Sport news in brief
Paratore secures British Masters at Close House
Italy’s Renato Paratore missed out on a place in the history books but ensured his name will be etched on the Betfred British Masters trophy with an almost flawless display. The 23-year-old had been aiming to become the first player to win a European Tour event without making a single bogey since Jesper Parnevik at the 1995 Scandinavian Masters. But although his brilliant run of error-free golf finally came to an end on his 63rd hole of the week, the par-three ninth, a final round of 68 in testing conditions at Close House saw him finish 18 under par, three shots ahead of Danish teenager Rasmus Hojgaard. Justin Harding finished alone in third after a closing 72, with the English trio of Andy Sullivan, Robert Rock and Dale Whitnell sharing fourth place on 13 under.
Xavi tests positive for Covid-19
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has announced that he has tested positive for coronavirus. Xavi, 40, who is the manager of Qatari club Al Sadd, is currently asymptomatic and in self-isolation.
“Today I will not be able to lead the team back to the official competition,” he wrote on Instagram. “David Prats will be in my place and head of the technical staff. A few days ago I tested positive in the last Covid-19 test, performed following the Qatar Soccer League protocol. Fortunately I am in perfect conditions but, following the protocol, I will remain isolated until I am negative. When the health authorities allow me, I will go back to my daily routine and work with more desire than ever. I thank all the authorities and in particular the leaders of the League and the club for having put at our disposal all the means for a timely identification that prevents further infections and guarantees a normal development of the season. A hug and see you soon on the football fields!”
Marquez back on bike four days after surgery on broken arm
Marc Marquez returned to the track just four days after undergoing surgery on a broken arm and finished Saturday’s practice session for the Andalucia Grand Prix with the 20th best time. The six-time defending MotoGP champion says he will decide later whether to take part in the race itself on Sunday. Team Honda said Thursday that Marquez passed a physical and was declared fit to race despite undergoing surgery to fix a broken right humerus on Tuesday. The Spaniard crashed near the end of last Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, which marked MotoGP’s first race since the coronavirus pandemic struck. Tests showed there was no nerve damage caused by the fracture, allowing Marquez to participate this weekend at the same Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto circuit.
Mbappe in doubt for Champions League after ‘serious ankle sprain’
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has suffered a “serious right ankle sprain”, casting doubt over his involvement in the Champions League. The French forward suffered the injury in Friday’s French Cup final win over Saint-Etienne following a challenge by Loic Perrin, leaving the 21-year-old in tears as he left the pitch. A statement from the French club read: ”Serious right ankle sprain to the external lateral compartment. To be re-evaluated in 72 hours with clinical and ankle imaging analysis.”
The news a crushing blow for Thomas Tuchel, who is preparing his side to face Atalanta on 12 August in the quarter-final of the Champions League in Lisbon. Mbappe was heard telling French President Emmanuel Macron, “It went crack”. Macron then asked whether anything was broken and Mbappe responded “No, I don’t think so.”