Friday 37 Sports Friday, November 6, 2020 ‘Great achievement’: Nadal claims 1,000th win of career

PARIS: said he was proud of a match in a near-empty Bercy Arena, with the “great achievement” after securing the 1,000th event being played behind closed doors Tour-level victory of his illustrious career on after France entered its second coronavirus Wednesday, becoming the fourth man to reach lockdown last week. The 34-year-old Nadal, that mark with a comeback win over Feliciano bidding for a first Masters title, will Lopez in the Paris Masters second round. The face in the third round 20-time Grand Slam champion, back in the after the Australian beat Croatia’s Borna French capital less than a month after winning Coric 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. his 13th Roland Garros title, edged out his fel- Taking the trophy in Paris this week would low Spaniard 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. see Nadal equal ’s record of 36 “I am proud about a lot of things, but I faced Masters titles. He struggled to find his rhythm some challenges in my career in terms of body for much of the match as 39-year-old Lopez injuries,” said Nadal. “But I always had the pas- served excellently, saving the first six break sion to keep going and the humility to keep points he faced, but Nadal stepped it up in the going when things are going in a way you don’t second-set tie-break. expect. It’s a great achievement for me.” The top seed grabbed the crucial break in Nadal, whose first match win on the ATP the first game of the decider and then eased to Tour came in April 2002 when he was just 15, is victory after saving two break points himself in fourth on the all-time list, with Jimmy Connors the next game. “It was a very tough match,” leading the way on 1,274 victories, 32 more said Nadal. “I started in the worst way possible than second-placed . “One nega- with a break. Against him, that’s difficult tive thing about getting to 1,000 — is that because you’re under pressure for the whole you’re very old as it means you have to have match.” The world number two is playing the had a very long career,” added Nadal. “But I’m tournament for the eighth time in his career, but PARIS: Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates as he receives the trophy of his one thousandth victory very happy.” he pulled out midway through his last two of the ATP at the end of his men’s singles second round match against Spain’s Feliciano Ivan Lendl also passed the 1,000-win appearances due to injury. His best run at Bercy Lopez on day 3 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Paris Masters (Paris Bercy) - indoor ten- barrier. Nadal was given a special presenta- was when he lost in the 2007 final to nis tournament at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris on Wednesday. — AFP tion to celebrate his achievement after the Argentinian . — AFP

There is no indication when or if games in work closely with the NFL and med- NBA close to 49ers shut the 2020-21 season would be played in front ical professionals and will follow their of fans. The NBA lost $800 million in ticket direction.” Dec 22 start sales during the just-concluded season facilities after Later Wednesday, the club because of the ongoing pandemic, ESPN announced that left tackle Trent date for 2020-21 reported on Oct 28. COVID-19 case Williams and wideouts Brandon The league also reportedly lost $400 mil- Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel also were lion in sponsorship and merchandise plus going on the COVID-19 list, and they NEW YORK: The National Basketball $200 million in “net negative impact” from SAN FRANCISCO: The San ruled Aiyuk and Williams out for Players Association is close to a deal that China due to fallout from then-Houston Francisco 49ers shuttered the team’s Thursday’s game. Samuel is already would start the 2020-21 NBA season on Dec Rockets general manager Daryl Morey facilities on Wednesday after a player out with a hamstring injury. Williams, 22 with a reduced schedule of 72 games per expressing support for Hong Kong protestors tested positive for COVID-19, the Aiyuk and Samuel were all deemed team, according to ESPN. The Athletic previ- against the Beijing government. NFL club said in a statement. US close contacts of Bourne, ESPN ously reported the possibility of a 72-game If agreed upon, the Dec 22 start date would media reported that 49ers receiver reported. The loss of the players is season that would start just before leave just seven weeks before the opening of Kendrick Bourne had returned a posi- another blow to the 49ers, whose sea- Christmas. According to ESPN, the NBA’s the new season. The deal being decided upon tive test for the coronavirus on the eve son has been disrupted by a slew of board of governors and the NBPA were would override the original promise from the of their team’s clash with the Green injuries. Quarterback Jimmy holding separate meetings on the matter yes- league to give players an eight-week notice Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Garoppolo (ankle) and tight end terday with the expectation that the start before the start of the season. “The San Francisco 49ers were George Kittle (foot) both face lengthy date would be approved. The NBA became the first pro league to sus- informed today that a player has test- spells on the sidelines after being The upcoming regular season, if agreed pend play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, doing ed positive for COVID-19 and the injured in Sunday’s defeat to the upon, would be 10 games shy of a typical NBA so on March 11. The league moved into a bubble individual immediately went into self- Seattle Seahawks. regular-season schedule. The players associa- in late July at the ESPN Wide World of Sports quarantine,” the Niners statement The Packers, meanwhile, head to tion is expected to take a vote among team Complex near Orlando to finished out an abbre- said. “Our organization has entered California dealing with a coronavirus player representatives at some point Thursday, viated regular season. the NFL’s intensive protocol and we scare of their own. Running back AJ according to the ESPN report. A salary escrow The Los Angeles Lakers won the title during are working with the league on con- Dillon tested positive for the virus on in the vicinity of 18 percent was expected to be the most peculiar of seasons, defeating the tact tracing to identify high risk indi- Monday, leading to running back agreed upon for the next two years. Miami Heat in a six-game NBA Finals that was viduals. All team functions will be Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal The NBA draft is scheduled for Nov 18, with played only in front of the players’ family and conducted virtually today. The health Martin being withdrawn from training camps likely to open Dec 1. The pro- close friends. The Lakers earned their deciding and safety of our players, staff and Thursday’s game in Santa Clara after jected start date would leave the possibility that 106-93 victory over the Heat on Oct. 11, just 11 community are the organization’s they were deemed to have been in the regular season would finish before the start days shy of making it a full year from when they highest priority. We will continue to close contact with Dillon. — AFP of the 2021 Summer Olympics, which are set to started their regular-season schedule with a begin on July 23 in Tokyo. loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. — Reuters