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THURSday, MAY 13, 2021 Attiyah and Baumel face stiff competition at Andalucia Rally FIA Seville (Spain) Spanish newcomer EVENT marks start of FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies The Andalucia Rally (May 12-16) heralds the start of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies which, this year, has an expanded calendar and will take the con- tenders to new as well as more familiar territories for the sev- en round series. Andalucia Rally runs for the second time and this year marks its debut in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, providing a fresh chal- lenge for many of the crews on the impressive entry list of more than 80 competitors in the T1, T3 and T4 groups. Based around the bivouac at Hacienda El Rosalejo, near Villamartin in eastern Spain, the event takes in five selective sections covering 966 compet- itive kilometres over typical gravel Andalusian landscape. Nasser Al Attiyah and co- Nasser Al Attiyah and co-driver Matthieu Baumel head the provisional entry list and the multiple title-winning duo return to Spain as the victors of the first running of the event in 2020. driver Matthieu Baumel head the provisional entry list and for Cross-Country Bajas. The be hoping for better luck after the multiple title-winning Saudi Arabian driver, navigat- dropping way down the classi- duo return to Spain as the vic- ed by Dirk von Zitzewitz, also fication last year. tors of the first running of the stood on the 2020 Andalucía A host of other strong con- event in 2020. Rally podium last year with a tenders in T1 include Denis The Qatari/French crew, fine third place and is sure to Krotov/Konstantin Zhilt- driving a Toyota Hilux Over- be back on the pace in another sov in another MINI John drive, will however face stiff Hilux Overdrive. Cooper Works Rally and the competition from some of Vladimir Vasilyev also had X-Raid crew of Mattias Ek- their closest rivals who also a good start to the season, ström, 2016 FIA World Ral- contested last year’s candidate winning the opening Northern lycross Champion, and Emil event in anticipation of its in- Forest round of the FIA World Bergkvist. Laia Sanz is also clusion in the FIA World Cup Cup for Cross-Country Bajas supporting her home round for Cross-Country Rallies. in February. of the series and moves from Carlos Sainz, double FIA He and co-driver Alexey her more regular T4 machin- World Rally Champion and Kuzmich will be competing in ery into another X-Raid run winner of the Dakar Rally on their BMW X3 on the Anda- T1 MINI All 4 Racing. three occasions, also returns lucía Rally for the first time, The T3 category has an- to the Andalucía Rally. hoping to kick start their other impressive field with The Spaniard, with Lu- Cross-Country Rally campaign Leading entries no fewer than 25 crews on the cas Cruz alongside him in the in fine style. Nasser Al Attiyah/Mathieu Baumel (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) provisional entry list, while T4 MINI John Cooper Works Yasir Seaidan currently Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (MINI John Cooper Works Rally) has attracted 22 entrants to the Rally, narrowly lost out on the heads the FIA World Cup for Yazeed Al Rajhi/Dirk von Zitzewitz (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) opening round of the series. win last year by just over three Cross-Country Bajas courtesy Vladimir Vasilyev/Alexey Kuzmich (BMW X3) Kees Koolen, Aron Domzala minutes after nearly nine of two wins from four events, Yasir Seaidan/Omar Allahim (MINI John Cooper Works Rally) and Khalifa Al Attiyah top the hours of competition and will and he and fellow Saudi Ara- Erik van Loon/Sébastien Delaunay (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) T4 entries, the trio finishing doubtless be looking to add a bian co-driver Omar Allahim Denis Krotov/Konstantin Zhiltsov (MINI John Cooper Works Rally) first, second and third respec- home win to an already im- will doubtless be looking to Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist (MINI John Cooper Works Buggy) tively in last year’s FIA World pressive list of victories. better last year’s 10th place fin- Zala Vaidotas/Paulo Fiuza (MINI John Cooper Works Rally) Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. Yazeed Al Rajhi got his ish in Spain in their MINI John Martin Kaczmarski/Tapio Suominen (Toyota Hilux Overdrive). cross-country campaign off Cooper Works Rally. Erik van Thursday May 13 – Leg 1/2 to a great start this season Loon and Sebastien Delau- Rally Details: Total distance: 1,566 km Start of SS2 (206 kilometres): with victory on the Dubai In- nay also return to the event as Selective section distance: 966 (61.69%) The Andalucia Rally (May 12-16) heralds the start of the 2021 FIA World 10:56hrs Number of selective sections: 5 ternational Baja, the second team-mates to Al Rajhi, and Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. First car arrives bivouac: round of the FIA World Cup the Dutch/French pairing will 15:37hrs. Serena loses in 1,000th career match as Osaka also crashes out DPA/WTA champion to serve to stay in ing actually too good in the This is our life on tour now, Berlin the match. first fewservice games on my so we get through all of these She never came close to serve,” Kerber said after the situations the last year, espe- Serena Williams made doing so as Williams was bro- match. cially now. an unsuccessful return to ken to love, a miscued fore- “In the second set I knew, “We played also doubles the WTA Tour as she joined hand long giving Podoroska ‘Okay, now I have to fight for in Miami, so it’s also a lot of Naomi Osaka in crashing out one of the biggest wins of her every ball, I have to move bet- fun we had there. When you’re of the Internazionali BNL career. ter, and maybe not overthink getting older, I think it’s also d’Italia in the second round on Earlier in the day, Osaka everything.’ Also not looking a little bit easier for us [to be Wednesday. was defeated in straight sets on the scoreboard. Just play- friends]. Williams was playing the by Jessica Pegula. ing point by point. I was focus- “We are very good friends. 1,000th match of her glittering Osaka has made no secret ing more on my service game, That’s why I’m really also not career against Nadia Podoros- of her discomfort on clay, hav- because I start to play better really feeling great when I ka, her first since losing in the ing never gone beyond the in the second set. Then sud- see something like this what’s semi-finals to third round at Roland Garros. denly she called the trainer. I happen today. I hope that she Osaka in February. All of her 10 WTA singles know that Simona is not call- recovers soon.” The American has expe- titles have come on the hard ing trainers just like this. Kerber will next face an- rienced significant success in court and she was undone on American Serena Williams returns a shot to Argentina’s Nadia Podor- “I knew, ‘Okay, something other former Rome, winning the title four the red dirt once more as Peg- oska during their match of the women’s Italian Open at Foro Italico happened.’ But I really didn’t champion, Jelena Ostapenko, times, but was always likely ula prevailed 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action on in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday. (AFP) see the moment, so I don’t for a spot in the quarterfinals. to be tested by a player who Rising star Podoroska add- against Jessica Pegula of the US know what exactly happened The Latvian took out Aus- reached the French Open ed another name to a growing in Rome on Wednesday. (AFP) come from a set down to beat Most notably, No.3 seed in the moment. But, of course, sie qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic semi-finals last year. list of big career wins in Serena. Germany’s Laura Siegemund and defending champion Si- I was feeling so bad with her, in second-round action, 6-2, And that proved the case The victory over the World tant for me. I think it was a in her opener. mona Halep was forced to because this is not the way I 7-6(3). as she slumped to a 7-6 (8-6), No. 8 is the Argentinian’s third very good match, high level. I “Since Roland Garros, I retire with a left calf injury in would like to finish a tough No.15 seed and reign- 7-5 defeat despite threatening career win over a Top 10 play- knew that I have to play every think for sure it’s the best ten- the second set of her match match against also a friend on ing French Open winner Iga a second set fightback. er, all in the last eight months. point, fight for every ball. She nis that I play on clay, no? It’s against fellow former World the other side.” Swiatek came through a tough Having won the first set on “It’s special win. [To] play didn’t play a tournament for also my first tournament [on No.1 Angelique Kerber. “I was trying to help- match against former Rome a tie-break, Podoroska con- against her, it’s an honor for a while, so I knew that maybe clay] after that. I played a few Halep was leading, 6-1, ing her as much as I can, but and US Open finalist Madison tinued to dominate the longer me. I saw her playing when she did too many mistakes weeks ago the Billie Jean (King 3-3, before getting injured yeah, I hope that she will get Keys, 7-5, 6-1. exchanges and went 5-2 up in I grew up, so it was a special at the beginning or I have to Cup against Kazakhstan), but I mid-game. very soon back and it’s not too However, after missing the second. match for me,” Podoroska said push her to do them. But I wasn’t comfortable playing on “In the first set I think bad,” Kerber said of their post- Madrid, No.4 seed and 2020 From there, Williams won after the match. think I played a great match.” clay at that moment. So, yeah, I my start was a little bit slow. match moments. Australian Open champion 12 straight points to level mat- “But most of all, I’m happy It also marked just the think it’s the best I play.” I was not moving too good. I “I think over the time, I Sofia Kenin was beaten in ters at 5-5, but Podoroska then the way I played. I felt again second time that Podoroska Elsewhere, there were know that I have to move good mean, we share the tour to- straight sets by Barbora Kre- claimed a nervy service hold to comfortable on clay, on my has won consecutive matches mixed fortunes for other against Simona, that the ral- gether. We know each other jcikova, 6-1, 6-4, to drop to 0-3 force the 23-time grand slam game, and that’s most impor- this season, having previously Grand Slam champions. lies are long. I was not serv- very well on and off courts. on clay this season. Sports Thursday, May 13, 2021 13

Wanda Doha Diamond League Pole Vault world championships’ podium trio to be reunited in Doha

Tribune News Network Doha

In a stacked field deserving of a global pole vault final, Anz- helika Sidorova (ANA), Sandi Morris (USA) and Katerina Stefanidi (Greece) - the 2019 World Championships med- allists - will meet again in the Qatari capital at the Wanda Doha Diamond League on May 28. Sidorova, who won the world title in a lifetime best of 4.95m, is a two-time world indoor silver medallist (2014 Katerina Stefanidi of Greece. and 2018). She was European outdoor champion in 2014 and when I open my Wanda Dia- European indoor champion in mond League season in Doha,” 2015 and 2019. said Sidorova. “I achieved my Morris – Olympic silver personal best of 4.95m at the medallist in Rio 2016 – was 2019 World Championships runner-up to Sidorova in Doha so I have happy memories of 2019 and to Stefanidi in Lon- competing in this city.” don 2017. She won the World Morris, the US national Anzhelika Sidorova, an ANA athlete, during the women’s pole vault at the 2017 Oslo Bislett Games. Indoor title in 2018. record holder with a best of Sandi Morris (USA) set a Meeting Record of 4.84m in the women’s Stefanidi is the reigning 5.00m, said: “I can’t wait to Stefanidi, the Greek na- bodes well, and looking ahead Championships, the impres- pole vault event at the Doha 2018 IAAF Diamond League meeting. Olympic champion. She backed get back to international com- tional record holder with a to the Olympic Games makes sive Doha line-up includes Ca- up her Rio gold with a World petition. In spite of the pan- best of 4.91m, said: “The last it special. Competing against nadian national record holder Bradshaw. days in Zurich at the end of Championship title in Lon- demic I’ve been fortunate to year has been hard for athletes my toughest competitors is and Commonwealth Games The 2021 Wanda Diamond the season. Each meeting will don 2017, but had to settle for enjoy a number of competitive at all levels of the sport. We exactly what I need to bring champion Alysha Newman; League comprises 14 meet- be broadcast globally in a live bronze in Doha two years later. opportunities in the US, but all thrive through competi- out the best in myself and just European Indoor champion ings - starting with Gateshead two-hour programme. “I’ve made some good pro- the prospect of lining up with tion and starting this year with thinking about it makes me Angelica Moser (Switzerland); (replacing Rabat as the first The 2021 calendar remains gress throughout the indoor these girls in Doha is what the Doha Diamond League - excited.” and British record holder and host city on this year’s circuit) subject to change depending season and I’m looking for- makes us tick, especially going the location of our last major In addition to the top three European Indoor Champion- on Sunday 23 May - leading on the global health situation ward to building on that form into an Olympic summer.” championship back in 2019 - from the 2019 World Athletics ships bronze medallist Holly to a single final across two in the coming months. Klopp congratulates Japan public opinion will change ‘best manager in the once Tokyo Olympics start: IOC world’ Guardiola DPA London

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp has called Pep Guar- diola the best manager in the world as he congratulated Manchester City on an “excep- tional” title success. Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday night confirmed Guardiola’s third Premier League title and City’s fifth in the last decade as they succeeded Liverpool as Big applaud champions. It was a very difficult year Guardiola called it the “hardest” of his successes giv- for the whole world, for en the difficult circumstances football teams as well, and President of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organising Committee Seiko of the pandemic, and a poor what they achieved so far Hashimoto answers a question during a news conference in Tokyo on start to the season which left this year is exceptional. Wednesday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive City eighth on Christmas Day, (Manchester) City has an board meeting. (AFP) and Klopp agreed as he said their achievement stood out. incredible squad and the DPA board meeting Wednesday “A great achievement, con- best manager in the world Berlin that the IOC and Japanese gratulations,” Klopp said. so that makes it a good organizers are “moving full “I texted Pep last night and recipe. The International Olympic steam ahead.” Ilkay (Guendogan, a player Committee (IOC) is confident He said they are commit- Athletes of Japan’s team A compete in 4 x 100m universal relay category during a para-athletics test event Klopp managed at Borussia Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp it can swing public opinion in ted to safe Games amid a strict for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AFP) Dortmund). Japan once the Tokyo Games hygiene protocol, that recent “It was a very difficult year have started. test events have gone well, a it will be reflected. We are us at the test events that the served as Olympic quali- for the whole world, for foot- ago - as he added his own con- The latest polls show that large majority of athletes will confident we can deliver good Games can and will go ahead fier and featured 225 athletes ball teams as well, and what gratulations. some 60 per cent of Japanese be vaccinated and that the Games,” Adams told report- ... A huge majority of athletes from 46 nations. “We got a lot they achieved so far this year “[City] had a fantastic sea- believe the July 23-August 8 World Health Organization ers. say they are looking forward to of positive feedback from ath- is exceptional. son, playing really well, with a Games should be cancelled has also expressed confidence “When the Games happen the Games and we hope that letes and international federa- “City has an incredible lot of consistency,” the Italian owing to the ongoing coro- in the detailed Games plans. and the Japanese can be proud also gives the Japanese people tions,” Adams said. squad and the best manager said. “They were strong defen- navirus crisis, with a state of “There is always a dip hosts of an event which will confidence. Adams said that 7,800 in the world so that makes it a sively also, and so they deserve emergency in Tokyo extended ahead of the Games. We take be historic moment I am very Adams said that 12 test athletes are now qualified and good recipe.” to win, and congratulations. to May 31. note of public opinion. We confident of public opinion events have been carried out that by a June 29 deadline the It is a ninth European “I think that the Premier But IOC spokesman Mark think games can go ahead and being hugely in favour of the in Japan since April, includ- remaining places will be filled league title as a manager for League is the most difficult na- Adams said after an executive if there is an amazing moment event.” “Everyone was telling ing a diving World Cup which via rankings and qualifiers. Guardiola, who won three tional competition in Europe La Liga crowns with Barce- for sure, because there are a lot lona and the three of teams with a lot of quality.” times with Bayern Munich. City – who beat Totten- The Catalan has described ham in the League Cup final the Premier League the most last month – hope they are Haaland in Dortmund squad for Cup final against Leipzig difficult of the leagues to win, not done yet, chasing a treble a verdict backed by Everton when they face Chelsea in the DPA Wednesday. the trophy and qualify for the boss Carlo Ancelotti - a title Champions League final on Berlin However, Terzic didn’t Champions League,” Reus said. winner with Chelsea 11 years May 29. guarantee the striker will play: Apart from those with top “After the session in the sta- long-term injuries – Marwin scorer is part dium and with more time to- Hitz, Mateu Morey, Axel Wit- of the squad travelling to morrow, we’ll see if it’s enough sel, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Yous- Berlin for the German Cup for him to go.” soufa Moukoko and Marcel final against RB Leipzig on Schmelzer – all other players Thursday. pointed out that Dortmund will be in Berlin. Haaland has recovered are not only fighting for the Around 20 Dortmund fans from a thigh injury that forced Cup title, but are also still try- were in the airport ahead of him to miss two weeks of ac- ing to qualify for the Champi- the team’s departure to the tion, including the cup semi- ons League. German capital. final against and They currently sit in the The club are seeking their a Bundesliga match against last qualification spot in the fourth Cup title in history. Leipzig. league, but only one point “It’s a mix of anticipation “Erling was back on the ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt. and tension. Borussia Dort- pitch with us for the first time “We want to win all three mund has won the cup four in almost two weeks, and he Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland gestures during remaining games. We wanted times. Tomorrow we want to Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the looked good,” coach Edin Ter- the training session, a day ahead of the German Cup (DFB Pokal) final to start a winning streak, we win the cup for the fifth time,” touchline during the English Premier League match against Chelsea zic told a news conference on against RB Leipzig in Berlin on Wednesday. (AFP) did that. Now we want to win Terzic said. at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on May 8. (AFP) 14 Thursday, May 13, 2021 Sports FIFA and Qatar invite associations to discuss human rights with international experts ahead of World Cup 2022

IFA, on Monday, held The exchanges with mem- a virtual meeting with ber associations focused on several member asso- the concrete steps towards full ciations and confed- implementation of the changes Ferations to discuss workers’ introduced, and the expansion welfare reforms and broader of the measures put in place human rights in Qatar in con- within Qatar’s construction nection to the country’s host- sites to the service sector that ing of the FIFA World Cup will become more involved as 2022™. the competition approaches. The virtual event was or- The international organi- ganised in collaboration with sations, human rights or- the Supreme Committee for ganisations and workers un- & Legacy (SC), FI- ions that have been directly FA’s local partner in Qatar. involved in Qatar’s labour Member Associations that had reform programmes since expressed an interest in the 2010 welcomed the national matter heard from the SC’s reforms and the work specifi- Secretary-General HE Hassan cally being conducted by the Al Thawadi, as well as presen- SC and FIFA on the country’s tations from industry experts World Cup projects. from independent interna- The same organisations tional organisations, human also outlined the need for rights organisations and work- strict implementation of the ers unions (Amnesty Interna- new and existing legislation tional, BWI, ILO, ITUC1) with and pointed to some addition- direct knowledge of the situa- al reforms that are expected tion on the ground. later this year. The meeting provided The virtual event was organised in collaboration with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), FIFA’s local partner in Qatar. Member Associations that had expressed an The meeting followed a an opportunity to clarify a interest in the matter heard from the SC’s Secretary-General HE Hassan Al Thawadi, as well as presentations from industry experts from independent international organisations, series of previous exchanges number of facts related to the human rights organisations and workers unions (Amnesty International, BWI, ILO, ITUC1) with direct knowledge of the situation on the ground. with individual member as- country’s labour reforms pro- sociations on the same topic, gramme, look at the important legacy of the FIFA World Cup topic,” said FIFA President tive social change. to ensure that any debate on conditions on the FIFA World and FIFA and the SC commit- progress achieved since Qatar 2022™ in the field of workers’ Gianni Infantino. “We know there is still this complex matter should Cup construction sites have ted to continue to engage with was awarded the tournament welfare and human rights in “We all want to ensure work to be done, but we need be based on verified facts,” reached the highest global the global football community in 2010 and discuss the chal- the host country. the protection of everyone to recognise the significant he added. safety standards, and that the to keep its stakeholders regu- lenges that still remain, while “I very much welcome engaged in the delivery of the progress achieved in a very “It is important for our recent landmark legislative re- larly informed on prepara- stressing the role that FIFA the constructive engage- FIFA World Cup, and we are short time, thanks to the com- member associations to hear forms have already benefitted tions for the FIFA World Cup, and football can continue to ment with our member as- confident the event can serve mitment of the highest au- directly from independent in- tens of thousands of workers and to address any concerns play in promoting a lasting sociations on this important as a catalyst for broader posi- thorities in the country, and ternational experts that the across Qatar.” that may arise. Nadal holds off surging Sinner in thrilling clash Spaniard to face 13th seed A view of Raland Garros in Paris. Shapovalov next French Open set to ATP Rome welcome spectators, For a second week in a row, Rafael Nadal went toe-to-toe with a talented and fast-rising night session to debut NextGenATP star – and once again, the World No. 3 man- DPA ing to the coronavirus and are aged to hold off the youth Hanover scheduled for May 30-June 13. surge in style, fighting past With restrictions slowly 19-year-old Jannik Sinner in The French Open hope to being eased the tournament an electrifying battle at the In- welcome around 118,000 fans can have more attendance ternazionali BNL d’Italia. for the upcoming tennis grand than last year when it was held Last week in Madrid, Na- slam in Paris if all goes well, or- in September and October in dal similarly found himself fac- ganizers said on Wednesday. front of 15,000 fans. ing off against the future of the Organizers said that a little All players will be in a bub- sport when he faced Carlos Al- more than 5,000 fans would ble again in two hotels and caraz in his opening match. He be allowed on the Roland can only access Roland Garros was tested in the early exchang- Garros grounds on the first premises on days when they es, but ultimately eased past the 10 days, 1,000 on each of the play, along with two addition- 18-year-old in straight sets. three show courts and the oth- al people. He had an even bigger bat- ers on outside courts. The 2021 edition will also tle on his hands on Wednes- The remaining five days see the debut of a night ses- day against 19-year-old home with play only on the show sion, with a retractable roof favourite Sinner, who recently courts would see 5,000 fans on centre court and flood- reached his first ATP Masters allowed per court. lights. Two women’s and 1000 final at the Miami Open The French Open were men’s matches each are to be presented by Itau. Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a backhand to Italy’s Jannik Sinner during their match of the men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on pushed back by a week ow- scheduled. Contesting the highly an- Wednesday. Nadal won 7-5, 6-4. (AFP) ticipated last match of the evening on Centre Court, Na- Sinner set the tone early on tered it with the forehand to dal drew from his long experi- with a break in Nadal’s open- seal the opening tilt. ence to wear down Sinner and ing service game. The Italian The second seed was in Poland waives quarantine rules fight through 7-5, 6-4. was aggressive from the start, danger in the second set as Nadal will face 13th seed and troubled Nadal with his Sinner again surged to an early for Man Utd fans ahead of EL final Denis Shapovalov in the third top spin and ability to change break with a 2-1 lead as Nadal’s round. Shapovalov took down direction of the ball in the ral- unforced error count began to DPA quarantine on their return another Italian, wild card Ste- lies. But Nadal replied in kind, climb. But it would prove to London to the UK as Poland is on the fano Travaglia, 7-6(2), 6-3 levelling the score a game be the only break point that Government’s amber list, an in an hour and 35 minutes to later as both players settled Nadal allowed in the set, and Polish authorities have update on the Gdansk Airport book his fourth meeting with into a returners’ battle. The the Spaniard recentred him- waived quarantine rules for website has confirmed there the Spaniard. Nadal owns a pair traded breaks twice in the self and reeled off the last four Manchester United fans going will be need to isolate upon ar- 2-1 ATP Head2Head lead over opening set, with Nadal going games to close out the battle. to the Europa League final in rival in the city. Shapovalov, and won their for the occasional drop shot Meanwhile, Aslan Karatsev Gdansk. “Each person who has a only previous encounter on to break Sinner’s rhythm to continued his breakthrough Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ticket for the Europa League clay at this venue in 2018. much success. season by taking out third seed side head to the Gdansk Sta- final in Gdansk, arriving Sinner showed no sign of Still on serve but with Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 6-4 in dium on May 26 looking to from the United Kingdom, nerves against the 13-time Ro- Italian Jannik Sinner wipes his face during his match against Spain’s scoreboard pressure on his one hour and 18 minutes. In secure their first trophy since does not have to take the test land Garros champion in the Rafael Nadal at the men’s Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday. (AFP) side, Nadal dialled up the pres- what is just his fourth tour-lev- winning the competition in after arrival,” a statement second round. He had already sure on Sinner as he served to el clay appearance, he moves 2017. read. pushed Nadal to a tie-break in four games in his last four cure the victory in two hours stay in the set. Nadal created into the third round where The stadium will be re- “According to the decision their only previous encounter Rome openers. Sinner was and 10 minutes. seven break points at the end Reilly Opelka awaits. stricted to 25 per cent capacity of Polish authorities 9,500 at last year’s Grand Slam in determined to flip the script, With the victory, Nadal of the set: three at 5-4 and four “I’m super happy,” Karat- for the finaldue to Covid-19 football fans can take part in Paris, where Nadal ultimately pushing the Spaniard to the improved to 7-0 against Ital- more at 6-5. Sinner raised his sev said. “It was a really tough regulations, with United re- the event. Most of them will prevailed with a 7-6(4), 6-4, brink and taking an early ian opponents in Rome, and level on serve when it mattered match. Against Medvedev you ceiving 2,000 tickets for a arrive from abroad. 6-1 win. lead with a break in both sets. extended his winning record most to extend his stay in the never know, he’s a big server. match that will be played out “Travelling by air is subject Coming into the match, But the nine-time champion in opening matches to 16-1 at set, but when Nadal finally got It’s tough to return, but I man- in front of 9,500 people. to many restrictions caused by Nadal had only lost a total of fought back both times to se- the Foro Italico. a look at a second serve he bat- aged it well.” While fans will have to the coronavirus pandemic. Sports Thursday, May 13, 2021 15 Al Maraghi pips Elkhoully to top Qatar Digital Motosports C’ships 2nd round

Tribune News Network Doha

Khalid Al Maraghi upstaged Ahmed Elkhoully to win the second round of the Qatar Dig- ital Motosports Championship held online on Tuesday. The virtual Gran Turismo Sport PlayStation 4event has been organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcylce Federa- tion (QMMF). Al Maraghi showed great control and driving skills to finish on top with a time of 18:04.315secs. Elkhoully, who had won the opening round, this time fin- ished +01.321secs behind the winner. Sheikh Soud Jassim Al Thani (+02.351) was third but Action from the second round of the Qatar Digital Motosprots Championships held on Tuesday. The championship will see a total of six rounds with the third round being held after Eid. his good show saw him finish second in the overall rankings. round will be held after Eid. Qatar Digital Motorsports 3. Sheikh Soud Jassim Al Thani 8. Raza Gillani +12.240 C’ship Points Faesal Alyafei 14 From among the 24 partic- The dates for the remaining Championship +02.351 9. Zaid Al Bani +21.329 Ahmed Elkhoully 43 Rashid Almannai 13 ipants, 12 had qualified for the dates will be announced soon, 2nd Round Results 4. Faesal Alyafei +05.436 10. Rashid Almannai +25.523 Sheikh Soud Jassim Al Thani 33 Zaid Al Bani 12 first and second round. said Qatar Motor and Motor- 1. Khalid Al Maraghi 5. Mansour Dbeissy +05.473 11. Omran Yahya Krama Khalid Al Maraghi 29 Khalid Al Abdulla 7 The championship will see cylce Federation. 18:04.315secs 6. Hade Ahmed +10.704 +26.011 Hade Ahmed 23 Omran Yahya Krama 6 a total of six rounds. The third 2. Ahmed Elkhoully +01.321 7. Khalid Al Abdulla +11.514 12. Basil Jamalulden DNF Mansour Dbeissy 18 Raza Gillani 4.

NBA If England players stand together, they’ll With LeBron still out, play in rescheduled IPL, feels Pietersen

ANI Lakers rally to beat New Delhi Ashley Giles, the manag- ing director of England men’s team, had hinted that Three Lions’ players might not be available for the remainder of Knicks in OT thriller this edition of the Indian Pre- mier League (IPL) if it gets TCA/DPA sive game. Randle, alongside rescheduled for some time Los Angeles the resurgent Derrick Rose, later this year. But former has the Knicks in good shape skipper Kevin Pietersen be- The optimism that flowed out for the approaching playoffs, lieves if the England players of the Lakers’ camp following the team knowing exactly who stand together they will play Kevin Pietersen. the weekend was a little muted it is and what it has. in the tournament. Tuesday, the presumed return For the Lakers, that kind The IPL Governing Coun- England’s Future Tours Pro- of LeBron James put on hold of knowledge still requires a cil (GC) and Board of Control gramme (FTP). for at least another game while vivid imagination. for in India (BCCI) in “We’ve got a full FTP he gave his injured ankle an- Before the Lakers’ game an emergency meeting had schedule. So if those tours to other day to rest. with the Knicks, Vogel wouldn’t unanimously decided to post- Pakistan and Bangladesh [in Following a full practice commit to James making his pone IPL 2021 season last September and October] are Monday - a practice seemingly return Wednesday in their reg- week. BCCI is now looking to going ahead, I’d expect the held explicitly for James to get ular-season home finale. tap the September window be- players to be there,” ESPN- back on the court - team doc- “We’ll continue to look at it fore the T20 World Cup to fin- cricinfo had quoted Giles as tors told coach Frank Vogel day to day,” Vogel said. “He’s ish the league. “It’s going to be saying. that James would be unable going to, again, do some more v interesting to watch how the “The New Zealand scenar- to play against the New York rehab work today and we’ll ECB handle this issue around io was very different. Those Knicks on Tuesday, ensuring evaluate the response to that not allowing its best players Test matches were formal- the Lakers would again have work tomorrow and make a to play IPL if it’s rescheduled. ised at the end of January, by to play short-handed. decision on tomorrow tomor- When I went up against ENG, which time all those contracts Scoring was a struggle, row.” Vogel said James came I was alone. This time, it’s all and NOCs [no objection cer- but the Lakers were up for the out of Monday’s practice with- their best-branded players! tificates] were signed for full fight, with Wesley Matthews out a setback, but team doc- If they stand together, they’ll involvement in the IPL,” he sending the game to overtime tors decided it would be best play IPL,” Pietersen tweeted. further said. with a tip-in and Talen Hor- to hold him out. When Pietersen was Giles said England’s sched- ton-Tucker sending the Knicks “He’s going to come back signed up by Royal Challeng- ule for the summer is “incredi- home with a game-winning when it’s safe to and when it ers Bangalore (RCB) in 2009, bly busy” and the management 3 in overtime, capping a wild makes sense to,” Vogel said. questions were raised in the wants to look after their play- 101-99 win. The Lakers have three English cricketing circles on ers. “None of us knows what Already missing James Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks is trapped by Anthony Davis #3 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los more games following Tues- him playing in the league. a rearranged IPL looks like at and starting point guard Den- Angeles Lakers during a 101-99 Laker win in overtime at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on day, hosting Houston before But now as years have passed, the moment; where it’s going nis Schroder, the Lakers also Tuesday. (Getty Images/AFP) traveling to Indiana and New England cricketers have seen to be or when. But from when lost fill-in starter Alex Caruso Orleans for the final weekend their stock rise and more play- we start this summer against in the first half, the sore foot The stretches without him ging things up with their pres- enough offense without their of the season. ers from the country are being New Zealand, our programme that’s bothered him for the last were particularly rocky, the sure and physicality. usual ballhandlers, a miser- Reaching the top six in given IPL contracts. is incredibly busy,” said Giles. two games finally catching up Lakers trying to split playmak- Luckily for the Lakers, able second half defined by the conference seemed un- Earlier this year, ECB “We’ve got a lot of impor- with him. ing duties with Kentavious Kuzma returned after missing scoring droughts and stand- likely before the Lakers lost had received flak for rotating tant, high-profile cricket in- The playmaking duties Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, one game with back soreness still offensive possessions. Caruso, and watching re- its players in the Test series cluding the T20 World Cup all fell onto Horton-Tucker’s Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol to help ignite the offense in For the Knicks, seeing peated turnovers and wasted against India and many for- and the Ashes. And we’re go- shoulders, the second-year and Ben McLemore. stretches, scoring 16 points in his former team did nothing offensive sets in the fourth mer cricketers had given their ing to have to look after our guard taking on the greatest Predictably, the offense the first half. to slow Julius Randle down, quarter with the Lakers’ top opinion, saying the board is players,” he added. offensive responsibility of his was clunky, especially with the For long stretches, the the All-NBA lock showing his three point-guard options allowing its players to play in Moreover, India and Eng- young career. defense-minded Knicks clog- Lakers didn’t have nearly blossoming all-around offen- out wasn’t too inspiring. the IPL while ignoring inter- land are slated to lock horns national cricket. in the five-match Test series Any rescheduling of the in the UK this year. The series IPL 2021 is likely to clash with would commence in August. La Liga failure won’t constitute a ‘bad season’: Zidane DPA be deemed a poor campaign brought to the referee’s at- Ban vs SL: to Berlin even if they do not win LaLiga. tention by a VAR review, his “Everything can happen,” decision to bring play back lead visitors in ODI series Zinedine Zidane does not he told reporters. “We can win subsequently robbing Madrid think 2020-21 will automati- it just like we can lose it. of a penalty of their own at the ANI National Stadium in Dhaka. cally be considered a “bad “The most important thing other end after Karim Benze- Colombo will arrive in season” if Real Madrid fail to is to give everything and how ma had been brought down by Dhaka on May 16, and then the successfully defend their La we act on the pitch. We’ve Yassine Bounou. (SLC) on side will complete a three-day Liga title. played good games and the Zidane was not prepared Wednesday announced an quarantine. The visitors will A 2-2 draw at home to Se- season is long. to get into the discussion 18-member squad for the up- then play a practice match on villa at the weekend left Ma- “I am not going to say that again, accepting things could coming three-match ODI se- May 21. After the conclusion of drid two points adrift of lead- it is a bad season, because get “messy” if he did. ries against Bangladesh. the ODI series on May 28, the ers Atletico Madrid with three that’s when you don’t give eve- “I’m not going to get into The team will depart for Sri Lankan team will depart on games to go, the stalemate rything on the pitch. the polemics. Things should Bangladesh on May 16 and the the following day. meaning title success was no “2017 was a phenomenal be clear to everyone,” he said. Minister of Youth and Sports, Sri Lanka ODI squad: Kusal longer in their hands. season and we could have lost “The VAR will always help to Namal Rajapaksa gave his ap- Perera (C), (VC), They go to Granada on in the last game. The most im- improve football but specific proval for the squad. Sri Lan- , Dhanan- Thursday having beaten the Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane (L) shakes hands with Span- portant thing is what you can plays must be clarified. ka will be led by Kusal Perera jaya De Silva, Pathum Nis- Nazaries in 17 of their 18 La- ish referee Juan Martinez Munuera as Real Madrid’s German midfielder control, and then whatever “In the end, everyone does while Kusal Mendis will be his sanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Liga meetings, that sole defeat Toni Kroos walks past during the match against Sevilla FC at the Alfredo happens will happen.” The fo- their job. I’m not going to talk deputy for the three-match Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, coming in 2013 as a result of di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, near Madrid, on May 9. (AFP) cus after that Sevilla draw was about these things anymore. I ODI series. Isuru Udana, , the only own goal Cristiano on the officiating, as Zidane trust football. The three-match series , Dush- Ronaldo has ever scored in streak over a single opponent tively end their title hopes as publicly criticised referee Juan “We will do our job and which is a part of the ODI Su- mantha Chameera, Ramesh Europe’s top five leagues. in LaLiga. they will be fivepoints behind Martinez Munuera for giving the referee his. I’m not going per League will be held on May Mendis, , Their run of 11 successive If Atletico beat Real Socie- with two games to go. a penalty against Eder Militao to say something because it 23, 25, and 28, within a bio- , Chamika league wins over Granada is dad on Wednesday, a shock Zidane is not losing faith, for handball. makes a mess. We are going to bubble stretching between the Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, their best current winning defeat for Madrid will effec- though he does not think it can The infringement was control our work.” team hotel and Shere Bangla Shiran Fernando.