PARIS: Novak Djokovic slipped four places in the world rankings on Monday despite retaining his Wimbledon title due to the men’s tour governing body’s controversial decision not to award ranking points for the Grand Slam event. The ATP and WTA made the call after Wimbledon organizers barred Russian and Belarusian players due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian players have been permitted by the ATP and WTA to carry on competing at tour events but under a neutral banner. Australian Nick Kyrgios, beaten by Djokovic in Sunday’s final at Wimbledon, slips to 45th in the rankings, a drop of five places. Russian Daniil Medvedev retains the number one spot, well clear of the injured Alexander Zverev. Spanish great Rafael Nadal — who is one ahead of Djokovic in total Grand Slams with 22 — moves up one place to number three as he had no points at stake after missing last year’s Wimbledon due to injury. Another big loser in the rankings is Matteo Berrettini, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s final at the All England Club. The Italian, who withdrew from this year’s edition due to Covid-19, drops four spots to 15. His compatriot Jannik Sinner, who gave Djokovic a fright in taking him to five sets in their quarter-final clash at Wimbledon, rises three places to number 10.
Rankings 1. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 7,775 points 2. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,850 3. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6,165 4. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 5,150 5. Casper Ruud (NOR) 5,050 6. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 4,845 7. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 4,770 8. Andrey Rublev 3,700 9. Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3,445 10. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3,185 11. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 3,155 12. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3,025 13. Taylor Fritz (USA) 2,975 14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,325 15. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,280 16. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,130 17. Reilly Opelka (USA) 2,055 18. Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) 1,926 19. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,740 20. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 1,658
Manchester City’s new signing Erling Haaland is a “monster” who will make a considerable impact this season in England.
This is how fellow recruit Stefan Ortega described Haaland when he was unveiled to City followers at Etihad Stadium.
Ortega witnessed the Norwegian striker’s goalscoring exploits in the Bundesliga where the German keeper was at Arminia Bielefeld and Haaland starred for Borussia Dortmund.
“When I saw him at (Red Bull) Salzburg he was a bit thin, now he’s a monster,” said Ortega, 29. “His transition is really outstanding.
“With his size, speed, quality in shooting and heading, he’s the full package ...”
Haaland netted 85 goals in 88 games after joining Dortmund from Salzburg in 2020, with 61 in 66 Bundesliga games, and a further 15 in 13 Champions League matches.
For the opposition, there is likely to be some trepidation on how to handle this 1.95-meter prolific powerhouse as City, with four Premier League titles over the past five seasons, and 99 goals, start their title-defending campaign.
Haaland, who turns 22 later this month, said he “had the feeling for City” when he decided to join them on a five-year deal for $61 million, despite interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
“In the end I just had the feeling in my stomach — the way they play, everything,” he added.
“I (have) watched City ever since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016, so I know exactly how they play and I think I know a lot about everything they do, so that is the most important thing.
“I played against City in the Champions League and (when) you see something on TV (that’s one thing), but when you meet it in reality it’s completely different. I didn’t touch the ball for 25 minutes. I was like, ‘please (Ilkay) Gundogan stop playing tiki-taka.’
“It’s a different level, how City create chances, and that’s what I want to be a part of,” said Haaland. “There are so many good players. City are already winners and it’s already a huge potential, I am really excited.”
Haaland’s arrival, and immediate declaration that Manchester United are the team he is keen to face most next season, certainly excited the thousands who welcomed him on Sunday.
So too Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, who vowed to “create my own history and win all the trophies possible” as he followed compatriots such as Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta and legendary record scorer Sergio Aguero to the club.
Along with Ortega and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips — the $54 million buy from Leeds who missed the unveiling event through illness — the quartet, and probably Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, are part of an important evolution at City.
Manager Guardiola is building another monstrous outfit as he looks to make them even more formidable.
As footballing history has often shown, when a team takes success for granted and does not seek to maintain their standing with quality replacements, it can lead to a painful fall from grace.
Take Liverpool who, having been a dominant force in English and European football in the 1970s and 1980s, had to wait 30 years before they won a top-flight title when Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Premier League in 2020.
Then there is Manchester United, whose trophy-laden era under Sir Alex Ferguson feels a distant memory as they currently struggle to challenge for the top four, let alone first place.
It was in 2013 when they last won the Premier League and their main player purchases in the following two transfer windows, under Ferguson’s replacement David Moyes, were Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.
When Guardiola took charge of City in 2016 and disappointingly failed to lift a trophy in his first season, the response was swift to alleviate concerns about the future.
Out went favorites such as Zabaleta, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Jesus Navas and in came keeper Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte.
It was a vital reset as Guardiola improved areas that clearly needed strengthening, and reinvigorated a squad with players who embraced a new challenge and craved success.
City then won the title in 2018 with a record-breaking 100 points.
There is a similar feel about this season as the club have allowed heroes to leave, but brought in replacements who could take them to an even higher level.
Having bade farewell to captain Fernandinho after nine years, from their title-winning side, striker Gabriel Jesus has joined Arsenal, Raheem Sterling is heading to Chelsea and Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko could exit before next month’s opening fixtures.
Over at Anfield, Kop idol Sadio Mane has gone to Bayern Munich, but Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez has joined for a potential club record £85 million and, crucially, Mohamed Salah has extended his contract.
“There can be no standing still, on or off the pitch,” said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson when they were still pushing for a “quadruple” last season.
It is a philosophy adopted by both the Reds and City as they strive to remain the very best while others, notably Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, try to catch up.
This type of thinking is also a factor in Haaland’s switch to a club where his father Alf-Inge Haaland, a former midfielder, played.
He yearns for more, despite his impressive scoring record, two Austrian League championships and an Austrian Cup with Salzburg, and a German Cup with Dortmund.
Haaland seeks glory in the Champions League, where he has the best minutes per goal ratio in the tournament's history for those with at least 15, scoring on average every 64 minutes while it is 104 minutes for Lionel Messi and Harry Kane.
At 20 years and 231 days, he also took Kylian Mbappe’s record as the youngest player to reach 20 Champions League goals, becoming the only one to do so before the age of 21.
“Sometimes I see players pose with a trophy and I say, ‘I would love to be you,’” said Haaland.
“Every footballer wants to win trophies and become better every single day. I said it before, the Champions League is my favorite competition. Let’s keep working hard and hopefully I will win some trophies.”
Haaland said that City have now signed a player who likes to “have fun and smile a lot,” and whose enjoyment is reflected in a desire to score goals, improve himself and the team.
With such astonishing numbers already, and confidence and ambition that belie his years, City’s rivals must beware of this smiling assassin and ready-made successor to Aguero.
RIYADH: Gamers8 announced on Monday that Razer is to be the gaming gear partner of this summer’s showpiece in Riyadh.
Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, the eight-week global contest takes place in a purpose-built venue at Riyadh Boulevard City from Thursday, July 14, with the added attraction of a series of festivals and concerts.
Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, will have its products showcased during the esports competition and its logo on the official broadcast. The company has created a unique Gamers8 x Razer collection to be sold exclusively on site during the event. Items from its signature collection will also be available for purchase.
The Saudi federation and Razer will also organize raffles for Gamers8 attendees and fans on social media to win some exclusive gaming gear.
Omar Batterjee, head of Communications, Marketing and Partnerships at the federation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Razer on board as gaming gear partner and thank them for pledging their support to the esports and gaming sector in Saudi Arabia.”
“Gamers8 has a mission to blur the lines between what’s physical and what’s virtual, and the triple-headed snake trademark of Razer, one of the most recognized logos in the gaming world, is a great addition to the event. We know fans will be as excited as we are with this partnership.”
Gamers8 will focus on four main pillars: Professional esports, festivals, music, and “The Next World Forum,” a gathering that will bring together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
Gamers8 will see teams competing across Rocket League, Dota 2, Fortnite, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and PUBG MOBILE, with a $15 million prize pool on offer.
Rocket League, running from Thursday, July 14 until Sunday, July 17, begins the esports action. Gamers8 tournaments will be broadcast live on the event channels in more than eight different languages.
In addition, big-name international artists will be appearing at Gamers8 concerts alongside numerous local and regional talents each weekend throughout the event. Amr Diab, J Balvin, Sebastian Ingrosso, Salvatore Ganacci and DJ Elfuego start musical proceedings at the NXT LVL music venue on opening night.
Rosberg X Racing won the NEOM Island X Prix II on Sunday with a late overtake to secure their second victory of Extreme E Season 2.
Lewis Hamilton’s X44 finished second and Genesys Andretti United Extreme E third, after ABT CUPRA XE were disqualified following a safety infringement.
With Nico Rosberg in the paddock to watch his team’s progress, a superb pass by Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky on ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt sealed the win.
Åhlin-Kottulinsky, and teammate Johan Kristoffersson, who topped the standings prior to the Sardinian double header, now have a lead of 37 points ahead of their nearest challengers No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing, with X44 now up to third.
RXR also scored maximum points from round three, with the quickest combined time in the Continental Traction Challenge adding five to their tally, bringing their total overall to 80 points.
Rosberg, founder and CEO of Rosberg X Racing, commented: “It is such a pleasure for me to work with this team. It reminds me of my F1 days. It’s been a great team effort with everyone giving their best and being at the height of their game. Both drivers have been performing at an incredibly high level.
“Johan was the star of race one in NEOM. Mikaela was the star of this weekend with her speed and incredible pass for the win through the water during the last lap. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Kristoffersson said: “I am very happy. It was a phenomenal weekend for us, starting with good qualifying and we were also very fast in the super sector. The car felt amazing all week and we have got to thank the team for that. They worked very hard, and it paid off.”
Åhlin-Kottulinsky added: “It’s been my strongest Extreme E weekend so far. We worked so hard, Johan and I analyzed everything to try and improve even more. The final was an absolute blast for me, waiting for (the) right opportunity to overtake Jutta. After this week, and everything that happened during the first race, I just feel like this is the ending that we deserved, and I am very happy for the team.”
The ABT CUPRA XE team, placed on the preferred line, had surged to the front of the group, with RXR close behind in second and X44 rounding out the top three
Timmy Hansen slotted into fourth for Genesys Andretti United Extreme E as X44’s Sebastien Loeb and Kristoffersson chased down Nasser Al-Attiyah further up the course.
Five seconds separated the front three as Al-Attiyah began to pull away from Kristoffersson.
It was still a four-way tear up for the win as the teams entered the switch zone until disaster struck for ABT CUPRA XE. During the driver change, Kleinschmidt failed to properly buckle her seatbelt before setting off on her lap. This would later lead to the team’s disqualification from the final, after they finished second on the course.
They then lost the lead thanks to the incredible overtake from Åhlin-Kottulinsky in the closing stages of the race, securing the team’s second win of 2022.
The ABT CUPRA XE team’s disqualification also promoted X44 into second and secured Genesys Andretti United Extreme E a spot on the third step of the podium, their first top three finish of the season, which was a huge boost for both teams after a difficult start to the Sardinian double header.
Loeb said: “In the end the feeling was quite good from the start of Q1 of the second race. The balance of the car was much better compared to the first event, so finally we could push and in the end we finished second in round three.
“It’s a good result, but we are still losing points to the leader, quite a lot actually given the super sector ones that they scored. We need to react as RXR is really strong. Both of the drivers are really fast and they make no mistakes, so we’ll need to be stronger next time.”
Next up in the race calendar is the Copper X Prix in Chile, from Sept. 24 to 25, and the rest of the grid will be working hard to knock RXR off their perch at the top of the standings.
3. Genesys Andretti United Extreme E +12.884
4. ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team DNF
2. NO.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing: 43 points
4. ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team: 40 points
6. Genesys Andretti United Extreme E: 27 points
7. NEOM McLaren Extreme E: 19 points
SPIELBERG, Austria: Charles Leclerc revived his Formula One title challenge by holding on to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday for a third victory of the season, while his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz’s hopes of a second-place finish ended when his engine blew as he was about to attack Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Leclerc was clearly stressed in the closing laps as his throttle was not working properly, making it more difficult to control his speed into turns. “Yes! Come on!” Leclerc screamed on team radio after crossing the line. “I was scared. I was really scared. Yessss!” The Monaco driver held on to beat second-place Verstappen by 1.5 seconds. “I definitely needed that win, the last five races have been incredibly difficult,” Leclerc said. “At the end it was really difficult, I had this problem with the throttle.” A relieved Leclerc sang along as the anthem played on the podium, then engaged in a Champagne-spraying joust with a grinning Verstappen. Leclerc didn’t forget Ferrari’s race director Laurent Mekies, either, dousing him with bubbly. The mutual respect between Verstappen and Leclerc — both 24 years old and former fierce karting rivals — is growing strongly. “You guys were so fast today,” Verstappen said in the post-race cool down room. “Yeah, we were very quick,” Leclerc replied. Leclerc moved up to second overall but is still a distant 38 points behind Verstappen — 208 vs. 170 — with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez dropping to third. He retired after 26 of 71 laps after being hit on the opening lap when trying to overtake George Russell’s Mercedes. Verstappen picked up a bonus point for fastest lap to go with the eight points he took by winning Saturday’s sprint race. Lewis Hamilton finished third for Mercedes and encouragingly gained a third straight podium place. Russell got a five-second time penalty for the Perez incident but placed fourth. Even more impressive since Mercedes had to repair both cars after a late crash in Friday’s sprint qualifying. “Those are great points and we move forward from here,” Hamilton said. “So thankful to the team for working so hard.” After cutting out on Lap 58 of 71, Sainz’s car was burning and started to slide backward in the gravel as a marshal rushed toward it with a fire extinguisher and urged the Spaniard to jump out. Sainz got out in time as flames were licking his race suit. He was unharmed, sitting on the grass to contemplate his bad luck. The incident brought out a virtual safety car, causing Leclerc and Verstappen to change to fresh tires in case a real safety car came out. Leclerc’s fifth career victory was one of his best, considering how he held on at the end. It was also a very welcome one for the driver after five difficult races without a podium and much confusion over team decisions. Last Sunday, it was Leclerc who was exasperated at the British GP when his team kept him out on track rather than pit him for new tires during a late safety car, leading to Sainz’s first victory and discussion about team divisions within Ferrari. This time it was Sainz who was left with a bitter taste. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,” he repeated disbelievingly when his engine went. Seconds later he had more pressing matters as flames rose around him. Verstappen never really looked like getting his seventh win of the season and his fifth overall at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, where legions of orange-clad fans roared him on at his team’s home race. “It’s great to see so many fans coming to Austria, it’s just a shame I couldn’t give them a win today,” he said. “We suffered with the tires. Still, second place is a good result.” Six years after his debut, Esteban Ocon celebrated his 100th F1 race with fifth place for Alpine ahead of Mick Schumacher, who is on a roll with Haas after securing his first career points with eighth place at Silverstone. Lando Norris (McLaren), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Daniel Ricciardo (Mclaren) and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) completed the top 10. Leclerc had already overtaken Verstappen twice with clean passes to control the race. But with around 20 laps to go Verstappen led again after Ferrari pitted Leclerc and Sainz in quick succession. But with only a small lead Verstappen was unable to hold out for long and Leclerc overtook smoothly — before late drama threatened to scupper his victory. Verstappen had started from pole ahead of Leclerc and Sainz. They almost collided as they chased each other in Saturday’s sprint race as tensions carried over from Silverstone. By late Sunday afternoon, Leclerc was all smiles and Sainz was being consoled in the team garage. Elsewhere, Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri bumped Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin into the gravel and got a five-second penalty. After emerging unscratched from a horror crash last Sunday at the British GP, Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu placed 14th for Alfa Romeo.
GALLE, Sri Lanka: Former captain Dinesh Chandimal hit a gritty century to steer Sri Lanka to a lead of 67 on Sunday and push Australia on to the backfoot on day three of the second Test.
The hosts reached 431 for six at stumps after the Australian spinners hit back with late wickets at the Galle International Stadium.
Chandimal, on 118, and Ramesh Mendis, on seven, were batting at the close of play on a pitch which held firm and witnessed a brief spell of morning and afternoon rain.
Chandimal’s 133-run fifth-wicket stand with debutant Kamindu Mendis, who made 61, remained the highlight of the day’s play as Sri Lanka surpassed Australia’s first innings total of 364.
“I thought Australia bowled really well,” the Galle-born Kamindu told reporters.
“Loose balls were rare. Good support from Chandi. The main idea of us was to rotate the strike and pick up singles. Then we started picking up boundaries.”
The 23-year-old all-rounder said, “The wicket has lot of assistance for spinners today compared to the first two days. Our plan is to get a decent lead and put pressure on Australia.”
Chandimal was lucky to survive a reprieve on 30 when Mitchell Starc had him caught behind only for the umpire to deny the call but ultra-edge showed a spike when the ball passed the bat.
Australia were left frustrated as they had exhausted their three umpire reviews and Chandimal went on to tire out the bowlers.
Spinners Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and left-arm quick Starc worked hard to claim two wickets each.
Chandimal reached his 13th Test century and second against Australia as he screamed in delight and raised his bat to an applauding dressing room.
Leg-spinner Swepson soon struck to send back the left-handed Kamindu, who survived a missed stumping on 43, bowled and Lyon took down wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella for five.
But Chandimal and Ramesh, who was given out caught behind and successfully reviewed the call in his favor, saw the day through.
Earlier another veteran batsman Angelo Mathews contributed with 52 before falling to Starc’s left-arm pace in the second session.
Lyon struck early in the day to send back overnight batsman Kusal Mendis trapped lbw for 85 after the hosts resumed on 184-2.
Chandimal soon took stock and hit back with a four and a six off Lyon before grinding down the opposition with Mathews, who came into the match after recovering from COVID, for company till after lunch.
He was then joined by Kamindu who came in as one of the three debutants including spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who took six wickets in Australia’s innings, after a COVID outbreak in Sri Lankan squad.
“We are well and truly in this game. I think anything south of a 100-run lead or around that gives us a real opportunity,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said.
“That is probably the reward for batting first. We just have to nullify what that lead is. I thought the way Chandimal, Kamindu and Angelo Mathews went about their work today, the way they applied themselves on a flat surface is what you think of international standards of batting.”
Scores of fans turned up for the cricket on the third day, despite the host country facing fresh political unrest arising from its painful economic crisis.
Australia lead the two-match series 1-0 after a crushing opening win inside three days at the same venue on a vicious turner.