SPORT Friday 11 May 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 It is not easy to Pliskova ousts say goodbye: Halep to reach Wenger semi-finals

Qatar to begin Asian Cup Amir Cup: Al Sadd, Al Duhail preparations in Austria set for thrilling semi-final THE PENINSULA : will kick off ARMSTRONG VAS their Asian Cup preparations THE PENINSULA later this month when the team will fly to Austria for an DOHA: Past results will not count extensive training camp. for when QNB Stars League Coached by Felix (QNB) winners Al Duhail take on Sanchez, Al Anabi will Al Sadd in a high-profile winner undergo a two-week training takes it all semi-final clash of the programme from May 24 in Amir Cup today at Jassim bin Vienna to prepare for the Hamad Stadium here today. high-profile tournament. The two Qatari clubs, who are Qatar have been drawn vying for a place in the quarter- with neighbouring Saudi finals of the AFC Champions Arabia, Lebanon and North League having their won their Korea in Group E of next first leg matches this week, are year’s Asian Cup to be held in trying to strike a balance between the the local competition and the (UAE). Al Anabi are one of the continental championship. 24 teams that will feature in In Doha, a brace from the biggest tournament for Boualem Khoukhi led Al Sadd to national teams in Asia. a 2-1 win over Al Ahli in the AFc One of the top matches at champions League. Al Sadd next the 2019 Asian Cup will see play their away game against the Qatar taking on . Saudi club in three days’ time. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira speaks on the eve of the Amir The two famously played the Khoukhi produced two good Cup semi-final against Al Duhail at a press conference at Al final of the 2014 Gulf Cup in finishes in the opening half-hour Sadd Stadium. RIGHT: Al Duhail coach which Qatar edged the hosts and the hosts held on for their in the final. Sanchez, fol- win despite Muhannad Asiri’s lowing the draw for the con- 47th-minute goal. final,” Al Duhail coach Djamel the performance was not Al Ain. We have played many repeated again. “I hope we won’t tinental event, said his team In , Al Duhail Belmadi said on the eve of the affected, and I trust who will play semi-finals against Al Duhail and have a repeat of the mistakes we will focus on football during stormed to a 4-2 win over Al Ain match. in this match will perform well, they’re always tough. Our goal is saw in the Al Duhail vs Umm the tournament. and host the UAE club in four Belmadi said the three wins but I do not guarantee the result,” to win and reach the final to Salal and Al Sadd vs Al Duhail “The players are very days’ time after the Amir cup – two wins in the QSL and in the he added. make our fans happy,” said the games. Referees are human and professional and we’re going semi-final clash. final - will not make Belmadi has no issues with Portuguese. they make mistakes. But if the to think only about the “It is a big match between much of a difference. the schedule of the Amir Cup and Asked if Al Duhail’s AFC referee views the video multiple football,” the Qatar coach said two teams that are still playing “It is another match in a dif- AFC Champions League. Champions League away times and still gives a wrong in an interview. in the AFC Champions League, ferent championship, and despite “I cannot talk about the time assignment two days back would penalty then this is not fair. I hope “When we play the game and the match is important to us we won over Al Sadd three times of our match as we played two give Al Sadd an advantage, he there won’t be any pressure on against Saudi for sure there because it is a championship this season but this does not days before in Al Ain and now we said: “I don’t think the travel will the referee and I also hope that is three points and both teams (Amir Cup) that means a lot to us mean that we will guarantee our have an important confrontation. make Al Duhail fatigued. I am the video is used in a fair way will need them and we are and so we want to achieve victory fourth victory, as each match has Al Sadd also will play outside happy with the away win they got only.” going to treat them like any and reach the championship different ambition , and I know Qatar on May 14 and we will play over Al Ain. It’s a huge psycho- other game and thinking only that we have a difficult match in in Doha on May 15 which is a logical boost. Al Sadd will also about football. front of us.” short period of rest , and I do not travel to Jeddah after the Amir “Once you are on the Al Sadd finished runners-up complain this and I think both Cup match. Teams that play in green, it’s only about to Al Duhail SC in the QSL after teams suffer the continuous Asia will always face these football.” We know that we’re giving Belmadi’s side a tough pressure of the matches,” he issues.” Our previous victories Saudi Arabia, who have fight till the very end and ended added. As for ’s won the AFC Asian Cup three facing a strong attack. against Al Sadd will up second best to them again in Meanwhile, Al Sadd coach absence, the coach remarked: be as a motivation for times, will be looking forward The team is ready for the Qatar Cup which ended in Jesualdo Ferreira said a tough “Baghdad’s absence will be an to returning to the UAE, the that and we also have controversial circumstances. task awaits his players, while advantage for Al-Duhail espe- us to and we know place where they defeated the The Algerian tactician said adding that the players have no cially as he is a big attacking force that being in the final hosts on penalties in the 1996 excellent players in the rotation followed by his club excuse for not winning. for us. I still don’t know why he final. Qatar, hosts of the 2022 attack. My goal is to of the Amir Cup is in the last ten matches has been “We have an important was sent off in the Qatar Cup the ambition of every FIFA World Cup, staged the help the team to win: working match coming up in the semifinal. final,” he added. region’s premier football Al Sadd player Yasir “It is good that all the players we will play one of the strongest Ferreira is hoping the cir- team: Al Duhail player event in Doha in 2011 when want to play. We have included sides in Qatar and Asia. Everyone cumstances surrounding the Bassam Al Rawi Japan emerged as the cham- Abubakar a number of young players but saw how Al Duhail played against Qatar Cup matches will not be pions of Asia. Qatar also hosted the event in 1988. Continental giants and defending champions Aus- tralia are drawn in Group B Hamilton wants peak performance with Syria, Palestine and Jordan while hosts UAE - who finished third in the 2015 AFP Mercedes’ British driver not that it is not important to long term the team cannot edition - were placed in Lewis Hamilton walks me. It is just empty at the continue to rely on that.” He Group A with Thailand, India in the paddock at the BARCELONA: Lewis Hamilton moment. said his difficulties in finding and Bahrain. Circuit de Catalunya has admitted that he is “There is a long, long way a competitive and consistent Group C will be shared by in Montmelo in the punching below his weight as to go. Imagine if I got excited set-up with his Mercedes W09 2002 FIFA World Cup semi- outskirts of Barcelona he struggles to understand now, knowing that we still car were proving to be elusive finalists Korea Republic, yesterday ahead of the how his Mercedes car reacts have all the problems, it to solve. China PR, Kyrgyzstan and the Spanish Formula One to this year’s tyres. doesn’t mean anything. What “I can’t really expand too Philippines.Iran, who will Grand Prix. The world championship is important is where you are much on it because if we knew appear at next month’s 2018 leader and defending four- in the end of the year. it all, we could fix it. We are FIFA World Cup in Russia, time champion told reporters “If this weekend, we constantly working on a headline Group D with 2007 on Thursday that he has not happen to have got on top of solution. It is interesting, but champions Iraq, Vietnam and given any thought to his the issues we have with the car the underlying factor is down Yemen. Iran also have won position after his lucky win at and we start to be more con- to how we use the tyres.” the AFC Asian Cup three last month’s Azerbaijan Grand sistent, then I can be a lot Hamilton dominated the times. Group F has Japan as Prix. happier because I know then season-opening Australian the top side along with “That is the last thing on I can punch either at my Grand Prix, but a computer Uzbekistan, Oman and Turk- my mind right now because I weight or a little bit above my software glitch cost him menistan. Oman won the Gulf am more concerned that we weight. “At the moment I am victory and he has struggled Cup at the end of December can get on top of all the issues,” punching below my weight since. He was gifted victory in last year in Kuwait. Japan are he said. and that is not sufficient Baku thanks to his rivals’ mis- four-time winners in Asia. “I have zero comfort and, enough to win a world fortunes Hamilton leads his Organisers confirmed since the last race, I have not championship. main rival Sebastian Vettel of that hosts UAE will kick-off thought for one second that I “We have been capitalising Ferrari, a fellow four-time Asia’s most prestigious tour- am leading the world on circumstances like the champion, by four points after nament against Bahrain at the championship. outcome of the last race so I four rounds in this year’s title Zayed Sports City Stadium in “It’s not in my mind. It’s will take it for now, but in the race. Abu Dhabi on January 5. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 11 MAY 2018 Guardiola eyes A large photograph of Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Ferguson out 100 points for Wenger is suspended from the roof as players take a lap of honour on the pitch after the Premier League of intensive Man City in EPL match against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London last week. care: United AFP AFP MANCHESTER: Pep Guar- diola is targeting 100 points LONDON: Manchester United to cap an “almost perfect confirmed that legendary season” after champions former manager Alex Manchester City set a hat- Ferguson is out of intensive trick of Premier League care following emergency records and home fans said surgery for a brain haemor- farewell to veteran midfielder rhage. Yaya Toure. Ferguson, 76, was City’s 3-1 win against admitted to Salford Royal Brighton on Wednesday took Hospital for the procedure on them to 97 points and 105 Saturday after a fall at his goals for the season as they home near Manchester. registered their 31st win of the “Sir Alex no longer needs campaign -- all three are new intensive care and will con- records. On his final home tinue rehabilitation as an appearance as a City player, inpatient,” United said in a Toure, who is leaving the club statement. at the end of the season after “His family have been eight years, captained the overwhelmed by the level of side. support and good wishes but His name was chanted continue to request privacy throughout the contest, there as this will be vital during this was a huge cheer when he next stage of recovery.” was substituted late on and United’s statement was the crowd also showed their the first update on Ferguson’s appreciation for the 34-year- condition provided by the old Ivorian during a post- club since saying the pro- match presentation on the cedure on the haemorrhage pitch involving his brother on Saturday had gone “very and former City team-mate well”. Kolo Toure. Considered the most suc- City boss Guardiola said: It’s not easy to say cessful manager in the history “97 points, a lot of goals, a lot of British football, Ferguson of wins -- that’s a conse- won 38 trophies in just over quence of the season we have 26 years in charge of United, done. It’s good. including 13 Premier League “Now it’s one more game titles and the Champions (away against Southampton goodbye: Wenger League twice before retiring on Sunday). We’re going to try in 2013. for 100 points and finish this Earlier on Wednesday, almost perfect season in the AFP current United manager Jose Premier League. you don’t want to forget to long period you question Mourinho said the club are “It’s fantastic because we LONDON: Arsene Wenger thank people who deserve it. yourself ‘is it time now to go “very positive” Ferguson did that (break the records) admits his long goodbye from “There are some people or not?’” he said. would make a full recovery. in the day we always will Arsenal has been a bittersweet here who I employed 20 years “We live in a society where The esteem with which remember -- the day for experience as he prepares to ago who did fight for me every There are some people want quick change and Ferguson is held around the Yaya.” finally say farewell on Sunday. single day so it is not easy to people here who I that has changed in recent world was reflected in an out- Guardiola said he agreed The Frenchman will take say goodbye.” employed 20 years years.” pouring of well wishes, with those who argue that charge of Arsenal for the last While Arsenal have Wenger led Arsenal to including from a number of City need to win more titles time as his 22-year reign insisted Wenger’s exit was on ago who did fight for three Premier League titles United’s rivals and figures the to be considered the equals comes to an end with the mutual terms, the Gunners me every single day and seven FA Cups, as well Scot challenged for trophies of the great sides of the past, Gunners’ Premier League clash boss has dropped several hints so it is not easy to as reaching the Champions during a glorious career. including Liverpool and Man- at Huddersfield this weekend. that he would have preferred say goodbye: Arsene League final in 2006 and Liverpool manager Jurgen chester United. The 68-year-old has been to stay on for the final year of transforming English football Klopp described Ferguson as “In the end, we have won on a prolonged farewell tour his contract. Wenger with his ground-breaking “absolutely the boss”. one Premier League -- three since Arsenal announced on But that was impossible commitment to sports “All the Manchester City in six years, but in this April 20 that he had agreed to after Arsenal’s dismal run left The highlights of Wenger’s science. fans in the stadium, you moment just one. They won part ways with the north them languishing in sixth in farewell have been home vic- Those feats will see cannot find one person who a lot of things,” the City London club following another the Premier League amid tories over West Ham and Wenger ranked as Arsenal’s does not wish the best for an manager said. troubled season. growing fan unrest at Burnley, the latter followed by greatest manager, but the amazing person,” said Pep “But in terms of statistics Wenger has tried to stay Wenger’s failure to win the an emotional on-pitch pres- urbane Frenchman’s profes- Guardiola, manager of cross- and numbers, this season we focused on football, but he title since 2004. entation to mark his final sorial image sometimes city rivals Manchester City on were the best, and that’s why conceded it hasn’t always been The final weeks of match in charge at the obscured his fierce will to win. the day City lifted the Premier we are so satisfied. Once, a easy amid all the nostalgia Wenger’s reign have seen that Emirates Stadium. He engaged in long- League trophy. team will arrive and do better triggered by his impending inconsistent form continue as Wenger would have liked running feuds with Jose “The whole football world than us but they will have to departure. the Gunners crashed out of the the announcement of his Mourinho and Alex Ferguson, is incredible but outside of do really good.” “I enjoyed some aspects of Europa League semi-final departure to have been while battling several bosses that as well, from all corners Guardiola said City can it, yes - and not all,” Wenger against Atletico Madrid -- con- delayed until the end of the in touchline rows that turned of the globe and different get “a lot” better, and said of said during his final pre-match demning the club to another season to avoid all the physical. walks of life, people have Professional Footballers’ press conference at Arsenal’s season without Champions attention. “I’m very passionate and shown their support,” United Association Young Player of training base yesterday. League football. “Yes, of course. Because at a very young age, I realised club captain Michael Carrick the Year Sane: “What I like “It was not always easy to A 3-1 defeat at Leicester on there was more questioning as that if I wanted to survive in told MUTV. the most with Leroy, seeing cut slowly with what you do Wednesday leaves Arsenal well, you do not feel the same this job, I had to get control of “That’s the effect he had his outstanding performance everyday and always you want without an away league point adhesion to what you do and my emotions or I wouldn’t on people. It was the effect he today, was I had the feeling to do it as well as you can and in 2018. when you stay here for such a survive,” he said. had on everyone. He means he can do better, and that is a lot to me, as he does to this the best.” club.” Scott seeks US Open berth, returns to long putter AFP “It is the same length as I had before and it swings much Adam Scott of Australia PONTE VEDRA BEACH, better.” in action at The Players FLORIDA: Adam Scott has put a “I won Akron with this putter Championship in Ponte long putter back in his bag at the It is actually the first long-handled putter I whereas the putter I won the Vedra Beach, Florida Players Championship this week ever used from back in 2011 as I have only Masters was the first week I used yesterday. as he vies to qualify for the US used three in my time of using long putters: it, so it’s not the same putter as Open and keep his streak of that this week.” Scott, who won major championship starts Australian golfer Adam Scott the Players in 2004, voiced con- alive. fidence that he can curb his The 37-year old Australian world ranking slide. has slipped to 71st in the world the 2001 Open Championship. And while Scott has since “It is only a couple of good -- with the top-60 in the world But a progression of poor used two other long putters as weeks’ play and the competitor as of June 11th qualifying auto- performances since securing well as a “regulation” putter, he in me is never going to say I can’t matically for the second major third place in the 2016 end-of- said the long-shafted version in do it,” he said. of 2018, which starts on June 14 season Australian PGA Champi- his bag this week is the first one “I feel like my game is getting at Shinnecock Hills on New onship has seen Scott slowly slip he ever used, although current to a place where I can put York’s Long Island. down the world rankings. rules no longer allow it to be top-10s together. Scott’s five-year exemption The former world number anchored against his body. “There have been moments into the US Open from winning one, who won the Players in “It is actually the first long- of frustration,” he said. the 2013 Masters ended last year, 2004, is hoping a return to TPC handled putter I ever used from “I have spoiled a lot of my raising the spectre that he could Sawgrass will mark a start of back in 2011 as I have only used golf by putting balls into the miss the championship for the better things, and he believes the three in my time of using long water and taking doubles at first time since making his debut long putter could help. putters,” he said. inopportune times and they have in 2002 at Bethpage Black. Scott first turned to a long “This one has a bit smaller been momentum killers. Through last month’s putter early in 2011 and in August head and a different weight to “When your confidence isn’t Masters, Scott has played 67 that year he captured the WGC- the one I finished up using, and right there and you are fighting straight major championships, a Bridgestone Invitational in it also feels a lot better given it is to get it back up that’s kind of streak stretching back through Akron, Ohio. no longer anchored. shattering.” FRIDAY 11 MAY 2018 SPORT 19 UAE coach Dhawan and suspended Imam-ul-Haq set for Williamson over fixing craft win for offer debut against Ireland Hyderabad AFP AGENCIES AFP Ireland’s William Porterfield (left) and Pakistan’s Sarfraz KARACHI: United Arab Ahmed pose with the trophy after a press conference NEW DELHI: Opening Emirates based coach Irfan DUBLIN: Imam-ul-Haq yesterday. batsman Shikhar Dhawan Ansari was suspended (pictured below) is set to make and captain Kane Williamson following allegations from his Test debut when Pakistan made a challenging target of Pakistan’s captain Sarfraz face Ireland in Dublin today. 188 runs look easy as they Ahmed that he was Pakistan captain Sarfraz guided Sunrisers Hyderabad approached to participate in Ahmed told reporters at the to an easy 9-wicket victory a spot fixing scheme, Cricket’s Malahide ground yesterday that over Delhi Daredevils at the administrative body said the tourists would field the same Indian Premier League in yesterday. side as played in their preceding New Delhi yesterday. The International Cricket nine-wicket win at Northamp- The two combined to Council (ICC) said Ansari was tonshire, in what will be Ire- make 176 runs for the second charged with three counts of land’s first Test match. wicket partnership as breaching the body’s anti- That would mean opener Hyderabad stormed to target corruption code. Imam, the nephew of selection with 7 balls to spare. “Ansari has been provi- chief and former Pakistan Dhawan blasted 92 from sionally suspended with batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, 50 balls, laced with 9 fours immediate effect and has making his debut instead of Sami and 4 sixes while Williamson been charged for directly Aslam, who opened during Paki- struck 8 boundaries and a soliciting, inducing, enticing stan’s drawn Test series in couple of sixes in his 53-ball or encouraging a participant England two years ago. 83-run knock. to breach the code and for Imam’s selection in the Earlier, Rishabh Pant failure or refusal to cooperate squad provoked allegations of once again stepped up to the with the anti-corruption nepotism. occasion with his maiden unit’s investigation,” said an But the 22-year-old left- century to rescue Delhi Dare- ICC release. hander, who hit a hundred on devils from a dismal start and Ansari, who is originally his one-day international debut help them post a challenging from Pakistan, has coached against Sri Lanka last year, has 187-5. a number of small profes- made fifties against both Kent Involved in two avoidable sional clubs in the UAE for and Northamptonshire in Paki- run-outs, Pant compensated years. stan’s two warm-up matches the miscommunication on the The ICC said the sus- ahead of this one-off Test. field with a blistering pension comes after Ansari Aslam, by contrast, made 13 unbeaten 63-ball 128 which failed to provide requested against Kent and did not play It is a big honour for me and my team to play contained 15 boundaries and information to group’s anti- against Northamptonshire. seven sixes, to arrest a corruption wing on two sep- “We have already decided, this historic Test match -- the first Test match careless start from the hosts. arate occasions. we will play the same team that to be played in Ireland. I think it’s a great Electing to bat, Delhi had The charges centre on played against Northampton- achievement for Cricket Ireland to play Test themselves to blame for a Sarfraz’s admission to the shire,” said Sarfraz. cricket and my congratulations on behalf of sluggish start which saw Pakistan Cricket Board and “We played our first match them lose the opening duo the ICC that Ansari had against Kent and they (Imam and Pakistan: Captain Sarfraz Ahmed of Prithvi Shaw and Jason approached him about spot Sami) both played together so Roy in consecutive deliv- fixing during the one-day we saw who was playing well,” career-best 10 for 157 against win. eries before skipper Shreyas series between Pakistan and added the wicket-keeper. Northamptonshire. “Two days (in Ireland) was Iyer departed off a silly Sri Lanka in the UAE last “Nowadays we saw that “Definitely Yasir Shah is a very cold but today it is very run-out. October. Imam was playing better: he very experienced bowler and we shiny (sunny),” said Sarfraz. Left-arm spinner Shakib Spot-fixing involves scored two fifties in the practice miss him a lot but the good thing “The last practice match was a great achievement for Cricket Al Hasan left the hosts high determining the outcome of matches (61 against Kent and an is Shadab Khan bowled really very good -- everything was Ireland to play Test cricket and and dry with the wickets of a specific part of a match unbeaten 59 against Northamp- well in the last tour match,” said complete, batsmen batted well, my congratulations on behalf of Shaw (9) and Roy (11) off the rather than the overall result, tonshire) so that’s why we go Sarfraz. bowlers bowled well, so we are Pakistan.” last two balls of his very first and is therefore harder to with Imam-ul-Haq.” “He got 10 wickets against ready to play a Test match,” he over. detect than match-fixing. Pakistan are without the Northamptonshire, so hopefully said. PAKISTAN TEAM Ansari will now have two injured Yasir Shah for a tour Shadab will bowl well in the Test Meanwhile, Sarfraz added Brief scores weeks to respond to the where, after their match against matches as well.” Pakistan were honoured to be Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Delhi Daredevils 187-5 charges. Ireland, they will also play two Pakistan’s drawn four-day the Ireland men’s team’s first Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz (Rishabh Pant 128 not out, “The ICC will not make Tests in England. tour opener against Kent in Can- opponents at Test level. Ahmed (capt/wkt), Shadab Khan, Harshal Patel 24; Shakib Al any further comment in But they appear to have an terbury saw two whole days “It is a big honour for me and Hasan 4-27) lost to Sunrisers

respect of these charges at able replacement in fellow leg- washed out, but conditions in my team to play this historic Test Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mo- Hyderabad 191-1 in 18.5 overs this stage,” said the body in a spinner Shadab Khan, with the Northampton allowed them to match -- the first Test match to hammad Abbas, ( Dhawan 92*, Williamson 83) statement. 19-year-old taking a first-class complete a morale-boosting be played in Ireland. I think it’s by 9 wickets

Britain’s Kyle Edmund Edmund reacts after beating Belgium’s David Goffin Pliskova ousts Halep sails into yesterday. Madrid to reach semi-finals quarters AFP MADRID: Defending champion Simona Halep lost her first AFP match at the Madrid Open in three years yesterday as MADRID: Britain’s Kyle Edmund Karolina Pliskova produced an followed up his surprise win inspired performance to reach over Novak Djokovic by beating the semi-finals. Belgium’s David Goffin Halep had won the title here yesterday to march into the both in 2016 and 2017 but the quarter-finals of the Madrid world number one struggled to Open. impose her baseline game Edmund had lost in five sets against the power of Pliskova, to Goffin when they last met, who won 6-4, 6-3. also on clay, in the 2015 Davis Pliskova will now face either Cup but the 23-year-old’s rise two-time Wimbledon champion has been sharp since then and Djokovic, recently back from against Djokovic the day before, Petra Kvitova or Russian up- this was a completely different injury, is currently under-ranked Edmund did not waver, serving and-comer Daria Kasatkina for contest. at 12th. out when a Goffin forehand hit a place in tomorrow’s title The Briton won it 6-3, 6-3, Edmund will now face the net to confirm victory in a deciding match. breaking Goffin’s serve twice in Canadian Denis Shapovalov for brief hour and 12 minutes. Halep will still be among the the first set and once in the a place in the semi-finals, with His next opponent Shapo- favouries later this month at the second, to move into the last Alexander Zverev a possible foe valov scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over French Open, where she has eight of an ATP Masters 1000 in the last four. Rafael Nadal Milos Raonic, his fellow twice finished runner-up, but 26 Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova reacts after winning a point event for the first time in his lurks in the other half of the Canadian who is still recovering unforced errors marked the against Romania’s Simona Halep yesterday. career. draw. Goffin is one of the most from an injury-plagued few Romanian’s error-strewn Goffin is no slouch on clay. consistent baseliners in the months. display. He reached the French Open game but he simply was unable Shapovalov was defaulted That should take nothing sixth seed, is now the highest line clinched the decisive break quarter-finals last year and to cope with Edmund’s heavier when playing Edmund in the away from Pliskova, whose ranked player left in the draw. midway through the first set as made the semis in Barcelona weight of shot. Davis Cup last year for whacking demon serve and blistering The Czech is building up a Halep spent most of the opening earlier this month. He is also After breaking twice to seal a ball accidentally into the eye power can take the racket from head of steam for Roland Garros frame pinned behind her own only the second top-10 player the first set, Edmund spurned of umpire Arnaud Gabas. the hand of any opponent. and this latest victory also had baseline. Edmund has beaten, coming four one match point at 5-2 on Gof- The pair have faced each After beating Jelena a family flavour given Halep had There were two more breaks months after the Yorkshireman fin’s serve and then delivered a other twice more since, with Ostapenko, Anett Kontaveit and knocked out Pliskova’s twin in the second set, the latter con- ousted world number three double fault a game later to set Shapovalov winning on grass at Coco Vandeweghe on her way sister Kristyna in the previous firming Pliskova’s comfortable Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian nerves jangling. Queen’s in London and Edmund to winning the title in Stuttgart round. victory as a weary Halep Open. But, just as he had done prevailing on hard in Brisbane. a fortnight ago, Pliskova, the A driving forehand down the backhand hit the net.