SportShorts: Federer roars again, Vettel’s Ferrari ‘no cheaters’
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Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates his straight sets win over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their men’s singles round-robin match on day five of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London on November 14, 2019. – Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 to reach the last four at the ATP Finals on Thursday, a result that confirms Rafael Nadal will finish the year as world number one. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)
CRICKET
Agarwal hits double ton as India seize control of Bangladesh Test
Mayank Agarwal struck his second double century in four Tests as India built a giant 343 first innings lead over Bangladesh on day two of their opening Test.
The 28-year-old opener, who has hit three tons including two double hundreds in his last five Test innings, hit eight sixes and 28 fours in his 243.
Agarwal passed 200 with a six off Mehidy Hasan and went on with his big hits until he was finally caught at deep mid-wicket by Abu Jayed off Mehidy. He left to another standing ovation.
India were 493 for six at stumps in response to Bangladesh’s 150 all out on Thursday.
Ravindra Jadeja, on 60, and Umesh Yadav, on 25, were at the crease promising more fireworks. – AFP.
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TENNIS
The Fed atones for Wimbledon heartbreak
Roger Federer produced a near-flawless performance as he avenged his Wimbledon defeat by Novak Djokovic and qualified for the last four of the ATP Finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory on Thursday.
The Swiss started the tournament with a chastening straight-sets defeat to Dominic Thiem but found his best form when it mattered.
Defeat for the second seed spells the end of his bid to overtake Rafael Nadal and finish as year-end number one.
“Great atmosphere, great opponent,” said Federer, who hit 23 winners and made just five unforced errors. “It was definitely incredibly special. I enjoyed it from the beginning.
“I played incredible and I knew I had to because that’s what Novak does. It was definitely magical.” – AFP.
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FORMULA ONE
Vettel hits back at ‘immature’ Verstappen’s ‘cheating’ claims
Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc defended their team Thursday, dismissing suggestions that the Italian outfit had done anything suspicious to generate extra engine power this year.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, four-time world champion Vettel declined to go into any detail, but made clear his feelings on “cheating” claims made by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the wake of the United States Grand Prix two weeks ago.
“I don’t think there is much to be said about it,” said Vettel. “I think that comment was very immature… I ignore it because it is irrelevant. We want to answer on the circuit.”
The German driver added that the Austin race was “not a good weekend for us” and said that “on top of the fact that we have a performing engine, we also have a car that I think is very efficient”. – AFP.
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