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SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021 FichardtF overcomes wind to take lead I think the guys who are trying to win their first event, they aare trying to win. If you’ve won a few times you know it’s aabout doing the best you can do. The sun shines on eve- rryone, if it’s your week, it’s your week. It’s about doing the bbest you can do.

Darren Fichardt Sport |07

BASKETBALL: AMIR CUP FINAL Al Gharafa (Tyler James Lee Harris 22, Abdulrahman Saad 22) beat Al Wakrah 77-70

H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned Nikoloz Basilashvili. Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, President of the Qatar Tennis Federation is also present. The 29-year-old seals commanding win over Bautista Agut in final Basilashvili caps dream run with title

FAWAD HUSSAIN “But same time, I was working a lot. concentrating on just to play the game were won by the player returning, with a 4-2 lead, before capturing the title. THE PENINSULA I was feeling good on court. I was and just to look at the ball and move Basilashvili benefiting from his Bautista Agut admitted Basilashvili playing last half of year with a lot of a lot. It was tough physically, as well, aggressive approach. He was also was a better player in the title clash Nikoloz Basilashvili yesterday claimed stress in my body. I was not able to put because for sure you have to move superb with his backhands, smashing under challenging conditions. his maiden Qatar ExxonMobil Open title 100% on court on any matches. This twice a hard. And I managed that.” the winners to put Bautista Agut under “I don’t like to lose. I think I could after defeating an in-form Roberto week I somehow found a way to deal In the beginning of the final, both pressure. have played a better, but today it was Bautista Agut 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the final at with these stressful moments and very the players faced difficulty in adjusting The Georgian, who did not face a his final. I want to congratulate Basilas- the Khalifa International Tennis and happy to get through,” he added. with gusty winds at the centre court, break point in the final, picked first two hvili, he played great and aggressively,” Squash Complex. Basilashvili, 29, agreed that winning most of the points on serves in break points of the final in the second the 32-year-old said in an on-court The Georgian played top quality defeating Federer, who was making a the first set. However, as the opening set and collected points from two bril- interview. tennis in windy conditions last night to comeback after Australian Open 2020 set reached the tie-break, six points liant cross-court backhand shots to take “Now (for me) it is time to recover, deny the World No. 13 Spaniard – the following two knee surgeries, lifted to keep working to keep 2019 champion – a second crown in his confidence on Thursday. improving and hopefully, I will Doha, winning the match in 1 hour and “I think, you know, it would be come back here to get the title 29 minutes. pretty tough for him (Federer) first again,” he said. The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin match after 14 months, but in my The nine-time ATP Tour title Hamad Al Thani also attended the title case, it gave me a lot of confidence. winner also praised Qatar’s organ- clash. QTF President Nasser Al Khelaifi Even though he came back after a isation, saying he was looking to was also present on the occasion. long time, for me to beat Roger, come back to Doha for a long time The World No. 42 – coming to the my idol (smiling), it gave me a lot to come. Qatari capital with a five-match losing of confidence. That’s why I think I “I want to congratulate the streak – became the contender to lift played the next two matches a bit tournament’s organisers. We are the Falcon Trophy after he saved a more relaxed,” said Basilashvili, always pleased to come to Qatar. match point to oust second seed Roger who broke Bautista Agut’s For me, this tournament is one of Federer in the quarter-final. 12-match winning streak my favourites. I always enjoy Yesterday’s title triumph for Basi- yesterday. playing on this court and I hope to lashvili – his fourth ATP Tour trophy – On the challenge posed by continue playing this tournament is a huge breakthrough for the Georgian, strong winds yesterday, the for long,” said Bautista Agut. who lost 14 of his last 16 matches before Georgian said: “Very tough con- Meanwhile, Basilashvili col- Qatar ExxonMobil Open. ditions. It was very strong gusts lected the top prize of $69,520 for “Super happy. I was not expecting today. But I had good mindset. winning the tournament while that,” the Georgian, told reporters in a From the beginning I was runners-up Bautista Agut received video conference yesterday. accepting things very good. I was $51,340. WTT Star Contender: Harimoto, Ito win titles in Doha

Men’s singles champion of the Middle East Hub - WTT Star Contender Doha, Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto and runner-up Ruwen Filus of Germany posing for a photograph with Qatar Table Tennis Federation president Khalil Al Mohannadi and an official at the Lusail Sports Arena yesterday. RIGHT: Women's singleschampion Mima Ito of Japan celebrates her title win after beating Singapore's Tianwei Feng yesterday. Sport SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021 07 Basketball: Al Gharafa emerge Amir Cup champions Al Gharafa overcame a tough battle against Al Wakrah to clinch the prestigious Amir Cup Basketball title at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall yesterday. Tyler James Lee Harris and Abdulrahman Saad scored 22 points each as Al Gharafa beat Al Wakrah 77-70 in yesterday's final. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) first Vice-President and FIBA Asia President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani presented the Amir Cup to the winners in the presence of a number of Qatar Basketball Association and Sheikh Saud presenting an award to Al Gharafa club officials. captain Abdulrahman Saad. Commercial Bank 2021 Fichardt overcomes wind to take lead on third day Frenchman comes EUROPEAN TOUR – DOHA comes our way RK PLAYER SCORE R1 R2 R3 TOTAL from behind to retain and see what 1 Darren Fichardt (Rsa) -7 68 68 70 206 Darren Fichardt used all of his happens.” 2 Jack Senior (Eng) -6 68 68 71 207 men’s Doha title experience in very difficult Overnight 3 Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) -5 67 73 68 208 windy conditions to card a 70 leader Jeff 4 (Fra) -4 69 72 68 209 and open up a one shot lead Winther put his Jamie Donaldson (Wal) -4 68 68 73 209 heading into the final round of tee shot on the Joachim B. Hansen (Den) -4 66 71 72 209 Brazilian star beats the 2021 Commercial Bank par five second 7 Chris Paisley (Eng) -3 67 70 73 210 Cassignol in a photo Qatar Masters. into the desert Brandon Stone (Rsa) -3 69 68 73 210 The South African won this to drop a shot Thomas Detry (Bel) -3 66 72 72 210 finish in women’s race event in 2003 and has racked and playing 10 Jeff Winther (Den) -2 67 67 77 211 up four other victories in his partner Senior Kurt Kitayama (Usa) -2 67 69 75 211 398 European Tour appear- made a birdie Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) -2 67 70 74 211 FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2021 Doha ances before this week at Edu- from inside ten Nino Bertasio (Ita) -2 65 72 74 211 cation City Golf Club. feet to join the Callum Shinkwin (Eng) -2 70 68 73 211 The venue may be a little lead. Richard Mcevoy (Eng) -2 65 73 73 211 further in land than Doha Golf Senior then Jorge Campillo (Esp) -2 67 74 70 211 Club where Fichardt lifted the spun his tee Lorenzo Gagli (Ita) -2 68 70 73 211 Olivier, Cunha seal Mother of Pearl trophy 18 years shot on the next ago, but the windy conditions back to three Romain are similar and the 45-year old feet and when he Langasque moved to seven under to lead two putted the of France the way by one shot from Eng- par five sixth in action thrilling victories land’s Jack Senior, who carded from 87 feet, he during the a level par 71. led by two. Commercial On a day when just four If you’ve won Bank Qatar THE PENINSULA – DOHA players were under par, India’s a few times you Masters at Gaganjeet Bhullar carded a 68 know it’s about Education Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA) and to move up 28 places and sit at doing the best City Golf Club Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) five under, a shot clear of you can do. The yesterday. posted exciting wins in the Welshman Jamie Donaldson, sun shines on PICTURES: season-opening 10km FINA/ Dane Joachim B. Hansen and everyone, if it’s EBRAHIM CNSG Marathon Swim World Frenchman Antoine Rozner. your week, it’s KUTTY Series 2021 Doha (QAT) held at The difficulty of the condi- your week. It’s Katara Beach yesterday. tions over days two and three about doing the Olympic bronze medallist was shown with the lead having best you can do Olivier took 1:52:02.4 to bag his not moved from seven under But the second consecutive title in the after day one. 32-year-old Qatari capital, while five-time Fichardt claimed his last missed a short World Champion Cunha edged victory at the 2017 one on the next Océane Cassignol (FRA) in a but lost his card in 2019 only to and then three photo finish, clocking 2:01:30.3 claim it straight back at the putted the ninth to regain her Doha title after the Qualifying School, and he is to drop back into 2019 triumph. now on the verge of European a share and was In the men’s race – the final Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Tour win number six, just 11 soon joined by event of the day starting at 2pm Al Buenain, Sam Ramsamy, Second Vice President, FINA and Qatar days short of the 20th anni- Fichardt. - 2019 FINA World Champion- Swimming Association (QSA) President Khaleel Al Jabir posing versary of his first. The 18-time ships gold medallist (5km) for a photograph with the podium winners of the men's event. “It’s tough because you can Kristof Rasovszky (HUN) was hit a great putt or shot and still winner had ahead in the first two laps end in disaster,” he said. “You bogeyed the before Olivier picked pace to have to commit to whatever fourth but he hit set up the victory. you are going to do, stick a stunner to Rasovszky finished second through with it and where the tap-in range at with a time of 1:52:05.5 while ball went, it went. the fifth and then Olympic and World champion “Not put too much thought holed from 15 Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) com- into it or get down on myself. feet at the tenth to get to seven shots in six holes but he drained pleted the race in 1:52:07.9 for I’m doing my best and if I’m under. a monster on the 13th to rejoin a bronze medal. making a big number then I’m Another bride from 12 feet the lead, with Fichardt three Olivier, 24, termed his making a big number, that’s just at the 11th put him in the solo putting ahead at the 14th. victory in the season-opening how it is. lead and with Senior dropping Winther found a nasty race important. “I think the guys who are shots at the 11th and 12th, and position off the tee at the par “It was a difficult race trying to win their first event, Winther also stumbling at the three 15th and a three putt after because of high waves and I am they are trying to win. If you’ve 12th after only just clearing the failing to find the green with his so happy to win here again. I won a few times you know it’s water, Fichardt led by two. second attempt led to a triple started slowly and picked pace about doing the best you can But he found sand off the bogey. [in the last three laps], as I fol- do. The sun shines on everyone, tee at the par five 13th and after Fichardt recovered from his lowed the last year’s plan in if it’s your week, it’s your week. hitting a poor chip and three stumble with a birdie at the 16th which I was successful,” he said. QSA Secretary-General Talal Mohammed Al Darwish, First Vice- It’s about doing the best you can putting from off the green, a after a brilliant shot from the “This first meet was so President, FINA, Husain Al Musallam, and QSA President Al Jabir do. double bogey had him back fairway bunker, and he added important because it is an with the podium winners of the women's event. “Tomorrow will be quite a alongside Winther at six under. another from the fringe on the Olympic year and my win here fight. We’ll take whatever Senior had dropped four next to take the solo lead. is crucial,” Olivier added. Qatari swimmers Nour Marathon Series after over a European champion Arianna Eddine Kheddache, Ahmad year. Bridi (ITA) claimed the next two Samara, Mohamed Mahmoud, “The level of the race in spots with times of 2:01:33.2 Salama A Kareem Salah and presence of athletes who are and 2:01:34.4 respectively. Tameea Elhamayda also par- preparing for the Olympics was A total of 35 athletes finished ticipated in the race. very tough. There was a lot of the women’s race. Earlier, in the women’s race wind but I like swimming in Husain Al Musallam, FINA kicking off at 9am, Cunha and these conditions. These condi- 1st Vice-President awarded Cassignol were neck and neck tions make the race tougher for medals to female athletes, while as there was not even a sec- every contender,” Cunha said. Qatar Olympic Committee ond’s gap between the two ath- On the return of World (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim letes throughout the contest. Series, the 28-year-old said: “I Rashid Al Buenain presented However – Cunha, also a want to thank Qatar for organ- the medals to podium winners silver medallist in Doha last izing the race. It is very exciting of the men's event. Qatar year – managed to keep her to come back here and compete Swimming Association (QSA) slim lead over the French in the World Series. During President Khaleel Al Jabir and during all the five laps for her quarantine, we had more time Secretary General Talal second gold medal in Doha. to train. It is nice to come here Mohammed Al Darwish also Cassignol finished the race and put that to practice.” attended the medal in 2:01:30.8 for a second place, Last year’s winner in Doha, ceremonies. with Lea Boy (GER) clinching Leonie Beck (GER) missed out QSA, which will host the the bronze medal with a time a medal after touching the Doha 2023 FINA World Cham- of 2:01:31.9. finish-line in 2:01:32.8, claiming pionships, organised the event Brazilian star Cunha was fourth position. by adhering to all COVID-19 elated with her close victory in Rio 2016 silver medalist protocols advised by the Min- Doha that marked the return of Rachele Bruni (ITA) and istry of Public Health (MoPH).