MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 SPORTS

Top-seeded Kerber toils to win over Cibulkova at WTA Finals SINGAPORE: Top-seeded Angelique tough one, really close, and in these kind Kerber struggled to defeat seventh-seed- of games it’s about the small details.” ed Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3 Cibulkova dominated the second set, on the opening day of the WTA Finals in racing to 4-0 lead. In the third, Cibulkova Singapore yesterday. was temporarily in charge with a 2-0 Kerber, who secured the top ranking lead, but lost five of the next six games last month, battled Cibulkova for 2 hours, to end up on the losing side of the result. 17 minutes before the Slovakian finally It’s been a stellar season for Kerber, succumbed. “It was a really good match who won her first two Grand Slam titles from both of us, especially the first set,” at the Australian and US Opens, and also Kerber said. “It’s a good start to the tour- brought home the Olympic silver medal nament like this, where you knew you from Rio. Kerber’s never journeyed had to play your best to win.” beyond the round-robin stage of the Earlier yesterday, third-seeded Simona WTA Finals in three previous appear- Halep won the first match of the round- ances in 2012, 2013 and 2015. robin portion of the tournament by tak- In the opening match, Keys played ing a 6-2, 6-4 decision over sixth-seeded erratic tennis throughout the 69-minute American Madison Keys. In Red Group contest, losing serve on four of 10 break action, Kerber and Halep stand at 1-0, points faced. while Keys and Cibulkova are at 0-1. “I definitely think there were some Tomorrow, Kerber will play Halep, nerves,” Keys said. “I think one of her while Cibulkova and Keys, both making strengths is making you feel like you their WTA Finals debut, will play each have to go for more and take the risks. I other. Kerber posted 29 winners and 32 think sometimes she makes me uncom- unforced errors to 36 winners and 34 fortable and I back away from playing my unforced errors for Cibulkova. game.” Cibulkova dropped serve in the open- Keys held serve in the opening game ing game of the match, which initially of the match, but then saw Halep win the allowed Kerber to establish a 4-2 lead in next five games for a 5-1 lead in the first the first set. Kerber didn’t hold on to the set. Halep lost an initial 4-2 lead in the advantage, surrendering her own serve second set, but from 4-4 won the final on a second double-fault in the eighth two games. The Romanian reached the game. final here in 2014 and now holds a 5-1 CHICAGO: The Chicago Cubs pose after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in game six of the National League Championship Series to That sent the first set to a tiebreaker head-to-head record against Keys. “I advance to the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois. —AFP where the German eventually prevailed. think I played exactly what I had to play “At the beginning I was too excited, but against her,” Halep said. “I was focused. after a few games I started to play my Everything went as I wanted, so I’m hap- Cubs beat Dodgers 5-0 to reach game,” Cibulkova said. “It was a really py.” — AP first World Series since 1945

CHICAGO: The Chicago Cubs won their first one. Contreras led off the fourth with a homer. since winning in 1988. Pitching on five days’ rest, National League pennant since 1945 and are a Rizzo continued his resurgence with a solo drive the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was step closer to ending a 108-year World Series in the fifth. Hendricks left to a standing ovation forced to throw 30 pitches in the first inning drought after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers after allowing a single with one out in the alone. Fowler led off with a double, and 5 -0 on Saturday to clinch a 4-2 victory in the NL eighth. The only other hit Hendricks allowed was Bryant’s single had the crowd shaking the 102- Championship Series. on the game’s first pitch. year-old ballpark. They had more to cheer Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks outpitched Dodgers Kershaw, dominant in Game 2 shutout, gave when left fielder Andrew Toles dropped Rizzo’s ace Clayton Kershaw while Anthony Rizzo and up five runs before being lifted for a pinch hitter fly, putting runners on second and third, and Willson Contreras homered early at Wrigley in the sixth. He fell to 4-7 in postseason games Ben Zobrist made it 2-0 a sacrifice fly. The Cubs Field. The pennant drought ended when closer over his career; a stark contrast to his dominance added a run in the second when Addison Aroldis Chapman got Yasiel Puig to ground into in regular season games. Russell doubled to deep left and scored on a a double play, setting off wild celebrations The Dodgers haven’t been to the World Series two-out single by Fowler. — AP among the success-starved fans. The Cubs will open the World Series at Cleveland tomorrow. The Indians haven’t won it since 1948. “This city deserves it so much,” Rizzo Baez, Lester share said. “We got four more big ones to go, but we’re going to enjoy this. We’re going to the World Series. I can’t even believe that.” NLCS MVP award SINGAPORE: Angelique Kerber of makes a backhand return to Dominika Hendricks pitched 7-1/3 scoreless innings. Cibulkova of Slovakia during their singles match at the WTA tennis tournament in Aroldis Chapman took over and closed with hit- CHICAGO: When Jon Lester was a free agent out there, man, you saw him before the game Singapore, yesterday. — AP less relief, then threw both arms in the air as he two years ago, one of the reasons he decided sitting on the bench, saw him waving into the was mobbed by teammates and coaches. to sign with the Chicago Cubs was a group of camera, he’s just being himself. I love that.” Javier Baez and pitcher Jon Lester shared the MVP award for the series. Baez hit .318, drove in promising prospects that included all-around Lester, one of baseball’s most accom- Pinturault beats Hirscher five runs and made several sharp plays at second dynamo Javier Baez. plished playoff performers, went 1-0 with a base. Lester, a former World Series champion in Look where they are now. Lester and Baez 1.38 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles. He in opening World Cup race Boston, had a 1.38 earned run average in two were selected co-MVPs for the NL has allowed just two runs in 21 innings in starts. The eternal “wait till next year” is over. No Championship Series on Saturday night after three postseason games this year. SOELDEN: carried his out- strategy. You always have to push and go more dwelling on a history of failure - the future leading the Cubs to their first NL pennant Lester’s $155 million, six-year deal in standing form from last year faster.” Pinturault and Hirscher each won four is now. “We’re too young. We don’t care about it,” since 1945. Baez hit .318 (7 for 22) with five December 2014 was a key moment in the into the new World Cup campaign, dominat- GS races last season, while the Austrian cap- star slugger Kris Bryant said. “We don’t look into RBIs against the Dodgers, picking up right Cubs’ turnaround from also-ran to contender. ing the season-opener yesterday to leave his tured the season title in the discipline. it. This is a new team, this is a completely differ- where he left off in the Division Series. The The left-hander is a sure bet to get the ball in rivals in awe. Having finished runner-up to The Frenchman’s convincing performance ent time of our lives. We’re enjoying it and our versatile Baez also made a couple of the NLCS’ Game 1 against the Indians, looking to in the discipline standings made him the favorite for the GS title this work’s just getting started.” most exciting plays, stealing home during improve to 4-0 in four World Series starts after for the past two years, the Frenchman won time, maybe even for the overall title, The Cubs shook off back-to-back shutout Chicago’s victory in the opener and robbing helping Boston win it all in 2007 and 2013. both runs on the Rettenbach glacier to Hirscher said. “If you watch at last year’s sea- losses earlier in this series by pounding the Adrian Gonzalez of a hit with a terrific bare- “It’s unbelievable. Going through this immediately position himself as the main son more in detail, you will see that Alexis in Dodgers for 23 runs to win the final three games. handed scoop in Game 5 on Thursday night. process, this is why they signed me,” Lester contender for the title. 2016 was dominating. He was flying through And they were in no way overwhelmed by the “Just having fun,” Baez said. “Living my said. “This is why they wanted me to come “It’s all completely new when you start a the gates,” the Austrian said. “He is maybe the moment on Saturday, putting aside previous dream, playing like a little kid, moving every- here to win a World Series. This is why I want- new season. Everything you’ve done before favorite for the overall. He can ski in all frustration. where, catching the ball and making plays.” ed to come here, to win a World Series for this is over,” said Pinturault after his commanding events so for me he is the man to beat.” In 1945, the Billy Goat Curse supposedly Next up for Baez and the Cubs is the World city and this organization, this ownership, this victory and his seventh straight podium in Hirscher, who hinted he wasn’t satisfied with began when a tavern owner wasn’t allowed to Series against Francisco Lindor and the front office. ... We still have a long ways to go.” GS. Pinturault finished in a two-run time of 2 his own form in training, said he was “super bring his goat to Wrigley. In 2003, the Cubs lost Indians, beginning Tuesday night in Lester and Baez became the first NLCS co- minutes, 14.01 seconds to lead defending happy” with finishing runner-up, especially the final three games of the NLCS to Florida, Cleveland. Baez and Lindor are part of a MVPs since Cincinnati relievers Rob Dibble overall champion Hirscher by 0.70. Felix since recovering from a near-crash halfway punctuated with a Game 6 defeat when a fan dynamic group of young players from Puerto and Randy Myers in 1990. Neureuther of Germany was 1.37 behind in down his second run. reached out to snare a ball that would have Rico that also includes Houston shortstop The Cubs grabbed Baez with the ninth third while Zan Kranjec of Slovenia took Third-placed Neureuther also said been caught by an outfielder, allowing a Marlins Carlos Correa. overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft. He fourth for his first career top-10 result. Pinturault skied “in a league of his own.” rally that turned the course of the series. Baez “grew up in Puerto Rico, played a lot made his major league debut in 2014, but Olympic and world GS champion Ted “I had two solid runs and did not make Even as recently as 2012, the Cubs lost 101 Ligety improved from 14th position after the too many mistakes but Alexis and Marcel games. This time, no such ill luck. Bryant drove in of baseball as a youth, played a lot of winter really turned into a consistent force this year, opening run to fifth, 1.65 seconds off the were out of reach today,” the German said. one run and scored in a two-run first. Dexter ball,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s been batting .273 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs while lead. The American competed in his first race After a rather conservative opening run, Fowler added two hits, drove in a run and scored taught properly and well. And when he goes playing several different positions. —AP since tearing the ACL in his right knee nine Ligety showed flashes of his usual strength months ago. Only three of the last 37 World and used his trademark fast transition from Cup giant slaloms have not been won by the steep pitch onto the flat finish section to Pinturault, Hirscher or Ligety. post the third-best time in the final run. US star Wagner wins Pinturault built on his first-run lead to Coming fifth made him “not euphoric” take his 16th career win and seventh in GS, but Ligety said he was “definitely happy with matching the French record set by great fifth place to start it off with” coming back Skate America title Jean-Claude Killy in 1967-68. from the knee injury that hampered his “That’s not really my goal,” Pinturault said preparation in the offseason. CHICAGO: Ashley Wagner, a three-time US Olympics in South Korea only 16 months of chasing records. “Jean-Claude is one of the “My body feels good, I don’t have any champion and this year’s world champi- away. “I’m starting to realize my own potential biggest French skiers of all time but there are pain in my knee,” said Ligety, who won here onship runnerup, captured her second Skate and believe in myself, which is really cool,” Bell so many other great skiers. I am just thinking last year for a record fourth time and has America women’s crown Saturday after finish- said. “I’m really excited for the future.” Mihara, about taking risks and skiing fast.” Pinturault never finished outside the top 10 in 10 starts. ing second in the free skate. a 17-year-old from Kobe making her Grand was clean in both runs and wasn’t hampered Ligety will skip the next race - a slalom in Wagner took the title with 196.44 points Prix debut, was second after the short pro- by changing conditions. After a sun-soaked Levi, Finland, in three weeks - and fully con- to 121.59 for Mariah Bell, the 20-year-old gram. She denied the hosts the first women’s opening run, partly cloudy conditions domi- centrate on the next GS in Beaver Creek, American who won the free skate in only her podium sweep at Skate America since nated during the final run. “One thing is real- Colorado, during the first weekend of second ISU Grand Prix event. Michelle Kwan led the way 20 years ago after ly easy in ski racing,” he said. “There is no December.—AP Bell set a personal best of 130.67 to win reigning US champion Gracie Gold, a home- the free skate with Wagner next on 126.94 town hero who was third in the short pro- and Japanese teen Mai Mihara third on gram, fell twice in the free skate and settled 123.53 to finish third overall on 189.28. for fifth. Wagner, who also won the short program Gold, 21, has won two of the past three US Friday, said she took momentum from her titles and was fourth at the 2014 Winter world second-place effort on home ice in Olympics as well as the past two World Boston earlier this year into the event. Championships. Japanese 18-year-old Shoma “That was huge,” Wagner said. “The short Uno, who earlier this year became the first program was one of my world class programs. skater to land a quadruple flip in international That free program, I left it all on the table.” At competition, won the men’s short program 25, she is skating at an age when many are with 89.15 points. leaving the sport. Uno was last year’s Skate America run- “I’m not good at anything else. That’s all I nerup in his senior-level Grand Prix debut and have,” she said with a smile. “I love what I’m third in last season’s Grand Prix Final at doing.” Wagner, who also won the 2012 Skate Barcelona. America crown, captured US titles in 2012, Reigning US champion Adam Rippon was 2013 and 2015 and took a bronze medal in second on 87.32 with 2015 American champi- the team event at the 2014 Sochi Winter on Jason Brown third on 85.75. Chicago Olympics. hometown favorite Brown missed most of last Bell, eighth at last year’s Skate America in season with a back injury and was unable to her only prior Grand Prix start, was shocked defend his crown earlier this year. Pairs gold to find herself on the podium. went to the young Canadian duo of Julianne “I feel like I don’t know what’s going on,” Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau, ahead of SOELDON: (L to R) Second placed Marcel Hirscher of Austria, winner Alexis Pinturault she said. “I skated a program that I’m really Americans Haven Denney and Brandon of and third placed of Germany celebrate with their trophies proud of. To be on the podium, I’m speech- Frazier with Russians Evgenia Tarasova and CHICAGO: Ashley Wagner of USA celebrates winning on the podium of the winner’s presentation of the men’s giant slalom of the FIS ski less.” It might be the shape of things to come Vladimir Morozov third. Men’s and ice dance first place in the ladies program at 2016 Progressive world cup in Soelden, Austria yesterday. — AFP for the US women with the next Winter titles will be decided tonight. —AFP Skate America on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.— AFP