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Djokovic beats Murray for hat-trick

• Published: 27 Jan 2013 at 17.44
• Online news: Sports

MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic wore down Andy Murray in a gruelling four-set final to clinch the professional era's first hat-trick of Australian Open titles in attritional style on Sunday.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after winning the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2013. He beat Murray in a gruelling four-set final to clinch a hat-trick of Australian Open titles

The Serbian world number one lost the opening set in a tiebreaker but got progressively stronger to dominate the suffering Murray and win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2 in 3hr 40min.

It was Djokovic's fourth Australian crown and his sixth Grand Slam title overall, and confirmed him as the game's premier player.

Djokovic, 25, became the first man in the Open Era and only the third man ever to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, joining Australians Jack Crawford (1931-33) and five-time winner Roy Emerson (1963-67).

"What a joy, it's an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more and it's definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam, I love this court," Djokovic said.

Murray, the British world number three, began strongly but he battled a left hamstring injury and blistered feet as Djokovic stepped up, winning the important points and most of the lung-busting long rallies.

"I congratulate Novak. His record here is absolutely incredible and there are very few people who have managed to do what he's done here. He's a very deserved champion," Murray said.

It was Djokovic's second win over Murray in a Grand Slam final after the 2011 Australian final, and ended the Scot's unbeaten 13-match run in the majors since his victory over the Serb in last September's US Open decider.

Djokovic, who was handed the trophy by four-time winner Andre Agassi, reaffirmed his standing as the number one ranked player while Murray will remain in the third position behind Roger Federer.

It continued Djokovic's dominance on the Melbourne hardcourt surface and capped an impressive fortnight where he recovered from a draining five-setter over five hours with Stanislas Wawrinka to score emphatic wins over Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer to reach the final.

In a tight opening set, Murray saved five break points over two service games before it was decided by a tiebreaker.

The Scot played virtually the perfect tiebreaker with three mini-breaks against the wavering Djokovic to go one set up after 68 hard-fought minutes.

And the Serb had to fight off three break points on his opening service in the second set as Murray remained in control.

Yet again both players held their serve and the final went into a second tiebreaker, but this time Djokovic was the steadier player winning 7/3 to level the match at the 2hr 13min mark.

The turning point came in the eighth game of the third set when Djokovic won a psychologically important point off an exhausting 36-stroke rally, leaving the Serb smiling and the Scot gasping.

Djokovic turned up the heat and got the first service break of the final, after 2hr 51min, on his third break point and then served out for a two sets to one lead.

Murray was having problems with his left hamstring and was troubled going to his forehand side as Djokovic began to take the ascendancy early in the fourth set.

He got two break points in Murray's second service game and the top seed again came out on top after a sapping 26-stroke rally, breaking the Scot's serve a second time and consolidated for a 3-1 lead.

The end approached as Murray double-faulted on break point in his next service game, handing Djokovic a 4-1 with the finish line in sight.

Djokovic served out for the championship and clinched it on his first match point when Murray netted a backhand.

Azarenka triumphs Down Under

• Published: 26 Jan 2013 at 18.26
• Online news: Sports

MELBOURNE - Victoria Azarenka has won back-to-back Australian Open titles, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a dramatic final that contained a break for fireworks and two medical timeouts.

MELBOURNE - Victoria Azarenka overcome an often hostile crowd to win back-to-back Australian Open titles, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a dramatic final that contained a break for fireworks, two medical timeouts and a nasty fall to the court by Li.

The Chinese star first tumbled to the court after twisting her left ankle, and had it taped after falling in the fifth game of the second set.

On the first point after a 10-minute pause in the third set while fireworks boomed overhead from nearby Australia Day celebrations, Li fell over again and slammed the back of her head into the court. The 2011 French Open champion was treated immediately and had another time out before being allowed to resume the match.

Victoria Azarenka returns a shot during her three-set victory over Li Na in Melbourne on Saturday. (AFP Photo)

Azarenka, who broke down in tears and sobbed into her towel when the match ended, won five of the next six games to claim her second major title and retain the No. 1 ranking.

"Unfortunately, you have to go through some rough patches to achieve great things. That's what makes it so special for me," she said. "I went through that, and I'm still able to kiss that beautiful trophy."

Li had defeated Azarenka when the pair last met in a holiday exhibition match in Hua Hin, Thailand on Dec 30.

The two previous winners of the Hua Hin event, Azarenka in 2011 and Kim Clijsters in 2010, had gone on to win the title in Melbourne a month later.

The win meant that Azarenka will maintain top spot and Serena Williams, who lost in the quarterfinals, will become the new No. 2 in the rankings.

On a crisp Saturday night, Azarenka won the coin toss and elected to receive, a ploy that seemed to work when a nervous Li was broken to start the match. After a double fault on the first point, Li's forehand long gave Azarenka the early lead.

The 2-hour, 40-minute match featured 16 service breaks, with Li losing her service nine times.

The capacity crowd at Rod Laver Arena was firmly behind Li, cheering loudly when she was introduced. Azarenka, meanwhile, had her errors applauded, and one spectator even mocked the loud hooting sound she makes when she hits a shot.

The chill from the crowd was a remnant of Azarenka's semifinal win over American teenager Sloane Stephens, when Azeranka was criticized for taking a questionable 10-minute medical time out near the end of the match. She was accused of taking the time out to compose herself after she'd wasted five match points while serving for the match against Stephens, although Azarenka said she needed the time out because a rib injury was making it difficult for her to breathe.

In the second set Saturday, a few fans heckled Azarenka over the incident. One man yelled, "Take a deep breath, Vicky."

By the end of the match, she appeared to have won some of the fans back. Azarenka's friend, rapper Redfoo, yelled down to her from the player box "You deserve it," and she later blew kisses to the crowd. Someone else in the crowd shouted "Victoria, we love you."

Azarekna appeared to quickly forgive the crowd, saying during the trophy presentations that she wanted to thank the fans for their support.

"I will always keep very special memories of this court and it will be in my heart forever," she said, pausing several times to find the right words. "Of course, I (almost) forgot to say congratulations to Li Na, she's had a terrific start to the year ... hope to see you in many, many more finals."

Azarenka and Li had met twice before in Grand Slam tournaments, with Li winning both times — in the fourth round of the 2011 Australian Open and quarterfinals at the French Open. Li lost the 2011 Australian Open final to Kim Clijsters but won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros a few months later, beating Francesca Schiavone.

But after failing to advance past the fourth round at any major in 2012, Li hired Carlos Rodriguez, Justine Henin's former coach. The hard training he's put her through in the past four months appears to be paying dividends.

Li won a WTA tournament in China before travelling to Australia, where she advanced to the semifinals at the Sydney International.

Thai ladies on course to match successes of the m

The country's female golfers can step out of the shadows of their male counterparts

• Published: 27 Jan 2013 at 00.00

Thailand's male golfers have enjoyed considerable success for years but their female counterparts have failed to shine on the major circuits.

Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are among the rising stars of Thai golf.

However, there are growing expectations that some of the Thai women will soon be able to follow in the men's footsteps, with rookie sisters Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn among the stars to watch.

Pornanong Phatlum, Thidapa Suwannapura, Numa Gulyanamitta and Moriya will this year play on the LPGA Tour while Ariya, Nontaya Srisawang and Titiya Pluckstaporn will be competing on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

Porani Chutichai and Onnarin Sattayabanpot remain on the Japan Tour while several Thais are playing on smaller tours, such as the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and the China LPGA Tour.

The LET season begins this week and the LPGA Tour opens next month.

Moriya, 18, and Ariya, 17, are tipped to shine in their first seasons as professionals. Following their glittering amateur careers, Moriya became a co-medallist at the LPGA qualifying school while Ariya won the LET qualifying school last month.

Pornanong Phatlum

"Playing golf professionally on the LPGA Tour has been a lifelong dream for me and I can't wait to get started," Moriya said.

Ariya fared better than her sister on the junior and amateur circuits, winning the Rolex Junior Player of the Year award twice in a row in 2011 and 2012.

Their father, Somboon, believes Ariya is good enough to win in her rookie season on the LET.

"She can win maybe one or two titles this year," he said.

"I want to see her become successful on the LET before going to the LPGA Tour."

Ariya intended to take part in last year's LPGA qualifying school, along with Moriya, but the tour did not allow her to play because she was deemed too young.

Ariya will instead launch her professional career at the LET's season-opening Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia from Feb 1-3.

In her third year on the LPGA Tour, Pornanong is currently Thailand's most experienced player on the elite circuit.

However, her target remains the same _ to finish the season in the top 30 on the money list.

She seemed within reach of her goal in mid-season last year, only to flop in the latter part and be forced to settle for 55th.

She will start the 2013 LPGA campaign in a confident mood after winning two LAGT events this month, in India and Taiwan.

Numa won at the LPGA Q-School in 2011 but failed to deliver in her rookie season last year. She finished 87th on the money list, having played 16 tournaments.

However, the former US college star said she is satisfied with her performance.

"I was so tired last year because I had to do everything by myself, from booking a flight and a hotel room to finding a caddie," said Numa, whose best result last year was finishing tied for 21st at the US Women's Open.

"I will have to do those things by myself again this year but I am more experienced and know how to do it more easily. I am sure that my performance will improve."

Thidapa, 20, got an LPGA Tour card thanks to her fourth-placed finish on the Symetra Tour, a development circuit formerly known as the Futures Tour.

She expects an exciting season on the LPGA Tour, having failed at the qualifying school twice.

"I know it will be tough," Thidapa said. "Hopefully, my experience on the Symetra Tour will help me."

Both Porani and Onnarin failed to keep their cards on the Japanese circuit last year but regained their playing rights through the qualifying school, where Rungtiwa Pangchan, Russamee Gulyanamitta and Tiranan Yoopan failed to deliver.

In her second year on the lucrative Japan Tour, Porani said that the toughest factor for her was the weather.

"It could change every hour and is hard to predict. The field is often very competitive with many Koreans playing there," she said. "I hope I can keep my card this year."

The tour, with 36 events, will start at the Daikin Orchid Ladies on Mar 8 and end at the Tour Championship in November.

Chiang Mai-born Nontaya is targeting a top-15 finish on the LET Order of Merit in her second season after she made the cut in 13 of 15 tournaments last year.

"It was not too bad last year but I think I can do better this year," said Nontaya, who won the 2012 Thailand Ladies Open. "I am used to the weather and courses and this helps boost my confidence."

Ferrari ready for Red Bull fight

Fernando Alonso is hoping to stop Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel from winning a fourth straight drivers' title.

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa are desperate to exorcise the heartache of last season -- and now Ferrari thinks it has the car to do just that.

The Scuderia unveiled the new F138 at Maranello Friday with team boss Stefano Domenicali in bullish mood ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 17.

Ferarri's Alonso lost out in painstaking fashion last year after Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel became the youngest ever triple world champion, winning the title by just three points.

Trakul S. 5311807

Forward Russia: Grand Sochi project highlights Putin ambition

The snow-covered mountains tower above the sub-tropical beach, a stunning vista by any standards -- but what sets Sochi apart from other seaside resorts is its sheer scale of concrete and steel.

It's a grand project that Vladimir Putin hopes will transform an ailing region of Russia and make a bold statement of intent, using sport as the fulcrum -- much in the way that China did with its Olympics in 2008 and Qatar hopes to do with soccer's World Cup in 2020.

At a reported $50 billion and rising, Russia's first Winter Olympics will be the most expensive in history -- topping the eye-watering $40 billion Beijing Summer Games.

"I've heard it's the world's largest construction site right now, and I can see that," says U.S. Olympic Committee official Patrick Sandusky.

One of the six new stadiums will be used solely for the opening and closing ceremonies.

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Cool racing: Horses battle on snow

By Neil Curry, CNN

February 8, 2013 -- Updated 1928 GMT (0328 HKT)

Para-gliders soar above the snowy peaks and broad pistes where hundreds of youngsters are taking their first lessons at Europe's biggest ski school.

Nestled within the Engadine Valley beneath the Swiss Alps, St Moritz has earned a reputation as one of the world's greatest winter playgrounds.

The resort will host the World Alpine Skiing Championships for the fifth time in 2017 and is bidding to stage the Winter Olympics for a record third time in 2022.

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