The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Tennis: Playboy to showman for 'Baby Federer' Dimitrov
- Golf: Streelman shares lead at rain-hit RBC Heritage
- Cycling: Nibali lands overall Trentino win
| Tennis: Playboy to showman for 'Baby Federer' Dimitrov Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:06 PM PDT MONTE-CARLO, Monaco: Grigor Dimitrov shed his playboy image on Friday in the millionaires playground of Monaco, giving Rafael Nadal a huge fright before the Spaniard reached the Monte Carlo semi-finals. The 21-year-old Bulgarian, a former Wimbledon and US Open junior champion, has had a lot to measure up to as well as live down. Dubbed 'Baby Federer' for his undoubted potential, the colourful Dimitrov had been making more headlines for his reported romantic links with Serena Williams and then Maria Sharapova rather than his achievements on court. After breaking into the top 100 in January 2011, it wasn't until almost two years later that he broke the top 50. "The huge expectations that weighed on him didn't help," said Patrick Mouratoglou, who was Dimitrov's coach until last summer. His performance on Friday, where he lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to eight-time Monte Carlo champion Nadal, should help him into the top 30 next week. It's reward for a 2013 campaign which has seen him rewarded for his improved physical condition, once his major weakness. With new Swedish coach Mikael Tillstrom at his side, Dimitrov reached his first final, losing to Andy Murray in Brisbane in January. At the Indian Wells and Miami Masters, he suffered early defeats - but they were at the hands of world number one Novak Djokovic and Murray, the second-ranked player. "The objective this year was to remain in good health. If I can do that, then making the top 20 will be in my hands," said Dimitrov, whose challenge on Friday was eventually undermined by cramp as well as Nadal. But what about that ongoing Federer comparison? "What can I say to that?," said Dimitrov, the first man to take a set off Nadal in Monte Carlo since 2011. "I don't think it's true. What do you think?" Nadal, bidding for a ninth successive Monte Carlo title, has no doubts over Dimitrov's potential. "He has everything needed to become a very good player. He's got all the shots," said the Spaniard. -AFP |
| Golf: Streelman shares lead at rain-hit RBC Heritage Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:03 PM PDT HILTON HEAD, South Carolina: Kevin Streelman birdied three of his first five holes en route to a one-under-par 70 to seize a share of the RBC Heritage lead before second-round play was suspended Friday. Streelman is tied with Steve LeBrun and Charley Hoffman, who finished their second rounds at three-under 68 and one-under 70, respectively. The three leaders have totals of six-under-par 136 at the $5.8 million PGA Tour event at the Harbour Town Golf Links course. "I didn't hit it quite as crisply as I did yesterday and had a lot of putts around the edge, but overall if I can keep myself in position to contend on the weekend I'm happy," said Streelman. Play was suspended because of rain with 17 players still on the course. They will finish their rounds on Saturday morning, with the third round starting straight after. England's Luke Donald (68) and American Bill Haas share fourth place at five-under while Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Australians' Stuart Appleby (68) and Marc Leishman (71) are part of a group of seven players tied for sixth at four-under 138. McDowell tied for the low round of the day at four-under 67. Donald, who lost in a playoff at Hilton Head to Brandt Snedeker in 2011, said: "I managed my game very well. I kind of didn't feel very comfortable over the ball, but I missed it in spots that I needed to miss it." Co-leader LeBrun said: "I've hit it really well. I took a week off last week and I feel fresh and ready to go. For me, it all comes down to the short game." Hoffman started on the back nine and opened with a bogey at the 10th, but bounced back on the 12th with a seven-foot birdie putt. He stumbled to a bogey at the 15th and then parred the next seven holes before rolling in another birdie at the fifth. Hoffman closed with consecutive birdies at the 8th and 9th to join Streelman atop the leaderboard. - AFP Leading second-round scores here on Friday in the $5.8 million US PGA Tour Heritage tournament (USA unless noted, par-71; play suspended with 17 players still on course): 136 - Kevin Streelman 66-70, Charley Hoffman 66-70, Steve LeBrun 68-68 137 - Luke Donald (ENG) 69-68, Bill Haas 68-69 138 - Johnson Wagner 67-71, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 69-69, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 71-67, D.H. Lee (KOR) 70-68, Pat Perez 68-70, Stuart Appleby (AUS) 70-68, Marc Leishman (AUS) 67-71 139 - Martin Kaymer (GER) 69-70, Tim Clark (RSA) 68-71, Billy Horschel 71-68, Richard H. Lee 68-71, Jordan Spieth 70-69, Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 70-69, Justin Hicks 69-70, Darron Stiles 70-69, Webb Simpson 68-71, Stewart Cink 70-69, Ted Potter 68-71 - AFP |
| Cycling: Nibali lands overall Trentino win Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:56 PM PDT MILAN: Italian Vincenzo Nibali underlined his form ahead of the three-week Giro d'Italia by winning the final stage and taking overall victory at the 37th edition of the Giro del Trentino on Friday. Overnight leader Maxime Bouet went into the fourth and final stage, held over 166.8 km between Arco and Sega di Ala, with a 3min 19sec lead on Belarusian Kanstantsin Siutsou of Team Sky and 3:56 on Astana team leader Nibali. However the Frenchman who rides for AG2R, struggled early on the tough, 11km final ascent on which reigning Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins fell off the pace after suffering mechanical problems. In the end, Bouet trailed over the finish line 4:42 behind Nibali, missing the title by just under a minute. Nibali completed the five-stage, four-day race in a total time of 17hr 49min 11sec, with fellow Italian Mauro Santambrogio second at 21sec and Bouet third overall at 55. Former Tour de France champion, Australian Cadel Evans, was eighth overall at 2:18 having come over the finish line one minute behind Nibali. "Winning on a climb like this is the biggest thing for me right now," said Nibali, who finished third overall at last year's Tour de France behind Wiggins and Briton Chris Froome. "There is still a couple of weeks to the Giro, and Wiggins remains my main rival, but I saw both (Cadel) Evans and (Ivan) Basso in clear progression." Wiggins, who lost precious time after angrily throwing his malfunctioning bike to the side of the road around 5km from the finish, trailed home 1:39 behind Nibali to finish fifth overall at 1:40. Sky team sports director Marcus Ljungqvist rued the lost chance to win the race, but is satisfied Wiggins is in form ahead of his bid for victory at the Giro. "It was some bad luck there for Brad on the climb," he said. "He was almost back to the lead group when Nibali attacked. "That was always going to happen and you really can't afford to give the top guys any time. In the end he expended a lot of energy but it's just one of those things. It was a great effort. "We need to focus on the good things from this race and that is two stage wins and some good work and form building ahead of the Giro. With some rest for a few guys we will be ready for May." The Giro d'Italia, a major objective this season for Wiggins and Nibali, will be held May 4-25. - AFP |
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