THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2019 SPORT 07 I lost the momentum, I lost the rhythm in the second set. I gave Novak Djokovic him a little room to step in and on his shock loss to CRICKET CRICKET he did. A little hope that he can Roberto Bautista IPL: Royal Challengers International Twenty20: come back, and he made a great Agut at Miami Open. Bangalore vs Mumbai England women vs ACTION Sri Lanka women comeback. Indians TODAY’S Vettel seeks Ferrari boost in Bahrain

REUTERS Bottas, having driven what he described do even better on Sunday. McLaren, which STATISTICS FOR THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX MANAMA as the race of his life in Australia to finish counts Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Holding more than 20 seconds ahead of team mate Company among its major shareholders, will Lap distance: 5.412 km. Total distance: 308.238 km (57 laps) Sebastian Vettel (pictured) will be aiming Lewis Hamilton in second place, will be keen be looking for their first points after Lando 2018 pole: Sebastian Vettel () Ferrari for his third successive Bahrain Grand Prix to serve up a thriller under the floodlights. Norris finished 12th and Carlos Sainz retired 2018 winner: Vettel; Race lap record: One minute 31.447 seconds, Pedro de la win on Sunday as Ferrari seek to show their Having come within a second of in Australia. Rosa (Spain), McLaren 2005; Start time: 1610 GMT (1810 local). lack of pace in Formula One’s Australian snatching victory from Vettel last year, Bottas Bahrain will also mark the start of the BAHRAIN season opener was a one-off. has some unfinished business on Sunday Formula Two Championship with Mick Schu- Vettel has won four times in Bahrain including the last two, Hamilton twice. No Tipped as pre-season favourites, the while HamiltHamilton,on, who has taken two of MerMer- macher,macher, son of seven-timesseven times Formula One driverdri has won three times in a row at Sakhir. Ferrari have won six times at German and new team-mate Charles Leclerc cedes’ threethree winswins in championchampion Michael and SaSakhir, Mercedes three. finished fourth and fifth in Melbourne, nearly Bahrain,n, nnephewephew of Ralf, makimakingng ThThis year’s race is the 15th edition. The Grand Prix, first held in 2004, was not a minute behind the dominant race-winning will bee his debut in the support run in 2011 due to civil unrest. It switched to a floodlit event in 2014. Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. keen too category.category. VeVettel has been on pole a record three times in Bahrain, Hamilton twice. Albert Park can be seen as something of reassertrt ThThe driver on pole in Bahrain has been the winner in six of the 14 races to date. an outlier but Ferrari hope the more tradi- hiss ItIt hash never been won by anyone starting below the front two rows. tional layout of Bahrain’s 5.4-km Sakhir ElevenEle out of 14 winners have been from the team that ended up winning the desert track will allow them to unlock the supremacy.macy. coconstructors’ title that season. The exceptions were Fernando Alonso for Fer- full potential of the SF90 car. Mercedesrcedes team boss The most successful team in Bahrain, Toto Wolffolff said nothing rarrari in 2010 and Vettel in 2017 and 2018. with six wins overall, can draw encour- was wonon or lost at RARACE WINS agement from last year when Mercedes were Albert Park.Park. HaHamilton has 73 victories from 230 races and is closing the gap to Schumach- faster in Australia only for Ferrari to turn the “Whateverhatever thethe er’ser’ record 91. He has also won 51 of the 101 races in the V6 turbo hybrid era tables with a front-row lockout and victory Melbourneurne resultresult thathat started in 2014. for Vettel. says, ourur mindset VeVettel, third on the all-time list, has 52. That also started a streak of three straight hasn’t changedchanged FFerrarie have won 235 races since 1950, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes pole positions for the German. since then,”then,” he 88 and Red Bull 59. Former champions McLaren and Williams have not won “In Bahrain, we expect to see the effect said. sinsince 2012. of the corrections we have made...,” said prin- “We’vee’ve seen POPOLE POSITION cipal Mattia Binotto, who replaced Maurizio the potentialtential of HaHamilton has a record 84 career poles, Vettel 55. Arrivabene at the helm before the start of Ferrari’s’s package POPODIUM the season. “We are well aware that our com- in BBarcelonaarcelona HaHamilton has 135 career podiums and would need to finish in the top three in petitors will once again be very strong. With (testing),g), so we evevery race this year to equal Schumacher’s record of 155. Vettel has 111. that in mind, we are keen to get back on track expect tthemhem to comecome ReRed Bull’s Max Verstappen has stood on the podium for six consecutive races, and face up to them.” back strongrong in Bahrain, with Reded BullBull in tthehe mix as the longest current streak of any driver. Tipped as pre-season favourites, well.” MMaxax VerstaVerstappenppen finished third MIMILESTONES the German and new team-mate for Red Bull in Australia, the Milton Keynes-Keynes- BaBahrain is the 999th race since the start of the Formula One world champion- Charles Leclerc finished fourth and based team’steam’s first race with new engine shship in 1950. The 1,000th Grand Prix will be in Shanghai next month. fifth in Melbourne, nearly a minute partnersrs Honda.Honda. UUnder a rule change for 2019, Valtteri Bottas won an extra point in Australia behind the dominant race-winning Frenchmannchman Pierre Gasly, now driving for setting the fastest race lap -- becoming the first driver to do since the

Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. alongsideide Verstappen, finished fourth 1950s. Verstappen’s third place in Melbourne was the first for a Honda- for Honda-powerednda-powered Toro Rosso in powered car since 2008. Bahrainn last yeayearr anandd wiwillll bbee hohopingping to Oilers get two hat-tricks in Clippers top Timberwolves rout of Kings to clinch play-off berth

REUTERS AP EDMONTON, ALBERTA MINNEAPOLIS

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted a Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points first-period hat-trick, and Leon and the Los Angeles Clippers Draisaitl collected three goals in clinched a play-off spot on a four-point night as the host Tuesday night with a 122-111 win Edmonton Oilers scored five over the Minnesota Timber- times in the opening frame en wolves. route to an 8-4 victory over the Coach Doc Rivers’ club is Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. back in the postseason after Mikko Koskinen made 34 falling short last year. Los saves for Edmonton, which is Angeles finished 42-40 last five points behind the Colorado season, missing the play-offs Avalanche for the second wild- after making it six straight years card spot in the Western Con- - four under Rivers. ference with six games The Clippers (45-30) became remaining. The Arizona Coyotes the fifth Western Conference have the same point total as the Edmodmomomontonnntoton OilOiOi ereersrss forwrwwarda d LeonLeLeoLeon DDraisaitl celebebebratatatet s his firsst team to secure a postseason Avalanche but have played one periperpee odo gooal agaagaiagaga nstt theththehe LosLooss AngeAngngelesl Kings at RRoggers Placacce berth. more game than Colorado. onnT Tuueuesdaay. Lou Williams added 20 Coyotes 1, Blackhawks 0 points off the bench for the Nick Cousins scored the Clippers, who outscored Minne- Los Angeles Clippers game’s lone goal 5:40 into the one. Ryan Dzingel scored in the Steel, 21, now has four goals sota’s reserves 53-25. forward Danilo third period, and Darcy Kuemper first period for the Blue Jackets, in 18 career NHL games. Another Bucks 108, Rockets 94 stopped 31 shots for his fourth who received third-period goals Ducks rookie, Kiefer Sherwood, Eric Bledsoe scored 23 Gallinari (right) shoots shutout of the season as Arizona from Artemi Panarin, Oliver also had a good night, posting points, including 16 in the over Minnesota blanked visiting Chicago. Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson the winning goal and adding an decisive third quarter as Mil- Timberwolves forward The Coyotes snapped a five- to blow open a close game. assist. waukee topped Houston. Karl-Anthony Towns game winless streak (0-3-2). Columbus will have a chance to Despite getting the win, Giannis Antetokounmpo had in the second quarter Corey Crawford stopped 28 move into the final Eastern Con- Anaheim was eliminated from 19 points and 14 rebounds for the of their NBA game on of 29 shots for the Blackhawks, ference wild-card spot when it play-off contention when Bucks, who improved to an NBA- Tuesday. who trail Colorado and Arizona plays host to the Montreal Arizona beat Chicago. best 56-19. by five points. Canadiens. Senators 4, Sabres 0 James Harden scored 23 and Capitals 4, Hurricanes 1 Canadiens 6, Panthers 1 Craig Anderson made 35 Chris Paul 19 for the Rockets, Alex Ovechkin scored the Tomas Tatar had a three- saves for his second shutout of who lost for just the third time extended its longest winning streak and are 11-2 without their tiebreaking goal early in the third point night as Montreal routed the season as Ottawa handed in 17 games. streak in eight years to six games leading scorer. Al Horford had period, and Washington went on visiting Florida. reeling Buffalo a 13th straight Magic 104, Heat 99 by downing Miami. 19 points, including eight in the to defeat visiting Carolina in the The win moves the Cana- road loss. Nikola Vucevic had 24 points DJ Augustin scored 17 points fourth quarter and the go-ahead first end of a home-and-home. diens one point behind the Brian Gibbons had a goal and 16 rebounds, Jonathan Issac and Aaron Gordon finished with layup early in the period. First-place Washington Carolina Hurricanes for the top with an assist, and Thomas added 19 points and Orlando 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets 125, Spurs 116 expanded its lead in the Metro- wild-card slot in the Eastern Chabot recorded two assists for Magic (37-38), who won the Kemba Walker scored 11 of politan Division to three points. Conference. Montreal retains its the Senators, who have won four NBA RESULTS season series 3-1 and moved past his 38 points in overtime and The New York Islanders two-point lead over the Blue of six and matched a season high LA Lakers 124, Washington 106 the Heat (36-38) into eighth Charlotte outlasted San Antonio remain on 95 points after losing Jackets. with their third consecutive Dallas 121, Sacramento 125 place in the Eastern Conference to stretch its longest winning to the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 The loss officially eliminated home victory. play-off race. streak of the season to four Miami 99, Orlando 104 on Tuesday, and the Pittsburgh the Panthers from play-off con- Buffalo, meanwhile, con- Celtics 116, Cavaliers 106 games. Toronto 112, Chicago 103 Penguins, who were idle, also tention. Florida has allowed 20 tinues to limp toward the finish Jayson Tatum and Marcus Walker took over in the extra have 95 points. goals in its past three games, all line, a loser in four straight Charlotte 125, San Antonio 116 (OT) Smart each scored 21 points, and period, scoring Charlotte’s first Blue Jackets 4, Islanders 0 defeats. overall and amid a 3-15-2 Cleveland 106, Boston 116 Boston broke away from a seven points and going 4 of 4 Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 Ducks 5, Canucks 4 stretch. Denver 95, Detroit 92 fourth-quarter tie to defeat from the field, including a pair saves in his second consecutive Rookie Sam Steel scored The Sabres, blanked four Milwaukee 108, Houston 94 Cleveland. of clutch 3-pointers. He barely

shutout for host Columbus, three goals, including one on a times in the past nine games, are Minnesota 111, LA Clippers 122 Kyrie Irving (rest) didn’t play missed his third career triple- which made its lone victory this penalty shot, as visiting Anaheim 0-11-2 on the road since winning New Orleans 120, Atlanta 130 for Boston, but the Celtics double, finishing with 11 assists season over New York a timely held off Vancouver. at Columbus on January 29. snapped a four-game losing and nine rebounds. 08 SPORT THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2019 Australia to confront past as ball-tampering bans expire

REUTERS to hide his team’s shame, has Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. Warner said in a curated video blighted the South Africa test taking over from long-serving MELBOURNE been named captain of English Smith also returned to the published by Cricket Australia. series have disappeared, with CEO James Sutherland in county side Durham, three IPL spotlight in defeat for the “It’s like we didn’t really Paine-led Australia hosting test October, while trying to shift Steve Smith and David Warner months after fingering Warner Rajasthan Royals, joining leave, the boys were very series against India and Sri Australia’s focus forward rather may wake with some relief as the ball-tampering mas- Warner on a mission to reclaim accepting of us coming in and Lanka in good spirit over the than backward. today as they greet the final day termind in a TV interview in a spot in the one-day interna- with open arms.” home summer. “It was a year on Sunday of their ball-tampering bans but December. tional team he once captained Pundits have questioned Governing body Cricket since the shattering events of the anniversary of their humil- The more circumspect in the leadup to the showpiece whether all is really forgiven in Australia (CA) was also shaken Cape Town. The public outcry iation will otherwise be a Warner has largely kept his World Cup in England. a playing group who were left by Cape Town, with a slew of was really confronting, but it sombre milestone for Australia’s counsel while returning to one Efforts to smooth the pair’s to rebuild Australia’s shattered executives leaving or shown the also reinforced how much the cricket fans. of cricket’s biggest stages at the rehabilitation have been in train brand and absorb a series of door after a scathing cultural game means to so many Much has changed since Indian Premier League, for months, and culminated in humbling defeats without two review. people,” Roberts said in an Cricket Australia slapped former smashing 85 in a 5353-ball ball blitz in a reunion with Aaron FinchFinch’s s of theirth best batsmen. New CA boss Kevin Roberts emailed statement yesterday. captain Smith and his deputy hishis first ooutinguting for ssquadquad in the United Arab YetY none of the players have has treaded carefully since “In relation to Australia’s Warner with 12-month suspen-suspen- EEmiratesmirates a week-and-a-halweek-and-a-halff expressedexpr reservationseservations andand men’smen’s anandd womenwomen’s’s teams,teams, our sions for the Cape Town scandal, aago.go. manyman have arguedargued Smith andand goalgoal will always be to win, but whilewhile giving Cameron Bancroft “There were a lot of big hugs WarnerWar have “done“done theirtheir time”. wewe now have a non-negotiable a lighter nine-month sentence aandnd cuddles,” “It’d“ be silly not to use expectationexpectation to compete with as the rookie opener caught up them,”them Finchh said of the pair respect and strive to win with in a ploplott driven by others.others. who boast overver 200 matches honour.” Captains,Captains, coaches and a andand 22 centuriesries between them With the one-day World stringstring ooff senior cricket execexecu-u- inin oone-dayn internationals.nternationals. Cup starstartingting end May and tivestives hahaveve leftleft or beenbeen sent SmithS andd WaWarner’srner’s fformerormer tthehe Ashes in August,August, packing, their replacements team mates maymay have already winning may be Australia’s pledging to win back fans with movedmov on butut fans the world best hope of banishing the fair plaplayy as much as series wins over have notot forgotten Cape ghosts of Newlands, with or and silverware. Town.Tow withoutwithout the help of Smith Bancroft, the man whwhoo SectionsS ooff the Jaipur crowd and Warner. hastily trousered a jeeredjeere Smith whenwhen he playedplayed for piece of sand-sand- RajasthanRaja onn Monday,Monday, and he paper in thethe andand Warner can expect heat NewlandsNewlands from Englishh crowds should fieldfield to they play at thehe World Cup. The tryt ry hyper-aggressivehype ssive teams they once led now have a very difdif-f- Steve Smith ferentferen timbre. TheT uglyy verbal attacksatta and off-fieldoff-field David Warner confrontationcon on thatthat

Former Australian cricketer Yardley Australia thrash Pakistan by passes away at 71 80 runs to seal series victory REUTERS MELBOURNE AFP Australia’s Patrick Cummins (third, left) SCOREBOARD ABU DHABI celebrates with his team-mates the dismissal AUSTRALIA Former Australian bowler and influ- of Pakistan’s Haris Akmal during their third Usman Khawaja b Shinwari ...... 0 ential coach Bruce Yardley died Skipper Aaron Finch just ODI at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, A. Finch c Sohail b Yasir ...... 90 yesterday at the age of 71 after a battle missed a record hundred while yesterday. S. Marsh c Masood b Junaid ...... 14 with cancer. Adam Zampa took four P. Handscomb b Sohail ...... 47 Playing at a time when the test wickets and Pat Cummins M. Stoinis b Wasim ...... 10 landscape was dominated by fast- claimed three as Australia G. Maxwell run out ...... 71 bowlers, Yardley started out as a demolished Pakistan by 80 A. Carey not out ...... 25 medium-pacer himself before runs in the third one-day P. Cummins not out ...... 2 switching to off-spin midway through international in Abu Dhabi Extras: (lb 5, w 2) ...... 7 his career and earned his Test debut yesterday. Total: (for six wkts; 50 overs) ...... 266 for Australia at the age of 30. Finch hit a 136-ball 90 to Did not bat: N. Lyon, A. Zampa, J. Behren- Using a distinctive long run-up steer Australia to 266-6 in 50 dorff better associated with pace bowling overs on a slow-paced Sheikh Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Khawaja), 2-20 and employing his middle finger Zayed Stadium pitch before (Marsh), 3-104 (Handscomb), 4-140 (Stoinis), rather than his index finger to get the Zampa (4-43) and Cummins 5-188 (Finch), 6-249 (Maxwell) ball to turn, Yardley went on to take (3-24) jolted Pakistan’s batting Bowling: Shinwari 9-2-37-1, Hasnain 5-0- 126 wickets for Australia in 33 Test before they folded at 186 in 50-0 (1w), Junaid 9-0-58-1, Yasir 10-0-47-1, matches. 44.4 overs. The win gives Aus- Wasim 10-0-34-1 (1w), Sohail 7-0-35-1 He also picked up 344 wickets in tralia an unassailable 3-0 lead a first class career that spanned 24 in the five-match series with PAKISTAN years. “Bruce was a significant figure the last two games taking Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Maxwell ...... 46 in Australian cricket, contributing in place in Dubai tomorrow and Shan Masood c Handscomb b Cummins ...... 2 many ways on and off the field,” Cricket on Sunday. Haris Sohail c Marsh b Cummins...... 1 Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said. Australia won the first two Imam-ul-Haq (46) and Shoaib Sri Lankan Kumar San- Shaun Marsh for 14 to leave Mohammad Rizwan c Carey b Cummins ...0 “As a player, it took him more than matches by identical margins Malik (32) put on a fourth gakkara holds the record of Australia struggling at 20-2 Shoaib Malik c Handscomb b Lyon ...... 32 10 years of persistence playing first of eight wickets -- both in wicket stand of 59 before most successive hundreds but Finch added 84 for the Umar Akmal c Cummins b Behrendorff ...36 class and Premier cricket to find the Sharjah -- and continued their Glenn Maxwell trapped Imam with four while nine other third wicket with Peter Imad Wasim st Carey b Zampa ...... 43 art of off-spin, earning him a Test dominance of a depleted leg-before. batsmen have struck three Handscomb (47 with six Yasir Shah not out ...... 10 debut at the age of 30. Pakistan side who rested six Umar Akmal (36) and consecutive hundreds in ODI boundaries) to help his team Usman Shinwari c Behrendorff b Zampa ..0 “Off the field, Bruce had an infec- of their key players in a sur- Imad Wasim (43) also fought cricket. recover. Junaid Khan c Carey b Zampa ...... 5 tious personality and was regarded as prise move, two months before during their stand of 53 for the Maxwell, 71 with eight Finch added another 36 Mohammad Hasnain lbw b Zampa ...... 0 one of the best spin-bowing coaches the World Cup. sixth wicket but Zampa boundaries and a six, gave the with Marcus Stoinis (10) and Extras (w 11) ...... 11 in the world, coaching Sri Lanka and Cummins, fresh after mopped up the tail with career total its final touches. 48 for the fifth wicket with Total (all out; 44.4 Overs) ...... 186 mentoring the greatest Test wicket- resting the first two matches, best figures. Finch holed out to leg- Maxwell. Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Masood), 2-16 (So- taker of all time, Muttiah followed his 14 wickets in the It was Finch again who spinner Yasir Shah in the 42nd Maxwell and Alex Carey hail), 3-16 (Rizwan), 4-75 (Imam-ul-Haq), Muralitharan.” series win in India earlier this anchored Australia after light over but he had once again (25 not out) put on a quick 61 5-96 (Malik), 6-149 (Umar Akmal), 7-178 Yardley coached the Sri Lankan month, by dismissing Shan rain delayed the start by 15 built the innings. for the sixth wicket as Aus- (Wasim), 8-178 (Shinwari), 9-186 (Junaid team in the late 1990s and defended Masood (two) in his third over minutes. Australia started shakily tralia hit 90 in the last 10 Khan), 10-186 (Hasnain) Muralitharan when the Sri Lankan, and then had Haris Sohail Finch, who scored 116 and and lost opener Usman overs. Australia brought in fast Bowling: Cummins 8-1-24-3, Behrendorff who has a record 800 Test wickets, (one) and Mohammad Rizwan 153 not out in the first two Khawaja off just the fifth ball, bowlers Cummins and Jason 8-1-29-1, Stoinis 4-0-21-0, Lyon 10-0-48-1, was investigated for having an illegal (nought) in his fourth. matches, could have been the bowled for nought by Usman Behrendorff to replace injured Maxwell 5-0-21-1, Zampa 9.4-1-43-4 action in 2004. That left Pakistan reeling first Australian to score three Shinwari. Jhye Richardson and Nathan at 16-3 before opener hundreds in as many ODIs. Junaid Khan dismissed Coulter-Nile. Dhoni’sDho strategic skills unmatched: Raina

IANSIANS the Indian Premier League. ‘Captain Cool’ closer than Meanwhile, Raina said NNEWEW DELHIDELHI But talk of team meetings Raina. that it has been a dream and planning before a game, While he refuses to journey for the franchise as MahendraMahendra Singh Dhoni and MSD would rather skip compare Dhoni to the likes of they returned from a two-year (pic(pictured)tured) gguiding India’s them. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, suspension to lift the trophy wworld-classorld-class spin pair of Suresh Raina said that the batsman believes that in 2018. They are now looking KKuldeepuldeep YYadava and Yuzv- Dhoni’s biggest strength is his Dhoni’s strategic skills puts to be the only team to win the Dhoni has been endraendra CChahalhahal from behind the ability to stay in the present him a step above rest. tournament back-to-back consistent with his stumpsstumps is wellw documented. and improvise on the spot “Every captain is unique twice (CSK had earlier won in And the same looking at how the game is and they all bring their inter- 2010 and 2011).” impressive game is evident panning out, even in a fast- esting set of skills to the game. Commenting on his ride in strategies and that when he is paced format like T20 cricket. Having said that, Dhoni has the league, Raina said: “I have has converted to guiding his Having been an integral been consistent with his always focussed on having my bowlers in part of the Indian team under impressive game strategies head in the game. The cen- multiple wins over Chennai Super Dhoni as also the CSK unit, not and that has converted to turies, dismissals, trophies - the years: Raina Kings during many people have followed multiple wins over the years.” they’re bonus points really.” THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2019 SPORT 09

Qatari Women’s Sports Committee organises training course for female football coaches

The participants who took part in the training course for football coaches organised by Qatar Women’s Sport Committee (QWSC) incooperation with the Embassy in Qatar and the Royal Dutch Football Association, pose for a picture during the closing ceremony. The course was supervised by a group of qualified trainers and lecturers from Qatar and the Netherlands. The aim of the training course was to train Qatari female coaches and raise the level of training to meet the aspirations of the QWSC in developing women’s sport. RIGHT: A trainer lectures during the course.

Cannavaro in no hurry to Spain, Italy post comfortable decide as crisis deepens wins in Euro 2020 qualifying REUTERS HONG KONG AP Spain comfortably beat Malta 2-0, while Italy did even better With just six months until the with a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man start of their qualifying Italy and Spain both made easy Liechtenstein as both teams campaign for the 2022 World work of low-ranked opposition maintained a perfect record after Cup, two defeats in five days on Tuesday as the two former two matches in qualifying for the under Fabio Cannavaro have European champions try to build 2020 European Championship. only served to deepen the long- some momentum after a disap- “Mission accomplished,” standing pessimism pointing year. Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. surrounding China’s national “It was important to score team. lots of goals. Our concentration Back-to-back 1-0 reversals Euro 2020 Qualifying levels were important. The result in Nanning against Asian oppo- Euro 2020 qualifying results was never in doubt but we had sition -- Thailand last Thursday on Tuesday: to produce a good and Uzbekistan on Monday -- Group D performance.” underlined the difficulties At Dublin Italy is keen to restore con- China face in their quest to end Ireland 1 (Hourihane 36) fidence in the national side after their long absence from the Georgia 0 the embarrassing failure to not World Cup. Malta’s forward Kyrian Nwoko (left) and Spain’s At Basel, Switzerland reach last year’s World Cup. The next World Cup in defender Sergio Ramos go for a header during the Switzerland 3 (Freuler 19, Spain likewise wants to use the Qatar will mark the 20th anni- Xhaka 66, Embolo 76) European qualifying campaign Euro 2020 Group F qualifying match at the Ta’ Qali versary of the country’s only Denmark 3 (M. Jorgensen 84, to restore its status as one of the Stadium in Malta on Tuesday. appearance at the finals and, Gytkjaer 88, Dalsgaard 90) continent’s best teams after with Asian qualifying kicking Group F losing to a less talented Russia in off in September, the Chinese At Ta’Qali, Malta the World Cup’s last 16. are suffering from a lack of con- Malta 0 Spain 2 (Morata Tuesday’s games also fidence and clarity. 31, 73) included two event-filled 3-3 player to score for Italy as he Kaufmann was sent off. Teenager “Winning here was crucial A dispirited squad, desper- At Oslo draws capped by late equalizers. converted two penalties for his Moise Kean netted his second but we had extra motivation: we ately in need of rebuilding, has Norway 3 (Johnsen 41, King Denmark fought back from 3-0 first international goals in 8 ½ goal in as many starts for Italy wanted to win for our coach - yet to find out if Cannavaro -- 59, Kamara 90) Sweden 3 down against Switzerland while years. Italy was 4-0 up at and 30-year-old debutant we hope things go as well as pos- appointed for the China Cup but (Claesson 70, Quaison 86, 90) Norway gave up a 2-0 lead halftime after Quagliarella’s pen- Leonardo Pavoletti capped a sible for him,” Morata said. also serving as head coach of At Cluj, Romania against Sweden and needed an alties and goals from Stefano great night for the hosts. Italy Spain has two points more Guangzhou Evergrande -- will Romania 4 (Deac 26, Keseru equalizer deep into injury time Sensi and Marco Verratti. It also moved into sole lead of Group J, than Sweden, which drew at remain at the helm for the 29, 33, Puscas 63) Faroe just to salvage a point. started the second half with a two points ahead of Greece and Norway after a dramatic finale. long-term. Islands 1 (V. Davidsen Veteran forward Fabio numerical advantage after Bosnia and Herzegovina. Norway led 2-0 but Sweden “I’m not in a rush to decide,” 40-pen) Quagliarella became the oldest Liechtenstein defender Daniel They drew 2-2 after Greece drew level four minutes from the Italian World Cup winner Group J fought back from two goals time and appeared to have com- said after the loss to Uzbekistan. At Yerevan Denmark’s defender Henrik down in a match which saw pleted a comeback when Robin “There are lots of things to Armenia 0 Finland 2 (Jensen Dalsgaard (left) celebrates Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic Quaison netted in stoppage time discuss with the federation and 14, Soiri 78) scoring a goal with team-mate sent off. for his third goal in two quali- the club. We’ve been talking but At Zenica, Bosnia and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the Armenia lost 2-0 to Finland fiers. However, Ola Kamara we’re not in rush because I will Herzegovina Euro 2020 Group D qualifying and has zero points, along with headed in a corner six minutes need to get out of my club Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 match against Switzerland in Liechtenstein. Alvaro Morata into injury time. duties. (Visca 10, Pjanic 15) Greece Basel on Tuesday. scored a goal in each half in a Denmark stunned Swit- “The officials from the fed- 2 (Fortounis 64-pen, Kolovos match which Spain dominated zerland with three late goals as eration have watched our 85) from the outset. it came back from 3-0 down in games and also have their At Parma, Italy The Atletico Madrid forward Basel. The visitor’s first goal requirements, but we haven’t Italy 6 (Sensi 17, Verratti had not scored for his country came in the 84th minute. confirmed anything.” Canna- 32, Quagliarella 35-pen, since 2017. Luis Enrique was not It was Denmark’s first match varo’s mixed coaching record 45-pen, Kean 69, Pavoletti with the squad because of per- of the campaign and left it third has amplified concerns over his 76 Liechtenstein 0 sonal problems, and assistant in Group D, three points behind suitability for one of the most coach Robert Moreno was in Switzerland and five below demanding roles in the game. charge during the game. Ireland which beat Georgia 1-0. The former Real Madrid and Juventus defender led Tianjin Quanjian to the second division title in China in 2016 but his Guangzhou side relinquished Sterling calls for EPL to clamp down on racism the club’s seven-season grip on the Chinese Super League title last year. “It will be a huge chal- AFP demanded a stadium ban for And Sterling is adamant the is getting it or the whole nation “We knew it would be a lenge,” the 45-year-old said. LONDON Montenegro as punishment, Premier League clubs and is getting it, so that will make similar atmosphere, we weren’t “The bigger the challenge is, the while the Football Association authorities must set an example people think a lot more.” thinking about racism, we were bigger the impact will be. England star Raheem Sterling released a statement on by taking a zero-tolerance Sterling has highlighted the thinking more hostile, swearing, “Lots of people have their has called on the Premier Tuesday which condemned approach. issue in the past, as has England up in your face. But it’s a real own opinions on things, such League to show the way to other “abhorrent racist chanting” “Banning one or two people team-mate Danny Rose after he shame. as how to decide the roster or European countries in the fight during the game at the Gradski is not going to change anything,” was racially abused during an “It’s a real shame to be if should we change the line-up against racism. Stadion. Sterling said in quotes reported under-21 fixture in Serbia in coming somewhere to be a lot. Personally, if I’m needed Sterling and his England UEFA has opened disci- by the British media on Tuesday. 2012. reminded of what skin colour I will stay but things can’t be team-mates were subjected to plinary proceedings against the “That’s just one or two After the latest incident of you are, or what you resemble. decided within one or two racist chants during Sunday’s hosts, which includes a charge people and then there will be racially-motivated abuse in “I know what colour I am. days.” 5-1 victory in a Euro 2020 qual- of racist behaviour - with a next game again and you are Montenegro, Sterling said it is It’s just a shame that some Whoever eventually fills the ifier against Montenegro in partial stadium ban a possible going to ban one or two fans something he is always wary of. people think it’s cool to make post will be charged with Podgorica. punishment. again. I think there has to be a “We know it’s going to be fun of you for it.” refreshing a squad that was the Sterling reacted by pulling But Sterling also faced more serious take on this. hostile, horrible at times,” he Asked if his celebration was oldest at the recent Asian Cup, his ears in front of the home alleged racist abuse while “The same rules should replied when asked if he almost an outpouring of frustration, where Marcello Lippi led the fans when he scored England’s playing for City at Chelsea in apply everywhere. It’s no time expects the issue when playing Sterling added: “Not an out- nation to the quarter-finals fifth goal, with a missile thrown December, the week after a Tot- to be just cancelling out two in eastern Europe. pouring of frustration, it was despite several unconvincing in his direction in retaliation. tenham fan threw a banana skin people’s season tickets. “Yes, it’s in the back of your just to let them know you’re displays. Lippi stood down after Speaking after the game, the at Arsenal striker Pierre- “I think that even if it is just mind. A few years ago it hap- going to have to do better than the finals, with his team criti- Manchester City winger Emerick Aubameyang. two people, the whole stadium pened to Danny in Serbia. that to stop us.” cised following their capitu- lation to in the last eight. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2019

Miami Open Results Results on Tuesday from Bautista Agut stuns Djokovic; the Miami Open WTA/ ATP Masters hardcourt tournament (x-denotes seeds):

Barty topples Kvitova in Miami Men Fourth Round AFP Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP MIAMI x22) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a John Isner (USA x7) bt Kyle record seventh Miami Open ATP Edmund (GBR x19) 7-6 title ended in dramatic fashion (7/5), 7-6 (7/3) on Tuesday as Roberto Bautista Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) Agut superbly recovered from a bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO first set destruction to win 1-6, x17) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 7-5, 6-3 and book a place in the Borna Coric (CRO x11) bt quarter-finals. Nick Kyrgios (AUS x27) 4-6, And the top seeds kept falling 6-3, 6-2 as women’s world number two Kevin Anderson (RSA x6) Petra Kvitova slumped to a sur- bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) prise 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-2 defeat to 7-5, 7-5 Australian Ashleigh Barty. Denis Shapovalov (CAN Bautista Agut, 30, may have x20) bt Stefanos Tsitsipas beaten Djokovic on the way to (GRE x8) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) winning the title in Doha earlier Frances Tiafoe (USA x28) this year but 15-time Grand Slam bt David Goffin (BEL x18) champion Djokovic started like 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) a train in this last 16 encounter before being amazingly reined Women back in. Quarter-finals After just 25 minutes, Anett Kontaveit (EST x21) Djokovic was 5-0 ahead and on bt Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE x27) cruise control, Bautista Agut Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks on against Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 severely struggling to keep the of Spain during the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Florida on Ashleigh Barty (AUS x12) Serbian at bay. Tuesday. RIGHT: Bautista Agut of Spain serves against Djokovic. bt Petra Kvitova (CZE x3) A short rain delay late in the 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-2 second set allowed Bautista Agut to regroup, however. forced tournament officials into However, a drop in Djoko- He returned a completely a reshuffle, all the focus vic’s level coupled with a rise in Teen Shapovalov different player and at the end remained on Djokovic’s shock Bautista Agut’s aggression saw a of an absorbing two hours and exit. complete reversal in fortunes works overtime 29 minutes, it was the number The reigning Wimbledon, US after a 30 minute weather delay. 22 seed who will now meet Open and Australian Open The Spaniard grabbed two set to register win defending champion John Isner champion left court and headed points, the second of which was for a place in the semi-finals. straight to a press conference to taken when the Serbian netted AP “I played more aggressive,” try and explain this most a forehand. MIAMI GARDENS said Bautista Agut who began to remarkable of turnarounds at Bautista Agut broke again for noticeably step inside and force Hard Rock Stadium. 3-1 in the third following an Denis Shapovalov worked the Bautista Agut Djokovic onto the back foot. “He is a solid player but I uncharacteristic double fault and late-night shift to reach the celebrates after “I tried to miss less balls, to shouldn’t have lost this match, I although Djokovic hit back in the quarter-finals at the Miami really concentrate on the had way too many wasted very next game, the Spaniard defeating Djokovic Open. beginning of the point with my opportunities,” said the world again took advantage of his during the Miami The 19-year-old Canadian serve, with my return.” number one, who also failed to opponent’s faltering serve to Open on Tuesday. left-hander beat 20-year-old With Roger Federer’s match make the latter stages of Indian move within two games of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece with Daniil Medvedev postponed Wells this month. victory. 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) in a match that today after a spell of heavy rain “I thought I played well today Serving for the match, he started following a two-hour and during this tournament but brought up two match points, rain delay. two or three sluggish games and another forehand winner sealing Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6 (7-4), Sunday night. “I’m not going to The match was extremely that’s what happens.” one of the best comebacks of his 6-4. Auger-Aliassime, who is set take it, “ said Kyrgios, who close: Each player won 100 Djokovic, who also hinted his career and his third win over the to become the first player born admitted he became “a little points. It offered a peek at the I played more vociferous involvement in ATP world number one from their last in the 2000s to break into the bored” during the second set.” In future of men’s tennis, with aggressive. I tried tennis politics which saw Pres- five matches. top 50 when the rankings are the women’s draw, Barty, who Shapovalov seeded No. 20 and ident Chris Kermode ousted this Big-serving Isner moved into updated next week, plays Borna beat Kvitova for the first time Tsitsipas No. 8. to miss less balls, to month may have affected his the last eight with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 Coric after the Croatian beat Nick having gone into the clash 0-4, “I knew Stefanos was going really concentrate on focus, was initially consistent (7/3) triumph over Great Britain’s Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. will play Anett Kontaveit for a to be a tough match,” Shapo- the beginning of the with his serve during the opening world number 22 Kyle Edmund. The controversial Australian place in Saturday’s final after the valov said. point with my serve, set. Elsewhere there was a bril- was furious after being heckled Estonian brought an end to Hsieh “I was ready for a long He mixed up is shots liant win for 18 year-old Felix by a fan during the third set and Su-Wei’s impressive run with a battle and, sure enough, it went with my return: superbly, blending power and Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian was docked a point after 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory to reach the the distance. I’m just happy Bautista Agut subtlety to keep his opponent who came through qualifying, responding with an expletive. last four in South Florida for the with the way I controlled guessing. who beat Georgia’s Something similar happened first time. myself.” Kvitova ‘glad it’s over’ after attacker sentenced

AFP Miami Open in a match that fin- not guilty had two weeks to might lose her fingers, the 2011 MIAMI ished after midnight thanks to a appeal the verdict. Kvitova, 29, and 2014 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of lengthy Tuesday night rain delay. said she was glad to put the has recovered and continued her Czech Republic Two-time Wimbledon champion The 33-year-old Radim incident further behind her. successful career. Petra Kvitova says she was Zondra, who is currently in “I am happy for the news and After slipping to as low as serves against happy to learn that the man who prison for another crime, was I am glad that it is over,” she said. 29th in the world after the attack, Ashleigh Barty attacked her with a knife at her sentenced on charges of serious Kvitova suffered career- Kvitova entered the Miami Open of Australia (not Czech home in 2016 had been battery and illegal entry into threatening injuries to her ranked second in the world, pictured) in the sentenced to eight years in Kvitova’s flat in December of playing left hand as she fought having reached the Australian singles quarter- prison. 2016. off the intruder at her home in Open final in January. final of the Miami “I heard that this morning,” Eva Angyalossy, a spokes- the eastern Czech town of Her hopes of overtaking Open on Tuesday. Kvitova said after falling to Aus- woman for the regional court in Prostejov. ’s Naomi Osaka atop the tralian Ashleigh Barty in three the southern Czech city of Brno, Despite grim forecasts by rankings in Miami, however, sets in the quarter-finals of the said that Zondra, who pleaded doctors, who even warned she ended with her loss to Barty. Boxing body claims progress in IOC plea

AFP But yesterday, the AIBA made a dollars” for its survival. “With the Charlie Edwards in action LAUSANNE plea to the IOC, saying significant Olympic money AIBA will have the against Angel Moreno in progress had been made on their financial resources to not only meet the WBC World Flyweight The under-pressure International accounting and claiming that the its obligations, but also eliminate Title at the Copper Box Boxing Federation (AIBA), which is body would collapse without IOC AIBA’s debt and create positive Arena, London in this fighting to keep its sport on the 2020 support. The IOC has suspended equity by 2024,” he said. March 23 file picture. Olympic roster after a storm AIBA’s Olympic qualification “Once the IOC allows AIBA to of corruption allegations, has told process and may take control of that move forward as the Olympic gov- the International Olympic process itself. Ducking and weaving erning body, AIBA will be able to Committee that swift progress is for its survival, the AIBA says it reduce our debt by an additional being made on cleaning up the sport. should be given the chance to turn 4-5 million over the next 12 Boxing’s inclusion in Tokyo things around. months.” depends on the outcome of an “Considering where we were Relations between the IOC and investigation into AIBA by the IOC, one year ago, AIBA has made sig- AIBA were hit hard at the 2016 Rio which has presented the body with nificant progress towards reducing Olympics when 36 officials and ref- a list of 41 questions via audit firm its debt and has gone from a neg- erees were suspended amid allega- Deloitte. ative cash flow of over $2,000,000 tions of bout fixing. AIBA leader Gafur Rakhimov annually, to a positive cash flow,” An internal investigation by stepped down as head last week, AIBA executive director Tom Virgets AIBA has raised serious questions which the IOC deemed as merely said in a report. about the judging at the 2016 Rio the first step in a long march Virgets said of the report that the Olympics, with particular suspicion towards the required standards. AIBA “is dependent on the Olympic falling on a French official. THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2019 SPORT 11 Hayata suffers shock defeat as feisty Yoo Eunchong impresses

THE PENINSULA DOHA ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar

Winner at the ITTF Challenge Open Round of 16 begins today Series tournaments earlier this year in Portugal and Oman, attempt from Poland’s Natalia Sharath Kamal Achanta achieved Japan’s Hina Hayata yesterday Bajor and Natalia Partyka (11-7, one of the finest recoveries of the experienced a third preliminary 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7). tournament so far to put his round women’s singles defeat at In the Men’s Singles Prelim- name into the final round of the hands of Korea Republic’s inary Round Three, some big qualification: French opponent Yoo Eunchong. names continued to fall. Antoine Hachard got off to a The 25-year-old Korean won Tiago Apolonia and Pana- flying start in the match, estab- 5-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9, 13-11, 2-11, giotis Gionis were sent packing lishing a surprise three games 12-10 on day two of the ITTF from the Men’s Singles event lead over the Indian player. World Tour Platinum Qatar after the Portuguese and Greek However, Achanta won the Action during the second day of the ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open at Ali Bin Hamad Al Open at Ali Bin Hamad Al Arena. representatives lost out in their next four games in a row to Arena in Doha, yesterday. PICTURES: HUSSEIN SYED Notably, on the ITTF World respective encounters with advance in dramatic circum- Tour Yoo Eunchong has never Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng- stances (9-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, advanced beyond to the later Ting (11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5). rounds; her best runner up in the 4-11, 11-9) and Russia’s Kirill Meanwhile Wang Chuqin under 21 women’s singles event Skachkov (11-8, 11-6, 11-2, 11-6). suffered elimination in the Men’s in China in 2013. Austrian hopeful Stefan Singles Preliminary Round Ovtcharov using Doha Also yesterday Korea Repub- Fegerl also bid his farewells with Three. Chuqin went out of the lic’s Kim Haeyeong, the winner a five games defeat to running for the Men’s Singles the previous day in opposition Frenchman Simon Gauzy (6-11, draw after the Chinese star was to Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, 11-5, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7). dealt a shock defeat by Tomislav event to prepare for ITTF the highest ranked player in the One of the European conti- Pucar (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, qualification tournament (8-11, nent’s finest players but there was 11-7). 11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 15-13) no spot available in the Men’s The Croatian set up an World Championships maintained her form. Singles tournament for Sweden’s exciting duel with England’s She beat Japan’s Satsuki Odo Kristian Karlsson following an Liam Pitchford, who moved one (11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5). unexpected defeat at the hands step closer to a place in the main Notably on the current world of Iran’s Nima Alamian (11-13, event following a dramatic seven THE PENINSULA rankings, Kim Haeyeong is listed 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3, 4-11, 11-9). game encounter with Iran’s DOHA at no.127, Satsuki Odo at no.55. In the Men’s Singles Prelim- Noshad Alamiyan (11-6, 8-11, and Patrick Fran- inary Round Three, India’s 11-6, 10-12, 13-11, 10-12, 11-8). Germany’s ziska showed their class in the said competing at Qatar Open men’s doubles preliminary provided players the perfect round matches. platform to prepare for next Both of the unseeded month’s ITTF World Champion- German partnerships partici- ships in Budapest. pating in qualification action The ongoing Qatar Open have progressed to the Men’s event at Ali Bin Al Attiyah Arena Doubles tournament, albeit in is featuring the cream of the somewhat contrasting fashion. world in singles, Boll and Franziska came doubles and the mixed doubles through their encounter against competitions. the French duo of Tristan Flore The 2019 World Table Tennis and Emmanuel Lebesson with a Championships will be held in 3-1 victory (13-11, 10-12, 11-8, Budapest from April 21 to 28. 11-8). It will be the 55th edition of However, for the other the championships and the German pair of Dimitrij fourth time to be staged in Ovtcharov and Ricardo Walther Budapest. the task proved slight more dif- “This is a mini-world cham- ficult: trailing Austria’s Robert pionship before the World Gardos and Daniel Habesohn by Championships in Budapest next a two games to one deficit Dim- month and I’m ready to itrij Ovtcharov and Ricardo compete,” Ovtcharov, ranked 14 Walther required a late recovery in the world, said ahead of day India’s Madhurika Patkar returns the ball to Hungary’s Bence Majoros charge, doing just about enough three of the Qatar Open. and Dora Madarasz during their second Mixed Doubles match of to book their spot in the Round “I’m ready to face all the of 16 (11-8, 4-11, 10-12, 12-10, the Preliminary Round yesterday. Madhurika and her team-mate challenges and I expect to be in German star Dimitrij Ovtcharov speaks during a press conference 11-8). Harmeet Desai lost 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 7-11. advanced stages of the compe- held in Doha yesterday. In the Women’s Doubles tition,” he said. Last month Preliminary Round, Chinese Ovtrachov won the ITTF Europe Taipei partnerships progressed Top 16 Cup in Montreux in Can Qatar host the “I am very happy to be in with ease. Switzerland. World Championships Qatar because it is the best Liu Hsing-Yin and Su Pei- “I hope all teams qualify for again? country in the world to organize Ling got their qualification cam- the World Cup, but in my per- these tours. I always have a good paign off to a fine start in Doha sonal opinion, the fewer the sense of it through the facilities after the pair from Chinese World Cup qualifiers, the better I remember watching I get to see, the overall organi- Taipei inflicted a stunning 3-2 the success of the game in the 2004 World zation and the hospitality from defeat upon the fierce Romanian general,” he added. Team Table Tennis the hosts makes it a memorable partnership of Elizabtea Samara On the superiority of the Championships as a experience for all the delegates,” and Bernadette Szocs (7-11, 11-8, German players in recent times, kid. I was not able to Ovtcharov said. 6-11, 11-6, 11-9). Ovtcharov said: “The best year play then, as I was too When asked if Doha could For the other Chinese Taipei for the German team was in 2017 host the World Championships duo involved in the session the when we were able to achieve a young, but I hope that in the future, he said: “Qatar can news was just as positive as Chen lot. Germany wishes to maintain the sport’s biggest host the next World Cup in table Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu this classification but the injuries event will return here tennis and I really hope it returns holding off a late comeback to players have denied us. I wish in the future. As I’ve to Doha again. I’m not exagger- I can regain that winning form said before, there ating when I say that I dream Germany’s Patrick Franziska and Petrissa Solja in action against their Slovak counterparts Samuel soon.” are great venues, about it. I have talked about this Kaluzny and Tatiana Kukulkova during their Mixed doubles Preliminary Round match yesterday. Ovtcharov said the Chinese facilities, hospitality with many officials that Qatar grip on the game is loosening can host World Championships and organisation. after many decades. so why not. I personally wish to “The great Chinese superi- Some more spectators see this big event here as soon ority in this game has been would be cool, but as possible.” broken in several tournaments the setup here is Meanwhile, Croatia’s Andrej in recent years and I personally extremely good and Gacina, ranked 61 in the world, achieved the world title last year. the location of Doha was thrilled to have reached the This helped relatively break the is also perfect, as it’s round of 32 at the five-day Chinese hegemony in the sport,” not too far for the championship. Ovtcharov said. “I am looking to go as far as “I think the next generation European and Asian possible,” Gacina said. “We have teams include Korea Republic, players to reach: extremely strong competition Japan and some of the European Dimitrij Ovtcharov here but I and my team mates teams can truly break the are looking forward to going Chinese dominance,” he added. further in the championship,” the “I really like to pay tribute to double-edged sword because it 32-yera-old added. the Chinese table tennis family has a negative view as it some- “Having said that, I must add - the way the players prepare for times cuts the way for the rest of that I take a step-by-step the tournaments, the processing the teams, and a positive point approach for each game. That’s of including young players for of view, because last year when how you tackle a high level com- all competitions and its great two Chinese players were in the petition like this,” he said. “Qatar efforts to reach the highest levels final, everyone saw a great game Open is one of the best events in this game,” Ovtcharov said. that was the best publicity for the and it feels good to play here. “This is something that game,” he said. Doha can certainly host top counts a lot in the way they Ovtcharov said Qatar’s hos- events, especially the World dominate the sport,” he said. pitality made things easier in the Championships, at any time,” he “This dominance is a ‘tough competition. added. SPORT Thursday 28 March 2019 PAGE | 07 PAGE | 10 Sebastian Bautista Agut Vettel seeks stuns Djokovic; Ferrari boost in Barty topples Bahrainn KiKviKvitovattova inin MMiamiiiami

Mission Winnow Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso celebrates with a trophy on the Dovizioso’s Qatar win confirmed podium after winning the MotoGP race during the VisitQatar Grand Prix at the as FIM rules Ducati winglet legal Losail International Circuit. AFP Marquez’s Honda team, as well as Aprilia, The result of the Qatar race also stand, it PARIS KTM and Suzuki over a clamp attached to the added. rear wheel of the Ducati bikes and affixed to Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali praised The MotoGP appeal court on Tuesday cleared the swingarm. the decision, saying on Twitter: “Ducati is Ducati to continue using a “swingarm device” A subsequent appeal by the teams was proud of its Italian engineering ingenuity and they employed during the Qatar MotoGP. referred to the sport’s court of appeal, of its ability to innovate. An appeal was lodged by several MotoGP but it ruled in favour of Ducati. “Many people stated (in the) last weeks teams against Ducati after the team’s rider “The protesting teams considered that the that we were cheating... hopefully now they Andrea Dovizioso of Italy held off a desperate device was primarily an aerodynamic device will be silent and try to beat us on the race challenge from world champion Marc Marquez and therefore not compliant with the MotoGP track.” to win the season-opening race for the second technical regulations. After a hearing, the four The second of 19 races on this year’s year running on Sunday. protests were rejected,” the MotoGP court of calendar is the Argentinian MotoGP on March A stewards panel dismissed protests by appeal said. 31.

Rana, Russell EST, Raja Casablanca gear up power Kolkata to 28-run win for CAF Super Cup in Doha IANS KOLKATA

THE PENINSULA “It will not be an easy Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa slammed DOHA match,” said Traoui according half centuries while Andre Russell plun- to Turess. dered a 17-ball 48 as Kolkata Knight Riders Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive “It will be a tough match (KKR) romped to a 28-run victory against de Tunis (EST) and Morocco’s and we need to focus 100 Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in a lopsided Indian Raja Casablanca will be percent on this continental Premier League (IPL) clash at the Eden training in Doha today ahead title. The finals have to be won Gardens yesterday. of the CAF Super Cup clash regardless of the perform- Asked to bat, Rana (63; 34b, 4x2; 6x7) which will take place at the ances and require a lot of and Uthappa 67 not-out (50b, 4x6, 6x2) set Thani bin Jassim Stadium experience from the players the platform for the two-time champions tomorrow at 7:00pm. of Esperance. before Russell made the most of a reprieve The CAF Super Cup is an “We need to be very to virtually take the game away from annual African association focused on the game and we Punjab as Dinesh Karthik-led KKR posted football competition contested will try to win the trophy, 218/4, the highest total at this venue. between the winners of the especially as the team cele- In reply, Punjab were never in the CAF Champions League and brates its 100th anniversary chase, with Chris Gayle (20) removed early the CAF Confederation Cup. this year and we look forward by fellow Jamaican Andre Russell. Mayank The competition was first held to winning as many titles as Agarwal (58; 34b; 6x4; 1x6) cracked his first in 1993 and is organized by possible to make the fans IPL fifty since 2015 while David Miller was the Confederation of African happy.” Esperance won the not-out on 59 off 40 balls but none mat- Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis players being welcomed by fans upon their arrival Football (CAF). Caf Champions League to earn tered in the end as they could only manage at the Hamad International Airport in Doha, yesterday. Since the game was first a ticket to play in the Super 190/4 in 20 overs. established, the CAF Super Cup while Raja get into this Rana fashioned his second successive Cup have been won by teams Stadium. year, Jridi is eyeing to mem- centenary celebrations match after being crowned fifty as Uthappa blossomed in his company representing nine countries, Esperance Tunis cause has orably cap the season by although he has predicted a Caf Confederation Cup Cham- to stitch together a 110-run third wicket namely Egypt, DR Congo, been strengthened with the delivering the CAF Super Cup. tough challenge from Raja. pions last season. partnership. Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, return of three key players “We hope to win this con- The turning point of the match was Nigeria, South Africa, Côte from injury. tinental title to strengthen our when Mohammed Shami castled Russell d’Ivoire and Ghana. Al Ahly of Veteran defender Sameh title account in an outstanding batting on 3 off 5 balls, only to find the Egypt holds the record for Derbali and midfielder year in the history of the club,” umpire calling it a no-ball as there were winning the title a record six Ghilane Chalali have Jridi was quoted as saying by only three fielders inside the circle instead times, followed by cross-city recovered from injuries and Turess. of the mandatory four. rivals Zamalek and DR have made the trip to Doha. Having last won the CAF Since then, KKR made 56 runs in 19 Congo’s TP Mazembe with Also, travelling to Qatar is Super Cup in 1995, Esperance balls. three titles each. goalkeeper Rami Jridi, back are bidding for a second-ever Russell made the most of his second The Tunisian giants will be from an injury sustained in a title after also finishing as life by bludgeoning Andrew Tye for two bidding for their second Caf league match against CS runners-up in 1999 and 2012. sixes and two fours in the 18th over as the Super Cup title when they Sfaxien nearly two weeks ago. Esperance assistant coach Australian leaked 22 runs. clash with their Moroccan With Esperance cele- Mejdi Traoui has echoed Jridi’s Russell then hit Shami for three back- tomorrow at the Al Gharfa brating their centenary this sentiments of spicing their to-back sixes and a four in the next over, taking KKR past the 200-mark, before getting out in the last over off Tye. The 30-year old hit three fours and five IOC lifts threat to remove weightlifting from Paris Games sixes en route his blitzkrieg and joined hands with Uthappa for a 32-ball 67-run fourth wicket stand. AFP In January, the IWF announced that KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, LAUSANNE eight Thai weightlifters had failed tests fresh from the "Mankading" row against or retests on samples taken at the World Rajasthan Royals' batsman Jos Buttler in The International Weightlifting Feder- Championships in November, including the last game that sparked worldwide dis- ation (IWF) yesterday welcomed to a two Rio 2016 gold medallists -- Sopita cussions, gave away 47 runs in his four decision by the International Olympic Tanasan and Sukanya Srisurat. overs and was hit for five sixes - one every Committee to provisionally lift the The IOC acknowledged the spate of over - with Rana accounting for four of sport’s conditional status for the Paris recent positive tests might “negatively them. 2024 Games. impact the perception that weightlifting Rana and Uthappa made merry in The IOC Executive Board had on has become cleaner” but added that Mandeep Singh's over, taking him for 18 Tuesday softened its position on the many of these failed tests were the result runs before debutant Varun Chakravarthy drug-plagued sport which threatens its of reforms by the IWF. IWF rules say that got rid of the former. exclusion from the Olympics. a nation with three or more positives in KKR were off to a blistering start, The board, on the first day of its a calendar year faces a ban of up to four thanks to Sunil Narine (24, 9b, 4x1, 6x3) three-day meeting in Lausanne, said years, but Thailand voluntarily banned Narine was removed by South African that because of the work the IWF had itself from the 2019 world champion- debutant Hardus Viljoen in the fourth over. done it would “lift the status of condi- An inflatable 2024 logo is seen at Marseille’s old harbor during celebrations ships, which it is hosting, and from the Cramped for room, Narine sliced wildly in tional inclusion”. after the IOC’s official announcement that Paris won the 2024 Olympic bid in Tokyo 2020 Olympics. That also drew the air only to be caught by wicketkeeper But, the IOC added, that was condi- this September 13, 2017 file photo. praise from the IOC. K L Rahul. tional on the finalisation of an The IWF responded yesterday that Brief scores: agreement between the sport and the The IOC said it anticipated a sig- maintained and reconsidered” in June, it “welcomes the support of the IOC”. Kolkata Knight Riders 218/4 (Robin International Testing Agency and “con- nature of an accord between the IWF said the IOC. Five weightlifters were “The IWF’s commitment to clean Uthappa 67, Nitish Rana 63, Andre Russell firmation of a successful transition of and ITA “in the coming days”. banned in December after retests of competition has transformed our sport,” 48); Kings XI Punjab 190/4 (David Miller key areas of the IWF’s anti-doping “Failing which, the conditional samples from 2012, taking the sport’s said its President, Tamas Ajan, in a press 59 not out; Mayank Agarwal 58; Andre programme”. inclusion of weightlifting... will be total for the London Games to 24. release yesterday. Russell 2/21)