SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 17

TENNIS FOOTBALL We always know coming to Eden Park, it's Australian Open QNB Stars League: not easy to defend. They certainly showed matches at Round 13 matches in their class in chasing down that total: Kane Melbourne Park Doha ACTION

Williamson after defeat to India in first T20 TODAY’S Woods opens with 69 as Cappelen, Bradley share Torrey Pines lead

AFP — LOS ANGELES first time since 2013, when Rahm played alongside he captured his most recent Woods and 22-year-old Tiger Woods, seeking an Farmers Insurance Open American Collin Morikawa unprecedented 83rd career victory on his way to five -- who wasn’t born when US PGA Tour victory, fired a titles that year. Woods made his pro debut. three-under par 69 that left “I definitely was feeling McIlroy was back in him three off the first-round it,” Woods said of the adren- action after a six-week break. lead shared by Sebastian aline competition brings. “I “I drove the ball well for Cappelen and Keegan missed the competition. the most part,” he said. Bradley at Torrey Pines. “I tried to keep every- “A little rusty around the At the famed tract north thing as calm as I possibly greens but with a little more of San Diego, where the could. I didn’t do well at the practice I’ll feel a little more 44-year-old American has start with a bogey. I fought composed as the week goes Team Lotto Soudal rider Caleb previously captured eight back. I take a lot of positives on. I feel like I need to Ewan of Australia celebrates titles, Woods closed with a to the South Course.” improve every day and if I do his stage four win yesterday. five-foot birdie putt on the Danish rookie Cappelen that I’ll be right in ninth hole of Torrey Pines’ made eight birdies and two contention.” North Course, with golfers bogeys on the South Course Woods, who began on the also competing on the to seize his share of the lead. north’s back nine, found a Ewan wins harder-playing South Course. He was joined on six- bunker at the par-4 11th and “Overall, I’m pleased to under by 2011 US PGA Cham- made bogey but answered again, Porte’s shoot in the 60s. The course pionship winner Keegan with a birdie at the par-4 was gettable today,” Woods Bradley, who had an eagle 13th. He struck again for a tour lead cut said. “I felt like I hit the ball and four birdies on the North birdie at the par-5 17th but well. Course. took a bogey at 18 to make “I’m very pleased to get Rory McIlroy, who can the turn level. by Impey something in the red and get regain the world number one Woods reached 2-under over to south tomorrow.” ranking with a victory this on his second nine by sinking AFP — ADELAIDE Sixth-ranked Woods week, headlined an eight- a six-foot birdie putt at the matched US legend Sam strong group sharing third first hole and tapping in for Australia’s Caleb Ewan won a Snead for the all-time US place on 67 that also included birdie at the par-5 fifth after second stage of the Tour Down PGA title record on 82 by two-time Masters champion missing left on a 20-foot Under yesterday as Richie winning last October’s Zozo Bubba Watson, South Korean eagle putt. Porte’s overall race lead was Championship in Japan and An Byeong-hun, China’s At the par-3 eighth, clipped to just three seconds this is his first opportunity to Zhang Xinjun and Americans Woods found a greenside by defending champion Daryl Tiger Woods plays his shot from claim sole possession of the Kevin Tway, Joel Dahmen bunker but blasted out and Impey. the eighth tee during the first mark. and Matthew NeSmith. sank his par putt, setting the Ewan, who won Wednes- round of the Farmers Insurance Woods, who won his 15th Spain’s Jon Rahm and stage for his closing birdie. day’s second stage for Belgian major title at the Masters last Australians Marc Leishman “That was nice to keep the team Lotto Soudal to lead the Open on Torrey Pines North in April, broke 70 in an opening and Cameron Percy were in round going,” Woods said of general classification for a day, San Diego, California. round at Torrey Pines for the another big group on 68. his penultimate-hole par save. sprinted past Irish first stage winner Sam Bennett to win the fourth stage of the UCI season- opening tour at Murray Bridge. Belgian Jasper Philipsen LPGA: Korda shoots 66 to (UAE Team Emirates) was third ahead of Germany’s two- time TDU winner Andre Greipel. take 2-shot lead in Florida South African Impey, AFP — MIAMI darkness halted play with start of the offseason, which seeking three consecutive tour several groups still on the was kind of stressful,” Patty wins in Australia, claimed Jessica Korda waited out a late course. said, admitted that she was “a three crucial bonus seconds in rain delay to cap her “It’s just not wanting to little intimidated” by the idea the intermediate sprints and six-under-par 66 with her come back in the morning and of being on the LPGA tour. moved to within three seconds eighth birdie of the day, putt it,” she said, adding that “After I cut out those of the race leader. seizing a two-shot lead over it wasn’t only the prospect of thoughts and focused on what Mitchelton-Scott con- a chasing trio in the Gain- an early wake up call but also I have to do, it has been trolled the first 40kms of bridge LPGA at Boca Rio in knowing that conditions on working pretty well,” said. racing in an attempt to set Florida. the greens would likely be dif- “I didn’ really think about Impey up for intermediate Korda had taken a one- ferent in next round. trying to play well today, I was bonus seconds to reduce shot lead at five-under with a Kim, a 10-time winner on just trying to be in the Porte’s GC lead heading into birdie at her penultimate hole, the LPGA tour, fired four of moment,” she said. the weekend’s final two the eighth, and was playing her six birdies on her inward Kawamoto was also stages. the ninth when rain halted run to pull level with rookies making her rookie season play. Patty and Kawamoto. debut, and the 21-year-old said After a 40-minute delay Kawamoto, a 21-year-old she is aiming to emulate the the American returned and who earned her LPGA card success of her high school drained a 25-foot birdie putt through Q-school, had five friend Nasa Hataoka -- already Ride with that put her two up on South birdies in her four-under a three-time LPGA winner. Korean Kim Sei-young, Thai- effort while Patty, who won “My goal is to win, obvi- Armstrong? land’s Patty Tavatanakit and three times on the Symetra ously win and also top-10 on Japan’s Yui Kawamoto. Tour last season, had four the (money) list -- and to do Jessica Korda hits her tee shot It will cost “It’s only Thursday, so a lot birdies without a bogey in her that I need to play solid golf,” on the second hole during the of golf to be played, but nice first LPGA round as a tour Kawamoto said. first round of the Gainbridge you $30,000 to put a good round up there,” member. “I’ll try my best. I want to LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, said Korda, who was pleased “I’ve been waiting to come play with the top players, too, Florida. to complete her round before out for three months, since the so that’s my goal.” REUTERS — PARIS

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is offering people the chance to join NBA: James records triple-double in battle with Irving him for five days riding around Mallorca - but guests will have to fork REUTERS — NEW YORK Cleveland Cavaliers 112 Portland Trail Blazers 125 out a hefty $30,000. Bradley Beal scored 36 Luka Doncic was named as The American, who LeBron James totaled 27 points, points as visiting Washington an All-Star starter for the first was stripped of his seven 12 rebounds and 10 assists as posted a victory over Cleveland. time, and the 20-year-old cel- Tour de France titles in the Los Angeles Lakers pulled Beal made 15 of 22 shots, one ebrated by posting 27 points 2012 after being found away in the fourth quarter for night after going 16 of 24 during and nine assists to lead Dallas guilty of multiple doping a 128-113 victory over the strug- a 38-point performance in the past host Portland. offences, set up a pro- gling Brooklyn Nets in New Wizards’ 134-129 overtime loss Doncic was one of seven gramme ‘The Move Mal- York. at Miami. Mavericks to score in double lorca’, named after his James posted his 91st career Davis Bertans scored 17 digits, with Kristaps Porzingis cycling podcast. triple-double and 10th this points to avenge a porous per- contributing 20 points, and The event, advertised season as the Lakers won for formance in Washington’s Jalen Brunson and Seth Curry by tour operators Out the 12th time in 14 games in 113-100 loss to Cleveland on adding 17 points apiece as There, offers 12 riders the front of a crowd that featured November 8. Dallas won for the fifth time in chance to enjoy five days former President Bill Clinton Ish Smith chipped in 17 the past six games. of cycling on the Spanish and many Los Angeles fans. points for the Wizards, who shot Damian Lillard made eight island of Mallorca with James exited to a standing 55.3 percent from the field (47 3-pointers and had 47 points Armstrong and his former ovation from many fans after of 85) and 44.4 percent from and eight assists for Portland as team mate George Hin- checking out for good with 4:42 LeBron James (left) of 3-point range (16 of 36) to part of a stellar two-game run. capie in September, 2020. remaining and the Lakers up 23. the Los Angeles Lakers in improve to 6-18 on the road this He set franchise records of 61 In 2018, Armstrong James shot 11 of 19 from the action during NBA game season. points and 11 3-pointers in Mon- agreed to pay the federal floor as the Lakers shot 50 against Brooklyn Nets. Collin Sexton highlighted his day’s overtime win against the government $5m to settle percent overall and hit a 29-point performance by Golden State Warriors. a civil lawsuit claiming he season-high 19 3-pointers. making 10 of 15 shots from the Trevor Ariza added a defrauded his sponsor, the James ended the game at 33,626 Bryant will be today in the Nets dropped their fifth floor for the Cavaliers, who season-best 21 points in his first US Postal Service, by points, 17 behind Kobe Bryant Philadelphia. straight game and fell to 2-12 in have lost six in a row and 11 of game with the Trail Blazers using performance- for third on the all-time scoring Kyrie Irving scored 20 their last 14 games. their last 13 games. after being acquired from the enhancing drugs. list. His next chance at passing points but it was not enough as Washington Wizards 124 - Dallas Mavericks 133 - Sacramento Kings. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2020 Iyer guides India to six- win in Auckland

AP — AUCKLAND India’s Shreyas Iyer (right) “We had lost two quick SCOREBOARD bats during the first in succession and it was New Zealand India Shreyas Iyer emerged as a new against New Zealand in really important for us to build M. Guptill c Sharma b Dube ...... 30 R. Sharma c Taylor b Santner ...... 7 star of Indian yesterday Auckland, yesterday. a partnership at that point of the when his calm, unbeaten half- game because we knew the C. Munro c Chahal b Thakur ...... 59 K. Rahul c Southee b Sodhi ...... 56 century clinched a six-wicket boundaries are a little bit short K. Williamson c Kohli b Chahal ...... 51 V. Kohli c Guptill b Tickner ...... 45 win for his team over New and we could cover the run-rate C. de Grandhomme c Dube b Jadeja ...0 S. Iyer not out ...... 58 Zealand in a high-scoring first any time. That’s what we had R. Taylor not out ...... 54 S. Dube c Southee by Sodhi ...... 13 in communicated in the team and T. Seifert c Iyer b Bumrah ...... 1 M. Pandey not out ...... 14 Auckland. fortunately it worked out.” M. Santner not out ...... 2 Extras (10w, nb1) ...... 11 KL Rahul (56) and Virat New Zealand set India’s Extras (lb1, w5) ...... 6 Total (four wickets, 19 overs) ... 204 Kohli (45) shared a 99-run part- star-studded line-up a nership for the second wicket, testing chase after losing the Total (5 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 203 Did not bat: Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul setting the foundation for toss. Did not bat: Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed India’s chase to New Zealand’s Colin Munro (59), Kane Wil- Tickner, Hamish Bennett Shami, Jasprit Bumrah formidable 203-5. liamson (51) and Ross Taylor (54 Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Guptill), 2-116 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Sharma), 2-115 The batsmen were out in not out) made half-centuries as (Munro), 3-117 (de Grandhomme), 4-178 (Rahul), 3-121 (Kohli), 4-142 (Dube) quick succession, leaving India New Zealand scored at a con- (Williamson), 5-181 (Seifert) Bowling: Southee 4-0-48-0, Santner 4-0- in a difficult position at 121-3. sistently high rate throughout But Iyer, who has already made its innings to surpass 200. Bowling: Bumrah 4-0-31-1 (2w), Thakur 50-1 (3w), Bennett 4-0-36-0 (1w), Tickner a name for himself in the Indian Munro and Martin Guptill 3-0-44-1, Shami 4-0-53-0 (3w), Chahal 3-0-34-1 (1w, 1nb)), Sodhi 4-0-36-2 (5w) Premier League, closed out the (30) put on 80 for the first 4-0-32-1, Dube 3-0-24-1, Jadeja 2-0-18-1 Result: India won by six wickets win by hitting 58 from 29 balls its winning target with a full and knocked off all 18 runs to wicket in only 7.5 overs. New in an unbroken 62-run part- over to spare. guide India to 204-4. Zealand lost two quick wickets nership with Manish Pandey India came to the 19th over “It’s really amazing coming but Williamson restored its in six years. “We always know were going to have to get a good (14). needing 18 runs to win. Iyer hit from overseas after a little home momentum in a mid-innings coming to Eden Park, it’s not easy score on the board and we Iyer took full advantage of a six off the first ball from Tim tour,” Iyer said. stand of 71 with Taylor, then the to defend,” Williamson said. were able to do that, but with the famously short boundaries Southee, hit a four from the next “It’s a great feeling to win veteran Taylor finished off a “They certainly showed their the ball in hand we need a few at Eden Park, striking five fours ball to reach his second half- the game and be not out, strong batting performance class in chasing down that total. wickets early to get ahead of the and three sixes to steer India to century in T20 internationals, especially. with his first T20 half-century “We knew batting first we game.”

Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (right) plays a Crawley scores maiden shot as Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Liton Das looks on during the first T20 in Lahore 50 before SA fight back yesterday.

AFP — JOHANNESBURG England’s Zak Crawley watches the ball after Zak Crawley’s maiden Test playing a shot during half-century gave England a the first day of the solid foundation before South fourth Test against Africa struck back on the first South Africa at the day of the fourth and final Test Wanderers Stadium at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, yesterday. yesterday. Holding an unbeatable 2-1 series lead, England were 192 for four when bad light ended a rain-shortened day. England’s youthful opening pair of Crawley (66) and Dom Sibley (39) shared England’s first century opening part- Recalled Malik leads Pakistan nership since 2016 and blunted South Africa’s fast bowlers on a pitch which both captains expected to be challenging for to victory over Bangladesh batsmen. Crawley, 21, and Sibley, 24, AFP — LAHORE SCOREBOARD put on 107 before Sibley was Bangladesh Pakistan caught down the leg side by Recalled Shoaib Malik smashed Tamim Iqbal run out ...... 39 Babar Azam c Das b Shafiul ...... 0 wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock a solid half-century to anchor Mohammad Naim c Iftikhar b Shadab ....43 Ahsan Ali c sub (Shanto) b Aminul ...... 36 to give new cap Beuran Hen- Pakistan’s five-wicket win over dricks his first Test wicket. Bangladesh in the first Liton Das run out ...... 12 Mohammad Hafeez c Islam b Rahman ...17 South Africa claimed three Twenty20 international in Mahmudullah not out ...... 19 Shoaib Malik not out ...... 58 more wickets to have England Lahore yesterday. Afif Hossain b Rauf ...... 9 Iftikhar Ahmed c Das b Shafiul ...... 16 at a slightly precarious 157 for Malik’s 45-ball 58 not out Soumya Sarkar b Shaheen ...... 7 Imad Wasim b Hossain ...... 6 four but Joe Root and for his eighth Twenty20 fifty as not out ...... 5 Mohammad Rizwan not out ...... 5 Ollie Pope took the tourists Pakistan overhauled a modest Extras: (lb3, w4) ...... 7 Extras: (lb1, w3) ...... 4 safely through to the close in 142-run target in 19.3 over to Total: (for five wkts; 20 overs) . 141 Total: (for 5 wkts; 19.3 overs) ...142 deteriorating light. take a 1-0 lead in the three- Rain prevented any play match series. Did not bat: Aminul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Did not bat: Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah before lunch and the South Bangladesh had managed , Al-Amin Hossain Afridi, Haris Rauf, African bowling was surpris- 141-5 in their 20 overs with Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Iqbal), 2-98 (Das), Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Azam), 2-35 (Hafeez), ingly unthreatening when it did openers Mohammad Naim 3-98 (Naim), 4-119 (Afif), 5-128 (Sarkar) 3-81 (Ahsan), 4-117 (Iftikhar), 5-133 (Wasim) get under way. scoring 41-ball 43 and Tamim Bowling: Wasim 3-0-15-0 (1w), Shaheen 4-0- Bowling: Shafiul 4-0-27-2 (2w), Rahman 4-0- Both teams opted for an Iqbal hit 34-ball 39 as Paki- 23-1, Hasnain 4-0-36-0, Rauf 4-0-32-1 (1w), 40-1 (1w), Hossain 4-0-18-1, Sarkar 2.3-0-22- stan’s three-man pace attack Malik 1-0-6-0, Shadab 4-0-26-1 0, Aminul 4-0-28-1, Afif 1-0-6-0 SCOREBOARD kept them in check on a flat Gadaffi stadium pitch. England, first innings The win further consoli- boundaries. But Pakistan’s Imad Wasim (six) did not derail Z. Crawley c V' der Dussen b Philander ...... 66 dated Pakistan’s chances of chase was initially jolted when Pakistan. D. Sibley c De Kock b Hendricks ...... 44 J. Denly c V' der Dussen b Paterson ...... 27 hanging on to their world they lost world number one Earlier, Bangladesh, who J. Root not out ...... 25 number one ranking in the Twenty20 batsman Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat, B. Stokes c V' der Dussen b Nortje ...... 2 all-seam attack on a pitch on the helmet when he missed shortest format. If they lose any on only the second ball into were off to a good start as Iqbal O. Pope not out ...... 22 which usually favours fast a pull against Anrich Nortje. of the remaining matches -- their innings, caught behind off and Naim put on 70 for the Extras (lb1, nb2, w3) ...... 6 bowlers but there was no dis- He made his runs off 112 today and Monday, also in an inside edge off fast bowler opening wicket. Total (4 wkts, 54.2 overs) ...... 192 cernible swing or sharp balls and hit 11 fours before he Lahore, Australia will replace Shafiul Islam. Naim, fresh from his top Fall of wickets: 1-107 (Sibley), 2-116 (Craw- movement off the surface as provided Rassie van der Dussen them at the top. Shafiul was the best Bang- score of 81 against India in ley), 3-150 (Denly), 4-157 (Stokes) England’s openers scored at with one of three catches at first Bangladesh could not put a ladeshi bowler with 2-27. November last year, cracked Bowling: Philander 13-0-37-1 (2nb), Hen- dricks 13.2-2-43-1 (1w), Nortje 11-0-53-1 (2w), better than three runs an over. slip, edging a ball from Vernon reasonable fight as Pakistan Another recalled batsman three boundaries and a six while Paterson 13-2-39-1, Pretorius 4-1-19-0 England were 100 for no Philander which bounced more won their first match after Mohammad Hafeez hit three Iqbal had four boundaries and a To bat: J. Buttler, S. Curran, C. Woakes, M. wicket at tea but South Africa than usual. losing six of their last seven T20 crisp boundaries and was six but Pakistan pulled the Wood, S. Broad changed their tactics after the Joe Denly was dropped matches with one washed out. looking in good touch before he scoring rate between 12-15 overs South Africa: F. du Plessis, D. Elgar, P. Malan, H. interval, bowling more short- twice before he was caught by Malik, playing his first miscued a flick and was caught which yielded just 21 runs. van der Dussen, T. Bavuma, Q. de Kock, V. Phi- pitched deliveries. Van der Dussen off Dane match since February last year, off Mustafizur Rahman for 17. Iqbal was run out in the 11th lander, D. Pretorius, A. Nortje, D. Paterson, B. Crawley, in his fourth Test, Paterson for 27 and Ben Stokes was in sublime form as he hit Malik and Ahsan took over while Naim holed out off Hendricks batted confidently from the made only two before he played five boundaries and added 46 Pakistan to 81 and before Ift- spinner Shadab Khan in the Match situation: England are 192 for four wickets in the first innings start and drove strongly off the an extravagant drive against for the third wicket with deb- ikhar Ahmed (16) added a 15th. Skipper Mahmudullah hit Toss: England front foot, although on 56, Nortje to give Van der Dussen utant Ahsan Ali who made further 36 for the fourth wicket two boundaries in his 14-ball shortly before tea, he was hit his third catch. 32-ball 36 with four but even the fall of Iftikhar and 19 not out. Juergen Klopp Title race not over yet, insists Liverpool’s Klopp REUTERS — WOLVERHAMPTON victory in 23 league games “Wolves are doing so one-on-one with the goal- his captain’s evolution. Pundits have already handed this season. unbelievably well, so dif- keeper, so if we score then it “I’m not sure since when the Premier League title to “It’s over when it’s over, ferent to everything else you is game over,” he said of Hendo is involved in Liverpool. Their own fans are not before,” added Klopp, face. How (manager) Nuno missed opportunities after offensive set-pieces, usually singing: “Now they’re going saying he had forgotten (Espirito Santo)sets it up, it’s Liverpool went 1-0 up before for most of the time he was to believe us!”. And the Reds’ during the week how many really good,” he said in admi- being pegged back. protection, so now we have latest win, 2-1 at Wolver- points Liverpool were on and ration of a team who have Roberto Firmino won it found a way to involve him hampton Wanderers on was now purely focused in been taking big scalps at their for the Reds with a late strike as well, and that he scores Thursday, put them a their next games at Molineux fortress. from inside the box. that goal is obviously massive 16 points clear. Shrewsbury Town in the FA Klopp was frustrated at “It was a super, super, incredible,” said the German But manager Juergen Cup and West Ham United in Liverpool’s fluffed chances, super goal from Bobby. I’m coach. Klopp is having none of it. the Premier League. as Mohamed Salah had a really, really pleased as you “He played an unbe- “I don’t think about it Klopp praised Wolves’ rare off day with his can imagine,” said Klopp. lievable game again tonight... (winning the title). I just think fight and spoke of the need finishing. As for Jordan Hender- he keeps everyone on their about winning the next for his charges to keep “The chances we had son’s early goal, off his toes... we couldn’t be in this matches... let’s carry on,” he improving, despite their lofty were incredible. We were at shoulder from a corner, situation without these sorts said after Liverpool’s 22nd status. least four or five times in a Klopp was delighted with of characters.” SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2020 SPORT 19

Rublev’s star Serena and Osaka crash out as rapidly rising after hot run surprises rock Australian Open AFP — MELBOURNE Andrey Rublev is fast muscling AFP — MELBOURNE the first Australian champion his way into the small group since 1978, hit form in a 6-3, 6-2 of young guns seen as the next Serena Williams crashed out, demolition of Elena Rybakina, tennis generation, with the 15-year-old Coco Gauff stunned saying she had played her best Russian on a hot 10-match Naomi Osaka and Roger tennis so far this year. unbeaten streak and two titles Federer survived a five-set Gauff, who trained with already this season. thriller as the form book went Serena Williams in the off- The 22-year-old said he flying out of the window at the season, had promised she can’t explain the secret to his Australian Open yesterday. would be less nervous than in success, other than he’s been Men’s title-holder Novak her last meeting with Osaka, “a little bit lucky”. Djokovic eased into the last 16 when she was thrashed in But that is playing down but elsewhere there were sur- round three of last year’s US his achievements -- winning prises all over Melbourne Park Open. in Doha en route to the Aus- with Williams the biggest victim And so it proved as the tralian Open and then in and Federer fighting back from teenager broke once in the first Adelaide last week, before two 4-8 down in a fifth-set tie- set and twice in the second to comfortable wins at Mel- break with John Millman. floor a rattled Osaka and ramp bourne Park. Williams’ bid for a record- up a rivalry that could run and It gave him the distinction equalling 24th Grand Slam was Coco Gauff of the US run. of being the first man since shattered by the unlikely figure celebrates after victory against In the men’s draw, reigning Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 to of China’s Wang Qiang, who tri- Japan’s Naomi Osaka during champion Djokovic thrashed win two titles in the first fort- umphed in three tough sets -- their women’s singles match Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, night of a season, with just after winning just one game on day five of the Australian 6-2, 6-2 to reach the round of three sets dropped so far. when they played at the US Open in Melbourne yesterday. 16 at a canter. “I mean, there is not much Open in September. But Greek sixth seed Ste- secrets basically,” said Rublev. Gauff then stepped up her fanos Tsitsipas was also on the “Was a little bit lucky. giant-killing Melbourne debut The 20-time Grand Slam Slam titles. “I definitely do Barty, 23, who had been on receiving end of an upset as he “It’s not going to happen as she ousted Japanese champion was facing defeat in believe (I can equal it) or I course to meet her in the went down in straight sets to often that I’m going to win defending champion Osaka, 22, the super tie-breaker but he wouldn’t be on tour,” said semi-finals. Canada’s Milos Raonic, the always, always. It’s not going in dismissive style, winning 6-3, clawed back from 4-8 down to Williams. Barty, bidding to become world number 35. to happen like this. 6-4 in just 67 minutes to reach clinch his 100th win at the Aus- Williams was the bookies’ “Our sport, it’s only one round four. tralian Open. favourite to lift the trophy for winner per week. All the top “Oh my gosh. Two years ago “Oh God, it was tough,” said the eighth time but she came players like Rafa, Djokovic, I lost first round in the juniors Federer. “Thank God it was a unstuck against a determined Federer, all the rest, there is and now I’m here -- this is super tie-breaker (10 points), Wang, who won 6-4, 6/7 (2/7), only going to be one winner. crazy,” said the teenager, who otherwise I would have lost this 7-5. Even top players will have to shocked Venus Williams in the one. Her defeat came just lose this week. So we’ll see.” first round. “It came down to the wire minutes after Denmark’s Woz- His form has seen him Federer came within a in the end.” - ‘I made it happen’ niacki was knocked out by jump to a career-high world whisker of repeating his 2018 - With Williams now 38, 23 Tunisia’s Jabeur, bringing a number 16 and his name is US Open upset by Millman as years older than Gauff, the two tearful end to the former world now being mentioned he was taken to five punishing players are at opposite ends of number one’s final tournament alongside the likes of Daniil sets by the tough Australian. their careers. before retiring. Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas And with Williams’ close “I had a dream when I was and Alexander Zverev as friend Caroline Wozniacki a kid. I wanted to win a Grand players able to challenge retiring on Friday, after defeat Slam. I wanted to be number Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic to Ons Jabeur, it looked like a one in the world,” said Woz- and Roger Federer. changing of the guard in niacki, the Melbourne winner “Karen (Khachanov) and Oh my gosh. Two women’s tennis. in 2018. Daniil, there is so many guys years ago I lost first But Williams, who has now “People thought that I was like Zverev, Tsitsipas, Alex de had eight winless Grand Slams crazy being from a small Minaur, so many young guys round in the juniors since returning from childbirth, country. But I made it happen.” that also doing so good,” he China’s Wang Qiang celebrates after victory against Serena Williams and now I’m here -- said she hadn’t given up hope Williams’ exit removes a said. of the US during their women’s singles match at the Australian of matching Margaret Court’s major hurdle for Australia’s “In general, I feel like all this is crazy: Gauff Open in Melbourne, yesterday. 47-year-old record for Grand world number one Ashleigh the young guys, they are playing so good, they are doing so well. “Of course, you start to ‘Not cool’ but Serena vows feel, ‘Okay, they’re doing so well, I also need to be close to them to try to play also good’. I don’t know, it’s like a to continue 24th Slam quest motivation.” Rublev’s career has been quarter-finals at the US Open dogged by injury. He missed AFP — MELBOURNE last year, but was stunned 6-4, three months in 2018 with a 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 yesterday. lower back stress fracture and Serena Williams will not give “She served well, I didn’t another six weeks last year up on her chase for a record- I just made far too return like Serena,” said Wil- with a wrist problem. equalling 24th Grand Slam title liams, seeded eighth in Mel- “The back one was really and believes she can still do it, many errors to be a bourne but who was the strong tough. Even when I already despite crashing out of the professional athlete favourite, especially with start to play, I was feeling that Australian Open yesterday. today. I definitely do Court’s record on the line. I was still not there. Mentally, The 38-year-old American “If we were just honest with I was somewhere else,” he legend has been stuck on 23 believe or I wouldn’t ourselves, it’s all on my said. since winning in Melbourne in be on tour: Serena shoulders. I lost that match. “Then, when the wrist 2017, when she was pregnant “Like I said, it’s not about injury happened, at the with daughter Olympia. the tournament, it’s just like I beginning it was even worse.” She has lost four Slam finals athlete today,” she said. can’t play like that. But he has bounced back and since then, but this time did not “I definitely do believe or I “I literally can’t do that faces perhaps his toughest get close, dumped out in the wouldn’t be on tour,” added again. That’s unprofessional. It’s clash this year today against third round by China’s 27th Williams when asked if she not cool.” Williams stressed 11th seed David Goffin for a seed Wang Qiang. thinks she can still reach Aus- that defeat was “not the end of place in the Australian Open Williams, who was tralian Margaret Court’s 24 the world”, but admitted that fourth round. downbeat but not broken, said Slams record. she was angry and hurting “It will be interesting she will be back on the practice “I don’t play just to have fun. inside as much as any defeat in match for me. It’s going to be Serena Williams of the US reacts after a point against China’s Wang court on Saturday. To lose is really not fun.” Wil- her long and glorious career. all pressure on him because Qiang during their women’s singles match at the Australian Open “I just made far too many liams dropped just one game in “I am just a better actress, he’s going to be favourite,” he in Melbourne, yesterday. errors to be a professional beating Wang in the as I always say now,” she said. said. Superpole for Abdulla Al Qubaisi at Qatar Superstock 600

THE PENINSULA — DOHA A rider taking part in the races at the third in the Superpole. "Overall, Car Championship, with the two Losail International circuit yesterday. I am happy with the results today categories running at the same Abdulla Al Qubaisi got the and of course, I was hoping for a time, QTCC 2K and QTCC M240. Superpole of the third round of better position for tomorrow on In the QTCC 2K, the fastest the Qatar Superstock 600 held the grid but the main thing is that driver in the qualifying session at Losail International Circuit. we fixed problem from the last was Ibrahim Al Abdulghani with Al Qubaisi, took his second race, the rear suspension and we a Honda S200 and a lap time Superpole of the season with a are able to have a good feeling of 2:26.922. Although lap time of 2:03.094, in front of with the bike," Al Sulaiti said. Abdulghani set the fastest lap Mashel Al Naimi and Saeed Al In the QSTK Trophy, the time in his category, the driver Sulaiti respectively. fastest rider was the French was not satisfied at all with his The young Qatari rider was rider Jeremy Parola fol- performance. very happy with his lowed by Alexander "I qualified first in my class performance. Qabazard from Kuwait and but I am a bit disappointed with "In the free practice 2, I had Rayad Al Emadi. my timings as my best time in a good feeling, I was riding In this QSTK round, there the first round was 2:24.597 and mentally and physically was another category of bikes now I am almost 3 seconds focused, and in the Superpole riding in the championship, the slower. I changed few things in my strategy was to ride the first QSTK 300 Superstport with the car and hopefully I do better two laps with used tyres and riders from the Qatar Motor- tomorrow." change new ones for the last sports Academy. In the new category of the laps. It worked perfectly and A total of 8 riders took part QTCC Championship, QTCC managed to do the fastest lap in this round where the fastest M240, the pole position was in my last lap. Looking forward the winner of last race couldn’t the front tyre. I tried a new old tyre and it was perfect for rider in the qualifying practice again for Abdulla Al Khelaifi tomorrow to win both race" said take the Superpole today and compound that worked good the Superpole but Abdulla was the Qatari rider Saad Al with a lap time of 2:15.697 fol- Al Qubaisi. finished 0.416 behind Al for long laps but I didn’t have pushed too much and took it Harqan followed by Hamad Al lowed by Hamad Al Sulaiti and Although Al Naimi’s bike Qubaisi. good confidence in the break said Al Naimi. Sahouti and Yousef Al Darwish. Nasser Saadon respectively, was working perfectly and he "My bike was working very and in the middle of the corners. The defendant QSTK A total of 27 cars joined the with a gap of 0.130s between had no problem with the tyres, good today, no problem with I changed and went back to my Champion, Al Sulaiti, finished third round of the Qatar Touring the three of them. SPORT SPORT | 17 SPORT | 18 Woods opens with Title race notot 69 as Cappelen, over yet, insistssists Bradley share Liverpool's Torrey Pines lead Klopp

SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2020 QSL: Almoez fires a brace to Barcelona coach Quique Setien help Al Duhail down Al Arabi

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Almoez Ali (centre) celebrates with team- League leaders Al Duhail main- mates after scoring a tained their unbeaten run in the goal against Al Arabi QNB Stars League as they defeated yesterday. Al Arabi 3-1 in Round 13 match at the Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Almoez Ali struck a double, early and late into the game (fourth minute and 90+4)) and Paulo Edmilson (33rd minute) scored as Al Duhail moved on to 33 points. Hamdi Harbaoui converted a penalty in the 19th minute to give the only reply for Al Arabi, who stood on 18 points. Al Duhail thus remained as the only unbeaten side so far this season after Al Rayyan suffered their first defeat on Thursday. It was The Red Knights 10th victory, the most by any team. They drew the other three matches. La Liga: Valencia Al Duhail went into the match without Portuguese coach Rui Faria, with whom they parted ways test excites Barca following their loss to Al Sadd by a 0-4 margin in the final of 2020 Qatar Cup on 17th January. coach Setien And caretaker coach Bruno Oliveira was in charge. REUTERS — BARCELONA Al Arabi had their task cut out as they were up against the table Edmilson, who replaced Yousef Almoez then rounded off the aggrieved not to have walked away Barcelona coach Quique Setien can expect the toughest toppers, but they fought tooth and Msakni in the Al Duhail attack after tally at the stroke of final whistle with three points as they enjoyed test of his short tenure in charge of the Spanish cham- nail before going down. 28 minutes, got into the scoring act as he fired into an open net. Al the lion’s share of attempts on pions when they visit Valencia today in La Liga, After Al Duhail took an early by connecting a defence-splitting Duhail and Al Arabi had played out target. although he believes facing a tougher opponent could lead when Almoez found the target through pass by Almoez. a 1-1 draw in the first leg. They spurned a glorious double play into his side’s hands. from close with Sultan Al Breik Al Arabi upped their ante in the Meanwhile, Jassim Al Hail chance when neither Khalid Setien has been brought to Barca to impose a brand doing the spadework from the left second half, while Al Duhail saved a penalty to earn Qatar SC a Mazeed or Mohamed Benyettou of possession-based play loyal to the ideas of their with a cross, Al Arabi were not to strengthened their ranks by point in a goalless draw against Al were able to test the goalkeeper former player and manager Johan Cruyff but his first be bogged down before their home replacing Mohammed Emad with Wakrah at the Qatar SC Stadium midway through the first half. two outings have been underwhelming due to the fans. Mohammed Moosa in the defence yesterday. The greatest chance of the negative tactics of their opponents. They equalised as Harbaoui and Assim Madibo with Luis Martin With both sides pushing to opening period fell to Qatar SC and The Catalans beat Granada 1-0 last week after their sent Al Duhail goalkeeper Amine in the middle. advance up the league table, they drew one of the finest saves in the opponents had been reduced to 10 men while they Lecomte the wrong way from the Al Arabi were reduced to 10 had to settle for a point apiece in league this season. Ahmed were behind for most of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey penalty spot after the kick was men in the 78th minute when a match which promised a lot, but Doozandeh decided to try his luck tie at lowly Ibiza until two late strikes from Antoine awarded when Mohamed Emad Fahad Ali was red-carded for a did not deliver. from distance and his rapid strike Griezmann gave them a 2-1 win. tripped Harbaoui himself. stud-up challenge on Moosa. Al Wakrah will feel the most was tipped onto the post in spec- Setien expects a more ambitious game plan from tacular fashion by Hassan Idriss to Valencia, who have not beaten the Catalans at their keep the scores level. Mestalla ground since 2007 and are smarting from a Action during a Not to be outdone by his heavy 4-1 defeat at Mallorca, but trusts his team to match between Al opposite number, Al Hail became take advantage. Wakrah and Qatar the hero in the second half as he “When a team like Valencia loses they are always SC yesterday. denied Benyettou from the penalty more eager to win the next game and I will expect the spot following a VAR review. The best of Valencia, who are a top team with top players,” Qatar SC shot-stopper dived low Setien told a news conference. to his left to maintain parity in the “It will be a high class game in which we’ll have match. the chance to cause more damage. We will try to take Minutes later, Benyttou showed advantage of the spaces that they will open for us, off his creative flair with a won- which will perhaps be greater than in the other two derful flick which evaded the games.” defence and set up Ismail Mardanli Valencia will be boosted by the return of striker whose shot was straight at the Rodrigo Moreno from injury as reports gather pace keeper. Benyettou again attempted that Barca are keen to sign the Spain international to to break the deadlock late on, but compensate for the absence of Luis Suarez, who is out could not get his header on target for the next four months. as the match drew to a close. “I like Rodrigo a lot, just as I like all the great The result means the two players,” added Setien. teams remained separated by one “He is an extraordinary player and he can make point in the standings, with Al any opponent’s life complicated. I’d prefer that he Wakrah moving onto 16 and Qatar wasn’t playing against us but with or without Rodrigo, SC to 15. Valencia are a very dangerous team.” Fireworks light up Tokyo six months before Games

REUTERS — TOKYO shape and colour of the five hosting the summer show- The Olympic rings (left) are displayed Olympic rings, briefly lit up the piece, about 10 anti-Olympics off the shore of the Odaiba Marine Fireworks lit up the night sky skyline of the city of over 14 protesters gathered outside the Park as fireworks explode during the above Tokyo Bay yesterday million people. hotel hosting the ceremony. Tokyo 2020 Year Commemorative and a giant monument of the “The torch relay will start They shouted throughout Olympic rings was unveiled in in March so we need to start the ceremony through a meg- Ceremony in Tokyo yesterday, to mark the shadow of Rainbow Bridge building momentum and aphone and held banners six months before the opening of the as the Japanese capital marked excitement for the Games,” reading “no Olympics in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. six months until the start of the Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Tokyo” and “Olympics kills the Games. said at a ceremony to mark the poor”. After a decade of planning, landmark. “Because of the Olympics, Tokyo 2020 organisers have Below the fireworks, a homeless people will be kicked entered the final stretch ahead giant monument of the five out (from streets) and other of the Olympics opening cer- interlocking Olympic rings was human rights will be violated,” emony on July 24. lit up, nestled in the water at protester Ayako Yoshida told Organisers have overcome Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo Reuters. most of the major wobbles that Bay. “I’ve always been against it plagued the early years of The area will be the venue (Olympics) because our tax preparation and are now con- for triathlon and marathon money is wasted on building centrating on fine-tuning the swimming at Tokyo 2020 and big facilities and not being used remaining details. is within sight of the athletes’ on citizen’s lives.” Tokyo was certainly in a village that is still under The Olympic Games run celebratory mood on Friday as construction. from July 24-August 9. Tokyo a vibrant performance, In a sign that perhaps not previously held the Summer including fireworks in the everyone is happy with Tokyo Olympics in 1964.