Page 1526 - Sports
Verstappen answers critics by topping Montreal practice
Under-fire Dutchman Max Verstappen delivered a perfect riposte to his critics when he topped the times in both practice sessions for this weekend's Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. After a flawless showing to go fastest in the morning at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the 20-year-old Red Bull driver followed up with a similar run in the afternoon. It was the first time he had topped the times in any practice sessions this year. "Yeah, that was a pretty good day for me, but I think Mercedes looked very fast in the longer runs," he said in a brief post-session comment. Twenty-four hours after his impetuous performance at a pre-race news briefing, in which he threatened to "head-butt" his inquisitors, it was a perfect answer to those who had questioned his temperament after a series of incidents this season. Verstappen clocked a best lap in one minute, 12.198 seconds to outpace nearest rival Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, of Ferrari by 0.130 seconds in the second session. That left ..
Pogba can and can't do everything, says Deschamps
France coach Didier Deschamps sprang to the defence of star midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of today's final World Cup warm-up against the United States. Speaking to France Football, Pogba had said he feels unfairly judged after he was jeered by French fans during the 3-1 victory over Italy a week ago. Deschamps insisted the Manchester United player has a lot to offer, though. "People talk a lot about Paul. He's a midfielder, he's not a number 10, nor a forward," said Deschamps today. "He has the ability to score goals and create them, which he does often. He's a complete midfielder: he can do everything but he can't do everything. There's a nuance there. "Paul has huge potential." And Deschamps said Pogba had acknowledged that his performance against Italy wasn't up to the standard required. "He's aware of that, I've spoken with him: it certainly wasn't his best match," added the coach. "There were some bad things, some good things; like all the players, he's part of the collective, ...
Putin welcomes teams and supporters to World Cup
President Vladimir Putin welcomed football teams and fans from across the world to the World Cup, which begins in Russia next week, assuring that every effort had been "to ensure that all of our guests... feel at home". "To all football fans and the greatest football teams on the planet, welcome!" Putin said on Russian television six days before the four-yearly tournament gets underway. "It is with immense joy and a great honour that we receive representatives of the great football family. We want this event to be a celebration, filled with passion and emotions. I hope you will have an unforgettable experience," he added. More than a million fans from around the world are set to arrive in Russia for the eagerly awaited World Cup, in which 32 nations are taking part, according to FIFA head Gianni Infantino. Russia has spent USD 13 billion on preparations for welcoming all the visitors to the big event which will take place in 11 cities in Russia's west. Construction of the World Cup ...
Jeers for Gundogan annoy Germany boss Loew
Joachim Loew has slammed Germany fans who booed Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan during a 2-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Saudi Arabia. The Germans broke a five-match winless streak as striker Timo Werner scored and Omar Hawsawi netted an own goal before Taisir Al-Jassim banged home a saved penalty attempt for Saudi Arabia on 85 minutes. However, head coach Loew was unhappy with the boos and jeers from German fans when Gundogan came on for the final 30 minutes in Leverkusen. "The fact that a national player is booed like that helps nobody," Loew told broadcaster ARD. "What should Ilkay do now? "He took a picture, okay, but he has addressed it with the press and underlined his support for German values. "The topic has to be ticked off." Gundogan caused a political storm last month, along with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, by meeting Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and handing over a Manchester City shirt signed to "my president". Both Gundogan, who insists meeting Erdogan .
Sterling relishes World Cup stage as England's number 10
Fresh from the best season of his career, Raheem Sterling has been handed the responsibility and role he craved by England manager Gareth Southgate to deliver on his abundant potential at the World Cup. Sterling scored 23 goals in all competitions as Manchester City romped to the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion and lifted the League Cup. Yet in keeping with his career so far, there was still a feeling that more is to come if his finishing can match the quality of his skill and movement. "The moment he is going to be able to increase (the number) of goals he will become one of the best players in the world because he has everything," said City boss Pep Guardiola. "He is a fighter, he is dynamic, he's so good, but he has to improve that." To prove the point, Sterling hasn't scored in his last 20 games for England, stretching back to 2015. Sterling has also had to cope with consistent negative publicity from some sections of the English press, often for issues far removed
Sri Lanka's batters struggle as West Indies build big lead
West Indies turned the screws on Sri Lanka, taking a 360-run lead with six second innings wickets in hand at the close of the third day of the first Test here. Continuation of the inept batting display of the previous evening, save for a 78-run fifth-wicket partnership between captain Dinesh Chandimal and wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, saw the tourists lose their last six wickets for 64 runs to be dismissed for 185 at tea in reply to the home side's formidable first innings total of 414 for eight declared. However, home skipper Jason Holder declined to enforce the follow-on at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad, giving the opportunity to Kieran Powell to compile an entertaining, unbeaten 64 as the West Indies reached stumps at 131 for four. With two days left in the match, it remains to be seen what target Holder will feel comfortable with on the fourth day and, more importantly, how much time he believes he will need to ensure his bowlers, himself included, can complete the .
Nadal eyes 11th French Open title as clock ticks
Rafael Nadal admits that his desire to clinch an 11th French Open title tomorrow is fired by his growing realisation that the end of his career may not be too far away. The 32-year-old Spaniard, with 16 majors to his name, will play his 24th Grand Slam final at Roland Garros against Dominic Thiem who is in his first. Victory will give Nadal an 11th title in Paris and equal Margaret Court's all-time record for wins at the same Slam event -- in her case, the Australian Open from 1960 and 1973 Nadal still trails great rival Roger Federer by four major titles although the Swiss star is more than four years older. "For me, the motivation to play here always is high, high as possible," said Nadal after breezing past Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in yesterday's semi-finals in what was his 85th win in Paris against just two defeats. "But for me, I believe that there are limited chances in your career. "I have lost a lot of opportunities through injuries, and I know the years are going ..
Former world No. 1 Johnson grabs PGA St. Jude lead
Dustin Johnson, tuning up for the US Open and aiming to regain the world number one ranking, fired a seven-under par 63 to grab the second-round lead at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Johnson holed out for an eagle and nabbed six birdies as he built a 10-under par total of 130 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Johnson had a one-shot lead over fellow Americans Ryan Blaum and Andrew Putnam. "I feel like I'm playing really well," said Johnson, who lost the number one ranking to Justin Thomas last month after reigning for 64 straight weeks. "I'm swinging the club well. I know if I can drive it in the fairway I'm going to give myself a good look for birdie. I felt like I did that pretty much all day. "I hit a lot of great shots in there, had a lot of good looks at birdie." Johnson opened with a birdie at the 10th. After bogeys at 12 and 13 he bounced back with birdies at 14 and 16. He jump-started his round with an eagle at the first, where he holed out with a wedge from 111 ...
No Russia G7 return without Ukraine 'progress': Merkel
The European members of the G7 are agreed that Russia cannot be readmitted into the club until there is an improvement in the crisis in Ukraine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today. "We are in agreement that a return of Russia to the G7 cannot happen unless substantial progress is made in terms of the problems with Ukraine," Merkel told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing G7 summit in Canada. Merkel spoke following a meeting with the leaders of Italy, Britain and France which came in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump's call to readmit Russia. The decision to kick Russia out of what had been the G8 was in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, which was widely denounced as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
French Open: Nadal sees off del Potro, storms into final
Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal on Friday outclassed Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro to storm into his record 11th final of the French Open with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win in the men's semi-final clash.Top seed Nadal has an impressive record at the Roland Garros, winning 85 of his 87 matches played in the annual tournament so far. He will now be looking to win a record 11th grand slam title of the tournament.The Spaniard will now face seventh seed Dominic Thiem of Croatia after he earlier defeated Marco Cecchinato of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (10), 6-1 in their men's singles semi-final match.Thiem is also the first Austrian to reach a grand slam final at Roland Garros since Thomas Muster's victory in 1995.Going into the final at Roland Garros, Thiem's prospects of winning his first grand slam will be boosted as he is the only player to beat Nadal on clay twice (in 2017 and 2018).The World No. 7 Thiem outclassed top seed Nadal earlier in Madrid Open in May this year and in the Italian Open last year.
French Open: Thiem eases to men's singles final
World No. 7 and Austria's Dominic Thiem on Friday progressed to the final of the Roland Garros after he saw off a fighting Marco Cecchinato of Italy in their men's singles semi-final match.Thiem, who defeated 72nd seeded Italian 7-5, 7-6 (10), 6-1, reached his first Grand Slam final and will now face either Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal or Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro.It is also Thiem's third consecutive appearance in the final of the tournament. In the last two editions of French Open (2016 and 2017), he lost to eventual winners Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Nadal.He is also the first Austrian to reach a Grand Slam final of Roland Garros since Thomas Muster's victory in 1995.The Croatian ended Cecchinato's magnificent run in the French Open, but he had to make some efforts to pin down his opponent.The first two sets saw the two players going neck to neck and playing excellent serves to gain valuable points.Thereafter, the fatigue of Cecchinato began to take a toll as Thiem ...
Shete stuns GM Chanda in round seven
Unseeded Sammed Jaykumar Shete stunned Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda in the 11th Mumbai Mayor's Cup International Open Chess Tournament today. Shete, now five points adrift of the lead bunch that includes top seed GM Kravstiv Martyn of Ukraine, forced his rival to concede defeat in 41 moves after commencing with the king's pawn opening in the round seven clash. GM Chanda (ELO 2571) opted for a Kingside Fianchetto response. On the 32nd move, Shete (ELO 2375) won a pawn and later on the 41st move won a piece by forking a bishop and rook. Faced with a tough challenge, Chanda saw no option but to resign. Top seed Martyn (ELO 2662) outplayed India's Rahul V S (ELO 2233) showing why he is among the top 100 players in the world. Rahul, who opted for King's Indian defence Averbakh variation, attacked the bishop by his kingside pawns which exposed his king. Martyn then sacrificed his rook and attacked the king aggressively. Rahul, realising there is no way to save the game, ...
Nadal downs Del Potro to reach 11th French Open final, faces Thiem for title
Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal reached his 11th French Open final on Friday when he demolished Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets, setting up a title showdown with Dominic Thiem, the only man to defeat him on clay in the last two years. Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, claimed his 85th win in Paris against just two losses after weathering a big-hitting opening from 2009 US Open winner Del Potro to win 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. In his 24th Grand Slam final, Nadal will face Thiem who ended Marco Cecchinato's French Open fairytale, reaching his first major final with a 7-5, 7-6 (12/10), 6-1 victory. Seventh seed Thiem is the first Austrian to make a final at the majors since Thomas Muster was champion in Paris in 1995. "It was a very difficult first set and Juan Martin had lots of opportunities. He was a little unfortunate," said Nadal, who reeled off 14 of the last 17 games, having seen Del Potro fail to convert any of his seven break points. Nadal is now just the second man to reach 11 ..
Kenya thrash Chinese Taipei to enter Intercontinental Cup final
Kenya thrashed Chinese Taipei 4-0 in the last group stage match at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Friday to qualify for the final of the Intercontinental Cup.
Striker Kane signs new contract with Tottenham until 2024
Tottenham Hotspur star striker and England captain Harry Kane on Friday signed a new contract to tie him with the North London football club until 2024, stifling rumours of a possible exit to Real Madrid this summer.
Dighe quits as Mumbai coach
Former India wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe on Friday resigned as Mumbai coach after the side endured a poor domestic season in 2017-18.
Goud, Aravind appointed new Karnataka coaches
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Friday announced the appointment of former players Yere Goud and Sreenath Aravind as the team's new coaches.
Cricket South Africa announce new T20 league
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced today that it will stage a Twenty20 tournament later this year featuring the country's top players and international stars. South African television company SuperSport will be partners in a deal which CSA acting chief executive Thabang Moroe said would be "the biggest in the history of South African domestic cricket". A CSA statement gave no details about the format of the tournament, which will be played in November and December. However, it seems unlikely to be as ambitious as the aborted T20 Global League, which was planned for last season but did not take place. The Global League was to be a city-based franchise tournament, with foreign owners of seven of the eight teams. But it fell through, leading to the departure of then CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat because no television deal and no major sponsors were in place. Although no details of the number of teams were revealed, it seems unlikely that there will be private ownership of the ...
Indian team aiming high in upcoming hockey champions trophy
With an eye on the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup, the Indian Men's Hockey team continued their preparations for the Rabobank Men's Hockey Champions Trophy in Bengaluru.After the 18-member national squad was announced last week, the Indian team under chief coach Harendra Singh has upped the ante knowing well that the Rabobank Men's Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018, with world's top teams including Olympic Champions Argentina, defending World Champions Australia, World No.3 Belgium, hosts Netherlands and Pakistan in fray for the title, offers the right platform to test themselves ahead of the prestigious showpiece event in Field Hockey.At the camp in Bengaluru, gruelling training sessions are conducted everyday with the focal point remaining at enhancing the team's on-field communication. Retention of ball possession, front-line defence, counter control and Penalty Corner defending have been some of the other aspects the team has been working on."The team has moved on from ...