January 21, 2017

SPORT SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017 21 Al Hajri fastest in QTCC practice at Losail Circuit

The Peninsula

atari driver Mansoor Al Hajri was the fastest Q driver with a lap time QMMF President, Abdulrahman Al Mannai and LCSC Vice President and General Manager, Khalid of 2:28.694 driving a Toyota Al Remaihi pose for a photograph with riders after the free practice sessions of opening round during the practice session of the Qatar Superstock 600 (QSTK) at Losail International Circuit yesterday. of the opening round of the Qatar Touring Car Champi- onship (QTCC) yesterday. "The track today was a bit dusty and the weather Qatari driver Mansoor was windy and hot . But it Al Hajri in action. Al Naimi grabs pole was nice and as soon as I got into the rhythm, my lap timing started to go down. I need "It was a great practice, Toyota car did the third best to fix something and hope- the weather a little bit affec- lap time, 2:32.103. fully by tomorrow I can tive as it was windy and "Today I had some elec- make it." dusty and I had a lot of prob- trical issues and hopefully by at Superstock 600 "Unfortunately, Abdullah lems with the car. But I tomorrow I’ll be fixing it, had some problems with his managed to get the second usually my timing is better The Peninsula Today is race day between the top three, Mashel, car. If not I think he would place which is very good for than today, and after fixing Nasser and myself so let’s see have been on the top posi- the first race of the season. I my problem I will try tomor- ashel Al Naimi was Mashel Al Naimi fastest what is going to happen tomor- tion," said Mansoor after the think that everybody face the row to recover and get a the fastest rider in in free practice as Qatar row," Al Sulaiti said. practice session. problem with the tempera- better position" Al Khelafi the first free prac- Superstock 600 (QSTK) The third rider in the front row At the second place in the ture, I am sure it will be a said after the session. tice yesterday flags off at Losail will be Nasser Al Malki who was grid will be Palestine driver very exciting race tomor- Today's first race will when the opening International Circuit. very happy with his position after Omran Karama, also driving row," Omran said. start at 12.45pm, followed by M round of the Qatar Superstock a long time without racing. a Toyota. He clocked a time Abdullah Al Khelaifi , the second race which starts 600 (QSTK) flagged off at Losail "I am very happy at the end as of 2:30.176. who had a problem with his at 3.45pm.. International Circuit. row and have a good rhythm. The in the beginning I had a strange Al Naimi clocked 2:06.607, championship has just start and feeling on the bike, the wind was followed by Saeed Al Sulaiti with let’s see if tomorrow, hope I can opposite today and too much push a lap time of 2:07.523. In the sec- win both race and for sure there from the corner, I lost a lot of ond free practice, Al Sulaiti led the will be a fight tomorrow for the time." timings, stopping the clock at first place and I try to make a lit- "During the FP1 and FP2, I was 2:05.627 and Al Naimi did second tle adjustment in the warm up," riding used tyres, but in the super- best with 2:05.919. said the poleman of the QSTK. pole I changed to new tyre and I Khalid Al Mal and Hassan Al Al Sulaiti, who will start at the had more grip and feel better. I Mansoori managed to get to the second position of the grid today, am happy to be in the third posi- Superpole 2 in which the winner said that he was happy as he is not tion to start tomorrow as it is was Al Naimi. Al Naimi did a great far away from the top times. important to start in the first line time of 2:04.914 and will start "The lap time was not bad, it and also as it is a long time for me today from the first place at the is good to start at the front row I didn’t race and this is very good grid. but I would be happier if I could for me, almost 2 years without "I am very happy with this get the superpole but today it was racing," Al Malki said. result, my bike is really good but not possible, but we are not very Today's first race of QSTK will not really happy with the lap time, far away. We need to work a bit flag off at 11.10am and the second QMMF President, Abdulrahman Al Mannai and LCSC Vice President and General I tried to make a good lap but I on the set up and we’ll be there. race will start at 2.10pm with free don’t know why didn’t improve Regarding tomorrow's race, I entrance for all the spectators at Manager, Khalid Al Remaihi pose for a photograph with riders after the practice but happy to start from the front expect it is going to be a big fight the grandstand and paddock. session of the opening round of the Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) yesterday. Kaymer shows his prowess in Abu Dhabi Rookies lift Bangladesh The Peninsula as Southee takes ﬁve Three-time Abu Dhabi HSBC hree-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Martin Christchurch SCOREBOARD Championship winner Kaymer tees off at the Abu Dhabi AFP Martin Kaymer once again Golf Club yesterday. Bangladesh (I innings): T T Iqbal c Watling b Southee ...... 5 showed his prowess at Abu ookie opener Soumya S Sarkar c de Grandhomme b Boult ...... 86 Dhabi Golf Club with a second Sarkar led a makeshift Mahmudullah c Watling b Boult ...... 19 round of 66 to lead by a shot RBangladesh to a compet- S Al Hasan c Watling b Southee ...... 59 heading into moving day. itive 289 but New Zealand Sa Rahman c Southee b Boult ...... 7 Kaymer’s second 66 of the claimed the honours on day one N Shanto c Raval b Southee ...... 18 week included six birdies, an of the second Test in Christch- N Hasan c Watling b Boult ...... 47 eagle and a bogey, with a clutch urch yesterday. M Hasan b Wagner ...... 10 birdie putt on the 18th putting "If you can bowl a side out T Ahmed c Williamson b Southee ...... 8 K Rabbi lbw b Southee ...... 2 him out in front of Rafa Cabrera on day one it's a good effort," R Hossain (batting) ...... 16 Bello, who moved to 11-under New Zealand strike bowler Tim Extras (b-4 lb-2 nb-1 w-5) ...... 12 for the tournament after his Southee said after taking his Total (all out, 84.3 overs) ...... 289 morning round of 66. Ireland’s sixth five-wicket haul. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-38, 3-165, 4-177, 5-179, Paul Dunne, England’s Tommy But, despite removing two 6-232, 7-248, 8-257, 9-273, 10-289. Fleetwood and Kiradech Aphib- of the more experienced Bang- Bowling: T Boult 24 - 4 - 87 - 4; T Southee arnrat sit in tied-third on ladesh batsmen in the first 11 28.3 - 7 - 94 - 5(w-1); C de Grandhomme 14 - 4 - 58 - 0(nb-1); N Wagner 18 - 1 - 44 - 1. 10-under, with Henrik Stenson overs, it took New Zealand until and 2014 Champion Pablo Lar- the last over to end the innings razabal among the four-man of an injury-hit side with seven Mominul Haque, and a com- group at 9-under. players having three or fewer bined 98 Tests worth of Asked if he expected to start Tests to their name. experience, out of the match. his first event of 2017 so well, After being put into bat on In their place were Sou- Kaymer said: “You never know, a standard New Zealand green mya for his fourth Test and after a long break like that. I surface, Bangladesh were ready debutants Nurul Hasan and didn't play a tournament for to punish anything short or 18-year-old Nazmul Hossain seven weeks. Then you come out wide on a pitch which offered with the fledgling trio all fea- here and shoot 12-under par swing but not extreme pace. turing well in the innings. after two rounds, obviously a Their willingness to search Soumya brought up his 50 brilliant start. for runs resulted in early casu- driving Colin de Grandhomme “For me it's always a nice alties when senior batsmen to the boundary and had a life tournament to start my season Tamin Iqbal (five) and Mah- on 52 when dropped off the with. I've won here a few times mudullah (19) were removed same bowler in the first of four in the past. It's a good feeling Course to set an early clubhouse Champion Rickie Fowler began Curtis Luck, a beneficiary of a inside 11 overs to be 38-2. missed chances by New with the practice that you put in lead. to show signs of their world- Championship invite. The tal- Shakib Al Hasan mounted Zealand. over the last two months pays “Obviously happy again,” class ability on day two, as the ented Australian carded a a sterling fightback producing Trent Boult claimed Sou- off right away. So far, very beamed Cabrera Bello. “I felt I pair shot matching rounds of 7-under par 65 to sit comforta- a rapid 127 with Soumya who mya's wicket after lunch to start positive. continued the line of play of yes- 68 to beat the 2-under cut bly in tied-12th heading into the celebrated his return to Test a New Zealand counter-attack “But I felt like I played a lit- terday. I played really good. mark. final two days. Luck’s fellow cricket and maiden innings as which produced three wickets tle bit better than yesterday. It “It was very nice this morn- “It would have been nice to amateur in the field, UAE-based an opener with 86 off 104 balls. for 14 runs in 16 deliveries to was a bit more difficult today ing. Not a breath of wind. The play the last couple a little bit Rayhan Thomas, produced an In his previous three Tests have Bangladesh at 179-5. with the wind, especially the first ball was rolling on the green per- better,” said Fowler after his impressive display for his 17 in 2015, Soumya had batted at He removed Sabbir Rah- nine. I struck the ball a little bit fectly. I managed to putt very round. “But solid day. Obviously years, but a round of 75 left him six or seven with a best score man for seven while Shakib, better and I made a few long good and kept myself out of left myself kind of up against the five shots short of the cut on his of 37, yet he felt he could have coming off a double century putts today, same as trouble. Didn't do those mistakes wall yesterday to make sure I got second European Tour done better as an opener and a duck in the first Test, yesterday.” I did yesterday off the tee. In the into the weekend today. Happy appearance. against New Zealand. reached 59 before he fell to Cabrera Bello, who finished end, very pleased with minus about that. We'll keep building The Abu Dhabi HSBC Cham- Soumya's recall and ele- Southee. 8th in last season’s Race to six.” on that.” pionship is presented by Abu vation to opener came as Southee finished with five Dubai, capitalised on superb Headline American duo The joint-lowest round of Dhabi Sports Council and con- injuries kept Imrul Kayes, for 94 while Boult took four for conditions on The National Dustin Johnson and defending day two came from amateur cludes tomorrow. Mushfiqur Rahim, and 87. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017

LA LIGA Fixtures (all times GMT) Today Barca end Sociedad hoodoo Espanyol vs Granada (1200), Real Madrid vs Malaga (1515), Alaves vs Leganes (1730), Villarreal vs Valencia (1945) Neymar scores from time despite Rulli appear- Sunday ing to clip his heels as the Barca Osasuna vs Sevilla (1100), Athletic Bilbao vs Neymar's first-half Atletico Madrid (1515), Real Betis vs Sport-

forward rounded the 'keeper. ing Gijon, Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo

penalty hands the The two sides meet again for (1730), Eibar vs Barcelona (1945) Spanish champions a the second leg at Barca's Camp 1-0 Copa del Rey Nou on January 26. quarter-final, first Despite largely empty stands Zidane seeks leg lead against Real amidst freezing temperatures in Sociedad. the Spanish capital, Atletico made light work of an Eibar side quick solution shorn of many of their usual Madrid starting line-up to ensure the to Madrid AFP return leg should be a mere formality. arcelona ended a decade- "It was difficult in the first- collapse long drought without half but you could see the Bwinning away to Real chances would come if we were Madrid Sociedad on Thursday as Ney- a bit more precise and that hap- AFP mar's first-half penalty handed pened in the second-half," said the Spanish champions a 1-0 Atletico boss Diego Simeone. eal Madrid boss Zined- Copa del Rey quarter-final, first The hosts had the ball in the ine Zidane insists he is leg lead. net on 25 minutes, but Stefan Rresponsible for the Atletico Madrid also took a Savic was harshly adjudged to European champions' back- huge step towards the semi- have been offside as he slotted to-back defeats as they look finals as goals from Antoine home from close range. to return to winning ways Griezmann, Angel Correa and However, Atletico had to when Malaga visit the San- Kevin Gameiro downed an wait only three minutes more to tiago Bernabeu today. under-strength Eibar 3-0 at the open the scoring when Jose Madrid hadn't lost in 40 Vicente Calderon. Maria Gimenez beat Rodriguez matches in all competitions Barca hadn't won in their last Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior (centre) vies with Real Sociedad's to a free-kick lofted into the area stretching back nine months eight meetings at Anoeta with defender Aritz Elustondo (left) and midfielder Xabier Prieto during the Spanish Copa del Rey and Griezmann headed the Uru- until conceding twice to lose coach Luis Enrique describing quarter final first leg match at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian on Thursday. guayan's knockdown into an 2-1 at Sevilla last weekend, their 1-1 draw back in Novem- empty net. and followed that up with a ber as "almost a miracle" given Rodriguez nearly redeemed shock defeat by the same how his side had been the Brazilian and he sent always presents difficulties but Sociedad enjoyed plenty of himself in the second-half when scoreline at home to Celta outplayed. Geronimo Rulli the wrong way. for us it is a good result and very possession, but failed to break Yannick Carrasco bore down on Vigo in the first leg of their However, the Catalans con- "It is always difficult to play good news." down the Barca defence as a goal, but despite saving the Bel- Copa del Rey quarter-final on tinued signs of their return to at Anoeta and against Real Socie- Neymar should have added dangerous cross from Yuri that gian's effort, the ball fell kindly Wednesday. form in a bright start that was dad, but I think it was a complete to Barca's lead early in the sec- just had too much pace for Mikel for Correa to tap home the Zidane played down his rewarded when Neymar was performance," Enrique told ond-half when he took a poor Oyarzabal at the far post was the rebound. Seven minutes later concern, but admitted "some- clearly upended by Aritz GolTV. touch with just Rulli to beat. closest they came. Atletico killed the tie off when thing is wrong for sure" after Elustondo 20 minutes in. "We were very solid in And Neymar came close Indeed, the hosts were for- Griezmann headed across goal Madrid lost on home soil for Just as in the last round, defensive and efficient in attack. again moments later when he tunate not to concede a second from Koke's corner and the the first time in 11 months and Lionel Messi handed over "No matter the result we curled just wide of the far post penalty when Neymar was grateful Gameiro was left just the second time since he responsibility from the spot to have gained, the return leg from a lovely Messi backheel. booked for diving 25 minutes unmarked to nod home. took charge. "We aren't going to lose our heads now because we lost two games," the French- man told a press Chelsea won't dwell conference. "We're going to keep working and get to the bottom of this thing." on Costa, Spurs plan Worryingly for Zidane, Madrid's lacklustre display in midweek came about despite Man City misery the fact he picked almost a full strength side. Karim Benzema looks set London ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE to return up front and Keylor AFP Navas will replace Kiko Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated) Today Casilla in goal. helsea will bid to put the Bournemouth vs Watford, Crystal Palace vs However, with first- Diego Costa crisis behind Everton, Liverpool vs Swansea (1230 GMT), choice right-back Dani Cthem when the Premier Manchester City vs Tottenham (1730 GMT), Carvajal out injured for a League leaders host Hull, while Middlesbrough vs West Ham, Stoke vs Man- month, Zidane may have to title chasing Tottenham aim to chester United, West Brom vs Sunderland move captain Sergio Ramos maintain their hot streak at Sunday or Nacho wide to avoid hand- Arsenal vs Burnley (1415 GMT), Chelsea vs Hull

troubled Manchester City today. ing the hapless Danilo, who

(1630 GMT), Southampton vs Leicester (1200 The new Chapecoense footballers clap for their supporters during a training session at Blues striker Costa report- was jeered by the Real fans GMT) edly clashed with Chelsea boss the Arena Conda Stadium in Chapeco, Santa Catarina state, in southern Brazil, yesterday. on Wednesday, another start. Antonio Conte last week over Chapecoense will face Palmeiras - Brazilian Champion 2016 - in a friendly match next Saturday Malaga are suffering a the club's treatment of his back says the third bottom team are in Chapeco. Most of the members of the Chapocoense football team perished in a November slump of their own with new injury. a more dangerous unit under 28, 2016 plane crash in Colombia. coach Marcelo Romero yet to Amid reports that Costa was new boss Marco Silva. pick up a point in two games also the subject of a lucrative In the unlikely event of a since former Spurs boss offer from Chinese Super Chelsea slip, second placed Tot- Juande Ramos resigned dur- League club Tianjin Quanjian, tenham could close the ing the winter break. Conte kept his players focused seven-point gap on their Lon- Ligue 1: PSG test yardstick Top scorer Sandro Ram- as they crushed Leicester 3-0 don rivals when they travel to irez is expected to be out till last weekend despite the Eastlands. March through injury, whilst absence of the Spain striker. City's 4-0 thrashing at Ever- for rejuvenated Nantes the on-loan Diego Llorente With Chelsea refusing to ton last Sunday was the can't feature this weekend consider selling their leading heaviest league loss of Pep against his parent club. scorer, Conte appears to have Guardiola's glittering manage- Paris international Conceicao Conceicao. "The coach is really A return to winning ways smoothed any troubled waters rial career and left them AFP replaced Rene Girard at the meticulous. He knows exactly will allow Madrid to open up and Costa returned to full train- languishing 10 points behind helm last month. what he's doing and what he a four-point lead at the top of ing this week. Chelsea after a second defeat ergio Conceicao has His arrival has coincided wants. He's a leader of men, he the table before Sevilla have Conte has refused to in their last three league games. inspired a revival at former with Nantes' rise from 19th to passes on his aggression, which the chance to cut the gap, or acknowledge there was even a That prompted Guardiola SFrench giants Nantes but 11th in the table, but the Canar- is good. He's like he was as a even go top should Real slip dispute with Costa, but it will to write off City's title hopes and will face the toughest test of his ies have lost 12 in a row to PSG player." up once more, when they be instructive to see if he led critics to question whether fledgling tenure today when with their last victory over the Julian Draxler's goal on his travel to bottom-placed restores the notoriously vola- the former Bayern Munich and champions Paris Saint-Germain capital club coming in 2004. league debut in a 1-0 win at Osasuna on Sunday. tile star to his starting line-up Barcelona chief can succeed in visit the Stade de la Beaujoire. "We don't want such a good Rennes left PSG three points Sevilla are in stunning with so much at stake in the title England. Nantes, who claimed the last run to end even if the mountain behind league leaders Monaco form having won their last race. Tottenham pose another of their eight Ligue 1 titles in that is PSG stands above us this and injury-ravaged Nice. four league games, but will Hull haven't beaten Chel- threat to Guardiola's equilib- 2001, have won four games in Saturday," midfielder Guillaume Unai Emery's side face a have to do without the influ- sea since 1988, but Tigers rium after reeling off a six-game a row without conceding a goal Gillet told l'Equipe, lavishing busy upcoming month with the ential Vitolo for up to a month goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic winning run. since former Portugal praise on the work done by club competing on four fronts. with the Spanish international sidelined by a hamstring injury. Barcelona stand just a point adrift of Sevilla in third Germany to apply to host Euro 2024 championship and have bounced back into form themselves with three straight wins after a difficult Berlin rubber-stamped the decision to by September 2018 at the earli- the whole of German football," clubs, must be decided by Sep- start to the year, the latest of AFP apply for the finals with Euro- est. So far, the Germans can said DFB president Reinhard tember 15, 2017, and each must which came at Real Sociedad pean football's governing body expect competition from the Grindel. "We will submit a first- have a minimum capacity of in the Copa del Rey on he German Football Asso- UEFA having set the deadline for Scandinavian nations with Fin- class application and will make 30,000. "We have the stadiums Thursday. ciation (DFB) announced confirmed interest by March 3 land, Denmark, Norway and sure we select the ten best pos- in Germany, we have the infra- Barca boss Luis Enrique Tyesterday that it is apply- with candidates announced on Sweden planning a joint bid. sible venues in a transparent structure and we have the made seven changes in mid- ing to host the 2024 European March 10. "The 2024 European cham- comprehensive process." know-how to create an econom- week and is expected to make championships. The final decision on the pionships can become an The ten stadiums, most prob- ically sound 'Euro'," added full use of his squad again for The DFB has 2024 host is set to be announced important lighthouse project for ably from the Bundesliga's top Grindel. Sunday's trip to Eibar. SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017 SPORT 23

Britain's Andy Murray serves during his Australian Open Men's Singles third round match against Sam Querrey of the US in Melbourne yesterday. Murray won 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to advance.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the men's singles match of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Thursday. Djokovic lost 7-6 (8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to No. 117-ranked Istomin. Give Djokovic a break, Murray tells Serb's critics Murray, Federer cruise into Melbourne Reuters

ndy Murray has sprung to the defence of his great rival Novak Djokovic after the Serb's Asurprise exit at the Australian Open. last 16 of Australian Open Djokovic, toppled as world number one by Mur- ray at the end of last year, was sent packing by wildcard Denis Istomin in the second round to end his hopes of a seventh title at Melbourne Park. Melbourne Querrey 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and America's Coco All favourites came through in four sets It was 12-times grand slam champion Djoko- AFP Federer humbled Tomas Vandeweghe. against American Jack Sock vic's earliest loss at a grand slam in nearly a decade Berdych 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in Murray and Federer had through and will play Briton Dan and fuelled talk that the 29-year-old is showing ndy Murray and just 90 minutes, maintain- both watched from afar on World Number One Evans, who beat Australia's signs of a decline. Roger Federer ing his 100 percent record Thursday as Djokovic, the Andy Murray Bernard Tomic 7-5, 7-6 (7/2), Murray said people should not be too quick to put on a master- over his old rival at Mel- defending champion and 7-6 (7/3). judge Djokovic. swamped Sam class on Friday bourne Park. six-time winner, suffered a In the women's draw, "I think everyone needs to give him a bit of a Querrey 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. as they swept Women's world number stunning defeat to 117th- Kerber finally got into her break. It is hard to keep up the intensity week after intoA the last 16 of the Aus- one Angelique Kerber also ranked Denis Istomin. stride with a 6-0, 6-4 week, that's why everyone has been so impressed Roger Federer tralian Open, hoping to take hit form as she dropped only Querrey also upset Djok- destruction of Kristyna by the group of players at the top of the game over humbled Tomas advantage of Novak Djoko- four games against Kristyna ovic at Wimbledon last year Pliskova, the 58th-ranked the last few years," Britain's Murray said in his col- vic's shock exit. Pliskova to race into a but Murray, made a knight Berdych 6-2, 6-4, twin sister of Czech fifth seed umn on the BBC website yesterday. Murray swamped Sam fourth-round meeting with in Britain's New Year hon- 6-4 in just 90 Karolina. "I think the players themselves are a lot more ours, never looked like minutes, maintaining The German defending understanding, as we know how difficult it is and slipping on any banana skins his 100 percent champion was an early loser how incredible the consistency has been over the in round three. record over his old at both of her warm-up last few years. It's almost inevitable it will drop off He put Querrey away rival in Melbourne. tournaments and was taken at some point." 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in just under to three sets in unconvinc- Murray, the reigning Wimbledon and Olympic two hours, winning 77 per- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ing wins in round one and champion, said he was surprised by Djokovic's early cent of points on his first also came through two. defeat but said it hardly represented a crisis for a serve and facing only three in four sets against But Kerber clicked into player who has so often been his nemesis. break points in a clinical American Jack Sock gear against Pliskova, win- "Everyone was surprised by Novak's exit in Mel- display. and will play Briton ning in just 55 minutes to set bourne, for sure. But out of the last few grand slams The Scottish world Dan Evans, who up a last-16 clash with he made the final of the US Open, the third round at number one also showed no America's Coco Wimbledon and won the French Open," Murray said. beat Australia's signs of discomfort in his Vandeweghe, who ousted right ankle, after he rolled it Bernard Tomic 7-5, Canadian starlet Eugenie painfully during his second- 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3). Bouchard. AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS round win over Andrey "I'm looking forward to Rublev. the next one. Yeah, I think MEN'S SINGLES "I felt better and better Murray and 17th-seeded that I find my rhythm to the Third Round as the match went on in Federer are on course to tournament now," Kerber Andy Murray (GBR x1) bt Sam Querrey (USA x31) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 terms of my movement," he meet in the quarter-finals, said. Mischa Zverev (GER) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 said. "The ankle was a little with the Scot next facing Svetlana Kuznetsova Stan Wawrinka (SUI x4) bt Viktor Troicki (SRB x29) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) sore and I was a little tenta- Mischa Zverev and the Swiss outlasted fellow thirty- Andreas Seppi (ITA) bt Steve Darcis (BEL) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/2) tive at the start but it got veteran up against Kei something Jelena Jankovic Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) bt Jack Sock (USA x23) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 6-7 (8/10), 6-3 Switzerland's better and better through the Nishikori. 6-4, 5-7, 9-7 and will next Dan Evans (GBR) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS x27) 7-5, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) Roger Federer hits match." Japan's Nishikori should play fellow Russian Anasta- Roger Federer (SUI x17) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x10) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 a return against Federer, 35 and return- provide a stern test for Fed- sia Pavlyuchenkova. Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) bt Lukas Lacko (SVK) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Czech Republic's ing from an injury lay-off, erer and the fifth seed Venus Williams beat said he even surprised him- underlined his confident Duan Yingying 6-1, 6-0 to Tomas Berdych self with an imperious win form by seeing off Slovakian end Chinese interest, earn- WOMEN'S SINGLES during their men's over Berdych that left the qualifier Lukas Lacko 6-4, ing a match with German Third Round singles third Czech shaking his head as he 6-4, 6-4. qualifier Mona Barthel who Angelique Kerber (GER x1) bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 6-0, 6-4 round match on departed. Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 overcame Australia's Ash- Coco Vandeweghe (USA) bt Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 day ﬁve of the "In practice things were champion, survived a four- leigh Barty in three sets. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x24) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR x11) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 Australian Open going well, but I've never set tussle with Viktor Troicki French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) bt Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-4, 5-7, 9-7 tennis tournament been the practice king. I was 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) and Garbine Muguruza was a Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in Melbourne winning tons of sets," Fed- now faces Italy's Andreas 6-4, 6-2 winner against Venus Williams (USA x13) bt Duan Yingying (CHN) 6-1, 6-0

yesterday. Federer erer said, adding: "It's been Seppi, who ousted Steve Anastasija Sevastova, setting Garbine Muguruza (ESP x7) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x32) 6-4, 6-2 won 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. unbelievable. I did surprise Darcis of Belgium. up an encounter with Roma- Mona Barthel (GER) bt Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 myself." Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also nia's Sorana Cirstea. Ethiopians sweep Dubai Marathon as Bekele retires

Dubai 10,000 metres at the Rio Olympics 10,000 and 5,000 metres, has also Reuters last year. said he is eyeing the world record Triple Olympic champion at April's London Marathon. amirat Tola led Ethiopia's Bekele withdrew during the race On the women's side, Work- clean sweep at the Dubai after injuring himself in a fall nesh Degefa won her first TMarathon on Friday after shortly after the start. competitive full marathon in the men's pre-race favourite Kenen- Manager Jos Hermens, who shadows of Dubai's sail-like, lux- isa Bekele retired injured. directed blame towards the organ- ury Burj al-Arab hotel in 2:22:36. Tola won the men's race in two isers, said Bekele fell because of a Compatriots Shure Demise and hours four minutes and eleven sec- surge from behind and that there Yebrgual Melese finished second onds, setting a new course record should have been a gap between and third respectively in the 17th and personal best, ahead of fellow elite athletes and other runners. running of the Dubai Marathon. Ethiopian's Mule Wasihun and Race officials said the fall was It was the first time since 2014 Sisay Lemma in second and third due to "unintentional contact". that the Ethiopians swept all top place respectively. Ethiopian Bekele, the second- three men's and women's places Tola said through an inter- fastest marathon runner in history, in Dubai. preter after the race he was a "little was making an attempt on the Dubai upped the stakes in the upset" he did not run under world record after winning Berlin lead up to the race, offering a 2:04:00 and that he would now last September just six seconds bonus $250,000 on the winner's switch attention to winning gold outside Dennis Kimetto's world $200,000 price money if the men's in the 10,000 metres at the World record of 2:02:57. world record was broken and a Championships in London in Bekele, widely regarded as the further $50,000 for any runner Ethiopian runners Worknesh Degefa (left) and Tamirat Tola celebrate on the podium after August. greatest distance runner of all time who ran under 2:04:00 in the Tola had won Bronze in the and world record holder over men's race. winning the Dubai marathon yesterday. SPORT Saturday 21 January 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 23 Germany's Kaymer Murray, Federer shows his prowess in cruise into last 16 Abu Dhabi of Australian Open Al Khor pick full points against Al Kharaitiyat

Chinthana Wasala Action from the The Peninsula Qatar Stars league match (QSL) oals from Sultan Al between Al Khor Enezi and Babou and Al Kharaitiyat Real Madrid goalkeeper Francisco Pujante gestures during Sidiki helped Al Khor yesterday. to script a 2-0 win the Al Kass Cup semi-ﬁnals against Red Bull Salzburg over Al Kharaitiyat in at Aspire Zone in this ﬁle picture of 2016 edition of the Gthe Round 17 match of the Qatar tournament. Stars League (QSL) at Al Khor Sta- dium yesterday. Having collected full points PSV to take on Raja yesterday, Al Khor continued their impressive run in the QSL while Al Kharaitiyat are strug- Casablanca in gling just above the relegation zone. Jean Fernandez’s side made a dream start to yesterday’s game Al Kass Cup opener on their home turf, registering their opener in the sixth minute. Armstrong Vas Under-17 teams, giving Doha Babou Sidiki sent a free kick into the six-yard box and was tack- Anouar Diba hit the cross bar on Today’s QSL action will see The Peninsula crowds the opportunity to see the box from the left side towards led by Kharaitiyat defender the half-volley after bringing two games between fierce rivals, the potential superstars of the Sultan Al Enezi who leaped up to Domingos. Sidiki was quick to down a cross inside the box in the who will be looking to improve SV Eindhoven will take on future. meet the ball and guided the ball convert the follow up and score eighty-second minute. their fortunes in the second half Moroccan side Raja Casa- The first round, which into the net to give his side an the goal from close range to dou- The victory takes Al Khor’s of the season. Pblanca in the opening begins today, will pit groups of early lead. ble his side’s lead. tally up to nineteen points as they The first game will see Al Ahli match of the Al Kass Interna- three teams against each other Just five minutes into the sec- Al Kharaitiyat tired to get sit in seventh place. taking on Al Arabi at their home tional Cup 2017 which kicks off in a round-robin competition, ond half Babou Sidiki tapped in back into the game in the second In the second game of the grounds with a 4.25pm kick off. at Aspire Zone in Doha today. with the top two teams from the ball into the goal, capitalising half to little avail. The clearest day, Al Sailiyah defeated Umm The second game of the day Two other matches will be each group advancing to the from a mazy run from Mouhcine opportunity that The Thunder’s Salal at Hamad Bin khalifah will see fourth placed Al Gharafa played on the opening day. knockout round. The final will Iajour who dribbled his way into could muster was when attacker Stadium. take on Al Shahaniya. FC Bayern Munich (Ger- be held on January 31. Official many) clashing with RB tournament sponsor Al Kass TV Salzburg (Austria) and Esper- will be broadcasting all games Oliveira takes Al Arabi new coach ance de Tunis (Tunisia) facing live both online and on TV with Osvaldo Oliveira of Brazil. Eintracht Frankfurt Arabic and English (Germany). commentary. charge as coach The 12 teams participating Past winners of the Al Kass in this year’s tournament rep- International Cup include of Al Arabi resent some of the most storied Aspire Football Dreams (2016, clubs in international football, 2014), Paris St Germain (2015, The Peninsula including Real Madrid (Spain) 2012), and Brazilian club Flu- and Paris St Germain (France). minense (2013). atar Stars League (QSL) Other participating teams Al Kass International Cup is side Al Arabi have con- include PSV Eindhoven (Neth- organized by Al Kass Sports Qfirmed that Brazilian erlands), Kashiwa Reysol Channels in collaboration with coach Osvaldo Oliveira will take (Japan), AS Roma (Italy), Al-Ahli Aspire Zone Foundation and the charge of the club for the Saudi FC (Saudi Arabia), and Qatar Football Association. The remainder of the season. Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia). under 17s football tournament The Brazilian coach is no Aspire Academy will lead is a global championship for stranger to football in Qatar, Qatar challenge at the worldwide competitive clubs. having previously worked with tournament. The Al Kass International Al Arabi as a fitness trainer in Last year Aspire Football Cup has established itself as a 1996. Dreams won the tournament key international football event The club confirmed the news but will not be around to defend that supports Qatar’s vision and on Friday evening the appointed of sides in his native Brazil managed Japanese side as they take on local rivals Al the title. contributes to building on the of the Brazilian as the head including Santos, Corinthians Kashima Antlers. Ahli today evening, in one of the Held for the sixth consecu- foundations of a proud football- coach. and Flamengo. Whilst the Oliveira will now begin to stand out fixtures of round 17 of tive year, the ten-day event ing nation up to the 2022 FIFA Oliveira has managed a host 66-year old coach has also focus on preparing his new side the QSL season. brings to Qatar the world’s top World Cup and beyond.

ayayayayayayayQatar prepares for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifers

Qatar players taking part in the practice drills during a training camp in Doha on Thursday. Coach Jorge Fossati side is preparing for the two key 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches at the end of March. Qatar face Iran on March 23 and Uzbekistan on March 28. Qatar have 4 points in Group A of the Asian Zone qualifying campaign. Iran are leading the group at 11 points. South Korea are in second spot with 10 points while Uzbekistan have 9. Syria are in ﬁfth spot with 5 points. China are elowb Qatar.