Serena, Halep Chase Milestones in Final

Home , Bruno Oscar Schmidt, Simona Halep, Youssef Msakni

SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019 SPORT 17 I think New Zealand throughout England captain Eoin the whole tournament has been FORMULA ONE TENNIS probably the hardest side to beat Morgan says ahead British Grand Prix Wimbledon, Women’s and the best side in the group of ICC World Cup ﬁnal Qualifying at Silverstone Singles ﬁnal: Serena stages. against the ‘Black Caps’. ACTION Williams vs Simona Halep

Circuit TODAY’S Serena, Halep chase milestones in final

REUTERS FACTBOX: WILLIAMS VS HALEP LONDON SERENA WILLIAMS Serena Williams no longer wants to Age: 37 obsess about elusive Grand Slam WTA Ranking: 10 (Highest ranking: 1) “number 24” and Simona Halep is Grand Slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, desperate to win Wimbledon more than 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open to stop the American reaching that 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, milestone but there will be no place for 2012, 2015, 2016; U.S. Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, either to hide in today’s final. 2013, 2014) No matter who wins the title 2018 Wimbledon performance: Runner-up decider on Centre Court, the one thing Best Wimbledon performance: Winner (2002, for certain is that it will be a historic 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016) occasion. Sets dropped at Wimbledon 2019: 2 The 37-year-old Williams is chasing Since winning her last Grand Slam title in Australia an eighth All England Club singles in 2017, Williams has reached two more major finals -- at crown which would see her match Aus- tralian Margaret Court’s all-time record Wimbledon and the U.S. Open -- and failed in her quest to of 24 major singles titles. win a record-equalling 24th major singles crown. National pride will be at stake for However, she goes into Saturday’s Wimbledon Halep as she bids to become the first final with a stellar record against Halep, having lost to the Romanian to win a singles title at the Romanian only once in 10 meetings between the pair spiritual home of grasscourt tennis. back in 2014. Halep said if she dwelt on Williams’ Simona Halep Serena Williams records over the past 21 years it might SIMONA HALEP be game over before she stepped on Age: 27 court for a contest compatriot and gym- WTA Ranking: 7 (Highest ranking: 1) nastics great Nadia Comaneci said ready for what could be one of the most has more than just an A-game in her and won 83 percent of her service Grand Slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018) would be “watched by every Romanian memorable days in the history of repertoire. games. 2018 Wimbledon performance: Third round alive on the planet”. women’s tennis? “I have a better game these days. I Playing mixed doubles with Andy Best Wimbledon performance: Final (2019) “I will focus on myself. I’m not “The biggest key with our matches can play everywhere, against anyone. Murray, albeit in a losing cause this Sets dropped at Wimbledon 2019: 1 thinking about her record. Her records is the (6-0 6-2) loss that I had. I never When I go on court... I know how to week, has also helped her to sharpen her Halep has yet to win a title in 2019 but has been are huge already. It’s nothing about forgot it,” said the 11th seed, who is also change some things when (other things) volleys - an ominous sight for anyone on that. It’s just a tennis match, big chal- bidding to become the first mother to don’t work very well,” said the 2018 the opposite side of the net. in menacing form at Wimbledon, even though grass is not lenge, a great match. So I will try just triumph at Wimbledon since Australian French Open champion. Williams has already had two failed her favourite surface. to give my best,” said Halep, who has Evonne Goolagong beat American Chris “Now, I believe that I have my attempts in finals to win that 24th major The counter-puncher has stuck to her clay-court lost just one set so far. Evert in 1980. chance to win against her. I respect a - after contesting last year’s Wimbledon strengths on the grass and dictated play from the base- A quick study of their rivalry would “She played unbelievable. That lot what she has done and what she’s and US Open showpiece matches - and, line to reach her first Grand Slam final since winning the also suggest Williams will probably be makes me know that... she can get there doing. But I feel mentally stronger regardless of what she says, everyone French Open last year. the one holding aloft the Venus Rose- again. So I have to be better than that. facing her.” knows the American wants that record. HEAD-TO-HEAD: WILLIAMS LEADS 9-1 water dish considering she has won “There’s so many impressive things A ‘Plan B’ or even ‘Plan C’ could “I just trained and I trained and I Last five meetings nine of their previous 10 meetings. about her. Obviously her tenacity, her come in handy for Halep as Williams trained to get physically more fit. So 2019 Williams d Halep 6-1 4-6 6-4 (Australian The 27-year-old Halep’s only ability to find power. Can’t underes- was at her devastating best in a I’m definitely at a different place,” said Open, hard) victory over Williams was almost five timate her. She’s like a little power- 59-minute destruction of unseeded Williams. 2016 Williams d Halep 6-2 4-6 6-3 (US Open, hard) years ago, while the American has won house. I feel like she’s back. She wants Czech Barbora Strycova in the semi- “It’s really not about 24 or 23 or 25. 2016 Williams d Halep 6-4 6-3 (Indian Wells, hard) all three of their Grand Slam clashes, to prove that she can do it again.” finals. Moving as smoothly and It’s really just about going out there and 2015 Williams d Halep 6-3 7-6(5) (Cincinnati, hard)

including at Wimbledon in 2011. Halep will also take heart from their striking the ball as crisply and as pow- giving my best effort no matter what. 2015 Williams d Halep 6-2 4-6 7-5 (Miami, hard) So which memory from those battle at this year’s Australian Open erfully as at any time in her career, the No matter what I do, I will always have tussles will Williams rely on as she gets being a close one and the fact that she American has so far unleashed 45 aces a great career.” Bottas leads Groenewegen wins Tour Stage 7 Hamilton in as Ciccone retains yellow jersey British GP REUTERS seconds off the pace, is expected CHALON SUR SAONE to try and regain the yellow practice jersey on a hilly course in central Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen France. REUTERS put his nightmare of a Tour de Riding in the yellow “I know that the terrain will SILVERSTONE France start behind him when jersey through France is suit him well and that six he won the seventh stage in a such a special feeling: seconds is nothing,” said Valtteri Bottas kept Mercedes bunch sprint after a pancake-flat Giulio Ciccone Ciccone, nicknamed Il Gekko for team-mate Lewis Hamilton off 230 km ride from Belfort his fast climbing abilities. the top of the timesheets in yesterday. “Riding in the yellow jersey practice for the Formula One The Jumbo-Visma rider, who stage in Brussels to don the through France is such a special leader’s home British Grand Prix crashed heavily in the opening yellow jersey, told a news feeling and I could really enjoy yesterday, with Ferrari emerging Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas stage in Brussels, beat Australian conference. it because the first 200 kilo- as best of the rest. during practice, yesterday. Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) and “Today we did a very good metres were taken at a slow The Finn, 31 points behind the Slovak Peter Sagan (Bora Hans- job as a team. I was a bit boxed pace.” five times world champion after grohe) into second and third, in with 500 metres to go and I On the longest stage of the nine races, lapped the former air- Verstappen, winner of the Sainz was eighth. Romain respectively. asked Mike (Teunissen) to make race, Frenchmen Yoann Offredo field in one minute 26.732 previous race in Austria to end Grosjean provided a talking point It was Groenewegen’s fourth space for me and he put his life and Stephane Rossetto formed seconds on soft tyres. Mercedes’ run of 10 successive of the morning when he crashed stage win on the Tour, two years on the line to do it.” the day’s breakaway with vir- Crowd favourite Hamilton wins, was third fastest in the his Haas in the pit lane, smashing after his first came in the pres- Italian Giulio Ciccone (Trek tually no chance of going all the was 0.069 slower with Ferrari’s morning. the car’s front wing and leaving tigious final ride on the Champs Segafredo), who extended his way against a peloton working Charles Leclerc third in 1:26.929. Red Bull team boss Christian debris on track after exiting. Elysees in Paris. contract with Trek-Segafredo by towards a bunch sprint finish. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, Horner suggested earlier in the Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raik- “The start of the race what two years until 2021, retained Ireland’s Nicolas Roche lost winner at Silverstone last year but week that the pressure of trying konen stopped on track, bringing not what I’d expected but in the the overall lead. focus and fell off his bike without yet to triumph in 2019, was fourth to match Verstappen was getting out a red flag. past days I tried to recover to be Today’s eighth stage is a 200 any injuries while American but had an off-track excursion at to Gasly and he should just focus Williams are determined to ready for today,” Groenewegen, km ride from Macon to St Tejay van Garderen, once a Tour Becketts. on his driving and ignore social keep British Formula One rookie whose team and room-mate Etienne, where France’s Julian overall contender, suffered Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly was media. George Russell for the long term Mike Teunissen won the first Alaphilippe, second overall six damages in a crash early on. quicker than team-mate Max The Frenchman was lapped and have no plans to replace Verstappen in both sessions, by his team mate in Austria and Polish driver Robert Kubica this Netherlands’ Dylan Groenewegen (centre) fastest overall on an overcast and his seat has been under season, deputy principal Claire celebrates as he wins Stage 7, yesterday. changeable morning and then increasing scrutiny. Williams said at the British GP. fifth in the afternoon. Hamilton has won four of the Addressing rumours swirling Bottas had been top for most last five British Grands Prix and around the former champions of that first session, however, is chasing a fifth successive pole who have fallen far from their until Gasly went quicker right at position in front of what is likely glorious past, Williams also dis- the end when conditions to be a record crowd and well in missed speculation the team improved and a light drizzle excess of 140,000 tomorrow. could switch from Mercedes to ended. Renault raised their hopes Renault engines. with Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel “We haven’t had any conver- Hamilton has won four Ricciardo seventh and eighth in sations about George potentially of the last five British the morning but they dropped leaving the team in the short Grands Prix and is down to 14th and 15th after term because he’s on a long-term chasing a fifth successive lunch, with the Australian ahead contract with us,” she told pole position in front of his German team mate. reporters. McLaren’s Lando Norris was “Personally I feel he is world of what is likely to be a sixth in the second session, champion material and why record crowd and well another impressive performance would I want to lose George from in excess of 140,000 from a 19-year-old fast becoming our team? I would do everything tomorrow. a fan favourite. in my power to keep George Spanish team mate Carlos Russell at Williams.” 18 SPORT SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019 New Zealand England must block out ‘noise’ ready for long ahead of Lord’s final: Bayliss night, says coach Stead AFP AFP LONDON LONDON “I think it shows the passion Jason has got for the There is going to be game, and it is such a big game New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes England head coach Trevor as well, when he was on the sports fans across the rugby-mad country Bayliss knows his side must a lot of noise around verge of scoring a hundred,” will be pulling an all-nighter in front of their shut out the noise of an ‘you guys are now the England head coach said. television sets when his side face tournament expectant nation as they the favourites’, and “He will learn from that and hosts England in the World Cup final. prepare for a first World Cup all this type of thing go on to bigger and better Neither side have won the World Cup final in 27 years. things, I am sure.” before, although tomorrow’s showpiece The host nation produced -- we can’t listen to The Surrey batsman is match at Lord’s will be New Zealand’s second an inspired display to complete any of that: Bayliss expected to be in contention successive appearance in the final after they an eight-wicket victory over for a place in the Ashes squad finished runners-up to Australia four years Australia at Edgbaston on but Bayliss was giving little ago. Thursday and will meet New now the favourites’, and all this away, keeping his focus on the In Britain, an agreement between rights- Zealand at Lord’s tomorrow. type of thing -- we can’t listen one-day format. holders Sky and Channel 4 will see the match With the showpiece event to any of that. Bayliss said the return of screened on free to air television in the hope also being broadcast on a free- “We have just got to con- live international cricket to tra- that millions of new followers will tune in to to-air platform following an centrate on the way we have ditional free-to-air television watch an England side captained by Eoin agreement between rights gone about our cricket over the for the first time since the Morgan go one better than their predecessors holders Sky and Channel 4, past four years and what has 2005 Ashes was “an oppor- of 1979, 1987 and 1992 by winning the final. expectations will be elevated got us to this point and go tunity to influence another Stead believes it will be a similar story even further. through our process.” generation of young back home as his team look to emulate New Australian Bayliss, though, After Australia were all out cricketers”. Zealand’s rugby union All Blacks by being has called for calm as England for 223 in 49 overs, England The 56-year-old is set to crowned world champions. look to go one better than they opener Jason Roy struck a step down at the end of his “My understanding is it’s on free to air did in their last World Cup final superb 85 from 65 balls as he current deal in September, no back home also, which is awesome,” Stead appearance in 1992, when put on yet another big stand matter what the summer told reporters at Lord’s yesterday. they lost against Imran Khan’s with Jonny Bairstow to break brings. “Many people will stay up late and I know Pakistan in Melbourne. the back of the run chase. “I have always been a a lot of them will be spending some late “We had a chat in the Roy was fined for showing believer that four or five years hours. Monday might be a public holiday back changing room (at Edgbaston) dissent at the umpire’s decision is long enough, whether you home because most of New Zealand will be afterwards and realised we after he was wrongly given out are doing well or not,” he said. staying up watching the game.” have not won anything yet,” caught behind. “It is time for a new voice for “We’ve had a lot of supportive messages England’s head coach Trevor Bayliss Bayliss told BBC radio. Bayliss, though, feels the the boys, to hopefully take and we’re really excited about what’s ahead,” attends a training session at Edgbaston “There is going to be a lot 28-year-old can soon put the them to another level,” said the added Stead. of noise around ‘you guys are incident behind him. coach. in Birmingham on Wednesday. England thrashed New Zealand by 119 runs in the teams’ final group match but the Black Caps put that disappointment behind them with an upset 18-run semi-final win Dharmasena over India. to stand in Australia back to drawing board final despite with 2023 World Cup on radar Roy row REUTERS World Cup in 2015, just five AFP LONDON made the initial 15-man LONDON squad for the tournament Australia’s eight-wicket with only wicketkeeper Alex Sri Lankan umpire Kumar mauling by England in the Carey making a significant Dharmasena has been World Cup semi-final could contribution in England. appointed to stand in the World see an overhaul of the squad, It is also debatable how Cup final between England and tactics and selection policy much of the current squad New Zealand at Lord’s for the five-times champions will be around in four years’ tomorrow despite finding as they plan for the 2023 time, with most, likely to be himself involved in a contro- tournament in India. approaching, or in their mid Gary Stead versial incident with home The comprehensive loss 30s in 2023. batsman Jason Roy. to a rampant England side Finch added that Aus- Australian captain The opener had made 85 to was the first time Australia tralia, like other countries, Aaron Finch reacts set hosts on their way to an had made the last four of the would undergo a debrief as Rashid named eventual 8-wicket win against competition and not during semi-final they plan for India but it was Australia in Thursday’s semi- advanced to the final. against England too early if they would follow final at Edgbaston, when he was England now face New on Thursday. England’s blueprint of Afghanistan given out caught behind down Zealand in the final at Lord’s starting from scratch and the legside by Dharmasena. tomorrow. before they lost to South emulate England’s all-out building over four years. Roy requested a review but Despite a mixed buildup Africa at Old Trafford in their attacking approach by “I think that after a World captain for all England had already used their after they won just three of 18 last game before the selecting power-hitting Cup you always start looking lone review of the innings. Roy, matches in last 14 months until semi-final. Twenty20 players like D’Arcy and you have one eye formats his arms spread wide, clearly March this year, Aaron Finch’s Much of their success at Short and Chris Lynn at the towards the next one,” he believed Dharmasena should team entered the tournament the tournament was built on top. said. AFP have signalled a wide delivery as one of the favourites having a patient approach from their Short and Lynn, however, “I think that as a man- KABUL instead and the audibly furious beaten India and Pakistan in opening batsmen with the were victims of a rotational agement, senior players, I’m batsman had to be ushered away away series. pair of David Warner and selection policy with sure over the next couple of The Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) named leg from the crease by square-leg They stretched their Finch both assessing condi- numerous changes to the months or so we will sit down spinner Rashid Khan captain across all the umpire Marais Erasmus. winning streak to 10 matches tions expertly to score over team personnel over the last and start talking about that and major formats yesterday, despite a disap- Replays suggested he did until their 36-run loss to India 500 runs in the four years, ostensibly to rest start planning how we think pointing World Cup for the Twenty20 not touch the ball. The England at The Oval in the pool phase tournament. senior players for Test that we can best plan and sensation. star, 28, was fined 30 percent of the tournament. It was a far cry from the matches. prepare and improve over the Asghar Afghan was also appointed vice- of his match fee for showing Finch’s men then won tactics favoured until earlier Of the 27 players given next four years to get us to go, captain, the ACB said in a statement dissent. another five in succession this year when they tried to ODI debuts since the last well two steps further.” announcing the decision. Khan came into the World Cup as cricket’s hottest property after catching the eye with his leg spinners for minnows Afghanistan. But the Twenty20 star, who played a De Villiers defends offer to play for Proteas leading role for many sides in franchise cricket across the globe, claimed only six wickets in nine games as the Afghans REUTERS announcement. That led to accusa- cannot be distracted, I would like to In a phone-call to long-time returned home without notching up a single CAPE TOWN tions that De Villiers, one of the best respond to unjustified criticism of me friend Du Plessis during this year’s win. batsmen in the limited overs cricket, during the tournament,” De Villiers Indian Premier League, he repeated At a news conference announcing his AB de Villiers (pictured) said he did had been selfish in trying to force his said in a statement yesterday. the door was open for South Africa new role, Khan acknowledged the respon- not expect to be included in South way back into the squad. “I announced my retirement from “if I was needed”. sibility on his shoulders and expressed hopes Africa’s squad for the World Cupup afterafter HeHe said,said, hhowever,owever, he was international cricket in May 2018 “I had been in decent form during for the team’s future. telling captain Faf du Plessis thathat he onlyonly reiteratinreiteratingg what he because I wanted to reduce my the Indian Premier League and cas- “We all play as one team and play only was available, as he clarifieded hhisis hhadad totoldld an unnameunnamedd workload and spend more time with ually repeated what I had said when for the country. Whatever I am today, is role in a selection drama that bblewlew CricketCricket South AfricaAfrica my wife and young sons. Some have asked a year earlier, that I was because of this country and this team,” Khan up in England. officialofficial a year earearlierlier upon insisted I was motivated purely by available if required... but only if said, according to the ACB. South Africa endured a mmis-is- his retiretirement.rement. money. They are wrong. required. Gulbadin Naib, who skippered Afghan- erable tournament, exiting withh onlonlyy “Now“Now thethe Proteas’Proteas’ “In truth, I have turned down “I made absolutely no demands istan for the World Cup, defended his premier three wins from their ninene poopooll WorldWorld Cup campaign many lucrative offers to play around at all. I certainly did not try to force spinner after their final loss to West Indies, matches. is over,over, and the the world, and have cut the time my way into the World Cup squad on saying “he gives 100 percent”. Their cause was not helpedd teamt eam spent away from home each year the eve of the tournament, and did The 20-year-old Rashid, who is number when it was reported that Dee from eight months to just over three not expect to be included.” one in the T20 rankings, set the cricket world Villiers, who had retired from months.” De Villiers said the story was abuzz when he became the fastest bowler to international cricket in May De Villiers said that immediately leaked to the media after South take 100 ODI wickets, in 44 matches. 2018, had spoken to Du after his retirement he was asked if Africa’s loss to India, their third in a Afghanistan is one of the fairytale stories Plessis about making himself the door was open for a return to the row at the World Cup, as a way of of modern sport, with cricket introduced to available on the eve of the team, and he confirmed he would deflecting attention away from the the war-torn country by returning refugees team’s squad consider it. team’s troubles. who had learnt about the game in camps in neighbouring Pakistan. SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019 SPORT 19

Qatar’s Cherif Younousse FIVB World Tour: Cherif, and Ahmed Tijan react during their round-3 match of the 20th Swatch Gstaad Major, another stop in the Tijan finish fifth in Gstaad FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, in Gstaad, THE PENINSULA Latvia’s Martins Plavins and Edgars Tocs 2-0 Switzerland, DOHA (26-24, 21-19). yesterday. In the pool stage, the reigning Asian cham- Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan pions beat their Chilean counterparts before finished fifth in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World clinching their second win in Group C against Tour Swatch Major Gstaad after going down to Russia’s Ilya Leshukov and Konstantin their Brazilian counterparts in Round 3 Semenov. yesterday. Today, Oliveira Júnior and Schmidt, seeded In yesterday’s second match in the main 7th in Gstaad and ranked 4th in the FIVB Tour, draw, Evandro Gonçalves Oliveira Júnior and will meet Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Bruno Oscar Schmidt beat the Qatari pair 2-1 Norway in the first semi-final. (20-22, 23-21, 15-10) in a keen tuscle to make it The second semi-final match will feature to the semi-finals of the $600,000 five-star two teams that shared the Rio 2016 Olympic event in Gstaad, Switzerland. podium as 21st-seeded Alexander Brouwer and Finishing fifth in the tournament also earned Robert Meeuwsen of The Netherlands challenge Cherif and Tijan a prize cheque for $12,000. 12th-seeded Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai of Earlier yesterday, Cherif and Tijan defeated Italy. Barcelona sign Griezmann in $135m deal

AFP Last week Atletico accused Barcelona and MADRID Griezmann of a “lack of respect” after Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed the New challenges await Griezmann Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine two clubs had held talks about the former Griezmann yesterday for €120m ($135m), Real Sociedad forward. AFP forward in his career with the goal At Atletico, he was the MADRID sparking a furious reaction from Atletico Atletico then claimed that Griezmann had of consolidating his place as one of poster-boy and Madrid over the amount the La Liga cham- told the club that he had struck a deal with the best players in the world.” difference-maker. pions paid for the World Cup winner. Barcelona in March, just days before the Antoine Griezmann is likely to win For Atletico, meanwhile, another In a statement, Barca revealed that they second leg of their Champions League last-16 the titles at Barcelona so far lacking star is lost and their hopes of At Barcelona, he will have to had paid the €120m ($135m) to activate tie with JuventusJuventus,, which saw them dumped in his club career but leaving Atletico absorbing this latestlatest,, and perhaperhapsps fight even to play and when the Frenchman’sn’s release clause, out by a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick after MadridMadrid brings few other guarantees, mostmost crushing, departure of the closclosee he does he will have to fit adding that hhee would sisigngn a winningwinning the first lelegg 2-0 in Madrid.Madrid. eveneven for one of the world’s most season maymay rest on the shoulders of around Messi. five-year deal tthathat incincludedluded a Griezmann joinedjoined AtleticoAtletico in 2014 andand talentedtalented players.players. 19-year-old19-year-old Joao Felix,Felix, theirtheir €126m€126m “buyout clausee of €800m”.€800m”. has scored 133 goalsggppoals in 257 aappearances,ppearances, Griezmann’sGriezmann’s lonlong-anticipatedggp-anticipated arrivalarrival frfromom BBenfica.enfica. 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Africa Cup of Nations: Tunisia end Indonesian court jails six in first trial Madagascar’s dream run to reach semis over match fixing REUTERS Former skipper of Qatar’s Al Duhail SC, Youssef Msakni (top left) CAIRO REUTERS scoring Tunisia’s second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations JAKARTA quarter-final match against Madagascar, on Thursday. Tunisia ended Madagascar’s remarkable Africa Cup of Nations run An Indonesian court has handed down jail when they beat the rank outsiders 3-0 sentences to six people, including a former in their quarter-final on Thursday, referee and members of the national soccer asso- notching their first win of the tour- ciation, in the country’s first trial over match- nament in the process. fixing, according to a statement on the court’s Madagascar, a country with little website. football tradition and who had not The three-month trial at the Banjarnegara dis- been expected to progress beyond the trict court on Java island was connected to a game group stage on their first appearance in Indonesia’s third tier league between Persibara at the finals, held out until the second Banjarnegara and PSIP Pemalang in 2018. half when they were undone by Pemalang had won the game 1-0, but the Pers- Ferjani Sassi’s deflected shot. ibara manager later reported to authorities sus- Youssef Msakni added a second picions of match-fixing, resulting in a police on the hour for the Carthage Eagles, investigation ranked 25th in the world against Congo on penalties in the previous drive from 25 metres. Khazri had a was powerless when Msakni collected The suspects were charged under the coun- Madagascar’s 107th, and substitute round but it was always going to be goal disallowed for offside at the start the rebound, slipped past a defender try’s fraud statute that can result in a maximum Naim Sliti finished it off on the break different proposition against of the second half but it was not long and planted the ball in the bottom jail term of three years. in stoppage time to earn them a semi- streetwise, if uninspiring, Tunisia. before Tunisia went ahead, although corner. The six, who had already been banned for life final against Senegal tomorrow. Tunisia began to take control it was very tough on Madagascar. After that, Tunisia decided to sit from working in soccer in Indonesia, received Tunisia had drawn their previous towards halftime, however, and Sassi’s shot in the 52nd minute back on their lead and Madagascar sentences of up to three years in jail as well as four matches at the tournament, Madagascar goalkeeper Melvin appeared to offer no real threat to never looked like mounting a fight fines. beating Ghana on penalties in the last Adrien twice had to dive at the feet Adrien until it took a wicked back. Although they kept pushing A lawyer for Tjan Ling Eng, a former exec- 16. of the marauding Tunisian forwards deflection off Thomas Fontaine to forward, their remarkable campaign utive committee member of Indonesian soccer’s The Indian Ocean islanders had and then parried Wahbi Khazri’s leave the hapless goalkeeper com- ended with something of a whimper governing body (PSSI), said his client would decide beaten Nigeria on their way to curling free kick around the post. pletely wrongfooted. with Sliti’s breakaway goal in next week whether to appeal his 21-month jail winning their group and then He was then called into action Eight minutes later, Tunisia struck stoppage time rubbing salt into the sentence. knocked out Democratic Republic of again to save Ghaylen Chaalali’s low again. Adrien saved Khazri’s shot but wounds. SATURDAY 13 JULY 2019 20

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Serena and Australia back to Halep chase drawing board milestones in with 2023 World Wimbledon ﬁnal Cup on radar Silk Way Rally: Al Attiyah wins 6th successive stage

Overdrive Racing’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French navigator Matthieu Baumel in action during the 6th stage of the 2019 Silk Way Rally between Mandalgovi and Dalanzadgad in Mongolia, yesterday. It was the Qatari driver's sixth successive stage win in the rally. The win also extended their outright lead in the Silk Way Rally to 40:33 minutes. RIGHT: Al Attiyah gestures after winning the stage.

Federer holds off Nadal to set up Djokovic final

AFP cut out tomorrow if he is to secure Federer, the oldest semi-finalist Roger Federer reaches his LONDON a 21st major title as he trails 15-time in a Grand Slam semi-final since 12th Wimbledon final with Slam winner Djokovic 25-22 in Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open, a 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 Roger Federer reached his 12th career meetings. broke Nadal for the first time in the win over his Spanish rival Wimbledon final yesterday, Yesterday’s semi-final was fourth game of the third set. Rafael Nadal, in a match defeating old rival Rafael Nadal, 11 never likely to match the knife-edge He then fought off three break widely regarded as the years after the Spaniard triumphed theatrics of the 2008 final although points for a key 4-1 lead, coming in their epic 2008 title showdown Federer needed five match points out on top in a 23-shot rally and greatest ever played. at the All England Club, a match to secure victory. then a 25-stroke exchange. widely regarded as the greatest ever Federer will not mind with his There was no respite for Nadal, The 37-year-old eight- played. win coming just a month after an 18-time Slam winner, who time champion - the third The 37-year-old eight-time Nadal handed him his worst loss at slipped a break down at 2-1 in the oldest Grand Slam finalist champion won 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-3, a Slam in 11 years in the Roland fourth. in the modern era - will be 6-4 in the pair’s 40th career Garros semi-finals. Nadal saved two match points meeting to move into his 31st Grand In a tight 51-minute opener, in the ninth game and two more in appearing in his 31st final Slam final where he will face Nadal managed to save the only the 10th but a loose return sealed at the majors. defending champion Novak break point in the eighth game his fate. Djokovic. before surrendering the advantage Federer finished with 14 aces It is the first time the Swiss Top seed and four-time winner of an early mini-break in the tie- and 51 winners. legend has beaten Nadal Djokovic reached his sixth Wim- breaker which Federer claimed Djokovic, meanwhile, will be in a Grand Slam semi-final bledon final, and 25th at the majors, thanks to five points in a row. looking to add another Wimbledon with a nervy 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 The Spaniard finally carved out title to the Australian and US Open having lost all four of their triumph over Spain’s 23rd seed the first break of the semi-final in crowns he already holds. previous encounters, most Roberto Bautista Agut. the fourth game of the second set, “This has been a remarkable recently at this year's Federer is the third oldest man backing it up with a hold for 4-1. tournament for me and to be in French Open. ever to play in a Grand Slam final Nadal then broke again for 5-1 another final is a dream come true,” after 39-year-old Ken Rosewall as Federer suffered a sudden and said the top seed. featured in the 1974 Wimbledon severe power outage with the two- “I had to dig deep, Roberto was level the semi-final at 6-4 off a for- and US Open finals. time champion comfortable lev- playing his first semi-final at a tuitous net cord. However, he will have his work elling the contest. Grand Slam and he was not really Djokovic, increasingly irritated overwhelmed. by a restless crowd, broke for 4-2 “It was a really close opening in the third set and held for 5-2 off four to five games of the third set the back of a lung-busting 45-shot that could have gone either way -- rally. thankfully it went mine.” The set was secured, ironically Serbia’s Novak Djokovic swept through the first off another net cord which fell this Djokovic set with breaks in the second and time in the Serb’s favour. reacts after eighth games. Bautista Agut, who had scoring a point It seemed certain that Djokovic planned to be in Ibiza this week against Spain’s was going to spend a lot less time for his stag party, fought off break Roberto on court in this semi-final com- points in the opening game of the Bautista Agut pared to 12 months ago when he fourth set. during their needed five sets and five hours and But Djokovic was relentless and Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his Wimbledon men’s singles 15 minutes to beat Nadal. tightened his grip, breaking twice men’s singles semi-final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal semi-final However, Bautista Agut, who for a 4-1 lead, and eventually match, had already defeated the Serb twice claimed victory on a fifth match at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, yesterday. this year, eventually settled and point. Britain, yesterday. broke for 2-1 in the second set. Djokovic fought off two break points, via a 23-shot rally, in the fifth game. But the 31-year-old Bautista Agut held his nerve to eventually

Defending champion Djokovic beats Bautista Agut in four sets as Spanish 23rd-seed forces Serb to dig deep.

The semi-ﬁnal win is Serbian world number 1's 12th victory in his last 13 Grand Slam semi-ﬁnals.

Djokovic is now one win away from his ﬁfth title at Wimbledon and 16th Grand Spain’s Rafael Nadal (right) greets Roger Federer after Slam singles crown. the Swiss star advanced to the men’s singles ﬁnal of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, yesterday.