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SPORTSFriday 26 February 2016

Djokovic retires in Dubai QFs with infected eyes

SANDRA HARWITT course clay-court season.”
Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emir- The last time Djokovic re-
ates (AP) — Top-ranked
Novak Djokovic retired tired from a match was
during his quarterfinal in
the Dubai Tennis Champi- against Juan Martin del
onships with an infection
in both eyes on Thursday, Potro of Argentina in a Da-
ending his global run of 17
consecutive final appear- vis Cup semifinal in 2011.
ances.
“It’s an eye problem,” He’s played 350 matches
Djokovic, wearing dark
sunglasses, said at his post- since then for a 312-38 win-
match news conference.
“I have had it ever since I loss record.
arrived to Dubai. Started
with an infection, and then Playing Feliciano Lopez,
severe allergy.”
Djokovic said the infec- Djokovic called for the ATP
tion started in his right eye
but then presented in both trainer while trailing 1-2. He
eyes. He was instructed not
to wear his contact lenses kept pointing to his face as
except for during matches
because it aggravates the he spoke to the trainer but
condition.
“It’s gotten worse the last eventually got up to play.
two days, unfortunately,”
he added. “It’s the first However,
time that I have had such
a problem with the eye. It he quit the match after the
was ultrasensitive today,
the lights, and just wasn’t Spaniard closed out the
to be.”
The retirement ended first set 6-3.

Lopez will play unseeded

Marcos Baghdatis of Cy-

prus in the semifinals. Bagh-

datis upset fourth-seeded

Roberto Bautista Agut of

Spain 7-5, 6-0.

Second-seeded Stan

Wawrinka set up a semi-

Novak Djokovic from Serbia returns the ball to Malek Jaziri from Tunisia during the third day of final with unseeded Nick
Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.
Kyrgios by beating eighth-
Associated Press
seeded Philipp Kohlsch-

Djokovic’s run of 17 straight from tying Ivan Lendl’s in the next couple of days,” reiber 7-5, 6-1.
finals dating to the 2015 Open era record of 18 he said. “I got a lot of im-
Australian Open. He had straight in 1981-82. But he portant events waiting for Kyrgios, who is making his
won 13 of those finals, in- wasn’t worried about his me in the next period. Of
cluding the last seven since streak ending. course, Davis Cup back Dubai debut, advanced
the U.S. Open in Septem- “I just hope this problem home (next week) and In-
ber. He was one final away with the eye will fade away dian Wells, Miami, and of by beating third-seeded

Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4 de-

spite having treatment on

his back in the first set.q

Galaxy, Santos Laguna draw 0-0 in CONCACAF Champions League

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Dan and the new-look Los An- Laguna to a 0-0 draw in the Champions League quar- good result,” Gerrard said.
Kennedy made five saves geles Galaxy held Santos first leg of the CONCACAF terfinals on Wednesday “We’ve been banging the
night. drum all preseason about
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong, center, shoots against Santos Laguna during the After failing to defend its being solid defensively and
first half of a CONCACAF Champions League soccer quarterfinal in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, MLS title last season, the keeping clean sheets, and
Feb. 24, 2016. Galaxy underwent another that’s the basis we can be
Associated Press roster overhaul heavy on successful from.”
star power. Five newcom- The tie will be settled in
ers were in the starting Torreon, Mexico on March
lineup, including English 1. It became particularly ill-
defender Ashley Cole and tempered in the final min-
Dutch midfielder Nigel de utes when Keane got into
Jong, and it didn’t take an animated discussion
long for that class to show with Santos Laguna man-
itself. ager Luis Zubeldia before
Jelle Van Damme’s head- the two were separated.
er off a corner kick forced “Could be worse,” Gal-
Santos Laguna goalkeeper axy manager Bruce Arena
Agustin Marchesin to make said of the result. “For our
a dramatic one-handed first time out I thought we
save in the opening min- played well. ... We’re not
ute. The Galaxy continued going to change much be-
to create chances early, tween now and Tuesday.
with Robbie Keane slipping In a couple months, we’ll
behind three defenders in see what kind of team we
the 17th minute but unable have.”The match opened
to head Steven Gerrard’s up late in the second half,
pass on goal. with chances developing
“If we had scored a goal on both ends of the pitch.
it would have been the Carlos Izquierdoz redirect
perfect result, but it is still a q