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sports
World No 1 Tseng Yani cantered to her eleventh title at the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open with a blistering seven-shot victory — AFP
The Malay Mail Monday 31 October, 2011
NEW DELHI: MOTORSPORT/ FORMULA 1
ROTTERDAM: Squash
Undisputed champion Vettel bags Indian GP in style
R E IG N I NG wor l d ch ampi on Sebastian Vettel (pic) led all 60 laps on his way to victory at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit yesterday but reckons there are still lessons to be learnt. Starting from pole position, Vettel easily took the lead off the squabbling Mark Webber and Jenson Button, who soon swapped positions. And although Button tried to close the gap to Vettel, it proved to be impossible with the German banging in fastest laps on his way to a comfortable lead. However, there were a few occasions when Button was able to close up just a little bit and that was when they pitted, which Vettel said was something Red Bull need to look into. But it was a comfortable Sunday drive and an 11th win of the campaign for the Red Bull driver. "It was a very good race for us, I enjoyed the time in the lead very much," said Vettel. "I had a little bit of a fight with Jenson in the distance, he was always about four seconds behind. Strangely, he kept closing in around the pit stops, as I was pushing very hard in and out of the box but we seemed to lose a bit there. "But on the circuit it was crucial to manage the tyres and to make sure we had enough left at the end. All in all, it was a very smooth race, the car was very well balanced and I even
felt a little bit more confident on the hard tyres in the end." However, the race began on a sad note with the drivers, team personnel and fans paying tribute to the late Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli, both of whom died from racing accidents recently. And Vettel admits that while racers understand the risks, there's always a heavy heart when reality hits home. "To be honest with you, it is a little bit mixed emotions," he said. "On the one hand, I'm very happy as it's the first Grand Prix in India and I'm proud to be the first winner. "But on the other hand, we lost two of our mates. I didn't know Dan Wheldon but he was a big name in motorsport. "This year I got to know Marco Simoncelli, and our thoughts are with them. Yes, we are ready to take certain risks when we jump into the car, but we pray that nothing happens. Sometimes you get reminded and it's the last thing that we want to see." Button admits it was "very difficult" racing in India with Wheldon and Simoncelli in his thoughts. "We've had two fatalities and it's very difficult," he said. "I knew Dan from a young age — so I think we should dedicate this first Indian race to Dan and Marco, who was the
most amazing man to watch on a bike." As for his race, Button lamented the fact that his McLaren just didn't have the pace needed to challenge Vettel for victory.
Nicol will not stop at World Open record NICOL DAVID (pic) will attempt a record sixth title at the World Open next week, but may only be halfway through an already extraordinary list of achievements. Although the 28-year-old is favourite to surpass the five world titles achieved by Sarah Fitz-Gerald of Australia, she clearly does not see this as the pinnacle of her career. Instead, if Nicol has her way it will be a stepping stone to many more — perhaps as many as double this number of World Open titles. "I want to stay away from injury and play for (another) five to seven Team Time years," she said. "I think I have a lot Red Bull 1h30:35.002 to learn." (Average speed: 204.157 kph) Her light frame, superb moveMcLaren at 8.443 sec ment, and increasing awareness of when to take breaks from competition, suggest she has the physical Ferrari at 24.301 sec and motivational ability needed for the challenge. What she will not do is think about Constructors Pts the title record when she begins 595 Red Bull her campaign against Delia Arnold 442 McLaren tomorrow. 325 Ferrari "Once I start thinking of titles 145 Mercedes GP it does not become my focus," she 72 Lotus-Renault said. — AFP
Indian Grand Prix Result Driver
Pts
Sebastian Vettel Jenson Button Fernando Alonso
25 18 15
Overall standings Drivers
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Jenson Button (GBR) Fernando Alonso (ESP) Mark Webber (AUS) Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
Pts 374 240 227 221 202
SERI KEMBANGAN: GOLF
SHANGHAI
Danny does nation proud NATIONAL No 1 Danny Chia is pleased to have finished in the top 20 despite not having the best of finishes on the last day of the Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia at the Mines Resort and Golf Club yesterday. "It was a great feeling to have the entire country cheering me on for a good finish in the tournament. It’s not often we (local golfers) get this sort of attention. I may have not performed today (yesterday) as compared to the last couple of days but I’m delighted to finish tied at 13," he said. Danny, who started the day just five shots behind leader and eventual winner Bo Van Pelt, could only manage oneunder 70 yesterday. However, a good Day 2 and 3 with a sixunder and five-under ensured the 39-year-old could still feel proud of his overall finish of 12-under 272. "I made a wise decision of not challenging leader Van
By VIJHAY VICK vijhayvick@mmail.com.my
Pelt. I had an outside chance of winning the title but I wasn’t hitting well enough so I decided to play it safe," added Danny. Danny takes home US$85,000 (RM260,000), the highest prize money he has ever taken home. The highest amount he had previously won was at the 2009 Hong Kong Open where he claimed US$39,000. He also took home US$33,500 in the Malaysian Open that year. "I am not going to rest on my laurels. I want to end the year with an Order of Merit top 30 placing. I’m leaving for the Taiwan Masters tomorrow." Danny will be having a hectic November as he navigates the Singapore Open and Johor Open, which runs consecutively after the Taiwan
Open. He will end his 2011 calendar at the Thailand Golf Championship in Bangkok in December. Meanwhile, winner Van Pelt is delighted to end a twoyear drought, with his last win coming at the US Bank Championship in 2009. He finished 23-under 261 to set a new course record. Tiger Woods held the previous best of 21-under, achieved at the World Cup in 1999. Van Pelt also revealed that he had once quit the game due to burnout. "I was in college, probably about 20 or 21, it just wasn't in my heart anymore," said Van Pelt, reflecting on the period more than a decade ago when he gave up the game. "I didn't want to put in the work anymore. "I didn't pick up a club for over two months, then I got the itch to start playing again and the rest is history," he
FINAL LEADERBOARD 261 Bo Van Pelt 66-64-67-64; 267 Jeff Overton 67-62-69-69; 268 Fredrik Jacobson (SWE) 65-64-71-68; 269 Cameron Tringale 66-68-71-64,
Camilo Villegas (COL) 69-66-68-66, Mark Wilson 67-66-67-69;
270
John Senden (AUS) 67-70-68-65, Vijay Singh (FIJ) 72-64-66-68, Ryan Palmer 71-65-67-67;
271
Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 69-69-67-66, Jerry Kelly 69-66-69-67, Jason Dufner 70-67-65-69;
272
Brandt Snedeker 71-68-67-66, Robert Allenby (AUS) 63-72-70-67, Stewart Cink 67-66-71-68, Jimmy Walker 66-67-71-68, Chris Kirk 71-65-67-69, Danny Chia (MAS) 71-65-66-70;
273
Ricky Barnes 69-71-66-67
added, attributing his state of mind at that time to burnout and the impulse of youth. "I had to give it up to realise how much I loved it. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to do this for a living."
McIlroy glad to end win drought with new managers GOLF'S new US$2 million man Rory McIlroy said his new management team will help inspire him to more victories. The world No 3 was speaking after claiming golf 's richest prize at the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters yesterday — his first win under new management team, Horizon. The 22-year-old suddenly sacked long-term agent Andrew "Chubby" Chandler nine days ago, having failed to win a tournament since his momentous eight-shot victory in the US Open in June. "The thing that will help me get over the line more is by putting myself in these positions to win golf tournaments," he said. McIlroy said he wants to enter more tournaments to gain experience and hinted his first victory under Dublinbased Horizon augured well
for the future. "I am just delighted to get another win," said the relieved Northern Irish star after his dramatic sudden death playoff with American Anthony Kim helped him to the US$2 million winner's cheque. The lucrative win does not improve his world ranking position or boost his Ryder Cup points because the inaugural Shanghai event was unsanctioned. But McIlroy said victory was important to end his title barren patch. "This is my fourth win and second of the year and I feel like I can win more," he added. "But I am delighted and it gives me great confidence going into next week's HSBC Shanghai Champions. I want to try and chase a place in the European Tour's Race to Dubai." — AFP