SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 Tiger Woods not Impossible to in field for PGA play under US Tour’s return Open's DOVID-19 next week protocols: Djokovic

SUNDAY 7 JUNE 2020 Al Shaqab Kameko lands second Gr1 Racing’s win in style at Newmarket Snan stays unbeaten THE PENINSULA – NEWMARKET Jockey guiding Qatar Racing Limited’s Kameko towards victory yesterday. QNA – PARIS Bayern The first British Classic of the Munich’s year went to Qatar Racing Kingsley Limited’s Kameko in a spec- A winner for his first and only Coman scores tacular race on Newmarket’s start on the all-weather at their first goal Rowley Mile yesterday, Pau in January of his against Bayer breaking the record time for 4-year-old year, the Al 04 Leverkusen. this race. Shaqab Racing-owned & bred Fifteen runners lined up Snan kept his 100% strike for this historic challenge and rate on the turf track in the the starting favourite was Prix Ba Toustem at La Teste, Bayern beat , last year’s 2-year- France. old Champion. Julien Auge was on board, Leverkusen, There was drama from the and they started as a favourite. off in this race when Kenzai Taking no risks, the jockey sat stay on course Warrior reared as the stalls him on the outside of the opened, nearly losing his racing pack. for league title jockey. Once in the straight, the They raced in a single Thomas Fourcy-trained four- Group on the rail, with Per- year-old chestnut colt came REUTERS – BERLIN suasion setting a smart pace. up to the lead to battle with The second favourite, Wichita, The H H Sheikh Mohammed Bayern Munich came from a sat just off the leader, with bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned goal down to ease past hosts Pinatubo and Arizona together and bred Askar, but the closer Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 on Sat- behind. Kameko was perfectly they came to the line, the urday and remain firmly on placed behind these three bigger Snan’s advantage course to win the title horses. Wichita came to take Andrew Balding and for Qatar obviously with the current Fahad bin Abdullah bin became. with four games remaining. the lead at the 3-furlong pole Racing Limited. pandemic, he couldn't be here. Khalifa Al Thani’s much- He won by an impressive fired in after 10 and racing really got Last year’s Group 1 I started my career with missed Champion Roaring 4 1/2 lengths. Askar was the minutes as Leverkusen, without underway inside the two- Futurity Trophy winner, Andrew Balding as trainer. To Lion. runner up for trainer Francois the injured , scored furlong marker. Kameko, had been described ride a Classic winner, my first Both attractive grey colts, Rohaut and jockey Damien with the first chance of the game. Having to come around a by Balding as the best horse one, in these colours - this also ran in the Morin. But Bayern recovered from failing Arizono into the centre to pass through his care and horse's father is Kitten's Joy, 2,000 Guineas for a sixth Nachmi Al Cham, also the early shock and Kingsley of the track, Kameko showed he certainly lived up to that the same as Roaring Lion – is place behind . owned by Al Shaqab Racing Coman curled in the equaliser in a remarkable turn of foot to description here. He is now incredible. It's the stuff of Again, as with Roaring and trained by Thomas Fourcy, the 28th minute before the vis- pass his rivals to win by a neck favourite for the Epsom dreams. It was a gutsy per- Lion, Kameko was bought as was further one and a half itors struck twice in three minutes in front of Wichita, with Derby, following yesterday's formance. He hardly blew a a yearling at the Keeneland lengths behind in third under to turn the game around. Pinatubo a further length scintillating performance. candle out afterwards – he September Yearling Sale. He Jerome Cabre. Leon Goretzka completed a behind in third. This was a Jockey Oisin Murphy said must have a tremendous is out of Sweeter Still, a Group "He only did the very sensational passing move in the first Classic success for jockey after the race, "I don't want to amount of ability." 3 winner who is a sister to minimum when he won on his 42nd minute and Serge Gnabry Oisin Murphy, and a first cry. My boss, Sheikh Fahad is Kameko is the son of Kit- Kingbarns, a Group 1 winner debut," commented winning chipped the ball over keeper 2,000 Guineas win for trainer at home in Newmarket and ten’s Joy, as was H E Sheikh at 2, in the Futurity Trophy. trainer Thomas Fourcy. Lukas Hradecky on the stroke of halftime. Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in Thomas FIFA open to salary cap and Qatar to meet India Mueller's 20th assist of the season to seal Bayern's ninth straight win before a superb 89th-minute goal on October 8 as AFC from 17-year-old transfer fee limit proposals cut the deficit for the hosts. announces new dates Leaders Bayern moved 10 AFP – PARIS and reforming the transfer America both postponed until next points clear of Borussia system to keep football year. However, Infantino said a , who beat Hertha FIFA President Gianni Infantino “credible”. reworked international schedule THE PENINSULA – DIHA Berlin later. (pictured) called yesterday for “On the financial and gov- could be published shortly. discussions over proposals to ernance aspects, I also heard “On another very important Holders Qatar will resume their 2023 Asian Cup quali- introduce salary and transfer fee some interesting proposals on a topic, namely the international fying campaign on October 8 when they take on India caps to football in the wake of wide range of topics,” Infantino match calendar, I am happy to in Bhubaneswar according to the latest fixtures revealed Dortmund the coronavirus pandemic. wrote in an open letter to FIFA’s report that we also made some by the Asian Football Confederation. World football’s governing members. goodgood The Asian giants and hosts of 2022 FIFA World Cup beat Hertha to body intends to finalise plans in “FIFA is doing alreadydy a lot progress,progress,”” were originally supposed to take on the South Asian team the coming weeks for a financial of work on this area, evenn if we hehe sasaid.id. in March before the COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted the maintain faint relief package following the eco- face some strong vested interestsnterests sport calendar. nomic damage caused to the who fight against our pleaea for a The fixture, which is also a qualifier for the Qatar sport by the global health crisis. better global governancee in our 2022 World Cup, will be played at the Kalinga Stadium title hopes FIFA announced in April it sport.” in India’s eastern state of Odisha. would release $150m to its 211 Infantino is hoping too push Qatar, who are Group E table toppers, still have three REUTERS – DORTMUND member associations “as the first through the rescue packagekage by matches remaining against India, Bangladesh and Oman. step of a relief plan”. UEFA the time of the next FFIFAIFA Al Annabi will next meet Bangladesh at the Jassim kept alive shortly afterwards said it had council meeting later thisthis Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on October 13 before playing their fading hopes of wrestling allocated €236.5m to its 55 month. their final Group match against Oman on November 12. the Bundesliga title from Bayern member federations. While domestic leaguesues The AFC said in a statement that it will continue to Munich’s grasp after a second- Last month, the German FA are gradually restarting, thehe monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and half goal from Emre Can gave and Bayern Munich chairman international calendar hass well-being of all teams, officials, fans and stakeholders them a 1-0 home win over Hertha Karl-Heinz Rummenigge urged been decimated with Euro as the action resumes after a three-month break . Berlin yesterday. industry talks about a salary cap 2020 and the Copa The result left Dortmund second on 63 points with four rounds of games remaining, seven behind champions Bayern Top drivers up against in-form rivals in third QORC series who moved a step closer to securing their eighth successive title with a 4-2 win at Bayer THE PENINSULA – DOHA Organised by the Qatar The final line-up of ‘drivers’ Leverkusen earlier in the day. Motor and Motorcycle consist of a total of 27 gamers, The first half in Dortmund Seasoned drivers will be up Federation (QMMF), the including two from Oman as was played almost at walking against a host of in-form rivals QORC WRC8 series is the well as three competitors from pace and produced two chances during the Qatar Online Racing Kuwait. for the home side, as Thorgan Championship (QORC) WRC8 third edition of the online The championship compe- Hazard sliced his shot wide from which flags off today. racing competitions titions will take place over two seven metres before Julian Organised by the Qatar conducted by the weeks, as the first week Brandt fired wide from 18 metres. Motor and Motorcycle Feder- motorsports governing includes the qualifying stage, With Dortmund dominating, ation (QMMF), the series is the body, following which includes three races that Can finally broke the deadlock third edition of the online racing successful completion take place on Sunday, Tuesday in the 58th when he drove the competitions conducted by the of online MotoGP and and Thursday, during which ball into the bottom left corner motorsports governing body, competitors compete on the from the edge of the penalty following successful completion Touring Car events. “WRC” car through three or area after Sancho headed a of online MotoGP and Touring four groups with seven com- Hazard cross into the mid- Car events. winner Ahmed El Kholay and petitors in each group, fielder’s stride. Among the drivers who will the multiple-time Qatar Super- according to the final number Sancho squandered another be switching to actual rally stock600 champion and former of registrants. gilt-edged chance in the 90th driving to playstation con- Moto2 rider Saeed Al Sulaiti. Al The organisers will make minute, allowing Hertha keeper trollers during the Online WRC Sulaiti will be aiming for his the races available for the fans Rune Jarstein to block his shot series will be champion rally second QORC title following his to watch on the official from two metres out after driver Adel Abdulla, QORC victory in the QORC MotoGP Youtube and Vimeo channels another flowing Dortmund move. Touring Car Championship series. of QMMF. 06 SPORT SUNDAY 7 JUNE 2020

Solskjaer backs La Liga fires up for restart extra subs change REUTERS – BARCELONA Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action during AFP – LONDON a training session yesterday ahead of the After an almighty push by all restart of the La Liga season. Messi returns parties concerned, Spain’s PIC: TWITTER / @FCBARCELONA Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the introduction La Liga roars back into of extra substitutions will be “welcome” when action next week after a to training, Manchester United resume their Premier three-month pause due to League campaign later this month. the COVID-19 pandemic, The coronavirus pandemic forced the with matches taking place Suarez fit again English top flight to be suspended in March. every day and with every- But even though Britain’s official virus death thing to play for. AFP – MADRID toll has now topped 40,000, ‘Project Restart’ The season resumes on is set to see the Premier League get going again, Wednesday in bizarre cir- Lionel Messi returned to the Camp Nou yesterday with United returning to action away to Tot- cumstances with the second after missing two group training sessions with a tenham Hotspur on June 19. half of a Segunda Division slight leg injury, while Luis Suarez is set to be fit United face fellow European qualification match between Rayo Val- for the La Liga restart next week. hopefuls Sheffield United on June 24, with the lecano and Albacete that Messi trained alone indoors on Wednesday FA Cup quarter-final at Norwich and league was abandoned in and Friday, but worked on the sidelines of a group match at Brighton following soon December due to offensive session at Barca’s home stadium, according to afterwards. chanting. Spanish press. With games coming thick and fast, Premier The (re)starting gun will La Liga leaders Barcelona play their first League clubs have agreed managers will be be properly fired with match since mid-March at Real Mallorca next able to make up to five substitutions per match Thursday’s derby between Saturday. Suarez will be fit to play for the first from an expanded nine-strong bench as a way Sevilla and Real Betis, while time since undergoing knee surgery in January of helping sides cope with a three-month champions Barcelona play after reporting feeling no pain following training. backlog of fixtures. their first game on Saturday Messi and Suarez have scored 38 goals “I think that’s helpful because footballers, away to Real Mallorca, with between them in all competitions this season. after being out for so long, going into compet- title rivals Real Madrid itive games will be a challenge for them and hosting Eibar on Sunday. we have to look after them injury-wise and All matches will be fitness-wise,” United manager Solskjaer told played without spectators La Liga President Javier work together to ensure the Spain’s footballers have the spectacle will be very the club’s website. for safety reasons, although Tebas has led the campaign season was completed. welcomed the return of the different, it can help us pass “We can’t just flog one player and say to broadcasters plan to rep- to get the season back on “How we act in this pan- season, although they the time and get through this them, ‘you play every game and every minute’ licate crowd noise for tele- track, warning early on that demic and the measures we concede it will not be the moment.” Barcelona led the because it might be a period when we have to vision viewers, which will not completing the cam- take will determine how the same without the table by two points over Real rotate quite often.” include a minute of applause paign could lead to a col- world looks in the next few supporters. when the season was paused United are currently three points adrift of for Spain’s more-than lective loss of €1bn years and they were con- “It’s going to be a very in March and the two rivals a place in next season’s Champions League 27,000 COVID-19 victims. ($1.13bn) in forfeited scious of that and their need strange sensation. Football are braced for one of the The enforced suspension has allowed the While clubs such as broadcast revenues and to co-operate,” said Lozano is all about the fans,” said tightest title races in recent likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford to Eibar and Racing Santander prize money. of the unlikely meeting of Atletico Madrid’s Marcos memory. regain fitness following ankle and back injuries expressed their disquiet Old wounds between minds. Llorente. The fight for Champions respectively. about returning and a Cadiz Tebas and federation pres- As part of the com- Spain coach Luis Enrique League football is even But former United striker Solskjaer was player at first refused to turn ident Luis Rubiales resur- mitment, La Liga increased went further: “Playing closer, with five teams vying cautious about their prospects of playing up for training, Spain has faced in the early stages of its funding to the ministry matches without supporters for third and fourth place. against Spurs. been largely united by a negotiations. But after an and federation, while the is sadder than dancing with The bottom 10 sides are “Well, we hope everybody’s going to be desire for football to return eight-hour meeting latter lifted a ban on matches your sister,” he said. separated by only 14 points, ready for the first game. to lift the mood in one of the organised by junior sports on Mondays and Fridays, “But we have to under- meaning the fight to avoid “We’ve had time out so I don’t think we can worst-affected countries in minister Irene Lozano in paving the way for matches stand this is a global business relegation will be just as expect that those lads who’ve missed lots of the world by the virus. April, they finally pledged to on every day of the week. and even though gripping. the football can last the full game.” Woods not in field for PGA Former Olympic minister says Tour’s return next week March is deadline for Tokyo REUTERS – FORT WORTH Woods’ lone Colonial appearance was in 1997 but there AP – TOKYO IOC member John Coates, who Tiger Woods will not compete next was a sense he would return this year oversees Tokyo preparations, have week when the PGA Tour swings back given the long layoff since the PGA Next spring has been set by former been hinting for several weeks about into action after a three-month Tour shut down in mid-March due to Olympic minister Toshikai Endo as a myriad problems. COVID-19 hiatus as he was not listed the novel coronavirus outbreak. possible deadline for deciding whether The IOC is to hold an executive in the field released for the event in Fort The 44-year-old Masters the postponed Tokyo Games can go board meeting next Wednesday with Worth, Texas. champion last competed on the ahead. Tokyo organizers, who are sure to The 15-time major champion did PGA Tour in mid-February when “March next year is a time when present many suggestions for scaling not commit to the Charles Schwab Chal- he laboured through a final- we face major questions on whether back. lenge at Colonial Country Club round 77 at the Genesis Invita- athletes can be selected,” Endo was The IOC will hope to hold the by the 5 p.m. ET (2100 tional where he finished last quoted as saying by Japanese broad- Olympics in some form, making it at GMT) deadline, and among players who made the caster NHK yesterday. least television ready. Almost 75% of thus will not cut. “We have to make a judgment in IOC income is from selling broadcast be part of Woods, one win shy of a various ways depending on the situ- rights. a stacked record-breaking 83 PGA ation then.” The IOC on Thursday was in talks field head- Tour wins, then skipped a Endo was speaking at a meeting with insurers over possible compen- lined by the top number of tournaments of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling sation for the postponed Olympics. five golfers in with back issues but did Liberal Democratic Party. Games operations director Pierre the world. play a May 24 charity The Olympics are due to open on Ducrey said the “No. 1 problem” is match with Phil Mick- July 23, 2021, followed by the Paral- securing the Olympic Village on Tokyo elson and Super ympics on August 24. The games had Bay. Bowl-winning been scheduled for this year but were public for possible changes and costs. The IOC has said it is setting aside quarterbacks Tom postponed because of the coronavirus Tokyo Governor Yurkio Koike said $650m to cover potential costs, but it Brady and Peyton pandemic. Thursday the games were likely to be has not made clear how much - if any Manning. “If the global coronavirus is not downsized and undergo many - will go to Japan. over by (next spring), particularly if changes. Estimates in Japan say the post- the situation does not allow for the Koike spoke on a day when many ponement will cost $2bn to $6bn. selection of athletes, (holding the to Japan’s most powerful newspapers Japanese organizers say they are games) would be quite difficult,” Endo also ran stories, citing unnamed spending $12.6bn to run the games, was quoted as saying by the Japanese sources, saying the games were likely but a national audit says the cost is newspaper Sankei. to face quarantines, few fans and twice that much. All but $5.6bn is Endo is the latest powerful poli- billion of dollars in bills. public money. tician to speak out this week about International Olympic Committee Tokyo said the games would cost Tiger Woods the games, bracing the Japanese President Thomas Bach and fellow $7.3bn when it won the bid in 2013. Lyles eyes a roiled nation and race in all its forms AP – NEW YORK and shone a bright, often unflattering, light The the 22-year-old world 200 makes people perceive you as a threat. on race - and the way the world and metres sprint champion's voice is So, what is a future Olympian, one who Noah Lyles could America think about it. one of hundreds coming from a could be standing on that podium in a year, be a year away Instead, Lyles is shuttling between sports world - players, coaches, supposed to do? from occupying a home and training in Florida, keeping a His is one of hundreds of voices coming commissioners - some speaking uniquely symbolic position in sports: an wary eye on the news, trying to figure out from a sports world - players, coaches, African American sprinter wearing the what to say and when to say it - in short, as candidly as ever about commissioners - some speaking as can- letters “USA” on a medals stand at the how to make a difference. America’s racial divide in the didly as ever about America’s racial divide Olympics. “I’ve definitely pondered it quite a few aftermath of Floyd’s death. in the aftermath of Floyd’s death, which Instead of contemplating how he might times, for many years, in fact,” Lyles says. came after a white police officer pressed use that platform, Lyles is spending time “You feel like there’s change, but not his knee on Floyd’s neck for several these days trying to make sense of what’s enough change, and then you’re thinking, to be more in store for this summer at the minutes. happening in his country - a land riven by ‘Well, shoot, it’s almost getting to be my Olympics, where he and 100-metre world “Some people are standing up and protests, pain and questions in the turn, where I have to make a decision.’” champion Christian Coleman were willing to lose their contracts and go into aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. The process, which included a few to- headed for a sprint showdown at both poverty to say this isn’t right,” Lyles said. “All you’re seeing is your own people the-point tweets earlier this week distances. “And some people are saying `We’re getting hurt every day,” Lyles said in an encouraging people to vote, is shedding Lyles’ outgoing nature has made it easy ready to protest inside the lines. But interview with The AP. light on a more serious side of the to overlook some of the challenges he faced whoever we’re competing for, we need to “You can’t get it out of your mind. And 22-year-old sprint star than has been growing up in Florida, North Carolina and know how much they’re backing us, eventually, that starts to wander into your seen so far. Until now, Lyles has mostly Virginia: a sometimes debilitating struggle because we need to know the repercus- mind: Am I going to be next?’” been portrayed as the free-spirited, effer- with asthma; diagnoses of attention-deficit sions we’re going to take to go through Had sports not been shut down by the vescent speedster who is more than disorder and dyslexia that complicated his this.’” coronavirus pandemic, he’d be preparing happy to take up where Usain Bolt left schooling, especially in the early days. Count Lyles among those willing to step for the beginning of Olympic trials next off when it comes to keeping his sport He also faced the same issues as any up. His message right now: educate yourself week. Come July, he would have been at fun and eminently watchable. African American boy - learning the harsh on the issues, get behind people and organ- the Olympics, the worldwide behemoth at A sometimes rapper with an eye for realities of what it means to be a black male isations who share your values, and vote. which sprinters Jesse Owens, Tommie fashion, he ran, and won, the 200 meters in the US The message Lyles’ mom, Keisha “Go out and create campaigns for Smith and John Carlos, to name a few, at last year’s World Championships with Caine Bishop, sent continually: Dress nice, people who support our ideas and the belief Noah Lyles ascended the broadest platform in sports his hair dyed silver. There was supposed no baggy pants. Don’t do anything that that everyone can be equal,” Lyles said. SUNDAY 7 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07 Impossible to play under US Open’s ON THIS DAY: June 7, 1981: Anna Kournikova, COVID-19 protocols, says Djokovic glamorous Russian REUTERS - PARIS tennis player, is born Novak Djokovic celebrates World number one Novak after his 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, Djokovic has said participating 6-1 victory over Andy Murray REUTERS - MOSCOW in the US Open would be an in the French Open semi- impossible task due to the final in this June 5, 2015, For a tennis player who failed to win even one singles title “extreme” COVID-19 protocols file photo. on the WTA Tour, the frenzy surrounding Anna Kournik- in place for the tournament at ova’s (pictured) relatively short career is still unparal- Flushing Meadows. leled. The US Open, scheduled to The blonde Russian was listed among People Maga- begin on Aug 31, will be the first zine’s 50 most beautiful people in 1998, voted the hottest Grand Slam to be played after the female athlete on COVID-19 pandemic suspended ESPN and her pic- the season in March. tures adorned the The French Open was post- covers of publica- poned to September while the tions from Forbes Wimbledon championships was to Sports cancelled. Illustrated. The suspension of the tennis Kournikova’s season was last extended until popularity could the end of July but Djokovic, a be gauged by the three-times champion in New fact that a fast- York, is not sure the tournament spreading virus, will go ahead. disguised as a “I had a telephone conver- digital photo of sation with the leaders of world the tennis star, tennis. There were talks about infected millions the continuation of the season, of computers in mostly about the US Open due in person to the club which is really many players are willing to is living from my real perspective 2001 and slowed late August, but it’s not known impossible. accept those terms.” on the world of tennis, no?” electronic mail systems and caused some servers to be whether it will be held,” Djokovic “I mean, you need your World number two Rafa Nadal said this week. shut down. told Serbia’s Prva TV. coach, then a fitness trainer, then Nadal had also said he would not “We need to be responsible, She earned millions from endorsements and modelling “The rules that they told us a physiotherapist.” travel to the US in the present we need to be sure that the situ- and her celebrity status grew due to her romance with pop that we would have to respect to Djokovic suggested economic circumstances. ation is safe enough, and then of star Enrique Iglesias, with whom she has three children. be there, to play at all, they are factors were behind the push to Nadal has also questioned course try to come back to our Having also played a minor role in the 2000 film ‘Me, extreme. We would not have play the tournament. whether tennis can restart with tour when the things are clear.” Myself & Irene’, Kournikova joined the US television weight access to Manhattan, we would “They want the tournament the pandemic still gripping large The US leads the world in loss contest ‘The Biggest Loser’ as a trainer in 2011. have to sleep in hotels at the to go ahead at any cost for eco- parts of the world and unless total cases, numbering over 1.9 While her detractors would never consider the Russian airport, to be tested twice or nomic reasons, which I under- every player is able to compete. million, while it has also recorded as a serious singles player due to lack of titles, Kournikova three times per week. stand,” he said. “For me is very difficult to more than 109,000 deaths due was widely acclaimed as a child prodigy. “Also, we could bring one “But the question is, how separate the status that the world to the novel coronavirus. She picked up a racket and started playing at the age of five in Moscow at a children’s sports programme before leaving Russia to train at Nick Bollettieri’s tennis academy WTA Tour title in Florida. Tennis action in Prague She made her debut on the WTA Tour in 1995 as a winners in 2020 14-year-old and the following year she went through the qualifiers to reach the fourth round of the US Open in her H-hard, C-clay, G-grass Grand Slam debut. Jan. 3-11 2020 - Shenzhen She fell to top-ranked Steffi Graf but did enough at the Open, HO (Ekaterina hardcourt major which earned her the WTA Newcomer Alexandrova) of the Year award in 1996. Jan. 2-12 2020 - ASB Classic, The following year, the Russian made the semi-finals HO (Serena Williams) at Wimbledon, which ended up being her best Grand Slam Jan. 3-12 2020 - Brisbane showing in singles. International presented by Despite a barren trophy cabinet, Kournikova reached Suncorp, HO (Karolina Pliskova) a career-high singles ranking of eight in 2000. Recurring Jan. 10-18 2020 - Adelaide injuries, however, forced her to retire early and she did International, HO (Ashleigh Barty) not play on the WTA Tour after 2003. Jan. 10-18 2020 - Hobart While she failed to make her mark in singles, International, HO (Elena Kournikova won 16 doubles titles, including two Australian Rybakina) Open crowns with Martina Hingis, and reached the top Jan. 13-Jan. 31 - Australian ranking in doubles in 1999. Open, HO (Sofia Kenin) The Swiss, who reigned as world No.1 in both singles Feb. 7-16 2020 - Thailand and doubles, is among many who consider Kournikova Open, HO (Magda Linette) as a trailblazer in Russian tennis. Feb. 7-16 2020 - St. “She was a great player, a team player, and we had Petersburg Ladies Trophy, HO great times for those two years,” said Hingis. “She kind of (Kiki Bertens) was the one who started this Russian Armada - or Russian Feb. 14-22 2020 - Dubai generation - along with Elena Likhovtseva. Duty Free tennis Championships, “She was definitely the one who you could aim for and HO (Simona Halep) be like, go around the world and live the ‘Russian-American Feb. 21-29 2020 - Abierto dream.’ I loved playing with her.” Mexicano Telcel, HO (Heather Former French Open and U.S. Open champion Svetlana Watson) Kuznetsova said Kournikova would top her list if she Feb. 20-29 2020 - penned a book on the history of Russian women’s tennis. Qatar Total Open, HO (Aryna “For me, she brought really big popularity to Russian Sabalenka) tennis, women’s tennis. Everyone after her was just after Feb. 28-March 7 - Lyon her. For me, she was a big huge push,” Kuznetsova told Open, HO (Sofia Kenin) the WTA Insider in 2017. Feb. 28-March 7 - Abierto “I always defend her when they say ‘Oh, she never GNP Seguros, HO (Elina won a tournament’. So what? She was a Top 10 player. It’s Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova and Tereza Martincova pose with their trophies after the match at Svitolina) not just about winning tournaments. I think she was great.” LiveScore Cup inside Czech Lawn Tennis Club, Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday.

Windies will miss Bravo and Nasser Hussain celebrates century Hetmyer in England: Holding

REUTERS - LONDON Holding reckoned the England replace a player who has sus- tour was a missed opportunity tained a concussion with Pace great Michael Holding for the top-order batsman another but Atherton said believes West Indies will partic- trying to revive his stop-start teams might need more ularly miss batsmen Darren career. replacements for other injuries. Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer on “I’m sorry that Bravo in par- “What, for example, their tour of England after they, ticular isn’t going because happens if a batsman breaks a along with all-rounder Keemo Bravo, I think, needs to resus- finger and he’s got to go to the Paul, opted out of the series citate his career,” the 66-year- hospital for an X-ray? He’s got because of COVID-19 fears. old Jamaican said. to leave the bubble and then The three-Test series is “I think the more cricket he come back, and if there’s a scheduled to be played in July can play now, especially for delay on testing or the results. behind closed doors at ‘bio- West Indies, the better chance I think you’ll see one or two secure’ venues of Ageas Bowl he has of getting back on track compromises,” Atherton told and Old Trafford, subject to and showing everyone the great Shaun Pollock and host Neil British government approval. player that he could be.” Manthorp in the ‘Following On “I think it’s unfortunate as Fearless middle order Cricket Podcast’. far as West Indies cricket is batsman Hetmyer could have Atherton said that in such a concerned,” Holding said on his also benefited from the England scenario, there will have to be YouTube channel. tour, Holding said. “an extension for the con- “I’m not going to tell anyone “Hetmyer, again, I think he’s cussion rule.” that they should be going to a very, very talented player.” “If you remember, Marnus England because COVID-19 is “Again, I’m sorry that he’s Labuschagne became the first around, someone may get sick not going so that he can get concussion substitute for Steve or even worse,” he said. “But at more opportunity to express Smith last year, and what will the same time I think it’s unfor- himself. But I ain’t blaming probably happen, as just a tunate for the West Indies team them for not going.” short-term measure, is if there’s ON THIS DAY: England batsman Nasser Hussain celebrates after scoring his maiden Test century in because these guys have quite Meanwhile former England an injury that’ll require the first innings of their match against India at Edgbaston in this file photo taken on June 7, 1996. a bit of talent, and they’ll be captain Michael Atherton said someone to go to hospital, Hussain scored 128 runs off 227 balls before being bowled out by pace bowler Javagal Srinath, missed.” that the International Cricket they’ll probably allow a sub- setting up England’s eight-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Hussain was West Indies dropped Bravo Council (ICC) will have to allow stitute for that, whether it’s a the named Man of the Match and would go on to be named captain of the team replacing Alec for the one-off Test against more substitutes in cricket. broken finger or a torn ham- Stewart after their quarter-final exit from the 50-over World Cup later that year. Afghanistan in November and Teams are presently allowed to string or whatever.”