06152018 sports

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FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018

BAHAMAS VOLLEYBALL TEAM A MIXTURE OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net EVEN though it’s a very young team selected, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation and its women’s national volleyball team are hoping to make their presence felt when they travel to Suriname to participate in the CAZOVA Senior Championships.

The CAZOVA tournament will run from June 28-July 5.

CAZOVA, which was formed in August 1994 here in Nassau as a nonprofit organisation, has a mission of governing and managing all forms of volleyball, including beach volleyball and park volley.

The team was named

by BVF’s secretary general Crystal Forbes and national team director Lloyd Davis on Wednesday during a practice session at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Named to the team are Brittany Bonamy - left wing; Melinda Bastian - left wing; Tia Charlow - middle; Brittany Deveaux - middle; Ashley Webb - middle; Eugenie Adderley middle; Janelle Curtis - right wing; Rachel Knowles - right wing; Je’Nae Saunders - setter; Leandra Armbrister setter; La’Tavia Braynen - utility and Chandra Mackey - libero.

The head coach is Covance Mortimer and the team manager is Margaret ‘Muggy’ Albury.

WORLD CUP HOSTS OFF TO A FLYER

RUSSIA’S Yuri Gazinsky celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s first goal during the group A match against Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. Russia won 5-0.

See pages E4 and E5 for full coverage.

(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

BIG NAMES IN BAHAMAS TEAM FOR FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Travel The women will travel just before the men’s national team will head to Suriname for their version of the tournament from August 4-11.

In announcing the team, Forbes said they have a few experienced players traveling in Bastian and Bonamy, both outside hitters; Deveaux, a middle player and Saunders, the setter.

“We feel the team is a pretty good one, even though we will rely on these players to lead the way in experience,” Forbes said. “So I think the team will do very well.”

Trinidad & Tobago, known for the height and long arm on their more experienced players, are expected to pose the biggest threat to Team Bahamas. But Davis said what they lack in height, Team Bahamas hope to make up defensively.

“The Bahamas team normally play good defence. We block well at the net, so that should compensate for our lack of height,” he projected.

“We shouldn’t have much balls dropping on us, so we should very sound in that category.”

As the head coach, Mortimer said he’s excited about the mixture of youth and experienced players.

“The youth that we have on the team have a lot of potential, which makes it an exciting venture,” Mortimer pointed out. “The expectations for this team, like any other year, is very high.

SEE PAGE TWO

BUDDY Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Basketball Federation has announced the 24-member preliminary squad for the men’s national team as they prepare for the third window of FIBA World Cup – Americas Qualifiers.

The Bahamas will face the US Virgin Islands on June 28 and close out competition July 2 against the Dominican Republic.

This is the most accomplished and talented roster pool the BBF has been able to compile since the team began their path toward qualification months ago.

The preliminary squad is highlighted by two NBA players, nine players from other professional leagues around the globe five NCAA Division I players and two NBA G-League draft picks among others.

DEANDRE Ayton Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings and future NBA lottery pick Deandre Ayton are the most noteworthy additions to the prospective roster.

Jaraun Burrows, Michael Bain Jr, Michael Carey, David Nesbitt and

Abel Joseph have all appeared in both previous windows (four games) while Lynden Rose, Shaquille Cleare, Jonathan Fairell, Alonzo Hinds, Kentwan Smith, Eugene Bain each appeared in just one of the two windows thus far. Other professional players JR Cadot, Kadeem Coleby and Zane Knowles have also been added along with NCAA products Dwight Coleby, Jaron Cornish, Franco Miller, Travis Munnings, Lourawls Nairn and Nathan Bain.

The final roster will be trimmed to 12 players ahead of the game against the USVI. In the first window, the Bahamas lost 93-69 to Canada and 93-85 to the USVI. In the second window, they lost 96-63 to the visiting Dominican Republic and fell to 0-4 after a 113-67 loss in a rematch against Canada. Their final two games will be on the road on Friday, June 29 in the US Virgin Islands and

Monday, July 2 in the Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas has been placed in Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, playing against Canada, The Dominican Republic and The Virgin Islands.

Group C comprises of Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Cuba. Group A comprises of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Panama. Group B includes Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Colombia.

Sixteen teams from the division will be competing in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas qualifiers and only seven teams will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th annual tournament for the men’s national basketball teams and will be held in China. The seven top contenders from the FIBA Basketball World Cup will qualify directly for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

PAGE 2, Friday, June 15, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

HEAD coach Covance Mortimer gives some instructions to members of the women’s national volleyball team.

BAHAMAS VOLLEYBALL TEAM A MIXTURE OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE FROM PAGE ONE “We have the expectations of going there and medaling and improving on what we did last year.”

At the last tournament the team finished last, but Mortimer said they have been able to look at their downfall and they have tried to improve on the make up this time around.

“We are incorporating a few things that will somehow simplify our offence,” he stressed. “We’ve worked tremendously over the past few weeks trying to improve on our offence and defence.”

Considering the absence of taller players, Mortimer said they can’t teach height, so they have been trying to compensate that loss by getting the players to be more skillful.

“Height should not be an issue for us,” he summed up.

Bonamy, who has accepted the challenge to lead Team Bahamas,

said although they had a short time to prepare for the tournament, she’s confident that they will do well.

“We will do great.

“We haven’t had that much time to get our chemistry together, but we will be okay,” she insisted.

“All we have to do is stick together and stick to the game plan.”

Having travelled on a few teams in the past, Bonamy said their strength is definitely their defence, but their weakness will be their chemistry because of the fact that they haven’t had that much time to come together to practice.

“Our biggest rivals will be Trinidad and we normally have a good game plan against them,” she stated. “Hopefully this time, the plan will work. But they are the number one team in the region.”

If they can get through their rivals, Bonamy said their realistic goal is to finish in the top three.

BVF secretary general Crystal Forbes and national team director Lloyd Davis making the announcement of the women’s national volleyball team.

MEMBERS of the women’s national volleyball team listen to head coach Covance Mortimer.

PLAYER Brittany Bonamy talks about the women’s national team as BVF secretary general Crystal Forbes looks on.

THURSDAY 14th June, 2018

GROUP A RUSSIA 5-0 SAUDI ARABIA Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 15, 2018, PAGE 3

JUNIOR GOLFERS TO FACE BEST IN THE REGION

BBA executives (l-r) are the chairman of technical committee Shane Albury, president Samuel Rodgers, tournament director Terran Rodgers, BOC president Romell Knowles and umpire in chief Martin Burrows.

PHOTO by Stanley Mitchell

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE country’s top junior golfers will again face off with the best in the region at the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships.

The 31st edition of the tournament will be hosted July 2-7 at the Caymanas Golf & Country Club, Caymanas Estate, Jamaica.

A roster of five boys and four girls will contest the tournament and look to improve on last year’s finish.

The girls’ team is made up of Ashley Michel (15), Haylie Turnquest (15), Sophie Anand (14) and Tyesha Tynes (12). The boys’ list has Cameron Riley (18), Xavier Robinson (17), Dominic Greives (15), Saketh Hedge (15) and Matthew Deveaux (13).

“The Bahamas Junior National Team is comprised of seasoned and experienced junior players from throughout the Bahamas,” said Alena Hutcheson Chairperson of the BGF Junior Division.

“We, the Bahamas Golf Federation are looking forward to seeing all of their hard work and dedication pay off at this year’s Championships.

The Bahamas has one of its best teams to date and the juniors are gearing up to play to the best of their abilities for their country and families.

Champions “Can you imagine having a team comprised of all skilled and low handicap players? It will be a great week for golf and for our country as the reigning junior national champions compete including the National Women’s Amateur Champion all of whom are golfers all with one untied goal: to win. This is what we have here with Team Bahamas and I couldn’t be more thrilled to help them in any way that I can before, during and after the event.”

On the girls side, Turnquest leads the charge as the 2017 and 2018 BGF Junior Girls National Champion. Michel will be representing the Bahamas for the fifth time and is the reigning Women’s National Amateur Champion and Girls Under 15 Champion. Anand will be making her third appearance as a member of Team Bahamas while Tynes will be making her second appearance.

Riley will serve as his year’s Team Captain and reigning Boy’s Junior National Champion and FAMU standout student-athlete.

“Representing your country in a sport is an amazing feat that very few people get to experience,” he said. “The pride and dignity that comes with being selected to a National Team Squad is an experience unmatched by any other feeling in the world.”

Robinson will be making his seventh appearance representing the Bahamas at the CAJGC. Hedge, the reigning Boys Under 15 National Champion, and Greives will both be making their second appearance as members of the Bahamas Junior National Team while Deveaux will make his debut.

In 2017, team Bahamas produced a pair of top three finishers against elite junior golf talent in the region at the 30th edition of the event, hosted at the St Andrews Golf Club in Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago.

Puerto Rico led the field from start to finish and claimed their 10th consecutive title.The best finishes for the Bahamas came from Turnquest and Anand as they both finished second in their respective divisions.

All together now: the next level for baseball T

HE Bahamas Baseball Association has reformed into one operation with all of the fragmented bodies now back under its fold.

While it took a while for all of the bodies to rejoin the association, they are now back and it’s time now for the sport to progress to the next level.

For the first time since the Bahamas Baseball Federation introduced the National Baseball Championships in Grand Bahama, the BBA will spearhead the tournament when it’s held next weekend.

And with all of the leagues around the Bahamas coming under their banner, the tournament has been expanded with more teams participating in six different age groups.

That should make for an exciting event at the Emera Baseball Complex in Grand Bahama.

From all indications, Freedom Farm has decided to return to the tournament and will be well represented – after being conspicously absent for one reason or another.

But it’s good to see them returning to make up the group of leagues participating. A lot of teams have gauged their participation in the tournament by the

level of competition that Freedom Farm brought.

So welcome back Freedom Farm.

I won’t go into any further debate over the amalgamation of the BBA, but as the governing body for the sport in the country, it’s time that they function in the capacity that they are preparing to next week.

While we are delighted that the BBF opened doors for many more leagues for young men to play baseball over the past decade and helped in more

than a dozen earning pro contracts, the country is too small for two bodies to function in the same capacity.

So hopefully as we move forward, all concerned will work together for the betterment of the sport and eventually we can see more players reaching their full potential to compete at the next level.

New Stadium There’s talk that work on the completion of the new national baseball stadium is expected to commence next week.

Let’s hope that it’s true because it’s really an eyesore looking at the state that the facility has been left in.

From all projections when the work commenced

prior to the last general election, the stadium should have been completed or close to completion by now.

Whatever transpired between the switch in government, we hope it won’t have a lasting effect because with sport seeing a rapid growth at the junior level, there needs to be an avenue for senior baseball to flourish.

By now, the sport should have benefitted from the influx of junior players, so hopefully the completion of the stadium will ensure that in their transition to the senior ranks, they will have a venue to participate in.

So hopefully with the BBA once again in full control of all aspects of the sport, they will have an input in the completion of the stadium and the way forward for baseball.

SPONSOR FOR NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

BAHAMAS Swimming Federation’s assistant secretary Rochelle Bastian receives a cheque from Leah R. Davis, Group Marketing & Communications Manager at Bahamas First Corporate Services.

PHOTO - Ronnie Archer.

BAHAMAS First General Insurance Company recently announced its sponsorship of the 2018 Bahamas National Swimming Championships. This year’s Championships are scheduled for this weekend, June 16-19, 2018 at the Betty Kelly Kenning National Aquatic Centre.

Leah Davis, Group Marketing & Communications Manager, presented a cheque to Rochelle

Bastian, Bahamas Aquatics Federation.

“Bahamas First is committed to supporting positive activities and opportunities for young Bahamians,” Davis said.

“We are happy to be able to sponsor this year’s Swimming Championships and we wish the athletes participating and the organisers the very best for this premier swimming event.”

ISAACS JR HELPS CAPTAINS DEFEAT THE LUGNUTS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A PAIR of Bahamian baseball players once again faced off in the Midwest League, while another increased his team-leading home run total to highlight this week’s action around the minors.

Todd Isaacs Jr and his Lake County Captains took the first two games of three games series over Chavez Young and the Lansing Lugnuts this week and both players have been productive at the plate.

In game one, Isaacs delivered his second walk-off hit in a week to power the Captains to a 6-5 win in 10 innings at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio. Last Tuesday, Isaacs’ two-run single lifted the Captains to a victory over Dayton. The Captains have earned seven walk off wins this season.

Isaacs finished 3-5 with one RBI, while Young had a rare hitless game. Isaacs also singled in the

Bahamian players face off in the Midwest League bottom of the second and again in the bottom of the sixth.

In game two, the Captains dominated with an 11-3 win Wednesday afternoon.

Isaacs finished 1-4 with a double and scored one run. Young had much better production in game two when he finished 3-5 with a double, one run scored and one stolen base.

Young leads the Lugnuts in batting average and stolen bases and was one of four Lugnuts named to the Midwest League All-Star Game.

The pair also faced off when the teams met in late May and the Lugnuts won the series 3-0.

In game one, Young finished 3-4 with a walk, two runs scored, one

RBI and one stolen base in his club’s 10-1 win. Isaacs had his best offensive output of the season and also went 3-4, including his second home run of the season.

In game two, Young finished 1-3 with a double and scored one run in Lansing’s 3-2 win. Isaacs finished 1-4.

Young finished 2-4 in an 8-7 win in the third game of the series.

Through 57 games this season, Young is hitting .326 with 73 hits and 27 RBI. He also has an .859 OPS, slugging .478 with 18 stolen bases, 41 runs scored, 107 total bases and two home runs.

In 51 games of his second season with the Captains, Isaacs is hitting .240 with, 43 hits, 15 stolen bases,

an OPS of .638, 20 RBI, 62 total bases and two home runs.

Also in the Midwestern League, Jazz Chisholm to his team leading home run total for the Kane County Cougars.

Chisholm finished 2-5 with two runs scored and two runs scored, including a triple and a home run in a 6-2 win over Cedar Rapids.

Chisholm’s two run shot in the second inning game the Cougars their first lead of the afternoon, 2-1.

His triple came in the fifth inning and he was eventually plated.

In his return from last season’s injury, Chisholm was also named a Midwest League All-Star, leads the Cougars with a career high game home runs and is third overall with 45 hits.

He appeared in 50 games thus far for the Cougars and is hitting .254 with 25 RBI, 12 doubles, three triples and six stolen bases.

Chisholm has an on base percentage of .318, slugging percentage of .478 and OPS of .718.

PAGE 4, Friday, June 15, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

LUIS Suarez

URUGUAY FORWARD LUIS SUAREZ SEEKS REDEMPTION AT WORLD CUP

By PABLO ELIAS GIUSSANI, Associated Press NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) — Uruguay forward Luis Suarez is looking for redemption at the World Cup in Russia.

He was vilified in South Africa in 2010 for preventing a goal with his hands.

Four years later, he was condemned for biting an opponent in Brazil.

Now, Suarez wants to finish a World Cup without controversy and to give people an opportunity to talk about his play and not his unsportsmanlike behavior.

The Barcelona player, who is one of the top strikers in the world, has made it clear that he wants to remove “the thorn on a personal level.”

Suarez was given a ninematch ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil.

That incident, along with the handball against Ghana in 2010, is among the most enduring memories of his career.

The incident against Ghana took place in the match’s final minutes and the Africans surely would have won had the ball gone into the back of the net.

Instead, Uruguay won and advanced to the semifinals.

Suarez bit Chiellini four years later, also toward the end of the match when the score was 0-0. The referee didn’t see the incident and conceded a corner to Uruguay from which the South Americans scored and eliminated Italy from the tournament.

In both games, critics claimed that Uruguay only advanced because of Suarez’s dirty plays, giving him a reputation as a cheater that he hasn’t been able to shake off.

Suarez had previously bitten Otman Bakkal in 2010 when he played for Ajax, and Branislav Ivanovic in 2013 when he played for Liverpool.

SPAIN head coach Fernando Hierro, top centre, gives instructions to his players during Spain’s official training on the eve of the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Thursday. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

SPAIN READY TO LEAVE WORLD CUP COACHING WOES IN THE PAST

By TALES AZZONI, AP Sports Writer

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Spain can’t wait to get the ball rolling and put their coaching woes in the past.

And nothing better than a win against European champions Portugal in its World Cup opener to start moving forward after one of the most chaotic days in the national team’s history.

Spain will have new coach Fernando Hierro on the bench Friday after Julen Lopetegui, who led the team on a 20-match unbeaten campaign since taking over the squad in 2016, was fired Wednesday for accepting the Real Madrid coaching job without informing the soccer federation in advance.

Great “We need to turn the page as soon as possible,” Spain captain Sergio Ramos said Thursday. “Spain has to be above anybody. The World Cup starts tomorrow (for us) and we have a great game to play against the European champions.

Hopefully we will start on the right foot.”

Spain arrived as one of

Captain

the title favourites thanks to their good performances under Lopetegui, but La Roja was rocked when newly elected federation president Luis Rubiales fired him for not properly handling the negotiations with Madrid. Hierro, a former national team player and Real Madrid captain who had been acting as Spain’s sports director, was hastily picked for

the job despite not having any significant coaching experience.

“Very few things will change. There wasn’t a lot of time,” said Hierro, who had previously coached second-division club Real Oviedo and was an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti after Zinedine Zidane left the post in 2014. “We are well prepared. We have been practicing intensely these

past weeks and we have confidence in these players and the ideal that has been in place for the last two years.”

Lopetegui, who was officially introduced by Real Madrid back in Spain not long after Spain’s news conference in Sochi, had revamped Spain’s national team after taking over from Vicente del Bosque following the 2016 European

Ramos, who will captain Spain in a World Cup for the first time, dismissed reports that players tried to persuade the federation president to change his decision on Lopetegui.

“This is a decision that doesn’t belong to us. It’s taken by people who have more power than the players,” he said. “We can only do something on the field.”

Ramos said Lopetegui “would remain a part of whatever happens to Spain in this World Cup.” At the end of the news conference at Fisht Stadium, the outspoken defender said he wanted to leave with a smile on his face.

“This looks like a funeral,” he said. “Tomorrow the World Cup starts for us.”

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS PORTUGAL OVERLOOKED FACING SPAIN

Diving Suarez has also admitted to diving, and in 2011 he was punished by the English Football Association for making racist comments against Patrice Evra. Suarez denied the accusations.

With his controversial background, Suarez’s career seemed that it would most certainly fade following his suspension in 2014. However, Barcelona gave him a new opportunity and the Uruguayan took advantage of it. He hasn’t committed any serious offenses since, but doubts remain.

He regularly antagonises his opponents and the referees, and often questions the calls made against him.

So, the obvious question on the eve of Uruguay’s match against Egypt on Friday in Group A is whether Suarez can control his impulses in Russia.

If anybody believes in him, it’s Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, who has known him since he was on the country’s youth teams.

When asked Thursday if Suarez was more mature now, Tabarez said “without any doubt.”

“Maturity comes in all areas of life — in football, in family life, in personal life,” the coach said.

“He has thought about it.

“He has prepared himself for the World Cup. “I think that in addition to being a great player, Luis is very intelligent.”

Championship.

Ramos, one of the six Madrid players with the national team, said the squad didn’t want to talk about the coaching change anymore and would remain focused on playing soccer.

“The desire of this group to do well hasn’t changed,” he said.

SPAIN’S Dani Carvajal shoots the ball during training. (AP)

By TIM BOOTH, AP Sports Writer

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — They’re the reigning champions of Europe with arguably the best player in the world.

And yet there seems to be little talk about Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo heading into Friday’s much anticipated World Cup match against neighbouring Spain in Group B. In a way it’s understood. Spain dominated the headlines this week with the chaos surrounding its coaching situation, to the point a large number of questions on Thursday at Portugal’s news conference were based around their opponent’s decision to replace coach Julen Lopetegui with Fernando Hierro just days before the game. Secondary was the fact this is the first match between the Iberian neighbors since 2012.

Focus

PORTUGAL’s Cristiano Ronaldo shoots the ball during Portugal’s official training on the eve of the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup. (AP)

“We’re focused, we’re united and I don’t think we’re concerned with anything else,” Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho said.

“We have to focus on the action of the team and what we can do to attain our goal in this World Cup. We’re not really looking at what is happening with other teams.”

Perhaps a bit more respect should be paid to Portugal based on their last major tournament. The team won the 2016 European Championship thanks to a magical run through the knockout stage led by Ronaldo.

Spain, Germany, Brazil and France are all talked about as potential winners of this tournament. Rarely are Portugal mentioned, yet the players seem to understand their place in the hierarchy of contenders.

“The favourites are the ones you have just listed,” Moutinho said. “Portugal is, I think, among the candidates to be able to take this cup home. It’s normal to have other favourites with all they’ve obtained, all they’ve achieved. Of course you have favourites. We

are European champions, but that doesn’t give us the right to be favourites.”

Any team that has the talent of Ronaldo has to be considered a threat, even though the discussion about what the Real Madrid forward could do on this stage has been sidetracked with talk of what awaits in his club career. After winning his third straight Champions League title, Ronaldo hinted that perhaps his time at Real Madrid was at an end.

Influence “He’s an extraordinary captain. He’s an extraordinary player,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. “He’s very positive and a decisive influence as the captain of the team, whether it be on the pitch or off the pitch or in practice. He’s an important figure.”

Portugal need Ronaldo on Friday to overcome their nagging problem of getting off to good starts in major tournaments. It has been 10 years since Portugal won their opener at either the European Championship or World Cup — the team beat Turkey 2-0 to begin Euro 2008. At the past two World Cups, Portugal played to a 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast in 2010 and four years ago was routed 4-0 by Germany on their way to being ousted from the tournament in the group stage.

Even two years ago on their way to the European title, Portugal started with a 1-1 draw against Iceland and barely advanced to the knockout round.

Friday’s game will be only the second World Cup match between the neighbours.

The previous was in 2010 when Spain eliminated Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16.

“Well that question has been asked often when we play other countries. What’s history is history. The present is now and the present is tomorrow,” Santos said. “We have a team of high quality. ... We’d like to put an end to that story of not being able to win that first game.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 15, 2018, PAGE 5

BRAZIL TO EXPERIMENT WITH A NEW ‘MAGIC QUARTET’ AT WORLD CUP

By TALES AZZONI, AP Sports Writer SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Brazil will be experimenting with a new version of the “magic quartet” in Russia.

More than a decade after the five-time world champions arrived for the World Cup in Germany with their prolific foursome of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and Adriano, Brazil are set to use a “Fab Four” of Neymar, Willian, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus to try to win their first title since 2002.

It will be the first time Brazil bring a prominent attacking foursome like the one that attracted all the headlines 12 years ago.

Brazil coach Tite still hasn’t announced his starting lineup for the opener against Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday, but all signs show that he will stick to the quartet that helped the team ease past Austria in their final warm-up match last week.

It was the first time the four players started together under Tite, and the lineup earned nothing but praise after the convincing 3-0 win.

“This formation is a very strong one,” Tite said. “It gives us a lot of creativity and aggressiveness.”

Tite had said the performance against Austria would likely determine whether he would keep the foursome for the World Cup opener.

Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho each scored for Brazil in Vienna.

Tite used the Fab Four formation in parts of the team’s practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lineup The quartet is considered Brazil’s ideal lineup but it hadn’t played much together until now for various reasons, including Neymar’s absence since February because of a foot injury. The game against Austria marked his first start since recovering from the injury. He had come off the bench in the second half of the team’s 2-0 win over Croatia in Liverpool.

The foursome had been together only three other times, and not for many minutes. Douglas Costa had played in Neymar’s position most of the time, and Renato Augusto had been Tite’s preferred option to compose the midfield instead of Willian.

The coach tested the quartet formation in the friendly against Russia in March, but with Costa up front instead of the injured Neymar.

Brazil won that match, also 3-0.

The concept of the Brazilian magic quartet first gained prominence at the 2005 Confederations Cup, which Brazil won.

It clinched the title with a 4-1 win over Argentina in the final, when Adriano scored twice and Kaka and Ronaldinho added a goal each.

Then-coach Carlos Alberto Parreira used Robinho in the attack instead of Ronaldo, who didn’t play because of personal reasons.

Ronaldo was fully available by the time the World Cup arrived, and Brazil was heavily favoured to win the title in Germany with the quartet back together. But after cruising past the group stage and easily eliminating Ghana in the round of 16, Brazil’s much-hyped foursome lost to France 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Gabriel Jesus was quick to dismiss any comparisons between the two quartets.

“We can’t erase history,” he said. “I want to be part of Brazil’s history, but that doesn’t mean that whatever happened in the past won’t be significant anymore.”

INSTANT IMPACT: Artyom Dzyuba celebrates after scoring with his first touch. Photo: Mirrorpix

5-0 VICTORY FOR RUSSIA IN WORLD CUP OPENER

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH, AP Sports Writer MOSCOW (AP) — Vladimir Putin craves sporting glory, and he got another taste of it in the opening match of the World Cup. Russia ended a 16-year wait for victory in the tournament by routing Saudi Arabia 5-0 Thursday in Group A, with the Russian president watching from the VIP box alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Saudi crown prince.

It was the host nation’s first World Cup win since 2002, and it raises the hope that Russia can get past the group stage for the first time since the Soviet era.

Yuri Gazinsky initially put Russia ahead with a header from Alexander Golovin’s cross when the Saudis failed to clear a corner in the 12th minute.

Gazinsky charged forward to meet the ball as Saudi player Taisir Al-Jassam stumbled, leaving a simple finish.

Putin and Infantino smiled and shrugged as they sat next to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Putin then reached over to shake the prince’s hand.

Substitute Denis Cheryshev soon scored the first of his two goals. He chipped the ball over two Saudi defenders in the 43rd minute and shot over goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf’s right side to make it 2-0. He later chipped the ball in for Russia’s fourth goal in stoppage time.

“I have never done anything like this,” Cheryshev said. “I already felt very happy when I knew I could

KEY TO SUCCESS Russia’s players were significantly taller and heavier than the Saudis, a help when challenging for the ball and when the penalty area was crowded.

That had an effect on Gazinsky’s goal, which came after the Saudis struggled to clear a Russian corner, and the header from the tall and stocky Dzyuba.

One concern for Russia is that creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev picked up a suspected hamstring injury, but that was what allowed Cheryshev to come off the bench and change the game.

FRINGE PLAYERS TRIUMPH Russia’s bench players had their day of glory.

Dzyuba had played only once for Russia since 2016, while Cheryshev and Gazinsky made two appearances in that time.

Raised in Spain, where his father Dmitry taught at Real Madrid’s youth academy, Cheryshev showed his technical skills by beating the two Saudi defenders before his first goal.

Dzyuba spent half the season on loan after reported disputes with Zenit St. Petersburg management, but forced his way back into the Russia team with strong play. come here with my squad, but I never, ever dreamed of something like this.”

After Cheryshev’s first goal, Artyom Dzyuba made an instant impact off the bench to make it 3-0 in the

RUSSIA’s Yuri Gazinsky celebrates his goal for Russia.

PHOTO: Mirrorpix

Saudi coach Juan Antonio Pizzi (pictured): “We were not doing what we wanted to do.

“The opposing team did not have to make a huge effort to win.”

Golovin: “For us, each game is like the last.”

SERIOUS STATS It was Russia’s third win from 10 World Cup matches since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Cheryshev hadn’t scored for Russia in his 11 previous appearances.

Saudi Arabia has now lost a game by four or more goals at each of their last four World Cup visits, including an 8-0 rout at the hands of Germany in 2002.

71st with a header from Golovin’s cross. Golovin added the fifth from a free kick.

Following a lavish opening ceremony featuring British singer Robbie

RUSSIAN fans celebrate during their team’s 5-0 victory against Saudi Arabia.

Williams, Putin welcomed visiting fans and promised Russia would be a “hospitable and friendly” host.

Putin has made no secret about his desire for success in international sports,

especially at the Olympics.

But high points for Russian athletes have been rare since the country’s image was tarnished by doping, with numerous Olympic medals stripped for drug use.

In a World Cup first, the video assistant referee system was available for the match between the tournament’s lowest-ranked teams, though it wasn’t used for an official review.

The Saudis, who last won a match at the World Cup in 1994, failed to get a single shot on target.

The win for Russia is a big boost to their hopes of advancing, but they will still face a tough test against Egypt on June 19 and Uruguay six days later.

With the five goals against the Saudis, a draw could be enough against either of their two remaining opponents.

Saudi Arabia’s route to the knockout round is much more difficult.

The Saudis will face Uruguay on June 20 and then Egypt on June 25. Egypt and Uruguay play Friday in Yekaterinburg.

20

PAGE 6, Friday, June 15, 2018

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FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100 CASH read down thetelephone c to 84915. calls cost £1.50 plus your tonight. send yourword. grid containing letters in the highlighted squaresattomidnight reveal the or mystery Sutton coldfield B73 9BT. Entries must be postma CARPE DIEM

JUDGE PARKER

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THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SEC 14 Caribbean Sea

ADDrESS

Today’s answers: Beginner = 51; intermed

27 Mean time 6 Adversely, 7 To 19 Tantrum, 20

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MARVIN PoSTcoDE BLONDIE

Can you make two common five-letter words from the nine letters given, using each letter only once? you can – but only if one letter features in both Today’s answers: Beginner = 51; intermediate = 12; advanced = 504. words in the squares on the right.

There’s at least one way to do it, and you have to have the right letter at the crossover – but which one is it?

See if you can find the answer within Can you make two common five-letter our target time. If you need help, ring words from the nine letters given,our clue-line below to find out the crossover letter. solution tomorrow. using each letter only once? you can

THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SECOND CHALLENgE

CrossdoUBT

– but only if one letter features inTarget both times: Average: a C d F words in the squares on the right.20 mins Good: 16 mins STUCK? CALL FOR A CL 12 mins There’s at least one way to do it, Excellent: and HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Yesterday’s solution: 0901 322 560 you have to have the right letter at the Halve your Target Time! aLIBI (across) crossover – but which one is it? LIBeL (down) *Calls cost 75p plu networ See if you can find the answer within our target time. If you need help, ring our clue-line below to find out the crossover letter. solution tomorrow.

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CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Cheesecake, 8 Ogres, 9 Charted, 10 Ecuador, 11 Exact, 12 Leeway, 14 Trader, 17 Tidal, 19 Warpath, 21 Engaged, 22 Chump, 23 Pedestrian.

Down: 2 Hirsute, 3 Eased, 4 Escort, 5 Amateur, 6 Extra, 7 Editorship, 8 Open letter, 13 Alleged, 15 Dracula, 16 Swedes, 18 Dig up, 20 Recur.

Down 1 Clue far from being meticulous (7) 2 Heavenly fare? (5,4) 3 A picking-up point (5) 4 It’s evenly distributed as a name for either sex (6) 5 Angela’s cooked an Italian dish (7) 6 The French way to feel regret (3) 7 Points to mention in a literary work (5) 12 Not a good state of mind for decorating? (9) 14 Find made by a hunter (7) 16 Indeed a cancelled service should be (7) 17 Possibly it goes to a selfish type (6) 18 Raced round for timber (5) 20 Once led by a point, for the time being (5) 22 A TV production that holds water (3)

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Number with a light grip (5) 4 Add to the confusion of the general (7) 8 Music paper (3) 9 Those in charge love getting fresh reserves (9) 10 Slip leads to a man becoming a scapegoat (4,3) 11 Pious - nothing short of goodly (5) 13 The length an association will go to? (6) 15 A number relaxed and stopped (6) 18 Island it would be hard to con? (5) 19 Refined male fish? (7) 21 I’d returned with an account causing some amusement (9) 23 Set and match (3) 24 Idle chatter has teeth on edge (7) 25 Embarrassed after some hesitation - having got it wrong (5)

*SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Ball of fire, 8 Brook, 9 Sultana, 10 Science, 11 Greed, 12 Ethics, 14 All for, 17 Baton, 19 Antenna, 21 Lyrical, 22 Peach, 23 Balustrade.

Down: 2 Abolish, 3 Liken, 4 Foster, 5 Illegal, 6 Evade, 7 Balderdash, 8 Basketball, 13 Cynical, 15 Finland, 16 Naples, 18 Throb, 20 Toper.

Across 1 An assumed name (5) 4 Plentiful (7) 8 Tear violently (3) 9 Praiseworthy (9) 10 Distressing (7) 11 English composer (5) 13 Unnerved (6) 15 Arrive (4,2) 18 General tendency (5) 19 Coolness of manner (7) 21 Manager of royal household (5-4) 23 Falsehood (3) 24 Rushing stream (7) 25 A rendezvous (5)

Down 1 Pertinent (7) 2 Confidentially (2,7) 3 A school’s teachers (5) 4 Goodlooking (6) 5 Upstart (7) 6 Globe (3) 7 Contemptuous remark (5) 12 As a rule (9) 14 Approve openly (7) 16 Specious excuse (7) 17 To test (3,3) 18 Entice (5) 20 Insufficient (5) 22 To grate (3)

full solution

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 15, 2018, PAGE 7

SANDOVAL LIFTS GIANTS IN 16TH

By CHRISTOPHER STOCK, Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — It was a muchneeded win for the San Francisco Giants, but it came at a great cost.

Pablo Sandoval’s tie-breaking tworun single in the 16th inning lifted the Giants past the Miami Marlins 6-3 on Thursday, but the Giants also lost third baseman Evan Longoria to a broken left hand after he was hit by a pitch.

“A great win, but a tough loss,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Longoria sustained a fracture to his fifth metacarpal, which could require surgery. A decision is expected in the next couple of days.

“Obviously the goal is to decide something as soon as possible and then get going in the right direction, whether that’s put a cast on it and just let it sit or have some sort of surgery and go that route,” Longoria said.

Longoria initially stayed in the game to run after he was hit in the fourth inning, but came out in between innings.

“It wasn’t my legs,” Longoria said.

“I just hate coming out of the game right away. I’ve always thought it looked bad. I knew right away that it didn’t feel right, but I just figured I could run and in the meanwhile let (Alen Hanson) get loose and come into the game.”

Longoria is hitting .246 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 67 games.

“It’s a tough loss,” Sandoval said. “I don’t know how many days he’s going to be out, but we’re going to miss the guy. He’s a great hitter, great defensive player, and a great teammate. I hope he recovers well and comes back to help us get to the postseason.”

Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer to continue his torrid month and Mac Williamson also homered for the Giants, who salvaged the final game of a four-game series and beat the Marlins for only the second time in the last 10 meetings.

“It was a great win to head home on after a tough series,” Bochy said.

“I’m looking forward to getting out of Miami, trust me.”

Giants’ starter Dereck Rodriguez pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowing two runs with his father and former Marlins’ World Series championship catcher Pudge Rodriguez sitting behind home plate. Ty Blach (4-5) also pitched 6 2-3 innings for the Giants without allowing a run. He gave up seven hits, walked two, and struck out three.

“Two quality starts in one game. I’ll take it,” Rodriguez said.

Sam Dyson came on for Blach to get the final out with two runners on for his first save of the season.

McCutchen started the 16th with a single, Brandon Crawford walked and Alen Hanson singled to load the bases of Elieser Hernandez (0-4).

Sandoval’s single to center made it 5-3, and Gorkys Hernandez added a sacrifice fly later in the inning. The

runs were the first for the Giants since the second.

“I just tried to calm down — everyone was tired — and tried not to do too much,” Sandoval said.

Miami had two runners on in the bottom of the 16th for Bryan Holaday, who flew out to end the game.

“Epic game,” Bochy said.

It was the longest game of the season for the Giants and the secondlongest for the Marlins, who went 17 innings in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on March 30.

Both teams had opportunities in extra innings after the Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the ninth off Hunter Strickland on a sacrifice fly

by Lewis Brinson. Second baseman Joe Panik was unable to hold onto a pop up near the foul line, allowing the lead-off runner to reach.

It was the eighth time in the series the Marlins came back to tie the game.

“It was one of those series where you kind of play back and forth,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “Close games. Good for a lot of situations.”

The Giants looked to take the lead in the 11th on a double by Hanson, but Crawford was thrown out at the plate.

Miami threatened in the 13th when Bochy ordered an intentional walk to Starlin Castro load the bases with two outs and Hernandez due to bat because the Marlins were out of

SAN Francisco Giants’ Pablo Sandoval, right, watches after hitting an RBI single to score two runs during the 16th inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) position players. Hernandez bounced out to Blach.

“With Castro up there, that was an easy one,” Bochy said. “I wasn’t going to let him beat us there. We were in a pretty good situation there.”

The Marlins had another opportunity in the 15th with runners on the corners and one out, but Justin Bour grounded into a double play. Bour slammed his helmet to the ground in disgust.

“I saw it off the bat and I thought we might have a chance,” Blach said.

McCutchen hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the second straight game. Five of his eight home runs have been this month. He went 3 for 7 to raise his batting average to .339 (19 for 56) in June, historically the best

month of his career. He has 11 multihit performances in his last 18 games.

Williamson’s fourth home run of the season gave the Giants a 3-0 lead against Dan Straily in the second inning.

JT Riddle’s solo shot, his third, cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fifth.

Holaday’s two-out base hit to left pulled Miami within 3-2 in the seventh, ending Rodriguez’s outing.

“It’s really good to see everyone in this room just continues to keep working toward every single at-bat, getting a hit, getting a hit, just no one giving into anything, everyone scratching and clawing through every single pitch,” Straily said.

Rodriguez scattered seven hits and struck out four in his third start.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 73° F/23° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Clouds and sun, a t‑storm in spots

Partly cloudy

Periods of sun, a t‑storm in spots

Partial sunshine

Clouds and sun, a t‑storm in spots

Sun and clouds, a t‑storm in spots

High: 87°

Low: 75°

High: 86° Low: 75°

High: 86° Low: 76°

High: 85° Low: 76°

High: 85° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

100° F

85° F

99°-85° F

98°-84° F

96°-82° F

95°-84° F

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

3‑6 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 87° F/31° C Low: 74° F/23° C

4‑8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

S

E

W

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

MIAMI

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 76° F/24° C

3‑6 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 78° F/26° C Normal high ....................................... 87° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 74° F/23° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.04” Year to date ............................................... 20.82” Normal year to date ................................... 10.92”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 75° F/24° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

4‑8 knots

S

4‑8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

9:39 a.m.

10:09 p.m.

2.8 3.6

3:47 a.m. ‑0.6 3:45 p.m. ‑0.7

Saturday

10:34 a.m.

11:03 p.m.

2.8 3.5

4:40 a.m. ‑0.5 4:41 p.m. ‑0.6

Sunday

11:32 a.m.

11:58 p.m.

2.8 3.4

5:34 a.m. ‑0.5 5:39 p.m. ‑0.3

Monday

12:32 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.7 ‑‑‑‑‑

6:30 a.m. ‑0.3 6:40 p.m. ‑0.1

Tuesday

12:56 a.m.

1:35 p.m.

3.2 2.7

7:27 a.m. ‑0.2 7:45 p.m. 0.1

Wednesday 1:55 a.m.

2:39 p.m.

2.9 2.7

8:25 a.m. ‑0.1 8:51 p.m. 0.3

Thursday

2.8 2.8

9:22 a.m.

9:58 p.m.

2:56 a.m.

3:41 p.m.

0.0 0.4

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:20 a.m.

8:01 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:14 a.m.

10:06 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Jun. 20

Jun. 28

Jul. 6

Jul. 12

CAT ISLAND

E

W

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

4‑8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N E

W

N E

W

S

S

7‑14 knots

7‑14 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SW at 4‑8 Knots WNW at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots SSW at 3‑6 Knots W at 4‑8 Knots WNW at 3‑6 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SSE at 3‑6 Knots ESE at 3‑6 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 3‑6 Knots

WAVES 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 80° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 78° F 78° F 82° F 82° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 76° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 83° F 79° F 79° F

Covering The Bahamas for over 40 years.

NEW PROVIDENCE | GRAND BAHAMA | ABACO | ELEUTHERA | EXUMA

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PAGE 8, Friday, June 15, 2018

TOMAS BERDYCH, left, Benoit Paire, right, after Berdych beat Paire at the ATP Mercedes Cup tournament. (AP)

BERDYCH BEATS PAIRE IN STUTTGART, ENDS 5-MATCH LOSING STREAK STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Tomas Berdych beat Benoit Paire 7-6 (3), 6-4 to end his five-match losing streak and reach the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open on Thursday.

The third-seeded Czech dropped just six firstserve points and saved the only break he faced.

Berdych next faces Milos Raonic, who beat Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-4.

The seventh-seeded Canadian is going for his first title on grass.

Guido Pella of Argentina beat Indian qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran 7-6 (4), 6-3 to set up a quarterfinal against Roger Federer.

Also, fourth-seeded Nick Kyrgios (below) returned from a right elbow injury to beat Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 for a match against Feliciano Lopez.

Lopez progressed past Gilles Simon 7-6 (6), 6-4.

THE TRIBUNE

POULTER’S 1-UNDER HELPS ERASE BAD SHINNECOCK MEMORIES

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Ian Poulter made his U.S. Open debut at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 and didn’t have much nice to say about his experience there or the tournament.

Returning for 12 straight years, Poulter faced all of the classic U.S. Open struggles: Four missed cuts, including in ‘04. Just four of his first 42 rounds under par. He has never cracked the top 10. In the last two years, he didn’t make it into the field at all.

Difficult “I haven’t enjoyed very many, to be honest,” Poulter said after shooting a 1-under 69 in the opening round on Thursday to take an early lead. “They’re difficult.

They’re hot. They’re stressful.

Feels like you’re pulling teeth every single hole you play. How I’ve got any left, I don’t really know.”

The 2008 British Open runnerup, Poulter said he changed his

IAN Poulter talks with an official during the first round of the US Open. (AP)

approach to the U.S. Open and came into the week just hoping to enjoy it. He wasn’t without his mistakes on Thursday — he had a pair of bogeys to go with three birdies — but he avoided the double and triple bogeys that plagued wouldbe contenders like Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

“Every one of the U.S. Opens I’ve played in the past, I’ve been disappointed. I’ve been angry. I’ve been frustrated,” he said. “They’re tough. They’re always set up difficult. They’re supposed to be difficult. But shooting over par is

hard to take sometimes. So this week for me ... it’s really about trying to just enjoy my golf.”

The 2004 U.S. Open is perhaps best remembered for high scores — no one broke par in the final round, when wind and sun left the seventh green so hard that the USGA watered it during the round because players couldn’t keep shots from rolling off. Rain on Wednesday this year softened the course a bit, but wind gusts of more than 20 mph dried it right back out.

Poulter wasn’t around for the weekend at Shinnecock Hills in

IAN POULTER, of England, plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, Thursday, in Southampton, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

2004, shooting 74-72. Despite his previous struggles at Shinnecock, he thinks the links-style course with its undulating greens and the gusty winds could match well with his playing style.

“I thought the setup was brilliant,” he said with a laugh. “It’s not often I’ve ever said that at a U.S. Open.”

Poulter sank a 45-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 third hole and then made a curving 20-footer on the par-3 seventh to drop to 2 under. After starting the back nine with a bogey, he missed a hole-inone on No. 11 when his ball rolled right over the cup; he tapped in to return to 2 under.

On No. 13, he came out of a fairway bunker and rolled off the green into another trap.

But he managed to get up and down from there to escape with a bogey.

“I enjoyed everything about the round,” he said. “When I look back to 2004, my first U.S. Open, that wasn’t a very enjoyable experience.

Today was the exact opposite. To post that number today, (I’m) very pleased.”