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SATURDAY 31 JULY 2021 ZverevZverev endse Djokovic’s Golden Slam bid

I told himhi that he’s the greatest of all time. I didn’t ffeeleel I waswa playing that bad, but I was playing his gamegame kinda,k in a way.

Alexander Zverev Sport | 11

OLYMPICS: FOOTBALL (WOMEN) QUARTERS - Canada 0-0 (4-3) , GB 3-4 Australia, Sweden 3-1 Japan, Netherlands 2-2 (2-4) USA

Barshim storms into final; Samba advances THE PENINSULA – TOKYO M E D A L S ’s two-time world champion Mutaz Barshim lived up to the high expectations and qualified for the men’s 1 19 10 11 40 high jump final as the Tokyo 2020 2 Japan 17 4 7 28 Summer Olympic Games track and field 3 USA 14 16 11 41 events kicked off at the Olympic Stadium yesterday. 4 ROC 10 14 10 34 In yesterday's qualification round, 5 Australia 9 2 11 22 Barshim cleared 2.28m to secure his 6 Great Britain 6 9 9 24 spot in the finals to be staged tomorrow. A bronze medallist in 2012 and silver 7 5 4 6 15 medallist in 2016, the 30-year-old 8 Netherlands 3 7 5 15 Barshim is seeking to win Qatar’s first 9 France 3 5 5 13 ever Olympic gold. 10 Germany 3 4 9 1 “I’ve been waiting for five years for this,” Barshim said. 11 Canada 3 3 5 1 “It’s the one I want, and I’ll do what 12 New Zealand 3 3 2 8 it takes to make it happen.” He added. 13 Czech Republic 3 2 1 6 Later, his compatriot, 400m hurdler 14 Croatia 3 1 2 6 Abderrahman Samba made it to the semi-finals after winning his heat with 15 Italy 2 7 11 20 a time of 48.38 seconds, the fastest 16 Hungary 2 1 2 5 Mutaz Barshim of Qatar clears the 2.28 mark during the among all runners in the heats. 17 Slovenia 2 1 1 4 Brazil’s Alison dos Santos finished men's high jump qualification yesterday. second ahead of Algeria’s Abdelmalik 18 Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Lahoulou and Jamaica’s Kemar Mowatt in the fourth place. yesterday to celebrate her first of Uganda’s Kathleen Grace Noble and gold medals of 100m and 200m events event today. Fares booked his ticket The semi-finals will be held appearance at the Olympic Games with Nicaragua’s Evidelia Gonzalez. event at 2021 Arab Athletics Champi- to Tokyo 2020 Olympics when he tomorrow, with the final showdown a new personal best of 13.12 seconds Qatar’s sprinter Femi Ogunode will onships last June. bagged two gold medals at 2019 Qatar taking place two days later. Tala Abujbara won her E final in begin his quest in Men’s 100m event Ogunode made history when he International Cup Weightlifting Qatar's Bashair Obaid Al Manwari 8:00:22 minutes to finish overall 25th. today. was selected by the Association of Championships. took the sixth place in Heat 1 of In her final race held at the Sea Forest Ogunode confirmed that he is National Olympic Committees in 2015 On the other hand, Qatar’s world Women’s 100m Preliminary Round Waterway, Tala led the standings ahead ready for the Olympics by winning the as the best male athlete in . He number 1 beach volleyball duo Cherif also claimed the gold medal of 100m Younousse and Ahmed Tijan put on and 200m events at 2014 another convincing performance to Abderrahman Samba of . score an emphatic victory over USA’s Qatar in action during The middle-distance runner Abu- Jake Gibb and Tri Bourne yesterday heat 1 of the men’s baker Haydar will participate in Men’s in the duel for the top of Pool C, as 400m hurdles at the 800m heats today. Haydar both teams had alreaalreadydy sesecured their Olympic Stadium in secured his spot in 2020 Tokyo spots amonamongg tthehe bbestest 1616.. Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Olympic Games after finishingnishing Younousse anda Tijan began their 4th in the 800m event in at DohaDoha OlympicOlympic campcampaignaign witwithh a 21-17, 21-16 Diamondnd LeagLeagueue victoryvictory over AAdrian Hei- 2019. drichdrrich aandnd MMirco Gerson Faresa res of SSwitzerlandw Ibrahimm wiwillll bbee tomorrowtomor then keen to prove a theythey edged past point whwhenen hhee Italy’sItal Adrian begins hhisis CarambulaCa campaignign andan Enrico in Men’sn’s RossiR on 96kgg Wednesday.W

QATAR ATHLETES IN ACTION TODAY TIME EVENT COMPETITOR 4:30am Men's 800m Round 1 - Heat 6 Abubaker Haydar Abdalla 1:45pm Men's 100m Heats Femi Ogunode 1:50pm Weightlifting - Men's 96kg Group A Fares Ibrahim Gold Cup: Qatar bow out with heads held high THE PENINSULA – AUSTIN, TEXAS The US had an opportunity in the Although we were unable to 43rd minute via a free-kick, as an reach the final, the players made Qatar’s run in the Concacaf Gold Cup attempt from Gianluca Busio found great efforts throughout the was put to a halt following a bitter 0-1 Daryl Dike. Still, Qatar goalkeeper match. We played well, defeat to the United States in the semi- captured the ball for final match in front of a sold-out safekeeping. especially in the first half, in audience of 20,500 at the Q2 Stadium In the 52nd minute, Matthew Hoppe which we were the best side in every in Austin, Texas, yesterday. provided a pass that cut through the metric. We had many chances to score. Qatar was, in many ways, the better defence and into the box, but Dike was Playing at the level of this tournament team, creating more goal scoring denied the finishing touch. is very beneficial for us, especially as opportunities, including a second-half But the most significant chance of we are preparing the team for the 2022 missed penalty. The 2022 World Cup the game for Qatar was one Turner World Cup. It is good to play different hosts probably deserved at least a goal couldn’t reach. After a foul from James or two, but such a breakthrough never Sands in the box awarded after a football schools since we are materialised. lengthy VAR review, Hassan Al Hayados accustomed to playing against Asian The AFC Asian Cup champions were stepped to the spot with Qatar in total teams. We have gained a lot of a threat early, with their first dangerous control. He missed, giving the US the experience that will benefit us during opportunity coming from a Hassan Al exhale needed to kick start their late the upcoming tournaments Haydos interception in the seventh surge. Action during the Concacaf anandd mamatches.tches. WWee minute. Qatar’s captain provided a fil- The Qatar penalty miss sparked the Gold Cup semi-final between jujustst hhaveave to kkeepeep tering pass from the right to the left US attack, and they came close to an Qatar and USA yesterday. edge of the box, but could opener in the 78th minute when Hoppe worworkingking on not convert. found Sam Vines running into the box. plplayingaying bbetter:etter: US goalkeeper Matt Turner then Still, the US defender would be blocked sending the US to tomorrow’s Final. Qatar will play three matches in Qatar coachcoach came up with an important save in the from scoring as Qatar recovered and The US matched its record with 13 the opening week of September; as Felix SSanchezanchez 19th minute by pushing away a immediately cleared. consecutive home wins and advanced the FIFA World Cup 2022 host nation, deflected attempt from Qatar’s attack. The match-winning goal would to Sunday night’s final in Las Vegas Qatar has already qualified for the Turner came up with another finally arrive in the 86th minute of play, against defending champion Mexico or tournament. pivotal save two minutes later, denying as a pressing U.S. team recovered the Canada. They lock horns later in the Qatar automatically qualifies as on this occasion. The ball deep in the Qatar half and went on evening. the hosts but is taking part in the Qatari forward attempted to capitalize the counter. Gyazi Zardes found the Qatar will now shift focus to Sep- qualifying to get match practice in on a second chance opportunity after winner by pushing a shot into the net tember’s European qualifiers for the the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World a pass from was deflected. off a cross from Nicholas Gioacchini, 2022 FIFA World Cup. Cup. D

SATURDAY 31 JULY 2021 SPORT 11

Bashair Obaid Al Manwari of Qatar in action during women’s 100m preliminary round at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, yesterday. Al Manwari set a new personal best of 13.12 seconds in the race.

Qatar's rower Tala Abujbara in action during women's single sculls Final E at Sea Forest Waterway, Tokyo, Japan yesterday. RIGHT: Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan of Qatar react after scoring a point during their final Group C match against a US pair at Shiokaze Park, yesterday. The Qatari pair won the match 2-0.

Emma McKeon Table tennis: Barega claims shock 10,000m China’s Ma retains men’s gold, Fraser-Pryce enters semis singles crown REUTERS – TOKYO US gets a REUTERS – TOKYO The Olympic athletics programme opened with a huge reprieve after Olympic and world champion surprise and a shock disquali- Ma Long celebrated exuber- fication yesterday as Ethiopian mixed relay DQ antly as he retained his men’s youngster Selemon Barega table tennis singles title at the claimed a stunning 10,000 AP – TOKYO Tokyo Games yesterday, metres gold. beating compatriot Fan McKeon There was only one gold up Zhendong 4-2. for grabs, in the last event of the The US Olympic mixed relay The 32-year-old clinched opening day, but it was worth the team was reinstated after his fourth gold medal at his sets wait as Ugandan world record originally being disqualified third Olympics by winning holder Joshua Cheptegei allowed and will compete in today's 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, Olympic the 21-year-old Barega to escape final. 11-7. and win in 27 minutes 43.22 The team had been DQ’d Ma made a heart symbol seconds before celebrating with for what officials said was with his arms as he became the record an infield dance on a sultry night. an illegal pass between first male table tennis player Hot favourite Cheptegei left Selemon Barega of Ethiopia Lynna Irby and Elija in Olympic history to retain his REUTERS – TOKYO it way too late to chase him celebrates after winning gold. Godwin. title. down and only just caught The US team appealed “The match with Fan Australian Emma McKeon 20-year-old compatriot Jacob and was reinstated and Zhendong is probably the only set an Olympic record in Kiplimo on the line to take silver. champion Gong Lijiao topping Fraser-Pryce when she posted placed directly into the final. match in the world that I could the women’s 50 metres As the rest of the field the list on 19.46 metres. a hugely impressive 10.82 USA Track and Field did not play with no pressure,” Ma freestyle heats today and crossed the line, athletes Earlier in the day, the seconds while easing up. Fra- give details of the reason for said, adding that the heart was Caeleb Dressel advanced crashed to the track, utterly women sprinters ser-Pryce was in cruise mode the appeal. meant for his son. fastest in the men’s sprint, exhausted by the 30 degree opened the programme with to clock 10.84. Marie-Josee Ta The decision could give “We still have the team as he braces for a brutal heat and heavy humidity, which some unexpectedly rapid heat Lou of the Ivory Coast set an Allyson Felix a chance to event. So I’m telling myself to morning of racing in Tokyo looks set to be a defining and times. African record of 10.78 as the win her record-setting 10th control this joy so that I don’t where two gold medals challenging aspect of the track Defending champion Elaine combination of a fast track and Olympic medal. She is cur- let my guard down,” Ma told could be up for grabs. and field programme. Thompson-Herah showed she new spike technology suggested rently tied with Jamaican Reuters. Lifted by her 100m The tough conditions could is not going to stand aside to today’s final could be something Merlene Ottey for the most Ma, eyeing another gold in freestyle gold earlier in the play a part in whether Sifan hand a hat-trick of titles to special. The men also begin for a female Olympian. the men’s team event, said he day, McKeon qualified first Hassan follows through with compatriot Shelly Anne 100m heats today. hopes to maintain his level to in a Games record of 24.02, her bid for an unprecedented lead Fan and Xu Xin to another with Rio Olympics triple of 10,000, 5,000 and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce victory. champion Pernille Blume 1,500 metres, which got of Jamaica in action. “I have to keep my hunger of Denmark 0.10 behind. underway with her easing for winning... I can play. I can Blume said being the through her heat to reach the persevere,” he said. reigning champion gave 5,000 final. As they have at every her no advantage in Tokyo. It would have seemed sen- Games since 2008, China pro- “That’s five years ago,” sible for the Dutchwoman to vided all four singles finalists she said. “It doesn’t matter have tried to preserve energy at Tokyo 2020, Chen Meng what you have done or by she raced through the line, having beaten Sun Yingsha to what you haven’t done. We punching the air as if her life take the women’s title on are all here on an equal depended on finishing first and Thursday. No other country basis.” as favourite for Monday’s final. has ever won women’s singles Dressel progressed in Triple jumper Yulimar gold. the 50m freestyle in 21.32, Rojas’ bid to become the first In the men’s bronze medal with 2012 Olympic woman Olympic gold medallist match, Germany’s Dimitrij champion Florent Man- from Venezuela got off to a Ovtcharov scraped home audou of France 0.33 strong start with the double against Taiwan’s Lin Yun Ju, behind. world champion soaring past saving four match points in the The American broke the the qualifying mark for the final sixth game before winning the Olympic record in the 100 with her first attempt. deciding seventh. butterfly semi-finals earlier The women’s shot put qual- The 32-year-old won 13-11, on Friday despite easing off ification saw three Chinese ath- 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 4-11, 15-13, 11-7, in the final stages, and he letes qualify for tomorrow's earning his fifth Olympic table held back again towards final, with double world tennis medal since 2008. the end of the 50m freestyle. Today morning, Dressel has the 100m butterfly final Zverev ends Djokovic’s Golden Slam bid and the 50m freestyle semi-finals 40 minutes later, and is almost certain REUTERS – TOKYO Zverev secured the win with a 6-3 with his trademark Alexander to figure in the final of the crushing backhand down the power-hitting. Zverev of mixed medley relay about Novak Djokovic’s bid to become line winner. Khachanov, who made the 30 minutes after that. the first man to complete the Germany shakes As an emotional Zverev Wimbledon quarter-finals He said the euphoria of Golden Slam lay in tatters hands with embraced his opponent at the earlier this month, described the Thursday’s 100m freestyle yesterday after he was toppled Novak Djokovic net, he told Djokovic “I’m sorry”. match as a highlight of a mem- gold - his first in an indi- by Germany’s Alexander Zverev of Serbia after “I told him that he’s the orable summer. “I play tennis for vidual event - gave him a in the singles semi-finals at the winning his greatest of all time,” Zverev later those moments, I practise for taste of the challenge of Tokyo Games. semi-final told reporters. these kind of matches and when maintaining focus. Zverev fought back from a match. The 24-year-old said he you get there, when it’s paying “I had to recoup pretty set and a break down to pull off changed his tactics to avoid off, it’s just a pure pleasure to be fast. There’s a lot of energy a staggering 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 win getting flattened after the here...,” he said. that goes into these meets over the Serbian world number Serbian, who had lost only three “(It’s) the kind of memories physically, but emotionally one to set up a final showdown matches in 2021 before arriving that will stay forever.” In the it’ll drain you quicker,” he with Karen Khachanov of the in Tokyo, took the first set and men’s doubles, Marcus Daniell said. Russian Olympic Committee. went up a break midway and Michael Venus handed New Bobby Finke, the men’s Fifth-ranked Zverev is the through the second. Zealand their first Olympic 800m freestyle champion, first German man to make an “I didn’t feel I was playing tennis medal when they claimed was second fastest through Olympic final since Tommy Haas that bad, but I was playing his bronze following a 7-6(3), 6-2 to the 1,500m final and will won silver at the Sydney Games game kinda, in a way,” said win over Americans Tennys be joined by Italian Gre- in 2000. Zverev, who had lost his last five Sandgren and Austin Krajicek. gorio Paltrinieri and Djokovic had arrived in Australian Open, Roland Garros Djokovic the only major honour meetings against Djokovic Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig Mykhailo Romanchuk of Tokyo gunning for the Golden and Wimbledon in 2021. The US still missing from his collection dating back to 2018. will play compatriots Nikola Ukraine, who was fastest in Slam -- winning all four majors Open begins next month. -- an Olympic gold medal But Earlier yesterday, 25th- Mektic and Mate Pavic for the 14:45.99. and Olympic gold in the same Victory in Tokyo would also the 2008 Games bronze ranked Khachanov outgunned gold medal in an all-Croatian year -- after triumphing at the have secured the 34-year-old medallist lost that chance after Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, final later yesterday. Sport SATURDAY 31 JULY 2021 10 Suesa claims King George Qatar Stakes

THE PENINSULA — GOODWOOD at Ascot and the ground was terrible for her but I learned a The Qatar Racing and Eques- lot that day. She is a real five- trian Club (QREC)-sponsored furlong filly and travelled Qatar Goodwood Festival will through the race so smoothly. conclude today. The race " meetings of the 2021 renewal "She gave a huge kick of of the five-day annual Festival speed when I asked her. I spoke continued over four days before to Mr.Rohaut and he was quite the curtain will fall on this year’s confident that she was in good edition. from. I also spoke to Olivier The seventh edition has had (Peslier) and he told me plenty special importance with the about her. She is a proper return of racegoers to sprinter – she’s strong, has a Goodwood and their presence great attitude and is very cool,” has been very large even with Buick added. the windy and rainy weather at Bred by Thomastown Farm Sussex Downs yesterday. Ltd, Suesa is by Newmarket The events of the Qatar 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Goodwood Festival continued Thunder (Dubawi) who stands on the penultimate day of the at Kildangen Stud in Ireland. Festival with a seven-race card Her dam, Sally Is The day. The feature and fourth race Boss(Orpen) was unraced and was the Gr2 King George Qatar is a half-sister to Stakes, a 1,000 sprint for three- Shebogan(Grand Lodge) who year-olds and older. was placed at listed level. Thirty minutes earlier, Al The second dam White Satin Shaqab Racing’s Qaysar ran in Hamad bin Abdulrahman (Fairy King) was also listed the Unibet Golden Mile Al Attiyah, QREC Vice-Chairman placed and was trained by Handicap, a class 2 mile for and President of the Asian and Aiden O’Brien. three-year-olds and older. the Qatar Equestrian Federations Today’s feature and fourth Having her first attempt at crowns the winners of the King race will be the Qatar Lillie five furlongs, the George Straw- George Qatar Stakes. Langtry Stakes, a Group 2 for bridge-owned filly Suesa (Night three-year-old and older Of Thunder x Sally Is The Boss) Suesa produced an electric fillies and mares over 2,800 produced an incredible turn of turn of foot towards the metres. foot to land the Group Two King stands side and quickly put Al Wasmiyah Stud’s five- George Qatar Stakes at the race to bed. year-old Traisha (Invincible Goodwood yesterday. She galloped clear inside Spirit x Dress Rehearsal) will be Hamad bin Abdulrahman the final furlong and went on to in the fray and will be saddled Al Attiyah, QREC Vice score by three lengths. Dragon by Joseph Patrick O’Brien and Chairman and President of the Symbol (Cable Bay) who looked guided by Adam Kirby. Asian and the Qatar Eques- threatening two furlongs out, Other six fillies and mares trian Federations crowned the finished second but was no will be vying for the title and the winners of the King George match for the winner. most notable of them are Chris- Qatar Stakes. Three-time Group One topher Wright’s four-year-old Trained in France by Francis winner Glass Slippers (Dream Wonderful Tonight (Le Havre x Rohaut, Suesa was having her Ahead) ran well to take third on Salvation), who is trained by second run in the United her seasonal reappearance. David Menuisier and will be Kingdom, following her eighth- Suesa in action at King George Qatar Stakes. Favourite Battash (Dark Angel) ridden by William Buick and placed effort in the Common- failed to get a blow in and fin- Coolmore’s wealth Cup at Royal Ascot and ished only seventh. three-year-old Divinely was ridden to success by with plenty of cover in mid- stages of the race. With a strong asked for an effort until a just Winning jockey William (Galileo x Red Evie), who is William Buick. division, Suesa travelled very pace bring set, Suesa got a good inside the two-furlong marker. Buick said after the race: “She’s schooled by A P O’Brien and will Ridden confidently by Buick strongly through the early lead into the race and was not Once the gap appeared, such a sweetheart. I rode her be steered by Ryan Moore.

Some of Al Shaqab’s best bloodlines horses were auctioned at the Longines Indoor Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. Organised by Al Shaqab and Al Rayyan Farm, the overall auction yielded an excess of QR3.5m with many lots reaching well above QAR200,000. The 35 mares were much in demand in foal auction, which saw some of Al Shaqab’s best bloodlines being offered to a captivated audience. The auction had both straight Egyptian and purebred Arabians. PICTURES: ARIANA CAMILLE GIBRET

Red Bull’s Hamilton F1: Bottas pips Hamilton SA confirm criticism below the in Hungarian GP practice white-ball belt, says Wolff tour of SL REUTERS — BUDAPEST in September BUDAPEST REUTERS — Bull’s attempt to “tarnish the Valtteri Bottas knocked good name and sporting Formula One championship REUTERS — CAPE TOWN Mercedes team boss Toto integrity of Lewis leader Max Verstappen off the Wolff said Red Bull’s criticism Hamilton”. top of the timesheets to set the of seven-times champion “We wanted to bring a pace ahead of Mercedes team- South Africa have confirmed Lewis Hamilton in the little bit of respect back to the mate Lewis Hamilton on the a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka aftermath of his collision with discussion,” Wolff told opening day of practice at the from Sept. 2-14 in which the Formula One title rival Max reporters yesterday in a video Hungarian Grand Prix. teams will contest three Verstappen at the British conference from the Hunga- The Finn lapped the 4.3-km one-day internationals and Grand Prix were below the roring track. long Hungaroring track in one three Twenty20 matches. belt and had crossed a line. “We understand that minute, 17.012 seconds, edging It is the shorter format The pair collided on the emotions can run high. But Hamilton by just 0.027 seconds. games that will be of most opening lap of the race we felt that line was Verstappen was 0.298 interest to both sides with the around the high-speed Sil- overstepped.” seconds off the pace in third. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in action during practice yesterday. Twenty20 World Cup in the verstone track, with the Red Bull team boss The Dutchman, who leads United Arab Emirates and contact putting Red Bull’s Christian Horner had criti- Hamilton by eight points in the celebrated his 40th birthday on running carrying out repairs. Oman starting just over a Verstappen out of the race in cised Hamilton’s move as overall standings, had led the Thursday ended the day Hamilton and Verstappen month later. a 51G crash that sent the “desperate” after the Silver- first of yesterday’s two sessions seventh for Alpine at the track head into the weekend with “Playing against quality Dutchman to hospital for pre- stone race. ahead of Bottas and where he scored his first tensions between them sim- opposition in the sub-con- cautionary checks. Wolff said Red Bull had Hamilton. Formula One win in 2003. mering after a controversial tinent is the best way for our Hamilton was handed a elaborated on those criticisms But the 23-year-old Sebastian Vettel was eighth collision at the last race in team to prepare for this event 10-second time penalty by in the submissions they made appeared to struggle with the for Aston Martin ahead of Britain. and we are grateful to Sri stewards but the Briton still to stewards as part of their balance of his Red Bull in the McLaren’s Lando Norris. They could leave tomorrow’s Lanka Cricket for accommo- went on to win his home race petition for a review. hotter afternoon session, with His team-mate Lance Stroll race level on points if the Briton, dating us during this time of for a record-extending eighth “We felt the comments track temperatures soaring to rounded out the top 10. gunning for a landmark 100th the year where schedules are time and slash his deficit to that were made during and nearly 60 degrees Celsius. Yuki Tsunoda completed victory and record ninth in highly condensed,” Cricket Verstappen to eight points after the race, and then in Esteban Ocon was fourth in just three laps in his AlphaTauri Hungary, wins ahead of his Red South Africa Acting CEO from 33 in the overall written statements and in the the afternoon session for Alpine in the afternoon. The Japanese Bull rival with the fastest lap. Pholetsi Moseki said in a standings. meeting itself were below the ahead of Verstappen’s team- rookie had spun into the bar- Tomorrow’s Hungarian media release yesterday. Mercedes responded with belt,” he said. “But it’s not up mate Sergio Perez. riers in the opening session, Grand Prix, the 11th of 23 races, Both series will be played a punchy statement, saying to me, nor would Lewis want Pierre Gasly in the Alpha- bringing out a brief red flag, is the last before Formula One’s at the R. Premadasa Interna- they hoped it would end Red to demand any apologies." Tauri was sixth. with his mechanics spending annual month-long summer tional Cricket Stadium in Fernando Alonso, who much of the second hour of break. Colombo.