Champion Al Attiyah Wants More Dakar Titles, Eyes 2020 Olympics

SPORT Sunday 20 January 2019 PAGE | 09 PAGE | 11 World number Liverpool one Halep geared win thriller up for ‘best to move seven player’ Serena points clear Champion Al Attiyah wants more Dakar titles, eyes 2020 Olympics

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Three-time Dakar Rally champion, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah has some bad news for his rivals: the vastly experienced rallying star yesterday said his best is yet to come. The Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and QMMF President Abdul- rahman Al Mannai yesterday joined the motor sport family in the country to welcome the rallying star at the Hamad Interna- tional Airport in Doha yesterday. Al Attiyah on Thursday won the Dakar Rally for the third time in his illustrious career. The Min- ister and QMMF President along with Al Attiyah cut a cake at the reception that was attended by a Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai cutting huge flag-waving crowd inside a cake with 2019 Dakar Rally champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah during a reception which took place at the Hamad the VIP Lounge of the airport. International Airport in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: MOHAMED FARAG “I am still strong. I will continue to be strong. All the fans and experts at Dakar Rally have been contender for every event I go Qatar’s Minister for Culture desertrt duels.duuellss. saying that the race will be dif- to,” Al Attiyah added. and Sports said yesterday: “It is a He battledbattttlleedd ficult in the next 10 years since it Al Attiyah said his win makes big moment for our country. As againstst thethe wwoworld’sorrlldd’s wont be easy to stop Nasser. I him a popular sports figure in I am still strong. I will you know, motor sport is a big best andand I thinkthhiinnkk hehe won’t say it will be easy but eve- Japan, the home of Toyota and thing in Qatar. Nasser has won the used thethe rightrightht strategystrrattegegy rybody knows I will be back,” Al the Olympic Games in 2020. continue to be strong. most difficult off-read champi- this year.year. HeHe startedssttaarrteted Attiyah, 48, said yesterday. “Yes, Olympic year is coming All the fans and experts onship for the third time. Nasser with a bangbang andaannd thenthhenen hehe “It’s a special win. It’s a big up. I am ready for the Olympic at Dakar Rally have been did it in style. He is young and he had too pullpull himselfhihimmsseellf backbbaackck iinn win for me and an equally a Games. My name and that of saying that the race will be can do more. We say ‘thank you’ the middlemiddle ooff thtthehe rarrally.alllly.y HHee major victory for Toyota. There Qatar are popular in Japan,” Al difficult in the next 10 years to Nasser for his achievements’. I managedaged tthehe gapgagap bebbetweenetwtweeeen hihhimm was more pressure this time. It Attiyah, who represents the since it wont be easy to stop am sure there’s more to come.” and thehe othersotherss veryverery well.”wewelll.”.” was a difficult race since there country in skeet shooting, said The Minister added: “His title All MannaiMannnaai added:addddeed:d “To“TToo usus thtthishiss were some top competitors out yesterday. Nasser. I won’t say it will be win is a big gift for the nation. I is a victoryctory forforr Qatar,Qatatarar, forfofor thtthehe fed-fef d- there. It wasn’t easy by any “It will be my dream to go to easy but everybody knows I am sure there will be more eration,n, forfor thethee country’scouuntntryry’ss motor-mototoror- means. I am very happy since the Japan because the Olympic will be back: Al Attiyah glories in the sports field for sport fanfans.s. ToTo bebe a multiplemumultl ipiplele support I get from my country, Games will be held in Tokyo. My Qatar in 2019.” winnerer of thethe DakarDDakakar RallyRalllly frffromromom the sports ministry and the Fed- team, Toyota is from Japan. QMMF President Al Mannai the Middleiddle East,East,t AAsiasis a oror EuropeEururoppe eration is great,” a beaming Al Toyota is also one of the sponsors received a call from the boss of said yesterday: “We are here to must be a record.recorrd. WeW arearere soso Attiyah added. at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Toyota, Mr President Akio Toyoda. receive our champion. It was the proudd of him.him. I amm suresure heh nneedseeeedsds “The support from the Amir “This is the first time that He’s proud and happy at my best performance of his career, to takee restrest.. I ththinkink he hashasa a lotlot ttoo H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Toyota has won the Dakar Rally achievement. I think Toyota will in my opinion. As you know give. The bbestest isis yetyet to comecomme Al Thani makes me a strong title so it is a very special win. I be backing the sport a lot,” he said. Dakar Rally is at the top of all from him in nth the enext next ffew ew yyears.”ears.” Qatar beat Chile 37-27 Almoez looks to keep on firing

FFAWADAWAD HUSHUSSAINSAIN members are playing their part in this TTHEHE PENINPENINSULASULA important tournament,” he added. The talented forward added he has no AAfterfter a record-breakinrecord-breakingg performance in the individual ambitions and all he want is to ffirstirst stage ofof thethe AFC Asian Cup, forwardforw help team Qatar rise at the global stage. AlAlmoezmoez AliAli is lookinglooking to continue withwith his “I don’t target individual honours. I want ooutstandingutstanding form to steer Qatar to glogloryr in to win big titles with Qatar and that is the tthehe continent’s biggest national team evevent. main aim of my career. This (Asian Cup) The in-form striker has already scoredsco tournament is big for us and I am committed 7 goagoalsls in tthreehree matcmatches,hes, etcetchinghing hhisis naname to do well for my national team,” said iintonto the record books for scoring mmost Almoez. number of gogoalsals in a sinsinglegle editioedition.n Speaking on the Round of 16 clash Almoez’sAlmoez’s four-goalfour-goal tallytally againstaga against Iraq on Tuesday, the Qatari star said NNorthorth Korea was also the eevent’sve he was targeting more goals. rrecordecord for most goals in a matmatchch by “We are working hard as we want to go aann individual. He scored a goalg very far in this competition. I am looking aagainstgainst Lebanon and scored bboth forward to scoring more goals in the the goalsgoals in 2-0 win over ririvals knockout stage. The Qatari fans are SSaudiaudi Arabia as QaQatar expecting a lot from us and we will do our recordedrecorded hat-trickhat-trick of best to live up to their expectations” victories.victories. Asked about the FIFA World Cup 2022 which will be held in Qatar, Almoez said: “Our country will host the next World Cup and it will be an honour for all of us. We will definitely prepare well for it but now all our focus is on the Asian Cup. We have done The 22-22-year-oldyear-old well in the event so far and we are hoping iinn an interview witwithh FIFAFIFA.. to continue with our good form.” ccomom has credited his team anandd Meanwhile, Sanchez said his team’s ccoachoach Felix Sanchez for his phenomphenomenale young stars including Al Moez are pro- pperformance.erformance. gressing well. “All my goals were a result of sheersh “Almoez and other youngsters have Qatar’s Youssef Ali prepares to shoot during the President’s Cup round tteamwork,eamwork, good planning and confidconfidencee been contributing well and after getting match against Chile at the IHF World Championships at the Lanxess ggiveniven to me bbyy the coach (Sanchez),” said more experience they will form the Arena in Cologne, Germany, yesterday. Qatar won 37-27 and will meet AlAlmoez.moez. “Our team spspiritirit is wwhathat hhasas hhelpedel backbone of the team over the next four Russia today in the 13th place play-off. Almoez uuss ffinishinish on top in thethe group. AllAll tthehe tteame years,” he said. Ali 08 SPORT SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019

AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY SIX HIGHLIGHTS

Tsitsipas leads ‘Next Gen’ REUTERS MELBOURNE

Highlights of yesterday’s sixth day of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tour- charge against Federer nament of the year (all times GMT):

REUTERS FEDERER VS TSITSIPAS Muguruza continues steady MELBOURNE progress 3-ROGER FEDERER Twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Blessed with great athleticism and impeccable tech- Age: 37 Muguruza fired 28 winners en route to a nique, Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas will represent ATP Ranking: 3 (Highest ranking: 1) 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Swiss Timea the new generation in their challenge to usurp the old Grand Slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2004, Bacsinszky. guard when he faces Roger Federer at Melbourne Park 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018; French Open today. 2009; Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Brilliant Zverev marches on Fourth seed Alexander Zverev made Next Gen Finals champion Tsitsipas enjoyed a break- 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017; US Open 2004, light work of Alex Bolt, beating the Aus- through 2018 campaign and has surged to a career high 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) ranking of 15. tralian wildcard 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win to reach 2018 Australian Open performance: Winner Federer, making his 20th Melbourne appearance, is the fourth round at Melbourne Park for Best Australian Open performance: Winner expecting a clash of styles against Tsitsipas, who pushed the first time. (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018) the Swiss maestro to two tiebreaks at the Hopman Cup earlier this month. 2019 Australian Open results: Halep proves too good for Venus “I’m happy I played against him at the Hopman Cup. First round: Beat Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) After two scrappy wins to kick-start I think he played really well there. I actually did too. I 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 her campaign, world number one Simona thought it was really high-quality tennis,” the 37-year- Second round: Beat Dan Evans (Britain) Halep produced a majestic display to beat old told reporters. 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 6-3 seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus “This is obviously a different type of match, it being Third round: Beat Taylor Fritz (US) 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the third round. best of five, it being a fourth round of a slam, where we Up next, the Romanian will face know now how we feel on this court. 14-STEFANOS TSITSIPAS Venus’ younger sister Serena, who has “I like how he mixes up his game and also comes to Age: 20 recorded three straight sets wins on her the net - so will I. I think we will see some athletic ATP Ranking: 15 quest for an eighth Melbourne title. attacking tennis being played.” Grand Slam titles: 0 “I think I played my best match here Big-hitting Czech Tomas Berdych, who spent a big 2018 Australian Open performance: First this year,” Halep said. chunk of last season on the sidelines with a back injury, round “It’s always a big challenge to play will look to renew his rivalry with second seed Rafa Nadal. Best Australian Open performance: Third against the Williams sisters so I was super Nadal has a 19-4 head-to-head advantage, but round (2019) motivated today. “I have nothing to lose (against Berdych will hope for a repeat of his Melbourne quarter- 2019 Australian Open results: Serena). I play against a great champion. final win in 2015. First round: Beat Matteo Berrettini (Italy) It’s going to be a bigger challenge but I’m Ashleigh Barty, bidding to become the first home 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4) winner of the Australian Open since Chris O’Neill in 1978, ready to face it.” Second round: Beat Viktor Troicki (Serbia) will face her biggest test when she takes on a rejuvenated 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 Maria Sharapova. Djokovic wobbles before beating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates after winning his Third round: Beat Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) Australian Open third round match against Georgia’s The Russian displayed her title credentials with a com- Shapovalov 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 Nikoloz Basilashvili at the Melbourne Park, yesterday. manding third-round performance to knock out last year’s After a lapse in concentration that winner Caroline Wozniacki. cost him the third set, top seed Novak Djokovic regrouped to storm past Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. World number one “He showed a lot of quality today and we will see more of him in the future,” the 31-year-old Serb said of his 25th- Halep geared up for seeded opponent. Djokovic will next face Russian power- hitter Daniil Medvedev, who has reached ‘best player’ Serena the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time. REUTERS MELBOURNE Raonic rolls into last 16 Canada’s Milos Raonic produced a Simona Halep might be the current number one in serving masterclass, firing 23 aces and women’s tennis but the Romanian believes the best winning 85 percent of points on his first player in the world will be awaiting her when she takes Serena Williams of the US (left) speaks with Ukraine’s serve, to swat aside Frenchman Pierre- on Serena Williams in the fourth round of the Australian Dayana Yastremska after winning her singles match Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(6). Open. on day six of the Australian Open, yesterday. The 37-year-old American took a year off after the Keys sends Mertens packing birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia in September American Madison Keys secured a 2017, before returning to action last season when she spot in the last 16 for the fourth time by reached the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. ‘Don’t cry’: Serena consoles beating Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 6-2. Serena was eight weeks pregnant when she won The 2017 US Open runner-up will the last of her 23 Grand Slam titles at Melbourne Park meet sixth seed Elina Svitolina for a place and, though she has played selective tournaments since in the quarter-finals. motherhood, the American is still the player to beat in teenage Australian Open foe the women’s draw at Grand Slams. Nishikori gets much-needed quick French Open champion Halep has topped the AP and record-tying 24th Grand win rankings since October, 2017. MELBOURNE Slam title in all. Serena com- After surviving two five-setters, “In my opinion, to be number one in the world and plimented Yastremska in the Japan’s Kei Nishikori cruised past Joao to be the best player in the world, it’s a little bit dif- It was all a bit overwhelming locker room after their match. Sousa 7-6(6), 6-1, 6-2 to reach the fourth ferent,” Halep told reporters yesterday after a 6-2, 6-3 for the latest opponent who I could tell she was quite “She said, like, ‘You’re round for the seventh time. third round win against the older Williams sister, Venus. could do nothing to slow upset. I kind of liked young, you’re very good and you “In this moment, I’m number one in the world, so Serena Williams at the that. It shows she wasn’t will be a good player in the Serena eases into last-16 I will take that. I feel like I have been there many Australian Open. So Dayana just there to play a good future.’ It’s nice to hear those Seven-time Melbourne champion months, many weeks. Yastremska, an 18-year-old match - she was there words from a legend,” said the Serena Williams made light work of “But for sure she’s the best player in the world from Ukraine, found herself 57th-ranked Yastremska, who Dayana Yastremska, beating the Ukrainian to win. She wanted to because she won so many Grand Slams. She’s been a wiping away tears as she eliminated 2011 US Open 6-2 6-1 in the third round. lot on number one. I cannot compare my results to her. walked to the net. win. That really broke my champion Sam Stosur in the first Serena, chasing her 24th Grand Slam But in this moment, I’m confident that I’m in this Williams knows what it’s heart: Serena Williams round and 23rd-seeded Carla title, will next face older sister Venus or position, and I’m positive about it.” like to be the one weeping after Suarez Navarro in the second. world number one Simona Halep for a The losses in the finals in London and New York a loss. She put her right hand “If she thinks so,” Yast- place in the quarter-finals. left Serena, who is seeded 16th at Melbourne Park, still on Yastremska’s shoulder and easier time of things, making remska added about Williams, seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles title to equal Mar- consoled her by saying, “You’re only 12 unforced errors while “then maybe that’s true.” Sevastova powers past Wang garet Court’s all-time record. so young. You did amazing. Venus had 33. Halep played Williams grabbed a pair of Anastasija Sevastova, seeded 13th, She has lost only nine games this week in her first Don’t cry.” Then they with her left thigh taped, but service breaks and a 4-0 lead broke Chinese number one Wang Qiang three rounds. embraced, and Williams patted moved around the court well. after less than 15 minutes and four times on her way to a convincing 6-3, “I only beat her once in my life, so I cannot say Yastremska on the back. For Venus, this is the fifth was well on her way to yet 6-3 victory. much about this match,” Halep said, referring to her “I could tell she was quite consecutive Grand Slam tour- another easy-looking win. The Latvian has returned to the nine overall meetings with Serena. upset. I kind of liked that. It nament she exits before the Right from the start, Yast- second week at Melbourne Park for the “I’m used to this shows she wasn’t just there to fourth round. remska appeared a bit jittery, first time in eight years and she will meet prppressure.essure. I’mI’m ususeded to play a good match - she was Not only has Serena won missing 9 of 10 first serves and US Open champion Naomi Osaka. ffacingacing hher,”er,” HalHalepep there to win. She wanted to every set she played this week double-faulting three times said.said. “I’m in a goodgood win. That really broke my - and 20 in a row at Melbourne while getting broken in each Medvedev races into second week position.position. I feel con-con- heart,” Williams said. “I think Park, dating to the start of her of her opening two service Brisbane finalist Daniil Medvedev fired fident.fident. I pplayedlayed she’s a good talent. It’s good to 2017 run to the title (she sat out games. By the end of the first 31 winners to ease past Belgian David veryvery well today. see that attitude.” last year’s tournament after set, the teenager had 13 Goffin 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-3 and advance to But thatthat doesn’tdoesn’t Maybe she will be tested in having a baby) - but Williams unforced errors. the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the mean it’sit’s going the fourth round, because no has ceded a total of only nine It didn’t get much better in first time. to bebe thethe same one has come close to making games through three the second set, and Serena against herher.. her work too hard so far, victories. wound up with eight aces Svitolina beats Zhang in three-set including the 6-2, 6-1 victory Unlike any of Serena’s foes while facing zero break points, thriller yesterday. until now, Halep has won a and a 20-13 ratio of winners to Sixth seed Elina Svitolina rallied from Next up, though, is a far major title, last year’s French unforced errors. 3-0 down in the final set to beat China’s more accomplished player, No. Open. She’s been to three other Yastremska was born in Zhang Shuai 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in just under 1-ranked Simona Halep, who Grand Slam finals, including a 2000, the year after Serena three hours on Rod Laver Arena. took control by reeling off six year ago at the Australian won her initial major, and grew consecutive games in one Open. up cheering for someone she Osaka scores comeback win World stretch and advanced by That resume pales in com- calls “a legend.” Yastremska Japanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka No.1 beating Williams’ sister, Venus, parison to Serena’s, of course. recalls swinging her racket in roared back from a set down to beat Tai- Simona 6-2, 6-3. Whose doesn’t? the living room at home while wan’s Hsieh Su-wei 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 on Mar- Halep After two tough three-set She is bidding for an eighth watching on TV at age 8 as her garet Court Arena. tussles, Halep had a much trophy at the Australian Open favourite player competed. SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 09 Halep sets up Serena showdown

AFP AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS MELBOURNE Roger Who? Federer Men’s singles World number one Simona 3rd round Halep set up a headline last 16 stalled by steward Daniil Medvedev (RUS x15) bt David Goffin showdown with Serena Williams by beating her sister (BEL x21) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 AP Venus yesterday as Novak Djok- Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Joao Sousa (POR) MELBOURNE ovic’s relentless drive towards 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 6-2 more Australian Open glory Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP x23) bt Fabio Maybe Roger Federer isn’t as famous as we thought. cranked up another gear. Fognini (ITA x12) 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 Turns out that even he must carry his tournament On day six at Melbourne Milos Raonic (CAN x16) bt Pierre-Hugues ID to get where he’s try to go at the Australian Open. Park, the Romanian finally hit Herbert (FRA) 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) Rules are rules, after all. form to pull off her best win of Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Denis Shapovalov So what if Federer is a six-time champion at Mel- the year and cruise past the (CAN x25) 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 bourne Park ... the owner of 20 Grand Slam titles in all veteran American 6-2, 6-3. Alexander Zverev (GER x4) bt Alex Bolt (AUS) ... a man who’s spent more weeks ranked No. 1 than any “I was super-motivated 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 other ... and one of the most recognizable athletes on the today,” she said after being Borna Coric (CRO x11) bt Filip Krajinovic planet? taken to three sets in both her (SRB) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 A video showing Federer stopped by a security guard opening two matches as she in a hallway outside a locker room at the Grand Slam Lucas Pouille (FRA x28) bt Alexei Popyrin bounces back from a herniated Romania’s Simona tournament made the rounds on Twitter yesterday, (AUS) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-7 (10/12), 4-6, 6-3 disc that ended her 2018 season Halep in action drawing a mix of amazement and amusement. early. during her Australian In the clip, the guard is seen indicating to Federer “I have nothing to lose,” she Open third round Women’s singles that he was missing his Australian Open accreditation added, looking ahead to Mon- match against Venus 3rd round pass. day’s clash against 23-time Williams of the US at Naomi Osaka (JPN x4) bt Hsieh Su-wei (TPE Federer didn’t argue. He stood patiently, waiting until Grand Slam winner Serena. “I the Melbourne Park, x28) 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 he was joined by members of his entourage. That’s when playing against a great yesterday. Elina Svitolina (UKR x6) bt Shuai Zhang he was allowed to proceed and go through the door. Yes- champion. Its’s going to a bigger (CHN) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 terday was a practice day for Federer at Melbourne Park. challenge but I’m ready to face Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x13) bt Wang it.” Top seed Halep marches Osaka’s win equals the Qiang (CHN x21) 6-3, 6-3 Williams crushed Ukrainian on with clinical win over 21-year-old’s best performance Serena Williams (USA x16) bt Dayana Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-1 at the Australian Open, where Venus. Yastremska (UKR) 6-2, 6-1 before consoling her at the net she reached the last 16 in 2018 Madison Keys (USA x17) bt Elise Mertens as the teenager burst into tears. but lost to Halep. (BEL x12) 6-3, 6-2 The ominous 37-year-old, But she looked headed for Top seed Djokovic Simona Halep (ROU x1) bt Venus Williams seeded 16, has dropped just nine the exit when she conceded the (USA) 6-2, 6-3 games in her three matches so regains calm to see off first set and was down 4-1 in the far on her first return to the Shapovalov challenge. second, before winning five Garbine Muguruza (ESP x18) bt Timea tournament since winning it in straight games to force a Bacsinszky (SUI) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 2017 while pregnant. decider. Karolina Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Camila Giorgi “I just play each match at a Osaka survives Hsieh Sixth seed Elina Svitolina (ITA x27) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 time, play as hard as I can and scare to reach fourth struggled with a painful do the best I can. That really is round. shoulder complaint that all you can do,” she said as she required treatment at every TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY zeroes in on an eighth Aus- changeover, and medical tralian title and a record- Zverev cruises past Bolt timeouts, before she somehow ROD LAVER ARENA equalling 24th Slam crown. to move into fourth beat China’s Zhang Shuai 4-6, 8-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) vs Amanda Fourteen-time Grand Slam round. 6-4, 7-5 as the temperature rose Anisimova (US) winner and top seed Djokovic in the centre court sunshine. Not before 0130 GMT is gunning for a record seventh She will next meet 17th- 15-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) vs 30-Maria Australian title. Nishikori beats Sousa to seeded American Madison Sharapova (Russia) He dropped a set for the first Keys, while seventh seed and advance. Not before 0330 GMT Swiss tennis star Roger Federer poses for a photograph time this year against fast-rising former world number one Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) vs 2-Rafa with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and his wife Canadian Denis Shapovalov, Karolina Pliskova will face Anushka Sharma. TWITTER: @IMVKOHLI before demolishing him in the up-and-coming star, Russia’s two-time Slam winner Garbine Nadal (Spain) fourth stanza to win 6-3, 6-4, 15th seed Daniil Medvedev, who Muguruza. Not before 0800 GMT 4-6, 6-0. eased past David Goffin and has Eighth seed Kei Nishikori 14-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) vs 3-Roger “I just tried to be in the yet to drop a set. made it back-to-back victories Federer (Switzerland) Meeting of two stars moment and weather the Another young gun Alex- for Japan, following Osaka on 5-Sloane Stephens vs Anastasia AP storm,” said the Serb, who was ander Zverev made the last 16 court by beating Portugal’s Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) MELBOURNE unsettled when the lights were for the first time when he 44th-ranked Joao Sousa in three switched on in Rod Laver Arena swatted aside Australian Alex sets. MARGARET COURT ARENA Indian captain Virat Kohli made a quick transition from for television reasons, despite Bolt in three sets and will play The 29-year-old has won all Not before 0400 GMT cricket to tennis to meet with Roger Federer and watch it still being daylight. former world number three three of his first week matches Danielle Collins (US) vs 2-Angelique Kerber Novak Djokovic in action at the Australian Open. “Completely unnecessary to Milos Raonic for a place in the on Margaret Court Arena to (Germany) Kohli was at Melbourne Park yesterday, a day after leading India to another series victory against Australia turn on the lights,” he said in quarter-finals. reach the last 16 for the seventh 6-Marin Cilic (Croatia) vs 22-Roberto at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground. roasting the organisers. Fourth seed Naomi Osaka time in nine appearances. Bautista Agut (Spain) Djokovic’s victory means he looked down and out against “I love to play this court,” Kohli’s No. 1-ranked lineup beat Australia 2-1 in the is guaranteed to stay world Taiwanese veteran Hsieh said the 2014 US Open finalist four-match test series and followed it up with a comeback MELBOURNE ARENA number one when the new Su-wei before battling back to after delighting a large con- 2-1 victory in the limited-overs series. rankings are released after the win 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 and set up tingent of Japanese fans. Not before 0200 GMT He posed for photographs with Roger Federer, and tournament. meeting with Latvia’s Anastasija He next plays Spain’s 23rd Frances Tiafoe (US) vs 20-Grigor Dimitrov watched in the VIP section on Rod Laver Arena when top- He next plays another Sevastova. seed Pablo Carreno Busta. (Bulgaria) ranked Djokovic beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the third round. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his Australian Open third round match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, yesterday.

‘Agitated’ Djokovic regrets meltdown in floodlight fury

AFP - in broad daylight. An incandescent at a cheeky fan who shouted “Nervous?”, set, other than that I thought I played half,” said Djokovic who extended his MELBOURNE Djokovic lost his focus, swore towards a as he faced three break points at 4-4, well, especially in the fourth set.” winning streak against left-handers at wise-cracking fan and dropped six of the 0-40 in the third set. Up till his mini-meltdown, Djokovic Grand Slams to 18 matches. Top seed Novak Djokovic admitted he next seven games as the red mist “I misconducted myself verbally. had made his outing on centre court look Djokovic left the court at the end of should have “known better” than to let descended under bright sunshine. That’s why I got the code violation,” a like an afternoon practice session for the third set and came back refocused. a floodlight row get to him after copping “I think there was no sense to turn sheepish Djokovic told reporters after he two-and-a-half sets against Shapovalov, He unleashed a massive primal a code violation during a mini-meltdown on lights on court at 5pm when we have had calmed down. one of the NextGen stars tipped to take scream to relieve his tension as he broke in the Australian Open yesterday. another four hours of daylight,” fumed “It was very bright. There was no over from the sport’s old guard. for 2-0 before closing out the whirlwind The Serb angrily blamed floodlights the Serb 14-time Grand Slam winner. reason for the lights. For the first two sets, He skilfully dominated the 19-year- last set in a match that lasted 2hr 22min. for dropping a tournament set for the first “Completely unnecessary to turn on just had things under control. At 4-1 (up old, who could not find enough winners Djokovic’s victory means he is guar- time as he beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3, the lights. The explanation I got was for in the third set), I was agitated. Should to throw the 14-time Grand Slam winner anteed to stay world number one when 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 in the third round. TV reasons. I hope the viewers enjoyed not happen to me. I know better. I have off his stride until the dazzling inter- the new rankings are released after the He seethed when leading 3-0 in the it,” he added. experience. But it does happen, I guess. ruption to concentration. tournament. third set against the 25th-seeded The normally mild-mannered I allowed him to come back to the match. “I expected Denis to come out and He next plays another young gun, Canadian when the powerful lights Djokovic earned his warning from French “Other than the little letdown that I be aggressive. He made a lot of unforced Russia’s 22-year-old 15th seed Daniil blazed on all around Rod Laver Arena umpire Damien Dumusois for snapping had when I was 4-1, 4-2 up in the third errors, I thought, for the first set and a Medvedev. 10 SPORT SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019 India praised for ‘perfect ﬁnish’ to historic Australia tour

AFP Captain Virat Kohli, riding NEW DELHI In this ﬁle photo taken on January on a high, is already looking 18, 2019, Indian payers pose with ahead to the World Cup in May, India’s cricketers are being confident his men have hit their the trophy after winning the ODI hailed a once-in-a-generation stride as the coveted ODI cup series against Australia. side as the World Cup looms, looms. capping off a “perfect finish” to “We are feeling confident their historic Australia tour with and balanced as a side with the a maiden one-day international World Cup in mind,” the skipper bilateral series victory. said. The Men in Blue will return “In all the three series we home to India triumphant bounced back in different without having lost a Test or stages, and I think that builds limited-overs series -- a first on team character ahead, espe- Australian soil. cially when the World Cup is so The Test victory was India’s near. If everyone contributes at first in 71 years of trying in Aus- different stages, it is then you tralia, a crowning achievement win a big tournament.” burnished by another historic The India side is being first as the visitors clinched the tipped as one of the best in ODI series 2-1 in Melbourne on years. Friday. “The teams that used to India earlier drew a three- come here (to Australia), you match Twenty20 showdown 1-1 can’t compare those teams to after one match was washed this (one),” veteran commen- out, ending the tour without tator Harsha Bhogle told broad- losing a series in any format. casters Sony Six after India’s “Perfect Finish To Dream seven-wicket win in the third Tour”, declared the Mail Today ODI. daily on page one Saturday. “It has only happened twice “One-Day wonder Down in history that a visiting team pointed to “signs that they are smash an unbeaten 87 and reg- driving India’s tricky 231-run India now head to New Under”, ran a front page has won a Test and ODI series setting themselves high ister his third straight ODI chase at the MCG. Zealand for a limited-overs headline in the weekend edition in Australia.” standards” going forward. half-century. Legendary batsman Sachin series, starting with the first of of the Indian Express news- Indian cricketer-turned- Special praise was reserved The 37-year-old had been Tendulkar praised Dhoni on five ODIs in Napier on January paper. Other Indian dailies commentator Sanjay Manjrekar for veteran wicketkeeper- accused by some of losing his Twitter, saying he “once again 23. called it a “perfect ending” and also praised their “nonchalant” batsman Mahendra Singh lustre as a finisher but was played the role of the anchor The 50-over World Cup “series of firsts”. confidence on foreign soil and Dhoni, who defied critics to named man of the series after beautifully!”. begins in England on May 30.

West Indies Pakistan batsman Imamul Haq celebrates Australia pacer after scoring half century against South Africa, yesterday. INSET: Mohammad stand by Pybus Hafeez celebrates after the victory. Hazlewood appointment ruled out of as head coach Sri Lanka Tests

AFP AFP ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MELBOURNE

West Indies cricket chiefs insisted Australia suffered a big blow they were standing by the decision yesterday with star fast bowler Josh to name Richard Pybus (pictured Hazlewood ruled out of their two below) as their new head coach upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka despite a storm of criticism which with a back injury, and Jhye Rich- greeted the Englishman’s ardson replacing him. appointment. The vice-captain has hurt the Pybus, who previously worked same part of his back that sidelined as director of cricket for the West him last year. But Cricket Australia Indies from 2013 to 2016, will coach physiotherapist David Beakley said the team for the forthcoming series he was confident Hazlewood would against England, the World Cup and recover in time for the World Cup in the visit of India in July and August. England and Wales. “Following a meeting of the board “Josh has reported some back of directors, the organisation affirmed soreness over the last few days and that the appointment of Pybus was scans have revealed a very early stage made with the support of more than stress fracture in the same lower back two-thirds of its board to ensure the area as his previous injury from last team had strong leadership ahead of summer,” he said on the Cricket Aus- the busy cricket season this year,” tralia website. said a Cricket West Indies (CWI) “He will now begin a rehabili- statement. Imam, Hafeez star as tation program and we are confident Pybus, who has had brief spells he will be available for selection as coach of Pakistan and Bangladesh, ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup was blamed by former captain Darren in the UK later this year.” Sammy for causing the West Indies Richardson, who has impressed squad to strike on the 2016 India tour. Pakistan win opener in the one-day series against India, “Moses led God’s children out of joins Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and AFP Egypt and a 40days journey took SCOREBOARD 45 off 50 balls by Imam and Peter Siddle as the pace attack in the them 40years because of stub- PORT ELIZABETH Fakhar Zaman had given squad to face Sri Lanka. South Africa Fakhar Zaman c Pretorius b Olivier ...... 25 bornness.The 2019 worldcup will be H. Amla not out ...... 108 Babar Azam b Hendricks ...... 49 Pakistan momentum which The first Test -- a day-nighter -- 40years since WI won,” tweeted Imam-ul-Haq and R. Hendricks c Hasan Ali b Shadab Khan .. 45 Mohammad Hafeez not out ...... 71 was continued during the starts next Thursday in Brisbane, with Sammy. Mohammad Hafeez set up a H. van der Dussen c S Malik b H ...... Ali 93 Shoaib Malik b Phehlukwayo ...... 12 partnership between Imam the second in Canberra. “Come on (CWI president) Dave five-wicket win for Pakistan D. Miller not out ...... 16 Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Imran Tahir ...... 1 and Azam. “Jhye has had an impressive first Extras (lb3, w1) ...... 4 Shadab Khan not out ...... 18 Cameron aka Pharaoh, please let WI in the first one-day interna- Total (2 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 266 Extras (lb1, w4) ...... 5 Seamer Hasan Ali and half in his Sheffield Shield season and people go.I know for sure Pybus is tional against South Africa Did not bat: F. du Plessis, H. Klaasen, D. Preto- Total (5 wkts, 49.1 overs) ...... 267 leg-spinner Shadab Khan no-one could deny he has now con- not Moses.” CWI director Enoch Lewis at St George’s Park rius, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Rabada, Imran Tahir, D. Did not bat: Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, were the best Pakistan tinued that form in ODI matches for Olivier Hasan Ali, Usman Shinwari was also highly critical of Pybus’s yesterday. Fall of wickets: 1-82 (Hendricks), 2-237 (Van Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Zaman), 2-139 (Azam), bowlers and the only two Australia,” said national selector nomination, accusing Cameron of The left-handed Imam der Dussen) 3-185 (Imam), 4-218 (Malik), 5-223 (Sarfraz) who bowled their full quota Trevor Hohns. “hand-picking” Pybus for the job. made a cultured 86 off 101 Bowling: Faheem Ashraf 10-0-64-0, Usman Bowling: Rabada 9.1-1-51-0, Olivier 10-0-73-2 of ten overs, taking one for “We consider Jhye to be an ideal Without naming the individual, balls and Hafeez hit an Shinwari 8-0-49-0, Imad Wasim 7-0-37-0 (w1), (2w), Pretorius 10-0-42-0, Phehlukwayo 7-0- 42 and one for 41 replacement in the squad for Josh.” Mohammad Hafeez 3-0-22-0, Hasan Ali 10-2- 43-1 (2w), Imran Tahir 10-0-44-1, Hendricks CWI added on Friday: “Recent public unbeaten 71 off 63 deliveries 42-1, Shadab Khan 10-0-41-1, Fakhar Zaman 3-0-13-1 respectively. Revised Australia squad: Joe charges levelled at the sporting body as Pakistan chased down a 2-0-8-0 Pakistan won by five wickets Pakistan looked to be Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, by an objecting board director have target of 267 with five balls Pakistan Series: Pakistan lead the five-match series 1-0 cruising to an easy win until Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Imam-ul-Haq c Hendricks b Olivier ...... 86 Toss: South Africa now been referred to the governing to spare. Imam was dismissed in the Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, body’s ethics committee for review”. Hashim Amla’s 27th 37th over when he stepped Tim Paine (capt), Will Pucovski, Matt West Indies open their Test series one-day international bowlers Kagiso Rabada and to dominate the bowling. out of his crease and sliced an Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell against England in Bridgetown on century was not enough for Duanne Olivier conceded a “Those two guys batted attempted drive to deep cover. Starc, Peter Siddle. January 23. South Africa, who lost only combined 124 runs in 19.1 really well but there were Two more wickets fell two wickets in scoring 266 overs. probably 15 or 20 more runs cheaply before Hafeez and runs after winning the toss. The Pakistan batsmen that we could have scored if Shadab saw their side home, Pakistan’s bowlers also proved better at rotating we had pushed a bit harder,” maintaining an unbeaten deserved credit for their the strike, particularly during said South African captain record for Pakistan in five Josh has reported some team’s win, which came after a 94-run second-wicket Faf du Plessis. one-day matches in Port the tourists were well- stand between Imam and “Pakistan bowled really Elizabeth, four of them back soreness over beaten in all three Test Babar Azam (49). well in the middle overs.” against South Africa. the last few days and matches. Amla (108 not out) and Man of the match Hafeez Amla and Reeza Hen- scans have revealed a Pakistan captain Sarfraz new cap Hendrick ‘Rassie’ said: “We were confident dricks (45) put on 82 off 105 very early stage stress Ahmed used his bowlers in van der Dussen (93) put on because we knew 266 was balls for the first wicket short spells and their mixture 155 for South Africa’s not a par score on this track. before Van der Dussen made fracture in the same of seam and spin proved second wicket but although The first win of the series is a slow start in his first lower back area as his better suited to a slow pitch they gradually increased very important.” one-day international, previous injury from last than South Africa’s attack. the tempo of their part- Hafeez said an taking ten balls to score his South African strike nership they were unable aggressive opening stand of first run. summer: David Beakley SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 11 QSL Cup: Qatar SC, Al Duhail in semis

ARMSTRONG VAS In the other towering presence in the Al Sadd THE PENINSULA quarter-final ranks and who guided the young clash, a brace players in the side. Qatar SC and Al Duhail registered from Ali Said Al Al Sadd suffered an early contrasting wins to move into the Muhannadi blow six minutes into the match semi-finals of the QSL Cup. helped Qatar SC on when Al Mohannadi got the Yesterday, at Jassim bin beat Qatar Stars first of his two goals. Hamad Stadium, Al Duhail League leaders Al Down by a goal Al Sadd survive a few hiccups in the first Sadd 2-0. picked up the pace and pressed half but came strongly in the The 25-year- hard for the equaliser. second to trounce Al Khor 5-1. old striker scored Qatar SC on the other hand A second half hat-trick from once in each half used their collective experience super-sub Nasser Salh Nasser to take his team to to repel the Al Sadd attacks. helped Al Duhail to the big win. the semi-finals. Although both the teams Al Duhail went into the lead Al Muhannadi came close to scoring, they could very early into the match through struck as early in not trouble the scorers. Fahad Waad in the sixth minute. the sixth minute Qatar SC thus went into the The under-23 player placed and added a halftime with a 1-0 lead. himself perfectly inside the box second one in the On resumption, Qatar SC to finish the move started by 59th minute. sustained the attacking tempo Yousef Alarabi. Al Sadd, who and broke through the Al Sadd Thereafter, Al Duhail dic- took the field with defense for the second time in tated terms coming up with a number of the match. several threatening moves but players from the With 14 minutes gone into could not add more goals. age group teams, the second half, Al Muhannadi During that period, Al Duhail Action from the QSL Cup match between Al Duhail and Al Khor at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Action two from the found himself in the thick of strikers were guilty of missing at from the Qatar SC and Al Sadd match at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. Pics by: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula Under-23 and an things, finding the back of the least half a dozen chances either equal number nets. shooting or heading wide and a from the Thereafter, Al Sadd threw couple times shooting tamely Said Brahmi equalised for Al one-all. In the second session, The under-19 player struck under-19, did not have the best everything into the attack but into the waiting hands of the Khor in the 32nd minute. substitute Nasser did the star act in the 56, 61 and 90th minute of the start. Qatar SC stood their ground keeper. The teams went into the half for Al Duhail by registering a while Yousef Alarabi put the Spanish veteran Gabriel Luis managing to repulse the waves Much against the run of play, time break deadlocked at hat-trick. issue beyond doubt. Fernandez Arenas was the of Al Sadd attacks with aplomb. Liverpool win thriller to move seven points clear

AFP ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Milner’s cross prompted a Pascal Gross reduced the LONDON English Premier League results yester- nervous flap from Speroni, who deficit in the 72nd minute, but day: Bournemouth 2 (Wilson 53, King 90+1) tipped the ball high over his own United weren’t to be denied as Liverpool moved seven points West Ham 0 head and Salah was on hand to they moved within three points clear at the top of the Premier Liverpool 4 (Salah 46, 75, Firmino 53, Mane convert on the line. of fourth placed Chelsea, who League as Mohamed Salah’s 90+3) Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 34, Tomkins Milner was sent off in the face Arsenal. double inspired a dramatic 4-3 65, Meyer 90+5) 89th minute for a second Newcastle climbed out of the victory over Crystal Palace, Manchester United 2 (Pogba 27-pen, Rashford booking, but Liverpool made in relegation zone with a 3-0 win while Manchester United 42) Brighton 1 (Gross 72) four in stoppage-time through over Cardiff at St James’ Park stretched their winning streak Newcastle 3 (Schar 24, 63, Perez 90+3) Cardiff Sadio Mane before Max Meyer that saw their opponents drop to seven games as they beat 0 capped a frantic finale with Pal- into the bottom three. Brighton 2-1 yesterday. Southampton 2 (Ward-Prowse 50, Digne 64- ace’s third. Fabian Schar put Newcastle With second-placed Man- og) Everton 1 (Sigurdsson 90+1) At Old Trafford, Manchester ahead with a fine solo effort in chester City travelling to bottom Watford 0 Burnley 0 Wolves 4 (Jota 4, 64, United extended their superb the 24th minute. of the table Huddersfield today, 90+3, Bennett 12) form since interim manager Ole Schar netted again in the Liverpool seized the chance to Leicester 3 (Gray 47, Coady 51-og, Morgan 87) Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the 63rd minute and Ayoze Perez tighten their grip on the title Playing today: sacked Jose Mourinho. struck in stoppage-time to give

race. Huddersfield vs Manchester City (1330 GMT), After a minute’s applause to Newcastle their first win in six Jurgen Klopp’s side were Fulham vs Tottenham (1600 GMT) mark the 25th anniversary of the league games. pushed hard by Palace but death of United’s legendary Southampton boosted their Salah’s predatory instincts and manager Matt Busby, Solskjaer’s bid to avoid relegation with a 2-1 a woeful mistake from Eagles with an equaliser 60 seconds side took the lead in the 27th victory against Everton at St keeper Julian Speroni ensured after the interval, the Egypt minute. Mary’s. Liverpool improved their forward slotting in his 18th goal Gaetan Bong conceded a James Ward-Prowse scored unbeaten home league run to 32 of the season after Virgil van penalty with a foul on Paul in the 50th minute for Saints, games. Dijk’s shot deflected into his Pogba and the France mid- who went further ahead through Liverpool’s haul of 60 points path. fielder stroked home the spot- a bizarre Lucas Digne own goal from 23 games tops the Reds’ Liverpool went ahead in the kick for his 10th goal of the in the 64th minute, the defender previous best tally of 59, set at 53rd minute when Brazilian season. blocking the ball into the net the same stage of the 1893-94 striker Roberto Firmino, sur- Pogba’s ‘rocking the baby’ from 20 yards out. and 1987-88 campaigns. rounded by defenders, still celebration was to mark him Gylfi Sigurdsson got one Palace, the last team to beat managed to unload a shot that becoming a father for the first back for Everton in Liverpool in a Premier League deflected in off Palace’s time, with his girlfriend Maria stoppage-time. game at Anfield, in April 2017, Cheikhou Kouyate. Salaues believed to have given Diogo Jota’s hat-trick piled took a shock 34th minute lead. James Tomkins out-jumped birth this week. pressure on Leicester manager Wilfried Zaha picked out Fabinho to head Palace level in United winger Marcus Claude Puel as the Wolves mid- Andros Townsend, who drilled the 65th minute, yet Liverpool Rashford marked his 150th game fielder’s last-gasp strike secured a crisp finish past Alisson Becker. were gifted the crucial third 10 for the club with his side’s a thrilling 4-3 win. Salah had been accused of minutes later thanks to a howler second goal in the 42nd minute. Bournemouth beat West diving by Palace players after a from Speroni -- at 39 the Rashford sent a superb finish Ham 2-0 with goals from Callum Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates their English failed attempt to win a first-half Premier League’s oldest player into the far corner from a tight Wilson and Josh King, while Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, penalty. and making his first appearance angle for his fourth goal in his Watford drew 0-0 against But he exacted his revenge since December 2017 James last five games. Burnley. yesterday. Ambitious Oman eye Iran upset in Asian Cup REUTERS that we have achieved everything we We know that it will not be easy, we ABU DHABI wanted to achieve and let it go. This know the strength of the Iran team and could be an historic game if we reach the Iranian players. It is up to the team Coach Pim Verbeek says Oman are by the last eight. to play good football and, if necessary, no means satisfied with reaching the last “This is not enough. We will do eve- fight to the last second. 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time and rything we can to get to the next round “These are the games you want to will be going all out to forge another of this Asian Cup.” Oman lost to play.” Oman struggled to convert their historic breakthrough when they take Uzbekistan and Japan in the group stage chances in their group games and on Iran today. but beat Turkmenistan 3-1 in their final Verbeek said it was vital that they were The Omanis will be rank outsiders match to qualify for their knockout stage clinical at one end and focused at the when they face three-times champions clash with Iran, the 29th best team in the other today. Iran at the Mohammed bin Zayed world according to the FIFA rankings. “My team are not as experienced in Stadium in Abu Dhabi but the always Asked about the gulf between Iran’s big leagues or competitions as other upbeat Dutchman said there was no standing and 82nd ranked Oman, teams at the Asian Cup so we still have sense of mission accomplished in his Verbeek was dismissive. “I have no idea to learn that if you lose concentration squad. about the FIFA rankings,” he scoffed. for five seconds, that’s a goal,” he added. “I agree that our first target was “I think in big tournaments, this “We will get chances, I’m not worried always to be in the final 16 but there was doesn’t matter. This is the start of the about that. Of course we have to play always a second target and that was to knockout stage. Everybody will be our best football (but) when we get those get into the next round,” Verbeek told excited to play one of the best teams in chances, we have to take them. Iran’s Ashkan Dejagah in action with Iraq’s Amjad Attwan during the AFC Asian reporters yesterday. Asia at the moment. “We’ll try to score as many goals as Cup of Group D at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, on Wednesday. “We do not sit in the hotel and say “These are fantastic games to play. possible, but let’s start with one.” SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07 For sure she’s the best player in the world because she won so many Grand World No.1 Simona FOOTBALL Slams. She’s been a lot on number one. Halep gears up for FOOTBALL I cannot compare my results to her. But clash against Serena Asian Cup, Round of 16: Huddersfield Town vs in this moment, I’m confident that I’m in Williams at Australian Jordan vs Vietnam Man City; Fulham vs

Iran vs Oman ACTION Tottenham Hotspur this position, and I’m positive about it. Open. TODAY’S Lowry wins see-saw battle to clinch title Yoshinori Fujimoto of AFP Japan lines up a putt ABU DHABI during round three of Shane Lowry of Ireland the Singapore Open, poses with the winner’s Ireland’s Shane Lowry won a yesterday. see-saw battle with Richard trophy after winning the Abu Sterne, needing a birdie on the Dhabi Golf Championship, last hole to win the $7m Abu yesterday. Dhabi HSBC Championship yesterday. Lowry held his nerves on the back nine to make up a deficit of four shots after losing a three-shot advantage early in the final round. He closed with a one- Fujimoto takes lead under par-71 round for a one- shot win over Sterne, who shot Irish golfer held his a final round of 69. nerves on the back It was Lowry’s first win nine to make up a at Singapore Open since the World Golf Champi- onship-Bridgestone Invita- deﬁcit of four shots AFP from his second round. A number tional in August 2015 and he is after losing a 3-shot SINGAPORE of golfers were unable to finish the expected to rise to number 40 advantage early in second round on Friday after play in the world ranking from his the ﬁnal round. Japan’s Yoshinori Fujimoto fired an was interrupted by stormy weather. current 75. impressive closing birdie to card a After snatching the second Netherland’s Joost Luiten five-under-par 66 to take the lead round lead with a 67, the Japanese made two eagles in his round after the third round of the held onto his lead by firing four -- including a hole-out second Singapore Open yesterday. birdies, one eagle and a bogey. shot on the par-four ninth hole on 277, which meant that Eng- enjoy the cushion for long and Sterne a four-shot advantage, His three-day total of 13-under- “It has been a while since I’ve -- to shoot a 65 on a windy Abu land’s Justin Rose will remain missed a par putt from a but the burly Irishman par 200 gave him a one-shot won. I’m glad that I am in good Dhabi Golf Club course to the world number one irre- couple of feet on the sixth to bounced right back with back- advantage over Thailand’s Jazz position to do so now,” he said. finish solo third at 15-under spective of his finish this week tie again with Lowry on to-back birdies on the 12th and Janewattananond and England’s “From the first round, my shots 273, one better than South on the US PGA Tour’s Desert 17-under. 13th holes. Matthew Fitzpatrick, who posted were mostly straight so that was the African Louis Oosthuizen (66). Classic. The tournament looked Sterne then dropped shots rounds of 65 and 66 respectively. cause for my good score.” Jazz, 23, World number two Brooks Sterne was quick off the like becoming a two-horse on the 14th and 16th and the Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat fired a flawless round that included Koepka (70) finished tied ninth blocks and caught up with race, with their closest rivals duo headed to the 18th hole shared fourth place with South six birdies. Lowry with birdies on his first five shots behind at that stage, tied on 17-under par. Korea’s Mun Doyeob and England’s He said he was determined to SCORES three holes. The Irishman had but the next two holes changed Both found the fairway, but Paul Casey, the highest ranked win but added that “there are really also started with a birdie on the the equations completely. the South African pushed his player in the Singapore tournament a lot of good players out here. 270 - Shane Lowry (IRE) 62-70-67-71 opening hole, but dropped a shot Sterne birdied the par-five second shot into the cart path at world number 24. “I will try my best tomorrow. I 271 - Richard Sterne (RSA) 65-68-69-69 on the par-four third and found eighth hole to go one ahead. on the right. He failed to get his But it was another disap- finished well in my second round 273 - Joost Luiten (NED) 69-68-71-65, his three-shot advantage at the Lowry then hooked his tee shot up-and-down from there, pointing day for defending this morning. 274 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 65-68-75- start of the day soon vanished. straight into the water on the while Lowry, on the green in champion Sergio Garcia of Spain “I had three straight birdies 66 Lowry regained the lead par-four ninth and wound up two, two-putted for the as he ended in tied 16th place. He coming in. I kind of repeated that 275 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 66-69-71-69, when he birdied his 10th par- with a bogey, while Sterne decisive birdie. has struggled after being hit by a good form into the third round 276 - Paul Waring (ENG) 70-67-70-69, three hole of the tournament made another impressive The win takes Lowry to the sinus infection and an upset today.” Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 65-72-68-71, Ian on the fourth, but the South 15-foot birdie putt to go ahead top of the European Tour’s stomach earlier in the week. Chapchai, a four-time Asian Poulter (ENG) 66-69-69-71 African chipped in for a birdie by three at the turn. Race to Dubai, while Sterne’s Fujimoto showed no signs of Tour winner, hit five birdies in six

277 - Tom Lewis (ENG) 69-67-75-67, on the difficult par-four fifth The drama continued on long wait for a title -- his last tiredness despite having to return holes after the turn to surge towards Brooks Koepka (USA) 67-70-70-70 hole playing into stiff the back nine. A bogey by was at the Joburg Open in Feb- early to the Sentosa Golf Club to the top of the leaderboard at the headwind. However, he did not Lowry on the 11th hole gave ruary 2013 -- goes on. complete his remaining 11 holes $1m event. New York Islanders Warriors win big in Cousins’ debut down Capitals in Trotz’s REUTERS points and 12 rebounds for the LOS ANGELES Trail Blazers, who extended their return to Washington home winning streak to six Stephen Curry scored 28 points games. Al Farouq Aminu scored and DeMarcus Cousins added 14 15 points and Maurice Harkless WASHINGTON seconds apart, but Derek in his Golden State debut as the had 12 for Portland. AP Stepan scored with 5 1/2 visiting Warriors extended their Pistons 98, Heat 93 minutes left in the third to tie it. winning streak to seven games Blake Griffin collected 32 Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck Panthers 3, M’ Leafs 1 with a 112-94 victory over the points, 11 rebounds and nine scored third-period goals, Mike Matheson scored the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. assists, and Detroit overcame the Thomas Greiss made 19 saves winning goal and Florida beat Cousins, who missed nearly early departure of Andre and the New York Islanders Toronto to snap a seven-game a year of action because of an Drummond to edge visiting beat the Capitals 2-0 on Friday losing streak. Achilles injury, fouled out in just Miami. night in Barry Trotz’s return to Mike Hoffman and Frank 15 minutes of court time. Luke Kennard scored 22 Washington to move into first Vatrano also scored for Florida. He shot 5 of 11 from the field, points off the bench and Reggie place in the Metropolitan Roberto Luongo made 20 saves including 3 of 4 from 3-point Bullock had 19 for the Pistons. Division. moved within four wins of tying range, while adding six Dwyane Wade led the Heat with Trotz’s Islanders have won Ed Belfour (484) for third place rebounds. 20 points and eight assists off the four in a row and 14 of 17 games on the NHL’s career list. Celtics 122, Grizzlies 116 bench. to leapfrog the team he coached Canadiens 4, Blue Kyrie Irving stalled a rally Tyler Johnson contributed 16 to the Stanley Cup last year. Jackets 1 with two consecutive jumpers points and Justise Winslow They held Washington under Tomas Tatar and Joel Armia and later added a game- added 15 points with nine 20 shots and improved to 7-0-0 each scored twice, Carey Price clinching 3-pointer to cap a rebounds. in the second half of back-to- stopped 34 shots and Montreal 38-point effort as host Boston Nets 117, Magic 115 back sets this season. beat Columbus. held on to beat Memphis. Golden State Warriors centre DeMarcus Cousins (foreground) D’Angelo Russell scored a Penguins 3, Coyotes 2 The Canadiens have won Marcus Smart and Al runs back on defence after hitting a 3-point shot against the Los season-high 40 points to lead Phil Kessel scored on a four in a row and five of the last Horford also hit key late hoops Angeles Clippers on Friday. visiting Brooklyn to a comeback power play at 4:09 of overtime, six. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored to finish off high-scoring nights win over Orlando. Matt Murray stopped 30 shots for Columbus. in helping the Celtics win their Mike Conley had 26 points Spurs, while Belinelli had 19 Spencer Dinwiddie added and Pittsburgh beat Arizona. Senators 4, Hurricanes second straight and complete a to pace the Grizzlies, who lost points, Derrick White added 15, 20 points for the Nets, who have Pittsburgh had a 4 on 3 in 1 two-game, season-series sweep their fourth straight. and Davis Bertans and Bryn a winning record for the first overtime when Richard Panik Bobby Ryan and Mark of the Grizzlies. Spurs 116, Timberwolves Forbes poured in 11 and 10 time this season, 24-23. was called for slashing and Stone scored 13 seconds apart 113 points, respectively, for San Brooklyn, which trailed by 21 Kessel cashed in, redirecting in the second period and NBA RESULTS Marco Belinelli canned two Antonio, which has won two points in the second quarter Sidney Crosby’s shot from the Ottawa beat Carolina. LA Clippers 94, Golden State 112 crucial free throws with 4.2 straight. Friday, was 10 games below .500 point past Darcy Kuemper. Magnus Paajarvi and seconds left to play, and Trail Blazers 128, through December 5 but has Portland 128, New Orleans 112 Outscored 10-4 in consec- Christian Wolanin also scored, LaMarcus Aldridge poured in 25 Pelicans 112 gone 16-5 since. utive losses, Pittsburgh fell and Anders Nilsson made 33 Utah 115, Cleveland 99 points as San Antonio outlasted Damian Lillard scored 24 Aaron Gordon led the Magic behind on Clayton Keller’s first- saves. Ottawa has won four of Minnesota 113, San Antonio 116 Minnesota in Minneapolis in a points while CJ McCollum and with 23 points, but he exited the period goal. five after an eight-game losing Boston 122, Memphis 116 game featuring 27 lead changes Jake Layman added 20 apiece game in the fourth quarter with

The Penguins rallied in the streak. Detroit 98, Miami 93 and 17 ties through the middle as Portland downed visiting New lower back tightness and did not second when Jusso Riikola and Warren Foegele scored for Orlando 115, Brooklyn 117 of the fourth quarter. Orleans. return. Nikola Vucevic had 16 Jake Guentzel scored 40 Carolina. Gay scored 22 points for the Jusuf Nurkic contributed 15 points and 17 rebounds.