Sport THURSday 26 August 2021 Kane says he will stay at Tottenham It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support I’ve had in the last few weeks. I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and will be 100% focused on helping the team achieve success.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane Sport | 07 : Third Test: England 120 for 0 (Hameed 60*, Burns 52*) lead India 78 (Rohit 19, Anderson 3-6, Overton 3-14) by 42 runs Team Qatar players continue preparations ahead of European qualifiers

Head coach Felix Sanchez gestures during a training session at Team Qatar's camp in Austria as the Asian Champions gear up for the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. In the European qualifying games, the Al Annabi will take on Serbia on September 1 before meeting strong Portugal on September 4. On September 7, Al Annabi will take on Luxembourg. RIGHT: Qatar's Abdelkarim Hassan (centre) and team-mates in action during the training camp. PICS: Twitter/@QFA Infantino asks PL, La Liga to release players for qualifiers Reuters – Zurich and runs for two weeks, with the Premier League resuming on Sept. 11. Ooredoo Cup: QSL holds The English Premier League and Spain’s Many of the best players in the world compete Premier League players would potentially LaLiga should release players for World Cup miss two league matches if they quarantined qualifiers next month to “preserve and protect in leagues in England and Spain, and we on their return. The period would cover three technical meeting ahead sporting integrity”, FIFA President Gianni believe these countries also share the games if the club was involved in the group Infantino said yesterday. responsibility to preserve and protect the stages of European club competitions which of season's kick-off While the Premier League has refused to sporting integrity of competitions around the begin on Sept. 14. release players headed to countries on the world: FIFA President Gianni Infantino The English Football The Peninsula – Doha United Kingdom’s ‘red list’ due to strict quar- League (EFL), which antine rules on their return, La Liga supported governs England’s lower As part of arrangements for the launch of 2021-2022 its clubs in refusing to release players for qual- divisions, also said in a season Ooredoo Cup, the Qatar Stars League (QSL) held ifiers in South America. 13 different clubs were affected, with more statement yesterday that the tournament’s Technical Meeting at its headquarters “I am calling on a show of solidarity from likely to follow when Ecuador and Vene- their clubs had taken a in Al Bidda Tower yesterday. every member association, every league, and zuela announce their squads. “collective decision not The meeting was attended by Ahmed Abdullah Al every club, to do what is both right and fair England’s strict rules would require to release players for Sayed, Head of Football Operations at the QSL, Jassim Al for the global game,” Infantino said in a players to quarantine for 10 days upon their i n t e r n a t i o n a l Hail, representative of the Referees Department of Qatar statement. return to the country, with the matches” in Football Association, and representatives of the partici- “Many of the best players in the world Premier League saying no r e d - l i s t pating clubs. compete in leagues in England and Spain, and exemption had been countries. Matters discussed at the meeting included, organiza- we believe these countries also share the granted by the gov- tional procedures and features of the tournament, held responsibility to preserve and protect the ernment for soccer in a group format from where the top two teams from sporting integrity of competitions around the players. each group qualify for the semi-finals, guidelines and world.” The international FIFA procedures for match-day operations, where emphasis The Premier League said nearly 60 players break in September President was given on the need to adhere to the approved health were set to travel to 26 countries on Britain’s begins after this Gianni protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the “red list” while LaLiga said 25 players from weekend’s matches Infantino determination of kits and jersey colours of each team. Paige wins first gold medal as Tokyo Paralympics kick off AP – TOKYO the Paralympic Village. That brings to three the total of pos- Cyclist Paige Greco of Australia itive tests by athletes in the claimed the first gold medal of Village over the last two days. the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Qatari Over the last three days, winning the 3,000-meter pursuit para-athletes organisers have confirmed yesterday on the velodrome Abdulrahman nine positive tests in the track. Wang Xiaomei of China Abdulqadir Fiqi and Village. The additional was second and bronze went to Sara Hamdi Masoud six, who are not Denise Schindler. with the team officials atheletes, are It was the first of 24 gold prior to the opening described as medals up for grabs yesterday ceremony of the Tokyo “ G a m e s - r e l a t e d as the Paralympics got underway 2020 Paralympic personnel.” in the middle of a pandemic that Games in Tokyo. has seen new cases in Tokyo Abdulrahman will soar since the Olympics opened compete in the men's just over a month ago. shot put - F34 while Medals were also contested Sara takes part in the Paige Greco of on Wednesday in swimming and shot put - F33 event in Australia in action wheelchair fencing. Tokyo. during the Tokyo Greco was born with cer- 2020 Paralympic ebral palsy, which mostly affects Games Women’s the right side of her body. It was “It feels amazing,” Greco gold medal). It’s not really sunk organisers confirmed yesterday C1-3 3000m her first Paralympic Games said. “I still can’t believe it. I keep in yet.” that two more athletes have Individual Pursuit medal. looking down and seeing (the Away from the competition, tested positive for COVID-19 in Final yesterday. Diamond League: Thompson-Herah eyes 100m record REUTERS – LAUSANNE Prefontaine Classic in Eugene whether I could break that record “Elaine is much, much closer “I’ve always said where she ran the second-fastest and I said it was not possible,” than I am,” laughed Fraser-Pryce every time you step out Sprint queen Elaine Thompson- 100m of all time in a blistering Thompson-Herah told a news when asked about the record. on to the track you want Herah says she has set her sights 10.54 seconds. conference yesterday. The 34-year-old Fraser-Pryce to win, that’s the aim on lowering the long-standing It edged her closer to Florence “But for me to run a 10.54 warned her younger rival that when you get out there. record for the women’s 100 Griffith Joyner’s long-deemed- means it is within reach, therefore Thursday’s race was no foregone “To have women you metres, believing it is now within untouchable 10.49 world record it means anything is possible.” conclusion, despite Thompson- know will definitely be reach. set at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials Thompson-Herah will reprise her Herah’s form. setting a fast time adds to The Jamaican won gold in in Indianapolis, which could rivalry with fellow Jamaican “I definitely have not run my the excitement, not only for both the 100m and 200m at the come under further threat when Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whom best race as yet and I’m still the crowd but also for you as Tokyo Games in the last month, the Diamond League circuit con- she beat into second place in working on different phases of an athlete too because it Elaine but made an even bigger tinues in Lausanne today. Tokyo and in Oregon on the races and hopefully I’ll be able raises your game,” she Thompson-Herah statement at the weekend at the “A few years ago I was asked Saturday. to put that together. added. Sport THURSday 26 August 2021 06 England in control as India implode to 78 all out AP – LEEDS England’s James Anderson (centre) celebrates with Scoreboard team-mate Craig Overton after taking the of England ripped through India for 78 - its India’s Virat Kohli (left). India 1st Innings ninth lowest total in - before R. Sharma c Robinson b Overton...... 19 putting on the team’s highest opening KL Rahul c Buttler b Anderson...... 0 stand of the summer to take complete C. Pujara c Buttler b Anderson...... 1 control of the third Test after Day 1 at V. Kohli c Buttler b Anderson...... 7 Headingley. A. Rahane c Buttler b Robinson...... 18 Winning the toss for the first time in R. Pant c Buttler b Robinson...... 2 the last nine Test s against England was R. Jadeja lbw b Curran...... 4 the only thing that went right Wednesday Mohammed Shami c Burns b Overton...... 0 for India Virat Kohli, whose I. Sharma ...... 8 batting line-up collapsed in 40.4 overs J. Bumrah lbw b Curran...... 0 in the face of some high-class seam and Mohammed Siraj c Root b Overton...... 3 swing - led by the enduring Extras (lb11, nb5)...... 16 James Anderson. Total (all out, 40.4 overs, 194 mins)...... 78 The most successful fast bowler in Fall of : 1-1 (Rahul), 2-4 (Pujara), 3-21 Test history got three nicks behind, (Kohli), 4-56 (Rahane), 5-58 (Pant), 6-67 (Ro- including from Kohli, to reduce the hit), 7-67 (Shami), 8-67 (Jadeja), 9-67 (Bumrah), Indians to 21-3 inside 11 overs before a 10-78 (Siraj) lower-order implosion saw four wickets Bowling: Anderson 8-5-6-3; Robinson 10-3- fall in six balls. Both Craig Overton and 16-2 (2nb); Curran 10-2-27-2 (3nb); Moeen 2-0- Sam Curran had hat-trick balls. 4-0; Overton 10.4-5-14-3 It was India’s third lowest Test score England 1st Innings against England and brought back mem- R. Burns not out...... 52 ories of the team’s collapse to an all-time low of 36 all out against Australia in H. Hameed not out...... 60 December. Extras (b4, nb3, w1)...... 8 England’s rejigged opening part- Total (0 wkts, 42 overs, 185 mins)...... 120 nership of Rory Burns (52) and Haseeb To bat: D Malan, J Root, J Bairstow, J Buttler, Hameed (60) took advantage, reaching , S Curran, C Overton, O Robinson, J stumps on 120-0 in a party atmosphere Anderson in Leeds. the riposte ’s side needed as it career Test wickets -- and it was his from No. 3 - brought up his third fifty in Bowling: Ishant 7-0-26-0 (1w, 2nb); Bumrah It was just the fifth time in Test looks to get back into the series from 1-0 early burst that removed KL Rahul (0), five matches. Burns brought up his half- 12-5-19-0; Shami 11-2-39-0; Siraj 7-1-26-0 history that England’s openers overtook down. Cheteshwar Pujara (1) and Kohli (7) which century in the next-to-last over, com- (1nb); Jadeja 5-3-6-0 their opposition’s total score in the first All the more so given Root had been set the tone for a dominant day. pleting an almost perfect day. There was Match position: England lead by 42 runs with innings. forced to go with a pace attack shorn of Things couldn’t have gone much one last ignominy for India, an overthrow all 10 first-innings wickets standing England had a lead of 42 runs. Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, worse for India, which lost Ravindra for one off the final ball while Mohammed Toss: India Coming after a demoralizing loss in and . Jadeja to an apparent knee injury before Siraj appealed, in vain, for an lbw. Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Alex the second Test at Lord’s - England was Overton came in for Wood and had the close. The team’s fielding was also Kohli barely weighed up whether to Wharf (ENG) dismissed for 120 on Day 5 - which figures of 3-14 off 10.4 overs. The poor, summed up by Rohit Sharma letting review, quickly deciding against it and TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG) prompted serious questions about all 39-year-old Anderson’s were even better an edge slip though his grasp at slip and calling his team off the field. It was as if Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) departments of the team, this was just -- 3-6 off eight overs to move onto 629 for four as Haseeb - promoted to opener he couldn’t wait to get off. Archer aims to Shaheen leads Pakistan to return for Windies big win over West Indies Tests after injury

REUTERs – KINGSTON West Indies Reuters – LONDON captain Misbah tests Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi took Kraigg England’s Jofra Archer said he hopes to be fit for 10 wickets in the match as the tourists Brathwaite the Test series against the West Indies in March bowled West Indies out on Monday and after the fast bowler was ruled out of this year’s positive in to win the second Test at Sabina Park Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes due to a and tie the two-match series. skipper recurrence of a stress fracture in his right elbow. Jamaica, Shaheen claimed 4-43 to add to Babar Azam Archer underwent an operation in May to career best figures of 6-51 in the first hold the remove a bone fragment from his elbow and begins 10-day innings as West Indies were dis- winner's missed England’s two-Test series in June against missed for 219 on the last day to give trophy after New Zealand, which they lost 1-0. quarantine Pakistan victory by 109 runs. drawing the The 26-year-old was also ruled out of the The hosts were always up against two-match ongoing five-Test series against India, which AP – ISLAMABAD it after resuming on their overnight Test series. England are trailing 1-0, with the third Test tally of 49-1, 280 runs shy of the starting yesterday. Pakistan cricket team head imposing target of 329, but with sur- "The reason I had an operation in May was coach Misbah-ul-Haq vival more than chasing victory in because I wanted to sort out the problem once (pictured above) tested mind. and for all. I don't want this thing hanging over positive for COVID-19 in But they lost four wickets in the me," Archer told the Daily Mail. Jamaica and won’t join his morning session to slump to 113-5 at Scoreboard "If I do end up with another stress fracture, squad on their flight home as lunch with Hasan Ali ensuring top I may have a different view on things as regards he begins a 10-day quarantine. order batsmen Nkrumah Bonner and Pakistan 1st Innings – 302-9 declared J. da Silva c Faheem Ashraf b Afridi ...... 15 to my future. But for the moment, I'm still only “Misbah was the only Royston Chase both departed West Indies 1st Innings - 150 K. Roach lbw Afridi ...... 7 26 and I think my best years as a Test cricketer Pakistan squad member who cheaply. Pakistan 2nd Innings – 176-6 declared J. Seales not out ...... 0 are ahead of me. failed two pre-departure PCR Home captain Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies 2nd Innings (target 329 – overnight 49-1) Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-5, w-1) ...... 12 "I'm trying to be cautious about when I make tests,” the Pakistan Cricket 17 not out overnight, lost his wicket K. Brathwaite c Fawad Alam b Nauman Ali ...... 39 Total (83.2 overs, all out) ...... 219 my comeback, but I guess K. Powell run out ...... 23 Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Powell), 2-65 (Joseph), 3-69 (Bonner), Board said. in the second over after tea as he cut there's a chance I'll be A. Joseph c wkpr Rizwan b Afridi ...... 17 4-73 (Chase), 5-101 (Blackwood), 6-113 (Brathwaite), 7-159 (May- All other members of the Nauman Ali straight to point to be ready in time for Eng- N. Bonner lbw Hasan Ali ...... 2 ers), 8-199 (Holder), 9-212 (Roach), 10-219 (da Silva) squad was scheduled to leave dismissed for 39. R. Chase c Imran Butt b Hasan Ali ...... 0 Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 14-3-42-0, Shaheen Shah Afridi land's three-Test series yesterday. The PCB said it was A 46-run partnership for the J. Blackwood c wkpr Rizwan b Nauman Ali ...... 25 17.2-5-43-4 (1w), Hasan Ali 14-6-37-2 (1nb), Faheem Ashraf 13- against West Indies in in contact with Cricket West seventh wicket between Jason Holder K. Mayers c wkpr Rizwan b Afridi ...... 32 5-36-0, Nauman Ali 22-7-52-3 (2nb), Fawad Alam 3-1-3-0 the Caribbean in March. Indies and that it confirmed he and Kyle Mayers ended at tea with J. Holder c Fawad Alam b Nauman Ali ...... 47 : Pakistan won by 109 runs But I can't make any “will be shifted to another the Windies only temporarily pro- promises." hotel for a 10-day quarantine longing the inevitable. Barbados-born with a medical specialist Mayers made 32 before departing really hot out there but we delivered for West Indies after losing their pre- Archer has been assigned to look after his and Holder top scored with 47 before together as a team bowling unit,” vious series at home to South Africa plagued by the injury health and wellbeing.” Shaheen wrapped up the tail to Shaheen said at the end of the Test. in June. since early 2020 and Pakistan won the rain-hit ensure success for the visitors as he West Indies battled again with the They beat Pakistan by one wicket it kept him out of Twenty20 series 1-0 and drew was named man of the series. bat but Brathwaite said drawing the in a thrilling first Test , also at Sabina this year's Indian the Test series 1-1. “It was tough because it was series must still be seen as a positive Park, last week. Premier League. Jofra Archer Red Bull's Verstappen fired up for fightback at Spa Reuters – Stavelot, Belgium usually thronging with orange-clad Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps fans, has always been something Max Verstappen will be keen to put on Reuters which 78 have been with Mercedes, from 277 of a local race for Ver- a show for his army of orange-clad fans starts. He has been on the podium 173 times. stappen who was born when he heads into Sunday’s Belgian Statistics for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa- Verstappen has won five races so far in 2021, in Belgium to a Grand Prix ready to strike back in his Francorchamps, round 12 of the world champi- to Hamilton’s four and one each for Red Bull’s Belgian mother. Formula One title battle with seven- onship, on Sunday. Mexican Sergio Perez and Alpine’s Esteban The Belgian times world champion Lewis Hamilton. Lap distance: 7.004 km. Total distance: Ocon. Grand Prix, The Red Bull driver saw a 33-point 308.052 km (44 laps), Start time: 1300 GMT Ferrari have won 238 races since 1950, w h i c h lead over his Mercedes rival turn into an 2020 pole position: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren 182, Mercedes 119, Williams 114 m a r k s eight-point deficit in just two races after Mercedes. One minute 41.252. and Red Bull 70. Former champions McLaren Formula a controversial race-ending collision 2020 winner: Lewis Hamilton and Williams have not won since 2012. O n e ’ s with Hamilton at Silverstone and a ninth- BELGIUM POLE POSITION return from place finish due to an unfortunate first- The race will be the 54th Belgian Grand Prix at Hamilton has a record 101 career poles and its month-long corner tangle in Hungary sapped his title Spa. 10 of the last 19 have been won from pole has won 59 times from pole. He has had three summer break, is charge of momentum. position. poles so far in 2021. the first of a ‘triple- A win around the sylvan sweeps of Five current drivers have won at Spa: Kimi Raik- Verstappen has been on pole five times this header’ of races taking the seven-kilometre Spa-Francor- konen (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009), Hamilton year, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fastest place on consecutive champs circuit is just what Verstappen, (2010, 2015, 2017, 2020), Sebastian Vettel in Azerbaijan and Monaco qualifying. Bottas weekends. winner of five races this season to Ham- (2011, 2013, 2018), Daniel Ricciardo (2014) was on pole in Portugal. Verstappen dominated ilton’s four, needs to get his champi- and Charles Leclerc (2019). CHAMPIONSHIP Formula One’s last triple onship challenge back on track with 12 RACE WINS Hamilton is eight points ahead of Verstappen. header earlier in the summer, rounds to go. Hamilton has a record 99 career victories, of Mercedes lead Red Bull by 12 points. winning the French Grand Prix It would also be a fitting way to cel- and the two races on Red Bull’s ebrate Red Bull’s 50th race with engine home soil in Austria. supplier Honda. 23-year-old who has twice retired from prepared and feeling good ahead of the Hamilton, who has won four times “I am of course excited to go back to the Belgian race and never finished weekend,” he added. in Belgium and is chasing an elusive Spa; it’s my favourite track and it’s really higher than third. The race around the Spa-Francor- 100th Grand Prix win this weekend, will cool to drive with so many high-speed “I also think it is a good place to reset champs track, which is just across the be determined to seize the initiative this corners and elevation changes,” said the our championship fight and I’m well border from the Netherlands and is time around. THURSday 26 August 2021 SPORT 07 Djokovic set to make history at US Open

Reuters – New York form than the 24-year old who will not be back to defend wins Djokovic has applauded Zverev, who followed up his his title due to a wrist his opponent, encouraging Serena withdraws After an Olympic stumble gold medal at the Tokyo Games injury. them that their day will come. Novak Djokovic will get a with an imperious march to the After each That day could be Sept. 12, second bite at history in the Big ATP Masters 1000 event title in of his Grand the afternoon of the men’s final due to torn hamstring Apple with a calendar year Cincinnati last Sunday. Slam at Flushing Meadows. Grand Slam there for the taking Medvedev has also been But even with complaints Reuters – NEW YORK Serena Williams at the US Open. quick to find his footing on the of fatigue, a sore shoulder Having seen his bid for a North American hard courts by and an ill-tempered racket- Serena Williams has Golden Slam - Olympic gold winning the ATP Masters 1000 tossing meltdown in Tokyo, withdrawn from next and four slams in the same event in Toronto. few will be betting against week’s US Open after year - wilt in the Tokyo heat, Tsitsipas has been in the Djokovic in New York. the American said Djokovic arrives in New York spotlight over his resistance to It may not be his favourite yesterday that her torn positioned to become the first taking a COVID-19 vaccine but venue - particularly after last hamstring had not man since Rod Laver in 1969 the Greek has not let contro- year when the Serb was dis- completely healed to win the Australian and versy distract him from qualified for swatting a ball in ahead of the final French Open titles plus Wim- advancing to the semi-finals in frustration that struck a female Grand Slam of the year. bledon and the US Open in the the Toronto and Cincinnati line judge - but he is almost Williams, a six- same year. stops. always in contention, having times winner at A US Open triumph would As the US Open approaches reached the final on eight occa- Flushing Meadows, has also give the Serb a record- there is a growing sense that sions and winning three. had an injury-marred setting 21st career Grand Slam Flushing Meadows will But while Djokovic has season and limped out title - one more than his great deliver a breakthrough won eight of the last 12 Grand of her first-round rivals Roger Federer and Rafa moment. Slams he has entered, that match at Wimbledon Nadal, who will both be absent. Now regular winners list of titles does not in tears due to the leg injury. For almost two decades the on the ATP Tour and include a US Open. The 39-year-old, who has been on the hunt for an elusive 24th Flushing Meadows hard courts Grand Slam battle- “To me it is him major, skipped the Olympics in Tokyo and also opted out of the have been ruled over by the Big tested, the demands against the field and I Cincinnati Masters, a tune-up event to the US Open. Three of Federer, Nadal and and expectations of pick him right now,” “After careful consideration and following the advice of my Djokovic. competing in the said John McEnroe, a doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the Between them the trio have big events are no seven-time Grand US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn ham- claimed 12 of the last 17 US longer part of the Slam winner and string,” Williams wrote in a statement on Instagram. Opens. Only twice over that learning curve for commentator for “New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and period has a final not featured Zverev, Medvedev ESPN. one of my favourite places to play -- I’ll miss seeing the fans but at least one of them. and Tsitsipas. “I still think he will be cheering everyone from afar.” But with Federer and Nadal T h i s y e a r is going to do it Williams is the latest big name to pull out of the tournament sidelined by injuries the old Medvedev contested but it’s easier after reigning men’s champion Dominic Thiem ended their 2021 guard has been reduced to one. the final of the Aus- said than done season due to injuries. Her withdrawal from the tournament casts While Djokovic has idled tralian Open and Tsitsipas (to win a cal- further doubt over whether she can match Margaret Court’s record since the Tokyo Olympics, his the French, both losing to endar Grand of 24 major titles, as she turns 40 next month. biggest threats Alexander Djokovic. Slam). There’s Williams has reached the finals in four Grand Slams since Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and In 2019 Medvedev lost the a reason it giving birth to daughter Olympia four years ago but has not tri- Daniil Medvedev have been final at Flushing Meadows in an hasn’t been umphed in a major since picking up her 23rd title at the 2017 Aus- building up a head of steam epic five-set tussle with Nadal. d o n e i n tralian Open, losing in straight sets on each occasion. going into the year’s final Grand Last year Zverev was denied 5 0 - s o m e Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, ESPN analyst and Hall of Slam. a maiden major at the U.S. Novak Djokovic years. It’s Famer Pam Shriver said she was uncertain whether Williams No player has been in better Open, falling to Dominic Thiem tough.” could break through, given the depth of talent in women’s tennis.

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty celebrates with the Wimbledon In-form Barty targets title in New York trophy in this July 10 file photo.

Reuters – NEW YORK all those doubts to rest with a tour-leading mental health issues, disclosing earlier this five WTA titles in 2021, including her second year that she has long suffered from bouts Australian Ash Barty appears primed to be major title overall at Wimbledon, cementing of depression. the most consistent women’s number one her spot at the top and widening her lead Osaka was marked as the heir apparent since Serena Williams as she heads into the over the chasing pack. to Williams when she beat the American US Open, while Naomi Osaka faces a The Australian was comfortable with 23-times major winner in New York in 2018 difficult challenge in her title defence with her decision to not travel amid the for the first of her four Grand Slam titles. a handful of contenders vying for their first COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 but since She has been unparalleled in recent Grand Slam title. leaving her country in March Barty has been years when it comes to success on hard Former world number one Karolina on the road. courts and the Japanese has won four out of Pliskova and 23-year-old Aryna Sabalenka “I think there was probably a part of me the last six hardcourt majors. are seen as potential threats to rattle the that was a little bit unsure of how this year Osaka won the 2021 Australian Open but field, even though Barty will be rolling into would go for a couple of reasons,” she told then withdrew from the French Open and Flushing Meadows on a wave of the WTA Insider after her Cincinnati win. skipped Wimbledon. momentum. “I know the work that I’ve put in with The 23-year-old failed to get past the Barty faced questions at the start of 2021 my team. That’s where all the gold lies. third round of the Tokyo Olympics or last when she returned to competitive tennis That’s where all of our good stuff hides,” week’s Western & Southern Open in having not played a match for 11 months said Barty, who claimed the No.1 ranking Cincinnati. but still holding the top women’s singles for the first time in June, 2019. Williams withdrew from the tournament ranking during last year’s COVID-disrupted While Barty has found the calmness and yesterday, saying a hamstring injury needed season. mental steel to handle the huge burden of more time to heal but a depth of talent The 25-year-old Queenslander has laid expectations, Osaka has struggled with remains in the women’s competition. PSG reject Real’s bid for Mbappe Kane says he will REUTERs – PARIS Paris Saint-Germain have rejected an offer from Real Madrid for France stay at Tottenham forward Kylian Mbappe, the French club’s Sporting Director Leonardo Kylian t o l d BFM and RMC Sport, saying the offer was “not sufficient”. Reuters – London Mbappe Spanish and French media reported on Tuesday that Real Madrid had made a €160m ($187.81m) bid for Tottenham striker Harry Kane (pictured) said yesterday that the 22-year-old World Cup winner who scored he will stay at the club and be “100% focused on helping the 42 goals in all competitions for PSG last season team achieve success”, ending weeks of speculation about a and has reportedly said he wants to move to potential move to champions Manchester City. Spain. “It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs Leonardo said that PSG, who have just fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support signed Argentina forward Lionel Messi from Bar- I’ve had in the last few weeks,” the England captain wrote celona, did not plan to discuss the Mbappe matter on Twitter. “I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and again with Real Madrid and that if Mbappe wanted will be 100% focused on helping the team achieve success.” to leave he would have to do so on PSG’s terms. The 28-year-old was a major target for Manchester City, “If a player wants to leave it must be under our terms. with City manager Pep Guardiola earlier this month saying This applies not just to Kylian but to all players.” that it was up to Tottenham to make the transfer happen. “We consider the offer as being very far from what Kylian is Kane, who signed a six-year contract at Tottenham worth today,” he added. in 2018, was keen on a new challenge but an initial bid Mbappe joined PSG from AS Monaco in 2017, on loan initially and from City -- reportedly worth £100m ($137.10m) -- was then permanently a year later in a deal valued at €180m. not enough for Tottenham to let him go. Al Annabi at Gold Cup: beIN Sports presents Qatar's latest milestone The Peninsula – DOHA match 1-0. beIN Media Group’s just one of several mammoth mile- flagship sports channel beIN Sports stones for Al Annabi as they get ready The countdown to the FIFA World Cup were given rare access to Qatar team to play in their first-ever FIFA World Qatar 2022 is in full swing. on their inaugural Concacaf Gold Cup Cup. As the host nation’s National In just over 450 days, Qatar will journey, that captured the behind-the- Team, the pressure is very much proudly welcome millions of football scenes action, humorous moments, heating up and this competition was a fans to the first-ever FIFA World Cup locker room chat, exclusive interviews great opportunity for them to prepare in the Middle East that’s set to break and so much more in a unique and for next year’s momentous tour- boundaries and make history. exclusive documentary. nament. I’d like to thank the QFA and As the country embarks on the final Titled "Al Annabi at the Gold Cup", the National Team for providing us preparations and finishing touches of the exclusive documentary will be with the unique access and would also one of the biggest sporting events in broadcast on beIN Sports Premium 1 like to congratulate Al Annabi for the world, Qatar’s National Team (Al channel in Arabic tomorrow at 21:30 reaching the semi-finals and show- Annabi) is also preparing for their FIFA Mecca. casing the strength of Qatari football World Cup debut - led by Head Coach The one-hour documentary will to the world." Félix Sánchez. showcase the team’s journey in detail The Gold Cup is the main associ- One of the team’s latest successes across their five Gold Cup games as ation football competition which deter- was their participation as a guest well as exclusive interviews with the mines the continental champion of nation in last month’s 2021 Concacaf national team players, Rashid bin Association, proud Qatari fans in the fully composed by beIN’s talented North America, Central America, and Gold Cup, where Al Annabi success- Abdulla Al Dehaimi, the Consulate USA and more. team. the Caribbean. This year’s edition took fully progressed to the semi-finals General of the State of Qatar in The entire production of Al Creator and executive producer Ali place in nine cities in the USA July 10- against the USA and narrowly lost the Houston, Texas, the Qatar Football Annabi at the Gold Cup was also Al Sharshani, said:“The Gold Cup was August 1.