05/03/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | MAR 5, 2025

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Djokovic have managed that in the history of this tournament, so it’s not going to be easy. “He doesn’t quite have that aura at the moment that he built up at the start of his career, as he has been a little more inconsistent of late, but I would have him as my favourite. “I’ve got a feeling Medvedev is going to have a good tournament. Medvedev has a good record in this tournament. “He has made the final at Indian Wells over the last couple of years and tends to thrive in the conditions in Indian Wells.”

Collision course Djokovic, Alcaraz set for last eight clash at Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz

C ARLOS ALCARAZ could run into Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal stage in his quest for a rare Indian Wells “three-peat,” while defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also faces a tough test, according to the draw released yesterday. Djokovic beat the Spaniard to reach the Australian Open semifinal in January and is hoping he can become only the third man to claim 100 career singles titles when the main draw of the tournament kicks off today in the California desert. The Serb, who got a first-round bye, will hope to have put recent injury concerns behind him as he kicks off his campaign at the 1000-level event against a qualifier or Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios. The men’s draw could also see German top seed Alexander Zverev play against rival Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in a potential quarterfinal meeting, while 2022 champion and home hope Taylor Fritz may run into Russian Andrey Rublev in the final eight. America boasts five players in the men’s top 25 who can expect strong support from the home crowd every time they step on the hard courts of

the palm tree-lined Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Top American Fritz will look to recreate the magic of his c a r e e r breakthrough win three years ago, while last year’s semifinalist Tommy Paul hopes for another deep run. Big-serving lefty Ben Shelton, who reached the Australian

On the women’s side, Polish second seed Swiatek was on a quarterfinal collision course with Zheng Qinwen months after the Chinese seventh seed knocked her out in the Olympic semifinal. Top seeded Aryna Sabalenka will hope to bounce back after a pair of early exits from Doha and Dubai last month with Italian Jasmine Paolini potentially standing between her and the semifinal stage. A tantalising all-American quarterfinal clash could be in the cards after 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff and newly minted Australian Open champion Madison Keys were pulled into the same half of the draw.

Open semis, especially loves to feed off the energy of the crowd and could ride that to a breakthrough win. Commenting after the draw, respected broadcaster Marcus Buckland told Tennis365 : “Alcaraz is the defending champion, he’s going for the three-peat. “Only Federer and

Each hope to end an American women’s Indian Wells trophy drought, with 24 years since Serena Williams last won. – Reuters/ Agencies

Koepka ‘wants to return to PGA Tour’

SHORTS Murray flies out to join Novak

Notices

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Red Bull’s defence of Verstappen was placed under the microscope in 2024 after Christian Horner and Helmut Marko refused to call out their star driver, despite a handful of controversial moments. One of these came in Hungary, where Verstappen slated his team on the radio after a misjudged strategy call. The four-time world champion was widely criticised by pundits, but he refused to admit any wrongdoing, and Red Bull backed his corner. The Milton Keynes squad also played down Verstappen’s mistakes in Mexico City, where the Dutchman picked up two 10-second time penalties for reckless attacking moves on Lando Norris. The same was the case in Austria, where the two title contenders collided after several close calls. “But I’m not anti-Max,” Hill told The Telegraph . FORMER US Masters champion Fred Couples has made a huge claim about LIV Golf rebel Brooks Koepka. The 34-year-old left PGA Tour bosses stunned when he signed with the Saudi-backed tour in June 2022, for a fee in the region of £79 million (RM435m). He’s since won five LIV tournaments and, in 2023, became the first player to land a major title after defecting when he claimed the US PGA Championship. Later that year, he was the only rebel to be involved in the Ryder Cup in Rome. That was despite him saying players who signed for Greg Norman would “sell out” their legacies. The Florida-based star was instantly suspended from PGA Tour events. However, he is now said to be seeking a return to the status quo. Despite considerably enhancing his net worth since his switch, Couples has claimed the five-time major champion misses his former tour. The 65-year-old wasn’t clear on whether Koepka was considering leaving LIV altogether or just hopeful of a merger, but his comments will still raise eyebrows. “I talk to Brooks Koepka all the time,” he told

Seattle sports radio station KJR 93.3FM . “I love Brooks Koepka, and I’m not going to say anything extra except I talk to him all the time. He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.” Koepka may soon get his wish. After prolonged talks, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV are said to be on the verge of a historic merger agreement with US President Donald Trump involved in negotiations. Relations between the two warring factions have undoubtedly thawed in the past 12 months. In December, Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler took on LIV players Kopeka and Bryson DeChambeau in a special “Showdown” match in Las Vegas. It was the PGA Tour pairing who came out on top. But the atmosphere between the quartet was friendly and amicable, a far cry from the tension that signified the initial breakaway. Koepka currently lies 19th in the individual LIV standings after a modest start to the year. He was tied for 33rd in the season opener in Riyadh before coming in joint-seventh in Adelaide. – Express Newspapers

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR COMPANY WINDING UP PETITION NO.: WA-28NCC-173-02/2025 In the matter of Widad Builders Sdn Bhd [Company No.: 200101000816 (536572–D)]

NOVAK DJOKOVIC will have old rival Andy Murray back in his coaching corner as he attempts to win the Indian Wells title for the first time in almost a decade. Murray’s management team confirmed the 37-year-old Scot had flown to California on Monday to continue his coaching arrangement with the Serbian 24-times Grand Slam champion. Djokovic hired Murray ahead of this year’s Australian Open and reached the semifinal before being forced to retire against Alexander Zverev because of an injury. His only match since then was a defeat by Italian Matteo Berrettini in Doha last month when Murray was not present. Speaking in Qatar last month, Djokovic said: “It’s indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together but we agreed we are going to work most likely in the States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after.” Djokovic is scheduled to compete at both Indian Wells and Miami – known as the Sunshine Double – for the first time since 2019. He is the joint record holder for titles at both Masters Series events with five at Indian Wells and six at Miami, tied with Roger Federer and Andre Agassi respectively. He has not won either title, however, since 2016. Tsitsipas secret racket key to success STEFANOS TSITSIPAS went nearly a year without a trophy before immediately reaping the rewards of changing his equipment as the Greek captured the Dubai Championships crown on Saturday while playing with a new “mystery” racket. The 26-year-old’s first tour title since Monte Carlo last April ended his long drought in ATP 500 tournaments and vaulted him back into the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time since May. “These are the things we’re fighting for as professional tennis players,” said Tsitsipas, who climbed to No. 9 in the world after the latest rankings were released on Monday. “To be owning a spot in the top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience. It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I’m happy that I’m in a position where I can really celebrate.” Playing with a blacked out frame as players do when they trial new equipment, Tsitsipas defeated Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini and Tallon Griekspoor before downing Felix Auger Aliassime in the final. “Comfort is one thing that it brings to my game,”Tsitsipas had said about his racket ahead of the final. “That’s something I was trying to add into my game. “I’ve been receiving some of that extra help. I’ve spoken about how balls and courts have changed over the last couple of years. That’s just me trying to adapt to that.”

And

In the matter of Sections 465(1)(e) and 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016

And

In the matter of the Companies (Winding-Up Rules) Rules 1972

BETWEEN

ADVANCED CLARITY HECTARES SDN BHD [COMPANY NO.: 201601042832 (1213774-K)] …PETITIONER

AND

WIDAD BUILDERS SDN BHD [COMPANY NO.: 200101000816 (536572–D)] …RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding-up of the above-named company by the High Court was,on 13th February 2025, presented by ADVANCED CLARITY HECTARES SDN BHD. And that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Kuala Lumpur High Court at 9.00 a.m. on 3rd June 2025. And any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s registered address is at D3-17-1, Jalan Dutamas 3, Taman Dutamas, 43200 Cheras,Selangor and business address is at No. 13,Jalan Kenanga SD 9/1C, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan. The Petitioner’s solicitors is Messrs. Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen with the address for service at A3-3-6, Block A3, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1,50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. NOTE – Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the above named Messrs. Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm,and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of 2nd June 2025 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the petition). This ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION is issued by Messrs. Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen, solicitors for the Petitioner, with the address for service at A3-3-6, Block A3, Solaris Dutamas,1 Jalan Dutamas 1,50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Ref: 25022101 Tel: 03-6205 3928 Email: ask@khly.law] Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen ................................................ Messrs. Kheng Hoe & Lee Yuen Solicitors for the Petitioner

Red Bull cry when it doesn’t go their way: Hill DAMON HILL has called out Red Bull over their approach to Max Verstappen’s driving, stating that the six-time world champions are not “the hard kids on the block”, and instead “cry” when decisions don’t go their way. “This is the point. I think Max is brilliant. I like him. I mean what’s not to like? He’s sensational. “But when I felt he overstepped the mark, I said so. And I think Red Bull have a responsibility, their team management has a responsibility, to the sport you know?

“If their driver goes over the limit on occasion, they have a responsibility to say ‘You can’t do that.’ And they don’t. That’s always been my issue with them. “They have almost given Max carte blanche and protected their driver from not sticking to the code, if you like. “I’ll give you an example. (Last year) Max correctly interpreted to his advantage the rule about overtaking and being ahead at the apex on the inside. “There’s nothing in the rules that says you can’t do that. And it’s exciting to see people dive down the inside. “Except that no other driver does it. And if someone was to do it to him, he’d cry like a baby. “And that’s one of my issues with them. Red Bull simply can’t accept that.” – Express Newspapers