A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Sharapova makes smooth progress
TENNIS: Second seed Maria Sharapova cruised into the third round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday with a straight-sets defeat of Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn.
The world number two, who lost in the third round of the US Open earlier this month, ran through the first set before struggling to close it out in the second.
After relinquishing an early break she regained the upper hand to complete a 6-2 7-5 win in one hour and 31 minutes.
Seventh seed Marion Bartoli overcame stubborn resistance from Ayumi Morita and the presence of a a partisan Tokyo crowd to advance 6-3 0-6 6-3. Jelena Jankovic, seeded eight, is also through following a 6-4 6-2 victory over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
McLaren quick to support Hamilton
FORMULA ONE:McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has sprung to the defence of Lewis Hamilton once again whilst insisting they give him all the support he needs.
Not for the first time this season, the aftermath of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix centred on Hamilton after his collision with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
His driving style, personal conduct and apparent lack of direction have all come under the spotlight, with Lewis’s father, Anthony, fanning the flames by accusing his management company, XIX Entertainment, of failing to adequately support the 26-year-old in his hours of need.
Whitmarsh spoke out after an incident at the Marina Bay Street Circuit where Hamilton drove into the right-rear tyre of Massa’s car, causing an instant puncture and damaging his own front wing.
Conlon facing a difficult opener against Riscan
BOXING:Michael Conlon will open Ireland's campaign at the 2011 AIBA World Senior Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Baku, Azerbaijan today. The dynamic 19-year-old Belfast flyweight meets European bronze medallist Alexandr Riscan of Moldova in the last 64 this afternoon, writes Bernard O'Neill.
Conlon, described by Irish team team manager Des Donnelly as an uncut diamond, claimed his first Irish Elite title at the National Stadium in Dublin earlier this year.
Riscan, meantime, reached the semi-finals of the 2011 European Championships in Turkey where he lost 24-12 decision to eventual gold medalist, Andy Selby from Wales..
Conlon, who boxes out of the St John Bosco BC, and Riscan are on familiar terms as they sparred at Ireland’s training camp in Cologne, Germany earlier this month.
However, neither boxer will be pulling any punches this afternoon and the heavier 14/16-ounce mitts favoured in sparring will be discarded for the 10-ounce gloves used in competition.
Meanwhile, Ken Egan will face Jose Gomez Larduet in the last 32 next Monday. The Cuban stopped Lubos Velecky of the Czech Republic in the first round in Baku yesterday.
Gomez-Larduet won bronze at light-heavyweight at the 2009 AIBA World Senior Championships in Milan. Monday’s duel with the Cuban will be Egan’s first competitive bout at heavyweight outside Ireland since he moved up a weight from light-heavyweight.
King announces his retirement
TENNIS: Irish Davis Cup player Barry King yesterday announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 26.
Having exhausted his financial resources and with a series of niggling injuries holding him back from progressing further up the rankings, King felt there was little option but to pull to plug on his professional career at this stage.
He admitted: “Having spent nearly three years on the professional circuit and achieved many of my goals, I am now eager to resume my business career.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the professional tour, particularly the time I spent as part of the Irish Davis Cup squad. I now look forward to channelling the energy I brought to these matches into new pursuits.
“I will always be passionate about Irish tennis and wish to continue to contribute to this development in any way possible,” said King who reached a career high standing of 600 in November 2009.
