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TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2021 F1: Verstappen shuns favourite tag as Mercedes seek solutions I don’t think we are the favourites. I think it’s still the same as before we came to the test. I absolutely believe that the car and team has the potential to fight for the title.

Max Verstappen Sport | 10

VOLLEYBALL: AMIR CUP Al Rayyan bt Al Gharafa 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-14), Al Wakrah bt Al Khor 3-2 (19-25, 17-25, 30-28, 25-17, 15-8)

Borussia Mönchengladbach players taking part in a practice session on the eve of their Champions League Round of 16 second leg clash against Manchester City today. PIC: TWITTER / @BORUSSIA_EN CL: Real and City eye last-8 berths

AP – LONDON

The Champions League talking points ahead of the remaining second-leg matches in the round of 16 on Tuesday and Wednesday:

REAL VS. ATALANTA (first leg: 1-0) Karim Benzema is back in top form after an injury-enforced absence, giving Real Madrid extra strike power against Ata- lanta. Benzema scored three goals in his two matches since returning to the squad, including two that gave Madrid a 2-1 win over Elche in the Spanish league on Saturday. Madrid will also have captain Sergio Ramos available for today’s match following a long injury absence that ended in the game against Elche. Left back Marcelo may also return after an injury layoff. Gladbach coach hopes for the Atalanta has won all its European matches away from home this season, including a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has almost a full squad available, although defender Remo Freuler is suspended following his ‘extraordinary’ against City red card in the first leg. Atalanta has won three of its last four matches in Serie A since the first-leg loss to Madrid.

AP – BUDAPEST Gladbach has lost every United in the other match. MAN CITY VS. BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH (2-0) game since the Feb. 15 The Premier League title Manchester City is running away with the Premier League If Borussia Mönchengladbach announcement that Rose will looks to be secure - City has a title but Gladbach is in a tailspin after losing all of its six games coach Marco Rose had his way, be joining Borussia Dortmund 14-point lead with eight games since the Feb. 15 announcement that coach Marco Rose is he’d spend this week on the at the end of the season as the left to play - and Guardiola’s joining Borussia Dortmund next season. training field attempting to iron replacement for Edin Terzic. team has reached the final of the Just like the first leg, this game will be played in Budapest, out the flaws in his stumbling The team isn’t only facing English League Cup and the Hungary, because of German restrictions on travel from Britain team ahead of the final weeks elimination from the Cham- quarter-finals of the FA Cup. during the COVID-19 pandemic. City are 14 points clear in the of the Bundesliga season. pions League. Gladbach has Inevitably, there is increasing Premier League and can focus on trying to win the Cham- Instead, Gladbach - on a six- dropped to 10th place in the talk about City winning all four pions League for the first time. game losing run - must make Bundesliga and appears competitions this season, a feat another trip to Budapest in the increasingly unlikely to return that has never been achieved in BAYERN MUNICH VS. LAZIO (4-1) last 16 of the Champions League, to Europe’s top competition about the small details. It has English football. The defending European champions are all but assured faced with the implausible task next season. happened in the (last) 10 “Inside the dressing room, of a place in the quarterfinals after a dominant performance of overturning a 2-0 deficit So, Rose would prefer matches we’ve played, we’ve inside the team, I can see hungry in the first leg in Rome. against a team Rose regards as something of a reset amid this been punished for all the small eyes,” City defender Oleksandr Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern’s first in that the best in Europe. hectic season. Simply a few details, all the mistakes we have Zinchenko said of the game and he’s been in strong form in the three Bundesliga “I don’t believe in miracles,” days to work with his players. been doing. We have to be more “quadruple.” games since then with six goals. Rose said yesterday, a day As it is, their confidence responsible in these situations “Everyone is so hungry for The one downside for Bayern ahead of tomorrow's game before taking on Premier League could be hit further with until we reach a point where we the titles. This period right now is a less-than-stellar defensive record, with at least one goal leader Manchester City. “It another loss to City, especially are able to get a result.” is the most important two conceded in each of its last six games following the Club World would have to be something with Rose pledging to play more Defender Ramy Bensebaini months in our careers. Cup final last month. extraordinary, or more than that. “open” in the second leg, which and Christoph “Especially for players like Lazio has conceded seven goals in the three matches it Something close to a will again be staged in the Hun- Kramer could return from injury Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho, has played since the first leg. It lost two of those matches and sensation.” garian capital because of coro- for Gladbach, which conceded who have been here around 10 only managed a narrow 3-2 win over bottom club Crotone in navirus travel restrictions. goals to Bernardo Silva and years. These kind of players its last outing. “At the moment, whatever Gabriel Jesus in a one-sided first deserve it. We are going to try.” I say is always wrong because leg on Feb. 24. Speaking a few minutes CHELSEA VS. ATLETICO MADRID (1-0) I am older than Mr. we aren’t getting the right “The most important thing later, Guardiola admonished This is a rarity - a Champions League home game being Zinchenko. I have more results,” Rose said through a is to travel there, enjoy the Zinchenko for looking too far played in England by a Premier League team. German teams experience. I do not agree translator. “If I say we go to match, listen to the Champions ahead, saying winning the quad- couldn’t travel to Manchester or Liverpool, but Atlético is able Budapest to play Manchester League anthem ahead of the ruple is a “utopia.” to go to London without having to quarantine on its return to with him. So all Zinchenko City full of confidence, everyone match and enjoy every moment “I am older than Mr. Madrid. Thomas Tuchel heads into the game enjoying a has to worry about is to do would say, ‘What the heck? there,” Gladbach defender Nico Zinchenko,” Guardiola said. 12-game unbeaten start as Chelsea manager but the team is a good game tomorrow What is wrong with you, Mr. Elvedi said through a “I have more experience. I still only just clinging onto fourth place in the Premier League. and that we go through: Rose?’ translator. do not agree with him. So all Atlético is top in but has been struggling recently, “So we can only say it would City has won 23 of its last Zinchenko has to worry about with its once-comfortable league lead dwindling in recent Guardiola feel good if we had the chance 24 games in all competitions, is to do a good game tomorrow weeks. to train more and talk more losing to local rival Manchester and that we go through.” Hazard QSL: Al Gharafa eye full points against Al Wakrah – DOHA to miss THE PENINSULA who finished in that order in the Al Wakrah players to perform better. We must 2019-20 season QNB Stars taking part in a make greater efforts in the next Al Gharafa will be targeting League final standings, will play training session. match in order to return to the Atalanta nothing other than full points in the West Asia group stage of winning path,” said Jokanovic. against Al Wakrah in today’s this year’s Asian tournament, Al Wakrah are currently QNB Stars League Round 21 while fourth-placed Al Gharafa placed ninth in the standings game clash as The Cheetahs continue had to go into play-off for a with 19 points (five victories, to fight for a place in next year’s place in the main draw. four draws and 10 defeats). REUTERS – MADRID AFC Champions League. The winner will join Group Their goal difference is -14 (15 The Week-21 match which A featuring Al Hilal of Saudi goals for and 29 against). Real Madrid coach Zinedine had been originally scheduled Arabia, Shabab Al Ahli of the Coach Lopez said his Zidane has said he is at a loss to for April 6, was brought forward UAE and FC Istiklol of players are brimming with con- explain forward Eden Hazard’s in view of Al Gharafa’s play-off Tajikistan. fidence following their fighting latest injury setback. with Uzbekistan’s FC AGMK in Jokanovic said he is aware performances against the high- The Belgian international Doha on April 7, for a berth in of Al Wakrah’s capabilities, spe- flying Al Sadd few days ago. joined Real in 2019 but has been this year’s AFC Champions cially after they forced a one-all “Our players have an blighted by injuries, making 25 League group stage. draw in the last QSL match excellent mentality and they appearances since The kick-off for today’s against the title holders and work hard and diligently to con- signing. After returning from a clash is set for at 5:00pm at the unbeaten Al Sadd. tinue the series of positive results muscle problem for the final 15 Al Gharafa Stadium. “Al Wakrah, under their in the remaining league matches. minutes in Saturday’s last-gasp Al Gharafa, who slipped Spanish coach (Marquez Lopez) And we hope to beat Al Gharafa. 2-1 win over Elche, Zidane said from fourth to fifth position fol- always prefer to control the “We want to beat Al Hazard will miss Tuesday’s lowing their 1-3 loss to Al Ahli match, possession of the ball, Gharafa. After that, there is a Champions League home in Week 19, will be keen to and they often play with three break and we hope that the last-16 second leg with Atalanta storm back into the top-four defenders. But they had team gets the same number of and cannot put a timeframe on bracket which will increase changed their style in their pre- points we got last season. In his absence. their chances of making back vious match, perhaps because general, we are close to “He won’t be fit. We’ll to back Champions League they faced strong Al Sadd. achieving our goal of survival release a statement but I can’t tournaments. “They have a clear idea of in the top flight, but if the say any more than that,” Zidane The Cheetahs, under Slavisa the way they want to play and players think that the team is told a news conference. Jokanovic, have 30 points (nine from the previous two games guaranteed to stay, then that The 30-year-old Hazard wins, three draws and seven they got four points. Now, they will not be good for us. It should joins Casemiro on the sidelines defeats) and have a goal dif- are playing with more confi- be ‘we are doing well, there are for the fixture against the ference of +7 (36 goals for and dence and great desire, in terms of results and per- make the effort that would have three matches left and we want Italians, with the Brazilian sus- 29 against) and are currently therefore this team could pose formance. We did not provide allowed us to gain points. to get the most points possible’,” pended after picking up a one point behind fourth placed a great danger to us,” Jokanovic the required level in the pre- “We made many mistakes said Marquez. booking in the first leg, however Qatar SC. said. vious match (which we lost 1-3 and now we are required to Al Gharafa had beaten Al captain Sergio Ramos is fit and Three Qatari clubs, Al “Meanwhile, our team is to Al Ahli). We did not show the perform in a different way. I am Wakrah 1-0 in the first leg of likely to start. Duhail, Al Rayyan and Al Sadd going through a difficult period required desire and did not confident that our team is able this season’s QSL. TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2021 SPORT 11

Amir Cup: Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah register wins

Action during the Amir Cup Volleyball Tournament qualifying matches which took place at the Qatar Volleyball Association yesterday. Al Rayyan easily overcame Al Gharafa while Al Wakrah fought back from two sets down to outplay Al Khor in a thriller. Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) while AL Wakrah beat Al Khor 3-2 (19-25, 17-25, 30-28, 25-17, 15-8).

Luis Enrique Copa America names four debutants in to go ahead Spain squad with 10 teams REUTERS – MADRID REUTERS – LUQUE, PARAGUAY has named four uncapped players in Spain’s This year’s Copa America will go ahead with only 10 24-man squad for the teams, the South American Football Confederation upcoming triple header of (CONMEBOL) said yesterday, as it abandoned plans to World Cup qualifiers against replace Australia and Qatar, the two sides who withdrew Greece, Georgia and Kosovo due to fixture congestion. later this month. “As is traditional, CONMEBOL invited teams from Barcelona’s 18-year-old other confederations,” the body said in a statement. forward , Brighton & “However, the suspended matches and delays brought Hove Albion goalkeeper about by the pandemic that affected world football Robert Sanchez, Eibar attacker impeded other nations from participating.” Bryan Gil and fullback Pedro CONMEBOL had considered inviting other coun- Porro of Sporting are the new tries to replace Australia and Qatar but appear to faces in a squad that only con- have been defeated by the large number of games tains six players from Spain’s that now must be squeezed into an already packed ‘big three’ clubs. schedule. One of them is Barca Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo scores the first goal against Cagliari during their Serie A match on Sunday. This year’s Copa America was held over from 2020 defender , who and is the first in its 105-year history to be held in two returns to the fold for the first nations, Colombia and Argentina. time since Enrique resumed Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina play coaching duties in late 2019. in a southern group, with the opening match between His team mate Pedri has Ronaldo hails Pele after Argentina and Chile kicking off in Buenos Aires on June been one of the breakout stars 13. of this La Liga campaign, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Colombia play making 26 La Liga appear- in the northern section, with the final taking place in the ances in his debut season. Colombian city of Barranquilla on July 10. Sanchez’s inclusion means surpassing goal record The top four teams from each group will qualify for that Chelsea’s Kepa Arriza- the quarter-finals. balaga - the world’s most REUTERS – TURIN Instagram page that he heads the expensive goalkeeper - has all-time scoring list with 1,283 goals. been left out of the squad and Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Pele after My everlasting and unconditional The 80-year-old former Santos his place at this summer’s he surpassed the Brazilian great’s admiration for mister Edson striker and his compatriot Romario Di Maria leaves PSG European Championships goal-scoring haul in official matches Arantes do Nascimento (Pele), scored in excess of 1,000 goals looks to be under serious by netting a hat-trick in Juventus’ during their careers, but those sta- threat. Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 Serie A win over Cagliari on such is the respect that I have for tistics include strikes in amateur, game after reports Sergio Reguilon has also been Sunday. mid-20th century football, led me unofficial and friendly matches. omitted. Since football's world governing to take into account his 767 score, Nevertheless, Pele congratu- Manchester City’s Eric body FIFA does not keep an official assuming his nine goals for Sao lated Ronaldo on Sunday. of home break-in Garcia is included despite record of who is on top of the all- Paulo State Team, as well as his “Life is a solo flight. Each makes being frozen out at the Etihad time scoring list, it is a benchmark his own journey. And what a beau- AP – PARIS by Pep Guardiola following a that is hotly disputed. single goal for the Brazilian tiful journey you are having. I contract stand-off, while Liv- Several media outlets previ- Military Team, as official goals: admire you a lot, I love watching Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria was substi- erpool’s Thiago Alcantara and ously hailed Ronaldo for breaking Christiano Ronaldo you play and this is no secret to tuted on Sunday during the second half of his team’s captain Sergio Ramos return the record when he reached 760 anyone,” Pele wrote on Instagram. French league game amid unconfirmed reports his home to the fold after injury goals as he had supposedly sur- “Congratulations on breaking had been burglarized with his family inside. lay-offs. passed the record set by and the Brazilian Military Team, as my record of goals in official On the field, days after the high of knocking out Bar- SPAIN SQUAD striker Josef Bican. official goals,” Ronaldo wrote on matches. My only regret is not being celona in the Champions League, PSG came tumbling Goalkeepers: (Manchester However, the Czech FA subse- Instagram. able to give you a hug today.” back down to reality with a 2-1 home defeat to relegation- United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), Unai quently said in January that Bican’s “Today, as I reach the 770th threatened Nantes. Simon (Athletic Bilbao) Defenders: Pedro total was actually 821 goals, fol- official goal in my professional Around the hour mark, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino Porro (Sporting), Eric Garcia (Man City), lowing a review of his statistics career, my first words go straight Several media outlets previously left the field for a few moments following an earlier dis- during a career spanning from 1931 to Pele. There’s no player in the cussion with sporting director Leonardo, who was on his Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Diego to 1955. world who hasn’t been raised lis- hailed Ronaldo for breaking the cell phone. It was unclear why the exchange happened Llorente (Leeds United), Inigo Martinez On Sunday, however, Ronaldo tening to stories about his games, record when he reached 760 goals but it coincided with Argentina veteran Di Maria going (Athletic Bilbao), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), ignored Bican’s revised total to his goals and his achievements, and as he had supposedly surpassed off. Pochettino accompanied his countryman Di Maria Jose Luis Gaya (Valencia) Midfielders: claim he was now on top of the I’m no exception. the record set by Austria and back to the locker room with his arm around him. (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Man scoring pile after surpassing Pele’s “And for that reason, I’m filled Czechoslovakia striker Josef No further details were immediately known. City), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Pedri tally of 767. with joy and pride as I acknowledge “There was a situation outside of sport itself that you’re (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico “My everlasting and uncondi- the goal that puts me on top of the Bican. However, the Czech FA now aware of,” Pochettino said after the game, without Madrid), (Real Betis), Koke tional admiration for mister Edson world’s goalscoring list, overcoming subsequently said in January that mentioning Di Maria by name. (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli) Arantes do Nascimento (Pele), such Pele’s record, something that I could Bican’s total was actually 821 RMC Sport reported that club captain Marquinhos’ Forwards: (Villarreal), is the respect that I have for mid- never have dreamed of while goals, following a review of his parents were also burgled on Sunday night, without giving 20th century football, led me to take growing up as a child from further details. Defending champion PSG’s seventh defeat (Man City), into account his 767 score, assuming Madeira.” Pele, who helped Brazil statistics during a career spanning of the league season left it three points behind leader Lille (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), his nine goals for Sao Paulo State to win the World Cup in 1958, 1962 from 1931 to 1955. and level with third-place Lyon, which hosts PSG next Bryan Gil (Eibar), (RB Leipzig) Team, as well as his single goal for and 1970, states on his own Sunday and won in Paris earlier this season.

ATP SINGLES RANKINGS Medvedev 1st man other than 1. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 12008 QSAA holds General Assembly 2. Daniil Medvedev, Russia, 9940 3. Rafael Nadal, Spain, 9670 ‘Big 4’ in ATP Top 2 since 2005 4. Dominic Thiem, Austria, 8625 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece, 6765 AP – LONDON career week at No. 1; he recently broke 6. Roger Federer, , 6375 Federer’s record of 310 total weeks in 7. Alexander Zverev, , 5635 Daniil Medvedev rose to a career-best the top spot. 8. Andrey Rublev, Russia, 5011 No. 2 in the ATP rankings yesterday, Medvedev twice has been the 9. Diego Schwartzman, Argentina, 3640 making him the first man other than runner-up at a Grand Slam tour- 10. Matteo Berrettini, , 3453 Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger nament,nament, losing to Djokovic in the finafinall 11.11. RobertoRoberto BautistaBautista Agut,Agut, Spain,Spain, 29102910 Federer or Andy Murray to hold either ofof the Australian OOpenpen last month anandd 12. Denis Shapovalov,Shapovalov, Canada, 28652865 of the top two spots in 15 1/2 years. to NadalNadal in thethe finfinalal ofof thethe 20192019 U.S. 13. David Goffin,Goffin, BelBelgium,gium, 27952795 Lleyton Hewitt was the last man Open.Open. The 25-year-old from RussiaRussia 14. Gael Monfils,Monfils, France,France, 27702770 outside of that quartet to sit at No. 1 or is nownow 14-214-2 in 20212021 anandd hashas wonwon 15. Pablo CarrenoCarreno Busta, No. 2. He ranked second in July 2005, 2323 of his last 25 matches, includingincluding Spain,Spain, 26326300 behind Federer. thethe lastlast threethree tournamentstournaments hehe 16. GrigorGrigor Dimitrov,Dimitrov, Medvedev rose from No. 3 to swap enteredentered llastast seasoseason.n. Bulgaria,Bulgaria, 26202620 places with Nadal a day after winning 17.17. FFabioabio Fognini,Fognini, Italy,Italy, 25302530 the Open 13 tournament in Marseille, 18. FelixFelix AAuger-Aliassime,uger-Aliassime, France, for his 10th career title. Canada,Canada, 25162516 Since Hewitt’s most recent stay at 19. MilosMilos Raonic,Raonic, The Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) held its General Assembly at the No. 2, that spot has been held for 368 Canada,Canada, 24502450 Association's headquarters in Lusail yesterday. The meeting which was chaired by weeks by Nadal, 203 by Federer, 144 2020.. CCristianristian QSAA Secretary-General Majid Ahmed Al Nuaimi, reviewed the season and shooters' by Djokovic and 41 by Murray. GGarin,arin, CChile,hile, preparations for the Tokyo Olympics. Hussein Saleh Al Sada, Assistant Secretary and Daniil Medvedev Djokovic is currently in his 312th 23238585 Maneh Al Yafie, representative of the Qatar Olympic Committee were also present. Sport TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2021 10 F1: Verstappen shuns favourite tag as Mercedes seek solutions REUTERS — LONDON understandable caution, the Finnnn on Sunday,Sunday, howevehowever,r, VerstappenVerstappen was qquickestuickest on McLaren’sMcLaren’s LandoLando testingte -- mindful that appear- three days of testing in Bahrain addressingddressing the twotwo of tthehe three days in a Norris, whose teamteam ancesa can be deceptive. Max Verstappen enjoyed has raised hopes of a much concernncern wiwithth carcar ththatat llookedooked ststableable havehave sswitchedwitched In 2019, Mercedes had Formula One’s pre-season closer battle this year, and the wordsords thatthat andand rereliable.liable. New smoothly fromfrom lookedlo up to half a second off testing a lot more than prospect also of a generational wouldould nor-nor- MMeMexicanxican RenaultRenault to MMer-er- Ferrari’sF pace in testing and Mercedes’ seven times world changing of the guard. mallyally not team-mateteam-mate cecedesdes engineengines,s, thenth finished one-two in the champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes completed the needed sayinsaying.g. SergioS ergio ffeltelt MercedeMercedess openingo race in Melbourne. the weekend but the Red Bull least laps of any team, after a “I don’tdon’t PPerez,erez, a were lookilookingng “I don’t want to be the guy driver was not about to talk up gearbox problem on Friday, and thinkink the wiwinnerinner wiwithth lessless comcomfortablefortable thatth says a team’s doing bad or his title chances. recognised they had a lot of packageckage is RRacingacing Point llastast thanthan usual. goodg and then they just prove “I don’t think we are the work to do and not much time quiteuite therethere yet in year,yeear, aalsolso ddidid pplentylenty HeHe was wary,wary, mem wrong and make me look favourites,” said the 23-year- between now and the season- termsrms ooff peper-r- ofof llaps.aps. however,however, ofof likeli a muppet,” said Norris. old, pointing to the fact that opener in Bahrain on March 28. formancermance butbut I mmakingaking ttoooo Williams driver George Mercedes have won the last Hamilton spun twice in two haveve nnoo doubtdoubt it muchmuch of RRussell, who has a long-term seven drivers’ and constructors’ days while team-mate Valtteri willll be.” MercedesM contract and filled in titles and have Hamilton, 36, Bottas, despite being fastest on forfo Hamilton in Bahrain last going for his record eighth Saturday, described the rear yearye when his compatriot tested crown. end as ‘snappy and unforgiving’ positivep for COVID-19, was also “I think it’s still the same as and said the W12 car needed Max Verstappen sceptical.sc before we came to the test,” calming down. “They’re Mercedes. They’re added the 23-year-old Dutch “I absolutely believe that the Lewis Hamilton goinggo to be fine,” he said. “I’m driver. car and team has the potential prettyp confident of that,” he Despite Verstappen’s to fight for the title,” said the added. Thomas notches first win of season at The Players

REUTERS — PONTE VEDRA BEACH Justin Thomas Justin Thomas used a mid- celebrates with round charge to push into the the trophy lead on Sunday and earn a after winning one-shot victory in The Players The Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Championship. Beach, Fla. Thomas’ first victory of the season and 14th in his career on the PGA Tour came after he Indian players celebrate after their win over England in fourth delivered a 4-under-par 68 in Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in this March the final round at the TPC Saw- 6, 2021 file photo. grass Stadium Course. He finished at 14-under 274 for the tournament following his 3-foot par putt at the final ICC rates Ahmedabad hole. Third-round leader Lee Westwood of England shot 72 pitch for two-day and finished alone in second place at 13 under, while Brian Harman (69 on Sunday) and Test match ‘average’ Bryson DeChambeau (71) tied for third place at 12 under. REUTERS — MUMBAI match referee for the four- Talor Gooch (67) and Eng- match series, which the hosts land’s Paul Casey (70) finished you have adrenaline going. And didn’t fall today. I hit a lot of The Narendra Modi Stadium won 3-1. tied for fifth place at 11 under, 18 is 18, so there’s a lot going on.” great putts that didn’t go in. in Ahmedabad has avoided England collapsed for 81 while Canada’s Corey Conners Thomas’ bogey at No. 14 Thomas’ first victory of the That’s the unfortunate part being hit with demerit points in their second innings, and was alone in seventh place at helped Westwood pull even about golf sometimes.” after the pitch for the pink- neither side reached 150 runs 10 under. briefly but his birdie at the season and 14th in his career Westwood entered the final ball Test between India and in what was the shortest Thomas was three shots off par-5 16th hole gave him sole on the PGA Tour came after he round with a two-shot lead and England was rated as completed Test match since Westwood’s lead at the start of possession of the lead again. He delivered a 4-under-par 68 in stayed in contention throughout “average” despite the match 1935. play Sunday and was plodding had a par at the famed island the final round at the TPC the final round despite playing lasting only two days. Several former England along at 1-over par through green on No. 17 before flirting the front nine in 1-over par after Venues can be suspended players and pundits ques- eight holes following a three- with disaster at 18. Sawgrass Stadium Course. He three bogeys. for a year if they pick up five tioned the suitability of the putt bogey at the par-3 eighth. Thomas’s tee shot on the finished at 14-under 274 for He had a birdie at 14, but demerit points and for two pitch while their Indian It managed to light a fire, 72nd hole hugged the water on the tournament following his was unable to make up any years if they pick up 10. counterparts said the poor though, with Thomas playing the left side of the fairway but 3-foot par putt at the final ground on 16 as DeChambeau A “below average” rating batting was due to the pink the next four holes at 5 under, stayed dry. was recording his eagle. by the International Cricket ball, which replaces the tra- including an eagle 3 at No. 11. He put his approach shot on hole. A long birdie putt to tie for Council’s match referee ditional red balls for day- The 19-foot putt for eagle the fringe and used two putts the lead at 17 was well left and brings one point, a “poor” night Test matches. gave him the lead at 13 under, from there to close out the he missed his 9-foot par putt to rating brings three while the The pitch for the second which he pushed to a two-shot victory. “I was in such a great Palmer Invitational. He was at all but seal his fate. His birdie lowest rating of “unfit” comes Test at Chennai’s MA advantage at 14 under when he frame of mind and focused all 1-over par for the day when he at 18 gave him sole possession with five. Chidambaram Stadium, recorded a birdie at No. 12. day,” Thomas said. eagled the 16th hole, putting of second place. Demerit points remain which assisted spinners from Asked if he was certain a “I really felt like as soon as him two shots off the lead. He “I didn’t quite have my active for a rolling five years. the first session and ended victory was ahead, Thomas said I started on the first tee, I just had a par on each of the last two game today; I don’t know what India won the third Test on the fourth day when India his mindset was far from a was in a zone and in a focus that holes, just missing a birdie putt it was,” the 47-year-old inside two days after 30 sealed a 317-run win, also trophy presentation. I felt like I could make the ball at 18. Westwood said. wickets tumbled in five ses- earned an “average” rating. “(There is) a lot of do what I wanted with it, and it “It’s just a little bit of a “Maybe I just haven’t played sions on a turning track at the Chennai’s pitch for the unknown... a lot of stuff that can felt like I could hit the putts learning block, and I’m going a lot of golf. I hate to say it, age new stadium, which is the opening Test, which saw an happen,” Thomas said. exactly how I wanted. Yeah, it to go back and work really hard is catching up with me. (Sat- world’s biggest cricket venue England victory, was rated “You can hit a lot of great was nice to get in that little head on my golf swing and figure out urday) I felt like my legs were with a capacity of seating “very good” while the playing shots on 13 through 18 and not space.” how to be less sensitive,” just starting to get a bit tired and 132,000 people. surface for the fourth and make one birdie or even play DeChambeau was unable to DeChambeau said. weak, and today I just didn’t feel Former India fast bowler final match in Ahmedabad them over par. No. 17 is such a turn a final-round pairing with “I was more sensitive last like I had my legs under me. I Javagal Srinath was the was marked “good”. crapshoot this week with how Westwood into a victory like he week and pulled out the victory. was hitting shots I don’t nor- firm that green was, and then did last week at the Arnold I got a little lucky. Just putts mally hit.” Tokyo 2020 torch relay to start on March 25 Murray granted wild

REUTERS — TOKYO from the COVID-19 situation. card for Miami Open Members of the Japanese Tokyo Olympics organisers said women’s national soccer team REUTERS — LONDON Murray, a three-times the torch relay would begin on will use the Olympic Flame to Grand Slam champion, has had March 25 from the J-Village light the torch to officially kick Former champion Andy Murray a stop-start year after he was training centre in Fukushima, off the relay from J-Village. (pictured) has been granted a unable to fly to the Australian as planned, launching the The facility was chosen as wild card for this month’s Open after testing positive for build-up to the start of the the starting point of the 121-day Miami Open, tournament COVID-19. Games in July as they continue relay because it is a symbol of organisers said yesterday. The 33-year-old Briton’s to work on COVID-19 counter- Japan’s reconstruction fol- The British ex-world last tournament was the Rot- measures. lowing the 2011 earthquake and number one, who has fallen to terdam Open where he was The Grand Start ceremony tsunami. 116 in the rankings after long beaten by Russian Andrey and first section of the relay on The Olympics will be held injury lay-offs because of hip Rublev two weeks ago. day one will not be open to the from July 23 to Aug. 8 and the surgeries, is a two-time Miami He then decided to sit out public as organisers reduce the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Open champion having won this week’s Dubai Champion- number of participants and Sept. 5. the title in 2009009 anandd 202013.13. shipsships after his simplify the programme to Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics “It is excitingiting to see AndyAndy wifewif gave prevent the spread of the coro- organisers said yesterday that back in Miami,”mi,” Miami Open birthbirt to their navirus, they said in a statement The torch relay has long allow foreign spectators into the test events for skateboarding Tournamentt Director and fourthfou child. yesterday. been planned to start on March country amid fears of a resur- and shooting have been post- former playerr James Blake said The Tokyo 2020 “is committed 25 but is nevertheless a major gence in coronavirus poned until May due to the in a news release.ease. MiamiMia Open to ensuring the safety and milestone after the Games were infections. impact on scheduling from the “As someoneone wwhoho hhasas hadhad tournament,tou security of the Tokyo 2020 postponed last year and fol- Underscoring the compli- COVID-19 situation. to battle backck from injury whichwhich will Olympic Torch relay by taking lowing speculation over cations in preparing for the Shooting, initially scheduled during his career, I featurefeature 74 of the countermeasures to prevent the whether they should be delayed Games during the pandemic, for April 26-30, has been pushed understand andand toptop 777 ranked spread of any infections among again or even cancelled due to Tokyo 2020 also said on back to May 17-21 and skate- respect all tthehe men,me is spectators, torchbearers, staff, the pandemic. Monday that test events for boarding was moved to May hard workk scheduledsch to and other relay participants, as Tokyo organisers have also skateboarding and shooting 13-14 from the original April Andy has putt runrun from well as local residents”, the said they want to decide before have been postponed until May 28-29 dates, Tokyo 2020 said in in to get backk MarchM statement said. the start of the relay whether to due to the impact on scheduling a statement. on tour.” 22-April22-A 4.