FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019 12 Federer squeaks past Goffin Roger Federer says fans inspired him to reach Shanghai Masters quarter-finals Also in the last eight on Friday, Novak Djokovic colourful Italian Fabio Fognini • faces red-hot Russian Daniil powers past John Isner Medvedev. The fourth-ranked Medve- AFP | Shanghai KNOW WHAT dev was forced to sweat -- and not just because of the Shanghai oger Federer said that his heat -- after being 5-2 down in devoted band of Chinese Novak Djokovic se- the first set to Canadian qualifier Rsupporters helped pull cured his 350th career Vasek Pospisil. him through a tough first set match win at the ATP The 23-year-old Medvedev and into the Shanghai Masters eventually squeezed through 7-6 quarter-finals yesterday. Masters 1000 level (9/7), 7-5. The Swiss defeated David Gof- “I was down five set points fin 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 after the 13th and 5-2 also,” said the US Open seed from Belgium squandered finalist, fast making a big name five set points in the first set. eight. for himself as the man most like- The 38-year-old Federer plays The defending champion from ly to challenge Federer, Djokovic either Germany’s Alexander Serbia dismissed the 16th seed and Rafael Nadal. Zverev in the last eight. Isner 7-5, 6-3 in 74 minutes after “Usually the set is finished “I never really felt like I had taming Isner’s booming serve. when it’s like this, so just try to the upper hand against David “It’s always a big challenge win every point I had to face, and today,” said the 20-time Grand Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against David Goffin of Belgium returning the serve of Isner,” finally it worked out.” Slam winner, who looked unu- said Djokovic, who is over the Medvedev, who has been in sually flustered at times. despite going 3-1 up in the first- Grand Slam this year, said their block, sort of like in football to shoulder problem that curtailed eight finals this year, winning Federer was left shaking his tie break, and Federer roared backing had been key to his re- some extent, which is highly his US Open defence. three of them, smashed his rac- head in the first set and he suf- back to turn the momentum in vival. unusual for tennis and a tennis “He’s got one of the biggest quet as the frustration built and fered a rare inelegant moment his favour. “I know that if I am in trouble, tournament.” serves of all time, he’s one of the he threatened to boil over in the in the 12th game, slipping on his Federer was regularly sere- they will be there to cheer me tallest guys ever to play ten-nis.” Shanghai sun. own sweat -- “a bit embarrass- naded by chants of “Roger, Rog- on,” he said. Perfect Djokovic The 32-year-old Djokovic is “I usually don’t like to break ing”, he said. er, go go go” by local supporters “If I look to them, or pump World number one Novak looking imperious, having not racquets because it’s never beau- The Swiss fell awkwardly and all sitting together in one part myself up, I know they will react Djokovic made light work of dropped a set in claiming the tiful,” he said. was then broken by Goffin, 14th of the arena. All were decked to that. American John Isner and plays title in Tokyo last week and con- The Spaniard Nadal is not in in the world. out in red. “It’s definitely very special prom-ising 21-year-old Stefanos tinuing that perfect record in Shanghai because of a wrist in- But the Belgian lost his nerve Federer, who failed to win a here because they all sit in one Tsitsipas of Greece in the last Shanghai. jury.

Agarwal hits ton as India dominate South Africa Naomi Osaka picks Japanese citizenship with eye on Olympics AFP | Pune, India

ayank Agarwal hit his sec- Mond century in successive matches on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa yesterday and said his side should aim for a 500-run 50 first innings. Test matches have been The opener, who made a dou- captained by Virat Kohli ble century in India’s opening Test win, scored 108 after the hosts elected to bat. India were 273-3 when bad light forced an early end to play, Rabada also claimed Shar- with skipper Virat Kohli un - ma, who edged the ball into the beaten on 63 and vice-captain gloves of wicketkeeper Quinton Ajinkya Rahane on 18. de Kock for 14 in the 10th over. Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the trophy after winning the China Open Kohli and Rahane put on 75 That was a disappointment runs for the fourth wicket to A close-in fielder is airborne as Mayank Agarwal drives for Sharma, who hit twin centu- AFP | Tokyo aim for the gold although she thwart South Africa’s deter- sure on the South Africans.” ra, who made 58, to steady the ries in his first run as Test open- is also worried as expectations mined bowlers who kept them Kohli, leading the Test side innings after the fall of Rohit er in Visakhapatnam where In- ennis star Naomi Osaka will be high. under pressure as the gloom for the 50th time, reached his Sharma early in the day. dia took a 1-0 lead in the three- Thas decided to choose Jap- The young tennis sensation crept in. half-century with a boundary He was eventually caught in match series. anese over American nation- is a household name in Japan, Agarwal, 28, said he was off fast bowler Vernon Philan- the slips by South African cap- Rabada struck again to get ality with an eye on the Tokyo where her every move is fol- thrilled with his performance. der. tain Faf du Plessis -- one of fast Pujara, caught again by du Ples- 2020 Olympics, public broad- lowed feverishly by local me- “The team is in a good po - But Agarwal took the lead bowler Kagiso Rabada’s three sis, just before tea. Pujara, who caster NHK reported yesterday. dia, particularly when she is sition, winning the toss, bat- role despite being hit on the wickets for the day. was dropped by Temba Bavuma Osaka, who has a Japanese in the country of her mother’s ting first and with one batsman helmet from a bouncer by debu- “There were periods where before he scored, hit a six and mother and a Haitian father, birth. short, it’s a good thing to make tant paceman Anrich Nortje. He I was getting boundaries very nine fours. told NHK she has She is the runs... 450-500 would be nice,” went on to hit Nortje for three easily, there were periods where Rabada returned figures of completed an face of several Agarwal said. glorious off drives in one over they bowled very good line and 3-48 in 18.1 overs. administrative leading Japa- “Try and get big runs in the before lunch. lengths and were testing the Victory for India in the series step to obtain nese brands, first innings... (that) could help The right-handed batsman bouncer as well,” said Agarwal, will see them beat the record Japanese citi- I think I will be able including the us in case we don’t want to bat put on 138 runs for the second who is playing his sixth Test of 10 straight home series wins zenship ahead of to put more of my carrier ANA, again. It could really put pres- wicket with Cheteshwar Puja- since making his debut last year. they share with Australia. her birthday next emotion into it by and “Naomi- week. playing for the pride chan” -- as she Japanese law of the country is affection- stipulates that NAOMI OSAKA ately known -- a Japanese with was the main England must tighten up at the back: Alexander-Arnold more than one attraction at nationality must last month’s AFP | London year’s finals if they beat the A 5-3 win over Kosovo at clean sheets and goals conceded chose one before Pan Pacific Czech Republic in their Group Southampton last month did must be fewer,” Liverpool full- turning 22 years old. Open in Osaka, which she won. rent Alexan- A qualifier in Prague on Friday. little to paper over cracks that back Alexander-Arnold said. “It gives me a special feeling But she has faced controver- Tder-Arnold says England are firm favourites showed when the Netherlands “We have to concede fewer to try to go to the Olympics to sies over her dual heritage in England must im- to advance after a perfect start won 3-1 in the Nations League goals. As defenders, as a team represent Japan,” the two-time a nation that is fairly racially prove their defen- to the qualification campaign, semi-final in June. and as a unit we know where to Grand Slam champion told the homogeneous, as well as scru- sive record if they including a 5-0 win over their Individual errors accounted improve and where to work on. broadcaster in an interview in tiny for her imperfect Japa- are to stand any next opponents at Wembley in for many of the goals shipped “Some games, it just happens. Tokyo. nese language skills -- though chance of win- March. across those two games as We will analyse what went “I think I will be able to put others insist they add to her ning Euro 2020. England have a wealth of Southgate continues to strive wrong and try and make sure it more of my emotion into it by charm. Gareth attacking options including for a settled back four. does not happen again.” playing for the pride of the Mixed-race children can of- Southgate’s Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling “If we want to be regarded as Champions League-winning country,” she said, according ten face prejudice in Japan, side can assure and Jadon Sancho but have had one of the best teams in Europe right-back Alexander-Arnold to the article published in Jap- although attitudes among themselves of defensive problems in recent and go far in the Euros, and try will battle with Kieran Trippier anese on the NHK website. younger generations are a place in next matches. and win the competition, our for a place in Southgate’s team. Osaka added she wants to changing. Trent Alexander-Arnold