SPORT SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 21 Wade's thrilling ton sets up easy win for Australia

Brisbane Australian batsman AFP (centre) dives to make his ground during the one-day international atthew Wade hit match against Pakistan in a thrilling last-ball Brisbane yesterday. Wade hit a Bangladesh's century to set up thrilling last-ball century to set up a 92- victory a 92-run victory for Australia. (left) celebrates for Australia over after scoring a MPakistan in the first one-day double century international at yesterday. against New Wicketkeeper Wade boosted Zealand while Australia to 268 for nine off their with team mate 50 overs after the top Mushfiqur Rahim order had slumped to 78 for five. looks on during Seamer James Faulkner then day two of the took four for 32 to help first Test at the Australia dismiss Pakistan for Basin Reserve 176 off 42.4 overs. in Wellington Pakistan were well placed yesterday. with Australia five down in the 17th over before Wade and (60) put on 82 runs for the sixth to push on. The tourists could not put Shakib's double ton any pressure on the Australians in their innings with skipper injuring a hamstring top, it was swinging and seam- SCOREBOARD and Babar Azam topscoring with ing around," man-of-the-match puts Bangladesh 33. Wade said. Australia: Pakistan: D Warner b Amir ...... 7 Azhar Ali c Warner b Faulkner ...... 24 struck "Maxi (Maxwell) took the T Head c Rizwan b Imad ...... 39 c Maxwell b Faulkner ...... 18 early with the key wickets of pressure off me, and I was just S Smith c Rizwan b Amir ...... 0 c Wade b Faulkner ...... 4 in command adventurous opener David looking to get him on strike. I C Lynn c Rizwan b Hasan ...... 16 Babar Azam c Smith b Cummins ...... 33 Warner and skipper was absolutely cooked (by the M Marsh c Rizwan b Imad ...... 4 c Head b Starc ...... 17 with successive balls to have last over). G Maxwell c Hafeez b Hasan ...... 60 Mohammad Rizwan c Marsh b Cummins ...... 21 Wellington SCOREBOARD Australian rocking at 13 for two Wade, who has been under M Wade ( ) 1 ...... 00 c Warner b Marsh ...... 29 AFP J Faulkner c Hafeez b Nawaz ...... 5 Mohammad Nawaz b Starc ...... 1 in the fifth over. pressure to score runs after a Bangladesh (I innings): P Cummins run out (Akmal) ...... 15 Mohammad Amir c Maxwell b Faulkner ...... 8 lbw Boult ...... 56 "It was challenging at the lean spell, hit seven fours and M Starc b Hasan ...... 10 c Starc b Cummins ...... 6 angladesh hammered c Boult b Southee ...... 1 two sixes in his knock for his first B Stanlake (not out) ...... 1 (not out) ...... 1 New Zealand with a dou- c Watling b Southee ...... 64 Aussies take lead ODI century. Maxwell was at his Extras (LB1, W9, NB1) ...... 11 Extras (B4,LB5,W5) ...... 14 Bble century by Shakib Al c Watling b Wagner ...... 26 quirky best with reverse sweeps Total (9 wkts) ...... 268 Total (all out 176 Hasan in a record-breaking Shakib Al Hasan b Wagner ...... 217 and improvised stroke-making Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-13, 3-52, 4-67, 5-78, 6-160, Fall of wickets: 1-38, 1-39, 2-47, 3-79, 4-109, 5-129, second day of the first Test in c Watling b Boult ...... 159 in his 60 off 56 balls with seven 7-170, 8-212, 9-235 6-133, 7-158, 8-163, 9-171, 10-176 Wellington yesterday. Sabbir Rahman (batting) ...... 10 : Amir 10-0-54-2 (3w), Hafeez 7-0-23-0 (1w), Bowling: Starc 8-0-34-2 (2w), Stanlake 3-0-13-0 Mehedi Hasan c Southee b Wagner ...... 0

268/9 boundaries before he was out to Hasan 9-0-65-3 (2w), Riaz 6-0-42-0 (1nb, 3w), Imad (1w), Faulkner 7-1-32-4, Cummins 8.4-0-33-3 (2w), But they kept declaration Extras (B2, LB6, NB1) ...... 9 Wicketkeeper Wade a false shot. 10-0-35-2, Nawaz 8-0-48-1 Head 10-0-28-0, Marsh 6-0-27-1 plans after reaching 542-7 on Total (7 wkts) ...... 542 boosted Australia to 268 Maxwell was dismissed in day two, and New Zealand Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-60, 3-145, 4-160, for nine off their 50 overs the 31st over with Australia at insisted they were still in the 5-519, 6-536, 7-542 160 for six when he attempted hamstring and retired hurt only Babar Azam, batting at No.4, game. To bat: Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Kamrul Is- after their top order to flick Hasan Ali over mid- to return in pain and try and help topscored with 33 off 46 balls Shakib scored a Bangla- lam Rabbi batsmen had slumped to wicket only to hit the ball with his side late innings before he before he edged to Steve Smith at desh innings record of 217 and Bowling: Boult 31-4-121-2, Southee 31-5-144- 78 for five. the high part of his bat and dolly became another Faulkner victim slip off Pat Cummins. Mushfiqur Rahim 2, de Grandhomme 20-2-65-0, Wagner 36-6- 124-3 (1nb), Santner 15-2-60-0, Williamson an easy catch to Mohammad for 24. "We thought from five down added 159 in a 359-run stand, 3-0-20-0 Hafeez. Pakistan soon struck "It's a bit sore, but hopefully it for 78 we can get them out early, which set a record for any trouble in their innings losing the will recover soon," Azhar said. but unfortunately it didn't hap- Bangladesh partnership. 176 free-scoring Sharjeel Khan for "The physio will have a bet- pen," Azhar said. Mushfiqur described the Shakib and Mushfiqur both Pakistan were all out for 18 off 22 balls, falling to ter look and see how far I can get. The second match in the five- tourists' position as "really fell in the final session after 176 off 42.4 overs. Faulkner. Hopefully I can take part in the ODI series will be played in satisfying". setting Bangladesh up for their Skipper Azhar Ali injured a next game." Melbourne on Sunday. "Let's see," was his mes- 542, which is the third-highest sage to New Zealand when first innings at the traditional questioned whether a decla- bowl-first Basin Reserve in its ration was likely overnight. 59-Test history. "That's one job done but With the wind and rain that Sri Lanka in familiar trouble there's still three days to go. disrupted day one out of the Anything's possible," he said, picture, New Zealand had early adding Bangladesh were deter- success in the fourth over South African bowler Kagiso mined to erase their nightmare when Mominul Haque fell for AFP Rabada (centre) celebrates build-up to the Test when they 64 and honours were even after bowling out Sri Lankan lost all six one-day and with Bangladesh at 160-4. ernon Philander and batsman Kusal Mendis matches. But for the next 82 overs plunged during the third Test at Shakib called his seven Shakib and Mushfiqur were in VSri Lanka into familiar Wanderers Cricket Stadium hours at the crease "one of command as they batted at trouble when they both took two in Johannesburg yesterday. proudest days" of his career as nearly 4.4 an over and with an wickets on the second day of the he moved up to second on the element of luck. third and final Test against South list of prolific Bangladesh bats- Shakib was dropped on Africa at the SCOREBOARD men with 3,146 to his name four by Mitchell Santner late yesterday. behind Tamim Iqbal's 3,405. on the first day and dropped Sri Lanka were 80 for four He said he did not realise by Ross Taylor on 189. South Africa (I innings): when bad light ended play for S Cook lbw b Mathews ...... 10 he had broken Tamim's record He survived a tight appeal the day, still 346 runs behind D Elgar c Karunaratne b Kumara ...... 27 for the highest Test innings by on 137 when wicketkeeper BJ South Africa's total of 426. H Amla c Chandimal b Pradeep ...... 134 a Bangladesh player until he Watling took what appeared The first half of the day J Duminy c Mendis b Kumara ...... 155 reached 207 and saw the to be a sensational diving catch belonged largely to Sri Lanka, D Olivier c Chandimal b Mathews ...... 3 opener stand and applaud in down the leg side only for who have largely been outplayed F du Plessis c Mendis b Pradeep ...... 16 the stands. replays to show he briefly T Bavuma c Silva b Pradeep ...... 0 in a series which they trail 2-0, Q de Kock c De Silva b Kumara ...... 34 "I thought his score was 214 grounded the ball on hitting the as their bowlers claimed South V Philander c Chandimal b Pradeep ...... 0 but when I ran that single and turf. Africa's seven remaining wick- W Parnell c Tharanga b Kumara ...... 23 saw Tamim was clapping I It was Wagner who even- ets for 88 runs. K Rabada (not out) ...... 0 thought OK -- the highest." tually claimed the wicket Nuwan Pradeep took four to play at, edging a second catch Suranga Lakmal bowled Extras (B11, LB8, NB1, W4) ...... 24 But as Bangladesh bathed when a tired Shakib chopped wickets in as many overs to fin- to wicketkeeper Quinton de superbly from the start of play Total ...... 426 in the glory of dominating the an attempted cut onto his ish with four for 78, while Lahiru Kock. after South Africa resumed at Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-45, 3-337, 4-346, 5-364, first two days of the Test, and stumps. 6-364, 7-367, 8-378, 9-425 Kumara took four for 107. Mendis made 41 before a 338 for three, conceding nine Bowling: Lakmal 30-8-81-0, Pradeep 27-8-78-4 blasting 388 runs at nearly four Mushfiqur had a heart- , who resumed vicious lifter from Rabada had runs in seven overs, four of (2w), Mathews 20-6-52-2 (1nb), Kumara 25.1-2- an over on the second day, stopping moment on 78 when on 125 not out, could add only him fending a catch to gully. which came from overthrows, 107-4 (2w), Herath 14-0-67-0, De Silva 8-1-22-0 New Zealand fast bowler Tim an inside edge off Trent Boult nine more runs off 44 balls Dhananjaya de Silva followed in and having South African cap- Sri Lanka (I innings): Southee refused to accept a brushed the stumps but the before he was caught behind to the next over when he sliced a tain dropped by D Karunaratne c De Kock b Philander ...... 0 result for the home side was bails stayed on and the ball become Pradeep?s third drive against Philander to back- Mendis at second slip. K Silva c De Kock b Rabada ...... 13 out of the question. went through to the victim. ward point. Angelo Mathews, who K Mendis c Duminy b Rabada ...... 41 "They've come out and . D de Silva c Bavuma b Philander ...... 10 Although Dimuth Karu- Philander took two for 17 opened the bowling with Lak- A Mathews (batting ...... 11 played extremely well after Boult eventually claimed naratne was caught behind off and Rabada two for 26. mal at start of play, sent down D Chandimal (batting) ...... 3 losing the toss and they've his wicket with a wide deliv- Vernon Philander without scor- Although Pradeep was their five overs for nine runs and dis- Extras (lb2) ...... 2 played in an aggressive man- ery that Mushfiqur attempted ing off the fourth ball of their most successful bowler, it was missed nightwatchman Duanne Total (4 wkts, 28.4 overs) ...... 80 ner," he said, indicating the to drive but succeeded only in innings, Kaushal Silva and Kusal an impressive collective bowl- Olivier. Fall of wickets: 1-0 Test could go down to the wire edging to Watling. Mendis put on 47 for the second ing performance by the Sri Pradeep had a golden spell, Bowling: Philander 9-3-23-2, Parnell 6.4-1-16-0, on the fifth day. Wagner was the most suc- wicket and saw off the new ball. Lankan seamers in overcast con- dismissing Du Plessis, Temba Olivier 6-2-13-0, Rabada 7-2-26-2 "We'll come back with a plan cessful New Zealand bowler To bat: U Tharanga, R Herath, S Lakmal, Kumara,

But Rabada struck soon after ditions on a pitch which seemed Bavuma, Amla and Philander in Pradeep of hopefully knocking these (last with three for 124 while Boult tea when he produced a sharply- to have more life than on the first the space of 24 deliveries. three wickets) over and then try- had two for 121 and Southee lifting which Silva had day. ing to go as big as we can." two for 144. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

COPA DEL REY DRAW Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Alcorcon vs Alaves

Atletico Madrid vs Eibar Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Vitolo in search of more goals. And Madrid's record run appeared to be over when Iborra forced the ball home from close Late goal sets range to make it 3-1 with just 13 minutes remaining. I'm calmer However, Casemiro was adjudged to have been pushed Sergio Ramo record 40-game inside the area by Matias than Klopp: Kranevitter five minutes later. Against his former club, Mourinho Ramos showed remarkable calm unbeaten run for Real to chip the resulting spot-kick Manchester down the middle of the goal. And AFP Benzema provided the final sting in the tale three minutes into ose Mourinho (pic- Madrid time in eight months as an own La Liga clash between the two Marco Asensio pounced on a added time when he saw off two tured) claims he is a AFP goal from Danilo and second-half back at the Sanchez Pizjuan. clearance from a Sevilla corner on tired Sevilla challenges before Jcalmer manager than strikes from Stefan Jovetic and However, it was Sevilla who the edge of his own area and ran firing low past Soria to seal a 6-3 Liverpool boss Jurgen arim Benzema struck deep Vicente Iborra saw Sevilla lead 3-1 settled first as they forced Madrid the length of the field barely chal- aggregate win. Klopp despite having into stoppage time as Real inside the final 10 minutes. onto the back foot from the off. lenged before slotting below Soria. Real Madrid and eternal been sent to the stands KMadrid set a new Spanish However, Sergio Ramos's In the absence of Ronaldo That left Sevilla needing an rivals Barcelona were kept apart twice for disciplinary record by extending their penalty and substitute Benzema and Benzema, Mariano Diaz was unlikely four more goals to qual- in yesterday's draw for the Span- reasons this season. unbeaten run to 40 games in a salvaged Madrid's run, which handed a rare start up front. ify, but they continued to pour ish Cup quarter-finals.Real will United's run, which thrilling 3-3 draw at Sevilla to now surpasses the 39-game Toni Kroos fired inches wide forward as on-loan Inter Milan take on the Galicians of Celta includes six straight progress to the Copa del Rey unbeaten run set by Barcelona just before the break, but the forward Jovetic marked his debut Vigo and Barca will face Basque league victories, has quarter-finals on Thursday. last season. vital away goal the visitors by volleying home Escudero's outfit Real Sociedad. moved them to within Holding a 3-0 first leg lead, a Both coaches named weak- needed to kill off the tie arrived cross six minutes later. The first-leg games are on five points of Liverpool, Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real ened sides with one eye on in spectacular fashion three min- Sampaoli threw on frist- January 18 with the returns on who begin the weekend looked set for defeat for the first Sunday's crunch top of the table utes into the second-half. team regulars Samir Nasri and January 25. in second place. Klopp suggested yes- terday that both managers are driven by anger, and that is the reason for their sus- tained success. Ivorians impress as 'Auba' Mourinho, though, believes he is calmer, even though he has faced three Football Associa- tion charges since taking charge at Old Trafford and Mahrez lead stars parade last May. The former Chelsea chief was sent to the Libreville stands against Burnley in AFP October for a half-time dispute with referee ew-look Ivory Coast are pre- Mark Clattenburg, and paring to defend the Africa suffered the same fate in Cup of Nations, which kicks a league game against off in Gabon today, buoyed West Ham after he by encouraging results and kicked a water bottle. Nimpressive form from new recruit Wil- "I just think I like to fried Zaha. win like every manager The Crystal Palace flier hopes to make likes to win. Everyone an impact in a competition that boasts has his own personality. Europe-based stars like Riyad Mahrez of Everyone has his own Algeria, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of style of coaching and his Gabon and Sadio Mane of Senegal. own style of leading," Zaha is a timely addition as many Mourinho told reporters former stars like the Toure brothers Kolo yesterday. and Yaya have retired and star winger "Probably we have Gervinho is injured. Abidjan-born Zaha some qualities that are has been lured to the African champions similar, for sure we have after two friendly appearances for other qualities that make adopted country England. us really different peo- He set up the crucial goal in a 2-1 ple and different warm-up win over Sweden last Sunday Gabon's striker Algeria's managers. and scored in a 3-0 thumping of fellow Ivory Coast's Winger Pierre-Emerick Midfielder "But looking to this Cup of Nations qualifiers Uganda three Wilfried Zaha. Aubameyang Riyad Mahrez match, I think he wants days later. to play the game as much Ivory Coast are in a challenging Group as I want to. He is as C and kick off their campaign on Monday Togo, followed by showdowns with the central African nation on his shoulders, Group B that also contains Tunisia and motivated as I am. against Emmanuel Adebayor-captained Democratic Republic of Congo and fleet-footed Mahrez will aim to top a mag- outsiders Zimbabwe. "I'm not sure if he's Morocco. nificent 12 months by taking Algeria to Egypt are back for the first time since so calm as I am, but it's African Cup of Nations Morocco are coached by Frenchman the February 5 final and their continen- winning a record seventh Cup of Nations just one more big game Herve Renard, who guided the Ivorians tal title since 1990. in Angola in 2010 and will pin their hopes in our careers." Algeria and Senegal are the two years ago to their second Cup of Mahrez heads for Gabon fresh from on Roma winger Mohamed Salah. Mourinho acknowl- major contenders to succeed Nations title. winning the African Player of the Year They are one of six teams who qual- edges that he still has the the champions Ivory Coast. Lightning-quick striker Aubameyang prize for 2016, pipping last year's winner ified having missed out in 2015. Another, hunger for success that carries the hopes of Gabon, who are Aubameyang. Uganda, will come up against Egypt in has brought him eight Egypt are back for the first expected to make the quarter-finals from Algeria and a Senegal side -- the top- Group D, as will Mali and Ghana. domestic league titles time since winning a record a Group A that includes four-time cham- ranked in Africa -- led by Liverpool Gabon, an oil-rich country of barely across four countries seventh Cup of Nations in pions but severely depleted Cameroon, forward Mane are the major contenders 1.8 million people, which in 2014 was during his managerial Angola in 2010 and will pin Burkina Faso and shock qualifiers to succeed the Ivory Coast, who beat awarded the hosting of the tournament career, as well as the two their hopes on Roma winger Guinea-Bissau. Ghana on penalties in the final in Equa- due to the turmoil in Libya, is struggling Champions League Mohamed Salah. As the Borussia Dortmund striker pre- torial Guinea two years ago. with an economic crisis as well as a polit- triumphs. pares to carry the hopes of the small But they will face each other in a ical one. Zlatan delights in United climb towards top

Manchester City in the first leg of the "You don't have a team "If we can come up there Reuters League Cup semi-final on you can say will stay there and disturb them, every team Tuesday. and win it." has their moment of dip in the latan Ibrahimovic says "I'm looking forward. Ibrahimovic also praised competition. We had ours... Manchester United These games are the games Chelsea, who enjoy a com- and now we are winning. Zremain in the hunt for you want to play in, be on that fortable five-point cushion at "Hopefully, we can con- the Premier League title but stage and just to enjoy the the top of the table, but said tinue like that and we are will first focus on closing the moment. Let's enjoy the United would be ready to cap- waiting for others to do a mis- gap to the top four, starting game, but most of all, let's win italise when the league take. Sunday is an opportunity with tomorrow's clash against the game," the well-travelled leaders suffered any dip in to steal points from the top arch rivals Liverpool at Old striker told Sky Sports. form. four." Trafford. "If we can we can start to "Chelsea have been doing United, who will hope to Following a shaky start battle with the top four, after fantastic, they play once a arrest their three-game win- to manager Jose Mourinho's losing many points where we week, they have a lot of con- less run in all competitions tenure, United head into the shouldn't have lost. But the dition, and a lot of power each against Liverpool tomorrow, game on a 15-game gap is smaller now, and if we time they play, but they were are sixth in the table on 39 unbeaten run and recorded can get that win from the top having trouble in the begin- points, five behind the sec- a ninth successive win in all four, we are there. The league ning and it clicked," the ond-placed Merseyside club Zlatan Ibrahimovic competitions against Hull is unpredictable. 35-year-old Swede added. after 20 games. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 SPORT 23 Qatar go down fighting to Egypt Goalkeeper shines Goalkeeper Hendawi makes some superb saves to give Egypt the winning start in the 2017 World Championship

Armstrong Vas The Peninsula

015 World Champion- ship runners-up Qatar narrowly lost to Egypt in their opening match of the 2017 World 2Handball Championship in Paris yesterday. The Al Anabi opened their campaign in France with a 22-20 loss in a tough Group D clash. Egypt were led by a spectac- ular game from goalkeeper Karim Hendawi who gave them upper hand with some superb saves during the first half, which Abdelrahman Abdalla of Qatar and Mohamed Mamdouh Shebib of Egypt vie for ball possession ended with an 11-8 lead for the during the 2017 Men's World Championship match of Group D at AccorHotels Arena, Paris, Pharaohs. France, yesterday. RIGHT: Chile's pivot Esteban Salinas (right) holds back Belarus' pivot Artsem Hendawy made 48 per cent Karalek. saves, while the responsibility in attack was spread between a minutes. Both teams played – and the rest of the match their two-goal advantage and match, the African champions the other teams in the group. rotating back court. active defensive systems with belonged to them. increased it further to 9-6 just held a commanding 17-13 advan- Qatar next face Bahrain on It took Egypt just under 15 Egypt’s 5-1 forcing Qatar’s back Egypt coach Marwan Ragab before the half entered the last tage as keeper Handawy January 15, followed by Argen- minutes to claim the momentum, court to work hard for their called the first time-out of the five minutes. continued to shine. The two tina, two days later. Qatar’s next as the opening quarter of the goals, while the African team’s match with his team still 6-5 in The half-time score of 11-8 points were well decided by that two matches are against Sweden match saw a one-for-one smooth attack found trouble front midway through the half, was already an ominous sign for point, and all Egypt had to do was and Denmark. Egypt reached the contest. closer to the line but shot well to but neither team could find the Qatar, and it seemed even mas- hold on to the final whistle, after round of 16 two years ago, before 2015 World Championship keep Danijel Saric on an unchar- goal until after another time-out termind coach Valero Rivera which El Ahmar was named eventually losing to powerhouses All-star left back Rafael Capote acteristic eight saves at 28 per called by Qatar coach Valero Riv- could not find the right tactics to Player of the Match. Germany. They take on Denmark earned Qatar the edge at 5-4 just cent. era following seven scoreless beat their opponents as Egypt The first four teams in each on January 14 before facing Bah- past the 10-minute mark, but Egypt took the lead after a minutes. wasted little time moving further group will advance to the knock- rain two days later. after his goal the Asian champi- saved penalty in the 13th and Abdulrazzaq Murad broke a ahead in the second period. out round with 24 teams vying Earlier, European power- ons were not able to find the goal Ahmed El Ahmar scored his third drought for Qatar in the 24th When a time-out was called with for top honors. Bahrain, Argen- houses Spain recovered from a until the clock showed 24 of eight to put the score at 6-5 minute, but Egypt maintained 12 minutes remaining in the tina, Sweden and Denmark are slow start to Iceland 27-21. Konta issues Open warning with easy victory in Sydney

Sydney Reuters

ritain's Johanna Konta turned up the heat to Boverpower Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-2 in a one- sided final at the Sydney International yesterday and claim her second career WTA title. The world number 10 reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open last year and Reigning Australian Open Champions Angelique Kerber of Germany (right) and Novak Djokovic will be a major threat again next of Serbia carry the trophies ahead of the Australian Open draw ceremony in Melbourne, week going by her form in the yesterday. warm-up tournament in the city where she was born and raised until her early teens. Murray, Djokovic face testing The 25-year-old had lost both her previous meetings with Britain's Johanna Konta kisses the trophy after winning the Radwanska but simply brushed aside the world number three Women's Singles final at the Sydney International Tennis draws at Australian Open with a 82-minute display of Tournament in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. aggression and power at the Olympic Tennis Centre. She kept her cool despite 2013."Well done Jo, it was unbe- Melbourne seventh Australian Open title, is seeded to face "I was born here, so this is a temperatures reaching 32 lievable tennis today, I couldn't AFP Brisbane International winner Grigor Dimitrov in very special moment for me," degrees Celsius at the Olympic have played any better," she the fourth round and powerful Austrian eighth Konta said after receiving the Tennis Centre, only showing any said. orld number one Andy Murray could seed Dominic Thiem in the quarters. trophy. sign of nerves with an ill-judged Konta came out clearly face challenges from Kei Nishikori and He could then meet Canada's big-serving third "I'm actually really happy." and executed drop shot on her looking to make the most of her WStan Wawrinka if he is to reach a sixth seed Milos Raonic in the semi-finals. Voted the WTA's most- first championship point. advantage in height and weight Australian Open final following yesterday's draw. Raonic opens against flashy German Dustin improved player last year when The 27-year-old Radwan- over the petite Radwanska and The Scot, coming off a magnificent 2016 with Brown while 13th seed and recent Chennai cham- she won her maiden title in ska, twice a semi-finalist at although her aggression came a second Wimbledon crown, a successful Olym- pion Roberto Bautista Agut is a likely fourth-round Stanford, Konta's rise to the top Melbourne Park, admitted she with risks in the form of a string pic title defence and the year-end top ranking, matchup. 10 has been as much a mental had been powerless to prevent of unforced errors, it was highly has lost five Melbourne finals, four of those to Nadal, who won the 2009 Australian Open battle as it has been about tal- the Briton claiming the title the effective. She served out the first defending champion Novak Djokovic. and has been in two other Melbourne finals, is ent and skill. Pole had previously won in set to love after 45 minutes and, Murray, who was knighted in Britain's New seeded nine and is in Raonic's third quarter of the after a chat with new coach Wim Year Honours list, faces Ukraine's Illya March- draw and in the bottom half with Djokovic. Fissette, who warned her to enko first up and could meet Japanese fifth seed The Spanish left-hander could have a third- ignore any distractions, broke Nishikori or Swiss legend Roger Federer in the round clash in store against rising German star Radwanska in the opening game quarters and 2014 winner Wawrinka in the semis. Alexander Zverev. of the second stanza with a Federer, seeded 17, faces a qualifier first up The 24th-seeded Zverev has a string of scalps fierce backhand crosscourt and could play 10th seed Tomas Berdych in the including two victories over Federer, most recently winner. third round as he bids to add to his record 17 Grand at this month's Hopman Cup. Thereafter, there only ever Slam titles. Australia's explosive Nick Kyrgios is seeded looked like being one winner Djokovic, in the bottom half of the men's draw 14 and opens against Portugal's tricky Gastao Elias and the Briton sealed victory as the second seed, has a tough first-round against and could face Wawrinka in the fourth round. with a seventh ace of the match experienced Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. Former German world number two Tommy on her second championship Verdasco, ranked 40, has beaten Djokovic four Haas, aged 38, is competing in his first tourna- point. times in their 13 encounters and the Serb had to ment since Vienna in October 2015 and will have Konta opens her second save five match points in prevailing over him ear- a first-round match against Frenchman Benoit main draw Australia Open cam- lier this month in the semi-finals in Doha. Paire. paign against Belgian Kirsten Last year Verdasco knocked out compatriot Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis with- Flipkens, while Radwanska will Rafael Nadal in a five-setter first round thriller in drew before the men's singles draw due to a face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironk- Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland prepares to serve to Melbourne. stomach muscle strain and his spot will be filled ova in the first round in Serbia's Djokovic, bidding for a record by a lucky loser from the qualifying draw. Johanna Konta of Britain in their women's singles final match. Melbourne. SPORT

Saturday 14 January 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Sri Lanka in Zlatan delights familiar trouble in United climb in South Africa towards top QSL: Lekhwiya widen gap at the top

Chinthana Wasala full points with a brilliant strike The Peninsula in the 89th minute. With yesterday's win, atar Stars League table Lekhwiya are five points clear at leaders Lekhwiya the top, having accumulated 42 widened the gap points from 16 games. Al Sadd's captain Xavi between themselves Earlier, a brilliant double by Qand second placed Al Al Rayyan skipper Rodrigo Hernandez (right) vies for the Sadd Sports Club with a thrilling Tabata helped his team brush ball against a Lekhwiya player 2-1 win at the Jassim bin Hamad aside Al Sailiyah 4-0 in their 16th during their Qatar Stars League Stadium yesterday. game of the season. match played at Jassim bin Lekhwiya's South Korean Star of the night, captain Hamad Stadium yesterday. star Nam Tae Hee earned them- Tabata grabbed a brace to ensure Lekhwiya won 2-1 to stay on selves the much needed lead in it was a comfortable evenings top of the points table. the 16th minute while Al Sadd work for the reigning QSL cham- bounced back in the 27th minute pions, who were no match for through a goal from Ali Assad. their opponents in yesterday's The game was heading for a game. one-all draw till the last few min- Tabata's men took an early utes, but Mohamad Moosa lead on the eighth minute when assured the former champions a deep cross was swung into the box which was flicked by Sebas- tian Soria into the path of Sergio Garcia who was in the right place at the right time to curl the ball past Gregory Gomis for his sixth goal of the season. QATAR STARS LEAGUE Sami Trabel- Al Rayyan doubled their reaction saves to deny Sebastian were at one time, leading the QSL WEEK 16 FIXTURES si’s side settled score 20 minutes later, thanks to Soria and Sergio Garcia. How- points table. On the other hand, Yesterday's results and could of lev- a free-kick from Rodrigo Tabata, ever, Soria won a penalty on the a draw against the strong El Jaish Al Khor 0 - 0 El Jaish elled the tie had in which took a hefty deflection off hour mark and captain Tabata outfit, one of the league’s strong- form attacker the head of Mohammed Mud- made no mistake in sweeping the est teams, has definitely Al Rayyan 4 - 0 Al Sailiyah Mohammed Mud- dather before finding its way into ball into the net for his ninth goal encouraged Al Khor. dather’s surging the back of the net. of the season. Elsewhere, Al Arabi beat Al Al Sadd 1 - 2 Lekhwiya run and shot not In the second half, Al Rayyan Nine minutes later Al Rayyan Kharaitiyat 2-1. Al Arabi 2 -1 Al Kharaitiyat hit the post in began to dominate and hit the put the tie beyond doubt with a Al Arabi now have 19 points what was to reg- woodwork with Sergio Garcia well taken goal from Abdulma- from 16 matches. Today's fixtures ister the smacking a close range shot jeed Enad. The young defender Today, Al Wakrah will meet Al Wakrah vs Al Ahli Perigrines first which rattled the crossbar. Al perfectly controlled the incom- Al Ahli at Saoud Bin Abdel Rah- At Saoud Bin Abdel Rahman Stadium chance of the Sailiyah were far from out of the ing cross before tapping the ball man Stadium while Al Gharafa (4.20pm) match. The young tie, and came to close to pulling over Gregory Gomis for a easy will play against Muaither SC at Al Rayyan skipper Rodrigo Tabata Al Gharafa vs Muaither SC celebrates after scoring one of his attacker was also a goal back when midfielder finish. Earlier, at the Al Khor Sta- Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. Both At Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (4.20pm) two goals against Al Sailiyah in their set to have a say in Sayaf Al Korbi worked a shot dium, the clash between Al Khor games kick off at 4.20pm. Later, the second goal of from a tight angle which went and El Jaish ended in a goalless Al Shahaniya will meet Umm Al Shahaniya vs Umm Salal Qatar Stars League match yesterday. the match just wide. Gregory Gomis kept stalemate. The result will further Salal at Grand Hamad Stadium, At Grand Hamad Stadium (6.30pm) moments later. Sailiyah in the tie with two fine disappoint the El Jaish camp who with the kick off set for 6.30pm. European Tour’s top rookies seek glory at Qatar Masters

The Peninsula behind Sweden’s Alex Noren at Li, who’s just over a month Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and hope they will compete here broadcast to a global TV audi- the Nedbank Golf Challenge older than Wang, will also be in January. I know a bit about the for many years to come.” ence of over 400 million. ang Jeunghun of South hosted by Gary Player in South among the tournament debu- tournament because Wu Ashun First held in 1998, the Com- Tickets for the 20th Com- Korea and China Africa. tants after winning his first played there in 2016 and he will mercial Bank Qatar Masters has mercial Bank Qatar Masters are WNumber One Li Hao- Wang made his European European Tour title at Volvo play again in Qatar so that will helped establish Qatar as a now available for purchase at tong will make their tournament Tour breakthrough in May by China Open in Beijing in April. help a lot,” said Li, who was also world-class sporting host and is Virgin Megastores (online and in- debuts at the 20th Commercial bagging back-to-back wins at Li madeade European u opea Tour ou Wu’sWu s teateammate ate at tthe e consideredco s de ed tthe e coucountry’s t y s aannual ual storesto e in Doha), o a), Doha o a Golf Go Club, C ub Bank Qatar Masters this month the Trophée Hassan II in headlinesheadlines in ApriAprill 2015 wwhenhen hhee Olympics.Olympics. ‘must-attend’‘must-attend’ sporting andand socialsocial StSt Regis HotelHotel Doha,Doha, Interconti-Interconti after finishing first and second Morocco and AfrAsia Bank Mau- lostlost a playoffplayoff at thethe ShenzhenShenzhen “I want to playplay wellwell earlyearly in event.event. nentalnental HoteHotell DoDoha,ha, RaRadissondisson BBlul in the 2016 European Tour ritius Open, just two months after InternationalInternational before leading the thethe season aandnd I know Doha Golf SittingSitting at tthehe hhearteart ooff ThThee HotelHotel Doha,Doha, FnacFnac LagoonaLagoona MallMa Rookie of the Year standings sharing second place at the Hero VolvoVolvo CChinahina OpOpen.en. ClubClub is quitequite a longlong course, soso I EEuropeanuropean Tour’sTouo r’r s MiddleMidddle EastEast andand ononlinelinen oonn ththehe fofollowingllowinng weweb-eb respectively. Indian Open in March. InIn NovemberNovember thatthat yearyear he hope it suits myy game.”gamee.” swing,sws ing,, tthehehe ttournamentoournament atattractedtracted sites:sites: qq-tickets.com,-t- icckek tss.coomm, 80800tickets.00ttiickketst The two 21-year-olds - who Wang eventually finished mademade globalglobal headlinesheadlines whenwhen hehe HassanHassaan AlAl Naimi,Naimi,, PresidentPresident overoveer 225,0005,,0000 spspectatorseectatot rsrs iinn comcoom andand iloveqatar.net.iloveqqattaarr.neet. were the two youngest male 16th in the Race to Dubai Rank- tiedtied ffororo sseventheventh aatt ththee $9$9.5m9.5m of thethe QatarQatar GolfGollf Association,Asssociiattiionn, 201620166 aandndd wwasass golfers in the 2016 Olympic ings presented by Rolex and is WGC-HSBCWGC-HSBC CChampionshampioons iinn said:saidd: “It’s“IIt’t s alwaysalwwaays nicenice Men's Golf Competition in Rio de now looking forward to his first to welcomewelcoomme Janeiro – have frequently appearance at the long-stand- crossed paths around the world ing Commercial Bank Qatar while growing into two of Asia’s Masters, which will be held from babackacck ffamous,ammoouus,, most exciting talents. January 26-29, 2017. familiarfaf miliiaar facesfaacess forfor Both are graduates of the “I’ve heard a lot of good thethe CoCommercialmmmmercciial BBankaank PGA TOUR China Series, with things about the Commercial QaQataratat r MaMMasters,asts errss, bbututt wwee Wang winning the circuit’s inau- Bank Qatar Masters and am areaare alalsolso eexcitedxcittede ttoo wewwel-el- gural event in 2014 and Li really excited about playing in Shanghai,Shanghai, pplayinglayying hishis ffinalinaal roroundund comecome ttheheh nnextexxt geggenerationneraattiion winning the Order of Merit that the tournament. I know it has withwith JordanJordan Spieth.Spiethh. of starsstarss competingcompetitingng hereheerre forfofor year. It was a year to remember many very famous champions,” AfterAfter an up-and-downup-anndd--down startstartt ththee firstfirrst time.time. in 2016 with both claiming their said Wang, who finished his 2016 to the 20162016 EuropeanEEuropean TourTour andannd “Wang“WWanng Jeung-Jeunng-- first European Tour titles and in European Tour season with a tie onlyonly ggainingaining hhisis ffullulll cacardard aafterfter tthehe hunhun andannd LiLi August qualifying to represent for 17th at the DP World Tour VolvoVolvo ChinaChina Open,Opeen, heh finishedfinissheh d HaHaotongotong bothbootthh their respective countries at the Championship, Dubai. the seasonseason strongly,stronglg yy, onlyonnly miss-mim sss - buburstursr t onoontonto tthehhee Olympic Games. "I’ve never played any of the inging oneone cutcut in hishis finalfinal ninenine EuropeanEEuuropep an TTouroouur in The pair continued to battle events on the Desert Swing in the events.events. 2016200166 withwith spectac-sps eecctaac- it out for the European Tour Middle East early in the year, but At thethe endendd ofof November,Noovvember, Li ularulu arr vvictoriesici toories andand Rookie of the Year title, with Li I played quite well in Dubai at andand goodgood friendfriennd WuW AshunAshun fin-fin- pepperformances.rforrmances. WeW leading the way after finishing the end of the season so that will ishedished rurunner-upnnerr--up in tthehe WWorldorld are inincrediblyccredibbly pproudrooud joint runner-up at November’s give me some confidence when CupCup ooff GGolfolf inn MMelbourneellbbouurne fforor CChi-hi- to havehave thethe twotwt o Turkish Airlines Open before I play in Qatar. It’s great to be na’s bbest-everest-everr rresultessult iinn tthehe eveevent.nt. youngestyoy unggest pplayerslayey rs iinn ththee Wang Jeunghun of Wang regained the lead the fol- playing in the 20th year of the “I hadhad a goodgood yearyyeaar andand willwill OlympicOlymmpic memen’sn’s cocompe-mpee- South Korea lowing week by finishing second tournament.” be fitfit andand readyreaadyy toto playplay inin thethe titiontitionn joinjoin us inin JanuaryJaannuarry