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SATURDAY 15 MAY 2021 PremierP League: Liverpool Manager KloppK enjoying top-four chase MostM of the time I’ve been in a chasing role so I’m enjoying it. ItI hasn’t happened a lot to me that the teams I’ve coached werew running away or whatever, so it’s a normal situation.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp Sport | 15

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES: Burnley vs Leeds United; Southampton vs Fulham; Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United Nadal ends losing streak against England ‘on track’ to Zverev to reach semis in Rome fully reopen AP – ROME Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his Italian Open venues from Rafael Nadal ended a of three quarter-final match against Germany’s Alexander straight losses to Alexander Zverev Zverev in Rome, Italy, yesterday. with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win over the German yesterday to reach the June 21 Italian Open semi-finals. REUTERS – LONDON Zverev had beaten Nadal in straight sets at the same stage in Britain’s sports minister Oliver Dowden Madrid a week ago but their latest is confident sports events can welcome meeting went the Spaniard’s way from back capacity crowds from June 21, the start. though he said some “high-risk” venues Aiming for a record-extending would require safety measures. 10th Rome title, Nadal raced to a An easing of COVID-19 restrictions 4-0 lead in the first set and saved in the government’s roadmap out of all eight break points he faced in the lockdown means up to 10,000 fans will second. be permitted at outdoor sports events in “I played more solid than England from Monday, while further Madrid. Conditions are different,” easing could push numbers up in June at Nadal said, alluding to the fact that the stage four. high-altitude of the Spanish capital Dowden said the probability of fully allowed Zverev to dominate more with reopening venues was now “much his serve. “Here are little bit more higher” than when they first proposed normal conditions. I was able to the roadmap in February. control a little bit more.” “We are completely on track at the It was a stark contrast from Nadal’s moment with the roadmap (and) the vac- long three-set comeback win over cination is rolling out as planned,” Denis Shapovalov a day earlier, when Dowden told the Department for Culture the Spaniard saved two match points. Media and Sport Select Committee. Nadal’s semi-final opponent will Today's FA Cup final between Chelsea be big-serving American Reilly Opelka, and Leicester City is expected to have who reached his first Masters semi- The only real moment of concern on the 20-time Grand Slam in the second set but Nadal stepped 21,000 fans at Wembley. final with a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over for Nadal came when he tripped over champion. up his game each time and closed it UEFA said Wembley would have a Argentine qualifier Federico the service line while running down Nadal got up, though, dusted out on his first match point with a per- minimum capacity of 25% (22,500) for Delbonis. a drop shot when he was serving for himself off and served out the set with fectly executed serve-and-volley. the first three group matches and a last-16 In the women’s tournament, 2019 the first set. his back and even headband still The 6-foot-11 (2.11-meter) Opelka, match at next month’s European Rome champion Karolina Pliskova The crowd of about 2,500 let out covered in clay. not previously known for his clay- Championship. rallied past 2017 French Open winner a collective gasp as Nadal tumbled “Some lines are higher than the court tennis, overwhelmed Delbonis The move would also come in time Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1) to onto the clay and rolled over onto his rest of court, so when you touch the with 18 aces to record his fourth for Wimbledon from June-July, while set up a semifinal against Petra Martic. back wincing in apparent pain. line it’s dangerous,” Nadal said. straight-set win of the week. England’s team host Sri Lanka and Martic eliminated Jessica Pegula 7-5, After putting Nadal’s reply away Zverev, the 2017 Rome champion “I’m surprised. Clay is not really Pakistan. 6-4 for her biggest result since recently for an easy winner - the Spaniard still and winner of the trophy in Madrid my thing - not much of an American The British Open golf tournament and hiring former French Open champion managed to get the ball over the net last weekend, had numerous oppor- thing,” Opelka said. “It’s probably just the British Grand Prix will Francesca Schiavone as her coach. - Zverev hopped over the net to check tunities to recover from an early break a fluke. But I’m OK with it.” also be held in July. Finnish GP Khalifa retains T4 lead as Nasser finishes in third spot cancelled due to virus, Andalucia Rally Styrian race added

REUTERS – LONDON

MotoGP’s Finnish Grand Prix in July has been cancelled due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic with set to host a doubleheader in August instead, the sport’s Qatari driver Khalifa Al Attiyah and his co-driver Xavier Penseri on their way to win the second stage of the T4 Class of the Andalucia Rally yesterday in their CAN-AM promoter Dorna said Maverick XRS. The brother of the multiple-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser, Khalifa completed the 493km-long loop in 03:38:05 to maintain his overall lead. Meanwhile, yesterday. While this year’s race Nasser and his French navigator Matthieu Baumel in their Toyota Hilux Overdrive (right), finished third in yesterday's second stage. The double FIA World Rally Champion has been scrapped, Dorna Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz won the stage in 03:16:24 as the Spaniard clinched his first stage win in the 4x4 class in the home rally since 2011. Saudi Arabia's said they had extended Yazeed Al Rajhi and his co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz came second at +1’08’’. The third and penultimate stage of the Andalucía Rally will be held today over 447 kilometers, their agreement with the starting in the Sevillian town of El Arahal. Grand Prix of Finland by five years, ensuring it has a place on the calendar until 2026. Turkey drops off F1 calendar, Austria gets 2nd race The Styrian Grand Prix, which made its debut last REUTERS – LONDON Champions League soccer final between preparations without letting up, and we year, will be held again at English sides Chelsea and Manchester are always ready for a race,” said Vural the from Formula One scrapped plans to hold Turkey’s circuit had been City was switched from Istanbul to Ak, chairman of the Istanbul circuit Aug. 6-8, a week before the in June due to added to the calendar only last month to Portugal. operator Intercity. the . COVID-19 travel restrictions and replace the cancelled Canadian Grand Turkey was last week put on Brit- “The Formula One leadership is also Both the Styrian and announced Austria would host two Prix in Montreal on June 13. ain’s travel ‘red list’, creating a problem very keen on holding a race here. We Austrian Grands Prix will races in a row with the French Grand for Formula One with seven of the 10 hope to repeat the honour we had in allow a limited number of Prix moving forward a week. Turkey was last week put on Britain’s teams based in England. Turkey last year again this year.” Austria spectators after Dorna The French race at Le Castellet will travel ‘red list’, creating a problem for The red list designation means travel opened the season in July last year when came to an agreement now be on June 20, kicking off a ‘triple to Turkey is allowed only in “the most it also hosted two races in a much- with the local authorities, header’ of three grands prix on suc- Formula One with seven of the 10 teams extreme circumstances” and anyone reduced 17-round calendar limited to but they did not specify cessive weekends, the Liberty Media- based in England. returning has to pay for compulsory Europe and the Middle East. how many would be owned sport said in a statement hotel quarantine. managing allowed to attend. yesterday. The race was due to follow on imme- director Eric Boullier recognised the Dorna added that both The Red Bull Ring will host the it is able to react quickly to develop- diately after the date change would have an impact on the Argentina GP and The newly-inserted Styrian Grand Prix on ments and find solutions and we are but that race in Baku now stands alone. spectators and commercial partners. Americas race in Austin June 27 and the Austrian Grand Prix on delighted that we will have a double Formula One said Turkish GP organ- He assured ticket holders that remained postponed until its original July 4 date. header in Austria meaning our season isers had asked the sport to consider bookings remained valid for the new the final quarter of 2021, “We were all looking forward to remains at 23 races.” holding the race later in the season, dates, with refunds available for those while Indonesia’s Man- racing in Turkey but the travel restric- Turkey’s Istanbul Park circuit had should that be possible. unable to attend. dalika International Street tions in place have meant we are not been added to the calendar only last China’s race in Shanghai is in a Formula One said 17,000 COVID-19 Circuit will be a backup able to be there in June,” said Formula month to replace the cancelled similar position, not officially cancelled tests had been conducted this season option subject to One chief executive Stefano in Montreal on but also not on the calendar. up to last weekend’s fourth round in approvals. Domenicali. June 13. “We continue our talks with the Spain with 15 positive cases, a rate of “Formula One has shown again that Its removal comes a day after the Formula One management and our 0.1%. SATURDAY 15 MAY 2021 SPORT 15 Petition with 350,000 signatures wants Tokyo Games cancelled AP – TOKYO that this was too little, and billions of dollars riding on it, hedged this time on the numbers probably too late. although there has been oppo- and the size of the staff needed. An online petition with more “I think that the media cov- sition from the local medical Organizers have also been than 350,000 signatures calling erage puts a lot of pressure on community. Last month, the looking for nurses to volunteer, for the Tokyo Games to be the IOC, the International Para- British Medical Journal sug- and sports medicine cancelled was submitted lympic Committee, the Japanese gested the games be specialists. yesterday to local organisers, the government, the Tokyo Metro- “reconsidered.” This crunch comes as at International Olympic politan Government and the The IOC relies on selling least two prefectures near Committee and others. organising committee,” Utsu- broadcast rights for almost 75% Tokyo - Ibaraki and Chiba - The Olympics are scheduled nomiya said at a news of its income - 18% more is from have said they will not be able to open in just 10 weeks on July conference. sponsors - and Japan has offi- to treat Olympic participants 23 in the midst of a pandemic Utsunomiya said the cially spent $15.4bn to organise who fall ill. with Tokyo and other areas Olympics would divert medical the Olympics. A government Also yesterday, the Japanese under a state of emergency. services from the general public, audit has suggested the number government said it would issue Cases continue to rise in Japan, which has been a rising concern might be twice that large. a state of emergency for three where less than 2% of the pop- as hospitals come under strains Seiko Hashimoto, the pres- more prefectures, joining Tokyo, ulation has been fully that could get worse as the ident of the Tokyo organizing Osaka and several others. The Lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya shows off a placard during a news vaccinated. games approach. committee, was pressed on three are the northern Hokkaido conference regarding the submission of a petition calling for the The petition campaign - Organisers and the IOC say Japan’s stretched medical system prefecture, and Hiroshima and called “Stop Tokyo Olympics” - they will hold the games safely, Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be cancelled in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. at her weekly briefing yesterday Okayama in western Japan. The was drafted by well-known isolating 15,400 Olympic and - held separately from the restrictions last until May 31. lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya, who Paralympic athletes in a will enter a country that has had Asia where places like Taiwan petition submission. Karaoke parlors and most enter- has also run for governor of “bubble” and repeatedly testing its borders sealed for a year. and South Korea have been Organisers have said several tainment facilities are required Tokyo. them and the tens of thousands Japan has attributed about more successful. times said they will need 10,000 to close. Business owner who He said the response was of others - judges, staff, sponsors, 11,000 deaths to COVID-19, good There in no indication the medical participants to staff the comply will be compensated; surprising but acknowledged media and broadcasters - who by world standards but poor in Olympics will be cancelled with Olympics. But Hashimoto those who don’t face fines. Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail proves a promising prospect Brazil recall THE PENINSULA – YORK Appleby-trained and William Alves for Buick-ridden Albahr (GB) (Dubawi Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail (IRE) x Falls Of Lora) was further 1¾ (Mehmas x Diaminda) made a lengths behind in third. World Cup winning debut when he won the Lusail was bred by the Tally- Constant Security ebfstallions.com Ho Stud and was purchase as a Maiden Stakes, a 1,200 metre- yearling at the Tattersalls sales. qualifiers race for two-year-olds at York, With this win under his belt in his UK on Thursday. first start ever, the bay colt further REUTERS – RIO DE JANEIRO Trained by Richard Hannon underlined the qualities of his sire Jnr and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Mehmas, who also raced under Brazil have recalled Dani Alves Lusail showed his courage in the the Al Shaqab Racing banner, as for their World Cup qualifiers final stages as he pushed his way he topped the first season sires’ against Ecuador and Paraguay, forward to challenge the leader, list in 2020. giving the Sao Paulo fullback the Tim Easterby-trained and An achievement that was the chance of an international David Allan-ridden Mattice (GB) further underscored by the fact comeback almost two years (Mattmu x Ice Mayden) and out- that his initial crop yielded a after his last appearance. Jockey Andrea Atzeni (centre) guides Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail (IRE) to win the Constant Security point him by three-quarters of a record 56 winners for a first Coach Tite said the 38-year ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes at York, UK on Thursday. Pic: Racingfotos length. The Charlie season sire. old Alves “is playing well and has a great history with the national team. He is physically and psychologically at his best. He is a leader and he can make PL: Klopp enjoying top-four chase us stronger.” Tite also recalled Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa for the games at home REUTERS – LONDON Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to Ecuador on June 4 and away scores their fourth goal to Paraguay four days later. Liverpool manager Juergen against Manchester United on Defender Lucas Verissimo Klopp said he has enjoyed Thursday. of Benfica was called up for the chasing teams throughout his first time. career as the battle to qualify The 24 players called up for for next season’s Champions the qualifiers will form the base League goes down to the final of the squad for the Copa three games of the season. America scheduled to be Liverpool moved within played in Colombia and four points of fourth-placed Argentina between June 13 and Chelsea with a game in hand July 10. after Thursday’s 4-2 Premier Brazil currently top the League victory over Manchester 10-team South America qual- United. ifying group for Qatar 2022 The Merseyside club were after four games with a already crowned champions at maximum 12 points ahead of this stage last season but Klopp Argentina on 10, Ecuador with said he still enjoys playing 9 and Paraguay on six. catch-up to the sides ahead of The top four automatically him in the closing stages of the qualify for the World Cup. campaign. “Most of the time I’ve been in a chasing role so I’m enjoying Pirlo says it,” Klopp told a news con- Cup finalists Chelsea and Mane’s handshake snub after Liverpool manager Juergen ference. “It hasn’t happened a Leicester City, who still have to the game at Old Trafford, where Klopp, Mohamed Salah and Juve extra lot to me that the teams I’ve play each other in the league at the forward was dropped to the Roberto Firmino celebrate coached were running away or Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. substitutes’ bench. after the match. whatever, so it’s a normal Klopp knows if Liverpool The German coach said his motivated situation. win all their games - and relationship with Mane has “Last night was very much overhaul Leicester’s goal dif- been built on mutual respect ahead of Inter needed, but it gave us a good ference advantage of one - they and one incident will not have feeling as well. After a long will secure a top-four finish and any impact on that. showdown season, playing Thursday, a place in Europe’s elite com- “If somebody shows me Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday is petition next season. respect five million times, and REUTERS – MILAN a tough one, but let’s give it a “These three games can one time not, what is more try.” have an extremely positive important?” Klopp added. Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo If Liverpool win at West outcome,” Klopp added. “But “The world is in a situation said his team could not match Bromwich Albion on Sunday we don’t now make the second where you then make this one the hunger and consistency they will close to within one and step before the first.” Klopp time bigger than necessary. that earned Inter Milan their three points respectively of FA once again played down Sadio That’s unfortunately the case.” first league title in 11 years, but his players can still redeem themselves by securing Cham- pions League qualification. Atlético can clinch title with win and Madrid stumble Pirlo’s side, currently fifth in the league table, have won AP – BARCELONA Courtois said after beating Granada. win in its last three games. It is six points just five of their last 10 games “Atletico feel confident because back, and Atlético holds the tiebreaker and are in desperate need of all With a little help from their hated local they’ve won. We have to focus on what over Sevilla. three points against Inter today rivals, Atlético Madrid can clinch its first we do ourselves and win our games,” But Barcelona had put itself right in to have any chance of finishing Spanish league title in seven years Courtois said. the thick of things after going 19 matches in the top four. tomorrow. “There’s another final coming up without a loss, only for its defense to let “Congratulations to Inter Atlético leads defending champion against Athletic this Sunday and after the it down over the past month. The team for the Scudetto, but we could Real Madrid by two points with two game we’ll look at the Atlético result.” has conceded seven goals in its last four have done more,” Pirlo told a matches remaining and will win the title Before joining Madrid via a stint at games, including a loss and back-to-back news conference yesterday. if they beat Osasuna at home and Madrid Chelsea, Courtois helped Atlético win its draws. “Inter have done better, fail to win at Athletic Bilbao. last league title in 2014. Since then, Bar- Barcelona’s hugely disappointing 3-3 have been more consistent and Any other combination of results will celona and Madrid have returned to div- draw against Levante in a match it led hungrier than us. There are send it to the final round, and possibly vying up the titles between them. both 2-0 and 3-2 on Tuesday left it four some regrets for the players I bring Barcelona back into the mix. Midfielder Koke Resurrección and points behind Atlético. The team, which didn’t have available, but regret Atletico visit Valladolid and defender José Giménez are the only hosts Celta Vigo tomorrow, would need is part of the ambition. Madrid host Villarreal holdouts from that championship team both Atlético and Madrid to fall apart to “To see our opponents as on the final weekend. seven years ago. Koke made his 500th pull off a remarkable comeback. Italian champions tomorrow Madrid holds the appearance for Atlético against Sociedad. Ronald Koeman’s future at Barcelona must give us more motivation. head-to-head tie- “The only thing that matters is the could depend on the outcome. Let’s also not forget that we breaker if they finish even on points. work I have put in all these years and have The big question for Barcelona is if have a chance to qualify for the Atlético protected its lead on to keep going,” Koke said about his the Copa del Rey title it won last month Champions League.” Wednesday by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 milestone. will be enough to convince Lionel Messi A first campaign out of the with goals from forwards Yannick Car- The field to win the most tightly con- to stay when his contract expires in a few Champions League for Juve since Atletico Madrid coach Diego rasco and Ángel Correa. Madrid kept pace tested league in years was essentially weeks. 2011-12 could be confirmed this Simeone reacts during their La Liga on Thursday with a 4-1 victory at Granada. reduced to two after both Barcelona and Two games will have the first fans weekend should Atalanta, AC match against FC Barcelona in this “I didn’t watch Atlético’s game yes- Sevilla failed to keep pace. back in the stands for a top-tier match in Milan and Napoli all win and May 8 file photo. terday. Everyone is focused on their own Sevilla was always a long shot, but the Spain since the start of the pandemic 14 Inter defeat the Turin side at the thing,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut team really fell out of touch after only one months ago. Juventus Stadium. Sport SATURDAY 15 MAY 2021 14 Slim chance IPL Phillips, Mitchell handed NZ contracts can be completed AP – WELLINGTON New Zealand White ball batsman Glenn Phillips New Zealand in UK, Middle East: and allrounder Daryl Mitchell have players during a batsman been included for the first time on training session Rajasthan owner New Zealand Cricket’s list of ahead of their warms up for centrally contracted players. tour to England. But test spinner Ajaz Patel, who Pic: Twitter/ India with kitty REUTERS – NEW DELHI will leave next week with the New @PhotosportNZ Zealand squad for England, has via @BLACKCAPS litter on pitch There is a “small possibility” that the remainder of been dropped from the 20-strong the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) season list after only one year. REUTERS – WELLINGTON can be played in the United Kingdom or the Middle The list is compiled by New East later this year, Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Zealand coach Gary Stead and New Zealand batsman Devon Badale said. selector Gavin Larsen, who rank Conway hopes sprinkling kitty litter The popular tournament was sus- players on performances in all on practice might help him pended indefinitely earlier this month after several three formats, with tests receiving prepare for India’s spin bowlers personnel tested positive for COVID-19 amid a dev- a double weighting. Stead and ahead of the ICC World Test Cham- astating second wave of novel coronavirus cases Larsen also consider potential pionship final. in the country. future performance and players Conway has been selected for The pandemic also forced the BCCI to move the receive a retainer based on their New Zealand’s tour of England, 2020 edition of the IPL to the United Arab Emirates ranking. which starts with a two-Test series where matches were held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Patel, a 32-year-old left-arm against Joe Root’s side followed by Sharjah between September and November. spinner, was disadvantaged the inaugural Test Championship Badale said finding space on the calendar would because he was injured for most of final against India in Southampton be the biggest obstacle with India set to host the the last domestic season. from June 18. T20 World Cup in October. Phillips had an outstanding The 29-year-old lefthander, “There is a possibility, a small possibility, that season in Twenty20 internationals. who will bid to make his Test debut in September there might be something in the UK He scored 366 runs in 12 innings at on the tour, hopes playing the ball or possibly something in the Middle East either side an average of 40.66 and a strike one-day international against frontrunner for the Test role. New off kitty litter might help prepare of the T20 World Cup but it’s going to be a real rate of 185 in home series wins over Bangladesh. Zealand are preparing to play two for the variation of spin off bowlers’ challenge,” Badale told reporters. the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia “There’s no question Daryl and Tests in England next month foot-marks. “In my opinion, the players are already playing and Bangladesh. Glenn took their games to another leading up to the World Test Cham- “Basically the idea is to get the too much cricket. The calendars are incredibly He scored a century from 46 level over the summer and have pionship final against India, which ball to sort of spit out of the rough,” packed, particularly this year after COVID. Boards balls against the West Indies, a added to the growing depth of starts on June 18 at Southampton. Conway told New Zealand broad- from around the world are trying to get as many record for a New Zealand batsman talent we now enjoy,” Larsen said. NEW ZEALAND CONTRACTED caster Spark Sport after throwing competitions and as many test matches as pos- in T20 internationals. Larsen said the selectors are some kitty litter on a pitch. PLAYERS: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, sible.” Warwickshire, Surrey and the Marylebone Medium pacer Mitchell took still “well aware of Ajaz’s value as “It’s a bit harder to play, but Cricket Club (MCC) have offered to host the IPL’s over the allrounder’s role in the a frontline spinner, particularly in Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, good practice ... It’s about finding remaining 31 matches in September. New Zealand test and one-day overseas conditions, and he’s Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt a gameplan to combat that and just Sourav Ganguly, head of the Indian board, said team from the injured Colin de therefore still very much in our Henry, Kyle Jamieson, , Daryl practice how you’re going to play earlier this week COVID-19 restrictions meant it Grandhomme. He scored a thinking going forward.” Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, in the game. was impossible to stage the remaining games in maiden test century from 112 The retirement this week of Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, New Zealand play the first India where the number of infections have climbed balls against Pakistan and a veteran wicketkeeper B.J. Watling , , Neil Wagner, Test against England in London above 24 million. hundred from 92 balls in a leaves Tom Blundell as the , Will Young. on June 2.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Julian Corbin Burnes delivers a pitch against Alaphilippe the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning Suns beat at American Family Field on Thursday. Blazers in NBA thriller

AGENCIES – PHOENIX

Devin Booker made two free throws with 2.4 seconds left as the Phoenix Suns edged the Portland Trail Blazers 118-117 on Thursday night. Chris Paul recorded 26 points and seven assists and Mikal Bridges added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who moved one game behind the Utah Jazz in the battle for the Western Confer- ence’s top seed. Damian Lillard scored 24 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter for the Trail Blazers, who had World champ a five-game snapped and failed to Burnes sets record clinch a main-draw playoff spot. Portland is in sixth place in the West, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in its bid to stay out of the Alaphilippe play-in round. NBA RESULTS but Brewers lose to Cards to skip Tokyo Heat 106, 76ers 94 Hawks 116, Magic 93 AGENCIES – MILWAUKEE six and gave up four hits over six inning as Houston claimed a walk- Bucks 142, Pacers 133 innings for St. Louis, which won off victory over visiting Texas. Olympics Grizzlies 116, Kings 110 Nolan Arenado had three hits and for the 15th time in its last 20 With the bases loaded and Nuggets 114, Timberwolves 103 drove in a run as the visiting St. games. Chas McCormick facing a 1-2 AP – PARIS Bulls 114, Raptors 102 Louis Cardinals posted a 2-0 win Rockies 13, Reds 8 count, Texas left-hander Brett Knicks 102, Spurs 98 over the Milwaukee Brewers in the Josh Fuentes homered among Martin uncorked a curveball that World champion cyclist Julian Alap- Clippers 113, Hornets 90 rubber match of a three-game his three hits and drove in a handcuffed catcher Jonah Heim hilippe has decided to skip the Tokyo series on Thursday. career-high four runs, Garrett and allowed Straw to score from Olympics, where he was expected Arenado’s two-out single off Hampson also went deep, and host third base. to be a medal contender in the road right-hander Corbin Burnes (2-3) Colorado beat Cincinnati. Houston managed just three race. The French rider said yesterday in the first inning scored Tommy Chi Chi Gonzalez threw seven runs in five innings off Mike it was a personal choice reached in Edman, who singled to lead off the shutout innings, Yonathan Daza Foltynewicz, all of them coming agreement with the national team. game. had three hits and Ryan McMahon, on a bases-clearing double by Jose Alaphilippe is due to become a Burnes set the all-time record Connor Joe and Raimel Tapia had Altuve with one out in the second father for the first time before the for consecutive without two hits each for Colorado. inning. Foltynewicz gave up eight Olympics open on July 23, one day a walk, extending his run to 58 Jonathan India had two hits in hits and three walks while striking before the road race. before issuing his first free pass of the eighth inning, including a out three. He was fourth at the 2016 Rio de the season in the fifth inning. The three-run homer, while Tyler MLB RESULTS Janeiro Games and will be only 32 old mark of 56 was held by Gerrit Stephenson also homered for the Red Sox 8, Athletics 1 years old at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Cole (2021) and Curt Schilling Reds. Cincinnati center fielder Nick Giants 3, Pirates 1 Alaphilippe has been in good (2002), with Cole’s streak still Senzel left in the third inning with Indians 4, Mariners 2 form in the one-day classic races this active. a left heel contusion and Mike White Sox 4, Twins 2 year, winning his third La Flèche The old record for strikeouts Moustakas left in the fifth inning Blue Jays 8, Braves 4 Wallonne title and placing second without a walk to begin a season with an apparent hand injury. Nationals 5, Phillies 1 at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He’s was 51, held by Kenley Jansen Astros 4, Rangers 3 (11) Marlins 5, Diamondbacks 1 expected to return to Belgium to (2017). Myles Straw scored on a wild Rays 9, Yankees 1 defend his world title in Jack Flaherty (7-0) struck out pitch with two outs in the 11th Tigers 4, Royals 3 September.

Denver Nuggets centre JaVale Mickelson accepts special McGee dunks the ball against exemption to play in US Open the Minnesota Timberwolves during the REUTERS – SAN DIEGO San Diego native. “You can’t win if you don’t second play. I’m honoured and appreciative of the quarter at Phil Mickelson said yesterday he accepted USGA for the opportunity and look forward Target a special exemption from the United States to playing in my hometown on a golf course Center on Golf Association (USGA) to play in next I grew up on.” Thursday. month’s US Open, the only major tour- The 50-year-old Mickelson, who has nament he has not won. 10 top-10 US Open finishes, was the first- Mickelson, a runner-up at the US Open round leader last week at Quail Hollow but a record six times, will be making his 30th ultimately fell apart an finished in 69th appearance in the national championship place. which this year will be played June 17-20 Mickelson counts five major champion- at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California. ships among his 44 wins on the PGA Tour “Winning the US Open has been a and is trying to become only the sixth man lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come to complete the career grand slam by close so many times,” said Mickelson, a winning each of golf’s four majors.