CRICKET| Page 3 MMLB|LB Page 4 Bangladesh Yankees To Advertise here land Courtney rally behind Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Walsh as bullpen to bowling coach defeat Royals

Friday, September 2, 2016 FOOTBALL Dhul Qa’da 30, 1437 AH Swiss probe GULF TIMES Beckenbauer over World Cup bid SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL/ WORLD CUP QUALIFYING CALAMITY Own goal spells Injury-time goals give doom for China

AFP Iran dramatic victory Ghoochannejhad capitalised on a horrendous mistake by Qatar goalkeeper Amine Lacomte to give the home side heng Zhi’s early own goal ultimately condemned the lead four minutes into injury-time before Jahanbaksh put the result beyond doubt with a fine long-range strike China to a 3-2 defeat to South Korea yesterday de- spiteZ a spirited fi ght-back in their Agencies 2018 World Cup qualifi er. Tehran China’s talisman became their fall-guy as he inadvertently bun- dled Son Heung-Min’s free kick njury time goals from Reza into his own net on 20 minutes at Ghoochannejhad and Ali- . reza Jahanbaksh secured a Lee Chung-Yong and Koo Ja- dramatic 2-0 win for three- Cheol both scored to pile on the Itime FIFA World Cup qualifi ers pain for China but the visitors Iran over Qatar at the Azadi Sta- nearly hauled their way back into dium yesterday as Carlos Quei- it following late strikes from Yu roz’s side made a winning start Hai and Hao Junmin. However, in their attempt to advance to a precious equaliser eluded Gao Russia 2018. Hongbo’s men and they start with Substitute Reza Ghoochan- a defeat as they embark on the nejhad capitalised on a hor- year-long fi nal round of qualifying rendous mistake by Qatar goal- for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. keeper Amine Lacomte to give After Zheng’s own goal, it the home side the lead four wasn’t until the 62nd minute that minutes into injury time be- Lee climbed to head South Korea’s fore Jahanbaksh put the result second, before Koo slotted their beyond doubt with a fi ne long- third four minutes later. range strike. Yu’s blistering fi nish pulled Iran controlled much of the one back for China and when Hao opening proceedings, but it was curled in a textbook free kick with the Qataris who fashioned out the 14 minutes on the clock, South Ko- better of the goal-scoring oppor- rean nerves were jangling. tunities in the fi rst 20 minutes. Son, fi ghting for his place at Sebastian Soria’s attempt from English club Tottenham Hotspur, the tightest of angles in the 12th was in the thick of it in the early minute did little to trouble Alireza exchanges and he shot wide on 18 Beiranvand in the Iran goal. minutes.Two minutes later, Zhang Five minutes later Beiranvand Linpeng was booked for bringing was in action again, this time down Oh Jae-Suk just outside the dropping to his left to keep out box. From Son’s free kick, Ji Dong- Hassan Al Haydos’ relatively Won’s glancing header went in off tame eff ort after the Qatari cap- Zheng’s shin.Another Ji header tain had cut inside from the right. nearly doubled South Korea’s lead Soon after the Iranians shortly afterwards, and the un- were turning their dominance marked Lee Chung-Yong then of possession into attempts missed a great chance when he on goal and skied his volley over the bar. should have done better with Meanwhile China were get- his eff ort from outside the area ting little joy and it wasn’t un- rather than dragging his low til the 28th minute that they had shot well wide of the target. Iran’s Mehdi Taremi (C) and Qatar’s fight for the ball during their World Cup 2018 Asian qualifying match at the Azadi stadium in Tehran yesterday. their fi rst clear sight of the Korean Just after the half hour mark, goal, when Wu Lei broke down the Jahanbaksh had the Qatari goal ly disjointed during the second At the other end Boualem minutes remaining. Ansarifard made amends, ted the ball home. right before losing his balance and in his sights after holding off half, with Iranian defender Jalal Khoukhi tried his luck from Saeid Ezatohali made his way however, when Lacomte mis- And with Qatar desperately shooting harmlessly wide. the challenge of a pair of visit- Hosseini going close to open- long range with a looping eff ort to the byline before playing back cued his clearance with only pushing for an equaliser, Iran Their best chance of the fi rst ing midfi elders before taking ing the scoring 17 minutes from that only just bounced past Bei- a cross that cut Lacomte out seconds remaining, the Greece- claimed a second just before the half came when Yu intercepted aim from the edge of the area. time when he met Andranik ranvand’s left post. of the game, but Ansarifard’s based forward collecting the end when Jahanbaksh thumped a pass and released Wu one-on- But, like Dejagah’s eff ort earlier, Teymourian’s corner with a But the best chance of the glancing header was too fi ne ball before laying it into the his shot into the bottom corner one with goalkeeper Jung Sung- he did little to trouble Lacomte. header that went just wide of game was to fall to substitute and the ball fl ew across the face path of Ghoochanejhad, and the from outside the area, giving Ryong, before the forward again The game turned increasing- Lacomte’s goal. Karim Ansarifard with just four of the Qatar goal. Heerenveen man gleefully slot- Lacomte little chance. miscued.

UPSET RALLYING Dakar: Al-Attiyah to Ghost goal haunts Japan in drive Toyota pick up shock defeat to UAE

AFP Vahid Halilhodzic, when asked about the Asano ghost but this time Nishikawa was equal to his fi rst-time Saitama goal. He added that 2-1 was a “horrible result”. shot from close range. “They had many chances, and they two lost goals Japan came out fi ring at the start of the second half after a free kick and a penalty kick that could have been and ’s fi erce shot drew a fi ngertip save apan slammed an “unacceptable” refereeing avoided,” glowered the Bosnian. from UAE ‘keeper Eisa. howler as they crashed 2-1 to the United Arab Japan made the perfect start when Honda, capital- But when Abdelaziz Sanqour was tripped in the Emirates in a woeful start to their World Cup ising on some slack defending, leapt unmarked to head box, Khalil was again the go-to man and he produced qualifying fi nal round yesterday. in a free-kick at the far post on 11 minutes. an exquisite chipped penalty down the centre as JAC Milan’s nodded the hosts in fi red one just wide but the UAE got Nishikawa dived to his right. front in Saitama but UAE grabbed all the points after their chance to draw level when Southampton de- The goal triggered some frenzied action from Japan ’s sumptuous free kick and penalty ei- fender brought down Ali Mabkhout just and they were desperately unlucky when Okazaki’s ther side of half-time. outside the box. header cannoned off the bar just before the hour- Japan should have fi nished the game at 2-2 but Khalil stepped up and his dipping free kick went mark. AFP said on Thursday. The 2011 and 2015 win- the offi cials failed to spot that ’s shot, in off the underside of the crossbar via the gloves of Things got worse for the hosts with Asano’s goal Paris ner of the main car category came second clawed away by , had crossed the line, as goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, who will feel he could that wasn’t and captain remonstrated in 2016 with Toyota and with the same co- shown by TV replays. have done better. with the referee at the fi nal whistle, while UAE players pilot who is scheduled for the upcoming Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim waved away Borussia Dortmund’s had a golden knelt and raised their arms in grateful prayer. wo-time Dakar Rally winner race, Frenchman Matthieu Baumel. Japan’s protests as the Blue Samurai slumped once chance to restore Japan’s lead but with the goalmouth “We had a decent start, but it does not mean any- Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar will Al-Attiyah is a highly experienced rally again to UAE, their conquerors in last year’s Asian Cup begging, he bundled a rebound from a Honda header thing if we lost the game after 90 minutes,” said Hon- race for Toyota in the 2017 edition driver and is hoping to join the world rally quarter-fi nals. wide. da. “We still have more games to play. We will just have in the brand new two-wheel drive circuit with Toyota next season as they “The referee was unacceptable,” fumed Japan coach At the other end, Mabkhout almost put UAE in front to do them right.” HiT Lux Evo pick up, the Japanese carmaker make a return to that discipline in 2017. Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 2, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FAREWELL Emotional fi nale for Swiss investigate Ireland’s Keane Beckenbauer over World Cup bid Robbie Keane acknowledges fans after the game against Oman in The Swiss Attorney General’s off ice (OAG) said the proceedings related to allegations Dublin yesterday. of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation AFP ing in the world and they should Dublin never underestimate it, that’s what I told the players in there. Reuters “It’s something I will never Zurich obbie Keane told his Ire- forget.” land teammates to never Keane admitted his fi rst half underestimate the hon- goal was the perfect ending to an uthorities in Zurich have opened our of playing for their emotional week, a strike, he says, criminal proceedings against countryR after he pulled on the the whole country was willing German soccer great Franz green shirt for the fi nal time. him to score. Beckenbauer and two former The Ireland skipper bowed out “It’s been an incredible week, presidentsA of the country’s football fed- with his 68th international goal with the amount of messages and eration (DFB) in connection with its suc- in his 146th appearance as Oman support from former players and cessful bid for the 2006 World Cup. went down 4-0 in a friendly in- managers from all around the The Swiss Attorney General’s offi ce ternational in Lansdowne Road, world,” he said. (OAG) said the proceedings related to al- Dublin. “All I wanted was to go out and legations of fraud, criminal mismanage- Robbie Brady and Jon Wal- play the game and do well one ment, money laundering and misappro- ters (2) scored the other goals, more time for Ireland and to get priation. as Martin O’Neill’s men gave the the goal topped it all off for me. Raids were carried out simultaneously 36-year-old veteran the perfect “I could sense in the crowd in eight locations yesterday with the co- send off . that they were desperate for me operation of authorities in Germany and Keane’s 30-minute volley to score, and the team and the Austria, the OAG said. drew the Los Angeles Galaxy hit- staff . In all, four members of the 2006 tour- man level with legendary Ger- “I’ve played this game a long nament’s organising committee were man striker Gerd Muller at 14th time and there will always be op- placed under investigation. in the international all-time portunities and I was fortunate They were Beckenbauer — who led goalscoring charts. to have the opportunity. West Germany to World Cup wins as The Dubliner proved he still “I fl icked it over his head as both player and manager — former DFB had the nose for goals, but has no I knew as a defender it’s hard to presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang regrets about calling time on his stop when running that fast. The Niersbach, and former secretary general career. whole country was desperate to Horst Schmidt. The report, published in March, said later reduced to 6.7mn euros. The four named yesterday were among “No, I won’t regret it,” he said, me to get the goal.” Beckenbauer, who could not immedi- that, while there was no evidence of Ger- “It is suspected that the suspects knew six people placed under investigation by “it’s the right time. Will I miss Keane left the fi eld to a stand- ately be reached for comment yesterday, many paying FIFA members in return for that this sum was not being used to fund FIFA’s own ethics committee in March it? Of course I will, having put ing ovation in the 57th minute, a has previously admitted to making mis- votes, payments were made to at least one the gala event, but instead to repay a debt over the award. that green jersey on for that long. moment that appeared to put a takes but has denied wrongdoing. former FIFA offi cial through a web of ac- that was not incurred by the DFB,” said In the cases of Beckenbauer, Zwan- It was a big part of my life but I lump in the throat of the usually Widely regarded as one of the game’s counts involving several other fi rms or the statement. ziger and Schmidt, suspected irregulari- don’t think I will sit back and re- cool Dubliner. fi nest players, he captained the West individuals, including Beckenbauer. It said the suspects may have “wilfully ties included “possible undue payments gret it now. “It was always going to be Germany team that won the 1974 World FIFA has been in turmoil after a wave misled” other members of the commit- and contracts to gain an advantage in the “It’s been a pleasure, a privi- emotional for me and the family, Cup and was coach when they won again of indictments last year of football offi - tee’s executive board “inducing the other 2006 FIFA World Cup host selection and lege and an honour to have something I will never forget and in 1990. cials on corruption-related charges, and committee members to act in a manner the associated funding”. played for Ireland. I appreciate the support and the Now 70, he is also a former member of been forced to investigate how a number that caused DFB a fi nancial loss.” FIFA said this could have breached sev- “Nothing beats putting that fans coming out in their num- world soccer body FIFA’s executive com- of World Cups were awarded, notably the The World Cup aff air, which shocked eral articles of its code of ethics. green jersey on, it’s the best feel- bers,” he said. mittee. 2018 fi nals to Russia and the 2022 tourna- soccer-mad Germany, was triggered by Niersbach was given a one-year ban Earlier this year, Germany’s DFB com- ment to Qatar. the payment from the DFB to FIFA, which from the sport in July after he “failed to missioned a report into alleged irregular- The OAG said its investigations fo- the DFB said last year was the return of a report fi ndings about possible miscon- FOCUS ities over the awarding of the 2006 World cused on the joint fi nancing of a gala, ini- loan via the ruling body from the late Adi- duct” concerning the awarding of the Cup. tially at the cost of 7mn euros ($7.80mn), das chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus. tournament. FIFA pondering HONOUR WC QUALIFYING Kosovo plea for Neuer Luongo, Juric fi re Aussies past Iraq player switch named AFP woodwork with a long-range header, while Perth Iraq’s Ahmed Yasin was unlucky not to win Reuters said its players with Kosovar a penalty when pulled down in the box by Zurich roots had been put in “a very dif- German Brad Smith. fi cult situation” and criticised otshots and The Australians were desperate to start FIFA for failing to clarify the situ- Tomi Juric were both on target as the fi nal stage of qualifying with a win and IFA is still considering a ation. Albania also have players captain Australia overcame a dogged Iraq the longer the match went on, the more request from new mem- with Kosovar roots. outfi t to win 2-0 in their 2018 anxious their fans were getting. bers Kosovo to allow a Kosovo, who declared inde- WorldH Cup qualifi er yesterday. The game suddenly opened up 10 min- number of players to pendence from Serbia in 2008, AFP The home side were strong favourites utes into the second half, with Aaron Mooy Fswitch national teams and repre- said on Wednesday they had Berlin but they didn’t have it all their own way hitting the crossbar and Australian goal- sent them, world soccer’s ruling made requests for nine players to until QPR’s Luongo and FC Luzern striker keeper forced into a save body said yesterday. switch national teams, without ayern Munich goal- Juric scored in a seven-minute, second- from Ali Abbas. Kosovo, who play their fi rst identifying them. keeper Manuel Neuer half burst. The ball went straight down the other competitive international on FIFA does not ordinarily allow was yesterday named as “It was a great way to come back to- end after the Ryan save and Juric inex- Monday when they visit Finland players to switch national teams the new captain of world day,” said Juric, who was recalled by coach plicably missed a peach of a chance from in a World Cup qualifi er, were ac- once they have represented one championsB Germany following Ange Postecoglou after missing Australia’s close range. cepted as members of FIFA and country in a competitive inter- Bastian Schweinsteiger’s inter- friendlies against Greece in June. But just minute later, Luongo eased European football’s governing national. national retirement. “There defi nitely could have been a few Aussie nerves when he got behind the Iraqi body UEFA in May despite fi erce However, the statement said it The German FA (DFB) an- more (goals) on our side, but it is a great re- Milos Degenek of Australia competes for defence and was left with a relatively sim- opposition from Serbia. was not clear whether these rules nounced the news on their offi - sult to start this campaign.” the ball with Faisal of Iraq. ple task to knock in a Juric cross and give FIFA told Reuters that it had were applicable if players wanted cial Twitter account. Although the Australians dominated Australia the lead after 57 minutes. received a “series of requests for to change to a team that had not The 30-year-old Neuer will possession in the fi rst half, the Iraqis were seconds after the start, but his shot was Juric had another shot well blocked in change of associations from the previously been a FIFA member. wear the captain’s armband for organised in defence while occasionally blocked by the hand of goalkeeper Mo- the 64th minute, but he fi nally got his re- Football Federation of Kosovo. “The specifi c circumstances Germany’s opening 2018 World threatening on the counter-attack. hammed Hameed. ward from the resulting corner when he “The various applications are of the matter at hand concerning Cup qualifi er away to Norway in Juric almost opened the scoring just 10 Australia’s Mathew Leckie also hit the scored from close range. currently pending and being in- the admission of a new member Oslo on Sunday. vestigated. As a result we are not to FIFA and players potentially Although head coach Joachim in a position to further comment eligible to play for it appear not to Loew has named Neuer as Sch- BOTTOMLINE on them, nor to give an estima- be conclusively governed (by the weinsteiger’s permanent re- tion of the time line.” statutes),” added soccer’s ruling placement, it will not be the fi rst The Swiss federation (SFV) body. time Germany’s world-class goalkeeper will captain his coun- Luiz tops off billion-pound transfer blitz try. Neuer already has experience Syria World Cup qualifi er moved to Malaysia on the big stage. AFP Europe’s other top divisions in the shade. “I’m delighted to return to Chelsea,” He was captain in fi ve of Ger- London “This is the world we are in in football,” Luiz told the Chelsea website after signing Kuala Lumpur: War-torn home games because of the many’s six matches at June’s former Tottenham midfi elder Jermaine Je- a three-year contract on the last day of the Syria’s World Cup qualifier with conflict in their country, are Euro 2016 which Schweinsteiger nas told the BBC. two-month window. South Korea has been moved among 12 Asian teams vying had started on the bench after avid Luiz made a surprise re- “There is that much money fl ying “We had a fantastic story during my fi rst to Malaysia, the Asian Football for four automatic sports for recovering from a knee injury turn to Chelsea on Wednesday around since the TV deal that clubs can af- time at the club and I want to help the team Confederation said yesterday, the 2018 World Cup in Russia. before the European champi- as English clubs ford to break their transfer records. They and (manager) Antonio Conte achieve a lot after Macau was a late with- A Macau Football Associa- onships.Neuer has worn the Dsplashed out on the fi nal day of a have to keep up. The Premier League is of success.” Chelsea also landed Spanish drawal as host. tion off icial earlier told AFP captain’s armband in a total of record-breaking, billion-pound mid-year where it is at, clubs have to spend money.” left-back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina A breakdown in talks between that they had failed to “reach 14 internationals, starting with transfer window. The big leagues of Italy, Spain, Germa- for a reported £23mn, while their Colom- Syria and Macau threw prepa- consensus” with Syria, without Germany’s 4-2 defeat to Argen- In late deals, Brazil defender Luiz re- ny and France spent far less. Italy’s Serie bian winger Juan Cuadrado left for Juven- rations for Tuesday’s game giving details. tina in Duesseldorf in September turned after two years at Paris Saint-Ger- A, the next biggest spender, parted with tus on a three-year loan. into disarray, with South Korea “Because we could not reach 2014. Lothar Matthaeus, who main, while France midfi elder Moussa Sis- £595mn (700mn euros), according to in- Sissoko, 27, looked poised to join Ever- forced to cancel their book- consensus with Syria, the captained Germany to the 1990 soko left Newcastle United for Tottenham dustry website transfermarkt.com. ton for much of the day, only for Totten- ings for the southern Chinese match will not be held in World Cup title in Italy, says Hotspur. The two moves took spending One benefi ciary of the Premier League’s ham to reportedly pip the Merseyside club territory. Macau,” the Macau off icial Neuer is the right man for the for England’s top fl ight to about £1.17bn fi rst billion-pound spend was shaggy- with a late bid. But an AFC off icial told AFP in said. job. ($1.54bn, 1.38bn euros) — smashing the haired Luiz, 29, who is back just two years He signed a fi ve-year contract and is an e-mail that the match would South Korea open their bid “He has the personality, the record of £870mn for a single transfer after he became the world’s most expen- thought to have cost Spurs around £30mn. be held at the 20,000-seat to reach the World Cup for demeanour and the reputation, window set last year. sive defender with a £50mn move to PSG. Tottenham also signed France under-21 Paroi Stadium in Seremban, the 10th time when they play within the team, to make a really Enriched by a new £5.14bn domestic TV Luiz was tipped to lose his place to com- winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou from south of the Malaysian capital China in Seoul later yesterday. good captain,” said the 55-year- rights deal, 13 of the 20 Premier League patriot Marquinhos at PSG, and has re- Marseille for £11mn, with Cameroon for- of Kuala Lumpur. Iran, Qatar and Uzbekistan are old Matthaeus, Germany’s most clubs broke their transfer records during turned to Stamford Bridge for a reported ward Clinton Njie going the other way on Syria, who are unable to host the other teams in Group A. capped player. the two-month window, in a spree that put fee of around £34mn. a season’s loan. Gulf Times Friday, September 2, 2016 3 CRICKET

FOCUS DEAL Bangladesh land West Indies Walsh Warner criticises as bowling coach

Reuters Dhaka

est Indies fast bowl- Sri Lankan pitches ing great Courtney Walsh has agreed to become Bang- The Bangladesh job will be Wladesh’s bowling coach and the fi rst senior role for Walsh, will begin his three-year role who in the past has managed this week, the country’s cricket the West Indies under-19 side board said yesterday. and been a bowling consultant The 53-year-old Walsh, the for the Jamaica Tallawahs in aft er series victory most successful bowler from the Caribbean Premier League the Caribbean with 519 Test among others. wickets, recently completed Walsh, who played for West ‘It’s hard to gain momentum when the wickets prepared are like this’ his role as a West Indies se- Indies for 17 years and also took lector and his contract with 227 wickets in one-dayers, will Bangladesh runs until the 2019 prepare Bangladesh’s attack for AFP World Cup in England. three 50-over matches against Dambulla, Sri Lanka “Having watched Bangla- Afghanistan at home before desh cricket from afar over the they host a high-profi le series years, they are a seriously tal- against England next month. ustralian skipper Dav- ented bunch of players,” Walsh “We are delighted to have id Warner criticised said in a statement. Courtney in our ranks. preparation of Sri Lan- “Chandika Hathurusinghe He is a role model to millions ka’s pitches following has done a wonderful job thus and his fast bowling knowledge hisA side’s series-clinching one- far as head coach so hopefully I is second to none,” Bangladesh day international victory against can complement his skills and Cricket Board chief executive the hosts, saying his batsmen continue the positive progress.” Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said. were being prevented from scor- “Obviously the West Indies “Bangladesh cricket at ing big totals. is my home but the chance to present is going through the Warner lauded his teammates go in a new direction on the best pace bowling phase in for their six-wicket win against coaching front and with such our history and Courtney’s in- Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI on a talented group, was one I volvement I am sure will take it Wednesday, which handed the couldn’t look past.” to greater heights.” tourists an unassailable 3-1 lead in the fi ve-match series. Australia easily chased down SPOTLIGHT their target of 213 in just 31 overs as Aaron Finch smashed 55 off 19 balls while George Bailey hit an unbeaten 90 after Sri Lanka Hales weighs up struggled to 212 all out in their 50 overs. Warner, whose side suf- fered their fi rst Test whitewash Bangladesh options against the hosts last month, said the sluggish pitches were AFP the centrepiece of a new ODI not ideal for ODI cricket. Nottingham, United Kingdom world record total of 444 for “It’s hard to gain momentum three. when the wickets prepared are “I’m still uncertain as to like this,” Warner, who took over lex Hales has accept- what to do. It’s going to be as captain after the second ODI ed he could be risking some tough decision to make in while Steve Smith is rested, told his England place if he the next week or so.” reporters. pulls out of the forth- Meanwhile Chris Woakes “It’s a little bit disappointing comingA tour of Bangladesh. has joined the likes of Hales, from our point of view because The future of the tour was Jos Buttler and Liam Plunkett it’s not the way we like to play. called into question after an in refusing to commit himself, We like to play an aggressive attack on a Dhaka cafe last at this stage, to the Bangladesh brand of cricket. We like to en- month saw 20 — mostly foreign tour despite the assurances tertain the crowd.” — hostages killed, with the Is- of Australian security expert England recorded the highest lamic State group claiming re- Dickason. ODI score in history on Tuesday — sponsibility. “It’s a tricky one,” he said. 444 for 3 in 50 overs against Paki- However, the England and “We are having all the dis- stan at Trent Bridge — while Aus- Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cussions with Reg, the security tralia and Sri Lanka have struggled said last week that the tour, people, Straussy (ECB director to get past 200 in their series. which includes three one-day and former England captain “When you see games like Australian captain David Warner is dismissed by Sri Lanka’s Sachith Pathirana as Lanka’s wicketkeeper Kusal Perera (L) looks on during the international and two Test Andrew Strauss). the England match last night — fourth ODI at The Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla on Wednesday. (AFP) match fi xtures in October and “I’m sure by the end of the that’s what I love about cricket. November, would go ahead as series everyone will have to I love that kind of atmosphere, planned. The confi rmation fol- have made their minds up — and that’s why as a youngster I lowed a visit to Bangladesh by and I’m in exactly the same went to watch the game.” an ECB delegation, led by their boat.” “But if you come here and Australia to conduct ‘meaty’ review after Sri Lanka flop long-serving security chief Reg Warwickshire all-rounder you play fi ve games like that, on Melbourne: Cricket Australia man Matthew Hayden slammed their batsmen prepare for the Dickason. Woakes, who has been trans- wickets like they have here at the will pore over its high perform- the high performance unit for South Asian nation’s pitches but However, no England player formed this season from bit- moment, it is going to be very, ance systems in a ‘meaty’ having too much power over many appeared clueless when has yet publicly confi rmed part player to an England regu- very tough to draw a big crowd review following the 3-0 test the team and selections. facing veteran left-arm spinner their willingness to tour Bang- lar, added: “You have to respect all the time,” Warner said. series whitewash to Sri Lanka, Hayden claimed head coach Rangana Herath, who took 28 ladesh. the security level that Reg has Australia, ranked number one chief executive James Suther- and selector Darren Lehmann wickets and was named man-of- Meanwhile several British reported back on.” in the 50-over format, fi nally land has said. and the high performance the-series. Cricket Australia also media reports have suggested “It’s a tricky subject. seemed to master the slow Sri Australia lost their world unit headed by former rugby regularly sends ‘A’ and youth that England limited overs People are going there to play Lankan tracks after scraping past number one ranking in Tests international Pat Howard were teams to the subcontinent but captain Eoin Morgan is among cricket, and they want to make the hosts in their fi rst two victo- due to the series defeat and undermining the players’ ability some were failing to adapt, those with ongoing security sure they feel 100%.” ries in Colombo and Dambulla. burnished their reputation as to build a strong culture. Sutherland said. “To be a bona concerns. “I suppose a lot of people Finch, who equalled the home-track bullies after their “The players have got to actu- fide international cricketer in Nottinghamshire opener won’t know they are 100% safe record for the fastest 50 by an batsmen again proved hapless ally wrestle back some of their this day and age you need to be Hales returned to form with an until they get there.” Australian — achieved in 18 balls against spin bowling on turning own power from within rather able to adapt to conditions in England ODI record 171 as Eng- “But that’s up to the individ- — gave the visitors a rocket start. wickets. With a huge challenge than listening to your physios, Australia, conditions in England, land went an unbeatable 3-0 up ual. I’m sure by the end of the “It’s always awesome to have in the subcontinent looming your strength and conditioning conditions in the subcontinent... in their fi ve-match series against series, in a week’s time, every- one of your players go off like against India in less than six said in comments published by coaches, your high perform- wherever you play,” he said. Pakistan at his Trent Bridge one will know and have to make that and for me it is more of a months, Sutherland said prob- Fairfax Media. ance manager and even your “And that adaptability is some- home ground on Tuesday. a decision.” watching tour to be honest,” said ing questions were being asked “I think that’s where the review coach for that matter and actu- thing that needs to be reviewed But while his place in the Following their extraordi- Warner. of the national set-up. gets a little bit more meaty and ally dig in as a group and build because some are adapting and one-day side appears secure, nary batting display at Trent “I’ve been up the other end or “Are some of the fundamental challenging and more funda- the culture,” Hayden, a former some aren’t.” Hales’s grip on a Test spot is far Bridge, England won by 169 in the dugout watching the guys things that we are doing to mental, going right down into team mate of Lehmann, fumed Australia gained some consola- less certain after a run of low runs and paceman Woakes ad- go about it. But it’s fantastic — I prepare our players to perform questioning our high perform- on local radio station Triple M. tion from the Lanka tour on scores. mitted to mixed feelings as he love that Finch comes out and well and be highly competitive ance systems as well.” Australia hired Sri Lanka spin Wednesday, with the one-day side “If you choose not to go to watched Hales, ably supported plays his game.” in subcontinental conditions Sutherland’s comments come great Muttiah Muralitharan as winning the 4th match to take an Bangladesh you’re risking your by Joe Root, Buttler and Mor- “That’s how we play. That’s passing the test?” Sutherland days after former Australia bats- a coaching consultant to help unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. spot, particularly me,” said gan play a “special” innings in the Australian way,” said Warner. Hales after a century that was Nottingham.

ANNOUNCEMENT Sarfraz to lead Pakistan against England in T20

AFP him out this time. mid-way in the ongoing one-day series Karachi Opener Ahmed Shahzad and middle- against England suff ering from a knee in- order batsman Umar Akmal — part of the jury. team in the World Twenty20 — were also There was a recall for left-arm pace- akistan yesterday announced a 13- not selected. Chief selector Inzamam- man Sohail Tanveer who last played a man squad for the only Twenty20 ul-Haq said Afridi will be selected in the Twenty20 against England in November against England to be played at future if he performs better in domestic last year. Old Traff ord on Wednesday. matches. The 21-year-old all-rounder Amad Butt PSarfraz Ahmed will lead the team, “I said this before that since there is is the only uncapped player in the side. while former captain Shahid Afridi has not only one match we will not consider Af- Pakistan were playing the fourth one- been included as Pakistan looks to bring in ridi, but once he gives a performance at a day against England in Leeds, having lost fl esh blood. domestic level he will be given a chance,” the fi rst three matches. They also drew a Afridi led Pakistan in the World Twen- Inzamam told AFP. four-match Test series 2-2 last month on ty20 held in India in March-April this year “If Ahmed and Umar improve their dis- this same tour. but stopped short of announcing retire- cipline and performances they will also be ment after the team exited in the group considered for selection but since we have Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Khalid stages. only one match on this tour we have tried Latif, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Mo- He featured in the Twenty20 tourna- to build the team for the future,” said In- hamed Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohamed ment in England for Hampshire county zamam. Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Mohamed Amir, Wa- but failed to give a performance of any Another opener Mohamed Hafeez was hab Riaz, Mohamed Irfan, Sohail Tanveer, note which forced the selectors to leave also not selected after he returned home Amad Butt. Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 2, 2016 SPORT

MLB Cowboys’ Romo could be out closer to 8-10 weeks Tony Romo will be on the Cowboys 53-man roster this Yankees rally behind weekend. That doesn’t mean he’ll be there after Labor Day. Club off icials continue to wrestle with Romo’s status. Multiple sources say the time frame to return from his L1 compression fracture is pre- bullpen to defeat Royals cariously close to the length of time he’d be sidelined if placed on injured reserve/ ‘We went through the trade deadline and I still felt we could win in here and these guys are showing it’ designated for return. Romo will undergo another MRI this weekend, nine to 10 days By Erik Boland after the initial injury. Those Newsday results will dictate whether the Cowboys carry him on the active roster or place him on he New York Yankees injured reserve, meaning the got one they absolutely earliest he could return would had to have. be Nov. 6 against Cleveland. Rallying from an ear- This means the six-to-10 week Tly four-run defi cit Wednesday time frame that surfaced in night, then getting stellar work initial reports is more of an from their taxed bullpen, they eight-to-10 week window. pushed one across in the 13th “We’re certainly getting our inning to take a 5-4 victory over hands around it,” executive the Kansas City Royals in front vice president Stephen Jones of 22,615 at Kauff man Stadium. said. “We need to make that The Yankees (69-63) are two decision obviously sometime games behind the Baltimore later in the weekend. Orioles and Detroit Tigers, who “Whatever we do with him he are tied for the second AL wild- needs to be on our 53 when card spot. we cut. You’ve got to have him The Bombers, after a day off through the 53-cut before you Thursday, start a three-game put him on designated return, series against the Orioles in if we wanted to consider that. Baltimore today. But it may be we keep him on The Royals (69-64), who had the roster. won 18 of their last 23 coming “We’ll just see.” in, fell a half-game behind the The Cowboys have a bye in Yankees. Week 7 before returning to Royals righty reliever Chris play Philadelphia on Oct. 30. Young, who allowed four runs If Romo can’t play before the Monday night and did not retire bye, how much sense does a batter, brought that level of it make to carry him on the execution into Wednesday. active roster for the first six He escaped a bases-loaded, weeks of the season? That one-out jam in the 12th but was would allow him to return just not as fortunate in the 13th. one game before he would if Didi Gregorius opened the placed on injured reserve. latter inning with an infi eld sin- This is the dilemma the club gle and Starlin Castro, who hit faces. If the Cowboys aren’t a two-run homer in the sixth, convinced Romo can return doubled. Oct. 9 against Cincinnati or In came lefty Matt Strahm, that next week against Green the Royals’ seventh reliever, to Bay it will be diff icult to justify face Brian McCann, whose sac- carrying him on the active ros- rifi ce fl y made it 5-4. ter. “He’s very driven, driven to Dellin Betances, who worked New York Yankees batter Brian McCann hits a sacrifice fly to drive in the go ahead run against the Kansas City Royals during the thirteenth inning at Kauff man Stadium. The do what it takes to get back,” two scoreless innings in Tues- Yankees won 5-4. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Jones said. “We’ve really done day night’s 5-4 victory in 10 in- a lot of research on this. I think nings, walked Cheslor Cuthbert Headley, and rightfi elder Paulo Shreve. - Castro’s two-run homer made Orlando to take second. Cessa RESULTS this was s a freak accident. to start the bottom of the 13th, Orlando’s throw home sailed Righthander Luis Cessa was it 4-3 - and one in the seventh fell behind Alcides Escobar Detroit 3 Chicago White Sox 2 “It’s unfortunate for Tony to but got a double play off the bat high, allowing Gardner to go to so-so in his third big-league on an Ellsbury sacrifi ce fl y. 3-and-1 before grooving a fast- Boston 8 Tampa Bay 6 have some of these things, of Eric Hosmer and a fl y out second. start. The rookie allowed four In the bottom of the fi rst, ball the shortstop lined to left Texas 14 Seattle 1 but I think the last thing in the from Kendrys Morales to end it Jacoby Ellsbury, who had four runs (three earned) and six hits with a runner on, Morales for an RBI double that made it Houston 4 Oakland 3 world we’re worried about for his seventh save. hits Tuesday and one Wednes- over six innings. Two of the hits smoked a hanging fi rst-pitch 3-0. Colorado 7 LA Dodgers 0 with Tony is being fragile. He The righthander was the day, was intentionally walked to were homers, a two-run job by curveball to dead center for his Hosmer led off the fourth San Francisco 4 Arizona 2 is undeterred and he really Yankees’ sixth reliever of the load the bases for Gary Sanchez. Morales and a solo shot by Hos- 22nd homer of the season, mak- with an opposite-fi eld shot that LA Angels 3 Cincinnati 0 believes this team does have a night. The group combined to The rookie, 1-for-4 with a dou- mer. ing it 2-0 and giving the DH a just cleared the leftfi eld wall, Toronto 5 Baltimore 3 diff erent sort of mindset with throw seven scoreless innings ble and walk to that point, lined Royals starter Ian Kennedy, team-best 63 RBI. his 19th homer of the season Washington 2 Philadelphia 1 him not being here and that and did not allow a hit. out to third. Mark Teixeira got who came in 9-9 with a 3.57 The Royals added an un- making it 4-0. NY Mets 5 Miami 2 we can win games and when In the 12th against Young, ahead 3-and-0 before ground- ERA, including 3-0 with a 1.14 earned run in the second. After “We went through the trade Cleveland 8 Minnesota 4 he does get back we’re ready Chase Headley got ahead ing to short on a 3-and-1 pitch. ERA in his previous six starts, Cessa struck out Alex Gordon to deadline and I still felt we could Atlanta 8 San Diego 1 to make a run. 3-and-1 before singling to Rookie Ben Heller pitched pitched fi ve shutout innings be- start the inning, Paulo Orlando win in here and these guys are Chicago Cubs 6 Pittsburgh 5 “When Tony gets back the right. Young struck out Aaron a 1-2-3 bottom of the 12th. He fore losing his command. sent a grounder to third. Chase showing it,’’ Yankees manager Milwaukee 3 St. Louis 1 team will be ready for him.” Judge but Brett Gardner sin- was preceded to the mound The former Yankee could not Headley came in but missed Joe Girardi said. LA Dodgers 10 Colorado 8 The Dallas Morning News gled to right. Third base coach by Blake Parker, Adam War- hold the 4-0 lead he was given, on his scoop attempt, the ball “There’s a toughness in there NY Yankees 5 Kansas City 4 Joe Espada chose not to send ren, Tommy Layne and Chasen allowing three runs in the sixth trickling into left and allowing and these guys really want it.’’ (13 innings)

NBA Looking forward to seeing Bosh in camp: Arison

By Ira Winderman comeback during the postsea- Monday posts with Tuesday post Sun Sentinel son. of a workout in California along- Bosh had been largely silent side former Heat guard Dwyane on the subject of a return until Wade, who worked out Wednes- eightened speculation Monday, when he off ered a so- day there with former Heat about another impasse cial-media video statement of, teammate LeBron James. between forward Chris “I know I’ve been gone for a mo- Bosh remains the lone player Bosh and the Miami ment, but now I’m back. yet to join in ongoing workouts HeatH that had been fuelled by Everybody is always asking me at AmericanAirlines Arena other social media may have been am I hooping? Yes, I’m hooping. than point guard Goran Dragic, quelled Wednesday by the same Absolutely. I’m a hooper.” who is competing with the Slov- medium. It appeared tensions regarding enian national team in qualifying Two days after Bosh posted the subject had been heightened for the 2017 EuroCup. videos of his return to the prac- when Bosh’s wife, Adrienne, Dragic on Wednesday scored tice court in the wake of the later posted on Instagram, “I’ve 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting blood clots that had sidelined been watching my husband for with eight assists in a 106-66 him for the second half of the over a month working day in and victory over Kosovo. past two seasons, Heat owner day out and happy to see him giv- The Heat previously had indi- Micky Arison took the Twitter ing a glimpse of that hard work to cated concern about Bosh either on Wednesday with a message of the world on his Snapchat.” playing while on blood thinners, his own. or the All-Star forward moving In response to the video Bosh Dragic on Wednesday off anti-clotting medication to had posted of his ballhandling scored 22 points on 10-of-11 return to the court. drilling, Arison replied, “Look- shooting with eight assists The NBA serves a consulting ing good CB @chrisbosh look in a 106-66 victory over role within the league’s concus- forward to seeing in camp.” Kosovo sion policy, with the uniqueness It is the fi rst time anyone in- of the Bosh case likely to eventu- volved with the franchise has Her post concluded with, “A ally lend itself to league inspec- addressed Bosh’s participation lot of people ‘say the right things’ tion as well, regardless of the in training camp, amid concerns but very few follow through in Heat either signing off on a Bosh about Bosh treatment regimen their ‘actions’.Looking forward return or expressing reservations potentially precluding a report to seeing his ‘actions’ on a court regarding Bosh. to contact sport. this season.” “This is going to come to a Arison ended his tweet with a Earlier Wednesday, multiple head at some point,” a party fa- basketball emoji. parties familiar with the process miliar with the situation said of The Heat open training camp told the Sun Sentinel that they league involvement, prior to Ari- September 27, with those ses- expect the NBA to have input on son’s Twitter post. sions expected to be in the Baha- any approach regarding Bosh go- The National Basketball Play- mas. All players are required to ing forward. ers Association was poised to pass physicals in advance. A return by Bosh would have become involved in the situation Bosh has not been on the court implications beyond his medical on behalf of Bosh during last sea- for the Heat since Feb. status, including an impact on son’s playoff s before the Heat and 9, reaching an agreement with the Heat’s salary cap and possi- Bosh issued a joint statement of Arison and the team during the ble salary-cap relief. the parties planning to work to- 2016 playoff s to bypass a desired Bosh followed his multiple ward an eventual resolution. Gulf Times Friday, September 2, 2016 5 SPORT

RUGBY Cuban discus thrower Barrios stripped of Beijing silver medal Cuba’s Yarelys Barrios has been stripped of the silver medal she won in the discus at the Beijing Olympics after failing a doping re-test, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. Jones aims to beat The IOC also said that Qatari sprinter Samuel Adelebari Fran- cis had also failed a re-test and had been disqualified from the men’s 100 metres in which he finished 16th. Barrios and Francis were among 98 athletes who have tested positive in reanalysis of samples from both the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Olympics. The IOC ordered samples from the two Games to be re-tested using new techniques not available at the time of the competi- down Bok ‘bullies’ tions in attempt to root out cheating. Six athletes, including three Russian medallists, were disquali- fied on Wednesday from their events at the Beijing Games. Barrios tested positive for the prohibited substance, acetazola- mide, a diuretic and masking agent, the IOC said. It said that the 33-year-old “has the silver medal, the diploma, and the medallist pin obtained in the discus throw event with- drawn and is ordered to return these”. on road to 2019 It also added the governing body of athletics, the IAAF, to modify the results of the event and “to consider any further action within its own competence”. ‘We will certainly pick our strongest team for South Africa and take it from there’ Francis tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, the IOC said. He was also entered for the 200 metres but did not start. London Reuters Pressure on Kenyan Olympic chief to resign Kenya’s Olympic chief Kipchoge Keino is under pressure to ngland coach Eddie resign after four of his deputies were accused of mismanage- Jones has said the side’s ment of the Kenyan team’s visit to the Rio Olympics. main task in the Autumn Three of the off icials, including secretary general Francis Paul internationals will be to and treasurer Fridah Shiroya, appeared in court this week takeE down South Africa’s ‘bul- while Team Kenya head Stephen Soi is yet to be formally to be lies’ as he aims to build on his charged. successful start in the role with According to police, the investigations are ongoing into theft of a fi rst win over the Springboks team uniforms, abuse of off ice and neglect of off icial duties. since 2006. Keino, 76, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a board The Six Nations champions member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not will go into the four home tests himself been implicated in the investigations that follow the brimming with confi dence on shambolic handling of Kenya’s Olympics. the back of a nine-match win- He has so far ignored a police summons to provide his account ning streak, including a 3-0 of the controversial events. whitewash of the Wallabies in “Kip Keino might not be privy to the bad dealings within the Australia, since Jones took over National Olympic Committee of Kenya but he allowed himself after a dismal 2015 World Cup to be surrounded by people who have used the off ice to enrich campaign. themselves,” a long-serving staff member told AFP. However, Jones is fully aware “It is a case of one bad apple spoiling the whole barrel, and that England need to improve the chairman has no options but to step down,” said the physically if they want to match source.“Things are very bad here.” the very best teams in the world Last week Kenya’s sports minister Hassan Wario disbanded the and is keen to fi rst bring an National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and named an end to their poor recent record interim committee to function in its place. against South Africa. NOCK off ices were shut by police. “We haven’t beaten them The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed dis- since (2006) and you know what satisfaction at what it terms “government interference”. they are like, they’re bullies, so that is a task for our fi rst 23-man squad,” Jones told BT Sport of Douglas says he wasn’t eye-gouged by All Black the November 12 encounter at Twickenham. Australian lock Kane Douglas yesterday dismissed claims All “We have got 36 tests up to the Blacks prop Owen Franks eye-gouged him during last weekend’s 2019 Rugby World Cup so there fiery Bledisloe Cup clash in Wellington. is a purpose for every test.” Douglas sought to play down the incident, which has revived “We will certainly pick our accusations that disciplinary off icials go easy on the All Blacks, strongest team for South Africa most notably from Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll. and take it from there.” Douglas said he did not believe Franks’ actions amounted to eye- England, who also host Fiji, gouging. “I didn’t think of it like that,” he told Brisbane’s Courier Argentina and Australia after the South Africa skipper Strauss to quit at end of year Mail newspaper. Springboks, are currently sec- “It was an All Black trying to stop me driving through the maul, ond in the world rankings behind South Africa captain Adriaan Strauss has “I’ve always accepted the pressure and the “He is a magnificent servant of the game arms everywhere and everything happening in a few seconds.” an all-conquering New Zealand announced he will quit international rugby challenge of playing for and captaining the in South Africa and doesn’t always get the “I’ve got no issue at all but obviously you want to be protecting side. at the end of the 2016 season. Springboks. credit he deserves. the eyes of players.” “If we want to be the best side The Springbok hooker took over the I feel it’s the right time to let my team mates At a time when most players of his genera- Wallabies coach Michael Cheika raised the allegation immedi- in the world we need to get a lot captaincy of the side this year, but says he and our supporters know of the decision I tion decided to move abroad, Adriaan chose ately after his side’s 29-9 loss, pointing to video footage showing fi tter than we are at the moment. informed new coach Allister Coetzee of his made, with a greater plan in mind.” to remain here, ploughing back into the Franks’ hand move across Douglas’s face. The great thing for us is that plan to retire before being handed the role. Coetzee hinted that Strauss’s appointment game.” Cheika was angry French referee Romain Poite took no action, we haven’t even touched on it “The plan was for me to serve and lead as the Boks’ 57th Test captain was always a Strauss, who has 59 Test caps, led the Boks despite having a clear view of the incident. yet,” the 56-year-old Australian a team in transition as well as I can and short-term move. in a fortituous 2-1 home series win over But the Rugby Championship controlling body, SANZAAR, backed added. take things week by week, but back then I “I’ve known since day one that Adriaan was an injury-depleted Ireland in June and the Poite, saying there would be no citings from the match. “We have another 6 or 7% already told him that I was thinking of retir- planning to retire at the end of 2016, but he home victory and away loss to Argentina in Douglas said the footage made Franks’ actions look worse that improvement at least, which ing at the end of the season,” Strauss said in is a vital component in our team and his role The Rugby Championship last month. they were. is so exciting because over the a statement from the South African Rugby has been part of our succession planning in The Boks’ next fixture is against Australia in “I probably didn’t realise how bad it looked until after the game next three years, we can build on Union yesterday. any case,” he said. Brisbane on September 10. (when watching replays),” he said. that.”

SPOTLIGHT Japanese probe fi nds no bribery in Tokyo bid

AFP for consulting services related to Tokyo the bid. “What was most impor- tant for the team was to probe formal investigation whether the bid committee in found no evidence of fact bribed someone,” Yoshihisa bribery by Japanese of- Hayakawa, the lawyer who led fi cials yesterday after the investigation, told reporters. probingA a $2mn payment made “We think the investigation during Tokyo’s successful bid to cleared the group of any suspi- host the 2020 Olympics. cion in this regard.” French prosecutors said in But Hayakawa stressed the May that they were investigat- probe’s limitations and its in- ing the 2.8mn Singapore dollar ability to interview key people — (1.8mn euros, $2mn) payment such as the Diacks and the head to a Singapore-based consul- of the now defunct consulting tancy. company. Shortly after, the Japanese Olympic Committee set up an Japan beat Istanbul and investigative panel of three law- Madrid in the race to host yers to look into the payment, the Summer Games in the which has been linked to a son vote held in 2013 of disgraced ex-world athletics chief Lamine Diack. “As a team without authority Diack, whose son Papa Mas- for compulsory investigation, sata Diack has denied receiving we have done all we can within the money, was an Internation- our ability,” he said. al Olympic Committee (IOC) The money was sent in two member at the time. tranches to the now-defunct, “The investigation concludes Singapore-based Black Tidings that (the bid committee’s deals) company, either side of the In- are not in violation of any of the ternational Olympic Committee laws of Japan,” the panel’s report vote which awarded Tokyo the said. 2020 Games. “In addition, the investigation Japan beat Istanbul and Ma- team concludes that it does not drid in the race to host the Sum- form any crime under the penal mer Games in the vote held in code of France, and furthermore, 2013. that no violation of the IOC code Black Tidings was headed by of ethics can be found.” consultant Ian Tan Tong Han, Japanese offi cials have con- an associate of Papa Massata sistently denied wrongdoing and Diack since the 2008 Beijing Yoshihisa Hayakawa (R), a leader of the investigation team, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo yesterday. A formal investigation found no evidence of bribery by Japanese have said that the payment was Olympics. off icials after probing a $2mn payment made during Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 2, 2016 SPORT

FORMULA 1 FOCUS Massa to retire Hamilton targets at end of season more Monza glory to aid title push ‘I had a perfect weekend last year and if I can repeat that it will be amazing’

AFP (FIA) because they believe he is a star Monza, Italy attraction. “The issue is the FIA, because it looks like he’s got protection,” said efending world champion Villeneuve. “They want him to be a Lewis Hamilton heads to this star.” weekend’s Italian Grand Prix He added: “It’s something that knowing that a hat-trick of makes me angry, but that’s just the successiveD wins at Monza will put him way it is. Twenty years ago someone in charge of the title race after one of would have put him in a tree.” the most rollercoaster seasons of his Renault driver Kevin Magnussen career. has been given the green light to race The Briton has a nine-point lead in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix after ahead of Mercedes team-mate Nico passing a fi tness check at Monza, his Rosberg ahead of the fi nal race of the team said yesterday. Renault said on European season, leaving seven over- Twitter that the Dane, who bruised his seas contests remaining. left ankle in a big crash in Belgium last “The result in Spa, at the Belgian weekend, was “all clear to race”. Grand Prix, was as good as damage limitation can be, for me — a fantastic FUTURE OF ITALIAN RACE SET TO result for me and for the team,” said BE SETTLED Hamilton. After months of doubt, the future of “Now we go to Monza, a track I the Italian Grand Prix is expected to be AFP side Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. know well from so many racing cat- resolved this weekend with Formula Monza, Italy “Ten years on from that day, and in egories in my career and one that is One’s commercial ring-master Bernie the same paddock, I decided to an- impossible not to love. I had a perfect Ecclestone signing a deal to keep the nounce my decision,” he said. weekend last year and I know if I can event at its long-time home Monza. razilian Formula One driver repeat that it will be amazing. The head of the Italian motor- Felipe Massa announced yes- ‘TRUE GENTLEMAN’ “With all my penalties out of the sport federation (ACI), Angelo Sticchi terday he will retire at the end Massa recovered from a serious head way now, and fresh engines ready to Damiani, told reporters at Monza that of the 2016 season. injury in 2009 when he was hit by a use, it’s game on for me!” a 68mn euros ($75.7mn) agreement BThe 35-year-old, who began his spring during the Hungarian Grand Hamilton, who was 43 points be- has been provisionally agreed keeping Grand Prix career in 2002, confi rmed Prix. hind after fi ve races, knows he will face the race at Monza for three more years his long-expected departure during a He said he felt that his world title a tough challenge from not only Ros- from 2017 to 2019. news conference ahead of this week- near-miss in 2008 was more due to berg, but also Ferrari on their home He said that he hoped fi nal details end’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. events at the ‘crash-gate’ Singapore turf as they seek to end a run of disap- will be agreed during this weekend’s “I’m more nervous now than for Grand Prix than anything else. pointing results in front of the ‘tifosi’. Italian Grand Prix with a formal an- all my race starts,” said Massa, who “Without that, I probably would “I’m enjoying this battle and we’ve nouncement confi rming the deal. missed out on the championship to have won the world championship,” he got several cars in the mix,” said Ros- Sticchi Damiani said that the local Britain’s Lewis Hamilton by one point said. “I know that I didn’t make it for berg. “For me, it is one at a time and Lombardy Region had agreed to con- in 2008 at the fi nal race of the season in reasons that are not related to a driver every race is like a cup fi nal. It’s great tribute around 15mn euros ($16.7mn) his native Brazil. error or a team problem. So it is more to know I have the team and the car to to ensure the deal went through. “After 27 years of my racing career, diffi cult to accept.” go out and lay it on the line.” Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing third in “There are those who expected a since I started karting and with 15 years Massa added he was proud to have Beyond the intra-team scrap for the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Sunday. (AFP) longer period, but if the system will in F1, this will be my last season in F1. fi nished his career with Williams. glory at Mercedes, it will be Ferrari at- work then a further renewal will not “Life gives us so many choices. I think “I’m so proud to have been part of tracting most attention as team chief moving on. reckless. be a problem,” he said. for me it has got to the time where I have this team,” he said. “Williams had a Maurizio Arrivabene looks for a result “For us, there are some positives “Look, I think it was fi rm,” said “But there is another aspect — we to go and do something diff erent.” diffi cult moment and then we managed that will support his opinion that the from Spa,” said Arrivabene. “What Horner. “It was on the edge. He got know that Europe has so many organ- Massa started his career with Sauber to get amazing results in the last two scarlet Scuderia have made progress is encouraging is, after the accident, away with it and the stewards were isers in crisis, while some destinations before moving to Ferrari in 2006 and championships.” and are ready to challenge for a win. both cars were really damaged, on the happy with it. If there had been an such as Turkey, Korea and India were then Williams. Deputy team principal Claire Wil- fl oor and other parts, yet the perform- issue, or it contravened any rules, I short-lived. He is in his third year with Williams, liams was quick to pay tribute to the ‘ON THE EDGE’ ance they showed was quite good. think Danny Sullivan (race steward) is “We have seen that it is a question having joined the team in 2014, and will departing Massa. The two Ferrari drivers, four-time “Our car was fast and resilient a pretty experienced guy and he would of money, but also of culture. Here in mark his 250th Grand Prix start at his “This is a very sad and emotional champion Sebastian Vettel and Kimi throughout and now we can turn the have called them up. Europe there is the ‘DNA’ of racing. So fi nal race in Abu Dhabi this year. day. For Felipe, I know this was a big Raikkonen, crashed at the fi rst corner page and go to Monza feeling posi- “But when he (Verstappen) looks let’s wait and see what happens.” “Maybe you will see me again at the decision. He was so nervous,” she said. in Belgium, in a controversial collision tive.” back, I am sure he will see it was on the He added that Imola, which had wheel of a race car, but at the moment “He is what we love at Williams: a also involving teenager Max Verstap- As Ferrari prepared for home pres- edge.” been put forward as an alternative the only certainty I have is that I will true gentleman. We were so lucky he pen of Red Bull. sures, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner spoke out after former venue, would have been a sensible al- have a lot of time to decide on what I do joined for 2014. The aftermath of that three-way Horner moved to defend Verstappen world champion Jacques Villeneuve ternative. in the future,” the Brazilian added. “We were a team in dire straights. We shunt is likely to continue to reverber- who, he said, was “on the edge” in had suggested that the Dutchman was “Imola would have been a good fall- Massa, a winner of 11 Grands Prix, needed someone to come and be part of ate at Monza as the drivers and teams his racing in Belgium where both Fer- receiving “protection” from the rul- back solution if we had not arrived at said he chose to make his announce- the team.” try to prove their positions before rari drivers said he was dangerous and ing International Motoring Federation a deal.” ment at Monza because former Ferrari Speculation in the paddock has teammate and seven-time champion linked 2009 world champion Jenson Michael Schumacher had done the Button with a return to Williams, where MOTOGP same in 2006, thus confi rming Massa’s he started his career, next season. He is continued presence with Ferrari along- currently with McLaren Honda. Title hunting Marquez loves Silverstone SPOTLIGHT

AFP son at the Netherlands, Germany and Formula E drivers to Silverstone, United Kingdom the Czech Republic. BARRY SHEENE’S SLIPSTREAM aredevil two-time world One man who doesn’t mind the rain race video gamers in champion and current runa- and who won his fi rst top class GP in way points leader Marc Mar- a downpour at Brono last time out is quez feels the Silverstone chi- Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, who can ex- Las Vegas event canesD and curves can help him distance pect a hero’s welcome at Silverstone. his championship rivals at the British Principally because he is the fi rst Reuters Formula E said competitors will use Moto GP on Sunday. Briton to win a GP since Barry Sheene Monza Playseat simulators with technical sys- What is more, Marquez, on 197 35-years ago, and secondly because of tems provided by Cloud Sport who are points going into the 12th of 18 races, the way he did it, capitalising on his also organising the qualifying races. copes better in the rain than second- choice of hard-option front and rear en video gamers will take on (http://roadtovegas.cloudsport.club/ placed Italian Valentino Rossi on 144 tyres, fi ghting up from 10th on the grid Formula E racing drivers in a index.aspx) or misfi ring champion Jorge Lorenzo for his maiden win. virtual ‘ePrix’ in Las Vegas in “We believe eSports off ers a new on 138. “I took the gamble, nobody else did,” January with $1mn in prize level of fan interaction and participa- “I love this circuit, the fi rst section said Crutchlow, whose rivals had gone Tmoney to be won, organisers of the tion in sport and we want to be at the is slowish but then a series of chicanes for combined-compound strategies. electric series announced yesterday. forefront of this gaming revolution,” can allow a fast man to make the diff er- “As far as I’m concerned, they’re all Alejandro Agag, chief executive of said Agag. ence,” said the 23-year-old, who won wimps, if you choose one you don’t the electric racing series, told Reuters Many sports, including Formula One here in 2014 on the way to his second choose the other.” the 10 members of the public would se- which raced in Las Vegas in the 1980s, straight World title. There have been six diff erent win- cure their places through online quali- are experimenting with virtual reality “And we have been having mixed ners in the last six Grand Prix but the fying races dubbed the ‘Road to Vegas (VR) technology to engage fans and at- weather conditions and coming top three have previous form in Britain. Challenge’. tract new audiences. through that rather well,” added the Marquez and Lorenzo have three All 20 regular drivers will join them Tech giants like Google, Facebook Honda man, who’s big points lead is victories each here while Rossi, who for the virtual race on a specially de- and Samsung are investing heavily in down to his consistency and a more won last year’s race, has two. signed track that will incorporate the VR with some predicting the immer- moderate racing style than in his barn- Rookie Jack Miller, the 21-year-old famed Las Vegas Strip. sive technology will have the same ef- storming past. Australian who made the leap from “The maximum any one person can fect on television as the internet on Dogged defending champion and fel- Moto3 to the top category this season and make is a quarter of a mn dollars,” said newspapers. low Spaniard Lorenzo is giving up noth- won at Assen, has to be considered too. Agag. “And it’s probably quite likely Formula E has also mooted the pos- ing however, despite gaining zero points In Moto2 France’s Johann Zarco is that a gamer wins that.” sibility of a virtual race eventually be- at Catalunya, Brno and Argentina. aiming for a fi fth victory this season Agag said an original plan to off er ing incorporated in the championship “We need to think race by race and and has a lead of 19 points over Alex one $1mn jackpot had been modifi ed to with gamers challenging for points and just try to get the best results day by day,” Rins, who fell at the Dutch GP while broaden out the prize money. prize money. the 2015 champion and Yamaha rider, a Zarco came second. “It’s good to split the prizes quite a “I think this is probably an experi- three-time winner here, insisted. A winner at Silverstone last year, the lot because that motivates the gam- ment,” Agag told Reuters in June when “Silverstone is the next stop so we Frenchman is gunning to become the ers more and we want to maximise the the Vegas event was fi rst outlined. have to push at the maximum. fi rst rider to defend the GP2 world title. participation,” he said. “Depending on how it goes I could “The track is one of my favourite cir- In Moto3 Germany’s Brad Binder is The event will be held at the Man- envisage that some of these virtual rac- cuits in the world, but unfortunately the still riding his early season form with a dalay Bay Hotel as part of a January 5-7 es could give points for a championship weather is always very unpredictable.” lead of 61 points over Spain’s Jorge Na- sport business and innovation summit in the future but not now.” His stablemate Rossi has had night- varro in second, despite going through Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez leads the standings with 197 points, with within the Consumer Electronics Show The third Formula E season starts in mares in the rain three times this sea- the summer season in mediocre form. Movistar Yamaha’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi second with 144 points. (AFP) (CES). Hong Kong in October. Gulf Times Friday, September 2, 2016 7 SPORT

TENNIS / US OPEN CYCLING / VUELTA A ESPANA Harrison goes Keukeleire wins sprint, from sideshow to Quintana headliner with win keeps lead Harrison upsets Raonic to reach third round of a grand slam for the first time AFP Bilbao, Spain

elgium’s Jens Keukeleire won a bunch sprint to clinch the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday as Nairo Quin- tana retained the overall lead. The 193.2km hilly race to Basque city Bilbao allowed Co- Blombian Quintana and second-placed Chris Froome to take a back- seat ahead of Saturday’s trip into the Pyrenees, where they’re likely to resume hostilities. “You don’t get easy days, there haven’t been any and there won’t be any,” said Quintana of Thursday’s stage. With him leading the race, his Movistar team are usually setting tempo in the peloton. “Every day the tempo is very high, we don’t want the usual break- away to gain too much time.” “Today we left other teams to control (the breakway) and we were a little calmer.” “Tomorrow (Friday) we hope it won’t be a big breakaway.” Sky’s Tour de France champion Froome is just 54 seconds back on red jersey holder Quintana in the overall standings, with Alejandro Valverde third at 1:05. While Quintana, who was a disappointing third at July’s Tour, is believed capable of extending his overall lead this weekend, Briton Froome will have a signifi cant edge over the Colombian in the 19th stage 37km individual time trial. The 27-year-old Keukeleire of Orica easily won a dash to the line on Thursday as France’s Maxime Bouet of Etixx came second and Italy’s Fabio Felline of Trek took third. “I suff ered for this win, but I wasn’t the only one out there suff er- ing,” Keukeleire said after his fi rst major Tour stage success. “It’s just a fantastic feeling to win a stage.” Today’s stage is a 213.4km run featuring four small hills as the peloton heads through France before arriving at Urdax Dantxarinea.

Ryan Harrison of the United States celebrates his US Open second round win over Milos Raonic of Canada in New York City on Wednesday. (AFP)

Reuters Except it was not. Harrison providing American teenagers, including Frances In 2012, Harrison’s world ranking peak- New York an unlikely twist when he upset the Cana- Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz and Jared Donaldson ed at number 43 and he appeared ready to dian 6-7(4) 7-5 7-5 6-1 to reach the third sprinkled throughout the US Open draw. break into the upper echelon. round of a grand slam for the fi rst time in Ranked 120 and still without a career title, Instead, his career arc has trended hen the US Open began an unfulfi lled career. Harrison was a forgotten man. mostly downward. He has not been in the Ryan Harrison was one half Raonic, 25, and Harrison, 24, both ar- “I’m still young, I’m 24,” said Harrison, top 100 since 2014 and spent most of his of a Flushing Meadows feel rived on the professional scene around once hailed as the next big thing in US time on the Challenger circuit. good story as he and younger the same time, branded as potential grand tennis. “I’ve got a ways to go, especially But this summer the Texan has found Wbrother Christian become the fi rst sib- slam contenders. with guys playing well into their 30s now. some solid form, reaching the third round lings to come through qualifying into a The towering Canadian has largely lived “It’s mental maturity, a little bit of sta- in Washington and Toronto and qualifi ed grand slam main draw. up to that promise, reaching the fi nals of bilisation with everything around me that for the main draw at Flushing Meadows Christian departed in the opening Wimbledon in July and one of the hot is allowing me to play with a sense of calm winning all three matches. round and according to the rankings and contenders to lift the season’s fi nal grand and also with excitement. “He’s been having sort of a resurgence the script, world number 120 Ryan was slam. “My personality is a very fi ery one. I like of a summer,” said Raonic, who admitted supposed to follow his brother to the Harrison, on the other hand, represents to be really intense when I’m competing. he had followed Harrison’s travails from exit gate on Wednesday after his second- one of the many false dawns of US men’s Flirt with that line of getting so intense afar. round match against fi fth seed Milos tennis which continues to await the next that it’s taking me away from what I was “Hopefully he can make it count fur- Orica Bikeexchange’s Jens Keukeleire leads the pack prior to cross- Raonic. wave of champions. trying to accomplish out there.” ther on through this tournament... but it’s ing the finish line during the 12th stage of Tour of Spain in Bilbao, End of story. There was another crop of promising “It’s kind of a hard balance.” up to him to make it count.” Spain, yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF TARGET IN SIGHT Westwood backs ‘experienced’ Ryder Cup rookies to come good Ariya chasing Ko’s

Reuters London ranking top spot

ee Westwood has advised the AFP grab my other club, I don’t want to keep six rookies in Europe’s Ryder Toronto, Canada the golf ball anymore,” she said. Cup team to brace themselves “I started really scared last year. But for a diffi cult atmosphere in this year to me, I am really happy to Lthe United States but expects the smiling Ariya Jutanugarn play golf right now and really enjoy it. newcomers to draw on their interna- has set her sights on Lydia That’s the main reason (I’m successful) tional experience to fl ourish in Min- Ko’s world number one rank- right now, because I really enjoy play- nesota. ing as the in-form Thai star ing golf.” US Masters champion Danny Wil- chasesA her sixth win of the season at Ariya’s formidable power off the tee lett, Chris Wood, Rafael Cabrera-Bel- the Manulife LPGA Classic, which was means her driver has been an irregular lo, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick, scheduled to start yesterday, in Cam- weapon this season. along with wildcard pick Thomas bridge, Ontario. Last week at the Canadian Pacifi c, Pieters, will all be making their fi rst Ariya, 20, snaffl ed her fi fth title of she did not use it at all, preferring in- Ryder Cup appearances when Europe 2016 last weekend with victory in the stead to opt for a two-iron off the tee. defends the trophy this month. Canadian Pacifi c Women’s Open, ce- But with the course at Whistle Bear “Let’s make no bones about it, I menting her place as world number Golf Club playing longer, Ariya said she think it will be tough. It’s diffi cult to two, just behind New Zealand prodigy plans to use her driver again. be a rookie on home soil when you Ko. “Some courses I can’t hit my driv- have the crowd cheering for you,” Ariya, whose superb season has in- er. But this course, I feel like it’s wide Briton Westwood, making his 10th cluded a maiden major victory at the enough to hit (the) driver,” she said. consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, Women’s British Open as well as an ag- Meanwhile, Ko, who has four wins told British media. onizing near-miss at the ANA Inspira- this year as well as a silver medal at the “But to be a rookie in the States and tion, believes happiness on the course Olympics in August, said she has been be up against it, the crowd as well as has been the secret of her success. impressed by Ariya’s rapid advance. the team, it’s a little extra. But I look “Of course, I want to be number one, “She’s got the confi dence where she at our rookies and I see them not as dominance of the event as they target worked hard over the weekend and but on top of that obviously I really really believes that she can win at any rookies. There’s a lot of experience a ninth win in the last 11 editions. feel like my game is starting to come want to be happy on the course,” Ariya event,” Ko said. there,” the wildcard pick added. “I just can’t wait to get to Minne- together now.” told reporters on Wednesday. “And if I can be that, I think the out- “When you have that kind of confi - “I look at a lot of the players’ char- sota now and go through all the emo- Captain Darren Clarke will look to “As long as I can have fun and enjoy come is going to be great.” dence it’s great because you’re going acters and I think they can take it, they tions and experiences of it all... I’m guide Europe to an unprecedented when I play golf, that’s enough for me. Ariya said learning to smile during out there not thinking about the fear, can take a fi ght and a bit of stick.” just thrilled to be on that team,” Sul- fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory “About being number one, I’m not each round – before every shot and not thinking about what may have Sullivan, who qualifi ed automati- livan said. when the competition starts at Hazel- really worried who I’m going to play, every putt – has liberated her game. been. You’re truly believing in yourself cally for the 12-man team, is confi dent “I’ve had a couple of missed cuts tine National Golf Club on September who I have to beat. The only thing, I “Last year I really strained when I that you can (win) and you can commit he can help Europe continue their in the past couple of weeks but I’ve 30. want to be happy on the course. played golf, when I grab my driver or to these shots,” she added.

Friday, September 2, 2016 GULF TIMES TENNIS

US OPEN FOCUS Nadal rolls into Halep wins under third round under new roof

AFP ence” on the court with the roof New York closed. roof to advance; “With the roof open there is no wind at all, so it’s not a big afael Nadal glided into change. And the roof is so high the third round of the you don’t feel that you are closed. US Open on Wednesday I didn’t feel the change. It’s great. as smoothly as the new It’s an unbelievable, unbelievable roofR over Arthur Ashe stadium court.” slid shut for the fi rst time during One thing Nadal did notice Murray through a match. about the massive stadium was Two-time champion Nadal, the noise of the crowd, which seeded fourth, defeated Italy’s got to French Open champion ‘It was a great experience... I didn’t have to wait for the rain, so that’s a good thing’ Andreas Seppi 6-0, 7-5, 6-1 to Garbine Muguruza in her upset book a meeting with Russian An- loss to unsung Latvian Anastasija drey Kuznetsov for a place in the Sevastova. round of 16. “That surprised me,” Nadal The new $150mn roof was said. “There was a little bit more called into action for the fi rst noise than usual.” time when light rain began fall- He didn’t think it changed ing in the second set. when the roof was closed, but The giant structure took only said he found it “a little bit too a few moments to close before much” at some moments during Nadal and Seppi resumed their the points. match beneath it. “I always love the energy “Play was suspended at and the noise of the New York 10:38pm (0238GMT) and play crowd,” he said. resumed at 10:46 (0246GMT) “It’s just fantastic. I feel very — total suspension of play was 7 close to them because I play with minutes and 22 seconds,” said a a lot of passion, and they give me statement by the US Tennis As- that electricity, that passion.” sociation (USTA). Nevertheless, he’d like to see a “The roof closed in 5 minutes few more rules enforced to keep and 35 seconds. The closing oc- people in their seats during play. curred prior to Nadal serving at “I know it’s so diffi cult because 3-3 in the second set. Nadal won the court is very big,” he said. the fi rst set 6-0. As for his own game, Nadal “Rafael Nadal has the distinc- was encouraged by his perform- tion of hitting the fi rst practice ance, although he said the 6-0 and match ball under a closed fi rst-set score fl attered him. roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium.” “The last forehand of the Nadal was delighted with the match was great,” said Nadal, distinction. who was sidelined after pull- “It’s great to be the fi rst player ing out of the third round of the to play with the roof closed, on French Open with a left wrist in- the competition, because I was jury until the Rio Olympics. the fi rst player to hit in the centre “I hit some good forehands court with the roof closed,” said down the line again. That’s an Nadal, who found “no big diff er- important shot for me.”

Simona Halep of Romania serves against Lucie Safarova Czech Republic during their US Open second round match in New York yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters The roof, which has been a huge source New York of fascination for the Flushing Meadows crowds, was fi rst used on Wednesday when it was put into action in the middle omanian fi fth seed Simona Ha- of Rafael Nadal’s second-round victory lep advanced to the third round over Andreas Seppi. of the US Open with a 6-3 6-4 On a midweek morning session with win over Lucie Safarova yester- the roof closed and a sparse crowd dayR in the fi rst full match played under a sprinkled through the massive stadium, closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Arthur Ashe had a vacuous, sterile at- Wimbledon champion Andy Mur- mosphere. ray defeated tenacious Spaniard Marcel But more importantly, with rain de- Granollers 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 yesterday to laying action on the other courts, play reach the third round. went ahead as scheduled on the main World number two Murray, trying to court where Halep needed 88 minutes to become just the fourth man to reach the dismiss an error-prone Safarova, a two- fi nal of all four Grand Slams in a calen- time grand slam doubles champion, who dar year, next plays either France’s Gilles committed a whopping 44 unforced er- Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory over Andreas Seppi of Italy Simon, the 30th seed, or Italian veteran rors. in their US Open second round match at the USTA Billie Jean King Na- Paolo Lorenzi. Safarova, who last year reached a ca- tional Tennis Center in New York on Wednesday. (AFP) The $150mn retractable roof was in- reer-high number fi ve in the world rank- stalled ahead of this year’s tournament ings, represented a tricky second round and guaranteed there would be at least test for Halep, who wildly fl ailed her rac- SPOTLIGHT some action on a muggy and overcast quet during a fi rst set temper tantrum at Day Four at the year’s fi nal grand slam. 3-3 before going on to break the Czech. “It was a little bit (of an adjustment),” “I lost a little bit the rhythm,” ex- Halep said about playing under the roof. plained Halep. “But in the important Wozniacki digs deep “But I had the chance to warm up in the moments I found the rhythm. I found the morning before the match. way that I have to hit. “I don’t want to say anything bad be- “Always it’s a good match against her. for much-needed win cause it wasn’t bad. Had a nice feeling. Gives me confi dence that I can beat her.” “It was a great experience to be there. Halep will play either Hungary’s Ti- The match could be a meta- I didn’t have to wait for the rain, so that’s mea Babos or Richel Hogenkamp of the Andy Murray hits a return to Marcel Granollers of Spain during their second round match phor for her a 2016 season in a good thing.” Netherlands in the third round. yesterday. (USA TODAY Sports) which she missed three months nursing a right ankle injury. Until arriving at Flushing Meadows she’d endured nothing BOTTOMLINE but disappointment in the year’s Grand Slams, falling in the fi rst round in Australia and at Wimble- Sevastova revels in return with upset of Muguruza don and missing Roland Garros. In characteristically optimis- AFP “It feels great, but it’s still not like I tic fashion, Wozniacki said her New York won the tournament,” she said. “It’s only enforced time off had an upside. the second round. “When you’re home for a big “Now it’s the third round in two days. amount of time you realise that nastasija Sevastova’s deci- Tomorrow I have to play doubles.” life goes on and you kind of get a sion to return to tennis after an With that in mind, Sevastova said, she rhythm at home,” she said. “I was 18-month hiatus paid off hand- would indulge in only moderate celebra- actually enjoying my time, making somely on Wednesday as the tions with her best friend and her mother, AFP the most of the time that I had. LatvianA sent world number three Garbine an English teacher who was due to depart “I haven’t been able to be New York Muguruza packing at the US Open. for home yesterday. home for three months in a row The 26-year-old Sevastova stepped “We’ll maybe go somewhere. They will for the last probably over 10 away from the game in 2013 after battling drink, I will watch,” she said. aroline Wozniacki’s years. So, you know, if I have to injuries. sunny smile has never look at the positive of things, that Since returning in 2015 she has worked LIFE CAN BE FUNNY masked her deep deter- was a positive.” her way up to 48th in the world, reach- Then she’ll turn her attention to third- mination, and the Dane Wozniacki sparked speculation ing two WTA fi nals this year, but she was round opponent Kateryna Bondarenko, hasC needed all of her grit to turn she might be considering her non- taken by surprise when she saw herself another player who stepped away from around the toughest season of tennis options with a “Letter to heading up a night session on the cavern- the game and returned, in her case after her career. My Younger Self” on The Players’ ous Arthur Ashe stadium court. having a child. She’ll be hoping that a 6-4, 6-4 Tribune website last week. “It’s an experience,” she said, and one “Head-to-head is not good,” said Sev- upset of 2004 champion Svetlana “Tennis won’t last for ever, she made the most of, despite the rowdy astova, who has lost all three of her meet- Kuznetsova in the second round Caroline,” she counselled her fans and a top-fl ight opponent who made ings with the Ukrainian. “She’s a tough of the US Open on Wednesday is a 11-year-old self. “Plan for your her Grand Slam breakthrough with a tri- competitor. She hits the ball hard. I have turning point in a 2016 campaign future. Think about what you’d umph at the French Open this year. to play a good game.” marred by injury and a precipitous like to do next and take steps to set “It still hasn’t settled in,” said Sevas- saved three match points before the the world in 2011, but after a series of dis- The down-to-earth attitude doesn’t drop in ranking. yourself up for a successful life af- tova who recorded her fi rst career victory Latvian broke her for the win. piriting back injuries she left the game in preclude a whiff of wonder at where she Wozniacki, a former world ter you play your last pro match.” over a top-fi ve player. “It’s amazing — on Ashe, a night match,” 2013, returning in 2015. fi nds herself. number one, was two breaks down But Wozniacki said Wednes- “I mean, I’m tired mentally and it’s she said. “What’s going to be bigger?” Upon her return she started small, fo- “I was speaking with my boyfriend, at 0-4 in the fi rst set but won 12 of day that she didn’t feel that her late. Normally I go to sleep at this time.” As for the hiccup at the end, Sevastova cusing on ITF events and trying to qualify were were talking like ‘Last year, you were the next 16 games to advance. tennis life was coming to an end. Sevastova recovered an early break to said, “I was shaking a little bit... I had to into the main draws of WTA tournaments. in the quallies of the US Open. You were “At one point, I was thinking “I always had in my head that take the fi rst set, then survived a late bout solve my head, myself, all the thoughts Her runner-up fi nish in Mallorca in so pumped to be in the quallies, to have we’ve being playing for 30 min- I just have to keep working hard of nerves to fi nish off the 7-5, 6-4 victory. — what could be, what could not. I am so June marked her fi rst WTA singles fi nal a chance to be again on that stage. I lost utes. Right now, it’s 4-0 for her, and I’ll come back and hopefully Up 5-1 in the second, she had two happy.” appearance in more than six years — since fi rst round in quallies. This year playing this is not looking good for me. I play strong and play well,” she chances to serve it out but Muguruza Sevastova was ranked as high as 36 in a 2010 title in Portugal. on Ashe — life can be funny sometimes.” just kept fi ghting for every point.” said.