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SPORTS Tuesday 16 May 2023

Alcaraz stunned by Hungarian qualifier at Italian Open

By ANDREW DAMPF by yelling “Vamos” every
AP Sports Writer time he won a significant
ROME (AP) — Carlos Al- point. But Marozsan just
caraz didn’t see this one kept coming, unleashing
coming. How could he an 82 mph (132 kph) back-
have? hand winner up the line to
About to reclaim the No. 1 conclude one point and
ranking, Alcaraz was pret- winning several close ex-
ty much pushed off the changes at the net.
court at the Italian Open By the end, Marozan had
by 135th-ranked Hungarian twice as many winners as
qualifier Fabian Marozsan Alcaraz, 24 to 12, and far
6-3, 7-6 (4) in the third round fewer unforced errors, 13 to
on Monday. 24.
Alcaraz suffered his earliest “I couldn’t follow his level,”
defeat since October. Alcaraz said. “He was at
He’d won 30 of 32 match- the same level the whole
es this year and was on a match. That is very, very dif-
12-match winning streak on ficult. He deserves the win.
clay after consecutive titles If he plays at that level, he’s
in Barcelona and Madrid. going to surprise more than
He secured a return to the one (player).”
top spot next week by win- Marozsan will next face Bor-
ning his opening match in Fabian Marozsan returns the ball to Carlos Alcaraz at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, na Coric, who continued
Rome. But he was caught Monday, May 15, 2023. his solid form on clay by
off guard by how Marozsan Associated Press beating Roberto Carballes
dictated with spectacular The result means Alcaraz very, very soon.” games or maybe a set or Baena 7-6 (3), 6-1. At the
play all over the court, in- will go into the French Open Marozsan posted his first vic- something like this, and I Madrid Open last week,

cluding drop shots that Al- which starts in less than two tories over top-100 players just beat the world No. 1 Coric reached the semi-
caraz had no answer for. weeks and where he will be in the first two rounds when he’s our best in the sport.” finals before losing to Al-
“I just didn’t feel comfort- the top seed coming off a he beat No. 67 Corentin Alcaraz led 4-1 in the tie- caraz.
able. He made me feel dispiriting defeat. Moutet and 32nd-seeded breaker but Marozsan won Also, Monte Carlo Masters
uncomfortable on court,” Making matters even more Jiri Lehecka. six straight points to close it champion Andrey Rublev
Alcaraz said. “He was ag- surprising was that this is the “Everything was perfect out. defeated Alejandro Da-
gressive all the time. He was first time Marozsan is play- today: The crowd, the “It’s amazing. I don’t know vidovich Fokina 7-6 (8),
playing inside the baseline ing in the main draw of an weather, the court,” Ma- what happened during the 6-3 and will next play Ger-
all the time. It was tough for ATP tournament. rozsan said after stunning points,” Marozsan said. “I man qualifier Yannick Han-
me to get into the match, “He surprise(d) me a lot. His the packed stadium on just try to hit back every ball fmann, who beat former
into the rally. I made a lot of level was really, really high,” Campo Centrale. and try to do my best.” French Open semifinalist
mistakes that I usually don’t Alcaraz said. “I’m sure he’s “I just try to do something Late in the second set, Al- Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 4-6,
make too much.” going to break the top 100 special or winning a few caraz tried firing himself up 6-3.q

2-time world champion Doyle Brunson, called the Godfather of

Poker, dies at 89

By MARK ANDERSON and our family in your Five-time WSOP winner “Doyle was so kind and er and every friend I intro-
AP Sports Writer prayers. May he rest in Scotty Nguyen tweeted helpful to me. He was gra- duced him to. A gentleman
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Doyle peace.” that he “can’t believe this cious to my late dear broth- and a genuine legend.”q
Brunson, one of the most in- Brunson, called the God- day has come - you will
fluential poker players of all father of Poker and also always be held high in our
time and a two-time world known as “Texas Dolly,” hearts, the man, the myth,
champion, died Sunday, won 10 World Series of the legend & THE GOD-
according to his agent. Poker tournaments sec- FATHER of poker baby! Mr
Brunson was 89. ond only to Phil Hellmuth’s Brunson, you made poker
Brian Balsbaugh, Brunson’s 16. He also captured world what it is baby! thank you
agent, posted a statement championships in 1976 and for what you give to all of us
on Twitter from the family. 1977 and was inducted into baby! RIP Mr Doyle Brunson
“It is with a heavy heart we the Poker Hall of Fame in THE GODFATHER OF POK-
announce the passing of 1988. ER.”
our father, Doyle Brunson,” He wrote a book called His influence carried be-
the statement read. “He “Super System” in 1979, yond poker.
was a beloved Christian which was one of the first “This one is a heartbreak-
man, husband, father and books to delve into poker er,” actor James Woods
grandfather. We’ll have strategy and created a tweeted. “Doyle Brunson,
more to say over the com- lasting impact that helped the greatest poker player Doyle Brunson is pictured prior to play at the final table of the
ing days as we honor his bring many others to the who ever lived, has cashed World Series of Poker on Nov. 8, 2011, in Las Vegas.
legacy. Please keep Doyle game. in his chips. Associated Press