Sport news in brief
Verstappen clinches pole at Abu Dhabi in Red Bull one-two
Max Verstappen clinched his seventh pole of the season as he beat Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to the top of the charts in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying yesterday. Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz filled the second row ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell across the third row. McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel and Norris’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the top 10.
Hamilton will have to pass both Red Bulls and both Ferraris to maintain his record of winning in every season of his career. The Brit, who earlier escaped a penalty for a red-flag infringement in final practice at the sport’s season-ending race, qualified only fifth. Verstappen blitzed the field to finish two-tenths of a second clear of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Sainz third and fourth respectively.
Perez and Leclerc are level on points in their fight for second place in the championship. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who will retire after Sunday’s race, qualified ninth. PA
Djokovic closes in on Federer record after reaching Turin final
Novak Djokovic is one victory away from equalling Roger Federer’s record of six ATP Finals titles after beating Taylor Fritz in Turin. The Serbian struggled physically in his final group match against Daniil Medvedev on Friday evening but went into the semi-finals as the only unbeaten singles player and battled to a 7-6 (5) 7-6 (6) victory over Fritz. Djokovic looked uncomfortable at times but stepped up when it mattered, threading a forehand down the line to take the opening set and then fighting back from 5-3 down in the second. The 35-year-old won four successive titles between 2012 and 2015 to close to within one of his great rival Federer but has not managed to lift the trophy since. PA
England lose ODI series to Australia as Smith stars
Australia moved into an unassailable 2-0 lead in their ODI series against England as a rescue act from James Vince and Sam Billings proved insufficient in Sydney. Chasing 281, England were stunned by Mitchell Starc snaring Jason Roy and Dawid Malan in the opening over while they stumbled to 34 for three before Vince and Billings put on 122 to steady the ship. But Vince’s downfall for 60 off 72 balls opened the floodgates, with Billings departing for 71 off 80 deliveries soon after, as England were all out for 208 in 39.5 overs to lose by 72 runs.
A dead rubber awaits in Melbourne on Tuesday, an ill-fitting conclusion to what has been a memorable past few weeks down under for England, who just last Sunday were celebrating their T20 World Cup win. Steve Smith’s 94 off 114 balls underpinned Australia’s 280 for eight, with Marnus Labuschagne amassing 58 off 55 deliveries and Mitchell Marsh 50 off 59, which proved more than enough on a wearing surface. PA
Tedesco inspires Australia to Rugby League World Cup glory
Captain James Tedesco scored a try in each half to help Australia maintain their global domination with a 30-10 victory over Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford yesterday. Samoa had made history by becoming the first tiertwo nation to reach the final, courtesy of their dramatic semifinal victory over England, and emerged with considerable credit without ever threatening to pull off another shock.
The Kangaroos had the patience and composure to deal with their opponents’ unorthodox play and showed their clinical and ruthless side in attack to boss the game and claim a 12th title out of a possible 16. It marked a notable double following the Jillaroos’ 54-4 victory over New Zealand earlier in the afternoon. PA
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