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TENNIS / TOTAL OPEN Sabalenka sets up Kvitova title clash, Barty crashes out ‘I’m really happy to be in the final here, especially because I come here first time and made it until the final’

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in action against Svetlana Kuznetsova (below, left) of Russia during the Qatar Total Open semi-final at Khalifa Inter- Petra Kvitova of celebrates her victory over Ashleigh Barty (below, right) of Australia during national Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil their semi-final yesterday.

By Anil John who has won fi ve titles so far was no diff erent. It was an excep- and has now bested Kuznetsova tional match, obviously you look in three of the fi ve matches they at a match and you debrief it to have played against each other. the nth degree,” said Barty vetlana Kuznetsova’s “It was great match, I expect “But I think it was another re- dream of a fi rst Qatar really great level from her and ally great contest with Petra, I Total Open title was cut she played really well and it was love testing myself against her short by a fi erce young not easy. And, well, I’m happy and, yeah, a match in where she Belarusian,S who refers to herself with the level I showed today and played extremely well and took as “The Tiger” and whose all- that I could stay calm,” added the match away from me in key or-nothing attitude on court and Sabalenka. moments,” she added. cheery disposition off it have al- Kuznetsova, on the other Kvitova said her ploy to stay ready won her many admirers. hand, admitted she was simply deep in the court paid her divi- Aryna Sabalenka, the World not up to the task. dends. No 13, swept past Kuznetsova, “I was a little bit slower and I “Well, I pushed myself a lot to whose third semi-fi nal appear- didn’t serve so well. She played go more deeper to the court. So I ance in Doha ended somewhat unbelievable today and I was not tried that she couldn’t have put anticlimactically on a pleasant at my best, she was just better. me away from the baseline that evening at the Khalifa Tennis and And it’s a game but I just have to much. So I took time from her Squash Complex thereby robbing be more consistent in the game.” and she couldn’t do that much the tournament of its sentimen- The nearly six-foot tall and with her forehand,” said Kvitova. tal favourite. 80-kilo Sabalenka is known for “So that was kind of the key, to The Belarusian, who sports a her ability to hit winners at will, try near by the baseline and just tiger tattoo on her arm, will now but on the fl ip side she also con- play from there and still pushing meet Petra Kvitova in the fi nal cedes lots of points by way of un- to the court.” after the Czech two-times Wim- forced errors, making her some- Kvitova has an excellent record bledon champion upset World thing of a statistical delight. in fi nals, having won 27 of the 36 No 1 and top seed Ashleigh Barty When she beat Karolina Plisk- “Warrior Princess” and de- perience, Kuznetsova inexplica- nal of her young career. Carla Suaárez Navarro and Jelena she has been in so far. of Australia 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. ova in 2018 for her fi rst career scribed her game as “big babe bly succumbed to the pressure. The second semi-fi nal saw Ostapenko before ending the run “I think that I play better and “I’m really happy to be in the win over a top-10 player, she hit tennis personifi ed,” although Three unforced errors saw her Kvitova ending a run of four of Tunisian star Ons Jabeur in better when I’m deeper in the fi nal here, especially because I 40 winners, which were aptly since then Sabalenka has toned go 0-40 down and Sabalenka straight defeats against Barty to two tiebreaks. tournament, so that’s one of the come here fi rst time and made it matched by a whopping 39 un- down her aggression a wee bit fi nished it off with a blistering reach the 37th fi nal of her career. Barty, on the other hand, had a good things which I have. But until the fi nal. It’s really nice and forced errors. Her second top-10 and learned to select her shots down-the-line forehand to grab The left-handed Czech’s most fi rst-round bye and a walkover to I’m struggling sometimes in the I’m really happy with the level victory came against Caroline more wisely. a distinct upper hand. recent defeat to the World No 1 boot in the round of 16 when Ka- beginning of the tournament, so I’m playing right now and well, Wozniacki, during the course of That was the case yesterday The second set was a little less came at the quarter-fi nals of the zakhstan’s Elena Rybakina with- that’s how it is. we’ll see what’s going to hap- which blasted 64 winners, ac- as she put in a dominating per- dramatic with Sabalenka, af- Australian Open, although Barty drew with a leg injury. “But I don’t know, I always pen tomorrow, but for sure I will companied by a mindboggling 54 formance, although the fi rst set ter holding serve, securing the herself was knocked out in the She, however, made the bring something else in the fi nals bring everything I have,” said unforced errors. was still a tricky aff air with the only break in the second game as semis by eventual winner Sofi a semis with a three-set win over and I just love playing fi nal, that’s Sabalenka, 21, after her 6-4, 6-3 However, the power and nev- players trading breaks twice each Kuznetsova failed to take advan- Kenin of the US. Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in a why I’m playing tennis, for those victory in an hour and 17 min- er-say-attitude she brings into from games two to fi ve. tage of a 40-30 lead. The Russian Kvitova, the 2018 champion late match on Thursday, and al- trophies, and it’s, you know, utes. her game have earned her many There was everything to play blasted the ball into the net to in Qatar, produced seven aces though she appeared to be in her playing fi nal is something like She added that the relatively accolades, most notably from for as they were locked 4-all after help Sabalenka force deuce and against Barty’s one and used her zone in the second set against that you are very close to have the calmer conditions last evening former US player Mary Carillo, eight games, but the Belarusian then twice found her shots land- range and telling forehand to Kvitova, she surrendered her title, but it’s still very far. made her life easy on court. who won the mixed doubles title put pressure on her rival by hold- ing wide to go down two games good eff ect, converting all four momentum midway through the “And I don’t know, it’s some- “Yeah, last two days was crazy with John McEnroe at the French ing serve in the ninth game and down. of the break points she got to put decider to lose for the second thing bigger than I think, I think wind and today it still was some Open in 1977 but had her career putting the ball in the Russian’s The following games went herself in line for her 28th Tour time in the semis in a matter of it’s just very close there and I just wind, but it was much better. cut short by injury. court , as it were, to make a fi ght with serve and Sabalenka es- title. one month. put everything what I have left.” After yesterday it feels like it’s Carillo, now a well-respected of it. chewed the theatrics to serve out Kvitova had reached the semis “Yeah, it’s been a very positive The fi nal will be played at 6pm no wind at all, added Sabalenka, media pundit, called her the But despite her enormous ex- the match and make the 10th fi - after tiring three-setters against week, it really has, and tonight today. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, February 29, 2020 TENNIS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Nadal breezes Hsieh and Strycova into semi-fi nals at Acapulco tennis

AFP The 2014 champion Dimitrov Los Angeles, United States ended a fi ve-match losing streak against the Swiss Wawrinka. He win doubles title has now won fi ve of 12 career orld No 2 Rafael meetings between the two and Nadal remained on improved to 11-2 overall at this Top seeds win third title together this year with a win over Ostapenko and Dabrowski course for his third tournament. ATP Mexico Open Nadal boosted his record to Wtitle by breezing past South Ko- 18-2 overall at this event by win- By Syed Arhm Ahmad Doha rea’s Kwon Soon-woo 6-2, 6-1 ning in straight sets over Kwon, in their quarter-fi nal clash on who kept the games close but Thursday. didn’t have much to show for it op seeds Su-Wei Hsieh Top seed Nadal eased into the in the fi nal scoreline. of Chinese Taipei and semi-fi nals with his best per- Dimitrov, 28, improved to 7-4 Barbora Strycova of formance of the week as he con- this season and is through to his Czech Republic defeat- tinues to jackhammer his way fi rst semi-fi nal of the year. Ted Jelena Ostapenko of through the men’s singles draw The Bulgarian will need to end and Gabriela Dabrowski of at the hardcourt event in Acapul- another losing skid if he wants Canada 6-2, 5-7, 10-2 to win the co, Mexico. to reach the fi nal in Acapulco Qatar Total Open doubles title The Spaniard fi nished the because Nadal leads their career in one hour and 30 minutes at night with 25 winners to 11 un- meetings by a whopping 12-1. the Khalifa International Tennis forced errors, and saved all eight “Dimitrov fi nished last year and Squash Complex yesterday break points he faced. much better than how he had evening. “The match has been much played the rest of that year. He The Latvian and Canadian tougher than what the result started to play some good tennis duo came out of the blocks very said. I think it was a beautiful and is showing it here, winning quickly and broke Hsieh’s serve match to see,” Nadal said. “It was some very good matches,” Nadal to love in the very fi rst game of a good match against a tough op- said. “I’m going to need my best the match, courtesy of some ponent. I think he’s going to have and I hope I’m ready to make it good returns and a double fault a very good tennis career.” happen.” from Hsieh. The top seeds broke Next up for Nadal is Grigor In the other semi-fi nal, un- back in the 4th game when Hsieh Dimitrov, who ousted third seed seeded Taylor Fritz faces fi fth hit a low backhand to Dab- Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 earlier seed John Isner in an all-Ameri- rowski, which forced a forehand in the day. can matchup. volley error. The top seeds broke once again in the 6th game after Strycova put away an overhead smash. The momentum would shift after this break and the top seeds quickly reeled off the next 2 games to wrap up the set 6-2. While Hsieh and Strycova served and volleyed well in the fi rst set, they also played excel- lent defence, forcing Ostapenko and Dabrowski to regularly hit an extra ball back and this drew some errors from the Latvian and Canadian duo. In the second set, the top seeds broke the Ostapenko serve Su-Wei Hsieh (left) of Chinese Taipei and Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic celebrate with their winners’ trophies after winning the Qatar in the second game with a blis- Total Open double title at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil tering backhand return winner from Hsieh. Ostapenko and Dabrowski broke back in the 7th game on Strycova’s serve when Stry- cova missed a volley into the net. Ostapenko and Dabrowski returned aggressively to break again in the 9th game but the top seeds would break right back in the very next game to level the set at 5-5. Ostapenko and Dab- rowski would once again break for 6-5 after Strycova missed a backhand volley to complete a sequence of 3 consecutive breaks in the match. Dabrowski then served it out to win the sec- ond set 7-5 and send the match in to a match tiebreak. In the tiebreak, the top-seed- Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return to South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo ed pair quickly took a 6-0 lead Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation secretary-general Tariq Zainal, Qatar Total Open tournament director Saad al-Mohannadi (not pictured) during their Mexico ATP Open 500 quarter-final in courtesy of a few errors forehand and other off icials pose with the doubles title winners Su-Wei Hsieh (fourth from right) and Barbora Strycova (third from right) and runners-up Acapulco on Thursday. (AFP) errors from Dabrowski, and a Jelena Ostapenko (third from left) of Latvia and Gabriela Dabrowski (fourth from left) of Canada yesterday. double fault and forehand smash miss from Ostapenko. The large Ostapenko at 10-2. sive volleying both on off ence shots from Ostapenko and Dab- and Dubai earlier in the year and SETBACK gap would prove too much to re- Hsieh and Strycova served and defence. The pair continu- rowski during the course of the having also reached the Aus- cover from, and Hsieh and Stry- at a high percentage of 81 per- ously exhibited laser sharp re- match. tralian Open fi nals, Hsieh and cova converted their fi rst match cent throughout the match and fl exes at the net, accurately With their third title together Strycova’s purple patch in 2020 point on a forehand error from showcased some very impres- blocking back even the biggest this year, having won Brisbane continued. Injured Kyrgios and

REPORT De Minaur out of Australia Davis Cup tie Djoko hails ‘amazing escape’ aft er beating Monfi ls AFP Alex Bolt and doubles specialist Sydney, Australia John Peers called up instead. AFP “I was dominating a lot from “When we announced the Dubai, UAE my forehand side, playing with team earlier in the week we were a clear head and not thinking of njured Nick Kyrgios and hopeful they both would be too much, staying in the mo- Alex de Minaur were yester- healthy to play,” said Hewitt. ovak Djokovic saved ment, trying to process of what day ruled out of Australia’s “As seen in Acapulco during three match points potentially he’s going to use on Davis Cup qualifi er against the week Alex’s abdominal injury before defeating Gael the court. Brazil,I dealing Lleyton has fl ared up and Nick has a wrist Monfi ls 2-6, 7-6 (8), “It was just a matter of time Hewitt a blow in his bid to steer complaint, and they need to rest N6-1 to reach the Dubai Champi- for me to take the lead and get up them to the Madrid fi nals. and focus on their recovery.” onships fi nal yesterday, describ- in the score.” The mercurial Kyrgios is deal- John Millman, Thomp- ing his victory as “an amazing Tsitsipas, winner of 16 of his ing with a wrist injury that forced son and James Duckworth round escape”. last 17 sets, won his 10th ca- him to retire to jeers from his out the team to face Brazil in Ad- It was the 17th win of the reer match at the Aviation Club opening round match in Acapul- elaide from March 6-7. season for the world number against two defeats. co this week — his fi rst since the The winner will join 11 other one and a 17th career win over British number one Evans was Australian Open in January. qualifi ers and the 2019 semi-fi - Frenchman Monfi ls without a competing in his fourth semi- De Minaur continues to strug- nalists — Canada, Britain, Russia loss. fi nal at the ATP level. gle with an abdominal tear that and Spain — along with wild- Djokovic will play today for a He saved three match points he picked up at the season- cards France and Serbia in the fi fth Dubai trophy against Ste- against Pierre-Hugues Herbert opening ATP Cup. fi nals in Spain in November. fanos Tsitsipas after the second in the second round and two Despite both players being Australia has met Brazil three seed and 2019 fi nalist beat Dan set points in the quarter-fi nals named in the team this week, times before in the Davis Cup Evans 6-2, 6-3. against Andrey Rublev. they will no longer play, with and won on every occasion. The Serbian fought off three Tsitsipas never faced a break Monfi ls match points in the point yesterday while breaking second-set tiebreaker, as the Evans’ serve four times. Frenchman committed forehand The Greek second seed who and backhand errors on his fi rst lifted the trophy last Sunday in two winning chances. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after his win over Gael Monfils (not pictured) of France in the Dubai Marseille, returned to the fi nal An increasingly weary Mon- Championships semi-final yesterday. (Reuters) in the emirate after fi nishing fi ls blew the third with a double- runner-up here a year ago to fault. from the end of last year. gave me an opportunity to get last Sunday in Marseille. Roger Federer. Djokovic fi nally squared the “Gael was playing as well as into the points. Tsitsipas could not fault his Tsitsipas could not fault his semi-fi nal at one set a-piece on he ever has. “I know Gael was injured and victory in 83 minutes over the victory in 83 minutes over the his eighth set point before roll- “It was diffi cult to go through he could not play his best, but 37th-ranked Evans in a fi rst- 37th-ranked Evans in a fi rst- ing on to victory in the third set him. I have good defence, but once he’s healthy, watch out.” time meeting. time meeting. after more than two and a half what he did today was unbeliev- Tsitsipas, who lost the fi nal a “I managed to stay solid “I managed to stay solid hours. able. year ago to Roger Federer, won throughout the whole match, throughout the whole match, “It was an amazing escape,” “On the match points, I just his eighth match in a row by see- I didn’t have too much stress, I didn’t have too much stress, said Djokovic who now has a hoped that he would miss on ing off Evans. I stayed quite calm and played I stayed quite calm and played 20-match win streak stretching fi rst serves, which he did. That The Greek lifted the trophy well,” he said. well,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, February 29, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE Arsenal knocked out in dying seconds by Olympiakos AFP very tough,” said Aubameyang. the 5-0 rout and 6-1 aggregate Man Utd to play ’s LASK in last 16 Paris “Their last-minute goal was un- win. “The football we played at lucky for us.” times pleased me the most,” said Manchester United will meet conquerors of last year’s Cham- Last year Arsenal reached the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Man- Austrian club LASK in the last pions League semi-finalists, oussef El Arabi scored fi nal. “It hurts a lot,” said Mikel chester United manager. 16 of the Europa League, while Dutch giants Ajax. in the last minute of ex- Arteta, the Arsenal manager. “The players are smiling, they Wolves were pitted against The Italian government ordered tra-time as Olympiakos “Attack against defence in 25 are playing with confi dence and Olympiakos in yesterday’s draw Inter’s return fixture against knocked Arsenal out of metres is diffi cult, but we cre- that is what we want. The new in Nyon. Bulgarians Ludogorets on theY Europa League on Thursday ated enough chances to win the lads have brought that in.” United, who lifted the trophy Thursday be played in front of on a night when four former Euro- game comfortably.” Ajax, Champions League semi- in 2017, are one of six former an empty stadium because of pean champions were eliminated. Olympiakos coach Pedro Mar- fi nalists last year, kicked off two champions left in the competi- the spread of coronavirus, which Ajax, Celtic, Benfi ca and Porto tins was delighted.“We were de- goals down to Getafe, this sea- tion. The first leg will be played has particularly hit the northern went out but Manchester United termined, we believed we could son’s Liga surprise team, and con- in Linz on March 12 with the re- Lombardy region of which Milan hardly broke sweat after Simon qualify and we made it,” said he ceded another after fi ve minutes. turn a week later at Old Traff ord. is the capital. Five-time former Deli of Brugge conceded a pen- said. “Tactical intelligence, eff ec- Jaime Mata exploited tentative Austrian league leaders LASK champions Sevilla face a tricky alty and earned a red card in the tiveness, inner strength, courage... Ajax defending to spin and drill made their group stage debut tie against Roma, while 2009 23rd minute at Old Traff ord and they all weighed in this success.” in a low shot from close range. this season and secured a 3-1 winners Shakhtar Donetsk will won 5-0. Arsenal had won the At Old Traff ord, one of Unit- That left the home needed need- aggregate win over Dutch outfit lock horns with Wolfsburg. fi rst leg of the round of 32 tie 1-0 ed’s recent signings Bruno Fern- ing to score four, they managed AZ Alkmaar in the last 32. Turkey’s Istanbul Basaksehir in Greece. Defender Pape Abou andes gave the hosts the lead two, the fi rst from young Brazilian Wolves progressed to the last 16 face FC Copenhagen, while Ba- Cisse cancelled out that advan- with a penalty after Deli’s fl ying Danilo Pereira, with his fi rst for of a major European competi- sel await the winners of the tie tage when he headed in a corner intervention. The other new boy, the club, and an own goal when tion for the first time since between Eintracht Frankfurt and after 53 minutes. Arsenal could Odion Ighalo, making his fi rst Mathias Olivera defl ected a free finishing runners-up in the UEFA Salzburg. Eintracht lead 4-1 on not break through and were start, hit his fi rst goal for the club kick. Getafe held on comfortably. Cup in 1971-72, after overcoming aggregate ahead of Friday’s sec- forced to extra time. Giorgos in the 34th minute. Copenhagen scored three goals Spanish strugglers Espanyol. ond leg, which was pushed back Masouras hit the bar for Olym- For the Nigerian, who says on three shots as they won 3-1 at Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will 24 hours due to a storm warning piakos in the 112th minute and United were his childhood club, Celtic, but deserved the victory. take on an Olympiakos team and the forecast of dangerously a minute later Pierre-Emerick it was a moment to celebrate, but Jozo Simunovic’s weak back that shocked Arsenal in the last high winds in Austria. Aubameyang struck for Arsenal, the emotion was mixed. Ighalo pass gave Copenhagen the ball round, the Greeks advancing on The Swiss government has putting them back in front with lifted his shirt to reveal a picture close to goal after 51 minutes and away goals following a 2-1 extra- imposed a ban until March 15 a spectacular fl ying kick. of his sister Mary Atole who died Micheal Santos completed the time victory in London. on large-scale events involv- However, in the fi nal minute suddenly at her home in Canada punishment. With seven min- Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, ing more than 1,000 people as of extra time, Arsenal cleared an in December. Ighalo also has her utes left, Odsonne Edouard lev- the 2008 finalists, face Bayer part of measures to contain the Olympiakos corner but were still name stitched into his boots. elled with a penalty but as Celtic Leverkusen who dumped out spread of the coronavirus. Basel disorganised when the ball was “I have been waiting for this,” tried to press, their defence pan- Porto in a clash of two former are scheduled to host the return swung back into the area. said Ighalo. “It’s a moment I’ll icked twice in the last fi ve min- winners of the competition. leg four days later. The final will The cross found El Arabi cherish for the rest of my life.” utes. Pep Biel and Dame N’Doye Olympiakos’ Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi celebrates after scoring Inter Milan were drawn against be played in the Polish city of free in front of goal for an un- Scott McTominay and Fred, coolly accepted the gifts to make a late goal in extra time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 La Liga surprise package Getafe, Gdansk on May 27. challenged shot. “Very hard, with two late goals, completed the aggregate score 4-2. second leg match against Arsenal in London. (AFP)

EPL FOCUS FIFA chief Infantino says open to changes Klopp praises Reds’ in off side law

Reuters ing,” Infantino told reporters on Belfest yesterday. “Some of (the deci- sions) are very, very close and it’s diffi cult for the people who IFA president Gianni In- are watching to see whether it’s ‘fi ghting’ qualities fantino says he is open off side, so we have to look at to changes to the off - whether we can make the off side side law to help address rule clearer by having light in be- ‘We just have to fight for each inch of grass and in that game again if we do that problemsF that have arisen since tween,” he added. the introduction of VAR video “But it’s for discussion of we are diff icult to play. If we are diff icult to play we have a chance to win’ reviews. course - there will be no decision Football’s law-making body on this one because there is no AFP the International FA Board proposal on the table. But it is to London (IFAB) will meet today and dis- be discussed and to see whether it cuss VAR and the off side law, has to be tested or not,” added the although no proposal has been head of soccer’s world governing urgen Klopp praised his tabled for a concrete law change. body. However Infantino rejected Liverpool players’ fi ght- Frustration in England’s Pre- the idea of introducing some ele- ing qualities as the run- mier League with VAR ruling out ment of leeway over off sides. away Premier League goals for tiny margins of off side, “It doesn’t solve the issue. leadersJ prepare to take on a team in some cases involving heels Even if you put a margin of 10 in the relegation zone for the and armpits, has led to calls for a centimetres and then if it’s 11, third consecutive match. diff erent approach. it’s still one more, if it’s 10-1/2... Liverpool face second-bot- Some commentators have it doesn’t solve it,” he said. tom Watford today on the cusp suggested there should be clear Infantino suggested the Pre- of their 19th league win, which ‘daylight’ between the attacking mier League problem may be would set a new record in Eng- player and the defending one for due to excessive examination of lish football. off side to be called while FIFA’s video reviews. It follows hard-fought vic- head of global development Ar- “In Italy, in Spain, in Portugal, tories in the past two weeks sene Wenger has fl oated another in this off side discus- against struggling Norwich and alternative. sion is not existing on the VAR. West Ham. The former Arsenal manager But it’s not a problem, it’s some- “We have to be 100 percent suggested earlier this month thing to look into. ready for these fi ghts and that’s that a player should be deemed “And maybe it shows that ac- what I love most about my boys, onside if any part of their body tually it’s more a question of the that they are ready to fi ght,” which can legitimately score a rule and the application of the Klopp said at his pre-match goal is level or behind the last rule, and application of the VAR press conference yesterday. defender. itself. If you need 10 minutes to “It’s not that when they real- “The off side discussion is an fi nd out whether it was off side, ise in a game it’s not the clicking item we need to look at and per- maybe it’s not,” he said. day today that they then lose the sonally I’m certainly in favour of One option Infantino rejected desire or whatever. discussing a new way of looking outright, however, was getting “No, it’s the other way around at the off side rule, to see if it can rid of VAR completely. - that we try it in a diff erent way help, because I think the issue “VAR is here to stay as far as and try to fi nd another way and is more an issue of understand- FIFA is concerned,” he said. that’s really brought us in the position we are.” Klopp is anticipating a physi- cal battle against Nigel Pear- Lampard seeks Chelsea response aft er son’s Watford, who have taken ‘reality check’ defeat by Bayern just two points from a possi- ble 15 after a good run of form, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after their EPL match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool on November 30, Chelsea manager Frank have also seen their gap to fifth and said his side would have to 2019. (Reuters) Lampard urged his players reduced to only three points match their desire. yesterday to put their midweek in recent weeks and Lampard Champions League humbling is aware another slip-up could TOUGH BATTLES Kane could return for Spurs ahead of schedule, says Mourinho by Bayern Munich behind them cost the London side who have The German manager said he and refocus their attention on won only once in their last five did not need recent results to Tottenham striker Harry Kane London derby against Arsenal tocols”. “Let’s see with Harry,” because he flies from Seoul. the fight for the top four in the league games. prove to him the diffi culties of is ahead of schedule in his at the end of April looking a he said. “He’s obviously a great “When his recovery starts, we’ll Premier League. “When you look around and facing teams mired in the lower recovery from hamstring sur- possibility. It is a big boost for professional and a fighter and try all the possibilities to have The 3-0 loss to the German the form of (Manchester) reaches of the table. gery, with boss Jose Mourinho Tottenham, who have no fit he wants to be back as soon him back for some matches. champions at Stamford Bridge United, a strong unit and spent “You cannot imagine if you banking on him being fit to take strikers, and England boss Ga- as possible. What’s ‘as soon as “I cannot imagine when. But in the first leg of their last-16 well last summer, similar with see Norwich playing or West part in the club’s push for a reth Southgate ahead of Euro possible?’ I don’t know.” there’s a good possibility that tie was Chelsea’s heaviest ever Tottenham and can’t write off Ham playing against us or Wat- Champions League spot. 2020. “I would say a little bit Kane’s absence was compound- before the end of the season, margin of defeat in a home Arsenal,” Lampard added. ford now that they are at the Kane went under the knife in ahead, it gives me a hope of, in- ed by an injury to forward Son we have Harry and Sonny play- game in European competition. “Wolves and Sheff ield United, bottom of the table,” he said. January after rupturing his ten- stead of one or two matches, (it Heung-min, who returned to ing together.” “The response will be about you have to respect them, they “You don’t feel it, you don’t see don against Southampton on will be) three, four or five. I don’t South Korea last week to have Son is due to fly back to Britain what we see tomorrow. They are good teams. We have a fight it really. New Year’s Day and Mourinho know,” Mourinho said on Friday. surgery on a fractured arm. this weekend, when he will fol- have been fine in training,” on. Anyone who is in range has “They have some problems. initially feared he might not “Just speculating a little bit Mourinho appeared to rule him low government advice on the Lampard told reporters ahead a chance.” For Watford it was probably the play again this season. but the feelings are good. He’s out for the rest of the season coronavirus and stay indoors in of Saturday’s league trip to Lampard confirmed striker start of the season. It’s diffi cult, But the England captain is a doing what he can do at this but has now said there is hope self-isolation for 14 days. Bournemouth. Tammy Abraham, winger not a lot of points and then you notoriously quick healer and is stage but always with a good he will be fit sooner than origi- Mourinho has refused to com- “The match was tough, it opens Christian Pulisic and midfielder have to make a turnaround.” making good progress, having feeling.” Kane has recovered nally thought. “That’s another ment on whether Tottenham your eyes somewhat. The last N’Golo Kante are all unavailable Klopp said Pearson was doing begun on-field rehabilitation quickly from a string of injuries hope but of course we’re far midfielder Dele Alli will contest Premier League performance due to injuries but midfielder an “exceptional” job at Vicarage this week. Mourinho has said in recent seasons. While insist- from it,” Mourinho said. “He’s his Football Association charge (a 2-1 home win over Tottenham Ruben Loftus-Cheek could Road despite their recent drop- that he may now get five games ing that he would not be rushed coming back to England very over a social media post ap- Hotspur) was very good. play for the first time since he off in results. out of his talisman at the end back, Mourinho said Kane was a soon. Then of course he’ll have pearing to mock the corona- “In the bigger picture it was ruptured his Achilles tendon “We just have to fi ght for each of the season, with the north player who “doesn’t accept pro- to follow some safety protocols virus. a lesson for the players. They in May. “Ruben is in the squad inch of grass and in that game were better than us. It was again tomorrow,” Lampard said. again if we do that we are diffi - a reality check for all of us. I “It would mean a lot for him. cult to play,” he said. Klopp was told at the begin- When asked whether he was anthem lived, adding: “It’s not that I’m thought we could perform bet- It’s a lonely place to be injured. “If we are diffi cult to play we ning of his press conference that offi cially a Scouser, Klopp said: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”) used to all the things which are ter, but we are in fourth and we With the ability that he has got have a chance to win. If we have it was Global Scouse Day, an an- “No, not offi cially I think but gave me that honour.” common here but more and have to fight until the end.” he is one of the most exciting a chance to win we should use nual celebration of the city of half offi cial. Last week Gerry The German said he liked to more but I like it. It’s interesting Chelsea, fourth in the league, English midfield players.” it.” Liverpool. Marsden (who sang the club’s identify with the area where he and a nice thing to have.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, February 29, 2020 SPORT

GOLF/OMAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Lewis, English share fi rst-round Gallacher shares Honda Classic lead

AFP to be up-and-down, no mat- Miami ter how good you’re playing,” Lewis said. “There’s always going to be something that’s ngland’s Tom Lewis going to hit you in the face and lead with teenage made the most of his you’ve just got to fi nd a way to sponsor’s exemption get through it. into the US PGA Tour “I take a lot of belief from to- HondaE Classic on Thursday, day, and hopefully great things fi ring a bogey-free four-un- will happen this week.” der-par 66 to share the fi rst- English, also playing on a round lead with Harris English sponsor’s exemption, eagled at wind-whipped PGA Na- the third — where he rolled in upstart Hojgaard tional. a 27-foot put. His four birdies “I’m enjoying this,” the included a hole out from some GALLACHER, 45, BOASTING FOUR EUROPEAN TOUR WINS, HIT A BOGEY-FREE 67 29-year-old Lewis said of the 25 yards out at the 11th. chilly, windy weather that Two-time major champion AFP proved the undoing of some Zach Johnson headed a group Muscat more familiar names. on three-under 67, and said Lewis rolled in a nine-foot the chilly winds suited him just eagle putt at the par-fi ve third fi ne. “I grew up in it,” the Iowa easoned campaigner and stuck his tee shot at the native said of the cold, blustery Stephen Gallacher and par-three seventh within two weather. “I’m not going to say teenage upstart Rasmus feet for birdie. I’m licking my chops, that’s the Hojgaard shared the lead Another nine-foot birdie at furthest thing from my mind, onS nine-under par at the halfway the 18th capped a confi dence- but I don’t mind the grind. stage of the Oman Open yesterday. building round for a player “I’m a boring player in the The pair fi nished the day one whose fortunes have fl uctu- sense that fairways and greens shot ahead of Belgian Nicolas ated since he made a splash as are a premium,” added Johh- Colsaerts and Finn Kalle Sa- low amateur of the 2011 Open son, who had fi ve birdies and mooja. Championship. two bogeys. “More than that, Danish 18-year-old Hojgaard, He won the European Tour’s I think my trajectory control in the third youngest winner in Eu- Portugal Masters in his third winds like this kind of go hand ropean Tour history at this sea- start after turning pro in 2011, in hand with spin control.” son’s Mauritius Open, scored a but it would be seven years be- Johnson was joined on 67 by second-round 68 with an eagle, fore he won his second Euro- England’s Lee Westwood and fi ve birdies and three bogeys. pean Tour title. Americans Cameron Tringale, ’s Gallacher, 45, He earned limited PGA Tour J.T. Poston and Brian Stuard. boasting four European Tour status with victory in the Korn It was a tough day for world wins, hit a bogey-free 67. Ferry Tour Championship last number two Brooks Koepka, Dutchman Joost Luiten, the year, but said he’s still strug- who carded a four-over 74 that 2018 champion, English pair Ri- gling to put together a con- included a triple-bogey seven chard McEvoy and Robert Rock, sistent schedule and has yet at the par-four sixth — where Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and to make a cut in four US tour he was in the water off the tee South African Brandon Stone events this season. — and a double-bogey at the were three shots off the lead. “Things are always going ninth. Gallacher, with only one top- 10 fi nish on the 2019 Race to Du- bai, said his game was moving in the right direction. Bottas puts Mercedes on top in fi nal test “This is a great golf course and one of the best we play all year but it’s very demanding and you’ve got to play good golf. If you don’t you’ll get found out and fortunately I’m playing pretty well at the moment,” he said Hojgaard, holding the halfway lead for the fi rst time in 10 Euro- pean events, said it was diffi cult to manage the conditions. “You can’t avoid bogeys out here so I knew at some point I would drop a shot because in this Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard in action during the second round of the Oman Open in Muscat yesterday. Getty Images/European Tour Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in action during pre-season testing wind,” he said. “But I managed to in Barcelona yesterday. (Reuters) bounce back with a few birdies.” Smith (Eng) 70 70, A Saddier Italian golfers Edoardo Moli- (Fra) 72 68, D Van Driel (Ned) Pioneer Lindberg a winner, despite missing cut Valterri Bottas took his TEST TIMES nari and Lorenzo Gagli, cleared 71 69, Mercedes to the top of the Valtteri Bottas (FIN/ at the last minute to take part 141 J Winther (Den) 69 72, A Major-winner Pernilla Lindberg missed the cut Millbrook. time charts once again Mercedes) 1:16.196 (79 laps), after a coronavirus scare, were Rozner (Fra) 71 70, C Hill (Sco) yesterday after becoming the first woman golfer Lindberg, ranked 178th in the women’s game, yesterday on the final day Max Verstappen (NED/Red further back with the latter 73 68, S Valimaki (Fin) 74 67, G to compete at the New Zealand Open, but still was invited to compete with the men after of pre-season Formula One Bull) 1:16.269 (45), Daniel sharing 10th spot at fi ve-under Coetzee (RSA) 68 73, Z Lombard achieved her pre-tournament goals. organisers learned she already had plans to visit testing in Barcelona. Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) and Molinari back in 29th on (RSA) 68 73, G Green (Mas) 71 The Swede, who won the 2018 ANA Inspiration, Queenstown. The Finn, runner-up to 1:16.276 (65), Charles Leclerc two-under. 70, C Sordet (Fra) 70 71, L De went into the Kiwi event saying she wanted Female golfers have struggled playing against teammate Lewis Hamilton in (MON/Ferrari) 1:16.360 Jager (RSA) 69 72, S Kjeldsen to “beat just one man” as the first female men at professional level. the world championship in (181), Lewis Hamilton ROUND TWO SCORES (Den) 71 70, participant in its 101-year history. Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie and Brittany 2019, clocked a best run of (GBR/Mercedes) 1:16.410 135 R Højgaard (Den) 67 68, S 142 M Kaymer (Ger) 73 69, H Li Lindberg, 33, ended up beating five male Lincicome have all played men’s tournaments 1min 16.196sec off a total of (90), Esteban Ocon (FRA/ Gallacher (Sco) 68 67, (Chn) 73 69, T Lee (Kor) 67 75, R professionals and equalling four more as she without success, although Wie did make the cut 79 laps. Renault) 1:16.433 (75), Sergio 136 K Samooja (Fin) 71 65, N Karlberg (Swe) 72 70, C Sharvin ended round two in a five-way tie for 147th place at an event in South Korea in 2006. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Perez (MEX/Racing Point) Colsaerts (Bel) 69 67, (Nir) 75 67, C Paisley (Eng) 73 69, after shooting 153. Babe Zaharias back in 1945 remains the only and Renault’s Daniel 1:16.634 (154), Carlos Sainz 138 B Stone (RSA) 67 71, G J Sjöholm (Swe) 72 70, A Cock- She finished day two with a one-over-par 73 at woman to make the cut in a US PGA event. Ricciardo filled out the top Jr (ESP/McLaren) 1:16.820 Migliozzi (Ita) 66 72, R Rock erill (Can) 69 73, E Molinari (Ita) the Hills course, much improved on her nine- At the other end of the leaderboard, Korean three with Hamilton, who (163), George Russell (GBR/ (Eng) 73 65, R McEvoy (Eng) 70 70 72, A Otaegui (Esp) 68 74, S over opening day at Millbrook Resort. teenager Kim Joo-hyung held on to top spot will be chasing a record- Williams) 1:16.871 (146), Daniil 68, J Luiten (Ned) 69 69, Hend (Aus) 70 72, J Veerman The field at the Asian Tour event played after a three-under-par 68 at the Hills, putting equalling seventh world title Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri) 139 A Cañizares (Esp) 70 69, J (USA) 72 70, B Stow (Eng) 73 69, alternate rounds over the first two days at each him one shot ahead of Australia’s Ben Eccles. this season, in fifth. 1:16.914 (160), Romain Wang (Kor) 71 68, C Shinkwin 143 R Fisher (Eng) 68 75, J Wal- of the Millbrook Resort and The Hills courses. Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of The new season gets Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:17.037 (Eng) 69 70, L Gagli (Ita) 69 70, F ters (RSA) 69 74, P Waring (Eng) The top 60 players and ties after the halfway Australia made the cut but pre-tournament underway in Melbourne on (86), Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/ Zanotti (Par) 69 70, 70 73, P Larrazábal (Esp) 73 70, cut will play the third and fourth rounds at favourite and local hope Ryan Fox did not. March 15. Alfa Romeo) 1:17.415 (115). 140 M Korhonen (Fin) 73 67, J G Forrest (Sco) 70 73.

MOTORSPORT GAZOO Racing celebrates victory at Rally Sweden he GAZOO Racing (GR) ous eight stages, Evans had built the driver’s championship, where World Rally Team (WRT) up a cushion of 17.2 seconds going he is currently in third place – fi ve continued its outstanding into the fi nal day in the No 33 Toy- points behind Evans. start to the season with a ota Yaris WRC. This allowed him to “Evans and Martin brought the Tdominant performance at the re- take a relatively cautious approach fi rst victory of the season to our cent Rally Sweden. Elfyn Evans took through the tricky deciding test and new-look team. Elfyn and Scott, the top spot during his second time still secure the win by 12.7 seconds. congratulations! I am really happy behind the wheel of the No 33 Toy- Already impressive on his debut at that such a new team member is al- ota Yaris WRC. He was joined on the rallying’s top level during Rallye ready achieving great results togeth- podium by 19-year-old rookie sen- Monte-Carlo, Rovanperä reached er with the team,” said Akio Toyoda, sation Kalle Rovanperä, who came another level at Rally Sweden, Team Chairman. “Kalle and Jonne out ahead in the No 69 Toyota Yaris climbing as high as second over- climbed on the third step of the po- WRC to claim third place following a all at one point on the second day dium after a big fi ght, with only a thrilling battle with his world cham- in the No 69 Toyota Yaris WRC. He three-second gap, against Seb and pion team-mate Sébastien Ogier in and Ogier traded third place several Julien. I also appreciate these four the No 17 Toyota Yaris WRC. times during day three, but it was guys for scoring great points and Together, the all-new driver Ogier who went into the fourth and making the fans excited. My team- line-up built on their successful GR fi nal day with an advantage of half mates of GR, let’s keep winning! debut at last month’s Rallye Mon- a second in the No 17 Toyota Yaris I feel our drivers are enjoying to te-Carlo to take Toyota into pole po- WRC. drive the Yaris WRC more and more sition in the manufacturers’ cham- In the tricky conditions of the round-by-round. I believe they will pionship, while Evans now jointly 21.19km Likenäs stage, Rovanperä show us more exciting drives in the leads the drivers’ championship for was 3.7 seconds faster than any- next round and beyond. Thank you the fi rst time in his career. Evans body else, taking his fi rst-ever WRC in advance to our fans for support- led the event from start to fi nish to stage win and the maximum fi ve ing us this season.” record his second FIA WRC victory, bonus points on off er in the Power The season continues next month having previously won on home soil Stage. This makes him the youngest with Rally Mexico from 12–15 at Wales Rally GB in 2017. It was the ever podium fi nisher during a WRC March, which features rough gravel fi rst-ever WRC win for co-driver round, more than two years younger roads and temperatures in the re- Scott Martin, and together they than the previous record holder. gion of 30C. High altitude is also a are the fi rst British competitors to Ogier still managed to achieve the major factor, with a route that peaks ever win Rally Sweden, which was a third-fastest time during the stage at 2,737m above sea level, starving founding round of the WRC in 1973. to claim fourth position overall, col- engines of air and cutting power by Having won fi ve of the previ- lecting a strong points haul towards as much as 20%. Gulf Times Saturday, February 29, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Ryan nets hat-trick in return as Senators Harris takes over as beat Canucks 5-2

Reuters from the near circle. Ryan then New York tipped in Nikita Zaitsev’s shot with 12:16 left in the open- ing period. Vancouver made obby Ryan recorded it 2-1 off the power play with short-handed Sixers a hat trick in his fi rst just 16 seconds left in the sec- home game since ond period when Miller drove November, and the a shot from the point for his ‘We had a good pop to our BOttawa Senators snapped a 25th goal. It was the Canucks’ four-game losing streak with 54th goal with the man-ad- off ence and I was able to a 5-2 win over the Vancouver vantage this season. Ottawa, Canucks on Thursday night. though, regained its two-goal get in-the-flow plays’ On a night that could not advantage just 14 seconds into defeat Knicks have been scripted better, the fi nal period when Rudolfs Ryan, an Ottawa fa- vourite, played his RESULTS second game since missing a little more Toronto 5-3 Florida than three months NY Rangers 5-2 Montreal after entering the NHL’s Player Assist- Chicago 5-2 Tampa Bay ance Program while Boston 4-3 Dallas dealing with alcohol- Minnesota 7-1 Detroit ism. It was the fi rst time he skated on Ottawa 5-2 Vancouver home ice since Nov. Nashville 4-3 Calgary 15. St. Louis 3-2 NY Islanders Ryan, who had one goal in 17 games en- Winnipeg 3-0 Washington tering this contest, San Jose 3-2 New Jersey scored in the fi rst and then iced the game with two Balcers scored his fi rst of the late in the third period. It was season off a rebound. Marcus his fi rst hat trick since Decem- Hogberg fi nished with 32 saves ber 2014, helping Ottawa snap for Ottawa. an 0-3-1 slide. Tyler Toff oli tipped in a J.T. RANGERS RALLY Miller (goal, assist) shot for PAST HABS his fourth goal in four games Mika Zibanejad scored the since being acquired by Van- tying goal and Adam Fox the couver from Los Angeles to game-winner in a span of 75 get the visitors within 3-2 with seconds as the New York Rang- 11:44 left in regulation. But ers rallied from a two-goal def- Ryan added to his special night icit to defeat the host Montreal when he made it 4-2 with 2:08 Canadiens, 5-2, on Thursday to play on a pass from Chris night. With the win, the Rang- Tierney. Ryan kicked it to ers extended their team-record himself and drilled the puck by road winning streak to nine Canucks netminder Thatcher games. The Rangers remained Demko (20 saves). unbeaten on the road since Jan. Ryan completed the hat 11 and kept the NHL’s longest trick 19 seconds later with road winning streak going by an empty-netter that further scoring three times in a span of sent the crowd into a frenzy 4:17 in the third period. with chants of “Bobby, Bobby.” Rangers coach David Quinn Vancouver, in the mix for paired Artemi Panarin and Zi- fi rst place in the Pacifi c Divi- banejad on the top line for the sion, entered on a 4-1-1 stretch third period and the move paid but was unable to overcame an off . early 2-0 hole, after doing so Panarin left a drop pass for Tuesday at Montreal. Zibanejad, whose wrist shot Ottawa opened the scoring from the high slot sailed by early with two goals 31 seconds Montreal goaltender Carey apart. First, Connor Brown Price with 8:54 remaining. It Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (right) shoots past New York Knicks forward Julius Randle during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports scored his 14th at 7:13 when he was Zibanejad’s 30th goal and took advantage of a Vancouver his sixth straight game with a AFP turnover and wristed the puck goal. RESULTS Los Angeles Timberwolves fi ned $25K for resting Russell Indiana 106-100 Portland The Minnesota “planned rest” for a the team in scoring obias Harris fi nished with 34 LA Lakers 116-86 Golden State Timberwolves were fined game the Nuggets won with 29 points against points to lift the shorthanded Oklahoma 112-108 Sacramento $25,000 by the NBA on 128-116. Russell has dealt the Dallas Mavericks on Philadelphia 76ers over the visit- Philadelphia 115-106 New York Thursday for violating with a number of injuries Monday and 27 against ing New York Knicks 115-106 on the league’s player this season, including the Miami Heat on Thursday.T series from the Knicks. resting policy. knee soreness and Wednesday. Al Horford had 15 points and nine as- Julius Randle paced the Knicks with 30 The violation occurred shoulder, ankle and thigh The Timberwolves sists and Shake Milton scored 19 points points and 10 rebounds. Maurice Hark- when the Timberwolves ailments. On February issued a statement as the Sixers improved to a league-best less scored 17 points, RJ Barrett added were on the road to face 8, he missed what Thursday, and posted it 28-2 at home. 15 and Elfrid Payton had 18 points and 12 the Denver Nuggets on would have been his on Twitter. “Just taking the opportunities that assists for New York, who have lost six in Sunday, and they rested Timberwolves debut due “The Timberwolves were presented,” said Harris, who added a row.Josh Richardson appeared to make guard D’Angelo Russell, to a bruised right quad. accept the league’s fine seven rebounds and seven assists. “We a three-pointer at the end of the third who under the policy In the last two for resting D’Angelo had a good pop to our off ence and I was quarter, but the offi cials ruled he didn’t was considered a healthy Timberwolves games, Russell on the February able to get in-the-fl ow plays.” get the shot off before the buzzer so the player. Russell played 31 23 game versus Denver,” Milton hit all fi ve of his three-point at- score remained 87-79. Minnesota called it a minutes in each, leading the statement said. tempts, while Horford hit all four from Horford hit a pair of threes early in the beyond the arc for the Sixers, who played fourth for a 100-85 Sixers advantage with without injured all-stars Joel Embiid 8:34 to go. Angeles Lakers routed the hapless Gold- Warriors were also without Andrew (shoulder) and Ben Simmons (back). The Knicks battled back to within 107- en State Warriors 116-86. Wiggins, who has a back problem. Embiid has been diagnosed with a 102 with just over two minutes left after The Lakers won their seventh straight The loss was Golden State’s eighth strained left shoulder and will be evalu- Randle hit a free throw. Harris answered game despite giving LeBron James the straight overall and eighth in a row at ated again in the week. with a key three-pointer, and the lead night off against the worst team in the home. “It’s a painfully obvious bind,” coach moved back to eight. NBA. Also, Domantas Sabonis overcame Brett Brown said. “We’re missing two Rookie Eric Paschall had 23 points for early foul trouble to collect 20 points and All-Stars. You yank that from the team LAKERS CRUSH WARRIORS Golden State, who lost Draymond Green 11 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers regis- Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (No.9) celebrates his goal and it’s painful.” Elsewhere, Anthony Davis scored 23 to a two-technical-foul ejection in the tered a 106-100 victory over the Portland with teammates in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks The Sixers swept the four-game season points and Rajon Rondo had 12 as the Los second quarter. Trail Blazers in Indianapolis. at the Canadian Tire Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL Caldwell likes existing talent, not pushing to upgrade off ensive line By John Reid ised team in the NFL with 132 penalties for son than he did in 2019. The Florida Times 1,169 yards. In December, Robinson admitted that he But Marrone and general manager Dave played hurt the entire season after hyper- Caldwell indicated at the NFL Scouting extending his right knee three days before here were plenty of games last sea- Combine this week they are not looking to their season-opening loss to the Kansas son when the Jaguars off ensive line make an overhaul with the unit. City Chiefs. couldn’t get much push, especially For the most part, they like their exist- “I’m excited about not just Cam, but re- on run plays in the red zone. ing off ensive line talent despite coming off ally everyone on that line,” Marrone said. TTheir pass protection wasn’t much bet- a disappointing 6-10 season and with both “As a group, I’m looking for that group to ter either. of their job’s at stake this upcoming season really step up. I’m sure they’ve put in a lot Left tackle Cam Robinson struggled the if a turnaround does not occur. of work this off season because that’s the entire season with his foot work. Left guard During last year’s draft the Jaguars trad- type of people they are. For Cam, you’re Andrew Norwell underperformed for the ed up Caldwell traded up three spots in the talking about a player that did a nice job for second straight season. second round to 35th overall to select right us in his rookie year and then got injured.” And there was enough concerns over tackle Jawaan Taylor, who was projected to Regardless what Marrone and Caldwell production at right guard that Coach Doug be a fi rst-round pick out of Florida. say now doesn’t necessarily mean they Marrone used a platoon system with A.J. “We were able to run the ball and pass won’t draft an off ensive lineman in the Cann and Will Richardson Jr. throughout protect eff ectively,” Caldwell said. “An- draft this upcoming April or sign one in the season. drew actually played at a high level. (Center free agency. Inconsistent play on the off ensive line Brandon) Linder probably played at an ex- Several mock drafts have the Jaguars led to the Jaguars’ 31st ranking in red zone tremely high level at center. A.J. did a nice selecting Georgia left tackle Andrew Tho- effi ciency (40.43 percent). The unit al- job as a rotating guard and we have a guy mas with their 20th overall pick in the fi rst lowed 182 quarterback pressures last sea- that we feel like has a high ceiling in Ju- round. son, the 10th most in the league, according wann Taylor. I think Doug feels like that’s Asked what position is a draft priority, to Pro Football Focus. one position group that can be even better Caldwell said it depends on the holes they And the Jaguars off ensive line commit- this year.” will be able to fi ll in free agency. ted 48 penalties for 371 yards in 2019 that Marrone and Caldwell both have hopes “But I think the priority is to get the best Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (second right) calls out blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage led to becoming the second-most penal- that Robinson is going to have a better sea- player available (in draft),” he said. against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville on September 19, 2019. (TNS) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, February 29, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Family support for Labuschagne in India insist ‘no panic’ South Africa

AFP Paarl, South Africa

arnus La- ahead of must-win buschagne will be supported by several of his MSouth African family when he plays for Australia in the fi rst one-day international against South Africa at Boland Park today. New Zealand Test Some of those family mem- bers share his surname — but ‘We’ve played eight and won seven and so one loss there’s absolutely no need to panic’ not the way it is pronounced. It has been a source of some amusement for South Africans to hear the way Australia’s rising batting star’s name is started school? pronounced — Lab-u-shane, “It depends how many quite diff erent from the more tickets there are,” he laughed. guttural Afrikaans Lab-u- Grandparents, uncles and scargh-nay. aunts and friends will be there, “Lab-u-shane is my taken together with his mother, Alta, name now because I’m Aus- who has fl own from Australia. tralian,” he said yesterday in “More than 20,” he said. his fi rst press conference in the It will probably also be an land of his birth. opportunity to speak the lan- “Obviously there is the tra- guage of his early childhood. ditional way it is pronounced “I went to an Afrikaans over here but I’m not bothered school until I was in grade at all. I’m not concerned how it three so I’ve still got a bit of is pronounced.” Afrikaans fl oating about.” Born in the mining town of Although he regards himself Klerksdorp, Labuschagne’s fa- as fully Australian, the links ther, Andre, accepted a mining with South Africa have re- job and took the family to Aus- mained strong. tralia when Marnus was nine, “We’ve come back quite about to turn 10. regularly,” he said. And he vis- The ‘Australian’ way of say- ited South Africa on honey- ing his name started when moon in 2017. he began school in Australia. Labuschagne was outstand- “There’s been a lot of varia- ing in in 2019 af- tions and a fair few nicknames ter replacing Steve Smith as a but Lab-u-shane is what it is.” concussion substitute during He was already keen on the second Ashes Test against cricket when the family emi- England at Lord’s. grated, he said. He fi nished the year as the “I did grade one, two and world’s leading run-scorer in three in Potchefstroom so I Tests with 1,022 at an average played a bit of cricket there but of 68.13. obviously the rest of my crick- He is a novice in the one- et has been in Australia. day game, however, and keen “I’ve never played over here to establish himself in the for- (at the top level) so it’s very mat after scoring 46 and 54 in exciting to play in front of my his fi rst two innings in India in family over here. They’re all January. very excited and it was nice to “India was crazy,” he said. “I spend a couple of days with loved the pressure, the atmos- India’s captain Virat Kohli (centre) walks from the field with his teammates after the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on February 24, 2020. (AFP) them.” phere over there. It was a great ‘Bit of Afrikaans fl oating opportunity to play. AFP “When you’re on the road after surveying the . about’ “That role at number four Wellington winning all the time, you’ve not “I like the overheads that Ishant ruled out of Christchurch Test The support base will mul- is something I want to make tasted defeat, you can have a present down here in terms of the tiply when he gets to Potchef- sure I continue to improve and closed mindset,” he added. cloud cover and the swing that’s In-form India pacer Ishant said. stroom for the third and fi nal make that a spot I can continue ndia said there was no need “Once you’ve seen what has on off er. From my point of view I Sharma will miss the second Umesh Yadav and uncapped match on March 7. to be successful in. to panic yesterday ahead of happened there are opportuni- hope it stays that way and we get and final Test against New Navdeep Saini will be fighting How many of his South “It was disappointing that the second Test against New ties to learn. You know what it to move around a bit.” Zealand beginning today at the for the spot left vacant by African family will be in I wasn’t able to kick on. That Zealand, insisting this week’s strategies New Zealand mentally The New Zealand attack has Hagley Oval as his right ankle Ishant. In fact, both may play Potchefstroom, which is near was a learning experience for I10-wicket defeat had helped are employing and you are pre- been reinforced by the return of Klerksdorp and where he me as well.” injury has resurfaced. if the team management them open a “closed mindset”. pared. short-ball maestro Neil Wagner, Ishant was present in the nets decides to bring in an extra New Zealand quick Trent Boult “We’ve had a great run in the who was unavailable for the fi rst and did bowl on Thursday. pacer in place of R. Ashwin. indicated the odds are stacked Test arena. We’ve played eight Test, leaving coach Gary Stead to However, yesterday, he The absence of Ishant is as a against India at Hagley Park in and won seven and so one loss decide whether to drop tall me- was absent from training massive blow to India, who are Rabada out of Australia, India series Christchurch, rating it as better there’s absolutely no need to dium-pacer Kyle Jamieson, who after informing the team looking to level the series after for the bowlers than Wellington’s panic.” shone on debut in Wellington, or management of pain in suff ering a crushing 10-wicket South African fast bowler Team medical off icer Dr Basin Reserve, the venue for the In six Tests at Hagley Oval, spinner Ajaz Patel. the same ankle where he defeat at the Basin Reserve. Kagiso Rabada has been Shuaib Manjra said yesterday fi rst Test. New Zealand are unbeaten While Hagley is pace friendly, suff ered tear during Delhi’s The right-arm pacer had ruled out of the one-day that Rabada had suff ered But India coach Ravi Shas- against South Asian sides having the only time New Zealand has Ranji Trophy game against returned to action in international series against a “significant” strain which tri said their heavy defeat, won against Sri Lanka (twice), not played a spinner at the venue Vidarbha. Wellington after a month- Australia, starting in Paarl would need about four weeks which ended an unbeaten streak Pakistan and Bangladesh, while was when they lost to Australia. Speaking to IANS, sources long injury lay-off owing to today, as well as a short tour to heal. stretching back more than a year, they have lost once to Australia Shastri was weighing up which in the know of development the ankle injury he suff ered of India next month. South Africa play three was an important learning expe- and drawn with England. spinner to play — either Ravi confirmed that the veteran in January. He was in fact the Rabada suff ered a groin one-day matches against rience for his team. On the eve of the latest Test the Ashwin, who took three for 99 in pacer will miss the second pick of the bowlers at the Basin strain during the third and Australia, ending on March 7, “A shake-up like that is good pitch was again emerald green Wellington, or Ravindra Jadeja — game, starting today. “He Reserve, finishing with figures final international and will then fly to India for because it opens your mindset,” with a cloud cover that was fore- while confi rming opener Prithvi complained of pain and has of 5 for 68 in New Zealand’s against Australia in Cape three more matches between Shastri said yesterday, a day be- cast to stay around for a few days. Shaw was available to play after a been ruled out,” the source first innings. IANS Town on Wednesday. March 12 and 18. AFP fore the second and fi nal Test. “Its pretty exciting,” Boult said foot injury.

ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE S Africa crush to top Sultans beat Kings group, England beat Pakistan her maiden Twenty20 100 before to register third win Reuters Sydney departing from the very next ball. By Agencies Thailand crumbled early in the Lahore chase, losing three in three outh Africa crushed Thai- deliveries, including a run-out, in land by a record margin the eventful fourth over of their ultan Sultans re- to inch closer to the semi- innings from Shabnim Ismail (3- corded their second fi nals of the Women’s 8). successive home win World Cup, while Eng- Beaten by South Africa in their in the HBL Pakistan land also remained on course by opening match, England were MSuper League 2020 by beating beating Pakistan in another Group clinical in their 42-run victory Karachi Kings by a comfort- B match yesterday. against Pakistan with skipper able 52-run margin at the Multan South Africa rode Lizelle Lee’s Heather Knight once again lead- Cricket Stadium yesterday. blistering century to post 195-3, ing by example. Knight followed A fi ne bowling performance the highest total in the history of her century against Thailand with led by spinners Imran Tahir and Multan Sultans’ Moeen Ali (left) plays a shot during the PSL T20 the tournament, before crushing a belligerent 62 to help the 2009 Shahid Afridi who shared fi ve match against Karachi Kings in Multan yesterday. (AFP) Thailand by a record 113 runs to go champions to a strong 158-7. wickets between them set the top of the group with their second Like in that match, Natalie tone of Sultans’ comfortable win that came off 42 balls; he was the 12 overs. (34) and victory in two matches. South Africa’s Lizelle Lee plays a shot as Thailand’s wicketkeeper Sciver shared the scoring respon- after their batsmen had set what second wicket to fall. Shan also (34) displayed fi re- Lee smashed 101 off 60 balls Nannapat Koncharoenkai looks on during the T20 women’s World sibility with her captain smashing proved to be a match winning 186 faced 42 balls scoring 61 runs works with their blistering stroke and added 131 runs with Sune Luus Cup match in Canberra yesterday. (AFP) a breezy 36. Pakistan could not for six fi rst innings score. with the help of seven fours and play. (61 ) to power South Africa build signifi cant partnerships and Batting fi rst after being asked one six. In return, provided to an imposing total before they The Thais began well though, when the opener was on 45, mis- were all out for 116 in the fi nal over to bat at the toss, Sultans posted much needed spark to Lahore’s returned to skittle out Thailand for dismissing rival captain Dane van judged a couple of skiers, could not despite Aliya Riaz’s defi ant 41. a formidable 186 for six total in ZALMI WIN BY 16 RUNS chase but there wasn’t much sig- 82 with fi ve balls to spare. Niekirk early and restricting South stem the fl ow of sweep shots and Quick Anya Shrubsole (3-25) their allotted 20 overs courtesy Lewis Gregory stood out with nifi cant contribution from other The Thais have now fallen to Africa to 37-1 after the six power- fl uff ed a run-out opportunity. and leg-spinner Sarah Glenn (3- half-centuries by opener and his bowling performance to re- batsmen. Lewis Gregory stood two of the biggest defeats, in terms play overs. Lee then cut loose and Thailand used seven diff erent 15) shared six wickets between man-of-the-match Moeen Ali strict Lahore Qalandars in a rain- out with his hard lengths and of runs, in the tournament’s histo- Thailand’s inexperience showed. bowlers inside nine overs to try them. and captain Shan Masood. curtailed match in Rawalpindi. change ups in pace, which earned ry including their 98-run thump- The Asians dropped at least two and stop Lee who smacked three England face West Indies in a Moeen hit four fours and as Batting fi rst, him four wickets in his quota of ing by England on Wednesday. catches, including one from Lee sixes and 16 boundaries to bring up virtual quarter-fi nal tomorrow. many sixes in his 65-run innings posted 132 for seven in their four overs. Gulf Times Saturday, February 29, 2020 7 SPORT

MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY PRIZE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY

Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally winners Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (third from left) and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally T3 Class winners Qatar’s Ahmed al-Kuwari and his Italian co-driver Manuel pose with the trophy and off icials during the prize distribution ceremony at Souq Waqif. Lucchese pose with the trophy and cheque during the prize distribution ceremony.

FOOTBALL/QNB STARS LEAGUE WOMEN’S 6RED WORLD CUP Vasiljeva and Jans stay unbeaten Belhadj, Mudather on the fi rst day

By Sports Reporter the fi rst to clear her match in the Doha fi rst session. She defeated Joy Lyn Willenberg of South Africa armed with breaks of 31 and 37 he hit the green baize af- in the fi rst and third frames re- on target as Sailiya ter a gap of two years but spectively. former European cham- Jans remained unbeaten pick- pion Tatjana Vasiljeva ing up two more victories — showedS no signs of any rust at 3-1 wins over Shevchenko and the inaugural Women’s 6Red Stateczny both. World Cup at the Qatar Billiards Current 6Red world cham- and Federation Hall in pion Amee Kamani too had little Doha yesterday. trouble beating Russia’s Mariia beat Al Gharafa The 2012 European cham- Shevchenko 3-0, but was edged pion from Latvia blanked two of out by Diana Stateczny of Ger- her opponents on the fi rst day many 3-2 after a 36-point break The victory gave Sailiya a great relief as they were going through a lean patch in the 2nd leg of the USD20,000 prize money in the fi fth and deciding frame tournament, including Russia’s took the match away from the Svetlana Kozyreva and ’s Indian. Kamani’s compatriot, l Sailiya defeated Al Izabela Lacka. Arantxa Sanchis, remained un- Gharafa 2-0 in their Despite her time away from beaten in the other group, beat- QNB Stars League the game, Vasiljeva was strik- ing Lacka 3-2 and Moroccan match at the Al Ahli ing well and won the fi rst frame Bennani Hind 3-1. StadiumA yesterday. with ease, before Kozyreva The tournament, which will Nadir Belhadj (third minute) fought back in the second frame conclude tomorrow, is being and Mohamed Mudather (35th to try and force parity. However, organised by Qatar Billiards and minute) scored for Al Sailiya, Vasiljeva played some good safe- Snooker Federation and Inter- who took their tally to 23 points. ty on the last few colour balls to national Billiards and Snooker It was also The Peregrines’ win the frame 36-24 and double Federation in Doha. seventh victory. her lead. The third frame was A total of 11 players are par- Al Sailiya thus extended their pretty much one-way traffi c as ticipating from 9 countries, domination over Al Gharafa Vasiljeva won the frame 45-1 for including , Germany, this season, having beaten The a 3-0 win. The match against India, Latvia, Morocco, Poland, Cheetahs 3-1 in the fi rst leg of Lacka too went down a similar Russia, South Africa, and Thai- 2019-20 QNB Stars League. road, but experience worked in land. Players have been placed in Al Gharafa stood on 25 points Vasiljeva’s favour as she closed two groups for the round robin after suff ering their fifth defeat. out the game 3-0. stage, before eight will qualify It was an unimpressive display Multiple-time world champi- for the single-elimination quar- by a side that started off the sea- on Wendy Jans, who was Vasilje- ter-fi nals. The winner of the son well and occupied a position va’s opponent in two European tournament will grow richer by in the top four for long. championship fi nals including in USD8,000, while the runner-up Belhadj’s individual brilliance 2012 when the Latvian won, was will take away USD4,000. was writ large on the fi rst goal as he produced a skilful run down the middle before rattling the SPOTLIGHT net with a long-ranger. Al Sailiya doubled the lead, with Belhadj giving the cross for Mudather to shoot home after Al Gharafa’s Swimmer Sun Yang Hector Moreno failed to clear the ball. Al Gharafa were unlucky to banned for 8 years have a goal disallowed for off side when Adlene Guediora scored off a pass from Hanni, who over doping off ence found himself off side. Hanni then spurned an easy chance on AFP 40 minutes as he sent his shot Lausanne over the bar from close range. Both teams continued to play an open game. Not long after the hina’s triple Olympic second half started, Al Gharafa Swimming gold medal- goalkeeper Qasim Burhan had to list Sun Yang has been eff ect a a diving save to thwart found guilty of refus- Serigne Mbodji’s header. Cing to give a doping sample and Injured Burhan was later re- banned for eight years in a rul- the testing session in 2018, but placed by Mohamed Muntazar ing that excludes him from the the swimmer was acquitted by even as Al Gharafa found the go- Tokyo Olympics and eff ectively FINA of anti-doping violations, ing tough and the scoreline re- ends his career. agreeing that testers had failed to mained unchanged. The judgement from the Court produce adequate identifi cation. The victory gave Al Sailiya a of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) But the ruling outraged WADA great relief as they were going upheld the appeal by the World which took the matter to CAS, through a lean patch in the sec- Al Sailiya Nadir Belhadj (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Al Gharafa in their QNB Stars League match at the Al Ahli Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) demanding a ban of between two ond leg, losing in Weeks 12, 13 Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Khalid against Swimming’s ruling body and eight years for missing the and 14, to Al Khor, Al Ahli and Al (FINA) and Sun, 28, who had out-of-competition test. Sadd respectively. already served a three-month CAS said its panel had “unan- They had also lost their 2020 Umm Salal edge past Al Wakrah doping ban in 2014. Sun, idolised imously determined” that Sun AFC Champions League play- Umm Salal pulled off a hard-fought 2-1 win forced 10 corner kicks as against Umm Sadd before holding Qatar SC and beating Al in , was accused of refus- had tampered with his dop- off to Iran’s Shahr Kodro, thus over Al Wakrah in their QNB Stars League Salal’s four. The Blue Wave thus dropped Shahania. However, Al Wakrah had suff ered ing to provide blood and urine ing control. Taking into con- failing to book a berth in the match at the Al Wakrah Stadium yesterday. three crucial points, which will have a a 0-1 defeat at the hands of leaders Al Duhail samples when drug testers vis- sideration his previous doping tournament proper. Raul Becerra (ninth minute) and Mahmoud strong bearing on their final position with in week 15. Coming to the action, both teams ited his home in China in Sep- ban, CAS said it had imposed However, Al Sailiya had al-Mawas (84th-minute penalty) scored for six matches to go. They remained on 19 fought it out throughout the game. January tember 2018, vowed to appeal the stiff est eight-year sanction, bounced back with a 1-0 win Umm Salal, while Al Wakrah’s goal came points after suff ering their seventh defeat. recruit Becerra gave Umm Salal an early the ruling, while WADA hailed meaning he will miss this sum- over Qatar SC in Week 15. through Khalid Muneer in the 68th minute. It is interesting to note that Umm Salal had lead by heading in Walid Meslob’s cross. the ban as a “signifi cant result”. mer’s Tokyo Olympics. The loss compounded Al Umm Salal earned three valuable points beaten Al Wakrah by the same margin in the Despite making several attempts at the goal, “This is unfair. I fi rmly be- “The athlete failed to establish Gharafa’s woes as they had ex- in their desperate attempts to move away first leg of the league. Umm Salal fared well Al Wakrah had to wait till the 68th minute lieve in my innocence,” Sun told that he had a compelling justifi - ited from two cup tournaments from the danger zone. The Orange Fortress in the previous three rounds as well, beating to equalise as Khalid Muneer nodded home China’s Xinhua news agency. “I cation to destroy his sample col- in consecutive weeks recently, are now on 13 points following their third Al Khor before holding Al Arabi and reigning Omar Ali’s cross. The winning goal came off will defi nitely appeal to let more lection containers and forego the bowing out of Amir Cup in the victory in this season’s competition. On champions Al Sadd. As far as Al Wakrah are a penalty, awarded when Al Wakrah’s Ismail people know the truth.” doping control when, in his opin- pre-quarter-fi nal stage and the other hand, Al Wakrah would rue their concerned, they had an impressive run ever Mahmoud ‘handled’ al-Mawas’ cross and Any appeal would be at the ion, the collection protocol was not Ooredoo Cup in the quarter-fi - missed opportunities despite dominating since the start of the tournament’s second the latter was on hand to convert it, sending Swiss federal court. A vial of in compliance with the ISTI (Inter- nal stage despite being the two- ball possession with 62 per cent. They even leg. They shocked reigning champions Al goalkeeper Saoud al-Khater the wrong way. Sun’s own blood sample was national Standard for Testing and time defending champions. smashed with a hammer during Investigations),” CAS said.

Saturday, February 29, 2020 GULF TIMES EQUESTRIAN

FOCUS Epaillard’s dominant run at CHI Al Shaqab continues ‘I did not have the best control in the jump-off . But I am very happy. I wish I could get the Grand Prix trophy tomorrow’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

ulien Epaillard’s winning juggernaut continued at the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented byJ Longines yesterday, with the Frenchman clinching the feature class on the second day of the championship. Epaillard, who had won both the showjumping events on the opening day, did not put a foot wrong yesterday at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab as he com- bined with 11-year-old stallion Virtuose Champeix to claim the CSI5* 1.55m class. The 41-year-old had also won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Doha title last year, and there seems to be no stop- ping him at Al Shaqab. Going by his current form, Epaillard will now be a heavy favourite for to- day’s Grand Prix 1.60m — the big money event of the champion- Para Dressage riders take a selfie on the podium. ship. “Yes, it was an amazing show. 3. Ulricke Dekeyzer (BEL); Cleverboy My horse is in top form,” gushed Van d’Abelendreef; 69.048%; €400 Epaillard after another terrifi c win, “I did not have the best CPEDI3* Individual IV (IV Ch Ind) control in the jump-off . But I am 1. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA); Horse: very happy. I wish I could get the Don Frederic; Points: 74.959%; Grand Prix trophy tomorrow. I Hussein Ali al-Abdulla (right), EGM & Chief Marketing Off icer of Commercial Bank, presents the trophy to Prize money: €600 would like that. My horse is only Julien Epaillard, after the Frenchman won the CSI5* 1.55m class aboard Virtuose Champeix on the second 2. Philippa Mary Johnson (RSA); 10 years old. Not so much experi- day of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines yesterday. Lord Louis; 71.179%; €500 ence for the moment. But we will 3. Lotte Krijnsen (NED); Rosens- try and do the best tomorrow,” he Earlier, in the 1.50m CSI5* their third straight annual cham- 3. Filippo Marco Bologni (ITA); tolz; 71.098%; €400 added. class, Switzerland’s Jane Richard pionship. Diplomat; 61.23 seconds; €7,665 Twelve riders made it to the Philips eased to victory aboard Germany’s Matthias Alexan- TODAY’S SCHEDULE jump-off in the speed class and her 10-year-old Belgian Warm- der Rath and 12-year-old stallion Dressage -- CDI5* GP - Grand 8.30am-9.15am: Dressage Grand it looked like Scott Brash would blood-mare, Kenia Van ‘T Laer- Foundation posted a personal Prix (GP) Prix Special Test (CDI5*): Indoor walk away with the victory, after hof. The pair stopped the clock best 72.034 percent for third 1. Patrik Kittel (SWE) Horse: Delau- Arena the British rider completed the in 59.72 seconds. France’s Roger place. nay Old; Points: 74.413%; Prize 10.25am-12.15am: Longines round in 34.11 seconds with Hello Yves Bost with Castleforbes money: €7500 Hathab Open Class 1.15/1.25m: Shelby. Talitha came second, while Filip- RESULTS 2. Morgan Barbançon (FRA) Outdoor Arena But Epaillard, who was second po Marco Bologni of Italy fi n- CSI5* Table A (238.2.2) 1.55m Sir Donnerhall II Old; 72.326%; 10am-1.30pm: Para Dressage but last rider at the start, beat ished third with Diplomat. 1. Julien Epaillard (FRA); Horse: €6000 Freestyle Test (CPED13*): Indoor Brash’s time hands down, com- Meanwhile, Sweden’s Patrik Virtuose Champeix; First round 3. Matthias Alexander Rath (GER) Arena ing home in 33.41 seconds aboard Kittel rode Delaunay Old to vic- time: 75.55 secs; Jump-off time: Foundation 2; 72.304%, €4500 1.30pm-2.45pm: Longines Virtuose Champeix. Austria’s tory in the Dressage CDI5* Grand 33.41 secs; Prize money: €48939 Hathab Big Tour 1.30/1.45m: Max Kuhner gave some anxious Prix. Kittel and the 14-year-old 2. Max Kuhner (AUT); Elektric Para Dressage Outdoor Arena moments to Epaillard, when he Oldenburg gelding scored 74.413 Blue P. 78.44 and 33.81 secs; CPEDI3* Individual III (III Ch Ind) 2.15pm-4.45pm: Dressage scorched the course with Elektric percent. The pair was on Swe- €29660 1. Rixt van der Horst (NED); Horse: Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Blue P but had to settle for sec- den’s team at the 2017 European 3. Scott Brash (GBR); Hello Shelby; Findsley N.O.P; Total points. Switzerland’s Jane Richard Philips eased to victory aboard her Freestyle Presented by Longines: ond spot after timing 33.81 secs. Championships and competed in 78.56 and 34.11 secs; €22,245 70.980; Prize money: €660 10-year-old mare, Kenia Van ‘T Laerhof, in the 1.50m CSI5* class. Indoor Arena Brash took the last podium spot last year’s World Cup Final. 2. Barbara Minneci (BEL); Stuart; 3.30pm-4.30pm: Showjumping with Hello Shelby – the pair hav- Morgan Barbancon and Sir CSI5* Table A (238.2.1) 1.50m 69.069; €500 3. Annemarieke Nobel (NED) billa; 63.036%; €500 Table C 1.45m (CSI5*): Outdoor ing fi nished second on Thursday. Donnerhall II OLD, France’s 1. Jane Richard Philips (SUI); Highlight; 66.667%; €400 Arena Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar leading combination, were sec- Horse: Kenia Van ‘T Laerhof; CPEDI3* Individual II (II Ch Ind) CPEDI3* Individual V (V Ch Ind) 5.10pm-5.25pm: Arabian Horse and Sweden’s Henrik von Eck- ond on 72.326 percent. The duo Time: 59.72 seconds; Prize 1. Pepo Puch (AUT); Horse: Fuerst CPEDI3* Individual I (I Ch Ind) 1. Ciska Vermeulen (BEL); Horse: Show: Outdoor Arena ermann, shared the fourth place that competed at the Europeans money: €12,775 Chili; Points: 75.539%; Prize 1. Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR) Rohmeo; Points: 71.667%; Prize 5.30-8pm: Commercial Bank CHI aboard Seringat and Best Boy last September may also have 2. Roger Yves Bost (FRA); Castle- money: €660 Horse: Aladdin; Points: 75.238%; money: €600 Al Shaqab Grand Prix presented Z respectively, after timing an earned a start at the Las Vegas forbes Talitha; 61.21 seconds; 2. Martina Benzinger (GER) Fritz- Prize money: €660 2. Valentina Strobl (AUT); Bequia by Longines 1.60m: Outdoor identical 34.84. World Cup Final that would be €10,220 zantino; 70.147%; €500 2. Magdalena Cycak (POL); Sy- Simba; 69.286%; €500 Arena

SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s al-Baker wins Medium Tour at Hathab Series

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar’s Mohamed Kha- lifa al-Baker pipped Uzbekistan’s Okil So- birjonov to win the Me- diumQ Tour title at the Longines Hathab Series yesterday. The national championship is being held at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab on the sidelines of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines. Al-Baker, astride 13-year- old mare Verona, fi nished their round in 65.56 seconds to clinch the 120-130cm class, which had 46 riders in the fi eld. Sobirjonov was a close second with Quatro Junior in 65.74 secs, while an- other Qatari rider Alqaqa Adel Nassar fi nished third with Dubaii in 66.18 seconds. The Small Tour title was won by Abdulaziz Ghanim al-Nuai- mi with ease. The young Qatari rider topped the 1.15m class with eight-year-old Birddyz in 50.46 seconds, leaving the more expe- rienced Awad Alqahtani and Mo- hamed al-Ghazali behind. Alqahtani took the second spot Ali al-Rumaihi (right), Sports Director of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, poses with Beyonce in 51.60 secs, fol- with the podium winners of the Medium Tour. lowed by al-Ghazali in third on Alegro 84 in 52.46 secs. tar’s Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi, Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, their skills,” he said. During the fi rst day of the com- on Graffi ti Delully Ch, took third was pleased that Hathab series petition, Qatar’s Ali Mohamed place with 69.138 points. was being held along with in- RESULTS al-Marri, riding Fernhill Friendly Today, Hathab series will con- ternational championship. “It is Medium Tour (1.20/1.30m) Qatar’s Abdulaziz Ghanim al-Nuaimi won the Small Tour title with Birddyz at the Longines Hathab Series. Touch, won the Dressage Level 1, tinue with Open Class and Big an opportunity for local riders 1. Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker scoring 69.828 points, while Jes- Tour – the feature event of the participating in this tournament (QAT); Horse: Verona; Time: 65.56 3. Alqaqa Adel Nassar (QAT); 1. Abdulaziz Ghanim al-Nuaimi 2. Awad al-Qahtani (QAT); Be- sica Waldon, of Great Britain, on championship. to compete in the presence of seconds; Prize money: QR5000 Dubaii; 66.18 secs; QR3000 (QAT); Horse: Birddyz; Time: yonce; 51.60 secs; QR2000 Lusso Del Castegno was placed Ali al-Rumaihi, Sports Direc- world-level riders, and thus gain 2. Okil Sobirjonov (UZB); Quatro 50.46 seconds; Prize money: 3. Mohamed al-Ghazali (QAT); second with 69.655 points. Qa- tor of the Commercial Bank CHI more experience and develop Junior; 65.74 secs; QR4000 Small Tour (1.00/1.15m) QR2500 Alegro 84; 52.46 secs; QR1500