Nadal in the Pink As Sharapova Hits All-Time Low AFP Melbourne
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Akram Afif’s late strike steers Al Sadd past Al Khor PAGE 13 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 Kuwait win Qca women’s T20I title All-rounder Priyada Murali stars in Kuwait’s win GRAND SLAM TENNIS in the final over Oman at Asian Town PAGE 14 AUSTRALIAN OPEN QATAR QUELL IRAN CHALLENGE TO STORM INTO SEMIS Nadal in the pink as Sharapova hits all-time low AFP MELBOURNE TOP seed Rafael Nadal turned on the style as he launched his bid for a record-equalling 20th Major title at the Australian Open on Tuesday, but falling star Maria Sharapova hit a ca- reer low. Australia’s Nick Kyrgios also cantered into the second round, but fourth seed Daniil Medvedev had to fight his way past American Frances Tiafoe in four sets. Nadal, one shy of Roger Federer’s Grand Slam mark, dropped only five games as he swatted aside Bolivia’s Hugo Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates victory against Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 in just during their men’s singles match on day two of the Australian Open in over two hours at a sunny Rod Melbourne on Tuesday. (AFP) Laver Arena. Qatar cruised into the semi-finals of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait defeating Iran 31-25 in their second main group match “It was a positive start,” said but it’s not really in my charac- 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7-1) win over at the Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Sports Hall in Kuwait City on Tuesday. Qatar, who had beaten South Korea in their first main group tie, trailed the reigning Roland Garros and ter to,” Sharapova said. Lorenzo Sonego of Italy. 11-13 at half time. The win also saw Qatar qualifying for the 2021 World Handball Championship to be held in Egypt. Qatar were runners-up at US Open champion, wearing a “I was there, I put myself “I feel super-comfortable, the 2015 World Championship held in Doha. bright pink singlet and match- out there (playing). As tough as you guys are the best. I feel ing trainers. it was, I finished the match – it the support.... I am ready to go “What you want in the first wasn’t the way that I wanted.” again,” Kyrgios told the crowd. round is just to win, Britain’s Johanna Medvedev, the narrow loser Rui Faria quits as Al Duhail coach and it’s better if it’s in Konta, a two-time to Nadal in September’s US straight sets.” Slam semi-finalist, Open final, dropped the second He joins Federer also fell at the first set against Tiafoe before recov- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and defending cham- hurdle as she battles ering to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. DOHA QNB SL Standings pion Novak Djokovic to overcome a knee Austria’s Dominic Thiem, in round two as the Big Three problem, losing 4-6, 2-6 to un- who has reached the last two RUI Faria has resigned from Club MP W D L GF GA GD Pts look to tighten a stranglehold seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur. French Open finals, went his position as coach of QSL 1. Al Duhail 12 9 3 0 24 10 14 30 that has brought them all but On a bumper day of 88 first- through in straight sets against side Al Duhail for ‘personal 2. Al Rayyan 12 8 4 0 28 9 19 28 one of the last 14 Australian round matches, after rain wiped Adrian Mannarino, while reasons’, the club announced 3. Al Sadd 12 8 0 4 35 21 14 24 Open titles. out half of Monday’s schedule, 2014 champion Stan Waw- late on Monday. Nadal, the first player to former US Open champion Ma- rinka needed four to get past The Portuguese coach 4. Al Gharafa 12 6 2 4 22 18 4 20 be world number one in three rin Cilic and Milos Raonic both Damir Dzumhur. Seventh seed joined the club almost a year 5. Al Arabi 12 5 3 4 23 19 4 18 different decades, is still thriv- moved safely through. Alexander Zverev beat Marco ago for his first coaching job 6. Al Sailiya 12 5 2 5 15 16 -1 17 Al Duhail’s ing at 33 but it’s a different Italy’s Fabio Fognini, two Cecchinato in straight sets but after quiting as Jose Mour- 7. Al Wakrah 12 4 3 5 18 21 -3 15 Portuguese story for five-time Grand Slam sets down against America’s there was disappointment for inho’s assistant. 8. Qatar SC 12 4 3 5 18 21 -3 14 coach winner Sharapova. Reilly Opelka when their match France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, “The club administration 9. Al Ahli 12 4 1 7 16 23 -7 13 Rui Faria The 32-year-old, playing on was suspended on Monday, re- the 2008 finalist, who retired has accepted the resignation resigned a wildcard as she wrestles with turned to win it in five after a with a back injury against Aus- of coach Rui Faria from his 10. Al Khor 12 2 3 7 14 22 -8 9 citing a shoulder injury, lost 6-3, 6-4 stormy encounter when both tralia’s Alexei Popyrin. duties as coach of the first 11. Al Shahania 12 1 5 6 11 24 -13 8 ‘personal to Croatian 19th seed Donna players argued furiously with Elsewhere, women’s fourth team for personal reasons. 12. Umm Salal 12 1 2 9 7 27 -20 5 reasons’. Vekic, making her an opening- the umpire. seed Simona Halep survived And the club administration round loser at three straight A new star emerged in some painful-looking falls to thanked coach Rui Faria for Grand Slams for the first time. 18-year-old Italian Jannik Sin- beat America’s Jennifer Brady, the period he spent with the The future looks uncertain ner, last year’s NextGen cham- and 2016 champion Angel- team and wished him success for the former world number pion, who earned his first Grand ique Kerber dropped only four in his next journey,” Al Duhail one, who won Wimbledon Slam victory against Australia’s games against Elisabetta Coc- said in a statement. Oliveira met the media after hail after the sacking of Nabil rivals Al Sadd last year. when she was just 17 but has Max Purcell. ciaretto of Italy. His resignation comes af- the loss. Maaloul in December due to So far this season, he has not reached a Grand Slam final Australia’s Kyrgios, who has Air pollution from the ter Al Duhail were crushed by The manner of the defeat poor results. led the club to top of the QNB since she lifted the 2014 French spearheaded fundraising efforts bushfires disrupted the build- Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup final and the criticism of Faria’s The team however enjoyed Stars League standings with Open trophy. for the country’s deadly bush- up to the year’s first Grand -- a result which visibly left coaching style may have fueled a resurgence under Faria, fin- 30 points from 12 matches – “I can speak about my strug- fire disaster, kept his notorious Slam, but after Monday’s Faria fuming on the sidelines. his decision to leave. ishing second in the QSL and two points ahead of second gles and the things that I’ve temper in check despite being heavy rain the skies were clear Faria’s assistant Bruno Faria took over Al Du- winning the Amir Cup against placed Al Rayyan. gone through with my shoulder, taken to two tie-breaks in a 6-2, and sunny on Tuesday. Zverev, McEnroe pledge thousands of dollars to bushfire victims DPA nis community when he said MELBOURNE he would donate money for every ace he hit in tourna- RISING star Alexander I will donate 10,000 ments entered in January. Zverev and tennis hall of fam- dollars for every match “Obviously I felt like he er John McEnroe on Tuesday that I win here. And if I – wanted to help. I mean, I’m night pledged thousands of I know I am not a sure a lot of people appreci- dollars in support of individu- favourite to win this event ate that,” the Australian told als and communities affected journalists when asked about by bush fires in Australia, – but if I win this event McEnroe’s generosity. joining others in the tennis I’m gonna donate every But Australians shouldn’t community raising funds and single cent (US $2.83 be holding their breath in an- awareness for the cause. million) to the bushfires. ticipation of big cheques. After his first round win Zverev has never gone be- against Marco Cecchinato Alexander Zverev yond the quarter-finals at a at the Australian Open, the of Germany grand slam, and not past the German star pledged to do- fourth round in Melbourne. nate 10,000 dollars for every Tuesday’s win against Cecchi- match win and the whole bag the Margaret Court Arena. nato was his first of the year, in case of lifting the trophy. “And if I – I know I am Germany’s Alexander Zverev after defeating Italy’s Marco Cecchinato Former US tennis player John McEnroe (left) watches Australia’s after he lost all three matches “Obviously Australia is a not a favourite to win this at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday. (AFP) Nick Kyrgios on Day Two of the Australian Open on Tuesday. (AFP) at the ATP Cup.