GULF TIMES Happened’ As Kubica Set for Action SPORT Page 4 TENNIS World No
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NBA | Page 5 CRICKET | Page 7 LeBron gets Mominul, big cheers Gabriel shine in return to on Day 1 in Cleveland Chittagong Friday, November 23, 2018 FORMULA 1 Rabia I 15, 1440 AH ‘Impossible has GULF TIMES happened’ as Kubica set for action SPORT Page 4 TENNIS World No. 1 Djokovic to start 2019 season in Doha THE 31-YEAR-OLD SERB WILL BE MAKING AN APPEARANCE IN DOHA FOR THE FIFTH TIME By Sports Reporter time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray. Doha Goffi n debuted at the Doha event in 2018 – when he beat Dutch Robin Haase in the fi rst round, before losing to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the round-of-16. orld No.1 Novak Djokovic will kickstart his 2019 Tournament Director Karim Alami said, “It is our pleasure season with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which to once again bring some of the world’s best players to Qatar will be held from December 31, 2018 to January at this year’s Qatar Exxon Mobil Open. Fans of the sport are, 5, 2019, at the Khalifa International Tennis and without any doubt, in for a week-long festival of top-notch WSquash Complex in Doha. tennis with unparalleled hospitality that we are well noted for. Djokovic, the 2018 Wimbledon and US Open champion, We look forward to welcoming all the players and the teem- tops the entry list of star players which includes world No. ing fans to this year’s event which promises to be the best so 8 Dominic Thiem, Nikolov Basilashvili, David Goffi n, Karen far.” Khachanov and this year’s French Open semi-fi nalist Marco Cecchinato. In all, 25 players made the entry list while three slots are allotted for wild card entrants and four for qualifi ers. THE DOHA FIELD The three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, the defend- ing fi nalist Andrey Rublev and the former world No. 4 Tomas Berdych, who has not been competing since June, are all in the Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO 21) Nicolas Jarry (CHI 43) Roberto alternates list and will probably make it to the main draw. Agut Bautista (ESP 24), Karen Khachanov (RUS 11), Matteo Of the 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams featuring in Berrettini (ITA 54), Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER 35), Marco the six-day event, all eyes are defi nitely going to be on Djoko- Cecchinato (ITA 20), Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ 53), Marius vic, the 14 Grand Slam-winner, who will be returning to the Copil (ROU 60), Dusan Lajovic (SRB 48), Novak Djokovic, tournament after pulling out of the 2018 event due to injury. The 31-year-old Serb, who will be making an appearance (SRB 1), Feliciano Lopez (ESP 64), Damir Dzumhur (BIH 47), in Doha for the fi fth time, defeated former world No.1 Rafael Adrian Mannarino (FRA 42), Marton Fucsovics (HUN 37), Nadal for his maiden title in 2016. He followed it up with a Guido Pella (ARG 58), Richard Gasquet (FRA 26), Albert three-set win over Britain’s Andy Murray in 2017 to claim a File photo Ramos-Vinolas (ESP 65), David Goff in (BEL 22), Andreas back-to-back triumph. He is also the absolute favourite this of Novak Seppi (ITA 38), Peter Gojowczyk (GER 59), Dominic Thiem time around after having had an amazing second half of 2018. Djokovic in Meanwhile for Goffi n, the Doha event will be the Belgian’s action at the (AUT 8), Robin Haase (NED 50), Fernando Verdasco (ESP fi rst tour event when he returns from an injury. ATP Finals in 28), Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA 55) The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up announced recently London last Alternates: 1. Stan Wawrinka (SUI 66) 2. Elias Ymer (SWE that he was shutting down his 2018 campaign due to an elbow week. 132) 3 Andrey Rublev (RUS 68) injury. The 27-year-old last played at the Shenzhen Open – where he lost in his opening match at the tournament to three- SPOTLIGHT FOOTBALL Former Chelsea SC Secretary-General: Qatar striker Drogba 2022 can change history retires at 40 Reuters London Supreme Committee Doha ormer Chelsea striker Didier Drogba an- he 2022 FIFA World Cup has the nounced his retirement potential to positively change the yesterday, calling time destiny of Qatar and the region, Fon a 20-year career in which the Taccording to the Secretary-Gen- bullish centre forward won four eral of the Supreme Committee for Deliv- Premier League titles and the ery & Legacy (SC). 2012 Champions League. HE Hassan al-Thawadi told BeIN Ivorian Drogba, who had been Sports that Qatar 2022 is not simply about playing in the United States for 28 days of football, but leaving a lasting Phoenix Rising, had two spells at legacy to benefi t future generations. Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 “This is not a tournament just to bring games having spearheaded the people over, celebrate football and leave,” west London club’s revival under he said. “If you truly understand what owner Roman Abramovich. this does for you, for a nation; it changes Drogba, 40, began his career at lives. It can change history. It can change French side Le Mans in 1998, but perceptions, economies, societies and in- did not play top-tier football un- dustries. til he was 23 when he was signed header to force extra time. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportu- by Guingamp in 2002. He had spells in China and nity for the region – a region that is abso- He moved to Olympique de Turkey before returning to lutely crazy about the sport. The people of Marseille in 2003 and a year later Chelsea where he won a fourth this region live, drink and breathe football. was signed by Chelsea where he Premier League title and a third Plain and simple. It’s the one common de- became the attacking focal point League Cup, leaving the club as nominator.” of the team under Jose Mourinho their fourth highest scorer of all In a wide-ranging interview, al-Thawa- tion to the tournament across the region, coming them? We will welcome them with pre-conclude what will be out there, but and helped the club win their time. di also discussed a number of pertinent is- including citizens of blockading countries. open arms.” as of today it’s a 32-team World Cup.” fi rst top fl ight English title in 50 Drogba, who made than 100 sues around the impact of the tournament “From day one, our goal and our aim was The Secretary-General also addressed To mark the four years to kick-off years. appearances for the Ivory Coast – both on Qatar and across the region. that this is not a Qatari bid,” he explained. recent speculation surrounding the po- countdown, FIFA President Gianni In- He went on to win three Pre- and was voted African footballer One such issue was its accessibility. Since “This was an Arab, Middle Eastern bid – tential expansion of the 2022 FIFA World fantino also added his own words of ex- mier League titles in his fi rst of the year twice, ended his play- implementing an illegal blockade of Qatar fi rst and foremost. Cup from 32 to 48 teams – saying plans re- citement. Speaking to FIFATV, he said: “I eight years at Chelsea as well as ing days with Phoenix Rising in June 2017, a number of neighbouring “We recently opened up our volunteer main fi rmly on course to deliver a tourna- think that all the ingredients are there to four FA Cups and two League where he was a player-owner. countries have prevented their citizens programme for people to register. Today ment format as per the bid promise. make the World Cup in 2022 an unforget- Cups. “It’s the best way to end, helping from travelling to Qatar – a rule the Qatar we are at 250,000, and among them are He said: “There is a feasibility study table event. His fi rst spell in west London some young talent to develop,” has not reciprocated, with its borders re- people from the blockading nations. that is currently ongoing. From our side “The only message I can really give to ended on a high as he scored the Drogba told the BBC. maining open to all. “So if you ask me whether there is a we are continuing with preparations for a everyone in the world who loves football is winning penalty in the Cham- “To give something back to the Al-Thawadi said he hopes the political desire from the people of the region to 32-team format. come to Qatar, come to the Middle East, to pions League fi nal shootout game was the best way to fi nish situation will have changed by 2022 and celebrate, to participate, to be part of this “There are a lot of issues that need to the Gulf, in 2022, and enjoy the best World against Bayern Munich having as I have learned so much in the reiterated the positive sentiment in rela- World Cup? Absolutely. And are we wel- be assessed and addressed. I don’t want to Cup ever.” also equalised with a thumping game.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 23, 2018 FOOTBALL QNB STARS LEAGUE Rayyan wary of dangers in race to stay in top 4 By Sports Reporter team hasn’t been defeated in the last four players won’t be available for his team’s Doha games. That augurs well for the team and match against Qatar SC. we can achieve better results in the com- “The match against Qatar SC will be ing games.