QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Ashleigh Barty QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune among nine of top-ten tennis stars confirmed for Qatar Total Open 2021 page 15 TUESday, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 Lewandowski brace books Bayern’s place in the final Agencies Doha

European champions Bay- ern Munich defeated Al Ahly of Egypt 2-0 in the FIFA Club Bayern Munich’s German coach World Cup Qatar 2020 semi-fi- Hans-Dieter Flick looks on nal on Monday night at the Ah- during the FIFA Club World Cup mad Bin Ali Stadium to move semi-final against Egypt’s Al Ahly within one victory of a sixth title at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in a row. on Monday. (AFP) ‘World Footballer of the Year’ Robert Lewandowski was on target in the 17th and 86th Qatar in great minute. Bayern completely domi- shape for nated against the African champions and wasted further chances, especially before the WC 2022, break. Al Ahly, who became a little more adventurous af- says Flick ter the break, only managed a header from Taher Mohamed Tribune News Network which was easily saved by Doha Manuel Neuer. In the final on Thursday, Bayern Munich’s head coach Bayern meet Mexican side Ti- Hans-Dieter Flick and mid- gres UANL, who beat South fielder Joshua Kimmich said American champions Palmeiras the conditions in Qatar includ- of Brazil 1-0 in the first semi- ing the pitch were perfect for final on Sunday. football adding that the coun- try was in great shape for FIFA World Cup 2022. The coach and player opined ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 semi-final against Al Ahly at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday. Flick said the conditions in Qatar were perfect for football as his arrived at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. “It’s always Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (2nd left) celebrates his opening goal during the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Egypt’s Al Ahly at the Ahmad Bin Ali special to play here and we as Stadium in Al Rayyan on Monday. (AFP) Bayern München want to win every match,” said Flick. An Al Ahly fan during the FIFA “We have perfect condi- Club World Cup semi-final at tions – I just had a look at the the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on pitch and the conditions are top- Monday. (AFP) notch, the stadium is beautiful.” Flick continued: “One can Bayern are seeking a sixth tell that everything will be in title in one year at the tourna- great shape to host the World ment delayed from December Cup in 2022. And for us that owing to the coronavirus, hav- means we want to leave Qatar ing won the Bundesliga, Ger- with the best result possible.” man Cup, Champions League Meanwhile, defensive mid- and the German and European fielder Joshua Kimmich, who Super Cups in 2020. today celebrated his 26th birth- The Germans have won the day, also praised the local con- Club World Cup and its pre- ditions. “We have very modern decessor, the Intercontinental Robert Lewandowski gestures after his second goal at the Ahmad Bin and beautiful stadiums in Ger- Cup, three times before, in 1976, Ali Stadium on Monday. (AFP) many too – but of course it is 2001 and 2013. always nice to play in beautiful Lewandowski saw the Eu- ball back to Lewandowski, who Bayern continued to enjoy stadiums,” he said .“I just went ropean champions settle swiftly took a touch and fizzed a low the best of the possession and out on to the pitch and the grass into their irresistible rhythm, drive past El Shenawy before he the chances in the second half, is a dream – just perfect.” while the African kings were in- could react. but Al Ahly threatened on the Flick went on to say Bay- debted to goalkeeper Mohamed Al Ahly quickly had their break, albeit failing to test Neu- ern were determined to com- El Shenawy for keeping the first chance, but Taher Moham- er. With minutes remaining, pete in the FIFA Club World deadlock intact in the opening ed’s header from a fine Moham- substitute Leroy Sane dinked a Cup and win the tournament quarter-hour. ed Hany centre went straight at cross to the back post to give Le- for the second time, following Minutes later, however, the Manuel Neuer, while Lewan- wandowki a simple header and their maiden victory in 2013. breakthrough came. Kingsley dowski, the impressive Joshua put the contest to bed. Success for Bayern would also Coman’s right-wing cross found Kimmich and Alphonso Davies Scoreline: Bayern Munich 2 secure a sixth piece of silver- Serge Gnabry in a shooting po- all spurned chances to amplify (Robert Lewandowski 17’, 86’) bt ware in the last year. sition, but he cannily cut the Bayern’s lead before the break. Al Ahly 0. Bayern Munich supporters cheer their team at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday. (AFP) Al Ahly stars appreciate Qatar’s organisation of FIFA CWC

victory over Al Duhail at the Everyone is aware of the sig- Hussein El Shahat and Mohamed El Shenawy Education City Stadium. nificance of this event.O verall, believe everything is in place for Qatar to host He added: “There are everything is going well – the many Al Ahly fans all over hotel is excellent and the stadi- an outstanding FIFA World Cup in 2022 the world. I was very happy to ums are world-class. The play- play in front of a large crowd ers are happy and the atmos- Tribune News Network SC, said: “In terms of organi- here in Qatar – I love a pas- phere is very good.” El Shenawy Doha sation, everything has been sionate atmosphere. I hope said the tournament was excel- world-class. The training sites the crowd will continue to be lent preparation for the World Players from Egyptian gi- and stadiums are of the highest with us throughout the tour- Cup, which he believes fans ants Al Ahly SC have been full level. Qatar is doing a very good nament.” Al Ahly goalkeeper from across the globe will enjoy. of praise for Qatar’s hosting job and this is something which El Shenawy, meanwhile, said “Everything is very well or- abilities during the FIFA Club makes all Arabs very proud.” the players had adapted well to ganised here and the stadiums World Cup™. Winger El Shahat continued: the stringent health and safety are world-class. I am sure the Ahead of their semi-final “We hope it will be a fantastic protocols implemented by Qa- fans will enjoy the World Cup tonight against Bayern Mu- World Cup and I wish Qatar all tar in order to protect everyone in Qatar. The stadiums are all nich, Hussein El Shahat and the best. I hope to be here with from the spread of COVID-19. close to each other – and if fans Mohamed El Shenawy praised the Egyptian team in 2022. “We are all in the medical want to watch two matches a the tournament organisers “I think the fans will have bubble but the atmosphere is day, they can. The transport is and said fans had much to look a lot to enjoy here in 2022. very good,” said El Shenawy. good and fans can easily get to forward to when Qatar hosts Hopefully by then the pan- “We abide by the restrictions and from the stadiums. the FIFA World Cup™ in un- demic is over and we will see and thank the tournament “I could see from our first der two years’ time. full stadiums. I hope the fans organisers for their profes- match that everything went El Shahat, who scored will enjoy this atmosphere.” sionalism. We understand the smoothly. I think 2022 will be the winning goal in Al Ahly’s El Shahat also praised the circumstances we are in and very good for fans. They will second-round match against Qatar-based Al Ahly fans, who Al Ahly’s players greet their supporters after their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final loss to Bayern Munich at realise we need to be resilient enjoy everything that Qatar Qatari champions Al Duhail turned out in force for the 1-0 the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday. (AFP) for the sake of the tournament. has to offer.” Sports Tuesday, February 9, 2021 13 ‘Proud Tigres have come here for the trophy’

Agencies Doha

When Tigres UANL recruited Carlos Gonzalez in December 2020, the hope was that the Paraguayan front man would form an effective strike part- Tigres UANL forward nership with Andre-Pierre Gig- nac, not least at the imminent Carlos Gonzalez says the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™. It is a tournament with no margin for error and which Mexican side is motivated demands a step-up in quality, something the Mexican side to win the FIFA Club have demonstrably shown. Gonzalez was unquestion- ably one of the key figures in World Cup Qatar 2020 the historic 1-0 triumph over Palmeiras in the semi-finals that made Tigres the first Mexican side to win a Club World Cup semi-final in ten attempts. Moreover, the two previ- ous semi-finals between teams representing CONCACAF and CONMEBOL had gone the way of the South Americans, who had not even conceded a goal. All those sequences final- ly ended thanks to an inspired performance by Los Felinos, with Gonzalez among their number. “Here we are, with the stars in the sky shining down on us. We’re very proud of what we’ve done, and I im- agine there are a few tears among our fans. This triumph is for them,” the player nick- namedCharlysaid at the post- match press conference. It is true that the 28-year- Tigres UANL forward Carlos Gonzalez (No. 32) in action old centre forward, who was during the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Brazil’s signed from Pumas to deliver Palmeiras at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday. (AFP) goals, was not on target him- self against Palmeiras, but only some superlative stops from Weverton prevented worthy, with his role as target the build-up to the penalty now history. his early years as a profes- league game just the week be- sonality and infectious energy, that. In the first half, the Bra- man allowing Gignac to drop that led to the winning goal. “The triumph was down to sional in Chile, before moving fore his side headed to Qatar. he wants to go all the way. zilian produced one of the deeper and focus more on the Catching Luan off guard, immense effort. We achieved to Mexico, where he had suc- His coach Ferretti did not risk “No other Mexican team have saves of the tournament when creative side. Thus, both play- Gonzalez stole a yard on the what we set out to do and are cessful stints with Necaxa and starting him in their opening gone this far, but now we want he parried a bullet of header ers managed to pop up unno- defender, who had no option thrilled to be playing in a long- Pumas. game against Ulsan Hyundai more. We came here hoping from close range by the Para- ticed on more than one occa- to bring him down to prevent awaited final. Were it not for And to think that Gonzalez FC, preferring to bring him on to lift the trophy and now that guayan. sion and trouble the Verdão a one-on-one with Weverton. their keeper, the winning mar- almost missed the Club World only in the second half. we’re close, we’re encouraged Even so, Gonzalez’s con- defence. Gignac dispatched the result- gin could have been greater,” Cup because of a muscle in- Now, as you would expect and motivated that we can tribution in attack was note- The best example was in ing spot-kick, and the rest is added the striker, who spent jury picked up in a Mexican from someone with his per- achieve our goal.” (Fifa.com)

Brazil’s Ambassador FORMULA ONE highlights Qatar’s success Hamilton renews Mercedes contract for 2021 in hosting FIFA CWC DPA ment and other initiatives that Berlin/Munich fight injustice of any kind. his support of all precaution- He got Mercedes to change ary measures in place, par- Formula One world cham- their 2020 livery from tradi- ticularly in light of current pion Lewis Hamilton has re- tional silver to black and will conditions that requires strict newed his contract at the Mer- continue to speak out while measures to ensure the safety cedes team at last, but only also aiming to further rewrite of others. for the upcoming 2021 season the F1 record books. The Brazilian Ambassador which starts next month. “I am excited to be head- that the FIFA Club World Cup Mercedes motorsport ing into my ninth season with includes the best players in the chief Toto Wolff said in a my Mercedes teammates. world, making it hard to ex- statement on Monday that Our team has achieved in- pect the winner. He noted that “the very unusual year we had credible things together and Sunday’s match between Bra- in 2020 meant it took some we look forward to building zil’s Palmeiras and Mexico’s time to finish the process” of on our success even further, Tigres Unal was very strong the contract extension, amid while continuously looking to and highly competitive, with the coronavirus pandemic. improve, both on and off the the Brazilian team failing to Wolff later told reporters track,” Hamilton said. HE Ambassador of the Federative win at the end. that Mercedes had “no worst “I’m equally determined to Republic of Brazil Luiz Alberto His Excellency said that case scenario” should no deal continue the journey we start- Figueiredo Machado. he knows Qatari football quite have been struck, that both par- ed to make motorsport more well, as he followed the par- ties agreed on extending for just diverse for future generations QNA ticipation of the Qatari na- one season, and that Hamilton and I am grateful that Mer- Doha tional team in Copa America. already put to paper last week. cedes has been extremely sup- He highlighted that Brazil- Britain’s Hamilton came portive of my call to address HE Ambassador of the Fed- ians have beautiful memo- to Mercedes in 2013 in succes- this issue.” Hamilton was last erative Republic of Brazil Luiz ries in Qatar, when Flamengo sion of Michael Schumacher driver to sign a contract for the Alberto Figueiredo Machado reached the final of the FIFA and has since then erased the Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has renewed his contract at the Mercedes team at last, season which starts a week lat- has praised the State of Qa- Club World Cup last year. German from the record books but only for the upcoming 2021 season which starts next month. er than planned, on March 28 tar’s success in hosting the The Brazilian Ambassador in many areas. in Bahrain, owing to the pan- FIFA Club World Cup 2020, to the state highlighted the In 2021, Hamilton can demic. Pre-season tests are set during the coronavirus (COV- great development of Qatar’s move one ahead of Schumach- Lewis’s competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world for mid-March in Bahrain. ID-19) pandemic, highlighting infrastructure and the rapid er with a record eighth world Wolff said the big rule the success of the country’s rate of completing World Cup title. Currently on 95 race wins has ever seen ... The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the changes and budget caps healthcare system and the facilities. He added that those and 98 pole positions, he is history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to were in factor in the talks with contribution it made to host- factors bode well for hosting also poised to become the first compete and to add more chapters to it. Hamilton and that “we want to ing many sporting events. an exceptional World Cup edi- driver to reach the 100 mile- spare ourselves this 2022 dis- Speaking to Qatar News tion in 2022, expressing his stone in both statistics. Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff cussion and simply start with Agency (QNA), the Ambas- delight at being present in Qa- “Lewis wants to put all his the season.” sador of the Federative Re- tar to experience that develop- focus onto winning this eighth Without going into de- public of Brazil said that the ment and the preparations for title,” Wolff said. cord stands alongside the best pete and to add more chapters to take the next step in our tails, Wolff added that Hamil- State of Qatar remains the hosting the Middle-East’s first Hamilton’s future beyond the sports world has ever seen to it,” Wolff said in the team shared commitment to greater ton’s salary was not a difficult best in implementing health World Cup. the season remains unclear. ... The story of Mercedes and statement. diversity within our sport.” issue during the talks because measures and containing the He expressed his hope that He turned 36 last month and Lewis has written itself into “Together, we have decided Influential Hamilton, who the driver was aware that “we spread of the novel Coronavi- the Qatari team can win the F1 will undergo radical rule the history books of our sport to extend the sporting relation- has millions of followers on so- are living in difficult times, rus (COVID-19), noting that World Cup in Qatar in 2022, changes next year. over the past eight seasons, ship for another season and to cial media, is a big advocate of on the human side but also the country prioritizes safety pointing out that all teams “Lewis’s competitive re- and we are hungry to com- begin a longer-term project the Black Lives Matter move- economically.” of people overall else, and will be competing ferociously that is why it preferred not to for the title. He said that the receive Club World Cup fans Brazilians people love for foot- from outside Qatar. ball was mainly due to the joy Quick read He added that the Qatari it brings, especially that they government and FIFA are have been playing it form Norwegian club Molde to play their Europa League last 32 first-leg game in Spain making a big effort to ensure more than a 100 years. everyone involved in the com- HE the Brazilian Ambas- Copenhagen: Norwegian club Molde will play their last 32 first-leg match against Hoffenheim on February 18 in Spain because the German opponents are not allowed to petition is safe especially fans, sador to the state concluded enter Norway because of coronavirus restrictions. The Norwegian federation said the game will be played in the stadium of Primera Division side Villarreal. The return leg on who were set to come in large by highlighting the strength February 25 is to be played as planned in Hoffenheim’s arena in Sinsheim. Norway closed its borders on January 29 for everyone who is not a citizen or doesn’t have resi- numbers like last year’s edi- of bilateral relations between dency in the country. The few exceptions don’t apply for sports events. (dpa) tion. The ambassador voiced Qatar and Brazil. 14 Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Sports Hasan the hero as Pakistan script historic series win in Rawalpindi Chasing a target of 370, South Africa lose 7-33 to hand Pakistan their first series win over the Proteas in 18 years

Agencies trapped in front for five, and Rawalpindi South Africa’s prospects of chasing down 370 looked less In a big turn of events on the convincing at 135/3. final day, seamer Hasan Ali However, Markram and bagged career-best 10 wickets Bavuma then got together to in the match as Pakistan blitzed frustrate the home side. Theirs South Africa with the new ball was a partnership of grit and to complete a 95-run victory in determination, during the the second and final Test. course of which they negated Chasing a target of 370 the Pakistan bowlers riding for victory, which would have high on momentum, and then been a Test record in Pakistan, went about scaling the target. South Africa were well placed They put on 106 for the at 3-241 just after lunch on the fourth wicket, during the course fifth day following a century of which Markram brought up from Aiden Markram (108). his first Test century away from But when the home side home, and fifth overall. They took the new ball, Hasan (5-60) took South Africa into lunch and Shaheen Afridi (4-51) tore without further harm, at 219/3, the South African middle order and after they resumed, Ba- apart with expert swing bowling vuma brought up his half-cen- to dismiss the visitors for 274. tury as well. However, once the Hasan claimed 10-114 in second new ball was taken at the match as South Africa lost the first opportunity, the game their last seven wickets for the changed on its head. addition of only 33 runs on Hasan was the man to their return to Pakistan for the change it. In his first over with first time since 2007. the new ball, he had Markram Pakistan won the series splaying an edge to slip – the 2-0, their first series win over opener was furious with him- the Proteas since 2003. self, and had to walk back for It was also their first Test 108. Hasan wasn’t done yet, series win under the fledg- though. In his next ball, he ling captaincy career of Babar had the South Africa captain Azam. Mohammad Rizwan Quinton de Kock tempted into Pakistan’s Hasan Ali (right) and teammate celebrate after the dismissal of South Africa’s Faf du Plessis on the fifth and final day of the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket was declared Player of the Se- a drive and caught at second Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday. Ali returned match-winning figures of 16-2-60-5 as the hosts won by 95 runs.( AFP) ries, and it would have perhaps slip. South Africa were 243/5. been a perfect day for Pakistan The pressure had switched the South African batsmen col- Scoreboard had Aiden Markram and Tem- to South Africa. Wiaan Mulder lapsed – Keshav Maharaj and ba Bavuma not fought back in joined Temba Bavuma, and the Kagiso Rabada were dismissed Pakistan (1st Innings): 272 Wiaan Mulder b Yasir Shah 20 Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 21-6-51-4 (nb4), Hasan Ali 16-2- the morning. duo attempted to steady the in- within three balls of each other, South Africa (1st Innings): 201 George Linde c Faheem Ashraf b Hasan Ali 4 60-5 (nb3), Nauman Ali 20-6-63-0, Yasir Shah 23.4-5-56- Resuming overnight on nings again. But Shaheen Shah but Yasir Shah, brought back Pakistan (2nd Innings): 298 Keshav Maharaj c Butt b Shaheen Afridi 0 1, Faheem Ashraf 10-2-37-0, Fawad Alam 1-0-5-0. 127/1, South Africa’s hopes of Afridi probed in that tight line into the attack in the next over, South Africa (2nd Innings; Target: 370; Overnight 127-1) Kagiso Rabada b Shaheen Afridi 0 grinding down the target suf- outside off and eventually had finished things off with the Toss: Pakistan. Aiden Markram c Imran Butt b Hasan Ali 108 Anrich Nortje not out 2 Result: Pakistan won by 95 runs. fered early blows when Hasan Bavuma caught behind for 61. In wicket of Mulder for 20. Rassie van der Dussen b Hasan Ali 17 Extras: (lb 2, nb7): 9 had Rassie van der Dussen the next over, Hasan was back at South Africa lost seven Man of the Match: Hasan Ali Faf du Plessis lbw b Hasan Ali 5 Total: (All Out, 91.4 overs) 274 cleaned up in just the third it, finding the edge of Linde. wickets for just 33 runs, and Man of the Series: Mohammad Rizwan. Temba Bavuma c Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 61 Fall of wkts: 2-127, 3-135, 4-241, 5-241, 6-253, 7-258, ball of the day, two runs short There was no reprieve. for all their effort in the morn- Series: Pakistan 2-0. of a half-century. He then re- Shaheen continued sending it ing, Pakistan celebrated an- Quinton de Kock c Butt b Hasan Ali 0 8-268, 9-268, 10-274. turned to have Faf du Plessis in full and angling away, and other comfortable win. England set big target for India despite Ashwin six-for Agencies Leach yet again. India kept los- Chennai ing from one end but Sundar remained unperturbed as he An exciting finale awaits as kept finding gaps, even hitting England finished day four on a Anderson and Root for a six. high, setting India a target of Soon India lost their tail- 420, despite R Ashwin’s bril- enders with Anderson claiming Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defeating the liant six-wicket haul. the last wicket of Bumrah, and Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tam- As many as 15 wickets fell bowling the hosts out for 337 pa, Florida, on Saturday. The Buccaneers won 31-9. (Getty Images/AFP) on what turned out to be an with Sundar remaining unbeat- eventful day of Test cricket in en on 85 at the other end. Chennai. First, England had With a lead of 241, England Serena Williams hails India bowled out for 337 in did not enforce the follow-on the morning session, then the and sent in their openers Dom hosts’ bowlers bounced back, Sibley and Rory Burns to bat. ‘unbelievable’ Brady leaving England all out in the India introduced spinner Ash- final session for 178 from 46.3 win in the first over, and got DPA New England Patriots). It’s def- overs, setting Virat Kohli and a wicket with the first ball, as Berlin initely Tom Brady, he’s Tom co. a target of 420. Burns edged it to first slip. Brady. He’s amazing.” India got off to a steady In the seventh over, India Serena Williams took inspi- Brady banished everyone start in their chase, but lost lost a review when Ashwin ration from the “unbelievable” from his house in the days Rohit Sharma, who hit one thought he had trapped Dan Tom Brady as she cruised into leading up to the Super Bowl four and one six en route to a Lawrence in front, but the re- the second round of the Aus- so he could fully focus on in- 20-ball 12, in the sixth over. plays showed the impact was tralian Open with a “vintage” spiring the Buccaneers to Cheteshwar Pujara and Shub- outside off. But the India spin- performance. victory, but the 39-year-old man Gill survived the next six ner didn’t have to wait for long Brady made yet more his- Williams said she could never overs, taking their side to 39/1 for a wicket. He had Sibley tory on Sunday, the most suc- do the same as she would not at the close of play. (16) caught at leg slip, where, cessful player in NFL history want to be separated from her India need 381 more runs Cheteshwar Pujara took a bril- winning a seventh Super Bowl daughter, Olympia. to win on the final day, while India captain Virat Kohli (left) exults as Ravichandran Ashwin claims one of his six scalps on the fourth day liant reflex catch. as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers “I would not be able to go England need to take nine of the first Test against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday.(Pi c: BCCI) A few overs later, Is- beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. function without my three- wickets, setting up an intrigu- hant Sharma reached the The incredible Brady, 43, year-old around,” Williams ing finale. 300-wicket milestone in Tests, showed age is no barrier, throw- said. “I think I would be in a Earlier, the hosts resumed Scoreboard becoming only the third India ing three touchdown passes depression. day four on 257/6 with Wash- England (1st Inns): 578 Dom Sibley c Pujara b Ashwin 16 Nadeem 15-2-66-2 (nb3), Ishant Sharma 7-1-24-1, paceman to achieve the feat, – two of which were scored “We’ve been together eve- ington Sundar (33*) and R Ash- India (1st Innings; Overnight 257-6) Dan Lawrence lbw b I Sharma 18 Jasprit Bumrah 6-0-26-1 (nb1), Washinton Sundar 1-0- when he dismissed Lawrence by his long-time friend Rob ry day of her life, so... Is that win (8*) at the crease. England, Washington Sundar not out 85 Joe Root lbw b Bumrah 40 1-0. lbw for 18. Gronkowski – and completing healthy? Not at all! Not even R Ashwin c Buttler b Leach 31 Ben Stokes c Pant b Ashwin 7 India (2nd Innings: Target 420) who had posted a solid 578 in Shahbaz Nadeem c Stokes b Leach 0 Ollie Pope c R Sharma b Nadeem 28 Rohit Sharma b Leach 12 England kept losing wick- 21 of 29 throws for 201 yards. close. But every single day I their first innings, had walked Ishant Sharma c Pope b Anderson 4 Jos Buttler st Pant b Nadeem 24 Shubman Gill not out 15 ets at regular intervals, with Williams started her quest just want to be around her. It’s Jasprit Bumrah c Stokes b Anderson 0 Dom Bess lbw b Ashwin 25 into the field with an intention Chesteshwar Pujara not out 12 skipper Joe Root, who made a for a record-equalling 24th great. Everyone’s different. Extras: (b4, lb1, nb1) 6 Jofra Archer b Ashwin 5 Total: (For 1 wkt, 13 overs): 39 to bowl India out as early as Total: (All Out, 95.5 overs) 337 Jack Leach not out 8 sensational 218 in the first in- Grand Slam singles title with “I can totally understand possible, with the second new Fall of wkts: 7-305, 8-312, 9-323, 10-337. James Anderson c&b Ashwin 0 Yet to bat: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, nings, falling for 40 this time. a 6-1 6-1 defeat of Laura Siege- why he would banish because ball due in just six overs. Bowling: James Anderson 16.5-5-46-2, Jofra Archer Extras: (nb 7) 7 Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Only Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler mund on Monday, then paid if I had the strength to do it, I But Sundar looked in good 21-3-75-2, Ben Stokes 6-1-16-0, Jack Leach 24-5- Total: (All Out, 46.3 overs) 178 Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem. and Dom Bess made in twen- tribute to her fellow American would too. 105-2, Dom Bess 26-5-76-4, Joe Root 2-0-14-0. Fall of wkts: 1-0, 2-32, 3-58, 4-71, 5-101, 6-130, Fall of wkt: 1-25. touch from the start, played England (2nd Innings) 7-165, 8-167, 9-178, 10-178. Bowling: Jofra Archer 3-2-13-0, Jack Leach 6-1-21-1, ties while the rest of the line- Brady. “I could see it’s definitely a against England’s spin-bowl- Rory Burns c Rahane b Ashwin 0 Bowling: R Ashwin 17.3-2-61-6 (nb3), Shahbaz James Anderson 2-1-2-0, Dom Bess 2-0-3-0. up crumbled. “It’s unbelievable. I just was distraction, especially every year ing duo of Dom Bess and Jack Despite a good comeback watching as much as I could to that I’ve played except for the Leach well, as he kept the century in two Tests. England attack, and a stable A few overs later, the spin- from the Indian bowlers, the see. My only word is it’s unbe- past few months, I finally am scoreboard ticking with regu- The next over saw England partnership was building. The ner had accounted for Shahbaz visitors had set a solid target lievable. I kept saying: ‘This is starting to get better at it. The lar boundaries. It took him introducing pace, with a shiny duo shared an 80-run stand Nadeem’s wicket who fell for on board. Ashwin was the pick unbelievable, this is unreal’. first two and a half years was only 14 balls in the day to race new ball in hand. Ashwin and before Leach had Ashwin nought, the extra bounce from of the bowlers for India, with “You can’t say it was the very difficult. I wasn’t strong to his fifty, his second half- Sundar continued to tackle the caught behind for 31. the new ball did the trick for returns of 6/61. system he was at formerly (the enough to do the banishment.” Sports Tuesday, February 9, 2021 15 Nine of the world’s top-ten stars confirmed for Qatar Total Open Tribune News Network Doha

Tennis lovers are in for a splendid time as nine of the World’s top-ten players have confirmed their participation at this year’s Qatar Total Open to be held from March 1 to 6 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha. Except for World No. 3 and three-time Grand Slam win- ner, Naomi Osaka of Japan, We are very excited with the all the superstars in the upper echelon of the Women’s Ten- array of stars on parade at nis Association (WTA), led by this year’s tournament, World No.1 Ashleigh Barty of which is one of the Australia, will be strutting their strongest. Having nine out stuff in Doha in what promises of the ten top stars to be one of the best tourna- ments in the region so far. confirmed for this Joining the 2019 French tournament indicates the Open champion Barty at the importance they’ve placed annual WTA Tour Premier on the Qatar Total Open. tournament are world second- Australia’s Ashleigh Barty (left), and Romania’s Simona Halep, seen in action during her opening round Australian Open match against Lizette Cabrera of Australia in Melbourne on ranked Simona Halep, the Monday, will be among those strutting their stuff in the Qatar Total Open to be held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex from March 1 to 6. (AFP) Tariq Zainal, 2014 champion, and 2020 Secretary-General, Australian Open champion last year’s semi-finals, will be (2012, 2013) – have had the sports lovers in Doha, and we Qatar Tennis Federation. Sofia Kenin. hoping to lay her hands on the privilege of lifting the trophy on look forward to another ex- Others on the cards for the golden Falcon trophy for the more than one occasion. citing time this year as well. 19th edition of the annual tour- first time with her second ap- “We are very excited with We cannot wait enough to round of exciting tennis is nament are 2019 Wimbledon pearance in Doha. the array of stars on parade at welcome all the stars come here, and we are happy to be Open semi-finalist Elina Svito- Barty, a former cricketer this year’s tournament, which March,” Tariq Zainal, QTF hosting the World’s best play- lina, 2017 champion Karolina who became the second Aus- is one of the strongest. Having Secretary-General, said. ers in Doha again. We are de- Pliskova, 2020 champion Ary- tralian to capture the WTA Fi- nine out of the ten top stars In all, a total of 32 players, lighted with the superstars’ na Sabalenka, 2018 champion nals crown following 1974 and confirmed for this tourna- including four qualifiers, are interests, which is a testimony Petra Kvitova, 2019 US Open 1976 champion Evonne Gool- ment indicates the importance expected to feature in the sin- to the wonderful hospital- champion Bianca Andreescu agong Cawley, and the fifth She secured the ninth title of Since the tournament be- they’ve placed on the Qatar gles event of the WTA Premier ity they’ve always enjoyed in and Kiki Bertens, the 2016 player to win the tournament her professional career on Sun- gan in 2001, only three play- Total Open. 5 tournament while 16 teams Doha - the home of hospitality. French Open semi-finalist. as a debutante, is having her day at the Yarra Valley Classic ers - Anastasia Myskina (2003, “The tournament has al- will slug it out in the doubles. We look forward to welcoming The 24-year-old Barty, second successive season on after defeating Spain’s Garbine 2004), Maria Sharapova (2005, ways lived to its promise of Tournament Director Saad everyone to this exciting tour- who Petra Kvitova stopped in the top of the WTA rankings. Muguruza in straight sets. 2008) and Victoria Azarenka bringing the best of tennis to Al Mohannadi said, “Another nament come March.”

AUSTRALIAN OPEN Djokovic makes short work of Chardy

Serena Williams of the US hits a return against Germany’s Laura Siegemund during their women’s singles match on day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. (AFP) ‘Vintage Rena’ races into round two with Siegemund demolition Agencies She sustained a serious knee Melbourne injury shortly after that zenith, which kept her off tour for al- Serena Williams produced most 12 months. But she has a statement performance on since worked her way back in- Monday at Rod Laver Arena to side the top 50, and is one of the move into the second round of game’s grittiest competitors. Australian Open 2021. Williams, clad in an eye- And it was a statement in catching, multi-coloured every way possible, from the bodysuit with legs of varying outfit she emerged onto court length, began slowly, winning wearing, to her response to just won point in her opening getting broken in the very first service game. Serbian Novak Djokovic hits a return against France’s Jeremy Chardy during their men’s singles match on game, to the scoreline at the But after clawing her way day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. (AFP) end of the 56-minute rout. through a tight second game Williams, the 10th seed, by breaking back on her third dismissed Germany’s Laura opportunity, she was untouch- Play in Melbourne took place with the show courts filled to one-third with spectators Siegemund 6-1 6-1 set up a able. The 23-time Grand Slam as local authorities are allowing 30,000 fans to Melbourne Park each day. clash with Nina Stojanovic, a champion collected the next straight-sets winner against 10 consecutive games, hit- “Thank you so much, I really up where she left off, winning at Margaret Court Arena, Irina-Camelia Begu. ting several winners as Siege- Japanese Naomi Osaka in action against Russian Anastasia Pavly- appreciate your support.” her first match in 15 months - 40-year-old Venus Williams “This was a good start. mund’s game disintegrated at uchenkova at the Australian Open on Monday. (AFP) Djokovic was hardly trou- since the New York final - after defeated Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, Definitelyvintage ‘Rena’,” the the other end of the court. bled by Chardy as he advanced skipping the whole 2020 sea- 6-2 while; and Swiatek ousted 39-year-old American said. After Williams had extend- DPA There were also first-round in the night session to a date son due to injury and opting Dutch Arantxa Rus 6-1, 6-3. “It’s definitely good.I think ed her second-set lead to 4-0 Sydney victories for US Open champi- with American Francis Tiafoe, out when the tour resumed On the men’s side, Aus- I’m pretty good at pacing my- with a searing ace down the T, on Dominic Thiem and French and Williams was also in full after a break due to the coro- tria’s Thiem dispatched Ka- self in a Grand Slam. Siegemund got on the board Eight-time champion No- Open winner Iga Swiatek but control as it took American navirus pandemic. zakh Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6 “I was happy just to get in the next game with a cross- vak Djokovic made short work former world number one 10th seed Williams under an Kerber meanwhile crashed (7-2), 6-2, 6-4. big serving through it. Wasn’t sure how court backhand – just her of Jeremy Chardy and Serena and 2016 Melbourne champ hour to get past Siegemund against American Bernarda Canadian Milos Raonic made my serve would be after a lit- fourth winner for the match. Williams also wasted no time Angelique Kerber of Germany and now face unseeded Ser- Pera 6-0, 6-4. quick business of Argentina’s tle bit of that shoulder, but it’s But it did nothing to alter in dismissing Laura Siege- went out. bian Nina Stojanovic. Kerber was among the Federico Coria 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, feeling good, I’m feeling good. the course of the encounter; mund on the first day of play at Play in Melbourne took Second seed Simona Halep players who were not permit- and last year’s Melbourne So it felt really good. two games later, she double- the Australian Open Monday. place with the show courts of Romania routed Australian ted to leave their hotel rooms semi-finalist Alexander Zverev “Last year was very crazy faulted on match point. World number one Djok- filled to one-third with spec- wild-card Lizette Cabrera 6-2, at all for two weeks after arriv- of Germany rallied to defeat for the world, and to be able to Williams remains unde- ovic took 91 minutes to clinch tators as local authorities are 6-1, and number three seed ing in Australia because other Marcos Giron of the US 6-7 do what I love and to be able to feated in 2021, impressive in a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory over his allowing 30,000 fans to Mel- and 2019 winner Naomi Osaka passengers aboard their char- (8-10), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-2. come out and compete and play wins over Daria Gavrilova, French opponent, paving the bourne Park each day. cruised past Russian Anastasia ter flights had tested positive Three-time Grand Slam at a Grand Slam, after the last Tsvetana Pironkova and Dan- way to victory with a break It is a welcome change for Pavlyuchenkova with an almost for the new coronavirus. champion Wawrinka dis- 12 months, it makes me appre- ielle Collins to reach the WTA in the long fifth game of the players amid the coronavirus idental scoreline, 6-1, 6-2. All players and their en- missed Portugal’s Pedro Sousa ciate the moment even more.” Yarra Valley Open semifinals third set. pandemic after last year’s US Canada’s Bianca An- tourages had to quarantine for 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 at the renamed Siegemund threatened to before withdrawing ahead of Williams meanwhile Open took place behind closed dreescu, who in 2019 defeated two weeks upon their arrival John Cain Arena, formerly be a tricky opening assign- her clash with Ash Barty with dropped serve in the open- doors and the French Open in Williams in the US Open final, in Australia, but most com- Melbourne Arena. ment for Williams; ranked as a shoulder complaint. ing game then then reeled front of very small crowds. was back to her winning ways petitors were allowed to train Young Finn Emil Ruu- high as 27th in August 2016, And now on a five-match off 10 games in a row to oust “It makes my heart full to against Romania’s Mihaela for five hours a day. suvuori saved 17 of 23 break she won her biggest career ti- winning streak, she improves Germany’s Siegemund, 6-1, see a crowd in the stadium Buzarnescu, with the 6-2, 4-6, Andreescu was reportedly points and stunned 10th seed tle in Stuttgart the next year, her record in Grand Slam 6-1 in her latest attempt for a again. This is the most people 6-3 victory her eighth consec- also among the players in hard Gael Monfils 3-6,6-4, 7-5, 3-6, defeating three top-10 oppo- first-round matches to a jaw- record-equalling 24th title at I’ve seen on a tennis court in utive at a slam. lockdown. 6-3 in 3 hours and 46 minutes nents along the way. dropping 76-1. the majors. 12 months,” Djokovic said. The 20-year-old picked In the opening match to win in his Australian debut.