Sport FRIDAY 11 JUNE 2021 11 Krejcikova and Pavlyuchenkova beIN Sports renews to clash for French Open title UEFA soccer REUTERS — PARIS Garros in 1981. Earlier yes- broadcast rights for terday, Pavlyuchenkova Barbora Krejcikova held a steady course to beat yesterday became the first a wildly erratic Tamara three years Czech woman in 40 years to Zidansek 7-5 6-3 in the first reach the French Open final semi-final. Slovenian world THE PENINSULA — DOHA as she beat Greek 17th seed number 85 Zidansek made a Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7 flying start with her aggressive UEFA and beIN Media Group, the global sports in a nail-biting contest. style earning her an early and entertainment group (“beIN”), yesterday The world number 33 break but Pavlyuchenkova announced a major new media rights agreement struggled with nerves soaked up her opponent’s best that will see beIN Sports, beIN’s flagship sports throughout but eventually shots and proved way too Barbora Krejcikova becomes the network, exclusively broadcast UEFA’s premium proved more consistent than solid in the end. first Czech woman in 40 years to club competitions across the 24 country region Sakkari, who got tight when Zidansek, like Pavly- Czech Republic’s Barbora of the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) she served for the match at uchenkova a Grand Slam reach the French Open final as Krejcikova celebrates for the period 2021/22 to 2023/24. 5-4 in the third set. semi-final debutant, cracked she beat Greek 17th seed Maria winning her semi-final The 3-year major renewal includes rights Krejcikova will face down 27 winners but Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7 in a nail- match against Greece’s to the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Russian 31st seed Anastasia struggled to contain errors biting contest. Maria Sakkari yesterday. Europa League, the UEFA Europa Conference Pavlyuchenkova, who will at key moments of the match League and – importantly – new rights to UEFA’s also be making her maiden and handed over the first set premium women’s football competition, the appearance in a major with a double fault. UEFA Women’s Champions League. beIN will singles final, tomorrow. The 29-year-old Pavly- Zidansek comeback, reached her first Grand Slam Roberta Vinci who made the exclusively broadcast the UEFA competitions She will be looking to uchenkova forged 4-1 ahead clinching victory when her final at the 50th attempt, 2015 US Open final in her in Arabic, English and French across all 24 coun- emulate Hana Mandlikova, in the second set and then opponent blazed a backhand breaking the previous 44th appearance in one of tries of the MENA region, from Morocco in the who won the title at Roland snuffed out an attempted wide. Pavlyuchenkova has record held by Italy’s the majors. west to Oman in the east – and every MENA country in between. The new deal further strengthens and extends the existing 12 year relationship in MENA between UEFA and beIN, where beIN is also the Djokovic gears up for big battle with Nadal exclusive broadcaster of UEFA national team football tournaments, including UEFA EURO REUTERS — PARIS having dropped down to abandoned the tournament Nadal and Roger Federer, Wednesday’s clash with 2020, UEFA EURO 2024, the UEFA Nations world number three and because of a wrist injury. told reporters after beating Berrettini was played in League and all European qualifiers for the FIFA Novak Djokovic predicted a being placed in the same Since then Nadal has heavy-hitting Italian Matteo front of a raucous 5,000 World Cup 2022. beIN and UEFA will also con- “great battle” when he half of the draw as top seed been unbeatable, extending Berrettini 6-3 6-2 6-7(5) 7-5 crowd, until the 11 p.m. tinue their close partnership and alliance on continues tennis’s most Djokovic. his record title haul to a jaw- in an intense duel on curfew kicked in midway anti-piracy measures in countries and regions prolific rivalry in today’s Should Djokovic manage dropping 13. Wednesday. through the fourth set and all around the world. French Open semi-final to get the better of Nadal “Obviously it’s a well- “It’s not like any other the fans departed. Outside MENA, beIN is UEFA’s trusted against claycourt king Rafa today he will be favourite to anticipated semi-final,” match. Let’s face it, it’s the Nadal claimed his 105th broadcast partner in a range of other continents, Nadal. take onlyy his Djokovic,Djokovic, who has 18 Grand biggestb challenge that you match win at the French including the official broadcaster of UEFA Euro The pair haveave facedfaced ooffff sesecondecon d SlamSlam tittitles,les, two can have playing on clay Open when he beat Diego 2020 and the UEFA Champions League in 57 times withth DDjokovicjokovic FFrenchr e n c h bebehindhind tthehe against Nadal on this court. Schwartzman on France, while also being UEFA’s club compe- leading 29-28. BButut Nadal has OOpenpen title men’smen’s rerecordcord It doesn’t get bigger than Wednesday although he did tition broadcaster in a range of territories in Asia. been his nemesisesis at Roland hhavingaving shared byby that. drop a set for the first time beIN’s new acquisition of the UEFA Women’s Garros winningng seven ooff wwowonn it iinn “There’s that extra since the 2019 final. Champions League rights will form the centre- their eight clasheslashes therethere 22016016 tension and expectations. Looking ahead to piece of beIN’s “beINSPIRED” broadcast port- including lastt year’s finalfinal whenwhhen Nadal The vibes are different Djokovic he said: “It’s folio and corporate commitment, in which beIN which turned iintonto a dedemo-mo- wwalking on the court with always a big challenge. provides a global platform to events and talent lition job. him. But that’s why our That’s something that is that have not historically been given the Unusually ththeyey rivalry has been historic I good because we are living exposure they deserve. This includes showcasing are meeting iinn a think for this sport. the sport for these moments. inspiring on-air talent, broadcasting sports, semi-final ratherher “I’m confident. I believe The negative thing, it’s dif- developing business partnerships, events and than a final,al, I can win, otherwise I ficult because you play creative campaigns; all aimed at telling the most Rafa Nadal courtesy ofof Novak Djokovic wouldn’t be here. Let’s have against one of the best inspiring stories that sport – all sport – has to Spaniard Nadall a great battle.” players in history.” offer. Brazil seek to forget troubles BIG PLAYERS MISSING EURO 2020 WITH INJURIES Brisbane wins Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne: The Manchester City underwent a minor surgery after IOC board’s the Champions League final against Chelsea and is unlikely to compete in the opener against ahead of Copa America Russia. approval, set England's Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Liverpool right back sustained a thigh injury after a REUTERS — BRASÍLIA that has beset the country in overcoming arch rivals friendly against Austria in the beginning of June and will be out for the duration of the tournament. to land 2032 recent years and led to mass Argentina 2-0 in the semis, and England's Joe Gomez: The Liverpool centre back has been out since November with a tendon in- Brazil team playing in the Copa street protests. beating Peru 3-1 in the final. jury to his left knee. Games America at home on the back One of the big questions As usual, they have an Germany's Marc-Andre ter Stegen: The Barcelona goalkeeper will miss the Euros with a knee of a seven-game winning streak facing the Brazil team as they abundance of talent to choose injury sustained in mid-May. REUTERS — LAUSANNE would normally be hot go into the Copa, which is due from, with players such as Man- Hungary's Dominik Szoboszlai: The has not been able to play for RB since favourites to triumph but this to kick off on Sunday when they chester City goalkeeper December due to a groin injury. The Australian city of Brisbane is no ordinary year and no face Venezuela in Group B, is Ederson and striker Gabriel Italy's Stefano Sensi: The Inter midfielder suffered another muscular injury in the final moved closer to landing the ordinary Copa. whether the current contro- Jesus plus Liverpool pair game of the season, following an injury-plagued 2020/21 campaign. 2032 Olympics yesterday after Brazil’s run of form is versy will bring them together Fabinho and Roberto Firmino Italy's Nicolo Zaniolo: The midfielder was ruled out for the entire league season with Roma after winning the approval of the impressive - they are the only or pull them apart. all struggling to find a place in a cruciate ligament injury in September. International Olympic team in South America to have Brazil are the holders, the starting XI. Netherland's Virgil van Dijk: The Liverpool captain has not played since October, after suffering Committee’s executive board won six of their 2022 World having won the 2019 tour- Coach Tite has expertly and the choice will be put to a an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a clash with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Cup qualifiers and have done nament when it was also played managed the egos and the final vote next month. Netherland's Donny van de Beek: The Manchester United midfielder has been ruled out until so by keeping clean sheets in in front of their own fans. tactics and will be confident of Queensland state capital five of them - but it comes amid They were without the notching up Brazil’s 10th Copa early July with a groin injury. Brisbane had been the pre- turbulence off the field. injured Neymar but his team America title. They also face Poland's Arkadiusz Milik: The striker, who joined Olympique Marseille in January, was removed ferred host, chosen in Feb- The players took the mates stepped up - holding Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in from the Poland squad after sustaining a knee injury in the last game of the Ligue 1 season. ruary, and the board’s pro- unusual step of publicly criti- their nerve to beat Paraguay on Group B. Poland's Krzysztof Piatek: The Hertha striker fractured his ankle in May, missing out on posal now goes to the IOC cisingg the South AmericaAmericann penalties in the In truthtruth,, thougthough, this tour- what would have been his first major tournament with Poland. session before the Tokyo Footballall Confederation ((CON-CON- quarter-quarter- namentnament is as muchmuch about pre- Spain's Dani Carvajal: The Real Madrid right back sustained a muscle injury in late April, which Olympics next month. MEBOL)OL) on WednesdaWednesday,y, barelbarelyy finals, paringparing his side forfo the 2022 ruled him out for the rest of the season and the Euros. “It is in the hands of IOC a weekk after Brazil ststeppedepped in World CuCupp in QatQatar.a Spain's Ansu Fati:Fati: The left winger has been out since November wiwitht a meniscus injury. members to vote now on July to hostt the tournament in pplacelace BrazilBrazil hhaveave nnot won thee Spain'sSpain's Sergio Ramos: The SpanishSpanish veteran injured his hamstringhamstrin in May. The Euros will 21,” IOC President Thomas of Argentina,gentina, who pulled out World Cup since 2002,2 and a bebe Spain’sSpain’s first majormajor tournament without the defenderdef since 2004. Bach said. after a surge in COVID-19 cases.cases. 20-year gap betwbetweene trophies Sweden'sSweden's ZlatanZlatan Ibrahimovic: The Mi- If Brisbane is elected, as Thehe players said their isis a long time for ttheh five-time lanlan striker, wwhoh has left his mark on expected, it would become the protestst was not politicalpolitical winners.winners. world footballfootball for over 20 years, suf- third Australian city after Mel- and theyhey ppointedlyointedly TheThe fear is thatth no matterr feredfered a knee injuryinju in May. He had an- bourne in 1956 and Sydney in soughtt to avoid howhow well theythe do againstt nouncednounce his comeback to the 2000 to host the summer the left-left- Neymar their neighbours,neig it stilll Olympics.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic SwedishSwed national team ear- righth t might not preparee The state of Queensland lierlier ini 2021. polari-ri- themthem ffor the rest off hosted the 2018 Common- sationon thethe world.wo wealth Games.

Burns, Lawrence keep England afloat against NZ PSL: Sultans beat Kings

REUTERS — BIRMINGHAM New Zealand made six changes to the team that drew the first test at Lord’s with England batsmen Rory Burns (pictured) Latham captaining the side for the third and Dan Lawrence scored battling half- time in the absence of regular skipper Kane centuries as the hosts recovered from a Williamson due to a niggling elbow injury. mid-innings wobble to reach 258-7 against But the visitors clicked into gear after New Zealand on the opening day of the lunch as Matt Henry (2-66) forced Sibley second and final Test yesterday. (35) to knick the ball to wicketkeeper Tom Burns fought hard even as wickets fell Blundell, before Zak Crawley fell for a duck, around him and looked set to reach his caught at slip off the bowling of Neil fourth Test century in front of a boisterous Wagner. Edgbaston crowd of around 17,000 fans England captain Joe Root got off the before falling for 81, caught by stand-in mark with a boundary off Henry, but edged skipper Tom Latham off Trent Boult. the next delivery to Blundell before Ollie Boult (2-60) removed James Bracey and Mark Wood (16 not out) gave him solid Pope departed for 19. with the first ball of his next over to leave support before the close. New Zealand struck in the final session England in trouble at 175-6 after they had Earlier, Burns and fellow opener Dom as Burns swiped at a swinging delivery Multan Sultans' Rilee Rossouw celebrates with team-mates during won the toss and made a solid start with Sibley ensured that the hosts negotiated outside the off stump to give Boult his first the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings in the bat. the opening session of a home test without wicket of the innings before wicketkeeper Abu Dhabi yesterday. Sultans score 176-5 and restricted Kings Lawrence (67 not out) steadied the ship, the loss of a wicket for the first time since Bracey was caught in the slips for a first- to 164-7 to seal 12-run win. however, with his third test half-century 2011. ball duck. Sport

FRIDAY 11 JUNE 2021 DjokovicD gears up for big battle with Nadal There'sTh that extra tension and expectations. The vibes are didifferentf walking on the court with him. But that's why our rivalryri has been historic I think for this sport. I'm coconfident. I believe I can win, otherwise I wouldn't be hehere. Let's have a great battle.

Novak Djokovic Sport | 11

QATAR 2022 QUALIFIERS: Hong Kong vs Iraq, Indonesia vs UAE, China vs Maldives, Afghanistan vs Oman, Singapore vs Saudi Arabia A year later, Italy and Turkey kick off Euro 2020 AP – ROME While record-setting goal- keeper Gianluigi Buffon retired Somehow it seems appropriate from international soccer after that Italy, the first country in the failed World Cup qualifi- Europe that was overwhelmed cation, Italy remains solid at the by the coronavirus pandemic, is position with 22-year-old Gian- hosting the opening game of the luigi Donnarumma now European Championship. between the posts. Also, Even if Euro 2020 is kicking Bonucci and Italy captain off in 2021. Giorgio Chiellini form a strong The biggest crowd to gather and experienced pairing in in Italy for a year and a half will central defense. witness an Azzurri squad aiming One of Turkey’s main for the title play a Turkey team strengths is also its solidity at aiming to spring a surprise today "We want to go all the way,” the back. It allowed only three at Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Bonucci said. goals in qualifying and managed "We’ve been waiting a year "Other national teams have to keep forwards Memphis for this European Championship more experience but we can Depay and Erling Haaland and we can’t wait to experience play with anyone. We don’t scoreless in recent World Cup Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci and team-mates during a training session yesterday. hearing 15,000 people singing have a (Romelu) Lukaku or a qualifiers. the national anthem,” veteran Cristiano Ronaldo. Our strength Both sides are also strong at Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci is the team.” coach Şenol Güneş said. "In scattered across the European While more than 2,000 centre forward. said. Turkey took four points off every opening game there are continent. tickets for the opening game Ciro Immobile won the "Soccer with fans inside the France in qualifying, including surprises and I hope we can also The Italian government were sold in Turkey, many of European Golden Shoe award stadium is a different sport.” a 2-0 win over the World Cup spring one.” decided that the Stadio those fans are not expected to when he matched the Serie A After embarrassingly failing champions, and lost only one Wales and Switzerland, the Olimpico can be filled to 25% travel to the match. record with 36 goals in 2019-20. to qualify for the 2018 World of its matches to finish second other two teams in Group A, capacity for the four games it Italy has won its past eight Burak Yılmaz is Turkey’s Cup, Italy won all 10 of its qual- in its group. meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, will host. matches without conceding a second highest scorer of all ifying matches for Euro 2020 "Being in this tournament tomorrow. That amounts to a goal and has 20 clean sheets in time, with his 29 goals putting and enters on a 27-match and playing in the opening This year’s tournament is maximum of 15,948 32 matches since Roberto him behind only the retired unbeaten run. match makes us proud,” Turkey being played in 11 cities spectators. Mancini took over as coach. Hakan Şükür (51 goals). Italy midfielder Asian Qualifiers: Oman, Pellegrini Afghanistan set for injured on eve of opener crucial Doha clash

REUTERS – ROME AFC – DOHA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Today's fixtures: 2nd Round Italy have asked UEFA for Oman will seek nothing less Myanmar vs Kyrgyz Republic permission to replace than three points when they Philippines vs Guam Lorenzo Pellegrini with face Afghanistan in Group E of Fiorentina’s Gaetano the Asian Qualifiers for the Cambodia vs Iran Castrovilli in their Euro FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nepal vs Australia 2020 squad after the Roma and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Hong Kong vs Iraq Barshim in action midfielder picked up an today. Malaysia vs Vietnam injury, the Italian Football Oman, second in the Indonesia vs UAE Federation (FIGC) said standings with 12 points, are China vs Maldives at Diamond League yesterday. still in the running for a place Afghanistan vs Oman Pellegrini was strug- in the final round of the Asian Yemen vs Uzbekistan meet in gling for fitness ahead of Qualifiers for the FIFA World Singapore vs Saudi Arabia the tournament but earned Cup Qatar 2022 as one of the Kuwait vs Jordan a place in Roberto Man- best five second-placed teams. Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim in action during the men’s high jump event at Diamond League meet cini’s 26-man squad, only Fourth-placed Afghanistan Dastgir will be hoping that at the Stadio Luigi Ridolfi in Florence, Italy yesterday. Barshim cleared a height of 2.30 to equal his to suffer an injury in must win their next two Afghanistan can hold off the season's best in the event which was won by Ilya Ivanyuk (ANA). training on Wednesday. matches to finish third in Omani attack for 90 minutes. “The FIGC has sub- Group E and earn automatic Oman, who have the mitted a request to UEFA qualification into the final second best scoring record in surrounding the possibility round qualifiers for the AFC Group E with 11 goals, come Coe awarded keys to Florence 40 of replacing Lorenzo Pel- Asian Cup China 2023. into the tie having lost 1-0 legrini, who, in training Afghanistan’s defensive against Qatar on Tuesday and yesterday, picked up an resolve will be put to test the West Asians will looking to years after 800m world record injury,” read a FIGC against Oman at the Jassim Bin bounce back against statement. Hamad Stadium with the The Afghanistan. REUTERS – FLORENCE “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years “He was taken for a Lions of Khorasan hoping to In their previous since that most memorable night,” said Coe, now scan this morning and will improve their position in encounter, Branko Ivanovic’s Briton Sebastian Coe was awarded the keys to President of World Athletics. nonetheless remain part of Group E, having already con- charges won 3-0 at the Al Seeb the city of Florence yesterday to mark the 40th “Florence gave me one of the best moments the group, which will travel ceded 12 goals in six matches. Stadium in October 2019, and anniversary of his 800 metres world record run of my life and has had a special magic for me to Rome this morning. In Afghanistan will continue the Croatian tactician will in the Italian city. ever since. I feel deeply honoured to receive the anticipation of an answer to rely on their European- expect his team to be firing on Coe set a time of 1 minute 41.73 seconds on keys to a city that I love so well and which has from UEFA, Gaetano Cas- based players to see them all cylinders against June 10, 1981, a mark that remained in the record already given me so much,” the 64-year-old trovilli will join up with the through with Faysal Shayesteh, Afghanistan. books until 1997 when it was broken by Den- added. group in Rome.” Milad Intezar and captain Striking duo Muhsen Al mark’s Wilson Kipketer. “The people of Florence embraced me then Italy welcome Turkey Farshad Noor marshalling the Ghassani and Abdulaziz Al It has only been bettered once more since, and I still feel that warmth every time I come to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico midfield. Muqbali, who have each by current world record holder David Rudisha here, and especially on this occasion.” Coe, a for the opening game of the Despite playing out a 1-1 scored twice in the Asian Qual- of Kenya in 2012, and Coe was awarded Flor- 1,500 metres Olympic gold medallist in 1980 and tournament today. draw against Bangladesh last ifiers, should continue to lead ence’s highest honour before the start of the 1984, also received a trophy containing a piece week, head coach Anoush the line for Oman. Diamond League meeting in the city. of the track that he ran his record race on. Arab Shooting Championships: Qatar clinch sixth medal

Qatari shooters pose for a group photo after winning bronze medal in team trap event. THE PENINSULA – CAIRO "The experience we gained competition with confidence. during the events at Lusail Range Ali Saeed Al Mannai, Chairman Team Qatar yesterday bagged helped us achieve success in the of the National Shooting Teams sixth medal at the Arab Shooting tough competition," Al Athba said. Committee, expressed his delight Championships, with the trio of Earlier, during the Champion- after the Qatar won sixth medal Saeed Abu Shareb, Nasser Al ships, Al Athba and compatriot in Egypt. Hamidi and Rashid Al Athba Reem Al Sharshani clinched the "We are very happy with our clinching the bronze in the trap victory in the mixed skeet event. results. Especially during this pan- team event. Al Athba, Masoud Saleh Al demic. Competing in international At the Olympic Shooting Athba and Ali Al Ishaq had won events is a big challenge during Center in Maadi, near Cairo, the the bronze medal in the men’s this period. The Qatar shooting Qatari shooters shared the podium team skeet event. and Archery Association has taken with gold winners Egypt and silver On the opening day of the all necessary precautionary medallists Kuwait. event, Al Sharshani won the first measures to keep our shooters Al Athba, who also won the gold for Qatar in the individual safe during the events and training silver in the individual skeet and skeet event.. sessions. was part of the gold winning The Qatari shooters yes- "Our hopes are high during the mixed skeet and bronze winning terday said that the training they participation of our champions in skeet teams, yesterday noted that had at the Lusail Shooting Range the upcoming competitions and yesterday's contest was a difficult helped them win yesterday's tournaments," Al Mannai said one bronze medal and they faced the yesterday.