Page 22 - aruba-today-20170513

A22 SPORTS
Saturday 13 May 2017
Djokovic and Nadal set up Madrid Open semifinal

TALES AZZONI and Barcelona. In another
AP Sports Writer quarterfinal, Pablo Cuevas
MADRID (AP) — Rafael of Uruguay rallied to beat
Nadal set up a semifinal Alexander Zverev of Ger-
with Novak Djokovic after many 3-6, 6-0, 6-4. Cue-
withstanding a tough chal- vas won one of the points
lenge from David Goffin of the tournament with
7-6 (3), 6-2 at the Madrid a no-look winner with his
Open on Friday. Djokovic, back to the court after a
the defending champion, lob shot by Zverev early in
advanced when Kei Nishi- the second set. Cuevas will
kori withdrew before their play ninth-ranked Domi-
quarterfinal because of a nic Thiem of Austria, who
wrist injury. “It’s going to comfortably defeated
be a very tough match lucky loser Borna Coric of
against one of the best Croatia 6-1, 6-4. Coric elim-
players in tennis history,” inated top-ranked Andy
Nadal said. “I’ve been Murray in the third round,
playing at a high level dur- while Thiem advanced by
ing many weeks. I know saving five match points in
tomorrow is going to be a a win over Grigor Dimitrov.
day that either I play re- The sixth-seeded Nishikori,
ally well or I’m not going to a Madrid finalist in 2014,
have many chances.” Rafael Nadal from Spain returns a ball to Nick Kyrgios from Australia during a Madrid Open tennis withdrew saying his wrist
Nadal hasn’t beaten tournament match in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 11, 2017. was “not 100 percent” and
Djokovic since the 2014 Associated Press he didn’t want to risk it.
French Open final, losing Djokovic hasn’t played in
their last seven matchups. nal. The third-seeded Ha- with the most match wins fifth-ranked Spaniard took the semifinals of any event
“I’m not worried about lep, who lost the 2014 final this year, Nadal saved all control of the tiebreaker since winning the title in
it,” Nadal said. “There are to Maria Sharapova, will five break points he faced under the closed roof on Doha at the beginning of
matches that if you play play Kristina Mladenovic against the 10th-ranked center court. Nadal, a four- the year. He lost to Goffin in
your good tennis, you have of France. Mladenovic Goffin, and converted his time champion in Madrid, the quarterfinals in Monte
chances. If he plays at a made it to her fourth final chances in the second had an easier time in the Carlo, his first clay tourna-
good level, he’s going to of the year— and second set to win his 13th straight second set after earning ment of the season. Nishi-
win. If we both play well ... consecutive — by defeat- match and tour-leading an early break, and closed kori, who beat Djokovic in
it can go either way.” ing Svetlana Kuznetsova 32nd of the year. out the match with anoth- the 2014 U.S. Open semifi-
On the women’s side, de- of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (4). “I just Goffin, who has 27 victo- er at the end. “We had to nals, was playing in his first
fending champion Simone want to go there and (play) ries, was trying to make it to hit very close to the line to tournament since March.
Halep of Romania cruised my game, because if I do, his third final this season. win the points,” said Nad- He withdrew from the Bar-
past Anastasija Sevastova I have a big chance to He saved all six break op- al, who is trying to win his celona Open last month
of Latvia 6-2, 6-3 to reach win,” Halep said. In a meet- portunities he conceded to third consecutive title af- because of the lingering
her third Madrid Open fi- ing between the players Nadal in the first set, but the ter victories in Monte Carlo wrist inflammation.q

Australia’s Ewan wins 7th stage

of Giro; Jungels keeps lead

Fernando Gaviria to erase Jungels, of Luxembourg, Heritage site.
memories of his second- maintained his six-second The stage began in the Ca-
place result in Stage 1 and advantage over Geraint labria region and three rid-
ninth- and eighth-place fin- Thomas of Wales. Fellow ers — Simone Ponzi, Dmitriy
ishes in Stages 2 and 3, re- Briton Adam Yates re- Kozontchuk and Giuseppe
spectively. mained four seconds fur- Fonzi — broke away from
“It feels so good after the ther back, with most of the the pack almost immedi-
first few disappointments overall favorites. ately. Ponzi quickly had a
I’ve had. I don’t think I’ve “It’s not a disappointment mechanical problem, leav-
felt so good before,” Ewan for our team to not win with ing Kozontchuk and Fonzi
Australia’s Caleb Ewan, center, sprints ahead of Sam Bennett, said. Ewan also won a Fernando Gaviria today, at the front.
left, and Fernando Gaviria, to win the 7th stage of the 100th Giro stage in the Spanish Vuelta because he did a great The duo swiftly built a lead
d’Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, from Castrovillari to Alber-
obello, Italy, Friday, May 12, 2017. two years ago. Sam Ben- sprint and the team helped of four minutes and stayed
Associated Press nett of Ireland crossed third him,” Jungels said. “It’s no in front for five hours before
while sprinting standout An- shame to lose against Ca- being caught by the main
ALBEROBELLO, Italy (AP) — Orica Scott team claimed dre Greipel was fourth after leb Ewan who is very fast.” pack with 18 kilometers to
After three top-10 finishes Stage 7 in a sprint finish for the mainly flat but lengthy Located in the southern re- go. There was little other
in the opening week, Ca- his first career Giro victory 224-kilometer (139-mile) gion of Puglia, Alberobello excitement until Slovenian
leb Ewan of Australia finally while Bob Jungels held on route from Castrovillari to is known for its trullo dwell- rider Kristijan Koren at-
won a stage in the Giro to the pink jersey. Alberobello, which fea- ings made from white lime- tacked on an uphill section
d’Italia on Friday. Ewan finished half a wheel tured an undulating final 40 stone with conical roofs, shortly after the five-kilome-
The Australian rider with the ahead of Colombian rider kilometers. and is designated a World ter mark.q