Federer says Murray has bright future in the game

Sports Digest/Tennis: World number one Roger Federer believes the future is bright for Britain's Andy Murray after the 18-year-old gave him a "very tough" match in the final of the Thailand Open.

The Swiss ace won the match 6-3 7-5 for his 31st consecutive ATP Tour win and his 24th straight win in an ATP final, but did not have things all his own way against the youngster from Dunblane, Scotland, who even broke Federer in the second set.

Asked if he expected big things from Murray in the future, Federer said: "Absolutely. That was a very tough final today."

ROWING: Ireland's women did the country proud at the World Rowing Coastal Challenge in Noli, Italy, over the weekend. The four won their event, the double was second, and single oarswoman Caragh Edwards was third, writes Liam Gorman.

While the men's team had little luck, the women's four of Sarah Jane Bennett, Sandra Wall, Ailis Redmond, Caroline O'Riordan and cox Deirdre O'Donoghue had a good win, and Catherine Morris and Patrice McGillicuddy were second in their class.

SHOW JUMPING: Jessica Kurten topped the line-up in the feature class at the Bremen Euroclassics yesterday afternoon. Kurten had Lady Georgina Forbes' 11-year-old mare Quibell home and hosed five seconds clear of Swedish ace Ralf-Goran Bengtsson.

Kurten also collected a second and a third at the German fixture on Saturday. Compatriot Denis Lynch kept the Irish flag flying with a share of third place in Saturday night's Puissance with the 12-year-old gelding Avanti and Paul O'Shea taking fifth in the Grand Prix at Arezzo in Italy with Mahon Point.

On the home circuit, the future of this year's Belfast indoor international has been secured following a sponsorship agreement with Scarva Stud in Co Down.

ATHLETICS: Alistair Cragg has made a welcome return to competitive running by finishing second in the annual Cowboy Jamboree cross country race in the US. After sitting out the entire summer track season with a lower back injury, Cragg was deliberately cautious in his tactics but came home just behind former Arkansas team mate Josphat Boit, who took the 8km win in 24 minutes 33 seconds, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Running as a guest, Cragg had helped establish a solid pace, and ended up second with a time of 24:40.

Back home, Robert Connolly showed a fine return to form yesterday by winning the annual Rathfarnam 5km road race in a course record of 13 minutes 57 seconds. The Dundrum athlete set a scorching pace and was chased home by James Nolan (UCD) in 14.11. Maria McCambridge was also a clear winner of the women's race in 15.30.