The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:33 AM PDT

SHANGHAI, Oct 10 — Kei Nishikori's dream run that took him to the Japan Open tennis title last week was cut short in China when he lost 6-2 1-6 4-6 to Sam Querrey of the US in the second round of the Shanghai Masters today.

Nishikori battles on, but the body gives in in the end. — Reuters pic

The 14th seed, who became the home country's first Japan Open champion on Sunday, won the first set and went 3-1 up in the third before Querrey rallied to beat him.

The 22-year-old Nishikori breezed through the first set but needed treatment on his right ankle after which he lost his rhythm.

"I tried to play, but he had a good serve," the Japanese world number 15 told reporters. "I broke him first in the third set but couldn't finish the match. It's disappointing.

"I had some serious pain in my right ankle. It hurt all the way through the Japan Open and hurt yesterday and today.

"My left knee also hurt. If I am honest my whole body is tired. Today I also played to my absolute limit until the end."

World number one and top seed Roger Federer of Switzerland opened his campaign with a 6-3 7-5 win over qualifier Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan.

Federer, who broke his opponent once in each set, will take on compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round.

Second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who last week won the China Open, began with an easy 6-3 6-2 win against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the second round.

Britain's Andy Murray, the defending champion, advanced to the third round when his German opponent Florian Mayer withdrew with an injury.

Fourth seed Thomas Berdych and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeded fifth, also won their matches. — Reuters

Former Zimbabwe all rounder and coach Curran dies

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:10 AM PDT

Curran (left) with Zimbabwe captain Taibu after a practice at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. — Reuters file pic

CAPE TOWN, Oct 10 — Kevin Curran, the former Zimbabwean all rounder and coach, has died in Mutare at the age of 53 after collapsing on a morning run while preparing his franchise team for a domestic game.

Curran made his international debut aged 20 and was an integral part of the Zimbabwe team at the 1983 and 1987 World Cups but played most of his cricket for English counties Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire and for Natal in South Africa.

He was known throughout his playing career for his physical fitness and stamina and retired in 1999 after a first-class career spanning over two decades.

"He was the epitome of good health... we are still coming to terms with this tragic loss, we are in shock," said Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, Wilfred Mukondiwa.

Curran returned to live Zimbabwe in 2004 to take up a full-time position as director of the national academy and coach of the under-19 team but assumed the role of national coach a year later following the departure of West Indian Phil Simmons.

He had been head coach at the Harare-based franchise, Mashonaland Eagles, and was about to start a game against the Mountaineers. The match was postponed.

"He was a great believer in the future of Zimbabwe Cricket and he came back to this country to help the rebuilding and restructuring process," said former captain and ZC's director of cricket, Alistair Campbell.

"He will be desperately missed by everyone, not least by his son, Sam, who was Zimbabwe's junior cricketer of the year last year. He had a father he can be proud of for the rest of his life." — Reuters

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Rabu, 10 Oktober 2012

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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