44 Friday Sports Friday, November 17, 2017 Grigor Dimitrov storms into last four at ATP Finals Dimitrov has never quite lived up to his billing

LONDON: Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov raced time Tour Finals qualifier, had made a flying into the semi-finals of the ATP Finals with a start with his dramatic three-set victory over 6-0, 6-2 demolition of David Goffin on Nadal on Monday. But that victory was Wednesday. Dimitrov has never quite lived slightly devalued as the world number one, up to his billing as the heir to Roger Fed- who was struggling with a knee injury, pulled erer’s throne, but the world number six’s out of the tournament after the match. Now eye-catching rout of Goffin was a reminder Goffin faces Thiem in their final group match he is still young and gifted enough to finally with a semi-final place awaiting the winner. make the breakthrough. The 26-year-old “It was not easy for me to lose my serve at unloaded 18 winners to dismiss the Belgian the start. It was tough for my confidence after world number eight at that,” Goffin said. London’s O2 Arena World number two and seal his spot in the Federer, aiming for his last four with one seventh Tour Finals match to play. It was not easy title, has already quali- In the day’s other fied for the last four Pete Sampras group for me to lose from Boris Becker match, Austrian fourth my serve group after winning his seed Dominic Thiem first two matches. beat Spain’s Pablo Car- One of Alexander reno Busta 6-3, 3-6, 6- Zverev or Jack Sock, 4 to remain in the hunt who face each other on for a semi-final berth. Thursday after Federer takes on Marin Cilic, Dimitrov, who defeated Thiem in three will advance with the Swiss as the second sets in his group opener, has already made qualifier from the Becker group. history as the first Bulgarian to qualify for the season-ending Tour finals. And while DOMINANT DIMITROV LONDON: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns to David Goffin of Belgium during their singles tennis match at Federer remains the title favourite following Dimitrov had won three of his four previ- the ATP World Finals at the O2 Arena in London. —AP Rafael Nadal’s injury withdrawal, Dimitrov ous meetings with Goffin and he was quick to will fancy his chances of becoming the first establish control once again. Goffin had a debutant winner since Alex Corretja in 1998. strapping around his left knee and Dimitrov racing into a 3-0 lead after winning nine who was drafted in to replace the injured “You get a few days out of the year that immediately tested his mobility, moving Goffin games in a row. Nadal. Thiem had won all four of their pre- whatever you touch turns to gold and that around the court with some deft ground- The Belgian avoided the embarrassment vious meetings and he extended that un- was the first set,” Dimitrov said. “You work strokes, and landed an early blow with a break of a total whitewash and drew mocking blemished streak in a bruising baseline for those days, it’s nice when it comes in in the second game of the first set. Dimitrov cheers from the crowd in the 10th game as battle lasting over two hours. “It got very such an occasion. dominated from the baseline, breaking twice he finally held his serve. After losing to tight at the end, luckily I got the deciding “It’s a special win for me. My goal was to more to take the set in just 27 minutes, and Dimitrov in his opener, Thiem had little mar- break,” Thiem said. “I’m happy I’m still play- reach the weekend.” Goffin, another first carried his dominance into the second set, gin for error when he faced Carreno Busta, ing for the semi-finals.” —AFP

RED WINGS 8, FLAMES 2 Anisimov has Anthony Mantha scored two power-play goals, added an assist and had a fight to lead mony at the Contemporary Arts Center hat trick, Detroit past Calgary. Andreas Athanasiou had Serena set to in the Big Easy. The Daily Mail said the two goals and an assist, and Dylan Larkin added wedding planning has been shrouded in a goal and two assists for the Red Wings. Gus- tav Nyquist, Justin Abdelkader and Luke Glen- secrecy and guests would not learn the Blackhawks tie the knot dening also scored. Mike Green had three details until yesterday morning. assists and goalie Jimmy Howard made 26 It said the event would cost more than beat Rangers saves. Michael Ferland and Johnny Gaudreau in New Orleans $1 million and guests would be asked not had a goal and an assist each for the Flames and to bring their cell phones because an ex- Eddie Lack allowed five goals on 10 shots be- clusive photo deal has been signed with CHICAGO: Artem Anisimov scored a hat fore being pulled early in the second period. WASHINGTON: Tennis superstar Ser- Vogue. Williams, 36, a 23-time Grand trick in the third period, and the Chicago ena Williams is used to hoisting trophies, Slam champion, and Ohanian, 34, wel- Blackhawks pulled away for a 6-3 victory DUCKS 4, BRUINS 2 but yesterday, it looks like she’ll be car- comed their first child, daughter Alexis over the New York Rangers on Wednesday Kevin Roy scored his first NHL goal and rying a wedding bouquet. Music royalty Olympia, on September 1. night. Alex DeBrincat, John Hayden and Anaheim continued its mastery over goaltender Beyonce and Jay Z, along with actress They announced their engagement Jonathan Toews also scored for the Black- Tuukka Rask and Boston. Josh Manson, Nick Eva Longoria are among the A-listers in December after meeting in 2015 in hawks. Chicago’s Corey Crawford made 25 Ritchie and Derek Grant also scored for the reportedly convening in New Orleans for Rome. Williams won this year’s Aus- saves to snap a three-game skid. Ducks, who won for the second time in their last Williams’ wedding to Reddit co-founder tralian Open while pregnant, and is ex- Mika Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes and Rick seven games (2-3-2). John Gibson made 39 Alexis Ohanian. pected to defend her title in Nash scored for the Rangers, who had a six- saves. Danton Heinen scored for the Bruins, who People and The Daily Mail, citing un- Melbourne in 2018 — just four-and-a- game winning streak snapped. New York’s lost their fourth straight game and fell to 1-11-1 named sources, have reported that about half months after giving birth to her Henrik Lundqvist allowed four goals on 34 against Anaheim since the start of the 2009-10 250 guests will be invited to the cere- baby girl. —AFP shots before Ondrej Pavelec replaced him in season. Rask (23 saves) dropped to 1-6-1 in his the third period. career against the Ducks. —Reuters