D Friday, October 16, 2009 METROSPORT 21 Nadal: Felt pressure Nadal escapes Robredo battle TENNIS: Rafael Nadal faced a tough fight against fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo before eventually triumphing 6-1, 6-4 in the third round of the Shanghai Masters yesterday. After making light work of the first set, the top-seeded Nadal fell 2-0 behind in the second set before eventually coming good, I started the second set bad, said Nadal. So for that reason, later I had to play all the set under pressure. Nadal is joined in the fourth round by second seed Novak Djokovic, who dispatched qualifier Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-4, 6-2. However, third seed Nikolay Davydenko had to work hard to beat Chiles sixth-seeded Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-5. But fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is out after going down 6-3, 6-3 to Swedens Robin Soderling, the ninth seed. Stoners feeling alright at home MOTOGP: Casey Stoner believes everything is in his favour as he approaches his home grand prix in Australia this weekend. The Ducati Marlboro rider returned from two months off from racing with a fine second place last time out at Estoril in Portugal. Stoner had been suffering from illness which had left him fatigued during races and was advised by doctors to take some time out. But having been the only rider able to keep close to Estoril race winner Jorge Lorenzo, Stoner is looking forward to a track where he has won twice in the past. Stoner said: In Portugal, I was able to get to the end of the race weekend without problems. So maybe Ill be a bit more ready for Phillip Island now. Sizing Europe in dominant form RACING: Sizing Europe could head to Cheltenham next after making it two from two over fences with a breathtaking display in the Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown. Having made a successful transition from hurdles in May, he faced a much sterner test this time against the smart Bobs Pride and five-time Grade One winner Harchibald. Sent off at 8-11 in the hands of Andrew Lynch, the seven-year-old jumped brilliantly throughout and galloped on relentlessly to score by 17 lengths. Lynch said: That was unreal, hes a proper horse. Good horses jump for fun. Hell probably get three miles and he could be a Gold Cup horse next year. GAA CONAL KEANEY has told his Ballyboden team-mates to forget their epic win over rivals Kilmacud Crokes and concentrate on Sundays Dublin SFC final. Dublin forward Keaney hit seven points last Tuesday night as Boden finally overcame holders Crokes after two semi-final replays that both went to extra-time. But while it was a famous win over the Leinster and All-Ireland champions the club must quickly readjust for the Parnell Park decider. Ballyboden tried in vain to get the match put back, so have little time to prepare for finalists St Judes. Lads were celebrating after beating Crokes. Its the first time a lot of lads had beaten Crokes at any grade, admitted Keaney. But at the end of the day we havent won anything yet. What a disaster it would be for us if we got to the final and then got beaten. It wouldnt be showing respect for Kilmacud either if that happened. Keaney, a target for the Dublin hurlers, will also be in county SHC semi-final action on Sunday week with Ballyboden. The games are coming thick and fast, he added. Its better than training every night but it takes a bit out of you. The game this Sunday is a bit much but what can you do? Keaney urges Boden to keep focus Famous win: Keaney Sweet dreams: Button Button ready to make title dream a reality Jenson Button woke up with a smile on his face yesterday ahead of what could be the happiest weekend of his Formula one career. I woke up very happy this morning, I had some pretty good dreams, the Brawn GP driver, on course to become Britains tenth world champion in Brazil on sunday, said. I woke up with a smile on my face. Im looking forward to the weekend. I dont think it adds to the pressure knowing that you could win the world championship this weekend. Its not a negative, its a positive. Button is 14 points clear of team mate Rubens Barrichello with two races remaining and two more ahead of Red Bulls sebastian Vettel. Button needs only a third place to be sure of the crown and maybe not even that depending on results. Barrichello, who grew up within earshot of Interlagos, is desperate to win his home race for the first time. Its something that I have been dreaming of for a long, long time, he said. so hopefully the car will be back into the performance that we want... hopefully here I can just put everything out and go for the win because I need it and because I want it so badly. Rose in bloom as Irish stay in touch in Portugal JuSTIN ROSE, unsure what the future holds for him on the European Tour, took a big step towards easing his worries with a seven under par 65 in the Portugal Masters yesterday. Playing just his second event in Europe since last October, Rose is in a tie for second place two shots behind Italian Francesco Molinari after the opening round at the Oceanico Victoria Club in Vilamoura. Molinari equalled the lowest round of his Tour career and will now be hoping there is no repeat of what happened after his last 63. That was at the Irish Open in May and he was disqualified the following day for signing for the wrong score in his second round. Meanwhile, Irelands big names all made decent starts, with Dubliner Peter Lawrie leading the way after shooting six birdies in a four-under 68. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Damien McGrane and Gareth Maybin all shot three under, while Irish Open champion Shane Lowry and Paul McGinley are another shot back after 70s. formulA one brAziliAn GrAnd prix Golf portuGAl mAsters McCrabbe earns Dublin first AllStar since 1990By PAuL KEANE AlAn McCRABBe has crowned Dublins breakthrough hurling season by becoming just the countys third ever Allstar. the ace midfielder missed the 2008 season but returned with a bang in 2009 to lead the Anthony Daly revo- lution. He hit a whopping 1-50 in the league and backed that up with 1-39 in the Championship as Dublin qualified for their first leinster final since 1991. three other nominated Dubliners David oCallaghan, David treacy and stephen Hiney were overlooked but the inclusion of McCrabbe sof- tens the blow significantly. He joins an elite club of Dublin hurling Allstars that also includes 1990 recipient Brian McMahon and 1971 winner Mick Bermingham. Kilkenny hero Henry shefflin joins an even more elite club, though, hav- ing picked up his ninth award, his eighth in a row. He is now level with former colleague DJ Carey and ex- Kerry footballer Pat spillane on nine and another award next season would see him set a new record. shefflins team-mate, Player of the Year hopeful tommy Walsh, is not far behind after winning his seventh straight Allstar. In all, Kilkenny have won six awards with beaten finalists tipperary collecting four. tipp will be fuming that both sea- mus Callinan and eoin Kelly were overlooked in the forwards however. Callinan was excellent up to the All- Ireland final while Kelly delivered a brilliant display against Kilkenny. eoin larkin was essentially chosen ahead of Callinan while Galways Joe Canning got in ahead of Kelly at full- forward. Canning is joined by big brother ollie in the team. McCrabbe is partnered at midfield by Kilkennys Michael Rice, one of six first-time recipients. Recognition: Dublins breakthrough season was rewarded with McCrabbes AllStar Finding form: Rose vodAfone hurlinG AllstArs Goalkeeper: PJ Ryan (Kilkenny) Full-backs: Ollie Canning (Galway), Padraig Maher (Tipperary), Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny) Half-backs: Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Michael Walsh (Waterford), Conor OMahony (Tipperary) Midfield: Michael Rice (Kilkenny), Alan McCrabbe (Dublin) Half-forwards: Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny) Full-forwards: Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Joe Canning (Galway), John Mullane (Waterford). Picture:Sportsfile SPORTDigest index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html