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FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2020 Djokovic plans to finish season as World No. 1

This season, which was very intermittent, different and weird, at the same time brought me a lot of success and I'm very satisfied with my game, points, ranking. I hope that, after the month and a half that's left in this season, I will finish it as world number one. That's my professional goal . Novak Djokovic World No.1 Sport | 15 CRICKET: INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Kings XI Punjab beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets in Sharjah

Twin targets: Qatar's Nasser eeyesyes Dakar crown, Games gold in 20220211 Nasser Al Attiyah AFP — NICOSIA and Stephane, which gives me in sixsix Olympics,Olympics, winning After not driving for eight months, now we start again some advantage. As we saw bronzeonze in tthehe LLondonondon Qatari multi-sport competitor very strong. We won a deserved Andalucia rally last in the Andalucia Rally, I was Gamesmes in 2012. Nasser Al Attiyah, a three- more in control. But of course “I will be reareadydy foforr time Dakar Rally winner and week. All the contestants were there to prepare for the Dakar Rally has its cir- the Olympics in 2021. an Olympic skeet shooting Dakar. I think we have a good chance for the second cumstances and surprises.” Godd wiwilling,lling, we wiwillll bbee bronze medallist, has ambi- edition in Saudi Arabia and our goal is to win. He has set up a rally in form,”orm,” hhee said.said. tions for a double triumph in academy in Spain to pass on “Our“Our goalgoal is goldgold 2021. Nasser Al Attiyah his know-how to future gen- andd to represenrepresentt my Nasser, who won the car erations -- and not just countryuntry and the Arab class in the Dakar in 2011, drivers. world.”rld.” 2015 and last year, plans a “I bought a farm in Bar- Nasser says hishis fresh assault in January when “After not driving for Nasser, 49, identified the celona, and I love being lovee ofof sportssports the gruelling race is held in eight months, now we start 58-year-old Carlos Sainz and there,” he said. keepseps hhimim Saudi Arabia for the second again very strong. We won a 55-year-old Stephane Peter- “Generations will competitive.mpetitive. consecutive year. deserved Andalucia rally last hansel as his main rivals. graduate, not only drivers, but “When yyouou Six months later he is week. All the contestants were “I think the competition also engineers and mechanics, lovee somesome-- aiming to be in action at the there to prepare for Dakar. I will be between this trio if we it will be similar to a thing,ng, you Tokyo Olympics where the think we have a good chance don’t face mechanical university.” givee it ffromrom skeet event is scheduled for for the second edition in Saudi problems,” he said. The farm is also where he yourur heart,” the last week of July. Arabia and our goal is to win.” “I am younger than Carlos trains in the skeet. He has shot he sasaid.id. Al Duhail, Al Sadd target wins as QSL resumes Punjab beat Bangalore FAWAD HUSSAIN QSL: ROUND 4 Al Sadd's players during a training THE PENINSULA session ahead of their QSL game Tomorrow against Al Khor. by eight After heartbreaks at the AFC 5:30pm: Al Duhail vs Qatar SC Champions League, Qatar’s at Al Duhail Stadium wickets football giants Al Sadd and Al 7:45pm: Al Khor vs Al Sadd IANS — SHARJAH Duhail will switch focus back at Al Khor Stadium to the second biggest challenge Sunday Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) of the season – the QNB Stars 5:30pm: Al Ahli vs Al Sailiya survived an extraordinary late League (QSL) - which resumes at Al Ahli Stadium choke to end their run of tomorrow after a month’s 7:45pm: Al Gharafa vs Al Kharaitiyat defeats with an eight-wicket break. at Al Gharafa Stadium win over Royal Challengers Reigning QSL champions Monday Bangalore (RCB). Al Duhail failed to reach the 5:30pm: Al Arabi vs Umm Salal at Al Chasing RCB’s total of 171/6 knock-out stage of the premier Arabi Stadium wickets, KXIP were cruising continental event, while Al 7:45pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah at for much of the game, thanks Sadd bowed out of the contest Al Gharafa Stadium to half-centuries from captain when they lost 0-1 to Iran’s KL Rahul (61 not out) and Chris Persepolis in the Round of 16 Gayle (53), who was playing his stage last month. first game of the season and Both Al Duhail and Al Sadd, Mayank Agarwal’s 45. who will be seen in action However, KXIP struggled to tomorrow, will focus on top get two runs from the last over performance in the QSL bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal, looking to give cheers to their taking it all the way down to die-hard fans. the last ball. Nicholas Pooran Al Duhail will be eyeing to in the opening round, but suf- to Al Gharafa and 1-2 to Al for Al Khor game witnessed Al Meanwhile, Al Khor are needing to score a run off the bounce back in the QSL after fered a shock in Week 2 as they Kharaitiyat. Sadd’s international players 10th in the table with two last ball for KXIP to avoid a a shaky start to their title lost 0-1 to Al Wakrah. Tomorrow’s second match joining the squad after the end points that they collected from Super Over. Pooran did the defence when they take on Qatar SC – placed eighth will see Al Sadd taking on Al of their national team commit- their drawn encounters with needful, hitting a six just over Qatar SC on their home turf, with three points – will be Khor at Al Khor Stadium. ments including a friendly Al Arabi (2-2) and Umm Salal long-on to finish the game. tomorrow. looking to continue their form Al Sadd are second with six against Ghana in Turkey on (goalless). The Knights, who Brief scores: RCB 171/6 The Red Knights, having after shocking last season’s points and an all-win record Monday. have Frenchman Hantz Fre- wkts in 20 overs (Virat Kohli played a game less due to their runners-up Al Rayyan 1-0 even though they have played The coaching staff, led by deric as their new coach, had 48, Chris Morris 25; Murugan AFC Champions League com- before the league took a break one game less as their high- Xavi Hernandez, was keen on lost 0-1 to Al Ahli in Week 3. Al Ashwin 2/23) lost to KXIP 177/2 mitment, are placed seventh on September 13. Coached by profile fixture against holders using Wednesday’s session to Ahli are leading the points wkts in 20 overs (KL Rahul 61 in the table with three points. former Qatar Younis Ali, The Al Duhail in Week 3 was post- work on tactical aspects, with table with three wins from as not out, Chrus Gayle 53; Yuz- They beat Umm Salal 3-0 Kings had previously lost 0-2 poned. Wednesday’s training a focus on attacking moves. many matches. vendra Chahal 1/35) by 8 wickets Bughanaim guides Hajadie Du Croate to Al Gharafa Cup glory

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Faleh Bughanaim guides WINNERS Ennab and Ghazi Al Jeryan took second Hajadie Du Croate to the AL GHARAFA CUP and third position in the event. Faleh Bughanaim, astride three- Al Gharafa Cup title win. (Horse, trainer, jockey) In Thoroughbreds (Class 2), Arabic year-old Hajadie Du Croate, Hajadie Du Croate (FR), Gassim Mohammad Channel (USA), ridden by Eduardo bagged the Al Gharafa Cup title, Ghazali, Faleh Bughanaim Pedroza reigned supreme, clearing winning yesterday’s feature race PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP 1400m with a time of 1:22.00. on the second day of the new Gold Amer (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, The 4-year-bay colt registered a season at Qatar Racing and Eques- Ronan Thomas shot-head win over Take A Nap (IRE), trian Club’s Al Rayyan Park. LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS which had Thomas in the saddle. A total of eight races were Black Pearl, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, The win gave team Arabic Channel competed yesterday with Hajadie Soufiane Saadi QR42,750 while team Take A Nap got Du Croate producing the fastest THOROUGHBREDS (CLASS 2) richer by QR16,500. Pettifogger (IRE), speed as Bughanaim claimed the Arabic Channel (USA), Hadi Nasser Rashid Al ridden by Luca Maniezzi finished third. top prize of QR 57,000 after a 0.25 Ramzani, Eduardo Pedroza The Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al length win in the feature event. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Shafi-owned & trained Al Mikdam was It was second career win in the Al Mikdam (FR), Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al also the winner yesterday, picking his event for Nasser Saeed Al Eida’s Shafi, Rashid Ali Al Marri fourth win in the Thoroughbred filly, trained by Jassim Ghazali. Handicap (0-75). Rashid Ali Al-Marri Muqla, ridden by Ronan Thomas, Emadi’s homebred Black Pearl, 1:10.48, adding sixth victory in the dis- the saddle, raced to win in the Purebred rode the bay horse to a 1¾-length win and Veverka Py, who had Francois Her- emerged winner in the Local Thorough- cipline. Mosatyer with jockey Alberto Arabian Handicap. The Alban de in the mile run, ahead of War Order holdt in the saddle, took the second and breds to claim QR42,750. Sanna and Abha with Eduardo Pedroza Mieulle-trained 5YO grey horse clocked (USA) and Better Than Ever (IRE). third places respectively. Guided by Soufiane Saadi, the finished in second and third positions 1:43.86 to cover 1600m and claimed Dream Boy, Ajal (QA) and Zyzzyva Also, in the penultimate race on yes- Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki respectively. third win in the competition. The also clinched victories on an eventful terday’s race card, Abdulatif Hussain Al -trained gelding stormed to victory in Earlier, Gold Amer, with Thomas in winners collected a prize of QR34,200. day, yesterday. Sport FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2020 15 Djokovic plans to finish 'weird' season as No.1

AFP - VISOKO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

World number one Novak Djokovic said yesterday he planned to play two more tour- naments until the end of the season -- in Vienna and -- and keep his top ATP ranking. “I’m going to play the The Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) yesterday honoured Khalid Vienna tournament that wasn’t Rashid Al Marri (left), Director of the Doha Diamond League, the originally on my schedule,” last round of the Diamond League of the season, in appreciation Djokovic said. of his efforts to make the event a success. Dr Thani Al Kuwari, He was speaking on the President of QAF, presented a shield and said Al Marri 'delivered sidelines of a visit to a wellness a memorable event despite huge challenges facing the organisers park in Bosnia where he came in times of COVID-19 restrictions at sports events the world over'. to recuperate after losing Sun- Dr Thani was joined by retired Qatari athlete Talal Mansour, Khalifa day’s French Open final to Abdul Malik and QAF employees at the ceremony. Rafael Nadal. “I haven’t played in Vienna for 15 years so I’m happy about that,” Djokovic added. The 33-year-old Serb said that the London Masters, World’s No.1 Novak Djokovic takes a moment to be photographed with a young fan as he arrives at starting on November 15, is the archaeological park 'Ravne' near central-Bosnian town of Visoko yesterday. This area, known as the champion Wanjiru second and final tournament Bosnian valley of pyramids, is the largest world complex of pyramidal structures and an archaeological that he still intended to play for phenomenon and is believed by some to have spiritual and healing powers. the remainder of the season. banned for doping “This season, which was season, I will finish it as world of Nadal on the ATP list. After because of the restrictions and very intermittent, different and number one. That’s my profes- the straight sets defeat in Paris, rules (due to the coronavirus AP - MONACO weird, at the same time brought sional goal and I’m going to the Serb went with his wife to pandemic) and it has mentally me a lot of success and I’m very work on it. It’s mostly up to me,” the park in Bosnia to exhausted me a lot,” said the Former London Marathon winner Daniel Wanjiru of has satisfied with my game, points, he added. recuperate. 17-time Grand Slam champion. been banned for four years for doping. ranking. Topping the world’s “I have played a lot of “This is the last of my three The Athletics Integrity Unit said it was “highly likely” that “I hope that, after the month rankings since February 3, games for two and a half days here and I feel recovered Wanjiru used prohibited substances, citing abnormalities in his and a half that’s left in this Djokovic is 1,890 points ahead months... I could not go out and regenerated.” biological passport. The 28-year-old Wanjiru’s four-year ban ends December 8, 2023. Wanjiru, who had been provisionally suspended in April, won Virus-hit Querrey 'has left the country on the London Marathon in 2017 and the in 2016. A blood test from March 9, 2019, showed an “extraordinarily a private plane', say Russian organisers high” hemoglobin level, the AIU said. “We therefore confirm our previous opinion that it is highly AP - ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA ST PETERSBURG ATP RESULTS information from the ATP Tour. The ATP unlikely that this profile is the result of a normal physiological or said it was investigating an incident at the Second Round pathological condition, and it is highly likely that it was caused US tennis player Sam Querrey was placed tournament, but did not name Querrey. by the use of prohibited methods, with or without the use of pro- in isolation by Russian authorities after Reilly Opelka (USA) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS x1) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 “The ATP is aware of an incident hibited substances,” the AIU said in its findings. testing positive for the coronavirus but Borna Coric (CRO x7) bt Roman Safiullin (RUS) 6-3, 7-5 regarding a player’s serious breach of pro- Wanjiru’s results from the date of his blood test are left the country on a private plane, organ- Andrey Rublev (RUS x3) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 tocol relating to COVID-19 at this week’s disqualified. izers of the St Petersburg Open said Denis Shapovalov (CAN x2) bt Ilya Ivashka (BLR) 6-1, 6-4 St Petersburg Open,” the tour said. In April, Wanjiru proclaimed his innocence, arguing that the yesterday. “Adhering to health and safety pro- biological passport “is confusing and frustrating.” The tournament said Querrey and his tocols is critical to ensure events take His Netherlands-based management agency, Volare Sports, wife tested positive on Sunday, the day and the family then left the hotel before place safely and within the guidelines issued a statement yesterday. before main draw play started. a second scheduled examination the next established by local authorities. Players “We are very disappointed about this decision,” the company They tested negative on arrival in Russia day. and their support team members are said. “We emphasize that no prohibited substance has ever been four days earlier. He was withdrawn from “Sam Querrey, as the hotel’s security reminded that breaches of protocol can found and we strongly believe that Daniel is innocent.” the competition and the family was asked cameras identified, left the hotel together jeopardize an event’s ability to operate He has until early November to appeal. to isolate together at a hotel. with his family at 5:45 am on October 13 and have repercussions on the rest of the Wanjiru has not returned a positive test, but an athlete’s blood In a statement, the tournament said without informing the reception service. Tour. In accordance with ATP’s Code of passport can reveal the effects of doping by interpreting sample Querrey did not open the door to doctors As Querrey told an ATP representative, Conduct, we are taking this matter results taken over an extended period. who came to examine the family on he left Russia with his family on a private extremely seriously and an investigation Wanjiru won the 2016 Amsterdam Marathon in 2 hours, 5 Monday, saying his baby son was sleeping, plane,” the tournament said, citing is underway.” minutes, 21 seconds, a course record that has since been topped. Ronaldo ‘violated’ COVID protocol: Sports Minister

AFP - MILAN long as they are respected,” said The five-time Ballon d’Or Spadafora. Cristiano Ronaldo could have winner was “asymptomatic” “And if there is someone violated Italian coronavirus after testing positive on who does not respect them, measures by returning to Turin Monday, the day after then the cases that we read in from Portugal after testing the news are created. positive, Italy’s Sports Minister Portugal drew 0-0 with “If they are respected, and if Vincenzo Spadafora said France in Paris. However, the general situation of the yesterday. the incident renewed country allows it, I hope that “Yes, I think so, if there controversy over his leagues at all levels can continue were no specific authorisations departure from Turin the in the best possible way in the from the health authority,” interest of the players, staff, but Spadafora told Radio Uno when previous week, which local also all sports fans in Italy.” asked whether the 35-year-old health authorities said The entire Juventus team Portuguese star’s return had breached virus protocols were back in isolation on breached COVID-19 rules. after two Juventus staff Wednesday evening after US Ronaldo left the Portuguese midfielder Weston McKennie Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and centre fielder George Springer (4) celebrate after members tested positive. team camp near Lisbon on tested positive. beating the Tampa Bay Rays in game four of the 2020 ALCS at Petco Park. Wednesday to fly back to Both McKennie and Northern Italy on his private jet. Ronaldo are in quarantine, for “Cristiano Ronaldo returned after two JJuventus staff at least 10 days,y, and must test to Italy withth a medical fliflightght membemembersrs tetestedsted negativenegative before rejoiningrejoin their Astros edge past Rays in Game 4 authorisedd byby the com-com- positive.positive. teammates.teammates. petent healthalth authoauthor-r- “I“I think that,that, UUndernder UEFA ruleruless a player AP - SAN DIEGO an end. Tampa Bay played really made up until I got out ities at the request of at the moment, must provide evidenceevidenc that he without Kevin Kiermaier there and I saw the look in the playerr and will thethe protocols in is no longer sick a weweeke before George Springer hit a (wrist). Zack’s eyes. (Catcher Martin continue hishis iso-iso- forceforce forfor thethe a EuropeanEuropean match. tiebreaking two-run home run Springer pulled a 99 mph Maldonado) was adamant that lation at hisis homehome,”,” sports chacham-m- RonaldoRonaldo whowho willw miss in the fifth inning to back a fastball down the left field line he could get this guy. I said, ‘OK, Juventus said.aid. pionships, JJuventus’uventus’ ChampionChampionss League gutsy start from Zack Greinke and high off the Western Metal you got it then.’” The five-timeive-time bothboth fforor SeSerierie openeropener againstagainst DynamoDyna Kiev as the Houston Astros avoided Supply Co. building with one Arozarena struck out Ballon d’OrOrr winner A footballfootball andand onon October 20, must testt neg- a sweep with a 4-3 victory over out in the fifth for a 4-2 Astros swinging for the second out. was “asymptomatic”mptomatic” forfor the sportssports ative on October 2121 to play the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 lead. Springer, who entered the After Ji-Man Choi hit an infield after testingng positive associatioassociationsns againstagainst Barcelona a wweeke later. of the American League Cham- night hitting.143 in the series, single to load the bases, Greinke on Monday,ay, the day andand cclubslubs Spadafora rejectedrejecte a call pionship Series on Wednesday finished 3-for-4. went full count on Mike Bro- after Portugalugal drew 0-0 areare validvalid fromfrom the Italian regionsregion to open night at San Diego. Now operating with a sseau before getting the pun- with Francece in Paris.Paris. as stadiumsstadiums to 25 percentpercent capacity Jose Altuve also homered two-run edge, Greinke got into chout on a changeup to escape However,ver, the incidentincident fromfrom thethe currentcurrent maximummax of and drove in a pair for the a jam in the sixth when Manuel the inning. renewed controversycontroversy 11,000.,000. Astros, who extended the best- Margot and Austin Meadows hit Rookie Cristian Javier held over his departureeparture “For“For nownow wwee cannot of-seven series. Greinke (1-0) back-to-back singles with one Tampa Bay scoreless in the from Turinn tthehe authoriseauthorise it,”it,” he said allowed two runs on five hits out. Manager Dusty Baker had seventh and eighth innings previousu s yesterday.yesterday. over six innings, walking one closer Ryan Pressly warming before walking Choi to begin week,, “At“At lleaste until and striking out seven in his but opted to stay with his the ninth. Pressly allowed the which localal Cristiano Ronaldo next month,mo we first postseason win in 11 starts veteran right-hander to face run to score on a Willy Adames healthh havehave to see how dating back to 2015. Arozarena. two-out double but got Yoshi author- the contagionco Randy Arozarena crushed “Zack, this guy has been out Tsutsugo to line out with a ities said curvecurve will go a two-run homer to remain red there many times,” Baker said. runner on third base to nail breached from here hot for the Rays, whose four- “I usually don’t change my down his third save of the virus pro- untilun game winning streak came to mind, but I didn’t have my mind postseason. tocols mid-Nov.”mi