Injured Djokovic survives as fans exit Aus Open
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic admitted his Australian Open might be over after an injury-hit win on Friday as fans were kicked out ahead of a state-wide coronavirus lockdown.
In extraordinary scenes, the eight-time winner’s night match against Taylor Fritz was suspended at 11:30pm local time to clear Rod Laver Arena before Victoria state’s six million residents were locked down at midnight. The five-day lockdown, sees fans barred and players go into a bio bubble.
In the now-empty stadium, a grimacing Djokovic, who needed repeated treatment on an abdominal injury, recovered from losing the third and fourth sets to beat Fritz 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2. After his roars of celebration echoed around the empty stadium, Djokovic said he didn’t know if he’ll be able to play his last-16 match against Canada’s Milos Raonic.
“I know it’s a tear, definitely, of the muscle so I don’t know if I’ll manage to recover from that in less than two days,” said the Serb. “I don’t know if I’m going to step out on the court or not, I’m just very proud of this achievement tonight.”
Thiem passes Nick test
Earlier, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios thrilled the crowd one last time before the lockdown came into effect but he succumbed in five set to US Open champion Dominic Thiem. Thousands of fans watched the flamboyant Australian throw away a twosets lead as Thiem took it 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Grigor Dimitrov.
With 22,299 spectators on Friday, the best attendance so far, Williams and Naomi Osaka safely reached the last 16 along with fellow Major-winner Simona Halep.
Williams survived an errorstrewn performance to beat Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 7-6(5), 6-2 and set up an encounter with powerful Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
Osaka’s next opponent is twotime Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza, who continued her formidable form with a onesided 6-1, 6-1 win over Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas.
Live on: Sony Six, Ten 2 & 3, 5.30am & 1.30pm
Pep wants City to press on ahead of Spurs clash
LONDON: Pep Guardiola wants his Manchester City stars to forget about their record-breaking run of 15 straight victories when Tottenham visit the Etihad on Saturday, aiming to halt their charge towards the Premier League title.
TV Timing: Premier League: Leicester v Liverpool,
Crystal Palace v Burley,
Man City v Tottenham,
Brighton v Aston Villa,
(Sun); all matches Live on Star Sports Select 1 & HD
Bayern win Club World Cup for ‘six pack’ titles
AL-RAYYAN, QATAR: Bayern Munich won the Club World Cup final in Qatar on Thursday as Benjamin Pavard’s secondhalf winner sealed a 1-0 victory over Mexico’s Tigres, the Germans claiming a “six pack” of titles within 12 months.
Bayern Munich are the second side to win all six available titles within a year after Barcelona managed the feat in 2009. Hansi Flick’s men had already won the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Super Cup and German Super Cup last season.