Ana Bogdan in Colombo
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Wednesday 28th March, 2012 13 Maria Sharapova, of Russia, reacts after breaking Ekaterina BT STEVEN WINE behind 4-love. She found herself two points from defeat five times but swept the last three games Makarova, of Russia, in the second set during the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament, Monday, March 26, 2012, in Key Biscayne, KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP) — Andy and converted the first match point when Fla. Sharapova won the match 6-4, 7-6. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Roddick beat Roger Federer for only the third Cibulkova sailed a passing shot long. time in their 24 meetings, dominating with his Azarenka has won her four previous tourna- had to rally after being bro- serve to win 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-4 on Monday in the ments this year, including the Australian Open ken in the first game of third round at the Sony Ericsson Open. for her first Grand Slam title. She seeks her each set. Roddick broke serve only once but held every third Key Biscayne title. Williams failed service game in the first and last sets. After Also reaching the quarterfinals was No. 2 to convert her first falling behind 15-30 in the final game, he closed Maria Sharapova, who overcame 11 double- seven break-point out the victory with an ace and two service win- faults to beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 7-6 (3). chances, then mus- ners. Sharapova won despite committing 52 unforced cled her way back “There is no script in sports, you know. I errors and losing her serve four times. into the match. She think that’s what makes it the best entertain- No. 1 Novak Djokovic advanced to the men’s also showed finesse, ment in the world,” Roddick said. “Nights like fourth round by beating No. 27-seeded Viktor such as when she tonight are why you play the matches. You don’t Troicki 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic is bidding for his third chipped a forehand drop know what’s going to happen.” Key Biscayne title and second in a row. shot that barely cleared the On paper, it looked like a mismatch between No. 8-seeded Mardy Fish assured he’ll net for a dainty winner. former No. 1s, each a two-time champion in the remain the top-ranked American man by beat- Williams is playing in her event. The third-ranked Federer began the night ing No. 28 Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3. Fish has yet first tournament since January after 40-2 since the U.S. Open, while Roddick was to play in the stadium this tournament and being sidelined by a left ankle injury. ranked 34th, the lowest he has been since 2001. instead faced Anderson at 11 a.m. on the grand- She hasn’t won a title since August, Roddick ended Federer’s streak of 77 consec- stand court, but he said that was fine because and seeks a record sixth Key utive wins against players outside the top 20. prefers an early start. Biscayne championship. “I feel like I lost against a former No. 1, not In other women’s play, former No. 1 Caroline that I lost against a guy ranked 30 in the world,” Wozniacki defeated No. 23 Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 Federer said. “I’m happy to see Andy play really (6), 6-0. Reigning French Open champion Li Na Serena Williams reacts after winning a well. He’s a great champion, and enjoy him rallied past Sabine Lisicki 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and No. 5 point in the first set against Samantha while you have him. It was a great night for him Agnieszka Radwanska defeated 18-year-old Stosur, of Australia, during the Sony and America’s tennis.” Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-3, 6-2. Ericsson Open tennis tournament, Monday, March 26, 2012, in Key Also dominating with the serve were Serena The No. 10-seeded Williams lost only six Biscayne, Fla. points on her first serve against the No. 6-seeded and Venus Williams, who both reached the (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) quarterfinals. Stosur, but Serena matched a career high with 20 aces to beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3. “My serve was hot,” Williams said. “I was like, ‘That’s pretty cool.’” She avenged a loss to Stosur when they last met in the U.S. Open final in September. “That wasn’t in my mind,” Williams said. “I just thought, ‘This is a new game.’” Older sister Venus won her third con- secutive three-set match, hitting 13 aces as she outlasted No. 15-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2. Williams is playing in her first tournament since withdrawing from the U.S. Open last August after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. “I come out on court knowing I can play well, but almost with no expecta- tions,” Williams said. Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka lost 10 of the first 11 games, then rallied to remain unbeaten this year by overcom- ing Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 in the fourth round. Azarenka won her 26th consecutive match, a streak that began at the start of this year. Her start is the best on the women’s tour since Martina Hingis went 37-0 to begin 1997. In the second set, Azarenka fell Andy Roddick Ana Bogdan in Colombo England hooker Hartley banned 8 weeks for biting LONDON (AP) — England hooker Dylan Hartley has been banned for eight weeks for biting but he will be available for the tour of South Africa in June. Bogdan addressing the media at the SLTA. Also in the picture are (L-R) Stanley Perera, GM, SLTA, Maxwell de Silva, President, A Six Nations judiciary SLTA, and Bill Hampton of CAL. on Tuesday upheld the BY REVATA S. SILVA Bogdan, who reached a career match with them last Monday, charge that Hartley bit a high No.2 in 2009 as a junior, is now March 26. finger of flanker Stephen Former world No.2 in girls tennis, ranked 463 in the international Thereafter she, who accompanied Ferris during the 30-9 win Ana Bogdan of Romania, was here women’s (WTA) circuit. She impart- her father during her visit to Sri over Ireland on March 17 Former world No.2 in junior world tennis, Ana Bogdan, (centre) with Sri in Colombo recently, on a short visit ed her knowledge to some of the Lanka, spoke to the media at the at Twickenham. TV missed Lanka players during an exhibition match at the SLTA, Colombo on on the invitation of the Child Action leading women’s tennis players of SLTA. Maxwell de Silva, President, the incident, but referee Monday, March 25. Bogdan, 19, was here on an invitation of the charity, Lanka (CAL) charity organisation of Sri Lanka when she met them at the SLTA, Stanley Perera, GM, SLTA, Nigel Owens reported it Child Action Lanka, involved in isolated and oppressed children. which she is a an ambassador. Sri Lanka Tennis Association and Bill Hampton of CAL, also took after Ferris complained on (Pic by Siripala Halwala) (SLTA) and played an exhibition part in the event. the field, and Hartley was cited. Biting usually carries a minimum ban of 12 weeks, which would have jeopard- Top sports achievers Birgit Prinz says ized Hartley’s tour prospects, but the judiciary recognised at SLIIT goodbye to football cut off four weeks because FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Three-time FIFA the offense was described player of the year Birgit Prinz is officially ending one under rugby laws as an Colours Night of the most illustrious careers in women’s football “act contrary to good 26th March: SLIIT recently hosted its Colours that saw her win two World Cup titles with Germany. sportsmanship.” Night to reward the institute’s top achievers in Gayani The 34-year-old Prinz played in a farewell match The judiciary ruled sports. The event was organised by the Sports Anuththara on Tuesday with her longtime club Frankfurt against Hartley can play again Council and held at the institute’s Malabe Campus Perera (L) Germany to mark the end of her playing days. from May 14, meaning he auditorium. Mr. Thilan Wijesinghe, former BOI receives her Prinz retired after last year’s disappointing World can play for his Chairman and Board member of SLIIT, graced the award for Cup at home when Germany was eliminated early Northampton club only if occasion as Chief Guest. Outstanding and she was relegated to the bench. it reaches the English The main awards were as follows: Sportswoman Prinz played in five World Cup tournaments and Premiership final on May Outstanding Sportsman of the year - Omesh of the year scored 14 goals, a record she shares with Marta of 26. Anthony Fernando f L lith Brazil In 214 matches for Germany Prinz scored England plays the first.