WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 17 Japan’s judo king I came to win so I’m not surprised. Shohei Ono says after FOOTBALL FOOTBALL How I won my fights didn’t bother beating Azerbaijan’s Champions League, Champions League, me at all. Rustam Orujov to win Qualifying Play-Off: Qualifying Play-Off: Club his third world title. ACTION Ajax vs Apoel Nicosia TODAY’S Brugge vs LASK US Open: Serena routs Sharapova Whenever I play in first round;‘rusty’ Federer wins Maria I bring out some of my best AFP Williams is hoping to match tennis. When NEW YORK the all-time record of 24 Slam singles titles won by Margaret you play her you Serena Williams overwhelmed Court. have to be super Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 on Swiss third seed Federer, who focused: Serena Monday to reach the second has a men’s record 20 Slam titles, round of the US Open in search dropped the opening set in 36 Williams of her 24th Grand Slam title while minutes, then returned to form “rusty” Roger Federer rallied past and defeated Nagal 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal. 6-4. Six-time US Open champion “I played like my beard today. Williams crushed the five-time I was rusty,” Federer said. major winner from Russia in only The shock first set was a 59 minutes, beating Sharapova wake-up call, a 38-year-old I played like my for the 19th consecutive time and legend who was 61-0 in Grand beard today. I improving to 20-2 in their all- Slam first rounds since the 2003 was rusty: Roger time rivalry. French Open trailing a 22-year- “Whenever I play Maria I old from New Delhi who is Federer bring out some of my best tennis,” ranked 190th and fell to 0-5 in Williams said. tour-level matches. “When you play her you have “Just tried to forget it, play to be super focused.” tough, stay with him. It was a Williams, who next plays tough first set for me,” Federer 121st-ranked US wildcard Caty said. McNally, blasted five aces and 16 “He came back and played winners while Sharapova made really strong. I was missing a lot I’m quite 20 unforced errors. of balls and trying to cut back on pleased with my “She served really well. unforced errors. It all came back performance and Found her spots really well,” just in time.” Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates during a match against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain in the Sharapova said. “I think that’s Sharapova, the 2006 US first round match of US Open on Monday. RIGHT: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating looking forward where she hurt me a lot.” Open winner who defeated Sumit Nagal of India. to the next one: Novak Djokovic Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon rescued three break points in the “Getting out of the blocks, it final, upset Simona Halep in the sixth game to hold serve and takes time for you to feel com- first round two years ago but broke again to advance, showing fortable on the court,” Djokovic could not revive that magic. no sign of the back spasms that said. The 37-year-old American limited her pre-Open play. “I’m quite pleased with my said that after learning she would “The body is good,” she said. performance and looking face Sharapova, “every practice “My back is a lot better. I’m forward to the next one.” after that was super focused and excited. This is going to be fun,” Djokovic, trying to become super intense.” she added. the first back-to-back US Open Eighth-seeded Williams Top-ranked defending winner since Federer won from rolled through the first set in 24 champion Novak Djokovic cruised 2004-2008, will next face Argen- minutes then broke to open the into the second round while French tina’s 56th-ranked Juan Ignacio second. She denied Sharapova on Open champion Ashleigh Barty Londero. two break points to hold in the and third seed Karolina Pliskova Djokovic owns 16 Grand Slam fifth game, an impressive struggled but advanced. titles, four off Federer’s record backhand winner ending the Serbian star Djokovic, who and two back of Spain’s Rafael threat. has won four of the past five Nadal. “That was definitely a big point Grand Slam singles titles, dis- Together the “Big Three” Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot during her Maria Sharapova for me,” Williams said. “You can’t patched Spain’s 76th-ranked have won the past 11 Slam titles women’s singles first round match against Maria Sharapova of let her get any momentum.” Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-1, and are again heavy favourites Russia on Monday. Williams broke again to 4-1, 6-4. in the event. Nishikori already has Djokovic finds comfort zone early sights set on 2020 REUTERS last year,” said Djokovic, who will obviously be a favourite in opponents en route to the final. NEW YORK has won four of the last five his next match but is not taking The world number one said his Grand Slam titles. anything for granted. mindset at this point in his Tokyo Olympics Novak Djokovic was feeling “I really like the conditions “I have people, analysts in career has not changed given right at home on the Arthur of the balls, the speed of the my team that are responsible he is two Grand Slam titles shy REUTERS Ashe Stadium hardcourt on court, the weather is fantastic. for providing data and infor- of Rafa Nadal on the all-time NEW YORK Monday, which may be bad You know, it’s just very mation and video and data list and four away from news for anyone hoping to deny enjoyable.” analysis on every next matching Roger Federer’s There are still four Grand Slam the defending champion from Djokovic had never before opponent that I play against,” record tally of 20. events that will be contested adding to his Grand Slam tally. faced Carballes Baena and said Djokovic. “It’s no different approach before medals can be won at the The top-seeded Serbian spent the opening set figuring “I have to do my homework. than it was in the past ten years. Tokyo Olympics but as far as Kei said the surface of the blue out his opponent before I think it’s something that is so Very motivated, very focused, Nishikori (pictured) is court during his 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 cruising home and into the logical and so normal. You very determined to do well,” concerned, all roads from now first round win over Spaniard second round where he will know, it’s part of, in a way, my said Djokovic. on lead to one destination. Roberto Carballes Baena was face another first-time job as well to get myself ready “I have been in this par- “For me it (the Olympics) very similar to last year when opponent in Argentine Juan for what’s coming up.” ticular situation many times in will be the biggest event of the he picked up his third US Open Ignacio Londero. Djokovic has a tough draw my career, and I know, you year,” Nishikori said after title. The 32-year-old Serbian, given both in-form Russian fifth know, what feels comfortable reaching the second round of the “I didn’t notice any signif- who has reached at least the seed Daniil Medvedev and five- for me, what I need to do in US Open on Monday. members of the media at bay. icant difference. It is cooler in semi-finals in every US Open times champion Roger Federer order to get far in the “I want to peak for the His name and image are terms of weather than it was he has competed in since 2006, are among his projected tournament.” Olympics, so I may have to plastered on a variety of dif- change a few things to prepare ferent products. His fans can properly.” drive a special edition “Kei” That may include Nishikori Jaguar, eat Nissin Nishikori making changes to his 2020 Noodles, or book flights on Kei- Opening day’s action in New York summer hardcourt season. branded Japan Airlines planes. “I usually play Washington What does he plan do to do and a full summer but I’ll have insulate himself from the weight to be careful with my schedule,” of expectation he is likely to Yoshihito Nishioka said the world number seven. receive at next year’s Games? “I of Japan returns Being physically prepared is will need to keep things simple a shot during his not Nishikori’s only concern. and take my mind off tennis,” men’s singles The 29-year-old has long he said. first round match called Bradenton, Florida, home His current favorites, against Marcos largely because living outside Splatoon and “anything on Nin- Giron of the United Japan affords him some much- tendo Switch.” States on day one of needed anonymity. Nishikori made history in the 2019 US Open That is not the case 2014 when he became the first at the USTA Billie whenever he returns to Tokyo man representing an Asian Jean King National or anywhere else in his native nation to contest a Grand Slam Tennis Center on country. final. He won a bronze medal at Monday. Nishikori is one of Japan’s the 2016 Rio Olympics, most recognised faces and is not becoming the first Japanese man Back row (from left): Chazz Palminteri, Lakiha Spicer and Mike Tyson attend able to walk the streets without to win a tennis medal in 96 the first round match between Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.