SPORT Monday 19 February 2018

PAGE | 27 PAGE | 28-29 PAGE | 31 Mendis smashes 70 Despite Cup progress, Al Attiyah as Sri Lanka beat Mourinho insists VAR cruises to victory Bangladesh must be reliable in Russia

Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic celebrates after receiving the trophy after defeating Gabrine Muguruza of Spain in the Qatar Total Open final at the Khalifa International and Squash Complex yesterday. Picture by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsua

Kvitova wins Qatar Total Open

AP QATAR TOTAL OPEN WOMEN’S SINGLES: CHAMPIONS

DOHA: Petra Kvitova contin- YEAR CHAMPION RUNNER-UP SCORE Dabrowski, Ostapenko ued her remarkable comeback 2001 Martina Hingis (Switzerland) Sandrine Testud (France) 6–3, 6–2 by beating Garbine Muguruza 2002 Monica Seles (United States) Thailand Tamarine Tanasugarn 7–6(8–6), 6–3 capture doubles crown in the Qatar Open final yester- 2003 Anastasia Myskina (Russia) Elena Likhovtseva (Russia) 6–3, 6–1 day for her 13th straight win and 2004 Anastasia Myskina (Russia) (2) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 second consecutive title. 2005 Maria Sharapova (Russia) Alicia Molik (Australia) 4–6, 6–1, 6–4 THE PENINSULA The 27-year-old Czech, a 2006 Nadia Petrova (Russia) Amélie Mauresmo (France) 6–3, 7–5 two-time Wimbledon cham- 2007 Justine Henin (Belgium) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 6–4, 6–2 DOHA: Playing just their fourth tournament together, Gabriela pion, needed another 2008 Maria Sharapova (Russia) (2) (Russia) 6–1, 2–6, 6–0 Dabrowski and Jelena Ostapenko captured their first title as a team three-setter to beat the fourth- 2009-2010 Not Held with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of No.8 seeds Andreja Klepac and María José seeded Spaniard 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. 2011 Vera Zvonareva (Russia) (Denmark) 6–4, 6–4 Martínez Sánchez in the final of the Qatar Total Open yesterday. It was Kvitova’s sixth win over 2012 Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) Samantha Stosur (Australia) 6–1, 6–2 For Dabrowski, it marked her seventh career doubles title and a top-10 player in 2018. 2013 Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) (2) (United States) 7–6(8–6), 2–6, 6–3 second of the year following Sydney, alongside Xu Yifan; in addi- Kvitova is set to return to 2014 (Romania) Angelique Kerber (Germany) 6–2, 6–3 tion, the Canadian is fresh off the mixed doubles the top 10 rankings today for the 2015 Lucie Šafářová (Czech Republic) Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 6–4, 6–3 crown (with Mate Pavic) and the Roland Garros mixed doubles first time since she was the vic- 2016 Carla Suárez Navarro (Spain) Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia) 1–6, 6–4, 6–4 holder (with Rohan Bopanna). Ostapenko, meanwhile, maintained tim of a knife attack in her 2017 Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 6–3, 6–4 an unbeaten record in doubles finals to claim her third title with house in December 2016 that 2018 Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) Garbine Muguruza (Spain) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 as many partners, following St. Petersburg and Stüttgart last year led to a lengthy layoff. with Alicja Rosolska and respectively. Just like in her match against Wozniacki, the 16th- before losing the first set. The game before breaking Mugu- held their serves comfortably Muguruza netted a backhand unleash a stunning forehand seeded Kvitova made a scratchy momentum shifted toward Kvi- ruza with a couple of to send the match into the into the net after a 23-shot long shot to take it to deuce, and then start, losing her first service tova in the third game of the down-the-line shots to go 4-2 deciding set. rally. She also seemed to hurt hold with an ace to make it 4-2. game with two double faults to second set. She first saved a up. Muguruza kept putting pres- Kvitova’s service continued her knee during that rally and Muguruza came back from go 2-0 down. She then had two break-point at 30-40 with a sure on Kvitova’s service game, to be under pressure in the third needed a medical timeout. 15-40 down in the seventh more double faults in the fourth backhand winner after doing and the Czech needed to save set, and she saved two break Despite coming back with game, making it 3-4 with a stun- game to get broken again, and all the running, and then held two break points again in the points again in the fourth game a heavily taped left leg, Mugu- ning lob shot, but Kvitova did not was trailing 5-0 when she won her serve with an ace. She saved seventh game before holding to stay 2-2. But she broke ruza had a break point in the lose her next two service games three games in a row another break point in the fifth her serve. Both players then immediately after that when next game, only for Kvitova to to secure her 22nd title. Magnificent Federer bags 97th career title AP said. “The goal was to make the He will become the oldest and backhands past Federer. Switzerland’s holds semis and I won the tourna- person to hold the No. 1 posi- But the Swiss great quickly his trophy after winning the ABN ROTTERDAM: Roger Federer ment so of course I’m tion when the rankings are started matching Dimitrov’s AMRO World Tennis Tournament came to the ABN AMRO World incredibly excited and so, so updated on Monday. It’s been groundstrokes and converted final against Bulgaria’s Grigor Tournament aiming to secure happy.” more than five years since Fed- his first break point in the fifth Dimitrov in Rotterdam yesterday. a return to the top of the world The 36-year-old Swiss erer was last No. 1, and 14 years game. Federer broke Dimitrov rankings. He achieved that goal extended his domination over since he first reached the top again to go up 5-2 and then Friday. Yesterday, he put an the player once dubbed “Baby spot. served out the set. exclamation point on a Fed” for the similarities in their Federer, who has 20 Grand Federer kept the pressure remarkable week by winning playing style, registering his Slams to his name, said his next on Dimitrov in the second set, the tournament for good meas- seventh victory in as many target is 100 career titles. He breaking the Bulgarian in the ure. meetings. moved a step closer Sunday. first game and continuing to Federer overpowered an Federer’s third title at the Federer said ahead of the dominate on his way to victory ailing Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 Rotterdam tournament comes final that the more aggressive in just 55 minutes. in less than an hour to win his a day before he officially player would win and Dimitrov Federer won a massive 82 97th career title. returns to the top of the rank- started the strongest, winning percent of points on his serv- “What a week it’s been. ings, more than five years after his first game to love as he ice compared to 55 percent for Absolutely amazing,” Federer he was last world No. 1. slammed powerful forehands Dimitrov. 26 SPORT MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 Groves defends WBA title Benavidez AFP George Groves crushes Gavril celebrates with MANCHESTER: George Groves’ Shane McGuigan place in the World Boxing Super after winning the to retain crown Series (WBSS) final is in doubt after fight against Chris his unanimous points win over Eubank Jr in the AFP Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday. World Boxing Super Groves earned scores of 117- Series semi-final on LOS ANGELES: David Benavidez outclassed Ronald Gavril 112, 116-112 and 115-113 over his Saturday. to easily retain his WBC super-middleweight crown with a English rival at the Manchester unanimous points victory on Saturday. Arena, but went straight from the The 21-year-old champion from Phoenix dominated ring to hospital after suffering a Romania’s Gavril to claim a deserved win at the Mandalay suspected dislocated left shoulder Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. in the last round. Benavidez had beaten Gavril, 31, last September by a split Victory over Eubank in a sec- decision to claim the vacant crown in one of the best fights ond defence of his World Boxing of 2017. An ill-tempered build-up to the rematch had seen Association (WBA) super-middle- Gavril vowing to right a wrong, claiming he had robbed of weight title also secured Groves a victory in the first fight. But on Saturday there was only one place in the final of the eight-man winner, with Benavidez using his stinging jab and superior tournament. movement to toy with Gavril on his way to a resounding The WBSS final had been set victory. to take place at the O2 Arena in One judge scored it 119-109 while the two other cards London on June 2, but Groves’ had it 120-108 in favour of Benavidez, who improved to trainer Shane McGuigan said there 20-0 with 17 knockouts after the win. Benavidez, the young- are now concerns over whether est active champion in world boxing, said he had sought to the champion will be fit by then. exploit Gavril’s aggressive tactics. “He suffered a shoulder injury “I knew he was going to come in aggressive -- like I said in the last round, we don’t know when the tournament must be cut above his right eye suffered in accurate with his jab. Eubank, who before he’s a one-trick pony, he don’t know anything else what that it is at the moment but completed,” he said. the third round. could not land enough clean shots but pressure,” Benavidez said. hopefully he can box again soon,” “We will wait until Monday. “This is the first time I’ve been or put the champion under sus- “So I used that to my advantage -- jabbed, boxed him all McGuigan told a press With those sort of injuries you can cut in my career,” he said. tained pressure, said he felt Groves day and when I saw an opening I took it. I didn’t knock him conference. train very quickly again -- if it’s a “I couldn’t see out of my right should have been penalised for out but he’s a tough son of a gun.” Benavidez said he was “After a performance like that case of it just popping out. No one eye for pretty much most of the what was judged an accidental unfazed by the bad blood that had simmered between the he’s the best super-middleweight knows until it has been scanned.” fight and that affected my style. I clash of heads in the third round. two fighters before the bout. on the planet. We fulfilled the Sauerland said that despite losing had to resort to loading up. Every “George headbutted me a lot “I don’t really care,” he said. “I had the better of him. game plan to the T and executed to Groves, Eubank could find him- time he moved to my right, I in that fight and I didn’t know Look at his face and look at mine,” he added. it perfectly. We beat them on many self in the WBSS final if Groves is couldn’t see him. how he didn’t have a point Benavidez’s best moment came in the fourth round, when different levels. ruled out through injury. “In the later rounds I was hurt- taken away from him,” said he rocked Gavril with an uppercut followed by a left hook “It’s a massive concern for the “He will definitely be on the ing him with a lot of shots. I Eubank. that sent the Romanian reeling into the ropes. tournament. George Groves’ health list,” said Sauerland. “It’s a deci- thought I did enough in the later Eubank’s father Chris Sr, who Gavril managed to dig himself out of that hole however, is paramount.” Kalle Sauerland, sion that’s taken by the (WBSS) rounds to nick it, but George had was world middleweight and clinching successfully until the bell to survive. promoter and co-founder of the board. I will make my recommen- a good game plan.” Groves smoth- super-middleweight champion in It was only a fleeting respite though as Benavidez con- WBSS, said the tournament’s dura- dations.” - Loading up - Eubank ered Eubank when he tried to get the 1990s, admitted Groves tinued to pick him off at will with a superb exhibition of tion is finite. “We have scope of Jr, 28, said he was hampered by a close to him and was more deserved the decision. precision punching. United Challengers Houston stuns Kendricks win tourney THE PENINSULA for US pole vault title DOHA: United Challengers won the NPL National Sport Day cricket championship defeating Mansoura XI in the final. REUTERS and out, the last two Olympic Coleman’s time was just 0.01 Kendra Harrison won her heat Imran from Mansoura XI was selected as the Player Of the medalists, gold medalists, and I seconds faster than Ronnie in 7.87 seconds with Sharika Tournament, where Insab from United Challengers won the Best MIAMI: Scott Houston upset got beat really bad,” he said. Baker, who won the heat prior Nelvis (7.91) also a heat winner. Batsman of The Tournament and Sarfaraz from Mansoura XI won world pole vault champion Sam “You can’t take a loss and to Coleman’s. Jarret Eaton led the men’s pre- the Best Bowler award. 48 teams from different parts of Qatar Kendricks while Christian Cole- just tuck your tail down and run “I put out a good race. Now liminaries, running 7.53 seconds participated in the tournament which was powered by Truth Group. man stayed on course in the 60 home so I came back and got off I’ve got two rounds to fill it out,” with Devon Allen 0.05 seconds metres at the US indoor cham- the plane and drove up to a meet said the confident Coleman, who slower in another heat. Aries pionships in Albuquerque, New the next day and competed. hopes to use the rarefied air at Merritt, the outdoor record Mexico on Saturday. “(I) set a new indoor per- high-altitude in Albuquerque to holder, was fifth fastest at 7.66. Houston, who ranked only sonal best, and kind of started eclipse Maurice Greene’s Olympic silver medallist Paul fifth among US pole vaulters last this path on to the indoor 20-year world record of 6.39 Chelimo outkicked Shadrack year, cleared a lifetime best 5.83 national meet.” World outdoor seconds. Kipchirchir for the 3,000 metres metres to beat Kendricks, who championships silver medallist Coleman ran 6.37 seconds win in 7:57.88. failed three times at the height Coleman cruised through qual- last month in South Carolina, but Another fast closer, Shelby after not missing an attempt ifying in the 60 metres in 6.46 the performance will not be rat- Houlihan, took the women’s through 5.78 metres. seconds despite slowing as he ified because electronic starting 3,000 in 9:00.08. A big loss in Europe last advanced to Sunday’s semi- blocks were not in use. World silver medallist Jar- month played a role, Houston finals and finals. America’s hurdlers also are rion Lawson narrowly missed said. The top two finishers in each expected to be major factors at the year’s best long jump when “Three weeks ago I had a event qualify for the March 1-4 the world championships with he leaped 8.38 metres to defeat great opportunity to go compete world indoor championships in Christina Manning clocking 7.84 world indoor champion Marquis in Germany and compete against Birmingham, England, provided seconds in 60 metres hurdles Dendy (8.22) and Erik Kynard United Challengers, winners of the NPL National Sport Day cricket the best in the world - the last they have the qualifying qualifying. cleared 2.30 metres to win his championship pose for a picture with the trophies. six world champions, indoors standard. World outdoor record holder fifth consecutive high jump title. PIBAQ: 3 Stars and A Sun off to winning start THE PENINSULA in 2012 and which joined PIBAQ of veteran Paul David, the opponents and fashion an Bryan Lawrence Maderazo two years later, subdued new consistent and inside game of emphatic win. DOHA: The 25th Season of comers team GI Joe 99-87 and high flying Edgardo SY, the The team comprising of PIBAQ kicked off on Friday at Al also won the award for the Best leadership of veteran Crisller ex PBA hoopsters was Gharafa Training Gym with 3 Uniform in Rising Division. Icaro and Bryan Maderazo aka formed by dedicated basket- Stars and A Sun beginning their The victory was made pos- Terrence Romeo who show- ball fans based in Qatar to campaign on a winning note. sible thanks due to the team cased his dazzling moves in show their love and passion 3 Stars and A Sun, founded efforts with shooting the game to mesmerize the for the game.

3 Stars and A Sun team members pose for a picture. MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 27

Smith looks Dhawan and Kumar sparkle forward to pace challenge as India hammer South Africa AFP

REUTERS India’s batsman JOHANNESBURG: A Shikhar Dhawan refreshed Australia JOHANNESBURG: Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took career- (right) is is looking best figures of 5-24 to help India ease to a 28-run victory over watched by forward to the challenge of South Africa in the opening International of their three- South Africa’s taking on South Africa’s fast game series at the Wanderers yesterday. wicketkeeper bowlers in a four-Test series Having been sent in to bat, India plundered 203 for five from Heinrich Klaasen starting in Durban on March their 20 overs on a flat as opener Shikhar Dhawan as he plays a 1. hit a superb 72 from 39 balls. shot during the His sentiment may not be It is India’s highest innings total against South Africa in the first T20I at shared by the tailenders of shortest format of the game, with debutant seamer Junior Dala the Wanderers both teams, though. (2-47 in four overs) the most successful home bowler. Cricket Stadium When Australia beat Eng- South Africa were in the game until Kumar’s final over when in Johannesburg land 4-0 in their recent home he picked up the key wicket of Reeza Hendricks (70 from 50 balls), yesterday. India Ashes series, the tourists’ and then dismissed Heinrich Klaasen (16) and (0) in won by 28 runs. lower order was blown away successive balls, before Dane Paterson (1) was the fourth wicket by aggressive short-pitched to fall as he was run out. bowling from pace trio Mitch- The home side ended their innings on 175 for nine, continu- ell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and ing their struggles against the tourists in the limited overs matches Pat Cummins. on the tour having been thrashed 5-1 in the one-day international Smith said yesterday he series. expected his bowlers to “go South Africa were dealt a blow before the start of the match down a similar path” in South as their best batsman AB de Villiers was ruled out of the series Africa, even though the hosts with a knee injury. have the firepower to hit back The second Twenty20 clash between South Africa and India through Kagiso Rabada, will be played in Pretoria on Wednesday, with the final game on Morne Morkel and new find Saturday in Cape Town. Lungi Ngidi. “There could be some good short-pitched bowling SCOREBOARD from both sides, to the bat- ters, to the tail, everyone from Mendis smashes 70 India J Duminy c Raina b Kumar ...... 3 both sides,” said Smith. R Sharma c Klaasen b Dala ...... 21 D Miller c Dhawan b Pandya ...... 9 “I think it’s great. I’m S Dhawan c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo ...... 72 F Behardien c Pandey b Chahal ...... 39 S Raina c and b Dala ...... 15 H Klaasen c Raina b Kumar ...... 16 excited by it. You love com- V Kohli lbw b Shamsi ...... 26 A Phehlukwayo c Chahal b Unadkat ...... 13 ing up against the best as Sri Lanka beat BD M Pandey() ...... 29 C Morris c Raina b Kumar ...... 0 bowlers around the world. M Dhoni b Morris ...... 16 D Paterson run out (Pandya) ...... 1 “The batters should be H Pandya (not out) ...... 13 J Dala (not out) ...... 2 looking forward to this series. AFP claimed two each to sixes in reaching his T20 inter- Extras (LB2, W9) ...... 11 T Shamsi (not out) ...... 0 You love coming up against wrap up a comprehensive national career-best score, Total (5 wkts) ...... 203 Extras (B1, LB1, NB1, W5) ...... 8 good pace. Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-49, 3-108, 4-155, 5-183 Total (9 wkts) ...... 175 SYLHET: Opener Kusal Mendis victory. taking the attack to the opposi- Bowling: Paterson 4-0-48-0 (1w), Dala 4-0-47-2 (3w), Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-38, 3-48, 4-129 5-154, 6-158, “I think it’s going to be a hit a blazing half-century as Sri “We had a really bad couple tion while Gunathilaka at the Morris 4-0-39-1 (3w), Shamsi 4-0-37-1 (1w), Smuts 2-0- 7-158, 8-159, 9-175 fantastic series for the view- Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by of years. I think now players are other end made a brisk 42. 14-0, Phehlukwayo 2-0-16-1 (1w) Bowling: Kumar 4-0-24-5, Unadkat 4-0-33-1 (1w), ers to watch.” 75 runs in the second Twenty20 getting some confidence. That’s Bangladesh dropped South Africa Bumrah 4-0-32-0 (1nb), Pandya 4-0-45-1 (3w), Chahal Smith took a break from international to complete a 2-0 the main thing,” Sri Lanka cap- Gunathilaka twice on 15 and 28 J Smuts c Dhawan b Kumar ...... 14 4-0-39-1 (1w) cricket after a one-day series series sweep yesterday. tain Dinesh Chandimal said after and had to wait until the 11th R Hendricks c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 70 Result: India won by 28 runs against England at the end of Sri Lanka rode on Mendis’ the win. over for their first success in the January. 70 off 42 deliveries to post 210-4 “Hope the boys do their best game. He said he realised he and then bowled out the hosts moving forward -- we have a Number three Thisara Per- Sri Lanka cricketer Kusal Mendis poses for a photos with needed the rest when he for 135 in Sylhet. really good combination of era chipped in with a quickfire the Man-of-the-Match and the Man-of-the-Series trophies didn’t even want to pick up a Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad youngsters and seniors.” 31. Upul Tharanga then hit 25, following the presentation ceremony at the end the second bat. top-scored for Bangladesh with Mendis once again stood out and smashed an Twenty20 against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International “But five or six days ago I 41 before being run out, with for the visitors with his second unbeaten 30 off 11 balls, to lift Cricket Stadium yesterday. wanted to do it again,” he opener making the successive fifty of the series, as the score past the 200-run said. only other meaningful contri- his 98-run stand with fellow mark. Smith said he was aware bution with 29. opener Gunathilaka gave Sri In reply, Bangladesh lost of Australia’s proud record of Sri Lanka paceman Shehan Lanka a solid start after being three early wickets for just 22 not having lost a Test series Madushanka, who left the field put into bat first. runs and never caught up with in South Africa on seven tours with an injured hamstring after Mendis, who was named the ever-increasing required in the modern era. bowling just 2.1 overs, and off- both man of the match and run-rate. “It means a lot. Coming to spinner Danushka Gunathilaka series, hit six fours and three Apart from Tamim and Mah- South Africa you have the mudullah, Mohammad most similar conditions to SCOREBOARD Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan Australia. This is going to be Sri Lanka Mushfiqur Rahim c T Perera b Madushanka ...... 6 were the only other batsmen to a good challenge to keep that D Gunathilaka c Tamim b Soumya ...... 42 Mohammad Mithun c J Mendis b Madushanka .5 manage double figures for the record up.” K Mendis c Mahedi b Mustafizur ...... 70 Mahmudullah Riyad run out (Mendis/Udana) .41 hosts, who were all out after 18.4 The Australian captain T Perera c Soumya b Jayed ...... 31 Ariful Haque lbw b Mendis ...... 2 overs. said a series defeat at home U Tharanga c Soumya b Saifuddin ...... 25 c sub b Udana ...... 20 “You need to have partner- to South Africa in November D Shanaka (not out) ...... 30 Mahedi Hasan c Udana b Shanaka ...... 11 D Chandimal (not out) ...... 2 Mustafizur Rahman b Gunathilaka ...... 8 ships when you are chasing 2016 had been a low point for Extras (LB2, W7, NB1) ...... 10 Abu Jayed st Chandimal b Gunathilaka ...... 2 200-plus,” said Mahmudullah. Australian cricket. Total (4 wkts) ...... 210 Nazmul Islam (not out) ...... 1 “You must have at least 60 “It’ll be great if we can Fall of wickets: 1-98, 2-149, 3-160, 4-205 Extras (W10) ...... 10 to 75 runs in the powerplay. But turn the tide here in South Did not bat: J Mendis, A Aponso, A Dananjaya, S Total (all out) ...... 135 today we succumbed to score- Africa.” Madushanka, I Udana Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-14, 3-22, 4-59, 5-68 , 6-110, board pressure. I am feeling The visiting Australians Bowling: Jayed 4-0-45-1 (w3), Nazmul 4-0-28-0 (w1), 7-113, 8-132, 9-132, 10-135 quite disappointed.” team will play against South Mahedi 2-0-25-0, Mustafizur 4-0-39-1 (nb1), Saifuddin Bowling: Madushanka 2.1-0-23-2 (w3), Dananjaya 4-0-46-1 (w2), Soumya 2-0-25-1 (w1) 4-1-20-1, Shanaka 1.5-0-5-1 (w1), T Perera 3-0-33-0 Sri Lanka also won the pre- Africa A in a three-day match Bangladesh (w2), Aponso 4-0-31-1, J Mendis 1-0-8-1 (w1), Udana ceding tri-nation one-day starting in Benoni on Thurs- Tamim Iqbal c Dananjaya b Aponso ...... 29 2-0-12-1 (w3), Gunathilaka 0.4-0-3-2 international tournament and a day before moving on to Soumya Sarkar c J Mendis b Dananjaya ...... 0 Result: Sri Lanka win by 75 runs two-Test series by 1-0 in their Durban to prepare for the first successful month-long tour. Test.

New Zealand’s Colin Munro in England win battle but brilliant action against England yesterday. . Munro ensures NZ reach the final

AFP in Wednesday’s final. SCOREBOARD New Zealand passed that tar- HAMILTON: An aggressive Colin England 16-0, Sodhi 4-0-31-1 (1nb), Munro 1-0-11-0 get at the start of the 18th over Munro belted New Zealand into the J Roy c Williamson b Boult ...... 21 New Zealand but the groundwork had been Twenty20 tri-series final against A Hales c Williamson b Southee ...... 1 M Guptill b Malan ...... 62 laid by opener Munro’s whirl- Australia despite England claim- D Malan c Chapman b de Grandhomme ...... 53 C Munro c Willey b Rashid ...... 57 wind 57 in a big-hitting innings E Morgan not out ...... 80 K Williamson b Dawson ...... 8 ing their final round-robin match J Buttler st Seifert b Sodhi ...... 2 M Chapman not out ...... 37 that included seven sixes and by two runs in Hamilton yester- S Billings b Boult ...... 6 R Taylor c Morgan b Curran ...... 7 three fours. day. D Willey c Guptill b Southee ...... 10 C de Grandhomme not out ...... 7 “Not that good,” Morgan said Munro plundered the England L Dawson c Guptill b Boult ...... 10 Extras: (B2, LB8, W2, NB2) ...... 14 when asked how he felt. attack at the top of the New Zealand C Jordan not out ...... 6 Total: (for 4 wkts) ...... 192 “Given the start they got off innings, equalling the sixth-fastest Extras: (W 4, NB 1) ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-78, 2-100, 3-164, 4-173 to, with Colin Munro and Mar- half-century of all time in crick- Total: (7 wkts) ...... 194 Did not bat: T Seifert, M Santner, T Southee, I Sodhi, T Boult tin Guptill in that sort of form, Did not bat: A Rashid, T Curran Bowling: Willey 3-0-33-0 (1w), Curran 3-0-32-1, Jordan et’s shortest form as he raced past Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-24, 3-117, 4-123, 5-165,6-176, 4-0-42-0 (1w, 2nb), Rashid 4-0-22-1, Dawson 4-0-27-1, there’s a bit of dew around, the 50 in just 18 deliveries. 7-187 Malan 2-0-27-1 ball skidding on, it was quite dif- England, on the back of an Bowling: Boult 4-0-50-3, Santner 2-0-32-0 (3w), Southee Result: England won by two runs ficult for our attack,” he added. unbeaten 80 by returning captain 4-0-22-2 (1w), de Grandhomme 4-0-32-1, Williamson 1-0- “We played our best game Eoin Morgan, posted 194 for seven today. Good enough to win after being sent into bat. made 192 for four in reply. The nar- first win in the series but Eng- the game but not good enough New Zealand, with Martin Gup- row two-run winning margin was land needed to win by 20 runs to to go through to the final. We till adding 62 and Hong Kong-born a bittersweet result for Morgan. overtake New Zealand on overall just haven’t been good enough Mark Chapman unbeaten on 37, It provided a confidence-boosting run-rate to face unbeaten Australia throughout this T20 campaign.” 28 SPORT MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 29 Russian Olympic athlete involved Despite Cup progress, Mourinho in meldonium doping case: Source

AFP A fresh doping case would be doping plot, straddling several years, in the men’s 1,500m in Pyeongchang, deeply embarrassing and could culminated when Russia hosted the served a brief ban for the same sub- PYEONGCHANG: A Russian athlete affect deliberations on whether to , where stance in 2016. insists VAR must be reliable at the Pyeongchang Winter Olym- lift Russia’s ban in time for the they topped the medals table. Richard Budgett, medical direc- pics has been implicated in a doping Pyeongchang closing ceremony. Russian athletes in Pyeongchang tor for the International Olympic AFP case involving the banned substance “Today the headquarters of our are under strict instructions to hon- Committee, said it seemed that Elis- meldonium, a source close to the delegation received an official notice our the “letter and spirit” of tratov took the drug before it was HUDDERSFIELD: Jose Mourinho believes Video situation told AFP yesterday. from the IOC regarding a possible guidelines governing their partici- banned. Assistant Referee (VAR) technology must be more It comes after a spokesman for violation of anti-doping rules,” Kon- pation, including not waving the “Because of the way it’s metab- reliable before being rolled out across English the Olympic Athletes from Russia said stantin Vybornov, spokesman for the Russian flag or wearing its colours. olised, it can stay in the system for My goal football after his Manchester United side saw a one of its competitors committed a Russian team, was quoted as saying An IOC implementation panel is many, many months, even nine goal ruled out in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup 5th round “possible violation of anti-doping by Russian media. due to consider how well the Rus- months after it had been taken,” win at Huddersfield. rules”, according to Russian media. “We are not naming the athlete sian team has observed the Budgett told journalists last week. Juan Mata’s strike was eventually disallowed If the case is confirmed, it will or the discipline until the B-sample guidelines before making a recom- He added: “We have to be real- rush is far for the most marginal of offside calls just before come before the Court of Arbitration results, which are expected within mendation on whether to lift the ban. istic -- meldonium was used in a half-time after a lengthy delay. for Sport, which is handling doping approximately 24 hours.” Meldonium was added to the widespread way throughout East- United, weren’t made to rue that decision, matters at the Olympics and has an The International Olympic Com- World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of ern Europe and Russia and was from over, though, as Romelu Lukaku struck early in both ad hoc division in Pyeongchang. mittee suspended Russia in banned substances in 2016. Russian considered to be a tonic, a type of halves to ease their passage into a quarter-final Russia are banned from the December after revelations of a tennis player Maria Sharapova, a cardiac stimulant that was not at home to Brighton. Olympics over systemic doping, but widespread and highly orchestrated former world number one, served a prohibited. says Salah “I think our game is so beautiful that to change 168 Russian athletes deemed clean doping conspiracy, which first 15-month ban after testing positive “But of course, quite rightly it we have to change for the better,” said Mourinho, are competing in Pyeongchang emerged before the Rio 2016 Sum- for meldonium early that year. was then prohibited and because it who had previously backed the use of VAR. under the neutral banner of Olym- mer Games. Russian short track speed skater was such widespread use there were REUTERS “If they find a way in the VAR that the VAR is pic Athletes from Russia. Investigations found that the Semen Elistratov, who won bronze a large number of cases.” always right and always bring the truth, I’m LONDON: Mohamed Salah (pictured happy.” above) predicts there will be no let-up in Mourinho’s men opened the scoring as early his goalscoring after netting his 30th for as the third minute, an ideal start as they looked Liverpool in a prolific season. to exorcise the memories of their Premier League The 25-year-old took 36 games in all defeat at the same ground in October. Fourcade makes French Olympic competitions to become just the 13th Liv- It was a goal as simple as it was effective as erpool player to notch up the landmark in Lukaku received a pass from Nemanja Matic and a single season and the first to do so since laid it off, quickly, to Mata. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez four years ago. The Spanish midfielder was equally percep- history in incredible photo finish “It is a great feeling to have scored 30 tive in playing through a return pass for Lukaku goals in a first season at a club like Liver- who chased it into the area, switched feet to put AFP Martin Fourcade (right) of France and pool,” he told the club’s website while his marker Christopher Schindler out of the game, Simon Schempp of Germany finish the attending Liverpool’s training camp in and curled a perfect finish into the far corner of PYEONGCHANG: Frenchman Spain. the Huddersfield goal. Martin Fourcade wrote himself into Men’s Biathlon 15 km Mass Start final “It’s something huge, so I am very Lukaku’s second goal, in the 55th minute, was the history books with a second during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter happy about it - but I have to carry on and similar but, if anything, even more impressive as biathlon gold at the Pyeongchang Olympics at Alpensia Biathlon Centre in Pyeongchang yesterday. keep looking forward to score many more the Belgian picked up the ball deep in his own Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku (right) scores their first goal against Huddersfield Town during their FA Cup Fifth Round match played at the John Smith’s Olympics yesterday, snatching goals. I feel good, and that’s the most half and set off upfield, outpacing his markers. Stadium in Huddersfield, Britain on Saturday. victory by a whisker in a dramatic important thing - and 100 percent, there After a pass to Alexis Sanchez, and a stunning photo finish. is still more to come.” return ball from the Chilean, Lukaku continued Fourcade, 29, who won the pur- He has reached the 30-goal mark to outpace the entire Town defence before con- suit title on Monday, thought he had quicker than any other Liverpool player verting his 21st goal of the season from just inside lost the 15km mass start to Germa- since George Allan 121 years ago and he the area. ny’s Simon Schempp after the two has more than two months left to add to After a week of controversy concerning Paul Lukaku double powers United into FA men battled towards the line in a this season’s total before heading off to Pogba’s future at Old Trafford, the goals were a lung-bursting sprint. the World Cup with Egypt. perfect antidote to the speculation -- or “lies” as They sprawled across the finish Few expected such a prolific strike rate Mourinho had labelled it. and Fourcade slammed his ski stick when Salah joined in a 36.9 million pounds Pogba had failed to travel for the tie, report- Cup quarters amid VAR controversy into the snow and shook his head in ($51.8 million) deal from AS Roma last ing sick on the morning of the game and leading frustration, clearly thinking he had year. United to take the highly unusual step of making REUTERS secured the visitors a quarter-final berth Romelu Lukaku has scored United, their opponents in next month’s lost. But anguish switched to delight But he is already being compared with an official announcement that he would be una- for the first time since 2005. in each of the three rounds quarter-final. when the photo finish gave him the the club’s most celebrated goalscorers and, vailable due to illness. LONDON: Romelu Lukaku extended his Defeat always seemed likely for West United have played of this At Hillsborough, both managers gold, clocking his time at 35min with 22 Premier League goals from 26 The biggest talking point of the game came a impressive FA Cup scoring record by Brom, who are bottom of the Premier bemoaned the replay after second-tier 47.3sec. games, is second only to Tottenham Hot- minute before the break when Ashley Young sped netting twice in Manchester United’s 2-0 League and sacked their chairman and year’s competition and now Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City The German picked up the sil- spur’s Harry Kane in Europe’s top five down the right and crossed for Mata. win at Huddersfield Town to earn Jose chief-executive on Tuesday. has 11 goals from his past shared a goalless draw, with Swansea’s ver a split second behind while leagues this season. HeHe skilfullyskilfully gatheredgathered thethe ballball andand roundedrounded Mourinho’s side a quarter-final tie at They then had four senior players 10 FA Cup appearances and Carlos Carvalhal suggesting everyone ’s Emil Hegle Svendsen Yet while Kane is an out-and-outut-and-out keeperkeeper Jonas Lossl beforebefore home to Brighton & Hove Albion. interviewed by Spanish police over the 21 in all competitions this would have been happy to play on to claimed the bronze 11.2sec adrift of striker, Salah is a winger, whowho hashas alsoalso tappingtapping into the opeopenn The Belgian has scored in each of the alleged theft of a taxi from outside a fast- penalties. Fourcade. created chances, particularly for Roberto goal,goal, onlyonly to see ref-ref three rounds United have played of this food restaurant in Barcelona. season. “It’s a score nobody wants. I also Fourcade won two golds at the Firmino and Sadio Mane inn what has ereeeree Kevin FriendFriend year’s competition and now has 11 goals Two of those involved in the incident, believe (that’s the case) for Sheffield 2014 Sochi Olympics and with his become one of Europe’s deadliestdliest strike seekseek clarificationclarification from his past 10 FA Cup appearances and Jonny Evans and Gareth Barry, both Wednesday - the same one more game. tally of four now holds the record forces. Wednesday’s 5-0 winn over Porto fromfrom VAR officialofficia 21 in all competitions this season. started against Southampton after issu- his debut in the 3-1 win over Coventry Maybe in the future we can think that if for the most Winter Olympic gold established Liverpool as the ChampionsChampions NeilNeil Swarbrick.Swarbrick. Lukaku’s first came after three min- ing a public apology, although Evans was City who, after knocking out Stoke City the managers and referee agree after the medals won by a Frenchman. League’s top scorers this seasonson with 28. AfterAfter a lenlengthygthy utes, and the striker scored again in the stripped of the captaincy by Albion man- in the third round, failed in their attempt first game we can go to penalties and we With such a first-leg advantage,age, thetheyy are delay,delay, durinduringg second half after United mounted a quick ager Alan Pardew. to make FA Cup history by becoming the can finish the game today,” said Carval- seemingly certain of a placeace in the which rivalriva counter-attack against a side who beat “I felt I needed to make a little bit of first fourth-tier side to beat two top-flight hal who was given a warm reception on quarter-finals. managersmanag er them at the John Smith’s Stadium in the a statement about the events,” Pardew teams in the same season. his return to the club he managed for two Although Salah was upstagedged byby three- MourinhoMourinho and Premier League last October. said. “I was far from happy over them.” There was never much chance of that and a half years. goal Mane on the night, hee said he is DavidDavid WagnerWagne Saturday’s fifth-round late kickoff Evans could do nothing to stop with Brighton’s record signing Locadia The replay is Swansea’s third in suc- Japan’s Kodaira stuns constantly working on improvingroving his chattedc h atted also featured English football’s latest Southampton taking the lead through scoring with his first shot on target after cession as they continue to juggle cup game. amiably,amiably video-assisted referee (VAR) decision Wesley Hoedt on 11 minutes, with Dusan 15 minutes and Leicester City loanee commitments with a Premier League sur- “In my mind I am alwaysys try-try- the VAR when United’s Juan Mata had a goal dis- Tadic adding the second after the Leonardo Ulloa, who is in his second spell vival battle that has become more ing to improve and I’m doingg it ruledruled thattha allowed after being ruled fractionally interval. with the Seagulls, rounding off the win difficult after impressive defender Alfie Korean champ to every single day. Every dayy I Mata’sM ata’ offside before the interval. Salomon Rondon quickly countered after Connor Goldson netted his first goal Mawson injured himself before kickoff look at myself and try too kneecapk neecap United’s midfielder Paul Pogba for West Brom but Southampton held on in almost two years. and was subsequently seen wearing a improve myself all the time,”” had strayedstrayed missed the game due to illness. to record their second win at Albion in Jonson Clarke-Harris scored Coven- knee brace. he said. justjust offsidoffsidee West Bromwich Albion’s tumultuous two weeks and earn a quarter-final at try’s consolation. Leicester City will be home to Chel- win speed skate gold WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL TABLE Liverpool next play West andand disal-disal week took a final turn for the worse as either Wigan Athletic or Manchester City, The last time Brighton were a top- sea in the remaining quarter-final. All Medals table after the ninth day of competition Ham United at Anfield on lowedlowed tthehe goagoal.l they were knocked out by Southampton, who play today. flight team they reached the FA Cup final games will be played between March 16 AFP from her homeland to take happy I got silver medal -- Jose Mourinho at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Feb. 24. whose 2-1 victory at the Hawthorns Brighton’s Jurgen Locadia scored on in 1983, when they lost to Manchester and 19. Olympic gold after Hiroyasu before the race I was really GANGNEUNG: World cham- Shimizu in the men’s 500m in nervous,” Lee said. yesterday. pion Nao Kodaira shook off the 1998. Tears after the race were of pressure of the biggest race of It was a same-oval rematch happiness, Lee stressed. Country G S B Total her life Sunday to become of last year’s 500m world “I don’t have any disap- Norway 9 9 8 26 Japan’s first female Olympic championship battle, where pointment. I don’t have any Germany 9 5 4 18 AS Roma move up as own goal mishap costs Inter derby speed-skating gold medallist by Kodaira edged Lee, and after regrets,” she said. “I think I did Netherlands 6 5 2 13 capturing the 500m title. the race, Kodaira shared a vic- really well to get the silver Canada 5 5 6 16 Coming off a silver-medal tory lap with her long-time medal.” United States 5 3 2 10 REUTERS Milan Skriniar hooked away. But his when you’re in a bad patch, it games although there is a 12-point 1,000m effort, Kodaira rival, displaying their flags Dutch coaches guide Sweden 4 3 0 7 clearance ricocheted off Andrea becomes difficult to react,” said Inter gap between themselves and sec- dethroned two-time defending together. Japan’s women and it was a trip Austria 4 2 4 10 MILAN: One of the most bizarre own Ranocchia and flew into the net, coach Luciano Spalletti. ond-placed Juventus, who visit champion Lee Sang-hwa of “Sport makes the world to the Netherlands that helped France 4 2 4 10 goals of the Serie A season set Inter leaving goalkeeper Samir “In the second half, we tried to Torino on Sunday. Leaders Napoli, South Korea to win in an Olym- one, together and simple,” produce golden results for the South Korea 3 1 2 6 Milan on their way to a 2-0 defeat at Handanovic stranded. take control of the match we couldn’t a further point ahead, host lowly pic-record 36.94 seconds with Kodaira said. 31-year-old Japanese Japan 2 5 3 10 Genoa which cost them third place Handanovic had previously had move the ball around well enough. SPAL. Lee taking silver in 37.33sec, “She was so proud of me barrier-breaker. Switzerland 2 4 1 7 on Saturday. a let-off when he misjudged Pan- As soon as something goes against Chievo ended a 10-match win- just 0.01sec ahead of third- and I was so proud of her, espe- “The reason I went to Hol- Italy 2 1 3 6 Veteran Macedonia striker Goran dev’s cross and the ball bounced over us, we lose our cool.” less run by beating Cagliari 2-1 to place Karolina Erbanova of the cially after she did the 1,000,” land was not only to learn Czech Republic 1 2 3 6 Pandev scored the second against him, hit the crossbar and fell back Roma, who travel to Ukraine to move away from the drop zone. Czech Republic. Lee said. technique but also the skating Slovakia 1 2 0 3 his old club as Inter slipped below into his arms. face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Former Juventus and Sunder- “I was under big pressure. Kodaira broke Lee’s old culture,” she said. “That was Belarus 1 1 0 2 AS Roma, who earlier won 2-0 at Inter, who led the table in early Champions League on Wednesday, land forward Emanuele I fought well,” Kodaira said. Olympic mark by 0.34sec and more important to me.” Great Britain 1 0 3 4 Udinese after Cengiz Under scored December, fell further behind just scored twice in the last 20 minutes Giaccherini, on loan from Napoli, “I was racing for the whole posted the time to beat just Kodaira became only the Poland 1 0 0 1 his fourth goal in three games. before the hour as Diego Laxalt’s shot at Udinese to clock up their third curled in a free kick for the Flying Japanese delegation. I knew I before Lee raced in the penul- third reigning world champion Ukraine 1 0 0 1 Inter ended an eight-match win- from the edge of the penalty area successive win. Donkeys in the 74th minute and had the attention of all the Jap- timate pair. to claim 500m women’s Olym- China 0 5 1 6 less run in the league by beating was intercepted by Pandev, who Under set them on the way, the Roberto Inglese finished off a coun- anese people. All I could do is Lee was on pace to take the pic gold after Lee in 2014 and Olympic Athletes (Russia) 0 3 8 11 Bologna 2-1 at San Siro last Sunday controlled it superbly with one touch Turk scoring with a 20-metre shot ter-attack for the second two skate the way I was supposed lead after the first 100 but faded Canadian Catriona Le May Australia 0 2 1 3 but if they thought it signalled a and placed his shot past Handanovic. which swerved away from Albano minutes later. to skate. I’m glad I did what I and when the last duo could not Doan in 2002. The only prior Slovenia 0 1 0 1 change in fortune, they were “It wasn’t an especially bad per- Bizarri, and Diego Perotti sealed Leonardo Pavoletti reduced the practiced and prepared.” crack the podium, the gold Japanese woman to medal at Finland 0 0 3 3 mistaken. formance, we did what we had to the win after capitalising on a mis- arrears for the Sardinians. Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia (not pictured) scores an own goal against their Italian Serie A match against Genoa Kodaira, who has won her belonged to Kodaira. 500m in Winter Olympic his- Spain 0 0 2 2 On the stroke of halftime, Ervin but then we conceded the own goal take in the last minute. Both teams have 25 points, at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Saturday. past 15 World Cup 500m starts, “Doesn’t matter. I still have tory was 1998 bronze Kazakhstan 0 0 1 1 Zukanovic swung in a cross, which and that created problems because Roma have 50 points from 25 eight clear of the relegation zone. is only the second speed skater two gold medals. I was really medallist Tomomi Okazaki. 30 SPORT MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018

NBA: Rookie Svitolina looks to join Venus, Mitchell showcases dunking Henin with trophy repeat excellence

AFP despite the offer of wildcard. “It brings me confidence, her campaign against either a third, with the Czech beginning AFP Twelve months ago, Svitoli- first of all, because I had a great qualifier or big-hitting Kiki with a match against a qualifier DUBAI: World number three na’s title win in Dubai allowed year in 2017.” Bertens of the Netherlands. or Spain’s durable Carla Suarez LOS ANGELES: High-flying will join Grand her to break into the top 10 for After winning in Dubai 12 Wimbledon champion Gar- Navarro. rookie Donovan Mitchell Slam winning stars Venus the first time. months ago, Svitolina went onto bine Muguruza, who played in Seeded fourth is Roland Gar- launched an aerial assault on Williams and Justine Henin as However, she returns to the clinch three more titles in 2017. the Doha final yesterday, takes ros champion Jelena Ostapenko, the basket and Devin Booker the only back-to-back champion UAE having lost in the second She began 2018 by lifting the the second seeding, with the ahead of Frenchwoman Caro- showed off his silky smooth in Dubai if she defends her title round to Petra Kvitova in neigh- Brisbane trophy before reach- Spaniard playing the event for a line Garcia and number six shooting skills at the 2018 in the desert this week. bouring Doha this week. ing the Australian Open fourth consecutive year. Angelique Kerber of Germany. NBA All-Star Game skills The 23-year-old Ukrainian “The ranking is just a number quarter-finals. Muguruza begins in the sec- Kerber helped Germany into competition on Saturday. takes the top seeding at the tour- that confirms that you are doing “I have bigger goals, trying ond round against either the Hopman Cup final against Mitchell had two perfect nament which will be missing something well for the last year, to work on everything and just Catherine Bellis of the United Switzerland in January before 50 scores over four dunks to top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki for the last one-and-a-half move forward, just one step at a States or Belgium’s , reaching the Australian Open edge runner-up Larry Nance and Simona Halep as well as Vic- years,” said Svitolina who beat time.” an Australian Open semis. Jr. and win the Slam Dunk toria Azarenka and Maria Wozniacki in last year’s Dubai Svitolina has a bye in the first semi-finalist. In Doha, she fell in the quar- contest which capped the two Sharapova who opted not to play final. round in Dubai before starting Karolina Pliskova is seeded ter-finals to Wozniacki. day festivities leading up to the 67th All-Star classic on Sunday. “Believe it or not I have Switzerland’s Roger Federer been preparing for this since Anderson edges past celebrates after winning against I was a kid,” Mitchell said. Italy’s Andreas Seppi during their “Growing up I was a big dun- semi-final of the ABN AMRO World Nishikori in NY, to ker. I wasn’t really much of a Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam basketball player. meet Querrey in final on Saturday. “I just dunked and played defence and I watched a lot of Vince’s (Carter) videos.” REUTERS Mitchell needed at least a 47 point on his final dunk in NEW YORK: Kevin Anderson gatecrashed Kei Nishikori’s come- the championship round to back party by blasting 23 aces on his way to a tight 6-1 3-6 7-6(4) defeat Nance Jr. of the Cleve- semi-final victory at the New York Open on Saturday. land Cavaliers and he did it The top seeded South African advanced to meet second seed by earning a 48. Sam Querrey in the final after the big-serving American edged Mitchell is leading his Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-7(5) 7-5 6-3 in the other Utah Jazz team in scoring and semi-final. is one of the frontrunners to Japan’s Nishikori, in his first tour-level event since incurring win the Rookie of the Year a torn tendon in his right wrist last August, swept through his first award this season. He leads three matches dropping only one set, but found Anderson was all rookies by averaging 19.6 made of sterner stuff than his previous opponents. points per game. Anderson, using his height to great effect on serve, raced Saturday’s events through the first set in 22 minutes but Nishikori, cheered on by an included some of the more enthusiastic contingent of Japanese fans in the modest crowd, Olympics fan Federer talented players in the league fought back in the second. competing for three separate Neither player could gain an advantage in a tight third set that titles, comprising the Skills saw only one break point forged between them, before Anderson feels on top of the world Challenge, Three-Point Con- prevailed in the tiebreak when Nishikori netted a backhand. test and the Slam Dunk It was, nevertheless, a promising week for Nishikori at the Contest Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. He missed two consecutive Grand AFP Dimitrov was leading 6-3, added. “I hope to play one more It is part of the build up to Slams -- last year’s US Open and last month’s Australian Open -- 0-1 at the time. Federer said that good match and that’s it for the Team LeBron and Team before returning to competition in a Challenger level event on Jan. ROTTERDAM: Roger Federer despite not getting much sleep week.” Curry taking the floor Sunday 23. Querrey, meanwhile, was ecstatic after his first career victory celebrated becoming the oldest due to the excitement of his lat- Federer also dropped a big at Staples Center arena which over left-hander Mannarino in four meetings. man to reach the world number est achievement -- and draining hint that he still might play the is hosting the All-Star Game “It feels like I beat Rafa (Nadal) out there,” he said. “That (Man- one ranking by making the more energy by watching the Dubai tournament, which begins for the third time. narino) guy’s always been so tricky. I know it’s my first time beating Rotterdam Open final on Satur- Pyeongchang Winter Olympics a week from today. Mitchell joined the dunk him and it feels good. I’m so happy to get through that and be in day with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) victory in the pre-dawn hours -- he The seven-time winner of field after 2016 Slam Dunk the final.” over Italy’s Andreas Seppi expects to be fighting fit for his the Gulf tournament said that runner-up Aaron Gordon was despite losing sleep watching final showdown which could he will take a decision later in forced to withdraw from the early-morning coverage of the result in a 97th career trophy. the week one way or the other. contest due to injury. Winter Olympics. “I felt OK today, maybe a bit “It’s still open,” he told Mitchell has scored at The 36-year-old Federer heavy on court but I was aggres- reporters. least 40 points in a game racked up his 14th win from 15 sive,” the 20-time Grand Slam Despite enjoying a 6-0 twice, becoming the first Jazz matches with 33-year-old Seppi, title winner said. “I started find- career stranglehold over Dim- player with multiple 40-point the world number 81 who had ing energy midway through the itrov, with their last meeting in games in his rookie season. enjoyed a memorable week in first set, but the start was tough.” the 2017 Wimbledon fourth His first perfect dunk score the Dutch port city by reaching The two-time Rotterdam round, the top seed will not take came in the semi-finals when the semi-finals as a ‘lucky loser’. champion, who guaranteed a anything for granted. he jumped over three people Top-seeded Federer set up return to the world top spot by “I know him very well, he including his sister, Jordan. a clash against Grigor Dimitrov seeing off Robin Haase in the had an incredible year last sea- in the final (latest match report quarter-finals on Friday, added son, winning London (the World on page 25). that he will be ready to go for Tour Finals) and Cincinnati. He’s NBA players, Dimitrov, the second seed, his first afternoon match of the beaten some good players and advanced to the semi-finals week after playing the night started this year solid. refs address when Belgian opponent David showcase slots. “This has to be a week Pierre-Hugues Herbert and of France hold their Goffin was forced to retire after “I’m good, it’s not been a where he wants to win this tour- key issues trophies after winning the Men’s doubles final in Rotterdam injuring his eye when the ball tough week physically, maybe nament. I’ll try my best and hope yesterday. flew off his own racquet. a bit harder emotionally,” he it’s enough,” said Federer. AFP

NEW YORK: The National Basketball Players Associa- Seeing double: Djokovic cheers tion (NBPA) and National Basketball Referees Associa- lookalike Games medal winner tion (NBRA) took advantage of this weekend’s All-Star AFP See you at RG (Roland Garros)! And congrat- festivities to get together for ulations on your Olympic medal(s)!” a private meeting in Los PYEONGCHANG: Tennis ace Novak Djok- Vaultier said the likeness between him- Angeles and agree on four ovic has invited French lookalike Winter self and the tall, dark Djokovic had been ways to improve relations. Olympic champion Pierre Vaultier for a get- raised in the past and added: “When I am The two unions released together after the snowboard gold medallist watching him play, his expressions and his a joint statement announcing noted the resemblance between the two men. intonation, I feel like I am watching myself the results of the meeting, Vaultier told French TV he was a fan of in action.” which included three players, Djokovic and had always wanted to meet the The 30-year-old Vaultier won the Olym- three referees and officials Serbian former world number one. Djoko- pic snowboard cross gold in Pyeongchang from both unions, according vic responded swiftly on Twitter with an on Thursday, retaining the title he won in to a report from ESPN. invitation to the at Roland Sochi four years earlier. The French Open The actions agreed to are Garros. tennis championships will take place at the following: Enhanced edu- “@pierre_vaultier let’s make it happen. Roland Garros from May 27 to June 10. cation and clarification around the “Respect for the Game” rules, the opening of Mirnyi and Oswald to compete for title an additional channel of com- munication for future NEW YORK: Second seeds Max Mirnyi and Philipp Oswald ousted home favourites Ryan conflicts, plans for future Harrison and Steve Johnson 4-6, 6-4, 10/7 at the New York Open on Saturday to advance to meetings and discussions and their second final of the year (l. in Auckland). a broad review of existing But more notably, it secured Mirnyi his 100th combined tour-level final appearance. The rules and regulations and Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene celebrates after defeating Argentina’s Federico Belarusian made four singles finals in his career (1-3) and will compete in his 96th doubles developing joint recommen- Delbonis (not in picture) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 during the ATP Argentina Open semi- championship match (50-45) on Sunday. If the 40-year-old and his partner raise the tro- dations to enhance them. phy in New York, Mirnyi will have won a tour-level doubles title in 18 of the past 20 seasons. finals in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Saturday. Bedene, unseeded in Argentina, Growing tensions The former No. 1 in the ATP Doubles Rankings has made at least one final in every season is set to meet Austria’s in the final. Thiem on Saturday beat between players and referees since 1997. Mirnyi and Oswald will play the winner between Wesley Koolhof/Artem Sitak Qatar ExxonMobil Open winner Gael Monfils of France in the other semi-final. has been an oft-discussed and Radu Albot/Nikoloz Basilashvili. Thiem, the top seed, won 6-2, 6-1. topic in the NBA this season. MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31

Al Attiyah cruises to victory in Russia

THE PENINSULA and fourth in the second stage to Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah hold sixth overall, but Domzala KARELIA, RUSSIA: Nasser Saleh in action at the Baja Russia dropped 13 minutes in the opener Al Attiyah began the defence of Northern Forest Rally yesterday. and then lost a further 24 min- his FIA World Cup title in utes in SS3 after rolling his convincing style with a start-to- Toyota twice. He slipped to 16th finish maiden victory in Baja overall. Russia Northern Forest Rally, the The Pole said: “Yes, we opening round of the 2018 FIA rolled over twice. You can say, it World Cup for Cross-Country was a pretty bad day. The first Rallies. time I was a bit quicker in the The Qatari and French nav- turn that it was necessary. There igator Matthieu Baumel won four was a snow bank and we over- of the five stages in their Over- turned and blocked the road. drive Racing Toyota Hilux, Thanks to Yasir Saiedan for help- running under the Tamim Al- ing us and Martin Prokop the Majid Team banner, to reach the second time.” Teams tackled a finish well ahead of former WRC further two selective sections on star Martin Prokop. Sunday before the ceremonial Overdrive Racing entered finish in the village of Vyartsilya. three Toyotas in the only snow Al-Attiyah carded a time of 1hr and ice round of the series, held 19min 50sec through the first over the demanding snow-cov- stage to beat Prokop by 1min ered forest trails of the Republic 18sec and extend his comforta- of Karelia in north-western Rus- ble lead in the overall sia. Saudi Arabian team debutant classification. Saeidan and Dom- Yasir Saiedan delivered a stun- zala were fifth and seventh. ning performance to reach the There were no late dramas finish in fifth place with Russian for the Qatari in the shorter final navigator Alexei Kuzmich. good rally for me. We were here and set the target time of 12min lead. Saeidan carded an impres- sections on Saturday morning by selective section and another Poland’s Aron Domzala and for the first time and managed 12sec in their 2017-specification sive time of 13min 31sec on his beating Tapio Lauronen by 48 fastest time - 15 seconds quicker Maciej Marton endured a fraught to win. I have a lot of fans in Rus- Toyota Hilux. Rival Jakub Przy- debut with the Toyota and set- seconds and the Qatari was four than Prokop - earned the two- weekend in the third Toyota. Last sia. It was a nice start to the gonski dropped 1min 25sec to the tled into sixth overall, beating minutes quicker than Russian time Dakar winner his first year’s winner rolled his car on season and, of course, thanks to Qatari, but Al-Attiyah’s Over- Przygonski and the experienced driver Vladimir Vasilyev through victory in Russia. Saeidan was both of Saturday’s timed stages Toyota. It’s the best team!” Al- drive Racing team-mate and last Russian Boris Gadasin in the the second one to extend his lead sixth quickest but Domzala and retired before the second of Attiyah and Baumel kick-started year’s Russian winner Domzala process. at the second overnight halt to retired before the stage start to the stages on the final day. the action through a 17km super pipped the champion by four Al-Attiyah extended his lead 4min 20sec over Martin Prokop. cap a disappointing weekend for Al-Attiyah said: “It was a special stage on Friday afternoon seconds to snatch the overnight through the first of the selective Saiedan was sixth in the opener the Pole. Qatar’s Abdulla gains vital points in T2 category

THE PENINSULA minds over the remaining two (QMMF) and the Qatar Government, selective sections. Adel carded a time of 1hr 46min KARELIA, RUSSIA: Qatar’s Adel They had been running ahead of 25sec through the tricky fourth selec- Abdulla recovered well from his stage Portuguese driver Bruno Oliveira at tive and that enabled him to beat delay yesterday to confirm third posi- the end of day one, but race officials Oliveira by 4min 04sec, as Titov tion in the T2 category at the finish of handed their rival vital time back that extended his outright lead with the Podium winners at the Fourth Round of Qatar Baja Russia Northern Forest Rally on he had lost on a blocked stage on Sat- fastest time. Touring Car Championship receiving their prizes Sunday afternoon. urday and there were not enough Adel repeated the feat in the The 2016 FIA T2 champion had competitive kilometres over the last shorter final stage to earn the second from an official at Losail International Circuit on been fighting with Russian driver two stages for Adel to catch his rival fastest time in T2 behind Titov and Saturday. Alexey Titov until he hit a snow and regain second place. confirm a useful haul of T2 champi- bank on Saturday, but he and fel- Running a Toyota Land Cruiser onship points. low Qatari Nasser Al Kuwari put VDJ 200 with support from the Qatar “We actually finished third in the Perfect Hamad Al Asam that firmly to the back of their Motor and Motorcycle Federation race,” said Adel Abdulla. notches double at QTCC Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (right) and THE PENINSULA made it. I did the best pole position this Nasser Al year, the car was fantastic. I had a lot of Kuwari DOHA Qatar’s Hamad Al Asam got a pressure in race one, fighting in the four celebrate perfect weekend during the fourth round first laps with Adham and later on with after the of Qatar Touring Car Championship at Abdullah. In race two, I knew that my car race. Losail International Circuit. would perform better and I enjoyed a lot, On Friday, Al Asam got the pole posi- I had fun with Abdullah and at the last lap ton with a lap time of 2:24.011 and on I kept the position. Hopefully I can get the Saturday he won both races in front of second position in the final the leader of the championship, Abdul- championship”Al Asam said. lah Al Khelaifi. Al Khelaifi plan was to secure the Al Khelaifi,, finished second in both championship this weekend. races and he already secured the QTCC “I was planning to maintain at least championship with only one round to go. third position to secure the champion- The third position in both races went ship and then push harder if I can. In first to a newcomer, Ahmed Al Kuwari. race I started to put pressure on Adham Al Asam was extremely happy with at the beginning, he had some mistakes his result during the weekend. so I planned to overtake him but unfor- “First of all congratulations to Abdul- tunately, he had a mechanical problem lah as the champion of the season. I did and had to abandon. From then, I was a hat-trick so this is perfect. It took a lot alone with Hamad, fighting till the end, time to be on the podium but finally we it was really hard,”said Al Khelaifi. MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018 32

I think our game is so beautiful SPORT that to change we have to TODAY Al Wahda (UAE) v Al Duhail (QAT) change for the better. If they find FOOTBALL Venue: Zayed Sports City Stadium a way in the VAR that the VAR is José Mourinho AFC CHAMPIONS Kick-off: 6.50pm always right and always bring the Manchester United LEAGUE Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) truth, I’m happy. manager Venue: Thani Bin Jassim Stadium Kick-off:6.00pm

Keen contest on the cards in Double Trap

THE PENINSULA from 38 countries are com- bronze medalist Nasser Saleh peting for the podium finishes Al Attiyah will see action in DOHA: The final of the Double at the Qatar event organized by Skeet. Many other promising Trap of the Qatar Open Shotgun Qatar Shooting and Archery Qatari players, who have been Championship will be held Association. undergoing training on a reg- today with shooters from Qatar, The championship is held ular basis under the coaches of Russia, Italy, Kuwait, Australia, in the Men’s, Men’s Juniors, QSAA will also be seeking to hit Britain and India vying for top Women and Women’s Junior the bulls eye at the honours at the Losail Shooting section. championship. Range. The Trap finals took place The tournament serves as Sixteen Olympic medallists on Saturday while the last event an ideal preparation for some and several World Champions will be Skeet. of the top ranked players for the are among the 250 shooters Local hero and Olympic new season. Al Duhail face Al Wahda away test; Al Gharafa take on Tractor Sazi

THE PENINSULA was a 5-1 win over Al Rayyan in open up a six-point gap between a one-year hiatus ended in April last year. Al Duhail were themselves and Al Wahda and disappointment. DOHA: QNB Stars League clubs 1-0 down at the interval at home would put them in a strong posi- However, Tractorsazi have Al Gharafa, Al Duhail, Al Sadd to Zobahan on Matchday One tion going into the double not been beaten in Qatar on two and Al Rayyan will be looking but finished the game in style as header with Lokomotiv in previous trips and, should they for positive results in the second a quick-fire brace from Karim March. leave Doha with their record round of AFC Champions Boudiaf and a goal from Youssef On the other hand, Al unscathed, will be firmly back League, to be played today and Msakni wrapped up a 3-1 win. Rayyan after suffering a 3-2 in the hunt for the two qualifi- tomorrow. Al Duhail would be keen to reversal to Al Jazira in their cation spots. Meanwhile, Al Sadd Al Gharafa will host Iranian extend their winning streak at opening Group A fixture, will be will be hungry for victory when team Tractor Sazi in Group D the continental level too when looking to get points on the they host Persepolis. The Wolves (18:00) in Doha, while Al Duhail they take on Al Wahda. The Red board when they welcome the had beaten Al Wasl 2-1 in Dubai play with the UAE’s Al Wahda in had defeated Iran’s Zob Islamic Republic of Iran’s Trac- last week. And one more victory Abu Dhabi the same day in Ahan 3-1 in Doha. torsazi Tabriz at Thani Bin will greatly boost their hopes of Group B (17:50). However, Al Duhail’s task Jassim Stadium today. advancing to the next stage of Al Wahda will be looking for would be difficult given that Al New acquisitions Mehdi the competition. a positive response following Wahda had lost to Uzbekistan’s Taremi and Wesley Sneijder Iranian league champions their 5-0 defeat to Lokomotiv Lokomotiv Tashkent 0-5 in the both got their names on the Persepolis had also won, 3-0 last week ahead of the visit of first round. scoresheet on Matchday One, against Nasaf. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: FIXTURES Qatar’s Al Duhail to Zayed Sports Al Duhail, trained by Alge- but their goals were not enough Al Sadd are in great form, City Stadium. rian Djamel Belmadi, are in good as Al Jazira claimed all three defeating Al Arabi 5-1 in the TODAY TOMORROW Al Wahda (UAE) v Al Duhail (QAT) Al Sadd (QAT) v Persepolis (IRN) The loss was the heaviest form, as was evident from their points in an entertaining Qatar Derby last week and are Venue: Zayed Sports City Stadium Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium reversal Al Wahda have ever 5-0 victory over Umm Salal in encounter. second in the QNB Stars League Kick-off: 6.50pm Kick-off:6.30pm suffered in the continental com- Week 17 of the QNB Stars Tractorsazi also got off to a table with 43 points, just two petition, although the Emirati League. Al Duhail are second in losing start when 2017 quarter- behind Al Duhail. Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Tractorsazi Tabriz Al Rayyan (QAT) vs Al Ain team have never been beaten Group B with three points. finalists Al Ahli defeated them Al Sadd, under Portuguese

(IRN) (UAE) by Qatari opposition, while their A second victory on the 1-0 in Oman as the Tabriz side’s Jesualdo Ferreira, are second in

Venue: Thani Bin Jassim Stadium Venue: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium last victory in the tournament bounce for the Qatari side would return to continental action after Group C with three points. Kick-off:6.00pm Kick-off: 7.30pm

Swim for a Cause: Zielinshi, Hussaini win top honours

THE PENINSULA Hisham took the top honours. In the boys 250m, Alfonso Santiago bagged DOHA: Agatha Zielinshi and Noreen Hussaini the winner’s spot followed by Alexander walked away with the top honours in the Winmpole. women’s section of the ‘Swim for a Cause’ open In the men’s 500m, Danushka Hasanka water swimming challenge held at Sharq Village bagged the top honours while, Hatem Alsafty and Spa Beach. took the second spot followed by Rayan Zielinshi topped in the 500m while Hus- Matinaz. saini finished the 1000m in the first place. The men’s 1000m, turned out to be a keen Both the races witnessed keen rivalry contest between Nataniel Benares, Rafael Alves between the two swimmers. Zielinshi pushed Patricio Da Costa and Mazen Atallah. Benares Hussaini to the second spot in the 500m while clocked the quickest time to cross the finish in the much longer race Hussaini proved her first followed by Da Costa and Atallah. masterclass to win the event with Zielinshi The event held in collaboration with Qatar having to settle for the runner-up spot. Charity, while H2O swim club, MAD Triathlon In the 500m, Noraini Aliasha bagged the and Tri Club Doha at the Sharq Village & Spa third place while Yulia Kononova came third beach, aims to raise awareness of providing in 1000m. safe and clean drinking water for the needy in In the 250m race for girls, Qistna Mohamed developing countries.