Nikesh still top gun in Penang

All the category winners celebrating at the Penang Sports Club Tennis Hub in George Town recently. Pic by K. Kandiah

NIKESH Singh Panthlia has reestablished himself as the best tennis player in Penang.
He retained his Penang Closed men's singles title after defeating former champion Muhammad Noor Noordin 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 at the Penang Sports Club Tennis Complex in Jalan Utama recently. After losing the first game to the former Penang No 1, Nikesh went on the offensive and never gave his opponent any opportunity to recover in the following two games.
Nikesh, the top seed, was the state champion between 2007-10 but had to play second fiddle to Muhammad Noor Noordin. Last year, in the absence of Muhammad Noor, Nikesh won the title by defeating Johnson Ooi Jing Wuu,
But Nikesh, 27, was denied a double when he and partner Mahesh Sivaramakrishnan pulled out of the doubles competition due to the former suffering a muscle pull.
In the men's doubles, 28-year-old Muhammad Noor, a former national player, and Jesril Jamel thrashed unseeded pair, Alvin Chew and Kelvin Khong 6-2, 6-2.
In the women's singles final, Loo Shi Pei created the biggest upset of the tournament when she toppled top seed Michelle Khoo Li Sha 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
The three-day annual tournament featured seven categories: the Men's, Women's and Veterans singles and doubles, and the Open mixed doubles.
The competition, which offered RM2,600 in prize money, was hosted by the Penang Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA).
The uniqueness of the competition was that all the matches were played on grass courts, unlike the conventional hard courts in many places.

RESULTS: Men's singles semi-finals: Nikesh Singh Panthlia bt Mahesh Sivaramakrishnan 6-3, 6-0; Muhammad Noor Noordin bt Johnson Ooi Jing Wuu 6-1, 6-0. Final: Nikesh Singh Panthlia bt Muhammad Noor Noordin 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Losers' Pool semi-finals: Ahmad Aq'l Ahmad Nizam bt Brian Lee How Cheng 8-2; Neoh Khai Keat bt Chan Kai Lun 8-4. Final: Neoh Khai Keat bt Ahmad Aq'l Ahmad Nizam 6-2, 6-0
Women's singles semi-finals: Michelle Khoo Li Sha bt Chin Lih Jean 6-1, 6-0; Loo Shi Pei bt Cherylene Tan Sui Ling 6-2, 6-1. Final: Loo Shi Pei bt Michelle Khoo Li Sha 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
Doubles semi-finals: Michelle Khoo Li Sha-Chin Lih Jean bt Kristi Ong Jun Ling-Joselyn Loh 6-1, 6-2; Karen Tang-Ngiam Li Siok 6-2, 6-2. Final: Michelle Khoo Li Sha-Chin Lih Jean bt Karen Tang-Ngiam Li Siok 6-0, 6-0. - www.nst.com.my

SLTA set to host Asian U-14

KUCHING: The highly anticipated Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Asian U-14 tournament will be back again for the eight consecutive year at the courts of the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) here from September 5-9.
SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew said he expected Asia’s top under-14 players from around 15 countries to come to Kuching for the competition.
He also confirmed last year’s winners from Uzbekistan and Hong Kong will be returning to defend their titles.
“I am excited about this tournament as this is one the tournaments that we have been waiting for in our yearly calendar. It is a platform to groom new and rising talents in tennis,” he added.
“We hosted this tournament last year and it was a huge success. We are also committed to give the best again this year (in organising the tournament)” informed Liew.
For the record, Hong Kong’s Jack Wong Hong Kit was the boys’ champion, beating his nearest rival Kareem Allaf of Syria.
In the girls category, last year’s winner Sarvinozhon Saidhujeva defeated Taiwan’s Chien Pei Ju in the final.- http://www.theborneopost.com/

Ferrer heads list of top players for the Malaysian Open

PETALING JAYA: The ATP Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, from Sept 22-30 promises to be a blast with 19 of the world’s top 55 players on parade.
World No. 5 David Ferrer of Spain is the top seed and the biggest name. He will be joined by countryman Feliciano Lopez, the popular Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, towering American Sam Querrey and 2009 winner Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.
The other top names include Argentine world No. 11 Juan Monaco, Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori and Ukranian world No. 16 Alexandr Dolgopolov, who confirmed their participation last month.
The other players in the main draw are Pablo Andujar, Albert Ramos (Spa), Julien Benneteau (Fra), Carlos Berlocq (Arg), Alejandro Falla, Santiago Giraldo (Col), Denis Istomin (Uzb), Martin Klizan, Lukas Lacko (Svk), Jurgen Melzer (Aut) and Andreas Seppi (Ita).
“The cut-off for the Malaysian Open is at 55 this year, meaning any player ranked below that will have to go through the qualifiers or gain a wild card for the main draw,” said tournament director Nick Freyer.
“This highlights how strong the competition is this year. It promises to be a sensational week.”
Among the new faces will be Frenchman Benneteau, who won the doubles bronze in the recently concluded London Olympics.
Benneteau also took Roger Federer to five sets at Wimbledon this year and will be a strong contender.
Besides the 19 direct entries, there will also be three wild cards and four qualifiers for the main draw.
Two wild cards will be provided for local players in the singles.- www.thestar.com.my

Ferrer heads starry cast for Malaysian Open

 SOME of the world's best players are set to grace the fourth ATP Malaysian Open on Sept 22-30 at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil. 

Spain's World No 5 David Ferrer heads the star list, also comprising Argentina's World No 11 Juan Monaco, Japan's World No 18 Kei Nishikori and last year's finalist Marco Baghdatis of Cyprus.The entry deadline closed yesterday.

"I am very excited to reveal that the ranking cut-off for the event is World No 55, meaning that any player ranked beyond that would have to get through the qualifying round or gain a wild card into the main draw," said tournament director Nick Freyer yesterday.

World No 16 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, former champions Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, Olympic medallist Julien Benneteau of France, Sam Querrey of Australia, Alejandro Falla of Colombia and Yuki Bhambri of India are among the other confirmed players.

The draw of 32 singles event will consist of 19 players from the direct entry main draw list, three wild cards and four qualifiers. The doubles will comprise only 16 pairs.
Tickets, priced between RM10 and RM100, are available via the tournament's website -- http://www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com or www.ticketcharge.com.my.

Confirmed players — David Ferrer (Spa; World No 5), Juan  Monaco (Arg; 11), Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukr; 16), Kei
Nishikori (Jpn; 18), Andreas Seppi (Ita; 27), Sam Querrey  (US; 29), Julien Benneteau (Fra; 30), Feliciano Lopez (Spa;  31), Denis Istomin (Uzb; 33), Jurgen Melzer (Aut; 36), Pablo  Andujar (Spa; 40), Marco Baghdatis (Cyp; 42), Carlos Berlocq  (Arg; 45), Santiago Giraldo (Col; 46) Albert Ramos (Martin  Klizan (Svk; 48), Nikolay Davydenko (Rus; 50), Alejandro  Falla (Col; 54), Lukas Lacko (Svk; 55),

Alternate list (selected players) — Ryan Harrison (US; 58),  Alex Bogomolov (Rus; 62), Lu, Yen Hsun (Tai; 74), Sergei  Bubka (Ukr; 154), Donald Young (US; 80), Somdev Devvarman (Ind; 85)

Ferrer aims to break into top four

WORLD No 5 David Ferrer will be hoping to ace only his second career title in Asia when he plays in the US$947,750 (RM3 million) ATP Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
   The Spaniard, the top seed at the Sept 22-30 event, won in Tokyo five years ago by overcoming French No 1 Richard Gasquet but lost in the Beijing final in 2010.The 30-year-old, a semi-finalist at the recent French Open and a quarter-finalist in Wimbledon, has won more matches than any other player on the tour. It will be histhird visit to Kuala Lumpur, his last being in 2010, where he reached the semi-finals.
   “I’ve not won many tournament in Asia. I just want to play as good as I can in KL,” Ferrer told Timesport recently.
   Ferrer has been in superb form since the start of the season, having clinched his fifth title at the Swedish Open after victories in s-Hertogenbosch, Acapulco, Buenos Aires and Auckland.
   On his secret behind his great season, Ferrer said: “Every player is different. There are many fit players on the tour and I just try to improve my game to keep up with them. I am just having a regular season. I believe the best of me will come soon,” said Ferrer, who has won 16 titles since turning professional in 2000.
Despite the encouraging season, Ferrer failed to transfer his winning form to the on-going London Olympics, losing to Japan’s Kei Nishikori in an epic third-round match and finishing fourth in the doubles.
   Ferrer, whose brother Javier was a former junior champion in Spain, also loves to read during his free time.
   “I love reading because it helps me to relax. I have a huge collection of books,” said Ferrer, who resides in Valencia.
   On his goals, he said he hopes to break into the top-four bracket before the end of the season It will be tough for him to achieve this as the world’s top four — Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Serbian Novak Djokovic,Rafael Nadal of Spain and BritonAndy Murry — have been dominating tennis for the last two seasons.
   “They have been consistent and one needs to be consistent to break into the top four. Furthermore, they work very hard physically and mentally,” added Ferrer, who singled out Spain’s David Cup wins in 2008, 2009 and 2011 as the most memorable moments of his career.- NST

Monaco thrilled over KL date

ARGENTINA'S World No 10 Juan Monaco is the latest to pen his commitment to the US$947,750 (RM3 million) ATP Malaysian Open but Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic will not be defending his title in the tournament on Sept 22-30 at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Monaco, one of the craftiest and most exciting players on tour, will be hoping to make a huge impression in his first appearance in Kuala Lumpur.
Spain's World No 5 David Ferrer, Japan's Asian No 1 Kei Nishikori and Ukraine's World No 17 Alexandr Dolgopolov are the other confirmed players.
Monaco moved up into the top 10 for the first time after winning his third title of the season in Hamburg.
"It's amazing, it's a dream come true to win my third title. It was a big goal. We had pre-season when we were practising very hard," said Monaco in a statement.
Dolgopolov, who made the semi-finals in Umag, Croatia recently, is excited to be returning to KL.
"I have fond memories of my last visit to KL. I felt very comfortable and welcomed in Malaysia and we are excited to return and play the highest quality tennis. I hope to be a champion in this event," said Dolgopolov.
Tipsarevic will not defend his title due to prior commitments. The Serb will instead play in the Thailand Open in Bangkok. -NST

Monaco for KL

The Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2012 is thrilled to announce tennis’ newest Top 10 player, and one of the craftiest and most exciting players on the ATP World Tour, have today confirmed their participation in the US$947,750 ATP 250 tournament, to be held September 22 to 30 at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Top-ten debutant Juan Monaco of Argentina, one of the standout players of the 2012 ATP World Tour season, will be making his first visit to Kuala Lumpur, while the “welcome back” mat will be laid out for the fabulous play of the Ukraine’s World No.17 Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Monaco and Dolgopolov join the previously confirmed David Ferrer of Spain, the World No. 5, who won his fifth title of the year last week in Bastad, Sweden, and the popular Japanese player, and Asian No.1, Kei Nishikori, ranked No. 18.

Monaco is enjoying the best year of his career. Yesterday, the 28 year old from Tandil, a hotbed of tennis talent in Argentina, won his third title of the year at the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg, and is now at a career high ranking of No.10, something he could very well improve on, come September.

His participation was confirmed just hours after his Hamburg victory, following an initial meeting with “Pico”, as he is affectionately known, by IMG’s Tournament Director Nick Freyer, during Wimbledon. This third title of the year places Monaco behind KL bound Ferrer and tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most titles won so far in 2012.

Monaco has now taken his win-loss record for 2012 to a very impressive 31-10. He has six career titles and has reached another nine finals, following his run to the final last Sunday at the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart.

“It's amazing, it's a dream come true,” Monaco said of his new position in the Top 10. “I will always remember this great week because it's very important for me and my team. It was a big goal we had pre-season when we were practising very hard.”

The victory over an in-form Tommy Haas in Hamburg adds to titles he won in Vina del Mar and then in Houston where he beat two giant servers, Kevin Anderson and in the final John Isner. He was a semi-finalist at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami where he had a stunning run, beating, in back-to-back matches, Gael Monfils, Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish.

He also made the last 16 at the French Open accounting for Milos Raonic is a five set thriller and has a career win over Ferrer. He now turns his attention, along with Ferrer and Nishikori to the London Olympics.

Dolgopolov is also coming off a solid recent week on the ATP World Tour having made the semi-finals in Umag, Croatia.

Dolgopolov is one of the most exciting players in men’s tennis. The 23-year old Ukrainian was ranked No.13 following the Australian Open earlier this year. He plays tennis with such a carefree attitude that fans are left gasping at some of the winners he produces. It is such a thrill to witness his style of play that fellow players who watch him in action are even left shaking their heads with his talent.

“I have fond memories of my last visit to Kuala Lumpur,” Dolgopolov said. “My coach Jack and I felt very comfortable and welcome in Malaysia and we are excited to return and play the highest quality tennis. I hope it will deliver another KL Champion from my part of Europe, and I would love it to be me.”

Rafael Nadal said of “Dolgo”, as he is known everywhere: “He's a crazy player, not like a crazy guy (but) because you can expect everything. He can play really aggressive; he can play very fast; he has a very good serve; and the ball is going too fast sometimes. He can beat you and you will not have something to do with it. He's a special player. I know he can hit a winner from every place in the court.”

Dolgopolov has one career title, Umag in 2011, and has reached two other finals, one of those being in Brisbane this year. In Brisbane he defeated Radek Stepanek and Gilles Simon before a leg injury prevented him from producing his best tennis against Andy Murray in the final.

He was a quarterfinalist at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He also made it to the last 16 at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells defeating former Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur finalist Marcos Baghdatis and in Monte Carlo where he turned the tables on Bernard Tomic. The two of them played a glorious five set match at this year’s Australian Open which remains one of the best matches of 2012. Additionally, he has career wins over Marin Cilic and Robin Soderling.

Tournament Director Nick Freyer said, “Alex has come so far since he first visited our tournament ranked 55 two years ago, and it is always a treat for us to welcome back a player with extreme talent such as his. The match he played against Bernard Tomic at the Australian Open in February was a contest between two true wizards of the game.”

The tournament also announced that fans visiting the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2012 should make sure to keep their ticket stub. Every ticket stub will have a coupon printed on it that will entitle the holder to discounts (including a 35% discount on Wilson products from the tournament booth at the stadium) when purchasing a variety of the great sponsor products that will be on offer.

“Our fans mean a lot to us so we are delighted to be able to offer them something back. We want them to have a fun experience at the tournament and this promotion just ads to our “Catch the Autographed Ball” and “Win 500 ATP Shirts per day” activities that have already been announced,” added Freyer.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the official website, www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Local Media Director, Malaysia, Mr. Ghaz Ramli at 60-16 243 0848 or email : ghazoo21@gmail.com