SPORT Friday 25 May 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Barcelona icon Iniesta Sharapova seeks joins Vissel redemption at in historic deal Roland Garros extends Al Sadd stay by two years

FAWAD HUSSAIN 2015 on a two-year contract which THE PENINSULA was later extended by 12 months. Ahead of the last season, Xavi hinted DOHA: A good news for Al Sadd fans it was his last season in Qatar before as Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez I am happy to keep on he expressed his willingness to play has signed a two-year contract being a part of the Al for ‘at least till December 2018’ extension with the Qatari giants Sadd family for two more recently. which will see him continue to play years. I am delighted to However, the new contract for ‘The Wolves’ until the end of the be at the club and with renewal will see the 38-year-old in 2019-2020 season, it was announced Al Sadd colours for another two yesterday. its fans. Everyone here is years. In a statement appearing on Al one big family and I am “As an Al Sadd fan I am delighted Sadd’s official website, the former satisfied and thrilled to with his contract renewal,” Qasim Spanish superstar, who completed continue: Xavi Ahmed, a die hard Al Sadd fan said. his third season with the club, “We were sad to hear about his expressed his delight on contract intentions to leave Al Sadd but now renewal with Al Sadd. quarter-finals in which the Qatari we will have him for another couple “I am happy to keep on being a club will meet with Esteghlal of Iran of years which is not just great for part of the Al Sadd family for two in August following the summer our club but for football in the more years,” Xavi said. break. country also. He has vast experience “I am delighted to be at the club In the recently-concluded and the players have a lot to learn and with its fans. Everyone here is domestic season, Al Sadd ended up from him,” he added. one big family and I am satisfied and in second position at the QNB Stars Apart from playing for Al Sadd, thrilled to continue,” he added. League (QSL). Xavi’s men also played Xavi has been named as a global Under Xavi’s captaincy, Al Sadd the final of Qatar Cup against Al ambassador for the Qatar World Cup have won several accolades including Duhail who scooped the prestigious in 2022. the 2017 Qatar Cup, the 2017 Emir treble which also includes Amir Cup The maestro was a World Cup Cup and the 2017-18 Sheikh Jassim after an unbeaten campaign winner with Spain in 2010 and won Cup. throughout these competitions. eight La Liga titles and four Cham- The maestro also led ‘The Wolves’ In a popular signing, Al Sadd first pions League titles with the Xavi Hernandez to the 2018 AFC Champions League roped in the Barcelona superstar in Catalans. Qatar to face Mexico in Toulon Tournament opener CHINTHANA WASALA QATAR'S GROUP STAGE - China, Japan and South Korea THE PENINSULA FIXTURES will be in contest along with Al Annabi during the DOHA: Qatar’s Under-19 team TOMORROW: tournament. will open their Toulon Interna- QATAR VS MEXICO This is the fifth occasion tional Football Tournament MAY 29: Qatar is taking part in the tour- campaign against Mexico in QATAR VS CHINA nament which is in its 46th Toulon, France tomorrow. JUNE 1: edition. Qatar are pooled in Group QATAR VS ENGLAND Togo and Canada will A along with China, England and compete for the first time. Hosts Mexico in the tournament which France, Portugal, Scotland and will see 12 teams vying for the Roustan in Salon-de-Provence. Turkey are the other partici- top honour. Al Annabi will play their pating nations. Qatar’s first match will be final Group match against The Toulon Tournament is played at the Stade de Lattre- England on June 1. expected to offer the Al Annabi de-Tassigny in Aubagne and the The play-offs will take place juniors a lot of exposure and kickoff is at 5.30pm (6.30pm on June 5, followed by the semi- experience ahead of the Qatar time). finals on the next day. Final of upcoming AFC Under 19 football In their second match, Qatar the tournament will be played Championship which will take will take on China on May 29 at on June 9 in Martigues. place in Jakarta, Indonesia from Qatar Under-19 football team the Stade d’Honneur Marcel Only four teams from Asia October 18 to November 4.

SCOREBOARD Dominant Pakistan make England suffer at Lord’s ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS A. Cook b Mohammad Amir ...... 70 crumbled for the addition of 16 M. Stoneman b Mohammad Abbas ...... 4 runs straight after tea. J. Root c Sarfraz Ahmed b ...... 4 LONDON: Pakistan dominated , on 14, edged D. Malan c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali ...... 6 the first day of the opening Test Hasan to second slip where Asad J. Bairstow b ...... 27 after bowling out England for 184 Shafiq took a sharp catch. Dom B. Stokes lbw b Mohammad Abbas ...... 38 and battling to 50 for one in Bess, making his debut, scored J. Buttler c Asad Shafiq b Hasan Ali ...... 14 overcast conditions at Lord’s five before giving Shafiq another D. Bess c Asad Shafiq b Mohammad Abbas .... 5 yesterday. catch off Abbas, Stuart Broad was M. Wood c Mohammad Amir b Hasan Ali ....7 England won lbw to Abbas for nought and Mark S. Broad lbw b Mohammad Abbas ...... 0 the toss but apart from a gritty 70 Wood was caught by a diving J. Anderson ...... 0 by Alastair Cook, his batsmen Amir at mid-on for seven. Extras (b1, lb6, nb1, w1) ...... 9 failed to show the necessary England needed early Total (all out, 58.2 overs, 280 mins) ..184 application as Mohammad Abbas and Broad snared Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Stoneman), 2-33 (Root), 3-43 (Malan), 4-100 (Bairstow), 5-149 and Hasan Ali took four wickets opener Imam-ul-Haq lbw for (Cook), 6-168 (Stokes), 7-168 (Buttler), 8-180 each with disciplined seam four, but the hosts failed to make England’s Dominic Bess (right) is about to get caught by Pakistan’s Asad (Bess), 9-180 (Broad), 10-184 (Wood) bowling. another breakthrough under the Shafiq (second left), off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas, on the first Bowling: Amir 14-3-41-1; Abbas 14-7-23-4; England failed to make the floodlights. Azhar Ali (18 not out) day of the first Test match at Lord’s ground in London yesterday. Hasan 15.2-2-51-4 (1nb, 1w); Ashraf 9-2-28- positive start they wanted fol- and Haris Sohail (21 not out) were 1; Shadab 6-0-34-0 lowing their heavy Ashes defeat largely untroubled by the England in Australia and a rare series loss movement so there was clearly ball from Hasan to nick a catch an innings lasting over three fast bowlers, although Azhar was PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS in New Zealand. something in there,” Cook added. to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. hours. dropped in the slips on 16 by Azhar Ali not out ...... 18 “We’re behind a little bit. ’s uncon- Dawid Malan as also caught by The experienced left-hander, Stokes off Wood to complete a Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Broad ...... 4 Pakistan have had the better day,” vincing international career con- Sarfraz off Hasan for six to leave who hit 14 fours, looked crest- poor day for Root’s side at the Haris Sohail not out ...... 21 Cook said. tinued when he was bowled by England struggling at 43 for three. fallen after missing out on a 33rd start of the two-match series. Extras (lb7) ...... 7 “We were probably 60 or 70 Abbas for four, beaten as he tried Cook and dug test century and he trudged “We had a plan because the Total (1 , 23 overs, 108 mins) ....50 short on that wicket. But with a to drive a full-length in with a partnership of 57 slowly back to the pavilion to a pitch was fresh and had moisture To bat: Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz five-day test match you have a which clipped the top of his off before Bairstow was bowled for standing ovation. so it was to bowl full and straight,” Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, , Mo- chance to come back. stump. 27 by Faheem Ashraf. Cook, Ben Stokes unfurled a few Hasan said. hammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas “It was a wicket where if you Root, who could have been playing in a record-equalling trademark attacking strokes in “There was no need for Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Imam) missed your length short or full run out before he had scored, 153rd consecutive test, was his 38 but he was trapped lbw by bouncers because we were Bowling: Anderson 5-2-11-0; Broad 7-4-10-1; you got punished, but three of us played carefully to get to four bowled by an excellent delivery Abbas following a review and getting a lot of help from the Wood 6-3-9-0; Stokes 4-2-9-0; Bess 1-0-4-0 got bowled with a bit of before driving rashly at a wide from Mohammad Amir to end England’s last five wickets pitch.” 18 SPORT FRIDAY 25 MAY 2018

Istanbul to High prices, host 2020 cancelled Champions flights mar League final Kiev final AFP AP KIEV: Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium will KIEV: Price hikes and host the 2020 Cham- cancelled flights are ruining pions League final, UEFA the Champions League final president Aleksander for some fans two days before Ceferin confirmed in Real Madrid and Liverpool Kiev yesterday. showdown. The 76,000-capacity Some owners of hotels ground played host to and hostels in Kiev have Liverpool’s famous raised prices by more than 10 comeback from 3-0 times for tomorrow’s game, down to win the Cham- while the city’s two airports pions League on penalties Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp (right) arrives ahead of the Champions League final have been unable to accom- against AC Milan in 2005. against Real Madrid in Kiev yesterday. The match will be played tomorrow. modate a rush of extra charter The 2020 Europa flights. League final will be That led to British travel played in Gdansk, Poland operator World Choice Sports with the UEFA Super Cup cancelling three flights yes- being held in Porto’s terday, leaving hundreds of Estadio Dragao. Liverpool fans stranded. Vienna will play host Barcelona icon Iniesta “We have had Liverpool the women’s 2020 football club, police, UEFA Champions League final. and everyone at the highest UEFA have been levels of authority trying to under pressure to ensure joins Japan’s resolve this,” the company future final host cities said in a statement. have the hotel and “We have exhausted all airport infrastructure to AFP avenues to try and get landing cope with the influx of slots.” Fans who arrived early fans, delegates and TOKYO: Barcelona legend were happy with Ukraine’s media for the biggest Andres Iniesta joined Japan’s cheap food and drinks - a game in club football. Vissel Kobe yesterday, calling his beer can be bought in the Liverpool have com- J-League move an “important center of the city for 50 hry- plained to UEFA after career challenge”. vnyas ($1.90) - but some were their fans faced spiralling “This is a very special day for frustrated by travel and accommodation and me,” the 34-year-old World Cup accommodation. travel costs for tomor- winner said after signing his Davy Ryan and Mikey row’s final against contract at a glitzy unveiling in O’Leary, Liverpool fans from holders Real Madrid in Tokyo. Ireland relaxing in town, said Kiev, the city which “I had a lot of offers, other they spent 800 euros ($940) played host to the Euro clubs showed an interest in me,” and 1,100 euros ($1,290), 2012 final. added Iniesta, who is reported respectively, on travel. They “They just don’t have to have agreed a three-year deal booked a hotel in Kiev but it the airport infrastructure with an annual salary of $30m, was cancelled and the owner and the hotel capacity to comfortably a J-League record. hiked the price, they said. cope with an event of “But I chose Vissel Kobe “They had a stupid this size and there isn’t because it was an interesting excuse, like they had no elec- another major city within project. There was also a lot of tricity for the weekend,” Ryan real hitting distance of trust and confidence in me as a said. it,” Liverpool chief exec- person and also as a player -- “Once they cancelled it, utive Peter Moore told that was a big reason.” Iniesta, Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta (centre) poses with Japan’s professional baseball team Tohoku we went back online and the the Liverpool Echo who lifted 32 major trophies and price was up to, like, 6,000 Golden Eagles manager Masataka Nashida and players at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo yesterday. newspaper. made 674 appearances for euros ($7,000).” “It’s not only affected Catalan giants Barca, was It worked out for Ryan Liverpool fans but Real handed his trademark number for not only Vissel Kobe but Jap- but has struggled to attract boyhood heroes, also played for and O’Leary, however, Madrid fans too. There eight shirt by Vissel owner anese football,” said Mikitani. marquee players in recent years. Vissel in 1996-97. because they found another will be lessons learned Hiroshi Mikitani. “His arrival in Japan will Iniesta will join former Vissel currently sit sixth in place to stay for 240 euros from this. Rest assured, “I am confident that Iniesta’s raise the profile of Japanese Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski the J-League first division ($280) for four nights. I’ve raised this at the leadership philosophy and his football globally. Iniesta will in the western port city of Kobe standings after 15 games played. There were signs that highest levels of UEFA.” DNA will be a terrific inspiration inspire and empower us to reach after he completed a move from Iniesta, who famously scored some Kiev hotels and The UEFA president had new heights in football in Japan. Galatasaray last summer. Spain’s winning goal against the apartment owners were already reintroduced a We are very proud to see this Podolski was quick to send a Netherlands in the 2010 World dropping prices closer to the tender process for day come.” “welcome” tweet to Iniesta Cup final, had been top of Miki- game, indicating that astro- bidding for finals since The Spain icon’s decision to yesterday. tani’s wishlist. nomical prices in earlier taking over from Michel I chose Vissel Kobe choose Kobe arguably repre- “I’d like to help take this club The billionaire businessman weeks hadn’t found takers. Platini. The decision to sents Japanese football’s biggest forward and help the J-League is also the founder and CEO of Some Kiev hotels adver- award the final to Kiev because it was an transfer coup, with many top grow in Asia,” said Iniesta, who Rakuten, Barcelona’s main tised three-star rooms online was made prior to interesting project. players now moving to cash-rich is set to join his new team mates sponsor, and was heavily for as much as $2,000 a night Ceferin’s election as There was also a Chinese clubs in the twilight of after the World Cup in Russia. involved in the deal that brought as of last evening. president in 2016. their careers. “I’m looking forward to Iniesta to Japan. Some fans were so Next season’s final lot of trust and It also comes as a timely getting to know the Kobe players Mikitani said Iniesta “plays deterred by the cost that they will be held at the confidence in me as boost to the J-League, which as quickly as possible to be able the most beautiful soccer in the gave up their tickets. Madrid 67,000-capacity Wanda a person and also as used to attract luminaries such to help with that process.” world”, predicting his arrival in fans had around 1,000 tickets Metropolitano, home of a player -- that was a as Brazilian great Zico and Danish star Michael Laudrup, Japan could lead to an influx of refunded out of an allocation Atletico Madrid. former England star Gary himself a former Barcelona fan top foreign players joining the of 17,000, UEFA president big reason: Iniesta Lineker when it began in 1993 favourite and one of Iniesta’s J-League. Aleksander Ceferin said. Italy coach Mancini leaves door open for Buffon

AP explained to me what he “It’ll take time, one or two or intended to do, he wants to con- even five matches won’t be FLORENCE: Former Italy tinue playing football. enough. There was a period captain will still “Everyone who will play and Everyone who will when we had an incredible be considered if he wants to will be among the best can be abundance of players, now it’s return to the national team. considered for the national play and will be not like that, but I believe in these Buffon retired from interna- team.” Mancini, who was con- among the best can players. Giving them confidence, tional soccer in November after firmed as Italy’s new coach last be considered for the they can become great and give Italy lost a World Cup play-off week, named his first squad on a lot to the national team. to Sweden, but he recently Saturday and included Mario national team: Italy “Many of them haven’t returned for friendlies. Balotelli, who could make his coach Roberto Mancini played in European competition. Buffon was expected to bid first appearance for Italy in It will be a more difficult work the national team goodbye for nearly four years. than in the past, but the national good in another friendly on June Balotelli last played for Italy has done well over the past two team has always managed to 4 against the Netherlands at in the 2014 World Cup, where the years, I have faith in him. He has make players better with time. Allianz Stadium. Azzurri were eliminated at the to give his maximum and behave Sometimes victories come when However, at a news con- group stage. He was called up by himself. you don’t expect them. There are ference last week to announce Antonio Conte in November that “I last saw him four years national teams which have got his departure from Juventus, year but was forced to withdraw ago, I think he is more mature to a high level in two years,” he Buffon insisted he made the last injured. now. He has two children and said. of his 176 appearances for his “Mario is a particular case. that helps.” Mancini’s first match will be country. When he was very young he was Mancini has been tasked on Monday against Saudi Arabia “I spoke to Gigi on the phone already a great player, then with rebuilding a squad that in Switzerland, followed by a couple of days after becoming maybe he didn’t continue as he failed to qualify for the World France and the Netherlands. His national team coach,” Roberto was at the beginning,” said Cup for the first time in six first competitive match will come Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon celebrates with the trophy after winning Mancini said yesterday. Mancini. decades. “I’m not a magician, no in the new Nations League in the title in this May 19, 2018 file photo. “It was a very quick chat. He “It all depends on him. He coach is,” he said. September. FRIDAY 25 MAY 2018 SPORT 19

Kohli to Top-rankedT Halep eyes skip Surrey stint due to mamaideni Slam title in Paris neck injury AP to be more aggressive in that mental frailties. “My game is Halep arrives in Paris REUTERS position, when I’m leading a little bit stronger, more with 9-3 record on clay. She PARIS:PARIS Simona the match,” the 26-year-old complete. I feel my was runner-up last week in HalepHalep (pictured) Halep said yesterday, a few movement on court is Rome after beating BENGALURU: Indian cricket hashas learned hours before the draw for stronger. I also worked a lot Sharapova in the semifinals, captain Virat Kohli has fromf r o her the French Open, which on my serve. It’s not easy to a win she said boosted her suffered a neck injury during mistakes,mis and starts Sunday. serve, because I’m not that morale. an Indian sheshe iis hoping to “I think I was not ready tall, but I’m trying to be more “It gives me confidence (IPL) match and will not play putput hher newly to win the match,” she said. consistent and to deliver for sure,” Halep said. “Every for English county champi- acquiredacquired knowledge “But it’s also a good expe- heavier serves.” time I play against her, it’s a onship side Surrey next to the test ata this year’s rience. Maybe if I face the Will it be enough to tough match, and the fact that month, the country’s cricket FFrenchrench Open.Open same situation in the future, finally lift a Grand Slam I won the last two matches board (BCCI) said yesterday. TheThe top-rankedto I will be much better.” trophy after finishing runner- gives me more confidence.” Batsman Kohli had signed RRomanianomanian lled Jelena Halep, who needs to up three times at majors? Halep was then beaten in a one-month deal to rep- OstapenkoOstapenko by a set and 3-0 reach the semifinals in Paris “I had three chances, you straight sets by Elina Svitolina resent Surrey in June to in last year’s finfinal at Roland to have a chance of keeping never know when the luck is in the final as she appeared prepare for a test series Garros. She lookedlook to be on her top spot in the rankings, (coming),” said Halep, who to struggle physically. against England this year, but thethe verge of claimingclaim her first said she has put in a great was beaten in the Australian “It was just a little bit of injured his neck while fielding GrandGrand Slam ttitlei on the amount of work since last Open final this year, and lost a stiff muscle, not an for Royal Challengers Ban- ParisianParisian clay,clay, butb fell apart year’s final, making her her first final at Roland injury,” she said. “I was galore against Sunrisers andand eventuallyeventually lost to the believe she is a better player. Garros to Maria Sharapova tired a little bit after the Hyderabad last week. unseededunseeded LatvianLatv in her “I improved a lot, also in 2014. “I just need to stay semifinals. I’m feeling good “Kohli, who was secondsecond French OpenO final. mentally,” said Halep, who the same, confident and now, and ready to start the scheduled to play for Surrey “I’ve“I’ve learnedlearned that I have has often been betrayed by focused.” tournament.” in the month of June, has been ruled out from participating,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a Sharapova seeks redemption at Roland Garros statement. “This decision was taken following assessments by the REUTERS off the court according to BCCI medical team, subse- FORBES, nothing comes close to quent scans and a specialist PARIS: When Maria Sharapova competing for the sport’s biggest visit. The Team India captain last played the French Open in prizes. Everything that you put will now undergo a period of 2015, she did so as defending “You are very much in the into it previously, you rehabilitation under the champion. moment,” said Sharapova, a supervision of the BCCI have to pour out onto Denied a wildcard by Roland three-times finalist in Paris. medical team.” Garros organisers last year on “Your team just hands you over, the court, every fear that Kohli is scheduled to her return from a 15-month literally on to the stage, onto you’ve faced before, you undergo a fitness test at the doping ban, the Russian was your universe for the next hour, have to bring out onto National Cricket Academy in dogged by injury and contro- hour-and-a-half, two or three, the court. You have to Bengaluru on June 15 and the versy as she tried to get her and you have to find a way to be powerful, but yet you BCCI expects him to be fully career back on track. deliver. have to handle being fit for the tour of England. Now 31, it would have been “Everything that you put into vulnerable at moments India begin their tour of understandable had the five- it previously, you have to pour when things don’t go your England in July with three times Grand Slam winner hung out onto the court, every fear way: Sharapova Maria Sharapova Twenty20 internationals and up her rackets to focus on her that you’ve faced before, you three one-day internationals. ever expanding business empire. have to bring out onto the court. They then take on the hosts Not Sharapova, one of the You have to be powerful, but yet Thomas Hogstedt, with whom Open champion Jelena the line and show up and deliver, in a five-Test series starting game’s toughest competitors. you have to handle being vul- she won her first French Open Ostapenko to reach the semi- and do it with authority,” she told in August. “That’s why I still continue nerable at moments when things title in 2012 as she completed the finals in Rome, a huge boost of reporters at Rome’s Foro Italico. Ajinkya Rahane was to do this, because I have that don’t go your way.” career Grand Slam. confidence as she returns to the “What I’m most proud of is earlier this month picked to passion of figuring things out and Having ended 2017 outside Now, after strong perform- scene of her most successful (that) I had a lot of opportunities lead India against Afghan- getting it done, whether it’s a the top 50, Sharapova endured ances in Madrid and Rome this Grand Slam. in the last few weeks in Madrid istan, who play their maiden tough day, or whether it’s a great one of the worst periods of her month, Sharapova is back among After losing a close three-set and here to just back down, to test in Bengaluru in June, day,” Sharapova said in a phone career as she lost four straight the seeds and beginning to match to world number one let little things bother me. But I keeping in mind Kohli’s interview earlier this year. matches. believe that she can win the title Simona Halep in Rome, got through them. county commitments. Although Sharapova was the In March, she ended a four- for a third time. Sharapova called her progress “I set up real good situations world’s top-paid female athlete year spell with Dutchman Sven Finally fully fit, Sharapova “a step in the right direction”. for myself; a lot of court time and for more than a decade and has Groeneveld and brought back reached the quarter-finals in “After losing those matches, match play. All good things that earned close to $300m on and her former coach from Sweden, Madrid and beat reigning French you still have to put yourself on I wanted.” Ireland’s Celtics rebound Ed Joyce with key win Ricciardo smashes lap record as announces to take 3-2 Red Bull dominate in Monaco retirement series edge AFP REUTERS LONDON: Dual international REUTERS Ed Joyce yesterday MONACO: Daniel Ricciardo announced his retirement BOSTON: Rookie Jayson lapped Monaco’s metal-fenced from all forms of cricket less Tatum scored 24 points and streets in record time yesterday than a fortnight after realising grabbed seven rebounds as as Red Bull dominated practice his dream of playing a Test the Boston Celtics defeated for Formula One’s most glam- for Ireland. the Cleveland Cavaliers orous Grand Prix. The 39-year-old was one 96-83 on Wednesday night The 28-year-old Australian of the 11 men who made to take a 3-2 lead in the set track record times in both history against Pakistan in Eastern Conference finals. sessions, first with a one minute Malahide earlier this month, Jaylen Brown added 17 12.126 lap before lunch and then when Ireland became the 11th points, Al Horford had 15 obliterating that mark in the Test-playing nation. points and 12 boards and afternoon with a scorching Joyce played a total of 78 both Marcus Morris and 1:11.841. one day internationals -- 17 Marcus Smart scored 13 for That compared to Kimi Raik- for his adopted country of Boston. The Celtics have konen’s 2017 pole position of England -- and 18 Twenty20 earned all three of their wins 1:12.178 for Ferrari, the previous internationals, two for this series at home, where fastest around the Mediter- England. they are 10-0 in the playoffs. ranean principality’s unforgiving Red Bull Racing’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives during He returned to the Irish LeBron James finished streets and harbourside. the second practice session at the Monaco Street Circuit in Monaco, fold in time for the 2011 with 26 points, 10 rebounds Dutch team mate Max Ver- ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix yesterday. World Cup and became the and five assists for Cleveland, stappen was second quickest in side’s senior player as well as though he committed six both sessions as Red Bull lived one of the most reliable turnovers. Kevin Love had 14 up to expectations that they Hamilton’s 1:12.480 in the earlier good feel for the car, the car’s instead, had a difficult opening batsmen. points and seven boards for would be the team to beat on a practice, but he was still more working quite nicely, but it’s only session with his car suffering Joyce, who last year the Cavaliers, who had tight and twisty circuit where than half a second slower than Thursday morning,” Red Bull problems with its brake-by-wire ended a county career that evened the series with a aerodynamics matter more than Ricciardo. principal Christian Horner told system. began in 1999, will take up a 111-102 win in Game 4 on engine power. Hamilton leads Vettel, last television. The double world champion backroom position with Monday. Verstappen, 20, was sum- year’s winner in Monaco, by 17 “We have had a competitive had a better afternoon and fin- Cricket Ireland as a James and Love were the moned to see the stewards after points after five races. chassis all year and of course the ished ninth fastest. and leadership coach. only two Cleveland players reversing onto the track in the Drivers had predicted before straights are a bit shorter here, Russian rookie Sergey “I feel now is the right time to score in double figures. opening session when he ran off the session started that lap so that concertinas it all Sirotkin hit the wall in his Wil- to stop playing and get started Game 5 winners in best- at the first Sainte Devote corner, records would tumble thanks to together.” liams in the morning, limping on a new chapter,” he said. of-seven playoff series that but they decided to take no the new hypersoft tyres which Raikkonen was fifth fastest back with a puncture, but went William Porterfield, were tied 2-2 have won the further action. are making their competitive in both sessions while Valtteri out again and was 10th fastest. Joyce’s long-time team-mate series 83.1 percent of the Championship leader Lewis debut this weekend and track Bottas was seventh and then He then dropped back to 15th in and Ireland skipper, said: “He time (167-34). Hamilton and closest title rival resurfacing. sixth for Mercedes. Mexican second practice. has had such an amazing Boston is one win away Sebastian Vettel were third and Ricciardo was third in Sergio Perez, who holds the race Father and son world cham- career that he can be so proud from its first NBA Finals fourth respectively in the Monaco last year, after taking lap record of 1:14.820, was eighth pions Nico and Keke Rosberg, of over the past 20 or so appearance since 2010, morning before reversing those pole and finishing second in for Force India in the morning. both retired, entertained the years. For it to culminate in when it lost to the rival Los positions in the afternoon. 2016, and is aiming to take the McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, crowd between the sessions by taking the field for Ireland’s Angeles Lakers in seven Vettel’s best time of 1:12.413 final step on Sunday. who missed last year’s race to lapping the circuit in their title- first ever Test match was the games. after lunch compared to “Both drivers have got a compete in the Indianapolis 500 winning cars. icing on the cake, I’m sure.”