Sport
TUESDAY 25 MAY 2021 Asher-SmithA defeats Richardson aahead of Doha Diamond League I feel really good. Conditions were far from ideal for sprinting butb the most important thing is to come away with a good resultr and a win and I was very happy to do that.
Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith Sport | 18
WORLD GOLF RANKINGS (TOP 4) 1. Dustin Johnson 10.16, 2. Justin Thomas 8.61, 3. Jon Rahm 8.36, 4. Bryson DeChambeau 6.94 QFA President chairs General Assembly meeting
THE PENINSULA – DOHA Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Buainain, Hani Talib Ballan, Ibrahim Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Khalil Al Muhannadi, Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani, President of Ahmed bin Hamad Al Thani and the Qatar Football Association Abdul Rahman Al Qahtani, in (QFA), presided over QFA’s addition to the members of the General Assembly meeting in General Assembly from the the presence of top QFA office- clubs, directors of departments bearers, directors, and club and heads of the various com- members representatives mittees of the QFA. yesterday. “This year, we are Several key decisions were approaching the end of the taken during the meeting con- period of the QFA’s strategic ducted via video technology. plan, whose basic foundations Mansoor Al Ansari, Sec- were outlined in 2011 to con- retary-General of QFA, tinue to the year 2016. And this explained the mechanism for plan was subject to review and voting on the General reorientation in 2018 to con- Assembly agenda electroni- tinue until the end of the year cally. The General Assembly Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association, chairs the 2022,” the QFA President said. agenda was swiftly approved General Assembly meeting in the presence of top QFA officials via video technology yesterday. “With the Almighty’s after the amendment of some blessing, we will have finished of its clauses, while the pre- our communities,” the QFA through training courses with hosting the biggest football vious meeting minutes were President added. different football schools event in the world – the 2022 also approved. “We are working on around the world. We hope to FIFA World Cup – on Qatari soil “We have successfully expanding the professional see Qatari coaches heading our by the end of next year,” he started the first steps to develop set-up by allowing Second clubs in local competitions in added. “We feel honoured to the Qatar Stars League further. Division clubs to join the Qatar the future,” Sheikh Hamad said. represent the Arab world, the This will result in strong deci- Stars League roster,” he added. The QFA President Middle East region and Asia in sions and radical changes in the The General Assembly applauded the induction of 200 hosting the 2022 FIFA World coming weeks and months,” the attendees agreed to extend the referees who completed chal- Cup,” he said. QFA President said. term of the current Executive lenging qualifying procedures “It will be the best World “Our strategic plan is based Office, which ends in December to win their official badges. Cup. I am fully confident about on six main goals that we work 2022, until the 2023 General The General Assembly was this,” he added. on annually – the most Assembly. informed that 42 MoUs were He stressed that the vision important of which are devel- “The exit of Qatari clubs signed last season, including 37 of QFA during the past decade oping national teams, providing from the first round of the AFC with national federations, 3 was to become a football asso- an effective system of gov- Champions League is not satis- with continental confederations ciation characterised by lead- ernance and technical devel- factory, and we need to assess and 2 with regional federations. ership and creativity. "This opment for our leagues, clubs the situation in detail,” the QFA Several friendly tournaments vision had inspired us to work and referees. We also consist- President said. and matches have been hosted World Cup, it was revealed attended by members of QFA’s hard and strive to achieve our ently seek to increase partici- “We seek to raise the effi- to test the operational plans during the meeting. Executive Committee Saud collective goals,"the QFA Pres- pation in football activities in ciency of Qatari coaches before hosting the 2022 FIFA The General Assembly was Abdul Al Aziz Al Mohannadi, ident added. Mickelson defies age to win PGA Championship REUTERS – KIAWAH ISLAND Mickelson, who began the day with seemingly every hole, it was fan- OLDEST MAJOR GOLF WINNERS a one-shot lead over Koepka, put the fin- favourite Mickelson who emerged two Phil Mickelson, 2021 US PGA Championship, 50 Phil Mickelson turned back the clock to ishing touches on one of the most shots clear at the turn and soaking up years, 11 months, 7 days. secure a two-shot victory over Brooks impressive feats in golf with a one-over- energy from the limited spectators in Julius Boros, 1968 US PGA Championship, 48, 4, 18. Koepka and South African Louis Oost- par 73 at the Ocean Course that left him attendance at the year’s second major. Tom Morris Sr., 1867 British Open, 46, 3, 10. huizen at the PGA Championship and at six under on the week. Mickelson moved three shots clear Jack Nicklaus, 1986 Masters, 46, 2, 23. become the oldest major winner in history When Mickelson’s approach shot after a birdie at the par-four 10th and Jerry Barber, 1961 US PGA Championship, 45, 3, 6. aged 50. safely found the green at the final hole a the final stretch was more a coronation Hale Irwin, 1990 US Open, 45, 14. wild scene ensued as adoring fans raced than a dogfight as four-times major to follow one of the game’s all-time greats champion Koepka and 2010 British Open Lee Trevino, 1984 US PGA Championship, 44, 8, 18. up the fairway and completely enveloped winner Oosthuizen ran out of holes. Roberto De Vicenzo, 1967 British Open, 44, 3, 1. him in a frenzied swarm. Mickelson, who led by five shots with Harry Vardon, 1914 British Open, 44, 1, 10. Security officials eventually had to six holes to play, did see his lead cut to step in to create a narrow path for Mick- two shots after bogeys at the 13th and sight, an undeterred Mickelson showed elson to navigate his way to forward 14th compounded by a birdie at the 16th great resolve and even flashed a thumbs- where he two-putted from 16 feet (4.9 by Oosthuizen, who was playing in the up to the crowd as he went on to reclaim metres) to seal the win. penultimate pairing. With victory in a three-shot cushion with a birdie at the “This is just an incredible feeling 16th before a bogey-par finish. because I just believed that it was pos- PGA CHAMPIONSHIP “Truly inspirational to see @PhilM- sible but yet everything was saying it POS PLAYER TO PAR R1 R2 R3 R4 TOT ickelson do it again at 50 years of age. wasn’t,” said Mickelson, who is also now 1 Phil Mickelson -6 70 69 70 73 282 Congrats!!!!!!!,” 15-times major champion the only player to have gone 30 years T2 Louis Oosthuizen -4 71 68 72 73 284 Tiger Woods, who is home recovering between his first and last PGA Tour T2 Brooks Koepka -4 69 71 70 74 284 from serious leg injuries suffered in a victory. T4 Padraig Harrington -2 71 73 73 69 286 February car crash, wrote on Twitter. By collecting the sixth major of his T4 Shane Lowry -2 73 71 73 69 286 Oosthuizen (73) and Koepka (74) fin- career and first since the 2013 British T4 Harry Higgs -2 72 71 73 70 286 ished in a share of second place while Open, Mickelson surpassed Julius Boros, T4 Paul Casey -2 71 71 73 71 286 European Ryder Cup captain Padraig who was 48 years old when he won the T8 Abraham Ancer -1 74 72 76 65 287 Harrington (69), Ireland’s Shane Lowry 1968 PGA Championship, as the oldest T8 Justin Rose -1 72 75 73 67 287 (69), Englishman Paul Casey (71) and major winner. T8 Collin Morikawa -1 70 75 74 68 287 Harry Higgs (70) were a further two shots After an eventful T8 Jon Rahm -1 72 75 72 68 287 back in fourth place. front nine that T8 Will Zalatoris -1 71 74 72 70 287 Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson poses for a portrait with the produced T8 Scottie Scheffler -1 72 74 71 70 287 who won the PGA Championship at Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA twists and T8 Tony Finau -1 74 72 70 71 287 Kiawah Island in 2012 and was a Championship in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, turns at T8 Rickie Fowler -1 71 76 69 71 287 favourite this week, closed with an even- on Sunday. T8 Kevin Streelman -1 70 72 70 75 287 par 72 that left him at five over par. Amir Cup: Al Arabi, Al Rayyan storm into final Action during the semi-finals of the 2021 Amir Cup Handball Championship held at the Al Duhail Indoor Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan and Al Arabi advanced to the final after recording impressive victories yesterday over their respective opponents. Al Arabi defeated Al Wakrah 36-20 while Al Rayyan booked their place in the final with a 29-22 win over Al Gharafa. The final will take place on May 29 with the kick-off set for 7.00pm. TUESDAY 25 MAY 2021 SPORT 19 Al Ahly squad arrives in Doha ahead of CAF Super Cup showdown Juventus thrash Bologna to seal CL spot
REUTERS – TURIN
Juventus climbed into the top four on the final day of the Serie A season to secure Champions League qualifi- cation after the Turin club beat Bologna 4-1 and other results The players and officials of Egyptian side Al Ahly upon their arrival at the Hamad International Airport in Doha, yesterday ahead of the CAF Super Cup 2020-21. The CAF went their way. Champions League winners, Al Ahly will face Morocco's RS Berkane, the winners of the CAF Confederations Cup in the CAF Super Cup final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Andrea Pirlo’s Juve side on Friday. Berkane's squad will arrive today. moved one point above Napoli into fourth place as Gennaro Gattuso's team could only muster a 1-1 draw with mid- Sergio Aguero Lille’s Yusuf Yazici celebrates with team-mates after table Hellas Verona. winning the Ligue 1 title on Sunday. LIGUE 1 ROLL OF HONOUR with the Who will play in which European competition next season after Serie A top scorer Cristiano Premier League France's Ligue 1 campaign ended on Sunday: Ronaldo was surprisingly left trophy. CHAMPIONS: Lille - Champions League group stage on the bench for the crucial game, but Juve made a fast RUNNERS-UP: PSG - Champions League group stage start in his absence as Federico THIRD: AS Monaco - Champions League third preliminary round Chiesa put them in front after (or group stage if Manchester United win Europa League) five minutes. FOURTH: Olympique Lyonnais - Europa League group stage Alvaro Morata and Adrien FIFTH: Olympique de Marseille - Europa League group stage Rabiot struck before halftime SIXTH: Stade Rennes - Europa Conference League to put the result beyond doubt and Morata doubled his tally early in the second half before Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back late on. 184 goals and The Juve players huddled around a pitchside monitor at the end of the game to watch out as City's the final minutes of Napoli’s clash with Verona and roared Aguero bids with delight when the final whistle blew in Naples to guar- antee Pirlo’s team a top-four farewell to EPL spot. It has been a disappointing AP – MANCHESTER campaign for the Turin club, who won nine consecutive For Sergio Aguero, it’s 184 goals and out as league titles before this season, he bids farewell to the Premier League. but they ended strongly by Could there be one final scoring hurrah Lille clinch Ligue 1 title beating Atalanta in Wednes- in the Champions League? The 32-year- day’s Coppa Italia final before old Aguero scored twice in a fairytale last making short work of a 12th- appearance in English soccer as Manchester REUTERS – PARIS Paris kick. Angelo Fulgini reduced placed Bologna side with little City completed its title-winning campaign Saint-Germain’s the arrears in stoppage time left to play for. by thrashing Everton 5-0 on Sunday. Lille clinched their first Ligue Kylian Mbappe with for Angers. City’s record scorer moved onto 260 1 title since 2011 as they beat the Top Goalscorer PSG struggled against goals for the club with one game remaining Angers 2-1 away on Sunday, of the Season Brest and were lucky to reach - the Champions League final against becoming only the second club Award. the interval with a 1-0 Chelsea in Porto on Saturday. since 2013 to break Paris advantage after Angel Di The Argentina striker is likely to start Saint-Germain’s dominance. Maria’s curled corner kick on the bench for the match but City A goal by Jonathan David was deflected into his own manager Pep Guardiola didn’t rule out and a Burak Yilmaz penalty net by Romain Faivre after Aguero scripting one last amazing chapter put Christophe Galtier’s side Neymar had missed a to cap his 10 years with the team. on 83 points, one ahead of penalty. Asked if Aguero could play against defending champions PSG, Kylian Mbappe added Chelsea, Guardiola said: “Of course. We who had won seven of the another in the second half at have five substitutions. He has a special eight previous titles and the end of a sharp counter feeling, he has something special. snatched a 2-0 win at Stade attack to finish as the season’s “Of course he will be ready if we need Brest. top Ligue 1 scorer with 27 him to help us win the Champions League. “It was a long, tough day, goals. The post-match ceremony, which saw we were under a lot of “We lost the title. I’m only Captain City’s players and staff lift the Premier pressure and beating PSG on a player so it’s not up to me League trophy for the fifth time in 10 the last day is outstanding,” to say what we should do seasons, included a special tribute to Aguero said Galtier, who could be apart from focusing on the Ramos left in recognition of a City career that reached leaving the club after four future,” said Mbappe. its heights at the end of his first year there. seasons in charge following a Lille’s compact and effi- out of Spain That was when he scored the stoppage- change of president during the cient style was rewarded at time winner against Queens Park Rangers season. the end of a nail-biting season squad for in the final game of the season to clinch the Monaco secured third as the Turkish trio of Zeki title for City. place with 78 points and a spot in the Nantes finished 18th after a 2-1 Celik, Yusuf Yazici and Yilmaz worked Aguero’s final season at City has been Champions League despite a 0-0 draw home defeat by Montpellier and go into wonders. Euro 2020 blighted by injuries but he showed against at RC Lens as Olympique Lyonnais a playoff against Ligue 2 side Toulouse. Galtier’s side, who were five points Everton how lethal he still is, scoring twice slumped to a 3-2 home defeat by Nice Nimes and Dijon were already behind PSG after 10 games, took the REUTERS – MADRID after coming off the bench with 25 minutes to finish fourth on 76 and will enter relegated. lead at the top for good with seven remaining. the Europa League. Troyes and Clermont have been matches left when Jonathan David Spain captain Sergio Ramos “Before the game I felt so strange, the Olympique de Marseille drew 1-1 promoted to the top flight. earned them a 1-0 win at the Parc des has been left out of the squad sensation is not good. I prefer to think about at Metz after the teams traded pen- All eyes were on Lille’s game at Princes. for Euro 2020, coach Luis the good moments,” Aguero said. alties deep into stoppage time as they Angers as a failure to win by the north- They gave PSG a lifeline when they Enrique said yesterday. “I’m a striker, my target is to score goals, ended up fifth on 59 points to also erners would have handed the capital drew 0-0 at St Etienne last weekend, The Real Madrid centre- so I’m so happy because it’s my last game secure a Europa League place. side another League title provided they leaving the defending champions one back won the last of his 180 and to score two goals is fantastic for me. Stade Rennes, sixth on 58 thanks beat Brest. point behind them. caps in March but has endured “When I came here, the first title for me to a 2-0 home victory against Nimes, But there was little suspense as But the consistency of Lille, who an injury-plagued season that was the most important, for the club and qualified for the Europa Conference Lille were 2-0 up at halftime thanks were never outside the top three after has limited him to just 15 La for me. Then Man City started to win more League. to David’s cool finish and Yilmaz’s spot matchday five, eventually bore fruit. Liga appearances and only five titles so I’m so happy because it’s not easy games in all competitions in to be 10 years at one club. For me it’s an 2021 - the last of which came honor.” Atletico Madrid’s Koke and Renan Lodi lift the La Liga in the club’s 2-0 Champions Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and Phil trophy as they celebrate after winning the title. League semi-final second leg Foden also scored as City showed no sign defeat by Chelsea on May 5. of letting up ahead of the Champions Manchester City’s Aymeric League final. Laporte was included after Everton, which had gone into the game FIFA approved his switch from with a chance of qualifying for Europe, was France to Spain earlier this overwhelmed on an emotional afternoon month. that saw fans return to the Etihad. SPAIN SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Unai The Merseysiders, for whom Gylfi Sig- Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David de urdsson missed a penalty, slumped to a Gea (Manchester United), Robert 10th-place finish in the standings. Sanchez (Brighton) Defenders: Pau It was a first chance for City’s fans to Torres (Villarreal), Eric Garcia (Man salute the champions and acknowledge City), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester their European exploits, and they certainly City), Diego Llorente (Leeds), made their presence felt throughout the Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Luis afternoon. Before the game, big numbers Gaya (Valencia), Cesar Azpilicueta spilled into the streets as City’s team (Chelsea), Marcos Llorente (Atletico coaches made what is normally a straight- Madrid) Midfielders: Sergio Busquets forward journey from the nearby training (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Man City), complex to the stadium. Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Pedri Everton formed a guard of honor to (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), greet City players as they came onto the Fabian Ruiz (Napoli) Forwards: field and players from both sides then did Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran likewise for Aguero. Torres (Man City), Adam Traore Aguero ended his Premier League (Wolverhampton), Alvaro Morata career at No. 4 in the competition’s all-time (Juventus), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), scoring list, behind Alan Shearer (260), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Wayne Rooney (208) and Andy Cole (187). Pablo Sarabia (PSG) 18 SPORT TUESDAY 25 MAY 2021
Panthers to Asher-Smith beats Richardson open season at full ahead of Doha Diamond League capacity, REUTERS — GATESHEAD also produced a gutsy last lap to win the 5,000m in a personal says Glick Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith best 13:08.52, with Kenyan overcame appalling home Nicholas Kimeli (13:10.11) AP — NEW YORK conditions to destroy a strong breathing down his neck until field, notably new American the final metres Poland’s Kamila Carolina Panthers Pres- golden girl Sha’Carri Rich- Licwinko won the women’s ident Tom Glick yesterday ardson, to win the 100 metres high jump after clearing 1.91 announced that Bank of in the opening Diamond League metres to end world champion America Stadium will meeting of the season on Mariya Lasitskene’s run of 14 open at full capacity for all Sunday. event wins as the Russian fin- events this year, including The 200m world champion ished fourth. NFL and college games. got a fabulous start and held her Fellow Pole Marcin Kru- The Panthers had form into a fierce headwind of kowski donned a woolly hat extremely limited seating 3.1 metres to win in 11.35 with built-in pony tails and he last year due to COVID-19. seconds. Fast-finishing Rich- might keep it on in the future Glick said masks will ardson, who ran a startling after producing a series of 80 not be required for fans 10.72 last month, clocked 11.44 metre-plus throws, including a and there will be no proof for second, with Marie-Josee Ta best of 82.61 two win the men’s of vaccination required to Lou (11.48) just pipping double javelin. attend games. He also said Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Italian Filippo Randazzo there will be no temper- Fraser-Pryce for third. took the win in the men’s long ature checks. The meeting took place in jump with a monster leap of The stadium in Char- cold, wet and windy weather in 8.11m in the shootout. lotte, North Carolina, will north-eastern England, “For me, it’s a dream,” he continue to have although the few thousand fans Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith in action on her way to winning the women’s 100m final. said. enhanced cleaning, which allowed to attend stayed in their “I watched the Diamond includes the use of disin- places until the end and were “Conditions were far from American sprint dominance hit the front for the last lap and League when I was young and fecting robots. rewarded by Asher-Smith’s ideal for sprinting but the most was re-established in the men’s eased clear, almost impercep- today I’ve won. I have no The Panthers also morale-boosting run. important thing is to come away 200m as Kenny Bednarek was tibly, to draw the speed out of words.” announced they plan to “I feel really good,” she said. with a good result and a win an impressive winner, opening Australian duo Oliver Hoare American Sam Kendricks host training camp at and I was very happy to do a big lead off the bend and and Stewart McSweyn who fin- emerged victorious from the Wofford College in Spar- that.” increasing it as he powered ished second and third. latest of his pole vault battles tanburg, South Carolina Richardson, 21, in her first home well clear. He clocked “This is normal weather with Mondo Duplantis - helped after a one-hiatus due to I feel really good. Conditions Diamond League outing, said: 20.33, with Canadian duo Arron back in the west coast of by the world record holder, who the coronavirus. were far from ideal for “I’m definitely proud that I was Brown (20.79) and Andre de Norway - I’m used to these held an umbrella above the sprinting but the most able to execute and now I know Grasse (20.85) splashing home conditions,” said world champion as he prepared what I need to go back and in his wake. Ingebrigtsen. his run-up. Glick said masks will not be important thing is to come work on and what I need to get NORMAL WEATHER “It’s really tricky to run fast Kendricks won with 5.74 required for fans and there away with a good result and better at. Jakob Ingebrigtsen in these conditions and it turned metres to the 5.55m of Sweden’s will be no proof of a win and I was very happy “This won’t be the last time delivered another middle dis- out to be a tactical race.” Scot- Duplantis, who thought he had vaccination required to to do that. that I’m going to line up against tance master class to win the land’s Laura Muir has also spent cleared 5.80 with his last jump these ladies and I want to let the 1,500m in an impressive plenty of time in the rain and of the day, only to see the bar attend games. He also said world know and let the ladies 3:36.27. she obliterated the field in the wobble then fall. there will be no Dina Asher-Smith know that I’m here to compete The Norwegian’s tactical women’s 1,500m to come home The next round of Diamond temperature checks. just as well as they’ve done for awareness seems to be in 4:03.73. League action is in Doha on many years.” improving with every outing. He Spaniard Mohamed Katir Friday. Giro d’Italia : Bernal wins shortened stage 16 to Brooks stars as Grizzlies stun extend overall lead top-seeded Jazz to open series REUTERS — MILAN Bardet and Italy’s Damiano Caruso. REUTERS — NEW YORK Colombian Egan Bernal won Bernal now has a lead of stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia two minutes and 24 seconds Dillon Brooks scored 31 points yesterday to strengthen his grip over second-placed Caruso in and Ja Morant added 26 to lead on the overall leader’s Maglia the general classification the No. 8 seed Memphis Griz- Rosa, as bad weather condi- rankings. zlies to a huge 112-109 road tions forced the race from British Maglia Rosa hopeful upset win over the No. 1 Utah Memphis Grizzlies Sacile to Cortina d’Ampezzo to Simon Yates lost two minutes Jazz in Salt Lake City on Sunday forward Dillon be shortened from 212km to and 36 seconds on Bernal in the night in the first round of the Brooks (24) gets 155km. Dolomites, finishing 11th in the Western Conference playoffs. past Utah Jazz Cold, wet and snowy con- stage to fall from second to fifth The young Grizzlies fell guard Joe Ingles ditions led to the decision to overall, four minutes and 20 behind by 14 points in the first (2) and goes shorten the stage as two high- seconds behind the Colombian. half, rallied to jump ahead by to the basket altitude climbs at the Fedaia Bernal now has a lead of 17 points early in the fourth during the second and Pordoi passes were cut two minutes and 24 seconds quarter and then held on to win quarter at Vivint from the race. over second-placed Caruso in on the top-seeded team’s home Arena. But the Ineos Grenadiers the general classification court just two days after earning rider battled against the ele- rankings. Britain’s Hugh Carthy a spot in the playoffs. ments to finish 27 seconds and Russia’s Aleksander Vlasov While Utah rested, the Griz- ahead of Frenchman Romain are third and fourth. zlies had to beat San Antonio and Golden State in the NBA’s new play-in tournament to qualify. The Jazz were short-handed after All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell (ankle sprain) was ruled out of the game in the Egan Arley Bernal afternoon. second-seeded Suns, who were points by a 76er in the first half Eastern Conference quarter- Gomez of Colombia Suns 99, Lakers 90 playing in their first postseason of a playoff game (28) since final series at Madison Square celebrates after Devin Booker recorded 34 game since 2010. Allen Iverson’s 30-point, first- Garden. Young scored 13 of his winning stage 16. points, eight assists and seven 76ers 125, Wizards 118 half performance in Game 1 of game-high 32 points in the rebounds to lead Phoenix to a Tobias Harris set a play-off the 2001 NBA Finals against the fourth quarter for the Hawks, home victory over Los Angeles career high with 37 points to Los Angeles Lakers. who led by as many as 11 in the in the opening game of their help host and top-seeded Phil- Hawks 107, Knicks 105 first quarter. Western Conference first-round adelphia hold off eighth-seeded Trae Young drove the lane He also had 10 assists. Bogdan series. Washington in Game 1 of their for the game-winning floater Bogdanovic had 18 points, while Deandre Ayton added 21 Eastern Conference first-round with 0.9 seconds left as Atlanta Lou Williams scored 13 points off points on 10-of-11 shooting and series. mounted a late rally and edged the bench and John Collins fin- collected 16 rebounds for the Harris scored the most host New York in Game 1 of an ished with 12 points. All-rounder Afridi ruled out of PSL due to back injury
AP — ISLAMABAD up two wickets from 15 overs. prescribed a period of complete Shah expelled from PSL but if we will ignore this breach, Afridi experienced pain in his rest. for violating COVID-19 Naseem then we will potentially put at Star all-rounderer SShahidhahid AfAfridiridi lower back during training in “Unfortunately,“Unfortunatel I have been protocols Shah risk the entire event,” said PCB’s (pictured) has beenbeen ruledruled out Karachi.Karachi. HeHe waswas advisedadvised to rrestest and can no Fast bowler Naseem Shah director commercial Babar of the Pakistann Super League examined by longer accompanyaccompa my team has been expelled from next Hamid in a statement. due to a backck ininjury,jury, tthehe a doctor,doctor, Multan Sultans,”Sultans,” Afridi said in month’s Pakistan Super League Hamid, who also heads the Pakistan Cricketket Board said whwhoo a sstatement.tatement. in Abu Dhabi after breaching PSL, said that Shah’s expulsion yesterday. “I am disappointeddisapp that I the tournament’s COVID-19 from the event “will also send Pakistan’s premierremier domestic wouldwould be sittingsittin out of the protocols. out a loud and clear message to Twenty20 leaguegue will resume tournament,tournament, bbut my best The 18-year-old Shah all involved in the remaining in Abu Dhabi nextext mmonthonth afafterter wishes,wishes, supportsuppor and prayers arrived at a team hotel in matches that the PCB will not it was postponeded in March with areare wiwithth tthehe teateam to take the Lahore yesterday with an out- compromise on any violations 20 games to goo when several ttrophy.”rophy.” dated negative test for and will expel the player or players and supportport staff amonamongg Multan has wwon just one of COVID-19 and the Pakistan player support personnel irre- the six franchiseshises tested its five league gagamesm and is fifth Cricket Board said the right- spective of his stature and positive for COVID-19.VID-19. inin the pointspoints table.tabl arm fast bowler “is now out of standing in the game if they are Afridi representedesented TheThe PCB is yyete to announce the competition.” the team hotel. Shah presented found to be flouting the pre- Multan Sultans in ffourour the schedule for thet remaining The PCB’s protocols require a report on Monday from a test scribed protocols or of its five leaguee gamesgames 20 PSL games,games, butb the tour- all the players traveling to Abu that was conducted on May 18. regulations.” at Karachi, scoringing just namentnament is exexpectedpect to be com- Dhabi tomorrow to present a “The PCB doesn’t take any Shah was supposed to be three runs in ttwowo pletedpleted before the Pakistan team negative test taken not more pride in releasing a young fast the key player for Quetta Glad- innings and pickingcking departs for EnglaEngland on June 23. than 48 hours prior to arrival at bowler from its marquee event, iators in the PSL. Sport TUESDAY 25 MAY 2021 17 Tsitsipas heads to Paris with ‘best’ Slam preparation
REUTERS – PARIS “He’s developing really well,” doesn’t lose to guys who are ranked Mouratoglou said of Tsitsipas, who is under. He’s gained a lot of consistency Teen Gauff sets sights on Paris Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas is brimming coached by his father Apostolos. in everything he is doing in his game.” with confidence and will be heading “He’s always been able to beat the Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals to Roland Garros this week with his best players,” the Frenchman, who on the red clay at Roland Garros last after success on Italian clay best Grand Slam preparation after often works in an advisory role with year before falling to Novak Djokovic picking up his seventh ATP Tour title Tsitsipas, told Reuters recently. in five sets and Mouratoglou believes REUTERS – PARIS So I think it will be a good tournament in Lyon on Sunday. “He beat Rafa (Nadal) on clay the two-time Australian Open semi- for me.” Basking in the glow of his maiden several years ago already. He beat finalist was getting closer to a maiden American Coco Gauff is brimming with At the French Open, Gauff will be ATP Masters 1000 title last month at Roger at a Grand Slam, beat Novak at major title. confidence ahead of the French Open, the youngest seed at a major in 15 years Monte-Carlo, the 22-year-old added a Masters 1000 on hardcourt. But he “Rafa and Novak are still at the top buoyed by strong results in Italy on clay since Nicole Vaidisova was seeded at the Lyon crown for his second title in was a bit up and down, and there were of the game. But I think their margin in the past two weeks that have helped the Wimbledon Championships in 2006. 2021 and leads the 2021 seasonson wwithith severalseveral rereasonsasons foforr that.that. is getting smallersmaller and smaller. the 17-year-old climb 10 places to a The American also won the doubles most wins at 33. “And“And I thinkthink hhe’se’s SeveralSeveral youngyou guys can career-best 25th in the rankings. title with Catyyy McNally on Parma’s clay y “I’ve been feeling my gameme wewell;ll; gettinggetting more anandd more beatbeat themthem now. The Gauff has already made the fourth courtsourts toto bebecomecome tthehe I’ve been using my patternss reallyreally solid.solid. He’s llosingosing llessess marginmargin is getting rounds of the Australian Open and the youngestoungest pplayerlayer to well,” Tsitsipas told reporters.rs. “I’ve and less. He’s slowly thinner,”thinner,” Mouratoglou Wimbledon in her nascent career and completeomplete the been pressing a lot with my serve.rve. Just butbut surely,surely, imposing added.added. this week she will be seeded at a Grand sweepweep in nearnearlyly consistent on court, consistentent with himself as a toptop “Every“Ev year I’m Slam for the first time in her career 177 years since my power and the way that I attacattackk guy wwhoho askedasked about Roland when the clay court major starts on MaMariaria and way I (take) risks. GarrosGarro and I answer Sunday. Sharapovaharapova wonwon “I think it would be consideredered my thattht at thet only thing This month the American reached bothoth ttitlesitles in best (preparation) so far pre-Grand-Grand wew don’t know her first WTA 1000 semi-final in Rome Birminghamirmingham Slam and now all the attentionn is ababout Roland and followed it up with her maiden title inn 2002004.4. on next week. I love playing inn GaGarrosr is who on clay the week after in Parma. Paris. I find it mesmerising.” RafaRafa is going to “I feel really good about going into Patrick Mouratoglou, thee beatbe in the final. the French,” Gauff told reporters after long-time coach of Serena Wil-l- “This year I her second career WTA title. “I hope I liams, who is often seen in TTsit-sit- canc say Rafa is can continue to build and keep getting sipas’ player box at tournaments,ments, is theth favourite better. I feel like I’m hitting good, pleased with the consistency displayedisplayed butb some guys moving good, my body feels good, my by the Greek. Stefanos Tsitsipas canca beat him.” mentality and emotionally I feel good. Coco Gauff