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FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 FormulaF One: Red Bull’s Verstappen ththe driver to beat in Austria race They’veT definitely made some big steps and we’ve not really gogot an answer for it. I’ve got confidence in the team that we’ll sosomehow find something.

LewisLeL Hamilton Sport |14

TOUR DE FRANCE: Stage 6 Winner - M. Cavendish, Deceuninck-QuickStep, 3hr 17m 36s, Overall leader: M van der Poel, Alpecin - Fenix Federer gets his sparkle back; Barty battles past Blinkova to advance

REUTERS — LONDON Roger Federer celebrates beyond the last 16 at after winning his second Wimbledon. The sun finally came out at round match. She ultimately had too Wimbledon yesterday and much firepower for Blinkova, eight-time champion Roger however, and wrapped up Federer got his old sparkle victory after an hour and 30 back on Centre Court to eclipse minutes when her opponent Richard Gasquet and move swiped a forehand long. serenely into round three. Also yesterday, three-time It was not quite vintage champion Federer, but the 7,500 fans Angelique Kerber held off a packed around his favourite spirited challenge from Spain’s court did not care as the Swiss Sara Sorribes Tormo to win gave them plenty to ooh and 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 and book her aah about in a 7-6(1), 6-1, 6-4 place in the third round. The 25th-seeded German Sanchez RESULTS (SELECTED) made a sure-footed start and Men’s Singles (Second Round) gave very little away on her Alexander Zverev (4), Germany, def. own serve before breaking names Qatar Tennys Sandgren, US, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3. Sorribes Tormo’s serve with Matteo Berrettini (7), Italy, def. Botic van consecutive forehand winners squad for de Zandschulp, NED, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4). to go up 5-3. Pedro Martinez, Spain, def. Gael Monfils Sorribes Tormo, ranked (13), France, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5). 50th in the world, roared back Gold Cup to draw level at 5-5 but con- Daniil Medvedev (2), Russia, def. Carlos THE PENINSULA — DOHA tinued to leak unforced errors, Alcaraz, Spain, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. victory. to be slipping away from the in danger against the 89th- allowing Kerber to regain Nick Kyrgios, Australia, def. Gianluca Mager, The 39-year-old Swiss Swiss. ranked Blinkova, but it was composure and take the Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez Italy, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-4. took a while to find his timing He eventually got through still not plain sailing for the opening set. (pictured) yesterday named a Roger Federer (6), Switzerland, def. and needed to save three break after Mannarino suffered a Australian scrapper. After an early trade of 23-player squad for this month’s Richard Gasquet, France, 7-6 (1), 6-1, 6-4. points in his first service game. knee injury after slipping on Her serve, so often a breaks, Kerber showed CONCACAF Gold Cup set to take Women’s Singles (Second Round) But having been pushed the greasy turf. dependable weapon, was at glimpses of her best tennis place in the US. Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Anna into a tiebreak, the 20-time Meanwhile, world number times wayward, as she hit nine with a string of booming The Asian champions are cur- Blinkova, Russia, 6-4, 6-3. Grand Slam champion flicked one Ash Barty moved into the double faults and was broken backhand winners to take a rently undergoing a training Coco Gauff (20), US, def. Elena Vesnina, the switch and his game began third round at Wimbledon but three times, while her 33 4-2 lead and threatened to run camp in Croatia to prepare for Russia, 6-4, 6-3. to flow. not without a battle as she unforced errors suggests she away with the match. the event where they will make Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia, def. Daria After taking the opener the overcame spirited Russian has some way to go to get fully But Sorribes Tormo, who their debut. Kasatkina (31), Russia, 6-1, 3-6, 8-6. sixth seed moved smoothly and her own sharp on the grass. has never progressed beyond Qatar will play their first Gold Angelique Kerber (25), Germany, def. Sara through the gears and Gasquet inconsistency in a 6-4, 6-3 win Barty, whose sole Grand the second round at any major Cup match against Panama on Sorribes Tormo, Spain, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. could not live with him as he yesterday. Slam title came at the 2019 event, halted her opponent’s July 13. The Asian champions will Order of Play suffered an 11th successive The top seed never looked , has never gone momentum with deft touches play their other Group D matches CENTRE COURT defeat against Federer. at the net to break back imme- against Grenada on July 17 and Next up for the Swiss will diately, before saving a match Honduras on July 20. 21-Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) v 11-Garbine Ashleigh Barty in be in-form British 29th seed point to stretch the contest to SQUAD: Saad Al Sheeb, Muguruza (Spain) action yesterday. Cameron Norrie who thrashed a decider. Meshaal Berchem, Yusuf Hassan, 22-Dan Evans (Britain) v Sebastian Korda Australian Alex Bolt. Both players dropped serve Pedro Miguel, Abdul Karim (US) “It was a wonderful match twice in a chaotic start to the Hassan, Tariq Salman, Ahmed 10-Denis Shapovalov (Canada) v Andy for me and I’m really happy final set as fatigue started to Suhail, Musab Al Khader, Bassam Murray (Britain) with my performance,” set in, before Kerber regained Al Rawi, Hammam Al Amin, COURT ONE (1200) Federer said on court. control by converting her Khoki Boualem, Mohamed Waad, Liudmila Samsonova (Russia) v Sloane It was a marked contrast seventh break point. Assem Madbou, Karim Boudiaf, Stephens (US) to Tuesday evening when per- The former world number Ismail Mohamed, Abdullah Al 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Denis Kudla sistent rain meant Federer’s one held her nerve to seal to Ahraq, Abdel Aziz Hatem, Akram (US) first-round clash with another seal victory in three hours and Afif, Hassan Al Haydos, Youssef

13-Elise Mertens (Belgium) v 23-Madison Frenchman, Adrian Man- 18 minutes as the crowd at Abdel Razzaq, Al Moez Ali, Keys (US) narino, took place under the Court Two gave the players a Mohamed Muntari, Ahmed Alaa. Centre Court roof and looked standing ovation. Road to Qatar 2022: Japan, We will play our own game against Australia in Group B for last AFC qualifying round Belgium, says Italy coach Mancini REUTERS — MUNICH Belgium, who have also won AFC — KUALA LUMPUR equally thrilling with Australia four out of four games at Euro and Saudi Arabia both having Italy coach Roberto Mancini 2020, does not mean Mancini Asia’s best learnt of their oppo- made the Finals five times pre- said his side will play their own will adopt more conservative nents following the conclusion viously and China once. Oman game against Belgium, the tactics. of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – and Vietnam have never qual- nation top of the FIFA world “We will play our own Road to Qatar virtual draw in ified for the global rankings, in today’s Euro 2020 game, well aware that we are Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia showpiece. quarter-final in Munich. up against the best team in the yesterday. The respective group Mancini’s team, who con- world at this moment of time,” The 12 teams were drawn winners and runners-up will ceded their first goal in 19 hours Mancini told a news conference into two groups with Japan, the seal their places or the global and 28 minutes against Austria yesterday. continent’s top team in the FIFA showpiece, while the third- in their 2-1 last-16 victory on “If they have been top of the World Ranking, drawn in placed teams will advance to Saturday, have also impressed FIFA rankings for three years it Group B while second-ranked the Asian playoff to determine in attack, scoring nine goals in means they have been very Islamic Republic of Iran were the side that will advance to the four matches in the good for a long time, but we will drawn in Group A. intercontinental playoff. tournament. still play our way. Iran, with five previous Based on the special FIFA But the prospect of facing “We could tweak a few appearances at the global Ranking released for Asian things a long the way if things showpiece, will have Korea teams on June 18, top seeds do not go to plan, but we have Republic, United Arab Emirates, Japan and the Iran were placed a certain style of play and Iraq, Syria and Lebanon for in Pot 1 of the draw, with Pot 2 Belgium do too. I am sure it will company in Group A. comprising Australia and Korea be a wonderful game of football. Japan, seeking a seventh Republic while Pot 3 had Saudi The winner will be the team consecutive appearance at the Arabia and the United Arab who makes the fewest errors,” FIFA World Cup Finals, were Emirates. Pot 4 contained Iraq he said. joined in Group B by Australia, and China PR, followed by Belgium’s main threat is a Saudi Arabia, China PR, Oman Oman and Syria in Pot 5 and familiar one for the Azzurri and Vietnam. debutants Vietnam and defence with Romelu Lukaku, Roberto Mancini (centre) during a training session yesterday. Both groups promise to be Lebanon in Pot 6. who has scored three goals in the sizzling affairs with Iran having The AFC Asian Qualifiers – tournament, set to spearhead to contend with a Korea Road to Qatar is scheduled to Roberto Martinez side’s attack in had a great season for Inter, “I think it would be doing a Republic side seeking an 11th be played on the following 10 the Allianz Arena. and this goes for our entire disservice to say Belgium are appearance at the FIFA World match days: September 2 and Lukaku was voted player of squad,” said Italy and Juventus all about Romelu Lukaku, Cup Finals. UAE and Iraq have 7, October 7 and 12, and Today's Quarter-finals the year in Italy’s Serie A this defender Giorgio Chiellini, though, as they have quality made the Finals once each November 11 and 16, 2021, as 7pm: Switzerland vs season, as he fired Inter Milan whose task is likely to be players throughout the pitch. while Syria and Lebanon will well as January 27 and Feb- to their first top-flight title in 11 marking Lukaku. We will prepare as we always Spain be seeking maiden ruary 1, 2022, before reaching years. “All season we witnessed have done, keeping an eye on appearances. its climax on March 24 and 29, 10pm: Belgium vs Italy “We have got a lot of what a match winner and Lukaku and their other top Group B promises to be 2022. respect for Lukaku because he important player he has become. players.” FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 SPORT 15 Pedri indispensable as Spain Copa America Neymar, Sanchez bid to make Euro semi-finals return for quarters AP — ST. PETERSBURG AP — RIO DE JANEIRO World Cup. Regular time ended 1-1, with goals by David Luiz Spain are on the charge at a Spain’s Pedri Defending champion Brazil and and Sánchez. The Chileans major soccer tournament with Gonzalez Chile will have their star almost beat the hosts in extra a creative and technically gifted (26) in action players back in action when time, with a strike by Mauricio Barcelona player calling the with Croatia’s they meet in the Copa America Pinilla hitting the bar in the last shots from central midfield. Marcelo quarter-finals tomorrow. minute. Sound familiar? Only 18 and Brozovic. Neymar will return for But Brazil won on penalties, already seemingly indispen- Brazil and Alexis Sánchez has 3-2 - Pinilla also missed his sable for the national team, recovered from a calf muscle from the spot. Thiago Silva, Pedri Gonzalez has been given injury ahead of the encounter who could start on Friday, was the keys to a midfield that was at the Nilton Santos Stadium in marked by that match for his once the domain of two Rio de Janeiro. tears of tension during the modern-day greats in Xavi Her- The Seleçao spared a group shootout. nandez and Andres Iniesta. of regular starters in the 1-1 “Sánchez missed Chile’s The comparisons are inev- draw with Ecuador on Sunday, group-stage matches and his itable - and maybe justified - resting Neymar, defender absence affected the team’s and will only become more Thiago Silva and striker Gabriel production; La Roja only tallied widespread if Pedri leads Spain Jesus. Others, including three goals, with Eduardo to the European Championship Casemiro, entered as substi- Vargas scoring twice and Ben title in the coming days, just as tutes in that game. Brereton once. Xavi and Iniesta did in 2008 Brazil, with three wins in Coach Martín Lasarte will and 2012 amid a golden era for four Copa America matches, is decide after practice whether the country. the clear favorite to win. Chile’s 32-year-old Sánchez will start Certainly Switzerland need only win in the group stage was against Brazil or come off the to be on top of Spanish soccer’s played every minute of their astonishing given his age. He is task of avoiding a natural against Bolivia and it is lacking bench. new midfield conductor in the team’s games at Euro 2020. coming off his first year at Bar- comedown after one of the the kind of form that inspired Also tomorrow, 2019 Copa first quarter-final match at Euro “Pedri is a unique player,” celona, which he joined from biggest wins in its history. its back-to-back championship America runner-up Peru will 2020 in St. Petersburg today. Spain coach said in the offseason, and “Nobody will ever forget wins in 2015 and ’16. take on Paraguay at the That’s easier said than done. under-statedly. has already played 60 games this game,” Switzerland mid- The last memorable match Olimpico Stadium in Goiania. Pedri, who plays on the left Another European Cham- for his club and his country this fielder Remo Freuler said on between Brazil and Chile was The winner will face Brazil or side of Spain’s ball-hogging pionship record he holds comes season. Wednesday. in the Round of 16 at the 2014 Chile in the semifinals in Rio. central-midfield three, is with less distinction. After 20 He has also been picked to “Nobody can take this playing in his first major tour- minutes of the 5-3 extra-time play for Spain at the soccer magical night away from us.” Neymar with his nament - he only made his win over Croatia, Pedri sent a tournament at the Tokyo Spain’s win over Croatia came team-mates during senior international debut in back-pass from near the Olympics. on the same evening, but Luis a warm up session in March - and is tied for first place halfway line to Spain goal- Don’t expect Luis Enrique Enrique has the advantage of this file photo. for most chances created (10) keeper Unai Simon, who failed to save Pedri’s legs for that. calling on a deeper squad for a and has more passes in the to control the ball and only suc- Midfield will be an area match taking place four days opposition half (233) than any ceeded in deflecting it into the Spain will look to take charge later. other player. goal. of against Switzerland, which Fatigue, and the shrewd use The youngest Spaniard to It is the longest own-goal in will be missing Granit of substitutes, is proving a key play at a European Champi- the tournament’s history, yet Xhaka because of suspension. factor at a tournament that is onship, Pedri also became the Pedri shrugged off that mis- Xhaka was selected as UEFA’s coming off a grueling, pan- youngest ever player in a fortune to produce a dominant man of the match after Swit- demic-affected club season. knockout-stage game at the performance against a highly zerland beat France in a penalty Both teams are likely to make tournament - at 18 years, 215 regarded Croatia midfield led shootout - following a 3-3 draw changes to freshen up for a shot days - against Croatia in the by veteran Luka Modric. through extra time - to advance at the semifinals. round of 16. Pedri’s technique,q , vision to its first qquarterfinal match at a Expectp Pedri to start once Perhaps most impressively,sively, andand abilityability to maneuver himself majormajor tournament since the 1954 again,again, though.though. He is alreadyalrea a he is one of only two outfieldutfield intointo space andand findfind teammates WorldWorld Cup. playerplayer SpaSpainin cannocannott do players in Spain’s squad too havehave with his astuteastute passingpassing isis SwitzerlandSwitzerland facesfaces thethe toughtough without.without. New Messissidi dealdea ldl delayedde laye dbd byby La Liga NoNo signs of star Ronaldo leaving financial controls, sayssays presidentpresident Juventus,Juve says football director REUTERS — BARCELONA “There“There are manmanyy options and is expectedexpected to fall even REUTERSREUTER — TURIN about a possible move... Cherubini said and we’re contemplating further after a whole season and no sign from Juve,” Juventus were already Barcelona’s attempts to offeroffer whichwhich is thethe bestbest forfor bothboth withoutwithout ticketticket salessales andand a ThereThere are no signs Cris- Cherubini said. “competitive” and would a new contracttract parties.parties. But we want him to depresseddepressed transfer market. tianotiano RRonaldo will leave Ronaldo remains not be very active on this are being held up becausese ooff stay anandd so doesdoes he,he, we want MessiMessi had the mostmost Juventus,JuveJ the club’s “pivotal” for Juventus, summer’s transfer La Liga’s financial controlntrol to ggiveive him the most competcompet-- lucrative contract in world footballfo director said Cherubini added at a window. measures, the club’s president,dent, itive team possible.” ssport,port, according to a yesterday,y news conference, saying, “But we’ll stay vig- Joan Laporta, said yesterdayrday La LigaLiga introduced JJanuaryanuary report in ElEl dismissingd specu- however, that he did not ilant to pick opportu- after the Argentine becameme a financialfinancial contrcontrolol memeasuresasures in MMundo,undo, and iiff BarBarcaca lationl that the have a crystal ball to nities in line with the free agent. 2013 establishingestablishing a maximum areare to getget a new dealdeal prolificp goal scorer predict the future. technical and financial Messi, who joined BarcaBarca amount of moneymoney each club for himhim overover ththee lineline couldco moveve to “ButBut let me reaffirm parameters of our plaplan,” aged 13 in September 2000,000, cancan spendspend on its playingplaying squadsquad theythey wiwillll havehave to anotheran club. I’llI’ll bbee hhappyappy iiff he stays.”staysstay .” he said.said. has no current contractualal link and coachingcoaching staff each furtherfurther rreduceeduce “We are veryvery JuventusJuventus ChairChairmanm with the Catalans after hiss deadeall season, conditionedconditioned byby theirtheir theirtheir wawagege bill, happyhap that Ronaldoonaldo AndreaAndrea AgneAgnellilli aaddeddded he expired on June 30 and whwhileile income.income. whichwhich Laporta wwillill rejoin thee team Cristiano was “absolutely“absolutely certain”certa Laporta said the club’ss all- Barca have the highesthighest saidsaid lastlast mmonthonth once the rest pperioderiod Ronaldo the club willwill pparticipatearticip time top scorer wishes to stay, rerevenuesvenues in wworldorld soccesoccerr containedc ontained after the Europeanopean inin tthehe 2021-2022 Cham-Cha he added their attempts ttoo tie accoraccordingding to tthishis year’s manmanyy ChampionshipCham is over,” pions LeagLeagueue despitedesp him to a new deal had to fit Deloitte Money League, players on FedericoFederi Cherubinini sasaid.id. ffalloutallout from the club’sclu with the league’sue’s although income dropped by sasalariesl a r ies Ronaldo,Ro currentent totopp backingbacking of requirements. €125m last year due to the “out ooff scorerscorer at Euro 22020020 a contro-cont “It’s going well, he wantswants impact ooff thethe COVID-19 ssyncy nc after hish five goalsls for versialvers to stay and we’re makingng all pandemic.pandemic. with PPortugal,ortug has scoredred SuperS u p the efforts to ensure he does. AtAt tthehe stastartrt ooff thethe 2019-202019-20 thet h e 101101 fforo Juventus inin LeagueLeag But we have to balance it wiwithth seasonseason BBarcaarca werewere aallocatedllocated threethree seasons. ini financial fair play,” Laportaporta a maximum budgetbudget of €1.47bn “There“T hass Europe.Euro told Spanish radio stationation by La Liga which shrank to currentcurrent been no sign Onda Cero yesterday. 733m for the last campaign market”.market”. from Ronaldo European Talent Cup: Two UAE's Curran shines as England Al Sahouti set for 4th round players get 8-year bans for crush Sri Lanka to win series fixing attempts REUTERS — LONDON as Curran took the first three blood, however, and Curran - two lbw and one completed his first five- REUTERS — NEW DELHI England seamers bowled - in his first two overs, haul for his country when he and David Willey shared nine leaving Sri Lanka 12-3, which had Karunaratne caught United Arab Emirates (UAE) wickets to set up a crushing soon became 21-4 when behind to spark a great cele- batsman Ashfaq Ahmed and eight-wicket victory over Sri Willey had Charith Asalanka bration for the Surrey man on pace bowler Amir Hayat have Lanka yesterday as the hosts caught. his home ground. each been handed eight-year chased down 241 with seven Dhananjaya de Silva, ably Willey claimed his fourth bans for breaching the anti- overs to spare to go 2-0 up in assisted by Wanindu as Sri Lanka ended on 241-9 corruption code of the Inter- the three-match one-day Hasaranga (26) and Dasun - a battling effort after their national Council (ICC), international series. Shanaka, steadied the ship, early struggles. the sport’s governing body Curran took five for 48 initially digging in and then Sri Lanka needed early said yesterday. from his 10 overs, with fellow playing their shots with wickets again to have any An ICC anti-corruption tri- left-armer Willey grabbing growing confidence. chance but their attack lacked bunal backdated their bans to four for 64 as Sri Lanka made De Silva, who missed the menace as England’s prodi- September last year when 241-9, something of a first game of the series on gious opening duo of Roy and both players were suspended recovery after they were 21-4 Tuesday, eventually departed put on an for attempting to fix matches in the seventh over. for an entertaining untroubled 71 before the latter and failing to report corrupt It never looked remotely 13-boundary 91. played on for 29. approaches during the T20 enough, though, as Jason Roy Shanaka then took up the Roy departed via a bril- World Cup Qualifier 2019 in (60) started the chase strongly reins before he was caught off liant, diving Chamika Karu- the UAE. and , unbeaten on 68, Willey for 47 in the 45th over, naratne catch for 60 off 52 Qatar's Hamad Al Sahouti gears up for the The duo were found guilty and captain (75 just when it had appeared that balls but Root, who top- 4th round of the European Talent Cup, of accepting bribe to “fix or to not out) gave the half-capacity the tourists might be able to scored with an unbeaten 79 representing Leopard Junior team. The contrive in any way or otherwise 12,500 Oval crowd plenty to scramble a total that would on Tuesday, and Morgan, fourth round will start today at Autódromo to influence improperly the cheer, if not the exciting finish have given them something delighted to be back in the Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, , progress, conduct or any they might have hoped for. to defend. runs after a dry spell, accu- Portugal. The event will conclude on July 4. other aspect of any international England got off to a flier England’s bowlers smelled mulated at will. match”, the ICC said. Sport FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 14 Games hosts Japan still unsure about fans

AP — TOKYO trigger rapid resurgence of the increase. He said he will decide what infections that may require Dr Mitsuo Kaku, a medical to do with the measures next Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide another state of emergency advisor for the Tokyo metro- week, a decision that will affect Suga was still uncertain even during the games starting politan government, told a games spectators. whether fans can be allowed at on July 23. weekly meeting yesterday that Organizers last week the Tokyo Olympics because of “I have made clear that Tokyo is turning into a “critical decided to allow up to 10,000 growing concern about rising having no spectators is a pos- situation” as the upsurge is trig- spectators or 50% of venue COVID-19 cases yesterday only sibility,” Suga said as he noted gered by the delta variant. capacity if emergency measures three weeks before the games. Tokyo’s rising caseloads. “We A two-month-long state of are lifted before the Games. Fol- Cases in Tokyo have been will take steps as we prioritize emergency in Tokyo and other lowing criticisms and concerns steadily on the rise, triggering safety and security of the metro areas was downgraded raised by experts and the public, fears the Games would accel- people.” by Suga on June 21 to less- government officials later said erate the spread of the corona- Tokyo on Wednesday con- stringent measures that focus they are open to having no fans virus. Experts warn the highly firmed 673 new cases, the 12th on shortened hours for bars and if the infections worsen. contagious delta strain could straight day of a week-on-week restaurants until July 11. Experts say lifting the measures is unthinkable given the virus situation, and daily cases could exceed 1,000 before the Olympics and quickly mul- tiply during the Games if measures are delayed. Suga said a decision on Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his first-round match spectators will have to be made against Fance’s Adrian Mannarino at Wimbledon played at the All by a meeting with four other England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain, in this involved parties: The organizing committee, Tokyo, the Interna- June 29, 2021, file photo. tional Olympic, and Paralympic Committees. A five-party meeting would be after his Djokovic, Federer, decision on any emergency measures next week, but he did not say when. Other senior lawmakers of Osaka, Barty on Suga’s ruling coalition also started to suggest an option of having no spectators. Natsuo Tokyo Olympic Yamaguchi, head of Komeito, a smaller coalition partner of the governing Liberal Demo- Games entry lists A member of Germany’s rowing team member arrives cratic Party,yesterday called on at Narita Airport ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the government “to consider a in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. no-spectator option and AP — WIMBLEDON promptly inform the public.” Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Australia’s Ash Barty are on the entry lists for the Tokyo Olympics that were announced yesterday by the Inter- national Tennis Federation. US stars Diana, Sue look for seventh As the ITF noted, though: “The entry lists are still subject to change.” Federer, for one, said last weekend he would wait until after consecutive gold medal at the Games Wimbledon ends on July 11 to decide whether he will head to Japan. Djokovic has made clear he’d like to pursue a Golden Slam, AP — NEW YORK single digits of the US since Russia lost in Besides the US team, many of the other something only Steffi Graf has done, in 1988: winning all four Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird will try and the semi-finals of the 2004 Athens Games countries are led by WNBA stars. Half of major tennis tournaments and an Olympic singles gold medal in become the first players ever to win five - the first Olympics that Taurasi and Bird the Australian roster, led by Liz Cambage, the same year. He collected the titles at the in Olympic gold medals in when played in - 66-62. is currently in the WNBA. The Opals are February and the French Open last month and is scheduled to the United States women’s team begins The Americans haven’t dropped an led by Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Bron- play his third-round match at Wimbledon today. play at the Tokyo Games. Olympic contest since 1992 when they dello. Some of the other WNBA players in The Olympics will mark Osaka’s return to competition after The pair has been an integral part of were beaten in the semis by the Unified the Olympics include she withdrew from the French Open following the first round to the US run of six consecutive golds at the Team. Only host Japan has beaten the US (Belgium), Kia Nurse (Canada), Marine take a mental health break. Olympics. in an Olympics, topping the Americans in Johannès (France), Astou Ndour (Spain), The Summer Games open on July 23, and the tennis compe- “As far as being named to a fifth 1976, the inaugural appearance of women’s The WNBA will be on an Olympic break tition -- to be played on hard courts -- begins the next day. Olympics, especially with Sue, you know, basketball. If the women can capture from July 15-August 11. Eligibility is based on the rankings of June 14. That was the it’s just a great honour. It just makes you another gold medal in Tokyo, they would AFRICAN DREAMS day after the French Open ended. really appreciate all the people that have match the US men’s team that won seven Nigeria will try and end a winless Seven of the Top 10 players in both the WTA and ATP rankings helped you,” Taurasi said. “You know, eve- consecutive golds from 1936-68. drought for African teams at the Olympics currently are on the lists. ryone, USA Basketball, that, you know, While there are no guarantees, it would since the 2004 Athens Games. The African For the women, that’s No. 1 Barty, No. 2 Osaka, No. 4 Aryna after being around for 20 years now, you take a monumental upset for the team not nation went 1-5 that year and no team Sabalenka of Belarus, No. 5 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, No. 7 Bianca know, it’s like a big family.” to come home with gold. from that continent has won a game since. Andreescu of Canada, No. 9 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 10 Taurasi and Bird both played with The competition for the other two There are hopes for that to potentially Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Dawn Staley on the 2004 Olympic team. medals is wide open with Australia, change: Nigeria went 3-4 at the World For the men, that’s No. 1 Djokovic, No. 2 Daniil Medvedev of Staley helped start this unprecedented run Belgium, France, Canada, Serbia and Spain Champions in 2018, falling to the US in the Russia, No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, No. 6 Alexander Zverev with the 1996 squad and now is the first all having a shot at reaching the podium. quarterfinals. of Germany, No. 7 Andrey Rublev of Russia, No. 8 Federer and Black head coach of the women’s national Serbia just beat France to win the Euro- FEWER GAMES No. 9 Matteo Berrettini of Italy. team after being an assistant for the last basket championship. The Olympics With the addition of 3x3 as a basketball Women who are missing: Romania’s Simona Halep and Amer- two Olympics. “Any time that you rep- switched to three pools of four teams for discipline, teams are now only playing icans Serena Williams and . resent USA Basketball, you’ve got the the Tokyo Games. South Korea, Serbia, potentially six games at most in the tour- Williams said before Wimbledon she wouldn’t be going to the biggest target on your on your back, on Canada and Spain are in Group A. Joining nament instead of eight. The last time the Tokyo Games, and then injured her right leg during her first- your chest,” Staley said. “And everybody the US in Group B are France, Nigeria and medallists played fewer than eight games round match on Centre Court and had to stop playing. seems to play their best basketball.” Japan. Australia, Puerto Rico, China and was 1992. The 12 teams were put into three Men who weren’t listed: Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Roberto It’s been 25 years of dominance for the Belgium are in Group C. pools instead of two. The quarter-finalists Bautista Agut and Austria’s Dominic Thiem. Americans in the Olympics. They’ve won Some other things to watch for at the will be the top two teams in each pool and On the list: Two-time defending Olympic champion Andy 49 consecutive games on the biggest inter- Olympics in women’s basketball: two others based on a FIBA ranking Murray of Britain, who was granted a special exemption because national stage. No team has come within WNBA FLAVOUR system. he has the most Olympic and Grand Slam titles of the players whose ranking was not good enough to earn direct entry. F1: Red Bull’s Verstappen the driver to beat in Austria

AP — SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA Now, after winning every drivers’ and con- usually what structors’ title since 2014, Mercedes trails on both happens when A Formula One driver in superb form in a car fronts. Red Bull is 40 points ahead in the con- you have back- that’s increasingly fast. structors’ contest. Not since 1991 has a car with to-back races at Sounds familiar? a Honda engine won this many consecutive races. the same track.” It’s not Lewis Hamilton in the usually ultra- “They’ve definitely made some big steps and PEREZ dominant Mercedes this time, but Max Verstappen we’ve not really got an answer for it,” Hamilton MILESTONE who seems to be finding extra speed in every race said, adding “I’ve got confidence in the team that Perez will be for Red Bull. we’ll somehow find something.” starting in his Verstappen has won the past two races and Hamilton is aiming to overtake Michael Schu- 200th F1 race, 10 leads Hamilton 4-3 for wins this season heading macher and stand alone among F1 greats with years after into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix, at Red Bull’s eight titles. But he needs to find a way to stop Ver- making his home track in Spielberg. It’s the same circuit stappen’s rise. debut. where Verstappen drove to victory from pole The 23-year-old Verstappen, already credited The 31-year- position last Sunday, with Hamilton lagging with being the youngest driver to win an F1 race old Mexican behind. when he 18 years and 228 days, has tallied 14 GP driver counts two Verstappen is the championship leader and wins. He would have had far more if Red Bull was wins among his is posing a major threat to Hamilton, who trails more competitive in previous seasons. 12 podium him by 18 points after eight races of a so far cap- In that time with Red Bull lacking speed and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finishes. tivating season. dogged by reliability issues, only Ferrari briefly during a press conference at Steiermark Grand Prix, Red “I can’t “Max is driving with great maturity and con- threatened the Mercedes dominance when Vettel Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria, in this June 27, 2021, believe this is my sistency. We’ve just got to keep turning the screw,” led at the halfway point of the season in 2017 and file photo. 200th race,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said. ’18, only to fade away. Perez said. “It “The Styrian Grand Prix was our strongest and Other than that, it’s been Hamilton all the way Hamilton has finished top-two in eight of the would be very most complete performance so far.” except for when his then-teammate Nico Rosberg past 11 races and won five. special to step up on the podium here at our home Red Bull has won four straight races, three won the world title five years ago - and then With his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas race.” for Verstappen and the other only won by veteran retired. lagging behind in fifth place overall in the His F1 career got off to the worst start, Sergio Perez at the Azerbaijan GP because Ver- Hamilton has long been the most consistent standings, it seems only Hamilton can stop however, when he was disqualified after crossing stappen’s tire blew a few laps from the end while driver: brilliant in qualifying with a record 100 Verstappen. the line in seventh spot at the season-opening he was leading. pole positions and dominant in races with a But Verstappen knows who he’s up against, Australian GP in 2011 for an illegal rear wing on After seven years of Mercedes dominance, record 98 wins. and he expects Mercedes to hit back. his Sauber. including six of Hamilton’s record-equaling seven Now Verstappen is starting to impose himself. “People will learn from what they didn’t do The next GP, in Malaysia, was hardly better F1 titles, Red Bull is re-emerging as the force it He has placed in the top two positions in nine so well,” said Verstappen, who needs one more considering the car was damaged and he had to was from 2010-13 when Sebastian Vettel won his of the past 11 GP races going back to the end of podium to reach 50 in F1. retire from the race. Three races later, he was in four world titles. last season, winning five of them. “I expect everyone to be closer as this is the points with ninth place at the Spanish GP.