SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016 SPORTS Zidane vehemently defends under fire Nadal

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine months of the season due to knee prob- sport, loves Rafa Nadal, whether they be ment.” Bachelot’s comments came in the “I heard it a few times again about Zidane has launched a staunch personal lems, to cover up a failed test. French, Spanish or American.” wake of five-time champion doping...and I am a little bit tired with defence of Spanish star Rafael “I feel bad for Rafa Nadal because he Real Madrid also released a statement ’s admission that she that.” Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni Nadal after the 14-time Grand Slam is a gentleman, a person that has shown in defence of one of Spain’s most loved failed a drug test at the . Nadal, went further as he furiously called champion was accused by a former the values he has and that everyone and admired sportsmen. And Nadal shot down the latest wave Bachelot an imbecile on Spanish radio. French sports minister of covering up a loves,” Zidane said of Nadal, who is an “Rafa Nadal represents the funda- of accusations against his achievements “These days, instead of proving failed drugs test. honorary member of Real Madrid. mental values of sport. His greatness in the sport ahead of his return to action someone’s guilt, you have to prove your Roselyne Bachelot, France’s sports “He is a professional and I know him a and his incredible achievements have this week in Indian Wells. innocence,” he told Rac1. minister between 2007 and 2010, little. I feel bad for what they have said. always been based upon a foundation of “I have never had the temptation of “Then an imbecile like this person can claimed Nadal had faked an injury in “He has to leave all this to one side exemplary conduct, unwavering work, doing something wrong. I am very far say any nonsense and see what hap- 2012, when he missed the final six and think that everyone who loves talent and astonishing levels of commit- from that, doping,” said Nadal. pens.” — AFP

Sharapova lashes out at critics over positive test

INDIAN WELLS: Maria Sharapova hit back correspondences had been sent by the Friday at suggestions she received five sep- International Tennis Federation [ITF] and arate warnings about changes to tennis’ two from the Women’s Tennis Association anti-doping rules which ultimately led to (WTA). WADA had also issued communica- her testing positive for a banned drug. tions in September that the substance was A defiant Sharapova defended herself in to be added to the banned list from a post on her Facebook page, saying that January 1. she received one clear notice in December The Times said all of the warnings from titled “Main Changes to the Tennis Anti- the ITF and WTA arrived in December, with Doping Programme for 2016.” the final reminder landing on December “I should have paid more attention to it. 29. Sharapova said on December 18 she But the other “communications”? received an email titled “Player News” and They were buried in newsletters, web- mixed in with the rankings, tournament sites, or handouts,” the Russian star said. news, bulletins, and birthday wishes was Former world number one Sharapova the notification of changes to the anti-dop- ing rules.

‘CLICK, HUNT, CLICK, HUNT’ “In other words, in order to be aware of this “warning”, you had to open an email with a subject line having nothing to do with anti-doping, click on a webpage, enter a password, enter a username, hunt, click, hunt, click, hunt, click, scroll and read. “I guess some in the media can call that a warning. I think most people would call it too hard to find.” Sharapova said earlier this week that she used meldonium for the past decade to treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magne- sium deficiency. Sharapova also took issue Maria Sharapova with reports that the normal course of treatment with meldonium spanned four announced Monday that she failed a drug to six weeks. test at the Australian Open in January. “I didn’t take the medicine every day. I INDIAN WELLS: plays Laura Siegemund of Germany during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday in Sharapova tested positive for meldo- took it the way my doctor recommended I Indian Wells, California. — AFP nium, which was added to the World Anti- take it and I took it in the low doses recom- Doping Agency’s banned list on January 1. mended,” she wrote. “I’m proud of how I The 28-year-old Sharapova also insisted have played the game. I have been honest Friday that she has never faked an injury to and upfront.” Sharapova said she is eager to try and foil the drug testers. have her hearing with ITF officials so she Venus ends boycott, “I won’t pretend to be injured so I can can give her side of the story. hide the truth about my testing,” said “I look forward to the ITF hearing at Sharapova, vowing to set the record which time they will receive my detailed straight over her supposed multiple warn- medical records.” Serena wins opener ings. “I am determined to fight back,” she She said she hopes to return to tennis said. “No excuses, but it’s wrong to say I was but also admitted that because of the scan- warned five times.” dal her career may be in jeopardy. INDIAN WELLS: finally made Venus said. “There had to be a change of atti- going in. I thought, ‘How do I get some of mine The Times of London on Wednesday “I hope I will be allowed to play again,” peace with Indian Wells tennis fans Friday by tude on both ends. It isn’t always easy. Us, the in?’” Venus said. reported that Sharapova had received five she said. “But no matter what, I want you, ending her 15-year boycott of the hardcourt fans and the city had to have a positive attitude This was Serena’s first competitive match separate notifications that meldonium was my fans, to know the truth and have the tournament, but she couldn’t put away her about it.” Venus’ upset loss to the world number since her Australian Open final defeat to to be banned. The newspaper said three facts.” — AFP Japanese opponent. 89 dashed any hopes that the Compton, . The world number one didn’t Williams’ hopes for a storybook ending in her California, sisters could meet in the quarter- look rusty from the nearly two-month layoff as return to the California desert were dashed finals at Indian Wells, one of the biggest events she saved three-of-three break points on her Radwanska advances when she lost 6-4, 6-3 to qualifier in on the tennis calendar outside of the Grand serve and broke the German’s serve four times. a second-round match delayed 30 minutes Slams. “The key was my intensity,” Serena said. “She because of a storm. Serena breezed through her opening match was close to breaking me at one point and I at Indian Wells The 35-year-old Williams received a hearty on Friday, beating German qualifier Laura knew if I didn’t give 100 percent at that point it INDIAN WELLS: Polish third seed ments she has played this year, winning the reception from the main stadium crowd of Siegemund 6-2, 6-1. Serena advances to the was going to be a long night.” Agnieszka Radwanska survived a scare to title in Shenzhen, China. Shenzhen was her about 7,000, with some in attendance standing third round where she will face unseeded Yulia Meanwhile, Polish third seed Agnieszka defeat Slovakian veteran Dominika 18th career WTA singles title. up to cheer. Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Radwanska survived a scare to defeat Slovakian Cibulkova 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in her opening She finished with six aces, just one dou- But it was a more low-key response than the Venus is a former world number one and the veteran Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in her Indian Wells match on Friday. ble fault and won 56 percent of her first 57-second standing ovation that Serena first African-American to become the top-ranked opening match. She advances to the third Radwanska struggled at times during serve points on Friday. received here last year when she ended her 14- women’s player in the world. round, where she will face Monica Niculescu, the two hour, 41 minute match but she She advances to the third round, where year boycott of the joint WTA and ATP Tour Tenth-seeded Venus blasted three aces but who beat Heather Watson 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. managed to keep intact her record of never she will face Monica Niculescu, who beat event. “It is time to move on and let the past be made four double faults and won just four of 12 In other women’s matches on Friday, defend- having lost in the first round in 10 straight Heather Watson 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. In other wom- the past. When I was out there I didn’t think break points in the 101-minute match. ing champion cruised past appearances in the WTA and ATP hardcourt enís matches on Friday, ninth seed Petra back. It was a long time ago,” said Venus, who A rain and wind storm struck in the middle of American 6-1, 6-1; eighth seed Petra event at Indian Wells. Kvitova needed three sets to beat Danka was seeded 10th in the tournament. the first set as the driving showers sent specta- Kvitova needed three sets to beat Danka Kovinic Radwanska, who turned 25 on Sunday, Kovinic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) and Jelena In 2001, spectators at Indian Wells booed tors and players running for cover. “It was a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5); and Jelena Jankovic dominat- won three tournaments in 2015. She has Jankovic dominated Carina Witthoeft 6-1, Serena during the final and jeered her sister and tough day,” Venus said. “Very tough conditions. ed Carina Witthoeft 6-1, 6-3. made the semi-finals in all three tourna- 6-3. — AFP father Richard Williams when the pair arrived to Just brutal out there.” On the men’s side, qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo watch the match. Richard Williams alleges that defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-4 to set up a racist comments were directed at them. ‘SHANK SHOTS KEPT GOING IN’ second round clash with world number one “We could have come back here and every- Venus added that luck wasn’t on her side Novak Djokovic, who is hoping to win his third one could have picked up where they left off,” Friday. “She played well. Her shank shots kept straight Indian Wells title. — AFP Confident Djokovic shoots for another desert title

INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic’s opponents Roger Federer own the tournament record with with the Djokovic owning a 24-23 advantage. have learned over the years that it is never wise four titles each. Federer is not here but the “All in all I feel good,” he said. “I have already to bet against him and it will be no different as unseeded del Potro is after having missed the adjusted to the time zone of the west coast. I am he begins his quest for a third consecutive last two tournaments with injury. getting back to normal. Hopefully I will be able Indian Wells title. Djokovic is also aiming for his The draw sets up a possible semi-final clash to play my best from the beginning. “The Grand fifth overall at this week’s ATP and WTA Tour between Djokovic and Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Slams are the biggest but Indian Wells is right tournament, one of the biggest events on the They’re almost even in their 47 career meetings, behind it.” —AFP tennis calendar outside of the four Grand Slams. “My approach is not that I have to win this, or I am supposed to win this, but I am going to win this,” Djokovic said Friday. “Then I am able to believe in myself and that confidence has brought me to where I am today.” He is the heavy favourite to take another title at Indian Wells and hopes to use that as a stepping stone towards his first crown which would complete the career Grand Slam. If Djokovic defends his title in California it would make him the most successful player in the history of the hardcourt tournament. “I like the speed of the courts here,” he said. “I feel com- fortable. The ball bounces high and I grew up on clay so I am use to high bounces.” Djokovic also enters Indian Wells with a 16-1 record this year. His only loss was to Feliciano Lopez in the quar- ter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships. He has dropped just four out of 39 total sets. The 28-year-old Serb opened the season by winning the Doha title and then followed by capturing his 11th career Grand Slam crown and a record- tying sixth Australian Open. In his last tournament in Dubai, he was forced to retire in the quarter-finals because of an eye infection. It snapped a streak of 17 straight finals going back to last year’s Aussie Open. “It was a couple of not easy weeks for me health-wise,” Djokovic said. “It is the first time in my life I have had some kind of issue with my INDIAN WELLS: Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland plays Dominika Cibulkova of eye.” Djokovic has won 11 straight matches in INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic of Serbia addresses the crowd gathered at the unveiling of a Slovakia during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday in Indian Wells since his latest loss to del Potro in mural in his likeness during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday Indian Wells, California.—AFP the semi-finals three years ago. Djokovic and in Indian Wells, California.—AFP