That is only one tournament a month
"That is only one tournament a month."Michael Stich, the former Wimbledon champion, rediscovered his touch on clay courts with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Stefan Edberg in the quarter- finals of the Munich Open yesterday.After disappointing performances on the surface in recent weeks, Stich destroyed Edberg who struggled with his forehand and rarely got his serve- and-volley game going.Stich had won six of their previous 11 encounters and took just 53 minutes to win the 12th after cruising through the second set without dropping a game.In today's semi-finals Stich, the defending champion, will meet Uruguay's clay-court specialist, Marcelo Filippini, who beat the Austrian Gilbert Schaller 7-5, 6-1 in his quarter-final.The fourth seed, South African Wayne Ferreira, and Spain's Alex Corretja will meet in the other semi-final.. That is why I went for quick winners and that did not always go well,'' Hingis said.Hingis is restricted to 12 tournaments a year because of her age and she is clearly keen to play more "It is not enough," she said. Huber booked her place in the last four with a 3-6, 6-4, 6- 2 victory over her compatriot, Petra Begerow.Hingis is gaining in concentration as her experience grows, but the conqueror of the former Wimbledon finalist, Jana Novotna, in the second round is still learning to deal with the physical strains at the highest level."I was still a bit tired from the Novotna match. TENNIS Martina Hingis reached a senior tournament semi-final for the first time yesterday after a 7-6, 6-1 victory over the Austrian Judith Wiesner at the Hamburg Open women's clay-court event. The 14-year-old Swiss held her nerve on crucial points against the seventh seed to move into the last four and a match against the German fifth seed, Anke Huber. "I didn't dare think about winning, but I felt things were going well.""Obviously, that's not the way I would have like to win," said Auriol, who climbs to third place in the world championship standings, two points behind his team-mate, Juha Kankk-unen, who finished 10th.The next round of the world championship is in New Zealand in July, as the results of the next two events in Greece and Argentina will only count towards the new two-litre category.. "What he did is incredible and it's too bad to lose like that."Thiry started the final day with the fastest time in the first three of the day's eight timed sections from Calvi to Ajaccio. He conceded only one second to a determined Auriol in the next two timed stages, and looked set to give Belgium their first world championship win.However, in the stage to Zippitoli the problems began began, and on the road section leading to the penultimate timed stage, he had to stop and watch Auriol cruise to victory "I can't believe it," said a distraught Thiry.
Andrea Aghini, of Italy, was a further 42 seconds back in third place, with Carlos Sainz of Spain a disappointing fourth, although he managed to retain his world championship lead.Thiry, who had never led a world championship rally, took the lead in the first timed stage on Wednesday and kept it until he had to retire "You have to give him a lot of credit," Auriol said. RALLYING The French world champion, Didier Auriol, recorded his sixth triumph in the Tour of Corsica after the race leader, Bruno Thiry of Belgium, retired with mechanical problems when he had victory in sight. Unfancied Thiry, in a Ford Escort, was 40 seconds ahead of Auriol's Toyota with two timed stages remaining when he had to stop with a broken front- wheel bearing. Auriol equalled the record six wins of compatriot Bernard Darniche, and kept alive his hopes of retaining the title.Thiry's retirement put his team-mate, Franois Delecour, second, 15 seconds behind. Jim Fallon's 85-yard interception and further tries from Gary Mercer and Holroyd, who finished with seven goals, made sure of a semi-final place, despite a late Bradford consolation from Carl Hall.Leeds: Tait; Fallon, Iro, Innes, Cummins; Schofield, Holyroyd; Howard (Howard, 57), Lowes (Mann, 67), Faimalo (Howard, 77), Mann (Vassilakopoulos, 62), Eyres, Mercer.Bradford Northern: Paul; Simpson, Hall (Bourneville, 46), Newlove, Christie; Summers, Fox; Powell, Clark, Hamer (Fairbank, 76), Medley, Fairbank (Hall, 70), McDermott (Clegg, 46).Referee: S Cummings (Widnes).. Leeds 50 Bradford Northern 30 A hat-trick of tries from Kevin Iro, taking him past the century in Britain, ensured that Leeds, runners-up in Cup and League, remain alive in the Premiership play-offs, writes Dave Hadfield.Leeds, tormented by Henry Paul at Wembley last Saturday, fell victim to the skills of his brother, Robbie, for the opening try, a cultured reverse pass sending Paul Newlove striding away.Within the first 13 minutes, Bradford were two tries to the good, Neil Summers taking a quick pass from Deryck Fox.Leeds began to edge their way into the game with Graham Holroyd's penalty, before a lucky bounce off Roger Simpson allowed Craig Innes to release James Lowes for their first try.They were still lethargic in defence, however, as Simpson sent in Roy Powell and Fox restored the 12 point gap, soon extended to 14, with a penalty.Iro, who knocked on repeatedly in the opening stages, made amends spectacularly, taking a pass from Innes to go on a 45 yard rampage for a converted try.Immediately before half-time, Garry Schofield drew in the Bradford defence to put Iro in.Three minutes after the break, Leeds were level, deft handling by Alan Tait and Lowes paving the way for Schofield.Just as quickly, they went ahead for the first time, Esene Faimalo's try aided by a bizarre incident in which the referee, Stuart Cummins, flattened Paul.Northern's reply was again courtesy of a lucky bounce, Gary Christie's kick coming back into his arms for the try.But then Iro's third, another long-range effort, gave Leeds a decisive lead. Jonathan Davies, another Australian signing, but not until his contract with Warrington expires in two years' time, returns to their side after a hamstring injury.St Helens, whose international backs Alan Hunte and Scott Gibbs will not now be joining the Australian club Manly for the summer, are at home to Halifax, who have not won at Knowsley Road for 11 years.The game's warring factions in Australia will next week discuss a peace plan that would comprise a Super League playing alongside a Sydney-based competition for the remaining Winfield Cup clubs.. Conversely, Allan Bateman, who has signed a two-year deal with Cronulla, will be making his final appearance if Warrington bow out.
Either Kris Radlinski or Barrie-Jon Mather, whose new Wigan contract is still the subject of some dispute, will replace Va'aiga Tuigamala at centre, while, with Mick Cassidy out with post-Wembley concussion and Phil Clarke doubtful, Scott Quinnell and Terry O'Connor are added to the squad.Kemp will be playing his last match for Castleford if they lose to Warrington. With Frano Botica's future uncertain - Wigan, Auckland and the Australian Rugby League are all arguing over him - there is a chance for him to make his mark at last.Although the brilliant Henry Paul can play stand-off as well as full- back and Wigan have the equally exciting Sean Long waiting in the wings, Wright is the ideal replacement for Botica.Wigan begin their defence of the Premiership with a first-round tie at home with Sheffield Eagles. RUGBY LEAGUE BY DAVE HADFIELD Wigan, who tomorrow launch their bid for the final element in a clean sweep of the season's major trophies, are already planning ahead by reclaiming their stand-off, Nigel Wright, from Wakefield Trinity.Wright, signed by Wigan from Wakefield almost two years ago in a £140,000 deal that was a world record for a teenager, failed to establish a regular place in the first team last season and has been allowed to spend most of this period back on loan at his old club.The last chance of him returning to Wakefield permanently disappeared last week, however, when new Super League plans left Wakefield out of the top division.Wright has been linked with a number of other clubs, including St Helens and Castleford, who will lose their stand-off, Tony Kemp, to Leeds next season, but Wigan have now moved to sign Wright on a new, two-and-a-half year contract, clearly showing that they still see him as part of their plans.Back at his original club, Wright has shown all the class that persuaded Wigan to buy him in the first place. Hightown involve Joanne Bradburn, 15, in their squad for the first time.. Hightown make the long trip to Exmouth without the services of Caroline Gilbert, Michaela Morton and Lucy Newcombe, while Balsam Leicester travel to Southampton to play Trojans without Lucy Cope and Sarah Blanks. Although Scotland beat Portugal 2-1 to finish in third place they failed to qualify. The absence of players with the women's under-21 squad in Bratislava will have an impact on the women's AEWHA Cup semi-finals tomorrow. The goals both came in the second half from Danny Hall and Alistair Boyse, who scored from a solo effort from inside his own half.
HOCKEY England beat Italy 2-0 in Genoa yesterday to keep their hundred per cent record in the European Under-21 Qualifying Tournament. Billy Dodds and Peter Hetherston play for the last time this season as both start suspensions after today's match. United have Brian Welsh, Gordan Petric, Dave Bowman and Billy McKinlay suspended, while Craig Brewster will make a late decision on his fitness.. The Dutch goalkeeper, Theo Snelders, may be reinstated at the expense of Michael Watt. Ray McKinnon is doubtful for Aberdeen with a knee injury, while fellow midfielder, Paul Kane, is ruled out through suspension. Partick play host to Falkirk, knowing a draw will ensure their survival. The Charlton teenagers, Dean Chandler and Lee Bowyer, were named for cannabis abuse recently."There is a culture out there and we would be naive to think it doesn't affect youngsters in football," Taylor said.
