Hope, Carter tons set up huge target for Barbados Pride
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):Test batsman Shai Hope and left-hander Jonathan Carter both gathered attractive unbeaten hundreds to power Barbados Pride into a match-winning position against leaders Guyana Jaguars yesterday.The right-handed Hope struck 114 not out, while Carter finished on exactly 100 not out as Pride stormed to 320 for four declared in their second innings on the penultimate day of the seventh-round encounter at Kensington Oval.Set an improbable 405 for victory, Jaguars were making a fist of it heading into today’s final day, however, finishing on 52 without loss – still 353 runs adrift of what would be a remarkable run chase.Test opener Rajindra Chandrika was unbeaten on 28 and was partnered by Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 23.The day belonged to Pride, in particular, Hope and Carter, who dominated the Jaguars’ much-vaunted spin attack, to put the hosts in control of the contest.Hope faced 225 balls in a shade over 5 1/2 hours at the crease and counted six fours, while Carter was the aggressor, hammering eight fours and three sixes in an innings requiring only 104 deliveries.For Hope, it was his fourth first-class hundred and second triple figure score in as many games, following his 162 against Windward Islands Volcanoes in the last round.Carter, meanwhile, collected his third first class hundred and his first of the season.The pair put on 162 in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand, which steadied the innings after Pride had lost two quick wickets for 16 runs to slip to 158 for four in the first hour after lunch.Brooks perished in the fifth over after lunch, caught at slip by Johnson, off pacer Keon Joseph and Roston Chase lasted just 11 balls before he edged a drive to Assad Fudadin at second slip, also off Joseph.The 24-year-old Keon Joseph was impressive in claiming two for 35, while Veerasammy Permaul finished with two for 108.Hurricanes poisedAt Addelita Cancryn Junior High School: Windward Islands Volcanoes, replying to Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ 327 all out, reached 323 for six in their first innings at the close on the penultimate day of their seventh-round match in the WICB Regional Four-Day Championship yesterday.Scores: HURRICANES 327 (Rahkeem Cornwall 97, Orlando Peters 47, Jahmar Hamilton 46, Nkrumah Bonner 41, Montcin Hodge 31, Kyle Mayers 5-83, Kevin McClean 3-56); VOLCANOES 323 for six (Devon Smith 89, Kavem Hodge 71 not out, Sunil Ambris 56, Jerlani Robinson 47, Kyle Mayers 30 not out, Jacques Taylor 2-52).
Ramel ‘Sub Zero’ Lewis made a successful return to the ring after a break of nearly two years, when he defeated American boxer Fard ‘The Messenger’ Muhammad, by technical knockout, one minute and 46 seconds into round four, of their Wray and Nephew Contender bout.The fight took place on Wednesday night at the Chinese Benevolent Association audi-torium.It was a bruising affair, as neither man paid much attention to defence. Both boxers had periods of ascendancy but, Lewis, the bigger man, slowly gained the ascendancy and hit Muhammad at will after backing him to the ropes on several occasions.After one particularly hectic period, when Muhammad was backed into a corner and hit repeatedly to the head and body with powerful punches, his corner threw in the towel, calling a halt to the spirited battle.It was a punishing intro-duction to professional boxing for Muhammad, who has been engaged for some time in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).He showed speed and cunning, and did a lot of talking in an effort to upset his opponent. Referee Ransford Burton issued cease and desist orders to him to keep his mouth shut, but he was not entirely successful in that regard. Muhammad at 5’41/2″ tall, was a bundle of energy, and used his speed to make himself an elusive target.FOUGHT IN SPURTSHe fought in spurts and kept his head low, most of the time. There were several occasions when he bored in and seemed ready to grapple with his opponent in MMA style. That did not occur, however, and he was able to keep to the boxing script. Lewis was also able to back Muhammad into a corner, from time to time, and it was on these occasions that he scored most of his points.The American tried to intimidate Lewis in the early stages of the fight, and scored with a series of flurries. Lewis suffered a cut over his left eye during one of these exchanges, but it was not serious and never bothered him.For the next few rounds, Lewis fought a dogged battle against an opponent who was smart and moved very quickly. His power punches eventually took their toll, however, and gave him victory over a very game opponent.Lewis has now booked himself a place in the quarter-finals, where he will meet one of the other winners from the preliminary stage of the competition. They are vying for the Wray and Nephew 2016 Welterweight Contender title and the prize money of$2 million attached.
NEW YORK (CMC):Former president of CONCACAF Jeffrey Webb appeared in a New York federal court yesterday in connection with the FIFA bribery scandal that has sent shockwaves through the football world.Webb, who is from the Cayman Islands, is one of seven FIFA officials who were detained in Switzerland last spring when the scandal erupted.The former FIFA vice-president and his attorney left court without speaking to reporters.Webb, 50, has been accused of soliciting a $2-million bribe in exchange for marketing rights for the 2013 Gold Cup tournament.He is the only official to agree to come to the United States, where he pleaded not guilty last month and was released on a $10-million bond.Fourteen men – nine football officials and five marketing executives – were named in the US indictment, including former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, who is fighting his extradition from Trinidad and Tobago.Webb has been ordered to return to the federal court in Brooklyn on October 9.
“This has placed us in the limelight,” he stated, “People, who normally think of Mocho as a ‘backabush’, unknown place, now see us a place that nurture champions. Nothing is greater,” said Dr Johnson. He added that after watching his school put away the previous six-time champions STETHS 4-2 on penalties in the final, that it dawned on him that the significance of the moment transcends the school. He said the entire community and the parents of the players, teachers and all associated with Lennon are celebrating the history-making endeavour of the team. “The celebration will not end today; this will go on for quite a while, because this is monumental,” reasoned Dr Johnson. In addition, he pointed out the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, the teachers and the board of directors for special praise. “We are now officially part if the big leagues, the elites. We will continue to show how great Lennon High School is, and hopefully, when this is all said and done, we will be crowned daCosta Cup winners also,” he said. HOME OF CHAMPIONS WESTERN BUREAU: ‘Today’s hard work, tomorrow’s success’, is not just a motto for Lennon High School,;it’s also a way of life, and the school’s recent victory in the final of the Ben Francis Cup embodies the full meaning of it all, said Principal Dr Donald Johnson. “Some people classified us as the underdogs at the start of the season. That label has been scratched out. This fine victory to capture the title embodies in exactly the right way what our motto means.” He said the dream of winning a boys’ title, after claiming seven for the girls’ football team over the years, says a lot about preparation, discipline and hard work. The principal was full of praise for coach Merron Gordon and the rest of the coaching staff, describing them as a very special part of the fabric of the school.
The Jamaica Scorpions will attempt to move one step closer to landing their first regional one-day title in six years when they take on defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in semi-final action at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, formerly The Sticky Wicket Oval, in Antigua today.Set for a 12:30 p.m. start Jamaica time, the match-up will pit against each other two teams that have been experiencing good form in the tournament.Captained for the second time in one-dayers by Nikita Miller, Jamaica have so far registered six wins and two defeats. This has allowed them to finish second in Group B to co-hosts Barbados Pride.Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago, who topped Group A ahead of co-hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes, have a record of seven victories and one loss.SECOND SEMI-FINALThe Pride and the Hurricanes are set to do battle in semi-final two tomorrow at the same venue, starting at the same time.”The team entered the tournament with a purpose and mission, and we are two matches away,” stated Miller. “We are focused and determined going into the semi-finals, and at the end of the day, once we stick to our plan, I am confident we can come out on top.”The Scorpions, coached for the first time at the tournament by Robert Samuels, started poorly by losing their first encounter against minnows Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners.However, thanks to solid performances from the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker, Damion Jacobs, and fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Reynard Leveridge, as well as several of their batsmen, the Scorpions have been able to find form.These batsmen include AndrÈ McCarthy, Chadwick Walton, Devon Thomas, John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood and American Steven Taylor, whose timely half-centuries have resulted in them posting challenging totals.HIGH ON CONFIDENCEThe performances have also ensured that heading into the semi-finals, the team is high on confidence, given their record of winning six of their last seven matches, including their last five.”In the games that we have batted well, there are persons who have scored 40s and 50s,” assessed Miller.”What I would like in the semis is for these people, who get batting starts to go on and score centuries or big half-centuries, and if that can be achieved, we can’t be beat,” he added.Trinidad, meanwhile, will enter the showdown knowing that they only lost one game, their second against invited team Kent Spitfires of England.Since then, they have gone on to chalk up six successive wins, including completing the double over Leewards.Coached by Gus Logie, the Red Force will look to Ravi Rampaul, Shannon Gabriel and Jamaica-born Sheldon Cottrell to lead their bowling, with recent West Indies call-ups Jason Mohammed and Evin Lewis, along with wicketkeeper and captain, Denesh Ramdin, leading their batting.
JOCKEY Rayan Wilson rode a textbook-stalking race aboard 4-5 favourite GARY GLITTER to turn the tables on speedy CRUCIAL APPEAL in yesterday’s 1300-metre open allowance at Caymanas Park.Wilson settled the in-form four-year-old gelding in fourth down the backstretch, while CRUCIAL APPEAL and TALENTED TONY K played out a speed-duel script on the lead.Sent after the leaders three-and-a-half furlongs out, the Dalton Sirjue-trained GARY GLITTER improved into third, going past POLLY B, while TALENTED TONY K and CRUCIAL APPEAL continued to eyeball each other on the lead.CRUCIAL APPEAL peeled off from TALENTED TONY K, coming off the home turn, but was quickly pounced on by GARY GLITTER, and the pair matched strides to the final furlong.However, topweight 57.0 kilos started taking toll on CRUCIAL APPEAL, allowing a stronger and lighter GARY GLITTER to power through on the outside, avenging a two-and-a-half length loss to his rival, suffered in March at 1000 metres straight.UNDENIABLE CLASSCRUCIAL APPEAL used his undeniable class to stay on for second ahead of 33-1 outsider SOY EL SENOR.The 1000-metre straight Grooms Association Trophy for $250,000 claimers was won by trainer Errol Waugh’s course- specialist, RUNJOHNNY RUN, who closed a three-timer for jockey Wesley Henry, going gate to wire in the night pan.Holiday Easter-weekend racing continues tomorrow with a 10-race card headlined by the traditional Easter Sprint Cup, an 1100-metre dash for overnight allowance horses.
Real Madrid’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas (C) holds the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup football match between Real Madrid and Manchester United on August 8, 2017, at the Philip II Arena in Skopje. / AFP PHOTO / Dimitar DILKOFFSKOPJE, Macedonia — Real Madrid eased to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United to win the Super Cup on Tuesday, with goals in each half from Casemiro and Isco.Cristiano Ronaldo watched most of the end-to-end action from the bench, while his teammates outclassed United Cup on a hot night.ADVERTISEMENT 2 nabbed in Bicol drug stings 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LATEST STORIES 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano warn public of fake account posing as her Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ Casemiro hit the bar with a header and fired a shot over the top before scoring in the 24th minute. The Brazilian slid in for a left-foot finish, served up by Dani Carvajal.Isco extended the lead for Zinedine Zidane’s European champions with a shot in the 52nd, after Gareth Bale helped him run through United’s defense.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’Making amends for an earlier miss, United’s new striker Romelu Lukaku made it 2-1 in the 62nd, beating Keylor Navas after the goalkeeper had blocked a powerful shot from Nemanja Matic.“Key to winning this game was two things we do well,” Zidane said. “We hold and control well, and we finish our chances at the right moment. View comments Ai-Ai delas Alas on Jiro Manio: ‘Sana pinahalagahan niya ang naitulong ko’ MOST READ Teen gunned down in Masbate “The second half was not great, but the first half was spectacular. We have talented players who want to win every challenge. That how they want to grow as players.”The players needed two cooling breaks to cope with temperatures of 32C (90 F) that led to three spectators being taken to hospital.The Super Cup pitches the previous season’s Champions League winners against the Europa League holders.It was Zidane’s second consecutive Super Cup title. For United coach Jose Mourinho, it was a third failed attempt to add the trophy to his collection.United matched Madrid for pace but lacked the finish to turn the match around. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who regularly burst forward, and substitute Marcus Rashford provided much of United’s threat.ADVERTISEMENT Albay to send off disaster response team to Batangas Was LeBron James’ tweet a shot at teammate Kyrie Irving? Both Rashford and Paul Pogba missed glaring second-half chances, failing to score with Navas at their mercy.The game was watched by former United coaching great Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo went on after the 80th minute and had little chance to make an impact as Madrid closed down its opponents.Moments before the final whistle, a shirtless fan ran onto the pitch and was wrestled to the ground by stewards.More than 2,500 police officers were on duty for the game in the tiny Balkan country. Four people were arrested, accused of selling unauthorized tickets. Authorities reported no major public disturbances after the match ended.Following the award ceremony, Mourinho handed his medal to a young fan and later joked that he saw no point in holding onto it.“Sometimes when I win I don’t keep the medal, so imagine when I lose,” he said. “For me, the medal would go to some place in my house and for that kid, it’s the moon.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite
LATEST STORIES READ: SEA Games debacle loomsBut the gold will not rescue sports officials from the rubble of yet another gloomy bid in the biennial meet.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’By any measure, officials missed their mark despite a dramatic stand by the country’s national athletes. From a 50-gold projection, the country was left to target a better haul than the last SEA Games in Singapore.But even that 29-gold count now seems like a luxury. Search on for 5 Indonesians snatched anew in Lahad Datu Cycling, which Malaysia used to meet its projected gold count, didn’t produce any victories for the Philippines despite the sport dangling 20 golds in BMX, track and road races.Olympian Daniel Caluag was the only one who went home with a medal in the sport, a bronze in his favorite BMX event.READ: Caluag fails to defend BMX title, settles for bronzeShooting also failed to snare a single gold, gaining only a bronze in 14 events of the sport.But swimming has to be the biggest disappointment. Despite being one of the most funded associations this year, swimming went home without a gold.READ: PH wins bronze in women’s 50m rifle for shooting’s 1st medal In fact, the country has no gold to show in swimming in the last two editions of the SEA Games despite the sport offering 38 golds.The sport’s best performer was 24-year-old James Deiparine, who won silvers in the 100m and 50m breaststroke.READ: Two bronze medals for PH swimming star Alkhaldi MOST READ Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES POOLKUALA LUMPUR—Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang gave host Malaysia its 111th goal medal late Monday, allowing the host country to meet its target and serving as a fitting backdrop to the failed Philippine campaign in the 29th Southeast Asian Games here.Pencak silat gave the country’s gasping bid some ray of light, with Dines Dumaan going through the wringer for a gold medal Tuesday.ADVERTISEMENT Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia dies Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees
Police seize P68-M worth of ‘shabu’ in Pasay READ: Can Team PH go beyond 50 golds?A newcomer in the SEA Games, the Roxas City native was overweight by two kilos prior to the start of competition Sunday, according to pencak silat chief Princess Jacel Kiram.“He’s a very hardworking athlete with a lot of promise,” said Kiram of Dumaan who won a bronze during the Asian Beach Games last year.It wasn’t hard to pinpoint the missed opportunities.READ: Malacañang hails Filipino SEA Games medalistsADVERTISEMENT Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:11SEA GAMES 2019: PH’s Nesthy Petecio boxing featherweight final (HIGHLIGHTS)08:07Athletes treated to a spectacle as SEA Games 2019 officially ends06:27SEA Games 2019: No surprises as Gilas Pilipinas cruises to basketball gold05:02SEA Games 2019: Philippines clinches historic gold in women’s basketball05:21Drama in karate: Tsukii ‘very sad’ over coach’s bullying, cold shoulder03:24PH’s James Palicte boxing light welterweight final (HIGHLIGHTS) View comments Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next National Historical team rescues Amorsolos, artifacts from Taal Taekwondo jin Alora also a ‘keyboard warrior’ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles
Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award “He is getting very, very excited,” LaVergne told KTNV-TV in Las Vegas. “He’s feeling very upbeat.”Simpson was granted parole at a hearing in July and his earliest release date was set for October 1. Since that falls on a Sunday, Simpson is expected to be freed no earlier than Monday, according to his lawyer and media reports.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogSimpson was found not guilty in 1995 of the grisly murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and a male companion, Ron Goldman, in a case that transfixed the country and became known as the “Trial of the Century.”But the former National Football League running back and actor was sent to prison in 2008 for his role in an armed robbery the previous year of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas resort. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. “He’s had perfect performance as a prisoner,” LaVergne said. “I anticipate he’s going to have perfect performance as a parolee.”At the hearing, Simpson said he was “at a point in my life where all I want to do is spend time, as much time as I can, with my children and my friends.”“Believe it or not I do have some real friends,” he said.From the NFL to Hollywood Simpson was convicted in October 2008 of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping and other offenses after he and five associates — two of whom were armed — ambushed the two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room.He was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison and a maximum of 33 years.Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson shot to fame in the 1970s with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills after winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy — the award for the best player in American collegiate football — as a running back at the University of Southern California.He retired from football in 1979 after setting numerous rushing records and went on to become an advertising pitchman and actor (“The Towering Inferno,” “The Naked Gun”).In June 1994, Simpson’s 35-year-old ex-wife, Brown Simpson, and Goldman were found stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home.Simpson was arrested after a low-speed car chase through Los Angeles that was broadcast live by television stations and watched by millions. OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Durham ready to play in semis despite sprained ankle He was acquitted in October 1995 after a nine-month trial, a verdict that was greeted with disbelief by many Americans.Public views on the African-American athlete’s guilt or innocence divided sharply along racial lines.Simpson was subsequently found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages totaling $33.5 million to the families of the victims.Simpson has been out of the limelight while behind bars, but fascination with his story lives on.“O.J.: Made in America,” a nearly eight-hour documentary about his murder trial, won the best documentary Oscar in February.And a television mini-series, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” starring Cuba Gooding Jr, won nine Emmy awards.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES DAY6 is for everybody Mos Burger to open in Manila; teases with a pop-up Simpson claimed at his trial that he was just seeking to recover personal items from the dealers and he repeated that explanation at his parole board hearing in July, where the four-member panel voted unanimously for his release.At that hearing Simpson initially did not express any remorse for his actions but eventually offered that he was “sorry that things turned out the way they did.”“I had no intent to commit a crime,” he said. “If I would have made a better judgment back then, none of this would have never happened.”LaVergne, Simpson’s attorney, told KTNV-TV that the former NFL star planned to relocate to Florida, play golf and be around his friends and family.LaVergne said he did not anticipate that Simpson would pose any problems.ADVERTISEMENT
MOST READ In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Comedy and Drama Collide Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene FILE – In this July 20, 2017 file photo, former NFL football star O.J. Simpson attends his parole hearing at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nev. Nevada’s parole board says it didn’t consider Simpson’s 1989 conviction for misdemeanor spousal abuse when it granted him parole in July because it wasn’t listed in the federal clearinghouse of FBI crime data. (Jason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, Pool, File )Disgraced American football star O.J. Simpson, whose racially charged 1995 murder trial riveted the nation, is expected to be released from prison as early as Monday after nine years behind bars for armed robbery.Simpson, 70, plans to relocate to Florida following his release from the Lovelock Correctional Center, the medium-security prison in Nevada where he has been serving his sentence, said his lawyer, Malcolm LaVergne.ADVERTISEMENT It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson View comments How to help the Taal evacuees Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’
Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene But Evert said standards in women’s tennis had risen this year since Williams stepped off the tour, warning that the 36-year-old would be returning to a more competitive environment.“I think that this whole year, the level has gone up because Serena hasn’t been dominant and the other players have all felt that they had a shot at it, at the number one ranking,” Evert said, speaking in her role as an ambassador for this month’s WTA Finals in Singapore.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smog“I think that because of that challenge, they have improved in the physical and the mental part of it because they’ve all had a shot at it and they’ve pushed each other and that’s why there have been so many different winners. So I think the level will have improved by the time Serena comes back.”Since Williams’ last match –- January’s Australian Open final against her sister Venus –- Jelena Ostapenko was a surprise winner of the French Open, Garbine Muguruza triumphed at Wimbledon and Sloane Stephens capped a brilliant return from injury to lift the US Open trophy. In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Comedy and Drama Collide “This has been an issue that’s been ongoing as long as tennis has existed, and that is the fact that it’s such a physical, mental and emotional sport that by the time you get around to the end of the year… it’s understandable that players are starting to feel the effects,” she said.“It has nothing to do with the Asian swing, you can find it in the men’s too,” Evert added. “The fact of the matter is, in the beginning of the year you’re rested and sharp and it’s a big year, with a lot of depth in the game and you’re getting a lot more tough matches than previous eras.“So you really have to manage your schedule so that when it comes around to the fall, you want to be feeling fit and sharp and not injured. But that’s about managing the whole year, it’s not just about the Asian circuit.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES GlobalPort ‘lends’ Franz to Adamson View comments Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova and Muguruza, the current number one, have all held the top ranking this season, and Russia’s Maria Sharapova is back on the scene after returning from a 15-month drug ban.Asian upsets“There’s so many things we don’t know about Serena, how it’s going to feel to her being a mother coming back, is it going to distract her, is it going to motivate her more?” Evert said.“Or how being a mother emotionally will pull at her and will it take her away from tennis? There’s so many elements here that we don’t know about Serena and her comeback,” she said, adding: “I think the other players have gotten better and I think they’re not going to be as intimidated when Serena comes back.”Evert also dismissed concerns about the WTA Tour’s ‘Asian swing’, where top players have suffered a series of upsets as the season draws to a close — including at last week’s Wuhan Open, where only one seed reached the semi-finals.ADVERTISEMENT It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson United States’ Serena Williams. AP FILE PHOTONew mother Serena Williams will lack some of her trademark intimidation factor when she returns to tennis, US great Chris Evert told AFP, warning that the 23-time Grand Slam-winner may find her comeback tough.Williams, who gave birth to a baby girl in September, has said she’s planning to defend her title at the Australian Open in January –- just four-and-a-half months after becoming a mother.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award MOST READ DAY6 is for everybody Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Mos Burger to open in Manila; teases with a pop-up How to help the Taal evacuees OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson