Page 32 - bon-dia-aruba-20220628

A32 sports
Diamars 28 Juni 2022

WNBA star Brittney Griner ordered to trial Friday in Russia

months. Photos obtained by ment's chief negotiator. cartridges containing canna-
The Associated Press showed bis oil — and Bout's global
the 31-year-old in handcuffs Griner's wife, Cherelle, dealings in deadly weapons
and looking straight ahead, urged President Joe Biden could make such a swap un-
unlike a previous court ap- in May to secure her release, palatable to the U.S.
pearance where she kept her calling her "a political pawn." Others have suggested that
head down and covered with she could be traded in tandem
a hood. Her supporters have encour- with Paul Whelan, a former
aged a prisoner swap like the Marine and security director
Her detention and trial come one in April that brought serving a 16-year sentence on
at an extraordinarily low point home Marine veteran Trevor an espionage conviction that
in Moscow-Washington re- Reed in exchange for a Rus- the United States has repeat-
lations. She was arrested at sian pilot convicted of drug edly described as a set-up.
Sheremetyevo International trafficking conspiracy.
Airport less than a week be- U.S. Secretary of State Anto-
fore Russia sent troops into Russian news media have re- ny Blinken, asked Sunday on
(AP) — Shackled and criminal trial. Griner could Ukraine, which aggravated peatedly raised speculation CNN whether a joint swap
looking wary, WNBA star face 10 years in prison if con- already-high tensions with that she could be swapped of Griner and Whelan for
Brittney Griner was or- victed on charges of large- sweeping sanctions by the for Russian arms trader Vik- Bout was being considered,
dered to stand trial Fri- scale transportation of drugs. United States and Russia's tor Bout, nicknamed "The sidestepped the question.
day by a court near Mos- Fewer than 1% of defendants denunciation of U.S. weapon Merchant of Death," who is
cow on cannabis posses- in Russian criminal cases are supplies to Ukraine. serving a 25-year sentence on "As a general proposition ...
sion charges, about 4 1/2 acquitted, and unlike in the Amid the tensions, Griner's conviction of conspiracy to I have got no higher prior-
months after her arrest at U.S., acquittals can be over- supporters had taken a low kill U.S. citizens and provid- ity than making sure that
an airport while returning turned. profile in hopes of a quiet res- ing aid to a terrorist organiza- Americans who are being il-
to play for a Russian team. olution, until May, when the tion. legally detained in one way
State Department reclassified or another around the world
The Phoenix Mercury center At Monday's closed-door her as wrongfully detained Russia has agitated for Bout's come home," he said. But "I
and two-time U.S. Olym- preliminary hearing at the and shifted oversight of her release for years. But the dis- can't comment in any detail
pic gold medalist also was court in the Moscow suburb case to its special presidential crepancy between Griner's on what we're doing, except
ordered to remain in cus- of Khimki, Griner's detention envoy for hostage affairs — case — she allegedly was to say this is an absolute pri-
tody for the duration of her was extended for another six effectively the U.S. govern- found in possession of vape ority."

Djokovic makes more history with 1st-round win at Wimbledon

(AP) — These days, Novak The first player to reach the second candy. The boy was soon helped off
Djokovic makes history just Djokovic has won the last three round was Alison Riske. The 28th- court.
about every time he wins anoth- Wimbledon titles and is going for his seeded American defeated Ylena In- French Open finalist Casper Ruud
er match. On Monday, the top- seventh overall. That would put him Albon of Switzerland 6-2, 6-4. won his opening match on Court 12.
ranked Serb did just that at Wim- in a tie for the second most with Pete The third-seeded Norwegian defeat-
bledon. Sampras and William Renshaw. Only Other seeded women who advanced ed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (1), 7-6
Roger Federer, with eight, has more. were No. 2 Anett Kontaveit of Esto- (9), 6-2.
Djokovic, a six-time champion at the nia, No. 3 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, No.
All England Club, beat Kwon Soon- Another major title would give him 24 Elise Mertens of Belgium and No. Also in the men's draw, No. 5 Carlos
woo 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre 21 for his career. Nadal has 22, and 29 Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. Ka- Alcaraz of Spain, No. 9 Cam Norrie
Court, his 80th victory at the grass- Federer has 20. linina will face another Ukrainian, of Britain, No. 20 John Isner of the
court major. With it, he became the Most of Djokovic's Grand Slam sin- Lesia Tsurenko, in the second round. United States, No. 22 Nikoloz Basi-
first man or woman to win that many gles championships have come at the lashvili of Georgia, No. 23 Frances
matches at each of the four Grand Australian Open, where he is a nine- Tsurenko's match was halted for Tiafoe of the United States and No.
Slam tennis tournaments. time champion. But he was unable about 10 minutes when her oppo- 30 Tommy Paul of the United States
to defend his title in Melbourne this nent, British wild-card entry Jodie advanced.
"It's always very unique match to play year after being deported because of Burrage, stopped to help a ballboy The highest seeded player to lose was
as the defending champion, first on Australia's COVID-19 vaccination who was feeling faint. No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. He
the grass," said Djokovic, who won protocols. Burrage gave the boy a sports drink was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich
his 22nd straight match at the tour- Despite that issue, the crowd on Cen- and nutritional gel before someone Fokina of Spain 7-6 (4), 6-4, 5-7, 2-6,
nament. "Other than this year that tre Court was happy to see him back in the crowd passed her some chewy 7-6 (10-8).
Wimbledon made a change so you at Wimbledon.
could practice before the tournament "I felt support," said Djokovic, who
starts, it was always coming out on the may be banned from playing at the
untouched grass. It's really a unique U.S. Open and again at the Australian
and special feeling in our sport." Open because he is unvaccinated.
Djokovic was playing for the first
time since losing to Rafael Nadal last "I guess that motivates me more to try
month in the French Open quarter- to make the most out of this tourna-
finals. ment," he said.
After Djokovic finished, Emma Ra-
It didn't all go his way on Monday, ducanu took to Centre Court for the
however. first time. The 19-year-old British
player, who won the U.S. Open last
With the roof closed because of spo- year, was playing at the All England
radic rain, Kwon was able to pick his Club for the first time since retiring
spots with his booming forehand. It from her fourth-round match a year
all came together in the second set, ago.
and even continued into the third, "It's an incredibly special feeling to
but Djokovic stepped it up and played be coming back here to Wimbledon,"
like he usually plays in southwest said the 10th-seeded Raducanu, who
London — unbeatable. beat Alison Van Uytvanck 6-4, 6-4.