WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014 SPORTS Radwanska, Wozniacki bundled out in Sydney

SYDNEY: The Sydney International contin- by withdrawing from the ued to be a graveyard for some of the top invitational Kooyong Classic tournament in names in women’s tennis with champion Melbourne. The 32-year-old caused a major and top seed Agnieszka Radwanska and upset at the Brisbane International defeat- former world number one Caroline ing in the final on Sunday Wozniacki both losing in the second and he said he felt he would need the week round yesterday. Men’s champion Bernard off to recover properly for the season- Tomic, however, followed up the exploits opening . of fellow Australian Marko Matosevic, who “At the moment it’s just all about recov- earlier beat Florian Mayer 6-2 4-6 6-3, to demolish eighth seed Marcel Granollers 6- 3 6-0 in just under an hour. Radwanska and Wozniacki followed grand slam cham- pions Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone and former world number one Jelena Jankvoic as early evictees from the tournament. Radwanska’s title defense lasted just 92 minutes when she was dumped out 7-5 6- 2 by American qualifier Bethanie Mattek- Sands, while Wozniacki, who struggled in her first round match on Monday, was beaten 6-4 7-6 (9-7) by Czech Lucie Safarova. World number five Radwanska had won the Sydney title last year as part of a 13-match unbeaten streak that ended in the Australian Open quarter-finals said she was not overly concerned with her ear- ly loss. “I really had a lot of good matches last week,” the 24-year-old Pole added in reference to winning all three matches at the Hopman Cup in Perth last week. “It’s not like I’m playing bad. I’m not ery for me,” Hewitt told reporters yesterday. worried about that. I just think not my day “When you get older it gets a bit tougher SYDNEY: Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the US plays a shot between her legs to Agnieszka Radwanska (inset) of Poland during their (and)... sometimes you have to lose. “I than when you were 16. “We’re going into women’s singles match at the Sydney International tennis tournament yesterday. —AP think every week is different story. You the first major and you’ve got to do what’s start over and over again. “Every tourna- absolutely right for you.” His place in the ment isn’t the same thing. You’re not win- eight-man field will be taken by compatriot ning every week every match. Normally Jordan Thompson, who will play world you just to have to start again, not really number nine Richard Gasquet in their first Father just ‘the Tomic’ think what was happening in the last matches on Wednesday. World number week.” Mattek-Sands will now face fellow eight Tomas Berdych opens the tourna- American Madison Keys in the quarter- ment against Spain’s . finals. Former Wimbledon champion Petra in Sydney despite ban Kvitova will play Safarova in the quarter- FERRER HONOURED finals after the second seed smashed Verdasco’s compatriot David Ferrer was American qualifier Christina McHale 6-1 6- given a traditional Maori welcome at the SYDNEY: The presence of his banned father 0 in a little over an hour. Auckland Open yesterday in recognition of watching from courtside boosted Bernard Wozniacki, who missed the Brisbane his contribution to the tournament. Ferrer Tomic’s game as he opened the defense of his tournament last week with a sore shoul- will be making his 10th appearance at the Sydney International title with a 6-3 6-0 demoli- der, said she was feeling fine yesterday but tournament, having won four titles, includ- tion of eighth seed Marcel Granollers yesterday. had failed to win the crucial points in the ing the last three in succession. “Thank you “Having my dad there is a very good feeling,” clash against Safarova. “I felt like it was very much for everything,” the world num- Tomic told reporters after the victory over his pretty good today. It was small things that ber three told the packed crowd at the Spanish opponent. “Obviously winning my first I didn’t win,” the Dane said. “I don’t feel Auckland Tennis Centre after being pre- title here gives a lot of memories to me. I’m hap- anything in my shoulder anymore. It’s sented with a manaia (Maori carving). py the way I played today. Having my dad there great. I’ve felt good for the last few days. “I “This tournament is very special. I hope for the first time in a while, it’s good. “I know his played two matches here then I get a few to come back for a lot more years and try to ban will finish very soon, in a few months, and days over there (Melbourne) and get to win one more time.” Ferrer will meet qualifi- back to helping me. I’m happy. I played very play a few sets as well with some of the er Donald Young in the second round on good. Felt very good. I’m happy to be back play- girls and with different types players. “I Wednesday after the American beat ing like this.” should be ready for Melbourne.” Argentina’s Federico Delbonis 7-5 6-2. Former taxi driver John Tomic has not Former champion Philipp Kohlschreiber watched his son play since he was banned last HEWITT WITHDRAWS also advanced to the second round with a May from all ATP events, which includes next Australian took a differ- tough 6-2 3-6 7-5 victory over Spain’s Pablo week’s Australian Open, after he was charged ent approach to being ready for the Carreno Busta. —Reuters with head-butting his son’s former training part- ner Frenchman Thomas Drouet and breaking his nose. He was convicted and sentenced to eight month’s imprisonment by a Spanish court for assault last September though was not required to serve jail time because his sentence was under two years in length. SYDNEY: of Australia hits a forehand to Marcel Granollers of Spain MELBOURNE BAN during their men’s singles match at the Sydney International tennis tournament in While he is banned from receiving accredita- Sydney, Australia yesterday. —AP tion, which entitles him into official areas, he was allowed to buy a ticket as a member of the agreed to allow that to happen.” Australian that you taught me to play like this. Spent public at the discretion of the tournament Open organizers have already said he would not hours with him that I probably won’t spend director. “The ATP has banned John Tomic - as is be entitled to purchase a ticket for Melbourne with no one in my life. “He knows me the best.” public knowledge - which excludes him from Park, though the younger Tomic said that would The lanky 21-year-old, who won his first ATP getting credentials and being in other accred- not be a problem. Tour title at Sydney last year, has taken itable areas,” Sydney International director Craig “Obviously he can’t come in (at Croatian Velimir Zovko on as his new co-coach Watson told Australian media. “There is nothing Melbourne),” Tomic said. “But that’s fine. I’ll see while his father serves the remainder of the that prohibits the events agreeing to John him at home. If there is anything I need to ban. The ATP is expected to consider whether being in public areas of the ground and I’ve hear, he’ll tell me. It’s very good. “He’s the one to lift the ban in May. —Reuters Hewitt withdraws from Kooyong Classic defense MELBOURNE: Headliner Lleyton Hewitt yesterday with- drew from his defense of the Kooyong Classic title, opting instead for a practice match against world number four BRISBANE: Serena Williams of the US stumbles on the way to defeating Andy Murray on Friday. Australia’s Hewitt, back inside the Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the women’s final at the Brisbane world top 50 after upsetting Roger Federer 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, in International tennis tournament on January 4, 2014. —AFP the final of the Brisbane International at the weekend, cited fatigue for the decision. “It’s obvious that this week is all about Australian Open preparation and about getting in as No limits for unstoppable a good nick as possible,” said Hewitt, ranked 43. “For the last four days in Brisbane, I played some tough matches in extreme heat. Serena, Navratilova says “I have to do what’s right for my body before the biggest event in my SYDNEY: World number one Serena number of serious injuries, including a country, I’ve always Williams shows no sign of slowing down knee injury in 2010 and cut foot that forced been looked after with age and should win more than 20 her to miss almost a year on the tennis cir- well here and I take GRENOBLE: Broadcast vans of the international media are parked yesterday in grand slam singles titles, former great cuit in 2010-2011. pride in having won front of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre in the French Alps, where Martina Navratilova has said. The 57-year- Paradoxically it was those injury- this event twice. But retired seven-time German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher old Navratilova who won 18 grand slam enforced layoffs that could be helpful in not wanting to let remains in critical condition after an off-piste skiing accident. —AFP singles titles, and 41 in women’s and mixed prolonging her career, Navratilova suggest- down organizers and doubles, is also confident the 32-year-old ed. “At age 30, she had played about half his fans at the Williams will equal her singles haul at the the tournaments than I had played at 30, so Australian Open Schumacher’s wife tells Australian Open, which begins next week she is fresh in tennis terms,” she said. “She Lleyton Hewitt warm-up event, the in Melbourne. seems to be playing her best tennis right 32-year-old former media, ‘Leave us alone’ “If she can stay healthy there is no doubt now.” Former world number one Tracy number one said he would happily play a one-off match she can go into the 20s, the sky is the limit,” Austin echoed Navratilova’s sentiments and against Murray. “I want help support Australian tennis. I’m BERLIN: Michael Schumacher’s wife in which she thanked the medical team for Navratilova told reporters in Adelaide said she felt Williams, who beat rivals Maria thrilled to get a practice match against another top player.” appealed to the media yesterday to leave their efforts and expressed gratitude to Murray arrived in Melbourne after winning just one where she will play in the World Tennis Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka to win the French hospital they have staked out fans around the world for their outpouring round last week in Doha as the Scot played his first ATP Challenge exhibition later on Tuesday. “I last week’s Brisbane International, was since the German was critically injured in a of support. Schumacher, a seven-times tournament since back surgery in September. Australia’s skiing accident nine days ago and to let the Formula One world champion, suffered know how hard it is once you get to 30, all being motivated by the record books. 19-year-old Jordan Thompson, ranked 320, replaced Hewitt doctors do their job. Corinna Schumacher brain injuries when his head hit a rock in those little niggling injuries get worse and Williams poignantly saluted compatriot in the eight-man field. World number seven Tomas Berdych also asked the media to leave her family in France on Dec. 27. it’s much easier to have an off day. “But still, Billie Jean King when she won her fifth, of the Czech Republic, Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka, she is in her 30s ... she is eager and winning and latest, Australian Open title in 2010 to who won in Chennai at the weekend, Frenchmen Gilles peace after German reports said on He has been in an induced coma since is very contagious - once you get really join King on 12 grand slam titles saying at Simon and Richard Gasquet, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, Monday there had been a slight improve- then and has undergone two operations in used to it, you don’t want to let go of it.” the time that she had told King ‘I tied you’ of Japan and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dmitrov com- ment in the former driver’s condition, hours Grenoble. The hospital and the German’s Australia’s Margaret Court holds the after her victory over Justine Henin. “I love plete the line-up. after Grenoble hospital had issued a bul- management have repeatedly asked the overall record of 24 grand slam singles the fact that she’s 32 years old and still World number eight Wawrinka said that after a 14-hour letin saying he was still stable but critical. media to respect his privacy. The medical titles, while Germany’s Steffi Graf won 22 seems to be as hungry, if not hungrier, flight to Melbourne, he was hoping to be ready for today. “I “Please support us in our joint struggle team have held news conferences and titles in the Open era. Williams is widely than she has ever been,” Austin said. “At started really well for sure this year, winning a title in my with Michael,” Corinna said in a statement. issued periodic bulletins on his condition considered the best player of her genera- 32, and realizing that she is towards possi- first event,” he said. “It was a great week for me. I’m certain- “It is important to me that you relieve the including one on Monday that said: “The tion and has been virtually unchallenged in bly the end of her career, she is now play- ly happy with the start of this season.” Fans will be treated doctors and the hospital so they can work clinical state of Michael Schumacher is sta- the modern era, with her powerful game ing for history. “Serena likes to be the best to Australian Open champion and world number two in peace. “Please trust their statements and ble as he’s under permanent care and treat- proving difficult to defuse for many coun- at everything and I think she wants to be playing a practice match on Thursday leave the hospital. Please also leave our ment. “However, the medical team in terparts on the WTA tour. The American, the greatest player of all time on the against Juan Monaco of Argentina as well as the Hewitt- family in peace.” They were Corinna’s first charge stresses that it continues to assess however, has also been hampered by a women’s side.” —Reuters Murray clash on Friday.-—AFP public comments since a Dec 30 statement his situation as critical.” —Reuters