Author: Chronicle Editor

Rafael Nadal beat Dominic Thiem 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 to win his fifth Madrid Open title and move into the world’s top four. The Spaniard has now won three straight titles, after his Barcelona Open and Monte Carlo Masters victories, while his record on clay this year is 15-0. Nadal edged the Austrian in the tie-break of a tense first set that lasted one hour and 18 minutes. He broke world number seven Thiem early in the second set to set up the win. Nadal will be confirmed as the new world number four, replacing 18-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer,…

Neymar’s clinical hat-trick ensured reigning champions Barcelona remain top of La Liga with a routine win at mid-table Las Palmas. The Brazilian rolled in the opener after a pass from Luis Suarez, before repaying the favour seconds later for the Uruguayan to clip in a second. Las Palmas were given hope when defender Pedro Bigas swept in Kevin-Prince Boateng’s low cross. But two more quick-fire goals from Neymar killed off the home side. Neymar stooped to head in Ivan Rakitic’s deep right-wing cross and then squeezed in Jordi Alba’s pass for his first hat-trick in an away game for the…

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Real Madrid as they took another step towards the La Liga title with victory over Sevilla. Real led through Nacho’s controversial free-kick before Ronaldo pounced on a rebound to double their lead. Stevan Jovetic replied after the break, but Ronaldo’s sensational second strike, his 401st for Real Madrid, and Toni Kroos’ late goal sealed victory. Real Madrid stay in second place behind Barcelona who beat Las Palmas 4-1. Reigning champions Barcelona keep hold of top spot courtesy of their head-to-head advantage. But Real have a game in hand and need four points from their final…

The Oyo State Government on Sunday said it would commence series of free medical services on Monday. Mr Toye Arulogun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan. He stated that “the Gov. Abiola Ajimobi Free Health Mission would hold across the six geo-political zones of the state, namely Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa and the two zones in Oke-Ogun.” Arulogun noted that the services were — free surgeries, screening and treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, family planning, HIV screening, immunisation and vitamin A for children under one…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it had taken measures to effectively respond to the recent outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Regional Director of WHO for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said that the organisation would work with the UN and other partners to halt the spread of the disease. Moeti said WHO had assured the DRC Government of its preparedness to respond to the outbreak of the scourge after the government’s alarm on it. She said that as at Sunday, 11 suspected cases, including three deaths, had…

Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earned Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane. Spurs plan to have their new stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 campaign and will play their home matches at Wembley next season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side left their current ground, where they have spent 118 years, on a high by staying unbeaten there this season and securing second spot in the Premier League. Wanyama got Spurs off to the best possible start with a header five minutes in and Kane doubled their lead early in…

Liverpool beat West Ham at London Stadium to move back into third place as striker Daniel Sturridge scored his first goal since January. Philippe Coutinho’s sublime pass on the half-hour mark cut open the Hammers defence and picked out an unmarked Sturridge who went around goalkeeper Adrian before slotting home. The Brazilian then scored two of his own after the break before Divock Origi fired in a fourth to complete the Liverpool procession. Victory against Middlesbrough on the final day of the season will guarantee Liverpool a Champions League place in 2017-18. There were chances for both sides in a…

Chelsea can keep improving after winning the Premier League title and will try to retain their best players, says manager Antonio Conte. The Blues became champions of England for a sixth time with a 1-0 victory over West Brom on Friday. Conte, 47, has been linked with the vacant Inter Milan job, while there is speculation over the future of striker Diego Costa and playmaker Eden Hazard. “If you can continue with these players you can improve a lot,” said Conte. The former Juventus and Italy boss led Chelsea, who finished 10th last year, to the title in his first…

Hull City were relegated from the Premier League with one game to go after a heavy defeat at Crystal Palace, a result which secures top-flight survival for Sam Allardyce’s team. Marco Silva’s side went behind after a shocking error just two minutes and 11 seconds into a game they needed to win to give themselves a fighting chance of survival. Italy defender Andrea Ranocchia missed a simple clearance, allowing Wilfried Zaha to run clear and slot beyond goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic. Christian Benteke’s header doubled Palace’s lead while late goals from Luka Milivojevic, from the penalty spot, and substitute Patrick van…

In a solemn ceremony today at Elysee Palace in Paris, socialist Francois Hollande handed over power to Emmanuel Macron, who becomes France’s youngest ever president. Macron, a 39-year-old centrist, arrived at the Elysee Palace in central Paris in a motorcade and walked down the red carpet under light rain to be greeted by Hollande for his inauguration. The new president’s wife Brigitte, a 64-year-old who was his high school drama teacher, arrived separately for the ceremony wearing a light blue Louis Vuitton outfit. A week after his victory over far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a tumultuous election, Macron will…