THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 10

England skipper lauds Nadal to skip US Open ‘dangerous’ Stirling after Ireland upset Nadal still preparing to play Roland Garros despite US Open withdrawal

Defending champion Nadal• won’t play at Flushing Meadows due to COVID-19 concerns

Reuters | New York

orld number two Ra- fael Nadal confirmed Wthat he will not de- fend his US Open crown this year but said he still intends to Ireland’s Paul Stirling plays a shot play at the French Open next month. AFP | Southampton Nadal also insisted the US Open will not carry an aster- ngland skipper Eoin Mor- isk without its defending men’s Egan said Paul Stirling is as champion, even if he admitted dangerous an opener as there it will take place under “special is in cricket after the Irishman 142 circumstances”, with several smashed 142 off 128 balls to runs were scored by top players expected to sit out. help his team to a remarkable Ireland’s Paul Stirling off The 34-year-old Spaniard’s Rafael Nadal in action during a match (file photo) upset of the world champi - 128 balls to help his team withdrawal was confirmed ons in the third one-dayer on to a remarkable upset of shortly after the Madrid Open would be to be there if condi- winner will feel like the winner Tuesday. England was cancelled on Tuesday, with tions allow.” of a Grand Slam. It’s true it will Ireland-born Morgan scored a rise in coronavirus cases in Eu- Nadal also explained his deci- be under special circumstances a of his own as Eng- rope raising doubts around oth- sion to pull out of the US Open. My decision is to stay at with a lot of important players land set the visitors an impos- need to take those opportuni- er events, including the French “My heart says today is not the home in Mallorca where not travelling there.” ing victory target of 329 at the ties because they will hurt you. Open, which is due to start in moment to take long travels Nadal added: “My words can Rose Bowl but he sat out the “Ireland played really well Paris on September 27. without knowing exactly what the situation is good, have repercussions so it is diffi- second because of a and thoroughly deserved to Nadal, who would be going can and cannot happen. it looks under control cult to say if it is the right deci- minor groin injury. win.” for a record-extending 13th title “My decision is to stay at here, and to wait for sion or not, for some players it He watched on from the Morgan briefly overlapped at Roland Garros, was asked if home in Mallorca where the future opportunities. will be right for others not. boundary as Stirling, who was with Stirling in the Ireland he thinks the tournament will situation is good, it looks under RAFAEL NADAL “I respect a lot the amount dropped on 95 and 139, and set-up before switching alle- go ahead. control here, and to wait for of work and positive intentions Ireland Andy Balbirnie giance but knows him better “I trust it will yes, it is in my future opportunities.” of the ATP and USTA (United (113) put on 214 for the second from their time as team mates mind and I am preparing for it,” still due to play. States Tennis Association) to to help the Irish over- at English county Middlesex. said the 34-year-old in a brief- ‘Special circumstances’ “The tournament is still big, try to come back to the tour. I haul the target for a second “He’s as dangerous an ing with international media on Women’s world number one it’s a Grand Slam,” Nadal said. have taken my decision so you victory over England in 12 at- opening batsman as there is Wednesday. Ashleigh Barty has also chosen “I am not arrogant enough to know my thoughts but I respect tempts. around the world,” he said of “But we have to wait for not to compete in New York, say the tournament is not big there are other players in differ- “Paul Stirling had a day out the 29-year-old. events, to see how everything where a depleted entry list in because I am not playing. There ent situations and they need to and he’s the ability to do that,” “I know guys do not like evolves because it is true that both the men’s and women’s will be important players. play because they have financial Morgan told reporters. bowling at him, he hits good in recent weeks the situation draws looks inevitable. “Of course it’s a tournament problems and need to earn mon- “But we play against world balls for four or six and, on his seems to have worsened a little. Serena Williams, Novak Djok- under special circumstances ey after a few months without class players all the time and day, he can take a game away But my hope and my intention ovic and Andy Murray are all but still a Grand Slam and the income.” you know when you do, you from you.”

Manchester City sign winger Fulham’s Bryan hails manager Parker for playoff free kick success Ferran Torres from Valencia Reuters | London ulham’s two-goal playoff AFP | London ment is a dream.” Fhero Joe Bryan gave man- Guardiola is keen to ager Scott Parker the credit for (Parker said) whip it in anchester City have an- strengthen his squad follow- the opening goal that put his the near post, because Mnounced the signing of ing the loss of their Premier side on track for a 2-1 extra-time the keeper comes Valencia winger Ferran Tor- League title to Liverpool -- playoff final win over Brentford ridiculously far off his res on a five-year deal as Pep they have also agreed a £41 and sealed their swift return to line. That’s something Guardiola looks to bolster his million fee for Bournemouth the Premier League on Tuesday. we practised this week attacking options. defender Nathan Ake. As Bryan’s team mates cele- The 20-year-old “We have followed Ferran’s brated around him, the fullback JOE BRYAN Spaniard, City’s first progress closely and have been revealed the content of a side- signing of the sum- very impressed,” said City di- line conversation he had with run. That’s all I’ve been doing, mer transfer win- rector of football Txiki Be - his boss just before opening the running, and it’s paid off today,” dow, has penned a giristain. scoring in the 105th minute with he said beaming. five-year contract “He is young and still devel- a free kick from deep that flew Joe Bryan of Fulham celebrates after scoring his sides first goal Former Fulham captain Park- for a reported oping, but his technical past Brentford keeper David er, 39, was delighted with his initial fee of qualities are exactly Raya. “We looked at Raya’s position- The 26-year-old defend - side’s performance and gave £20.9 mil- what we are looking “(Parker said) whip it in the ing from free kicks, he’s very, er’s second goal came after a credit to his players and back- lion ($27 for in a winger. He near post, because the keeper very aggressive, he’s very ag- lung-bursting sprint to play a room staff for bouncing back to million). is quick, direct, can comes ridiculously far off his gressive in his starting position,” one-two with substitute Alek- the Premier League following “I am create space with line. That’s something we prac- Parker explained. sandar Mitrovic before slotting their relegation last season. so hap- one movement tised this week,” Bryan told Sky “I told him (Bryan), ‘You need the ball home and this time “I’m the one that fronts it up, py to be and is capa - Sports. to keep an eye on his position- he credited his fitness regime I’m the one that everyone sees joining ble of producing Parker confirmed his instruc- ing, and I want you to commit during the novel coronavirus but behind the scenes is a sup- City,” match-winning tions to Bryan, who added a sec- to it, I want you to commit to lockdown. port network that keeps you Torres moments.” ond goal in the 117th minute to the shot’, and it’s worked,” he “I’m quite fit, you know! In going ... I’m very proud of my told the Torres can kill the game off. added. lockdown all we could do was team,” he said. Premier play on either League wing and oper- club’s website. ate through the “Every player middle, with pace wants to be involved and an ability to ICC to use front foot no-ball tech for England-Pakistan tests in attacking teams beat players his Reuters | London and Manchester City main attrib- The responsibility to call no- “Front foot no ball technology taken on its future use in test are one of the most at- utes. ront foot no-ball technology balls when a bowler oversteps to be used in ICC World .” tacking in world football. He made Fwill be used for the first time the mark currently lies with Championship series featur- The ICC has already conduct- “Pep encourages a really 44 appear- on a trial basis in test cricket on-field umpires, but under the ing England and Pakistan, with ed successful trials of the tech- open, aggressive style, which ances for during the three-match series new system the TV umpire will the support of both teams,” the nology across men’s 50-over I love, and he is a manager Valencia last between England and Pakistan monitor the landing foot after world governing body tweeted. international matches while it with a proven track record of season, scor- starting later on Wednesday, the each ball and communicate to “Performance of the tech- was also used at the women’s improving players. To have ing six International Cricket Council the umpires whether it was a nology in these tests will be World Cup in Aus- him overseeing my develop- goals. has said. legal . reviewed before any decisions tralia earlier this year. Ferran Torres