SPORT

Thursday 6 July 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Cavendish praises Raja wants Test MurrayM storms ahead, jury's courage for 'window' to rescue Azarenka sails kicking Sagan out longest format at Wimbledon Messi with Barcelona until 2021

Barcelona No financial details of Mes- The deal announcement is includes Brazil's Neymar and With 507 goals scored in 583 Messi and Barca AFP si's new contact were disclosed, likely to reassure fans and Uruguay's Luis Suarez. Both have official matches, Messi is the but Spain's Marca sports daily members of FC Barcelona, also renewed their contracts club's all-time leading scorer and Messi joined FC ionel Messi has agreed reported on Tuesday that the which has had a disappointing until 2021. is widely considered the world's Barcelona in 2000 to stay at FC Barcelona deal iincludedncluded a €300m (($340m)$340m) seasonseeason by ththee club'sclub's own highhiggh bestbest pplayerlayer along with Portugal when he was just 13 until 2021 in a deal that terminationmination clause.clause. ststandards.tandards. captaincaptp ain CCristiano Ronaldo, his years old in the youth all but commits the star UnderUnder his current contract, TheThe clubcllubb waswas eliminatedeliminateed RealReeala MadridM rival. training centre. striker to playing out due too run out in June 2018, Messi fromfrrom thethee ChampionsChamppionsn LeagueLeeaggue in "He's" the best player Lthe rest of his top-flight career earnss around €20m a year in salsal-- thethhe quarterquuaarter finalsfiinnalls byby Juventus,Juveenttuus, I'veI've ever seen on the The contract at the Spanish giants. ary, aaccordingccording to Spanish mediamedia andand camecaamme secondseccono d behindbeehih ndd arch-arch- pitch,"pitct said Ernesto Val- The megastar who joined - andd tthishis didn'tdidn't includeinclude millionsmillions rivalsriivalss RRealeaal MMaMadridadrdridid iinn La LLiga,iigga, verde,vveerrd Barcelona's new extension is likely to Barcelona as a teenager 17 years of eurosros in revenues earneearnedd ffromrom thoughthouggh BarcaBara ca diddidid winwini thethee CopaCooppa coach,cooaacch of Messi. reassure fans and ago will remain at the club until ads and pperformance-linkederformance-linked deldel Rey.RReey.. NowNNoow 30, Messi could have members of FC he is 34 under the new deal, the bonuses.uses. Messi'sMMessssi'i s cocontractntn rraactt eextensionxtxtenensionn beenbeene temptedtemmp by other horizons Barcelona, which has Catalan club announced yester- MessiMessi jjoinedoined FC Barcelona in coconsolidatesonsooliddattese thethhee much-mucuch- - havinghah vingn beenb courted by clubs had a disappointing day, ending months of 20000 when he was just 13 years fefearedeareed ""MSN"MMSSN"N sstrikingttrrikikiinng likeliikek PPSGSG aandn Manchester City -- season by the club's speculation about the future of old in the youth training trtriorio wwhichhich aalsollso particularlypapartici ularr as he was found own high standards. the five-time Ballon d'Or centre.re. guiltyguili tty lastlaasst year of tax fraud in winner. "HeHe mademade hishis firstfirst teamteam Spain.SpS aainn. With 507 goals scored in "The deal will be signed in debutut at just 16 years of age in ButB he has lived in 583 official matches, the coming weeks, when Messi a friendlyendly against FC CataloniaCaCatta since his early Messi is the club's all-time returns to the team for pre-sea- Porto,o, bbeforeefore teens,tete and currently leading scorer and is son training," the club said in a residesrre in Barcelona widely considered the statement, as the 30-year-old withw his now-wife enjoyed his honeymoon just days AntonellaA Roccuzzo, world's best player along after he wed his childhood their son Thiago, with Portugal's Cristiano sweetheart in Argentina. four, and Mateo, Ronaldo. Messi has hinted in the past one -- both of The deal consolidates that he would like to return in Barcelona star whom were born in the future to Argentina to play makinging his debut the follow- Spain. the much-feared "MSN" Lionel Messi for his very first club, CA New- ing seasoneason against Espanyol at And Messi him- striking trio which also ell's Old Boys in his hometown 17," the club said in a self said in May that includes Brazil's of Rosario, where he wed last statement.ement. his aim as a foot- Neymar and Uruguay's week. But he has also said that "ShortlyShortly after, he scored his baller was to "try and Luis Suarez who have his priority is to win more hon- first sseniorenior goal with a clever lob winw the most titles also renewed their ours with Barca, the club he has againstnst AlbaceteAlbacete at thethe CampCamp popossible" with FC contracts until 2021. called his home since he was 13. Nou."" Barcelona.Barcel Barca star Pique hungry for more Champions League titles

Armstrong Vas Barcelona's Gerard Pique (centre) shows off his skills during an interaction The Peninsula with fans while his team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba look on at Mall of Qatar yesterday. Picture: Baher Amin / The Peninsula panish international Gerard Pique has assured disap- Spointed Barcelona fans they would have a lot to cheer about next season as he has set eyes firmly on clinching the Champi- ons League title. Pique, who has won three Champions League titles with the Spanish club, yesterday said a fourth European club title for him Ebraz (left) extending the lead during the Coup du Sud- was due with the Catalan giants Ouest des pur-sang Arabes (Gr2 PA) at La Teste-de- who crashed out at the quarter- Buch, in France on Tuesday. final stage last season. Speaking to fans at Mall of Qatar, the 30-year old said: “I know Barca is one of the best Ebraz rides to teams in the world. I want to win the Champions League title next season for the club. I will work really hard to win the title,” said glory in France the midfielder in response to a “We will see in the future Asked as to what he does who were waiting patiently for question. when I finish my playing career. with the piece of the football net, three hours to come close to their The Spaniard, part of 2010 There is a still a lot of time for me which he often picks ups as a favourite stars and pick some braz, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani World Cup wining team and 2012 to do that,” said Pique, who has souvenir after a memorable win. memorabilia on the way. imposed himself in the Coup du Sud-Ouest des pur- European Championship, was enrolled at the Harvard Business “I give it as a souvenir for my The organisers also gave Esang Arabes (Gr2 PA) at La Teste-de-Buch, on taking questions from the organ- School, where he is studying friends and fans,” said Pique, who away around 30 footballs signed Tuesday. izers of the event during the fans toward his MBA specialising in has two children with singing by the stars. The colt, at the beginning, was kept up in the middle of meet at Mall of Qatar. Business, Media, Sports and celebrity Shakira. Alba, who accompanied the field, while Thabid and Al Mouwaffak were leading the Qatar will host the FIFA Entertainment. He has since become a per- Pique to Qatar, was a member race at a fast pace. World Cup in 2022. Pique's classmates include manent feature of Spain of the Spanish team that won the In the home straight, Ebraz has shown a nice turn of foot Pique along with his two the actress Katie Holmes and defence, playing every minute FIFA 2014 World Cup and 2012 and took quite easily the advantage at 100m from the post. other Barcelona and Spain team- NBA player CJ McCollum. of the country’s first ever World Euro Championship. He has It is a first success in France for this champion who won in mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Considered one of the best Cup win in 2010, and also play- been a regular feature at Barce- an impressive style HH The Emir's Sword in Doha. Alba interacted with fans during centre-backs in the world, Pique ing a key role in the conquest lona games and is reported to be Ebraz's trainer, Julian Smart said : “He won nicely and their one-hour stay by signing brings together character, class of the 2012 European on the shopping list of Manches- we are satisfied. The horse will run in Goodwood, the first jerseys of Barcelona and Spain and strength in the air at centre Championship. ter United manager Jose leg of the Doha Triple Crown. It is not an easy challenge besides putting their autographs of the defence, something that Pique returned to Barcelona, Mourinho. because he is not a miler. Today the race was selective and on footballs. has made him a key figure in the the club where he started out as Alba has so far represented the style of his success shows that he could produce a good Asked as to whether he har- Barça and Spanish team. a youngster, in the summer of Spain in 54 matches besides performance in England. After Goodwood he will go to Chan- bours any ambition of becoming The ex-Old Trafford young- 2008 after three seasons with appearing at one World Cup and tilly for the Qatar Arabian World Cup." the president of Barcelona, ster has revealed he will retire Manchester United and one on two European Championships. A "The French race could fit him because he has a lot of Pique did not rule out the job from international football with loan with Real Zaragoza. utility player, with great speed, class and stamina. He is a bit immature even if he is a 4 years but said the time is not right for Spain after the 2018 World Cup Busquets and Alba did not he plays in the left-back position old. For Chantilly, Cristian Demuro could ride him. He has him to make the move to the – freeing up more of his time to speak at the gathering and it was but can also operate as a left a lot of experience on that course.” hot seat. study. only Pique who spoke to the fans, winger. SPORT THURSDAY 6 JULY 2017 21 San Diego Aru signals Tour ambitions overpower Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio as Froome takes yellow AP ory Spangenberg drove in the only run with a Cgroundout, and six San Plancher-les-Mines, France back in yellow but having said Diego pitchers combined on AFP that the race is far from over," a five-hitter as the Padres warned Froome. edged the Cleveland Indians abio Aru emulated "(Aru) showed already in 1-0 on Tuesday despite a compatriot Vin- the (Criterium du) Dauphine record-setting outing by All- cenzo Nibali in he was in great form, today Star Corey Kluber. winning the fifth he just confirmed that. Cleveland manager Terry stage of the Tour de "Fabio's going to have to Francona missed the game FFrance yesterday as reigning be one of the guys we keep an after he was admitted to the champion Chris Froome took eye on in the next couple of Cleveland Clinic for tests. over the race lead. weeks." Francona was hospitalized Italian Aru won the Vuelta, this completed a Last year's runner up, twice last month after feeling 160.5km stage that finished on stage sweep for Romain Bardet came home lightheaded and having a the La Planche des Belles Aru. fifth at 24sec behind Aru, to rapid heart rate. He was fitted Filles climb, where Nibali won "First of all I'm going to now sit seventh overall at with a heart monitor last week three years ago before going enjoy this moment because I 47sec. and said at the time doctors on to claim Tour victory. had a great spring and won Thomas, who started the had ruled out any serious Froome came home third the Italian title but before that day 12 seconds clear, dropped health issues. behind Ireland's I had a tough time," said Aru, to second at 12sec behind his Team President Chris in second, and took over the who had to pull out of May's team leader. Astana rider Antonetti said Francona did yellow jersey from Sky team- Giro due to injury. But at the end of the first Fabio Aru of not experience the previous mate Geraint Thomas. "It's a difficult race and the mountain summit finish of Italy looks symptoms again, and the tests Aru launced his attack opposition is very tough. I'd this year's race, the overall back as he were being done to help deter- with 2.4km left and finished prefer to take it day by day standings took on a familiar wins the mine what's causing the issue. 16 seconds clear of Martin. because I didn't expect to look as the overall contend- 160.5-km Kluber (7-3) struck out 10 With a 10-second time bonus compete at the Tour. ers flexed their muscles for Stage 5 during in eight innings — setting a on the line, he moved up to "My goal was the Giro but the first time. the 104th franchise mark with five con- third overall, at just 14 sec- unfortunately I was injured." The top 10 are now sepa- secutive double-digit strikeout onds behind Froome. Briton Froome came rated by one minute with all games. But the 2014 AL Cy cycling race But more importantly, the home 20 seconds behind the the big guns in there, includ- Young Award winner received in La Planche 2015 Vuelta a Espana winner winner, with Australia's Richie ing two-time former winner little help from his offense or made a statement that he is a Porte just behind him, but , now eighth des Belles defence. genuine challenger to end Colombian at 52sec. Filles, France Jose Torres (5-2) got two Froome's Tour reign. struggled and lost 14 seconds Porte moved up to fifth at yesterday. outs for the win. Brandon Having previously won to Froome. 39sec, with Quintana ninth at Mauer pitched the ninth for his stages at the Giro d'Italia and "It's amazing for me to be 54sec. 17th save. In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and struck out 11 to become the first 13-game winner in the TOUR DE FRANCE majors this season, helping first-placed Los Angeles beat Cavendish praises jury's courage Arizona in a match-up of the S TAGE 5 RESULTS National League's top two (TOP 10) teams. 1. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 3:44:06" 2. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) +16" for kicking Sagan out of the race BASEBALL RESULTS 3. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) +20" LA Dodgers 4 Arizona 3 4. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) Cincinnati 8 Colorado 1 5. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R) +24" Vittel, France Boston 11 Texas 4 6. (Britain / Orica) +26" Reuters Houston 16 Atlanta 4 7. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale) San Diego 1 Cleveland 0 ark Cavendish praised 8. Alberto Contador (Spain / Trek) Kansas City 7 Seattle 3 the Tour de France 9. Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) +34" Milwaukee 6 Baltimore 2 Mjury's "courage" after Oakland 7 Chicago White Sox 6 10. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) +40" it kicked world champion Peter Pittsburgh 3 Philadelphia 0 11. Louis Meintjes (South Africa / UAE Team Emirates) Sagan out of the race for send- Tampa Bay 6 Chicago Cubs 5 12. Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) ing the Briton crashing to the Miami 5 St. Louis 2 13. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / BMC Racing) +1:05" ground in a chaotic sprint Minnesota 5 LA Angels 4 14. George Bennett (New Zealand / LottoNL) +1:07" finale on Tuesday. Detroit 5 San Francisco 3

15. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) Sagan appeared to elbow Toronto 4 NY Yankees 1 Washington 11 NY Mets 4 Cavendish off balance at the CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5 end of the fourth stage, and the Dimension Data rider sus- (TOP 15) tained a broken shoulder blade 1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 18:38:59" in the crash that occurred at 2. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) +12" more than 60 kph. Celtics sign 3. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) +14" "It takes a lot of courage, a 4. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) +25" lot of balls, to eliminate the 5. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) +39" world champion from the Tour Utah Jazz Great Britain's Mark Cavendish (left) falls near the finish line at the end of the fourth stage 6. Simon Yates (Britain / Orica) +43" de France," Cavendish, who was hoping to add to his 30 of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race on Tuesday between Mondorf- 7. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R) +47" les-Bains and Vittel. Tour de France jury yesterday kicked world champion Peter Sagan all-star 8. Alberto Contador (Spain / Trek) +52" Tour stage wins, told reporters before the start of yesterday's out of the race for sending the Briton crashing to the ground. 9. Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) +54" fifth stage. Boston 10. Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) +1:01" Sagan's fate, however, was thought I'm going to bleed to I can fit through," he explained. intentional, it does not look QNA 10. Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) +1:01" not Cavendish's main concern death here," he said. Sagan has apologised to great," he said. 11. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale) on Tuesday. Cavendish dismissed sug- Cavendish, who said he appre- "It was an honourable tah Jazz free agent 12. Pierre Latour (France / AG2R) +1:07" "My initial worry was my gestions that he was forcing his ciated the gesture. thing to see Peter here at the Gordon Hayward will 13. Louis Meintjes (South Africa / UAE Team Emirates) +1:24" finger. Like it was bleeding. It way between Sagan and the "It was the elbow which I bus, already come to apologise. Usign a four-year deal 14. Emanuel Buchmann (Germany / BORA) +1:29" was like an Eli Roth (horror) safety barrier when Sagan said I was confused about. I It shows the man he is, and I worth $128m maximum con- 15. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Astana) +1:33" movie. There was just a pud- flicked his elbow out. spoke to Peter about that. appreciate that more than tract with the Boston dle of blood on the floor. I "I know what kind of gaps Whether or not it was anything." Celtics. Hayward visited the Miami Heat and Boston and met with the Jazz before finalizing an agreement with the Celtics. Hayward was an French court seeks prison term for 'doping doctor' all-star this past season, aver- aging 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per Caen, France worked in cycling and horse claimed that €70,000 had been throwing the sport into nothing or you are very clever," game. AFP racing circles, is accused of deposited in the account of turmoil. said Christophe Subts, president He spent his first seven inciting amateur riders to cheat Sainz's former wife. "I have this diabolical car- of the court in the Normandy NBA seasons with the Jazz, French court on Tuesday with drugs. Sainz was convicted on icature of godfather, but what town of Caen. elevating the franchise to a demanded a six-month Deputy prosecutor Jose- charges of incitement to dop- is concrete? Nothing," insisted Sainz -- known as 'Dr Western Conference con- A prison term and phine Lecardeur said eight ing and illegally practicing Sainz, who himself has no bank Mabuse' after the 1922 film tender in 2016-17. He will join €20,000 ($22,600) fine for witnesses had implicated Sainz medicine during and after the account. depicting a fake doctor -- was forces with All-star point former cycling medical advisor as being the kingpin in a dop- 1998 Festina affair at the Tour Sainz has denied the charges, sentenced to two years in prison guard Isiah Thomas and all- Bernard Sainz, alias Dr Mabuse, ing network. de France during which police arguing that he was providing in 2014, with 20 months sus- star power forward Al for incitement to doping. "It's a very remunerative found a stash of performance- only homeopathic therapy. pended, for inciting doping and Horford in the hope of The 73-year-old Sainz, who activity," said Lecardeur, who enhancing drugs in a team car, "Either you have done illegally working as a doctor. mounting an assault on a championship next season. 22 SPORT THURSDAY 6 JULY 2017 Broad allays injury fears Raja wants Test 'window' ahead of SA opener

London We are training this (Tuesday) to rescue longest format Reuters afternoon and tomorrow and I am really confident. ngland paceman Stuart "I've been playing county London Broad is confident he has cricket since early April so I've AFP E recovered from a heel had quite a lot of red-ball injury and is fit enough to play cricket, so I am not concerned ormer Pakistan bats- in the opening Test against about the workload and it was man Ramiz Raja South Africa at Lord's starting great to have the intensity of the (pictured below) has today, in what will be Joe Root's Lord's final to put the body to urged the International coronation as captain. the test." Cricket Council to set Broad left the field when Root will end his long wait Faside a two-month window the problem flared up on his left to lead the side out on Thurs- solely for Test matches in a bid heel after bowling just one over day, nearly four months after to preserve the longest form of for his county Nottinghamshire he was appointed England's test the game. against Leicestershire last skipper and replaced his long- While crowds for Tests in month, putting his participation serving predecessor Alastair countries such as England in the first Test in doubt. Cook. remain strong, Raja, a member The 31-year-old spent two "Joe is an attacking crick- of the influential MCC world weeks on the sidelines before eter and aggressive when he cricket committee, fears inter- returning to play in his coun- plays, so I think the team will est in Asia is "dwindling" thanks ty's Royal London One-Day Cup take that sort of shape," Broad partly to the rise of lucrative final win over Surrey at the said. domestic Twenty20 competi- weekend. "I don't think he has cap- tions such as the Indian Premier He failed to take a wicket tained me in a tour game or League. but sent down nine overs in a anything, so I am excited for "I feel that the ICC has a boost for England, who are him and I am sure he is looking Mike Brearley (left) and Ramiz Raja during the MCC World Cricket Committee press conference decent plan in the shape of the without injured pace duo Chris forward to getting going. World Test Championship," said in London on Tuesday. Woakes and Jake Ball for the "He was announced what Raja after a committee meeting opening test of the four-match seems a long time ago and now at Lord's yesterday. are going to have a Test series at the A-grade contract from the over half the matches that got series. he gets his opportunity to put "There should be a window all." BCCI, Shahid Afridi retired from results last year got results in the "I got through the Lord's things into place, and what a for that and everything else Raja said national governing Test cricket yet got the A-grade fifth day, that we didn't want final here on Saturday without series to be able to do that. should stop for a period of two bodies such as the Board of Con- contract from PCB. Test cricket to become more any problems and I actually "South Africa have a really months so the best players are trol for Cricket in India and the "It is under a lot of stress in boring. So from a cricket point bowled on the Wednesday and good record in England and are available to play Test cricket." Pakistan Cricket Board had to Asia but if we have a properly of view, we believe they should Friday before that with no pain a very dangerous team... I think He added: "It's got to get bet- play their part as well. planned Test match champion- stay five days." as well," Broad told Sky Sports. it will be an exciting series to ter. In Asia, for example, because "You have to acknowledge ship, that's the way out of this, The committee also urged "It's pulled up really well. watch." of poor Test match scheduling, and respect the status of Test otherwise we will be struggling the ICC to move quickly to try the interest is dwindling. match cricket and it has to come to put aside as much money as to get cricket included for the "When you go back home from the cricket boards, in Asia is available for the T20 leagues," 2024 Olympics, which will be you are never sure if you are specifically. Raja insisted. staged in either Los Angeles or going to have a one-Test series, "For example, MS Dhoni Meanwhile, the committee, Paris. a two-Test series or whether you retired from Test cricket yet got whose members also include "It is crucial to have cricket such illustrious names as Ricky in the Olympics because the Ponting, Brendon McCullum, game will be introduced to many Sourav Ganguly and Kumar San- new parts of the world," said gakkara, has come down against Raja. reducing Tests from five days to "But for that to happen we There should be a window and four days after it was suggested have to present a unified front everything else should stop for a period a shorter game might be more from cricket that we want to be of two months so the best players are fan-friendly. included in the Games. "Last time we met, the com- "Los Angeles would be per- available to play Test cricket, says mittee was split, with some fect – I played cricket there and former Pakistan captain believing we should trial four- you'd get massive crowds." England's Stuart day Test matches," said outgoing Brearley added it also be a Broad during chairman Mike Brearley, the huge boost to cricket in China as nets, yesterday former England captain. the Chinese government would at Lord's In "This time, most of us inject huge funds if they had an London. thought, looking at the fact that Olympic team.

Formula One teams Vettel, Hamilton to face off again

Spielberg stop-and-go penalty, finished up with Lagardere Reuters fourth and one place ahead of his rival. ebastian Vettel celebrated Austria, the birthplace of agency in China push his 30th birthday on Mon- Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff Sday but it can be safely and non-executive chairman assumed that Lewis Hamilton Niki Lauda, offers Hamilton the London "We are keen to build on will not be bringing any gifts to chance to take some of those lost Reuters this, developing our brand Austria this weekend. points back. through unique live enter- After the 'road rage' of Mercedes have won every ormula One is teaming tainment experiences Azerbaijan two weeks ago, the year since the race returned to up with marketing designed to get fans closer to Formula One title rivals head to the calendar in 2014 and Ham- F agency Lagardere the action," he said. the bucolic surroundings of the ilton is the only driver on this Sports to build strategic part- Andrew Georgiou, chief scenic Red Bull Ring, and its season's grid to have won in nerships in China from 2018 executive of Lagardere Sports backdrop of hills and forests, Austria -- doing so last year after Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton onwards and raise the sport's and Entertainment, told Reu- with controversy still a last lap collision with his now- profile in a region it sees as ters in March that the Chinese simmering. retired team-mate Nico having huge potential for middle classes could number Vettel, Ferrari's champion- track, smash into each other but behind Vettel after eight of 20 Rosberg. growth. 550 million by 2022. ship leader, had risked a heavy if you suck up and just apologise races, with a loose headrest cost- "Every great Formula One The sport's new owners, "So that growth is huge, penalty for his moment of mad- and you get away with it". ing the Briton victory in season is marked by a great Liberty Media, see China, 400 million people over 12 ness in driving into Hamilton's Hamilton is now 14 points Azerbaijan. Vettel, despite a rivalry. Last year it was our along with the United States, or 13 years with disposable Mercedes behind the safety car internal battle between Lewis as ripe for expansion and income to spend on enter- in Baku but instead the German STATISTICS FOR THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX and Nico and this year it seems there has been talk of adding tainment and lifestyle. That’s arrives in Austria with no fur- Lap distance: 4.326km. Total distance: 307.020km (71 laps) that the fight is on between a second Grand Prix in the a proxy for the size of the ther sanction and the matter 2016 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes. One minute 07.922 seconds. Ferrari and Mercedes and country to the long-standing market," he said. officially closed. 2016 winner: Hamilton Lewis and Sebastian," said one in Shanghai. Georgiou said Lagardere Vettel has had to accept full Wolff. Race lap record: Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari, 2003. 1:08.337. Lagardere is already a could help Formula One tap responsibility, and apologise to "As calm as it started, it was Start time: 1200 GMT (1400 local) player in Chinese and Asian that potential by developing Hamilton, and will have to stay only a matter of time until the WINS soccer. The two parties said premium local content. on best behaviour with a race rivalry would eventually become in a joint statement yester- The Chinese and Singa- ban looming if he collects any Champions Mercedes have won 55 of 67 races since the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo hybrid more fierce and controversial. day that Lagardere would pore Grands Prix are listed on more penalty points on his power units in 2014, and four of eight this season. That moment happened in Baku "identify and secure strate- the 2018 calendar with aster- licence this weekend. Triple world champion Hamilton has 56 career victories and is second in the all-time list behind and we saw the results of that gic partners for Formula One isks as subject to But the incident, the sport's Michael Schumacher (91). Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel has 45. tension on track. in areas including event pro- confirmation by the commer- major talking point post-Baku, Ferrari have won 227 races, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 68 and Red Bull 53. Former cham- "We have moved passed that motion, media rights, digital cial rights holder. Formula is unlikely to die down immedi- pions McLaren and Williams have not won since 2012. moment now and it is a closed and brand partnerships, mer- One chairman Chase Carey ately even if Mercedes say they There have been four different winners this season so far -- Hamilton, Vettel, Valtteri Bottas (Mer- chapter." chandising, talent told reporters last month: have moved on. cedes) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull). Aside from the Mercedes- development and racing "We still aren’t where we Hamilton, for one, has said AUSTRIA Ferrari battle, Red Bull will also team development." need to be in China," nothing. Austria returned to the calendar in 2014 after an 11-year break. The circuit is owned by Red Bull and fancy their chances in front of a Formula One's commer- McLaren executive direc- But he has kept social media is the second highest altitude of the season after Mexico. home crowd after Australian cial managing director Sean tor Zak Brown said: "You buzzing with news he had 'liked' Mercedes have won all three races since the return. The likelihood of a safety car is generally low. Daniel Ricciardo won in Baku Bratches said fans in the region could have a race in Beijing a fan's supportive post on Insta- Hamilton, winner last year after colliding with team mate Nico Rosberg on the last lap, is the only driver on for his fourth successive podium

had already showed they were and Shanghai and I don’t gram that said the Paris decision the current grid to have won in Austria. Rosberg, the now-retired 2016 champion, won in 2014 and 2015. finish. This time, Dutch teenager among the most passionate. think you’ve saturated Asia." had sent the message that "you Max Verstappen will be hoping can do whatever you want on it is his turn. THURSDAY 6 JULY 2017 SPORT 23

WIMBLEDON DAY 3: Great Britain's celebrates winning the second round match against ’s Donna. Centre: Japan's Kei Nishikori returns against Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky during their men's singles second round match. Right: Belarus’ in action during her second round match against Russia’s . Murray storms ahead, Azarenka sails

London WIMBLEDON RESULTS Britain's Andy Murray The Belarusian, 27, could AFP become the first mother to win the Men's Singles reacts after breaking Wimbledon singles since Evonne Germany's Dustin 1-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Dustin Brown efending champion Goolagong Cawley in 1980. Brown's serve during (Germany) 6-3 6-2 6-2 Andy Murray "Travelling is a little stress- Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat Andreas stormed into the their men's singles ful for me, travelling with a baby. Seppi (Italy) 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 Wimbledon third second round match I want to make sure that every- 26-Steve Johnson (US) beat Radu Albot round with a ruth- on the third day of thing is okay. But overall, it's just (Moldova) 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 Dless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of the 2017 Wimbledon great. It's really fun that I'm able 28-Fabio Fognini (Italy) beat Jiri Vesely (Czech Dustin Brown yesterday. Championships at The to go home and spend time with Republic) 7-6(3) 6-4 6-2 Murray needed only 96 min- All England Lawn my son," she said. 30-Karen Khachanov (Russia) beat Thiago Mon- utes to see off the dreadlocked Club in Wimbledon, Azarenka next faces British teiro (Brazil) 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 7-5 German on Centre Court as he yesterday. wildcard who 7-Marin Cilic (Croatia) beat Florian Mayer (Ger- underlined his return to fitness also upset the form book. The many) 7-6(2) 6-4 7-5 following a nagging hip injury. world number 102 downed Ruben Bemelmans (Belgium) beat Daniil Next up for world number Latvian 18th seed Anastasija Sev- Medvedev (Russia) 6-4 6-2 3-6 2-6 6-3 one Murray is a clash with col- astova in straight sets. 9-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat Sergiy Stakhovsky ourful Italian 28th seed Fabio British sixth seed Konta Fognini. reached the Wimbledon third (Ukraine) 6-4 6-7(7) 6-1 7-6(6) "He started very well, he was round for the first time with a Aljaz Bedene (Britain) beat Damir Dzumhur coming up with some great drop marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 10-8 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3 volleys and really going for the win over Donna Vekic which left 16-Gilles Muller (Luxembourg) beat Lukas Rosol returns," the British star said. her opponent in tears. (Czech Republic) 7-5 6-7(7) 4-6 6-3 9-7 "Once I got the break in the Konta and Watson's victories 24-Sam Querrey (US) beat Nikoloz Basilashvili first set, I felt the momentum was made it the first time that two (Georgia) 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-3 with me. I started to see the shots British women have reached the 12-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) beat Simone he was going to play a little but last 32 at their home Bolelli (Italy) 6-1 7-5 6-2 quicker and that allowed me to since Jo Durie and Anne Hobbs 18-Roberto Bautista (Spain) beat Peter Gojowc- get to some of the drop volleys in 1986. zyk (Germany) 6-2 6-1 3-6 6-3 and come up with some passing Nishikori dug deep to keep Women's Singles shots. survived a difficult start to seal moment, hammering three aces American Steve Johnson or his Wimbledon hopes alive as the 10- (US) beat (Chi- "The last three games I didn't a spot in the Wimbledon third to help edge the first-set Moldovan Radu Albot. Japanese ninth seed ground out na) 4-6 6-4 6-1 serve particularly well. But the round after battling to a 7-6(2) tiebreak. New mum Victoria Azarenka a 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1, 7-6 (8/6) win 6-Johanna Konta (Britain) beat Donna Vekic rest of the match I served well, I 6-4 7-5 victory over German Flo- The 2014 US Open champion, continued her comeback bid for over Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy (Croatia) 7-6(4) 4-6 10-8 was getting a lot of free points rian Mayer. who came into Wimbledon in Wimbledon glory as Kei Stakhovsky. (Japan) beat 22-Barbora Stryco- there. It looked as though the good form having reached the Nishikori and Johanna Konta Despite reaching at least the "He wasn't able to attack my beaming sunlight was impeding final at Queen’s Club, fired four ground out victories to reach the quarter-finals of the other three va (Czech Republic) 6-1 0-6 6-4 second serve like he tries to do the 6ft 6ins (1.98m) seventh seed big winners to break in the ninth third round. Grand Slams, Nishikori has never Maria Sakkari (Greece) beat Kristyna Pliskova so that was positive. as his trusted serve immediately game of the second set before Former world number one been beyond the fourth round at (Czech Republic) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-4 "Against guys that play a lot deserted him. serving out the set. Azarenka, playing her first Grand Wimbledon. 27-Ana Konjuh (Croatia) beat Irina Begu (Ro- of drop shots and come forward Mayer, ranked 114th in the Mayer did not give up with- Slam tournament since giving He next faces Spanish 18th mania) 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 you need to move well, and I did world and without a victory over a out a fight, however, as he again birth to first child Leo in Decem- seed Roberto Bautista Agut who Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) beat 15-Elena that." top-10 player in 12 Grand Slam broke the Cilic serve to lead 5-3 ber, knocked out Russian 15th ousted German qualifier Peter Vesnina (Russia) 6-3 6-3 Murray said his hip had not matches, broke in the first game of in the third, only to again floun- seed Elena Vesnina. Gojowczyk. 8-Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) beat Jennifer affected him at all during his two the match, before having the oppor- der at the crucial moment, with The 2012 and 2013 Austral- France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Brady (US) 6-4 6-4 matches so far. tunity to serve for the first set. Cilic storming back to win five ian Open champion, in her fourth the 12th seed, made short work

Heather Watson (Britain) beat 18-Anastasija "I feel good and hopefully it However, Cilic broke back, games in a row and clinch vic- match back, won 6-3, 6-3, tak- of Italian qualifier Simone Bolelli Sevastova (Latvia) 6-0 6-4 stays that way," he said. and found his high-powered tory with a trademark ace. ing her record over the Russian in the sizzling heat, winning in Meanwhile, Marin Cilic service game at the pivotal The Croatian will next face to 8-0 without dropping a set. straight sets.

WIMBLEDON: THIRD DAY'S HIGHLIGHTS NISHIKORI WINS Players endure 'flying ant day' Ninth seed Kei Nishikori recovered from a second-set tiebreak loss to claim a 6-4 6-7(7) 6-1 7-6(6) second round victory over Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine on Court One. London KONTA SURVIVES TRICKY VEKIC TEST Reuters Home favourite Johanna Konta needed three hours and 10 minutes on Centre Court to see off 21-year-old Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6(4), 4-6, 10-8 in the second round. ising temperatures and Konta, the sixth seed, reached the third round for the first time in six appearances. humidity caused an Her win marked the first time two British women have reached round three at the cham- R unlikely problem at Wim- pionships since 1986, with Heather Watson having gone through earlier in the day. bledon yesterday as the All OSAKA UPSETS STRYCOVA England Club was infested with Japan's Naomi Osaka held her nerves in the decisive third set to beat 22nd seed Barbora flying ants. Strycova 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 on Court 17. Players, officials and spec- MULLER BATTLES PAST ROSOL tators were all affected, with Luxembourg's Gilles Muller rallied back after going down two sets to one to beat Czech some - such as Croatian player Lukas Rosol 7-5, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 9-7 after three hours and 37 minutes of play on Court Donna Vekic - even seen apply- 12. ing insect repellant during the Muller will meet Briton Aljaz Bedene in the next round. changeovers in her second QUERREY ADVANCES round match with Johanna American Sam Querrey, the 24th seed, recorded a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Geor- Konta on Centre Court. gian Nikoloz Basilashvili. Other players who were not IMPRESSIVE TSONGA THROUGH TO ROUND THREE as well prepared as Vekic had to Flying ants surround France’s Jo-Wilfried Twelfth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga eased into the third round with a 6-1 7-5 6-2 win over resort to trying to swat the Tsonga during his Wimbledon second Italy's Simone Bolelli on Court Two. The world number 10 from France reached that stage for the fourth year in succession. insects away with their rackets round match against Italy’s Simone Bolelli ITALY'S LORENZI FINALLY WINS AT SW19 - with little success. in London yesterday. "That was strange. There Italy's Paolo Lorenzi had good reason to celebrate a 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(8) 7-5 first-round vic- was flies, flies," said 12th seed Jo- tory over Horacio Zeballos of Argentina. It was the number 32 seed's first ever Wimbledon Wilfried Tsonga after his second American Sam Querrey (They were) all over the unsightly black patches on Wim- win after 11 defeats in singles and doubles matches since 2010. round straight-sets win over Ita- encountered a similar problem place," he said. "I lost a set when bledon's famous green grass. SAKKARI CLAIMS COMEBACK WIN ly's Simone Bolelli. out on Court 18 as he beat the ants came. If I had won that The phenomenon behind the Greece's Maria Sakkari came back from a set down to reach the third round of the cham- "It was in my nose and in my Nikoloz Basilashvili in four sets. set, probably wouldn't have unlikely interruption at Wimble- pionships for the first time, beating Czech Kristyna Pliskova 6-7(6) 6-4 6-4 on Court 14. ear." "I almost wanted to stop bugged me as much." don is known as 'flying ant day' KONJUH OUSTS BEGU Was it very distracting? because they were hitting you When the ants were too tired and is triggered when a queen Croatia's Ana Konjuh, who reached the third round of the women's singles as a 16-year- "It's special, I would say," in the face when you were try- to continue flying, they crawled leaves her nest in search of a old three years ago, has progressed to the same stage again after a 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 win added the Frenchman. ing to hit balls. around the courts, causing mate to start a new colony. over Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania.