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SUNday, MAY 16, 2021 Federer calls for Tokyo Olympics decision: Is it happening or not? DPA Berlin

Roger Federer has called I would love to play in the on Olympics chiefs to end all Olympics, win a medal for uncertainty and make a final Switzerland. ruling on whether Tokyo 2020 can go ahead. I think what the athletes The Swiss great, a win- need is a decision: is it ner of 20 Grand Slam titles, going to happen or is it had hoped to make a farewell not going to happen? Olympic Games appearance last year, only for the pan- At the moment, we have demic to mean the event was the impression that it will postponed for 12 months. happen. We know it’s a Both the Japanese govern- ment and the International fluid situation. Olympic Committee have not And you can also decide swayed from their stance that as an athlete if you want the Games will go ahead de- to go. If you feel there’s a spite a strong swell of public support for a cancellation. lot of resistance, maybe With Japan struggling to it’s better not to go. I contain the COVID-19 virus, don’t know. however, and Tokyo still in a formal state of emergency, Roger Federer there remain major doubts over whether it is realistic for thousands of international vis- to happen? itors to come to the country in “At the moment, we have July and August. the impression that it will hap- Federer has heard the con- pen. We know it’s a fluid situ- fident voices, but he also is ation. And you can also decide aware that many residents of as an athlete if you want to go. Tokyo are against the Games If you feel there’s a lot of re- happening this year. sistance, maybe it’s better not great Roger Federer during a pre-tournament interview ahead of the Gonet in Switzerland on Friday. (ATP) “Honestly I don’t know to go. I don’t know.” what to think. I’m a bit between Federer, who is returning appearance, with Wimbledon back which is the priority.” through that match, Federer encounters against Fucsovics in The top seed returned the two,” Federer told Swiss tel- from a long knee injury lay- on the horizon. Earlier on Friday, Federer will likely face a difficult quar- the past. This year’s Rotterdam to the ATP Tour for the first evision station Leman Bleu. off, has played at four previous He and wife Mirka and was placed into a tough sec- ter-final encounter. runner-up pushed Federer to time in 13 months at the “I would love to play in Olympics, winning doubles their family are likely to be tion of the Gonet Geneva Open Federer shares the top quar- four sets at last year’s Australi- ExxonMobil Open in March, the Olympics, win a medal for gold with Stan Wawrinka in spending several weeks apart draw, ahead of his tournament ter of the draw with Santiago an Open and reached tie-breaks where he fell to eventual Switzerland. It would make in 2008 and silver in as Federer co-operates, where debut at the ATP 250 next champion Cristian Garin and in his previous two matches champion Nikoloz Basilashvili me especially proud. But if it singles at London 2012, where required, with tournament week. former World No. 3 Marin Cilic. against the 39-year-old. in the quarter-finals. doesn’t happen because of the Andy Murray denied him in bubbles, limiting the size of In a loaded top quarter, the Fifth seed Garin will begin his Federer will be making just Federer will be aiming to situation, I would be the first the final at Wimbledon. player entourages. 20-time Grand Slam champi- title bid against Marton Fucso- his second appearance of the join Claudio Mezzadri (1987), to understand. He is set to play his sec- “It’s going to test a little the on will face Australia’s Jordan vics, while Cilic will meet Swiss year in the Swiss city and will Marc Rosset (1989) and Stan “I think what the athletes ond comeback tournament situation at home,” Federer said. Thompson or Pablo Andujar Dominic Stephan Stricker. be competing on clay for the Wawrinka (2016-‘17) as the need is a decision: is it going next week at the Geneva Open, “I’ve spoken about it a lot of Spain in the second round. Federer has also contested first time sinceR oland Garros fourth Swiss player to lift the to happen or is it not going building up to a with Mirka. Now it’s the come- If he can navigate his way three tight ATP Head2Head in 2019. Geneva trophy. Attiyah fastest, edges closer to Andalucia Rally title

Al Shaqab Racing’s Joud Al Cham and Mounjared Al Cham finished 1-2 in the Prix Baroud II race for Purebred Arabians at Toulouse in France on Saturday. (Pic: Robert Poulin) Joud Al Cham leads home an Al Shaqab Racing 1-2 in France Tribune News Network lead. Setting a steady pace, he year, before winning on his ran relaxed and unchallenged seasonal bow at 4 the follow- for the frontrunner position, ing May. He then lined up in The Prix Baroud II, a condi- whilst Mounjared Al Cham the Group 1 PA Qatar Derby tions race for Purebred Arabi- sat towards the rear. In the des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 ans ans aged 4 and over, saw a 1-2 final turn,A uge remained at Chantilly that July but was for the colours of Al Shaqab motionless as his rivals began clearly not in form that day, Racing when Joud Al Cham their pursuit. finishing down the field.T hat (Azadi x Taj Al Chame) led In the straight, he held off was he last racecourse appear- home Mounjared Al Cham his challengers, and looked ance until today’s win, over 9 Nasser Al Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel in their Toyota Hilux during the 283km route at the Andalucia Rally in Spain on Saturday. (Azadi x Al Moutawakila). to be the comfortable win- months later. Both are 5-year-old entire ner until Mounjared Al Cham “Both these horses have Tribune News Network Baumel hold a 4.43-second Xavier Panseri, who had won kvist; Mini John Cooper Works horses, both owned in associa- came with a strong late run in shown a lot of quality, and Doha lead over local pair Carlos the first and second leg, fin- Buggy; +7.02 tion by Al Shaqab Racing and the final 200 meters. He flew they both needed this run”, Sainz and Lucas Cruz. ished third on Saturday in 5. Erik van Loon / Sebastien Nada Mousli, both trained by to line, and the post only just commented trainer Thomas Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al At- Sainz and Cruz finished their Can Am Maverick XRS. Delaunay; Toyota Hilux; +10.09 Thomas Fourcy, and both bred came in time for Joud Al Cham Fourcy. tiyah edged closer to defending third in Mini Cooper behind 6. Guillaume de Mevius / Tom by Hassan and Nada Mousli to hold the win by the smallest “Joud Al Cham has a huge his title at the Andalucia Rally in Saudi’s Yazeed al-Rajhi and Leg 3 Results Colsoul; OT3; +12.47 (Mounjared Al Cham) in as- of noses! stride and travelled with his Spain after he won the third and his German co-driver Dirk 1. Nasser Al Attiyah / Mathieu 7. Paulo Ferreira / Jorge Mon- sociation with Faiz Al Elweet)! Soko (Nieshan x Saka) ears pricked – I don’t think penultimate leg on Saturday. Von Zitzewitz, who were Baumel; Toyota Hilux; Time: teiro; Toyota Hilux; +13.45 And only a nose separated came in third, 2 ½ lengths he’s had a hard race! We will The ace rally driver Attiyah behind the wheel of Toyota 3:12.38 seconds 8. Mitchell Guthrie / Ola Floene; these two horses on the finish back from the leading pair. give them both some time. and his French co-driver Mat- Hilux. 2. Yazeed Al Rajhi / Dirk von OT3; +14.42 line of this 2,100-meter race at Joud Al Cham was making They are nice horses for the thieu Baumel in Toyota Hilux Meanwhile, Nasser’s Zitzewitz; Toyota Hilux; +1.48 9. Denis Krotow / Konstantin Toulouse (France). just his fourth racecourse ap- second half of the season. emerged fastest in the 283km brother Khalifa Al Attiyah 3. Carlos Sainz / Lucas Cruz; Zilcow; Mini John Cooper Works Joud Al Cham, ridden by pearance here, and his third “The aim is to let them ma- route in 3:12.38 seconds. (South Racing) was on course Mini John Cooper Works Rally; Rally; +16.02 Julien Auge, was drawn on win! ture into nice older horses. I Going into Sunday’s to winning the T4 category. +3.17 10. Laia Sanz / Daniel Oliveras; the inside in this 7-runner He won on debut in the don’t have a race lined up for 284km final leg,A ttiyah and Al Attiyah and co-driver 4. Mattias Ekstrom / Emil Berg- Mini All4 Racing; +17.00. race, and went straight to November of his 3-year-old them right now.” 10 Sunday, May 16, 2021 Sports Sanchez names Qatar squad for World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers Indian team to arrive in Group E centralised venue of Doha on May 19 Tribune News Network Ahrak, Ismail Muhammad, The tournament will be Championship before being Doha Karim Boudaif, Assim Madi- played in 11 cities across eight renamed to the CONCACAF bo, , , different US metropolitan ar- Gold Cup starting in 1991. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez Ahmed Alaaeldin, Moham- eas, with the final taking place has named a 27-member squad med Muntari, Sultan Al Brake, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Indian team to land for the upcoming games of the Youssed Abdel Razzaq. Vegas on August 2. on May 19 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the The Qatar players will be- Qatar are in Group D India, who are already out of 2022 FIFA World Cup quali- gin a training camp from Sun- (based in Houston, Texas, the reckoning for a 2022 FIFA fiers to be held from June 3-15. day ahead of the qualifiers. BBVA Stadium), the first World Cup berth but are still Qatar was picked by the The fifth group matches match will kick off on July 13 in contention for a 2023 Asian Asian Football Confederation will be held in four rounds against Panama, before Hon- Cup spot in the joint qualifi- in March as the centralised on June 3-7-11 and 15th, with duras takes on Grenada. ers, will arrive on May 19 after venue to host the remaining seven matches. On July 20 in Orlando, Qatar accepted the All India Group E matches owing to Qatar currently top the Grenada and Panama will Football Federation’s (AIFF) the coronavirus -related travel Group E ranking with 16 points close Group Stage play while request to allow Indian’s play- and quarantine restrictions. from six games, Oman are sec- Honduras faces Qatar in ers to train in Doha ahead of The Qatar team includes: ond with 12 points from five BBVA Stadium. the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Tareq Salman, Abdelkarim matches, Afghanistan third The CONCACAF Gold Cup Qatar has even agreed to Hassan, Pedro Miguel, Salah with 4 points, India fourth with is the main association football the AIFF’s request to waive the Zakaria, Mahmoud Abu Nada, 3, and Bangladesh have 1 point. competition of the men’s na- mandatory 10-day quarantine. Meshaal Barsham, Saad Al Qatar beat Bangladesh 5-0 tional football teams governed The players will have a pre- Sheeb, Muhammad Waad, last December before the quali- by CONCACAF, determining paratory camp of nearly two Boulem Khoukhi, Salem Al fiers were pushed ahead follow- the continental champion of weeks in a bio-bubble before Hajri, Humam Ahmed, Bas- ing the coronavirus pandemic. North America, Central Amer- their first match on June 3. sem Al Rawi, Musab Khidr, Qatar are also scheduled to ica, and the Caribbean. The Indian team will as- Ahmed Suhail, Hassan Al participate in the CONCACAF The Gold Cup is held every semble in New Delhi and will Haydos, Khaled Muneer, Ab- Gold Cup 2021 as a guest team two years. It was previously be tested for COVID-19 prior delaziz Hatem, Abdullah Al as AFC Asian Cup champions. referred to as the CONCACAF their departure to Qatar.

GOALS & GRATITUDE Lewandowski Tielemans stunner sees obliges: Equals but doesn’t erase Leicester lift FA Cup Mueller’s record DPA once in a season in the league’s Berlin 58-year history, with in fact only six other players reaching Gerd Mueller’s wife and this mark. Freiburg coach Christian Stre- Mueller’s overall record ich pleaded with Robert Le- also appeared to be for eter- wandowski not to erase Muel- nity but some are not so sure ler’s 49-year-old scoring record now because Lewandowski has from the Bundesliga books. moved within 89 goals with a The Bayern Munich striker tally of 276 for second place Lewandowski obliged for now, since a 2010 Bundesliga arrival converting a penalty in a 2-2 at Borussia Dortmund. draw at Freiburg on Saturday “Should Lewandowski to take his season tally to 40 play for Bayern for three more Leicester City’s Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans celebrates vic- goals, the same amount the for- years without a major injury, tory after the English FA Cup final against Chelsea at the Wembley mer Munich great Mueller had Gerd Mueller’s record of 365 Stadium in London on Saturday. (AFP) achieved in 1971-72. Bundesliga goals is also under Mueller will be unaware of threat,” former Munich great DPA second major title after a sen- what happened because he is Paul Breitner said. London sational Premier League suc- suffering from dementia and in The 32-year-old - whose cess in 2016. They also have a nursing home. His wife, Uschi father was a junior European Youri Tielemans scored a three League Cup crowns. Mueller, said this week that judo champion, mother a top wonder goal and the video as- Captain Kasper he wouldn’t begrudge Lewan- flight volleyball player in Po- sistant referee then came to Schmeichel also made key Leicester City’s English-born Jamaican defender Wes Morgan (L) and Danish goalkeeper Kasper dowski for breaking the record land, and wife a former fudo- the rescue as Leicester City saves for the team of manager Schmeichel hold up the winner’s trophy as the Leicester players celebrate victory at the Wembley Stadium but also made a small request kan-karate world champion won the FA Cup for the first Brendan Rodgers late in the in London on Saturday. Leicester won the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s 137-year history as Youri that would have kept him in the - is rarely injured and super fit time in their 137-year club game before received the tro- Tielemans’s sensational strike beat Chelsea 1-0 in front of 22,000 fans. (AFP) books. which should allow him a few history, 1-0 over Chelsea at phy out of the hands of Brit- Wembley on Saturday. ain’s Prince William, the FA The Blues eliminated Pre- Tielemans for the sensational and their fans who celebrated Tielemans fired into the president. mier League champions Man- strike high into the net past wildly a few minutes on. Robert Lewan- top left corner from some 25 “So happy I can’t begin to chester City in the semi-finals Kepa Arrizabalaga. “The performance today, dowski during metres in the 63rd minute describe it. What a day. Inde- but fell short of a ninth FA Tuchel brought more at- the grit and determination, the Bundesliga in front of a crowd of some scribable. It is what dreams Cup title in their 15th final. tacking power plus Chilwell I’m so proud of everybody, match against 21,000 fans allowed into the are made of. I have dreamt Chances were sparse in a which set up a frantic finale. everybody contributed to SC Freiburg on famed arena as coronavirus of this since I was a child,” rainy first half with Chelsea’s Chilwell’s 78th-min- get to the final everyone has Saturday. (AFP) restrictions are being eased in Schmeichel told the BBC. Mason Mount and Timo Wer- ute header was kept out by played and been sensational,” England. “We have talked about ner aiming wide, and Cesar Schmeichel with a little help Schmeichel said. But victory was not theirs wanting to win trophies, and Azpilicueta unable to meet from the left post, and the Dan- The two sides meet again until an 89th-minute equal- the performance today with Thiago Silva’s cross from ish keeper made another sen- on Tuesday in a crucial Pre- izer from Chelsea was nul- the grit and the determination point-blank range after Wer- sational save against Mount’s mier League date at Stamford lified by VAR because Ben - I am so proud of everybody.” ner had also gone for the ball. fierce volley in the 87th. Bridge where the loser could Chilwell was deemed offside Chelsea were not as strong as Leicester gained more It all seemed to no avail miss out on a place in the next by the smallest of margins in in the past weeks under their possession as the sun came when Chilwell beat him for a Champions League. “Dear Robert Lewandows- more years. the build-up. new manager Thomas Tuchel out after the break, and the long punt and the ball deflect- Chelsea have another ki, 40 goals are enough,” she Lewandowski was at times It was Leicester’s first FA who had won the German Cup goal then came in the 63rd ed into the net but Chelsea’s chance for silverware when said. considered egotistic but that has Cup trophy after four lost fi- 2017 with Borussia Dortmund when Chelsea lost the ball in wild celebrations turned into they meet City again in the Streich struck a similar line changed in recent years, and be- nals in the past, the last one and the French Cup last year their half and Luke Thomas agony when the goal was dis- Champions League final in a Friday in order to preserve the coming a real team player has 52 years ago in 1969, and their with Saint-Germain. set up the Belgian midfielder allowed - and it was Leicester fortnight on May 29 in Porto. record of his “hero” Mueller made him even more lethal. and because Lewandowski has “You must keep on staying “enough titles.” calm and play for the whole Lewandowski also had Mu- team,” he recently said. “I must eller on his mind when he cel- be grateful for being set up so Cuadrado brace as Juve keep top-four ebrated his goal by revealing a often by my team-mates.” t-shirt with a picture of Mueller Former Munich captain and the writing “4ever Gerd” Lothar Matthaeus said on Sky: and got a guard of honour from “Congratulations to Lewan- hopes alive with 3-2 over Inter Milan team-mates and staff to mark dowski. But he also has a great the milestone. He then shock- team with him.” DPA the second half - in the 88th their lead suffered a blow in ingly missed a sitter with 12 Lewandowski has won eve- Berlin minute, powering home from the 55th minute when Bentan- minutes left but has one more rything from World Footballer the penalty spot after he had cur received a second yellow game to get sole possession of to all club trophies with Munich, Juventus kept alive their been brought down by Ivan card for a foul on Lukaku. the record in next week’s sea- and last won the 2020 Cham- Champions League qualifica- Perisic, whose team-mate Pirlo opted to replace Ron- son finale against Augsburg pions League, Bundesliga and tion hopes with a dramatic 3-2 Marcelo Brozovic was sent off aldo with Alvaro Morata for when he will secure a sixth German Cup treble by finishing win over Serie A champions in stoppage time. the final 20 minutes and that Bundesliga top scorer crown, top scorer in all three events. Inter in the Derby d’Italia on The result moved An- decision appeared to have one less than Mueller’s seven. Lewandowski once put four Saturday. drea Pirlo’s side into the top backfiredwhen Chiellini bun- Lewandowski finally got goals behind Real Madrid in a Cristiano Ronaldo tapped four, although they could dled into his own net under to share the record he already 2013 Champions League semi- home after his initial penalty be usurped ahead of next pressure from Lukaku, the came close to in the past cam- final while still at Dortmund, was saved to put Juve ahead weekend’s final matchday if goal eventually given after the paign with 34 goals. and is also the most success- midway through the first half, Napoli overcome Fiorentina referee was encouraged to re- His first season with 30 ful scorer in Poland’s national but Romelu Lukaku drew An- on Sunday. view the incident by VAR. goals came in 2015-16 and fa- team with 66 goals. tonio Conte’s side level soon Juve’s early positive ap- Juventus’ Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado celebrates after However, the hosts sealed mously included five within a He could still equal or bet- after with a penalty of his own. proach was rewarded in the scoring his first goal during the Italian Serie A match vs Inter at the a memorable three points with span of nine minutes against ter Dieter Mueller’s Bundes- A Giorgio Chiellini own 24th minute when a relieved Juventus stadium in Turin on Saturday. (AFP) two minutes remaining as Wolfsburg. liga record of six goals in one goal seven minutes from Ronaldo slotted home the Cuadrado lashed home from Mueller meanwhile had five game, but chasing Cristiano full-time cancelled out Juan rebound after Samir Han- later, though, Lukaku strok- first-half stoppage time, Cuad- the spot to inflict a first defeat seasons with 30 or more goals Ronaldo (134 goals) and Lionel Cuadrado’s earlier strike, but danovic had kept out his initial ing home from the spot after rado’s effort from outside the in 21 Serie A matches for Inter, in his glittering career which Messi (120) in the Champions the Colombia international penalty, which was given after Matthijs de Ligt was penalised penalty area flashing past who had Brozovic dismissed saw him score 365. League appears impossible al- sealed a vital three points Matteo Darmian had hauled for the slightest of touches on Handanovic courtesy of a de- after he picked up a second No other Bundesliga player though he has moved to third for Juve - who had Rodrigo down Chiellini at a corner. Lautaro Martinez. flection off Christian Eriksen. yellow card for a foul on the has scored 30 goals more than all-time with 73 goals. Bentancur dismissed early in Inter drew level 11 minutes Juve restored their lead in Juve’s task of holding onto two-goal hero. Sports Sunday, May 16, 2021 11 Djokovic sets up blockbuster Nadal final after Sonego epic ATP Rome

Hours after defeating Stefa- nos Tsitsipas in the quarter-fi- nals, top seed Novak Djokovic Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to American Coco Gauff during triumphed in a semi-final epic their semi-final match of the Women’s Italian Open at Foro Italico against Italian Lorenzo Sone- 2021 in Rome on Saturday. (AFP) go to reach his 10th final at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. World No. 1 Djokovic was Swiatek packs off up a set and a break against Sonego and held match points in the second set, but he was Gauff to book title in for a battle as the Italian dug deep and rallied Campo Centrale to send them the dis- clash with Pliskova tance. But the five-timeR ome champion raised his level in Serbian Novak Djokovic celebrates a point against Italian Lorenzo Spaniard Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the Men’s Italian Open WTA Swiatek and Gauff, a high- the deciding set to seal the vic- Sonego during their semi-final of the Men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico semi-final against American Reilly Opelka at Foro Italico in Rome, Rome quality affair came to pass tory 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2 after two in Rome, Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) as both players finished with hours and 43 minutes. In a battle between the two positive differentials between “I have only myself to day. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll favourite, Djokovic applied the ing up his first two set points, ters 1000 title. best-ranked teenagers in the winners and unforced errors. blame for not closing the be fresh and I’ll give it all.” pressure and used his back- but once again Djokovic held After saving two match WTA singles rankings, No.15 17-year-old Gauff had 33 win- match in two sets,” Djokovic The Serbian was made to hand to dictate play, earning firm.S onego rallied the fans at points against Denis Shapoval- seed Iga Swiatek ousted Coco ners to 32 unforced errors, but said. “At the end of the day he do double duty after yester- the decisive break at 2-1 in the the Foro Italico as he dug his ov in the third round and nine Gauff, 7-6(3), 6-3, to book a Swiatek’s ratio was even better, is showing why he reached his day’s rain halted his quarter- opening set. way out of a 0/3 deficit, and of the 10 break points he faced spot in the Internazionali BNL with 25 winners to 16 miscues. first semifinals. He’s a qual- final match against Tsitsipas, Djokovic must have read converted his fourth set point against Alexander Zverev in d’Italia final. Swiatek now has lined up ity player. Not easy to play but Djokovic returned to the the scouting report on Sonego, to narrowly escape with the the quarter-finals, Nadal con- 19-year-old Swiatek start- a tussle against Rome expert against him. Obviously he had Foro Italico on Saturday and because he was ready for the second set. tinued to find his best tennis in ed Saturday with challenging Karolina Pliskova in the final. the crowd behind him. It was came back from a set and a many drop shots that came his Sonego didn’t miss a beat critical moments against Opel- tasks ahead of her, with her Pliskova, the 2019 champion an electric atmosphere out break down to claim a 4-6, 7-5, way and frequently responded as he raced ahead to a 0/40 ka. The second seed saved four quarterfinal match yet to start and 2020 runner-up, moved there on the court.” 7-5 victory. in kind, to great success. He lead in Djokovic’s first ser- break points at 2-1 in the first and the prospect of a semifi- into her third straight Rome The defending champion Up against Sonego, who kept Sonego guessing as he vice game, but the World No. set and broke serve in two of nal clash hours later if she was final after overcomingPetra booked a mouthwatering 56th defeated him in their only changed the direction of the 1 raised his level to deny him the three games to advance to successful enough in her first Martic in the first semi-final. clash against rival Rafael Nad- previous ATP Head2Head en- ball with his down-the-line the early break. Instead it was the championship match. encounter. Pliskova reached her third al in the championship match. counter last year in Vienna, backhand. Djokovic who drew first blood “I did the thing that I had But the reigning Roland consecutive final at the Inter- Nadal and Djokovic have won Djokovic had to be on fire The World No. 1 created at 2-1, and silenced Campo to do today,” Nadal said in his Garros champion passed those nazionali BNL d’Italia as she 14 of the past 16 editions of from the outset to weather the eight break points in the tight- Centrale as he took a 4-1 lead. post-match interview. tests with flying colors, elimi- overcame Petra Martic 6-1, this event and will meet for the Italian’s highlight-reel worthy ly contested 91-minute sec- Nearly one hour after his first “It is not an easy, beautiful nating two-time champion 3-6, 6-2, to prevail in another ninth time at the Foro Italico drop shots and forehands and ond set, which came down to match point, Djokovic finally match to play and, [against] a Elina Svitolina in the morn- three-set tussle this week. on Sunday (Nadal leads 5-3). secure a record 53rd ATP Mas- the wire with the opening 10 arrived at a second and sealed player like Reilly, [you aren’t ing before coming back to ease “I think the first and third “I don’t have much time [to ters 1000 final berth. games going to the server. At his victory after Sonego sent a going to] have rhythm. You past World No.35 Gauff in a set, they were super solid for recover], I played a lot of ten- After defeating seventh 4-4, Sonego buried a putaway forehand into the net. know you are going to have one-hour and 46-minute tilt. me, playing the game I want to nis,” Djokovic said. “Hopefully seed Andrey Rublev earlier in passing shot into the net and Earlier, Nadal extended just a few options on your “I’m still kind of pumped play, not really going for crazy I’ll have fresh legs because the day, Sonego set the tone followed it with a double fault his perfect Internazionali BNL return and you know he can up, so it’s hard to say be- shots, but super solid,” Plisko- that’s what I definitely will early on against Djokovic with – giving Djokovic an opening d’Italia semi-final record to play very aggressive from the cause adrenaline is still here,” va told the press, after booking need. It’s necessary in order to a perfectly disguised drop shot and two break points, but the 12-0 with a 6-4, 6-4 victory baseline. That is what hap- Swiatek told the press while her return trip to the final. have a chance against Rafa. in the very first point, and Italian held firm after a mara- against Reilly Opelka. pened at the beginning of the reflecting on her banner day. “Quite good serve today. I “He also had some tough Djokovic responded by racing thon 10-minute game. The nine-time champion match. He had some options “I’m still pretty young so hope- think it was a good match.” matches, obviously myself, up to the net to track it down Sonego responded em- claimed a single break in each [for the] break and it was su- fully I’m going to be ready for Czech Pliskova, the 2019 with rain delays and every- for a winner. As the partisan phatically in another 10-min- set to move one win away from a per important for me to save tomorrow. I think so.” champion and 2020 run- thing that has happened to- crowd roared for their home ute battle a game later, bring- record-equalling 36th ATP Mas- those moments.” In the first WTA meet- ner-up, claimed her second ing between burgeoning stars straight three-sets victory. MOTOGP Al Shaqab Lockinge Quartararo snatches pole in dramatic qualifying Stakes confirms Palace Agencies Pier as top older miler Le Mans (France) Fabio Quartararo made light again at Ascot. He was mak- of the tricky changeable condi- ing his seasonal reappearance tions and his recent surgery to in this Group 1 contest for claim pole for the French Mo- trainers John & Thady Gosden toGP in Saturday qualifying at and was reunited with regular Le Mans. jockey Frankie Dettori. With intermittent rain Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP The 11 runners bunched making life difficult at the Bu- French rider Fabio Quartararo in the center of the straight gatti circuit, home favourite reacts after taking the pole posi- mile track with Obaid setting Quartararo topped the time tion on Saturday. (AFP) a decent pace. Palace Pier sat sheets from his Yamaha team- in mid-division on the stands’ mate Maverick Vinales with ing race of last year, led for side. Coming to the 2-furlong Ducati’s Jack Miller complet- much of qualifying before his marker, Dettori shook up Pal- ing the front row. time was bettered in the clos- ace Pier, who flew away down Quartararo’s pole grab ing flying lap. Palace Pier on way to winning the rail. He confirmed that he comes just 11 days after under- Pole looked set to go to the 2021 edition of the is one of the top older milers going ‘arm pump’ surgery fol- Marc Marquez as spots of rain Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes in Europe with an impressive lowing problems with his right appeared in the latter stages, at Newbury in UK on Saturday. victory, easing across the line forearm, which saw him slip to but the top six changed right Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP French rider Fabio Quartararo () steers his motorbike ahead (Pic: Francesca Altoft) a length and ½ in front of the a 13th place finish last time out at the death as a number of of Ducati Team Australian’s rider Jack Miller during the Q2 qualifying session of the MotoGP, ahead of the William Jarvis-trained Lady at Jerez. riders found lap time in the French Moto GP Grand Prix in Le Mans, France, on Saturday. (AFP) Tribune News Network Bowthorpe (Nathaniel x Magli- “It’s fantastic,” beamed the conditions. Doha etta Fina), under Oisin Murphy. 22-year-old. “I’m pleased to be Meanwhile, Q1 claimed Qualifying Results (Top Ten) dori on the Aprilia and Avintia Top Rank (Dark Angel x on pole for the second succes- several big hitters including rookie Luca Marini, who fol- The Al Shaqab Lockinge Countess Ferrama) came in sive time here.” championship leader Franc- 1. France Fabio Quartararo Yamaha YZR-M1 1’32.600 lowed Savadori through Q1. Stakes, a Group 1 race, spon- third for trainer James Tate The Frenchman had esco Bagnaia and Suzuki duo 2. Spain Maverick Vinales Yamaha YZR-M1 1’32.681 (0.081) Aleix Espargaro on the sored by Al Shaqab Racing, and PJ McDonald. started the Spanish MotoGP Joan Mir and Alex Rins. 3. Australia Jack MillerDucati Desmosedici GP20 1’32.704 (0.104) sister Aprilia went top just at Newbury (UK) racecourse Dettori said: “He’s a beast, last time out at the top of the Q1 was completed on wet 4. Italy Yamaha YZR-M1 1’32.766 (0.166) seconds before the chequered over a mile, is open to horses I love him. He’s so good. I standings. He surged into an tyres, but the track had dried 5. France Ducati Desmosedici GP20 1’32.877 (0.277) flag, but prematurely celebrat- aged four years or older. This found a nice rhythm and had early lead and seemed set for enough for the start of the pole 6. Spain Marc Marquez Honda RC213V Honda 1’33.037 (0.437) ed his effort and was caught race was established in 1958 everything beaten through- his third win in four races this shootout session to prompt out by the late improvements and was raised to Group 1 out – it was great. I was look- season. But muscle problems the Petronas SRT duo of Val- 7. Japan Honda RC213V Honda 1’33.120 (0.520) for teammate Savadori and status in 1995. The Al Shaqab ing for Ryan [Moore, rider of left him with no strength in his entino Rossi and Franco Mor- 8. Spain Pol Espargaro Honda RC213V Honda 1’33.150 (0.550) Marini. Lockinge Stakes also became Lope Y Fernandez] but he was right forearm to finish down bidelli to start straight away 9. Italy Yamaha YZR-M1 1’33.391 (0.791) Espargaro will start 13th part of the British Champions rowing away three out. I know the pack and in tears. on slicks. 10. Portugal Miguel Oliveira KTM RC16 1’33.867 (1.267). ahead of the Suzuki duo of Series in 2011, and winners of Palace Pier gets the mile really He is placed two points off But the gamble for Rossi world champion Mir and Rins, the race often go on to run in well so I kicked him on. He the top of the standings which backfired as a near-highside at blitzed this with a 1m33.150s, with a 1m32.681s. both of whom setting the Q1 the Queen Anne Stakes at Roy- got a little bit lonely in front are led by Francesco Bagnaia the final corner on a lap set to before Honda teammate Marc Quartararo was going even pace in the first half of the ses- al Ascot. The last to win both but he’s a true champion and (Ducati). put him top of the pile early on Marquez shot to the top of the quicker behind him, however, sion. races in the same year was the I love him. This was his eighth Both Bagnaia and the reign- sent him into the gravel. pile with a 1m33.037s. and found 0.081 seconds to Championship leader Bag- champion Frankel in 2012. run. He loves his racing and I ing world champion Joan Mir At the same time, Ducati’s As Marquez set that lap, snatch his third-successive naia added his name the list The 2021 edition of the AL guess all those good mile races failed to make it out of Q1 and Jack Miller lit up the timing yellow flags in the third sector pole of 2021. of high-profile riders unable Shaqab Lockinge Stakes was will be his target. He’s a tool, into Q2 and the battle for pole, screens having switched to were being shown for a crash Miller found a 1m32.704s to escape Q1, the Ducati rider won by the odds-on favour- let me tell you.” leaving the pair well down the slicks moments earlier to take for KTM’s Miguel Oliveira at the end to complete the only able to go 16th quickest ite – Palace Pier (Kingman x The first edition of the Al grid for Sunday’s race. over at the top of the pile with while rain in the first sector front row ahead of Morbidelli ahead of 2020 Le Mans win- Beach Frolic). This 4-year-old Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, one Franco Morbidelli on a 1m35.472s, which he im- was falling. and Zarco, while Marquez was ner Petrucci. colt was one of the top 3-year- of the Flat season’s leading Yamaha’s satellite SRT bike is proved to a 1m34.374s next This looked set to lock Mar- shuffled back to sixth at the His Tech 3 KTM teammate old milers in 2020, winning mile races,which is run at on the second row after post- time around. quez into a stunning first pole chequered flag. Iker Lecuona will start 18th the St James’ Palace Stake Newbury – UK mid-May, was ing the fourth quickest time in Johann Zarco on the Pra- since 2019, heading a Honda Nakagami heads row three ahead of LCR’s Alex Marquez, (Gr.1) at Royal Ascot, and the run in 2015 for an increased Q2 alongside the other home mac Ducati set the initial ses- 1-2-3 from LCR’s Takaaki Na- in seventh ahead of Espargaro, who crashed late on, as did Prix Jacques le Marois – Fres- prize fund of £350,000 chance Johann Zarco and six- sion benchmark on wet tyres kagami and Espargaro. who crashed right at the end Pramac’s in 20th. nay-le-Buffard (Gr.1) at Deau- which will be retained at the time world champion Marc and returned to top spot on But conditions cleared while on a quick lap. Rossi will Brad Binder’s miserable ville, before finishing third in same value. Marquez. slicks with five minutes re- enough at the death and the start ninth. Le Mans weekend continued the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Al Shaqab has extended Marquez, back this season maining with a 1m34.211s. timing screens began to light Oliveira’s late crash left in Q1, the KTM rider set to sponsored by QIPCO (Gr.1) on its sponsorship of the Group after multiple operations on But this lasted just seconds up again, with Maverick Vina- him in 10th ahead of surprise start 21st ahead of only Avintia the British Champions Day, 1 Lockinge Stakes until 2024. the arm he broke in the open- as Honda’s Pol Espargaro les first to break Honda hearts Q1 graduate Lorenzo Sava- rookie Enea Bastianini.