Wolves move up www.facebook.com/QatarTribune to sixth in Premier League after win www.instagram.com/qatar_tribune at Tottenham PAGE 14 www.twitter.com/Qatar_Tribune MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 Amir’s presence at Qatar Total Open 2020 was biggest support for the tournament: QTSBF President Khelaifi QNA was truly worthy of two cham- QTF Secretary-General Tareq DOHA pions who achieved outstand- Zainal expressed said this ing results in the tournament. year’s edition was full of sur- THE presence of The Amir His He stressed that the real prises and strong competition, Highness Sheikh Tamim bin gain achieved from the tour- in addition to the increased at- Hamad al Thani during and on nament was that displayed the tendance of the fans with each the concluding day of the Qa- organizational capabilities of passing day. He said all these tar Total Open 2020 was the Qatari cadres in a highly pro- factors combined made for the biggest support for the tennis fessional way. competition to be one of the tournament, said President He added that everyone in strongest in women’s tennis in of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, QTF and the organizing com- the Premier 5 category follow- and Badminton Federation mittee were responsible and ing the four Grand Slams. (QTSBF) Nasser bin Ghanim presented a wonderful work, He congratulated both Sa- al Khelaifi. which received praise from the balenka and Kvitova for the Speaking to journalists participating players, the WTA great final they. He said that soon after the final, which was officials, and the international both were tremendous through- won by Aryna Sabalenka of and local media. out the competition, but some- Belarus, Al Khelaifi extended Al Khelaifi congratulated one had to eventually lose. his sincere thanks to the wise all the players who partici- He said the federation leadership of Qatar for the pated in the tournament and was delighted with the perfor- great support. contributed to its success, mance of Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, He expressed his hap- whether in singles or doubles, saying that he was hoping she piness at the distinguished adding, “We look forward to could get to the final. She even- success achieved by the 18th Qatar Tennis, Squash, and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) President Nasser bin Ghanim al Khelaifi, Secretary-General Tareq Zainal, and seeing you in Doha in the tually lost in a close match to Qatar Total Open, adding Tournament Director Saal al Mohannadi during an interaction with the media soon after the Qatar Total Open 2020 final at the Khalifa next edition.” Kvitova in the quarter-finals. the 2020 edition was distin- International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. Tournament Director Saad guished in all aspects in terms QTSBF Secretary-General al Mohannadi said the strong of the participation of 64 play- media coverage. Tennis Association (WTA) in the past one week. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, delighted with tournament organisation of the event was a ers, including the best players, Al Khelaifi also thanked all making the tournament dis- On the final played be- Al Khelaifi said that the two success result of years of experience in the great technical level, and committees of the tournament tinguished each year and for tween former champion Petra players displayed a high level Also expressing his delight at holding high-quality, interna- the large and distinguished and officials of the Women’s their great efforts throughout Kvitova of Czech Republic and of competition and the match the tournament’s success was tional sporting events. SA, England power into T20 World Cup semis AFP Needing 58 off the last five SYDNEY Brief Scores overs, Aliya Riaz (39 not out) and Iram Javed (17 not out) LAURA Wolvaardt smacked South Africa 136 for 6 (Laura Wolvaardt did their best but were denied a crucial 53 as South Africa 53*, Marizanne Kapp 31) beat Pakistan by tight bowling. Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs after winning the final of whipped Pakistan to make 119 for 5 (Aliya Riaz 39*, Javeria Khan In the later game, England Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Saturday. (AFP) only their second women’s 31) by 17 runs. won the toss and powered to a Twenty20 World Cup semi- England 143 for 5 (Natalie Sciver 57) competitive 143 for five, with finals on Sunday, where they beat West Indies 97 (Lee-Ann Kirby 20, the West Indies ending on a were joined by former cham- Sophie Ecclestone 3-7) by 46 runs. paltry 97. Djokovic eyes new win pions England who swept past “It was just very profes- the West Indies. Monday’s Match: Australia vs sional, we knew we had to Proteas captain Dane van New Zealand Women. keep it simple and that’s what streak after capturing Niekerk won the toss and we did today,” said England opted to bat on a slow track captain Heather Knight. at Sydney Showgrounds, with “We’ve been playing 79th career title her team making a competi- knockout cricket from the sec- tive 136 for six, boosted by ond game and we’ve reacted AFP next best, achieved on two oc- Wolvaardt’s late fireworks. I’m really happy, but have very well. Hopefully we can DUBAI casions in 2013-14 and 2015. In reply Pakistan, missing carry that forward.” “This has been one of the captain Bismah Maroof who to give credit to Pakistan, It didn’t start well for Eng- NOVAK Djokovic set his sights best starts of all seasons I’ve was ruled out of the tourna- they gave it a massive go land with Tammy Beaumont on another marathon run of had. I feel great on the court,” ment on Saturday with a bro- and kept coming at us. trapped lbw on the fourth ball, invincibility after capturing his said Djokovic. “I’m just grate- ken thumb, could only manage but Danni Wyatt put on 50 for 79th career title on Saturday. ful that I’m playing well, 119 for five. South Africa skipper the next wicket with Sciver be- The world number one feeling well. I’ve won many “I’m really happy, but have Dane van Niekerk fore she was caught for 29. claimed the Dubai Champion- matches now in a row. I’ll try to give credit to Pakistan, Knight and Sciver kept the ships for the fifth time, defeat- to keep that run going.” they gave it a massive go and South Africa’s batswoman Laura Wolvaardt celebrates reaching her half century during the Twenty20 scoreboard ticking over with ing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 Next up for Djokovic will kept coming at us,” said van Women’s World Cup match against Pakistan in Sydney on Sunday. (AFP) quick singles until the skipper in the final. be the season’s first Masters Niekerk. “It was an incred- was run out for 17. Djokovic is now on an 18-0 events, back-to-back hard court ible game to be a part of,” she and runners up at the last tour- But pace spearhead Diana final three deliveries. Sciver brought up her third winning run this season, and assignments at Indian Wells added, while paying tribute to nament, secured their place Baig bowled a beautiful out- Pakistan made a brisk half-century of the tournament 21-0 overall since late 2019, and Miami. After that will be Wolvaardt. with a comfortable 46-run win swinger and she got an edge start, whacking a quick 18 be- before being dismissed an over as he ended an eight-match European clay and an even- “It’s only her third time over the West Indies, courtesy to Sidra Nawaz behind the fore Shabnim Ismail removed from the end, with Amy Jones win streak for his Greek op- tual assault on a second French batting at five, she usually bats of fine bowling and a battling stumps in a big breakthrough Muneeba Ali in a rare T20 making a late 23-run cameo. ponent, champion last week- Open title and 18th major. at the top, and to display her 57 from Natalie Sciver. for Pakistan. wicket-maiden. The West Indies made end in Marseille. He claimed “Motivation is never lack- skills like that, she got us the India are already through Baig struck again with van Omaima Sohail lasted just slow progress in the run chase his third trophy of 2020 af- ing. Of course, I get inspired by winning total.” from Group A, with defending Niekerk gone for three to leave three balls before being run and disaster struck when dan- ter helping Serbia to the ATP the goals that I set. That’s why I South Africa have won champions Australia playing South Africa at 17 for two. out in a comical mix-up with gerwoman Stefanie Taylor was Cup and winning an eighth compete. The season has start- three from three in Group B New Zealand on Monday to de- Mignon du Preez (17) and stand-in skipper Javeria Khan, stretchered off in agony, seem- Australian Open. It is the sev- ed in a most perfect way possi- – including a six-wicket hum- termine who gets the last berth. Marizanne Kapp (31) stead- then the dangerous Nida Dar ingly with a groin strain, on 15, enth time that the 32-year-old ble. I am aware of the fact that bling of England and a 113-run The dangerous Lizelle Lee, ed the ship, then Wolvaardt departed for three. and it proved to be pivotal. Djokovic has won more than most of the matches that I’m thumping of Thailand – to who smashed a century against played what proved to be a A desperately unlucky Shemaine Campbelle was 20 matches on the trot.