SPORT Sunday 23 September 2018 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 27 Murray to end Liverpool and season after City stroll; China events United held Five-star Al Sadd crush Al Rayyan RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

DOHA: High-scoring Algerian QNB STARS forward Baghdad Bounedjah yesterday scored twice as Al Sadd LEAGUE crushed old rivals Al Rayyan 5-0 Yesterday's results at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Sadd 5- 0 Al Rayyan Striker Bounedjah was well Al Duhail 4 - 2 Al Gharafa supported by team-mates , and Jung Woo-young as the home team won the traditional derby ‘ Clasico’ with a com- manding show. Bounedjah scored his goals in the 11th and 70th minutes while Hassan found the net in the 31st minute. Afif scored (59) in the second half while Woo-young wrapped up proceedings with a strike in the 79th minute. Al Sadd’s U-23 player Tarik Salman said yesterday: “It was a great game. Our senior players really played well. We created the chances and scored when we could. It was a top performance. We are happy. Our players Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez delivered a wholehearted effort (centre) weaves his way past on the pitch.” Al Rayyan’s Mowafak Awad a couple of Al Rayyan players was dejected with his team’s during the QNB Stars League sloppy show. match in yesterday. “We made far too many mis- takes and conceded those two early goals (in the first half),” Awad said after the clash. “I would say they were lucky in the second half. We tried our best but we could not do well today,” he added. observed from the touchline. 35th minute, sending the ball way range with Al Sadd keeper out of Al Sadd’s players Baghdad Bounedjah (left) and Abdelkarim In the 5th minute of the round In the 14th minute, Al Sadd’s above the Al Sadd crossbar. Three position to stop the move. Six Hassan, celebrate scoring a goal during their QNB Stars 6 clash, Al Rayyan’s Ali Al Nuaimi Hassan seemingly pushed Al minutes into the second half, minutes later, a similar move by League match against Al Rayyan in Doha yesterday. bumped into Qatar national team Rayyan striker Sebastian Soria veteran striker Soria - after Tabata ended up going waste player Hamid Ismail of Al Sadd close to his own goal but the tapping down a loopy cross inside with the ball missing the target causing stoppage in play for a few linesman ordered play on much the box - swivelled and fired a again. In the 70th minute, minutes. A few moments later to the dismay of the visitor’s shot that narrowly sailed past the Bounedjah produced a snap- Ismail fell flat on the pitch once camp. Al Sadd crossbar. Seconds later header off a Xavi free kick to again after another reckless Close to the half-hour mark, Al Rayyan coach benched Abdul- score his second goal of the tackle but got up immediately. Al Sadd star forward Afif was rahman Al Korbi and brought in match and Al Sadd’s fourth. In the Three minutes later, Al Rayan beaten to the ball inside the Al Ibrahim Abdelhalim Masoud. 79th minute, Korean star Woo- keeper Oumar Barry dived full Rayyan box by keeper Barry after With Al Rayyan picking up young curled in a neat shot from length to grab a loopy header by the diminutive striker had some momentum, Tabata curled the edge of the Al Rayyan box to team-mate Awad with Al Sadd’s weaved his way past two in a left-footed drive from outside score his first goal for the team. feared striker Bounedjah in defenders. A few moments later, the box but the ball sailed above Al Rayyan fans started to touching distance. Afif was once again beaten to the the Al Sadd crossbar. trudge off from the venue after In the 11th minute, home ball first by Al Rayyan keeper A minute from the hour mark, the fifth goal leaving Al Sadd sup- team Al Sadd scored the opening Barry was spent a busy 30 Al Sadd made it 3-0. Bounedjah porters to savour a memorable goal off a counterattack. Ismail, minutes of the first half. lurking just outside the Al Rayyan performance. tearing away on the flank from In the 31st minute, Al Sadd box - found an unmarked Afif Meanwhile Al Duhail yes- the half line, slipped in a long ball midfielder Hassan - after neat with a neat cross. terday beat Al Gharafa 4-2 in a to striker Bounedjah who was cross from team-mate Woo- With ample of space to play fast-paced encounter at Abdullah close to the Al Rayyan box. With young - fired a left-footed bullet with, Afif charged ahead with the Bin Khalifa Stadium. two defenders shadowing the tall from inside the Al Rayyan box. ball and then calmly slotted the A double by Youssef El Arabi Algerian, Bounedjah headed The ball hit the top of Al ball above the head of keeper (9 and 42, p) and Nam Tae-hee’s home over keeper Barry, who Rayyan net with keeper Barry in Barry who had stepped out of his (62 and 88) brace in the second charged out to stop the move. no position to block the shot. It position to kill the move. It was half paved the way for Al Duhail’s It was Bounedjah’s 12th goal was Hassan’s first goal of the Afif’s seventh goal of the season. win. in just the sixth match this season. season. A minute later, seasoned for- For former champions Al As Al Sadd players and fans cel- , wards Soria and Tabata failed to Gharafa, the goals were scored ebrated the strike, team coach somewhat off color, misfired with provide finishing touches to a by Vadimir Weiss (16, p) and Jesualdo Ferreira calmly Al Rayyan’s first freekick in the scoring opportunity from close (51, p). Thiem to face Klizan in St Petersburg final AFP good serves. “Of course I want to win lose his nerve, making a catalogue of Kei Nishikori of Japan returns a ball to Matthias this title. If I win it will be my first unforced errors to allow the Slovak Bachinger of Germany during their ATP Moselle SAINT PETERSBURG: Top seed ever indoor title and it means a lot to break to love. Klizan went on to semi-final match in Metz, eastern France, yesterday. Dominic Thiem beat Spaniard Roberto to me.” Thiem broke Bautista Agut take the set. Bachinger won 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. Bautista Agut in straight sets yesterday in the 10th game to take the opening In the deciding set, Klizan broke to set up a St Petersburg Open final set, and the 25-year-old Austrian in the third game. Wawrinka quickly against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. made inroads on his opponent’s broke back but 29-year-old Slovak Thiem, ranked eighth in the world, serve at 3-2 in the second set before produced the deciding break in the claimed his first win over the 30-year- wrapping up victory. 11th game to win the set and the old Bautista Agut, 6-4, 6-3, in their Earlier yesterday, triple Grand match. fourth meeting. Slam champion Wawrinka, a wildcard “It was a very tough match,” Klizan, the 2012 champion, battled entry, broke Klizan in the first game Klizan said. back from a set down to beat Swiss of the match to forge ahead at the “Stan is one of the best players in star Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Sibur Arena. the world and I’m really proud of “I was serving really good today,” On his own serve, Wawrinka did myself after I could beat him finally. Thiem said. “I had some tough service not even allow Klizan to reach deuce “I’m going to do my best to win games when I was 30-0 down and I until the sixth game of the second set. the title here. It’s always a pleasure to always saved myself with some very But the Swiss seemed to suddenly play in the final.” 26 SPORT SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 Lorenzo takes pole in Aragon

AFP

MADRID: Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo secured his fourth pole position of the 2018 MotoGP season yesterday by sneaking ahead of Andrea Dovizioso in qualifying at Aragon. Lorenzo beat his Italian Ducati team-mate by 0.014sec while Honda’s Marc Marquez was Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in the ring after the fight in Windsor Park, Belfast, Britain, in this 0.079sec back in third. file picture of August 18, 2018. Marquez, who is chasing a fifth world championship title but is without a victory in his last four races, had set the pace with a time of 1.46.960sec. But the Spaniard paid the price for a Fury, Wilder to fight on mistake at Turn 12 on his final run as Lorenzo and Dovizioso both saved their best times until last. December 1: Promoters Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi managed to complete only one timed lap during the session. AFP The Italian veteran qualified in a disappointing venue for the fight while Brook- Angeles.” Wilder has 39 18th, his lowest grid position since 2006. lyn’s Barclays Center was also knockouts in 40 fights and has Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was pushed back LOS ANGELES: Britain’s Tyson in the running. scored knockouts in each of his into the second row after finishing fourth. He Fury will challenge Deontay “WBC Heavyweight World previous seven title defenses. missed the chance to fight for a top-three spot Wilder for the American’s World Champion Deontay Wilder will Fury, 30, is the former IBF, after crashing out during his last lap. Boxing Council heavyweight defend his title against lineal WBA, IBO and WBO heavy- Crutchlow sits in front of Spain’s Dani crown on December 1, a champion Tyson Fury in a weight world champion. He Pedrosa, Italian Danilo Petrucci and another statement said on Friday. blockbuster matchup of unde- remains undefeated in 27 fights. Spaniard, Alvaro Bautista, who came in sixth, Promoters Haymon Boxing feated heavyweights on Sat- The outspoken British seventh and eighth respectively. said in a statement reported by urday, December 1 live on Pay- fighter made his comeback Marquez owns a 67-point lead over US media that Wilder and Fury Per-View,” Haymon boxing said. earlier this year after a near Dovizioso in the standings ahead of Sunday’s would meet at a venue to be “The contracts have been two-and-a-half year absence, Ducati Team’s Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo celebrates race, with Rossi sitting third, 70 points adrift. determined. signed and the promotional tour and immediately set his sights getting the ‘pole’ position after being first in the The race in Aragon is the 14th round of the The Los Angeles Times will kick-off in London on on a showdown with Wilder. MotoGP qualifier of the Aragon Grand Prix at the championship and third of four events to be reported that the Staples Center October 1. It continues with “I’ll go to Vegas for free and Motorland racetrack in Alcaniz, yesterday. held in Spain this season. in Los Angeles was a potential stops in New York City and Los fight Wilder,” Fury said.

Pakistan and Afghanistan Pakistan to review position players fined: ICC on global cricket leagues

AFP AFP But Mani, speaking at the “I am holding back my Asia Cup, said his board will position (on T10) until I get full DUBAI: Pakistan’s paceman DUBAI: New Pakistan cricket seek assurances from the satisfaction... so I have Hasan Ali and Afghanistan’s chief Ehsan Mani (pictured) International Cricket Council requested the ICC to look into Asghar Afghan and Rashid said yesterday his board would (ICC). it again. Khan have all been fined review their stance on global “I didn’t understand the “I need assurances from yesterday for violating the leagues and seek assurances rationale on what basis we the ICC because they have players’ code of conduct, the from the game’s governing committed our players for the sanctioned it.” The lucrative International Cricket Council body. leagues,” Mani told reporters. Indian Premier League was said yesterday. Pakistan Cricket Board “The main criteria, which I rocked in 2013 over match- Pakistan narrowly beat (PCB) earlier this year understand, was that how fixing allegations, resulting in Afghanistan by three wickets restricted its players’ partici- much money PCB gets and a two-year ban on two fran- in a highly charged Asia Cup pation to one league other how much players will get. chises and a life ban on inter- Super Four match in Abu than their own Pakistan Super “But they (the previous set national player Shanthaku- Dhabi on Friday. League to reduce their released 10 of its highest-paid up of the PCB) did not look at maran Sreesanth. “Hasan, and Afghanistan’s workload. contracted players to partic- the players’ workload. So I will The same year Bangladesh duo of Asghar and Rashid The mushrooming of the ipate in the T10 league, held in examine all the leagues in Premier League was hit by have all been fined 15 per cent leagues has also endangered Sharjah last year, including the which Pakistan players fixing scandal, with seven of their match fees. They have the future of the traditional current captain Sarfraz participates. players charged. also received one demerit five-day game with some Ahmed, and “We need to do the due Pakistan’s own PSL -- held point in separate incidents players giving up red-ball . diligence in whichever leagues in the United Arab Emirates during the match on Friday,” cricket to enure maximum The league was a big hit we are participating whether since 2016 -- was rocked by the ICC said. earnings through Twenty20 and will be extended to eight they are credible or not.” Mani spot-fixing scandals in its The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy “After the match, all the and T10 (ten overs a side teams from six and will be held said he has asked the ICC to second year that resulted in is seen during a trophy tour event in three players pleaded guilty game) leagues. from November 23 to give assurance of the fairness five-year bans for openers to the offences and accepted Despite criticism, PCB December 2 this year. of the leagues. Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif. Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday. the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.” The ICC said: “Rashid was charged and fined for giving Warner, Smith make smashing a sendoff to Asif Ali in the 47th over of Pakistan’s innings by holding up a finger and staring at the batsman, an action that could have pro- return to Australian club cricket voked an aggressive reaction from the departing batsman.” REUTERS “Hasan and Asghar were better return, scoring a match- “We probably beat anyone . “It’s awesome Smith repeatedly suc- found guilty of ‘conduct that winning knock for Randwick- else today, except David to see him playing, even though cumbed to tears at a news con- is contrary to the spirit of the SYDNEY David Warner scored Petersham, who won by four Warner. It was a pretty special I’d rather he was playing for ference at Sydney Airport as he game and using language, an unbeaten 155 in his side’s wickets off the last ball while knock.” A few miles away at the Australia. The support he got apologised for his part in the actions or gestures which dis- thrilling last-ball win, while chasing 278 against St George. Glenn McGrath Oval, Smith also today will reassure him that incident that rocked Australia parage or which could former Test captain Steve Smith The opening batsman looked solid in his 92-ball everything’s okay, people do and also precipitated the provoke an aggressive made 85 for his Sutherland club carried his bat, his hundred innings for Sutherland, who make mistakes and people do departure of coach Darren reaction from a batsman as the suspended duo enjoyed coming off 98 balls in an innings went down to Mosman by three forgive very quickly.” Still the Lehmann. upon his/her dismissal during strong returns to club cricket in featuring 13 fours and two sixes, wickets. number two Test batsman in the Their Cricket Australia bans an International Match.’ Sydney yesterday. including one that went out of The 29-year-old, who got ICC rankings, Smith’s innings expire on March 28 and it looks “While Hasan and Rashid Smith and Warner were the ground. married this week, received a included six fours and a six, like they will be welcomed back have received demerit points banned for a year from inter- He reached his century with warm welcome from an unu- before he holed out to mid-on into the Australia set up for next for the first time, it is the national and state cricket for a leg-side single and celebrated sually large crowd and looked and received another ovation year’s 50-overs World Cup and second occasion that Asghar their involvement in a ball-tam- the mark as he would in an his usual twitchy self at the as he trudged back to the Ashes series in England. has been handed a demerit pering scandal and still have international match with his crease as he rattled off a half pavilion. “If our environment’s right point within a 24-month another six months to serve. trademark leap and kiss of the century in 62 balls. It was all a far cry from the and they’re playing well, there’s period. They are continuing their badge on his helmet. “When he was batting, eve- March day when he returned no reason they shouldn’t be “The incident involving rehabilitation in the new “He played really well and ryone was really warm with home from South Africa a welcomed back in to help us Hasan happened in the 33rd Sydney club cricket season, is very good in those type of sit- their support, and to be able to broken man after the ball-tam- win the World Cup and help us over of Afghanistan’s innings which got underway this uations,” said former Test team see so many people come to a pering scandal, which also win the Ashes next summer,” when he threatened to throw weekend. mate Josh Hazlewood, who was grade game was incredible,” resulted in a nine-month sus- Lehmann’s replacement as the ball towards striker Hash- The diminutive Warner playing against Warner said former Australia and pension for batsman Cameron coach Justin Langer said this matullah Shahidi after could not have hoped for a yesterday. current Sutherland team mate Bancroft. week. fielding off his own bowling. SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 27 EPL: Liverpool and City stroll; United held on Fergie return REUTERS

LONDON: Liverpool maintained their finest start to any season, earning a sixth straight Premier League win 3-0 over South- Valverde yet ampton as Manchester City returned to form with a dazzling 5-0 win at Cardiff City yesterday. to decide on On a day when Manchester United welcomed former Barca future manager Alex Ferguson back to Old Trafford only for Wolver- AFP hampton Wanderers to spoil the party with a 1-1 draw, United’s deadliest rivals continued to set BARCELONA: Barcelona a burning pace. coach Ernesto Valverde Liverpool had never before (pictured above) has won their first seven games in admitted he is not sure if he all competitions in any season will still be manager of the but they marked Juergen Klopp’s club next season. 600th match as a manager by Valverde’s contract surpassing their 1961-62 season expires at the end of the record when they won their first current campaign and he six. confirmed yesterday he has A Wesley Hoedt own goal, an option to extend the deal Joel Matip’s header and by another year. Mohamed Salah’s poached “I have a contract and I rebound settled the game by have a possibility to extend it halftime as the feelgood factor a year more,” Valerde said. sweeping Anfield continued after “The contract is there but Liverpool’s Joel Matip scores their second goal against Southampton, yesterday. the midweek Champions League we know what can happen in triumph over Paris St Germain. The league favourites’ con- Eden Hazard on five goals as the At the other end of the table, a double from Ashley Barnes. a season and the season is Champions Man City put vincing wins sees Liverpool lead Premier League’s top scorer Burnley hauled themselves off Cardiff, Huddersfield Town, long. You have to see how the their shock home Champions the table on a maximum 18 points when the Serb’s second-half the bottom with their first win of beaten 3-1 at Leicester City after team does. League defeat by Olympique from six games with unbeaten City equaliser for Fulham checked the season, 4-0 over Bourne- taking an early lead, and New- “Everything seems good Lyonnais behind them, still pursuing hard on 16. Watford’s best start to a top- mouth to interrupt the Cherries’ castle United, who drew 0-0 at but we are still in the month rebounding with a crushing win Chelsea, third on 15, have the flight campaign after Andre fine campaign, with goals from Crystal Palace, prop up the of September and we have a at Cardiff kicked off by Sergio chance on Sunday to join Liv- Gray’s 90-second opener. Matej Vydra, Aaron Lennon and league on two points. lot ahead.” Aguero’s opener on his 300th erpool with a perfect start to the Coaches like Pep Guar- appearance for the club. campaign on 18 points if they diola and Luis Enrique have The Argentine scored his win at West Ham United while Manchester City’s left Barca in recent years after 205th City goal just after the Watford’s 1-1 draw at Fulham in Argentinian striker citing the fatigue involved in half-hour, opening the flood- the early game kept them fourth Sergio Aguero (left) managing at the Camp Nou. gates for further strikes before on 13. celebrates after “I don’t know about the break from Bernardo Silva Ferguson, the patriarch of scoring the opening exhaustion or anything like and Ilkay Gundogan. Record Old Trafford, received a cheering goal against Cardiff that,” Valverde said. signing Riyad Mahrez added his standing ovation as he took his City, yesterday. “We are still in Sep- first two for City after the break. seat in the stands for the first tember, there is plenty of time since he underwent emer- room to feel exhausted, it is EPL RESULTS gency surgery after a brain only just beginning.” haemorrhage in May. Barcelona won La Liga Burnley 4 (Vydra 39, Lennon 41, Barnes 83, 88) United looked poised to and the Copa del Rey last Bournemouth 0 welcome him back with a win as season in Valverde’s first year Cardiff 0 Manchester City 5 (Aguero 32, B. Silva Brazilian Fred scored his first at the club. 35, Gundogan 44, Mahrez 67, 89) goal for the club since his move After their shock Cham- Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle 0 from Shakhtar Donetsk but Jose pions League exit to Roma in Fulham 1 (Mitrovic 78) 1 Watford (Gray 2) Mourinho was left frustrated the quarter-finals, however, Leicester 3 (Iheanacho 19, Maddison 66, Vardy again after a recent resurgence reports suggested his future 75) Huddersfield 1 (Jorgensen 5) with Joao Moutinho deservedly was in doubt. Liverpool 3 (Hoedt 10-og, Matip 21, Salah 45+3) equalising soon after halftime. Barcelona President Southampton 0 United are already losing Josep Maria Bartomeu has

Manchester United 1 (Fred 18) Wolves 1 touch with the leaders, now eight said the club will want to (Moutinho 53) points behind Liverpool. know Valverde’s position by Aleksandar Mitrovic joined March. Ozil grateful for Boateng’s Late Pulisic goal rescues backing draw for 10-man Dortmund

AFP REUTERS

BERLIN: Mesut Ozil has BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund’s thanked Jerome Boateng for Christian Pulisic scored an 84th public support in the wake of minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 Ozil’s controversial draw at Hoffenheim yesterday retirement from international as Hertha Berlin provisionally football. climbed to top spot with a 4-2 Ozil, 29, walked away demolition of Borussia from the Germany squad in Moenchengladbach. Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson gestures as July, claiming he was made a The American, who got the he receives the crowd’s applause ahead of the match between scapegoat for the national winner at Club Brugge in a 1-0 team’s disastrous failure at Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford Champions League group stage the World Cup and cited in Manchester, yesterday. victory in midweek, tapped the “racism and disrespect” due ball home after good work from to his Turkish heritage and Marco Reus to earn his team a criticised the German FA point. Borussia Dortmund’s players celebrate after scoring a goal against (DFB). Brazilian Joelinton put the Hoffenheim during their match in Sinsheim, yesterday. Berlin-born Boateng, 30, Modric reaches Spanish hosts ahead on the stroke of was one of the few German halftime and Hoffenheim looked timed his run to perfection to tap to go top of the table with their players to speak up for Ozil tax settlement: Report to be cruising after having two in Reus’ cutback. third win in four games. at the time, said in an other efforts disallowed and also During the game Dortmund Werder Bremen, with AFP interview this week that According to El Mundo, hitting the woodwork. fans again unfurled banners 39-year-old striker Claudio fellow stars in the national which is consistently well- Things turned worse for the against Hoffenheim’s chief Pizarro making his first start of team should have supported MADRID: Real Madrid informed on tax fraud issues visitors when Abdou Diallo was financial backer Dietmar Hopp the season, squandered a two- the Arsenal midfielder against midfielder Luka Modric has involving footballers, the deal sent off for a last-man foul on after the billionaire decided to goal lead but still managed to the harsh criticism following reached a deal with Spanish reached with prosecutors Andrej Kramaric but Pulisic take legal action against more beat hosts Augsburg 3-2 thanks the World Cup debacle. prosecutors, admitting he involves him paying a fine than 30 Dortmund fans over the to Davy Klaasen’s 75th minute “Thanks bro, for your evaded taxes and agreeing to that represents 40 percent of chants and banners against him winner courtesy of keeper words,” Arsenal midfielder an eight-month jail sentence the amount allegedly evaded over the years. Fabian Giefer’s error, who let the Ozil wrote in an Instagram likely to be converted into a -- or just under 350,000 One of the bigger banners ball slip through his legs. story on his official page. fine, daily El Mundo reported. euros. showed his face in the cross- Visitors Freiburg scored “At the DFB, you were THE Croatian star has been Modric can also convert Christian Pulisic hairs. The result leaves three times in 50 minutes to always one of the players who accused of evading 870,728 his jail sentence to another scored an 84th Dortmund in third place on eight ease past VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 for was there during difficult euros ($1m) on revenue from fine of 250 euros a day, points, with champions Bayern their first win of the season. moments.” his image rights in 2013 and which would total around minute equaliser to Munich, second on nine. Promoted Nuremberg also After 92 appearances for 2014 via a shell company set 60,000 euros, the report rescue a 1-1 draw at Striker Vedad Ibisevic notched their first win of the Germany, Ozil, announced his up in Luxembourg. said. Hoffenheim. scored twice as undefeated campaign with a 1-0 victory retirement. Hertha Berlin crushed Gladbach over 10-man Hanover 96. SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 25

I wasn’t quite as sharp as I was yesterday, but I hung in CRICKET FOOTBALL Tiger Woods says after there and tried to miss the the second the round of Asia Cup: Pakistan vs Premier League: West ball on the correct sides so I Tour Championship. India; Afghanistan vs Ham United vs Chelsea; had angles. ACTION Bangladesh TODAY’S Arsenal vs Everton Woods maintains Osaka thrashes Giorgi to share of the lead at storm into Tokyo final Tour Championship AFP Woods’ last victory was in 2013 REUTERS at the WGC-Bridgestone ATLANTA: Tiger Woods edged Invitational. TOKYO: US Open champion closer to snapping a five-year He began the round tied at the Naomi Osaka stormed past winless drought as the 14-time top with American compatriot Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3 major winner maintained a share Rickie Fowler but soon moved two yesterday to reach the final of of the lead on Friday at the halfway clear of Fowler who bogeyed the the Pan Pacific Open, where stage of the Tour Championship. first hole. she will face Karolina Pliskova. Woods birdied the final hole He then moved two strokes Osaka’s victory in front of en route to a 68 to tie Justin Rose clear of the elite 30-player field on an expectant home crowd was (67) at seven-under par 133 in the back nine with birdies at the her 10th in a row and did not heatwave conditions at the East par-four 12th and par-four 14th. look in doubt from the Lake golf course in Atlanta. Woods received the loudest roar moment she pounded down a Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a Rory McIlroy, winner two years from his gallery by holing a 24-foot huge ace with her first serve return against Camila Giorgi ago of both the FedEx Cup and Tour birdie putt on the par-three 15th. of the match. of Italy during their women’s Championship, remains in the hunt On the next hole, Woods found The 20-year-old, who singles semi-final at the Pan in sole possession of third after himself staring at a near impossible became Japan’s first ever Pacific Open in Tokyo, yesterday. shooting a 68. greenside bunker shot. With no Grand Slam singles champion “The best way to describe option but to chip out sideways he in New York two weeks ago, today is I ground out a round,” said did that and then three-putted for hit a further eight aces to over- Woods, a former two-time winner a disappointing double-bogey six. whelm World No. 37 Giorgi. of the season-ending Woods isn’t taking anything for Osaka has carried the tournament. granted as he goes for his 80th Tour poise and power that saw her “I wasn’t quite as sharp as I was victory on the weekend. overcome Serena Williams in yesterday, but I hung in there and “Well, I need to get there first, the Flushing Meadows final tried to miss the ball on the correct and that’s my responsibility to get across the Pacific with her and, helped by eight double-faults time on court than any other on route to the last four and sides so I had angles.” there,” he said. from Giorgi, wrapped up the player at this tournament recovered from an early break But the World No. 21 recovered “I’ve got 36 more holes to go, victory in just 72 minutes. despite a first round bye and of serve in the second set to to shoot par on 17 and then sank a and hopefully I’ll be answering that Osaka’s victory A runner up at this event was once again dragged into secure two breaks of her own. two-footer for birdie on 18 to tie question come Sunday night,” he in front of an two years ago, Osaka has not a long contest by a dogged Pliskova looked tired but his English rival Rose. said. expectant home dropped a set so far this week Vekic. dug deep in the third set and crowd was her 10th and has had her service The former world number the quality of her superior in a row and did not broken just once. one started as if intent on fin- hitting eventually told as she She will face world ishing the contest as quickly broke Vekic’s resolve. look in doubt from number eight Pliskova in the as possible and stormed into Currently just outside the the moment she final after the Czech outlasted an early 4-0 lead before top eight qualifying places for pounded down a Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-2, wrapping up the first set in the WTA Finals in Singapore, huge ace with her 4-6, 6-3 in a topsy-turvy under half an hour. Pliskova has now spent 420 first serve of the match that lasted over two Vekic, though, had minutes on court in Tokyo match. hours. defeated top 10 players Sloane compared to 222 minutes for Pliskova has spent more Stephens and Caroline Garcia Osaka. Murray to end season after

China events Pakistan 1’s Babar Masih (left) and Muhammad Asif (second left) along with Pakistan 2’s team members REUTERS and Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation official Alamgir Sheikh (centre) pose for a group picture on Friday in Doha. LONDON: Andy Murray will end his season after playing in the Shenzhen and Beijing tour- Pakistan cueists naments over the next two weeks to be “in the best possible shape” for the relish victory over Australian Open in January,” the Scot said yesterday. The former world number one returned to the ATP tour India in Doha final in June after having hip surgery in January and has played nine FROM LEFT: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer (Team Europe), Kevin Anderson and Jack Sock competitive matches this year. FAWAD HUSSAIN (Team World) ahead of their doubles match on day one of the 2018 Laver Cup at the United He will skip the two THE PENINSULA Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday. Masters series events in Shanghai and Paris next DOHA: Top cueist Mohammad We really wanted to month. Asif has said Pakistan’s maiden win this tournament “I’m competing this week Asian Team Snooker Champi- because we had Team Europe leads despite in Shenzhen and then next onship title was a huge boost week in Beijing before calling for the sport in his country, never won it before. an end to the year competi- crediting his team-mate Babar Last year, we lost shock defeat for star duo tively and I’m going to miss the Masih for the victory in the final the final and I am last couple of tournaments to in Doha. the year,” the 31-year-old said Pakistan A – Masih and Asif happy that finally we REUTERS LAVER CUP RESULTS enough to claim the first set in video posted on Facebook. – defeated rivals India including managed to claim the in a tiebreak. Sock and “I need a lot of training and seasoned cueist Pankaj Advani title: Muhammad Asif CHICAGO: Team Europe Europe 3 World 1 Anderson found their rhythm reconditioning to get myself in and Malkeet Singh, 3-2 (110-02, took a commanding 3-1 lead Grigor Dimitrov (Europe) bt Francis Tiafoe in the second set, blasting five the best shape possible for the 47-81(52), 72-70, 05-107(68), Babar played very well after I over Team World in the (World) 6-1, 6-4. of their eight aces to level the beginning of the 2019 season 98-18) in the thrilling final at lost the opening frame. We Laver Cup on Friday, despite Kyle Edmund (Europe) bt Jack Sock (World) contest, before the pair took and to get myself back com- Qatar Billiards and Snooker really wanted to win this tour- seeing their high-profile 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 advantage of a Federer peting for the biggest tourna- Federation Hall on Friday. nament because we had never doubles pairing of Roger David Goffin (Europe) bt Diego Schwartz- double fault at 4-4 in the ments again.” Masih was in outstanding won it before. Last year, we lost Federer and Novak Djokovic man (World) 6-4, 4-6, 11-9 10-point match tiebreaker Murray withdrew from form in the title-deciding match the final and I am happy that suffer the defending cham- Kevin Anderson/Jack Sock (World) bt Novak and held on for a critical Wimbledon and lost in the winning his individual frames finally we managed to claim the

pions’ only defeat of the first Djokovic/Roger Federer (Europe) 6-7(5), triumph. second round at the US Open while playing leading role in the title,” said Asif. day in Chicago on Friday. Europe had earlier built last month. doubles frame. He also smashed Babar, who was man of the 6-3 (10-6) Jack Sock and Kevin their advantage on singles a break of 81 in the opening final, said he was confident Anderson combined to victories for Bulgarian Grigor frame. throughout the final. deliver the sole triumph for combining forces to play Dimitrov, Briton Kyle “Whenever we play against “My potting was good and their side, overcoming the together for the first time Edmund and Belgian David India our fans want us to win, thanks to a snooker on a crucial world’s second and third after Team Europe had swept Goffin. and we are thankful to Almighty stage in the decisive frame ranked singles players 6-7 the first 3 singles matches. Today’s four matches that we managed to achieve the which helped us beat the tough (5), 6-3 (10-6) to prevent an The early chemistry took are worth three points victory,” Asif, who won the 2012 Indian side,” he said. opening day shutout for time to develop for both apiece with the first team to IBSF World Championship, said “It is our first title and that Team Europe. players, and Djokovic acci- reach 13 points crowned while commenting on the too after winning the final All eyes were fixed on dentally hit Federer on the champions after Europe victory. against India. I am very happy,” longtime rivals Federer and back of the head during the claimed last year’s inaugural Andy Murray “It was a tough final but said Babar. Djokovic as they took the third game, but the star- event by a 15-9 margin in court for the final match, studded duo proved strong Prague.