SPORT Friday 10 August 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Nadal routs Paire to Salah, Ronaldo and join Zverev, Djokovic in Messi on Champions Toronto third round League awards shortlist QSL: Former champions Al Rayyan eye Umm Salal scalp in round two

FAWAD HUSSAIN Al Rayyan players celebrate after scoring during THE PENINSULA the Sheikh Jassim Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha in this August 1 file photo. DOHA: Al Rayyan are hoping to continue their winning form as they take on Umm Salal in their FIXTURES: ROUND 2 second match of the QNB Stars TODAY League (QSL) at Al Sadd Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal Stadium. Al Sadd Stadium A victory against Umm Salal today will complete a hat-trick 5:30pm. of wins for The Lions in the new Al Ahli vs Qatar SC season. They defeated giants Al Al Sadd Stadium Duhail in the Sheikh Jassim Cup 7:40pm. before overcoming Al Ahli in TOMORROW their first QSL game last week. Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo Al Gharafa vs Al Sailiyah Arruabarrena urged his players Khalifa International Stadium to bring improvement in every 5:30pm. game and termed Umm Salal, Al Duhail vs Al Khor who lost their opening match Khalifa International Stadium against Al Sailiyah, as ‘tough 7:40pm. opponents’. “They (Umm Salal) have SUNDAY what it takes to win and they Al Shahaniya vs Al Kharaitiyat know how to go about it. They Al Sadd Stadium will come hard at us especially 5:30pm. since they lost the opening Al Sadd vs Al Arabi match to Al Sailiyah,” the Argen- Al Sadd Stadium tinean said on the eve of the match. 7:40pm. “From our side, we will do everything to win this game. One A victory against wants to win and that is a good match is not enough to assess Umm Salal today will sign,” Banide said before adding Mubarak brimming with confidence any team’s performance. complete a hat-trick the team was aiming for However, from what we have improvement after loss against of wins for The Lions THE PENINSULA seen, the overall level is good. Al Sailiyah. different. We have our strengths Most teams are almost at the who began their “We are analysing our and weaknesses, but we must not same level. season by capturing problems. The players lost focus DOHA: Qatar SC coach Abdulla allow our rivals to take advantage “Some teams took advantage the Sheikh Jassim at times in the last match against Mubarak (pictured) said that the of our weak points. of their rivals’ mistakes towards Cup title. Al Sailiyah which we lost nar- win against Al Gharafa in the Al Ahli coach Milan Macala the end of their matches. We see rowly through a late goal. Past opening round of the new QNB said that his team is looking that we are improving as a side. is past. We are learning from our Stars League season (QSL) has forward to do well in today’s We have no injury worries, to get good result against Al mistakes.. We can improve day boosted the confidence of his team. match despite losing their except that of key striker Abder- Rayyan. by day. Speaking during a press con- opening match last weekend. razaq Hamdalah, but then he “Each game is difficult and “We have many injury ference ahead of today’s match “The first round is over and was missing in action since the that is football. We know the worries, the main being striker against Al Ahli, Coach Mubarak we could not take any point from end of last season,” he added. potential of Al Rayyan, so we Christian Osaguona and experi- said “All our staff members are it. And we conceded two goals as On the new signing of Argen- have to do more for this game. enced defender Bilal working hard to keep the well. But we are looking forward. tinian striker Jonathan They have depth in their squad, Mohammed. However, we also momentum going.” We are ready for this game.” Menendez, Al Rayyan coach said: but we can win if we play well have depth in our squad. We do “It was good to start off the “Qatar SC are serious oppo- “We are still waiting for his as a team. not play in all tournaments with league campaign with a victory. of Al Ahli. They are coming off a nents for us. It was after a long papers so he can’t play this “We have some problems just 11 players. That has made things a bit easy for defeat, so we are expecting a time that they played such a good match.” within our team, mainly injuries “It is only the beginning and us, right from training, moulding tough game. We have the quality game, against Al Gharafa in the Meanwhile, Umm Salal to key players, and we need time we have to seek solutions to strategy to implementing it on the to make a difference on the field. first round. They look a strong coach Laurent Banide hoped his to find solutions for them. But these problems soon,” added field,” Mubarak said. “Each match is different and side. So we must be extra careful team will overcome injury woes then, all players in our squad Banide. “However, we must be wary my strategy for each game is also against them,” Macala said. AVC Cup: Qatar top Pool C after 3-0 rout of Thailand

CHINTHANA WASALA Camilo said after their victory THE PENINSULA Qatari players blocking a dash hit by a Thai player during their AVC Cup Pool C match yesterday. played at the University of Taipei (Tianmu) Gymnasium in Taipei, Chinese Taipei yesterday. “Because team Qatar’s height takes DOHA/TAIPEI: Qatar retained their advantage in blocking and serving, it was winning momentum at the 6th AVC Cup a tough game for us,” Thailand’s coach for Men with a three-set (25-23 25-23 Monchai Supajirakul said. 25-16) victory against Thailand to secure The biggest contributors for the the top spot in Pool C. Qatari win yesterday were Renan Ribeiro The convincing win also assures and Mubarak Hammad who scored 18 Qatar’s place in the quarter-finals of the points apiece. tournament which is underway in Taipei, Team Qatar now tops Pool C, while Chinese Taipei . Thailand and Vietnam will compete It was Qatar’s second consecutive against each other Friday afternoon for win in the tournament, having defeated the second place of the pool. Vietnam in a similar manner on the Earlier, yesterday, the defending AVC opening day at the University of Taipei champions, Iran downed Australia in a (Tianmu) Gymnasium. thrilling four-setter (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, Thailand were able to pose a certain 25-16) to secure their second consec- amount of resistance to keep up with utive win in Pool B. Qatar in the first two sets. However the Meanwhile, in Pool A, the Asian Qataris, led by six feet and eight inches champions, Japan succumbed to their tall Mohamed Ibrahim, produced second loss in a row, this time against solid blocking and attacks against their a strong and much more experienced East Asian counterparts in the third set Kazakhstan side. Khazakhstan beat the to take the game. youthful Japanese team 3-1 (25-22 “We are getting better day by day. 25-23 21-25 25-13) in a thriller. We are happy that we win this game. In The tournament sees top nine Asian the third set, it seems like that Thais gave teams in action and will conclude on up this match,” Qatar’s head coach Soto August 15. FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 17 Pliskova and Kerber suffer Ducati hope to keep pressure on shock defeats in Montreal Marquez in Austria AFP Austria. Lorenzo, who is REUTERS Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return against switching to Honda after this her compatriot Daria Kasatkina during day three SPIELBERG BEI KNIT- season, was also looking MONTREAL: The punishing of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium in Montreal. TELFELD, AUSTRIA: After forward to Spielberg serve that propelled Karolina Ducati’s dominant display at the “For us to arrive in Austria Pliskova to the top of the tennis Czech Grand Prix, Andrea after the 1-2 in Brno is fantastic world last year proved inef- Dovizioso (pictured) and Jorge and there couldn’t be a better fective against Kiki Bertens at Lorenzo arrive in Austria scenario for Ducati, if I had to the Rogers Cup in Montreal on hoping to further trim the huge indicate an ideal circuit for us,” Wednesday as the Dutchwoman advantage of runaway MotoGP the Spaniard said. cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 victory. leader Marc Marquez. Honda and Marquez The ninth-seeded Czech Ducati’s Italian rider responded after the Czech race failed to record a single ace in Dovizioso won in Brno with by setting the fastest time in a the second-round battle but Spanish team-mate Lorenzo test day on Monday at the Brno committed eight double faults second and Marquez only third circuit. and was broken seven times by for Honda. “Austria is another track the defensive-minded Bertens. The Spaniard’s five victories where Dovizioso and Lorenzo Bertens will next meet and eight total podium finishes are strong, but we were also eighth-seed Petra Kvitova, who in 10 races this season mean he strong there last year so we’ll advanced past Estonian Anett is still comfortably in first place see if it comes down to the last Kontaveit 6-3 6-4 in their in the rider standings, 49 points corner again!” Marquez said. second-round battle on Tuesday. clear of Italian Valentino Rossi Even though Marquez has Wimbledon champion (Yamaha), who was fourth in a comfortable lead in the driver Angelique Kerber came crashing Brno, and 68 ahead of standings, Honda is only second back to earth after she beat Dovizioso. Lorenzo is fifth, in the constructors table behind Serena Williams in the grass- another eight points behind. Yamaha because Dani Pedrosa court final last month, falling Brno was a circuit where is struggling in 12th. 6-4, 6-1 to Alize Cornet of Ducati had struggled and were “A day of testing after the France. without a victory since 2007, Czech Grand Prix gave us the The fourth-seeded German but Spielberg has been a chance to work on our bike committed 32 errors to help happier hunting ground since setup, to try and sort out the Cornet reach the third round, Buzarnescu was forced to retire the baseline while running down and British number one Johanna the track returned to the issues we’ve experienced in the where she will face Australia’s from her second-round match a shot and immediately col- Konta leading Victoria Azarenka MotoGP calendar in 2016. recent races, “ Pedrosa said. Ashleigh Barty, who defeated against fifth-seeded Elina Svi- lapsed in tears. She eventually 6-3, 3-0. That year, Ducati swept the In Moto2, Portugal’s Miguel Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck tolina with the score 6-3, 6-7(5), left the court in a wheelchair, top places as Andrea Iannone Oliveira (KTM) and Italian 7-6(7) 6-2 in her second-round 4-3 after she suffered a right waving to the crowd as it rose to Ninth-seeded Czech and Dovizioso finished first and Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) are match. ankle injury. give her a standing ovation. Karolina Pliskova was second. duellingduelling at the top of the Romanian Mihaela The 30-year-old slipped on The unseeded Maria beaten by Dutchwoman LastLast season, thethe leadlead standingsstandings withwith Marc’s yyoungerounger Sharapova made quick work of Kiki Bertens 6-2, 6-2 changedchanged handshands twice on thethe brotherbrother Alez MarMarquezquez Alize Cornet of fellow Russian Daria Kasatkina final bend as Dovizioso edgededged (Kalex)(Kalex) a distant France reacts after during their first meeting with a Wimbledon champion MarquezMarquez to win.win. third.third. scoring a point convincing 6-0, 6-2 win and will Angelique Kerber came “For“For us tthehe RedRed BullBull VictoryVictory in face sixth seed Caroline Garcia RingRing is a ververyy ffavourableavourable BrnoBrno gavegave against Angelique of France in the third round. crashing back to earth, track,”track,” the Italian said.said. OliveiraOliveira tthehe Kerber of Germany Third-seeded Sloane falling 6-4, 6-1 to Alize “I’m expectinexpectingg to see momentummomentum on Wednesday. Stephens thrashed 21-year-old Cornet of France. MarcMarc anandd our ototherher andand a two- Francoise Abanda, dispatching Unseeded Maria rivalsrivals strongerstronger tthanhan lastlast pointpoint lead.lead. the Canadian 6-0, 6-2 in 80 year,”year,” addedadded Dovizioso, minutes. Sharapova made quick whowho also said he hopedhoped The 25-year-old American work of fellow Russian thethe aerodaerodynamicynamic choices is looking to sharpen her game Daria Kasatkina during mademade in thethe CzechCzech ahead of her US Open title their first meeting with a RepublicRepublic willwill defense after disappointing convincing 6-0, 6-2 win worworkk as results at Wimbledon and the well in Citi Open last month, where she Third-seeded Sloane was eliminated in the first and Stephens thrashed second rounds. 21-year-old Francoise Rain forced two late matches Abanda, dispatching the to be halted, with top seed Canadian 6-0, 6-2 in 80 Simona Halep trailing Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 4-3, minutes. Chandimal returns to Sri Lanka T20 squad after ban

AFP SRI LANKA T20 SQUAD

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal (pictured) Kusal Perera, , Upul Tha- returned to their Twenty20 ranga, Kusal Mendis, , Shehan squad yesterday after serving Jayasuriya, Shehan Madushanka, Lahiru Ku- an international ban for mara, Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya,

breaching the spirit of the game. Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshan Sandakan, and Chandimal was included in Binura Fernando. a 15-member squad for the one-off T20 that will round off two-Test series, which Sri South Africa’s tour of the island Lanka won, and was out of the nation on Tuesday in Colombo, first four one-day interna- Sri Lanka said in a tionals. The fifth and final ODI statement. is on Sunday, but Chandimal The 28-year-old missed the was not included in the squad for that match. Umpires on the pitch during But he was included in the a rain delay on the opening T20 squad and will play in the day of second Test between day-night game on Tuesday. England and India at Lord’s Chandimal was banned by in London, yesterday. the International Cricket Council along with coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha for refusing to take to the field for Rain washes out first day at Lord’s two hours during the second Test against the West Indies in AFP June. It was shortly after Chan- which was sufficient to GMT). It was the first time completely at Lord’s came dimal was accused of tam- LONDON: Rain meant ensure the pitch and a whole day’s Test play in 17 years ago when the pering with the ball. there was no play on the square remained fully England had been lost to scheduled opening day of The Sri Lanka captain was first day of the second covered. bad weather since August the first Test against subsequently banned from the Test between England The match had been 24, 2013 when the fourth Pakistan was abandoned third Test against the West and India at Lord’s due to start at 11:00am day of the fifth Ashes on May 17 2001. Indies and given a fine equal to yesterday. (1000 GMT) but with rain clash at The Oval was England lead the his match fees. Early morning overcast still falling and the skies abandoned without a ball current five-match series He was later banned for skies in north London above Lord’s increasingly bowled. 1-0 after a 31-run victory another two Tests and four eventually gave way to dark, the umpires called The last time a day’s in the first Test at Edg- ODIs after pleading guilty to gentle but persistent rain it a day at 4:50pm (1550 Test play was washed out baston last week. violating the spirit of the game. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 2018

Mark Thomas seizes a share of the Cavendish PGA lead as Tiger struggles AFP world number one found water 2006-2016.2006-2016. He was diagnosed only to have it return last year. fromfrom thethe MastersMasters andand BrooksBrooks with his second shot on the way withwith lleukemiaeukemia as a yyouthouth anandd “Incredibly“Incredibly sadsad news aboutabout KoepkaKoepka ffromrom tthehe US OpeOpen.n. ST. LOUIS: Defending to a double-bogey six at 11 but twicetwice thought he had beaten JarrodJarrod Lyle,” tweeted British “You“You werweree and alwaalwaysys will champion Justin Thomas dropped his approach to two cancerc ancer OpenOpen chamchampionpion Francesco bebe a ffighterighter anandd wiwillll bbee mismissedsed birdied three of his first six feet and birdied the 12th. He Molinari. “Tough times for eve-eve- byby so mamanyny people.people. Rest In holes yesterday to seize a share was undone again at the par-3 ryoneryone on tour llosingosing someone PeacePeace Jarrod,”Jarrod,” ReeReedd tweeted.tweeted. Cavendish pulls of the lead in the 100th PGA 16th, needing two chips to so special.”special.” AustralianAustralian JasonJason Day,Day, thethe Championship while playing escape the rough and tapping Italy’sItaly’s Molinari was set forfor 20152015 PGA ChampionshipChaampiioonship out of European partners Tiger Woods and Rory in for bogey, but birdied 18 to anan aafternoonfternoon stastartrt ooverver tthehe winner,winner, ststartedarted on thethe backback McIlroy stumbled early at the stand two-over for nine holes. 7,316-yard,7,316-yard, par-70par-70 layoutlayout ninenine aalongsidelonnggside ffive-timeive-time mmajorajor year’s final major showdown. Woods briefly led in the alongsidealongside tthishis year’syear’s winnerwinnner PhilPhhil MickelsonMickelson anandd 202011011 Championships The superstar trio began off final round of last month’s otherother two mamajorjor PGAPGA winnerwinnner KeeganKeeegan Bradley.Bradleey.y the 10th tee at Bellerive British Open, but he hasn’t won winnerswinners -- DayDay anandnd BrBradleyraddley wewwereere eeachach road race Country Club with thousands a major since the 2008 US AmericansAmericcans one-underone-undeer ththroughhrough nininene wwhilehile of spectators lining the fairway, Open or any title since 2013. PatrickPaa tri c k 48-year-old488-yyeaarr-old left-handerleft-hannder Mick-Mick- REUTERS standing 10 deep in spots just Four-time major champion ReedReed elson,elssonn, tryingtrying to qualifyquaalliify onon to glimpse the master McIlroy, whose last major pointspop intts forfor a 12th12tth consecutivecconseecuttive USUS shotmakers. triumph came in 2014, found a RyderRydeer CupCCuup squad,sqquad, waswass ttwo-wwoo- GLASGOW: Britain’s former world Instead, Woods endured an bunker at 10 and made bogey, overovo ere throughthrh ouughgh ninenini e holes,hhoolleess,, champion Mark Cavendish has pulled early horror show, McIlroy was then sank birdie putts from needingneedding fofourourr shotsshoh ts ttoo rerreachach ththehe out of the European Championships grinding and only Thomas was eight feet at 11 and 12 feet at the greengreen on ttheheh wwayay toto a road race on medical advice, British showing major champion form. par-3 13th only to close his first dodoubleubblel bbogeyogey aatt 155 Cycling announced yesterday. Second-ranked Thomas, nine with a bogey to stand on andannd findingfinding a Sunday’s projected clash between coming off a WGC victory level par. greensidegrr eenss idd e 2011 world champion Cavendish and Sunday, sank birdie putts from Cink, the 2009 British Open bunkerbunkerr ttoo Slovakia’s current world champion five feet at 11 and seven feet at champion, started on the back bogeyboo gee y Peter Sagan around the streets of 12, rescued par from a bunker nine and birdied three of his thethh e Glasgow had been billed as a final day at the par-3 13th and added first four holes in search of his par-4par-4 highlight of the inaugural multi- another birdie at 15 to share the first victory since defeating 18th.18th. sports championship. lead after his first nine holes. Tom Watson in a playoff at But the 33-year-old Cavendish, Fellow Americans Rickie Turnberry for his first major an all-time great road sprinter who Fowler and Stewart Cink and title. has struggled with injury and illness Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello were Fowler and Cabrera Bello following several crashes this season, also at three-under par. seek their first major titles. has withdrawn after advice from his Thomas, 25, could become Many players teed off with medical team. the first player since McIlroy in a heavy heart after Wednes- “It’s incredibly disappointing to 2014 to make the PGA his day’s death of Australian Jarrod have to withdraw from the Great second win in back-to-back Lyle, a former tour player who Britain cycling team competing in weeks and join Woods as the lost his battle with leukemia at Glasgow,” Cavendish said. “Being only men since 1937 to win age 36. selected to compete for my country consecutive PGAs. “The courage shown is a huge honour and I had been Woods, a 14-time major through his battle is an inspi- looking forward to racing with the champion in a comeback ration to all of us. He made the team. season after spinal fusion world a better place. RIP mate,” Sagan, who had another trium- surgery, struggled from the McIlroy tweeted. phant Tour de France by winning the start, finding right rough off the Lyle, whose best US PGA points classification for the sixth time, 10th tee and making a nervy Tour finish was a share of will still have plenty of high-quality five-foot bogey putt. fourth in 2012 at Riviera, played Justin Thomas of the United States in action during the 2018 PGA Championship opposition in Sunday’s race headed The 42-year-old former 121 PGA events from at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. by Norway’s defending champion Alexander Kristoff.

Djokovic backs Nadal routs Paire to join Zverev, Davis Cup reforms Djokovic in Toronto third round AFP

AFP TORONTO: Reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic ATP TORONTO MASTERS RESULTS says he is in favour of a bid to turn the Davis Cup tournament Second Round into a season-ending Grand Slam-level showdown, as it would TORONTO: Top seed Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic (SRB x9) bt Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-3, 6-4 ease scheduling woes for the players. blew past patchy Frenchman Benoit Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x12) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Currently, the Davis Cup is structured around a 16-nation Paire 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to Robin Haase (NED) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 7-5, 6-2 World Group, contested over four weekends during the year. begin his quest for a fourth Ilya Ivashka (BLR) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 The remaining countries are then divided into three regional Canadian trophy at the Toronto Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt Milos Raonic (CAN) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-1 zones. Masters. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA x14) 6-3, 7-5 The International Tennis Federation’s controversial revamp The world number one John Isner (USA x8) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 would see the Davis Cup morph into a World Cup of Tennis Spaniard was untouchable as he Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT x7) 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) final featuring 18 countries -- and address complaints that schooled Paire for the fourth time Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-2, 6-3 the heavy time commitment drives away the top players. without a loss, taking 74 minutes Alexander Zverev (GER x2) bt Bradley Klahn (USA) 6-4, 6-4 The proposal must win approval at the federation’s annual as he broke six times. Kevin Anderson (RSA x4) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) general meeting in Orlando, Florida later this month. Nadal won the event in 2005, Stan Wawrinka (SUI) bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (12/10) Djokovic, a Davis Cup champion for Serbia in 2010, gave 2008 and 2013. Diego Schwartzman (ARG x11) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 his thumbs up. “I was not at my 100 per cent Daniil Medvedev (RUS) bt Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) “I think that format needs to be changed. And I’m all in today,” Nadal said. “It’s true that I favour of that,” Djokovic said after beating Peter did good work here the last five Milos Raonic, 27, heading out while Potro was forced to Polansky, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round of the days, but at the same time it’s true teenaged gun Denis Shapovalov withdraw prior to his ATP Toronto Masters on Wednesday. that I didn’t work very hard at moved on. opening match due to The ITF has said the revamp would bring home. American Frances a left wrist injury. benefits across the tennis world in the form in “So the first match is an Tiafoe beat Raonic 7-6 increased prize money and more top players important victory for me, for my (7/4), 4-6, 6-1 in a taking part. confidence. It’s important that I match hit by a It would also raise the hosting have another match tomorrow too. weather interruption standards of the Davis Cup to a So just try to keep going. of more than two and Grand Slam level, ITF chief David “I played a solid match, in the a half hours. Haggerty told AFP. second set I had some troubles, but Teenaged Madrid and Lille are “the my return worked well. It was more prodigy Shapovalov two leading cities” to host about the mistakes from the eliminated Italian 14th seed the first edition of the baseline.” Fabio Fognini winner last revamped Davis Cup in The 32-year-old will bid for the weekend in Los Cabos, 6-3, 7-5. November 2019, Hag- quarter-finals here for the first time The 13-time Grand Slam title gerty said. since 2015 when he plays Stan winner has now won 21 of his last Wawrinka, who staged another 24 matches after a rollercoaster fightback in three sets, beating start to 2018 which saw him go 6-6. Marton Fucsovics 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 Djokovic, the winner of 30 (12/10). career Masters titles, will next face Defending champion Alexander rising Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who Zverev, seeded second and winner beat seventh seed Dominic Thiem at the weekend in Washington, also 6-3, 7-6 (8/6). It was the second advanced easily beating Bradley straight opening defeat for the Aus- Klahn 6-4, 6-4. trian, who also last last week at Former top-ranked Novak home in Kitzbuehel; he reportedly Djokovic, a four-time champion, arrived carrying a virus. sent Canadian Peter Polansky to a Wimbledon semi-finalist John 6-3, 6-4 defeat. Isner defeated Pierre-Hugues Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a shot against Benoit Novak Two generations of local Herbert of France 7-6 (7/3), 6-2. Paire of France during the Rogers Cup at Aviva Djokovic players split the difference with Third seed Juan Martin del Centre in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday. FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 19 Emery begins post-Wenger era as Arsenal host Manchester City REUTERS BULLET POINT PREVIEWS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES he was happy that Chilean Alexis TODAY Sanchez was raring to go after a LONDON: Arsenal fans heading Manchester United vs Leicester City (1900) full pre-season. to their clash with Manchester * Manchester United and Leicester will meet for the 25th time in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur, third last City on Sunday will do so with a term, are heading into the new * Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has not been beaten in nine opening-weekend sense of excitement and a little campaign with a gleaming new trepidation as new manager Unai matches, winning eight of them. 62,000-seat stadium, which will Emery begins the post-Wenger * Leicester are seeking their first win in eight league matches against United. be ready in September, having era with the toughest of all TOMORROW not added a single player to their opening matches. Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur (1130) roster hours before the transfer Last season’s runaway cham- * Newcastle and Tottenham have played each other 46 times in the Premier League. Newcastle have window closed yesterday. pions provide the opposition at won 21 of those games. Manager Mauricio Pochettino the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal * The teams met at St James’ Park in their opening match last season. Tottenham won 2-0 with goals has remained outwardly calm begin a season without from midfielder Dele Alli and defender Ben Davies. about the lack of activity in the Frenchman Arsene Wenger in the Bournemouth vs Cardiff City market despite calling on the dugout for the first time since * This is the first meeting between Bournemouth and promoted Cardiff in the top flight. club’s owners to take ‘risks’ at the 1996. * The teams have met 43 times in all competitions, with Bournemouth winning 18 games. end of last season. With his second league match Fulham vs Crystal Palace His side will have a familiar away to London rivals Chelsea, * Fulham have beaten Palace twice in their four previous Premier League meetings. look away to Newcastle United former Sevilla and Paris St in tomorrow’s early game. * The teams drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage the last time they contested in the top-flight in 2014. Germain coach Emery could A fourth successive top-four Huddersfield Town vs Chelsea hardly have a tougher start to his finish would represent a good first campaign in England. * This will be the third Premier League meeting between Huddersfield and Chelsea. outcome for Spurs, but they will The Spaniard is not the only * The contest is new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri’s first Premier League match in charge of the be under pressure from Chelsea new manager hoping to make an club. Sarri replaced the sacked Antonio Conte in July. and Arsenal who finished fifth instant impact in the capital. Watford vs Brighton and Hove Albion and sixth last year, while big- The experienced Maurizio * Watford and Brighton will meet for the fifth time in the top-flight of English soccer. spending West Ham could push Sarri is the latest incumbent in the * Brighton are unbeaten in their last three matches against Watford after losing 4-1 at home in 1982. for a top-six finish. Chelsea hot seat having replaced Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton (1630) Arsenal’s Emery will need to Antonio Conte last month. * Promoted Wolves and Everton have played eight times in the Premier League, with the Merseyside reverse a dreadful recent record The Italian takes his side to club winning three. for the club against City, however, Huddersfield Town tomorrow * Everton have not lost in six league matches against Wolves. Their last defeat by Wolves was a 2-1 if the new era in north London is where Kepa Arrizabalaga, the loss in 2004. not to start in disappointing world’s most expensive keeper ON SUNDAY fashion. at 71m pounds ($91.43m), is set to Liverpool vs West Ham United (1230) In the three matches between make his debut. the two clubs last season, City * Liverpool have won their last three Premier League games against West Ham, scoring four times in Liverpool, buoyant after a won 9-1 on aggregate. each. close-season spending spree, host Arsenal have strengthened at equally busy West Ham United * This will be new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first league game in charge of the club. the back though with German on Sunday. Southampton vs Burnley (1230) keeper Bernd Leno arriving from Juergen Klopp’s side, bol- * This will be the seventh Premier League meeting between Southampton and Burnley. Bayer Leverkusen while former stered by the likes of Brazil * Burnley have not lost in the last three Premier League games against Southampton, winning two Juventus defender and Swit- keeper Alisson from AS Roma, and drawing once. zerland skipper Stephan Lich- compatriot Fabinho and fellow Arsenal vs Manchester City (1500) tsteiner and Greek Sokratis Pap- midfielder Guinean Naby Keita, * Arsenal boss Unai Emery takes charge of his first Premier League match since replacing the long- astathopoulos will add guile in are the most likely to close the serving Arsene Wenger. defence.

gap on City who won the title by * Arsenal and City have met 42 times previously in the Premier League, with the London club winning Of the three promoted clubs, 19 points last season. 23 matches.. Fulham and Wolverhampton DOWNBEAT MOURINHO Wanderers look capable of flour- While optimism is growing at manager Jose Mourinho. preparation having had time off ishing in the top flight after Anfield, the same cannot be said The Portuguese coach has to recover from the World Cup. strengthening but it could be a at last season’s runners-up Man- clearly been disappointed by the “They return on Monday, long haul for Cardiff City who chester United who kick off the club’s close-season spending and train Monday, Tuesday, mark their return away to Arsenal manager Unai Emery new season today at home to has rued the fact that, like other Wednesday and today so you can Bournemouth tomorrow. Leicester City with a squad that top-flight clubs, many of his imagine that they are not really Fulham host Crystal Palace is under-cooked, according to squad have had minimal fit and ready,” he said, although while Wolves face Everton. Courtois hails Real Madrid Salah, Ronaldo and Messi move as a ‘dream come true’ on Champions League Atletico boost AFP awards shortlist

MADRID: Thibaut Courtois REUTERS strike force by said his move to Real Madrid compete with Manchester City’s from Chelsea was a “dream Kevin De Bruyne for the mid- signing Kalinic come true”, as he was LONDON: Liverpool’s Mohamed fielder award. unveiled by the European Salah joined regulars Cristiano New Liverpool signing Alis- REUTERS champions at the Santiago Ronaldo (pictured)(pictured) and Lionel son’sson s peperformancesrformances for AS Roma Bernabeu yesterday. Messi on UEFA’s shortlist for the earnedearned him a place on the goalgoal-- MADRID: La Liga runners- The 26-year-old goal- bestbest forwards who playedplayed in keeper shortlist.shortlist. up Atletico Madrid announced keeper joined Real for a Champions League last season, HeHe will compete for the yesterday they have signed reported fee of 35m euros soccer’ssoccer’s European governing honour with Real Madrid’s Costa Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic ($40.6m) on a six-year deal, bodybody announced yyesterday.esterday. Rica international KeylorKeylor Navas from AC Milan for an undis- with midfielder Mateo Ronaldo,Ronaldo, who won the andand Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who closed fee, bolstering their Kovacic departing Madrid for award last year, topped the completedcompleted a switch from already fearsome strikeforce Stamford Bridge on a season- scoringscoring charts with 15 ggoalsoals Juventus to Paris St Germain last Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois poses during his of Antoine Griezmann and long loan. in tthehe comcompetitionpetition as ReaReall month.month. presentation as new player of Real Madrid team, at the Diego Costa. “Today is a dream come Madrid won a third concon-- TheThe winners will be “Our club has reached an true for me, you can’t imagine Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, yesterday. secutivesecutive European announcedannounced duringduring thethe 2018-19 agreement with AC Milan for how happy I am,” said crown. Champions League group stage Niko Kalinic,” said a Courtois, who won the badge entails.” Courtois ‘keeper from Costa Rican Egypt’sEgypt’s Salah led draw in Monaco on AugustAugust statement from Atletico. Golden Glove award as the signed his contract alongside Keylor Navas, but says he is Liverpool’s 30.30. “The Croatian, 30, has World Cup’s best goalkeeper Real president Florentino prepared to fight for the shirt, remarkableremarkable run to The nominees become a new Atletico player after helping Belgium finish Perez in the corridors of the having had to replace Petr the final with 10 wwereere selected by a after signing a three-year third last month. Bernabeu, and in front of the Cech when he returned to goalsgoals and four juryjury ofof 32 coachescoaches contract. Kalinic is a powerful “Coming to the best club club’s record 13 European Chelsea from a long loan spell assists,assists, while Bar-Bar- from last year’s striker who is very good in the in the world is a responsibility Cup trophies. at Atletico Madrid in 2014, celonacelona talismantalisman ChampionsChampions League air and who has a wealth of and an honour. I’d like to “Throughout my career, before going on to make 126 Messi nettednetted six participantsparticipants and 55 experience in European thank Real Madrid for the I’ve done my best at every Premier League appearances goals.goals. journalistsjournalists chosenchosen football.” efforts they’ve made, and all club I’ve played for,” he for the Blues. “It would be a The bestbest by the European Kalinic, who has also the people who have con- added. mistake to give guarantees (to defender is sure Sports Media played in England, Ukraine and tributed to bringing me to He will be only the second one of the two goalkeepers),” to bbee ffromrom ReaReall group. his native Croatia as well as for play here. Belgian to play for the cap- he said. “You have to demon- withwith ttheirheir trio ofof Italian side Fiorentina, has “I want to show I can ital-city giants, after Fernand strate in training that you Marcelo, SergioSergio been capped 41 times for match the expectations this Goyvaerts, who was at Real should play, and you have to Ramos and Raphael Croatia and was named in the from 1965-1967. keep it that way. Varane the onlyonly names squad for the 2018 World Cup. “Real Madrid can boast “Wherever I played, I short-listedshort-listed forfor thethe The striker was sent the arrival of one of the wasn’t given guarantees. award.award. home by coach Zlatko Dalic, world’s best goalkeepers, if When I came to Chelsea in RealReal duoduo however, who said he had Coming to the best not the very best,” said Perez. 2014, I had to replace Petr Toni KroosKroos refused to come on as a sub- “He comes to Real Madrid Cech. We became friends and andand LuLukaka stitute in the team’s opening club in the world is at 26 years of age, but having today I’m still talking to him. ModricModric game against Nigeria, a responsibility and already experienced huge “Goalkeepers are a group wwillill meaning he missed out on the an honour: Thibaut success in European football.” of friends in the dressing side’s run to a first ever World Courtois Courtois is expected to room, we get along well, Cup final. take over as first-choice which is important in life.”