SPORT

Sunday 28 May 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Kimi on pole Tsonga clinches Argentina crave as Ferrari secure first claycourt fofor magic touch of front row title in Lyon Sampaoli Wood seals Qatar celebrate ICC title glory series win for England as team preps up for SA event Southampton AFP

Fawad Hussain ngland beat South Africa The Peninsula by just two runs to win Ethe second one-day atar's boss international at Southampton Youssef Jaham Al yesterday to take an unbeat- Kuwari has vowed to able 2-0 lead in the make the game a three-match series. Qmajor sport in the South Africa, set 331 to country, saying he will take all win, finished on 328 for five, steps possible to popularise the with mak- sport among young kids. ing 98. Al Kuwari was speaking at a The world's top-ranked gala dinner at the Doha Marriott ODI side needed 20 off the last Hotel this weekend, organised two overs when David Miller to mark Qatar’s title-triumph at (71 ) struck Jake Ball for the ICC World Cricket League a six and a four off successive Asia Division 1 earlier this month deliveries. in Thailand. Al Kuwari is the Yet with a mere 10 now President of Qatar Rugby, wanted off as many balls, Hockey and Cricket Federation South Africa saw Miller and (QRHCF). fail to score the All members of national runs they required as Ball and President of Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket Federation Youssef Jaham Al Kuwari poses for a photograph with officials and team were awarded mementos fast bowler both Picture: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula and cash prizes on the occasion. Qatar national cricket team players during a gala dinner held at the Doha Marriott Hotel on Friday. held their nerve. Besides, the event also saw a Earlier, Ben Stokes made prize distribution ceremony for Qatar won five out of their He pointed out that apart Al Kuwari’s contribution for includes Italy, Cayman Islands 101 and a dashing the Qatar Airways Cricket Tour- six matches including a crucial from the national team; the promotion of the game. and Guemsey while Group B 65 not out as England posted nament 2017. game against title rivals Saudi cricket body was also facing “We are very thankful to the comprises Jersey, Vanuatu and a total of 330 for six after los- While congratulating the Arabia to win the championship. general challenges for the pro- president for his continuous Ghana with one team from Euro- ing the toss. national team, Youssef Jaham The triumph saw their promo- motion of the game in support for cricket. We have all pean qualifiers also to join the The series, a warm-up for said the team displayed remark- tion to ICC World League country. his backing and this gives moti- group. the Champions Trophy tour- able performance throughout the Division 5 tournament to be held “We lack facilities and we vation to do well,” said Ahmed. Qatar will take on Cayman nament in England and Wales tournament to capture the first in South Africa in September. have other challenges also. But “Since our next challenge is Islands in their opening match that starts next week, con- International Cricket Council “The team has a lot of chal- this game has a potential to the ICC tournament in South on September 3. The Al Anabi cludes at Lord's on Monday. (ICC) title for Qatar. lenges ahead. The South Africa grow in the country and we will Africa, we will give the best pos- will play their second match “Our national team showed tournament is another impor- take every possible steps to sible preparation to the national against Italy on September 4 SCOREBOARD tremendous progress and all the tant test for the team. But, I am make it one of the major sports team," he said. before taking on Guemsey in ENGLAND members of Qatar team deserve confident if Qatar play with the of the country,” he said. It may be mentioned that their last group match which is J Roy b Rabada ...... 8 the praise for their achieve- same dedication they can On the occasion, Manzoor Qatar have been placed in Group scheduled on September 6. The A Hales c de Kock b Pretorius ...... 24 ment,” Al Kuwari said while achieve positive results in this Ahmed, the Manager Cricket A in the ICC World League Divi- final of the tournament penciled J Root (run out) ...... 39 addressing the ceremony. tournament,” Al Kuwari said. Operations, praised President sion 5 competition, which also in on September 9. E Morgan c de Kock b Rabada ...... 45 B Stokes c Miller b Maharaj ...... 101 J Buttler (not out) ...... 65 M Ali c de Kock b Phehlukwayo ...... 33 Pakistan chase big total Extras (B-1, LB-6, W-8) ...... 15 Sangakkara hits fifth consecutive century Total (for 6 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 330 Fall of : 1-12, 2-70, 3-80, 4-175, MOST CENTURIES IN CONSECUTIVE 5-252, 6-330. to win warm-up match FIRST-CLASS INNINGS : Rabada 10-0-50-2 (4w); Morris 10-0-66-0 (2w); Pretorius 10-0-61-1; Maha- DG Bradman (1938-39) Agencies raj 10-0-72-1; Phehlukwayo 10-1-74-1 (2w). 341 runs, Shoaib Malik (72) and CB Fry (1901) Fahim Ashraf (64) were the top SOUTH AFRICA MJ Procter (1970-71) Q de Kock c Buttler b Ali ...... 98 akistan beat Bangladesh contributors for Pakistan. 6 H Amla c Morgan b Stokes ...... 24 by two wickets in their Pakistan will play their ormer Sri Lankan Kumar San- BC Lara (1993-94) F du Plessis c Buttler b Plunkett ...... 16 Pfirst Champions Trophy second warm-up game against gakkara brought up his double hundred ED Weekes (1955-56) A B de Villiers c Buttler b Plunkett ...... 52 2017 warm-up game played at Australia on Monday. Fyesterday while playing for Surrey against MEK Hussey (2003) D Miller (not out) ...... 71 Edgbaston yesterday. The 2017 ICC Champions 5 PA Patel (2007-08) F Behardien c Ali b Plunkett ...... 17 Essex and became the fifth batsmen to score Chasing a stubborn total Trophy starts on June 1 and the KC Sangakkara (2017) C Morris (not out) ...... 36 set up by Bangladeshi side, top eight ODI teams will be five consecutive centuries in first class cricket. Extras (LB-5, W-9) ...... 14 The left-handed batsman completed his Total (for 5 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 328 aided by a fighting century contesting in the race to win Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-93, 3-189, 4-211, which came from Tamim Iqbal the title. hundred earlier on Friday, his third in eight days, 5-266. (102), Pakistan's Hasan Ali hit Brief scores: having previously scored 136, 105, 114 and 116. Bowling: Wood 10-0-48-0 (1w); Ball 10-0- the winning runs with three Bangladesh: 341 (Tamim This was also Sangakkara’s 99th career hun- 81-0 (2w); Stokes 3-0-12-1 (2w); Plunkett

deliveries remaining in the last Iqbal 102; Junaid Khan 4 for 73) 10-0-64-3 (3w); Rashid 6-0-41-0 (1w); Ali

dred while 61st in First-Class cricket. over. Pakistan: 342 (Shoaib Malik 8-0-59-1; Root 3-0-18-0. In chase of Bangladesh’s 72, Fahim Ashraf 64) Arsenal deny Chelsea double as Ramsey seals FA Cup

London display lacking so often, and against minute when Victor Moses received AP a side so commanding in the Premier a second yellow card for diving. League. And it might just be enough Although Diego Costa equalised rsene Wenger's turbulent year to stem the tide of protests against in the 76th, bringing down Willian's ended with a third FA Cup Wenger, with the record 13-time FA lofted ball on his chest and strik- Asuccess in four seasons after Cup winners yet to announce a new ing past David Ospina, Arsenal was Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to deny the contract for the 67-year-old French- back in front inside three English Premier League champion man for next season. minutes. a double yesterday. The good fortune Arsenal have Ramsey was left unmarked to Wenger became the competi- desperately needed came in front of meet Olivier Giroud's dinked pass tion's most successful manager with almost 90,000 fans at the cup final. by N'Golo Kante, who uncharacter- a seventh title in his 21-year reign, When Alexis Sanchez put the ball istically failed to track the triumphs that have papered over in the net after four minutes, it was midfielder. And just like in 2014, some of the cracks as Arsenal has initially disallowed when Aaron Ram- Ramsey was Arsenal's cup final repeatedly come up short in the sey was adjudged to be interfering match-winner. Premier League and Champions with play while offside. But the deci- Arsenal heads into an uncertain League. sion by Anthony Taylor's assistant offseason, with the club out of the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Danny Welbeck celebrate with the FA Cup Just as the season reached its was overturned by the referee. Champions League next season trophy after defeating Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium in Londonyesterday. climax at Wembley Stadium, Arse- Arsenal even had the luxury of after a fifth-place finish in the Pre- nal turned in the type of tenacious a man advantage from the 68th mier League. SPORT 28 MAY 2017 SUNDAY 25 Kimi on pole as Ferrari secure front row Nine-year drought here for today. Bottas, who will carry Mercedes hopes of pre- Ferrari veteran venting a Ferrari triumph, added: Raikkonen rolls back "It was a really good lap for me. the years to end This is one of the most mentally- nine-year pole demanding circuits and am glad drought. Vettel I felt support from the fans and qualifies alongside appreciated it. the 37-year-old Finn "It has been a tricky week- end for us. We lost some valuable on the front row. practice on Thursday, in FP2, and it was difficult to get a lap time -- and Lewis had problems with Monaco traffic." AFP Dutch teenager Max Verstap- MONACO GRAND PRIX pen took fourth place ahead of imi Raikkonen his Red Bull team-mate Daniel The starting grid for today's Monaco Grand secured his first pole Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz of Toro Prix after qualifying yesterday:- for nine years and Rosso, Sergio Perez of Force 1st row Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Ferrari a first front India and Romain Grosjean of Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) row lockout at the Haas. Briton Jenson Button, back 2nd row KMonaco Grand Prix since 2008 from retirement to replace Fern- Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) after qualifying for Formula ando Alonso who is racing in the Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull One's glamour race yesterday. Indianapolis 500, was ninth for 3rd row The Italian team's domina- Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen competes during the third practice session at the McLaren ahead of his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) tion that left Stoffel Vandoorne. Monaco street circuit, yesterday in Monaco, ahead of today's Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) struggling to take 14th for Mer- Button has a 15-place grid 4th row cedes sparked celebration from penalty for engine replacements Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) the tifosi perched on terraces That left him 0.043 seconds good, but here it is all about the "The opportunity was not there and that is expected to lift Ham- Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) below the Monegasque palace. ahead of the world champion- fine details." for me today," he said. "I just ilton up to 13th. 5th row As softly-spoken Raikkonen ship leader and three-time "I don't know what was struggled with the car. "I'm happy enough with Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) savoured his first pole since the champion Vettel who in turn was wrong there," said Vettel of Mer- "I don't really know what to that," said Button. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 2008 French Grand Prix, just just two-thousandths of a sec- cedes' problems. "But this is one say at the moment. I'm deflated, "My one and only qualifying 6th row weeks after he had been second ond faster than third-placed of my highlights of the season - but will keep pushing session this year and I'm ninth - Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) behind Felipe Massa on the Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes. to race at Monaco. It is a difficult tomorrow. but I start 20th!" Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) Monte Carlo grid, Hamilton The Finn's Mercedes team- one to get right, but if you do, it "That's pretty much the Hamilton failed to make it 7th row knew he faced a daunting chal- mate, three-time champion is great..." weekend done. Tomorrow I will out of Q2 when he was deprived Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) lenge in today's classic 78-laps Hamilton, who is six points Like Raikkonen, Vettel just be driving around in what- of a late clean lap in the dying Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) race around the Mediterranean behind Vettel in the title race, stressed that he and the 'iceman' ever position. I will try to get into seconds. 8th row street circuit. failed to make the cut for the top would be free to race and not the top 10, but it will be a nice Hamilton's hopes were Estéban Ocon (FRA/Force India) The 37-year-old Finn had ten shootout, qualifying 14th constrained by team orders, in Sunday drive I imagine." ruined when Belgian Stoffel Van- Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) not taken pole for 128 races, but after a miserable afternoon. advance, at the first corner. "We History may encourage doorne went into the barriers at 9th row dominated the afternoon's action "Obviously, it's great," said a are here to race," said the Ger- Hamilton, but it is unlikely. the Swimming Pool exit, yellow Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) to clock a fastest lap of one mumbling and taciturn Raikko- man. Raikkonen, obediently, Frenchman Olivier Panis's flags flying. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) minute and 12.178 seconds, a nen afterwards, showing little reminded reporters that both 1996 victory from 14th on the "That's me out, right?" said 10th row

new record for the circuit and emotion. men raced for the same team grid for Ligier came in a madcap Hamilton, deprived of a clean lap Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) an endorsement of the speed of "We'll try to make the best of - Ferrari. race run in a deluge and not and condemned to qualify 14th, Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) this season's new era machines. it tomorrow... Yes, of course it is Hamilton was crestfallen. under the blue skies forecast one of five men eliminated.

Park seizes Celliphine Chespol of Kenya in Lee, Kisner lead action at the 43rd Prefontaine two-stroke Classic at Hayward Field on Friday. The Kenyan won the LPGA lead women's steeplechase wit a Colonial logjam timing of 8:58.78. Chicago Los Angeles Casey (66) and American Sean AFP AFP O'Hair (68) are tied for fifth at five under 135. outh Korean rookie Park ew Zealand's Danny Lee Northern Ireland's Graeme Sung-Hyun fired a and red-hot Kevin Kis- McDowell is alone in ninth, two Sseven-under par 65 on Nner were in a four-way shots adrift. Tony Finau shot a Friday to take a two-stroke tie for the lead halfway through 65 and climbed into contention lead midway through the the PGA Tour's Colonial as an and into 10th place. LPGA Volvik Championship already crowded leaderboard First-round co-leader Kelly in Ann Arbor, Michigan. got more congested on Kraft stumbled to a 73 and is Park fired six of her eight Friday. tied for 12th in a pack of nine birdies on the back nine on Lee fired a six-under 64 and golfers that includes Spieth, the way to a 12-under par American Kisner shot his sec- Stewart Cink (70) and Kevin total of 132 and a two-shot ond straight 67 to move into a Tway (70), all four strokes back. lead over Australian Minjee tie with Webb Simpson (66) and Lee's round featured seven Lee and Norway's Suzann Scott Piercy (66) for a one-shot birdies and a bogey and was the Pettersen. Lee carded a six- lead at six-under 134. low round of the day. under 66 and Pettersen But there is no time to relax "I was hitting the ball very signed for a 67. as a strong field that includes nicely today," said Lee, a Kiwi Chespol stoops to conquer, "I started birdie-birdie on several major winners is nip- from Rotorua on the North the first two holes and after ping at their heels. Island. "I had strong finish, and that I kind of lost it a little bit," Windy conditions helped that's what I need to have car- said Park, who parred seven create the logjam at the top with rying over the next couple Dibaba fails in record bid straight holes before picking 21 players within five shots of the days." up a stroke at the 10th to start leaders after the first two rounds Kisner continued his superb a run of three birdies in a row. at the Colonial Country Club play this season as his round Eugene, US straight to finish in 8min distant second in 14:36.80 while "From that point on, I course in Fort Worth, Texas. included four birdies and a AFP 58.78sec. Only the Kenyan-born Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands think my putting kind of came Reigning Masters champion Ser- bogey on No. 17. Kisner's only Jebet of Bahrain, the world was third. In the long jump, 2012 back alive," added Park, who gio Garcia (66) and two-time PGA Tour victory came by an eenaged Kenyan star Cel- record holder with 8:52.78, has Olympic champion Brittney notched seven victories on major winner and defending impressive six shots in 2015, but liphine Chespol recovered run faster. Reese of the United States the Korean LPGA tour last champ Jordan Spieth (68) are he has been knocking on the Tfrom a lost shoe to win the "It was difficult but I try my posted a world-leading leap of year. within striking distance heading door with six runner-up fin- 3,000m steeplechase with the best. I'm happy of course," 7.01 metres (23 feet) for victory. Although she leads the into the weekend. ishes in his career, including the second fastest time in history at Chespol said afterwards. Reese's jump handed her vic- Rookie of the Year race with Garcia and fellow Spaniard 2017 Arnold Palmer the Prefontaine Classic Diamond Chespol's outstanding per- tory over 2016 Olympic gold three top-four finishes, she Jon Rahm (69), England's Paul Invitational. League meeting on Friday. formance was the highlight of medallist and compatriot Tianna doesn't feel she has played to Chespol, still just 18, stormed the opening night of the two-day Bartoletta, who could only man- her potential on the LPGA to victory after a thrilling duel event, which resumes today age a best of 6.83m. Britain's Tour this season. with Olympic champion and with a star-studded Lorraine Ugen was third with a "I've definitely felt the world record holder Ruth Jebet programme. jump of 6.78m. pressure and that's probably and fellow Kenyan Beatrice In the night's other main The women's javelin mean- one of the biggest reasons Chepkoech over the closing laps race, the women's 5000m, Ethi- while saw a victory for Belarus's why I haven't performed up at Eugene's Hayward Field. opia's Genzebe Dibaba failed in Tatsiana Khaladovich, who to my standards this year," Chespol's hopes of a win her bid to better the world topped a strong field which she said. looked to have evaporated when record of 14:11.15 set by her sis- included 2016 Olympic gold "This week I'm able to let she stumbled on the water jump ter Tirunesh in 2008. medallist Sara Kolak of Croatia things go a little bit more and on the penultimate lap, appear- Dibaba, the 1,500m world and Czech world record holder play my game." ing to lose her shoe as Jebet and champion, was racing against Barbora Spotakova. Lee teed off early and Chepkoech pulled ahead. the clock for the final five laps Khaladovich claimed victory notched a season-low 66 that Despite stooping to adjust after leaving the pack behind with her opening throw of the had her atop the leaderboard her footwear, the teenager but could only finish in 14:25.22, night, a 66.30m effort which for much of the day. regained her composure and well outside the world record, was more than a metre further Pettersen was surprised Kevin Kisner plays his shot from the 12th tee during round clawed back the lost ground and her own personal best of than her closest rival, China's Liu to find herself at 10-under before producing a devastating 14:15.41 set in 2015. Shiying, who finished second given how little she has two of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational at Colonial Country burst of speed up the home Lilian Rengeruk was a with 65.21m. played this year. Club in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017

FRENCH OPEN Order of play on the show courts on day one of Top men's contenders Tsonga wins Lyon final the today (all matches first round, times GMT, prefix numbers denote seeding): Court Philippe Chatrier (play starts at 0900): at 2017 French Open (US) vs 15-Petra Kvitova (Czech Re- public) for first claycourt title 1- (Germany) vs Ekaterina (BRITAIN) Makarova (Russia) Born: May 15, 1987 (Age 30) Stephane Robert (France) vs 11- Height: 1.91 metres (Bulgaria) Strasbourg WTA Plays: Righthanded 16- (France) vs Stosur holds her (France) World ranking: 1 Australian Court Suzanne Lenglen (0900) titles: 3 (US Open 2012, Wimbledon 2013, 2016) ATP match record in 2017 (won-lost): 16-7 one ranking by (Argentina) vs The Scot comes into the French Open battling a dip in form that has beating compatriot (France) Christina McHale (US) vs 8- seen him fail to reach the quarter-finals in five of the eight tournaments Gavrilova to win the (Russia) he has played this year. Murray admits he has at times lacked motiva- Strasbourg WTA title. 6- (Austria) vs tion since becoming world number one in November, but with Ivan (Australia) Lendl back in tow as coach he will be keen to rediscover his touch on clay 10- (US) vs Qiang Wang (China) and make a decent stab at claiming a first title at Roland Garros. Paris Court One (0900): Reuters Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain) v 26-Gilles Muller (Luxembourg) (SERBIA) (Argentina) v Born: May 22, 1987 (Age 30) o-Wilfried Tsonga polished his Height: 1.88 metres preparation for the French (France) Plays: Righthanded JOpen in style by claiming his (Italy) v Oceane Dodin (France) maiden claycourt title, beating (Spain) v 6-Dominika Cibulkova World ranking: 2 (Slovakia) Grand Slam titles: 12 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6(2,) 7-5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Lyon Open final 2016, French Open 2016, Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, US Open 2011, of France in action yesterday. 2015) at the Lyon Open. The second-seeded French- ATP match record in 2017 (won-lost): 20-6 man, who was playing his first Recent results indicate the defending champion is returning to something final on the red dirt, held serve approaching his best after a months-long dip in form caused by injuries throughout and broke decisively to the Frenchman's service. Stosur, 33, has held the top and a lack of confidence. The appointment of Andre Agassi as Djokovic's in the last game to clinch his 15th The Czech had to set points at ranking for 450 weeks and would coach for the French Open has fuelled the mood of optimism around the ATP title. 5-4, 40-15 on Tsonga's serve, but have lost it if she fell to Moscow- Serb, who reached the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, the semi-finals in Tsonga's victory on the eve of like he did all week, Tsonga born Gavrilova. Madrid, and the final of the Italian Open in the build-up to Roland Garros. the claycourt major raised hopes played the big points perfectly. Stosur won the Strasbourg title that he may finally end the coun- "It was a very close match. I for a second time after 2015 to try's 34-year search for a had a very big chance at the end clinch her ninth career crown and (SWITZERLAND) homegrown male champion at of the first set when I had two set third on clay ahead of her French Born: March 28, 1985 (Age 32) Roland Garros. Yannick Noah was points, and I think that was the Open campaign which begins Height: 1.83 metres the last Frenchman to lift the Mus- key of the match," said Berdych. tomorrow against Slovak Kristina Plays: Righthanded keteers' Cup in 1983. "To win the set, it would put Kucova. World ranking: 3 Tsonga had gotten off to a me in a completely different posi- The 2011 US Open champion Grand Slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2014, French Open 2015, US Open poor start in the claycourt season, tion, but Jo was able to save that, needed 2 hours 45 minutes to get 2016) withdrawing from his second- hold that, and I didn't really cre- past 23-year-old Gavrilova, her ATP match record in 2017 (won-lost): 16-8 round match at the Madrid ate many chances after that." doubles partner at the 2016 Rio The three-times grand slam champion is vying for a second French Open Masters before skipping the Rome Meanwhile in Strasbourg, Games, who had been bidding for Spain's serves Masters with a shoulder injury. held her Austral- her maiden WTA title. triumph in three years, after winning in 2015. Wawrinka is not an obvious He seems to have recovered ian number one ranking yesterday Gavrilova had been bidding to during a practice session on favourite this year but, at 32, the wily Swiss is one of the best well as he produced a solid per- by beating compatriot Daria be the first new Australian number the eve of the first round of the players on the tour, winning a title a year on the surface since 2013. Rivals formance against third seed Gavrilova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win the one since held French Open tennis tournament can take some comfort from his indifferent clay-court season so far this Berdych, who never found the key Strasbourg WTA title. the top spot in October, 2008. in Paris, yesterday. year, with early exits in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Rome.

RAFAEL NADAL (SPAIN) Born: June 3, 1986 (Age 30) Wawrinka storms back to win in Geneva Height: 1.85 metres Plays: Lefthanded World ranking: 4 Stan Wawrinka of Geneva Zverev, 29, had been bid- Grand Slam titles: 14 (Australian Open 2009, French Open 2005, 2006, Switzerland raises the AFP ding for his maiden tour title 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, Wimbledon 2008, 2010, US the 33rd-ranked player's first trophy after winning the Open 2010, 2013) op seed Stan Wawrinka final appearance in seven Geneva Open ATP 250 ATP match record in 2017 (won-lost): 36-6 defended his Geneva clay- years. Tennis tournament, in court title yesterday, Meanwhile, of Back to his best after a long injury layoff, Nadal is clear favourite to claim Geneva, yesterday. T rallying for a set down to see off the Netherlands won Nurem- his 10th French Open crown after a blistering start to 2017. The Spaniard German outsider berg's WTA clay-court has been near invincible on clay, taking titles in Rome, Barcelona, and 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. tournament for the second year Madrid, before his 17-match winning streak ended in defeat to Austria's The Swiss player's first tro- in a row after her 6-2, 6-1 vic- Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. phy of the season gives the tory over Barbora Krejcikova in 32-year-old world number three yesterday's final. (GERMANY) a boost ahead of the French The 25-year-old Bertens, Born: April 20, 1997 (Age 20) Open -- which he won in 2015 ranked 19th in the world, was Height: 1.98 metres -- and where he opens against never troubled by the Czech Plays: Righthanded Slovak Jozef Kovalik Republic's Krejcikova. World ranking: 10 tomorrow. Bertens needed just 56 min- Grand Slam titles: 0 After losing the first set to utes to wrap up the title without ATP match record in 2017 (won-lost): 27-9 qualifier Zverev,the older losing a single set in any of her The young German is in the most successful spell of his fledgling career brother of Alexander Zverev five matches and which she adds and broke into the top 10 this week after beating Novak Djokovic in the who stunned Novak Djokovic in to her victory at Nuremberg last the Rome Masters final, three- year. final of the Italian Open. Just 20 and having also won titles in Montpellier time Grand Slam winner Her third WTA win is the and Munich this year, Zverev is in pole position to become the first player Wawrinka needed 2 hours 20 perfect build-up to the French from 'generation next' to win a grand slam. minutes to seal victory. Open, which starts today. China to play South Korea in final

Gold Coast, Australia Japan took China all the way Solgyu and Chae Yoo Jung in 41 AFP with wins in the mixed doubles minutes. All the pressure was on through Yuta Watanabe and Korea's men's singles spearhead efending champions 21-12, 14-21, Son Wan Ho, but he came China will face three- 21-19 over China's through to overcome Suppanyu Dtime winners South and and in the Avihingsanon, 18-21, 21-10, Korea in the final of the mixed women's singles with Akane 21-17. Choi Solgyu and Seo teams Sudirman Cup after fight- Yamaguchi over Sun Yu 21-17, Seung Jae were too strong for a ing off a stern Japanese 21-15. deflated Dechapol Puavar- challenge at Australia's Gold Dual Olympic and five-time anukroh and in the Coast yesterday. world champion fought men's doubles 21-13, 21-16, leav- The 10-time winners needed off Kenta Nishimoto 21-19, 21-16 ing it all on victory in the fifth match by in the men's singles while Li Jun- in the women's singles to keep women's doubles pair Chen hui and took out the Thailand alive in the tie's fourth Qingchen and to seal a men's doubles 23-21, 21-16 over match. 3-2 win over the 2015 finalists and Keigo The Thai however was way Japan. Sonoda. below her best, unable to stick Chen and Jia prevailed 21-12, Sung Ji Hyun defeated in the rallies that Sung forced 21-19 over the Japanese duo Ratchanok Intanon in the fourth her into. and Ayaka match of the semi-final tie 21-13, "It is just amazing," South Takahashi after a 49-minute 21-17 to clinch passage to the Korean head coach Kang Kyung tussle. final for South Korea. Jin said. South Korea, who beat "We've made history. This China for their last Sudirman and year our team was called weak. Chen Qingchen (right) and Jia Yifan of China celebrate their victory in the women's doubles Cup title in Eindhoven in 2003, gave the Thais the opening At the last minute our senior won the other semi-final 3-1 match winning their mixed dou- men's doubles players left the Sudirman Cup match against Misaki Matsutomo and of Japan at the Gold Coast over Thailand. bles, 21-16, 21-12 against Choi team. Sports Centre, yesterday. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 SPORT 27 Hamroun proud to stay Argentina crave for with Al Sadd 'family'

Chinthana Wasala magic touch of Sampaoli The Peninsula l Sadd star Jugurtha Ham- Aroun (pictured) said that he is proud to Buenos Aires a playoff against the winners of stay with the Al Sadd AFAFPP the Oceania region. club, the reigning Emir Messi is one of the world's Cup and Qatar Cup rgentinargentina hope their biggest soccer stars, but his glory champions. newnew coaccoachh Jorge Sam- days with Barcelona have coin- The Algerian star, paoli'spaoli's magicma touch, cided with a dark period for his who was on-loan from along withwith returning national team. Romanian club Steaua strikerstriker LionelLio Messi's Argentina have won only one Bucharest, inked a new magicmAagic skills, will spirits them of eight World Cup 2018 qualifi- contract with Al Sadd, pleasure to have won the trust through a rocky qualifyingquali cam- ers played without him, compared extending his stay until 2019. of the club management, play- ppaignaign to the 2018 WWorldo Cup. to five out of six won with him on Speaking to the club website, ers and fans,” Hamroun said. SampaoliSampaoli moved a step closer the pitch. Hamroun said: “I am very Hamroun made a huge toto taking over the vacvacanta position The national side's malaise happy and proud to stay with impact for Al Sadd in his as Argentina coach ono Friday as is a mystery at first glance, given the Al Sadd family, who I’ve maiden season with the side, his current club side Sevilla said their star quality with various played and won titles within scoring the winning goals in itit had reached a dealdea with the players in top European clubs. this season.” both Qatar Cup and Emir Cup AArgentinergentine Football AAssociation But the team has been The 28-year-olf attacking finals. (AFA).(AFA). undermined by a broader crisis midfielder who has played in “I hope that in the next two InIn one yyearear at Sevilla he afflicting the Argentina game, France, Bulgaria, Turkey and years, I can achieve all that eve- coached them to an impressive tangled up with politics and a Romania before wearing the ryone expects of me. I thank the fourthfourth placeplace in theth Spanish power struggle in the AFA man- Wolves’ jersey, went on to management once again for this league,league, behibehindn the might agement that broke out in 2014. thank the club management for huge trust,” He said. ofof Real Madrid,M Bar- Argentina's World Cup hero their confidence in him and for Earlier this week, Al Sadd celonacelona anand Atletico Diego Maradona last year extending his contract. also signed Qatari international Madrid.Madrid. branded the AFA's management “I promise more success midfielder Khoukhi Boualem NowNow he is leav- a "mafia." The federation in with the team and I will give and their leading goalscorer inging SevSevillai fans and March picked new executives everything I have to give my best Bagdad Bounjah to a new long managementmanage dis- tasked with ending the in the upcoming period. It is my term deals. gruntledgruntled aand coming turmoil. backback to his hhome coun- Sampaoli faces a big chal- trytry just wwhenhe it needs lenge at the helm of an Argentina him.him. team widely regarded, despite Totti set to start on bench "I alwaysalways dreameddreamed of (coach- its ranking, as playing an ugly ing) the national team,"team Sampaoli, game and relying on the outsize 57,57, said recently.recently. talent of Messi for wins. for Roma swansong "I want to get backbac to talent The team needs a morale and the art of dribbling,dribblin in order boost after a difficult 2016, when Asiago, Italy "What kind of party will it to movemove forward."forward." Messi threatened to quit the AFP be if we don't get the three Argentina will bebe grateful if squad after they lost on penal- points? We have to think about he just gets them on tthe plane to ties to Chile in the Copa America oma coach Luciano Spal- winning first and foremost." Russia 2018. Centenario final. letti said securing a win, A second-place finish will InIn March they lookedlook like they That crisis prompted then- Rand not giving Francesco guarantee Roma a place in the riskedrisked failingfailing to ququalifya for the coach Gerardo Martino to quit Totti a full game on his swan- group stages of next season's World CuCupp for the firfirsts time since and be replaced by Edgardo song, remains the priority in Champions League, but would 1970.1970. Bauza, who was fired last month. their final match of the season represent their ninth runners- That was after a humiliatingh Sampaoli will start his reign at home to Genoa. up spot since winning the defeat to Bolivia and Messi'sM four- with friendlies against Brazil on A sold-out Stadio Olimpico Serie A title for the last time, match suspension forfo swearing June 9 in Australia and against is set to bid farewell to iconic in 2001. at a rreferee.eferee. Singapore on June 13. club captain Totti, 40, when he But Spalletti, who has been TheThe ban has sincsincee been lifted The latest Argentina lineup brings his 25-season career linked to the vacant coach's andand the two-time worldwor champi- announced by the AFA notably with Roma to an end today. position at Inter Milan follow- ons -- ranked numbnumbere two in the excludes Manchester City star But with second spot up for ing the recent sacking of worldworld byby FIFA -- facefac an uphill Sergio Aguero, but includes a grabs in Serie A, and third- Stefano Pioli, said he won't rain struggle,struggle, in fifth placepla in their potential rising star, Inter Milan placed Napoli only a point on Totti's parade. qualifyingqualifying group.group. goalscorer Mauro Icardi. further behind before they travel "He will play a good portion Argentina face fourfo further Sampaoli has top credentials, to Sampdoria, Spalletti said Tot- of the game, the most impor- WWorldorld Cup qualifyqualifyingi games, having coached Chile to a Copa ti's needs come second. tant part," he added. startingstarting with a sternstern test away America title in 2015 -- beating As he has done for most of Before Sunday's outing, to Uruguay in August.Au Messi's Argentina in the final. this season, Spalletti is set to Totti has racked up 784 appear- OnlyOnly the toptop four qual- The manager has coached start Totti on the bench and give ances for Roma, 618 of which ifyify automaticautomaticallya for the several teams in Ecuador, Peru the club legend a substitute's have been in Serie A. tournament in Russia next and Chile, but never a top-league appearance in the second half. Although Roma won only yyearear with fifth-placefifth-pla earning Argentine side. "The biggest threat for us one of their three league titles tomorrow are the distractions in Totti's time at the club, he has Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli caused by the game," Spalletti scored 307 goals for Roma, 250 told media yesterday. of which came in Serie A. Sao Paulo dominate Aspire Academy Tri-Series in Doha

The Peninsula five goals in three matches. make use of Aspire Academy’s teams. The number of teams that Meanwhile, Aspire Academy’s incredible facilities. When it have visited Aspire Academy to razilian Club Sao Paulo Elite team made up of players comes to long-term youth devel- take part in competitions has dominated the final games born in 1999 achieved second opment, Aspire Academy is grown steadily since it was Bas Aspire Academy’s Tri- place, just one point behind Sao definitely on the right track and launched in 2012. This year, over Series has drawn to a close after Paulo with FA Thailand trailing we wish them the best of luck for 35 foreign clubs and federations a thrilling week, concluding yet in third. German side VfB Stutt- the future.” took part. another hugely successful year gart achieved second place in Valero Garcia, Thailand FA Participating teams are care- of competition. their age group. U-17 head coach, added: “Tak- fully selected by Aspire Academy The annual series of weekly Competing against different ing part in this competition has based on a thorough evaluation competitions that run through- teams from all over the world been very good for all the teams, of the standard of youth devel- out the year features youth teams provides Aspire Academy’s youth particularly for us and for the opment programmes in their from all over the world compet- teams with ideal learning oppor- teams from Aspire Academy. own countries, their profile and ing against teams from Aspire tunities as well as exposure to Competing against a team from backgrounds. Academy. different footballing styles and Brazil is great experience. Brazil Aspire Academy aims to Visiting teams Sao Paulo FC competition experience. In this is a footballing giant – and it is involve their student-athletes in and FA Thailand took part in last way, the Tri-Series tournament very clear why, based on the competitions against some of the week’s competition, playing is an integral part of the work quality of their youth players. best teams in the world, giving against Aspire Academy’s youth Aspire Academy does to realise Their performance was very them the opportunity to learn teams in three age groups – play- its vision of becoming the world's impressive. Competitions like from as many different football- ers born in 1999, 2000 and 2001. leading sports academy for the this are very useful for us ing styles and systems as A team from VfB Stuttgart (Ger- development of youth athletes coaches in enabling us to take possible. Young players in action during the Aspire Academy’s Tri-Series many) also took part, competing by 2020. stock, evaluate our approach and Major football clubs such as against a youth team from Aspire Commenting on their partic- look at opportunities for further which concluded in a successful manner recently. Liverpool FC (England), Paris St- Academy made up of players ipation in the tournament, development.” Germain (France), Ajax born in 2001. Rudolfo Pinheiro Canavesi, On the sidelines of the foot- as well as from the Qatar Foot- provides coaches at Aspire Acad- Amsterdam (Netherlands), Zenit Sao Paulo dominated the Youth Team Manager at Sao ball matches, coaches from the ball Federation who are emy with a useful benchmark St. Petersburg (Russia), Nagoya final games, with its teams win- Paulo, said: “We’d like to thank visiting clubs also shared their encouraged to participate. against which to evaluate and Grampus (Japan), Esperance de ning in all three age groups. Sao Aspire Academy for inviting us expertise on a range of football- The Tri-Series was estab- compare the Academy’s student- Tunis (Tunisia) and Palmeiras Paulo player Anthony Matheus to participate in this wonderful related topics, philosophies and lished in 2012. Since then, it has athletes’ performance. (Brazil) as well as national youth won the tournament’s Most Val- tournament. Our team played coaching methods. These knowl- played a vital role in the devel- Each season, the Tri-Series teams from Canada, Thailand uable Player award for those against some brilliant opponents, edge-sharing sessions benefit opment of the youth teams at attracts club teams, national and Denmark also took part in born in 1999 and 2000, scoring and they were very happy to coaches from Aspire Academy Aspire Academy. The Tri-Series youth teams and other academy the tournament.