IN BRIEF (Page 24)
GOLF
Lincicome beats Davies, Ochoa duel to title
ORLANDO, Florida: As former world No 1 Laura Davies and aspiring No 1 Lorena Ochoa faltered, American Brittany Lincicome seized her chance to capture the $2.6 million LPGA Ginn Open.
Lincicome, 20, held on through a storm delay and then brutal winds to card an even par 72 for 10-under 278 and a one-shot victory over Ochoa, who posted a 77 for 279.
"I never really thought that I had a chance when we set out today," said Lincicome, who started the day four shots adrift and had three birdies and three bogeys in her effort. "But level par was always a score that looked good in these conditions."
Davies, winner of more than 60 career titles worldwide, finished with a 79 for 281 for third place.
England's Davies and Mexico's Ochoa had shared the lead after every round and through much of Sunday's wind-whipped fourth round at the Reunion resort.
Tennis
Jankovic defies 90 kph gusts to land title
CHARLESTON, South Carolina: Jelena Jankovic of Serbia captured her third career title by defeating Dinara Safina 6-2 6-2 in the final of the $1.3 million Family Circle Cup on Sunday.
Despite severe windy conditions with gusts of up to 56 mph (90 kph), the second-seeded Jankovic got 84 percent of her first serves in and double-faulted only twice.
"The ball was going all over the place," said Jankovic, who defeated five-times grand slam champion Venus Williams in the semifinals. "We did the best we could."
She added: "I was just trying to watch the ball carefully and move my feet so that I'm kind of set on the ball. But still, even though you move, it's going all over the place, so you cannot really tell."
As Jankovic wrapped up the post-match press conference, the temporary structure serving as media headquarters was being pounded by winds that shook the building.
SOCCER
Barcelona leave it late but stay on top
BARCELONA: League leaders Barcelona left it late but ensured they stayed on top of La Liga thanks to a Fernando Navarro own goal which gave them a 1-0 win over Real Mallorca on Sunday.
"We have got three very, very important points. We had a lot of luck with the goal," conceded a relieved Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, whose team were without an ill Ronaldinho.
The luckless Navarro, who was on Barcelona's books himself until two seasons ago, saw the ball rebound off his legs barely a minute before the final whistle after Barca's Argentine striker Javier Saviola had hit the post.
Barcelona have 59 points from 30 games and hold a four-point advantage over second-placed Sevilla.
Burruchaga resigns from Independiente
BUENOS AIRES: Argentine World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga resigned as coach of Independiente after they slumped to another defeat, the club said on their official website on Sunday.
Burruchaga, who scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany, handed in his notice immediately after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by lowly Godoy Cruz.
His decision came as around 200 supporters waited outside the team's dressing room, insulting him and demanding his resignation, the club said.
Burruchaga, who has also coached local clubs Arsenal and Estudiantes, had been at the helm for 10 months at the club where he also had two stints as a player.
(China Daily 04/17/2007 page24)
