The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Del Potro on fire as he sets up final with Benneteau Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:46 PM PST  Del Potro ousted top seed Federer. – Reuters pic ROTTERDAM, Feb 17 – Argentine Juan Martin del Potro is favourite to add his name to the banner of champions wrapped around the Ahoy Arena after beating Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4 at the World Indoor Tournament yesterday. Runner-up last year, he will face Julien Benneteau, conqueror of champion Roger Federer, in Sunday's final after the Frenchman eliminated compatriot Gilles Simon 6-4 7-6. Del Potro has been in devastating form and reached the title match without dropping his serve all week. From the moment the lanky Argentine broke his Bulgarian opponent's service in the third game, when Dimitrov missed an easy volley, there seemed to be only one winner. "My serve is really going well and that gives a lot of confidence for the rest of my game plan," Del Potro told reporters. "I'm satisfied with this win against a player with a great potential who can be top 10 of 20 in the near future." Despite his favourite status in the final, 2009 U.S. Open champion Del Potro did not want to talk up his chances. "It was a bit of surprise that Roger went out but it doesn't please me as I don't pay any attention to the other half of the draw before the final," he said. "It doesn't matter who I play tomorrow, I just have to stick with my game plan and play it hard." Benneteau has yet to lift a tour title in his 13-year career despite reaching seven previous finals. He retained his form from Friday when he ousted top seed Federer, although the 31-year-old had to wait for his chances against Simon. "I handled yesterday's win ok. I put it behind me after I woke up this morning," Benneteau said. "Though it is tough to come back on court after such a big win especially when you face someone you know so well, like Gilles." Benneteau got his first break chances in the ninth game of the first set he and converted the third when Simon volleyed into the net. Simon underwent treatment to his left thigh in the second set before his defensive game plan proved to be no answer to the variation of Benneteau who rushed to a 7-1 tie break win to reach the final. "My experience is helping me and also will play a role to put the seven lost finals behind me," he added. – Reuters |
| Roma’s Totti sinks leaders Juve with wonder goal Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:41 PM PST  Totti (third from right) celebrates with teammates at the end of their Italian Serie A match against Juventus at the Olympic stadium in Rome February 16, 2013. – Reuters pic The Roma captain ran onto a clearance before smashing the ball past Italy goalkeeper Gianliugi Buffon to leave Juve on 55 points, five ahead of Napoli who host Sampdoria today. The win takes Roma up to seventh place on 37 points from 25 games after their first league success this year. Totti has now scored 224 Serie A goals, one less than the all-time top scorer Gunnar Nordahl, and his strike capped a superb second-half display by Roma, who could have scored more. Roma's Daniele De Rossi missed the easiest chance of the night six minutes after they took the lead, completely missing the ball on the edge of the six-yard box. Juve, who were subdued and failed to punish Roma for their wastefulness, could now find themselves only two points clear at the top if Napoli beat Sampdoria today. Earlier, Palermo moved off the bottom with a 1-1 draw at Chievo Verona and are now 19th on 19 points, three points from the safety zone. Chievo rose two places to 11th on 29 points. – Reuters |
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