Sport SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020 DjokovicD clinches sixth year-end No. 1 rranking to tie childhood hero Sampras PeteP was somebody I looked up to when I was growing up, so to matchm his record is a dream come true. I will also keep striving to beb a better player, hopefully have more success and break more recordsr in a sport I love with all my heart. Novak Djokovic Sport |07 VUELTA A ESPANA: Stage 17 winner: David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ) 4:54:32 Overall leader: Primož Roglic (Jumbo - Visma 69:17:59) World No.1 Ali Farag lifts the trophy in the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee President, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi and Secretary General Tareq Zainal at the presentation ceremony yesterday. World No.1 defeats New Zealand's Coll 3-1 in pulsating final Farag retains Qatar Classic title FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA Qatar wins praise for World No.1 Ali Farag retained the staging blockbuster Qatar Classic Squash Champi- onship title after overcoming a spirited fight from New Zealand’s amid pandemic Paul Coll in an absorbing final at THE PENINSULA – DOHA the Khalifa International & Squash Complex, yesterday. Egypt’s Farag, who won his first Squash is among the sports which suffered due to the Qatar Classic title in 2018, held his coronavrius pandemic as the sport endured a six- nerves at crucial stages and month suspension, leaving PSA’s world tour players showed a good reach on the court starving for action. to clinch 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 The Qatar Squash Federation (QSF), however, victory after 61 minutes of top- delivered seven days of high-quality action with the notch action. hosting of $175,000 PSA’s Platinum Qatar Classic on “The first time I couldn’t schedule, winning praise from the participants for believe it and this time around I their hospitality. can’t believe it even more,” said Champion Ali Farag and “The Qatar Squash Federation always does a great Farag, who collected over $26,000 runner-up, New Zealand’s Paul job of making us feel comfortable and there is nothing for his title win in the $175,000 Coll are seen with Tareq Zainal. else you need other than thinking about your squash,” PSA’s Platinum event. said World No.1 Ali Farag, who retained the title with “When I was younger, I used a win over New Zealand’s Paul Coll in final to watch the Qatar Classic and see a second consecutive final defeat minutes, and it was the third game consecutive points to seal his 21st yesterday. all the great names of our sport on the same court in as many years which brought the best display of PSA crown. Coll said: “It’s a great tournament and a fantastic lifting that trophy and I could only after his loss to another Egyptian squash out of both the 28-year-old “We’ve been playing with each location. I always love coming here and I’ve played imagine standing there one day. Tarek Momen in the PSA World stars. other for a good few years now, he well here year in, year out.” To do it twice is an amazing Championship title-match. The game started with two wasn’t necessarily a very good Earlier, Egypt’s World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy feeling,” the World No. 1 added. But, the Kiwi star did his best consecutive points for Coll before junior or the most talented, but he’s thanked QSF for hosting the event in time of Qatar Olympic Committee to avoid the equation as yesterday’s Farag build a 5-3 lead after winning a living example of inspiration,” COVID-19. President, H E Sheikh Joaan bin final started with a fast pace, with long rallies. The scores were locked said Farag, while praising Coll. “All the players are grateful to the Qatar Squash Hamad Al Thani, and President of both the competitors fighting for at 7-7 at one stage before the World Coll, meanwhile, expressed Federation for hosting this event at this time. Every Qatar Tennis, Squash and Bad- points, fiercely. No.1 took a crucial point on a satisfaction on his overall per- year we come back here, they welcome us really well. minton Federation Nasser bin After a few exchanges of lead, stunning deception. But Coll formance in the championship. To put on an event at this particular time, it means a Ghanim Al Khelaifi, also attended Farag looked cruising with a score stretched the game further taking “It’s a tough feeling at the lot to me and I believe it means a lot to all of the the final. of 7-2 but Coll fought well to it to 9-9 with Farag winning back- moment. I’m obviously very happy players. We are very thankful, and it is one of those After yesterday’s win, Farag reduce the lead. With scores going to-back points to secure a 2-1 lead. to reach another final here in events that has so much history. It is a title that we became only the fourth man in 9-8 in Farag’s favour, it could have In the fourth game, Farag, after Qatar, it’s a great tournament and all want to win,” he said. Qatar Classic history to win the title been anybody’s game but an error dropping the first four points, a fantastic location,” said the World The QSF remained in close cooperation with the twice, following in the footsteps of cost Coll, with the Egyptian taking fought back to take a 9-5 lead but No.5. Qatar Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Public current World No.2 Mohamed the first game. Coll took four straight points to With his title win yesterday, Health and the Supreme Committee for Crisis Man- ElShorbagy and the now retired Fourth seeded Coll, however, level scores at 9-9 again. However, Farag also consolidated his lead on agement to ensure health safety of all participants Karim Darwish and Peter Nicol. came back strongly in the second the Egyptian avoided further sus- the men’s CIB Road to Egypt during the event. For New Zealand’s Coll, it was game, winning it 11-6 in only 10 pense in the match with two Standings. Action during Ooredoo Cup: Al Sadd blank Al Duhail 3-0 yesterday's match. THE PENINSULA – DOHA last round of the group-stage which will In hindsight, Al Sadd reaped the take place on November 9-10. rewards for going 2-0 up inside 11 minutes Al Sadd climbed up the Ooredoo Cup Al Sadd, who have collected seven despite their numerical disadvantage. Group A standings yesterday after points, one less than group leaders Al Their cause was also helped by the lack defeating Al Duhail 3-0 at the Qatar SC Wakrah, defeated Al Khor (1-0), drew 4-4 of experience of Al Duhail youngsters. Stadium. with Al Sailiya and lost 2-3 to Qatar SC in Al Duhail’s Salman Al Rumaihi missed Nam Tae-Hee (3), Saoud Al Nasr (11) their previous matches. a chance in the 14th minute as his shot, and Rodrigo Tabata (83) scored for Al Both teams started yesterday's match after being set up by Yasen, was blocked Sadd, who rose to second position in the with five Under-23 players in each of their by the goalkeeper. group. starting XIs. Salman was again denied by Jehad, The loss in the postponed match from Al Sadd overcame the straight red- while Al Sadd’s Ahmed Sayyar too had an Round 1 meant that Al Duhail slump to card suspension to Abdulrahman Rashed opportunity as the first half drew to a the bottom of the standings with just one a couple of minutes after Tae-Hee opened close. win from four matches. their scoring, as referee Meshari Al Al Sadd held fort in the second session, The match was postponed owing to Shammari sent him off for fouling Yasen whereas Al Duhail struggled to make a both teams’ campaigns in the 2020 AFC Abdullah who was rushing to the goal breakthrough even as the game wore on. Champions League. with only goalkeeper Jehad Mohammed And Tabata curled in a free-kick past Al The Al Duhail remained last in Group in front. Saoud then doubled the lead as Duhail goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan to A with three points ahead of the fifth and Al Sadd dominated the exchanges. round off the tally. SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 07 Djokovic clinches sixth year-end No. 1 ranking to tie Sampras REUTERSREUTERS – SOFIAS who had a chance to stop the Serbian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne. He also of 310 weeks as No. 1 remains his target from finishing as the top-ranked player won the Cincinnati Masters and a and he will have a chance to move past Novak DjokovicDjok (pictured) has sealed in 2020. “Pete was somebody I looked record 36th ATP Masters title in Rome. the Swiss on March 8 if he can hold on thethe year-eyear-endn men’s world number one up to when I was growing up, so to In September Djokovic also to his top spot. tennis rankingrank for the sixth time to go match his record is a dream come true” overtook American Pete Sampras, who “To finish the year as No. 1 is one of levellevel withwi childhood hero Pete Djokovic said in an ATP statement.