SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018 SPORT 25

It was actually quite exciting. I 1.30PM 5:30PM like to go into the tournaments FORMULA 1 FOOTBALL with little bit of stress. I’m very Elina Svitolina Australian Grand Prix Russi vs happy with the way I handled celebrates her win in Melbourne LIVE ON Brazil this match today. over Naomi Osaka Live on beIN HD 1 TUBE Live on beIN HD 1 Warriors’ Hamilton takes record 7th pole Curry comes back only to go down again at season-opening Australian GP AFP

AP little bit closer. “He’s free to have LOS ANGELES: All- point the party tonight, and hopefully guard Stephen Curry suffered MELBOURNE: Mercedes driver Kimi and myself will have the a left knee strain in his first Lewis Hamilton set a blistering party tomorrow.” game back from an ankle injury time in his final lap of qualifying Kevin Magnussen and as the under-manned Golden to take pole position at the Romain Grosjean of Haas took State Warriors beat the Atlanta season-opening Australian Grand sixth and seventh places, respec- Hawks 106-94 on Friday. Prix yesterday for a record tively, followed by Nico But no one wanted to talk seventh time, outpacing his Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz of about the win: all the focus nar- nearest rival by a sizable 0.664 Renault in eighth and ninth. Mag- rowed on the health of two- seconds. nussen, Grosjean and Hulkenberg time MVP Curry, who was The defending Formula One will each move up a space on the injured when he collided with champion set a time of 1 minute, grid due to Ricciardo’s penalty. teammate JaVale McGee under 21.164 seconds at Albert Park Ricciardo believes Mercedes the basket. circuit, breaking a tie with Ayrton is still beatable, despite the speed Curry had just returned Senna for most poles at the Aus- Hamilton displayed in from a six-game absence due tralian GP. It’s the 73rd pole of qualifying. to an injured right ankle only to Hamilton’s career. “I think Lewis is very good. I go down again. “I’m so happy with that lap. don’t think he’s too good,” he “It is kind of a strange cruel It was such a nice lap,” Hamilton said. “The buffer they had was a twist of fate,” said Warriors said. “And, you know, I’m always little bit disheartening, but we’ve coach Steve Kerr. striving for perfection and that got to try and figure it out.” The Warriors said Curry was as close as I could get.” Wolff, too, is waiting to see sprained his medial collateral Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen fin- whether Hamilton’s pole-setting ligament and was scheduled for Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (right) reacts next to Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian ished second with a lap of lap was an “outlier” or simply an MRI today. Vettel during a press conference after the Formula One qualifying session in Melbourne ahead of the 1:21.828, with teammate Mercedes getting even faster “It’s a little somber in there. Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Australian Grand Prix. thanks to off-season engine Everybody feels for Steph,” Kerr Max Verstappen and Daniel Ric- more,” said Ricciardo. “That was debris. Bottas walked away fast with their ultra-soft tires. improvements. said. “He’s in good spirits. I did ciardo rounding out the top five. a little bit of a punch in the without any injuries. “It was a real surprise to see “If you take the majority of talk to him. He’s disappointed. Ricciardo will start the race in stomach to everyone. I know Mercedes boss Toto Wolff how quick the Ferraris were, the timed laps in qualifying, the Fer- That’s part of it.” eighth position after a penalty for obviously they’re loving it, they’re said the team was lucky the speeds they already had on the raris, Red Bulls and Mercedes Curry’s latest injury just driving too fast under red-flag in a good position. But everyone damage wasn’t too extensive and straights,” Hamilton said. were always very close to each adds to the woes for the beat-up conditions during Friday’s else is hating it.” that Bottas would be able to “They’ve obviously made an other,” Wolff said. defending NBA champions. practice. It wasn’t all good news for compete today. But the crash was improvement to their power “Within tenths (of a second) Golden State was already The gap between four-time Mercedes, however, as Hamil- a blow for the Finnish driver, who mode.” on some of the laps.” without Kevin Durant who suf- world champion Hamilton and ton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, had finished last season strongly And though Hamilton main- Both McLaren drivers, fered a rib-cartilage injury last the rest of the field took many crashed at the start of the final and was looking to push Ham- tained his dominance in quali- Fernando Alonso and Stoffel week. Curry’s backcourt drivers by surprise, with Ric- qualifying session and finished ilton at the start of this year. fying, Vettel believes Ferrari may Vandoorne, failed to qualify for sidekick Klay Thompson is ciardo likening it to “throwing a in 10th place. He will start in 15th “This is a moment where you have the advantage in yesterday’s the final qualifying session and, rehabbing a fractured right pie in everyone’s face.” Mercedes after a grid penalty for needing could start to question yourself,” race with Bottas being forced to following Bottas’ grid penalty, thumb, and Draymond Green has been dominant in Formula another gearbox. Wolff said. “And this in Race 1 is play catch-up. Vettel also out- will start in 10th and 11th posi- suffered a pelvic contusion in One in recent years, but both Bottas briefly veered off the not good for the psychology of dueled the pole-sitting Hamilton tions, respectively. the Warriors’ loss Monday at Ferrari and Red Bull made strides track going into Turn 2 and then the driver, so we’re trying to give here a year ago to win the race. It’s not the best start for San Antonio. last year and are hoping to chal- lost his traction, sliding into a him all the support we can.” “Obviously, the gap is bigger McLaren’s new partnership with On Friday, Curry scored 29 lenge for the championship this wall at high speed. The crash did Ferrari looked capable of than we want it to be,” Vettel said. Renault after ditching the Honda- points before spraining his knee season. serious damage to the right side matching Mercedes’ speed early “But we’ve seen many times now made engines which the team in the second half. Curry “I think everyone else wants of the car, tearing off both tires in yesterday’s qualifying, as both - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 - that had been using for the past three frowned as he hobbled to the to see them get challenged a bit and scattering the track with Raikkonen and Vettel went out usually on Sunday things get a years. bench with 3:09 left in the third quarter. He sat and put his head down before going to the locker Qualifying times room. Beaming Hamilton burns “Getting close to post- season, you don’t want to see MELBOURNE: Australian Formula One Grand Prix qualifying nothing like that,” Nick Young times in Melbourne yesterday: said. Vettel with ‘smile’ jibe Curry had rolled the ankle REUTERS Qualifying Q3: at Atlanta on March 2 but ini- Like the pole lap, the quip reporters yesterday. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:21.164 tially kept playing before re- MELBOURNE: A triumphant proved too fast for German Mercedes’ cheer at their 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:21.828 injuring it again. Lewis Hamilton was unable to Vettel, who was only made seemingly huge advantage in 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:21.838 In other games Friday, contain his glee after taking a aware of it when asked how he pace was tempered by Valtteri 4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 1:21.879 LaMarcus Aldridge and the San record seventh pole at the would respond today. Bottas’ crash at the start of Q3, 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 1:22.152 Antonio Spurs outlasted the season-opening Australian “I think what goes around the Finn losing control at turn 6. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:23.187 Utah Jazz 124-120. Grand Prix yesterday, saying his comes around,” Vettel said with two and slamming into a barrier, 7. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1:23.339 Aldridge had a career-high brilliant lap at Albert Park was a smile that appeared a little with the impact leaving his car 8. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:23.532 45 points, helping San Antonio designed to ‘wipe the smile’ off forced. in pieces. 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) 1:23.577 overcome Donovan Mitchell’s Sebastian Vettel’s face. “At the end of the day, that’s Bottas will not start from any 10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 0.000 35-point performance. The Mercedes champion’s why we’re here, we want to have closer than 15th on the grid today Eliminated in Q2: “(Aldridge) was ridiculous intense and spite-tinged rivalry fun. If that’s what he enjoys, after needing a gearbox change 11. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Renault) and the previous two games, with Ferrari’s Vettel added spice obviously on Saturdays he’s and it will be a long night in the 12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Renault) too,” San Antonio guard Manu to the championship last year doing pretty well.” garage for the team’s mechanics. 13. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) Ginobili said. “He’s carrying us. and if Saturday is anything to go Hamilton moved to defuse “I think I was just pushing a 14. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) He’s just saying, ‘OK, follow me by, relations between the four- the rising tension by telling bit too hard,” said Bottas, who 15. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) guys and we’ll be OK.’ times champions could get rocky Vettel he was joking. blamed a damp kerb on a drying Eliminated in Q1: After losing three straight to again this year. “I know but... He’s free to track that was hit by morning 16. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso-Honda) fall out of a postseason position, Hamilton’s pole lap, an have a party tonight and then showers. 17. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) the Spurs have won six consec- Albert Park record of one hopefully Kimi and myself will “It looked like it was 18. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber-Ferrari) utive games and beat the Jazz minute, 21.164 seconds, was over have a party tomorrow,” Vettel damaged pretty badly, so I really 19. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams-Mercedes) for the first time in four contests six-tenths clear of Ferrari’s countered. hope we can fix it for the race,” 20. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso-Honda) this season. San Antonio sits in second-placed Kimi Runner-up last year, Ham- he added. sixth place in the Western Raikkonen. ilton also claimed Conference. It was also a dramatic pole in Mel- Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel drives around the Albert Park circuit during the third Formula improvement on the Briton’s bourne for that One practice session in Melbourne yesterday. NBA Results fastest effort in the second race but Vettel session of qualifying, prompting had the last laugh Golden State 106, Atlanta 94 a question on whether his Mer- when he won San Antonio 124, Utah 120 cedes W09 had a ‘party mode’ with a superior Cleveland 120, Phoenix 95 for Q3. strategy. New York 104, Minnesota 108 “I used the same the mode “I think we Toronto 116, Brooklyn 112 from Q2 through to the end of generally learn Indiana 109, LA Clippers 104 Q3,” Hamilton said at the post- from mistakes or Washington 100, Denver 108 qualifying news conference scenarios like Portland 100, Boston 105 while sitting next to Vettel. that so I’m Chicago 105, Milwaukee 118 “There was no extra button, no hoping that we’re Oklahoma City 105, Miami 99 extra mode.” better prepared Vettel, third in qualifying and for tomorrow NHL Results shunted onto the second row for and ultimately I Montreal 3 Buffalo 0 today’s race, asked him: “What guess, it’s also New Jersey 4 Pittsburgh 3 were you doing before then?” how we manage St Louis 4 Vancouver 1 Hamilton replied: “I was the tyres at the Winnipeg 3 Anaheim 2 waiting to put a good lap. Wipe start of the race,” Boston 3 Dallas 2 the smile off your face.” Hamilton told 26 SPORT SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018 Big-time returns to as United, Zalmi battle for PSL glory AP bus carrying the visiting crick- organized against a World XI have the consent to visit eters, part of a large convoy, was (three matches) and Sri Lanka Pakistan,” Moin said after losing : Pakistan’s biggest city fired upon by 12 gunmen near (one). the first eliminator against Zalmi. will witness a high-profile cricket Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. But a reluctance from some “We do not need to push for match for the first time in nine They were on their way to international PSL players to play individuality as our league has years today when the Pakistan play the third day of the second in Pakistan remains. The prelim- now become a bigger brand... we Super League final is staged amid Test against Pakistan, and six inary PSL matches were played don’t need to get these players heavy security at a newly reno- Pakistan policemen and two at and Sharjah in the who don’t want to come to vated National Stadium in civilians were killed, and six United Arab Emirates Pakistan. In fact, this is hurting Karachi. members of the Sri Lanka team Australian Shane Watson Pakistan as it is sending a neg- More than 8,000 security were injured. () and Eng- ative signal and affects our coun- personnel have been deployed That resulted in an end to lishmen (Karachi) try’s image as well.” for the final between international cricket in the and Kevin Pietersen (Quetta) all The provincial administration and last year’s country, and the Pakistan Cricket refused to accompany their in Karachi has put up in place champions Zalmi. Board was left with no choice but respective franchises to Lahore stringent security arrangements Karachi, now with a popu- to choose United Arab Emirates earlier this week for two PSL for today’s final. lation of 15 million, last saw a as its “home” turf to host inter- eliminators. Spectators might have to wait major game with international national teams. The absence of the top stars in long queues hours before the players in February 2009 - Sri However, the PCB continued hurt both franchises and drew an evening final and will get into the Lanka vs. Pakistan in a Test in its efforts to convince foreign angry response from Gladiators stadium only after going through match. nations to begin touring Pakistan. coach and former Pakistan at least three security On the same tour, terrorists Lahore first hosted the PSL final captain Moin Khan. checkpoints. attacked the Sri Lanka team bus last year, and there were “We, in the coming season, But the city is giving a festive at Lahore. On March 3, 2009, the Twenty20 international matches should only pick players who look to welcome foreign players like Peshawar Zalmi’s Darren A view of the National Stadium in Karachi where the Sammy of West Indies and Chris (PSL) final will be played today. Jordan of England, and South African J P Duminy and New Zea- land’s of Islamabad United. A collage of of Peshawar Zalmi (left) and Luke Billboards and player cut- Ronchi of Islamabad United. Akmal and Ronchi have guided Zalmi outs have been displayed on the and United to the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with sides of main streets to celebrate hard-hitting batting in the six-team franchised-based T20 league. an international-standard game The final will be played today in Karachi. for the first time in nearly a decade. Sammy has become a four successive matches with a and support Peshawar Zalmi. I household name in Pakistan - leg injury. “Yes Karachi we’re want everybody to wear the especially the way he has carried coming,” Sammy said in a video yellow shirt, it’s a yellow storm, Zalmi to the final after playing message. “I want you all to come we’re coming.” Aussies admit ball-tempering in stunning confession

AP later said was the piece of sticky tape. Bancroft said he tried to CAPE TOWN: Australia crick- pick up rough granules from the eters admitted ball tampering side of the pitch with the sticky with a piece of sticky yellow tape tape and rub it on the ball to try in a stunning public confession and change its condition. yesterday. Captain Steve Smith That would likely aid the ball said he and other senior players to reverse swing, which has been came up with the idea to try and a huge factor in this series. The umpires check the state of the ground as rain continues to cheat and change the condition Multiple slow-motion replays halt play on the third day of the day-night Test cricket match of the ball. on TV and broadcast on the big Young batsman Cameron screen at Newlands, showed between New Zealand and England at Eden Park in Auckland Bancroft said he was tasked to Bancroft holding the small piece yesterday. carry out the tampering in the of tape in one hand and pressing third test against South Africa in it against the ball as he tried to Cape Town. rough it up. He tried to hide the Rain frustrates In a hugely embarrassing piece of tape in his underwear moment for Australian cricket, after umpires called him over to Smith said he was “not proud at question what he had been doing. New Zealand on all” of what his team had done “Having done that I panicked but insisted he would not resign quite a lot and that obviously the captaincy. He may not have resulted in me shoving it down a choice. my trousers,” Bancroft said. day 3 in Auckland The plan was hatched, Smith Although the two on-field AFP said, as South Africa began to run umpires, Richard Illingworth and away with the game on day three Nigel Llong of England, ques- at Newlands. South Africa ended tioned Bancroft at the time, he AUCKLAND: Despite New Zealand’s blitz start to the first Test the day nearly 300 runs ahead. produced what appeared to be a against England, rain threatened to deny them any reward with Smith said it was the team’s black sunglasses bag from his only 17 balls bowled on day three in Auckland yesterday. “leadership group” that came up right pocket in way of expla- It left players frustrated after the home side looked to be in with the idea and put it into nation, and clearly to deceive the total control at the end of the first day at 175 for three after rolling action, but he did not name the umpires. England for mere 58 in their first innings. other senior players involved in Earlier South Africa opened Persistent showers in the two days since have meant only 25 the plot. up a potentially match-winning overs have been bowled in which New Zealand advanced their Smith insisted coaching staff lead over Australia on day three score to 233 for four to lead England by 175. had no knowledge of what was of the third Test. “It’s obviously been a pretty frustrating couple of days,” New happening. AB de Villiers made a patient, Zealand quick Tim Southee said, emerging from the dressing room Bancroft said he was charged unbeaten half-century as South after the umpires gave up all hope of resuming play yesterday with ball tampering by match Australian fielder Cameron Bancroft (right) is questioned by Umpires Africa closed on 238 for five in more than five hours after the rain set in. officials after play. Richard Illingworth (left) and Nigel Llong during the third day of the their second innings at New- “We’re lucky the game’s advanced so that’s one positive from He did not say if he pleaded third Test cricket match against South Africa at Newlands cricket lands, extending their advantage the rain, but it is very frustrating the amount of time we’ve spent guilty or if other members of the ground in Cape Town. to 294 runs on a wicket that has sat in the changing room.” Australia team were also significant sideways movement. The Test has been totally dominated by New Zealand with charged. They could still be if the De Villiers is not out on 51 Trent Boult taking six for 32 and Southee four to 25 as they ICC feels there was a conspiracy SCOREBOARD from 103 balls and will resume destroyed the England innings inside 94 minutes on the first within the team, as Smith South Africa (I innings) ...... 311 Bowling: Philander 15-5-26-2 (1nb), Rabada 20.5- on the fourth morning with the morning. appeared to indicate, to try and Australia (I innings) 1-91-4 (3nb), Morkel 21-7-87-4, Maharaj 12-3-35-0, more attacking Quinton de Kock, Kane Williamson set up the Black Caps reply with a century cheat. C Bancroft lbw b Philander ...... 77 Bavuma 1-0-10-0 who had bagged 29 from 33 balls. -- his 102 being a record 18th Test hundred by a New Zealand Bancroft and Smith made the D Warner b Rabada ...... 30 South Africa (II innings) De Villiers is known for his batsman -- and Henry Nicholls has followed with an unbeaten 52. confession at the post-day news U Khawaja c Rabada b Morkel ...... 5 A Markram c Cummins b Starc ...... 84 swashbuckling style, but in the “The position we’re in now is a good one,” Southee said with conference. S Smith c Elgar b Morkel ...... 5 D Elgar c Smith b Cummins ...... 14 face of some excellent seam New Zealand having a substantial lead and six wickets in hand. “I’m embarrassed,” Smith S Marsh c De Kock b Morkel ...... 26 H Amla c Bancroft b Cummins ...... 31 bowling from the tourists, chose But with the weather expected to clear over the remaining two M Marsh c De Kock b Philander ...... 5 A de Villiers (batting) ...... 51 said. “I sit before you today and T Paine (not out) ...... 34 F du Plessis lbw b Lyon ...... 20 to accumulate runs. days, he said New Zealand would need to review how they I’m not proud of it at all.” P Cummins c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 4 T Bavuma c sub (Handscomb) b Hazlewood 5 Opener Aiden Markram’s 84 approach the remainder of the Test to get a result. The confession came after M Starc c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 2 Q de Kock (batting) ...... 29 had earlier included a mixture of “The worst of the weather has hopefully gone so we’ll come television cameras caught Ban- N Lyon c Elgar b Morkel ...... 47 Extras (B4) ...... 4 fine stroke-play and luck. He was up with a plan for the next couple of days tomorrow,” he said. croft in the act on the field, J Hazlewood c Amla b Rabada ...... 10 Total (5 wkts) ...... 238 dropped twice in his innings by The rain has, however, helped England’s cause and their batting leaving the Australians with little Extras (B1, LB5, NB4) ...... 10 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-104, 3-151, 4-196, 5-201 Usman Khawaja before he had coach Graham Thorpe held out hope of escaping with a draw. Total (69.5 overs) ...... 255 Bowling: Starc 15-2-48-1, Hazlewood 17-4-46-1, option. Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-61, 3-72, 4-150, 5-150, Cummins 19-4-47-2, Lyon 16-1-69-1, Smith 1-0-6-0, scored and again by Australia “The weather has given the guys a little bit of a glimmer,” he Bancroft was caught holding 6-156, 7-173, 8-175, 9-241 M Marsh 4-0-18-0 captain Steve Smith when he was said. “We’re well capable of batting well in the second innings and a small yellow object which he on 59. saving the game.” SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018 SPORT 27 Djokovic exits Jingyuan stuns Ruoteng as but Del Potro, Cilic move on FIG World Cup concludes REUTERS

FAWAD HUSSAIN MIAMI: Six-time champion Novak Djokovic’s THE PENINSULA hopes of turning around his season at the Miami Open ended in the second round when DOHA: Promising Chinese gymnast he was defeated 6-3, 6-4 by Frenchman Benoit Zou Jingyuan stunned compatriot Paire on Friday. Xiao Ruoteng to bag his second gold The loss snapped a 16-match winning medal at the FIG Artistic Individual streak in the tournament for the ninth-seeded World Cup which concluded with Serb, who had been eliminated in the second thrilling finals in Doha yesterday. round at Indian Wells but said before the World champion Ruoteng was match his right elbow was pain free for the hardly expecting such a per- first time in a long while. formance from his younger team- He had won the tournament in 2014, 2015 mate Jingyuan, who performed bril- and 2016 but missed last year’s event with the liantly in the star-studded parallel elbow injury. The defeat also ended a streak bars final in front of a packed crowd of 21 consecutive victories over players from at Aspire Dome. France for the former world number one. Jingyuan, 20, won the pommel Djokovic, who lost in the fourth round of horse gold and a bronze in rings on the Australian Open and dropped his only Friday and he looked even better match at Indian Wells last week, had not lost on the bars yesterday, collecting in three consecutive tournaments since the 16.200 points after a flawless show. end of the 2007 season, when he dropped his He overcame Ruoteng by a huge final five matches. margin had to content with a silver Juan Martin del Potro survived a battle medal with 15.166 points. with Robin Haase to capture his 12th consec- “It’s amazing to win this gold. I utive win, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. am very happy with my per- Del Potro, who defeated world number formance,” a jubilant Jingyuan said one Roger Federer to win the BNP Paribas after his triumph. Podium winners of the Men’s Horizontal Bars, Tin Srbic (CRO), Marvin Kimble (USA) and Deng Shudi (CHN) pose for a Open last week, needed two hours and nine “I am very happy with my photograph with officials during the presentation ceremony at the Aspire Dome yesterday.Pictures: Wasfi Aboushoush minutes to advance. overall performance in the cham- Second seeded Croatian Marin Cilic moved pionship and it will give me a lot of into the third round with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph confidence for my next Another highlight of the day was over Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert and China’s World Champion Xiao assignments.” the women’s floor exercise final that third seed Grigor Dimitrov rallied from a set Ruoteng in action. The Chinese sensation made his saw Belgium’s Axelle Klinckaert, down to beat German Maximilian Marterer debut at World Championships last Italy’s Elisa Meneghini and North 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. year and he said he was itching to Korea’s Kim Su Jong tied for gold come back to Doha for this year’s after identical performances of edition for the mega event. 13.333 each. “Performing well at the World Meanwhile, French women Wozniacki, Championships is my main target dominated the balance beam final and I am looking forward to come with teenager De Jesus dos Santos back here and win more medals Melanie collecting the gold with Osaka crash on a bigger stage.” 13.933 points, eclipsing team-mate Turkish star Arican Ferhat also Boyer Marine (13.466 points) who added colours to the parallel bars took a silver medal. out in Miami final with a stylish performance Over 360 gymnasts from as AFP and took back bronze with 15.166 many as 39 countries took part in points. the four-day annual event which While Jingyuan ended the was dubbed as the dress rehearsal MIAMI: World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki and event on a high note, it was an for World Championships, also to rising star Naomi Osaka became early round equally important day for Ukrainian be hosted in Doha in casualties while veteran Venus Williams star Igor Radilov who also notched October-November. survived a scare to book her third round spot up his second gold of the four-day Qatar Gymnastics Federation at the Miami Open on Friday. championship with a win in vault President Ali Al Hitmi hoped his Wozniacki slumped to a shock 0-6, 6-4, final. body will deliver one of the best edi- PODIUM WINNERS OF 6-4 defeat to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico while Radilov, who won rings final on tions of the Worlds. YESTERDAY’S FINALS Osaka’s bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Friday, edged out Qu Ruiyang of “We are ready to host the World Wells and Miami Open titles ended with a 6-4, China after a close competition for Championships,” he said. 6-2 loss to fourth seeded Ukrainian Elina Men’s Parallel Bars his second gold. The Ukrainian “We have been hosting the Svitolina. accumulated 14.599 points with the World Cups since a long time and Gold: Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 16.200 The 24-year-old Puig compared her win Chinese, taking 14.566 points for will leave no stone unturned to Silver: Xiao Ruoteng (CHN) 15.233 over reigning Australian Open champion Woz- silver. Arican took third spot for his make the World Championships a Bronze: Arican Ferhat (TUR) 15.166 niacki to her gold medal triumph at the 2016 second bronze of the day. huge success,” he added. Rio Olympics. Men’s Vault World number 82 Puig clinched the win Gold: Igor Radilov (UKR) 14.599 with a blistering forehand winner on the second Silver: Qu Ruiyang (CHN) 14.566 match point. Bronze: Ferhat Arican (TUR) 14.533 It was another disappointing exit for Woz- niacki, who finally silenced her critics earlier Men’s Horizontal Bars this year with her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne, where she defeated Simona Halep Gold: Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.800 in the final. Silver: Marvin Kimble (USA) 14.533 Wozniacki drops to 17-5 on the season as Bronze: Deng Shudi (CHN) 14.500 she has now crashed out of her last two tour- naments in stunning fashion. In her most recent Women’s Balance Beam I am very happy with my WTA event in Indian Wells, Wozniacki was Gold: De Jesus dos Santos Melanie overall performance in upset in the round of 16 by Russian dynamo (FRA) 13.933 Daria Kasatkina. the championship and Japan’s Osaka came into the second-round Silver: Boyer Marine (FRA) 13.466 it will give me a lot of Bronze: Derwael Nina (BEL) 13.400 match against Svitolina on an eight-match confidence for my next winning streak that included her dream run to the Indian Wells title and a first-round triumph Women’s Floor Exercise assignments. Performing here over 23-time Grand Slam champion Gold: Axelle Klinckaert (BEL) 13.333 well at the World Serena Williams. But it was Svitolina who Silver: Elisa Meneghini (ITA) 13.333 Championships is my emerged with a victory thanks to a solid Bronze: Kim Su Jong (PRK) 13.333 main target: Jingyuan service performance that saw her win nearly 80 percent of points on her first serve. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Qatar’s Abdulla grabs slender T2 lead

THE PENINSULA 2018 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE – T2 POSITIONS AFTER SSS: YAS MARINA: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla held a tiny advantage 1. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol 1min 28.6sec of just 1.1 seconds in the T2 2. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 1min 29.7sec standings after the short 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans (LVA) Toyota LC 200 1min 30.5sec tarmac Super Special Stage at 4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/Paul-Nicusor Spirodon (ROU) Nissan Navara 1min 34.0sec Yas Marina that kick-started the action in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge over Saudi Arabian rival crucial support of the Qatar starts to the south of Abu yesterday. Ahmed Shegawi. government, the Qatar Dhabi and winds a sandy trail Driving a Nissan Safari The Russian driver Yuliya Motor and Motorcycle Fed- across remote gatch tracks Y61 that he rented at the 11th Khegay-Migunova was a eration (QMMF) and and the first series of sand hour, the Qatari carded a time mere 1.9 seconds behind in Ooredoo Qatar. dunes before reaching the of 1min 28.6sec and that gave third position. The real meat of the off- first of four overnight halts at him and navigator Nasser Al Adel Abdulla is running road action starts today with a purpose-built bivouac, near Kuwari the narrowest of leads his T2 programme with the a 276km selective section that Qasr Al Sarab. Qatar’s Adel Abdulla SPORT Sunday 25 March 2018 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Hamilton takes Big-time cricket returns to Abu Dhabi Desert record 7th pole at Pakistan as United, Zalmi Challenge: Qatar’s Abdullaulla Australian Grand Prix battle for PSL glory grabs slender T2 lead

Qatar, Syria share honours in Basra CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA Qatar’s forward Akram Hassan Afif (left) prepares to shoot at the goal as Iraq’s DOHA/BASRA: Abdelaziz Hatem and goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed Farhan Akram Afif scored twice in the second prepares to block during their Tri-nation half as Qatar rallied for a fighting two-all International Friendly Tournament match draw against Syria at Basra Sports City at Basra Sports City Stadium yesterday. Stadium. Fresh from an exciting 3-2 win against hosts Iraq on Wednesday, Qatar yesterday took on the strong Syrians looking for a revenge after their loss in the Asian Qualifying round in August last year. Syria opened the scoring in the 48th minute when Omar Al Soma found the net after a Qatari defending blunder. Qatar came back strongly when Hatem produced a left-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner in the 59th minute. In the 72nd minute, Al Annabi’s star of the opening match of the tournament, Afif once again came to the rescue when he shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Afif received a pass from Abdelkarim Hassan and made no mistake in beating the Syrian goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma to give Qatar a 2-1 lead. However, the joy lasted just two minutes as the Syrians struck again through Zahir Al Medani who was assisted by Fahd Youssef and beat the Qatari goalkeeper to make it two-all. Al Medani’s right footed shot carried the ball to the centre of the goal. “It was a great match. It was a fighting performance from our side. We These performances give us confidence,” Both teams continued to hunt for There were some tense moments Both teams were in search of a showed patience and attacked well,” he added. opportunities to score throughout the later in the second half when Alaa Al winner thereafter but none prevailed. Qatar’s Hatem said after the match. Hatem, 27, dismissed the constant first half, but neither side was successful. Shbli of Syria was shown the yellow card In the next match of the tournament, “The players never gave up and we arguments among the players during the Several chances were missed while for a bad foul following a collision with hosts Iraq meet Syria on Tuesday. Qatar scored two goals in the second half. We feisty battle. Qatar’s star forward Almoez Ali came a Qatari player. There were some argu- already lead the standings with one win even took the lead and could have won “It happens. It was all good fun,” close to score twice in the first half but ments followed before a yellow card was which they recorded against Iraq before today. We played a great first match also. Hatem said. failed on both occasions. awarded to Al Shbli. yesterday’s stalemate. Ronaldo’s late heroics help Portugal sink Egypt AFP “In the last minutes we were Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) better, created four chances and scores a goal during the international friendly ZURICH: Cristiano Ronaldo hit showed great determination to football match against Egypt at Letzigrund two goals in stoppage time as turn it around. They showed stadium in Zurich on Friday. European champions Portugal that they did not want to lose,” defeated Egypt 2-1 in a friendly said Portugal coach Fernando international on Friday, winning Santos. his personal duel with Mohamed “And with Ronaldo, it’s about Salah who had put the seven-time a goal and another goal.” African champions ahead. Ronaldo had two first-half Ronaldo, appearing in his chances blocked as he tried to 900th career match, made his continue his impressive recent mark to devastating effect as time form which had seen him score ran out. 18 goals in his last nine La Liga First, he pulled his team level games, including registering a with a header from a Ricardo 50th hat-trick. Quaresma cross, before adding the Salah was replaced late in the winner in almost identical circum- game by Shikabala and Portugal stances in the fourth minute of sensed a chance to grab a share injury time. of the spoils. However, the 33-year-old Quaresma, meanwhile, saw a Real Madrid star had to wait for 72nd minute attempt saved by the VAR system to validate his goal Mohamed El Shenawy in the Egypt after a suspicion of offside. His goal while Bruno Alves saw a two-goal salvo took his Portugal close-range header from a corner tally to 81. drift wide of the goal. Earlier, Salah, who has shone Shikabala had a fierce shot at Liverpool this season with 28 saved by Beto diving high to his Premier League goals, broke the right before Alves’s frustrations deadlock in Zurich after 56 boiled over late in the game with minutes. a yellow card. After a quickfire exchange of But with time running out, passes, Abdallah El Said found Ronaldo had the final say as the Salah in space for his teammate five-time Ballon d’Or winner to beat Beto in the Portuguese goal moved into third place on the all- Legendary Hungarian striker with 109 goals in 149 the first time since 1990, will play Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Por- with a sweetly-timed left-foot time list of international goal Ferenc Puskas scored 84 goals internationals. in Group A at the finals this tugal are in Group B and will face strike from the edge of the area. scorers. while Iran’s Ali Daei leads the list Egypt, back at a World Cup for summer with hosts Russia, Spain, Morocco and Iran.