SPORT

Thursday 133 July 20201717

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Pacquiao 'not Amir promoted to HamiltonH eyes surprised' by 'A' category, four-in-a-rowf WBO review Umar axed in Britain Messages of love and loyalty at Al Bidda Tower

The Peninsula

n an overwhelming gesture of express- ing solidarity with the country's Ileadership, the Qatar Football Associ- ation (QFA) representatives and office-bearers yesterday gathered around to sign a huge poster of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Officials representing the Qatar Stars League (QSL) also joined in to unveil the "Tamim Al Majd" mural which was inau- gurated at Al Bidda Tower, the home of football in Qatar. QFA Secretary General Mansoor Al Ansari was one of the top officials to sign QFA representatives and office-bearers the mural. signing the poster at Al Bidda Tower, Other office-bearers of QFA and QSL the home of football in Qatar. also participated in the gathering. Some officials wished the Emir long life while many hoped for a brighter Qatar is surging ahead with its prepara- Turkmenistan besides hosts Qatar. The Qatar Football Association (QFA) Secretary General Mansoor Al Ansari future for Qatar under H H Sheikh Tamim tion of the game's showpiece event held matches of the four-nation event will be signing a poster of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani bin Hamad Al Thani's leadership. every four years. held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. at Al Bidda Tower yesterday. QFA representatives and office-bearers A sports hub of the region, Qatar QFA will stage the AFC U-23 Asian QSL will launch the 2017-18 football yesterday gathered around to sign the huge poster in an overwhelming remains one of the most popular sports Cup qualifiers from July 19 to 23 in Doha season in September while the clubs gesture of expressing solidarity with the country's leadership. destination in Asia and the region. with the participation of four countries remain busy in signing new players for Host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, that includes India, Syria and the upcoming season. Querrey stuns Murray at Wimbledon

London AP Federer reaches

imping between points and fading down the stretch, 12th semi-final defending champion Andy Murray was stunned by 24th- London seeded Sam Querrey of the US AFP L3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-1 in the Wimble- don quarterfinals yesterday. even-time champion Roger Federer The No. 1-seeded Murray came into reached the Wimbledon semi-finals the tournament dealing with a sore left Sfor the 12th time yesterday with a 6-4, hip and it clearly impeded him at Cen- 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win over Milos Raonic. tre Court. He grimaced as he stumbled Federer and playing in his 100th match or landed awkwardly while attempting at the All England Club, will now face 2010 shots. runner-up Tomas Berdych for a place in Querrey took full advantage to reach Sunday's final. the first Grand Slam semifinal of his Berdych made the last-four when three- career — and the first for any American time champion Novak Djokovic retired with man anywhere since Andy Roddick was a right elbow injury when trailing the Czech the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2009. 7-6 (7/2), 2-0. "I am still in a little bit of shock Federer is the second oldest man to myself," Querrey said. reach the semi-finals after Ken Rosewall There was another quarterfinal sur- who finished runner-up in 1974 at the age prise later Wednesday, when three-time of 39. Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic "100 matches, I can't believe it, that's a stopped playing because of a right arm lot," said Federer, who is chasing a record injury while trailing 2010 runner-up eighth Wimbledon title. Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic Sam Querrey of the US shakes hands with Great Britain’s Andy Murray after winning the quarter final match Canadian sixth seed Raonic had knocked 7-6 (2), 2-0. After dropping the opening of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest out Federer in the semi-finals in 2016, a set, Djokovic took a medical timeout London yesterday. defeat which led the Swiss superstar to shut while a trainer massaged his arm. A day down the rest of his season to rest a knee earlier, during his fourth-round match, injury. Djokovic had his right shoulder worked That snapped Djokovic's 30-match insisting once the tournament began that Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic Yesterday, the 35-year-old Federer on by a trainer. winning streak at the majors. Murray he was OK, he was not nearly capable 7-6 (2), 2-0. After dropping the opening matched the big-serving Canadian with 11 In tomorrow's semifinals, Querrey didn't have that sort of recent domi- of his best on this afternoon. set, Djokovic took a medical timeout aces while crunching a spectacular 46 will face 2014 US Open champion Marin nance, but he is a three-time major Murray's serve speeds slowed, and while a trainer massaged his arm. A day winners. Cilic of Croatia, who also won a five-set- champion and had been to at least the his backhand, in particular, didn't have earlier, during his fourth-round match, He also saved all five break points he ter Wednesday, getting past 16th-seeded semifinals at the All England Club in its usual verve, either. One key to his suc- Djokovic had his right shoulder worked faced and has reached the semi-finals with- Gilles Muller 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 seven of the past eight years. cess is his court coverage, which allows on by a trainer. out dropping a set. with the help of 33 aces. On the other The hip, though, was a problem. him to play defense as well as anyone. half of the draw, Berdych will face Roger Murray had to skip some practice ses- That was not the case in the latter stages Federer next. sions and pull out of a couple of planned against Querrey. Switzerland's Roger Federer Murray is normally a terrific exhibition matches in the leadup to Querrey is the lowest-ranked player returns against Canada's Milos returner, but Querrey hit 27 aces, includ- Wimbledon. Even though he kept to ever beat two-time Wimbledon Raonic during their men's singles ing on six of the last nine points he served champion Murray in his 12 appearances quarter-final match of the 2017 to finish with a flourish. Querrey was at the grass-court Grand Slam WIMBLEDON Wimbledon Championships impeccable for portions of the match, tournament. yesterday. Federer won finishing with 70 winners and only 30 MEN'S QUARTER-FINALS For Murray, this was the fourth five- unforced errors. set match he's lost in a row. Querrey is 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). "He was dictating all of the points," Sam Querrey (USA x24) bt Andy Murray (GBR x1) headed in the opposite direction: Merely Murray said. 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-1 4-10 in fifth sets for his career until last From 1-all in the fourth, Querrey week, he has won each of his last three grabbed eight games in a row to take Marin Cilic (CRO x7) bt Gilles Muller (LUX x16) 3-6, matches by going the distance: against that set and lead 3-0 in the last. 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 12th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the It is the second year in a row that the third round, Kevin Anderson in the 29-year-old Californian upset the Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x6) fourth, and now Murray. defending champion and top-seeded 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) There was another quarterfinal sur- man at the All England Club. In 2016, he prise later Wednesday, when three-time beat Djokovic in the third round en route Tomas Berdych (CZE x11) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic to the only major quarterfinal of Quer- x2) 7-6 (7/2), 2-0 -- retired stopped playing because of a right arm rey's career before yesterday. injury while trailing 2010 runner-up SPORT 13 JULY 2017 THURSDAY 21

NY Knick sign Expletives and excitement as two-year deal to keep Baker

New York Mayweather, McGregor face-off Agencies he New York Knicks Los Angeles an overwhelming underdog agreed to a two-year AFP Mayweather to quit against one of the most accom- T deal to keep shooting for good after bout plished defensive fighters in guard Ron Baker. loyd Mayweather and history, was bullish about his The deal is worth a Conor McGregor lit the Floyd Mayweather has vowed to quit prospects of victory. reported $8.9m for Baker, touchpaper for their boxing once and for all after he emerges "The 0 has got to go," McGre- according to ESPN and later cross-combat super- from retirement for next month's cross- gor declared, referring to confirmed by the New York fight here on Tuesday, combat showdown with Conor McGre- Mayweather's perfect 49-0 Post. He was a restricted free Fturning the air blue in an exple- gor. record. agent. tive-laden face-to-face meeting "I'm not the same fighter I was 21 years "I'm going to knock him out Undrafted out of Wichita to launch their global promo- ago. I'm not the same fighter I was 10 inside four rounds, mark my State, the 6-foot-4 Baker tional tour for the bout. years ago. I'm not even the same fighter words," McGregor said, to more averaged 4.1 points in 52 More than 11,000 fans I was two years ago," Mayweather told roars. games in 2016-17 -- his first crowded into Los Angeles's Sta- reporters at the Staples Center. A stony-faced Mayweather year in the NBA. ples Center for a raucous first Mayweather said he had discussed his meanwhile bided his time before Meanwhile, the Cleveland live showdown between former plans to quit for good at a meeting with taking the microphone and Cavaliers made it official by boxing world champion May- unfurling his own cascade of signing veteran forward Jeff advisor Al Haymon earlier on Tuesday. weather and Irishman McGregor, expletives. Green. "I spoke to Al and told him. Today we one of the biggest stars of mixed "I'm going to knock this bitch The 30-year-old Green martial arts. had a meeting," Mayweather said. "I out," Mayweather said, to boos agreed to a deal last week The two men are set to face can't push my body, it's gruelling. Train- from the crowd. McGregor shot with the Eastern Conference each other in a boxing ring in Las ing camp is gruelling. I can't do it any back: "You haven't knocked any- champions. Vegas on August 26 in what more. Training camp is rough. It has to one out for 20 years!" The one-year pact is could be the richest fight in his- be my last one. Mayweather meanwhile worth a reported $2.3m, tory after finally agreeing to "After taking a couple of years off I was responded to the jibes about his according to ESPN. climb into a boxing ring follow- okay. But then we ended up somehow finances -- he recently filed for Green had "active conver- ing a year-long guessing game making this fight happen. "Now I really an extension to pay his 2015 tax sations" with Cavaliers star over whether they would ever know that this is it. Deep in my heart I bill -- by producing an uncashed LeBron James before making do battle. know this is it." check for $100m from an assist- his decision to sign with the Tuesday's fiery face-off saw ant's rucksack. team, per ESPN. the swaggering, cocksure McGregor was again ready The former No. 5 overall McGregor strut onto stage con- first to take the microphone, with a riposte: "Give it to the draft pick in 2007 has career fidently in a three-piece suit mocking Mayweather's decision taxman!" averages of 13.5 points and 4.7 featuring pinstripes made up of to show up wearing a tracksuit, Mayweather was unruffled boards over 705 games. an offensive two-word insult. suggesting it was linked to the however, vowing to administer Meanwhile, Ben Sim- The immaculately tailored American's reported tax a comprehensive victory over mons, already looking ahead profanity set the tone for a spec- difficulties. the 28-year-old Irishman despite to next season as the Phila- tacle shot through with an "He's in a tracksuit, he can't being 40. delphia 76ers' starting point endless torrent of abuse from even afford a suit anymore!" "I'm not the same fighter I was guard, is excited about the both fighters, no doubt delight- McGregor declared to roars of 10 years ago. Or 5 years ago. Or 2 team's new additions for the ing promoters as they attempt to laughter from the massed ranks years ago," Mayweather said. season. sell a fight for which ringside of his green-shirted fans "But I've got enough to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and Conor McGregor stand face The 6-foot-10 Simmons tickets will go on sale at around crammed into the lower tiers of you. He can choose which way to face during the Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Conor McGregor said he has bought into head $10,000. the famous basketball arena. he wants to go. Either on his back World Press Tour at Staples Center on Tuesday in Los Angeles, coach Brett Brown's vision for The suited McGregor was the McGregor, who will start as or on his face." California. the 2017-18 season, even though he would be one of the tallest players to ever play point guard in the NBA. Pacquiao 'not surprised' by WBO review In other development, the Sacramento Kings announced that they have signed swing- Manila who won each round. On a unanimous decision. But the referee didn't call it close," man Vince Carter, forward AFP Tuesday it said the judges Filipino's camp alleged the said board chairman Abraham Zach Randolph and guard found Horn won seven rounds referee let the Australian get Kahlil Mitra. George Hill, making official anny Pacquiao (pic- to Pacquiao's five. away with illegal tactics. "The judges' scores would what had been reported tured) is "not "We have seen worse The WBO ordered the have greatly changed if the earlier. Msurprised" the World judgments in the past where review while stressing it did referee did his job properly," Los Angeles Lakers rookie Boxing Organization affirmed judges manipulated results. not have the power to reverse Mitra alleged. guard Lonzo Ball will sit out the loss of his welterweight Nothing surprises me now," a decision unless fraud or law "He (referee) didn't give Monday's Las Vegas Summer title to Australian Jeff Horn, Pacquiao said in a statement violations were proven. (Senator) Manny Pacquiao the League game against the Sac- but the Philippine ring legend late on Tuesday. Pacquiao had endorsed respect and fair protection ramento Kings with a groin railed at large at judges who He did not name the the call for a review issued by that is due to a people's injury, multiple outlets "manipulated results". judges nor mention the spe- the Filipino sports regulatory, champ," Mitra said, referring reported. The WBO ordered a cific fights in his allegations. which lashed out at the "unfair to Pacquiao's elected post as The injury isn't consid- review of the scoring of the "Let the people judge for decision and officiating" of the a Philippine senator. ered serious for Ball, but his July 2 Brisbane bout at the themselves. People saw what fight. In a statement yester- Horn, a former school- expected absence puts a request of the Philippines' happened," said the 38-year- day, the Filipino regulator teacher written off before the damper on a matchup that Games and Amusements old, who had won world titles thanked the WBO for looking bout by most observers, wel- would've featured two of the Board, which criticised the in an unprecedented eight into the fight but blamed comed on Tuesday the ruling top five picks of this year's judges and the referee. weight divisions. American referee Mark Nel- as "evidence" of his victory. draft. The WBO set up a panel The undefeated but unh- son for the results. "It's definitely nice to have Ball was the second over- of independent and anony- eralded Horn, 29, had stunned "No matter what review it finally put on paper," said all pick and De'Aaron Fox was mous judges to watch the bout the Filipino legend with his they do, it will be hard to Horn, who had been keen for taken No. 5 overall by the without sound and determine ultra-aggressiveness to earn change the result as the a rematch. Kings. Cano excels to lift AL to victory in MLB All-Star Game

Miami scoreless bottom of the 10th. Miller got with the San Francisco Giants and will AFP assistance on a diving catch in right field start Saturday against the San Diego by the Detroit Tigers' Justin Upton. Padres. The left-hander threw 86 pitches obinson Cano belted a solo home In the bottom of the sixth, catcher in Class A San Jose for the Giants on run in the 10th inning to lift the Yadier Molina tied the score 1-1 on an Monday and will be activated after the RAmerican League to a 2-1 win over opposite-field homer. The 34-year-old All-Star break. the National League in the MLB All-Star Molina is the oldest catcher to hit a home With the Giants on a road trip in Game on Tuesday. run in an All-Star Game, beating the pre- April, Bumgarner incurred shoulder and Cano pulled a 1-1 pitch for a shot vious record by Yogi Berra. rib injuries in a dirt bike accident dur- over the right field fence off pitcher Washington Nationals player Bryce ing an off-day in Denver. Wade Davis, who has allowed just one Harper endeared himself to Miami with The 2014 World Series hero had American homer in 76 appearances over the past his choice of shoes. never previously been on the disabled League infielder two years. Harper wore cleats that honoured the list during his eight-plus major league Robinson Cano "A breaking ball and I hit it out of the late Jose Fernandez, the Marlins pitcher seasons. Bumgarner, 27, is 0-3 with a of the Seattle park," said the Seattle Mariners second who was killed in a boat crash in Septem- 3.00 ERA this season. Mariners is baseman who was named MVP. ber. Harper's shoes had an image of Unable to replicate his success at the presented with "He (Davis) is a guy you have to take Fernandez's face along with the pitcher's plate from last season, Chris Carter is a advantage of when he puts it over the number 16. Harper went one-for-one with free agent once more after the New York the MVP trophy plate. We know he is one of the best a walk and a diving catch. Yankees released the slumping first and the keys to pitchers in the game." NL starter Max Scherzer pitched just baseman. Carter, 30, hit eight home runs a corvette after The AL won its fifth consecutive All- one inning, but he was solid, striking out and drove in 26 runs while hitting .201 defeating the Star Game and tied the all-time series two batters. AL starter Chris Sale of the and striking out 76 times in 62 games National League 43-43-2. Boston Red Sox pitched two scoreless with the Yankees this season. in the 2017 MLB Craig Kimbrel earned the win while innings. He slugged a National League-lead- All-Star Game at Cleveland Indians left-hander Andrew Meanwhile, out since April 20, Mad- ing 41 homers with 94 RBIs in 160 games Marlins Park. Miller picked up the save with a ison Bumgarner is ready to get rolling for the Milwaukee Brewers last year. 22 SPORT THURSDAY 13 JULY 2017

PCB'S NEW CENTRAL CONTRACTS Sri Lanka appoint two new Category A: Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, , Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir Category B: Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Asad Shafiq, Hasan Ali Category C: , Rahat Ali, Haris Sohail, Sami Aslam, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Shahdab Khan captains to replace Mathews Category D: Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Amir Yamin, Usman Shinwari,

Faheem Ashraf, Ruman Raees, Imam-ul-Haq, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Umer Amin, Mohammad Hasan, Colombo Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Rizwan AFP

ri Lanka appointed two new captains yesterday Amir promoted to 'A' to replace Angelo Math- ews, who resigned after his side's humiliating category, Umar axed Shome series defeat to bottom- ranked Zimbabwe. Karachi Dinesh Chandimal will lead AFP the Test side while Upul Tha- ranga will in akistan's star fast bowler limited-overs matches, Sri Lanka Mohammad Amir (pic- Cricket (SLC) said. Ptured) was promoted into The reshuffle caps a turbu- the country's top category yes- lent period for the beleaguered terday following his brilliant Sri Lankan side, whose loss to Champions Trophy perform- Zimbabwe followed a fitness and ance, just 19 months since coaching crisis and an early returning to international departure from the Champions cricket after a five-year spot- Trophy. fixing ban. "Mathews tendered his res- The Pakistan Cricket Board Sri Lanka's new Test cricket captain Dinesh Chandimal (right), former cricket captain Angelo ignation a short while ago this (PCB) shuffled several players jailed by a UK court in 2011. morning," said SLC chief Thi- Mathews (centre) and one-day and T20 captain pose after a press conference while issuing new lists of con- Since his return in January langa Sumathipala said. in Colombo, yesterday. tracts for national duty, given last year, Amir has taken 43 "We want to regroup and on the basis of performances in wickets in 14 Tests, 30 in 21 restructure and move blame for Sri Lanka's recent his career and a "hard pill to one-off Test against international and domestic one-day internationals and 11 forward." woes, and was making room so swallow". Zimbabwe. matches. in 13 Twenty20s. Mathews said he took the his successor could prepare the The struggling side entered "I am going to put my heart "A number of young play- He took three crucial wick- side for the World Cup in 2019. the series without a coach after and soul into the team," Chan- ers have been awarded ets in Pakistan's improbable Sri Lanka team "There were times when I Graham Ford's sudden exit fol- dimal said. contracts this year keeping in Champions Trophy victory over wanted to step down, but I did lowing their poor showing in the Tharanga, who will take over mind that the national team's arch-rivals India in London last restructure not want to let the team down Champions Trophy last month. in Twenty20s and ODIs, said performances in all formats," month. Dinesh Chandimal will at that time because there were Sri Lanka's sports minister there was much room for said a PCB release. Umar Akmal was omitted lead the Test side no replacements as such," he delivered the squad an ultima- improvement following the mir, who was earlier listed from the list of 35 centrally con- while Upul Tharanga told reporters. tum after that performance, embarrassment against in the 'B' category after his tracted players. He was the will captain in "But I feel this is the right ordering players get in shape or Zimbabwe. return to the game, was ele- most notable omission from the limited-overs time. The team's interests super- face the boot after declaring "As a team we did not per- vated to 'A' class in the reshuffle, list, with his fitness having been matches cede my interests. My honest them unfit to compete on the form well," he said. joining the ranks of captain Sar- a major concern for much of his opinion is that there are candi- world stage. Sri Lanka Cricket The team remains plagued fraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali, career. dates who can take over the manager Asanka Gurusinghe by fitness problems, with up to Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Akmal was originally Their first challenge reins." said the team had hit rock bot- 20 players battling injuries in the Malik and Yasir Shah. named in the Champions Tro- starts tomorrow, Mathews bore the brunt of tom but would bounce back. past year, said chief selector The 25-year-old, along with phy squad but was axed after when Chandimal will the criticism levelled at Sri Lan- "After losing to Zimbabwe, Sanath Jayasuriya. then captain Salman Butt and failing two fitness tests leading lead the side in ka's cricketers in the aftermath we have to go up. This side is too Mathews had to return home pace partner Mohammad Asif, up to the start of the tourna- Colombo for the one- of their 3-2 series loss at home good to keep going down," halfway through Sri Lanka's tour was banned in 2010 for arrang- ment in England. off Test against to minnows Zimbabwe on Gurusinghe said. of South Africa earlier this year ing deliberate no-balls in return Akmal had previously been Zimbabwe Monday. Their first challenge starts and missed Bangladesh's tour of for money during the Lord's dropped from a tour of the West Mathews described the tomorrow, when Chandimal will Sri Lanka due to a hamstring Test in England. Indies in April for similar shock defeat as lowest point in lead the side in Colombo for the injury. All three players were also reasons. Tamim denies he left English Trio of new coaches for India raises eyebrows county because of hate crime New Delhi London his Facebook page the AFP Reuters reports were "really not true" and said his depar- surprise decision by India's angladesh opener ture was for "personal cricket board to appoint two has reasons". A high-profile stars to assist B denied media "England is one my of new coach Ravi Shastri has some reports that his abrupt favourite places to play experts wondering how much departure from English cricket and Essex have autonomy the former all-rounder county cricket was been entirely gracious will wield at the helm. prompted by a hate crime even though I had to leave The cricket board ended against his family. early." months of speculation on Tuesday The 28-year-old left Essex refused to com- in naming Shastri to replace Anil English side Essex after ment on the reports and Kumble, who resigned as head of Rahul Dravid Ravi Shastri Zaheer Khan one match on Tuesday, echoed Iqbal's the world's top Test side following not go unnoticed. "The coach has India manager Lalchand Rajput. Shastri's new role differed little just four days after joining comments. a bitter fallout with skipper Virat now got appendages. The BCCI has Speculation had been rife that from his old one, saying: "only the to play eight matches in "Essex County Cricket Kohli. added more arsenal to the support Shastri, who served as India's team designation changes!" A panel the T20 Bash. Club can confirm that Shastri's appointment was staff," prominent cricket commen- director between 2014 and 2016, tasked by the Supreme Court with Yesterday, media overseas player Tamim widely expected but the board's tator and columnist Ayaz Memon would get the nod, especially given overseeing the affairs of India's reports in Bangladesh and Iqbal has left the club with decision to name ex-players said. his friendly ties with Kohli. scandal-ridden cricket board Britain said the opener's immediate effect due to Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as "The problem could be of too "If Dravid batting consultant appeared pleased with the wife, who wears a hijab, personal reasonsm," a bowling and batting consultants many people." and Zaheer bowling coach, is Shas- selection. and child had been chased brief statement read. raised eyebrows. Shastri, 55, edged out a host of tri more "team director" again?" "It is a comprehensive recom- out of a local restaurant The left-hander has Traditionally, the Board of high-profile contenders for the top wrote leading Indian commenta- mendation covering all aspects of and had acid thrown at scored nine ODI centuries Control for Cricket in India allows job, including Virender Sehwag, tor Harsha Bhogle on Twitter. the coaching requirement of any them. for Bangladesh and eight the head coach to pick support staff Australia's Tom Moody, English- Cricketer-turned commenta- team," it said in a statement However, Iqbal said on in Tests. and the break with convention did man Richard Pybus and former tor Aakash Chopra suggested yesterday. OVERALL STANDINGS Boiling-hot Kittel claims fifth Tour stage victory 1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 47hrs 01min 55sec PAU, France 203.5km from Eymet. Britain's after the Italian also fell. Germany's Marcel Kittel, 2. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) at 0:18sec Reuters Chris Froome retained the over- Contador, who slipped wearing the best sprinter's 3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:51. all leader's yellow jersey on a down the general classification green jersey, celebrates as he erman Marcel Kittel was relaxed day for Team Sky's after a bad day in the Jura crosses the finish line during 4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:55. once again a cut above as defending champion. mountains on Sunday, fell off the 203,5km 11th stage of 5. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 1:37. Ghe claimed his fifth vic- Some of his rivals did not his bike 25km from the finish the Tour de France, yesterday tory in this year's Tour de have a quiet day, though. but managed to make it back to between Eymet and Pau. 6. Daniel Martin (IRL/QST) 1:44. France, winning the 11th stage Three of the main contend- the peloton with the help of his 7. Simon Yates (GBR/ORI) 2:02. in emphatic style yesterday. ers crashed as last year's Trek-Segafredo team-mate Jar- 8. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 2:13. The Quick-Step Floors rider, runner-up Romain Bardet, third linson Pantano. who now has 14 stages to his overall, Jakob Fuglsang (fifth) At that point, the main pack 9. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 3:06. name, left it late to launch his and twice winner Alberto Con- was travelling at full speed as 10. George Bennett (NZL/LNL) 3:53. sprint but easily beat Dutchman tador (12th) hit the deck in the sprinters' teams rode hard 11. Louis Meintjes (RSA/EAU) 5:00. Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL- separate incidents. at the front to catch the last fugi- Jumbo) and Norway's Edvald Fuglsang was involved in tive of the day, Maciej Bodnar 12. Alberto Contador (ESP/TRE) 5:15. Boasson Hagen (Dimension a crash at the feed zone and of Poland. 13. Pierre Latour (FRA/ALM) 5:30. Data). went to the medical car to The exhausted Bora-Hans-

14. Mikel Nieve (ESP/SKY) 6:18. Boasson Hagen raised his have his wrist checked while grohe rider was reined in 250

arms as if he had won but was his Astana team-mate Dario metres from the line before Kit- 15. Sergio Henao (COL/SKY) 6:55. comprehensively beaten by Kit- Cataldo was forced to aban- tel stole the show yet again on tel and Groenewegen after don because of a wrist injury the Tour. THURSDAY 13 JULY 2017 SPORT 23 Hamilton eyes four-in-a-row in Britain

London himself and friends on the steps within one race, switch. But the corners, so I think it should be FORMULA ONE STATISTICS FOR THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX Reuters of his private jet. bigger that gap gets, the more quite nice." The Briton will be back pressure builds." Red Bull, with their factory Lap distance: 5.891km. Total distance: 306.198km (52 laps) ewis Hamilton will today as the focus of attention, Vettel, like Hamilton, has down the road, will also be fan- head to Silverstone bidding to match his late com- won three races so far this sea- cying their chances of getting 2016 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes, one minute 29.287 seconds. for this weekend's patriot Jim Clark as the only son and will be looking for in the mix after Australian 2016 winner: Hamilton British Grand Prix driver to have won four Brit- Ferrari's first win in Britain Daniel Ricciardo racked up his Race lap record: Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull, 1:33.401 (2013) with the circuit as ish Grands Prix in a row and since Fernando Alonso in 2011. fifth successive podium with Start time: 1200 GMT (1300 local) Lmuch in the headlines as the five in total. "I'm looking forward to Sil- third place in Austria. WINS home hero. The triple world champion verstone, should be a lot of fun Dutch team mate Max Ver- Champions Mercedes have won 56 of 68 races since the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo Both have said "no" to For- is in need of home comforts with this year's cars," said the stappen, meanwhile, is eager hybrid power units in 2014, and five of nine this season. mula One at the start of a big after setbacks beyond his con- German, who missed out on to end his run of bad luck, with Triple world chamchampion Hamilton has 56 career victories and is second in the all-time list week in Britain -- Hamilton the trol in Azerbaijan andand Austria victoryvictory in Austria by 0.6 sesec-c- five retirements in behinbehindd Michael Schumacher (91). Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel has 45. only driver to snub a major left him 20 points bbehindehind Fer- ondsonds after a storming start by hishis lastlast sevenseven Ferrari have won 22272 races since 1950, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 69 and Red Bull event in London yesterday and rari's championshiphip leader BottasBottas from pole position. races and Silverstone calling time on the Sebastian Vettel ass the season "I think our car has been three-in-a-three-in-a- 53. FoFormer champions McLaren and Williams have not won since 2012. race contract after 2019. approaches the halfwaylfway stage. reallyreally strong this year in fast row. PODIUM "We had a fantastic For the first time since HamiltonHamilton has 109 podiums to date and is second on the all-time list behind Schu- response from all the teams March 2014 Hamiltonon has been macher (155). Vettel has 93, Raikkonen 86. and 19 of the drivers," said a off the podium for twotwo succes- Ricciardo, wwinner in Azerbaijan, has been on the podium in his last five races. That is Formula One spokesman, sive races and hhee has no hishis bbebeststt eeverv run in the sport. Only four other current drivers have managed such a without naming Hamilton, intention of completingpleting that sstreaktrea of success (Hamilton, Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Vettel). ahead of the F1 Live London hat-trick at a circuitit that ranks Lewis POINTS event featuring demonstration among his favourites.tes. Hamilton Hamilton is 20 points behind Vettel. runs on the streets of "It is generally whenwhen there Westminster. are adversities thatat there is All the teams have now opened their tallies. Hamilton told his fans on an opportunity to ggrowrow and BRITAIN social media on Tuesday that to do something prettyetty Hamilton is chasingchas his fourth straight win in Britain, and fifth in total. The late Jim Clark, he was going on a break. His special," he said ofof who also wonwon five, is the only driver to have won four British Grands Prix in a row Mercedes team confirmed that his current situa-- (1962-1965). only Valtteri Bottas would be tion, whilee Mercedes haveha won the last four British Grands Prix, Nico Rosberg having won in 2013. in London. recognising thatt Pole is nnoto a significant advantage, historically. But every winner has started from "Two day holiday before the things did not lookk fourth or higher since 2000. greatest race weekend of the great as they stood.d. Four current drivers have won at Silverstone: Hamilton (2008, 2014, year!!," Hamilton told his 4.5 "We've still gott million followers on Instagram a long, long way too 2015, 2016), Alonso (2006, 2011), Vettel (2009) and Raikkonen (2007). alongside a photograph of go. It could easily,y,

Premier League Paris Saint Germain's (PSG) Sanchez will stay President Nasser clubs boast Al Khelaifi (left) and PSG's at Arsenal, says record revenues new Brazilian defender Dani London Alves pose with Mertesacker Reuters Alves' jersey during a press London he Premier League's reputa- conference in Reuters tion as richest in the world Paris yesterday. was reinforced by an annual rsenal captain Per Mertesacker believes football finance report which Alexis Sanchez will not leave the Premier showed record revenue of ALeague club in the transfer window, T£3.6 bn ($4.63bn) in 2015/16, a nine- despite the Chilean striker entering the final percent jump on the previous season. year of his current contract with no new deal Across all four divisions, the 92 in sight. clubs generated £4.4bn, another record, Sanchez scored 30 goals in all competitions with new highs in spending, profits and as Arsenal lifted the FA Cup but endured an tax also being recorded by the 26th edi- underwhelming league campaign, finishing fifth tion of Deloitte's Annual Review of in the standings and failing to qualify for the Football Finance published Champions League for the first time in two yesterday. decades. It paints a picture of "relentless rev- Sanchez's contract negotiations dragged on enue growth" with the record-breaking during the latter stages of last season but Ger- 2016-19 broadcasting revenue deal, man central defender Mertesacker is confident which secured a 50 percent rise to that the 28-year-old will remain at the Emirates £8.3bn, further improving finances. for the next campaign. Over the three-year broadcasting "Yes, definitely," Mertesacker told Fox Sports rights cycle to 2015/16, the report said when asked if Sanchez was staying. "We have a combined operating profits topped strong squad and we do not want to lose any £1.6bn. Alves joins Paris Saint-Germain players. Although wages are soaring, up 12 "Even in their final contract year we need percent to £2.3bn as clubs anticipated London growth of the club and its place as one of the them. We cannot afford to lose them. If you're expected income from the latest lucra- Reuters strong teams in European football. It is excit- talking about championships, to keep our best tive broadcasting deal, the report said ing to be a part of this grand project," added player is key. there was evidence of a more prudent ani Alves has completed a surprise move the 34-year-old full-back. Sanchez, who is his country's record goal approach with just 44 percent of rev- to Paris Saint-Germain, the French club The Brazilian had seemed likely to link up scorer and helped the team reach the Confed- enue increases being spent on wages Dsaid yesterday. with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guar- erations Cup final earlier this month, had since 2012/13, compared with 99 per- "I am extremely happy to have joined PSG," diola at Manchester City. previously expressed his frustration with Arse- cent in the five years before that. Alves said after signing a two-year contract fol- Alves spent four years under Guardiola in nal's failure to challenge for the league title. While Leicester City won the Pre- lowing his release by Juventus. Spain, winning the Champions League twice in Arsenal are currently in Australia where they mier League despite being ranked 15th "The past few years I saw the formidable that time, but a reunion never materialised. play two pre-season friendlies, starting against by wage costs, and Chelsea finished Sydney FC today. eight places lower than their ranking, the report said the subsequent 2016/17 season showed a "stronger correla- tion between wage costs and league position", with the division's top six James to rekindle career under Ancelotti at Bayern wage spenders in 2015/16 filling the top six wage positions in 2016/17. While Leicester City won the Pre- Berlin of the USA, James, 25, will Bayern of the player's unde- James was a failure at Real Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez mier League despite being ranked AFP be jetting east with Bayern niable talent with the as the attacking midfielder presents his new Bayern Munich match 15th by wage costs, and Chelsea fin- on Sunday when the Ger- German club having the scored 36 goals with 38 jersey in Munich, Germany yesterday. ished eight places lower than their fter a frustrating spell mans visit China and chance to try before they buy assists in 110 games for the ranking, the report said the subse- at Real Madrid, James Singapore. while Real have found a way Spanish giants. quent 2016/17 season showed a ARodriguez will Bayern's Germany to off-load the talent they The Colombian, who has "stronger correlation between wage attempt to kick-start his defender Mats Hummels signed for €75m from a contract at Real until 2020, costs and league position", with the career at Bayern Munich wasted no time in welcom- Monaco in July 2014. arrived at the Bernabeu division's top six wage spenders in next season, back under the ing the Colombian, who According to German three years ago to much 2015/16 filling the top six wage posi- stewardship of Carlo scored six goals at the World daily Bild, Bayern will pay pomp and fanfare. tions in 2016/17. Ancelotti. Cup, by writing "Bienvenido €10m per year for James and His best season at Real The report also revealed the price Colombian hot-shot @jamesrodriguez" on will have the option to buy was in 2014/15, when he for those chasing a share of Premier James on Tuesday joined his Twitter. him for €35m. scored 17 goals, with 18 League riches, with Championship former Real boss at the Ger- James will boost Bay- James has the chance to assists, in 46 matches under clubs spending more on wages than man champions on a ern's star-studded attack again prosper under Ancelotti, who played him revenue for the third time in four two-year loan. along with fellow new sign- Ancelotti. in his favourite position of seasons. Bayern have the option ing Corentin Tolisso, 22, who He is a big-name sum- attacking midfielder. The second-tier clubs recorded to buy the 2014 World Cup has joined from French side mer signing which Bayern James made just 13 start- a record combined operating loss of top-scorer at the end of the Lyon for €41.5m ($47.3m). need with Brazil's Douglas ing appearances last season £261m with net debt rising to £1.3bn deal. James' loan deal suits all Costa negotiating a transfer under Zidane in the Spanish as owners continued to gamble on Instead of flying west to parties. with Juventus. league with a further nine off reaching the Premier League. Los Angeles for Real's tour Ancelotti has persuaded It's unfair to assume the bench.