TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 SPORTS

‘Superwoman’ Ratchanok Intanon set sights on Olympics

SINGAPORE: Ratchanok Intanon set to seal her third successive Superseries redemption for Ratchanok, who was said her body is starting to feel the grounds of the Bangkok dessert factory her sights on Olympic glory after title in as many weeks, after triumphs in heartbroken after she was eliminated in strain from playing consecutive compe- where her parents worked. becoming world number one-and said India and Malaysia. the London 2012 quarter-finals. titions. “I didn’t enjoy badminton at first. I she would be seen as “superwoman” if Ratchanok, who became bad- “After I lost, I felt bad and I couldn’t “When I woke up, I felt like my legs just did training but didn’t feel that I she wins Thailand’s first ever badminton minton’s youngest ever world champion sleep. I’ve never felt that way before,” were weaker,” said the native of wanted to be athlete. I just trained not medal in Rio. The 21-year-old, who won in 2013, will displace Spain’s Carolina she said. “I wanted to close my eyes but I Thailand’s Yasothon province. “I may be to disturb my parents while they were the Singapore Open to reach the Marin as number one when the rank- could not stop thinking about the loss.” tired but if I can make people in working,” she said. women’s singles top ranking for the first ings are updated on Thursday. Ratchanok added: “I don’t want to pres- Thailand smile and be happy, that’s “Now, I enjoy it because it is my time, said a medal of any colour would “I didn’t think about winning three sure myself but I think I have a chance okay.” Despite her fatigue, Ratchanok career. I don’t have to bother my parents be a triumph at the Games in August. (tournaments) in a row, I just wanted to to get an Olympic medal for Thailand. will be competing at the Badminton for money and I can support them “My target is gold medal at the try my best and if I could do it, I would “Now that I have become world num- Asia Championship in Wuhan, China financially.” Following her success in the Olympic Games... But I think that get- just do it,” she said. ber one, I have reached the dream. I next week where she aims to defend her sport, Ratchanok said she now hopes ting a medal would be like (becoming) “I feel the same now that I am world have completed one step but I still have title. “I think now there will be a bit more she can inspire more and more young superwoman,” she said yesterday at number one. There’s still room for one more step.” pressure because I will have to protect Thais to pick up a racquet. Singapore’s Changi Aiport before board- improvement and I want to be stronger. my ranking. But I will take it one step at “I am very proud to be the idol for ing a flight home. I don’t want to think of the top ranking, DESSERT FACTORY a time,” she said. young people in Thailand, that more Ratchanok beat defending champion but rather that I have more to learn.” The soft-spoken Thai, who started Ratchanok picked up the sport at an parents are sending their children to Sun Yu of China in three sets on Sunday Olympic success would mean this month ranked fifth in the world, early age, when she used to play in the play badminton,” she said. — AFP

Resurgent Nadal targets Vilas record in Barcelona

BARCELONA: Fresh from claiming his first given a tough route and, moreover, I am title in nearly two years at the Monte Carlo coming back from injury,” said Fognini. Masters, Rafael Nadal can tie Guillermo “I hope I can have a good tournament Vilas’s record of 49 clay court titles on home and take advantage of some players arriv- soil at the Barcelona Open this week. ing a little tired after playing in the past few Nadal is a serial winner in the Catalan weeks.” Nadal will start against another fel- capital having won the title eight times, but low Spaniard with the winner of Marcel has slumped to shock defeats in each of Granollers and Daniel Munoz de la Navas the past two years to Nicolas Almagro and awaiting him in round two. Fabio Fognini. Japan’s Kei Nishikori has occupied “I had a tough season in the last few Nadal’s thrown for the past two years and years, but I’ve had better preparation this the world number six is seeded second on year, even with a tough start to the season,” the other half of the draw. said Nadal after lifting his 28th Masters Nishikori is making his debut on clay title. “I hope it helps my season with confi- this season having skipped Monte Carlo dence for the next few tournaments. I’ve after reaching the final of the Miami been able to play well for two events in a Masters earlier this month. row-Indian Wells and here-winning against “I am happy to be back in Barcelona,” very tough opponents so that is very good said Nishikori. “I feel good and hope to win for my confidence.” my third consecutive title here.” Nishikori Enigmatic Italian Fognini has been a appears to have an easier route to the final thorn in Nadal’s side in the past two years than Nadal as he starts against either as he has twice defeated the Spaniard on Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker or Sweden’s clay and came from two sets down to beat Eliam Ymer with the fourth top 10 player in the 14-time Grand Slam champion at the the field Richard Gasquet potentially await- US Open last September. ing in the semi-finals. The two could meet again in the quar- World number eight Ferrer starts against ter-finals as Nadal has been handed a tricky Santiago Giraldo or veteran Radek draw with compatriot David Ferrer also Stepanek, whilst Gasquet will face Malek potentially awaiting in the semis. “I’ve been Jaziri or Hyeon Chung in round two. — AFP CLEVELAND: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the NBA Misbah ready for Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena on April 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 106-101. —AFP England challenge Cavs edge Pistons ISLAMABAD: Ageing Pakistan Test be touring England with Pakistan ‘A’ ahead Misbah-ul-Haq yesterday confirmed he will of the four Tests to get acclimatised.” not only lead his side in their four-match Pakistan’s second string will play four- series in England this summer, but is deter- day matches with county teams in June in playoff opener mined to play on until next year’s tour of before the national team contests two Australia. three-day practice matches against He is Pakistan’s most successful Test cap- Somerset and Sussex counties. CLEVELAND: Kyrie Irving scored 31 points in his routed Charlotte in Game 1 of the Eastern short-handed Grizzlies. Memphis matched a tain, having led his country to 20 wins, 11 The first of four Tests will start at Lord’s first playoff game since being injured last year in Conference series. Dwyane Wade scored 16 postseason low in the first quarter with 13 draws and 11 defeats in his 42 matches in from July 14. Surprisingly, Misbah has not the NBA Finals and Kevin Love added 28, leading points in 26 minutes, Joe Johnson and Amare points, and only Xavier Munford’s 15-foot charge-a better record than the legendary played a single Test in England during a 61- the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over Stoudemire each had 11 points, and Goran jumper with 46.1 seconds remaining kept it from . match career-and the fast paced tracks are the Detroit Pistons on Sunday in Game 1 of their Dragic finished with 10 assists. Miami scored 41 matching the worst output in any quarter. Vince But his desire to continue has been in expected to Test the reflexes of the veteran. first-round playoff series. LeBron James added points in the first quarter to tie one franchise Carter had 16 points to lead Memphis. Zach doubt since Pakistan’s 2-0 win over England “I know it’s a big challenge, so I am 22 points and 11 assists for the top-seeded Cavs. playoff record, set another with the 123 points - Randolph was held to six points on 3-for-13 last November, with doubts over his doing the best preparations for the tour They are favored to win the Eastern Conference topping the 121 in the 2012 NBA Finals clincher shooting. Memphis’ previous largest losing mar- hunger to continue compounded by a calf and realise the strength of the opposition,” again but got all they could handle from the against Oklahoma City - and never trailed. Nic gin was 27 points against Oklahoma City on May injury in January that flared up during the said Misbah. “After the England tour I am Pistons. Love, knocked out of the playoffs with a Batum scored 24 points for the Hornets. Kemba 11, 2011. Pakistan Super League a month later. planning to play until the Australia tour as shoulder injury in the first round a year ago, Walker added 19. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Speaking to AFP, Misbah, who turns 42 there is not that much gap between the made two critical 3-pointers in the fourth quar- Miami. CLIPPERS 115, TRAIL BLAZERS 95 next month, said he had now made up his two series. “All my plans are related to fit- ter. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points Chris Paul had 28 points and 11 assists as one mind and was determined to play on, ness and form and that’s my priority,” he and Marcus Morris 20 - but just one after half- SPURS 106, GRIZZLIES 74 of three Clippers with a double-double, leading pending form and fitness. “I am working on added. Pakistan will play two Tests against time for the Pistons, making their first playoff Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and San Los Angeles over the Portland Trail Blazers in my fitness,” he told AFP. “I am trying to get a the West Indies in September and October appearance since 2009. Andre Drummond had Antonio beat Memphis in Game 1 of their the opener of their first-round playoff series. contract with a county so that I can get followed by two Tests in New Zealand 13 points and 11 rebounds. Detroit made 15 3- Western Conference series, handing the Grizzlies Blake Griffin had 19 points and 12 rebounds, some practice ahead of the England tour (November) and three in Australia pointers, but the Pistons’ playoff inexperience their worst postseason loss. LaMarcus Aldridge DeAndre Jordan added 18 points and 12 but if that doesn’t come through then I will (December-January 2017). — AFP showed in the final minutes. Game 2 is added 17 points, and Tony Parker had 15 points rebounds and J.J. Redick had 17 points. The Wednesday night in Cleveland. and six assists for San Antonio. The Spurs sat Clippers are 6-0 with Griffin in the lineup since their starters in the fourth quarter to rest them he returned from a 45-game absence two HEAT 123, HORNETS 91 for Game 2 on Tuesday night in San Antonio. San weeks ago. Damian Lillard led the Blazers with Luol Deng scored 31 points on 11-for-13 Antonio shot 68 percent in the third quarter, 21 points, while backcourt mate CJ McCollum shooting, Hassan Whiteside added 21 points and outscoring Memphis 33-14 to break open what was held to nine points. Game 2 is tomorrow 11 rebounds in his postseason debut, and Miami had been a relatively close game against the night at Staples Center. —AP

CRICKET ROUND UP Inzamam appointed as chief selector LAHORE: Pakistan yesterday appointed former the neutral grounds of the UAE since a 2009 mili- introduced the points-based scoring for the captain and batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq as tant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, but women’s Ashes in 2013, awarding six points for their new chief selector, part of wholesale Pakistan had hoped the T20 leg of West Indies’ every test victory, while two points were on offer changes following the team’s disastrous exit from tour could be played in Lahore. Pakistan Cricket for a one-day or Twenty20 International victory. the World Twenty20 in India. Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “We wanted For the women’s Ashes last year, ECB and The 46 year old resigned as Afghanistan coach the Twenty20s to be played in Pakistan and made Cricket Australia (CA) decided test wins were on Sunday to take on his new job, arguably an effort but the West Indies Cricket Board have worth four points, while a draw earned the teams among the most thankless in the sport with the refused saying they have security fears, so the full two each. The points-based system is aimed at holder routinely turfed out following the team’s series will be played in (the) United Arab injecting more excitement into the tour and add failure in a high profile event. Emirates.” The West Indies’ refusal came after a sui- context to matches that otherwise maybe of chairman Shaharyar cide bomber killed 73 people in a park in Lahore merely academic interests. Khan told reporters: “Inzamam agreed to take on Easter Sunday last month. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the over as chief selector and we are thankful to Taliban faction that carried out the bombing, said Malinga ruled out of IPL Afghanistan cricket board for releasing him,” Christians were the target of the attack. Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been adding his tenure will be “until further orders”. Pakistan hosted Zimbabwe for two Twenty20s ruled out of this season’s Indian Premier League During his six months as Afghanistan’s coach, and three one-day internationals in Lahore last because of the lingering knee injury that also Inzamam led cricket’s up-and-comers to one-day year hoping the tour would pave the way for sidelined him at the World Twenty20. and Twenty20 series victories over Zimbabwe and more international teams to visit-a hope that has Malinga, the IPL’s highest all-time -taker, qualification for the main rounds of the World yet to be realised. has flown back to Sri Lanka from India where he Twenty20 — the high point of which was their had been with his Mumbai Indians team, but had win over eventual champions the West Indies in England propose points not played in any of their three matches. the group stages. Former spinner Tauseef Ahmed, system for S Lanka series “MI’s star pacer, Lasith Malinga has been ruled allrounder Wasim Haider and opener England have attempted a minor shake-up of out of IPL 2016 due to a knee injury,” the team Wajahatullah Wasti will round out the selection the largely conventional world of by wrote on their official Twitter handle late Sunday. committee whose first task will be to pick squads offering to use a points-based system to deter- “Malinga was expected to miss the first few for the tour of England where they play four Tests, mine the winner of their home series against Sri matches of MI’s IPL ‘16 campaign but the recovery five one-day and a Twenty20 starting in July. Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de period is longer than previously expected. “MI will Silva confirmed receiving the proposals covering now look for a worthy replacement for Lasith Windies turn down Pakistan T20 tour the three tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 Malinga this season,” the team said. Recently crowned World Twenty20 champions International set to be played between the teams Sri Lankan Cricket on Sunday warned Malinga the West Indies have turned down a request from from May 19 to July 5. against playing in the lucrative Twenty20 league Pakistan to play matches in the militancy- “We have received the proposals but we without first getting clearance from the board. wracked South Asian country due to security haven’t decided yet,” De Silva told Reuters by tele- Malinga is slated to undergo a fitness assess- fears, a senior official said yesterday. phone. “We’ll discuss it in our next board meeting ment on Wednesday in Colombo after which “the Pakistan are due to host the West Indies in two and announce our decision in a week or two,” said board will decide what course of action will be Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 internation- the official, declining to elaborate, saying he had taken”. The injury casts doubt over his availability als in September and October this year. Nearly all not gone though the details yet. for Sri Lanka’s tour of England starting next the country’s home series have been played in The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) month. —Agencies Misbah Ul-Haq