‘Clinical’ Ahly lead Group D
Garcia wins all-French showdown
PARIS, June 5, (AFP): Andy Murray racked up his 650th career win to reach the French Open quarter-finals Monday where he was joined by 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka.
World number one Murray, the runner-up in Paris to Novak Djokovic in 2016, brushed aside Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
However, instead of discussing the match in the traditional oncourt TV interview, Murray took the microphone to remember the 29 people who died in the recent outrages in London and Manchester.
“Obviously there was terrible tragedy in London and Manchester. Paris has had its problems too in recent years,” said Murray.
“I am sure everyone will join me ... we share our thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected.
“I appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis. I am grateful that I can still perform in front of everyone.”
Murray broke the serve of the 21-year-old Russian, playing in a Slam fourth round for the first time, on five occasions.
Before Monday, Khachanov
France’s Caroline Garcia celebrates after winning against France’s Alize Cornet during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 5 in
Paris. (AFP)
Czech world number two Karolina Pliskova needed three sets to get past Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg.
The world number 97 had only won one match at the majors before this year’s Roland Garros but she was the better player in the first set with Pliskova hitting just four winners.
But the second seed steadied the ship to go through 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Pliskova next faces 28th seed Caroline Garcia who won her allFrench grudge match with Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4.
The two compatriots have been involved in a recent feud over the Fed Cup and are barely on speaking terms.
However, they exchanged smiles and a warm embrace at the net at the end of the tie.
Title favourite and 2014 runner-up Simona Halep trounced Spain’s Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-1, 6-1 to make the last eight without dropping a set or breaking sweat.
Third seed Halep, who like Pliskova can become the new world number one if she wins the title, claimed her first victory on clay in six attempts against the Spaniard.
“I played my best match of the tournament. I served well and opened up the court,” said Halep.
The 25-year-old Halep will tackle Ukraine’s fifth seed Elina Svitolina for a semi-final place.
The two met in the Rome final on the eve of Roland Garros when Halep was beaten and suffered an ankle injury which threatened her appearance in Paris.
Svitolina reached the quarterfinals for the second time, ending the dream run of world number 290 Petra Martic with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.
However, Martic, bidding to become only the 10th qualifier to make the last eight in Paris threw away a golden chance for victory.
The 26-year-old led 5-2 in the final set before Svitolina rallied to race away with the last five games.
JOHANNESBURG, June 5, (AFP): Clinical finishing by Moamen Zakaria and Junior Ajayi powered Al Ahly of Egypt to a 2-0 CAF Champions League win over Wydad Casablanca of Morocco Monday, and top place in Group D.
Zakaria scored off a rebound on 24 minutes after goalkeeper Zouhair Laaroubi blocked a Ajayi shot with his leg in Mediterranean city Alexandria. Nigerian Ajayi doubled the lead 11 minutes from time when a miscued clearance fell into his path and he scored from close range.
Victory at the 90,000-capacity Borg el Arab stadium lifted record eight-time African champions Ahly back to the top of the table.
Ahly and Zanaco of Zambia have seven points, with the Egyptians occupying first place thanks to a superior goal difference.
Former champions Wydad have three points and 2008 runners-up Coton Sport of Cameroon none after three straight losses — the latest a 2-1 defeat by Zanaco in Lusaka last Saturday.
Group winners and runners-up advance to the quarter-finals of the elite African club competition with a record $2.5 million (2.2 million euros) first prize this year.