The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Djokovic pulls out of Madrid with arm injury Posted: 04 May 2014 07:46 AM PDT Djokovic, who was hampered by the injury, thought to be his right wrist, at last month's Monte Carlo Masters where he lost to Roger Federer in the semi-finals, said he hoped to be back for the Rome Masters starting next Sunday. "I am very sorry for the Madrid tournament and all the Spanish fans to have to pull out," Djokovic on the ATP website (www.atpworldtour.com). "I did everything possible in order to play in Madrid, which is one of the biggest events of the year, but unfortunately my right arm injury has flared up again," he added. "Now I will take some time to recover and heal my injury, hoping I will be ready for Rome. I look forward to returning to Madrid next year." Djokovic would have had a chance of toppling Rafa Nadal from the number one spot at the clay event in the Spanish capital. If Spaniard Nadal, who won in Madrid last year, had failed to reach the quarter-finals and Djokovic had triumphed in the final the Serb would have overtaken him at the top of the rankings for the first time since October. Nadal has been well below his scintillating best on his favoured clay in recent weeks, losing in the quarter-finals at Monte Carlo and Barcelona to compatriots David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro respectively. "When you lose, you have a hard moment, you have more doubts," Nadal said at a news conference today. "I'm here to fight and to try to play even better," added the 27-year-old. "I don't think I have to change many things. I think I can change very small things, and the change can be quite drastic and quite big. That's what I'm working on right now. "When you come from tough moments like this, you come back with a little more intensity to try to be back as soon as possible." – Reuters, May 4, 2014 |
| Malaysia makes history clinching third place after defeating Ireland 4-2 Posted: 04 May 2014 07:36 AM PDT Despite failing to advance to the finals of the Champions Challenge 1 Hockey Championship as targeted, the national hockey squad succeeded in ending the challenge in third place after beating Ireland 4-2 at the play-off at the Indera Mahkota Hockey Stadium tonight. The national hockey squad's best achievement prior to this was fourth placing at the Quilmes, Argentina edition in 2012 and in Kuala Lumpur in 2001. Malaysia initiated scoring in the seventh minute from a penalty stroke by Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin before Muhammad Rashid Baharom doubled the score via a field goal in the 11th minute. Ireland, which is 15th in the world, created its first goal through a penalty corner strike by Paul Gleghorne in the 22nd minute. In the second half, Ireland levelled the score 2-2 in the 43rd minute from a field goal by experienced player Chris Cargo. The ecstasy of the squad under Fulton Craig was however short-lived when the national squad's captain Azlan Misron scored a field goal in the 66th minute. Muhammad Firhan Ashari was feted the hero of the team when he confirmed a Malaysian win via a field goal in the 70th minute. Meanwhile, national team coach, Muhammad Dharmaraj Abdullah said despite failing to achieve the target, he was satisfied with the performance of his players who were determined for a win after being thwarted by Canada at the semi-final action yesterday. Malaysia failed to advance to the final after it was embarrassed 5-4 by Canada through penalty strikes after being tied 2-2 in the semi-final yesterday. In previous matches, Japan beat Poland 3-2 to grab seventh place, while New Zealand garnered fifth spot after disposing off France 6-3, at the play-offs. – Bernama, May 4, 2014 |
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