FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 6 Portugal’s Bernal poised Ronaldo has for Giro win as a new record Caruso takes in sight stage 20

Sunday, May 30, 2021 MOTOGP Shawwal 18, 1442 AH Quartararo claims GULF TIMES 4th straight pole with ‘best lap ever’ SPORT Page 4 Sheikh Joaan crowns Amir Cup handball champions Al Arabi

Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani presents the Amir Cup trophy to Al Arabi players after their win over Al Rayyan in the final yesterday. (Right) Action from the Amir Cup final between Al Arabi (in red) and Al Rayyan (in black) yesterday. Al Arabi won the match 30-27 yesterday. Al Arabi completed a domestic double, having also won the Qatar Cup. PICTURES: Anas al-Samaraee

MOTORSPORT Al-Attiyah romps to historic 14th victory in Jordan Rally ‘This is a good feeling... A win again, 14 times in Jordan, and we have a good lead in the Middle East Championship’

Agencies the road. We lost maybe half a minute Dead Sea, Jordan and we reversed and then we catch again and lose maybe a minute more in the dust. But we managed to pass him atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah before the end of the stage and then completely dominated the caught him again in the second one...” 2021 Jordan Rally to confi rm A cautious al-Attiyah was 1.4 sec- a historic 14th victory on the onds slower than his fi rst pass on the eventQ by a winning margin of 17min re-run of Jordan River, while El-Fak- 04.8sec yesterday. ih’s morning diff erential woes proved The Volkswagen Polo GTi driver and costly and the Lebanese incurred time his Andorra-based co-driver Mat- penalties for starting the second loop thieu Baumel won each of the 10 spe- late. That time loss pushed him behind cial stages in the Dead Sea and Mount al-Atya and into sixth before he even- Nebo areas to extend their leads in the tually retired in stage nine. FIA Middle East Rally Championship Al-Attiyah managed his pace through (MERC). Al-Attiyah is bidding for a the fi nal stage to secure a clean sweep of record-breaking 17th regional title this 10 stage wins and seal a 14th outright year, as he secured a 78th career MERC success in the Hashemite Kingdom. event win and Baumel sealed personal Al-Thefi ri held on to secure second and win number 27. fi rst in MERC2 over the slippery second Al-Attiyah said: “This is a good feeling. loop, the Kuwaiti completing the stages A good day. It was a nice rally for us. A win 2min 25.8sec in front of Feghali. again, 14 times in Jordan, and we have a The 2021 FIA Middle East Rally good lead in the Middle East Champion- Championship resumes with the Rally ship. The next step will be Lebanon Rally of Lebanon on September 3-5. and we try to defend our title.” Kuwait’s Meshari al-Thefi ri began OVERALL CLASSIFICATION the day with a 40.8-second cushion at 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- the head of the MERC2 category and thieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Pole the second-placed Mitsubishi Lancer GTI 2hr 49min 06.0sec Evo X driver confi rmed another ‘show- 2. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser al- room’ class success after nearest rival Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Alex Feghali opted to drive cautiously 3hr 06min 10.8sec over the fi nal day to conserve a fi rst ever 3. Alex El-Feghali (LBN)/Georges podium place on an MERC rally. Deaibess (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X “All is good and thank God we passed 3hr 08min 36.6sec all the stages and made it to the end,” 4. Shadi Sheban (JOR)/Emad Juma said Feghali. “This is the fi rst time we (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3hr fi nished this rally and I am on the po- 24min 38.9sec dium, so that is amazing.” Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and co-driver Matthieu Baumel of France celebrate their Jordan Rally victory yesterday. 5. Nasser Khalifa al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Shadi Sheban missed out on a sec- Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta 3hr 39min ond Jordan National Rally victory to of Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa al-Atya after in- winner Asem Aref into eighth. in-roads into the Kuwaiti’s 40.8-sec- hold on fi fth behind Shaban, who had a 13.1sec a resurgent Khaled Juma, but had the curring time penalties for leaving service Defending two-wheel drive cham- ond hold on the MERC2 lead and sec- problem with water getting into the en- 6. Saleh al-Saif (SAU)/Feisal al-Suwayh consolation of fi nishing a career-best late and then going OTL in stage nine. Al- pion Henry Kahy also restarted under ond place. But the Lebanese took it easy gine from under the sump guard. (SAU) Can-Am Maverick X3 3hr 52min fourth in the FIA event and being the Atya duly claimed fi fth overall with Ital- Rally2 and rounded off the fi nishers in instead and ceded 32.5 seconds to the El-Fakih sustained a fl at tyre 16km 03.5sec fi rst Jordanian home. He also takes an ian navigator Giovanni Bernacchini. ninth overall. defending champion in the opener and into the fi rst test of the morning and 7. Ihab al-Shourafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma early lead in the National Champion- Saudi Arabia’s Saleh al-Saif re- Al-Attiyah dominated the fi rst runs a further 13 in the second one to trail by drove on the rim to the fi nish before (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3hr ship following a win and a second place started under Rally2 after his acci- through the 31.57km of the Jordan River 1min 26.5sec on the return to the Dead changing the wheel and suff ering front 56min 33.1sec over the two days. dent and drive shaft woes on Friday stage and the insipid heat of Joufeh Sea service park. diff erential issues in the second one. 8. Asem Aref (JOR)/Ahmed Jankhot A fl at tyre and front diff erential is- and the Can-Am Maverick X3 driver (26.01km) to extend his massive lead to After suff ering from the heat and two A disgruntled Al-Atya said: “We (JOR) Renault Clio RS 4hr 12min 33.0sec sues cost Lebanon’s Shadi El-Fakih a lot climbed back to sixth place. That 12min 02.5sec. fl at tyres on day one, al-Atya settled push in the fi rst stage and catch Shadi 9. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Carlos Hanna of time on the opening two stages of the pushed local driver Ihab Al-Shorafa Feghali had vowed to attack al-The- into the groove to record two fourth (El-Fakih) in the middle of the stage. (LBN) Skoda Fabia 1.6 4hr 48min fi nal day and he slipped into the clutches down to seventh and MERC3 category fi ri on the second day and try to make fastest times to close in on El-Fakih’s In the dust we went into the grass off 49.4sec Gulf Times 2 Sunday, May 30, 2021 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo has new Hungary count on record in sight X-factor in He is six goals shy of former Iran striker Ali Daei’s record of 109 Euro 2020 Reuters Lisbon Reuters European Championship,” said Budapest football analyst Janos Kele. “The bigger teams are so World ristiano Ronaldo should Cup focused that some of them not have to shoulder ungary will bank are far from complete. Plus the Portugal’s hopes at the on their X-factor coronavirus scheduling mess European Champion- to emerge from the really hurt their planning.” shipC as he has in the past but toughest group at Because the pandemic de- expect no let up from him, even EuroH 2020 alongside defend- layed and complicated football at age 36, as he sets his sights on ing champions Portugal and the seasons everywhere, the best becoming the top scorer of all- past two world champions in players at the biggest clubs will time in international football. France and Germany. get very little rest before the Ronaldo broke the 100 inter- Hungary, 37th in the world tournament, and even less time national goals mark last Sep- rankings, are clear underdogs, to prepare together. tember and further strikes have but as Portugal will remember In matches where exhausted taken him to within six goals of from the last European Cham- players are thrown together to reaching former Iran striker Ali pionship, they can be diffi cult face lesser-known but fresher Daei’s record of 109. opponents. and well-coached teams, the Ronaldo has had his eye on They played out an exhilarat- diff erence in ability will be less that milestone for some time, ing 3-3 draw with the Portu- obvious than usual. remarking in 2019: “All records guese fi ve years ago – taking the “Rawer opposing game plans must be broken and I will beat lead three times – en route to are a lot easier to pick apart,” that record.” winning the group with victory Kele said. Ronaldo hit a stunning 11 goals over Austria and a draw against Cornerstones of the squad in eight games in qualifying and Iceland. come from one Bundesliga club, was more than happy to fi ll his That appearance ended a 30- RB Leipzig, including goalkeep- boots against minnows such as year absence from international er Peter Gulacsi and centre back Lithuania, scoring seven goals tournaments, a dark age for a Willi Orban, as well as Hun- in Portugal’s two games against Hungarian side once consid- gary’s brightest star, midfi elder them. ered the world’s best and ranked Dominik Szoboszlai. But he also thrives in tourna- third before crashing out of the Hungary owe their Euro par- ments, such as when he hit a 1986 World Cup. ticipation to a last-minute solo hat-trick in the 2018 World Cup Lacking big-name players, eff ort by the 20-year-old Szo- opener against Spain or broke Hungary rely on solid defence boszlai which secured victory the deadlock against Wales in the and swift counter-attacks to over Iceland in the qualifi cation Euro 2016 semi-fi nal. pick apart opponents, though playoff . Injured since January Ronaldo has scored in all they have been plagued by in- but now training fully, Szobos- eight major tournaments he has consistency. zlai should be fi t for the tourna- played in and will get two early In qualifying for the tourna- ment. Italian coach Marco Rossi opportunities to prove himself ment, they beat World Cup run- has boosted the squad with 16 yet again on the biggest stage them avoid the top sides until ninth major tournament. ners-up Croatia and Euro 2016 new players, and has built a rep- when Portugal face Germany in facing France in the fi nal. They Ronaldo, who has scored 103 semi-fi nalists Wales, only to utation for making good deci- their second Group F game be- will get no such accommoda- times for his country, is one of lose twice to Slovakia and fi nish sions during games. Substitute fore meeting France. tion this time as they have been few survivors of the Euro 2016 fourth in the group. Loic Nego scored the equalising Portugal’s triumph in the last placed in the unforgiving Group side but a winning thread re- Relegated to the Nations goal against Iceland before Szo- European Championship is un- F containing Germany and world mains in the current crop of League, Hungary shone once boszlai’s winner. likely to sate his hunger either as champions France, with Hun- players after they lifted the 2019 again, beating higher-ranked “Hungary is probably one of he was injured early in the fi nal gary the weakest link. Nations League. opponents Serbia (in Belgrade) the most cohesive teams,” said against France, spending the rest So it is a good thing they have To Santos, the experience of and Turkey twice. Kele. “This could be the Euro of of it hobbling up and down the one of the most exciting squads fi nally getting over the line could “It will be a really strange surprises.” sidelines yelling encouragement. around, full of proven match- be crucial. If anything, Ronaldo will be winners to take the burden off “Since I can remember, Por- more motivated to inspire Por- Ronaldo. tugal always went to tourna- tugal to defend their trophy and Their list of defenders alone ments to win, that’s the stand- Czechs move Euro base camp home play a starring role should they makes for impressive reading. ard. When I said I was going to reach the fi nal, especially after Ruben Dias was arguably Man- Euro 2016 to win, I just verbal- Prague: The Czech national The Czechs face Scotland and a bitterly disappointing season chester City’s most inspirational ised what many thought in the football team said yesterday Croatia in Glasgow and England at club level with Juventus, al- player in their dominant run to past,” Santos told newspaper it would set up its Euro 2020 at Wembley in Group D at the though typically he still fi nished the Premier League title while Record in May. base camp in Prague, not in tournament kicking off on June top of the Serie A scoring charts. club team mate Joao Cancelo “The players were surprised Edinburgh as planned, because 11. The team, which originally There should at least be a has had his best ever campaign but now they believe it. It was of strict coronavirus rules in chose an Edinburgh hotel for its lighter burden on Ronaldo than at fullback and complements not a question of not want- Scotland. The Czech FA said that base camp, will fly to Britain from when he practically carried Por- left back Raphael Guerreiro per- ing to, it was because they had in case of a positive Covid-19 test Prague for the matches. tugal to their fi rst major trophy fectly. Coach Fernando Santos never really thought about it and in the team, Scottish authorities “It was not possible to move the at Euro 2016 and had to make do has a wealth of options in hold- doubted it was possible. But I want the entire team to go into Euro camp anywhere else at with the likes of Ricardo Quares- ing midfi eld with a number of was convinced if we did certain quarantine. the last moment,” said FA head ma and Eder as forward part- top candidates to partner main- things and managed to instil in “The UEFA Return to Play Proto- Martin Malik. ners. Now he can count upon stay Danilo Pereira, but it is his the players the benefi ts of doing col... says the positive player or He added that UEFA would fellow world class attackers such An image of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (also attacking options which are the them, we could beat anyone.” staff member will be quarantined cover the costs of the change. as Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, Bruno caricatured) at a shop in Porto yesterday. most exciting. Indeed, the only If a lack of belief held back and the rest of the team can go The Czech team will meet in Fernandes and Andre Silva, who concern for the coach is fi nding previous talented sides contain- ahead,” the FA said in a state- Prague on May 30 and leave combine to make Portugal as po- by Portugal’s success fi ve years from some notable names, their a place in the team for an over- ing the likes of Eusebio or Luis ment. for a training camp in Italy the tent a force as any at the tourna- ago, their Euro 2016 campaign squad was short on quality and fl owing list of stars containing Figo, there can be little excuse “However, the Scottish govern- next day. The Czechs will play ment. Yet even with an all-star was laced with good fortune, their triumph was built on ex- Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, for the current team, which is ment institutions have not friendlies against Italy in Bologna supporting cast this time, expect highlighted by the fact they cellent game management, an Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, An- both as talented as any that came granted an exception and insist on June 4 and against Albania in Ronaldo to play a leading role. only won one of their seven over-reliance on Cristiano Ron- dre Silva as well as the insatiable before it and knows what it takes on their rules,” it added. Prague on June 8. For all the emotion released matches after 90 minutes. Aside aldo plus a kind draw which saw Ronaldo, who is heading into his to win on the biggest stage.

BOTTOMLINE Slow-burn approach is not an option for France, but Benzema adds fi re up front Reuters Failure to win their fi rst striker’s fi rst tournament with “I’m not going to complain Paris encounter would put huge France since the 2014 World Cup. that I have a lot of choices,” pressure on the team and A blackmail scandal – over said Deschamps, who also has likely lead to a must-win last which Benzema faces trial in Octo- the likes of Ousmane Dem- rance may need to change game against Portugal, who ber – and his 2016 comment that bele, Kingsley Coman, Marcus their usual slow-burn beat them in the Euro 2016 Deschamps had “bowed to the Thuram and Wissam Ben Yedder approach to tourna- fi nal in France pressure of a racist part of France” at his disposal. ments at Euro 2020, but when leaving the player, a Muslim “I have a lot of attacking Fwith the unexpected inclusion Didier Deschamps. of Algerian descent, out of the Eu- players because I think that it’s of Karim Benzema in the squad, When they won the World Cup ropean Championship squad that where we can make a diff erence. the world champions have what in 2018, France had to dig deep to year had put his international ca- We’ll have to fi nd the right bal- it takes to go all the way. beat Australia in their fi rst game, reer into a deep freeze. ance.” Les Bleus traditionally stut- and needed a last-gasp Dimitri Yet Deschamps ended the Deschamps is certainly hoping ter in their opening matches, Payet winner in another lacklus- player’s exile by including him in that fi repower up front can com- but will have no such luxury at tre performance to defeat Roma- a squad that will give nightmares pensate for the defence’s poten- Euro 2020 where they start their nia in the curtain-raiser for Euro to their opponents’ defences. tial weaknesses. campaign against Germany in 2016. Since Benzema last featured Raphael Varane had a tough Munich in Group F, which also France have, however, ac- for France, Kylian Mbappe has season at Real Madrid while features holders Portugal and quired massive amounts of expe- emerged as one of the most ex- Presnel Kimpembe and Clem- Hungary. rience from their Euro 2016 and citing talents in recent years, Ol- ent Lenglet’s performances have Failure to win their fi rst en- 2018 World Cup campaigns un- ivier Giroud has proved reliable not been convincing enough to counter would put huge pressure der Deschamps, himself a Euro despite a lack of playing time at make either one of them a certain on the team and likely lead to a 2000 and World Cup 1998 win- his club Chelsea while Antoine starter in central defence. must-win last game against Por- ner with Les Bleus in his playing Griezmann has developed into a They will, however, be shield- tugal, who beat them in the Euro days. key player in attack. ed by a dominant midfi eld, which 2016 fi nal in France. In a surprise move by Des- One of them, probably Giroud, should feature the indefatiga- “Playing against Germany in champs, France bolstered their will have to make way for Ben- ble N’Golo Kante and a wiser Munich, we know what to ex- France’s forward Karim Benzema (C) speaks with defender Raphael Varane during a training session in attacking options by calling up zema, who scored 30 goals for Paul Pogba, who are equipped pect. We’ll have to be at our very Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines as part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming 2020 Euro football Benzema for the fi rst time since Real Madrid in all competitions to weather any storm that might best from the start,” said coach tournament. 2015. It will be the Real Madrid this season. come at them. Gulf Times Sunday, May 30, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS MLS fi ne Miami Unlikely outsiders $2mn for salary Germany rules violation out to spring MLS revealed in March it would be investigating Inter Miami’s signing of Matuidi and a surprise in April the league said it had determined his deal violated roster and salary rules Reuters Loew has the luxury of choice Berlin when it comes to his world-class midfi eld with the likes of Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, Leon ermany are not used Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and to being outsiders in Kai Havertz at his disposal. major tournaments But they have been extremely but that may not nec- wasteful up front, badly missing Gessarily be a bad thing when the a natural striker. three-time European champions The addition of Mueller brings kick off their Euro 2020 cam- experience and versatility in at- paign next month. tack with the 31-year-old having The Germans, four-times had a superb season with Bay- World Cup winners, have ern, with 11 league goals and 18 reached at least the semi-fi nals assists. in the past three Euros but are The return of in-form AS not among the favourites to lift Monaco striker Kevin Volland, the trophy this year. fi ve years after his last interna- “I have not yet set a goal for tional appearance, adds another the tournament,” said coach out-and-out striker, with fellow Joachim Loew. “This time we forward Timo Werner struggling don’t belong to the absolute fa- to fi nd goals for Chelsea this sea- vourites like France, for exam- son. ple, but this is not necessarily a Loew hopes the addition of burden.” Mueller and Volland will dra- Their disastrous 2018 World matically improve their conver- Cup fi rst-round exit that was sion rate and with it their chanc- followed by an equally disap- es in the tournament. pointing Nations League per- But the coach, who will be formance prompted Loew to leaving his post after 15 years at In this file photo, owner and president of overhaul the team in 2019. the end of the Euros, knows the Soccer Operations David Beckham Thomas Mueller, Jerome Germans fi rst need to get out of addresses the media on February 25, 2020 Boateng and Mats Hummels a tough Group F, with France as in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Major League — who all helped Germany to their fi rst opponents on June 15 Soccer handed Beckham’s Inter win the World Cup in 2014 — in Munich. Miami a league-record $2mn fine for were among those axed as Loew They then face holders Portu- violating roster and salary rules in its brought in younger players. gal before taking on Hungary in signing of French international Blaise But a string of bad results, in- their last group match. Matuidi (below). AFP cluding November’s 6-0 demo- “For a tournament it is impor- lition by Spain for their heaviest tant to be focused in every game, competitive defeat ever, as well every game is a knockout game,” as the interruption caused by Loew said. the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 “We play with France then forced Loew to make a U-turn against Portugal. So we want to AFP age complete cooperation by all parties in to address these issues and have made for the tournament. survive the group stage. If you Los Angeles future investigations, and will serve as a signifi cant changes in our management He recalled central defender make the mistake of thinking of deterrent for clubs from violating roster structure,” he said. Hummels and attacking mid- a second or third step in advance rules,” Garber said. “Following our inaugural season, we fi elder Mueller for his Euro it may be an obstacle. ajor League Soccer handed MLS revealed in March it would be in- took a deep look at our soccer operations squad as the Germans look for “If we get through the group David Beckham’s Inter Miami vestigating Inter Miami’s signing of Ma- leadership group and made decisions that defensive stability and more cre- and get into a fl ow then my team a league-record $2mn fi ne tuidi and in April the league said it had not only strengthened our internal roster ativity up front. can achieve anything.” yesterday for violating roster determined his deal violated roster and compliance measures, but also better po- Mand salary rules in its signing of French salary rules. sitioned us to build a sustainable, long- international Blaise Matuidi. Each team in MLS is allowed three term competition strategy with the hir- Managing owner Jorge Mas was also designated players whose wages do not ing of Chris Henderson as Chief Soccer fi ned $250,000 and the club’s former count against the salary cap. Offi cer and Sporting Director in 2021. chief operating offi cer and sporting di- The rule is sometimes called the “Inter Miami is an ambitious Club rector Paul McDonough has been sus- “Beckham Rule” as it was introduced with big aspirations,” Mas said. “We be- pended through the end of the 2022 MLS when it was adopted shortly before the lieve our fanbase, market and owner- season, the league said in a statement. former England and Manchester United ship group propel us to be one of North MLS had already determined the star joined the league in 2007. America’s most-followed fútbol teams in French World Cup winner had been paid MLS said Friday that its investigation the world. more than allowed under the league’s found violations involving the player “We are committed to supporting our roster and budget rules, eff ectively giving categorizations of Matuidi and former team and building a roster we are proud Miami four “designated players” last sea- Miami defender Andres Reyes, as well of.” MLS said that Mas was fi ned because son rather than the allowed three. as the underreporting of salary budget as managing owner he had approval of all “The integrity of our rules is sacro- amounts for players Leandro Gonzalez player-related agreements and transac- sanct, and it is a fundamental principle of Pirez, Nicolas Figal and Julian Carranza. tions and was responsible for making sure our league that our clubs are responsible However, the league stressed that none the cub was in compliance. for adhering to all league regulations,” of the club’s players was the subject of He cooperated with the investigation, MLS commissioner Don Garber said. the investigation, committed any viola- but was found to have failed to disclose “Our rules will not be compromised.” tion or were aware of the violations. his knowledge of the Matuidi violation MLS also imposed a reduction of “Their current contracts with MLS “at the appropriate time required under $2,271,250 in allocation dollars available of $150,000, to Real Salt Lake owner Dell remain in full force and eff ect,” the state- MLS rules. for salaries for the 2022 and 2023 sea- Loy Hansen for comments about the col- ment said. “The investigation found no wrong- sons. That could prove a more signifi cant lective bargaining agreement negotia- Mas issued a statement acknowledging doing on the part of Inter Miami own- blow to the club’s on-fi eld eff orts than tions in 2015. that the club violated MLS roster rules in ers Marcelo Claure, Masayoshi Son, Jose Germany’s coach Joachim Loew checks a dummy during a training the $2mn fi ne, which dwarfs the previous These sanctions refl ect the severity of their inaugural season. Mas, and David Beckham,” the league session in Seefeld, Austria, where they attend a training camp ahead biggest fi ne ever handed out by the league Inter Miami’s violations, should encour- “We have worked closely with MLS added. of the European football championship.

BOTTOMLINE ACHIEVEMENT Brentford promoted Tiny Guam stand in China’s way to Premier League AFC against a Guam side still searching for Suzhou their fi rst point after fi ve matches, they Reuters to stifl e Swansea, who fi nished will be mindful to the fact that they failed London fourth in the regular season to to win their last two matches prior to Cov- Brentford’s third, and they were hina have no room for error when id-19 halting the Asian Qualifi ers. reeling after fi ve minutes at they play Guam in Group A of A goalless draw with the Philippines ondon club Brent- Wembley. the Asian Qualifi ers for the FIFA was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Syria, ford sealed their place Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC leaving China - seeking to make the FIFA amongst the top fl ight for was fouled by Swansea goalkeep- CAsian Cup China 2023 today. World Cup Finals for only the second time the fi rst time in 74 years er Freddie Woodman and Toney The clash at the Suzhou Olympic Cent- - in a precarious position. thanksL to a dominant 2-0 win coolly dispatched the penalty for er Stadium comes 18 months after the last The defeat against Syria led to Italian over Swansea City in the Cham- his 33rd goal of an incredible fi rst ball was kicked in Group A as the Covid-19 FIFA World Cup winner Marcello Lippi re- pionship playoff fi nal yesterday season with Brentford. pandemic halted the Asian Qualifi ers, signing, paving the way for former inter- Ivan Toney’s early penalty and The 5,000 or so Brentford fans with China eight points behind leaders national Li Tie to take over as China head a goal on the counter-attack by who made the short trip were Syria. coach. “We are quite excited. From fans Emiliano Marcondes put Brent- ecstatic in the 20th minute when Although China have a match in hand, to the media, everyone is cheering for the ford in command with only 20 Mbeumo accelerated down the their hopes of advancing to the third round Chinese national team in diff erent ways. I minutes on the clock and they left before waiting for support of the Asian Qualifi ers for the FIFA World would like to thank them for their support. were rarely threatened. from the overlapping Mads Ro- Cup depend on Syria dropping points in This file photo taken on October 10, 2019 shows Chinese players celebrating a goal We are ready for the match tomorrow, and Victory for Brentford ended a erslev who picked out Marcondes their remaining matches. during against Guam in Guangzhou during their World Cup qualifier. China and Guam we will play our best,” said Li Tie. Suh run of nine playoff failures, in- to fi re home. Swansea, who were Head coach Li Tie, however, will urge collide again today with the US island territory’s squad — which includes high-school Dong-won’s Guam - despite being out of cluding in last season’s fi nal, and relegated in 2018 after seven sea- his players to focus only on Guam as fi n- and college players — trying to upset their Chinese hosts. the running for a place in the next round will earn them something in the sons in the Premier League, at- ishing second in the group could also see of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Quali- region of 170mn pounds ($241mn) tempted to apply some pressure China advancing to the third round of the Qualifi ers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar should 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar fi ers - will be up for the challenge as there in Premier League income. and things might have been dif- Asian Qualifi ers. The eight group winners 2022. win Group E - a point which Li Tie will is still the possibility of them winning an The high stakes of what is re- ferent had Andre Ayew managed and four best second-placed teams will The number of best second-placed undoubtedly stress to his players. automatic spot in the next stage of AFC garded as the richest game in to direct his diving header on tar- advance to the third round of the Asian teams to advance could increase to fi ve While China will start as favourites Asian Cup China 2023 qualifi cation. world club football appeared get in the 48th minute. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, May 30, 2021 SPORT

CRICKET Suspended IPL moved to UAE as India seeks more time for WC decision

AFP 4 after a number of players and soon season and did not mention The tournament is due to be held. The Indian team will be in New Delhi team offi cials caught coronavirus the pandemic. discussed by the ICC next Tues- their own bio-bubble for 14 days despite being in bio-secure bub- The board said a special gen- day, though no decision is ex- before arriving in England on bles. eral meeting had “unanimous- pected to be taken. June 3. he Indian Premier The board has since been in ly agreed” for the remaining No deadline to announce Every player must provide a League, suspended as a tough negotiations with other matches to be held in the UAE whether the tournament will be negative Covid-19 certifi cate. new coronavirus wave countries and the Internation- “considering the monsoon sea- moved has been publicly set, but They will be taken to a hotel hit India, will be fi nished al Cricket Council on when to son in India in the months of cricket offi cials say a decision that is part of Hampshire’s Rose Tin the United Arab Emirates in squeeze the remaining matches September-October this year.” will have to be taken in “weeks”. Bowl complex, where they will September and October, In- into the crowded international The monsoon season is gener- be tested again before begin- dia’s national cricket board said calendar. ally considered to run from June BACK TO THE BIO-BUBBLE ning a new “managed isolation” yesterday. About 160,000 people have to mid-September. The ICC has meanwhile given with more tests, the ICC said in a The Board of Control for died in India since April 1 in a The World Cup is due to be details of the pandemic precau- statement. Cricket in India also said it will devastating wave that has seen held in India from October but it tions that players will take before With each round of tests, play- ask the global governing body hospitals overwhelmed. There is also at risk from the pandemic going to the World Test Champi- ers will go from “exercise in iso- for more time to make a decision are fears that the country could threat. onship fi nal against New Zealand lation to small group and then on whether the Twenty20 World be hit by another surge later this The BCCI said the general starting on June 18 in Southamp- larger squad activity, whilst al- Cup should be held in India in year. meeting authorised its leaders ton, England. ways remaining within the bio- October and November. The BCCI said it was moving “to seek an extension of time The British government has secure venue.” The IPL, the world’s richest the remaining matches to the from the ICC to take an appropri- given a special exemption from New Zealand are already in cricket tournament, was half fi n- UAE – which staged all of last ate call on the hosting of ICC T20 its coronavirus rules so that the England preparing for a Test se- ished when it was halted on May year’s IPL – because of the mon- World Cup 2021.” inaugural championship can be ries against the host nation.

MPOTORCYCLING SPOTLIGHT Also-rans South Africa motivated Quartararo claims by missing Test fi nal

AFP Centurion, South Africa

ew South African cap- 4th straight pole tain Dean Elgar is well aware of the cricketing contrast when he leads Nhis team in two Test matches against the West Indies in St Lu- cia next month. The start date of the second Test on June 18 is the same as with ‘best lap ever’ that for the world Test champi- onship fi nal between India and New Zealand in Southampton, Quartararo dedicates ‘best lap ever’ to Swiss Moto3 crash-victim Dupasquier England. Both West Indies and South Africa were well out of conten- enced players to the South Afri- AFP tion for a place in the fi nal, fi n- can domestic scene next season Mugello, Italy ishing sixth and seventh respec- following the end of the Kolpak ITALIAN MOTOGP GRIDS tively on the nine-team log table. system in English county cricket. South Africa’s low placing is “The players coming back are hampionship leader MotoGP something that opening bats- going to improve and strengthen Fabio Quartararo will Front row man Elgar wants to change when our domestic game and will also start on pole for the 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha), 2. Francesco Bagnaia the next championship cycle add a lot of competition in our fourth successive race (ITA/Ducati), 3. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Pramac) gets under way. system, which, maybe, we have afterC dominating Italian MotoGP 2nd row “We need to play better crick- lacked over the past few years,” qualifying with what he hailed 4. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilla), 5. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati), et,” said Elgar, 33. “We’re very said Elgar. “I see it as a massive as “the best lap” of his career at 6. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) conscious that we haven’t been positive with those guys coming Mugello yesterday. 3rd row very consistent. Our skill level back. If they’re knocking down Francesco Bagnaia had been 7. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM), 8. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki), 9. hasn’t been where it should be. the door it will be a great thing fastest in all the fi rst three Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) “Ultimately, of course, we for the current squad to get a lit- practice sessions for local team 4th row want to compete and we want to tle fi recracker and motivate their Ducati, setting a new lap record 10. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT), 11. Marc Marquez play in the fi nal of a world Test game in a good way.” in FP3 yesterday morning. (ESP/Honda), 12. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Honda) championship. We need to be Among the returning players Quartararo was top in fi nal Moto2 more consistent and get back to signed to provincial teams are practice and kept the home fa- Front row the South African way again.” Duanne Olivier, Kyle Abbott, Si- vourites at bay again in qualify- 1. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Kalex), Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex), He described the South Afri- mon Harmer and Stiaan van Zyl. ing. The French Yamaha rider Jorge Navarro (ESP/Boscoscuro) can way as “fast bowlers taking The South African Test squad took pole in style, lowering the 2nd row wickets and batting line-ups assembled in Centurion on Fri- record Bagnaia set only hours 4. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex), 5. Fabio di Giannantonio (ITA/ that score big runs – what we day and will fl y out on Mon- earlier, with a new fastest time at Kalex), Tony Arbolino (ITA/Kalex) got used to watching as we were day. They will face four days of the circuit of 1min 45.187sec. Moto3 growing up.” “lockdown” when they arrive at Bagnaia, was second at Front row He said one of his challenges a luxury resort in St Lucia, dur- 0.230sec, with Johann Zarco 1. Tasuki Suzuki (JPN/Honda), Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM), 3. would be get players to believe in ing which they will have two on Ducati satellite Pramac bike Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG/Honda) a process that would lead to sig- Covid Tests before they can leave completing the front row of to- 2nd row nifi cant improvement. their rooms and start training day’s grid. 4. Dennis Foggia (ITA/Honda), 5. Jaume Masia (ESP/KTM), “I believe very strongly that ahead of the fi rst Test on June 10. “I enjoyed that lap,” beamed Jeremy Alcoba (ESP/Honda) we have to follow that process South Africa have not played Quartararo. and climb up the rankings again. Test cricket in the West Indies “It’s a track where you really Where we are the moment is not since 2010 when Graeme Smith feel the adrenaline and I was on doing us any favours.” led them to a 2-0 win in a three- the limit everywhere. I think its Looking ahead, Elgar said he match series. None of the cur- the best lap I ever did in my life.” welcomed the return of experi- rent squad were on that tour. The 22-year-old dedicated it to Swiss rider Jason Dupasquier who was airlifted to hospital in FOCUS Florence after a horrifi c crash in Moto3 qualifying earlier. “I want to dedicate this one to Jason who had a really bad crash. I hope he’s McLaren boss says OK. I’m praying for him and I’m praying for his family.” Dupasquier, 19, fell and was Montoya makes team struck by another bike, before sliding along the track. Over half an hour after the in- stronger for Indy 500 cident he was still out on the cir- cuit being attended to by medical Reuters “They just kind of watch how offi cers. The stricken teenager Toronto he communicates and I think was then helicoptered “to hospi- French rider Fabio Quartararo competes during a qualifying session ahead of the Italian Moto GP Grand Prix at the Mugello race track in they can learn quite a bit from tal in Florence to undergo tests”, Scarperia e San Piero yesterday. (AFP) him and I think that’s been hap- organisers announced. cLaren Racing Chief pening.” Japanese rider Ayumu Sa- Executive Zak Brown The arrival of Colombian saki and Spaniard Jeremy Alcoba said on Friday that Montoya, who won his fi rst Indi- were the others involved in the Juan Pablo Montoya anapolis 500 as a rookie in 2000 accident which delayed the Mo- Mbrings more than just experience and his second 15 years later, has toGP fourth practice with organ- to the paddock at the Indianapo- had a positive impact on O’Ward isers reporting both were “fi ne”. lis 500 and makes his teammates and Rosenqvist ahead of “The In MotoGP qualifying Jack better because of his ability to Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Miller, winner of the last two speak up. “We’ve got three happy driv- races, qualifi ed in fi fth and will Montoya, a two-time Indi- ers,” said Brown. be sandwiched between Aleix anapolis 500 champion who will “We have three fast racing cars Espargaro (Ducati) and Brad make his return to the race today and are looking forward to com- Binder (KTM) on the second row. for the fi rst time since 2017, will peting with everyone on Sunday South African Binder had ear- pilot the third Arrow McLaren which will no doubt be one of lier bettered the top speed ever SP Chevrolet to team up with the most competitive Indy 500s in MotoGP, recorded by Johann full-time drivers Pato O’Ward ever.” Zarco in Qatar at the start of the and Felix Rosenqvist. Montoya, O’Ward and Rosen- season, when hitting 362.4kmh The 45-year-old Montoya, qvist will be part of the 33-car on his KTM in FP3. no stranger to McLaren Racing fi eld zipping around the famed Honda’s multiple world cham- as he raced for the team in For- 2.5 mile oval and Brown said the pion Marc Marquez is still fi nding mula One in 2005 and 2006, has trio had a good fi nal session on his way back to top form after re- loads of experience, is intensely Friday and felt good about their turning from last season’s injury competitive and comfortable chances on Sunday. and starts in 11th in this sixth leg off ering feedback that O’Ward “We have three cars capable of of the championship. and Rosenqvist were unable to winning the race,” said Brown. Italian motorcycling legend articulate. “Unfortunately, I think there Valentino Rossi’s inauspicious “Anytime you get someone are about 15 other cars capable 2021 continued with ‘the doctor’ with Juan’s experience that ben- of winning the race... our driv- down in 19th on Yamaha’s SRT Medical off icers tend to Swiss Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier prior to an evacuation after a crash during a qualifying session ahead of the Ital- efi ts your other drivers,” Brown ers are ready for it and I think we satellite bike. ian Moto GP Grand Prix at the Mugello race track in Scarperia e San Piero yesterday. (AFP) told reporters. have a good shot.” Gulf Times Sunday, May 30, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Janmark scores hat-trick as Vegas Tatum blitzes Nets advances in playoff s

AFP Whitecloud also scored, and Los Angeles Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore each had two assists for Vegas. wedish forward Mattias “We did a great job,” said Pa- for 50 points, Celtics Janmark notched his fi rst cioretty. “We were unbeatable career hat-trick as the tonight. We got to keep playing Vegas Golden Knights like that. We knew we would get punchedS their ticket to the sec- our chance to win.” ond round of the NHL playoff s Pacioretty was playing his fi rst with a 6-2 game seven win over game since May 1. the Minnesota Wild. “I was able to contribute to- The Knights clinched a playoff night. My teammates helped me claw back into series series on Friday for the fi rst time out and I didn’t have to play too at the T-Mobile Arena on the many shifts in my defensive zone Vegas strip and now move on to so I was able to save my wind ‘WE’RE GOING UP AGAINST A JUGGERNAUT OF A TEAM’ battle the Colorado Rockies. there,” he said. Janmark, of Stockholm, was Zach Parise and Kirill Kapri- AFP acquired from the Chicago zov scored goals and Cam Tal- Los Angeles Blackhawks in a trade with the bot fi nished with 29 saves for San Jose Sharks on April 12. He Minnesota, which had staved off had scored just one goal previ- elimination twice while battling ayson Tatum busted out of a mini- ously for Vegas. back from a 3-1 series defi cit. slump, exploding for 50 points Fri- “He played huge,” said Max After failing to close out the day as the Boston Celtics clawed Pacioretty of Janmark. fi rst-round series with the Wild their way back into their Eastern Marc-Andre Fleury stopped for the second straight game on ConferenceJ fi rst-round series with a 125- 19 shots and Pacioretty scored Wednesday, the Knights fi nally 119 win over the Brooklyn Nets. the go-ahead goal during a regained control. Tatum, who had just 31 points on nine- three-goal second period for Vegas will have little time to of-32 shooting in the fi rst two games Vegas, who had never hosted a celebrate. The NHL announced of the series, shot a blistering 16-of-30 game seven in their young NHL Thursday that the second-round from the fl oor and drained fi ve threes as history. series with No 1 seed Colorado the Celtics cut the Nets series lead to 2-1. Nicolas Hague and Zach will begin on Sunday in Denver. Tatum also scored 50 points in a win over Washington in a play-in game mak- ing it the second time this month he has put the team on his back for a much needed post-season win. “I just tried to be better,” said Tatum. “I had a tough two games so I tried to redeem myself and do anything I can to win.” The Celtics’ win over the Nets played out in front of a crowd of 4,700 at the Boston Garden. “It felt good to fi nally play a playoff game at TD Garden and it is great being back in front of our fans,” said Tatum. Game four is today in Boston. Marcus Smart scored 22 points and Tristan Thompson fi nished with 19 points and 13 rebounds in the win. James Harden delivered 41 points and 10 assists while Kevin Durant fi nished with 39 points and nine rebounds for the Nets, who were trying to take a 3-0 series lead for the fi rst time since their fi rst- round sweep of the New York Knicks in 2004. Kyrie Irving was playing in front of Boston fans for the fi rst time since leaving the Celtics under a cloud of controversy Mattias Janmark of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after his after the 2018-19 season. team’s 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game Seven of the He was showered with boos from Celt- First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff s at T-Mobile Arena in Las ic faithful every time he touched the ball. Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images/AFP) Irving scored just two points in the fi rst half to tie a career low in a playoff game. He fi nished with 16 points on six-of-17 Bucks’ DiVincenzo to miss rest of NBA playoff s shooting. The Celtics led 33-32 at the end of the fi rst and 61-57 at the half, then Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo will miss the held on down the stretch as Tatum nailed rest of the NBA playoff s with a torn ligament in his left ankle, the a clutch pull up jumper with 40 seconds Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum shoots the ball over Brooklyn Nets forward Bruce Brown during the second half of game NBA team said Friday. left to make it 122-115. three in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoff s at TD Garden. (USA TODAY Sports) The starting guard was hurt in the second quarter of the Bucks’ 113- “It’s just one of those nights.” Tatum 84 rout of the Miami Heat, which gave Milwaukee a 3-0 stranglehold said. “A tough shooting night the fi rst against a juggernaut of a team.” ished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. the best-of-seven series 2-1 heading into on their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series. game and I didn’t get to play much the Also, Trae Young scored 21 points and Former Knick Danilo Gallinari sank all game three today. The Bucks said in a statement that the 24-year-old DiVincenzo had last game because I got poked in the eye.” had 14 assists as the Atlanta Hawks beat four of his three-point attempts to fi nish an MRI exam in Miami on Friday that revealed the injury. His jumper came just 18 seconds after the New York Knicks 105-94 to grab a 2-1 with 12 points in the win. PLAYOFFS RESULTS “Further updates will be provided as appropriate,” the team said. Irving had sunk two free throws to cut the lead in their Eastern Conference fi rst- Derrick Rose shot 13 of 21 from the fl oor (all series best-of-seven) In three playoff games so far, all starts, DiVincenzo averaged 2.7 Boston lead to fi ve points. Tatum joined round series. and scored 11 of his 30 points in the fi rst Eastern Conference points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 23.3 minutes per John Havlicek, Isaiah Thomas, Ray Allen, The Hawks shot a sizzling 59 percent quarter for the Knicks. Julius Randle fi n- Boston 125-109 Brooklyn game. Sam Jones and Bob Cousy as Celtics with from the three point line and took com- ished with 14 points in the loss. (Brooklyn leads series 2-1) In 66 regular season games (all starts) he averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 50 points in a playoff game. mand with a 22-5 burst to close out the Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard scored 36 Atlanta 105-94 Knicks rebounds and 3.1 assists in 27.5 minutes per game – all career-high second quarter. points and the Los Angeles Clippers ral- (Atlanta leads series 2-1) totals. Milwaukee will try to complete a sweep of the Heat in game IRVING BOOED Game four is today in Atlanta. lied from a fi rst half defi cit to beat the Western Conference four on Saturday. Game five, if necessary, would be in Milwaukee on “He was just locked in mentally,” team- Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 15 points, Dallas Mavericks 118-108 in game three Clippers 118-108 Dallas Tuesday. mate Marcus Smart said. “We’re going up John Collins added 14, Clint Capela fi n- of their playoff series. The Mavericks lead (Dallas leads series 2-1)

MLB Giants take down Dodgers for fi rst time this season Reuters deep drive to left, but Giants left and Hyun Jin Ryu won his fourth ond on Espinal’s RBI groundout Las Vegas fi elder Mike Tauchman reached straight decision, as the Toronto and a run-scoring double from over the wall to make the catch Blue Jays opened this three-game Danny Jansen on a ball Cleveland and sent the game into extra in- road set with an 11-2 victory over center fi elder Harold Ramirez aMonte Wade Jr. hit a go- nings. the Cleveland Indians on Friday misplayed in the wind. ahead single in the 10th Steven Duggar also hit a home night in a game called in the bot- The visitors broke things open inning and Evan Longoria run for the Giants, who ended tom of the seventh inning due to against Morgan in the third. added a two-run double as a six-game losing streak to the rain. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Lthe visiting San Francisco Giants Dodgers dating back to last sea- Despite the windy, rainy and Grichuk and Gurriel made it 4-2. earned an 8-5 victory over the Los son. San Francisco is now 8-4 blustery conditions, Panik, Panik then followed with a Angeles Dodgers on Friday. over its last 12 games, with all Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Santiago blast through the severe wind It was the fi rst time the Giants four of those defeats to the Dodg- Espinal each recorded three RBIs and into the right-fi eld seats to defeated their National League ers. and Randal Grichuk had three push the Blue Jays’ advantage to West rival in fi ve games this Matt Beaty hit a home run for hits for the Blue Jays, who banged four. season. Wade, who was recalled Los Angeles while Justin Turner out six doubles while winning for Morgan was charged with six Thursday, reached base four had three hits, as the Dodgers lost the third time in four contests runs, eight hits and two walks times in his return to the major for just the second time in their following their season-high six- with a strikeout over 2 2/3 in- leagues on a hit, two walks and a last 11 games. game losing streak. nings. hit by pitch. His go-ahead single Rogers (1-0) blew a save op- Ryu (5-2, 2.62 ERA) allowed Gurriel drove in two more runs came off Dodgers right-hander portunity for the third time this two fi rst-inning runs, four hits, with another double in the fi fth Kenley Jansen (0-2), who had not season, but still picked up the two walks and struck out six over inning. Panik followed with an given up a run over his previous victory despite giving up three fi ve innings. RBI single to make it 9-2. Espi- 11 outings. runs in one inning of work. Left- Eddie Rosario extended his nal added a two-run double of Buster Posey hit a three-run hander Jarlin Garcia pitched a hitting streak to eight games his own in the sixth.The Indians home run in the eighth inning off scoreless 10th inning to earn his for Cleveland, which yielded placed outfi elder Jordan Luplow Los Angeles right-hander Blake fi rst career save. its most runs of the season and on the 10-day injured list with a Treinen to break a 2-all tie. It was Treinen ended a run of 10 con- couldn’t get three full innings sprained ankle. his 10th of the season but just his secutive outings without allow- from starter Eli Morgan (0-1) in second hit in four games against ing a run on Posey’s home run. his major league debut. RESULTS the Dodgers. Jansen gave up three runs (two Rosario’s two-run single gave Giants 8-5 Dodgers Austin Barnes hit a three-run earned) in two-thirds of an in- the Indians a 2-0, fi rst-inning Cubs 1-0 Reds home run in the ninth inning off ning, the fi rst time he has given lead against Ryu, who labored Red Sox 5-2 Marlins Giants closer Tyler Rogers to tie up multiple earned runs in an through a 32-pitch opening Blue Jays 11-2 Indians the game 5-all with the Dodg- outing this season. frame. Tigers 3-2 Yankees ers down to their last out. It was However, that was all Cleve- Padres 10-3 Astros Barnes’ second of the season. BLUE JAYS BATS POWER UP IN land would get off the left-hand- Athletics 3-1 Angels One batter later after Barnes ROUT OF INDIANS er, and the Toronto off ense did Cardinals 8-6 D’Backs tied it, Albert Pujols appeared to Joe Panik clubbed a two- the rest. Royals 8-3 Twins San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Los give the Dodgers a victory with a run homer for one of his four hits The Blue Jays tied it in the sec- Mariners 3-2 Rangers Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, May 30, 2021 SPORT

CYCLING FOCUS Nordqvist topples top-ranked Ko to Bernal poised for reach Match-Play knockout

AFP bee clinched her group with a 2 Los Angeles & 1 victory over Mexico’s Gaby Giro triumph as Lopez. Park took an early 1-up lead but Lopez rallied with wins weden’s Anna Nordqvist on three of fi ve holes on the front beat world number one nine to go 2-up. Ko Jin-young 5 & 3 in Park responded by winning six round robin play, then of the next seven holes to take a toppedS the South Korean star in a lead Lopez couldn’t erase. playoff to reach the LPGA Match “I got off to a little bit of a slow Caruso wins stage 20 Play round of 16. start today again, and start- Nordqvist had to beat Ko ing No 9, just like yesterday, I -who came into the third and fi - have been playing really good on ‘I’m satisfied with the result. I think we managed the situation well’ nal day of round robin play with those holes,” Park said. two wins under her belt - to give World number three Kim Sei- AFP herself a playoff shot. young was eliminated, getting Madesimo, Italy With her back to the wall, the the win she needed over Brit- Swede didn’t disappoint. tany Altomare to force a playoff , “She is a world No 1 so I knew but falling to the American at the gan Bernal retained a she was going to be really tough second hole of sudden death. two-minute lead in the match,” Nordqvist said. “Part of South Korea’s Kim was 3-up Giro d’Italia yesterday me felt like I didn’t have any- with three holes to play in their when he followed stage thing to lose because I knew I group match. She left room for 20E winner Damiano Caruso had to get my point to have a Altomare with bogeys at 15 and across the Alpe Motta summit chance at a potential playoff , so 16, but Altomare was unable to fi nish line. just very proud of myself.” get the birdie she needed at 17 to Caruso tightened his grip Nordqvist, a six-time member extend the match. on second place in the overall of the European Solheim Cup Kim’s fi rst win after two ties standings but Ineos leader Ber- team, won the fi rst two holes in group play left them level atop nal has a big enough lead to go with pars on the fi rm Shadow their group, and it was Altomare into Sunday’s last day 30.3km Creek course and never trailed. who came through at the par- individual time-trial to Milan’s Ko pulled a hole back with a four second, winning with a par Duomo cathedral confi dent of birdie at the sixth - the only hole as Kim bogeyed. South Korean adding the 2021 Giro to his 2019 she won - but Nordqvist won the Jenny Shin also advanced with a Tour de France triumph. 11th, 13th and 14th with birdies playoff win, rallying from an ear- “I’m satisfi ed with the result. before closing it out at 15. ly defi cit to beat Alison Lee 4 & 2 I think we managed the situation The goal today was try to get then beating the American again well. We have two minutes in a point so I could get in a poten- at the fourth playoff hole. advantage for tomorrow’s time tial playoff ,” said Nordqvist, who American Danielle Kang trial. So are in a good position,” went on to win the sudden death didn’t need a playoff to book her said Colombian Bernal, winner playoff for top spot in the group last-16 spot, beating good friend of two stages in this Giro. and a place in the knockout stage Lizette Salas 4 & 3 to fi nish the After seeing his overall lead at the fi rst hole. only player with three wins in trimmed on consecutive stages “Just really proud of myself,” three round robin matches. Bernal was a study in cool Sat- she said. “A lot of patience. Felt Round of 16 matches were urday as the stage 20 embarked like I made some good putts to- scheduled for Saturday morn- from picturesque Verbania on day, so overall very happy and ing, with quarter-fi nals to be the shores of Lake Maggiore I’m looking forward to the week- played in the afternoon. heading towards Switzerland end.” The semi-fi nals and champi- and 38km of climbing on three World number two Park In- onship match are today. snow-capped mountains. As the stage ascended its fi nal climb towards the Alpe Motta, Frenchman Romain Bardet and Italian rider Caruso took a lead of less than a minute with fi ve kilometres to go. Bernal bided his time patient- ly behind his sherpa Daniel Mar- tinez before unleashing a late burst on the fi nal, steepest sec- tion of the slope to drop third- placed Simon Yates and overtake Bardet, who crept into the top ten with his performance. Caruso crossed the summit to a rapturous reception as he won his fi rst major tour stage, 24sec ahead of Bernal as Englishman Yates fi nished sixth on the day, 51sec behind. Team Bahrain rider Italy’s Damiano Caruso celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 20th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2021 cycling race, “I’m not the champion, but I 164km between Verbania and Valle Spluga, Alpe Motta (Madesimo), yesterday. (AFP) had my day,” said Bahrain-Vic- torious rider Caruso, who had Caruso with Yates third at 3min two-minute lead so I’m hope- while Goeff rey Bouchard will by Russia’s Aleksandr Vlasov. adopted ultra-conservative tac- 23sec. ful. But I won’t be sure of victory win the mountain points title. Ineos Grenadiers are aiming tics until his attack Saturday. “I’ll do the TT (time trial) fl at until I’ve won it.” While the 24-year-old Bernal for a third Giro victory after Tao Anna Nordqvist of Sweden tees off from the fourth hole during round Bernal heads to Milan with out,” Bernal promised. “I didn’t Pater Sagan of Bora-Hans- will also take the best young rid- Geoghegan Hart won it in 2020 three of the Bank of Hope Match-Play at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, an overall lead of 1min 59sec on think I’d start the TT with a grohe leads the points standings er’s title, it will be worn Sunday and Chris Froome in 2018. Nevada. (Getty Images/AFP)

GOLF Spieth grabs lead as Mickelson misses cut

AFP rolled in a 16-footer from the he was looking forward to the Los Angeles fringe for par at 18. weekend on a Colonial course He overtook Jason Kokrak, who where he won in 2016. set an early target with six birdies “I’m in a good spot at a famil- ordan Spieth fi red four in a fi ve-under 65 that put him in iar place, and just going to have to birdies in a four-under par the clubhouse on 10-under be- go check on the weather and set 66 on Friday to take a one- fore the rain delay. a goal for the weekend,” Spieth shot lead in the Charles Garcia had two birdies and a said. SchwabJ Challenge as Phil Mick- bogey in his one-under 69 be- elson missed the cut in his fi rst fore the delay to head a group on LEADING SECOND-ROUND event since his historic PGA eight-under 132 that also includ- SCORES Championship triumph. ed Colombian Sebastian Munoz (USA unless noted, par-70) Spieth, who started the day and Patton Kizzire, who both 129-Jordan Spieth 63-66 tied for the lead with Sergio Gar- shot 65. 130-Jason Kokrak 65-65 cia, was one-under for the day Spieth said fatigue might have 132-Sebastian Munoz (COL) and facing a 23-foot birdie putt been a factor in his lack of sharp- 67-65, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 63-69, at the third when a thunderstorm ness late in the round. Patton Kizzire 67-65 halted play for more than two He played alongside Mickel- 133-Maverick McNealy 70-63, hours. son, who had two bogeys in the Charley Hoff man 71-62, Adam The American rolled in the last three holes in a one-under 69 Hadwin (CAN) 66-67, Erik Comp- putt when play resumed, add- for a two-over total of 142 - one ton 65-68 ing an 11-foot birdie at the sixth shot outside the cut line. 134-Kramer Hickok 66-68 and a 20-footer at the 14th for Mickelson made history on 135-Brian Harman 69-66, Robert an 11-under par total at Colonial Sunday at Kiawah Island, win- Streb 67-68, Collin Morikawa Country Club of 129. ning the PGA Championship for 69-66, Kevin Streelman 69-66, “(The) putter still felt pretty a sixth major title and, at 50, be- Vincent Whaley 69-66 good,” Spieth said. “I came out of coming the oldest man to win one 136-Talor Gooch 67-69, Tony the rain delay and I made a nice of golf’s Grand Slam events. Finau 69-67, Kevin Kisner 69-67, putt on three, and really felt like He started the day three-over Brandt Snedeker 66-70, Justin I had a chance to birdie almost and opened with a bogey but with Rose (ENG) 68-68, Daniel Berger every hole on that front nine and three birdies in four holes had 68-68, Brendon Todd 72-64, Kyle even into the back nine. battled back to get himself inside Stanley 69-67, Cameron Tringale “But I didn’t swing it as well,” the cut line. 67-69 he said. “I knew I was going to He was even for the tourna- kind of have to manage my way ment after a birdie at the 15th, around the golf course a little bit, but he was unable to get up and and fortunately did a really great down from a greenside bunker at Jordan Spieth lines up his putt job of that.” both 16 and 18 -- leaving himself on the seventh hole during the “It’s nice if you play a bogey- a 10-foot par putt at the last that second round of the Charles free round,” added Spieth, who he couldn’t get to drop. Schwab Challenge at Colonial got up and down for par from a While Spieth thought his back Country Club in Fort Worth, greenside bunker at the 16th and nine left room for improvement, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, May 30, 2021 7 SPORT

BEACH VOLLEYBALL FOCUS beIN Sports to Qatar’s Younousse and Tijan exclusively broadcast enter semi-fi nals in Sochi French Open across 23 countries in Mena atar’s Cherif You- in the semi-fi nals, but we don’t nousse and Ahmed think of it as a semi-fi nal. It’s By Sports Reporter Safwat, the highest ranked Arab Tijan entered their just another opportunity to play Doha player on the ATP tour and No 1 fourth consecutive better than today.” in his home country. semi-fiQ nal on the FIVB Beach Earlier in the day, Younousse All eyes will be on Rafael Nadal Volleyball World Tour yesterday. and Tijan defeated Czech pair eIN Media Group, the as he returns to Paris just seven The fourth-seeded Qatari Ondrej Perusic and David Sch- global sports and enter- months after winning a record pair, defeated Brazil’s Alison weiner 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) to enter tainment broadcaster 13th Roland Garros title. Nadal, Cerutti and Alvaro Morais Filho quarter-fi nals. and its fl agship sports who is dominant on the clay sur- 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) in the quarter- Younousse and Tijan won the bchannel beIN Sports will broad- face, has won 62 out of his 88 fi nals to enter the last four stage title earlier in the month after cast the French Open 2021 live ATP singles titles on the surface in Sochi. fi nishing second in the fi rst two and exclusively to its millions of – including 26 out of his 36 ATP The Qatari duo will take on tournaments of the three-event viewers and subscribers across Masters titles. Christiaan Varenhorst and Ste- Cancun Hub in Mexico. the Middle East and North Africa beIN Sports’ coverage of ven van de Velde of the Nether- “The reason for our success (Mena). this year’s Roland-Garros will lands in their semi-fi nals today. at the three Cancun and here Roland-Garros is scheduled to see the global sports channel “It’s been a very good per- is that we always go for more. kick off today, with the singles exclusively cover the tourna- formance so far and we are Every game is an opportunity for and doubles matches being held ments on its Arabic and English happy about it. But the mara- us and we try to capitalise on it. in its namesake stadium in Paris, sports channels beIN Sports 2, thon continues. Each game is a We are grateful to be in the semi- France. The main fi nals will then 5, 6 and 7. The English channels new game. We lost in pool play, fi nals again after three events on take place as follows: mixed dou- will also include an hour-long but we just keep going and try- the podium,” said Tijan. bles on June 10; women’s singles daily highlight show. The beIN ing to improve game by game,” The other semi-fi nal will fea- and men’s doubles on June 12; commentary and analyst team the 25-year-old Rio 2016 Olym- ture Poland’s Piotr Kantor and and women’s doubles and men’s is the best around and includes pian Younousse told Volleyball Bartosz Losiak against Italy’s singles on June 13. Selima Sfar, the second high- World. Adrian Carambula and Enrico Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in action during their FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour As with each Roland-Garros, est ranked female Tunisian and “So we are happy to be back Rossi. (FIVB) quarter-final against Brazil’s Alison Cerutti and Alvaro Morais Filho in Sochi yesterday. (FIVB) the 2021 tournament will observe Arab player of all time, former the very best in tennis — as well Kuwaiti tennis player Adel al- as some fresh talent. Top inter- Shatti, retired two-time cham- ATHLETICS UPDATE national superstars hope to make pion Karim Alami, former WTA their mark, such as reigning US player Kim Wehrmann, plus and Australian Open champion many more. Naomi Osaka, women’s World Duncan Walkinshaw, Act- Asher-Smith No 6 Elina Svitolina, men’s ing Director of Programmes for World No 1 Novak Djokovic and beIN Mena, said: “Once again, returns as 20-time Major champion Roger it is our greatest pleasure to Federer. bring prestigious international QAF president Diamond Representing the Mena region events such as Roland-Garros is Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur – who is to the screens of fans and view- League the highest ranked Arab player ers across the Mena region. in WTA history at No 24. Jabeur beIN, in the Mena region, is the goes back to reached two junior Grand Slam exclusive home of all the Grand girls’ singles fi nals at the French Slams plus the ATP and WTA. Gateshead Open in 2010 and 2011, winning Roland Garros is part of an in- the title in the second appear- credible summer of sport live pleased with orld 200m ance. She was also the fi rst Arab and exclusive only on beIN, in- champion Dina player to win a junior Grand Slam cluding the rescheduled UEFA Asher-Smith singles title since Ismail El Sha- Euro 2020, Copa America 2021, will fi ne-tune fei in 1964. Also representing the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Wim- Wher preparations for the Mena region is Egypt’s Mohamed bledon and Test Cricket.” Olympic Games when she races in Gateshead on July 13, Doha DL success following confi rmation that SPOTLIGHT the Wanda Diamond League series will be returning to the North East of England for the Muller British Grand Semenya fails in Prix. The Diamond League season opener had been latest bid to qualify scheduled for Rabat on May 23 but moved to the Gates- head International Stadium for Tokyo Olympics due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions. At that meet- Reuters ing Asher-Smith battled Durban, South Africa the rain and wind to win the 100m and in July she will contest the 200m on that ouble Olympic 800m same track. champion Caster Se- “My fi rst 100m of 2021 last menya failed in her weekend was against some latest bid to qualify for tough opposition and I’m ex- thisD year’s Tokyo Games, fi nish- pecting it to be another excit- ing well outside the qualifying ing race when I go back there mark for the 5,000m at the Ol- in a few weeks’ time,” said ympics. Asher-Smith, who triumphed The 30-year-old South Afri- ahead of Sha’Carri Richard- can is banned from competing son, Marie-Josee Ta Lou and in any race from 400m to a mile Second Vice-President of Qatar Olympic Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. after the sport’s governing World Committee and President of the Qatar “Hopefully we will be al- Athletics ruled in 2018 that to Athletics Federation Dr Thani bin As many as 200 athletes from around the world participated in the Doha Diamond League lowed to have more fans in ensure fair competition, women Abdulrahman al-Kuwari. meeting at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar Sports Club on Friday. the stadium and the athletes with high natural testosterone will get a great send off be- levels must take medication to QNA level of participation and competition. He capabilities, which he said refl ects the coun- fore they go to the Olympic reduce them to compete in mid- Doha thanked President of QOC HE Sheikh Joaan try’s ability to successfully host any sport- Games in Tokyo.” dle-distance races. the South African 5,000m title in bin Hamad al-Thani for attending the round ing event regardless of the circumstances. The event on July 13 was Semenya, who refuses to take Pretoria last month. this year. He noted that Qatar has once again For his part, Qatari Olympic champion originally due to be held at any medication to alter her testo- Semenya continues to chal- econd Vice-President of Qatar proven to the world that it is capable of Mutaz Barshim said that winning second the London Stadium but has sterone levels, has been left with lenge the World Athletics ruling Olympic Committee (QOC) and hosting major sporting events, adding that place in the high jump competition today been moved to Gateshead the 5,000m as her best chance to and has taken her case to the Eu- President of the Qatar Athletics it is something that makes the committee was satisfactory given it was his start to the due to the repercussions of go to the Tokyo Games but a bid ropean Court of Human Rights Federation (QAF) Dr Thani bin Ab- proud. season. the pandemic. to fi nish inside the qualifying but the case is unlikely to be dulrahmanS al-Kuwari expressed his delight QAF Secretary-General Mohamed Issa He added that he always looks to achieve After successfully welcom- mark of 15:10.00 failed at a meet- completed by the time the Tokyo with the great success of the Doha round of al-Fadala praised the good organisation and the best results, but maintained that it was ing back 2,000 spectators at ing in Durban on Friday that was Games begin on July 23. the Diamond League, which took place on the level of competition in this year’s Doha still early in the season. the Muller Grand Prix Gates- specially arranged to off er her an Her attorney Greg Nott told Friday at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium at Qa- round of the Diamond League despite the He said that he will start a more focused head, British Athletics hopes opportunity. local media this week that Se- tar Sports Club with a huge number of Ol- diffi cult conditions facing the world as a preparation for the Olympics following the that more fans will be able to Semenya fi nished in 15:32.15, menya was hoping to have the ympic and World champions participating. result of the Covid-19 pandemic. He ex- Rome round two weeks from now. He added safely return to the stadium far outside the qualifying time, matter settled before next year’s He said that the Doha round was a suc- pressed his delight with the praise legends that he hopes to win a gold medal at the To- for the Muller British Grand although it was faster than the World Athletics Championships cess in terms of the organization and the of the game had for Qatar’s organisational kyo Olympics. Prix. (World Athletics) 15:52.28 she posted in winning in Eugene, Oregon.

SUPER RUGBY Blues hammer Brumbies to stay top, Reds upset Chiefs AFP as the Reds snapped a run of 13 pretty electric start, capitalising felt confi dent. than-clinical performance. Sydney straight tournament losses for on some ill-discipline,” said Reds The Blues added converted “We gave a lot of ball away in Australian teams. co-skipper Liam Wright. “But tries to Bryce Heem, AJ Lam and the fi rst-half especially, so plenty The Reds, who won the Super I’m really not happy with that TJ Faiane in the second half. of stuff for us to work on.” uckland Blues ham- Rugby AU tournament, took the second half.” A workmanlike Crusaders After Mitchell Drummond mered the ACT Brum- lead courtesy of a penalty try, In Auckland, the Brumbies meanwhile scored eight tries as scored the opening try for bies 38-10 to stay which resulted in a yellow card were leading 10-7 through a Noah they infl icted an 11th straight de- the Crusaders, Will Harrison top of Super Rugby for Chase Tiatia. Lolesio penalty and a converted feat on the Waratahs. drilled two penalties to keep the Trans-TasmanA yesterday as the With Tiatia absent, Reds try to Connal McInerney in the Only once in the history of Su- home side in the hunt until the Queensland Reds edged a bat- winger Isaac Henry then split the countdown to half-time when per Rugby has an Australian team 29th minute when Codie Tay- tling Waikato Chiefs in a thriller defence and sprinted for the line the Blues turned the game with suff ered a worse streak - when lor crossed after a scintillating to earn Australia a fi rst win of the on 21 minutes in a pivotal mo- 10 points in under two minutes. the Melbourne Rebels lost 12 on 80-metre counter-attack. competition. ment which saw Chiefs danger- A penalty by Otere Black levelled the trot in 2011-12. It opened the fl oodgates with The unbeaten Blues are level man Damian McKenzie sent off the scores and from the kick-off New Zealand’s premier team Reece and Dallas McLeod also with the Wellington Hurricanes, for a high shoulder charge. Rieko Ioane made the initial break started slowly, making unchar- bagging tries to give them a 26-9 who fl attened Western Force It was a turning point with Finlay Christie of the Auckland Blues (centre) celebrates his try with before feeding Finlay Christie who acteristic errors, before fi nding half-time lead. 43-6 on Friday, while the Can- Suliasi Vunivalu, Feao Fotuaika, teammates during the Super Rugby match against ACT Brumbies in made a 35-metre run to the line. their groove at a windy Wollon- Barrett, Leicester terbury Crusaders are a point and Henry again all dotting down Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. (AFP) “That was a huge moment in gong, south of Sydney. Fainga’anuku, Bryn Hall and Will adrift after infl icting a 54-28 de- as they exploited the one-man ad- the game. It was a real tight tus- “We were a little bit loose there Jordan all scored for the Crusad- feat on the NSW Waratahs. vantage for a 33-3 lead at the break. ing back with Pita Gus Sowakula, crossing in reply to Filipo Dau- sle and that win gave us momen- at times, trying to chase points ers in the second stanza while But the Chiefs stumbled, But they lost focus in the sec- Tupou Vaa’i, Reuben O’Neill, gunu’s solitary try for the Reds. tum,” Blues captain Tom Robin- and tries,” Crusaders captain the ‘Tahs produced tries to Jack crashing 40-34 in Townsville ond half as the Chiefs came roar- Bailyn Sullivan and Xavier Roe all “We set ourselves up with a son said, adding he had always Scott Barrett said of their less- Maddocks and Izaia Perese.

Sunday, May 30, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Sheikh Abdullah’s Qaiser lands a hat-trick Agencies Bordeaux, France Al Shaqab’s Al Wakrah opens scorecard in France

Agencies wned by His High- Chateaubriant, France ness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qaiser continued his l Wakrah, a two-year-old winningO streak yesterday when filly who represents the winning the Prix Achille Fould, AAl Shaqab Racing silk, a Class 1 race over 2,400m for opened her scorecard on her three-year-olds at Bordeaux-Le second racecourse start when Bouscat in France. winning the Prix de Choisel, a With Olivier Peslier in the sad- maiden over 1,100m for two-year- dle, Qaiser went quickly to the olds at Chateaubriant in France lead and settled in second posi- yesterday. The Simone Brogi- tion throughout. trained filly showed nice progress Jordan Plateaux (left) rides Al Wakrah to victory in the Prix de At the 1,000m mark, he since her debut, earlier in May, Choisel in Chateaubriant, France, yesterday. (Jean Charles Briens) moved closer to the leader Olivier Peslier (left) rides Qaiser to victory in the Prix Achille Fould in Bordeaux-Le Bouscat in France when she finished seventh over Merveillo and was still travel- yesterday. (Robert Polin) the same distance at Tarbes. ated well at the beginning of further length and three quar- ling very comfortably. Once Ridden by Jordan Plateaux, Al the home straight. In the final ters behind in third. in the home straight, Qaiser Soufi ane Saadi while the long- Spirit, who will now be aimed at work rider has done a very good Wakrah broke well from the furlong, she kicked clear to take Al Wakrah is now the second showed a nice turn of foot and time leader Merveillo fi nished a Listed race. job with him and it starts to pay starting gate at Chateaubri- the lead and win by a length. winner for her sire, Al Wukair, kept challenging the leader un- a further length and a quarter “He is a smart horse,” said off . He will run in the Derby du ant and was in a mid-position. Regalien finished second for based at the Haras de Bouquetot. til he took the lead in the final behind him in third for trainer Antoine de Watrigant, Qaiser’s Languedoc (Listed), at Toulouse Round the first bend, she got trainer Yann Barberot and Her dam, Al Thakhira, has won stages to win by half a length. C. Ferland and jockey Maxime trainer. “Once he gets in front, on June 24th, then he will have a closer to the three runners in jockey Clement Guitraud while a Group 2 and has already pro- Rainband managed to snatch Guyon. he starts to relax. He has more break in the summer. I think he the front. She improved more the J Boisnard-trained and Theo duced a winner, Eraidah. She has the runner-up place for trainer This was the third win in a row strength now. He is more mature will race in some Group races be- at the final bend and acceler- Bachelot-ridden Lisana was a a yearling colt by Shalaa. Henri-Alex Pantall and jockey for this progressive son of Charm and I think he is a good colt. His fore the end of the year.”

TENNIS TENNIS Sebastian Djoko warms up Korda breaks for Roland Garros through on Parma clay AFP and how I handled it.” Parma, Italy Although his father is Czech, Sebastian Korda, who was born with Belgrade title in Florida, chose to represent the n the eve of the French US. Open, 20-year-old Yesterday’s victory made ‘I am playing well, feeling good and I have spent quality time with my family’ American Sebastian him the first American player Korda scored a career to win a clay court tournament Obreak-through when he beat since Sam Querrey in Belgrade AFP Belgrade, Serbia Italian Marco Cecchinato, 6-2, 11 years ago. 6-4, in Parma for a fi rst title. “This is something that I’ve Korda, the son of former dreamed of,” Korda said, add- ovak Djokovic com- world No. 2 and Australian Open ing that he had expected to win pleted a success- winner Petr Korda, had never a title sooner, naming an event in ful warm-up for the reached a fi nal on the ATP tour Florida in January. French Open when and before the Parma event, had “I really thought I was going to Nhe beat Slovakian Alex Molcan never won consecutive matches get it done in Delray Beach, and I 6-4, 6-3, yesterday in the fi nal on clay. was a little heartbroken.”. of the ATP clay tournament in Cecchinato, who won all three “But I stayed positive, even Belgrade. of his titles on clay, comes from with such a bad fi rst part of the This was the second event in Brescia, 90 kilometres from Par- clay-court season,” he said. “I the city in just over a month but ma. took a couple of days off , re- where the Serbia Open in April The fans allowed into the fi rst- charged my batteries, and had was played in an empty stadium, time event supported for the lo- a really good practice week in fans were allowed for this tour- cal boy. Prague with my dad and my nament. “Today I played a really tough coach,” said Korda. “It’s been a while since I last opponent and the crowd wasn’t Korda plays Pedro Martinez in played here in front of a crowd,” easy,” Korda said. the fi rst round at Roland Garros said Djokovic, a Belgrade native “They kept cheering him on, where his father reached the fi nal who lost in the semi-fi nal in the but I’m really proud of myself in 1992 losing to Jim Courier. Serbia Open, a tournament he last won in 2011. “To hold a trophy here af- ter 10 years is really special and it couldn’t be better ahead of Roland Garros,” he said. “I am playing well, feeling good and I have spent quality time with my family.” Molcan, ranked 255th in the world, broke Djokovic’s serve Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates his Belgrade Open victory with tournament volunteers in Belgrade, Serbia, yesterday. (AFP) three times from three break points in the fi rst set, but strug- of fi rst serves. He broke in the season for the 34-year-old “I didn’t play badly, but I was same half of the draw as his old gled to hold his own. sixth game. Molcan at once broke world number one, the winner playing against Djokovic,” he rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Djokovic struggled with his back. Djokovic immediately re- of the Australian Open in Febru- said. “I’m feeling good and tired. Federer. fi rst serve in the opening set, only gained the initiative by winning ary, and the 83rd of his career. “I made my fi rst ATP Tour fi - Djokovic is two behind Nadal managing to get 44 per cent in the next game when Molcan hit a The 23-year-old Molcan was nal from qualifi cation. I played and Federer’s joint men’s record and winning just six points from backhand volley wide. trying to become the fi fth fi rst- good tennis here and I was fi ght- of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. them. He still took the set with his Djokovic then comfortably time ATP tournament winner ing. Today, I tried as well, but it Djokovic has a fi rst round fourth break in the 10th game. served out the match in 1hr 28 this season. Before Belgrade he wasn’t enough.” date with American Tennys The Serbian was steadier in the mins. had not won a match on the ATP Roland Garros starts on Sun- Sandgren in the fi rst round in second set, landing 66 per cent It was the second title this tour this year. day with Djokovic drawn in the Paris tomorrow.

FOCUS Krejcikova wins maiden WTA title in Strasbourg Reuters “I feel very emotional, really Bengaluru, India happy. It was an amazing week Barbora Krejcikova for me,” Krejcikova, who fought of Czech Republic back from a set down twice in the celebrates with her arbora Krejcikova gave tournament to win her matches, trophy after winning her French Open prepa- said at the trophy presentation the Strasbourg rations a huge boost ceremony. WTA title yesterday. when she won her maid- “I don’t have many words, I’m (Internationaux de enB WTA title at the Strasbourg In- shaking, super excited to win my Strasbourg) ternational yesterday with a 6-3, fi rst WTA title.” 6-3 victory over Sorana Cirstea. Cirstea never got a grip on the Krejcikova did not have the per- match with her unforced error fect match, with 10 double faults, count rising with every game as as windy conditions in the open- she fi nished with 44 in all. air arena made serving diffi cult, Krejcikova fi red 22 winners, in- but the Czech fi fth seed converted cluding one on match point as she six of 13 break points to deny her screamed in delight in front of a Romanian opponent a third sin- handful of fans in attendance. gles title. Krejcikova is up against her Krejcikova, 25, used her deep compatriot Kristyna Pliskova ground strokes well to force Cir- in the fi rst round of the French stea to scramble for returns and Open, which begins today, while combined that strategy with fi - Cirstea takes on British 19th seed Sebastian Korda of the US celebrates his win in Parma, Italy, yesterday. nesse at the net. Johanna Konta. (Twitter/ATPTour)