SPORT Friday 11 January 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 South Africa : seek clean Federer to launch sweep against defence against Pakistan Istomin

FRIENDLY MATCHES IN has a long-term vision to develop football: Bierhoff Today Finland vs Estonia QNA people, and we saw great things detailed work, and enthusiasm you’re still planning, is very Khalifa International Stadium DOHA that I did not expect to be so huge that I saw in the people, Qatar has impressive.” (3.00pm) and detailed. It’s a great vision and a good chance of having a good He said, “I recently watched Football legend and General work that Aspire is doing here.” team at the 2022 World Cup,” Qatar draw against Iceland and Sweden vs Iceland Manager of Germany’s national He added, “It’s great facilities Bierhoff said. beat Switzerland, and they played Khalifa International Stadium team Oliver Bierhoff praised with so much space and quality, Moreover, Netherlands very good football. Switzerland (7.45pm) Qatar’s long-term vision for the with experts from all over the football legend Johan Neeskens then beat Belgium 5-2, so this development of football and sports world, who are developing football also praised Qatar’s preparations shows how much Qatar has been PSV Eindhoven vs Club Brugge in general, stressing that Qatar has and sports, which was very inter- for 2022 during a recent visit to improving. The World Cup can At Aspire Zone Outdoor pitch no. great opportunities to present a esting for me to see how they try Doha. give so much, especially if the host 5 (3.00pm) strong team in the 2022 World to deal with every detail with tech- After hearing about Qatar’s nation is performing well, so I hope Cup. nology. It’s along vision for sure, infrastructure projects and legacy Qatar can keep it up. I also hope Tuesday, January 15 On Wednesday, Bierhoff said: Qatar football want to become programs, Neeskens said, “You the Netherlands qualifies for 2022 Iceland vs Estonia “We spent two incredible days important, it takes some time, but have four years to go but what you and we finally win the tour- At Al Sadd Stadium (7.45pm) Oliver Bierhoff with great hospitality from Qatari I’m sure with all these efforts, have already achieved, and what nament,” Neeskens said.

Qatar’s Almoez Ali (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team’s second goal against Lebanon during the AFC Asian Cup Group E match in Al Ain, UAE, on Wednesday. QSL Cup: Al Kharaitiyat beat Umm Salal 2-0

THE PENINSULA Three minutes from the DOHA first-half whistle, Al Kharaitiyat doubled their lead with a bit of Al Kharaitiyat yesterday beat luck favouring the boys in black Umm Salal 2-0 in their fifth- outfits. A loopy cross from an round clash of the QSL Cup. Umm Salal player landed at the First-half goals from Magid feet of Abdulaziz Al Ansari. The Salmeen and Abdulaziz Al Al Kharaitiyat striker volleyed Ansari powered Al Kharaitiyat home in style, sending the ball - now coached by Wisam Rizq crashing into the net from a shot - to their second win of the inside the Umm Salal box. tournament. Both sides failed to score in Al Kharaitiyat opened the the second half at Grand Hamad scoring at the half hour-mark Stadium. when Magid Salmeen fired Salmeen, captain of Al home off an indirect corner Kharaitiyat, received a yellow kick. After picking up a lose ball, card in the 49th minute whereas Salmeen tapped the ball with a Atef Mohammed (53) and Luiz Sanchez lauds Qatar’s pacy shot that went through the Araujo (56) of Umm Salal were hands of Umm Salal keeper also penalised with yellow Basel Zaidan. cards. patience after 2-0 win Sneijder strikes late as THE AFC disciplined and well-drilled and free-kick opened the scoring players did very well in the last AL AIN the performance of their oppo- before Ali tapped in from close 30 minutes.” Al Gharafa force a draw nents came as little surprise to range to safeguard all three Qatar’s next match in the Felix Sanchez praised his side’s the Spanish coach. points 11 minutes from time, with 24-team tournament is against THE PENINSULA ball into the net for Al Arabi’s patient approach as Qatar made “We knew that this scenario Qatar growing in stature as the North Korea on Sunday, January DOHA first goal at Grand Hamad a winning start to the AFC Asian could happen in the game,” said game progressed. 13. They will meet Saudi Arabia Stadium. Cup UAE 2019 with a 2-0 victory Sanchez. “Lebanon is a very “The other team was very on the 18th. A second-half strike by Wesley Both sides walked off the over Lebanon in Al Ain on competitive team and in every well organised and many timesmes Sneijder yesterday helped Al pitch at half time with Al Arabi Wednesday evening, which came game they lose, they lose only by we reached the last third we Gharafa post a 1-1 draw against holding on to their slender lead courtesy of two goals in the final one goal and it’s difficult to score were not able to shoot, or theyhey Al Arabi. In the 23rd minute of against Group A leaders. 25 minutes of the game. against them. We knew this stopped us or we were not ableble the match, hosts Al Arabi In the second half, Al Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez would be the scenario. to cross,” said Sanchez. “In thethe grabbed the lead in the Group Gharafa upped the ante and Ali scored for the Gulf side as “They were patient and this first half when we got into thethe A clash. attacked the Al Arabi goalmouth they joined Saudi Arabia at the was one of the keys. We found last third we needed to finish the Fahad Khalfan spotted repeatedly. In the 74th minute, top of Group E after the first the chances and it was good for action and in the second half ththee Diego Jardel unmarked close to Dutch international and Al round of matches, with the pair’s us to be able to score. There are players understood and werere the Al Gharafa box and slipped Gharafa skipper Wesley Sne- goals capping an assured display many games that this will happen able to find gaps and to finish.h. in a neat cross. Jardel tapped the ijder exhibited glimpses of his in the second period by the in this competition because all “When you start a tour- ball and charged into the Al former glory days when he Qataris. the teams are really well pre- nament and play in a game Gharafa box even as keeper curled in a superb free-kick to Sanchez’s side were made to pared and have strength and it’s like this, things are more dif- Qasim Burhan stepped out of score the equaliser. work for the points against a not easy to achieve good results.” ficult. The opposition was his position. Jardel easily hood- Al Arabi are still without a Felix Sanchez Lebanon team that was Al Rawi’s 65th minute curling very well organised but the winked Burhan and flicked the win from five matches. Qatar seek winning start at IHF Worlds Al Attiyah extends Dakar Rally lead with stage win

QNA Al Shaabi added that the management we tried to COPENHAGEN Angola are one of the best remove the pressure on the teams in Africa and developed players and prepare them psy- The President of Qatar significantly in recent years chologically for the difficult Handball Association Ahmed and therefore the task is very task in the tournament, espe- Al Shaabi confirmed that the difficult especially if we recall cially as the first match achievements of the Qatari the result of the only confron- tomorrow against Angola are team in the last two World tation against Angola in the very important and winning Championships in Doha and tournament, which was in this match will give a motive Paris always put the team Germany 2007, and at that to advance to the second under pressure in every partic- time Angola won and took a round and then to go further ipation, whether in the World place ahead of us in the overall in the competitions. Championships or in any other ranking. He expressed his con- Meanwhile, Qatar handball tournament. fidence in Qatari players to captain Wajdi Sinen said that Al Shaabi said in a press perform strongly and to Qatari team will start their statement today that the team present an honorable level. campaign against Angola in are ready to defend their Concerning securing the the Group D and the match is chances of competing for one eight place in last edition in a gateway to continue the of the qualifying cards for France and before that the squad’s goal and ambition in Group D of the World Cup Ger- second place in Doha, Al the upcoming matches of the many-Denmark 2019, adding Shaabi added that what has tournament. that the first match against always been achieved is a Qatar are in Group D of the Toyota’s Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during the Angola is a tough and difficult pressure on the team espe- World Championship along Dakar Rally in Peru. Al Attiyah won the fourth stage which ran from Arequipa to Tacna, yesterday to extend match and we hope to achieve cially in this version and this with Angola, Egypt, Hungary, his overall lead. the first win. is normal and expected, but in Sweden and Argentina. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2019 AFC Asian Cup: UAE beat South Africa seek clean sweep against Pakistan

AFP TEAMS India to keep hopes alive JOHANNESBURG South Africa (from): Dean Elgar (capt), Aiden Markram or Pieter THE AFC / AGENCIES United Arab Emirates’ Despite being without Malan, Hashim Amla, Temba ABU DHAB midfielder Ismail Al Hamadi suspended captain Faf du Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, (centre) vies for the ball with Plessis, South Africa will be Zubayr Hamza, Quinton de Kock The United Arab Emirates edged a step closer to a place India’s midfielder Udanta pushing for a clean sweep (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019’s Round of 16 yesterday Singh during their 2019 AFC when they play Pakistan in Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale as a hard-fought 2-0 win over India saw Alberto Zacch- Asian Cup group A match the third and final Test Steyn, Duanne Olivier eroni’s side go top of a decidedly tight Group A. played at Zayed Sports starting at the Wanderers On a night of high-octane entertainment at a won- City Stadium in , Stadium today. Pakistan (from): Sarfraz Ahmed derfully atmospheric Zayed Sports City Stadium, goals yesterday. Opening batsman Dean (capt/wkt), Imam-ul-Haq, Shan from Khalfan Mubarak and helped secure Elgar was announced as Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, the vital victory, one which re-ignites the UAE’s aspira- stand-in captain on Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, tions of reaching the knockout phase following a 1-1 Wednesday after Du Plessis Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, draw with regional rivals Bahrain on Matchday One. was suspended for one match Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Hasan With all still to play for in Monday’s final set of fix- after South Africa fell short of Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen tures, the table-topping Emiratis are on four points, one the required over rate during Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan ahead of India in second and third-placed Thailand after their nine- win in the the Southeast Asians beat Bahrain 1-0 earlier in the day. second Test at Newlands. Under the watchful gaze of CONCACAF referee Cesar The loss of Du Plessis will second innings at Newlands. Ramos, it was India that fashioned the game’s first inevitably disrupt South Uncapped Pieter Malan, a genuine chance when Ashique Kuruniyan darted into Africa’s plans. He has led teammate of Hamza at the the area before unleashing a fierce drive which forced South Africa to 17 wins in his franchise, is on goalkeeper Khalid Eisa into a fine save on 11 minutes. 27 Tests in charge and was standby. As the Emiratis struggled to gain a foothold, Eisa was named man of the match after Du Plessis’s ban may also called into action once again in the 23rd minute, this time scoring a century at New- cause South Africa to question reacting superbly to repel a powerful Sunil Chhetri header. lands. Speaking on Sunday the wisdom of fielding an all- However, and despite their initial woes, the UAE before the ban was seam bowling attack, which went ahead shortly before half-time. Lacklustre Indian announced, Du Plessis said inevitably puts pressure on defending allowed Ali Mabkhout space in which to find South Africa were determined over rates. Mubarak who fired home past Indian custodian Gur- to keep the pressure on The Wanderers is the preet Singh Sandhu. Pakistan and win the series ground where South Africa In the final moments of a pulsating first period, 3-0. have most often fielded four Chhetri came within inches of drawing his side level, Du Plessis is likely to be fast bowlers and left-arm but his drilled effort fizzed just wide of Eisa’s far post. replaced in the order spinner Keshav Maharaj has India’s incessant search for an equaliser was, nev- by Zubayr Hamza, 23, who only played in one of a pos- ertheless, periodically punctuated by a spell of relative will become South Africa’s sible three Tests at the ground UAE control, and, with Mubarak continuing to shine, 100th Test player since the since becoming a regular Ismail Al Hamadi’s 74th minute shot cannoned of a post country returned to interna- member of the squad. and then Gurpreet before rebounding to safety. tional in 1991. Pakistan’s batting has With India failing to find any inroads into a resolute Hamza has been part of been inadequate against UAE defence, the UAE duly doubled their advantage in the squad throughout the South Africa’s fast bowling, the final moments when Mabkhout expertly converted series, primarily to gain expe- although Shan Masood, Ali Salmin’s pass to assure his side of the victory despite rience in the national team Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq Mohamed Gharib crashing the ball against his own set-up. He got a taste of Test and Babar Azam have all woodwork deep into stoppage time. cricket in front of his home played useful innings. The Earlier, yesterday, Jordan won a bruising derby with crowd at Newlands when he bowlers, too, were disap- Syria 2-0 to become the first team to reach the Asian took a good catch at fine leg pointing at Newlands, so it Cup knockout stages yesterday, while talisman Chanathip as a substitute fielder. Hamza seems likely there will be “Messi Jay” Songkrasin hauled Thailand back on track. has a career first-class batting changes. In a rowdy atmosphere at a packed Khalifa Bin Zayed average of 49.29. But the options for the Stadium, first-half goals from Mousa Mohammad Suleiman A second change in an tourists are limited. Shadab and Tareq Khattab gave Jordan a maximum six points in already fragile batting line-up Khan and Faheem Ashraf Group B with one game to go against Palestine. may be necessary, with could both come into consid- opening batsman Aiden eration as all-rounders after Markram facing a fitness test Pakistan’s four specialist on Thursday after suffering a bowlers were worn down right thigh injury which pre- during South Africa’s first Legends Figo, Kaka seek ‘promise’ vented him from batting in the innings of 431 at Newlands. of football in cricket-mad Pakistan AFP Former Portuguese football player Luis Figo holds KARACHI Turner replaces unwell a cricket bat during a media conference in Karachi, Luis Figo and Kaka were Pakistan, yesterday. Portuguese great Luis Figo and in Pakistan as part of Mitchell Marsh for 1st ODI Brazilian star Kaka yesterday the World Soccer Stars vowed to help develop the ‘great tour, aimed at grooming promise’ of football in Pakistan, nascent talent through REUTERS Marsh and his batsman a country obsessed with cricket exhibition matches and SYDNEY brother Shaun were dropped and twice banned from interna- coaching clinics. from the test side for tional soccer. Australia’s Mitchell Marsh upcoming matches against Sri The two legends - who both doesn’t have the stomach for Lanka on Wednesday after played for Spanish club Real The two greats, who the first one-day international Australia lost a home series to Madrid - were in Pakistan for a both played for Spanish against India after coach India for the first time when day-long visit as part of the club Real Madrid, Justin Langer told reporters Virat Kohli’s men prevailed World Soccer Stars tour, aimed vowed to help develop yesterday that the all-rounder 2-1. at grooming nascent talent football in Pakistan. had been struck down with a Langer, a close friend of through exhibition matches and bout of gastritis. their father Geoff “Swampy” coaching clinics. With Marsh forced to sit Marsh, said it had been a The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner out the opener of a three- tough decision to make. Figo, wielding a cricket bat in a match series, Australia called “That’s what leadership’s nod to the game’s popularity in uncapped batsman Ashton about, you’ve got make tough Pakistan, told reporters in the Turner into the squad as cover calls,” he added. southern port city of Karachi that for tomorrow’s Sydney “I’ve known them since he was “excited” to be there. Cricket Ground contest. they were kids, Geoff Marsh “There is a great promise of “He’s got gastritis so he’s is one of my best friends and football in Pakistan so we are spent two days in hospital,” coached with me in Western here to help develop the game,” Langer told a news con- Australia. said Figo, who also played for ference. “We’ll just have to “But at the end of the day, Barcelona before retiring in wait and see how he recovers the boys know, and Swampy 2009. but he certainly won’t play knows, that it’s a tough Kaka, himself carrying a this first one.” business and if you are not cricket ball, said the pair were Turner has deputised for performing, you don’t get “committed” to promoting Marsh as captain of Western picked.” football globally. Pakistani football captain Saddam Hussain (centre) presents Australia while the all- Langer also tersely dis- “We ... have a good a national team jerseys to Figo (left) and Kaka. rounder was on international missed the notion that impression of Pakistan,” added duty and Langer said the selectors were excluding the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner, who 25-year-old was a “great batsman Glenn Maxwell from also played for AC Milan and The most recent ban was game is gaining popularity, with appear in the World Cup athlete”. the test squad for reasons retired in 2017. lifted in 2018, but Pakistan is on younger generations adoring the “soon”. “He’s in great form, he fin- other than his form out in the Pakistan boasted a top 10 the verge of a third strike after likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Pakistan football team ishes off the innings well,” said middle. place in Asian football until the the head of its federation refused Messi and Luca Modric. captain Saddam Hussain also met Langer, a former Western “Glenn is crystal clear early 1970s, but a lack of gov- to accept the results of a contro- Figo and Kaka backed FIFA’s Figo and Kaka, while a host of Australia coach. from me and the selectors on ernment support and poor infra- versial leadership election held stance of increasing the number young fans received autographs “He’s a lead athlete in the what he needs to do to get structure have seen them sink to last month. of World Cup teams from 32 to and took selfies with the two field and he’s also a captain. back in the test team,” he said. 199 in the FIFA rankings. Cricket is king in the South 48 in the 2026 event to be co- players. He’s a good thinker of the “There have been some Pakistan was banned in 1995 Asian country of more than 200 hosted by the US, Mexico and The two stars were also game like most great finishers reports about personality: it and again in 2017 over violating million people, which has never Canada. scheduled to visit Lahore later and a good leader, a really is literally false. It’s not true. FIFA’s rule that all federations qualified for the FIFA World Cup. It means “more players and yesterday, and were expected to good person around the He’s crystal clear what he has must be free of any government But a 2017 visit by eight inter- more opportunities”, Figo said, return for exhibition matches and group. I’m very excited to see to do. All the conjecture about and judicial interference in their national stars led by Brazilian while Kaka hoped Pakistan coaching clinics from April 23-26 him coming in.” it, that’s all part of the noise.” respective countries. legend Ronaldhino proved the would seize the chance and this year. FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 19 Australian Open: Serena handed tough draw Federer to launch defence against Istomin

REUTERS tournament’s earliest stage. MELBOURNE Venus Williams, defeated by younger sister Serena in the 2017 Double defending champion Melbourne final, also looms as a will start his bid possible third round opponent for a hat-trick of Australian Open for Halep. titles next week against unseeded Fourth seed Osaka faces Uzbek Denis Istomin, who Poland’s Magda Linette first up caused a huge upset when he and may need to battle past twice defeated in the champion Victoria Azarenka in second round two years ago. the third round. The draw for the first Grand Defending champion Woz- Slam of the season was made niacki, who broke through for yesterday and the top seeds her maiden title with could face some early tests of victory over Halep in last year’s their title credentials when play final, is in line to face former gets under way on Monday. winner in a The six-times Australian mouth-watering third round Open champion Federer, who showdown. beat Marin Cilic in last year’s “I can’t believe it’s been a final, could meet the Croat in the year already,” Dane Wozniacki quarter-finals, should the Swiss said at the draw ceremony Roger Federer of Switzerland poses come through a potentially tricky yesterday. with the men’s singles trophy during the fourth round against Greek “To finally get that (title) here prospect Stefanos Tsitsipas. draw ceremony for the Australian Open was so special, it’s the happy The 37-year-old, seeded in Melbourne, yesterday. INSET: Caroline slam.” third, is bidding to extend his all- Wozniacki of Denmark holds the women’s Second seed and 2016 time leading men’s Grand Slam singles trophy during the ceremony. champion Angelique Kerber, record to 21 title and would bidding for a fourth Grand Slam capture a 100th ATP tournament title, will open against Slovenian win in the process. Polona Hercog, with a possible “I always have tried to quarter-final against 2017 US remind myself that this is a Open winner Sloane Stephens in dream,” Federer said of his lon- the second week. gevity at the draw ceremony held at Margaret Court Arena, where Men’s top seed Djokovic, and the US Open. Serb Djokovic In the women’s tournament, he discovered the world number who was defending his title when could then play a rematch of his Serena Williams’s bid for a The pursuit of glory 99 would be his opening he lost to Istomin, will first meet 2008 final triumph over record-equalling 24th Grand opponent. a qualifier in his bid for a record Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Slam title and eighth at Mel- Double defending champion Roger Federer faces “I’m surprised that I’m still at seventh Melbourne title and third in the second round, with a pos- bourne Park will kick off against tricky path to second week in Melbourne. this level, that I’m still in the top Grand Slam crown in succession sible quarter-final against Kei German world number 71 10.” following wins at Wimbledon Nishikori to follow. Tatjana Maria. Serena Williams will kick off against German world Second seed , The American great, beaten number 71 Tatjana Maria. under an injury cloud after by Naomi Osaka in the 2018 US Murray suffers Djokovic mauling pulling out of the Brisbane Inter- Open final after a fiery tirade national, will open against against the chair umpire, faces a Top seed Novak Djokovic will first meet a qualifier in REUTERS regain form since undergoing unseeded local James tough run to the quarter-finals, his bid for a record seventh Australian Open title. MELBOURNE hip surgery last January, and Duckworth. with top seed and last year’s was quickly dismantled by the Last year’s semi-finalist Kyle finalist Simona Halep a possible Top seed Simona Halep faces US Open nemesis Serbian world number one six-times Australian Open Edmund looms as a possible fourth round encounter. Novak Djokovic gave Andy champion at Margaret Court fourth round match-up for the Halep, however, may be Kanepi and may clash with Serena in fourth round. Murray a reality check in the Arena before the players Spaniard, who could then face reluctant to look beyond the first lead-up to next week’s called time on their match big-serving Kevin Anderson in round, having drawn her US Second seed Rafael Nadal will open against Australian Open, dominating after less than an hour. the quarter-finals. Open nemesis Kaia Kanepi. unseeded local James Duckworth. the Briton 6-1, 4-1 in a practice Djokovic heads into the The 2009 champion Nadal, Unseeded Estonian Kanepi match at tournament as favourite to win who retired hurt in the quarter- knocked Halep out of the first Fourth seed Naomi Osaka faces Poland’s Magda yesterday. a record seventh title and his finals against Cilic last year, could round at Flushing Meadows last Murray has struggled to third Grand Slam in a row. meet old rival Federer in the last year, making the Romanian the Linette in her first match. four should his body hold up. first top seed to lose at that Sock desperate Cilic cruises Kvitova topples Kerber to to turn around at Kooyong Classic reach Sydney semi-finals SYDNEY REUTERS dismal form AFP MELBOURNE Czech Petra Kvitova overcame AFP “I did a lot of regrouping in Last year’s Australian rain delays to beat defending MELBOURNE the off-season, talking to Open finalist Marin Cilic champion Angelique Kerber family, team members, coaches. rounded off his prepara- 6-4, 6-1 yesterday and reach the Ahead of the Australian Open “I’m trying to take a positive tions for this year’s Sydney International semi- last year, (pictured) outlook. I know the level that I edition in style yesterday, finals. was at a career-high eighth in can play the game, where my winning his second In wet conditions at Ken the world rankings, but after a game should be.” With the Aus- match in as many days Rosewall Arena, Kvitova horror season he has plunged tralian Open just days away, he at the Kooyong Classic. struggled to get going but took outside the top 100 and is is grateful to be out of the spot- With the first Grand the final four games of the Petra Kvitova of the Czech desperate to turn it around. light to focus on himself. Slam of the season opening set, hitting 16 winners Republic hits a return The American’s form slump “It’s nice to be able to fly starting on Monday, in the process. against Angelique Kerber has been dramatic. He played under the radar and do my own every opportunity is World number two Kerber of Germany during their 31 singles matches in 2018, thing.” Shapovalov, 19, made up important for the responded with a resolute quarter-final at the Sydney winning a mere nine. for lost time after losing in the Croatian, who went defence to hold serve in the International, yesterday. He lost to in first round at Auckland this down in a battle to opening game of the second set his opening match at this week and then crossing the Roger Federer in the and the German earned three week’s Kooyong Classic in Mel- Tasman to squeeze into the Melbourne Park decider break points in the fourth, bourne, and was on the losing Kooyong draw as a late entry. in 2018. before a blistering backhand end again yesterday to “It’s great to be here and get The world number allowed Kvitova to take a Canadian teenager Denis another match, fire a few balls,” seven beat Spain’s decisive lead. Fifth seed Kvitova appearance in Sydney. Shapovalov, going down 6-2, the world No.27 said. “It’s 6-4, SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL will face Belarusian qualifier “I always play my best 3-6, 10-7. another chance to get the match 6-4, backing up his Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the tennis in Australia - I really The final set was played as feel. three-set victory a day Men’s Quarter-finals semi-finals. enjoy playing here. It’s great to a 10-point tiebreak, which will “You have some of the before over world No. 6 Andreas Seppi (ITA x8) bt Stefanos Tsitsipas “It was the worth the wait to be back here and in another also be used at the first Grand pressure,pressure, there’sthere s a Kevin Anderson. (GRE x1) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 get back on court,” Kvitova said. semi-finals,” said Seppi, who SlamSlam ofof thethe season beginningbeginning crowdcrowd watcwatching.hing. Earlier, American Diego Schwartzman (ARG x3) bt Yoshihito “In the second time (off has progressed to the second Monday.Monday. It’sIt’s a cchancehance to Jack Sock lost to fast- Nishioka (JPN) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/1) court) we played some games, week in four of his past six UnderUnder thethe rules,rules, thethe firstfirst get a llittleittle bbitit rising Canadian teenager Alex De Minaur (AUS x5) bt Jordan Thomp- some cards. I had a sandwich, I appearances at the Australian playerplayer to win at lleasteast 10 more readyready Denis Shapovalov 6-2, son (AUS) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 was listening to music and I was Open. pointspoints bbyy a two-point fforor tthehe 3-6, 10-7 after a final set Women’s Quarter-finals waiting (for) when the rain “It was very important to marginmargin tatakeskes tthehe matcmatch.h. Slam.”Slam.” played as a 10-point tie- Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Timea Bac- stopped.” start well in the second set... I “I had some prettypretty break -- the format sinszky (SUI) 6-3, 6-3 In the men’s draw, Andreas think was good to have early lowlow moments lastlast year, which will be used at the Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt Elise Mertens (BEL Seppi came back from a set break so I could play a little itit was horrendous,”horrendous,” saidsaid Australian Open from x10) 6-3, 6-3 down to knock out Greek top more aggressive. It worked out Sock.Sock. Monday. seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-4, in the end.” Kiki Bertens (NED x7) bt Yulia Putintseva Under the rules, the 6-4. The 34-year-old Italian World number 37 Seppi will (KAZ) 6-2, 6-2 first player to win at least saved six of the seven break next face third seed Diego

10 points by a two-point Petra Kvitova (CZE x5) bt Angelique Kerber points against last year’s Next Schwartzman, who overcame margin takes the match. (GER x2) 6-4, 6-1 Gen Finals winner Tsitsipas to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1 seal his third semi-final 3-6 7-6(1).