‘Inspirational’ Sindhu wins India’s first-ever Worldd Badminton titlee PAGE 14 MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019

QOC’s Secy-Gen attends International Judo AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Federation’s award ceremony in Tokyo PAGE 14 Al Sadd vs Al Nassr (8.45pm)

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL 1ST LEG In-form Al Sadd gear up for Al Nassr Xavi says The Wolves will put in their best AFC/TNN RIYADH

FRESH from winning a do- mestic trophy, Al Sadd travel to Riyadh for Monday’s first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final tie which pits them against Al Nassr. Xavi’s men overcame rivals Al Duhail 1-0 in the Sheikh Jas- sim Cup, Qatar’s annual Super Cup competition, just days after they had eliminated the same side from the AFC Cham- walked away from Abu Dhabi 2019 group stage. losing four. pions League. The Wolves also with the quarter-final ticket af- Key for the Saudi side’s Their only encounter kicked off their league cam- ter defeating Al Wahda 4-3 on chances of getting a result is against Al Nassr in Riyadh end- paign with a convinving win aggregate. Brazilian midfielder Giuliano. ed 1-1 in the group stage of the over Al Wakrah. For Al Nassr, an AFC Among players still in the 2011 edition, that year Al Sadd Former Barcelona legend Champions League quarter- competition, only Al Hilal’s went on to lift the trophy. Xavi Hernandez, a former Al Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez addresses the media ahead of the AFC Champions League quarter-final final is an unmapped territory. Bafetimbi Gomis (7) has more This campaign, the two Sadd player and now the coach first leg clash against Al Nassr in Riyadh on Sunday. In three previous appearances goals than Giuliano’s five. sides’ statistics are nearly said his team was ready for the in the competition, the Riyadh- Continental champions identical. Both Al Sadd and Al competition. the competition. We do not some outstanding performanc- Afif is also injured. We are based side reached the knock- in 1989 and 2011, Al Sadd are Nassr won four matches, drew Speaking at the pre-match know what will happen tomor- es saw us in the quarter-finals. trying to prepare him for the out stages just once, exiting in looking to make it back-to- twice and lost as many. conference on Sunday, Xavi row, but we will do our best.” We will make an endeavour to game,” he added. the Round of 16 at the hands of back semi-finals. The similarities do not stop said, “I am happy to be here On his team’s good form, complete the journey and con- Meshaal Barsham, one of Iran’s Zorbahan back in 2011. Their first challenge, how- here, they have both conceded and a very difficult game awaits Xavi said, “We played difficult firm our worth to continue in the players in the side said, On home soil, Al Nassr have ever, will be bringing to an 10 goals, but Al Nassr boast us against Al Nassr. It’s a good matches against Al Duhail in this tournament. “The morale of the players lost three of their nine AFC end an abysmal record in their the more clinical attack, having team which has a good coach the AFC Champions League “We have had some in- was and they realise the im- Champions League matches, journeys to Saudi Arabia; Al netted 15 goals to Al Sadd’s 11. and I know him personally. and against Al Wakrah in QNB juries. Nam Tae-hee (who portance of the game. Our with two of the three defeats Sadd failed to get a single win The return leg match will They have some distinguished Stars League. We have been is nursing a muscle injury) ambition to win.” coming against the same oppo- in nine previous trips to the be playedat the Al Sadd Stadi- players, but we are ready for playing with confidence and couldn’t make it and Akram Meanwhile, Al Nassr nents, Zobahan in the 2016 and kingdom, drawing five and um in Doha on September 16.

Al Wakrah Superb Aguero reaches 400 goals as sign Coulibaly City stroll, Newcastle stun Spurs

The Argentine is also the Manchester club’s all-time top scorer; Joelinton’s strike eases pressure Al Wakrah have announced the signing French-born Mali defender on Magpies boss Ousmane Coulibaly on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old Coulibaly last played for Greek side Panathinaikos. Al Wakrah will register AFP Coulibaly in the team’s squad instead of Oman’s Jameel al LONDON Yahmadi, who suffered a torn ACL during the club’s friendly game against Turkish side Gaziantep. Yahmadi is ruled out for six to SERGIO Aguero reached eight months due to the injury. Al Wakrah will take on Qatar SC on 400 career goals as the Thursday in Round Two of the QNB Stars League. The Waves lost Manchester City striker in- thier opener against league defending champions Al Sadd spired the champions’ 3-1 last Wednesday win at Bournemouth, while Tottenham suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Newcastle on Sunday. With Premier League Newcastle’s Joelinton (right) QNB Stars League Weeks leaders Liverpool off to a per- celebrates with his teammates fect start with three successive after scoring against Tottenham 2 & 3 schedule revised victories, City are already un- in London on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) der pressure to keep pace. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Committee. Pep Guardiola’s side did were frustrated by VAR after DOHA Al Sailiya’s game against just that thanks to Aguero as the decision-review system Al Sadd in Week 3 has been City’s record goalscorer hit ruled not to award a penalty THE Qatar Stars League postponed to September 24 another milestone with a clin- when Harry Kane had tum- (QSL) has revised the sched- from September 15 due to ical double in the south-coast bled under a challenge from ule of second and third weeks the former’s AFC Champions sunshine. Jamaal Lascelles. of 2019-20 season QNB Stars League second-leg quarter- Raheem Sterling was also Tottenham playmaker League. final against Al Nassr, to be on the scoresheet – making Christian Eriksen was only Al Shahania’s match played in Doha on Septem- it six goals in four games this used as a substitute amid against Al Sadd in Week 2, ber 16. term for the England winger uncertainty surrounding his which was origi- Also, Al Du- – as City’s second win of the Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scores his 400th career goal as City beat AFC Bournemouth 3-1 during future ahead of the European nally scheduled hail’s match season lifted them to within their English Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Sunday. (REUTERS) transfer window shutting next for Thursday has against Al Rayyan two points of Liverpool. week. been shifted to in Week 3 on Sep- It was a landmark day all denied City a penalty when “The challenge this season squad were uncertain about In the day’s other game, August 31, as Al tember 15, has round for City, with captain Jefferson Lerma appeared to will be amazing for us after his methods. Wolves forward Raul Jimenez Sadd are involved now been sched- David Silva involved in all trip Silva. winning back-to-back two But Joelinton first goal for scored a stoppage-time penal- in the quarter- uled to be played three of the goals on his 400th City were last week left titles, the challenge will be Newcastle in the 27th minute ty to rescue a 1-1 draw against finals of the AFC Champions at the Al Janoub Stadium on appearance for the club. frustrated during a 2-2 draw great.” gave Bruce some breathing Burnley at Molineux. League, where they will play the request of Asian Football “We felt Bournemouth’s with Tottenham when a last- Meanwhile, Steve Bruce space for a few days at least. Ashley Barnes had put their first leg away to Saudi Confederation due to prepa- physicality, a nice three points gasp goal from Gabriel Jesus silenced his critics as New- Davinson Sanchez was Burnley in front after 13 min- Arabia’s Al Nassr in Riyadh rations at the venue for the and a big compliment to the was disallowed by VAR due castle won at Tottenham to caught playing the offside utes with a blistering strike, on Monday. Al Sadd vs Al Nassr game. players, a few things to im- to a contentious handball secure their first points under trap, allowing Brazilian for- giving the forward four goals Al Ahli’s match against It may be noted that the prove, that’s good it’s hap- against Aymeric Laporte. the polarising Magpies boss. ward Joelinton to collect in three games this season. Al Sailiya on August 31 has QSL had hinted at schedule pened when we are winning Asked if City deserved a Since taking over from Ra- Christian Atsu’s inch-perfect But Jimenez netted from also been shifted from the Al changes when it announced games,” Guardiola said. spot-kick, Guardiola replied fael Benitez in the close-sea- ball and fire home. the spot in the 97th minute Sadd Stadium to Al Janoub the fixtures, because of the “The quality of our players in an sardonic manner: “No, son, Bruce had found himself Newcastle were helped by after the Mexican was tripped Stadium, in view of Al Sadd’s possibility of Al Sadd or Al in front made the difference no, no. Penalty? No. under pressure after losing a poor performance from Tot- by Erik Pieters. qualification for the AFC Duhail qualifying for the and we won the game.” “It was clear hands last his first two games, with fans tenham, who have won only Wolves have drawn all Champions League on the AFC Champions League Guardiola was less en- game, clear hands. A penalty doubting his credentials and once in their first three games. three of their league games request of National Teams quarterfinals. thused by a VAR review that today? No, please. former players claiming his Mauricio Pochettino’s side this term. Sports Monday, August 26, 2019 13 BIG BEN’S SUPER ASHES SHOW Stokes’ SCOREBOARD AWESOME TWOSOME: Stokes-Leach share match-winning 76-run stand (Ben: 74; Leach: 1) Australia 1st Innings 179 (M Labuschagne 74, D stunning Warner 61; J Archer 6-45) England 1st Innings 67 (J Hazlewood 5-30, P Cummins 3-23) century Australia 2nd innings 246 (M Labuschagne 80; B Stokes 3-56) sees ENGLAND 2ND INNS; O’NIGHT 156-3, TARGET 359 R. Burns c Warner b Hazlewood ...... 7 J. Roy b Cummins ...... 8 England J. Root c Warner b Lyon ...... 77 J. Denly c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 50 B. Stokes ...... not out 135 to 1-wkt win J. Bairstow c Labuschagne b Hazlewood ...... 36 J. Buttler run out (Head) ...... 1 at Leeds C. Woakes c Wade b Hazlewood ...... 1 J. Archer c Head b Lyon ...... 15 AFP S. Broad lbw b Pattinson ...... 0 J. Leach ...... not out 1 LEEDS Extras: (b5, lb15, nb1, w10) ...... 31 TOTAL: (For 9 wkts, 125.4 overs, 600 mins) ..... 362 BEN Stokes was the hero yet Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Burns), 2-15 (Roy), 3-141 (Denly), 4-159 (Root), 5-245 (Bairstow), 6-253 again as his incredible unbeat- (Buttler), 7-261 (Woakes), 8-286 (Archer), 9-286 en century saw England to a (Broad). thrilling one-wicket win in the Bowling: Cummins 24.4-5-80-1 (1nb, 1w); third Ashes Test at Headingley Hazlewood 31-11-85-4 (1w); Lyon 39-5-114-2; Pattinson 25-9-47-1 (4w); Labuschagne 6-0-16-0. on Sunday. Result: England won by one wicket. England – all out for a Player-of-the-match: Ben Stokes (ENG) woeful 67 in their first innings Series: Five-match series level at 1-1 – were 286-9, still needing 73 Toss: England. REMAINING FIXTURES more runs to reach a victory Sep 04-08: Fourth Test, Old Trafford target of 359 when bespectacled Sep 12-16: Fifth Test, The Oval No. 11 Jack Leach walked out to Previous Results bat to join Stokes at the crease. Aug 01-05: First Test, Edgbaston: Australia won by Leach, however, held firm 251 runs; Aug 14-18: Second Test, Lord’s: Drawn. with World Cup final winning batting star Stokes’s astonish- utes at the crease. ing 135 not out seeing England And Stokes then cut Cum- complete their highest suc- mins for a boundary to seal an cessful fourth innings chase astounding triumph. as they squared the five-match The left-handed batsman series at 1-1. faced 219 balls in total, with “There’s nothing like being 11 fours and eight sixes in a out there in the end and getting superbly paced five-and-a-half your team over the line. I didn’t hour inninngs. get nervous till we needed sin- It seemed England’s gle figures, I didn’t know what chances had evaporated when to do then,” admitted Stokes. they lost three wickets for just Australia, who would have England’s Ben Stokes (right) celebrates with Jack Leach after steering the hosts to a sensational win against Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds on Sunday. (REUTERS) 16 runs after lunch to be reel- retained the Ashes had they ing at 261-7. won, missed a clear chance innings of a Test at Headingley. ner Lyon for two straight sixes fours and five sixes. The first of those sailed Lyon fumbled the return. England had yet to add to to run Leach out when Na- “It was a very special feel- and then produced a stunning Stokes then hoisted the over Leach’s head and the next Lyon then had an lbw ap- their overnight score of 156- than Lyon failed to gather a ing. Stokesy was unbelievable. reverse against him that sailed next two balls for six. saw Australia waste a review peal against Stokes turned 3 when Stokes missed a pull throw and then paid dearly for It was like nothing I’ve ever high over deep point. He rode his luck when a for a ball that pitched outside down by umpire Joel Wilson off a Hazlewood bouncer that squandering a review. seen before. And the crowd Stokes’s extravagant sliced two off Cummins was leg stump. only for replays to suggest it smashed into his helmet, with All-rounder Stokes eventu- was insane,” admitted Leach. scooped six off Cummins re- dropped by a diving Marcus England now needed would have been out. the stem guard protecting his ally flayed fast bowler Pat Cum- Australia captain Tim Paine duced the target to 40. Harris at third man. eight – or two boundaries – as But Australia had used up neck flying off at the back. mins for four to seal a famous said: “It’s hard to take, losing Despite Australia captain Stokes, however, com- Stokes faced Leach. all their reviews. But he was cleared to bat victory arguably even more im- that from that position but you Tim Paine having scattered all mandingly pulled and drove The third ball of the over England still needed two to on and when captain Joe probable than England’s cele- tip your hat sometimes. his fielders to the boundary, Cummins’s next two balls for saw Stokes drive Lyon for a win but Leach, who made a ca- Root was out for 77 after add- brated 1981 Ashes Test success “Ben Stokes played an un- Stokes pulled Josh Hazlewood for four to leave England just six that just cleared Marnus reer best 92 as nightwatchman ing just two to his overnight at Headingley when they won believable innings and in the for four to complete a remark- nine runs shy of victory. Labuschagne at long-on and in a recent Test win over Ire- score Stokes, ably assisted by after following-on. end he was too good for us.” able 199 ball-century – his England needed two to win. land, was on strike to Cummins. Jonny Bairstow (36) counter- This was only the fourth As Leach looked on, all- second in a row after his 115 Run-out chance A colossal mix-up between Leach though managed a attacked, with England scor- time a team had made more rounder Stokes went into one- not out in the drawn second But a single left Leach on strike Stokes and Leach should have single that tied the scores as he ing 60 runs in eight overs after than 300 to win in the fourth day mode by driving off-spin- Test at Lord’s – featuring eight with two balls left in the over. seen the No 11 run out but got off the mark after 59 min- Australia took the new ball. The best I’ve seen in over 50 years: Boycott MotoGP

EACTIONS after Ben Stokes’s unbeaten 135 named man-of-the-match: Former England captain Nasser Hussain: earned England a thrilling one-wicket victory in “It probably matches the World Cup, to be honest. “It will test the mental toughness of the Austral- Rthe third Ashes Test to level the series against Unbelievable, it’s one I’ll never forget. ian side. What England need to do in the next couple Australia at 1-1 on Sunday. “I never gave up. When Jack Leach came in it was of games is make them think, ‘crikey, I wish we’d done pretty clear what I had to do. I told him five and one, I’d some things better at Headingley.’” England captain Joe Root: take five balls and give him one. Leachy is our super- “Ben Stokes is a freak, he’s incredible. The mes- nightwatchman so I backed him, knowing what we had Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who sage at the start was to just keep believing. If we had two to do. I couldn’t watch at the end. I couldn’t watch the led the 2005 Ashes-winning team: people out there still breathing then we have a chance. balls going down. “That is massive for Joe Root. I’ve been in that situa- “After Stokes got to 60, 70 he looked like he wasn’t tion where your team is really struggling. This is his time to going to get out. To win a game on your own from there is England’s tail-end hero Jack Leach, who finished try and win an Ashes series on home turf. All England cap- just amazing. He does have recent experience of doing unbeaten on one from 17 balls: tains need a great all-rounder. I had Andrew Flintoff. Mike it. Just incredible to watch unfold.” “Are you expecting to get some sense out of me right Brearley had Ian Botham. And Joe Root has Ben Stokes.” now? “I got off the pitch and then thought, ‘What has Suzuki Ecstar’s Spanish rider Alex Rins holds the trophy on the po- Australia captain Tim Paine: Ben Stokes just done?’ I was running towards him after Former England captain dium as he celebrates his victory in the Moto GP race of the British “Sometimes, people make mistakes and we made a he hit the winning runs and it was the best feeling ever.” Michael Atherton: Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit on Sunday. (AFP) couple today which cost us the test match along with the “On this ground, great English innings in recent unbelievable innings. England bowler Stuart Broad: years, you’re thinking Botham in 1981, (Graham) Gooch “We have time now to stick together and bounce back. “It was one of those ‘I was there’ moments. I don’t in 1991, (Mark) Butcher 2001 and Ben Stokes has to Rins pips Marquez If we get caught up in the emotion think anyone in this ground will see a better innings. It top all those. Australia, Ashes at stake, this has reignited of it all then the series can be tak- had everything. He (Stokes) struck the ball beautifully. Ashes after England were dead and buried.” en away from us quickly. “The bloke has got the heart of a lion. Everything he on line at Silverstone “The facts is we have does is for the team. He is the perfect team mate. Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne: been in a position to win “The belief has always been there in this game. But “Stokes is one of those guys who you want in the AFP every test match so far.” nine down, one ball finishes the Ashes series; of course trenches with you; he’s one of the guys who train harder SILVERSTONE (UK) I thought the Ashes were over.” than I’ve ever seen anyone train. England all-rounder “He’s an amazing cricketer and special talent. But ALEX Rins won the British Ben Stokes, who was Former England all-rounder Ian Botham: when the opportunity presents itself you still have to MotoGP in dramatic fashion as “It takes a remarkable man and I said this morning take it.” Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting: “I’m he beat world champion Marc that someone needed to front up and be strong. not sure I’ve seen anything better than that on a Test Marquez to the finish line by “I’ve banged the Ben Stokes drum for a long time ground, to be honest.” 0.013 seconds at Silverstone now and I know when other players see him they think on Sunday. Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins in there is something special about him. He is very, very Former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath on Rins’ sensational finish action at the Silverstone Circuit valuable to cricket – not just England, he will sell the BBC’s Test Match Special: earned the Suzuki rider a sec- on Sunday. (REUTERS) game worldwide. He should enjoy every moment. It was “What a class cricketer Ben Stokes is. Amazing with ond victory of the season, but a really remarkable performance.” bat, ball and in the field. Is there a better all-rounder in Honda’s Marquez extended “Happy of course about the the world right now?” his lead atop the standings to championship - about the race, Former England batsman 78 points after closest rival An- no. Losing on the last straight Geoffrey Boycott on Twitter: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers on Twitter: drea Dovizioso of Ducati was is not the best feeling,” he said. “I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in “That was pretty special! @benstokes38, that was stretchered off the track follow- Marquez moved onto 250 my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years. ridiculous! Well done. Ashes alive and well.” ing a first-lap crash with Yama- points with seven races left. “@benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave a ha rider Fabio Quartararo. Dovizioso stayed on 172. magical inspirational innings. Even better than his Former Australia bowler Brad Hogg on Twitter: Yamaha’s Maverick Vina- Rins climbed to third on World Cup performance.” “@benstokes38 most valuable player in the world les finished third after coming 149, four points ahead of Da- game today. Brilliant performance. Hats off to you.” from the back of the pack. nilo Petrucci of Ducati who “Unbelievable. I don’t have was seventh on Sunday. Former England spinner Graeme Swann on Twitter: words to explain. VAMOS!” Vinales rose to fifth and It probably matches the World “I have no sister but if I did I’d want her to marry Rins said of his incredible pass has 118 points. Cup, to be honest. Unbelievable, Ben Stokes.” coming off the final corner. Vinales finished just 0.6 it’s one I’ll never forget. I never gave “I was keeping calm. The seconds adrift of the lead pair in England fast bowler Jofra Archer. last corner for me was unbe- third for Yamaha, while Valen- up. When Jack Leach came in it was “This is by far the most intense game I’ve ever seen lievable, I was much faster tino Rossi was a distant fourth, pretty clear what I had to do. I told In my life.” than him, and finally we get it.” 10 seconds behind Rins. him five and one, I’d take five balls Marquez admitted it was Meanwhile, Augusto Fer- and give him one.” Former England soccer international Gary Lineker: frustrating to lose out after nandez clinched his second “If you’re not into cricket, you have my utmost Rins nipped past him at the career Moto2 victory after a Man-of-the-match Ben Stokes sympathy.” (REUTERS) end, but he was happy to leave battle with fellow Spaniard with his title hopes enhanced. Jorge Navarro. 14 Monday, August 26, 2019 Sports QOC’s S-G attends IJF’s Darwish powers Qatar hoopsters to award ceremony in Tokyo win over Oman in GCC U-18 meet TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Darwish sank 26 points and col- selmani will face local players Arif DOHA lected 17 rebounds, while Moham- Alamri and Hood Aljalboubi. Third- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ad had 18 points and 16 rebounds seeded Swedes Alexander Anner- DOHA MAHMOUD Darwish, Ahmad Mo- and Jama grabbed 11 points and 10 stedt and Martin Appelgren took hamad and Mubarak Rashid Jama rebounds. just 36 minutes to down Alamri and JASSIM bin Rashid al Buenain, Sec- all had a ‘double-double’ each and Hosts Bahrain beat the UAE in Aljalboubi 21-11, 23-21. The win- retary-General of the Qatar Olympic inspired Qatar to a 66-57 victory in another match 112-49 to stay un- ners will advance to the knockout, Committee (QOC), attended the gala their last league match in the Gulf beaten. The winners have already while the losers will bow out. dinner and award ceremony in To- Under-18 Basketball Champion- qualified for the Asia champion- Saifeddine Elmajid and Benl- kyo, organised by the International ship, the 2020 Asia qualifiers, in ship along with Saudi Arabia, who ouaer Ziad, after qualifying for the Judo Federation (IJF) on occasion Manama, Bahrain on Sunday. beat Kuwait. main round with a straight 21-17, of the 55th anniversary of judo as This was the second victory 21-16 win over Saudi Arabians Has- Olympic Sport since 1964. for Al Annabi in five matches af- Setbacks for Qatari teams san Alabdulbaqi and Ali Mahfouz, The ceremony was held on Au- ter they got past the United Arab Qatar’s both beach volleyball went down fighting 18-21, 19-21 gust 23 on the sidelines of the 2019 Emirates earlier. teams need a win each to qualify for to second seeds Jure Bedrac and World Judo Championships. The first quarter was quite the knock-out of the Salalah One- Danijel Pokersnik from Slovenia. The QOC secretary-general pre- productive for Qatar, whose ag- Star in Oman on Monday. Elmajid and Ziad must win sented two of the awards during the gression fetched them a 20-9 lead. Tamer Abdelrasoul and Denis their second Pool C match against gala, including the best male athlete Oman rallied hard and recovered Messelmani, sixth seeds, were up- Polish qualifiers Piotr Ilewicz and in the 2012 London and the 2016 Rio to trail 19-28 at the interval. They set by Czech 11th seeds Frantisek Piotr Janiak if they wish to extend Olympic Games to France’s Teddy continued their battle and the next Knobloch and Jakub Vala 21-23, their stay in Salalah. Ilewicz and Riner and the best female athlete quarters saw the two teams finish 16-21 in 43 minutes in their Pool Janiak lost 15-21, 18-21 to Oma- in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid al Buenain with awardees and IJF official at par – 14-14 in the third and 24- C match. ni players Ahmed Alhousni and USA’s Kayla Harrison. after awards presentation in Tokyo, Japan. 24 in the final one. Both Abdelrasoul and Mes- Haitham Alshereiqi. Caribbean Collapso: India Sindhu wins India’s bowl out WI for 100, win Test 10th Test century first world b’ton title for Rahane; Bumrah scalps Men’s crown With the historic victory, for Japanese the Rio Olympics silver five, Sharma 3 medallist Sindhu leads the AGENCIES Momota head-to-head battle NORTH SOUND against Okuhara 8-7. The 2016 Olympics silver med- INDIA handed West Indies AGENCIES a humiliating 318-run defeat BASEL (SWITZERLAND) allist had previously beat- in the opening Test at the Sir en the Japanese in the Vivian Richards Stadium in PUSARLA Sindhu won India’s Indonesia Open 2019. Antigua on Sunday. Ajinkya Rahane (left) of India celebrates his century with Hanuma first-ever title at the world Set with an improbable Vihari on Day 4 of the first Test against the West Indies in North badminton championships target of 419 runs for victory, Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, on Sunday. (AFP) when she comfortably beat make the final look like a walk the hosts were bowled out for Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21- in the park. Okuhara, on the a paltry 100 in just 26.5 overs. 7, 21-7 to win the women’s contrary, looked out of touch The destruction of the Car- singles at Jakobshalle in Basel and failed to produce any se- ibbean team was led by India SCORES on Sunday. rious challenge for her Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah , Sindhu also ended her own counterpart. who claimed a five-wicket haul India: 297 & 343-7 decl (Rahane 102, unhappy run after she lost in In the second game, Sind- for just 7 runs while Ishant Vihari 93, Chase the previous two world finals, hu, who had defeated World Sharma scalped 3 wickets for 4-132) vs West Indies: including one against Okuhara No.1 Tai Tzu Ying in the quar- 31 runs. Mohammed Shami 222 and 100 all out in in 2017, as well as the Olympic ter-finals, continued to display took 2 wickets for 13 runs. 26.5 overs. final in 2016 and the Com- her brilliance from the outset, Interestingly, the last monwealth Games final last clinching seven consecutive wicket pair of Kemar Roach year. points. She did not allow Oku- (38) and Miguel Cummins (19) The 24-year-old, fifth in hara settle down as the Japa- shared a fifty-run partnership. the world rankings, never nese displayed her agony by Earlier in the day, Ajinkya looked back after racing to screaming loudly with every Rahane completed his 10th an eight-point lead in the point she lost. Sindhu went on Test hundred while Hanuma first game. to capitalise on her momen- Vihari fell seven runs short of “Last time, I lost the finals. tum and win the final with his maiden Test century in a Before that, I also lost the fi- ease. total of 343 for seven. Shai Hope (R) of West Indies is bowled by Jasprit Bumrah (left) at the nals so it’s very important for Japan’s Kento Momota Soon, Bumrah and Shar- Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound. (AFP) me to win now,” she said. retained the men’s title by ma were utterly devastating India Prime Minister Nar- outclassing 22-year-old Dane against batsmen who ap- four overs at the interval. hundred ended shortly after endra Modi offered his con- Anders Antonsen, who had peared ill-equipped – men- He could have also had the the resumption of play. His gratulations on Twitter. stunned Olympic champion tally and technically – to cope wicket of Shimron Hetmyer knock of 102, which followed “The passion and dedica- Chen Long in the quarter- with high quality fast bowling. but Kohli grassed a straight- his first innings top score of tion with which she’s pur- finals, 21-9, 21-3 in another Bumrah, who got five for forward catch at third slip. 81, spanned five hours, 242 sued badminton is inspiring,” India’s gold medallist Pusarla Venkata Sindhu after winning her one-sided match. seven in 7.3 overs, was the first Sharma, who led the In- deliveries with five fours. he said. women’s singles final match against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara at the The world number one to strike in extending Kraigg dia attack with five wickets in Kohli delayed the declara- “PV Sindhu’s success BWF Badminton World Championships at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, needed only 37 minutes to Brathwaite’s already protract- the first innings, was not to be tion in anticipation of Vihari’s will inspire generations of Switzerland, on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) dispatch his opponent as he ed run of low scores before denied his share of the spoils, hundred but the right-hander, players.” became the fourth man to win scattering the stumps of open- trapping debutant Shamarh on 93, gloved an attempted With the historic victory, 8-7. The 2016 Olympics silver Sindhu completely took successive world titles. ing partner John Campbell Brooks leg-before and then hook off Holder to wicketkeeper the Rio Olympics silver medal- medallist had previously beat- control of the match from the The world championships and senior batsman Darren sending Hetmyer back. Hope, leaving the West Indies list Sindhu leads the head-to- en the Japanese in the Indone- opening game. She clinched are held annually, except in Bravo to have the outstanding Rahane’s 17-match and with what developed into an ag- head battle against Okuhara sia Open 2019. eight consecutive points to Olympic years. figures of three for eight off nearly two-year wait for a Test onising 40 minutes before tea.

New Zealand Serena-Sharapova showdown grabs spotlight gain lead US Open crowds are US Open starts today with the known for loud and boister- REUTERS ous behavior, an atmosphere COLOMBO American chasing a record-tying where some thrive and others 24th Grand Slam title must adapt. HALF-CENTURIES from “Here in New York, the Colin de Grandhomme and AFP day’s draw announcement. atmosphere is crazier than BJ Watling gave New Zea- NEW YORK “Of course I’m going to any other Grand Slam,” said land a first-innings lead of 138 watch it,” Osaka said. “I think 19-year-old Canadian Bianca against Sri Lanka on the fourth SERENA Williams faces Ma- everyone in New York is going Andreescu, who won a WTA day of the second and final ria Sharapova in a blockbuster to watch it.” tuneup event in Toronto. Test in Colombo on Sunday. first-round match on Monday Williams owns a 3-1 record “Everyone makes it so The touring side, who need at the US Open, the feature over Sharapova in Grand Slam intriguing. You never know a series-levelling win after Sri showdown in the year’s final matchups, having lost their what you’re going to see on the Lanka won the opener in Galle, Grand Slam tennis event. first such meeting in 2004 at streets. There is always some- reached 382 for five wickets on Eighth-ranked Williams, Wimbledon, but this will mark thing to do.” another rain-interrupted day. who lost to Naomi Osaka in the first time they have met in Halep tries to relax to deal Watling was unbeaten on last year’s US Open final and to a US Open. with the energy and uncertain- 81 while de Grandhomme was Simona Halep in last month’s “Someone texted me about ty Flushing Meadows crowds 83 not out after a blistering Wimbledon final, is seeking it,” US 10th seed Madison Keys can produce. knock with his side needing her 24th career Grand Slam recalled. “I think I was shop- “You expect very loud quick runs to set Sri Lanka a singles title to match Margaret ping, had no idea the draw was Rafael Nadal of Spain hit a tennis ball into the stands during Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day ahead of the 2019 crowds. You expect loud at- target on the final day. Court’s all-time record. actually happening. So it was US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) mosphere here,” Halep said. Overnight centurion Tom The 37-year-old American like, ‘Oh my God. Look at this “I’m trying just to stay on my Latham and Watling continued owns a 19-2 record against first round.’” Open winner last won a Slam “Yeah, it’s OK. We don’t ranked Sumit Nagal, top-seed- rhythm. I have my restaurants accumulating runs with ease Russia’s 87th-ranked Shara- Williams last won a Grand at the 2014 French Open. She talk about that. It’s past, so ed defending champion Novak where I’m going. I went to and took their side past Sri Lan- pova and has beaten her 18 Slam at the 2017 Australian has reached the fourth round we just live the present,” Ha- Djokovic against Spain’s 76th- Central Park just to relax my- ka’s first-innings total of 244. consecutive times dating to Open, while pregnant. at the past two US Opens. lep said. “It’s going to be a big ranked Roberto Carballes Bae- self. So I’m doing easy things The pair added 143 for the 2005. Five-time Grand Slam Two years ago, Romania’s match, definitely.” na and French Open champi- to get the pace I need.” fifth wicket for the Black Caps That lopsided rivalry, how- champion Sharapova, 32, Halep who was handed an epic Other first-day match- on Ashleigh Barty, the second Barty revels in the thrill of before Latham was finally out ever, has not prevented the failed a drug test at the 2016 first-round matchup against es in Arthur Ashe Stadium seed from Australia, against New York. leg before for 154, giving off- matchup from being the talk of Australian Open and served Sharapova, just back from her send Swiss third seed Roger 77th-ranked Zarina Diyas of “There’s no place in the spinner Dilruwan Perera his the tournament since Thurs- a one-year ban. The 2006 US doping ban, and lost. Federer against India’s 190th- Kazakhstan. world like New York,” she said. third wicket.