WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 SPORTS

Serena, Sharapova again Photo of the day on Miami collision course MIAMI: World number one Serena Williams in 79 minutes. “I was definitely happier today,” led a stampede of top seeds into the quarter- Williams told reporters. “I was really strug- finals of the Sony Open on Monday but big gling my first two matches, so I just wanted to sister and three-time Miami champion Venus have a better performance today. could not join the party. On a day that saw “Going into the match I knew I could only play interrupted by rain, it seemed nothing do better. That kind of helped out, too.” Li was could stop the cream of women’s tennis from no less ruthless, the Chinese world number rising to the top with Williams, a six-time two demolishing Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro Miami champion, Australian Open winner Li 6-0 6-2 in 61 minutes while Radwanska grind- Na, third seed Agnieszka Radwanska, five- ed out a 7-6 (5) 5-7 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s time runner-up Maria Sharapova and fifth Elina Svitolina. Kerber also needed three sets seed Angelique Kerber all moving into the to get past Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 1- last eight. But Serena’s big sister Venus could 6 6-3. Fourth seed Sharapova got a much- not complete the Williams family double needed wake-up call after sleep-walking her falling 6-1 5-7 6-3 to Slovakian 10th seed way through the opening set before dis- Dominika Cibulkova just as the centre court patching Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 3-6 6-4 6-1 clock was about to strike midnight. while Kerber also needed three sets to get by While Serena Williams and Sharapova Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 1-6 6-3. Former world number one and 12th seed Ana Ivanovic seemed headed for a quarter- final berth after comfortably taking the first set against eighth seed Czech Petra Kvitova but fell apart after that, committing 11 dou- ble faults en route to a stunning 3-6 6-0 6-0 loss.

BETTER MOOD Williams, a minority owner of the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins, once again stepped onto the court dressed in her team’s turquoise and orange colours and kicked off the match by claiming the only break of the opening set for the early lead. In the second set, Williams simply blitzed Thomas Genon performs at Terre Rouge, Southern France .—www.redbull.com Vandeweghe, overpowering the 22-year-old who managed to hold her serve just once against the 17-times grand slam winner. “It doesn’t feel great (playing bad tennis),” said Williams. “That also gave me confidence KEY BISCAYNE: Maria Sharapova of to know if I’m winning these matches when Russia returns a shot to Kirsten Flipkens I’m playing some of the worst tennis I have Spurs pound 76ers of Belgium during their match on day 8 personally played in the past couple of years, of the Sony Open at Crandon Park Tennis then, you know, it gave me a lot of hope. . —AFP “I’m in a better mood now. It was impossi- SAN ANTONIO: had 22 points and ble for me to be in a good mood after I played added 19 as the clashed in last year’s Miami final there will be those last matches.” Sharapova, playing the earned their 14th straight win with a 113-91 vic- no championship rematch this Saturday with first match of the day on a drowsy and over- tory Monday that sent the to the American and Russian on the same side cast centre court, appeared to have trouble their 25th consecutive loss. of the draw and closing in on a semi-final getting up for her fourth-round contest, as Philadelphia will face Houston on Thursday showdown. did many of the ticket holders with only a few with the dubious distinction of being a loss shy After getting her title defence off to a slow hundred spectators sprinkled across the quiet of tying the NBA record for consecutive losses start, Williams, who lives an hour’s drive from stadium as play began. set by the in 2010-11. the Crandon Park Tennis Center and considers “I started off ... probably looked like it was and scored 15 the event her home tournament, stepped it too early,” Sharapova told reporters. “I usually points each and added 12 for San up a gear against Coco Vandeweghe, sweep- like playing first match on, but I didn’t start Antonio, which maintained the league’s best ing past the young American qualifier 6-3 6-1 off the way I wanted to.—Reuters record at 54-16. The Spurs did not play starters , and , but did not need them against the lowly 76ers. Thaddeus Young and Michael Carter-Williams each scored 19 points, added 15 and Elliot Williams had 14 for Philadelphia (15- 56).

HEAT 93, TRAIL BLAZERS 91 LeBron James scored 32 points, including a layup with 11.4 seconds left, and Chris Bosh capped his 30th birthday by blocking Damian Lillard’s layup in the final moments as the Miami SAN ANTONIO: San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) is pressured by 76ers’ Thaddeus Young Heat escaped with a win over the Portland Trail (left) and Hollis Thompson (right) during the first half of an NBA game. —AP Blazers. Bosh finished with 15 points and Chris . Caron Butler scored 23 points, Morrow hit a 3-pointer to give New Orleans a Andersen had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his highest total since the Thunder added him 106-100 lead in overtime and sealed the victory Miami, which won for just the fifth time in 12 right after the trade deadline. Reggie Jackson with another 3 to make it 109-102 with 54.5 sec- games. Mario Chalmers added 11 points for the had 16 points and a career-high 11 assists, and onds left. Heat. Serge Ibaka added 15 points and seven Paul Pierce had 24 points and Deron Williams Lillard led the Blazers with 19 points on 3-for- rebounds for the Thunder, who won their fourth 23 for the Nets, who lost for the first time in five 15 shooting. Mo Williams scored 17, Wes straight. games after winning at Dallas in overtime Durant, who was coming off a 51-point game Sunday. The winner Ali Taleb Abdullah receiving prize from Ghadeer Al-Awadhi, NBK’s Matthews had 15, Nicolas Batum 11 and Robin against Toronto on Friday, is averaging 37 points Executive Manager, Consumer Banking Group. Lopez 10 for Portland, which was down 17 with just more than 9 minutes remaining. during the winning streak. The Thunder sat point PISTONS 114, JAZZ 94 guard Russell Westbrook so he could rest his sur- Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 NBK announces the first 10 ROCKETS 100, BOBCATS 89 gically repaired right knee. scored 25 rebounds as the shot a season- scored 31 points and Dwight points for the Nuggets, who had won three of best 55 percent to blow by the . winners to FIFA World Cup Howard had a double-double in his return to the four. Rodney Stuckey scored 19, had court as the Houston Rockets defeated the 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) April, 2014. Charlotte Bobcats for their fourth straight win. GRIZZLIES 109, TIMBERWOLVES 92 Jennings added 15 points to help the Pistons announced the winners of the first draw in NBK Visa Cardholders (prepaid, credit Harden had 14 points in the pivotal third Mike Conley had 23 points and six assists, snap a 14-game road losing streak in the finale its campaign “win 32 travel packages for cards) will get one chance to enter the quarter and finished 11-of-19 from the field. Marc Gasol added 14 and 12 rebounds as the of a four-game Western Conference trip. two to the 2014 FIFA World Cup” in partner- draw for every KD 20 spent locally using Terrence Jones added 18 points and seven built an early lead and easily scored 32 points - his high- ship with Visa International. 10 NBK cus- their NBK Visa Cards for all purchases dur- rebounds in the victory. dispatched the short-handed Minnesota est total since he had 37 against Oklahoma City tomers won full travel packages to attend ing the promotion period. NBK Visa Howard had missed the previous three Timberwolves. on Jan. 7 - to lead the Jazz, who have lost seven the first game in this competition, one of Cardholders (debit, prepaid and credit games with an ankle injury, but Houston won all Zach Randolph finished with 17 points for of eight. Detroit went 9 for 17 from 3-point the most popular events in the world. cards) can also triple their chances to win three without him by an average of 23 points. He Memphis, while and range and ended a five-game losing streak. NBK is the only official non-host retail while spending overseas during traveling finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. added 12 points apiece. Mike Miller scored 11 as banking partner of the 2014 FIFA World or on the internet. Kemba Walker had 22 points and Al Jefferson Memphis won its 10th straight home game. CLIPPERS 106, BUCKS 98 Cup in Kuwait, in association with Visa, the All current and new NBK customers who had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, Kevin Love led the Timberwolves with 16 had 27 points and 14 rebounds official FIFA partner. have their salary transferred to NBK will be which lost for only the second time in 11 games points, but shot 6-of-18 from the field, part of as the made it consecutive Ali Taleb Abdullah, Nawal Naif Al eligible to get 10 chances to win in each at home. Minnesota shooting 38 percent for the game. 50-win seasons with a lackluster victory over the Dabous, Fares Wasmi Al Dhufeeri, Al Shaikh draw for every transfer, while all current Corey Brewer had 15 points and Kevin Martin . Mansour Mubarak Al Sabah, Saravana and new Al Shahab customers who transfer SUNS 102, HAWKS 95 finished with 13. Gorgui Dieng, in the starting The Clippers became the ninth NBA team to Bandian, minor Fawaz Jawdat Al Shawwa, their student allowance to NBK will get 5 scored 20 points to lead five lineup because of injuries on Minnesota’s front have different head coaches guide a club to 50 Nawaf Salah Al Anizy, Farida Hadjab, Iraklis chances to win in each draw. Phoenix players in double figures as the Suns line, finished with 11 points and 17 rebounds. victories in back-to-back seasons. They reached Karanikolis and Ryadh Fahad Al Said each NBK and Visa Worldwide have once won their fourth in a row, beating the Atlanta the mark five games earlier under Doc Rivers won a full travel package for two to the again partnered to bring the thrill and Hawks to pull even with Dallas for the final play- PELICANS 109, NETS 104 than they did last season under Vinny Del Negro, 2014 FIFA World Cup, with all expenses enthusiasm of the 2014 FIFA World Cup(tm) off spot in the Western Conference. scored a season-high 33 points when they set a franchise record with 56 wins paid by NBK. Each travel package includes to Kuwait. NBK is privileged to be the first The Suns buried the Hawks from 3-point as the short-handed rallied and captured their first division title. This is two round trip airline tickets, two match and only bank in Kuwait to reward its cus- range, knocking down 12-of-24 beyond the arc. from 22 down in the third quarter, beating the Rivers’ fifth 50-win season as a head coach, tickets with hotel accommodation for four tomers with this exclusive offer. Bledsoe made all three of his long-range Brooklyn Nets. including four with Boston. nights, and transfer service for both winner FIFA World Cup(TM) is one of the world’s attempts, while Channing Frye was 4-of-9 to Evans scored 14 as New Orleans closed the Chris Paul had 14 points and seven assists for and guest. most popular sporting events. NBK hosted account for the bulk of his 18 points. Goran third period on a 29-10 run to get back in the the Clippers, who have won 13 of 14 overall and NBK new and current Visa Cardholders the 2014 FIFA World Cup(tm) Winner’s Dragic had 19 points, Markieff Morris 17 and game. Anthony Morrow, who did not score until a season-best eight straight at home. Newly and customers transferring their salaries or Trophy on its first visit to Kuwait last April. Gerald Green 13. the final 2 minutes of regulation, had 11 points acquired Ramon Sessions had a season-high 28 student allowances to NBK still have the NBK Credit Cards are accepted worldwide Atlanta, trying to hold the eighth spot in the the rest of the way as the Pelicans completed points for the Bucks, who have lost eight in a chance to win travel packages to Brazil and are the safest, most convenient and East, lost its third in a row after a season-high their comeback. row and are a league-worst 13-58. —AP before the campaign concludes on 30th of rewarding way to pay. five-game winning streak. Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll led the Hawks with 19 points apiece. NBA results/standings Houston 100, Charlotte 89; Phoenix 102, Atlanta 95; Miami 93, Portland 91; Chicago 89, Indiana 77; Memphis BULLS 89, PACERS 77 109, Minnesota 92; New Orleans 109, Brooklyn 104 (OT); Oklahoma City 117, Denver 96; San Antonio 113, led five players in double figures Philadelphia 91; Detroit 114, Utah 94; LA Clippers 106, Milwaukee 98. with 23 points as the Chicago Bulls brushed off a poor offensive first half to rally past the Indiana Eastern Conference Western Conference Pacers. Atlantic Division Northwest Division Kirk Hinrich had 18 points on 7-for-13 shoot- W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 52 18 .743 - ing, Mike Dunleavy scored 13, Jimmy Butler 12 Toronto 39 30 .565 - Portland 45 26 .634 7.5 and Joakim Noah added 10 points, eight Brooklyn 37 32 .536 2 Minnesota 34 35 .493 17.5 rebounds and eight assists. Gibson, who was 9 NY Knicks 29 41 .414 10.5 Denver 32 39 .451 20.5 for 15 from the field, also had eight rebounds in Boston 23 47 .329 16.5 Utah 23 48 .324 29.5 Philadelphia 15 56 .211 25 32 minutes off the bench. Pacific Division Central Division The Bulls (40-31) pulled within two percent- LA Clippers 50 21 .704 - Indiana 51 20 .718 - age points of Toronto (39-30) for third place in Golden State 44 27 .620 6 Chicago 40 31 .563 11 the Eastern Conference. The win also prevented Phoenix 42 29 .592 8 Indiana from clinching the Central Division title Cleveland 27 44 .380 24 Detroit 26 44 .371 24.5 Sacramento 25 45 .357 24.5 on Chicago’s home court. The Pacers are looking LA Lakers 23 46 .333 26 to win consecutive division crowns for the sec- Milwaukee 13 58 .183 38 Southwest Division ond time since joining the NBA (1998-99 and Southeast Division KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways Chairman and Managing Director Rasha Al-Roumi wel- San Antonio 54 16 .771 - 1999-2000). Miami 48 21 .696 - comed directors and coaching staff of the KAC basketball team which won the tour- Washington 36 34 .514 12.5 Houston 48 22 .686 6 nament cup and finished third in the league competition during last season’s Charlotte 34 37 .479 15 Memphis 42 28 .600 12 Ministries and State Departments Championship. Team Director Salem Al-Omran THUNDER 117, NUGGETS 96 Kevin Durant had 27 points and eight assists Atlanta 31 38 .449 17 Dallas 42 29 .592 12.5 expressed appreciation for the management’s support that it was the ‘key’ to the Orlando 19 52 .268 30 New Orleans 30 40 .429 24 team’s success. to help the defeat the