20 METROSPORT Monday, September 14, 2009 D Comeback: James Kingston GOLF Kingston victorious in play-off South AfricAn James Kingston hit back from four successive missed cuts in brilliant style yesterday to win the Mercedes-Benz championship in cologne after a play-off with Dane Anders hansen. the 43-year-old, who had not made a penny since Julys open, became the oldest winner of the European tour season thanks to a four-foot par putt on the first hole of sudden death at Gut Larchenhof. hansen had gone over the green into a bunker, splashed out well from the wet sand, but lipped out from six feet. A second tour victory for Kingston his first was the 2007 South African open earned him 320,000 and moves him up into the top 50 money-winners on the circuit after starting the week 116th. the pair were level with four holes to play, but as Kingston rolled home a 12-foot birdie putt on the long 15th, hansen three- putted the 195-yard 16th. hansen had a 30-foot birdie chance on the last but said: i had the same putt a few years ago and made it. i knew the line but it just wasnt to be today. I had the same putt a few years ago but it just wasnt to be Barrichello claims win to turn heat on ButtonBy adam hay-niCholls Taste of victory: Rubens Barrichello celebrates after winning the italian Formula one Grand Prix Picture: Getty JEnSon ButtonS championship lead was cut by two points as he fin- ished behind rubens Barrichello in a Brawn GP one-two at Monza. But both drivers insist their friend- ship can stand the heat of a fierce world title battle as the season reaches it climax. Barrichello led home Button for his third italian Grand Prix win and an 11th career race victory. the Brazilian has outscored the Brit- on by 22 points to ten over the last three races, closing the gap at the top of the standings to 14 with four to go. But Button said: We have a good relationship and have been team- mates for many years now. Weve had to pull our car to the front and we will see how it goes from here. obviously, when we go on the cir- cuit were fierce rivals and were not going to give up until the end. i have the advantage of 14 points, which has got smaller at the last cou- ple of races, but rubens is going to be a very tough rival. And Barrichello, 37, added: if it is between us two, theres the old saying that you can only win in formula one if youre tough. But were both nice guys, so this is the end of it. But i think the best thing in life is respect. While Brawn continue to look good, it was a bad day for rivals red Bull, with Mark Webber forced off the track by BMW Saubers robert Ku- bica on the opening lap, while Sebas- tian Vettel could only finish eighth. McLarens Lewis hamilton, who started on pole, lost third place when he crashed on the last lap trying to chase down compatriot Button. Hamilton rues ill-timed crash LEWIS HAMILTON has apologised for his final-lap crash which cost him a podium place. Every lap I was pushing like a qualifying lap it was to be expected, said the McLaren driver. We didnt have the pace and I was pushing as hard as I could. I can only say Im sorry to the team. They did a great job but we just werent quick enough. I did all I could to catch the Brawns and to win it for them [the team]. I apologise to all my fans. People make mistakes, these things happen. I just lost the back end and snapped out.sorry: lewis FORMULA ONE iTalian GRand PRiX JuAn Martin del Potro reached his first grand slam final as he knocked out third seed rafael nadal in their uS open semi-final yesterday. the sixth seed from Argentina blew Spains nadal away at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking two hours and 20 minutes to win 6-2 6-2 6-2. Del Potro will now face the winner of last nights second semi-final between five-time defending champion roger federer and fourth seed novak Djokovic. its very difficult for me to speak at this moment, Del Potro said immediately following the victory. im very, very happy, this is my favourite tournament and i cant believe this moment. im very close now to my dream to win this tournament. i hope to do it but im so happy to be here in this moment. if i win or lose tomorrow, i think this is the best moment of my life. nadal had run out of steam by the time he got to the uS open semi- finals 12 months ago, losing to Andy Murray in a match stretched out over two days due to heavy rain. And it appeared to be the case again as he was swept aside by Del Potro, just a month into his comeback from a bout of tendinitis in both knees following the french open. in his third tournament since returning following almost nine weeks out, he found no answer the power of the 6ft 6in 20-year-old. Nadal blown away by Del Potro Finalist: Juan martin del Potro TENNIS Us oPEn USA on course for Walker glory thE united States are on course to retain the Walker cup after extending their advantage over Great Britain and ireland to 13-6 following yesterdays foursomes at Merion Golf club. the hosts won three of the four foursomes to leave them needing just a further two points from the afternoons ten singles matches to again lift the amateur title. the Europeans had opened up a three-hole advantage by the time they reached the fourth tee, only to give up their lead by the sixth and eventually lose three and two. Wallace Booth and Sam hutsby claimed the visitors only point, beating Drew Weaver and Brendan Gielow three and two. Thrilled: Wozniacki BritAinS heather Watson claimed the uS open girls singles title yesterday with a straight-sets win over Yana Buchina. Watson, the 11th seed, came from 3-1 down in the first set to win 6-4, 6-1 on court 7 at flushing Meadows. the 17-year-old from Guernsey is the first British girl to win the uS open junior title and follows on from Laura robsons Wimbledon girls title in 2008 and Andy Murrays victory in the uS open boys event in 2004. unseeded Buchina, 17, beat Britains Stephanie cornish in the opening round and also prevented robson from making it an all-British final. Watson lands title NINTH seed Caroline Wozniacki acknowledged she had nothing to lose before taking to the court in her US Open decider against Kim Clijsters last night. Wozniacki beat fellow 19- year-old Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-3 6-3 in an hour and 36 minutes in a near-empty Louis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday. Im in a grand slam final. Im in the US Open final. I cannot describe it with words. Im so excited, Im so happy I pulled it through today, Wozniacki said. Im really looking forward to it. Its a dream come true and now Im here I have absolutely nothing to lose. Wozniaki so excited index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html