21062025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 21, 2025

28

Sinner’s Halle defence over

Gauff falls at first hurdle on Berlin grass LESS than two weeks after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff (pic) fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin yesterday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarterfinals. “It was a tough match, but I’m happy I hung in there on the tough moments,” said Wang. The 49th-ranked Chinese

WORLD No. Jannik Sinner’s bid to win back-to back Halle Open titles was ended yesterday following a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Alexander Bublik in the last 16, the top seed’s first defeat to a player outside the Top 20 since 2023. Going into the contest Sinner held a 4-1 win-loss record against Kazakhstan’s Bublik, including a recent victory at the French Open. However, in Halle, Bublik now holds a 2-0 advantage over his Italian rival having also beaten Sinner en route to winning the grasscourt event in 2023.

Garros,” he added referring to his quarterfinal defeat at the claycourt major. Bublik saved three break points in the first game of the second set before gaining the crucial break to lead 4-2 and smashed three aces when holding serve to force the decider where a break to go 4-3 up proved decisive. “It’s a very fast surface. He gave me a chance. I had an amazing forehand to break him in the third set,” Bublik said. “I just kept serving and putting him in uncomfortable positions. It worked well.” Sinner’s last loss to a player ranked outside the Top 20 came against Dusan Lajovic, then No. 66 in the world, at Cincinnati in August 2023. Bublik will meet Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals after the Czech seventh seed eased to a 6-2, 6-3 win over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. German second seed Alexander Zverev, still looking to win his first grasscourt title, overcame Italian Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). Zverev, a twice beaten finalist in Halle, recorded his fifth win over the Italian in as many meetings, having also beaten Sonego at the same stage of last year’s tournament. He next faces another Italian, Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli squeezed past Canadian Denis Shapovalov 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(5). – Reuters

player trailed 3-1 in the second set before reeling off five straight games. She will play Spain’s Paula Badosa, the 10th seed, in the quarterfinals. Earlier, Sabalenka

Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world No. 1 Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals in 2024, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first set, I told myself, ‘OK, let’s take a minute and enjoy this. I’m playing the French Open champion and I won the first set,”Wang said afterwards. “No matter how the second and third go, I was like, ‘Let’s enjoy it for once second.” Wang had lost her only previous match against Gauff in straight sets on the Berlin grass in 2022.

completed a 6-2, 7 6(6) win over Swiss Rebeka Masarova to reach the quarterfinals, concluding a match that had been s l i p p e r y conditions. The top seed will next face Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. – Reuters suspended on Thursday because of

The Italian began brightly as he sailed into a 3-0 lead on his way to winning the first set but eventually came unstuck as Bublik hit 36 winners, including 15 aces. “I don’t know. I kept serving. I tried to get back whatever I can,” world No. 45 Bublik said when asked how he turned things around. “He’s an unbelievable player. I was not thinking I could beat him. “If I would have a few chances and I executed them well and I kept serving, I had for certain a better chance than at Roland

Man of steel World No. 2 Alcaraz overcomes Munar marathon to reach Queen’s quarters T OP seed Carlos Alcaraz was pushed all the way by fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in a thrill ing contest before clinching a 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-5 win and advanced to the Queen’s Club Championships quarterfi nals yesterday.

Jobs

302

WE ARE HIRING!

Malaysian Paper

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

Carlos Alcaraz. – REUTERSPIC

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

of his own on match point. Munar made him pay this time to force a deciding set. After Alcaraz went 2-0 up, the

French Open champion was broken in his next two service games and Munar went into a 4-2 lead. Alcaraz, however, was

Alcaraz recently came out on top in an epic French Open final against Jannik Sinner, and while this second round clash in London may not have reached those same dizzying heights, the British crowd were served up an enthralling battle. The world No. 2 was a break down in the deciding set but showed his strength once more as Alcaraz stretched his winning run to 15 matches, the longest streak of his career. “It was a really tough battle that we had today,” Alcaraz said after more than three hours on court. “He’s a great competitor and he showed how difficult it is to beat him.” Alcaraz, the 2023 champion, looked well in control as he eased to take the opening set, and after saving four break and set points at 5-4 down in the second he forced Munar to a tiebreaker. The pair traded early breaks with neither player holding serve over the first four points, before a Munar double fault allowed Alcaraz to take a 5-4 lead. He smashed an ace but then hit a double fault

not done yet, and two more breaks of serve sealed a hard-earned victory as he continued his preparations for Wimbledon, where the Spaniard will be aiming to complete a hattrick of triumphs. “I’m proud of the level I showed today. It’s my second match on grass this year,” Alcaraz said. “There were moments I struggled a

lot mentally and physically. I still don’t know how I’m standing here. But I’m really happy I’ve given myself another chance in the quarterfinals.” – Reuters

Boulter keeps hattrick bid alive TWO-TIMES defending champion Katie Boulter was given a real scare before battling past fellow Briton Sonay Kartal 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to reach the Nottingham Open quarterfinals yesterday.

“I am definitely proper British because I can’t handle the heat at all.” Boulter will face McCartney Kessler next after the American defeated China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-4, and is the only British player left in the competition after Mingge Xu lost 7-5, 6-1 to Polish sixth seed Magda Linette. Linette now meets Danish second seed Clara Tauson, who advanced after a 6-4 6-4 win over Russian Anna Blinkova. – Reuters

she is such a tough competitor and I also know she’s never going to give me anything at any point,” Boulter said. “I know she’s going to surpass me at some point, she’s got the game for it, she’s got the head for it. I’m going to have to face that fact. “But at the very end I just wanted to grit my teeth as hard as I possibly could and get myself over the line. I have such great vibes here but the heat was killing me today.

• 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.

Boulter was pushed all the way by Kartal, who held a 4-2 lead in the decider, but the champion roared back to extend her winning run in the competition to 12 matches despite struggling in the heat. “I have so much respect for Sonay,

Send in your CV with your photo via email to: thesun.hr2@gmail.com ( Closing Date: June 30, 2025 )