SPORT Sunday 4 November 2018 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 28 Al Attiyah seals 14th Thunder outplay MERC title with 7th Wizards for fourth win in Kuwait consecutive win More honours for record-setter Biles as historic Worlds concludes FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: clinched two more podium finishes including a gold medal on the final day to write more history as 48th World Championships Doha 2018 concluded after 10 days of thrilling action. Biles, marking her return to international competitions after a 14-month break, secured gold and a bronze medal in to wrap up Doha Worlds with a total of six medals. She will return home with four gold medals, one silver and a bronze medal. With her medals tally in Doha, Biles eclipsed ’s as the most decorated female artistic gymnast in World Championships. Both have won 20 world medals apiece, but Biles went ahead due to the higher number FIG President Morinari Watanabe (centre) waves the FIG flag after receiving the same from Ali Al Hitmi of gold medals (14) as compared (left), the Executive Director of the Organising Committee of Doha Worlds and also President of the to Khorkina’s haul of nine. By winning medals in all the Gymnastics Federation during the closing ceremony of the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships PICTURES: SYED OMAR six events, the 21-year-old also Doha 2018 at the Aspire Dome yesterday. RIGHT: Record-setter Simone Biles. became the first women to earn six podium finishes since 1987 YESTERDAY’S PODIUM when ’s Yelena WINNERS Shushunova achieved the same feat. Women’s Floor Exercise Doha hosted an “I am definitely very happy, Gold: Simone Biles (USA) 14.933 especially to win a medal in amazing World Silver: (USA) 13.933 every event. No matter what Championships. It was Bronze: (JPN) 13.860 colour the medal, I’m really unique competition in proud of myself,” Biles said while many ways. I would commenting on her overall per- Women’s Balance Beam formance yesterday. Gold: Liu Ting Ting (CHN) 14.533 like to congratulate “It feel really rewarding Silver: Anne-Marie Padurariu (CAN) the organisers for because I’ve put a lot of hard 14.100 hosting the event work and dedication into this Bronze: 3. Simone Biles (US) 13.600 sport, so I couldn’t be happier. successfully: FIG I’m really proud of my perform- President Morinari ances here. I wish some of them Men’s Horizontal Bar Watanabe would have been better but I’m Gold: Epke Zonderland (NED) 15.100 really proud of the outcome,” she Silver: Kohei Uchimura (JPN) 14.800 added. Bronze: Sam Mikulak (USA) 14.533 “I just kept telling myself, The American superstar, ‘Calm down, calm down.’ I who was competing in Doha Men’s Parallel Bars didn’t think of a medal. I just with a kidney stone, added believed in myself and tried my Gold: Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 16.433 colour to the historic World best. I feel so incredible,” said Championships with her superb Silver: Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) 15.591 the Chinese gymnast. performances. It was the first Bronze: Artur Dalaloyan (RUS) 15.366 ever World Championships to Zonderland takes gold in be staged in the Middle East with Men’s HB, silver for Uchimura Qatar once again reaffirming its Gold: Se Gwang Ri (PRK) 14.933 Dutchman Epke Zonderland commitment to deliver the best. Silver: Artur Dayaloyan (RUS) 14.883 continued his domination in “Doha hosted an amazing horizontal bars to take gold Bronze: Kenzo Shirai (JPN) 14.675 World Championships. It was medal after earning 15.100 unique competition in many points. ways. I would like to congrat- Japanese legend Kohei Uch- ulate the organisers for hosting titles apart from Biles on the last imura claimed his first indi- the event successfully,” FIG day. vidual medal in the event by President Morinari Watanabe Biles did not face much dif- grabbing silver medal while said while speaking at an ficulty in dethroning Japan’s Mai America’s Sam Mikulak also impressive closing ceremony of Murakami in floor final for her secured his first-ever medal at the event yesterday. record 14th world title. Worlds by finishing third. Ali Al Hitmi, the Executive She tallied 14.933 points for In men’s vault final, North Director of the Organising Com- a gold medal followed by team- Korea’s Olympic champion Ri mittee of Doha Worlds and also mate Morgan Hurd (13.933) and Se Gwang stormed to victory President of the Qatar Gym- Japan’s Mai Murakami (13.866). after earning 14.933 points, nastics Federation said: “We However, the American edging Artur Dayaloyan, who have succeeded in providing an gymnast fell behind in the was confined to a silver exceptionally well organised balance beam with China’s medal. event which has exceeded Tingting emerging as a surprise China’s Jingyuan clinched expectations and the specified winner. parallel bars victory for his first criteria.” The 18-year-old Tingting individual gold medal after fin- coming as the last contestant ishing ahead of ’s Oleg Floor triumph for Biles, amassed 14.533 points to Verniaiev and Russia’s Tinging rules in balance overcome Canada’s Anne- Dalaloyan. beam Maries Padurariu (14.100 points) Over 600 gymnasts from 76 On another day of packed and Biles (13.600 points). countries competed for a total house at Aspire Dome yes- This was Tingting’s second of 42 medals at Doha Worlds. terday, Epke Zonderland, Zou medal in the event after winning The 2019 edition of the World Jingyuan, Se Gwang Ri and Liu a bronze in the women’s team Championships will be held in Ting Ting also clinched world final. Stuttgart, Germany. 28 SPORT SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2018 Thunder beat struggling Wizards

AP Allonzo Trier scored 19 of his Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook career-high 23 points during a (0) shoots over Washington Wizards guard Bradley WASHINGTON: Continuing second-half surge and New York their turnaround from a terrible Beal (3) during the second half of their NBA game handed Dallas its sixth straight season start, the Oklahoma City at Capital One Arena on Friday. loss. Thunder picked up their fourth Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 consecutive victory by beating points and six rebounds to help the struggling, booed-at-home the Knicks win for the second Washington Wizards 134-111 time in three games after a five- behind Russell Westbrook’s 23 game skid that followed a victory points and 12 assists on Friday. in their opener. From 0-4 to 4-4, the Thunder GRIZZLIES 110, JAZZ 100 are clicking right now, led by Mike Conley scored a Westbrook, who missed the first season-high 28 points to lead two games after a procedure on Memphis past short-handed his right knee and sat out the Utah. final quarter of the rout at Shelvin Mack, who played for Washington. Utah from 2015-17, had 19 points, And even though OKC was and Marc Gasol added 17 points, the team playing on the second 10 rebounds and seven assists. night of a back-to-back, it Utah played without star looked a lot fresher and more guard Donovan Mitchell because active than Washington, which of a right hamstring strain. Ricky was coming off a two-day Rubio led the Jazz with 22 points. break and finally got to see new CLIPPERS 120, MAGIC 95 center Dwight Howard return Lou Williams was perfect on from a sore backside to make five 3-point attempts and scored his debut. Howard had 20 28 points to lead Los Angeles past points on 7-of-8 shooting, three Orlando. rebounds and four fouls in 23 Tobias Harris added 21 points minutes. to help the Clippers beat the The Wizards have lost four Magic for the 10th straight time. games in a row to drop to 1-7, Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with and spectators let the players 22 points and 11 rebounds. hear their displeasure in the RAPTORS 107, SUNS 98 second quarter, Bradley Beal Kawhi Leonard scored 19 scored 27 points, and John Wall points and Toronto used a 14-2 had 19 points and nine assists, season-high 28 points and and falling a game short of the Saturday with the expected PACERS 107, BULLS 105 fourth-quarter run to finally put but Washington’s pair of All-Star Houston snapped a four-game NBA Finals. return of James Harden. The Victor Oladipo had 25 points away pesky Phoenix. guards also combined for 12 losing streak. They snapped out of their league MVP missed his third and 14 rebounds, and Darren Jonas Valanciunas added 16 turnovers. Clint Capela finished with 22 slump thanks to one of the best straight game with a strained left Collison made a tiebreaking points and Serge Ibaka 14 for the ROCKETS 119, NETS 111 points and 13 rebounds, and Eric games as a Rocket for Paul, who hamstring and coach Mike jumper with 17.8 seconds left to Raptors, who improved to 8-1, Chris Paul had 32 points, 11 Gordon had 21 points. The had season bests in points and D’Antoni said he would probably help Indiana beat Chicago. the best nine-game start in fran- assists and seven rebounds, Rockets stumbled to a 1-5 start assists in the final game before return for the second half of a KNICKS 118, MAVERICKS chise history. Kyle Lowry had 11 Carmelo Anthony added a a season after winning 65 games his workload should ease back-to-back in Chicago. 106 points and 12 assists.

Afternoon games could Baby-faced All Blacks boost NHL in Europe smash plucky Japan AFP “We’ve put a lot of inexpe- his return after a year out with AP rienced players in a Test match injury by grabbing New Zea- TOKYO: Fly-half Richie against a team that’s been land’s first try to settle nerves in HELSINKI: Aleksander Mo’unga boosted his World Cup playing very well the last couple a side unrecognisable from the Barkov is quick to point out hopes yesterday as he sparked of years,” said All Blacks coach one that beat Australia 37-20 the NHL is so popular in Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers (55) and left a second-string All Blacks side Steve Hansen, who picked a last weekend. Finland that tickets to two wing Lawson Crouse (67) chase a loose puck against Carolina to a 69-31 victory over Japan in weakened side including eight The World Cup holders games in Helsinki sold out in Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) during the third period Tokyo. new caps ahead of next week’s scored quickfire tries as Mo’unga less than five minutes. of their NHL game at Gila River Arena on Friday. Mo’unga scored a try and clash with England at dived over before Laumape “It shows how much they went eight-from-nine with the Twickenham. latched on to a clever kick from love the game,” the Florida boot in a sparkling 22-point “There’s a few risks involved Waisake Naholo to race clear. Panthers said. display for the visitors, who ran in that, but the boys have come Hendrik Tui kept Japan in “There’s good reason to do Panthers beat in 10 tries against the 2019 through and come out the other touch with a controversial effort, that every year.” World Cup hosts. side with a big tick.” New but Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and The NHL is planning just Ngani Laumape bagged a Zealand had racked up a Laumape punched through to that after Commissioner Gary Jets in Finland hat-trick of tries for the world whopping 282 points in their extend New Zealand’s Bettman announced initial champions, while George Bridge previous three meetings with advantage. plans for a 2019 season-opener AP marked his All Blacks debut with Japan, including a World Cup Japan refused to back down, in Prague, two regular-season Arizona gave up in the third a pair after coming on at the record 145-17 demolition of the however, and Timothy Lafaele games in Stockholm and exhi- period. However, Grabner put start of the second half. Brave Blossoms in 1995. bulldozed over in the corner to bitions in Germany and Swit- HELSINKI: Roberto Luongo in Clayton Keller’s pass for the But New Zealand -- resting But Japan stunned the All reduce the deficit to 38-19 at zerland. The Panthers and made 32 saves in his return victory in the extra period. their big-hitters for November Blacks by scoring the game’s half-time. Winnipeg Jets played the 24th from a knee injury and the Alex Goligoski assisted on Tests away to England, Ireland first try just three minutes in, Bridge scored with his first and 25th regular-season games Florida Panthers rallied to Arizona’s first three goals, a and -- were given a snaffled by Samuela Anise after touch as an All Black after a outside North America on beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 on short-handed goal, a power- workout by Japan, who scored he had charged down Jordie superb burst from Mo’unga Thursday and Friday at a Friday night for a two-game play goal and a 5-on-5 score five tries of their own watched Barrett’s attempted clearance. before Japan produced the packed Hartwall Arena in the split in the Finnish capital. before the first period had by a crowd of 43,000. Hooker Dane Coles marked game’s highlight Finnish capital. Keith Yandle, Mike ended. Goligoski and Rich- As the league sows seeds Hoffman, Evgeni Dadonov ardson have scored at least of interest in new markets and Frank Vatrano scored and one point in four straight like China, it is also con- Jonathan Huberdeau added games. Buford and Gilmour top at tinuing to cultivate interest in two assists. The Panthers Antti Raanta had a career- established hockey countries overcame an early 2-1 deficit high 48 saves for Arizona. like , Finland and the for their first regulation Jordan Martinook scored Czech Republic. And there’s victory and third overall win against his former team Doha Golf Club tournament a modest proposal for con- in the first 11 games. midway through the second THE PENINSULA tinuing to stoke the interest Coming off a hat trick period, and Andrei Svech- Kenza Gilmour - Ladies in the sport in Scandinavia Thursday night in Winnipeg’s nikov and Jordan Staal scored Division winner with and across Europe. 4-2 victory, Finnish star late in the second for the Hur- DOHA: 70 Golfers participated “One thing that I know Patrik Laine scored again In ricanes. Petr Mrazek had 21 in Doha Golf Clubs Monthly Mug Jordan Massey, Golf former players have been front of a capacity crowd of saves for the Hurricanes. Sponsored by Megarme. Operations Manager talking about is maybe more 13,500 at Hartwall Arena. Carolina center Sebastian In Mens Division 1, Bob at DGC. games earlier on the Nikolaj Ehlers also connected, Aho came up short in his Buford held off the in form Ruan weekends so they can and captain Blake Wheeler quest to set an NHL record for Jordaan to win by one stroke actually watch,” said Wash- had two assists. consecutive games with an with a total of 40 Stableford ington Capitals center Nicklas Yandle broke a tie on a assist, his streak ending at 12. points. Backstrom, who is Swedish. power play with 26 seconds CANUCKS 7, AVALANCHE 6, The best score of the day “Prime time here is left in the second period, Derek Pouliot scored came in Division 2 where middle of the night there. To driving a slap shot past goalie with 22 seconds left on the Pavandeep Soodan took the make it more popular in Connor Hellebuyck Hoffman clock in overtime, on rookie spoils with a superb score of 42 Europe and Sweden, I think tied it on a power play at 4:59 Elias Pettersson’s third assist Stableford points. more games in the middle of of the second. and fifth point of the game, to Division 3 was won by Sytse the day on the weekends COYOTES 4, HURRICANES 3, lift Vancouver to its third Van’T Sant with a score of 38 would be great. That’s how Michael Grabner scored straight win. points which gave him a three you can get it more popular.” 1:17 into overtime to lift Petterson’s second goal of stroke victory. A crowded sports cal- Arizona to its fifth straight the night tied the score with 36 The Ladies Division was endar in the US with the NFL win. Brad Richardson, seconds remaining in regu- won by Kenza Gilmour who and college football going on Brendan Perlini and Nick lation, just 1:01 after Nathan scored 41 points to win by six during the first half of the Cousins scored first-period MacKinnon second of the game strokes. This was Kenza’s first which made the victory even Mikkel Mathiesen who made a season makes that a goals for a 3-0 lead that gave the Avalanche a 6-5 lead. tournament on the Champi- more special. stunning hole in one on the dif- challenge. onship Course at Doha Golf Club A special mention goes to ficult Par 3 third hole. SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 29

Li takes lead in Turkish Penalty costs Marquez pole Airlines Open final round position as Zarco moves up REUTERS SERIK: China’s Li Haotong AFP “Today I take profit of one of my strongest fired five birdies on the front points, that is I adapt really quick to the condi- nine to grab a three-stroke SEPANG: Yamaha’s Johann Zarco was yesterday tions,” said Marquez. advantage over holder Justin bumped up to pole position for the Malaysian Zarco said he was hoping for another podium Rose and Alexander Levy on MotoGP, taking Marc Marquez’s spot after the finish at today’s MotoGP, after he came third at day three at the Turkish world champion was penalised for an incident Sepang last year. Airlines Open yesterday. involving Italian rider Andrea Iannone. “It would be nice to be on the podium Starting the third round Honda’s Marquez clocked up the fastest lap tomorrow,” he said. three shots off the pace, Li and looked to have secured the 80th pole position But there was disappointment for Ducati’s turned in 29 before sinking a of his career in a rain-hit qualifying session at Andrea Dovizioso, who crashed late on in the race, spectacular eagle at the 10th Sepang, in which he had a minor crash. and ended up clocking only the fifth fastest time. hole to claim a two-shot lead. But after the race, he was hit with a hefty six- The result dented his hopes of winning for a Another birdie at the 12th place grid penalty, meaning he will start in third time in a row in Malaysia and finishing the saw the 23-year-old Li, who seventh. season as runner-up overall. won the Dubai Desert Classic The Spaniard was sanctioned over an incident He is currently second-placed in the overall earlier this season, sign for a involving Suzuki rider Iannone, in which he was standings with nine-time world champion Rossi 63 to set the clubhouse target judged to have been riding irresponsibly and to -- who last won in Malaysia in 2010 -- just 15 points at 17 under par. have got in the Italian’s way on a sharp corner. behind in third. “It’s going to be an The changes mean that Frenchman Zarco will Organisers decided to shift today’s Grand Prix exciting day tomorrow and now start in pole position in Sunday’s Grand Prix forward by two hours to 1:00 pm (0500 GMT) in I’m looking forward to going while Italian legend Valentino Rossi will begin in a bid to avoid the heavy rains that typically fall against Rosey,” Li said of his second place. later in the afternoon in Malaysia. British rival. After a delay of over an hour due to a tropical “For me it is a clever choice (to hold) the race “I definitely got a lot of downpour, Saturday’s qualifying session got at 1:00 pm. We will have more chance for a dry confidence from Dubai and underway with Marquez clocking up the fastest race,” said Rossi. since then I’ve been playing lap time of 2min 12.161 sec fairly early on. “If we wait until 3:00 pm, maybe we don’t a lot of big events.” Marquez managed to maintain his lead despite race.” Overnight leader Rose, a crash after about 10 minutes, which saw him The sudden heavy downpours and humidity who would go back to the top tumble out of the saddle as his bike slipped on a have long been a challenge for riders in the of the world rankings with a sharp turn. Malaysian Grand Prix. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s French rider Johann Zarco rides on victory today, turned in 31 but He got up unhurt, quickly changed to a new The last two editions of the race were both the rain-hit track during the qualifying session of the Malaysia struggled to carry the bike, and continued racing. hit by torrential rains. MotoGP at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang yesterday. momentum on the back nine. The Englishman bogeyed the 10th after finding the water for the second day in a row but birdied the 11th and Zimbabwe captain 12th where he sank a 15-foot Hamilton Masakadza plays putt to get back within one a drive during the opening Langer vows to put shot of the lead. day of the first Test match He saved par on the par- against Bangladesh in five 15th after again finding Sylhet yesterday. water but failed to repeat the smile back into feat on the final hole which he bogeyed to hand Li a cushion heading into today’s final round. Australian cricket Frenchman Levy made the most of the low-scoring conditions at Regnum Carya AFP Golf and Spa Resort to card a 66 and share second spot PERTH: Australia coach Justin Langer with Rose, one shot clear of vowed yesterday to put a smile back into An Australia-South Africa the 2016 champion Thorbjorn cricket as South African skipper Faf Du Olesen of Denmark. Plessis said he expects the sledging to series is always going to be toned down in their one-day series. be competitive but I do The two sides meet in Perth on today suspect this series will for the first time since the Test series in Aussie Lee Williams, Masakadza hit fifties South Africa this year boiled over with be a little bit more toned Australian players attempting to alter the down, especially from the on top after as Zimbabwe rule opening day ball with sandpaper. Australian side: Langer The cheating saw Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft banned, bogey-free AFP SCOREBOARD while David Lehmann quit as coach. Plessis said his team won’t be taking the Cricket Australia chief executive James home side lightly.w second round ZIMBABWE, 1ST INNINGS SYLHET, BANGLADESH: Sean Sutherland has since left and chairman “Whenever you get a chance to play H. Masakadza lbw b Jayed ...... 52 AFP Williams and skipper Hamilton Masa- B. Chari b Taijul ...... 13 David Peever fell on his sword on against Australia it feels like you’re kadza slammed a fifty each as B. Taylor c Nazamul b Taijul ...... 6 Thursday. playing against a very good cricket team,” Zimbabwe made 236-5 on the opening S. Williams c Mehidy b Mahmudullah ...... 88 Langer, Lehmann’s replacement, has he said. TOKYO: Australia’s Minjee day of the first Test against Bangladesh S. Raza b Nazmul ...... 19 pledged to change the win-at-all-costs “When you look at what they’ve got Lee shot a sparkling eight- in Sylhet yesterday. Peter Moor not out ...... 37 culture and said he hoped the first game in their squad at the moment on paper under-par 64 to grab a three- Williams made highest 88 off 179 R. Chakabva not out ...... 20 of the summer at home would be a step there are some fantastic names there stroke lead after the second Extras (lb1) ...... 1 in winning back fans. with the ball and with the bat.” balls after Masakadza hit 52 off 105 balls Total (five ; 91 overs) ...... 236 round of the LPGA Japan to lay the initial foundation for Zim- To bat: B. Mavuta, W. Masakadza, K. Jarvis, T. Chatara “It’s sad, isn’t it. Everyone seems to Australia skipper Aaron Finch, who Classic yesterday. babwe at the Sylhet International Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Chari), 2-47 (Taylor), 3-85 (Masakadza) be at each other. There’s lots of criticism,” has been cleared to play after a scare on Aiming at her second Cricket Stadium, which was hosting its 4-129 (Raza), 5-201 (Williams) he said of the atmosphere surrounding Friday when he was struck on the finger LPGA crown this season, the maiden Test. (to date): Jayed 18-3-61-1, Taijul 27-3-86-2, Ariful 4-1-7- Australian cricket. by a Mitchell Starc , said he was world number five fired eight Bangladesh made some regular 0, Mehidy 21-6-37-0, Nazmul 19-5-42-1, Mahmudullah 2-0-2-1 “What we can do is we can prepare confident their miserable run of form birdies with no bogey at breakthroughs, mostly by their spinners, Toss: Zimbabwe well, we can play good cricket, and be would end. par-72 Seta Golf Club in but lacked the penetrating power to entertaining and put on a good show so “If we can follow our process and do Shiga, improving to 13-under completely unsettle the visiting side The field umpire had turned down Australians can start smiling a bit. our basics well enough that (winning) 131. playing their first Test in 2018. the appeal but replay indicated that the “One thing sport can do and the Aus- will start taking care of itself,” he said. Lee, who was tied for fifth Williams received some support ball had hit the stumps after pitching tralian cricket can do is put smiles on “If you start looking at the end result in the first round, displayed a from Peter Moor as the duo shared 72 outside off. faces rather than everyone throwing purely that’s when you can make some steady performance with pre- runs for the fifth after Bangla- Bangladesh had earlier reviewed a stones at each other.” errors in judgement and fall down that cision shots, while first-round deshi spinners looked to have slowly leg before appeal against Brian Chari Australia have lost 16 of their past way.” leader Ryu So-yeon sank to gained control. off spinner Taijul in vain, as the replay 18 one-day internationals and are des- be tied 13th with three bogeys. Skipper Mahmudullah denied Wil- showed that the ball took a feather perate to get off on the right foot in “I had no bogeys today liams his second Test century when he touch on the bat before hitting the pad. Perth, with two more one-dayers and a and so obviously no bogey forced the left-hander to give a catch Taijul soon bowled Chari, who tried Twenty20 against the Proteas to follow. round is always a solid at slip to Mehidy Hasan after hitting nine to play with a cross bat but failed to Du Plessis said he expected less round,” Lee said afterwards. fours in his patient knock. connect the ball, with a flatter delivery verbal banter on Sunday than in the Asked about her strategy Moor -- who was reprieved on nine that kept low. past. on the final day, she said she by the TV umpire after being initially The spinner then had Brendan “An Australia-South Africa series is Australia coach would “play smart and given leg before wicket off fast bowler Taylor caught by Nazmul Hossain at always going to be competitive but I do Justin Langer aggressive at the same time.” Abu Jayed -- survived the day with 37 forward short leg. Jayed dismissed suspect this series will be a little bit Local favourite Sakura runs. Masakadza in the first over of second more toned down, especially from Koiwai shot seven birdies He was being accompanied by Regis session, hitting the batsman plumb on the Australian side,” he said with a bogey for a 66 fol- Chakabva on 20 at stumps. his back foot a leg before out. yesterday. lowed by compatriot Nasa The opening session belonged to Debutant left-arm spinner Nazmul “Not necessarily from a Hataoka and Jiyai Shin of Masakadza, who won the toss and opted Islam bowled Sikandar Raza for 19 for body language point of view, South Korea one stroke back. to bat, and Bangladesh left-arm spinner his maiden wicket to give Bangladesh but maybe from a verbal point “I’m surprised as I never Taijul Islam, with the latter claiming two their second success in the session. of view.” thought of this result,” Koiwai wickets before finishing the day with Bangladesh left out Mustafizur Despite Australia being said. 2-36. Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Shafiul without Smith and Warner China’s Feng Shanshan, Masakadza led the early charge with Islam, Khaled Ahmed and handed a Test and their poor the two-time defending two sixes off Taijul and four fours but debut to all-rounder Ariful and left-arm one-day form, Du champion, shot 71 to be tied could have been dismissed by debutant spinner Nazmul. 22th, and newly crowned medium pacer Arfiul Haque if Bang- Brandon Mavuta and Wellington world number one Ariya Jut- ladesh had reviewed a leg before Masakadza are also making their Test anugarn was at tied 25th after appeal. debut for Zimbabwe. also carding a 71. 30 SPORT SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2018 Mbappe, steer Neymar of PSG celebrates after score during the PSG to new win record French match against Lille AFP stood since as a record in match. It is not good what he did to get his body in the way of the at Europe’s so-called big five but it is something for the club ball and divert it onto the Stadium in Paris, PARIS: Kylian Mbappe and leagues -- Spain, England, Italy, to sort out,” Tuchel said, adding woodwork. on Friday. Neymar scored late goals to give Germany and France. that Verratti was “lucky” the Mbappe had a shot deflected Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 win The result is a boost for PSG incident did not happen closer just wide as PSG stepped up the over nearest challengers Lille on ahead of their crucial Champions to the game. PSG needed to put pressure after the break, and it Friday as the French champions League trip to Italy to face Napoli the off-field noise behind them was the 19-year-old who broke extended to 12 games their next Tuesday, when a defeat but also try to break down a Lille the deadlock in the 70th minute, perfect start to the season. could leave Thomas Tuchel’s side enjoying their best start to beating Maignan after Neymar’s Mbappe restored smiles at side on the brink of an early exit. a season in 66 years. pass was kindly deflected into the Parc des Princes with a mag- “We deserved the result and ’s side his path by Jose Fonte. nificent strike from just outside the win record. Ligue 1 is not that have been excellent in this cam- That was his 11th goal in the box 20 minutes from time, easy. It is down to our hard paign, but their lively attack did eight Ligue 1 games since and Neymar gave PSG a two- work. We give everything on the not give Gianluigi Buffon much winning the World Cup with goal buffer before Nicolas Pepe field,” skipper told to worry about on his return to France, and Neymar then got his pulled one back for the away Canal Plus. the PSG line-up. ninth in the league this season side from the penalty spot. Mbappe was back in the PSG With Edinson Cavani not to seal the win. PSG extend their lead at the starting line-up after being left involved as he struggles to shake The Brazilian played a top of Ligue 1 to 11 points after a on the bench against Marseille off a thigh injury, Mbappe and one-two with Mbappe before 12th straight league win that last weekend for arriving late for Neymar were the biggest threats firing home from 18 yards with means they have now beaten the pre-game team talk, only to to Lille throughout, after arriving six minutes left, before Lille Tottenham Hotspur’s old record come on and score the opener at the stadium disguised as char- reduced the arrears in stoppage for consecutive wins at the start in a 2-0 win. acters from the Netflix show time, Pepe converting a penalty of a season. also started. Money Heist. awarded for a Thilo Kehrer Spurs emerged victorious “He told me before training Neymar almost scored direct handball. from their opening 11 matches on Wednesday. It was on from a corner five minutes Montpellier can leapfrog in their double-winning 1960-61 Tuesday night, it is not possible before half-time, with Lille goal- Lille and go second if they beat season, a performance that had to do that two days before a keeper Mike Maignan doing well Marseille today.

Bolt not giving Real Madrid scrape past Valladolid up hope on

AFP football career to an explosion of cheers. The expectation on the 18-year-old AFP MADRID: Santiago Solari tasted was high but he delivered, drib- victory in his first La Liga match Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior bling in from the left and in charge of Real Madrid but he celebrates after scoring a goal unleashing a shot from the MELBOURNE: Superstar had the 18-year-old Vinicius during the Spanish league match angle. It took a cruel deflection sprinter Usain Bolt is adamant Junior to thank for their 2-0 win against Real Valladolid FC at the off Olivas and crept inside the he can become a professional over Real Valladolid yesterday. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in corner. footballer despite his trial Solari threw Vinicius on with Madrid yesterday. With the tension lifted, with an Australian club the score goalless and tension Madrid made sure in the 88th ending, insisting yesterday: “I building at the Santiago minute as Benzema was brought still have it”. Bernabeu but the teenage striker down. Ramos chipped the The eight-time Olympic delivered, before Sergio Ramos’ penalty down the middle. champion’s “indefinite” late penalty gave the scoreline a Earlier, try-out period with the deceptively comfortable look. scored a brilliant free-kick but A-League’s Central Coast The opener in the 83rd Atletico Madrid missed the Mariners collapsed on Friday minute was an own-goal, chance to go top after drawing after contract talks failed. deflected off Kiko Olivas, but 1-1 at struggling Leganes. The club reportedly prompted by Vinicius’ weaving Griezmann’s bending effort offered him only a fraction of run and shot, the kind of exu- in the second half looked likely the $2.1m his managers were berance Madrid’s toothless to prove the difference in a seeking, and the outside attack has been so bereft of in contest short on chances at sponsors needed to make the recent weeks. Butarque but Guido Carrillo’s deal viable could not be Vinicius celebrated by 82nd-minute equaliser earned found. running over to the bench and Leganes a deserved point. “It’s sad that it didn’t work hugging Solari. He knows the Atletico could have moved out,” the Jamaican 100m and youngster better than anyone at above Barcelona, for a few hours 200m world record holder the club, having managed him course for a well-deserved point. Benzema all went close with Benzema’s shot was blocked by at least, but instead Diego Sime- told Melbourne’s Herald Sun with Castilla this season. There were whistles at half-time headers, two of them swung in the midriff of Fernando Calero, one’s side sit a point behind the newspaper at the Derby Day Julen Lopetegui had, under- from the home crowd, and from 21-year-old left-back Casemiro’s was palmed away league leaders, who face Rayo horse races in Melbourne, standably, decided Madrid’s B during the second half too. Sergio Reguilon but Valladolid and Bale missed with another Vallecano later on Saturday. where he arrived in a suit, team was the best place for Vin- Instead, Solari and Madrid survived. Then, as Madrid faded, header. Leganes remain 18th and without sunglasses and with a gold- icius to settle but with every head into Wednesday’s Cham- they took control. Again, Valladolid survived a win in five matches. handled cane. chance missed, the youngster’s pions League game against Antonito was sent clear but and again, they came back “We played for more and “But we parted on good reputation has swelled. Viktoria Plzen with their confi- lifted his finish over both Thibaut strong. They hit the crossbar, wanted more but have to settle terms, and that’s a good thing. He started as Madrid dence boosted and momentum Courtois and the crossbar. Enes twice. for a point,” Simeone said. “I had a great experience thrashed Melilla in the Copa del enhanced. Unal nipped in front Nacho but Ruben Alcaraz’s looping “The feeling is bitter-sweet,” with them. The guys were Rey on Wednesday but those They had started well. Their headed wide from six yards. effort plopped off the top but added Saul Niguez. great -- we just couldn’t work were opponents from the best chance of the first half The Real players departed Toni Villa’s left it quivering. “We know it is in these out things with the contract, Spanish third tier. This was arrived in the third minute, to whistles and returned to Madrid were shaking too. matches where the league is but hopefully I get another Solari’s first proper test. Marco Asensio slipping in Karim whistles either side of half-time For the second weekend decided. Leganes played a great chance with another team.” It could so easily have been Benzema, who dragged his finish but there was fresh impetus from running, Bale came off when first half but we have to be Bolt, who retired from ath- different, as Valladolid twice hit wide of the far post. the hosts after the restart. his team needed a goal. Isco more ambitious and should letics last year, has long the crossbar and looked on Gareth Bale, Casemiro and In the space of a minute, and Vinicius came on, the latter have won.” dreamed of becoming a soccer player and had been training with the Mariners since August, sparking global interest when he scored two Bayern Munich’s goals in a pre-season friendly. Celtic hit Hearts for five; Thomas Mueller But the staunch Man- reacts during the chester United fan’s abilities Bundesliga match were questioned by pundits Rangers bounce back against Freiburg at and some players and he has the Allianz Arena, now had trials with clubs in Germany, South Africa, AFP Munich, Germany, manding 3-0 half-time lead. break his side deserved. yesterday. Norway, and Australia to no James Forrest and a Ryan Alfredo Morelos then sealed avail. GLASGOW: Celtic thrashed Christie penalty rounded off the the points in stoppage time. Asked if he would keep leaders scoring as Brendan Rodgers’s Victory moved Rangers into pursuing his quest to become Hearts for the second time in a men have now scored 20 goals third, ahead of Kilmarnock, who a footballer despite another week as the champions closed in their last four league games host Aberdeen on Sunday. setback, the 32-year-old said: to within a point of top spot with after hitting just seven in their A tumultuous week for “For sure. a game in hand thanks to a 5-0 first seven of the season. Hibernian boss Neil Lennon “We’ll see what happens. win yesterday. Rangers remain just four points ended in another disap- I think people are still con- After seeing off the Jambos back of their Glasgow rivals as pointment as the Edinburgh side tacting my agent now about 3-0 in their League Cup semi- ’s side scored were beaten 1-0 by Joe Shaugh- opportunities, so we’ll see in final last weekend, Celtic con- twice in the final 10 minutes in nessy’s late header for St which direction it goes. tinued their stunning return to a 2-0 win to condemn St Mirren Johnstone. “For me, I’ve learned that form after a difficult start to the to a seventh straight defeat. Lennon was hit by coin in a I still have it. campaign with a sixth straight opened the bad-tempered 0-0 derby draw “I figure that I was win in domestic competitions. scoring with what appeared to with Hearts in midweek and improving a lot, so as you can French striker Odsonne be an attempted cross, but after believes he has consistently see from the first game to the Edouard scored twice to take his the disappointment of losing to been the target of anti-Irish last game, I really improved tally for the season to 11, while Aberdeen in the League Cup racism during his time in and did better. I’ve learned on-loan Leicester defender Filip semi-finals and being held by Scotland, firstly as a player and that it’s a little bit harder, but Benkovic scored his first goal for Kilmarnock in midweek, manager of Celtic and now in it’s all about dedication and the club to give the hosts a com- Gerrard insisted that was a the capital. work with the team.” SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 31

Bayern held EPL: Gray lifts grief-stricken at home, lose ground to Dortmund

Leicester; United hit back AFP AFP Leicester City manager Claude Puel applauds the fans during the English Premier League cancelled out by Anthony Mar- match against Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, yesterday. tial’s 35th-minute effort as BERLIN: Bayern Munich LONDON: Leicester paid an United survived a series of leaked a late equaliser in emotional tribute to Vichai missed chances from the hosts. yesterday’s 1-1 home draw to Srivaddhanaprabha as the grief- It was United’s third victory Freiburg to leave them four stricken club won 1-0 at Cardiff in their last four Premier League points adrift of Borussia following their owner’s tragic games, but boss Jose Mourinho Dortmund before next week- death, while Marcus Rashford was furious with his side’s latest end’s Bundesliga showdown. fired Manchester United to a sloppy start. Having laboured to a 2-1 dramatic 2-1 victory over “I said at half-time I was the win at fourth-tier part-timers Bournemouth yesterday. luckiest manager in the Premier Roedinghausen in the Thai billionaire Vichai was League in a half when the score German Cup on Tuesday, among five people killed when should be like 6-2,” Mourinho Bayern struggled again at the his helicopter crashed outside said. Allianz Arena - exactly a Leicester’s King Power Stadium “We were defensively awful. week before they face leaders following last Saturday’s match The first half was a disaster. Dortmund away in a top-of- against West Ham. “The second half was much the-table clash. The horrific accident trig- better. We created lots of “It’s been weeks now that gered a week of mourning in chances and deserved to score we’ve not been showing our Leicester and around the world before the 92nd minute.” best football, and when this of football. Newcastle earned their first happens, things don’t come With Vichai’s funeral league win this season as Ayoze as easily as usual,” admitted underway on Saturday in Perez’s 66th-minute header Bayern captain Manuel Bangkok, Leicester headed to sealed a 1-0 success against Neuer. Cardiff for a match that served Watford at St James’ Park. This was the first time as a chance to honour their late After 10 matches without a Freiburg have left Munich owner and begin the healing testament to the family Vichai scoreboards behind either goal. to reveal a message that read victory, Rafael Benitez’s side with a point since 1997. process. built,” Schmeichel said. Leicester’s players and staff “For Vichai”. finally broke their duck to climb Bayern’s star-studded While results have been ren- “That took a lot. It has been linked arms on the centre circle It earned Gray a booking out of the relegation zone. attack needed 80 minutes to dered irrelevant by the crash, it an emotional day. I’m glad we to pay tribute during a poignant from referee Lee Probert in a Richarlison’s brace inspired break the deadlock when was fitting that Leicester took the got three points for him. silence that left Schmeichel in move that followed the letter of Everton’s 3-1 win over Brighton Serge Gnabry dribbled points in their first match since “I can’t imagine what his tears. the law, but showed little at Goodison Park. through the defence and Vichai’s death, thanks to family are going through. We did Two giant flags in memory common sense given the Brazil forward Richarlison struck his shot low into the Demarai Gray’s second-half it for him and his family.” of Vichai were unfurled, one of circumstances. opened the scoring following a bottom right-hand corner. winner at the Cardiff City Leicester’s players had worn them being passed from Cardiff Leicester’s players huddled fine counter-attack in the 27th However, Freiburg Stadium. white t-shirts bearing Vichai’s supporters to their Leicester together in celebration at full- minute. showed heart when Lucas Leicester goalkeeper Kasper image and the words “The Boss” counterparts, as the game got time, with many of them due to Lewis Dunk headed Hoeler got in between Bay- Schmeichel felt the tragedy more on the front of them during the underway. fly to Thailand to join Vichai’s Brighton level six minutes later, ern’s burly centre-backs than most as he witnessed the pre-match warm-up. Claude Puel’s team, playing funeral immediately after the but Seamus Coleman restored Niklas Suele and Jerome immediate aftermath of the On the back an inscription with poise and desire despite game. Everton’s lead in the 50th minute Boateng to equalise on 89 crash moments after the heli- read “Khun Vichai You Will Be their traumatic week, finally had At Dean Court, Rashford’s and Richarlison sealed the points minutes and leave Munich copter went down. Forever In Our Hearts”. a cathartic moment in the 55th close-range finish in stoppage- in the 77th minute. head coach Niko Kovac “I feel proud. It’s been a A minute’s silence was minute. time helped United hit back after West Ham ended a three- shaking his head in really tough week for everyone. impeccably observed, with a A superb cross from Ben a dismal opening period. match winless league run with frustration. The way everyone at the club wreath laid on the pitch and Chilwell was finished off by Gray, Callum Wilson’s 11th-minute a 4-2 victory against Burnley at “Things would have been handles themselves is a images of Vichai shown on the who celebrated by lifting his shirt opener for Bournemouth was the London Stadium. much easier if ‘Lewy’ (Robert Lewandowski) had put his chance away,” said Kovac after Lewandowski wasted several chances. “The second half was Four Balkan countries consider 2030 hectic, we’re disappointed.” There could be more bad news coming for Kovac as Borussia Moenchengladbach World Cup and Euro 2028 bids can leap-frog Bayern into second by beating strugglers REUTERS Borissov told a news conference during The English Football Association has unsuccessful bids to host the tournament Fortuna Duesseldorf at home a summit between Bulgaria, Greece, already announced plans to conduct a fea- including 2026, has also said it would try on Sunday. BULGARIA: Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and and Serbia in the Black Sea city sibility study into a joint bid for the 2030 again for 2030. Algeria and Tunisia are Dortmund restored their Romania are considering a joint bid to of Varna. tournament along with Northern Ireland, considering joining Morocco in a joint four-point lead over Bayern host the 2030 World Cup and the Tsipras said the four countries would Scotland and Wales. North African bid. with a 1-0 win at Wolfsburg European championship two years earlier, discuss the possibility of becoming can- The Football Association of Ireland World governing body FIFA are not as club captain Marco Reus Balkan countries’ officials said on Friday. didates for a major sporting event within said it will join them in exploring the expected to vote to decide the 2030 hosts headed their first-half No Balkan nation has hosted the 10 years. potential bid. A South American tri-nation before 2022, when the World Cup is winner. World Cup while the former Yugoslavia, “Just as Bulgaria and Italy hosted the bid involving Argentina, Uruguay and Par- headed to Qatar. Serbian President Ale- Injuries to Lukasz Pis- which broke up in 1991, hosted the four- world volleyball championship (in Sep- aguay has already been announced for ksandar Vucic said the Balkan quartet will zczek and Marcel Schmelzer country European Championships in tember), the four countries -- Serbia, 2030. The bid is designed to coincide with also bid to host the European champi- meant Dortmund had to 1976.“I think it is worth discussing the pro- Greece, Romania and Bulgaria -- (can) the 100th anniversary of the first World onship in 2028, adding it would give them reshuffle their defence and posal of (Greek Prime Minister Alexis) bid to host the world (soccer) champi- Cup, which took place in Uruguay in 1930. a chance to improve their stadiums and struggled to finish their Tsipras,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko onship in 2030,” Borissov said. Morocco, which has made five sports infrastructure. chances. Al Rayyan storm to 2-0 win over Qatar SC

THE PENINSULA Myong-Jin fed him with a there are players who have not defence-splitting through pass. received any rest of late. So we DOHA: Al Rayyan blanked Qatar Koh was at it again in the focus on their recovery and we SC 2-0 in Week 11 of the QNB 65th minute, but this time, Lucca are not making them train rig- Stars League at the Qatar SC and then Soria failed to connect orously for fear of injuries,” said Stadium yesterday. his cross at the goalmouth. Maaloul. Musa Haroon (16th minute) Qatar SC’s Rami Fayez, who Al Duhail player Sultan Al and Sebastian Soria (58th) scored returned from an injury layoff, Breik said, “Al Arabi are a strong the goals. Ali Awad and Hussein Ali all tried team despite their slump in form Al Rayyan now have 21 their best as the game wore on. of late. This game demands points. Qatar SC remained on 11. However, the scoreline remained highest concentration and deter- Al Rayyan, who last week unchanged. mination on the pitch from our occupied the second position in In the other match, Al Ahli side.” Al Arabi coach Hatem Al standings, thus stayed on course defeated Al Khor 2-0. Moaddeb said: “We are desperate for the title as the first leg came Meanwhile, Al Duhail coach to improve our position in the to a close. Nabil Maaloul said they will go table, so we will play with great The Lions had advantage in for a win against Al Arabi. concentration and put in extra ball possession in the first half, “It is league action again efforts, so we can achieve a good but The Kings made it slightly in after we played in the midweek result. We will work on our mis- their favour (51 per cent) as the against Al Sailiya. Al Arabi are takes and do our best to arrest match ended despite the defeat. going through tough times the slump. Our focus will also be Haroon took Al Rayyan despite the excellent start they on reducing the mistakes. ahead by heading in a Rodrigo made at the start of the season. “Football is more about what Tabata corner. “They have players who are happens on the field, not entirely With Cameroonian great capable of putting up out- on the names. We will do our Action from the QNB Stars League match Samuel Eto’o and bright young standing displays and we have best to achieve a positive result,” between Al Rayyan and Qatar SC yesterday. prospect Ahmed Moein out of to be wary of them. We want to said Hatem. action, Qatar SC found it tough continue in the same way and Al Arabi player Mudir to make inroads. we do not look at the results of Abdrabo said, “We will do our Yet, they created chances. other teams. We go into each best to win this crucial game and Syrian striker Osama Omari hit opportunity before the teams Brazilian striker Lucca Borges Jassim Al Hail. match with victory in mind. restore our reputation. Our prep- wide of the mark and went into the break. came up with a header off Al Rayyan doubled the lead “I am afraid of players’ arations are going on well. Hope- Mohammed Jabri shot over the Qatar SC put up an improved Mohammed Juma cross, only to when Soria evaded the offside fatigue during this period. The fully, we will tide over this dif- crossbar. Ali Jasemi too got an performance in the latter session. be thwarted by goalkeeper trap and beat Al Hail after Koh team plays every four days and ficult phase soon.” SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 27 To break the long-standing record is very satisfying. There have been many FIA Middle East TODAY’S ACTION memories along the way and many battles Rally Champion Al Duhail vs Al Arabi with some great drivers. Now we can look Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah @ Al Duhail Stadium - 5.15pm to the future and pushing ahead with more Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Sailiya records of our own. @ At Al Khor Stadium - 7.25pm Qatar’s Al Attiyah seals 14th MERC title with seventh win in Kuwait THE PENINSULA 2018 KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL RALLY Ronan Morgan, Chris Patterson Positions after SS13: and Giovanni Bernacchini. The ARIFJAN, KUWAIT: Record- success also marked an aston- 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel breaking Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah ishing 15th regional title in 16 (FRA) Ford Fiesta R5: 1hr 58min 24.8sec confirmed a 14th FIA Middle East seasons for Ken Skidmore’s 2. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al Kuwari Rally Championship (MERC) title Autotek Motorsport operation, (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X: 2hrs 10min 43.8sec with a dominant victory in the which also guided the late Misfer 3. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah (QAT)/Nicola Arena 25th Kuwait International Rally Al Marri to the title in 2010. (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X: 2hrs 26min 28.3sec at Kuwait Motor Town yesterday. “This a fantastic result for me 4. Vojtĕch Štajf (CZE)/Ladislav Kučera (CZE) The Qatari’s seventh win in and the whole team after another Škoda Fabia R5: 2hrs 29min 30.7sec Kuwait and his 69th career excellent season,” said Al Attiyah. 5. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi MERC win (68 rally wins) secured “To break the long-standing Lancer Evo X: 2hrs 40min 21.3sec the record-breaking 14th record is very satisfying. There 6. Abdullah Al Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al Hmoud regional title by the margin of have been many memories along (JOR) Subaru Impreza: 2hrs 49min 39.7sec 12min 19.2sec. the way and many battles with 7. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Škoda Al Attiyah now has the record some great drivers. Now we can Fabia: 2hrs 57min 43.4sec for the number of MERC titles to look to the future and pushing 8. Ihab Al Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) himself after FIA official Jerôme ahead with more records of our Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX: 3hrs 00min 03.5sec Roussel examined the archives own.” 9. Shadi Shaban (JOR)/Tarek Al Taher (JOR) recently and confirmed that the Kuwaiti driver Meshari Al Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX: 3hrs 07min 22.6sec 1989 regional series had been Thefiri and Nasser Al Kuwari Matthieu Baumel celebrate with his supporters after winning the cancelled because only three began the day in second overall 25th Kuwait International Rally at Kuwait Motor Town yesterday. 2018 FIA MIDDLE EAST RALLY rallies had taken place and Dubai and the local star drove at a CHAMPIONSHIP driver Mohammed Ben Sulayem measured pace to confirm his Positions after round 4 (Top 11): had actually won 13th official fourth MERC 2/Group N title in hadn’t taken part in an MERC leg because of a differential issue, pushed Al Attiyah hard on some 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) 146pts championship titles. the regional series. event since the 2007 Dubai he and Italian navigator Nicola stages. He has already secured 2. Vojtĕch Štajf (CZE) 93pts Al Attiyah’s French co-driver Lebanon’s Henry Kahy and International Rally, but the Arena bounced back to round off the runner-up spot in the cham- 3. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT) 59pts Matthieu Baumel secured his Jordanian navigator Musa Djiy- former QMMF President and FIA the podium positions. pionship and rewarded his 4. Roger Feghali (LBN) 38pts third regional title and his 17th erian celebrated the driver’s first Vice-President acclimatised to Vojtech Stajf missed out on mechanics’ hard work on Friday 5. Khaled Juma (JOR) 32pts MERC event win to move ahead MERC 3 title success in a two- the tricky conditions with the regional title, but the Czech afternoon with a solid fourth- 6. Christos Demostheous (CYP) 25pts of John Spiller and into third in wheel drive Skoda Fabia. aplomb. Despite missing out on has enjoyed an impressive debut placed finish in his Škoda Fabia 7. Rodolphe Asmar (LBN) 24pts the regional Hall of Fame behind Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah points for finishing the opening season in the regional series and R5. 8. Henry Kahy (LBN) 21pts The 2018 MERC concludesdes 9. Eddy Karam (LBN) 19pts with the Manateq Internationalnalal 9. Alexandros Tsouloftas (CYP) 19pts Rally of Qatar on Novemberbeerr 9. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah (QAT) 19pts 15-17. 2018 FIA MERC 2 Positions after round 4 (Top 8): 1. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT) 117pts 2. Khaled Juma (JOR) 49pts 3. Savvas Savva (CYP) 37pts 4. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR) 33pts 5. Costas Zenonos (CYP) 30pts 6. Ahmed Shaban (JOR) 25pts 6. George Englezou (CYP) 25pts 8. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah (QAT) 24pts 2018 FIA MERC 3 Positions after round 4 (Top 3): 1. Henry Kahy (LBN) 127pts 2. Rony Kanaan (LBN) 39pts 3. Panayiotis Xenophontos (CYP) 37pts

Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel drive their Ford Fiesta R5 yesterday.

‘Incredible’ Wang Khachanov crushes Thiem outplays Muguruza to make Zhuhai final to reach Paris Masters final REUTERS Alexander Zverev in the quarters and AFP The 11th seed, who beat PARIS: Karen Khachanov showed negotiated John Isner’s huge serves Keys on Friday night in a why he is one of the finest young in the last-16. ZHUHAI, CHINA: China’s round-robin match, said she talents in tennis as he powered into Thiem, the world number eight number one Wang Qiang had hardly any time to get the final of the Paris Masters with a who on Friday had booked his place hailed a “miracle” after she ready for the semi-final. thunderous 6-4, 6-1 victory in the ATP Finals, was out of sorts outclassed double grand slam Barty earlier overcame over Dominic Thiem and seemed discomfited from the winner Garbine Muguruza defending champion Julia yesterday. start by the depth and power of the yesterday to book a place in Goerges 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The 22-year-old, 6ft groundstrokes he has seen so often the final of the WTA Elite The Australian grew into 6 in Russian, already the owner of from his regular practice partner. Trophy. the semi-final against Ger- two indoor hard court titles this year, Remarkably, the Austrian saw his The 26-year-old took full many’s Goerges, seeded fifth, moved one step away from the powerful serve broken five times in advantage of a late call-up to and dominated the third set to biggest title of his career at the Bercy a row by Khachanov at the end of the semi-final tie in Zhuhai book her place in today’s final. indoor arena, crushing his Austrian the first set and throughout a sur- after American Madison Keys Goerges, who celebrated friend in 70 one-sided minutes. prisingly one-sided second. pulled out just hours before the her 30th birthday on Friday, Khachanov will now play his “It was really intense the first match started. dropped two service games in first Masters 1000 final today couple of games and at 4-4, when Spurred on by home fans the deciding set as her against the winner of the block- there was more pressure coming, I at the Hengqin International 22-year-old opponent motored buster second semi between Novak broke him and took the lead,” said Tennis Center, Wang domi- to victory. Djokovic, who will be back to world Khachanov. nated the former world Barty told her post-match number one tomorrow, and Roger Asked about the great player number one, winning 11 games press conference: “It’s always Federer, who was seeking a 100th that he will meet in the final, he in a row to take the match 6-2, nice to get better as a match career title. smiled and said: “I’m going to watch 6-0 and set up a showdown goes on. I felt pretty good phys- “It was one of my best matches, (Federer-Djokovic) definitely and any against Ashleigh Barty. ically out there.” and what I’m happy about is that I scenario is good for me.” The world number 22 Goerges, who played a Russia’s Karen Khachanov returns the was increasing my level, which shows It was a hugely disappointing looked calm and focused tough final round-robin ball to Austria’s Dominic Thiem during that I’m becoming a better day for 25-year-old Thiem, who had player,” Khachanov said. reached the French Open final in during the 73-minute semi- match against Elise Mertens their men’s singles semi-final match of The 18th ranked Muscovite Paris in June but who is still final, while Muguruza on Thursday night, said: “I the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Rolex overpowered a third top-10 player searching for the first Masters title appeared out of sorts and frus- think my body beat me a bit Paris Masters at The AccorHotels Arena in successive days, having hammered his talent merits. trated, clattering her racket on today, and Ashleigh obvi- in Paris yesterday. to the court in the second set. ously, too.