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DEAD SEA — Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini finished the Jordan Rally in cruise control to kick-start the defence of the Qatari’s regional rally championship title at the Dead Sea on Saturday.

On the 233rd event in the history of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), Attiyah claimed his 85th career victory and a record-breaking 16th in Jordan since 2003. His Autotek Motorsport-prepared Škoda Fabia RS never missed a beat and he was able to try out different suspension settings over the closing stages on his way to a winning margin of 5min 31.6sec on his first appearance in the new car.

Bernacchini duly claimed his fifth victory in Jordan with Attiyah and his first since 2014. A 26th MERC success moved the Italian ahead of Chris Patterson into an outright third in the MERC Co-drivers’ Hall of Fame for most wins behind Ronan Morgan (41) and Mathieu Baumel (32).

Attiyah, who claimed a clean sweep of eight stage wins on Saturday, said: “I am really so happy to win here in Jordan. It is my favourite race. It is the most difficult race in the Middle East. To come back strong with the new car, we learn a lot. Thanks to the team and the organisation. They always make this rally strong. To win 16 times here is amazing. Lebanon is a different race and we need to be clever there as well.”

Abdulaziz Al Kuwari is now tackling a full programme of MERC events in a QMMF-backed Škoda Fabia and second place to add to the fourth he achieved on his home event means the Qatari is the new leader of the regional championship. Briton Marshall Clarke was his co-driver on this occasion. A puncture and subsequent tyre change was the only real issue for the duo after a polished performance.

Shaker Jweihan delighted home fans with the final place on the podium: he and Lebanese co-driver Carlos Hanna dominated the MERC2 category from start-to-finish and the Mitsubishi driver claimed a second maximum haul of points towards the championship’s secondary category. Jweihan also moved into second place in the Drivers’ Championship behind Kuwari, while the result marked a first career MERC podium for both driver and co-driver.

Jweihan said: “This is the first time I get a third place. Last year I got a fourth. It was such a great rally and one for the books – a great memory. The stages were hard and the temperatures were high. This car is like driving a boat. I drive smoothly and we had no issues with the car. The team did a great job. Lebanon will be my first rally

on tarmac but we have local events first.”

Denis Krotov is more accustomed to cross-country rallying in Ultimate class Minis and Toyotas but he enjoyed his MERC debut with Yury Kulikov and reached the finish in fourth overall.

Shadi Shaban continues to hold second place in the MERC2 title race after he and Samer Issa finished sixth overall and second in class in their Mitsubishi.

Husam Salem overhauled Issa Abu Jamous in stage 12 to move into sixth and third in the showroom category but then he dropped back to seventh after a late charge from Sheikh Bader Al Fayez and his Lebanese co-driver Joseph Matar. Al Fayez had left the road on the opening Shuna stage and diced with a reservoir in spectacular fashion before recovering strongly during the afternoon to climb three positions and finish fifth.

Ihab Al Shorafa and Yousef Juma came home in ninth and the Lebanese duo of Shadi Al Fakih and Samer Sfeir rounded off the 10 FIA finishers in their two-wheel drive Renault Clio RS entered in the Rally5 section. Palestine’s Hamada Odeh returned to action on day two after his crash on Friday but retired from 11th place on SS13.

A mechanical breakdown accounted for Nasser Khalifa Al Atya’s Ford Fiesta in the opening stage of the morning and a sizeable accident close to the dam on the Shuna stage put paid to Ameer Nassif’s finishing aspirations.

With defending champion Abdullah Al Rawahi unable to start the final day with his damaged Škoda Fabia, that leaves the title race wide open heading into the summer break before action resumes in Lebanon in early September.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said he will stay at Old Trafford as long as he is wanted as speculation mounts over the Portuguese midfielder’s future.

Fernandes, 29, has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich in recent days with the Red Devils set to miss out on Champions League football next season.

United may be forced to sell to provide the funds necessary for a major overhaul of the squad in the summer and remain compliant with Premier League financial sustainability rules.

“I will be here till when the club wants me and the club wants me to be a part of the future,” said Fernandes, whose contract runs till 2026.

“If for some reason they don’t want me, then I will go.”

Fernandes played his part as United kept their hopes of European qualification via the Premier League alive with a 3-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.

Erik ten Hag’s men still sit eighth in the table, but could climb above Newcastle into seventh if they better the Magpies’ result on the final day of the season.

United visit Brighton on Sunday, while Newcastle travel to Brentford.

“It has been a tough season. The table shows that and we are all aware of that,” added Fernandes.

“The fans have been amazing for us and we had to do something.

“We have been trying but results don’t show that. We have been working hard and everyone has been giving their best it is not enough and we have to do more.”

Even if United fail to finish in the top seven for the first time in the Premier League era, they have a second chance at qualifying for Europe should they shock Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25.

Under-fire manager Ten Hag badly needs a second trophy in his two years in charge to dispell doubts over his future heading into next season.

The Dutchman took the mic at full-time after United’s last home game of the season to thank the fans for their support despite a difficult season.

“As you know it wasn’t an easy season, but one thing remained constant and that was the backing of you for the team,” said Ten Hag.

“This season is not over yet. First we go to Brighton where we travel for three points and then we go to Wembley. I promise you those players will give everything to get that cup and bring it to Old Trafford.

“We are sure you will be there supporting us. Thank you, you are the best supporters in the world!”

ROME — Alejandro Tabilo hailed the best tennis of his career on Wednesday after his fairytale run at the Rome Open continued to the semifinals with a straight-sets win over China’s Zhang Zhizhen.

Chile’s Tabilo will play his first-ever last four match at a Masters 1000 event at the age of 26, after unfussily seeing off unseeded Zhang 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 26 minutes on centre court at the Foro Italico.

Tabilo knocked out six-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday and in the last four the 29th seed will face either World No.5 Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz who play the day’s final match.

“It’s just unbelievable, I just can’t believe it right now, still trying to soak this in... Definitely an unforgettable two weeks for me,” said a delighted Tabilo.

“It’s definitely the best tennis of my life right now, but I mean, trying to keep a poker face there because inside I’m just so nervous, every time trying to close out the match gets a little bit tighter.”

Tabilo, in fact, had far less trouble on Wednesday than he did in his battle with Karen Khachanov in the previous round, not facing a single break point on his way to the biggest match of his career at the last major tournament before the French Open.

Zverev, who won the Rome title in 2017, is the highest ranked man left in the event after Daniil Medvedev’s elimination on Tuesday.

As well as Djokovic’s exit, Italian World No.2 Jannik Sinner and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz both dropped out injured before the tournament.

Holger Rune, who lost last year’s final to Medvedev, Madrid champion Andrey Rublev — ranked sixth in the world — and beaten finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime have also been eliminated.

Sabalenka strolls 

Women’s second seed Sabalenka needed just an hour and 13 minutes to see off Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 on her way to the semis, improving her record against her Latvian opponent to three wins and no defeats.

Crowd favourite Sabalenka will take on next the winner of two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins, this year’s Miami Open winner, who face off later on centre court.

“With this amazing atmosphere and with this amazing support... that’s why I’m super motivated here and that’s why I always say that this is the dream tournament for me to win,” said Sabalenka.

“I really enjoy playing here so I don’t have to think about being focused... I’m just here enjoying it and doing everything I can to win every point I play no matter what the score. I guess that’s the key.”

The 26-year-old could get a rematch of the Madrid final which she lost in dramatic fashion to world number one Iga Swiatek earlier this month.

ROME — Iga Swiatek strolled into the Rome Open semifinals with a straight-sets 6-1, 6-3 win over Madison Keys on Tuesday as Alejandro Tabilo followed up his shock elimination of Novak Djokovic by reaching the men’s last eight.

World No.1 Swiatek continued her bid for a third Rome title in imperious style, dealing with American Keys in little more than an hour on a baking centre court.

“Today I’m really proud of myself because I feel like I’m playing better and for sure this was the best day for me in Rome,” said Swiatek.

In the last four Swiatek will take on Zheng Qinwen or third seed Coco Gauff, who face off in the day’s final match on centre court.

She maintained her red-hot form at the Foro Italico, where she has not yet dropped a set, ahead of her French Open title defence later this month.

The three-time Roland Garros champion arrived in Rome off the back of winning a third WTA 1000 title of the season in Madrid.

And she could yet become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win in the Spanish and Italian capitals in the same season.

Chile’s Tabilo stunned 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in straight sets on Sunday and made the quarter-finals after winning a hugely entertaining battle with Khachanov, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (12/10).

Tabilo reached the last eight of a Masters 1000 event for the first time and will next play qualifier Thiago Monteiro.

“Just being in my first quarter-final is an unreal feeling, just trying to soak it all in right now. It’s a crazy feeling,” said Tabilo.

The 26-year-old had a much harder time of it against 18th-ranked Khachanov, whose six tour titles have all come on hard courts, than against Djokovic.

Tabilo came through a thrilling second-set tie-break which featured 11 service breaks, two set points for Khachanov and five match points, exploding with joy after the winning volley.

“There was just so much nerves there, like feeling that arm really heavy and in the last few service points I was like ‘I just gotta risk it all’,” added Tabilo.

“With the win two days ago it’s been crazy. I just had to turn off the phone and just kind of be with the team, be with the people close to me and I’m just happy that I was able to refresh the mind.”

Next up for the men on centre court will be Alexander Zverev, who faces unseeded Nuno Borges in the men’s last 16 for a quarter-final clash with Taylor Fritz.

Medvedev continues bid 

American Fritz beat eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov after losing a 20-minute tie-break in the second set before eventually coming through 6-2, 6-7 (11/13), 6-1.

“It’s easy to go back and I guess dwell on that the whole third set but I did a really good job in just putting it behind me,” said Fritz.

Men’s champion Daniil Medvedev faces Tommy Paul after coming through a gruelling match against qualifier Hamad Medjedovic on Monday.

The 28-year-old second seed has a great chance to retain his title as the men’s tournament has been shorn of a host of big names, including the man he beat to last year’s crown Holger Rune.

And with Madrid champion Andrey Rublev and the beaten finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime also falling, an event without the world’s top three players is now wide open.

As well as Djokovic’s early exit, Italian World No.2 Jannik Sinner and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withdrew injured before the tournament.

Also hoping to pounce is sixth seed and reigning Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, who takes on Australia’s Alex de Minaur.

AMMAN — With two more weeks remaining in the Professional Football League, standings are beginning to take final shape as teams head into Week 20 on Tuesday.

Hussein who maintained a grip atop the table after a 3-0 win over Jail have the chance to bolster their lead further when they play Mughayer Sarhan, who lost to Faisali 5-0 in their last match.

Faisali are chasing in second place and will face Sahab who moved up two spots after a 2-1 win over Ma’an. In an important match, Ahli scored a 1-0 win over Shabab Urdun to move out of relegation zone for now and next face Salt who crushed Aqaba 5-0 last week as the latter retained 5thspot for now.

Wihdat next face Ma’an after they were held 1-1 with Ramtha last week, as the latter face Aqaba, while Shabab Urdun play Jalil.

Faisali still hope Hussein will draw or lose before they face off in the final week while the last four teams are in the relegation battle.

Wihdat dropped out of the league race and now focus on winning the Jordan Cup as the quarter-finalists have now been decided.

With the season soon ending, the League and Cup titles are up for grabs with Hussein hoping to win the crown for the first time and change the usual Faisali-Wihdat dominance of the title. 

ROME — Rafael Nadal said on Saturday that he is leaning towards playing at the French Open despite being eliminated in the second round in Rome, 6-1, 6-3 by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

Clay-court icon Nadal had previously said that he would only play at the French Open, where he has won a record 14 titles, if he feels competitive after a raft of injury problems over the last two years which have left him languishing 305th in the world rankings.

And the manner of his elimination in his first ever encounter with Hurkacz was a step backwards after reaching the last 16 in Madrid, leaving a question mark hanging over his plans.

“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I am going to say to be in Roland Garros and try my best,” Nadal told reporters.

“Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say I’m not playing in the most important event of my tennis career. Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week.”

Nadal held his own in the first two games in the first set, which took 26 minutes to complete, but then fell away as errors handed Hurkacz points.

The 37-year-old twice gave away breaks of serve with miscued drop shots in the first set which Hurkacz closed out in 49 minutes as he blew through five straight games.

‘Bigger than the sport’ 

And the match was as good as done when Hurkacz, who didn’t drop a single service game, broke Nadal in the third game of the second set to set up a famous victory.

The level of dominance over Nadal on clay, much less a court where he has won a record 10 titles, would have been unimaginable a few short years ago.

“I’m definitely very proud of myself, playing Rafa is something special. It’s different, especially with it being on clay,” said Hurkacz.

“No-one will ever have a record like him on this surface. He’s just bigger than the sport at the end of the day.”

Hurkacz will face Tomas Etcheverry in the third round after likely ending Nadal’s love affair with Rome as the 22-time Grand Slam winner said that he was “98 per cent” sure that he would never again grace the Roman clay.

Second seed Daniil Medvedev kicked off his title defence by beating Briton Jack Draper in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 to set up a third-round clash with qualifier Hamad Medjedovic.

Swiatek, Osaka through 

Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka are both in the women’s last 16 after beating Yulia Putintseva and Daria Kasatkina respectively.

World No.1 Swiatek will next face either Angelique Kerber after seeing off Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-4 as she bids to become the first woman since Serena Williams to claim a third Rome title.

The 22-year-old came into the event having won the Madrid Open last weekend and will also be gunning for a fourth French Open crown later this month.

She made harder work than expected of Saturday’s match after comfortably taking the first set, finding herself 4-1 down in the second before she rattled off five games in a row to take her record against Puntintseva to four wins without dropping a set.

“I’m happy with the way I played... I knew what I wanted to improve. At the end I’m happy that I finished in two sets,” said Swiatek.

Osaka is ranked at 173 in the world after taking a break from the tour to have her first child but is in good form, yet to drop a set after beating 10th-seeded Kasatkina 6-3, 6-3.

“I’m very grateful to be healthy because I know how much hard work it took for me to be here,” Osaka told reporters.

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m just clawing my way back to hopefully where I think I belong.”

LOS ANGELES — Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic was named NBA Most valuable Player for the third time in four seasons on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Serbian star, who won the award in 2021 and 2022, finished runner-up in the voting in 2023 but had the satisfaction of leading the Nuggets to a first NBA title.

This season he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists in the regular season and beat out Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in final voting for the award.

He became the second player, after Oscar Robertson, to record 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 600 assists in a season.

His 25 triple-doubles and 68 double-doubles were both second in the league.

Jokic enters elite territory with a third MVP crown. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s six MVPs are the most ever. Bill Russell and Michael Jordan won five apiece and Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James four.

Jokic joins Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson as three-time winners after earning 79 first-placed votes compared to 15 for Gilgeous-Alexander and four for Doncic.

Behind Jokic, the 57-25 Nuggets matched the franchise high for victories in a season — although they were tied for best record in the West with Oklahoma City and ended up with the second seed.

Whether Jokic will be able to combine an MVP award and the title this season remains to be seen.

The Nuggets dropped the first two games of their Western Conference semifinal series to the Minnesota Timberwolves and face the tough task of trying to claw back on the Timberwolves’ home court starting on Friday.

Jokic’s victory marks the sixth straight season that the MVP award has gone to a player born outside the United States. The last US-born player to win was James Harden in 2018.

AMMAN — Week 19 of the Professional Football League kicks off on Thursday with Hussein still five points in the lead and Faisali chasing closely.

As teams enter the final weeks of the competition, there are varying aims for clubs at both ends of the standings with Faisali hoping Hussein will stumble and the last two fighting to avoid relegation.

This week, Hussein can take their lead further when they play bottom placed Jalil while Faisali play Mughayer Sarhan. Wihdat will face Ramtha as Ahli have a vital match against Shabab Hussein while Aqaba hope to come out with a win against Salt and Ma’an play Sahab. 

Hussein need to keep their unbeaten record ahead of their clash with Faisali in the final week. They  last beat Ahli 2-1, as the latter dropped to 11th, while Faisali beat Jalil 4-0 to stay in contention.  Ma’an scored an important 1-0 win over Ramtha to move  up two spots as Sahab scored a 1-0 win over Mughayer Sarhan to also move up a spot. Wihdat beat Salt 3-0, as Aqaba remained fifth after a 1-0 win over Shabab Urdun who dropped to 9th.

Wihdat dropped out of the race and now focus on winning the Jordan Cup as the quarterfinalists have now been decided.

In latest Round of 16 matches, Sahab stunned Faisali on penalties, and Wihdat eliminatedMughayer Sarhan. Earlier, Shabab Urdun beat Sarih, Ramtha ousted Sama Al Sarhan, Ma’an beat Ahli, Salt ousted Jazira, Aqaba beat Jalil, Hussein beat Yarmouk.