Qatar Exxonmobil Open: Bautista Agut, Basilashvili to Clash in Final
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Sport SATURDAY 13 MARCH 2021 Winther takes two-shot lead in windy Doha The wind is quite severe now. We were lucky. On the last three or four holes it was really starting to pick up. Playing around 15-20 yards further, you’ve got to be on your game. Jeff Winther Sport | 15 QNB STARS LEAGUE: ROUND 19 YESTERDAY'S RESULTS: Al Gharafa 1-3 Al Ahli; Al Khor 1-2 Qatar SC; Al Rayyan 2-0 Al Arabi Qatar ExxonMobil Open: Bautista Agut, Basilashvili to clash in final FAWAD HUSSAIN Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain celebrates hits victory against Russia's Andrey THE PENINSULA Rublev during their semi-final match of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. Roberto Bautista Agut and Nikoloz Basilashvili will square off in the title clash of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open after posting commanding straight-set victories in their respective semi-finals, yesterday. At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Spain’s Bautista Agut dis- patched defending champion Andrey Rublev in the first semi- final before an in-form Basilas- hvili brought an end to Taylor Fritz’s impressive run in the popular tournament. Fifth seeded Bautista Agut, who withstood a 2-hour-25 battle to oust top seed Dominic Thiem late on Thursday, looked the momentum in the next set In the other semi-final fea- “Probably nothing to lose at in solid form as he returned to breaking the 23-year-old turing the giant slayers, Basi- this point, because I had a pretty the centre court just hours after Russian in the first game. lashvili – the man who beat bad last eight months. I have the victory. Rublev broke back but he Roger Federer on Thursday – zero expectations when I’m on Playing in windy conditions, failed to resist his opponent advanced to the final after a court even though I’m playing. the Spaniard – a Doha 2019 after taking a 3-2 lead as the dominant 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over I’m feeling really well on court, winner – excelled with pow- Spaniard secured place in the Fritz, who defeated fourth- feeling physically really well, erful serves to defeat Russia’s final with a well-deserved win. seeded Denis Shapovalov in the feeling the ball, and I’m just a Rublev 6-3, 6-3 in 74 minutes. “It was very difficult to play quarter-final. bit more relaxed than I usually Rublev, who entered the tennis today, with the windy The World No.42, who am. That’s why I think I’m semi-final without hitting a ball conditions,” Bautista Agut, said saved a match point against playing really well this week,” – a bye in the first round fol- in an on-court interview after Federer, didn’t start the match he added. lowed by two walkovers – saw the win. comfortably winning only two Basilashvili hoped to con- his 20-match winning streak at “But I put a lot of pressure points from the first 10 but he tinue his form in the final ATP 500 events ending. on his second serve and played bounced back well to win the against Bautista Agut, who will The Russian World No.8, really good tennis. I played a first set in 52 minutes. seek his second Falcon Trophy, however, was facing an long match yesterday [against In the second set, Basilas- today. opponent who is in a brilliant Dominic Thiem], but I felt fresh hvili raced to a 3-0 lead and “He’s (Bautista Agut) very form and loves to win in Doha, and I had a lot of power on the wrapped up the win in 75 good player. He plays espe- where he has won nine consec- court.” minutes, denying Fritz a chance cially in Doha very well. He utive matches. “This court and tournament of making a comeback. won this tournament. He’s very Bautista Agut broke Rublev is one of my favourites,” the “To reach the final means a good baseline player and he to take a 3-1 lead in the first set 32-year-old added. lot. I am playing well and I am doesn’t have many errors, so and his fabulous winners “I played one of my best relaxed. It’s great to play in it’s going to be tough match for helped him seal the opener in matches here in Qatar two front of a crowd and a nice me. It will be, at the same time, 30 minutes. years ago, and I hope I can win atmosphere,” the Georgian, who very interesting. So really Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in action against USA's Taylor With Rublev struggling with one more match tomorrow,” he broke a five-match losing looking forward for tomor- Fritz during their semi-final match yesterday. errors, the Spaniard maintained said. streak in Doha, said. row’s match.” Jack Miller (right) in action at Losail International Circuit. FIFA World Cup 2022, Coach Sanchez picks Asian Cup China 2023 Qatar squad for Qatar to hosts European qualifiers Group E matches of Asian Qualifiers THE PENINSULA – DOHA QATAR SQUAD: Pedro Miguel, Salem Al Hajri, QNA – KUALA LUMPUR Coach Felix Sanchez (pictured) yesterday named Tariq Salman, Abdel-Karim a squad of 28 players who will be travelling to Hassan, Boualam Khokhi, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday Hungary for Qatar’s European qualifiers for the Hassan Al Haydos, Youssef confirmed the centralised venues for the Asian 2022 FIFA World Cup. Abdel-Razzaq, Ahmed Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 MotoGP: Miller tops 2021 The squad will start training today at Aspire Suhail, Musab Khader and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 matches Academy following the conclusion of the 19th and Muhammad Waad scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 15. round of the QNB Stars League matches before (Al Sadd). Salah Zakaria, FIFA World Cup 2022 host Qatar will pre-season test at Losail flying out for Hungaryy on March 20. Bassam Al Rawi,R Asim welcome Group E opponents Oman, Afghan- The Asian championsmpions will join Group A – Madibu,Madibu, Mu`zahin,Mu`z Karim istan, India and Bangladesh with Japan set to alongside UEFA Euroro 2016 winners Por-Por- Boudiaf,Boudiaf, Ismail Muhammad, provide the stage for the matches in Group F THE PENINSULA – DOHA tugal, Serbia, Republicblic of Ireland, Lux-Lux- MuhammadMuhammad Muntari,M and comprising Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, embourg, and Azerbaijan.rbaijan. Myanmar and Mongolia, the AFC said in a Abdullah Abd al-Salam (Al After five days of action at the Losail International Circuit, the Official Qatar will playy their ‘home’ fix-fix- statement on its website. Duhail).Duhail). AhmedAhme Ala Al Din, Qatar Test eventually saw Jack Miller and Ducati Lenovo Team head tures on Europeann soil in order to China will host Group A which comprises HumamHumam Al Amin,Am Muayyad into Round 1 of the MotoGP season as the combination to beat. facilitate shorter travelavel timestimes forfor leaders Syria, Philippines, Maldives and Guam Miller’s 1:53.183 is the fastest ever two-wheel lap set in Qatar. The their group opponents.ents. HassanHassan anda Tamim with Kuwait confirmed as the host for Group B Bologna factory are chased by a trio of Yamahas who are all within a As the FIFA Worldorld Cup 2022 Al MuhaizehM (Al which includes Australia, Jordan, Nepal and tenth and a half, as Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), host nation, Qatar hashas already Gharafa)Gh Ahmed Chinese Taipei. Bahrain will stage the matches teammate Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha qualified for the tournament.urnament. Fathi and in Group C which features table-toppers Iraq, SRT) enjoy a successful pre-season. Though Qatar automaticallyomatically Mahmoud Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong and Cam- qualify being the hosts but are AbuA Nada (Al bodia, while Saudi Arabia have been selected MOTOGP QATAR TEST - TOP 10 taking part in the qualifyingualifying to get Arabi) Abdul to hold the matches in Group D, which include 1. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) 5. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo match practice in thethe lead upup to Aziz Hatem the likes of Uzbekistan, Singapore, Yemen and – 1:53.183 Team) + 0.261 the 2022 FIFA Worldrld Cup.Cup. (Al Rayyan) Palestine. 2. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy 6. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Qatar take on Luxembourguxembourg inin KhaledK Munir The United Arab Emirates have been selected Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.061 Gresini) + 0.457 their first match on MarchMarch 24.24. (Al Wakrah) as the host for Group G, which consists of 3. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy 7. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.644 The second match willwill be COACH: Felix Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia while Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.080 8. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.677 against Azerbaijann onon Sanchez Korea Republic will stage the matches for Group 4. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha 9. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 0.716 March 27. H, which include leaders Turkmenistan, SRT) + 0.140 10. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda) + 0.716 Lebanon, DPR Korea and Sri Lanka. SATURDAY 13 MARCH 2021 SPORT 15 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters: Dane cards five birdies to post impressive score Winther takes two-shot lead in windy Doha POS COUNTRY / PLAYER SCORE R1 R2 TOTAL EUROPEAN TOUR – DOHA late bogeys to admitted he was easy to putt on. They are very fall into a five 1 (DEN) Jeff Winther -8 67 67 134 fortunate to avoid true. The condition is the same Jeff Winther will take a way tie for 2 (WAL) Jamie Donaldson -6 68 68 136 the worst of the as last year, it’s beautiful.” two-shot lead into the second.