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Medvedev’s depleted Russia face tough ATP Cup defence

SYDNEY (AFP) – Russia head into their defence of the ATP Cup with a team depleted by injuries and COVID-19, but world number two Daniil Medvedev said yesterday it only made him want to win more.

Three of the four team members that triumphed for a ruthless Russia in the final against Italy in 2021 withdrew ahead of the 16-team event in Sydney, which starts today.

They included fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev, who contracted coronavirus at an Abu Dhabi exhibition this month. World number 18 Aslan Karatsev and world number 172 Evgeny Donskoy are also missing.

Evgeny Karlovskiy and Roman Safiullin were drafted in at short notice.

Rublev’s absence is a big blow with both he and United States (US) Open champion Medvedev winning every singles tie they played on their way to lifting the trophy.

But Medvedev is undeterred, despite Russia being in a tough group B that includes 2021 runner-up Italy, led by Matteo Berrettini, France and hosts Australia.

Daniil Medvedev hits a shot against Hubert Hurkacz during their first-round match at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. PHOTO: AFP

Only the winning nation progresses to the semi-finals from each of the four groups in the season-open tournament, which runs until January 9.

“Roman is going to be the underdog in probably all the matches, and that’s good. He has great potential, great skills in terms of tennis,” said Medvedev, who opens his campaign tomorrow against France’s Ugo Humbert.

“ATP Cup is a good chance for guys like this to win a lot of points, a lot of money, a lot of confidence coming into Australian Open quallies, and just become a better player.

“So I’m confident in Roman, in the team who are going to just try to do our best and who knows, maybe to win the title.”

He added: “I like this kind of pressure. It makes you play better. I think it’s going to make all of us four guys just play the best tennis that we can.”

A strong Italy boast not only world number seven Berrettini but Jannik Sinner, who is ranked 10, as their second singles player.

Each tie comprises two singles matches and one doubles.

Berrettini’s clash with Medvedev on Thursday could be pivotal and the Italian knows he has his work cut out.

“I mean, he’s really solid. He’s moving really well, playing deep, serving well, returning. He’s not missing at all when he’s playing good,” he said of the Russian.

“So especially on hard court he’s probably, together with Novak (Djokovic), the best player we have now.

“Personally last year I struggled to play against him, but I work hard to be ready for this match, so we will see.”

The ATP Cup gets underway today across two Sydney venues – the Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena.

Inaugural champions Serbia, who are missing Djokovic, kick off against Casper Ruud’s Norway while Chile begin against Spain, who are without Rafael Nadal as he also recovers from COVID.

In other ties today, Argentina face Georgia and Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Greece take on Poland.

Embiid powers 76ers past Durant’s Nets, Warriors-Nuggets postponed

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Joel Embiid scored 34 points and Tyrese Maxey added 25 as the Philadelphia 76ers spoiled Kevin Durant’s return from the NBA’s Covid list with a 110-102 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday.

Durant, who hadn’t played since December 16 as the Nets grappled with a COVID spike that eventually saw three of their games postponed, picked up where he left off with 33 points.

James Harden added a triple-double of 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. But it wasn’t enough for the Eastern Conference-leading Nets against a Sixers team that played without coach Doc Rivers on the sideline because of coronavirus concerns.

Teams across the league were coping with COVID as the Omicron variant fueled a surge around the United States (US).

The NBA cancelled Thursday’s clash between the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors and Denver because the Nuggets, hit by COVID and injuries, couldn’t field the requisite eight players.

That decision sparked a sharp response from Warriors star Draymond Green, who would have been absent himself because of COVID.

Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid stares down Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant. PHOTO: AP

Green took issue with the 11th postponement of the season, saying cancelling games piecemeal as the league presses ahead with its season was unfair.

“How do you continue to cancel games when you’ve implemented rules to prevent this from happening?” Green said on Twitter. “Is that not a competitive advantage for other teams?

“The guys we didn’t have due to the protocol list played no role in Tuesdays loss? Pick a side but don’t straddle the fence.”

Green was among the Warriors absentees when Golden State came up short in an 89-86 loss to the Nuggets in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Now, he said, a rescheduled game will likely add a back-to-back to the Warriors schedule and let the Nuggets play the Western Conference co-leaders “at full strength… But they got to sneak a win when we weren’t at full strength, only two days ago??? Let’s make it make some sense here.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has insisted he sees no reason to pause the season. And in a bid to keep teams on track the league has made it easier for teams to call up players on short-term contracts from the developmental league and reduced the number of days that vaccinated, asymptomatic players must isolate after a positive test.

But the sheer number of cases means some teams have still been caught out as COVID combines with mid-season injuries to sideline players.

That’s why the Nets were thrilled to welcome back Durant, who missed three games.

Even with Durant and Harden, however, the Nets couldn’t hold off the Sixers.

In a game that featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter, Embiid converted a three-point play with 3:14 remaining to put the 76ers up 100-97.

Philadelphia wouldn’t relinquish the lead, Tyrese Maxey and Seth Curry draining late three-pointers to push the 76ers over the line.

With 15 seconds left Durant and Embiid exchanged words and were separated by teammates, each receiving a technical foul.

“We just respect each other so much, that natural competitive fire comes out,” said Durant, who exchanged a thumbs-up sign with Embiid as players departed the court after the game.

“It’s the name of the game… We love competition, and this is only going to make it better.”

Maxey said the victory, after two defeats this season to the Nets, was a “big win.”

“Coach Doc went down and we had a couple of players in the protocols, we wanted to come here and make a statement,” he said. “They already beat us twice so to come here and get a win on their court is big.”

In Orlando, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points to lead the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks to a 136-118 victory over the Magic.

Jrue Holiday added 25 points and Khris Middleton scored 22 for Milwaukee, who won their fifth straight.

The Washington Wizards, buoyed by the return of Bradley Beal from COVID protocols, beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-93.

Beal scored 19 points and handed out 10 assists in his first game in almost two weeks.

Suspect in fatal Japan clinic fire dies in hospital

TOKYO (AP) – The suspect in a fire in Japan that killed 25 people has died at a hospital where he was being treated for burns and smoke inhalation, police said yesterday.

Morio Tanimoto had been under investigation on suspicion of arson and murder in the December 17 fire at a mental health clinic in Osaka in western Japan.

He died on Thursday.

Tanimoto, a clinic patient, was seen on security camera footage. He had bought a large amount of gasoline, and the incident drew comparisons to a 2019 arson attack on an animation studio in Kyoto that killed 36 people.

Japan’s nationally circulated Yomiuri newspaper said Tanimoto had been in a coma, adding that his death will likely mean much of the crime will remain a mystery. A retired metal worker, Tanimoto had troubled relations with his family, according to Japanese media reports.

The Osaka fire gutted an eight-story building, and people were trapped inside, although firefighters put out the blaze within an hour.

It raised serious questions about the safety of the building’s design, as there was only one way out, and the elevator and emergency stairs were located outside the clinic.

Among those killed were patients and the head doctor.

The suspect in the 2019 arson at the animation studio, Shinji Aoba, recovered, has been charged and faces trial.

Mourners in front of memorials to lives lost in a building fire. PHOTO: AP

Turning heads

Lyna Mohammad

When Great Wall Motor (GWM) started to make its presence known in the motor industry, it began with the manufacturing of pickup trucks, and later in 2018 the GWM Pickup announced its brand independence with the Wingle and the Poer series.

Following the debut of GWM’s Haval SUV line-up in the Brunei market, the authorised distributor of the GWM flagship, Berjaya Sdn Bhd, recently brought in the Poer series – Ruman and Sucan.

At the digital introduction of the Poer series, Managing Director Pengiran Irwan bin Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman disclosed that the latest design of the Poer looks to address how they perceive double-cab pickup interiors, especially in the Ruman models.

The Ruman draws some inspiration from its cousin, the Haval H6, with the use of high quality materials, soft touches and technological innovations, he added.

“GWM’s Poer Series aims to take on global established rivals in the market segment of double-cab pickups and testament to this are the strong selling points of its price, build quality and overall driving experience, despite being longer, taller and wider than a majority of dual-cab pickups in the market.”

With the aim being for owners of the respective Poer vehicles to have the feel of sitting in an SUV while driving a durable and capable pick-up, the latest design of GWM’s Poer looks to address how they perceive double-cab pickup interiors.

The interior of Great Wall Motor Sucan. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Great Wall Motor Ruman

Here is an overview of what these two models has in store, starting with the the Poer Sucan, which is wordplay of sukan, the Malay word for sport, hence the sportier look.

Paired with its L-Shaped LED and cross mesh grille, while also coming with a matte Poer logo, being aggressive and built for adventurous lifestyle, the Sucan is fitted with a 2.0 turbocharged diesel engine, producing 161 Horsepower and 400Nm of torque.

The Sucan’s load capacity is that of four adult male polar bears, showing how capable the engine is, and with the cabin’s tough looks, fitted with leather bucket seat and an adjustable driving mode on the fly, it is ready to rumble up the mountain and dirt road at any given time with comfort.

The ergonomic gear shifter fits the hand naturally when changing gears, and features reverse camera with night vision hence obstacles are noticeable with ease.

On the entertainment note, a nine-inch infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is fitted on the Sucan along with six DTS surround speakers as well as a moonroof. The Sucan is also equipped with six plus two omni-direction airbags.

Meanwhile, its twin brother, the Poer Ruman, is named after a play on the word rumah, the Malay word for house.

The Ruman is design for family and a lifestyle mix with off-roading, featuring a C-shaped daytime running light and jewel headlamp, with flowing signal light.

Equipped with an 18-inch aluminium alloy rims, massive sidestep and sport bar, obviously a reminded that this is a pickup truck, the Ruman is fitted with a hydraulic tailgate at the back, which means it can be dropped and lifted with just one finger, and also comes with bedliner and a neon LED taillight.

Stepping into the cabin, the first noticeable thing would be the leather seats right from the driver to rear passenger to its side trim and dashboard.

The cockpit features a colour seven-inch instrumental cluster, with extensive customisation of the dashboard, light-up USB ports for easy access at night as well as wireless charging.

Safety is a top priority for GWM Poer. The Ruman features L2 autonomous driving, which can guide you on the road, even driving itself with adaptive cruise control. Drivers and family alike can be further assured of their safety, as the vehicles have recently been awarded the five-star Australian NCAP rating.

In addition, it is equipped with lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, cross traffic detection and many more. There is also a 3D 360-degree camera view around the Ruman, giving the best view around to help reduce the stress and hassle of parking in tight spots.

A party trick is its voice recognition function where one can speak to the Ruman, such as by saying “volume down” or “I am feeling cold”, and it can even control the radio and adjust the screen through voice commands. It also has a remote start function feature.

Performance wise, the various drive tests conducted through 4×4 obstacle courses in countries such as Australia and South Africa that are heavy users of dual-cab pickups for everyday life showed it had plenty of ability to master the courses with little effort, especially with the 400Nm of torque channelled to tyres via the eight speed automatic gearbox from global driveline technology manufacturer and supplier, ZF.

Awards to its name include best pickup of the year in the Chilean auto industry this year, just a month after its launch in Chile and car of the year issued by media authorities in Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, the Poer has been unanimously praised by the critical Australian media with the CarsGuide saying, “The power of GWM Poer has surpassed the top competitors”, and that “it will completely change the Australian pickup truck market”.

DCA allows two at airport for send-offs

Lyna Mohamad

The Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications has issued updated procedures and preventive measures to be observed by public members and passengers that should be adhered to at Brunei International Airport (BIA).

A maximum of two people are now allowed to send off passengers during departure while for arrivals, members of the public are strictly prohibited from picking up or greeting passengers on arrival.

The public and passengers are also required to scan the QR code using the BruHealth app prior to entering Brunei International Airport premises and only individuals with green and yellow colour codes will be allowed to enter the terminal building.

Members of the public whom have not completed their vaccinations are required to show a negative Antigen Rapid Test (ART) result from an accredited ART centre, with the certificate valid for two days from the date it is taken.

All passengers are required to show valid travel documentation.

Meanwhile, restaurants, cafes and shops at the airport are limited to 75 per cent capacity and the public are also required to scan the QR Code using their BruHealth app each time they enter.

China factory activity edges up in December as commodity prices ease

BEIJING (AFP) – Manufacturing activity in China edged up in December, official data showed yesterday, beating expectations as the price of commodities eased and despite sporadic closures due to COVID outbreaks.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a key gauge of manufacturing activity – in the world’s second-biggest economy rose to 50.3, remaining above the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction.

The data from the National Bureau of Statistics marks a slight increase from last month’s reading of 50.1 and beats expectations from analysts who had broadly predicted a slight decline.

“With the intensification of efforts to stabilise the economy, such as securing supply and stabilising prices… the prices of some commodities have fallen significantly, and the cost pressure on companies has eased,” said NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe.

Factory activity returned to expansion in November after seven months of decline due to power shortages and high raw material prices.

Employees work on the production line assembling diagnostic kits for COVID-19 at a pharmaceutical factory in Nantong in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. PHOTO: AP

The PMI reading contracted below 50 for two months in September and October as the power crunch hit business operations.

Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing business activity index was 52.7 per cent in December, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from the previous month.

The recovery was driven in part by the recuperating air transport sector and hospitality.

Analysts have warned that China’s domestic coronavirus outbreaks will likely continue to weigh on the country’s economy, with sporadic outbreaks – including the ongoing lockdown in the city of Xi’an – hitting consumer confidence and shutting businesses.

The historic northern city of 13 million is a key destination for tourists.

A separate flare-up of cases in late October spread to 21 provinces and prompted sweeping travel restrictions and closures.

The NBS data also showed a 2.8 per cent decrease in the business activity index of the construction industry to 56.3 per cent, over Beijing’s deleveraging crackdown on the bloated property sector.

Zverev eyeing big season after breakout 2021

SYDNEY (AFP) – Alexander Zverev had the best season of his career in 2021 and the world number three said yesterday he plans to do even better in the coming year, starting at the ATP Cup.

The German ace captured his second ATP Finals title in November, producing a brilliant performance to defeat world number two Daniil Medvedev, adding to the Olympic gold medal he won in Tokyo.

That trophy in Turin was his sixth of the year and he is keen to carry the momentum forward, starting with a tough opening clash of 2022 tomorrow against Britain’s 12th ranked Cameron Norrie at the ATP Cup in Sydney.

“It is a great challenge. I will know exactly where I am at after the first few matches,” he said ahead of the 16-team event, which starts today.

Zverev also won the ATP Finals title in 2018, only to have a poor 2019.

But he said he had grown as a player and person since then and expects it to be a springboard for an even better season this time around.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates after defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz during their first round singles match of the ATP Finals. PHOTO: AFP

“I was a lot younger. I was 21 years old going into the 2019 season. It was my first very big title at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018,” said Zverev.

“I do feel I’m a little bit of a different player but also I’m a different person, I think. I’ve had a lot more experience on the court, I had a lot more experience outside the court.

“I know how to handle maybe the media a little bit better. I know how to handle pressure maybe a tiny bit better, as well.”

Zverev said the fact that he continued his red-hot Olympic form into the rest of the year boded well for 2022 and that the momentum would help propel him to “have the best season of my career”.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for tennis, because I think the first six months of this (2021) season, Novak (Djokovic) has dominated tennis,” he said.

“He’s won all three Grand Slams, won every big singles title there is.

“But in the last six months of the season, I think the titles were a bit more split. They were split between Novak, Daniil, and myself.”

Germany lost to Medvedev’s Russia in the last four at the ATP Cup in 2021 and Zverev is confident of going at least one better this time alongside team-mates Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, Kevin Krawietz, and Tim Puetz.

Their clash with Norrie’s Britain is a re-match of their Davis Cup semi-final in early December, where Krawietz and Puetz won a crucial doubles rubber to send Germany through.

Chinese officials promise groceries for lockdown residents

AP – Chinese officials promised steady deliveries of groceries to residents of Xi’an, an ancient capital with 13 million people that is under the strictest lockdown of a major Chinese city since Wuhan was shut early last year at the start of the pandemic.

China’s Commerce Ministry has contacted nearby provinces to help ensure adequate supplies of everyday necessities, a ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

State broadcaster CCTV aired a story on Thursday showing building staff assembling free grocery deliveries for the residents of an apartment complex in Xi’an.

The deliveries included a box of 15 eggs, a 2.5-kilogramme bag of rice and some green vegetables.Residents could also expect either some chicken or meat, it said.

Still, some people complained in comments below the segment shared on Weibo, a social media platform, that they have not received the same deliveries in their communities. Many worried if they will be able to obtain fresh vegetables and meat.

Staff carry daily necessities to be delivered to households under closed-off management in Xi’an. PHOTO: AP

This week, authorities tightened restrictions in Xi’an so that people can no longer leave their homes to buy groceries. Previously, residents were allowed to buy food once every two days.

The city is also sealed off, meaning that people cannot leave without special permission.

Xi’an reported 155 new locally transmitted cases on Wednesday, and a total of about 1,000 cases in the latest outbreak.

The numbers pale in comparison to outbreaks elsewhere in the world, but are significant for China, which continues to follow a policy of trying to eradicate the coronavirus.

That has resulted in widespread lockdowns to cut the virus’s spread.

China has reported a total of 101,890 cases and 4,636 deaths since the pandemic began.

Online registration required for overseas-bound students: MoE

Azlan Othman

Students who are going to begin or resume studies abroad must register in advance with the Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Department of Scholarship Management using a web-based application at bit.ly/pendaftarankeluarnegeri, according to a press statement from the ministry.

Self-funding students who have not registered as private students to study abroad can register at bit.ly/pendaftaranprivatestudent, it added. The MoE advises all Bruneian students studying abroad who have not yet made registration to do so to assist the Government in monitoring their well-being during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, Acting Minister of Education Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh announced that students leaving the country for educational purposes are required to register with the MoE, starting today.

Oil heads for biggest yearly gains since 2009

THE STRAITS TIMES – Oil prices slid yesterday but were set to post their biggest annual gains in 12 years, spurred by the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 slump and producer restraint, even as infections surged to record highs around the world.

Brent crude futures fell 31 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to USD79.22 a barrel at 0427 GMT, while United States (US) West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 37 cents, or 0.5 per cent, to USD76.62 a barrel.

Brent is on track to end the year up 53 per cent, while WTI is heading for a 57 per cent gain, the strongest performance for the two benchmark contracts since 2009, when prices soared more than 70 per cent.

Both contracts touched their 2021 peak in October with Brent at USD86.70 a barrel, the highest since 2018, and WTI at USD85.41 a barrel, the loftiest since 2014.

Global oil prices are expected to rise further next year as jet fuel demand catches up.

The sun sets behind a pumpjack in Odessa, Texas. PHOTO: AP

“We’ve had Delta and Omicron and all manner of lockdowns and travel restrictions, but demand for oil has remained relatively firm. You can attribute that to the effects of stimulus supporting demand and restrictions on supply,” said CommSec chief economist Craig James.

US health experts warned Americans to prepare for severe disruptions in coming weeks, with infection rates likely to worsen amid increased holiday travel, New Year celebrations and school re-openings following winter breaks.

With oil hovering near USD80, James said he expects the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and allies, together called OPEC+, to stick to their plan to add 400,000 barrels per day of supply each month when they meet on January 4, as they continue to wind back sharp production cuts implemented in 2020.

“I think we will see a lot of pressure on OPEC+ to make sure there’s enough oil being supplied to market,” James said.

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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online - The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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