SPORT Tuesday 22 January 2019 PAGE | 08 PAGE | 10 Serena outslugs Messi comes top seed Halep as off bench to Zverev implodes help Barca beat at Open Leganes 3-1

Setting sights on Asian Cup glory

Coach Felix Sanchez oversees Qatar team’s training session in Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Stadium, on the eve of the Asian Cup Round of 16 clash against Iraq. RIGHT: Qatar players during the session, yesterday. Round of 16: Confident Qatar to go all out for victory against ‘strong’ Iraq

THE PENINSULA our three rivals (in the first ABU DHABI stage),” he added. We’re ready to fight “We will only announce our Coach Felix Sanchez yesterday squad before the match. We need said Qatar will ‘play hard’ to be looking at our training ses- football in their AFC Asian Cup sions and to see how everybody for a win, says Afif last 16 clash against 2007 cham- feels. The players are ready, that pions Iraq at Abu Dhabi’s Al much I know. We will field the THE PENINSULA to be patient to have a prom- Nahyan Stadium today. best playing XI,” Sanchez said. ABU DHABI ising future, “ Afif said. Qatar stormed into the As for playing against Iraq, “You can see the seri- Round of 16 of the 24-team tour- another Arab side after beating Qatar will put in a 100 percent ousness with which the players nament on the back of three Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their last game, effort for a win in their last 16 play. They play to win and straight wins against Lebanon, Sanchez said: “Opponents cannot clash against Iraq at the AFC improve. That’s to their North Korea and Saudi Arabia. be chosen. You play whom you get Asian Cup, forward Akram Afif advantage since they want to “We will play hard,” Sanchez to face. Any opponent will have a said yesterday. play for Qatar for long,” he said. said yesterday in a pre-match tough time. Iraq is a strong team “It is an important match On the technical level of the press conference. with a distinguished group of since we will playing a strong two teams, Afif explained: “The “Our aim is to win and to do players. We look forward to outfit in Iraq. But let me tell you, two teams have the elements that we have to be at our best playing to win to qualify for the Qatar players are ready. We capable of making a difference. Qatar's goalkeeper Yousof Hassan Ali (left) and defender Bassam because our opponents are quarter-finals.” topped our group and won That makes for an interesting Al Rawi after the training session, yesterday. strong,” the Spaniard added. Reaction to praise from Por- against everybody. All players clash. We are meeting a team “Our team is riding high on tuguese coach Jose Mourinho on are confident,” Afif said at a that has done well in this confidence. This is like the final. qualify for the next stage, we general but we were able to Thursday after Qatar beat Saudi press conference. tournament.” To win the match is our goal,” must win this match,” Sanchez achieve this because we stuck to Arabia, Sanchez said: “Of course “We know they are a tough He added: “At the same Sanchez said. said. our plans. We intend to do just it is very nice to hear such words. side but we are ready with our time, we have the ability to “It was wonderful to see the “We have been working hard that against Iraq also,” Sanchez We feel good to have the praise confidence high,” he added. provide good levels like we did team win three matches with for a long time. We have a great said. of a great coach like Mourinho. “Our team has a great bunch in the first phase of the quality football. But now we team of players who work as a “We will have the same It was a great game against Saudi of young players and they have tournament.” forget those results because to one unit. This was our method in approach that we had against all and we enjoyed our win.” ensure win, we must start afresh. previous matches - to play as a We will do our best. Iraq has tal- unit and give our best,” Sanchez Qatar stormed into the Round of 16 of the 24-team ented players and for us to said yesterday. tournament on the back of three straight wins against “We also played strong teams in friendly matches in the last Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. few matches. We played against Ecuador, Switzerland, Iceland Iraq, on the other hand, won two matches and and many other teams. That gave managed a draw against Iran in their first three Our aim is to win and us the match practice and the matches of the tournament. to do that we have to experience we needed to get the Qatar forward Akram be at our best because players ready,” Sanchez said. Qatar striker Almoez Ali, who has scored seven Afif (right) and his “We have had enough time goals in just three matches, will be looking to increase team-mate Ali Hassan our opponents are to rest and be ready for this his goal tally in today›s match. Afif during the training strong: Felix Sanchez match. It is difficult to win in all session, yesterday. games of the championship in Unbeaten Qatar have an edge in ‘tough’ challenge

THE PENINSULA draw against Iran in their first Saudi Arabia convinced popular Championship last year in The feared striker is already high-octane clash. Coach ABU DHABI three matches of the coach Jose Mourinho to lavish January, has been in sensa- level with Iran’s Behtash Fariba Sanchez has groomed most of tournament. praise on the young Qatari side. tional form throughout the and Korea Republic ace Choi the Qatari players, following Unbeaten Qatar are likely to Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar’s key assets in the last tournament with goals and Soon-ho who bagged seven their rise from the juniors in the have an edge going into their last Qatar have impressed with their 16 clash will be skipper Hassan amazing speed. goals apiece during the AFC last five years. 16 clash today against Iraq, the goal-scoring form in the three Al Haydos and 2018 Asian Player With at least one more game Asian Cup in 1980. With the 2022 FIFA World 2007 champions at the AFC matches and rarely looked in of the Year Abdulkarim Hassan still to come, the 22-year-old Al Iraq, coached by Srecko Cup less than four years away, Asian Cup. trouble against their who was declared by Mourinho Duhail SC forward’s impressive Katanec, will be tough oppo- Qatar have launched their first Striker Almoez Ali has struck opponents. as ‘special talent’. tally has seen him move to nents, according to Qatar coach serious assignment on a positive seven times in just three matches Ali scored in all the matches On a personal account, Qatar within one strike of the record Sanchez. note winning successive matches giving Qatar their three back- including four goals against hotshot Ali is on the verge of haul by a player at Asia’s premier “Our aim is to win and to do at the AFC Asian Cup. to-back wins against Lebanon, North Korea and a brace against writing himself into the compe- event, one which was set by Iran that we have to play our best Today’s clash will be another North Korea and Saudi Arabia. arch-rivals Saudi Arabia on tition’s history books. legend Ali Daei when he scored because our opponents are tough test in Qatar’s journey to Iraq, on the other hand, won Thursday. Ali, who claimed the top eight at the 1996 edition, also in strong,” Sanchez said as his preparing a strong squad for the two matches and managed a The impressive win against scorer award at the AFC U23 the United Arab Emirates. players prepared for the home World Cup. 08 SPORT TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2019 : Serena battles to stop Halep as Zverev implodes at

AFP with ambitious Ukrainian Elina Svitolina for a place in the of the US celebrates after winning the match semi-finals. against Romania’s Simona Halep following their fourth-round A fired-up Serena Williams But it was the dominant Wil- match at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. slugged past world number one liams who overshadowed them Simona Halep yesterday as she all and is overwhelming inches ever closer to a 24th favourite to win an eighth Aus- Grand Slam title on a day that tralian title, with defending saw Alexander Zverev implode champion at the Australian Open. and second seed Angelique In a towering performance, Kerber already out. the American great scored her She has been in ominous biggest win since giving birth to form at Melbourne Park as she break down the Romanian top seeks one more major title to put seed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 and move into her alongside Margaret Court’s a quarter-final against seventh record 24, and it looked like seed Karolina Pliskova. champion Halep Czech Pliskova is another would be another easy scalp form player, winning the after a first set rout. warm-up Brisbane International But the nuggety Romanian and easing past two-time Grand isn’t world number one for Slam winner Garbine Muguruza nothing and she bounced back 6-3, 6-1 to set up the Williams to set up a huge power struggle clash. that Williams finally won with a “I’m such a fighter, I never break in the seventh game of the give up,” declared Williams after third set. the epic encounter. “I really needed to elevate “It was an intense match and my game. She’s a great player,” there were some incredible said Williams. points but I love playing tennis Fourth seed Osaka emerged and being out here and I love this from an error-strewn first set court, it’s really cool to be back.” against Sevastova to win 4-6, While Williams stayed cool, 6-3, 6-4. It will be a new experience career win at the WTA Finals in The German superstar has second set, whacking his racquet highly-rated German fourth seed “I think the biggest thing for for whoever wins that Singapore last October. routinely been anointed as the into the ground eight times to Zverev lost the plot against me is the belief. I think I believe showdown, with neither going Svitolina was a quarter- flag-bearer for the next gener- leave it a crumpled mess. Canadian Milos Raonic, crashing in myself more this year than I beyond the quarter-finals at Mel- finalist at Melbourne Park last ation, but again failed to live up “I just tried to stay composed 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) and demol- have last year,” said the bubbly bourne Park before. year and has set her sights high to his reputation and has now and it worked out well for me ishing a racquet in a massive 21-year-old, who beat Williams Svitolina needed to dig deep after her breakthrough in Sin- missed out on making the last today,” said cool 16th seed meltdown. in the US Open final last year. to overcome 17th seeded Keys, a gapore, targeting a Grand Slam eight of a major 14 times in 15 Raonic. Women’s fourth seed Naomi She next faces sixth seed Svi- US Open finalist in 2017. win and world number one. attempts. Raonia will now face Osaka was more composed as tolina, who battled past “I had to put my level up, I’m Earlier on Rod Laver Arena, So furious was he with his Frenchman Lucas Pouille after she beat crafty Latvian Anastasija American Madison Keys 6-2, 1-6, glad I handled the pressure,” said Zverev self-destructed to slump form, the 21-year-old had a he battled past Croat Borna Coric in three sets to set up a meeting 6-1. Svitolina, who scored her biggest out at the hands of Raonic. major temper tantrum in the in four tough sets. Pouille Barty fired up for Kvitova ousts Coric to set up rematch in last eight AFP Raonic MELBOURNE clash Hometown hope Ashleigh Barty faces a tough battle against Czech veteran Petra Kvitova for a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals today but will have the entire host nation cheering her on. AFP The other contest for a final four berth pits the unseeded pairing of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova MELBOURNE and against one another, with both players seeking Grand Slam breakthroughs. Barty, 22, entered this year’s tournament as 15th seed but carries massive pressure from an France’s Lucas Pouille had Australian public desperate for Grand Slam success after becoming the first local to make the last never won a match at the eight in a decade. Australian Open before this She has already downed five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and is on a red-hot year, but the 28th seed yes- run of form, winning seven of her eight matches this year. terday reached the quarter- But against the eighth-seeded Kvitova, Barty is up against one of the few players on tour who final after beating Borna Coric can boast a richer vein of 2019 form. 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2). Australian Open women’s Kvitova has won all nine of her matches this year, including a three-set win over Barty in the The 22-year-old 11th seed final of the Sydney International warm-up tournament. from Croatia took a tight first quarter-final facts and figures “Win a couple more important points, I suppose, compared to Sydney,” said Barty on how to set on a tiebreak that hinged get past Kvitova this time. MELBOURNE: Australian Open women’s quarter-final facts and figures ahead of Tuesday’s matches on a couple of points before “It’s exciting that I get to have another chance at Petra straightaway. Not often does that happen (x denotes seeding): Pouille responded. where you get to kind of have a replay against the same opponent. Really pumped.” Tenacious 24-year-old With two Wimbledon titles in her trophy cabinet, the 28-year-old Kvitova has experience going Pouille, who endured a Sat- Petra Kvitova (CZE x8) v Ashleigh Barty (AUS x15) deep into Grand Slams, while Barty’s run to the Melbourne quarters is the furthest she has gone at urday night third round epic Head-to-head: Kvitova leads 3-0 a major. against Australian wildcard Kvitova: Age - 28; World ranking - 6; Prize money - $27,496,787; Career titles - 26; Throw in the fact that Kvitova has a 3-0 record against Barty and the task facing the Australian Alexei Popyrin before coming Grand Slam titles - 2; Australian Open best - Semi-finals (2012) looks imposing. through in five sets, goes on Barty: Age - 22; World ranking - 15; Prize money - $5,283,650; Career titles - 3; But Barty, whose best showing at a major is the US Open fourth round last year, has welcomed to meet 16th seed Milos Grand Slam titles - 0; Australian Open best - Quarter-finals (2019) the pressure, saying this year’s career plan was always to “go deep into Slams”. Raonic for a place in the “I feel like that was the next step for me,” she said. semi-finals. Path to the quarter-final Russia’s Pavly- “It feels great to come Kvitova uchenkova, the world through against Borna who is 1st round: bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 6-3, 6-2 number 44, is a player who Australia’s Ashleigh Barty one of the best players in the 2nd round: bt Irina-Camelia Begu (ROM) 6-1, 6-3 has been threatening to celebrates during the world, “ said Pouille whose 3rd round: bt Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-1, 6-4 reach the next level for match against Russia’s best previous Grand Slam several years but still 4th round: bt Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6-2, 6-1 Maria Sharapova. performance was reaching remains on the fringes of Barty the quarter-finals at both success at the majors. Wimbledon and the US Open 1st round: bt Luksika Kumkhum (THA) 6-2, 6-2 The 27-year-old’s in 2016. “It all hinged on a few 2nd round: bt Wang Yafan (CHN) 6-2, 6-3 match against Collins is her points here and there,” 3rd round: bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 7-5, 6-1 second appearance in the Pouille added of his first 4th round: bt Maria Sharapova (RUS x30) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 quarter-finals at Melbourne victory in three Tour level Park and her fourth overall matches against the former Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Danielle Collins (US) at Grand Slams. world junior number one who Head-to-head: Never played before She is yet to progress reached a career-high 12th in Pavlyuchenkova: Age - 27; World ranking - 44; Prize money - $8,778,418; Career titles - 12; further but showed admi- the world in November. Grand Slam titles - 0; Australian Open best - Quarter-finals finals (2017, 2019) rable resilience to fight back “Even though I never won Collins: Age - 25; World ranking - 35; Prize money - $997,636; Career titles - 0; after dropping a set to US a match here before this year Grand Slam titles - 0; Australian Open best - Quarter-finals (2019) fifth seed I always enjoyed playing in a third-round match that here. Atmosphere is great, Path to quarter-finals was held in the middle of amazing, electric. That’s why the night due to a sched- Pavlyuchenkova they call it the Happy Slam.” uling logjam. Pouille has played Raonic 1st round: bt Monica Puig (PUR) 6-4, 6-3 Her opponent was a on three previous occasions 2nd round: bt Kiki Bertens (BEL x12) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 largely unknown quality after playing much of her tennis on the US college circuit, but grabbed the and is yet to beat the big- 3rd round: bt Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-0, 6-3 tennis world’s attention with a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing of second seed Angelique Kerber in the fourth serving Canadian. 4th round: bt Sloane Stephens (USA x5) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-3 round. Their last meeting was at Collins World number 35 Collins had never won a match at a Grand Slam in five previous attempts Stuttgart on grass last year 1st round: bt Julia Goerges (GER x14) 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 before arriving in Melbourne and putting three seeds to the sword on the way to the fourth round. “It was a close match in 2nd round: bt Sachia Vickery (USA) 6-3, 7-5 She describes herself as fearless and can be expected to adopt aggressive tactics against the Stuttgart, “ said Pouille of the 3rd round: Caroline Garcia (FRA x19) 6-3, 6-2 Russian. encounter which he lost 6-4, 4th round: bt Angelique Kerber (GER x2) 6-0, 6-2 “I may not have won a Grand Slam match before this, but I gotta tell you, I think it’s going to 7-6 (7/3). keep happening,” she said. “I hope to have many more of these.” TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 09

Australian Open collated results

Collated results from Day 8 of the Australian Open yesterday:

Men’s singles - 4th round Milos Raonic (CAN x16) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x4) 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) Lucas Pouille (FRA x28) bt Borna Coric (CRO x11) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Pablo Car- reno-Busta (ESP x23) 6-7 (8/10), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS x15) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3

Women’s singles 4th round (JPN x4) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x13) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Elina Svitolina (UKR x6) bt Madison Keys (USA x17) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 Karolina Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Gar- bine Muguruza (ESP x18) 6-3, 6-1 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic signs autographs after winning the match Serbia’s Novak Serena Williams (USA x16) bt Simo- against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. Djokovic (right) na Halep (ROM x1) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 shakes hand with Russia’s Daniil “That was a Medvedev. physical battle,” Djokovic passes Medvedev said a relieved Novak Djokovic, who crucially test to reach quarter-finals saved three REUTERS life,” 31-year-old Djokovic joked in racket into the court before break points MELBOURNE from 2-1, 0-40 in his on-court interview with Jim stopping himself. There was no Courier. “I was hoping you were shaking the Russian, who edged an the pivotal third Novak Djokovic struck back for the going to say the other guy won, but epic 42-shot rally and raced to a 4-1 set to break the old guard at the Australian Open well done, Kei. “(It was) definitely lead in the tiebreak. tenacious 22-year- yesterday, soaking up the pressure a physical battle,” added the Serb The Serb was rattled, and he old’s resolve from an impressive Daniil of his match. bungled a drop-shot to give in Melbourne Medvedev before crushing the Federer’s exit on Sunday has Medvedev two set points before yesterday. young Russian 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3 been widely touted as a changing finding the net to square the high- to reach his 10th quarter-final. of the guard and Tsitsipas’s victory quality contest. The night after Roger Federer an inspiration for the Tour’s Djokovic needed cheap points “Daniil Medvedev was stunned by Greek tyro Stefanos upstarts. but there were none on offer, and played some great Tsitsipas, there was another sniff of Fifteenth seed Medvedev was he took a tumble at the net on serve tennis. He has a an upset at Rod Laver Arena as certainly up to continue the theme at 2-1, drawing a gasp from the great backhand 22-year-old Medvedev rocked the and it took a lunging backhand crowd. But after dusting himself off and doesn’t make Serb with a furious assault of power drop-shot from Djokovic to save a and saving three break points from hitting. break point in the fifth game. The 0-40 down, the Serb was revived. any unforced Yet the Russian wearied in the rangy Russian fought back from a After taking Medvedev down in errors on that side. constant attrition, and top seed break down but double-faulted to another marathon rally, Djokovic It was hard to find Djokovic ended up cruising to give up a set point and Djokovic broke in the fifth game and the another way to victory, having passed easily his sealed it with a forehand winner Russian suddenly appeared spent. get through him. biggest test at what had been a down the line. Nothing fires Djokovic like the smell In these kinds of sweat-free tournament. A red-faced Medvedev trudged of blood, and he went after The world number one will to his seat to munch darkly on a Medvedev mercilessly, roaring matches you just continue his bid for a hat-trick of banana but did not spend too long through the set and breaking again have to hang in Grand Slam titles and a record chewing on the setback. He bravely to lead the final stanza 3-1. there. Since I guess seventh at Melbourne Park against fought off five break points in the Though dragging his feet my next opponent eighth seed Kei Nishikori, who second game of the second set and between points, Medvedev snuck is watching, I’m earlier squeezed past Spaniard broke back to 4-3 after a breath- a break point at 3-2 but saw it dis- feeling fantastic. Pablo Carreno Busta in a five-set taking rally, scrambling back and appear with a Djokovic forehand. epic. forth to retrieve drop-shots and lobs From there, the Serb kept him at I have never felt “Since I guess my next before passing the Serb. arm’s length before closing out the fresher in my life.” opponent is watching, I’m feeling It was Djokovic’s turn to fume, match with a string of clean fanstastic, never felt better in my and he wound up to smash his winners. Trip to Haiti makes Osaka FACTBOX 24 years on, the learning Frances Tiafoe never stops for Serena vs Rafa Nadal appreciate her good life REUTERS MELBOURNE A look at the records of American Frances Tiafoe and Spaniard Rafa Nadal before their quarter-final at the AP where Naomi and elder sister Mari were born. Australian Open today (prefix number denotes seeding): Serena Williams is a year short of spending a quarter of a century MELBOURNE The family later moved to the United States, where as a professional player but the learning has never stopped for Osaka was raised. FRANCES TIAFOE the 23-time Grand Slam winner. Naomi Osaka said she’s just returned from Haiti Osaka’s coach Sascha Bajin said the early The American held off a strong comeback from world where some people struggle to get clean drinking success in Australia can be credited to better Age: 21 number one Simona Halep during a thrilling 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 win water. This makes her appreciate even more fitness. ATP Ranking: 39 yesterday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals. getting into the Australian Open quarterfinals - “The way we structured the off-season was Grand Slam titles: 0 After being broken in the opening game of the match, Wil- and her own good life. we started the first week where we prioritised 2018 Australian Open performance: First round liams won six straight games to claim the set in 20 minutes. Haiti is her father’s birthplace - her mother only strength and conditioning,” Bajin said. “So Best Australian Open performance: Quarter-finals Few would have bet on French Open champion Halep Tamaki is Japanese. It’s also the poorest country we did just a lot of running.” (2019) fighting back from that mauling but the Romanian conjured in the Western Hemisphere. Bajin said that routine carried on until playing Last year, Tiafoe was knocked out in the first round in up exceptional grit to force a deciding set. “For me, it’s a very tennis took over. straight sets by Juan Martin del Potro, but the un- That proved to be an interesting experience for Williams, humbling experience “We just wanted seeded youngster has shown immense fighting spirit who has won 72 WTA singles titles. to go back because to make sure that the to battle his way to a Grand Slam quarter-final for the “I’m still learning, which is, at my age and my point in my you see so many body feels right and first time in his career. career, I think admirable and exciting that I still have things I people that they don’t she’s in the best pos- The last American in the draw, Tiafoe stunned fifth can learn from,” she told reporters. “I feel like each day, each have much, and then sible shape,” he said. seed Kevin Anderson in the second round and then match, and each tournament I’m learning something, and I you go back to your Osaka recently think today I’m just learning that I have to fight for titles. I have celebrated a memorable 21st birthday by eliminating house and everything took up her older sis- to fight for matches.” Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth. that you take for ter’s dare to walk the The 37-year-old took a break from tennis after the birth of granted you start home streets in Japan her daughter in 2017 and only returned last year. But she showed appreciating it more,” wearing a wig and RAFA NADAL against Halep she has lost none of her brutal power and ath- the defending US sunglasses to protect Age: 32 leticism. “I played really good in that. I don’t know if that’s the Open champion said her privacy. ATP Ranking: 2 best I have played. I honestly can’t remember the matches, but yesterday after “I personally Grand Slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2009; probably,” Williams said. “But that goes to show you that you beating Anastasija think she was French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, have to play well for two sets. You can’t just play well for one Sevastova 4-6, 6-3, Japan’s Naomi Osaka hits a return against Latvia’s making it a bigger 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018; Wimbledon 2008, set or six games. You have to bring it every single point, every Anastasija Sevastova during their singles match on day 6-4. deal than it had to 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017) single game, until the match is literally over.” eight of the Australian Open. “I went to Haiti the be,” Osaka said. 2018 Australian Open performance: Quarter-finals Williams played her first match on December 31 in the first time two years “Honestly, I feel like Best Australian Open performance: Winner (2009) Hopman Cup since her US Open final defeat by Naomi Osaka ago and then I started people don’t look at Nadal has put his injuries behind him to coast in September. She said her progress to the last eight at Mel- playing well,” Osaka explained. “I started appre- other people when they’re walking around.” through the first four rounds with straight-sets wins bourne Park does not reflect poorly on the level of competition ciating everything and I didn’t want to complain “I get that I’m tan and I would stand out a little over all his opponents, including a 6-0, 6-1, 7-6 in women’s tennis. about anything. Because when you go there and bit in Japan,” she added. “I think the only way “I think it says more about me than women’s tennis. I think demolition of the experienced Tomas Berdych. Nadal you see people, like, literally, they have to walk people would really care is if I’m wearing some it says women’s tennis is amazing. It’s at the highest level it’s has never met Tiafoe before but has studied his miles for water.” sort of athletic (gear), like, if I was walking around ever been,” Williams said. “Of course, I’m the biggest advocate Her father, Leonard Francois, left Haiti to study with my tennis racket. You know, other than that, young American opponent. of women’s tennis but I really do believe in my heart that eve- in the United States and then moved to Japan I don’t think people really care too much.” ryone is playing well, and it’s tough out here.” 10 SPORT TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2019 History against England in Windies Test series

AFP LONDON

England may be third in the Test rankings and the West Indies eighth, but history will be against Joe Root’s tourists when a three-match series gets under way in Barbados tomorrow. Only two England sides have won Test David Warner of Winnipeg Hawks runs to the boundary during a Global series in the Caribbean during the past T20 Canada match against Montreal Tigers at Maple Leaf Cricket Club in 52 years. King City, Canada in this June 29, 2018 file picture. Here is a look at those most recent England campaign triumphs, which both featured members of the Jones family -- left-arm quick Jeff Jones starring in 1968, with the Welshman’s son, Simon, a right- Injured Warner to arm paceman, playing in 2004. 1967/68: West Indies 0 England 1 (five-match series) This series went Eng- undergo surgery land’s way thanks mainly to a seven- wicket win in the fourth Test in Trinidad. AFP England were left to score 215 in two- SYDNEY in Melbourne, before he is expected and-three quarter hours following a to undergo minor surgery, cricket. sporting declaration by West Indies com.au reported yesterday. captain Garry Sobers. Banned former Australian vice- Cricket Australia’s website said But England, with captain Colin captain David Warner is expected Warner’s condition was not believed Cowdrey making 71, follow his first- to undergo minor surgery on his to be as serious as the elbow injury innings 148, and opener Geoffrey Boycott elbow today after returning home sustained by Smith, also in the Bang- 80 not out, got the runs just in time. from the Bangladesh Premier ladesh tournament. There was one more twist to come in League with an injury. Smith, 29, underwent surgery England’s Joe Root during a net session at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, the fifth Test in when, with Warner, alongside former last week and is expected to spend Barbados, yesterday. England nine wickets down, No 11 Jeff skipper Steve Smith and batsman six weeks in a brace before extensive Jones survived the last over of the match Cameron Bancroft, was suspended rehabilitation. to secure a draw that sealed the series with legions of West Indies’ quicks, took individual Test score with an innings of from international cricket over a Both players’ bans end in late win. an extraordinary seven wickets for 12 runs 400 not out in a colossal total of 751 for ball-tampering scandal during a March. Bancroft’s has already 2003/04: West Indies 0 England 3 in 12.3 overs as the hosts collapsed to 47 five declared. Test match in South Africa last finished. (four-match series) England made a spec- all out in their second innings. But by batting so long on a placid March. The 32-year-old returned to Smith’s injury could affect his tacular start to win the first Test in But after further convincing wins in pitch, Lara reduced the time available for Australia last week following a stint chances of being picked in the Jamaica by 10 wickets and never looked Trinidad and Barbados, they were denied his bowlers to take 20 wickets and with the Sylhet Sixers in the Bang- national side for the World Cup back. a 4-0 clean sweep in Antigua. England captain Michael Vaughan, albeit ladesh Twenty20 tournament after starting in May, as well as the Ashes Fast bowler Stephen Harmison, West Indies captain Brian Lara his side followed on, made 140 as the he reported pain in his right elbow. series -- also in England -- later this inflicting the kind of damage associated regained the world record for the highest match ended in a draw. Warner’s elbow will be assessed year. Patterson earns Cricket: Qatar outplay Saudi late call-up for Arabia in Twenty20 opener Sri Lanka series THE PENINSULA folded up at 126 off the for a brisk 26-ball 43,as they DOHA final ball. lost three more players in quick The Saudi’s never succession. But Mohammed BRISBANE centuries in last week’s tour Riding an impressive bowling recovered with only Tanveer and Noman Sarwar REUTERS match against our upcoming performance, Qatar posted a fine opener Sajid Imran held the innings together to see opponent, Sri Lanka, we believe four-wicket victory over Saudi Cheema smashing his Qatar home in 15.3 overs. Australia have called up Kurtis he deserves to be added to the Arabia in their opening match way with a 41-ball 47. Tanveer blasted two sixes Patterson (pictured below) for test squad.” of the ACC Western Region After Cheema was and three fours to collect 33 not their two-Test series against Sri Patterson has played 58 Twenty20 Cricket Tournament ninth out at 88, out off 18 balls, while Sarwar’s Lanka starting in Brisbane on first-class matches, scoring in Muscat, Oman yesterday. Muhammad Adnan unbeaten 11 had two fours. January 24 after the New South 3,813 runs with six centuries Qatar’s Tamoor Sajjad, who offered a spirited rear- Muhammad Nadeem had Wales batsman scored two and 26 half-centuries at an snared three for 11 in his four- guard resistance and three four 16, while Ibrar-Ul centuries in a warm-up match average of 41. over spell with one maiden, was collected 38 not out Haq, Faizal Khan and Usman against the tourists. Australia squad: Tim declared the man-of-the-match. with four sixes and two Ali bagged one wicket apiece. The uncapped Patterson Paine (captain), Jhye Rich- Qatar Cricket Association Pres- boundaries. His 15-ball Qatar will next take on scored unbeaten knocks of 157 ardson, Joe Burns, Pat ident Yousef Jeham al Kuwari effort helped the team Kuwait today. and 102 for a Cricket Australia Cummins, Marcus Harris, congratulated the national team reach 126. Iqbal Brief scores Qatar beat XI in Hobart last week. Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, on a strong start and the superb Hussain Chaudhry also Saudi Arabia by four wickets “Kurtis has joined the squad Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan victory over bitter rivals Saudi grabbed three wickets, Saudi Arabia: 126 all out in 20 in Brisbane today to commence Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Arabia. while Inam-Ul-Haq overs (Sajid Imran Cheema 43, our preparations for the first Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter “We are extremely pleased and Muhammad Muhammad Adnan 38; Noman Test starting on Thursday,” Siddle, Kurtis Patterson with the national team’s splendid Nadeem shared two Sarwar 2/16, Tamoor Sajjad 3/11, national selector four-wicket triumph in the wickets. Qatar also Muhammad Nadeem 1/43, Inam- Trevor Hohns said. opening match in the ACC suffered an early Ul-Haq 1/13, Iqbal Hussain “We have been Western Region T20 in Oman setback as they lost Chaudhry 3/26) asking batters around and that too over Saudi Arabia. Kamran Khan for six. Qatar: 126 for seven in 15.3 Man-of-the-Match Tamoor Sajjad of Qatar the country to score We hope that the Qatar team will They however overs (Faisal Javed Khan 43, receiving his award. hundreds if they want keep improving its performance responded to it with Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim 21, to be considered for and continue to win matches. an addition of 47 runs Mohammad Tanveer 33 runs, selection. We wish more successes to the skipper Inam-Ul-Haq was jus- through the second-wicket stand Noman Sarwar 11 not out; Ibrar- “Given Kurtis’s team,” Kuwari added in his tified as Noman Sarwar dealt out shared by Faisal Javed Khan and Ul Haq 1/23, Usman Ali 1/21, consistent perform- statement. two quick blows. Saudi Arabia, Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim, who hit Muhammad Nadeem 3/16, Faizal ances for NSW and The decision to put Saudi from two down for eight in two 21. The winners experienced a Khan 1/21) Man-of-the-match: his two unbeaten Arabia in to bat first by Qatar overs, could never recover and mini slump after Khan went out Tamoor Sajjad (Qatar) Messi comes off bench to help Barca beat Leganes

AFP a Leganes side that had upset top scorer raced across the top Otherwise, he had missed only in 2017. Starting in Messi’s spot BARCELONA Barcelona 2-1 in September. of the area before launching a one other match this season to on the right side of the attack, That move appeared to be powerful left-footed shot that rest. Dembele impressed Barcelona’s Lionel Messi had to cut short a the right one after Ousmane goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar blocked Suarez’s goal puts him in the supporters and tormented rare rest break to help Barcelona Dembele put Barcelona ahead with one hand, only for Suarez top five all-time scorers for Bar- Leganes’ defenders, dribbling beat Leganes 3-1 and protect its in the 32nd minute. to rush in and finish it off. celona with 167. past opponents or finding team- five-point lead of the Spanish But Leganes took advantage Messi then exchanged four Messi leads them all with 577 mates with a well-placed pass. League on Sunday. of a moment of complacency passes with Jordi Alba in quick goals.Barcelona stayed com- Then came his goal when Messi came off the bench at from their hosts when winter succession before scoring his fortably ahead of second-placed Dembele imitated the same Camp Nou with the score at 1-1 reinforcement Martin league-leading 18th goal of the Atletico Madrid with Real Madrid move Messi has made one of his in the second half and set up a Braithwaite converted its only campaign in stoppage time. third at 10 points back. most dangerous - pass the ball goal by Luis Suarez before scoring opportunity to pull level “It’s clear that Messi can turn The slip that caused Dembele to Alba on the left flank, then adding one of his own. in the 57th. To make matters a match around, but we have to to fall back on his own leg and float in behind Suarez to the In a month packed with worse, Dembele saw his get used to seeing Messi play half seemingly twist his left ankle heart of the area where Alba matches and a Copa del Rey excellent performance end with an hour,” Valverde said about his ended another excellent per- returns the ball. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi clash with Sevilla looming on an injury to his left leg. 31-year-old star. Messi missed formance by the 21-year-old Dembele used the inside of celebrates after scoring against Wednesday, coach Ernesto Val- But Messi had gone on a five matches in October and forward, who is showing why his right boot to redirect Alba’s verde took the risk of leaving his minute before in the 64th and he November while recovering Barcelona paid a then-club pass off the post and into the net. Leganes at the Camp Nou Stadium best player on the bench against took charge. The club’s all-time from a right-arm fracture. record transfer fee to sign him in Barcelona on Sunday. TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 11

Ronaldo Japan send Saudis spinning out penalty fear keeps of Asian Cup; Australia advance Iran alive

AFP returning from a hamstring injury, buried AFP SHARJAH the decisive kick to put the socceroos into ABU DHABI a clash against either hosts UAE or Takehiro Tomiyasu’s lone strike sent Kyrgyzstan. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Saudi Arabia crashing out of the Asian Cup Uzbekistan were well on top in the Beiranvand had flashbacks of as Japan beat the three-time champions first half against a pedestrian Australia facing a chest-puffing Cris- 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals yesterday. who managed just one shot on target tiano Ronaldo before saving Tomiyasu’s first-half header was before the break, an innocuous effort from a first-minute penalty that enough to seal it for Japan as the last-16 . kept his team’s Asian Cup game between two teams with seven titles Central defender , challenge alive. between them failed to live up to its back from suspension, will have night- The talismanic 26-year- billing. mares about how he was shrugged off old denied Oman captain Japan, record four-time winners of by for a one-on-one Ahmed Al-Mahaijri to spark the Asian Cup, march on to a quarter-final chance saved by Ryan’s arm. a 2-0 victory in Abu Dhabi at with Southeast Asian champions Vietnam Javokhir Sidikov fizzed one wide of the weekend, sending title- despite not yet hitting top form at the the upright after chasing Iran into the tournament. all too easily evaded the joint challenge quarter-finals. Saudi Arabia were in the ascendancy of and . But Beiranvand revealed early on but it was Japan who snatched But Australia seemed determined to that memories of keeping out the advantage with a straightforward goal mix it up after the break and as they Ronaldo’s spot kick in a 1-1 from a set piece on 20 minutes. finally clicked, Jamie Maclaren had a draw with Portugal at last Australia’s players celebrate their victory during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of From a corner, Belgium-based shot blocked before Grant twice had year’s World Cup had helped 16 match against Uzbekistan at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain yesterday. defender Tomiyasu climbed above his opportunities with his head. him prevent a disastrous start marker and nodded firmly into the bottom Leckie then made his long-awaited against Oman. corner for his first of the tournament. The some wasteful finishing. Bahbri’s shot Uzbekistan to reach the Asian Cup first appearance of the tournament, and “Ever since saving that Saudis twice came close with headers as from outside the box crept narrowly wide quarter-finals yesterday. he had an immediate impact in the kick from Cristiano, Iran fans they strived for a way back, and Hatan and Ali Al-Bulaihi powered a strong Australia had the better of a goalless forward line. However, neither side expect me to save penalties,” Bahbri curled one just off-target as he header over when the ball was knocked 120 minutes before Brighton’s Ryan could get the winner and ultimately Beiranvand said after the went for the top corner. back into the area after a free-kick. stopped spot-kicks from Islom Tukhta- Ryan was the difference as he stood up game. Yoshinori Muto’s shot was blocked on Goalkeeper Mat Ryan brilliantly saved khujaev and Marat Bikmaev in a tense to Tukhtakhujaev’s kick straight down “I actually did think about the hour-mark but most of the chances two penalties as defending champions shoot-out that finished 4-2. the middle, and dived low for that moment for a fraction of were falling to Saudi Arabia, who will rue Australia won a dramatic shoot-out with Hertha Berlin’s , Bikmaev’s. a second -- I told myself I can’t let everybody think what happened in Russia was a fluke,” he added. “I just tried to concentrate Last-gasp and tried to repeat it again at Dier calls on Spurs team-mates a different tournament. First Dembele and foremost, it’s my duty to save penalties and help the earns win team. to step up in absence of Kane “But the way I look at my career at the moment, there’s for Lyon AFP Tottenham lead 1-0 can cope without Harry or not,” no limit to my dreams.” LONDON after the first leg. said Dier. “Harry’s one of the Video emerged after the REUTERS “Every team gets best strikers in the world. Any match of Iran forward Sardar PARIS Eric Dier (pictured) has called injuries. We have to team would feel the loss if Harry Azmoun pointing to the goal- on his Tottenham Hotspur team- deal with it -- we’re not wasn’t playing, so we have to keeper’s right before Al- Moussa Dembele’s last-gasp mates to step up in the absence sulking about it or find a solution and move on. Mahaijri stepped up to shoot. goal earned Olympique of Harry Kane as the club sweat feeling sorry for our- “Injuries happen in football “I had already decided to Lyonnais a 2-1 derby win at on the fitness of midfielder Dele selves,” said Dier, who and that’s why you have a squad dive that way,” insisted Bei- St Etienne to take them to Alli. returned as a substitute and not just 11 players. ranvand. “But when Sardar third place in France’s Ligue Top-scorer Kane is out until at Fulham after “It was a good start (to life gave me the sign I was 100 1 on Sunday. March with an ankle injury and spending more than a without him). People are going percent sure.” A poacher’s Second-half substitute fellow forward Son Heung-min month out following to be talking about it when he’s goal from Brighton forward Dembele found the back of is on duty with South Korea at surgery to remove his injured but we’ve just got to get Alireza Jahanbakhsh and an the net five minutes into the Asian Cup. appendix. on with it. Ashkan Dejagah penalty were stoppage time to give OL all Alli came off towards the In the absence of “Harry will be doing his best ultimately enough for Iran as three points after Nabil end of Sunday’s last-gasp 2-1 Kane and Son, Fernando to get back as soon as possible the Asian Cup co-favourites Fekir’s second-half penalty win at Fulham with a ham- Llorente played up front and it’s down to the team and advanced to face China in the had cancelled out Romain string problem, giving boss at Craven Cottage. the squad to rally and carry on,” last eight. Hamouma’s opener for Les Mauricio Pochettino a Fulham took the added the England Iran, Asia’s top-ranked Verts. headache as he juggles scant lead in the first half international. side, have failed to win Asian Lyon are third on 37 resources. courtesy of a Llorente Spurs are third in the football’s most coveted prize points from 21 games, three The full extent of Alli’s injury is unlikely the England mid- own goal but Alli equalised and Premier League and play since 1976 -- an anomaly Bei- points behind Lille after the will be assessed using a scan, the fielder will be involved in Thurs- Harry Winks grabbed the winner Borussia Dortmund in the ranvand admitted causes the northerners beat Amiens 2-1 results of which are likely to day’s League Cup semi-final deep into injury time. Champions League last 16 next “Team Melli” players some on Friday. St Etienne drop come in the next few days but it second leg at Chelsea. “It’s not a question of if we month. heartache. down to fourth on 36 points. Runaway leaders Paris St Germain, who have two games in hand, have 53 points after destroying En Avant Guingamp 9-0 on Saturday. Match Premier Cup kicks off in Qatar Hamouma headed home from point-blank range from THE PENINSULA Meanwhile coaches of the received since arriving in the Gabriel Silva’s cross in the DOHA four clubs namely Oleg Kononov country. 21st minute for his second (FC Spartak Moscow), Sergey “Aspire Academy is phe- league goal this season, The Match Premier Cup tour- Semak (Zenit St. Petersburg), nomenal and boasts some of the rewarding St Etienne for their nament featuring four leading Yuriy Semin (Locomotiv best sports facilities of any l have early domination. Russian football clubs got Moscow) and Valeriy Karpin seen in the world,” remarked Kevin Monnet-Pacquet underway yesterday at Aspire (Rostov FC) told assembled Semin. had a chance to double the Academy. Russian and local media that “It’s obvious why this is the tally three minutes from the Four Russian Premier they believed the new tour- training base for the Qatar interval with a fine 20-metre League clubs Zenit St. nament in Qatar was a very pos- national team. Aspire Academy shot, only for Anthony Lopes Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, itive development. has exactly what any team FC Rostov’s to pull a superb save and Lokomotiv Moscow and Rostov They were also very enthu- requires for training camps and Kjartansson make sure Lyon stayed afloat. are vying for the top position in siastic about the welcome that to prepare.” Vidar (left) St Etienne failed to capi- the seven-day tournament. they and their teams had Valeriy Karpin added: “The vies for ball talise and Lyon equalised in facilities at Aspire possession with the 65th minute, Fekir con- Academy are Luis Adrian of FC A defender of FC Rostov tackles FC Spartak’s Ayrton Lucas verting a penalty after a Loic excellent. We Spartak during (right) during the Match Premier Cup at Aspire Academy Perrin handball in the area. don’t have any- their Match PICS: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA The visitors dominated in Doha yesterday. thing like this in Premier Cup at the closing stages and Russia”. Aspire Academy Dembele beat Stephane The clubs’ in Doha Ruffier with a timely header head coaches yesterday. shortly before the final were very enthu- whistle. Olympique de Mar- siastic about com- seille ended a nine-game peting in this novel winless streak in all compe- tournament in titions when Morgan Sanson’s Doha which takes 47th-minute strike earned place during the them a 1-0 win at Caen. Russian League’s The home side finished winter break. the game with 10 men after Russian teams March. They also expressed who will be following their Frederic Guilbert was sent off normally travel that in coming to Qatar, they teams’ progress. The Match six minutes into the second abroad to warmer have found an ideal new des- Premier Cup is being organised half, allowing seventh-placed climates for tination, and also an oppor- by Match TV and the Russian OM to control the rest of the training camps tunity to introduce Russian Premier League in partnership match. and ahead of football to this country while with Qatar Football Association Rudy Garcia’s side have league matches introducing Qatar to huge and Aspire Zone Foundation 31 points from 20 games. resuming in numbers of fans back home will run from 21- 29 January. TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07

I don’t know what to say now. Very tough match. Very Japan’s Kei Nishikori CRICKET after an epic five-set FOOTBALL great match today. Not easy win over Pablo Carreno Asian Cup, Round of 16: 2nd ODI: Pakistan vs of course. I try to recover well Busta. Qatar vs Iraq South Africa

tomorrow. ACTION TODAY’S

Adam Long of the United States poses with the Long holds off Mickelson and trophy after winning the Desert Classic at the Stadium Course in La Quinta, California on Hadwin for Classic triumph Sunday.

AFP playing partners left him “kind DESERT CLASSIC SCORES Overall, however, he called LOS ANGELES of in the background doing my it an “awful” day with the thing.” 262 - Adam Long 63-71-63-65 putter. Journeyman Adam Long birdied The trio were tied at 263 - Phil Mickelson 60-68-66-69, Adam “Terrible putting day, one of the final hole on Sunday to seize 25-under heading into the par- Hadwin (CAN) 65-66-65-67 the worst I can recall in a while,” his first US PGA Tour title at the four 18th on the Stadium Course, 264 - Talor Gooch 67-67-66-64 said the 48-year-old who was Desert Classic ahead of five-time one of three courses used in the 266 - Dominic Bozzelli 67-69-64-66 in search of a 44th career title. major winner Phil Mickelson and tournament. 267 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 66-66-68-67 “I hit a lot of good shots today, Adam Hadwin. Facing a second shot from 269 - Vaughn Taylor 68-66-69-66, J.T. Pos- but I just couldn’t get the ball to Long, a 31-year-old an awkward lie below his feet, ton 68-68-64-69 go in the hole.” American ranked 417th in the Long stuck it 14 feet from the pin 270 - Sean O’Hair 66-67-68-69, Patrick Hadwin had taken control world, only made his way onto as Mickelson fired out of the Cantlay 67-66-66-71, Michael Thompson with six birdies in the first 11 the US PGA Tour this season via rough to 38 feet and Hadwin 68-66-65-71 holes. the Web.com Tour. found the back greenside 271 - Lucas Glover 68-68-68-67, Nate He still held a two-shot lead He had seven birdies without bunker. after his only bogey of the day Lashley 72-68-66-65, Roger Sloan (CAN) a bogey in his seven-under 65 Mickelson, who had led all at 13, but he couldn’t find 70-68-68-65, Daniel Berger 67-67-69-68, for a 26-under par total of 262 week since a sensational another birdie the rest of the way

and the win in his sixth career opening 60, settled for a par and Scott Langley 70-65-66-70, Im Sung-jae and Mickelson and Long closed PGA Tour start. a three-under 69 for 15-under (KOR) 71-65-64-71 the gap. “I’m in disbelief right now,” 263, where he was joined by It was another near miss in Long said. Hadwin who also parred the last said. “You can’t control that, but the event for Hadwin, who “I don’t really know what for a five-under 67. when you have that feeling it’s carded a third-round 59 on the just happened, but I’m thrilled.” Long, who twice chipped in a good one.” La Quinta course in 2017 but Playing in the final group for for birdie on the back nine, said Mickelson struggled on the settled for second place. He fin- the first time alongside Mick- that Mickelson’s first putt at 18 greens all day, starting with a ished tied for third last year. elson and Hadwin -- a Canadian gave him a good indication of three-putt bogey at the first. “It would have been a special with three top-10 finishes in the what his putt would do. Mickelson finished with moment if I could have pulled it past three seasons in the Cali- “It was one of those putts five birdies -- draining a six- off,” Hadwin said. fornia desert -- Long said the that you stand over and you just footer at 15 and a 10-footer at “But there’s always next year attention on his better-known know you’re going to make,” he 16 to regain a share of the lead. I guess.” Rose, Towns combine as Wolves edge Suns

AFP NBA RESULTS Marco Belinelli added 12 points LOS ANGELES for San Antonio. Indiana 120, Charlotte 95 The Spurs, who committed

Derrick Rose nailed a three Minnesota 116, Phoenix 114 18 turnovers, took their only pointer from 18 feet with just 0.6 San Antonio 95, LA Clippers 103 lead with just over three seconds left to lift the Minnesota minutes remaining in the first Timberwolves to a 116-114 when Bryn Forbes drained a victory over the Phoenix Suns on to 4-20 overall on the road this three pointer. Sunday. season. The Clippers went on a 22-2 “It was about damn time I hit Elsewhere, Tobias Harris run bridging the first and second a shot like that,” said Rose. scored 27 points and flirted with quarters, turning a one-point Rose and Karl-Anthony a triple double as the Los Angeles deficit into a 45-26 lead with 11 Towns took turns carrying the Clippers snapped a five-game minutes remaining in the first ‘Wolves on their backs as they losing skid with a 103-95 win half. combined for 61 points. over the red-hot San Antonio Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo Towns scored 28 of his 30 Spurs. scored 16 of his 21 points in the points in the first half and Rose Harris also had nine assists second half and Darren Collison scored 29 of his 31 points in the and nine rebounds and Patrick finished with 19 points as the second half for the Timber- Beverly finished with 18 points Indiana Pacers posted their wolves, who had to overcome an and 12 rebounds for the Clippers fourth win in five games with a 11-point deficit. in front of a crowd of 18,300 at 120-95 victory over the Charlotte The Suns decided to double the AT&T Center arena. Hornets. team Towns in the second half The Clippers led the contest “Me, Bojan (Bogdanovic), Vic, which opened the door for Rose for all but 14 seconds as Beverley we were all being aggressive on to then take charge. helped seal the victory with two the pick-and-roll,” Collison said. “I got to get back into the late free throws. “When all three of us are rhythm of things. I believe in San Antonio, who suffered aggressive, it’s tough to beat us,” myself and I work on this all the their second consecutive loss at he added. time,” Rose said, who shot home, took the lead, 101-95, with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Derrick Rose (centre) drives in the fourth quarter against Phoenix Kemba Walker led the 11-of-18 in the second half. 31 seconds to go on Aldridge’s Suns at Target Center on Sunday. Hornets with 23 points but didn’t TJ Warren scored 21 points final basket of the game but the get much help. Malik Monk fin- and Devin Booker and Kelly Clippers were able to execute “Every single guy that got out effort.” LaMarcus Aldridge had a one-game absence to finish ished with 11 points off the bench Oubre each added 18 for down the stretch. here and played was effective. 30 points and 14 rebounds and with eight points on a dismal four while Bismack Biyombo scored Phoenix, who lost all four “It was a great win,” said “We knew tonight we were a banged up leading scorer of 16 shooting. 10 as the Hornets’ three-game games on their road trip to drop Harris. going to need everybody’s DeMar DeRozan returned from Rudy Gay had 19 points and winning streak ended. Toews powers Blackhawks to win

REUTERS since early in the 2014-15 Vancouver came back to also scored for the Coyotes, CHICAGO season. beat Detroit. who have won five of their Islanders 3, Ducks 0 Antoine Roussel scored past seven games. Derek Jonathan Toews finished Robin Lehner recorded the winning goal at 13:13 of Stepan added two assists. with three goals and two 19 saves as surging New York the third period as he tipped Travis Dermott and John assists while Patrick Kane notched its second straight in Jake Virtanen’s pass into Tavares scored for the Maple added two goals and two shutout with a win over vis- the middle. Leafs, who have lost seven assists as the Chicago Black- iting Anaheim. That came less than six of their past 10 games and hawks snapped a six-game Cal Clutterbuck scored minutes after Bo Horvat tied six of seven at home. losing streak with an 8-5 twice in the first period for the game at 2-2. Hurricanes 7, Oilers 4 victory over the visiting the Islanders, who have won Coyotes 4, M’ Leafs 2 Nino Niederreiter scored Washington Capitals on five straight and 15 of 18 to Vinnie Hinostroza scored two first-period goals in just Sunday. move into first place in the the go-ahead goal in the his second game with The Blackhawks scored Metropolitan Division. It was third period as visiting Carolina in a victory against four goals in the first 23 the sixth career two-goal Arizona defeated Toronto. host Edmonton. minutes and then added four game for Clutterbuck and his It was the fifth goal this Niederreiter joined the Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan more in the third period first since January 4, 2018. season for Hinostroza, who Hurricanes last week in a Toews (right) passes the puck away while slumping Washington Canucks 3, R’ Wings 2 had not scored since trade with the Minnesota from Washington Capitals left wing Alex twice sliced the lead to one. Elias Pettersson scored November 11, a 21-game Wild. He made his Carolina Ovechkin during the second period at The Capitals have a goal and added an assist in drought. debut in Friday night’s home United Center on Sunday. dropped five in a row, the his first game back from a Mario Kempe, Clayton loss to the Ottawa first time that’s happened knee injury as host Keller and Lawson Crouse Senators.