26/05/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | MAY 26, 2025

28

Au revoir , Rafa Nadal to bid Roland Garros farewell, Sabalenka makes fast start

Kamilla Rakhimova on the opening day of the tournament. The Belarusian kicked off the schedule under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier with a ruthless 6-1, 6 0 win, making a strong start to her tilt at a first French Open title. Sabalenka has never reached the final at Roland Garros, but the tournament appears more open than in recent years given the struggles of three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek. The Pole has slipped to fifth in the rankings and has not reached a WTA final since lifting her fourth French Open trophy last year. Sabalenka believes she is as well-placed as ever to take advantage. “I really feel I can do really good here,” said Sabalenka, who belted 30 winners past Rakhimova in a one-sided contest. Elina Svitolina, a four-time quarterfinalist in Paris, opened the action on Court Suzanne Lenglen with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez as light drizzle gave way to clearer skies. – AFP key clay-court event in a bid to find form ahead of the start of the year’s second Grand Slam event today at Roland Garros, where the Serb will be targeting a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy. It was Djokovic’s first tournament since splitting from coach and old rival Andy Murray, but he showed no ill-effects. Poland’s former world No. 6 Hurkacz, now ranked 31st, is still waiting for his first title since April 2024. “It’s really inspiring how you conduct yourself on and off the court,”Hurkacz said to Djokovic. – AFP Delhi end campaign on high SAMIR RIZVI hit an unbeaten 58 after Karun Nair celebrated his India Test recall with 44 as Delhi Capitals ended their IPL season with a consolation win over Punjab Kings yesterday. Chasing 207 for victory, Delhi, who missed out on the playoff spot earlier, rode a 62-run stand between Samir and Karun to reach their target with three balls and six wickets to spare in Jaipur. Karun, who made a return to the Test team after eight years when the squad was announced yesterday, departed in the 15th over but Samir sealed victory with his first IPL fifty. “Feels amazing, we truly deserve this,” said Karun, who added that he was flooded with messages on his India return. “Haven’t been at our best. But tonight shows we’re a good team that had bad games.” The 21-year-old Samir hit three fours and five sixes including the winning hit over the fence in his 25-ball knock. Punjab, who had already qualified for the playoffs, posted 206-8 after skipper Shreyas Iyer made 53 and Marcus Stoinis hit an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls but the effort was not enough. – AFP Rafael Nadal. – REUTERSPIC

25th Grand Slam triumph against American Mackenzie McDonald, fresh from lifting his 100th ATP title in Geneva. The Serb faces a difficult draw, with last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev a potential quarterfinal opponent and Sinner possibly waiting in the last four. Women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka needly just an hour to sweep aside Rus s i an

on June 8. “I think for the people, for the tennis fans, I think it’s great to have a match-up from some players that make them excited about watching that match,“ Alcaraz told his pre-tournament press conference of his budding rivalry with Sinner. “I think for the people and probably the people who don’t like

R OLAND GARROS will pay tribute to its greatest champion with a ceremony for the retired Rafael Nadal, while Aryna Sabalenka got her French Open campaign up and running on the opening day of the tournament. Nadal, the record 14-time champion on the Paris clay, retired from tennis last November after an illustrious career. He was set to return to Court Philippe Chatrier a year after suffering a first-round exit at the hands of Alexander Zverev in what proved to be his final French Open. The Spaniard finished with a remarkable 112-4 win-loss record at Roland Garros, dominating the tournament since winning the title on his debut in 2005. Nadal hung up his racquet

following the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, initially denying him an opportunity to wave goodbye to his adoring fans in Paris. His tally of 14 victories at a single Grand Slam appears unlikely to be beaten, with Margaret Court’s 11 Australian Open titles second on the all-time list. Nadal’s heir apparent Carlos Alcaraz will start his title defence this week as a slight favourite to become the first man to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires since his compatriot’s retirement. Victory over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final gave Alcaraz the second seeding for Roland Garros. That raises the possibility of the world’s top two players meeting in a Grand Slam final for the very first time

wa t ch i ng tennis, I think (our rivalry) is something that because of that (they have) started to watch tennis.”

Novak Djokovic will launch his sixth bid for a record-breaking

Djokovic joins 100 club

Jobs

302

WE ARE HIRING!

BEN STOKES came to the defence of Ollie Pope by saying the vice captain’s century against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge had answered an “agenda” against the Surrey batsman. England won the opening match of their 2025 home season by the commanding margin of an innings and 45 runs on Saturday as a one-off Test scheduled for four days was wrapped up before tea on the third. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir applied the finishing touches in a Test-best haul of 6-81. The course of the game had been set by three top-order hundreds from Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Pope, whose 171 was the biggest contribution of all to an England first-innings total of 565-6 declared. Crawley and Pope had their places in the team called into question before the squad arrived in Nottingham. Critics said their places would be under threat with rising star Jacob Bethell returning from the IPL ahead of the upcoming five-Test series at home to India. England captain Stokes fuelled NOVAK DJOKOVIC became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open yesterday. The 38-year-old, playing in Switzerland in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-2) win after three hours and five minutes on court. Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only players with a century of tour titles. “I had to work for it, that’s for sure. He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win

the speculation when, in a pre match press conference, he lauded Bethell and added: “I think you put two and two together and you probably know what’s going to happen.” The all-rounder has since clarified his remarks by insisting he was suggesting Bethell would make an immediate return to the Test squad, rather than the playing XI. “There’s always someone going to be under the spotlight,” Stokes told the BBC . “I’ve personally felt that it was a bit of – not a vendetta – but I got asked a simple question about Bethell. “I said, ‘put two and two together, he comes back into the squad’ and then all of a sudden it turns into something that suits the agenda of the time. “It is unfortunate that you say something and it can get twisted. I made it very clear to Popey the night before this Test that is not the case. “He’s my vice-captain and he’s been incredible for me and the team at No. 3. I’m very, very pleased for him that he went out there and played the way that he did.” – AFP titles in 20 consecutive years. “I was just trying to hang in there … this is what happens at this level. A few points decide it, an incredible match … and I’m delighted to clinch the 100 here.” It was the former world No. 1’s first tournament triumph since clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer. Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters respectively. But he decided to play at the low

Malaysian Paper

1) EXECUTIVE / SENIOR - HR & Admin 2) ASST MANAGER / MANAGER - HR & Admin

Job Description • Maintain HR records, including employee files, salaries and benefits information. • Handle employee attendance records, payroll and claims. • Handle employee relations and resolve any workplace conflicts or issues. • Provide HR support and guidance to managers and employees. • Ensure compliance with all employment laws and regulations. • Stay updated on changes in work legislation and industry standards. • Handle employee training and development programmes. • Manage employee benefits programmes and ensure compliance with regulations. • Stay updated on current industry trends and best practices in HR management. • For Senior/Assistant Manager with supervisor skills. • Handle staff training and recruitment matters. • Experience in payroll system would be advantageous. • Handle General Admin and other HR duties. Requirements • Diploma/Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management or related field. • Executive: 1+ years of experience in HR & Admin or related field. • Senior: 3+ years of experience in HR & Admin or related field. • Asst Manager: 5+ years of experience in HR & Admin or related field. • Fresh graduates are encouraged to apply for Assistant Executive post. • Basic HR knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Job Description • Perform routine and preventive maintenance on factory & office building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. • Conduct regular inspections of the factory & office building to identify and address maintenance issues. • Respond promptly to maintenance requests and ensure timely resolution. • Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including work orders, inspections and repairs. • Ensure all maintenance activities comply with relevant health, safety and environmental regulations. • Coordinate with external contractors and vendors for specialised maintenance and repair works. • Monitor and optimise energy usage to improve efficiency and reduce costs. • Assist in preparation and management of maintenance budget. • Assist in any ad – hoc operations and admin tasks assigned by Management from time to time. Requirements • Diploma/Degree in Building or Facilities Management, Safety & Health or related field. • Additional certificate: Electrical Chargeman, preferably A4 or minimum A1 would be an added advantage. • Minimum of one year of experience in Building Maintenance or Safety & Health. • Adequate technical knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing etc). 3) EXECUTIVE - Safety & Building Maintenance

Stokes defends Pope from negative ‘agenda’

• Excellent problem – solving and troubleshooting skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills. • Able to work flexi hours. • Able to handle urgent and last – minute job request.

Send in your CV with your photo via email to: thesun.hr2@gmail.com ( Closing Date: May 31, 2025 )