14 Monday, August 23, 2021 Sports Cool Barty secures Cincy final against dreaming Teichmann

DPA positions, and I felt like when I Berlin was able to control the court I did a better job. World number one Ash Bar- “In the games I got broken, ty reached yet another final on she just saw too many second Saturday at the Western and serves and was able to be as- Southern Open, where she will sertive. I’m really happy to get face wildcard Jil Teichmann. through in the end, and to be Barty is through to her playing for a title here in Cincin- sixth title match of the season nati is awesome.” Despite fac- - and first in - after ing three seeds in succession, beating Angelique Kerber in Teichmann has not dropped a straight sets. set since losing the first against In action on the WTA Tour Osaka in the last 16. Manny Pacquiao gestures to fans after his WBA welterweight title for the first time since winning Continuing that sequence fight against Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena on in , at Wimbledon, having gone against Barty will be a tough Nevada, on Saturday. (Getty Images/AFP) to the Tokyo Olympics in the ask, but few would have antici- intervening period, the Aus- pated Pliskova being brushed tralian came through a sloppy aside quite so easily. Filipinos still hail spell in the second set to ad- Teichmann herself has no vance 6-2, 7-5. explanation for a sensational Teichmann is next, taking run of form. Pacquiao despite on Barty for the first time after “It’s tough to explain,” she a stunning run continued with said. “When I ask my coaches victory over Karolina Pliskova. what they think of me, they al- defeat to Ugas The world number 76 Ashleigh Barty of Australia holds the championship trophy after defeating Jil Teichmann of Switzerland ways say, ‘You’re just an unex- had already eliminated Naomi during the women’s singles finals of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in pected person, you do random DPA fought hard for 12 rounds,” Osaka and and Mason, Ohio, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) things’, so I guess that’s one of Manila one tweet said. “You are still was a deserving 6-2 6-4 win- them. a legend and an icon in your ner against Pliskova. the Barty serve. said. “She’s an exceptional set. “I’m feeling really, re- Filipinos on Sunday still own field. Thank you for mak- Barty had been racing to- The All England Club competitor and I think early “I’m glad that I was able to ally good here, the conditions, hailed Philippine boxing icon ing Filipinos proud.” wards victory when she took champion has won more on in that second set she went find a way through there in the serving good, moving well, Manny Pacquiao as the “peo- Ugas was a replacement the opener on Kerber’s serve, matches than any other player to another gear and it took me end. when I can I attack, I defend... ple’s champ” despite his defeat for Pacquiao’s original op- her second break, and then on tour this year, though, and a few games to go with her. “I had to find the balance What I’m feeling here, I can- to Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas ponent, Errol Spence Jr, who went 2-0 up in the second. regained her composure to “That was the change - she of being aggressive and not not even describe it. in a 12-round fight in Las Vegas. withdrew 11 days before the But Kerber gave the fa- break twice more for a 39th was able to lift her game and, getting too passive and letting “It’s a dream. I’m playing Ugas, 35, won by unani- fight due to an eye injury. vourite a scare by winning triumph of 2021. even though there were some Angie dictate. centre court, a final against mous decision against the Pacquiao apologized for each of the next three games, “It’s never, ever a walk in close games, she won the big “She moves exceptionally the world number one. I can- 42-year-old Pacquiao to re- the defeat and said he needed belatedly finding joy against the park against Angie,” Barty points early on in the second well, puts the balls in difficult not ask for anything else.” tain his World Boxing Asso- to think if he was retiring. ciation’s super welterweight “I did my best and I championship. apologize,” he said after the Philippine presidential fight. “Let me rest first and re- spokesman Harry Roque said lax and make a decision if I’m public support for Pacquiao’s continue to fight or not.” The Camera collision prompts Medvedev boxing career “has always eight-division champion add- been unwavering” and his loss ed that he was still deciding if will not diminish the pride he he would run for president of has brought to Filipinos. the Philippines in next year’s meltdown and Rublev recovery “Senator Pacquiao will for- elections. ever be etched in the hearts “I will make a final an- DPA The epic match lasted two tense. You saw so many ral- of Filipinos as our people’s nouncement next month,” he Berlin hours and 41 minutes, with lies, so many long rallies, and champ,” he said. said. “I don’t know. I know Zverev responding strongly af- it was so tough. Netizens took to social me- that I’m facing a big problem Andrey Rublev finally got ter appearing unwell to book his “It was a super mental dia to salute Pacquiao for fin- and more difficult works than the better of compatriot Daniil spot in the final against Rublev. match, a super physical match, ishing the fight against Ugas. boxing, but I want to help the Medvedev after a flashpoint Asked to reflect on finally exactly like a chess match.” “At the age of 42, he still people. I want to help them.” involving a courtside camera toppling Medvedev, Rublev Tokyo 2020 gold medalist in the Western and Southern told Amazon: “It’s always Zverev had trailed 4-1 in the Open semi-finals. tough to play against Daniil third set against Tsitsipas, but Rublev will now face Alex- and to beat him. fought back with two breaks ander Zverev in the decider, “I think it gives me a bit before winning in a tie-break. having ended Medvedev’s bid more confidence that I can “After I did the first break for a -Cincinnati double. play against him, I can com- back I thought ‘OK I have the Medvedev had never even pete against him. There are chances’,” Zverev said during dropped a set to his fellow still so many things to im- his on-court interview. Russian in four prior ATP prove, but it’s like I’ve passed “I felt like he was not serv- Tour meetings and appeared university.” The victory came ing bombs. I felt like I was to be on course for another Daniil Medvedev of Russia reacts after colliding with a television cam- as a relief, with Rublev believ- always in the rallies but I was dominant victory when he era in his match against Andrey Rublev of Russia during the semi- ing he was unfortunate even to losing the rallies because I was took the first set. finals of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis be trailing in the first set. a bit low energy, so I started But the world number two Center in Mason, Ohio, on Saturday. (Getty Images/AFP) “Inside I was thinking, being a bit more aggressive, a clattered into a camera early in when I was 6-2, the score bit of the Novak mentality that the second and all momentum ment as his performance start- seal a stunning 2-6 6-3 6-3 tri- shouldn’t be like this,” he said. I had against him at the Olym- was soon lost. ed to fall well below his lofty umph. “The points were really pics as well.” Zverev has a 4-0 Medvedev complained standards, with Rublev finally Third seed Zverev fought tight, some little outs, little record against final opponent about the positioning of the able to win a set after breaking back from a double break mistakes, some good shots Rublev but he was wary of his camera, claiming it had caused in an epic 15-minute game. down in the final set to pro- from Daniil. The score was not opponent. a hand injury and aiming a A series of unforced Med- gress to the final with a 6-4 3-6 real [in] the first set. “Favourite or not, I think Yordenis Ugas (L) and Manny Pacquiao battle in the 10th round of kick at the lens. vedev errors allowed Rublev to 7-6 (7-4) win over second seed “Even the third set, I won if you’re in the final, there’s no their WBA welterweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, He swiftly called for treat- break again in the decider and Stefanos Tsitsipas. 6-3 but the match was so in- easy opponent,” he said. Nevada, on Saturday. (Getty Images/AFP) ‘Nadal reached point where he couldn’t take it anymore’ son but lost his second match three in the year-end rankings as he works his way through a Spaniard to miss in Washington to South Afri- Coach Carlos Moya for the first time in 2007, with shoulder problem, accumulat- can Lloyd Harris. says Nadal was Federer at one, Nadal at two ed fatigue and Olympic regrets US Open Moya, who was also briefly “practically lame” and Djokovic at three. after surprisingly failing to win a world number one, said Na- before he called an At the end of 2019, they a medal in Tokyo. DPA/NYT dal had managed to prolong early end to his were still there, shifting places Neither Federer nor Nadal Madrid a career that was in doubt 16 season. slightly, with Nadal at one, participated in those Games, years ago, thanks to insoles Djokovic at two and Federer but they were still unable to Rafael Nadal was “practi- and treatment. at three. get healthy for the U.S. Open. cally lame” before he called an “But this year the story has There is no precedent for It is the only tour- early end to his season and changed in many training ses- this in men’s tennis. Other nament where Federer and has been “stumbling all year sions,” Moya said. “He could stars joined their lead pack but Nadal have not faced each round”, coach Carlos Moya not finish them and we had to fell away: players like Andy other during their long and has revealed. change and ease intensity for Murray and Stan Wawrinka, floodlit rivalry. It appears it Former world number one the foot, thinking about the who each won three Grand will stay that way. and 20-time Grand Slam win- tournaments. Slam singles titles. Neither has played in New ner Nadal will miss the up- “He has been in pain for But the Big Three were York since 2019, when Na- coming US Open but hopes to months and there comes a near constants, faltering at dal held off new arrival Daniil return in 2022, yet Moya says time when he cannot take it times because of injury or, Medvedev in a five-set final there are question marks over anymore. In the last match he much more rarely, because of that was a test of will, endur- what the best course of treat- played practically lame. flagging inspiration, only to ance and tactical acumen. ment will be for the 35-year- “The best thing was to rise again. When Nadal finally pre- old’s foot problem. stop, rest the foot and re- “They are without a doubt vailed, he ended up in tears In announcing his with- fresh the .” Speaking to the best three men’s players — much rarer for him than for drawal from the rest of the Spanish broadcaster Onda The Big Three gery. Nadal may find a way the younger set. of the Open era,” Gilbert said. Federer — as he sat courtside campaign, Nadal declared a Cero’s El Transistor show, The “Big Three” remains at age 35 to rid himself of the “Djoker is still the Big One “And it’s crazy that they all and watched a commemora- foot issue that he has been Moya said: “It is not known a catchy moniker and will no chronic left foot pain that led at this stage, and I would not played at the same time.” tive video that honored each bothered by since 2005 was where this injury comes from. doubt persist larger than life to his announcement Friday be surprised in 2022, if Na- Competition among them- of his Grand Slam tourna- behind his decision. There is a diagnosis but it is in memory, but the three- that he would not play on tour dal is healthy, that it’s still the selves has lifted each man ment victories. But Nadal, a The Spaniard took a break not clear which is the best pronged dominance of Roger again in 2021. Big Two,” said Brad Gilbert, higher than he might have four-time US Open champion, after losing a treatment. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic Novak Djokovic, still No. 1 a longtime coach and ESPN soared on his own. chose not to defend his title semi-final to NovakD jokovic, “Rafa’s main objective is in the men’s game appears to by a large margin, may com- analyst. But they will not play in last year when the event was skipping Wimbledon and the to regain sensations in his feet be gone for good. plete his Grand Slam by win- But the Big Three has New York at the same time this played without spectators and Olympic Games. and in his head, because stum- Federer may beat the long ning the U.S. Open and go on surely run its course, and it year. Only Djokovic is still in with significant restrictions He attempted to make a bling all year round has not odds to return to the tour at to win many more titles in the has been a phenomenally long the draw, and he does not plan because of the coronavirus return for the hard-court sea- helped him.” age 40 after a fourth knee sur- seasons ahead by holding off run. They finished in the top to compete before the US Open, pandemic.