14 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Sports

Wimbledon: Day Two Flag kick Barty, Kerber Madagascar president charters plane for cruise into Africa Cup fans 2nd round MADAGASCAN President An- dry Rajoelina has chartered a AFP 480-seater plane to take football LONDON fans to Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after the country EIGHT-TIME Wimbledon unexpectedly qualified for the champion over- round of 16. came a first set scare to reach Excitement has been building in the second round on Tuesday the Indian Ocean island nation beating South African debutant as the team emerged on top of Lloyd Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. group B after beating three-time Federer, took time to get tournament winners Nigeria 2-0. going and was helped by his op- There are no direct commercial ponent suffering a calf problem flights from Madagascar to Egypt. midway through the match. “Barea”, who take their nick- “I struggled early on, my name from a breed of local cat- legs were frozen and the ball tle, will play Democratic Republic was not going where I wanted it Federer of Congo or South Africa on Sun- to,” said Federer. day. “After hearing the demands “He was hitting big and of supporters, President Andry things were going quickly. I was Rajoelina and the Madagascan nervous for a set and a half. So state have decided to mobilise it took a good effort from me. an Airbus 380, with Lloyd played a good match.” ends debutant 480 seats, to transport sup- Two-time porters,” Rinah Rakotomanga, champion ’s communications chief for the lack of ease on grass being ex- presidency, said.(AFP) posed by veteran American serve and volleyer Sam Querrey. Harris’ flutter Rabiot ready for a Querrey, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2017, prevailed fresh start after 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0. sealing Juve move “There’s still things which are not easy,” said Thiem. FRENCH midfielder Adrien Rabiot “I mean, last year and this in opener is ready to put a difficult six year together I played four grass months behind him and move court matches, which is not a lot on having completed a switch to at all. All the clay court season it Roger Federer in action during his 1st round match against South Africa’s debutant Lloyd George Harris (inset) at the All England Club in London on Tuesday. (REUTERS) champions Juventus. takes a lot out of me,” added the “The last few months were com- 25-year-old Austrian. very tough and it took a little tant for me to be strong on my plicated for me on a personal Women’s World No. 1 time to get used to the court,” RESULTS: ROUND ONE serve,” she said. and sporting level,” he told reporters at his media presenta- Ashleigh Barty and defending said Barty. “It definitely took MEN: Sam Querrey (USA) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) Cecchinato (ITA) 6-0, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5); 6-4; Barbora Zahlavova (CZE) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR Barty may have not been champion Angelique Kerber some time to adjust.” 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0; (FRA (ITA x17) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 x32) 6-3, 6-2; Elise Mertens (BEL x21) bt Fiona Ferro nervous but Kerber, who came tion on Tuesday. “But today, I am avoided the fate of second seed Barty, who is bidding to x20) bt Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-2; (7/3); Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Brayden Schnur (FRA) 6-2, 6-0; Monica Niculescu (ROU) bt Andrea into the tournament on the ready to leave it all behind to Naomi Osaka and came through become the first woman since Dan Evans (GBR) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG) 6-3, (CAN) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Petkovic (GER) 2-6, 6-2, 7-5; Tamara Zidansek (SLO) bt back of being the beaten final- begin this new adventure.” 7-6 (7/5), 6-3; Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x18) bt WOMEN: Ashleigh Barty (AUS x1) bt Saisai Zheng (CHN) Eugénie Bouchard (CAN) 6-3, 5-7, 8-6; Wang Qiang their first round clashes safely. Serena Williams in 2015 to James Ward (GBR) 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6; Jo-Wilfried 6-4, 6-2; Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) bt Svetlana (CHN x15) bt Vera Lapko (BLR) 6-2, 6-2; Sloane ist at Eastbourne last Saturday, The 24-year-old Rabiot was Barty beat China’s Zheng win both the French Open and Tsonga (FRA) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4; Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Harriet Dart (GBR) bt Stephens (USA x9) bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 6-2, 6-4; confessed to being so before she frozen out at former club Paris Saisai 6-4, 6-2 while Kerber, the Wimbledon in the same season, Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 7-6 Christina McHale (USA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Kaia Kanepi (EST) Wang Yafan (CHN) bt Tereza Martincova (CZE) 6-2, 7-5; walked out onto Centre Court. Saint-Germain after negotia- fourth seed, beat fellow German drew on the film The Lion King (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12/10), 0-6, 6-1; (JPN bt Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 5-7, 7-5, 6-4; Belinda Bencic Katerina Siniaková (CZE) bt Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) Her game appeared to re- tions over a new contract broke x8) bt Thiago Monteiro (BRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4; (SUI x13) bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6-2, 6-3; 2-6, 6-1, 6-1; Johanna Konta (GBR x19) bt Ana Bogdan Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-3. to describe how she felt leading (GBR) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-2, Lauren Davis (USA) bt Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-3, 6-2; (ROU) 7-5, 6-2; Magda Linette (POL) bt Anna Kalinskaya flect that as she lost her serve on down in December. And Rabiot Whilst Barty did not have it into the match. 6-4, 6-4; Steve Johnson (USA) bt Albert Ramos (ESP) Angelique Kerber (GER x5) bt Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-4, (RUS) 6-0, 7-6 (11/9); Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) bt several occasions but in the end revealed Juventus goalkeeper all her own way in the first set “Kind of came into it think- 6-4, 6-2, 6-3; Alex De Minaur (AUS x25) bt Marco 6-3; Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Katie Swan (GBR) 6-2, Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2. won comfortably enough. legend Gianluigi Buffon, who being pegged back to 4-4 after ing kind of like hakuna matata “This is the tournament was at PSG last year, was influ- leading 3-0 she had little trou- (Swahili for no trouble and a 23-year-old. knocked out then defending for a place in the last 32. of the year where you really ential in him choosing Turin to ble after winning the first set. title of a song in the film), just Barty plays tricky Belgian champion Garbine Muguruza “It will be an exceptional would like to play your best kick-start his career. (DPA) “The first round is always relax and go for it,” said the Alison Van Uytvanck, who last year in the second round, challenge and it will be impor- ,” said Kerber. ‘Thankful’ Serena scraps through unexpected dogfight Holders Cameroon REUTERS 6-2 7-5. But she put the seven- nis tracks to Williams, hav- 29 minutes, Williams had to to face Nigeria as LONDON times champion through her ing only played one previous wait until the eighth game of paces, testing the injuries that match against a top-20 player the second set to break serve SERENA Williams began her have limited the American to and never beaten someone only for the resilient Italian pinch top spot first-round clash at Wimbledon seven matches since the Aus- ranked higher than 102. to fire straight back and then in complete comfort, but ended tralian Open in January. Yet her staying power level at 5-5. AFP over Guinea-Bissau, and their it screaming in delight as she “She never gave up - it’s against the 23-times Grand After getting her nose back ISMAILIA, EGYPT path to retaining the title finally suppressed Giulia Gatto- good for me to play matches Slam singles champion, who in front, Williams brought up grew increasingly more diffi- Monticone having been dragged like this as I haven’t played too has amassed nearly $89 million match point on Gatto-Mon- DEFENDING Africa Cup of cult with a wounded Nigeria into an unlikely dogfight by the many matches this year,” said in prize money, gave the fans ticone’s serve, pumping her Nations champions Cam- now awaiting them in the next world number 161. Williams. “It’s the best I’ve felt on Centre Court a contest they fists furiously before wrapping eroon will meet Nigeria in a round and hosts Egypt likely The Italian qualifier, who since February. It felt amazing could not have expected when up the encounter following a clash of continental giants in facing the winner of that tie. was making only her second to be on grass after some tough Williams took the opening five lengthy rally and rapid exchange the last 16 after Tuesday’s 0-0 struck for appearance at the times on clay. I’m so thankful games. From then on, however, at the net. Next up for the for- draw with Benin allowed Gha- the second time in three age of 31 having amassed a rela- and I’m happy to be back doing Serena Williams celebrates beat- the two players went toe-to-toe, mer world number one will be a na to finish top of Group F. matches in the group’s other tively modest $300,000 in prize what I love.” ing Giulia Gatto-Monticone during albeit in a scrappy encounter second-round clash against Kaja Cameroon stuttered to game in Suez as Ghana sent money throughout a pedestrian Gatto-Monticone came their women’s singles first round low on quality. Juvan, a highly-rated 18-year- a second goalless stalemate Guinea-Bissau home without career, was eventually subdued from the other side of the ten- match on Tuesday. (AFP) After taking the first set in old prospect from Slovenia. in succession as Ghana, a point or a goal. who drew their opening two Richard Ofori made a games, beat Guinea-Bissau sharp stop to prevent former 2-0 to finish ahead of the Liverpool youth team for- holders on goals scored. ward Toni Silva giving Guin- The Black Stars will take ea-Bissau a shock lead but Defending champs Chile eager to make on the runners-up from Ayew, who endured a miser- Group E, where all four able season at Crystal Palace, teams remain in contention, has rediscovered his form for for a place in the quarter- his country. Copa history against Peru, says Vidal finals while Benin scraped Ayew collected a ball down through as one of the best the left-hand side right at the AFP and Jose Fuenzalida in a three- third-place sides. start of the second half and PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL pronged attack. Saturnin Allagbe re- ran towards goal as the de- Peru are clear underdogs placed Fabien Farnolle in fence backed off before pick- CHILE midfielder Arturo Vidal having been surprise qualifiers goal for Benin and produced ing out the corner of the net. says the reigning Copa America for the semi-finals. fine saves to deny Ambroise Mamadu Cande rattled champions are focused on mak- They arrived in the knock- Oyongo and Cameroon cap- the woodwork for Guinea- ing history ahead of their semi- out stages demoralized follow- tain Eric Maxim Choupo- Bissau while Ayew twice hit final against Peru. ing a 5-0 thrashing by hosts Bra- Moting but the Indomitable the post for Ghana before The 2015 and 2016 cham- zil in their final group match and Lions again looked worry- slid in to con- pions are aiming for a third progressed to the semi-finals on ingly blunt in attack. vert ’s cross 20 continental title in a row, a feat penalties, but only after Uru- Clarence Seedorf’s side minutes from time to send the only achieved once before by guay had three goals ruled out have scored just twice in four-time champions through Argentina in successive years for offside in their quarter-final, Egypt, in the opening 2-0 win as group winners. from 1945-47. Legacy! two of those by the slimmest of “We want to leave our leg- margins that VAR spotted but acy as triple champions, that’s We want to leave our legacy were invisible to the naked eye. our dream,” said the Barcelona Chile players take part in a training session in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande as triple champions, that’s Even so, coach Ricardo midfielder, an integral part of do Sul ahead of their Copa America semi-final match against Peru.(AFP) our dream. That’s why we Gareca says there’s no hint of Chile’s only two previous Copa an inferiority complex amongst successes. Colombia” who Chile beat on Vargas, who scored twice in want to play our best match his players. “That’s why we want to penalties in the quarter-final. Chile’s opening 4-0 thrashing of the Copa against Peru. It “We’re in the right con- play our best match of the Copa “That’s why it will be a very of Japan, may never have had would be something historic ditions to tackle this kind of against Peru. It would be some- difficult match and fantastic to the chance to add to his Copa for us to get to the final and match,” he said. thing historic for us to get to the play in it.” ledger, but for a change of heart that’s our aim. “Maybe it’s a bigger match final and that’s our aim.” Vidal pointed to Peru cap- by Chile’s Colombian coach Re- than the others before but we Chile faced Peru in the tain and striker Paolo Guerrero inaldo Rueda. Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal can play better.” 2015 semi-finals on home as the biggest threat Chile will Vargas, known as “Tur- While Chile can boast estab- soil when they won 2-1 before face on Wednesday. boman” for his incredible en- lished European-based talents beating Argentina on penalties Guerrero and Chile’s Eduar- gine, fell out of favour with in 49 matches for his Mexican in midfield such as Barcelona’s in the final for their first ever do Vargas, with 12 goals each, Rueda for disciplinary reasons club side Tigres last season. Vidal, Charles Aranguiz of Bayer continental success. are the top two still active scor- following a friendly with Swe- It was a good move as Var- Leverkusen and Bologna’s Er- “We need to play the perfect ers in Copa history. den in 2018. gas has been electric in the tour- ick Pulgar, Rueda feels that in match, to win it with authority,” “He’s a player who knows He spent almost 18 months nament alongside a rejuvenated Christian Cueva, who plays for added Vidal. how to play against four defend- overlooked by the Colombian Alexis Sanchez – who’s looked Brazilians Santos, he has one of Ghana’s Thomas celebrates scoring the second goal with teammates “Peru have great teamwork, ers and it always takes a lot out before being recalled for the his old self after 18 months of the most under-rated players in during their Group F Africa Cup of Nations 2019 match against they play well, very similar to of us to mark him,” said Vidal. Copa America following 17 goals misery at Manchester United -- the tournament. Guinea Bissau at the Suez Army Stadium on Tuesday. (REUTERS)