SUN DAY, AUGUST 9, 2015 SPORTS Kohlschreiber wins Generali Open title KITZBUEHEL: Philipp Kohlschreiber won Kohlschreiber said. “I managed an early his sixth career ATP title by rallying to break in the second set, and that helped defeat French qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu me to find my rhythm.” 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the Generali Open yester- Coming back from injuries, the 109th- day. It was the first title in 15 months for ranked Mathieu was looking for his first the sixth-seeded German, who improved title in eight years and fifth overall. He has- to 6-7 in finals. n’t beaten Kohlschreiber since 2003. “Winning here is very special for me,” Mathieu last won a tournament in said Kohlschreiber, who lives in Kitzbuehel. Gstaad in 2007. Formerly ranked 12th, he “That’s the crazy thing about tennis. I’ve suffered from injuries and missed the been working hard this season but lost entire 2011 season with left knee prob- many close matches that hurt me. But now lems. “It’s great to be back in a final,” the I am super happy.” Overcoming a slow Frenchman said. “It has been so long.” start, the 39th-ranked Kohlschreiber Mathieu’s defeat left Rajeev Ram the dropped just three points on serve in the only player from outside the top 100 to second set and used two more breaks to win a title this season. The 161th-ranked win the last four games of the final set. American won in Newport in July. The “I wasn’t loose enough and played too Generali Open was the final clay-court many short balls in the first set,” tournament of the season.—AP Cilic and Nishikori set up US Open final rematch

WASHINGTON: Exactly 11 months after 55th-ranked Steve Johnson, who beat yet meeting in the US Open final, Marin Cilic another American, 15th-seeded Jack Sock, and Kei Nishikori will face each other again 7-6 (5), 6-1 in Friday’s last match. NOTTINGHAM: England players celebrate after England beat Australia by an innings and 78 runs to win the Ashes during day three of the fourth on a hard court. The rematch comes in late The fifth-ranked Nishikori got to his Ashes Test cricket match. —AP yesterday’s semifinals of the Citi Open, a sixth ATP semifinal of the year. He tuneup event for the year’s last Grand Slam improved to 41-9 in 2015; only No. 1 Novak tournament. Djokovic and No. 3 Andy Murray have won Reigning U.S. Open champion Cilic more matches, with 48 apiece. England regain Ashes moved into the final four in Washington for No. 8 Cilic, meanwhile, is only 17-10 and the first time since 2010 by beating 18- this will be his second semifinal of the sea- year-old Alexander Zverev 7-5, 7-6 (3) on son. He missed a chunk of time, including NOTTINGHAM: England ripped out the last international cricket at the end of the final test in The hosts dominated the third Test at Friday. the Australian Open, because of an injured three Australia wickets for 12 runs to win the the series. Edgbaston and won by eight wickets inside Earlier, the second-seeded Nishikori right shoulder. fourth test by a crushing innings and 78 runs “Alastair Cook and the England team deserve three days before dismissing Australia for 60 on withstood 15 aces and managed to break “His game is more consistent than mine and regain the Ashes at a euphoric Trent Bridge a lot of credit they’ve shown us how to execute the first day at Trent Bridge to set up another Sam Groth’s big serve twice for a 6-4, 6-4 is. That’s the reality,” Cilic said. “Still, for me, I yesterday. good swing and seam bowling. “It’s not for want overwhelming victory. “When you lose 5-0 victory. feel that my form can go up. It’s on the way Ben Stokes had Mitchell Starc caught by Ian of trying but the boys have been beaten by a there’s a big turnaround and a new side devel- On Sept. 8, 2014, Cilic beat Nishikori in up. So that’s a very positive thing. We’ll see Bell at second slip for nought and Mark Wood better side. ops pretty quickly,” Cook said. “There’s a lot of tal- straight sets at Flushing Meadows, the only tomorrow how things are going to play bowled Josh Hazlewood for a duck. “England when they’ve had momentum have ent and the guys have come in and done incred- Grand Slam title match for either. They have out.” Against Groth, Nishikori saved all four Wood produced another ferocious full- grabbed it with both hands and run with it. ibly well. not played each other since. break points he faced en route to reaching pitched delivery to shatter Nathan Lyon’s stumps James Anderson and Stuart Broad and Ben “It all comes down to hard work. A lot of “Emotions-wise, it’s going to be com- the semifinals for the first time in five for four and complete the rout, sparking wild Stokes in this game showed what you need to that work has been done over the last 18 pletely different. For the Slam final, we appearances in Washington. He also man- celebrations on the pitch and around the do in games like this. “Once you find the edge months,” Cook said. “I had to take a big step were both pretty nervous,” the third-seeded aged to successfully deal with Groth’s ground. you need to hang on to those chances and forward as captain. I am quite stubborn and it Cilic said. “I’m going to, for sure, take out serves just often enough. “Some of them, I The England players celebrated in a huddle England have done that really well.” England took a while. But ultimately you are only as some things, some critical things, that were couldn’t really see,” Nishikori said. “When it before going on a lap of honour to strains of won the first test in Cardiff by 169 runs but good as the other 10 players.” England lead the working for me to be able to get the win.” was 145 or 147 (mph), even if I guessed, it “Rule Britannia” and “Land of Hope and Glory” as Australia bounced back to level the series with a series 3-1 with one match to play at the Oval Said Nishikori: “For me, it’s great motivation was too fast, so it wasn’t easy to return.” the crowd basked in the sunshine. crushing victory by 405 runs at Lord’s. starting on Aug. 20.—Reuters to play Marin.” In the women’s quarterfinals, 2011 US “It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t be happier,” “I’m sure that I am a better player than Open champion Sam Stosur advanced England captain Alastair Cook told reporters. last year,” added Nishikori, the only when Monica Niculescu stopped playing England were whitewashed 5-0 in the last Ashes SCOREBOARD Japanese man to participate in a major because of a left abdominal strain while series in Australia in 2013-14 and the touring final. “I think I have more patience and (am) trailing 4-0. side had been strong favorites to retain the Scoreboard at close of play on the third day in the fourth Test between England and Australia yesterday in a more solid baseline player and I try to be “It seemed like straightaway, something famous urn. Nottingham, England. “For what we’ve been through over the last a little more aggressive than before.” wasn’t right with her,” said Stosur, adding Australia 1st innings 60 (S. Broad 8-15) J. Hazlewood b Wood 0 This the first time the Citi Open field that while she never wants to take advan- 18 months, to play like we did has been fantas- England 1st innings 391 for 9 decl (J. Root 130, J. N. Lyon b Wood 4 included both men’s finalists from the pre- tage of an opponent’s injury, she was “not tic,” Cook said. “I’m so proud of this young team Bairstow 74; M. Starc 6-111) Extras (b-20 lb-16 nb-3 w-1) 40 vious year’s US Open. “Win or lose,” Cilic going to complain” about spending less and the way they’ve taken this opportunity.” Australia 2nd innings (Overnight: 241-7) Total (all out, 72.4 overs) 253 said, “it’s going to give me a lot of feedback than a half-hour on court. C. Rogers c Root b Stokes 52 Fall of wickets: 1-113 C. Rogers, 2-130 D. Warner, 3-136 S. for my game.” Stosur faces Sloane Stephens on TEST-BEST FIGURES D. Warner c Broad b Stokes 64 Marsh, 4-136 S. Smith, 5-174 M. Clarke, 6-224 P. Nevill, 7- S. Smith c Stokes b Broad 5 On the other half of the draw, eighth- Saturday. Stephens picked up a 6-4, 6-4 vic- Adam Voges was left unbeaten on 51 in 236 M. Johnson, 8-242 M. Starc, 9-243 J. Hazlewood, 10- S. Marsh c Root b Stokes 2 Australia’s total of 253 and Stokes finished with 253 N. Lyon. seeded John Isner - twice the runner-up in tory over 19-year-old wild-card entry M. Clarke c Bell b Wood 13 Washington - delivered 20 aces and defeat- Louisa Chirico. test-best figures of 6-36. “Our goal was to come Bowling: S. Broad 16-5-36-1, M. Wood 17.4-3-69-3 (nb-2 here and try and have some success,” Australia A. Voges not out 51 ed Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania 6-3, 5-7, The other women’s semifinal will be No. P. Nevill lbw b Stokes 17 w-1), S. Finn 12-4-42-0 (nb-1), B. Stokes 21-8-36-6, M. Ali 6-3. Isner’s 52-game streak of service holds 1-seeded Ekaterina Makarova against captain Michael Clarke said at the presentation M. Johnson c Cook b Stokes 5 6-0-34-0. ended with a break at love to drop the sec- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Marakova beat ceremony after announcing he will retire from M. Starc c Bell b Stokes 0 Result: England won by an innings and 78 runs. ond set, but he quickly rebounded, grab- No. 6 Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, while bing a 3-0 lead in the third. Pavlyuchenkova edged Christina McHale 2- In an all-US semifinal, Isner will face 6, 6-1, 7-6 (5). —AP Chen chases second world crown

JAKARTA: Defending champion Lee told Malaysian media. “This is Jorgensen must navigate his way ’s Saina Nehwal only just heads into next week’s my year.” past Thai shuttler Boonsak Ponsana trails the top-seeded Spaniard, world championships at the outset if he’s to have any while ’s Li Xuerui will be out in as firm favorite, but LUCK ON LEE’S SIDE chance of becoming the first for revenge after Marin upstaged faces a challenge from a gutsy Lee Lee’s hopes of winning a world European winner since 1997. Home her in last year’s world champi- Chong Wei who has come back crown were crushed in the last favorite and 15th seed Tommy onship finals in Copenhagen. strong after a recent doping ban. three world championship finals, Sugiarto has a first-round date with There could be history in the Chen, 26, is in superb form hav- with long-time foe Lin defeating European Games victor Pablo mixed doubles if local star Liliyana ing swept four titles this year and him twice and Chen dashing his Abian from Spain, while fourth- Natsir wins gold with partner enters the Jakarta tournament a hopes last year. seed from Japan Tontowi Ahmad and claims a convincing top seed, with Danish But Lee might have luck on his squares off against Germany’s record-breaking fourth world star Jan O Jorgensen a distant sec- side this time. Thanks to a Dieter Domke. championship. But to get there the ond. favourable draw, the Malaysian is In the women’s draw defending Indonesians will have to fend off The world number one won’t separated from his arch-rivals in the champion and world number one polished pairs from Hong Kong and cross top rivals Lee or in early stages and won’t face Lin until Carolina Marin will be looking to , and a berth in the the early stages-they are in differ- the semi-finals-if he makes it that cap a tremendous season with her final would almost certainly mean a ent halves of the draw-and is far-and Chen until the final. Many second straight world champi- showdown with one of the Chinese expected to cruise to the quarter- seeds have opening round byes but onship crown. pairs seeded one and two.—AFP finals without incident. But from there things could get trickier for the Chinese star with a likely clash against seventh-seed- WASHINGTON: Kei Nishikori, of Japan, returns the ball to Sam Groth of Australia, ed Dane who nearly during a quarterfinal match at the Citi Open tennis tournament. —AP overpowered him in the Australian Open finals in May. Chen prevailed in that contest Stewart still struggling a year but it hasn’t all gone smoothly this season, with a series of shock after Ward Jr.’s fatal wreck defeats marring his otherwise impressive run, including at the Indonesian and Opens. POCONO: As he ran out of gas on the final accident until Wednesday when he answered “It doesn’t matter if you are lap Sunday at Pocono Raceway, Tony Stewart a few questions about the anniversary during number one or number two. You wearily asked his team where he finished. a Speedway Children’s Charities event at have to prepare for everything,” he Ninth, he was told. “Hell, I’ll take that,” he Texas Motor Speedway. told Indian media after his narrow replied. Stewart gives rides in a stock car to the victory over Axelsen in Sydney. It was a curiously calm reaction consider- participants but skipped his appearance last Much attention will be on ing only minutes before Stewart had been year as it fell during a three-week mourning ’s Lee at the week-long poised for a top-five finish. Maybe even top period in which Stewart was in seclusion tournament, which starts tomor- three. Stewart didn’t complain about the lost dealing with the trauma of Ward’s death. He’s row. opportunity. He takes what he can get on the not the same person he was before Ward’s He was runner-up in last year’s race track these days, which are often bleak death, and he’s not the same driver, either. world championships but was and embarrassing for the three-time NASCAR He’s acknowledged several times the last few stripped of his silver medal and champion. months that his confidence has been shat- slapped with an eight-month ban But that’s the way the last two years have tered, his comfort level in a race car is ques- after testing positive for a prohibit- gone for Stewart, who is to race Sunday at tionable and it’s a struggle to find much joy in ed substance. Watkins Glen International Raceway for the his profession. Former world number one Lee’s first time since 2012. He missed the 2013 race “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same from ranking plunged during his stint in with a broken leg, then skipped the race last what happened the last two years,” Stewart the wilderness, but he has gained season following the accident in which his said Wednesday in Texas. “I don’t know how ground since returning to the cir- sprint car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. the you could be, I don’t know how anybody ever cuit in May, winning back-to-back night before the race. could be back to exactly the way they were. titles at the US and Canada Open. Sunday, the day Stewart is scheduled to “But not being back exactly the same that I The 33-year-old will be unseeded run NASCAR’s road course race, is the anniver- was doesn’t mean that I haven’t become bet- for the first time in years at next sary of Ward’s death. Nothing has been the ter in some way. I think there’s always posi- week’s tournament but the shut- same for Stewart since the 20-year-old was tives that come out of every scenario.” tler, sporting a new blue hairdo, killed when he climbed from his wrecked race Despite the gruff exterior and the growl believes that will work in his car and walked down the track at he’s known for throughout a decorated favour as he chases his first world Canandaigua Motorsports Park to confront NASCAR career, Stewart is actually sensitive title. the NASCAR star. Ward was struck and killed and tries hard to avoid situations that can set “In recent years I’ve been com- by Stewart, who called it “100 percent an acci- him off. He never read any of the articles that peting as top seed and the man to dent.” A grand jury declined to indict Stewart. vilified him for his role in the death of a beat but now I’m an underdog,” Only twice had he broadly discussed the young, aspiring race car driver. —AP Chen Long in action in this file photo.