Today's other sports stories in brief
Jankovic remains on course
TENNIS: Jelena Jankovic remained on course to win a third title in 2009 as she made light work of Russian Elena Vesnina in Tokyo.
Serbian Jankovic (24) eased into the quarter-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, at the expense of Vesnina who retired injured when trailing 6-1 3-0. France’s Marion Bartoli will take on Jankovic in the last eight. Former world number one Maria Sharapova won an all-Russian clash with Alisa Kleybanova 2-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the last eight.
Berlin world records ratified
ATHLETICS:The three world records set at last month's World Athletic Championships in Berlin have been ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Usain Bolt’s 100 metres and 200m times of 9.58 seconds and 19.19secs, were confirmed by the IAAF. Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk’s hammer throw of 77.96m was also accepted.
Australia set to face England
CRICKET:Australia set up a Champions Trophy semi-final meeting with England after they clinched top spot in Group A with a last-ball victory over Pakistan at Centurion yesterday.
Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz held their nerve under pressure to score the 19 runs they needed from the 25 final balls available.
Galway to host sports conference
SPORTS CONFERENCE: The pioneering physical therapist Ger Hartmann and Mayo football manager John O'Mahony are among the speakers at a one-day sports conference being held in Galway on Saturday.
The impetus behind the event, according to Galway County Sports Participation Co-ordinator Mick Curley, is to “explore the variables” between merely good sporting performances and those that can be deemed excellent.
John O’Mahony will take an audience through the rudiments of team coaching, examining the challenges and the rewards of that discipline. The conference will take place in the Radisson hotel in Galway and the fee is €25, inclusive of lunch. Further information: galwaysportsconference.com.
Alonso to join a year early
FORMULA ONE: Fernando Alonso agreed to join Ferrari some months ago, the ecstatic Spaniard said yesterday after his three-year deal was announced.
Renault’s double Formula One world champion will replace Finn Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian team next season and race alongside Felipe Massa.
“During the summer we signed a deal starting from 2011 but in recent days the situation changed and we decided to bring my arrival at Maranello forward by a year,” Alonso said. “I feel really happy to be able to be a Ferrari driver. To drive a Prancing Horse car represents a dream for every driver in his career and I am lucky enough to realise it. I want to thank Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who committed himself to reaching this agreement.”
Duddy set for Madison Square fight
BOXING: Irish middleweight, John Duddy will feature in Madison Square Garden on October 10th when he will probably face Mexican Michi Munoz, writes Johnny Watterson.
The Derry fighter, who recently ended a long-running legal dispute with promoters Irish Ropes is trying to restore his career after suffering a shock first career defeat on a split decision to Billy Lyell in April.
Lyell, beaten seven times in a 26-fight professional career, had been regarded as a safe opponent for the Irish boxer but on the night Duddy fell flat.
That scuppered any chances of him setting up a world title fight with Kelly Pavlik.
Duddy last fought in the Garden when he defeated Matt Vanda in the main arena on February 21st and he is looking for a similar performance to ensure a successful 2010.
A good win against the 28-year-old could set up a significant fight early next year.
