22 METROSPORT Thursday, October 1, 2009 D Ronnie: Higgins is anunderachiever SNOOKER: Ronnie OSullivan claims three-time world champion John Higgins should have won more in his career. But the world No.1 expects the Scot, who is defending champion, to be one of his main rivals at the Grand Prix in Glasgow, which begins on Saturday. First up for Higgins will be qualifier Mark Joyce and OSullivan, who also has three world crowns to his name, said: John is one of the all-time greats and I think hes underachieved in his career. Its a strange thing to say but its because of how highly I rate him. Hes the best tactical player ever, ahead of Steve Davis, and hes got no weaknesses. Maria recovers to seal last-eight slot TENNIS: Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova recovered from an error-strewn first set to beat fellow Russian Alisa Kleybanova 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open. It means Sharapova, now ranked 25th in the world following shoulder surgery last October, is still on track to reclaim the title she last won in 2005. Seventh seed Jelena Jankovic also survived as Elena Vesnina retired with a thigh strain when trailing 6-1, 3-0. Title defence: Higgins Blow to Laois as Young packs it in GAA: Laois hurling has suffered a heavy blow with the confirmation that one of their best players is to retire in acrimonious circumstances. Former All-Star nominee James Young, 29, is to give up playing at all levels after his four-week suspension for verbally abusing referee John Lalor was upheld. Its a final decision, said Young. Im fairly angry over the whole thing. I was charged under the wrong rule but when we went to the hearing it was brushed under the carpet. When we went to the Leinster Council, they agreed I was charged under the wrong rule but it was sent back to the Hearings Committee. Its a farce of a situation. Sox reach playoffs BASEBALL: The Boston Red Sox have clinched the American League wild-card entry into the playoffs despite suffering an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The Red Sox needed a win or a Texas loss to reach the postseason and the Rangers were beaten 5-2 by the LA Angels, Bostons first playoff opponents. Even not winning this game tonight, you [still] move into the playoffs, so its a celebration, Red Sox hitter David Ortiz said. SPORTDigest gaa Kerry county chairman Jerome Conway says he knows nothing about reports claiming that Tommy Walsh and David Moran are bound for AFL giants St Kilda. Walsh starred in the Kingdoms All-Ireland victory over Cork while Moran was introduced as a second- half substitute. Aussie rules agent ricky Nixon is believed to have played a central role in organising contracts for the pair, who are said to be heading Down Under in the coming weeks. While Conway admits that the loss of the players would be significant for both Kerry and club side Kerins Orahillys, he acknowledges there is nothing that can be done to prevent them going. We havent had any contact and I havent been talking to them, said Conway. Obviously wed be hoping theyd stay with us and help us have another assault on the Sam Maguire. At the end of the day, its a free world and if they go, they go. Tadhg Kennelly went, and he came back. I see plenty more are coming back too so maybe its not all its cracked up to be. Theres always speculation so well just have to wait and see. Kerry chief in dark over star duos proposed moves to Aussie Rules Quitting Kingdom? Walsh formula one Harringtons not giving up on Europes top spotBy PETER REgAN Padraig Harrington has not given up hope of becoming European no.1 again even though he currently stands 21st. ahead of the dunhill Links Champion- ship, which begins today in Scotland, the irishman is aiming to build on the form he rediscovered in america recently by win- ning his third title at the event. He is 1.1million behind money list lead- er Martin Kaymer but could almost half that by winning this week. Harrington, however, has the memories of triumphing at Standrews in 2002 and 2006 the year he went on to capture the order of Merit and with JP McManus as his partner again in the pro-celebrity format he stated: this is one of my favourite tourna- ments of the year. obviously its one of my best opportunities of winning an event not often do we get to play links golf and i think the set-up really suits me well. ive got five events left to give myself a chance. i probably need to win two [events] and a few other things to go right but that would be the goal at the moment. Swing changes finally seem to be paying off, but he has not tasted victory on tour this season and he said: When we get into 2010 the only thing that will be looked back on is how many wins you had in 2009. [the swing work] was very, very produc- tive and i think it will make me a better player but ive got to make some wins in order to make this in any way a good year. golf DuNHILL LINKS cHAMPIONSHIP RORy McILROy claims he will give the 2010 uS Tour schedule serious thought as to whether he will join. I was looking at the [PgA Tour] schedule, the 20-year-old said ahead of the Dunhill Links championship. It makes it a little bit easier for me to play in America next year. Im in no great rush to join the PgA Tour but the opportunity might not be there forever. Theres no rush all round because I have to make my decision before December 1. Ill be making it before then. He would have to commit to 15 events if he did take up membership but it would mean McIlroy, currently third in the Race to Dubai would be eligible for the FedEx cup play-offs. McIlroy, pictured with father gerry, his playing partner in the pro-am format in Scotland, is hoping for a big week in his bid to become European No.1. Its a big deal for me this week and the Race to Dubai will be in the back of my mind all week, but first and foremost Ive got to get my dad round, added McIlroy. McIlroys poised for US switch Picture:Getty Dream move: Alonso to Ferrari Ferrari finally confirm deal for Alonso FErrari have confirmed that double world champion Fernando alonso will join them for the 2010 season. the 28-year-old Spaniard will quit renault at the end of the current campaign and replace Kimi raikkonen at the italian marque on a three-year deal reputed to be worth 60million, still more than 20m shy of what raikkonen is understood to have earned with the team over the last three seasons. alonso will partner Felipe Massa at the Scuderia, with italian giancarlo Fisichella taking up the role of test and reserve driver. im very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver, said alonso. driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybodys dream in this sport and now i have the opportunity to make this dream come true. raikkonen is expected to return to McLaren, with BMW Saubers robert Kubica switching to renault to fill the void left by alonso. SeBASTIAN VeTTeL insists Formula One history has taught him not to throw in the towel on his world title chances. Vettel trails Jenson Button by 25 points in the standings with a maximum of 30 left to play for from the final three races of the year, starting in Japan on Sunday. The red Bull driver is seemingly in need of a miracle if he is to overhaul both Button and his Brawn GP team- mate rubens Barrichello. The 21-year-old has used eight engines this year, with one more change guaranteeing him a ten-place grid penalty. yet the defiant German said: regarding the championship, history has shown many different examples of how it can finish over the years, with it going either way. At the next few races our approach will be simple we will try to get pole position and try to win. Its very straightforward. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html