SPORT Friday 18 January 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Australia’s Serena in charge Warner to return as Djokovic from BPL after tops Tsonga in elbow injury Melbourne Almoez strikes as Qatar crush Saudis

THE PENINSULA ABU DHABI Sports Minister congratulates Al Annabi Feared striker Almoez Ali was the star again THE PENINSULA the unlimited support of the country’s wise as Qatar outclassed rivals Saudi Arabia 2-0 DOHA leadership. He said the team had succeeded in an AFC Asian Cup clash in Abu Dhabi in achieving the first goal of the event which yesterday. Minister of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin was reaching the round of the 16. The Min- The victory took unbeaten Qatar into Ghanim Al Ali yesterday congratulated the ister also congratulated Qatar Football Asso- the Round of 16 as the top team from Group Qatar football side after their convincing 2-0 ciation (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin E thanks to Almoez who scored a goal in victory over Saudi Arabia in the UAE. Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and the Qatari each half to script the memorable victory. The Minister praised the fighting spirit of football fans. Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar the football team and the side’s ability to The Minister wished Qatar success in their showed nerves of steel in front of a hostile overcome challenges in the match. He said match against Iraq in the round of the 16 on crowd and a side that featured at the 2018 the Qatar team deserved victory, thanks to January 22. FIFA World Cup in Russia. Qatar will now meet 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq in a mouth-watering Round Asian Cup since South Korea’s Lee Dong- tournament off a corner kick some 10 of 16 battle on January 22 with the winners gook in 2000. minutes from time, celebrating with to face either South Korea or Bahrain in the Making use of poor Saudi defense, Ali delighted team-mates. Qatar’s Abdelkarim Hassan (left)and Saad Al Sheeb celebrate after last eight. calmly directed the ball past Saudi goal- Both teams had already qualified from winning their AFC Asian Cup Group E match against Saudi Arabia in Sanchez yesterday was thrilled with the keeper Mohammed Alowais to stun a full Group E after winning their first two outcome of the match. house at the at the Zayed Sports matches but both the Gulf rivals were Abu Dhabi, yesterday. “I want to congratulate our players and City Stadium where pushing hard to top the group. all of Qatar -- it was a great performance Qatar seemed to It was Saudi Arabia who almost broke and we showed great team spirit and have almost zero through after 22 minutes when striker quality,” Sanchez said after the match. fan-support. Fahad Almuwallad slammed a right-foot “Finishing first is good for our confi- Ali subse- shot against the post. dence so I’m very proud of my players. Now quently Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos missed it gets very hard so we don’t consider our- headed in his a penalty in the 42nd minute after Ali had selves favourites... It will be very tough to seventh goal been clattered in the box, but four minutes beat Iraq,” he added. of the later, Ali’s heroics meant they took the Almoez has now fired record 7 goals much-needed lead. Former from three matches. The 22-year-old fired Within five minutes of the restart, Saudi Manchester a goal against Lebanon and a stag- Arabia, who continued to search for an United gering four in Qatar’s 6-0 rout equalizer, tried their luck through Bahbri coach Jose over North Korea. who shot at the goal from 15 yards only Mourinho The energetic forward to see the ball flying over the bar in at the beIN yesterday scored his first the 73rd minute. SPORTS goal in stoppage time Almoez came into action once studio in before the first half again, making the full use of Doha. break to become the limited opportunities and first player to score extended Qatar’s lead by six goals in a single leaping high to thump home a header from Hatim’s pin- Qatar was the better point corner kick. Saudis desperately tried for some sort of consolation team, says Mourinho in the dying minutes of the match but Sanchez’ men kept a clean sheet to seal RIZWAN REHMAT another three points THE PENINSULA and further underline their title potential. Popular coach Jose Mourinho yesterday praised Qatar’s brave I feel I should applaud 2-0 win over arch-rivals Saudi (Qatar’s performance) Arabia but the Portuguese urged the 2014 Gulf Cup champions to because I think it is a chase Asian Cup history. victory for strategy, Qatar, who have never organisation and reached the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup, yesterday pragmatism. I think they posted their third successive played the way they Group E win after feared striker wanted to play. They Almoez Ali fired two goals to take his overall tally to seven conducted the game strikes in just three matches. in the direction they “Qatar was the better team. wanted to take: So I would congratulate the Jose Mourinho country, congratulate the working group,” Mourinho said yesterday on his guest appearance as an expert during beIN’s “They made a few decisions Japan beat Uzbekistan 2-1 as expansive coverage of the 24-team that were proven to be correct. AFC Asian Cup. They played with five in the back Mourinho, who left Manchester and that was correct from the Oman finish third after 3-1 win United at the end of December, defensive point of view. But that urged Felix Sacnhez’s side to also gave the left-back AP in 1996 and 8-1 in 2000, it looked like remain focused. (Abdulkareem Hassan) more AL AIN, UAE a different story yesterday when Eldor “When you win such big freedom to get into attacking posi- Shomurodov put Uzbekistan 1-0 games, you must not be in the par- tions. I really like him,” the former Four-time champion Japan rallied ahead five minutes before the interval adise,” Mourinsho said. Chealsea, Inter Milan and Real from a goal down to finish the group with his fourth goal of the “You must have your feet on Madrid coach said of the 2018 stage of the Asian Cup with a perfect tournament. the ground because you have more Asian Player of the Year. record after a 2-1 victory over But Yoshinori Muto canceled out responsibility and you can go and “They didn’t give too much Uzbekistan yesterday. that advantage with a header just three make history. If you reach the space at the back and they were With both teams already qualified, minutes later and Tsukasa Shiotani semi-finals for the first time, that solid and compact. The lower Japan topped Group F with nine points scored the winner in the second half to would be fantastic for the football- back was pragmatic and very after winning all three games. complete the comeback. loving country,” the 55-year-old well organised. I think (striker) Uzbekistan finished second with six In Abu Dhabi, Muhsen Al Ghassani added. Ali looked very dynamic and points and will open the round of 16 and Mohammed Al Musallami scored “I feel I should applaud (Qatar’s played with certain freedom in against defending champion Australia. for Oman in the second half as the performance) because I think it is attacks and supported by a Oman finished third with three points team took its first three points of the a victory for strategy, organisation second man. after beating Turkmenistan 3-1 to tournament. and pragmatism. I think they “I repeat (Qatar had) good secure a spot in the knockout stage for Ahmed Al Mahaijri had put Oman played the way they wanted to strategy and pragmatism. Qatar the first time. It will play Group D ahead with a free kick 20 minutes into play. They conducted the game in fully deserved to win because winner Iran on Sunday. the game before Altymyrat Anna- the direction they wanted to take,” they were well organised,” After Japan routed Uzbekistan in durdyyev equalised later in the first Mourinho pointed out. Mourinho added. their last two Asian Cup games, 4-0 half. FRIDAY 18 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 17 A moment of pride for Qatar Al Attiyah wins 3rd Dakar Rally title

AFP LIMA The 2011, 2015 and 2019 champion Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah cruised to his third Dakar Rally title yesterday with a 46-minute cushion over second-placed Nani Roma at the end of the world’s toughest rally in Lima. Everybody An Olympic medallist in wants to win shooting at the 2012 London Games, Al Attiyah had enough in the Dakar. But hand to avoid taking any risks in we felt when his Toyota on the 10th and final stage from Pisco to the Peruvian we came that capital, crossing the line a sedate in Peru, a 100 12th behind Carlos Sainz, the 2018 champion. percent Peru “Everybody wants to win the rally, with no Dakar. But we felt when we came that in Peru, a 100-percent Peru other country, rally, with no other country, there would there would be a lot of sand be a lot of dunes, so we could do what we know we’re good at,” said Al sand dunes, Attiyah. so we could France’s former nine-time world rally champion Sebastien do what we Loeb took third in the overall know we’re standings, almost two hours behind the Qatari whose previous good at: wins came in 2011 and 2015. Qatar’s Toyota Gazoo driver Nasser Nasser Al Al Attiyah laid down his Al Attiyah celebrates after winning marker for 2019 honours when the Dakar Rally 2019, yesterday. Attiyah rising to the top of the time sheets after the first stage. And after winning his third stage of this year’s event on Wednesday for his 34th career Australian biker Toby Price stage win the title was his, and we built on our time eve- second Dakar bikes title, the Aus- minutes from his team-mate and celebrates after winning the barring final-day disaster. ryday until we came to the last tralian following up his 2016 defending champion Matthias Dakar Rally 2019. “It’s fantastic,” added the day with a big, big lead.” crown with success in the 10th Walkner. Price wrapped up his 48-year-old Qatari. Stephane Peterhansel, a and final stage. second title in style, taking the “No mistakes during the 13-time Dakar Rally champion, The KTM rider seized overall closing stage from Pisco to the entire rally. It was a very, very had to quit the race early on command of the bikes category Peruvian capital with a near two- difficult rally for everybody. Wednesday’s penultimate stage on Tuesday and after crossing and-a-half minute advantage “The good thing was that when sitting fourth overall. the finish line in Lima he took over Chilean rider Jose Cornejo. from day three we were leading Toby Price clinched his the 2019 honours by over nine Victory was achieved despite Price having suffered a broken Toyota’s driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar bone in his wrist. (right) and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel “I’m so damned stoked. It’s (left) of France celebrate after winning been a long 10 days. Now I’ll just the Dakar Rally 2019, yesterday. wait and see what damage I’ve done to my wrist,” said 31-year- old Price. “The pain and torture has been worth it. I thought I would only be able to do two stages and then pull out and that would have been me done, but the support from everyone back home in Australia and then having some things go my way and a bit of luck, it just worked out in the end. “Pretty much all I can say is that it feels like there are about five people driving a knife in my wrist now.” This was an 18th consecutive bikes title for Austrian bike man- ufacturer KTM. PSG stars leave after exceptional Qatar Tour Qatar edge DOHA , Thilo PSG coach Thomas Tuchel signs autographs for fans during Argentina at THE PENINSULA Kehrer, Christopher Nkunku, the Qatar Tour 2019. Alphonse Aréola and Thomas The Paris Saint-Germain Meunier checked out the Al IHF Worlds delegation headed back to the Wakrah Stadium, one of the French capital yesterday with future 2022 FIFA World Cup DOHA a heavy baggage of great venues that is still under con- THE PENINSULA memories after some struction. To get there, they incredible moments shared took the brand-new Under- Qatar yesterday edged Argentina 26-25 with their fans on the Qatar ground line built specially for following a stiff competition in their last group Tour 2019. the event, while Edinson match at the IHF Men’s World Handball It started with their Cavani, , Kylian Championship in Copenhagen. arrival in Doha on Sunday Mbappé, and Despite the victory, Qatar could not with fans waiting for them to Dani Alves headed to the advanced to the next stage of the tournament get off the plane and to reach Kempinski Hotel as part of a with Egypt earning the third slot from the their hotel. After signing auto- shoot for an ad for the Qatari group following a 33-28 victory over Angola, graphs and posing for pic- bank QNB. earlier yesterday. tures, the Rouge-et-Bleu As if that wasn’t enough Sweden (8 points), after winning all their were already well warmed up to cram into one Monday, matches topped Group D followed by for the four days ahead of more than 300 children took Hungary (6) and Egypt (5) respectively. Top them. part in the opening of the north Doha, Christopher of the club’s growing popu- Tuchel donated their win- three teams qualified for the second round. On Monday, the Parisians Paris Saint-Germain Nkunku, and larity in the region. The nings - two cheques of Qatar finished fourth with four points and were all over Doha with Academy in Doha on the site Sébastien Cibois were among players brandishing a banner 25,000 euros supplied by tel- will feature in a classification competition. photo and film sessions, as of the Qatar Foundation. the players who took on Paris thanking the supporters was ephone operator and club Yesterday’s win was Qatar’s second well as meeting fans as part Along with Presnel Kim- Saint-Germain’s eSports one of the day’s highlights. sponsor Ooredoo - to the victory in the tournament besides defeats to of sponsor activation. It was pembe, , team: the Qatari Ahmed Al- Finally, on Wednesday, club’s charity work. Angola, Hungary and Sweden. The Asian a chance to capture some Moussa Diaby, Stanley Nsoki Meghessib and Rafael Fortes all the Paris Saint-Germain The squad also took part Games champions registered their first win magical moments both in the and Colin Dagba, the children from Brazil. players went up against each in a number of training ses- against Egypt. desert and by the sea with the got a chance to talk to the Tuesday saw more than other in camel races at the Al sions at Aspire as they Meanwhile, in yesterday’s other matches, likes of Gianluigi Buffon, players and get those all- 15,000 fans pack into the Shayaniya racecourse near prepare for what they hope Chile beat Saudi Arabia 32-27, Brazil thrash Jr, Angel Di Maria important autographs and Khalifa Stadium to see the Doha. Winners of the first two will be a memorable second Korea 35-26 while Tunisia claimed full points and Thiago Silva. selfies. On Katara beach in squad training, another sign races, Neymar Jr and Coach half to the season. against Austria after a 32-27 win. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 18 JANUARY 2019

India’s Shikhar Dhawan attends a team training session at the Sydney Pakistan seek change of Cricket Ground in Sydney, in this January 11, 2019, file photo. fortune against Proteas

AFP PORT ELIZABETH ‘Time is right’ to play in Pakistan: De Villiers Pakistan will seek a change of fortune when they play South AFP have some fun and show the Africa in the first of five one-day LONDON whole world that Pakistan is internationals at St George’s safe to travel to again.” Park tomorrow. South Africa’s AB de Villiers Meanwhile, the 34-year-old The tourists were mauled in (pictured) hopes his wicketkeeper-batsman ruled a recent Test series, with none involvement in this year’s himself out of playing in England of the three matches going Pakistan Super League will during this year’s World Cup, beyond lunch on the fourth day, encourage the world’s best which starts in May. but have reason to be optimistic players to return to the country. South Africa have never India must keep the in the 50-overs game where fast Pakistan have had to play won the World Cup, but De Vil- short-pitched bowling will likely most of their ‘home’ games in liers -- whose 31-ball century not be a decisive factor. the United Arab Emirates since against the West Indies at pressure on Aussie For both teams, the series is a 2009 attack on Sri Lanka’s Lahore on March 9 and 10. Johannesburg in 2015 remains an important step towards the team bus in Lahore, although “I felt that I had this oppor- the fastest one-day interna- Cricket World Cup in England the West Indies did tour tunity to maybe make an tional hundred -- said: “I feel openers: Dhawan and Wales later this year. Pakistan in April last year. impact to help international I’ve made the right decision to “We’re certainly a far better But former Proteas captain cricket return to Pakistan,” he retire. REUTERS pressure to a batsman, espe- white-ball team than we are a De Villiers will become told the BBC World Service’s “If they (South Africa) do MELBOURNE cially in limited overs, that Test unit at the minute,” said arguably the most high-profile Stumped programme. approach me -- and I don’t batsman is going to do some- Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur. overseas cricketer to play in “I was reluctant to go a few think that will happen -- we’ll India will continue to target thing extra or take more risk to That seems a reasonable Pakistan for a decade should years back, when we were all have a conversation and I’m Australia’s under-pressure rotate the strike or to score assessment as Pakistan have he, as planned, feature in two a bit worried, but I feel the time pretty sure that I will be staying openers Alex Carey and Aaron more runs. That’s where we’re shown their ability in one-day fixtures in the PSL, a domestic is right to go back there.” over here and supporting the Finch as they seek to add a having the opportunity.” cricket, notably when they won Twenty20 tournament, in “I’m hoping to go there and team.” one-day series win to their first Dhawan added that the the Champions Trophy in ever Test series victory in the pressure the bowlers were England in 2017. Since the start third and final match in placing on the Australians at the of that tournament, during aggressive left-handed opening They announced a squad for performances in the Tests with Melbourne today. top of the order meant they which they beat South Africa in batsman, was exposed against the first two matches only. Since a first one-day call-up. Carey and Finch’s best were not capitalising on the a rain-shortened match, they the short ball in the Tests, being the squad was announced, it was Port Elizabeth usually has opening partnership in the first fielding restrictions during the have compiled a 17-10 winning dropped after scoring only 32 decided to rest wicketkewicketkeeper-eper- one of the sloweslowestst pitchespitches in two matches of the series is the first 10-over power-play. record. runs in four innings, but has hit batsmanbatsman Quinton de SouthSouth Africa, which shouldshould 20 runs they achieved in Australia slumped to 41-2 Pakistan’s batting will be 1275 runs at an average of 57.95 KKockock aandnd ffastast suit thethe tourists. InIn Adelaide on Tuesday. in 9.5 overs in the first game in strengthened by the inclusion of in one-day internationals, scored bowlbowlerer DaleDale theitheirr most recent Carey, the team’s vice- Sydney, while they were 38-2 Mohammad Hafeez, who retired at close to a run a ball. Steyn.Steyn. appearance at thethe captain, has scored a total of 42 after 10 overs in the second from Test cricket at the end of last South Africa have based The ground,ground, in runs while captain Finch has match in Adelaide, although year, and Shoaib Malik, while they their World Cup plans on picking changeschanges NovemberN ovember tallied just 12 and been bowled that total was only boosted by have a capable attack in which four specialist bowlers but have provideprovide 2013, theythey by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in both scoring 11 runs in the 10th. spinners Shadab Khan and Imad yet to settle on a batting all- openingopening clinchedclinched theirtheir games of the series, which is “Bhuvi (Kumar) is very Wasim could play key roles. rounder to fill the crucial batsmanbatsman onlyonly one-dayone-day locked at 1-1. experienced as well as Fakhar Zaman, the number seven position. AidenAiden seriesseries winwin inin Finch was also dropped (Mohammed) Shami,” Dhawan MarkramM a rkra m SouthSouth Africa.Africa. from the Test squad after he said. ODI SERIES: PAKISTAN VS SOUTH AFRICA withw ith struggled in the that series and “That’s why in the first 10 anotanotherher India have concentrated on the overs we have been South Africa opportunity 32-year-old, who has 11 dominating.” Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich ttoo sshinehine in a one-day international centuries Finch, however, said he had Klaasen (wkt), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, fformatormat in and two in Twenty20 been reviewing footage of his Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, whwhichich hehe hashas internationals. dismissals in the series and Rassie van der Dussen yet toto assertassert “We respect that Finch is a comparing it to more successful Pakistan himself,himself, while fastfast great player... we make sure our periods, which has contributed bowlerbowler DDuanneuanne Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wkt), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Has- guard is up always,” Indian to 3,430 one-day international OlivierOlivier was an Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Moham- opening batsman Shikhar runs at an average of 36.88. rewardedrewarded forfor Dhawan told reporters “Maybe I’ve been too ten- mad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan hishis man Pakistan captain yesterday. tative in the last couple of Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Khan of thethe Sarfraz Ahmed “The boys must have seen games, letting a bit of pressure Fixtures seriesseries his weakness and they are build up,” Finch said. January 19 in Port Elizabeth implementing their plans quite “It’s always a fine balance January 22 in Durban nicely. They’re not giving him between attack and hanging in January 25 in Centurion

singles that easily or even there and waiting for the right January 27 in Johannesburg boundary options. time to be aggressive and take January 30 in Cape Town “Once you’re creating that on the game.”

David Warner Warner to return from BPL after elbow injury

Maybe I’ve been AFP cricket. Warner, who continues matches on the 18th and 19th,” major blow to the national side, too tentative in SYDNEY to serve his 12-month suspension Cricket Australia’s official news with the star batsmen facing the last couple from the national team for his site reported. the prospect of less match-time of games, Banned Australian batsman role in the ball-tampering scandal The injury just days after in the lead up to their expected letting a bit of David Warner will return home in South Africa, reportedly former captain Steve Smith return to the national side pressure build from Bangladesh to have an injured the elbow during a flam- returned to Australia to have ahead of the World Cup in late injured elbow assessed, boyant knock for the Sylhet elbow surgery following an May. up. It’s always Cricket Australia said Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier injury he sustained while Fox News reported that a fine balance yesterday. League (BPL) on Wednesday. playing in the same Bangladesh Warner injured the elbow during between attack The extent of the He will return to Australia tournament. his creative unbeaten 61 off 36 injury is not yet next Monday, after two more Smith is expected to be in a balls for Sylhet against the and hanging in known, but it raises matches in the Bangladesh brace for six weeks before under- Rangpur Riders. there and waiting concerns of a stint on Twenty20 competition. going extensive rehabilitation. The left-hander switched to for the right time the sidelines for the “While the extent of the The disgraced pair still have a right-handed stance while to be aggressive explosive opener alongside injury remains unknown, Warner three months of their suspen- facing a spell from Chris Gayle, disgraced team-mate Steve will continue to play for the sions left to run over the incident smashing the West Indies and take on the Smith, as the pair face a dis- Sylhet Sixers before he departs, last March that rocked the game. superstar back over his head for game: Finch rupted return to international meaning he will feature in The injuries could prove a six.

Singapore Open: Unwell Garcia trails in first round

AFP weather. The 26-year-old, who on home soil, and Yoshinori “I’ve had a little bit of a sinus “But other than that I felt recovered from a serious back SINGAPORE welcomed a baby daughter in Fujimoto. infection these last couple of like I played well. I gave myself injury, was initially in top form November, is chasing his first England’s Matthew Fitz- days, and a bit of an upset a lot of chances and hit some until he hit two bogeys in the Defending champion Sergio victory on the Asian Tour. patrick, playing his first Sin- stomach this morning. But I good putts. I didn’t really make last three holes. Garcia trailed on the opening Miguel Tabuena, 24, of the gapore Open, signed for a 68, think I played nicely, and the a lot, but the greens are tricky. He is tied with playing day the SMBC Singapore Open Philippines was in second spot along with Thailand’s Jazz Jane- highest I can shoot,” the 2017 “They’re very fast, and you partner Garcia. yesterday as he tried to shake with a four-under par 67 after wattananond and Nicholas Fung Masters champion said. have to be very aware of your Lightning halted play for off a sinus infection and an he missed a chance for the lead of Malaysia. “Obviously there were a speed, and unfortunately I over three hours in the upset stomach. due to a bogey. Spanish and Ryder Cup star couple of shots here and there lacked a little bit of speed in a afternoon at the Sentosa Golf Hung Chien-Yao of Taiwan “My game’s still pretty Garcia -- the tournament’s where I was a little bit rusty, like couple of parts here and there,” Club and play was cut short grabbed the early lead with a rusty,” said Tabuena, who was defending champion -- was this one on the last (ninth hole) he added. again later due to fading light five-under par 66 in the round tied with the Japanese duo of under the weather but managed for example, the second shot,” Ryo Ishikawa, the prince of with 78 players still to complete which was halted by bad Yuta Ikeda, a multiple winner to card a 69. added Garcia, 39. Japanese golf who has the round. FRIDAY 18 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 19

AUSTRALIAN OPEN Djokovic admits RESULTS to nerves Serena in charge as Djokovic Men’s singles after beating 2nd round Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Ivo Karlovic ‘greatest rival’ tops Tsonga in Melbourne (CRO) 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (10/7) AFP MELBOURNE AFP Borna Coric (CRO x11) bt Marton MELBOURNE Fucsovics (HUN) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 World number one Novak Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP x23) bt Ilya Djokovic said he could feel stepped up her Ivashka (BLR) 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) the tension before over- drive for a record-equalling It wasn’t an easy coming his great rival 24th yesterday by (ITA x12) bt Leonardo match tonight. So Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, swatting aside Eugenie Mayer (ARG) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 at the Australian Open Bouchard, as world number one I knew ‘Serena, Joao Sousa (POR) bt Philipp yesterday in a repeat of their Novak Djokovic won an you’ve got to come 2008 Melbourne final. emotional 2008 Australian Kohlschreiber (GER x32) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 The top seed vanquished Open final rematch with out hot, you’ve got (7/4), 5-7, 6-4 the Frenchman, who he Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. to come out firing, Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Chung described as “one of my But women’s top seed she’s a really good Hyeon (KOR x24) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 greatest rivals”, for the 17th and young gun player and I haven’t time in 23 tour meetings Alexander Zverev had to dig Milos Raonic (CAN x16) bt Stan stretching back 11 years and deep to make the third round had many matches Wawrinka (SUI) 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6), advances to face Canada’s on a day of epic battles and the since last year’: 7-6 (13/11), 7-6 (7/5) 25th seed Denis Shapovalov latest start to a match ever at Serena Williams Denis Shapovalov (CAN x25) bt Taro in the third round. the tournament. Daniel (JPN) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 Djokovic, 31, won the first American great Williams of his 14 Grand Slams in that followed up her first round David Goffin (BEL x21) bt Marius Copil final against Tsonga over a 49-minute romp by spending (ROU) 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 decade ago and he said the just 70 minutes on Rod Laver Daniil Medvedev (RUS x15) bt Ryan memories came flooding Arena to dispose of the Harrison (USA) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 back as the pair walked back Canadian 6-2, 6-2. out on Rod Laver Arena. “It wasn’t an easy match Filip Krajinovic (SRB) bt Evgeny “You could feel the tonight,” said the 37-year-old, Donskoy (RUS) 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 tension on court at the seeded just 16. (7/2) beginning. We felt a lot of “So I knew ‘Serena, you’ve Alexei Popyrin (AUS) bt Dominic Thiem emotion,” said Djokovic as got to come out hot, you’ve got Serena Williams of the both players took a trip down to come out firing, she’s a really US serves to Canada’s (AUT x7) 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 retired memory lane. good player and I haven’t had Eugenie Bouchard during Alex Bolt (AUS) bt (FRA He said the tension was many matches since last year’.” their women’s singles x29) 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 because he was “playing on Williams is bidding to match match on day four of Lucas Pouille (FRA x28) bt Maximilian the centre stage against Jo, Margaret Court’s record of 24 the Australian Open in Marterer (GER) 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (10/8), who I consider one of the Grand Slam crowns, and win an Melbourne, yesterday. greatest rivals that I had eighth in Australia, on her first 5-7, 6-4 throughout my life, my return to Melbourne Park since Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Jo-Wilfried Top seed Halep career. lifting the trophy in 2017 while happened on court,” said the Chardy, before putting him Tsonga (FRA) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 “In the first Grand Slam pregnant. champion, who away 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 digs deep against Alexander Zverev (GER x4) bt Jérémy final I had, I played against Serbian top seed Djokovic now meets after (6/8), 6-1. impressive Kenin to him. is also looking to make history the 38-year-old rolled back the Amid rain delays and Chardy (FRA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 “We played many thrilling by winning a seventh title. years to beat France’s Alize drawn-out matches, Spain’s advance in Melbourne (6/8), 6-1 matches, Olympic Games, all He was too good again for Cornet. Garbine Muguruza and Britain’s over the world, every possible France’s Tsonga, who he beat In another titanic battle, Johanna Konta didn’t get on Wasteful Zverev Women’s singles surface.” in the 2008 final, rolling Canadian Milos Raonic ousted court until half-past midnight - reaches third round That 2008 Australian through 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. 2014 champion the latest start to a match in the 2nd round Open final remains world “You could feel the tension in four tightly-contested sets event’s history. after five-set battle Camila Giorgi (ITA x27) bt Iga Swiatek number 177 Tsonga’s sole on court at the beginning. We that all went to tie-breaks, while US Open champion and against Frenchman (POL) 6-2, 6-0 Grand Slam final. felt a lot of emotion and tried to eighth seed Kei Nishikori was fourth seed Naomi Osaka had Chardy Wang Qiang (CHN x21) bt Aleksandra The 33-year-old is on the play a great game,” said stretched to a draining five sets it relatively easy, sweeping past comeback trail after missing Djokovic as the memories of against Ivo Karlovic. Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek Krunic (SRB) 6-2, 6-3 seven months of the 2018 that tense final came flooding Seventh seed Dominic 6-2, 6-4 with the roof closed on US Open champion Elina Svitolina (UKR x6) bt Viktoria season following left knee back. Thiem limped out when he Margaret Court Arena due to the and fourth seed Kuzmova (SVK) 6-4, 6-1 surgery that saw his ranking In contrast, world number retired while losing 7-5, 6-4, rain. Osaka sweeps past Karolina Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Madison plummet outside the top 200. one Halep staggered through 2-0 to young Australian The 21-year-old’s break- Slovenia’s Zidansek Brengle (USA) 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 Back in 2008 Djokovic against American Sofia Kenin wildcard Alexei Popyrin. through at Flushing Meadow had won in four sets and 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 -- her second Zverev, hailed as a flag- over Serena Williams last year Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x13) bt despite the easier-looking three-set test in a row. bearer for the next generation, made her a new standard bearer Seventh seed Thiem Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 scoreline the Serb said Tsonga “I have no idea how I won also struggled against veteran for in her Japanese pulls out due to illness Elise Mertens (BEL x12) bt Margarita remained a hard opponent. this, it’s so tough to explain what world number 36 Jeremy homeland and Asia, and she is Gasparyan (RUS) 6-1, 7-5 working hard on living up to the ’s Novak hype. Nishikori has another Hsieh Su-wei (TPE x28) bt Laura Djokovic (right) “I thought I served alright, great escape Siegemund (GER) 6-3, 6-4 shakes hand with this was my first time playing Madison Keys (USA x17) bt Anastasia France’s Jo-Wilfried her and I’m just happy to win to Potapova (RUS) 6-3, 6-4 Tsonga after their be honest,” Osaka said after Despite being seeded six Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) bt Natalia men’s singles setting up a clash with Taiwan’s and seven respectively, neither match, Hsieh Su-wei. Elina Svitolina or Karolina Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 6-2, 7-5 yesterday. In contrast, Asia’s top- Pliskova has progressed further Naomi Osaka (JPN x4) bt Tamara ranked men’s player Nishikori than the last eight at the Aus- Zidansek (SLO) 6-2, 6-4 needed an energy-sapping 3hr tralian Open. Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Kristyna 48min to get past big-serving But self-assured Svitolina is Croat Karlovic 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), bubbling with confidence after Pliskova (CZE) 6-3, 7-5 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (10/7) in humid dismantling Viktoria Kuzmova Simona Halep (ROU x1) bt Sofia Kenin conditions. 6-4, 6-1, while Pliskova woke (USA) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 Sixteenth seed Raonic up after losing the first set to Venus Williams (USA) bt Alize Cornet emerged the victor against race past 4-6, Wawrinka, a three-time Grand 6-1, 6-0. (FRA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 Slam champion who is on the Other women through Dayana Yastremska (UKR) bt Carla comeback trail from injury. included Italy’s Camila Giorgi Suarez (ESP x23) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 The Swiss, unseeded for the and China’s impressive Wang Serena Williams (USA x16) bt Eugenie first time since his debut in Qiang. Men still in the hunt 2006, fell 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6), included Croat Borna Coric and Bouchard (CAN) 6-2, 6-2 7-6 (13/11), 7-6 (7/5). Spain’s Pabloablo Carreno-Busta.Carreno-Busta. Sharapova accepts underdog tag ahead of Wozniackicki clashclash

REUTERS three games in her first two consistent players on the Tour. SHARAPOVA VS WOZNIACKI FACTS MELBOURNE matches this week. “I think we all kind of go When asked she starts as an along our personal journeys. We Maria Sharapova has blasted her underdog against Wozniacki, haven’t played each other in a Age: 31 - WTA Ranking: 30 way to the third round at the Sharapova said: “Relatively long time. It’s tough to tell (if Grand Slam titles: 5 (Australian Open 2008; French Open 2012, 2014; Wimbledon 2004; Australian Open but she has speaking on paper, if you’re Wozniacki is harder to beat),” US Open 2006) accepted an underdog status looking at numbers, yeah, abso- Sharapova added. 2018 Australian Open performance: Third round ahead of her clash with defending lutely. She’s number three in the Men’s defending champion Best Australian Open performance: Winner (2008) champion world. I mean, I think that speaks will look to con- Sharapova seems to have put her thigh injury behind her as she left her first-round opponent Harriet Dart in tears today. for itself in terms of her game, tinue his steady progress against when she dismantled her 6-0, 6-0 before making short work of Rebecca Peterson in the second round. Sharapova has struggled for her confidence, everything else. American Taylor Fritz, who has form and fitness since her return She loves playing here, loves already matched his best ever run CAROLINE WOZNIACKI from a 15-month doping ban in everything about this tour- at a Grand Slam by making the Age: 28 - WTA Ranking: 3 2017, while Wozniacki arrives as nament. I certainly have a tough third round. Grand Slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2018) third seed after clinching her match ahead of me.” After suffering a straight sets 2018 Australian Open performance: Winner maiden Grand Slam title at Mel- Sharapova holds a 6-4 defeat by 17-time major winner Best Australian Open performance: Winner (2018) bourne Park last year. But the head-to-head advantage over Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon last Wozniacki saw off Alison Van Uytvanck and Johanna Larsson 31-year-old Russian has started her Danish opponent but their year, Alex de Minaur will have a in straight sets with neat shots that used the full width of the the new season on a positive note last meeting was in 2015, and second crack at the Spaniard in court to set up her winners. She has lost six times to Sharapova in 10 games but that was by reaching the quarter-finals at Wozniacki has since stepped front of his home crowd at Rod Maria Sharapova Shenzhen and has dropped just up to become one of the most Laver Arena. before her Russian opponent received her 15-month doping ban.