A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Murray recovers to progress with Federer
TENNIS:Andy Murray joined Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-2 6-2 victory over David Ferrer at the O2 Arena in London last night. Federer did his bit to help the British number one this time with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 victory over Robin Soderling earlier. That meant Murray began last night's clash knowing he only needed to win a set to be sure of progress. Murray began nervously and allowed Ferrer to take a 2-0 lead but once the world number five had relaxed, he raced to an ultimately comfortable victory.
The arithmetic of Group B meant unbeaten Federer only needed a set to become the first player into the last four and he achieved that when his opponent’s judgment error gifted him the opening tiebreak. Soderling had pinned Federer into the corner at 5-6, but instead of volleying away a backhand he left it but it caught the sideline. Federer conjured sublime shot-making as he closed it out.
Bergamasco may miss Six Nations
RUGBY:Italy's experienced flanker Mauro Bergamasco could miss the whole Six Nations after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday.
The Stade Français player was ruled out of the defeat by Argentina earlier this month, and although he tried to be fit for last Saturday’s loss to Australia, doctors realised an operation was the only option.
The Italian rugby federation said in a statement Bergamasco was likely to return in around four months, and with the Six Nations finishing in mid March, his participation in any games is in serious doubt.
Smyth opens with a 71 in Japan
GOLF: Des Smyth carded a one-under-par 71 opening round at the Handa Cup at Ohmurasaki Golf Club, Saitama, to finish in a share of 24th place overnight.
Frenchman Marc Farry produced a flawless six-under-par 66 to share the lead with Japan’s Katsuyoshi Tomori.
Farry made six birdies, and Tomori birdied the last three holes on the European Senior Tour’s first visit to Japan to join him at the top of the leader board.
England’s Barry Lane is one of three players on five under par alongside Japan’s Hiroshi Ueda and Sieki Okuda, while Sandy Lyle of Scotland and England’s Gordon J Brand and Mark Belsham share sixth place a shot back after four under par rounds of 68.
Farry’s first Senior Tour title earlier this year was the Irish Senior Open before he added the Cannes Mougins Masters.
He is now in the frame for a third title of the year.
“This is the sort of round you dream of, no bogeys, six birdies, 12 pars,” said the 51 year-old.
Cork man Denis O’Sullivan signed for a round of 77 to finish five over par on day one.
Serena out of Australian Open
TENNIS:Champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from January's Australian Open as she struggles to recover from a foot injury which has sidelined her since July, organisers said yesterday.
Williams has not played competitively since beating Vera Zvonareva to win Wimbledon in early July and has been forced to undergo a second surgery on the foot she hurt by standing on broken glass at a restaurant.
Cut to keep Egan out for 45 days
BOXING: Ken Egan will have to serve a 45-day medical suspension after receiving a cut over his right eye while helping Miami Gallos beat Los Angeles Matadors in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Americas group, reports Bernard O'Neill.
The Dublin southpaw beat LA’s Dorian Anthony on a unanimous decision in Tuesday’s match which saw Miami record a 3-2 victory in both sides’ opening group encounter.
Egan required stitches to a cut over his right eye after a clash of heads in the fourth round against the Californian light-heavyweight.
Miami, who are joint top of the table with Mexico City, meet Memphis Force away tonight, but Egan would not have been in the team because of the 13-day statutory rest period.
Because of the medical suspension, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist will have to sit out home and away fixtures against Mexico City on December 9th/17th and the visit of Memphis Force in January.
