QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Iga Swiatek QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune eyes Henin feat as Nadal out to rule again at page 14 SUNday, MAY 30, 2021 Unstoppable Al Attiyah romps to historic 14th win in Jordan Rally

El Fakih sustained a flat Runner-up tyre 16km into the first test of the morning and drove on the Meshari Al rim to the finish before chang- ing the wheel and suffering Thefiri holds off front differential issues in the Alex Feghali to second one. A disgruntled Al Atya said: win MERC2 “We push in the first stage and catch Shadi (El Fakih) in Tribune News Network the middle of the stage. In the DEAD SEA (JORDAN): dust we went into the grass off the road. We lost maybe half a Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Atti- minute and we reversed and yah completely dominated the then we catch again and lose 2021 Jordan Rally to confirm maybe a minute more in the an historic 14th victory on the dust. But we managed to pass event by the winning margin him before the end of the stage of 17min 04.8sec on Saturday. and then caught him again in The Volkswagen Polo GTi the second one...” driver and his Andorra-based After restarting under the co-driver Matthieu Baumel Rally2 regulation, Al Saif was won each of the 10 special back into a quick pace and stages in the Dead Sea and moved up to seventh overall Mount Nebo areas to extend at the expense of Al Shorafa their leads in the FIA Mid- and Aref. Kahy also restarted dle East Rally Championship under Rally2 at the rear of the (MERC). Attiyah is bidding field, but engine damage had for a record-breaking 17th forced the permanent retire- regional title this year, as he ments of Ahmad Khaled and secured a 78th career MERC Abdullah Al Rawahi on Friday. event win and Baumel sealed Khaled Juma held a 3min personal win number 27. 16.9sec lead over Shaban on Attiyah said: “This is a Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel in their Volkswagen Polo GTi on way to winning the Jordan Rally on Saturday. Attiyah won each of the 10 special the second round of the Jordan good feeling. A good day. It stages in the Dead Sea and Mount Nebo areas to extend lead in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Al Attiyah is bidding for a record-breaking 17th regional title this year. National Rally Championship. was a nice rally for us. A win A cautious Attiyah was 1.4 again, 14 times in Jordan, and seconds slower than his first we have a good lead in the Results pass on the re-run of Jordan Middle East Championship. 2021 Jordan Rally – positions after SS10: River, while El Fakih’s morn- The next step will be Lebanon 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Pole GTI 2hr 49min 06.0sec ing differential woes proved 2. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3hr 06min 10.8sec Rally and we try to defend our 3. Alex El Feghali (LBN)/Georges Deaibess (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3hr 08min 36.6sec costly and the Lebanese in- title.” 4. Shadi Sheban (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3hr 24min 38.9sec curred time penalties for start- Kuwait’s Meshari Al The- 5. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta 3hr 39min 13.1sec ing the second loop late. firi beganthe day with a 6. Saleh Al Saif (SAU)/Feisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) Can-Am Maverick X3 3hr 52min 03.5sec That time loss pushed him 7. Ihab Al Shourafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3hr 56min 33.1sec 40.8-second cushion at the 8. Asem Aref (JOR)/Ahmed Jankhot (JOR) Renault Clio RS 4hr 12min 33.0sec behind Al Atya and into sixth head of the MERC2 category 9. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Carlos Hanna (LBN) Škoda Fabia 1.6 4hr 48min 49.4sec before he eventually retired in and the second-placed Mit- 2021 Jordan National Rally Championship – round 2 result: stage nine. subishi Lancer Evo X driver 1. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Yazan Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1hr 39min 19.2sec Attiyah managed his pace 2. Shadi Sheban (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 45min 48.2sec confirmed another ‘show- 3. Amjad Al Anasweh (JOR)/Amer Mousa (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII 1hr 51min 11.8sec through the final stage to se- room’ class success after near- 4. Sami Fleifel (JOR)/Mohammed Atari (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V 1hr 52min 12.8sec cure a clean sweep of 10 stage est rival Alex Feghali opted to 5. Ihab Al Shourafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 54min 48.6sec wins and seal a 14th outright drive cautiously over the final 6. Tariq Al Taher (JOR)/Samer Issa (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI 1hr 55min 09.1sec success in the Hashemite 7. Asem Aref (JOR)/Ahmed Jankhot (JOR) Renault Clio 2hr 07min 36.8sec day to conserve a first ever po- 8. A Hassan Al Khatib (JOR)/Ghaith Kupti (JOR) Toyota FJ Cruiser 2hr 20min 28.4sec Kingdom. Al Thefiri held on dium place on an MERC rally. to secure second and first in “All is good and thank Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri, who finished second, in action on Saturday. MERC2 over the slippery sec- god we passed all the stages sation. The car is working well. through to secure third posi- ond loop, the Kuwaiti complet- and made it to the end,” said a second place over the two Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al Saturday – as it happened Two stages to go...” tion,” admitted Feghali. “We ing the stages 2min 25.8sec in Feghali. “This is the first time days. Saif restarted under Rally2 Attiyah dominated the first Feghali had vowed to at- are not trying to catch Meshari front of Feghali. we finished this rally and I A flat tyre and front dif- after his accident and drive runs through the 31.57km of tack Al Thefiri onthe second and gain experience for the Khaled Juma prevailed am on the podium, so that is ferential issues cost Lebanon’s shaft woes on Friday and the the Jordan River stage and day and try to make in-roads next events. First rally, first on the second round of the amazing.” Shadi El Fakih a lot of time on Can-Am Maverick X3 driver the insipid heat of Joufeh into the Kuwaiti’s 40.8-second podium, would be amazing.” National Championship, as a Shadi Sheban missed out the opening two stages of the climbed back to sixth place. (26.01km) to extend his mas- hold on the MERC2 lead and After suffering from the cautious Shaban finished the on a second Jordan National final day and he slipped into That pushed local driver Ihab sive lead to 12min 02.5sec. second place. heat and two flat tyres on FIA event as the leading Jor- Rally victory to a resurgent the clutches of Qatar’s Nasser Al Shorafa down to seventh “We like these two stages. But the Lebanese took it day one, Al Atya settled into danian. Amjad Al Anasweh Khaled Juma, but had the con- Khalifa Al Atya after incurring and MERC3 category winner They are long and the organi- easy instead and ceded 32.5 the groove to record two rounded off the podium finish- solation of finishing a career- time penalties for leaving ser- Asem Aref into eighth. sation make a good, good job,” seconds to the defending cham- fourth fastest times to close ers on the second round of the best fourth in the FIA event vice late and then going OTL Defending two-wheel drive said Al-Attiyah. “The second pion in the opener and a further in on El-Fakih’s hold on fifth national series. and being the first Jordanian in stage nine. Al-Atya duly champion Henry Kahy also one was the opposite of yester- 13 in the second one to trail by behind Shaban, who had a The 2021 FIA Middle East home. He also takes an early claimed fifth overall with Ital- restarted under Rally2 and day. We see all the machines 1min 26.5sec on the return to problem with water getting Rally Championship resumes lead in the National Cham- ian navigator Giovanni Ber- rounded off the finishers in (regrading) on the stages. It the Dead Sea service park. into the engine from under with the Rally of Lebanon on pionship following a win and nacchini. ninth overall. was a great job by the organi- “Now we are just cruising the sump guard. September 3rd-5th. A third win in a row for Sheikh Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Wakrah, Abdullah’s Qaiser in a second winner for Al Wukair Tribune News Network Tribune News Network Doha Doha Al Wakrah (FR) (Al Wukair x Owned by His Highness the Al Thakhira), a 2-year-old filly Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa who represents the Al Shaqab Al Thani, Qaiser (FR) (Charm Racing silk, opened her score- Spirit x Holly Polly) continued card on her second racecourse his winning streak on Saturday start when winning the Prix de when winning the Prix Achille Choisel, a maiden over 1.100 Fould, a Class 1 race over 2400 metres for 2-year-olds at Cha- metres for 3-year-olds at Bor- teaubriant, France on Satur- deaux - Le Bouscat, France. day. With Olivier Peslier in the The Simone Brogi-trained saddle, Qaiser went quickly to filly showed niceprogress the lead and settled in second since her debut, earlier in May, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Wakrah opened her scorecard winning the Prix position throughout. At the when she finished 7th over the de Choisel, a maiden over 1.100 metres for 2-year-olds at Chateaubri- 1,000-metre mark, he moved Qaiser (FR)on way to winning the Prix Achille Fould, a Class 1 race over 2400 metres for 3-year-olds at same distance at Tarbes. ant, France on Saturday. (Pic: Jean Charles Briens) closer to the leader Merveillo Bordeaux in Le Bouscat, France, on Saturday. (Pic: Robert Polin) Ridden by Jordan Pla- (GB) (Archipenko x Merville) teaux, Al Wakrah broke well clear to take the lead and win 1¾-lengths behind in third. and was still travelling very managed to snatch the run- row for this progressive son of colt. His work rider has done a from the starting gate at Cha- by a length. Al Wakrah is now the sec- comfortably. ner-up place for trainer Henri- Charm Spirit who will now be very good job with him and it teaubriant and was in a mid- Regalien (FR) (Goken x ond winner for her sire, Al Once in the home straight, Alex Pantall and jockey Soufi- aimed at a Listed race. starts to pay off. He will run in position. Round the first bend, strands of silk) finished sec- Wukair, based at the Haras de Qaiser showed a nice turn of ane Saadi while the long-time “He is a smart horse”, said the Derby du Languedoc (List- she got closer to the three ond for trainer Yann Barberot Bouquetot. foot and kept challenging the leader Merveillo finished fur- Antoine de Watrigant, Qaiser’s ed), at Toulouse on June 24th, runners in the front. She im- and jockey Clement Guitraud Her dam, Al Thakhira leader until he took the lead ther 1¼-lengths behind him trainer, “once he gets in front, then he will have a break in the proved more at the final bend while the J. Boisnard-trained (Dubawi), has won a Gr2 and in the final stages to win by in third for trainer C. Ferland he starts to relax. He has more summer. I think he will race in and accelerated well at the be- and Theo Bachelot-ridden has already produced a win- half a length. Rainband (USA) and jockey Maxime Guyon. strength now. He is more ma- some Group races before the ginning of the home straight. Lisana (FR) (Charm Spirit ner, Eraidah (Toronado). She (Medaglia D’oro x Fitful Skies) This was the third win in a ture and I think he is a good end of the year.” In the final furlong, she kicked x Verba Stars) was further has a yearling colt by Shalaa. Sports Sunday, May 30, 2021 13

QFA President Honours Al Ahly club chief ON CAF SUPER CUP WIN Quick read Champions League could see Final Four tournament from 2025 : UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has expressed support for the introduction of a Champions League Final Four tournament in 2025. The coronavirus pandemic led to last season’s Champions League lat- ter stages being played as a tournament format in Portugal with one-off quarters and semis before the final.I t whetted Ceferin’s appetite for something similar once the new Champions League structure begins in 2024-25 with an expanded 36 teams. “That could be great. And ef- ficient in terms of revenue if done properly,” the 53-year-old told French sports daily L’Equipe on Saturday ahead of this season’s final between Manchester City and Chelsea. “We are discussing it, but nothing has been decided yet.” Any new format would likely be one-off semi-finals followed by a final at the same venue in the same week. Clubs would lose home advantage in the semi and skipping a second leg would lead to less television income, but that would be outweighed by the new Champions League having 100 matches more in total. (DPA)

HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, President, Qatar Football Association, received in his office on Saturday Mahmoud El Khatib, President of Egyptian club Al Ahly, who won the Total CAF Super Cup 2020 defeating RS Berkane of Morocco 2-0 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday. QFA President congratulated Al Khatib and Al Ahly Club on winning another trophy. It was the 7th African Super Cup win for the famous Egyptian side. The QFA President praised Al Ahly’s performance and the spirit of the club’s players. For his part, Al Khatib thanked the QFA for the warm reception and generous hospitality throughout the team’s stay in Doha. He appreciated the interest and cooperation extended Bernal set for to his club’s contingent from the moment of their arrival in Doha last Tuesday. (QNA) Giro d’Italia win Slick Chelsea outwit City to after surviving mountain stage DPA ruso as he looks likely to settle win the Champions League London for third place overall. Although there are 30 flat DPA Egan Bernal stands on the kilometres still to negotiate, Berlin verge of Giro d’Italia glory af- with a lead of one minute 59 ter surviving Saturday’s brutal seconds few will bet against A solitary goal from Kai mountain stage with almost Bernal adding Giro glory to the Havertz earned Chelsea a sec- two minutes of an advantage Tour de France title he took in ond Champions League crown to take into the closing time 2019, further confirmation of nine years after their first with trial in Milan. the 24-year-old’s prestigious a deserved 1-0 final victory Damiano Caruso, Bernal’s talent. over domestic rivals Manches- closest challenger in the gen- “I’m satisfied with the re- ter City in Porto on Saturday. eral classification, celebrated sult,” Bernal said. “I think we Thousands of Chelsea fans a fine stage victory - his first managed well the situation fi- were in the crowd of 14,110 to individual Grand Tour stage nally. We have two minutes of see their team lift the trophy win - to increase his hold on a an advantage for tomorrow’s in the Dragao Stadium as the surprise second place, but vic- time trial so I think we are in a final had been moved from Is- tory by 24 seconds was not the good position. tanbul with Portugal operating sort of margin needed to shake “It’s not the best to have under less severe coronavirus the Ineos Grenadiers rider. the rider second in GC in front restrictions. And Simon Yates, who had you by almost one minute but Havertz sparked the cele- taken almost 90 seconds out of having three team-mates, I brations with his 42nd minute Bernal’s lead in the last three tried to use them to arrive as goal, created by a super pass days, could make no further fresh as possible into the last from Mason Mount which split impact as he lost the Colom- climb and also tomorrow. the defence and allowed the bian’s wheel two kilometres “I think we did well but 21-year-old German to escape from the summit of the final it was difficult to manage the keeper Ederson and tap home. climb of the Alpe Motta, con- situation.” A Bernal win would City won the domestic Chelsea’s German midfielder Kai Havertz (C) is mobbed by teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League final against Manches- ceding 27 seconds in the pro- also deliver a second consecu- championship by a distance ter City at the Dragao stadium in Porto on Saturday. Havertz scored in the 42nd minute as Chelsea went on to win 1-0. (AFP) cess. tive Giro title for the Grena- but lost to Chelsea both in the That leaves the Briton 1 diers after Tao Geoghegan league and FA Cup as Blues ford Bridge club won having heem Sterling and Phil Foden. get through the solid Chelsea in disappointing fashion when minute 24 seconds behind Ca- Hart’s win last October. manager Thomas Tuchel com- changed managers mid-season. This was exposed when shape which had Jorginho and he was substituted for Gabriel pleted a whirlwind story of His opposite number Pep Mount’s long pass through the N’Golo Kante snapping in the Jesus with a head knock after success since taking over from Guardiola was coaching in the centre found Havertz cutting in middle of the park and even a clash with Antonio Ruediger. Frank Lampard in January. Champions League final for to collect and finish his maiden the loss of veteran defender Fernandinho was then in- Defeat in their first Cham- the first time since his second Champions League goal. Thiago Silva to first half injury troduced for Silva but the next pions League final means City triumph with Barcelona in It was the least Chelsea did not disturb them. opportunity came for Chelsea, remain without the biggest 2011 but paid the price for a deserved after Havertz’s com- Despite City’s abundance when Havertz set up substi- prize in European football de- City line-up which was incred- patriot Timo Werner spurned of creative players, their best tute Christian Pulisic to chip spite billions of dollars being ibly attacking. two previous great chances to chance of the first half came wide on the break. spent over the years by their Midfield anchors Fernand- open the scoring. from Ederson’s long ball over Record scorer Sergio Abu Dhabi owners. inho and Rodri were dropped The misfiring striker had a the defence but Sterling’s clev- Aguero was thrown on with 14 Chelsea are kings again and as Ilkay Guendogan took the fresh air swipe from Havertz’s er attempt was foiled by Chel- minutes remaining in his last Tuchel has glory at the second deepest role in the centre cut back and sent a weak shot sea keeper Edouard Mendy. game for City but ended in de- attempt having lost in the final of the pitch while Kevin De straight at Ederson having They did not fare better at feat when Mahrez’s awkward with Paris Saint-Germain last Bruyne and Bernando Silva been found by Mount. the start of the second half and shot flew a fraction high in the season. Like in 2012, the Stam- supported Riyad Mahrez, Ra- City in contrast could not De Bruyne’s poor night ended last minute of injury-time. Overall leader Team Ineos rider Colombia’s Egan Bernal reacts after he crossed the finish line to place second of the 20th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2021 cycling race, 164km between Verbania and Valle Spluga - Alpe Motta (Madesimo) on Saturday. (AFP) Brentford make Premier League for the first time

DPA lead was doubled by Emiliano in by Sergi Canos’ superb re- And the Bees were almost straight red card for a reckless England begin Euro 2020 Berlin Marcondes just under 10 min- verse pass. out of sight as Toney cracked challenge on Mathias Jensen, utes later. He duly made it 11 from 11 a spectacular volley against giving Brentford fans cause to preparations in North East Brentford secured promo- Swansea were much im- by calmly slotting beyond for- the underside of the cross- start the celebrations early on tion to the Premier League for proved in the second half, but mer Newcastle United team- bar, with Woodman grateful a landmark day for the club. DPA with the impact of European the first time in their history Jay Fulton’s red card effective- mate Woodman and into the to see the ball bounce on the Swansea were looking to London finalabsentees, with seven with a 2-0 victory over Swan- ly sealed victory for Brentford bottom-left corner, with Toney’s line and out. end a three-season stay in the players involved in Champi- sea City in Saturday’s Champi- as they clinched a first pro- record from the spot the best of Swansea did stem the tide second tier following Premier England players have start- ons League final. onship play-off final. motion to the top flight since any player in England’s top four thereafter and went close in League relegation in 2018, but ed to convene in the North East Available squad members The Bees lost at this stage 1935, ending their 74-year ab- tiers in all competitions. the final minute of normal Brentford will instead make as Gareth Southgate’s Europe- reported to Rockliffe Hall in the last season to London rivals sence from the highest domes- Swansea struggled to re- time in the first half as Andre their debut in the division, be- an Championship preparations north-east on Saturday, kick- Fulham but were in no mood tic level having been relegated spond to that early setback Ayew sent a header off the top coming the 50th different club get under way. The Three Lions ing off a nine-day camp that to be denied this time around back in 1947. and they were soon given a of the bar before starting the to grace the league since its in- manager last week named a 33- takes in the warm-up friendlies and were 2-0 up inside 20 Toney had scored all 10 mountain to climb when Mads second half by skewing a div- ception in 1992. man provisional squad for this against Austria and Romania in minutes. of his previous penalties this Rasmussen expertly picked ing header wide from Connor Their 86 years between summer’s rearranged Euros, Middlesbrough. England cap- Ivan Toney’s 10th-minute season and never looked likely out Marcondes at the end of a Roberts’ cross. promotions to the top-flight is which he will have to trim down tain Harry Kane was among the penalty, his 33rd goal of an to err after goalkeeper Fred- counter-attack and the Dane Jamal Lowe crafted some the second-longest gap behind to 26 names on Tuesday. arrivals, so too Jesse Lingard, amazing campaign, opened die Woodman felled Bryan rifled a fine finish into the bot- promising openings for the Bradford City, who ended a Southgate named an ex- Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ki- the scoring and Brentford’s Mbeumo when he was played tom-right corner. Swans but Fulton was shown a wait of 91 years in 1999. panded group to help cope eran Trippier. Neuer has no plans to end Germany career, Loew frets over midfield DPA ways have fun and pleasure Austrian training camp. and Ilkay Guendogan. “Of course, I hope that all of Seefeld (Austria) playing for the national team, Neuer is on 98 caps and Kroos and Goretzka have them will get back to team train- it makes me proud and I’m could make it to 100 in the two yet to join up with the squad ing in time to be ready for action Germany captain Manuel happy to put on the jersey also warm-up matches before the after a coronavirus infection against France.” Neuer is already looking for- in the future if I’m doing well,” Euros, with the first against and thigh muscle tear respec- Germany open their Euro ward to playing under next na- the 35-year-old Neuer told a Denmark on Wednesday in tively. Guendogan limped out campaign in Munich against tional coach Hansi Flick and news conference on Saturday. Innsbruck. of Manchester City training world champions France in Mu- is not thinking of ending his “I have no plans to end Neuer said it would make on the eve of their Champions nich on June 15. international career. my international career,” he him “very proud” to reach a League final against Chelsea “Yesterday Kroos was still The goalkeeper won two added. “Everyone knows that I century of appearances. on Saturday, but it is hoped he testing positive, as long as he Bundesliga titles, a Champi- have a very good relationship Lothar Matthaeus holds the just suffered a knock. is positive he has to stay in ons League and a German Cup with Hansi Flick.” But before German record with 150 caps. “Of course they are three quarantine,” Loew said. under Flick at Bayern Munich, the new chapter, the Europe- At a subsequent news con- important players in our team, “As soon as the test comes with the coach switching to the an Championship starting on ference, Loew said he is hop- three key players, so I would back negative on one day, he Germany job after June and Ju- June 11 is about giving outgo- ing for a timely start to Euro be happy if the progress is pos- will make the journey to us. He ly’s Euros under Joachim Loew. ing coach Loew a “great fare- (LtoR) Germany coach Joachim Loew (R) during a training session in training for ailing midfield trio itive with all three of them,” already had slight symptoms, “For me personally, I al- well”, Neuer said at Germany’s Seefeld, Austria, on Saturday. (AFP) Leon Goretzka, Toni Kroos the 61-year-old said. but they were last week.” 14 Sunday, May 30, 2021 Sports Nadal out to rule Roland Garros again, Swiatek eyes Henin feat beIN SPORTS to exclusively broadcast French Open across 23 countries in MENA Tribune News Network ing and Roger Doha Federer. Djokovic won his 18th at the Australian beIN MEDIA GROUP, the Open and reached the Rome global sports and entertain- final. missed ment broadcaster and its Roland Garros in 2020. flagship sports channel beIN beIN SPORTS’ coverage of SPORTS will broadcast the this year’s Roland-Garros will Roland-Garros 2021 live and see the global sports channel exclusively to its millions of exclusively cover the tour- viewers and subscribers across naments on its Arabic and during the men’s singles final against Novak Djokovic at the 2020 French Open. the Middle East and North Af- English sports channels beIN Nadal is in line for a 14th French Open title and record-setting 21st Grand Slam crown. (AFP) Iga Swiatek poses with the French Open trophy in Paris. (AFP) rica (MENA). SPORTS 2, 5, 6 and 7. The Roland-Garros 2021 is English channels will also in- DPA is looking to follow in the foot- and 1980 and Nadal in 2008, cham- won multiple titles in the scheduled to kick-off on 30 clude an hour-long daily high- Paris steps of Justine Henin and be 2010, 2017 and 2020. pion Djokovic, who will face women’s tournament at the May, with the singles and light show. The beIN commen- the first since the Belgian to Nadal is the only player to in the first French Open in the 21st cen- doubles matches being held tary and analyst team is the In this world, nothing can win two Roland Garros tro- have won the same slam more round, has reached the final tury: Henin (four), Serena in its namesake stadium, the best around and includes Se- be said to be certain, except phies in a row. than 10 times. He has lost just in seven of the last 10 slams he Williams (three) and Maria Stade Roland-Garros, in Paris, lima Sfar, the second highest death and taxes - a statement Nadal will open his title two of the 102 matches played contested, claiming six titles. Sharapova (two). France. The main three court’s ranked female Tunisian and largely true until Rafael Na- defence against Australian in Paris (excluding walkovers), However, the Serbian star has Swiatek celebrated slam finals will then take place as Arab player of all time, former dal emerged on the scene and . losing to Robin Soderling in only featured in five French glory in the absence of world follows: mixed doubles, June Kuwaiti tennis player Adel Al- made the French Open his own. number one and defending 10; women’s singles and men’s Shatti, retired two-time cham- Since breaking through champion Ash Barty in 2020. doubles, June 12; and wom- pion Karim Alami, former for his first Roland Garros Defending champions Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek will be No player has won more games en’s doubles and men’s sin- WTA player Kim Wehrmann, triumph in 2005, only three tough to beat in Paris – whatever the seedings say. on clay this season than Aus- gles, June 13. plus many more. other men - Roger Federer, tralian top seed Barty and Ve- As with each Roland-Gar- Duncan Walkinshaw, Act- and Novak Since 2000, only Na- the 2009 fourth round and Open deciders - fewer than in ronika Kudermetova (both 13). ros, the 2021 tournament will ing Director of Programs for Djokovic - have managed to dal (13) and Gustavo Kuerten Djokovic in the 2015 quarter- any of the other three major Only Barty (three) has won observe the very best in tennis beIN MENA, said: “Once interrupt Nadal’s dominance (two) have won the French finals, whilehas won each of tournaments. more titles than third seed Ar- - as well as some fresh talent. again, it is our greatest pleas- in Paris. Open more than once. the last 30. Having never progressed yna Sabalenka (two) in 2021 Top international superstars ure to bring prestigious in- Nadal has won 13 French The 34-year-old swept The record for most slam beyond the fourth round of a - the Belarusian is one of two hope to make their mark, ternational events such as Open men’s singles titles, seven aside world number one titles on the men’s circuit will women’s major, Polish teen- players currently ranked in the such as , reign- Roland-Garros to the screens more than any other player in Djokovic in straight sets last also be up for grabs, with Na- ager Swiatek broke through top 20 in the WTA yet to reach ing champion at the US and of fans and viewers across the Open era (Bjorn Borg, six) year for his fourth consecutive dal and the returning Federer for her maiden slam title via a major quarter-final, along- Australian Open; Elina Svito- the MENA region. beIN, in heading into this year’s edition. French Open crown and 20th seeking to snap their tie. the French Open last year, up- side . lina, 15 Women’s Tennis Asso- the MENA region, is the ex- Despite being seeded third, slam trophy, equalling Roger In the last 25 years, the staging . In a field also including ciation (WTA) single’s winner; clusive home of all the Grand it would take a brave person to Federer’s all-time record. number one seed has won the The 19-year-old Swiatek – four-time slam champion and Novak Djokovic, the men’s Slams plus the ATP and WTA. bet against defending cham- Nadal maintained his French Open on only five occa- who will return as the eighth reigning Australian Open win- world No. 1 and recent ATP Roland Garros is part of an in- pion Nadal adding to his mam- stranglehold on the major, sions - Nadal (2018, 2014 and seed in her defence, starting ner Naomi Osaka - the second record breaker; and 20 Grand credible summer of sport live moth and unprecedented haul having not dropped a set 2011), Djokovic (2016) and against - could be- seed - Sabalenka could become Slam men’s singles titleholder and exclusive only on beIN, in- in the French capital, where the throughout the fortnight. Only Kuerten (2001). It does not come the first woman to win only the third woman to win Roger Federer. cluding the rescheduled UEFA second grand slam of the year three players have previously bode well for top seed and 18- consecutive titles at Roland the and French Representing the MENA Euro 2020, Copa America gets under way on Sunday. won the French Open without time major champion Djoko- Garros since Henin in 2005- Open in the same season after region is Tunisia’s 2021, Tokyo Olympics 2020, On the women’s side, de- losing a single set: Ilie Nastase vic, who is looking to close the 2007 (three in a row). in 2013 and – who is the highest ranked Wimbledon and Test Cricket”. fending champion Iga Swiatek in 1973, Bjorn Borg in 1978 gap on foes Nadal and Federer. Only three players have Sharapova in 2014. Arab player in WTA history at beIN MEDIA GROUP #24. Jabeur reached two jun- also recently announced that ior Grand Slam girls’ singles the exclusive summer early finals at the French Open in bird promotion has been ex- 2010 and 2011, winning the tended to 31 May. To watch Djoko heads to Paris on back of home win in Belgrade title in the second appearance. all the major tournaments She was also the firstA rab and competitions, the beIN DPA 6-4, 6-3, with attention now since 2011 means he now has player to win a junior Grand summer early bird promotion Berlin turning to the second grand 83 ATP singles titles to his Slam singles title since Ismail offers subscribers the chance slam of the year after Djokovic name, with three of them com- El Shafei in 1964. Also repre- to watch the best exclusive Novak Djokovic will head to won the Australian Open back ing at this event. senting the MENA region is sports tournaments on air in- the French Open on the back in January. It also caps a positive pe- Egypt’s Mohamed Safwat, the cluding the UEFA Euro 2020, of claiming the singles title at After a resilient perfor- riod of preparation for a tilt highest ranked Arab player on Copa America 2021, Total Af- the Belgrade Open after bat- mance in the first set as he at a second French Open title, the ATP tour and No. 1 in his rica Cup of Nations, Cameroon tling past Alex Molcan in the twice came back from a break with Djokovic having reached home country. 2021 and FIFA World Cup Qa- final. down, Djokovic was able to en- the final in Rome this month All eyes will be on Rafael tar 2022 and save 6 months The world number one joy a slightly less frenetic path only to lose to Roland Garros Nadal as he returns to Paris on your ULTIMATE package did not have it all his own way to victory in the second. favourite Rafael Nadal. just seven months after win- subscription. against the world number 255, He broke down a more Nadal and Djokovic could ning a record 13th Roland beIN entertains and oper- with the first set featuring just obdurate Molcan for a 4-2 meet in the semi-finals this year Garros title. Nadal, who is ates in 43 countries globally, three service holds. lead, only for the Slovak to in Paris, where the Serbian was dominant on the clay surface, including 24 countries across But Djokovic claimed four hit straight back. But Djoko- thrashed by the King of Clay in has won 62 out of his 88 ATP the MENA region. breaks to Molcan’s three to vic was not to be denied and three sets in the 2020 final. singles titles on the surface – With broadcast on satellite take the opener and did not let immediately claimed another Djokovic will start his including 26 out of his 36 ATP in 4K and Full HD, the beIN his advantage slip in front of break, which he consolidated campaign to add to his 2016 Masters titles. experience is also available on TOPSHOT - Winner Serbian Novak Djokovic claps hands with vol- his home crowd. to delight his adoring public. French Open success when he The 2021 Roland Garros mobile, tablet, computer and unteers after the final match against Slovakian Alex Molcan at the He negotiated a similarly Victory in what was Djoko- faces Tennys Sandgren in the field is also set to feature every other home devices through Belgrade Open tennis tournament in Belgrade on Saturday. (AFP) tricky second set to prevail vic’s first final on home soil first round. member of the Top 10 includ- beIN CONNECT. As big birthdays loom, is this Serena and Federer’s last French Open? DPA Federer, or could the super- of being a possibility. She is Paris star pair return to the French becoming less of a factor when Open in 2022? Ahead of his looking at title favourites, Roland Garros, Wimble- 30th birthday, Federer was but Williams is still capable don, the US Open, the Olym- asked what it felt like to hit of beating top players, still a pic Games, Indian Wells: this such a milestone. threat wherever she shows up. year’s tennis calendar is not “Birthdays happen. The 24th slam remains the lacking in red-ringed dates. They’re part of life,” Federer must-have for Williams. But August 8 and September said. “I’m happy I’m getting Tour titles feel like an irrel- 26 are majorly notable in that older. I’d rather be 30 than 20, evance, and Williams has won they will mark the 40th birth- to be honest. To me it’s a nice just one of those since Janu- days of Roger Federer and Ser- time.” A decade on, Federer ary 2017, her calendar built ena Williams, respectively. may be similarly equanimous around peaking for the majors Federer’s birthday falls about hitting 40. since returning from giving on the final day of the Tokyo Family life is good, he’ll Roger Federer (left) and Serena Williams. birth to daughter Olympia. Olympics, while Williams never need to borrow a dollar, Beating reaches the same landmark and he has advanced from 16 such a veteran age, but he has nobody more driven to succeed and at the Aus- a fortnight after the US Open grand slams to 20. played only three matches than the great American. tralian Open demonstrated women’s singles final. But the knees would soon- since the 2020 Australian It must be an intense Williams still has the game Both have kept their future er be 30 than 40, and Federer, Open, losing two of those. frustration that she remains for the big stage, and a semi- plans quiet, but it would come remarkable sportsman though Federer has never settled rooted on 23 grand slams, one final defeat to Naomi Osaka, to as no major surprise if one, or he is, is coming to the end of for second best, so he will want short of Margaret Court’s re- whom she has now lost in three both, were to retire by the end the line in his tennis career. It The two greats may be considering their futures. to be a tournament winner cord haul, and the four grand of four encounters, should not of the year. will hurt the Fedfans to think But what do they still want to achieve and how are again, no doubt about it. The slam final losses she has suf- particularly detract from that. Fellow grand slam icons Ve- so, but all the evidence points hunger does not go away after fered while on that mark have Williams is playing on clay nus Williams, and to it. We are probably witness- their prospects of attaining those remaining goals? 20 grand slams, but it can be been cruel blows. primarily to get in great shape Kim Clijsters may also be a mat- ing a lap of honour. more difficult to sate. As her 40th birthday ap- for grass, because Wimbledon, ter of months away from bowing Having won Roland Gar- er needs to win a few rounds Wimbledon, the Olympics From precocious teenager proaches, it would not be a where she plays the surface with out of the professional ranks. ros only once at his peak, we though, in order to be sharp and the US Open are events to queen of the tour, Serena Wil- surprise if Williams reached a command that others can only Will life after tennis be- can surely forget the prospect and battle-hardened for the where you might give a fit liams’ tennis journey has been that target, but what once felt envy, is where that elusive 24th gin at 40 for Williams and of any heroics in Paris. Feder- grass season. Federer a chance, even at a 25-year odyssey and there is inevitable now only has the air slam looks most likely to come. Sports Sunday, May 30, 2021 15

AL ARABI EDGE AL RAYYAN IN THRILLING FINAL TO EMERGE AMIR CUP HANDBALL CHAMPIONS

Al Arabi Sports Club lifted the HH Amir Cup for handball trophy a second time defeating Al Rayyan 30-27 in the final played at the Al Duhail Hall on Saturday. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee, along with Ahmed Al Shaabi, President, Qatar Handball Association, honoured the winning and runners-up teams with trophy and medals. The final was fierecely contested with Al Arabi leading 16-11 at half time.

QAF president pleased with Qatar’s Younousse and Tijan Wanda Diamond League make Sochi World Tour semis Doha round’s success QNA Doha Agencies events and here is that we al- Sochi (Russia) ways go for more. Every game Second Vice-President of is an opportunity for us and we Qatar Olympic Committee Qatar’s Cherif Younousse try to capitalise on it. We are (QOC) and President of the and Ahmed Tijan progressed grateful to be in the semifinals Qatar Athletics Federation to their fourth consecutive Fi- again after three events on the Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman nal Four on the FIVB Beach podium,” added Ahmed. Al Kuwari expressed his de- Volleyball World Tour in Varenhorst and Van de light with the great success of Sochi, Russia, on Saturday. Velde had a much bumpier the Doha round of the Wanda They made their way to the road on the last stretch be- Diamond League, which took semifinals of theS ochi 4-star fore the quarterfinals.T he place on Friday at the Suhaim on Saturday and will play 14th-seeded Dutch duo had bin Hamad stadium at Qa- against Christiaan Varenhorst to come back from a set down tar Sports Club with a record Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al and Steven van de Velde of and persevere through an ex- number of Olympic and world Kuwari, Second Vice-President of the Netherlands in one of the tended tie-breaker to outplay champions participating. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) duels for the spots in the gold Poland’s Grzegorz Fijalek and He said that the Doha doc- and President of Qatar Athletics medal match on Sunday. Michal Bryl for a 2-1 (18-21, ument was a success in terms Federation. The other semifinal will 21-19, 16-14) eighthfinal vic- of the organization or the level feature Piotr Kantor and Bar- tory. It seemed much more of participation and competi- ends of the game had for Qa- tosz Losiak against Adrian Ca- straightforward for them in tion. He thanked President tar’s organizational capabili- rambula and Enrico Rossi. the afternoon quarterfinal, of QOC HE Sheikh Joaan bin ties, which he said reflects the In their eighth-final match especially in the second set, Hamad Al Thani for attending country’s ability to successful- in the morning, Cherif and against USA’s Tri Bourne and the round this year. ly host any sporting event re- Ahmed managed to get back at Trevor Crabb, as they claimed He noted that the State of gardless of the circumstances. Czechia’s Ondrej Perusic and a 2-0 (21-19, 21-12) win. Qatar has once again proven For his part, Qatari Olym- David Schweiner for losing Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan beat Brazil’s Alison Cerutti and Alvaro Filho 21-18, 21-16 in the The Sochi tournament is to the world that it is capa- pic champion Mutaz Barshim to them at home at the Doha quarter-finals at FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in Sochi, Russia, on Saturday. the fifth of six International ble of hosting major sporting said that winning second place 4-star eighthfinals in March. Volleyball Federation (FIVB) events, adding that it is some- in the high jump competition The fourth-seeded Qatari clean slate, 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) thon continues. Each game is back in the semifinals, but we Beach Volleyball World Tour thing that makes the commit- was satisfactory given it was pair produced a 2-0 (21-18, against Brazil’s Alison Cerutti a new game. We lost in pool don’t think of it as a semifinal. four-star events offering tee proud. his start to the season. He 21-17) shutout of the Czechs and Alvaro Filho. play, but we just keep going It’s just another opportunity to Olympic ranking points. Secretary-General of Qatar added that he always looks to to make it to the quarters, “It’s been a very good per- and trying to improve game by play better than today.” A total of 62 teams from Athletics Federation Moham- achieve the best results, but where they capitalised on the formance so far and we are game,” Cherif told Volleyball “The reason for our suc- 27 are taking part in the tour- med Issa Al Fadala praised maintained that it was still momentum to deliver another happy about it. But the mara- World. “So we are happy to be cess at the three Cancun nament. the good organization and early in the season. the level of competition in He said that he will start this year’s Doha round of the a more focused preparation Diamond League despite the for the Olympics following the India and NZ to difficult conditions facing the Rome round two weeks from world as a result of the COV- now. He added that he hopes IPL set to resume in UAE after play WTC final ID-19 pandemic. He expressed to win a gold medal at the To- in bio-secure his delight with the praise leg- kyo Olympics. coronavirus postponement bubble DPA/ANI DPA Sindhu ‘ready and excited’ to New Delhi London represent India at Tokyo 2020 The Indian Premier League, The inaugural World Test the world’s leading franchise Championship final between ANI tournament for Twenty20 India and New Zealand will take New Delhi cricket, is set to resume in the place in a bio-secure environ- United Arab Emirates in Sep- ment at the Ageas Bowl in the India’s ace shuttler PV Sind- tember having been suspend- English city of Southampton, hu is “ready and excited” to ed in India due to the corona- the International Cricket Coun- represent the country in the virus pandemic. cil announced on Saturday. upcoming Tokyo Olympics af- “The Board of Control for The five-day showpiece will ter five long years. Cricket in India (BCCI) on be held June 18-22 after the The Tokyo Olympics will Saturday announced to com- event was granted an exemp- be held from July 23 to August India shuttler PV Sindhu. plete the remaining matches tion by the British government. 8 this year after getting post- of the Indian Premier League Lord’s in London was hop- poned in 2020 due to COV- exuded confidence about the 2021 season in the United ing to safely stage the final, but ID-19. Earlier in the day, Un- athletes’ performance at the Arab Emirates considering because of the coronavirus pan- ion Minister for Youth Affairs upcoming Tokyo Olympics the monsoon season in India demic it was moved to the home and Sports Kiren Rijiju shared and said “India is ready to go in the months of September- of Hampshire due to the venue a video on Twitter wishing and shine”. October this year,” a state- The remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended in India earlier this having on-site hotel facilities. every athlete the very best for Rijiju also invited every In- ment said. month, will be completed in the United Arab Emirates in September and October, the Board of Control for The Ageas Bowl was one the Tokyo games. dian to cheer for the athletes The BCCI said the decision Cricket in India (BCCI) has said. of two venues, along with Sindhu thanked the Sports featuring in the megaevent as to resume was unanimously Old Trafford in Manchester, Minister for the “overwhelming” they continue to train for the agreed. overwhelmed by the disease. year earmarked. talked about the T20 World to host England matches last support. “The support is always Tokyo Olympics. “I invite eve- The 2020 season was al- Several players tested pos- “We took this decision to Cup, which is slated to take year during the pandemic. overwhelming! We are ready ry Indian to cheer for our ath- ready played in the UAE due to itive for the coronavirus and conduct IPL in the UAE be- place in India in October. He India will arrive in Brit- and so excited to represent In- letes as they train to win lau- the pandemic while part of the organizers were criticised for cause it will be monsoon here said the board will only take ain on June 3 via a charter dia on this iconic stage! 5 years rels for India despite difficult 2014 season was also played in going ahead as the health cri- and it will not be feasible to a decision after holding a dis- flight and carrying evidence in the making- I cannot wait and times. Yes, India is ready to go Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah sis intensified. hold matches here in Sep- cussion with the International of a negative PCR test, having good luck to all my fellow Olym- and shine at the #Tokyo2020 because it clashed with the In- The BCCI also said it was tember and that is why we are Cricket Council (ICC). spent 14 days in a bio-secure pians,” Sindhu tweeted. Olympics,” Rijiju tweeted. dian election. seeking “an extension of time” taking IPL to the UAE,” Jay “And as far as the T20 environment in their home- Bhavani Devi, who created Also, the Indian Olympic Players from the eight IPL from world governing body Shah told ANI. “We are mov- world Cup is concerned, we land prior to travelling. history by becoming the first Association (IOA) on Thurs- teams, including several top the ICC to take an appropriate ing IPL to the UAE only due to will seek time from ICC and Regular tests will be con- Indian fencer to qualify for the day confirmed that its entire international stars, had been call on the hosting of the T20 weather restrictions as we can- decide later. As of now, we are ducted during the period of Olympic Games, also thanked contingent bound for the living in bio-secure bubbles World Cup 2021. not hold IPL here at the time in the mind frame of holding isolation for Indian team at Rijiju for believing in her. The Olympics will be vaccinated in India and playing to empty The tournament of nations of monsoon. How can we hold tournaments in the safe zone their on-site hotel and play- fencer said she will give her against COVID-19 before the stands after this year’s tourna- was postponed last year be- IPL in September in Mumbai and we will see how the situ- ers’ activity will be allowed in best in the Tokyo Games. Tokyo Games. ment began on April 9. cause of coronavirus. or Ahmedabad or any other ation is in the upcoming days. a gradually increasing manner “Thank you @KirenRijiju The IOA has also said its A total of 29 out of sched- It was originally due to venues at the time of mon- “The only thing I can say after each round of testing, sir for believing in us. We as- entire contingent has at least re- uled 56 league games were take place in Australia but was soon?....It doesn’t make any for now is to seek time from from exercise in isolation to sure our best efforts and dedi- ceived the first dose of the COV- played before the suspension switched to India, with dates sense,” he added. ICC and decide accordingly,” small groups and then larger cation,” Bhavani tweeted. ID-19 vaccine, while some have of the season as India became of October and November this The BCCI Secretary further he said. squad activity. The Sports Minister has been fully vaccinated as well.