Three strive for Germany, second behind Portugal aim unbackable Brazil to keep lid on Ghana THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 201416 19 Small, mountainous countries clash for glory Page 18 HALLE: Japanese Kei Nishikori returns the ball to French Gael Monfils during the ATP Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament . Monfils lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. — AFP Nishikori advances in Halle GERMANY: Japan’s Kei Nishikori ended French Robin Hasse 7-6 (7/1), 6-4. Kohlschreiber, the 2011 match. “It’s an interesting period because I have through the tennis world when he announced on tics and then chatted a little bit afterwards. But this interest at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle yester- Halle champion who has won four of his five ATP my title to defend here, and actually at Sunday that Frenchwoman Mauresmo would week there’s not going to be any big changes in day as he overpowered Gael Monfils 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. titles in Germany, could play world number one Wimbledon, I don’t have anything to defend,” said replace Ivan Lendl, who quit in March, as his coach my game. The number four seed, who dropped to world and recently crowned French Open champion Federer. for at least the grass-court season. “We will chat about the stuff I will be working number 12 following his firstround exit at the Rafael Nadal or Germany’s Dustin Brown in the “But I have to prove myself somehow. So, actu- The 27-year-old’s decision to ignore several on over the next few days, and then after the tour- French Open, will next play American Steve quarter-finals. ally it’s the kind of the wrong way round for me, high-profile male coaches to hire Mauresmo, a for- nament is finished here, I’ll get four or five days of Johnson or Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili for a place There was an upset when Canadian third seed because usually the pressure in Wimbledon is mer world number one and Wimbledon champion, practice where I can work on some things before in the quarter-finals. Monfils, who has a poor Milos Raonic was bundled out 6-4, 6-4 against much bigger because of the points and because has been the talk of the sport for the last three days. Wimbledon.” Murray has already been impressed record on grass, blamed his dislike for the surface German wildcard Peter Gojowczyk, ranked 120 in you want to play well. Mauresmo, the current France Fed Cup captain, by Mauresmo’s calm personality and questioning on the defeat in just under 90 minutes. the world. “But this year, I might go to Wimbledon a bit has tried her hand at coaching on several occa- nature during their brief time together. “I’m not good on grass. I give it my best and grit Raonic reached the quarter-finals at Roland more relaxed. The pressure here is quite big, sions since retiring in 2009. The world number five, who was coached by my teeth but it’s not natural for me,” said the last Garros before losing to Novak Djokovic. Nadal, who because I want to play well. The draw at the Gerry She had a brief spell working with male player his mother Judy at the start of his career, makes Frenchman to be eliminated from the German- has a 50-13 winning record on grass and won Weber Open is tough. “Therefore it’s not easy to Michael Llodra in 2010, but in the testosterone no bones about his desire to cement the relation- hosted tournament. Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, has never been past target the title. But to me it’s obvious why I’m here. fuelled world of men’s tennis few leading players ship for the foreseeable future, but he is wisely “I’m going to see how I wake up tomorrow,” he the quarter-finals at the Gerry Weber Open as he I want to capture the title and play well. So, that’s have female coaches and the decision is seen in taking his time to ensure everyone is happy with added, when asked about the rest of the grass gears up for his third attempt at a tournament absolutely my priority.” Canadian third seed Milos some quarters as a major gamble. the arrangement. Once the hectic grass-court court season and a potential withdrawal from dominated by Roger Federer. Raonic is in action later on Wednesday as he takes In the circumstances, Murray opening his season is over after Wimbledon, he will talk to the Wimbledon. The Swiss 17-time Grand Slam winner, is chas- on German wildcard Peter Gojowczyk, ranked 120 Queen’s title defence with a routine 6-4, 6-4 sec- rest of his backroom team and then Mauresmo In other second round matches, Germany’s ing his seventh title at Halle and reached the dou- in the world. ond round victory over France’s Paul-Henri herself before deciding whether to continue the Philipp Kohlschreiber, who fell in five sets against bles’ quarter-finals on Wednesday with compatriot Meanwhile, Andy Murray admits he would love Mathieu was exactly the kind of low-stress first partnership. “With all coaches, most players will Andy Murray in the fourth round at Roland Garros, Marco Chiudinelli, courtesy of a walkover over to have Amelie Mauresmo as his coach on a long- date the pair needed. “It’s different obviously. Any have a trial period,” Murray said. “I hope it works advanced easily with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over German Martin Emmrich and Italian Andreas Seppi. term basis after making the perfect start to their time you start new with anyone it’s going to be out long term because I like her. She’s a good per- Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert while He takes on Portugal’s Joao Sousa, ranked bold partnership at Queen’s Club yesterday. slightly different,” Murray said. son. “I’ve enjoyed speaking to her. She’s very easy Colombian Alejandro Falla knocked out Dutchman world number 47, on Thursday in his first singles’ Wimbledon champion Murray sent shockwaves “We spoke a bit about the match and the tac- to talk to. — AFP Mayweather KOs Tiger to top Forbes top-paid sport list NEW YORK: Undefeated boxing superstar Floyd income from 11 sponsors as well as the five-year Mayweather was named the highest-paid ath- deal worth $200 million he signed with Real lete in sports yesterday by Forbes magazine, Madrid last September. bumping off 2013 winner Tiger Woods by amass- NBA superstar LeBron James, trying to win a ing $105 million in net revenue. third consecutive title with the Miami Heat in the Mayweather also topped the list with $85 mil- ongoing NBA Finals against San Antonio, ranked lion in 2012, ending 14-time major golf champi- third on $72.3 million. He is the NBA’s top on Woods’ run atop the 100-athlete list from endorsement moneyspinner and sales of his 2001-2011. shoe line topped $300 million last year. This time, Mayweather joined Woods as the Argentine football star Lionel Messi ranks only ones to top $100 million on the Forbes list, fourth at $64.7 million, bolstered by a new deal KUWAIT: Sheikh Nawaf Al-Hamad honors Kuwait goalkeeper Jassem Al-Sarraf. thanks to victories over Canelo Alvarez last signed last month with Barcelona. Injured NBA September and Marcos Maidana last month, and standout Kobe Bryant was fifth at $61.5 million, did it with only 72 minutes of work and with no much of it from an NBA-best $30.5 million salary Kuwait, UAE in ice hockey final endorsement income. but $30 million also from endorsements. Bryant KUWAIT: Kuwait Ice Hockey team will face UAE Khalid Al-Mutairi said the tournament witnessed “I’m humbled and extremely fortunate to be signed a two-year extension last November in the final match of the Gulf third ice hockey a good technical standard during matches, and recognized by Forbes as the highest-paid athlete worth $48 million, but played only six games this tournament being held at the ice rink, while considered Kuwait and UAE’s qualification for once again,” Mayweather said. “I’m doing some- past season due to a left knee injury. Woods Qatar and Oman will play for third and fourth the finals as well deserved. Kuwait player Jasem thing no other athlete is doing, promoting myself ranked sixth overall with earnings of $61.2 mil- place. Kuwait made it to the final after defeating Al-Awadhy said the team showed an outstand- and seeing my hard work pay off in the form of lion including $55 million from endorsements, Oman 4-2. ing performance against Oman to qualify for the record-breaking numbers. appearances and his golf course design business, UAE qualified for the final after defeating final, adding that players are determined to “It’s all about hard work and dedication which set to open the first Woods-designed course this Qatar 6-3 in a fierce match from title holders exert all efforts against UAE to win the title for is so important and a key part of my financial fall in Mexico. UAE. Kuwait club for winter sports member the first time ever in Kuwait. success.” The magazine measures endorsement The list of 100 made a collective $2.75 billion income as well as prize money and salary pay- in the past year, a 5 percent hike over last year’s ments from June 1 of one year to the next.