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Monday, June 3, 2019 MOTORCYCLING Ramadan 29, 1440 AH Ducati’s Petrucci GULF TIMES takes fi rst MotoGP win at Mugello SPORT Page 7

2019 ICC WORLD CUP Inspired Bangladesh add to ’s agony Mushfiqur and Shakib in record partnership as Bangladesh post 330; Mustafizur scalps three to restrict Proteas to 309

Reuters But South Africa, who lost to London hosts England at the same venue on Thursday, were unable to keep the brakes on and continued to angladesh piled up their leak runs right to the end of the highest one-day in- innings. ternational total and Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten bowled superbly to up- 46 and Mosaddek Hossain scored setB South Africa by 21 runs in the 26 runs off 20 balls as Bangladesh Cricket World Cup at The Oval smashed 54 runs off the last four yesterday. overs. It was a major scalp for Bang- “It was one of our top innings. ladesh, underlining their reputa- We’ve had some previous upsets tion as dangerous outsiders at the but this is a World Cup where we tournament, while South Africa really want to do well,” said man- slumped to their second succes- of-the-match Shakib. sive defeat. “It’s the way we wanted to Mushfi qur Rahim and Shakib Al start, you cannot get better than Hasan put together a record part- that.” nership as Bangladesh made 330 South Africa had gambled on for six after being put into bat. putting Bangladesh, four places That meant South Africa below them in the ODI rankings, needed to pull off the highest run into bat and hoping to bounce chase in World Cup history, but them out cheaply with their pace they ended on 309 for eight and attack but that fell fl at on a docile with their next game against In- , and was exacerbated by a dia on Wednesday, their chances hamstring injury to Lungi Ngidi. of making the semi-fi nals are al- The fast bowler left the fi eld Bangladesh’s (right) celebrates the wicket of South Africa’s JP Duminy during the 2019 ready under threat. after bowling just four overs and ICC Cricket World Cup match at The Oval in London yesterday. (Reuters) is a doubt for Wednesday. It was one of our top “Nothing went to plan and I Scorecard innings. We’ve had some feel we are fi ring at only 50 to previous upsets but this 60% of our potential,” said losing is a World Cup where we . BANGLADESH (Mithun), 5-250 (Rahim), 6-316 C. Morris c Sarkar b Rahman 10 ‘ South Africa’s target was a T. Iqbal c De Kock b Phehlukwayo (Hossain) K. Rabada 13 really want to do well tough one and after Quinton de — , 16 Bowling: Ngidi 4-0-34-0; Rabada I. Tahir not out 10 Kock departed, Aiden Markram Man of the Match S. Sarkar c De Kock b Morris 42 10-0-57-0 (3w); Phehlukwayo (45) was bowled by Shakib to 10-1-52-2 (3w); Morris 10-0-73-2 Extras (b4, nb1, w9) 14 make the Bangladeshi all-round- Shakib Al Hasan b Tahir 75 (2w); Markram 5-0-38-0; Tahir Total (eight , 50 overs) 309 Mushfi qur and Shakib added er, playing his 199th ODI, the M. Rahim c van der Dussen b 10-0-57-2; Duminy 1-0-10-0; Fall of wickets: 1-49 (De Kock), 142 runs for the third wicket to fastest player to the double of Phehlukwayo 78 SOUTH AFRICA 2-102 (Markram), 3-147 (Du Ples- notch up Bangladesh’s highest 5,000 runs and 250 wickets. M. Mithun b Tahir 21 sis), 4-202 (Miller), 5-228 (Van der World Cup partnership in an ag- Du Plessis threatened to lead a Q. de Kock run out (Rahim) 23 Mahmudullah not out 46 Dussen), 6-252 (Phehlukwayo), gressive batting display backed successful chase but was bowled A. Markram b Shakib 45 7-275 (Morris), 8-287 (Duminy) by enthusiastic support. for 63, followed by David Miller M. Hossain c Phehlukwayo b Morris Bangladesh moved on to 217-2 (38) and Rassie van der Dus- 26 F. du Plessis b Hasan 62 Bowling: Rahman 10-0-67-3 (2w); Hasan 10-0-44-1; Saifuddin before Shakib was bowled for 75 sen (41) as South African hopes M. Hasan not out 5D. Miller c Hasan b Rahman 38 by Imran Tahir in the 36th over slipped away. 8-1-57-2 (1nb, 2w); Shakib 10-0- Extras R. van der Dussen b Saifuddin 41 while attempting a sweep shot to Mustafi zur Rahman returned (lb9, w12) 21 50-1; Mortaza 6-0-49-0; Hossain JP Duminy b Rahman 45 a full-pitched ball. the best fi gures of 3-52 but all six Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim (right) acknowledges the crowd after Total (six wickets, 50 overs) 330 6-0-38-0 (1w) Mushfi qur went for 78 not long bowlers contributed to keeping reaching a half-century (50 runs) as teammate Shakib Al Hasan looks Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Iqbal), 2-75 A. Phehlukwayo c Shakib b RESULT: Bangladesh won by after, caught on the boundary off South Africa in check with a good on during the 2019 Cricket World Cup match against South Africa at (Sarkar), 3-217 (Shakib), 4-242 Saifuddin 821 runs Andile Phehlukwayo. variety of deliveries. The Oval in London yesterday. (AFP)

BOXING Ruiz shocks Joshua for three heavyweight world titles

AFP Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) has been out his mouthguard and the ref- pion of Mexican descent. New York underestimated because of his eree waived it off while he leaned “I think Mexico has a champ in physique, but he knew what was on the ropes. every weight and now we have a at stake and how fortunate he Joshua needed medical atten- heavyweight champion. I am so nthony Joshua’s bid to was to get a second chance at a tion after the bout and did not happy,” said Ruiz. make a splash in his US world title. attend the post fi ght news con- The loss will be devastating debut ended in misery He was a late replacement for ference. for the career of Joshua who Afor the three belt heav- Jarrell Miller, who withdrew from Joshua, who won a gold medal was looking past Ruiz for a su- yweight world champion with a the bout with Joshua after failing at the 2012 Olympics, was com- perfight unification showdown stunning loss to underdog Andy three drug tests in April. ing off a nine-month layoff since with WBC champion Deontay Ruiz at Madison Square Garden “Everything is possible man. knocking out Alexander Povetkin Wilder. on Saturday. Look at me, I just made history,” in September. Together with Briton Tyson Ruiz recorded a monster upset, Ruiz said. Fury they are trying to revive the by knocking down Britain’s Josh- Joshua was knocked down for DEVASTATING LOSS sport’s prestige division but the ua four times to take the World the fi rst time in the third when Ruiz’s ambush win is being inability to get them together in Boxing Association, Internation- Ruiz hit him with a left hook hailed by some as one of the ma- the ring had left a sour taste in al Boxing Federation and World to the temple. Realizing he had jor upsets in heavyweight his- the mouth of boxing fans. Boxing Organisation titles. the champ in trouble, Ruiz then tory, ranking with 42-1 underdog One of the fi rst to pile on The 29-year-old Ruiz came charged forward and got the sec- Buster Douglas knocking out Joshua was Wilder who tweeted, into the fi ght as a massive 32-1 ond knockdown by connecting Mike Tyson in 1990 and Leon “He wasn’t a true champion. His underdog. But he won it by TKO Andy Ruiz Jr (third from right) celebrates with his team after winning the WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO on a straight right. Spinks’ 15-round split decision whole career was consistent of in the middle of the seventh world heavyweight titles bout against Anthony Joshua (left) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Joshua got up at the count of over Muhammad Ali in 1978. lies, contradiction and gifts.... when the referee stopped it at Saturday. (Reuters) eight but it was late in the round “We did an upset, just exactly now we know who was running 1:26 of the round after the fourth and he was saved by the bell. what I have been saying from all from who!!!!” knockdown. real,” Ruiz said. pared to 250 for his most recent from the fi rst knockdown early in “The speed got him,” said Ruiz. the people that doubted me, I Fury was less critical, tweeting Ruiz, sent to the canvas once Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) had a fi ght. the third. Ruiz was the fi rst to go to the just proved them wrong,” Ruiz “We have our back and Forth’s himself, knocked Joshua down massive height and reach advan- Ruiz, who has won four fi ghts “Riuz won fair and square but mat when he got hit by a left hook said. but @anthonyfj oshua changed twice in the third round and tage as he weighed in at a chis- in a row, looked fearless and I know Anthony Joshua’s work from Joshua earlier in the third. Ruiz, who was born in San Di- his stars through life, heavy- twice more in the seventh. elled 247 pounds (112.4 kilos) poised while Joshua — who de- ethic. Great fi ghters come back Joshua got up after the third ego and carries a US passport, weight boxing. These things “I still can’t believe it. I am still alongside the portly Ruiz, who livered 21 knockouts in his 22 vic- and improve,” said Joshua’s pro- knockdown and fourth knock- considers himself Mexican and is happen, rest up, recover, regroup pinching myself to see if this is beefed up to 268 pounds com- tories — never seemed to recover moter Eddie Hearn. downs in the seventh but he spat now the fi rst heavyweight cham- and come again.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, June 3, 2019 CRICKET WORLD CUP

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Kohli hurts thumb Wood in picture for in training, no serious issue

IANS run-machine looked in discom- Southampton, England fort. The Indians still have two more days before they play the hosts; Pakistan hope ven before India’s fi rst Proteas and the team manage- game in the World Cup, ment is confi dent that Kohli the Indian team manage- will be fi t in time for the toss on ment had a scare when Wednesday. skipperE Virat Kohli injured his The Men in Blue, tipped as thumb during a training session one of the favourites to win the at the Ageas Bowl in Southamp- World Cup, did not have an ideal to end losing streak ton yesterday. preparation for the showpiece But it has been learnt that event as they were thrashed by there is nothing to worry and New Zealand in the fi rst warm- ‘We lost in Champions Trophy and then we come back hard’ that the captain will be ready for up game. India were bowled out action against South Africa come for a mere 179 by the Black Caps Wednesday. who chased down the target with Kohli was seen walking off six wickets in hand. the ground with his right thumb However, Kohli & Co did man- dipped in ice. Before that, Team age to make a strong comeback in India physio Patrick Farhart at- their second and fi nal warm-up tie tended him and assessed the when they thrashed Bangladesh by situation. While it is unclear if 95 runs. K L Rahul and M S Dhoni Kohli hurt his thumb while bat- had scored brilliant hundreds in ting or fi elding, Farhart took all that match as India showed signs the necessary precautions as the of returning to form.

India’s Kumar eyes Lord’s return for World Cup fi nal Reuters there, so if we reach the final it Bengaluru will be a very big moment for not just me but for the whole team.” ndian seamer Bhuv- India overwhelmed Bangla- neshwar Kumar holds a desh in their final warm-up Ispecial aff ection for Lord’s match. and hopes his team can return Lokesh Rahul and Mahendra Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq (centre) takes part in a training session in Nottingham, England, on the eve of their 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match against England. (AFP) to the home of cricket for the Singh Dhoni smashed centu- World Cup final on July 14. ries as India posted a mam- Reuters that would be awesome. We just and we come back stronger, and The 29-year-old’s name was moth total of 359, sending Nottingham, England England’s Mark Wood during have to wait and see. It’s all on we have the ability to bounce etched on the Lord’s honours out a warning to their rivals nets on Saturday. (Reuters) potential.” back,” he added. board in 2014 after his spell of ahead of their tournament Archer’s World Cup debut Pakistan beat England by 6-82 along with a half-century opener against South Africa ark Wood could be has been among the early tour- eight wickets in the Champions with the bat engineered a on Wednesday. paired with Jofra nament highlights but Morgan Trophy semi-fi nal in 2017 before memorable Test victory for “We got everything we wanted Archer as England looked to temper the excitement a comprehensive victory over India over England. out of the match; when it ponder unleashing a over the 24-year-old Barbados- India in the fi nal. “I’ve been here two or three comes to batting, bowling and Mpotent pace attack on Pakistan born quick. Their recent form, however, times but I always like com- fielding,” added Kumar, who in their Cricket World Cup clash “Nobody can bowl fast every has been poor, including a 4-0 ing back to play in England,” conceded only 19 runs in his at Trent Bridge today, even as game. We have seen that with series defeat by England. Kumar said. five overs. Pakistan bowling coach Azhar our fast bowlers in the past,” the “We’ve lost 11 games in a row “It would mean a lot to get to “Chasing 350 down is a very big Mahmood sought to remind England captain added. but in the fi ve games we lost go back to Lord’s for the final task. There’s always extra belief the hosts of his team’s resilient “It’s just not possible. It’s like against Australia, we rested of the World Cup. when you go to bowl. You have performance in the Champions when you have a high-quality eight to nine players,” Mahmood “I have very good memories the liberty to try few things.” Trophy two years ago. batsman who averages over 50, told a news conference yester- The hosts may look to take a he’s not going to get 100 every day. leaf out of the West Indies’ play- game. So take every day as it “So it was young team and we book in their approach to their comes when it comes to Jofra.” were trying diff erent players, FOCUS second game of the tournament, Pakistan have lost their last 11 diff erent combinations. launching a barrage of short- ODI’s, including the World Cup “Yes, against England we lost pitched deliveries to blow Paki- opener, but Mahmood said his four games. But we were not far stan away. team is just one win away from away. We just didn’t win those SA’s Ngidi ruled out The West Indies bowled out bouncing back. crucial moments. Pakistan for a paltry 105 at Trent Mahmood is backing them to “They’ve played in England, Bridge on Friday and England come good at Trent Bridge, even so they have enough experience for up to 10 days, captain Eoin Morgan suggested though favourites and hosts and motivation to go and win the he could follow their example. England made an impressive game for Pakistan. He said it would be an “awe- start by crushing South Africa. Mahmood dismissed sugges- Amla due back some” prospect to pair Wood, “We are one win away from tions that if Pakistan win, for the who missed England’s opening coming back, and that’s what fi rst time since beating South victory over South Africa, with happened in Champions Tro- Africa in Johannesburg in Janu- Archer, who took three wickets phy,” he said. ary, it would be a major upset. in that match at The Oval, in the ing can you add a Jason Roy 180 at a rain-aff ected training ses- “We lost in Champions Tro- “We can beat them,” he said. same side for the fi rst time. to a 150 off 70 or 80 sion yesterday. phy and then we come back “It’s not an upset. We have the “It is exciting. It’s like say- balls,” the captain told reporters “It might happen. If it does hard. So whenever we have lost ability to beat them.”

BOTTOMLINE Australia to give West Indies taste

AFP ready for the West Indies match.” London There was better news on star of own medicine: Coulter-Nile batsman Amla, who missed the 21-run defeat against Bangla- Reuters and will next face the exciting plosive West Indies batting line- outh Africa pace bowler desh after being hit on the hel- Mumbai West Indies. up led by opener . Lungi Ngidi will be met by England’s in “You’ve got to give it (bounc- The former captain recently sidelined for up to 10 days Thursday’s loss to the hosts. ers) to the Windies, otherwise returned to the ODI fold and after suff ering a ham- Amla returned to bat against est Indies used they just get on the front foot proved he has lost none of his stringS strain in yesterday’s World England after initially retir- plenty of short- and pogo you everywhere,” the touch, despite approaching his Cup defeat against Bangladesh, ing hurt with concussion-like pitched deliveries 31-year-old told reporters. 40th birthday, with a 34-ball 50 but is expected to symptoms. to dismantle Paki- “We’ll defi nitely give it to against Pakistan. face India on Wednesday. He was ruled out of the Bang- Wstan in their Cricket World Cup them, we give it to every team. But with fast bowlers Mitch- Ngidi limped off the Oval pitch ladesh game as a precaution after opener but the Caribbean bats- You’ve got to use your two (per- ell Starc and Pat Cummins also after bowling just four overs in waking up feeling unwell, but men will get a taste of their own mitted bouncers per over). in the side, Coulter-Nile was Bangladesh’s innings and Proteas should recover in time to play medicine when they face cham- “The grounds are so small and confi dent Australia had the fi re- team doctor Mohamed Moosajee against India. pions Australia, fast bowler the wickets are generally pretty power to neutralise him. revealed he won’t be back for “The concussion assessments Nathan Coulter-Nile has said. fl at, so you’ve got to use bounc- “Oh Starcy will knock his off seven to 10 days. were done on Thursday and ini- A blistering Oshane Thomas- ers when you can.” pole out,” Coulter-Nile joked. That rules him out of the tially the results were inconclu- led pace attack swept Pakistan Early matches have shown “It will be easy. You know he’s must-win clash with India in sive. Then the next test showed away for a dismal 105 in under that short-pitched bowling going to hit your good balls for Southampton. he could bat,” Moosajee said. 22 overs on Friday as West In- could be a recurring theme in four and hit your bad balls for “Ngidi sustained sharp dis- “Subsequent to the match, the dies wrapped up an easy seven- England and West Indies all- six. Just keep bowling as many comfort in his left hamstring. We next day he felt some symptoms, wicket victory at Trent Bridge. rounder said his good balls as you can. decided he had a hamstring strain. so as a precaution we decided to Aaron Finch-led Australia team would take a similar ap- “I think you just need to be He will be out for week to 10 days,” rest him for this game. also notched up a convincing proach against Australia. aggressive at him. He’s still Moosajee told reporters. “The plan is to have him ready seven-wicket victory over Af- The defending champions will smacking them but he is getting “He will have a scan tomorrow for the game against India in ghanistan in Bristol on Saturday also have to contend with an ex- older. “ (Monday). We hope he can be Southampton.” Gulf Times Monday, June 3, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOCUS Pakistan need a spark to bounce back, says Misbah Pakistan’s most successful Test captain talks about his favourites for the World Cup, tournament format and Virat Kohli

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

isbah-ul-Haq still carries a calm demeanour off the fi eld, just like he did Mduring his playing days. It’s been two years since Pakistan’s most successful Test captain retired from cricket at the age of 43, and Misbah still continues to lead by example. His leadership skills helped lift Pakistan from the depths of the spot-fi xing saga in England in 2010. Now, in what he calls his second and most important innings, Misbah is on a much bigger mission. Misbah has joined hands with Pakistan Children’s Heart Foun- dation (PCHF) to establish Paki- stan’s fi rst hospital dedicated to congenital heart defects (CHD) among children. Despite his busy schedule Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was in Doha to raise these days, the former middle- awareness about his country’s first hospital dedicated to congenital order batsman, who played 75 heart defects (CHD) among children. Tests and 162 one-day interna- tionals for Pakistan, still follows They missed simplest of chances his game, skills and his fi tness. cricket like he did growing up in while fi elding, which I think is When he is on the ground, he is Mianwali. not acceptable even at Under-13 competitive because he is pas- On a recent visit to Doha to level. Pakistan’s bowling has sionate, the hunger is there and raise awareness for the hospital, always been good, but it’s the he wants to win every time. That Misbah, like any cricket con- batsmen who have done well passion gives him everything; noisseur was excited about the recently. If we can improve our that is why he is disciplined and ongoing World Cup, which began bowling and fi elding, then I think more hard-working. He wants to in England last Thursday. Pakistan has a good chance of be there till the last ball is bowled In this freewheeling interview, making it to the semis. and wants to score big in every Misbah gave his predictions on game. After scoring so many which four teams will make it to There has been much debate runs and centuries, he still has the semis. He also spoke about over the single league format the hunger and passion for the Pakistan’s chances, on why he In this March 21, 2013, picture, Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot during the fourth ODI against South Africa in Durban. (Reuters) at the World Cup, with only game and wants to do better than considers India’s Virat Kohli as ten teams playing tournament. last time. That’s the diff erence the best batsman and his opinion batting line up makes a huge dif- pressure of not winning the World (Chahal), who are attacking and Australia’s confi dence is also What do you make of it? between him and others. about single league format for ference to their favourite status. Cup is big enough, so when you wicket-taking spinners. There is high, having recently won the I personally like this format, the World Cup. They have top class batsmen reach the semis and fi nal, you have some sort of mystery too in their series in India and in the UAE because it allows a good team to Do you think Kohli is a prod- Excerpts: in their side and also they have to cope with the pressure factor spin attack. I think they have a against Pakistan. When it comes make it to the last four. Other- uct of fi erce competition in players till No. 11, who can con- and if England can successfully do balanced team and they know to handling the pressure in big wise if there is a fi rst round and Indian cricket? Which are the four teams you tribute with the bat. Then there that, they will be worthy winners. how to win the big tournaments events, I think they are the best. then you have to come to the It varies from individual to think will reach the semi- is Jos Buttler who can fi nish off and play in knockout matches. Super Eight, it’s always diffi cult individual. Some individuals are fi nals at the World Cup, and games for them. What to do you make of In- That will be an added advantage Pakistan lost to West Indies if a team loses couple of matches naturally diff erent from others who you consider as the Previously, they have strug- dia’s chances? for India. badly in their opening match. and suddenly the top team is and their upbringing also plays favourite to win the title? gled to play against spin, but India are my second favourites Do you think they can bounce out of the tournament. And you a role in it. I think that fi ght- For me, the three teams to now they have players who can to win the title. They too are Australia have found the back? don’t want that. I think it’s the ing spirit is helping him. He qualify for the semis are England, handle the . They a powerful team, considering form at the right time, having Pakistan are mentally very best possible format and I always always sets higher standards for India, Australia. The fourth team? also have good spin bowlers. Adil their recent performances and won their last nine matches, down this time. They need a liked it. In the single league sys- himself in every series. Another I don’t know honestly. It could Rashid and Moeen Ali have done strength in batting and bowling. including the opener against little bit of spark, the kind they tem, a team plays against all the component for Kohli playing be any team because there is not well for them recently and that I don’t think India ever had such Afghanistan. Do you think had when they won the Cham- other teams, and only four best well is because his basics are very much diff erence between them. adds a lot to their bowling. Now a rich bowling resources in the they can spoil England’s pions Trophy in England in 2017. qualify for the semis. It minimis- strong, which is very important. they also have (Jofra) Archer and past, especially in seam bowling. home party? They started off badly, but after es the chance of a fl uke, and only If you look at his game, he just England have been tipped to Mark Wood back in the team, They have No. 1 bowler in the My third favourite is Australia, winning one match everything the best and most consistent trusts his technique and plays end their World Cup drought and with (Liam) Plunkett and world in Jasprit Bumrah and they who are always a force when it clicked for them and their con- team can win the tournament. normal cricketing shots even this time. What makes them (Chris) Woakes the way they have Bhuvneshwar (Kumar), comes to World Cup. When a fi dence level and effi ciency went while playing T20. His consist- favourites this time? have been bowling, I consider who can swing the ball with new team has won fi ve World Cups up. So I feel they have to do well India’s Virat Kohli has been ency is far better than other I feel the most important thing England as the favourites to win ball and he can bowl yorkers too before and they have players who in the fi rst three matches, other- the stand out batsman in the batsmen. Other example of that for England is the way they are at home. in the death overs. Mohamed have experienced that triumph, wise it’s going to be very diffi cult last few years. What do you is Pakistan’s Babar Azam. In playing in home conditions. Having said that, there is an an- Shami is also there and is a it makes them one of the con- for them to reach the semis. attribute his success to? all three formats the way he is In the last two years they have other factor called pressure. And diff erent kind of seam bowler. tenders. David Warner and Steve I think Pakistan came second You can see how passionate performing, Babar is like Kohli beaten every opposition at home. it will be interesting to see how Then they have wrist spinners Smith are back for Australia and to England by a small margin and Kohli is about the game, and technically, very sound and al- The quality they have in their England handle the pressure. The Kuldeep (Yadav) and Yuzvendra they both are dangerous players. because of their own mistakes. that is why he works so hard on ways wants to score runs.

BOTTOMLINE ‘Special feeling’ for Tahir in 03 - 06 -2019 100th ODI for South Africa AFP around the pitch. London Despite Tahir’s eff orts, Bangladesh still smashed their highest ODI score, reaching 330 for six from 50 overs. mran Tahir admitted it was hard to keep his Tahir has been a spearhead of the Proteas’ at- emotions in check as the leg-spinner made tack since making his debut at the 2011 Cricket his 100th one-day international appear- World Cup, with a career tally of 164 wickets at ance in yesterday’s World Cup clash against a strike-rate of 31. IBangladesh. At 40 years and 64 days, he became the oldest Tahir is only the second specialist spinner af- South African to play in a World Cup match dur- ter Nicky Boje to reach a century of ODI caps for ing their opening match defeat against England the Proteas. on Thursday. The 40-year-old is the oldest player in this “This means a lot to me, I could never express edition of the World Cup and reaching the land- this in words. I am a guy who has come through a mark of 100 matches was an emotional moment lot of hardships, I lost my parents without them for him. seeing me play international cricket,” he said. Tahir was born in Lahore but moved perma- “This is special to me, especially for my family. nently from his native Pakistan, via a spell in I haven’t seen my brother and sister for the last Britain, after meeting his wife Sumayya during two years but they understand that this game I am the 1998 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. playing is important to me. “If I look back I am proud. I dreamt of this but ‘AMAZING JOURNEY’ never thought I would play with the legends and “It feels really special. If I look back I played my youngsters in this team.” fi rst game at the 2011 World Cup, it has been an Tahir has re-written the records books on a amazing journey,” Tahir said ahead of the match. number of occasions throughout his career. He “I always dreamt about it but I never thought I holds the record for the best ODI bowling fi g- would be here one day playing in my 100th game ures for South Africa (seven for 45), is the fastest for South Africa. It is an absolute honour to have South African bowler to 100 wickets. been given the opportunity by Cricket South And this week Tahir became the fi rst spin- Africa and the lovely people from South Africa, I ner to bowl the fi rst over of a World Cup match, am grateful to everybody.” striking second ball to dismiss England’s Jonny Tahir made the most of his landmark mo- Bairstow. ment, recording economical fi gures of two for 57 “I am the kind of guy who likes challenges. I from his 10 overs. like to think that my captain can give me the ball He bowled Shakib Al Hasan for 75 and dis- in any situation and I will be the fi rst guy to say missed Mohamed Mithun, celebrating both yes,” he added. “I am fully prepared and will be wickets with his trademark fl amboyant sprint ready to bowl in any situation.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, June 3, 2019 FOOTBALL

CELEBRATION SPOTLIGHT Henderson fi nally takes centre stage Reds fans line streets as Liverpool leader

Reuters he has the quality around him Madrid but he’s the glue that holds it all together,” said Sean Dyche, the Burnley manager who was iverpool’s sixth Euro- at the game in Madrid as a to honour idols pean Cup win, cele- pundit. brated on the streets of Henderson is unhailed by ‘We’re just so excited. It’s so uplifting for the city, bringing everybody together’ Merseyside yesterday, some but certainly not his Lwas a triumph of a multina- manager Juergen Klopp who, tional squad, expertly welded despite increased options, has into a winning machine by relied on his captain, and an- German manager Juergen other English midfi elder James Klopp. Milner, throughout this sea- Yet in the surprisingly son. “You know what people scrappy contest, won 2-0 said about a couple of players against Tottenham Hotspur of this team,” said Klopp, in his on Saturday, it was the club’s most pointed remarks after the English captain Jordan Hend- game. erson and his often under- “Jordan Henderson is cap- valued qualities which came to tain of the Champions League the fore. winner 2019 – that’s satisfying The images of Henderson actually. And that Millie did it passionately hugging his fa- at the age of 33,” he said. ther at the fi nal whistle and Much of the credit for Liv- then sitting with the trophy erpool’s progress this season on the fl ight back to Liver- has rightly been given to the pool, provided some deserved expensive signings that pro- attention for the 28-year-old vided the missing ingredients midfi elder, signed from Sun- for Klopp’s side. derland eight years ago. The Brazilian pair of goal- Henderson’s most obvi- keeper Alisson Becker and ous qualities are his work- holding midfi elder Fabinho rate and his ability to break and Dutch defender Virgil up opposition moves, but van Dijk, played a major role those attributes are allied with in pushing Liverpool to their positional awareness, an or- Champions League triumph, ganisational role and a tacti- which culminated in Satur- cal mind that have not always day’s 2-0 win over Tottenham. been noticed, or appreciated, The added defensive solid- by all of the Anfi eld crowd. ity has turned Liverpool from “I’ve had tough times but an entertaining sideshow into I’ve kept going – just as this European champions and the club has. It’s the best mo- only close rivals to champions ment of my life, this is what Manchester City in the Pre- I dreamed of since I was a mier League. kid,” Henderson said amid So often though, teams can the scenes of jubilation at the lose some of their personality Wanda Metropolitano. when they bring in new faces. “It’s not about me, it’s not Klopp, however, has led his about me being captain or lift- team’s transformation while ing the trophy, it’s about this still leaning on Henderson and Liverpool’s English midfielder James Milner (left) and midfielder Jordan Henderson hold the European Champions League trophy during an open-top bus parade around Liverpool, club, these players, this man- Milner, acknowledging their north-west England after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Tottenham. (AFP) ager. Now we must keep going key role in the dressing room and kick on,” he said. and on the fi eld. AFP British press revels in Liverpool’s ‘joy of six’ “I might cry again,” he added, Yet a part of Saturday’s suc- Henderson often initiates Liverpool fl ag in hand. “It’s emotional – cess was indeed about Hend- Liverpool’s high press, urging The British press greeted Liver- Kiev behind them. tenham’s dramatic semi-final it means so much to you just erson. those alongside and in front of pool’s achievement of becoming Meanwhile the paper billed wins over Barcelona and Ajax to win. Liverpool’s a very Eu- “The unsung hero for me him to push forward and close nder leaden English six-time European champions Saturday’s match at a sweltering respectively. ropean city, it’s always been tonight was Jordan Hender- down the opposition and that skies, Liverpool be- with tongue-in-cheek head- Metropolitano Stadium as “The But as Sunday Times football outward-looking,” Broad ex- son – he did all the ugly stuff , was amply evident against came a carnival of red lines declaring the “Joy of Six” Full English 2”, a reference to the correspondent Jonathan North- plained. Thousands of fans lined all the hard yards. He knows Spurs. yesterday as the foot- yesterday. fact that this was the second of croft observed: “An unlovely the roads east of the city centre, Uball-mad city hailed its heroes while children climbed atop bus That was the headline on the this season’s two major Euro- spectacle but who from Liver- for bringing home the Champi- Mail on Sunday’s back page pean finals – following Chelsea’s pool cared? Control replaced stops for a better view, as the bus ons League trophy for the fi rst alongside a photograph of Liver- victory over London rivals Ar- chaos, sparse notes the heavy - preceded by a booming sound Former Qatar star Soufi no more time in 14 years. pool captain Jordan Henderson senal in the Europa League – to metal, and in a manner opposite stage – made its way. “We’re just so excited,” said lifting the trophy after the 2-0 be contested solely by Premier to how they reached Madrid, red A jubilant atmosphere rippled Former Qatar international Tina Taylor, 51, as she joined tens Champions League final win League clubs. rule enveloped Europe again.” through the city, as all manner of Mahmoud Soufi, who was a of thousands of locals throng- over English rivals Tottenham Recalling how Liverpool boss He hailed Klopp for introducing Liverpool fl ags fl ew from build- member of the country’s Gulf ing the city’s streets to watch the Hotspur in Madrid on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp had lost the previ- steely discipline into Liverpool’s ings and cars, drivers sounded Cup winning team in 1992, team parade Europe’s top foot- The Sunday Mirror tabloid ous six finals of his managerial play this year, turning an all-out horns and fans carried every- passed away at the age of 48 ball prize from an open-top bus. opted for “Six Machines”, with career, the paper said: “Cup attacking team that often leaked thing from banners to balloon on Saturday. “It’s so uplifting for the city, goalscorers Mohamed Salah and finals have become Kryptonite goals into European champions. replicas of the trophy. Soufi, who represented Al bringing everybody together,” she Divock Origi acclaimed as “Mag- for Klopp and the Kop”. “Game management is the big- Aleisha Tipton, 23, from Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Arabi added, decked out in a red Liver- nificent Mo” and “deadly Divock” Several reporters made the gest item Jurgen Klopp added nearby Cheshire, staked out a at the domestic level, also pool shirt and scarf alongside her as Liverpool put the pain of point that the final itself had to the armoury since desola- prime spot near the waterfront took part in the Barcelona Ol- husband and son, as the team bus losing last season’s Champions been something of a let-down tion in last year’s final in Kiev,” end-point. “We don’t care about ympics in 1992, during which neared their vantage point in the League final to Real Madrid in following Liverpool and Tot- Northcroft said. waiting all afternoon to see he scored a goal against suburb of Mossley Hill. them,” she said of her heroes as Colombia. Moments later the dou- light rain started to fall. “It can He is also Qatar’s top scorer ble-decker, emblazoned with Liverpool narrowly missed out gaze. Evans could recall cheer- drunkenly in the streets sing- rain all day, we don’t care!” in World Cup qualifiers with “Champions of Europe”, rolled on a fi rst league title in three ing all fi ve of Liverpool’s previ- ing a repertoire of the club’s She was wearing a commemo- 12 goals to his credit during by with the famous silver trophy decades, causing agony – now ous European Cup triumphs, anthems. The morning after, rative scarf from 2005, when his career with the national Hassan al-Thawadi tweeted, being hoisted aloft by bouncing somewhat relieved – for fans starting in 1977, when they beat bleary-eyed fans began stream- Liverpool last won the compe- team which spanned from “Very saddened to hear of Liverpool players amid red fl are impatient to end the long wait. Borussia Moenchengladbach in ing back onto the streets ahead tition in a memorable come- 1988 to 1999. the passing of one of Qatar’s smoke, confetti and wild cheers. “What a day – what a week- the fi nal in Rome. of the parade, which worked its from-behind victory over AC Soufi was one of the leading true footballing legends – The club claimed the Europe- end! Imagine lifting that cup,” “This is just as good because I way slowly towards the city cen- Milan in Istanbul. players of the region and won Mahmoud Soufi. The memo- an crown for the sixth time Sat- said 78-year-old Stan Evans, never thought we’d see another tre. “I’m ecstatic and hungover “This time is better for me as the top scorer prize at the ries he left with us from his urday night in Madrid with a 2-0 a lifelong local fan who looked one in my lifetime,” he added. at the same time – the best type I was only nine then.” For her 1992 Gulf Cup. The Supreme career will remain long in our win over Tottenham in only the out of a fi rst-fl oor pub window Celebrations ran late into the of hangover,” said Peter Broad, granddad Ken Jones, 79, this Liv- Committee for and hearts and minds. May he second ever all-English fi nal. It as star striker player Mohamed night in Liverpool city centre, 37, a social housing worker and erpool team is up there with the Legacy secretary general Rest In Peace.” followed an epic season in which Salah held it aloft just below his as ecstatic supporters danced Liverpool native. best he has seen.

TOULON TOURNAMENT FOCUS Aft er the pain, Pochettino and Spurs look to the next steps forward

Reuters growth of Spurs under their Madrid Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino but where exactly do Tottenham go from here? debut appearance With no new signings and in the Champions the added complication of a League fi nal and a top move to a new home stadium, four fi nish in the Pre- this year could easily have been mierA League is a scenario most written off as a season of tran- Tottenham Hotspur fans would sition for the North London have happily signed up to, if of- club. Instead it has been a peri- fered prior to this season. od of raising hopes and opening Yet, after Saturday’s 2-0 de- up new possibilities. feat to Liverpool, there was a Pochettino drew comparison sense that Spurs had perhaps with the progress that Liver- missed a chance to write a truly pool have made under Klopp in memorable chapter in their some way below par. the past four years. club’s history. “It’s hard to take the posi- “We’ve been playing against During the journey to Ma- tives right now but over time, a team that three or four years drid, Spurs, who struggled in players, staff and fans, when ago was being designed to the group stage, eliminated we look back at the journey to- reach fi nals, not necessarily to Borussia Dortmund, Pep Guar- gether... this isn’t the end,” said win them, but to get to them,” diola’s Manchester City and Spurs midfi elder Dele Alli. said Pochettino. the exciting Ajax Amsterdam. “We have to keep working, “We are a team that has But Liverpool took the glory keep improving and take the priorities that is shared with with their sixth European Cup feeling we have now of disap- the stadium. We looked at the Action from the Qatar U-23 vs France U-18 match in the Toulon Tournament in France yesterday. France won the Group B clash 2-0 with but they were signifi cantly be- pointment, that hurt and use it quality of our players in the fi - Yann Godart (42nd minute) and Adil Taoui (90+2) on target. Qatar next play Guatemala on June 5. Qatar’s Olympic team are gearing up for low their usual high standards to drive us on,” he added. nal but it would have been in- the Asian U-23 Championship next January. and Spurs created the better Certainly there is nothing credible to win today and lift chances, despite also being to suggest any fi nality to the the trophy.” Gulf Times Monday, June 3, 2019 5 SPORT

FOCUS NBA Gasol adjusts quickly to make , Curry have big impact for Raptors

AFP been ‘transformational’ Toronto

arc Gasol dislikes speaking about him- ‘He has a great, skillful finishing game with the floaters, taking it right to the self, but the Spaniard is the talk of the NBA Finals for how well he’s play- rim if you’re constantly pressed up on him, and then he’s unbelievable at ing only four months after joining the MToronto Raptors. The 34-year-old centre, whose giving it up and racing back outside the line and catching and firing a three’ older brother Pau won two NBA titles with the Los for NBA Angeles Lakers, scored 20 points and grabbed seven AFP and appreciate the countless hours rebounds in Toronto’s 118-109 victory over Golden Toronto and the hard work that goes into it. State in the best-of-seven opener. Hopefully they’re inspired and mo- “There’s always a sort of kind of comfort when tivated they can do some of the stuff he’s on the fl oor,” Raptors forward Pascal Siakam tephen Curry’s record- I do.” said. “He’s so smart and reads the defense and he’s shattering 3-point shoot- Curry works not only on accu- able to protect the rim for us. It’s defi nitely great to ing and Golden State’s run racy but on creating opportunities. have him, a vet that’s been through it.” to fi ve consecutive NBA “He’s got an incredible shooting Gasol went 6-of-10 from the fl oor, 2-of-4 from SFinals have transformed basket- stroke from anywhere,” Nurse said. 3-point range when the Warriors “gave him a cou- ball with more long shots, versatile “When people are chasing him, ple of dare shots and he knocked them down” in playmakers and switching defen- he just dribbles and gets around Golden State coach Steve Kerr’s words. sive schemes. them. He has a great, skillful fi n- “He turned himself into a very good 3-point It’s an evolution on display in ishing game with the fl oaters, shooter,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. this year’s best-of-seven cham- taking it right to the rim if you’re “Great passer. Very good defender at the rim. That pionship series as the Warriors, constantly pressed up on him, and pickup turned out to be huge for them.” seeking a third consecutive title then he’s unbelievable at giving it The Raptors swung a February trade deadline and fourth in fi ve seasons, meet a up and racing back outside the line deal to obtain Gasol, a two-time Olympic silver Toronto squad fashioned in Golden and catching and fi ring a three.” medallist and 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the State’s image. “They have defi - Warriors reserve Shaun Living- Year, after he spent a decade in Memphis. Ask about nitely left a stamp on basketball in ston says constant motion is the the excitement of his fi rst NBA Finals and he’s as this league,” Raptors coach Nick secret to success for Curry and low-key as his chilled-out teammates. “I don’t get Nurse said. Golden State. caught up in those things,” he said. “I’m not doing Curry’s uncanny ability to sink “You’re constantly moving. that, I’m sorry.” 3-pointers - he stretched his NBA You’re keeping everybody’s head And the tension of the NBA’s ultimate stage? Finals career 3-pointers record to on a swivel,” he said. “My brain doesn’t function that way,” he said. 102 with four in game one - and “They create so much space “You’re playing basketball like you did your whole create opportunities along with without having the ball. Not very life and it’s the most fun. You got to stay poised backcourt partner Klay Thompson many people that can do it. That’s during the whole game so your brain can’t go any- has led a push outside from eras kind of what makes us go.” where else but every possession.” when giants dominated inside or Defensively, the Warriors switch So Raptors coach Nick Nurse spoke of how Gasol stars like Michael Jordan or LeBron off coverage assignments in rapid- handled tough times, praising his “strong ability” James ruled with acrobatic shot- fi re style, baffl ing rivals unpre- to bounce back. making. pared for such dynamic adapting “He got into maybe one of the lowest points of “I call him a transformational on the fl y. his career in these playoff s,” Nurse said. “He had player,” Nurse said of Curry. “He “These guys brought the a 1-for-9 game. People were basically writing him has got kids all over the world switching defense to prominence off . I did talk to him about it. He just didn’t waver shooting from 40 feet away. years ago and now everybody is at all. ‘Tomorrow, it’s going to be great,’ was his an- “As you’ve seen the 3-point shot doing it,” Nurse said. swer. I told him several times: ‘You’re a great player become so rapidly used in the last “Five years ago, it wasn’t like because you’ve lifted the level of who our team three or four years, a lot of that that. Now you’re seeing it so thinks they can be and you lift the level of other is because of Golden State and much, your guys get 100 games a players’ play.’ That’s, to me, what great players do.” Steph and Klay. Now you’re seeing year to get used to that.” Fast tempo is Toronto’s strength but Gasol’s de- quickly the league start to shoot six Thompson sees the Raptors as fensive work gives others freedom to attack. to eight feet behind the line pretty much like the Warriors in the early “He has been great,” Raptors star Kawhi Leonard regularly. You didn’t see that may- days of their dynasty run. said. be even a couple years ago. “They’re very long. They don’t “He’s a good rim protector. He has been guarding “He has transformed the way really play with a traditional post everybody. Another smart player on the fl oor that people view the 3-pointer.” player, which is kind of simi- has been through the ups and downs of the NBA. The risk of a long shot is being lar. They really spread you out,” Veteran guy who is just ready for the moment.” more than overtaken by the benefi ts Thompson said. “When you have And his mellow attitude fi ts well on a selfl ess of an extra point for every made playmakers everywhere, it’s hard squad. “He’s a true professional,” Raptors guard basket from beyond the arc. Curry to guard.” Kyle Lowry said. “Goes about his business. He warns, however, that it takes ex- Raptors guard Fred VanVleet blends in well. He’s just an easygoing guy.” ceptional work to sink them often is happy for the comparison to Instead of slowing the Raptors, Gasol is a 7-footer enough to make it worth doing. trendsetters. “They were kind of who can launch fast breaks with his defensive work. “You don’t just wake up and ac- revolutionary for the game, with “You run at them and be aggressive,” Gasol said. cidentally or coincidentally be great the way that they built their team,” “To be able to run, you have to get stops. And to get at something. You got to put the VanVleet said. “It’s just position- stops, you have to communicate, be physical, do all time in,” Curry said. less basketball where you have the little things. Being physical starts with pressur- Parents say kids want to mimic multiple playmakers. ing the ball. You have to do it all the time. You can’t the highlights they see on televi- “Those guys won a couple rings. relax.” sion and Curry is proud to be a role I don’t think it’s a bad compliment It’s that relentless attitude Gasol sees as vital to model. to remind somebody we look like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball on off ence against the Toronto Raptors in the second a championship run. “It’s about the mindset and “Hopefully they understand them.” quarter during game one of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (Getty Images/AFP) trusting the guy next to you,” Gasol said.

MLB Dodgers’ walk-off HR, not Kershaw, beats Phillies Reuters in 2006. The Twins, who set a franchise record Los Angeles RESULTS with 56 homers in May, clubbed two to increase the major league leading total to 108 and nearly Dodgers 4-3 Phillies had a third when Miguel Sano doubled off the ookie Will Smith hit a walk-off home Brewers 12-10 Pirates top of the right-fi eld fence in the seventh. run in his fourth career game as the Los Indians 5-2 White Sox Jason Castro also had three hits and scored a Angeles Dodgers remained undefeated run, and Eddie Rosario, Gonzalez and Buxton in Clayton Kershaw starts with a 4-3 Twins 6-2 Rays each had two hits for Minnesota, which im- victoryR on Saturday over the visiting Philadel- Giants 8-2 Orioles proved to 20-9 on the road, including 12-3 in phia Phillies. Braves 10-5 Tigers its last 15 attempts. The Twins, who went 21-8 Smith, who was called up this week when during the month of May, have won 14 of their Rangers 6-2 Royals Austin Barnes went on the injured list, lifted a last 17 games. full-count split-fi nger pitch from Hector Neris Nationals 5-2 Reds Gibson (6-2) allowed six hits and a walk while (1-2) in the ninth inning into the left-fi eld cor- D’backs 6-5 Mets striking out three. Four relievers combined to hold the Rays to three hits and a run over the ner for his fi rst career home run. The Dodgers Cardinals 7-4 Cubs won for the eighth time in their last nine games. fi nal four innings The Phillies had just gotten back into the Yankees 5-3 Red Sox Christian Arroyo homered and Willy Ad- game in the eighth, one inning after Kershaw Astros 5-1 Athletics ames and Austin Meadows each had two hits for departed. Reliever Julio Urias hit Jean Segura Marlins 9-3 Padres Tampa Bay. Yonny Chirinos (6-2), who pitched with a pitch, and Bryce Harper followed with a fi ve no-hit innings in his previous start against two-run home run into the seats in left fi eld, his Rockies 4-2 Blue Jays Toronto on Monday, gave up four runs on nine 11th of the season, to tie the score 3-3. Angels 6-3 Mariners hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings while striking Kershaw gave up one run on six hits over out seven to pick up the loss. seven innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Max Muncy allowed Harper to move to third, The Rays have dropped two straight after The Dodgers are now a perfect 9-0 in Kershaw and J.T. Realmuto followed with an RBI single to winning their previous six games. starts this season and have won each of his last make it 1-1. Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the second 17 starts going back to August of last season. The Dodgers’ David Freese, who started a when Nate Lowe singled and went to third on Despite giving up one more run than Ker- game in the leadoff spot for just the fourth time a throwing error by Jonathan Schoop on an in- shaw over fi ve fewer innings, Urias (3-2) ended in his career, hit a home run in the fi fth inning. fi eld single by Adames. Travis d’Arnaud then up with the victory. Jose Alvarez started for the His drive off an Irvin slider was his fi fth of the drove in Lowe with a single. Phillies and went two scoreless innings as Phil- season. Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner The Twins took a 2-1 lead in the third on RBI adelphia manager Gabe Kapler used an opener was not in the starting lineup for the third con- doubles by Jorge Polanco and Gonzalez, the lat- for the fi rst time. After an out from Juan Nica- secutive day because of a mild tightness in his ter defl ecting off of Kevin Kiermaier’s glove as sio, left-hander Cole Irvin followed with 3 2/3 right hamstring. he crashed into the fence in center. innings, giving up two runs on four hits. After Buxton’s RBI single in the fourth ex- The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the third in- TWINS STAY HOT BY DISPATCHING RAYS tended the lead to 3-1, Gonzalez led off the fthfi ning on an RBI single by Enrique Hernandez. Marwin Gonzalez and Byron Buxton each by drilling his sixth home run of the season over It was the seventh RBI in the past six games for homered and drove in two runs and Kyle Gibson the fence in centre. Hernandez and his 29th of the season. His pre- allowed only an unearned run over fi ve innings Buxton made it 5-1 in the sixth with his sixth vious seven RBIs came over 19 games. to pick up his fourth win in fi ve starts to lead homer of the season off reliever Hunter Wood, The Phillies broke through against Kershaw the Minnesota Twins to a 6-2 victory over the and Sano extended Minnesota’s lead to 6-1 in in the fourth inning with some shaky Dodgers Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon in St. the seventh with his long RBI double just below defence. Harper singled and went to second Petersburg, Flodria. the yellow line on the right-fi eld fence. base on a wild pitch from Kershaw that got past It marked the 25th consecutive game that Arroyo ended the scoring with a solo home rookie catcher Smith. Minnesota scored three or more runs in a game, run in the eighth off reliever Ryne Harper. It was Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith celebrates after hitting a walk-off solo home run against A fi elding error by Dodgers third baseman breaking the single-season franchise record set Arroyo’s fi rst of the season. the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, June 3, 2019 SPORT

NHL FOCUS Russia risks another Olympics ban Bergeron powers aft er ‘cover-up’

DPA Shlyakhtin told TASS news Frankfurt agency the article was not ob- jective and deliberately pub- lished before an IAAF meet- ussian offi cials con- ing, set to discuss whether to Bruins to 2-1 Stanley spired to help a lead- maintain the ban. ing high jumper avoid It was not based on facts and a doping test ahead was wishful thinking of the ofR last year’s European athlet- journalists, who had only one ics championships, a report source for the claims, he said. by Britain’s Sunday Times said “Let us wait for the results yesterday. of the investigation,” he said, The report cited “sourc- adding that until then further Cup series lead es” and said Russia could be comments would be inappro- banned from the 2020 Tokyo priate and not allowed under ‘I can tell you as a penalty-killer in practice, it’s hard to compete against those guys’ Olympics after athletics fed- anti-doping rules. eration offi cials “oversaw the Russia was banned from cover-up of a doping off ence” the 2018 Winter Olympics in by Danil Lysenko. According Pyeongchang, South Korea, in to the report, the cover-up in- connection with doping, but cluded providing documents 168 of its athletes were allowed from a non-existent clinic. to compete as neutrals. Russia Lysenko, 22, the world in- was reinstated by the door high jump champion, was International Olympic prevented from starting at the Committee three days after 2018 European championships the Games. in Berlin for failing to inform Russia’s anti-doping agency doping testers of his wherea- RUSADA was reinstated in bouts. September after three years by Lysenko, seen as a top med- the World Anti-Doping Agen- als candidate at the champi- cy (WADA) which has by now onship, would have started as also gained access to data of its a neutral athlete as a result of Moscow anti-doping labora- the ban on Russia over doping tory. But Russia still risks being by the international athletics declared non-compliant again federation IAAF. if does not produce retests of In response, Russian ath- suspicious samples from the letics federation chief Dmitry Moscow lab by June 30.

RUGBY England sweat on Nowell’s fi tness

AFP Twickenham, United Kingdom

ngland coach Eddie Jones faces an anxious wait to hear the verdict on Jack Nowell after theE Exeter winger suff ered an ankle injury during his side’s loss to Saracens in the Pre- miership fi nal at Twickenham. Jones was an concerned on- looker as Nowell, who had an Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron celebrates with his teammates David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand after scoring a first period goal against the St. Louis Blues in game three of the outstanding game, was treated 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Enterprise Center in St Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images/AFP) on the fi eld before limping Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Nowell on off 10 minutes from the end crutches after sustaining an Reuters power play that it needed just Jordan Binnington, who was ton to get a shot on goal for more post to make it 4-0. The raucous of Saracens’ 37-34 victory on injury during the Premiership Los Angeles 2:06 to convert all of its oppor- pulled after Krug’s man-advan- than six minutes. But the game’s arena was suddenly as quiet as a Saturday. fi nal at Twickenham. (Reuters) tunities. tage marker at 12:12 of the sec- shape changed shortly after school library on a Friday after- “Jack will have the usual “I can tell you as a penalty- ond period made it 5-1 Bruins. David Perron went off for inter- noon. scans but it is too early to say Meanwhile Former Spring- our power-play chances. killer in practice, it’s hard to Binnington stopped just 14 of 19 ference against Jake DeBrusk at “We try to exploit certain are- how bad it is. He was in a lot of bok captain Warren Whiteley Four shots. Four goals. compete against those guys,” left shots, getting little help from a 10:26. as,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy pain but we can only hope for faces a race against time to It’s hard to do any bet- wing Jake DeBrusk said. defence that made a spate of er- Twenty-one seconds later, said of his team’s power play. the best,” said Exeter direc- be ready for this year’s World ter than the Boston Bru- “I can tell you they’re a lot of rors in its zone. Bergeron defl ected Krug’s point Ivan Barbashev off ered the tor of Rugby Rob Baxter. The Cup as he admitted he will be insF did with the man advantage fun to watch. I have a lot of re- “Five goals ... I’d seen shot past Binnington. Then the Blues a lifeline with his third 26-year-old will now have a sidelined for at least another in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Fi- spect for the way they move the enough,” said St. Louis interim real trouble started for St. Louis playoff goal at 11:05 of the sec- scan in the next 24 hours to see two months with the knee in- nal on Saturday night. puck. They’re really good and coach Craig Berube. “But my in a 3:01 span bridging the fi rst ond, but Krug took it away just the extent of the damage. jury he sustained in April. The Defenseman Torey Krug’s goal talented players, and they fi nd confi dence level in him is really and second periods. 31 seconds into the Bruins’ third Nowell, who was on crutch- 31-year-old, who has been be- and three assists led a dominant options all over the ice.” high.” Coyle wired a wrister by Bin- man advantage. Jake Allen re- es after the game, has had an- set with injuries since he was eff ort as Boston took a 2-1 series Game 4 is tonight in St. Louis, Hosting its fi rst fi nals game nington’s glove at 17:40 for a 2-0 lieved Binnington and faced only kle problems in recent times named South Africa captain lead with a 7-2 rout of the and the Blues have to equalise since 1970, St. Louis brought lead. Fourth-line centre Sean four shots, saving three. and will be hoping the news is two years ago, suff ered the in- St. Louis Blues at Enterprise in order to avoid an elimination out the big guns. Olympic legend Kuraly beat Binnington from the Colton Parayko’s power play not too bad with Jones fi nalis- jury during a match against the Center. scenario in Game 5 on Thurs- Jackie Joyner-Kersee, current top of the right circle at 19:50. blast from the point at 5:24 ing his training camp shortly Waikato Chiefs in April and he Patrice Bergeron added a goal day night in Boston. The Blues NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Berube challenged the goal for of the third period pulled St. in the build up to this year’s said it is taking longer than ex- and two assists for the Bruins, will get centre Oskar Sundqvist former Rams superstar Isaac coming on an off side play, but Louis within 5-2. But Noel Ac- World Cup in Japan. pected to heal. who also got a goal and an as- back after he was suspended Bruce and actor Jon Hamm were he lost the challenge, which gave ciari scored into an empty net Jones has long been a fan of Initially the loose forward sist each from Charlie Coyle and from Saturday night’s game for among the celebrities waving the Bruins a power play on a mi- at 18:12, and Johansson added a Nowell, capped 33 times by had been expected to re- Marcus Johansson. Joakim Nor- boarding Matt Grzelcyk in Game rally towels in an electric build- nor penalty for delay of game. man-advantage tally 23 seconds England, and has even sug- turn for the last part of Super dstrom chipped in with a pair of 2 on Wednesday. ing. David Pastrnak cashed in 41 later to cap the scoring. gested he could be deployed Rugby’s regular season as the assists. They’ll also need a bounce- The Blues fi red the fi rst fi ve seconds into the second period Boston goalie Tuukka Rask as a ‘ninth forward’ because of Lions seek a playoff place but Boston was so effi cient on the back game from rookie goalie shots at net, not allowing Bos- with a backhander at the left made 27 saves. his skills in the ruck. those hopes have been dashed.

NFL McCoy ends Panthers visit, to pick among three teams Reuters as $11 million annually. Meanwhile the NFL suspended CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST New York Rapoport reported on Wednesday quarterback Chad Kelly for a violation FREE-AGENT TE GRIFFIN that McCoy was seeking more than $10 of the league’s personal conduct policy Charges against former Houston Tex- million from the Browns and Ravens on Friday. ans tight end Ryan Griffi n were dis- fter fi nishing his latest free- but apparently didn’t get it. The Indianapolis Colts signed Kelly missed Friday, two weeks after the agent visit with Carolina on “The Ravens absolutely want to this off season, and if he makes the team released him following his arrest Friday, six-time Pro Bowl de- sign McCoy,” Rapoport said on the team, he won’t be eligible to play in a in Nashville, Tenn. fensive tackle Gerald McCoy NFL Network. “They had him visit regular season game until September Griffi n, 29, was charged with van- willA reportedly decide on his 2019 team with the intention of signing him, but 16. Under the suspension, Kelly can dalism and public intoxication on April among three suitors: the Panthers, this is also one of the more principled take part in off season practices, train- 26, the night of the second and third the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland and disciplined organisations when ing camp and preseason games. rounds of the NFL draft, which was Browns. it comes to money, so they’re not go- He last played for the Denver Bron- held in Nashville. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport ing to do something that is out of their cos and was released in October 2018 He allegedly punched a hotel win- reported on Friday that the former price range.” on the heels of an arrest for criminal dow and sustained a bloody left hand Tampa Bay Buccaneers star will mull Panthers coach Ron Rivera said re- trespass. in the incident. He was released a day over his fi nal three options this week- cently he’d be interested in adding Mc- Englewood (Colo.) Police Depart- later on $1,750 bond, with a court date end. Coy to the roster. ment said a man had entered a resi- set for Friday. Several media outlets reported “I think a guy with his ability could dence on South Lincoln Street one The Houston Chronicle reported the Thursday that McCoy, 31, fi nished up come in and help most certainly,” Riv- morning shortly after 1 a.m. charges were dismissed at a settlement a two-day visit with Baltimore af- era told reporters. An occupant at the residence chased conference. Griffi n was assessed $195 ter having also visited the Cleveland McCoy has 296 tackles, 54.5 sacks, the man out, and a search ensued. Kelly in court costs. Browns last week, days after his release 140 quarterback hits, six forced fum- had been attending a Halloween party Griffi n was entering the fi nal year by the Buccaneers. bles and four fumble recoveries in 123 at teammate Von Miller’s house prior of a three-year, $9 million extension McCoy, the third overall pick in the career games. Along with his six Pro to the late-night incident. signed in March 2017. 2010 NFL Draft, was released by the Bowls, he was named fi rst-team All- At the time, he was the Broncos’ No He was set to count $2.7 million Buccaneers on May 20 with three years Pro in 2013. Last season McCoy failed 2 quarterback behind Case Keenum. against the cap, but Houston will save left on his contract. The deal called for to make the Pro Bowl for the fi rst time Kelly, 25, has no guarantee to be more all of that fi gure. him to make $13 million in base pay this since 2011 despite extending his streak than a training camp arm. A sixth-round pick by the Texans season. of seven seasons with at least fi ve The Colts are locked into their top in 2013, Griffi n had 24 catches for 305 The original contract was for six sacks, the NFL’s longest active streak two quarterbacks, Andrew Luck and yards in 14 games (11 starts) last season. years and $95.2 million. The Tampa among defensive tackles. McCoy fi n- Jacoby Brissett, and Phillip Walker is Through six seasons, he has 136 Bay Times reported McCoy has drawn ished with 6.0 sacks and 28 tackles in currently listed behind them on the catches for 1,491 yards and seven bids from 10 teams with off ers as high 14 games for the Buccaneers in 2018. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. depth chart. scores in 77 games (36 starts). Gulf Times Monday, June 3, 2019 7 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING CYCLING Carapaz wins Giro to secure Ducati’s Petrucci maiden grand tour title for Ecuador

Reuters Giro and fi nished fourth over- Verona, Italy all, setting himself up for more takes fi rst MotoGP grand-tour glory. This year, he soloed to victory ichard Carapaz rode a on the 14th stage in Courmayeur. perfect race to fulfi l his Movistar then proved too immense potential and strong a team to unsettle, with become the fi rst Ecua- Mikel Landa staying loyal to the dorianR rider to win a grand tour team leader and helping him in when he prevailed in the Giro the fi nal week. win at Mugello d’Italia yesterday. “I tried to the very end but it The 26-year-old took com- was diffi cult to do much with mand of the race with a solo win Carapaz and Landa so strong,” 'In front of my home crowd and in my town, it’s incredible, I can’t describe how I feel.' on the 14th stage and never sur- said Nibali. rendered the pink jersey, com- “The Movistar team was fortably holding off his main ri- strong too, they have four rid- vals in the mountains in the fi nal ers on the front in the fi nale and week. there’s not much you can do Italian Vincenzo Nibali, who when a team is so strong.” was chasing a third title, ended Giulio Ciccone gave the home up second overall, one minute fans plenty to celebrate as the and fi ve seconds behind, with 24-year-old won the Maglia Az- Slovenian Primoz Roglic taking zurra for the mountains classifi - third place 2:30 off the pace after cation with one stage win. Sunday’s time trial was won by German champion Pascal American Chad Haga. Ackermann won the points clas- Carapaz’s team mate, Spaniard sifi cation thanks to two stage Mikel Landa, ended up fourth, wins in massive sprints. missing out on a podium fi nish Colombian Miguel Angel by eight seconds, two years after Lopez, who escaped punishment a suff ering similar heartbreak on for hitting a fan on Saturday, won the Tour de France when he fi n- the white jersey for the best Un- ished one second outside a po- der-25 rider as he fi nished sev- dium place. enth overall. A pure climber, Carapaz was Briton Simon Yates, who born in Tulcan, 2,980 metres had warned his rivals that they above sea level, which gives him should be scared of him, was a signifi cant natural advantage in never in the mix and fi nished in the high mountains. a hugely disappointing eighth He burst into the limelight last place overall after winning last year, when he won a stage of the year’s Vuelta.

Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci celebrates on the podium after winning the Italian Grand Prix yesterday.

AFP Marquez — winner of three out of six For Marquez, 23, it was his fi fth vic- Ducati) 13.288, 8. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda- Mugello, Italy races this season — started on pole but tory since he began racing in the category LCR) 13.937, 9. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 16.533, had to battle with the Ducati riders and since 2015. 10. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 17.994 Team Movistar rider Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz is thrown in the air Suzuki’s Alex Rins, who challenged hard Italian Luca Baldassari holds the over- Best lap: Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) by his teammates as they celebrate on the podium after the final anilo Petrucci, an Italian rid- despite starting back on the grid. all world championship lead after fi nish- 1:47.657 stage of the 102nd Giro d’Italia in Verona yesterday. ing for local team Ducati, held The four riders overtook each other ing fourth, but is just two points ahead of Track record: Marc Marquez (1:45.519 in 2019 off Marc Marquez to gain a fi rst several times but Petrucci found the Marquez. qualifying) ever MotoGP victory in the Ital- power to pull clear on the fi nal lap of the Italian teenager Tony Arbolino stormed SPOTLIGHT ianD Grand Prix. fast Mugello circuit. to a maiden career victory as the Honda Overall standings The second place allowed Spaniard Italian star Valentino Rossi crashed out rider won the Moto3. 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 115pts, 2. Andrea Marquez to increase his lead in the world of his home race where the Yamaha rider Arbolino, 18, pipped Italian team- Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 103, 3. Alex Rins (ESP/ championship ahead of another Italian on has not won since 2008 after an impres- mate Lorenzo Dalla Porta, who fi nished Suzuki) 88, 4. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 82, 5. From a bicycle a Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso, who fi nished sive series of seven consecutive victories. 0.029sec behind, with Spanish KTM rider Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 72 third yesterday after a prolonged three- Marquez, who has won the MotoGP Jaume Masia third at 0.078. way battle. category just once on the circuit north of Spaniard Aron Canet of KTM fi nished Moto2 without tyres to Five-time MotoGP champion Marquez Florence, leads Dovizioso by 12 points af- seventh to hold the overall world champi- 1. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 21 laps in 39min on a Honda briefl y took the lead in the last ter six rounds this season. onship lead ahead of Dalla Porta. 31sec, 2. Luca Marini (ITA/Kalex) at 1.928sec, 3. lap but Petrucci recaptured fi rst place and Earlier, Marquez’s younger brother Thomas Lüthi (SUI/Kalex) 2.242, 4. Lorenzo Bal- victory at Giro won. Alex won the Moto2 category having also RESULTS dassari (ITA/Kalex) 3.653, 5. Augusto Fernandez “It’s amazing, I’m thrilled,” said won at Le Mans last time out. MotoGP (ESP/Kalex) 3.973 AFP a lot of love to my parents Ana 28-year-old Petrucci, who fi nished Alex Marquez led a Kalex sweep ahead 1. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 23 laps in 41 Playa Alta, Ecuador and Antonio”. eighth in the 2017 and 2018 world cham- of teammates Italian Luca Marini, Rossi’s min 33sec, 2. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) at Overall standings There is also the jersey in pionships. half-brother, and Swiss Thomas Luthi. 0.043sec, 3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) 88pts, 2. Alex which he won the Vuelta a Astu- “In front of my home crowd and in my The Spaniard pulled clear of his rivals 0.338, 4. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 0.535, 5. Takaaki Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 86, 3. Thomas Luethi (SUI/ ichard Carapaz became rias in 2018. town, it’s incredible, I can’t describe how on lap 14 of 21 to fi nish 1.928sec ahead of Nagakami (Honda-LCR) 6.535, 6. Maverick Kalex) 84, 4. Jorge Navarro (ESP/SpeedUp) 73, 5. the pride of Ecuador If he had his fi rst bike aged I feel.” Marini with Luthi at 2.242. Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 7.481, 7. Michele Pirro (ITA/ Marcel Schroetter (GER/Kalex) 64 yesterday after becom- eight, Carapaz only began com- ing the country’s fi rst petition much later. cyclistR to win the Giro d’Italia, At 20 he was the best young GOLF ROUND-UP in a journey that has taken him rider at the Tour of Guatemala, from riding a bicycle without the same year he won the U23 ti- tyres in his native Andes to see- tle at the PanAmerican Games. ing off all-comers in the Alps and Carapaz raced on local teams Kaymer builds two-shot advantage at Memorial Dolomites of northern Italy. in Ecuador before his talent The against-the-odds triumph captured the attention of talent AFP Scott’s lone bogey was a three-putt at capped the 26-year-old’s incred- scouts. Washington the ninth hole, and the Australian was ible rise from a humble back- Still in the U23 ranks, Cara- confi dent he has the game to win again. ground, riding a ‘skeleton’ bicycle paz linked up with a Colombian his father found in a junk yard, to team, and became the fi rst non- ormer world number one Martin LIU FIRES 66 the highest level of the sport. Colombian to win the Vuelta de la Kaymer closed in on his fi rst title China’s Liu Yu fi red a fi ve-under par “We keep it as a family relic,” Juventud de Colombia. in almost fi ve years Saturday, fi ring 66 on Saturday to seize a share of the Carapaz’s 27-year-old sister Carapaz moved to the Span- a six-under par 66 to take a two- third-round lead in the US Women’s Open Cristina told AFP, as she proudly ish Lizarte team in 2015 as a step shotF lead over Adam Scott in the US PGA alongside good friend Celine Boutier of showed off the rusty old blue towards Movistar, the team of Tour’s Memorial Tournament. France. BMX which sparked the dream. 2014 Giro winner Nairo Quintana Germany’s Kaymer hasn’t won since Boutier, who played the last four holes Carapaz, now known as ‘The of Colombia and Spaniard Ale- his 2014 US Open triumph at Pinehurst, of a second-round 70 on Saturday morn- Locomotive’, used the makeshift jandro Valverde, the 2018 world battling shoulder and wrist injuries along ing, returned to post a two-under par 69 bike to climb the dusty roads champion, which he joined the with a loss of focus and confi dence as he in the third round at the Country Club of around the family’s modest house following year. slipped to his current 186th in the world. Charleston in South Carolina. in the village of Playa Alta, high in His sister said Lizarte invited But Kaymer didn’t put a foot wrong on She and Liu, who forged their friendship the mountains of northern Ecua- Carapaz for a six months trial and the Muirfi eld Village course in Dublin, when both played on the Duke University dor, near the border with Colom- without pay. “As always it was Ohio, nabbing six birdies without a bogey golf team that won the 2014 US collegiate bia. risky, but Richard said ‘I’m go- for a 15-under par total of 201. title, were tied on seven-under 206, one Selling milk represented the ing’,” she recalled. Australia’s Scott, another former major stroke in front of Americans Lexi Thomp- main source of income for the Carapaz’s parents watched as champion who hasn’t won in more than son and Jaye Marie Green and 36-hole family, and young Richie worked he became the fi rst Ecuadorian three years, had seven birdies in his 66, leader Mamiko Higa of Japan. in the fi elds. cyclist to win a stage in a Grand using a spectacular approach at the tough Boutier, who won her fi rst LPGA title at “When I was a teenager. My Tour in Italy in 2018. 18th hole to set up a three-foot fi nishing the Vic Open in Australia in February, was mother had cancer and for some They travelled to Verona along birdie. Martin Kaymer of Germany waves to the gallery after making a par on the 18th hole alone in front on eight-under until her time I looked after the (three) with his wife Tanya Rosero and Scott’s 54-hole total of 203 put him two during the third round of The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. lone bogey of the round at the 16th. cows,” he said. two children, Santiago aged fi ve, shots in front of a trio of players headed by Liu, seeking her fi rst tour title, started Their father Antonio arrived and two-year-old Sofi a, to cel- three-time major winner Jordan Spieth way to a tough back nine and Merritt failed and he said he’d try to take the same ap- the day four adrift but bounced back from home one day when with the ebrate his achievement yesterday. and including Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama to fi re. proach on Sunday. a three-putt bogey at the third with three small BMX which had no seat, no “It’s an historic moment in Ec- and American Patrick Cantlay. Lee pulled away with four birdies in the “I said to my caddie today on the range a birdies on each side. brakes or pedals. uador,” said Tanya. Matsuyama produced the best score fi rst fi ve holes. But he bogeyed four of fi ve very true thing, you know it doesn’t really That included a rare birdie at the dif- The bicycle is now kept as a When he returns he will be of the day, capping his 64 with a chip-in from the seventh through the 11th to fade matter if you are 60th and play 18 holes or fi cult par-three 11th, that helped position prized possession. honoured in his village with his for birdie from dense rough at 18. Cantlay to six off the lead. you lead the tournament and play 18 holes, her for a bid to become just the second The walls of their home are also favourite food — grilled Cuy carded a 68 and Spieth a 69. Kaymer, meanwhile, drained a 14-foot the 18 holes don’t change,” Kaymer said. player from the Republic of China to win covered with medals, photos, and (guinea pig) with potatoes, mel- Kaymer, who shared the overnight lead birdie putt at the third, and stuck it close “That will be my same attitude tomor- on the LPGA tour, along with nine-time memorabilia, including the white locos (a vegetable that grows in with South Korean rookie Lee Kyoung- for birdies at the ninth and 11th before roll- row: stay in control of the golf ball, hit winner Feng Shanshan. She would be the jersey for the best young rider the Andes) and beans, and sweet- hoon and American Troy Merritt, pulled ing in a long birdie bomb at the 13th. fairways, hit greens, use the chances that fi rst golfer from China, male or female, to Carapaz won at the 2018 Giro ened morocho (hard corn) with away methodically as Lee’s hot start gave Birdies at 15 and 16 stretched his lead, will appear and see what happens.” win a major championship. d’Italia, with a dedication: “With milk.

Monday, June 3, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

RACING Sheikh Mohamed’s Aspetar and Pelligrina win Group races in Chantilly

Agencies Chantilly, France

is Highness Sheikh Mo- hamed bin Khalifa al- Thani-owned Aspetar and Pelligrina raced to twoH group wins in Chantilly yes- terday. In the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2), ridden by James Doyle, Aspetar cantered on the outside led by Silverwave at a good pace. He then accelerated in the mid- dle of the track before taking the advantage over the leaders 100m from the post. He showed real courage to come and take the best at the end of the race. Bertrand Le Metayer, the own- er’s representative, said, “It is the fi rst generation bred by His High- ness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani at his French stud. On the paper, it wasn’t his ground, James Doyle (left) rides Aspetar to Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2) victory in Chantilly yesterday. (JDG) Pierre-Charles Boudot rides Pelligrina to Prix de Royaumont (Group 3) victory in Chantilly. (JDG) but he does it remarkably well. He got shines at three-year-olds and in his programme.” (Gr3), where he could not do bet- Trained by Andre Fabre, Pel- and a half lengths behind. Je Ne steps in competition. She has a credit goes to Mr. Fabre who knew until now, he was better on soft Winner of a Listed at three- ter than fi fth. ligrina cantered at the back of Regretterien completed the po- lot of stamina and the well-paced he could step her up like that. She ground. We have a share in Al Ka- year-olds, Aspetar fi nished sec- Shortly later, Pelligrina gave the fi eld before fi nding her way dium. race helped her. She came very has a good temperament. She is zeem and he is out of his fi rst crop ond in the John Porter Stakes her owner a second Group vic- through the others 350m from the Pierre-Charles Boudot was easily in front and slowed down a easy and relaxed. She has a lot and his dam is still young, so, it is (Gr3) at Newbury in April, on tory, winning the Prix de Royau- post. Once in the opening, she left riding Pelligrina. He said: “She little. She is a very easy fi lly, who of stamina also. It is a real suc- good news. We are waiting to see good to soft ground. His last mont (Gr3) and stayed unbeaten no chance to her rivals. Indeed, did very well today. She was al- should continue to progress.” cess for us since she was bred at with his trainer for the next steps race was in the Prix d’Hédouville in two runs. the closest fi lly was Malevra, two ready very pleasing for her fi rst Le Métayer added, “All the home.”

TENNIS FOCUS Serena showed ‘bad personality’, Wawrinka sets up says Thiem

AFP statement. I said that I am not a Paris junior anymore. “But even if a junior is in there, every player has to wait. ominic Thiem ac- It is a matter of course. It also Federer clash aft er cused Serena Wil- shows a bad personality in my liams of showing “bad opinion. I am a 100% sure (Rog- Dpersonality” after he er) Federer or (Rafael) Nadal was asked to interrupt a post- would never do something like match news conference to make that.” room for the American follow- Federer, a 20-times Grand ing her French Open defeat. Slam champion, said he under- The Austrian fourth seed was stood Thiem’s frustration. Tsitsipas thriller talking to the media after his “I think there is, with all the third-round win on Saturday players, always a way to go that and Williams, who had just lost the one who is still in the tour- ‘It’s for these kind of emotions that I live for after coming back from injury’ in straight sets to compatriot nament gets priority. Anyway, Sofia Kenin, was pushing or- that’s how I see it,” he told re- AFP ganisers to give her a room right porters yesterday. Paris away. “If I would have lost today “Put me in another room, a against (Leonardo) Mayer, I smaller one, but now,” she said, would let Mayer go first or de- tan Wawrinka knocked without asking to be directed cide when he wants to go to Greek star Stefanos to the main room where Thiem press as he’s got a next match. Tsitsipas out of the was speaking. “Now, there must have sure SFrench Open with a Organisers made Thiem move been a misunderstanding or thrilling victory in the longest out and the Austrian was fum- maybe they should have kept match of the tournament yes- ing at being treated like “a jun- Serena still in the locker room, terday, setting up a quarter-fi - ior”. not waiting here in the press nal against Roger Federer, while “It’s a joke,” the 25-year-old centre. I understand Dominic’s Rafael Nadal claimed his 90th Thiem told the ATP press offic- frustration.” Roland Garros win. ers after being told he had to go Thiem’s reaction caused A stunning winner from to another room. amusement in the locker room. yards behind the baseline se- “I have to leave the room be- “For him it’s just about how cured a 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, cause she’s coming. What the in the world did this happen? I 8-6 fourth-round triumph for hell, I don’t care. I can also do don’t think he’s mad at Serena 2015 champion Wawrinka after whatever I want.” or anybody,” said Federer. fi ve hours and nine minutes on Yesterday, speaking to Eu- “I just think it was an unfor- Court Suzanne Lenglen. rosport Germany, Thiem add- tunate situation that I thought The 34-year-old has a 23-3 ed: “Actually, I wasn’t angry or was funny and we joked about it losing head-to-head record frustrated. Maybe for a couple just before. That’s why I’m very against close friend and fel- of minutes or so. much aware of what happened, low Swiss Federer, who saw off “It is just the principle. It and that’s why we are laugh- Argentinian world number 68 doesn’t matter, if it is me who ing in the locker room about it Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 sits in there. I still made a wrong now.” earlier in the day. “It’s incredible, lots of emo- tions. Thanks to all the fans for staying and (the) support,” said ‘Worst feeling in tennis’: Tsitsipas Wawrinka after the third long- est match in the last 20 years at in tears aft er loss to Wawrinka the French Open. “It’s for these kind of emo- Paris: An emotional Stefanos “I have no idea. My mind is so tions that I live for after coming Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka (L) hugs Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the end of their fourth round match on day eight of French Open Tsitsipas said losing his five-set empty right now. I cannot even back from injury.” in Paris yesterday. thriller with Stan Wawrinka at think, so I don’t know.” It is the fi rst time Wawrinka the French Open yesterday was “I was so close, so close,” said has reached a Grand Slam quar- scenario, losing in the fi rst continued his bid for a record- “It’s an incredible feeling urday, last year’s runner-up the “worst feeling in tennis”. Tsitsipas. ter-fi nal since losing to Rafael round in three sets. But I am extending 12th Roland Garros to be in another quarter-fi nal Sloane Stephens laid down a The 20-year-old Greek star “I give him room to do whatever Nadal in the 2017 Roland Garros super happy with my perform- title by beating Grand Slam at this tournament which has marker with a 6-4, 6-3 win missed out on a quarter- he likes, all those break points. fi nal, and completes an amaz- ance.” Federer will be playing in debutant Juan Ignacio Londero been the most special of my ca- over 2016 champion Garbine final against Roger Federer as So many break points. So many. ing turnaround from 12 months his 54th quarter-fi nal at a Slam, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. reer,” said Nadal. Muguruza. Wawrinka dug deep to win the Didn’t play. I was expecting ago. cementing his place on top of World number 78 Londero The Spaniard, who turns 33 The American, a former US longest match of this year’s someone else to play it for me. I Last year, the three-time the all-time men’s list. had his moments, breaking today, has only been defeated Open winner, needed fi ve match tournament 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 6-4, didn’t play.” Grand Slam champion, follow- Federer, who is yet to drop a Nadal when 4-1 down in the twice in his French Open ca- points to get over the line. 3-6, 8-6 after five hours and nine It was the longest match of both ing injury struggles, lost in the set in the tournament, said he third set, but the 17-time ma- reer and has a 10-2 record over Seventh seed Stephens will minutes. The sixth seed, who players’ careers and the third- fi rst round to Guillermo Garcia- still remembers his last-eight jor champion always looked too Nishikori while he has yet to take on Johanna Konta for a reached the Australian Open longest at Roland Garros in the Lopez and dropped out of the loss to Wawrinka in Paris four strong, powering 40 winners lose to Paire in four matches. place in the semi-fi nals, after semi-finals earlier this year, cut last 20 years. world’s top 250. years ago. past the Argentinian. In a wide-open women’s the British number one saw off a devastated figure in his press Tsitsipas played well for long The 20-year-old Tsitsipas “I have a bad memory of it. Nadal will face either Japanese draw after the shock exits of Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-4 conference, struggling to hold periods of a high-quality missed out on the chance for a Stan beat me in three sets with seventh seed Kei Nishikori or top seed Naomi Osaka and to reach her fi rst Grand Slam back the tears. encounter, finishing with 61 rematch with Federer, having his terrible shorts!” home favourite Benoit Paire in his 23-time Grand Slam cham- quarter-fi nal since Wimbledon “Worse thing in tennis. It’s the winners and 48 unforced errors, beaten the 20-time major title Reigning champion Nadal 38th Grand Slam quarter-fi nal. pion Serena Williams on Sat- in 2017. Czech teenager Mar- worst feeling ever. Especially while winning one point more winner in the Australian Open keta Vondrousova reached her when you lose. You don’t want than Wawrinka. But despite the fourth round earlier this year. maiden major quarter-fi nal by to be in my place,” Tsitsipas said. heartbreaking and exhausting Wawrinka, seeded 24th, thrashing Anastasija Sevastova “I feel exhausted. I don’t know. manner of the defeat, the world saved 22 of the 27 break points 6-2, 6-0. Never experienced something number six, who started the he faced, including all eight in She will face 31st seed Petra like this in my life. year ranked 15th, said he would the fi nal set as sixth seed Tsit- Martic for a semi-fi nal spot, “I feel very disappointed at not want men to play fewer sets sipas pushed for victory to no after the Croatian came from a the end. (It’s been a) long time at Grand Slam tournaments. avail. Federer, the 2009 cham- set down to beat Estonia’s Kaia since I cried after a match, so “Shouldn’t change anything. It’s pion in Paris, is the oldest man Kanepi 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. emotionally (it) wasn’t easy to fine the way it is.” to make the quarter-fi nals of a Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts At least fi ve women will reach handle. I will try to learn from it Tsitsipas will attempt to pick Grand Slam tournament since after winning his fourth round their fi rst Roland Garros quar- as much as I can.” himself up before the start Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US match against Argentina’s ter-fi nal this year, the fi rst time But Tsitsipas added that he had of the grass-court season — Open. Juan Ignacio Londero. that has happened since 2001. no idea what he could actually likely to head into Wimbledon “It’s fabulous that I can spend “It’s nice to see competitive learn from the defeat, which as one of the favourites for the this time in Paris,” said Federer matches and for people to also was completed by an incredible title behind the ‘big three’ of who last played the tourna- enjoy matches where nothing’s Wawrinka winner from yards Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak ment in 2015 when he lost in the a given, and it can be unpredict- behind the corner of the court. Djokovic. quarter-fi nals to Wawrinka. able. I think that’s the beauty of “I was prepared for the worst sport,” said Konta.