The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Sharapova into semis as Serena withdraws in Madrid Posted: 09 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT Williams was due to face Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals but pulled out due to a thigh injury she had been carrying since sweeping aside Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic in the first round on Sunday. "I have a left thigh injury and, unfortunately, have to withdraw from this year's Madrid Open," said Williams. "It happened during my first round match. It started to get better, but most importantly right now, I just need some time to rest and recover. "It's beyond words. It's so frustrating." However, the American insisted that she will try to defend her title at the Internazionale BNL D'Italia in Rome next week. "I am planning to play in Rome. Fortunately, I have a bye next week so will have an extra day of rest. "For now, I will take it one day at a time and take advantage of some extra rest." Sharapova has been beaten by Williams in Madrid in the last two years, including in the 2013 final, and the Russian is now the favourite to clinch her first title in the Spanish capital as she edged a thrilling match against second seed Li 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. Li looked on course for the semi-finals when she broke to lead 4-3 in the second set. However, Sharapova broke back immediately and, despite needing four set points, finally forced the match into a deciding set when Li netted at 5-6 down in the tie-break. There were three breaks of serve to open the third set, but Sharapova took control when she finally consolidated the break at 3-1 and was gifted the final game when Li double faulted on match point. The four-time Grand Slam champion will face third seed Agnieszka Radwanska or French qualifier Caroline Garcia in the semi-finals tomorrow. – AFP, May 9, 2014. |
| Guardiola ready for a celebratory beer shower Posted: 09 May 2014 07:09 AM PDT "I know it's a big tradition and I like traditions," the Spaniard said. "If the players want to do it, they can do it. In any case, I don't have any hair!" Bayern in fact wrapped up the Bundesliga title on March 25, with the home match against Stuttgart tomorrow bringing the curtain down on a season which saw Bayern crash out of the Champions League semi-final 5-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid. "Maybe for many people it's only another title, but for me it's a first in Bavaria," Guardiola said "And it's the most beautiful. We beat Chelsea (for the UEFA SuperCup) and won in Marrakesh (to take the Club World Cup title). But be it in Spain, Italy or elsewhere, winning the championship is the most important." Surprised to learn that he would have to make a speech from the mayor's balcony later Friday, Guardiola joked: "If it's short, it won't be a problem." Also lying ahead for Bayern, the former Barcelona coach stressed, was the German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund in Berlin on May 17. "We've mulled over a few things for a day or two after the defeat by Real, but we've since focused on the Cup," the 43-year-old said. – AFP, May 9, 2014. |
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