SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 10 Ostapenko storms to Eastbourne title Denmark outclass Wales to reach Euro quarters Denmark dominated in every department as they swept Wales aside

• Dolberg double caps dominant win From our point of view we started very AFP | Amsterdam well in the first 25 minutes. We c a goal Jelena Ostapenko hits a return enmark marked the 29th anniversary of their and the game changed AFP | London warm-up event and could be a Dgreatest triumph by a little bit, I think. contender on the grass at SW19, marching on to the quarter-fi- We came out second atvia’s Jelena Ostapen- where she was a semi-finalist nals of Euro 2020 yesterday as half trying to play and Lko claimed her first title in 2018. Kasper Dolberg scored twice in unfortunately made a for nearly two years with a Kontaveit had won the two an emphatic 4-0 win over Wales mistake, conceded the dominant 6-3, 6-3 win over previous clashes between the before an exultant travelling Anett Kontaveit to win the pair, but Ostapenko never support in Amsterdam. goal Eastbourne International yes- looked back after racing into In the city where Christian GARETH BALE terday. an early 5-1 lead in the first set. Eriksen made his name, it was Ranked 43 in the world, Just one break of serve was Dolberg –- another former Ajax Kasper Dolberg scores a goal Minister, Mette Frederiksen, former French Open cham- required in the second to se- player –- who opened the scor- was in attendance. pion Ostapenko was handed cure the fourth tour title of ing with a fizzing strike in the at the home of Ajax, and that of their run to the semi-finals at To their credit Wales start- a wildcard to the Wimbledon her career. 27th minute. combined with a vast Danish Euro 2016. ed well, with the probing Bale That came after Wales had support inside the one-third They needed a moment of leading by example in the early started so well but Denmark full Johan Cruyff Arena made magic from captain Gareth Bale stages. Today’s games never looked back and Dolberg this occasion really like a home or Aaron Ramsey which never He crashed a shot just wide struck again just after the re- game for them. came, but in truth they were up in the 10th minute, but then Euro 2020 start before Joakim Maehle and European champions against against it from the outset. Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen Netherlands vs Czech Republic (19:00, Budapest) Martin Braithwaite added more all odds when they beat Ger- Aside from the universal –- Denmark’s third centre-back Belgium vs Portugal (22:00, Seville) goals late on. many in the final on this day goodwill towards Denmark fol- –- stepped up into midfield and Carried by a wave of emotion, in 1992, Denmark finally have lowing Eriksen’s collapse, a ban they took control. Tomorrow’s games Danish dreams are still intact their first win in the knockout on travellers from the United They were rewarded when in a tournament that began in phase of a Euro since then and Kingdom entering the Neth- Dolberg, now of Nice in France Copa America such traumatic circum-stances it would be a truly extraordinary erlands meant there were very and selected ahead of Yussuf Ecuador vs Brazil (00:00, Goiania) for them with Eriksen’s collapse story if they could re-peat the few Welsh supporters inside Poulsen in attack, collected the in their opening match against feat this time. the stadium. ball just outside the area and Venezuela vs Peru (00:00, Brasilia) Finland in Copenhagen. Nobody in Denmark will want Danes, in contrast, descended unleased a superb strike into the They now go on to a last-eight to get ahead of themselves but in their droves on Amsterdam, far corner of the net. Results tie in Baku against the Nether- Wales -- who finished with 10 creating an atmosphere not far For Wales, the signs that it EURO 2020 *Scores as of closing lands or the Czech Republic. men after Harry Wilson’s late off that seen at the Parken Sta- was not to be their night kept Eriksen, still recovering at red card -- could certainly have dium in Copenhagen when they coming, as right-back Connor Wales 0 4 Denmark home after his cardiac arrest, no complaints about the out- beat Russia to qualify for the Roberts suffered a groin injury Italy 2 0 Austria was present in everyone’s minds come and there will be no repeat last 16 -- even the Danish Prime and had to come off.

Federer ‘pumped up’ as he targets ninth Wimbledon crown Germany’s Mueller declares AFP | London himself fit for England showdown

oger Federer says he is “ex- Rcited” and “pumped up” as he targets a ninth Wimble- don title -- a far cry from the KNOW WHAT disgruntled figure who exited Halle in the second round ear- lier this month. The 39-year-old Swiss accept- Roger Federer has yet ed the manner of his 4-6, 6-3, to win Olympic singles 6-2 defeat by Felix Auger-Ali- title although he did assime both on and off the court take gold in the dou- had fallen short of the high standards he has set over the bles in 2008 past two decades. “I mean, I had a mental mo- win the singles title although Germany’s forward Thomas Mueller attends a training session ment where I was just, you he did take Olympic gold in the AFP | Berlin Neuer, 35, are the only survi- know, not happy with how Roger Federer hits a return during a match (file photo) doubles in 2008 -- but it is not vors from the team which beat things were going in the match,” hotel and at the All England I played in Halle, which was a done deal. England 4-1 in the last 16 of Federer said at his pre-Wim- Club he is raring to go. clearly not the standard I like.” “My feeling is I would like to ermany forward Thomas the 2010 World Cup. Sunday bledon press conference He had a hit out on the Wim- go to the Olympics,” he said. GMueller insists his knee marks exactly 11 years since yesterday. bledon courts with two-time ‘Be more selective’ “I would like to play as many injury will not stop him facing that match. “I mean, that feeling when I Wimbledon champion Andy Federer has like great rivals tournaments as possible. England in Tuesday’s block- “We won against England in started not liking -- when things Murray on Friday -- something Murray and to a lesser extent “But I think we decided now buster Euro 2020 last 16 clash 2010 - that has nothing to do derail, let’s say, he said they had not done for the Rafael Nadal -- both younger let’s just get through Wimble- at Wembley. with Tuesday, but it might give “It was definitely also there’s best part of 15 years. than him but in their mid 30’s don, sit down as a team, and “If I it was a problem, I some of you a good feeling,” he ways to lose and a standard I He says he has taken what- -- struggled with fitness issues. then decide where we go from wouldn’t have trained today,” told reporters. set for myself how I go about ever positives he can out of the He withdrew from the French there.” Mueller said yesterday at Ger- “We are looking forward to things. Halle situation -- a tournament Open -- where he had been Federer -- who admitted he many’s Euro 2020 base camp playing a big name in England. “The good thing now looking he had won 10 times and used as drawn in the same half as Novak missed the routine of setting in Bavaria. “Both teams had convinc- back is I know it will not happen his annual prep for Wimbledon. Djokovic and Nadal -- before his the family up in a house close “The capsular injury does ing performances in the group here because I’m ready, I’m ex- “I think I got to take the posi- fourth round match. to Wimbledon and seeing his not hold me back and I am stages, but also had games cited, I’m pumped up.” tives out of these last few weeks This was to give himself extra children run around -- said the experienced enough to deal where they were criticised. Seeded six and with just eight that I’m actually here at Wim- rest after two operations on his ageing process made it tougher with it. “We were hoping to play bet- tour matches under his belt this bledon right now and I have a right knee in 2020 and a year to make such calls. “I’m convinced it won’t be a ter against Hungary, but now year he will face a tough first chance,” he said. of rehab. “I wish I could tell you more,” problem for Tuesday.” it’s a knockout game.” round opponent in France’s “I know if I get rolling, I get He says he is uncertain what he said. Mueller is expected to start Yesterday is the 25-year Adrian Mannarino, who has into the second week, which his programme for the rest of “In previous years it was defi- against England having been anniversary of Germany’s reached the Last 16 at Wimble- is the goal here right now, that the year will be as so much nitely easier. left out of the line-up for Euro 96 semi-final win over don on three occasions. I get stronger and stronger as hangs on Wimbledon and how “At the moment things are not Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with England at Wembley where Federer, though, insists that every match goes by, I believe he performs. as simple as in the past. Hungary, in which he came on current Three Lions manager having got used to the Wimble- it’s very much possible. He would love to go to the “With age you have to be more as a second-half replacement. Gareth Southgate missed the don bubble -- due to the coro- “I come here feeling mentally Olympics in Tokyo -- unlike selective. The 31-year-old Mueller crucial penalty in the shoot- navirus pandemic -- both in the strong rather with the last set Murray and Nadal he has yet to “You can’t play it all.” and Germany captain Manuel out.