Sport MONDAY 1 MARCH 2021 Australian spinner Lyon joins Ashwin in solidarity over Ahmedabad track “We play on seaming wickets around the world and get bowled out for 47, 60. Nobody ever says a thing (about the pitch). But as soon as it starts spinning, everyone in the world seems to start crying about it. I don’t get it. I’m all for it, it was entertaining. Nathan Lyon Australia off-spinner Sport |10 NBA RESULTS: Jazz 124 - Magic 109; Spurs 117 - Pelicans 114; Wizards 128 - Timberwolves 112; Nuggets 126 - Oklahoma 96 Stage set for Qatar Total Open FAWAD HUSSAIN World No.5 Elina Svitolina is the Also in fray is Spain’s Garbiñe other three players are 2016 finalist Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur – the most THE PENINSULA top seed followed by the trio of No.6 Muguruza – a Yarra Valley Classic Jelena Ostapenko, Egypt’s Mayar successful female Arab player – and Karolina Pliskova, defending champion finalist, who was the only player to Sherif and Turkey’s Cagla Buyu- Egypt’s Sherif are also looking to excel Tennis stars including four recent and No.8 Aryna Sabalenka, and No.10 win set against Osaka in Melbourne kakcay. Azarenka is last of the only in a familiar environment. finalists are ready to battle for the Petra Kvitova, who have won titles in last month. The former World No.1’s three players, who captured the Jabeur, who lost in the third round golden Falcon Trophy as the Qatar three of the last four years in Doha. coach Conchita Martinez was tested Falcon Trophy twice after triumphs of Australian Open, may face a second Total Open begins today, with thrilling positive after his arrival in Doha. of Anastasia Myskina (2003, 2004) round clash with second seed Pliskova first round games on the cards. In-form players out to challenge However, Muguruza will take on and Maria Sharapova (2005, 2008). in the second round. Top-notch action is guaranteed at favourites Abu Dhabi runner-up Veronika Dutch star Kiki Bertens – seeded “Honestly, I want to aim big in the Khalifa International Tennis & But, it will not be easy sailing for Kudermetova in first round, and a win fifth - is also ready to start her year these two tournaments,” Jabeur told Squash Complex in the next six days, the top seeded players as many in-form will set up her mouth-watering clash after a layoff as she takes on a video conference. with 10 players of the Top 20 - players have come to this first leg in with defending champion Sabalenka Ostapenko in her first round clash “I love it here. It doesn’t stress me including four from Top 10 – eyeing the Middle East after an eventful stay in the second round. Belinda Bencic, today. to play in Arab countries. I want to see top prize in the $565,530 competition in Australia. These players include four who rushed to Doha after featuring “We got here early because I have more tournaments in the Middle East and maximum points to boost their players, who featured in the recent in the Adelaide International final on to play outdoors again, which is a huge and maybe North Africa.” rankings. finals. Saturday, faces Madison Keys in her difference. I practised only indoors Sherif, after becoming the first The winner of the event will be America’s Jennifer Brady – con- opener. the last few weeks,” World No.11 Egyptian to qualify for a Grand Slam, awarded 470 points besides getting sidered among the most dangerous Victoria Azarenka – Qatar Open Bertens told media. reached the second round of Aus- richer by $68,570. WTA players – is coming fresh from winner in 2012 and 2013 – is one of “I’m hungry to play again some tralian Open. She will face Maria The qualifying rounds concluded her impressive Australian Open cam- the four players, who were awarded matches. Let’s see what this week is Sakkari of Greece in her first round yesterday to complete the 28-player paign that ended with a loss to Naomi wildcards for the tournament. The going to bring.” match. list for the first round with top four Osaka in the final. She will meet Anett seeded players getting bye into the Kontaveit in her first round match second round. today. Players in action during a qualifying round match at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, yesterday. Goffin ends title Qatar Total Open 2021 drought with TODAY'S ORDER OF Montpellier crown PLAY CENTRE COURT REUTERS — MONTPELLIER Starting at : 2:30PM Belgian David Goffin fought back from a set Jennifer Brady (USA) [7] vs down to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 5-7, 6-4, Anett Kontaveit (EST) 6-2 in the final of the Open Sud de France in Followed by Montpellier for his first ATP title in more than Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) three years. vs Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) It was the fifth singles ATP crown for the Not Before 6:00PM world number 15 and follows his success on the Kiki Bertens (NED) [5] vs hardcourts of Tokyo in 2017. The 30-year-old got off to a poor start [WC] Jelena Ostapenko against Spaniard Bautista Agut in yesterday’s (LAT) match at Court Patrice Dominguez when he lost Followed by a tight opening set to the top seed. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) Goffin regained focus to dominate the vs [WC] Victoria Azarenka contest thereafter and came away with a victory (BLR) [8] in which he fired 13 aces COURT A and converted Starting at : 2:30PM four out of Jessica Pegula (USA) [1] vs seven Mirjam Bjorklund (SWE) Or breakpoints. Misaki Doi (JPN) [8] “It’s never Not Before 5:00PM easy to win Angelique Kerber (GER) vs tournaments. This is my fifth [WC] Cagla Buyukakcay and every (TUR) tournament Followed by I’ve won was Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs [WC] special,” Mayar Sherif (EGY) Goffin, only COURT B the third non- Frenchman to Starting at : 2:30PM lift the trophy Laura Siegemund (GER) [2] at the ATP 250 vs Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) event, said in Not Before 5:00PM an on-court Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [1], interview. Katerina Siniakova (CZE) vs A file photo of Tomas Saisai Zheng (CHN), Lin Zhu David Goffin Berdych (2012) and Alexander (CHN) Zverev (2017) Followed by are the others Andreja Klepac (SLO), Sania who have won the tournament in which Mirza (IND) vs Lyudmyla Frenchmen have prevailed in eight of the pre- Kichenok (UKR), Nadiia vious 10 editions. Kichenok (UKR) Goffin said he was delighted to end his title drought and credited the work he put in after COURT 1 “tough weeks” last season. Starting at: 2:30PM “I had some opportunities... matches where Cristina Bucsa (ESP) vs I had zero chance to win the final. Sometimes Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) [7] you take it, sometimes not... you need to con- Followed by tinue, you need to improve your game, you need Bethanie Mattek-Sands to fight... I’m happy it paid off,” Goffin said. (USA) or Yaroslava Shvedova “A final is always different. You have to just go for it... I’m really happy at the end because (KAZ) it was a tough moment. I had tough weeks last Vs Ena Shibahara (JPN) or season. I’m happy that I’m back with a level like Anna Blinkova (RUS) [6] this.” MONDAY 1 MARCH 2021 SPORT 11 WTT Middle East Hub action begins in Doha THE PENINSULA – DOHA A total of 298 players are taking part at the Qatar, Iran sign The much-awaited World Table Tennis events, representing 66 countries, as the sport (WTT) Middle East Hub began yesterday at the Lusail Multipurpose returns in style on the international stage. cooperation Hall yesterday with a three-day qual- ifying draw for the Contender series. Ninety one players start their journey in the agreement on A total of 298 players are taking men’s singles draw at the Lusail Multipurpose part at the events, representing 66 Hall, with a further 76 in the women’s singles. countries, as the sport returns in style table tennis on the international stage. They will battle it out to be amongst the 8 players to progress to the main draw. The Hub features two tiersiers ofof thethe THE PENINSULA – DOHA new WTT event structure, withith players competing in a WTT Contendernder event The Qatar Table Tennis Association before moving on to a WTT Star Con-Con- (QTTA) yesterday signed a cooper- tender event the following week. ation agreement with Iran’s national Ninety one players startedarted their table tennis body. journey in the men’s singles draw, with The agreement was formalised a further 76 in the women’sn’s singles.singles. on the sidelines of the WTT Middle They will battle it out to bee amongst East Hub currently on at Lusail the 8 players to progress to the main Sports Hall. draw. QTTA President Khalil Al Adding spice to the proceedings,eedings, Mohannadi joined Mehrdad Ali Qatar Table Tennis Federation president these eight players will be selectedelected Gardashi, President of the Iranian Khalil Al Mohannadi and Mehrdad Ali at random into the main drawraw ofof Table Tennis Federation, at the the Contender series, that iss held Gardashi, President of the Iranian signing ceremony attended by other between March 3-6, starting withwith Table Tennis Federation during the officials of the two bodies. a round of 32 in both men’s and cooperation agreement signing Al Mohannadi expressed his hap- women’s singles events. ceremony in Doha yesterday. piness at the presence of Gardashi The qualifying draw also fea-fea- and the Iran team for the WTT tures 32 mixed doubles pairs, who are Middle East Hub and the Olympic vying for 8 spots in the main draw, second-roundsecond- matches scheduled in qualifiers.