NST Online: Sports
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| Tennis / US Open: Djokovic now eyes career Grand Slam Posted: 13 Sep 2011 05:08 PM PDT Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal in the US Open final in New York on Monday. — AFP picture But his modesty did not prevent the 24-year-old World No 1 from keenly anticipating his next big ambition in a sport which he is beginning to monopolise -- a career Grand Slam. Rafael Nadal, who he beat 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 in a gruelling, brutal final, was the last man to win all four grand slams when he triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2010, to become the seventh man to achieve the feat.
But despite dominating 2011, winning three majors and 10 titles in all, including five Masters, Djokovic is desperate to keep predictions in check. "I am not invincible," said Djokovic.
"Of course I want to win more majors and prove things to myself. It would be unbelievable to complete the Grand Slam. "I need to win the French Open, but I think it will take time."
"He has had the greatest year in the history of our sport," said McEnroe on Sunday. The statistics back up McEnroe's conclusion. Featuring amongst Djokovic's 64 wins are six in six matches against Nadal -- all in finals -- four wins against just one loss to Federer and two wins and one defeat against World No 4 Andy Murray. Even that loss to the Scotsman in Cincinnati was due to an injury retirement when Djokovic damaged his shoulder. Despite his heroics and the belief that leading Serbia to the Davis Cup last year was the catalyst to his successes, Djokovic also believes the seeds of his victory in New York were in the first round last year. Then he had to come from a set down to defeat compatriot Victor Troicki in a duel which taught him many things about his game, lessons which became important when he saved two match points in the semi-finals against Federer before finishing runner-up to Nadal. "Last year I made the final but I could have easily lost in the first round. I overcame that. "I needed those tough matches to get confidence and the belief that I could win the majors. "Something just clicked. In the previous years, I hadn't changed my game in any big way and my strokes were still the same and was hitting the shots I wanted to hit. "But I had difficulties approaching semi-finals and finals. "I would wait for players to make mistakes. "I didn't have the positive attitude. That has changed now -- the 2010 US Open was the turning point." -- AFP |
| Football / Malaysia Cup: Negri keep up fiery form Posted: 13 Sep 2011 05:03 PM PDT NEGRI Sembilan kept their 100 per cent record intact in the Malaysia Cup while the Klang Valley derby between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor turned out to be a bore yesterday. Negri, the former champions, edged Super League runners-up Terengganu 1-0 in a Group B match in Paroi. An on-form Hairuddin Omar and Ahmad Fakri Saraani were Negri's most hardworking players in the first half as their darting runs and skill tormented Terengganu's defenders.
The homesters continued to dominate proceedings and their persistence paid off in the 65th minute through Shahurain Abu Samah. The midfielder ran through the Terengganu defence before flicking the ball past keeper Sharbinee for the lead.
Premier League champions PKNS FC recorded a slim 1-0 win over Sime Darby FC for their first victory in the competition. T-Team regained their form with an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Police in a Group D match in Kuala Terengganu.
It took some time before T-Team broke the deadlock through a spectacular Zairo Anuar Zailani's corner kick, which swerved into the back of the net in the 44th minute. Defender Norhazly Alias scored his third straight goal in the competition, when he headed home Norfarhan Mohamad's cross a minute later. Fitri Omar added their third when he poked home a rebound in the 66th minute. Zairo turned provider for T-Team's fourth goal when his pass found an unmarked Norfarhan, who in turn steered the ball past the out rushing Police keeper Hamdan Sairi in the 76th minute. Kuala Lumpur lead the group by a point after sharing the spoils with Selangor in a 0-0 draw at the Selayang Stadium Selangor dominated the first half and could have scored on several occasions but for wayward finishing and fine goalkeeping by Norazlan Razali. Amri Yahyah chipped just over the bar, Razman Roslan sent a free-kick straight at the goalkeeper while Fadzli Saari shot at Norazlan in the space of 10 minutes midway through the half. Norazlan then twice denied Selangor, first sticking out a leg to block Fadzli's point-blank attempt before tipping Amri's free-kick on to the bar in stoppage time. In Kuching, Johor FC recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Sarawak in a Group C match to stay in contention for a spot in the quarter-finals. Veteran striker Eddy Helmi scored a penalty in the 54th minute. Surprise package Sabah and Perak maintained their supremacy in Group A with each earning three points once again yesterday. Perak fought hard to edge Kedah 2-1 in a match, which was stopped by the referee for 10 minutes after fans threw flares onto the pitch. Shafiq Jamal (16th) and Failee Ghazali (38th) scored for Perak while Kedah replied through Khyril Muhymeen (36th). Zainizam Marjan scored a brace in the 36th and 55th minutes to help Sabah beat Premier League side Johor 3-1 in Kota Kinabalu. |
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