Who or what in the tennis world can stop Novak Djokovic? Certainly not Andy Murray, his least distant challenger in the world rankings, who was pummelled ruthlessly in straight sets by the Serb in the Paris Masters final. A 2-6, 4-6 defeat was the Scot’s 10th loss in his last 11 meetings with the undisputed world No 1. Other statistical highlights from Djokovic’s turbo-fuelled season of ATP Tour dominance were that he was appearing in his 14th consecutive final while registering his 22nd consecutive tour victory. “It was a tough match,” he lied sympathetically afterwards.
Australia take first NZ Test
Australia’s cricketers put this year’s Ashes disappointment behind them and got the southern summer Test action off to a wholly predictable start with a 208-run win over New Zealand in Brisbane. Opener David Warner scored centuries in both innings as the home side extended their remarkable record at the Gabba, where they have not lost for 27 years. The series has added novelty value as it will feature the first ever day-night Test when the sides meet in Adelaide later this month. At Mohali, bowler Ravi Jadeja spun India to a 108-run victory over South Africa in the first Test, while in Sharjah, Pakistan beat England comfortably by 128 runs to wrap up a 2-0 Test series victory.
Burgess hops to rugby league
There were cheers and boos for Sam Burgess, English rugby’s pantomime hero or villain depending on your perspective, who returned to rugby league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs after an ill-fated dalliance with the union code in England. Burgess can at least point to the unique distinction of being simultaneously held up as the future of English rugby and also the sole reason for the team’s World Cup failure by bickering supporters of both codes. Back on the pitch, New Zealand’s rugby league side levelled the three-match series with England after a dour 9-2 victory in the second Test at the Olympic stadium in London.
Knox in surprise Shanghai win
Golf reporters were left scrambling for facts about Russell Knox, the seventh reserve for the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament, after the journeyman Scot pulled off a remarkable first Tour victory in Shanghai. The 30-year-old beat a field including Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy to pocket a winner’s cheque for $1.4m. “I still can’t quite believe I’m here,” said a shell-shocked Knox, who spent much of the previous week frantically filling in Chinese visa forms after a late offer of a place in the field. “I was quite calm. But at the same time, that was the most nerve-racking thing I have ever done.”
