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MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2021 Bring on the Melbourne crowds: Djokovic I had goosebumps coming into the court playing in front of the fans again after 12 months of not experiencing that. After playing professional for more than 15 years, this is one of the biggest driving forces or motivations, inspirations that I have, playing in front of a crowd.

World number one Novak Djokovic Sport |09

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Chelsea beat Burnley 2-0; Leeds United beat Leicester City 3-1; Liverpool beat West Ham United 3-1 Qatari drivers dominate in opening round of FIA Middle East Rally Championship Al Attiyah cruises to record 15th win

– THE PENINSULA The podium winners of the International Rally, confirmed before the restart that Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, Matthieu Baumel; Abdulaziz exhaust sensor issues had forced Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Al Kuwari, James Fulton and Khalid Al Suwaidi and him to retire as well, as Al continued to rewrite his own Hugo Magalhães celebrate on the podium. Attiyah headed to the 18.30km history by securing a of the Al Khor opener. He carded comfortable victory in the Qatar the target time of 9min 47.1sec, International Rally yesterday. although Al Kuwari claimed the The Qatari and French co- fastest time by 0.7 seconds. Al driver Matthieu Baumel Thani slipped to ninth after managed the pace perfectly over losing over five minutes, but the the closing stages and guided special spelt the end of the road their Autotek Motorsport for Kuwait’s Jassim Al Muqahwi Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 to a after engine problems. winning margin of 1min 48.4sec A cautious Al Attiyah over Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and stopped the clocks in the new his new Irish co-driver James seventh stage in 11min 11.2sec, Fulton. but Al Kuwari gained another Al Attiyah duly broke his stage win by six seconds and own record of achieving a 15th reduced the defending cham- victory in Qatar and a record pion’s overall advantage to 1min breaking 77th MERC win in the 33.9sec. Al Saif set the fifth 218-event history of the series. quickest time and moved up to Baumel earned his 26th regional sixth at the expense of Al Aufi, rally victory on the 41st running but the loss of over 12 minutes of the Qatar event to overhaul pushed Al Thani down to 10th both Chris Patterson and Gio- overall. A fastest time enabled vanni Bernacchini in the Hall of Ahmed Allouh to snatch a 24.6- Fame. He now has his sights set second lead in the Qatar 2021 QATAR INTERNATIONAL RALLY – POSITIONS AFTER SS11 Qatar National Rally winners Khalid on Ronan Morgan’s record of 41 National Rally. 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 1hr 50min 48.5sec Al Mohannadi and co-driver Kirill successes. Fourteen cars remained in 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/James Fulton (IRL) Škoda Fabia R5 Evo 1hr 52min 36.9sec Shubin celebrate. “Today we did a really good the main event as Al Attiyah 3. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (POR) Škoda Fabia R5 1hr 57min 16.9sec job,” said Al Attiyah. headed to the new stage at Ras 4. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT)/Georges Nader (LEB) Ford Fiesta R5 2hr 09min 41.6sec “Leg one was a nice fight Laffan in the north-east of Qatar. 5. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) 2hr 17min 10.9sec between me and Kris (Meeke). A time of 11min 59.0sec enabled 6. Saleh Al Saif (SAU)/Oriol Vidal (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4) 2hr 19min 45.2sec It was (becoming) a nice race but the Volkswagen Polo driver to 7. Rashid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Subaru Impreza (MERC 2) 2hr 22min 31.3sec when Kris get out from the race regain 6.8 seconds of his over- 2021 QATAR NATIONAL RALLY – POSITIONS AFTER SS11 (UNOFFICIAL) it was an easy day for us today. night lead. Al Kuwari increased 1. Khalid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Polaris RXR 1000 (T3) 2hr 17min 42.6sec It was great to have some high his cushion over third-placed Al 2. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Firas Allouh (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 2hr 26min 15.3sec level in the Qatar Rally. If you Suwaidi to 51.6 seconds, as 3. Ahmed Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Mubarak Al Khulaifi (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 2hr 42min 24.3sec look this year we had seven R5s. crews returned to Losail for the It was an amazing race. Thanks mid-session regroup and to the QMMF. I hope to continue like a jigsaw puzzle and to try to and Oman’s Zakariya Al Aufi service. in this level for this champi- work it out is a challenge reached the finish in seventh Al Attiyah was 0.8 seconds onship and this year.” enough.” and eighth and Lebanon’s faster on his second pass Al Kuwari won three of the Nasser Khalifa Al Atya and Ahmad Khaled was ninth. Rally through Al Khor and 8.5 seconds second’s day’s six special stages Lebanese co-pilot Georges first timer Sheikh Suhaim Al clear of Al Kuwari to extend his in his Tok Sport Škoda Fabia R5 Nader gave the host nation a Thani retired his R5 Škoda lead to 1min 49.2sec. Al Thani and was pleased with the another driver inside the top before the last stage and missed was running near the rear of the runner-up spot after infrequent four and Kuwait’s Meshari Al out on a potential top 10 finish. field after his morning issues but rally appearances in recent Thefiri began the defence of his Oman’s Zakariya Al Amri Mohamed Al Attiyah retired at seasons. Khalid Al Suwaidi and MERC 2 title in impressive duly rounded off the top 10 and the midday halt and Shadi El his navigator Hugo Maghalães fashion by winning the Lebanon’s Henry Kahy clinched Fakih went OTL with electrical rounded off the podium places showroom category and fin- maximum points in the MERC 3 issues and a fuel pump failure. to make it a Qatari driver 1-2-3. ishing fifth overall in his Mit- category for two-wheel drive Al Attiyah shaved 1.1 seconds Any hope of seeing Al subishi Lancer Evolution X. vehicles after another measured cost Allouh his chance later on Al Kuwari. Both Ahmad Khaled off his morning’s sprint through Attiyah and visiting WRC star FIA T4 cars are permitted in drive in his Škoda Fabia 1.6 to and Khalid Al Mohannadi and Al Thani incurred one- the QMMF stage but he ceded Kris Meeke battling for stage gravel rounds of the series this take 11th place. secured the win by the margin minute time penalties after the the stage win to Al Kuwari. The wins on the final day fizzled out season and Saudi Arabia’s Saleh A furious three-way battle of 8min 32.7sec after problems Stewards’ meeting for route vio- top group held station and when the Ulsterman was unable Al Saif showed that the Can-Am waged for outright success in the for his rivals. Lebanon’s Jad Al lations, the latter losing a place headed to the final stage of the to restart after the team dis- Maverick X3 is a competitive Qatar National Rally between Aawar retired before the end of in the overall rankings. Meeke rally at Ras Laffan. covered engine damage on his package, setting a fifth fastest Ahmed and Khalid Al the morning’s loop. did not restart after the engine There were no late dramas SRT Škoda Fabia R5 that was stage time on the way to a Mohannadi and Ahmed Allouh. Yesterday, Al Attiyah headed damage caused to his car on the for Al Attiyah and the stage win sustained on stage five. superb sixth place. They each won a stage on the out into the remaining six stages fifth stage. confirmed the title for the 15th “Unfortunately no day two Qatar’s Rashid Al Mohannadi morning loop but time delays with a lead of 1min 40.6sec over Oman’s Abdullah Al Rawahi time, as Al Kuwari and Al for us,” said Meeke. Suwaidi rounded off the podium “On the last stage on Sat- places. Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah urday, quite close to the finish, This weekend’s event was and his navigator Matthieu there were some waves (bumps) held under the chairmanship of Baumel of France driving their and I was on a similar line to my QMMF President Abdulrahman Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. first pass in the morning. But the Al Mannai, senior committee car skipped and landed nose on member Abdulrazaq Al Kuwari the next dip. This damaged the and the QMMF’s Executive front bumper and took the water Director Amro Al Hamad. pipe off the radiator. That put an Action resumes in the FIA end to our rally. I really enjoyed Middle East Rally Championship the experience. It’s a different with the Oman International kind of rallying here. It’s a bit Rally at the end of February.

Denmark edge Sweden to retain world handball crown Salah double powers

REUTERS – CAIRO Liverpool to victory

Denmark won their second REUTERS – LONDON successive men’s world handball championship after an Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah ended his Premier outstanding performance by League goal drought in style by scoring twice goalkeeper Niklas Landin helped as the champions raided the capital again to them to a pulsating 26-24 win crush West Ham United 3-1 yesterday. over Sweden in the final Liverpool came to life after a first half yesterday. almost devoid of goalmouth action at the Landin racked up 15 saves and London Stadium, with Salah providing two Denmark’s left back Mikkel superb finishes to claim the points for his side. Hansen netted seven goals to keep The Egyptian cut in to curl home with his Olympic champions Denmark at left foot in the 57th minute -- his first league the summit after a titanic tussle in goal since Dec. 19 -- and doubled the lead with the Cairo Stadium Hall. a silky finish from a 68th-minute Earlier yesterday, European counter-attack. champions won the bronze Substitute Roberto Firmino set up Gini medal with a 35-29 win over Wijnaldum to tap home Liverpool’s third in France on the back of eight goals the 84th minute before Craig Dawson replied from back-court shooter Alex Denmark’s Niklas Landin Jacobsen lifts the trophy as they celebrate after winning the final against Sweden during the for the hosts with a consolation goal three Dujshebaev. 2021 IHF Handball World Championship yesterday. minutes later. MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 11

Club World Cup to take place amid During a global pandemic which is affecting everyone, we continue to believe in strict health and safety protocols the power of football to unite people and spread joy during these difficult THE PENINSULA – DOHA throughout the competition. A tournament. A total of seven of the competition – from our Club World Cup for the second limited number of fans will be matches will be played in two team hotel, to the training time in February and will ensure times. Qatar is Following the successful hosting allowed to attend the matches FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 sta- ground and on match day itself.” it’s delivered in a way that safe- committed to playing a of the AFC Champions League – in line with Qatar’s public diums: Ahmad Bin Ali and Edu- “Knowing that health and guards and prioritises the health role in ensuring the and Amir Cup finals, Qatar is health guidelines. cation City. safety measures were also imple- and safety of fans, players and continuation of top-level gearing up to host the FIFA Club To be able to collect a ticket, In recent months, Qatar has mented on the bus, in the dining officials. The tournament offers club football while the World Cup for the second time, fans are required to provide a successfully hosted 77 matches area, changing rooms and all us a golden opportunity to test with matches taking place from negative COVID-19 antigen test during the AFC Champions common areas was also very our stadiums, training sites and pandemic continues to 4-11 February 2021. within 72 hours of a match, League by implementing a strict reassuring. When combined with infrastructure as we continue to affect people’s lives: Due to the ongoing present a vaccination certificate bubble system and setting an regular testing, we felt at ease gear up for the FIFA World Cup Nasser Al Khater, Chief COVID-19 pandemic, the six- obtained a week after the second international benchmark when that we could we focus on the in 2022.” Executive Officer of the team tournament – which was dose or present record of it comes to the safe resumption important task at hand – the Al Khater added: “Duringing a LOC originally due to take place in COVID-19 infection after 1 of professional football. football,” he added. global pandemic whichh is December 2020 – will be held October 2020. Qatari striker Qatar’s successful implemen- affecting everyone, we continuetinue amid strict health and safety At the stadiums and sur- played for reigning Qatar Stars tation of COVID-19 safety to believe in the power of footballotball protocols which have been fine- rounding precincts, fans must League champions Al Duhail SC measures has been applauded by to unite people and spreadd jjoyoy tuned in recent months. wear a mask, adhere to social during the AFC Champions the global football community, during these difficult times. QaQatartar Players and officials will be distancing, take a temperature League and he spoke of his including many who attended the is committed to playing a roleole in part of medical bubbles designed check on arrival and show the experience during the inauguration of Ahmad Bin Ali ensuring the continuation off toptop-- to protect their health and well- status of their EHTERAZ track tournament. Stadium on 18 December – an level club football while the ppan-an- being. Additional safety and trace application. Clinics “As players, we felt very event which safely hosted thou- demic continues to affect peo-peo- measures will include regular will be set up within each tour- safe,” said Ali, who will also rep- sands of fans. ple’s lives.” COVID-19 testing, safe transpor- nament venue to treat anyone resent Al Duhail during the FIFA Commenting on the impor- The FIFA Club World Cupup tation methods, regular disin- who displays COVID-19 Club World Cup. tance of Qatar hosting the FIFA Qatar 2020 will kick-off onn fection of all tournament venues, symptoms. “All the precautions were Club World Cup, Nasser Al Thursday, February 4, 20211 including training and media FIFA Club World Cup Qatar clearly communicated ahead of Khater, Chief Executive Officer and culminate with the final facilities, as well as the provision 2020 stadiums will operate at time, and that level of support of the LOC, said: “We’re very at Education City Stadium of medical staff in stadiums 30% capacity throughout the was tangible in every touchpoint pleased to be hosting the FIFA on February 11, 2021.

THE PENINSULA – DOHA Head coach: Pitso Mosimane with success in the AFC Cham- Widely regarded as world pions League. On the domestic The eyes of the football world Meet the contenders football’s most decorated club, front, narrowly missed out will soon be on the Middle East Al Ahly SC have been a dominant on more silverware by finishing for the first major tournament force in Egyptian and African runners-up in 1, three of the year. The FIFA Club World football, with their success points behind champions Cup Qatar 2020, presented by earning them the accolade of . It was Alibaba Cloud, will be held from ‘Club of the Century’ from the the same opponent that Ulsan 4-11 February after the annual Confederation of African fell short to in the two-leg competition was delayed by two Football (CAF). The Cairo-based Korean FA Cup final, as Jeonbuk months due to the COVID-19 outfit will be making their sixth secured a league and cup double pandemic. appearance at a FIFA Club World with a 3-2 aggregate win. The top clubs from five of Cup after defeating arch-rivals Along with their two AFC football’s six continental confed- Zamalek SC 2-1 in the 2020 CAF Champions League titles, erations will join host nation Champions League final. Their Ulsan’s honour roll includes representatives Al Duhail SC in best finish in the competition winning K League 1 in 1996 and determining who will be was third at 2006. 2005, the Korean FA Cup in crowned the world’s best. Founded in 1907, Al Ahly’s 2017, five Korean Auckland City FC, who were trophy cabinet includes a titles and a Korean Super Cup nominated to represent the remarkable 139 titles in domestic in 2006. Oceania region at Qatar 2020, and international club compe- withdrew from the competition titions. They are Egypt’s most TIGRES UANL because of COVID-19 quarantine Bayern Munich players celebrate after decorated club, having won 42 Country: measures required by author- winning the UEFA Champions League title. Egyptian Premier League titles, ities in New Zealand. 37 Egyptian Cup crowns and 11 Qualified: CONCACAF Champions The tournament will also Egyptian Super Cups. This League winners showcase two FIFA World Cup Rayyan, Umm Salal and Al Paris Saint-Germain in the final the 2020 Copa Libertadores final includes a domestic league and FCWC record: First appearance Qatar 2022 stadiums: Ahmad Bin Kharaitiyat in the latter stages last August. on 30 January 2021. cup double triumph last season. Head coach: Ricardo Ferretti Ali and Education City. of his playing career. He was also Founded in 1900, Bayern are Their triumph in the Among the list of former As part of our FIFA Club El Jaish’s last head coach before Germany’s most successful club, Maracana Stadium in Rio de players that enjoyed success No debutant at a FIFA Club World Cup build-up, qatar2022. the club joined Lekhwiya to having won a record number of Janeiro was the Sao Paulo out- with Al Ahly are SC ambassadors World Cup will feel more qa takes a closer look at the six become Al Duhail in 2017. Bundesliga (30), Cup (20), Super fit’s second title, having won the Mohamed Aboutrika and Wael delighted at having the oppor- clubs seeking to win the pres- The current squad includes Cup (9) and League Cup (6) titles. South American club crown for Gomaa. tunity to face the world’s best tigious title. several members of Qatar’s Alongside their six UEFA Cham- the first time back in 1999. clubs than Tigres UANL. The national team, including key pions League titles, Bayern’s Though they will be making their ULSAN HYUNDAI FC Mexican outfit have been a strong AL DUHAIL SC players that led the Maroons to success in European club Club World Cup debut in the Country: Korea Republic contender to win the CONCACAF Country: Qatar AFC Asian Cup glory in 2019. football includes winning the Middle East, Palmeiras appeared Qualified: AFC Champions League Champions League title in recent Qualified: Host nation champions They include centre back now-defunct UEFA Cup in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup years – only to come up short at Bassam Al Rawi, midfielders Ali Winners’ Cup in 1967, the UEFA final, where they lost 1-0 to winners the final stage on three previous FCWC record: First appearance Afif and Assim Madibo, as well Cup (now UEFA Europa League) English giants Manchester FCWC record: Second appearance occasions. Last month, however, Head coach: Sabri Lamouchi as the tournament’s best player in 1996 and two UEFA Super Cup United. They also won the first (Best finish: 6th place in 2012) Tigres finally reached the and top goal scorer Almoez Ali. crowns in 2013 and 2020. intercontinental club tour- Head coach: Hong Myung-bo regional summit when they As reigning Qatar Stars Lamouchi’s side also includes Led by former Bayern mid- nament in the Copa Rio back in defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1 in League (QSL) champions, Al experienced Moroccan interna- fielder Hans-Dieter Flick, the 1951. After claiming their second the final of the 2020 edition. Duhail SC will be flying the flag tional defender Medhi Benatia, Bavarians boast some of world Known as O Verdao (The AFC Champions League title Founded in 1960, Club de of the host nation at this year’s Belgian winger Edmilson and football’s top players. Last Greens), Sociedade Esportiva with a 2-1 victory over Iranian Futbol Tigres de la Universidad FIFA Club World Cup. The Red Brazilian attacking midfielder month, Polish international Palmeiras was founded in 1914 side Persepolis in Qatar last Autonoma de Nuevo Leon have Knights will be making their Dudu, who is on loan from Pal- Robert Lewandowski was and hold the record for the most month, Ulsan Hyundai FC will been one of the more consistent debut in the competition after meiras in his home country. crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A make their second FIFA Club sides in Mexico in recent edging Al Rayyan to last season’s Player after topping the scoring championships with ten titles to World Cup appearance when seasons. Among their seven Liga league title by a single point. FC BAYERN MUNICH charts in both the Bundesliga their name. they return to the Middle East in MX titles, their last four triumphs Founded in 2009 as Country: Germany and UEFA Champions League, early February. The Korea were achieved between 2015 Lekhwiya SC, the club rebranded Qualified: UEFA Champions League while German international and AL AHLY SC Republic club’s triumph in Doha and 2019 (three Apertura titles, under the name Al Duhail when World Cup winner Manuel Country: Egypt followed their maiden success one Clausura crown). The it merged with El Jaish SC in winners Neuer was named The Best FIFA as Asian club champions back Monterrey-based outfit’s honour 2017. Since coming into FCWC record: Second appearance Men’s Goalkeeper. Lewandowski Qualified: CAF Champions League in 2012. roll also includes three Copa MX existence, Al Duhail’s impact on (Best finish: winners in 2013) was also named in the FIFA winners Founded in 1983 as Ulsan titles and three consecutive Qatari club football has been Head coach: Hans-Dieter Flick FIFPro Men’s World11 2020 FCWC record: Sixth appearance Hyundai Horang-i, the Tigers Campeon de Campeones crowns impressive, as last season’s alongside Bayern team-mates (Best finish: 3rd in 2006) concluded their 2020 campaign (2016, 2017, 2018). league triumph was their A German and European Alphonso Davies (Canada) and seventh QSL title. The club’s football powerhouse, FC Bayern Joshua Kimmich (Germany). honour roll also includes three Munich will be looking to follow Amir Cup titles, three a highly-successful 2019-20 SE PALMEIRAS crowns and two Sheikh Jassim season by claiming a second Country: Brazil Cup successes. FIFA Club World Cup title in Al Duhail’s domestic success Qatar. Their debut appearance Qualified: CONMEBOL Libertadores over the past decade has also in the competition resulted in the winners earned the club nine consecutive Bavarians winning the title at FCWC record: First appearance appearances in the AFC Cham- Morocco 2013. They also claimed Head coach: Abel Ferreira pions League since 2012, with the precursor to the Club World the Doha outfit set to take part Cup on two occasions, winning One of the most successful again in 2021. the Intercontinental Cup title in clubs in Brazilian football, SE Al Duhail are led by head 1976 and 2001. Palmeiras were the last club to coach Sabri Lamouchi, who is a Bayern secured their berth book their place at the FIFA Club familiar face to followers of the at Qatar 2020 after claiming World Cup Qatar 2020 following Al Duhail players celebrating their QSL. The former France inter- their sixth UEFA Champions a dramatic 1-0 victory over QNB Stars League title win. national enjoyed spells with Al League title with a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Santos in 10 SPORT MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2021

Neymar goals Palmeiras conquer South America not enough as to book FIFA Club World Cup spot PSG slump to shock 3-2 loss REUTERS – RIO DE JANEIRO Palmeiras players celebrate after AP – PARIS A dramatic goal eight minutes winning the Copa into stoppage time won Libertadores final Neymar’s two penalties were not Palmeiras the Copa Liberta- on Saturday. enough as Paris Saint-Germain dores as a Breno Lopes header slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat at earned the Sao Paulo club a struggling Lorient, opening the door 1-0 win over Santos. for Lille to move three points clear The final of South Amer- at the top of the French league if it ica’s equivalent of Europe’s wins later yesterday. Champions League was played After pulling a silly face to cele- on a roasting hot afternoon in brate his second penalty, Neymar Rio de Janeiro and chances cut a different figure at the final were few and far between. whistle, throwing his arms up in Just as a lacklustre match exasperation as he looked at the looked sure to go to extra- defense. An equally frustrated Kylian time, however, substitute Mbappe did the same. Lopes timed his jump perfectly Defending champion PSG has at the back post to loop a lost five league games already this header into the net. season, and this was coach Mauricio His goal, moments after Pochettino’s first defeat since Santos coach Cuca was sent replacing Thomas Tuchel, who was off for a touchline fracas only fired in December. to clamber into the stands to But the manner of this loss, with watch the final minutes with two goals conceded late, will raise those Santos fans allowed in concerns with PSG facing Lionel to the match, provoked wild Messi’s Barcelona in the Champions celebrations among Pal- League on Feb. 16. meiras supporters who had Lorient is languishing in 18th gathered to view the game in place but took the lead in the 35th Sao Paulo. minute through captain Laurent “It’s an unforgettable day Abergel after PSG’s Danilo Pereira for me, scoring the goal that was closed down on the edge of the wins the Libertadores,” said end of the second half, it failed and they play Gremio in the tournament was halted for six Palmeiras’ stadium after the penalty area. Breno, a 25-year old winger to live up to expectations of Copa do Brasil final in months due to the corona- final, chanting and letting off Neymar’s first penalty came on who only joined Palmeiras in TV viewers in 191 countries or February. virus pandemic. fireworks. the stroke of halftime when Hou- November. the 5,000 specially invited This was Palmeiras’ Palmeiras will pocket Many were expected to go boulang Mendes fouled him and the “I can’t explain the emo- guests who watched the second Libertadores title - $15m for winning the title to Sao Paulo airport to greet Brazil star sent goalkeeper Matthieu tions I am feeling.” With the match live at the Maracana. and their first since 1999 - and match alone and have qual- the team on their arrival back Dreyer the wrong way. temperature in Rio de Janeiro Victory, however, con- the third time in four years ified along with Champions in the city later on Saturday PSG appealed for another toping 100 degrees, neither tinued a superb season for that a Brazilian team have League winners Bayern night. Earlier in the day, one penalty in the 55th for a handball by side was able to make an early Palmeiras and their recently won South America’s biggest Munich for the Club World Corinthians fan was reported Mendes, but the referee ruled it out impact in the final of the con- appointed 42-year old coach, club competition. Cup, which is due to start next dead after gangs of Corin- after a video review. Moments later, tinent’s blue riband tour- Portuguese Abel Ferreira. The final was originally week in Qatar. thians and Palmeiras sup- he awarded one when Mendes nament. Although the game The club won the Paulista scheduled to be held in Thousands of fans cele- porters clashed in Sao Paulo, fouled striker Mauro Icardi. Neymar opened up slightly towards the state championship in August November but the brated in and around the O Globo reported. again wrong-footed Dreyer from the spot. But PSG’s complacency cost it again as substitute forward Yoane Barca to sue newspaper for publishing Messi contract Wissa equalized with 10 minutes left, firingfiri home after playing a near REUTERS – BARCELONA the publication of the contract in a statement, one-twoone with Terem Moffi. adding they regretted its release as it was a Messi’s contract worth Moffi then hit the winner in the Barcelona said yesterday they will take legal “private document governed by the prin- firstfirs minute of injury time after action against Spanish newspaper El Mundo ciple of confidentiality between the parties”. $674m: El Mundo AbergelAb picked him out on a swift for publishing Lionel Messi’s contract with Messi, who joined Barca in 2000 aged counterattack,cou and he held off the club. 13 and made his debut in 2004, is the club’s BLOOMBERG defenderdef Presnel Kimpembe before El Mundo published full details of the all-time scorer with 650 goals and has also shootingsho past goalkeeper Sergio deal Messi penned with Barca in 2017 until provided 280 assists in 755 appearances for Lionel Messi, the superstar striker with Rico.Ric Lille was hosting 19th-place June 2021. the Catalans. FC Barcelona, will earn more than DijonDij later yesterday. The report said the contract, which was He is also their captain and most deco- €555m ($674m) from his current A victory would push it two previously described by French newspaper rated player with 10 La Liga titles, four contract with the top Spanish soccer pointspo ahead of Lyon and drop PSG L’Equipe as the most lucrative in football, Champions Leagues plus six Copa del Rey team, newspaper El Mundo reported, downd to third place. had contributed to the club’s recent financial triumphs. citing a copy of the contract. The day after 250 fans of strug- troubles, which have been exacerbated by The Argentine tried to leave Barca last El Mundo, which published a glingg Saint-Etienne interrupted the the COVID-19 pandemic. August via a release clause in his contract redacted version of the document club’sc training session, the players Barca’s last accounts showed their net but eventually decided to stay in order to on its website, said Messi had the respondedr to their demands with debt had doubled to €488m ($592.24m), avoid a court case with the club. most lucrative contract in sports a 1-0 win at Nice. Striker Charles while the club’s interim president Carles Tus- He can move to any club for free from history. The compensation includes AbiA got the winner with just three quets said recently they had been forced to June but has not ruled out staying at Barca, salary, marketing rights and a series mminutes left as coach Claude Puel delay payments to players. saying in a December interview that he will of other bonuses and incentives, the securedse a much-needed victory Barcelona denied any responsibility for make his decision at the end of the season. paper said. againstaga his former side. Chelsea beat Burnley 2-0 Fourth jersey, lifestyle collection available at Villaggio Mall for first win under Tuchel Paris Saint-Germain X Jordan Brand REUTERS – LONDON a new range for another dimension Chelsea notched up their first win under Thomas Tuchel THE PENINSULA – DOHA capital’s club is evolving. yesterday with a 2-0 victory Symbolising the ambition over Burnley thanks to goals by Paris Saint-Germain and Jordan of Paris Saint-Germain as Spanish defenders Cesar Brand, exclusive partners since 2018, the first club of the new Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are releasing a Spring-Summer 2021 generation, the range also who have both been given a lifestyle collection. underlines the will of a chance to shine under the Developed around a visionary club that dares, a club that German coach. fourth jersey inspired by the Milky is avant-gardist and pio- Azpilicueta was entrusted Way, this collection illustrates the neering, pushing the limits with a place in Chelsea’s new dimension in which the and innovating interna- starting line up by Tuchel in his tionally, cre- two games since replacing ating and Frank Lampard and he scored inspiring. Chelsea’s Marcos with an angled shot in the 40th This new Alonso scores their minute after sprinting 80 yards kids, women to seize on a lay-off by Callum second goal. and men’s col- Hudson-Odoi. lection - Alonso, playing for the first time since front that we needed two defensive including an Air September, secured the win in the 84th players to score. We lack in the moment Jordan 1 Zoom minute when he controlled a pass from precision in the last pass... in the finishing,” and a fourth Christian Pulisic with his chest and knee he told BT Sport. “We will work with this, jersey - before swivelling to blast a shot past absolutely.” The German coach said expresses the Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. Werner was suffering from a lack of constant crea- Hudson-Odoi, also making the most confidence. tivity of Paris of much more playing time under Tuchel, “We cannot expect any changes from Saint-Germain and fellow Chelsea academy product one minute to the other, from one day to and Jordan. Mason Mount were at the heart the Blues’ the other,” he said. “He’s not the only This audacity best moves. striker in the world who is very sensitive has been Their form contrasts with the struggles when he does not score.” Werner was the acclaimed for Kylian Mbappé wearing the new jersey. of the club’s two expensive German Bundesliga’s second-highest scorer last several seasons signings in 2020, Timo Werner and Kai season with RB Leipzig and he seemed to by millions of Havertz who pose Tuchel’s most imme- have put a barren start at Chelsea behind fans across the globe, and Black colors bringing the theme to diate challenge. him when he hit four goals in four league already the 20/21 collec- life. The jersey and shorts use a Werner wasted a good first-half games in October and November. tion’s success in winning unique mesh that echoes the chance for Chelsea while Havertz was However, he has had a drought in the over retailers in France mythical Elephant Print created for dropped to the bench and only came on league since then. and abroad is the Air Jordan 3 in 1987. The Per- for the last 10 minutes. Sunday’s win pushed Chelsea - who extraordinary. formance range is completed by a Tuchel praised his team for controlling drew 0-0 last week against Wolves in The two ranges, Per- training kit featuring a new mon- the game - Burnley did not have a single Tuchel’s first game - up to seventh in the formance and Lifestyle, ogram “PARIS”, based on the NASA shot on target - but said he needed more Premier League standings, 11 points are based on a spatial space shuttle typeface, as Paris from his strikers. behind leaders Manchester City. Burnley PSG Star Neymar sporting the new jersey. universe, with the Hyper Saint-Germain projects itself into the “It should be a signal to our guys up slipped to 16th place. Pink, Psychic Purple and future while relying on the past. MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 09 No complaints Bring on the Melbourne crowds: Djokovic Novak Djokovic but quarantine REUTERS — MELBOURNE for more than 15 years, this is one of “I’m grateful, as I think most of the biggest driving forces or motiva- us that are here in , that differentials World number one Novak Djokovic tions, inspirations that I have, playing we have an opportunity to practice found playing without crowds last in front of a crowd. and to play and to compete in the season strange and he can’t wait to “Feeding off that energy, sport that we love,” he said. were a mistake, wow the fans in the stands at his 17th exchanging that great passion and joy “So we are all excited to be here.” Australian Open. that I have for the sport and the fans The 33-year-old has won eight of says Zverev Some 25,000-30,000 fans will be have for the sport.” his 17 titles at Melbourne admitted to Melbourne Park on each Djokovic said the blister on his Park and said it felt like a home- REUTERS — SYDNEY day of the Grand Slam and Djokovic right hand that restricted him to one coming returning at the start of each got a taste of what was to come when set in Adelaide on Friday was “nothing year. Alexander Zverev has no complaints he played an exhibition match in major” and would not be an issue “It does feel like a home for me about being forced into quarantine ahead Adelaide after coming out of quar- when he leads Serbia in their ATP Cup in Australia, in Melbourne, particu- of the Australian Open but believes antine on Friday. title defence this week. larly in Rod Laver (Arena). That is by allowing top players like Novak Djokovic “I had goosebumps coming into the Having upset some locals when he far my most successful tennis court and Rafa Nadal more salubrious isolation court playing in front of the fans again sent a letter to organisers asking for in my career. Each year that I come conditions was a mistake, the German after 12 months of not experiencing the quarantine conditions to be back to the court, it feels even better. said. that,” the Serbian told reporters changed, Djokovic expressed his grat- The more you win on the court, the A select group of players, also yesterday. itude at being able to play in more confident you feel coming back including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka “After playing professional tennis Australia. to it.” and Dominic Thiem, enjoyed stays in higher-end Adelaide hotels for their oblig- atory 14 days of isolation than the rest of the players sequestered in more modest Melbourne hotels. Zverev said repeatedly that he thought Tennis Australia had done a great job in WTA stars tune up for difficult circumstances in all but this one regard. “I think maybe the only real mistake that there was the Adeliade thing for top players,” the world number seven told a AO after quarantine news conference at Melbourne Park. “Because they did get more practice AP — MELBOURNE seed Fiona Ferro. The Yarra Valley time, they did get more freedom. But other The Yarra Valley Classic and the Classic and the Gippsland Open, than that, the quarantine and the flights, Australians Sam Stosur and Daria Gippsland Open, being played being played concurrently at Mel- we have to accept that. Gavrilova had contrasting fortunes concurrently at Melbourne Park, are bourne Park, are the first WTA tour- “We have to understand that Australia in their first matches at home after the first WTA tournaments of the naments of the season for most doesn’t have long absences yesterday in the first players who have just emerged from any COVID Rafael Nadal round of the Yarra Valley Tennis season for most players who have just quarantine ahead of the Australian cases at all practises in Classic at Melbourne Park. emerged from quarantine ahead of Open. except for us Melbourne Stosur, playing her first compet- the Australian Open. More than 1,000 players and offi- tennis players yesterday. itive match since March and now cials went into a two-week quar- and... we ranked 112, lost 6-2, 6-0 to 16th More than 1,000 players and officials antine from January 14 when the first shouldn’t seeded Czech Marie Bouzkova in just went into a two-week quarantine from of 17 flights chartered by Tennis Aus- complain too Unusual over one hour. tralia landed in Melbourne and much about The 2011 US Open champion took January 14 when the first of 17 flights Adelaide. the circum- circumstances, a break from tennis in 2020 because chartered by Tennis Australia landed The 2017 French Open champion stances.” of the coronavirus pandemic and the in Melbourne and Adelaide. Jelana Ostapenko of Latvia, seeded Zverev, who birth of her first child. She didn’t hit 13th, beat Sara Errani of Italy 4-6, reached the but time to a ball for two and a half months 6-3, 6-1, in a first round match semi-finals at Alexander Zverev before returning to the training court Venus Williams, the oldest player between former top-5 ranked players Melbourne talk tennis for in September, beginning to work in the tournament at 40, took only in the Gippsland Trophy. Park last year, towards next month’s Australian 65 minutes to beat of the Ostapenko, currently ranked 45 said he did Open. 6-1, 6-3 in her first and one of four Grand Slam cham- not think the better quarantine condi- Rafa Nadal Stosur hasn’t made any firm plans round match. pions in the draw, needed 1 hour, 46 tions would be a factor when the Grand for the coming year but said she Australia’s World No. 1 Ashleigh minutes to win her first match of the Slam gets underway on October 8. REUTERS — MELBOURNE hopes to play all four Grand Slams. Barty had a first round bye in the season. She also posted her maiden “It’s tough to beat Novak, Dominic and “It’s about getting through the singles but combined with Jennifer win over Errani who was seeking her Rafa anyways so that doesn’t change,” he Rafa Nadal brushed aside questions Aussie summer and then after that it Brady of the United States to win her first win over a top-50 player since laughed. about the Australian Open quarantine is hard to know, given we are still doubles opener. April, 2018. Errani, now ranked 131, Zverev will get a chance to get some yesterday and said it was time to get going to need to quarantine if we “It’s exciting for all of tennis to be beat Ostapenko in their only previous match fitness when he spearheads the down to the business of playing tennis want to come home,” Stosur said. back and getting a few matches meeting at the 2015 US Open. German challenge in the ATP Cup, which and entertaining fans around the “It makes it tough to make a hopefully under my belt before (the Ostapenko took time to add starts tomorrow. world. schedule given the family circum- Australian Open) starts would be accuracy to her power game but The 23-year-old also addressed his The 34-year-old, who secured his stances now. good,” Barty said. eventually hit 56 winners. recent split with coach David Ferrer, 20th Grand Slam title at last year’s “Ten years ago I’d jump on a “It’s an adjustment, but come the Caroline Garcia of France, seeded explaining that the Spaniard was not pre- delayed French Open, completed his plane and not come back for a year Australian Open the crowds will be 12th, launched her season with a 6-3, pared to endure the long periods of quar- two weeks of isolation in Adelaide on but I am not in a position to do that here and there’s going to be a really 6-4 win over Australian wildcard antine away from his family necessary to Friday before playing an exhibition at the moment.” nice vibe.” Arina Rodionova. travel on the circuit. match and then heading to Gavrilova, ranked 451 and playing Former Australian Open semifi- “It was a lot of emotions to get “At the time I was very surprised with Melbourne. as a wildcard, won her first match on nalist Danielle Collins of the United back on court, finally,” Garcia said. the decision in a way, but I need to respect “When we arrived here, we have home soil since 2019, easing past Slo- States, seeded 13th, beat “I tried to stay very calm and play the reasons,” said Zverev, who is being this quarantine. But I think that’s over. vakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova 6-2, Belgium’s Ysaline Bon- one point at a time and I think I coached by his father and brother Mischa. It’s the moment to start talking about 6-0. aventure 6-3, 6-3 in improved during the match “I don’t think it makes sense for me tennis,” the world number two told The 26-year-old made a just over 75 minutes. so that’s the most to look for anyone new during COVID-19 reporters yesterday. return at WTA level at last Fellow positive thing either. I think we left everything open “That’s why we came here. To play year’s French Open after American about today.” with David. tennis, to try to give to the fans around missing a full year with Shelby Kaia Kanepi “I think with my dad and with my the world and to the fans here in Aus- injury. She will face 23-time Rogers of Estonia brother more involved now... I have a tralia a good show. For some of the Grand Slam champion joined fought back great coaching team. I think I can win big people who are suffering a lot at home, Serena Williams in the Collins in from the brink tournaments with that coaching staff that we try to have a good entertainment second round after Williams the second of defeat to beat I have.” for them.” had a first round bye. round with another Australian Meanwhile, World number nine Petra Nadal will get his first taste of com- “I’ve seen her training 6-2, 7-5 win wildcard, Astra Kvitova considers Olympics as the “fifth petitive action for the season when he on Instagram,” over No.12 Sharma, 1-6, 7-5, Grand Slam” and hopes the Tokyo edition spearheads Spain’s challenge for the Gavrilova said in a 6-2 after being two goes ahead as scheduled this year, defying ATP Cup, which makes a much- courtside points from defeat at the COVID-19 pandemic. delayed start in Melbourne tomorrow. interview. 1-6, 3-5. Amid speculation that the Games Spain lost the ATP Cup final to “She Venus could be cancelled due to the pandemic, Novak Djokovic’s Serbia last year and doesn’t Williams Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Nadal said he and his team mates look Friday that Japan remained determined would be doing their best to go one rusty to stage the Olympics, which had to be better this year, despite the proximity at rescheduled last year. of the tournament to the Feb. 8 start all.” “First of all, I hope that the Olympics of the Australian Open. really will happen,” two-time Wimbledon “Of course, it’s different circum- champion Kvitova told reporters yes- stances than last year. It’s a very terday. “I know that Tennis players are a unusual situation for most of us,” he little bit different because we have our added. Jelana peaks during the year, we have four of “Most of you that are around tennis Ostapenko them. knows I never play the week before a “For me Olympic Games are very Grand Slam, so it is a little bit new and important ... it’s like a fifth Grand Slam. I it is strange situation.." really wanted to be part of it this year.” Hafeez left out of Pakistan T20 squad to play South Africa

AP — ISLAMABAD the T10 League in the United PAKISTAN T20 SQUAD the T10 League in the UAE, but wickets in his last 8 T20 Arab Emirates. He had asked Wasim said the batsman will internationals. Pakistan has left out veteran the PCB to allow him to join the Babar Azam (captain), Haider Ali, Khushdil join the team by the February 3 In addition to Asif, fast batsman Mohammad Hafeez team in Lahore after the Feb- Shah, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Ift- deadline. The selectors dropped bowler Hasan Ali and Aamer (pictured) from its Twenty20 ruary 3 deadline. ikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Zafar opening batsman Fakhar Yamir were also recalled to the squad for the series against “Unfortunately, the scenario Gohar, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Amad Zaman and fast bowler Wahab Twenty20 team that also South Africa because he would is as such that every player has Butt, Mohammad Rizwan, Safaraz Ahmed, Riaz due to their recent poor includes four rookie players - not meet the Pakistan Cricket to join the (bio) bubble on Feb- Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ha- performances while all-rounder Zafar Gohar, Danish Aziz, Zahid

Board’s deadline for players to ruary 3 and if a player can’t do snain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, Zahid Meh- Shadab Khan is still nursing a Mehmood and Amad Butt. enter a bio-secure bubble. so, it means he is unavailable,” mood. leg injury. Pakistan’s other The South African The PCB had said that all chief selector Mohammad Twenty20 regular - all-rounder Twenty20 squad will arrive in players had to be in the team’s Wasim said. and 14 half centuries. He was Imad Wasim - was unavailable Pakistan on Feb. 3. All three bubble by February 3 ahead of “If he (Hafeez) was the world’s leading T20 because of a family matches will be played in the three-match series against available, there’s no question cricketer last year, scoring 415 commitment. Lahore on February 11, 13 and the Proteas that starts on Feb- on his performance, but unfor- runs in 10 matches at an Left-handed opener Fakhar 14. ruary 11. tunately he is not available.” average of 83 and a strike rate could score only 192 runs in his The PCB said that Pakistan team will join the bubble in Hafeez, who is not among Hafeez, 40, has scored 2,323 of 152.57. last 17 Twenty20 internationals players taking part in the Test Lahore at the end of the second the PCB’s centrally contracted runs in 99 Twenty20 interna- The selectors have recalled at an average of 11.29 while left- series against South Africa who test, which starts in Rawalpindi players, is currently playing in tionals at a strike rate of 121.30 Asif Ali, who is also playing in arm fast bowler Riaz took six are also part of the Twenty20 on February 4. Sport MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2021 08

We’ll never ask NBA: Blazers win on last-second for athletes to be vaccinated Lillard trey as Heat edge Kings first, says Italian Olympic NEW YORK — REUTERS Hayward each scored 27 points Portland Trail Blazers and host Charlotte squandered Committee Damian Lillard made a guard Damian Lillard a 20-point lead but recovered 3-pointer as time expired to (left) and Chicago to defeat Milwaukee. give the Portland Trail Blazers Bulls forward Lauri Malik Monk tallied 18 REUTERS — MILAN a 123-122 win over the host Markkanen (24) go for points and Graham and Terry Chicago Bulls on Saturday a loose ball during the Rozier both finished with 12 The president of the Italian night. second half at United points for Charlotte, which National Olympic Committee Team-mates mobbed Center. defeated the Indiana Pacers a (CONI) said that it will never ask Lillard after his step-back shot night earlier. Miles Bridges for its athletes to be vaccinated over the outstretched arms of added 11 points. Ball, a rookie, against COVID-19 before others Bulls forward Lauri had nine assists, while team- in the country ahead of the Tokyo Markkanen. Lillard finished mate Cody Zeller hauled in 15 Summer Games. with 44 points on 15-for-26 boards. Hungary and Serbia began shooting, including 8-for-17 It took plenty to offset inoculating their Olympic athletes from beyond the arc. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s on Friday, while Israel’s Olympic Enes Kanter scored 22 34-point, 18-rebound, nine- Committee said it had already points and grabbed 11 rebounds assist outing for the Bucks, who vaccinated half its Olympic del- for Portland, which snapped a have given up huge point totals egation and would complete the two-game skid and avenged a in consecutive losses. process by the end of May. loss against the Bulls earlier in Memphis Grizzlies 129 - International Olympic Com- the season. Gary Trent Jr. fin- San Antonio Spurs 112 mittee (IOC) President Thomas ished with 18 points for the Ja Morant scored 19 points Bach said on Wednesday the Blazers. and dished out 11 assists to lead organisation was not in favour of Markkanen had 31 points with 2.7 seconds left, and his game-high-tying 30 points Houston won its fifth consec- seven players in double figures athletes “jumping the queue” for and six rebounds to lead Daniel Theis whiffed on the in the first half as host Miami utive game by beating New as Memphis pulled away late vaccines, a view backed by CONI Chicago. Zach LaVine added follow up as the Lakers defeated Sacramento. Orleans. to defeat host San Antonio in President Giovanni Malago in an 26 points and seven rebounds. avoided blowing a seven-point Sacramento had its three- Wood and Oladipo each the first of two games between interview with Italian newspaper Los Angeles Lakers 96 - lead with 1:40 remaining. game winning streak snapped had 16 points during a 48-point the squads over a three-day La Repubblica. Boston Celtics 95 Montrezl Harrell added 16 despite a productive night from second quarter that came a period. “We already know there are Boston Celtics 95 Anthony points for Los Angeles, which De’Aaron Fox, who had 17 of night after the Pelicans with- The win was the sixth many countries where national Davis had 27 points and 14 snapped a two-game losing his 30 points in the fourth stood a 44-point second straight for Memphis, which athletes are about to be vacci- rebounds in his return from a streak. Davis had missed the quarter. He also had a team- quarter to defeat Milwaukee. was playing for the first time nated,” he said. quad injury, LeBron James team’s matchup in Detroit two high six assists. John Wall finished with 15 since Jan. 18 after having five “We will never ask for this and scored 21 and Los Angeles sur- nights prior. Jayson Tatum Houston Rockets 126 - points, Eric Gordon had 14 and games postponed because of we don’t want it either. An elderly vived a late rally by host Miami Heat 105 - Sacra- New Orleans Pelicans 112 Jae’Sean Tate added 13 for the COVID-19-created limited person has their sacred right to Boston. mento Kings 104 Christian Wood scored 27 Rockets. player availability. And the be vaccinated before a 20-year- Kemba Walker missed Jimmy Butler, returning points, Victor Oladipo added Charlotte Hornets 126 - Spurs were playing the second old athlete is. what would have been a game- from a 10-game COVID-19- 20 and they led a second- Milwaukee Bucks 114 of a home back-to-back after “The athlete is forced to move winning shot for the Celtics protocol absence, scored 20 of quarter scoring burst as visiting LaMelo Ball and Gordon beating Denver on Friday. around: they don’t participate in gatherings, they go through air- ports, changing rooms, competi- tions, contacts, to defend the Italian flag. Politics needs to make Heponiemi scores winner on debut this assessment, not sport,” he added. LOS ANGELES REUTERS — Washington extended its season-opening point Shortfalls in COVID-19 streak to a franchise-record nine games with vaccine deliveries from US drug- Aleksi Heponiemi scored at 2:45 of overtime a victory against visiting Boston. Washington maker Moderna have spread in his first NHL game to give the visiting Florida Ovechkin gathered the puck in his own end Capitals' across Europe, as Italy joined Panthers a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings of the ice, skated over the Boston blue line and Alex France and in on Saturday. fired a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff Ovechkin announcing the company’s ship- Anthony Duclair was stopped on a circles that beat Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. (right) and ments for February would miss breakaway by Detroit goaltender Thomas It was the 708th goal of Ovechkin’s NHL career, Zdeno Chara expectations. Greiss, but the puck stayed in the Wings’ zone. tying him with former Capital Mike Gartner for celebrate Like many European coun- Duclair then slipped a pass across the crease seventh place on the league’s all-time list. after the tries, Italy is now grappling with to Heponiemi, who tapped it in for his first It was also Ovechkin’s 111th career game- victory. broad vaccine delays, at least career goal. winning goal, moving him past Brett Hull and temporarily, as all Western Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle had Teemu Selanne and into sole possession of vaccine makers with approved the regulation goals for the Panthers. Sergei fourth place in NHL history. shots - Moderna, Pfizer and its Bobrovsky made 25 stops for the Panthers. Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and two German partner BioNtech, and Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin scored 28 assists and Trevor van Riemsdyk and Richard AstraZeneca -- fall behind their seconds into overtime in his return as Panik also scored for the Capitals. initial delivery targets to the countries. I would quarantine again for the Olympics, says Osaka

REUTERS — MELBOURNE fans in attendance when the year’s first Grand Slam starts on Naomi Osaka said she would I missed out on the last one. Feb. 8, it did have a downside. be willing to undergo two more Playing in Tokyo would be “I think I get distracted by weeks of quarantine to play at very special to me. My concern the crowd sometimes because the Tokyo Olympics later this I want to show off a little bit, so year, if it helped ensure the would be the general safety I do some crazy shots,” she said. safety of the people of her home of everyone else because “(But) I would say I defi- country. you’re opening the country. nitely love having a crowd Two days after completing watching. I feel like you sort of 14 days of isolation in Adelaide Naomi Osaka interact with them. Sometimes ahead of the Australian Open,p, Japan'sJapan's tennistennis starstar theyyg shout things and it makes the US Open championpion said she youyou laugh.”laugh.” would be prepareded to do it all again to play in thehe Olympics on home soil. “The way that I feel is I will sheshe said. “For meme,, I like it’s stay in my room foror two weeks beingbeing held at the same to play the Olympics,”mpics,” the spot.spot. I know normallynormally 23-year-old toldd reporters wewe don’t getget that sort yesterday. of luxury.” “I missed out onon thethe llastast TheThe US OpenOpen was one. Playing in Tokyokyo would be playedplayed without fans and very special to me.. My concern OsakaOsaka saidsaid whilewhile sheshe would be the generaleral safety ofof waswas delighted that everyone else becausecause you’re therethere will opening the country.try. beb e “Everyone is flyinglying in ffromrom different places. I would just want the public too feel safe. I feel like the athletestes definitely would want to play,y, but I would want the public ttoo feel safe.” Although plans arere cchanginghanging daily, Tokyo organisersnisers are not currently consideringidering wholesale quarantinetine for the 11,000 athletesetes taking part in the Games. Osaka’s most rrecentecent competitive matchh was ththee US Open final lastt SeptemberSeptember so she said she wwasas lookinlookingg forward to gettingng a decent amount of match ppracticeractice this week in the Gippslandland Trophy Naomi Osaka warm-up tournamentment at MelMel-- bourne Park. “I’m actually reallyeall happhappy,” ”