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ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP England end 44-year wait with dramatic victory over NZ Chasing 242, Stokes’ 84 helped the hosts tie the final before winning their first World Cup on boundaries in the Super Over

The Guardian was the bowler for New Zea- tras. Wood equalled the fastest jor strife when Eoin Morgan the asking rate was up to seven Tim Southee, running in from London land and his line was impecca- delivery in the tournament at carved Neesham’s fi rst ball in an over at the end of the 36th. cover point to take a fi ne catch. Scorecard ble but a four from Buttler off 95.7 miles per hour while he the air to deep point, where The tension was palpable Woakes, Plunkett and Arch- the fi nal ball meant England chipped in with the wicket of Lockie Ferguson took a fantas- as the overs ticked away, But- er came and went but Stokes NEW ZEALAND ngland have won the posted a total of 15. Ross Taylor – earning an lbw tic catch diving forward. tler diff using some of it with remained as England needed M. Guptill lbw b Woakes 19 Cricket World Cup for Jofra Archer took the ball for decision that would have been Buttler had a couple of mo- an outrageous trademark 15 to win the World Cup off the the fi rst time after a England but a wide off the fi rst overturned had New Zealand ments of fortune, initially as scoop after stepping across his fi nal over. H. Nicholls b Plunkett 55 thrilling victory over ball set the tone. Jimmy Nee- not earlier burned their review. the penultimate delivery of stumps off Henry. The equa- Stokes was unable to clear K. Williamson c Buttler b Plunkett 30 NewE Zealand at Lord’s in a sham hit a six and it came down New Zealand eventually De Grandhomme narrowly tion came down to 65 runs the ring from the fi rst two R. Taylor lbw b Wood 15 match that had to be settled by to Martin Guptill needing two posted a total of 241 for eight missed bat and stumps. Off from the fi nal eight overs. balls, Boult nailing his lengths, a super over. runs off the fi nal ball to win the off their 50 overs and there the very next ball, England’s Buttler was the fi rst to his and the all-rounder refused T. Latham c sub (Vince) b Woakes 47 After winning the toss and World Cup. He was run out by was drama with the fi rst ball of wicketkeeper sliced into the 50 off 53 balls, thumping Boult the single. The Durham man J. Neesham c Root b Plunkett 19 opting to bat Kane Williamson’s Buttler and England took the England’s reply, umpire Ma- air but bounced short of third over the cover fi elder for four got down on one knee and slog C. De Grandhomme c sub (Vince) b Woakes 16 New Zealand side yet England a glory by virtue of hitting more rais Erasmus unmoved after man as Colin de Grandhomme and taking his and Stokes’ swept the next ball for a maxi- M. Santner not out 5 victory total of 242, Henry Ni- boundaries during the match. Jason Roy was caught fl ush on fi nished with astonishing fi g- partnership into three fi gures, mum before a strange turn of cholls top scoring with 55 and Williamson’s 30 off 53 the pads by an inswinger from ures of 10-2-25-1. the fi rst century partnership events led to England needing M. Henry b Archer 4 Tom Latham adding a useful balls refl ected New Zealand’s Boult. New Zealand immedi- When Boult off ered some of the match. Lord’s was rock- three from two balls. T. Boult not out 1 47 lower down the order. Chris watchful approach on an- ately reviewed and Roy was width Buttler could not resist, ing, the atmosphere fevered, Stokes failed to connect Extras (lb12, nb1, w17) 30 Woakes and Liam Plunkett took other tricky pitch, Nicholls only reprieved by umpire’s call cutting uppishly beyond the as Stokes followed Buttler to a cleanly with a full toss but, three wickets apiece. overturning an lbw decision on leg stump. Roy was loose on diving Martin Guptill. Howev- half-century three balls later. coming back for a second, he Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 241 England looked deep in on nought to top-score with the drive, playing and missing er, the outstretched right hand Buttler hammered a Fergu- dived into the crease, the ball Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Guptill), 2-103 (William- trouble when they were re- 55 off 77 deliveries. Plunkett’s off Matt Henry, who eventu- of New Zealand’s gun fi elder at son full toss over cover for four from Guptill’s throw bounc- son), 3-118 (Nicholls), 4-141 (Taylor), 5-173 (Nee- duced to 86 for four by some key breakthroughs, the all- ally had his man when another backward point was unable to but was fortunate a slice off the ing off his bat and racing away sham), 6-219 (Grandhomme), 7-232 (Latham), expert bowling but a superb important scalp of Williamson punch from the batsman took pouch the chance. next ball went fi ne, stopped at for four. Six runs – the two 8-240 (Henry) century partnership from Ben among them, took the head- the outside edge and was taken The partnership had passed the third man boundary by England ran and the four over- Bowling: Woakes 9-0-37-3 (w4, nb1), Archer 10- Stokes and Jos Buttler wres- lines though Woakes was the low by wicketkeeper Latham. 50 when Buttler was struck on Boult, who saved two. Howev- throws – were therefore added 0-42-1 (w5), Plunkett 10-0-42-3, Woods 10-1-49-1 tled back the initiative, and metronome of the England at- Joe Root was unable to make the front pad by Henry, leading er, Buttler was on his way back to England’s total as Stokes (w2), Rashid 8-0-39-0, Stokes 3-0-20-0 (w2) Stokes’ dramatic, unbeaten 84 tack, especially early on. Mark it out of double fi gures and to a New Zealand review, only to the pavilion after an excel- held his hands up in apology. forced the super over. Wood and Archer turned up Jonny Bairstow departed for to go to waste as technology lent 59 from 60 balls when he A single off the fi nal ball forced Stokes and Buttler came out the heat – although England 36, as England slipped to 71 for showed the ball would have miscued a slower ball from the super over and the rest was ENGLAND to bat for England. Trent Boult gave away 17 wides in 30 ex- three. The hosts were in ma- bypassed leg stump. However, Ferguson to substitute fi elder history. J. Roy c Latham b Henry 17 J. Bairstow b Ferguson 36 J. Root c Latham b de Grandhomme 7 E. Morgan c Ferguson b Neesham 9 B. Stokes not out 84 J. Buttler c sub (Southee) b Ferguson 59 C. Woakes c Latham b Ferguson 2 L. Plunkett c Boult b Neesham 10 J. Archer b Neesham 0 A. Rashid run out (Santner/Boult) 0 M. Wood run out (Neesham/Boult) 0 Extras (b2, lb3, w12) 17 Total (all out, 50 overs) 241 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Roy), 2-59 (Root), 3-71 (Bairstow), 4-86 (Morgan), 5-196 (Buttler), 6-203 (Woakes), 7-220 (Plunkett), 8-227 (Archer), 9-240 (Rashid), 10-241 (Wood) Bowling: Boult 10-0-67-0 (w2), Henry 10-2-40- 1, Grandhomme 10-2-25-1 (w1), Ferguson 10- 0-50-3 (w3), Neesham 7-0-43-3 (w1), Santner 3-0-11-0 (w1)

SUPER OVER ENGLAND B. Stokes not out 8 J. Buttler not out 7 Total (1.0 overs) 15-0 Bowling: Boult 1-0-15-0 NEW ZEALAND J. Neesham not out 13 M. Guptill run out (Roy/Buttler) 1 Extras (w1) 1 Total (1.0 overs) 15-1 Bowling: Archer 1-0-15-0 (w1) RESULT: England win in Super Over

CRICKET WORLD CUP WINNERS 1975: West Indies beat AUS by 17 runs 1979: West Indies beat ENG by 92 runs 1983: India beat WI by 43 runs 1987: Australia beat ENG by 7 runs 1992: Pakistan beat ENG by 22 runs 1996: Sri Lanka beat AUS by 7 wickets 1999: Australia beat PAK by 8 wickets 2003: Australia beat IND by 125 runs 2007: Australia beat SL by 53 Runs (D/L) 2011: India beat SL by 6 wickets 2015: Australia beat NZ by 7 wickets 2019: England beat NZ on boundaries after Super Over tie England’s captain Eoin Morgan (centre) and teammates celebrate winning the ICC Cricket World Cup with the trophy after beating New Zealand in the final at Lord’s in London yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 15, 2019 CRICKET

COMMENT Reactions to the World Cup fi nal It certainly wasn’t for one extra run, there are so many parts in that match that could have gone either way. Congratulations to England, they had a fantastic cam- paign and deserve their victory. It’s been challenging, ‘the pitches have been diff erent. There was a lot of talk of 300+ scores but there hasn’t been much of that. We have England victory showed heart and fight to get to this stage and a tie in the final — it wasn’t meant to be. The guys are shattered. It’s devastating. Tough to swallow. — New Zealand captain Kane Williamson

Unbelievable isn’t it? You think you’ve seen it all — ridicu- lous. An amazing occasion, it’s hard to put into words. Me and Ben Stokes wanted to take the game deep, we didn’t is reward for long feel like the run rate would be a problem if we were there ‘at the end. I don’t know what happened at the end! — England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler

One hell of a game, it edged both ways and the way the guys came out in the super over was huge. We bowled well to be honest with you and they put us under a lot of pressure. It was tough. The way that Stokesy and Jos journey: Morgan ‘put that partnership together, that won us the game. What a spectacle! What an atmosphere. To play a World Cup final in front of friends and families, it was huge. Diff icult to put England were eliminated at the group stage after a dismal performance in 2015 into words. — England batsman Jonny Bairstow Agencies London I was pretty sure I was going to bowl it (the Super Over), Williamson bemused and gutted as NZ lose amazing fi nal my heart is still racing. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever won. ngland captain Eoin — England fast bowler Jofra Archer Morgan said winning the ‘ World Cup for the fi rst We knew we would have to fire a few shots. Credit to time by beating New England for the way they stuck at it. On another day the ZealandE in an extraordinary fi nal coin may have fallen our way. We’ll look back in a couple at Lord’s yesterday was a fi tting of years and say this was a pretty good experience. reward for years of hard work by ‘That’s the way we are as Kiwis, we get par scores and then his players. scrap like hell. We don’t blast teams off the park. England, eliminated at the — New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham group stage after a dismal per- formance in the World Cup four These guys have put in so much hard work and it’s come years ago, won by virtue of hit- to fruition. A lot of people behind the scenes have done ting more boundaries after the a fantastic job and this feels fantastic. It makes it all match, and a Super Over, both worthwhile. We have come in for criticism at times but ended in ties. ‘we had a goal in mind and this is the proof. Jofra Archer is “This has been a four-year our best bowler, he’s hard to get away and he bowls a good journey, we have developed a lot. yorker. He had the class and he showed it. The future he We fi nd it hard to play on wick- has got — he’s going to be a fantastic bowler. I tried to be as ets like that and today was about calm as I could but I was very nervous on the inside — let getting over the line. Sport is me tell you. tough at times,” Morgan said. — England coach Trevor Bayliss New Zealand made 241 for eight after winning the toss and I can’t believe what we have just witnessed. The emo- England were in trouble when tions of what we’ve been through on air... wow, but what they slumped to 86 for four. about the players?! They gave it absolutely everything. But a 110-run fi fth-wicket — Former England captain and TV pundit Michael partnership between Ben Stokes ‘ Vaughan and Jos Buttler gave the hosts a chance, and Stokes went on to Ridiculous match. @BLACKCAPS should be proud of make 84 not out as England were yourselves. Had absolutely zero luck and performed dismissed for 241 off the final incredibly under pressure. ball of their 50 overs. — Former England spinner Graeme Swann on Twitter Stokes and Buttler returned to ‘ score 15 in England’s Super Over Congrats to both teams in World Cup final. Stunning ef- before Jimmy Neesham and fort from two champion teams. Martin Guptill made 15 for New — Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris on Zealand, leaving England as the New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and teammates look dejected after their loss yesterday. (Reuters) Twitter winners because they hit more ‘ boundaries in the match. Reuters thing?,” Williamson said. “We knew 250-260 wasn’t easy it is — the rules are there and England have been the best side through this tourna- “There wasn’t a lot in that London “Gutted, the guys put in a huge to get, you saw in the first 10 nobody probably thought it ment, I believe, but today I think New Zealand were game,” Morgan said. “I’d like to eff ort to get this opportunity, overs the movement, we were would come to that. the best team. The rub of the green went to England. commiserate with (New Zealand to pretty much do all you could able to pick up some early “It was a fantastic game to be a Just think about it for a second — everyone said it was captain) Kane Williamson and ew Zealand captain and still not get across the line,” wickets. Our bowlers were part of so it’s hard to look at it ‘overcast, bowl first, but Kane Williamson had the courage his team. The fi ght they show is Kane Williamson was he told a news conference. putting ball in great areas,” Wil- in a rational way at the moment to bat first and trust his game plan. They got a score and worth aspiring to, the example Na little confused and England were struggling in liamson said. — but it was a great spectacle defended that score to a tie — a deflection off Stokes’ bat they set is commendable to all. understandably devastated their chase and benefited from New Zealand lost in the final for everyone,” added William- for four, they win the game if that doesn’t happen. It was a hard, hard game where after his team lost the World a huge slice of luck in the final for the second World Cup in a son, who was named the player — Former Australia spinner Shane Warne people found it hard to score. Cup final to England in bizarre over when a New Zealand row after finishing runners-up of the tournament after scoring “We are delighted that we are circumstances at Lord’s yes- throw-in hit Ben Stokes’s bat to Australia four years ago and 578 runs. I’m a wreck. I don’t know what to say. It’s completely lifting the trophy.” terday. and went to the boundary. their wait to lift the trophy for “It’s not about individual unfathomable. The commitment, the eff ort, the drive, the England lost to Pakistan, Sri New Zealand scored 241 “A couple of uncontrollables the first time goes on. accolades, the whole squad determination, the hunger those guys showed under the Lanka and Australia in the group for eight and England were today that are pretty hard to “The thing you walk away with has put into the bucket and upmost pressure, it was just extraordinary to watch. The stage, putting their chances bowled out for 241 off the last swallow but we take nothing is the amount of heart the guys that’s always the focus,” said ‘greatest game of cricket in history! And it was in a Lord’s of reaching the semi-fi nals in ball of their 50th over, leaving away from England today and have put in during the whole Williamson, who left the room World Cup final. jeopardy, but they beat India the match tied. Both teams through the tournament they campaign and today,” William- to a warm ovation from the — Former England captain Andrew Strauss and New Zealand to make the scored 15 runs in a Super Over are deserved winners,” Wil- son said. assembled reporters. last four before crushing Aus- and England won the trophy liamson said. “While it’s raw it’s pretty “One of the great things about England held their nerve under pressure. New Zealand tralia to get to the fi nal. “We had because they hit more bounda- New Zealand were happy with hard to swallow — two teams the game is that on any given will be devastated for the rest of their careers because two must-win games and we ries in the match. the total they posted after worked really hard to get to day pretty much anything they had an opportunity to win the World Cup. They’ll scraped through and we contin- “I don’t know how they won it, electing to bat on a pitch which this moment — two attempts can happen and we saw that have respect for Eoin Morgan because England play ued it on to today,” Morgan said. was it boundaries or some- was tricky to score quickly on. to separate them. But it is what today.” ‘incredibly brave cricket. They were beaten by a team that, when the pressure was on, they found a way to get across BEST GAME EVER: STOKES the line. Stokes hailed the fi nal victory as ries during the match. to become the number one side And Stokes, who was born in not exactly how you want to do it. — Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum the best match in cricket history. “This is where we aspired to in the world and go into the fi nal New Zealand, apologised for the Stokes then struck another After both sides made 241 be and to manage to come here as strong favourites. incident to Kiwi captain Kane eight not out from three balls in Don’t understand how the game of such proportions, from their 50 overs, the scores and do it in such a good game. I Yet, the hosts seemed set to Williamson. the Super Over. the #CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the could again not be separated don’t think there will ever be a fall short at Lord’s until Stokes “In the last over when the ball “Moments like that is what most boundaries. A ridiculous rule @ICC. Should have when each team posted 15 from a better game of cricket in history hit 84 not out, including a con- hit the bat and went for four it’s you live for as a professional been a tie. I want to congratulate both @BLACKCAPS six-ball shootout. than that,” said Stokes. troversial moment when the ball not exactly what you ask for,” cricketer,” he added. “All the hard ‘& @englandcricket on playing out a nail biting Final. Both However, England claimed England had bounced back hit his bat and ran to the bound- said Stokes. work over that four years to get winners imo. the World Cup for the fi rst time from a humiliating exit in the ary for an extra four runs as he “I’ve apologised to Kane here and we’re champions of the — Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir on Twitter virtue of hitting more bounda- group stages of the 2015 edition scrambled to make his ground. countless times about that. It’s world. It’s an amazing feeling.”

FOCUS Australia’s Maxwell, Stoinis out of Ashes calculations

Reuters be picked in an Australia versus World Cup behind the stumps. London Australia A clash from July 23- Carey scored 375 runs at 62.50 26 in Southampton, with Ashes and racked up 20 dismissals. spots on the line ahead of the fi rst “He’s proving himself to be ll-rounders Glenn Test against England on August 1 a very smart cricketer,” said Maxwell and Marcus in Edgbaston. Hohns. “Batting-wise he was Stoinis have been ex- Former captain Steve Smith very, very good... We’ve been cluded from a 25-player and openers David Warner and very impressed with his glove- squadA for an intra-Australia clash Bancroft have all been included, work for some time now so he’s that will go a long way to decid- the fi rst time the three have been progressing nicely.” ing the makeup of Tim Paine’s selected in an Australia squad Usman Khawaja’s participation Ashes side. since serving lengthy bans for the in the trial match is uncertain as he Both Maxwell and Stoinis had ball-tampering scandal in Cape races to recover from a hamstring a disappointing World Cup dur- Town in March, 2018. strain sustained during the World ing Australia’s run to the semi- “Cameron (Bancroft) was Cup loss to South Africa. fi nals in England, with Maxwell making a fair amount of head- wearing plenty of criticism for way when he played Test cricket SQUAD: Cameron Bancroft, Jack- his repeated failures with the bat. last for Australia and that was in son Bird, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, The extended squad has seven South Africa,” said national se- Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, players from the World Cup cam- lector Trevor Hohns. Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, paign, 15 from the Australia A “He’s playing with Durham Jon Holland, Travis Head, Usman squad touring England and three in the County Championship... Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, players — pace bowler Peter Sid- He’s scoring runs on a pretty reg- Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, dle, and batsmen Cameron Ban- ular basis.” Michael Neser, Tim Paine, Kurtis croft and Marnus Labuschagne Alex Carey is one of three Patterson, James Pattinson, Will — who have been playing in the wicketkeepers picked alongside Pucovski, Peter Siddle, Steve English county circuit. Test captain Paine and Tasma- Smith, Mitchell Starc, Chris Trem- Players from the squad will nia’s Matt Wade following a solid ain, Matthew Wade, David Warner Both David Warner (left) and former captain Steve Smith (right) have been included in the squad. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 3 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Hamilton wins record sixth British GP, extends F1 lead Bottas was unlucky with the timing of the safety car which eff ectively gave Hamilton a free pit stop

AFP incident. On an overcast and cool af- Silverstone, United Kingdom ternoon, Justin Whiting, the 12-year- old son of the late Charlie Whiting, the offi cial Race Director who died sud- ewis Hamilton made the most of denly in Melbourne in March, started a favourable safety car interven- the race before a crowd of 141,000 at tion yesterday to claim a record Silverstone. sixth British Grand Prix victory As the lights went out, the Mercedes Lat a packed Silverstone. The defend- pair pulled clear, Hamilton chasing ing fi ve-time world champion clock- Bottas throughout the fi rst lap ahead ing fastest lap on his fi nal lap to fi nish of Leclerc and Verstappen with Vet- 25 seconds clear of Mercedes teammate tel fi fth. By lap 10, the lead was three- and nearest title rival Valtteri Bottas af- tenths, Hamilton oozing confi dence ter an action-packed contest. could not pass Bottas slithering to The Briton moved 39 points clear protect his lead. Behind them, Leclerc of the Finn behind in the title race, blocked attacks from Verstappen. but Bottas was unlucky with the tim- But on lap 17, Bottas came in for a new ing of the safety car which eff ectively set of mediums and Hamilton inherited gave Hamilton a free pit stop. Charles the lead ahead of Vettel, the pair delay- Leclerc of Ferrari was third. Pierre ing their stops as long as possible. Then Gasly fi nished fourth ahead of his Red Giovinazzi beached his Alfa Romeo at Bull teammate Max Verstappen, whose Club. Hamilton took advantage and race was compromised by a late col- pitted for hards, followed by Vettel and lision when Sebastian Vettel of Fer- Verstappen, making a second stop. rari drove into him, and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, reacting slowly, called in McLaren. Leclerc, who emerged sixth behind It was Hamilton’s seventh win in 10 Gasly and Verstappen. races this year and the 80th win of his All this left Hamilton leading Bottas career. He had shared the British Grand with Vettel third. Racing resumed on Prix record of wins, on fi ve, with fel- lap 23, the fi eld, backed up by Hamil- low-Briton Jim Clark and Frenchman ton, swarming like bees at the re-start. Alain Prost. Bottas, on mediums, traded fastest Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Re- laps with Hamilton, knowing he had to nault ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa make a second stop. Romeo, Daniil Kvyat in a Toro Rosso Verstappen, helped by quick think- and Nico Hulkenberg in a Renault. ing from Red Bull, rose to fourth when “What a day,” said Hamilton. “To Gasly moved over on Hangar Straight all the crowd, thank-you so much for and began his pursuit of Vettel. The coming out.” Hamilton, who stopped Dutchman caught and passed him at on his slow-down lap to collect a Brit- Stowe only for the German to ram into ish ‘Union Jack’ fl ag, added: “I love you the rear end of the 007-branded Red Silverstone. I appreciate everything Bull, who had Bond actor Daniel Craig and the opportunity to be a part of this. in their garage, both spinning into the I couldn’t have done this without these gravel but surviving to re-join the fray. guys or without my team.” A stewards’ investigation followed, A glum Bottas said: “Congrats to but both races were compromised. Lewis...It wasn’t my day.” A much hap- Leclerc rose to third and Gasly to pier Leclerc said: “It’s probably the race fourth. Verstappen regained fi fth while I’ve enjoyed the most in my career.” The Vettel pitted for a new nose, fell to 17th safety car was deployed when Antonio and was then given a 10-seconds time Giovinazzi spun into a gravel trap in his penalty. With eight laps remaining, Alfa Romeo — gifting Hamilton a ‘free’ Hamilton was told to pit, but ignored fi rst, and only, pit stop. the call, persuading Mercedes to bring The luckless Bottas, on a two stop in Bottas for softs, a tilt at fastest lap strategy, had already pitted before the and a secure run to the fl ag. Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton surfs on a wave of supporters as he celebrates after winning the British F1 Grand Prix in Silverstone, central England. (AFP)

F1 FOCUS

Vettel apologises to Verstappen, Chinese swimmer Sun’s career hangs on admitsDOPING mistake aft er collision September doping hearing, says FINA

AFP Horton, who branded him a “drug cheat” Gwangju, South Korea over that prior ban before pipping Sun to gold in the 400 metres freestyle. French swimmer Camille Lacourt also savaged the hina’s swimmer Sun Yang faces Chinese giant, sniffi ng that “Sun Yang pees a September hearing over explo- purple!” sive doping allegations that could But Marculescu insisted the decision to potentially end his career, a senior clear the nine-time world champion this FINAC offi cial said yesterday. A leaked FINA time was the correct one. “The lawyers who doping panel report claimed the triple Ol- made that decision started their meeting at ympic champion had destroyed his own 10 in the morning and fi nished at midnight,” blood sample with a hammer, but Sun has he said, adding that the 27-year-old Sun was nevertheless been cleared to compete at next innocent until proven otherwise. week’s world championships in Gwangju, “They hear testimony and they make South Korea. these decisions. Now let’s see what the next The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) step is when it goes to CAS. It’s very diffi cult appealed to the Court of Arbitration for to make somebody guilty without having Sport (CAS) after FINA let Sun off on a legal any decision by the respective bodies.” technicality, although four months later the and they did so — and CAS is going to hold a FINA have faced criticism for failing to date of the hearing had yet to be set. hearing sometime in September so we wait ban Sun and the shocking contents of the FINA executive director Cornel Mar- to see what will happen.” doping panel’s 59-page report, dated Janu- culescu has defended the stance taken by Sun and a security guard are said to have ary 3, look set to add fuel to the fi re. A co- swimming’s ruling body, despite the bomb- smashed vials of blood collected after inde- lossus of the sport, Sun is the only swimmer Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel collide during the British GP. (Reuters) shell contents of the doping panel report pendent testers visited the athlete’s villa in to capture Olympic gold over 200, 400 and obtained by Australia’s Sunday Telegraph. Zhejiang Province last September. If WADA 1,500 metres, though controversy has fol- Reuters third place overall in the stand- tel’s Ferrari teammate Charles “It’s very damaging,” Marculescu told win their case and he is found guilty of a lowed him throughout a turbulent career. Silverstone, England ings, had passed Vettel into Leclerc. said. “I don’t know how it’s possible for doping violation, Sun could face a lifetime But Marculescu tried to play down Stowe but the German slammed “They were really good,” he something this confi dential to go out to the ban after serving a three-month suspen- any fears of bickering on the pool deck in into the Red Bull as they braked said. “I think he was a little bit world. But the situation is very simple — we sion in 2014 for taking banned stimulant he Gwangju. “Hopefully there will be no prob- errari’s Sebastian Vettel at Vale, sending both spinning sore from Austria so he was de- have a decision from the FINA doping panel, claimed was for a heart problem. lems,” he said. “It’s diffi cult to say but I don’t apologised to Red Bull into the gravel. fending really hard. But it’s fi ne. which is totally independent,” he added. Sun clashed with rival swimmers at the think it’s going to have an infl uence one way rival Max Verstappen Vettel pitted for a new front I’m all for that. Of course, I didn’t “According to the rules WADA can appeal — 2016 Rio Olympics, notably Australian Mack or the other for the swimmers taking part.” yesterday for a collision wing, returning at the back of the want to take much risk in those thatF wrecked both of their British fi eld and ending up in 16th place, battles to damage the car because Grand Prix podium hopes. while Verstappen — winner in I knew we were quite a bit faster. The four-times world champi- Austria two weeks ago — contin- I needed to pick my moment, Aussie Tupou ‘ready’ for Springboks despite phone snatch on, who won all his Formula One ued the race and fi nished fi fth. but luckily the team did it for me titles with Red Bull, accepted the “I thought the inside (line) with a good strategy and then it Johannesburg: Australia prop Taniela Tu- behind and took my phone. I thought it was The Argentine governing body has recently blame for shunting the 21-year- will open up, it didn’t open up. was looking good for a good re- pou says he is fine to take on South Africa one of the boys so I looked back and he was softened restrictions on individuals with old Dutch driver’s car from be- It looked for a second as if he was sult.” despite a minor struggle with an assailant wearing a hoodie and ran with my phone. contracts outside the country representing hind as they scrapped for third pulling for the middle of the track Red Bull team boss Christian after his telephone was stolen in Johannes- I tried to chase after him and he got in the the Pumas. Head coach Mario Ledesma place on the 38th of 52 laps. but then he stayed left and I was Horner said the incident had burg on Saturday evening. car and I got some cuts but I’m fine. I lost picked four European-based players: fly- Stewards found Vettel wholly too close and I couldn’t avoid the “knocked Max off a guaranteed Tupou, who was in the city ahead of the my phone but I can live with that.” half Nicolas Sanchez, who is with Stade to blame for the incident and crash,” said Vettel. podium” with second place be- Wallabies’ opening Rugby Championship Rugby Australia said in a statement that Francais, Toulon back-rower Facundo Isa, gave the German a 10-second “Obviously I destroyed my hind the Mercedes of race winner clash with the Springboks on July 20, had the get-away car was waiting for the at- Bordeaux-Begles winger Santiago Cordero time penalty as well as two pen- race but the race in general was Lewis Hamilton a possibility. his phone snatched in the upmarket district tacker, while police said the theft was part and Saracens prop Juan Figallo. alty points. pretty good,” he added. “I think “That was very frustrating. It of Sandton outside his team’s hotel as he of a series of incidents on Saturday night in But Ledesma omitted winger Imhoff , 31, “My mistake,” said Vettel, we were quite sharp with the was remarkable that the car held walked back after a dinner at about 9:15pm. Johannesburg, which has a reputation for whose last international appearance came who is acquiring an increasingly calls to stay out in the beginning together. To keep going with the “I’m ready to go, ready to train,” Tupou said. high crime levels. at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and plays for accident-prone reputation and is and I think we managed the tyres damage he had was quite incred- “It’s crazy... I learnt a lesson. Lucky it was Racing 92 in France. Castres fly-half Ben- now languishing 100 points be- well. The car felt good today.” ible. At least he managed to fi nish not my wallet.” IMHOFF OVERLOOKED AS PUMAS jamin Urdapilleta, is also absent, but he is hind Mercedes’s championship Verstappen said he had been the race and get some points out In a footage released by Rugby Australia, NAME FOREIGN-BASED PLAYERS injured and is part of Ledesma’s preliminary leader Lewis Hamilton after 10 “rear-ended” through no fault of it,” added Horner. 23-year-old Tupou, who weighs 135 kg (298 Argentina included five European-based Rugby World Cup squad. races. “Obviously he’s not happy of his own. “Here you can expect “He’d obviously made a great lbs), had two patch dressings on his right players but omitted Juan Imhoff from their The majority of the 30-man squad come but you know, life goes on,” he me to close the door when I’m pass on Seb and I can only imag- forearm following the incident. “I was at squad for next weekend’s Rugby Cham- from a Jaguares side who reached the added, confi rming that the pair ahead,” he told reporters. ine it was a complete misjudge- dinner with the front rowers,” Tupou said. pionship match against New Zealand, the Super Rugby final for the first time on July had spoken after the race. He added that he had also en- ment by Seb to lock up and hit “On our way back someone just came from Argentinian Rugby Union announced. 7, losing to 10-time winners the Crusaders. Verstappen, who cemented joyed his earlier battle with Vet- him the way he did.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 15, 2019 SPORT

CYCLING Impey wins Tour stage nine as Alaphilippe stays in yellow Defending champion Thomas and the other title contenders finish together in a low-key finale to the 170km run

AFP “But if it turns into a mass brawl be- Brioude, France tween the big guys on the Tourmalet I think I might really suff er,” he said of the fearsome Pyreneean mountain outh African Daryl Impey won scheduled for stage 14 and its lunar stage nine of the Tour de France landscape. yesterday, leaving local fans The race fi nished in Bardet’s home- to settle for Frenchman Julian town of Brioude, where the title of the AlaphilippeS keeping hold of the yellow local newspaper, ‘La Montagne’, aptly jersey on Bastille Day. Impey, wear- describes the surrounding region’s ter- ing his national champion jersey, was rain. “I had tears in my eyes at the end,” part of a mass breakaway that quickly said the 28-year-old Bardet. “This is opened a 10-minute gap and extended where I fi rst rode a bike, freely as a kid, it throughout the race with the pack things have changed a lot,” said Bardet. eventually trailing in 16 minutes after Some 7,000 other locals and the Impey had beaten Belgian Tiesj Benoot great number of visitors were getting to the line. ready to celebrate yesterday with a Defending champion Geraint Tho- Boney M tribute band, while Michelin mas and the other overall title con- Guide three-star tourist attraction, the tenders fi nished together in a low-key Basilique Saint-Julien, was plastered fi nale to the 170km rolling run. “That with a massive image of Bardet on its was a really tough race. I’m so happy to walls for the occasion. win on July 14,” said a broadly smiling Impey, who crossed the line with both STAGE NINE RESULTS (TOP 10) arms aloft, releasing a huge victory cry. 1. Daryl impey (RSA/MIT) The 2019 Tour Down Under cham- 4hrs 03min 12sec pion and all-rounder won a Tour de France team time-trial in 2013, and a 2. Tiesj Benoot (BEL/LOT) same time few days later took the overall lead to 3. Jan Tratnik (SLO/BAH) at 10sec become his nation’s fi rst yellow jersey 4. Oliver Naesen (BEL/ALM) 10 holder. “This is my greatest ever vic- tory, just as good as wearing the yellow 5. Jasper Stuyven (BEL/TRE) 10 jersey, nothing can top this,” he said. “It 6. Nicolas Roche (IRL/SUN) 14 was a tough, solid day.” 7. Marc Soler (ESP/MOV) 21 Impey is a teammate of the British 8. Ivan Garcia (ESP/BAH) 1min 50sec Yates twins, with Adam angling for the overall title this year. “There’s no way 9. Simon Clarke (AUS/EF1) 1:50 I was getting involved in a breakaway 10. Anthony Delaplace (FRA/ARK) 2:42 today, but I expected a select bunch sprint,” team leader Adam said. After a frantic day over seven moun- OVERALL STANDINGS (TOP 10) tains on Saturday, the stage embarked 1. Julian Alaphilippe from Saint-Etienne’s football stadium (FRA/Deceuninck) 38 h 37:36 in a festive Bastille Day atmosphere 2. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/TRE) at 23 with many fans shouting for local man Romain Bardet as well as Alaphilippe. 3. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 53 Bardet and Australian contender 4. George Bennett (NZL/JUM) 1:10 Richie Porte tried a cheeky breakaway 5. Geraint Thomas (GBR/INE) 1:12 on the approach to the town of Brioude, 6. Egan Bernal (COL/INE) 1:16 but after brief deliberation Ineos and Mitchelton-Scott rider Daryl Impey (right) of South Africa wins the stage nine ahead of Lotto Soudal rider Tiesj Benoot of Belgium during the Tour de France. (Reuters) FDJ upped the tempo and reeled them 7. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/JUM) 1:27 in, and that was the end of the hostili- 20sec) but Bennett and Richie Porte also relieved. “This is a day I’ll never ally special,” added the former soldier, it’s been hard so far. I’m not dreaming 8. Rigoberto Uran (COL/EF1) 1:38 ties. “Obviously we had to be aware of were there. All three of them you don’t forget,” said the overall leader. “All who came into the race without any of a Tour win, I’m dreaming of keeping 9. Jakob Diemer Fuglsang (Bardet’s attack),” Thomas said after want to give them any time back if you those people shouting my name, it re- aspirations of becoming France’s fi rst the yellow jersey as long as I can. I think (DEN/AST) 1:42 the race. don’t have to,” the Welshman added. ally is something, and my grandfather Tour winner since 1985. I can limit the damage on the (stage 13) “He’s quite far down on GC (3min Yellow jersey wearer Alaphilippe was was there at the fi nish line, so it was re- “The toughest is still to come, even if time-trial. Not win, but hold my own.” 10. Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) 1:45

PGA GOLF Tringale, Landry lead John Deere as Vegas fades Wiesberger secures AFP his best round of the year, Vegas’s hopes Silvis, Illinois of a fi rst win since victory at the 2017 Scottish Open title Canadian Open went up in smoke with a disastrous fi ve-over-par 76. ndrew Landry and Cameron Vegas started smoothly, pocketing with play-off win Tringale opened up a one-shot two birdies over the fi rst two holes. But lead at the PGA Tour’s John a bogey on the 5th hole was followed by a By Europeantour.com Deere Classic on Saturday after double-bogey on the 6th. Two more bo- JhonattanA Vegas’s challenge imploded. geys on the 8th and 9th and three more on ernd Wiesberger won Landry followed up his back-to-back back nine completed a miserable outing, the Scottish Open as he 65s over the fi rst two rounds with a four- which left him eight off the lead. beat Benjamin Hebert in under-par 67 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, a twilight play-off at the Illinois. LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES BRenaissance Club. The Austrian That was good enough to send him to (par-71, USA unless noted): entered the fi nal day with a two- the top of the leaderboard alongside Trin- shot lead but found himself trail- gale, who carded seven birdies against 197 — Cameron Tringale 66-66-65, ing after Hebert carded a stun- one bogey on his way to a six-under-par Andrew Landry 65-65-67 ning closing 62 to set the target 65. Tringale is yet to win a solo title on the 198 — Bill Haas 66-68-64, Adam Schenk at 22 under. PGA Tour while Landry is chasing only 67-65-66 Wiesberger had edged back his second career win following victory in 199 — Nick Watney 68-67-64, Dylan ahead with two to play but bo- the Valero Texas Open last year. Cameron Tringale of the US plays his shot on the 17th hole during the third round of Frittelli (RSA) 66-68-65, Ryan Moore 67- geyed the 17th in a 69 before a par Tringale’s low-scoring round came de- the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois on Saturday. (AFP) 67-65, Vaughn Taylor 65-68-66 on the third play-off hole handed spite a bogey on the fi rst hole. He recov- him a sixth European Tour title. ered from that setback with birdies on the seven-under-par 64 as he chases a fi rst Just one adrift of Haas and Schenk are 200 — Chris Stroud 68-66-66, Roger For Hebert, there is the conso- 2nd and 3rd, before making three more tournament win since 2015. four players clustered at 14 under: Nick Sloan (CAN) 68-65-67, Lucas Glover 67- lation of a place in the fi eld at Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger with before the turn. Two birdies and seven Haas launched his low-scoring round Watney, who also had a 64, Ryan Moore 64-69 next week’s Open Champion- the trophy after winning the pars down the stretch brought him home with a monster 43-foot birdie putt on the who carded a 65, Vaughn Taylor (66) and 201 — Sepp Straka (AUT) 70-67-64, Collin ship alongside England’s An- Scottish Open. (Reuters) at six under, for a 16 under aggregate. par-three third and never looked back. South Africa’s Dylan Frattelli, who post- Morikawa 70-66-65 drew Johnston – who also carded Landry and Tringale have little breath- Two more birdies on the 7th and 8th holes ed a 65. But while the leaders were left a closing 62 – and Italian Nino at the ninth to peg him back. 202 — Sebastian Munoz (COL) 70-68- ing space at the top of the leaderboard, were followed by four more on the back dreaming of mounting a charge for vic- Bertasio. Frenchman Romain Hebert missed his opportu- 64, Nick Taylor (CAN) 67-69-66, Scott with two players, 2011 FedEx Cup cham- nine to leave the American within sight tory on Sunday, it was a day to forget for Langasque fi nished two shots off nity at the gettable par fi ve 16th Stallings 69-67-66, Wes Roach 69-67-66, pion Bill Haas and Adam Schenk lurking of ending a miserable run of form that Venezuela’s three-time PGA Tour winner the lead, with Bertasio, Johnson, but hit a wonderful tee shot to just one shot back on 15 under. Haas put has included 16 missed cuts in 40 events Vegas. The overnight leader after a sensa- Im Sung-jae (KOR) 68-67-67, Kyle Stanley Andrea Pavan, Andrew Putnam nine feet at the par three next to himself in contention with a bogey-free since 2018. tional 62 on Friday, which he described as 68-66-68, Bud Cauley 67-67-68 and Henrik Stenson at 19 under. set the target before Wiesberger Wiesberger missed seven months caught him again with a tap- of last season with a wrist injury in on the 12th. An 18 foot left to but now has two wins in 2019 righter on the 16th made Wi- KIM LEADS BY ONE STROKE AT MARATHON CLASSIC and moves to the top of the Race esberger a fi rm favourite but he to Dubai Rankings. failed to get up and and down af- Los Angeles: South Korea’s Kim Sei- of Lexi Thompson of the United States leaves her perfectly poised for Sunday’s Johnston set the early tar- ter missing the green on the next, young fired a five-under-par 66 to as she chases a ninth career victory on final round. Kim and Thompson have put get with the lowest round of his and holed a nervy seven footer on preserve a one-shot lead after the third the LPGA Tour and her second win of clear daylight between themselves and European Tour career and Wi- the last to take it to extra holes. round of the LPGA Tour’s Marathon Clas- 2019. Thompson vaulted herself into the chasing pack, which is led by Korea’s esberger soon joined him as he Both men parred the fi rst trip sic on Saturday. Kim, who started the contention with a six-under-under par Lee6 Jeong-eun, who is four off the lead pulled his second shot on the up the 18th before bogeying the day one clear of the field after a dazzling 65 which included a stunning eagle on 12 under after a two-under-par 69. second into thick rough left of next but a three putt from Hebert seven-under-par 64 on Friday, produced three on the par-five 18th to take her to Three players are tied for fourth on 11 un- the green. The leading group allowed Wiesberger to claim vic- a flawless charge on the back nine to 15 under for the tournament. der, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda joining US had swelled to four when He- tory from fi ve feet. stay on top of the leaderboard heading After a shaky start with a bogey on duo Stacy Lewis and Jennifer Kupcho. bert added to birdies on the fi rst, Langasque – already qualifi ed into the final round. the first, Thompson motored up the second, fourth, fi fth and seventh for The Open via the South Af- The 26-year-old from Seoul carded leaderboard with five birdies from the LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES with another gain on the tenth, rican Open hosted by the City of seven birdies and two bogeys to finish remaining eight holes on the front nine (par 71; USA unless stated): and he led on his own when he Johannesburg – made six bird- the day with a 16 under total after 54 to reach the turn at 13 under for the day. holed from six feet at the par fi ve ies and two bogeys in a 67 for a holes at the Highland Meadows Golf It looked however as if the birdies had 197 — Kim Sei-young (KOR) 67-64-66 12th. Wiesberger joined him at fi fth top ten of the season after Club in Sylvania, Ohio. After reaching the dried up coming down the stretch, with 198 — Lexi Thompson 66-67-65 20 under with an up-and-down regaining his card via the Chal- turn at one under, Kim’s charge came Thompson forced to settle for eight 201 — Lee6 Jeong-Eun (KOR) 66-66-69 on the par fi ve seventh and from lenge Tour. Kim Sei-young of South Korea runs up the down the stretch with back-to-back bird- consecutive pars through the 17th. there it became an enthralling Major Champion Stenson hill to check on her chip to the ninth green ies on the 12th and 13th before another But after reaching the 18th green in 202 — Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 66-68-68, two horse race. Another ap- carded a 66 to fi nish a week in during the third round of the Marathon pair of birdies on 16 and 17. two, Thompson rolled in a perfectly- Jennifer Kupcho 67-66-69, Stacy Lewis proach to around six feet at the which the Swede only dropped Classic in Sylvania, Ohio. (AFP) A par five on the last left her one clear judged 15-foot putt for an eagle which 65-68-69 13th nudged Hebert ahead again shots on the 17th in round three but Wiesberger holed a long putt with a 66. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NFL Guard presses charges against Historic outburst Cowboys’ Elliott for Vegas incident

Reuters ciplined for the incident. NFL New York commissioner Roger Goodell de- carries Reds past termined there wasn’t a violation of the personal conduct policy, ecurity guard Kyle John- the league said. Cincinnati become the first team in son has pressed charges Johnson was displeased with against Dallas Cowboys the NFL’s decision so he fi led modern history to have five triples and running back Ezekiel El- charges on Friday. liottS over a May 19 incident in Las “To just not have anything three home runs in the same game Vegas, Fox 5 Las Vegas reported. happen to him, the NFL is basi- Rockies The report said Las Vegas po- cally saying, ‘Hey, it’s OK for you lice will investigate to determine to go to Vegas, get obliterated, if offi cial charges against Elliott then go shove people over fenc- should be fi led. The incident oc- es,’” Johnson told Fox 5. curred during the Electric Daisy After Elliott met with Goodell Carnival at Las Vegas Motor earlier this month, the Dallas star Speedway. posted a note on his Twitter ac- On Saturday, Elliott’s camp count afterward, saying he needs accused Johnson of extortion in to make better decisions. He also a statement released to the NFL said he apologised to Johnson at Network. the time of the incident. “Over the course of the past “I’ve worked hard to make several weeks, Mr. Elliott has better decisions and to live up to been the target of extortion,” El- the high standards that are ex- liott lawyers Scott Rosenblum pected of me,” Elliott wrote. “I and Jason Lampert said in the failed to do that here and I made statement. “Kyle Johnson’s fi ling a poor decision. of a criminal complaint against “I need to work harder to en- Mr. Elliott in connection with sure I do not put myself in com- the Las Vegas incident is the lat- promised situations in the future. est attempt to do so. Mr. Elliott I am rededicating myself to use all and his team are in contact with of the resources that the league has all of the proper authorities and made available. But in the end, it is are fully co-operating with them up to me and I am determined not in their investigations.” to be in this position again.” TMZ has aired video footage Elliott has had personal con- of the incident in which Elliott duct issues in the past, most is seen leaning against a secu- notably receiving a six-game rity guard, who fell to the ground suspension in 2017 due to allega- when the metal railing behind tions of abuse made by a former him toppled over. Elliott was girlfriend. handcuff ed and briefl y detained Elliott, who turns 24 on July by Las Vegas police around 3am 22, rushed for 1,434 yards and six before being released. touchdowns in 15 games last sea- The NFL announced on July son. He also caught three touch- 3 that Elliott will not be dis- down passes.

NHL Blues, Binnington agree to 2-year deal

Reuters contributor for our team.” Phillip Ervin (centre) of the Cincinnati Reds had four singles, a double, triple and three RBIs. (TNS) New York The Blues will keep restricted free-agent forward Robby Fab- fi rst team in modern history Reds an 8-7 lead, and Puig in his fi rst start since he was bri in the fold with a one-year, Reuters RESULTS New York to have fi ve triples and three added a two-run shot later in demoted to Triple-A Albu- he Stanley Cup champi- $900,000 deal. home runs in the same game, the inning to make it 10-7. querque on May 31. Toronto 2-1 NY Yankees on St. Louis Blues agreed Fabbri, drafted 21st overall by St. per Elias Sports. Reds reliever David Hern- Freeland departed after al- Baltimore 2-1 Tampa Bay to a two-year, $8.8mn Louis in 2014, had a strong rookie lowing fi ve runs and nine hits hillip Ervin went Yasiel Puig had four hits andez, who gave up two solo Chicago Cubs 10-4 Pittsburgh deal with goaltender Jor- campaign in 2015-16, but has 6-for-6 and the and four RBIs, Jose Peraza home runs in the bottom in four innings. Freeland went Tdan Binnington on Saturday. struggled with knee injuries since Cincinnati Reds had four hits and three RBIs, of the eighth in the 3-2 loss 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA last sea- Oakland 13-2 C White Sox Binnington was one of the — including one that forced him to rolled to a 17-9 win and Nick Senzel also had to the Rockies in the series son, fi nishing fourth in the NL NY Mets 4-2 Miami players who was instrumental in miss the entire 2017-18 season. Pagainst the Colorado Rock- four hits, including a double opener on Friday, gave up two Cy Young Award voting. He the team’s rise from worst team Fabbri returned to the Blues in Tampa Bay 12-4 Baltimore ies in the second game of the and two triples. Curt Casali more runs in the sixth to make was replaced by Chad Bettis in the NHL to eventual cham- November but played in just 32 three-game series in Denver and Derek Dietrich added it 10-9. (1-5), who gave up four runs Minnesota 6-2 Cleveland pions, all in the span of a few regular-season games and tallied on Saturday night. three RBIs apiece for Cincin- The Reds rallied for fi ve on six hits with a strikeout and Kansas City 4-1 Detroit months. He had a 2.46 goals- six points. The 23-year-old also Ervin had four singles, a nati. in the seventh, however, as no walks in 1 2/3 innings and St. Louis 4-2 Arizona against average in the playoff s played in 10 playoff games for the double, triple and three RBIs Daniel Murphy had four Casali hit a solo homer and took the loss. and became the fi rst rookie in Stanley Cup champions, scoring for the Reds, becoming the hits for the Rockies. Nolan Puig followed with a two-run Roark gave up a season- Washington 4-3 Philadelphia NHL history to record 16 wins in one goal. fi rst player for Cincinnati with Arenado had two hits and double before Ervin scored high seven runs and 13 hits in LA Dodgers 11-2 Boston a single postseason. six hits in a game since Walker three RBIs, David Dahl had two more with a single. 4 2/3 innings. Jared Hughes Milwaukee 5-4 San Francisco “I’m happy to get this deal FLYERS, LAUGHTON REACH Cooper in 1949. two hits and two RBIs, and The Rockies scored four (3-2) replaced Roark with two done with the St. Louis Blues,” DEAL Houston 7-6 Texas Cincinnati’s 24 hits were its Ryan McMahon and Charlie runs in the fi rst inning off on and two out in the fi fth and Binnington told the team web- The Philadelphia Flyers and for- most since May 19, 1999. Blackmon also had two hits Reds starter Tanner Roark, got Chris Iannetta to fl y out to Cincinnati 17-9 Colorado site. “To the city of St. Louis, ward Scott Laughton avoided ar- The Reds also had fi ve tri- each for Colorado. but Colorado left-hander Kyle left to end the inning. It was Atlanta 7-5 San Diego thank you for welcoming me in bitration by reaching a two-year Freeland was unable to take Hughes’ only batter faced, but deal worth $4.6mn. ples in a game for the fi rst time Dietrich hit a three-run LA Angels 9-2 Seattle and trusting me to do me. I’m since 1929, and became the homer in the sixth to give the advantage of the early cushion he got the win nonetheless. excited and motivated to keep Laughton, who had fi led for doing my job and keep bringing arbitration originally, will now success to the St. Louis Blues or- be an unrestricted free agent af- NBA ganisation.” ter the 2020-21 season. By agreeing to terms Saturday, The Flyers drafted Laughton, Binnington and the club avoid 25, 20th overall in 2012. After an arbitration hearing. “We are playing in 109 games through his pleased to have Jordan signed for fi rst four seasons, Laughton has Davis confi dent Lakers will hit ground running two more years,” general man- played in all but one regular-sea- ager Doug Armstrong said in a son game the last two years. He AFP plays. He can defend 1-5. He can statement. “His play was out- fi nished with 12 goals, 20 assists Los Angeles protect the rim. He can handle standing and we look forward to and 32 points — all career highs the ball. His dedication to his seeing him continue to be a major — last season. craft is unparalleled.” nthony Davis said the Davis meanwhile said he Los Angeles Lakers will couldn’t wait to form a partner- be capable of challeng- ship with James, after brief pre- Sixers’ Simmons ‘doubtful’ for ing for the NBA cham- vious experiences alongside him pionshipA immediately next sea- during All-Star games and at the Australia in World Cup: report son as the six-time All-Star was Olympics. Reuters earlier this month. formally unveiled by the organi- “To get a full season and to see New York Simmons was born in Australia sation on Saturday. the things he’s able to do — pass, and lived there until he moved The 26-year-old superstar is shoot, talks well defensively, to the United States in 2013 to set to form a potent strikeforce great leader, so I’m excited to get hiladelphia 76ers guard play high school basketball. He alongside LeBron James after a lot of that this season, and just Ben Simmons, announced was the first pick in the 2016 joining the Lakers following go from there,” said Davis, who Pin May as part of Austral- NBA Draft and the winner of a blockbuster trade deal with revealed he learned about his ia’s 2019 FIBA World Cup team, Rookie of the Year honours the New Orleans Pelicans last trade last month after seeing it is now “doubtful” to play in the in 2017-18 after sitting out a month. posted on Instagram. event, according to a report from season due to injury. The Lakers, who missed the Davis added he expects to play ESPN on Saturday. Simmons, He talked after last season about playoff s last season for a sixth a full part in the Lakers season who turns 23 next Saturday, is playing in upcoming events for straight year despite the ar- next year, brushing off a ques- coming off an All-Star season in the Australian national team, rival of LeBron James in 2018, tion about “load management.” which he averaged 16.9 points, known as the Boomers. will fi eld a new-look line-up for “I’m playing,” Davis said. “I’m 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 79 Team Australia will compete in the 2019 campaign which also 26 years old. I love the game of games for the Sixers. four warmup games, including includes new signings Danny basketball. I’m ready to play.” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, two against USA Basketball, in Green and DeMarcus Cousins. Davis will wear the No.3 jersey citing Simmons’ agent Rich Melbourne in August. The World With the Lakers also starting next season after an off er from Paul, reported that it’s more Cup will be played in China from the campaign with a new head James to allow him to keep his likely the young playmaking Aug. 31 through Sept. 15. coach in Frank Vogel, there is a preferred No.23 hit a snag. guard will focus this summer Seven teams will qualify possibility the roster may take Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (right) talks to Anthony Davis after a press conference at the UCLA The jersey number off er from on getting ready for his third directly from the World Cup time to gel. Health Training Center in El Segundo, United States, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) James was scuppered after op- NBA season rather than the for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But a bullish Davis, however, position from sponsors Nike, World Cup. Simmons and the The next 16 best teams will is adamant the Lakers can make anybody,” Davis told a press Pelinka told reporters that the “There is no more complete who had potentially been faced team are also working out the compete in a FIBA Olympic an instant impression as they conference. “In a seven-game acquisition of Davis could be a basketball player in the game,” with the prospect of being stuck details on a reported five-year, qualifying tournament in 2020. attempt to re-establish the team series, I think we’ll come out “history-shifting” chapter for Pelinka said. with millions of dollars worth of $170mn maximum contract ex- The Boomers finished fourth in as a force in the NBA. victorious.” the franchise, lavishing praise “There is nothing he can’t “James 23” jerseys if the deal had tension, Wojnarowski reported the 2016 Rio Olympics. “I’ll put our roster up against Lakers general manager Rob on the new signing’s versatility. do. He can shoot. He can make gone ahead. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 15, 2019 FOOTBALL

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS SPOTLIGHT Neymar renews war Senegal reach Cup of of words with PSG, hailing Barcelona ‘remontada’ Nations fi nal as own two years ago. The chances of AFP Paris him rejoining the Catalan giants are further complicated by An- toine Griezmann’s arrival from eymar fi red another Atletico Madrid for 120mn eu- shot in his battle with ros. When Neymar missed last Paris Saint-Germain Monday’s fi rst training session goal sinks Tunisia after saying his favour- PSG issued a statement declar- iteN football memory is Barce- ing they would take “appropriate lona’s incredible 2017 comeback action” against the star. Sporting win over PSG, which Neymar director Leonardo has neverthe- Senegal last reached final, 17 years ago, where they lost on penalties to Cameroon helped infl ict on his current club. less said that “Neymar can leave Asked by online sports chan- PSG if there is an off er that suits nel Oh My Goal about his best everybody”. changing room memory, the Later Saturday, Neymar added world’s most expensive player fuel to the fi re over a possible chose the aftermath of that win. return to the Camp Nou, with “We all went crazy afterwards. an Instagram post. Barcelona’s I think it was the best possible famous rout of PSG took place feeling for all of us,” the Brazilian in the fi nal 16 stage of the 2017 star said in the interview, which Champions League. PSG had was posted on Saturday. won the fi rst leg of that Cham- Neymar was speaking in Sao pions League last 16 tie 4-0 and Paulo ahead of his belated return were seconds away from the to the club today, after insist- quarter-fi nals. Neymar scored ing last week that he had prior in the 88th and 91st minutes of agreement from PSG to stay in the famous match before setting Brazil to help his foundation, the up Sergi Roberto for a winner fi ve Neymar Institute. His comments minutes into stoppage time. That are set to further strain his rela- sealed their 6-1 win over PSG, tionship with the club. who then shelled out the world- He wants out of the Parc des record fee to bag the Brazilian the Princes and would prefer a re- following summer. “What we felt turn to Barca, but is struggling when we scored the sixth goal to fi nd suitors due to the 222mn I’ve never felt anything like that, euros the capital splashed out to it was incredible,” Neymar told take him away from Barcelona Oh My Goal on Saturday.

Tunisia’s defender Dylan Bronn (right) scores an own goal during the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Senegal in Cairo yesterday. (AFP)

AFP before half-time to end the deadlock and Cairo edge closer to the July 19 fi nal. Youssouf Sabaly unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box that beat enegal reached the Africa Cup of Mouez but cannoned back into play off Nations fi nal for the second time the woodwork on 26 minutes. Then, in a with a Dylan Bronn own goal giv- 60-second purple patch, Mbaye Niang Brazilian and PSG star Neymar (right) listens to his father Neymar ing them a 1-0 win over Tunisia and Liverpool star Sadio Mane were un- Santos Sr during a five-a-side charity event, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AFP) yesterdayS in a tense last-four clash in able to convert chances before a small Cairo. With 11 minutes gone in extra time, crowd. goalkeeper Mouez Hassen pushed a free- Niang swivelled inside the box only to Griezmann says Atletico kick against the head of Bronn and the fi re well wide and Mane rounded Hassen ball went backwards into the net. but his shot from an acute angle fi nished outcry to Barca move ‘is a pity’ Tunisia thought they would have a well off target. Giresse took off Msakni chance to equalise when Idrissa Gueye at half-time and introduced Naim Sliti, Barcelona: French forward An- so they would not be caught handled in the box, but the Ethiopian ref- scorer of the stoppage-time goal that toine Griezmann said yesterday off guard and could prepare for eree rejected their penalty appeals after sealed a convincing last-eight win over that Atletico Madrid’s angry the future,” the player said as checking the incident on the VAR moni- giantkillers Madagascar. response to his transfer to La he was presented at the Camp tor. Both teams missed penalties in regu- Tunisians fans are in tears after their team’s loss to Senegal. (AFP) Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, a Liga rivals Barcelona is “a pity”. Nou. “We reached an agree- lar time with Ferjani Sassi the Tunisian virtual spectator in the opening half, re- Barcelona revealed on Friday ment but finally it changed, it’s culprit before Henri Saivet failed for the Senegal last reached the title decider Ayman Ben Mohamed and benching Wa- acted quickly early in the second half to they had paid the 28-year-old’s like that, you have to accept it,” Senegalese. 17 years ago, when current coach Aliou jdi Kechrida and Ghaylen Chaaleli. The push away a Sassi snap shot. Attackers 120mn euro release clause to he added when asked about Senegal will miss star defender Kalidou Cisse captained a team beaten on penal- countries were meeting for the sixth time Niang and Diatta were having little suc- sign the World Cup winner on Atletico’s response. Shortly after Koulibaly for the fi nal against Algeria or ties by Cameroon in Mali. Cisse made one in the Cup of Nations with each winning cess and came off with Mbaye Diagne and a five-year deal, prompting a the Catalans had announced Nigeria, who were playing in Cairo later change to the team that defeated Benin in one match and the other three drawn. Ismaila Sarr replacing them as an intrigu- furious response from Atletico the signing, Atletico complained last night, after he was yellow-carded. the quarter-fi nals with 20-year-old for- Tunisia had the fi rst clearcut chance at ing semi-fi nal entered the fi nal quarter. who said the amount was “insuf- Barcelona and Griezmann had It was the second caution of the knock- ward Krepin Diatta replacing Keita Balde. the 30 June Stadium in the Egyptian capi- The Sassi penalty was weak, allowing ficient”. negotiated the deal before the out phase for the Napoli centre-back and Tunisia coach Alain Giresse changed tal, but unmarked captain Youssef Msak- Gomis to save comfortably, while Hassen “Regarding Atletico, it’s a pity. buy-out price dropped from triggered an automatic one-match sus- two of the side that eliminated Mada- ni headed a corner well over. Senegal then made a brilliant one-hand block to foil a I went to see them on purpose 200mn euros at the start of July. pension. gascar, promoting Mohamed Drager and took control and had three opportunities powerfully struck spot-kick by Saivet.

FOCUS Griezmann’s move to Barcelona was a year in the making

By Sid Lowe despite Griezmann not having had his enough. Legacy looms large in the doc- The Guardian statutory 30 days’ holiday and despite umentary, Griezmann acutely aware their using the money to sign Joao Felix that any history made at Atlético would for €126mn, handing him Griezmann’s be his, while success elsewhere would he moment of Antoine Griez- No 7 shirt. be shared. But that requires success in mann’s departure to Barcelona Griezmann will now report for train- the fi rst place and it did not come. was broadcast live on televi- ing today in Barcelona. Luis Suarez and He admitted that living in Messi’s sion, 393 days after the French- Lionel Messi will not be there but how shadow had been a factor in choosing Tman announced his decision to turn well he fi ts with them will be crucial to to stay then, but he has thought again. down Barcelona and stay at Atletico his success at the Camp Nou. It is not There is a parallel to Neymar’s depar- Madrid in a TV documentary. entirely clear where he does fi t – his ture to PSG, the Brazilian’s realisation It had just gone 1pm on Friday when natural playing position is the same that playing with Messi may cast more his legal representative arrived at the as Messi’s – and there have been some light than shadow. headquarters of La Liga wheeling a sil- suggestions those two would prefer The season was defi ned above all by ver suitcase into the building, where he to see Neymar come back from Paris the Champions League: the primary deposited the €120mn (£107.6mn) buy- Saint-Germain. focus of the documentary, Atletico’s out clause that releases the striker from There has been a sense of unease at obsession and the competition whose his contract, fi ve years after his arrival. Barcelona returning to a player who fi nal would be held at their Wanda Met- Barcelona confi rmed the transfer two so publicly rejected them 13 months ropolitano. hours later. ago. After the ignominious Champions That became a target and, by exten- Griezmann’s new deal will run for League defeat at Anfi eld, though, most sion, a kind of watershed, too – it is fi ve years and contains a buyout clause of their followers will celebrate this almost as if the Frenchman was con- – a legal stipulation in Spain – worth signing. It is one they have chased for vinced, like some kind of crime caper, €800mn. For all the twists in the plot, a while. to do one last job, their biggest yet. the crossed words and accusations, this Barcelona fi rst approached Griez- It did not work out and it does not signing had been set up from the start. mann last year, aware that his buy- feel like chance that, if Atletico’s alle- It was only going to end one way and out clause would temporarily drop to gations are to be believed – and his new if it took longer than expected it was €100mn. They were prepared to pay club will not recognise this – Griez- concluded when Griezmann’s lawyer, that sum, unilaterally releasing him mann had agreed to join Barça in the Sevan Karian, arrived at La Liga’s HQ from his contract, and reached an days after Atlético lost to Juventus in – although Atletico say that €120mn is agreement on personal terms. That left the last 16. not enough, claiming the true value to Griezmann’s future in his own hands There was still a long way to go and be €200mn. and his deliberations became the focus Barcelona’s new signing French forward Antoine Griezmann looks at the heavens during his unveiling in Barcelona. (AFP) there may be arguments ahead even The clause dropped to €120mn at the of a documentary called La Decisión now, but essentially it was done. On 14 start of this month but Barcelona had where – in soft focus and stylish shots often but at the end of the fi lm, shown tax, but that was far from defi nitive: the to depart and so the deal was picked May, Griezmann recorded a video on a hoped to reach a negotiated settlement – he can be seen agonising over what on 14 June, he fi nally announces his de- new contract included a €200mn buy- up again, 12 months on, and for €20mn phone saying he was leaving, but he did rather than be forced to pay up front in decision to make: stay or go? cision to stay at Atletico. out clause but it would again drop on more. The same amount Atlético had not say where he was going. He could one go. Atlético refused, publicly ac- Over 30 minutes, the audience is He called Barcelona to apologise: 1 July – explicitly allowing for an exit, spent paying him last season. not and he did not tell them either, al- cusing Barcelona and the Frenchman given glimpses of Griezmann contem- their board did not know the documen- should the player want one, and invit- Ultimately, his season was a disap- though Atlético claimed they knew. of a lack of respect in a statement that plating his future, looking pensive at tary was being made, even though the ing suitors to line up once more. Once pointing one, which plays its part in his All that was left to do was wait for the also demanded he report for training the dinner table, pensive playing bas- production company belongs in part to they had the signal, they did just that. leaving. Atlético had strengthened the buyout clause value to drop, the way it last Sunday. This was despite Atlético ketball, pensive in a plane and pensive Gerard Piqué, their centre-half. Griezmann may not have regretted team in an attempt to convince him to had been designed to do. Thirteen days requesting he record a video announc- on a horse. Griezmann signed an improved deal renewing, staying for another season, remain and they again fi nished ahead of later, cameras caught a man strolling ing his intention to leave on 14 May, “I don’t know what to do,” he says at Atletico, worth €20mn a year after but he soon decided that he did want Real Madrid in La Liga, but that was not into a building carrying €120mn. Gulf Times Monday, July 15, 2019 7 TENNIS

FOCUS BREAKING NEW GROUND Mochizuki becomes fi rst Japanese to Miss Congeniality: win boys’ crown Halep proves nice girls also win Halep, 27, is only the second Romanian woman to win a major tennis title

Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki poses with the trophy after winning the boys’ singles final against Spain’s Carlos Gimeno Valero.

AFP “I don’t want to copy him, but London I love watching him.” Mochizuki said he had been mindful of his implosion at the hintaro Mochizuki made French Open when he led 5-2 in history yesterday be- his semi-fi nal only to lose. coming the fi rst Japa- He said the pivotal moment nese player to win a boy’s had been when he was a set up SGrand Slam title, beating Carlos but break points down early in Gimeno Valero of Spain 6-3, 6-2 the second set and managed to in the Wimbledon fi nal. hold. The 16-year-old, who was “In the fi rst set, I got broken playing just his third grass court twice,” he said. tournament, follows 1969 girls “I wanted to hold my service singles title winner Kazuko Sa- game a lot. It was good. I played wamatsu in triumphing at the really tough. grass court Grand Slam. “He had some break points, Mochizuki said he had learned but I just tried my best to hold a lot from his compatriot, 2014 my service game. US Open fi nalist Kei Nishikori. 4“Yes, it was really important “He’s really nice,” said Mo- game for me.” chizuki. “He gives me a lot of Mochizuki admitted not be- advice. ing used to playing in front of so “Like sometimes I practice many people on Court One had with him. I learn from him a lot. made him reluctant to perform Yeah, he’s smart.” in front of them. Nishikori, nine times a Grand “I’m shy, so I was like, Why do Romania’s Simona Halep holds the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy during the presentation after beating US player Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. Slam quarter-fi nalist, took to I have to do that?” he said. Twitter almost immediately to “But it was fun. It’s so many AFP Before her 2018 Roland Gar- magazine and opened a restau- spiration while light-heartedly “He’s been in Romania a few fete his compatriot. people were there. I was a little London ros breakthrough, Halep had rant called ‘SH’ in her home- winning the hearts of the All times. I met him. Also I have a “Huge congrats to @Shin- bit nervous.” suff ered three agonising defeats town of Constanta, which lies England Club. snooker ball signed from him. taroMOCHIZU! Such an amaz- However, once out there he when one set from glory at the on the Black Sea. “My mom said when I was 10 That’s why I follow him.” ing tournament,” tweeted the rather enjoyed playing to his imona Halep handed majors. “The fact that I am able to win that if I want to do something in Halep has also expressed a Japanese star, adding a thumbs audience, with one jump smash Serena Williams her She lost the 2014 Roland Gar- maybe will give an inspiration tennis I have to play in the fi nal childlike delight in the British up icon, a fl exed bicep icon and being a special crowd pleaser. most lopsided Grand ros fi nal to Maria Sharapova and also to Romanians, the kids, that at Wimbledon,” she told Centre royal family, confessing she’s a several Japanese fl ags. “It was a big chance to do that, SSlam fi nal loss to clinch the 2017 championship match in it’s possible, even if you come Court. particular fan of the Duchess of However, it is not 29-year-old so I just did it for fun,” he said. the Wimbledon title yesterday Paris after leading Jelena Ostap- from a little country, it’s pos- “I had lots of nerves, my Cambridge. Nishikori who is his idol. “It was easy ball. I just wanted and there will be few more pop- enko by a set and 3-0. sible if you work and if you be- stomach wasn’t very well. “Kate’s my favourite,” said “Roger Federer, I love watch- to make people have fun watch- ular champions. Her third came earlier in 2018 lieve.” She added: “I said at the start Halep as the object of her regal ing him on TV, yeah,” he said. ing me.” Humble and grounded, Halep against another perennial un- One of the main reasons why of the tournament that one of aff ection looked down from the had already showed incredible derachiever on the biggest stage, Halep had to wait so long to lift my motivations was to win and Royal Box. resolve to win the 2018 Roland Caroline Wozniacki, in a mara- a major title was her relative lack become a lifetime member of But there still remains a steely SPOTLIGHT Garros title having lost all three thon match in sweltering condi- of power when compared to the the club!” streak, illustrated by the deci- of her previous Slam fi nals. tions at Melbourne Park. game’s other big stars. Her folksy charm has also se- sion she made 10 years ago to She further endeared herself Halep became world number But she has found compensa- duced hardened reporters. undergo breast reduction sur- by announcing before that Paris one in August 2017 and her 2018 tion. “I’m fast, though, no?” She only follows two peo- gery. Taiwan’s Chan, fi nal that she “would be okay” if French Open win over Sloane Halep, who Sports Illustrated ple on Twitter — one is former “It’s the weight that troubles she lost again, as “no-one would Stephens made her the fi rst once described as an ‘anti-diva’, coach Darren Cahill and the me. My ability to react quickly, have died”. player to win her fi rst Grand now has $33mn banked from her other, bizarrely, is three-time my breasts make me uncomfort- Croatia’s Dodig Halep, 27, is only the second Slam title while holding the top career. world snooker champion Mark able when I play,” she once said. Romanian woman to win a major ranking. But she has not been seduced Selby. “I didn’t like them in my eve- after Virginia Ruzici claimed the A huge star in her home coun- by the glitter of the sports world. “I have no idea how you play ryday life, either. I would have claim mixed doubles 1978 French Open. Ruzici is now try — Halep has appeared on the On Saturday, she made a point snooker. But I appreciate him,” gone for surgery even if I hadn’t her manager. front cover of Romania’s Elle of thanking her mother for in- said Halep. been a sportswoman.”

BOTTOMLINE Cabal and Farah create men’s doubles history for Colombia

Reuters “We come back to the court, I taking a medical time-out and London had a second wind. I felt so good did not appear to suff er any lin- again. I feel like we played unreal gering after-eff ects as he was that (fi fth) set.” soon up a set. uan Sebastian Cabal and Cabal, who will rise to the top Mahut, who had won the Robert Farah became of the doubles rankings when full complement of Grand the fi rst Colombians to the new list is released on Mon- Slam men’s doubles titles with Croatia’s Ivan Dodig (R) and Taiwan’s Latisha Chan with their trophies. win a Grand Slam men’s day, added: “We just won Wim- Pierre-Hugues Herbert be- Jdoubles title when they beat bledon for Colombia. It’s huge fore being dumped by his fel- London: Taiwan’s Latisha — who won the 2017 US Open France’s Nicolas Mahut and for our country. The moment low Frenchman earlier this year, Chan and Croatian Ivan Dodig doubles title with Martina Hingis Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-7(5) we’re living right now is just looked like he could be walking made it back to back Grand Slam — was broken serving for the set 7-6(5) 7-6(6) 6-7(5) 6-3 in a crazy.” off with his second Wimbledon successes, clinching the Wim- they broke back immediately to near fi ve-hour epic at Wimble- The defeat capped a painful crown as he and Roger-Vasselin bledon mixed doubles title in a clinch it. A break in the eighth don on Saturday. evening for Mahut as he rolled produced some high-quality 6-2, 6-3 win over Swede Robert game of the second set was all Farah punched away a back- around the turf early on in the winners to level the match at Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko they required before celebrating hand volley winner on match contest after taking a blow to two sets all. of Latvia. Chan and Dodig have by climbing up to their entou- point before promptly collaps- his eye. For a few minutes, it But another brutal body blow become a powerful mixed doubles rage’s box to hug them prior to ing to the ground in triumph. Colombia’s Juan Sebastian Cabal (L) and Colombia’s Robert Farah was uncertain if the Frenchman in the eighth game of the decider partnership in the past year hav- being presented with the trophy. “I’m speechless. I kept pose with their trophies. would be able to continue as he left Mahut writhing in pain on ing won two French Opens and For both 29-year-old Chan and watching the watch through the was helped to his courtside chair the green turf and Cabal and now Wimbledon. Dodig, 34, it is their fi rst Wim- fi rst and second set. I’m like: utes play. This is ridiculous. battling. Once we lost the fourth before medics examined the in- Farah showed little sympathy as The eighth seeds were always bledon title of any kind — the ‘We fi nished the second set and How long is this?’” said Farah. set... I put my legs up, I got a rub jury and checked his vision. they pounced to break for a 5-3 in control surging into a 5-0 lead Croatian having lost in the men’s it’s been two hours and 15 min- “From there on, we just kept from my physio. He came back on court after lead. in the fi rst set. Although Chan doubles fi nal in 2015.

Monday, July 15, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS Federer blows away match points as Djokovic wins title Djokovic is the first man in 71 years to win the title from match points down and is now level with Borg on five titles

15-07-2019

Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, hands the winner’s trophy to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. PATH TO THE TITLE AFP “Unfortunately in this type bridge looking on from the Royal London of match someone has to lose. It Box, Federer carved out the only Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) 1st rd: is quite unreal to be two match break point of the opening set. bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) points down to come back and But Djokovic saved it and with 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 ovak Djokovic saved strange to play a tie-break at 12- serve dominating, the set was de- 2nd rd: bt Denis Kudla (USA) two match points to 12.” cided by the tiebreak. 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 clinch a fi fth Wim- Djokovic is just four Grand The top seed was 3-1 up, then 3rd rd: bt Hubert Hurkacz (POL) Nbledon title and 16th Slam titles shy of the all-time Federer inched to 5-3 before 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-4 major yesterday, shattering Roger record held by Federer who is Djokovic swept the next four 4th rd: bt Ugo Humbert (FRA) Federer’s bid to become the old- more than fi ve years older. points. 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 est Grand Slam champion in the It was incredibly tough on Fed- At 58 minutes, it was two min- QF: bt David Goff in (BEL x21) longest fi nal ever played at the erer, chasing a ninth Wimbledon utes longer than the women’s fi - 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 tournament. crown, who didn’t face a break nal on Saturday. SF: bt Roberto Bautista Agut Despite being outplayed by the point until the eighth game of the Djokovic, however, then went (ESP x23) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 37-year-old Swiss for large parts fourth set. completely off the boil, losing his F: bt Roger Federer (SUI x2) 7-6 of the knife-edge encounter, the He even had two match points footing as he was broken in the (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3) world number one triumphed 7-6 in the 16th game of the deciding fi rst game of the second set. (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 set which lasted over two hours. Federer broke twice again and (7/3). At 4 hours and 57 minutes, “It was long and it had every- after just 25 more minutes the fi - stored parity in the next game. it was the longest Wimbledon fi - thing. I had answers, so did he nal was all-square with Djokovic Despite twice being just two nal ever played and settled by a and we played some great tennis,” managing just two winners in the points from defeat, Federer broke fi nal set tiebreak for the fi rst time. said Federer. set. Federer was comfortably on for 8-7 but was unable to serve Djokovic is the fi rst man in 71 “I hope I give some other peo- top in the third set, fl ashing win- out for the match. years to win the title from match ple at 37 the feeling it is not over ners from all parts of the court As the clock ticked past the points down. yet.” Djokovic’s win meant that but was unable to convert a set previous longest fi nal of 4 hours He is now level with Bjorn Borg the ‘Big Three’ of men’s tennis — point in the 10th game. and 48 minutes it took Nadal to as a fi ve-time Wimbledon win- himself, Federer and Rafael Nadal Djokovic made him pay. De- Winner Djokovic (L) and runner-up Federer pose with their trophies. beat Federer in the 2008 fi nal, the ner. — have won the last 11 Slams. spite not managing a single break match was decided by the fi rst 12- “I think that if this is not the He has now won nine of his point in the match, he pounced Djokovic then carved out his time. It was too little, too late, hand passing shot gave Djokovic 12 tiebreak in a singles match at most exciting fi nal then defi nitely last 11 clashes against Federer and again in the tiebreak to reclaim fi rst break points of the match in however, as Federer deservedly the break in the sixth game for a the tournament. it’s in the top two or three of my three of their four Wimbledon the lead. the eighth game. levelled the fi nal. 4-2 lead. Djokovic prevailed, moving to career against one of the greatest meetings. Federer wasn’t fi nished. Back The fi rst was saved after a Into a tense fi nale, Federer The world number one couldn’t three championship points and players of all time, Roger, who I With William and Catherine, came the veteran with a double breathtaking 35-shot rally before saved three break points in the back it up and Federer had Centre claiming victory when Federer respect,” said Djokovic. the Duke and Duchess of Cam- break for 5-2. the Serb fi nally broke for the fi rst fourth game but a drilled, back- Court on their feet when he re- shanked a return wide.

BOTTOMLINE Al-Attiyah maintains big lead in Silk Way Rally By Our Correspondent Alashan, China Nasser al-Attiyah (also right) in action on the eighth day of the 2019 Silk Way Rally between Bayinbaolige and Alashan in China’s atar and Overdrive Racing’s prefecture region of Inner Mongolia yesterday. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his French navigator Mat- Qthieu Baumel held an outright lead of 59min 58sec after the eighth day of the 2019 Silk Way Rally between Bay- inbaolige and Alashan in China’s prefec- ture region of Inner Mongolia yesterday. Al-Attiyah, who is running under the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa ban- ner, began the day with a lead of 40min 33sec over China’s Lui Kun and a stage time of 4hrs 21min 26sec through many diffi cult sandy sections in the Gobi Desert enabled the Toyota Hilux driver to increase that advantage heading into the last two days. extend their overall lead over China’s Jiayuguan is a prefecture-level city in Dutchman Erik van Loon and French- Kun Lui to 40min 33sec. north-western Gansu Province and is man Sebastien Delaunay have recovered Al-Attiyah said: “Sometimes naviga- most famous for the nearby Jiavu Pass, well from second stage delays and the tion is not easy and the sixth stage was the largest and most intact of its kind on second Overdrive Racing crew began one of those days. We were never lost, the Great Wall of China. the eighth day in 23rd overall. They were we just had to go back a few hundred 2019 Silk Way Rally – positions after second fastest on the day’s stage. 4min metres to fi nd the right way.” SS8 (unoffi cial @ 12.55hrs CET): 35sec behind al-Attiyah, and contin- There was no special stage on the sev- ued their steady climb back through the enth day on Saturday. Two liaison sec- STANDINGS fi eld. tions of 370.37km and 180.29km took 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- The Dutchman was running as the crews to the border between Dalanza- thieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Over- fastest of all the drivers through the dgad in Mongolia and the China frontier drive 18hrs 05min 42sec 58km checkpoint in the day’s stage be- Loon in third place and Ming Zhang was taken by Frenchman Jérôme Peli- position after the crew made a rare navi- and on to the night halt at Bayinbaolige 2. Jérôme Pelichet (FRA)/Pascal Lar- fore slipping behind Chinese pace-set- in fourth. Nasser continued to lead chet. gational mistake, but all the Toyota’s in China’s Inner Mongolia. roque (FRA) Optimus 19hrs 05min ter Lui Kun after 120km. through the subsequent checkpoints to Al-Attiyah had claimed a sixth suc- leading rivals followed suit and made a Today teams tackle the ninth and pe- 40sec Al-Attiyah was the fi rst driver to pass claim a seventh successive stage win, cessive stage win on the 408.15km sec- similar error and that enabled the Qatari nultimate stage of the Silk Way Rally be- 3. Wei Han (CHN)/Liao Min (CHN) Geely the next checkpoint after 165km in 2hrs but Kun Lui dropped serious time mid- tion between Mandalgovi and Dalanza- to snatch the stage win by 3min 15sec tween Alashan and Jiayuguan. In a day’s SMG Buggy 19hrs 07min 16sec 04min 21sec. The Qatari was 45 seconds way through the special and ceded his dgad in Mongolia on Friday. from Overdrive Racing team-mate Van route of 501.20km, teams will tackle 4. Ping Sun (CHN)/Li Ma (CHN) Hanwei faster than Matthieu Serradori with Van second place overall – a position that The Qatari looked to be in a vulnerable Loon. The day also saw the Hilux crew 290.30km against the clock. SMG Buggy 19hrs 27min 24sec