Saturday, June 20, 2009

Mickelson in upbeat mood after beating Bethpage storms

By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - With thunderstorms fast approaching Bethpage Black on Saturday, Phil Mickelson was happy to be in the clubhouse seven shots off the early lead in the rain-delayed second round of the U.S. Open.
The American left-hander completed a level-par 70 on a dry morning at Bethpage for a one-under total of 139, delighted to have benefited from the favorable half of the draw.
Mickelson, who had seven holes remaining when he resumed the second round on Saturday, had negotiated a marathon 29 holes the previous day in the best weather of the week.
However three-times champion Tiger Woods was among the early first-round starters who set off in heavy rain on Thursday and were almost certain to face the brunt of the storms expected to hit the course on Saturday afternoon.
"We had a great end of the draw and the weather this morning was great," Mickelson told reporters after offsetting a bogey at the par-five 13th with a birdie at the par-three 17th to trail compatriot Ricky Barnes by seven shots.
"I can't believe the storm's coming in. Hopefully it will stay away but the conditions right now couldn't be better.
"I like the position I'm in," the world number two added. "I struggled with the putter for the first round and a half and then I started to turn it around there in the end.
"I made some putts and I feel good with it. If I can get hot with the putter, I like my chances in the next two rounds."
HUGE GALLERIES
Roared on by huge galleries at Bethpage where he is playing his first major since his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last month, Mickelson was satisfied with his form from tee to green.
"I've been hitting the ball well and my mid-irons have been close, giving me a lot of birdie opportunities," he said.
"This is a very difficult golf course. It's long and the rough is very difficult. Just a few yards off the fairways in spots you can literally lose your ball or get an unplayable lie."
Mickelson, a three-times major winner who is hunting his first U.S. Open title, said he was unconcerned with the scoring by his rivals on the brutal 7,426-yard Black Course.
"I don't really look too much in the U.S. Open relative to what other players are doing, because it's just too easy for guys to make mistakes," he said.
"Once you start coming back, you just come all the way back. I just know that around par is going to be a good score. This year it very well may be under par. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Surprise package Barnes exceeds expectations

By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - PGA Tour rookie Ricky Barnes exceeded expectations by charging into an early one-shot lead in record style in the weather-delayed U.S. Open second round on Saturday.
Competing in only his 37th event on the circuit, the long-hitting American took advantage of rain-softened greens at Bethpage Black to card a five-under-par 65.
The 28-year-old birdied three of his last eight holes to post an eight-under total of 132, a U.S. Open record for the first two rounds. Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh set the previous mark of 133 in the 2003 edition at Olympia Fields.
"It's pretty cool," a beaming Barnes told reporters after taking a one-stroke lead over fellow American Lucas Glover.
"At the beginning of the week you didn't think that score was out there but, with some tees moved up and the soft greens, that helped out."
With rain forecast for all four rounds on the brutally long 7,426-yard layout, organizers moved four tees for the opening round and three for the second.
"My ball-striking was probably the most impressive part of the first 36 holes," said Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion. "I hit 31 of 36 greens and I've played pretty stress-free with just one bogey.
WORKING HARD
"Could I have predicted I would shoot 132? No. Did I know I had it in me? Yeah. I'm starting to play well and I've been working hard on my game on and off the golf course."
Barnes, who has missed the cut in three of his four previous U.S. Open appearances, earned his PGA Tour card by finishing 25th in the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list.
However his category is relatively low for playing privileges on the circuit and he has made only 13 starts this season.
"It's tough to foresee something (good) happening when you play two weeks and then you ride the bench for two weeks because you're not getting any tournaments," Barnes said. "In my category it's just tough to get into events."
Asked what had been the most important lesson he had learned since turning professional in 2003, he replied: "I have to be more patient.
"I think it's shown out here in this USGA (United States Golf Association) event. When you first come out you think you can press after one bogey but in a USGA event one bogey is not going to kill you."
(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Source: Reuters

Nadal injury withdrawal prompts concern in Spain

Nadal injury withdrawal prompts concern in Spain
MADRID (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal's decision to pull out of this year's tournament because of knee problems has prompted fresh concerns in his native Spain about the potential threat to his career.
Javier Martinez, writing in the daily El Mundo, said Nadal's announcement on Friday that he was unable to defend his title had revived the debate about the Mallorcan's aggressive, athletic style of play and the damage to his body.
The huge amount of pressure he put on his muscles and joints was in sharp contrast to the elegance of Swiss world number two Roger Federer, Martinez wrote.
But he noted that after missing last year's Masters Cup and Spain's Davis Cup triumph over Argentina through injury, Nadal had come storming back to make the best start to the season of his career in 2009.
"Now the hardcourt season is approaching, which is the most damaging surface for his punishing movements," he wrote. "But watch out if he is able to properly recharge his batteries."
Neus Yerro, tennis correspondent for the Barcelona-based Sport newspaper, said it was a concern that Nadal had also admitted being at rock bottom mentally.
"Worrying words, because if there is one thing he has excelled at in his career it's his mental strength, superior to all his rivals," Yerro wrote.
Joan Solsona, writing in Marca, praised Nadal for making every effort to get himself fit and said he now needed to get himself mentally, as well as physically, in shape ahead of the U.S. hardcourt season.
"Nadal reached the summit of tennis showing qualities such as a winning character and a mental strength capable of toppling any adversary," Solsona wrote.
"He has to rediscover this to face the second half of the year with a desire to achieve some great successes."
(Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by John Mehaffey)

Source: Reuters

India in doldrums seeking next singles savior

By Sanjay Rajan
CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - India, a nation with a proud tennis tradition built on Wimbledon and Davis Cup exploits, is desperately seeking a male singles player who can help revive the game.
The grass courts of Wimbledon once inspired Indians like Ramanathan Krishnan to produce their best singles performances in grand slams but none has now entered the men's singles main draw since 2001.
"(Playing in) Wimbledon and Davis Cup, that is the dream as far as any Indian tennis player is concerned," said Krishnan, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1960 and 1961.
"Everyone considers Wimbledon as the Mecca of tennis and Davis Cup as the ultimate honor in representing the country," the 72-year-old told Reuters at his home in Chennai.
As the year's third grand slam kicks off Monday, however, India's only main draw singles action will be confined to Sania Mirza, currently the women's number 78.
India's best male player Somdev Devvarman, 24, is ranked 132nd and lost in the first round of qualifiers. Australian Open boys champion Yuki Bhambri, a future hope, is currently aiming to build senior rankings in low-key events at home.
In the past, India reached three Davis Cup finals while Krishnan, who charmed spectators with his touch game, produced India's best grand slam singles results.
His exploits inspired another generation of players led by Vijay Amritraj and Krishnan's son, Ramesh.
Amritraj, renowned for his Davis Cup exploits, used his height and a strong serve to become Asia number one and was ranked 16th in the world in the early 1980s.
He twice reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon while the younger Ramesh, whose silky shots reminded fans of his father's game, took up the baton and made last eight appearances in the grasscourt grand slam as well as the U.S. Open in 1987.
Ramesh also guided India into the Davis Cup final for a third time that year but the tap now appears to have run dry. India have not been in the Davis Cup World Group since 1998 after Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi turned to doubles.
No Indian has cracked the top 100 in singles ranking since Paes, who won an Olympics singles bronze medal at Atlanta in 1996 and reached a career-high 73 in 1998 before going on to become the world's top ranked doubles pair with Bhupathi.
Grand slam title winners together, they will feature in the Wimbledon doubles with different partners this time but they will have no compatriots in the men's singles main draw.
EASY ROUNDS
"Competition is (now) really high," said Krishnan, who runs a tennis academy with his son. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Glover takes early second-round lead

Glover takes early second-round lead
By Larry Fine
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - American Lucas Glover made five birdies in the 13 holes he played in the second round of the weather-delayed U.S. Open to hold a one-shot lead when play was halted due to failing light on Friday.
Glover, who played 31 holes at Bethpage Black after being washed out of Thursday's rain-marred opening round, stood at six under par for the tournament following his opening 69.
Compatriot Ricky Barnes, who posted a first-round score of three-under 67, improved to five-under through nine holes of the second round, one stroke better than Peter Hanson of Sweden (11 holes) and Mike Weir of Canada (9).
Weir, 2003 U.S. Masters champion, led after completion of the first round on six-under 64 at Bethpage, which was pounded by 1.5 inches of rain Thursday causing the abandonment of the first round after little more than three hours of action.
World number two Phil Mickelson stood at one under par through 11 holes, while holder Tiger Woods stumbled through his first-round finish in the morning to post a four-over 74 and had yet to begin his second round.
Glover, who missed the cut in his three previous U.S. Opens in 2002, 2006 and 2007, fired on all cylinders to take advantage of mild conditions on the rain-softened course.
"The key to making birdies is hit it in the fairway and I've been doing that for the most part. I drove it great this afternoon," he told reporters.
"Then you know, I've been putting well. Greens have been receptive," added Glover, who has two top-three finishes on the U.S. tour this year and one career victory.
Woods, who won the 2002 Open at Bethpage, hauled himself up to even par after a bogey at seven dropped him to two-over, but he dropped four strokes over his last four holes for a 74.
He was one of 78 players on the course when play was halted Thursday.
They came back early Friday to complete the first round and then gave way to the second wave of competitors, who played their first round and went back out to start the second.
Alone in fifth place at three-under was 2004 British Open winner Todd Hamilton, who had completed 10 holes.
Another shot adrift were his fellow-American Sean O'Hair, Australian Adam Scott, Soren Hansen of Denmark, Japan's Azuma Yano, Briton Ross Fisher and Canadian amateur Nick Taylor.
Mickelson also stumbled with his first-round finish, taking bogeys on his 15th and 16th holes in registering a 69. An up-and-down performance in the second round included a double-bogey, a bogey and three birdies.
"I think that I'm striking the ball well but I just need to make a few putts and if that happens, I think I'll have a good chance on the weekend," the big left-hander said. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Nadal withdrawal hands Federer his golden chance

Nadal withdrawal hands Federer his golden chance
By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - Lady Luck appears to be siding with Roger Federer and he will never have a better chance of a record 15th grand slam title than at this year's Wimbledon after Rafael Nadal was removed from the equation on Friday.
Earlier this month Swede Robin Soderling snapped Nadal's 31-match winning streak at the French Open, paving the way for Federer to claim the only major title missing from his collection.
Now, a year after his hopes of a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title were shredded by Nadal in a breathtaking five-set final, the Swiss has again been spared the task of toppling his nemesis by virtue of the Spaniard's battered knees.
Once the shockwaves have receded and the draw re-jigged, world number two Federer will surely believe the cards are falling in his favor.
Federer was ashen-faced 12 months ago when Nadal beat him in near-darkness and hysterical after another defeat by the Spaniard at the Australian Open.
Sport, like the British summer, is notoriously unpredictable though, and the Swiss maestro will breeze through the All England Club gates on Monday as the man to beat once again.
After finally claiming the French crown and completing his career grand slam, Federer said he could now play without pressure.
"Now, going into the grasscourt season, and Wimbledon, and being on top of the world, it's a fantastic feeling," said the Swiss, newly-married and with a baby on the way.
It was all different last year when Nadal, having humiliated Federer in the final at Roland Garros, swept to the Queen's Club grasscourt title and then pole-axed the Swiss in the place he calls his own backyard.
A month later, Nadal took Federer's world number one ranking and, although the Swiss hit back to win the U.S. Open, it seemed that a seismic shift had occurred in the sport.
ACHING KNEES
Nadal looked set to dominate men's tennis when he won this year's Australian Open but the Mallorcan powerhouse cannot function without his explosive movement around the court.
His aching knees forced him out of the Queen's Club warm-up event and after two defeats at the Hurlingham exhibition tournament this week, he made the painful decision to withdraw.
"Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career but the decision was made easier because I don't feel ready to compete at 100 percent for two weeks," said Nadal.
While weather and sporting fortunes are fickle, one thing is nailed on this year -- Murray-Mania. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Gay aims to run 100 meters at U.S. nationals: manager

Gay aims to run 100 meters at U.S. nationals: manager
By Gene Cherry
RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - World 100 and 200 meters champion Tyson Gay will only compete over the shorter distance at next week's U.S. championships and may run just one round, his manager said on Friday.
"He is committed to running one round in the 100," Mark Wetmore told Reuters in a telephone interview. "It is unlikely he will run more than one round but it is possible.
"If he felt (after a good first round) he wanted to run more we have not closed out that possibility."
The championships in Eugene, Oregon begin on Thursday with the first round of the 100 scheduled that day.
Like other world champions, Gay will receive an automatic berth to August's IAAF world championships in his specialities if he competes in any event at the U.S. nationals, the American trials for the meeting.
He will defend his world 100 and 200 titles in Berlin, Wetmore said.
The 100 in Eugene will be the American record holder's first of the season. He has raced twice at 400 and clocked a sizzling 19.58 seconds, the third fastest of all-time, in his only 200.
EUROPEAN PLANS
Gay's plans for July and early August are a work in progress, Wetmore said.
"He's really focused on running probably three races in Europe and he wants to run them at a very high level," his manager said. "He just wants to be at his best for Berlin."
Whether the schedule would include a race against Jamaican 100 and 200 world record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt ahead of the August 15-23 world championships "is too early to tell," Wetmore said.
Bolt has said he would like to race Gay over 200 prior to the championships.
The two did not meet in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Gay was injured in the 200 at the U.S. trials and did not compete in the event at the Games.
He did not advance to the final of the 100 which Bolt won in a world record 9.69 seconds.
"He certainly is not avoiding Usain and Usain is not avoiding him," Wetmore said. "It is just a question of whether their schedules match up. Continued...
Source: Reuters
 

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