Short Sport, February 28, 2013

Nadal cruises to easy clay-court victory

Former world No 1 Rafael Nadal has launched his bid for a 38th clay-court tennis title, dominating Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-2, 6-2 in his opening-round match at the ATP Tour's Acapulco event. Nadal, who recently returned to the court after a seven-month injury lay-off, needed just 68 minutes to oust Schwartzman, who at 20 was the youngest player in the men's draw. The 11-time grand-slam champion advances to the second round where he will face his second consecutive Argentinean qualifier, Martin Alund, 27. Nadal improved to 34-1 on clay against players ranked outside the top 100 as he makes his first appearance in Acapulco since claiming the title eight years ago. Schwartzman is ranked 157. AFP

Sharks top Avalanche in NHL shoot-out

Patrick Marleau scored in the fourth round of the shoot-out, Antti Niemi stopped three shots in the final session and the San Jose Sharks showed signs of coming out of a month-long slump with a 3-2 NHL victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Michal Handzus made the first shot and two Sharks missed before Marleau shook Semyon Varlamov, sneaking the puck between the goaltender's legs for the winning score. Niemi turned aside 25 of 27 shots before the shoot-out and tossed aside John Mitchell's attempt to send it to a fifth round. Logan Couture and T.J. Galiardi also scored goals for the Sharks, who snapped a two-game losing streak. San Jose have won eight straight at home, including three in overtime. AP

Shocking defeat for Wozniacki in Malaysia

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki suffered one of her worst career defeats when she bowed out of the Malaysia Open to 186th-ranked Chinese qualifier Qiang Wang yesterday. The Dane, top seed at the Kuala Lumpur event, cruised through the opening set of her first round clash and had a match point in the second before going down 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1. The Dane, who was feeling unwell after a high temperature on Tuesday, hardly chased Wang's returns in the closing stages. "I tried my best but I just didn't have energy. I didn't take my opportunities," said world number 10, who is dating top golfer Rory McIlroy. "I called for the doctor and the physio to massage my legs. Not much more they could do. I hope to come back again next year." Wang, 21, said: "I tried to make her run more to take advantage of her illness and it paid off. This is the best win of my career and it will give me more confidence." AFP, Reuters

F1 driver's recovery 'as good as expected'

Former Formula One test driver Maria de Villota, 33, who lost her right eye in a crash last July, says her recuperation has gone as well as she could have expected. The Spanish driver suffered serious head and facial injuries after the accident when testing for the Marussia team for the first time at Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire, England. "I feel very good. The doctors told me that it helps that I have never drunk alcohol or smoked and that I was a sportswoman," the daughter of former Spanish F1 driver Emilio de Villota said. AFP