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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015 SPORTS

Pietersen gets another chance Ferrer downs Nishikori Bolt team loses relay race LONDON: Incoming and Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin : David Ferrer won a record-equalling fourth Mexican Open title KINGSTON: World’s fastest man Usain Bolt lost his opening race of the sea- Graves has left the door open for a return to the England side for controver- with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Kei Nishikori in the Acapulco hardcourt final. son on Saturday, anchoring the Racers Lions team to second place in the sial former captain Kevin Pietersen and said he must return to county crick- The Spanish world number nine’s triumph put him level with Austrian men’s 4x100 at the Gibson McCook Relays. et to champion his cause. The 34-year-old was sacked by England in Thomas Muster with four Mexican titles having also won the tournament The Jamaican world record holder could not make up a 10 metre deficit February 2014, was later released by county side Surrey and appeared to three times from 2010-2012 on clay. on a University of Technology team, which won in 38.23 seconds. have severed any chance of returning to international cricket fol- It was Ferrer’s third title this year after Doha and last week’s win in Rio That was six hundredths of a second faster than the Racers lowing the well-documented release of his autobiography. de Janeiro and 24th of his career, ending a run of five defeats to the Lions’ squad of Mario Forsythe, Michael Frater, Warren Weir Pietersen, who last played for England in January 2014’s Japanese top seed. and Bolt, which had run 39.27 seconds in the morning pre- Ashes test in Sydney, berated a number of former team Nishikori now leads Ferrer 7-4 in their meetings. “I played very aggres- liminary round. “I wouldn’t say it was bad race,” Bolt said of mates and ECB officials in his book. National selector James sive, without mistakes. I’m very happy. To win here a fourth time is a the final. “As long as I lose I’m always disappointed, but I Whitaker had said there was no way “Pietersen will ever get dream,” Ferrer was quoted as saying on the ATP website. “In important always tell you guys you have to learn how to lose before back into an England team” but Graves refused to rule out moments, he made more mistakes and I took my chances. I feel very confi- you learn how to win, so I will just draw some experi- his return. dent with my tennis now. I’ve won three tournaments this year and we’ve ence from this one and move on.” “The first thing he has to do if he wants to get back is start only began the season.” Ferrer was dominant almost throughout the match Bolt, who was timed in 9.7 seconds for his playing county cricket,” Graves told the BBC. “The selec- with Nishokori, set to rise to world number four after reaching the final, on anchor leg in the preliminary round, said he and tors and the coaches are not going to pick him if he’s the back foot and 3-0 down in the second set after twice being broken by coach Glen Mills have already identified things to not playing, it’s as simple as that.—Reuters the Spaniard.—Reuters work on this season.—Reuters Sullivan wins Joburg Open

JOHANNESBURG: Englishman Andy winning two South African tournaments in Sullivan won his second European Tour such a short space of time. “What made this event in South Africa within 50 days when win particularly great was that I really he lifted the Joburg Open trophy yesterday. enjoyed myself all week. I am on the crest The perpetually jovial 28-year-old fired a of a wave. “Thanks to my coach, my psy- final-round 66 for a 270 total at Royal chologist and all the other people who Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club have helped me become a better golfer,” and a two-stroke triumph. said Sullivan, who is ranked 73 in the world. He won the South African Open in The top three finishers in the European Johannesburg two months ago, pipping Tour-Sunshine Tour event secured British local favourite Charl Schwartzel on the first Open berths and the others went to hole of a play-off. Englishmen David Howell and Anthony It was a special day for Sullivan, who not Wall. only collected a 206,050-euro ($230,000) Howell (69) and Wall (68) tied for second cheque, but also automatic entry to the place with South Africans Wallie Coetsee 2015 British Open at St Andrews. (71) and Jaco van Zyl (66) and Irishman He ended a South African monopoly of Kevin Phelan (66), but secured the spots on the Joburg Open, too, with the last five a world-rankings tie-breaker. winners locals, and six of the eight since Sullivan laid his victory foundations on the championship started. the outward nine, picking up five birdies “Unbelievable,” was the initial reaction of and not dropping a shot in partly cloudy the 1.75-metre native of English midlands conditions that gradually grew gloomier. town Nuneaton when handed the trophy He had a blip by bogeying the par-four by Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau. 11th, but recovered to collect two more “I never in my wildest dreams imagined birdies on the final four holes. —AFP Harrington leads Honda Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS: Ireland’s Padraig leaderboard and I want to be trying to win Harrington held the lead after the second tournaments. Five tournaments ago, I won, round of the Honda Classic on Saturday so it’s not like it’s an alien feeling for me,” with play abandoned in the afternoon said Harrington. because of severe rain. “I think I’m in a good place that I can The rain wiped out the entire afternoon deliver more performances like this. So I’m session, meaning the third round for most not panicked about going out and it all players will not begin until Sunday morn- having to happen this weekend.” ing with a possible Monday finish looming. Britain’s Ian Poulter’s impressive 64 The 43-year-old Harrington shot a four- moved him to within two strokes of under par 66 for his second round at PGA Harrington and level with American National to go seven-under for the tourna- Brendan Steele. Another British player, for- ment. He has a stroke lead over American mer Honda winner Luke Donald, shot a 67 Patrick Reed, who posted two rounds of 67. to move three strokes off the lead. World But Harrington will be sorely disappointed number one Rory McIlroy, who completed to have ended his round with bogeys on his second round on Friday and ended up the eighth and ninth holes. seven-over for the tournament, missed the MIAMI: Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) tries to get past Atlanta Hawks forward Elton Brand (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball The three-time major championship cut. Joining the Northern Irishman with a game. —AP winner has slumped to 297th in the world weekend off were Britain’s Justin Rose, rankings and has not won on either the Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, PGA Tour or the European Tour since 2008. South Africans Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel He has shown some signs of recapturing and Retief Goosen and Canadian Graham Hawks soar over Heat his form of late and won the DeLaet. Americans Keegan Bradley, Zach Open, on the Asian Tour, in December. Johnson and Harris English also packed “Obviously I want to be at the top of the their bags early.—Reuters MIAMI: Paul Millsap scored 22 points, Dennis Pistons, who have lost three straight. margin matched the Suns’ most one-sided Schroder added 16 points and 10 assists and loss of the season. San Antonio fell two points the intentionally depleted Atlanta Hawks still GRIZZLIES 101, TIMBERWOLVES 97 shy of its largest victory of the season. had enough to beat the Miami Heat 93-91 on Marc Gasol had 27 points and 11 rebounds, Nadal aims for slice Saturday night. and Mike Conley hit a big 3-pointer with 30 NETS 104, MAVERICKS 94 Kent Bazemore scored 15, including a big seconds left to lift Memphis over Minnesota. Deron Williams scored 25 points and of clay-court history 3-pointer with about a minute left that gave Gasol scored nine straight points in the Thaddeus Young had 16 points and eight the Hawks an 89-80 lead. John Jenkins scored final 4 minutes, and Conley’s 3 from the wing rebounds off the bench in Brooklyn’s victory BUENOS AIRES: Reigning French Open against Monaco. 12 for Atlanta, which turned 23 Miami broke a 95-all tie. Conley finished with 17 over Dallas. champ Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos The Mallorcan native is trying capture turnovers into 31 points. points and hit two free throws with 11 sec- The win completed a 3-5 road trip for the Berlocq in straight sets to reach the final of his first title since claiming a ninth French Dwyane Wade scored 22 points for Miami, onds left for the Grizzlies. Nets, who moved into eighth place in the the Argentina Open where he will try to Open crown in June. “It is very important to which fell to 10-17 at home and remains in Andrew Wiggins scored 25 points and Eastern Conference. Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 secure a slice of clay-court history. play my first final of the year here in Buenos the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference race. Ricky Rubio had 13 points, 10 assists and sev- points and Devin Harris had 14 for Dallas, The 28-year-old left-handed Spaniard Aires,” Nadal said. Hassan Whiteside finished with 14 points and en rebounds for the Wolves. Kevin Garnett which dropped percentage points behind the rallied in the opening-set tie-breaker from Berlocq threatened to steal the first set tied a season high with 24 rebounds for was ejected early in the third quarter of his Los Angeles Clippers into sixth place in the a 6-1 deficit to win, then clinched in a tie-break after surging to a 6-1 lead, Miami, which also got 16 points from Mario second game back in a Wolves uniform after West. Saturday’s semi-final match when Berlocq but Nadal fought back, winning eight of Chalmers and 10 from Henry Walker. picking up his second technical foul. Kevin The Mavericks played their second consec- hammered a forehand long on the first the next nine points to grab the opener. It was the second straight night Miami lost Martin missed a 3-pointer from the corner utive game without Tyson Chandler (bruised match point. “I was serving short in the first After falling behind a break in the second by two points, after falling in New Orleans that could have tied it in the closing seconds. left hip) and fourth straight without Chandler set and he (Berlocq) was very aggressive,” set, Nadal rallied again, reeling off six con- 104-102 on Friday. The Hawks rested four reg- Parsons (sprained left ankle). That resulted in a said Nadal, who won 7-6 (9/7), 6-2. “In the secutive games to claim the momentum ulars - Al Horford didn’t even make the trip SPURS 101, SUNS 74 three-guard starting lineup, with Nowitzki second I was more aggressive and more for good. because his wife just had a baby, while Pero Kawhi Leonard had 22 points and 10 making a rare start at center. Mason Plumlee dynamic with my shots. The tranquility and Nadal breezed into semi-finals by Antic, DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague were rebounds, and San Antonio dominated from added 14 points, 10 rebounds and a season- confidence gave me more energy at the defeating Facundo Arguello 6-4, 6-0 and given the night off. the opening tip in a rout of Phoenix. The high three blocks for Brooklyn. end. I’m happy with the victory.” Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-1. He received a Spurs, playing the finale of their annual nine- Nadal next faces Argentina’s Juan bye in the first round. Monaco in Sunday’s final where Nadal will Nadal has dropped a combined seven KNICKS 103, RAPTORS 98 game “rodeo road trip,” were up 51-24 at the JAZZ 82, BUCKS 75 be trying to equal Guillermo Vilas’ all-time games in his last three encounters with Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points, break, the fewest points in a half for the Suns Trey Burke had 23 points and six assists to record of 46 titles on clay. Monaco. Nadal cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win in Langston Galloway made a clinching 3-point- in franchise history. San Antonio led by as help Utah hold off Milwaukee. Derrick Favors Earlier in the day, Monaco beat ’s their most recent meeting last year at the er and New York ended a sad day for the fran- many as 34 in the second half. added 16 points, 12 rebounds and three steals Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to book Madrid Open. chise by handing Toronto its season-high fifth Marcus Morris scored 15 of his 19 points in for the Jazz, who have won consecutive his spot in the final. Monaco reached his The Nadal-Monaco matchup means the straight loss. the fourth quarter, when Phoenix scored 33 to games for the sixth time this season. They are 20th career ATP final and is competing in Argentina Open will be won by an After beginning the night with a moment avoid breaking the team record for fewest yet to win three in a row. Rudy Gobert had 12 his third final on home soil at the Estadio Argentine or Spaniard for the 13th consec- of silence for former Knicks forward Anthony points in a game - 68 against Kansas City 34 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Khris Billoch Caride. Nadal is playing in this event utive year. Since 2003, the champion has Mason, who died Saturday at 48, the team fin- years ago. Middleton had 18 points, six rebounds, three for the first time in 10 years, when he come from one of the two countries, ished it by celebrating its second straight vic- Danny Green, Boris Diaw and Aron Baynes assists and two steals for the Bucks. Michael reached the quarter finals. He is 5-1 lifetime including the past six by Spain. —AFP tory. scored 12 apiece for the Spurs. The 27-point Carter-Williams finished with 16 points.—AP Former Raptors center Andrea Bargnani scored 19 points and newcomer Alexey Shved had 15 for the Knicks. Lou Williams scored 22 NBA results/standings points for the Raptors, who fell into a tie with Washington 99, Detroit 95; Atlanta 93, Miami 91; NY Knicks 103, Toronto 98; Memphis 101, Minnesota 97; Brooklyn Chicago for second place in the Eastern 104, Dallas 94; San Antonio 101, Phoenix 74; Utah 82, Milwaukee 75. Conference and are just a half-game ahead of Cleveland for fourth. Toronto coach Dwane Eastern Conference Western Conference Casey gave slumping All-Star Kyle Lowry a Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB night off to rest. Portland 38 19 .667 - Toronto 37 22 .627 - Oklahoma City 32 27 .542 7 Brooklyn 24 33 .421 12 Utah 23 35 .397 15.5 WIZARDS 99, PISTONS 95 Boston 23 33 .411 12.5 Denver 20 38 .345 18.5 Philadelphia 13 45 .224 23.5 John Wall scored 22 points, Nene added 21 Minnesota 13 45 .224 25.5 NY Knicks 12 46 .207 24.5 and Washington ended its six-game losing Pacific Division streak with a win over Detroit. The Wizards, Central Division Chicago 37 22 .627 - Golden State 45 11 .804 - who had lost 11 of 13, won despite blowing a Cleveland 37 23 .617 0.5 LA Clippers 38 21 .644 8.5 21-point second-half lead. Marcin Gortat had Milwaukee 32 27 .542 5 Phoenix 31 29 .517 16 16 points and 17 rebounds for Washington. Indiana 24 34 .414 12.5 Sacramento 20 36 .357 25 With the Wizards up by one, Bradley Detroit 23 36 .390 14 LA Lakers 16 41 .281 29.5 Beal made his first free throw with 10 sec- Southeast Division Southwest Division onds left, making it 97-95. He missed the Atlanta 47 12 .797 - Memphis 42 16 .724 - Washington 34 26 .567 13.5 second, but the rebound was batted out Houston 40 18 .690 2 Miami 25 33 .431 21.5 Dallas 39 22 .639 4.5 to Wall, who was fouled and made both Charlotte 23 33 .411 22.5 BUENOS AIRES: Rafael Nadal of Spain eyes the ball during the ATP Argentina Open San Antonio 36 23 .610 6.5 shots with 7.3 seconds left. Greg Monroe Orlando 19 41 .317 28.5 New Orleans 31 27 .534 11 match against Carlos Berlocq of Argentina. —AP had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the