Ronaldo’s double seals Seria A record as Juventus edge Sampdoria in Turin PAGE 19 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018 Khalid al Emadi, Fiji land Big Tour honours in the fifth round of Hathab series PAGE 17 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE MAN UTD VS BOURNEMOUTH 2019 Qatar ExxonMobil Open Wawrinka to face third seed Khachanov in lung-opener ATP tournament’s draw throws up interesting battles as Djoko and Wawrinka head for possible semis clash VINAY NAYUDU going to try my best. The last DOHA time I played him (two years ago at Rotterdam), I played re- THE draw of 32 for the six-day ally well and I had a chance to Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019 win,” he said. tennis extravaganza, which be- On being in Doha for the gins at the Khalifa Internation- first time, he said he’s got all the al Tennis & Squash Complex on positive feelings. Monday, has thrown up some “It’s my first visit to Qatar intriguing first round matches. and I’m still discovering it. But, Three-time Grand Slam I find it to be a great place. The champion Stanislas Wawrinka courts and stadium is amazing of Switzerland will meet third and the people are welcoming. seed and World No. 11 Karen So all positive feelings so far for Khachanov of Russia while An- me and I am looking forward to drey Rublev, who played Gael the week ahead,” he added. Monfils in the final here last Romanian Marius Copil, year, will face Italian Andreas who plays Hungarian Marton Seppi. Fucsovics, was left with mixed Second-seeded Canadian feelings of battling a friend and Dominic Thiem drew Qatar a doubles partner. ExxonMobil Open debutant “It’s going to be an interest- Herbert Pierre-Hughes of ing clash. We’ve played each France. other before three times and Twice winner of Qatar they all have been good match- ExxonMobil Open in 2016 and es. We were also supposed to 2017, World No. 1 and the top (From left) Players Marius Copius of Romania, Pierre-Hughes Herbert of France, Robin Haase of Netherlands and Marco Cecchinato of Italy, Tournament Supervisor Lars Graff, play doubles here together but seed here, Novak Djokovic of Tournament’s gold badge referee Ashraf Hamouda, Tournament Director Karim Alami, Secretary-General of Qatar Tennis Federation and General Coordinator of the tournament then we switched partners. But Serbia will be meeting Damir Tariq Darwish Zainal, Vice President and HR Manager ExxonMobil Abdullatif al Naemi, and QTF Executive Director Saad al Mohannadi during the draw ceremony of Qatar ExxonMobil we shall be teaming up at the Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzego- Open 2019 at Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday. Australian Open. We’re good vina. friends, it’s going to be tough Meanwhile, Qatar’s QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN 2019 DRAW playing against each other, but Mubarak Shannan Zayed was it’s an honour at the same time. drawn to play a qualifier and Men Singles (1st Round) (ESP) “We both had a great 2018 could well fancy his chances to [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Damir Dzumhur (BIH) [6] David Goffin (BEL) vs. Qualifier/Lucky Loser and to be here straight in the Marton Fucsovics (HUN) vs. Marius Copil (ROU) Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) making the second round of the Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. Andreas Seppi (ITA) Guido Pella (ARG) vs. [WC] Cem Ilkel (TUR) main draw among the world’s ATP Tour 250 tourney. Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) vs. [5] Nikoloz Basilashvili Qualifier/Lucky Loser vs. [4] Marco Cecchinato (ITA) top players is a great feeling,” Held on Saturday evening (GEO) [8] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Qualifier/Lucky Loser he explained. at the Four Seasons Hotel, the [3] Karen Khachanov (RUS) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) vs. [WC] Tomas Berdych Tariq Darwish Zainal, QTF (SUI) (CZE) draw was supervised by Tour- Robin Haase (NED) vs. Nicolas Jarry (CHI) Qualifier/Lucky Loser vs. Peter Gojowczyk (GER) Secretary-General, said he nament Supervisor Lars Graff [WC] Mubarak Zayed (QAT) vs. Qualifier/Lucky Loser Pierre-Hughes Herbert (FRA) vs. [2] Dominic Thiem hoped for the stars to provide along with the tournament’s Matteo Berrettini (ITA) vs. [7] Roberto Bautista Agut (AUT) the fireworks and big time en- gold badge referee Ashraf Ham- tertainment to the spectators. ouda in the presence of Tariq “I believe this year we have Darwish Zainal, Secretary-Gen- Jarry someone who’s been com- think they are the mother of the biggest stars here in Doha. eral of Qatar Tennis Federation ing up the rankings and who’s all disappointments. I just try Usually at Qatar ExxonMobil and General Coordinator of playing really well. He’s a dan- to do my best and work on my Open we have stars participat- the tournament, Abdullatif al gerous player with a big serve game like I have in the last two ing and this year we have No- Naemi, Vice President and HR and a big backhand, so I have years with my new coach and vak Djokovic, the World No.1, Manager, ExxonMobil, Karim to be ready. I will be pushed on its going well.” we have Stanislas Wawrinka, Alami, Tournament Director, to my defence on multiple occa- Despite finding the World Tomas Berdych, Dominic Thi- Saad al Mohannadi, QTF Ex- sions, but I will also need to be No. 8 Dominic Thiem against em, Karen Khachanov, David ecutive Director, and players offensive,” he said. him, tournament debutant Goffin, Andrei Rublev and oth- Marco Cecchinato of Italy, On his possible next round Pierre-Hughes Herbert was er upcoming stars and this is Robin Haase of Nether- Saad al Mohannadi, QTF Executive Director, picks a chip during the draw ceremony of Qatar ExxonMobil opponent being Wawrinka or quite in his elements and fan- what we provide the spectators. lands, Pierre-Hughes Herbert Open 2019 on Saturday. Khachanov, he said, “I never cied chances. “The draw is quite interest- of France and Marius Copius of look at the round ahead because “Yes, I have a tough draw. ing. Khachanov and Wawrinka Romania. withdrawal, another lucky loser feated Djokovic at the French Dutch Robin Haase, who it will be like guessing who it It’s not easy to play the second clash first up. Qatar’s Shanan With world’s top-25 ranked has been added to the main Open quarters in 2016 – Marco meets young Chilean Nicolas could be so I never do that. I’d seed straight up. Dominic is an Zayed is to play a qualifier, so players making the 65 best draw. Cecchinato of Italy – drew a Jarry, was left pondering the rather concentrate on my first amazing player, he’s finished there could be a lot of surprises. players’ list, the tournament Interestingly, the man who qualifier as his first round op- battle. match and go from there.” the year many a time being in We hope to a packed sta- will see some top competition. went on to win his first ATP tile ponent. The Italian is No. 20 “There’s never an easy On his future expectations the top-10 and he’s a tough op- dium come Monday when the The draw list includes four at the 2018 Hungarian Open as now and given the draw can be draw. I play a very talented and Haase quipped, “I don’t have ponent to beat. But I am looking tournament proper begins,” qualifying players and with one a lucky loser and who had de- expected to go the distance. younger opponent in Chilean N any expectations because I forward to this match and I’m said Zainal. Firmino hat-trick takes Liverpool Arabi’s Karad named best player 9 points clear in Premier League AFP LIVERPOOL EPL STANDINGS TEAM MP W D L GF GA PTS LIVERPOOL roared back from 1. LIVERPOOL 20 17 3 0 48 8 54 a rare Anfield deficit to move 2. TOTTENHAM 20 15 0 5 43 21 45 nine points clear at the top of 3. MAN CITY 19 14 2 3 51 15 44 the Premier League as Roberto 4. CHELSEA 19 12 4 3 37 16 40 Firmino’s hat-trick inspired 5. ARSENAL 20 11 5 4 42 30 38 a 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal on Saturday. 6. MAN UTD 19 9 5 5 37 31 32 Mohamed Salah and Sa- 7. WOLVES 20 8 5 7 23 23 29 dio Mane were also on target 8. LEICESTER 20 8 4 8 24 23 28 as Liverpool’s front three all 9. WATFORD 20 8 4 8 27 28 27 scored in the same league game 10. EVERTON 20 7 6 7 31 30 27 for the first time this season. 11. WEST HAM 19 8 3 8 27 28 27 Liverpool had trailed at 12. B’MOUTH 19 8 2 9 27 33 26 home in the league for the first 13. BRIGHTON 20 7 4 9 22 27 25 time in a day short of a year 14. C’TAL P’ACE 19 5 4 10 17 25 19 when Ainsley Maitland-Niles Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring their fifth goal with teammates as Arsenal’s Laurent Ko- 15. NEWCASTLE 20 4 6 10 15 27 18 turned home Alex Iwobi’s ex- scielny and Granit Xhaka look dejected during their English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool 16. CARDIFF 20 5 3 12 19 38 18 on Saturday. (REUTERS) cellent cross 11 minutes in. 17. S’HAMPTON 19 3 6 10 20 35 15 However, the lead lasted just three minutes as Firmino Mane and Salah’s penalty another significant step to- the season can prevent an end 18.