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Home , Aliou Dieng, Badr Benoun, Benjamin Pavard, Gustavo Scarpa, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat

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FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021 DefendingDefen champ Kenin crashes out in Melbourne I know I couldn't really handle the pressure. I had chances. I justj couldn't take it. I obviously know why because the nerves big-timeb got to me. I'm not there 100% physically, mentally, mym game - everything just feels real off.

SofiaS Kenin Sport | 15

VOLLEYBALL: QATAR CUP Police SC beat Qatar SC 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-23); Al Arabi beat Al Ahli 3-1 (25-19, 27-29, 31-29, 29-27)

German side seals historic title win over Tigres in Doha finale Bayern crowned champions FAWAD HUSSAIN Bayern Munich players celebrate with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after defeating Tigres UANL in the final yesterday at the THE PENINSULA Education City Stadium in Doha.

Bayern Munich created history when they edged Tigres UANL 1-0 in the final to clinch their second FIFA World Cup title at the Education City Stadium. Frenchman struck the winner just before the hour-mark last night as the European champions Bayern's sealed their sixth title of the season for the first time since incredible the club was formed in 1900. Barcelona – under coach Pep Guardiola – was the first season with side to win six crowns in a single season in 2009. 6 titles Under coach Hans-Dieter Flick – who joined the club in November 2019 - the Bavarians claimed the German Super Cup, German Cup the Bundesliga, the German Cup, the Champions League and Champions League the European Super Cup this European Super Cup season before lifted the World Cup at German Super Cup the Qatar 2022 venue last night. Yesterday’s triumph also FIFA Club World Cup means that Flick have won more trophies than Bayern lost matches (5) out of 68th com- golden chance to double the petitive games under him. lead but Costa put the ball Bayern, by restricting Tigres straight in Guzman’s hand after from scoring also maintained receiving a pass on a good their record of not conceding a position. single goal from four games, neutral venue before the final, strike in 25th minute. Best FIFA the halftime with a clean sheet Lewandowski – going up for a Bayern continued their equalling Barcelona’s record in were on fire from the start Goalkeeper Neuer punched and succeeded in doing that at cross – referee declared the aggressive display even during the competition. against Tigres, who stunned away a corner after half-hour the cost of a yellow card to Jesús goal legal. It was Pavard’s first four minutes of stoppage time The day of the showdown, Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the mark following a rare surge by Dueñas, who was cautioned by goal since May 30 last year before Gignac made a failed however, did not start well for semi-final. the Mexicans. Ostojich fofor delaying when he scored against Düs- last-gasp effort to equalise as the German side who found out and Robert Tigres were eager too go into tactics,tacticc three seldorf in Bundesliga. Bayern secured their second that Thomas Müller was tested Lewandowski – who netted a minutesminuu before After the goal, Flick made World Cup crown after their positive for the coronavirus. brace against Al Ahly – made FIFA CLUB thethe breather.b four substitutions within nine maiden triumph in 2013. With experienced duo of early inroads as Bayern took WORLD CUP TheT minutes sending in Corentin Tigres, despite the defeat, Müller, 31, and central defender control over Tigres after the WINNERS EEuropeanu r Tolisso for Gnabry in 64th have reason to smile as they Jerome Boateng – who flew CONCACAF Champions League championschamp made minutes before calling back became the first Mexican side 2020 Bayern Munich back home for personal reasons winners started the game on a 2019 England Liverpool theirtheeir firstfir attempt Leroy Sane, Lewandowski and to claim silver in the – out of the final, Flick made bright note, with Frenchman 2018 Real Madrid ofof thethhe secondsec half, Coman to send fresh attack in tournament. three changes in the starting XI. André-Pierre Gignac storming 2017 Real Madrid sixx mminutesinutee after the , Eric Maxim Lewandowski, who took He retained a 4-2-3-1 for- into the box in the first minute. 2016 Real Madrid titlettitlle clashclasc h resumedr as Choupo-Moting and Douglas home the Golden Ball trophy, mation, fielding Niklas Süle, almost 2015 Barcelona SSeSergerggeg Gnabry, Costa, nine minutes later. said: “We really wanted to win Leroy Sane and Lucas Hern- took the Bavarians ahead in the 2014 Real Madrid rrecreceivingceiving a pass from Ferretti, on the other hand, today. The goal that we scored andez while dropping Marc 18th minute with a superb strike 2013 Bayern Munich DavidDaavidd AlaAlabab targeted made his first change just 10 was probably from the first Roca, who started in 2-0 semi- from around 20 yards out on 2012 Corinthians a farf r cornercorn but his minutes before time, fielding cross that came in. I said to the final win against Al Ahly on the right defeating goalkeeper 2011 Barcelona strikesttrikkek w wentenn wide. Julián Quinones to replace Luis boys at half-time, come on, put Monday. Nahuel Guzmán, but referee 2010 Internazionale TheThe moment Rodriguez. a few more crosses in. They Ricardo Ferretti, on the Esteban Ostojich – after con- 2009 Barcelona finallyfinnally came in Tolisso made his presence managed it once and that’s how other, decided against making sulting with VAR – disallowed 2008 Man United 59th5 minutem for felt with an attempt before we won, and that’s an amazing changes in the starting XI as he the goal ruling that Lewand- 2007 Milan BayernBaye when Tigres escaped an own goal thing! It’s a shame that Thomas adopted a 4-4-2 formation. owski was in offside position. 2006 Internacional PavardPava slotted after a confusion between Muller wasn’t able to be here. Despite missing their main Seeking a breakthrough, 2005 São Paulo homeho and Salcedo and Guzman. We are flying back straight players, Bayern, who won last Bayern continued to attack with 2000 Corinthians aafter VAR Five minutes before time, home to Munich, there is no seven competitive matches on Guzmán saving Coman’s firing check on Choupo-Moting created a time to celebrate.”

Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard (fourth left) celebrates after scoring against Tigres UANL yesterday.PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA Sport FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021 14

Zarandi’s winning circle including trainers and owners are seen after the Al Wajba Cup win at the Qatar and Racing Equestrian Club's Al Rayyan Race Track yesterday. RIGHT: Jockey Ronan Thomas is seen receiving the winner’s trophy after the Al Wabja Cup race. Thomas guides Zarandi to Al Wajba Cup win

THE PENINSULA - DOHA dirt at QREC's Al Rayyan Park. WINNERS Zarandi, winner of Al Wajba Cup, Saadi rode the Zuhair Mohsen- AL WAJBA CUP crosses the finish line with jockey Saeed Nasser Al Qadi’s Zarandi trained 4YO colt to a 2¼-length Horse: Zarandi (IRE), Trainer: Hamad Al Jehani, Ronan Thomas in the saddle. (IRE) (Scat Daddy x Zaralanta) win in the 1100m Class 4 run. Jockey: Ronan Thomas yesterday stormed to Al Wajba Also yesterday, Khalifa Bin THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) Cup win on the dirt track at Al Sheail Al Kuwari’s Huwaiteb Superior Moment (IRE), Zuhair Mohsen, Soufiane Saadi THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) Rayyan Park. won the Thoroughbred Huwaiteb (GB), Mohammed Riyaz, Alberto Sanna Ronan Thomas rode the Handicap (65-75) at Al Rayyan PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE Hamad Al Jehani-trained 5YO Park. Latam (FR), Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek horse to a 3-length win in the Alberto Sanna rode the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE 1900m Class 2 run for Mohammed Riyaz-trained 4YO Shaweesh (QA), Hamad Al Jehani, Rashid Ali Al Thoroughbreds. gelding to a 3½-length win in the Marri* (-3kg) Zarandi clocked 2:03.06 as 1900m Class 5 run. THOROUGHBRED NOVICE PLATE (Class 6) Thomas won QR 57,000 in a Al Shaqab Racing’s I Am Thunder (IRE), Hamad Al Jehani, Alberto Sanna field of nine riders. homebred Latam clinched the THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) High Commander, ridden by issue in the Purebred Arabian Wakeel (IRE), Mohammed Ghazali, Khalid Al Balushi* JP Guillambert, and Ernest Novice Plate race Al Rayyan (-5kg) Aldrich, who had Soufiane Saadi Park. Tomas Lukasek rode the LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP in the saddle, finished in second Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Lehwaila (QA), Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Carlos Henrique and third spots respectively. 6YO horse to a 3-length win in LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (3 Year Olds) Guillambert won QR 22,000 the 1900m run for 4YO+. Al Gamamah (QA), Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Ronan while Saad bagged QR 11,000 for Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Thomas his third-place finish. Jehani’s Shaweesh won the Local In a brilliant performance in Purebred Arabian Novice Plate I Am Thunder produced good Kuwari’s Wakeel won the Thor- day, Mohammed Khamis Eisa opening race, the Ibrahim Saeed what was the second big race of in what was the fifth race of the speed to win the Thoroughbred oughbred Maiden Plate when Al-Kaabi’s homebred Lehwaila Ibrahim Al Malki-owned & the night, Abdulaziz Jassim Al night. Rashid Ali Al Saaq rode the Novice Plate. Sanna rode the jockey Khalid Al Balushi rode the won the Local Thoroughbred trained Al Gamamah won the Buainain’s homebred Superior Hamad Al Jehani-trained 6YO Hamad Al Jehani-trained 4YO Mohammed Ghazali-trained Handicap (0-85). Carlos Hen- Local Thoroughbred Maiden Moment completed a double horse to a 3¼-length win in the colt to a ¾-length win in the 5YO horse to a length win in the rique rode the Ibrahim Al Malki- Plate with jockey Thomas riding winning by sealing the deal in 1700m run for 4YO+ 1100m Class 6 run. 1900m Class 6 run. trained 5YO mare to a 2-length the bay filly to a 3 ¾-length win the TB Handicap (0-85) on the Yousuf Mubarak Al Kuwari’s Khalifa Bin Sheail Al In the second event of the win in the 5f run. In the day’s in the 1100m run for 3YOs. 8 overseas players England Rizwan smashes in highest bracket without century as for IPL auction injured beat South Africa NEW DELHI - REUTERS Archer for AGENCIES - LAHORE SCOREBOARD Eight overseas players and two Indian players have PAKISTAN chosen to be slotted in the highest bracket of the second Pakistan yesterday beat South Mohammad Rizwan ...... 104 (IPL) auction with a base price Africa by three runs at Lahore’s Babar Azam run out ...... 0 of two crore rupees ($275,000), India’s board Gaddafi Stadium in the first T20I c Snyman b Phehlukwayo ...... 21 (BCCI) said yesterday. Test fixture of the three-match series Hussain Talat st Klaasen b Shamsi ...... 15 Australia’s and , Eng- between the two sides. Iftikhar Ahmed c Hendricks b Fortuin ...... 4 Khushdil Shah c Fortuin b Sipamla ...... 12 AP - CHENNAI land’s , Sam Billings, , Jason Mohammad Rizwan hit a c Miller b Phehlukwayo ...... 4 Roy and and Bangladesh all-rounder magnificent ton to put up a good Mohammad Nawaz not out ...... 3 Shakib Al Hasan are in the bracket along with veteran England will be without paceman (pictured above) because of score for the Men In Green. Extras: (b1, lb3, w2) ...... 6 Indian spinners Harbhajan Singh and Kedar Jadhav. a right elbow injury for the second Tagainst India in Chennai starting today. Rizwan became the first-ever Total: (Overs 20; for six wkts) ...... 169 A total of 292 cricketers -- 164 Indians, 125 Archer has had an injection in the joint, the England and Wales Cricket Pakistani -keeper to score Did not bat: Usman Qadir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, overseas players and three from Associate Nations Board said yesterday, and the team expects he will be fit for the third test in a century in T20Is. He is also the Haris Rauf Fall of : 1-1 (Azam), 2-37 (Haider), 3-69 -- will go under the hammer when the auction takes Ahmedabad starting on Feb. 24. second wicket-keeper batsman (Talat), 4-99 (Iftikhar), 5-134 (Shah), 6-143 (Ashraf) place in Chennai on Feb 18. Archer felt discomfort in his elbow during the 227-run win in the first Test, in the world to score a 100 in all : Fortuin 3-0-25-1, Pretorius 2-0-13-0, The list was trimmed down from 1,114 players which was also in Chennai. three formats of international Phehlukwayo 4-0-33-2, Sipamla 4-0-37-1, Snyman who had registered after the eight teams submitted “The issue is not related to any previous injury,” the ECB said, “and it is cricket. 1-0-12-0, Dala 2-0-25-0 (1w), Shamsi 4-0-20-1 (1w) their shortlists of players. The annual tournament is hoped the treatment will allow the condition to settle down quickly.” The 28-year old cricketer SOUTH AFRICA set to be played between April and May this year. Fast bowlers Stuart Broad, and Olly Stone did not play in scored an unbeaten 104 off 64 J. Malan b Qadir ...... 44 Smith, who captained the , was the first test - Archer and Jimmy Anderson were the specialist pacemen in the deliveries. His innings included R. Hendricks run out ...... 54 J. Snyman b Qadir ...... 2 one of eight players released last month by the fran- team - so are now pushing for inclusion. 7 sixes, which is the highest by a D. Miller c Rizwan b Ashraf ...... 6 chise which finished last in the eight-team league. Pakistani batsman in T20Is. H. Klaasen c Talat b Rauf...... 12 However, they retained the English trio of , The previous record was held A. Phehlukwayo c Haider b Rauf ...... 14 and Jofra Archer. by and D. Pretorius not out ...... 15 Maxwell was among nine released by Kings XI Ahmed Shahzad, both of whom B. Fortuin not out ...... 17 Punjab after an underwhelming season and the fran- had smashed 6 sixes in an innings Extras (w2) ...... 2 England's Livingstone in Total: (Overs 20, for six wkts) ...... 166 chise have the biggest salary available with 14 on different occasions. Did not bat: J. Dala, L. Sipamla, T. Shamsi slots to fill, which includes five overseas slots. The Proteas were in a strong Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Malan), 2-61 (Snyman), Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Indian T20 squad for India series position early in the game before 3-83 (Miller), 4-115 (Klaasen), 5-134 (Hendricks), skipper , have the most available slots with Usman Qadir's spell of 2 for 21 6-139 (Phehlukwayo) 11 to be filled which includes three overseas slots. turned things around in the field Bowling: Nawaz 4-0-21-0 (1w), Rauf 4-0-44-2, The oldest player on the list is England’s 42-year- LONDON - REUTERS for Pakistan. The next match of the Shaheen 4-0-37-0, Qadir 4-0-21-2, Shah 1-0-6-0, old , son of former Indian bowler Dilip, series will be played at the same Ashraf 3-0-37-1 : Pakistan won by three runs while the youngest is Afghanistan’s uncapped spinner England batsman has been named in the squad venue tomorrow. Noor Ahmad who is only 16. for next month’s five-match series in India, the England and Wales Cricket The final list also includes Arjun Tendulkar, son Board (ECB) said yesterday. of Indian great Sachin, with the 21-year-old Livingstone, who last played a T20 international in 2017, has been included who played for Mumbai in the domestic Twenty20 after impressive displays in Australia’s Big Bash League this season, where he championship listed as an all-rounder with a base scored 426 runs in 14 matches for . price of 20 lakh rupees ($27,500). Fast bowler Jofra Archer, all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsmen and Jos Buttler are also included but test captain has SCOREBOARD been left out. Bonner leads England, who currently lead 1-0 in the four-Test series in India, are WEST Indies first innings Pakistan’s Kraigg Brathwaite c Najmul b Soumya ...... 47 scheduled to play five T20 matches in Ahmedabad, with the opening match John Campbell lbw b Taijul ...... 36 WI to 223-5 to be held on March 12. Mohammed Squad: Shayne Moseley b Jayed ...... 7 AP - DHAKA (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Rizwan during Nkrumah Bonner not out ...... 74 Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, , , , Liam Living- his century Kyle Mayers c Soumya b Jayed ...... 5 Nkrumah Bonner was stone, , , , Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, Mark against South Jermaine Blackwood c & b Taijul ...... 28 making up for lost time Wood Afrida in Joshua Da Silva not out ...... 22 Extras (lb 2, nb2) ...... 4 with his second the first of Total ( five wickets; 90 overs) ...... 223 successive half-century three T20 To Bat: Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, as West Indies ground Remaining international matches in February 2021: internationals Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel out 223-5 against Bang- between the Fall of wickets: 1-66 (Campbell), 2-87 (Mose- ladesh on day one of the Feb 12: 2nd Test, England vs India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai two sides. ley), 3-104 (Brathwaite), 4-116 (Mayers), 5-178 (Blackwood) second cricket Test Feb 13: 2nd T20, South Africa in Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Pakistan Bowling: Jayed 18-5-46-2, Mehidy 22-5-39-0, yesterday. Feb 14: 3rd T20, South Africa in Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore won by three Nayeem 12-1-42-0, Taijul 30-5-64-2 (nb2), Bonner was 74 not Feb 22: 1st T20I, Australia in New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch runs. Pic: Soumya 8-1-30-1 out when play ended Feb 24: 3rd Test, England vs India at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad TheRealPCB yesterday. Feb 25: 2nd T20I, Australia in New Zealand at University Oval, Dunedin FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 15

Club World Cup: African champions beat Brazilian giants in Doha Al Ahly clinch 3rd spot with shootout win FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

African champions Al Ahly yesterday clinched third position at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 after defeating cham- pions Palmeiras 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw at Education City Stadium. Goalkeeper emerged as hero for a good number of Al Ahly fans present at the 2022 World Cup venue, blocking ’s last penalty with a long dive on his right, giving the Egyptians third position for the second time in tour- nament’s history. , Mohamed Hani and scored for the winners with Amr El Sulaya and failing to score. Palmeiras succumbed to the pressure as only Gustavo Gómez and succeeded in their spot kicks with and also wasting their penalties. Al Ahly pocketed $2.5m for winning third position while Palmeiras ended up taking $2m in prize for their participation. Al Ahly players celebrate with their goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy after they defeat Brazil's Palmeiras to clinch the third place in the FIFA Club World Cup Yesterday, El Shenawy was also at the Education City Stadium in Doha, yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA firm during action, defying attacks from the Brazilians at the third position play-off. on the opposition late in the first half, goalkeeper collected a near-post minute. Walter Bwalya snatched the kick from El Sulaya but the Nigerian Palmeiras coach following a dull start to the game. Pal- header from Adriano. ball from Melo on the edge of the box was declared offside. As the game fielded a 4-4-1-1 formation making meiras made three shots on the target Yesterday, coach to pass it to El Sulaya but the Egyptian swung both sides, Al Ahly made four chances as he brought in , in the opening session but solid had to do reshuffling in the team due midfielder’s cross in an open space another double substitution in 75th Melo, and Willian. defending from El Shenawy kept them to absence of key players also was wide with just goalkeeper minute with striker Marwan Mohsen The Brazilians failed to take away from scoring. including Tunisian left back Ali Weverton to beat. In the second half and Malian midfielder advantage against Al Ahly in the first The Copa Libertadores champions Maaloul but Al Ahly started on a pos- after Mosimane sent in forward Ajayi coming off the bench to replace Taher session as they were missing their star created their best chance, five minutes itive note looking a better side in the and Mohamed Sherif to replace Mohamed and Akram Tawfik. pair of Mahmoud and Hussein before half-time when Rony headed first 30 minutes. Bwalya and Afsha, Al Ahly’s goal in Ferreira also made three substi- El Shahat - suspended by FIFA for vio- a ball on target but El Shenawy made Although, The Red Devils didn’t the 67th minute was disallowed for tutions sending in Gistavo Scarpa, lating coronavirus protocols. a diving save on his left, pushing the take a shot on target in first half, they offside. Danilo and but the The Brazilians slightly had an ball away to concede a corner, and created some chances with their best Ajayi struck the ball past Weverton stalemate continued pushing the game upper hand after mounting pressure from that corner kick the Egyptian opportunity coming in the 26th on a rebound after a superb scissor to penalties.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his Australian Open AUSTRALIAN OPEN: TODAY'S ORDER OF PLAY New Qatar second round match against Michael Mmoh of the US at Order of play on the main showcourts on the fifth day of the Australian Open today. Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. ROD LAVER ARENA 18-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) v 15-Pablo Carreno International 7-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Li Ann (U.S.) Busta (Spain) Not before 0200 GMT From 0800 GMT Baja to join FIM Anastasia Potapova (Russia) v 10-Serena Williams (U.S.) 11-Denis Shapovalov (Canada) v 20-Felix Auger- 32-Adrian Mannarino (France) v 6-Alexander Zverev Aliassime (Canada) series in April (Germany) 15-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v Fiona Ferro (France) From 0800 GMT JOHN CAIN ARENA THE PENINSULA – DOHA 32-Veronika Kudermetova (Russia) v 2-Simona Halep From 0100 GMT (Romania) Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) v Sara Errani (Italy) The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v 27-Taylor Fritz (U.S.) Not before 0230 GMT Federation (QMMF) will host the MARGARET COURT ARENA 27-Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) v 3-Naomi Osaka (Japan) 2021 Qatar International Baja, 19-Marketa Vondrousouva (Czech Republic) v Sorana Not before 0400 GMT round three of the FIM Bajas World Cirstea (Romania) Aslan Karatsev (Russia) v 8-Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) Cup, on April 8-10. Not before 0130 GMT Not before 0800 GMT The event’s announcement 14-Garbine Muguruza (Spain) v Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 3-Dominic Thiem (Austria) v Nick Kyrgios (Australia) comes hot on the heels of the con- clusion of the 2021 Qatar Interna- tional Rally that ran successfully in January under stringent COVID-19 Defending champion Kenin protocols put in place. In a compact format laid on by the QMMF, the weekend’s action Nadal unfazed will get underway with adminis- crashes out in Melbourne tration checks and scrutineering at the Losail Sports Arena and a timed by Mmoh, unruly super special stage on Thursday, AP – MELBOURNE April 8. fan Down Under The result of the opening stage American Sofia Kenin’s bid to repeat will determine the starting order for as champion at the Australian Open the opening leg of around 250 com- REUTERS – MELBOURNE ended yesterday when she lost in the petitive kilometres on the following second round to big-serving Kaia day. This selective section will run Rafa Nadal’s march towards the third round of Kanepi 6-3, 6-2. through the north-central Qatar the Australian Open was briefly halted Kanepi hit 10 aces, including on deserts and incorporates one refu- yesterday when an unruly spectator was match point, and had 22 winners to elling point around the halfway removed from the Rod Laver Arena for inter- 10 for Kenin, who was erratic with her mark. rupting play as the second-seeded Spaniard strokes and went 0 for 7 on break- A second selective section of a watched in amusement. point chances. similar distance will run through the The incident had no bearing on the match, Kenin’s run to her first Grand Slam central and southern deserts on Sat- however, as the world number two completed title a year ago helped her break into urday, April 10 and also features a a commanding performance to swat aside the top 10 for the first time, and she refuelling point before finishing American qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 entered this year’s tournament ranked close to Sealine, south of Doha. and stay on track for a record 21st Grand Slam a career-high No. 4. The new Baja will be held under title. Nadal was serving for the second set at Lots of upsets were anticipated, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in the chairmanship of QMMF Pres- 5-4 when he was interrupted by a disturbance however, in a tournament where action during her second round ident Abdulrahman Al Mannai and in the stands. The chair umpire asked a female routine have been disrupted by the match against Daria Gavrilova. the QMMF’s Executive Director spectator to be quiet and when Nadal looked coronavirus pandemic, and three of Amro Al Hamad. towards the crowd she made an inappropriate the top nine seeded women have For details on concessions and gesture. already lost. Kenin joined No. 8 Bianca Barty lost only 10 points in the the US Open for the first time last Sep- entry information, competitors and “What? Me?” asked a bewildered Nadal in Andreescu and No. 9 Petra Kvitova on opening round, and her match against tember, and her year-end ranking was teams, contact Davy Patterson, the response, maintaining a smile on his face as he the sideline. Gavrilova was equally lopsided until a career-best No. 58. Rogers was side- Competitor Liaison Officer (CRO), looked at the woman. After a couple of points Kanepi, a 35-year-old Estonian, the wobbly finish. She led 5-2 in the lined for 14 months by a knee injury Email: davypatterson777@goog- in the game, she again interrupted play and improved to 13-39 against top 10 second set but was broken twice sustained in early 2018, and her lemail.com. was subsequently removed by security. players. She ended Aryna Sabalenka’s serving for the victory. ranking at the end of that year was Additional information con- Nadal did not play in Spain’s ATP Cup cam- 15-match winning streak last week at In the tiebreaker Barty lost several 780th. cerning Covid-19 protocols is paign last week with a back problem and fol- a tuneup tournament. ugly points. Gavrilova, a wild card, She had little trouble with available from Email: covid- lowing his opening win in Melbourne he had Serena Williams remains the last failed to convert two set points and Danilovic, a qualifier from Serbia [email protected]. said the injury was still bothering him. woman to defend a Grand Slam title committed unforced errors to end the ranked 183rd. The small crowd on The provisional final date for The back issue was still troubling him, the - at Wimbledon in 2016. final three rallies. Court 3 included Novak Djokovic, who entry applications has been set for Spaniard said after reaching the third round No. 1-ranked Ash Barty avoided Rogers reached the third round at sat behind the baseline shouting March 31. For general information where he faces Briton Cameron Norrie, adding an upset, but she blew a big lead in the Australian Open for the first time encourage to his fellow Serb. about the 2021 Qatar International he was trying to find solutions to manage it. the second set and survived a shaky by beating Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3. Pliskova, seeded sixth, advanced Baja, contact the Qatar Motor and Nadal showed no discernible sign of dis- tiebreaker to beat fellow Aussie Daria Rogers, 28, came into the tournament by beating American Danielle Collins Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF), comfort against the 177th-ranked Mmoh under Gavrilova 6-1, 7-6 (7). with a career record of 1-4 in Mel- 7-5, 6-2. Pliskova lost serve twice in P.O. Box 8708, Doha, Qatar, Tel: + the closed roof in the evening’s final match and Barty is trying to become the first bourne, but her ranking and fortunes a seesaw first set but pulled it out and 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 443 peppered the blue court with 40 winners as Australian to win the women’s title at have been on the rise of late. then pulled away to beat Collins, a 79732, E-mail: [email protected] the American looked on helplessly. Melbourne since Chris O’Neil in 1978. She reached the quarter-finals at 2019 semi-finalist at Melbourne Park. and www.qmmf.com.