SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020 SPORTSPORT 21

CRICKET We will need our fans on our side from the first to Second Test, Day Pakistan Super last minute: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane 2: New Zealand League: Islamabad says ahead of today's La Liga title showdown vs in United vs Karachi ACTION against Barcelona. TODAY’S Christchurch Kings Al Adaid Desert Challenge a huge success

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mouchcine Rhaili (Morocco), Riders including Pia Sundtedt who has dominated much of the Qatar’s premier off-road (front, centre) in action during road racing this year, settled for endurance event, the Al Adaid the Elite UCI race. third place on this occasion, 90 Desert Challenge topped last seconds further back. Spaniard, year’s record participation with Carla Pregigueiro was ladies 615 athletes from 51 different winner in 2:53:20, beating nationalities taking part in Sondra Hope and Charlotte mountain bike and desert Wohlwend (Switzerland). running races across Khor Al The North Africans again Adaid, one of Qatar’s most dominated the desert run, with beautiful natural areas. Abderrahim Ghayour taking the The turnout this year has win for the second year in a exceeded all expectations, a row, impressively adding only sell-out race despite creating a minute to his time over the additional capacity, most longer course. notably in extra logistics Countryman Houssine support from Doha Bus and Lahdou was third but the expanded facilities at the Al Moroccans didn’t have the Majles desert resort which was entire podium to themselves – used for the finish zone for the Mohcine Zaytouni, representing first time. Qatar, occupied the silver spot. The growth came despite a Back to Morocco for the number of overseas competitors Women’s champion though falling foul of travel restrictions with Zineb Karam beating two imposed as a result of the brits; Daisy Baker and Sophie Corona Virus epidemic. The event is organised by recognised by the International Al Adaid Desert Challenge her fifth completion and fifth Clarke. Regardless, the rapid Qatar Cyclists in cooperation Cycling Union (UCI) as a cat- 2020 topped last year’s win, it is surely ranked among New for 2020’s Al Adaid increase in mountain cycling with the Qatar National Tourism egory 3 XCP race and it offers record participation the best with a result which was the additional challenge of popularity in Qatar and, most Council (QNTC) and the support the highest prize money in the with 615 athletes from placed her fourth overall – just an 8km run immediately fol- notably, the strong local interest of the ministry of Culture and world in its class. The total 51 different nationalities 30 seconds off stealing a lowing the bike in the duathlon in endurance sports in general, Sports and Qatar Cycling purse across all disciplines – taking part in mountain podium position from the men. category. more than compensated for the Federation. cycling, running and duathlon Al Adaid incorporates the Elite off-road triathlon spe- loss although the UCI Elite com- In addition to a list of – totalled QR216,000. bike and desert running Qatar National Mountain Bike cialist Mehdi Mersni put in a petition was poorer without the sponsors that include gold Frederic Gombert of France races across Khor Al Championship. This year the bike performance which would regular international names sponsors Doha Insurance made his hat-trick of wins this Adaid. riders occupying all three have placed him highly in the such as Iranian, Faraz Shokri Group, Doha Takaful and year. His light build proving a podium spots had stepped up MTB competition and continued Al Adaid Desert Challenge who took second place last year. Ooredoo, and official supporters definite advantage over that of to the UCI Elite category. with a blistering run, only to More than 300 participants Chevrolet Qatar, Rasen Sports, larger, stronger riders on the 2020 is the longest, A new generation of riders find he had been misdirected. took part in the cycling race, Al Rayyan Water, Doha Bus, soft sand. toughest and largest to racing at this level being a pos- In two of the most among them, tourists who trav- Garmin Lingawi, Mawater This year’s extended course date. itive indication of the devel- impressive displays of sports- elled from countries like Great Qatar, Royal Riviera Hotel included more of that than ever opment of elite cycling in Qatar. manship of the event, Mersni Britain, France, Australia, Doha, Qatar Red Crescent, as it followed the 40.5 km route Frederic Gombert, Pia Abdulla Al Khater pulled on proceeded to chase back to Ireland, Croatia and the USA Dama Sports Wear. – which included the tough task Sundstedt and Axel Dopfer the National Champion Jersey within 90 seconds of Jan especially to take part in the The Elite category of the of crossing ten sand dunes on displayed exceptional after two hours and 9 minutes Woutters (Netherlands) who event. cycling race in Al Adaid is the way to the finish line. performances. of riding. conceded the win in recognition He beat the title holder, of a performance which he felt Abdulla Al Khater Marwan Al Jalham, who had deserved first place. emerged as Qatar's found himself losing the lead The three leaders of the national champion. group after some problems at Women’s duathlon were all in the start. Fadhel Al Khater took the veteran class: Andrea bronze. Stadler (Ecuador), Daniela Sposi Gombert’s time of 1:42:17, was In all, 168 Qatari nationals (GBR) and Govida Dellomas eight minutes slower than last completed the challenge this (Philippines) all beating their year despite more favourable year. An increase on last year younger rivals. weather conditions. With Shokri and a reflection of the strong Dr. Jamal Rashed Al Khanji, already out of contention, it was and developing interest in Managing Director of Al Adaid Gregor Sikosek (Slovenia) who cycling and endurance sport. Desert Challenge commented: came closest to challenging the Endurance didn’t come much “The success achieved by Al Frenchman, some four and a greater than the effort of Ahmed Adaid Desert Challenge today half minutes adrift. Shahrani, last placed in 7:05:22. exceeded all expectations. We Eight minutes later, Szymon Ahmed becomes the first wheel- thank all the sponsors and sup- Wasiak (Poland) crossed the chair athlete to complete the porters of this event, without line for third place, exhausted challenge. them it would have not been by his effort. Gombert observed: In his first year of bike possible to achieve all this.” “The race was harder this year, racing, 18 year old Axel Dopfer Andre Filip, Event Manager but I have adapted well and the (Germany) decisively led the commented: “Everyone enjoyed experience I have gained over Open classification with a per- the different races offered by Abderrahim Ghayour on his way to victory in the the past years made the dif- formance which would have the event and we received a desert run. INSET: Frederic Gombert in action during ference today.” placed him 5th UCI Elite. By his positive feedback from UCI the Al Adaid Desert Challenge 2020. One of the most notable own admission, Dopfer went official who was here to monitor performances of the day was into the race with some trepi- the event. It is a great step from two-time Olympian, Pia dation as the sand is not his forward for the future of this Sundstedt. Although this was natural territory. event on international level.” Premier League: Alonso double gives QSL: Al Khor beat Qatar SC Chelsea 2-2 draw with Bournemouth REUTERS — LONDON Chelsea’s Spanish defender more than 18th-placed Aston Marcos Alonso in action Villa who have a game in hand Midfielder Marcos Alonso during the English Premier as they meet Manchester City struck twice for Chelsea as they League match against in the League Cup final on stormed back from a goal down Bournemouth, yesterday. Sunday. to snatch a 2-2 draw away to Jarrod Bowen fired West AFC Bournemouth in their ham ahead with his first goal Premier League clash at the for the club since his January Vitality Stadium yesterday. move from Championship side With both sides playing Hull City, with Sebastian Haller open, attacking football, and Michail Antonio sealing the Chelsea took the lead in the win after Michael Obafemi had 33rd minute when Reece James equalised for Southampton. crossed for Olivier Giroud to Bowen struck in the 15th send his effort onto the minute with a clinical finish crossbar, with Alonso on hand before Obafemi levelled in the to smash home the rebound. 31st, sweeping the ball in with Bournemouth bounced a first-time shot after James back with a headed goal from Ward-Prowse delivered a low Jefferson Lerma nine minutes cross from the right. after the break and three Haller restored the home minutes later they were ahead, Jolted into all-out attack, position on 45 points, while team’s advantage shortly before Joshua King tapping the ball Chelsea substitute Michy Bournemouth are still hovering halftime as he beat Saints goal- home from close range after a Batshuayi had a goal ruled out above the drop zone on 27 keeper Alex McCarthy to a superb ball in from the right by for offside moments after points, two ahead of 17th- looping cross from the left and Jack Stacey. coming on, but they continued placed Aston Villa. slid in to prod the ball home to bombard the Bournemouth Meanwhile, West Ham from a tight angle. Action during the Round 16 match of QNB Stars League (QSL) RESULTS box with set-pieces and crosses. United produced an excellent Antonio put the game between Al Khor and Qatar SC at Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Al Bournemouth 2 (Lerma 54, King 57) Chelsea Their efforts paid off with performance to beat South- beyond Southampton’s reach Khor won the match 2-0 to move outside the relegation zone to 2 (Alonso 33, 85) five minutes of normal time left ampton 3-1 yesterday and pro- when he steered the ball past as Mason Mount fired a rocket visionally climb out of the McCarthy after another superb 10th spot with 14 points. Qatar SC are on ninth position with 16 Brighton 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Ayew 70) points. Al Duhail are leading the points standings with 39 points, Newcastle 0 Burnley 0 that keeper Aaron Ramsdale Premier League relegation zone. assist by Pablo Fornals, who

could only parry and Alonso The result lifted the released the midfielder with a followed by second-placed Al Rayyan (35 points) and defending

West Ham 3 (Bowen 15, Haller 40, Antonio champions Al Sadd (32 points), who are on third position. 54) Southampton 1 (Obafemi 31) reacted quickest to head home. Hammers one place to 17th on defence-splitting pass through Chelsea stay in fourth 27 points from 28 games, one the middle. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020

Djokovic dominates Tsitsipas in final to win 79th career title AFP — DUBAI “It was close in both sets,” now, much more than for the Djokovic said. future,” Djokovic said of his Novak Djokovic captured his “A few points decided it, sixth-ranked opponent. 79th career title yesterday I’ve had a great week. “He’s already been very when he won the Dubai Cham- “I’m most proud of my con- successful. He’s more than just pionships for the fifth time, sistency this week, especially a great player, he’s very char- defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas on shots from the baseline.” ismatic and brings a lot to the 6-3, 6-4 in the final. The top seed produced a game.” The world number one is straightforward win in 79 Djokovic will stay number now on an 18-0 winning run minutes after a close-call semi- one on the ATP rankings on this season, and 21-0 overall final where he saved three Monday to start a 280th week since late 2019, as he ended an match points against Gael atop the table. eight-match win streak for his Monfils. He was playing the final in Greek opponent, champion last “I was just a point from Dubai for a sixth time in 11 weekend in Marseille. going out, I might not have appearances. It was, however, Djokovic claimed his third been here,” the winner said. his first final at the tournament trophy of 2020 after helping “But it shows how quickly since 2015 when he lost to Serbia to the ATP Cup and things can turn. I appreciate the Federer. winning an eighth Australian moment, I’ve really played well Coming into the champi- Open. in my matches this week. There Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy onship match, the 21-year-old It is also the seventh time that were some ups and downs, but after winning the final against Greece’s Stefanos Greek had lost just one set this the 32-year-old has won more that’s normal.” Tsitsipas yesterday. week. Djokovic was also than 20 matches on the trot. Tsit- Djokovic broke for 5-3 in awarded a ‘golden visa’ by the sipas lost his second straight final the opening set and served it tighter, with the Serbian losing through again with a break for lifting another trophy as he Dubai government and has in Dubai after going down to out moments later. a break as Tsitsipas levelled at 5-4 as his opponent hit the net. found the corner with a winner. agreed to return to defend his Roger Federer a year ago. The second set was slightly 3-all. But Djokovic came A game later, Djokovic was “Tsitsipas is a player for title in 2021. Five- haul for Jamieson as New Zealand take charge

AFP — CHRISTCHURCH SCOREBOARD Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar INDIA 1ST INNINGS Pujara and Hanuma Vihari Kyle Jamieson continued his M. Agarwal lbw Boult ...... 7 all collected half centuries for eye-catching introduction to P. Shaw c Latham b Jamieson ...... 54 India to show that the green with a five- C. Pujara c Watling b Jamieson ...... 54 wicket was not as threat- wicket haul yesterday as V. Kohli lbw Southee ...... 3 ening as expected, and Vihari New Zealand took the A. Rahane c Taylor b Southee ...... 7 believed the side were at honours on day one of the H. Vihari c Watling b Wagner ...... 55 least 60 runs short. second Test against India in R. Pant b Jamieson ...... 12 “I think 300 plus would Rossouw fires Christchurch. R. Jadeja c Boult b Jamieson ...... 9 have been an ideal total on New Zealand, who won U. Yadav c Watling b Jamieson ...... 0 this wicket, but we showed fastest PSL ton the crucial toss with an M. Shami b Boult ...... 16 more intent that we did in inviting green pitch on offer, J. Bumrah ...... 10 Wellington and that’s a pos- were 63 without loss at Extras: (b4, lb6, w5) ...... 15 itive,” he said. as Multan beat stumps after rolling India for Total: (all out; 63 overs) ...... 242 “But he (Jamieson) gets 242. Fall of : 1-30 (Agarwal), 2-80 much more bounce than Tom Blundell was on 29 (Shaw), 3-85 (Kohli), 4-113 (Rahane), 5-194 other bowlers and that extra (Vihari), 6-197 (Pujara), 7-207 (Pant), 8-207 Quetta by 30 runs with Tom Latham on 27. bounce is a big factor. (Yadav), 9-216 (Jadeja), 10-242 (Shami) Jamieson, who has his “The front foot ball Bowling: Southee 13-5-38-2, Boult 17-2- AP — MULTAN sights on becoming estab- 89-2, de Grandhomme 9-2-31-0, Jamieson becomes more dangerous lished as an all-rounder, than the short ball ... and (pictured) 14-3-45-5 (5w), Wagner 10-2-29-1 Rilee Rossouw smashed the grabbed the headlines on New Zealand 1st innings deservingly he got the five.” fastest-ever Pakistan Super League debut with four wickets and T. Latham not out ...... 27 Shaw was in sparkling as the Multan Sultans recorded a convincing a sparking 44 runs in New T. Blundell not out ...... 29 form at the top of the innings 30-run win against the Quetta Gladiators Zealand’s 10-wicket first Test Extras: (b4, lb3) ...... 7 with 54 off 64 deliveries yesterday to go top of the table with eight victory in Wellington. Total: (no wickets; 23 overs) ...... 63 while Pujara and Vihari points from four victories. He backed that up in To bat: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry played more patient roles. Persistent rain in Rawalpindi prompted Christchurch with five for 45 Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Pujara faced 140 balls for the abandonment of the match between two- to blunt a promising start by Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, his 54 while Vihari’s 55 took time champion Islamabad United and 2017 India in the second Test. Trent Boult 70 deliveries but with most New Zealand’s Kyle champion Peshawar Zalmi without a ball “I guess it has fallen my Bowling: Bumrah 7-1-19-0, Yadav 8-1-20- of his runs coming in a late Jamieson celebrates being bowled. Both teams shared a point each way in the first couple of 0, Shami 7-1-17-0, Jadeja 1-1-0-0 flurry of boundaries. his five wickets and now have five points each from five Tests,” Jamieson said, but Virat Kohli again games. added the Hagley Oval and when we overpitched fell cheaply and there was against India during At Multan, Rossouw’s robust unbeaten 100 wicket required more pre- they put it away, if we missed little life in the tail. first day of second off 44 balls against his former franchise had cision than Wellington’s wide they put that away. So The last six wickets pro- Test in Christchurch. provided Multan a strong total of 199-5 as the Basin Reserve. it was a matter of hanging in duced only 48 runs with 26 left-hander plundered 10 fours and six sixes. “Your margin for where there and as a collective we of them from Mohammed Captain Shan Masood (46) shared a 139-run you try and land the ball managed to do that and have Shami and Jasprit Bumrah for fourth-wicket stand with Rossouw, who becomes a little bit smaller a good day.” the final wicket. After Southee followed with batted aggressively against young fast bowler fell early, Shaw and Pujara the wicket of Naseem Shah (1-45) and Sohail Khan (1-45). put on 50 for the second for seven before Pujara and Shane Watson (80 off 41 balls) kept Quetta wicket before the 2.03-metre Vihari stabilised the innings in the hunt with his first half century in this India and Pakistan to clash (6ft 8in) Jamieson struck for in an 81-run stand for the year’s PSL but once he was dismissed in the the first time when he found fifth wicket. 16th over Quetta’s victory push faltered with the edge of Shaw’s bat and a Wagner bagged Vihari the team eventually reaching 169-7. at neutral Asia Cup venue leaping Latham snared the with the last ball before tea Moeen Ali, who dropped Watson on 69 catch at second slip. and Jamieson took Pujara off Imran Tahir, made amends in the legspin- AFP — NEW DELHI Pakistan in September but Ganguly said late on Friday Enter Kohli and a chance soon after the resumption ner’s next over by taking a clean catch at long India had refused to take before leaving for an Asian for the master batsman to before racing through the off. The next Asia Cup will be part unless it was held on Cricket Council meeting in play a captain’s knock as lower order to remove “That was just one of a kind (innings), if held in Dubai so that arch- neutral territory because of Dubai. India battle to square the (12), Ravindra anyone could have done it, it was Rilee rivals India and Pakistan tensions between the two India and Pakistan have two-Test series. Jadeja (nine) and Umesh Rossouw,” Shan said after his team secured can both take part, Indian countries. not played a bilateral series Instead his disappointing Yadav (nought). its third home victory of the season to extend cricket chief Sourav “The Asia Cup will be since 2012-13 when tour continued and he was Trent Boult ended its perfect record in Multan. Ganguly said. held in Dubai and both Pakistan crossed the out for three when a Tim Shami’s 16-run cameo to “He (Rossouw) just teed off... made the job The tournament had India and Pakistan will for a series of one-day Southee outswinger seamed finish off the innings leaving easy,” the captain added. been scheduled for play,” BCCI President internationals. back and smacked into the New Zealand 23 overs to bat Seamer Bilawal Bhatti, playing his first pads. before stumps. game for Multan after replacing Shahid Afridi, took 3-26 while the experienced Tahir took 2-27. Bad weather in Rawalpindi cancelled Quetta’s scheduled flight to Multan on Friday thump Australia in first ODI evening and the organizers had to fly out the title defenders to the city on an Air Force plane just hours before the game started at Multan REUTERS — PAARL Heinrich Klaasen Klaasen, 27, was playing SCOREBOARD Cricket Stadium on Saturday. smashed an unbeaten in his 15th one-day interna- South Africa A. Finch c De Kock b Ngidi ...... 10 Quetta didn’t look particularly fatigued Heinrich Klaasen smashed century as South Africa tional. He more than doubled J. Malan lbw b Starc ...... 0 S. Smith lbw b Nortje ...... 76 as its fast bowlers restricted Multan to 48-3 an unbeaten century as claimed a 74-run his previous highest score of Q. de Kock c Carey b Hazlewood ...... 15 M. Labuschagne c Ngidi b Maharaj ...... 41 T. Bavuma b Cummins ...... 26 M. Marsh b Ngidi ...... 16 in the eighth over before Rossouw began his South Africa claimed a victory over Australia 59. He faced 114 balls and hit K. Verreynne c Marsh b Cummins ...... 48 A. Carey v Verreynne b Shamsi ...... 5 domination of the bowlers with some pow- 74-run victory over Australia in their first one-dayer seven fours and three sixes H. Klaasen not out ...... 123 D. Short st De Kock b Shamsi ...... 18 erful hitting. in their first ODI played on on a day when boundaries D. Miller c Carey b Cummins ...... 64 M. Starc run out (De Kock) ...... 5 played on a slow Rossouw completed his century in the last a slow Park wicket were scarce on a large out- A. Phehlukwayo run out (Cummins) ...... 0 P. Cummins c Verreynne b Phehlukwayo ....6 Boland Park wicket K. Maharaj b Starc ...... 2 A. Zampa not out ...... 7 over off 43 balls and bettered Islamabad yesterday. field. The rest of the batsmen A. Nortje not out ...... 1 J. Hazlewood b Nortje ...... 1 United batsman Cameron Delport’s previous After winning the toss, yesterday. hit only ten fours and a six. Extras (b1, lb5, w6) ...... 12 Extras (lb3, w4) ...... 7 record of a 49-ball hundred in the PSL, made South Africa overcame an Pat Cummins was Aus- Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 291 Total (45.1 overs) ...... 217 against Lahore Qalandars at Karachi last year. early wobble to post 291 for The second match in the tralia’s best bowler, taking Did not bat: L. Ngidi, T. Shamsi Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Finch), 2-49 (Warner), Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Malan), 2-33 (De Kock), 3-133 (Labuschagne), 4-174 (Marsh), 5-174 Quetta, with three wins and two defeats, seven in their 50 overs, a series will be played in Blo- three for 45. 3-48 (Bavuma), 4-126 (Verreynne), 5-275 (Mill- (Smith), 6-195 (Carey), 7-203 (Starc), 8-207 has six points and is in second place in the total boosted by the maiden emfontein on Wednesday, Play took place with er), 6-275 (Phehlukwayo), 7-286 (Maharaj) (Short), 9-211 (Cummins), 10-217 (Hazlewood) six-team tournament. ODI ton from middle-order before the finale in Potchef- haze in the air from a nearby Bowling: Starc 10-0-59-2 (1w), Hazlewood 10- Bowling: Maharaj 10-0-48-1, Nortje 7.1-0-39-2, Meanwhile, Heavy and persistent rain batsman Klaasen, who stroom next Saturday. bushfire which obscured the 0-63-1 (2w), Cummins 10-0-45-3 (2w), Marsh Ngidi 8-0-30-3 (2w), Phehlukwayo 10-0-52-1 forced the cancellation of the 13th PSL match crashed 123 from 114 balls. South Africa were 48 for view of mountains which 5-0-35-0, Short 5-0-35-0, Zampa 10-0-48-0 (1w), Shamsi 10-0-45-2 (1w) Australia Result: South Africa won by 74 runs between hosts Islamabad United and Australia were up with three when Klaasen went to make the ground one of the D. Warner c Verreynne b Ngidi ...... 25 Series: SA lead the 3-match series 1-0 Peshawar Zalmi, yesterday. The two former the run-rate for much of the wicket. He shared stands most picturesque in South champions shared the two points their reply, but South Africa of 78 for the fourth wicket Africa. (one-each). then strangled the scoring with Kyle Verreynne, who South Africa made a bad swinging yorker from wicketkeeper Rawalpindi received heavy rain on Friday with intelligent use of the made 48 on his international start when new cap Jan- Mitchell Starc. and Klaasen went in after night, which continued yesterday. Another slow pitch as the visitors debut, and 149 for the fifth neman Malan was out to the mainstay De chopped a spell before the start of the match ended any slumped to 217 all out from wicket with David Miller first ball of the match, leg- Kock made only 15 before ball from Cummins onto his hopes of even a shortened game. 45.1 overs. (64). before wicket to a fast, nudging a catch to stumps. SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020 SPORT 23 Magnificent Deusser corners Doha glory

RIZWAN REHMAT Daniel Deusser (centre) receiving an award after winningthe 2020 Commercial THE PENINSULA Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix. Daniel Deusser of Germany guiding Killer Queen Vdm over World No.3 Daniel Deusser of an obstacle on his Germany lived up to his top way to win the 2020 billing yesterday when he won Commercial Bank the 2020 Commercial Bank CHI CHI Al Shaqab Grand Al Shaqab Grand Prix. Prix at the Longines Deusser, astride Killer Arena at Al Shaqab, Queen Vdm, sealed the deal in yesterday. the jump-off under lights in the 1.60m class. Killer Queen Vdm, 10, clocked a time of 38.90 seconds in the premier competition of the popular three-day event. Deusser, 38, won the top prize of €135,300 after sailing through two rounds prior to the feisty jump-off. Austrian star Max Kuhner, in the saddle with Elektric Blue P, finished in second spot in a nine-year-old gelding (60.75 time of 39.39 seconds to win seconds). French rider Titouan €82,000. Schumacher finished the com- The third place on the petition in third spot as Eliot podium went to France’s Roger Brimbelles Z clocked a time of Yves Bost (Sangria du Coty, 60.81 seconds. Schumacher 39.68 seconds, €43,050). won €3,810. “It feels great to win this Dutchman Maikel van der event. Killer Queen has long Vlueten (Edinburg, 61.33 COMMERCIAL BANK CHI AL SHAQAB GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY LONGINES strides and she runs tight lines,” seconds, €2,540) and Belgium’s Rank Nation Rider / Horse Pen. Time (73) Pen. Time (57) Pen. Time Prize Deusser said yesterday. Nicola Phillppaerts (J’Adore van 1 GER Daniel Deusser / Killer Queen Vdm 0 68.76 0 54.63 0 38.90 €135,300 “I had never won this GP,” het Schaeck, 61.41 seconds, 2 AUT Max Kühner / Elektric Blue P 0 69.67 0 55.82 0 39.39 €82,000 Deusser said. €1,778) completed the top five. 3 FRA Roger Yves Bost / Sangria du Coty 0 69.27 0 55.80 0 39.68 €43,050 “It was pretty tough today, In a commanding per- 4 GER Christian Ahlmann / Dominator 2000 Z 0 69.19 0 56.64 0 39.90 €32,800 but my horse did great. I’m formance, Dressage rider Kate 5 BEL Nicola Philippaerts / Katanga V/H Dingeshof 0 67.60 0 56.14 0 40.11 €24,600 really happy. This ring with long Dwyer created a bit of history lines is very nice for her. She by becoming the first Irish rider won with her big canter today. to win at Grand Prix Special Old, clinched the Dressage “I had a much better feeling secured the second spot in a Miss Chili clocked a time of “I am looking forward to (five-star level). Grand Prix (freestyle) title. today. ‘Dude’ came more into time of 46.70 seconds in the 26.28 seconds in round two. some quality competition after Competing at the indoor Delaunay Old won after the the program and relaxed in a winning round. Al Qadi got The second spot was this,” he added. arena at Longines Arena at Al judges gave the 14-year-old different way,” Kittel added. richer by QR7,000. secured by Alqaqa Adel Nassar Germany’s Christian Shaqab, Dwyer powered 79.290 percent. “Overall, all riders rode Promising Qatari rider who was astride Dubaii. Nassar Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z, 14-year-old gelding Snowdon “I went here with the goal much better today. It was really Salman Mohammed Al Emadi won QR3,000 after Dubaii 39.90 seconds, €32,800) and Faberge to a personal best tally of being among the top three a good class,” Kittel said. sealed the third spot with Zorro clocked QR 27.17 seconds. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts (70.043%) to grab the top prize and we really succeeded. I’m Meanwhile, in the Big Tour Z (48.74 seconds, QR5,250). French entry Cyrine Cherif (Katanga V/H Dingeshof, 40.11 of €5,882. really happy. You can’t be more class of the Hathab Longines Okil Sobirjonov (Quatro also grabbed a podium finish seconds, €24,600) completed “I am so, so pleased with than happy when you win,” the Series yesterday, Uzbekistan’s Junior, QR3,500) and Mubarak with Brennus Villelongue the top five out of 18 entries. Fabio (Snowdon Faberge) Swedish national team star Abdushukur Sobirjonov guided Yousuf Al Rumaihi (Casal Des (28.36 seconds). Cherif won Earlier on the final day of today,” Dwyer said after the said. Demilion to glory. Forets, QR2,450) completed the QR3,250. the three-day equestrian com- presentation ceremony. Delaunay, who has not Clocking a time of 44.56 top five. Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser Al petition, Swedish rider Annika “The feeling he gave me in been seen in action since fea- seconds in the 1.45m category, In the Open Class (two- Qadi (Dark Dalida, QR1,500) Axelsson powered to a com- the ring was amazing. The turing in the World Cup in Lyon Sobirjonov bagged the top phased), Qatar’s Mohammed and compatriot Hamad Nasser manding win with Haloubet whole test felt much more con- at the end of October- prize of QR8,750. Saeed Haidan guided Miss Chili Al Qadi (Happy Tina, QR1,050) Hitchcock to clinch the honours fident and I really feel we November last year, showed no Qatar’s Hamad Nasser Al with purpose to land the top completed the top five in the in the 1.45m class. showed a lovely harmony rustiness yesterday. Qadi, astride S I E C Lonnie, prize of QR 3,750. 1.20m class. Haloubet Hitchcock clocked which is so important in a time of 59.44 seconds as Dressage. Axelsson claimed the top prize “I am delighted with his per- of €6,350. formance and I know this is Dutch rider Jur Vrieling, only the tip of the iceberg of astride Fiumicino van de Kale- what he can give me,” Dwyer We witnessed three vallej, sealed the second spot. said. Vrieling won €5,080 after a Also yesterday, Sweden’s great days of high flawless ride by the Patrik Kittel, astride Delaunay performance sport. We had fun around the CDI5* GPS - GRAND PRIX SPECIAL (GPS) venue at the festival Rank Nation Rider / Horse Points Prize area. The atmosphere 1 IRL Kate Dwyer / Snowdon Faberge 70.043 €5,882.35 was incredible. It was 2 BLR Hanna Karasiova / Zodiak 69.106 €4,705.88 nice for everyone who 3 GER Jill de Ridder / Whitney 341 69.085 €3,529.41 4 ITA Nausicaa Maroni / Embajador SG 67.043 €2,352.94 came here. I hope 5 JPN Hiroyuki Kitahara / Huracan 10 66.745 €1,882.35 everyone enjoyed their time. We have CDI5* GP FS - GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE TO MUSIC (GP FS) lots of things to do for 1 SWE Patrik Kittel / Delaunay Old 79.290 €27,173.91 next weekend as well: 2 FRA Morgan Barbançon / Sir Donnerhall II Old 76.450 €21,739.13 Omar Al Mannai, Event 3 ESP Juan Matute Guimon / Quantico 76.400 €16,304.35 Director and member of 4 GER Matthias Alexander Rath / Foundation 2 76.075 €10,869.57 5 NED Hans Peter Minderhoud / Glock's Zanardi 73.325 €6,521.74 the Supreme Organising Swedish rider Annika Axelsson guiding Haloubet Hitchcock Committee CSI5* TABLE C (239) 1.45M to a commanding win in the 1.45m class. Rank Nation Rider / Horse Time (4) Prize 1 SWE Annika Axelsson / Haloubet Hitchcock 59.44 €6,350 2 NED Jur Vrieling / Fiumicino van de Kalevallei 60.75 €5,080 LONGINES HATHAB OPEN CLASS (1.15/1.20 M) 3 FRA Titouan Schumacher / Eliot Brimbelles Z 60.81 €3,810 Rank Nation Rider / Horse Penalties Time (45) Penalties Time (40) Prize 1 QAT Mohammed Saeed Haidan / Miss Chili 0 39.23 0 26.28 QR3,750 4 NED Maikel van der Vleuten / Edinburgh 61.33 €2,540 2 QAT Alqaqa Adel Nassar/ Dubaii 0 39.64 0 27.17 QR3,000 5 BEL Nicola Philippaerts / J'Adore van het Schaeck 61.41 €1,778 3 FRA Cyrine Cherif / Brennus Villelongue 0 40.33 0 28.36 QR2,250 4 QAT Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi / Dark Dalida 0 37.06 0 29.05 QR1,500 Qatari rider Mohammed 5 QAT Hamad Nasser Al Qadi / Happy Tina 0 41.25 0 29.20 QR1,050 Saeed Haidan arriving at LONGINES HATHAB BIG TOUR (1.30/1.45 M) the presentation ceremony Rank Nation Rider / Horse Penalties Time (72) Penalties Time (62) Prize after winning the Open Class 1 UZB Abdushukur Sobirjonov / Demilion 4 60.75 0 44.56 QR8,750 of the Longines Hathab 2 QAT Hamad Nasser Al Qadi / S I E C Lonnie 4 61.88 0 46.70 QR7,000 Equestrian Tour with Miss 3 QAT Salman Mohammed Al Emadi / Zorro Z 4 62.39 0 48.74 QR5,250 Chili yesterday. 4 UZB Okil Sobirjonov / Quatro Junior 4 61.65 4 43.88 QR3,500 5 QAT Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi / Casal Des Forets 4 63.84 4 47.25 QR2,450

Big Tour podium winners, Abdushukur Sobirjonov, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi and Salman Mohammed Al Emadi posing for a photograph with Qatar Equestrian Federation General- Secretary, Badr Al Darwish. BOTTOM RIGHT: Sobirjonov in action astride Demilion. SPORT

SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2020

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Supreme Organising Committee for Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines and the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, posing for a photograph with the participating riders of the Children's competition of the premier show jumping event on Friday. RIGHT: Sheikh Joaan presenting medals to winners. Sabalenka wins Qatar Total Open

ARMSTRONG VAS SEBALENKA'S PATH TO THE PENINSULA GLORY

World No.13 Aryna Sabalenka FINAL out-served and out-hit former (9) Aryna Sabalenka (9), (Belarus) beat (8) champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to clinch Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-3. her maiden title at the Qatar SEMI-FINAL Total Open. Beat Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 6-4, Yesterday at the Khalifa 6-3 International Tennis Complex, QUARTER-FINAL the Belarusian delivered a mas- Beat Zheng Saisai (China) 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3. terclass of power tennis to ROUND OF 16 collect her sixth career title blasting past the world No.11 Beat (15) Maria Sakkari (Greece) 6-3, 6-0. from the Czech Republic in one ROUND OF 32 hour and 14 minutes. Beat Anett Kontaveit (Estonia) 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 “It feels so amazing (to win the title) and I couldn’t really SINGLES CHAMPIONS expect the title for the first time in Doha. And especially, I mean, IN DOHA I love playing in China, it’s, I’m 2020: Aryna Sabalenka, doing well there, I enjoy it there, but I’m happy to finally win a Belarus trophy not in China. I’m really 2019: Elise Mertens, Belgium happy, it feels so special for me,” 2018: Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic said Sabalenka, while talking to 2017: Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic journalists. She said took every point as 2016: Navarro Suárez, Spain the ‘last point’ and remained 2015: Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after winning the WTA Qatar focussed throughout the final 2014: Total Open title at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Simona Halep, Romania which ultimately got the winners 2013: Victoria Azarenka, Belarus trophy. Complex, in Doha, yesterday. 2012: “I knew she is a big fighter, I Victoria Azarenka, Belarus know she will bring everything Doha and levelling their head- powerful groundstrokes and 2011: Vera Zvonareva, Russia she have in the final. And I just to-head at two apiece. The win consistent serves proved too 2008: Maria Sharapova, Russia knew that and I tried to focus on in Qatar will see her career great for the former World No.2, 2007: Justine Henin, Belgium each point, because I knew that rankings jump two places to who was certainly not at her 2006: she will try to come back in the World No.11, when the new level best. Nadia Petrova, Russia game and she will try to beat me. ranking are out on Monday. The Kvitova was bidding to 2005: Maria Sharapova, Russia “I was just like focused, winning effort made her richer become the fourth woman to 2004: Anastasia Myskina, Russia really focused on each point and by $605,000. win the Doha title twice, after 2003: Anastasia Myskina, Russia played every point like the last Sabalenka is now on an Anastasia Myskina, Maria 2002: Monica Seles, US point and like I’m actually losing. 11-match winning streak at Sharapova and Victoria Aza- Qatar Tennis Federation President, Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, 2001: So, yeah, that was the secret, I Premier 5 level, having also tri- renka, but it was not to be presenting the winner's trophy to Sabalenka. Martina Hingis, Switzerland think,” she added. umphed in Wuhan last Sep- instead the Sabalenka won on The 21-year-old struck seven tember, and yesterday’s win her doha debut. that was probably the biggest Sabalenka went off to a flying The Belarusian lost only 6 points aces and 21 winners to just 15 marked her third title in the past Playing her first title match (factor), I couldn’t get to the rally start, breaking Kvitova to race on serve. unforced errors to end the 2018 six months. since winning the Stuttgart Open with my shots and my power as to a 4-1 lead. The youngster Kvitova was the first to earn champion Kvitova’sKvitova s 10-match10 match Her in April 2019, Kvitova was forced I just a few times I did it. I tried rallied to find herself serving for break points in the fourth game. winningwinning streakst reak in to fend off breakbre points in her toto go a littlittlel bit for the rallies and the set before clinching the set However, in Sabalenka held openingopening serviceservicce gagame.me. I wasn’t lluckyu over there. But, 6-3 on her second opportunity a lengthy and gutsy service KvitovaKvitova sasaidid tthehe ‘‘serve’serve’ yeah, it’s beenb tough. with the help of an ace. game, denying 5 break points to whichwhich made the It is mmy game as well, for The serve turned out to be her opponent. difference.difference. ssure,ure, but today she was just the difference between the two After holding her serve at “The“The biggest dif-dif- better in that game,” said the players. Sabalenka served 81 3-2, Petra Kvitova took an off- ferenceferer nce wawass thethe 29-year-old.29-year-o percent of her first serves and court medical time out as serve,serve, for sure OnOn tthe other hand, faced no break points in the set. Sabalenka received some on- court coaching during the break. Barbora Strycova (Czech Republic) and Hsieh Su-wei Following an off-court (Chinese Taipei) celebrate after winning the doubles medical timeout, Kvitova would final of the WTA Qatar Total Open. also hold a 0-30 lead in the former World No.9’s next service game - but was unable to keep down her own error count, which ultimately tallied 19 to only 12 winners, to take advantage. Having survived danger twice, Sabalenka took her power game to yet another level, finding a forehand pass to break the 29-year-old to love for 4-3 and then repeatedly pulling off a series of breathtaking winners as the finishing line drew closer. Kvitova wasn’t about to go quietly, boldly swinging away at a series of drive volleys to stave off triple match point serving at 3-5 - but Sabalenka would take this mini-tussle as well, sealing her fourth championship point as a backhand pass hit the net cord, forcing Kvitova to volley wide.