Mon District

LONDON, SEP 2 (AGEN

CIES): Lionel Messi has reportedly agreed a record £623million deal to join Manchester City, reports The Sun.

The 33-year-old is on a mission to force his way out of Barcelona after he handed in a transfer request.

According to Record Sport, Messi has agreed financial terms on a fiveyear contract worth a total of €700m (£623m).

The incredible deal would make the Argentine the highest-paid individual in the history of the sport.

It equates to £14,200 an hour, £341,000 per day, £2.4m every week and a whopping £10.4m per month.

Messi is set to spend three seasons at the Etihad before joining City Football Group’s (CFG) Major League Soccer side New York City FC for two years.

It is also reported that Messi could be offered an equity stake in CFG as part of his package.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been at

NEW YO RK/ NEW DELHI, SEP 2 (IANS):

Andy Murray made a spectacular return to the grand slam singles stage with a gruelling five-set victory in the first round of the US Open.

He secured a brilliant 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 come-from-behind victory in a 4 hour and 39 min encounter against 49th-ranked Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, in his first singles Grand Slam match in 18 months following an injury and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scot will now play 15th seed Canadian Felix Auger-Allassime in the second round. His comeback appeared to be heading for disaster when he went 1-3 down in the third set, appearing all-but-certain to be heading for an embarrassing straight-sets exit.

However, showing the grit and determination that led him to three Grand Slam wins during his peak, Murray hauled himself into a 5-4 lead before taking the set on a tie-break. By

Here’s how much Lionel Messi will earn from the new deal.

loggerheads with Barcelona since he handed in his transfer request to leave on a free.

New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has decided that if Messi does not want to stay at the Spanish giants it would be better to get him out as soon as possible.

And Barca presidential hopeful Victor Font

Andy Murray

then, Murray was playing more aggressively, forcing Nishioka on back foot and to err of his own.

The first four games of set four went to serve until a Murray double fault put him a break down. Murray immediately broke back though, a delicate backhanded lob from deep making the score 3-3, before breaking again for game, set, match. insists current president Josep Maria Bartomeu must honour his pledge to allow the Argentine superstar “to leave whenever he wants.”

Messi’s father and representative, Jorge Messi, yesterday flew by private jet from his home in Rosario, Argentina, to Spain for showdown talks with Barcelona chiefs today.

And Font declared:

Sumit Nagal storms

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal scripted history by becoming the first Indian since 2013 to enter the second round of the US Open.

Nagal stormed into the second round of the Grand Slam by defeating US’ Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 on Tuesday. With this the 23-year-old became the first Indian to win a singles main draw match at a Grand Slam in the last seven years. Nagal maintained a win percentage of 80 per cent on his first serves in the first set during which the experienced American made 15 unforced errors. The Indian continued to dominate and clinched the second set 6-3 but was broken at a crucial juncture in the 3rd set after which Klahn held his serve and forced a 4th set. Nagal gathered his focus back and clinched an early break. There was no looking back from thereon as the Indian youngster wrapped the firstround match in 2 hours and 12 minutes. “A couple of months ago the president said players have earned the right to leave and retire whenever they want.

“Now, because of these very exceptional circumstances, he has to honour that commitment.”

When asked whether Messi had been betrayed by the club, Font added: “There is an inconsistency, Have to be vigilant: Williamson on IPL

Covid cases

New Del hi , Sep 2

(IANS): New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson has acknowledged feeling apprehensive about Covid-19 as he prepares to join Sunrisers Hyderabad for the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates.

Last week, 13 members of the Chennai Super Kings, including two players, tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in the UAE and had to be sent into isolation.

“Obviously that’s bad news,” Williamson was quoted as saying by Radio New Zealand. “You don’t want to hear anybody (has) Covid. I hear they are predominantly asymptomatic, so hopefully through another lockdown period, they can come through and we’ll be okay.

“There’s a little bit of apprehension, certainly as you get nearer to the time... You start thinking you do have to be extremely vigilant and disciplined,” said Williamson, who is due to leave on Thursday to link up with the Sunrisers. probably due to mismanagement by the current board, trying to hide behind these wrongdoings.

“That’s why it’s extremely important for the history of the club that we do what it takes.”

Barcelona claim Messi, 33, is on STRIKE after failing to report for a Covid test and pre-season training.

But the superstar no longer considers himself a part of Koeman’s squad following a bitter row over his contract.

In a Sky Sports interview Font added: “I’m sure what Messi has decided has not been a last-minute decision, it’ll be something well thought out.

“I really hope the decision can be changed, but it doesn’t seem likely and if that’s the case the focus should be on getting the transition that Messi deserves.

“We need to ensure the legal battle between the club and Messi stops. We sit down, we talk. Let’s make sure we don’t get into an even worse situation.”

Sis te ron (France ),

Sep 2 (IANS): Primoz Roglic underlined his yellow jersey credentials with victory in Stage 4 at OrcieresMerlette as a tiring Julian Alaphilippe saw his race lead slashed on the first summit finish of the Tour de France.

Roglic led home a Slovenian one-two ahead of compatriot Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) after an ominous performance of collective dominance from his Jumbo-Visma team at the end of the 160.5km stage into the Alps.

Giullaume Martin (Cofidis) zipped past fellow Frenchman Alaphilippe in the closing metres to deny the Deceuninck-QuickStep rider third place and the final bonus seconds, with Colombia’s Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) also edging out the yellow jersey to take fourth.

Alaphilippe, the Stage 2 winner, retains his foursecond lead over Britain’s Adam Yates (MitcheltonScott) but the in-form Roglic moves up into third place just seven seconds back after securing the 10

Manc hes te r, Sep 2

(IANS): Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez hit a scintillating unbeaten 86 as the visitors beat England by five runs in the third and final Twenty20 International at Old Trafford to tie the series 1-1.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 190 for four in their 20 overs as Hafeez and debutant Haider Ali (54) shared a hundred runs partnership for the third wicket on Tuesday. England could only manage to reach 185 for eight despite a superb 61 from Moeen Ali.

In his brilliant inning, Hafeez smashed six sixes in his 52-ball 86. Haider also became the first Pakistan player to score a Twenty20 half-century on debut when he brought up his milestone from 28 deliveries and his century stand with Hafeez came off 10 overs.

Chasing a tough total, England were in early trouble when opener Jonny Bairstow was bowled by Shaheen Afridi (2-28) for a duck. Captain Eoin Mor

Hafeez (86) and debutant Haider Ali (54) shared a hundred runs partnership for the third wicket.

partner Tom Banton refrom the last two overs. But fused a run, and when the a brilliant penultimate over latter was leg before wicket from seamer Wahab Riaz to Haris Rauf for 46 from (2-26) went for just three 31 deliveries, England were runs, including the wicket teetering at 69 for four. of Moeen, who scored 61

Moeen and Sam Billoff 33 balls. ings (26) put on 57 for the The hosts will now fifth wicket, and the former prepare for a three-match kept his side in the game Twenty20 series against with some power hitting, Australia that starts in leaving them needing 20 Southampton on Friday.

US Open: Murray wins 5-set epic on Grand Slam comeback

into US Open 2nd round

Primoz Roglic wins Tour de France Stage 4

gan was run out for 10 as

Team Jumbo-Visma rider Primoz Roglic of Slovenia wins the stage ahead of UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia.

bonus seconds on the line.

In what was essentially an uphill drag race on the final 7.1km climb, Jumbo-Visma showed their strength in depth as Wout van Aert and Sepp Kuss both put in huge stints on the front to reduce the main field before Roglic reacted to Martin’s acceleration to win the third Tour stage in his career.

Colombians Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and Egan Bernal (Ineos Grena

New Del hi, Sep 2

(PTI): World champion P V Sindhu has pulled out of next month’s Thomas and Uber Cup Finals due to “personal reasons” and could also miss the subsequent Super 750 tournaments in Denmark. The Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled to be held from October 3 to 11 in Aarhus, Denmark is the first tournament in the revised calender, which was launched by the sport’s governing body BWF last week. “Sindhu will not be able to participate in the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals due to some personal reasons,” the Olympic silver-medallist’s father P V Ramana told PTI. “She has some personal work, so unfortunately she will have to skip the event. We have informed the Badminton Association of India about her decision,” he added. The Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be followed by the Denmark Open I (October 13-18) and Denmark Masters (October 20-25). An Olympic hopeful, Sindhu, who has diers) took sixth and seventh ahead of Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (GroupamaFDJ) and Spaniard Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren), with Yates completing the top 10.

The fast finish on the otherwise gentle gradient saw many GC contenders lose precious seconds to the main group, most notably Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe), Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers), Alejandro Valverde

P V Sindhu

been training at the national badminton camp in Hyderabad, had been planning to participate in the prestigious tournament. Asked if she would be participating in the two 750 events in Denmark, Ramana said: “Actually that is also (in doubt) ... I mean the entries have been sent for both the events, but it depends on her personal work if she would be able to play both or not. “She may have to skip one tournament in Denmark. If she can complete her personal work then she will play one.” Sindhu had resumed training last month under the supervision of Korean coach Park Tae-Sang after (Movistar) and EF Pro Cycling duo Dani Martinez and Sergio Higuita.

Earlier in the day, a six-man move animated proceedings until Tiesj Benoot (Team Sunweb) acrobatically crashed over a barrier, while Slovakia’s Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) retained the green jersey by the skin of his teeth after Ireland’s Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-QuickStep) piled on the pressure in the

You might see me back in CSK camp: Suresh Raina ISL: Odisha FC sign Brazilian New Del hi, Sep 2 (PTI): Suresh Raina has broken his he even sent me a message thereafter. We’ve chatted forward Marcelo silence over his unexpected about it and both CSK and Bhubaneswa r, Sep pullout from the IPL, saying I just want to get over with 2 (IANS): Odisha FC on he returned to India for his it,” said Raina. Responding Wednesday announced that family and he might even to reports that he was not the club had secured the serfly back to Dubai to rejoin comfortable in the strict biovices of experienced Brazilthe Chennai Super Kings for secure environment created ian footballer Marcelo Leite the tournament beginning for the IPL, Raina added: Pereira ahead of the seventh September 19. “I have a young family back edition of the Indian Super

Raina, who announced home and I was concerned League (ISL). his international retirement about the fact that if someThe 33-year-old foralongside M S Dhoni on thing happened to me, unka ward signed a one-year conAugust 15, also rubbished Suresh Raina kya hoga? (what’ll happen tract with the Bhubaneswarreports claiming a rift beto them?). based team on Wednesday. tween him and his longtime franchise. The contingent recorded 13 COVID-19 cases, including two players, and He also dropped a hint on rejoining the team in Dubai when asked about his future with CSK. “I’ve been trainFather figure to Raina but I don’t own players: N Srinivasan “My family is most important to me and I am really concerned for them during these times. I haven’t With an ability to play as a striker or in the wings or as an attacking midfielder, Marcelinho has a vast expeRaina’s pullout was attributed to that. “It was a personal decision and I had to come back for my family. There was something that needed to be addressed immediately on the home front. CSK is ing even while quarantining here. You never know you might see me in the camp there again,” said the southpaw. When CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was asked about Raina’s long-term future with the franchise, he Team owner N Srinivasan was also not happy when he first got to know about Raina’s withdrawal from the tournament. The batsman said the former BCCI president is like a “father figure” to him and has seen my kids for more than 20 days, even after coming back, since I am in quarantine.” The violent attack on his aunt’s family in Pathankot also affected his mental state, said Raina. He lost his uncle and a cousin in rience of playing in various leagues around the world, including the ISL. He was the Golden Boot winner in the 2016 season when he scored scoring 10 goals in 15 appearances for Delhi Dynamos and guided the my family too and Mahi said the team backs all its every right to snap at him. the alleged case of robbery. team into the play-offs. bhai (MS Dhoni) is very implayers. “He has said he is “...he’s always stood “The Pathankot inciMarcelinho then played portant to me and this was a not available for the season. by me and is close to my dent was horrible and has for FC Pune City/Hyderatough decision,” Raina told We always support the playheart. He treats me like his really been very disturbing bad FC for three consecutive ‘Cricbuzz’. “There is no er. He said he has got some younger son and am sure for everyone in our family. seasons and scored 31 goals issue between CSK and me. personal issues going on. So a lot of what he said was “And it was my reand made 18 assists in 63 Nobody will just turn their he can come back whenever taken out of context. Ek sponsibility to come back ISL matches. After starting back on Rs 12.5 crore and he is fit and ready. That is baap apne bacche ko daant and take care of them. But his professional career with walk away without a solid what we want. sakta hai(A father can scold since I’ve returned, I’ve been Atletico Madrid B, the Rio reason. I might have retired “We have never been his son). in quarantine here. So, I still de Janeiro-born playmaker from international cricket against the player. There is “He didn’t know the have to go meet my parents has played club football but I’m still young and I am no problem for next season real reasons for me leavand my bua, who are all in for various other teams in looking forward to playing as we have always backed ing when he gave those great distress.” He has dethe UAE, Greece, Spain, for them in the IPL for the our players,” the CEO told comments. Now he’s been manded a thorough probe Italy, and his home country next 4-5 years,” he said. PTI. informed about them and into the incident. Brazil.

P V Sindhu withdraws from Uber Cup; doubtful for Denmark Open

intermediate sprint. the Sports Authority of India (SAI) allowed the national camp for eight Olympic hopefuls following approval from the Telangana government on August 1. Besides Sindhu, world championship bronze medallist B Sai Praneeth, former world no. 1 Kidambi Srikanth and women’s doubles player N Sikki Reddy are the only ones currently training at the SAI-Pullela Gopichand Academy. Satwiksairaj Ranki Reddy, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, is at his home in Amalapuram in Andhra Pradesh, while his men’s doubles partner Chirag Shetty is lodged in Mumbai. Ashwini Ponnappa has preferred to stay in Bangalore and train at the Padukone-Dravid Centre of Sports Excellence. London Olympics bronze medallist and former world no. 1 Saina Nehwal has still not joined the national camp and is training at a separate facility with husband Parupalli Kashyap and a few others, who are not part of the camp.