Sports Digest

A round-up of today's sports news in brief

Nadal's quest for latest clay title gets off to positive start

TENNIS:World number one Rafa Nadal began his quest for a third clay title in less than a month with a 6-1 6-3 drubbing of unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the Madrid Open second round yesterday.

The 24-year-old Spaniard, who won back-to-back tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month, did not face a single break point on his serve.

The victory took his record on the red dust since 2005 to 187 wins and only six defeats and set up a last-16 meeting against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro. The resurgent former world number four and 2009 US Open champion dismissed Croat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-0 as he continued his comeback from a wrist injury.

World number two Novak Djokovic maintained his blistering start to 2011 with a 6-3 6-4 victory over unseeded South African Kevin Anderson. The Australian Open champion has won all of his 28 matches this season.

Andy Murray progressed after beating Gilles Simon in three sets, 6-4 3-6 6-0.

UCI takes action against Landis

CYCLING:The International Cycling Union (UCI) started legal proceedings against disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis yesterday.

The American lost his 2006 Tour title after testing positive for testosterone and has launched a series of attacks on cycling personalities since.

The International Cycling Union (UCI), its current president, Mr Pat McQuaid, and one of its former presidents, Mr Hein Verbruggen, have lodged a case in the Swiss courts against Mr Floyd Landis regarding repeated, serious attacks against their characters,” the Switzerland-based UCI said in a statement.

“By this step, made necessary by numerous unacceptable public statements by Mr Landis, the UCI is seeking to defend the integrity of the cycling movement as a whole against the accusations of a rider who, by breaching the anti-doping rules, caused cycling serious harm.”

Cycling proscribes limited needle use

CYCLING:Cyclists will no longer be allowed to use needles except for clear medical reasons, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced yesterday in its latest attempt to crack down on doping.

Despite the doping scourge badly damaging the sport, needles were permitted to inject substances such as vitamins and sugar to aid recovery but now all non-medical injections have been outlawed by the UCI Management Committee.

“This measure is above all designed to protect the riders health and contribute to eradicating doping by restricting a practice that is all too often abused,” a statement said.

Breach of these new regulations will lead to sanctions for the rider, team doctor or team.

The move is also aimed at encouraging natural physical recovery by rejecting the automatic recourse to injections.

All-rounder Botha retires

CRICKET:All-rounder Andre Botha has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing to an end a 10-year association with his adopted country in which the 35-year-old earned 141 caps, writes Emmet Riordan.

Born in South Africa, Botha joined Clontarf CC as a professional while still a teenager and played twice for Ireland in 2001 as an overseas player before qualifying through residency in 2003.

At the height of his international career Botha was an automatic selection, batting in the top order and an extremely economic bowler. Considering he was Ireland’s key “death” bowler, his economy rate of less than four runs an over is outstanding. His 176 international wickets, at an average of 22, puts him eighth on the all-time Irish list.

He finishes his career fourth on the batting list, his 3,606 runs including six hundreds and 13 half-centuries, with a highest score of 186.

Botha has struggled with injury in recent years and that was a key consideration in his decision.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “Andre will be sorely missed, his courage in continuing to represent Ireland with the different injuries he’s endured over the last couple of years has been incredible, and shows just what a big heart he has.

“On behalf of the Irish team I want to wish Andre all the best for the future, and I hope his invaluable experience will not be lost to Irish cricket.”

McLaren feel they're back in the race

FORMULA ONE:McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes Formula One's own version of the arms race will determine who wins this year's title war.

Red Bull held a clear advantage in the opening two races in Australia and Malaysia as Sebastian Vettel strolled to back-to-back victories, only for McLaren to reel in the German in the last grand prix in China.

The tonic delivered by Hamilton’s success in Shanghai has fuelled belief within McLaren they can catch and surpass Red Bull when it boils down to who can develop the car more quickly and efficiently.

“Winning in China was a fantastic reward for all the hard effort that’s been undertaken, both at the racetrack and the McLaren Technology Centre, to turn this year’s car into a race winner,” said Whitmarsh.

“We’re excited and encouraged by the pace and consistency that both drivers have shown in the opening three flyaway races, but the return to Europe brings fresh challenges.”