The 31-year-old Nadal will face Italian Fabio Fognini in the last eight as he looks to retake the world number one ranking from Roger Federer by winning an eighth Rome title this week.

Nadal has already won his 11th titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona during the current clay-court season, but has lost in the quarter-finals in each of the last three years in Italy.

He was far too strong for Shapovalov, taking the opening set with a break in the seventh game before racing through the second to gain a measure of revenge for his shock defeat by the 19-year-old in Montreal last year.

“I think Rafa played incredible today,” said Shapovalov. “He’s been playing at a really high level for this whole clay season. So, you know, it’s credit to him. He was just simply too good today.”

Top seed Nadal recorded his 20th clay-court win of the year while Shapovalov will at least have the consolation of becoming the Canadian number one on Monday.

“It was a solid match for me,” said Nadal. “I started with some mistakes on the return. But with my serve, I didn’t lose many points.

“At the beginning, I really think that he was serving big. I got the break in the 3-all. And then the match changed. He probably stopped to serve that big a little bit, and I was a little bit more relaxed.”

The Spaniard will next take on Fognini, a player he holds a 10-3 record against including five straight wins in their most recent matches.

Fognini got past Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Djokovic moved into his first quarter-final since Wimbledon last July when he defeated Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 7-5.

The four-time Rome champion is making his way back this year after a six-month injury absence before the Australian Open, which was followed by elbow surgery.

“It felt good,” said the 12-time Grand Slam winner. “I’ve historically always played well in Rome, and I feel like each match is getting better.”

The 30-year-old set up a clash with Japan’s Kei Nishikori for a semi-final berth.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who beat Djokovic in last year’s final, kept his title defence on track but needed eight match points to see off Briton Kyle Edmund 7-5, 7-6 (13/11).

For Zverev it was an 11th consecutive win after back-to-back title runs at Munich and Madrid.

The 21-year-old will play Belgian David Goffin who advanced when Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro retired while trailing 6-2, 4-5 with a groin injury.

– Halep, Sharapova advance –

In the women’s tournament, Simona Halep boosted her bid to retain the world number one ranking as the top seed advanced to the quarter-finals after American Madison Keys withdrew injured with a painful rib.

The Romanian, a finalist in Rome last year, is on her way to holding on to top spot as she next plays France’s Caroline Garcia who dumped out US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-1, 7-6 (9/7).

Halep needed to reach at least the last eight and go further than world number two Caroline Wozniacki to retain the top ranking going into the French Open.

Dane Wozniacki was given a scare by Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova before closing out the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

She next plays Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit who defeated Venus Williams for the second time in a week.

Kontaveit, 22, won through 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) against the 37-year-old American who was seeded eighth in a tournament she won nearly two decades ago in 1999.

Three-time winner Maria Sharapova ousted Daria Gavrilova 6-3, 6-4 and will play fifth seed and French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko who saw off Britain’s Johanna Konta 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Defending champion Elina Svitolina of Ukraine fought back from a first set wipeout against Daria Kasatkina to win 0-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The 22-year-old Ariya who won one of her first three LPGA titles at the Kingsmill Resort River Course fired seven birdies before stumbling to a double bogey on the 16^th hole to share the sixth spot with Nasa Hataoka of Japan.

American Jessica Korda, who teed off in the morning session, took advantage of calmer conditions and sits atop the leaderboard with Spain’s Azahara Munoz, Annie Park, South Korea’s Chun In-gee, and Jaye Marie Green, each with six under-par- 65.

“I feel really good. I didn’t make many putts at the back nine, but at the front my putting worked pretty good,” said Ariya who beat Su Hyun Oh of South Korea by a stroke for her second LPGA crown here two years ago.

“When I stand up on 18 it always brings like all the great memories,” she added.

It rained off and on for much of Thursday and weather forecasters were predicting poorer weather over the next few days.

“You knew if the wind wasn’t blowing and the greens were soft you could be really aggressive. I just needed some birdies to drop, and that’s exactly what happened,” Korda said.

A total of 29 players posted rounds of three-under or better on the River Course.聽

Korda started quickly by making birdie on three of her first five holes. She hit a long drive down the centre of the fairway and then followed up with a sand wedge to four feet for another birdie on her last hole.

“I felt good,” said Korda, who has finished in the top 10 six times this season and has finished no worse than tied for 26th overall. “I stuck to my process. I’m working on a couple of things before the US Open so I just stuck to that and it worked.”

Korda is still recovering from offseason jaw surgery that included using 27 screws to fix a problem that was giving her frequent headaches.

Despite the lengthy rehab she managed to win in her first start of the year in Thailand and if she is victorious this week, Korda would become the first two-time winner on the Tour so far this season.

Former Kingsmill champion Ariya posted her best opening round of any tournament so far this year with a five-under 66.

Like Korda, Ariya, who is ranked sixth in the world, has been one of the most consistent players on the Tour this season but she is still looking for her first win of 2018.

Ariya drained seven birdies including three of four, beginning on the par-three fifth hole. Her only blemish was a double bogey on the par-four 16th.

Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, President of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, has stated that: “Wewould like to thank Charoen Pokphand Group, Charoen Pokphand Food Plc, CP All Plc, and True Corporation Plc for supporting Thai national atheletes at the Para Games for the third consecutive year. The first was in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil and thesecond in the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia. Apart from facilitating the athletes, Charoen Pokphand Group has given a moral support to the athletes as well. For our goal in this coming competition, we aim to have a better performance than the previous Games of 21 gold medals, a move which helps prepare us for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan. In the 2017 ASEAN Para Games, we had a success in grooming new athletes. Then we are confident that they will step up to be a driving force of Thai national team for this competition.

Dr. Rashell Daiphontunya Deputy Governor of Sports Promotion of Sports Authority of Thailand, said “For the 2018 Asian Para Games, we have fully prepared the athletes physically and mentally. To do so, the Sports Authority of Thailand has worked with sport associations to strengthen them by supporting preparations such as the camp training, sports science operation and health care, operated by doctors and medical specialists in physical therapy and treatment operation to help those getting sick and injured during the competition. In addition, the office has psychologists and physiologists to advise the athletes about physical and mental preparation. On this occasion, we would like to thank the private sector like Charoen Pokphand Group, CPF, CP All, and True Corporation for their full support, considered a good move of the private sector to give importance to sports and our cooperation will truly be beneficial to the country.

Mr. Kachorn Chiaravanont, Member of the Executive Committee, Charoen Pokphand Group, says, “Charoen Pokphand Group, together with Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF), CP All Plc and True Corporation Plc are truly proud of all Thai athletes participating in the 2018 Asian Para Games. Apparently, they have a strong commitment to have self-discipline in daily training, keep patience and move ahead to win obstacles, with the aim to become Thailand’s delegates for this competition. In the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil and the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia, they performed outstandingly and earned an ongoing success, creating a pride for the country. Therefore, Charoen Pokphand Group is very willing to provide a full support the athletes in the 2018 Asian Para Games for their better performance. The move is in line with the group’s policy, aimed at promoting sustainability in all dimensions– economic, social and environment. Especially the disabled, Charoen Pokphand has adhered importance and supported continuously via employment, job creation, or initiative projects to give them opportunity to grow sustainably and stay with dignity in the society, considered to help narrow the inequality gap.

Charoen Pokphand has continued to provide food and telecommunications support to the athletes, officials, and Thai media throughout the games. Especially food supporting, the group has provided it to Thai athletes since the 2016 Paralympics, then the group can learn what they like. The group will select Thai favorite dishes, which are tasteful, clean, safe, and importantly nutritious for them.  For telecommunications, True Corporations has provided TrueMove H international roaming SIM cards to facilitate them in making and receiving phone calls, sending messages and using non-stop 4G and 3G data services in Indonesia, which will allow them to stay conveniently in touch with their families and loved ones .

There are athletes from 42 nations to join the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, with 17 sports to compete, which include archery, goal ball, volleyball, badminton, boccia, bowling, cycling, shooting, swimming, lawn bowl, power lifting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair fencing.

In 2014, the Asian Para Games was held in South Korea and Thailand ranked sixth, with 107 medals, in which included 21 gold, 39 silver, and 47 bronze. China topped the competition, followed by South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Uzbekistan respectively.

As its name suggests, the 4K Ultra HD system is four times clearer than the existing high-definition (HD) system and 20 times clearer than the existing standard system, said Sueksith Cholasuek, the pay-TV firm’s marketing director.

“TrueVisions is confident that this year’s World Cup will bring utmost happiness and joy to the members for a fuller and more fun experience than in previous years,” Sueksith gushed.

The World Cup kicks off on June 14 with the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at 10pm.

Subscribers who want the sharpest-resolution coverage will have to pay Bt2,000 for installation of the 4K Ultra HD set-top box.

But Sueksith pointed out that all subscribers, whatever their package, can for the first time watch all games in high-definition, on the TrueSport HD3 (True668) and at TrueSport HD2 (True 667) channels. Call 1242 or visit http://www.truevisiongroup.com for more information.

While the TrueVisions broadcast schedule for all 64 matches is already available at https://www.facebook.com/Truevisions/photos/pcb.1883619798371329/1883617541704888/?type=3&theater , details of free-TV coverage are yet to be revealed with less than a month to go before the World Cup starts.

Free-TV stations Channel 5, True4U and Amarin TV will carry live coverage of matches in Russia, backed by financial support from nine private companies.

However, sources say a deal over how the matches are shared between the channels has still not been reached. So far, they have only agreed to broadcast the Russia-Saudi Arabia opener on all channels on June 14.

Platinum and gold package members interested in 4K ULTRA HD

• The registration to change to “TrueVisions 4K ULTRA HD” set top box now to 31 May 2018.
• The installation fee of “TrueVisions 4K ULTRA HD” set top box after a discount is at 2,000 THB/outlet (discount from 9,500 THB).
• For a registration, use a TrueMove H number and dial *482*44*smartcard number# and press call or dial 1242 or contact True Shop nationwide.
• Current members can make the registration right away.
• New members can make a registration to “TrueVisions 4K ULTRA HD” set top box after the completion of platinum and gold package installation.

New members across all packages

Watch all the matches of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in HD and receive a World Cup HD channel, running 24 hours a day.

• Free installation for all the outlets. Equipment deposit at 1,000 THB per outlet.
• Platinum package will receive an additional True Super Soccer package free of charge throughout the 2018/19 season.
• Gold package will receive an additional True Super Soccer package free of charge for six months.
• Super Soccer Sport Family, Smart Family, and Happy Family Package will receive an additional True Super Soccer package free of charge for three months.
• Promotional period from this day until 30 June 2018

For membership registration or additional details, please contact True Shop andTrueVisions partners nationwide. For additional details, please contact tel. 1242 or http://www.truevisiongroup.com.

It is Griezmann’s first major title with Atletico, and a fitting way to bow out if he leaves at the season’s end, with Barcelona tipped as his next destination.

Griezmann — brought up in Macon, just 70 kilometres from Lyon — scored once in each half, his lethal finishes coming either side of Marseille losing Dimitri Payet to injury, the French team’s captain coming off in tears.

Griezmann now has 29 goals this season, although it was Gabi’s late strike that sealed the victory.

“This is a reward for me after I left home aged 14, for all the work I have put in, the suffering,” said Griezmann, who has spent his whole career in Spain but had only previously won one Spanish Super Cup.

Atletico’s triumph comes after agonising defeats to Real Madrid in the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016. They had previously won the Europa League in 2010 and again in 2012, the latter coming just six months after Diego Simeone’s appointment as coach.

Simeone, who had to watch from the stands due to a touchline ban, called the victory a reward for his side’s hard work and even expressed hope that Griezmann could be convinced to stay.

“This was just confirmation of what Griezmann has been doing year after year,” said the Argentine.

“I hope he is happy with us. I have no doubt that there are certain things that could make it more likely that he stays.

“He has played three finals with us, has won two, and so that shows that he is not far away from his objective of regularly playing finals.

“We are not far away in sporting terms from teams who are more powerful than us.”

Marseille had been desperate to win the second European trophy in their history, on French soil, 25 years after beating AC Milan in the inaugural Champions League final.

But it was a flat night for their huge support, who threatened to ruin the occasion by lighting flares and setting off firecrackers at one end of the stadium, with some even being thrown onto the pitch towards the end.

The game carried on regardless, with Rudi Garcia’s side well beaten.

“We let our chance go in the first half. Firstly, we had the best chance to go ahead, and secondly an error from us meant we fell behind,” said Garcia.

“The scoreline is harsh but the better team won.”

– Marseille’s regrets –

Atletico were the favourites against a Marseille side whose continental campaign had begun in the third qualifying round last July.

Just being in this final was an achievement for Garcia’s team, but they will look back on the evening with regrets.

They had started well and had a great chance to open the scoring inside four minutes, Valere Germain shooting over after being slipped in by Payet.

It was the kind of chance that does not come up often against an Atletico side who went on to keep their 34th clean sheet this season.

Marseille were then punished for sloppy play as they fell behind in the 21st minute.

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda opted to pass to Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, deep in midfield, rather than clear long. The Cameroonian’s attempt at a touch was awful, and Gabi pounced on the loose ball, sending Griezmann through to finish.

Things got worse for Marseille when Payet, their captain and most influential player who had been struggling with a hamstring problem ahead of the game, came off crying just after the half-hour.

OM then conceded again just four minutes after the restart. It was a glorious goal, Griezmann finding Koke and then latching onto the return ball before lifting a deft finish over Mandanda and in.

Substitute Kostas Mitroglou nearly pulled one back, his header coming off the post, before Gabi’s low drive in the 89th minute made it 3-0.