Safarova Eyes Repeat of 2015 Feat
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NBA | Page 6 TENNIS | Page 5 Thompson Halep heads To Advertise here dethrones pullout-hit Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Curry in WTA Dubai shootout Cham’ships Monday, February 15, 2016 CRICKET Jumada I 6, 1437 AH Wily Ashwin GULF TIMES spins India to series win against Lanka SPORT Page 3 TENNIS/ QATAR TOTAL OPEN Safarova eyes repeat of 2015 feat By Sports Reporter straight sets for the Qatar Total Open title-- Qatar Total Open is a very nice and well or- Doha her very fi rst Premier-level title. ganized event. I’ve been coming here for the “I have great memories here Despite being unseeded at last year’s tour- few years now. In fact, my fi rst victory on the from last year and it’s great nament, Safarova trounced three seeds, No. 5 WTA Tour actually happened here in Doha. to be back in Doha. My fi rst or World No. 10 Lucie Safarova, a seed Ekaterina Makarova, No. 6 seed Andrea “It was my fi rst time to beat Azarenka and return to Doha for the 2016 Qatar To- Petkovic and No. 9 seed Carla Suárez Nav- it was such a big experience. To hold the tro- tournament this year is tal Open is something she has been arro, en route to the fi nal. phy above my head that night is a memory actually the Qatar Total Open, eagerly waiting for a long time. And although she out-ranked Azarenka, I will keep for life. I am looking forward to so I decided to come here early FAfter all, this is where her journey to the the comparison was misleading--Azarenka start great this year again. and train in preparation for the top 10 in the WTA rankings and a very suc- is a former World No. 1 and had won all six of “Every year there have been improvements tournament and get back in cessful 2015 season—where she had her their previous meetings. and it is obvious that tennis is growing in Qa- highest ranking while also making it to the “I have great memories here from last year tar and the facilities are really great. I say a shape” fi nal of a Grand Slam—began. and it’s great to be back in Doha. I’ve been big thank you to the Qatar Tennis Federation The defending champion in Doha is the injured and sick for a long time. I missed the for allowing me to train here.” fi rst to arrive in the country ahead of the Feb- Australian Open and a couple of other tourna- About the strong fi eld which includes ruary 21-27 tournament. ments. My fi rst tournament this year is actu- World No. 1 Serena Williams of the USA, the Since landing here last Sunday, the ally the Qatar Total Open, so I decided to come Monaco resident said: “It’s always a strong 29-year-old, 5ft 10in-tall Czech has been here early and train in preparation for the fi eld here in Doha. Tennis is a very strong enjoying the serene atmosphere in the Qatari tournament and get back in shape,” the ex- competition now and each of the matches capital while pressing ahead with her train- cited left-handed player told qatartennis.org. will be tough. The presence of Serena will ing at the impressive Khalifa International “I am looking forward to a repeat of last defi nitely add extra spice to the competition. Tennis & Squash Complex. year’s success. The whole thing kicked off I’ll take the matches one at a time and see Having missed the season-opening Grand here and I am excited to be back where it how it goes.” Slam, the 2016 Australian Open and some all began and, hopefully, it will be a start of Safarova, however, wants the fans to troop other tournaments due to injury, the 2015 greater things to come this year too,” she out as usual in large numbers to cheer and French Open fi nalist is hoping to kick-start added. show their support to the players during the her season with a repeat performance of last Speaking about the organization and the seven-day competition organized by Qatar year where she defeated Victoria Azarenka in tournament in general, Safarova said: “The Tennis Federation and Total Qatar. Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 15, 2016 CRICKET BIG FEAT Voges cashes in on umpire’s blunder Reuters Windies colts shock Wellington ustralia batsman Adam Voges (pic below) has ample reason to thank the cricketing gods for Asecond chances. Bowled for seven by New Zealand paceman Doug Bracewell late on Friday, Voges was reprieved by a wrong no-ball call and finally gave up his wicket for 239 yesterday, having put his team in complete control of favourites India for the first Test in Wellington. New Zealand, who were skittled for 183 in their first in- nings, were reduced to 178-4 in their second at the close of day three at the Basin Reserve, still 201 runs adrift after Voges drove the tourists to a mammoth 562. The hosts face an improbable task to save the match. Voges’ double-century was the second of his short international career. He has now scored 1,267 runs to U-19 World Cup title average 97.46 since making his debut at the age of 35 in the Caribbean last year. “I thought I was out,” he told reporters of his non-dis- Spirited West Indian side’s mix of high-speed hustle with the ball and patience with the missal on Friday. “But to have that bit of luck and then capitalise on the second opportunity I’m very happy.” bat help them beat pre-tournament favourites India for their maiden U-19 WC trophy Though the umpire called it a no-ball, television replays later showed it was a legitimate delivery. Voges admitted that New Zealand had a right to “feel West Indies players take aggrieved”. “It was a bad leave and I turned around a 'selfie' with the U-19 and looked at the stumps, went to walk off and saw the World Cup trophy after (umpire’s) arm out. Yeah, little bit of luck... It has been a beating India in the final, great day to get to 200 and get us into a great position in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) is a very satisfying feeling. You’re not leaving it if you hear a no ball called, I would have thought." Until his dismissal yesterday, his Test average was 105, higher than the 99.94 of the great Don Bradman, revered as the best batsman of all time. In fact, he has already been nicknamed “The Don” by his teammates. “That doesn’t sit too comfortably with me to be honest. The boys have been having some fun and taking the mickey out of me a little bit in the changing rooms but it’s all good. A bit of fun,” Voges said of the comparisons with the former Australia captain. “I’m probably happy that I’m out now and it’s gone back under (100). It was never going to stay there. It won’t stay there. I know that,” he added. Voges became the oldest player to score a Test century on debut with his unbeaten 130 against West Indies last June, another second chance grabbed with both hands. He was named in Australia’s Test squad in 2006 after the retirement of Damien Martyn but never played and spent the next nine years as a bit player in limited-overs international sides. Age and experience helped him take his impressive form in first-class cricket into the Test arena, he said. He knew his game, studied the opposition bowlers and knew how he could combat their plans for him. “I’ve got an idea of how I want to go about my innings,” he explained. “It comes with confidence as well being able to trust your ability, trust your defence and then be- ing able to attack when the opportunity presents.” Agencies could manage a double-digit score third ahead of Sri Lanka, won the Dagar struck twice in consecutive popped a simple catch to mid-off Dhaka and it was only Sarfaraz Khan’s 51, man-of-the-tournament prize. overs soon after, sending Springer off the bowling of John. his fi fth half-century in six match- “We weren’t supposed to be and Jyd Goolie (3) packing. Soon the India's woes deepened further es, that gave some respectability to champions but we came up on top,” West Indies were 77-5. But Carty when Armaan (5) was soon dis- est Indies stunned their innings after they were asked Hetmyer said. “The pacers used and incoming batsman Paul held on missed to reduce them to 50/5. overwhelming fa- to bat fi rst. the pitch to their advantage, they under pressure, without losing an- Sarfaraz, however, kept his fo- vourites India to West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph and stood out for us.” ymore wickets to take them home. cus intact and inched closer to a clinch their maiden Ryan John claimed three wickets While chasing, the West Indies Earlier in the day, sent to bat fi rst half-century. Mahipal Lomror (19) WICC Under-19 World Cup title af- each in a dominant pace bowling got off to a disappointing start, on a greenish pitch, India got off to came in and gave good support to ter Keacy Carty’s unbeaten half- display by their team.