SPORT

Wednesday 30 August 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Hope leads West Indies Sharapova topples Reds agree to stunning win over Halep in Grand record deal England Slam return to sign Keita Osaka stuns defending champion Kerber

New York squad AFP Abdulkarim Salim Al Ali, Abdul Kareem Hassan, apanese teenager Naomi Osaka sent Khalifa Abu Bakr, Saad Al defending champion Angelique Ker- Jber crashing out of the US Open first Sheep, Omer Bari, Ahmed Yasser, Tariq Salman, Pedro round yesterday, bringing a rare bright Miguel, Ahmad Al Saadi, spot to a rain-lashed day at Flushing Meadows. Ahmed Abdel Maqsood, As players ran for cover off the out- Ahmad Alaa, Essam side courts, Osaka’s big-hitting game and Madabo, Tamim Al love of the big occasion thrived under Mehaizaa, Hassan Al the roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium Haydos, Mahdi Ali, Ali Asad, court. Akram Afif, Musab Khedr, The world number 46, born in Japan Khalid Mounir, Bualem to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, Khoukhi, Ismail Mohamed, won 6-3, 6-1 as sixth seed Kerber Qatari football players arrive at the Melaka Airport in Malacca, Karim Boudiaf, Al Moez Ali, became the first US Open women’s Malaysia ahead of their 2018 World Cup Qualifier against Syria which Abdullah Al Ahraq and defending champion to lose in the first will be played at the Hang Jebat Stadium tomorrow. Abdul Aziz Hatem round since Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2005. Osaka, who surrendered a 5-1 third set lead on the same court in losing to Madison Keys 12 months ago, fired 22 winners as Kerber went tumbling out of the world’s top 10 as well as the tournament. WC qualifiers: Qatar ready “At 4-1, I was hoping I don’t do what I did last year,” said the 19-year-old Osaka, who admitted suffering a brief flashback to her tearful loss to Keys. “So that helped me focus and con- centrate, which I needed as Angelique for key test against Syria gets everything back.” Osaka will face either Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson or Denisa Allertova of Chinthana Wasala game at their designated home gulf nations in recent times and the Czech Republic for a place in the last The Peninsula venue in Malaysia and recently World Cup 2018 Asia zone he is also the top scorer for 32. recalled powerhouse forward qualifiers: Remaining fixtures Syria in the second round of “I just want to play good. I did that atari football team arrived Omar Al Soma to the side for 2018 FIFA World Cup today and so I want to carry that into the at the Melaka Airport in tomorrow’s tie against Qatar. (All kick-off times GMT): qualifying. next match,” added the Japanese teen- Malacca, Malaysia yester- Qatar will meet China on TOMORROW The Qatari team took to ager, who secured her first career win day, ahead of their Russia September 5 in their final Group GROUP A: China v Uzbekistan (in Wuhan, 12:00), Malaysia after defeating Turk- over a top-10 player. Q2018 World Cup Qualifier match. v Iran (in Seoul, 1200), Syria v Qatar menistan 2-1 in a friendly Kerber is the third top seed to go out against Syria which will be played at Qatar’s skipper Hassan Al (in Melaka, Malaysia, 12:00). match following an extensive in the first round after number two the Hang Jebat Stadium tomorrow. Haydos has had a strong influ- GROUP B: Japan v Australia (Saitama, 10:35), training camp in Birmingham, and seventh-seeded A strong Qatari side was ence on the national side in Thailand v Iraq (in Bangkok, 12:00), UAE v Saudi England earlier this month. lost on Monday. announced by coach Felix Sanchez on recent years and the 26-year- Arabia (in Al Ain, 16:30) They played three friendly World number one Karolina Plisk- Monday for the remaining two quali- old has a strong line-up for SEPTEMBER 5: matches under English condi- ova, bidding to back up her lofty status fiers against Syria and China. tomorrow’s away match. Any- tions and beat Leeds United with a maiden first title, also GROUP A: Iran v Syria (in Tehran, 15:00), Qatar v While both Qatar and China are no way, two of the most promising 2-0, Andorra 1-0 and lost to made a winning start. longer in the equation for automatic stars in the Qatari side, Rodrigo China (in , 15:00), Uzbekistan v South Korea Nottingham Forrest 1-2. Czech 25-year-old Pliskova, the run- places in the World Cup, they still have Tabata and Sebastian Soria will (in Tashkent, 15:00). Following the completion ner-up in 2016, eased past ’s a slim chance at third place and a route not be in action in the two GROUP B: Australia v Thailand (in Melbourne, of group stage of 2018 Quali- Magda Linette 6-2, 6-1 on the back of through the play-offs, but both teams remaining qualifiers. 10:00), Iraq v UAE (in Amman, Jordan, 14:00), fiers, the third placed teams eight aces and 29 winners. should record victories in tomorrow’s However, the Qatari side is Saudi Arabia v Japan (in Jeddah, 17:30) will play each other in a two- “I felt a little bit nervous walking on matches. also aware of what the Syrian legged play-off in October with this court, especially after last year and Fourth-placed Syria are four points team is capable of. Syria, who the aggregate winner facing the memories I have here,” said Pliskova, behind Korea and three off Uzbekistan, could present a number of surprises, dos’ men in unfamiliar territory. the fourth-placed team from the Cen- whose progression to the second round in Group A, with two more matches to including their talented forward Omar Khribin is arguably one of the most tral and North America (CONCACAF) was only briefly halted by the roof on be played. They have not yet lost a Khribin, can pose a huge threat to Hay- exciting forwards to emerge from the qualifying in November. Arthur Ashe stadium being closed. Qatar confirmed as hosts of 2018 Super Globe, says QHA President

Doha edition of the competition in QNA 2018 will also take place in Qatar before another country ice President of Qatar hosts the tournament the fol- Olympic Committee lowing year. V(QOC) Sheikh Saud bin Ali He highlighted that Qatar Al Thani (pictured) on Monday raised the bar when it came to expressed his delight upon the organising the competition, successful conclusion of the something he believes benefit the 2017 IHF Super Globe in Doha. sport of which is pro- After awarding the trophy gressing in all other areas. to Barcelona, His Excellency On Al Sadd’s participation, Al said that the State of Qatar Shaabi said that they were not proved once again that it was a pleased with the performance of safe country. He also praised the the club in the competition. organisation of the competition, However he said that the describing it as high-class. main reason behind their under- The QOC Vice-President also FC Barcelona Lassa players and officials celebrate with the IHF Super Globe Championship trophy performance was sanctions that added that the participation of a after defeating ’s Fuchse Berlin in the final played at Duhail Sports Complex on Monday. prevented the team from adding host of the best handball teams the necessary talent to its squad. in the world reflects the status hosting different sporting was a success technically and in the State of Qatar’s success in He extended congratulations Al Sadd won its first match. the State of Qatar enjoys in the events. Qatar Olympic Commit- terms of organisation. hosting the competition was to winners Barcelona, wishing They lost the other two how- sport. He added that the com- tee’s Vice President offered his Meanwhile, the President of nothing new, as the country has the other teams better fortunes ever, which were against title mittee was always proud of congratulations to the winners, the Qatari Handball Association done so well in previous inter- in future competitions. holders Fuchse Berlin and cham- Qatar’s distinguished ability in stressing that the competition (QHA) Ahmed Al Shaabi said that national competitions. He added that the next pions of Europe Vardar. SPORT 30 AUGUST 2017 WEDNESDAY 21 Own goal Hope leads West Indies to dampens Malaysia’s stunning win over England golden day

Leeds Kuala Lumpur AFP AFP

hai Hope led the West Indies alaysian goalkeeper to an astonishing five- Haziq Nadzli scored Swicket win over England in Ma horrendous own the second Test yesterday as he goal to hand Thailand a 1-0 became the first batsman to win in the Southeast Asian score hundreds in both innings Games football final yester- of a first-class match at day, puncturing the hosts’ Headingley. celebrations as they finished The West Indies, set 322 to top of the medals table. win, finished on 322 for five with In a moment that will Hope making 118 not out -- his haunt Haziq, the 19-year-old second hundred of the match punched a corner into his after his first-innings 147. own net on 39 minutes, The 23-year-old Hope had silencing 80,000 fans at the not made a hundred in any of his cavernous Shah Alam previous 11 Test matches. Stadium. Victory gave West Indies It proved the game’s only their first Test match win in Eng- goal and brought a tame end land since 2000 and saw them to another wildly successful level the three-match series at day for Malaysia, who 1-1 after they suffered a reached a record 140 gold SCOREBOARD medals to finish top of the table for the first time since England (I innings): ...... 258 2001. West Indies (I innings): ...... 427 Haziq was the fall guy but England (II innings): ...... 490/8 decl the Thais were well worth West Indies (II innings): their 1-0 half-time lead after K Brathwaite c Stokes b Ali ...... 95 Chenrop Samphaodi had K Powell c Stokes b Broad ...... 23 West Indies’ Shai Hope reacts after winning the second Test match against England on the fifth day at Headingley cricket curled a shot wide and Suriya K Hope (run out) ...... 0 ground in Leeds, northern England, yesterday. S Hope (not out) ...... 118 Singhui saw a strong header R Chase c (sub) b Woakes ...... 30 saved by the goalkeeper. J Blackwood st Bairstow b Ali ...... 41 humiliating innings and 209-run There seemed little danger the last day at Root’s Yorkshire both innings of a Test in England Thailand also had an S Dowrich (not out) ...... 0 defeat inside three days in the of a West Indies win when Eng- home ground. Hope and Kraigg since Gordon Greenidge at Old early penalty shout turned Extras (B-4, LB-9, NB-1, W-1)...... 15 Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 322 first Test at Edgbaston. land captain Joe Root declared Brathwaite (95) shared a stand Trafford in 1976, hit the winning down and just prior to the Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-53, 3-197, 4-246, 5-320. It was also, excluding fixtures his side’s second innings on 490 of 144 after they had put on 246 runs with two off Chris Woakes own goal, Phicha Au-Tra nar- Bowling: J Anderson 24-6-73-0; S Broad 25-4- against Bangladesh and Zimba- for eight late on Monday’s fourth in the first innings, when as the West Indies won with 28 rowly failed to connect with

91-1; M Ali 25-3-76-2 (nb-1); C Woakes 12.2-2-44- bwe, just the West Indies’ fourth day. But after resuming on five Brathwaite made 134. balls to spare. The series con- a cross which trickled across 1 (w-1); B Stokes 5-0-25-0. Test win away from home in 88 without loss, the West Indies Hope, the first West Indies cludes with the third Test at the face. matches spanning 20 years. scored more than 300 runs on batsman to score hundreds in Lord’s starting on September 7. After the break, Worachit Kanitsribumphen was twice denied by last-ditch defend- ing from the Malaysians, SCOREBOARD while Sasalak saw a menac- ing shot go wide. Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 260 Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-61, 3-67, 4-135, 5-143, 6-186, Malaysia were restricted Warner and Lyon put Australia (I innings): ...... 217 7-186, 8-186,9-214, 10-221. Bangladesh (II innings): Bowling: Hazlewood 4.1-2-3-0; Cummins 14-3-38-1 to the odd attempt from dis- T Iqbal c Wade b Cummins...... 78 (w1); Lyon 34.3-10-82-6; Maxwell 5-0-24-0; Agar tance before Danial Amier S Sarkar c Khawaja b Agar ...... 15 20.5-1-55-2; Khawaja 1-0-1-0. fizzed one over on 69 min- T Islam lbw Lyon ...... 4 Australia (II innings): utes and Syazwan Andik went I Kayes c Warner b Lyon ...... 2 D Warner (batting) ...... 75 close with a curling shot 12 Australia back on track M Rahim (run out) ...... 41 M Renshaw lbw Mehedi ...... 5 minutes from time. S Al Hasan c Cummins b Lyon ...... 5 U Khawaja c Taijul b Shakib...... 1 S Rahman c Handscomb b Lyon ...... 22 The men’s football final Dhaka N Hossain c Wade b Agar ...... 0 S Smith (batting) ...... 25 was the last act of a bumper AFP M Hasan c Khawaja b Lyon ...... 26 Extras (B-3) ...... 3 penultimate day, with 60 gold S Islam c Handscomb b Lyon ...... 9 Total (for 2 wkts) ...... 109 medals up for grabs and

avid Warner scored an M Rahman (not out) ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-28. Malaysia taking 29 of them to

Extras (B-15, LB-3, W-1) ...... 19 Bowling: Mehedi 14-2-51-1; Nasir 3-2-2-0; Shakib unbeaten half-century to reach an unbeatable 140 for Dsteady Australia as they Total (all out) ...... 221 8-2-28-1; Taijul 4-0-17-0; Mustafizur 1-0-8-0. the tournament. chased a challenging victory tar- Malaysia have amassed get in the first Test against on 14 off Shakib. Replays suggested the ball more than one-third of the Bangladesh in Dhaka Paceman Pat Cummins said had brushed Tamim’s gloves, 404 gold medals at the mini- yesterday. Warner’s strong showing would ending a fine innings which Olympics, smashing their Warner, who remained inspire the remaining batsmen. included eight fours to follow his previous record of 111 and unbeaten on 75, scored the bulk “He was so focused,” said 71 in the first innings. sealing top spot for the first of the runs as the visitors Cummins. Shakib was next out for five, time in 16 years. advanced to 109-2 at stumps on “He got his 50 rapidly and I hoisting a catch to Cummins at Thailand trailed on 69 the third day, still needing think it just changes the whole extra cover off Lyon. But Mush- golds and Vietnam had 58, another 156 for victory. momentum, but also the mind- fiqur Rahim stayed calm until an meaning the second and Nathan Lyon earlier claimed set for the other batsmen who unfortunate run out for 41 at the third-placed teams totalled 6-82 to dismiss Bangladesh for are to come in.” non-striker’s end. less than Malaysia between a modest 221 in their second Australian cricketer David Warner (right) celebrates with his Earlier, Lyon took full advan- Lyon removed Nasir Hossain them. innings and give Australia a scent captain Steven Smith after scoring a half century during the tage of a spinning track at the (0) and Ashton Agar sent back The biennial SEA Games, of victory. third day of the first Test cricket match at the Sher-e-Bangla Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Sabbir Rahman (22), dragging the now in their 29th edition, Bangladesh looked confident National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, yesterday. to halt Bangladesh’s progress. hosts down further. have a well-worn tradition of when spinner Mehedi Hasan Tamim led the charge with But Tamim was still confi- allowing the hosts to tailor the trapped Matt Renshaw leg- have been stumped off Mehedi Imrul Kayes off Mehedi on three. his 155-ball innings but his dis- dent the hosts could secure sporting programme to suit before for five and Usman and walked. He went on to score 25 not out missal off Cummins for 78 victory. their strengths, meaning they Khawaja hoisted a catch to Tai- But he was called back after and put on an undefeated 81 with triggered a collapse. “The wicket is unpredicta- often finish top. jul Islam at square leg off Shakib replays showed his feet had Warner for the third wicket. The left-hander fell to a short ble, anything can happen. We Some of Malaysia’s results al Hasan in the next over. dragged slightly behind the Warner, who faced 96 balls ball that whistled past him. have to be patient because one have faced scrutiny, includ- Australia, teetering on 28-2, crease as wicketkeeper Mush- and hit 11 fours and a six, also Umpire Aleem Dar turned down wicket has brought two or three ing in boxing, sepak takraw nearly lost another wicket when fiqur Rahim broke the stumps. had his share of luck when he a muted appeal from the bowler in a cluster. We can bowl better and pencak silat, and the skipper Steve Smith appeared to Smith was dropped again by was dropped by Soumya Sarkar but Smith decided to review. than we did today,” he said. #ShameOnYouMalaysia hashtag has been used by critics online. Thailand’s del- egation chief Thana Chaiprasit also took aim at Sri Lanka selectors resign after India debacle: Reports the hosts when he said: “They organise sports they are good at and do not organise sports Colombo home test series against India, Jayasekara. According to the let- similar humiliation in ODIs other countries are good at.” Reuters: who have also taken an unas- ter, their tenure will end on against the neighbours. Since Malaysia last hosted sailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing September 7,” the ministry was Irate fans have staged pro- and topped the SEA Games in ri Lanka’s selection panel, five-match ODI series. quoted as saying. tests over the team’s poor form 2001, their biggest tally has led by former captain The five-member panel will Angelo Mathews stepped and some of them hurled water been 68 gold medals in 2007. SSanath Jayasuriya (pic- stay on only for the next two down as Sri Lanka captain from bottles to hold up play in Sun- Two years ago in Singapore tured), will step down after the ODIs and the sole Twenty20 all formats last month after they day’s ODI against India at they won 62, finishing fourth. current limited overs series against India, ESPNcricinfo succumbed to their first ever Pallekele. The selectors have But Malaysia’s haul of against India following the reported citing a sports minis- ODI series defeat against been accused of lacking vision gold medals isn’t outlandish team’s slump in form, according try statement. Zimbabwe. and making frequent changes to for the SEA Games. In 2007 to reports yesterday. “A combined letter bearing Dinesh Chandimal was put the squad but Jayasuriya has Thailand won 183 out of 477 The pressure on the panel to the names of the above commit- in charge of the test team who blamed it on a spate of injuries on home soil, and in 2011 host resign had intensified after Sri tee has conveyed this decision were whitewashed in the test that have plagued the side over nation Indonesia finished Lanka were beaten 3-0 in the to sports minister Dayasiri series by India and now face a the last 12 months. with 182 out of 554. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST 2017

Halep still can’t solve Sharapova after loss

New York AFP

espite all Simona Halep’s work pre- Dparing for the US Open, the second-ranked Romanian could not pre- vent her worst nightmare from coming true - a Russia’s returns the ball to Romania’s Simona Halep during their 2017 US Open Women’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King first-round loss to Maria National Center in New York on Monday. Sharapova made a triumphant return to Grand Slam competition after a 15-month doping ban, outlasting Sharapova. second-ranked Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The 146th-ranked Russian wildcard improved to 7-0 lifetime US OPEN against Halep with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 triumph Monday MONDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS on the New York hard- Sharapova topples MEN: FIRST ROUND courts, marking Halep’s 30th Grand Slam appear- Sam Querrey (USA x17) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 ance without a title. John Isner (USA x10) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 “I’m sad, of course, Jordan Thompson (AUS) bt Jack Sock (USA x13) 6-2, 7-6 (14/12), 1-6, 5-7, 6-4 losing this match, but I Gilles Muller (LUX x19) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 think I give everything I Halep in Slam return Alexsander Zverev (GER x4) bt Darian King (BAR) 7-6 (11/9), 7-5, 6-4 had,” Halep said. “She Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x8) bt Marius Copil (ROM) 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 was better. She was serv- Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) bt David Ferrer (ESP x21) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 New York ing better. My serve was snubbed Sharapova for a wildcard Marin Cilic (CRO x5) bt Tennys Sandgren (USA) 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 very bad today.” AFP entry and she missed Wimbledon with WOMEN: FIRST ROUND Halep arrived at the a thigh injury. US Open off a humbling ormer world number one This girl has a lot of grit. Asked about her low points, (DEN x5) bt Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROM) 6-1, 7-5 6-1, 6-0 loss to Garbine Maria Sharapova made a tri- And she’s not going Sharapova, said, “There were defi- Carla Suárez (ESP) bt Ipek Soylu (TUR) 6-4, 6-2 Muguruza at the Cincin- umphant return to Grand anywhere. nitely a few but I don’t think this is Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO x29) bt M. Puig (PUR) 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4) nati final two weeks ago, Slam competition on Mon- I just thought this was the time to talk about that.” (GRE) bt Kiki Bertens (NED x24) 6-3, 6-4 her third loss in as many day after a 15-month doping Sharapova walked onto the court (USA x9) bt Viktória Kuzmová (SVK) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 months with a chance to Fban, outlasting second-ranked another day, another at Arthur Ashe Stadium to rousing Petra Kvitova (CZE x13) bt Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 7-5, 7-5 take the world number Simona Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the US opportunity, another applause. She wore a black dress, Caroline Garcia (FRA x18) bt Tereza Martincova (CZE) 6-0, 6-1 one ranking for the first Open. match but this was so visor, socks and shoes, the same style Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) bt Misa Eguchi (JPN) 6-2, 6-2 time in her career. The 30-year-old Russian, who much more: Sharapova she sported in taking the trophy nine Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x3) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-0, 6-3 She also stumbled on had only one hardcourt tuneup match years ago on the New York Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) bt Johanna Konta (GBR x7) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 the verge of the top spot due to a nagging forearm injury, swat- hardcourts. by losing the French ted 60 winners with 64 unforced Halep hit a backhand long to hand Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x11) bt Jana Cepelová (SVK) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 Open final and a Wimble- errors, setting the tempo and baffling Sharapova a break and 2-0 lead in Sofia Kenin (USA) bt Lauren Davis (USA x32) 7-5, 7-5 don semi-final, both after Halep at times in a tension-packed the last set and the Russian held to Maria Sharapova (RUS) bt Simona Halep (ROM x2) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 taking the first set. thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium. After the final point, Sharapova the finish, escaping a break point in And then of all the “This girl has a lot of grit,” Shara- dropped to her knees in tears as a the final game when Halep netted a people she could have pova said of herself. “And she’s not replay appeal showed what she . faced in the US Open draw, going anywhere.” already knew. A Sharapova backhand winner set Halep was handed a five- Sharapova, who tested positive She later battled back tears as she up match point and brought huge time Grand Slam for meldonium at last year’s Austral- blew kisses to spectators, sobbed at applause but a thunderous ovation champion and former ian Open, improved to 7-0 in her times and mouthed “Thank you” to came when Halep hit a forehand long world number one in her all-time rivalry with Halep, extend- fans that were devoted throughout to end it, boosting Sharapova to 18-0 first Grand Slam match ing her mastery over the 25-year-old the two hour and 45 minute drama. in night matches at Ashe. since a 15-month doping Romanian. Sharapova, whose major titles Reigning Wimbledon champion ban - a motivated foe with “I just thought this was another include the 2006 US Open, advanced Garbine Muguruza advanced and Brit- a total mastery over her. day, another opportunity, another to a second-round matchup against ish seventh seed Johanna Konta was “It’s the luck. It was a match but this was so much more,” Hungarian Timea Babos, whom she ousted in other women’s matches. tough one for first round, Sharapova said. has never played. Spanish third seed Muguruza Bernard Tomic of Australia reacts during for sure. But still I think I “You sometimes wonder why you Sharapova won only 5 of 22 break defeated American Varvara Lep- his 2017 US Open first round Men’s Singles played OK. She played put in all the work and this is exactly points in the match while Halep won chenko 6-0, 6-3. Muguruza can reach match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg really well. It was a good why.” 4 of 10 and produced only 15 winners the US Open third round for the first on Monday. Tomic lost 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. match. It was good for the An emotional Sharapova punctu- against 14 unforced errors. time today by defeating China’s Duan fans.” ated her shotmaking, at times erratic It was Sharapova’s first Grand Ying-Ying. “I gave everything I and other moments spectacular, with Slam match since a quarter-final loss Serbia’s 78th-ranked Aleksandra had. Today she was screams and fist pumps. She was to in last year’s Aus- Krunic upset Australian-born Konta Tomic admits he’s stronger. I have just to go energetic even at rest, closing her eyes tralian Open. 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, removing the only other and work harder.” and bouncing her legs as she sat Sharapova, ranked 146th, top-10 player from Sharapova’s draw between sets. returned in April but the quarter. ‘not the smartest’ after Monday’s flop Venus leads American challenge at US Open New York Reuters

New York While Serena Williams has given home ustralian Bernard Tomic admitted he is “not Reuters fans plenty of reasons to celebrate over the the smartest person in the world” after exit- years, it has been 14 years since they had a Aing the US Open in the first round on erena Williams is absent from this men’s champion -- Andy Roddick taking Monday with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Gilles year’s US Open as she prepares to have the title in 2003. Muller that could send him tumbling out of the Sher first child but if there is to be an In fact, since 2008, the furthest any top 150. American champion at Flushing Meadows home man has been was in 2011 when Rod- Tomic was returning to tournament play for again it is still likely to be a Williams. dick and John Isner made it to the the first time since his first round loss at Wimble- With the American men experiencing quarters. don in July, after which he said he was bored with their longest US Open title drought in the The absence of many big names, includ- tennis and had played at 50 percent for much of Open era, Venus Williams led the Ameri- ing Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan his career. can charge into round two on Monday with Wawrinka, has left the draw wide open this The 24-year-old started brightly by taking the a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win over Viktoria Kuzmova year, however, and Isner and Sam Querrey first set off the 19th seed on Monday but his lack of Slovakia. both impressed on day one. of match fitness told as, despite frequent treat- The 37-year-old, who last won the title Isner, the 10th seed, took care of busi- ment from the trainer, he lost the next three to in New York in 2002, is high on confidence ness with a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over bow out at the first hurdle in a third straight grand after reaching two grand slam finals in 2017, ’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert, revelling slam. in Australia and at Wimbledon. in the cooler than usual conditions at Flush- Having already plummeted from 39 to 146 in “I feel like my game always rises a lot ing Meadows. the rankings since Wimbledon, Tomic now faces in the bigger events,” Williams told a news With his big serve clicking and a new- the very real prospect of being forced to request conference. “That’s what I feel like, like I’ll found aggression on returns, Isner won titles a from Tennis Australia for his home be ready to play when push comes to shove.” in Newport and Atlanta this summer, but grand slam in Melbourne in January. continued her impres- when it comes to his hopes and expecta- In typically candid comments afterwards, sive return from a long-term absence with tions, “nothing has changed”. Tomic said he had his motivation back after his injury, beating Italy’s Roberta Vinci, the run- Querrey cruised into the second round break but still felt “trapped” in the sport he has ner-up two years ago, 7-5, 6-1. with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over French- played fulltime since he was a child, given his lack “Before I got injured, I was playing some man Gilles Simon. Having reached the of other options to fund his lifestyle. really good tennis,” the American said. “I semi-finals at Wimbledon, Querrey has been “I mean, it’s tough. Everyone has their own think I knew it was going to take time, but tipped as a potential dark horse for the title. work, their own job and it’s not like I can go and Venus Williams of the USA serves I eventually wanted to get back to where I Jared Donaldson and Steve Johnson also start real estate or something, restaurants. I’ve got to Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia in was. won through but 13th seed Jack Sock was no idea about that,” he told the Australian Asso- Ashe Stadium during their US Open “I didn’t think it would happen in the not so fortunate, going down 6-2, 7-6(12), ciated Press. match at the USTA Billie Jean King third tournament. It’s better than I could 1-6, 5-7, 6-4 to Australian Jordan “Yes, I can afford to do those things, but I’ve National Tennis Center on Monday. have hoped for.” Thompson. got no idea. My job’s only to play tennis and it’s Williams won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. all I know. I’m not going to finish a doctor’s degree. I’m not the smartest person in the world.” WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 23

ayayayayayayayTamim Al Majd Summer Shooting Championship at Losail

Youngsters who took part in the Tamim Al Majd Summer Shooting Championship at Losail Shooting Range in Losail pose for a picture with officials of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association on Monday.

Fight for places Iran aim to maintain unbeaten streak as Germany eye Tehran lost 1-0 in Tehran, a fourth suc- Agencies Heat is on Koreans cessive defeat at the hands of 2018 World Iran has already Queiroz, when the Taeguk War- he head coach of Iran’s having secured their riors were also unhappy with the Cup place national football team place as Group A state of their training pitch and Berlin Carlos Queiroz said winners and only the at their base being located too AFP the country plans to runner-up sure to join far away from the stadium. maintain its unbeaten And the row is just the latest them in Russia, the Tstreak against South Korea. in a long history of ugly spats oachim Loew has told his heat is all on the “South Korea are one of between the two nations. Germany stars they face Asia’s most powerful teams. It Koreans. Four years ago the then J“the toughest” fight for will be a good opportunity for us Korea coach Choi Kang-Hee places at next year’s World to learn and to continue our atmosphere on Monday by complained of substandard Cup with his defending cham- progress,” Queiroz was quoted claiming that the training pitch Tehran training facilities and pions hoping to secure their as saying by Tehran Times on in Incheon, 27 kilometres west declared he would enjoy elimi- ticket to Russia this Sunday, reported Xinhua news of Seoul, was not up to the stand- nating Iran from the 2014 World weekend. agency. ard of a nation that hosted the Cup in the return match in Seoul. The Germany squad gath- Iran, having already booked World Cup with Japan in 2002. Queiroz demanded an apol- ered on Tuesday to prepare their berth in the 2018 World “The quality of the grass is ogy saying Choi had “humiliated to face the Czech Republic in Cup finals in Russia, will face Iran’s Ashkan Dejgah (right) tackles South Korea’s Ki Sung- not good,” Queiroz said accord- the Iranian citizens.” Prague on Friday before host- South Korea at the Seoul World yueng during the 2018 World Cup qualifying football match ing to the Korean media. Instead of apologising, Choi ing four days later in Cup Stadium on Thursday in an at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran in the 2016 file picture. “It is not what you expect predicted that Queiroz would Stuttgart in qualifiers for Rus- Asian zone qualifier before play- from a country that has hosted watch the World Cup on sia 2018. ing Syria at Tehran’s Azadi the World Cup,” added the television. When Iran won 1-0 With six wins out of six so Stadium on September 5. South Korea and we will display Asia zone qualifier. With the vis- former Real Madrid coach. in Seoul to qualify, Queiroz was far in Group C, the 2014 world Queiroz’s side have had the our best performance. Team itors already having secured South Korea head coach Shin accused of making rude gestures champions can book their upper hand against the Taeguk Melli have already qualified for their place as Group A winners Tae-Yong said he would not get towards the opposition dugout passage to next year’s finals Warriors lately, winning their the 2018 World Cup but we are and only the runner-up sure to involved in pre-match mind and the Iranian players were with three points in Prague, last meeting 1-0 in the Asian going to defeat South Korea join them in Russia, the heat is games but retorted: “People pelted with water bottles by the providing group rivals North- zone qualifications. because I believe that the best all on the Koreans who could know how we were treated home crowd. ern Ireland fail to win both of “I’ve never lost a game to way for learning is victory,” he face a potential winner-takes- when we visited Iran last year. Prior to that, in 2009, Iranian their outings against San South Korea yet and we are added. Iran have sparked a war all clash in their final match “I don’t want to engage in his captain Javad Nekounam had Marino and the Czechs. going to keep our unbeaten of words in South Korea after against third-placed Uzbekistan psychological game. I think predicted that the Azadi Stadium For the Germans, compe- record against them. We will do complaining about the state of in Tashkent next week. they’re getting good treatment in Tehran would be “like hell for tition for places at Russia our best in this match,” he said. their training pitch ahead of Meanwhile Queiroz ramped here.” the Koreans” ahead of a World 2018 starts now with Loew “Iran will not defend against Thursday’s crucial World Cup up the pressure-cooker Last October, South Korea Cup 2010 qualifier. saying he has 35 to 40 play- ers in contention which will be whittled down to 23 places in his World Cup squad. “I expect that there will be the toughest competition we Reds agree record have ever had,” said Loew, who has called up 17 mem- bers of the squad which won the Confederations Cup in July and only seven world deal to sign Keita champions. “For as long as I have been here, the competition London summer, when I will become part of a has never been so great,” AFP project that excites me greatly,” Keita added Loew who became told the Liverpool website. head coach in 2006. uinea international midfielder “My commitment to RBL remains “Potential or talent or Naby Keita will join Premier absolute for the remainder of my time performances up until now GLeague giants Liverpool next at the club. I have given my all every are no guarantees of a free year after the English outfit agreed a time I have worn the shirt -- that will ride. reported club record deal of £48m with be the case until the final whistle, in “Therefore the estab- German side RB Leipzig. my final appearance. lished players all know: they Liverpool will also reportedly pay “Having my future resolved means have to always go to their an undisclosed premium for the I can now focus on helping RBL achieve limits to remain in the team,” 22-year-old, who scored eight goals great things this season. Until I join my he added as a warning. Scotland players during a training session ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifying in 31 league appearances last term to new club, next summer, I will remain The Germans unearthed help Leipzig finish runners-up in the an interested supporter from a match at Bishopton, Britain on Monday. the next crop of stars when title race. distance.” Loew took essentially a ‘B’ “Liverpool Football Club can con- Liverpool’s previous transfer squad to the Confed Cup, firm they have reached an agreement record was the £35m they paid New- Strachan ready for Scots’ which beat Chile in the final, with RB Leipzig for the future transfer castle United to sign Andy Carroll in after he rested all bar three of of Naby Keita,” read the Liverpool January 2011. his 2014 World Cup statement. An athletic box-to-box midfielder, winners. “The Reds have agreed a deal with Keita has been a longstanding target pitch battle in qualifier RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner the German club and the midfielder for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. could usurp Mario Gomez as that will see the 22-year-old move to He began his career with Horoya Loew’s first-choice striker Anfield on July 1, 2018 following the in his home city of Conakry and spent London to play their first ever full But Scotland manager while Mesut Ozil is under conclusion of the current season.” a season at French second-tier side AFP international clash on an Strachan knows from expe- pressure from Julian Draxler Keita, who will be a pivotal figure Istres before joining Red Bull Salzburg artificial surface when the rience that an astro turf for the attacking midfielder in Leipzig’s maiden Champions League in 2014. ordon Strachan has face Lithuania at the LFF pitch can behave in a differ- berth. Both key defender Jer- campaign this term, said his present Salzburg sold him to RB Leipzig, demanded Scotland Arena in Vilnius on Friday. ent manner depending on ome Boateng and goalkeeper club remained his immediate priority their German sister club, in June last Gget to train on Lithua- Modern plastic pitches how much moisture is captain Manuel Neuer are but he was delighted to be joining such year. Klopp has signed Egyptian winger nia’s plastic pitch in the are generally more reliable applied. He was in charge of missing as they return from a historic club. Mohamed Salah, Scottish left-back exact condition it will be than the widely disparaged Celtic in 2007 when they injury. “I am delighted that an agreement Andy Robertson and English striker during their crucial World models first used in the took on Spartak Moscow in “I believe that two weeks has been reached which will allow me Dominic Solanke during the current Cup qualifier. 1980s by the likes of QPR a Champions League without playing will do him to join Liverpool Football Club next transfer window. Strachan’s side are due and Luton. qualifier. good,” said Loew.