SPORT Page 4 TENNIS Krejcikova Wins French Open, Dedicates Victory to Novotna
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SSWIMMINGWIMMING | Page 3 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Reigning England home 400m champ games ‘unfair’, Horton misses says Croatia’s team for Tokyo Modric Sunday, June 13, 2021 CRICKET Dhul-Qa’da 3, 1442 AH Henry strikes as New GULF TIMES Zealand eye England series victory SPORT Page 4 TENNIS Krejcikova wins French Open, dedicates victory to Novotna Czech beat Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 for her second title AFP fi rst Slam fi nal at the 52nd attempt Paris, France and was attempting to become the third oldest fi rst-time winner of a major. arbora Krejcikova won her maiden Grand Slam singles title ‘ONLY CHANCE’ at the French Open yesterday, “I was preparing a speech for this mo- beating Russia’s Anastasia Pav- ment ever since I was a little kid and Blyuchenkova to become the fi rst Czech now I am lost for words,” said the woman in 40 years to conquer Roland 29-year-old. Garros before dedicating her victory “Many thanks to my friends who to former Wimbledon champion Jana came here from all over the world for Novotna who died four years ago. one match — maybe they thought this Krejcikova, ranked 33 in the world was my one and only chance! Congrat- and playing just her fi fth main draw in ulations to Barbora. I don’t know how a Slams singles event, triumphed 6-1, you play singles and doubles. I was dead 2-6, 6-4 for a second career title. Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on the last point.” The 25-year-old emulates compa- poses with her runner-up trophy after In a nervy start to the fi nal, Krejcikova triot Hana Mandlikova who claimed the losing the French Open final to Czech was broken in the fi rst game, serving trophy in Paris in 1981. Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova (right) up two double faults. Krejcikova paid an emotional tribute yesterday. (AFP) However, the Russian was un- to her mentor Novotna, who died of able to capitalise and dropped cancer at the age of 49 in 2017. the next six games as her Czech “It’s hard to put into words. I cannot Krejcikova fi les opponent grabbed three breaks believe I have just won a Grand Slam,” and raced way with the opener said Krejcikova who was still outside Name: Barbora Krejcikova inside half an hour. the top 100 when the 2020 French Open Date of birth: Dec 18, 1995 Krejcikova was rewarded for took place last October. Residence: Ivancice, Czech Republic her bold attacking, hitting 13 “I spent a lot of time with Jana before Ranking: 33 winners to the Russian’s seven. she died. Her last words to me were ‘enjoy Career prize money: $5,280,000 Pavlyuchenkova, who made tennis and try and win a Grand Slam’. Singles titles: 2 (Strasbourg 2021, her Slam debut back in 2007, was “I know she’s looking after me. All French Open 2021) the more composed player in the second this is pretty much because she is look- Doubles titles: 8 set, stretching out to 5-1. ing after me. Grand Slam singles record: 12-4 A medical timeout at 5-2, during “It was amazing that I got the chance which she was seen munching Haribo to meet her. She was such an inspira- PATH TO TITLE gummy bears, merely delayed the Rus- tion. I miss her and I hope she’s really 1st rd: bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 5-7, sian levelling the fi nal. happy,” added Krejcikova, who had to 6-4, 6-2 In the decider, the players exchanged save a match point in her semi-fi nal to 2nd rd: bt 32-Ekaterina Alexandrova breaks in the third and fourth games, defeat Maria Sakkari. (RUS) 6-2, 6-3 before the Czech broke to love for 4-3 Krejcikova, who can also win a third 3rd rd: bt 5-Elina Svitolina (UKR) on the back of a 10-shot rally. Grand Slam women’s doubles title to- 6-3, 6-2 Pavlyuchenkova saved two champi- day with Katerina Siniakova, was pre- 4th rd: bt Sloane Stephens (USA) onship points in the ninth game and a sented with the trophy by Czech-born 6-2, 6-0 third in the 10th but Krejcikova became Martina Navratilova who won two QF: bt 24-Coco Gauff (USA) 7-6 (6), 6-3 champion on the fourth when the Rus- French Opens in 1982 and 1984 but as SF: bt 17-Maria Sakkari (GRE) 7-5, sian hit long. an American citizen. 4-6, 9-7 Both women capitalised on a draw in Krejcikova will rise to number 15 in F: bt 31-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova which the top seeds fell and just kept the world as a result of her win yester- (RUS) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 falling. World No. 1 and 2019 cham- day as she became the sixth successive pion Ashleigh Barty hobbled out in the fi rst-time major winner in Paris. If she adds the doubles today, she’ll second round. Serena Williams was She is also the third unseeded cham- be the fi rst player since Mary Pierce in knocked out in the fourth round, world pion at Roland Garros in the last fi ve 2000 to claim both titles at the same number two Naomi Osaka withdrew af- years after Jelena Ostapenko in 2017 and Roland Garros. ter one match, while 2018 champion Si- Iga Swiatek in 2020. Pavlyuchenkova was playing in her mona Halep never even made it to Paris. SPOTLIGHT Djoko conquers ‘Everest’, eyes 52-year landmark at Roland Garros AFP pleted his second calendar 92-minute third set and re- at Roland Garros,” said Djokovic Paris, France Grand Slam. quired government interven- who now leads their series 30- Djokovic can pocket a 19th tion to allow the 5,000 fans in- 28 and had lost three fi nals in the Slam with victory and move just side Court Philippe Chatrier to French capital to Nadal. ovak Djokovic can one behind the record of 20 joint- watch the match’s conclusion “Each time you step on the become the fi rst man ly held by Nadal and Federer. despite it extending beyond the court with him, you know that in 52 years to win all Djokovic insists there will be 11pm Covid-19 curfew. you have to kind of climb Mount four Grand Slam titles no letdown physically or emo- The 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 tri- Everest to win against this guy Ntwice in the French Open fi nal tionally after reaching the fi nal umph gave Djokovic the honour here.” today after conquering Rafael in Paris for a sixth time with of being the only man to have Djokovic will be playing in his Nadal, the ‘Mount Everest’ of an epic triumph over 13-time beaten Nadal in Paris more than 29th Slam fi nal today. Roland Garros. champion Nadal. once, having fi rst achieved it in He holds a 5-2 record over World number one Djokovic “It’s not the fi rst time that the 2015 quarter-fi nals. Tsitsipas, a run which includes takes on Greece’s Stefanos Tsit- I play an epic semi-fi nal in a Nadal has only lost three all three meetings on clay. sipas for the title with tennis Grand Slam and then I have times in 108 matches since his At last year’s Roland Garros, history on the line. to come back in less than 48 title-winning debut in 2005. Djokovic won their semi-fi nal Victory for the Serb will take hours and play fi nals,” said the Djokovic, the 2016 champion, over fi ve sets. him alongside Roy Emerson and 34-year-old. said it was his best win in Paris “We played an epic five-set- Rod Laver as the only men to “My recovery abilities have and ranked it among his “three ter last year in the semis here. capture the four majors more been pretty good throughout my greatest” ever performances. I know it’s going to be another than once. career.” He broke the Spaniard eight tough one,” added Djokovic It’s an achievement that has His four-hour, four-set battle times from 22 break points and who also defeated Tsitsipas in proved even beyond the capa- with Nadal is already jostling for fi red 50 winners. Rome on the eve of the French bilities of Nadal and Roger Fe- a prime spot in the list of “great- A weary Nadal committed 55 Open. derer. est ever matches” at the Slams. unforced errors. “I’m hoping I can recharge It is so rare an accomplish- “It’s hard to fi nd words bigger my batteries as much as I can ment that it hasn’t happened ‘NEVER BELIEVED’ than all the superlatives you can because I’m going to need some since 1969 when Laver com- It featured a lung-busting think of for Rafa’s achievements power and energy for that one.” Gulf Times Sunday, June 13, 2021 3 SPORT Al Duhail SC beat Uzbekistan’s AGMK in Asian club handball SUPER RUGBY Blues to host Highlanders in Trans-Tasman fi nal, Canterbury fall short Reuters captain Patrick Tuipulotu. Sydney, Australia “It’s quite disappointing to fi nish up like that but we can’t dwell on that too much. We’ve he Auckland Blues got to be happy with the win and downed the Western a home fi nal.” Force 31-21 in a game The Blues, Highlanders and of two halves yesterday Crusaders – all unbeaten – fi n- Tto ensure a return to their Eden ished tied on 23 competition Park home next week to play the points but separated in the Otago Highlanders in the Super standings by aggregate points Rugby Trans-Tasman fi nal.