West Indies appoint Richard Pybus as interim head coach ahead of tough run of matches SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2019 Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019 Son-spurred Agut frustrates Djoko Koreans face Samurai threat bid for Doha treble at Asian Cup AFP by claiming his side were long ABU DHABI shots to snaffle a record-ex- tending fifth title. WHILE street-wise South “We’re the challengers,” Korea pack a harder punch, said the former Japan mid- former Japan coach Philippe fielder, who has yet to lose Troussier has tipped the Blue since taking over from Nishi- Samurai to push their fierce no after the World Cup. rivals all the way at the Asian “Our job is to try and Cup. snatch the title back.” “Japan have one of the Troussier steered Japan best teams in the competition to the 2000 Asian Cup, where on paper,” the Frenchman his players trained on a bumpy told AFP before hosts United pitch in Beirut surrounded by Arab Emirates meet Bahrain bombed-out houses used as in Saturday’s opening match. hideouts by Hezbollah fight- “Of course teams like ers while Israeli warplanes South Korea, Iran and Saudi roared overhead. Arabia have the same ambi- “The fact Japan got to the tion, but Japan has the poten- last 16 at the World Cup will tial to win the title.” also give them a lot of confi- A South Korea side led by dence,” added Troussier. “It’s A combo shows Novak Djokovic of Serbia as he reacts while holding his broken racquet during his Qatar Open tennis semi-final match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the free-scoring Tottenham for- also a good chance to prepare Khalifa International tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Friday. (AFP) ward Son Heung-min start as the younger generation for favourites to end more than the next World Cup in 2022.” 50 years of Asian Cup hurt. Meanwhile, Iran coach Spaniard to Iran, Asia’s top-ranked Carlos Queiroz has called on side, also pose a threat to Ja- the country’s football federa- play Czech pan’s hopes, along with hold- tion to protect his players as ers Australia. they chase a first Asian Cup Berdych in the But a new-look Japan since completing a hat-trick of side are capable of springing titles in 1976. an upset, as they proved by Qatar will be desperate final today reaching the knockout stages to make a statement before VINAY NAYUDU of last year’s World Cup in hosting the 2022 World Cup. DOHA Russia after controversially Coach Felix Sanchez has sacking coach Vahid Halil- named a young and attack- SEEDED seven, but other- hodzic in the run-up. minded team to fly the coun- wise little-known Roberto Veteran Japan defender try’s flag. Bautista Agut of Spain caused Yuto Nagatomo insists there The world’s most popu- the biggest upset of the 2019 is more to come. “We have to lous countries -- China and ATP Tour season on a windy believe we can win it,” the Gal- cricket-mad India -- take part, and cold Friday evening as he atasaray full-back told local China once again hoping stunned World No. 1 Novak media. “But all the players to make an impact in Djokovic in the semi-final of need to be at it.” what looks set to be the $1.4mn Qatar ExxonMobil Meanwhile, Japan Marcello Lippi’s last Open 2019. coach Hajime Moriyasu outing as coach. Bouncing back from being a Tomas Berdych returns the ball indulged in some set down, the world number 24 to Marco Cecchinato during their early mind resurged in stunning fashion to Qatar Open semi-final match on games overcome the 14-time Grand Roberto Bautista Agut reacts after defeating Djokovic of Serbia in Doha on Friday. (AFP) Friday. (AFP) Slam champion on the centre court of Khalifa International tie-break at 8-6. “He played a good game. Tennis & Squash Complex 3-6, Results “I wanted to give every- I missed some easy balls and 7-6 (6), 6-4 after two hours and Singles (Semi-finals) thing I had in the match and that’s what you get as a result 35 minutes. fight until the last point,” Agut of losing the focus in the most It was only the second 7-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 explained later. important moments and it time that the 30-year-old Agut WC-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt 4-Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 7-6 (6), 6-3. “Finally I could turn the happens,” said Djokovic ad- had done the giant-killing act second set. Novak was up and dressing the media. against Djokovic. The first be- it was really tough. He was very On a sporting note, Djok- ing his straight sets win over consecutive finals reached by power, Agut anticipated well solid and I had to play very ovic then said, “I want to the Serbian in October 2016 in Djokovic, who had also won 13 and moved forward to essay a good tennis. I had to play a lot congratulate him (Agut). Es- the semi-finals at Shanghai. It consecutive matches in Doha telling winner, down the right of lines and I served very well. I pecially in the third set, he was also the only second time till yesterday. flank to bring things to a level did everything well today.” played well.” that Djokovic had lost to Agut The upset also extended at 4-4. In a way, Agut gave Djoko- Agut, who had earlier ac- out of their nine ATP meetings. Djokovic’s wait for a third Fal- Breaks traded and scores vic a taste of his own medicine counted for the three-time The triumph left Agut con Trophy in Qatar. levelled, Djokovic was clearly by keeping it tight and pushing Grand Slam champion Stan- thrilled. “I will remember this Djokovic seemed to be well frustrated and smashed his the opponent hard. islas Wawrinka in the quar- match all my life. It was an on course as he won the first racquet on court. The World No.1 wasn’t too ter-finals on Thursday, will unbelievable atmosphere,” he set and led 4-3 in the second. Soon at 6-5 and 40-40, Agut pleased at the loss and blamed now play wild card entrant said soon after the win. But Agut hung on using his flat missed an easy drop at the net it on losing focus. Tomas Berdych in the final “I work every day to play cross-court groundstrokes to to give Djokovic a crucial ad- “Well, what happened, on Saturday. this tennis. I know it’s difficult force a deuce and then served vantage. The Serbian in a way I lost the match. That’s it. The 33-year-old Czech Tottenham Hotspur’s to play at this level. That’s why well to gain advantage. thanked him coming up with a He managed to turn things defeated World No. 20 and South Korean striker Novak is No. 1 in the world. But The World No. 1 could superb backhand drop shot to around, obviously at the end fourth seed Marco Cecchinato Son Heung-Min. I cannot be more happy than I sense the lurking danger as force the tie-breaker. But Agut of the second set. I thought I of Italy 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the sec- am now.” he tackled some hard returns re-emerged with aggressive was pretty much in control of ond singles semis of the 27th Agut’s great show also from the Spaniard. And when and well-directed serves to stay the match, set and a break, edition of Qatar ExxonMobil saw him break a streak of five Djokovic returned one with ahead and eventually clinch the serving 4-3. Open 2019. Dream comes true in Doha for doubles duo Goffin and Herbert TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the flashier team throughout DOHA the final, with Goffin consist- ently returning well against DOHA turned out to be lucky Haase and Middelkoop, who for longtime friends David It’s a little bit like a dream were previously 3-0 in ATP Goffin of Belgium and Pierre- come true. To win four Tour finals together. It seemed Hugues Herbert of France. matches in the same week, that regardless of where the Having last made the finals it is something unusual. But Dutchmen served, Goffin was of a doubles tournament to- thanks to Pierre-Hugues for right on the return, placing it gether as juniors 11 years ago, at will. the two returned to triumph in the week. He helped me a And while the champions their second professional out- lot this week to win the title. let slip a 4-1 lead in the first ing at the Qatar ExxonMobil set, they did not do so in the Open 2019 on Friday defeat- David Goffin second set or the Match Tie- ing Robin Haase and Matwe break. Herbert took over many Middelkoop of the Nether- points with his movement and lands 5-7, 6-4, 10-4. sons, Goffin is placed 354 in overall play at the net. And Herbert, who was playing the ATP Doubles Rankings. after the Frenchman hit a sec- his first tournament in Qatar, That, however, didn’t stop the ond serve to Haase’s forehand, and Goffin struggled to survive good friends from clinching eliciting a return well past in the semis on Thursday night the first ATP Tour title of the the baseline, the winners em- against the Djokovic broth- season.