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Mertens Shocks Halep for Biggest Win of Her Career Unseeded Belgian Overcomes a Forgettable First Set and a Back Problem to Beat Romanian Top Seed

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Mertens Shocks Halep for Biggest Win of Her Career Unseeded Belgian Overcomes a Forgettable First Set and a Back Problem to Beat Romanian Top Seed CCRICKETRICKET | Page 6 Perera takes Sri Lanka to thrilling win over South Africa Sunday, February 17, 2019 GOLF Jumada II 12, 1440 AH Local boy Mathiesen GULF TIMES claims Qatar Open amateur title SPORT Page 8 TENNIS / QATAR TOTAL OPEN Mertens shocks Halep for biggest win of her career Unseeded Belgian overcomes a forgettable first set and a back problem to beat Romanian top seed By Anil John Doha hat makes watch- ing sport an exercise well worth the time you invest is getting Wto see someone upset all calcu- lations predicated on form and pedigree, and walk away with the top prize. That was exactly how things unfolded at the Khalifa Interna- tional Tennis and Squash Com- plex yesterday as the unseeded Elise Mertens produced a stun- ning fi ghtback to deny top seed Simona Halep a second Qatar Total Open title with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in two hours and 13 minutes. In fact, Halep’s tremendous form and amazing levels of fi t- ness had been dominating con- versations at player interviews throughout the week in Qatar, with many predicting the ti- tle was hers for the taking if she reached the fi nal. In the process they forgot that Mertens was not here merely for the sake of it and grab whatever crumbs came her way. As a pro in a cut-throat world, Mertens knew a defeatist attitude can be her biggest enemy. And she proved that she is made of sterner stuff , both physically and men- tally, as she shrugged off a Qatar Foundation vice chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani (fourth from right), Qatar dispiriting fi rst set, during Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation President Nasser al-Khulaifi (second from right), tournament which she didn’t win a sin- director Saad al-Muhannadi (right), Qatar Total Open runner-up Simona Halep (fourth from left) of Romania gle point from games seven and Total Qatar off icials applaud as champion Elise Mertens (third from right) lifts the winner’s trophy at the to nine, before matching Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Halep stroke for stroke in the second and then raising her game a notch in the third for her fi rst Premier-level victory and her fi fth career title. The 23-year-old Belgian also took a longish medical timeout to get treatment on her back in the second set, and that seemed to pay immediate divi- dends as she turned the match on its head. “Well, my back was a little bit blocked. Of course after play- ing so many matches, it could happen sometimes. So I really needed the physio on court. They did a tape on my back. So that Qatar Total helped for me to rotate better,” Open champion Elise said Mertens. Mertens of Belgium kisses the winner’s trophy “After that, I didn’t really want at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. to keep my mind on my — well, on my back, not really injury, but fourth, Mertens restored her ad- “But she deserved to win. She come back next year when the the blocked back — so I stepped vantage with another break in the was stronger. She was fresher. tournament would be moved to in the game again and just tried fi fth. I’m not making a drama. I’m just the third week of February to to focus on the points.” That left Halep trailing 3-5 and taking it. It’s a fi nal. After the Fed give players enough rest, she said Mertens added that she had no needing to hold her serve in the Cup, it’s is never easy to come she loved Doha so much that it option but to keep fi ghting in the ninth game, but before long she and play a tournament. So I’m doesn’t really matter. wake of Halep’s relentless purple was 15-40 down. A long forehand happy,” said Halep. “Even if it didn’t change, I will Hao-Ching Chan and Latisha Chan, from Chinese Taipei, won the Qatar Total Open doubles final defeating patch in the fi rst set when she gave Mertens the win and the Halep added that she felt she come. So I come every time here,” Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Demi Schuurs 6-1, 3-6, 10-6 yesterday. QTSBF secretary-general Tariq Zainal won three straight games at love. Belgian celebrated by with a few was “losing” her energy over the she said with a smile. presented the trophies to the players. “Of course, I was a set and a fi st pumps. past couple of days. break down. Yeah, I mean, she Halep said fatigue got to her in “Two days ago I felt that my played well at that time. I really the end when asked what went level is going a little bit down be- QTSBF holds general assembly to discuss development of the game had to step up in the court, play wrong in her 34th career fi nals. cause of the energy that I’m los- better tennis than before. She “My energy, and the fact that I ing every match. And over these QNA the Qatar Total Open. and increasing other develop- discussed the biggest future was really hitting the ball pretty was really tired in the third set. I two weeks it’s is not easy to stay Doha The meeting discussed ways ment programmes focusing on events, particularly the hosting clear and clean. couldn’t have the chance to win very high with the energy. to develop tennis, squash and the national coach programme. the squash World Championships “Yeah, I just kept on fi ghting. this match. I had to be 100 per- “But I didn’t want to give up. I badminton in Qatar as well as QTSBF secretary-general Tarek in Qatar at the end of the year. He I think holding serve was a big cent to be able to win such a big think it’s been a great week. I will he General Assembly of to improve the level of Qatari Zainal said after the assembly said that the federation is looking process, especially the fi rst set match,” said the Romanian, who take this fi nal, because I’m happy Qatar Tennis, Squash and players in these sports, either that they discussed the future to organise a special edition that didn’t really go well, but I think has won close to 30 million dol- to play fi nal here in Doha. To play TBadminton Federation by increasing the number of plans to develop tennis, squash reflects the status of the State of the positivity kept me going.” lars in her career so far, and will a fi nal is something special. It’s (QTSBF) was held on Friday un- international and local champi- and badminton in cooperation Qatar in the sports field, thanks Halep was broken in the very go up to World No.2 when the something big. I’m really happy der the chairmanship of Nasser onships or involving players in with Qatar Olympic Committee. to the unlimited support of the fi rst game of the third set and new rankings are issued tomor- and proud of that.” al-Khulaifi, on the sidelines of tournaments and outdoor camps He added that the meeting also country’s wise leadership. although she broke back in the row. Asked whether she would Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 17, 2019 SPORT TENNIS / ROTTERDAM OPEN GOLF Monfi ls rallies to Scott, Thomas lead at rain-hit Riviera AFP beat Medvedev Los Angeles ustralia’s Adam Scott and American Justin Thomas topped the leaderboard at 10-un- Ader par on Friday when darkness halted play in the second round for fi nal spot of the weather-disrupted Gen- esis Open. Scott and Thomas both posted Frenchman avenged his loss to the Russian at Sofia a week ago fi ve-under par 66s on Friday, and each was fi ve-under for the Agencies second round when darkness fell Rotterdam, Netherlands on another rainy day at Riviera Country Club, where organis- ers were scrambling to get the ael Monfi ls returned tournament back on track for a to the fi nal at the Rot- Sunday fi nish after a seven-hour terdam Open as he weather delay on Thursday. overhauled Daniil Tournament host Tiger Woods GMedvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 yes- made little headway on the mar- terday. athon day, struggling with the The French showman left it putter in a one-under fi rst round late but gave the Ahoy Arena and still one-under, tied for 55th, crowd a thrill as he broke in the through 12 holes of the second. penultimate game of the third “It was a tough day,” Woods set and served out the win a said. “I’m stiff right now. It got game later. pretty chilly towards the end, the Victory sent the 32-year-old ball wasn’t going very far.” into the fi nal here for the sec- Woods strung together four ond time after reaching the title birdies in a row in the middle of match in his last Rotterdam ap- his fi rst round, but his troubles pearance in 2016, when he lost on the greens kept him from to Martin Klizan. building any momentum. Monfi ls will take on either “I putted awful today,” said top seed Kei Nishikori or former Woods, whose 44-foot eagle champion Stan Wawrinka in to- putt at his 10th hole in the sec- day’s fi nal.
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