Keys wins a classic in Stanford
CALIFORNIA: Madison Keys outdueled fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(4) 6-4 on Sunday to win the Stanford Classic and capture her first title of the year.
In an evenly matched contest between two friendly opponents, third seed Keys was impregnable on serve but claimed the only break in the second set before closing out a confidence-boosting win ahead of the U.S. Open. “It hasn’t been the easiest season, but it finally feels like I’m on the right track and feeling good about my tennis again,” Keys told reporters. “It feels amazing to have a title at home and on hard courts. I’m really, really happy that this is kind of the start of my US Open Series.”
ANAND BEATS CARUANA
ST LOUIS: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand crashed through the defences of world number two Fabiano Caruana in the fifth round and jumped to the joint second spot in the Sinquefield Cup. If the first four games were easy draws, Anand showed to the world that he was patiently waiting for his chances.
The Indian showcased one of his best games in recent times, a game that will find its way in the collections of best games ever played by Anand.
NEYMAR NOT BIGGER THAN CLUB: BARCA PREZ
BARCELONA: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted no player is bigger than the Catalan giants on Monday in the wake of Neymar’s world record €222m move to Paris St-Germain.
Bartomeu and his board are under pressure to wisely reinvest the huge sum, which more than doubled the previous record for a transfer fee, before the transfer window closes on August 31.
MOURINHO READY TO MAKE MOVE FOR BALE
SKOPJE:Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has sent a message in the direction of UEFA Super Cup opponents Real Madrid by declaring his readiness to bring Gareth Bale to
Old Trafford on Monday. “If he plays tomorrow it is because he is in the plans of the coach and the club, and it is in his own plans and ambitions to stay there. Then I won’t even think about it,” said Mourinho.
WENGER FEARFUL OF ANOTHER SLOW START
LONDON:ArsenalmanagerArsene Wenger believes the strength of competition in the Premier League means his side cannot afford another false start if they are to challenge for the title.
ZVEREV CLINCHES FOURTH TITLE
WASHINGTON: Alexander Zverev issued a warning to top ATP rivals Sunday after winning the Citi Open for his fourth title of the year. The German defeated South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 to take top prize at the US Open tuneup event.