SPORT Monday 5 November 2018 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 31 Marquez wins Sterling nets Malaysian MotoGP double as City hit as Rossi crashes Southampton for six

Unseeded Russian stuns World No.1 in straight sets El Arabi nets his 11th goal of the season as Khachanov beats Djokovic to win Al Duhail down Al Arabi THE PENINSULA same player was again involved as his goalbound Paris crown in ‘shock of the year’ DOHA: Charismatic shot was superbly blocked Moroccan forward Yousef on the line by Ali REUTERS El Arabi and Qatar interna- Bazmandegan. tional Karim Boudiaf were The Red Knights came PARIS: Karen Khachanov caused on target as Al Duhail out for the second half with one of the shocks of the tennis year extended their lead at the even greater endeavour and by overpowering Novak Djokovic top of the points table with were able to get the break- 7-5, 6-4 in the Paris Masters final a comfortable 2-0 win through goal early on. to end the Serbian’s remarkable against Al Arabi yesterday. Bringing possession down spell of dominance in the men’s At the Al Duhail the left, Boudiaf received the game yesterday. Stadium, second half goals ball on the edge of the area, The 22-year-old Russian has from Boudiaf (55th minute) looked up and then struck for some time been seen as one of and El Arabi (63rd) helped a shot from 20 yards that the rising young talents of the sport them earn the full points. Al was deflected on its way but few could have envisaged his Duhail, who are unbeaten into the corner of the net. demolition of the Serbian in the League so far, are While Al Arabi were still superstar, who was on a three- now at the top of the QNB reeling in shock, a won- month, 22-match winning streak. Stars League (QSL) derful passing move culmi- Djokovic was expected to cel- standings with 28 points. nated in Edmilson finding ebrate his return to world number Al Duhail goalkeeper El Arabi on the right of the one today with a record-extending Khalifa Abubacker made box, who advanced inside fifth Paris title but he went down multiple blocks yesterday as before drilling a low, hard in one hour 37 minutes amid a hail Karen Khachanov he thwarted Al Arabi attacks shot into the far corner. of 31 crushing winners from the of Russia on several occasions. The 0-2 loss was not Muscovite’s racket. poses with the The lack of end product what Al Arabi needed as “To finish my season like this winner’s trophy was bad news for Al Arabi as they look to propel them- is a dream,” Khachanov told the after defeating it allowed the league leaders selves up the table. crowd in the Bercy arena, Novak Djokovic to grow into the game. The In the second match of explaining how Djokovic had of Serbia in earliest warning came when the day, Al Sailiya beat Al always been an inspiration to him. the Rolex Paris El Arabi had a header disal- Kharaitiyat 5-0 to bag full He even took a leaf out of the Masters tennis lowed for offside. points and to also overtake Serb’s book of celebrations by tournament The relentless pressure Al Ahli in the points table to bending down to kiss the Centre final at the increased from here on and make it to the top four. Court. AccorHotels the home side was desper- Rachid Tiberkanine Khachanov, a strapping 6ft 6in Arena in Paris, ately unlucky not to take the scored a hat-trick, his goals huge hitter with surprisingly fleet France yesterday. lead when Nam Tae-Hee coming in the 32nd, 45+1 movement around the court, took struck a spectacular volley and 56th minutes. advantage of Djokovic being a little from wide on the left which Abdulqadir Ilyas added to under-the-weather after a week will rocket Khachanov from 18th Fourteen-time Grand Slam fourth consecutive tournament looped over the keeper his tally with goals in the struggling with flu-like symptoms. in the world to a career-high 11th champion Djokovic, 31, will win, following his victories at the before striking the bar. The 52nd and 88th minutes. Yet even though the Serb today. still overtake Rafael Nadal Cincinatti Masters, the U.S. Open admitted he was not feeling his Even better news for a sport at the top of the world and the Shanghai Masters, he QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS best after his epic three-hour win always on the look-out for the next immediately broke back. rankings today. POSITION/CLUB MATCHES WON LOST DREW POINTS over Roger Federer in Saturday’s bright young thing to challenge the Khachanov redoubled his semi-final, he had nothing but established order of Djokovic, attacking intent, while not giving 1: Al Duhail 10 9 0 1 28 praise for the outstanding quality Federer and Rafa Nadal, Khachanov Khachanov will rise to up another break point in the rest 2: Al Rayyan 11 6 2 3 21 of Khachanov’s attacking game. looks to have the equipment to offer world number 11 today of the match with his efficient, 3: Al Sadd 9 6 1 2 20 “All credit to Karen, he did a them a real threat. heavy serving. and becomes the first 4: Al Sailiya 11 6 4 1 19 great job today. He deserves the That seems assured. What was Constantly keeping the master Russian since Nikolay trophy,” Djokovic told the crowd.” most impressive about Khach- of defence on the back foot, he 5: Al Ahli 11 6 5 0 18 Earning his fourth straight win anov’s victory was the manner in Davydenko in 2009 to win converted a decisive break point 6: Al Gharafa 11 4 4 3 15 over a top-10 player this week, which he bullied Djokovic around a Masters 1000 title. at 5-5 with an irretrievable 7: Umm Salal 11 4 4 3 15 Khachanov, whose muscular game the court with the depth and backhand at full stretch before 8: Al Shahania 11 3 5 3 12 resembles that of his childhood booming accuracy of his ground- taking the set in 57 minutes. hero Marat Safin, a Russian three- strokes and his confidence in his seemed as if the same fate could Then, with Djokovic clearly 9: Al Arabi 11 4 7 0 12 times winner in Paris, picked up ventures to the net. await Khachanov again as he was breathing harder, he earned the 10: Qatar SC 11 3 6 2 11 the biggest title of his burgeoning The only previous time they out-rallied to go 3-1 down in the decisive break to go 2-1 up in the 11: Al Khor 10 2 6 2 8 career. had met, Djokovic crushed the opening set. second set after Djokovic had It was his third triumph of the Russian in straight sets at Wim- Instead, up against a great pushed a weary-looking backhand 12: Al Kharaitiyat 11 1 10 0 3 year, all on indoor hard courts, and bledon and, momentarily, it champion who was looking for a into the net. Organisers thank everyone for making FIG Worlds a huge success

THE PENINSULA A total of 17 nations from a total of 76 finished with medals at the first world DOHA: The 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics championships of the Middle East. World Championships, hosted by the Qatar The success of the championships was Gymnastics Federation in conjunction with celebrated by the hosts at a farewell dinner the Qatar Olympic Committee, concluded for all participating delegations. at the Aspire Dome on Saturday. On the occasion, Ali Al Hitmi, Pres- The USA topped the medals tally at the ident of the Gymnastics Federation and end of the 10-day long championships with Executive Director of the Organising a total haul of nine medals (four gold, two Committee congratulated all the partic- silver, three bronze). China finished second ipants including athletes, officials, with six medals (four gold, one silver, one members of the Organising Committee, bronze), and Russia third with seven volunteers and the media for their con- medals (two gold, three silver, two bronze). tribution in making the Doha Worlds Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands and 2018 in Qatar a memorable North Korea, were fourth with a gold tournament. medal each; while Japan with six medals He also congratulated all those who (three silver, three bronze) finished eighth. won the medals and qualified for the Canada was ninth with two silver, Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Brazil and Britain 10th with a silver each. He thanked the International Gym- The Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Italy, nastics Federation (FIG) for its confidence Qatar Gymnastics Federation President, Mexico and Germany were 13th with a in awarding the first edition in the Middle Spectators enjoy the action on the final day of the 48th Ali Al Hitmi bronze medal to each nation. East to Qatar and for its cooperation. FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the Aspire dome on Saturday. PICTURES: SYED OMAR 28 SPORT MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 Lakers snap Portland losing skid AFP the victory celebration. “We were really calm,” LOS ANGELES: LeBron James Oladipo said. “The crowd was scored 28 points as the Los excited, but we were calm. We Angeles Lakers snapped a knew we needed one more stop.” 16-game losing streak to the Elsewhere, James Harden Portland Trail Blazers by holding scored 25 points in his return to on for a 114-110 win on Saturday. the Houston lineup, and the James also added seven Rockets defeated the Chicago assists and Rajon Rondo came Bulls 96-88. off the bench to deliver 17 points The NBA’s reigning MVP and 10 assists for the Lakers who Harden scored 11 straight points led by 17 points in the third in a two minute span of the third quarter. quarter as the Rockets went on The Lakers would squander a 15-0 run. that big lead but somehow Harden had missed three managed to overcome their late games with a sore left hamstring, mistakes and hold on for the win suffering the injury in a loss to thanks to James’ free-throw Utah on October 24. shooting and some clutch Harden started slowly in his baskets by JaVale McGee. return to the lineup. He didn’t The Trail Blazers had won 16 score until completing a driving straight against the Lakers dating layup with 3:55 left in the second to December 2014. quarter. Then he hit back-to- “We haven’t had a lot of back shots from beyond the arc. success against this team either Houston won their second at home or away for long time game in as many nights after so this is a really good win,” said beginning the season a dismal James. 1-5. “We haven’t played that well In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid on the road. It was good for us to continued to manhandle other Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers forward Jake Layman (10) during the second come into one of most hostile teams around the NBA, scoring half of the game at the Moda Center on Saturday. buildings in the Western Con- a game high 39 points and ference and win.” snagging 17 rebounds to lead the Damian Lillard and CJ committed seven turnovers in The second year all-star of 17,500 at Bankers Life Field- down, Oladipo seized a defensive Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-99 McCollum each scored 30 points the fourth quarter and finished Oladipo finished with 24 points house arena. rebound and dribbled up the win over the Detroit Pistons. for Portland. with 20 overall, but somehow and 12 rebounds for the Pacers Indiana trailed 101-97 after court before stopping on the right Embiid scored 32 points in a The Lakers seized a 17-point managed to hang on. who trailed by four points with Boston’s Kyrie Irving hit a three- side and nailing a three pointer dominating first half which also lead in the third after a 16-0 run Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo 37 seconds to go before charging pointer with 37 seconds over top of Boston center Al saw him make eight of nine shots but the Blazers answered with a drained a clutch three pointer back. remaining. Horford. and 15 of 17 free throws. 22-8 surge to cut the margin to with three seconds left on the Marcus Morris had a team- Oladipo was fouled by Jaylen On the next Boston pos- Detroit got as close as five just six points with 3:34 left on clock as the Indiana Pacers high 23 points and six rebounds Brown with 29 seconds left and session, Gordon Hayward with 4:48 remaining before an the clock cooled off the red-hot Boston for the Celtics, who shot 43 made both free throws to cut the inbounded and had his pass Embiid layup and JJ Redick’s Sloppy play once again came Celtics with a dramatic 102-101 percent overall in a tightly-con- Celtic lead to 101-99. deflected and stolen by Oladipo, three-pointer which pushed the back to hurt the Lakers as they victory. tested game in front of a crowd With the clock winding who tossed the ball up to begin lead to a comfortable 10 points. Meier scores in extra time, Sharks top Flyers AP

SAN JOSE,CALIFORNIA: Timo Meier says he isn’t a big stats guy. The San Jose Sharks’ forward insists his focus is on winning. “My goal is to help the team win games and to do as much as I can,” he said. “I’m not a numbers guy. I’m not focusing on numbers, only to be the best player I can be.” He was every bit the player the Sharks needed on Saturday night. Meier got his second goal of the game 13 seconds into extra time and the Sharks rallied to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3. Joe Pavelski and Joe The President of Dutch Eredivisie club, PEC Zwolle, Adriaan Visser Thornton also scored for San during his visit to Aspire Academy yesterday Jose, and Martin Jones finished with 22 saves. Nolan Patrick, Jordan Weal and Jakub Voracek scored for PEC Zwolle official Philadelphia, which was looking to sweep the California portion of its trip after beating Anaheim visits Aspire Academy and Los Angeles earlier in the week. Oskar Lindblom had two THE PENINSULA assists and Cal Pickard stopped Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) takes a shot against the Chicago Blackhawks at 29 shots in his third start. Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. Meier’s winning goal was his DOHA: The President of Dutch Eredivisie club, PEC Zwolle, Adriaan 11th on the season, and eighth in Visser visited Qatar’s Aspire Academy yesterday and was warmly his last seven games. given the Flyers the lead with 30 urday night. minutes. David Rittich had 12 welcomed by the Academy’s Director of Football Performance “He’s been great,” Sharks seconds remaining in the second. Sean Monahan, Michael saves to help the Flames win and Science, Professor Valter Di Salvo. coach Pete DeBoer said. Patrick opened the scoring Frolik and Mikael Backlund their fourth straight. During his visit, Visser had the opportunity to see Aspire Acad- “Thankfully he’s off to the just 37 seconds into the game, scored in the third period, and Jonathan Toews got his emy’s renowned facilities firsthand as well as see the Academy’s start he’s off to. We need him. We and Meier tied it at 3:15. the Flames again rallied for a 5-3 300th career goal, and Jan Rutta new Football Performance and Science Department. needed somebody to step up.” Weal put the Flyers back victory over the Chicago Black- and Brandon Saad also scored Following his tour of Aspire Academy, Mr. Visser, said: “This Logan Couture assisted the ahead with 3:20 left in the hawks on Saturday night. for the Blackhawks, who went is such an impressive facility. I have seen similar academy set-ups game-winner, extending his opening period, but Pavelski Monahan finished with two 0-3-0 on a three-game trip to elsewhere, including Real Madrid’s Academy, but Aspire Academy career-best point streak to nine evened the score again just past goals and Matthew Tkachuk also Western Canada. has taken it to another level, combining academic excellence with games. Thornton’s first goal of the the midpoint of the second. scored as Calgary got its fifth win Corey Crawford stopped 36 integrated experience and professionalism. We have learnt a lot season with just under 5 minutes “I’m (upset) about losing this season when trailing after shots, including 18 of the 20 he after seeing what Aspire Academy offers to its student-athletes in left in the third tied the score 3-3. tonight, so that’s all I evaluated,” two periods. faced in the third period. terms of optimizing physical and mental strength. In fact, our visit Thornton, 39, missed nearly Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “Obviously it’s not ideal to “They just put so much to Aspire Academy was born out of a recommendation from our half of last season after under- “Not worried about the last two be down in games like we have pressure,” Crawford said. Technical Director who previously worked in Qatar. going knee surgery on his right games and I’m not worried about been,” said Flames centre Sean “They kept coming. A lot of “We shall now go one to explore cooperation possibilities MCL, and just came off injured the next game. I don’t like the Monahan, who had two goals to speed. They were making plays. between the Netherlands and the State of Qatar and talks have reserve with swelling in the way we lost the game tonight extend his point streak to six They had a lot of confidence already begun at the highest level of personnel within our respective same knee. and that’s that. But we had a lot games (4 goals, 6 assists). there in the third.” sporting industries,” Visser concluded with. “Great for Joe,” DeBoer said. of guys that battled hard tonight “But we had a lot of good With Calgary trailing 3-1, PEC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently “Great for him to get one. He’s and that park I like. We came looks and if you play the same Tkachuk started the comeback playing in the Eredivisie, the Netherland’s highest level of profes- been through an awful lot, into a tough building, we fought way we’re playing, you’re going with 1:34 left in the second. sional football club. They have played in the Eredivisie for a total worked his (butt) off for months for a point, we wanted the next to get rewarded and that’s what “We had been the better of 16 seasons, reaching sixth place in 2015. They won the KNVB here to get back. I think it’s point.” happened tonight.” team so far in the game, we had Cup in 2014 and also reached the final in 1928, 1977 and 2015. appropriate that he was the guy Meanwhile, the Calgary Anaheim (two) is the only chances and chances, and we The President of the Dutch club is currently in Doha on an that got us back in the game. So Flames stuck to an unconven- other NHL team with more than knew we were going to get one,” official visit to Al-Gharafa Sports Club to discuss areas of mutual that was awesome.” Voracek had tional winning formula on Sat- one win when behind after 40 Tkachuk said. cooperation. MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 29

T20: Pakistan complete 3-0 South Africa thrash ‘careless’ sweep of New Zealand series Australia by six wickets in ODI AGENCIES AFP “We didn’t play anywhere SCOREBOARD DUBAI: Pakistan complete a near our potential,” said skipper 3-0 sweep of the Twenty20 PERTH: South Africa hammered Aaron Finch. Australia series against New Zealand a careless Australia by six wickets “We were a bit careless at A Finch lbw b Ngidi ...... 5 by wining the third and final in the first one-day international times in the first innings. We were T Head c de Kock b Steyn ...... 1 match against New Zealand in Perth yesterday, with a Dale off the mark slowly. D Short c du Plessis b Steyn ...... 0 here yesterday. Steyn-led pace onslaught “If you’re defending 152, then C Lynn c de Kock b Phehlukwayo ...... 15 The world’s top-ranked exposing their batting frailties. nothing can go wrong with the A Carey c de Kock b Imran Tahir ...... 33 T20 side thus completed a Set 153 to win, Proteas’ ball. Unfortunately for us, Quinton G Maxwell c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo ...... 11 6-0 sweep over Australia and openers Quinton de Kock (47) and and Reeza got off to a flier, and M Stoinis c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo ...... 14 New Zealand in the past fort- Reeza Hendricks (44) helped there was little we could do from P Cummins run out (Miller) ...... 12 night. Chasing 164 to win - secure victory with 124 balls to there.” His opposite number Faf N Coulter-Nile c Klaasen b Ngidi ...... 34 well above the low-scoring spare, leaving Australia with Du Plessis praised his team as M Starc lbw b Imran Tahir ...... 12 ground’s average total - the plenty to ponder ahead of the “exceptional” with the ball and in J Hazlewood (not out) ...... 6 Black Caps managed just 119, second of the three-game series the field. Extras (B2, LB4, W3) ...... 9 dismissed in the 17th over. in Adelaide on Friday. “There was some counter- Total (all out)...... 152 Captain Kane Williamson The hosts came into the clash punching at the end, but a good Fall of wickets: 1-4 , 2-4, 3-8, 4-36, 5-48, was outstanding, clouting 60 having lost 16 of their past 18 ODIs day at the office overall,” he said. 6-66, 7-89, 8-107 , 9-140 , 10-152 off 38 balls but he couldn’t do and with the reverberations of a “All the bowlers today were Bowling: Steyn 7-1-18-2, Ngidi 8.1-3-26-2, it on his own. His dismissal ball-tampering scandal this year great. It’s great as a captain to Rabada 8-0-30-0, Phehlukwayo 6-0-33-3 sparked a horror collapse of still hanging over them. have such X-factor in the bowling (w3), Imran Tahir 9-0-39-2 five wickets in 12 balls as the Coach Justin Langer was attack and they made sure to take South Africa end arrived quickly. hoping they could put a smile advantage of the conditions.” Quinton de Kock c Hazlewood b Coulter-Nile 47 Earlier, Babar Azam back on the faces of fans in their The Proteas won the toss and became the fastest player to Reeza Hendricks c Lynn b Stoinis ...... 44 first game on home soil since the after opting for a four-pronged reach 1,000 Twenty20 inter- South Africa’s captain Fat du Plessis (left) walks next to Australian Aiden Markram b Stoinis ...... 36 cheating row boiled over in pace attack chose to bowl, with national runs. cricketers after his team won the first one-day international (ODI) Faf du Plessis not out ...... 10 March. Steyn getting two early When Azam reached 48 Heinrich Klaasen c Finch b Stoinis ...... 2 But without the banned Steve breakthroughs. match at the Optus Stadium in Perth yesterday. he completed the landmark Smith and David Warner, their Travis Head got a thick edge David Miller not out ...... 2 in just 26 innings, beating the batsmen were exposed once again to de Kock off the veteran for just Ngidi delivery and was out lbw until the 12th over, and he was Extras (B1, LB4, W7) ...... 12 previous record set by India’s in a stadium full of empty seats. one and then D’Arcy Short, in the soon after for five. caught behind for 15 on review Total (4 wickets, 29.2 overs) ...... 153 Virat Kohli who reached They were bowled out for just side for Shaun Marsh who needs He mistakenly opted not to not long after. Carey kept the Did not bat: Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, 1,000 runs in 27 Twenty20 152 in 38.1 overs with Nathan minor surgery on an abscess, fol- review with Australia floundering scoreboard slowly ticking over Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir innings. Azam finished with Coulter-Nile (34) and Alex Carey (33) lowed him back to the pavilion at 8-3 as replays revealed the ball but he fell attempting to scoop Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-122, 3-143, 4-151 a 58-ball 79 with two sixes the only ones to offer any resistance. for a duck two balls later. would have gone over the an Imran Tahir ball over the head Bowling: Hazlewood 8-2-41-0, Coulter-Nile and seven boundaries while Veteran Steyn took 2-18 off seven Finch, who can be explosive stumps. of de Kock before some late fire- 3-0-26-1, Starc 8-0-47-0, Cummins 6-2-18-0, Mohammad Hafeez scored a overs while Andile Phehlukwayo when in full flight, totally mis- The first four of the innings, works from Coulter-Nile took Stoinis 4.2-1-16-3 34-ball 53 after Pakistan won picked up 3-33 off six overs. judged the bounce from a Lungi from Chris Lynn, didn’t come them past 150. the toss and chose to bat. Yadav stars in India’s five-wicket T20 win AFP Dinesh Karthik then made an Hopefully we can learn from unbeaten 31 to anchor India’s these mistakes.” KOLKATA: Spinner Kuldeep tricky chase. They reached their Debutant fast bowler Oshane Indian cricketer Manish Pandey Yadav starred in India’s five- target in 17.5 overs and lead the Thomas removed the openers plays a shot during the first wicket win over West Indies in three-match series 1-0. with just 16 runs on the board to T20 match against West Indies the first Twenty20 international “Exceptional performance give his team hope of defending at the Eden Gardens Cricket yesterday as the tourists with the ball. Was a lot on offer their modest total. Stadium in Kolkata yesterday. struggled with the bat yet again for the seamers. Even with Thomas got Sharma caught on the tour. spinners, it wasn’t easy. Overall behind for six to pick his first T20 Yadav returned figures of there was little bit for every scalp and then bowled the left- 3-13 with his left-arm wrist spin department,” skipper Rohit handed Shikhar Dhawan for as West Indies managed just Sharma said after the win. three. 109-8, their lowest T20 total “To start with, we bowled Skipper Carlos Brathwaite against India, after being invited well -- good areas. Used the con- stepped in to get two more to bat first in Kolkata. ditions perfectly. Knew the chase batsmen trudging back to the Wicketkeeper-batsman wasn’t going to be easy. pavilion as India slipped to 45-4. “Oshane Thomas is a really SCOREBOARD exciting talent without doubt, West Indies Bumrah 4-0-27-1, Pandya 4-0-15-1 (w2), K Yadav good height plus that jump he S Hope run out (Rahul/Pandey) ...... 14 4-0-13-3 takes, if he bowls in the right D Ramdin c Karthik b U Yadav ...... 2 India: areas, it won’t be easy for any S Hetmyer c Karthik b Bumrah ...... 10 R Sharma c Ramdin b Thomas ...... 6 batsman in the world to counter K Pollard c Pandey b Pandya ...... 14 S Dhawan b Thomas ...... 3 that,” Sharma said of the D Bravo c Dhawan b K Yadav ...... 5 L Rahul c Bravo b Brathwaite ...... 16 21-year-old Thomas. R Powell c Karthik b K Yadav ...... 4 R Pant c Bravo b Brathwaite ...... 1 Karthik and Manish Pandey, C Brathwaite lbw b K Yadav ...... 4 M Pandey c & b Pierre ...... 19 who made 19, put on an F Allen c U Yadav b Ahmed ...... 27 D Karthik (not out) ...... 31 unbeaten 38-run partnership for But it was Yadav who led an get three key wickets including 3-1 triumph over the visitors in K Paul (not out) ...... 15 K Pandya (not out) ...... 21 the fifth wicket to put the chase inspirational bowling attack that Brathwaite for four. the one-day internationals. K Pierre (not out) ...... 9 Extras (B4, LB5, W4) ...... 13 back on track. made West Indies lose their top Fabien Allen hit a 20-ball 27 The tourists had suffered Extras (LB2, W3) ...... 5 Total (5 wkts) ...... 110 Debutant Krunal Pandya had five batsmen inside 11 overs. in his first T20 game for the West similar batting collapses in the Total (8 wkts) ...... 109 Did not bat: K Yadav, J Bumrah, K Ahmed, U Yadav Did not bat: O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-16, 3-35, 4-45, 5-83 a memorable debut after he hit Pandya got the big-hitting Indies before falling to another Test series, which they lost 2-0, Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-22, 3-28, 4-47, 5-49, 6-56, Bowling: Thomas 4-0-21-2 (w1), Paul 3.5-0-30-0 the winning runs on his way to Kieron Pollard out for 14 with his debutant Khaleel Ahmed. and in the ODIs. They were 7-63, 8-87 (w2), Brathwaite 4-1-11-2 (w1), Pierre 4-0-16-1, Pol- an unbeaten 21. He also picked left-arm spin to celebrate his It was Ahmed’s first T20 skittled out for 104, their lowest Bowling: U Yadav 4-0-36-1, Khaleel 4-1-16-1 (w1), lard 1-0-12-0, Allen 1-0-11-0 up a wicket in the West Indies maiden international wicket. wicket after the 20-year-old ODI total against India in the innings. Kuldeep soon took over to made an impression in India’s final match. Chatara, Raza put Zimbabwe on top in first Bangladesh Test AFP Mushfiqur helped Bang- SCOREBOARD ladesh recover briefly from 19-4 Zimbabwe (I innings) Mominul Haque c Masakadza b Raza ...... 11 SYLHET: Pace bowler Tendai before he fell to Kyle Jarvis, who H Masakadza lbw b Jayed ...... 52 Nazmul Hossain c Chakabva b Chatara ...... 5 Chatara and spinner Sikandar claimed 2-28 to play his part in B Chari b Taijul ...... 13 Mahmudullah b Chatara ...... 0 Raza claimed three wickets each the demolition act. B Taylor c Nazamul b Taijul ...... 6 Mushfiqur Rahim c Chakabva b Jarvis ...... 31 to put Zimbabwe on top in the Zimbabwe gained the upper S Williams c Mehidy b Mahmudullah ...... 88 Ariful Haque not out ...... 41 first Test against Bangladesh in hand early on when in-form S Raza b Nazmul ...... 19 Mehidy Hasan c&b Williams ...... 21 Sylhet yesterday. opener Imrul Kayes dragged a P Moor (not out) ...... 63 Taijul Islam c Chakabva b Raza ...... 8 Chatara claimed 3-19 and Chatara delivery onto his stumps R Chakabva c Nazmul b Taijul ...... 28 Nazmul Islam c Chari b Raza ...... 4 Abu Jayed run out ...... 0 Raza grabbed 3-35 as Zimbabwe for five in the fourth over of the W Masakadza c Mushfiqur b Taijul ...... 4 B Mavuta lbw b Nazmul ...... 3 Extras (b7, lb1) ...... 8 bowled out the hosts for 143 runs innings. K Jarvis c Mehidy b Taijul ...... 4 Total (all out) ...... 143 after left-arm spinner Taijul The hosts then lost three T Chatara c Liton b Taijul ...... 0 Fall of Wickets: 1-8, 2-14, 3-19, 4-19, 5-49, 6-78, Islam took 6-108 to end the vis- wickets in nine balls. Extras (B1, LB1) ...... 2 7-108, 8-131, 9-143, 10-143 itors’ first innings on 282 in the Opener Liton Das followed Total (all out) ...... 282 Bowling: Jarvis 11-2-28-2, Chatara 10-4-19-3, Ma- morning. Imrul on nine, giving a catch Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-47, 3-85 4-129, 5-201, vuta 6-0-27-0, Raza 12-2-35-3, W Masakadza 8-2- Zimbabwe, who pocketed a to wicketkeeper Regis 6-261, 7-268, 8-273, 9-282, 10-282 21-0, Williams 4-0-5-1 139-run first innings lead, were Chakabva before Zimbabwe Bowling: Jayed 21-3-68-1, Taijul 39.3-7-108-6, Ari- Zimbabwe (II innings) 0-1 at stumps on the second day successfully reviewed a ful 4-1-7-0, Mehidy 27-8-45-0, Nazmul 23-6-49-2, H Masakadza (batting) ...... 1 at the Sylhet International caught behind appeal against Mahmudullah 3-0-3-1 B Chari (batting) ...... 0 Cricket Stadium. Nazmul Hossain (five) off fast Bangladesh (I innings) Extras ...... 0 Debutant Ariful Haque was bowler Chatara. Liton Das c Chakabva b Jarvis ...... 9 Total (no wicket) ...... 1 Imrul Kayes b Chatara ...... 5 Bowling: Taijul 1-0-1-0, Nazmul 1-1-0-0 the only Bangladesh batsman to After Chatara bowled stand- offer some resistance, scoring an in skipper Mahmudullah for Zimbabwe’s cricketers congratulate team-mate Sean Williams unbeaten 41 runs while wicket- nought in the same over, Mush- wicket to momentarily halt the Mushfiqur’s dismissal in the first (centre) after the dismissal of Bangladesh cricketer Mehidy Hasan keeper-batsman Mushfiqur fiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque damage. Sikandar Raza removed over of the final session exposed Rahim made 31. shared 30 runs for the fifth Mominul for 11 before the Bangladesh tail. Miraz during the second day of the first Test in Sylhet yesterday. 30 SPORT MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 Coach Emery puts Rooney to make England Arsenal rebuild farewell against USA ahead of schedule AFP AFP again,” said Rooney in a statement issued by the FA that billed the game as his “final LONDON: Wayne Rooney (pictured) is to England appearance”. LONDON: Arsenal come out of England retirement for a final “I would like to thank Gareth Southgate are still waiting for a one-off appearance against the United States and The FA for inviting me back and helping first statement win of in an international friendly at Wembley this to support my Foundation in the process.” the Unai Emery month, the Football Association announced The FA added the match would give the (pictured) era, but yesterday. Wembley crowd the “chance to show their the progress made by Rooney, a record goalscorer for appreciation of one of England’s greats as the the Spaniard in his both Manchester United and curtain comes down on a glittering Three first three months in England, has not played Lions career that spanned three FIFA World charge was clear to international football Cups and three UEFA European see as Liverpool left for nearly two Championships”. the Emirates content years. Former Everton and United forward with a point from But the Rooney scored 53 goals in 119 England Saturday’s thrilling 33-year-old, appearances -- the most by any outfield 1-1 draw. now based player -- prior to announcing his retirement Despite a in the United from international football in August 2017. 14-game unbeaten States where He has scored 12 times for DC United since run in all competi- he plays for he joined them after the end of the last English tions, the Gunners Major League season, following a second spell at boyhood remain four points Soccer side DC club Everton, and helped them off Liverpool at the United in Wash- climb from the bottom of the top of the Premier League table and will end the weekend ington, will wear the league ladder to the play-offs. outside the top four courtesy of North London rivals’ Totten- Three Lions shirt one last ham’s 3-2 win at Wolves. time for the Wembley fixture on But much has changed since the opening day of the season November 15. I am truly humbled and hugely when reigning champions Manchester City outclassed Arsenal The match will be called The excited to play for England at on Emery’s first chance to make an impression as the man to Wayne Rooney Foundation Interna- Wembley again. I would like to succeed Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign in charge. tional in support of the striker’s charity That sunny August afternoon the home fans bristled at the aiding disadvantaged children, with thank Gareth Southgate and The sight of veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech struggle to come to terms England manager Gareth Southgate FA for inviting me back and helping with the former Paris Saint-Germain coach’s instructions to naming the 33-year-old in his squad. to support my Foundation in the play out from the back. “I am truly humbled and hugely process: Rooney On a brisk November evening, Emery lauded the part played excited to play for England at Wembley by the supporters to roar Arsenal on to level eight minutes from time through Alexandre Lacazette after James Milner put Liverpool in front on the hour mark. “The spirit is like we want and also the atmosphere today Leicester City was a very big atmosphere with the supporters pushing for 90 minutes,” said Emery. players in Summer signing Bernd Leno has since replaced Cech as number one and shown he is far more adept with the ball at Bangkok to his feet as Arsenal moved the ball smoothly upfield despite facing the famed ‘gegenpressing’ that characterises Jurgen pay respects Klopp’s Liverpool. “The manager has a new philosophy. Many things changed, to Vichai because Arsène Wenger was here for a long time,” said Leno. “It was clear we needed time but like you saw today, the AFP movement and the confidence of the players is always getting better. BANGKOK: Players and staff “Today we controlled the game against a big club, against from Leicester City arrived in big players.” Bangkok yesterday to attend ]n midfield Lucas Torreira had to wait until late September a mourning rite for the club’s for his first league start. But the Uruguayan international is the chairman Vichai Srivaddhan- type of player Arsenal lacked in the final years of Wenger’s aprabha, whose death last reign. week in a helicopter crash Already his mixture of tough tackling and passing ability stunned the Premier League in possession has made him a fans’ favourite. club. And up front it was Lacazette, who started the season Yesterday marks the playing second fiddle to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from second day of a week-long the bench, who repaid Emery’s faith for keeping him on the ceremony held at Wat Thep- field and sacrificing Aubameyang with his substitutions in the sirin, one of Bangkok’s most search for an equaliser. famous temples which typi- “We felt we had the quality to play (against) the top of the cally serves as the site for league tonight,” said Lacazette. funerals of prominent Thais. Even Emery admitted Arsenal are far from the finished Over the coming days article, even citing Liverpool’s gradual improvement in three Thailand’s business and years under Klopp as an example to follow. political elites are expected “It is not a bad point but we need more,” he added. Leicester City’s team captain Wes Morgan, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, striker Jamie Vardy, director to visit the temple to pay “They can win the Premier League this season. They play of football Jon Rudkin (centre) with team members and officials arrive at Wat Thepsirin Buddhist temple their respects, while monks the final of the Europa League three years ago and last season will chant Buddhist verses in Bangkok on the second day of funeral ceremony for Leicester City’s Thai owner and duty-free mogul, they were in the final of the Champions League -- they are a over the duty-free mogul’s Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha yesterday. very good example for us.” body. Vichai, 60, died last week, along with four others, when his helicopter crashed and burst into flames moments Suarez strikes late as Barca snatch win after taking off from Leices- REUTERS ter’s pitch following a match. the comeback three minutes later by arriving Barcelona’s Uruguayan His death sent shock- at the far post to steer in a cross from Sergi forward Luis Suarez waves through Leicester, MADRID: Late goals from Ousmane Dembele Roberto, striking a fifth goal in two games and celebrates after scoring a where the charismatic Vichai and Luis Suarez earned La Liga champions a ninth in total to move top of the league’s goal during the Spanish had become a beloved figure Barcelona a 3-2 win at struggling Rayo scoring charts. league football match in the club and the city -- a Vallecano on Saturday to keep them clear at “Obviously, we are happy because the against Rayo Vallecano feat rarely achieved by the the top of the standings. game was going uphill for us,” Barca coach de Madrid at the Vallecas Premier League’s foreign Suarez slotted in a cross from Jordi Alba Ernesto Valverde told reporters. Stadium in Madrid on owners. from close range to give Barca a deserved lead “We were good at the start but as they con- Saturday. It was under Vichai’s in the 11th minute after they had made a flying tinued to lock up at the back we started to have ownership that Leicester start at a ground where they had eased to difficulties so we approached the game in a crafted one of the biggest victory in their previous five visits and had not different way. We might not have had the game fairytales in English football lost since 2002. under control, but in the end we got our history by winning the But Rayo, 19th in the table and with only reward.” 2015/16 Premier League, one win all season, fought their way back into Valverde did not think his side should be having started the season as the game and midfielder Jose Pozo smashed criticised for making hard work of a trip to a 5,000-1 outsiders for the an equaliser in off the post in the 35th minute. team fighting relegation. title. Rayo winger Alvaro Garcia sent the raucous “When Rayo are at home they have a lot On Saturday the team home fans into delirium early in the second of reasons to believe they can do something, played at Cardiff City, their half by stabbing his side in front on the rebound they have quality players and it’s not like it’s first match since his death, after striker Raul de Thomas had struck the only us playing and that’s that, the opponents with players from both post with a diving header. play too and they fight very hard,” he said. teams coming together to Barca might have had a sense of deja vu Valverde’s side lead La Liga with 24 points, pay their respects before the from their shock 2-1 defeat in Madrid by four ahead of Atletico Madrid. Alaves can move game. Leganes two months ago in which they also within one point if they beat Eibar on Sunday. After the match, 13 threw away the lead, and the Catalans adopted Rayo coach Michel meanwhile cursed his members of Leicester City -- no nonsense tactics to get back into the game, side’s inability to deal with Barca’s late including manager Claude throwing defender Gerard Pique up front and onslaught. Puel, striker Jamie Vardy and playing frequent high balls into the box. “Football is sometimes unfair but we have Shinji Okazaki -- boarded a Substitute Dembele got Barca out of trouble a lot of things to improve,” he said. chartered flight to Bangkok, with a perfectly struck half volley in the 87th “Barca may be a great team but they beat according to a statement from minute after a knockdown by Pique. us tonight with basic football and we need to Vichai’s company, King Suarez, who scored a hat-trick in last do a lot better we keep on conceding goals like Power. week’s drubbing of Real Madrid, completed the ones we let in tonight.” MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 31 Sterling nets double as City hit Southampton for six

REUTERS have been even worse for left and the German’s low Sterling’s cross from the right took his time before firing Mark Hughes on his return cross was turned by South- eventually found David Silva home. MANCHESTER: Raheem to his former club. ampton defender Wesley whose left-foot drive flew Sterling struck again to Sterling struck twice as Sterling was outstanding, Hoedt into his own net. past the helpless Alex make it 5-1, drilling into the Premier League leaders a constant threat down the Six minutes later and McCarthy. bottom corner after being Manchester City crushed flank, and he was delighted City were 2-0 up after Ber- Southampton got a little slipped in by the unselfish Southampton 6-1 at the that his side took advantage nardo Silva fed Sterling on encouragement when Danny Aguero and Sane completed Rose regains Etihad Stadium yesterday, of second-placed Liverpool’s the right and the England Ings was brought down by the rout in stoppage time. the fourth time they have draw at Arsenal on winger’s low cross was City keeper Ederson and rose Southampton are in 16th scored five or more goals in Saturday. slotted home from close to convert the spot kick in the place, two places above the number one the 11 games so far this City, who now have a range by Sergio Aguero, the 30th minute but on the stroke relegation zone with a sol- season. two-point lead over Liv- Argentine’s 17th goal in his of half-time City restored itary win this campaign and The defending cham- erpool, took just six minutes last 13 home games. their three-goal advantage manager Hughes was left to spot with win pions were 4-1 up by half- to open the scoring. David The game was virtually when Aguero passed to rue the disastrous start to the time and the result could Silva fed Leroy Sane on the over by the 18th minute when Sterling inside the box and he game. in Turkey Manchester City’s English AFP midfielder Raheem Sterling (right) shoots to score their BELEK, TURKEY: Justin Rose fourth goal during the (pictured above) is determined to English Premier League make his reign as the new world football match against number one a long one after Southampton at the Etihad capturing a play-off victory in the Stadium in Manchester Turkish Airlines Open yesterday. yesterday. Rose defeated China’s No.1 Haotong Li at the first extra play-off hole when the 23-year Shanghai- born golfer three-putted for bogey to hand the Englishman his 19th pro career victory. The win is also the first time in Rose’s career he has successfully defended a title. “I’ve had some pressure-packed Sundays of late and dare I say, kind of coming way with consolation prizes in a way,” said Rose. “I went first to World No. 1 after losing in a play-off, finishing fourth at the Tour Championship but winning the FedExCup. “The FedExCup was an inter- esting one because I knew exactly what I had to do and I was playing a tournament within a tournament. “But to not having that winning feeling in a tournament but still coming away with accolades. I was keenly aware I wanted to get back Lionel in the winner’s circle and it was good Messi to get it done today. “There’s always a moving target, Lacazette strikes late as isn’t it, so you never quite get any- where. It’s a journey; life’s a journey, not a destiny and all these beautiful Arsenal hold Liverpool clichés we try to live by.” REUTERS

LONDON: Alexandre Laca- Teen Hataoka zette’s late goal earned Arsenal Messi in Barca a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday and stopped the wins LPGA squad for visitors moving three points clear at the top of the Premier Inter match League. Japan Classic After a tight first half, Liv- REUTERS AFP erpool broke the deadlock in the 61st minute as Sadio Mane BARCELONA: Lionel Messi crossed from the left and TOKYO: Japanese teenager Nasa was yesterday included in Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno Hataoka shot a dazzling five-under Barcelona’s squad for tomor- was only able to parry the ball 67 to win the Japan Classic by two row’s Champions League into the path of James Milner strokes yesterday, her second LPGA game away to Inter Milan, who blasted a low shot into the Tour triumph this season. little more than two weeks net. Hataoka became the first home after breaking his arm. Milner was lucky to stay player in seven years to win the Japan The Argentinian was a on the field to finish the title, firing seven birdies with two surprise inclusion, although match after a clash of heads bogeys to finish 14-under par at Seta his name on the squad list was with team mate Joe Gomez Golf Club in Shiga. marked with an asterisk which required lengthy “I’m glad to win here in Japan,” saying “the player travels treatment. Hataoka said before a big crowd without the medical The Gunners, looking to adding that she had faced “a chal- all-clear”. extend their unbeaten run to lenge” after back-to-back bogeys at Barca’s captain and all- 14 games in all competitions, the 11th and 12th. time top scorer was initially poured forward in search of The diminutive 19-year-old, who ruled out for approximately an equaliser and the pressure is just 1.58 metres (5ft 2in) tall, sank three weeks after sustaining paid off when Lacazette struck further birdies at the par-four 14th the injury against Sevilla on in the 82nd minute. and par-five last hole to seal the Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) in action against Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Oct. 20, although he returned The French striker spun victory. Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi during their English Premier League match played at the to training last week. away to the left side of goal to “I was able to play calmly from the Coach Ernesto Valverde keep the ball out of goalkeeper Emirates Stadium in London, Britain on Saturday. 13th hole,” a smiling Hataoka said as said on Friday he did not rule Alisson’s reach before cutting she kissed the winner’s trophy. Messi out of playing against back and firing a shot past the when Roberto Firmino think he was wrong,” Liv- excited atmosphere among the In June, Hataoka became the 14th Inter, but said he was con- Brazilian’s reach and into the chipped the ball over Leno and erpool manager Juergen Klopp home fans, although Emery Japanese player to win an LPGA title cerned about rushing the far corner. it came back off the post for told BT Sport. was disappointed at not by finishing 54 holes at Pinnacle player back, especially as his The draw took Liverpool Mane to tap in. “But it’s not going to having claimed all three Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas, on side are on a winning run top of the table by one point The effort was ruled out as change and we made more points. 21-under par 192, the lowest score in without their usual talisman. from champions Manchester the linesman had flagged the mistakes than the referee. It “We wanted to win but the tournament history. Barca beat Sevilla 4-2 City, who host Southampton Senegalese winger offside, would have been cool if this performance is good, we push Local favourite Momoko Ueda, after Messi went off injured on Sunday. although replays showed goal could count.” and we work the match, doing who won the Japan Classic in 2011, shot midway through the first half, Arsenal dropped to fifth, Mane was behind the Brazilian Arsenal have now gone 14 our tactics and with our sup- five birdies with a bogey for a 68 to convincingly beat Inter 2-0 at behind Tottenham Hotspur when the original shot was games unbeaten in all compe- porters pushing us with share second place with Japan’s Saki home and thrashed Real who won 3-2 at Wolver- taken. titions, taking significant energy,” he said. Nagamine and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda. Madrid 5-1. hampton Wanderers in the “There is only one person strides under new manager “For the supporters it is a China’s Feng Shanshan, the two- They beat Rayo Vallecano late match. who can answer the question Unai Emery. great match and a good spec- time defending champion, shot 72 to 3-2 on Saturday after earning Liverpool thought they and that’s the linesman. That’s The momentum building tacle but I am only 50 percent be tied 30th, and newly crowned a 1-0 win at Cultural Leonesa had taken the lead after 20 football. If he thought the first under the Spaniard’s stew- happy because we wanted to world number one Ariya Jutanugarn in the Copa del Rey. minutes in north London situation was offside then I ardship was evidenced by the win.” was at tied 19th after carding a 69. MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 27 We had epic matches through- out our rivalry but this one CRICKET FOOTBALL Novak Djokovic definitely ranks as one of the England vs Sri Lanka PREMIER LEAGUE After defeating Roger Federer best. This is my best match of in the Paris Masters semi-final 1st Test - Day 1 Huddersfield Town vs Fulham

the year, that’s for sure. ACTION at Galle, Sri Lanka At Huddersfield, England TODAY’S Marquez wins Malaysian MotoGP as Rossi crashes

AFP fell off his bike as he leaned into MotoGP two hours earlier in a bid a corner. to avoid tropical downpours, SEPANG, MALAYSIA: World He got up and continued but which usually occur in the late champion Marc Marquez won the by that point victory had already afternoon in Malaysia. Malaysian MotoGP yesterday slipped out of his grasp. The decision came after Sat- despite starting in seventh Marquez, 25, was dominant urday’s qualifying session was position after being hit with a grid in the final stages of the race and delayed by more than an hour due penalty, surging past Valentino opened up a big gap to the rest to heavy rain. Rossi who crashed out when of the field. Humidity and tropical rain are leading. “The start was not perfect but a constant challenge for riders at Suzuki’s Alex Rins came in then I started to take out the the Sepang circuit. The 2016 and second after overtaking Yamaha riders step-by-step,” said Marquez. 2017 editions of the MotoGP took rider Johann Zarco, who finished “I started to feel better and place during heavy downpours. third, in the final stage of the race better, and I started to see I was at Sepang. catching (Rossi).” Italian star Rossi finished 18th Marquez also lost his pole after tumbling off his bike on the position in the Grand Prix of the 16th lap and losing the lead to Americas in Texas in April and was Marquez, who was crowned world dropped to fourth on the starting champion last month in Japan. grid after being penalised for dis- Nine-time world champion turbing Maverick Vinales in Rossi, second on the grid, looked qualifying. to be heading for his first win in He went on to win that race Malaysia since 2010 as he domi- for the sixth consecutive time. nated the early stages. Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, the However Marquez, who qual- winner in Malaysia in 2016 and ified in pole position but was hit 2017, could only manage sixth but with a six-place grid penalty for retains second place in the overall impeding another rider, slowly standings, with Rossi’s crash worked his way through the pack. leaving the Italian in third with one The Spaniard reached second race remaining. Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates while crossing place and was slowly closing the The rain stayed away after the finish line to win the Malaysian MotoGP at the Sepang International gap on Rossi, 39, when the Italian organisers shifted the start of the Circuit in Sepang yesterday. LEFT: Marquez celebrates on the podium.

‘No idea’ on 2019 French Monthly Medal: Open status: Federer Hong and Nada AFP Djokovic couldd be the final time he plays in Paris. winners at DGC PARIS: Roger Federer, who has skipped the “It was a goodood one actuaactually.lly. I am sorrsorryy French Open the last two years, insisted on I lost. Because it’sit’s nevernever funfun andand nicenice to THE PENINSULA Saturday he has “no idea” whether he will play lose. I don’t know.ow. at the clay-court Grand Slam next season. “As I said foror thethe FrenchFrench Open,Open, I will The 37-year-old returned to play in the French decide at the eendnd of the yyearear to see how DOHA: Hong Sik Oh and Nada Mir emerged men’s and women’s capital for the first time since 2015 this week at it will have ann impactimpap ct oonn myy pphysicalhyysical Division One winners of the Doha Golf Club’s Monthly Medal on the Paris Masters, where he lost to Novak Djokovic training. Friday. in three sets in the semi-finals. “Bercy (Parisris Masters)Masters) as for next year,year, Fifty five golfers took part in the event which was sponsored His last appearance at Roland Garros ended it’s like every year,ear, it’s aalwayslways diffdifficult.icult. I can’t by Megarme. with a quarter-final defeat by eventual champion foresee too muchuch in advanceadvance butbut I don’tdon’t In Men’s Division One Hong Sik Oh took first place with a nett Stan Wawrinka three years ago. think it will be my last match here.here.”” score of 70, playing off a handicap of 5. His score was good enough He missed the 2016 tournament with injury Federer wonn hhihiss ononlyllyy FrencFrenchh for a one stroke victory. -- ending his run of 65 consecutive Grand Slams Open in 2009, whilewhile hehe hhasas Men’s Division Two saw the best score of the day. Phillip Mayes -- and elected to sit out the event in each of the lost to Rafael Nadaladal in shot a superb nett score of 67, playing off a handicap of 16, to finish past two seasons in an attempt to prolong his the final on fourour two shots clear of the pack. career. occasions, inin In Division 3, 20 handicapper Amin Mohammed won by one “No idea if it was the last match,” Federer 2006, 2007,, shot after a nett score of 70. replied when asked whether Saturday’s loss to 2008 and 2011. The Ladies Division was won by Nada Mir, who continued her Roger Federer run of good form in 2018 with a nett 72. Her score was good enough for a two stroke victory and lowered her handicap to four. The victory keeps Nada Mir at the top of the Megame Ladies Medal Order of Merit for 2018 ahead of her mother Uzma Mir in second. Barty wins WTA Elite Trophy Andrew Wilmot currently leads the Megarme Men’s Medal Order of Merit with Harry Soek in second and Martin Castles in REUTERS from tennis earlier in her career third. to play cricket, has proved HONG KONG: Ash Barty made almost unbeatable when she a blistering start and rode out a has won the first set this year as tighter second set to win the she has solidified her position WTA Elite Trophy title with a in the world top 20. convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over While her service was rising Chinese talent Wang clicking, Barty’s all-court game Qiang in Zhuhai yesterday. Ash Barty of did the rest and after being The 22-year-old Australian Australia holds forced to save a break point for beat defending champion and the Zhuhai 2-2, she broke Wang again to top seed Julia Goerges in the Elite Trophy go 4-3 up. semi-finals and picked up where after winning From then on victory never she left off in that match to win the women’s looked in doubt. the $2,349,363 tournament for singles final As Barty attacked, China’s the 12 best ranked players who match against number one was struggling to fail to qualify for the WTA Finals. Wang Qiang hold onto her own serve let It was Barty’s third WTA title of China alone mount a counter-attack, after her triumphs on grass at the and the Australian sealed the yesterday. Nottingham Open earlier this victory with a perfectly exe- year and at the 2017 Malaysian cuted backhand crosscourt Open but by far her biggest. volley. “It’s been a great finish in semi-finals of the Wuhan Open of a fine run of form, staged a Wang, 26, earned her China this week,” she said. “It’s in her last singles tournament, minor comeback to get back on place in the final by beating been a phenomenal year and I’m romped to a 4-0 lead over Wang serve at 4-3 but a delightful Garbine Muguruza on Sat- looking forward to a bit of in the first set at the Hengqin drop shot handed Barty her urday, having been drafted in holiday and then getting ready Tennis Centre. third break and she served out to play the semi-final after Nada Mir, winner of the Ladies Division, receiving her award for the Australian summer.” Wang, who has risen to to win the set. Madison Keys withdrew with from Doha Golf Club’s Golf Operations Manager, Jordan Massey. Barty, who reached the 22nd in the world on the back Barty, who took a break a knee injury.