page 29 oct 31 - the peninsula · 2017-10-30 · 30 sport tuesday 31 october 2017 paris bafp...

SPORTTuesday 31 October 2017

Champion Hamilton hungry for more world titles

Kohli becomes top batsman in rankings again

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34

PSG, Barcelona on verge of Champions League last 16

Ktora

nons

October 2017

on rld

Qatar’s new coach Tim Lewis (right) during his meeting with QBF President Ahmad Al Muftah and the Chairman of the National Teams Committee Abdul Rahman Al Hitmi on Sunday.

FIBA World Cup: New Qatar coach eyes success in qualifiers Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula

Qatar will be aiming to go step-by-step in their qualifying campaign of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World

Cup, new coach Tim Lewis has hinted. The Qatar Basketball Federation

(QBF) has roped in the 50-year-old Briton who met with QBF President Ahmad Al Muftah and the Chairman of the National Teams Committee Abdul Rahman Al Hitmi on Sunday.

“We have the World Cup qualifying rounds coming up. Our goal is to be as competitive as possible,” Lewis said in an interview released by QBF through social media platform.

“We have Iran, Iraq and Kazakhstan in our group. We hope to be one of the top three teams that go through to the next round,” the former Philippines coach added in the interview.

Qatar, who are in Group D of the

Asian Zone qualifying teams will launch their campaign with a game against Kazakhstan on November 24 in Doha. The other two teams are Iran and Iraq.

“I am looking forward to my time here. People have been extremely wel-coming. I am looking forward to help grow Qatar basketball,” Lewis said.

“I just landed I have come to see the facilities at the federation. Surprisingly it is comparable to an NBA facility. It is a great venue to bring in the guys to practice. I am here to help move the program forward,” he added.

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification - Asia Zone - proc-ess will determine the 6 teams from FIBA Asia and/or FIBA Oceania that will participate at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

(Some venues are yet to be decided):

November 24, 2017Qatar vs Kazakhstan in Doha

November 27, 2017Iran vs Qatar in Tehran

February 22, 2018Iraq vs Qatar

February 25, 2018

Kazakhstan vs Qatar

June 29, 2018 Qatar vs Iran

July 02, 2018Qatar vs Iraq

QUALIFYING ROUND

COMING FIXTURESGroup D: Qatar, Iraq, Iran and Kazakhstan

Matthew prevails in Classic battle Armstrong Vas The Peninsula

Three-time World Champion Nick Mat-thew yesterday put all his experience to good use on the Kha-

lifa International Tennis and Squash Glasscourt to overcome the challenge of German qual-ifier Raphael Kandra to advance to the second round of the Qatar Classic 2017.

The 37-year-old English-man, who is set retire from professional squash at the end of the season, showed that he has a lot to offer for the game in the coming months before he calls it a day.

Nicknamed ‘The Wolf’, the World No.5 survived a tricky first round test to advance to the next stage where he will be joined by Mathieu Castagnet of France, Cameron Pilley of Aus-tralia and Egyptian duo of Tarek Momen and Omar Mosaad.

If day one of the champi-onship had it share of upsets, the second day saw German Kandra nearly pulling off one.

However, the Sheffield Wednesday football fan, play-ing for the 15th year in Qatar, came out flying in the grueling five-game test.

Matthew, who has played countless memorable matches on the PSA World Tour won 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, in a match which last for a little over an hour.

“The wolf just had a fight with an octopus here in Doha,” tweeted Matthew after his match.

Matthew won the first two games but the German made a remarkable comeback to take the next two and force a decider.

In the decider, when eve-rything seemed lost for Matthew and a huge upset seemed well on the cards the Englishman went back to play his normal clinical squash to lives another day in Qatar.

Matthew was delighted with the end result and said the

first round matches are always difficult to negotiate.

“It’s a tricky first round. He

played on this court before as he qualified. He was sharper than me, it was experience that

saw me through,” said Matthew.

“I was hitting hard and

running with him which was silly because he’s much younger, but finally at the end I started to use my brain and my experience which shows you it’s never too late, even 8-8 in the 5th,” he said, after winning the decider 11-8.

Matthew added; “I played a five setter in 60m, that’s not my squash, I’m more of a 3/0 for that length of time! I got out of jail today, but in the middle of the game I was mentally booking my flight back home.”

“I have to go away and learn and focus on my own thing and not worry about any-one else. Hopefully I’ll be better tomorrow.”

Incidentally last year, Mat-thew, who beat Egypt’s Karim Darwish in the 2009 Qatar Classic final, came within two points of falling to a shock defeat to tournament wildcard Abdulla Al Tamimi of Qatar but survived the test.

“Survival mode. Deja vu from last year. Hopefully can improve through the rounds again the same way. Credit to

Rafa who has improved immensely,” tweeted Matthew.The Englishman will face Frenchman Castagnet in the pre-quarter-final test today.

Castagnet triumphed 3-1 over Scottish qualifier Alan Clyne in a mammoth battle of 66 minutes.

Elsewhere, Australian Pil-ley once again saw off England’s Adrian Waller, by an identical 3-1 to book a last-six-teen clash with Tarek Momen.

The Egyptian produced an almost error-free performance to down compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar 3-1 and move into the second round.

Mosaad, survived two match-ball situations to over come Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in three games to win 13-15, 11-5, 12-10, 10-12, 14-12 in a marathon battle of 108 minutes.

He will take on countryman Marwan El Shorbagy in the second round. El Shorbagy defeated New Zealand’s Paul Coll 13-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6.

Three-time World Champion Nick Matthew (right) responds to a drop shot from German qualifier Raphael Kandra during their first round match of Qatar Classic 2017 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Glasscourt yesterday.Pictures: Anvar Sadath

First round results[4] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [Q] Raphael Kandra

(Ger) 3-2: 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8

Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO)

3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-3 (

Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [Q] Adrian Waller (ENG)

3-1: 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6

(8) Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar

(EGY) 3-1: 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7 (43m)

Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez

(COL) 3-2: 13-15, 11-5, 12-10, 10-12, 14-12

(6) Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Paul Coll (NZL)

13-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6

Today’s last sixteen fixtures(1) Gregory Gaultier (Fra) vs Zahed Mohamed

(Egy), 3.00pm

(Q) Saurav Ghosal (Ind) vs Diego Elias (Per),

2.00pm

(5) Ali Farag (Egy) vs (Q) Leo Au (HKG), 12noon

Fares Dessouky (Egy) vs (3) Mohamed El Shor-

bagy (Egy), 1.00pm

Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) vs (4) Nick Matthew

(Eng), 6.30pm

Cameron Pilley (AUS) vs (8) Tarek Momen (EGY),

5.30pm

(6) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) vs Omar Mosaad

(EGY), 8.30pm

QATAR CLASSIC 2017

Egypt’s Omar Mosaad plays

a forehand shot against Colombian

Miguel Angel Rodriguez

during their first round match

yesterday.

30 TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017SPORT

Paris

AFP

Big-spending Paris Saint-Ger-main, five-time champions Barcelona and Jose Mourin-ho’s Manchester United are among the teams looking to

book a Champions League last-16 place today. The pick of the action sees Ander-lecht take on Neymar and co. in Paris, while Barcelona face Olympiakos and Roma go head-to-head with Chelsea in Italy.

Here we take a look at what is at stake in each group:

GROUP AAt Manchester, England

Manchester United (ENG) v Benfica (POR)

Jose Mourinho’s side can secure a place in the last 16 with two matches to spare with a win at Old Trafford, if Basel avoid defeat against CSKA Moscow. United are unbeaten at home in 12 meet-ings with Portuguese opponents -- their last home loss in Europe came in a 2-1 reverse against Real Madrid in the 2012/13 competition. Benfica are likely heading towards an early exit after los-ing their first three group games and will be without veteran defender Luisao fol-lowing his dismissal in the 1-0 defeat by United in Lisbon. Brazilian striker Jonas scored his league-leading 12th goal in a 1-0 win over Feirense on Friday, while United bounced back from a shock loss at Huddersfield Town by edging Totten-ham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday courtesy of Anthony Martial’s late winner.

At Basel, SwitzerlandBasel (SUI) v CSKA Moscow (RUS)

Basel will clinch a spot in the knock-out phase with a second straight win over CSKA Moscow, if Benfica fail to beat United. After a slow start to the season, Basel have hit their stride with six wins in their last eight games. Conversely, CSKA are in the middle of a terrible run of form after only winning once in their last eight matches and scoring just twice in that period. A 1-0 defeat at Arsenal Tula on Friday left them four points off leaders Lokomotiv in Russia, but Alan Dzagoev could return after a month out with an Achilles injury.

GROUP BAt Glasgow, Scotland

Celtic (SCO) v Bayern Munich (GER)

Celtic matched their century-old Brit-ish record by stretching their domestic

unbeaten streak to 62 matches with Sat-urday’s 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock. But Brendan Rodgers’ team face a stiff test against Bayern Munich as they bid to keep their European adventure alive. A resurgent Bayern eased to a 3-0 win over the Scottish champions a fortnight ago, and a repeat success would all but end Celtic’s chances of reaching the knock-out rounds. Jupp Heynckes is hopeful striker Robert Lewandowski will be fit for the trip to Glasgow after limping out of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over RB Leip-zig -- their second triumph in four days over their title rivals after a shootout win in the second round of the German Cup.

At ParisParis Saint-Germain (FRA) v Ander-

lecht (BEL)

Unai Emery’s French heavyweights have cruised through their opening three fixtures -- netting 12 goals with none conceded -- and will be expected to again sweep aside Anderlecht at the Parc des Princes. Edinson Cavani struck twice more in Friday’s 3-0 victory over Nice, giving the Uruguayan 15 goals in 14 matches this term, as PSG stayed four points clear in France. Neymar is also set to return after serving a domestic one-match ban following his red card against Marseille. Anderlecht have yet to register a goal or point in this season’s group stage, with their last away win in the Champions League proper coming in December 2005.

GROUP CAt Madrid

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Qarabag (AZE)

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are still searching for their first win of the competition after a goalless draw in Azerbaijan a fortnight ago. They are in danger of missing out on the knockout stages for the first time since failing to qualify at all in 2012-13. The Spanish side have made a solid start in La Liga and are unbeaten in their first 10 games, but sit eight points adrift of leaders Barce-lona in fourth place after five draws. Although Qarabag picked up their first Champions League point in Baku, Atletico will be expected to have little trouble in closing the gap on Chelsea and Roma, ahead of a home match against the Ital-ians and a crucial visit to Stamford Bridge.

At RomeRoma (ITA) v Chelsea (ENG)

The winner of the clash at the Sta-dio Olimpico will be well-placed to

reach the last 16 with both teams still to play a game against struggling Qara-bag. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Chelsea last time out prevented the Premier League champions from moving five points clear at the top of Group C, with Roma now looking for a victory to overtake Antonio Conte’s men. Roma won their last home game against Chelsea in the group stages nine years ago, but have not reached the quarter-finals since 2007-08. Chelsea gave their English title defence a boost by beating Bourne-mouth at the weekend to stay nine points off top spot, while Roma are seven points behind Serie A leaders Napoli with a game in hand.

GROUP DAt Piraeus, Greece

Olympiakos (GRE) v Barcelona (ESP)

Barcelona could secure a last-16 place today. A fourth straight group-stage win in Greece would book a knock-out spot unless Sporting Lisbon beat Juventus. Ernesto Valverde’s men are on a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions since losing both legs of the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid. The five-time European champions are flying high in Spain, having only dropped two points in their first 10 outings. Barca talisman Lionel Messi is La Liga’s top-scorer so far this term with 12 goals and has also netted three times from three Champions League outings. The first meeting two weeks ago saw Barcelona ease to a 3-1 win with only 10 men, while Olympiakos, bottom of Group D, will be eliminated if they lose and Sporting fail to beat Juventus.

At LisbonSporting Lisbon (POR) v Juventus

(ITA)

Sporting and Juventus look set to be in a straight fight for second place in Group D behind Barcelona, with Tuesday’s match in Lisbon crucial after the Italians’ 2-1 win at Turin. Jorge Jesus’ team are looking to draw level on points with their opponents, although last season’s runners-up would move all but into the knockout rounds with victory. After winning six consecutive Serie A titles, Juve trail in-form Napoli by three points domestically despite a strong start to the campaign. Jesus is hoping to improve Sporting’s European pedigree as the Portuguese giants have not reached the last 16 since 2009, when they lost 12-1 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.

Liverpool on right path ahead of Maribor clash, says Mignolet London

Reuters

Simon Mignolet (pictured right) has said Liverpool will go into their Champions League match at home to Maribor

tomorrow with their confidence restored thanks to Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hudders-field Town in the Premier League.

Goals from Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum lifted Juergen Klopp’s team up to sixth in the stand-ings, just six days after they suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Goalkeeper Mignolet admitted morale had been damaged by the result at Wem-bley and said it was a relief to have bounced back against a Huddersfield team that had defeated Manchester United in their previ-ous league game.

“It’s good for the boys and I think today will give everybody a lift in confidence, which is what we needed after last week,” Mignolet told the club’s official website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“Everybody knew it wasn’t good enough and we had to change and respond in the right manner, and I think we’ve done that.”

Liverpool are level on five points with Spartak Moscow in Group E in the Cham-pions League, just one ahead of third-placed Sevilla.

The Reds thrashed Slovenian minnows Maribor 7-0 in their previous encounter and are expected to domi-nate once again at Anfield.

Their week will then be completed by a trip to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday, another match they will start as favourites.

Wijnaldum, however, was reluctant to place unnecessary expectation on the two

fixtures. “I don’t want to speak about ‘big weeks’ because every week is a big week,” the Dutch midfielder said.

“Every week you have to collect points and win games and deliver so for me every week is a big week, especially when you play for Liverpool.”

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard

is seen during a warm-up session at Cobham Training Centre, London,

yesterday.

PSG, Barcelona on verge of Champions League last 16

Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian M’Bappe (L) controls

the ball during a training session at Saint-Germain-en-

Laye, western Paris, yesterday. PSG take on

Anderlecht today..

31TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT

Rea returns to favourite hunting ground in Qatarwww.worldsbk.com

They say it changes when the sun goes down, and this is cer-tainly the case as the MOTUL FIM Super-

bike World Championship heads to the Losail International Cir-cuit for the final round of the season.

Set under the stunning floodlights, the 5.3km circuit won’t let anything hide in the shadows, and stunning on track battles are guaranteed around the circuit.

With second position in the championship still to play for, and another opportunity to make history for Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), it won’t be a round to forget.

2017 world champion Jonathan Rea heads to Qatar off the back of a stunning perform-ance in Southern Spain, taking his first ever victory around the Jerez circuit, which then became a double victory.

Losail International Circuit is now the only track on the 2017 calendar the Northern Irishman is yet to win around, but if his pace in Jerez is anything to go by, this won’t the case for long.

Holding the race, pole and circuit record around Qatar, the Kawasaki rider has a good feel-ing with his ZX-10RR and will be out with a point to prove this weekend. He will also be chas-ing down the record of the most points scored in one season – currently held by Colin Edwards taking 552 in 2002.

Sitting in joint second posi-tion in the world championship standings is Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who is the man to beat around Losail.

Dominating the last two races in the desert, the Welsh rider will be hoping to increase his win tally in 2017 following a difficult few rounds.

Hunting down second posi-tion in the championship, Davies’ mind will be focused on taking the runner up position as he will be locked in a battle with Sykes. Only finishing outside the top five in one occasion out of six around Losail, he will be a tough man to beat on the Panigale.

On the other side of the bat-tle, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) heads to a track which has welcomed some consistent results for the Brit, with five podiums and seven top five fin-ishes to his name.

Fighting back from a tough weekend in Portugal which saw Sykes forced to sit out of two races with a broken wrist, he has

been able to nurse his hand back and secure two podium finishes, keeping his runner up spot in the championship battle within arm’s reach.

Ready for the battle this weekend, he won’t go down without a fight.

Continuing to improve his pace on the YZF-R1, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) heads to Qatar searching for a final podium spot of the season, but has a tough record around the 5.3km circuit.

With four top ten finishes out of six appearances, Lowes has been steadily improving his pace with the Yamaha, and will be looking for find some extra tenths under the floodlights.

On the other side of the garage, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) heads to Qatar off the back of his MotoGP™ debut in Malaysia.

In a similar situation to Lowes, he has been improving the pace of his Yamaha and will hope to end the season on a high at Losail, a circuit which he has taken a top five finish in WorldSBK and the victory in WorldSSP in 2014.

Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will prepare for his final race with the Italian factory, and Saturday’s race will

mark his 80th with the manu-facturer. Securing some stunning results with the team this season despite some early season set-backs, the British rider will be looking to go out on a high. But at a circuit he has struggled around over his four appearances – with two retire-ments, an 18th and a 13th – the 31 year old has a big challenge ahead of him to brighten up the Qatari skies.

Irish rider Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) heads to Losail International Circuit with a wealth of knowledge behind him, following two appearances with MotoGP™ and two with WorldSBK. Facing a tough round back in 2014 in the class, Laverty is nearing the end of his comeback to the series and has had some hard battles to face so far.

Hoping to put these behind him, the 31 year old has one round remaining to get back onto the podium in 2017.

Heading back to the scene of his debut and only WorldSBK

victory, Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) has a lot of confidence around the Losail International Circuit and will be looking to end the season on a high after some testing rounds in 2017.

Sitting in the top nine in the world championship standings, the Spanish rider will look to build on his two top eight fin-ishes from 2016 with the German bike. Taking on the final round after a tough season for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Davide Guigliano and Jake Gagne will both make their return to the Dutch-based Ten Kate squad for the final time in 2017.

American Gagne will be deb-uting around Qatar, whilst Guigliano’s previous results in the desert show two top eight finishes.

Still working on improving the Honda Fireblade CRB1000RR SP2, the pair will be giving it their all to make some progress under the floodlights.

25 points up for grabs as Mahias eyes desert glorywww.worldsbk.com

Continuing with the stun-ningly dramatic action the 2017 FIM Supersport

World Championship has treated us with, the title fight goes down to the final round in the heat of the desert as Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) looks to dethrone Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and take the title in Qatar.

With Sofuoglu hoping to return from injury this week-end, there is all to play for and 25 points up for grabs.

Following a heroic ride in front of his home fans around Circuit de Nevers Mangy-Cours, Lucas Mahias heads to Qatar with a 20 point advan-tage over Sofuoglu with just one round remaining.

Struggling with his rear tyre in the final European Round at Jerez, Mahias has left himself with even more work to do around the Losail Inter-national Circuit.

Taking two fourth position finishes around the track – both with Yamaha – the Frenchman has a solid history around the circuit, however he will have much more on his mind than taking his first vic-tory here.

If Sofuoglu does ride, all Mahias has to do is finish five points ahead and he will be crowned champion, which sounds easy. But nothing is easy in motorbike racing.

Looking to be the man to stop Mahais, is reigning cham-pion Sofuoglu. Putting up a

strong battle to return from injury sustained five weeks ago in France, the 33-year-old won’t go down without a fight on board his ZX-6R. With eight appearances around Losail under his belt – two of those in WorldSBK – the Turkish rider has only won around the track once, back in 2007.

He has however taken four podium finishes and is a rider you can never rule out of the fight. If he takes the title it will be nothing short of heroic, but if anyone can try its Sofuoglu.

No longer in with a chance of taking the title, Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will be searching for their first win of the season after the pair have come so close on so many occasions so far in 2017.

Cluzel has secured two podiums in the series around Qatar, whilst Jacobsen has had a varied history so far.

But with the two riding with even more confidence, they will certainly be up at the sharp end and the title battle won’t be the only think to keep an eye on.

One rider to not forget is Brit Kyle Smith (Gemar Team Lorini), who has taken the vic-tory in the WorldSSP race on the last two occasions around the Losail Circuit. Following a strong start to the season, Smith’s run of form took a dip throughout 2017 but heading to a circuit where he will no doubt have a lot of confidence around, he will be one to watch this weekend.

Star act!

World champion Jonathan Rea heads to Qatar off the back of a stunning performance in Southern Spain, taking his first ever victory around the Jerez Circuit.

Jonathan Rea in action.

Kenan Sofuoglu.

WorldSBK riders in action at last year’s round held at Losail International Circuit.

32 TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017SPORT 33TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT

SPAIN, MAY 14Hamilton was back on pole, the 250th by a British driver in Formula One,

with Vettel alongside on the front row. The order remained the same in the

race, with Hamilton taking the chequered flag 3.4 seconds clear.

Vettel 104, Hamilton 98

RUSSIA, APRIL 30Vettel ended a Mercedes streak of 18 successive poles with Ferrari’s first

since 2015. Team mate Kimi Raikkonen completed a front row lockout.

Bottas won the race after jumping the Ferraris at the start. Vettel was

second, Hamilton fourth.


R oad to Formula One title AUSTRALIA, MARCH 26Hamilton started the season from pole position after a record lap time in qualify-

ing but Sebastian Vettel put his Ferrari alongside on the front row. Vettel won by

9.9 seconds, his 43rd victory in Formula One, with Hamilton second.

Vettel 25 points, Hamilton 18

BAHRAIN, APRIL 16Finland’s Valtteri Bottas ended team mate Hamilton’s run of six poles in a

row with his first. Hamilton qualified alongside while Vettel was third. The

German turned the tables in the race by winning, with Hamilton second

and 6.6 seconds behind.


CHINA, APRIL 9Hamilton took pole position, again with the fastest ever lap of the circuit,

and went on to win the race. Vettel qualified second and finished second,

6.2 seconds behind. The win was Hamilton’s fifth in Shanghai. The pair

were tied on points.

Hamilton 43, Vettel 43

MONACO, MAY 28Raikkonen took his first pole since 2008, with Vettel qualifying second.

Hamilton started 13th. Vettel then became the first Ferrari driver since

Michael Schumacher in 2001 to win Monaco. Hamilton finished seventh.


AZERBAIJAN, JUNE 25Hamilton took pole with Bottas completing a Mercedes front row. Vettel

lined up fourth. The German hit the back of the Briton’s Mercedes during

the race while behind the safety car and Daniel Ricciardo won for Red Bull.

Vettel finished fourth and Hamilton, who had to pit to fix a loose headrest,

fifth.


CANADA, JUNE 11Hamilton took pole position to equal late boyhood hero Ayrton Senna’s

career haul of 65. Vettel qualified second. Hamilton won the race for the

sixth time with Bottas runner-up. Vettel finished fourth after fighting back

from last.


AUSTRIA, JULY 9Bottas took pole position, with Vettel alongside, after Hamilton collected a

five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change and started eighth. The Finn

then held off Vettel to win, with Hamilton fourth.


MALAYSIA, OCT 1Hamilton started on pole position, with Vettel last after a power unit

problem sidelined him in qualifying. Verstappen won the race with Hamil-

ton second and Vettel fourth.


JAPAN, OCT 8Hamilton took another pole and went on to win while Vettel retired after

four laps with a spark plug problem that surfaced before the start.


UNITED STATES, OCT 22Hamilton started on pole, with Vettel second and the race ended that way.

Mercedes secured the constructors’s title for the fourth year in a row.


MEXICO, OCT 29Vettel took pole, with Hamilton qualifying third but needing only a fifth

place to take the title. A first corner collision between Hamilton and Vettel

dropped both to the back of the field.

Hamilton fought back from last place to finish ninth, while Vettel climbed

from 19th to fourth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race. Hamilton

secures fourth world championship.


HUNGARY, JULY 30Vettel took pole on an all-Ferrari front row with Hamilton fourth. The Ger-

man won while the Mercedes driver sportingly gave third place back to

Bottas after the Finn let him past earlier.


BRITAIN, JULY 16Hamilton was back on pole at home, with Vettel qualifying third. The

Briton went on to win while a late puncture slashed Vettel’s lead to one

point. The German finished seventh.


SINGAPORE, SEPT 17Vettel started on pole but the two Ferraris collided at the start in a battle

with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Hamilton came through from fifth to win.


BELGIUM, AUG. 27Hamilton returned from the August break to equal Michael Schumacher’s

all-time record of 68 pole positions in his 200th race. He went on to win

with Vettel second.


ITALY, SEPT 3Hamilton set an all-time pole position record and went on to win, wresting

the outright lead from Vettel for the first time this year. Mercedes were

one-two, Vettel finished third.


Hamilton joins F1 greats with fourth world title at dramatic Mexican GP Mexico City

Reuters

An ecstatic Lewis Hamilton became Britain’s first four-times Formula One world champion on Sunday after fighting back from last place

following an opening-lap collision with arch-rival Sebastian Vettel at the Mexi-can Grand Prix.

In a race won by 20-year-old Dutch prodigy Max Verstappen, in a Red Bull, the 32-year-old Mercedes driver finished ninth to cement his place as his country’s most successful driver of all time.

Vettel, the only man who could have delayed the seemingly inevitable, ended up fourth after starting on pole position and then dropping to 19th following a pit-stop to replace a broken front wing.

Hamilton has an unassailable lead of 56 points with two races, worth a total of 50, remaining in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

“It doesn’t feel real. That’s not the kind of race that you want but I never gave up. I kept going right to the end,” said a jubilant Hamilton, the British flag proudly draped over his shoulders.

He had raised both hands to his hel-met as he took the chequered flag, with the crowd rising to applaud.

“Lewis has done a superb job all year and deserves to win the title,” said Vet-tel. “Congratulations to him. It is his day.”

Sunday’s race was both the best and worst of afternoons for the sport’s big-gest star, who ended up sprinting down the pitlane chased by fans.

A winner nine times this season, including five of the six before Mexico, ninth was his lowest placing of the cam-paign and he did it despite having a badly damaged car at a track where overtak-ing is difficult enough anyway.

Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bot-tas finished second at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen third.

Vettel had needed to be in the top two to have any chance of taking the title fight down to Brazil in two weeks’ time but his already slim hopes seemed to have dis-appeared within seconds of the start.

Verstappen, with nothing to lose and everything to gain from his front row

position, seized the lead with an aggres-sive move through the opening right-left-right corners and the Red Bull bumping wheels with Vettel as he went through.

Hamilton, starting in third place, tried to follow Verstappen but the Ferrari’s front wing sliced Hamilton’s rear right tyre as they made contact at turn three.

“Did he hit me deliberately?” asked Hamilton over the radio, limping back to the pits and fully aware that Vettel’s only real hope of getting back into the reck-oning would be if the Briton went out.

“Not sure, Lewis,” his race engineer Peter Bonnington said in reply. It looked far from deliberate and stewards swiftly decided that no further investigation of the incident was necessary.

Vettel pitted while Hamilton, who had started the day 66 points clear of his rival, had a longer stop while mechanics inspected his car for fur-ther damage.

The incident robbed the crowd of the prospect of a real duel between the two contenders, who will both be four-times champions when next

season starts, but they still provided thrills as they fought back.

Hamilton, who had a thrilling wheel-to-wheel tussle with former McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso in the latter stages that could have cost him dear, had hoped to celebrate by spraying the win-ner’s champagne from the top of the podium.

Instead, there was the considerable consolation of being one of only five men -- Germany’s Michael Schumacher, Argentina’s Juan Manuel Fangio, France’s Alain Prost and Vettel -- to win four titles or more since the championship started in 1950.

Prost and Vettel both have four, with the late Fangio on five and Schumacher seven.

Hamilton’s tally of titles took him above fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart and also his late Brazilian idol Ayrton Senna in the all-time lists.

“An unusual way to be world cham-pion but you are world champion very simple. Nobody cares how you do it,” said Mercedes’ non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, himself a triple champion.

“Who cares? It’s about the result,” said team boss Toto Wolff, when asked how it had felt to see Hamilton lapped by Verstappen. “He was lapped because he was crashed into.”

The victory was the third of Verstap-pen’s career and second of the season, cementing the youngster’s position as the rising star of the sport.

France’s Esteban Ocon was fifth for Force India, with his Mexican team mate Sergio Perez seventh and behind the Wil-liams of Canadian rookie Lance Stroll.

Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was eighth for Haas with Alonso taking the final point.

© GRAPHIC NEWS

MichaelSchumacher1994, 1995,

2000-04

Racewins91

Racestarts306

Juan ManuelFangio

1951, 1954,1955-57

24

51

AlainProst

MOST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

HAMILTON: CAREER IN NUMBERS

51

199

SebastianVettel

46

196

LewisHamilton

62

206

Debut for McLaren, aged 22,finishing third in Australia

Grands Prixvictories this season

Most wins insingle season (2014)

Age he become youngestWorld Champion in 2008 –eclipsed by Vettel in 2010

Total race victories – secondonly to Schumacher

All-time record numberof pole positions

Lewis Hamilton’s ninth-place finish in Mexico secured his fourthFormula 1 world title, making him Britain’s most successful F1 driver

Sources: FIA, Reuters Pictures: Getty Images

1985, 1986,1989, 1993

2010, 2011,2012, 2013

2008, 2014,2015, 2017

FORMULA ONE GP MEXICO RESULT

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands): Red Bull - TAG

Heuer: 1:36:26.552

2. Valtteri Bottas (Finland): Mercedes: +00:19.678

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland): Ferrari: 00:54.007

4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany): Ferrari: 01:10.078

5. Esteban Ocon (France): Force India - Mercedes: 1

lap

6. Lance Stroll (Canada): Williams-Mercedes: 1 lap

7. Sergio Perez (Mexico): Force India - Mercedes: 1

lap

8. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark): Haas - Ferrari: 1 lap

9. Lewis Hamilton (Britain)vMercedes: 1 lap

10. Fernando Alonso (Spain): McLaren: 1 lap

11. Felipe Massa (Brazil): Williams-Mercedes: 1 lap

12. Stoffel Vandoorne (Belgium): McLaren: 1 lap

13. Pierre Gasly (France): Toro Rosso - Renault: 1 lap

14. Pascal Wehrlein (Germany): Sauber - Ferrari: 2

laps

15. Romain Grosjean (France): Haas - Ferrari: 2 laps

FORMULA ONE DRIVER STANDINGS 1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes: 333

2. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari: 277

3. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Mercedes: 262

4. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull: 192

5. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari: 178

6. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull: 148

7. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India: 92

8. Esteban Ocon (France) Force India: 83

9. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Renault: 54

10. Lance Stroll (Canada) Williams: 40

11. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams: 36

12. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Renault: 34

13. Romain Grosjean (France) Haas: 28

14. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) Haas: 19

15. Stoffel Vandoorne (Belgium) McLaren: 13

paign and he did it despite having a badly damaged car at a track where overtak-ing is difficult enough anyway.

Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bot-tas finished second at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen third.

Vettel had needed to be in the top two to have any chance of taking the title fight down to Brazil in two weeks’ time but his already slim hopes seemed to have dis-appeared within seconds of the start.

Verstappen, with nothing to lose and everything to gain from his front row everything to gain from his front row

“Not sure, Lewis,” his race engineerPeter Bonnington said in reply. It lookedfar from deliberate and stewards swiftlydecided that no further investigation of the incident was necessary.

Vettel pitted while Hamilton, whohad started the day 66 points clear of his rival, had a longer stop whilemechanics inspected his car for fur-ther damage.

The incident robbed the crowdof the prospect of a real duel betweenthe two contenders, who will both befour times champions when next four-times champions when next

eighth for Haas with Alonso taking thefinal point.

© GRAPHIC NEWS

91

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Champion Hamilton hungry for more Mexico City

Reuters

Lewis Hamilton says he plans to go out at the top but is not about to “do the easy thing” like former Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg

who quit days after winning last year’s Formula One world championship.

Hamilton clinched his fourth title in Mexico with two races to spare on Sunday, becoming the most successful British driver of all time, but he reassured reporters that he was far from done.

“Four is a great number. But I want number five now,” declared the 32-year-old, who also races with the number 44 on his car.

“I want to go out at the top ... I could do the easy thing, like obviously Nico did, which is just stop and retreat with these four titles. But I think there’s more in me.

“I think there’s more to come, more of a chal-lenge. There’s harder times ahead and I like that, I love that. That’s challenging and it would be so bor-ing without it.”

Rosberg announced last December, days after securing his first title, that he was retiring after a career spent battling Hamilton.

The German, a family man, made clear he had been drained by the 2016 campaign and was not prepared to expend the same amount of physical and mental energy to defend a title that had been so hard to win.

Hamilton, who is developing interests outside of the sport in music, film and fashion, said he too had considered a change of scene but that was still some way down the road.

“I will continue to race while I love it, I’ve enjoyed it this year more than ever,” he said.

“I do think about how it would be so nice at some stage just to live in one place, a lot more socialising, walking your dogs every day or surfing.

“But then I’m thinking, there’s a lot of life to live beyond 40. There’s a lot to go.”

Next season will see two four times world champions, Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vet-tel, duelling on track with Red Bull’s 20-year-old Dutch star Max Verstappen leading a new generation.

McLaren’s double title-holder Fernando Alonso will also potentially be in a more competitive car.

“It’s kind of cool to be in this battle with him,” the Briton, who now has a record 72 pole positions and the second most wins (62) after Michael Schu-macher (91), said of his new arch-rival Vettel.

Hamilton, who is expected to agree a contract extension soon, said the fact that Vettel had signed for three more years with Ferrari, keeping him there until 2020, was also a source of motivation.

“I’m like:‘Ferrari are not going to like me for the next couple of years’,” he said.

“But it’s OK because we are going to make it as hard as it can possibly be for them to win cham-pionships. I really am looking forward to that battle with them.”

“It doesn’t feel real man. It’s not the race you want when you’re 40 sec-onds down, but I never gave up.”-- Hamilton after his ninth-place fin-ish in Mexico

“What Mercedes have done the past couple of years is incredible. I’m so grateful.”-- Hamilton

“Did he hit me deliberately?”; “Not sure, Lewis.”-- Hamilton querying Sebastian Vet-tel’s first lap clash which left both men having to pit - and his team’s reply.

“Simply, simply lovely.”-- Race winner Max Verstappen after grabbing the lead on the first lap.

“I don’t fear him. I like racing against him and I just wish I could have done more of it this year.”-- Vettel on Hamilton

“I don’t know why Sebastian drove so aggressively to destroy his race. Lewis was in front and Vettel hit him with his front wing, I just don’t understand it.”-- Mercedes director Niki Lauda, a three-time world champion, on the Vettel-Hamilton clash.

“Congratulations Lewis. Well deserving champion! Also brilliant for Team Mercedes to clinch both titles.”-- Hamilton’s former teammate and 2016 champion Nico Rosberg on Twitter @nico_rosberg

“I hated the race but I am super happy now. Lewis has achieved it and team has won. This is the most important.”-- Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff

“I’m happy for your bro’.”-- Brazilian football superstar Ney-mar sends message to Hamilton.

“@lewishamilton Legend!!!!! Well done bro...!!”-- British Olympics gold medallist Mo Farah

Who’s saying what about Hamilton’s

fourth F1 title

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes GP is surrounded by photographers as the Briton celebrates after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico on Sunday.

In a race won by 20-year-old Dutch prodigy Max Verstappen, in a Red Bull, the 32-year-old Mercedes driver finished ninth to cement his place as his country’s most successful driver of all time.

A winner nine times this season, including five of the six before Mexico, ninth was his lowest placing of the campaign and he did it despite having a badly damaged car at a track where overtaking is difficult enough anyway.

Hamilton’s tally of titles took him above fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart and also his late Brazilian idol Ayrton Senna in the all-time lists.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship after the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on Sunday.


Hazlewood targets England’s batting greenhorns in Ashes

Sydney

AFP

Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood has warned Joe Root’s England tourists and their raft of Ashes

debutants they risk being exposed if their big guns don’t fire in the coming series.

England’s depleted squad touched down in Perth on Sun-day without suspended star all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Their arrival coincided with Hazlewood’s Test pace partner Mitchell Starc picking up a career-best eight wickets with the pink ball in a Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

The world number two’s inexperienced batting line-up has been highlighted as its big-gest weakness as it aims to emulate the feat of Andrew Strauss’ men by becoming only the second England team to retain the Ashes urn in Australia in 31 years.

While doubts remain about the security of Australia’s top six

batsmen, there is an air of con-fidence among their bowling attack heading into the open-ing Test at the Gabba on November 23.

“If you get Joe Root, Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow, who have been scoring runs the last few years, it places extra pres-sure on the inexperienced guys even more so,” Hazlewood told Fairfax Media.

“If we get the wood on them hopefully the rest fall in line.”

Only Root, Cook and Bairstow have played a Test in Australia, while Gary Ballance was dropped during the last Ashes series and James Vince, Mark Stoneman and Dawid Malan have played a combined total of 17 Tests without scoring a century.

Root, rated the world’s sec-ond-best Test batsman, shapes as the key wicket for Australia despite a horror campaign in 2013/14 when he passed 50 once in eight innings and was then dropped.

“He’s a pretty good all-round player, you don’t get to

the top couple for no reason,” Hazlewood said.

“He seems to be scoring quicker at the moment as well, at 80 strike-rate, the last 12 months.

“He’s definitely getting on with it so hopefully that gives us an extra couple of opportu-nities. He’s got a pretty well-rounded game at the moment.”

Starc’s best first-class fig-ures of his career could not have come at a better time, but will also be welcomed by the Eng-land seamers, particularly Stuart Broad.

Broad is expected to be a handful at Adelaide Oval when the tourists play their first day-night Test in early December.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve played a four-day fixture so it was nice to get some overs under the belt (37.4 for the game) and get ready for that first Test,” a fit-again Starc said.

“The ball swung and nipped a little bit and I managed to get it to move both ways and find a way to get a few wickets.”

If you get Joe Root, Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow, who have been scoring runs the last few years, it places extra pressure on the inexperienced guys even more so: Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood of Australia bowls during play on the first day of the first Test match against the West Indies, at Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau, Dominica, in this June 4, 2015 file picture.

Kohli becomes top batsman in rankings again New Delhi

AFP

Virat Kohli (pictured right) reclaimed his throne as the

world’s best one-day international batsman yes-terday after smashing his sixth ton of the year in India’s series-clinching victory over New Zealand.

The India skipper, who cracked a 106-ball 113 in Kanpur, surpassed South Africa’s AB de Villiers as number one as he resumed the top spot after a gap of

just 10 days. Kohli was the top run-scorer in the New Zealand series, accumu-lating 263 over three matches including his 32nd ODI century on Sun-day as India secured a 2-1 series victory.

He also paired with opener Rohit Sharma for a 230-run stand as they became the first batsmen to share four double cen-tury ODI partnerships.

Kohli, 28, who also tops the Twenty20 batting chart, also became the fastest batsman to reach 9,000 ODI runs in the

game at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.

Meanwhile, Kohli hailed India’s death bowl-ing after paceman Jasprit Bumrah helped the hosts pull off a thrilling six-run win and clinch the one-day international series 2-1 on Sunday.

Bumrah claimed three wickets and effected a cru-cial run out of dangerman Tom Latham in the 48th over to make the visitors falter in their 338-run chase at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.

The Kiwis, who looked

like favourites with 35 runs required from the last 24 balls, ended on 331-7 despite Latham’s 52-ball 65.

“It was a pretty close game. Credit to New Zea-land, they fought hard in this series and forced us to play our best cricket,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.

“I decided that I let the bowler do what he wants to do, and that’s why I was calm....glad the bowlers came out on top,” Kohli, who led India to their sev-enth successive bilateral

series triumph, added.“The aim is always

to help the team win games, regardless of how many runs I score. Very happy we could get another one in the bag,” said Kohli.

“But it was the superb death bowling show by Bumrah that stood out in the big-scoring game. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also chipped in with t w o c r u c i a l wickets.”

es triumph, added.“The aim is always

help the team winmes, regardless of w many runs Ire. Very happy

could getother one in the,” said Kohli.“But it was the

perb death wling show by mrah that stood

in the big-scoringme. Leg-spinner zvendra Chahalo chipped in witho c r u c i a lkets.”

West Indies crawl to 78 for one in Zimbabwe Bulawayo

Reuters

A cautious West Indies crawled to 78 for one in their first innings at

the close on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe yesterday.

The tourists took 49 overs, in which they hit six bound-aries, to reach a score that left them with a first-innings def-icit of 248 runs after they had bowled Zimbabwe out for 326.

Opener Kieran Powell was unbeaten on 43 from 123 balls, along with nightwatch-man Devendra Bishoo, who has yet to score.

West Indies lost Kraigg Brathwaite (32 from 160 balls) 15 minutes before the close when he was caught by Ham-ilton Masakadza at slip off the bowling of Graeme Cremer.

Zimbabwe had resumed on 169 for four after a rain-hit opening day with Masakadza’s 147 anchoring their first innings. Sikandar Raza’s 80 allowed them to post a par score on a slow wicket that is taking turn.

Masakadza’s fifth Test century had dominated a rain-hit opening day on which Zimbabwe scored 169 for four, with Peter Moor contrib-uting 52. The opener resumed his innings on 101 on the sec-ond morning, and with Sikandar Raza providing solid support the pair added 77 over the first 21 overs of the day before Masakadza top-edged a delivery from Devendra Bishoo and was caught by Shane Dowrich.

West Indies won the first Test at the same venue by 117 runs as they seek a first away test series victory since a 2-0 triumph in Bangladesh in 2012.

Zimbabwe (I innings):

H Masakadza c Dowrich b Bishoo ........... 147

S Mire c Dowrich b Roach ................................4

C Ervine b Gabriel .............................................0

B Taylor b Roach ................................................1

P Moor b Chase .............................................. 52

S Raza c K Hope b Gabriel ............................80

M Waller b K Brathwaite .................................0

R Chakabva b Bishoo ....................................10

G Cremer run out (Holder) .............................11

T Chisoro lbw b Roach .....................................9

C Mpofu (not out) .............................................4

Extras (LB-6 NB-2) ........................................ 8

Total (all out) ................................. 326

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-11, 3-14, 4-156, 5-246,

6-248, 7-267, 8-310, 9-319, 10-326

Bowling: S Gabriel 22 - 4 - 64 - 2(nb-1); K

Roach 18.1 - 5 - 44 - 3(nb-1); J Blackwood 4 - 1

- 8 - 0; J Holder 16 - 2 - 49 - 0; D Bishoo 25 - 2

- 82 - 2; R Chase 14 - 1 - 50 - 1; K Brathwaite 10

- 0 - 23 - 1

West Indies (I innings):

K Brathwaite c H Masakadza b Cremer .... 32

K Powell (batting) ......................................... 43

D Bishoo (batting) ...........................................0

Extras (B-2 LB-1) ..............................................3

Total (for 1 wkts) ..............................78

Fall of wickets: 1-76

To bat: K Hope, S Hope, J Blackwood, R Chase,

S Dowrich, J Holder, K Roach, S Gabriel

Bowling: C Mpofu 11 - 5 - 17 - 0; S Mire 4 - 2

- 2 - 0; G Cremer 12 - 2 - 31 - 1; S Raza 13 - 6 -

10 - 0; T Chisoro 9 - 4 - 15 - 0

SCOREBOARD

US Open star Stephens eyes quick rebound at Elite Trophy New York

Reuters

US Open champion Sloane Stephens (pictured) is deter-mined to end the season on a

positive note at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China after failing to win a match since her shock victory at Flush-ing Meadows.

The 24-year-old American stunned the sport in September when in her first grand slam final she became the low-est-ranked woman (83) to win the US Open singles title.

H o w e v e r , d e s p i t e h e r

impressive triumph and surge up the world rankings she suffered first-round defeats at the Wuhan Open and the China Open in Beijing before pulling out of the Hong Kong Open earlier this month.

Stephens, who will play her first round-robin event at this week’s Elite Trophy, blamed her recent defeats on a lack of preparation.

“I’d say winning the U.S. Open isn’t the best preparation to go play two tour-naments right after,” she told a news conference yesterday.

“But I had to get out there and play because it was on my schedule. Before

winning the US Open, having those good results, I was basically trying to get into the Australian Open. These tournaments were really necessary for me to play.”

Stephens, seeded third, is placed at the top of the Camellia Group alongside Latvian Anastasija Sevastova and Bar-bora Strycova of Czech Republic.

Angelique Kerber, who clinched both Australian and US Open titles last year, said the Elite Trophy will allow her to lay a foundation for a fresh start in 2018.

“I’m trying to look ahead and trying to end the year as well as I can by putting everything on the court,” said the

29-year-old German. “It’s a tough tour-nament but it’s an opportunity to get better, have good competition and maybe also going with a good feeling to next season,” said the former world number one.

Kerber was drawn in the Rose Group alongside fourth seed Russian Anasta-sia Pavlyuchenkova and Ashleigh Barty of Australia.

The Elite Trophy features the world’s top 12 singles players who did not qual-ify for the WTA Finals last week.

The round-robin format will see the winners from each of the four groups advance to the semi-finals.

35TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve hits a three-run home

run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning

in game five of the 2017 World Series

at Minute Maid Park on Sunday.

Cavs and Warriors toppled as early season struggles continue Los Angeles

AFP

The NBA champion Golden State Warriors and beaten finalists Cleveland tumbled

on Sunday as early season strug-gles continued for the league’s powerhouse teams.

Tim Hardaway Jr and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 66 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 114-95 victory over the Cavs in Cleveland.

In Oakland, California, the Warriors coughed up 25 turno-vers in a 115-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks notched their first win over the Cavs since October 30, 2014, ending a 10-game losing streak against the Cavs, tipped before the sea-son to be headed to the finals for a fourth time.

Hardaway scored 34 points and Porzingis added 32 with 12

rebounds for the Knicks, who handed LeBron James and the Cavaliers a fourth defeat in eight days.

“Tonight’s loss and the last couple are unacceptable, and the only way we’re going to be able to get out of it is to put the work in -- as players, as coaches,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “And we’re going to do that. So, not concerned.”

A day after falling to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Cavaliers looked lethargic as they trailed by 18 points in the third quarter.

They trimmed the deficit to 94-88 on a James layup with 8:20 to play before the Knicks regained control.

Kevin Love again led Cleve-land with 22 points and 11 rebounds. James added 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and again said it’s too early in the season to worry.

“What is this? October? I’m not about to go crazy over it right now,” James said.

“It’s too long of a season and I’ve been a part of this too many times so, I’m the wrong guy to ask.”

While the Cavs have strug-gled with slow starts, the Warriors have been finding it hard to hold onto leads.

Golden State squandered a 14-point third-quarter advan-tage over Detroit, who shot just

46.2 percent from the field but benefitted from the Warriors’ sloppy play.

The Warriors connected on a blistering 61.4 percent of their shots over the first three peri-ods, but trailed 101-88 at 6:25 of the fourth quarter.

The Warriors were down 108-105 with 1:55 to play when they got a steal from Stephen Curry. But he missed the con-tested layup and then a three-point attempt.

Tobias Harris added a three-pointer for Detroit, before Curry lost the ball to Avery Bradley, whose layup sealed it for the Pistons.

Perennial Western Confer-ence contenders San Antonio also fell as Indiana’s Victor Olad-ipo drained the game-winning three-pointer with 10.3 seconds remaining in a 97-94 win over the Spurs.

The Pacers led much of the game before the Spurs rallied to take a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“We just stayed poised,” said Oladipo, who finished with 23 points.

“It’s a long game, there’s a lot of ups and downs. It’s a game of runs. You’ve just got to lift each other up. We did a good job of that.”

Oladipo admitted that his shot from 30 feet away, which put the Pacers up 95-94, was “maybe too deep”.

“Honestly, I didn’t really want to shoot it that far, but the move felt good and I just held my follow-through and it went in,” he said.

“He was deep and he was off-balance, but give him credit, he knocked it down,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich after his team’s second straight defeat.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points to lead the Spurs. But he missed a jump shot with 5.1 sec-onds left and Patty Mills missed a potential game-tying three-pointer just before the buzzer as San Antonio’s rally effort fell short.

Detroit 115 Golden State 107

NY Knicks 114 Cleveland 95

Denver 124 Brooklyn 111

Charlotte 120 Orlando 113

Wash’tn 110 Sacramento 83

Indiana 97 San Antonio 94

Milwaukee 117 Atlanta 106

NBA RESULTS

Astros on verge of title Houston

AFP

Fighting back from a four-run

deficit and a later three-run

hole, the Houston Astros

scrapped their way into an

epic 13-12 World Series tri-

umph on Sunday over the Los Angeles

Dodgers.

Now the Astros lead Major

League Baseball’s (MLB) best-of-

seven final 3-2 and are on the verge

of the first crown in their 55-year his-

tory -- provided they can stand the

strain of such tense dramas.

“It’s crazy man. These games are

hard on me. I feel like I’m going to

have a heart attack out there every

single time,” said Puerto Rican short-

stop Carlos Correa, whose two-run

blast was among five home

runs by the Astros in the

10-inning slugfest.

“It’s high pressure

out there. The game

i s going back and

forth. Both

teams are

great,

scoring runs and there’s

a lot of pressure on you

when you’re out there and you want

to win.

“So hopefully we can win one

more game and take a break.”

The Dodgers, who host game six

Tuesday in Los Angeles and a game

seven if needed on Wednesday,

seized a 4-0 lead but squandered

such an edge for the first time all year.

They jumped back in front 7-4

only to see the Astros’ Venezuelan

second baseman Jose Altuve match

Yuli Gurriel in smashing a three-run

homer that again lifted Houston level.

“It’s a lot of emotions going on in

that game. But the thing is we never

give up,” Altuve said. “It doesn’t mat-

ter if we start the game

4-0, but we keep playing,

we keep putting some

really good at-bats together.

“We came back twice, we

took the lead, they tied the game, and

we did it again. This is the team we

are. This is the team we’ve been all

season long. And I’m really proud of

every single guy in that clubhouse,

because everybody did something to

help us win the game.”

None gave more than Alex Breg-

man, whose two-out, 10th-inning

single plated Derek Fisher with the

winning run.

“We’re never out of the game.

We’re going to keep fighting to the

end,” Bregman said. “And now look

at us, we’re one win away from being

World Series champions.”

Bregman homered in game four

off Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen

and knew what to expect with the

game on the line this time.

“I took one more swing on the

on-deck circle and I looked to Correa.

Correa said, ‘It’s your time,’” Bregman

said.

“Last night (Jansen) threw me a

slider and was fortunate enough to

put a good swing on it and hit it out

of the yard. I basically eliminated the

slider.

“I was looking for something

down in the (strike) zone that I could

stay on top of it. As soon as it left the

bat, I knew Fisher would score.”

And his hit touched off a wild cel-

ebration by players and spectators

alike in a game that rivals the great-

est Bregman has ever played.

“This one ranks right up there,”

he said. “Back and forth, the two best

teams in baseball fighting to the very

end and going toe to toe with each

other. Everybody was used on both

teams, pretty much, every single

player.

“It was special for us to come out

on top.”

Rare crown in sights for Houston

Fighting back from a four-run deficit and a later three-run hole, the Houston Astros scrapped their way into an epic 13-12 World Series triumph on Sunday over the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are on the verge of the first crown in their 55-year history

Running back Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys runs up field against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of their NFL game at FedEx Field on Sunday in Landover, Maryland.

Elliott, Nugent star in victory for Dallas New York

Agencies

Ezekiel Elliott ran for 150 yards and two touch-downs, Mike Nugent

kicked four field goals and the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Redskins 33-19 in the rain on Sunday.

Elliott carried 33 times and scored on runs of 13 and one yards and had a 27-yard score negated by a holding penalty. He recorded his third career performance of at least 150 yards in what could be his last game for some time. Dak Pres-cott was 14 of 22 for 143 yards for Dallas (4-3).

Washington, which began the game without three mem-bers of its offensive line, lost two more in the second half.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 26 of 39 passes for 263 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and the Red-skins (3-4) gained just 49 rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Seattle quarter-back Russell Wilson passed for

a career-best 452 yards and engineered another late come-back to spoil Houston rookie Deshaun Watson’s big day.

Wilson hit tight end Jimmy Graham on an 18-yard touch-down with 21 seconds left, capping an 80-yard drive over the final 1:39, for his fourth touchdown pass of the game. Graham and wide receiver Paul Richardson both scored twice.

Watson also passed for four touchdowns, going 19-for-30 for a season-best 402 yards, but also threw three costly interceptions in the loss by Houston (3-4).

Pittsburgh 20 Detroit 15

Dallas 33 Washington 19

Seattle 41 Houston 38

Atlanta 25 NY Jets 20

Carolina 17 Tampa Bay 3

Philadelphia 33 San Francisco 10

New Orleans 20 Chicago 12

New England 21 LA Chargers 13

Buffalo 34 Oakland 14

Cincinnati 24 Indianapolis 23

Minnesota 33 Cleveland 16

NFL RESULTS

Tim Hardaway Jr. (left) of the New York Knicks looks for a pass while under pressure from JR Smith

of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half

of their NBA game at Quicken

Loans Arena on Sunday in

Cleveland, Ohio.

Brisbane

AFP

Grand Slam champions Gar-bine Muguruza and Sloane Stephens have been con-

firmed to play the Brisbane International in January, organis-ers said yesterday.

Wimbledon winner and world No.2 Muguruza and this year’s US Open champion Stephens will join defending champion Karolina Pliskova,

ranked three in the world, in a strong women’s field.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal and third-ranked Andy Murray are the star drawcards in the men’s event as they prepare for the Australian Open.

“Brisbane was the start of a

successful season for me in 2017 and it was an easy decision to play again next year,” said Muguruza, who will make her third consec-utive appearance in Brisbane.

After winning her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, Muguruza rose to world No.1 in

September and was named the 2017 WTA Player of the Year.

“The conditions are perfect leading into the Australian Open; the weather, the stadium and the strong competition all help when you are preparing for the first Grand Slam of the year,” she said.

Stephens will play in Brisbane for the first time.

The tournament runs from December 31 to January 7 with the Australian Open starting in Mel-bourne on January 15.


JIMMY CONNORSCountry: United StatesBorn: September 2, 1952 (Age 65)Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)Turned pro: 1972Retired: 1996Prize money: $8,641,040Int. Tennis HoF: 1998Singles:Career record: 1256–279 (81.82%)Career titles: 109 (1st in the Open Era)

ROGER FEDERERCountry: SwitzerlandBorn: August 8, 1981 (Age 36)Height: 1.85 m Turned pro: 1998Prize money US$109,853,682All-time leader in earningsSingles:Career record: 1129–249 (81.93%)Career titles: 95 (2nd in the Open Era)

PLAYER/COUNTRY SINGES TITLES

JIMMY CONNORS

United States 1972–96 109ROGER FEDERER

Switzerland 1998– 95IVAN LENDL Czechoslovakia/US 1978–94 94JOHN MCENROE United States 1978–06 77RAFAEL NADAL Spain 2001- 75ROD LAVER Australia 1968–76 74NOVAK DJOKOVIC Serbia 2003– 68BJÖRN BORG Sweden 1973–83 64PETE SAMPRAS United States 1988–02 64GUILLERMO VILAS Argentina 1968–92 62ANDRE AGASSI United States 1986–06 60ILIE NĂSTASE Romania 1968–89 58BORIS BECKER Germany 1984–99 49ANDY MURRAY United Kingdom 2005- 45

Top two

Players with most titles in the Open Era

Roger Federer, 36, battled past Juan Martin del Potro to win his eighth Swiss Indoors and 95th career title which puts him into second on the all-time list behind the 109 of Jimmy Connors,

Federer skips Paris as Rafa Federer skips Paris as Rafa eyes year-end No.1 spot eyes year-end No.1 spot

Basel

AFP

Rafael Nadal will be crowned as the year-end world number one if he wins his first match at this week’s

Paris Masters, after Roger Fed-erer withdrew from the tournament.

The two old rivals have both had stunning seasons, returning to form and fitness with two Grand Slam titles each.

But Federer, who could have still usurped Nadal at the top of the rankings with titles in the French capital and at the World Tour Finals in London, pulled out of the final event of the regular season to protect a back problem.

The 36-year-old said winning his eighth Swiss Indoors title on Sunday against Juan Martin del Potro left him unfit to play at the Bercy Arena.

“I am very sorry to have to pull out of the Paris Masters but my body needs a rest after Basel,” said the Swiss legend.

“I’ve played a lot of tennis this year and need to make sure I look after my physical wellbeing if I want to continue to compete at the highest level for years to come.

“I love to play at Bercy, it’s a few times now that I’ve not played there. It’s a tough one but they have to understand that it’s for the cause of staying injury-free and healthy.

“I’d like to be fully fit for Lon-don and for 2018.”

Top seed Nadal, who has a bye for the first round in Paris, just needs to win his opening

second-round clash to secure the top ranking heading into next year.

The Spaniard, who claimed his 10th French Open title and the US Open crown to take his Grand Slam tally to 16 major titles this season, will start his campaign against either German serve-and-volleyer Mischa Zverev or promising South Korean Hyeon Chung.

Despite his love affair with the clay of Roland Garros, Nadal has never won the Paris Masters in five pre-

vious attempts at the indoor tournament.

The 31-year-old’s best effort came with a final defeat by David Nalbandian in 2007.

The hard courts at Bercy will also see the final two places for the World Tour Finals decided, with seven players still hunt-ing a ticket to London.

Belgian David Goffin and US Open semi-final-ist Pablo Carreno Busta currently hold the sev-enth and eighth spots.

But Sam Quer-r e y , K e v i n Anderson, del Potro, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille all remain in contention.

Former US Open champion del Potro has made a stunning late charge after sitting 47th in the points standings only two months ago.

The 29-year-old reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, beating Federer on the way, before also making the Shanghai Masters last four and winning in Stockholm ahead of his runner-up effort in Basel.

That makes the Argentinian the form man going into Paris, where he will play either Italian Paolo Lorenzi or qualifier Joao Sousa in round two.

Frenchman Pouille is also making a last-gasp bid for a place

at the eight-man season-ending finals, after

beating his compa-triot Tsonga to

win his third title of the

year in V i e n n a

on Sunday. The 23-year-old will have to at least make the final in front of his home crowd, but was

given a b o o s t w h e n h a n d e d Federer’s place in the draw.

P o u i l l e , the only man to win tournaments on clay, grass and hard courts this year, is not seeded to face a top-10 player until the quarter-finals, where he is due to face Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem.

ATP RANKINGS

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 10465 pts

2. Roger Federer (SUI) 9005

3. Andy Murray (GBR) 4790

4. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4400 (+1)

5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4185 (-1)

6. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3935

7. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 3765

8. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3650

9. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 3360

10. David Goffin (BEL) 2975

11. Pablo Carreño (ESP) 2650

12. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2555

13. Sam Querrey (USA) 2525 (+1)

14. John Isner (USA) 2505 (-1)

15. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2490

16. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2470 (+1)

17. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG) 2435 (+2)

18. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2235 (+7)

19. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2230 (-1)

20. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2175 (-4)

WTA RANKINGS 1. Simona Halep (ROM) 6175 pts2. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6135

3. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6015 (+3)4. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5730 (-1)

5. Venus Williams (USA) 55976. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5500 (-2)7. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 50108. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 44209. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3610

10. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 288511. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 285612. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 281913. Sloane Stephens (USA) 2722

14. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 242515. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 2295

16. Madison Keys (USA) 221317. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 219518. Julia Goerges (GER) 2060

19. Angelique Kerber (GER) 204220. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2031

bear-errst k’s d-he

th ng

wo

veof

herldut ar ck

ng ondel he

tout l,”

his okf Iat to

s a ot ut t’s y-

n-

a

second-round clash to secure the top ranking heading into nextyear.

The Spaniard, who claimed his 10th French Open title and the US Open crown to take his Grand Slam tally to 16 major titles this season, will start his campaignagainst either German serve-and-volleyer Mischa Zverev orpromising South Korean Hyeon Chung.

Despite his love affair with the clay of Roland Garros, Nadalhas never won the Paris Masters in five pre-

The 31-year-old s best effort came with a final defeat by David Nalbandian in 2007.

The hard courts at Bercy will also see the final two places for the World Tour Finals decided,with seven players still hunt-ing a ticket to London.

Belgian David Goffin and US Open semi-final-ist Pablo Carreno Busta currently hold the sev-enth and eighth spots.

But Sam Quer-r e y , K e v i n Anderson, del Potro, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille allremain in contention.

Former US Open champion del Potro has madea stunning late charge after sitting 47th in the points standings only two months ago.

The 29-year-old reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, beating Federer on the way, before also making the Shanghai Masters last four and winning in Stockholm ahead of his runner-up effort in Basel.

That makes the Argentinian the form man going into Paris, where he will play either Italian Paolo Lorenzi or qualifier Joao Sousa in round two.

Frenchman Pouille is also making a last-gasp bid for a place

at the eight-man season-ending finals, after

beating his compa-triot Tsonga to

win his third title of the

year in V i e n n a

front of his home crowd, but was

given ab o o s t w h e nh a n d e d Federer’splace in thedraw.

P o u i l l e , the only man towin tournamentson clay, grass andhard courts this year, is not seeded to face a top-10 player until thequarter-finals, where he is due to face Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem.

( ) p

2. Roger Federer (SUI) 9005

33. A A dndy MMurray ( (GBGBR)R) 4 4797900

4. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4400 (+1)

5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4185 (-1)

6. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3935

7. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 3765

8. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3650

9. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 3360

1010. DDa ividd GGoffffiin ( (BEBEL)L) 2 2979755

11. Pablo Carreño (ESP) 2650

12. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2555

13. Sam Querrey (USA) 2525 (+1)

14. John Isner (USA) 2505 (-1)

15. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2490

16. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2470 (+1)

17. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG) 2435 (+2)

18. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2235 (+7)

19. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2230 (-1)

20. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2175 (-4)

Wozniacki says injury lay-off did her good

Halep, Muguruza at top of the chart

Singapore

AFP

Caroline Wozniacki said an extended injury break last year was a crucial factor behind her WTA Finals victory, an echo of this season’s brilliant

comebacks by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.The former world number one beat Venus Williams

for the first time in eight attempts to seal the biggest title of her career at the prestigious season finale in Sin-gapore late on Sunday.

It’s an outcome that seemed unlikely just over 12 months ago, when Wozniacki languished at number 74 after struggling to return from a major ankle injury sus-tained early in 2016.

But the 27-year-old Dane, who appeared fresh and hungry as she lost just once in five matches in Singa-pore, said the 10-week layoff was a blessing in disguise.

“I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and maybe I wouldn’t be here if that (injury) wouldn’t have happened,” she told reporters after her 6-4, 6-4 win.

“I think the break from tennis for me was great. I really enjoyed being home, just doing normal stuff and not being able to hit a ball actually felt nice.

“When I felt ready, I came back and I was enjoying to play out there.”

Wozniacki’s success follows revivals by Nadal and Federer, who both struggled with injury last year but have returned to split the men’s Grand Slam singles titles and the top two rankings in 2017.

Federer, 36, is a proponent of taking time to rest and he has announced that he will skip this week’s Paris Masters, admitting: “My body is asking for a break.”

Players have long complained about the arduous tennis season, which stretches from January to Novem-ber with rankings points available at tournaments around the globe.

With Sunday’s win, Wozniacki will finish the year third in the rankings, having come into the tournament at six having won the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last month.

Wozniacki flourished in Singapore with her renowned counter-punching complemented by extra firepower as she beat Elina Svitolina, world number one Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova.

“I think I managed to stay aggressive,” she said. “Even when I was pushing against the big hitters, I

still managed to not be pushed too far behind the base-line, which was key this week.

Wozniacki may now be hopeful of landing a first Grand Slam title, after reaching the US Open final in 2009 and 2014.

But she said she wasn’t yet thinking about the Aus-tralian Open -- the first Slam on the 2018 calendar -- and was instead looking forward to another break.

“In a month’s time, I will start preparing for the next season,” she said.

Paris

AFP

End-of year world number one Simone Halep topped the latest WTA rankings released yesterday with Caroline Wozniacki up three places into third after

the Dane’s WTA finals success in Singapore.Halep became the 13th year-end women’s number

one despite struggling at the WTA Finals winning just once to bow out at the round-robin stage.

The Romanian reached the top ranking for the first time earlier this month and narrowly held on when world number three Karolina Pliskova lost her semi-final in Singapore.

Former world number one Wozniacki beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s final.

Muguruza, Stephens to contest in Brisbane

World Number one Rafael Nadal of Spain

page 29 oct 31 - the peninsula · 2017-10-30 · 30 sport tuesday 31 october 2017 paris bafp...

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