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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 lifts the trophy in the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee President, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Tennis, 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. 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 and . 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 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 – SSOFIA 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. ended as No. 1 for six straight years the most impressive achievements in SamprasSampra after closest rival Rafael “I will also keep striving to be a between 1993 and 1998, for the most our sport, one which requires sustained NadalNadal opted against playing in the better player, hopefully have more weeks overall at the top ranking and excellence across the season,” ATP ATPATP Tour event in Sofia next success and break more records in a will begin his 294th week in first spot Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi added. “To week.wee sport I love with all my heart.” tomorrow. see Novak achieve this for the sixth time Spain’s 20-time Grand Slam During the year Djokovic won the The 33-year-old Djokovic, the and match Pete’s record is simply championch Nadal, ranked ATP Cup in January before picking up winner of 17 Grand Slam titles, has incredible, and he continues to cement second,s was the only player a record-extending eight Australian mentioned that Roger Federer’s record his place in the history books.” Zverev stops Nadal to set up Medvedev final in Paris REUTERS – PARIS played without spectators amid government restrictions to Top seed Rafael Nadal’s bid for contain the rise of COVID-19 Nadal ‘positive’ ahead of a maiden Paris Masters title cases in France. was halted yesterday when the The 24-year-old, who ATP Finals despite loss Spaniard was beaten 6-4, 7-5 arrived in Paris having lost five in the semi-finals by German of his eight previous matches, fourth seed Alexander Zverev. broke for 3-2 as Raonic made AFP – PARIS “That gave me the chance to Nadal, who reached the yet another forehand unforced play four matches that I think final at Bercy once in 2007, was error. Rafael Nadal said he had enjoyed a will be helpful for London. I need only briefly in the mix, con- Both then stayed strong on “positive tournament” at the Paris to adjust a couple of things, but I ceding serve three times. serve and Medvedev, who Masters as he gears up for his latest am doing well on all the important The 20-time Grand Slam saved six of seven break points tilt at a first ATP Tour Finals triumph, things.” The Spaniard, playing for champion broke back after throughout, bagged the despite losing to Alexander Zverev the first time since winning a record- falling 4-2 behind in the second opening set with a timely serve yesterday. extending 13th French Open title set but it was a brief comeback and volley on his first The top seed slumped to a 6-4, 7-5 across Paris at Roland Garros last as the 23-year-old Zverev stole opportunity. loss to Zverev in the semi-finals at month, was never at his best on the his serve again in the 11th game. Raonic dropped serve in Bercy Arena, but said his run this indoor hard courts. He then served it out, pre- the 11th game of the second set week would help him at the season- He claimed his 1,000th career win Germany’s vailing on his second match but he broke straight back to ending event in London, which starts with a comeback victory over Feli- Alexander point when Nadal’s forehand force a tiebreak, in which he on November 15. ciano Lopez in the second round and Zverev returns flew wide. was out of sorts, with “It has been a positive tournament also had to fight back from a set down the ball to Zverev will look to claim his Medvedev wrapping it up with for me. Of course not happy to beat Pablo Carreno Busta in the Spain’s Rafael fourth Masters title against a smash to reach his fourth about the loss, but that’s quarter-finals. Nadal has only won Nadal during Russian third seed Daniil Masters final. part of the game,” said one of his 86 ATP titles on indoor hard their men’s Medvedev, who qualified with “When you play against Nadal, who has also courts and that success came in singles semi- a commanding 6-4, 7-6(4) Milos, you are always at risk never won the Paris Madrid over 15 years ago. final of the victory against Canadian Milos because (if) one time he breaks Masters. “I need to find a better feeling with ATP World Raonic. you, it is very tough to break “I spent hours on court. Of course the backhand on this surface, because Tour Masters Medvedev hit 31 winners to him back,” said Medvedev. I wanted to win the tournament, but when I hit the ball sometimes I feel 1000 - Paris 12 unforced errors in a muffled “It was shaky here and it’s always difficult. But I had the right that I can miss it,” he admitted. Masters, atmosphere at the Bercy arena, there, but I am really happy to attitude during the whole event, I “To compete at this highest level, yesterday. where the tournament is being be through to the final.” think, fighting in every match. sometimes it’s a little bit tougher.”

Rossi's half-brother Espargaro secures Luca Marini gets European MotoGP pole MotoGP call-up AFP – VALENCIA Championship leader Joan Mir, AFP – VALENCIA who like Espargaro has never won in KTM rider Pol Espargaro will start the premier division, will start from Luca Marini will join his illustrious half-brother from pole for today’s European the second row. Valentino Rossi on the MotoGP grid next season. MotoGP after setting the fastest time Mir leads Fabio Quartararo by 14 Marini and fellow Moto2 rider Enea Bastianini have in tricky conditions in yesterday’s points but only 32 points separate the been signed by Ducati’s satellite Esponsorama team qualifying at Valencia. top six after a roller-coaster season for the 2021 season, replacing Johann Zarco and Tito His fellow Spaniard Alex Rins truncated by the coronavirus and Rabat. (Suzuki) and Japan’s Takaaki Nak- thrown wide open by the absence of Both Marini, a maternal half-brother to seven time agami (Honda-LCR) join him on the six-time world champion Marc champion Rossi, and Bastianini, will be hoping to move front row. Marquez. up to the top division as Moto2 champion. “In the last lap I said to myself ‘it’s Placed third in the championship Marini currently races for Rossi’s Sky Racing VR46 all or nothing’ and even if it was dif- is Maverick Vinales who starts today’s team and he will continue to wear those colours after ficult I did it,” said Espargaro who race from the pits as punishment over a Sky deal with Ducati. came through on top on a wet track the number of engine changes on his “Competing in MotoGP is every rider’s dream,” said Red Bull KTM Factory that proved extremely awkward for Yamaha. Marini, who has won three races so far this season. Racing’s Spanish rider the riders. Valentino Rossi, who missed the Bastianini commented: “Next season several riders Pol Espargaro rides It is his second pole position of the last two races and Friday’s practise will make the leap to MotoGP, we will start a new during the third free season, following the Styrian GP in sessions after testing positive for coro- adventure together with the fastest riders in the world practice session of the Austria. He set a fastest lap there as navirus, was back in the saddle on Sat- in which I think that together with the team I will be European Grand Prix at well but failed to win the race, finishing urday but could only finish eighth in able to achieve good results.” Zarco is leaving to join the Ricardo Tormo Circuit third behind Miguel Oliveira and Jack Q1 and failed to progress to the final Ducati’s other satellite outfit, Pramac, with Jorge Martin in Valencia, yesterday. Miller. shootout in Q2. as his teammate. Ducati’s main factory team riders will be Jack Miller and Francesco Bagania. United ease pressure Super-sub Messi nets double in Barca's 5-2 win on Solskjaer with REUTERS – BARCELONA responded to being benched by scoring twice as a 3-1 win at Everton substitute and leading Barcelona to a 5-2 home victory REUTERS – LIVERPOOL Brazilian winger Bernard’s low over yesterday, drive through Aaron Wan-Bis- snapping a four-game winless Manchester United eased the saka’s legs squeezing in the streak in for the pressure on manager Ole bottom corner. Six minutes later Catalans. Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-1 win though, United drew level when Barca’s captain was surpris- at Everton in the Premier Fernandes met a Luke Shaw ingly left out of the starting League yesterday with Bruno cross from the left with a per- lineup by coach Ronald Fernandes scoring twice and fectly angled and firm header. Koeman and they found them- Edinson Cavani grabbing his Everton left back Lucas selves drawing 1-1 when first for the club. Digne then struck the post from Antonio Sanabria cancelled out United have failed to win at a promising position but United Ousmane Dembele’s superb home in the league this season were growing into the game and opening strike on the stroke of and there were questions over it was no surprise when they halftime. Solskjaer’s future after the took the lead. Fernandes floated Messi was brought on at the midweek defeat to Istanbul in a cross from the left which start of the second period and Basaksehir in the Champions Marcus Rashford rose to head promptly produced a sublime Barcelona’s Lionel Messi shoots at the goal during the La League. But United, who move into the bottom corner but dummy to allow Antoine Liga match against Real Betis at , yesterday. up to 13th and ten points, although the striker failed to Griezmann to tap into an responded with a display which, connect, the ball went in off the unguarded net and put Barca while far from smooth, was full post. back in front in the 49th minute, Messi then further stretched Betis did manage to pull a beyond doubt, smashing the of character, epitomised by Substitute Cavani added the the Frenchman finally making their lead in the 61st by emphat- goal back with 10 men when ball into the top corner after captain Harry Maguire’s deter- third in stoppage time, finishing amends for missing four ically dispatching a penalty striker Loren Moron netted at receiving a wonderful backheel mined display at the back. off a counter-attack led by chances before the break after Aissa Mandi was shown a the far post to make it 3-2 after from team mate Sergi Roberto, The pressure on Solskjaer Fernandes for his first goal since including squandering a straight red card, following a a marauding run down the left while 17-year-old struck intensified when Everton took joining the club on deadline day penalty. VAR review, for using his arm wing by Alex Moreno. the fifth after another fine pass the lead in the 19th minute with last month. Barca’s all-time top scorer to block a shot from Dembele. But Messi soon put the game from Sergi Roberto.