Al Gharafa win Amir Cup basketball title, complete domestic treble page 14 SUNday, MARCH 14, 2021 Basilashvili caps a dream week with Qatar ExxonMobil Open title Georgian tops Soaniard Agut in straight sets

Tribune News Network Doha

Nikoloz Basilashvili entered the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 with just two wins from his past 16 matches, but the Georgian found his best level in Doha to clinch his fourth ATP Tour title at the Khalifa International & Squash Complex on Saturday. The effort saw Basilashvili win the Falcon Trophy besides $103,070 and 250 ATP points. The World No. 42 did not face a break point, as he pow- ered through heavy winds on Saturday to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(5), 6-2. Basi- lashvili, who saved a match point to defeat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, has now won his past four ATP Tour championship matches (4-2). “I am somehow managing to play good in tougher condi- tions and tougher matches,” said Basilashvili. “This tournament was one of the toughest ATP 250s I have ever seen, probably. We had three Top 10 players. It is interesting [to ask] why I am playing good in the big tourna- ments and big matches. (It is) surprising. At the same time, (I am) happy.” Basilashvili entered the Nikoloz Basilashvili of (left) and Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut – the singles winner and runners-up of Qatar Exxomobil Open 2021 with thei trophies at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in final with a 1-3 ATP Head- Doha on Saturday evening. 2Head record against Bautista Agut, but he improved to 2-0 somehow found a way to deal ond break to capture the title. the ATP 250, dating back to against the fifth seed on hard with the stressful moments. I Sheer delight “[There were] very strong the start of his title run in 2019. courts with his victory in the am very happy to get through gusts today, but I had good Bautista Agut defeated top final. Both of the 29-year-old’s [to the title].” This tournament was mindset. From the beginning, seed Dominic Thiem and third wins against Bautista Agut In windy conditions on one of the toughest ATP I was accepting things very seed Andrey Rublev in back- have come in the Middle East. Centre Court, both players 250s I have ever seen, good,” said Basilashvili. “I was to-back matches to reach his Basilashvili also defeated the needed time to adjust to the probably. We had three concentrated on just playing 18th tour-level final (9-9). Spaniard in Dubai in 2019. conditions. Top 10 players. I am the game and just looking at “I don’t like to lose. I think I “[I am] super happy. I was The set was dominated super happy. I was not the ball and moving a lot. It could have played a better but, not expecting that but, at the by serve, but the opening six expecting that but, at was tough physically, as well, today, it was his final.I want to same time, I was working a points of the tie-break were because for sure you have to congratulate Basilashvili,” Bau- lot,” said Basilashvili. won by the returning player. the same time, I was move twice as hard and I man- tista Agut said in an on-court “I was feeling good on the Basilashvili was rewarded working a lot. aged that.” interview. “He played great. He court. I was playing the last for taking risks on his backhand Bautista Agut was attempt- played very aggressive. Now it is half a year with a lot of stress side, as he punished short balls Nikoloz Basilashvili ing to lift his 10th ATP Tour time to recover, to keep working, in my body. I was not able to to strike winners and force his and he took his chance to close cross-court backhand winners title. The 32-year-old entered to keep improving and hopefully put 100 per cent on the court opponent into errors. first two break points of the in on victory. The four-time to take a 4-2 lead and, two the championship match on a I can come back next year and in any matches. This week, I Basilashvili earned the match at 3-2 in the second set, ATP Tour titlist ripped two games later, he earned a sec- nine-match winning streak at try to get the title again.” Russians Rublev, Karatsev claim Coach Sanchez picks Qatar doubles title without dropping a set squad for European qualifiers QFA Agencies Doha Qatar national Doha football team Coach Felix Sanchez has coach Felix Aslan Karatsev and Andrey named a squad of 28 play- Sanchez. Rublev have made waves on ers who will be travelling to the singles court in recent Hungary for Qatar’s European months. But on Friday even- qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA ing at the Khalifa Internation- World Cup. al Tennis & Squash Complex The squad will start train- in Doha, they claimed a dou- ing at the Aspire Academy fol- bles title together. lowing the conclusion of the The Russian ATP Cup team- 19th round of the QNB Stars mates defeated in-form doubles League matches before flying pair Marcus Daniell and Philipp out for Hungary on March 20. Oswald 7-5, 6-4 to win the Qa- The Asian champions will tar ExxonMobil Open after one join Group A – alongside UEFA take on Luxembourg in their second match will be against hour and 21 minutes. Euro 2016 winners Portugal, firstmatch on March 24. The Azerbaijan on March 27. “It’s only my second [dou- Serbia, Republic of Ireland, bles] title, so it’s a great feel- Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan. ing,” Rublev said. “We’ll see Qatar will play their The Squad how I’m going to do in Dubai. ‘home’ fixtures on Europe- Pedro Miguel, Salem Al Hajri, Tariq Salman, Abdelkarim Now I’m focussed on next Aslan Karatsev (left) and Andrey Rublev of Russia with their doubles trophies at the Khalifa International an soil in order to facilitate Hassan, Boualam Khokhi, Hassan Al Haydos, Youssef week and I hope I can show Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Friday evening. shorter travel times for their good tennis there.” group opponents. Abdelrazzaq, Ahmed Suhail, Musab Khader and Muhammad Karatsev and Rublev had “It feels great. It’s my first of the five break points they 250, where they beat reigning As the FIFA World Cup Waad (Al Sadd). Salah Zakaria, Bassam Al Rawi, Asim Madibu, never played a tournament ATP title, so it’s an unbeliev- faced in the final. Australian Open champions 2022 host nation, Qatar has together before this ATP 250. able feeling,” Karatsev said. Rublev and Karatsev will Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek as already qualified for the tour- Mu`zahin, Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Muhammad, Muhammad They competed as a duo in one “It’s great to play with Andrey each depart Doha with 250 well as top seeds Juan Sebas- nament. Though Qatar au- Muntari, and Abdullah Abd al-Salam (Al Duhail). Ahmed Ala Al match at the ATP Cup, losing Rublev.” FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings tian Cabal and Robert Farah. tomatically qualify being the Din, Humam Al Amin, Muayyad Hassan and Tamim Al Muhaizeh in straight sets. The unseeded The Russians, who also points and a share of $38,470. Last year’s Sardinia hosts but are taking part in pair had no such difficulties defeated fourth seeds Marcelo Daniell and Oswald did not champions add 150 points to the qualifying to get match (Al Gharafa) Ahmed Fathi and Mahmoud Abu Nada (Al Arabi) this week, surging to the title Melo and Jean-Julien Rojer en win the title, but they enjoyed their tally and they will split practice in the lead up to the Abdul Aziz Hatem (Al Rayyan) Khaled Munir (Al Wakrah). without dropping a set. route to the trophy, saved four a tremendous run at this ATP $27,550. 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar Sports Sunday, March 14, 2021 13 Gutsy Fichardt hits the front at Qatar Masters Agencies Doha

Darren Fichardt used all of his experience in very difficult windy conditions to card a 70 and open up a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2021 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Education City Golf Club on Saturday. The South African won this event in 2003 and has racked India’s Bhullar in up four other victories in his 398 European Tour appear- ances before this week at Edu- contention; Sharma cation City Golf Club. Leaderboard (Top 10) The venue may be a little Pos Player Score R1 R2 R3 R4 Total also makes cut further in land than Doha Golf 1. Darren Fichardt (RSA) -7 68 68 70 - - Club where Fichardt lifted 2. Jack Senior (ENG) -6 68 68 71 - - Tribune News Network Sharma birdied second the Mother of Pearl trophy 18 3. Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) -5 67 73 68 - - Doha but triple bogeyed seventh. He years ago, but the windy con- 4. Antoine Rozner (FRA) -4 69 72 68 - - dropped three more bogeys ditions are similar and the 45- India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar but also birdied 14th for his 75. 5. Jamie Donaldson (WAL) -4 68 68 73 - - year old moved to seven under stayed steady despite gusty “I had a good start to the to lead the way by one shot 6. Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) -4 66 71 72 - - conditions at the Education tournament, 4- under 67 on from England’s Jack Senior, 7. Chris Paisley (ENG) -3 67 70 73 - - City Golf Club on Saturday to day one was pretty solid. Yes- who carded a level par 71. 8. Brandon Stone (RSA) -3 69 68 73 - - return an impressive 3-un- terday I hit the ball pretty good On a day when just four 8. Thomas Detry (BEL) -3 66 72 72 - - der 68 and to rise from T-28 and gave myself a lot of birdie players were under par, In- 10. Jeff Winther (DEN) -2 67 67 77 - - to Tied-third at the end of the opportunities,” Bhullar said. dia’s Gaganjeet Bhullar carded third round of the Commercial “I made a few silly mistakes a 68 to move up 28 places and South African Darren Fichardt carded a 70 to open up a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2021 Commercial Bank Qatar Bank Qatar Masters. in the beginning, but played sit at five under, a shot clear of Masters 2021 at the Education City Golf Club on Saturday. The 32-year-old Bhullar well on the back nine. I hit the Welshman Jamie Donaldson, (67-73-68) is now 5-under and ball well today and gave myself Dane Joachim B. Hansen and just how it is. tee at the par five 13th and af- al presented by Fiji Airways two shots behind the leader, a lot of opportunities, I drove Frenchman Antoine Rozner. “I think the guys who are Final round ter hitting a poor chip and three champion made his move up Darren Fichardt (70) of South the ball okay and didn’t miss The difficulty of the condi- trying to win their first event, putting from off the green, a the leaderboard with birdies on Africa. England’s Jack Senior too many fairways and kept tions over days two and three they are trying to win. If you’ve Tomorrow (Sunday) will double bogey had him back the third, fifth and sixth, drop- (71) is lying second at 6-under. the ball in play. It always comes was shown with the lead hav- won a few times you know it’s be quite a fight. We’ll alongside Winther at six under. ping a shot on the 12th and then India’s Shubhankar Sharma down to Sunday afternoon. The ing not moved from seven un- about doing the best you can take whatever comes Senior had dropped four picking it back up on the 16th to shot 75 despite a crippling triple man with nerves of steel will be der after day one. do. The sun shines on every- our way and see shots in six holes but he drained come home in level par. bogey on Par-4 fifth and three the one to win. The goal is to Fichardt claimed his last one, if it’s your week, it’s your what happens. a monster on the 13th to rejoin Rozner matched Bhullar’s other bogeys between 12th and give 100 per cent.” victory at the 2017 Joburg week. It’s about doing the best the lead, with Fichardt three score as he made an eagle on 16th, and was placed T-28. Bhullar, who finished 2020 Open but lost his card in 2019 you can do. Darren Fichardt putting ahead at the 14th. the 13th and birdies on the His earlier rounds were with a win in his home circuit, only to claim it straight back “Tomorrow (Sunday) will Winther found a nasty second, sixth and 18th to go 71-68. The third Indian in the the Tata Steel PGTI Tour, is at the Qualifying School, and be quite a fight. We’ll take position off the tee at the par with dropped shots on the fifth field, SSP Chawrasia missed coming off a pair of missed he is now on the verge of Eu- whatever comes our way and drop back into a share and was three 15th and a three putt and ninth. Donaldson carded the cut with rounds of 70-75. cuts in the Desert Swing. “This ropean Tour win number six, see what happens.” soon joined by Fichardt. after failing to find the green a 73, with a double, two bogeys Bhullar going out early in week in Qatar the game has just 11 days short of the 20th Overnight leader Jeff Win- The 18-time Sunshine with his second attempt led to and two birdies, while Hansen the second group this morn- looked good. The confidence anniversary of his first. ther put his tee shot on the par Tour winner had bogeyed the a triple bogey. started bogey-bogey and then ing, birdied third, fifth and I got from the win in India is “It’s tough because you can five second into the desert to fourth but he hit a stunner to Fichardt recovered from made a gain on the sixth be- sixth and was three-under in beginning to show. In Abu hit a great putt or shot and drop a shot and playing part- tap-in range at the fifth and his stumble with a birdie at the fore registering 12 consecutive six holes. Dhabi and Dubai, I gave away still end in disaster,” he said. ner Senior made a birdie from then holed from 15 feet at the 16th after a brilliant shot from pars in a 72. Thereafter he kept his too much, and even this week “You have to commit to what- inside ten feet to join the lead. tenth to get to seven under. the fairway bunker, and he Belgian Thomas Detry, Eng- calm amidst howling winds I felt that I have played well ever you are going to do, stick Senior then spun his tee Another bride from 12 feet added another from the fringe land’s Chris Paisley and South and dropped just one shot on in difficult conditions but not through with it and where the shot on the next back to three at the 11th put him in the solo on the next to take the solo lead. African Brandon Stone were 12th but also picked a birdie made use of the easier holes ball went, it went. feet and when he two putted lead and with Senior dropping The relative struggles for at three under, a shot clear of a on 16th and parred the rest. and when conditions have “Not put too much thought the par five sixth from 87 feet, shots at the 11th and 12th, and the final groups just made Bh- group of eight players includ- On a day when just four play- been better,” he explained. into it or get down on myself. he led by two. Winther also stumbling at the ullar’s 68 - which matched the ing Winther, who carded a 77, ers were under par, Bhul- In his previous two ap- I’m doing my best and if I’m But the 32-year-old missed 12th after only just clearing lowest round of the day – all and defending champion Jorge lar and Frenchman Antoine pearances at the Qatar Mas- making a big number then I’m a short one on the next and the water, Fichardt led by two. the more remarkable. Campillo - the fourth man to go Rozner (T-4) carded the day’s ters, Bhullar was T-22 in 2014 making a big number, that’s then three putted the ninth to But he found sand off the The 2018 Fiji Internation- round in red figures after a 70. best of 68. and T-31 in 2019.

Mourinho expects Kane Milivojevic’s penalty sends to be fit to face Arsenal West Brom closer to relegation

DPA DPA volley brilliantly denied by London London Baggies goalkeeper Sam John- stone moments after the pen- Jose Mourinho expects Harry Luka Milivojevic’s first-half alty incident and was able to Kane to be fit for Sunday’s north penalty helped Crystal Palace get the better of him this time London derby against Arsenal take another step to safety with to open his account for the after he picked up a knock in a 1-0 win over relegation-threat- season. Tottenham’s 2-0 Europa League ened West Brom on Saturday. While it was harsh on the win over Dinamo Zagreb. Wilfried Zaha, who pre- visitors, it was almost 2-0 just The England captain con- match became the first Pre- two minutes into the second tinued his sensational season mier League player not to period. with both goals in the last-16 take the knee, won the spot- Christian Benteke and first-leg win against the Croa- kick and Roy Hodgson saw Ebere Eze combined outside tian side on Thursday night, his players keep a third clean the area, but the former saw but was taken off in the final sheet from their last four his rising effort excellently 10 minutes and was later seen games to secure a vital victory. tipped over by Johnstone. on the touchline with ice on It was a different story for Palace were almost left his knee. the visitors who lacked a cut- to rue their profligacy when He looked to be moving ting edge and look certain to Conor Townsend picked out better at the full-time whistle be in the Championship next in the 53rd min- and Mourinho says it would season. ute and yet he blazed over on take something special to keep The Baggies were un- the volley after Patrick Van Qatar to provide COVID-19 Kane out of a game he loves changed while the hosts re- Aanholt had mistimed his playing in. called Zaha in place of Andros jump at the back post. vaccinations to all members Asked whether he will be fit Townsend at Selhurst Park. As the heavens opened in for Sunday, Mourinho said: “I After Palace’s top goalscor- south London, Albion’s man- hope so, I believe so. It is a big er marked his return from a ager had seen enough and in- of the MotoGP family match, only big problems stop hamstring injury with a cameo troduced Hal Robson-Kanu in him to be there. Let’s see the at Tottenham last weekend, he place of the ineffective Matheus QNA has offered MotoGP access to reaction tomorrow but I am was back in the starting XI and Pereira while Doha COVID-19 vaccines. sure he will be fine.” It was an- it gave him the chance to stand was also soon summoned. All members of the cham- other impressive display from at kick-off instead of taking The downpour showed no The State of Qatar has signifi- pionship, including those Kane, who took his tally to 26 the knee. signs of slowing and it made cantly ramped-up its COVID-19 working and travelling within goals for the campaign, hav- Zaha stated last month the life difficult, which neatly vaccination program in 2021, the MotoGP paddock, will ing also added 16 assists and pre-match gesture - brought in summed up West Brom’s and as a result of this progress, have the chance to be vacci- Dinamo Zagreb coach Zoran by the in June chances of survival with time it is able to offer all travelling nated against COVID-19. Mamic called him a “master as an anti-racism message when running out. members of the MotoGP Pad- The vaccination program of football.” Mourinho agreed football resumed - had lost its Crystal Palace’s Serbian midfielder Luka Milivojevic takes a penalty While the rain did eventu- dock access to the vaccine. is aimed at increasing the with that assessment. meaning and in a statement on and scores his team’s first goal during the English Premier League ally stop, the Baggies were un- This season Qatar will host personal safety of all those “He is. He is very intelli- Saturday said “it doesn’t mat- match against West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park in London on able to find leveller and fired all pre-season testing for all on-site. It will offer increased gent. His football is an intelli- ter whether we kneel or stand, Saturday. (AFP) another blank to suffer a 20th classes of the Championship, protection for those in the Mo- gent football,” Mourinho said. some of us still continue to re- league defeat of the campaign. as well as the first two Grands toGP paddock and all those “Some strikers score lots ceive abuse.” Once the Eagles Okay Yokuslu should have Central to the opener was It left Allardyce’s men sec- Prix, with the entire MotoGP that come into contact with it of goals and that is the most attacker had stood at kick-off, done better in the 20th min- Zaha, who saw a cross blocked ond from bottom and eight family being present in Qatar as the sport travels the world important thing in football while the 21 other players on ute when he fired over from a by the arm of defender Dar- points from safety with nine for up to five weeks. this season. for a striker, which he does, the pitch took the knee, play got promising position. nell Furlong and following a fixtures left, but the picture is To ensure the health and Qatar and MotoGP have but apart from that he under- under way but chances were few , who had a lengthy VAR check, referee brighter for Palace who are up safety of the entire tour while been partners since 2004, when stands every tip we give him, and far between. five-month spell in charge of Simon Hooper pointed to the to 11th and on 37 points - a to- they are in Qatar and on their Losail International Circuit first in terms of his positioning, It was West Brom who en- Palace back in 2017, saw his old spot after using the pitchside tal which has been enough to continued travels around the joined the calendar, and Qatar movement, he understands joyed the better of the early team make his current side pay monitor. avoid the drop in each of the world this season, the gov- has opened the MotoGP calen- the game very well,” he added. exchanges and the impressive the penalty in the 37th minute. Milivojevic had a superb last four seasons. ernment of the State of Qatar dar every year since 2007. 14 Sunday, March 14, 2021 Sports Al Gharafa win Amir Cup basketball title, complete domestic treble

Tribune News Network Doha

Al Gharafa completed a do- mestic clean sweep by adding the prestigious Amir Cup to their league and Qatar Cup titles at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex on Saturday. In a remarkable coinci- dence they beat Al Wakrah in all three finals, with a 77- 70 win in the Amir Cup final. They earlier won the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) League and Qatar Cup. Tyler Harris and Abdul- rahman Saad were the heroes yesterday as Al Gharafa edged all quarters, leading for almost 35 minutes of the match. Both Harris and Sadd had 22 points, while Franklin Ses- sion had 17 and Nedim Muslic 12. For Al Wakrah, Brandon Spearman and Julius Coles had 21 points each and Erfan Saeed chipped in with 11. Al Gharafa were quick on the break, scoring 14 fast- break points, while Al Wakrah had only five.

The Al Gharafa team holds up the HH Amir Cup trophy as they pose for a picture with the officials on Saturday evening. Harimoto holds off Filus for FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2021 Doha WTT Star Contender title Olympian Olivier, world champ Double delight Cunha seal thrilling victories for Ito in Tribune News Network women’s race Doha Tribune News Network Marc-Antoine Olivier Doha (FRA) and Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) posted exciting Top-seeded Japanese wins in the season-opening Tomokazu Harimoto and 10km FINA/CNSG Marathon Mima Ito cruised to men’s and Swim World Series 2021 Doha women’s titles respectively at (QAT) held at Katara Beach on the World Table Tennis (WTT) March 13. Star Contender tournament Olympic bronze medalist at the Losail Sports Arena on Olivier took 1:52:02.4 to bag Saturday. his second consecutive title in The 17-year-old Harimoto the Qatari capital, while five- held off a valiant effort from time World Champion Cunha German qualifierR uwen Fi- edged Oceane Cassignol (FRA) lus 11-9, 11-9, 12-14, 11-5, 7-11, in a photo finish, clocking 11-8 in the men’s final. QTTA President Khaleel Al Mohannadi (right) and ITTF CEO Steve 2:01:30.3 to regain her Doha Earlier, Ito made it a dou- Dainton (left) with men’s World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender title after the 2019 triumph. ble delight for as the champion Tomokazu Harimoto (second right) of Japan and runner-up Qatar Olympic Commit- 20-year-old claimed her sec- Ruwen Filus of at the Losail Sports Arena, on Saturday. tee (QOC) Secretary-General ond title in a week with a 10- Jassim bin Rashid Al Buain- 12, 12-10, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 vic- ain was present for men’s tory over Singapore’s fifth seed race presentation. Husain Feng Tianwei. Al Musallam, FINA 1st Vice- As anticipated, the men’s President awarded medals final was a clash of styles which to women athletes. Qatar delivered incredible moments Swimming Association (QSA) throughout the match. World President Khaleel Al Jabir and No. 5 Harimoto’s pace and ag- Secretary-General Talal Mo- Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain was present for men’s gression inflicted significant hammed Al Darwish also at- race presentation. Husain Al Musallam, FINA 1st Vice-President awarded medals to women athletes. Qatar damage as always, yet Filus tended the medal ceremonies. Swimming Association (QSA) President Khaleel Al Jabir and Secretary-General Talal Mohammed Al Dar- caught the eye at times with In the men’s race – the fi- wish also attended the medal ceremonies. his defensive play leading to nal event of the day starting some wonderful rallies away at 2pm - 2019 FINA World from the table. Championships gold medal- Filus was presented with ist (5km) Kristof Rasovszky his fair share of chances, fail- (HUN) was ahead in the first ing to convert an 8-4 lead in two laps before Olivier picked game two, while also coming pace to set up the victory. close to throwing away an ex- Rasovszky finished second traordinary third game despite with a time of 1:52:05.5 while World champion Ana Marcela leading 8-2. Olympic and World champi- Cunha of Brazil won the women’s However, Harimoto is on Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) race in photo finish. built for the big occasion and completed the race in 1:52:07.9 ultimately emerged the de- for a bronze medal. gap between the two athletes served champion, after having Olivier, 24, termed his vic- throughout the contest. lost in the semi-finals atC on- Japan’s Mima Ito is all smiles with the trophy on the podium. tory in the season-opening However – Cunha, also a tender event last weekend. race important. silver medalist in Doha last Meanwhile, Ito was tested ing after this. But I felt like I Defeat for the Koreans in “It was a difficult race be- year – managed to keep her early by 34-year-old Feng, who played decently and handled the mixed doubles final, but cause of high waves and I am so slim lead over the French dur- saved a game point to take the certain parts of the game well. Lee and Jeon enjoyed better happy to win here again. I start- ing all the five laps for her sec- opening game. But the Japa- The first few games were lost luck earlier on day six with ed slowly and picked pace [in ond gold medal in Doha. nese came back strongly as she when the score was very close; positive outings in the day’s the last three laps], as I followed Cassignol finished the race saved a game point herself to I didn’t play very well during opening two fixtures. the last year’s plan in which I in 2:01:30.8 for a second place, level the tie. Momentum had crucial points and could’ve In the women’s doubles was successful,” he said. with Lea Boy (GER) clinching On the return of World Rio 2016 silver medalist shifted sides and Ito refused taken some chances better,” final Jeon and teenage sensa- “This first meet was so im- the bronze medal with a time Series, the 28-year-old said: Rachele Bruni (ITA) and Eu- to let go of it, needing just the Feng said. tion Shin Yubin, 16, combined portant because it is an Olym- of 2:01:31.9. “I want to thank Qatar for ropean champion Arianna Bri- five games in the end to seal Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun- to devastating effect, seeing off pic year and my win here is Brazilian star Cunha was organizing the race. It is very di (ITA) claimed the next two the triumph. Ju and Cheng I-Ching emerged Japanese no.1 seeds Kasumi crucial,” Olivier added. elated with her close victory in exciting to come back here and spots with times of 2:01:33.2 Playing in her first wom- victorious in the mixed dou- Ishikawa and Miu Hirano 11- Qatari swimmers Nour Doha that marked the return compete in the World Series. and 2:01:34.4 respectively. en’s singles final since the bles final, fighting back from a 6, 12-10, 11-8. Eddine Kheddache, Ahmad of Marathon Series after over During quarantine, we had A total of 35 athletes fin- 2017 , Feng fell one-game deficit to beat South Meanwhile, Lee and part- Samara, Mohamed Mahmoud, a year. “The level of the race more time to train. It is nice ished the women’s race. short to Ito and the Singapore- Korea’s Lee Sangsu and Jeon ner Jeoung Youngsik lived up Salama A Kareem Salah and in presence of athletes who to come here and put that to QSA, which will host an admitted she is still playing Jihee 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6. to expectations with the top Tameea Elhamayda also par- are preparing for the Olympics practice.” the Doha 2023 FINA World catch-up with the top-ranked It was Lin and Cheng’s sec- seeds in the men’s doubles ticipated in the race. was very tough. There was a lot Last year’s winner in Doha, Championships, organized the paddlers. ond title success in consecutive draw edging past ’s Al- Earlier, in the women’s race of wind but I like swimming in Leonie Beck (GER) missed out event by adhering to all COV- “I was able to see the gap weeks, after the pair had won varo Robles and ’s kicking off at 9am, Cunha and these conditions. These condi- a medal after touching the fin- ID-19 protocols advised by with Ito in today’s match so the mixed doubles trophy at last Ovidiu Ionescu at the final hur- Cassignol were neck and neck tions make the race tougher for ish-line in 2:01:32.8, claiming the Ministry of Public Health we’ll have to get back to train- week’s WTT Contender event. dle 2-11, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3. as there was not even a second’s every contender,” Cunha said. fourth position. (MoPH).