando Gaviria by over one in May. to play for," said Willett. minute. "The mindset was just keep "When you've got such a big With just 6km to the fi nish, going, I guess," said van Rooy- lead it's a tricky place to be." Froome went fl ying over a bar- rier and landed on a grassy verge, emerging seemingly unhurt as the peloton sped off to a frenetic sprint where Quick Step’s Ga- viria edged Peter Sagan and Mar- cel Kittel to don the yellow jersey. Froome, fellow Briton Adam Yates and Australian Richie Porte, all pre-Tour favourites, all lost valuable seconds having been caught in a series of falls and fl at tyres over the fi nal 10km of the 201km opening stage. For Colombian Nairo Quintana it was even worse, the Movistar man who is twice a Tour runner- up got a fl at tyre 400m from the 3km cut off line and had he just carried on would have lost no time, but changed his wheel and ended up losing 1min 10sec. Meanwhile former Sky man Mikel Landa, the wiley 2014 champion Vincenzo Nibali, the great French hope Romain Bar- det and 2017 Giro champion Tom Dumoulin all fi nished in the main South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen during the third round of the Irish bunch having gained an unex- Open at Ballyliff in, Ireland, yesterday. (Reuters) pected early advantage over their key rivals that blows the Tour wide open. Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after winning the first stage of the 105th South Korea’s Kim takes four-shot LPGA lead edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Noirmoutier-en-l’ile and Fontenay-le Comte, western France, yesterday. (AFP) Relief and confidence South Korea’s Kim Sei-young fired a second-round 65 on Friday Froome expressed both relief spectacular stage wins that won CLASSIFICATION AFTE FIRST ROUND jersey because of the mountains, to charge into the weekend at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Clas- and his usual quiet confi dence him the Tour, added: “There’s but I plan to fi ght for the green sic with a four-shot lead on 16-under par 128. after the race. still a great deal of road on the Points: 3. Bora 0. jersey (sprint points) all the way Kim’s 36-hole total was a tournament record, four strokes better “We knew the fi rst days were way to Paris.” 1. Fernando Gaviria (COL/QST) 4. Bahrain 0. to Paris.” than Australian Katherine Kirk’s halfway total en route to victory going to be tricky, what hap- Froome’s teammate Egan Ber- 63 pts 5. RadioShack 0. Former green jersey winner last year. It matches the lowest 36-hole total on the LPGA Tour pened is part of the game,” nal, the youngest rider on the 2. Peter Sagan (SVK/BOR) 37 Best young riders (overall): Thor Hushovd, here working for this year. Kim teed off on the 10th hole on the par-72 course in said the 33-year-old who had a race also fell, albeit in an earlier 3. Marcel Kittel (GER/KAT) 24 1. Fernando Gaviria (COL/QST) Norwegian television, suggested Oneida, Wisconsin, and birdied her first four holes. skinned knee and some possible incident than Froome’s and came 4. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/ 4hr 23:22. that Kittel and Dylan Groenew- “First hole, my second shot was almost a tap-in birdie, so (I) bruising on his right shoulder af- home alongside his compatriot EAU) 24 2. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/ gen were the key sprinters to started really solid,” said Kim, who is seeking a seventh LPGA ter his head over heels fall. Nairo Quintanata at 1min 15sec. 5. Jerome Cousin (FRA/DEN) 20 LNL) at 10. watch out for this year. title. “After that, every hole I made really close to the pin. So I had “It was getting quite chaotic King of Mountains: 3. Thomas Boudat (FRA/DEN) On a sunny Saturday early in a lot of birdie opportunities and I putted really well today.” up at the front with the sprinters Colombian magic 1. Kevin Ledanois (FRA/FST) 1 10. the school holidays, enormous After a brace of birdies at 15 and 16, Kim stumbled with a double getting into position. Gaviria was left thrilled af- pts 4. Tiesj Benoot (BEL/LOT) 10. crowds of fans packed the seaside bogey at the par-three 17th, but strung together three more bird- “There wasn’t much the team ter his impressive stage win on Team overall: 5. Rick Zabel (GER/KAT) 10. towns along the Atlantic coast ies on her inward run. could have done for me,” he said his very fi rst Tour de France, 1. Etixx 13hr 10min 36sec Aggressivity (overall): in a highly festive atmosphere She was four strokes in front of China’s Liu Yu, who posted a after being accompanied across achieved after he outlasted world 2. Astana at 0. 1. Yoann Off redo (FRA/AJW) where any expected fall out from career-best score of nine-under par 63 for a total of 132. the line by Luke Rowe. champion Sagan in a long strug- the Froome booing on Thurs- It was a further stroke back to South Koreans Amy Yang and “I’m just relieved that I’m not gle down an 800m home straight day was muted, with AFP seeing Chun In-gee, overnight leader Kirk and Americans Mariah Stack- injured.” with Kittel, who won four stages had the legs luckily,” Gaviria said. morrow I’ll be in yellow and try just two signs along the roadside house and Emma Talley. Froome, who fell heavily be- on the 2017 Tour, leaving his bid “What an amazing day, no- and keep it as long as possible.” targeting him with messages of Kirk had led by one after a first-round 62, but she couldn’t get it fore the Giro d’Italia prologue too late and coming third. body is happier than me. The Colombian added: “I don’t ‘Froome go home’ and ‘Froome going on the greens Friday and settled for a 71. but rallied two weeks later to two “I just said to myself ‘go’ and “The team did amazing. To- know about keeping the yellow the doper’.

GOLF Kraft leads Lahiri, Simpson at Greenbrier Classic AFP Leading second-round scores Washington 127 - Kelly Kraft 64-63 128 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 67-61, Webb Simpson 61-67 elly Kraft, seeking a 129 - Jason Kokrak 65-64 fi rst US PGA Tour title, 130 - Kim Whee (KOR) 62-68, Harold Varner 66-64 fi red a seven-under par 131 - Sam Saunders 68-63 63 on Friday to take a 132 - Tyler Duncan 68-64, Kevin Na 69-63, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) Kone-shot lead over Anirban La- 63-69, Austin Cook 66-66, Xander Schauff ele 66-66, Ollie Schnieder- hiri and Webb Simpson at the jans 66-66, Billy Hurley 66-66, Joel Dahmen 67-65 Greenbrier Classic. 133 - Ryan Armour 67-66, Brandt Snedeker 66-67, Jamie Lovemark India’s Lahiri had set an early 67-66, Scott Stallings 70-63, Tom Hoge 66-67, Steve Wheatcroft 66- target with a nine-under par 61 67, J.J. Spaun 68-65, Ryan Moore 66-67 on the mountain resort course 134 - Nick Watney 69-65, David Lingmerth (SWE) 66-68, Kevin Chap- in White Sulphur Springs, West pell 66-68, Wesley Bryan 69-65, Tony Finau 67-67, Chad Campbell Virginia. 65-69, Jim Furyk 68-66, Bubba Watson 68-66, Keegan Bradley 65-69 That propelled the 31-year- old world number 99 into a tie with 2012 US Open champion “I’ve kind of changed my at- provement on the golf course,” Simpson, who followed his fi rst- titude, starting with last week,” Lahiri said. “More than anything round 61 with a 67. Kraft over- Kraft said. else, I haven’t dropped a shot hauled them both with a round “I felt like I played good last (this week).” that included eight birdies and week, it was just a couple breaks He began on the back nine headed into the weekend with a here and there. Missing a cut with three birdies in a row, the 13-under total of 127. is easy to do out here. But I’ve fi rst from 15 feet, the second “I made a lot of putts out changed a couple things in my from 12 and the third from 19 there,” said Kraft, who drained attitude and I just feel like I’m feet at the par-5 12th. At 14 he birdie putts of 27 and 21 feet ready to keep playing good.” blasted out of a fairway bunker as well as converting plenty of Lahiri, also seeking a fi rst PGA to 14 feet and sank another long mid-range eff orts. “Anytime you Tour win, is coming off two of birdie putt. shoot 63 I guess you have to.” his best fi nishes of the season Lahiri ran off another birdie Kelly Kraft follows his tee shot on the 9th hole during round two of A Military Tribute At The Greenbrier held at the Old White TPC course on in Kraft, whose best career fi nish the past two weeks, ninth at the treble starting at the second af- White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Getty Images/AFP) on the PGA Tour is a tie for sec- Travelers Championship and ter dropping his approach inches ond at the John Deere Classic in 13th at the Quicken Loans Na- from the cup. Closing with back-to-back I’m playing,” Lahiri said. “I need the golf course sets up.” he eagled Thursday. 2017, had missed the cut in seven tional. He sank an 18-foot birdie putt birdies completed his run to the to keep grinding. You can really Simpson battled back after a “It was not the start I was of his last 10 events, including “I’ve been feeling good the at the par-3 third and a 22-footer top. be aggressive on the greens. If I double bogey on his third hole of looking for,” he said. “But I hung last week’s National. last two weeks. I’ve seen the im- to birdie the fourth. “I’m just happy with the way keep myself in play I like the way the day, the par-fi ve 12th - which in there.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 8, 2018 7 SPORT

MOTORSPORT T20 SERIES India aim to improve in decisive contest Hamilton grabs England, on the other hand, IANS Bristol, UK seemed like they did their homework perfectly. After they got thrashing in the fi rst ith England win- match, the hosts bounced back ning the second in style in the second match, Twenty20 Inter- thanks to some good bowling national to level and batsman Alex Hales. British GP pole Wthe series at 1-1, India will aim Right from the start, Eng- to improve the performance land were better team with and win the third and decisive both bat and ball. Firstly their contest today. bowlers did a fantastic job to In the second match, Eng- restrict India to a below-par land bowling attack restricted score and then batsmen, es- India to a below-par score of pecially Hales and Johnny 148/5. Bairstow (28) made the road with speedy last lap Leaving their previous mis- easy for the hosts. takes behind which they com- In the fi nal match, their ‘These guys are the best. I gave it everything I could and it was so close between these Ferraris’ mitted in the fi rst T20I, the might be only one concern. Af- English bowlers came accu- ter getting the start, their top- AFP rate with the line and length order batsmen are getting out. Silverstone, United Kingdom as they struck at regular inter- Jason Roy (15) Jos Buttler (14), vals to deny the visitors post a Joe Root along with Eoin Mor- challenging total on batting- gan (17) got the start but failed n emotional Lewis friendly wicket. to convert into big innings. Hamilton outpaced Apart from skipper Kohli The bowling department Sebastian Vettel in a (47), Mahendra Singh Dhoni also seemed settled but to- keenly-fought record- (32 not out) no other Indian wards the end the English breakingA qualifying contest batsmen clicked and went bowers are leaking runs. So to yesterday to claim his fi fth con- cheaply. Suresh Raina, how- trouble the Indian side, bowl- secutive British Grand Prix pole ever, tried to contribute but the ers need to stop the fl ow of position. Uttar Pradesh batsmen only runs towards the end and top- The defending world cham- managed to score 27 runs. order batsmen need to click. pion, who trails Vettel by a sin- So, if India want to seal the gle point in the drivers’ world series, then top-order bats- Squads: championship, increased his men like Shikhar Dhawan, who England: Jason Roy, Jos record total of career poles to 76 failed in both the matches, Ro- Buttler (wk), Alex Hales, Joe with a dazzling record lap under hit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul need Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny pressure in the closing seconds. to score big. In the bowling de- Bairstow, David Willey, Liam Hamilton in a Mercedes and partment, unlike fi rst match, Plunkett, Chris Jordan, Adil Ferrari’s Vettel traded fastest Bowlers failed to impress. Pac- Rashid, Jake Ball, Sam Curran, laps until Hamilton clocked 1min er Umesh Yadav was the only Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali. 25.892sec in his fi nal lap to out- successful bowling, scalping India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit pace Vettel by 0.044sec. two wickets. Other bowlers- Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kimi Raikkonen was third in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Kohli (c), Suresh Raina, MS the second Ferrari and the other Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal only Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas managed to take one wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep fourth, ahead of Max Verstap- In order to restrict England Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Yuzven- pen and his Red Bull team-mate to dominate the visitors, the dra Chahal, Dinesh Karthik, Daniel Ricciardo. spin duo of Kuldeep and Cha- Manish Pandey, Krunal Pan- It was Mercedes’ sixth con- hal have to click along with the dya, Deepak Chahar, Siddarth secutive pole position at Silver- pacers. Kaul. stone, but came after a close bat- tle that, which, Hamilton said, was decided by the support of his army of fans. “These guys are the best,” said Hamilton, pointing to the grandstands. “I gave it every- thing I could and it was so close between these Ferraris. They pulled something out for Q3!” Vettel had been complaining about necks problems. “I had a bit of an issue in prac- tice, but I’m OK now.” he said before refl ecting on his bat- tle with Hamilton. “It was very close. I was very happy with my Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after qualifying in pole position for Britisg GP at Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, yesterday. (Reuters) last lap, but I lost a lot of pace on the straight. I am happy with Grid for British Grand Prix ten shootout were Nico Hulken- second and it gives us a chance berg of Renault, Sergio Perez of tomorrow.” 1st row Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 8th row Force India, Fernando Alonso of Behind the top six, Kevin Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 5th row Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) McLaren, Pierre Gasly of Toro Magnussen took seventh ahead Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) Rosso and Marcus Ericsson for of his Haas team-mate Romain 2nd row Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 9th row Sauber. Grosjean with the ever-improv- Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 6th row Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) The top three teams were out ing Charles Leclerc taking ninth Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) quickly for Q3, Hamilton break- for Sauber and Esteban Ocon 3rd row Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) 10th row ing his record on his fi rst run 10th for Force India. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 7th row Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) only for Vettel to beat that by The session began in hot con- Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) 0.057 seconds in 1:25.936 with ditions with a track temperature 4th row Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Bottas and Raikkonen third and of 51 degrees Celsius (or 124 de- Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) Rosso) will start from the pits fourth. grees Fahrenheit) and the air at It was tense and very tight as 26, Vettel following Raikkonen they emerged for their fi nal runs, after some intensive physiother- part in the action after just three the gravel trap at Stowe, from Hartley at the back of the provi- Hamilton asking if there was apy to ease his stiff neck. minutes and he joined Hartley, which he managed to recover. sional grid. “anything to gain me a tow?” Almost immediately, another who could not take part fol- In spite of his neck, Vettel, on In Q2, lap records tumbled as The reply was simple: “Nega- incident caused a red fl ag inter- lowing his big crash in his Toro softs, went fastest on the open- the leading cars clocked times tive.” ruption when Lance Stroll went Rosso in third practice, without ing runs ahead of Hamilton and inside Hamilton’s 1:26.600 last His response was dramatic, into the gravel at Brooklands in a time. Bottas, on medium tyres. year, Vettel leading the way un- another record lap in 1:25.892 his Williams. After six minutes, qualifying Out after Q1 went Carlos Sainz til Hamilton, on softs, took over and a pole that gives him a per- restarted with Raikkonen going of Renault, complaining of traf- again despite a grassy excursion fect chance to claim a record India’s MS Dhoni (left) and captain Virat Kohli discuss field Big crash top before Russian rookie Sergey fi c, McLaren’s Stoff el Vandoorne at Becketts. sixth home win and fi fth in suc- placings during the Twenty20 match against England at Sophia This spelt the end of Stroll’s Sirotkin took his Williams into and Sirotkin, joining Stroll and The fi ve who missed the top- cessive years in Sunday’s race. Gardens in Cardiff , south Wales, on Friday. (AFP)

CRICKET Stokes return gives England selection conundrum AFP debut in Friday’s last over fi ve and young left-arm spinner Kul- Cardiff , United Kingdom wicket win facing exclusion. deep Yadav took fi ve wickets for “He comes into the squad for 24 runs to set up an Indian victory. the next game and he is a fantas- But Hales and England’s other ngland one-day captain tic player and it will be a diffi cult batsmen had been working on Eoin Morgan has refused decision to make,” Morgan told the bowling machine nicknamed to guarantee that Ben reporters after the Cardiff win. Merlyn which they use to mimic Stokes will jump straight “We have made calls like this in bowlers’ actions and it paid off intoE the side for today’s T20 series the past and we will make the call with Hales and the rest neutering decider against India in Bristol. for the benefi t of the team and put Yadav who went wicketless. All-rounder Stokes missed the out our strongest XI. Indian captain Virat Kohli said: recent one-day series against “Alex always makes it diffi cult “They did their homework and Australia with a hamstring injury particularly in T20 cricket. He has played really well. It changed the and has sat out the fi rst two 20 played a lot of T20 for us and he is momentum in the middle overs over games against India. a very experienced campaigner. and that was the diff erence.” Stokes rejoins the squad in An innings like that gives him a Miserly spells from Liam Plun- Cardiff yesterday after com- pretty strong case for the next kett and David Willey, who took ing through an innings of 90 in game. one for 17 and one for 18 respec- 68 balls playing for Durham on “He really did play brilliantly. tively helped England keep India Thursday. He has played a lot international down to 148-5 despite some big Alex Hales recently said he T20 cricket and he has played a lot late hitting from MS Dhoni who thought his place was vulnerable around the world. It was a mature made 32 not out and 47 from when Stokes came back but he innings. Kohli. gave the selectors food for thought “But we played better than we Morgan added: “I thought they with his match-winning innings did at Old Traff ord and the plans bowled brilliantly. David Willey of 58 not out at Sophia Gardens we had we committed to more. set the tone. which levelled the series up. There was a lot more clarity in the “Jake Ball gave us three really England insist Stokes has no shots that we played.” good overs on his debut and they injury worries and is fi t for se- Hales struggled in the fi rst T20 all hit their lengths really well and lection leaving Hales or Jake Ball, match in Manchester when Eng- it presents opportunities to take who made his international T20 land were beaten by eight wickets wickets and they did it well.”

Sunday, July 8, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

WIMBLEDON SPOTLIGHT ‘There’s an aura... that’s what makes Nadal, Djokovic me great’: Serena advance as Halep is ousted by Hsieh Gulbis sends fourth seed Zverev packing Q Serena’s chances boosted

AFP London

erman fourth seed Alexan- der Zverev and women’s world number one Simona Halep wilt- AFP and fellow mother — Evgeniya ed in 33-degree heat and crashed London Rodina tomorrow. Gout of Wimbledon in the third round yes- “Yeah, there’s defi nitely that terday aura, that kind of thing of play- Zverev, playing for the third day in suc- erena Williams be- ing Serena,” added the Ameri- cession, was shocked by Latvian qualifi er lieves there is an “aura” can. Ernests Gulbis, ranked 138, in a gruelling surrounding her when “At the same time these fi ve sets, 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0. Sshe plays and has no women are proud. They don’t Despite being widely-tipped to be a hesitation in describing herself go out there and say, I’m go- Grand Slam threat, it was another let- as “great”. ing to lose because I’m playing down for the beanpole German whose run The 36-year-old American Serena. to the quarter-fi nals at Roland Garros last was reacting to US compatriot “They go out there and say, month remains his best performance at Madison Keys claiming that “it I’m going to play hard because the majors. must suck” being Williams as I’m playing Serena.” Gulbis, a former world number 10 every woman wants to claim Keys, who was knocked out who famously defeated Roger Federer on her scalp. by Rodina 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 despite his way to the French Open semi-fi nals “I’m glad someone admitted having led 5-2 in the fi rst set, in 2014, will be playing in the last 16 at that,” said Williams who stayed admitted she had let her mind Wimbledon for the fi rst time at the 11th on course for an eighth Wim- wander to what it would be like attempt. bledon title on Friday with a having to face Williams in the The 29-year-old will take on either 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over France’s next round. Australian Nick Kyrgios or Japan’s Kei Kristina Mladenovic. While she was day-dream- Nishikori for a place in the quarter-fi nals. “Every single match I play, ing, world number 120 Rodina His win yesterday was his third succes- whether I’m coming back from pounced. sive fi ve-setter having also played three a baby or surgery, it doesn’t “It must suck every match,” matches in qualifying. matter, these young ladies, they said Keys when asked what it “It’s a great day, it’s been a great match bring a game that I’ve never must feel like being Williams for me,” said Gulbis who before Wimble- seen before. and spending the best part don had won just one match on tour in “It’s interesting because I of two decades being hunted 2018. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the third round match against Australia’s Alex De Minaur at Wimbledon yesterday. don’t even scout as much be- down by rivals. “I didn’t think I could win after losing At bottom, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei returns to Romania’s Simona Halep in their third round match. cause when I watch them play, “It just gives even more the third set, but he got tired and I played it’s a totally diff erent game than props to her.” smarter.” Djokovic was furious when he was de- when they play me. Serena has not met a fellow French Open champion Halep was also nied a break of serve in the seventh game “That’s what makes me seeded player at the tourna- knocked out, losing to Taiwan’s Hsieh Su- of the fourth set on Centre Court when great: I always play everyone ment so far and would not until Wei 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 as the seeds’ carnage the ball bounced twice before Edmund hit at their greatest, so I have to be the semi-fi nals at the earliest. continued. what was ruled a winner. greater.” If she gets past Rodina to- Defeat for Halep means that Karolina But the Serb managed to refocus after Williams, 36, is playing just morrow, she would go on to Pliskova, at number seven, is the only a lengthy complaint to the umpire and her second Grand Slam since face either Italy’s Camila Giorgi women’s top 10 seed to reach the fourth eventually secured the break that sealed the birth of her daughter Olym- or Ekaterina Makarova of Rus- round. It’s the fi rst time in the Open era his come from behind victory on Centre pia in September last year. sia in the quarter-fi nals. that none of the top fi ve women’s seeds Court. She made the last 16 at the She cannot face sister Ve- have made the last 16 of a Slam. Djokovic plays Russian world number French Open before a pectoral nus in the semi-fi nals after It also further boosted Serena Wil- 40 Karen Khachanov for a place in the injury forced her to pull out. the fi ve-time champion was liams’s chances of becoming an eight- quarter-fi nals on Monday. She is back in the fourth knocked out by Kiki Bertens of time Wimbledon champion. Former world number one Djokovic, round of Wimbledon where she the Netherlands 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), Hsieh, the world number 48, battled who won Wimbledon in 2011, 2014 and will face Russian qualifi er — 8-6. back from 2-5 down in the fi nal set and 2015, has ended Britain’s challenge at this saved a match point when the Romanian year’s tournament, with Edmund the last served for the match at 5-3 in the decider. of the 12 home players in the singles. FOCUS It will be Hsieh’s fi rst appearance in the “I was 100 % convinced it was a double last 16 at Wimbledon where she will face bounce in the fourth set, but anyone can Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. make a mistake,” Djokovic said. “It’s my fi rst win against a world “It was an important point. I asked the Nadal won’t rule number one,” said 26-year-old Hsieh. chair umpire how is it possible he plays “It’s amazing. I was 2-5 down in the fi - that shot if it didn’t bounce twice. It nal set but the crowd pushed me to fi ght.” didn’t make sense. out doubles dream Halep was left to rue her lost opportu- “I had to stay mentally tough, the next nities. round again.” Garbine Muguruza by beating Anett Kon- game was tough. I’m just glad to overcome “I was leading the match, I was up, and Juan Martin del Potro made the last 16 taveit, the 28th seeded Estonian, 6-2, 6-3. this challenge in four sets.” team with Federer I couldn’t fi nish it,” said the 2014 semi- for the fi rst time in fi ve years when the Ar- Van Uytvanck will meet fellow last-16 Former world number one Djokovic, fi nalist. gentine fi fth seed defeated France’s Benoît debutant Russian 14th seed Daria Kasat- who won Wimbledon in 2011, 2014 and AFP Vesely of the Czech Republic “It was an unprofessional attitude from Paire 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. kina, who defeated Ashleigh Barty of Aus- 2015, has ended Britain’s challenge at this London for a place in the quarter-fi nal. me today.” The former US Open winner, who made tralia 7-5, 6-3. year’s tournament, with Edmund the last Nadal has not got past the Two-time champion Rafael Nadal the semi-fi nals in 2013, next faces un- Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, a former of the 12 home players in the singles. fourth round since 2011 when reached the last 16 for the eighth time, seeded Gilles Simon of France. top 10 player whose ranking slumped out Djokovic is into the last 16 of a major for afael Nadal said he he fi nished runner-up to No- making sure of keeping the world number Kyrgios, fresh from a social media row of the top 300 last year after wrist surgery, the 44th time to take him second on the would like to play vak Djokovic. Understandably, one ranking. with former women’s champion Marion made the fourth round for the second time all-time list. alongside career rival the 2008 and 2010 champion The second seed comfortably defeated Bartoli after she accused him of squan- with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) win over Spain’s Car- “It was tough, Edmund is playing re- and friend Roger Fed- is wary of looking too far ahead Australian teenager Alex De Minaur 6-1, dering his talents, plays Japan’s Nishikori. la Suarez Navarro. ally well. The forehand we know is a big ererR in a dream-team doubles this year. 6-2, 6-4. Kyrgios, the Australian 15th seed, is Bencic, now at 56 in the world, next weapon. Not an ideal situation for me but pairing at a tournament before If he does reach the fi nal, he Nadal, the 11-time French Open cham- bidding to reach the fourth round for the faces two-time Grand Slam champion somehow managed to come back,” Djoko- they retire. would prefer not to face Fed- pion and bidding for an 18th career major, fourth time. Angelique Kerber who swept past Naomi vic added. World number one Nadal and erer, the eight-time champion will next face unseeded Jiri Vesely of the Nishikori, seeded 24, bids to make the Osaka of Japan. “I am looking forward to a second second-ranked Federer, with 37 at the All England Club. Czech Republic. last 16 for a third time and record his 350th Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic shrugged week of a Slam. I have been playing Grand Slam and 177 singles ti- “If I am in the fi nal, I prefer “It was a positive match against a player career win. off a controversial call against him as the these Wimbledon courts for a decade. tles in total between them, are to face an easier opponent. I am with a lot of energy,” said Nadal, the 2008 Other winners on Saturday included three-time champion hit back to beat Kyle “I have wonderful memories of Centre no strangers to doubles. not stupid,” smiled the Span- and 2010 champion. Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck who fol- Edmund 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the third Court and Court one and I’m looking for- They played together at the iard. “I am just happy to be in the fourth lowed her upset of defending champion round. ward to competing some more.” Laver Cup last year. “But if I am in the fi nal, will Nadal already has 11 career be great news. Any opponent doubles titles to his name in- will be diffi cult, of course.” HORSE RACING cluding the 2016 Rio Olympic Victory yesterday means gold medal with compatriot that Nadal will retain the world Marc Lopez. Federer has eight number one ranking at the end doubles trophies, the last of of Wimbledon. Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion wins Eclipse Stakes which came alongside Swiss However, Nadal insists that teammate Stan Wawrinka at staying at the top is not the pri- Agencies credit to Aidan O’Brien,” Gosden said af- the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. ority it once was for him. London ter the win. “You never know. You can’t “Of course, 2008 was a very “He ran beyond his trip (in the Derby) say never,” said 32-year-old important moment for me and we stood on the Downs right there Nadal when asked about the when I achieved the world No. hird in the Epsom Derby (Gr1), and then and said ‘this horse goes for the prospect of teaming with Fed- 1 for the fi rst time in my career Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion was Eclipse and comes back to a mile and a erer at an ATP tournament. because in some way I felt that I running back over his preferred quarter’. Others seemed to join us on the “It is true that our calendars deserved it,” he explained. trip of 2,000m in the Eclipse idea late. are not easy. Probably some- “I felt that I was playing so TStakes at Sandown Park yesterday. “It was very sad that the Derby win- thing that would have been nice well for already three years, be- Ridden in fi fth by Oisin Murphy, John ner (Masar, who was ruled out through if it happened six years ago, ing there, having great results Gosden-trained colt made up a lot of injury on Friday) wasn’t here as it would seven years ago, when we were without being No. 1. Some way ground on the straight. In the fi nal 200m, have been a phenomenal race if you had younger. I believe that was good. he battled Saxon Warrior, drifting across the Guineas and Derby winners and us. “Today’s a little bit more dif- “I did the things good enough onto his rival in the fi nish. The stewards It would have been a right old ding-dong fi cult. But why not? He is able to be there at least once. Today opened an enquiry, but the result re- over a mile and quarter. He wasn’t here, to do it. I’m able to do it.” is a diff erent story. It is not my mained unchanged. but we still got a hell of a race. We will Nadal comfortably reached biggest goal, to be No. 1. “Oisin rode him beautifully and very freshen up and go to York (for the Judd- the Wimbledon last 16 on Sat- “Of course, as I said hun- coolly. He got too far back, he knew that, monte International). I’m sure we will see urday for the eighth time with a dreds of times, I prefer to be No. and he didn’t hurry to get back. It was a the second there and with some luck, we 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over Austral- 1 than No. 5. The most impor- very good ride and I’m thrilled. I thought will see Masar there. That will be some Jockey Oisin Murphy (right) rides Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion to victory in the Eclipse ian teenager Alex De Minaur. tant thing for me is be healthy, Saxon Warrior was magnifi cent, so all horse race.” Stakes at Sandown Park near London yesterday. He will face unseeded Jiri be happy playing tennis.”