Djokovic sets up blockbuster final with Nadal PAGE 13

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 2018

Qatar to face Argentina in Copa America, fairly easy draw for hosts Brazil PAGE 12 AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL (11.30AM)

WE ACHIEVED SOMETHING THAT IS HISTORY FOR US: COACH FELIX SANCHEZ

Qatar’s players celebrate their victory with coach Felix Sanchez at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Friday. (Right) Qatar players do a salute to themselves soon after the history-making triumph against South Korea. ‘We played a great game. The players made a huge effort’ Qatar will play UAE in Asian Cup 2019 semis Gem of a goal DPA In an attritional contest ABU DHABI Abdelaziz Hatim, who had earlier collected the A magnificent long-range booking which rules him strike from Abdelaziz Hatim lifted Qatar 1-0 over South Ko- out of the semi-final, rea in Abu Dhabi on Friday to produced a moment of set up a last four meeting with quality to separate the hosts teams. His shot from 25 in their first ever Asian Cup yards perhaps caught semi-final. Hatim struck with just 12 keeper Kim Seung Gyu minutes remaining to settle a unaware but hit the bottom scrappy game in which chanc- corner at tremendous pace. es were rare. The 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar now meet the UAE, 1-0 he was fouled by Mohammed winners over champions Aus- Abdulrahman and casually tralia, in Tuesday’s second knocked the ball back to Mat semi-final. Ryan only for to Ali Mabkhout bagged the pounce and score. only goal in Al Ain to contin- A video review failed to ue the UAE’s bid to replicate save Degenek’s blushes and reaching the final in their pre- the Socceroos reign as cham- vious tournament as hosts 23 pions was coming to an end. years ago. Roared on by a sold-out South Korean star Son crowd – a rarity in the compe- Heung Min was largely kept tition – at the Hazza Bin Zayed quiet by the excellent Qa- Qatar’s Abdelaziz Hatim (No. 6) celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the 78th minute of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea in Abu Dhabi on Friday. (AFP) Stadium, the UAE had the first tari defence, who have yet to chance when Ismail al Hama- concede in the tournament, perhaps caught keeper Kim very good for the country.” hit the post, with the game Afif easily held by Kim. come back Abdelkarim Has- di’s poked shot was saved by though they had a let-off Seung Gyu unaware but hit South Korea responded goalless, when Sheeb looked Son alternated on the san and who Ryan. when Hwang Ui Jo’s potential the bottom corner at tremen- immediately when Hwang beaten. flanks rather than his previous were banned from their first Alberto Zaccheroni’s UAE equaliser was disallowed for a dous pace. turned in Kim Young Gwon’s “I think during the 90 min- number 10 role but had little victorious quarter-final from started without the injured marginal offside. “We achieved something cross but the assistant flagged utes we created not too many impact. While he helped his three attempts. Khalifa Mubarak and sus- The first semi-final is be- that is history for us,” Qatar and the video referee con- opportunities but more than country’s under-23 side to the Australia started the sec- pended Khamis Esmaeel and tween record champions Ja- coach Felix Sanchez said. “It firmed the decision. the opponent, or more clear Asian Games last September - ond half strongly and forward were dealt a further blow when pan and Iran on Monday with was difficult for us to keep the The Koreans will rue Lee [chances] than the opponent,” which ensured an exemption Apostolos Giannou, one of defender Mohamed Gharib the final February 1. ball in the first 25 minutes but Chung Yong’s inexplicable South Korea coach Paulo Ben- from military service – their two newcomers to a reshuf- went off with a knock. In an attritional contest we were very organised and back-post miss after keeper to said. Asian Cup title drought from fled team due to ’s They should have gone Hatim, who had earlier col- did not concede many clear Saad Al Sheeb misjudged a “In resume, the oppo- 1960 continues. suspension, was denied by off- in front in first half injury lected the booking which rules chances. cross and their inability to get nent was more effective than Hatim, harshly, and Bas- side as he tried to celebrate his time when Mabkhout sent a him out of the semi-final, pro- “We played a great game, the best out of captain Son, of- our team.” sam al Rawi, deservedly, 29th birthday with a goal. free header just over but this duced a moment of quality to these players made a huge ef- ten isolated on the wing. A nondescript first half in- picked up yellow cards that But they were shocked in third of the tournament mid- separate the teams. fort. I congratulate them, I They were also unlucky cluded only one shot on target, rule them out of the next the 68th minute when Milos way through the second half His shot from 25 yards think they did something very, when Kim Jin Su’s free kick an effort from Qatar’s Akram game though Qatar can wel- Degenek appeared to think proved decisive.

OMANIS’ SUPPORT, FANS’ LOVE POURS IN FOR AL ANNABI

Thousands of Omani and other football fans among the total 13,700 at the stadium supported Qatar during their key clash with South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 quarter-final at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Friday.(EPA-EFE) 12 Saturday, January 26, 2019 Sports

Ogier leads Monte Carlo opener as Tanak drops back Hosts Brazil get fairly easy draw, Qatar

REUTERS MONTE CARLO set to face Argentina in Copa America SIX-TIMES world champion Sebastien Ogier led the season- AGENCIES rivals he said his aim was to opening Monte Carlo Rally RIO DE JANEIRO triumph. at the halfway stage on Fri- “It’s going to be difficult day after overnight leader Ott FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts and no matter who we play Tanak suffered a puncture and Qatar, making their debut in we have to win,” he told re- dropped down the standings. the South American tourna- porters. “The idea is that we The Frenchman, who has ment as guests, found them- are as good as anyone; we switched from M-Sport Ford selves in a tough Group B just need to keep notching up to Citroen, led Hyundai’s 2018 alongside Argentina, Colom- the victories.” overall runner-up Thierry Neu- bia and Paraguay at the 2019 They could also be with- ville by two seconds after the Copa America draw in Rio de out Lionel Messi. The Barce- day’s six stages in the French Janeiro on Thursday. lona forward took a sabbati- Alps north of the principality. Hosts Brazil were given a cal from international soccer Ogier, who won four of his kind draw and will face Peru, after a disappointing World titles with Volkswagen and the Venezuela and Bolivia. Cup in Russia and has not others with M-Sport, is chas- The third of the three top said whether he will return to ing his sixth successive Monte seeds Uruguay are in perhaps play in Brazil. Carlo win. Hyundai’s Norwe- the most difficult Group C, The Copa America is the gian Andreas Mikkelsen was in along with the other invited oldest international tour- third place while Tanak fell to side Japan, plus Ecuador and nament in the world and is seventh, the Estonian now two reigning champions Chile. Argentina, meanwhile, played between the 10 South and a half minutes off the pace This year’s tournament have reached the last two fi- American nations and invit- after stopping to change a wheel will kick off with Brazil The groups for the 2019 Copa America are displayed during the draw of the tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, nals of the Copa America and ed teams. on his Toyota. against Bolivia in Sao Paulo Brazil on Thursday. The 2019 Copa America will be held in Brazil between June 14 and July 7. (AFP) lost both times on penalties. In addition to Rio de Ja- Neuville moved into the on June 14 and take place in Another loss would extend a neiro and Sao Paulo, matches lead after stage four and was five Brazilian cities. The final perform at the highest level, former Brazil captain Cafu Brazil and Argentina. trophy drought that stretches will be held in Porto Alegre, 3.4 seconds up at lunchtime but is at Rio de Janeiro’s Marac- to play with joy and to be and aided by soccer luminar- The host nation have not back to 1993. Belo Horizonte and Salvador. then lost some 19 seconds after ana stadium on July 7. proud of representing Bra- ies like former Inter Milan won a major title since lifting The two-times World Cup “Undoubtedly, there is going down an escape route “People have questioned zil.” defender Javier Zanetti, Uru- the Copa America in 2007 winners will come to the tour- always a great respect and on the sixth stage when he ap- me about the draw and some “We need to play really guayan Diego Lugano and six and coach Tite, whose side nament with Lionel Scaloni admiration for Brazil’s foot- proached a corner too quickly. said, it’s easy, others said, well, and that’s how you be- times FIFA Player of the year were knocked out the World in charge and although the balling culture,” said Chilean “That mistake cost us the be careful,” Brazil coach Tite come champions.” Marta. It marked the starting Cup at the quarter-final stage interim coach, who has a coach Reinaldo Rueda. chance to hold the lead,” said said. The draw at a cavernous gun for what promises to be last year, is under pressure to contract until after the Copa, “I think that will guaran- the Belgian. “Our responsibility is to Rio concert hall was led by a high pressure year for both deliver some silverware. would not be drawn on his tee a great tournament.” World John Rahm takes early lead at Grand Prix Qatar Farmers, Woods opens with 70 begins at Aspire AFP LOS ANGELES QNA will be eager to get on the stage. JON Rahm had two eagles The first day of the tour- on his front nine in a sizzling THE Fencing Grand Prix Qa- nament was set for the men’s 10-under 62 Thursday to grab tar 2019 began at the Aspire qualifiers. Qatar’s Moham- a one-shot lead at the Farmers Done on Friday. About 372 mad Ali Mirzaei succeeded in Insurance Open where Tiger players from 55 countries are reaching the second round, Woods is making his 2019 de- competing for top honours in the first time a Qatari fencer but. various categories. has achieved this. The na- ’s Rahm, whose first Forty-eight fencers quali- tional team representatives win on the US PGA Tour came fied for the round of 64 primarily comprise young at this event two years ago, is which will see the participa- players looking to gain expe- one stroke ahead of world num- tion of the top 16 seeders in rience from playing with the ber one Justin Rose and Ameri- the world. World champion world’s top 32 players. can Doug Ghim, who both shot Yannick Borel of , The tournament contin- nine-under 63s. World No.2 Bogdan Nikishin ues on Saturday with wom- “There’s a lot of happiness and World No.3 Sangyoung en’s competitions set to take going on in this area for me, so Park from Ukraine and South the centre-stage. Qatar will I just feel I’m going to play good Korea respectively will also parade 11 female fencers, when I tee up,” Rahm said. make their tournament bow. headlined by both Sara and Fourteen time major win- In the women competi- Haya Diab, Thkrayat al Ab- ner Woods birdied his last hole tions, Tunisia’s Sarra Besbes dulla, Aisha Al Baker, and of the day to post a 70 and is and ’s Mara Navarria Noof al Mazrooei. eight shots back of Rahm at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. Taiwan’s C.T. Pan is fourth after shooting a 64 and Jordan Spieth is alone in fifth with a Tiger Woods plays his shot from the second tee on the South Course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf seven-under 65. Course in San Diego, California on Thursday. (AFP) The 24-year-old Rahm came into the event as one of Rahm’s last win came in the coming off a tie for 34th at last two. fully I’ll have a better handle on the hottest players on the tour Hero World Challenge in the week’s Desert Classic near Palm “A couple under par on the tomorrow. and his start reflected that as Bahamas in December. He has Springs. South Course is not something “It was nice to have some he eagled both par-fives on his four straight top-10 finishes. Rose shot a bogey-free 63 to sneeze at, but now I have to juice flow in the system again, front nine, including the open- He is the youngest champi- that included an eagle and sev- shoot a low one tomorrow,” said it’s been a while.” ing hole. on in tournament history, win- en birdies. Like Rahm he began Woods, who hit half his fair- He has won this event sev- Rahm, who began on the ning at age 22 and two months. with an opening eagle on the ways and made one 29 foot putt en times, but not since 2013. 10th tee on the North Course, “This is probably my favour- par-five 10th. on the 13th hole. Woods also captured the last of sailed his approach to inside of ite area,” Rahm said. “If you Woods, who is playing his “I felt pretty comfortable his 14 majors at the US Open on 10 feet from the flag and then take into account the town and first official tournament since with everything today,” Woods this course in 2008. rolled in the putt for an eagle. the vibe around Torrey Pines, winning last year’s Tour Cham- said. “I felt like I drove it halfway World number eight Rory The world number seven this is my favourite golf course pionship, finished with five decent and irons were good. McIlroy fired a one-under 71 in also eagled the par-five 17th. He and golf tournament.” birdies, three bogeys and 10 “Playing at competitive his Torrey Pines debut and de- finished with seven birdies and Rose, who won the Turk- pars for a share of 53rd place. speed again, I didn’t quite hit all fending champion Jason Day of Fencer Mohammad Ali Mirzaei became the first Qatari to make the one bogey which came on his ish Airlines Open on the Eu- He played on the South Course my irons pin high like I normal- Australia shot five-under 67 and second round of the Grand Prix. back nine. ropean Tour in November, is which is the more difficult of the ly do. That’s something hope- is tied for 15th. Chelsea edge out Spurs on penalties to set Ahead of FA Cup tie, Guardiola up League Cup final showdown against City says Quadruple talk is ‘fantasy’ REUTERS But a visit from rivals Tot- LONDON tenham, with a Wembley final AFP were stunned in the FA Cup at stake, provided the incen- MANCHESTER fifth round by Wigan last CHELSEA produced the per- tive for a far sharper display, season, is clearly taking no fect response to manager Mau- with Hazard at the heart of PEP Guardiola insists talk of risks against Sean Dyche’s rizio Sarri’s weekend criticism Chelsea’s attacking endeav- Manchester City winning an Burnley. to beat London rivals Totten- our. unprecedented quadruple is And he has ruled out us- ham Hotspur on penalties on “I think that they reacted a “fantasy” as he prepares to ing unproven young players, Thursday and set up a League well tonight,” Sarri, who has return to FA Cup action. as he did against Burton in Cup final showdown against never won a trophy told re- City are the only English midweek, when City continue holders Manchester City. porters. “But I didn’t attack club left with a chance of win- their FA Cup campaign. Trailing 1-0 from the semi- my players. I just said we had ning the Premier League, the Philippe Sandler, Eric final first leg, Chelsea turned a problem. The reaction was FA Cup, the League Cup and Garcia, Phil Foden and Ian the tie on its head with goals very good but we need to have the Champions League this Poveda-Ocampo were all used by N’Golo Kante and Eden motivation with continuity season. in a tie City eventually won by Hazard in the first half but now. Guardiola’s side booked an aggregate 10-0. Fernando Llorente struck for “In the last three or four their place in the League Cup Pep Guardiola But none will feature Spurs in an enthralling Stam- matches we were not able to Final, where they will meet against Burnley, with Guar- ford Bridge duel. be dangerous. Tonight was Chelsea in February, after win in his first two years in diola saying: “They have to be Christian Eriksen scored Chelsea’s players react after winning the Carabao League Cup semi better.” defeating third tier minnows charge at the Etihad Stadium. prepared just in case. We now Tottenham’s first spot-kick final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge Sta- It was all in vain for Po- Burton Albion this week. “We are able to try to win have everyone fit except Vin- but team mate Eric Dier, the dium in London on Thursday. (EPA-EFE) chettino’s side as they faltered They sit four points be- tomorrow (Saturday). That is ny (Kompany), everyone can hero of England’s World Cup with a domestic final in sight. hind leaders Liverpool in the all I can assure you. Anything play, tomorrow there will be shootout win over Colombia Chelsea into their 15th cup fi- trophy since beating Chelsea “We are disappointed but Premier League and return to else is fantasy,” Guardiola told no players from the academy.” last year, fired over and Lu- nal in 17 years. in the 2008 League Cup final. it’s a massive success to get to European action next month reporters. France defender Benja- cas Moura’s penalty was well- Spurs, who were without After Chelsea’s 2-0 week- the semi-final with all the cir- when they have a favourable “Always we try to have min Mendy, out for over two saved by goalkeeper Kepa Ar- Harry Kane, scorer of a pen- end Premier League defeat at cumstances,” he said. last 16 draw against German a strong team. The fact it is months with a knee injury, rizabalaga. alty in the first leg, and Eng- Arsenal, Sarri raised eyebrows “We’re so disappointed side Schalke. against a Premier League like also made a return against Chelsea’s penalties were land team mate Dele Alli, both by accusing his players of be- to lose in that way, but it can This weekend, City play Burnley, we are going to play Burton. more clinical and David Luiz because of injury battled hard ing “difficult to motivate” and happen. The players were Burnley in the FA Cup fourth with the best team to win the “He had his first 25 or 30 slotted past Paulo Gazzaniga but their wait for silverware publicly demanded more of brave and with all the circum- round -- the only domestic game, we believe.” minutes after a long time out to seal the victory and send goes on. They have not won a his Belgium forward Hazard. stances I can only feel proud.” competition Guardiola did not Guardiola, whose side so we will see,” said Guardiola. Sports Saturday, January 26, 2019 13

Women’s Singles Final ‘Perfect’ Djoko sets up Osaka, Kvitova Nadal blockbuster final chase double

AFP turned his season around. delight “It was highly unlikely 12 months ago that I would be REUTERS NOVAK DJOKOVIC said he where I am today, a year lat- MELBOURNE was “in the zone” and played er,” said the Serbian top seed. a “perfect match” on Friday to “But I’ve said it before, THE rewards could not get line up a blockbuster Australi- and I always have plenty of bigger when Petra Kvitova an Open final against his great belief in myself, and I think takes on Naomi Osaka in rival Rafael Nadal. the self-belief is something Saturday’s Australian Open “Today was a perfect match that always prevails.” final with one of them set to for me from the first to the last On Thursday Nadal had al- emerge as a fresh champion point,” said the Serbian after lowed his young Greek oppo- at Melbourne Park as well as destroying 28th seed Lucas nent Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the new world number one. Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in just 83 just six games on the way to the Four months after minutes On Rod Laver Arena. final in an hour and 46 minutes. stunning 23-times Grand “I executed everything that Djokovic made that look pe- Slam champion Serena I intended to and even more destrian, allowing Pouille only Williams in the final of the than I have expected,” said the four games and taking 23 min- U.S. Open last September, world number one after a flaw- utes less to set up a repeat of the 21-year-old Osaka is one less display put him into a first pair’s epic 2012 showdown. win away from becoming Petra Kvitova. Melbourne decider since 2016. “He’s my biggest rival in the first player since Jen- my career. I’ve played so many nifer Capriati to win the next Grand Slam after her maiden matches against him, epic major title. matches on this court,” said The fourth seed, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball Djokovic of Nadal. in women’s tennis, is not expecting it to be a cakewalk, es- “Of course, the one that pecially being pitted against an opponent as aggressive as stands out was the final of six Osaka and also more experienced with two Wimbledon ti- Milestones hours almost in 2012. Hopefully tles under her belt. we don’t go that long this time.” Osaka fought back from a set and 4-1 down against Down Under Nadal holds a 4-3 win-loss Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei in the third round at Melbourne record against Djokovic in Park and showed her determination in winning two more Bidding for his 15th Grand Grand Slam finals, including all three-setters to keep a 13-match victory streak in Grand Slam title and a record three meetings since their Mel- Slams running. seventh at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the men’s singles semi-final match against Lucas Pouille of bourne Park marathon seven She will need all of that grit if she hopes to stop Kvitova, Djokovic will meet Nadal in France at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday. (EPA-EFE) years ago, and both players are who is yet to drop a set en route to her maiden Australian Sunday’s final seven years chasing milestones on Sunday. Open final, in their first career meeting. after edging him in a five hour hit 24 winners and had just five some feeling that we all try to fifth set after 5hr 53min. A win for Nadal will see “I think to have the opportunity to play her for the first 53-minute epic, the longest unforced errors. reach and stay in.” The Serb ran Pouille rag- him become the first player time in a final of a Grand Slam is something very amazing,” Grand Slam final on record. “Every professional athlete Pouille was left powerless ged so effectively that he in the Open era to win all four Osaka told reporters after her semi-final win. “I’ve watched A win for Nadal will see him wants to be in the zone, where on the other side of the net. dished out a dreaded 6-0 “ba- Grand Slam titles twice, while her play the Wimbledon finals. become the first player in the everything flows so effortlessly “I was trying to find a so- gel” in a first set that lasted victory for Djokovic will take “I know what a great player she is. It’s definitely going to and you are executing auto- lution, but couldn’t find any,” just 21 minutes. him clear of six-time Mel- be very tough for me.” Open era to win all four Grand matically everything you are lamented the Frenchman. Pouille held his first ser- bourne winners Roger Federer Kvitova is one match away from capping one of the most Slam titles twice, while intending to execute,” Djoko- Djokovic will face second vice game of the second set to and Roy Emerson. inspiring comebacks in the history of the sport, having had to victory for Djokovic will take vic said, explaining a sublime seed Nadal, who he described a huge ovation from the centre “I would definitely want to undergo a nearly four-hour surgery on her playing hand in him clear of six-time performance where he con- as his “biggest rival,” in a 53rd court fans, but it was an all-too buy the ticket for the match, 2016 after being attacked by a knife-wielding intruder at her Melbourne winners Roger ceded no break point. career meeting and eighth in brief respite. for those who haven’t yet,” home in the Czech Republic. Federer and Roy Emerson. “You don’t need to think the final of a Slam. Djokovic quipped in his on- She missed the 2017 tourna- too much. I guess you’re driv- In 2012 the pair contested ‘Biggest rival’ court interview. ment at Melbourne Park while en by some force that takes the longest Grand Slam final Djokovic lost in the fourth “That (2012 final) was a recovering from the surgery “It is definitely one of the over you and you feel divine, in terms of time at the Aus- round last year, followed by once in a life-time event and and it was just not a case of best matches I’ve ever had on you feel like in a different di- tralian Open when Djokovic elbow surgery and poor form hopefully the outcome will be overcoming a physical injury this court,” added Djokovic, who mension. It’s quite an awe- edged an epic battle 7-5 in the until he won Wimbledon and the same for me.” as the attack left an indel- ible mental scar too. “I have been in the final of the Grand Stosur, Zhang win doubles Slam, but this is a lit- Finalists spotted in Qatar Schools tle bit different,” she Naomi told reporters on Olympic Program’s tennis meet Osaka Friday.

QNA DOHA “I’m not playing on the grass, but I THE activities of the Schools think it’s just prob- Olympic Program (SOP) are on with the Under-10 Tennis Tournament for the primary Stats Facts category being held with 32 players taking part. In the boys’ competition, 4-NAOMI OSAKA 8-PETRA KVITOVA Mohammed Akram al Muta- Age: 21 Age: 28 wa from the Tunisian School WTA Ranking: 4 WTA Ranking: 6 and Mohammed Salem from the Lebanese School quali- Samantha Stosur of Australia (right) and Shuai Zhang of with WTA titles: 2 WTA titles: 26 fied for the final of the tennis the women’s doubles trophy at the Australian Open on Friday. (EPA-EFE) Coach: Sasha Bajin Coach: Jiri Vanek tournament. Grand Slam titles: 1 In the girls’ competition, MELBOURNE: Unseeded tina Mladenovic – last year’s Grand Slam titles: 2 Sheyhan from Birla School is pair Samantha Stosur and champions – 6-3, 6-4 on Rod (U.S. Open 2018) (Wimbledon 2011, 2014) to face Habiba Ali from Pak Zhang Shuai took out the Aus- Laver Arena. Road to final: Road to final: Shama School in the final. tralian Open women’s doubles “Today, it is a dream true 1st round: beat Magda 1st round: beat Magdalena The SOP is held annually A school athlete in action in the Schools Olympic Program (SOP) title on Friday to be crowned for me,” said Zhang, who Linette (Poland) 6-4 6-2 as a collaborative effort of Under-10 tennis tournament. Grand Slam champions at Mel- won her first Grand Slam Rybarikova (Slovakia) Qatar School Sports Federa- bourne Park for the first time. doubles title. 2nd round: bt Tamara 6-3 6-2 tion (QSSF) and Ministry of over Qatar. and to engage the entire com- The Australian-Chinese Stosur added: “Shuai, it Zidansek (Slovenia) 2nd round: beat Irina- Education and Higher Educa- The SOP committee aims munity in active and healthy combination battled past is always a pleasure being on 6-2 6-4 Camelia Begu (Romania) tion with hundreds of student to spread a culture of sports lifestyles while retaining local Hungarian-French second court with you, we have a great 3rd round: beat Hsieh 6-1 6-3 athletes competing from all throughout Qatar’s schools values and traditions. seeds Timea Babos and Kris- friendship.” (AFP) Su-Wei (Taiwan) 5-7 3rd round: beat Belinda 6-4 6-1 Bencic () 4th round: beat 13-Ana- 6-1 6-4 CRICKET CORNER stasija Sevastova (Latvia) 4th round: beat Amanda 4-6 6-3 6-4 Sulaiti, Khelaifi on pole again Anisimova (U.S.) 6-2 6-1 QF: beat 6-Elina Svitolina Windies take massive lead over England (Ukraine) 6-4 6-1 QF: beat 15-Ashleigh TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Barty (Australia) 6-1 6-4 BARBADOS: West Indies added 110 runs without loss to their LOSAIL SF: beat 7-Karolina second-innings total to reach lunch on 237 for six wickets on Day Pliskova (Czech Republic) SF: beat Danielle Collins Three of the first Test against England, turning a commanding lead QATAR’S well-known rider 6-2 4-6 6-4 (U.S.) 7-6(2) 6-0 into a virtually unbeatable one in Barbados on Friday. Saeed al Sulaiti (Qatar Super- Already 339 runs ahead at the start of play, Jason Holder and stock 600) and driver Abdulla Shane Dowrich were rarely troubled by the England attack at the al Khelaifi (Qatar Touring Car ably a little bit more special because it’s after everything I Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. (Reuters) Championship) took the pole have been through. So I think it’s just different, but I don’t Brief Scores: West Indies 289 & 237 for 6 (Holder 80*, Dowrich positions in third round of the think it’s, like, more nervous.” 61*) lead England 77 (Jennings 17, Roach 5-17) by 449 runs. respective championships at The 28-year-old, currently sixth in the rankings, won the Losail International Circuit Sydney International warm-up before arriving in Melbourne on Friday. Abdulla al Khelaifi (Qatar Touring Car Championship), above, and and has not looked back, having strolled past her opponents Labuschagne, Head put Australia ahead Al Sulaiti was on top at the Saeed al Sulaiti (Qatar Superstock 600), below, took the pole in a 11-match winning streak. Free Practice 2 and also did positions in the third round of their respective championships at Saturday could, however, be a different fight against BRISBANE: Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne missed individual the fastest lap at the Super- the Losail International Circuit on Friday. the big-hitting Osaka, who hammered 56 winners and centuries but forged Australia’s highest partnership of the summer pole, 2:04.283 and will start clubbed 15 aces to defeat another Czech player in Karolina to earn the hosts a handy first innings lead against Sri Lanka on from the front row on Satur- Khelaifi clocked the fastest Pliskova. day two of the series opening day-night Test on Friday. Their 166-run day, ahead of of Mishal al Nai- time in the qualifying session “I need to play my best tennis, what I can say. I think stand powered Australia to 323 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings mi, who finished second with a with a time of 2:24.174, ahead Naomi is on fire. She’s in very good form,” Kvitova said. total of 144 and Pat Cummins struck with the final ball of the day to time of 2:05.010. of Mohamad al Khaiat. “She’s an aggressive player, which I am, as well. So I think it reduce the tourists to 17 for one at stumps at the Gabba. (Reuters) ‘I feel better this round “I started from seventh will be about who gonna take the first point and push the other a Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 144 & 1 for 17 (Thirimanne 6*) trail Aus- with my injuries. I am really and climbed to second and little bit.” tralia 323 (Head 84, Labuschagne 81, Lakmal 5-75) by 162 runs. happy to secure the third Su- then to first, but Mohamad al With both players evenly matched in their aggressive perpole this season and the Khaiat is very close so for sure play and ability to serve big, Kvitova’s coach Jiri Vanek be- full mark so far. I have a good we will have a good battle,” lieved the player with the bigger heart will win Saturday’s Pandya to join India team in New Zealand feeling with the bike and hope- said Khelaifi. contest. fully the weather will be fine Nawaf al Shuaibi finished sec- On Saturday, QSTK Race 1 Vanek’s opposite number Sascha Bajin believes Osaka’s NEW DELHI: All-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to join India’s touring tomorrow. Hope to get good ond and third in their category. will start at 11:30am and Race fitness and mindset will give her the edge in rallies. squad in New Zealand after his suspension over sexist comments results tomorrow and thanks ‘I am again the fastest rider 2 at 2:30pm. For QTCC, the The number one ranking will be the cherry on the top on a TV show was lifted by the country’s cricket board. Pandya to Ooredoo, QMMF and Losail in the QSTK Trophy and I did first race is scheduled at 1pm, for the winner as she will unseat Romanian Simona Halep, talked about his encounters with multiple women in a chat show Circuit Sports Club for their a very good lap time. I hope to- and the second at 4pm. who was ousted by Serena Williams in the fourth round, at earlier this month as teammate KL Rahul sat next to him, prompt- support’ said Sulaiti. morrow I can push in Race 1 to Qatar Superstock 600 and the top spot of the women’s game on Monday. ing uproar on social media that led to the duo being suspended In the QSTK Trophy, the work on a good gap to secure Qatar Touring Car Champion- It will be a first-ever week as world number one pending an inquiry. The BCCI on Thursday allowed Pandya to par- fastest rider was again Qatar’s the first position in the stand- ship are organised by Losail Cir- for either players as Osaka is at her career-best ranking ticipate in the ongoing One-day international series in New Zealand Jassim al Thani with a lap ings’ Al Thani commented. cuit Sports Club and Qatar Mo- at fourth, while Kvitova climbed as high as second dur- and Rahul to join the India A squad in Thiruvananthapuram. (AFP) time of 2:08.600. Kuwaiti rid- In the Qatar Touring Car tor and Motorcycle Federation ing 2011. ers Mohamed al Zaidan and Championship, Abdulla al with Pirelli Qatar as sponsor.