US Open: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beaten by Martin Klizan

Friday, August 31, 2012

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out of the US Open in the second round, losing 6-4 1-6 6-1 6-3 to Martin Klizan.  

The Slovakian, ranked 52 in the world, had 19 break points against Tsonga, who reached the quarter-finals in 2011. There was no such trouble for world number one Roger Federer who beat Bjorn Phau 6-2 6-3 6-2. Andy Murray will face Feliciano Lopez in the third round on Saturday after the Spaniard beat his compatriot Pablo Andujar 6-4 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 7-5. Fifth seed Tsonga was expected to meet Murray in the quarter-finals. "I was not in good shape," said the Frenchman. "I didn't play good tennis. "It seemed like I couldn't hit the ball hard enough to put my opponent out of position. I don't really know why it was like this, but sometimes it happens with me. "I'm disappointed but it's tennis. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Of course, it's always sad when you lose but I will wait for another good moment. I will forget it." The 23-year-old Klizan, who lost to Britain's Dan Evans in the Davis Cup earlier this year, will play 32nd seed Jeremy Chardy in the third round and was understandably overjoyed to have beaten Tsonga. "He's number six in the world and I beat him," he said. "I think it's my best result in my career and I'm looking forward to playing Saturday in the third round.

There is a chance to win again." Federer remained on course for a record sixth US Open title with a 90-minute victory over Germany's Phau. Both players produced some exquisite shots but it was the top seed who came out on top, finishing the match with 15 aces and 44 winners. The Swiss will next play the 25th seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain who beat fellow countryman Albert Ramos 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-4. America's Mardy Fish bounced back from a two-set deficit to beat Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-1 6-2, creating a new US Open record in the process by becoming the 10th player at this year's tournament to recover from two sets down. Fish's compatriot James Blake overcame Spain's Marcel Granollers 6-1 6-4 6-2 and will play Milos Raonic in the third round after the Canadian beat Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4). Sixth seed Tomas Berdych completed a 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory over Jurgen Zopp and will play Sam Querrey, while 12th seed Marin Cilic needed five sets to overcome Daniel Brands of Germany 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 7-5. Spain's Nicolas Almagro battled past Germany's Philipp Petzschner 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-4 6-4 to set up a meeting with American teenager Jack Sock , who comfortably eased past Flavio Cipolla 6-2 6-2 6-4.











31 August 2012 Last updated at 02:25
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19430736

Read Post | comments

Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts are Ryder Cup wildcards

Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts are the two wildcard picks in Jose Maria Olazabal's European side for the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Chicago.  

England's Poulter, 36, wins his fourth cap, while Belgian Colsaerts, 29, makes his debut in the 28-30 September event. Colsaerts played his golf on the Challenge Tour - Europe's second tier event - in 2009. "I am living proof if you want something badly, put the work in and have passion, it can happen," he said. "It has been a fairy story. It is something I have wanted since I was a little kid. To be part of such a big team for a captain with such good history is something I'm very proud of." The 10 automatic choices - those players who topped the rankings after Sunday's Johnnie Walker Championship - are Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer. US-based Poulter, who struggled with pneumonia earlier this season, has built a reputation as a fearsome matchplay exponent. He was the highest points scorer for either side when selected as a wildcard for the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla and won three points out of four in Europe's 14½-13½ win at Celtic Manor two years ago. He said: "I'm thrilled. To get the call last night from Jose was a great moment. I want to pour some passion over the 18 holes at Medinah like I know best." Poulter, who made the first of his three previous appearances in the biennial event in 2004, could have take one of the automatic spots had he chosen to play in the Johnnie Walker Championship. A 35th-place finish would have overhauled former world number one Kaymer, but Poulter opted to stay in America. Colsaerts, who won the World Match Play Championship in May, could also have sealed an automatic place with a top-two finish at Gleneagles, but his share of 19th meant the out-of-form German Kaymer held on to the final qualification place, despite also opting to miss the event. Captain Olazabal explained Colsaerts, the longest hitter on the European Tour, won him over by showing his desire to play in the Ryder Cup.

 "The guy has shown a lot of heart and a lot of character," he said. "The Ryder Cup is difficult but I think he has the game. It is a long course and I think he can take advantage of that." Colsaerts will become the first Belgian to compete in the Ryder Cup and will also be the only rookie in this year's side, compared to the six that played in Wales. Padraig Harrington, a six-time Ryder Cup veteran, was also in contention for a wildcard but failed to persuade Olazabal to select him. "He was 19th on the list of players and that was a little bit too far down," he said. "He took it well." The 10 automatic choices were made up of the top five from a list based on ranking points won in European Tour events, followed by the next five best on the world rankings. Olazabal, who played in seven Ryder Cups from 1987-2006 and was a key partner of the late Seve Ballesteros, will have four vice-captains to assist him in Chicago. The two-time Masters champion will be joined by Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, Ireland's Paul McGinley, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez. Eight players have already qualified for the US team: Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson. US captain Davis Love names his four wildcard choices on 4 September after the first two events of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-offs. The 2012 Ryder Cup will take place from 28-30 September at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. Europe have beaten the United States in four of the last five competitions.












27 August 2012 Last updated at 13:06
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19379504

Read Post | comments

Andy Murray to meet Alex Bogomolov in US Open first round

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Third seed Andy Murray will play Alex Bogomolov Jr in the first round of the US Open, which starts on Monday. 

The Russian world number 73 beat Murray in 2011's Sony Ericsson Open, breaking serve seven times in a 6-1 7-5 victory. Murray could face world number one and top seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals, after the pair were drawn in the same half of the draw. In the women's tournament, Olympic mixed doubles silver medallist Laura Robson opens against a qualifier. Robson, 18, could then face three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters in the second round. Clijsters, 29, will retire after the US Open , but the 2009 and 2010 champion is looking to continue a 21-match unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows after missing the 2011 tournament through injury. Great Britain's Heather Watson and Anne Keothavong have been handed tough first round matches in the women's singles.

 Watson will face 2011 French Open champion Li Na of China while Keothavong will play sixth seed Angelique Kerber of Germany. World number one Victoria Azarenka is in the top half of the draw with Maria Sharapova, while Serena Williams joins Agnieszka Radwanksa in the bottom half. Federer, who hopes to become the first man in 87 years to win the US Open six times, will play Donald Young of the United States in the first round. Young, 23, ended a 17-match ATP losing streak this week by beating Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the Winston-Salem Open. Federer currently has five Flushing Meadow wins, level with US legends Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, although amateur Bill Tilden won for the sixth time in 1925, before finishing his career with a seventh US Open victory in 1929. Number two seed Novak Djokovic opens against Italy's Paolo Lorenzi.













23 August 2012 Last updated at 18:23
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19354738

Read Post | comments

Padraig Harrington presses Ryder Cup case by leading at Barclays

Padraig Harrington pressed his case for a Ryder Cup wildcard by shooting a 64 to claim the early lead at the Barclays Tournament in Farmingdale. 

The Irishman's seven-under-par round at the New York course gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over American pair Nick Watney and Brian Harman. US PGA winner Rory McIlroy opened with a two-under 69, one behind Tiger Woods and world number two Luke Donald. Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal is to name his wildcard picks on Monday. Dubliner Harrington has played on four winning European sides in the Ryder Cup. Ian Poulter is widely expected to be handed one of the two places Olazabal will chose for the clash with the United States at at Medinah, Illinois. The Englishman, and two-times Open champion Harrington, were two of Colin Montgomerie's three picks for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales. Olazabal, at Gleneagles for the Johnnie Walker Championship, was reminded that two weeks ago he had said Harrington needed to do something extraordinary to make the side. So what now constitutes extraordinary? "At least a win," Olazabal replied with a smile. England's Gary Christian was tied for fourth place after producing a superb five-under-par round of 66 which would have been even better were it not for a bogey at the last.

 The 31-year-old, who has only one top-10 professional finish to his name, belied his world number 245 ranking to register five birdies in his first nine holes. England's Justin Rose shot 67, one ahead of compatriots Donald and Ian Poulter. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were among other European stars to show encouraging form at the Barclays, the first of the FedEx Cup play-off events. Garcia, who confirmed his place by winning the Wyndham Championship last week, had a 66 to lie just two behind Harrington while Westwood matched McIlroy's two-under 69. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell had a day to forget though - carding two double bogeys and three bogeys in a four-over-par round of 75.













23 August 2012 Last updated at 19:28
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19363245

Read Post | comments

Viewpoint: Can the Mo Farah effect help Somalis and Somalia?

Friday, August 17, 2012

Mo Farah's double Olympic gold brings a much-needed positive image for the Somali people whose name has unfortunately become synonymous with anarchy and lawlessness.

 Somalia has not had a functioning government for more than two decades. Since the collapse of the state in 1991, the country has become a haven for pirates and al-Qaeda affiliated militants, who have seized the attention of the world. The Somali community in the UK as well as other Western countries has become linked to these scourges, so it comes as a breath of fresh air to have a Somali-born Brit bring such joy to many British households who might have previously had other opinions about Somali people. I am particularly hopeful that the "Mo Farah effect" can bring Somalis and the different communities here in Britain closer together, to truly appreciate the human aspirations and commonalities we share as part of this melting pot known as Great Britain. Uniting Mogadishu I was in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, for the past two weeks so I unfortunately missed the chance of catching any of the Games live, but I made sure I watched on every TV at my disposal and I wasn't the only one. At every big screen one couldn't escape from the roaring crowd, all vying to see Mo in action. People adore him in Mogadishu, and rightly so. It is his birthplace and most of the local youngsters feel that sense of connection with him. While mingling with local people, I noticed the amazing ability of one person to be able to transcend disparities and bring together people who had been separated and turned against each other by power, greed and clan animosity, despite being many miles away. Mogadishu is a city divided by tumultuous conflict, with most people separated by their political or religious views, but for the brief moments that Mo was on TV, everyone came together, united as Somalis. And the same was true of Somali-inhabited territories elsewhere in East Africa. On my way to the UK, I had the chance to make a pit-stop in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, where I visited Eastleigh - a densely populated neighbourhood where nearly all residents are ethnic Somalis.

 Here too, Mo Farah was a superhero. Young children were cheerfully shaping the "Mobot" - Mo's signature victory sign. Muslim prayer Similar celebrations were taking place online on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Somalis were overwhelmed with joy and Mo reciprocated their support by expressing his sense of appreciation for all Somalis, irrespective of where in Somalia they came from or which clan they belonged to. This, I think, has further lifted the reverence the Somali people had for him. He chose to appreciate the bigger picture in a deeply divided society and as a result has perhaps created a sense of unity that has long been missing in the Somali community. Additionally, he has remained true to his religious beliefs, giving a Muslim prayer after each win and thanking Allah for his victory. This will no doubt restore confidence in the Somali youth, who often grapple with finding a balance between their Western upbringing, Somali roots and Muslim faith. I am optimistic that his win will shed light on a different kind of role model Somalis can look up to and aspire to emulate, and maybe we might be lucky enough to see more Somali-British youngsters competing in the next Olympics. He is already an inspiration to Somali Olympians Zamzam Mohamed Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, who competed in the London Olympics representing Somalia. They both cited Mo, saying they have tried to emulate him since they caught sight of him in the last Olympics in China. Mo's display of his faith portrays to the rest of Britain that Somalis can remain true to their beliefs while fully integrating with the wider society, which will hopefully counter-balance the common association of Muslims with fundamentalism. It is precisely for these reasons that I think Mo will remain dearly cherished by all Somalis both inside the country and in the diaspora and I hope his effect will stretch wide enough for all of them to unite once again.













 16 August 2012 Last updated at 01:39
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19256643

Read Post | comments

US PGA champion Rory McIlroy motivated by criticism of form

Monday, August 13, 2012

Rory McIlroy said winning the US PGA Championship - his second major - was a satisfying snub to his critics. 

The 23-year-old's six-under 66 earned a record eight-shot win at Kiawah Island and a return to world number one. However, a run of four missed cuts in five events this year and scrutiny over his private life prompted questions over where his career was headed. "To be honest, it did motivate me," admitted McIlroy. "I did want to go out there and prove a few people wrong." The Northern Irishman became the second youngest player to reach the top of the world rankings in March of this year but then swapped the position with England's Luke Donald a couple of times through April and May. After taking the number one ranking for a third time on 6 May, McIlroy embarked on a run of four missed cuts in five events, including the US Open where he was the defending champion. Critics have also speculated that his relationship with former world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has been a distraction for his sporting ambitions. However, McIlroy told a packed press conference in the wake of his victory in South Carolina: "I was a little frustrated with how I was playing earlier on in the year but a few people in this [media] room were probably pressing panic buttons for no reason. "I don't think I could have answered it in any better way. "It took me all of four weeks to get my game back in shape and get out of my mini slump - and this is the result." McIlroy became the youngest man to win two majors since Spain's Seve Ballesteros won the Masters, also at the age of 23, in 1980. His eight-shot margin of victory is a new record, surpassing Jack Nicklaus's seven-stroke victory at Oak Hill in 1980. In addition, the Northern Irishman is now a multiple major winner at a younger age than Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who was four months older than McIlroy when he won his second major.

"I don't care if I win by one or by eight - I just want to win - but it's nice to break a record like that, especially of Jack Nicklaus," he said. "To sit up here and see this trophy and call myself a multiple major champion... not many people have done it and I'm very privileged to join such an elite list of names." The surprise of the Championship was Stoke-based golfer David Lynn, who finished alone in second place on five under. The 38-year-old, who has only played in one other major, the 2003 Open where he finished 53rd, was rewarded with an automatic berth in the 2013 Masters. "To get in is just a dream come true, obviously - amazing," he said. "I saw Rory at 11 [under] and I thought he's not going to mess up from there. It was just a case of playing for as good a position as I could." Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter mounted a serious challenge when he holed six birdies in seven holes. But his hopes of winning a first major disappeared with three bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. "I guess it was a dream start. I guess I pushed him [Rory] and I guess I ran out of steam at the end," said the 36-year-old from Hitchin. "It was a great day. It's just a shame I couldn't quite finish it off." Four-time US PGA winner Woods started the day on two under and finished the day on the same score, having never really threatened the lead. He laid the blame on his third round of 74. "I came out with probably the wrong attitude [on Saturday]. I was too relaxed and tried to enjoy it and that's not how I play," said the 36-year-old for. "I play intense and full systems go. That cost me."












 13 August 2012 Last updated at 09:00
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19239032

Read Post | comments

Tsonga beats Raonic in longest ever Olympics tennis match

Friday, August 3, 2012

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Milos Raonic in the longest tennis match in Olympic history to reach the third round. 

The Frenchman won 6-3 3-6 25-23 after three hours and 56 minutes, following a third and final set lasting 48 games - itself an Olympic record. Tsonga wasted three match points before winning the epic deciding set. The 66-game contest also beat the previous record of 48 games, set in 2004 when Fernando Gonzalez beat Taylor Dent to win bronze in Athens. Chile's Gonzalez eventually won that match 6-4 2-6 16-14 after a then-record three hours 25 minutes. Serbia's Novak Djokovic thrashed Andy Roddick of the United States 6-2 6-1 to reach round three. The second seed, a bronze medallist in Beijing, took only 54 minutes to overcome Roddick and will now play Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who beat 13th seed Marin Cilic 6-4 7-5. World number two Djokovic, who was beaten in the 2012 Wimbledon semi-finals by Roger Federer, said he was enjoying the different atmosphere of the Olympics. "You're not playing for yourself like you are most of the time throughout the year," said the 25-year-old. "This is one of the unique events, unique opportunities to play for your country, and the nation is cheering for you as an athlete, as a representative of the nation at this Olympic Games. "I served extremely well during these opening two matches and [against Roddick] everything was working perfectly well. "I was neutralising his serve by getting a lot of returns back in the court and serving a lot of aces. Getting a lot of free points on serve is something I really want to have in my game." Venus Williams moved closer to a fourth Olympic gold as she reached the third round with a 6-1 6-3 win over Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.









31 July 2012 Last updated at 19:35
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19069737

Read Post | comments

The Open 2012: Ernie Els wins as Adam Scott crumbles

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The 42-year-old South African birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot. Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield. The 1994 and 1997 US Open champion carded 68 to the 75 of Scott, who had led since the sixth hole on Saturday. The 32-year-old Scott was four shots clear on the 15th tee and needed to hole from 10ft on the last to force a play-off. "I am just numb at the moment, I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine," said Els, who picked up £900,000 in prize money. "We both wanted to win so badly, but I really feel for him. That is the nature of the beast, that is why we are out here. "It was my time. I was hoping at best a play-off. A lot of people never thought I would win but I started believing this year, getting a lot of help from my family and the professionals around me." Tiger Woods threatened at times but a triple bogey via a greenside bunker at the par-four sixth and three straight bogeys from the 13th sank his chances of a 15th major and first since the 2008 US Open. The 36-year-old carded a three-over 73 to end tied third at three under alongside playing partner and fellow American Brandt Snedeker (74). Woods said: "It's part of golf - we all go through these phases, some people it lasts entire careers, others are a little bit shorter. Even the greatest players to ever play have all gone through little stretches like this." Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, was playing in the final group for a second straight major but again struggled to engage the leader. The Northern Irishman took 75 to tie for fifth at two under with England's world number one Luke Donald, who climbed up the leaderboard with a 69. Scott's capitulation must rank worse than Rory McIlroy's Masters meltdown in 2011 and up there with Jean van de Velde's final-hole drama at Carnoustie in 1999. His defeat called to mind his compatriot Greg Norman's loss at the Masters in 1996 when Nick Faldo overhauled a six-stroke deficit to snatch victory at Augusta in the last round. "I'm very disappointed but I played so beautifully for most of the week I really shouldn't let this bring me down," said Scott. "I know I've let a really great chance slip through my fingers today, but somehow I'll look back and take the positives from it." Els, who was ninth at last month's US Open, becomes the 16th consecutive different major champion and moves up from 40th to 15th in the world rankings. He also finished tied second when Royal Lytham hosted the Open in 1996 and tied third when it was last held on the Fylde coast, in 2001. Scott led by four overnight and was still four clear of second-placed McDowell by the turn as the expected challenge in a stiffening breeze failed to materialise. Els was six shots adrift after going out in two-over 36 but he edged into the frame with birdies at the 10th, 12th and 14th. His putt across the final green set up the prospect of a play-off but Scott found a bunker with his drive and was unable to make his par. Donald, who like Scott is also still searching for a maiden major title, echoed the Australian's feelings, and the feelings of many in the field. "Certainly I'll leave this week knowing that my game is definitely good enough to win majors," said the 34-year-old, who finished five shots behind Els. "Unfortunately I couldn't quite hole the putts, but I'll take a lot of positives away from this week."










 22 July 2012 Last updated at 20:46 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18948285

Read Post | comments