Sports digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Djokovic thrashes Federer and Ferrer routs Nadal

TENNIS:World number one Novak Djokovic brushed aside Roger Federer in straight sets to book a place in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Djokovic had complained of feeling rusty heading into the event but showed little sign of lethargy as he routed Federer for the loss of just three games.

Indeed, such was the Serb’s dominance he needed less than an hour to complete victory, wrapping up a 6-2 6-1 success in just 44 minutes.

Djokovic broke Federer twice in the first set and, at one point, reeled off nine games on the trot as he raced through a one-sided second.

The end came when a lacklustre Federer drilled a forehand long, one of a string of unforced errors from the Swiss.

“It is the perfect start to season. I played great,” said Djokovic,who will now face David Ferrer in today’s final after he emerged an equally convincing winner in his all-Spanish semi against Rafael Nadal.

Nadal slumped to a 6-3 6-2 defeat.

Lynch up to second in Euro league

EQUESTRIAN:Ireland's Denis Lynch moved up to second in the FEI western European league following his fifth place finish in yesterday's Belgian leg in Mechelen, writes Margie Mcloone.

Riding the Straumanns’ Abbervail vh Dingeshof, an Arpeggio gelding now rising 12 years of age, Lynch was one of five riders to record a double clear. However, his time of 38.10 in the second round was fifth as the host nation’s Gregory Wathelet went clear in 36.69 on Copin van de Broy. Lynch picked up €10,000.

Horse Sport Ireland yesterday published a provisional senior squad of 12 riders and 14 horses named by Team Ireland Equestrian eventing high performance manager Ginny Elliot for training at the Army Equitation School.

Squad: A Clark (Master Crusoe and Vaguely North), Capt G Curran (Shanaclough Crecora), Capt B Curran-Cournane (Ballintogher), J Doherty (The Only One and Ravenstar), C Glynn (Don’t Tell Punch), M Kyle (Coolio), J Murphy (Electric Cruise), E Power ( September Bliss), M Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure), S Shortt (Imperative), C Speirs (Portersize Just a A Jiff), S Watson (Ballybolger Bushman).

Roberts should be fit for Irish tie

RUGBY: Centre Jamie Roberts is expected to be fit in time for Wales' Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 5th.

The 25-year-old limped out of Cardiff Blues’ 28-9 Pro 12 win over Newport Gwent Dragons on December 23rd.

But the Blues say Roberts “should be available” for their January 14th Heineken Cup clash at London Irish.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will welcome the news about the 2011 World Cup star.

Mixed fortunes for Fitzgerald clan

TENNIS:The Fitzgerald family from Greystones were last night ruing their luck in the National Indoors Championships for the second successive year.

Twelve months ago, 21-year-old Niall was forced to retire after just three games due to a shoulder injury in his final clash with Georgia native Lazare Kukhalashvili.

And last night at David Lloyd Riverview, 19-year-old Ciaran, whom Niall beat in three sets in last year’s semi-finals, also had to call a halt to his semi-final tie against Kukhalashvili due to feeling unwell, when he was trailing 2-3.

But at least there was some consolation for the Fitzgeralds when Niall set up a repeat showdown of last year’s decider against Dublin-based Kukhalashvili, beating former Davis Cup player John McGahon on a champions’ tie-break.