SPORT SPORT | 18 SPORT | 19 Ewan wins Pliskova off to a stage three as flying start in Alaphilippe bid for maiden retains lead Grand Slam title

TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020

Brazilian QFA reveals competition roadmap Guilherme ahead of new football season joins THE PENINSULA – 3. The largest number of goals in all the matches of the THE PENINSULA – DOHA The 2020-2021 season will be the competition. last of the Qatargas U-23 compe- 4. Most wins in all the matches QNB Stars League giants Al Sadd have tition and it will be replaced by the of the competition. secured the services of Brazilian defensive Reserve League competition 5- Obtaining the least number midfielder Guilherme Torres from Greek side starting from the 2021-2022 season, of coloured cards (red and yellow), Olympiacos. a key official from the where the yellow card is counted Guilherme is Al Sadd’s second foreign Football Association said in an with one point and the direct or addition ahead of the new QSL season and interview yesterday. indirect red card with three points, resumption of the 2020 AFC Champions Hamad Al Mannai, Chairman of and in the case of the direct red card League with Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla the Competitions Committee of after the yellow card, the two are having signed from Villarreal in early August. QFA, in an interview with the Asso- counted with four points. “We are happy to ciation's web site, provided a 6. A draw between equal teams. complete the contract detailed explanation that shows the with the Brazilian complete roadmap of football in the Q: What are the players’ reg- player Guillerme for a country in the next few months and istration periods for the new period of 3 years, and beyond. season and were there exceptions I hope that he will be The 2019-2020 football season Hamad Al Mannai, Chairman of the regarding transfers of players due a strong addition to has been a long phase that sports Competitions Committee of QFA to the current circumstances? the Al Sadd team fans won’t forget in a hurry because A: Indeed, the current circum- during the next of the COVID-19 situation around stances imposed a new reality and stage,” said the globe. Association was one of the first Bidda, and Lusail. The it was necessary to make some Turki Al Ali, In general, the Qatar Football sports federations to resume Qatargas U-23 League will start on exceptions regarding player General Association (QFA) took the lead in football activity in coordination 9/10/2020. transfers as the Executive Com- Manager of Al making the decision to conduct with all concerned authorities in The 2020-2021 sports season mittee of QFA considered granting Sadd Club. local competitions, making Qatar the country and in accordance with will be the last of the Qatargas U-23 some players the freedom to move After starting one of the first countries in the precautionary measures to confront competition and it will be replaced to any other club. his career with region to resume football in the spread of the Covid-19 disease. by the Reserve League competition This is after their contracts Portuguesa in accordance with health and safety QFA employed an integrated plan starting from the 2021-2022 season, expired at the end of June 2020 and Sao Paulo in protocols approved by the that was developed in consultation while preserving the name of the so that the player does not remain 2009, Guilherme government. with all relevant authorities, commercial sponsor, with the par- away from action. As for the regis- joined Brazilian Al Mannai also said that from whether in QFA, QSL, or the con- ticipation of only division clubs par- tration periods for the new season, giants Corinthians 2022, with the abolition of the U-23 cerned authorities in the country, ticipating in the QNB Stars League transfers of players are allowed three years later category list, a total of 28 players especially the Ministry of Public for the 2021 sports season. Also during the stipulated transfer before leaving will be registered in a unified cat- Health. from 2022, with the abolition of the period only, which is in two periods. Brazil in 2014 to egory of the first and reserve teams. We started with medical exam- U-23 category list, a total of 28 join Italian outfit "The Second Division competi- inations of players and technical players will be registered in a Q: Will there be amendments Udinese. tions will start on September 20, staff for the start of the football unified category of the first and regarding the number of players While at which will be limited only to Al Sha- activity in the QNB Stars League reserve teams. in the match list and what about Udinese, the haniya, Al Shamal, Mesaimeer, matches and the games of the substitutions? 29-year-old mid- , and Al Markhiya. There Second Division League. This also Q: Will there be specific A: It was agreed to increase the fielder had a loan will be no participation from Al included referees and their amendments to the regulations number of players in the match list spell in Spain with Bidda, Al Waab and Lusail. The assistants. for the 2020-2021 season? for (QNB Stars – Second Division – Deportivo La Qatargas U-23 League will start on A: The most prominent modi- Under-23) league matches from 18 Coruna where he September 10," Al Mannai said. Q: What about the start dates fication is the cancellation of the to 23 players, provided that the played for a season Excerpts from the interview: of the other QFA competitions and play-off match to settle the tie for number of substitute players reg- following a per- what are the most prominent first place, as the tie will be broken istered and on the reserve board manent move Q: How do you see the changes? by several tie-breakers, which are: does not exceed more than 12. before he joined resumption of football activity A: The Second Division com- 1. The difference in goals scored Regarding the substitutions, each Olympiacos in with the precautionary measures petitions will start on September in the matches of the concerned team will be allowed to make a 2018. taken by the QFA and the Qatar 20, which will be limited only to Al teams (head to head results), with maximum of 5 substitutions during Stars League? Shahaniya, Al Shamal, Mesaimeer, the goal not counting with two goals one match, provided that the sub- A: At the outset, I would like to Muaither, and Al Markhiya. There outside the ground. stitutions would be made in three emphasise that the Qatar Football will be no participation from Al 2. Goal difference in all matches. calls during the course of a match.

Russia submits US OPEN RESULTS MEN'S SINGLES: FIRST ROUND anti-doping Juan Ignacio Londero (ARG) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 Borna Coric (CRO x27) bt Pablo Andujar (ESP) 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 Egor Gerasimov (BLR) bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB x18) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 reform plan to Jordan Thompson (AUS) bt Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x9) 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 Federico Coria (ARG) bt Jason Jung (TPE) 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 2-0 abandoned World Athletics Alejandro Davidovich (ESP) bt Dennis Novak (AUT) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0

AP – MOSCOW WOMEN'S SINGLES: FIRST ROUND Karolina Pliskova (CZE x1) bt Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) 6-4, 6-0 The Russian Athletics Federation said Caroline Garcia (FRA) bt Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 6-3, 6-2 yesterday it submitted a draft anti-doping Angelique Kerber (GER x17) bt Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-4, 6-4 reform plan to World Athletics, the latest Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) bt Caroline Dolehide (USA) 6-2, 6-2 step it must follow to avoid being expelled Marketa Vondrousova (CZE x12) bt Greet Minnen (BEL) 6-1, 6-4 by the sport’s governing body. Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA) 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-0 Alexander Zverev of Germany hits The Russian federation was on the Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x30) bt Hailey Baptiste (USA) 7-5, 6-2 a shot against Kevin Anderson brink of expulsion after missing a July 1 Varvara Gracheva (RUS) bt Paula Badosa (ESP) 6-4, 7-5 of South Africa on day one of deadline to pay World Athletics $6.3m in Danka Kovinic (MNE) bt Lizette Cabrera (AUS) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 the 2020 US Open at USTA Billie a fine and other costs but was reprieved Petra Kvitova (CZE x6) bt Irina Begu (ROU) 6-3, 6-2 Jean King National Tennis Center, when the Russian sports ministry pro- yesterday vided the funds six weeks later. It had to submit the draft plan yesterday. “Among the main points are the strengthening preventative and anti- doping work, structural reform of RusAF Norrie upsets Schwartzman in marathon five-setter and the (Russian) regional federations.” The plan has not been made public. REUTERS – NEW YORK measure of Norrie after the early exchanges, the fourth set as well while Norrie drastically World Athletics’ Russia task force has winning four of the last five games in the opening reduced his unforced error count and converted until Sept. 30 to make any changes it sees Briton Cameron Norrie claimed his biggest win at set. all three break points to take the match to a decider fit before RusAF implements it. The World a Grand Slam when he came from two sets down Norrie managed to create chances in the second and pile pressure on the Argentine. Athletics council said in March RusAF to beat ninth seed Diego Schwartzman 3-6, 4-6, set but did not convert the big points, giving The final set began with both players dropping must aim to “ingrain throughout Russian 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 in the first round of the US Open Schwartzman a two-set lead before the Argentine serve. Schwartzman turned the tables with another athletics a zero tolerance for doping yesterday. started to lose his way in the third. break at 3-3 before calling for the physio to look culture.” Both players served poorly, resulting in 58 break A time violation saw Schwartzman lose his cool at his wrist following a fall. It’s the latest attempt to resolve an points being up for grabs in total, and 25-year-old and Norrie took advantage to break and lead 3-2. He immediately lost his momentum as Norrie impasse between World Athletics and Norrie saved two match points in the decider before The Briton capitalised on more errors from a saved match points at 5-3 and at 5-4 before taking RusAF, which is still serving a suspension prevailing after nearly four hours. wayward Schwartzman to earn a double break a 6-5 lead as a cramping Schwartzman lost nine imposed in 2015 over widespread Extended rallies and long games were a feature before wrapping up the set. consecutive points and then saw his forehand hit doping. of the match and it was Schwartzman who had the Schwartzman was unable to find his groove in the net on match point. 18 SPORT TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020 Tokyo Games to be symbol of hope as flame goes on display

REUTERS — TOKYO museum, held in a small Paralympics are training hard lantern in the corner of the every day while having great At a low-key ceremony to lobby. anxiety (due to coronavirus),” mark the unveiling of the Next year, this flame “Next year, this flame will said Japanese Olympic Com- Olympic flame display be carried by about 10,000 mittee President Yasuhiro will be carried by about yesterday, Tokyo officials reit- torchbearers and will light the Yamashita who received the erated that next year’s Games 10,000 torchbearers and Olympic cauldron,” Tokyo flame from Mori. will be a symbol of hope for the will light the Olympic 2020 President Yoshiro Mori “I am confident that this world as it recovers from the cauldron: Tokyo 2020 said. flame, which is displayed coronavirus pandemic. President Yoshiro Mori “We would like to make today, will be moral support for The flame will be on show efforts towards this so that we such athletes.” from today at the Japanese can ensure a great success of To limit crowds gathering Olympic Museum, located next Fukushima after the torch relay the Games.” to view the flame, there will be to the National Stadium was cancelled following its Organisers have not a reservation system with a purpose-built for the Games arrival from Greece but before announced details of the torch designated date and time. which were due to take place it could start a planned tour of relay. The original 121-day plan The flame will be on this year but were rescheduled Japan following the decision to had the torch travelling to all display from September Yasuhiro Yamashita, President of Japanese Olympic Committee, for 2021 due to the COVID-19 postpone the Games in March. of Japan’s 47 prefectures. 1-November 1. holds the Olympic Flame during the display ceremony at Japan outbreak. Organisers have chosen to “I suppose athletes aiming The Games are due to start Olympic Museum in Tokyo, yesterday. The flame was last seen in display the flame at the JOC to participate in Olympics and on July 23. Ewan wins stage three as Alaphilippe retains lead

REUTERS — SISTERON we can this year because they are quite rare this year.” Australian Caleb Ewan timed Today’s fourth stage is a his effort to perfection to win 160.5km effort from Sisteron to the third stage of the Tour de Orcieres-Merlette for the first France in a bunch sprint at the summit finish of the race, with Kawhi Leonard (left) in action against end of a 198-km hilly ride Briton Adam Yates, who trails Trey Burke of the Dallas Mavericks. through the Alpine foothills Alaphilippe by four seconds yesterday. overall, eyeing the yellow Sam Bennett looked in jersey. control but the Irishman had An all-French breakaway NBA: Leonard stars as probably underestimated the featuring Anthony Perez, polka headwind and settled for dot jersey holder Benoit Cos- second place as he watched nefroy and Jerome Cousin was LA Clippers eliminate Lotto-Soudal fastman Ewan kept on a tight leash by the whizz around him to snatch his bunch as rain began to fall with fourth stage win on the Tour. 150 kilometres left. Italian Giacomo Nizzolo Cousin, who won a Paris- Dallas Mavericks took third place. Nice stage in Sisteron in 2018, REUTERS — NEW YORK NBA RESULTS France’s Julian Alaphilippe tried his luck solo with Perez Eastern Conference (Second round) retained the overall leader’s and Cosnefroy being swallowed Kawhi Leonard had 33 points, yellow jersey. up by the pack despite the lei- 14 rebounds and seven assists Boston 112 Toronto 94 “In the last kilometre I was surely pace. and the Los Angeles Clippers (Boston leads series 1-0) a little bit too far forward so I Perez later abandoned with eliminated the Dallas Western Conference (First round) dropped back a bit into the a rib fracture and a possible col- Mavericks from the play-offs Los Angeles Clippers 111 Dallas 97 wheels then that gave me a bit lapsed lung after crashing into with a 111-97 victory in Game (LA Clippers win series 4-2) of time just to rest the legs a his team’s car, his Cofidis outfit 6 on Sunday in the NBA bubble First Round

little bit,” Ewan explained. said. Cofidis said the 29-year- near Orlando. Denver 119 Utah 107 “In the end it worked old had been taken to hospital Ivica Zubac had 15 points (Series tied 3-3) for further checks. and 11 rebounds, while Paul Today’s fourth stage is Cousin was reined in with George contributed 15 points, a 160.5km effort from Lotto Soudal rider Caleb Ewan of Australia 16 kms left by the peloton con- nine boards and seven assists Doncic’s 3-pointer with 9:28 Sisteron to Orcieres- celebrates his stage win yesterday. trolled by Alaphilippe’s Dece- for the Clippers. Leonard added left in the fourth. But Los Merlette for the first uninck Quick Step as the five steals. Angeles regrouped and pulled summit finish of the sprinters’ teams started to gear The Clippers advanced to away behind the play of race, with Briton perfectly. Coming from behind victories on his first partici- up for the bunch sprint. the second round of the Leonard and Reggie Jackson, Adam Yates, who trails is a bit of a risk but I found my pation in the Tour. “I’m so In-form Wout van Aert, one Western Conference play-offs, who sank four 3-pointers in the way through the barrier and I happy to get another win and of top favourite Primoz Roglic’s where they await the winner final quarter and finished with Alaphilippe by four came with a lot of speed.” then prove last year was no fluke. team mates, crashed some six of the Utah Jazz-Denver 14 points. seconds overall, eyeing Ewan was proud to win Hope to come back more years kms from the line but the Milan- Nuggets series. The Nuggets The Clippers pounced on the yellow jersey. again on the biggest stage, a and keep winning. We have to Sanremo champion finished the won later on Sunday to tie the the Mavericks in the third year after taking three stage take every sprinters’ opportunity stage. series 3-3. Game 7 will be quarter. LA opened the second played today. half with a 20-3 surge, capped Luka Doncic had 38 points, by Leonard’s three-point play nine assists and nine rebounds that made it 77-54 midway Hazlewood for the Mavericks. Dorian through the third. Root returns for one-dayers Finney-Smith added 16 points Consecutive three-point concerned and Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped plays by Doncic, who scored 16 in 10. points in the third, in the final about 'CSK' but left out of T20 squad Dallas rallied from a minute of the quarter pulled the 23-point, third-quarter deficit, Mavericks within 85-74 pulling to within 88-82 on heading into the fourth. virus cases AFP — MANCHESTER ENGLAND SQUADS England batsman Smith. Meanwhile, fellow World T20 squad: REUTERS — LONDON England announced yesterday Eoin Morgan (), Moeen Cup winners Jofra Archer, Jos Jon Rahm they had recalled several World Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Ban- Buttler, and Mark Wood all of Spain Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is Cup winners for their upcoming ton, , Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, return for both the T20 and ODI celebrates concerned about a COVID-19 white-ball series against Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Dawid series, while is with the outbreak at his Indian Premier Australia but Test captain Joe Malan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood. back in the 50-over squad. BMW trophy League franchise in the United Root (pictured) has again been ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), , Jof- , another member after winning Arab Emirates, the seamer said omitted from the ra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, of England’s World Cup on the first yesterday. squad. Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom winning side, has been ruled sudden-

Hazlewood is in England for Fifty-over world champions Curran, Adil Rashid, , Chris Woakes, out of the T20s with the same death Australia’s limited-overs series, England have been fielding sep- Mark Wood. side strain that has sidelined play-off three Twenty20 matches in arate red and white ball squads him for all three Pakistan T20s, hole against Southampton followed by three in a season hit by the corona- fifties during a five- although England hope the Dustin 50-over internationals in virus pandemic. win over Pakistan in the opener will be fit for the Johnson. Manchester. But with all six Tests second T20 at Old Trafford on one-dayers. After the series he is spanning two series wins Sunday, it is hard to see where , who has not expected to join the Chennai against the West Indies and Root fits into the national played for England since this Super Kings (CSK) in UAE, where Pakistan now completed, side’s Twenty20 XI. month’s first Test against Rahm secures play-off the 13th edition of the IPL will England have recalled some of England national selector Pakistan, was again omitted be held from September 19 due their multi-format players for Ed Smith said Root was not cur- with the all-rounder still to the COVID-19 pandemic in next month’s limited-overs rently in their best T20 team spending time in New Zealand win at Olympia Fields India. matches against Australia.Australia. “althoughalthough no doors are closed with his father, who has been The Indian board said Root wwasas the third-hthird-highestighest toto him in the future”.future”. diagnosed with brain cancer. REUTERS — NEW YORK Rahm, who won last two players and 11 other people run-scorerrer at thethe 20201616 T20T20 “Joe“Joe plays so much The should have month’s Memorial Tournament, tested positive for COVID-19 World CupCup but has notnot cricket,cricket, gives so much to acted as a warm-up for Octo- Spain’s Jon Rahm sunk a carded a five-birdie 66 in Sat- after arriving in the UAE without played a T20 internationainternationall EnglandEngland every time he ber’s T20 World Cup in breathtaking 66-foot (20 urday’s third round despite for- identifying them. Local media for over a year, despite still plays, it’s not right for Australia. metre) putt to win the BMW getting to put a marker down reported that all of them were wantingg to him tthathat wwee hhaveave But that tournament has Championship in a thrilling on the fifth green before from the 'CSK' camp. feature in him inin the now been postponed because play-off victory over American picking up his ball, which cost “At the franchise, we have a the format.at. ssquadquad if he’s of Covid-19 and the next T20 Dustin Johnson. him a stroke. group WhatsApp, with all the Hee notnot likely to World Cup will take place in The 25-year-old, who He quickly put the embar- information that comes through. has,, be India in 2021, with Smith saying recently spent two weeks as rassing mental lapse behind It’s obviously a little bit of a however,r, starting,starting,”” the upcoming series would help world number one, shot a him. concern. You ideally would have hit scoress added England build towards the flawless six-under par 64 on The second of three Fed- no cases,” Hazlewood told of 64 andd foformerrmer global event. Sunday, saving his best for last exCup play-off events, where reporters on a video conference. 65 forr England face Australia in after carding a lackluster five- 69 players were vying for 30 “They are in quarantine Yorkshiree the first of three Twenty20s at over 75 in the first round. spots in the upcoming Tour now... All my focus is, obviously, in thiss Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl head- Rocketing up the leader- Championship, the tournament on this tour at the moment. Once season’s’s quarters on Friday before the board on Sunday, Rahm then at Olympia Fields Country Club the IPL comes closer we will Twenty2020 Blast.Blast. teams head north to Manches- drained the long putt in the first near Chicago proved a tough think more about that... closer to But wwithith England white-ball ter’s Old Trafford for three hole of a play-off against test, with just five golfers fin- the date we will have a chat with captain Eoinoin Morgan and Dawid one-day internationals starting Johnson, letting out an elated ishing the four rounds under Cricket Australia.” Malan bothboth compilingcompiling finefine on September 11. roar. par. TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020 SPORT 19

Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic and Djokovic holds Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine play in front on to No.1 of empty stands at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, spot as US yesterday. Open begins

AFP – PARIS

Novak Djokovic set out on his quest for an 18th Grand Slam title at the US Open with his world number one standing enhanced in the latest ATP rankings released yesterday. Fresh from his success in the ATP Western & Southern Open final against Milos Raonic, the Serb headlined the opening day at Flushing Meadows where he faced Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He leads the ATP chart on Pliskova off to a flying start in 10860 points from Rafael Nadal who like fourth-ranked Roger Federer is skipping the rescheduled US Open being held under tight Covid-19 bid for maiden Grand Slam title health restrictions. While Djokovic heads an unchanged REUTERS – NEW YORK Top seed Pliskova top 10, Raonic jumps 12 places downs first-round to 18th on the back of his run First seed Karolina Pliskova got opponent Anhelina to Saturday’s decider in the US a roaring start to her bid for a Kalinina 6-4, 6-0 to Open tune-up. maiden Grand Slam title at the kick off the action US Open yesterday, downing at an empty Arthur LATEST ATP RANKINGS first-round opponent Anhelina 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10860 pts Ashe Stadium. Kalinina 6-4, 6-0 to kick off the 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9850 action in Arthur Ashe Stadium. 3. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 7135 The 28-year-old Czech, Former champion 4. Roger Federer (SUI) 6630 who led the WTA in aces in four Angelique Kerber 5. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5890 of the last five years, struggled 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 5095 with an uncharacteristically beat Australian 7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 3630 uneven serve in the first set, Ajla Tomljanovic 8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2940 committing three double faults 6-4, 6-4 to reach 9. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2860 to give her unseeded opponent the second round 10. David Goffin (BEL) 2555 a fighting chance. after returning But Pliskova, the 2016 US to action for the Open runner-up, found her first time in seven footing in the second set, Wounded winning all her first-serve points months. and committing just one Karolina Pliskova of Osaka climbs unforced error, as her Ukrainian Czech Republic returns opponent was left scrambling. the ball to Anhelina The US Open is the to ninth in “I think my game was quite Kalinina of Ukraine on first Grand Slam to good for a first round,” said day one of the 2020 US be contested in the WTA rankings Pliskova, the world number Open at the Arthur Ashe COVID-19 era and is three, who played in front of Stadium, part of the being held without AFP – PARIS empty stands with crowd noise USTA Billie Jean King spectators to help piped in as the tournament is National Tennis Center, Naomi Osaka climbed one prevent spread of being held without fans due to in Flushing Meadows, place to number nine in the the coronavirus outbreak. New York, yesterday. the virus new WTA rankings, which “For sure I prefer to have were released yesterday ahead people around me,” she added. of the US Open, after with- Earlier, former champion But despite the lack of Angelique drawing from the Western & Angelique Kerber returned to recent competitive action, the Kerber of Southern Open final at the action for the first time in seven 32-year-old former world Germany returns weekend. months and beat Australian Ajla number one needed only a a shot during her Osaka, who is scheduled to Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-4 to reach handful of games to shake off Women’s Singles meet fellow Japanese Misaki the second round. the rust and never looked back first round match Doi in the first round at The 17th-seeded German, as she improved her career against Ajla Flushing Meadows, pulled out who entered the match having record against Tomljanovic to Tomljanovic of of Saturday’s final because of not competed since the fourth 2-0. a left hamstring injury. Australia, at the round of the Australian Open, Kerber, a three-times Grand Her withdrawal handed the USTA Billie Jean overcame a shaky start on serve Slam champion who triumphed title to Victoria Azarenka who King National and got better as the 88-minute at Flushing Meadows in 2016, climbed 32 places to 27th in the Tennis Center, match at Louis Armstrong traded breaks with Tomljanovic world. Australian Ashleigh yesterday. Stadium wore on. through the first four games of Barty retains the top spot "It's not easy to play your the match and then found her although neither she nor world first match after such a long time footing. number two Simona Halep are and it was my first match after The German southpaw con- taking part in the US Open Australia so I'm really happy verted all three break-point which is being staged without how I played for the first match," chances to pull ahead 5-4 and spectators in a Covid-19 quar- said Kerber. "It's always a little went on to serve out at love to antine bubble. bit different to play points, and grab the first set when world especially a match, than playing number 59 Tomljanovic sent a Czech admitted it took some the 30-year-old said in an on- Kvitova, who suffered a LATEST WTA RANKINGS: just practice points so I am forehand into the net. time getting used to playing in court interview. second-round exit last year at 1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 8717 pts happy how I did the transition In the second, Kerber front of the empty stands at She also lamented the lack Flushing Meadows, will next 2. Simona Halep (ROM) 6356 to the match court now." quickly settled into a groove Flushing Meadows. of crowd support at the event, face either Kateryna Kozlova of 3. Karolína Pliskova (CZE) 5205 Kerber was sidelined with a and broke her opponent twice The twice Wimbledon which is being played without Ukraine or American Whitney 4. Sofia Kenin (USA) 4590 leg injury before the COVID-19 before sealing the win on her champion converted four of five any fans in attendance due to Osuigwe. 5. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4580 outbreak forced a shutdown of third match point when a Tom- break point opportunities and the COVID-19 pandemic that The US Open is the first 6. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 4555 global tennis in March and did ljanovic forehand sailed long. fired 23 winners to defeat her has claimed over 180,000 lives Grand Slam to be contested in 7. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4335 not compete in last week's Sixth seed Petra Kvitova Romanian opponent. in the United States. the COVID-19 era and is being 8. Serena Williams (USA) 4080 (+1) warm-up event played on the handily defeated Irina-Camelia "I had to motivate myself "It's really mentally tough, held without spectators to help 9. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4020 (+1) site of the US Open. Begu 6-3, 6-2 yesterday, but the from the beginning to the end," to be honest," she added. prevent spread of the virus. 10. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 4010 (-2) Milan drawn away Messi misses training as to Shamrock Rovers Barca stand-off continues in Europa qualifiers AFP – MADRID REUTERS – BERN Lionel Messi boycotted Barcelona’s first pre-season training session yesterday, club sources have confirmed to AFP, as the Seven-times European champions AC Milan will striker upped the stakes in his battle to leave this summer. begin their Europa League campaign this season After skipping coronavirus tests on Sunday, Messi was absent away to rank outsiders Shamrock Rovers following again from the club's Ciutat Esportiva training ground, where the draw yesterday for the second qualifying Ronald Koeman held a session at 5:30pm, his first since being round. appointed Barca coach. Milan, who finished sixth in Serie A, are It appears increasingly likely Messi will try to force a transfer returning to European football after serving a one- by refusing to play in La Liga next season, which begins on Sep- year ban for breaching UEFA’s break-even tember 12. Financial Fair Play rules, which resulted in them The 33-year-old and his lawyers believe that participating missing the Europa League last season. Milan’s in Barcelona's pre-season programme would contradict their only previous meeting with an Irish side was in argument that Messi no longer belongs to the club. 1975 when they beat Athlone Town 3-0 on They insist a clause in his contract that allows Messi to depart aggregate in the old UEFA Cup. for free this summer was activated last Tuesday, when the It is arguably the most glamorous tie for a burofax stating his intention to leave arrived at the Camp Nou. League of Ireland team since Cork City faced Bayern But Barcelona maintain that clause had to be activated by Munich in the 1991-92 UEFA Cup, holding out for June 10 and the deadline has not been extended, despite the a 1-1 home draw before losing 2-0 in Germany. season being prolonged due to the pandemic, with the men's According to the specialist website Transfermarkt, Lyon win Women's Champions League title Champions League final played on August 23. Shamrock’s squad has a combined transfer value La Liga backed up Barca's position on Sunday by announcing Lyon’s French defender Wendie Renard raises the winner’s trophy as she celebrates of €1.95m, compared with €393.2m for Milan. that the release clause in Messi's contract, set at €700m ($833m), with team-mates after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against English Premier League side Tottenham still applies. VfL Wolfsburg at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, on Sunday. Lyon extended Hotspur were drawn away to Bulgaria’s Loko- The club's captain and greatest ever player, who has scored motiv Plovdiv. The games will be played on Sep- its European dominance by beating Wolfsburg 3-1 to win its fifth straight women's 634 goals for them and won 34 titles, now risks being punished tember 17. Champions League title. either by a fine or, if his absence continues, a reduction in salary.