SPORT SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2017 21 Barcelona stroll back into Cup semis

Barcelona are given space, not just for their AFP Five-star Barca quality, but their physical abil- Enrique's side reach ity, they normally take arcelona eased into advantage." the last-four stage the semi-finals of the Sociedad had a huge chance Copa del Rey for a for the seventh to get back into the tie nine min- seventh consecutive consecutive season utes into the second period season 6-2 on aggre- with a 6-2 aggregate when Jose fired too close to Jas- Bgate as Denis Suarez scored win over Sociedad. per Cillessen with just the Dutch twice in a 5-2 win over Real international to beat from 10 Sociedad on Thursday. meeting between Barca and yards out. Already leading 1-0 from the Atletico saw the Madrid outfit And within seconds any last- first leg, Barca gave Sociedad a win a Champions League quar- ing hope Sociedad had was gone mountain to climb as Denis Sua- ter-final (1-2, 2-0) last April. as Neymar accelerated in behind rez finished off a great team The last time the pair met in the visitors' defence and was move with the only real chance the Copa del Rey, as the Span- cynically hacked down by Inigo of the first-half before Lionel ish Cup is named, Barcelona Martinez with the defender Messi converted from the pen- won (1-0, 3-2) and went on to lucky to escape with just a yel- alty spot. lift the trophy in 2015 which low card. Juanmi and Willian Jose they successfully defended last Messi had handed respon- grabbed a pair of consolation season. sibility from the spot to Neymar goals for the visitors either side Barca boss Luis Enrique took in each of Barca's last two Cup of Luis Suarez's third for Barca no risks with his team selection outings, but stepped up himself before Arda Turan and Denis as all of Messi, Neymar and Luis to register his 29th goal in just Suarez rounded off the rout. Suarez started, whilst Gerard 27 games this season. "After the first goal the space Pique returned at the back after Sociedad were briefly given Manchester United's Marcus Rashford in action with Hull City's Josh Tymon during the Cup opened up. They had a high line, being rested for the 4-0 win at a glimmer of hope when substi- and if you give the three we Eibar on Sunday. tute Juanmi took advantage of semi-final second leg at the Kingston Communications Stadium on Thursday. have up front space, then they One moment of magic lit up a glaring gap in the centre of the kill you," Denis Suarez told BeIN a first-half otherwise devoid of Barca defence to lob Cillessen. Sports Spain. goalmouth action as after reg- Barca immediately The 28-time winners join istering his first Barca goal at the responded, though, as Messi City and Palace weigh Atletico Madrid, Alaves and weekend, Denis Suarez's pur- shrugged off three Sociedad Celta Vigo, who dumped out ple patch continued. challenges to release Luis Sua- Real Madrid on Wednesday, in Samuel Umtiti robbed Xabi rez to slot his 20th goal of the yesterday's semi-final draw. Prieto deep inside the Sociedad season under Geronimo Rulli. Atletico Madrid and Barce- half and from there Neymar, The Basques once again priorities in FA Cup lona were drawn together in the Messi and Luis Suarez combined responded as Jose bulleted Spanish Cup semi-finals yester- to tee up his namesake for a first home a header 17 minutes from day in what promises to be the time finish into the far corner. time. London "We had everything to win clear the competition is not a top latest thrilling clash between the "We found it difficult to play Yet, that once again just AFP the game, but it's the same old priority. sides. out from the back in the first- kicked Barca back up a gear as story: we had trouble creating With a trip to Bournemouth Celta Vigo drew Alaves in half," added Enrique. Turan tapped home Aleix Vidal's anchester City support- chances and the other team, in the league on Tuesday to fol- the other home and away semi- "In the second-half we took cross minutes after replacing ers must once again with less options, get the goals." low, he is likely to rotate his final to be played February 1 and better decisions and we took our Neymar before Messi teed up Mwait to see which ver- City won 2-1 on their last trip starting XI, as he did against his 8. chances. Denis Suarez for his second of sion of Pep Guardiola's team to Selhurst Park in November, former club Bolton in round The most recent cup "When the players we have the night. shows up in today's FA Cup but it took an 83rd-minute goal three. Schlupp is a minor doubt fourth-round game at Premier by Yaya Toure, which completed after cramping up in the latter League rivals Crystal Palace. a personal brace, for the visitors stages of the defeat against City have won by four goals to prevail. Sam Allardyce is yet Everton, while midfielder Jor- or more on five separate occa- to make his mark at Palace, don Mutch is carrying a knock. sions, but have also fallen to two whose 2-1 third-round replay Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda 4-0 defeats -- at Barcelona and win over Bolton Wanderers is (knee), left-back Pape Souare more recently Everton -- and the only game they have won (broken leg) and striker Connor been beaten five times in the since he succeeded Alan Pardew Wickham (knee) are all long- league. as manager in December. term absentees. January has been every bit But they were unfortunate Guardiola named a strong as see-saw, with City winning to lose 1-0 at home to Everton team for City's trip to West Ham 5-0 at West Ham United in the last weekend, Seamus Coleman in the previous round, but with FA Cup, losing 4-0 at Everton netting an 87th-minute winner Wednesday's return to London and then going 2-0 up against despite Palace debutant Jeff Stadium in the league looming, Tottenham Hotspur on their last Schlupp being down injured and he too is likely to shuffle his outing, only to draw 2-2. a hint of offside. pack. It could be an opportunity Faced with the team's wildly Allardyce took his team's for captain Vincent Kompany to oscillating form, underpressure performance as a good omen. make his return to the starting goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has "Everton beat Manchester XI following a two-month lay- told his team-mates: "We must City 4-0 last week and were off that began when he injured be mentally strong. lucky to beat us, so we have to his knee in November's game at "We must keep working take positives out of that," said Palace. hard, keep believing in what the former England manager. John Stones is a candidate we're doing. It's the only Palace reached the FA Cup to partner him in central Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (second left) celebrates with team-mates Neymar (left), recipe. final last season, narrowly los- defence, having paid for another Andre Gomes (second right) and Luis Suarez after scoring a goal during the Spanish Copa "It's not a good feeling look- ing 2-1 to Manchester United, shaky display at his old club del Rey (King's Cup) quarter-final second leg match at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona ing at how things developed but with relegation a very real Everton by being demoted to the on Thursday. (against Tottenham). prospect, Allardyce has made it bench for the draw with Spurs. Wade replaces injured Smith as New Devi looks to banish Zealand tour skipper for ODI series tears in pro debut

Sydney confirm the interim selector Trevor Hohns said. "He AFP diagnosis. impressed again when playing for the AFP "Early indica- National Performance Squad against A teams ustralian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade tions suggest this from Australia, South Africa and India in he caused a storm when she refused to accept a medal at the (pictured) has assumed captaincy will likely take seven Townsville and Mackay during this past . Now Laishram Sarita Devi is aiming to be the Aduties for the upcoming New Zealand to 10 days to recover, winter." Scontinent's undisputed champion as India's first professional tour after injury ruled out Steve Smith, with meaning Steve will Smith's setback came less than a month woman boxer. youngster Sam Heazlett called up as his be unable to (partic- before the tough India tour. Devi was slated when she tearfully rejected her bronze medal replacement, Cricket Australia said ipate) in the Qantas "We've got a lot coming up so they think at the 2014 games in Incheon and accused judges of pandering to yesterday. Tour of New it's an opportunity to rest it and be right for locals by declaring South Korea's Park Ji-Na the winner on points Smith's deputy David Warner was Zealand." India," Smith told reporters in Adelaide, in their semi-final. But she also garnered sympathy back in India's already due to be rested for the three one- Wade said he was surprised but "very cricket.com.au reported. northeastern region of which is both her home state and day games in New Zealand starting excited" to be chosen as Australia's 24th ODI "It's a bit of a shock. I just landed really the venue of her first professional bout on Sunday night against Monday. captain by the national selection panel. awkwardly on my foot and I felt something the Hungarian Zsofia Bedo. Smith was fielding in the fifth one-day "With Steve Smith and David Warner straight away. "I have been boxing for the last 16 years winning medals, bring- international against Pakistan at the Adelaide absent it's an opportunity for me to captain "I'm confident I'll be fine to train in Dubai ing laurels to the country in , but as a boxer, it has Oval on Thursday when he injured his left the side for three matches," Wade said. after that and for the first Test in India." always been on my mind to try in professional boxing," Devi said ankle, CA said. "But I'm not about to change too much Hohns said it was in the best interest of ahead of the lightweight bout. "He came off the field and had his ankle and it's a case of trying to continue the dis- Warner and the team to continue with the "My immediate target is to win the Asian title, then fight for strapped and was able to return to the field ciplines that have earned us success in the plan to rest the vice-captain for the New Zea- the world title." The 31-year-old decided to turn pro after more for the remainder of the match," sports sci- recent past." land tour. than a decade as an amateur, a period in which she won gold at ence and sports medicine manager Alex Heazlett, 21, is a left-handed batsman "That was our call and, that way, we will the 2006 World Championships and silver in the 2014 Common- Kountouris said in a statement. who has played for Brisbane Heat in this sea- ensure David is fresh and ready to go in the wealth Games. "Following further assessment this son's Twenty20 Big Bash League. build-up to the Test series in India that fol- In preparation for the bout against Bedo, Devi has been work- morning we believe Steve has sustained a "Sam showed last summer what a tal- lows," he added. ing with the American trainer Joe Clough who has previously medial ligament injury to his ankle. He will ented player he is by averaging over 40 in The first Test against top-ranked India teamed up with the likes of former heavyweight world champion return to Sydney today to undergo scans to his debut season at first-class level," CA begins in Pune on February 23. Evander Holyfield. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2017

Past wins against Federer mean nothing, says Nadal sets up dream Nadal

Melbourne AFP final against Federer afael Nadal insisted his past wins Ragainst Melbourne will have no bearing on their AFP much-awaited showdown in the final afael Nadal set tomorrow. up an Austral- The 14-time Grand Slam ian Open final champion conjured one of his against his greatest fighting performances great rival to deny Bulgaria's Grigor Dim- RRoger Federer after edg- Safarova and itrov in an epic five-hour, ing in a five-set semi-final classic five-set semi-final yesterday. which stretched for Mattek-Sands dance The memorable victory nearly five hours sets Nadal up for his ninth yesterday. Spain's celebrates after winning his Men's singles semi-final match to doubles title major final with his great rival Nadal pulled off one against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov during the Australian Open yesterday. In a Federer, who is chasing an of his greatest victories in classic five-set semi-final which stretched for nearly five hours, Nadal beat Melbourne unprecedented 18 major titles denying Bulgaria's Dim- Dimitrov (6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4). in this weekend's itrov, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), AP showpiece. 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in four Nadal leads Federer 6-2 in hours and 56 minutes in Classic win The 30-year-old either way in a semi-final merican Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Czech their Slam finals and 3-0 in their front of a rocking Rod Spaniard has been out of that ran well past Lucie Safarova (pictured) enhanced their matches at the Australian Open, Laver Arena crowd. the Grand Slam limelight midnight. Areputation as the dominant duo in wom- but he says that will mean little Nadal showed his since his last title success Federer, who beat en's doubles by winning the Australian Open title in their first major decider since incredible fighting quali- 296 at Roland Garros in 2014, fellow Swiss Stan for the second time. the 2011 . ties to claw back from Rafael Nadal pulled off as injuries sidetracked his Wawrinka in Thursday's The second-seeded pair had to scramble from "No, that was a long time 0-30 down in the ninth one of his greatest glorious career. first semi-final, was behind to eventually overwhelm Czech Andrea ago. It's a different match, dif- game of the final set to victories in denying Nadal is bidding to watching on with relish Hlavackova and China's 6-7 (3), 6-3, ferent moment for both of us. break Dimitrov's serve Bulgaria's Dimitrov, win his second Austral- as his rival in tomorrow's 6-3 in a tense final. I think this match is com- with two tremendous 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 ian Open title and final was taken the dis- It extended the pair's unbeaten record to 12 pletely different than what chases to put away the (4/7), 6-4 in 296 become the first man in tance in a draining matches at Melbourne Park - they won the 2015 happened before," Nadal said. winning volley to lead 5-4. minutes (four hours the Open Era -- and only physical battle. doubles title in their debut as a team, but didn't "It's special. We have not Dimitrov bravely and 56 minutes). the third man in history The last time both play together last year because illness forced Safa- been there in that situation for saved two match points -i to win each of the four men's semi-finals went to rova to miss the championships. a while, so that makes the as Nadal served out for Grand Slam titles twice. five sets at any Slam was It was their fourth Grand Slam success after match different. the match before the again after a couple of Nadal and Dimitrov at 2009 Roland Garros, also winning the 2015 French Open and last year's "I really don't think about Spaniard clinched vic- years having some prob- played each other to a when Federer beat Juan US Open. Not only did Mattek-Sands strengthen what happened in the past. I tory, sinking to his knees lems," he said. standstill in yesterday's Martin del Potro and her grip on the No.1 ranking and Safarova rose to think the player who play bet- in relief and jubilation. "I think both of us epic, with two tiebreak- Robin Soderling defeated a career-high No.2, the pair shared 660,000 Aus- ter is going to be the Nadal said it was a never thought we were ers going Fernando Gonzalez. tralian dollars ($500,000) in prize money. winner." "privilege" to face Fed- going to be here again in The victors did a rehearsed dance routine on But Nadal's first priority is erer in their ninth final, the final of the Australian Rod Laver Arena after being presented with their to recover from his exhaust- and first since the 2011 Open." trophies and held aloft the perpetual cup. ing battle with Dimitrov, with French Open. Nadal, who downed It was the first meeting of the teams in which Federer enjoying an extra "It's a very special Federer in the 2009 final, all four players have won at least two Grand Slam day's rest after beating Stan thing, I think for both of won through to his fourth doubles titles. Wawrinka in Thursday's first us to be in the final of a Australian Open final and Hlavackova and Peng, who had not dropped semi-final. major again and have his 21st Grand Slam final. a set on the way to the final, took an early serv- "Now I'm going to go back another chance to com- He leads Federer leads ice break and seemed in command of the opening to the locker room and say pete with each other 6-2 in their major finals. set. thanks to my team for the sup- But Mattek-Sands, 31, and Safarova, 29, were port, then just try to recover," able to retrieve the situation and the set headed Nadal said. inevitably to a tiebreaker. Hlavackova, 30, and "First of all, I need to go to Peng, 31, surged to the lead and held on to close sleep. That's the first thing that it out 7-3. is important for the recover. Hlavackova and Peng both lost serve to slump After that try to do all the to 0-3 in the second set before breaking Mattek- things the right way to be Sands to get on the scoreboard. It proved to be ready for Sunday." merely a slight interruption for Mattek-Sands and Neither player had been Safarova as they powered through the second set expected to reach the final but to square the final. after the early exits of top The set swung on Hlavackova's serve in the seeds and Novak fourth game of the deciding set. After seemingly Djokovic, they have seized Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov during being in control, she fended off a break point and their opportunity with both their Australian Open Men's singles semi-final yesterday. then double-faulted on the next one to give up hands. the crucial service break. Williams sisters add another chapter to great rivalry

Melbourne Serena drew level with the semi-finals without a set It took her sister to end Reuters Germany's Steffi Graff on 22 dropped. her run at Wimbledon in the when she claimed her sev- However, where Serena fourth round that year and Venus and will contest their ninth Grand Slam final n Australian Open elec- enth Wimbledon title last romped into the final with a again at the US Open in the in Melbourne. A win for Serena will regain World No. 1 status and trified by the revivals year but her crowning 50-minute demolition of quarter-finals a few months a record 23rd major title, while Venus’ remarkable resurgence Aof seasoned champions moment was delayed when, Lucic-Baroni, Venus needed later. is rewarded with her first major final since Wimbledon in 2009 will bathe in the warm glow as top seed, she was upset in to summon her peerless Her semi-final run at ALL-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD of nostalgia today when the the US Open semi-finals by experience to fend off feisty Wimbledon last year was fur- Williams sisters contest the Czech Karolina Pliskova. fellow American Coco ther evidence that Venus still 11 wins 16 wins women's final at Rod Laver Serena no longer cares to Vandeweghe in three sets. has the hunger and the game Last meeting: Arena. talk about the record and Today's final will be the to trouble the best. U.S. Open quarter-final, 2015 Melbourne Park was stiffened when asked about Williams sisters ninth at a "I think people realise this Serena bt Venus 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 where Venus and Serena Wil- it after her semi-final victory grand slam and their first is an amazing job, so it's best liams first clashed in a tour over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, as since Wimbledon in 2009, to keep it," she said of her ROUTE TO FINAL match in 1998 and nearly 20 if the weight of such an where Serena won in two longevity. K. Kozlova R1 B. Bencic years on, the Americans will achievement might prove too sets. Whether she can still beat add another chapter to ten- heavy. As tempting as it may be, the best will be decided on S. Voegele R2 L. Safarova nis's greatest sibling rivalry. But a seventh title at Mel- to see the Melbourne Park Saturday, where she will bid Y. Duan R3 N. Gibbs In 1998, they were teen- bourne Park would add decider as a last flickering of for her first Australian Open M. Barthel R4 B. Strycova agers with cornrows and further credit to Serena's a rivalry that shaped the title, 14 years after her only A. P’chenkova QF J. Konta coloured beads in their hair claim as the greatest of all women's game for a decade other final at Melbourne Park C. Vandeweghe SF M. Lucic-Baroni sharing in an awkward sec- time, despite being one short may be premature. ended in a three-set loss to 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 6-2, 6-1 ond round encounter that of Australia's Margaret Court, Eras have come and gone her sister. 17-year-old Venus won in whose 24 major titles were but Serena has never left the Serena, who holds a 16-11 WILLIAMS GRAND SLAM FINALS MAJOR RIVALRY two sets. split between the amateur stage, winning nine grand winning record over Venus 2001 Venus 6-2, 6-4 U.S. Open Grand Slams Venus hugged her sister, and professional eras. slam titles since turning 30. over their careers and leads 2002 younger by a year, at the net For 13th seed Venus, her Venus spent four years in 6-2 in the grand slam finals, Serena 7-5, 6-3 Roland Garros 0 Australian Open 6 and apologised for having to first grand slam final in eight the wilderness from 2011-14, is favourite to win but knows 2002 Serena 7-6, 6-3 Wimbledon 0 Roland Garros 3 "take (her) out". years is already a stunning a period in which she was better than to underestimate 2002 Serena 6-4, 6-3 U.S. Open 5 Wimbledon 7 Today, 35-year-old Ser- victory of perseverance in the unable to surpass a fourth her sister's competitive spirit. 2 U.S. Open 6 ena will bid for a record 23rd face of her struggles to man- round at any of the majors. "This is a story. This is 2003 Serena 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 Australian Open grand slam title in the profes- age Sjogren's syndrome, an But since a drought- something that I couldn't 2003 Serena 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 Wimbledon WTA titles sional era while Venus will auto-immune disease that breaking quarter-final at the write a better ending. This is 2008 Venus 7-5, 6-4 Wimbledon strive for her eighth, and first causes fatigue and joint pain. , Venus a great opportunity for us to Pictures: Source: WTA in almost nine years. Both players stormed into has risen again. start our new beginning." 2009 Serena 7-6, 6-2 Wimbledon Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2017 SPORT 23 Bolt and Jamaica Paisley wins $150,000 for hole-in-one team-mates The Peninsula she'll probably take care of birdied 10, 11 and 16 before that,” joked Paisley, whose best approaching the short 17th. ordered to return ngland’s Chris Paisley finishes on the European Tour “I was kind of in between won $150,000 for bag- are a tie for third at last year’s a wedge and a nine-iron, and relay medals Eging a hole-in-one in the Italian Open and third at the decided to go with a little nine- second round of the Commer- 2015 BMW International in iron. I just hit it perfectly and cial Bank Qatar Masters – but Germany. when it landed, I said, ‘go in’, Kingston said he wouldn’t be in control "This is my first hole-in- and it did, so I’m just delighted,” Reuters of how to spend it. one on the European Tour. I said Paisley, who also birdied The Englishman holed out think that's five in total in my 18 for a tournament-changing sain Bolt and his with a nine-iron from 135 yards life, but this is definitely the 67. Jamaican team at the par-three 17th yesterday most memorable.” “It was a great feeling, but Umates who won to win $150,000 from Qatar Paisley had opened with a strange, as I went 27 holes this the 4 x 100m relay at Duty Free, the tournament’s two-over 74 on Thursday and week without making a birdie the 2008 Beijing Games Hole-in-One Sponsor, and after a bogey on hole three on and was three-over-par, strug- have been told by the thought his wife would be Friday morning, he went on to gling to make the cut. All of a country's Olympic deciding how best to put the make the turn at three-over sudden I made a couple of bird- Association to return money to use. and looked likely to miss the ies and had a hole-in-one and their gold medals fol- “I don’t think it’s going to cut. I was inside the cut mark. I sup- lowing Nesta Carter's be me that's spending it. My However, his fortunes pose it shows you – never give Chris Paisley (pictured) failed drug wife’s here this week, so I think changed on the back nine as he up!” test. Mike Fennell, Jamaica Olympic Asso- ciation president, told Reuters that Carter, Bolt, Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Dwight Thomas are being contacted following the ruling of the Inter- national Olympic Committee. "I can confirm that letters have been dispatched to the five members of the gold medal-winning team from the Beijing Games in 2008 requesting the return of the medals as directed by the IOC," Fennell said on Thursday. Fennell, who previously served as president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, did not indi- cate whether a time frame had been given, but he Qatar's Al Kaabi confirmed that Carter would be appealing against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "In our discussions with Nesta so far he's dis- cussing that matter (appealing to CAS) with his builds confidence attorneys, both local and in the UK," Fennell said. He did not comment on BBC reports that the Jamaica Olympic Association might appeal against The Peninsula afternoon’s round was tournament high on con- the ruling that they, too, should forfeit their played in much windier fidence after finishing medals. aleh Al Kaabi conditions. third at November’s King In the case of Bolt, losing his would reduce his shot a second “I hit it well. I made Hamad Trophy in Bah- career haul of Olympic golds from nine to eight. consecutive the same score as yester- rain, winning four-over-par day, but today was much December’s SGF Open 76 at the 20th tougher conditions. It amateur tournament in SCommercial Bank Qatar was really windy and Saudi Arabia and finish- Masters, but left encour- there are not too many ing runner-up at this No evidence of aged by his performance really low scores,” said Al month’s Qatar Open at Doha Golf Club despite Kaabi. Amateur at Doha Golf missing the cut. “I started well with a Club. fixing in Olympic Making his fifth birdie on 10 and then had “I know that I’m straight appearance in all pars until 14 when I competing, especially the European Tour event, had a triple bogey. I this year. I can see bouts, says AIBA Qatar’s top amateur bird- sliced the drive behind a there’s not a really big ied his opening hole at rock, so had to chip side- difference between my London the 10th yesterday before ways. It should have been shots and the pros’. All Reuters running up a triple bogey a bogey or double, but I the long shots are basi- at 14. He carded bogeys also missed a short putt. cally the same. Only the nprofessional relationships within AIBA on holes one and six on I had just two bad holes, short game is different. created an atmosphere of collusion his second nine. but it was a good experi- I can learn more about Ubetween senior management and judges Al Kaabi, 22, was ence to play this the short game and that Qatar's Saleh Al Kaabi hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during that undermined the boxing body at last year's more upbeat than on tournament.” changes the score,” Al the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the governing body said Thursday, as yesterday Al Kaabi entered the Kaabi said. the Doha Golf Club yesterday. in a statement yesterday. It added, however, that a special investiga- tion committee of experts had found no evidence of active interference in the results after carry- ing out 50 interviews over a four month period. "An unwelcome axis of influence and sole Wang, Kiradech lead Asian charge in Doha decision-making had been created and used by former Senior Management that led to a lack of due process being carried out," said AIBA pres- The Peninsula going in and I was two-over, ident Ching-kuo Wu. then the birdie on 10 "Whilst there is no evidence that this had a outh Korean Wang changed the momentum,” direct influence on results in Rio, if best practice Jeunghun joined Thai- said Kiradech, who’s in a is not followed 100 percent of the time by our Sland’s Kiradech rich vein of form after a tie officials and R&Js (referees and judges), that is Aphibarnrat in saying that for fourth in Abu Dhabi last unacceptable." 2017 could be the year the week. Commercial Bank Qatar “It’s a great honour to be Masters crowns its first Asian among the Asian players at champion. the top with Wang. We had Wang, 21, carded a five- a lot of fun today and talked Joshua-Klitschko title under-par 67 at Doha Golf a lot. He’s a good friend, a Club to join playing partner nice guy and a great player. bout attracts record Kiradech and seven others It was so nice for both of us in a share of the lead at to finish well. eight-under. The nine-way “I’m confident going Wembley crowd tie matched the European into the weekend as I’ve Tour record for most play- been striking the ball well, London ers tied for a lead, set in the rolling the putts and recov- AFP first round of the 2007 Wales ering well, so I just need to Open. keep doing what I’m doing. ritain's heavyweight world champion Despite narrowly miss- Who knows, on Sunday, at Anthony Joshua's mouthwatering bout with ing a birdie putt on 18, Wang the end of the day, it might Blegendary Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko – the youngest player in last be my day.” for the IBF and WBA crowns will be attended by year’s Olympic Men’s Golf Kiradech Wang and Kiradech 90,000 spectators equalling the record for a Brit- Wang Jeunghun Tournament – was in an Aphibarnrat shared the halfway lead ish fight. upbeat mood as the 2016 with South Africans Van Zyl The London showdown will break the post- European Tour Rookie of the and final round to go so I feel with my friends. I think it Kiradech, a three-time and Thomas Aiken, Span- war British record for attendance at a boxing Year shone on his tourna- okay. I feel confident. This is helped me to shoot eight- European Tour winner, iards Jorge Campillo and match for the rematch between British pugilist ment debut. a big chance to win. I like the under over the first two opened with a 66 but fell , England’s Carl Froch and American challenger George “I’ve never seen nine course and the wind condi- days,” said Wang, who’s not back on Friday after bogeys Andy Sullivan, Finland’s Groves for the former's WBA and IBF super-mid- players tied for the lead – tions, and I think I have a worried about the possibil- at one and six before the Mikko Korhonen and dleweight titles at Wembley in 2014 which and I really tried to make a really good chance right now.” ity of the wind blowing up at burly 27-year-old bounced Welshman Bradley Dredge, attracted a crowd of 80,000. birdie on the last,” laughed Wang is paired with the weekend. back on the back nine with the first-round leader. That record for Wembley has been broken Wang, who broke through South African Jaco Van Zyl “Actually, I hope it’s birdies at 10, 12, 16 and 17. The congested leader- because London Mayor Sadiq Khan responded on the European Tour with for the third round after play- going to be windier. I don’t “I had a lot of birdie board also featured seven to demand from the boxing world and enlarged back-to-back wins in ing two rounds with Kiradech know why I’m good in the chances on the front nine, players tied at seven-under the capacity permitted to attend to 90,000. Morocco and Mauritius last and Australian Scott Hend, wind, but I think my distance but I just couldn’t make it, and 10 more at six-under It equals the British record of 90,000 when May. the 2016 Order of control in the wind is good so the key was to make the including four-time Major Len Harvey fought Jock McAvoy for the world “I was close to holing the Merit winner. so I think I have a good first birdie on 10. For some winner Ernie Els and World light heavyweight title at White City in London putt, but I still have the third “I was so happy to play chance to win.” reason, the ball just wasn’t Number 10 Alex Noren. in 1939 which the former won. SPORT

Saturday 28 January 2017

PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Nadal sets up Paisley wins dream final $150,000 for against Federer hole-in-one Record nine-way tie at Qatar Masters Congestion The congested leaderboard at DGC also features seven players tied at Second round scores seven-under and 10 136 Thomas Aiken (RSA) 68 68 more at six-under, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 69 67 including four-time Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 67 69 Major winner Els and Mikko Korhonen (FIN) 65 71 World No.10 Noren. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 66 70 Andy Sullivan 68 68 Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 69 67 The Peninsula Nacho Elvira (ESP) 67 69 Bradley Dredge 64 72 joint-record nine players from Spain 137 (DEN) 69 68 (two), South Africa Anthony Wall 68 69 (two), England, Fin- Paul Dunne 67 70 land, South Korea, Daniel Im (USA) 68 69 ThailandA and Wales were tied for Chris Hanson 68 69 the lead at eight-under-par after Jordan Smith 71 66 the second round of the 20th Simon Dyson 67 70 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. 138 Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 69 69 The figure matched the Alex Noren (SWE) 68 70 European Tour record for most Alexander Bjork (SWE) 69 69 players tied for a lead – a nine- Mikko Korhonen of Finland, one Graeme Storm 68 70 way tie after the first round of of the nine players who shares Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 67 71 the 2007 Wales Open. the lead at the end of the Felipe Aguilar (CHI) 70 68 The congested leaderboard second round of the Commercial Ernie Els (RSA) 68 70 at Doha Golf Club also featured Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha (USA) 72 66 seven players tied at seven- Golf Club yesterday. Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 71 67 under and 10 more at six-under, Alexander Levy (FRA) 69 69 including four-time Major win- ner Ernie Els and World Number First-round leader Bradley finishes last year. The 29-year- Chris Wood and 2010 champion “Unfortunately it didn't really go 139 Chris Wood 69 70 10 Alex Noren. Dredge shot an even-par (72) to old Englishman carded a second Robert Karlsson. my way. I just didn't play as well Sam Walker 68 71 Young Korean Wang Jeun- remain eight-under, a score straight 68, but left it late to “Even today, it was just frus- today. I was struggling. Yesterday Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 70 69 ghun had a golden chance to matched by English Ryder Cup make a move after opening with trating on my first nine. I felt like I didn't hit as many fairways as I Joakim Lagergren (SWE) 67 72 take the outright lead late on debutant Andy Sullivan (68), Fin- 10 straight pars from hole 10. He I hit it really good. I hit a lot of would have liked. Today I also Alexander Knappe (GER) 67 72 with a 12-foot birdie putt on 18. land’s Mikko Korhonen (71), finally bagged his first birdie of shots close and just didn't quite didn't get as many as I would have However, the 2016 European South Africa’s Thomas Aiken (68) the day at the second and added convert, so when I birdied the sec- liked but also didn't putt as well. 140 Joel Stalter (FRA) 69 71 Tour Rookie of the Year nar- and Spaniards Jorge Campillo more at four, seven and eight. ond, the floodgates opened and I Overall, just not quite as good,” Nathan Kimsey 66 74 rowly missed and carded a (67) and Nacho Elvira (69). “I feel good. I felt like I've started holing a few more putts. said Dredge, who tied for fourth David Lingmerth (SWE) 71 69 five-under-par 67 to remain Campillo and Elvira and prepared really well for the start “The key is just to be patient last year. Romain Langasque (FRA) 70 70 eight-under and level with play- Korhonen are all seeking their of the season and it's nice to tomorrow and Sunday. I feel like “When we started off, it Oliver Fisher 70 70 ing partner Kiradech first European Tour win, while finally see some numbers that I'm swinging it well. Just give was pretty benign, pretty calm, Johan Carlsson (SWE) 71 69 Aphibarnrat (70) of Thailand and the six other co-leaders have all you would be quite happy with. myself loads of chances and even- but the wind got up and cer- Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69 71 seven others. won multiple titles. The last couple of weeks have tually they will drop. It's a nice tainly made things a bit more Peter Hanson (SWE) 70 70 South African Jaco Van Zyl Sullivan won three Euro- been a bit frustrating and I felt position to be in and I’m ready to difficult. I just need to try and Robert Karlsson (SWE) 70 70 (69), also playing in the later pean Tour titles in 2015 to help like it was only a matter of time attack at the weekend.” improve on what I'm doing, and Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 68 72 rounds, had earlier matched the secure a Ryder Cup debut at before I started to play well Dredge, 43, is seeking his try and get my eye in on the Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 70 70 clubhouse lead posted by six Hazeltine last year and is eager again, and it's come this week,” first European Tour title since greens like I did the first day Gregory Havret (FRA) 69 71 players who teed off early in the to secure a fourth victory, espe- said Sullivan, who played his first 2006, but was unable to push on and hopefully stay in Nino Bertasio (ITA) 71 69 morning. cially following two runner-up two rounds with 2013 champion after his opening 64. contention.” Umm Salal-El Jaish Aminu fires Red draw; Ali's strike Bull Salzburg into gives Al Ahli win Al Kass Cup semis

The Peninsula Salal and El Jaish walked away with a point each at Qatar The Peninsula Red Bull picked up the goal from Younes Ali Sports Club Stadium after a 1-1 pieces and were soon two goals helped Al Ahli to register draw. ed Bull Salzburg waltzed to the good. There seemed to Aa fighting 1-0 win over Umm Salal struck in the into the semi-finals of Al be little immediate danger Al Khor in the Round 18 of the 36th minute when they found RKass 2017 courtesy of a when Moussa Sissako failed to Qatar Stars League yesterday. the back of the net thanks to virtuoso performance from clear his defensive lines prop- Only a single goal separated Hilal Mohammed. Yannick striker Aminu Mohamed, at the erly. However, Aminu pounced the two sides as Yousef Adam’s Sagbo, launched a long looping Aspire Zone yesterday. and blasted a companion piece men came out victorious giv- cross from the right wing that Aminu's two extraordinary to his first goal into the top left ing them their third straight win Jaish’s defence failed to deal goals will be talked about for corner, from all of 25 yards out. in the league. with and Hilal was able to stab years to come by those lucky On 52 minutes, PSG In the thirtieth minute, Ali it home from within the six yard enough to have witnessed them. reduced the deficit. Dangerman Farydon controlled the ball box to give the Orange Fortress The result was a little cruel Weah scoring the goal. after it was headed towards him a one nil lead going into half on a gallant PSG side, who con- Aidin Ovanovicadded the from a cross. Farydon then time. tributed massively to an third one for the Austrian team. dribbled the ball towards the Jaish struck first to draw the absorbing contest, but ulti- But then, with eight min- edge of the box and then laid it game at 1-1 following a contro- mately the Austrians were good utes remaining, PSG secured a off to his teammate, Younes Ali, versial equaliser in the 61st value for their 3-2 victory. lifeline when Postolachi rose who curled the ball into the goal minute. Umm Salal attempted The Austrians went into the unmarked to meet a corner from right outside the box. to stop play after they thought lead when Aminu Mohamed from the right and finish Al Ahli held on to their slen- Jaish’s Mohammed Al-Yazidi slammed home a half volley emphatically, to make the score der advantage and added three fouled Abdel Alawiin in mid- from 30 yards out to put Salz- 3-2. points to their tally. The Briga- field. Despite Alawiin writhing burg in front. In terms of On Thursday, Aspirede- diers now have twenty-three around in pain, Jaish played on technical execution, it was feated Esperance De Tunis 2-1 points from eighteen games and Abdulgadir Ilyas found arguably the strike of the tour- to reach the semis, while Ein- while Al Khor remains at nine- himself at the end of a cross and nament, and one that instantly tracht Frankfurt defeated PSV Action from the Qatar Stars League match between Al Ahli and teen points. able to poke it home from two entered Al Kass International Eindhoven by three goals to In the other match, Umm yards out to make it 1-1. Al Khor in Doha yesterday. Al Ahli won 1-0. Cup’s all-time Hall of Fame. advance to the last four stage.