SPORT Spain's Sainz One Stage Away from Becoming Triple Dakar Champion

FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 17

CRICKET We paid dearly for our mistake yesterday. Second One Day Third Test, Day 2: Now we'll battle Stephane for second place: International: South Africa vs Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah ahead of Dakar India vs Australia England in Port ACTION

Rally's ﬁnal stage TODAY’S in Rajkot Elizabeth

Judge orders Spain's Sainz one stage away from Rio Games venues shut on security becoming triple Dakar champion grounds

REUTERS — RIYADH marathon stage behind us,” Qiddiya with the pair gaining Wednesday, and finished dominance of the endurance commented Sainz. eight minutes on Sainz, the eighth fastest to end 13th event. Brabec was nearly 14 AFP — BRASÍLIA Spaniard Carlos Sainz was “Yesterday we got to first driver to start the 11th overall. minutes clear of Chilean one stage away from a third work on the car and every- stage. “Yesterday we had a Pablo Quintanilla, the stage A Brazilian court ordered that Dakar Rally triumph after thing went well. Just one day “We paid dearly for our low-speed roll-over, it was winner, on a Husqvarna with the 2016 Rio Olympic Games ending the penultimate day to go. I’ll keep an eye on the mistake yesterday. Now we’ll not big. Today we had no Australia’s defending facilities be closed to the public in Saudi Arabia with a 10 gaps and stay focused for battle Stephane for second issues. It was a good mar- champion Toby Price third over safety concerns. minute lead over Qatar’s tomorrow.” place,” said Qatar's star Al athon stage,” said the for KTM but with 22 and a The Rio Games -- the first defending champion Nasser Sainz’s French team- Attiyah. Spaniard. half minutes to make up on to be held in South America -- Al Attiyah. mate Stephane Peterhansel, Saudi Arabian driver “Starting 113th in the clas- the lead. were heavily criticized for Mini buggy driver Sainz, a 13-times Dakar winner on Yazeed Al Rajhi was fourth sification didn’t help. I’m very “It’s been a good stage their extreme costs, estimated whose son and namesake two wheels and four, won the overall in a Toyota. happy. You learn things every and at the moment Honda around $12.5bn, and cor- races in Formula One for stage -- his fourth victory on Two-times Formula One day. One day left to finish my just needs to protect their ruption scandals that sur- McLaren, finished third in this year’s event and career champion Fernando Alonso first Dakar.” lead. The guys are riding fast rounded the construction sites. yesterday’s 379km stage over 80th. was 113th in the running In the motorcycle cat- and riding smart. It’s defi- A Rio de Janeiro judge desert dunes from Shubaytah He is now just six seconds order at the day’s start, after egory, Honda’s American nitely making it hard for us ruled in favour of closing the to Haradh. behind Toyota’s Al Attiyah rolling his Toyota Hilux and rider Ricky Brabec is poised to try and make up that gap,” grounds after a request from “It’s good to have put the going into the final 374km to losing an hour on to end KTM’s 18-year said Price. the Rio prosecutor’s office asking for a ban on all major events at the facilities until authorities had seen certificates demonstrating their safety. The judge said the decision was to “preserve the security of the population,” noting that Mini’s Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz of Spain and co-driver thousands of people regularly Lucas Cruz of Spain compete during the Stage 11 of went to the venues for con- the Dakar Rally 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, certs or exhibitions. Saudi Arabia, yesterday. “This situation, in sites damaged by the lack of sur- veillance and with thousands of people present, can lead to tragedies,” Judge Eugenio Rosa de Araujo wrote in a decision. NBA: Fultz shines as Magic Paratore and Norris take lead end Lakers’ winning streak as Koepka makes strong return AFP — LOS ANGELES Orlando Magic's guard Markelle Fultz finished with 21 Markelle Fultz (right) REUTERS — ABU DHABI really good and also the iron SCORES points, 11 rebounds and 10 play,” Paratore said. in action against Los 64 - Renato Paratore (ITA), Shaun Norris assists, and the Orlando Magic Angeles Lakers' forward Italy’s Renato Paratore and “The last four holes I holed (RSA) snapped the Los Angeles Kyle Kuzma. South Africa’s Shaun Norris some good putts on 18 and 17 Lakers’ nine-game winning carded identical opening round so I’m pretty happy with the 66 - Brooks Koepka (USA), Jason Scrivener streak with a 119-118 victory on scores of eight-under 64 short game.” Norris, who lost (AUS) Wednesday. yesterday to share the lead at his father in July, said he was 67 - Sergio Garcia (ESP), Rafael Cabrera- The triple-double was the the Abu Dhabi Championship enjoying his golf again with his Bello (ESP), Zach Murray (AUS), Zander Lom- second of Fultz’s career with while world number one brother carrying his bags. bard (RSA), Kurt Kitayama (USA), Li Haotong the other coming in April 2018 Brooks Koepka (pictured) was “It’s been a rough year last (CHN) when he played for the Phila- tied third on his return from year after losing my father... it feels 68 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Martin delphia 76ers. injury. like everything is just working at Kaymer (GER), Raphael Jacquelin (FRA), Aaron Gordon also scored The 23-year-old Paratore, the moment,” Norris said. Matthew Fitzpatrick, Thomas Pieters (BEL), 21 points, Wes Iwundu scored chasing his second title on the “We’re having a lot of fun Branden Grace (RSA), Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 19 points, Nikola Vucevic had European Tour, sank nine out there, that’s the main thing, 69 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Bernd Wies- 19, and Terrence Ross came off birdies with gains in the final I’m happy with what’s hap- berger (AUT), Andy Sullivan, Scott Hend the bench to score 15 for four holes before Norris too fin- pening.” Four-times major (AUS), Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL), Lucas Herbert Orlando. ished the round strongly. champion Koepka, who has not (AUS), Masahiro Kawamura (JPN), Haydn LeBron James scored just 19 “Today“Today the sshorthort ggamgamee was playedplayed ssinceince sslippingli on con- Porteus (RSA), Lin Yuxin (Am-CHN), Thomas points but added 19 assists for crete in the PGPGAA Tour’s C.J. Cup Detry (BEL), Lee Westwood, Justin Harding the Lakers, who were playing in SoutSouthh KoreaKorea ini October and (RSA), Robert Rock, Richard Bland, Andrew without injured Anthony Davis. injuring his leftlef knee, shot a Johnston “We didn’t play well enough bogey-freebogey-free 66 tto sit alongside to win,” said Lakers coach Australian JasonJason Scrivener. 70 - Ross Fisher, Shane Lowry, Romain Lan- Frank Vogel. “I like thethe wway I’ve played. gasque (FRA), Victor Dubuisson (FRA), Se- “They made us pay,” the I’veI’ve kindkind ooff knknowno I’ve been bastian Heisele (GER), Adri Arnaus (ESP), David Drysdale, Victor Perez (FRA), David coach added. Markelle Fultz ﬁnishes with hitting it reallyrea well, putting The Magic won despite itit reallreallyy wellw for a couple Law, David Howell, Joost Luiten (NED), Mik- missing their leading scorer 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 of weeks,”we Koepka ko Korhonen (FIN), Kiradech Aphibarnrat guard Evan Fournier, who has assists, and the Orlando Magic toldtold Sky Sports. (THA), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Jack Singh

been averaging 19.2 points per snap the Los Angeles Lakers’ “It’s good to be Brar, Soren Kjeldsen (DEN), Matthew South- game. He missed the contest nine-game winning streak with a back.ba I’ve missed gate due to a right quad injury. theth competition. “I am not disappointed,” 119-118 victory. “I think the said James. firstfi day I picked club. “It (knee) feels fine. It was “We didn’t start the game upu the club... I a little sore last night, just did off the right way. We just got to feltfe like I hadn’t some treatment on it, that’s be better.” plays down the stretch as the points and nailed three clutch left.le I’ve done it expected." Elsewhere, the Miami Heat two Eastern Conference jugger- shots late in the game as the forfo years and "This is a first week I’ve got a huge performance from nauts continued their dominant 76ers won their fifth straight years.ye You don’t walked 18 holes and I’ve done it rookie Kendrick Nunn, and play at home. game with a 117-106 victory forgetfo how to three times already. It’s a little Philadelphia made the right Tobias Harris scored 34 over the Brooklyn Nets. swswing the golf tired.” NHL: Voracek's strike gives Flyers 4-3 win over Blues

REUTERS — ST. LOUIS Brian Elliott, a former Blues left post for the point-blank Konecny made it 3-1 with a goaltender, stepped up with the conversion. Pitlick tied the power-play goal 26 seconds Jakub Voracek scored in Flyers’ top goaltender, Carter game at 12:43 of the second into the third period. James van overtime as the visiting Phila- Hart, sidelined with an period with an accidental goal. Riemsdyk redirected a pass delphia Flyers snapped the St. abdominal muscle strain. He He circled the net and threw a from Claude Giroux through the Louis Blues’ nine-game home stopped 30 of 33 shots. centering pass toward Scott crease to Konecny for a tap-in winning streak with a 4-3 Justin Faulk, Ryan O’Reilly Laughton driving the net. at the left post. victory. and Alexander Steen scored and David Perron tied up But the Blues erased that The Blues had not lost a Jordan Binnington made 21 Laughton on the back-check, lead to force overtime. O’Reilly game at Enterprise Center since saves for the Blues, who moved but the puck bounced off the scored by deflecting Brayden December 7. They outscored up to first overall in the NHL Blues winger into the net. Schenn’s pass on goal, then opponents 36-15 during the standings with the point. Raffl put the Flyers up 2-1 banged home his own rebound winning streak, which tied for The Blues outshot the Flyers three minutes later. with 9:25 left. the longest in team history. 14-8 in the first period and took Robert Hagg fired a shot on Steen tied the game about Tyler Pitlick, Michael Raffl a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal from the left point and Bin- three minutes later, going to his and Travis Konecny also goal by Faulk. nington allowed a long weak- backhand to beat Elliott after scored for the Flyers, who Steen curled in the right side rebound -- right to Raffl for Robert Thomas found him with Philadelphia Flyers' Jakub Voracek (right) scores have won three of their last corner and fired a cross-ice pass an uncontested shot into a half- a centering pass from behind the game winning goal against St. Louis Blues. four games. to Faulk breaking toward the empty net. the net. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2020

Qatar thrash China in opener Hathab Series: Round 6 begins today Izzthatright wins Muaither Cup A Qatari player attempts to score against China during their ﬁrst A rider guides his horse during Vet Check ahead of Round 6 of the Injaaz Stud's representative Khalifa Bin Sheil Al Kuwari receiving match at Asian Handball Championship in Kuwait. Qatar won 49-18. Hathab Series yesterday. The event will kick off at Al Shaqab today. owner's trophy after Izzthatright won Muaither Cup yesterday.

Dhoni out of Stokes, Pope regain advantage Finch wary India’s list of of India contracted for England against Proteas fightback in

cricketers AFP — PORT ELIZABETH second ODI SCOREBOARD AFP — NEW DELHI World-Cricketer-of-the-Year AFP — NEW DELHI Ben Stokes survived three England, first innings ...... MS Dhoni (pictured) was reviews by South Africa as he Z. Crawley c V Dussen b Nortje 44 Australia are braced for an absent from the list of and Ollie Pope regained the D. Sibley c Elgar b Rabada ...... 36 Indian backlash when they centrally contracted initiative for England on the first J. Denly lbw b Maharaj ...... 25 meet today in their second players published by the day of the third Test at St J. Root b Rabada ...... 27 one-day international, captain Indian cricket board George’s Park yesterday. B. Stokes not out ...... 38 Aaron Finch said. yesterday, raising fresh England were 224 for four O. Pope not out ...... 39 The hosts suffered a speculation about the at the end of an attritional day Extras (lb8, nb3, w4) ...... 15 crushing 10-wicket defeat on 38-year-old warhorse’s during which South Africa had Total (4 wkts, 90 overs) ...... 224 Tuesday in the opening game future. briefly claimed the advantage. Fall of wickets: 1-70 (Sibley), 2-103 of the three-match showdown Dhoni has not England were 148 for four (Crawley), 3-134 (Denly), 4-148 (Root) after Finch and opening appeared for club or when Stokes and Pope came Bowling: Philander 11-5-15-0, Pater- partner David Warner hit country since the World together, in danger of failing to son 15-1-46-1 (1w), Rabada 17-3-48-2 unbeaten centuries in Mumbai. Cup in July and the wick- capitalise on batting first on a (3nb, 2w), Nortje 15-4-52-1 (1w), Maha- Finch, who smashed 110, etkeeper-batsman has placid pitch on a hot, sunny day. raj 32-11-55-1 believes the loss will sting been expected to But the pair added 76 To bat: J. Buttler, S. Curran, D. Bess, M. India into action in Rajkot announce his retirement without being parted and were today. Wood, S. Broad for some time. able to lift a slow scoring rate “They will fight back, no South Africa: F. du Plessis, D. Elgar, P. The former captain of after England were able to score doubt,” Finch told the Cricket the national side, who only 117 for two in 58 overs Malan, Z. Hamza, H. van der Dussen, Q. Australia website. serves as an honorary before tea. Stokes was unbeaten de Kock, V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. Ra- “They are a great side, got England’s Ben Stokes plays a lieutenant colonel in the on 38 at the close while Pope bada, A. Nortje, D. Paterson some world-class players.” shot yesterday. army reserves, spent part made 39 not out. Left-handed Warner led the of last year with his unit Stokes came into the match rout of the Indian bowlers with in strife-torn Kashmir -- a day after being named player a destructive 128 off 112 deliv- missing an ODI tour of the of the year by the International eries in Australia’s chase of West Indies. Cricket Council and on the back 256. He has not featured in of a man-of-the-match per- The openers put on a any series since and was formance when England lev- off stump. Kagiso Rabada took successfully sought a review bowler in place of all-rounder record 258-run stand -- the not named as part of the elled the four-match series by two wickets for South Africa but which showed a ball headed for Dwaine Pretorius. Paterson sur- highest for any wicket in a squad to tour New winning the second Test in Cape the home team’s most impressive the stumps had hit pad before prisingly shared the new ball 50-over game against India -- Zealand later this month. Town by 189 runs. bowler was Maharaj who took bat, while Root was beaten and with Philander, with the quicker as Australia reached their He quit Test cricket in Stokes made a shaky start, one for 55 in 32 overs. He bowled bowled by a fast delivery from Rabada and Anrich Nortje target with almost 13 overs to 2014 but continued to be surviving a leg before wicket an unbroken spell of 30 overs Rabada which hit the top of his having to wait for their turn. spare. India’s batting mainstay review on umpire’s call against which enabled captain Faf du off stump. England brought back fast Finch said Warner is in limited-overs cricket left-arm spinner Keshav Plessis to rotate his fast bowlers With the four-match series bowler Mark Wood in place of playing unbelievably well. despite passing on the Maharaj and an appeal for a as England struggled to assert tied at 1-1, batting first appeared the injured James Anderson. “I think it’s so hard to bowl captaincy to Virat Kohli in catch at slip off what South themselves. to be a considerable advantage Wood has not played since the to him once he gets in,” he 2017. Africa thought was an inside Zak Crawley and Dom on a pitch which had a fair cov- World Cup final in July because said. However Dhoni may edge off the pad. Sibley gave England a solid ering of grass but which offered of a knee injury but has been “His footwork is pretty be eyeing a last hurrah at South Africa wasted their start, putting on 70 for the first no help to the bowlers. working on his fitness since the good, his mental state is unbe- the Twenty20 World Cup last review when Stokes played wicket but both fell to catches It was the sixth successive beginning of the tour. Wood has lievable when he is out in the in October and November no shot against Vernon Phi- at backward square leg. Test toss lost by Du Plessis. not played in a red-ball match middle. He is just so clear with in Australia. lander with the second new ball Joe Denly was leg before to South Africa picked new cap since a Test series in the West his thoughts and his game. He He is expected to lead but the ball was well outside the Maharaj when South Africa Dane Paterson as a specialist fast Indies last February. is in top shape.” the Chennai Super Kings Australian bowlers also in the Indian Premier played their part, with pace League (IPL) this pair Mitchell Starc and Pat April-May. Malik, Hafeez back in Pakistan T20 squad Cummins sharing five wickets. The Indian selectors Finch lauded his lead have been grooming AP — ISLAMABAD bowlers, but hinted paceman Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Babar Azam (left) young stumper Rishabh Josh Hazlewood could still be and chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq Pant, 22, to fill Dhoni’s Pakistan recalled experienced involved in the series which address a press conference in Lahore, yesterday. gloves. allrounders Shoaib Malik and ends in Bangalore on Sunday. Previously Dhoni was Mohammad Hafeez for the “With back-to-back in the A-grade category of Twenty20 series against Bang- games... and a reasonably the Board of Control for ladesh next week and rewarded heavy Test load, I’m sure Josh Cricket in India (BCCI) uncapped fast bowler Haris will come in for one of them central list, earning a Rauf for his Big Bash League at some point,” he said. guaranteed $715,000. performances. Pant is among 11 Pakistan, ranked No. 1 in players listed in the T20s, had a woeful 2019 when A-grade contract with it won only one of its nine T20s. batsman KL Rahul taking Malik was part of that Dhoni’s place. victory against South Africa at Kohli, senior batsman Centurion, while Hafeez played They will ﬁght back, Rohit Sharma and his last T20 in 2018 against New no doubt. They are a paceman Jasprit Bumrah Zealand at Dubai. are guaranteed at least “We have lost eight of our great side, got some $1m each in the A-plus last nine (completed) T20s and world-class players: category for the period as the No. 1-ranked side, this is PAKISTAN SQUAD Rauf is the second highest cricket and taking into account Aaron Finch October 2019 to Sep- unacceptable,” chief selector wicket-taker in the Big Bash other strong performances in tember 2020 Misbah-ul-Haq said yesterday Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Ahsan Ali, with 16 in seven matches at an our National T20 Cup, we have while announcing the 15-man Amad Butt, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad impressive average of 11.56 for decided to make these squad. Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Melbourne Stars. changes,” Misbah said. “We need to end our losing Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan dropped experi- Beside Rauf, other

cycle... leading into the Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, enced bowlers Mohammad uncapped players included are upcoming Asia Cup and ICC T20 Shoaib Malik, Usman Qadir. Amir and Wahab Riaz. legspinner Usman Qadir, World Cup. This has played a Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, batsman Ahsan Ali and all- critical role in our Imam-ul-Haq, Asif Ali and rounder Amad Butt. decision-making.” against Sri Lanka and Australia, Mohammad Irfan -- were also Qadir, son of late leg- Last year, Pakistan lost and obviously, these didn’t dropped as Misbah said he spinning great Abdul Qadir, against South Africa 2-1, lost to work the way we had wanted to give other players a went to Australia but didn’t get England in a one-off T20, was expected,” Misbah said. chance. a chance. humiliated by a second-string “Hafeez and Shoaib bring a “The seven players who Bangladesh will play all the Sri Lanka 3-0 at home, and total of 200 T20s between them have missed out on selection three T20s at Lahore on January Aaron Finch swept by Australia 2-0. and if you mix these with the are by no means out of our 24, 25 and 27. Tests follow at “We tried our alternate other youngsters, then I think planning but considering their Rawalpindi in February and combinations in the series it becomes a good blend.” recent form in international Karachi in April. FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2020 SPORT 19 Australian Open draw revealed: Djokovic faces Struff in opener Comfortable starts for Nadal and Williams

AGENCIES — MELBOURNE qualifying for the first Grand SEEDED PLAYERS (TOP 15) KEY FIRST ROUND FIXTURES Slam tournament of the season World number one Rafael Nadal went ahead at Melbourne Park Men will take on Bolivian Hugo with minor disruptions despite 1. Rafael Nadal, Spain Dellien in the Australian Open MEN'S SINGLES the smoke. Slovenia's Dalila 2 Novak Djokovic, Serbia first round next week while 1-Rafa Nadal (Spain) v Hugo Dellien (Bolivia) Jakupovic was forced to retire 3. Roger Federer, Switzerland Serena Williams faces Anastasia Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) v 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) after suffering a coughing fit in 4 Daniil Medvedev, Russia Potapova in her quest for a 24th Steve Johnson (U.S.) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) the second set of her match on 5. Dominic Thiem, Austria Grand Slam title. 4-Daniil Medvedev (Russia) v Frances Tiafoe (U.S.) Tuesday and several other 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece The Spaniard is attempting Adrian Mannarino (France) v 5-Dominic Thiem (Austria) players said they had found it 7. Alexander Zverev, Germany to match Roger Federer’s record 6-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) v Salvatore Caruso (Italy) difficult to breathe. 8. Matteo Berrettini, Italy 20 Grand Slam singles titles on Marco Cecchinato (Italy) v 7-Alexander Zverev (Germany) Britain's Liam Broady, who 9. Roberto Bautista Agut, Spain his least favourite surface, 8-Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v Andrew Harris (Australia) lost his first round qualifying 10. Gael Monfils, France having won in Melbourne just Feliciano Lopez (Spain) v 9-Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) match on Tuesday, said the 11. David Goffin, Belgium once, back in 2009. decision to continue playing 10-Gael Monfils (France) v Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan) 12. Fabio Fognini, Italy Australian Nick Kyrgios while Melbourne residents were 13. Denis Shapovalov, Canada could be waiting for him in the 13-Denis Shapovalov (Canada) v Marton Fucsovics (Hungary) being warned to keep pets fourth round, the draw revealed Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina) v 15-Stan Wawrinka (Switzer- indoors "boiled" his "blood". 14. Diego Schwartzman, Argentina yesterday. land) "We can't let this slide. The 15. Stan Wawrinka, Switzerland Defending champion Novak 23-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) v Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) email we received yesterday Women Djokovic will start his bid to lift 30-Daniel Evans (Britain) v Mackenzie McDonald (U.S.) from the ATP and AO was a slap 1. Ash Barty, Australia a record eighth Australian Open Marin Cilic (Croatia) v Corentin Moutet (France) in the face, conditions were 2. Karolina Pliskova, C' Republic title against Jan-Lennard Struff. WOMEN'S SINGLES 'playable'. Were they healthy?" 3. Naomi Osaka, Japan The Serb had a fine 2019, 1-Ash Barty (Australia) v Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) he posted in a note on Twitter. 4. Simona Halep, Romania winning five titles including at Kristina Mladenovic (France) v 2-Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) Australian Open tour- 5. Elina Svitolina, Ukraine Melbourne Park and Wim- 3-Naomi Osaka (Japan) v Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic) nament director and Tennis 6. Belinda Bencic, Switzerland bledon on the way to ending the Jennifer Brady (U.S.) v 4-Simona Halep (Romania) Australia chief Craig Tiley, 7. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic year as number two, behind 5-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v Katie Boulter (Britain) however, told reporters that he 8. Serena Williams, United States only Nadal. 6-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) v Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Slovakia) was confident in the systems 9. Kiki Bertens, Netherlands Fresh from helping his Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) v 7-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) they had in place to protect the 10. Madison Keys, United States country win the ATP Cup, he 8-Serena Williams (U.S.) v Anastasia Potapova (Russia) players from harm. 11. Aryna Sabalenka, Belarus will start his drive to extend his Irina-Camelia Begu (Romania) v 9-Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) "Our medical team were 12. Johanna Konta, Britain incredible Melbourne run -- he satisfied with the conditions 10-Madison Keys (U.S.) v Daria Kasatkina (Russia) 13. Petra Martic, Croatia holds a 68-8 record -- against that the players were competing 12-Johanna Konta (Britain) v Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) 14. Sofia Kenin, United States a German who crashed at the in, per all of the research and

15-Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 15. M. Vondrousova, C' Republic first hurdle last year. the data and the science that Djokovic could meet Greek 19-Donna Vekic (Croatia) v Maria Sharapova (Russia) they have," Tiley said. young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas in Venus Williams (U.S.) v Coco Gauff (U.S.) "But they also make an the last eight. Kristie Ahn (U.S.) v Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) assessment. You could have scheduled last morning in tem- The ageless Federer, 38, is been two hours into those peratures more than 10 degrees up against American Steve Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the men’s singles matches and have 25 people Celsius cooler than on the pre- Johnson in the third quarter of championship trophy during the draw announcement of presenting themselves with a vious two days. the men’s draw as he targets a the Australian Open, yesterday. medical condition that may be The negative feeling from seventh Australian Open title, related to the pollutants. some of the lowly-ranked winning his last in 2018. "If that's the case, inform me players, for whom qualifying Williams, who is seeking to for an eighth Australian crown Ashleigh Barty opens against Smoke clears in Mel- and we stop." presents the opportunity to get match Australian Margaret and her first Slam title since Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, with bourne, organisers defend Australia is experiencing into the main draw of the event Court’s record 24 major singles Melbourne in 2017. the French Open champion on playing qualifiers one of its worst bushfire seasons and make more money than titles, gets underway against Her sister Venus has a a collision course with last Meanwhile, the Melbourne on record with blazes killing 28 they might earn in a year oth- 90th ranked Russian Potapova blockbuster first round clash year’s finalist Petra Kvitova in skies were largely clear of people, destroying more than erwise, had not gone away, with a potential quarter-final against exciting young the last eight. Fourth seed bushfire smoke yesterday as 2,500 homes and razing forests however. against defending champion American Coco Gauff, with the Simona Halep has a tough Australian Open organisers and farmland over an area "I pride myself on being one Naomi Osaka. winner potentially facing Osaka opening task against Jennifer defended their decision to con- equivalent to the size of of the fittest players on the circuit Seeded eight, she heads into in the third round. Brady, who beat Barty and tinue playing qualifiers during Bulgaria. I play and my body literally failed the tournament on the back of Third seed Osaka starts her Maria Sharapova at the two days when a thick haze The nation celebrated the me on that day #Poor," Broady's ending a three-year title title defence against Marie Brisbane International. Second enveloped the city. first major rainstorms during compatriot Jay Clarke, another drought by winning the Bouzkova. seed Karolina Pliskova takes on Severe criticism has been that period on Wednesday night loser on Tuesday, posted on Auckland Classic. She is gunning World number one Kristina Mladenovic. levelled at Tennis Australia after and qualifying got underway as Twitter. Halep knocked out in Adelaide quarters-finals AFP — ADELAIDE Australian Darren Cahill. “It feels great, still nice. I’m just getting my form. I have we had a tough match and she played a big goal for Australia, but I’m going Two-time Grand Slam winner Simona well,” Sabalenka said. to try to stay really realistic and play Halep will head into the Australian Open “I tried to stay focused on each point. match by match. That’s all I can think with room for improvement after being I don’t care about the Grand Slam, I’m about.” upset 6-4, 6-2 by Aryna Sabalenka just playing each match.” Last year’s 2019 Australian Open yesterday at the ATP-WTA Adelaide “I didn’t care about the past, I stayed semi-finalist Danielle Collins crushed International. in the moment, that helped me to win.” fourth seed Belinda Bencic, sending the The reigning Wimbledon champion In the first set, Halep twice lost break Swiss out in barely an hour with four and former world number one dropped advantages, with Sabalenka coming breaks of serve. serve five times and was flattened in the through with a third break of serve in the The 27th-ranked American will play second set by her opponent from Belarus. final game on a double-fault from the either Australian top seed Ashleigh Barty The 71-minute rout leaves Halep seed. or Marketa Vondrousova next. standing 1-1 for the season with the first In the second, the Belarussian ran In men’s play, South African Lloyd Grand Slam of the year starting on away with it -- Halep drew applause and Harris beat Spanish fourth seed Pablo Monday in Melbourne. raised her arms in mock triumph as she Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3 to book a semi- Sabalenka will battle Dayana Yast- finally won a game while trailing 5-0, but final berth. remska on Friday for a place in the final the youngster fired a winning return to He will play a fellow qualifier after after the Ukrainian 19-year-old beat a seal match point. Tommy Paul advanced over Spain’s Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus second top 20 opponent this week when Yastremska, ranked 24th, was thrilled Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 6-4. hits a return against Simona she put out Croat Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-3. to get past Vekic. Russian third seed Andrey Rublev Halep of Romania during their Sabalenka, ranked 12th to Halep’s “It’s nice to be in the semi-finals just won his sixth match of the season, with quarter-ﬁnal match, yesterday. fourth, won her first match after two in the beginning of the year,” she said. last weekend’s Doha champion defeating losses to the Romanian, coached by “I’m not playing my best game, but it’s Britain’s Dan Evans 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Belgian tennis Clijsters urges Australian Open player and former world number one Kim Clijsters warms up during a organisers to tackle smoke risks press presentation about her REUTERS — MELBOURNE hours in this environment. You you can’t play a whole event comeback at her can’t avoid or ignore it. just on a few show courts that tennis center Four-time Grand Slam “They have delayed (qual- have a roof. called the Kim champion Kim Clijsters ifying) matches, but it’s not “If I would have been there, Clijsters Sports believes it is impossible to going to solve the air quality.” I think I would have been very & Health Club, ignore air quality issues On the centre and Canadian world number 103 vocal and at least talk to the in Bree, on heading into next week’s show courts there is Brayden Schnur called out board and the tournament Wednesday. Australian Open and urged not an issue - they 20-times Grand Slam directors to try to think about organisers to make player champion Roger Federer and solutions.” health a top priority. can close the roof world number one Rafa Nadal Meanwhile, a devastated Australia has been battling and they can have the for not taking a vocal stand for Alex de Minaur withdrew from its worst bushfire season on the lower-profile players in the Australian Open yesterday record, with fires burning for ventilation on, but on qualifying. with an abdominal tear, months killing 29 people, and the outside courts... Clijsters, whose intended describing it as "really serious". destroying more than 2,500 you can’t play a comeback from retirement at The world number 21 and homes while razing bushland the Australian Open was Australia's top player pulled out across an area the size of whole event just on derailed by a knee injury, said of the Adelaide International Bulgaria. a few show courts she would have wanted the with the same problem and has Tournament organisers organisers to explain how they not been able to recover for his faced criticism this week for that have a roof: Kim were going to deal with the home Grand Slam. going ahead with qualifying Clijsters issue when the main draw "It's not great. Not going to rounds, as smoky conditions starts on Monday. lie. Obviously it's a week of the forced a player to retire after a “On the centre and show calendar that I really look coughing fit. Clijsters told the BBC. “If you courts there is not an issue - forward to and put in all the “If it’s not possible to play can’t play and bring good they can close the roof and hard work for, so it's pretty in then what’s the point?” tennis and be fit enough to play they can have the ventilation devastating to miss out on my former world number one two hours, or even the guys 4-5 on, but on the outside courts... home Slam," he said. SPORT SPORT | 17 SPORT | 18 Paratore, Norris Stokes, Pope take lead as regain advantage Koepka makes for England strong return against Proteas

FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2020 Stage set for feisty contest as Al Sadd, Al Duhail eye Qatar Cup final glory

RIZWAN REHMAT of the season. We Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez at a THE PENINSULA have to start Asian news conference in Doha yesterday. Champions League When the last time Doha giants so we realise the Al Sadd faced Al Duhail two situation (of having months ago, the result was a 4-1 Qatar Cup) in the hammering for coach Xavi’s middle of the popular side. season,” Xavi According to Xavi, that explained. defeat can only be erased from “We won the minds of Al Sadd fans if his Sheikh Jassim Cup. players could score a similar big We have to victory against Al Duhail. compete for all the “In football there is revenge, local competitions. always. Last time we played Sheikh Jassim Cup (against Al Duhail), we lost 4-1. is a big title. We are We hope to change that. We proud to win it. The have to fight. We have to play more “In my opinion, maybe we could players are proud than 100 percent. They are one the best play like last week. We have to keep to win it,” Xavi said. teams in Asia,” a smiling Xavi said the ambition, intensity against Al Al Sadd captain ahead of today’s Qatar Cup final today. Duhail. We are Al Sadd. We have the Hassan Al Haydos On November 2, hosts Al Duahil capacity to win. We have the best said yesterday: “It relied on goals from Mohammed players. We trust our process but in will be a difficult Muntari, Karim Boudiaf, Edmilson football we have to fight,” Xavi said. match. We are Junior and Almoez Ali to complete a Xavi, who guided Al Sadd in playing one of the Kick-off Time: 5:30pm resounding 4-1 win over Al Sadd. winning the season-opening event toughest teams. I Fast forward to today, Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim Cup, yesterday used hope we can repeat Venue: Al Sadd Stadium football giants - Al Sadd and Al Duhail Arabic terminologies to express the the performances - are battling for 2020 Qatar Cup mood in his camp. of last week. Al honours, this time on the home ground “It is the time of the final. (The Duhail is a very good team. They Faria was candid enough to admit whatever short time they have is of Xavi’s side. match can get) khalas in 90 minutes. always choose players who can deliver. signing new players doesn’t guarantee tomorrow,” Faria said. “Every player “It’s the final. Playing the final (We have to attack) alatool (because) Their overseas players will help Al top-notch performances. of ours has a competition. In a healthy means a lot. We are happy to be in the they have won many titles in the last Duhail and Qatari football. They have Last week Al Duhail announced the way it helps us improve. I said this final. We have the capacity to win. We 10 years. They have won six league a good coach.” signing of DPR Korea striker Han earlier one of our objectives is to have played an incredible match last week titles. We have difficulties but I trust Al Duhail coach Rui Faria predicted Kwang-song from Italian Serie A giants that competitive edge among players. (4-1 win over Al Rayyan). We are ready my players and my club. Let’s a high-octane title clash today. Juventus. At the end of last month, Al This happens at many clubs. It helps to compete,” Xavi warned yesterday. compete,” Xavi said with a smile. "A final is a final. It’s an opportunity Duhail welcomed Croatian striker to improve the quality. Fortunately we “It could be our second title win of Xavi said winning the season title to win a title. When two good teams Mario Mandzukic. don’t have a problem implementing the season. We have many, many of the season remained a big moti- face each other, many things can “Every time you get new players, this philosophy,” Faria said. winners in the team. I hope we enjoy vation for Al Sadd squad that comprises happen. We have to have top level of the match. We know the difficulty of a number of players who also appear concentration throughput the match. because we are facing one of the best for the Qatar national side. We know out rivals. We know their teams in the region, but we are ready “Normally we play (the Qatar Cup) weaknesses and strengths. Finals are for the final,” the former La Liga star at the end of the season. But we have about winning. We know how added. the chance to win a title in the middle important this is. We are ready for this title clash," Faria said yesterday. "I don’t know if that (the 4-1 win over Al Sadd in the league) was the best performance. It was a performance that showed our speed and mentality. The performance showed how much the players Al Sadd's believed in them- captain Hassan selves," he added. Al Duhail's Al Haydos “I don’t wait for a Karim Boudiaf takes media match like that at a media questions (smiles). We want to conference in in Doha play eleven vs eleven. Doha yesterday. yesterday. Every player has to show what it means to be in the final. Of they need time to settle down or under- Al Duhail skipper Boudiaf said yes- course we want to stand each other. It’s all about relation- terday: “This is not the first time we have a perfect day but ships. The players need to know each are playing Al Sadd. We have played Al Duhail coach then this is the final. other, with team-mates. In the end they them many times. We just have to see Rui Faria at a press Al Sadd is a good team are good signings. Timing is important," we don’t make mistakes. Other than conference in Doha with a lot of he said. that, the team is ready to play the final. yesterday. strengths,” the Portu- "We don’t have that time. Eve- I know all the Al Sadd players. We have guese coach said. rybody needs the performance and to be organised to do well.” Coach Xavi to stay at Al Sadd QUOTABLE QUOTES “It’s the final. Playing the final means a lot. We are happy to be in the final. We have the capacity to despite Barcelona 'proposal' win. We played an incredible match last week (4-1 win over Al Rayyan). We are ready to compete. It RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA could be our second title win of the season. We have many, many winners in the team. I hope we enjoy Barcelona legend and Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez (pictured) is the match. We know the difficulty because we are not going anywhere, at least until the end of the regular football facing one of the best teams in the region, but we season in Qatar. are ready for the final.” Chased by La Liga giants to take over at Barcelona as a coach this past week, Xavi yesterday cleared the air by saying at a media con- AL SADD COACH XAVI ference: "I will continue with Al Sadd at least until the end of the season. My goal is to continue until the end of the season." “A final is a final. It’s an opportunity to win a title. Xavi, who took over as coach of Al Sadd at the start of the on- When two good teams face each other, many things going season, added: "I had a proposal (from Barcelona) but I did not feel that this is the right time (to move). I am more calm now. I did can happen. We have to have a high level of con- not expect the proposal (from Barcelona). The last three or four days centration throughput the match. We know out rivals. were tough. Al Sadd is my reality. My focus is here." We know their weaknesses and strengths. Finals are The 39-year-old, who played for Al Sadd for two seasons before about winning. We know how important this is. We are ready for this title clash. accepting the coaching stint of the club, yesterday admitted the last few days were tough on him as his team prepared for the Qatar Cup I don’t know if that (the 4-1 win over Al Sadd in the league) was the best per- final today. formance. It was a performance that showed our speed and mentality. The "Those three-four days (of speculation) are over (smiles). As a performance showed how much the players believed in themselves." coach, I try to be fair with my players. This is me. My family and my AL DUHAIL COACH RUI FARIA players, I respect them a lot," Xavi said. "My dream is to coach Barca but this is not the right time. Right now I am with Al Sadd," he added.