A roiundup of today's other sports news in brief:
Massa insists relations with Alonso on right foot
MOTOR SPORT: Felipe Massa is adamant he has cleared the air with new Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso. Massa caused a stir towards the end of last year following the confirmation of Alonso's appointment by claiming the Spaniard was aware of the "crashgate" plot that resulted in his victory in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
It was not the first time views had been aired between the duo as they twice had differences of opinion, following races in Spain and Germany in 2007. Such past confrontations led to suggestions their Latin temperaments would continue to clash at Ferrari, yet Massa maintains he and Alonso have so far managed to maintain their new partnership on the right foot, in stark contrast to his previous relationship with Kimi Raikkonen.
“Things have started extremely well,” remarked Massa at Ferrari’s annual pre-season winter event in the Italian Dolomites. “We’ve already started to speak a lot about the car and what to do to have a competitive car. I’ve spoken more to Fernando now than in three years with Kimi.
“Perhaps this is not difficult because Kimi, of course, did not like to speak much. But I also worked extremely well with Kimi, even without speaking.
“I think we can have a very good relationship and we can work extremely well together. We need to work well together otherwise it will not be positive for either of us or for the team.
Kürten and O'Connor in the money
EQUESTRIAN: Irish riders are amassing plenty of prize-money in Basle with Jessica Kürten and Cian O'Connor both winning classes at the four-star Swiss show, writes Margie Mcloone.
Late on Thursday night, Germany-based Kürten and Lady Georgina Forbes’s Castle Forbes Cosma were one of 19 combinations through to the second round of the 1.45m jump-off class. The Antrim-born rider picked up the first prize of €6,000 when just under a second faster than Switzerland’s Hansueli Sprunger on Kepi de Valse.
Yesterday afternoon it was O’Connor’s turn to top the rankings, landing the 1.40m speed class on his own Clover Echo mare Irish Independent Echo Beach which was bred in Co Tyrone by Brendan McSorley. Again, the host nation had to settle for second place through the Clarissa Crotta-partnered Made In Margot.
Dementieva retains title
TENNIS: Russia's Elena Dementieva defeated a hobbling Serena Williams 6-3 6-2 at the Olympic centre yesterday to win the Sydney International for the second year in a row.
Dementieva completely outplayed the American world number one, who was troubled by a sore left knee that restricted her movement on court.
Williams said later the injury was not serious and would not prevent her from playing at the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Monday, but had distracted her.
“It’s just a little pain and the strapping usually helps the pain go away sometimes,” Williams said. “I haven’t played for two months on a competitive level, so I think it’s good for my body to go through this now, especially since I’m in doubles as well as singles.
“I think it’s a great blessing in a way. I played four matches and my body hasn’t been used to it. Now we’re ready and ready to go.”
Dementieva’s win was her fifth in 12 meetings with Williams and provided her with her 15th WTA title and her second in Sydney after she beat Dinara Safina in last year’s final.
“I’m very satisfied the way I was playing today and the whole week,” said Dementieva, who received the winner’s trophy from Margaret Court. “That’s what I was really looking for coming here in Sydney, just playing aggressively and playing with a lot of pressure.
“It was a great experience and it’s gonna help me next week.” Dementieva is still chasing her first grand slam title after making the finals at the French Open and US Open six years ago and said her win in Sydney had given her a real boost heading into the Australian Open.
“Such a big win gives you a lot of confidence,” she said. “When it comes to the grand slam, it’s gonna be a new challenge and I have to be ready and recover from this week and be ready from the first round.
“I feel I had a good preparation here and I just want to keep the good form coming into the next week.”
Butt undermines Pakistan's reply
CRICKET: Pakistan's ability to self-destruct came to the fore again as opener Salman Butt undermined their reply to Australia's mammoth first innings total with two comical run-outs in the final Test in Hobart.
The tourists were already up against it after Australia declared on 519 for eight – captain Ricky Ponting hitting 209 and his deputy Michael Clarke chipping in with 166 – but their hopes were hit when they slumped to 94 for four at stumps on day two.
Butt was largely responsible after being involved in the dismissals of skipper Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal. The first came after Yousuf played a superb off-drive off Doug Bollinger and after running two called for a legitimate and easily obtainable third. But despite the fact Yousuf was running to the danger end, Butt refused to run at the non-striker’s end, leaving his captain stranded. Incredibly Butt repeated the feat, leaving teenage sensation Umar also stranded.
McDermott takes award
SPORTS AWARD: Michéal McDermott, manager of Kilmurry Ibricken, is the Philips sports manager of the month for December after his side beat Kerins O'Rahillys by 0-7 to 0-6 to win the Munster Club Football final last month.
McDermott is preparing Kilmurry Ibrickane for their upcoming All-Ireland quarter-final against Tir Connell Gaels in London on January 24th and the Clare football team for the start of the NFL.
