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Home , Aliou Dieng, Al Ahly (volleyball), Andriy Protsenko, Doha Diamond League, Holly Bradshaw, Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla

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SATURDAY 29 MAY 2021 JordanJ Rally: Al Attiyah takes big lead ItI was a good morning. We tried to push the first two sstages. The other driver have some problems, punctures, butb it is not an easy rally even for the experienced drivers. We know these nice roads. We have a good lead and now wwe will try to hold it.

Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Sport | 14

CAF SUPER CUP: (Mohamed Sherif 57, 82) beat RSB Berkane 2-0 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Ahly crowned champions in Doha

CAF – DOHA President of Olympic Committee (QOC) H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attending the final of CAF Mohamed Sherif and Salah Mohamed Sherif and Salah Super Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, yesterday. Mohsen’s second half goals Mohsen’s second half goals handed Egyptian giants Al Ahly handed Egyptian giants Al their seventh Total CAF Super Cup title after beating RS Ahly their seventh Total CAF Berkane 2-0 at the Jassim Bin Super Cup title after beating Hamad Stadium in Doha RS Berkane 2-0 at the Jassim yesterday. The Total CAF Champions Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha League holders were dominant yesterday. over their Total CAF Confed- eration Cup counterparts, especially in the second half an even better chance off a and ensuring they hand coach counter attack. Mouhssine his second Iajour released Mohamed continental title since joining Farehane through on the right the Cairo giants in October last with the defender gliding year. away with only the keeper to Mosimane won the Cham- beat. pions League title as well as However, Ahly shot stopper finishing third at the Club Mohamed Elshenawy was World Cup with The Red quick off his line to narrow the Devils, adding on to the angle and Ferehane’s attempt Egyptian Cup he clinched as his to clip the ball over him ended first piece of silverware in on the side netting. North Africa. In the second half, Ahly Heading into the match in were more enterprising in Doha yesterday, there was showed less of that in a com- with having a good he skied it over. Berkane had match, skipper Mohamed Aziz attack and they were ahead concern for Ahly due to their manding performance against opportunity with a shot from two good chances to get into saw his header off a short after 57 minutes, when Sherif tight schedule of matches and the Moroccans. the edge of the box off a the lead. corner go wide. scored with a belter of a goal. constant travelling, but they They threatened from early Hussein El Shahat cut-back but In the 18th minute of the Ten minutes later, they had The forward made a quick turn inside the box before slicing an unstoppable left foot shot into the net. Egyptians clinch seventh The Egyptians continued their dominance and with eight minutes left, they sealed the CAF Super Cup title victory when Mohsen side stepped the keeper before slapping the ball into the net after being put through by a defense splitting pass from . Berkane tried to pluck some respect off the match in search of at least a goal. They came close in the second minute of added time when substitute Alain Traore’s strong header off a cross came off the bar. On the other end, Ahly also had their chances to extend the lead with Mohamed Magdy ‘Afsha’ forcing the Berkane keeper to a brilliant save with a header while Sherif should have scored his second with another header that came cracking against the upright with the last play. Chelsea, Manchester City eye Champions League glory

AP – PORTO Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero, Manchester City making it to the It’s more familiar territory Ruben Dias, Fernandinho with team-mates European Cup final for the first for Thomas Tuchel, a losing Looming over Liberdade during a training session yesterday. time in its 141-year history, finalist last when Square, the giant European Cup thanks to the club being ele- Saint-Germain fell to Bayern replica that supporters of vated to join Europe’s elite fol- Munich. The German will be Chelsea and Manchester City lowing its Abu Dhabi takeover leading out Chelsea in Porto crane their necks to photograph 13 years ago. only 123 days after being hired is a reminder of the prize being The influx of cash from by Chelsea to save a season fal- sought in today’s Champions Sheikh Mansour - a member of tering under . A League final. Abu Dhabi’s ruling family - top-four place in the Premier And the footballing heritage delivered unprecedented League was recovered to qualify their clubs tried to wreck only success for a team that long for the Champions League a month ago. lived in the shadow of three- without even having to win the The all-English final in time European champion Man- final. Porto is a meeting of two of chester United. It is reminiscent of 2012 Europe’s richest teams at the But the lavish assembling of when another midseason end of a pandemic-compressed the team also attracted investi- appointee - season that has stretched gations for breaching Financial - took Chelsea to its first Cham- squads to the limit and bene- Fair Play rules and punishments pions League final and beat fited those with the deepest for obstructing the investigators. Bayern Munich on its own turf. resources. Those FFP rules are now being It was no underdog success, It’s another reminder of the overhauled to allow the type of instead the fulfilment of Russian advantages held by the elite in any stadium, home or away. The Champions League final in the Champions League since heavier spending on players billionaire Roman Abramovich’s who seem forever to be seeking They even missed the chance returns to Portugal more out of the start of the pandemic last impeded by the current target after buying the club in great wealth and power, under- to protest in stadiums against necessity after was March. regulations. 2003. cutting any broadening of the the bid by their own clubs to abandoned due to Turkey’s rise There are often pitfalls to A year ago ’s Chelsea has beaten City profile of would-be finalists. launch the largely closed in coronavirus infections. groups of English fans trav- side faced being excluded from twice in this season’s three But for all the rancor and replacement for the Champions Hopes of an easier journey elling. There was a brief flare- the Champions League until encounters, including in the FA recriminations in the fallout League that collapsed within 48 for the fans - playing the final up of unrest on the streets of the club’s squad of lawyers Cup semi-finals but Tuchel’s from the collapse of the Super hours. on home soil at Wembley - Porto on Thursday night as all helped to secure a decisive side went on to lose to Leicester. League breakaway, the 66th Finally, in their 13th game of were thwarted by coronavirus restaurants and bars were victory to overturn the UEFA City, though, already has two final of UEFA’s elite competition the competition, fans will be controls preventing unrestricted closed by 10:30 p.m. due to the ban at the Court of Arbitration trophies after winning the does provide glimmers of allowed into the Estádio do access for the UEFA delegations. pandemic curfew. for Sport. League Cup for a fourth con- optimism and hope in chal- Dragão. The roar and energy of That led to Portugal opening its Getting to Portugal and into Guardiola is in his first secutive season and the Premier lenging times - both within the the crowd, so missing throughout borders to more than 10,000 the stadium required multiple Champions League final since League for the fifth time in 10 sport and beyond. the pandemic, will be back for the visiting fans. coronavirus tests, costing hun- winning for a second time as seasons. The journey to the final has UEFA showpiece after last sea- It’s the type of mass dreds of dollars. coach in 2011, “It’s always so, so tough to been one not witnessed by any son’s final was played in an movement of football sup- But that’s been the least reaching this stage with City at play against his teams,” Tuchel City or Chelsea fans in the flesh empty Lisbon stadium. porters across Europe not seen complicated aspect of his fifth attempt. said of Guardiola. SATURDAY 29 MAY 2021 SPORT 15 Barshim warms up for Olympics with second spot as Ogunode shines Fraser-Pryce, Cheruiyot dazzle in Doha

FAWAD HUSSAIN Qatar's world champion in action during DOHA THE PENINSULA the men’s event at the Doha Diamond League yesterday. – MEN’S 400M HURDLES Doha is a popular destination among the global athletes for Rai Bejamin (USA) 47.38 (MR) a good reason. The Qatari Alison dos Santos (BRA) 47.57 capital hosts the top-notch Kyron McMaster (IVB) 47.82 competitions in a way that they are long – HIGH JUMP MEN remembered, bringing the best out of top stars. Ilya Ivanyuk (ANA) 2.33 It was the same last night, Mutaz Barshim SB (QAT) 2.30 when Suhaim bin Hamad Andriy Protsenko (UKR) 2.27 Stadium played host to the second meeting of the – WOMEN Diamond League 2021 as six world leads and three meeting Katie Nageotte (USA) 4.84 (WL, MR) records were set under lights (USA) 4.84 (WL, MR) in Doha. Holly Bradshaw (GBR) 4.74 Spectators were not present due to strict COVID-19 protocols but athletes still pro- – WOMEN duced thrilling performances, Yaimé Perez (CUB) 63.75 with Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fra- Timothy Cheruiyot of Valarie Allman (USA) 65.57 Kenya in action during ser-Pryce, Kenya’s Timothy Sandra Perkovic (CRO) 63.60 Cheruiyot, and America’s Katie the men’s 1500m event. Nageotte claiming memorable Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and Javianne – WOMEN victories. Oliver of US compete at women’s 100m event. (VEN) 15.15 (MR) Ivanyuk wins in Kimberly Williams (JAM) 14.69 high jump, Barshim Shanieka Ricketts (JAM) 14.98 second – 800M WOMEN However, there was some (KEN) 1:58.26 disappointment for home fans Natoya Goule (JAM) 1:59.70 glued to TVs to watch their Rababe Arafi (MAR) 1:59.83 own reigning world high jump Michael champion Mutaz Barshim Norman – 1500M MEN missing out the top spot in of the US men’s high jump. poses with Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN) 3:30.48 (WL) Russia’s Ilya Ivanyuk, com- a world lead Stewart McSweyn (AUS) 3:31.57 peting as an authorised neutral sign after Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) 3:31.95 athlete won the event, leaping winning the 2.33m while Barshim, who was men’s 400m – 200M MEN marking his 10th anniversary event. of Diamond League debut yes- Kenny Bednarek (USA) 19.88 terday, took second position with a jump of 2.30. Ukraine’s Andre de Grasse (CAN) 19.89 Andriy Protsenko (2.27m) fin- Aaron Brown (CAN) 20.25 ished third. The Qatari star, however, – MEN was satisfied with his Tomas Walsh (NZL) 21.63 performance. “It was good, not so good, Filip Mihaljevic (CRO) 21.57 but I’ ll say okay. My target is Armin Sinancevic (SRB) 21.88 definitely Tokyo (Olympics) so I will be working for the next – 3000M STEEPLECHASE competition. My target for WOMEN Tokyo is to win, not necessarily to break a record, but to win,” Norah Jeruto (KEN) 9:00.67 (WL) Barshim said. Mekides Abebe (ETH) 9:02.52 Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce, Winfred Mutile Yavi (BRN) 9:02.64 who won the world title in Doha two years ago, main- – 400M MEN tained her domination here to win the mouth-watering Michael Norman (USA) 44.27 (WL) women’s 100m race. The two- Qatari sprinter Femi Ogunode (second left) on his way to win the men’s 100m race yesterday. Ogunode clocked a season’s best Anthony José Zambrano (COL) 44.57 time Olympic champion time of 10.00 which secured him a place in the Tokyo Olympics. Fred Kerley (USA) 44.60 clocked season’s best of 10.84 to finish ahead of Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (10.90) and and Winfred Mutile Yavi and third positions blasting to victory with sea- – 800M MEN America’s Javianne Oliver (9:02.64). respectively. son’s best time of 10.00. Ogu- Wyclife Kinyamal (KEN) 1:43.91 (WL) (11.03). It was good, not so good, Another Kenyan women, Another meeting record node’s time also secured him Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich (KEN) 1:44.45 Kenya’s Cheruiyot, also a Beatrice Chebet (8:27.49) also last night was set by Vene- the Tokyo Olympics spot. but I’ ll say okay. My target Daniel Rowden (GBR) 1:44.60 winner at World Champion- set a world lead to win zuela’s Yulimar Rojas, who Rising Qatari sprinter ships in Doha, was expected to is definitely Tokyo women’s 3000m, soaring past marked 15.15 to win women’s Owaab Barrow (10.46) finished do big things yesterday and he (Olympics) so I will be in the final lap for triple jump. Jamaican Kimberly third behind Chad’s Mahamat – 100M WOMEN didn’t disappoint his fans, working for the next her first ever Diamond League Williams (14.69) was second Goubaye Youssouf (10.26). Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) 10.84 winning the men’s 1500m with competition. My target for win. In women’s 800m, while her compatriot Shanieka Qatar’s star middle dis- Blessing Okagbare (NGR) 10.90 a world leading time of 3:30.48. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon Ricketts (14.98) finished third. tance runner Musaeb Abdul- Javianne Oliver (USA)11.03 “I tell my fans thanks for Tokyo is to win, not clocked a season’s best time of New Zealand’s Tomas rahman Balla took third always supporting me. It was necessarily to break a 1:58.26 to claim the title ahead Walsh collected victory in position in men’s 800m, with a very good race, anyone could record, but to win: Mutaz of Jamaican Natoya Goule men’s shot put with a throw of Algeria’s Mohamed Ali – 3000M WOMEN have won. My next focus is Essa Barshim (1:59.70) and Moroccan Rababe 21.63. Gouaned and Moroccan Mouad Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 8:27.49 (WL) Monaco,” the Kenyan star said Arafi (1:59.83). Zahafi taking the first two spots Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi (KEN) after the victory. Qatar’s Ogunode respectively. Australia’s Stewart Nageotte upsets Earlier, the men’s 400m B 8:28.27 McSweyn was second with a victorious with a time of 47.38, seals Olympic spot race was won by Zambia’s Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) 8:28.96 time of 3:31.57 while ’s setting a meeting record. He stars in women’s In the men’s 100m race – Kennedy Luchembe in 46.29, Soufiane El Bakkali (3:31.95) outpaced Brazil’s Alison dos pole vault not part of Diamond League with Qatar’s Hussein Ibrahim 400M (B) MEN took third position. Santos (47.57), who finished programme – Qatari sprinters Issaka finishing fourth with a Kennedy Luchembe (ZAM) 46.29 Another Kenyan star in second with British Virgin In a star-studded women’s dominated with Femi Ogunode personal best time of 48.10. Wyclife Kinyamal marked a Islands’s Kyron McMaster pole vault that saw meeting Mohamed Fares Jlassi (TUN) 46.73 world leading time of 1:43.91 (47.82) taking third position. records falling like flies, Amer- Rami Balti (TUN) 47.03 to win a thrilling men’s 800m “It was a good and decent ica’s Nageotte (USA) clinched Katie race. He was followed by com- race, but not the best for me, I the victory after edging com- Nageotte MEN’S 100M patriot Ferguson Cheruiyot always try to do my best. Doha patriot Sandi Morris, clearing of the US in Femi Ogunode (QAT) 10.00 Rotich (1:44.45) and Daniel is warm so it is perfect for 4.84m in the first attempt for action during Rowden (1:44.60). running. My next focus is NCCA a world lead. the women’s Mahamat Goubaye Youssouf (CHA) 10.26 America’s Michael Norman in USA,” Bejamin said “You can expect anything pole vault Owaab Barrow (QAT) 10.46 was also in sizzling form last yesterday. in pole volt, I was ready to event. night, winning the men’s 400m Qatar’s World Champion- come in and jump. I wasn’t MEN’S 800M race with a world leading time ships bronze medalist Abder- sure I was gonna win, but I of 44.27. rahman Samba (48.26), fin- knew I was ready. I am happy Mohamed Ali Gouaned (ALG) 1:45.47 “I didn’t do a good per- ished fourth in the event. for that, I think I did pretty Mouad Zahafi (MAR) 1:46.65 formance here in Doha before, Meanwhile, America’s good tonight,” said Nageotte. Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla (QAT) 1:47.09 and I am happy with the Kenny Bednarek won the Morris reached the same progress I have made. I want highly-anticipated men’s height but in her second to give a lot of credits to my 200m race, setting the season’s attempt, and had to content Sandi Morris of the US coach for everything he does best time of 19.88, defeating with second position. The third celebrates during the for me, we are in the right Canada’s Andre de Grasse place went to Britain’s Holly women’s pole vault. path,” said Norman. (19.89) and Aaron Brown Bradshaw (4.74m) as reigning Colombia’s Anthony José (20.25). world champion Anzhelika Zambrano was second in the “I felt good, I was a bit Sidorova (4.64m) – Authorised race with a time of 44.57 while nervous, but I am excited that Neutral Athlete – finished Fred Kerley (USA) clocked I finished first. I will try to be seventh. 44.60 to take third position. even better again the next Cuba’s reigning Diamond time,” said Bednarek. League champion Yaimé Perez Bejamin takes 400m Also last night, Kenya’s also picked maximum points Norah Jeruto captured the with a win in women’s discus hurdles title women’s steeplechase title in throw, clearing 63.75. Amer- The much-hyped men’s style after recording a world ica’s Valarie Allman (65.57) and 400m hurdles race saw Amer- lead of 9:00.67, beating Ethi- ’s Sandra Perkovic ica’s Rai Bejamin emerging opia’s Mekides Abebe (9:02.52) (CRO) 63.60 secured second Sport SATURDAY 29 MAY 2021 14 Jordan Rally: Al Attiyah takes big lead

THE PENINSULA — DEAD SEA Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in action, yesterday. stopped. We managed to get back to service but the com- Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah cruised pression was low on the engine into a massive lead of 8min and we could not continue,” he 32.1sec after an opening leg of added. six gruelling special stages of Leading Jordanian Shadi the Jordan Rally that were held JORDAN RALLY Sheban held fourth overall and in punishing heat and deci- claimed victory in the opening mated the field yesterday. POSITIONS AFTER SS8: (TOP 5) round of the Jordan National The Qatari and his Andorra- 1. Nasser Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Rally Championship. based co-driver Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Round two will be held over Baumel were never troubled in Volkswagen Pole GTI 1hr 23min 18.1sec stages today. any of the speed tests and were Lebanese driver Shadi El 2. M. Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari able to manage their pace after Fakih was classified in fifth in (QAT) gaining a comfortable lead on his Mitsubishi and Qatar’s the opening loop of three spe- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 31min Nasser Khalifa Al Atya cials held in the Dead Sea and 50.2sec overcame two time-consuming Mount Nebo areas of the 3. Alex El-Feghali (LBN)/Georges punctures and heat exhaustion Hashemite Kingdom. Deaibess (LBN) to hold sixth in a Ford Fiesta. Al Attiyah said: “It was a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 32min After engine issues sidelined good morning. We tried to push 31.0sec the defending champion Henry the first two stages. The other 4. Shadi Sheban (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Kahy, local driver Asem Aref driver have some problems, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 38min adapted his strategy to conserve punctures, but it is not an easy 50.7sec his Renault Clio RS and survived 5. Shadi El-Fakih (LBN)/Samer Sfeir the day to lead MERC3 and hold (LBN) eighth. “It was really difficult the second time around,” said Aref. It was a good morning. We Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 43min 10.6sec “More stones, so we had to be tried to push the first two very slow. We were two stages. The other driver minutes slower than the have some problems, morning.” punctures, but it is not an Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif rally even for the experienced driver’s closest challenger and and closed in on Al Thefiri as the first loop. “We had a began cautiously on his co- easy rally even for the drivers. We know these nice the second-placed Mitsubishi the day progressed. puncture on the rear on the first driver Feisal Al Suwayh’s first experienced drivers. We roads. We have a good lead and Lancer man secured an over- “The second loop was much stage, and then another one on ever rally and held fifth in his know these nice roads. We now we will try to hold it. night advantage of 40.8 seconds better for us,” said Feghali. the longer second one,” said the T4 Can-Am Maverick X3 before have a good lead and now “The second loop was good. in the MERC2 category. “We gained 15 seconds on disappointed Omani. retiring after an accident in a we will try to hold it. It was not easy and a lot of big Alex Feghali, the son of Meshari. We have some “It was really tough. I guess ditch caused a broken drive rocks on the second stage. We 14-time Rally of Lebanon problems with the diff, but we the rubber from the tyre cut a shaft in SS5. Ahmad Khaled also managed without any problems. winner Roger, finished the leg will push tomorrow and try and bit of the pipe on the radiator withdrew on the fifth stage with Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Now we just need to finish.” in third and second in MERC2 get second.” Al Rawahi was and we got a bit of a leak. The engine damage but local driver Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri after a morning tussle with sidelined with engine issues car over heated but we only Ihab Al Shorafa was classified was the Volkswagen Polo GTi Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi after overheating at the end of knew after the third stage. It in seventh in his Mitsubishi. Another year and same question: More fans and sunny Can anyone stop Nadal in Paris? skies as French Open

REUTERS — PARIS “I think for Roger to reach makes rapid return Spain’s Rafael Nadal the quarter-finals would be an with the 2020 French PARIS Unbelievably, 13-times French unbelievable result,” Corretja REUTERS — Spectators will need to Open trophy. Open champion Rafa Nadal is said. show a pass with either a only third seed for this year’s “It’s Roger, so you can never Seven months after the last negative COVID-19 test Roland Garros fortnight, below count him out, but I think if he French Open ended the result or a vaccination Daniil Medvedev who has never reaches the second week it tournament is back, certificate. won a match on the Parisian would be an amazing result. boosted by the prospect of The tournament was ini- clay. “He played in Geneva and more spectators despite tially scheduled for May The Spaniard has also been couldn’t find his rhythm. I don’t ongoing COVID-19 restric- 23-June 6 but was postponed lumped in the same side of the think he is thinking he can win tions and forecasts of good by a week to allow more men’s draw as his great rivals, it, he’s just going day by day and weather. spectators to attend. world number one Novak to be in his best condition for After a chilly 2020 tour- “With these new dates, Djokovic and the returning when the grasscourts start.” nament that was postponed we want to make Roland- Roger Federer. Austrian Dominic Thiem, to September-October Garros 2021 the symbol of He also turns 35 next week. the fourth seed who has twice because of the coronavirus rebirth,” French tennis fed- Yet, it would still be a huge fallen to Nadal in the French pandemic and held with a eration president Gilles surprise if Nadal were not the Open final, will be favourite to maximum 1,000 fans a day, Moretton said. last man standing when the come through in the bottom this year’s claycourt Grand “We hope to be the first tournament concludes on June half of the draw although his Slam will welcome more major sporting event in 13. form has been patchy in the spectators. France to welcome the public With each passing year run-up. Up to 1,000 will be again, while guaranteeing the questions are inevitably asked Russian Medvedev, despite admitted into each of the best possible health safety for about whether Nadal’s vice-like being seeded two as per his three main Roland Garros everyone.” hold on the French Open will world ranking, will be happy showcourts while the smaller There will, however, be be loosened. Each time, the just to win a match having venues will be able to fill 35% a comforting feel of deja vu answer has been an emphatic failed to do so in his previous of their capacity during the as Roger Federer returns to NO. four main draw appearances at first 10 days. Roland Garros after And after his sweep to a Roland Garros. The limit will be raised to skipping the tournament 10th Rome Masters title earlier Far more likely challengers 65% but capped at 5,000 for last year, bidding to add to this month, the 88th ATP title are Germany’s Zverev and matches on 15,000-capacity his record tally of 20 Grand of his career, few will be holding Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. Philippe Chatrier and Slam titles. their breath waiting for Nadal’s Madrid respectively, but his winning a second French title All-court player Tsitsipas, 10,000-seater Suzanne He shares the record with downfall. commanding win over Djokovic were destroyed by a ruthless seeded five, arrives in the Lenglen courts from June 9 Spain’s Rafael Nadal, the If the Mallorcan needed any in the Rome final sent out a Nadal in last year’s final, could French capital on the back of when the quarter-finals get 13-times French Open extra motivation he knows that powerful statement. lock horns with his claycourt claycourt titles in Monte Carlo underway, with spectators champion who yesterday lifting the Coupe des Mous- “Rome was crucial to him,” nemesis in the semi-final this and Lyon while Zverev beat allowed to attend the last of was present for the unveiling quetaires once again next two-time French Open runner- time. both Nadal and Thiem on his 10 night sessions. of a statue in his honour next month will see him move ahead up Alex Corretja said in the The Serb could also face way to winning the title in For the first time, the to the main Philippe Chatrier of Roger Federer at the top of build-up. 39-year-old Federer in the Madrid. “match of the day” will be court. the all-time list of men’s Grand “It was a reminder that he quarter-finals, although with Away from the obvious con- scheduled at 2100 local time Returning to the Parisian Slam champions, with 21. is the best on clay ever and the the Swiss having lost his only tenders, youngster Jannik (1900GMT) but the 9pm claycourts is also the mixed Nadal did show some vul- fact that he beat Novak in the match on clay this year, his Sinner, together with Matteo curfew in France will only be doubles event that was nerability when he lost to final is something that gives him expectations are perhaps as low Berrettini and Fabio Fognini, pushed back to 11pm on June scrapped last year because Andrey Rublev and Alexander so much confidence.” as they have ever been ahead head a strong-looking Italian 9. of the pandemic. Zverev in Monte Carlo and Djokovic, whose hope of of a Grand Slam. challenge. rule out changing Sri Lanka win third ODI as Bangladesh clinch series 2-1 summer schedule for IPL

REUTERS — Kohli’s men finish the series in England on Sept. 14 and before England’s cricket board said it is the start of the Twenty20 going ahead with its summer World Cup in mid-October. schedule and has not been asked England and Wales Cricket to bring forward a five-test series Board managing director Ashley against India to make room for Giles said that, contrary to media the remainder of the Indian reports, they had not received a (IPL) season. request from the BCCI to bring This year’s IPL, which fea- forward the start of the Test tured a dozen English crick- series by a week to create a eters, was suspended indefi- bigger window for the IPL. nitely earlier this month after “As far as we’re concerned several personnel, including and what we’re prepared for, players, tested positive for the matches will be where they COVID-19. are,” said Giles. “I’m not sur- The Indian board (BCCI) is prised there’s all sorts of spec- Bangladesh players and officials pose for a group photo after the third and final one-day international (ODI) cricket match against Sri Lanka looking to stage the remaining ulation. Everyone wants to get 31 matches in the United Arab their cricket in. But we’ve not at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, yesterday. Sri Lanka avoided being swept by Bangladesh in the three match series PIC: SLC Emirates soon after Virat received anything official." by winning yesterday's match by 97 runs after century by Kusal Perera and a five-for by Dushmantha Chameera.