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16 SPORT MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021
Sport
MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021
Al Khelaifi welcomes Federer to Qatar
A
R
Roger is one of the greatest athletes of all time, while also being
the epitome of good grace and sportsmanship on and off the
th
co
court. For me it is his values as much as his achievements that
are most inspiring, together with his relentless pursuit of
a
excellence.
ex
Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman of beIN MEDIA GROUP and
President of Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation
Sport | 14
QNB STARS LEAGUE: Al Arabi beat Qatar SC 1-0, Al Wakrah beat Al Sailiya 1-0, Al Rayyan beat Al Ahli 3-1, Al Sadd beat Umm Salal 3-0
Al Sadd's players and officials celebrate with the Falcon Shield after their 3-0 win over Umm Salal which sealed their 15th QSL title at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Unbeaten Wolves clinch 15th Falcon Shield with four rounds to spare
Dominant Al Sadd seal QSL title
FAWAD HUSSAIN
THE PENINSULA
Five months ago, Xavi Hernandez
addressed the team’s fans and said that
Al Sadd would bounce back strongly
after his team suffered a shock loss to
Persepolis FC in the last-16 tie of the
AFC Champions League.
Fast forward to today and the
Wolves are living on that promise
sweeping every title coming their way.
Yesterday, they clinched the pres-
tigious QNB Stars League (QSL), with
four games to spare lifting the Falcon
Trophy for 15th time after a 3-0 victory
over Umm Salal on their home turf. The
win took the Wolves to 50 points,
giving them an unassailable lead of 13
points over second-placed and
defending champions Al Duhail.
Feared striker Baghdad Bounedjah
(34 minute), Yusuf Abdurisag (51
minute) and veteran Rodrigo Tabata
(90+2 minute) scored goals for Al Sadd
in the memorable win.
This QSL title triumph, coming
without a defeat, is arguably Al Sadd’s
best achievement in the league. The
Xavi-coached side have so far won 16
matches besides playing drawing a +57 goals, also showing solid “I am happy to be in this group of With the QSL title, Al Sadd remain on Abdurisag assisted in the goal as Malick
couple of matches. defence. players, management, and a technical course of a quadruple with Ooredoo guarding his left corner had no chance
They have scored a whopping 69 “We have created history by and medical apparatus, who put Cup and Amir Cup 2021 still to be with the ball landing in the opposite
goals, maintaining a difference of winning the QSL in such a fashion,” a together their efforts to win every tour- decided. direction.
jubilant Xavi said after nament. I would like to thank Al Sadd’s Yesterday, the Wolves started in Al Sadd continued to assert
captain Hasan Al fans specially, who continued their their traditional attacking style keeping pressure for more goals but had to
Haydos lifted the support throughout the season. We constant pressure on Umm Salal as return to the tunnel with a 1-0 lead.
Falcon Shield in front promise them to continue working they looked to seal the title early. However, they returned with the same
of home fans last night. hard to make them happy and win Striker Bounedjah along with approach and added two goals in their
“This is my first more championships for Al Sadd,” he Qatari star Akram Afif and Spaniard tally to claim the victory.
Pos Club M W L D GF GA GD PTS QSL title as a coach and added. Santiago Cazorla started making early Abdurisag netted Al Sadd’s second
1 Al Sadd 18 16 0 2 69 12 57 50 I am very happy with Having won the 2020 Amir Cup in inroads to keep Umm Salal’s defense goal pushing the ball over Malick after
2 Al Duhail 18 12 5 1 43 22 21 37 the triumph,” said the December, Al Sadd also won the Qatar in check. The Algerian made his first a brilliant pass from Al Haydos. Tabata
3 Al Rayyan 18 9 5 4 25 16 9 31 Barcelona legend. Cup after beating Al Duhail last month. attempt in the fourth minute but his coming off the bench to replace Afif in
4 Qatar SC 18 8 6 4 26 17 9 28 shot from just inside the box didn’t pose the 72nd minuted wrapped up a 3-0
5 Al Gharafa 17 8 6 3 32 25 7 27 much problem for Umm Salal goal- victory with a brilliant hit in stoppage
6 Al Arabi 18 7 6 5 22 24 -2 26 keeper Baba Malick. time. Malick had no chance to stop a
7 Al Ahli 18 8 8 2 22 31 -9 26 Looking for an early goal, Al left-footed drive from the veteran as
8 Al Sailiya 18 6 7 5 19 29 -10 23 Haydos fired a shot from a long range Al Sadd clinched the Falcon Trophy in
9 Al Wakrah 18 5 10 3 14 28 -14 18 and Umm Salal were lucky to thwart style.
10 Umm Salal 18 3 9 6 8 21 -13 15 the attack after Malick collected the Following the win, Al Sadd’s offi-
11 Al Khor 17 3 9 5 13 35 -22 14 ball despite fumbling. cials showered praise on the team for
12 Al Kharaitiyat 18 2 16 0 11 44 -33 6 Roozbeh Mohammad was their title victory.
penalised with a yellow card for a Mohamed Ghulam, Sports Director
handball as he tried to stop Nam Tae- of Al Sadd Club, said: “We are happy to
hee’s attempted pass near the box. be crowned champions after a very
Referee Abdulhadi Alasmar Al Ruaile special season. The team showed out-
punished Umm Salal with a free kick standing performance and proved its
but Al Haydos fired the ball wide from domination. All members of the squad
a good position. deserve credit for the win. We salute
When Al Sadd are playing, the the fans of Al Sadd for their support and
oppositions’ goalkeepers remain under it is the most beautiful gift for them.”
constant threat and Malick also Abdullah Al Barik, Director of Al
received the same fate. However, he Sadd football team, commented: “We
made some superb saves in the match have very great confidence in all
including an effort in which he jumped players and their ability to continue
to punch away Bounedjah’s header, the same approach in the future
off a long ball from Tae-hee. tournaments. Al Sadd always have
However, the goalkeeper failed to the goal of winning the tournaments.
resist the move in which an unmarked We must commend the great effort
Bounedjah, put the ball in with a first of the players throughout the
time flick to take Al Sadd ahead. season.”
14 SPORT MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021
MotoGP Test: Quartararo quickest on Day 2
MOTOGP - DOHA to the summit, with Franco Morbidelli
Brad Binder Miguel Oliveira
slotting as close as he possibly could and Andrea
The second day of the Official MotoGP behind the RS-GP on the timesheets – Dovizioso
Qatar Test at the Losail International 0.001s in it heading into the final hour.
Circuit saw Monster Energy Yamaha Quartararo then jumped up to P1 with
MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo become the just over half an hour to play with the
first and so far only rider to dip into the first 1:53 lap time of the test as the pace
1:53s yesterday. intensified under the lights, Miller snuck
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller into P2 shortly after.
was less than a tenth off his Yamaha A couple of days rest today and
rival and once again, Aleix Espargaro tomorrow is now on the agenda for the
(Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was up riders, before the three remaining days
the sharp end on the brand-new RS-GP get underway on Wednesday, Thursday
– a 1:54.152 saw the Spaniard place and Friday.
0.212 off Quartararo. TOP 10 DAY 2:
Day 2 brought the best conditions 1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha
the riders have faced since pitlane MotoGP) – 1:53.940 Stefan Bradl
opened at the Losail International 2. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.077
Circuit on Friday afternoon. There was 3. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini)
still a little bit of wind swirling across + 0.212
the track but nowhere near as bad as 4. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT)
the Shakedown and Saturday’s first + 0.213
Official Test Day – great news for the 5. Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) + 0.270
runners. Midway through Sunday’s 6. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 0.416
action, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl had 7. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha
beaten Aleix Espargaro’s Day 1 pace – MotoGP) + 0.455
albeit by mere thousandths – and the 8. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.575
pace would get quicker as the day 9. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
passed by. + 0.711
Miguel Oliveira
Aprilia’s number one soon returned 10. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.718
Qatar International Baja: Entries World Tour returns
open for new round of FIM series as bid for Olympic
THE PENINSULA – DOHA 248.80km through the central and
northern regions of Qatar. A second
tackle the super special stage and then
the concept follows a relay-type format.
spots reopens
Entries are now open and beginning to liaison of 87.71km returns riders and Each day, one rider will tackle roughly AGENCIES – DOHA pool advancing to the single elim-
come in for the new Qatar International drivers to the Losail Sports Arena. half of the desert selective section to the ination phase. The pool winners
Baja, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle The final stage of 248.74km on April refuelling point, with the other taking The FIVB Beach Volleyball World will advance directly to the
Federation’s (QMMF) exciting addition 10 starts at Al Kharsaah, 80.53km from over for the second part to the finish. Tour is back with the first 4-star eighth-finals, while the pool
to the expanded 2021 FIM Bajas World rally headquarters, and also utilises four Where a two-rider team is entered, each stop in 12 months. The best players runners-up and the third-placed
Cup, taking place from April 8 - 10. passage controls. It winds its dusty trail competitor will tackle around 125km per in the world have gathered in pairs will play in the round of 24.
Motorcycle and quad riders and through the central and southern deserts day. Doha to resume their race to With 24 duos seeded directly into
drivers of SSV vehicles can expect to face to finish at Sealine, south of Doha. Equipment can be transported to and qualify for Tokyo 2020. Coinci- the main draw, the remaining
504.24 competitive kilometres through Competitors will then return to the from the start and finish of the stages, dentally, the Katara Beach eight spots will be contested in
the Qatar deserts in a compact route of Losail Sports Arena for the post-event but bikes and quads must be placed in Volleyball Cup in the Qatari qualifications to be played today.
872.44km. press conference (17.30hrs) and the cer- parc fermé at the conclusion of the Baja. capital was the last big Tour stop Russia’s Viacheslav Krasil-
Officials at the QMMF, working under emonial finish (18.00). Trophies will be awarded to the teams before the 357-day “freeze” and nikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy lead
the chairmanship of QMMF President The QMMF has also introduced an that finish in the top three in this new is all set to be the first to re-open the preliminary seeding for the
Abdulrahman Al Mannai, Executive exciting new team concept for riders and innovative category. proceedings. men’s tournament.
Director Amro Al Hamad and committee competing in the National category. Entries close at reduced rates on Having hosted eight men-only Having already qualified for
member Abdulrazaq Al Kuwari, have laid A team of two eligible riders will Thursday, March 18 with the final Tour stops since 2014, including Tokyo, the Russian pair will aim
on a varied and challenging Baja that fea- be able to enter and poten- cut-off set for Monday, March 29. the 1-star event that took place for their fourth gold medal on the
tures sand dunes, fast sandy sections, tially run separately or share Full details on entry concessions for last month, Doha is ready for its Tour and hope to narrow the gap
testing navigation and the unique terrain a motorcycle or a quad, each category are available in the ninth overall and first ever between them and the number
associated with Qatar’s arid desert. provided that both supplementary regulations (subject double-gender tournament. In one team in the world ranking,
Baja Director Pedro Almeida and his entrants possess the to final FIM approval) now posted addition, in October 2019, the Norway’s Anders Mol and
assistant Rashid Al-Sulaiti have con- minimum of a on www.qmmf.com. Qatari capital welcomed an FIVB- Christian Sorum. Stoyanovskiy
firmed that the competitive action will ‘National’ status For further details, riders and sanctioned beach volleyball 4x4 has already been on the Katara
get underway with a 6.7km super special licence. For teams using drivers can contact Davy Pat- event in both genders as part of Cup podium. In 2018, he won
stage at Simasmina – 16km from rally two machines, each terson, the Competitor Liaison the ANOC World Beach Games. silver in partnership with Igor
headquarters at the Losail Sports Arena must be fitted with a Officer (CRO), Email: davypat- The $300,000 prize money Velichko.
- from 15.25 on Thursday, April 8. road book reader and terson777@googlemail.com. competition is set to start today Germany’s top pair Julius
After a liaison section of 74.47km a mounting bracket Additional information concerning and last through Friday, March 12, Thole and Clemens Wickler come
from Losail, the first of the desert to accept a Stella Covid-19 protocols is available from at the Al Gharrafa Sports Complex. next down the men’s list.
selective sections on Friday starts at Al GPS unit. Email: covid-control@gmmf.com.qa. 101 teams (56 men’s and 45 Reigning Olympic champion
Jumaliya and incorporates four passage One of the General information about the 2021 women’s duos) from 30 different and two-time Olympic medallist
controls in a competitive distance of team riders will Qatar International Baja can be obtained countries, representing all five Alison Cerutti and his current
from Qatar Motor and Motor Cycle Fed- continental confederations, have partner Alvaro Morais Filho are
eration (QMMF), P.O. Box 8708, Doha, signed up for the Katara Beach the number three team in the FIVB
Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 Volleyball Cup, with both the World Ranking and the number
443 79732, E-mail: info@qmmf.com.qa men’s and the women’s reigning three team on the list for Doha.
and www.qmmf.com. world champions leading the pre- The top three in the FIVB
liminary seeding on entry points. World Ranking also lead the
In each gender a 32-team women’s preliminary seeding for
main draw will feature a modified of the Katara Beach Volleyball Cup.
pool play system with the top Alexandra Klineman and April
three teams in each four-team Ross are in number two.
Polish men’s 4x400m Middle East Hub:
team out of European WTT Star Contender
Indoors due to virus
REUTERS – WARSAW
Poland’s men’s 4x400 metres relay team has pulled out of the
European Indoor Athletics championships in Torun, Poland, due
to cases of COVID-19 infection in their ranks, the Polish Athletic
Association said yesterday.
Poland hold the men’s European record with a time of three
minutes 1.77 seconds set in Birmingham, England in 2018 and
were among the favourites to capture gold in the penultimate Paddlers in action during
event on the final day of the meeting. the second WTT Middle East
“Due to cases of coronavirus infection, the Polish 4x400 metres Hub event of 2021, WTT
men’s relay team is withdrawn from participation in the European Star Contender at the Lusail
Indoor Championships #Torun2021,” the Polish Athletic Associ- Sports Arena yesterday. The
ation tweeted. tournament will continue
The 4x400m relay final will now be contested by Belgium, until March 13.
Britain, Italy, Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Rose withdraws at Bay Hill
AGENCIES – FLORIDA
England’s Justin Rose withdrew on the fourth hole Saturday due
to back issues during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invi-
tational in Orlando, Fla.
Rose said he woke up with soreness in his lower back and it WTT Star Contender follows
never loosened up. He hit three shots into the water while carding the immense success of the
a quintuple-bogey 9 on the par-4 third hole at Bay Hill Club and WTT Contender, held from
Lodge. After his fourth shot on the par-5 No. 4, Rose called it a February 28-March 06 at
day. The Englishman entered the day in a tie for seventh place, the same venue.
four shots behind second-round leader Corey Connors of Canada. The Contender series of
“Disappointing to have to WD. Just kind of woke up with a bit events aims to provide
in a sort of spasmed lower back today and tried to kind of get through opportunities for future and
it. My warm-up was hard work, and I just couldn’t stay down in a emerging players on the
shot. I missed basically every golf shot left to start the day." professional tour.
MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021 SPORT 13
Swiss maestro Federer in the spotlight
as Qatar ExxonMobil Open begins
FAWAD HUSSAIN
THE PENINSULA
After the conclusion of WTA
Roger Federer looked composed and Qatar Total Open which saw
confident as he returned to the profes- Czech Petra Kvitova lifting the
sional tennis court for the first time in Golden Falcon Trophy for
13 months. second time after defeating
The Swiss superstar showed
glimpses of his famous slice backhand former World No.1 Gabrine
and good spirit as well during his one- Muguruza of Spain in the final
hour practice session with Briton Daniel on Saturday, the Khalifa
Evans on Court 1 at the Khalifa Interna- International Tennis & Squash
tional Tennis & Squash Complex, ahead
of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open which Complex is expected to throw
gets under way today. up thrilling matches in the ATP
The annual ATP 250 event in Doha Qatar ExxonMobil Open with
is among the priority events of top- many stars featuring in the
ranked players but this year it is
grabbing more attention, as the 20-time competition.
Grand Slam champion will be seen in
action for the first time after losing the The annual ATP 250 event in
semi-final of Australian Open 2020
against Novak Djokovic, following two Doha is among the priority
surgeries on his right knee last year. events of top-ranked players
“It’s been a year since my last event,” but this year it is grabbing more
Federer said in a video posted on attention, as the 20-time Grand
Twitter.
“I can tell I’m very excited... it’s been Slam champion will be seen in
a long and hard road. I know I’m not at action for the first time after
the finish line yet but it’s good, I feel I’m losing the semi-final of 2020
in a good place, I’ve been practising very Australian Open against Novak
well and I just feel really pumped up.”
“The first time I played here was in already played two semi-finals this is expected to throw up thrilling matches Qatari wilcard Mubarak Shannan Zayid. Djokovic, following two knee
2003,” he said during a virtual Q&A with season and Evans leapfrogged to a in the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open with Fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut, Kaza- surgeries last year.
kids on Saturday. “I don’t know if you career-high No. 26 in the world rankings. many stars featuring in the khstan’s Alexander Bublik and Reilly
guys were born in 2003.” If the Swiss superstar manages to competition. Opelka join the Austrian in the top
“It was the first time I got a taste of overcome the first hurdle, he could meet Apart from Federer, World No. 4 quarter of the draw.
Federer, the most successful
this region, and I have seen the city grow another in-form player in eighth seed Dominic Thiem – the top seed, Meanwhile, third seed Rublev could man in history of Qatar Open
a lot since then. I have great memories,” Borna Coric in the quarter-finals. The defending champion Andrey Rublev of meet 2013 winner Richard Gasquet or winning the competition three
Federer said. Croat has shown good performance this Russia and 2019 winner Roberto a qualifier in his tournament opener. times in 2005, 2006 and 2011,
Federer is the most successful man week reaching the semi-finals of ABN Bautista Agut of Spain are also taking The Russian is in the second quarter of
in history of Qatar Open winning the AMRO World Tennis Tournament in part in the tournament offering a total the draw with 2008 runner-up and
is expected to face a tough test
competition three times in 2005, 2006 Rotterdam. prize purse of $787,930. The final will seventh seed Stan Wawrinka. from early stages of the
and 2011. The 39-year-old holds a 26-3 be played on March 13. Fourth seed Denis Shapovalov and tournament on his return to the
record at the tournament. Doha courts set for another Canada’s World No.11 Denis Shapo- sixth seed David Goffin will compete in Qatari capital since 2012.
However, he is expected to face a exciting week of action valov – seeded fourth, David Goffin, who the third quarter of the draw. Shapo-
tough test from early stages of the tour- claimed Open Sud de France in valov will face countryman Vasek Pos-
nament on his return to the Qatari After the conclusion of WTA Qatar Montpellier title recently and former pisil or a qualifier in his opening match,
capital since 2012. Total Open which saw Czech Petra World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka, the 2008 while Goffin will begin his third
Federer – receiving a bye into the Kvitova lifting the Golden Falcon Trophy finalist will also be seen in action. appearance at the ATP 250
second round – is expected to start for second time after defeating former US Open champion Thiem, too, faces against Filip Krajinovic of
against Murray River Open champion World No.1 Gabrine Muguruza of Spain a challenging task in his first match with Serbia.
Evans, who will clash with Jeremy Chardy in the final on Saturday, the Khalifa a possible match against Australian With additional inputs
in the first round. Frenchman Chardy has International Tennis & Squash Complex Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev or from ATP
Al Khelaifi welcomes TODAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
CENTRE COURT
Federer; beIN SPORTS STARTS AT 2:30PM
SINGLES R32
exclusive broadcaster (WC) Mubarak Shannan Zayid vs (WC) Aslan Karatsev
FOLLOWED BY
SINGLES R32
THE PENINSULA – DOHA (Q) Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Alexander Bublik
NOT BEFORE 6:00 PM
Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman of beIN
SINGLES R32
MEDIA GROUP, President of Paris Saint-
Richard Gasquet vs (Q) Blaz Rola
Germain and former professional tennis
FOLLOWED BY
player, has personally welcomed tennis great SINGLES R32
Roger Federer to Doha at the start of the Qatar Reilly Opelka vs (5) Roberto Bautista Agut
ExxonMobil Open 2021. The tournament will be COURT A STARTS AT 2:30 PM
exclusively broadcast across the 24 countries of SINGLES R32
the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and also Nikoloz Basilashvili vs John Millman
France, Singapore and Australia by beIN SPORTS. FOLLOWED BY
The return of 20-time Grand Slam champion SINGLES R32
Roger Federer is one of the most anticipated Lorenzo Sonego vs Taylor Fritz
comeback stories in sport. The Swiss tennis FOLLOWED BY / AFTER SUITABLE REST
super-star hasn’t played since the 2020 Aus- DOUBLES R16
tralian Open last January, and had two knee sur- (1) Juan Sebastian Cabal, Robert Farah vs (WC) Malek Jaziri, Mubarak
geries in 2020. Federer has won the Qatar Open Shannan Zayid
three times. FOLLOWED BY, DOUBLES R16
Al Khelaifi, a former ATP ranked tennis player (3) Ivan Dodig, Filip Polasek vs Marcus Daniell, Philipp Oswald Roger Federer in action
who played on the international circuit between
1992 and 2002 and the President of the Qatar
Tennis Federation (QTF) - organisers of the Qatar
ExxonMobil Open - said: “Roger is one of the
greatest athletes of all time, while also being the
epitome of good grace and sportsmanship on
Federer has unfinished business,
and off the court. For me it is his values as much
as his achievements that are most inspiring,
together with his relentless pursuit of
eyes full fitness by Wimbledon
excellence." REUTERS – LONDON highly-anticipated return at this practice the last few weeks, I was
"It is an honour to welcome Roger back to week’s Qatar Open, where he is surprised at actually how well it
Doha where his presence alone will light up the Roger Federer never contem- seeded behind US Open champion did go. But like we know, matches
MENA region. With the Australian Open quali- plated retirement as he spent 13 Dominic Thiem. are a different animal.”
fiers and the FIFA Club World Cup seamlessly months on the sidelines due to “I’m very happy to be back The Swiss proved that he can
taking place here in Doha these past few months, double knee surgery last year and playing a tournament again. It’s quickly get back into his groove
I am pleased that Qatar has become one of the the 39-year-old says he is now been a long time. I never thought when he won the 2017 Australian
world’s COVID-safe sports hubs, bringing hope pain-free
p
pain-free and ready to play again it would take this long,” Federer Open despite missing the second
and a small sense of normalcy during these chal- with
w
with a feeling that his story is told reporters yesterday. The half of the 2016 season because
lenging times.” not over yet. Swiss has a bye in the first round of knee surgery.
The tournament begins today and will con- Federer, tied with Rafa in Doha, where he is a three-time Federer said he keenly kept
clude on March 13, with all the action taking place Nadal on a record 20 Grand winner, and his return match will track of results on the ATP Tour
at The Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Slam singles titles, has not either be tomorrow or Wednesday as he worked his way back to
Complex in Doha. In addition to Federer’s highly played
p
played a competitive match against Briton Dan Evans or fitness and the complications after
anticipated comeback, the ATP 250 Qatar Exx- since losing to world Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. his first knee procedure motivated
onMobil Open will also see the return of three- number one Novak “It’s just about ‘Let’s see how him to return healthy.
time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka; Djokovic in the Australian matches go, let’s see how training “Retirement was never really
defending champion Andrey Rublev; 2019 Qatar Open semi-finals in goes with all the top guys and pro- on the cards. I think it’s more of a
ExxonMobil Open winner Roberto Bautista Agut; 2020. fessional players, not just sparring conversation if the knee keeps
as well as 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem. The Swiss maestro partners’,” he said, adding that he bothering me for months and
beIN SPORTS’ coverage of the Qatar Exxon- will make his has not decided his schedule months - then let’s look at it,” he
Mobil Open will see the global sports channel beyond this week. said. “I just feel like the story is
exclusively cover the tournaments on its Arabic “I hope then by Wimbledon not over. I’m still a work in
and English sports channels across all 24 coun- I’m going to be 100% and that’s progress but probably one of the
tries of MENA, from Morocco to Oman and every when the season starts for me. other reasons for coming back is
country of MENA in between. The Arabic channels Everything until then it’s just ‘Let’s I want to get that high again of
will also include studio coverage for all the best see how it goes’," he added of the playing against the biggest players
analysis and latest news updates from both tour- championships starting on June and in the biggest tournaments
naments. beIN SPORTS is also the exclusive 28, which were cancelled last year and hopefully winning them
broadcaster of the tournament in France, Sin- due to COVID-19. again,” he added.
gapore and Australia. “I might surprise myself but “Hopefully I can play in front
then actually I’ve already done in of crowds again.”
12 SPORT MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021
World No.1 record in the bag,
ATP RANKINGS
Rk/Nationality Player Points
1: SRB Novak Djokovic 12,030
Djokovic focuses on more majors 2: ESP
3: RUS
4: AUT
5: SUI
Rafael Nadal
Daniil Medvedev
Dominic Thiem
Roger Federer
9,850
9,735
9,125
6,630
REUTERS - LONDON 6: GRE Stefanos Tsitsipas 6,595
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates
winning his final match against 7: GER Alexander Zverev 5,615
Novak Djokovic will realise one of his
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the 8: RUS Andrey Rublev 4,609
long-cherished goals today when he
Australian Open final in Melbourne 9: ARG Diego Schwartzman 3,480
eclipses Roger Federer’s all-time record
for most weeks as the men’s world in this February 21, 2021, file photo. 10: ITA Matteo Berrettini 3,480
number one, holding the top ranking for 11: CAN Denis Shapovalov 2,910
the 311th week.
12: FRA Gael Monfils 2,860
The 33-year-old Serbian climbed to
the top of the ATP rankings for the first 13: ESP Roberto Bautista Agut 2,770
time in July, 2011 and had the Swiss 14: BEL David Goffin 2,760
maestro’s record of 310 weeks spent as 15 : CAN Milos Raonic 2,630
the highest-ranked man in the sport on
his radar.
“This is one of my two biggest pro- MOST CONSECUTIVE
fessional goals,” Djokovic said last year.
“To reach the record of, (and) surpass ATP 500 MATCH WINS
Roger’s record for longest No. 1 and win (SINCE 2009)
as many (Grand) Slams as possible.”
Djokovic is currently in his fifth stint RK PLAYER WINS YEARS
as number one, having reclaimed the 1 Roger Federer 28 2014-'16
top spot from Spaniard Rafa Nadal in 2 Andy Murray 21 2016-'17
February last year. 3 Andrey Rublev 20 2020-Present
The Serbian finished 2020 as the
year-end number one for the sixth time, RUBLEV'S PAST
tying the record set by American great
Pete Sampras, and won his 18th major SEVEN ATP TOUR
title last month at the Australian Open.
His record-extending ninth triumph
FINALS
at Melbourne Park meant he was just
EVENT FINAL RESULT
two short of the men’s record of 20
2021 Rotterdam
Grand Slam titles, jointly held by Federer retire from tennis, is going to be directed Otherwise, it will not be enough,” While Djokovic has a firm grip on
d. Fucsovics 7-6(4), 6-4
and Nadal. at majors, trying to win more major Federer said during an Instagram Live top spot, there will be a new number two
2020 Vienna
Djokovic has made it clear that his trophies.” session with Qatar Tennis on Saturday. on March 15 in Russian Daniil Medvedev,
d. Sonego 6-4, 6-4
only focus will now be on winning more Federer, who will turn 40 is August, “Especially against somebody like who will climb one place to his career-
2020 St. Petersburg
Grand Slams and said he will make nec- has not played since losing to Djokovic Novak, who can go into a mode where best ranking to replace Nadal, who has
essary adjustments to his playing in the semi-finals of the 2020 Australian he is not going to miss. He can defend not played since the Australian Open due d. Coric 7-6(5), 6-4
schedule to achieve that goal. Open and will make his return in Doha very well and be aggressive, he has a to a back injury. 2020 Hamburg
MORE MAJORS this week after undergoing two knee sur- very good balance. The 25-year-old Medvedev, the ATP d. Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
“Whether I think about winning geries last year. “That’s why he is one of the greatest Finals winner and Australian Open 2020 Adelaide
more slams and breaking records? Of The Swiss said he enjoyed competing players ever. runner-up last month, will be the first d. Harris 6-3, 6-0
course, I do,” the Serbian said after his against Djokovic and felt they brought “It has been a pleasure to play against player outside Djokovic, Nadal, Federer 2020 Doha
Australian Open triumph. the best out of each other. him and he’s one of the players who have and Andy Murray to be ranked in the top d. Moutet 6-2, 7-6(3)
“And most of my attention and my “Against the best players you know made me a better player. It’s great to two since Australian Lleyton Hewitt in 2019 Moscow
energy from this day forward, until I you have to bring your best game. have him in the game.” July, 2005. d. Mannarino 6-4, 6-0
Mektic
Rublev beats and Pavic
Fucsovics to win earn third
Rotterdam final team title
WWW.ATPTOUR.COM
AP - ROTTERDAM
Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic
Andrey Rublev won his fourth added a third title to their 2021
tour singles title in seven collection yesterday with a
months as the Russian beat 7-6(7), 6-2 triumph against
Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (4), 6-4 Kevin Krawietz and Horia
in the final of the ABN AMRO Tecau in the ABN AMRO World
World Tennis Tournament Tennis Tournament final.
yesterday. The second seeds saved a
Rublev continued the form set point at 6/7 in the first-set
which has made him one of the tie-break, before they charged
top players in men’s tennis since to the finish line after 78
play resumed amid the corona- minutes. Mektic and Pavic,
virus pandemic last year. who made their team debut at
Since September he has the start of the 2021 season,
won titles in Hamburg, St have claimed three titles from
Petersburg and Vienna, and was four events this year and com-
on the Russian team which won piled a 16-1 record.
the non-ranking ATP Cup last Prior to their title run in
month. Rotterdam, the Croatian duo
“I’m so happy to win this lifted ATP Tour crowns at the
title,” Rublev said. Antalya Open and the Murray
Fucsovics pushed Rublev River Open.
hard as the first set went with Mektic and Pavic’s only
serve but faded after the tie- TOP: Russia's loss of the year came against
breaker and was broken in the Andrey Rublev eventual champions Ivan
opening game of the second set. in action during Dodig and Filip Polasek in the
The Hungarian said he had his final match Australian Open semi-finals.
an “unbelievable” week after he against Hungary's “We have known each
came through qualifying in Rot- Marton Fucsovics other for years already,” said
terdam and was playing his at the Rotterdam Pavic.
seventh match in nine days. Open yesterday. “We practised together for
LEFT: Rublev
Rublev has won his last the past couple of years always
celebrates with
seven tour finals going back to when we were back home. We
the winner's
the Kremlin Cup in Moscow in never played an official match
trophy after
2019 and has an 8-2 career winning the before this year, but I think
record in finals. Fucsovics drops Rotterdam Open that helped us. We started to
to 1-2 with his only title coming alongside runner play this year together, but we
in Geneva in May 2018. up Hungary's know the games of each other
Fucsovics. very well, so I don’t think it
took us too much time to adapt
Tauson beats to each other on the court. The
results prove that.”
Golubic to win One of the keys to Mektic
and Pavic’s success in Rot-
Lyon Open and The 18-year-old Tauson junior rankings in 2019. Her
Andrey Rublev has extended his phenomenal winning run at ATP 500
terdam was their high level on
broke straight back to take it performance in Lyon is even serve. In the final, the three-
first career title and was 5-0 up in the second more impressive considering events to 20 matches when he defeated Marton Fucsovics 7-6(4), 6-4
to win the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. The World No. 8 also
time ATP Tour team titlists
AP - LYON
when her Swiss opponent she faced top-seeded Ekaterina claimed 85 per cent of their
finally won another game. Alexandrova in the first round. stretched his winning streak in ATP Tour championship matches to first-serve points (39/46).
Danish teenager Clara Tauson Tauson entered the final The 28-year-old Golubic, seven victories. “We came up, throughout
clinched her first career title in with a strong advantage in ranked 130th, was in her third the entire tournament, with a
style, beating Viktorija Golubic serve, too, with 25 aces com- career final and first since losing Rublev saved all four break points he faced to capture his fourth high level of serving,” said
6-4, 6-1 yesterday to win the pared to just one for Golubic, at Linz, Austria, in October 2016. straight title at ATP 500-level after one hour and 50 minutes. Prior to Mektic.
Lyon Open without dropping a and she added seven more to Golubic won her only career his title run in Rotterdam, the fourth seed also claimed titles in his “We only got broken a few
set after coming through two make it 32 overall at the tour- title in July that year, on home final three ATP 500 events of 2020 in Hamburg, St Petersburg and times.
qualifying rounds. nament. Golubic broke Tauson clay at Gstaad, and ended it with Vienna. “That was the key. It is
The final between the two three times, only to drop her a career high ranking of 57. indoor tennis. The serve is a
qualifiers was even until Tauson own serve six times. She was two points away Since 2009, only Roger Federer (28) and Andy Murray (21) have very important part of the
reeled off six straight games, The 139th-ranked Tauson from defeat with second- compiled longer winning streaks at the level. Rublev's last defeat at game in indoor tennis. We did
after Golubic had broken back is a former Australian Open seeded Fiona Ferro serving for an ATP 500 event came against Daniel Evans at the Dubai Duty Free very well and, in the end, I am
to trail 5-4 when Tauson served junior champion and became the match in their semi-final on Tennis Championships in February 2020. very happy to win the
for the first set. the first Dane to top the world Saturday. tournament.”
Sport MONDAY 8 MARCH 2021 11
Captain Kohli lauds India’s bench Medical panel to
investigate spread of
strength after beating England coronavirus in PSL
REUTERS - AHMEDABAD
AP - ISLAMABAD
Virat Kohli believes the future
of the India team is in safe The Pakistan Cricket Board has formed a two-member fact-finding
hands after a trio of youngsters panel to investigate how players were infected with coronavirus
gave a good account of them- in the bio-secure bubble, leading to the postponement of the coun-
selves in their 3-1 series victory try’s premier Twenty20 league.
against England, the home The Pakistan Super League was indefinitely postponed on
captain said on Saturday. Thursday after six players and a support staff member - including
Replacing the injured Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed - tested positive for COVID-19.
Ravindra Jadeja, left-arm The two-member panel is made up of Pakistan’s infectious
spinner Axar Patel had a dream disease experts Dr. Syed Faisal Mahmood and Dr. Salman
debut series with 27 wickets Mohammad Abbas, who will review the bio-secure bubble pro-
from three matches. tocols put in place for the PSL. They will submit a report to PCB
Only spin colleague Ravi- chairman Ehsan Mani by March 31.
chandran Ashwin, who played The PCB said in a statement yesterday that the independent
all four tests for his 32 wickets, panel has also been tasked with identifying shortcomings of the
managed more. bio-secure bubble and “advise as to the reasons why the bio-
Spin all-rounder Wash- secure environment did not remain COVID-19 free.”
ington Sundar shone with the Mani said that both doctors will also speak with all the rel-
bat, while stumper-batsman evant PSL stakeholders, including players, event and hotel staff
Rishabh Pant impressed both as well as medical and compliance officers attached to all six
behind and in front of the teams.
stumps. “The independent panel of two distinguished experts has been
They made telling contribu- appointed with the sole purpose of an honest, constructive and
tions in the final test when objective review,” Mani said.
Sundar stitched together
match-defining century-plus India’s captain Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj hold the trophy in Ahmedabad,
partnerships with Pant, who India, on Saturday.
smashed a blistering century,
and Patel. and the standard doesn’t fall...” Kohli was pleased with how final but conceded he was now
Patel also claimed nine “It’s up to the individuals as the hosts bounced back from looking forward to it.
wickets from the match. well, taking the situation on, their defeat in the series opener “It was more of a dis-
“That’s a great sign for like Rishabh and Washy did to string together three wins in traction for us because we are
Indian cricket,” Kohli said after with that game-changing part- a row and register their 13th a side very committed to
India won the final Test by an nership, and then Axar as well. consecutive test series victory playing Test cricket,” the
innings and 25 runs inside three “These are the kinds of sit- on home soil. 32-year-old said.
days. uations where individuals stand It also assured India a place “It did become a bit of a dis-
“The idea was exactly this up and say, ‘OK, I’m going to in the June finals of the inau- traction for us in New Zealand
-- to have youngsters who make a mark and make a name gural World Test Championship (last year), but from then on it
come in and perform with fear- for myself and be that player (WTC) against New Zealand. was just focused on one game
lessness so that when the tran- who can be counted on’ and Kohli had previously at a time, and now we are in the
sition happens eventually, it’s that’s exactly what they’ve refused to speculate on India’s finals which we can’t wait to be
not difficult for Indian cricket done.” chances of making the WTC a part of.”
England’s captain Joe Root plays a shot in
Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday.
Credit does have to
go to India. Again
they’ve out-skilled
us. They batted on
that wicket very well,
showed us how to bat
on that wicket. And Players of Multan Sultans, one of the six Pakistan Super League
(PSL) sides, celebrate during a match before the T20 league was
similarly today with postponed.
the ball they were
excellent.
England skipper IPL returns to
Joe Root
India, without
England ‘would be stupid’ not to spectators initially
REUTERS - NEW DELHI
learn from India debacle, says Root The popular Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin in Chennai
on April 9 and will be played across six venues, initially without
spectators, the Indian cricket board said yesterday.
REUTERS - AHMEDABAD was extreme conditions, the ball was wicket very well, showed us how to bat on The world’s richest Twenty20 competition was shifted to the
spinning and skidding on, it was impossible that wicket. And similarly today with the United Arab Emirates last year as India grappled with the COVID-19
England captain Joe Root said it would be to bat’. That’s the wrong attitude. ball they were excellent.” pandemic.
stupid of his team to look for excuses after “The most important thing is we come England rigidly stuck to their rotation Yesterday’s IPL governing council meeting decided to bring
their 3-1 test defeat in India and hoped that away from here and we say ‘You know policy in India, opting to rest multi-format the tournament home but the pandemic forced several changes
the experience would help them be better what? players at different stages of their tour to to how it would be played.
prepared for their next trip. “There are things that we can get better help them cope better with the challenges “The IPL this year at home will be played behind closed doors
England arrived in India having at. Yes, they are world-class spinners, high of living in strict bio-secure to begin with and a call on allowing spectators will be taken at a
defeated Sri Lanka 2-0 in their away series, performers at home in particular. Well we environments. later stage of the tournament,” Board of Control for Cricket in
and they won the opening test in Chennai can be better’. They also made errors in team selection India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
to put their best foot forward to end the “What can we take away from this trip? by misreading the conditions. Root said the Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the playoffs
domination of Virat Kohli’s men at home. I’m going to go away and make sure that if issues would need to be addressed. as well as the May 30 final, with Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and
But the hosts regrouped and won the I find myself in this situation down the line, “The rotation policy is there to look after Kolkata being the other venues.
next three matches comprehensively to on the next tour, I will be better equipped the players,” Root said. “It was all done with Defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Royal
complete their 13th consecutive test series to deal with that.” the best interests of the England team, the Challengers Bangalore, led by India captain Virat Kohli, in the
victory at home. Root believed his side were compet- three formats across the whole year. first match. The tournament’s eight teams will play all their
“The guys have to embrace what’s hap- itive during the series but India “out-skilled” “There might have been areas where matches at neutral venues.
pened. They’ve to understand and they have them at crunch moments. we could have done things slightly “The fixtures of the tournament have been mapped in a way
to be realistic,” Root told cricket reporters “It was disappointing,” said Root, after differently. that every team will travel only three times during the league
after England’s defeat by an innings and 25 his side folded in three days in the fourth “Looking back, that’s very easy to say. stage, thus reducing commute and minimising risk,” Shah said.
runs. and final test. It’s not the ideal scenario. As a captain, you “After hosting the tournament safely and successfully in the
“We would be stupid to come away “Credit does have to go to India. Again always want all of your players available UAE last year... the BCCI is confident of hosting the IPL at home
from this trip and just say ‘It was India, it they’ve out-skilled us. They batted on that for selection.” with health and safety of players and all people involved being
paramount,” he added.
Smartphone maker Vivo returned as title sponsor of the league
India coach thrilled with top show after pulling out of last year’s tournament amid a backlash against
Chinese firms in India. South African Chris Morris became IPL’s
most expensive buy in the players’ auction last month after
Rajasthan Royals bought him for a staggering $2.22m.
REUTERS - NEW DELHI main aim was to show empathy,” India head were tired. But then a kick on the backside
coach Ravi Shastri told Star Sports after to reignite the pride in the system can make
To get the best out of a bubble-weary squad India’s 3-1 series victory against England. a lot of difference. And it showed in the last
in a COVID-19 world is never easy, but India “Empathy, because these are tough three Tests.”
combined empathy with a “kick in the times - you’ve not seen these times since Stumper-batsman Rishabh Pant was
backside” approach to get the job done in the World War II,” he said. probably its biggest beneficiary.
the just-concluded home test series against “For professional players, when they’re The 23-year-old appears to have
England. under the hammer, it is really tough to get worked on his fitness, overcome his ten-
Virat Kohli and most of his team mates your best and deliver for your country.” dency to gift his wicket and fine-tuned his
have been hopping from one bio-secure As in Australia, India lost the series keeping skills.
bubble to another since last year’s Indian opener against England, prompting the “He was told in no uncertain terms that
Premier League in the United Arab team management to take the other he’s got to respect the game a little more,”
Emirates. approach. Shastri said yesterday.
Soon after the Twenty20 competition, “The first Test in Chennai would have “He’s got to lose a bit of weight, he’s got
they headed to Australia where they won been different if we had a few more days to work hard on his keeping...
the Test series 2-1 before rushing home to off,” Shastri said. “He’s a genuine match winner and he’s
host England. “It’s no excuse - England outplayed us worked like hell over the last three or four
“From when the season started, our there, but the boys were like zombies, they months.”
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