TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016 SPORTS Djokovic, Murray seeded for Wimbledon final showdown LONDON: World number one Novak it easy,” said the American who will begin when he won his seventh title at the All right away,” said the Swiss when asked to Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic, with Djokovic and 17-time major winner Roger her bid for an Open era record-equalling England Club, begins against Argentina’s assess his chances. John McEnroe in his corner, meets Spain’s Federer get Wimbledon under way yes- 22nd Grand Slam today. Djokovic has world number 51 Guido Pella. “Novak or Andy (Murray) are the big Pablo Carreno Busta as he looks to terday with history beckoning for the two won six of the last eight Grand Slams, tak- Federer, 34, has been runner-up to favourites.” Pella, 26, was forced to retire improve on his 2014 semi-final showing. Grand Slam A-listers. Top seed Djokovic is ing him to a career tally of 12 — within Djokovic for the last two years and is from his first round match on his Meanwhile, armed police will patrol halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam two of Rafael Nadal’s mark and five attempting to become the oldest ever Wimbledon debut in 2013 while he fell in the tournament, both inside and outside since 1969 after ending his agonising behind Federer’s record. Wimbledon champion in modern times. qualifying last year. The Centre Court pro- the grounds while organisers have also wait for a maiden French Open crown Djokovic takes on British wild card But the Swiss has been dogged by knee gramme also sees women’s second seed increased the numbers of their private earlier this month. James Ward in the opening match on and back problems this year and his and French Open champion Garbine security staff. The 29-year-old defending champion Centre Court. Ward, the 29-year-old son of injury-enforced withdrawal from the Muguruza taking on Camila Giorgi, the Armed officers were also used at currently holds all four majors and if he a London taxi driver, is ranked at 177 in French Open ended his streak of 65 suc- world number 68 from Italy. Wimbledon last year but on a lower scale wins a third successive Wimbledon title the world and made the third round last cessive Grand Slam appearances stretch- Muguruza was runner-up to Williams on the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks and fourth in all, he will become just the year with Australian coach Darren Tandy. ing back to 1999. He has since suffered last year. Giorgi reached the fourth round in London. “(There will be) significant second man in history to win five succes- But Tandy was diagnosed with cancer of semi-final losses on grass at Stuttgart and in 2012. On Court One, 36-year-old Venus numbers of officers patrolling the local sive Slams. Only Don Budge, who won six the colon later in the year and died on Halle, the last of which against Alexander Williams, seeded eighth and a five-time area, firearms officers and a highly mobile straight from 1937 Wimbledon to the Christmas Eve. Zverev was his first against a teenager in champion, takes on Croatia’s Donna Vekic. reserve that can respond to emerging 1938 US Championships, has achieved “It’s been a tough time. Obviously the 10 years. Federer’s failure to win a title in Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori, who incidents,” said a police spokesman. the feat. end of last year was very difficult,” Ward 2016 means he will enter Wimbledon on has yet to get beyond the fourth round, “Officers will be working in uniform and Djokovic is such a hot favourite to tri- told the Press Association. “He was my his longest trophy drought since 2000. takes on big-serving Australian Sam in plain clothes during the event.” Rain is umph on July 10 that women’s champion tennis coach so every time I play tennis it Groth. Australian Open champion also expected in the first week but fore- Serena Williams is already tipping the reminds me of him.” Federer, whose last ‘NOVAK, ANDY THE FAVOURITES’ Angelique Kerber faces Britain’s Laura casters are confident showers will pass Serb for more greatness. “I think he’ll get major triumph was at Wimbledon in 2012 “Clearly I’m not thinking of the title Robson in the same arena. by the time play gets under way. — AFP Amir can be world’s best, says Misbah SOUTHAMPTON: Mohammad Amir can institute, has only played limited overs still become the best bowler in the world internationals for Pakistan, but his career despite serving a five-year ban for spot-fix- could come full circle when the first of a ing, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said four-Test series against England starts at yesterday. Left-arm fast bowler Amir, 24, is Lord’s, ‘the home of cricket’, on July 14. expected to make his return to Test cricket Misbah believes Amir, who was one of next month against England at Lord’s, the hottest properties in world cricket at where his exciting career came to a shud- the time of his ban, has lost none of his skill. dering halt in 2010. “If you look at his bowling speed, swing and During that year’s Test against England control-it’s there,” said Misbah at at Lord’s, Amir and Pakistan new-ball part- Hampshire’s Rose Bowl ground near ner Mohammad Asif bowled no-balls to Southampton, where Pakistan were training order on the instructions of their captain Monday. “He can still be the best bowler in Salman Butt as part of a sting operation car- the world,” he added ahead of Pakistan’s ried out by a tabloid newspaper. opening three-day tour match against All three received five-year bans from Somerset at Taunton starting Sunday. cricket and, together with sports agent “Whatever form of the game he has Mazhar Majeed, jail terms. Amir, who served played since his comeback, he has done three months in an English young offenders well,” said key batsman Misbah of Amir, who in his 14 Tests before his ban took 51 wick- ets at an average of under 30 apiece. “He knows he is under pressure but he is handling it well,” the Pakistan captain insist- ed. “This is a good chance for him to come here, the place where he had those prob- lems, and show the world he is there to per- form and deliver for the team. “It is a chance to win back all his fans. It’s a great opportunity and he’s working hard.” As for BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Australian cricketers pose with their winning trophy at the end of the final match of the Tri-nation Series between Amir receiving a potentially hostile recep- Australia and West Indies in Bridgetown on June 26, 2016. tion from English spectators, Misbah said: “It might happen-you can always hear voices. “The best way is to concentrate on your Marsh powers Aussies skills and your duties and Amir has to focus on his game and what he has to do. He is doing well.” to Tri-Nation victory ‘MICROSCOPE’ Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said he BRIDGETOWN: Mitchell Marsh emerged as the had been impressed by Amir’s attitude unlikely bowling hero for Australia as the World Cup- SCOREBOARD since taking charge of the side just over a holders defeated the West Indies by 58 runs in the month ago. “His training has been excel- final of the Tri-Nation One-Day International Series. Scoreboard at close of play in the Triangular Series match between Australia and West Indies on lent, he’s fitted back into the team excep- Set a challenging target of 271 after wicket- Sunday in Bridgetown, Barbados. tionally well,” explained Arthur. keeper Matthew Wade’s unbeaten 57 led an Australia Innings West Indies Innings “It’s up to me and the coaching staff to Australian lower-order revival from 173 for six to U. Khawaja c Ramdin b Holder 14 A. Fletcher c Smith b Hazlewood 9 make him the best he can possibly be in a final total of 270 for nine off 50 overs, Marsh A. Finch c Samuels b Pollard 47 J. Charles lbw b M. Marsh 45 these conditions,” said Arthur, who previ- claimed the prized wickets of Darren Bravo and S. Smith c Samuels b Gabriel 46 Da. Bravo c Wade b M. Marsh 6 ously coached Australia after making his Marlon Samuels, adding the scalp of opening G. Bailey b C. Brathwaite 22 M. Samuels c Bailey b M. Marsh 6 name internationally when in charge of his batsman Johnson Charles for good measure to M. Marsh b Benn 32 D. Ramdin b Hazlewood 40 native South Africa. “We all understand he’s effectively short-circuit the home side’s pursuit. G. Maxwell lbw b Gabriel 4 K. Pollard c Hazlewood b Zampa 20 going to be under the microscope and he His disciplined medium-pacers realised miserly M. Wade not out 57 J. Holder c Finch b Coulter-Nile 34 realises that too.” “The way he’s trying to figures of three for 32 with the West Indies M. Starc st Ramdin b Narine 17 C. Brathwaite b Hazlewood 14 handle that is to let his performances do unable to recapture the impressive batting form N. Coulter-Nile c Da. Bravo b Holder 15 S. Narine c Smith b Hazlewood 23 the talking.” This is Pakistan’ first full of tour of earlier matches in being dismissed for 212 off A.