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Saturday 1 June 2019

Back on tour in Paris, Federer keeping an eye on the present

By HOWARD FENDRICH 78th-ranked Juan Ignacio
AP Tennis Writer Londero, who is making his
PARIS (AP) — Roger Feder- major tournament debut.
er’s return to Roland Garros Another men’s fourth-round
feels a bit like what hap- matchup was set when No.
pens when a wildly popular 7 Kei Nishikori and Benoit
rock star goes back on tour Paire advanced.
after years away. In the women’s draw, 2018
He plays his greatest hits: runner-up Sloane Stephens
the no-look, back-to-the- meets 2016 champion
net, over-the-shoulder vol- Garbiñe Muguruza in the
ley winner; the sliced back- fourth round, when other
hand returns; the aces matches will include 12th-
to erase break points. He seeded Anastasija Sevasto-
elicits “oohs” and “aahs” va against 19-year-old Mar-
and raucous applause. His keta Vondrousova; and
audience includes parents, No. 31 Petra Martic — who
familiar with his work in his upset No. 2 Karolina Plis-
younger days, bringing kova — against Kaia Kane-
their kids to the show. pi. Federer hadn’t entered
In Federer’s case, one fa- the French Open since
ther-child duo had the best 2015; he was injured the
seats in the house Friday next year, then decided to
at Court Suzanne Lenglen. Switzerland’s Roger Federer plays a shot against Norway’s Casper Ruud during their third round skip the clay circuit in 2016-
That’s because Christian match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Friday, May 17 to focus on preparing for
Ruud, a guy who hap- 31, 2019. grass and hard courts. The
pened to be in the French Associated Press owner of a men’s-record 20
Open field himself when Fe- Federer, the elder Ruud knowledged — and hasn’t in the fourth round in 2009 Grand Slam titles and con-
derer made his Grand Slam said, “cannot play forever, dropped a set this week, (the only year Federer won sidered the “Greatest of All
debut all the way back in but he’s still playing at an Nadal was pushed a bit by the title). Time” by many already is
1999, was in the front row, amazing level.” 27th-seeded David Goffin. That setback came on a popular, of course; his ab-
watching his 20-year-old Certainly good enough Still, Nadal recovered gray, rainy day. This victory sence apparently made
son, Casper, lose to the to reach the fourth round quickly after ceding a set, was bathed in sunshine, Parisian hearts grow fonder.
37-year-old Federer 6-3, in Paris for the record 14th the first he’d lost to Gof- which is far more to Nadal’s His matches have been
6-1, 7-6 (8) in the third round time, a mark that was fin in their four matches on liking. packed. Practice sessions,
in 2019. equaled a few hours later clay, before emerging to He and Federer are moving too. Just walking across the
“That’s how unbelievable when Federer’s longtime ri- win 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Pur- closer to a semifinal show- grounds Friday was an ad-
a champion he is, being to val, Rafael Nadal, equaled suing a 12th champion- down. First they’ll need to venture as a line of fans five
play on a high level for 20 it with his own victory. ship at the French Open, get to the quarterfinals with people deep waved hats
years. I’ve been impressed While Federer raced Nadal improved to 89-2 at victories Sunday, when and tennis balls and other
with him my whole life — through nine consecutive the clay-court tournament; each faces an Argentine items at Federer in hopes of
and I still (am),” said Chris- games in one stretch — Friday marked exactly 10 opponent: Federer plays an autograph, while others
tian Ruud, who coaches “The first two sets went pret- years since his first defeat, 68th-ranked Leonardo filmed the scene with their
Casper. ty quick,” Casper Ruud ac- against Robin Soderling Mayer, and Nadal takes on camera phones.q

Chaves wins Stage 19,

Carapaz keeps Giro lead

SAN MARTINO DI CASTRO- crossed the line 10 seconds ported me when I had a
ZZA, Italy (AP) — Esteban ahead of Italian cyclist An- hard time.” “It’s another
Chaves secured an emo- drea Vendrame, who had good day for us and we’re
tional victory on the 19th two mechanical failures in looking forward to tomor-
stage of the Giro d’Italia the final 4 kilometers of the row,” Carapaz said. “We’re
on Friday, and Ecuadorian uphill finish to San Martino ready to defend the Maglia
cyclist Richard Carapaz re- di Castrozza. Rosa in a harder stage than
mained in the overall lead. Amaro Antunes was third, today.”
Chaves earned his first win 12 seconds behind Chaves The penultimate stage Sat-
since being diagnosed at the end of the 151-kilo- urday is the last chance
with Epstein-Barr virus while meter route from Treviso. Carapaz’s rivals have to
competing in last year’s The trio had been part of gain significant time on the
Giro and taking eight an 11-man breakaway that Movistar cyclist ahead of
months off from racing. escaped early in the stage the final time trial in Verona
“This is pure happiness,” and Chaves whittled down on Sunday.
Chaves said. with a series of attacks on The 20th stage is the last
“It takes a heavy weight off the final climb. mountain leg, with five
my back. It’s a relief to be a “Because the last climb long, categorized climbs
Esteban Chavez of the Mitchelton-Scott team celebrates while winner again. It shows I can wasn’t very steep, I had to in the Dolomites along the
crossing the finish line in San Martino di Castrozza to win the 151 do it.” attack many, many times,” 194-kilometer route from
km, 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race from Treviso to
San Martino di Castrozza. Chaves, a Colombian who Chaves said. “A big thank Feltre to Croce d’Aune-
Associated Press rides for Mitchelton-Scott, you to everyone who sup- Monte Avena.q