WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015 SPORTS

Marin, the accidental shuttler, takes on China’s might

DUBAI: Carolina Marin, the accidental extraordinary achievements, given that can win all the games.” In attempting back home, causing Nehwal to attempt strong favourite in his defence of the player who became her sport’s greatest so few people play the game in her this she could have an opportunity to toughening changes to her mind-set. title he won here last year. The field con- sensation, believes her toughest oppo- native Spain, and that she has been out- avenge herself on , the for- She receives less censorious Indian expa- tains Jan Jorgensen, the world number nent will be herself rather than those performing a team of highly-trained mer number one who beat her in the triate support here in Dubai, which she two from Denmark, , the from China, the world’s most powerful Chinese athletes supported by consider- last month, and to over- has described as “not like a home away Thomas Cup hero from Japan, and nation, as she seeks another able resources. Marin only began bad- come the other leading Chinese, Wang from home - it is home.” Kidambi Srikanth, the Indian number major title in the Super Series finals minton after unwittingly strolling past a Yihan, a former world champion. Her strengths are consistency, tenaci- one who narrowly qualified at the last starting today. court where a friend happened to be hit- Neither of these famous players has ty, and perception, and she plays fast- moment. This will present a slightly different ting a shuttlecock. however landed in Marin’s group. paced rallies better than she did whilst It is though without Lin Dan, the challenge for the 22-year-old world Yet she talks as if it were all far from Instead the Spaniard first faces Tai Tzu admitting that Marin has “better wrist Olympic champion from China, and Lee number one from Spain, who is compet- extraordinary. “My expectation is to get Ying, the titleholder from Taiwan, fol- work.” Chong Wei, the former world number ing for the first time in the tour’s season- the title and win the tournament,” she lowed by , the Japanese By contrast the Madrid-domiciled one from Malaysia who won the last end flagship event because last year’s said. “To do that I must first enjoy all the player who this year has climbed 16 left-hander from Huelva creates steep three Super Series tournaments without regulations did not permit world cham- matches and make sure I do my best.” To places to a career-high number nine, trajectories and surprising angles, which, acquiring enough ranking points to pions to qualify automatically. do that she must cope with unfamiliar and, most notably, , the when allied to a fiery fighting spirit, qualify. Now they do, and Marin has since conditions in the large Hamdan stadium Indian whom Marin succeeded as world make her one of the most the startling won a second world title as well as which can create unexpected wind drift, number one during 2015. champions of all. Other challengers for Women’s singles draw becoming world number one. This and a group format in which - to reach She also beat Nehwal in the world the women’s singles title will be Group A.- Carolina Marin (Spain), Saina required a surge from last year’s 15th Sunday’s final - she will face top ten final in in August. Despite this , the 20-year-old Thai Nehwal (India), Nozomi Okuhara (Japan), ranking, made possible by winning the opponents for five successive days. Nehwal has made incremental improve- who won the world title while still a Tai Tzu Yng (Taiwan). World Championships and the All- Marin nevertheless feels her biggest ment each year, getting within touching teenager, and Sung Ji-hyun, the world Group B.- Wang Shixian (China), Wang England Open, as well as other Super obstacle lies elsewhere. “The toughest distance of big titles which have only number four from South Korea. The Yihan (China), Ratchanok Intanon Series titles in France, Hong Kong, opponent is going to be myself,” she narrowly eluded her. This has some- men’s singles event sees China’s Chen (Thailand), Sung Ji-hyun (South Malaysia and Australia. These are claims. “But if I control myself I know I times been insufficient for harsh critics Long, the world champion, start as Korea).—AFP Nowitzki hold off Porzingis comeback as Mavs beat Knicks

NEW YORK: Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks put rookie Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks in their place with a 104-97 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Latvian rookie Porzingis- who idolized German star Nowitzki as a schoolboy-top scored with 28 points in a furi- ous late onslaught for New York but it was not enough to overhaul Dallas. The towering 7ft 3in Porzingis, one of the standout rookies of the season so far, helped slash a 98-81 deficit SUKABUMI: This photo taken yesterday shows the Brazil (L) and New Zealand (R) with 5:52 left in the fourth quarter to just 101- teams competing during men’s open event during the World Rafting Championship 97 with 43 seconds on the clock. But just as on the Citarik River in Sukabumi in western Java island. Around 700 competitors memorable comeback was on the cards, the have descended on the Indonesian island of Java for this year’s World Rafting Mavericks reasserted themselves through Championship, showcasing the best of the extreme sport in a region where its popu- Nowitzki and Deron Williams to hold on for larity is on the rise. — AFP the win. Nowitzki had six rebounds along with his 25-point haul while Williams finished with 20 points and seven assists. Porzingis sank 13 of 19 shots from the floor and also World’s best rafters contributed two blocks. Team-mate Carmelo Anthony added 17 points with eight assists paddle into Asia and six rebounds.

SUKABUMI: Around 700 competitors have “We like to go to unusual, exotic loca- SPURS 119, 76ERS 68 descended on the Indonesian island of Java tions because it always makes the event LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 26 for this year’s World Rafting Championship, interesting for the competitors,” said Jones. points as the San Antonio Spurs embarrassed showcasing the best of the extreme sport the woeful Philadelphia 76ers 119-68. The in a region where its popularity is on the NOT ALWAYS EASY Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, rise. It is not always easy for the non-profes- while Kawhi Leonard did not play because of Teams of rafters, almost all non-profes- sional sportsmen and -women who want to illness. San Antonio shot a season-high 61.8 sional, slammed their paddles into fast- participate, however. “We’ve been fundrais- percent from the floor and recorded 32 assists flowing rapids to battle through the Citarik ing for the last six months or so, just to get on a season-high-tying 46 field goals. The River, surging past jungle-clad mountains. the money to come over here,” said Mariam Spurs’ point total was also a season high, and Spectators stood on the shore amid Audin, 41, a competitor from New Zealand. they limited the Sixers to their season low. palm trees, cheering as the six-person “It’s not easy for everyone to fly over to teams raced through furious white water, Indonesia and pay for their uniforms, pay HORNETS 104, PISTONS 84 navigating skillfully past rocks and through for their paddles, pay for our gear.” Cody Zeller led a balanced attack with 20 slalom polls. There are four disciplines in the champi- points, and the Charlotte Hornets cruised to a It is the first time the championship, onship, which this year ran from November 104-84 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The which has been running in one form or 29 to December 8, with male and female Hornets (12-8) won for the seventh time in their another for over 25 years, has been held in divisions competing across four different Asia. “Definitely rafting is becoming more age categories. last nine games and raised their record at home popular in Asia,” said Joe Willie Jones, presi- The “sprint” is a short, fast dash; the to 9-3. dent of the International Rafting “head-to-head” pits two teams against one Federation (IRF), which organised the event another in a race; the “slalom” sees com- RAPTORS 102, LAKERS 93 with the Indonesian federation. petitors steer their rafts through poles in Raptors guard Kyle Lowry compiled 27 “Compared to a lot of the world, it’s a powerful rapids; and the “downriver” is a points, seven rebounds and six assists as relatively new activity.” While rafting is little race that takes close to an hour. Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles NEW YORK: Kevin Seraphin #1 of the New York Knicks grabs the ball as JaVale McGee #11 of known in Asia compared to other parts of There is no single overall winner of the Lakers 102-93. the Dallas Mavericks defends at Madison Square Garden on Monday in New York City. — AFP the world, it is the Japanese men who are championships, but different countries are Terrence Ross added 22 points-including the only full-time, professional team. The named winners in the different categories nine in the fourth quarter-for the Raptors, Brazilian men also receive strong financial and divisions. who had lost their previous two games. NBA Results/Standings support and are among the best, while The men’s “open” category, where partic- Charlotte 104, Detroit 84; San Antonio 119, Philadelphia 68; Washington 114, Miami 103; Dallas 104, NY Knicks 97; teams from eastern Europe perform well. ipants are aged between 15 and 40, is the WIZARDS 114, HEAT 103 Toronto 102, LA Lakers 93; Phoenix 103, Chicago 101; Milwaukee 90, Portland 88; LA Clippers 110, Minnesota 106; Indonesia was named host after organ- most closely watched, with Brazil crowned Bradley Beal had a key steal and dunk to Boston 111, New Orleans 93. isers put forward a competitive bid and the the winners of the category this year. lead the Washington Wizards past the Miami selecting committee decided the archipela- The IRF’s flagship event is the outdoor Eastern Conference Western Conference Heat 114-103 at AmericanAirlines Arena. Beal, Atlantic Division Northwest Division go was suitably exotic, with its thousands championship involving teams of six who had 21 points, stripped Heat guard W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 12 8 .600 - of islands, vast tracts of jungle, and steam- rafters, which is held every two years. Dwyane Wade of the ball and then beat him Toronto 13 9 .591 - Utah 9 9 .500 2 ing volcanoes. And that event is set to return to Asia in down the court, slamming the ball to punctu- Boston 12 9 .571 0.5 Portland 9 13 .409 4 Rafting chiefs are always keen to host 2017, when it will be held in Japan. ate the play that snapped a 103-103 tie. NY Knicks 10 12 .455 3 Minnesota 8 12 .400 4 the championship in a far-flung part of the “Most rafters love to see new places, Brooklyn 5 15 .250 7 Denver 8 13 .381 4.5 world, to satisfy the adventurous spirits of love to meet new people, love to mingle in Philadelphia 1 21 .045 12 Pacific Division CELTICS 111, PELICANS 93 Central Division those competing. different cultures,” said Jones. —AFP Golden State 22 0 1.000 - Isaiah Thomas scored a game-high 22 Cleveland 13 7 .650 - LA Clippers 12 9 .571 9.5 Indiana 12 7 .632 0.5 points, including all four of his three-point Phoenix 9 13 .409 13 Chicago 11 7 .611 1 attempts, as Boston beat New Orleans 111-93 Sacramento 7 15 .318 15 at the Smoothie King Center. The Celtics (12-9) Detroit 12 10 .545 2 Feng the favourite Milwaukee 9 13 .409 5 LA Lakers 3 18 .143 18.5 led 53-44 at halftime, extended their lead to Southeast Division Southwest Division 81-67 at the end of three quarters and led by Miami 12 7 .632 - San Antonio 18 4 .818 - at Dubai finale as many as 22 in the fourth quarter. The victo- Charlotte 12 8 .600 0.5 Dallas 13 9 .591 5 ry gave the Celtics a 3-2 record on their five- Atlanta 13 9 .591 0.5 Memphis 12 9 .571 5.5 game road trip. Orlando 11 9 .550 1.5 Houston 10 11 .476 7.5 DUBAI: Chinese LPGA Tour star and defend- champion, I don’t feel as nervous as I was in Washington 9 10 .474 3 New Orleans 5 16 .238 12.5 ing champion Shanshan Feng has already 2013. Last time I was defending champion, I won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit think maybe I still had a little bit of pressure, SUNS 103, BULLS 101 crown, and is now aiming for a third Omega so I didn’t perform as well as I thought I Suns forward Mirza Teletovic grabbed an Dubai Ladies Masters title this week. The would,” said Feng, the only Chinese player to offensive rebound and hit a fade-away shot lucrative tournament, the season-ending win a major golf championship (2012 LPGA with 0.3 seconds remaining to lead Phoenix to Nashville scores late championship on the Ladies European Tour, Championship). a 103-101 comeback win over the Chicago starts today at the famous Majlis course of “This year coming back, I just want to relax Bulls at the United Center. Teletovic’s rebound Emirates Golf Club, with Feng the highest and enjoy the tournament. I know I love this was off an open three-pointer taken by Jon to beat Bruins 3-2 ranked player in the field at world number six. golf course and it suits my game. So just Leuer from the corner with two seconds left, In her previous three visits to Dubai, the 26- going to give my best, and I think my goal is after the Suns (9-13) battled back from a 16- BOSTON: Viktor Arvidsson scored with 4:56 next power play. A pair of Bruins watched Josi year-old from Guangzhou has won twice and to finish inside the top?10.” England’s world point deficit to tie the game. left, Roman Josi had two goals and the skate past them down the right wing, and he finished inside the top-10 in 2014, when number 41 Charley Hull, the LET Order of Nashville Predators beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 cut in front of the net and slipped the puck another LPGA Tour star, Thailand’s Pornanong Merit champion last year, is also in the field BUCKS 90, TRAIL BLAZERS 88 on Monday night. Nashville won for just the behind Gustavsson 11 seconds into the man Phatlum won the event. and she is hoping to end a solid season on a Milwaukee’s John Henson blocked Meyers third time in its last seven games. advantage. Feng, who won the Buick Championship winning note. Leonard’s shot to deny Portland a possible Kevan Miller and Loui Eriksson scored for Nashville had a pair of good chances to in China earlier this year, and then finished “I can’t wait to get out there on the golf game-winner as the Bucks beat the Trail Boston. The Bruins had collected at least one break the tie early in the third. Gustavsson third in the big-money Evian Championship course this week because I really love this golf Blazers 90-88. Henson’s block capped off a point in each of their last eight games (6-0-2). came across to make a pad stop on Colin in France, has an insurmountable lead on top course and it’s just good fun,” the 19-year-old furious rally by the Bucks, who watched a 14- Boston’s Jonas Gustavsson made 30 saves Wilson at the end of a 2-on-1 break. Neal hit a of the Order of Merit standings. The world said. “I’d say I have played some of my best point lead disappear in the second half and in a matchup of backup goaltenders. Carter post with a wrist shot from the slot. number six has accumulated EUR324,213, golf this year. I have not had any wins, but I fell behind by six late in the final quarter. Hutton stopped 15 shots. Arvidsson came fly- The Bruins jumped in front 4:13 into the while Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen is sec- have had quite a few top-10s and played real- ing down the left wing, circled around Miller first when Miller’s soft shot caromed off ond at EUR230,777. The first prize this week is ly well in America in my first year there. So, a CLIPPERS 110, TIMBERWOLVES 106 and shifted around Gustavsson before firing Nashville center Colton Sissons’ right skate EUR75,000. England’s Melissa Reid is third at win is missing, but hopefully, I will get it done the puck into the net for the tiebreaking score. and bounced over Hutton’s shoulder. DeAndre Jordan scored a team-high 20 EUR219,150. this week.” With James Neal in the penalty box for The Predators tied it on Josi’s power-play Feng said she is not feeling much pressure The battle for the Rookie of the Year hon- points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a embellishment midway into the second peri- goal in the closing minute of the first. Boston this year, despite being the highest ranked ours is still undecided. The Danish duo of 110-106 win over the Minnesota od, the Bruins moved ahead 2-1 when winger Tyler Randell sent Nashville’s Eric player in the field and the overwhelming Emily Kristine Pedersen and Nanna Koerstz Timberwolves at Target Center. Eriksson redirected Ryan Spooner’s cross-ice Nystrom flying to the ice and bloodied his face favourite. “I’m really happy to come back this Madsen are in the reckoning, with Pedersen, The game featured 15 lead changes, pass into the net from the edge of the crease with a right-hand punch during a second-peri- year. It’s my fourth time here and I’ve had a who won the Hero Women’s Indian Open in including seven in the fourth quarter. Blake just 8 seconds into the power play. od fight that seemed to wake up the slumber- very good record here so far. October, leading with earnings of Griffin’s lay-in with 25.5 seconds left gave the But Nashville struck nearly as quickly on its ing Bruins.— AP “This year coming back as defending EUR164,063.—AFP Clippers the lead for good. — Reuters