1 $393,264 4 7 5 6 6 Win% 52% 3rd 1 55% 0 JockeyMts 4 7 $376,913 SANTA ANITA STATISTICS 3 Edwin Maldonado20 4 Andrew Lerner6 60% 4 ITM% 8 9 Drayden Van Dyke30 $216,271 $224,850 Doug O’Neill22 53% 19% 4 $286,646 7 5 0 (Current Through Friday, May 3) 3rd $426,177 OMAHA BEACH WILL RETURN TO SANTA ANITA Rafael Bejarano43 1st Philip D’Amato13 SURGERY WENT WELL ON OMAHA BEACH, MANDELLA SAYSThis morning, Richard Mandella was back at the last place he expected to be four days ago–his home base of Santa Anita.It was late Wednesday afternoon in Kentucky when it was announced that the three-year-old he trains, Omaha Beach, who happened to be the favorite to win today’s 145thKentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, would miss the race because of an entrapped epiglottis.After dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath in the Blue Grass State, the 68-year-old Hall of Fame trainer was back on the beat at The Great Race Place Saturday, having returned to California Friday.“They did the procedure to treat the epiglottis yesterday and it was a very simple deal, so it’s done,” Mandella said. “He’ll probably get two weeks off, something like that. He’ll stay in Kentucky, then return here and go back in training.“It isn’t that big of a deal. The big deal is the timing (which cost him a start in the Kentucky Derby).”Mandella, winless with six previous starters in the Run for the Roses, was somewhat overwhelmed with the support he and his horse received after the heart-breaking news.“They had a press conference after the announcement and it was standing room only in this big room,” he said, “and I thanked everybody for being so concerned . . . It was emotional but we got through it.”Suggested that Omaha Beach’s defection was somewhat traumatizing for all involved, Mandella deflected such thoughts by turning on his self-deprecating sense of humor.“I suspect Baffert had something to do with it,” he said, laughing heartily. “He was seen in my barn late that night. Seriously, these opportunities don’t come along very often.“Omaha Beach is a special horse.”MUCHOS BESOS MUY BUENO AT AGE 10There will be no statue of Muchos Besos at Santa Anita, as there are of Seabiscuit, John Henry and Zenyatta, but perhaps there should be, certainly not based on the company he keeps, but because he epitomizes the qualities that make racing great–devotion, dedication and durability.When the dappled gray gelding rolled to a front-running 1 ¼-length victory against$16,000 claimers in last Sunday’s second race under 52-year-old Agapito Delgadillo, it marked his 10th win from 44 races at Santa Anita, where he also has six seconds, 10 thirds and earnings of $235,856.Overall, the 10-year-old son of Macho Uno bred in Kentucky by Hermitage Farm has 12 wins, nine seconds and 13 thirds from 76 starts with earnings of $325,936. The old boy favors an unwavering strategy: go to the front and stay there.Appropriately, track announcer Frank Mirahmadi rendered impromptu praise uponMuchos Besos during the winner’s circle ceremony.“He came out of the race like he’s ready for another one next week,” said 66-year-old El Paso native Javier Jose Sierra, who trains Muchos Besos for property and rental entrepreneur Hugo Catalan.Muchos Besos is among 10 horses in training with Sierra, who is one of 12 children. He earned a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Texas El Paso, worked three summers under D. Wayne Lukas when he trained quarter horses in New Mexico and also was mentored one year at Sunland Park by J.J. Pletcher, father of Todd Pletcher.But today Muchos Besos (“many kisses” in Spanish) is Sierra’s heart-warming story that has caught the fancy of devotees at Santa Anita.“At the barn with us he is a very calm horse, very gentle,” Sierra said. “But when theybring him to the race track, he acts like a two-year-old and he’s not easy to hold.”Sierra has had Muchos Besos “four to five years” and gave him two months off beforehis latest victory. “We felt he needed a little time after his last race (when he finished fifth of seven, showing minimal interest), and we were going to send him to the farm,” Sierra said.“Instead, we rested him and took care of him at the barn, began training him, and he felt good so we kept going. His first two works before he raced again were bullets (59.80 on March 12, best of 66 at five furlongs, and 48 flat on March 20, fastest of 16 at four furlongs), so he showed us that he wanted to come back.“But he really surprised me the way he ran on Sunday, and if all goes well, you’ll seehim again before the meet’s over.”SCOTT STEVENS TO RECEIVE WOOLF AWARD ON MAY 19In what will surely be an intensely emotional moment, veteran jockey Scott Stevens will be presented with the 2019 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in a Winner’s Circle ceremony at Santa Anita on Sunday, May 19.A winner of more than 4,800 races in a career that has spanned 43 years, Stevens will be joined on May 19 by family, friends and colleagues, including the 1996 Woolf Award winner, retired Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, as the pair thus become the first brotherly tandem to win the prestigious award in its 70-year history.The winner via a vote of jockeys nationwide, Stevens placed first among a list of five finalists that included Joe Bravo, Kerwin Clark, John Davila, Jr. and Julien Leparoux.“I know I was there when Gary won, but honestly, it’s been so long ago, I don’t remember,” said Stevens from his base at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. “This award is so special and I was honored just to be nominated. When you think about all the great riders and people who have won it and to be selected by a vote of your peers . . . It’s more than I can describe.”Born Oct. 6, 1960 in Caldwell, Idaho, Stevens is the son of a former trainer, Ron, and rodeo queen, Barbara. Steeped in the ways of the horse-world from infancy, Stevens, who has more than 32,400 career mounts, broke his maiden on May 30, 1976 at Les Bois Park in Boise, at the age of 15.A member of both the Idaho and Canterbury Park (MN) Halls of Fame, Stevens has been a helpful, guiding influence to scores of young jockeys for decades.A nine-time leading rider at Turf Paradise, Stevens, who resides in Phoenix with his longtime partner Pam Isles, has two grown children, a daughter Jessica and a son, Jake, as well as five grandchildren, four of whom will join him on May 19.Named for the legendary Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf, who died at age 35 following a spill on Santa Anita’s Club House turn on Jan. 3, 1946, the Woolf Award can only be won once, and it is intended to recognize those riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing.The Woolf trophy is a replica of the life-size statue of George Woolf which adorns Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens Area.LATEST CONTENT FROM XBTV:Blended Citizen worked 3 furlongs (O’Neill) 5-03-19Sejo worked 5 furlongs (Sadler) 5-03-19Caribou Club worked 4 furlongs (Proctor) 5-03-19Game Winner galloped at Churchill Downs (Baffert) 5-03-19Improbable galloped at Churchill Downs (Baffert) 5-03-19Roadster galloped at Churchill Downs (Baffert) 5-03-19Bob Baffert discusses his Oaks and Derby contenders. 5-03-19Owner and Breeder Arthur Hancock talks about Roadster ahead of Kentucky Derby 5-03-19Exercise Rider Humberto Gomez latest update on Roadster, Game Winner, & Improbable have trained leading up to the Kentucky Derby. 5-03-19Bob Baffert Q & A ahead of the Kentucky Derby 5-01-19 45% $231,960 $164,967 65% George Papaprodromou9 32% 9 50% 6 Victor Espinoza15 2 15% 1 40% 0 $335,253 33% Jerry Hollendorfer15 50% 8 2 ITM% 22% 1 5 2nd 23% $336,242 30% 1 Richard Baltas20 $185,682 5 44% 8 60% SCOTT STEVENS GETS WOOLF AWARD MAY 19 64% $384,362 56% 7 6 58% $239,575 TrainerMts 6 16% 75% 3 6 35% Ruben Fuentes40 Money Won 46% 5 Money Won 67% 1st 7 31% Flavien Prat26 John Shirreffs9 $69,620 20% 33% Win% 21% 46% 1 3 John Sadler18 60% 35% $339,112 8 0 $177,264 MUCHOS BESOS ADDS TO MUCHO VICTORIES Mark Glatt25 Joseph Talamo31 3 2 4 2nd Tiago Pereira39 $63,891 7 3 0 0 7 16% 3
Jose Mourinho gives first interview as head coach at Tottenham THE tweet going viral appearing to show Dele Alli blasting Jose Mourinho is a fake.A screenshot of a message claiming to have been posted seven years ago by the England star suggested Alli never wanted to work with Mourinho.2 Pranksters attempted to undermine Dele Alli on his first day working with new manager Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty – ContributorThe historical tweet was appearing to come back to haunt the Tottenham star now that Mourinho has replaced Mauricio Pochettino in charge.Alli, then an MK Dons player, was supposed to have said: “Surely I can’t be the only one who thinks Mourinho is overrated and too cocky.”It just makes you look like a bad manager, I’m glad I’ll never have to work with him.”But SunSport has confirmed that the viral message is a complete fake, aimed at trying to embarrass the Spurs midfielder.The pranksters have attempted to undermine the relationship of Alli and Mourinho on the first day he was in charge.2 The fake tweet claiming to have been written by Dele AlliBut in truth, it has been quickly written off by everyone at Spurs.Alli is hoping the appointment of Mourinho will help him work his way back to his best form following 18 months blighted by injury.The 23-year-old, like most of the Spurs squad, had been performing below par this season.Pochettino remained popular with the players for the part he played in developing their careers.Latest Tottenham newsHARRY ALL FOUR ITKane admits Spurs must win EIGHT games to rise into Champions League spotGossipALL GONE PETE TONGVertonghen wanted by host of Italian clubs as long Spurs spell nears endBELOW PARRSpurs suffer blow with Parrott to miss Prem restart after appendix operationPicturedSHIRT STORMNew Spurs 2020/21 home top leaked but angry fans slam silver design as ‘awful”STEP BY STEP’Jose fears for players’ welfare during restart as stars begin ‘pre-season’KAN’T HAVE THATVictor Osimhen keen on Spurs move but only if they sell Kane this summerAfter his sacking this week, Alli was quick to post a message of thanks to the Argentine on social media.He wrote: “I can’t thank this man enough. He’s taught me so much and I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for me.”Good luck and I hope to see you again my friend.”
3most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’NEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticREF RELEASEDChampions League ref Vincic released by cops after arrest in prostitution raidKEANE DEALEx Man United youth ace David Jones says Roy Keane negotiated a contract for him“Amazing song, beautiful really and I was singing along . . . trying to!”After closing the gap to six points on fourth-placed Chelsea, Mourinho added: “When I arrived, we were 12 points behind.”I said if we think too much about it, we are going to get depressed. We are going into a period with lots of matches to put pressure on our opponents.”3 Spurs moved up to fifth with this important win over BournemouthCredit: Rex Features JOSE MOURINHO hailed Dele Alli’s work ethic after his two-goal supershow.The new Tottenham boss first said he did not need to speak about man of the moment Dele — then sang his praises anyway.3 Jose Mourinho hailed Dele Alli’s work ethic after his two-goal supershowCredit: Getty – ContributorSpurs moved up to fifth with this important win over Bournemouth.Asked about Dele’s return to form, Mourinho said: “That is the best thing for a coach, when you don’t need to speak about a player.”Everybody speaks already about him and for the right reasons.“I couldn’t ask any more from him. He’s scoring, assisting, working, fantastic.“Now he has lots of confidence to play.”Dele’s three goals in three games has coincided with him playing further forward.Mourinho added: “For me, Dele is not a midfield player. He is a player to play close to Harry Kane, with freedom to associate with the attacking players.”Moussa Sissoko’s name was sung by Spurs fans after his rare goal put them 3-0 up.Mourinho added: “It’s the best feeling for a player to have his fans with him.
A Central Jersey U13 travel softball team is looking for players to round out its roster for the fall 2005 season and play on 60/90 fields. The team will play local in fall but plan for a committed team to play league and tournaments throughout 2006. Players must be born on or after May 1, 1992. Call (732) 462-0477 or e-mail njbats@optonline.net for additional information. Hazlet Recreation will be sponsoring a basketball camp for boys and girls ages 9-15 on Aug. 8-11. The cost of the program is $100. The camp will be held at the Hazlet Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon. A physical is required. Directed by Denis Curuano. Payment may be made by mail or in person at the James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet NJ, 07730, by Aug. 5. Checks or money order accepted only. There is a $15 fee for late registrations. The Shore Soccer Officials Association is seeking candidates interested in officiating high school soccer in the Monmouth and Ocean County areas. Please contact Frank Jablonski at (732) 842-5652 or e-mail fajablo@verizon.net for more information. The Lincroft Knights fall travel baseball team (11U/10-year-old division) is seeking competitive players. Players must be born May 1, 1994, or later. All towns welcomed to tryout. Season starts Aug. 27. For more information, call (732) 530-7305 or e-mail bepirro@yahoo.com The MYAA 9/10-year-old girls softball all stars won the District 19 championship by sweeping the competition. Impressive wins over Marlboro (11-1) and Lincroft (24-7) led to the victory. Game one was skillfully pitched by Jordan Donohue, who allowed only one unearned run. The second game was a slugfest as Middletown racked up a whopping 20 hits. Extra base hits were provided by Alexis DeMatteo and Christy Capo. The championship roster includes Tori Brown, Christy Capo, Meg Davidson, Megan DeGrushe, Alexis DeMatteo, Jordan Donohue, Skyelar McArtney, Kristy Miceli, Casey Raguseo, Marisa Reilly and Nicole Tollevsen. A Middletown-area U12 boys travel baseball team seeks players for its fall 50/70 league. Players must be born after May 1, 1993. Players from all surrounding towns welcome. Pitching a plus. Tournament play next spring and summer with baseball as primary sport. Please e-mail midmustangs@aol.com for more information. The Aberdeen/Matawan girls fall softball league will be holding registration for it 2005 season. The league is open to residents and nonresidents in grades four through 12 as of September. For more information, go to www.leaguelineup.com/amyaa, call Jim at (732) 290-9576 or e-mail amyaa2005@optonline.net
Top: Middletown High School South third baseman Mike Gannon (3) and catcher Rob Marcickiewicz chase after Marlboro High School’s C.J. Iacobellis in a run-down during the April 20 A North Division game played in Middletown. Marlboro’s 4-1 win moved the Mustangs into a tie for second place in the division. Above: Middletown South’s Mike Grossi slides safely into third base under the tag of Marlboro third baseman Scott Donaghue during the game. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff
Ethan Wall, shown here putting during the Monmouth County Golf Tournament, and his Christian Brothers Academy teammates captured the NJSIAA Tournament of Champion crown with a record low score of 295. The TOC was held on May 24 at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Somerset County. JEFF GRANIT staff A s Jim Dengler was the last player from his Christian Brothers Academy golf team to come off the last hole at Neshanic Valley in Somerset County, the first one to greet him was teammate Bob Bonney.“What did you get,” asked Bonney, a senior who earlier shot a three-over par 75.“A72,” said Dengler, a junior.“Buddy we did it,” screamed Bonney. “We won.”“Itwas a great moment,” Bonney said afterward. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had on a course with these guys.”The score ushered in a celebration from a CBAteam that had won its fourth NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title since 1998, second in three years, with a record 295 from a lineup that had players from all four grades.Just a half-hour earlier, Bergen Catholic had set one of the shortest held records in NJSIAAhistorywithaTofCrecord300, surpassing the previous record of 305 that CBAset twice in 1985 and 2006. Its players showed almost smug confidence as they boasted the title was theirs, only to see it taken away by five strokes.“On the fifth hole, my shot went to the fairway and the next one reached the green and then I chipped in for a birdie. That got me started,” said Dengler. “For the whole season, we had high expectations and came in knowing we had a strong team. At the Tournament of Champions, we minimized mistakes. We had things go our way and played pretty smart.”“When the guys from Bergen came off, they were saying ‘We broke the record and won. Nobody’s going to catch us,’” said Bonney. “I never wanted to win a tournament so bad. I felt my heart pounding with a little excitement and being nervous. But I had a lot of confidence in Jimmy.”Ethan Wall, a sophomore who showed enormous potential, also shot a 72 at the T of C and his freshman brother — Jerry — came in with a 76.“The guys were never so confident,” said Dengler. “With so many guys coming back, I feel that same way for next year.”“I’m not surprised,” said Bonney of the spectacular season. “The two Walls are amazing and I played in summer tournaments last year with Jimmy and he stepped up his game so I wasn’t surprised about him.”Both teams were competing in the Non- Public A Division and none of the other group champions would come close to those two teams. Rumson-Fair Haven, the Group II champion, was way back with a 319.But it was only a few weeks earlier that Rumson-Fair Haven went on a tear in the Monmouth County Tournament when it carded a 293 at Hominy Hills, way ahead of CBA’s 317. The Colts got a greater measure of revenge when theywon the Shore Conference Tournament, with Rumson-Fair Haven 10 strokes behind, and did it again in the T of C. Dengler was third in the Shore Conference Tournament with a 75.“That’s when my game started to turn on,” Dengler said.“We lost four guys from the previous team going into this season and some thought we’d have a tough time but the young guys came through,” said coach Tim Sewnig.By midseason, CBAwas the talk of New Jersey high school golf, a team that had the talent and some depth to threaten to take it all. Senior Mike DeGennaro, one of three captains along with Bonney and senior Marc Soto, had a part in CBA’s success in the big tournaments where Sewnig said he is at his best. Along with shooting a 75 in the county tournament for fourth place individually and a 76 in the Shore Conference Tournament, DeGennaro fired an 81 for eighth place in the NJSIAANon-PublicASouth Jersey sectionals where CBA also prevailed.In fact, CBA golfers swept the top four spots that day. Dengler shot a 2-under par 70, followed by Bonney and Ethan Wall with 75s. Jerry Wall, who Sewnig said he planned to break in slowly, was fourth in the sectionals with a 78.Mark Tiernan is the other one of the four seniors graduating off this team.For Bonney, the T of C title is the end of his playing golf for a school team. He is going to William and Mary in the fall but does not expect to play for that team.“It’s a tough school academically that demands a lot of time for studies and I can’t see how I could put in 18 hours a week for (NCAA) Division I golf,” said Bonney, in a disappointed tone. He said he’s been driving the ball farther down the fairways this year but is not as sharp on the greens, a contrast froma year ago when he felt his putting was sharp but he otherwise wasn’t playing as well as he could. His efforts this season earned the praise and appreciation of Sewnig.“He’s intense,” said Sewnig. “He finally figured out in his senior year how to be intense but not tight.”Dengler’s modus is in contrast to Bonney’s. Sewnig said, “He’s the nicest kid in the world. He’d be smiling the whole time and at the end of the round, you don’t believe that he just beat you by 10 strokes.”As for the Wall brothers, Sewnig said, “They have such an appetite for golf. You can’t get them off the course.”Now, Sewnig hopes his team keeps that appetite as a group for next season. BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Correspondent Colts win fourth TOC crown with record 295 score 
By Sam SankSince its inception in 1992, there have been some mammoth victories in the Champions League and even Bayern Munich’s 7-1 destruction of Roma on Tuesday night is not big enough to make the top seven…7. FC Zilna 0-7 Marseille, November 2010Marseille’s win in Slovakia was the biggest away victory in the Champions League, but it hardly came as a surprise considering the 2010/11 season was the first time that MSK Zilna had qualified for the group stages of the competition. Andre-Pierre Gignac helped himself to a hat-trick, as the Slovakian champions ended the group stage bottom with 0 points.6. Juventus 7-0 Olympiakos, December 2003Juventus needed a win at home against Olympiakos to secure first place in their group, but the Stadio delle Alpi got a whole lot more than that. Every single one of Juve’s strikers got in on the act that night, with David Trezeguet (2), Alessandro Del Piero, Fabrizio Miccoli, Marco Di Vaio and Marcelo Zayaleta all adding to an Enzo Maresca strike.5. Valencia 7-0 Genk, November 2011Spurs fans may not quite believe this, but Roberto Soldado used to be a goalscoring machine and in late 2011 he was part of the joint second highest win in Champions League history when Valencia thrashed Genk at home. The Spanish striker went home with the match ball after finding the net on three occasions, but Valencia still crashed out of the group stages despite the historic win.4. Arsenal 7-0 Slavia Prague, October 2007Arsenal unleashed all of their attacking prowess on Czech side Slavia Prague during the group stages of the 2007/08 campaign. In only their second season at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners put seven past their foreign opponents without conceding. Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott grabbed a brace apiece, while even Nicklas Bendtner got on the scoresheet!3. BATE Borisov 0-7 Shakhtar Donetsk, October 2014Three records were broken by Shakhtar Donestk on Tuesday night. First, their 7-0 humiliation of BATE Borisov equalled the biggest away win in the Champions League, while Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano equalled Lionel Messi’s record of scoring five goals in a single game in the competition. Most impressive though, was how the Ukrainian side became the first team to have scored six goals in a single half of football after they added only one more goal following the half-time break.2. Bayern Munich 7-0 FC Basel, March 2012FC Basel had won the first leg of this last 16 tie 1-0 in Switzerland, but the German heavyweights were to take revenge with a 7-0 drubbing two weeks later, in what is the biggest ever win in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition. Mario Gomez scored four, while Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller also helped to ensure that Bayern would go on to reach the final in their home stadium that year, only to lose to Chelsea on penalties.1. Liverpool 8-0 Beskitas, November 2007The biggest win in the Champions League since it was established 22 years ago came at Anfield in late 2007. Liverpool, who prior to the game were on the verge of crashing out of the tournament, tore their Turkish opposition apart and kept their hope of reaching a third Champions League final alive. Yossi Benayoun was one of many heroes following his hat-trick, but the Reds were to eventually crash out to Chelsea in the semi finals. For more articles and the latest soccer news, check out FTBpro.com
By Jamie SpencerFans love a player with pace that can tear up a defence. The Premier League is full of them, but there is always a debate about who is actually the quickest.Liverpool fans will tell you it’s Raheem Sterling, but Manchester United fans will back Angel Di Maria. If Theo Walcott had played any time recently Arsenal fans might back him, but they’d probably settle for Alexis Sanchez.But now the Daily Mail newspaper, in conjunction with EA Sports who record all the vital statistics for the Premier League, have revealed who really is the fastest around.Here’s a look at the top five fastest players of this season, proven by the numbers. However, you may be in for a bit of a shock.5. Connor WickhamConnor Wickham helped save Sunderland’s season in 2013/14, but to look at him the striker has more of a ‘lumbering target man’ look than that of a speedster.However, going full pelt the 21-year-old has managed to get up to 35.8km/h. Shocking really.4. Steven N’ZonziThe role of the holding midfielder is not exactly synonymous with speed. A graveyard for ageing and/or failed strikers, Stoke’s Steven N’Zonzi would appear to be an exception to the ‘slow’ tag.Clocking up a maximum velocity of 35.82km/h, he’ll catch up to you, make a tackle and give the ball away all in a flash.3. Joe LedleyHe may not look like he has the best aerodynamic qualities, but Joe Ledley’s beard certainly hasn’t held the Crystal Palace man back in the speed stakes so far this season.With a top speed of 35.91km/h, opposing midfielders take time on the ball at their peril against the Premier League’s third fastest player.2. Ritchie de LaetRegardless of the fact they scored five against Manchester United, Leicester have struggled keeping goals out this season.Likely running hell for leather back towards his own goal, Foxes full-back Ritchie de Laet has been recorded at 35.94km/h, the second fastest of anyone in the league.1. Phil JagielkaIt’s official, the fastest player in the Premier League is not Angel Di Maria, Raheem Sterling or Alexis Sanchez. It’s … Phil Jagielka?Believe it because apparently it’s true. No player has been clocked at a higher speed than the Everton man who reached 35.99km/h, on the very first day of the season no less.For more articles and the latest soccer news, check out FTBpro.com
By Simon EvansDefending champion Novak Djokovic survived a scare from Alexandr Dolgopolov to reach the Miami Open quarter-finals while Andy Murray won the 500th match of his career to reach the last eight.Djokovic was made to work for his 6-7 7-5 6-0 win over world number 65 Dolgopolov.After dropping the first set the top-seeded Serbian found himself in even deeper trouble by falling behind 4-1 in the second and facing the threat of an unexpected early exit.But Djokovic dug deep to turn things around, breaking to get the set back on serve at 4-3 to the Ukrainian and then broke again for a 6-5 lead.Having seen his chance of an upset slip through his hands, Dolgopolov faded quickly and badly dropped the third set where a dominant Djokovic won 24 of 27 points.“I was literally a game or two from losing the match. I’m just happy to be able to bounce back,” said Djokovic.“These particular matches do help me in a certain way mentally to gain that confidence and self belief in a way that I never give up and battle till the last point, and it sends a message to the other players, as well,” he added.Djokovic, who is seeking a fifth title at Key Biscayne, will face Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarters.World number four Murray beat South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 3-6 6-3 to become the 46th man in the Open Era to reach 500 career wins and the first British male. He is one of only nine active players to have reached the milestone.Anderson fought back well in the second but after trading early breaks in the third the Scot took control breaking his South African opponent again to grab a 3-1 advantage and never looked back.Murray will face Austrian Dominic Thiem, who reached his first Masters 1000 series quarter-final after beating France’s Adrian Mannarino 7-6 4-6 7-5.Czech Tomas Berdych made it six quarter-finals out of six tournaments this year after he advanced when Frenchman Gael Monfils retired in the second set after a bad fall. Berdych was leading 6-3 3-2.Berdych will next face Argentine Juan Monaco, a 6-3 6-3 winner over Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the fourth seed, beat Belgian David Goffin 6-1 6-2 and will face American John Isner, who beat Canada’s Milos Raonic in three tie-breaks.Isner trailed by a set and was 3-0 down in the second but emerged from the battle of two of the game’s biggest servers with a 6-7 7-6 7-6 victory.
Triple Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was fastest for Mercedes in final practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday despite gearbox problems and a spin.The Briton, who wrapped up the championship in Texas last month, lapped 0.123 of a second quicker than German team mate Nico Rosberg.His best lap of one minute 12.070 was set on soft tyres in the final minutes.Earlier, with some 20 minutes gone, he had crawled to a halt on the track and told the team over the radio that he had lost gears.An electronic problem was diagnosed, fixed in the garage and Hamilton returned to set a best time before he then spun off at turn 11.“I don’t know what happened there, but the rear just gave up real quick,” he said.Mercedes technical head Paddy Lowe confirmed there had been an electronics problem which affected the gearshift.“I think that should be fine for the race,” he told Sky Sports F1.Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen were third and fourth fastest, with the German 0.690 off Hamilton’s pace but still likely to pose a threat in the race.Finland’s Valtteri Bottas, who has a three place grid penalty, was fifth for Williams with Mercedes-powered cars filling seven of the top 10 places ahead of qualifying.“It’s probably closer than it looks from that timesheet to Ferrari,” said Lowe.Rosberg, last year’s winner at Interlagos, is chasing his fifth successive pole position while Hamilton can claim his career 50th.