Sport THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2020 TokyoT Olympic Games organisers pplan to slash costs by $280m AsA we’re in the Covid-19 world, are we in a world where the flflashy event that we used to think of as normal before is still ssuitable? We’ve reached a turning point in this regard. Tokyo 2020 CEO, Toshiro Muto Sport |09 NBA FINALS: (Game 4) Los Angeles Lakers 102, Miami Heat 96 (Anthony Davis 22 pts, LeBron James 28) * Lakers lead series 3-1 FIFA President Infantino 'speechless' after visit to Al Bayt Stadium It is an absolute pleasure to play football at this amazing stadium, where on 21 November 2022, we will kick off the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. Al Bayt Stadium is incredible: a true football stadium. It has a real football feel and a local touch. The tented shape makes it truly unique, and the Arabic patterns in the roof are just beautiful. I am speechless: FIFA The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino speaking to officials during a visit to the state-of-the-art Al Bayt Stadium, yesterday. Infantino was briefed on the facilities available President Gianni at the stadium by Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi, the CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser Al Khater and other Infantino officials during the visit. Qatar French Open: Djokovic survives gearing up for Ghana Carreno Busta scare to advance friendly AFP – PARIS FRENCH OPEN a position where I am today," said Tsitsipas. QNA – DOHA Novak Djokovic recovered MEN: QUARTER-FINALS "I'm chasing something from dropping his first set at Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Pablo Carreño- spectacular." Qatar national football team this year's French Open and Busta (ESP x17) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 "Despite not having a good continued its intensive prep- overcame a bothersome left Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) bt Andrey start and being a break down, arations for the friendly inter- arm to defeat Pablo Carreno Rublev (RUS x13) 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 I remembered what a big national match against Ghana Busta yesterday and set up a fighter I am," he added. which will be played on WOMEN: QUARTER-FINALS semi-final showdown with "It's also about fighting and Monday in Antalya, Turkey, as Sofia Kenin (USA x4) bt Danielle Collins Stefanos Tsitsipas. (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 trying to find solutions in dif- part of the preparation Djokovic beat Spanish 17th Petra Kvitova (CZE x7) bt Laura ficult moments. I managed to program for the double Asian seed Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-2, Siegemund (GER) 6-3, 6-3 put my brain to work." qualifiers for the 2023 AFC 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last four Tsitsipas, 22, has now won Asian Cup in China and the of a major for the 38th time as 15 successive sets at the tour- 2022 World Cup. he chases a second French nament having been two sets Qatar coach Felix Sanchez Open and 18th Grand Slam title. down to Jaume Munar in the focused on tactical and "It took all my strength and opening round. physical exercises to restore lots of patience, he's a very However that streak looked the players to their technical good player," said Djokovic. in peril when Rublev, also and mental fitness in light of "He doesn't make a lot of making his first French Open the long absence from the sta- errors so all the points were quarter-final appearance, diums due to the COVID-19 long. I started this match a bit served for the opening set at outbreak. badly with bad movement. 5-4. The national team training After I found rhythm and A loose game from the held an evening training confidence. Russian 13th seed allowed Tsit- session at the Aspire Academy, "It was important to stay sipas to recover and he rattled with the participation of 25 focused on the key points." off four consecutive games to players, who were called up The Serb now sits two wins take the lead. for the friendly encounter. away from becoming the first Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Tsitsipas, last year's ATP This gathering was the first man in half a century -- and reacting after winning his Finals champion, dominated for the national team in more only the third in history -- to French Open quarter-final the second set to leave Rublev than three months after the win all four Slams twice. match against Spain’s Pablo on the brink, profiting from a end of its previous camp on However, the world Carreno Busta, yesterday. favourable net cord to break at July 3, which was without number one required 3-2 after carving the opening friendly or official matches, but treatment on his upper left arm following a 28-shot rally. the goal is to restore the after losing the opening set and primal roar having fended off animated when he missed out avenging last month's loss to Only Djokovic has won players’ training conditions looked vulnerable against an two break points in the first a string of break points early the Russian in the Hamburg more than Rublev's three titles after a long hiatus due to the opponent who was the bene- game of the third set and in the fourth set, but he even- final. in 2020, but the world number COVID-19 pandemic. ficiary of Djokovic's disquali- appeared in control at 3-0 until tually landed the decisive blow The Greek fifth seed 15 was powerless to stop a Qatar’s mission will travel fication at the US Open. Carreno Busta clawed back to in the seventh game when downed Rublev 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 supreme Tsitsipas who closed to Turkey on Saturday. The Carreno Busta twice had 3-all. Carreno Busta pushed a to match his breakout run at out victory inside two hours. team will return immediately chances to break in the second But the top seed reclaimed forehand wide. the 2019 Australian Open. Tsitsipas, who was the first after the end of the match to set but could not capitalise, the initiative with another Earlier, Tsitsipas made his "I'm expecting since a Greek to have made the Doha, so that the players join instead losing his own serve on break at 4-3 on his way to second Grand Slam semi-final young age to potentially quarter-finals in Paris, their club training in prepa- two occasions. taking the third set. with a straight-sets win over triumph at these Grand Slams. crunched 35 winners and made ration for the resumption of Djokovic unleashed a Djokovic grew increasingly 13th seed Andrey Rublev, I'm happy that I'm able to be in just 17 unforced errors. the league on October 17. Katara to launch International Arabian Horse Festival next year THE PENINSULA – DOHA "The hosting of this tour- major international festivals and nament in Katara reflects our exhibitions that symbolise the orig- The Cultural Village Foundation endeavour to be present with our inality of our heritage. Katara has signed a cooperation public in all forums, and until the For his part, Chairman of the agreement with the Qatar Racing creative, cultural and enter- Racing and Equestrian Club, Issa bin and Equestrian Club (QREC) to host tainment image that we present Muhammad Al Mohannadi, said: the Qatar International Arabian to our dear visitors is complete, “We are happy to be present in Horse Championship, as one of we hope that the Qatar Interna- Katara, this distinguished cultural, many events of the Katara Interna- tional Arabian Horse Champi- to sign this agreement that resulted tional Horse Festival, which will be onship will be a global event that in hosting the Qatar International held in February 2021. attracts all those interested in the Arabian Horse Championship. We In this context, General Manager horse and equestrian world," Dr strongly hope that this agreement of the Cultural Village Katara, Dr. Al Sulaiti said. will lead to the development and Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, said: He also explained that this progress of sports in general and “Katara intends to launch the first important and distinguished inter- the championship." edition of the International Arabian national tournament will held be The Festival will be held in Feb- Horse Festival, in which the Qatar on Katara beach, which hosted the ruary 2021 at Katara Beach, and will The Chairman of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Issa bin Muhammad Al Mohannadi International Arabian Horse Cham- largest sports tournaments and include various events, such as the (left) and the General Manager of the Cultural Village Katara, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, pionship will be its most distin- competitions in the world, as Katara Qatar International Arabian Horse signing the agreement documents during a ceremony held in Doha, yesterday. guished event." has always organised and presented Championships. THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 11 Jones back Late Jones farewelled in last lap of empty MCG at work with AFP - MELBOURNE widow Jane said in a England, Former Australia batsman tribute statement. Dean Jones has been fare- “We will forever welled in a poignant final lap miss Dean’s energy, discipline of an empty Melbourne Cricket his zest for life, Ground following his sudden passion for cricket high on death last month. and his love for us as The casket of Jones, who a family,” she added. agenda collapsed and died aged 59, The father of two, was draped in an Australia flag a colourful and and carried in a white hearse popular character AP - LONDON adorned with flowers spelling who played regularly “324”, his Test cap number and for Victoria and Aus- With no England rugby match his highest first-class score, tralia at the MCG, died for seven months, coach Eddie achieved at the MCG.