WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 16 Nadal reigns in clash of former champs

Rafael Nadal blasts into US Open quarters with four set win over Marin Cilic

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball against Marin Cilic of Croatia

of Croatian 22nd seed Cilic 6-3, didn’t think that would happen has not been the best,” said ter-finals, 42 years after Corrado Nadal dropped 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. as my body was suffering badly,” Zverev, who has reached just Barazzutti’s run to the last four • After barely breaking a sweat Nadal said. two quarter-finals in 18 Grand in New York. the second set but in reaching the last 16, a run “It’s a huge honour playing in Slam appearances. Berrettini, the 24th seed, bounced back in that included a second-round front of all of you and playing in Zverev said he was hindered eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win devastating fashion walkover, Nadal stared down front of Tiger is a very special KNOW WHAT a “very swollen” back and right over ’s 43rd-ranked An- his stiffest test so far to surge thing. I always say I don’t have hip following a fall in his previ- drey Rublev to reach the last Alexander Zverev into a quarter-final meeting big idols but one idol is him and ous match. eight at a Grand Slam for the with Argentine 20th seed Diego I always try to follow him.” “I had a lot of chances which I first time. suffered• fresh Grand Tiger Woods took in Schwartzman. Nadal’s path to the final sees Rafael Nadal’s match didn’t use early in the match. He “It’s something really crazy. Slam blow against The Spaniard exchanged the him take on Schwartzman next kind of ran away with it.” I cannot believe it right now. I Diego Schwartzman first two sets with Cilic but after the 5ft 7in (1.70m) Argen- against Marin Cilic and Zverev lost his serve three need a few hours to understand grasped control by breaking tine chopped down sixth seed the greatest golfer times during the second set what happened,” said Berrettini, for 3-1 in the third, a series of Zverev. to ever do it showed but appeared to have steadied 23, who goes on to play French AFP | New York dazzling winners drawing an “He is playing amazing, noth- off all the emotions himself when he moved a break 13th seed Gael Monfils. animated fist-pump from golf ing new, he’s one of the players during his friend’s ahead at 3-2 in the third, only “I’m just happy. Seeing my afael Nadal ramped up legend Tiger Woods at Arthur with best talent on tour,” the four-set victory for Schwartzman to wrest the team and family here and crying, his quest for a fourth US Ashe Stadium. 18-time Grand Slam champion momentum back in his favour for me it’s unbelievable.” ROpen title Monday with Nadal reeled off nine games in said of his upcoming opponent. he lost his way to go down 3-6, after a lengthy sixth game. Berrettini went one step fur- an impressive win over 2014 succession across the third and “It will be a big challenge. I 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. “It was tough because I was ther than his run to the last 16 champion Marin Cilic to ad - fourth sets and 12 of the final 15 have to play my best. I’m happy The German was enjoying his feeling I had the chance to win at Wimbledon in July, where he vance to the quarter-finals while to nail down a 40th Grand Slam for him. He’s a close friend and deepest run in New York but this and I had a few break points was beaten by Roger Federer. Alexander Zverev slumped to a quarter-final appearance, nine of I hope to play a great match.” committed 17 double faults and I could not take,” Schwartzman Monfils, a 2016 US Open four-set defeat. which have come at the US Open. 65 unforced errors and received said. “He was up a break and semi-finalist, crushed the Second seed Nadal -- the “The emotions I have when Berrettini, Monfils win a point penalty for swearing as then I recovered really quickly 33-year-old Andujar’s bid to be- winner at Flushing Meadows in I play here are impossible to Zverev rolled through the Schwartzman advanced to a sec- and I felt great after that.” come the oldest player in the 2010, 2013 and 2017 -- produced describe. I love the sport and opening set against Schwartz- ond US Open quarter-final in Matteo Berrettini became Open era to reach his first Grand some electrifying moments of feel very lucky to still be playing man under the roof on Ashe dur- three years. just the second Italian man to Slam singles quarter-final with a brilliance to end the challenge tennis here. Eight years ago I ing a rainy afternoon session, but “Generally my so far progress to the US Open quar- 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout.

Depleted Paris Saint-Germain pick Sanchez blames United flop on lack of game time AFP | London had when signing him from Sanchez was signed with up star striker Icardi on loan Arsenal on a four-and-a-half United second in the Premier lexis Sanchez believes his year contract in January 2018, League and aiming to close the AFP | Paris Afailure to shine in a dismal scoring just five times in 45 gap on local rivals Manchester 18 months at Manchester Unit- appearances for United. City, who were also interested rgentinian striker Mau- ed prior to joining Inter However, he started just 31 in reuniting Sanchez with his ro Icardi, unwanted at Milan on loan was due to of 77 games the Red Devils former boss at Barcelona Pep AInter Milan, joined Paris a lack of opportunities. played during his time there Guardiola. Saint-Germain late on Mon- 29 The Chilean moved and played the full 90 min- Instead, in his first full season goals were scored by day in a loan “with an option Mauro Icardi in to Italy on a utes on just 13 occasions. at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho to buy”, the Parisian club said. in 2017-18 to become the 10-month loan “I’ve always said to was sacked and replaced by Ole Icardi was the joint joint top-scorer deal last week my friends: I want Gunnar Solskjaer as United fin- top-scorer in Serie A in 2017- with United to play,” Sanchez ished sixth and as close to the 18 with 29 goals. But last still pay- told the BBC. relegation zone on points as season, he was stripped of ing a large “If they they were to champions City. the club captaincy amid a ter Milan. chunk of would let me But despite winning no tro- contract dispute and later Media in Italy and France es- his report- play I’ll do my phies, Sanchez has no regrets barred from full training. timate PSG’s buy option for the ed £400,000 best. Some- over joining United rather than He has reportedly start- 26-year-old is 70 million euros. ($484,000) a times I’d play City. ed legal action against the Icardi joined Inter in 2013 week wages. 60 minutes then “I’m very happy I went to club. and scored 120 goals in just Sanchez I wouldn’t play Manchester United. I’ve always PSG needed a striker over 220 matches for the club failed to live the next game said that. It’s the club that’s urgently. They will prob- before contract talks turned up to the expec- Alexis -- and I didn’t won the most in England,” add- ably be without their en- nasty. tations United Sanchez know why.” ed Sanchez. tire first-choice attack for “Paris Saint-Germain have their opening Champions become an international foot- League game against Real ball powerhouse, attracting Herrera in the dock as match-fixing trial opens Madrid on September 18. some of the greatest players in Kylian Mbappe and recent years,” Icardi told the AFP | Madrid are expected to last until September might club website. 30. return from injury before “I will give everything to help pain’s first major match-fix- Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win on May 21, 2011, the second group match. my new team.” Sing trial began Tuesday with the last match of the season, spared the , who still has not ap- Icardi was PSG’s second big- former Manchester United mid- club relegation from the Spanish first di- peared for the club this season, name signing of the day. fielder among vision. Mauro is suspended for three Europe- Goalkeeper Keylor Na- 42 defendants charged over a But it triggered an investigation by Icardi an games, so he would not be vas joined from Real Ma- ‘suspect’ 2011 match between Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutors’ of- available even if he were in a fit drid, with the French his former club Real Zarago- fice over suspect payments to playing staff state, physically and mentally, international Alphonse Ander za and Levante. and coaches. to play. Areola loaned in the op- Herrera The accused made Midfielder Gabi Fernandez, who cur- While Neymar failed to get posite direction. no comments as rently plays in Qatar, scored both goals his wish to move in the Navas, 32, a Costa Rican who they arrived at the in Real’s crucial victory. He is among the transfer window, Icardi won the Champions League court in the eastern accused along with Herrera, who moved to has escaped his soured three times in Madrid, signed city of Valencia for Paris Saint-Germain over the summer on a relationship with In- on a four-year deal. the start of proceedings which free transfer from Old Trafford.