NBA Round-Up: Raptors Hammer Celtics and Solidify East Lead

FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018 SPORT 21

My serve was horrible in the 8.30AM 12:00PM ﬁrst set, so I had to focus on Kristyna Pliskova FOOTBALL FOOTBALL my serve and the rest of the after beating Arsenal vs UEFA Europa League game was better. I’m happy, Petra Kvitova CSKA Moscow LIVE ON Highlights it’s my second top 10 win. Live on beIN HD 2 TUBE Live on beIN HD 2 NHL: Blues’ NBA round-up: Raptors hammer loss to Blackhawks sends LA to Celtics and solidify East lead play-offs REUTERS Boston Celtics’ forward Guerschon Yabusele (30) attempts AFP CHICAGO: DeMar DeRozan to shoot the ball as Toronto Raptors’ forward Serge Ibaka finished with 16 points to help (9) defends during the second half of their NBA game CHICAGO: Duncan Keith scored lead the Toronto Raptors to a at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Boston. a power-play goal with 8.5 96-78 statement victory over the seconds remaining as the visiting visiting Boston Celtics in a battle Chicago Blackhawks rallied from of the Eastern Conference’s top a two-goal deficit to defeat the two teams on Wednesday night. Blues 4-3 on Wednesday night, Serge Ibaka and Fred Van- dealing a key blow to St Louis’ Vleet added 15 points apiece and play-off hopes. Kyle Lowry scored 13 for Keith one-timed a shot from Toronto, which extended its lead the top of the right circle off a over second-place Boston atop pass from Alex DeBrincat, beating the East to three games with four Blues goalie Jake Allen on the far to play. side for just his second goal of the Marcus Morris led the Celtics season. with 21 points, and Greg Monroe The loss by the Blues clinched had 17 and eight rebounds. a Western Conference play-off Boston lost its second consec- berth for the idle Los Angeles utive game after winning six Kings, and the Anaheim Ducks straight. also clinched a play-off berth by Al Horford contributed 16 beating visiting Minnesota 3-1 points for the Celtics, who were later Wednesday night. held to a season low in points. The Wild are assured of fin- Boston shot just 33.3 percent (25 ishing in third place in the Central of 75) from the floor while Division thanks to St. Louis’ making just 13.6 percent (3 of 22) defeat. of its 3-point attempts. St Louis sits one point behind 76ers 115, Pistons 108 the Colorado Avalanche in the JJ Redick had 25 points and chase for the West’s second wild six assists as Philadelphia card. stretched its winning streak to Anthony Davis scored 28 Caldwell-Pope added a clincher Thunder but also Minnesota and Magic’s advantage to 101-96 with St Louis and Colorado both 12 games and eliminated host points and grabbed 12 rebounds three minutes later, helping Los New Orleans. 1:09 left. have two games remaining and Detroit from play-off as New Orleans ended a four- Angeles outlast visiting San Magic 105, Mavericks 100 Heat 115, Hawks 86 finish the season with a head-to- contention. game losing streak with a home Antonio. Aaron Gordon poured in 20 Kelly Olynyk scored 19 head matchup on Saturday night The Sixers are tied with the victory against Memphis. Kuzma finished with a points and six Orlando players points off the bench as Miami at the Pepsi Centre in Denver. Cleveland Cavaliers for the third E’Twaun Moore added a game-high 30 points for the scored in double figures against beat host Atlanta for the second The Avalanche also play seed in the Eastern Conference game-high 30 points, Nikola Lakers, who were without Lonzo Dallas. time in as many nights. Thursday night at San Jose while heading into the meeting Mirotic scored 25, Jrue Holiday Ball (knee) and Brandon Ingram Jamel Artis added 18 points Olynyk hit five 3-pointers, all the Blues play at Chicago on between the two today in had 15 points and Rajon Rondo (concussion). LaMarcus Aldridge for Orlando, which has won two coming in the second quarter, Friday night. Philadelphia. had 13 assists for New Orleans. had a team-high 28 points for straight. and Josh Richardson also scored Andreas Martinsen and Blake Redick hit 10 of 13 from the New Orleans moved one the Spurs, who were missing The Mavericks trailed for all 19 points for the Heat, who Hillman both scored their first field and 5 of 7 3-point attempts. game in front of the idle Denver Manu Ginobili (rest) but the first three minutes of the clinched a play-off spot with goals of the season and DeBrincat Marco Belinelli contributed Nuggets in the battle for the final The loss was costly to the game but fought back to within their Tuesday win over the also scored for Chicago, which 19 points, four rebounds, two playoff spot in the Western Spurs, who fell into a tie with 97-96 on an Aaron Harrison Hawks. won for just the third time in 10 assists and three steals off the Conference. Oklahoma City for the fifth spot 3-pointer with 2:58 to play. Miami grabbed solo pos- games (3-5-2) since March 15. J-F bench. Lakers 122, Spurs 112 (OT) in a tightly bunched Western Mario Hezonja immediately session of sixth place in the Berube stopped 31 shots for the Ben Simmons had 16 points, Kyle Kuzma bombed in a group. answered with a jumper and Eastern Conference by half a Blackhawks. six rebounds and seven assists. 3-pointer in the first minute of The Spurs are now tied in the Khem Birch followed with game over the Milwaukee Bucks Vladimir Tarasenko and Pelicans 123, Grizzlies 95 overtime, and Kentavious loss column not only with the another bucket to increase the and Washington Wizards. Brayden Schenn each had a goal and an assist and Robert Bortuzzo also scored for St Louis. Allen finished with 22 saves. Bortuzzo gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 4:16 of the first period Baseball: Corbin fans 12 as when he fired a wrist shot from the top of the right circle through Berube’s pads for his fourth goal. Martinsen tied it at 8:57 of the first when he picked up a loose Diamondbacks sweep Dodgers puck in the slot and fired a shot through Allen’s pads for his first REUTERS Mike Foltynewicz delivered goal since Feb. 7, 2017. on the mound and at the plate, Schenn made it 2-1 just 47 CHICAGO: Arizona left-hander and Preston Tucker hit his seconds into the second period Patrick Corbin gave up one hit second three-run home run in when he pounced on a rebound and struck out a career-high 12 Detail view of the baseballs to as many days as Atlanta beat Max of a Vince Dunn shot in the slot in 7 1/3 innings and the be used in the 2018 opening Scherzer and took two of three for 27th goal of the season, tying Diamondbacks concluded a day game between the games from Washington in the his career high. three-game sweep of the series finale at SunTrust Park. Tarasenko followed with a Minnesota Twins and the defending National League West Foltynewicz (1-0) surrendered breakaway goal off a Blackhawks Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC champion Los Angeles Dodgers one run on four hits and struck turnover just five minutes later, Park. with a 3-0 victory at Chase Field out eight in 5 1/3 innings and had firing a wrist shot through on Wednesday. a two-run double in the fourth Berube’s pads for his 33rd goal of Corbin (2-0) retired the first inning for the Braves. the season and sixth in seven 14 he faced before Matt Kemp Astros 3, Orioles 2 games. blooped a double down the Alex Bregman delivered a Chicago closed within 3-2 right-field line with two outs in two-out, run-scoring single in midway through the second the fifth inning. Archie Bradley the seventh inning and Houston period on a short-handed goal by replaced Corbin after Kemp completed a series sweep of Bal- Hillman, his first in the NHL, on walked with one out in the timore at Minute Maid Park. After a one-timer off a nice drop pass eighth inning, the only other struggling to mount a consistent by Nick Schmaltz. runner off Corbin. attack against Orioles starter Yankees 7, Rays 2 Dylan Bundy, the Astros opted Giancarlo Stanton hit his first to manufacture runs. Bregman home run at Yankee Stadium as struck against Baltimore right- New York also received two-run hander Miguel Castro (0-1) homers from Gary Sanchez and hitting a full-count pitch for a hits and six runs, three earned, Giants 10, Mariners 1 immediately after Derek Fisher Aaron Judge in a win over Tampa walk-off home run in the 13th over 5 2/3 innings. Pablo Sandoval took a Felix moved into scoring position with Bay. inning to lift Los Angeles past White Sox 4, Blue Jays 3 Hernandez pitch into the San a steal of second base. Stanton rebounded from Cleveland. The Angels’ unsung Jose Abreu walloped a tie- Francisco Bay for a three-run Twins 7, Pirates 3 striking out five times in Tues- heroes were the eight relievers breaking homer to lead off the home run, helping the Giants Minnesota broke the game day’s home opener for the first who combined for 8 1/3 scoreless eighth inning and lift Chicago to split their interleague series open with a four-run sixth inning time in his career. On Tuesday, innings of relief. a victory in Toronto. Abreu against Seattle. Right-hander and ended Pittsburgh’s unde- he heard boos after his fourth Cardinals 6, Brewers 0 slammed a 3-0 pitch from right- Johnny Cueto (1-0), benefitting feated start at PNC Park. Miguel strikeout and described his per- Carlos Martinez fired four- hander Ryan Tepera (1-1) a from a three-run first inning and Sano had three hits, including a formance as “garbage” afterward hit ball over 8 1/3 scoreless booming 430 feet into the res- a five-run fifth, coasted to his pair of run-scoring singles, and Chicago Blackhawks’ defenceman despite it occurring in an 11-4 innings as St. Louis rolled to a taurant level above the left- first win of the season, allowing Eduardo Escobar added two hits Duncan Keith (2) celebrates after win. victory in Milwaukee. Martinez center field fence to help Chicago one run and eight hits in six and two RBIs to help the Twins Angels 3, Indians 2 (13) (1-1) walked two and fanned 10. end a two-game slide. Matt Dav- innings. He walked two and improve to 3-2 on the season on scoring the game-winning goal Zack Cozart received a hero’s St Louis touched Brewers starter idson also homered for Chicago, struck out one. a night when the game began as against St Louis Blues at Scottrade welcome at home plate after Jhoulys Chacin (0-1) for seven which leads the majors with 14. Braves 7, Nationals 1 snow flurries were still falling. Centre. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018

‘I’d rather Aussies trim England’s lead with 2 come second,’ says le Clos after Proud world records; Pearson pulls out disqualified AP cruised to victory by 43 Gold medallist Bermuda’s Flora Duffy (centre) poses with seconds over Jessica Lear- AFP GOLD COAST: World records on silver medallist England’s Jessica Learmonth (left) and month and had time to grab the cycling track and in the pool bronze medallist Canada’s Joanna Brown after the women’s a Bermuda flag as she com- gave host Australia a late boost triathlon final during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth pleted the sprint distance. GOLD COAST: South Africa’s on the opening day of compe- Games at the Southport Broadwater Parklands venue on “Pretty cool that I won Chad le Clos said yesterday he’d tition at the Commonwealth the Gold Coast yesterday. the first gold medal of these rather come second to Ben Proud Games after the setback of losing games,” she said. than lose him from the Common- hometown hero Sally Pearson. The men’s race was far wealth Games final after the 50m The Australian swimmers less predictable. South butterfly champion was disqual- have a tradition of setting the Africa’s Henri Schoeman ified for a false start. tone for the rest of the team at broke away early in the run Proud dominated le Clos in the Commonwealth Games, but leg to finish in 52 minutes, their heat and clocked what the English made a faster start 31 seconds and beat Jacob would have been a Games-record before the home team rallied Birtwhistle of Australia by 22:84 seconds, but the Eng- with a big statement in the last seven seconds. Marc Austin lishman was adjudged to have event of the night. of Scotland took the bronze. moved early on the blocks. Sisters Bronte and Cate WEIGHT LIFTED: Izhar It left le Clos as the fastest Campbell, Emma McKeon and Ahmad lifted a Games swimmer in the morning’s Shayna Jack set a world record record total of 261 kilograms prelims in Gold Coast with a time 3 minutes, 30.05 seconds in the in the 56-kilogram category of 23.53. But the four-time world 4x100-meter women’s freestyle a day after his birthday. champion insisted he would relay, lowing the mark the Aus- His 144 in the clean and prefer to line up against Proud tralians set at the 2016 Olympics. jerk secured the record and than go for gold without him. “It was beyond my wildest an unbeatable lead, and he “Absolutely, I’d rather come dreams,” Cate Campbell said. celebrated with a jig and a second -- straight up,” le Clos told “My coach said ‘The atmosphere jog around the lifting area reporters. out there is electric, go out, soak with the Malaysian flag. “I’d rather come second to it up.’ I think that is what we’ve Gururaja Poojary picked somebody that deserves to win, done.” Olympic champion Mack England lost the chance at Velodrome, winning the men’s up silver for India, missing two but we’ll see what happens.” England finished yesterday Horton won Australia’s first gold another gold medal world 4,000 team pursuit in a world- attempts before a successful last “I didn’t see him flinch at all,” with six gold and 12 medals of the meet in the 400-meter champion swimmer Ben Proud record time and also capturing lift that relegated Sri Lanka’s added le Clos, who is contesting overall, and Australia had five freestyle, while Canada’s Taylor was disqualified after winning the women’s team pursuit and Chaturanga Lakmal into third seven events in Australia as he gold and 15 in total. Malaysia had Ruck (200-meter freestyle) and his first heat in the 50-meter team sprint. spot. bids to become the most suc- two golds in weightlifting for England’s Aimee Willmott (400 butterfly. In the first-of categories: India collected its first gold cessful athlete in Commonwealth third spot, and Canada was individual medley) and James The Aussies picked up three two-time world champion Flora medal when Chanu Saikhom Games history. fourth in the standings with one Wilby (200 breaststroke) also gold medals further north in Duffy won the women’s sprint Mirabai won the women’s “No one likes to see that. As gold and seven overall. claimed gold in the pool. Brisbane at the Anna Meares triathlon to secure the first gold 48-kilogram competition in a you can see he’s clearly the best medal of the games for Bermuda, games record. 50m fly swimmer in the world. and Malaysian weightlifter RECORD CYCLES: Australia Hopefully they can overturn that, Muhammad Izhar Ahmad won won both the men’s and but it is what it is. Whether he’s the first of the men’s titles on women’s 4,000-meter team there or not, I’m going to swim to offer at the Gold Coast. The first pursuits in record times. win.” team title went to the English Kelland O’Brien, Leigh The England team lodged an men in gymnastics. Howard, Alex Porter and Sam appeal but Proud, whose illegal Some highlights on Day 1 of Welsford beat England in a world swim was just 0.4 seconds short competition: record 3 minutes, 49.804 of a world record, was ultimately SO LONG SALLY: The seconds, lowering the mark set not reinstated for Thursday’s morning after a prominent role by the British at the 2016 semi-finals. in the opening ceremonies, Olympics. “Whilst this is incredibly dis- world and former Olympic The Australian women’s appointing for Ben... we are all champion hurdler Pearson pursuit team overtook New looking to move on,” England announced her withdrawal from Zealand on the last lap to win in swim team leader Grant Robins the athletics competition a games-record time, and also said in a statement. because a long-standing Achilles won the women’s team sprint. “Ben will now move his focus injury had flared in training this The New Zealanders picked on to the 50m freestyle on week. up their first gold medal on the Monday and on the 17 English Pearson, who was promoted track with a victory over England swimmers who are in the semis as the face of the Games, knew in the men’s team sprint. and finals tonight.” Australia’s world champion in 100 metres the day before the opening cer- 11 YEARS YOUNG: Anna Le Clos, who shot to fame at hurdles Sally Pearson is escorted as she leaves emony that she wouldn’t be able Hursey made her Common- the 2012 London Olympics by a news conference at the Commonwealth to compete, but kept it pretty wealth Games debut at the age stunning swimming legend Games Main Media Centre at Broadbeach much secret. of 11, and drew plenty of Michael Phelps in the 200m but- on the Gold Coast in Australia, yesterday. FIRST GOLD: Competing in attention as the youngest athlete terfly, is six Commonwealth the bright morning sun, Duffy competing at the Gold Coast. Games medals behind shooters Mick Gault and Philip Adams, who lead the way with 18. Warning of “I didn’t think I’d be first because I was so far behind,” le ‘major accident’ Clos said after trailing Proud Tongan braves sharks home in his heat. as phone falls “I think it’s a season’s best and close to my best time,” added the on Games 25-year-old. “I’m not putting any pressure to swim at Gold Coast cycling track on myself for the 50m because I’m not really a 50m guy. But it’s AFP AFP a whopping 45.77 a good sign for the 100 and 200m Britain’s seconds behind that for sure.” Prince Charles GOLD COAST: A Tongan of Scotland’s BRISBANE: A spectator dropped A double world champion in swimmer who trains in shark- plays table- Hannah Miley. a mobile phone onto the cycling both the 100m and 200m but- infested waters to represent his tennis during But the reaction track during the first session at terfly, le Clos left the 2016 Rio country at the Commonwealth a visit to the of the crowd the Commonwealth Games Olympics with two silver medals Games struck a blow for the Commonwealth brought back fond yesterday, drawing warnings of after his parents were diagnosed sport’s minnows with a brave Games memories of Equa- a “major accident”. with cancer before the Games. effort yesterday. Athletes’ torial Guinea’s Eric The incident took place The South African pin-up is As superstars Mack Horton Village in “The Eel” Moussa- during the men’s team pursuit contesting the 50m, 100m and and Chad le Clos soaked up the Gold Coast, mbani, who clung as racers pelted round the 200m butterfly and 100m and adulation of the Gold Coast Australia, for dear life to the banked track in Brisbane. 200m freestyle, plus two relays crowd, 17-year-old Finau yesterday. lane rope at the The riders were unhurt but in Gold Coast’s outdoor pool. Ohuafi’s fourth place in his 50 2000 Sydney it drew a curt warning from the Le Clos warned he will swim metres butterfly heat went com- Olympics in his first stadium announcer to the even quicker in Friday’s final, pletely unnoticed. dip in a 50-metre packed crowd at the Anna once he shaves off his designer But the teenager’s brave per- pool. Meares Velodrome in Brisbane. stubble. formance was all the more While the likes “Please be careful, a mobile “I still need to shave down remarkable given the parlous of Moussambani -- phone has just been dropped and hopefully go faster,” he said. state of swimming in Tonga. who did not so onto the track,” said the “I’ll shave for tomorrow.” “I’m not used to swimming much need an elec- announcer, warning of the in pools,” Ohuafi said after fin- tronic stopwatch as potential of a “major accident” ishing 50th of 54 -- more than the sea but one time me and my 50m freestyle and 50m back- an egg timer -- are if it had come into contact with four seconds behind le Clos over cousin were training we saw a stroke in Gold Coast. rarer these days, for swimmers one of the riders. one lap. We don’t have pools in shark,” he said after making his While local fans roared on from some Commonwealth Spectators in the front row Tonga. There is a 25m pool at a Commonwealth Games debut. the Aussie swimmers Thursday, countries, simply appearing at at the velodrome are right on top hotel where we go to train, but “We had just done our one of the loudest cheers of the the event is a staggering of the action on the track, which we swim in the sea. It’s difficult warm-up and my cousin tapped day was reserved for Samoa’s achievement in itself. slopes down at a steep angle. because you don’t have starting me on the leg to warn me. I Alania Suttie, who splashed “When I was a little kid I RIGHT: South Africa ‘s Chad Le blocks.” looked down and saw it. We home a distant last in her 400m used to love the water but I got Clos after the swimming men’s Ohuafi, who chose were so scared because we were individual medley heat. really sick from it,” said Suttie. swimming over rugby when he stuck between the open sea and As she turned for home “I was diagnosed with 50m butterfly qualifications was 11, revealed that he has been the reef.” more than a lap behind, a ripple typhoid after drinking dirty during the 2018 Gold Coast spooked by sharks off the Pacific The boys escaped by clam- of applause from the crowd soon water back in Samoa. For me to Commonwealth Games at the island when he trains. bering onto the coral, explained turned into roars of encour- get over my fears I had to keep Optus Aquatic Centre in the Gold “For me it’s nice to swim in Ohuafi, who will also contest the agement. Her eventual time was getting back in.” Coast yesterday. FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2018 SPORT 23 Nadal back in action for Cup duty

AFP Rafael Nadal Germany, bidding to make PARIS: Rafael Nadal faces a the semi-finals for the first time potentially season-defining Davis in 11 years, will rely for singles Cup weekend as the 16-time It’s been a tough few months. But I am excited to points on Zverev, playing just his Grand Slam champion returns for be back, hopefully it will be a positive week for fourth Davis Cup tie, and veteran his first appearance since Kohlschreiber. hobbling out of the Australian me: Rafael Nadal Spain also have form on their Open in January with a crippling side -- they have won 26 straight hip injury. problem which forced him to sit Zverev first faces David home ties, with their last defeat The 31-year-old Nadal leads out the Indian Wells and Miami Ferrer in the opening rubber, with on Spanish soil coming against Spain into a home quarter-final Masters. Ferrer switched to singles after a Brazil in 1999. against Germany at Valencia’s “It’s been a tough few thumb injury ruled out Miami Defending champions France iconic Plaza de Toros bullring, months,” admitted Nadal, ahead Masters semi-finalist Pablo go to Genoa to tackle Italy who boasting a remarkable record in of a Davis Cup tie which will see Carreno Busta with his place are contesting their 250th Davis the tournament. him take on Philipp Kohlschreiber going to Marc Lopez. Cup tie. France, the 10-time He is on a 22-match winning in today’s second singles. Coach and long-time friend winners, have two top 30 players streak in singles with his only loss “But I am excited to be back Carlos Moya urged fans to be in Lucas Pouille, ranked at 11, and coming on debut for five-time -- hopefully it will be a positive patient as Nadal plots his Adrian Mannarino, the world 25. champions Spain back in 2004. week for me.” European spring campaign which, But the French are missing However, it’s recent history On Sunday Nadal will go toe- if all goes to script, will see him injured Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and which now concerns Nadal. to-toe with Alexander Zverev, the clinch an 11th French Open in Gael Monfils while Italy, cham- He may be back at world world number four widely seen June. “He is not at 100% yet, but pions way back in 1976, can count number one, but Nadal is far from as heir apparent to the great if he can win a match or two, it on the combustible Fabio Fognini fully recovered from the hip Spaniard. can help him,” said Moya. for his dedication to the flag.

Warner follows Injured SA star Rabada to Alonso wants F1 blueprint team-mates, miss entire IPL season to deliver AFP what it described as a “lower stiffness of the lower back accepts sanction back stress reaction”. Rabada during the fourth Test, which closer racing JOHANNESBURG: Kagiso was man of the series in South ended in Johannesburg on REUTERS substantial earnings after Rabada, the world’s numberr one Africa’sAfrica’s 33-1-1 TTestest Tuesday.Tuesday He was unable to bowl AFP sponsors dropped them and Test bowler (pictured), willl miss seriesseries winwin at his toptop pace during the latter MELBOURNE: Australia’s they were banned from this the Indian Premier Leagueague overover Aus-Aus- stagesstages of Australia’s first David Warner has joined year’s Indian Premier League. season due to a back injury,njury, traliat r a lia inningsinning and only bowled eight MANAMA: Fernando Alonso former captain Steve Smith and Smith and Bancroft were Cricket South Africa saidsaid despitedespite oversovers in the second innings. led calls for “closer” racing to batsman Cameron Bancroft in also barred from holding lead- yesterday. strug-strug - ScansS after the match be at the heart of Formula accepting sanctions imposed on ership positions within the Aus- He had been contracteded to glingg ling revealedrevea the injury. One’s blueprint for the future him by his cricket board for his tralian team for two years, the Delhi Daredevils forr tthehe withwith “He“H will need a month’s on yesterday. role in last month’s ball- while Warner will never be able annual Twenty20 league, wwhichhich breakbreak from all physical “I think it could be a tampering scandal in South to hold such a position again. begins this weekend. activityactivi before commencing closer battle, that will be Africa. The trio returned to Aus- The national crickett with a rehabilitation pro- always welcome, but it has Smith and Warner were tralia at the end of last week body said Rabada had gramme,”gram said team been always like that in slapped with 12-months bans, and all three gave emotional been ruled out of action managerman Dr Mohammed Formula One,” said the while Bancroft, who was caught news conferences in which they for three months with Moosajee.Moos Spaniard with new owners using a piece of sandpaper on accepted full responsibility for Liberty Media due to unveil the ball in the third test in Cape their actions. their master plan on Friday Town, was suspended for nine CA yesterday confirmed no ahead of the Bahrain Grand months following the scandal hearings would be required Prix. which rocked cricket in after the trio accepted the Star bags India cricket media Speaking to a news Australia. charges and sanctions. briefing ahead of this week- “I have today let Cricket “These are significant pen- end’s Bahrain Grand Prix, the Australia know that I fully alties for professional crick- two-time world champion accept the sanctions imposed eters. They were not imposed rights for record $944m said it was sad that he could on me,” Warner said on his ver- lightly,” CA CEO James Suth- forecast the grid that would ified Twitter account erland said in a statement. emerge from qualifying AFP yesterday. “We know the players will and domestic rights had been production and finally the tomorrow. “I am truly sorry for my return to playing the game they sold for 61.38bn rupees home broadcast for five years “I remember watching actions and will now do every- love, and in doing so, we hope NEW DELHI: India’s cricket ($944m). also,” Chaudhary told the TV in the very old days. thing I can to be a better they rebuild their careers and board yesterday struck a BCCI treasurer Anirudh reporters in Mumbai. “I saw a race on television person,person, team-mate andand regainregain thethe trust ooff ffans.”ans.” record $944m deal with Chaudhary said on Twitter that “If we compare the figures last week from a race from rolerole model.”model.” TheThe scanscandaldal broadcast giant Star India for the sum was the equivalent of for IPL broadcast rights and 1990 or 1989 and apart from SmithSmith andand Ban-Ban- promptedprompted DarrenDarren the media rights of the national more than 60m rupees the current one, then the IPL the first four cars everyone croftcroft confirmedconfirmed on Lehmann,Lehmann, who was team, adding to their ($935,000) per match included figure per match -- for 300 was lapped -- and we WednesdayWednesday tthathat ttheyhey clearedcleared ooff aanyny substantial television wealth. in the deal. matches -- was 54.49m rupees remember that time like it hadhad acceptedaccepted thethe CA wrongdoingwrongdoing byby tthehe The amount was 60 Star paid 38.5bn rupees ($845,000) and this figure is was a golden era with big sanctions. TheThe ttriorio CA, to step ddownown as percent higher than the last ($592m) for the broadcast far ahead than that, for the 102 names. hadhad untiluntil ThursdayThursday AustraliaAustralia cocoachach sale for the rights to India’s rights to India’s home matches matches.” “I think now if you watch toto appeaappeall theirtheir bans.bans. afterafter the ffinalinal Test national teams and domestic for 2012-2018. The first internet rights a race of IndyCar, or SmithSmith andand againstagainst SoutSouthh tournaments. Star also paid a massive auction in cricket -- with each whatever, that unpredictable deputydeputy Warner were Africa.Africa. Rupert Murdoch’s Star beat $2.55bn last year for the media rival having a unique log on for result until the last 10 laps stripped of their lead-lead- rival bidders including Sony rights to the BCCI’s lucrative bidding -- lasted for three days makes you excited in front of ership positions for David Warner and Reliance Jio to win the tel- Indian Premier League before Star placed its winning the television. theirtheir rroleole in the MMarcharch evision and digital rights for Twenty20 tournament. That bid. Initially six companies, “But now in F1 here we 24 incidentincident aandnd 2018-2023, the Board of five year deal also starts from including Facebook and can write down the qualifying areare set to loselose Control for Cricket in India 2018. Google, entered the fray to bid order for this race, right now, said. “It was a hat-trick (by for international and domestic on Thursday and that’s a little The BCCI said in a Twitter Star), beginning with the IPL matches in India from April 15, bit sad....” Alonso’s call for statement that international broadcast and then the 2018 to March 31, 2023. closer competition was backed by Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes, but Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen shrugged off all interest in the future. “I don’t know what Woods tees off in they’re doing, I know very little about it and I’m not interested either. Augusta Masters “We’ll see tomorrow what they say.... It’s in many years’ AFP time anyhow and I doubt that I’ll be here so it doesn’t really AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods teed off in the Masters for the first time bother me at all.” F1’s man- in three years yesterday, setting off in search of his first major aging director of motorsport title in a decade. Ross Brawn is expected to Woods pulled his first shot at Augusta National’s par-four reveal Liberty’s plans, first hole left into the pine straw but emerged with an opening finalised in liaison with ruling par. The 42-year-old superstar, who says he’s playing pain-free body the International after spinal fusion surgery last year, is playing his first major Motoring Federationn (FIA). championship since missing the cut at the 2015 PGA Alonso meanwhile Championship. believes he and McLaren can A four-time winner of the Masters, he missed the last two unsettle Formula One’s top editions as he battled debilitating back trouble. Two top-five teams this season and chal- finishes on the PGA Tour this year have fueled expectations that lenge for podium finishes. Woods can contend for a fifth green jacket.He claimed the last The fifth-placed finisher of his 14 major titles at the 2008 S Open before scandal and in the season-opening Aus- Tiger Woods of the US hits from a sand trap on the second hole during the ﬁrst round play of injury derailed his bid to surpass Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18. the 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, US tralian Grand Prix two weeks yesterday. ago said he hopes to be in the mix again in Bahrain. SPORT Friday 6 April 2018 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 NBA round-up: ‘I’d rather come second,’ Nadal back in RaptorsRa rout Celtics, says Le Clos after Proud action for Daviss solidify East lead disqualiﬁed Cup duty Katara to host ceremonial start for Qatar Cross-Country Rally

THE PENINSULA take place in a facility close to start to take place at Katara,” Katara’s stunning open amphi- said QMMF President Abdul- DOHA: Katara, Qatar’s exciting theatre for the first time from rahman Al Mannai. cultural village, will host the 18.30hrs on April 17. This pre- “This is a prestigious ceremonial start and the official cedes the brand new cere- location and a perfect place to pre-event press conference for monial start podium in front of showcase Qatari culture on a the Qatar Cross-Country Rally, the amphitheatre from world stage and an event such round four of the FIA World Cup 19.30hrs. Katara is Qatar’s cul- as the Qatar Cross-Country for Cross-Country Rallies and tural village and was built on Rally.” round two of the FIM Cross- the eastern coast between The opening super special Country Rallies World Champi- West Bay and the Pearl, north stage will again be held on a onship on April 17. of Doha. purpose-built track within the The event is being hosted It opened in October 2010 perimeter confines of the Losail by the Qatar Motor and Motor- during the Doha Tribeca Film International Circuit and fea- cycle Federation (QMMF) and Festival and features an opera tures the customary jumps, offers five competitive actions house, cinema, conference hall, water crossings and twisty on April 18-22. beach, a souq, a maritime sandy sections from April 18. After administration checks museum and numerous restau- This opening stage pre- at the Losail International Circuit rants and up-market retail cedes the four revised desert – which hosts the Service Park, stores. “We are delighted to selective sections from Bivouac and all other rally and have reached an agreement for Thursday through Sunday and media facilities, the official pre- the event’s pre-event press con- the podium finish at Losail from event press conference will now ference and the ceremonial 18.30hrs on Sunday (April 22). QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai with Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and Mohammed Abu Issa.

Qatar’s Taro storms into More thrilling battles quarters on the cards at Losail QNA THE PENINSULA both races of last round and one who came second in both Abdullah Al Qubaisi is in races. KHARTOUM: Qatar reached DOHA: The fifth round of fourth place with 108 points. Today, QSTK track activity the quarter-finals of the Arab Qatar Superstock 600 and Al Qubaisi showed a great will start at 16:00 with the championship after an easy Qatar Touring Car Champi- performance in the last races Free Practice 1 and QTCC victory over Morocco in the onship will start today under when he was leading the first activity starts at 17:15 with Free 69 kg. the floodlights of the Losail race during 7 laps and he is practice 1. QTCC Qualifying Qatar’s Taro displayed a International Circuit with improving in each round. will be at 19:45 followed by dominating performance to more thrilling battles on cards In the Trophy category, QSTK Superpole at 21:00. defeat his Moroccan coun- in the next two days. Essa Al Mutawa is leading with Tomorrow, QSTK Race 1 terpart Abdulkabeer with a Qatar’s Mashal Al Naimi is 165 points and Soud Al Thani is scheduled at 17:30 and Race one-sided score-line of 5-0. leading Qatar Superstock is second with 150 points. 2 at 19:55. For QTCC, the first The Qatari pugilist is in Championship only by one Kuwaiti rider Mohammad Al race is at 18:40 and the second good form and is one of the point ahead of the defending Zaidan, after his third-place one at 21:00. favorites to win a medal in the QSTK champion, Saeed Al last weekend, is third in the There is free entrance for Asian Games in Singapore. Sulaiti. standings with 115 points. all the fans at the grandstand President of Qatar Boxing In the previous round, In the Qatar Touring Car and also at the Paddock. Federation Yousef Ali Al Saeed took the first victory but Championship, the champi- Qatar Superstock 600 and Kazim expressed delight at in the second race, Mishal took onship title was already Qatar Touring Car Champi- the result and at the per- the advantage that Saeed decided in the previous round onship are organised by Losail formance of the Qatari crashed in the penultimate lap and the QTCC title defendant, Circuit Sports Club and Qatar boxer, highlighting that the and he won the second race. Abdullah Al Khelaifi clinched Motor and Motorcycle Feder- Moroccan player was one of The ﬁfth round of Qatar Superstock 600 and Qatar Touring Car Championship The third in the standings again the title for this season. ation with Pirelli Qatar and the best in the will start today under the ﬂoodlights at the Losail International Circuit. is Nasser Al Malki with 136 Al Khelaifi has won all the Inside as sponsors of both competition. points, who ended second in previous rounds except last championships. Umm Salal eye big win against Al Markhiya Al Shahaniya crowned champions

FAWAD HUSSAIN QSL FIXTURES take on Al Markhiya in this and Al Gharafa for the fourth THE PENINSULA important fixture. I have pre- position and we will enter the Tomorrow pared my boys in a good way. game with full sportsmanship,” DOHA: Umm Salal will take on 6:15pm: Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat “We are at the end of the he added. relegated Al Markhiya targeting at Al Sadd Stadium season and we gave special focus “Umm Salal are a good team a big victory as they hope to finish 6:15pm: Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya on the players’ fitness levels, so with positive results. They have on fourth spot after the final at Al Duhail Stadium they stay in good shape till the a professional management, good round of QNB Stars League which Sunday very end. That is very important,” players and quality technical staff begins tomorrow. 6:15pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli at Al Sadd Stadium he added. headed by Talal El Karkouri, who Umm Salal are tied with Al 6:15pm: Al Khor vs Al Arabi at Al Khor Stadium Al Markhiya coach Adel has added value to the team ever Gharafa with both the teams have 6:15pm: Umm Salal vs Al Markhiya Sellimi said his team was hoping since he took charge,” said 32 points each but the latter are at Al Ahli Stadium for a strong finish to the QSL Sellimi.

currently fourth on a better goal 6:15pm: Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC season. Al Markhiya player Said Al difference (+6 compared to Umm at Al Gharafa Stadium “We are hoping to present a Hajj, “We seek to win against Salal’s -1). A fourth finish will strong game to restore our rep- Umm Salal because simply the ensure a place for either of two utation even though we were rel- league is not over yet and we still teams in the Qatar Cup. bonus. That is the target of the egated. The ambition of players have one last game. We are “Against Al Markhiya, we entire squad,” said Umm Salal as well as mine is to acquire the always thinking about our team have to play well and then wait coach Talal El Karkouri. three points,” he said. and not opponents, but we do for the result of the match “We played a friendly match “We are seeking to perform respect Umm Salal. We are not between Al Gharafa and Qatar SC against Qatar SC during the break well with high spirit and disci- worried about any striker in Al Shahaniya players lift their coach in celebration after being to see whether we will finish in and gave opportunity to all pline to end the season with a Umm Salal as we have a strong crowned Second Division champions yesterday. Al Shahaniya the fourth position in standings. players, especially youngsters, so victory. We are aware of the defence and I have faith in my have been promoted to QSL after winning the tournament. Playing in the Qatar Cup is the that the entire squad is ready to competition between Umm Salal team-mates.”