QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Hubert QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Hurkacz becomes Poland’s first ATP Masters 100 champion at Miami Open MONday, APRIL 5, 2021 page 14 Quartararo battles to TISSOT GP of Doha win in tight finish French rider bags first win in MotoGP Top 10 1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster factory colours Energy Yamaha MotoGP) from Zarco and 2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 1.457 Martin in the 3. Jorge Martin (Pramac closest top 15 Racing) + 1.500 4. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki finish in history Ecstar) + 2.088 5. Maverick Viñales (Monster Tribune News Network Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + Losail 2.110 6. (Ducati In what was the closest top 15 finish in history in the Tis- Lenovo Team) + 2.642 sot Grand Prix of Doha as the 7. (Team Suzuki MotoGP at the Losail Inter- Ecstar) + 4.868 national Circuit on Sunday, 8. (Red Bull KTM gladiators treated fans to an Factory Racing) + 4.979 unbelievable dogfight under the desert lights. 9. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Fabio Quartararo (Mon- Team) + 5.365 ster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) 10. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia emerged victorious as he and Racing Team Gresini) + 5.382. second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) hand France their first double premier class Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo celebrates winning the MotoGP Grand Prix of Doha at Losail International Circuit on Sunday. podium since 1954. History made there and history secured at fighting back but chose to for rookie Jorge Martin too as play it safe in P3. Quartararo the Pramac Racing star bags his stormed across the line to win maiden MotoGP rostrum. his first race in factory colours The start was again a sight by 1.457 seconds, as Zarco to behold as both Pramac Rac- pipped Martin by 0.043 sec- ing riders got away perfectly onds in a historic day for Pra- from P1 and P2 on the grid, but Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s French rider Fabio Quartararo mac Racing. Unreal from all Qatar GP race winner Maver- celebrates winning the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha on the podium the guys on the podium, Mar- ick Vinales (Monster Energy at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday. tin matching Marc Marquez’s Yamaha MotoGP) went back- feat of achieving a podium in wards as Miguel Oliveira (Red for 7th with Brad Binder (Red before Miller and Mir clashed his second premier class race. Bull KTM Factory Racing) Bull KTM Factory Racing), coming onto the front straight. Fourth place was held by propelled himself from P12 to with Rins hounding Zarco. A controversial moment. This Rins as he and Vinales tussle P4 in an absolutely stunning The Suzuki man and Zarco battle was insane and no one it out, the Spaniards separated start for the Portuguese star. kept interchanging P2 and just was leaving an inch. by just 0.022 seconds at the Both Suzukis got away when Rins thought he’d got There was so much going flag. Bagnaia was a further half very well too, as did third place the job done, the Ducati blast- on in the fight behind leader a second behind the Spanish Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing ed back by on the straight. It Martin. Quartararo was up to duel in P6 as the factory Duca- Team Gresini) but it wasn’t a was a very intriguing start to P4 now behind Martin, Zarco tis get beaten by the Pramac good start for the factory Ducati the race but leading the way and Bagnaia, with Rins almost riders, but it’s not a terrible Lenovo Team riders or Quar- still was the cool, calm and col- finding a way past on Lap 15. result for the Italian. tararo. Jack Miller and Franc- lected Martin. There was seven to go, Miller Mir eventually came home esco Bagnaia didn’t make use of But Bagnaia was the was P6 with Viñales P7, Mir in P7 after a heated race, Bind- the Ducati front holeshot device man on the move as the Ital- was trying to find a way past TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha MotoGP top three Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Johann er cemented a brilliant P8 for and found themselves in the ian moved his way up into eighth place Aleix Espargaro Zarco (Pramac Racing), and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) on the podium at the Losail International Circuit himself and KTM as Miller lower ends of the top 10. P5, soaring past Mir on the as Pol Espargaro (Repsol Hon- on Sunday. takes a disappointing P9 for Martin held his nerve and straight, with Miller soon fol- da Team), Binder and Enea the second race in a row at Lo- led the opening lap without lowing his teammate through Bastianini (Avintia Esponso- up Quartararo at Turn 1 with toe-to-toe, as Quartararo laid two Pramac riders, barring a sail. Miller was in the thick of trouble as a MotoGP freight by doing the exact same thing: rama Racing) were hunting. five to go but the Yamaha cut down a 1:55.182 to stretch out disaster, it looked like the po- it throughout but it’s definitely train followed him over the wringing the neck of his GP21 Turn 15, seven to go, Quar- back underneath to hold P3. a lead of half a second to Mar- dium positions were decided. not the result the Australian line as Alex Rins (Team Su- on the front straight as Aleix tararo cut past Bagnaia. But Viñales was past Rins for P5, tin, who was keeping team- Quartararo was making would have been looking for. zuki Ecstar) got the better of Espargaro slipped to P7. Bagnaia was straight back by as Quartararo then sliced up mate Zarco at bay. no mistakes and edged his A breathless Sunday in Oliveira to sit behind the lead- At half race distance, Mar- on the straight. Turn 1 then the inside of Zarco and then The last lap of an incred- lead up to one second halfway MotoGP ended with Zarco ing Pramacs. World Cham- tin was still leading. However, saw Bagnaia run very wide passed Martin at Turn 15, but ible battle then came around around the last lap, despite a emerging as the early World pion Joan Mir on the second tensions were starting to reach and the Italian went from P3 Martin returned to P1 down and Quartararo’s lead was 0.7 scary moment when hitting Championship leader. Two Team Suzuki Ecstar machine boiling point in the heat of the to P7, with nine seconds cov- the straight. seconds. It was El Diablo’s debris, with Zarco tucked right P2s give the Frenchman 40 chucked it up the inside of desert. Turn 10 saw Mir make a ering the top 18 riders. This Quartararo responded and to lose at this point as team- up behind Martin. Zarco was points as Quartararo heads Quartararo at Turn 6 as the harsh move on Miller, contact was a special, special encoun- made a move stick at Turn 3, mate Vinales ran wide at Turn tempted earlier in the lap but home from Doha level on riders got very close for com- made between the two, Miller ter in Doha. An incredible race now it was the Frenchman’s 1, allowing Rins to slide on at Turn 15, the Frenchman de- points with teammate Vinales fort in the opening exchanges. was wide. Rins, after a front entered the final five laps and chance to try and break the through in the battle for P4. cided to stick it up the inside on 36 apiece – a great couple Viñales, Quartararo, Miller end scare at Turn 9, had anoth- still, Martin was leading – and tow. Vinales got a track limits The Yamaha and Suzuki men of his rookie teammate. The of weeks at Losail for the fac- and Bagnaia were scrapping er moment at the final corner looking brilliant. Miller picked warning as he and Rins went were 0.6 seconds down on the move stuck, Martin hinted tory Yamahas. Lowes resists Gardner pressure for impressive Moto2 victory

Tribune News Nework the Australian got swamped place Fabio Di Giannantonio the fastest lap of the race and Losail by Lowes, Marco Bezzecchi (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), the gap was up to half a sec- (SKY Racing Team VR46) and who in turn was leading a fero- ond, more than it had been for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s teammate Raul Fernandez. cious battle for the top 10 and some time now. Again though, notched up win The latter was wide at point-scoring positions. Gardner was giving it his all number two of 2021 to become Turn 1 as Bezzecchi grabbed On Lap 13, Lowes landed the and Sector’s 3 and 4 saw the the first British rider to win the the holeshot from Lowes, with fastest lap of the race and was gap return to two tenths – a opening two races of an inter- Gardner slotting into P3 ahead asking questions of Gardner, 1:58.991 for Gardner. mediate class campaign since of his rookie teammate. This with Raul Fernandez still stick- Mike Hailwood did so in 1966, leading quartet immediately ing with the two elder Moto2™ Moto2 Top 10: as the number 22 and Remy pulled clear of the chasing statesmen. Bezzecchi was now 1. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) pack, fronted by Aron Canet losing touch, the Italian 1.5 sec- Racing Team); 2. provided a terrific scrap for (Solunion Aspar Team). onds back from Raul Fernan- (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.190; 3. victory in the Tissot Grand Bezzecchi, Lowes, Raul Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s British rider Sam Lowes, Red Bull KTM dez, the latter sticking in his Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Prix of Doha Moto2 at the Lo- Fernandez and Gardner were Ajo’s Australian rider Remy Gardner and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Span- Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Brit- fastest lap of the race on Lap 14. Ajo) + 3.371; 4. Marco Bezzec- sail International Circuit on in a league of their own. All of ish rider Raul Fernandez during the Moto2 Grand Prix of Doha at the ish rider Sam Lowes celebrates The fastest lap of the race, chi (SKY Racing Team VR46) + Sunday. them set mid-1:59s with Canet Losail International Circuit on Sunday. (AFP) with the trophy. (AFP) a 1:59.131, was then set by 6.789; 5. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Rookie sensation Raul Fer- setting a 2:00.040, the latter Gardner as the race entered Honda Team Asia) + 16.640; nandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) then lost out to Joe Roberts ner, seeing Lowes getting into ed the Italian and set their Lowes who wasn’t looking as the final five laps. 0.7s split the 6. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc picked up his maiden Moto2 (Italtrans Racing Team) as the his groove, was close to hitting sights on Lowes, who wasn’t comfortable as last weekend. trip, 0.2s between Lowes and VDS Racing Team) + 16.887; podium with a brilliant P3 at American sat 1.7 seconds adrift teammate Raul Fernandez pulling clear. In the battle for Raul Fernandez was right Gardner. The Qatar race win- 7. Celestino Vietti (SKY Rac- Losail. heading onto Lap 4. On said and Bezzecchi at Turn 10, but P5, Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Hon- there with Bezzecchi waiting ner looked to have the edge in ing Team VR46) + 17.254; 8. Launching very well from lap, the lead changed. Lowes the pass was made. da Team Asia) was challeng- in the wings too, a fascinating the opening half of the lap, the (Flexbox HP40) + the middle of the front row tucked in behind Bezzecchi on Coming onto Lap 6, ing Roberts and on Lap 7 the encounter was beginning to Qatar GP runner-up looked 17.283; 9. (Petronas was Gardner who immediately the straight and made a Turn Bezzecchi went from P2 to P4 American was down. unfold. And with 10 laps gone, quicker in the second half. Sprinta Racing) + 17.515; 10. got the better of Lowes, but in 1 move stick, and Lowes was in a matter of seconds. Both Meanwhile, at the front, 10 to go, the top four were Lowes responded to Gard- Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal the second phase of the start soon half a second clear. Gard- Red Bull KTM Ajo bikes draft- Gardner was hounding leader nearly six seconds clear of fifth ner’s pressure. A 1:59.026 was Oil Gresini Moto2) + 18.167. Sports Monday, April 5, 2021 13 The MotoGP family will never forget this season’s start in Qatar: Dorna Sports CEO

with the authorities here and Carmelo Ezpeleta the Qatar Motosports Academy (QMA) is one of our priorities. thanks Qatari We think this this year, it was the first time three Qatari Rid- authorities for ers participated in the Asian making things Talent Cup and if I may say so they are doing very well possible despite because this is the first time for them competing against the global Japanese and Malaysian riders who are people with more ex- pandemic perience. We think this is one of the of the things we need to Tribune News Network focus more in the in the future. Doha Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO, Dorna Sports (the commercial rights holder I am sure one day we can have for the motorcycling sport of MotoGP). any category rider competing in Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO, the top category. We are talking Dorna Sports (the commer- unfolded: forget that we could start the with them. Whatever is neces- cial rights holder for the mo- season here with two races. We sary we tell them and we see torcycling sport of MotoGP) We had been talking with the are very happy that the races what they are doing. It is im- thanked the State of Qatar for Qatari authorties - the Qatar went well. In general, it is not portant to have somebody from making the opening two races Motor and Motorcycle federa- an issue to race here. We have the Middle East, and especially of the new season of MotoGP tion (QMMF) and the Minister been working together since from Qatar. possible with all success at the of Culture and Sports HE Salah 2004. We brought the first night Losail International Circuit. bin Ghanem Al Ali - since it was race. They improve the lighting Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO, Dorna Sports, speaking to the local media at Hotel Ritz Carlton on Sunday. On Qatar and FIFA World Cup “The MotoGP family will nev- not possible to hold the MotoGP also. Better than ever. Every- 2022 er forget that we could start class because of the pandemic. thing is very nice. people. We have experience of We hope to continue with September we will see about I am not surprised with what I the season here (in Qatar),” As soon as we realised it was After we realized last year in Qa- protocols of 14 races last year. protocols. We are hoping this races at the end of the year. see. When I came here in 2004 stressed the septuagenar- also not possible to travel to the tar, we see situation we decided We moved between the hotel year will be less complicated. Japan, Australia, Malaysia and for the first time, I remember we ian Spaniard in an interaction United States and Argentina, we to continue with SOPs. We knew to circuit and back. There is no Thanks the Qatari authorities for Thailand - we are optimistic - but were at the Ritz Carlton. When with the media on Sunday. decided to contact the QMMF it was important to continue. complaint. Everybody knew we all the help. We had a fantastic we will know exactly at the end we see from the window now, President Abdulrahman Al Man- We created protocols that have are going to hold races and eve- race last week and I think this of July. We will know more at the all of Qatar has changed. What Excerpts nai and it was he who proposed been working very well. These ryone knows we are here to do will continue for all the races. time of the summer break. we see in incredible. I think we conduct everything here - the things will also help in the fu- that even with protocols. We are We hope to do all races in Qatar 2022 will be an incredible On how the planning for the testing, and the two races. ture. We have accepted the pos- proud of the people in the pad- principle. If the situation is not On Qatar Motosports Academy: success. Especially the football new season with start at Losail The MotoGP family will never sibility to doing races with less docks who make it a success. good, we may do it without fans. We have been talking a lot with fans will enjoy it.

ICSS participates in A star is born: Teen Acosta wins ‘Diplomacy & Sports Cooperation in a World epic Moto3 battle from pitlane in Turmoil’ forum Tribune News Network QNA Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Doha Rookie becomes the first rider to win a Moto3 race from pitlane, beating Binder Doha participate and deliver a key- note speech at the forum. Sixteen-year-old rookie by 0.039s in an outrageous lightweight class of TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha The International Centre for According to the invita- Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Sport Security (ICSS), a Doha- tion, the forum will bring to- Ajo) on Sunday became the based independent and non- gether an elite of local and in- firstM oto3 rider to start from profit organization, is taking ternational personalities from pitlane and win at the Losail part in the “Diplomacy and various sectors to discuss and International Circuit. Sports Cooperation in a World debate the relationship be- A truly astonishing ride in Turmoil” forum, which is or- tween sport, peace and devel- from the teen Spaniard left ganized virtually by the Minis- opment. It aims at promoting everyone speechless as the try of Foreign Affairs of Mexico the strategy of sports diplo- number 37 beat Darryn Binder and Ibero-American Universi- macy in Mexico. (Petronas Sprinta Racing) by ty last Tuesday, in coincidence The invitation praised the 0.039s, with Niccolo Antonelli with the celebration of the In- remarkable and hard work (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) ternational Day of Sport for made by the International completing the podium. Development and Peace pro- Centre for Sport Security in re- Having stunned the mo- claimed by the United Nations cent years in the fields of sports torcycling world in just his General Assembly in 2013. security, protecting integrity, second start, Acosta was all The ICSS will be represent- and combating extremism and smiles with his braces well in ed at the forum by its Chair- violence in sports. place. “I knew this could be man Mohammed bin Hanzab, Organizers of the event ex- possible. When I woke up this who has received an official pressed pleasure with the ICSS morning, I told my teammate invitation from the Mexican participation in the forum. this could be done,” he said soon after the race. Making the best start was Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian The 16-year-old Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Ajo in action (above), and soon after his Moto3 win (right) at Losail International Circuit on Sunday. Racing Gresini Moto3) from Greenwood, Rashford on P3 on the grid, with Tatsuki started pulling clear of sec- Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) ond place Binder as Masia at target for Manchester Utd and Binder making electric fourth. The latter shoved it up getaways from the second row the inside of Antonelli at Turn DPA to claw themselves up to P2 and 6 but both ran wide, allowing Berlin P3. Binder was wasting no time Rodrigo through. Meanwhile, and was into the lead at Turn Acosta was setting the fastest Mason Greenwood and Mar- 4, polesitter Jaume Masia (Red lap of the race with Binder the cus Rashford were on target as Bull KTM Ajo) was down to P4 only one able to stick with the Manchester United came from but then found his way past Su- wonder kid on the last lap, with behind to beat relegation-threat- zuki for P3 on the opening lap. Masia then coming into con- ened Brighton and Hove Albion Kaito Toba (CIP Green tact with Rodrigo at Turn 10. A 2-1 in the Premier League. Power) then led on Lap 2 but late lunge didn’t work and the Danny Welbeck returned it was slipstream city down the Qatar race winner, along with to haunt United with a de- 1km down the home straight Rodrigo, was wide to allow An- served opening goal for the every lap. Binder was back at tonelli back through. Seagulls in the first half atO ld the front briefly before Filip However, it was now all Trafford on Sunday. Salac (Rivacold Snipers Team) about Acosta vs Binder. An Second-placed United Manchester United’s Mason and Suzuki interchanged P1 on absolutely pitch-perfect last raised their game after the Greenwood celebrates scoring Lap 4, with the pitlane starters lap from the Spaniard all came break, though, and the fit-again against Brighton and Hove Albion still six seconds adrift of 21st down to the run to the line. Rashford marked his return at Old Trafford on Sunday. (AFP) place Xavier Artigas (Leopard Binder was in touch and had with a well taken equaliser. Racing) – the latter taking his a chance of snatching the 25 Greenwood, also passed to score twice, but they two long-lap penalties. points at the death, but Acosta fit after recovering from an were pegged back in the clos- The Moto3 script was TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha Moto3 podium finishers Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Darryn Binder held on by just 0.039s to claim injury, headed home the win- ing stages as Jose Mourinho’s the same as always as we en- (Petronas Sprinta Racing), and Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) during the presentation. his first Moto3 victory. ner seven minutes from time Spurs flattered to deceive again. tered Lap 7: constant fairing Moto3 Top 10: to stun the Seagulls in the ab- Having already gone ex- bashing, awe-inspiring rac- After leading across the Artigas was the first crash- with nowhere to go, the latter 1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) sence of Anthony Martial, who tremely close to opening the ing. Leading now was An- line, Binder was squeezed out er with seven to go after con- got a face full of Honda and both 2. Darryn Binder (Petronas could be out for the season scoring, Newcastle went in drea Migno (Rivacold Snipers at Turn 1 as he and teammate tact with Carlos Tatay (Avin- were out of the race. Later, at Sprinta Racing) + 0.039 with a knee problem. front through Joelinton, but Team) from Toba and Masia, John McPhee got a bit close tia Esponsorama Moto3) Turn 6, Tatay and Adrian Fer- 3. Niccolo Antonelli (Reale Avin- Victory for the Red Devils six minutes later the home with rookie Adrian Fernan- for comfort. The South Afri- with Acosta and Garcia now nandez were down too. tia Moto3) + 0.482 strengthened their grip on sec- side trailed - Kane’s predatory dez (Sterilgarda Max Racing can suddenly down to P14, tagged onto the back of the In the aftermath, Masia now 4. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snip- ond place, 14 point behind lead- instincts on show as he scored Team) getting properly stuck with Jeremy Alcoba (Indone- leaders. Salac, with six to go, led from Migno and Binder, as ers Team) + 0.514 ers Manchester City with a game a quick-fire brace. in. Further back, the pitlane sian Racing Gresini Moto3) was then down and out after a Acosta found himself inside the 5. Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) in hand, while Brighton are six But less than a minute af- starters of Acosta, Romano now the new race leader. Like great race – a real shame for top five – sensational work from + 0.651 points above the drop zone. ter Kane hit the post in the sec- Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Rac- he was last Sunday, Ayumu the Czech rider who got a bit the rookie. The gap between the 6. Izan Guevara (GasGas Relegation-threatened ond half, Willock - who is on ing Team), Sergio Garcia Sasaki (Red Bull KTM ) of helping hand from Sasaki. leading quintet – Rodrigo, Ma- Gaviota Aspar) + 0.708 Newcastle United was saved loan from Spurs’ bitter rivals (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar) and was in the thick of it and brief- Now, with five to go, the top sia, Binder, Acosta and Migno 7. Ayumu Sasaki (Tech3 KTM by a late score from Joe Wil- Arsenal - blasted in from close Stefano Nepa (BOE Owlride) ly led but watching the riders 21 were covered by 1.6 sec- – was over half a second to An- Racing) + 1.805 lock from a potentially massive range to seal a deserved point were now starting to penetrate go – genuinely – 10 abreast onds. 1.6 seconds! tonelli, but the latter did amaz- 8. Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert point in a 2-2 draw with Totten- for Steve Bruce’s men. the top 20, just over six sec- into Turn 1 was frightening Drama then unfolded at ingly to bridge the gap. PrüstelGP) + 1.857 ham, who missed the chance to Other results: Chelsea 2 West onds off the fight for the race stuff. Remember Binder? Two Turn 1 between two race leaders. And heading onto the last 9. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM go fourth At the end of a week Bromwich Albion 5; Leeds win. There was 10 laps to go minutes later, he was back up Alcoba and McPhee were down lap, Acosta had clawed his way Ajo) + 1.875 in which Harry Kane’s future United 2 Sheffield United 1; now in Doha, 1.5 seconds split to fifth – slipstream effect in at Turn 1, Alcoba tagged the to the front. The rookie sen- 10. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda was something of a hot topic, it Leicester City 0 Manchester City 18 riders. Outrageous. full flow. back of Binder and left McPhee sation took the initiative and Max Racing Team) + 1.967. was only fitting for theE ngland 2; Arsenal 0 Liverpool 3. 14 Monday, April 5, 2021 Sports MIAMI OPEN Fakhar Zaman’s record 193 in Hurkacz claims first vain as SA win Masters 1000 title by 17 runs Agencies included four sixes, before Da- Polish player set JOHANNESBURG vid Miller finished the innings with 50 not out from 27 balls. to make Top 20 Fakhar Zaman’s 193 was not Seamer Haris Rauf was enough as Pakistan lost the comfortably the pick of the Pa- in rankings second One-Day International kistan bowlers with 3-54 from ATP to South Africa by 17 runs at his 10 overs. Miami (Florida) The Wanderers on Sunday. The third and final ODI The win saw the hosts lev- is scheduled for on Hubert Hurkacz became elled the three-game series. Wednesday but South Africa Poland’s first TA P Masters Opener Zaman was left to will be without leading play- 1000 champion on Sunday do it all on his own as Pakistan ers De Kock, Miller, Kagiso after taking down 19-year-old reached 324 for nine in reply Rabada and as Jannik Sinner 7-6(4), 6-4 in to South Africa’s 341 for six. they head to the Indian Pre- the Miami Open presented by His 193-run knock includ- mier League. Itau final. ed 18 fours and 10 sixes for the The 24-year-old needed record score in ODIs in Johan- Scoreboard one hour and 45 minutes to nesburg, beating the 175 by clinch the biggest ATP Tour Herschelle Gibbs against Aus- SOUTH AFRICA title of his career, and his sec- tralia in 2006. Q de Kock b Rauf...... 80 c Ali b Ashraf...... 39 ond of the year after lifting the It was also the best score T Bavuma c Azam b Rauf...... 92 trophy at the Delray Beach by a visiting player to South R van der Dussen c Ashraf b Hasnain...... 60 Open by VITACOST.com. The Africa, with the next highest D Miller not out...... 50 victory extended Hurkacz’s in Sunday’s Pakistan innings H Klaasen c Rauf b Afridi...... 11 A Phehlukwayo c Ashraf b Rauf...... 3 unbeaten 2021 run in South being 31 from captain Babar K Rabada not out...... 1 Florida to 10-0. Hubert Hurkacz of Poland beat Italian Jannik Sinner 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the final of the men’s singles at the Miami Open in Florida on Sunday. Azam. Extras: (lb 1, nb 1, w 3)...... 5 “Last year I spent here Fakhar’s superb innings TOTAL: (For 6 wkts, 50 overs) ��������������������������� 341 Did not bat: Anrich Nortje, , almost half a year,” Hurkacz so it’s huge.” Duty Free Tennis Champion- Hurkacz in a tight opening set, an amazing returner. It was a of 155 balls ended in bizarre Fall of : 1-55 (Aiden Markram, 9.3 ov), said in an on-court interview. His opponent and occa- ships – but on Sunday they but the big-serving Hurkacz tough game.” fashion when he cantered 2-169 (, 30.1 ov), 3-270 (Rassie “I was practising in the hottest sional doubles partner Sinner, faced each other in singles for dominated for much of the With the victory, Hurkacz home for a second run off the van der Dussen, 41.4 ov), 4-306 (Temba Bavuma, weather during the spring and the 21st seed, was trying to the first time. second to seal his third ATP will break into the Top 20 in first ball of the final over, but a 46.2 ov), 5-317 (Heinrich Klaasen, 47.5 ov), 6-322 (, 48.6 ov) summer here, so I think that become the youngest Miami It was the Polish player’s Tour title in Miami. the FedEx ATP Rankings for throw from the fence by Aiden Bowling: Afridi 10-1-75-1, Hasnain 10-0-74-1, helped me a lot playing now men’s champion in history at experience that made the “The balls felt slow when I the first time, moving from Markram was a direct hit and Ashraf 9-0-62-11, Rauf 10-0-54-3, Khan 9-0-64-0, in Florida, especially in these 19 years and seven months. difference, with 26th seed went to serve,” Hurkacz said of No. 37 to a career-high No. 16 the batsman’s excellent chance Aziz 2-0-11-0. pretty tough conditions here, The pair have teamed up to Hurkacz looking calm as he the final game. on Monday. Sinner is also pro- for a second double-ton in the PAKISTAN Imam-ul-Haq c Markram b Ngidi...... 5 because it was a little bit slow play doubles twice this season powered his way to an early “Obviously a tough point. jected to reach a new career- 50-over format was gone. F Zaman run out (Markram)...... 193 here. The wind was blowing – including a quarter-final ap- break in each set. Sinner did You really want to get a cou- high of his own, rising to No. The tourists had elected to B Azam c Bavuma b Nortje...... 31 from side to side sometimes, pearance at last month’s Dubai well to stay toe-to-toe with ple of free points and Jannik’s 21 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. field first and South Africa’s M Rizwan c Klaasen b Nortje...... 0 impressive total was boosted D Aziz c De Kock b Nortje...... 9 S Khan lbw b Shamsi...... 13 by four fine half-centuries, A Ali c Markram b Phehlukwayo...... 19 each different in their make- F Ashraf c De Kock b Phehlukwayo...... 11 up. S Afridi c & b Rabada...... 5 French Open Knicks beat Pistons for team’s biggest blowout in 25 years Newly-appointed captain H Rauf not out...... 1 M Hasnain not out...... 12 Temba Bavuma scored 92 Extras: (b 1, lb 8, nb 1, w 15)...... 25 could be TCA/DPA bodeau described it, had infil- from 102 balls and warmed TOTAL: (For 9 wkts, 50 overs)...... 324 New York trated the Knicks roster. to his task as the innings wore Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Imam-ul-Haq, 1.6 ov), 2-70 postponed: “I think that we’re at a point on, while opener Quinton de (, 10.4 ov), 3-71 (Mohammad Rizwan, 10.6 ov), 4-85 (Danish Aziz, 14.6 ov), 5-120 (Shadab The Knicks found the cure to in the season where if you play Kock looked edgy and had luck Khan, 24.3 ov), 6-186 (Asif Ali, 33.5 ov), 7-205 France’s sports all their ailments: the lowly this many games, every player in his 80 from 86 balls. (, 37.4 ov), 8-273 (Shaheen Shah Detroit Pistons. in the league has something Rassie van der Dussen, Afridi, 44.5 ov), 9-312 (Fakhar Zaman, 49.1 ov). Bowling: Rabada 10-2-43-1, Ngidi 9-0-66-1, minister Clearly motivated to right right now,” Thibodeau said who got a century in the first Phehlukwayo 10-0-67-2 Nortje 10-1-63-3, Shamsi their wrongs of the last week, of his players’ health. “That’s match in Pretoria on Friday, 7-0-60-1, Markram 4-0-16-0. DPA the Knicks took it out on the pro sports. We have to man- kept up his good form with a Result: South Africa won by 17 rus. Berlin Pistons on Saturday night, age that, we have to play bet- powerful 60 from 37 balls that Series: Three-match series tied 1-1. emphatically snapping a three- ter. Right now, we’re in a little Next month’s French Open game winning streak and send- bit of a funk and we’ve got to could be postponed amid the ing Julius Randle back on track work our way out of it.” Thank ongoing coronavirus pandem- in a 125-81 breeze in Motown. you, Detroit. The Knicks com- ic, according to France’s min- It was such a laugher that pleted their season sweep of ister of sports. Tom Thibodeau sat his starters the Eastern Conference bot- France entered its third for the entire fourth quarter, a Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks and teammates complain to tom dwellers. But the schedule national lockdown on Satur- luxury he rarely, if ever, extends referees after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Tar- gets tougher with three games day in a bid to halt another because the coach always be- get Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 31. (Getty Images/AFP) upcoming against the Nets, surge of COVID-19 cases, lieves the game is in doubt. Celtics and Grizzlies. which had threatened to over- Not on Saturday. The ond half. in less than seven minutes A little over two-thirds whelm hospitals across the 44-point victory represented Detroit is terrible, of course, against Detroit, shooting 9-of- through the season, the Knicks country. Professional sport- the franchise’s largest margin a mismatched roster of un- 16 on the night. are now in sole possession of ing events are largely exempt since 1996. Even Thibodeau skilled players collected by RJ Barrett also bounced seventh in the Eastern Confer- from the restrictions, but could feel comfortable. rookie GM Troy Weaver. But it back with an efficient 14 points ence but just 1/2 game ahead of minister of sports Roxana The game was hilariously was still an impressive perfor- on 5-of-7 shooting. Elfrid Pay- the Celtics. They have to finish Maracineanu has suggested over within minutes of the mance from the Knicks consid- ton had 11 points and nine as- sixth to avoid a play-in tourna- the French Open could be put opening tip. The Knicks (25-25) ering they lost the night prior sists in 25 minutes. ment, and would have to win back from its scheduled May scored the first14 points. They in Madison Square Garden and Randle had been bothered two play-in games if they slip 23 start date. led 30-7 and then by 26 at the flew to Detroit for the second by a thigh contusion, but never to ninth. Before Saturday’s “We are in discussions with end of the quarter. Randle, who game of a back-to-back. used it as an excuse. rout, Thibodeau believed the them [the French Tennis Feder- was coming off a dud the previ- Randle is the team’s en- “I’m fine,” saidR andle, team’s issues were fixable and ation] to see if we should change ous night against the Mavericks, gine and he got them going who leads the league in total not indicative of slamming the date to coincide with a possi- scored 20 of his 29 points in the early. In the loss to Dallas on minutes, then repeated, “I’m against the proverbial wall. ble resumption of all sports and first quarter, finishing with eight Friday, the 26-year-old man- fine.” It was a different vibe “We still have to get it done major events,” she told radio rebounds in 30 minutes. aged just 14 points on 5-of-20 the last three games, defeats to and I believe this team will,” Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (R) reacts after being run out as South Africa station France Info. The Pistons (14-35) never shooting with five turnovers. the Heat, Timberwolves and the coach said. “We have to do wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock (L) looks on during their second One-Day “Today, although high-lev- got closer than 17 in the sec- He eclipsed that point total Mavericks. A “funk,” as Thi- better and we will.” International at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday. (AFP) el sport has been preserved, we try to limit the risks of clusters, of spreading the virus within professional sports.” Rafael Nadal won last year’s French Open, which was postponed ‘Great achievement’, says Lanning as Oz eves script world record by four months, to pull level with Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Australian women’s team registers consecutive 22nd win beating in first ODI ANI ment over a long period of Rachael Haynes (14) and Lan- IPL will go ahead: Mount Maunganui time, shows how consistent ning (5) both failed to leave a Ganguly we have been. Something we mark with the bat. After creating the world will look back on. That’s been Alyssa Healy was then New Delhi: Sourav Ganguly, record for most consecutive a strength of ours, having key joined by Ellyse Perry in the the Board of Control for ODI wins, Australia skipper pillars throughout the team. middle and both batters re- in India (BCCI) President on Meg Lanning on Sunday said We have a mixture of experi- vived the innings for Australia. Sunday confirmed that every- that it is a great achievement ence and youth. We like to Both batters put on 78 runs thing will go on as per schedule and it shows how consistent play an aggressive brand of for the third , but New in the upcoming Indian Premier her side has been over the last cricket,” said Lanning at the Zealand staged a comeback League (IPL) 2021. Wankhede three years. post-match presentation. of sorts as the side dismissed Stadium is set to host 10 IPL The side achieved the feat “We do not want to put any Healy (68) and Beth Mooney games this season from April after defeating New Zealand handbrakes on. We were able (12) in a span of four overs, to 10-25. The first match at the (White Ferns) in the first ODI of to keep it pretty tight early, reduce Australia to 136/4 in Mumbai stadium is slated to the three-match series on Sun- that wicket of Kerr set us on the 26th over. be played on April 10 between day here at Mount Maunganui. our way. The way we finished Ashleigh Gardner then Delhi Capitals and Chennai The record for most con- was excellent. Alyssa Healy joined Perry in the middle Super Kings. Four franchises -- secutive ODI victories was set the tone with a real attack- and the duo ensured Australia Delhi Capitals, , held by ’s team ing mindset, Ash Gardner has does not suffer more hiccups. Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan as they had registered 21 wins been in really good form to The duo took the visitors over Royals have set up their base on the trot in 2003. But with push it on at the end. The gen- the line by six wickets with 69 in Mumbai as of now. The fifth this win over New Zealand, the eral theme is to play with free- balls to spare. franchise Kolkata Knight Riders Australian women’s team reg- dom,” she added. Perry and Gardener re- (KKR) will soon move to Chen- istered its consecutive 22nd Chasing 213, Australia got mained unbeaten on 56 and nai to play their first match win and as a result, the side off to a bad start as the visitors 53 respectively. Both batters against SunRisers Hyderabad created a world record. lost their opening two wickets formed an unbeaten stand of on April 11. (ANI) “It is a great achieve- with just 37 runs on the board. 79 runs for the fifth wicket. Sports Monday, April 5, 2021 15 Al Attiyah’s Complication opens scorecard at Moulins in France Tribune News Network second places in February and little pressure from her jockey Doha March this year. On Saturday, to finally winby 3 lengths in she confirmed she building up front of Acclam (Mehmas x Owned and bred by Khalifa to a bigger performance. Ehteyat) who had finished well bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ridden by Clement to take second. Signature Song Complication (No Nay Nev- Lecoeuvre, Complication (USA) (Speightstown x Daring er x Sleek Gold) opened her sat in just behind the pace- Diva) was further 1½ lengths scorecard in the Prix De Gen- maker Nanawest (Kingsalsa x behind in third. netines, a maiden over 1,400 Anawest). Coming to the out- By Coolmore sire No Nay metres at the French track of side of the leader in the final Never, Complication is out of Moulins on Saturday. turn, she took the lead at the Dansili mare Sleek Gold. Trained by Fabrice Chap- beginning of the straight and Sleek Gold has also pro- pet in Chantilly, this 3-year- quickly pulled clear. duced Stakes performer old filly was having her 3rd Running in the centre of Simplicity (Casamento) for start in competition. She had the track, she gradually in- owner Khalifa Mohammed Al Complicataion had run twice previously, for two second places in February and March this year. On Saturday, saddled by Clement Lecoeuvre, run twice previously, for two creased her lead under very Attiyah. she opened her scorecard in the Prix De Gennetines at the French track of Moulins. (Pic: Christophe Morlat) QATAR NATIONAL ARABIAN HORSE SHOW Al Ahli climb into Top 4; Al Sadd stay unbeaten

QNA game, after it was confirmed Doha that they will not relegate di- rectly by reaching the 18th The 20th round of the point in tenth place and QNB Stars League for the achieving the fourth victory 2020/2021 sports season end- this season. ed, leaving only two rounds Al Sailiya continued their remaining to end the season. strong performances after Al Sadd, the league winning the Ooredoo Cup and champion, maintained their succeeded in winning against unbeaten record defeating Qatar ASC 2-1, going up to 26 Al-Gharafa 2-0 in a match points in eighth place, even during which Spanish coach in points with Al-Arabi, while Xavi Hernandez played a Qatar ASC stooped at 31 in group of substitute players, fifth place dropping from and despite this, Al Sadd con- fourth. firmed their superiority to reach the 54th point in first Al Ahli club returned to place, while Al Gharafa con- tinued their negative results the top four, taking staying at 30 points, it drops advantage of the to sixth place after it was fifth stumbling of Qatar ASC, before this round. after a thrilling win over Al Duhail took second place on the table, after going Al Kharaitiyat 2-1, with up to 43 points, by beating Al defender Ibrahim Arabi in an exciting match that Majed scoring the two ended with a score of 3-2, and The winning group of Amir Al Reeh – champion in the Senior Stallions Championship (Class SSC) – after being awarded by Ali bin Yousef Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General, Qatar thus Al-Arabi’s stopped at 26 winning goals Equestrian Federation, on the third day of the 9th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show for Individual Owners at the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab on Sunday. points in seventh place, after receiving their eighth loss this The only draw in this season. round was between Al Wak- Despite their loss to Umm rah and Al Khor, where both Salal 3-2, Al-Rayyan main- teams were absent from scor- tained third place with 34 ing , and it seemed that both points, after Qatar Club stum- teams were content to obtain bled against Al Sailiya. a single point, as Al Wakrah Real Sociedad edge Athletic Al Ahli club returned to went up to 23 points in ninth the top four, taking advan- place to become completely tage of the stumbling of Qatar far from the deciding match, ASC, after a thrilling win over while Al Khor went up to 15 Al Kharaitiyat 2-1, in a match Point in 11th place. in which its defender Ibrahim Matches of the 21st round to win 2020 Copa del Rey Majed, who was the man of the will be held next Tuesday match, scored the two winning and Wednesday, as Qatar DPA goals, putting Al Khraraitiyat ASC plays with Al Ahli, Al Barcelona in a very bad position, with Sadd with Al Rayyan and Al 9 points in last place, with a Khor with Al Duhail, while Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty earned six points difference from Al- Wednesday Umm Salal meet Real Sociedad their third Copa del Rey Khor eleventh with 15 points, Al Sailiya, and Al Arabi play Al trophy after a 1-0 win over rivals Ath- before the remaining two Kharaitiyat. letic Bilbao in the postponed derby fi- rounds, through which the It is noteworthy that the nal from last season on Saturday. team that will fall directly into match between Al Wakrah and The 2019-20 final was suspended the second division, and the Al Gharafa for the 21st round because of the coronavirus pandemic, team that will play the decisive was held on March 16, and and continued to be pushed back in a match with the second-divi- ended with Al Wakrah winning bid to let fans attend, but they still can- sion championship runners- with 2-0, due to Al Gharafa’s not go to matches in Spain. up, as well as the ranking The match against the Uzbek club Athletic immediately have another final of the teams this season. AJMC in the pre-qualification chance to lift the trophy in this season’s Umm Salal succeeded in round, extension for the group cup final on April 17, against Barcelona, achieving a victory over Al- stage of the 2021 AFC Cham- also at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium. Rayyan, giving them the sixth pions League, which will be They last reached the final in 2015, loss and avoiding the playoff held next Wednesday. where they were beaten by Barcelona, and have not won it since 1984, even though they are second in the list of re- cord winners with 23 triumphs. A tight game was opened up shortly after the hour mark when Inigo Mar- tinez fouled Portu in the area as he burst through on goal, leading in a penalty and a red card for the Athletic Real Sociedad’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2020 Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) final against Athletic defender. Bilbao at the La Cartuja stadium in Sevilla, Spain, on Saturday. (AFP) The expulsion was revoked after a lengthy VAR review but Oyarzabal to earn their first major trophy in over fired home from the penalty spot to three decades. send Real Sociedad ahead. Los Leones, meanwhile, have now The goal proved decisive to earn La lost five cup finals since they last lifted Real their first Copa del Rey win since the trophy. 1987, a bitter blow for Martinez, who “This is very tough for us,” said left his boyhood club Sociedad for Ath- Athletic’s Oscar de Marcos. letic in 2018. “It was a game we had a lot of hope “It’s a beautiful day where you re- for and we thought we could win it. member everything,” said Oyarzabal. “It’s a really big blow for us to take. “Giving this to our fans was the best Finals are hard when you lose, whoever thing that we could do. the opponent is. It’s a very sad day for “There’s a lot of people I would us. We missed our fans.” have liked to be here. This is for every- one, it’s incredible. “We are champions and we’ll cel- Real Sociedad fans celebrate as ebrate it without a doubt.” they wait for their football club’s bus to Athletic chased the game but failed drive through the Spanish Basque city of to create much danger, even in the final Hondarribia on Sunday, a day after their Action from the Al Ahli-Al Kharaitiyat QNB Stars League clash on stages as Sociedad held on comfortably 2020 Copa del Rey triumph. (AFP) Saturday. Al Ahli won 2-1 to move into the fourth spot in the rankings.