ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 SPORTS 15

Alcaraz outlasts Gojowczyk to reach quarters ‘Happy-go-lucky’ teen Fernandez upsets Kerber at US Open

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, (AP): Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-0. Alcaraz now plays No. 12 seed Felix angle groundstrokes that added up to a 45-28 is a self-described “happy-go-lucky girl” hav- Auger-Aliassime, a 21-year-old from Canada edge in winners. ing the time of her life at Flushing Meadows, who reached his second straight major quarterfi - Fernandez redirects opponent’s shots swiftly raising her fi sts, pumping her arms and riling up nal by defeating Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. 4-6, and seemingly with ease, sometimes dropping crowds while beating two past U.S. Open cham- 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-4 with the help of 24 aces. to a knee near the baseline to get the proper pions to reach her fi rst Grand Slam quarterfi nal. The 55th-ranked Alcaraz got past No. 3 Ste- leverage. That’s a very similar style to the one A day before her 19th birthday, the unseeded fanos Tsitsipas in his previous match and is the another lefty, Kerber, used to reach No. 1 in the left-hander from Canada grabbed the last fi ve youngest player with two fi ve-set Grand Slam rankings and claim three Grand Slam titles. games to eliminate 2016 wins in a row since Michael Chang was 16 at Kerber is 33 and has been playing well enough title winner Angelique the 1988 U.S. Open. lately to get to the Wimbledon semifi nals in July, Kerber 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 There’s yet another 18-year-old in fourth- but instead of that experience paying off, Fernan- on Sunday, demonstrat- round action Monday: Emma Raducanu of Brit- dez fi gured the age difference worked in her fa- ing that an earlier upset ain, who plays Shelby Rogers of the U.S. vor as the contest stretched past two hours. of defending champion Still, in the last set, Kerber held a break point Naomi Osaka was cer- with a chance to go up 3-1. Fernandez erased tainly no fl uke. TENNIS that chance with a cross-court forehand winner. With grit and guile, Kerber wouldn’t claim another game. plus a veteran’s poise in Ask Fernandez for the secret to her success, When it ended, Fernandez lifted her arms, the face of big defi cits and she repeatedly mentions two factors. One is then leaned forward to put her hands on her against much more ac- being sure to enjoy her time on court. The other knees and smiled. She stood and patted her chest complished opponents, Fernandez is support of family, because her father, who is with her palm, while Kerber walked around the Fernandez is displaying from Ecuador, her mother, who is Filipino Ca- net to offer a clasp of hands and an arm around strokes and a demeanor that left Kerber offer- nadian, and her sisters “have defi nitely kept the Fernandez’s shoulders. ing this assessment: “She can go really far in the joy for me.” Carlos Alcaraz of returns a serve against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany during the Now Fernandez, who only once had been as next few years.” She credits Dad - who coaches her and has fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Sept. 5, in New York. (AP) far as the third round at a major tournament until How about over the next week? been offering instructions in daily phone calls you’ve got to be mature but at the same time just dium, which was so full that would-be specta- now, will meet No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina in the while back home, taking care of a younger sib- There’s no time like the present for the teens be a kid, let loose, have fun, eat chocolate when tors were being turned away at the doors. quarterfi nals. Another women’s matchup Tues- in tennis: Also into the quarterfi nals with a win ling - and Mom - who is leading the cheers with day will be No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka against 2021 Sunday was Carlos Alcaraz, an 18-year-old other family members and Fernandez’s fi tness you want to, and just have fun, watch movies, And just as against Osaka, Fernandez trailed French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, from Spain who became the youngest man to trainer in courtside seats - with teaching a valu- go past your bedtime.” in the second set: Kerber led by a break at 4-2. who beat two-time Grand Slam champ Garbiñe get that far at the U.S. Open since 1963 by out- able lesson that has nothing to do with tennis. Just as against Osaka in Arthur Ashe Stadium Both times, the 73rd-ranked Fernandez man- Muguruza 6-3, 7-6 (4) after taking a late medi- lasting his 32-year-old foe, 141st-ranked quali- They made sure to emphasize, Fernandez two nights earlier, Fernandez dropped the open- aged to get folks in the seats on her side, exult- cal timeout and needing help to leave the court fi er Peter Gojowczyk of Germany, 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, said, that “you can’t take things too seriously, ing set against Kerber in Louis Armstrong Sta- ing with every of her on-the-run, impossible- when the topsy-turvy match ended. Larson fi nishes 2nd, Chastain 3rd Hamlin ends winless season at Cantlay delivers another clutch to open playoffs

DARLINGTON, S.C., Sept. 6, (AP): of his two daughters seeming to use shook off a diffi cult social media this week to end their re- moment to win FedEx Cup title week in the best way possible - ending lationship. Her account has since been his season-long winless drought with a deactivated. victory at the Southern 500 to open the Hamlin, when asked about any dis- NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. tractions, said, “I’m a professional and The week’s problems included some do my job the best I can and today I personal issues and continued at the thought we did as good as we could.” track Saturday when Hamlin was in Hamlin came out second to Joe line to win the Xfi nity event here until Gibbs Racing teammate Martin a pit penalty dropped him back. Truex Jr. during a caution with 45 This time Hamlin had to hold off the laps to go, and moved in front when season’s top playoff seed in Kyle Lar- Truex was penalized for going too son, who closed to Hamlin’s bumper fast in the pits. racing to the fi nish line. Hamlin broke out ahead of Larson “It’s certainly signifi cant,” Hamlin on the restart 36 laps from the end. said. “This one’s big for us and our The win was Hamlin’s fourth at Dar- team and our momentum.” lington Raceway and moved him into And it moved him into the second the round of 12 in the knockout format round without having to scrape for in a grueling race where several playoff points with close fi nishes as he did to contenders struggled at the track “Too qualify seventh for the playoffs this Tough To Tame.” season. The past two series champions, Kyle “It wasn’t a perfect night,” Hamlin’s Busch in 2019 and last crew chief Chris Gabehart said. “It is year, were in the garage before the race hard to be perfect at the Southern 500. ended. Busch slammed the wall - to the But it was good enough.” Series play- delight of large crowd back at Darling- offs. ton - and drove straight to his hauler. Hamlin won for the fi rst time this season after entering the week seeded seventh in the 16-driver postseason CAR RACING fi eld and vowing if he kept running strongly up front, he’d reach Victory Elliott was caught in a three-wide Lane before the year ended. sandwich where he was next to the “It’s as good a time as any right?” wall. He came away with tire and brake Hamlin said in victory lane. “My fa- problems. vorite race of the year.” Larson was second for the third He looked like a comfortable winner straight time racing at Darlington. He before the top-seeded Larson charged led the most laps, 156 out of 367. up on his back bumper on the fi nal turn, He made it crazy at the end. smoke pouring out of Larson’s car. But “I didn’t want to wreck him. I just Hamlin held fi rm up near the wall to wanted to get to his outside,” Larson take the checkered fl ag said. “He did a great job, not really “He was going to have to go through making any mistakes on that last run.” me,” Hamlin said. Ross Chastain fi nished third, the Hamlin’s personal life became a only non-playoff driver among the top topic earlier this week, with the mother eight. Patrick Cantlay poses with the trophies after winning the tournament and the FedEx Cup at , on Sept. 5, in Chastain ran among the playoff cars . (AP) most of the night. He was asked what he needed to breakthrough here. “A better driver,” he chuckled. “I can go Hojgaard duplicates twin brother’s victory fast, I just can’t quite race with them.” Chastain will drive the No. 1 car for Trackhouse Racing in 2022. ATLANTA, Sept 6, (AP): The fi nal shot was a 6-iron from 218 Rahm couldn’t get enough putts to lowest score at the Tour Championship. Truex was fourth, followed by Kevin yards to 12 feet - the closest of anyone fall. The US Open champion stayed He’s still not a fan, even if it worked Harvick, , Patrick Cantlay was on the all day - that all but clinched the one- close all day, and his shot into the 18th out in his favor. All he could do was and , Chris Buescher and verge of losing his two-shot shot victory, the FedEx Cup and per- was equally special. It landed right play the hand he was dealt, and he . lead on one hole, with noth- haps even PGA Tour player of the year. next to the hole on its second bounce, played his cards perfectly. Plenty of drivers with high playoff Cantlay outlasted Bryson DeCham- rolling through to light rough just off Even more satisfying was the man- hopes left Darlington with problems, ing less than the FedEx Cup, beau in a six-hole playoff at the BMW the green. ner in which he won the last two events including two-time series cham- the $15 million prize and Championship. One week later, he held Cantlay expected him to chip in for - the six-hole playoff against DeCham- pion Busch. Soon after the start of his newfound reputation as off the No. 1 player in the world with eagle “because that’s what he does.” beau when he made one clutch putt af- stage two, the fourth-seeded Busch his one-shot victory over Rahm in the Rahm narrowly missed and shot 68, al- ter another, and delivering the key mo- was racing close with Austin Dil- “Patty Ice” on the line. Tour Championship. lowing Cantlay a safe two-putt for the ment with the FedEx Cup on the line lon when he hit the outside wall in He was clutch as ever in his big- The nickname only surfaced last win. against Rahm. turn two, slid into the inside wall and gest moment in the Tour Champi- week, and it’s starting to stick. The victory was worth $15 million - Cantlay won for the fourth time this drove straight to garage. Busch even onship. “To me, it just means cool under $14 million in cash, $1 million deferred season - no one else won more than plowed through some safety cones as Cantlay made a nervy 6-foot bogey pressure, and I think that suits my per- - for the 29-year-old Californian whose twice. One of those victories was the he left the track. putt on the 17th hole to stay one shot sonality really well,” said Cantlay, who rise in golf was slowed by a back injury Memorial, where Rahm had a six-shot Busch blamed his Toyota Camry, ahead of going to the par-5 never changed his expression until a big that kept him out for three years and lead after 54 holes and had to withdraw Denny Hamlin poses with the tro- dropping a couple of expletives about 18th hole at East Lake. Then, he hit his smile when he tapped in for birdie and nearly ended his career. because of a positive COVID-19 test phy after winning a NASCAR Cup the bad run. “We were running terrible longest drive of the week - 361 yards a 1-under 69, waving his cap to thou- Now he has stamped himself among result. Series auto race, on Sept. 5, in and we got wrecked,” said Busch, who down the middle - with Rahm already sands of fans around the green. the elite in golf, boosted by the FedEx In Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Nico- Darlington, S.C. (AP) fi nished 35th. in the fairway. It seems to suit his game, too. Cup postseason. lai Hojgaard birdied the 18th hole “It’s fantastic,” Cantlay said. “It’s to win the Italian Open, a week after such a great honor because it’s all year. identical twin I played really consistent all year and brother Rasmus caught fi re at the end. There’s a lot of won the Euro- India win 4th Test by 157 runs, lead series 2-1 satisfaction considering all the work pean Masters I’m put in my whole life.” in Switzerland LONDON, Sept. 6, (AP): India won the fourth test with a closing against by 157 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the birdie. fi ve-match series after the home side collapsed to 210 GOLF The 20-year- all out on the fi nal day at the Oval on Monday. olds Danes are Set a record 368 to win, England went from 100-0 Rahm, who started the tournament fi rst brothers to midway through the fi rst session to getting bowled four shots behind and went into the fi - win consecutive out 40 minutes after tea, sparking wild celebrations nal day two back, never caught Cantlay. European Tour among India’s players and fans inside the south Lon- He never let him breathe easy, either. Hojgaard events. don venue. Cantlay took a two-shot lead with an Hojgaard fi n- Avoiding defeat in the fi nal test at Old Trafford approach to 6 feet for birdie on the 17th ished with an even-par 71 for a 13-un- starting on Friday would see India win a test series hole, and then nearly lost it all. der 271 total on the redesigned Marco in England for just the fourth time, after 1971, 1986 He drove to the right on the 17th, Simone course just outside Rome that and 2007. clipping a tree and dropping down into will host the 2023 . Tommy deep rough, and then hit a fl yer over the Fleetwood (71) and Adrian Meronk (66) FOOTBALL green and the gallery. His pitch back were a stroke back. to the green came up short and into In Newburgh, Ind., Joseph Bram- more deep rough, and he had to make lett won the season-ending Korn Ferry On a day when almost everything went right for a 6-footer to save bogey and stay ahead. Tour Championship to top the three- Virat Kohli, India’s hyperactive captain who taunt- That set up the fi nal hole, where he event Finals points ed England supporters at times on Monday, Jasprit could only match birdies with Cantlay. standings and earn fully exempt status Bumrah was the star turn for the tourists with an in- Rahm was bogey-free over the last for the new PGA Tour season. spired spell of pace bowling (2-6 off six overs) that 28 holes, but he only cashed in on two Stephan Jaeger, who skipped the brought about the middle-order meltdown from 141- birdies. He tied with Kevin Na for the tournament, fi nished fi rst in the season- 2 to 147-6 in 36 balls. low 72-hole score of the tournament at long points standings to also earn a full Bumrah bowled Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow in 14-under 266. They will split points to- PGA Tour exemption. that spell, fi nishing with fi gures of 2-27 off 22 overs. ward the world ranking. Bramlett played the back nine in That turned a match that appeared to be heading for a Cantlay started at 10-under par as the 6-under 30 and fi nished with a 7-under draw on a docile pitch into a likely win for the Indians. No. 1 seed and fi nished at 21 under. 65 for a 20-under 268 total and four- And it was clinched when Umesh Jadav got an Cantlay started the postseason by stroke victory. edge behind off Jimmy Anderson (2). saying he did not like the format of the Fifty players earned PGA Tour India’s other victory in the series - in the second India’s Jasprit Bumrah (right), bowls to England’s Haseeb Hameed, as England’s Rory Burns looks on Tour Championship with the staggered cards, half from the three-event fi nals test at Lord’s - was also sealed in the fi nal session on the fi rst day of the 4th cricket Test between England and India at The Oval cricket ground in London, start depending on a players’ FedEx Cup standings and half from the regular- day fi ve after an England collapse. on Sept 2. (AP) position, and no offi cial victory for the season points race.