Sport MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2021 QSL:Q Title holders Al Duhail take on AAl Gharafa in crucial Round 17 clash We will play all matches with full force and will continue to ccompete for all titles. Al Duhail are used to playing for titles. Sabri Lamouchi Sport | 11 PREMIER LEAGUE: RESULTS West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa 1-2 Leicester City, Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City Dominant Djokovic wins Australian Open REUTERS – MELBOURNE 18th Grand Slam title, bringing sets, Medvedev never really a few more years.” Djokovic now yelled “free the refugees” AUSTRALIAN OPEN him within tantalising reach of threatened in his second Grand has won six Grand Slam titles repeatedly during play before MEN'S CHAMPIONS A tournament that had to Roger Federer and Rafa NadalNadal’s s Slam final. after the agea of 30, equalling being ejected to cheers from the contendcontend withwith manymany uncertainties all-timeall-time men’s recordrecord ofof 20. DjDjokovicokovic mademade a mockerymockery of Nadal’sNadal’s record.rec crowd. SINCE 1990 duedue to thethe COVID-19 MuchMuch likelike DominicDominic thethe Russian’s 20-match winning He had said pre- Medvedev seemed unper- 2021_Novak Djokovic, Serbia pandemic,pandemic, climaxedclimaxed withwith ThiemThiem in lastlast year’syear’s streakstreak andand hishis pre-matchpre-match barbbarb matchm that Medvedev turbed when he fired an ace on 2020_Novak Djokovic, Serbia NovakN ovak DjokovicDj o k ovic final, Djokovic faced thatthat allall thethe pressure to win was wasw the man to beat in the next point but then dropped 2019_Novak Djokovic, Serbia remainingremaining an unbreakableunbreakable an opponent des-des- on thethe cchampion.hampion. MelbourneMe Park and serve in a hurry with a pair of 2018_Roger Federer, Switzerland forceforce as hehe thrashedthrashed perateperate forfor success He brokebroke himhim seven seemedseem determined to do unforced errors. 2017_Roger Federer, Switzerland DaniilDaaniili MedvedevMedvedev to claimclaim andandhid hishis ownown seatseat atat timestit memess foforor thethe matchmatch anandd itit quicklyquic as he slammed Djokovic marched on to a 2016_Novak Djokovic, Serbia a record-extendingrrecord-extending ninthninth thethe GrandGrand SlamSlama table.table. closedclosed outout thethe one-onee- downdown anan ace first point and 5-2 lead and Medvedev smashed AustralianAustralian OpenOppen titletitle UnlikeUnlike Thiem,Thiem, sidedsided contestcoonttest brokebroke MedvedevMed immediately. his racket in fury. 2015_Novak Djokovic, Serbia yesterday.yeestterday. whowhho pushedpushhedd DjokovicDjjokkovic withwiw th a WithWith ana acrobatic, leaping The Russian sunk deeper 2014_Stan Wawrinka, Switzerland TheThe worldwworld numbernuummbber one’sone’s to fivefif vev smash,smash, he shots out to a 3-0 lead. into a funk, slapping a forehand 2013_Novak Djokovic, Serbia 7-5,7-55, 6-2,6-22, 6-26-2 triumphtrriummph underunnder It was deflating start for long to concede two set points 2012_Novak Djokovic, Serbia thethhe lightsligghts atat RodRod LaverLaavver MedvedevMedvedev but he rallied to 3-3. before being almost knocked off 2011_Novak Djokovic, Serbia ArenaArrena securedsecuured hishhis nnenet-rushtt-- rush RunningRunnin the Serb ragged in his feet by a sizzling Djokovic 2010_Roger Federer, Switzerland andaand a brilliantbbrrilliant anan epic rally,rall Medvedev clinched return. leapinglleeapa iinng volley.vvoolll eyy. twotwo breakbreak ppoints when Djokovic Worse was to come as 2009_Rafael Nadal, Spain HavingHaavviingng extendedextxtenddeed hishis nettednetted a drop-shotd from the Medvedev started the third by 2008_Novak Djokovic, Serbia unbeatenuunnbebeaateenn recordrececoorrd inin ninenini e finalsfinals baselinebaseline andan the Serb dropped being broken twice in suc- 2007_Roger Federer, Switzerland atat MelbourneMeelbouurrnne Park,Parrkk, thethhee SerbSerb serveserve withwith a smash into the net. cession, a weak volley into the 2006_Roger Federer, Switzerland roaredroroareedd inin trtriumphriuummpph aanandnd wwrwrappedrapped WithWith MedvedevM matching net handing Djokovic a 3-0 lead. 2005_Marat Safin, Russia upu hishisis teamteaeam inin a groupgrrouupp hug.hugu . him on thethe baseline, Djokovic It had all gone downhill so 2004_Roger Federer, Switzerland AAfAfterfteter acknowledgingaaccknnowwleedging triedtried pullingpullin him to the net, the quickly but Medvedev battled to Medvedev’sMeMedvd eeddeevv’s congratulations,connggraattullations, Russian’s leastl favourite part of break back. 2003_Andre Agassi, United States DjokovicDDjjookooviicc thankedthhaankked tthehee blueblue thethe court.court. Yet there was no way to 2002_Thomas Johansson, Sweden centrececenntree courtcoouurt duringduurrining thethhe trophy TheThe ployplo paid off as Djokovic breach Djokovic’s stonewall 2001_Andre Agassi, United States ceremony.cceerreemmonnyy. rippedripped a bbackhanda passing shot defence. 2000_Andre Agassi, United States ““I wouldwououlldd likelikke tot thankthhaank RodRod for three sets points and took it Holding to 5-2 after an epic 1999_Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Russia LaverLLaaver Arena.Areennaa. I loveloovve youyyoou eacheach whenwhen a flusteredf Medvedev rally, Djokovic went to his chair 1998_Petr Korda, Czech Republic yearyyear mmoreorre andand mmomore.oree. IItIt’s’ss been a thumpedthumped a forehand into the net. with a pointed tap at his temple lovelloovee affairaffffaair thatthhaatt keepskeeeppss growing.growing. TheThe momentumm swung to and an icy gaze at the Russian. 1997_Pete Sampras, United States ThankThhaank youyoyou soo much,”muucch,” hee said.said. MedvedevMedvedev as Djokovic’s In a thrilling match point, 1996_Boris Becker, Germany “O“OnOn thetthhe court,coouurt,, he’she’s backhandbackhand wavered when Djokovic raced around the court 1995_Andre Agassi, United States (Medvedev)(MMeddveded v) definitelydefinnitelly oneonne of the servingserving firstfirs in the second set. before ending up at the net 1994_Pete Sampras, United States toughesttouuggheest playerspllayeerrs thatthaat I everevver facedfaced Yet thethe Russian could not where he leapt high to smash a 1993_Jim Courier, United States inin mymy life.liifee. consolidate,consolidat handing the break lob past the Russian and claim Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning 1992_Jim Courier, United States “I“It’sIt’t s a mattermattter ofof timetimmee whenwhen back with ana error-strewn game. his second hat-trick of titles at his ninth Australian Open Men's Singles title after defeating Russia’s youyoy u holdhhold a GGrandrand SSlamlam tthat’shat’s for Play wasw suspended briefly Melbourne Park after his 2011-13 1991_Boris Becker, Germany Daniil Medvedev in yesterday's final at Melbourne Park. sure.sure. If youyou don’t don’t mind mind waitingw waiting mid-pointmid-point at a 2-1 after a protester treble. 1990_Ivan Lendl, Czechoslovakia QSL: Al Sadd host Al Arabi with eye on Falcon Shield FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA With five rounds Al Sadd will host Al remaining in the season, Arabi in Round 17 of the Xavi Hernandez- QNB Stars League (QSL) coached side has built a and a victory today healthy tally of 44 could seal title for the points – 13 clear of Wolves or will take them to brink of the second-placed Al coveted Falcon Shield. Duhail. If Al Sadd – who With five rounds are yet to be defeated remaining in the this season – manage to season, Xavi Hern- andez-coached side beat Al Arabi and The has built a healthy tally Red Knights lose to Al of 44 points – 13 clear Gharafa, the Wolves will of second-placed Al take an unassailable Duhail, who will meet Al Gharafa in today’s lead and will first game at Qatar SC secure the title. Stadium. If Al Sadd – who are yet to be defeated this contracted the virus in the season – manage to beat Al summer. This is life and I wish Arabi and The Red Knights lose him a speedy recovery. I will to Al Gharafa, the Wolves will miss him and I wish him all take an unassailable lead and success because I respect him will secure the title. as a coach and as a human “Even otherwise, if we win TODAY being,” said Xavi. the next two matches, we will Al Gharafa vs Al Duhail We want to maintain the be the champions,” Xavi (pic- At Qatar SC Stadium (16:45) rhythm: Alexanderson tured) told a pre-match press Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan Meanwhile, Al Arabi’s conference yesterday. At Qatar SC Stadium (19:15) assistant coach Alexanderson, “Our focus is now on the Al Al Sadd vs Al Arabi who will take charge at Al Sadd Arabi match and it will be dif- At Al Sadd Stadium (19:15) Stadium today in Hall- ficult because the opponents TOMORROW grimsson’s absence, said his have not suffered any defeat in Al Ahli vs Umm Salal team was looking for a good the last seven rounds,” he At Al Ahli Stadium (16:45) show against in-form Al Sadd. added. Al Sailiya vs Al Khor “We will definitely miss the A clash between Al Sadd At Al Ahli Stadium (19:15) presence of coach Heimir Hall- and Al Arabi, dubbed the Qatar Al Wakrah vs Qatar SC grimsson. We have prepared as Derby, attracts a lot of attention At Al Arabi Stadium (19:15) usual and this is a good oppor- owing to huge fan-following of tunity for the players to show the two Qatari clubs. Though Al They have improved a lot with their skills and also to shine and Sadd defeated Al Arabi 4-1 in the presence of very good show their love for the group the first leg, Xavi was aware of players in the defence, such as and the team,” he said. their recent performance that Marc Muniesa and Ayoub Azzi. “We try to maintain the saw them unbeaten in the last And then, they have new same rhythm as happened in seven rounds. players, like Yousef Mskani, the past weeks. Therefore, there “Everyone will remember who has added value to the will not be major changes to the that Al Sadd suffered in the squad and all that will make it team, but it will be evident in 2019-20 season Amir Cup final difficult for us,” said the Bar- the absence of the coach, whom because Al Arabi defended celona legend. we will certainly miss and we well,” Xavi said referring to Al Al Arabi, however, will be hope he returns quickly to the Sadd’s hard-fought 2-1 win without coach Heimir Hall- team,” he added.