SPORT Tuesday 8 May 2018 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 27 Impressive High-flying Sharapova reaches Al Duhail eye Al Ain Madrid last 16 scalp in away game

Bowlers Khoukhi’s double powers shine as Sunrisers Al Sadd to 2-1 win over Al Ahli beat RCB AGENCIES

CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA HYDERABAD: Table- toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad produced yet another spirited : Boualem Khoukhi bowling effort after skipper scored twice to give Al Sadd an Kane Williamson’s crucial impressive 2-1 win over Al Ahli half-century to beat Royal Saudi FC in their 2018 AFC Challengers Bangalore by five Champions League (ACL) Round runs and virtually assure of 16 first leg match yesterday. themselves a place in the On their home turf, the play-offs of the Indian Algerian defender scored in the Premier League yesterday. third and 28th minutes before Sunrisers not only regis- Al Ahli added their only goal in tered their fifth consecutive the second half. win of the tournament yes- This was the first time the terday, but also defended yet two teams met in the AFC another low total riding on Champions League and Al the performance of their Sadd made the occasion mem- excellent bowling unit. orable by striking the first goal Earlier, Hyderabad just three minutes after the skipper Kane Williamson (56 kick off. off 39 balls) raged a lone Assisted by the Barca battle with a defiant half legend Hernandez, century, despite losing his Khoukhi scored the first goal of Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez (left) celebrates with Boualem Khoukhi partners at regular intervals the evening with a left footed after the latter scored his second goal against Al Ahli during before Shakib joined him to shot from the centre of the box, their AFC Champions League match played at Al Sadd Stadium forge a 64-run partnership for beating Al Ahli goalkeeper in Doha yesterday. the fourth wicket and take the Mohammed Al Owais, to the side past the 100-run mark. bottom left corner. held onto it and spoiled the The visitors enjoyed most of Put into bat, the hosts Khoukhi enjoyed a perfect effort. the ball possession, but in the started on a shaky note as evening as he doubled Al Sadd’s Xavi once again displayed dying moments of the match, Al Southee came with the first advantage in the 28th minute his brilliance by setting up Sadd were trying hard to add blow, cleaning up Hales’ with a powerful header past Al another opportunity just before more to their goal tally. middle stump in the third Owais following Baghdad Khoukhi’s second goal and Al Tournament’s top scorer over. Bounedjah’s cross from the right. Haydos took his shot from Bounedjah could not add any A couple of overs later, In between, coach Jesualdo outside the box, only to see a during yesterday’s match, but Siraj jolted the hosts by Ferreirsa’s men missed several goal being denied by Al Owais, created several chances, twice packing back Shikhar opportunities to score. who blocked it at the bottom in the injury time against the Dhawan (13) with Hydera- Four minutes after the first right corner. Saudi Arabian side. bad’s scorecard reading 38/2. goal was scored, Xavi shot at the Al Sadd led 2-0 at half time. In the injury time, Bounedjah Williamson then walked goal from close range after It was also the first occasion assisted with a through ball and in and together with Shakib receiving a cross from Al Ahli conceded goals in the Xavi’s powerful kick saw the ball denied the tourists any more Bounedjah, but Al Ahli goal- first half of their matches in the flying over the crossbar. inroads till the 16th over, even keeper was lucky this time. In Champions League this year. Bounedjah once again as the New Zealander brought the very next minute, Al Sadd’s The visitors reduced the floated a cross, this time Akram up his eighth IPL half century Hasan Al Haydos fired another deficit just after the second half Afif directed the ball towards the in 35 balls. one from the centre of the box began. goal but was saved at top left Brief Scores: but the result was the same. Al Ahli’s Mohannad Aseri corner by Al Owais. Sunrisers Hyderabad: Bounedjah fired a shot from headed the ball into the net The result leaves the tie 146 (Kane Williamson 56, the centre of the box following from the centre of the box after nicely poised going into next Shakib Al Hasan 35; a cross by Xavi from the corner, receiving a cross from Amiri week’s second leg in Jeddah’s Mohammed Siraj 3/25) in the 11th minute, but Al Owais Kurdi in the 47th minute. King Abdullah Sports City. Royal Challengers Ban- Boualem Khoukhi celebrates after scoring a goal. galore: 141 for 6 (Virat Kohli 39)

Cilic slips to fifth Djokovic edges past as Nadal leads Nishikori in Madrid ATP rankings AFP AFP But injuries, to the wrist for Nishikori and elbow for Djokovic, have left each PARIS: Croatia’s Marin Cilic dropped a place to MADRID: Novak Djokovic scored his best- attempting recoveries and it was certainly fifth in the ATP rankings released yesterday after ranked victory in almost a year by coming evident here that both are still some way making an early exit from last week’s Istanbul through his nightmare first round against away. If Edmund beats Medvedev, he may tournament. world number 20 Kei Nishikori at the Madrid fancy his chances against a player he is yet Former US Open champion Cilic, who lost Open yesterday. to take a set off in three meetings. in both last year’s Wimbledon final and Janu- The 12-time major champion could now Djokovic, however, will be keen to draw ary’s Australian Open final to Roger Federer, face Kyle Edmund in round two, if the Briton on the positives. His movement was better was bundled out by unseeded Tunisian Malek wins his own awkward opener on Tuesday and he delivered in the crunch moments. Jaziri after receiving a bye into the second round. against the talented Daniil Medvedev. There were also a handful of breathtaking Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov took fourth spot Not long ago, Djokovic versus Nishikori retrievals the 30-year-old would have been Serbia’s despite not having played, with Spain’s Rafael would have been a match for the latter proud of in his prime. Novak Nadal still atop the rankings. stages of a grand slam but struggles with Four games both players would have Djokovic in fitness and form caused these two to meet liked to forget prompted an exchange of action during ATP RANKINGS first up on Manolo Santana. breaks in the middle of the opening set but his Madrid 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,770 pts Djokovic prevailed 7-5, 6-4, producing Djokovic stepped up a gear at 5-4. Open first 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 8,670 some scintillating tennis when it mattered Nishikori resisted two rasping forehands round match 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5,195 most to register his first win over a top-20 but finally caved two games later as Djokovic against 4. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 4,950 (+1) opponent since the Serb beat Gael Monfils clinched the frame. Japan’s Kei 5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,780 (-1) at Eastbourne in June last year. Djokovic seemingly defied physics by Nishikori in 6. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 4,470 At their best, Djokovic and Nishikori lashing one smash into the net early in the Madrid, Spain 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,545 were perhaps the game’s two outstanding second but found his groove again at 5-4, yesterday. 8. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3,345 athletes, renowned for their speed in breaking Nishikori to seal victory in just 9. John Isner (USA) 3,125 defence and stamina over five sets. under two hours. 10. David Goffin (BEL) 3,020 26 SPORT TUESDAY 8 MAY 2018 NBA: Warriors and Rockets reach brink of West final AFP and effective at the same time. “I just ball to their hottest player, Durant. for the Warriors. Klay Thompson try to tell myself that I’m at my best “Just find ways to get him in added 13 points and Quinn Cook LOS ANGELES: The Golden State when I don’t care what happens after scoring positions,” Curry said. “Some- added 12 off the bench. Warriors and Houston Rockets both the game, the outcome or anything,” times, that’s not really hard to do -- The Warriors limited Pelicans dif- raced to a pair of lopsided wins on Durant said. just throw it to him. ference makers Rajon Rondo and Sunday and can book their spots in “That’s when I’m free and having “Just keep the game simple at that Nikola Mirotic to just six and seven the Western Conference final with fun out there, and forceful. I just try point because he’s such a great points. New Orleans made four of 26 victories on their home courts today. to play with force no matter if I scorer, you don’t have to really over- attempts from three-point range. Kevin Durant scored 38 points to missed shots or not, just keep think things.” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said power the reigning NBA champion shooting, keep being aggressive.” The host Pelicans, led by 26 they have to get more scoring from Warriors over the New Orleans Pel- Stephen Curry added 23 points as the points and 12 rebounds from Anthony multiple players to win. icans 118-92 and Chris Paul finished Warriors seized a 3-1 lead in their Davis, never led while Golden State “I told you right from the start. with 27 points and 12 rebounds as the best-of-seven second-round series. stretched the lead to as many as 26 You’re not going to beat them if you Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz The Warriors are seeking a fourth points. can’t score 115 points,” Gentry said. 100-87. consecutive trip to the NBA finals and Durant added nine rebounds “I don’t care how good your defence Durant said his free form game their third crown in four seasons. while Draymond Green had eight is. I don’t care what you do. You have plan allowed him to be aggressive Curry said the key was getting the points, nine rebounds and nine assists to be able to score 110, 115 points to have any chance to beat them.” In Utah, NBA veteran Paul, celebrating Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and Mikhail Sergachev (98) his 33rd birthday, also had 12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate winning rebounds while James Harden scored 24 points to power the Rockets to a Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round 3-1 series lead. against the Boston Bruins during the 2018 NHL “It was an emotional, crazy Stanley Cup play-offs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, game,” said Paul, who is in his first Florida on Sunday. season with the Rockets. Clint Capela tallied 12 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks in the win. Knights shut Paul powered the offence and when he combined with Harden they were impossible to defend against. “There are different ways to win,” out Sharks said Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni. “We got a lot of stuff we can go to. The plan was to get that, so we to advance wouldn’t be a one dimensional team.” AP Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points and Joe Ingles finished with 15 for Utah. LOS ANGELES: Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for his 14th career playoff shutout, and the NBA RESULTS expansion Vegas Golden Knights added another Results from Sunday’s NBA playoff second-round se- chapter to their NHL history-making season with ries games (all series best-of-seven): a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday Western Conference night at SAP Arena in San Jose, clinching the best- At New Orleans of-seven Western Conference semifinal series in Golden State Warriors 118 New Orleans 92 six games. (Golden State leads series 3-1) Vegas, which cruised to the Pacific Division

At Utah regular-season title, will play the winner of the

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots defended by Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the Houston 100 Utah 87 Central Division second-round series between Win- fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the 2018 NBA play-offs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Sunday. (Houston leads series 3-1) nipeg and Nashville in the Western Conference finals for a chance to reach the Stanley Cup Final. The Jets, who host the Predators on Monday night, lead that series 3-2. Fleury’s shutout was his fourth in 10 playoff games this season. He moved into a tie with Ed Canada trounce South Korea 10-0 Belfour, Dominik Hasek and Jacques Plante for fifth place on the NHL all-time playoff shutout AP Latvia 8-1. Switzerland also has goal each in a span of 1:25 early leaders list with his 14th in 125 playoff games. two victories after shutting out in the second period to jump to “Happy. Happy,” Fleury said of his reaction to DENMARK: Canada bounced Slovakia 2-0. a 5-0 lead. The Canadians closing out the Sharks. back from a loss to the United After losing 5-4 to the US in scored six goals in that period, “This was a tough series. We beat a good team. States in the opening game at a penalty shootout, Canada was forcing South Korea to pull Can- Proud of the guys the way they played tonight.” the world ice hockey champi- ruthless against South Korea, a ada-born goaltender Matt Nate Schmidt had a goal and an assist, and Jonathan onship by demolishing South championship newcomer in a Dalton. Marchessault and Cody Eakin scored for Vegas. Korea 10-0 on Sunday. Group B game in Herning. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Martin Jones stopped 30 shots for San Jose. Sweden made another step Captain Connor McDavid scored Brayden Schenn also scored for The Sharks had the two best chances during a on the way to defending its title his first goal of the tournament Canada. Goalie Curtis McEl- scoreless first period. Tomas Hertl clanged a shot by edging the Czech Republic and added two assists, and hinney made 25 saves for the off the crossbar nine minutes in after coming in on 3-2 for its second win, and Tyson Jost scored twice and had shutout. Canada next faces host a breakaway during a Vegas line change. Evander Olympic champion Russia again an assist to lead Canada. Pierre- Denmark. Kane also hit the post when he deflected a Brent displayed its offensive might in Luc Dubois and Joel Edmundson “I think it’s gonna be a very Burns shot from the point just before the end of a 7-0 rout of Austria. also had a goal and two assists good game, they’re a good team, the period. Norway prevailed over each. they’ve got a lot of talent,” “I got lucky a few times,” Fleury said of the first Germany 5-4 after a shootout “We did everything we had McDavid said. “I’ve seen the Russia’s Ilya Kablukoc (right) hits the ice after period. while Sebastian Aho was to,” McDavid said. crowd is getting into it and the scoring past Belarus’ goalie Vitali Trus during the “They hit the post, you know, so I just stopped unstoppable as Finland made it Colton Parayko, Ryan fans, they can have a big impact group A match of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World the other ones and the guys picked it up in the two straight wins by thrashing O’Reilly and Dubois netted a on the game.” Championship in Denmark, on Sunday. second (period) and never looked back.” Opener Rahul wants to score big and not just fast REUTERS even if you get the run-rate down a bit in the middle overs, MUMBAI: India opener Lokesh if you are set till the end you can Rahul (pictured) has often faced do the most damage.” criticism for failing to convert During Sunday’s innings, solid scores into big totals and Rahul scored 18 off 15 balls the 26-year-old is no longer during the powerplay and then happy to just provide his Kings 48 off 43 before he shifted gears XI Punjab franchise with effortlessly to lead Punjab to a explosive starts in the Indian win after two straight losses. Premier League (IPL). Rahul took 44 balls to get to In the early part of his Test his fifty -- the slowest in his IPL Cricket Association (QCA) President Yousef Jeham Al Kuwari and other officials with Stallions career, the stylish right-handed career -- but it ended up being Cricket Academy players after they won the QCA Under-14 school tournament at the Asian Town batsman scored four hundreds his highest score in the Cricket Stadium. with just one half-century but Twenty20 tournament. since his 199 against England at The win took Punjab to third the end of 2016, Rahul has Rajasthan Royals. “I want to in the table on six wins from Stallions Cricket Academy win U-14 title scored nine more fifties without get as many runs as I can in the nine matches and firmly in adding another ton. powerplay,” Rahul told the IPL position for one of the four THE PENINSULA Under-14 title by eight wickets. while Asad returned figures of The opener has provided website https://www.iplt20. playoff spots. Hannan and Asad bowled two for 14. Andrew, Siddharth Punjab with plenty of early com. “Those were the things I was DOHA: Stallions Cricket well and took six wickets and Zayan shared three wickets. quick runs but showed “(However,) I think I haven’t thinking about sitting back at Academy produced a fine all- between them to skittle Pak Stallions Cricket Academy immense maturity on Sunday converted those starts into big home,” Rahul said, referring to round performance to beat Pak Shamaa School out for just 88 chased down the target in 9.1 to remain unbeaten on 84 from runs for the team; as an opening the break he had between Pun- Shamaa School and win the runs in 13.3 overs. overs with Jaydan leading the 54 deliveries to lead his side to batsman that’s what is crucial. jab’s seventh and eighth Qatar Cricket Association Hannan grabbed four for 22, charge. a six-wicket victory over the “If you get off to a good start, fixtures. TUESDAY 8 MAY 2018 SPORT 27

Giggs, Jones wish High-flying Al Duhail eye Ferguson a full recovery Al Ain scalp in away game LONDON REUTERS: Manchester RIZWAN REHMAT tinctive elements in their squad,” he added. AL DUHAIL VS AL AIN United defender Phil Jones THE PENINSULA “It will be a strong clash between the KEY FACTS has described his former two teams,” Belmadi at the press con- manager Alex Ferguson as a AL AIN, UAE: Qatar football giants Al ference hall of Al Ain Sports Club. “Our Two of the AFC Champions League’s “father figure” and backed Duhail will be banking on their recent preparations for this match have gone like unbeaten sides face off today when him to return to full health winning form to quash the threat all our previous matches and we are Al Ain welcome Qatar’s Al Duhail to Hazza after suffering a brain haem- presented by UAE’s top side Al Ain today aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the Bin Zayed Stadium for the first leg of the orrhage. when the two regional football power- competition and continue to go further,” Round of 16. Ferguson underwent houses clash in the round of 16 game of Belmadi said. emergency surgery on Sat- the AFC Champions League. “We know very well that there are sig- Al Duhail have won 17 from 17 in urday which United said had Visitors Al Duhail - coached by Djamel nificant differences between the matches all competitions, stretching back gone “extremely well” and the Belmadi - take comfort from the fact that of this round and the matches played in to early February, and the Doha club also 76-year-old is recovering they have won 17 matches out of 17 since the preliminary stage. Now we are in the progressed from the group stage with a from the operation in early February this year. phase where we know we are required perfect six wins from six. intensive care. “The team has gained more expe- us to focus clearly (in the first leg),” Jones was signed from rience this season. We have gained expe- Belmadi said. Al Duhail were involved in Cup Blackburn Rovers by Fer- rience as a result of our continuous par- “We have a number of young action on home soil when they guson in 2011 and was part of ticipation in the AFC Champions players who have been given defeated Umm Salal 1-0 on Friday to advance the Scot’s 13th Premier League matches. Participating in the opportunity to gain expe- to the Amir Cup semi-finals. League title in his final season overseas tournaments requires a rience and participate confi- before retiring in 2013. certain tactical experience to dently in such games,” “Just devastated, abso- Al Ain’s 2-1 victory over Al Wasl achieve the goals and we have Belmadi said. lutely devastated,” Jones told on Thursday ensured their seventh done that,” coach Belmadi said “They British media. Al Duhail’s coach speaks President’s Cup title. ahead of today’s away game. showed their “He is the one who during a press conference. “Our preparation for this abilities and brought me to the club and The Emirati side have improved match has been underway for a succeeded in gave me that opportunity to as the tournament has gone on few days and we fully know the the exper- “Al Duhail is not afraid to face any play for one of the biggest importance of this confron- iment we team in any tournament. Our ambition is and are chasing a historic treble after clubs in the world. tation,” the Algerian tac- tried,” he said. always the top and now we will play with winning both the UAE Pro League and the “He’s taken me under his tician said yesterday. the same ambition in the hope that we President’s Cup so far in 2018 in a run that wing like a father. It was “This match brings will make things easy for us in the return has seen them win their last nine games. shocking, it’s sad, but I know us together match in Doha next week,” the Al Duhail his character. I know he has against a side coach said. Brazilian left-back Lucas Mendes is that fight in him. Hopefully, that has Al Duhail striker said yes- suspended for the visitors but key he’ll recover well. many dis- terday: “We are in the middle of a very defender Luiz Junior returns for Al Duhail. Wales manager Ryan important journey. We wish to continue Ahmed Ismail and Mohamed Abdulrahman Giggs, who was handed his our excellence run of form and achieve are available for Al Ain after serving one- United debut by Ferguson in positive results. We were undefeated in game bans, but Egyptian Hussein El Shahat 1991, said he was praying for our group but now we face a different sit- is suspended. his former manager’s uation. We are looking at a positive result recovery. in the first leg. We will look at the second Giggs was one of “Fergie’s leg after this match.” “Thank God, the team is going well and Fledglings”, along with David The 30-year-old striker added: we are well organised. We were able to Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky win the league title without any defeat as Butt and Gary and Phil It will be a strong clash we had only three draws. We also won Neville, who were in the between the two teams. Our the (at the end of last month) United team that won preparations for this match and that was our second trophy (of the numerous trophies under have gone like all our season). We want to continue in this Ferguson, including the 1999 previous matches and fashion.” treble. Al Duhail we are aiming to reach Afif said: “Al Ain is a very big and dis- “Now is the time to pray players tinguished team. They have won two tour- and hope he can make a full the quarter-finals of the naments this season. The situation is dif- recovery,” Giggs told BBC celebrate competition and continue Wales. after scoring ferent and we respect every opponent. in this file to go further: Al Duhail’s coach But our focus will be to play to our “He has been the biggest photo. Belmadi strengths and to move to the next round influence in my career, both of the championship.” on and off the pitch. Barcelona draw with David takes on Goliath as Les Real to stay unbeaten AP Herbiers brace for PSG impact flared between the two rivals. But that was when Messi came AP BARCELONA :Lionel Messi helped to the hosts’ rescue, sending the ball 10-man Barcelona remain unde- past Keylor Navas in the 52nd to feated in the Spanish League after swing the match back in Barcelona’s PARIS: Les Herbiers players drawing 2-2 with Real Madrid on favor despite playing a man down. are experiencing a whole new Sunday in a testy “clasico” match that Gareth Bale pulled Madrid level world as they prepare for the saw Cristiano Ronaldo substituted at again in the 72nd after curling in a biggest game of their careers. halftime with a leg injury. pass by Asensio. Messi had more In the build-up to today’s Ronaldo hurt his lower right leg chances to grab the late winner but French Cup final against Paris while cancelling out Luis Suarez’s was denied by Navas. Saint-Germain at the Stade de opener in the 10th minute. Gerard Champion Barcelona stayed France, the third-division Pique stepped on his ankle as he unbeaten through 35 league matches minnows have been invited to unsuccessfully tried to stop the this season and extended its record stay at Clairefontaine, the Madrid forward from scoring from run to 42 consecutive games without national football centre known close range. Ronaldo played on until a loss. Its last defeat in La Liga was as “The Castle” where the halftime, when he was replaced by at Malaga in April 2017. country’s international players Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe will be Marco Asensio. Barcelona has matches left prepare for their matches. the most expensive player on today’s show. Madrid was dominating the against Villarreal, Levante and Real “I believe I have been match at Camp Nou and Barcelona Sociedad to try and become the first staying in (Antoine) Griez- right back Sergi Roberto was team to go unbeaten in the compe- mann’s room,” said Les Her- shown a direct red card in first- tition since the 1930s, when it con- biers captain Sebastien And while PSG boast the side to reach the final after Les Herbiers coach half injury time for swiping his sisted of 10 teams compared to 20 Flochon. “It’s a dream come likes of Edinson Cavani, Angel Nimes, Amiens and Quevilly, Stephane Masala’s tactics hand at Marcelo’s face as tempers now. true, we are preparing for that Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe, Les Herbiers has already could also play a big role. A big final in ideal conditions. With the Les Herbiers players don’t beaten second-division teams fan of Italian football and all the history attached to this make headlines and reportedly Lens and Auxerre. Juventus, the 41-year-old castle, we could not hope for earn €2,500 monthly on “Our chances are coach is respected for his a better place.” average. minuscule, but we will give knowledge of the game and a In terms of players, budget, To sum it up, Les Herbiers’ ourselves fully,” Flochon said. style based on short passes. salaries and glamour, PSG and challenge looks like a lost Facing one of Europe’s “I’m stunned by my Les Herbiers - a small town cause. best attacks, Les Hebiers will players’ abilities to turn thing with a population of just 16,000 “Some people rate our be counting on goalkeeper around,” Masala said his team - could not be more different. chances of winning at about Matthieu Pichot, who has came from 2-0 down to beat While super-rich PSG sealed one percent,” Flochon said. “It allowed just five goals in nine Laval 3-2 in the league on the French league title with five would be the biggest upset of cup games. Friday. games to spare last month, Les the last 20 years.” “What we have already Despite the huge gap Herbiers has yet to secure its This year’s unexpected achieved is extraordinary, between the sides, PSG coach place in France’s third tier for deep run in the competition some top-flight players have Unai Emery is not taking any- next season. could help secure the future of never experienced that,” thing for granted as his players The club from the Vendee the club. By making it to the Pichot said. “They are going to seek a fourth straight French region in western France has final, Les Herbiers is already attack from everywhere and Cup. a stadium holding just 5,000 guaranteed to pocket a it will be a very unbalanced “It’s a final, it’s a title, it’s fans and a budget of about € minimum of about €1.5m. If it contest. If we manage to make the French Cup,” he said. “If Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (centre) shoots to score against Real Madrid during 2m. Last summer, PSG paid € wins the title, the club will earn them doubt, even just for a they got to the final, they their Spanish League football match at the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday. 220m to buy Brazil superstar a bit more than €2m. while, this final will be deserve it. The best way to Neymar from Barcelona. The fourth third-division successful.” show respect is to play to win.” TUESDAY 8 MAY 2018 SPORT 25

I didn’t putt well again. TODAY’S ACTION Tiger Woods I made nothing. The chances I Zobahan vs Esteghlal FC: The 14-time major did have I missed them all. It Foolad Shahr Stadium, 7.15pm champion struggling was just a bad week. Al Duhail vs Al Ain: with his game. Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, 8.10pm Late charge lifts Day to victory AFP Tiger Woods, the 14-time major champion struggling in his first MIAMI: Australia’s Jason Day event since sharing 32nd at last birdied two of the last three holes month’s Masters, fired a 3-over 74 on Sunday to capture the Wells -- his first birdie-less round since Fargo Championship, collecting 2014, -- to finish on 286. his 12th career US PGA title and “I didn’t putt well again,” second of the year. Woods said. Day, the 2015 PGA Champi- “I made nothing. The onship winner, held off Amer- chances I did have I missed them icans Aaron Wise and Nick all. It was just a bad week.” Williams Watney with a final-round two- Woods challenges the tour’s under par 69 to finish 72 holes top talent again starting takes lead on 12-under 272 for a two-stroke Thursday at The Players Cham- victory at Quail Hollow in Char- pionship, when he will be paired in world lotte, North Carolina. alongside fellow former Players On the same course where champions and US compatriots snooker final he contended before faltering Phil Mickelson and Rickie late in last year’s PGA Champi- Fowler. AFP onship, the 30-year-old Aussie stumbled with back-to-back WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP bogeys and fell level with Wise LONDON: Mark Williams, Leading scores after Sunday’s final round of with four holes remaining. (pictured) boosted by a late the US PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail But Day sank a 10-foot birdie night kebab, led John Higgins Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina (par-71, USA putt at the par-4 16th and by 10-7 after the opening day unless noted): bounced his tee shot into the 272 - Jason Day (AUS) 69-67-67-69 of the world snooker cham- flagstick at the par-3 17th before Jason Day and his family pose on the 18th green with the trophy during the final round of the 274 - Aaron Wise 68-68-70-68, Nick Watney pionship final in Sheffield. a tap-in birdie. He sank a seven- Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club on Sunday. 72-67-66-69 Williams went into the footer for par at 18 to win by two. 276 - Bryson DeChambeau 75-65-66-70 final on the back of a tardy “This is probably one of the 277 - Phil Mickelson 72-72-64-69, Paul Casey finish to his tense semi-final best wins I’ve ever had because Masters champion Patrick Reed shots, and the par-3 sixth after 14th to reach 10-under. Day (ENG) 69-68-69-71, Peter Uihlein 72-72-62-71 win over Barry Hawkins on of how hard everything was was eighth on 278. missing the green were followed responded with a 10-foot birdie 278 - Patrick Reed 71-71-67-69 Saturday followed by a visit today,” Day said. Day, whose wife is expecting by back-to-back birdies from six putt at the 16th to reclaim the 279 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-71-71-69, Luke to a kebab house at 0130 Wise, seeking his first PGA their third child in November, and nine feet at seven and eight. lead, then he nearly holed his tee List 70-72-67-70, Sam Saunders 70-69-68-72, GMT. win, fired a 68 to settle for a won the Farmers Insurance Day blasted out of a shot at the par-3 17th, bouncing Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 70-67-70-72 The two-time former career-best second on 274 with Open in January at Torrey Pines, greenside bunker at the par-5 into the flagstick before tapping 280 - Kyle Stanley 67-72-71-70, Talor Gooch world champion from Wales Watney, who was chasing his his first victory since the 2016 10th to two feet and made birdie in from three feet for a birdie to 71-72-66-71, Johnson Wagner 67-71-69-73 recharged his batteries with sixth PGA title and first since Players Championship. to reach 12-under, stretching his grab a two-stroke edge. 281 - Joel Dahmen 70-71-70-70, Francesco a couple of hours sleep to 2012, closing with a 60-foot Day began with a two-stroke lead over Watney and Wise to Day put his approach in the Molinari (ITA) 70-72-68-71, Rory McIlroy (NIR) return to the table to get the birdie putt to match him for the lead over playing partner three shots. right rough at 18 but lofted his 68-76-66-71, Chesson Hadley 70-74-66-71, upper hand over Scotland’s runner-up spot. American Watney and sandwiched a birdie But Day stumbled with third onto the green and sank a Adam Hadwin (CAN) 73-71-65-72 Higgins yesterday. Bryson DeChambeau was fourth at the second around up-and- bogeys at the par-3 13th and seven-foot par putt for a two- 282 - Tony Finau 69-76-71-66, Webb Simpson Higgins, who made an on 276 with five-time major down par saves, the first on a par-4 14th, missing the green off stroke triumph. 72-70-71-69, Justin Thomas 73-69-70-70, Greg amateurish error to gift Wil-

winner Phil Mickelson on 277 10-foot putt and the second half the 13th tee and finding water off He said more will be needed Chalmers (AUS) 71-70-70-71, Charles Howell liams the closing frame, can with US compatriot Peter Uihlein as long. Bogeys at the fifth, after the 14th, falling back into a share for him to contend at the Players 71-68-71-72, Rickie Fowler 72-69-68-73 take heart from 12 months and England’s Paul Casey. finding bunkers on his first two of the lead after Wise birdied the Championship next week. ago when he led Mark Selby by the same margin before the world number one battled back to win the title 18-15. Higgins is making his Park edges Duncan to win LPGA Texas Classic seventh appearance in the sport’s showpiece match and is just one title behind Ronnie AFP shot,” Park said through a translator. “That clubhouse lead. “I’m happy,” Ashok said. O’Sullivan’s title haul of five shot was a difficult situation for me but “I came back one better than I left so that’s with only Stephen Hendry CHICAGO: Reigning US Women’s Open I’m glad I made it.” It was the third LPGA good.” But 18-hole co-leader Park had yet and Steve Davis lifting more champion Park Sung-hyun of South Korea title for Park, who captured her first major to start her final round after opening on trophies at Sheffield’s Cru- chipped in for birdie on the final hole crown last July in the Open at Trump 65 and made her charge in the afternoon. cible theatre. Sunday to edge fast-closing Lindy Duncan National and added the Canadian Park opened with a bogey but eagled Both players are aiming and win the storm-shortened LPGA Texas Women’s Open six weeks later. the par-5 fifth and followed with birdies to become the oldest Classic. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn and South at the sixth, eighth and ninth before a champion since Ray Reardon Park fired a five-under par 66 to finish Korea Kim Sei-young shared fourth with bogey-birdie start to the back nine left triumphed in 1978 at the age the 36-hole event at 11-under 131 at Old South Korean Jenny Shin and India’s Aditi her ahead by three with seven holes of 45 - Williams is at 43 one American Golf Club near Dallas for a one- Ashok on 135. remaining. After six pars, Park was off the year older than Higgins who stroke victory over American Duncan with Storms that wiped out almost all play green with her approach at 18 but won his first title in 1998. Chinese rookie Liu Yu another shot adrift Thursday and Friday forced organizers punched a bouncing pitching wedge shot For Williams his progress in third on 133. to trim the event to 36 holes, with the final up the green and into the hole for a closing to the final caps a remarkable Park’s pitching wedge chip-in at the round starting Saturday afternoon. birdie that all-but sealed the title. late-career revival. 18th hole provided her margin of victory Ashok, seeking her first LPGA title, Duncan, finishing on the front nine, Park Sung-hyun of South Korea poses He did not even qualify in over Duncan, who closed with three birdied the par-5 15th on a five-foot putt fired a 64 that included a costly lip-out with the champion’s trophy following 2017, and last reached the birdies in a row after Park was in the club- and closed with three pars. The 20-year- tap-in for par to bogey the sixth. She the 2018 Volunteers of America LPGA final 15 years ago, when he house, and Liu, who like Duncan had a old Olympian from Bangalore, three times closed with three consecutive birdies but Texas Classic at Old American Golf defeated Ken Doherty. He career-best LPGA finish. a winner on the Ladies European Tour, was one shot shy of Park, settling for a Club in the Colony, Texas on Sunday. won the title in 2000 and “I knew it was a pretty important completed a 66 to grab the early career-best runner-up finish. 2003. Impressive Sharapova reaches Madrid last 16 AFP Sharapova lost a heated were a few more errors than contest to Eugenie Bouchard she would have liked, she MADRID:MARIA Sharapova’s last year, in what was only her delivered in the pressure clay-court revival is gathering second tournament back fol- moments. pace after the Russian eased lowing a 15-month suspension After an exchange of breaks past Romanian big-hitter Irina- for taking the banned drug midway through the first set, Camelia Begu at the Madrid meldonium. Sharapova broke at 6-5 to clinch Open yesterday. Sharapova has struggled for the frame after two booming Sharapova arrived in Spain form and fitness since, with a forehand winners. on the back of four consecutive niggling thigh injury curtailing Begu hit back with a break defeats but two wins, the latest her comeback. in the opening game of the a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Begu, She was trounced by second but Sharapova have sent the 31-year-old into Angelique Kerber at the Aus- responded with two breaks of the last 16. tralian Open in January and her own, the second after a France’s Kristina Mlade- went on to lose opening matches sweeping backhand into the novic will now await Sharapova, in Doha, Indian Wells and corner. Qatar Cup Shooting and Archery Championship who is showing signs of rhythm Stuttgart. She never looked back ahead of the French Open later But, now ranked 52nd in and, leading 5-1, Sharapova The podium winners at the Qatar Cup Shooting and Archery Championship pose for a picture with this month, which she won in the world, Sharapova was sealed victory after 92 officials at the Losail Shooting Range on Sunday. 2012 and 2014. aggressive from the baseline minutes when a Begu It was here in Madrid that against Begu and while there forehand hit the net.