News for today's 2018

Nadal out of US Open

11:21 AM Anonymous 0

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Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the final grand slam of the tennis year with a wrist injury. 
 
The world number two's participation at Flushing Meadows was always in doubt after he pulled out of ATP 1000 events at the Rogers Cup and Cincinnati Masters last month. 
 
He had initially hoped to be fit for the US Open but announced on Monday that he had lost his race against time. 
 
Nadal – winner of 14 grand slam titles – beat current world number one, Novak Djokovic, in four sets at last year's final in New York. 
 
The Spaniard posted on his official Facebook page: "I am very sorry to announce I won't be able to play at this year's US Open, a tournament on which I've played three consecutive finals in my last participations. 
 
"I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things. 
 
"[There is] not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back." 
 
Nadal also beat Djokovic in four sets to win the 2010 US Open final. 
 
The 28-year-old's withdrawal will mean he ends the year with just one grand slam title – achieved in Paris at the French Open, a tournament he has won nine times.

Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the final grand slam of the tennis year with a wrist injury. The world number two's participation at Flushing Meadows was always in doubt after he pulled out of ATP 1000 events at the Rogers…

Benneteau, Ferrer enjoy rankings boosts

11:18 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/18/603913header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/18/603913header.jpg" /></a>Julien Benneteau is one place off a career-high ranking of 26 after his run to the semi-finals of the Western and Southern Open. 
 
The Frenchman reached the final four of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event before bowing out to David Ferrer who, in turn, lost to Roger Federer in the final. 
 
However, his semi-final effort ensured he moved up 14 places to 27th in the world with Ferrer also jumping up a place into the top five thanks to his final appearance. 
 
Poland's Jerzy Janowicz is another big climber, moving 13 places to 52nd having reached the last 16 in Cincinnati before losing to Benneteau. 
 
While the world's top four remain unchanged, Ferrer and Milos Raonic occupy fifth and sixth respectively while Tomas Berdych drops to seventh after a tough time in Ohio. 
 
The Czech, seeded fourth for the competition, bowed out at the first hurdle to Lu Yen-hsun. 
 
In the WTA rankings, Ana Ivanovic replaces Victoria Azarenka in the top ten after the Serb contested the Western and Southern Open final on Sunday. 
 
Despite losing out to world number one Serena Williams, she moves into ninth while Azarenka drops seven places having lost in the quarter-finals to Agnieszka Radwanska. 
 
Svetlana Kuznetsova sits just outside the top 20, having reaching the last 16 before losing to Ivanovic in Cincinnati. 
 
Like Kuznetsova, Roberta Vinci moves up three places despite bowing out at the first hurdle against Sabine Lisicki at the hard-court event in the United States.

ATP World Tour Julien Benneteau news sports Southern Open SPORTS tennis Western Benneteau, Ferrer enjoy rankings boosts

Julien Benneteau is one place off a career-high ranking of 26 after his run to the semi-finals of the Western and Southern Open. The Frenchman reached the final four of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event before bowing out to David Ferrer who, in t…

Goffin ends Melzer´s title defence

11:15 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/19/604473header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/19/604473header.jpg" /></a>David Goffin's winning streak hit 23 matches on Monday, as he dumped out defending champion Jurgen Melzer at the Winston-Salem Open. 
 
Belgian qualifier Goffin ousted Melzer 6-3 6-4 in their first-round affair at the ATP 250 event in North Carolina - the last hard-court warm-up event for the US Open, starting Monday. 
 
Only six of Goffin's streak wins have come at ATP World Tour level, with the run including Challenger Tour events and qualifying but his formline is nonetheless imposing heading towards the year's final major. 
 
Conversely, Melzer's results of late have been poor, with the 33-year-old Austrian losing his sixth straight match as the left-hander limped into Flushing Meadows devoid of confidence. 
 
Seeds Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Jarkko Nieminen won their first outings of the tournament, moving into the last 16 with second-round victories. 
 
Garcia-Lopez, the fifth seed from Spain, came from behind to down Germany's Dustin Brown 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-2. 
 
Finland's Nieminen - seeded 15th - defeated another German Benjamin Becker 7-5 6-4 to progress. 
 
All 16 seeds were given first-round byes. 
 
In first-round results, Poland's Jerzy Janowicz had a 6-1 6-4 victory over Argentine Carlos Berlocq. 
 
Janowicz, whose ranking has plummeted to 52nd after peaking at 19th earlier this season, hit seven aces and saved all five break points he faced to advance. 
 
Sam Querrey was the only American through to the second round, as each of Wayne Odesnik, Robby Ginepri and Marcos Giron lost. 
 
Querrey served 16 aces as he eased past Spain's Pere Riba 7-6 (7-5) 6-4. 
 
Qualifiers Odesnik and Giron - both wildcard recipients for the US Open main draw - had their final competitive hit-outs before the New York major. 
 
Odesnik fell 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to Slovenia's Blaz Rola, while Giron - the world number 433 - was humbled 6-4 6-4 by Kazakh Aleksandr Nedovyesov. 
 
France's Paul-Henri Mathieu dumped out wildcard Ginepri 6-3 7-5. 
 
Canada's Frank Dancevic held off Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 7-5 3-6 6-2 in two hours and five minutes, while France's Adrian Mannarino outclassed Bosnian qualifier Damir Dzumhur 6-2 6-2. 
 
Federico Delbonis of Argentina progressed with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over Slovakian Martin Klizan, and Dutchman Igor Sijsling accounted for Kazakh Andrey Golubev 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

David Goffin's news sports SPORTS tennis Goffin ends Melzer´s title defence

David Goffin's winning streak hit 23 matches on Monday, as he dumped out defending champion Jurgen Melzer at the Winston-Salem Open. Belgian qualifier Goffin ousted Melzer 6-3 6-4 in their first-round affair at the ATP 250 event in North Carolina - t…

Bouchard back on the winners list in New Haven, Cibulkova bundled out

11:13 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/19/604481header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/tennis/2014/8/19/604481header.jpg" /></a>Eugenie Bouchard claimed her first win since July after dismantling Bojana Jovanovski 6-1 6-1 in the opening round at the Eugenie Bouchard. 
 
Bouchard - the Canadian third seed - overcame Simona Halep in the Wimbledon semi-finals but injuries have plagued her since losing the final to Petra Kvitova last month. 
 
However, the 20-year-old, who withdrew from the Citi Open and lost in the second round in both Montreal and Cincinnati after first-round byes, returned to the WTA Tour winners list with a straight sets demolition of Serbia's Jovanovski in just 52 minutes on Monday. 
 
Bouchard sent down four aces and won six break points as she earned a second-round showdown with Australian wildcard Samantha Stosur, who survived to beat Japan's Kurumi Nara 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (10-12) 6-2 in New Haven. 
 
The head-to-head record between the pair is level at one win apiece. 
 
"I'm looking forward to a battle," Bouchard said. 
 
"We've had tough matches in the past. I know she'll try to take control with her serve and forehand. 
 
"I'm going to look to try to take it early and control the point like I did today and really put pressure on her." 
 
Four-time champion Caroline Wozniacki also progressed to the next round. 
 
Wozniacki - the Danish fourth seed - lost the first set but fought back to topple Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky 4-6 6-1 6-2. 
 
There was no such luck for Slovak fifth seed Dominika Cibulkova and seventh-seeded Italian Sara Errani. 
 
Cibulkova crashed out at the hands of Germany's Andrea Petkovic, losing 7-6 (7-2) 6-3. 
 
Errani, meanwhile, was ousted by Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-2 3-6 6-1. 
 
In other results on Monday, Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova accounted for Spanish qualifier Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-4 6-3. 
 
Chinese qualifier Shuai Peng beat Ukraine's Elina Svitolina by the same scoreline. 
 
Belgian wildcard Kirsten Flipkens prevailed 6-3 4-6 6-2 against Japanese qualifier Misaki Doi. 
 
Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova emerged victorious against Swiss qualifier Belinda Bencic, winning 6-4 5-7 6-3 after more than three hours on court. 
 
Meanwhile, French lucky loser Caroline Garcia edged Romanian qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4).

Eugenie Bouchard news sports SPORT SPORTS tennis Bouchard back on the winners list in New Haven, Cibulkova bundled out

Eugenie Bouchard claimed her first win since July after dismantling Bojana Jovanovski 6-1 6-1 in the opening round at the Eugenie Bouchard. Bouchard - the Canadian third seed - overcame Simona Halep in the Wimbledon semi-finals but injuries have plag…

Marquez focused on staying ahead

3:59 PM Anonymous 0

Marc Marquez is determined to stay ahead of the pack after making it 10 straight race wins in 2014 with victory in Indianapolis on Sunday. 
 
The 21-year-old Spanish sensation became the first rider since Mick Doohan in 1997 to record a double-figure winning streak, with the Repsol Honda star prevailing by just under two seconds from Movistar Yamaha duo Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. 
 
Marquez will now seek to extend his sequence in the Czech Republic on Sunday, having narrowly won at the Brno circuit last year. 
 
"The race was very hard, especially as the track temperature was very high," Marquez said. 
 
"I struggled a little with the front tyre so I stayed behind Rossi to try to keep the front tyre cool. 
 
"I tried to push but then the rear started sliding. Eventually I was able to open the gap and take 25 points. 
 
"We will try to fight for the victory in Brno. The test we had went well but it was very slippery so we don't have too much data. 
 
"I have never gone great there and Jorge and Vale are very strong there.” 
 
Lorenzo, meanwhile, had to settle for second best for the second time this season, but was happy to see some light at the end of the tunnel just over halfway through a frustrating campaign. 
 
"It has been a long road, but we are getting better and better," said the 2010 and 2012 champion. 
 
"This is the closest race, other than Mugello, we have had to the front. 
 
"I needed one or two tenths to catch Marquez, hopefully it will come at the next race. The bike was working very well and I was able to get faster and faster. 
 
"Maybe on more of a Yamaha track and a track that is better for my style, we can challenge him. Brno is luckily a track that I really like and our bike works well at.” 
 
Rossi, who became the first rider to reach 4,000 career points, said: "I knew it would be difficult, as Marc and Jorge were faster than me in practice. I would have hoped to have a bit of a better battle with Lorenzo, but I am satisfied as this is one of my worst tracks, with no podium since 2008."

Marquez Motorsports news SPORTS Marquez focused on staying ahead

Marc Marquez is determined to stay ahead of the pack after making it 10 straight race wins in 2014 with victory in Indianapolis on Sunday. The 21-year-old Spanish sensation became the first rider since Mick Doohan in 1997 to record a double-figure wi…

Radwanska beats Williams in Montreal for first title of 2014

3:45 PM Anonymous 0

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Agnieszka Radwanska claimed her first silverware of 2014 as she beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 in the Rogers Cup final on Sunday. 
 
The Pole, who has 13 career titles to her name, has struggled to make too much of an impact this season, but was convincing in disposing of Williams at the WTA Premier hard court event in Montreal. 
 
Third seed Radwanska won four games in a row in the first to storm into a 4-1 lead after Williams had claimed the opener. 
 
Williams battled hard to break back in a tight game six, but was unable to complete a comeback after seeing two break points come and go at 4-3 down. 
 
The American struggled on her first service throughout and that fact was emphasised by a second set in which she mustered only a 42 per cent success rate. 
 
Combined with an inability to win points on her second serve - Williams won just one out of 12 in the second set - it proved to be a recipe for disaster. 
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Radwanska claimed the opening game of the second on Williams' serve to put the former world number one on the back foot from the off. 
 
Williams broke back to level matters at 2-2, but Radwanska won the next game to love as the seven-time grand slam winner's chances of coming away with the win grew ever slimmer. 
 
As it turned out, Williams would not win another game, leaving Radwanska to emphatically serve for the title.

Agnieszka Radwanska news sports Rogers Cup SPORTS tennis Venus Williams Radwanska beats Williams in Montreal for first title of 2014

Agnieszka Radwanska claimed her first silverware of 2014 as she beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 in the Rogers Cup final on Sunday. The Pole, who has 13 career titles to her name, has struggled to make too much of an impact this season, but was convincin…

Venus through to Montreal final

1:09 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5AOauiV6bs/U-fQ6Pmz3AI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YAf00Vjt1rQ/s1600/594795header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Venus through to Montreal final" border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5AOauiV6bs/U-fQ6Pmz3AI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YAf00Vjt1rQ/s1600/594795header.jpg" title="Venus through to Montreal final" width="320" /></a>Venus Williams booked her spot in the Rogers Cup final, at the expense of her top-seeded sister Serena on Saturday. 
 
In the 25th career meeting between the Williams sisters, it was Venus who earned bragging rights with a shock 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 6-3 win after just over an hour in Montreal. 
 
Venus' triumph - her 11th against Serena - was her first over a reigning world number one since upstaging Dinara Safina in the 2009 Wimbledon semi-finals. 
 
The 34-year-old fended off 19 aces from Serena to advance to Sunday's decider, where she will face Agnieszka Radwanska after the third-seeded Pole overcame Russian Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-3). 
 
"The level of game we played was pretty high," said Venus 
 
"We're both serving well, returning well, moving well - everything is happening so well that all of our matches seem to be very competitive." 
 
Venus stormed out of the blocks to take a 3-1 lead only for Serena to hit back, levelling the match at 3-3, before eventually closing out the opening set in a tie-break. 
 
Two breaks of serve in the second stanza - the first coming in the opening game - set the tone as Venus forced a third set. 
 
It was a similar story in the deciding set, with Venus breaking Serena's serve in the sixth game to reach her second final of 2014, having won the Dubai Tennis Championships in February. 
 
Following Venus into the final was Radwanska, who finally got the better of Makarova in straight sets after two hours and four minutes on court. 
 
Radwanska had lost her past two meetings against Makarova, slipping up at the US Open in 2013 and Wimbledon in June. 
 
But the 2012 Wimbledon finalist exacted revenge, making the most of Makarova's 43 unforced errors. 
 
Radwanska finished the match with 28 winners and just 14 unforced errors. 
 
"I think it was a great match," Radwanska said. 
 
"Two hours of fighting and long rallies and tight games - I had to really run a lot to win that match because she's so good. I had to give 100 per cent today. 
 
"I think I was just better on a few points today. I'm really happy with the win."

2014 Championships news news sports Rogers Cup SPORTS tennis Venus Williams Venus through to Montreal final

Venus Williams booked her spot in the Rogers Cup final, at the expense of her top-seeded sister Serena on Saturday. In the 25th career meeting between the Williams sisters, it was Venus who earned bragging rights with a shock 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 6-3 win af…

Rain halts play at Valhalla

1:02 PM Anonymous 0

The final round of the US PGA Championship has been suspended due to heavy rainfall at Valhalla. 
 
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27cTW9y522Q/U-fPLM2vG5I/AAAAAAAAAEw/rXU6hG8_zoA/s1600/595431header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Rain halts play at Valhalla" border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27cTW9y522Q/U-fPLM2vG5I/AAAAAAAAAEw/rXU6hG8_zoA/s1600/595431header.jpg" title="Rain halts play at Valhalla" width="320" /></a>With the heavens opening over the Kentucky course, officials had no choice but to bring a halt to the fourth round of golf's final major of the year, with huge puddles forming. 
 
The PGA of America subsequently confirmed that play would be halted for at least one hour, although continued rainfall puts Sunday's play at jeopardy. 
 
Bad weather also affected the second day of the tournament, where the inclement conditions saw several players have their tee time put back. 
 
The delay in play is likely to affect players at the top of the leaderboard, leader Rory McIlroy was due to tee off with Bernd Wiesberger - who sits second - at approximately 15:00 local time (20:00 GMT). 
 
McIlroy - who is 13 under par for the tournament - is targeting a hat-trick of victories after triumphing at The Open Championship last month and at last week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational. 
 
That run has helped the Northern Irishman reclaim top spot in the world rankings, but he faces stiff competition from the likes of Rickie Fowler who is two shots adrift, while Phil Mickelson and Jason Day are a further stroke off the pace. 
 
Despite the poor weather, Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen showed that low scoring remained a possibility - he was four under par through 11 holes before the break in play. 
 
Shane Lowry also carded four under in his final round, a score which took him to one under par for the tournament. 
 
However, Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello will act as a warning to the leaders, he shot a nine-over-par 80, including double-bogeys at the seventh and the 12th, to end his tournament at 10 over par.

America america's cup finals championship golf news sports Rain halts SPORTS US PGA US PGA Championship Rain halts play at Valhalla

The final round of the US PGA Championship has been suspended due to heavy rainfall at Valhalla. With the heavens opening over the Kentucky course, officials had no choice but to bring a halt to the fourth round of golf's final major of the year, wit…

CONCACAF Champions League Review Comunicaciones start strongly

9:59 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592639header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592639header.jpg" /></a>Comunicaciones opened their CONCACAF Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Bayamon, while debutants Waterhouse won away. 
 
Rolando Blackburn struck a hat-trick for Comunicaciones as the Guatemalan club stormed to the top of Group Eight, while Waterhouse defeated Tauro 2-1 to claim first position in Group Four. 
 
Comunicaciones blitzed Bayamon in the opening half hour on Thursday, scoring three times, including two goals to Blackburn, while the Panamanian striker added his third just two minutes after half-time. 
 
The Guatemalans missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages of last season's Champions League, finishing six points behind Toluca of Mexico, but William Coito's team gave themselves every chance of progressing this term with a big win at home. 
 
Comunicaciones took the lead in the ninth minute when Jairo Arreola collected an initial right-wing cross on the left-hand side of the box and drilled his pass back across goal for Blackburn to tap in. 
 
The home side had the ball in the back of the net again in the 20th minute when Arreola drilled his shot past Bayamon goalkeeper Maximiliano Torlacoff but the goal was ruled out for a foul. 
 
Comunicaciones did not have to wait much longer for their second goal, however, as Agustin Herrera struck a minute later, finishing off left-back Jorge Aparicio's cross. 
 
Bayamon's right-hand side struggled in the opening half hour and Comunicaciones took advantage again in the 28th minute. 
 
The home team's captain Jose Contreras found space on the left and chipped the ball to the back post for Blackburn to score with his head. 
 
Blackburn effectively wrapped up the win for Coito's side in the 47th minute, getting his head to a corner, after Torlacoff came off his line but missed the ball. 
 
In Panama, local club Tauro failed to complete a late comeback against Waterhouse. 
 
The visitors from Jamaica had hit the front in the second minute through a brilliant free-kick from Romario Campbell and doubled their advantage 17 minutes later when Upston Edwards' driving run set up Damarley Samuels. 
 
But Tauro surged in the second half with Jair Renteria scoring with five minutes left, converting the rebound after Christian Lopez hit the bar. 
 
Rolando Palma's team could not find an equaliser, however, as Waterhouse won on their continental debut.

Champions League CONCACAF news sports Rolando SPORT SPORTS CONCACAF Champions League Review Comunicaciones start strongly

Comunicaciones opened their CONCACAF Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Bayamon, while debutants Waterhouse won away. Rolando Blackburn struck a hat-trick for Comunicaciones as the Guatemalan club stormed to the top of Group Eight, whi…

America out to maintain perfect record

9:15 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592625header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592625header.jpg" /></a>America coach Antonio Mohamed says it is "premature" to talk about anything beyond Saturday's trip to Tigres UANL. 
 
Mohamed's America have made a dream start to the Liga MX Apertura campaign, winning their opening three games to sit two points clear of Atlas and Monterrey atop the table. 
 
America preserved their 100 per cent record with a 4-0 demolition of Puebla - a result that was sparked by a hat-trick from the competition's leading scorer Raul Jimenez, who has netted four goals in three games. 
 
But Mohamed is taking nothing for granted against fifth-placed Tigres UANL at the Estadio Universitario de Nuevo Leon - an unhappy stomping ground for the 2013 Apertura champions - having not won in San Nicolas de los Garza since 2009. 
 
"It's too soon, we had a good start, very forcefully but we have many things to improve," Mohamed told the club's official website. 
 
"I am really very happy but it is premature to talk about other things than the next game." 
 
Tigres UANL have also made an unbeaten start to the season, with one win and two draws, including a 4-2 victory over defending champions Leon. 
 
"What is said before a game is useless, we have to keep proving and improving, the only thing that concerns us is ourselves," the 44-year-old Mohamed said. 
 
"I do not like review of rivals and I like to focus hard on our team, we have to play football, enjoy and nothing else." 
 
Rivals Atlas and Monterrey can keep the pressure on America with wins over the weekend. 
 
Atlas - 4-2 victors against Chiapas last week - are on the road on Sunday, travelling to 12th-placed Pumas UNAM, who have suffered back-to-back defeats. 
 
Monterrey, who were held to a scoreless draw by Santos Laguna, face winless Veracruz away from home on Friday. 
 
In other fixtures, Leon will be out to make it two wins on the bounce when they take on Chiapas in a mid-table clash on Saturday. 
 
Cruz Azul - held to a draw in CONCACAF Champions League action midweek - play host to Puebla on Saturday as they attempt to win their first match of the season. 
 
Elsewhere on Saturday, Pachuca host Chivas Guadalajara and Santos Laguna go head-to-head with fourth-placed Queretaro. 
 
Meanwhile, cellar-dwellers Universidad Guadalajara entertain Toluca on Sunday.

America Antonio Mohamed Liga MX news news sports SPORTS UANL America out to maintain perfect record

America coach Antonio Mohamed says it is "premature" to talk about anything beyond Saturday's trip to Tigres UANL. Mohamed's America have made a dream start to the Liga MX Apertura campaign, winning their opening three games to sit two points clear o…

Valentino Rossi Marquez domination must end

9:12 PM Anonymous 0

<div>
<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/motorsports/2014/8/8/592615header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/motorsports/2014/8/8/592615header.jpg" /></a>Marc Marquez is flying high in MotoGP but Valentino Rossi is determined to end his rival's record-breaking winning streak.</div>
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Marquez is the runaway series leader, 77 points clear of Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, having won all nine races in the world championship season.</div>
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The 21-year-old's victory at the German Grand Prix last month saw him surpass Mike Hailwood as the youngest rider to win nine consecutive races.</div>
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Marquez is now aiming to become the first rider since Australian Mick Doohan to win 10 races in a row, something Yamaha's six-time world champion Rossi wants to prevent at this weekend's Indianapolis MotoGP.</div>
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"For Marc it is positive, for us a little bit less," said Rossi, who has finished second behind Marquez on four occasions in 2014 to sit third in the standings with 141 points.</div>
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"We have to try to beat him before the end of the championship for sure. It is a big domination, he's done great work, but in some way we have to try to beat him - for us and for the championship."</div>
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Rossi's comments were echoed by Nicky Hayden, who has failed to finish on the podium this season.</div>
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"Every so often someone comes along and resets the bar. I agree with Valentino - of course it's great what he's doing, but for us we don't want to see one guy win every race because truthfully he's making it look too easy," he said.</div>
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"It's not really the case, so I hope somebody can beat him soon. Make us look at little better."</div>

Marquez MotoGP news SPORTS Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi Marquez domination must end

Marc Marquez is flying high in MotoGP but Valentino Rossi is determined to end his rival's record-breaking winning streak. Marquez is the runaway series leader, 77 points clear of Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, having won all nine races in the…

Hutchison heroics guides Blue Jays past Orioles

9:08 AM Anonymous 0

The Toronto Blue Jays squared their MLB series with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, courtesy of a strong showing from Drew Hutchison. 
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Blue Jays starter Hutchison almost pitched for the entirety and allowed just one hit - a homer to Chris Davis - as Toronto ran out 5-1 winners. 
 
The Canadian outfit led from the first innings onwards, with Dioner Navarro and Danny Valencia batting in runs to put the Blue Jays 2-0 up. 
 
Davis' homer at the top of the second was Hutchison's only glitch and the Blue Jays responded well to conceding a run, as Jose Bautista struck a two-run homer at the bottom of the inning. 
 
Bautista made it three runs batted in for the match when he doubled in the sixth inning to score Munenori Kawasaki. 
 
The Blue Jays remain four games behind the American League's (AL) East division-leading Orioles, ahead of their series decider on Thursday. 
 
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander could not steer his side to victory, as the New York Yankees offset four errors with eight hits in a 5-1 victory. 
 
Detroit's advantage atop the AL's Central standings is 3.5 games, after the Kansas City Royals won their third straight with a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. 
 
The Yankees are five games off the pace in the AL's East, while further back are the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox - despite the pair chalking up wins. 
 
The Rays downed the high-flying Oakland Athletics 7-3 and the Red Sox edged the St Louis Cardinals 2-1. 
 
Oakland remains two games clear on top of the AL's West division, after closest rivals the Los Angeles Angels fell to neighbours the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1. 
 
The Seattle Mariners inflicted the Atlanta Braves' eighth straight loss, courtesy of a 7-3 result. 
 
Logan Morrison and Dustin Ackley homered for the Mariners. 
 
David Buchanan's first start on the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies went to script, as he kept the Houston Astros to three hits in over six innings as they ran out 10-3 winners. 
 
The Texas Rangers made it rare back-to-back wins this season, downing the Chicago White Sox 3-1. 
 
National League (NL) East leaders the Washington Nationals capitalised on the Braves' slump, downing the New York Mets 7-1 to move four games clear. 
 
Miami Marlins starter Tom Koehler allowed four runs in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they could not recover - going down 7-3. 
 
NL Central pace-setters the Milwaukee Brewers preserved a one-game lead atop the standings, despite a 7-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. 
 
The Cardinals' loss to the Red Sox benefitted the Brewers, although the Pirates win over the Marlins saw them move within 1.5 games of the divisional lead. 
 
The Cincinnati Reds downed the Cleveland Indians 8-3 to be four games behind Milwaukee. 
 
A batting powerplay from the Colorado Rockies saw them to a 13-4 shellacking of fellow strugglers the Chicago Cubs. 
 
The San Diego Padres needed 10 innings to surpass the Minnesota Twins 5-4.

baseball Hutchison mlb SPORTS Hutchison heroics guides Blue Jays past Orioles

The Toronto Blue Jays squared their MLB series with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, courtesy of a strong showing from Drew Hutchison. Blue Jays starter Hutchison almost pitched for the entirety and allowed just one hit - a homer to Chris Davis - …

Florida falls FCS school to lose sixth in a row, won't be bowl eligible

2:50 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Georgia Southern scored three out of five possessions during one key stretch in the middle of the game and pulled off a 26-20 upset against Florida - assuring the Gators will not be going to a bowl game for the first time since NCAA probation in 1990. It's the first non-sanction year in which the Gators (4-7) have not gone to a bowl since an 0-10-1 season in 1979. Florida extended its losing streak to six consecutive games - the longest streak since the winless '79 team. Georgia Southern (7-4) accumulated 429 yards on the ground - the fourth-highest rushing total by an opponent in Florida history. Nebraska ran for 524 in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. It was the first win by the Eagles over a FBS school in 21 tries. Georgia Southern had lost 19 scholarship players to injuries this season. Florida led 10-7 at halftime but was actually saved by Georgia Southern mistakes. The Gators' Frankie Velez hit a 27-yard field goal with 8:34 left in the first quarter for the game's opening points. Florida had a first-and-goal from the 10 but the inept offense led to a no gain on a first down run and two incomplete passes. <img src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/47cfa2f57c7570b8233871e36e3119029479c2f4/c=1703-120-3671-2739&r=183&c=0-0-180-238/local/-/media/USATODAY/test/2013/11/23//1385244188000-USATSI-7572457.jpg" width="600"/> Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp reacts during the second quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.(Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports) The Gators made it 10-0 when Skyler Mornhinweg, starting for the second week in a row with Tyler Murphy nursing a shoulder injury, hit Solomon Patton with a 3-yard TD pass in the first two minutes of the second quarter. It was Mornhinweg's first career touchdown throw and Patton's fifth TD catch of the year. But Georgia Southern killed its first scoring drive, marching from its own 30 to the Florida 19 where fullback Irving Huggins gained 16 yards before losing the ball at the Florida 3. Freshman linebacker Jarrad Davis forced the fumble and Darrin Kitchens recovered it to ruin a certain Eagles' scoring chance which would loom before the half ended. Eagles quarterback Kevin Ellison scrambled free down the right sideline for a 45-yard touchdown with 2:01 left in the first half. At the outset of the second half, Georgia Southern put together a five-play drive over 75 yards to go ahead 14-10. Ellison scored from a yard out on fourth down with 12:24 still left in the third quarter. Williams Banks' 3-yard run finished to complete a 49 yard drive over eight plays to make it 20-10 with 32 seconds remaining in the third. Velez's 22-yard field and 46-yard TD pass from Mornhinweg to Solomon with 5:41 left in the game tied it back up but the Eagles went 75 yards in five plays to regain the lead at 26-20 with 2:44 to go on Jerick McKinnon's 14-yard run. The extra point was wide right. Florida got to the Georgia Southern 24. A 17-yard pass to Quinton Dunbar got the ball but Mornhinweg threw incomplete on first down. The Gators called time out with 25 seconds left in the game. A pass to Patton moved the ball to the Eagles' 16, two yards shy of a first down with 14 ticks left on the clock. UF then called its final time out. Mornhinweg's pass fell incomplete in the end zone to bring up fourth down with eight seconds remaining and on fourth down the Eagles knocked a pass down inside the Gators' five to end the game. David Jones also writes for Florida Today.</div>

SPORTS Florida falls FCS school to lose sixth in a row, won't be bowl eligible

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Georgia Southern scored three out of five possessions during one key stretch in the middle of the game and pulled off a 26-20 upset against Florida - assuring the Gators will not be going to a bowl game for the first time since NC…

Numbers that matter: Baylor at Oklahoma State

9:35 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://images.eplayer.performgroup.com/namedImage/12637/install_flash.gif" width="600"/> It's not going to take long to find out whether or not Baylor is worthy of its No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll. No. 3 Baylor (9-0) travels to face No. 11 Oklahoma State (9-1) on Saturday with the Big XII - and perhaps more - in the balance. The Bears haven't won in Stillwater since 1939. MORE: Week 13 picks | Top 10 late-season BCS upsets | Top rivalries Recent history speaks more favorably for the Bears. Since Art Briles arrived in 2008, Baylor averages 37.6 points per game, sixth most in the FBS. The problem is the Cowboys can play that game. Oklahoma State ranks second in the same stretch with 41.4 points per game, and it's safe to say Mike Gundy won't turn down an invitation to a shootout. Both teams can score. Which team will get a stop or two? Let's go inside the numbers to find out. Series Oklahoma State won the first meeting 60-0 in 1914 and holds an 18-13 advantage. The teams have met every year since Baylor joined the Big XII in 1996, and the Cowboys have a 15-2 record against the Bears since. Marquee matchups This marks just the third time both teams had winning records in November when they met. Oklahoma State did beat Baylor 24-14 in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl. FIRST-AND-10: Win final two games on road and Heisman belongs to Manziel Signature win: No. 19 Oklahoma State 55, No. 22 Baylor 28 (2010) This is the only time both teams were ranked. Brandon Weeden out-dueled future Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. The Cowboys built a 24-0 halftime lead, and Justin Blackmon finished with 173 receiving yards. Signature win: Baylor 41, No. 24 Oklahoma State 34 (2012) Briles picked up his first win against the Cowboys and broke a six-game losing streak in the series. The game is best remembered for Lache Seastrunk's 76-yard TD run in which he pulled his hamstring. Art Briles on the road The Bears haven't made a statement on the road yet. Baylor is 0-10 against ranked teams on the road under Briles, and that includes three losses in Stillwater. Mike Gundy at home Boone Pickens Stadium is a landmine - the Cowboys are 44-13 at home under Gundy. That record dips to just 8-10, however, against ranked teams. Key matchup: Antwan Goodley vs. Justin Gilbert This is as good as it gets. Goodley leads Baylor with 1,075 yards, 11 TDs and 22.4 yards per reception. Gilbert has six of Oklahoma State's Big XII-best 19 interceptions. Gilbert had two interceptions, including a 43-yard pick six, against Texas last week. MORE: Top 10 head coaching jobs | Bowl projections | 6 undefeated teams Key matchup: Clint Chelf vs. Baylor defensive line Chelf does an excellent job of getting the ball out on time; he's taken just three sacks. Baylor ranks eighth in the nation with 28 sacks, led by defensive ends Chris McAllister (5.5) and Jamal Palmer (4.0). Can the Bears get enough inside-out pressure against Chelf? On the spot: Shock Linwood, RB, Baylor Seastrunk's status is in doubt because of a groin injury, so Linwood needs to step up. Linwood totaled 52 carries for 369 yards the last two weeks against Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Expect another 20-plus carries against an Oklahoma State defense that allows just 3.5 yards per carry. On the spot: Oklahoma State receivers Blackmon and Dez Bryant torched Baylor in the past, but Oklahoma State's top two receivers - Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore - aren't that breed of down-field superstar. It's more of a committee effort - nine different Cowboys have a receiving TD. They'll still need a handful of vertical shots, however, to keep pace with the Bears. Stat that matters: Yards per play Baylor's all-around offensive statistics are ridiculous. The Bears average 8.3 yards per play. Oklahoma State checks in at 5.7 yards per play. The Cowboys and Bears were both at 6.8 yards per play last season. If the Bears average 8.3 yards or more in this game, it's over. Stat that matters: Yards per point This stat determines which teams make the most of their scoring opportunities. For example, Florida State is No. 1 at 10.0 yards per point. The Cowboys rank second (11.2) and the Bears are fifth (11.4). Both teams are going to gobble up yardage. Baylor can't afford to miss in plus territory. Bottom line We've made it this far without mentioning Bryce Petty. This is the Baylor quarterback's signature moment. He has the numbers, including a 24:1 TD:INT ratio and 10 rushing TDs. Can he end 74 years of losing in Stillwater? A win here buys Petty more Heisman hype and the Bears a little bit closer to a possible berth in the BCS Championship Game. The numbers lean slightly toward Oklahoma State, but Baylor finds a way in a thriller. </div>

SPORTS Numbers that matter: Baylor at Oklahoma State

It's not going to take long to find out whether or not Baylor is worthy of its No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll.No. 3 Baylor (9-0) travels to face No. 11 Oklahoma State (9-1) on Saturday with the Big XII - and perhaps more - in the balance. The Bears ha…

Lakers Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen dies at age 85

7:35 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://thecelebritycafe.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/image_display/_img/2013/11/Vern_Mikkelsen.jpg" width="600"/> Vern Mikkelsen, former Hall of Famer of the Minneapolis Lakers, passed away on Thursday. The Los Angeles Times reports that Mikkelsen died at the age of 85 surrounded by family in his home in Wayzata, Minnesota. He battled with prostate cancer for 11 years before his death. He also suffered two strokes and diabetes, according to the Associated Press. His wife died in 2002. The team also confirmed the sad news. Mikkelsen played for the Lakers for 10 years, and was inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. The forward was a six-time All-Star and four-time champion in his NBA career, which lasted from 1949 to 1959. 'Vern was one of the first in a long line of great Lakers players, and a key link to our franchise's early years in Minnesota,' said Lakers President Jeanie Buss in a statement. 'We appreciate his contributions to the Lakers and our legacy, and we send our condolences and best wishes to his family.' The Minnesota Timberwolves also expressed their sadness over Mikkelsen's death and took to Twitter Friday offer condolences to his family. The Timberwolves organization is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Minneapolis Laker and NBA Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen. - MN Timberwolves (@MNTimberwolves) November 22, 2013 Vern was a great friend to our organization and we offer our condolences to his family. - MN Timberwolves (@MNTimberwolves) November 22, 2013 Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons </div>

SPORTS Lakers Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen dies at age 85

Vern Mikkelsen, former Hall of Famer of the Minneapolis Lakers, passed away on Thursday.The Los Angeles Times reports that Mikkelsen died at the age of 85 surrounded by family in his home in Wayzata, Minnesota. He battled with prostate cancer for 11 …

Cardinals' Freese traded to Angels

4:05 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20131122&t=2&i=814278562&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=CBRE9AL1OOY00" width="600"/> Credit: Reuters The third baseman and Cardinals relief pitcher Fernando Salas were acquired by the Angels in exchange for center fielder Peter Bourjos and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk. Freese also won the MVP for the 2011 National League Championship Series but struggled this season, batting .262, his lowest average since he made his Major League Baseball debut in 2009. The Cardinals won the National League again this season but lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox. The 30-year-old Freese joins an Angels team looking for a third baseman after missing out on the playoffs last season. The Cardinals acquired Bourjos, a speedy outfielder, who batted .274 in 55 games this year and Grichuk, who was picked by the Angels ahead of Mike Trout in 2009. (Reporting by Julian Linden, Editing by Gene Cherry) </div>

SPORTS Cardinals' Freese traded to Angels

Credit: ReutersThe third baseman and Cardinals relief pitcher Fernando Salas were acquired by the Angels in exchange for center fielder Peter Bourjos and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk.Freese also won the MVP for the 2011 National League Championsh…

Rose leaves Bulls' loss with right knee injury

10:19 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-528f7fd5/turbine/ct-spt-1123-web-bulls-blazers-chicago-20131123-001/525" width="600"/> DENVER -- It's not like the Bulls' season-high, six-game trip gets easier on Friday. The Trail Blazers, one of the surprise early teams, have won eight straight and possess the league's third-best record. 'They're playing great basketball,' coach Tom Thibodeau said. 'They have a lot of offensive weapons. In many ways, they're similar to what we faced (Thursday night in Denver). There are going to be five guys on the floor who can score. We have to be tied together, challenge shots and finish our defense.' Also similar to Denver, the Bulls historically have struggled in Portland. They have lost five straight and and nine of 11 here. 'We have to hit first and ask questions later,' Taj Gibson said. 'We need to set the tone right away and play the normal style of defense we're capable of. We have to be mentally focused and not have our heads down.' With Thursday's late tipoff for TV, the Bulls didn't arrive in Portland until the middle of the night. LaMarcus Aldridge typically has hurt the Bulls, averaging 23 points against them last season. Portland also has positional size with Robin Lopez at center and the long Nicolas Batum at wing. This will mark the first matchup between Derrick Rose and reigning Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard. 'He's a great young player,' Rose said. 'He's playing with a lot of confidence right now. It should be a fun matchup with both teams.' kcjohnson@tribune.com Twitter @kcjhoop </div>

SPORTS Rose leaves Bulls' loss with right knee injury

DENVER -- It's not like the Bulls' season-high, six-game trip gets easier on Friday.The Trail Blazers, one of the surprise early teams, have won eight straight and possess the league's third-best record.'They're playing great basketball,' coach Tom …

Manny Pacquiao, Brandon Rios make weight before tilt in Macao

8:05 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/131122223530-pacquiao-weigh-in-single-image-cut.jpg" width="600"/> MACAO (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios have made weight for their WBO welterweight fight in Macao on Sunday. Weighing in at the unusual time of 7.30 a.m. Saturday to accommodate U.S. TV, Pacquiao was at 145 pounds while Rios was 146.5. 'My goal was 145 and I feel strong, so there is nothing to worry about,' Pacquiao said. 'I have been doing this since I was 23 years old, I'm hungry.' Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter was 'a pound more than I thought he would be' but on track to enter the ring at 149. Rios said his making of the weight proved Roach wrong. 'This message goes out to Freddie Roach who said I'm a bum, I'm a fat loser and I can never make weight - guess what, I made weight, I feel great,' Rios said. 'When you doubt me you make me stronger. (They) are worried, I'm not worried, I feel confident.' Roach laughed off the comment, saying Rios struggled to make it even though he had now moved up two weight divisions in three fights. 'If he can't make 147 he's a joke,' Roach said. 'He almost couldn't make 135 or 140 and even at 147 he struggled every day, he had plastics on. This is a world title fight, you make weight.' The undercard begins at 8 a.m. local time (7 p.m. ET Saturday), with the main event at The Venetian casino expected to begin around three hours later. Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. </div>

SPORTS Manny Pacquiao, Brandon Rios make weight before tilt in Macao

MACAO (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios have made weight for their WBO welterweight fight in Macao on Sunday.Weighing in at the unusual time of 7.30 a.m. Saturday to accommodate U.S. TV, Pacquiao was at 145 pounds while Rios was 146.5.'My goal …

Mike Woodson happy to get vote of confidence from James Dolan

6:50 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.5663993.1373501624!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_600/image.JPG" width="600"/> GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he doesn't think much about his job security. Still, he was happy to get a vote of confidence this week from Madison Square Garden executive chairman James Dolan. 'It means a lot,' Woodson said after practice Friday, 'but this is not about me. This is about our team digging ourselves out of the hole.' The Knicks (3-8) have lost four straight and are headed on a four-game road trip that includes tough games against Portland and the Clippers. In an interview in Friday's New York Post, Dolan said he is confident that Woodson can turn it around. 'I have a lot of confidence in Woodson, and one thing I can say about Mike is he has the respect of all the players,' Dolan said. 'They all respect him. And he treats them fairly and relatively equally, and that's part of where the respect emanates from. And those are hard things to get from a coach. When a coach loses a team . . . that's when a coach is kind of done.' Injured center Tyson Chandler certainly has Woodson's back, and he said it's great to see him get support from management. 'I think Coach has done an excellent job,' he said. 'I think you can't be so quick to jump off the boat. It's early in the season, 10 games in or so on the season. Yeah, we've had our struggles, but I believe things are going to turn around. We had a good year last year and I expect better things this year, like I say, come later in the season. It's early. We've got to get some things together, obviously. But I fully expect this team to turn in the right direction.' Woodson apparently has lost some fans. The Knicks' home losing streak has reached six games, and there have been some chants for his firing. Woodson said yesterday that it's OK with him if fans want to express their opinions. 'I've been playing basketball all my life. I've not always been the most-liked guy when I played on teams,' he said. 'That's just the nature of our sport. Does it bother me? Absolutely not. And I mean that when I say that.' The one positive is that the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference are so bad that even though the Knicks were tied with the Nets for last place in the Atlantic entering Friday night's action, they haven't fallen far behind. They entered last night 11/2 games out of first in the division, and only four of 15 teams in the conference were over .500. 'I haven't lived my dream as a coach worrying about the security of my job. Trust me when I tell you that,'' Woodson said. 'I think it's great that the owner's come out and given me a vote of confidence that he believes in me. And I believe in him . . . But at the end of the day, I got a job to do, and that's trying to get this team back headed in the right direction.' Notes & quotes: The NBA fined Woodson $25,000 Friday for criticizing officials in a radio interview . . . Raymond Felton (hip) is questionable for Saturday night's game at Washington. The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, Madison Square Garden and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday. Be the first to rate: Click to rate <img src="http://images.eplayer.performgroup.com/namedImage/12637/install_flash.gif" width="600"/></div>

SPORTS Mike Woodson happy to get vote of confidence from James Dolan

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he doesn't think much about his job security. Still, he was happy to get a vote of confidence this week from Madison Square Garden executive chairman James Dolan.'It means a lot,' Woodson said after …

Norwegian, 22, Takes World Chess Title

5:50 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/11/23/sports/CHESS/CHESS-articleLarge.jpg" width="600"/> Magnus Carlsen, the 22-year-old Norwegian who has been the most dominant chess player since 2010, finally broke through on Friday to win the game's most important title, the world championship, for the first time. He defeated Viswanathan Anand, 43, of India, the titleholder since 2007, and he did not lose a game in the best-of-12 series, which was held in Anand's hometown, Chennai. Carlsen so dominated the match, which began Nov. 9, that it lasted only 10 games, with Carlsen winning three and the others ending in draws. The championship has long been dominated by players from Russia and, before that, the Soviet Union. Carlsen is only the second player from the West to become champion since World War II, and the first since Bobby Fischer, the eccentric American who held the title from 1972 to 1975. Carlsen has been the world's top-ranked player almost continually since January 2010 and his current rating, the system used to compute the rankings, is the highest in history. He has not achieved the level of celebrity that Fischer, who died at age 64 in 2008, enjoyed. But Carlsen has been something of a star since he was 13, when he became one of the youngest grandmasters ever, and he has won attention both inside and outside the chess world because of his youth and his looks. He is frequently featured in magazines that do not cater to chess players, and is a favorite of television interviewers. He is also a model for the clothing company G-Star Raw. For his victory, Carlsen will receive 60 percent of the roughly $2.5 million prize fund, although the World Chess Federation, which organizes the championship, would not be more specific. It was Carlsen's first time to make the world championship finals, and he said he was nervous going in because Anand had won the title four times, back to back, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. Carlsen said he realized he had a chance to grab the title from Anand during Game 3 on Nov. 12. Anand had built up a considerable advantage, but Carlsen fought his way back, and the game ended in a draw. 'What I realized during the game was that he was also nervous and vulnerable,' Carlsen said in a Skype interview on Friday after he won the title. 'He was no Superman.' Anand played well throughout, but he could not match Carlsen, whose specialty is to relentlessly pressure opponents and create problems for them. 'You have to do something to try to make your opponents make mistakes,' Carlsen said. Carlsen does not like drawn games and tries to avoid giving his opponents that opportunity. 'You should play to the end,' he said. Even in the last game of the match on Friday, when he needed only a draw to clinch the championship, Carlsen pressed on until, after five hours and 65 moves, there were only kings left on the board. Norway is not known for its chess players, and the championship match was shown live on television there, with the broadcasts topping the Norwegian ratings. The games were also followed closely in India, where Anand is a national hero. This championship also garnered greater international attention than usual, and in unexpected ways. British GQ ran a story about the match in the same issue containing a photo feature on the Victoria's Secret lingerie show in New York. The surprised editors posted on Twitter, 'So this story about #chess is currently more popular on the site than our 100 shots of Victoria's Secret models.' There is hope in the chess world that with Carlsen as the game's official standard-bearer, it will regain the cachet it briefly enjoyed after Fischer's victory. Carlsen seems to be aware of that pressure. In the news conference after the match, he was wary when asked if chess could have other than niche appeal, given the interest in the championship. His answer was modest: 'I know a lot of people who don't play chess found it very interesting to follow.' </div>

SPORTS Norwegian, 22, Takes World Chess Title

Magnus Carlsen, the 22-year-old Norwegian who has been the most dominant chess player since 2010, finally broke through on Friday to win the game's most important title, the world championship, for the first time.He defeated Viswanathan Anand, 43, of…

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