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SUNday, March 7, 2021

Nasser Al Khelaifi praises great success of Qatar Total Open 2021

QNA Al Khelaifi considered that Doha the technical success of the current edition of the tourna- The President of the Qatar ment coincides with the or- Tennis, Squash and Badminton ganisational success in light of Federation Nasser Al Khelaifi the great efforts made by the praised the success of Qatar organizing committees despite Total Open year after year, con- the great challenges posed by sidering that as a natural result the COVID-19 pandemic, as well of the unlimited support from as providing all the factors that the wise leadership for sports contribute to the success of and athletes. the event in a manner befitting Al Khelaifi said, in a press the global position of Qatar in statement, that the competi- organising sporting events. tion, in the 19th edition of At the end of his state- which is currently being held ment, Al Khelaifi valued the at the Khalifa International efforts made by the medical Tennis and Squash Complex, staff in light of the great work is witnessing very high levels being done to preserve the of competition with some of safety of everyone in the face the most prominent players in of the pandemic. the world. He pointed to the com- He added that the tourna- mitment of the organizing ment’s competitions this year committee to take all precau- were strong and exciting since tionary measures to ensure their first rounds, and then safety, whether for players, the level increased further in technical staff or workers, the quarter-final and semi- as well as the fans and all final rounds. participants in the event.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Nasser Al Khelaifi, President, Qatar Tennis, Badminton & Squash Federation, and Matthieu Bouyer, MD, Director of Qatar Qatar Total, with Qatar Total Open 2021 winner Petra Kvitova and runners-up Garbine Muguruza at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. Total Open applauds organizational success of the event Kvitova claims Falcon QNA various sporting events. Doha He said this distinguished edition achieved great suc- trophy a second time The Director of Qatar Total cess despite it being held with Open Saad Al Mohannadi all the challenges due to the confirmed that the global coronavirus Tribune News Network But Muguruza was unable to build on either open- 19th edition of the pandemic. Doha ing. Consecutive double faults handed the break back tournament was He also immediately in the second set, and overall the former strong and distinc- pointed out that Twice Grand Slam champion, and now a twice win- World No.1’s performance was too riddled with mis- tive in light of the the Supreme ner in Doha, Czech Petra Kvitova needed a little over an takes as her unforced error tally mounted to 27. This fierce competition Organizing Com- hour to humble Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-1 was particularly evident on her backhand wing, usually between all the mittee was keen in the $565,530 Qatar Total Open 2021 final and hoist Muguruza’s stronger weapon, which repeatedly dipped players in different to implement the beautiful Falcon Trophy at the Khalifa International just long or wide. stages, which saw health and pre- Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. Conversely, Kvitova would go from strength to Petra Kvitova of Qatar Total Open 2021 ventive measures HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, strength after successfully navigating the danger zone. the Czech Repub- Director Sadd Al Mohannadi. to ensure the Qatar Olympic Committee, crowned Kvitova as the The two-time Wimbledon champion’s strategy in gusty lic emerge as the organization of a champion of the 19th edition of the Qatar Total Open. conditions was more effective, clubbing the ball through champion on Saturday. tournament that ensured the It was also the 28th career title for the fourth seeded the middle and handcuffing Muguruza with depth and Al Mohannadi said that safety of all participants in the Kvitova, who incidentally had beaten Muguruza for the pace rather than going for lines. Kvitova was also able the tournament witnessed event. title in 2018 final too. to up her focus when she needed to, saving six out of great organizational success Al Mohannadi thanked and A thrilled Kvitova, later said this victory was more seven break points. in light of the efforts made to saluted all those who contrib- pleasing and refreshing. “It is different, for sure. I mean, As the finishing line hoved into view, Kvitova produce it in a manner that uted to the success of this that year (2018) it was very tiring. I was very exhausted. stepped on the pedal with more spectacular tennis, befits Qatar’s global standing edition and brought it out in I was coming from St. Petersburg playing the Fed Cup, conjuring up a pair of breathtaking winners after seem- and reputation in organizing such a wonderful way. playing Doha, and I remember the semifinal and final Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic, with the Falcon Trophy ingly being out of the point as she reeled off the last six was just unbelievably tough. besides her, speaks to the media online at the Khalifa games of the match. Both players were seeking to snap “I played pretty long, beating Caroline in the third International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday. an uncharacteristic title drought. Kvitova had not won set and same, Garbine in . This one is a little bit a tournament since Stuttgart 2019, and had lost three different, I would say, but I’m still tired, of course,” she er and that we had another great final and great match of her last four finals - including in Doha last year to said while speaking to the media virtually.. again,” said Kvitova. Aryna Sabalenka. But Saturday’s result reaffirms Kvito- “But it feels different, because today the conditions Three years ago, the Czech had needed two hours va’s overall dominance in title matches, with her career were very, very tough compared to that year I didn’t and 16 minutes to down Muguruza in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 record in them now 28-10. find it that windy, so it was more smoother,I would thriller and claim her first Doha trophy. This time Muguruza, meanwhile, is enjoying one of the most say,” she added. around, Kvitova struck 11 winners to 18 unforced errors consistent stretches of her career. The two-time major Kvitova was also all full of respect for Muguruza. for a victory that clocked in at a more comfortable time champion has won at least two matches in 11 of her “Well, of course she’s a champion. She is a two-time of 66 minutes. The result also extends Kvitova’s domi- past 12 tournaments, dating back to the start of 2020. Grand Slam champion, World No. 1, former. And defi- nance in her rivalry with Muguruza to 5-1, including the This week marked her third final in that span, and sec- nitely she deserves the respect. She’s a big player and last five meetings. ond of this season already following February’s Yarra big champion, anyway. Muguruza’s opportunities were minimal, and Valley Classic. “We’ve met many times already. I think we know came at the start of each set. The Spaniard garnered The loss, though, means that Muguruza is still seek- each other pretty long from the tour, and it’s just very the first break points of the first set inthe third game, ing her first trophy since Monterrey 2019, and the last natural. So I’m really glad how the relationship is and and captured the Kvitova serve for the only time to time she was victorious at 500/Premier level or higher QTO 2021 Open winner and runner-up with their trophies. that we, you know, are showing the respect to each oth- kick off the second set. was in winning Cincinnati 2017. (Inputs WTA) Federer arrives in Doha, to face early test in Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Federer will be making his first draw by fifth seed Roberto Bautista Thiem, Rublev feature in same half of the draw appearance in Doha since 2012. Agut, in-form Kazakhstani Alexan- The Swiss owns a 26-3 record at the der Bublik and Reilly Opelka. Tribune News Network I’m not at the finish line yet but it’s ATP 250, highlighted by title runs Defending champion Andrey Doha good, I feel I’m in a good place, I’ve in 2005, 2006 and 2011. If he can Rublev could meet a fellow Doha been practicing very well and I just overcome Chardy or Evans in his titlist in his first match. The Rus- Roger Federer will face an imme- feel really pumped up.” first match, he could face eighth sian will face 2013 winner Richard diate challenge at the Qatar Exxon- The 39-year-old after nearly seed Borna Coric in the quarter-fi- Gasquet or a qualifier in his tourna- Mobil Open in Doha, his first event nine years returns to participate in nals. Coric also has form on his side. ment opener. since the 2020 Australian Open. the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The The Croat has claimed three Rublev headlines the second The Swiss maestro arrived in last time he played here in 2021, straight-sets wins en route to the quarter of the draw with 2008 Doha on Saturday for the March he had to withdraw before facing ABN AMRO World Tennis Tour- runner-up and seventh seed Stan 8-13 event which will be held at the Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in nament semi-finals in Rotterdam Wawrinka. Khalifa International Tennis and the semis due to a back injury. this week. Fourth seed Denis Shapovalov Squash Complex. The 20-time Grand Slam cham- Top seed Dominic Thiem could and sixth seed David Goffin will The three-time champion in pion, who underwent two right also face a tough test in his first compete in the third quarter of the Doha has earlier in a video on his knee surgeries last year, will face Roger Federer and Dominc Thiem on their arrival at the Hamad International match of the tournament. The US draw. Shapovalov will face coun- twitter handle said, “Here we are, in-form Frenchman Jeremy Char- Airport in Doha on Saturday. Open champion will meet Austral- tryman Vasek Pospisil or a qualifier about to take off to fly to Doha.I t’s dy or recent Murray River Open ian Open semi-finalist Aslan Kar- in his opening match, while Gof- been a year since my last event. champion Daniel Evans in his re- Rublev to three sets in Rotterdam ans climbed to a career-high No. atsev or Qatar’s Mubarak Shan- fin will begin his third appearance “I can tell I’m very excited it’s turn match. on Friday, has already reached 26 in the FedEx ATP Rankings nan Zayid. The 2018 semi-finalist at the ATP 250 against Filip Kra- been a long and hard road. I know Chardy, who pushed Andrey two semi-finals this year and Ev- last month. is joined in the top quarter of the jinovic of Serbia. 12 Sunday, March 7, 2021 Sports

LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR DOHA

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee, along with Jan Tops, President, Longines Global Champions Tour, after honouring the Grand Prix of Doha podium finishers at the Olympic Committee, arrive at Al Shaqab on Saturday. Longines Arena of Al Shaqab on Saturday. Belgian Bruynseels steals LGCT Grand Prix of Doha show with Delux van T&L Vinay Nayudu Doha

On a day where the 17-ob- stacle course tested the very best, Belgian Niels Bruynseels combined with both aplomb and authority with his mount Delux van T&L, a bay gelding, to produce a sizzling run on the expansive and spectacular turf of the outdoor Longines Arena of Al Shaqab to claim the Longines Global Champi- ons Tour’s Grand Prix of Doha crown on the third and con- cluding day of the showjump- ing gala on Saturday. The delightful victory also fetched him a whopping €123.750 in grand prize. Bruynseels, who had missed out on the podium on Friday, made up on the big stage as he tackled the de- manding 1.60m CSI5* class with speed and precision after the competition moved into a challenging jump-off featuring seven of the world’s best horse Niels Bruynseels of Belgium astride Delux van T&L in action during the Grand Prix of Doha 1.60m event of Longines Global Champions Tour at and rider combinations and it the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab on Saturday. all came down to nerves under the floodlights in breezy con- into such a high-level compe- ditions. tition. She gave me everything Niels Bruynseels and De- she had. I’m really happy to be lux van T & L trailed Lorenzo standing on this podium now,” De Luca and Nuance Bleue De Luca said. by three-tenths of a second at Niels Bruynseels of Belgium takes a victory with his horse Delux van the midway checkpoint, but a Valkenswaard United win T&L at Al Shaqab on Saturday. speedy second half saw them Global Champions League stop the clock in 39.93 sec- talk for everyone to say it is a Merci van T & L; 40.35 secs; onds, 0.27 inside the Italian Earlier, Valkenswaard very special event. Peder made €56250.00 rider’s time. Canada’s United won the Global Cham- my life easier he jumped a fan- Global Champions League - 2008 Olympic champion Eric pions League in spectacular tastic clear round, I know my Individual classification against Lamaze, with Dieu Merci, took style with unbeatable per- horse is fast but you also need the clock Height: 1.55 m third in 40.35 seconds after formances by the team’s top some luck. I am really lucky to 1. Scott Brash (GBR going fastest in Round A. guns in the opener of the 2021 be in a strong team like this. ); Horse: Hello Jefferson; Time: Friday’s feature event win- championship race. We have 6 very strong riders 70.23 secs; Prize money: ner and one of the strong con- Heavyweights Peder Fre- and I am very lucky to ride €23750 tenders Scott Brash looked set dricson and Marcus Ehning with them.” 2. Peder Fredricson (SWE); to land the marquee event as took full advantage of the ex- Peder Fredricson said: Hansson WL; 70.47 secs; the Brit, riding Hello Vincent, traordinary horsepower of “It’s really amazing to be back €19000 was well ahead on the clock. Hansson WL and Stargold jumping at top level sport 3. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE); But the pair had the last two with flawless rounds to seal again. It is fantastic to ride King Edward; 70.66 secs; fences down to end up in sixth The Global Champions League podium finishing teams at Al Shaqab on Saturday. the coveted first win of the with Marcus and I am really €14250 place ahead of Germany’s season. Shangai Swans with looking forward to the rest of Global Champions League sec- Marcus Ehning (Stargold). very happy to emerge on top wanted to save his strength for level. The best riders and hors- Christian Ahlmann (Domina- the season!” ond round - Team against the Bart Bles of the Netherlands while competing against some today. So that turned out re- es in the world are competing tor 2000 Z) and Max Kuhner Results clock Height: 1.55 m was fourth on board Kriskras of the world’s best horses and ally well. I have to really thank here. So I’m very pleased to (Elektric Blue P) finished in Longines Global Champions 1. Valkenswaard United. Riders: DV with German Christian riders,” he added. my horse. I think he is one of have secured my place in the second place. They were both Tour Grand Prix of Doha CSI5* Peder Fredricson (Hansson WL) Kukuk and Mumbai in fifth. Bruynseels’ strategy of sav- the best horses in the world. final so early in the season,” able to jump a clear round Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.2 - with and Marucs Ehning (Stargold). “Sometimes you just have ing his gelding Delux van T & He made a difference for me,” he said. and clocked off in a combined jump-off. Height: 1.60m Total time: 143.62 secs to be lucky,” Bruynseels said L only for the Grand Prix paid the 37-year-old said. Lorenzo De Luca paid time of 145.22 seconds. The 1. Niels Bruynseels (BEL); 2. Shangai Swans. Riders: post victory. “I’m really happy him rich dividends. “That was With this Grand Prix vic- credit to his 10-year-old Nu- Berlin Eagles with Christian Horse: Delux van T & L; Time: Christian Ahlmann (Dominator with my performance in Doha, a conscious choice. My horse tory, Bruynseels also has won ance Bleue for the runner-up Kukuk (Mumbai) and Philipp 39.93 secs; Prize money: 2000 Z) and Max Kuhner (Elek- it’s been an extremely good two felt so good last week that I a ticket for the LGCT Super finish, even though he admit- Weishaupt (Asathir) followed €123.750 tric Blue P). 145.22 secs weeks here. I wish to thank the decided to start him only in Grand Prix at the GC Prague ted that his horse was not in third place. 2. Lorenzo De Luca (ITA); Nu- 3. Berlin Eagles. Riders: Chris- competition’s organising com- the GP this weekend. I didn’t Playoffs in November. “Of ready for the big event. “She’s A delighted Marcus Ehn- ance Bleue VDM Z; 40.20 secs; tian Kukuk (Mumbai) and Philipp mittee for doing a great job think it was useful to make course I’m very happy. This is quite new at this level and it ing said “It’s always great to €75000 Weishaupt (Asathir). 150.06 during these special times. I’m him tired unnecessarily and a championship at a very high was my mistake to push her be here in Doha. I think I can 3. Eric Lamaze (CAN); Dieu secs. Sports Sunday, March 7, 2021 13 Nasser Al Ghazali excels on Quel Homme to top Longines Hathab Big Tour Leads overall tally after 11th and penultimate round Tribune News Network Doha

Rider Nasser Al Ghazali showjumped himself into con- tention for the annual Lon- gines Hathab Qatar Equestri- an Big Tour championship as he claimed the Big Tour title in the 11th and the penultimate round held alongside the Lon- gines Global Champions Tour at Al Shaqab on Saturday. Al Ghazali combined su- perbly with his bay gelding Quel Homme for two clear and precise round to emerge Ali Al Rumaihi, Director of Longines Hathab and Secretary-General, on top in the Table A, Spe- Qatar Equestrian Federation honours Nasser Al Ghazali. cial two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | 130/145cm class. month. 35.46secs; 0; 37.54secs; 0; Al Ghazali took 33.74secs Ali Al Rumaihi, Director of Longines Hathab and Secretary-General, Qatar Equestrian Federation, with the Big Tour poidum finishers at Al Results QR6,750; 4. Faleh Suwead Al and 35.68secs respectively Shaqab on Saturday. Big Tour | Table A, Special Ajami; Demilion; 0; 34.31secs; for the two rounds and won two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | 0; 37.66secs 0; QR4,500 the top prize of QR11,250 be- who finished fourth in Hathab mance, Al Ghazali, said, “I’m flawless One round against the twelve-leg annual Qatar 130/145cm | Prize-Money Open Class | Table A, One sides a whopping 30 points Round 11, is overall fourth very happy with the win to- clock on 57.13secs which beat Equestrian Tour series for QR45,000 round against the clock, FEI from the 11th round for a to- with 173 points. day. I was intensely focused the competition. dressage and showjumping 1. Nasser Al Ghazali; Horse: Art. 238.2.1 | 115/125cm | tal of 196 points. Finishing as the runner-up and didn’t want to commit any Nasser Al Ghazali was a and has become extremely Quel Homme; Faults: 0; Time: Prize-Money QR25,000 He is followed by Saeed in the 11th round on Saturday mistakes. I was able to per- shade slower on What A Pleas- popular since its launch in 33.74secs; Faults: 0; Time: 1. Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi; Nasser Al Qadi with 182 was Faris Saad Al Qahtani form without much pressure ure clocking 57.72secs and had 2017. The best seven results 35.68secs; Total Faults: 0; Cobold; 0; 57.13secs; QR6,250 points, and his brother Hamad astride Happy Feet, while and that helped me do a clear to settle for the second place. and overall points are taken Prize: QR11,250 2. Nasser Al Ghazali; What Nasser Al Qadi, who recently Kamil Sabitov on Carmen round.” Ali Mohammed Al Qadi on into account in deciding the 2. Faris Saad Al Qahtani; A Pleasure; 0; 57.72secs; won HH The Amir Sword, on claimed the third spot on the Earlier, the Open Class his mount Faily finished third winners in various categories. Happy Feet; 0; 32.20secs; 0; QR5,000; 3. Ali Mohammed 177 points. podium. was bagged by Ghanim Nasser (58.65secs). The exciting 12th and final 36.65secs; 0; QR9,000 Al Qadi; Faily; 0; 58.65secs; Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, Speaking of his perfor- Al Qadi, who rode Cobold to a Longines Hathab is a round will take place later this 3. Kamil Sabitov; Carmen; 0; QR3,750.

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Arsenal’s Xhaka Al Duhail prevail over Al Kharaitiyat mistake proves QNA costly as Burnley Doha Al Duhail defeated Al pick up point Kharaitiyat 2-0 in Week 18 of the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Sta- DPA don’t score the big chances we dium on Saturday. had, you give a goal to the op- Substitute Mohammed ponent,” Arteta said. Muntari (69th minute) and Arsenal delivered another “It (playing out) is some- (85th minute) blow to their own hopes of thing that we work on and will scored the goals as Al Duhail playing European football keep doing. took their points tally to 37 next season as Granit Xhaka The first goal we score is with their 12th victory. gifted Burnley a bizarre equal- through Bernd and then we Al Kharaitiyat’s woes fur- iser in an eventful 1-1 draw at made a mistake that cost us ther compounded as they were Turf Moor on Saturday. a goal. It can happen when rooted to the bottom of the For 38 minutes it seemed you play short or long, this is table with six points following the only question was how football but when you miss the their 16th defeat. many Arsenal might score as chances we had today they are Al Duhail are almost out they poured forward following going to put you under pres- of contention for the title as Al Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sure.” Sadd just need to beat Umm sixth-minute opener, with Inconsistent Arsenal have Salal on Sunday to be crowned Mikel Arteta’s side picking taken only eight points from the new QNB Stars League up where they left off in last their last seven games, leav- champions with an unassail- week’s 3-1 win at Leicester. ing them firmly in mid-table able lead, irrespective of other But it all changed seven as the fight for Europe rages results, with only four matches minutes before the break above them. remaining to be played after when Xhaka took a short pass It could and should have this round of action. from Bernd Leno while facing been a different story as Au- On the other hand, Al his own goal. bameyang spearheaded attack Kharaitiyat face a daunting Al Duhail players celebrate one of their two goals against Al Kharaitiyat on Saturday. A pass to Calum Chambers after attack in the first half. task if they are to avoid direct looked on but the Swiss mid- The Gabon forward need- relegation to the Second Divi- the ball to the Brazilian. home stadium and are fa- that we must be patient but Ali spoke to the media ahead fielder took a touch, looked up, ed only six minutes to make sion, as 11th-placed Al Khor Dudu played a role in the vourites to win, but everyone fight against them. of their 2020-21 season QNB then inexplicably kicked the it six goals from his last five have 14 points. second goal as well, with Ol- knows that Umm Salal are one “Our team is currently Stars League Week 18 match ball against Burnley forward starts, cutting in from the left Al Duhail mostly called the unga heading in a corner kick of the best defensive teams in in a difficult position and we against Al Arabi. Chris Wood and watched in to hit a low shot which Nick shots even as Al Kharaitiyat taken by him. the league. are in the lower positions on “Al Arabi have been doing horror as it flew into the net. Pope could not keep out at his played second fiddle to their Al Kharaitiyat’s best Their coach Aziz Ben Askar the points table. Everyone is well of late and there has been The New Zealand striker near post. rivals with a defensive game. chance to score came in the works well in defence and he struggling to achieve his goals. great development in their looked as surprised as any- Aubameyang - who has Al Duhail’s Paulo Edmil- 57th minute, but goalkeeper leads a team that fights and We all know that the last team at the individual and col- one as he wheeled away to scored more goals, eight, son Junior shot over the bar in Salah Zakaria parried a header plays as a group and they have matches of the league are dif- lective levels, so that makes celebrate, but Arsenal barely against Burnley than any other the opening minute. by Oumar Sako following a not conceded many goals in ficult and we will remain in the our task tough. recovered until a frantic finish Premier League side - looked Olunga’s left-foot volley free-kick by Nasser Ibrahim. the league. highest degree of focus until “The match will undoubt- during which they had a pen- in the mood as he twice went crashed against the crosspiece Al Duhail had beaten Al “We suffered against them the end in this match and we edly be difficult. Al Arabi in- alty overturned by VAR before close himself while also set- in the 21st minute and Medhi Kharaitiyat 4-1 in the first leg in the first leg match and we must do that. clude a good group of players Dani Ceballos saw a stoppage- ting up Bukayo Saka, guilty of Benatia’s shot was blocked by of 2020-21 season QNB Stars know it will be difficult be- “Right now, we’re going who have contributed towards time shot rebound off the post. a bad miss as he poked wide, goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy in League. cause they need points and step by step and we need to their recent good perfor- “Obviously it is a really missing the chance to mark his the 33rd minute. they are now in the relegation focus on ourselves. It is not mance. Were prepared for tough place to come but over- 50th Premier League appear- Shehab kept his citadel in- Coaches eye wins zone. So we expect them to difficult for any coach to play Al Arabi and we target three all I have to say that if you ance with a goal. tact with some good saves in in Week 18 close spaces in defence. against a team like Al Sadd points. the first half, but The Thun- Meanwhile, the coaches of “We want to win the league as the incentive is there to “The preparations we ders’ defensive wall caved in the QNB Stars League under- without defeat and if we win do well. The players want to are making are good and we twice in the latter session. lined the necessity of achiev- the three points in this match, prove to everyone that we have hope we will put up a strong Al Duhail took the field ing positive results in Week 18 we will be the champions, and prepared well. show. The difficulty lies in the after half-time, with Moham- matches. it is impossible for you to have “Things were not easy fact that Al Arabi have a last med Musa replacing Bassam Al Sadd coach Xavi Her- a stronger motivation than this. for us in the last match as we chance to catch up with the top Al Rawi in the deep defence. nandez spoke to the media Umm Salal coach Aziz played without three foreign four. We are looking to com- Later on, ahead of their 2020-21 season Ben Askar spoke to the media players. As everyone knows, pensate for our drawn result came in for Ali Karimi in the QNB Stars League Week 18 ahead of their 2020-21 season we, at Umm Salal, do not have (0-0 against Al Wakrah) in the midfield and Mohammedmatch against Umm Salal. QNB Stars League Week 18 a large group of players like last round and seek to be back Muntari substituted Almoez “It is an important clash match against Al Sadd. Al Sadd and this is sometimes on the winning path. Ali in the attack. for us. We are expected to of- “Nobody needs to know normal, and this is the differ- “I am satisfied with the The substitutions proved ficially win the league title. the strength of Al Sadd. Eve- ence between the big teams teams performance and what productive for The Red In this match, we can be the ryone knows their team and and other teams. Al Sadd won we have presented in the pre- Knights as they found the champions and this is our we know that they are strong. everything this season. As I vious matches. Now is the time breakthrough when Muntari goal. We depend on ourselves We respect our identity and said from the beginning, eve- for results and we are seeking headed in a lofted cross from to achieve this and we are hap- respect our plans. We need to rything depends on us,” said three points against Al Arabi Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka reacts during the English the left by Eduardo Rodriguez py to be in this position. respect work and preparation Ben Askar. to ensure we stay in the top- Premier League match against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley, (Dudu) after Boudiaf passed “We are playing at our for this match. This means Qatar SC coach Younes four bracket,” said Younes. , on Saturday. (AFP) 14 Sunday, March 7, 2021 Sports

World Table Tennis Doha Contender Ovtcharov, Mima claim singles titles

Tribune News Network Doha

Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtch- arov and Japan’s Mima Ito clinched the men’s and women’s singles title respectively at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Con- tender tournament at the Losail Sports Arena on Saturday. World No. 12 Ovtcharov scored a comprehensive 11-7, 14-12, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6 win over seventh ranked Yun-Jun Lin of Chinese Taipei’s in the final. The absence of Chinese op- position, due to Covid-19 pre- cautions, presented an oppor- tunity for the best of the rest in the run-up to the Olym- pic Games and Ovtcharov took full advantage of it. The 32-year-old Ger- man, known for his trade- mark backhand and iconic serve, had a tough draw but the fifth seed beat Sweden’s 2019 World Championship runner-up Mattias Falck 3-2 in the quarter-finals, where Ovtcharov was also warned Japan’s Mima Ito (right) beat compatriot Hina Hayata to win the women’s singles title. about potential breach of COVID-19 protocols. was an all-Japanese affair, Japan Table Tennis Champi- The Hub features two tiers The German was cautioned with Ito Mima securing the onships last year. of the new WTT event struc- for wiping his perspiration on title with a 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, Japanese women also won ture, with players competing the table and blowing into the 9-11, 11-9, 11-6 win over win the doubles title, with two-time in a WTT Contender event be- balls. In the semi-finals he had over Hina Hayata. Mima Ito Olympic medallist Ishikawa fore moving on to a WTT Star come back from two games has been riding on a rich vein Kasumi and Hirano Miu team- Contender event, which will be down to beat top seed Tomoka- of form since the table tennis ing up to beat Chinese Taipei’s held from Sunday. The quali- zu Harimoto of Japan 4-2. restarted amid the ongoing Cheng Hsien-Tzu and Chen Szu- fiers were played onS aturday. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Covid-19 pandemic last year. Yu 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 in the final. A total of 298 players are Lin had something to smile She won bronze medals The South Korean top taking part at the events, rep- about after he paired with at the Women’s World Cup seeded duo duo Daeseong resenting 66 countries. Cheng I-Ching to win mixed and International Table Ten- Cho and Sangsu Lee edged a The WTT Contender Series doubles. They beat France’s nis Federation (ITTF) Finals thrilling men’s doubles final has been designed to provide Emmanuel Lebesson and Yuan Qatar Olympic Committee secretary-general Jassim Rashid Al Buenain (right) and President of the Qatar last year. But it wasn’t an easy with a 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, the perfect setting for some of Jia Nan 11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 16-18, Table Tennis Association and ITTF Deputy President Khalil Al Mohannadi (left) pose with men’s singles win by Ito over Hayata, who 13-11 victory against Argen- the world’s leading stars to be 11-4 in a thrilling five-setter. winner of the World Table Tennis contender tournament Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov (second right) and had beaten her compatriot en tinia’s Horacio Cifuentes and challenged by the best up-and- The women’s singles final runner-up Yun-Jun Lin of Chinese Taipei’s at the Losail Sports Arena on Saturday. route to her victory at the All Gaston Alto. coming athletes in table tennis. Ashwin and Axar bowl India to innings win, seal series 3-1 India qualify for World Test England’s wicketkeeper Ben Foakes during the fourth Test against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera . (AFP) Championship final vs NZ Foakes ‘arguably’ ANI Ahmedabad

Criticised by former Eng- the best keeper lish cricketers for spinning a web over the England batsmen on a rank turner in the third Test of the series, Ravichan- in world: Root dran Ashwin and Axar Patel ANI visitors’ most successful bowler shut them with a top-class Ahmedabad on the tour. display on a regular Indian “And talking about the wicket in the fourth Test at the England might have lost spinners, I think Jack has been Narendra Modi Stadium on as the Test series but skip- brilliant. He has certainly got the hosts won by an innings per Joe Root feels the tour better and better as the tour and 25 runs. of India is a building block progressed and has been a The win saw India roar for the visitors which has useful and attacking option for into the final of the inaugural made them equipped to face us,” Root said. edition of the ICC World Test similar extreme conditions “We had eight to nine Championship (WTC) follow- in the future. weeks of bowling spin and a lot ing an emphatic 3-1 series win India defeated England by of it and I think that’s a posi- over England. an innings and 25 runs in the tive for us. Actually for guys will now face New Zealand fourth and finalT est to win in the reserves as well to get a in the WTC final slated to be the series 3-1 at the Narendra chance to come out here and played from June 18 to 22, Modi Stadium on Saturday. get the volume of work. In the with June 23 as the reserve After the defeat Root listed out long run, can pay huge divi- day at the iconic Lord’s Sta- Indian players (from left) Virat Kohli, Washinton Sundat, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant pose with the trophy after winning the positives which England can dends for England,” he added. dium in London. test series against England at the end of their fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera on Saturday. (AFP) take with them from the four- England twice crossed the India finished as the num- match Test series. The English 200-run mark in the four-match ber one team with 72.2 per- was spot on with his low catch- also saw him become the joint skipper praised wicket-keeper Test series. First in the opening centage points in the WTC es. If Axar and Ashwin starred Scoreboard highest wicket-taker in a debut batsman Ben Foakes who has Test and second in the first in- points table, the factor that with the ball, it was a master- England 1st innings 205 (B. Stokes 55; A. Patel 4-68) B. Stokes c Kohli b Patel 2 Test series against England. displayed some sensational nings of the final game. Root determined the final plac- class display of slip catching India 1st innings (overnight 294-7, W. Sundar 60, A. O. Pope st Pant b Patel 15 Axar missed the firstT est glovework behind the stumps. feels England has to accept they ings rather than total points by Rahane. Patel 11) D. Lawrence b Ashwin 50 but took a five-wicket haul in Ahead of the series, for- weren’t good with the bat and won, following a change to It was a no-show from the W. Sundar not out 96 B. Foakes c Rahane b Patel 13 the second innings of the sec- A. Patel run out (Bairstow/Root) 43 D. Bess c Pant b Patel 2 mer England wicket-keeper only then the visitors will be able the points system owing to the English batsmen once again as I. Sharma lbw b Stokes 0 J. Leach c Rahane b Ashwin 2 ond Test. Matt Prior had said that play- to improve themselves. COVID-19 disruption. they looked completely clue- M. Siraj b Stokes 0 J. Anderson not out 1 The left-arm spinner then ing Test cricket in India can be “I think the guys have to The Black Caps were the less after walking into the mid- Extras: (b10, lb6, nb3) 19 Extras: (b4, lb8) 12 spun a web and bagged two Total: (All Out, 114.4 overs) 365 Total: (All Out, 54.5 overs) 135 mentally draining for wicket- embrace what has happened. first team to ensure a place dle in the post-lunch session Fall of wickets: 7-259 (Pant), 8-365 (Patel), 9-365 (I. Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Crawley), 2-10 (Bairstow), 3-20 five hauls in the thirdT est. keepers, but Foakes looked a There are areas where we can in the final with 70 percent- with the score on 6/0. Sharma), 10-365 (Siraj). (Sibley), 4-30 (Stokes), 5-65 (Pope), 6-65 (Root), With a five-for in the second class apart during the tour. get better. To say the ‘ball is age points. finished Dan Lawrence (50) was Bowling: Anderson 25-14-44-3, Stokes 27.4-6-89-4 7-109 (Foakes), 8-111 (Bess), 9-134 (Leach), 10-135 innings of the fourth Test, Axar “I think Ben’s keeping in spinning and skidding on in third with 69.2 percentage the only player who had some (nb1), Leach 27-5-89-2 (nb1), Bess 17-1-71-0 (nb1), (Lawrence). equalled Dilip Doshi’s record Root 18-1-56-0. Bowling: Siraj 4-0-12-0, Patel 24-6-48-5, Ashwin this Test series has been excel- the extreme conditions, it’s points while England ended answer to the duo of Ashwin England 2nd innings 22.5-4-47-5, Sundar 4-0-16-0. of most wickets (27) in a debut lent. I think he is arguably the impossible to bat’ that’s the with 61.4 percentage points at and Axar as none of the other Z. Crawley c Rahane b Ashwin 5 Toss: England Test series for India. best keeper in the world. His wrong attitude. We should say the fourth position. batsmen seemed to have the D. Sibley c Pant b Patel 3 Result: India won by an innings and 25 runs While Doshi had taken glovework is wonderful, he is you know there are areas we While Ashwin picked his technical acumen to dig in, J. Bairstow c R. Sharma b Ashwin 0 Series: India won four-Test series 3-1. the 27 wickets in six matches, a fine player. Having said that, can get better at. Yes, there 30th five-wicket haul dur- barring skipper Joe Root (30). J. Root lbw b Ashwin 30 Axar achieved the feat in just Jos (Buttler) is a great expe- are world-class spinners but ing the course of the England But once Ashwin sent three games. rienced player he has done we can be better,” the Eng- innings on Saturday, Axar back Root, it was all about came in with a lot of respon- Washington Sundar (96 not Axar along with Ravichan- extremely well in the last year lish skipper said. “I am gonna picked his fourth as India delaying the humiliation for sibility on his shoulders, but out) were the top scorers while dran Ashwin spun a web as the for us. It’s great to have a com- make sure, that if I find myself stormed into the final of the the English batsmen. Ashwin he could manage just 2 before Rohit Sharma and Axar made hosts won the fourth and final petition in place it makes you in a similar situation down World Test Championship af- picking up Jonny Bairstow for Axar had his number. useful contributions of 49 and Test by an innings and 25 runs. a better team,” said Root while the line, we are equipped to ter sealing the series 3-1 on the a golden duck only added to Earlier, resuming the third 43 each. While Ashwin picked his replying to a query from ANI. deal with that. When we come third day of the Test. England’s misery. day on 294/7, India man- 30th five-wicket haul dur- Root also praised Jack home and play in our home He might not have im- All-rounder Ben Stokes, aged to pick a substantial Axar equals Dilip ing the course of the England Leach who spearheaded Eng- conditions we are completely pressed with his batting but who had scored a gritty half- 160-run lead as they scored Doshi’s record innings on Saturday, Axar land’s spin attack and was the different side,” he signed off. Test deputy Ajinkya Rahane century in the first innings, 365. Rishabh Pant (101) and Axar Patel’s five-wicket haul picked his fourth.