Oman open medals account at GCC Women’s Games
BASEL, Switzerland: Roger Federer opened his bid for a 10th title at the ATP Swiss indoors in Basel on Monday, crushing German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in what was the Swiss legend’s 1,500th career match.
This landmark 6-2, 6-1 success in his hometown set the 38-yearold up for his tilt at a 103rd title.
“I thought the match was good,” Federer said.
“I felt a nice spring in my step. I was quick to the ball and it didn’t take me long to get used to the conditions, that’s positive.
“There is a danger in playing Peter indoors since he’s already had two solid qualifying matches. He also serves great indoors. But I was able to control things.”
Federer is defending the 2018 title at his hometown event. The victory improved his career record at the tournament to 72-9 and increased his Basel win streak to 21 straight matches.
Federer, who has made the Basel final on all of his last 12 visits, owns ATP titles this season in Dubai, Miami and Halle.
The Monday rout took just 54 minutes with Federer forced to break back in the second set before sprinting to the win.
He will face the winner from Radu Albot and Dusan Lajovic in the second round.
Federer, the winner of the previous two editions, last lost here in the 2013 final to Juan Martin del Potro.
Australian Alex de Minaur beat Bolivian Hugo Dellien 6-1, 7-5, a victory which sends the wild card into a match with the winner from second seed Alexander Zverev and American Taylor Fritz.
Henri Laaksonen knocked out French eighth seed Benoit Paire 6-3, 7-5 for the evening’s second Swiss victory and German Jenlennard Struff defeated Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-2.
FEDERER PRAISES MURRAY COMEBACK SUCCESS
Roger Federer praised Andy Murray’s weekend Antwerp title just 10 months after the former number one underwent a hip resurfacing.
“Andy’s achievement was great,” Federer said after rolling through into the second round of the ATP
Swiss Indoors in Basel.
“I was a little bit torn, since he beat (fellow Swiss) Stan (Wawrinka) in the final, but it was a great way for him to come back.”
Federer said that Murray’s perseverance to regain match fitness after his major surgery was admirable. “He’s been playing to try and get close to his old level,” the 20-time Grand Slam winner added of Murray, who competed on the circuit for four straight weeks ending in Antwerp on Sunday.
“It’s nice to see Andy healthy again. I remember in the locker room of the Australian Open (when a tearful Murray played in pain and lost in a five-set first round match in January).
“It was very confusing for him and for all of us. I’m extremely happy for him,” Federer said.
After a two tough days at the sixth edition of the GCC Women’s Games which is underway in Kuwait until October 30, Oman’s bowling stars Sara al Maskriya and Aysha al Sibaniya opened the medals account for the Sultanate. The bowling duo claimed the first silver medal for the Sultanate. Another silver and bronze medals were captured by the shooting team at the Air rifle team 10 metres competitions.
Oman’s bowling doubles team members, Sara and Aysha, were very close to the gold medal as they were at the top order while they dropped to the second place in the second set. Oman national bowling team failed to succeed in the singles competitions as they were the champions in the last edition.
The shooting team which comprised of Umaima al Wahibiya, Horria al Yahyaeiya and Suhair al Jahdhamiya bagged silver medal at the air pistol 10 metres competitions while the Air rifle team for 10 metres won the bronze medal. The team comprised Amina al Tarshiya, Khadija al Jahafiya and Siham al Hasani.
Oman’s taekwondo team members will commence their campaign at the tournament on Friday. Oman had good chances to increase the medals tally as the Sultanate’s star Yusra al Shukriya will be available in the team besides to her teammate Sabra Mosa, Ruya al Saadiya, Marya al Saadiya and Rayan al Harthiya.
Oman handball team will seek for winning points as they will meet the defending champions Qatar on Thursday. The team will look for better performance as they suffered a 21-13 loss against the UAE team.
Oman basketball team faced two defeats, against hosts Kuwait and the UAE. The Sultanate team will look for better show against their next opponents Qatar who won the title in the last edition.