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Sunday, June 30, 2019 FORMULA 1 Shawwal 27, 1440 AH Young guns Leclerc GULF TIMES and Verstappen share the front row SPORT Page 4

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP Khawaja and Starc star as Aussies thump New Zealand Boult hat-trick in vain as Starc’s five-wicket haul wraps up the Black Caps’ innings for 157 in a 244-run chase

Scorecard

AUSTRALIA H. Nicholls c Carey b Behrendorff 8 A. Finch c Latham b Ferguson 16 K. Williamson c Carey b Starc 40 D. Warner lbw b Boult 8 R. Taylor c Carey b Cummins 30 U. Khawaja b Boult 88 T. Latham c Smith b Starc 14 S. Smith c Guptill b Ferguson 5C. de Grandhomme c Khawaja b M. Stoinis c Latham b Neesham 21 Smith 0 G. Maxwell c & b Neesham 0J. Neesham c&b Lyon 9 A. Carey c Guptill b Williamson 71 M. Santner c Behrendorff b Starc 12 P. Cummins not out 23 I. Sodhi lbw Starc 5 M. Starc b Boult 0 L. Ferguson b Starc 0 J. Behrendorff lbw b Boult 0T. Boult not out 2 N. Lyon not out 0 Extras (b4, lb3, w10) 17 Extras (lb4, w7) 11 Total (all out, 43.4 overs) 157 Total (nine wickets, 50 overs) 243 Fall of Wickets: 1-29 (Nicholls), 2-42 (Guptill), 3-97 (Williamson), Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Finch), 4-118 (Taylor), 5-118 (de Grand- 2-38 (Warner), 3-46 (Smith), 4-81 homme), 6-125 (Latham), 7-131 (Stoinis), 5-92 (Maxwell), 6-199 (Neesham), 8-141 (Sodhi), 9-144 (Carey), 7-243 (Khawaja), 8-243 (Ferguson), 10-157 (Santner) (Starc), 9-243 (Behrendorff ) Bowling: Behrendorff 9-0-31- Bowling: Boult 10-1-51-4; De 2 (w3); Starc 9.4-1-26-5 (w4); Grandhomme 8-1-29-0 (1w); Fer- Cummins 6-1-14-1; Lyon 10-0-36-1 guson 10-0-49-2; Sodhi 6-0-35-0; (w1); Smith 2-0-6-1; Finch 1-0-7-0; Neesham 6-0-28-2 (1w); Santner Stoinis 2-0-12-0; Maxwell 4-0- 3-0-22-0 (1w); Williamson 7-0-25-1 18-0 NEW ZEALAND RESULT: Australia won by 86 M. Guptill lbw Behrendorff 20 runs

roles in a ball-tampering scandal. Shami achieved the feat against Jimmy Neesham then struck Afghanistan. twice to reduce Australia to 92-5. Boult fi nished with 4-51 at a Australia’s Mitchell Starc (second from left) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (left) during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match The collapse allowed Khawaja sun-drenched Lord’s after he had at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London yesterday. (Reuters) to bat in his usual style without earlier removed Finch. fear of being criticised for slow Behrendorff then carried on AFP the toss on a hot day. tournament’s leading bowler — “It was not the start we want- David Warner having scored 657 scoring. from where left off with a career- London But Khawaja (88), who received cleaned up with 5-26. ed but Uzzie (Khawaja) was out runs together in eight matches, Fellow left-hander Carey best 5-44 in Australia’s 64-run fi ne support from man-of-the- New Zealand captain Kane Wil- there occupying the crease,” said including Saturday’s fi xture, at added impetus, hitting 11 fours win over England at Lord’s on match Alex Carey (71) steadied liamson, who scored 40, could not Carey. “I went out and assessed an average of 82.12. before he holed out off William- Tuesday. ustralia cruised to vic- the ship before he became the repeat his heroics from earlier in conditions and tried to bat time But they both fell cheaply son’s occasional off -spin. He had the unlucky Henry tory by 86 runs against fi rst victim of a last-over hat- the tournament as the Black Caps’ and go as deep as possible. against New Zealand and Steve Khawaja was bowled in the fi - Nicholls, selected in place of New Zealand at Lord’s trick from left-arm paceman chase failed to take off . “Credit to Usman as well, he Smith fell for fi ve after Martin nal over by Boult to end a 129-ball dropped opener Colin Munro, yesterday, with bats- Trent Boult as Australia fi nished They still have not confi rmed batted a long time in that heat Guptill held a sensational diving innings featuring just fi ve fours. caught behind down the legside Aman Usman Khawaja and pace on 243-9. their place in the semi-fi nals and Mitchell Starc closing it out catch off the bowling of Lockie Boult then bowled Starc and dis- for eight and then had Guptill spearhead Mitchell Starc starring It proved more than enough, as with one match to go but if Eng- with the ball.” Ferguson. missed Behrendorff lbw with a lbw for 20. for the defending champions. New Zealand slumped to 157 all land lose to India in Birmingham Warner and Smith were booed yorker. Williamson was caught behind Aaron Finch’s team, already out with 38 balls to spare. today, New Zealand will be in FINCH, WARNER FAIL on and off the fi eld following It was the fi rst hat-trick by a trying to run Starc to third man through to the last four from the Jason Behrendorff (2-31) re- the last four before they face the Australia’s fi rst-wicket pair have their recent return to interna- New Zealander at a World Cup to leave New Zealand 97-3 in the 10-team round-robin stage, were moved both the New Zealand tournament hosts in their fi nal been central to their success at tional cricket after they were both and the second of the tourna- 26th over and Ross Taylor exited wobbling at 92-5 after winning openers before Starc — the group match. the World Cup, with Finch and banned for 12 months for their ment after India’s Mohammed for 30.

FOCUS COMMENT Captain Sarfaraz hails ‘great’ win as Jayawardene urges SL to retain belief

AFP lack of consistency that keeps Pakistan hold their nerve in thriller Birmingham, United Kingdom holding them back,” Jayawardene wrote in his column for the In- AFP ter violent clashes between rival we go match by match,” added ternational Cricket Council. Leeds, United Kingdom supporters outside the ground. Sarfaraz, whose side face Bang- ormer captain Mahela “It’s a big ask to win their next “It is a great win for us on not ladesh in their fi nal group game. Jayawardene has urged two games but it’s still possi- an easy pitch,” said Sarfaraz. “We “We will all be watching India v Sri Lanka to keep believ- ble. But to do that they must be akistan captain Sarfaraz know it was not an easy target. England tomorrow.” ing they can still reach consistent in the batting group, Ahmed hailed his side’s Their bowlers used the conditions Afghanistan captain Gulbadin theF World Cup semi-fi nals, which they couldn’t do at Dur- three-wicket victory very well. Everyone chipped in, it Naib was left to regret bringing pleading for the batsmen to show ham (against South Africa).” over Afghanistan at the was good team work.” himself on to bowl at the death. consistency. Sri Lanka, who were bundled PCricket World Cup as “a great After a terrible start with just With the run rate spiralling, his Sri Lanka were struggling after for 203 against South Africa to win” despite a nervy fi nish on a one win from their opening fi ve penultimate over went for 18 runs. defeats to New Zealand and Aus- lose by nine wickets, play West dramatic day at Headingley. matches, Pakistan have now “It was bad luck,” said Gul- tralia and two washouts before Indies in Chester-le-Street to- Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 49 won three in matches in succes- badin. “It was very diffi cult for reviving their World Cup chanc- morrow and India in Leeds on made sure Pakistan moved into sion to leapfrog hosts England Pakistan to chase that total on a es with a shock win against hosts July 6. the top four of the table after into fourth place. turning wicket. It was the turn- England last week. The Dimuth Karunaratne-led falling to 156-6 when chasing a A semi-fi nal place is still in ing point.” But the 1996 champions lost side not only need wins but also modest total of 228. England’s hands, but they face Man-of-the-match Imad ad- to South Africa on Friday to slip favourable results from other Fans then spilled onto the the daunting task of having to mitted he had targeted Gulbadin behind England, Bangladesh and teams to go their way. pitch in chaotic scenes after the beat at least one and most likely after struggling against Afghan Pakistan in the race to qualify “If they go out there against winning runs were struck. both of India and New Zealand spinners. “Gulbadin was the Pakistan’s Mohamed Amir (centre) celebrates with teammates from the round-robin phase. the West Indies and be positive, There were also ugly scenes in their fi nal two fi xtures. only one who could be targeted,” Imam-ul-Haq (left) and Sarfaraz Ahmed after taking a catch to “Sri Lanka must still believe believing in what they can do, before the match yesterday “We all know that it is not he said. “They have world-class dismiss Afghanistan’s Mohamed Nabi (not pictured) during the 2019 they can get to the semi-fi nals then you never know what may when police had to intervene af- easy to win our last four games, spinners so we attacked him.” Cricket World Cup match in Leeds, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) of the World Cup — but it’s their happen,” said Jayawardene. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, June 30, 2019 CRICKET WORLD CUP

REPORT Pakistan edge Afghanistan to keep semis hopes alive The win lifts Pakistan into fourth place in the 10-team table, above hosts England, after a poor start to the tournament

Pakistan’s Imad Wasim (centre) is escorted off the field by security off icials after the win over Afghanistan in their 2019 Cricket World Cup match at Headingley in Leeds, United Kingdom, yesterday. Wasim took two wickets and scored an unbeaten 49 to be adjudged Man of the Match. (AFP)

AFP Birmingham, United Kingdom Scorecard AFGHANISTAN Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Naib), 2-27 S. Ahmed run out 18 akistan kept their nerve R. Shah c Azam b Wasim 35 (Shahidi), 3-57 (Shah), 4-121 (Af- I. Wasim not out 49 to avoid a huge shock ghan), 5-125 (Alikhil), 6-167 (Nabi), G. Naib c Ahmed b Afridi 15 S. Khan run out 11 yesterday, beating a 7-202 (Zadran), 8-210 (Khan), spirited Afghan side by H. Shahidi c Wasim b Afridi 09-219 (Hassan) W. Riaz not out 15 Pthree wickets with just two balls I. Alikhil c Hafeez b Wasim 24 Bowling: Wasim 10-0-48-2; Amir Extras (b1, lb4, w5) 10 to spare to keep their World Cup A. Afghan b Khan 42 10-1-41-0 (1w); Afridi 10-0-47-4 Total (seven wkts, 49.4 overs) 230 Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran (not semi-fi nal hopes alive. (4w); Hafeez 2-0-10-0; Riaz 8-0- pictured) during the ICC Cricket World Cup match at Headingley in Leeds, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) All-rounder Imad Wasim hit M. Nabi c Amir b Riaz 16 29-2 (4w); Khan 10-0-44-1 (1w) Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Zaman), 2-72 (Imam), 3-81 (Azam), 4-121 Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin N. Zadran b Afridi 42 four overs. 57 balls before he was lbw to leg- are working harder and harder. (Hafeez), 5-142 (Sohail), 6-156 Naib for a boundary through the Shadab was run out for 11 with spinner Rashid Khan but Paki- The matches we have lost, we S. Shinwari not out 19 PAKISTAN (Ahmed), 7-206 (Khan) the score on 206 but Wahab Riaz stan ultimately had enough bat- have improved.” covers to seal the win off the fourth R. Khan c Zaman b Afridi 8F. Zaman lbw b Mujeeb 0 ball of the last over, prompting Bowling: Rahman 10-1-34-2; (15 not out) and Imad saw Pa- ting fi repower to see them over The start of the game was chaotic scenes as fans poured onto H. Hassan b Riaz 1Imam-ul-Haq st Alikhil b Nabi 36 Hassan 2-0-13-0; Naib 9.4-0-73-0 kistan home and condemned the line. marred by clashes between rival the Headingley pitch. M. Ur Rahman not out 7B. Azam b Nabi 45 (1w); Nabi 10-0-23-2; Khan 10-0- plucky Afghanistan to an eighth Earlier, lanky Pakistani pace- fans, with police forced to inter- 50-1 (3w); Shinwari 8-0-32-0 (1w) Pakistan, chasing a modest 228- Extras (lb8, w10) 18 M. Hafeez c Shahidi b Mujeeb 19 consecutive defeat. man Shaheen Shah Afridi shone vene. Political relations between run target, were in grave danger at RESULT: Pakistan won by three “When I went in they were with the ball, returning fi gures of the south Asian neighbours have Total (nine wkts, 50 overs) 227 H. Sohail lbw b Rashid 27 156 for six in the 39th over. wickets bowling brilliantly but I just hung 4-47 to add to the three wickets been marked by years of distrust But man-of-the-match Imad in there,” said Imad. “We wanted he took against New Zealand. and blame. (49 not out) and Shadab Khan (11) to bat out the 50 overs and see.” “We fi ght really well, the boys And after the match, jubilant put on 50 for the seventh wicket against Bangladesh and England ning captain in his cricket days, when Sarfaraz was run out for 18 Off -spinner Mohamed Nabi gave 100% but in the end we supporters swarmed onto the to revive their hopes. fail to win both of their last two tweeted his congratulations to while taking a unnecessary sec- (2-23) had brought Afghanistan missed an opportunity to win the pitch. The win lifts Pakistan into matches, against India and New the team for “keeping their nerve ond run, leaving Pakistan need- right into the game with the match,” said Afghanistan captain An International Cricket fourth place in the 10-team table, Zealand, Pakistan will qualify for under pressure”. ing 72 off the last eleven overs. wickets of Imam-ul-Haq (36) Naib. “Credit to Pakistan, they Council spokesman said it was above hosts England after a poor the semi-fi nals. They took 18 off Naib in the and Babar Azam (45) in succes- controlled their nerves. working with security offi cials start to the tournament. Pakistan Prime Minister Im- PRESSURE 46th over, which brought the tar- sive overs. “We missed again. You can and the police “to ensure there If they win their fi nal game ran Khan, a World Cup-win- Pakistan were in deep trouble get down to a manageable 28 off Haris Sohail laboured to 27 off face a lot of these situations, we are no further incidents”.

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka’s ICC to take action aft er fans clash at Pradeep out of World Pakistan-Afghanistan match Cup with

Reuters chicken pox London AFP Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom he International Cricket Council has said it will take action against any ri Lanka’s faltering World fans involved in “scuf- Cup campaign suff ered a Tfl es” before the Cricket World fresh blow yesterday as Cup match between Pakistan paceman Nuwan Pradeep and Afghanistan at Headingley wasS ruled out for the remainder yesterday. of the tournament with chick- Videos shared on social me- enpox. dia showed supporters of both Seamer Kasun Rajitha will take countries fi ghting outside the the place of Pradeep, who took venue and security personnel fi ve wickets in his three outings, being forced to intervene, while including one in his team’s sur- ESPNcricinfo reported that at prise win over England. least two fans had been evicted “Fast bowler Pradeep has been from the ground. infected with chickenpox, which “We are aware of some scuf- has ruled him out of further par- fl es among a minority of fans A steward tackles a pitch invader after Pakistan’s victory over ticipation in the event,” the In- and are currently working with Afghanistan at Headingley in Leeds yesterday. (Reuters) ternational Cricket Council said the venue security team and the in a statement. local police force, West York- fl ight path for the Leeds Brad- West Yorkshire Police said The 1996 champions, who shire Police, to ensure there are ford Airport it would not be an they had been called in after “re- lost heavily to South Africa on no further incidents,” an ICC issue,” the spokesperson added. ports of some trouble outside Friday, need to win their remain- spokesperson said. “We do not condone any sort the ground linked to people try- ing two matches and hope other “We do not condone this type Fans clash at Headingley in Leeds, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) of political messages at the ICC ing to get in”. results go in their favour to make of behaviour, and will take ap- Men’s Cricket World Cup and will “Offi cers attended to disperse the semi-fi nals of the 10-team propriate action against any Local media reported that the venue. Balochistan is the largest forces around the country to work with West Yorkshire police the group without any issues competition. anti-social behaviour that spoils trouble started when a plane province in Pakistan and borders prevent this type of incident oc- to deal with and understand why and remained on patrol in the Sri Lanka play West Indies the enjoyment for the majority towing the message ‘Justice Afghanistan to the north. curring and were assured that this has happened and to ensure it area,” the police said in a state- in Chester-le-Street tomorrow of fans.” for Balochistan’ fl ew over the “We work with local police given Headingley is under the does not happen again.” ment. and India in Leeds on July 6. Gulf Times Sunday, June 30, 2019 3 CRICKET WORLD CUP

FOCUS England must adapt or die as India test looms: Morgan Hosts need to beat India today and get past New Zealand in their final league game to guarantee a place in the semis

SPOTLIGHT Calm Kohli thriving under World Cup pressure

Reuters Birmingham, United Kingdom India ‘away’ shirt prompts scorn

irat Kohli shows no signs of pressure when he bats but the India captain says it’s be- Vcause he knows how to fake it. Arguably the greatest bats- man of his generation, Kohli also has possibly the toughest job in international cricket — of captaining the national team of a cricket-crazy nation of 1.4bn. The 30-year-old, however, seems immune to pressure that comes with his twin roles as could be gauged from his nerveless half-centuries in each of India’s last four matches AFP in India. which includes a narrow escape Birmingham, United Kingdom Members of the opposition against Afghanistan. accused Prime Minister “That would be a lie if I say Narendra Modi’s right-wing I’m not under pressure. I’m ans mocked Indian Hindu nationalist party of probably good at hiding it,” cricket bosses after pushing its trademark saf- Kohli told reporters ahead of Fcaptain Virat Kohli fron colour on the team. England’s captain Eoin Morgan takes part in a training session at Edgbaston in Birmingham, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) today’s group match against unveiled the orange-and- But many Twitter users made England. dark-blue shirt that the team fun of the kit, comparing AFP day, said England had regained international rankings, needed to tomorrow” after missing three “Everyone feels butterfl ies will wear in their World Cup it to the uniform worn by Birmingham, United Kingdom their focus ahead of the match at be fl exible in their approach after games, two of which ended in de- in their stomach. I’m glad that match against England, say- the employees of state-run Edgbaston and their fi nal game poor batting displays against Sri feats for England. I feel like that. If I don’t, then ing the players would look company Indian Oil. against New Zealand. Lanka and Australia. Roy, who smashed 153 from 121 probably I don’t have enough like petrol pump attendants. Users mocked the Indian oin Morgan says England “We are handling it well,” he “I can’t fault the commitment balls against Bangladesh earlier motivation to play anymore. Blue has been Indian cricket board’s decision by need to adapt better to said. “Playing in a home World or application that the guys have in the tournament, has been bad- “I look forward to that, and cricket’s dominant colour flooding the social media site home conditions but is Cup for your own country is an produced in every single game. ly missed and Morgan said Eng- maybe that’s why my body lan- since the advent of coloured with spoof pictures of Indian confi dent they will not extremely privileged position to Where we’ve let ourselves down land were ready to play the bats- guage is the way it is. But in all clothing but Kohli, known players holding fuel dispens- buckleE under pressure against be in. as a group is adapting to condi- man even if he was not 100% fi t. honesty, everyone feels pres- for his fashion sense, was ers at filling stations. India as they scrap to keep their “If we win the two (games), tions,” he said. The captain gave a similar re- sure. It’s just the way you por- impressed by the new kit for “It actually looks like Uniform World Cup hopes alive. go through to the semi-fi nals. If “It’s been a bigger challenge in sponse in relation to Jofra Arch- tray it to the opposition is what today’s game at Edgbaston. of Petrol Pump employees It England looked set for the we win that, we get through to a this World Cup than previous bi- er’s availability, with England makes all the diff erence.” “I quite like it. I think it’s right should have been completely semi-fi nals when they won four World Cup fi nal. There’s still a lot lateral series. We’re going to have fretting over an injury to the In January, Kohli became the up there. For me it will be an Orange coloured jersey @ of their fi rst fi ve matches but on the line, and we’re really look- to adapt to conditions, adapt to paceman, who has a side strain. fi rst player to win all three ma- eight (out of 10). Honestly, I am BCCI why you choose this losses to Sri Lanka and Australia ing forward to it. playing against a strong side in “Jofra is going to see how it jor ICC awards and completed not saying that for the sake of Jersey ??” a Twitter user opened the door for Pakistan, “It is not worth thinking about India.” is. It is the same thing he has 20,000 international runs in it,” Kohli said at his pre-match wrote, adding a picture of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. losing. Mathematically there is “We bat deep. We bat strong,” been playing with the last three their win against West Indies, press conference yesterday. Kohli with a fuel dispenser. Morgan’s side need to beat In- still a chance if we lose but we he added. “We tend to play in games. We will see how he comes quickest to the mark. “The contrast is good, the Sri Lanka changed to yellow dia today and then get past New want to win two and tomorrow is high-scoring games. So it’s an through,” Morgan said. India, the tournament’s only fit is great. For one game it’s shirts against England and Zealand in their fi nal league game a huge priority.” area that we’d be more confi dent “The exact same rule applies. unbeaten team, take on an Eng- fine. But I don’t think perma- decided to keep them for the to guarantee a place in the fi nal Morgan said his side, renowned playing.” If it is going to rule him out long- lish side who are under pres- nently we will be heading in rest of the tournament as a four. for the power-hitting that took Morgan said opening batsman term then we won’t play him. If it sure after back-to-back defeats that direction because blue lucky charm after their shock The skipper, speaking yester- them to the top of the one-day Jason Roy is “preparing to play risks him short-term, then yes.” jeopardised their semi-fi nal is our colour and we are very win against the hosts. prospects. proud to wear that.” India, unbeaten in their six Eoin Morgan’s men need to Eight of the 10 nations at the games, need just one win beat India and New Zealand — World Cup have an alternate from their remaining three two teams they have not defeat- kit in case of a colour clash games to book a semi-final India are the team to beat at World Cup, says Clive Lloyd ed in World Cup since 1992 — to and England also wear light berth while Eoin Morgan’s make the semi-fi nals without blue, hence the switch. England must win both of AFP and will be battling for the top the 10-team group stage. “What I like about their attack, bothering about other results. But the kit has stirred contro- their final games to guaran- Birmingham, United Kingdom position with India and New Lloyd, who led West Indies as opposed to many in this Kohli admitted being sur- versy and prompted satire tee progress. Zealand as the league phase to two World Cup triumphs, tournament, is that they bowl prised by the struggle of the draws to a close. in 1975 and 1979, said he had to take wickets.” hosts who entered the tourna- est Indies great Clive “I have been impressed by been disappointed by the way But the 74-year-old feels ment as the top-ranked ODI ghanistan... So you can’t take India with a pace bowling di- Lloyd says India are India — I think the winner of his former side’s campaign had two-time champions India are team. anything for granted.” lemma. Wthe best-balanced the whole thing is going to fizzled out after they started not unbeatable if you can get “Everyone is a bit surprised Kohli suggested India would “Shami, in the last year and a side at the World Cup and look be one of them or Australia,” the tournament with a convinc- through to their middle order. because we thought England is fi eld an unchanged squad with half, has come around amazingly like the team to beat. Lloyd said in a column for the ing win over Pakistan. “Make early inroads into their probably going to dominate in quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar well. I’ve never seen him fi tter... Virat Kohli’s men are unbeaten International Cricket Council. The former skipper said India’s batting line-up — where they their own conditions,” he said. continuing his recovery from he has that hunger within him, after their first six matches of “Any team that wants to lift the bowling attack had impressed only have five specialist bats- “But as I said at the begin- a tight hamstring and Vijay and he’s bowling really, really the round-robin competition trophy will have to beat India him most of all. men — and you have a chance,” ning of the tournament, pres- Shankar retaining his place at well at the moment. and need just one win from their — they are unbeaten so far and “Jasprit Bumrah is a fantastic he said. sure is going to be a massive number four. “Bhuvi is recovering very remaining three games to guar- look a very well-balanced side.” discovery but behind him guys “Of course, a lot of that de- factor and low scores are going Mohamed Shami, replacing fast. When he gets fi t, it’s going antee a place in the semi-finals. India crushed West Indies on like Mohamed Shami and the pends on getting rid of Virat to be defended. Kumar, has claimed eight wick- to be a bit of a headache for us Holders Australia were the Thursday to end the Caribbean wrist spinners have been really Kohli, the best batsman in the “We got a scare from Af- ets in two matches to present to see what we’re going to do.” first to book a final-four spot side’s hopes of qualifying from impressive,” he said. tournament.”

BOTTOMLINE Lord’s balcony fi tting stage for Barty

AFP sies beat the English, isn’t it?” London said Barty, who once took a break from tennis to play pro- fessional cricket. ustralia’s women’s “At Lords, it was incredible. tennis world number “The Australian cricket team one Ashleigh Barty were nice enough to invite us has achieved another into the dressing rooms, as well, dreamA — standing on the bal- which was a bucket list item. cony at Lord’s, the home of “Standing on the balcony at cricket. Lords was pretty incredible.” The 23-year-old French Open Barty, like Goolagong Caw- champion, who last Sunday ley an indigenous Australian, emulated compatriot Evonne said being number one had not Goolagong Cawley in topping changed her outlook. the women’s world rankings, “They’ve (her rivals) all been was invited onto the balcony pretty cruise-y (super-chilled), by the Australian men’s cricket to be honest,” said Barty, who an- team after they beat England in ticipates a tough opening match their World Cup match. against China’s Zheng Saisai. Barty had pulled out of the “I’ve had a nice reception Eastbourne tournament due to a from a lot of the players. It’s nice sore arm which she says is now to get that respect and acknowl- absolutely fi ne. edgement from your peers. Australian world No.1 tennis player Ashleigh Barty (centre) poses at So, as she rested her injury, “Knowing in a couple days’ India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni (right) talks to head coach Ravi Shastri during a training session at the Lord’s Cricket Ground balcony after Australia’s win over England she headed to Lord’s. time that’s all pushed aside and Edgbaston in Birmingham, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) in the ICC World Cup on Tuesday. (Twitter/ashbar96) “It’s always good when Aus- we’ll go play hard.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, June 30, 2019 SPORT

FORMULA 1 ATHLETICS Semenya returns to 800m at US Young guns Leclerc Diamond League and Verstappen share the front row ‘I’m very happy to bring pole position back home, but tomorrow we’ll finish the job’

AFP but instead will now line up in Stanford, United States an 800m that she will be ex- pected to win with ease. Semenya has been almost aster Semenya returns four seconds quicker over the to the 800m at the Pre- distance this year over her near- fontaine Classic Dia- est rival in Sunday’s race, Ajee mond League meeting Wilson of the United States, a Chere today with the athletics winner in the Stockholm Dia- world wondering if it may well mond League on May 30. be her last race over the dis- Elsewhere yesterday, Chris- tance. The two-time Olympic tian Coleman heads a new gen- champion has not raced in the eration of American sprinters event she has dominated since who have stepped into the void 2015 since scorching to a world- created by Jamaican icon Usain leading 1min 54.98sec in Doha Bolt’s retirement in 2017. on May 3. Coleman, 23, is the world’s That outing came just days fastest man over 100m this sea- after the South African star lost son after clocking a blistering a court challenge against Inter- 9.85sec in Oslo on June 13. national Association of Ath- Coleman lines up in a fi eld letics Federations (IAAF) rules which includes 2017 world forcing female athletes to regu- 100m champion Justin Gatlin. late their testosterone levels. Meanwhile in the 400m The Swiss-based Court of all eyes will be on rising star Arbitration for Sport said while Michael Norman, the 21-year- it feared the IAAF regulations old prodigy who scorched to the were “discriminatory”, the season’s fastest time — and joint measures were “necessary, rea- fourth quickest time in history sonable and proportionate” to — of 43.45sec on his profession- preserve the integrity of female al debut in California in April. athletics. Semenya successfully Norman is unbeaten over both obtained an injunction against 200m and 400m this season the introduction of the new and could chase a sprint double IAAF rules on June 3 after a rul- at the September 28-October 6 ing by the Swiss Federal Tribu- World Championships in Doha nal, pending a full hearing. later this year. With no fi nal decision from The women’s 100m mean- the court expected until next while sees 2008 and 2012 Ol- month at the earliest, it means ympic champion Shelly-Ann Semenya is free to run in the Fraser-Pryce test herself against 800m at Stanford, which is the emerging talent of Ameri- hosting the Prefontaine as the can sprinter Sha’Carri Richard- Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (ALSO INSET) races during the third practice session of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg yesterday. meeting’s usual venue at Eu- son, who turned professional gene, Oregon, undergoes reno- earlier this month after shat- vations ahead of the 2021 World tering a 30-year-old US col- Reuters Hamilton says he ‘totally deserved’ grid penalty Athletics Championships. legiate record in the event with Spielberg, Austria If the Swiss tribunal eventu- 10.75sec. In the women’s 200m, Spielberg: Lewis Hamilton up against, whether it’s right or ally upholds the earlier CAS rul- Jamaica’s 2016 Olympic cham- said he “totally deserved” a wrong, just continue to believe ing, today’s race at Cobb Track pion Elaine Thompson attempts errari’s Charles Leclerc three-place Austrian Grand in yourself!,” he added. “We & Angell Field could well turn to lay down a marker ahead stormed to pole position Prix grid penalty that dropped have the power to overcome out to be Semenya’s last outing of the World Championships at the Austrian Grand him from the front row of the obstacles even when they ap- in an event in which she has not when she faces Britain’s Dina FPrix yesterday, with last grid to fifth and threatens pear too large a task.” lost for four years. Asher-Smith in a fi eld that also year’s winner Max Verstappen to end his Mercedes team’s Hamilton was also handed one Semenya had initially entered includes Dafne Schippers of the joining him on a front row of streak of success today. penalty point, his first of the 12 the 3,000m at the Prefontaine Netherlands. 21-year-olds after Formula One Stewards punished the five- months period. leader Lewis Hamilton was de- times world champion, who The Briton is leading team- moted for impeding. had qualified second behind mate Valtteri Bottas by 36 McLaren’s Lando Norris, at Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, for points after winning the last 19 the youngest driver on the impeding Alfa Romeo’s Kimi ton said on Instagram. four races and six out of eight. Quartararo in ‘incredible’ current grid, will line up behind Raikkonen in qualifying. “Was a mistake on my behalf Mercedes have won 10 races them in fourth on a remarkable The sanction means Red Bull’s and I take full responsibility for in a row in total, including the pole for Dutch MotoGP day for the sport’s young guns. Max Verstappen, last year’s it. It wasn’t intentional. Any- last two of 2018. Leclerc went into the fi nal top race winner, will now move way, tomorrow is another day Bottas will start in third place, 10 shootout as favourite, having up to form a front row of and an opportunity to rise. having qualified fourth. The Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver set the pace in two of the three 21-year-olds. “Totally deserved “These things are sent to Finn had been on pole in Aus- Max Verstappen celebrates practice sessions and the fi rst the penalty today and have no try us. We all have to push tria for the two previous years, after the qualifying session two phases of qualifying, and the problem accepting it,” Hamil through whatever it is we are winning in 2017. of the Austrian Formula One Monegasque duly delivered. Grand Prix yesterday. His second career pole was se- cured with a time of one minute row we’ll fi nish the job.” Yesterday’s pole was Ferrari’s broken so we couldn’t fi re up and scheduled gearbox change. 03.003 seconds — the fastest Verstappen had qualifi ed second in three races but only go,” said Vettel. “We lost parts of Norris had qualifi ed an im- ever lap around the undulating third for Red Bull but moved up their third of the season. Q2 (the second phase) and then pressive sixth but Magnussen’s 4.3km Red Bull Ring. to the front row after stewards It was a bittersweet success, Q3 completely. penalty moved him up to fi fth “Come on, baby, yes!”, he found Hamilton had impeded with Leclerc’s teammate Sebas- “The guys did everything they before Hamilton’s demotion gave shouted over the team radio af- Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen tian Vettel failing to make it out of could but we couldn’t do it in him another place. ter taking his fi rst pole since the and dropped the fi ve times world the pits in the fi nal phase of qual- time. It’s frustrating but nothing Raikkonen, who vented his Bahrain Grand Prix in March, a champion to fi fth. ifying. The German sat stranded you can do inside the car and no- frustration at Hamilton by race he would have won had a Hamilton, 36 points ahead of in the garage, mechanics working body’s fault.” throwing a rude gesture the Brit- late engine issue not dashed his Valtteri Bottas after winning six furiously on the engine after dis- Vettel will start ninth thanks on’s way, set the seventh fastest hopes. of eight races this season and the covering a problem with the air to Kevin Magnussen, who quali- time ahead of teammate Antonio “I’m very happy to bring pole last four, now starts fi fth and be- pressure line feeding the power fi ed fi fth for Haas but collected Giovinazzi with Red Bull’s Pierre position back home, but tomor- hind his teammate. unit. “Obviously the car was a fi ve-place grid drop for an un- Gasly set to line up eighth.

BOXING Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo during qualifying at Assen yesterday.

Assen, AFP: Yamaha’s French ond to Honda’s Marc Marquez. rider Fabio Quartararo set a “But anyway we managed to new lap record as he sealed get the pole position. First we Commey batters Beltran with an “incredible” pole position think about today, Saturday, for today’s Dutch MotoGP in we managed to get two really Assen. fast laps. The 20-year-old clocked 1min “(There’s) nothing to say 32.017sec, finishing ahead of because it’s incredible to be in eighth round knockout fellow Yamaha rider Maverick pole position on this track.” Vinales and Suzuki’s Alex Rins, Spain’s reigning world cham- AFP The 32-year-old Commey, of Ghana, pinned on the ropes. $20,000 going to the boxing commission both of Spain. pion Marquez leads this sea- San Diego ended the fi ght when Beltran walked into In the fi fth, Commey hit Beltran with a and $20,000 being added to Commey’s It was Quartararo’s third pole, son’s standings, on 140 points, a crushing left hook to the chin that sent short left hook on the nose that sent him purse of $350,000. Commey, who im- having topped qualification from Italy’s Ducati rider Andrea the Mexican fl ying backwards across the to the canvas for the third time. It looked proved to 29-2, with 26 knockouts, won last time out at the Catalan Dovizioso (103), with Rins just ichard Commey knocked down ring. like the referee might step in and stop the a vacant world title by second-round race and in the Spanish Mo- two points adrift. Ray Beltran four times en route A dazed Beltran got up but the referee fi ght, but Beltran worked his way off the knockout of Isa Chaniev on February 2. toGP at the start of May. Marquez was lucky to escape a to a dominant eighth round stopped the fi ght, putting an end to the ropes and was able to continue. However during that fi ght he suff ered a “The track here is much more fall at the so-called ‘Cathedral Rtechnical knockout victory in an lopsided bout at the Pechanga Casino in This was the fi fth straight win for right hand injury that ended a title unifi - diff icult than Montmelo so I’m of Speed’ track, going wide on IBF lightweight fi ght yesterday. Temecula, California. Commey after back to back losses. cation bout with pound-for-pound king suff ering a little bit more on a corner and wobbling danger- The pair were supposed to fi ght for Commey knocked Beltran down twice The planned title fi ght was thrown into Vasiliy Lomachenko in April. my arms,” the Frenchman said ously off onto the kerb before Commey’s 135-pound title but that was in the fi rst round — fi rst with a right hand chaos when Beltran badly missed weight Lomachenko ultimately faced WBA in reference to the Catalonian quickly managing to readjust scuttled after Beltran couldn’t make the halfway through the round, and then on Thursday, coming in at 136.8 pounds. mandatory challenger Anthony Crolla, track, where he finished sec- and regain his seat. weight at Thursday’s weigh-in. again moments later while he had him Organisers fi ned Beltran $40,000 with knocking him out in the fourth round. Gulf Times Sunday, June 30, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Warriors set to sign Rockies end 12-game Thompson to max deal Klay Thompson plans to keep splashing 3-pointers by the bay. The Golden State Warriors are slide against Dodgers prepared to sign Thompson to a fi ve-year, $190mn maximum contract, according to multiple Blackmon had three hits and three runs and Antonio Senzatela (7-5) tossed five innings reports. The Warriors are sending a Reuters front-offi ce contingent to Los Los Angeles Angeles to visit Thompson as the NBA free-agent sign- ing period is set to begin today olan Arenado homered and evening. Thompson has report- had four hits, David Dahl and edly indicated he would return Pat Valaika also went deep, to the Warriors if a max deal and the Colorado Rockies beat was off ered. Thompson, 29, has Nthe Los Angeles Dodgers 13-9 on Friday spent his entire eight-season night in Denver. Charlie Blackmon had career with the Warriors. He three hits and three runs, and Anto- has averaged at least 20 points nio Senzatela (7-5) tossed fi ve innings per game in each of the last fi ve to help Colorado end a 12-game losing seasons and played a key role in streak to Los Angeles. the Warriors’ championships Max Muncy and Alex Verdugo in 2015, 2017 and 2018 as one of homered for the Dodgers. Los Angeles the “Splash Brothers” alongside led 5-2 entering the fi fth inning, when Stephen Curry. the Rockies sent 13 men to the plate and The Los Angeles native tore scored eight runs. Valaika got it going his left ACL during Game 6 of with a two-run homer, Ian Desmond this year’s NBA Finals and is hit a run-scoring double, and Dahl gave expected to be out until at least the Rockies a 7-5 lead with his homer. February or March of next sea- Daniel Murphy, Valaika and Blackmon son. Warriors coach Steve Kerr added RBI singles in the rally. routinely has praised Thomp- son, who also earned a spot on ORIOLES 13, INDIANS 0 the NBA’s All-Defensive Team Chance Sisco homered and drove in fi ve this season. The Warriors will runs, Anthony Santander homered and open next season in a new arena had four RBIs, and Baltimore routed along the San Francisco Bay. visiting Cleveland. Sisco hit a two-run homer in the fi rst inning and an RBI DURANT, LEONARD single in the second against Cleveland CONSIDER JOINING starter Mike Clevinger (1-2), who lasted FORCES just 1 2/3 innings. Kevin Durant and Kawhi Le- The Orioles jumped to an 8-0 lead onard have discussed signing with two early four-run rallies. Bal- free-agent deals with the same timore had lost 13 of its previous 14 team, according to a report. The games, including the past three in a possible combination of Durant row. Orioles starter John Means (7-4) and Leonard adds a new level came off the injured list after recovering of intrigue as the NBA’s signing from a shoulder strain, and he threw fi ve period. The most likely scenar- shutout innings. ios for the pair to play together would be with the New York WHITE SOX 6, TWINS 4 Knicks or Los Angeles Clippers. Ross Detwiler pitched fi ve strong in- From left: Colorado Rockies’ Daniel Murphy, Nolan Arenado, Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson celebrate after defeating Los Angeles Dodgers. (USA TODAY Sports) Durant reportedly plans to meet nings to earn the victory in his Chi- with four teams — the Knicks, cago debut, and James McCann and Angels could muster against Fiers (8-3) had three hits and an RBI for Texas, and and three hits. trailed after Austin Riley launched a Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Eloy Jimenez hit two-run home runs came in the sixth inning when Shohei Ronald Guzman had two RBIs. Lynn Felipe Vazquez (2-0) earned the vic- two-run homer in the second inning Golden State Warriors. in a home win over Minnesota. Miguel Ohtani reached on an infi eld single, took (10-4) allowed three hits, struck out 10 tory. Ben Gamel had two hits for the in a victory at New York. The Braves Leonard’s list is expected to Sano hit a pair of two-run home runs second on a wild pitch and scored on a and walked one while reaching double Brewers, who have lost eight of 11. improved to 19-7 this month, the best include the Knicks, Clippers, for Minnesota, including one in the single by Albert Pujols, cutting Oak- digits in wins for the seventh straight record in the majors during that span. Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto ninth inning that summoned White Sox land’s lead to 5-1. season. He left after throwing 112 pitch- REDS 6, CUBS 3 The Mets lost their sixth straight and Raptors. In the days leading up closer Alex Colome, who retired the fi - es in his longest outing of the season in Joey Votto ripped an RBI single to high- fell to a National League-worst 9-17 in to free agency, rumours have nal three hitters to notch his 17th save in BLUE JAYS 6, ROYALS 2 terms of innings. Jose Leclerc pitched light a four-hit performance, and Sonny June. Soroka (9-1) allowed two runs on swirled about various combina- 18 opportunities. Detwiler (1-0) pitched Eric Sogard hit the go-ahead home run around a ninth-inning walk to complete Gray tossed 6 1/3 strong innings as host seven hits and no walks while striking tions of superstars. Multiple fi ve innings of six-hit, two-run ball with two outs in the seventh inning, the shutout. Coming off a marathon Cincinnati recorded a victory over Chi- out four as he once again became eligi- reports have indicated that with three strikeouts and no walks. The Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered twice, and 18-inning, 5-2 victory at Minnesota on cago. Phillip Ervin belted a homer to ble to qualify for the NL ERA title. Brooklyn could be interested in White Sox purchased the left-hander’s Toronto defeated visiting Kansas City. Thursday, the Rays didn’t manage an lead off the second inning, and rookie The 21-year-old right-hander has a package of Durant and point contract from Triple-A Charlotte before Randal Grichuk added a two-run homer extra-base hit until the eighth inning in Nick Senzel had a two-run double to ig- a 2.13 ERA — the second lowest in the guard Kyrie Irving. the game. in the eighth for the Blue Jays, who had losing for the 12th time in their past 17 nite a four-run fourth for the Reds, who league behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Other reports have linked lost their three previous games. games. snapped a four-game losing streak. Hyun-Jin Ryu — in 84 2/3 innings. So- Leonard with the Lakers, where ATHLETICS 7, ANGELS 2 Daniel Hudson (4-2) allowed one hit Jason Heyward launched a two-run roka retired the fi rst 10 batters he faced he could join LeBron James Matt Olson had two home runs and fi ve and struck out three in 1 1/3 innings to PIRATES 3, BREWERS 2 homer in the seventh inning for Chi- before Pete Alonso homered to close the and Anthony Davis. It is also RBIs before the end of the third inning, pick up the win. Martin Maldonado hit a Kevin Newman drove in the go-ahead cago, which saw starter Cole Hamels Braves’ lead to 3-1. possible that both players could helping visiting Oakland cruise to a vic- home run and added two doubles for the run in the ninth inning, and visiting (6-3) depart after tossing a warm-up return to their most recent tory over Los Angeles. Olson connected Royals, who took a 2-0 lead in the top of Pittsburgh rallied for a win against Mil- pitch prior to the start of the second. MARLINS 6, PHILLIES 2 teams. Leonard’s Raptors held against Angels opener Noe Ramirez in the sixth before Toronto rallied. waukee. Newman also homered, Bryan The Cubs announced that Hamels felt Brian Anderson homered, doubled and off Durant’s Warriors in this the fi rst inning for a two-run homer, Reynolds had three hits and a walk, and something in his left side. drove in three runs to lead Miami to a year’s NBA Finals, during which then hit a three-run homer in the third RANGERS 5, Rays 0 Adam Frazier had two hits for the Pi- victory over visiting Philadelphia. Gar- Durant tore his Achilles tendon off Felix Pena, raising his season total Lance Lynn pitched eight strong in- rates, who have won seven of their past BRAVES 6, METS 2 rett Cooper had three hits and two RBIs in Game 5. to 16. That was all that Oakland starter nings, and Texas defeated Tampa Bay eight. Pittsburgh starter Chris Archer Mike Soroka tossed 6 1/3 strong in- for the Marlins, who snapped a three- He is expected to miss most, if Mike Fiers needed. The only off ense the for its sixth straight win. Rougned Odor went four innings, allowing two runs nings to earn the win, and Atlanta never game slide. not all, of next season.

GOLF PGA TOUR Park In-bee grabs LPGA lead Lashley hangs onto lead as Champ charges

AFP with bogey-free 62 in Arkansas Washington

AFP Los Angeles ate Lashley main- tained his one-shot lead at the US PGA ark In-bee fi red a bogey- Tour’s Rocket Mort- free nine-under par 62 Ngage Classic on Friday, fi ring a on Friday to grab a one- fi ve-under par 67 for a 14-under shot lead in the LPGA par total of 130 to keep red-hot PNW Arkansas Championship Cameron Champ at bay. in Rogers, Arkansas. The South Champ, seeking the second Korean star, who counts seven victory of his inaugural US PGA majors among her 19 LPGA tour Tour season, surged up the lea- titles, strung together fi ve bird- derboard at Detroit Golf Club ies in a row from the 11th through with an eight-under 28 on the the 15th among her nine birdies front nine before fi nishing with on the par 71 Pinnacle Country a seven-under 65. Club course. He was in the clubhouse on She was one stroke clear of 13-under 131 as Lashley, an al- Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Thai- ternate who was the last player land’s Sherman Santiwiwat- to make it into the fi eld, fi nished Nate Lashley plays his shot from thanaphong and American Paula Inbee Park of South Korea plays a shot during the first round of the his follow-up to a fi rst-round the fourth tee during round two Creamer, with Thailand’s Ariya NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers, Arkansas, US. (AFP) 63. Two-under through his fi rst of the Rocket Mortgage Classic Jutanugarn and Americans Annie nine holes, Lashley added three in Detroit, Michigan. (AFP) Park and Maria Torres tied at 64. Even more helpful was see- fairway today. I had six-, seven-, birdies coming in, including Sherman had 10 birdies and ing her putts drop. “It’s always eight-footers pretty much all the back-to-back birdies at the fi rst two bogeys in her 63 while Cig- great to see the ball rolling in the holes. I made them.” and second and a birdie at the anda had nine birdies and a bo- hole,” Park said. “I haven’t been Defending champion Nasa par-fi ve seventh. seven feet at seven and dropped par-5 17th on a nine-foot putt erson Farms Championship, gey. Both were in the clubhouse seeing that for such a long time. Hataoka of Japan, who claimed Champ, who missed the cut a birdie putt from just inside 19 with a closing bogey, missing a which was played opposite the early behind Park, with Creamer For a couple of years I have been her fi rst LPGA title with a domi- in eight of his last 10 starts, set feet at the par-3 ninth. four-footer for par. WGC HSBC Champions event joining them on eight-under missing a lot of short putts. I was nating, record-breaking victory a sizzling early pace, reeling off “The putt on fi ve, the par-3 “The back side, I really didn’t in Shanghai. with a round that featured nine waiting for this moment and, last year, was in a tie for eighth, fi ve birdies in a row starting at there, was a big breaker down- play terrible. I just hit a few Charles Howell was alone birdies and a bogey. Park, who is hopefully, I can keep this going.” three shots off the lead. She has the second hole before an eagle hill. I put it right down the mid- shots that limited my ability to in third after a 67 for 132. Gary in search of her fi rst victory since Creamer, who has 10 LPGA ti- gone on to win two more titles, at the par-fi ve seventh and a dle,” Champ said. “On six same get it close to the hole,” Champ Woodland, the American who the 2018 Founders Cup, won the tles but hasn’t won since 2004, and came into her fi rst LPGA title birdie at the ninth. He needed thing. Everything kept fl owing. said. “Missed a few putts I wish won his fi rst major title two 2013 NW Arkansas title and said was eight-under through 12 defense ranked fi fth in the world. only 12 putts on the front side For the fi rst nine holes, the hole I could get back but that’s how it weeks ago at the US Open at her familiarity with the course is holes. She played the last six in She was joined on 65 by world with birdie putts from six feet looked pretty big for a while.” goes.” Pebble Beach, fi red a 69 but his an advantage. “I have played this even par, unable to sneak past number one Ko Jin-young and at two, 11 feet at the third, eight While visions of breaking 60 Champ’s only prior US PGA two-under total of 142 saw him golf course so many times, so it Park. “I hit the ball really well,” Jenny Shin of South Korea and feet at the par-5 fourth, 13 feet abounded, Champ cooled off on title came last October at the miss the cut by three strokes, as helps me playing through this Creamer said. Americans Katherine Perry and at the par-3 fi fth and 14 feet the back nine, making bogey at start of the current campaign did world number two Dustin week,” she said. “I don’t think I missed one Marina Alex. at the sixth, then eagled from 13 and following a birdie at the when he captured the Sand- Johnson. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 30, 2019 FOOTBALL

COPA AMERICA SPOTLIGHT Chile overcome No favourite in Colombia on penalties to reach Copa semis AFP had been the better side. On fi ve Argentina-Brazil minutes, a Radamel Falcao cush- Sao Paulo ioned header found Roger Mar- tinez but the forward wanted an hampions Chile main- extra touch and his goal-bound tained their hopes of volley was charged down. a third straight Copa James Rodriguez then had a America victory after free-kick in a dangerous position Cbeating Colombia on penal- but failed to clear the defensive semi, says Messi ties on Friday night to reach the wall. Ospina made an incredible semi-fi nals. one-handed save on 12 minutes Chile could have won the game to keep out an Eduardo Var- Martinez, Lo Celso goals earn Argentina a 2-0 win over Venezuela in quarters in normal time but had two goals gas header from a Jose Fuenza- ruled out for marginal decisions lida cross, but it wouldn’t have AFP in a scoreless draw, before Alexis counted anyway as the ball was Rio de Janeiro Sanchez stroked home the win- deemed to have been out of play. ning spot-kick. Soon after the disallowed It was just rewards for the goal tempers fl ared as Sanchez ionel Messi said Argentina would champions after dominating a squared up to Wilmar Barrios, take on hosts Brazil on an equal match in which Colombia held only to then fi nd himself face- footing in the Copa America on thanks to a couple of tight to-face with Colombia’s giant semi-fi nals after beating Ven- VAR calls. Charles Aranguiz had centre-back Yerry Mina. Chile Lezuela 2-0 on Friday night. Lautaro Mar- a goal ruled out in the fi rst half were by now in control of pro- tinez and Giovani Lo Celso scored the for a marginal off side against ceedings and Maripan headed goals that gave improving Argentina a Sanchez in the build up to the over from a Beausejour cross. quarter-fi nal success at Rio de Janeiro’s move. The champions were buzz- Maracana stadium. And after Arturo Vidal shot ing and Mauricio Isla threaded It was the Argentines’ best perform- low into the far corner on 70 a through ball to Vargas, whose ance yet in a tournament they began with minutes, that was chalked off shot was blocked by a slid- 2-0 defeat to Colombia followed by a for a handball against Guillermo ing Mina. Chile were look- 1-1 draw with Paraguay. “It’s diffi cult to Maripan, who had teed up the ing increasingly threatening as give a favourite between Argentina and Barcelona midfi elder. Following Sanchez fi red wide, Fuenza- Brazil, even more so in this Copa Amer- eight successful penalties, Wil- lida had a shot blocked and Vi- ica where anyone can beat anyone,” said liam Tesillo casually put his ef- dal went closest yet with a curler the 32-year-old Barcelona star ahead of fort wide for Colombia, leaving from 18 yards. Tuesday’s semi-fi nal in Belo Horizonte. Sanchez to be the hero, as the Colombia made a bright open- “We respect them, we know what Brazil Manchester United forward con- ing to the second period as Rod- represent,” he added. tinues to make up in Brazil for a riguez curled a free-kick into the The hosts struggled to make the semi- dreadful club season. side-netting and Juan Cuadrado fi nals, toiling for more than 40 minutes They will face either Uruguay, sliced well wide on a rapier coun- against 10 men before beating Paraguay who beat them 1-0 in the group ter-attack. Ospina was having a on penalties following a 0-0 draw in stages on Monday, or Peru in jittery performance and needed Porto Alegre on Thursday night. “We’re Wednesday’s semi-fi nal in Porto two attempts to gather a long in good form to take on Brazil, but we’ll Alegre. “Penalties are more in range Vargas strike. The best have to be very focused,” said fi ve-time the hands of God than the play- chance of the match came on Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who admitted ers, that’s the way they’ve always the hour when Aranguiz slipped he’s not at his best. been and always will be,” moaned in Sanchez behind the defence “I’m not having my best Copa Amer- Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz. but under pressure from a back- ica,” he said. But as a team, Messi said The fi rst half was dominated tracking Davinson Sanchez, their performance against Venezuela was by Chile’s 16th minute goal being the Manchester United forward “complete.” “Defensively we didn’t have controversially disallowed. Jean sliced his shot horribly wide. any problems and the team was very solid Beausejour made a surging, over- When Chile had the ball in the at all times. We didn’t leave them any lapping run down the left and his net again on 70 minutes after Vi- spaces when they went looking for them. inviting cross was spilled by Ar- dal fi red home through a forest of We were very united and waited for the senal goalkeeper David Ospina legs into the far corner, Argen- opportunities to counter quickly.” after Davinson Sanchez got in his tine referee Nestor Pitana again Having already been scathing about Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (right) celebrates with captain Lionel Messi after scoring against Venezuela during the Copa America way, allowing Aranguiz to nip in signalled to VAR and Colombia the Gremio Arena pitch in Porto Alegre quarter-finals at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday night. (AFP) and slot home from a tight angle. were reprieved for the second — as was Brazil coach Tite following their But much to the bemusement time. Chile continued to boss quarter-fi nal there — Messi hit out at the “What will come will be more de- that cost us the qualifi cation because we legs and substitute Lo Celso secured the of many watching, the referee proceedings right to the end but general state of the surfaces in Brazil. manding and we’ve created in this Copa lacked a bit of the character to get through victory 16 minutes from time, pouncing consulted VAR and the goal was in the shoot-out it was third time “Honestly, the pitches are really diffi - America a very competitive team, that’s those fi rst few minutes,” said Rincon. on a mistake by Venezuela’s goalkeeper chalked off for the most marginal lucky as not even VAR could deny cult, they don’t favour good football. The how we must continue,” he added. “But we had a great Copa America, Wuilker Farinez at Rio de Janeiro’s Ma- of off sides. Until then, Colombia them victory this time. ball bounces in every direction, but it’s “This leaves us bitter, unsatisfi ed, but we’re improving, next up is (World Cup) racana stadium. Argentina are bidding to the same for everyone,” he said. it’s part of the journey we must embark qualifying and we’ll give it everything. end a 26-year wait for a major interna- Venezuela’s coach Rafael Dudamel said on to forge the team’s character.” We showed we can compete with anyone, tional trophy. “When there are knock-out the team’s Copa campaign would stand Captain Tomas Rincon regretted Ven- in the second half we pushed Argentina matches, it makes us strong,” said Sergio them in good stead in qualifying for the ezuela’s slow start that saw them overrun back, but through luck and individual in- Aguero, who had a hand in both goals. “It 2022 World Cup in Qatar, noting that his by an eff ervescent Argentina that took cidents they won the match.” won’t be easy in any way (against Brazil) team was “getting stronger, more ma- the lead after just 10 minutes. “We didn’t Martinez gave Argentina a 10th minute but we’re Argentina and we’ll try to do ture.” start well in the fi rst half and maybe lead with a clever back fl ick between his justice to the jersey.”

FOCUS Queiroz sees improvement in Colombia despite Chile loss

AFP “Penalties are a very tough way to leave third. “We moved around all the attack- is just an intermediate goal on the road Sao Paulo a competition, but I think the matches we ing players but once again luck deserted we’ve always talked about, which is Qa- played showed very good signs of devel- us,” he said. “The only person responsible tar,” he said. And Rueda revealed that opment, improvement, compactness, se- for us failing to progress was me, no-one Chile had been practising penalties every olombia coach Carlos Queiroz curity,” said the 66-year-old Portuguese else.” day, just in case. “Many years ago I learnt put a positive spin on Colom- boss. “I want to congratulate the Chilean Chile’s Colombian coach Reinaldo the importance of those twelve” yards to bia’s penalty shoot-out elimi- players and squad, but I want to give my Rueda said this victory was merely one the goal, he said. “We end every training nation from the Copa America biggest congratulations to our players, step towards a greater goal: to qualify for session from the penalty spot.” byC champions Chile on Friday. Colombia who struggled, fought hard, with a lot of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Roja As for the two goals chalked off by VAR, didn’t concede a goal in four games in desire and belief to try to win the game.” missed out on the last global showpiece Rueda said teams are just going to have to Brazil — although Chile had two disal- Queiroz, who only took over Colombia in Russia despite having won the last two start getting used to that. “It’s already a Chile players celebrate after defeating Colombia in the penalty lowed by VAR in Sao Paulo — yet still in February, felt his side had dominated Copa America titles. reality, a fact... thankfully we didn’t lose shoot-out in the Copa America quarter-finals at the Corinthians crashed out at the quarter-fi nal stage. but lacked a clinical touch in the fi nal “There’s still a long way to go. This our focus because of those situations.” Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday night. (AFP)

PREMIER LEAGUE Wan-Bissaka seals meteoric rise with £45mn Man United move

By Stuart James will improve every step and learn dif- with us and we look forward to contin- The Guardian ferent things around new teammates. I uing his tremendous development so think Manchester United is a big club, far,” the manager added. Wan-Bissaka’s big family, big fanbase and they all stick move to Old Traff ord completes a me- anchester United have together. I can see that I have made teoric rise. Last season was his fi rst full completed the signing of [my family] proud with this decision campaign at senior level as a profes- Aaron Wan-Bissaka from and where I’ve come from. I personally sional footballer and he has made only Crystal Palace in a deal that think they know what’s right for me.” 46 fi rst-team appearances. Mcould potentially be worth £50mn. The Wan-Bissaka is United’s second His performances for Palace soon England Under-21 international, who signing of the summer, following the caught the eye, however, and he fi n- made his fi rst-team debut for Palace £15mn addition of Daniel James from ished last season as their player of the less than 18 months ago, has signed a Swansea, and fi ts the profi le of player – year and with some hugely impressive fi ve-year contract with United worth talented, young and hungry – the club statistics to his name, including mak- £80,000 a week. are seeking to attract. Ole Gunnar Sol- ing more tackles than any other de- United have agreed to pay £45mn skjær, United’s manager, described the fender in Europe’s elite leagues. for Wan-Bissaka and another £5mn in 21-year-old right-back as “one of the Solskjær is targeting further defen- add-ons, making him the club’s fi fth- best upcoming defenders in the Pre- sive additions, with a central defender biggest signing. There is also an option mier League” and believes he has all the seen as a priority. Harry Maguire is at to extend his contract by a further year. attributes to succeed at Old Traff ord. the top of their list – Manchester City “It’s an unbelievable feeling and an “He has the right work ethic, talent are also competing for the England in- honour to call myself a Manchester and mentality to play for Manchester ternational – but any transfer seems a United player and something I know United and he fi ts exactly the type of way off because of Leicester’s valua- that only a small number of players player that we are looking to bring into tion, which is around £80mn and based Aaron Wan-Bissaka have the privilege to say,” Wan-Bissaka the squad to help us improve and push on the fee that Southampton received poses after signing for said. on further,” Solskjær said. for Virgil van Dijk. That sort of ask- Manchester United. “As a kid, every kid wants to play for “Aaron is a young, hungry player and ing price is likely to put Maguire out a team like this. I’m grateful and it’s an eager to learn and that’s important at of United’s reach until they generate honour to represent this club. I think I his age. I am delighted he has signed funds by moving players on. Gulf Times Sunday, June 30, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Rapinoe accepts House invite aft er Blackstenius the hero as snubbing Trump

Washington: The captain of the US women’s football squad, Megan Rapinoe, has accepted an invitation from a Sweden stun Germany high-profile Democrat to visit the House of Representatives, just days after bluntly saying In the semi-final, Sweden to face Netherlands, who beat Italy to reach last four for the first time she would refuse a similar off er from President Donald AFP Trump. Rennes, France “It may not be the White House, but we’d be happy to welcome @mPinoe & the tina Blackstenius stabbed home entire #USWMNT for a tour from close range in the second of the House of Representa- half to send Sweden into the tives anytime they’d like,” last four of the women’s World Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the CupS with a 2-1 victory over Germany fiery young lawmaker who is in Rennes yesterday, ending a 24-year a rising star of the Democratic winless streak against their rivals at Party, tweeted on Friday. “Con- major tournaments. sider it done,” Rapinoe, the US The Swedes had last claimed a tour- star forward, quickly replied. nament win over Germany at the 1995 Ocasio-Cortez then tweeted, World Cup but here they came from be- “The party’s on!” hind to triumph in an enthralling game Rapinoe is leading the played in ferocious heat. Lina Magull charge for Team USA at the gave Germany the lead, but the Swedes women’s World Cup. On ran the German back line ragged for Friday, she scored both of the much of the match. squad’s goals to propel them Sofi a Jakobsson got their equaliser to a 2-1 victory over France before the front three of Fridolina Rolfo, in the quarter-finals. The Jakobsson and Blackstenius combined Americans take on England for the winning goal just after half- on Tuesday with a spot in the time. Once the dominant force in Euro- finals at stake. pean women’s football, two-time world She had earlier vowed to champions Germany have now failed to stay home if Trump invited the reach the semi-fi nals in two of their last women’s team to Washington, three World Cups. and urged her teammates Defeat also robs them of the chance to join her in protesting to defend their gold medal at the Olym- the president’s policies and pic Games in Tokyo next year. Germany character. That drew a pair won the title at the Rio Olympics three of angry tweets from Trump, years ago, beating Sweden in the fi nal, who said that “Megan should but still needed to fi nish among the WIN first before she TALKS! top three European teams at this World Finish the job!” Cup to book their ticket to Tokyo. Swe- Championship US sports den will join the Netherlands and Great teams are traditionally hon- Britain at the Games instead. oured with an invitation to the The Germans looked the sharper side White House, though Trump in the opening exchanges, and they took has at times revoked invita- the lead on 15 minutes through Magull. tions after team members A darting run and a neat through ball criticised him. Among the from Sara Daebritz unleashed Magull in teams that have declined the the box, and she swept in from point- off er have been pro basket- blank range after a deft fi rst touch. Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius (second right) celebrates after scoring against Germany during the Women’s World Cup quarter-final match in Rennes, France. (AFP) ball’s Golden State Warriors Sweden took just seven minutes to and last year’s Super Bowl respond, though, Jakobsson leaving the for Sweden, despite the Germans’ pro- Earlier, the Netherlands reached the who set up both goals with stunning grees Celsius, completely dominating winners, the Philadelphia German centre-backs in the dust as she tests that Magull had been lying injured semi-fi nals for the fi rst time in their set-piece deliveries. “That I can be im- the second half in an impressive display Eagles of the National Football chased down a long ball and slotted it when the goal was scored. history after Vivianne Miedema and portant with my free-kicks I know that, that will give whoever wins later on Sat- League (NFL). past goalkeeper Almuth Schult. The Despite bringing on star player Stefanie van der Gragt scored in a 2-0 but the most important thing is that we urday pause for thought. The 33-year-old Rapinoe German goalkeeper kept her side in the Dszenifer Marozsan, who had missed win over Italy in Valenciennes. Ap- are going to the semi-fi nals and Tokyo.” “It was really, really warm out there, — who plays for Reign FC of game with several more saves in the fi rst the previous three games with a bro- pearing at just their second World Cup, Both teams had complained about the but I’m just trying to tell myself that it’s Tacoma, Washington — came half, but could do nothing to stop Swe- ken toe, Germany remained blunt as the Dutch won after fi ne headers from scheduling of the match in the middle of not hot,” said Dominique Bloodworth, out as a lesbian in 2012. A den’s winner just after the break. the clock ticked down. Lena Oberdorf record goal-scorer Miedema and Van the afternoon during a punishing early one of four Arsenal players in the Dutch longtime activist, she has After parrying away a Rolfo header came agonisingly close with a header in der Gragt in the last 20 minutes of this summer heatwave that is sweeping Eu- team. “The second half I felt much bet- been outspoken in demanding from Jakobsson’s cross, Schult lay help- the dying minutes, but Sweden held on quarter-fi nal. rope. However it was the Dutch who re- ter and that we were going to score a equal pay for women’s soccer less as Blackstenius prodded the ball in to set up a semi-fi nal meeting with the “The most important thing is that we sponded best to the on-pitch humidity, goal and win the game so that gives you players. from close range. It was a deserved lead Netherlands in Lyon next Wednesday. won against Italy,” said Sherida Spitse, with temperatures creeping over 30 de- wings.”

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS SPOTLIGHT Cameroon and Ghana play Rapinoe sinks France as USA out a forgettable 0-0 draw AFP set up semi-fi nal with England Ismailia, Egypt AFP Paris United States’ forward Megan Rapinoe ameroon and Ghana, is ecstatic after scoring against France two of the most suc- at the Women’s World Cup quarter-final cessful teams in Africa egan Rapinoe admitted it had match in Paris on Friday night. (AFP) Cup of Nations history, been an unforgettable night af- cancelledC each other out in a for- ter her brace took the United gettable 0-0 draw in their Group States through to the semi- F match yesterday. Ghana nearly Mfi nals of the women’s World Cup on Friday snatched the points in the 88th night, the holders beating France 2-1 in Paris minute when Kwabena Owusu to puncture the hopes of the host nation. intercepted a wayward pass, Rapinoe’s free-kick fi ve minutes into this charged forward and fi red a fero- quarter-fi nal evaded a sea of bodies in the cious shot against the bar. box on its way into the net to stun the home Apart from that, the two sides crowd at the Parc des Princes. The USA then served up a feast of misplaced soaked up pressure before delivering the passes, poor fi rst touches and knockout blow midway through the second wayward fi nishing on another half when Rapinoe turned in Tobin Heath’s searing evening at the Ismailia centre, although Wendie Renard pulled a stadium, while there were some Cameroon’s forward Clinton Njie (right) attempts to get past Ghana’s goal back for France to set up a tense fi nish. unusual decisions from the ref- defender Andy Yiadom (left) during the Africa Cup of Nations Jill Ellis’s team held on and go through eree. Ghana defender Jonathan Group F match in Ismailia, Egypt, yesterday. (AFP) to a semi-fi nal against England in Lyon on Mensah was one of the few play- Tuesday as they seek to retain their crown ers to distinguish himself, mak- two each and debutants Mauri- pressive South Africa laboured to and win a fourth World Cup in eight edi- ing three key interventions to tania one. After a 4-1 hiding from a 1-0 Group D win over Namibia tions. “We didn’t have the best night on the prevent a Cameroon goal. Hold- Mali, France-born Mauritania to keep alive hopes of making ball but the focus defensively, and the will- ers Cameroon top the group with coach Corentin Martins made the second round. However, to ingness and the discipline to do what we did four points from two games while three changes. book a last-16 place the win- tonight is tremendous,” said the 33-year-old Ghana have two points after But he kept faith in goalkeeper ners will probably need at least Rapinoe. “We were ruthless with our chanc- drawing both their matches. Brahim Souleimane, who had a point against leaders Morocco, es, so moving on to the next round, that’s a shocker against the Malians, who defeated the Ivory Coast 1-0 really all that matters. It’s a game that we’ll ANGOLA, MAURITANIA standing still as several shots in the fi rst match of a double- never forget here in Paris.” FLOP IN GOALLESS MATCH found the net. Back at the Cup of header. The pink-haired Rapinoe has been crucial Earlier, Angola and Mauritania Nations after a six-year absence, Already qualifi ed Morocco on the fi eld in this tournament, while domi- going all the way to the fi nal on home soil, feat also means they will not go to the 2020 drew 0-0 in Suez, a result which Angola exceeded expectations have six points, the Ivory Coast nating headlines off it thanks to her spat yet that always looked a tall order from the Olympics. lessened the chances of either in their opening outing by com- and South Africa three each and with US President Donald Trump over her moment the draw was made last December Conceding the opening goal so early was a team reaching the last 16. It was ing from behind to draw 1-1 with Namibia remained pointless af- refusal to attend any post-tournament re- and they were set on a quarter-fi nal colli- disaster. Alex Morgan was fouled outside the the fi rst goalless match at the Tunisia. But Serb coach Srdjan ter two solitary-goal losses. With ception at the White House. She had already sion course with the best team in the world. area to the USA left, and Rapinoe’s low de- African football showpiece in Vasiljevic still made two changes Ivory Coast set to beat Namibia scored twice in the win over Spain in the last “It’s a failure in a footballing sense, we livery went in without taking a touch. While Egypt, and the 35 degrees Celsius while once again keeping star tomorrow, the best South Africa round and is now the joint top scorer at the can’t hide from that. We are far from fulfi ll- France had lots of the ball without creating (mid-afternoon heat was a con- winger Geraldo from top African can realistically hope for is one of tournament with fi ve goals. ing our objective,” said Diacre. “I hope we at many clear chances, Samantha Mewis and tributing factor. and Egyptian club Al Ahly on the four places reserved for the best Meanwhile, France will leave their own least won people’s hearts tonight and since Heath both tested France goalkeeper Sarah However, neither side showed bench. third-place fi nishers. tournament with more than a few regrets. the start of the tournament.” Bouhaddi just after half-time, and the USA’s much urgency and there were The countries met in qualify- It looks increasingly likely Ellis praised the hosts, saying: “That’s a fan- Only once before had they even made the second goal arrived in the 65th minute. hardly any clear-cut scoring ing for this tournament with An- that teams coming third in the tastic team we played tonight, and that is the semi-fi nals, and for the second World Cup Morgan and Heath combined down the chances. After holding Group E gola winning 4-1 in Luanda and six groups will need a minimum most intense match I have ever been a part running their adventure ends in the last right before the latter’s ball across goal was top seeds Tunisia, Angola were Mauritania turning the tables of four points to be among the of.” eight, the same stage at which they went out turned in by Rapinoe. favourites to win and did get the with a 1-0 win in Nouakchott. quartet that survives. Zungu net- That will be scant consolation for the of the 2016 Olympics and the last three Eu- France did not give up and set up a fren- ball in the net in the fi nal minute ted on 68 minutes with a header French. They were the only team to defeat ropean Championships. zied fi nale as Renard evaded her marker to only for Hermenegildo Geraldo SOUTH AFRICA STAY IN off a corner to settle a match that the USA in the two years leading up to the Having started this tournament with head in Gaetane Thiney’s fl ighted free-kick to be ruled off side. Mali top the HUNT AFTER LABOURED WIN lacked the quality of the clash World Cup but they could not repeat the a fi rst-half blitz against South Korea in nine minutes from time for her fourth goal table with four points after two On Friday night, France-based between Morocco and the Ivory feat here before an expectant crowd. Coach the opening game, Les Bleues never really of the tournament. But the USA saw out the rounds, Tunisia and Angola have Bongani Zungu scored as unim- Coast. Corinne Diacre had been set the target of reached the same heights again. Their de- victory.

Sunday, June 30, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Pliskova, Fritz claim Nadal, Djokovic have Eastbourne made me the player I titles am, says Federer The trio have captured 53 of the last 64 majors, stretching back to Federer’s 2003 Wimbledon breakthrough “I don’t think it’s necessary, to be honest. Then we go deeper into the sport whereNadal maybe I can shrugs obviously off diffi cult aff ord more coaching than others. Is that fair? Itbuild-up is what it is. I think it for puts Wimbledon everybody on an even playing fi eld if there’sReuters no coaching.” Nadal

afael Nadal has taken a tumble in practice and lost two warm-up matches in what has appeared a prob- Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova lematicR build-up to Wimbledon but holds aloft the winners trophy after he was adamant yesterday that he beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber Switzerland’s Roger Federer will be ready to launch a concerted in the final of the WTA Nature Valley in action during a practice assault on a third title. International tournament in session yesterday. The Spaniard, who looked in Eastbourne. prime form when winning a 12th French Open title three weeks ago, AFP has sometimes found the quick Eastbourne, United Kingdom cross-Channel transition to grass court fare after his domination on “In Hurlingham, I didn’t play bad, AFP In another indication of his All and allowing on-court coaching. French clay a troublesome one down just played against players that have orld number three Karo- London England Club dominance, Federer The WTA Tour already allows play- the years. been playing on grass for many more lina Pliskova cruised to her needs only fi ve more wins to reach the ers to call their coaches at certain Nadal, who chose to skip a grass days, competitive start. second Eastbourne Inter- 100-victory mark at the tournament. points of matches and the US Open court tournament warm-up and in- “Every hour and every match I am national title with a 6-1, oger Federer admitted yester- He has been seeded second for has considered allowing players to re- stead lost two exhibition matches to able to win helps a lot because I am W6-4 destruction of Wimbledon cham- day that his epic Grand Slam Wimbledon which starts on Monday ceive coaching from their players’ box Marin Cilic and Lucas Pouille at the playing well, I am coming with good pion Angelique Kerber yesterday. rivalry with Rafael Nadal and ahead of Nadal despite lagging a place this year at Flushing Meadows. Hurlingham club in London, con- confi dence after playing a good end The Czech did not drop a set all week RNovak Djokovic has helped behind the Spaniard in the world rank- “I don’t know the latest,” Swiss Fed- fi rmed yesterday that he had taken a of the clay court season.” and raced through the fi nal in little over propel him to his status as one of the ings. erer told reporters at Wimbledon yes- fall in a practice session. Nadal begins on Tuesday against an hour on court to claim her third title greatest players of all time. Nadal says the system is unfair but terday. “In Halle, I heard you can speak Yet the 18-times Grand Slam win- Japanese qualifi er Yuichi Su- of the year. Federer is about to embark on his Federer insists the seedings will have to the player from the player box at the ner brushed aside the tumble which gita. However, after that seem- “All week I was playing quite per- bid to lift a ninth Wimbledon title and little eff ect on the outcome. (US) Open. happened earlier in the week, telling ingly straightforward opener things fect,” said Pliskova. “But not all the record-extending 21st major. “We knew that the system was in “This is maybe not happening any reporters: “Yes, I fall over, but grass promise to get diffi cult quickly with matches were as easy the score says, es- Nadal has 18 Grand Slams while place. I guess it rewards you for play- more. So nothing is sure. But in my sometimes is slippery. Nothing hap- a potential second-round clash pecially today.” Djokovic lays claim to 15. ing well on grass,” said Federer. opinion we shouldn’t have coaching in pens. I am good, yeah. Nothing.” against Kyrgios. Kerber will head to London for the Between them, the trio have cap- “Just happens that this year I get tennis. His two defeats at Hurlingham, The unpredictable Australian has defence of her Wimbledon title next tured 53 of the last 64 majors, stretch- bumped up. Kevin Anderson got “I’m a big believer in that. I know though, suggested that he has work beaten Nadal both at Wimbledon week as one of the favourites, but on ing back to Federer’s 2003 Wimbledon bumped up. Back in the day, it was some people are completely on my to do to rediscover his best as he back in 2014 and also this year in this form it is Pliskova who looks capa- breakthrough. tougher. Guys who were seeded be- side. Some people are, Why not? Every faces what looks a fi endishly diffi cult Acapulco, with an extra edge having ble of ending her long wait for a Grand “I think these things don’t come came unseeded. So that was a bigger other sport has it. I guess you can see path in this year’s event. been added by Kyrgios’s comments Slam victory. around so often,” said Federer. storyline I think than this one. both angles.” The likes of Nick Kyrgios, Denis about the Spaniard being “super “I tried my best but you deserved to “It shows that side-by-side we “Just happens that Rafa obviously Federer is blessed in that he invaria- Shapovalov, Cilic and Dominic salty” when he loses. win today,” said Kerber. can have incredible careers. Funny went down, so I think that makes the bly makes the right decisions on court, Thiem could be potential opponents Yet Nadal was not about to be “Going back as a defending champi- enough, you always think somebody news.” the reason he has won 20 Grand Slam even before possible clashes with the drawn into talking about the most on it will be a special moment stepping takes away something from the other. The draw left two-time champion titles and, aged 37, is chasing a ninth other two members of the ‘big three’, eagerly-awaited of all possible sec- onto centre court again. Probably we have. Nadal potentially facing Federer in the Wimbledon crown. Roger Federer and champion Novak ond round contests. “I’m feeling good, I’m playing good “At the same time, we also pushed semi-fi nals — if he gets that far. Thinking your way through a match Djokovic. Asked about his relationship with at the moment and hopefully I can con- each other to greater heights, to im- The 33-year-old could meet Nick and switching tactics when needed, Yet the 33-year-old, who has Kyrgios, he said: “I don’t know Nick, tinue on my play from last year.” prove maybe Rafa’s grass, Novak’s Kyrgios in the second round, fi ve years is what makes the sport so unique, he mixed two titles (2008, 2010) and being honest. I don’t want to talk Pliskova raced into an early 4-0 lead whatever, hard courts, my clay. after the then unknown Australian says. fi ve fi nal appearances at Wimbledon about Nick much because I am not as the Kerber serve was broken three “I think we defi nitely became better knocked him out in one of the tourna- “I think the player gets his advice with seven exits before the quarter- playing against Nick. I am playing times in a rapid opening set. because of one another.” ment’s biggest ever shocks. (before the match) then it’s how much fi nal stage, shrugged off any con- against Sugita. The German was broken again in the Federer will become the oldest However, Federer cannot be too can he remember, how much can he cerns. “Every match is tough. If I am able opening game of the second and that Grand Slam champion of all time if he complacent with a possible semi-fi nal deal with in the moment, fi gure it out “It’s day by day, step by step. I to win my match and if Nick is able to proved decisive as Pliskova served out lifts another Wimbledon title in two against Anderson. yourself a little bit.” have been improving every single win his match (against fellow Aus- the match in dominant fashion to close weeks’ time. Last year, he lost in the quarter-fi - “I’m against on-court coaching in day since I arrived here. I hope to be tralian Jordan Thompson), you will her head-to-head defi cit against Ker- A month short of his 38th birthday, nals to the giant South African despite any shape or form except for rain de- ready, being honest. I think I see the have the time to ask me about the ber to 7-5. the Swiss will overtake Ken Rosewall having a match point. lays, whatever you call it, when it gets normal evolution,” he said. next match, no? That’s all.” Meanwhile, American Taylor Fritz who had just turned 37 when he lifted Federer also said he is against men’s too late, gets carried over to the next claimed his maiden ATP title in East- the 1972 Australian Open title. tennis following the women’s example day. bourne, beating compatriot Sam Quer- rey 6-3 6-4 in the men’s fi nal. Playing only his second fi nal, Fritz BEACH VOLLEYBALL PRAISE made a solid start to break Querrey to love in his fi rst return game. Fritz went on to dominate the major- ity of the baseline rallies, while Querrey US teen Gauff reminds was undone by unforced errors in key moments of the match. The 21-year-old Fritz clinched an- Cherif and Ahmed Serena of herself other early break of serve in the second set before closing out the victory in just AFP “She’s playing against a player that over an hour with an ace. London actually reminds me of Venus, her Fritz, son of former top-10 player body and everything. Kathy May, will look to carry his suc- rally to beat Czechs “It will be a good match. I might cess over to Wimbledon, where he be- merican tennis legend Serena watch but I always get nervous watch- gins his campaign against Czech Tomas Williams says the sight of ing Venus.” Berdych on Tuesday. 15-year-old compatriot Cori Williams, who says her build-up for Querrey, who was playing his fi rst Gauff training with her fa- a tilt at an eighth Wimbledon singles fi nal since the New York Open in 2018, therA reminds her of her own early days crown has not been ideal due to a knee will meet world number four Dominic on the circuit doing the same thing. injury which is now much better, did Thiem in his opening match. The 37-year-old former world not realise Australian Ashleigh Barty number one — bidding for a record- had become world number one. equalling 24th Grand Slam title at this “Wow, that’s great,” she said on year’s Wimbledon — and her sister Ve- learning French Open champion Barty nus were coached from the age of four was top of the rankings. by their father Richard. “I think Ash — I don’t know any- In one of the more intriguing first one that has anything negative to say round match-ups in the women’s about her. singles, 39-year-old Venus will play “She’s like the sweetest, cutest girl Gauff, who became the youngest ever on tour. woman’s qualifier earlier this week. “She has the most beautiful game, “She’s such a fantastic young lady,” such classic shots. I mean, she does said Serena at her pre-Wimbledon everything right. Her technique is, press conference. like, flawless.” “She works very hard. Every time I Williams believes Barty could stay have work, I see her out there working, number one for a while having taken training, her and her dad. over from Naomi Osaka. “It reminds me of the time where I “I think so,” said Williams, whose was out there with my dad. own French Open campaign ended in By Sports Reporter off two match points and qualifying for the knockouts “I can’t help but look inside of my- a third round loss to fellow American Hamburg where they will encounter tougher matches. self and be proud and be happy for her. Sofia Kenin in what was her earliest This was their second victory in the pool, after beat- Yeah, so it’s really nice to see.” exit at a Slam since 2014. ing Italians Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi 19-21, For the younger Williams sister the “I think she has a great game. I think, atar duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Ti- 21-14, 18-16 in the opener on Friday. They will now meet resemblances don’t just stop there as like, she’s really even-tempered. jan clinched a thrilling 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 18-6) a Belgian pair tomorrow after a rest day today. she also sees similarities between five- “She’s just really chill. I feel like victory over Czech Republic’s Ondrej Perusic Carambula and Rossi had troubled Younousse and time Wimbledon champion Venus and she’s just so relaxed in a way. Qand David Schweiner in a Pool D match of the Tijan in the Four-Star Xiamen Open in China April this Gauff, who is ranked 257 places lower “She’s had a solid year, as well. It’s FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Ham- year as well. They clinched the fi rst set there too but than her. not just the French Open. She won burg yesterday. the Qataris rallied superbly through aggressive play to “It’s a great moment for her (Gauff) Miami. Yeah, I think anything is pos- After losing the fi rst set, they bounced back in style, win the bronze Medal match by 13-21, 21-15, 15-10 in 46 and for Venus,” said Williams. sible.” Taylor Fritz of the USA. winning the second and the third, eventually staving minutes.