TTENNISENNIS | Page 2 NNBABA | Page 5 Rublev Leonard tries to leads charge block out as Clippers hot streak cool off Heat Sunday, January 26, 2020 CRICKET Jumada II 1, 1441 AH Wood, Broad shine GULF TIMES as England take command over SA SPORT Page 3 TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Federer says ‘epics’ keep him motivated AFP Melbourne Kyrgios sets oger Federer lives to win titles, but fi ve-set thrillers like his epic against John Millman at the Aus- tralian Open are also a key reason Rwhy he is still playing aged 38. The Swiss master looked out for the count at 4-8 down in a nailbiting fi fth-set super tiebreaker against the gutsy Australian, but up clash somehow found a way back to clinch the third-round clash 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10/8). Federer admitted it was “extremely diffi - cult” and he went through the full gamut of emotions. But that is how he likes it. He said the electric atmosphere on Rod Roger Federer hits a return against Laver Arena and the thrill of a match that Australia’s John Millman on Friday. with Nadal stretched for more than four hours was part of why he continues to play. ‘This is just epic man, I don’t even know what’s “Yeah, no doubt,” said the 20-time Grand Slam winner. going on. My legs feel about 40 kilos each’ “I mean, in the moment itself, it’s very gruelling and, at times, very disappointing AFP when you are in situations where you get Melbourne broken in the fi fth or you’re down in the su- “But also being in epic matches like this,” match the intensity of the battle on Friday per breaker and lose the fi rst set. he added. evening. “That’s when you really start wondering, “It doesn’t always have to be finals. As Millman is one of the fi ttest players on ome favourite Nick why couldn’t I close this match earlier and long as the crowds are into it, you have a tour and memorably beat Federer over four Kyrgios went fi ve sets all these things? great battle with an opponent who you tight sets in the round of 16 at the US Open to ensure an Australian “Then all of a sudden you turn the whole really admire and respect, it’s a good in 2018. Open showdown with thing around within, like, two minutes and feeling. “That’s why I mumbled something to HRafael Nadal yesterday as a series it was so worthwhile, everything that I have “I’m happy I had that match. I hope I him at the net just saying, ‘I have so much of shocks caused carnage in the gone through.” would feel the same way also if I would have respect for you, and it’s such a pity, I’m so women’s draw. After 22 years of Grand Slam tennis, he said lost, to be honest.” sorry, but well played’,” said the Swiss star. Kyrgios survived the longest his motivation remained strong “because of Federer had played 53 fi ve-setters in his Federer next faces unseeded Hungarian match of his career to beat Rus- Australia’s Nick winning titles, trying to win as many matches storied career before meeting Millman, Marton Fucsovics as he guns for a place in sia’s Karen Khachanov 6-2, 7-6 Kyrgios hits a return as possible, enjoy myself out on court”. winning 30 and losing 23, but few could his 15th Australian Open quarter-fi nal. (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 against Russia’s Karen (10/8), collapsing on his back af- Khachanov during their ter the fi fth-set tie-breaker. third round match at “That was insane — I’ve got the Australian Open no words to how I’m feeling right yesterday. now,” he said, after the 4hr 26min Qatar to take on South Korea in final marathon marked by his trade- mark tweeners and exchanges with the umpire. “This is just epic man, I don’t even know what’s going on. My legs feel about 40 kilos each.” The outspoken Aussie now heads into a last-16 clash with Nadal, with whom he has history after calling him “super salty” following criticism from the Spaniard last year. “Whatever happens between us, he’s an amazing player, he’s all went fast my way,” said Mugu- over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putint- arguably the greatest of all time,” ruza, who raced through the fi rst seva. “I’m sure that for you guys said Kyrgios. set in just 23 minutes. (media) it’s a little bit of shock Top seed Nadal had a compara- Croatian 19th seed Donna when the top-10 players are los- tively easy ride against his Davis Vekic also crumbled to lower- ing,” said Halep, shrugging off the Cup team-mate Pablo Carreno ranked opposition when she lost exodus of top seeds. Busta, racing through 6-1, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 to Poland’s Iga Swiatek, “But it’s life and we cannot be 6-4 in what he called his “best who is returning from a stress 100% every day.” match of the tournament so far”. fracture in her foot. The Romanian fourth seed While the men’s Big Three of However, Wimbledon cham- will now play Belgium’s Elise Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak pion Simona Halep stayed on Mertens, who won in three sets Djokovic are all still alive, it’s a course with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against CiCi Bellis — ending the diff erent story in the women’s American’s Grand Slam return competition where six of the top from long-term injury. 10 seeds crashed out in the third Angelique Kerber, the 2016 round. After Serena Williams and champion, beat Camila Giorgi title-holder Naomi Osaka fell by 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 to set up a The Qatar handball team pose with off icials after beating Bahrain 28-24 in their semi-final match of the Asian Handball Championship in the wayside on Friday, second meeting with Pavlyuchenkova, Kuwait yesterday. Qatar, the defending champions, led from the start to post a clinical win and will take on South Korea in tomorrow’s seed Karolina Pliskova bombed the Russian 30th seed. final. South Korea defeated Japan 34-32 in the other semi-final. Pictures at bottom show glimpses of action from the match. on Saturday with a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 Elsewhere, Germany’s Alexan- (7/3) defeat to Anastasia Pavly- der Zverev dismissed Fernando uchenkova. Verdasco 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to set Switzerland’s Belinda Ben- up a last-16 clash with Russia’s cic, the sixth seed, won only one Andrey Rublev, who remained game against Estonia’s Anett unbeaten this year with his 2-6, Kontaveit, the world number 31, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over as she went down 6-0, 6-1. David Goffi n. And a resurgent Garbine Mu- Austrian fi fth seed Dominic guruza, a two-time Major-win- Thiem came through 6-2, 6-4, ner, thrashed fi fth seed Elina 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 against Taylor Svitolina 6-1, 6-2. Tenth seed Fritz, Gael Monfi ls beat Ernests Madison Keys lost to Maria Gulbis 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3 and Sakkari on Friday. Spain’s Rafael Nadal Stanislas Wawrinka, the 2014 “I was very concentrated and celebrates after beating champion, progressed when John focused on what I wanted to do, it Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. Isner retired in the second set. RESULTS CHECK Men’s singles 3rd rd Fritz (USA x29) 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 (CRO x19) 7-5, 6-3 Nick Kyrgios (AUS x23) bt Karen Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x15) bt John Elise Mertens (BEL x16) bt Catherine Khachanov (RUS x16) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), Isner (USA x19) 6-4, 4-1 ret Bellis (USA) 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-0 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/8) Andrey Rublev (RUS x17) bt David Simona Halep (ROU x4) bt Yulia Alexander Zverev (GER x7) bt Fern- Goff in (BEL x11) 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, Putintseva (KAZ) 6-1, 6-4 ando Verdasco (ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 7-6 (7/4) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Elina Daniil Medvedev (RUS x4) bt Alexei Svitolina (UKR x5) 6-1, 6-2 Popyrin (AUS) 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 Women’s singles 3rd rd Angelique Kerber (GER x17) bt Camila Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Pablo Car- Kiki Bertens (NED x9) bt Zarina Diyas Giorgi (ITA) 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 reno Busta (ESP x27) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 (KAZ) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt Ernests Anett Kontaveit (EST x28) bt Belinda Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x30) Gulbis (LAT) 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3 Bencic (SUI x6) 6-0, 6-1 bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) 7-6 (7/4), Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) bt Taylor Iga Swiatek (POL) bt Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/3) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 26, 2020 TENNIS TENNIS/AUSTRALIAN OPEN FOCUS Rublev tries to block out hot Serena not going streak aft er run to Melbourne last 16 AFP in the media, they start say- Melbourne ing, like, you win 10 matches,” quietly as Coco he said.