D Monday, February 1, 2010 SPORT 21 New kit: The Ferrari F10 at its launch Karlsson keeps his focus to wrap up Qatar classic GOLF: Robert Karlsson completed a stunning comeback from a career- threatening eye injury with a three-stroke victory at the Qatar Masters. After becoming the first Swedish player to be named European No.1 in 2008, Karlsson was sidelined for four months last year suffering from blurred vision caused by fluid behind the retina in his left eye. But the 40-year-old carded a bogey- free seven-under-par final round of 65, despite starting the day two shots back. Spains Alvaro Quiros claimed second with a hat-trick of late birdies in an admirable title defence. Karlsson said: The focus this year was to come back and put together a string of good rounds and then you never know whats going to happen. Peter Lawrie was best of the Irish in a tie for ninth. TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN Late score: Louths Ronan Carroll Louth fight back to earn place in OByrne decider GAA: Corner-back Declan Byrne was the unlikely Louth hero with a 68th-minute goal to see off Kildare 1-16 to 0-14, setting up a repeat of last years OByrne Cup final against DCU. Kildare lost Brian Flanagan to a second yellow card but still led 0-14 to 0-13 with just two minutes to go. But Byrnes bizarre goal, when he luckily looped the ball over the keepers head from on the left wing, put Louth two ahead. From there, the visitors exploited their greater numbers to dissect Kildares defence and pilfer three more points from Colm Judge, Ronan Carroll and Shane Lennon. The five-point margin flattered Louth but boss Peter Fitzpatrick was delighted with his teams battling display ahead of their Division 3 campaign. Kildare put in a big effort but really I dont think we could have played any better either ourselves we put in 19 men and all of them did well, said Fitzpatrick. Meanwhile, DCU came from behind at half-time to beat Meath 0-16 to 0- 13 in the other semi- final. Elsewhere, Kerry and Donegal won the McGrath and McKenna Cup finals on Saturday. A Vitaly move for Renault FORMULA ONE: Vitaly Petrov will make history this season by becoming the first Russian to compete in F1 after landing a drive with Renault. Last seasons GP2 runner-up was yesterday confirmed at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia and is understood to have landed his seat courtesy of the considerable financial support he has behind him. The 25-year-old from Vyborg will partner Polands Robert Kubica. Higgins takes Welsh title SNOOKER: John Higgins claimed his second Welsh Open title with a 9-4 win over defending champion Ali Carter in Newport yesterday. The world champion powered into an early 5-0 lead and then moved 7-2 ahead just after the start of the evening session. Essexs Carter then mounted a brave response to reduce the deficit to 7-4 but Higgins extinguished any hopes of a fightback when he wrapped up the next two frames for victory. RUGBY AN assured performance from fly- half Shane Geraghty earned England Saxons victory over Ireland A in Bath yesterday, but Irish head coach will nonetheless have been more than pleased to see Marcus Horan and Rory Best get some much-needed game time under their belts ahead of the Six Nations. Geraghty, dropped from Englands squad for the tournament, scored the Saxons second try and added seven points from the boot, including a touchline conversion of wing David Strettles first-half touchdown. Ireland back-row Chris Henrys 69th-minute try ensured a frenzied finale. But the visitors lacked composure at critical times, and were ultimately unable to repeat last summers Churchill Cup final triumph over England. Horan and Best, both on the comeback trail after injury absences, both started the game and while Best was replaced after 55 minutes, Horan completed the full 80. Horan, Best emerge unscathed as As lose out Best of the action: Ireland hooker Rory Best during yesterdays A international england saxons 17 ireland a 13 Roger still the master as Murray falls short Sweet sixteen: Federer celebrates victory and the 16th grand slam title of his record- breaking career Picture: Getty The Swiss master did it again. Roger Fed- erer now has a 16th grand slam title, a fourth in Australia and a stranglehold over his ri- vals that shows no sign of ending. Britains long wait for a slam win continues. The added burden of 74 years of expectation was too much for Andy Murray and he failed to produce his best when it mattered most. The Scotsman was brave but Federer was just too good, winning yesterdays Austral- ian Open final 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (12/10). It was not so much a match as a tennis les- son but Federer said it was players like Mur- ray that brought out the best in him. Im being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up, Federer said. Theyve made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, or maybe forever. Federer coasted through the opening two sets before Murray finally produced the form that had seen him lose just one set and elim- inate defending champion Rafael Nadal en route to the final. he went toe-to-toe with the world No.1 in the third set before an en- thralling tie-break when he passed up five set points before Federer finally won out. At the presentation ceremony, Murray broke down in tears, just as Federer had done when he won the 2006 final and again last year when he lost to Nadal. I can cry like Roger. Its just a shame I cant play like him, Murray said. Murrays time may still come. he is just 22 and has already played in two grand slam finals, at the US Open two years ago and now Australia. At the same age, Federer had only made one grand slam final. Youre too good a player not to win a grand slam so dont worry about it, Federer reassured him. his game is so good that Im convinced he will win one. By Jessica Palmer Matching King is crowning moment for Serena Serena WilliamS claimed she was thrilled to fulfil her goal of drawing level with Billie Jean Kings 12 grand-slam titles after defeating Justine Henin in the final in melbourne. The world no.1 denied her Belgian opponent, who was playing only her second tournament following a 20- month retirement, a dream return to the game. a memorable final saw Williams, 28, win 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. it was her fifth australian Open title and the first time she had defended her crown. Her idol, and fellow american, King was there to watch and Williams said: i feel really special that i was able to tie Billie Jean because ive been going for it and i have not been able to quite achieve it. afterward she came down and we talked, we took a picture. i said, i tied you. What an honour. Henin, who had been given a wild-card entry into the tournament, reflected on an amazing two weeks. Of course i am disappointed, you are when you lose in the final of a grand slam, the 27-year-old said. its just more than what i could have expected. i just have to remember that. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html