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14 Sports Thursday, July 8, 2021 Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener

PHOENIX: Chris Paul made sure his long-awaited Paul got a little too comfortable,” Bucks standout Jrue NBA Finals debut would be one to remember, scoring Holiday said. 32 points and adding nine assists to spark the Phoenix Paul, with the second-most games of any NBA Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Tuesday’s player making his finals debut, went 12-of-19 from the opening game of the championship series. floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th free throw line. “I’m just so locked into the game,” Paul season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists said. “I’m staying in the moment. I’m just focused on while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old the task at hand.” Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 Paul went 6-of-7 for 16 points in the third quarter, rebounds in dominating the Bucks. “I just kept trying when the Suns stretched the lead as large as 20 points. to be aggressive and my guys got going,” Paul said. Antetokounmpo scored off a rebound to pull “It’s trust. We’ve played like this all season. We just Milwaukee within 101-94 in the fourth quarter, but a have to stay locked in.” steal and hoop by Paul helped keep the Bucks at bay. Phoenix will try to grab a 2-0 edge when the best- of-seven showdown continues tonight. “There was a Energy and juice lot of energy coming into this game,” Paul said. “We “To win the first game, it gives you a level of confi- got one. We’ve got to get another one.” The Suns, in dence,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “It was just the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, seek their having the energy and the juice that we typically play first league title while the Bucks, in their first finals with. It’s important. Our guys understand that.” Ayton since 1974, won their only crown 50 years ago. “We’ll became the first player with 15 points and 15 rebounds look at the film,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. in his NBA Finals debut since Tim Duncan in 1999. “We’ll get smarter. We’ll get better for game two.” The Suns went 25-of-26 from the free throw line, Milwaukee started Greek star forward Giannis missing only the last to keep them from an NBA Finals Antetokounmpo, who had missed two games with a record. The Suns, who haven’t lost in 11 playoff games hyperextended left knee, and he contributed 20 points when leading by 10 or more, opened a 65-52 lead ear- and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes. “It was tough. Had to ly in the third quarter. do my best to get back,” Antetokounmpo said. “Did Phoenix led 30-26 after the first quarter and 57- the right treatment. Took care of my body. Supported 49 at halftime. Booker had 16 points in the first half my teammates. Now I’m back. Felt great. I had my bal- and Paul added 11, six of them in a 10-4 run to give ance. Felt my knee was stable. I did not feel pain. I felt the Suns a 45-38 edge. Antetokounmpo had eight good.” But even with 29 points from Khris Middleton, points, five rebounds and two assists in the first PHOENIX: Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during Game One of the 2021 NBA Finals on it wasn’t enough against Paul and a swifter, more quarter, making a solid start after being a game- Tuesday at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. — AFP defensively aggressive Suns squad. “I just think Chris time decision. — AFP Keeper Martinez sends Argentina Jabeur ‘honored’ to into Copa final against Brazil represent Africa as

BRASILIA: Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the Fast Argentina start Wimbledon dream ends hero as Argentina defeated Colombia on penalties on Messi produced some early magic to beat three Tuesday to set up a dream Copa America final players and cross for Martinez to head wide. against Brazil. Argentina stopper Martinez saved Colombia didn’t heed the warning and on seven min- LONDON: will not be lifting the three penalties in the shoot-out after a bruising 1-1 utes, Giovanni Lo Celso found Messi in the box, the Wimbledon women’s singles trophy this year but she draw in Brasilia. diminutive star held off the giant Mina and picked out said she was “honored” to have represented Africa Hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday’s first semi- Martinez to fire into the far corner. Colombia almost with such style and gusto. Aryna Sabalenka ended final meaning their star forward Neymar will line up hit back immediately but goalkeeper Martinez was Jabeur’s historic run at Wimbledon, the second-seeded LONDON: Australia’s practices on the against Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Saturday at Rio down quickly to keep out Juan Cuadrado’s low strike. player’s power getting the better of the guile of Aorangi Practice Courts on the ninth day of the 2021 de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium. Two years ago After Argentina’s fast start, Colombia started to the Tunisian 6-4, 6-3 in 74 minutes. Wimbledon Championships at The All England a Brazil team missing the injured Neymar knocked dominate and Cuadrado sent a free-kick just over the Jabeur, though, took a lot of positives from the Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. — AFP out Argentina in the semi-finals before winning their bar. The Cafeteros cranked up the pressure and hit the remarkable last few weeks which saw her become the ninth Copa title on home soil. woodwork twice in quick succession. After Wilmar first Arab woman to win a WTA event — the grass- For Messi, 34, time is running out to win a first Barrios’s half-volley deflected off Lo Celso’s hand and court tournament in Birmingham. She then beat three major international title with his national team, having struck the post, Mina headed the resulting corner onto Barty has Kerber on former title winners — , previously lost in three Copa finals and the 2014 the bar. But Argentina were a whisker away from dou- Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek — on her run to World Cup final. For once he wasn’t his country’s bling their advantage on the stroke of half-time when her second Grand Slam quarter-final. main hero, although he did create the opening goal Nicolas Gonzalez powered a header from a Messi cor- her mind, Pliskova “I’m honored,” she said about representing Africa at for Lautaro Martinez on seven minutes, before Luis ner goalwards, with Colombia goalkeeper David such a huge profile global sports event. “Also trying to Diaz equalized just after the hour mark. Ospina somehow scooping the ball over the bar. prepares for Sabalenka represent a whole continent for me is very important. I In the shoot-out, goalkeeper Martinez three times try to behave well and give the right example for the dived to his left to save penalties from center-backs Di Maria impact young generation, for people following. We’re going Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina, as well as mid- Colombia remained the better side after the break LONDON: One is motivated by a significant anniver- through tough times in Tunisia with COVID and every- fielder Edwin Cardona. And although Rodrigo De with Duvan Zapata having a shot blocked and substi- sary, another rediscovered the grass is definitely thing. I’m glad that I’m giving positive thoughts to peo- Paul skied his penalty for Argentina, Messi — who tute Miguel Borja firing wide. But they deservedly greener for her form, a third is driven on by “brutal” ple there.” Jabeur departs having lost in her second finished with blood seeping visibly from his left ankle equalized on 61 minutes when Cardona took a quick critics and the fourth, the girl with a tiger tattoo, finds Grand Slam quarter-final — the 2020 — was amongst the scorers to give them a 3-2 victo- free-kick from inside his own half and sent Diaz scam- herself in unknown Grand Slam territory. The stage is being the previous one — a “barrier” she hopes to get ry on spot-kicks. Saving penalties “is a question of pering away to hold off German Pezzella and dink a set for the women’s Wimbledon semi-finals today with across next time. However, the 26-year-old has done luck and today it was my turn to be the glorious one,” clever finish over Martinez. three of the contenders new to the experience. wonders in her goal to use her exploits to encourage said Martinez. “We said it the first day, we want to Argentina brought on Angel Di Maria for Gonzalez Headline names such as 2019 champion Simona young Arab women — especially North African — to play the final and what better than playing Brazil on and the tricky winger immediately brought more Halep, four-time Grand Slam winner and take up the sport. their pitch.” urgency to his side’s attack. But Di Maria and seven-time Wimbledon champion are “I know that since 2011, since I won the junior Argentina and Colombia were actually supposed Martinez contrived to butcher a glorious chance to missing but there is the present world number one and Roland Garros title, I know that there are many girls to be joint hosts but South American football’s gov- give Argentina the lead again. two former number ones in the last four. wanted to play tennis and are dreaming more,” said erning body CONMEBOL switched venues at the Daniel Munoz’s wayward back pass sent Di Maria Ashleigh Barty’s clash with would Jabeur. “I feel like I’ve been carrying a great message 11th hour due to the coronavirus pandemic and social scampering towards goal. He dribbled round Ospina be fit for a final, pitching the world number one against trying to represent my country as best as I can. I think unrest in Colombia. Despite the defeat, Colombia and teed up Martinez whose shot was blocked on the the 2018 Wimbledon champion. The other semi is an right now they are dreaming even bigger and they coach Reinaldo Rueda was feeling positive, saying line by Barrios before Di Maria blazed the rebound intriguing duel between former world number one want to be here, they want to be me and follow in my their performance “invites us to dream, to think we’re over. Di Maria then played in Messi who thudded a Karolina Pliskova and the powerful second seed from steps.” on the right path.” shot off the post before De Paul’s follow up was Belarus, Aryna Sabalenka. Barty is motivated by a “We should lift our heads, look each other in the charged down by Sanchez. Messi shot a late free-kick higher purpose. For it is 50 years ago her fellow ‘It’s really tricky’ eyes and know we have nothing to reproach our- into the wall but after the 90 minutes were up, it was indigenous Australian won Sabalenka may sport a tiger tattoo — which selves about,” he added. Martinez who took center stage. — AFP the first of her two Wimbledon titles. prompted her parents not to speak to her for a week in Barty has worn a specially-designed dress as a 1998 — but the broadest of smiles spread across her tribute to the ‘iconic’ scallop one her “friend and men- face as she soaked up the reality of her achievement. tor” wore in that 1971 final. “It’s a really special The 23-year-old, who had only won one match on her anniversary for a lot of Australians, but for indigenous three previous visits to Wimbledon, will play former Australians in particular,” said Barty at the outset of world number one Karolina Pliskova who eased into her not always convincing campaign. “I think this is a the last four with a straight sets win over Viktorija really special one.” Barty’s has been found want- Golubic. ing at pivotal moments — even her quarter-final oppo- She will try and go one better than compatriot nent Ajla Tomljanovic broke her twice in their second Viktoria Azarenka who twice reached the last four in set — but she believes her form is coming together. “I 2011 and 2012. “I mean I am really happy with this think obviously play on grass is very different,” she win,” she said. “It’s always tough against Ons, she’s an said after her quarter-final. “The grass season for me, amazing player and person. I’m happy it looks like it’s one tournament, pretty cut-throat. I certainly everything is working for me. It’s really tricky, shots on wasn’t as loose as I have been with errors and kind of the grass. It’s sometimes hard to do anything with the ill-timed lapses. But I felt really sharp today.” ball. It fits my game and I’m really enjoying my time on the court.”—AFP ‘Huge drama’ Barty, though, knows she will have to move up a gear if she is to see off Kerber. The 33-year-old German has bounced back to top form after first round exits at both the Australian and . “I know one of Angie’s greatest assets is the fact that she can run and hunt and put the ball in an awkward situation to nullify my aggression and my weapons at times,” said Barty. “It’s a really fine balance.” Kerber, 33, has improved as the Championships have progressed from earning along with her second round opponent a five minute standing ovation for their three hour marathon. The 25th seed has gone on to impressive wins over higher- seeded duo and then Karolina Muchova. “I have always in my career had some ups and downs but I was always believing I could come back because I know what I can do,” said Kerber. Pliskova too has never doubted herself despite dropping out of the top 10 — she is ranked 13 — after being a regular since 2016. A first appearance in a Wimbledon semi-final has justified that self-belief — she is yet to drop a set and LONDON: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur reacts against Belarus’s has only had her serve broken three times. The 29- Aryna Sabalenka during their women’s quarter-final BRASILIA: Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (left) celebrates with teammates Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez (right) year-old Czech has hit 40 aces and she served one tennis match on the eighth day of the 2021 Wimbledon and Rodrigo De Paul after scoring against Colombia during their Conmebol 2021 Copa America football tourna- with full force directed at her doubters after she beat Championships at The All England Tennis Club in ment semi-final match at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, on Tuesday. — AFP Swiss on Tuesday.—AFP Wimbledon, southwest London, on Tuesday. — AFP