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McEnroe sees Bryan brothers as key to Davis Cup defense

MIAMI: US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe says the Bryan twins are the crucial element on his team, which begin the defense of its title away to Austria on February 8.

Bob and Mike Bryan have lost only once in their 13 doubles matches in the Davis Cup, but McEnroe said it was not only their record which made them so vital to his team's success.

"They bring so much to the team with their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism. Every Davis Cup match, they treat as though it is the biggest match they have ever played," the US skipper told reporters by telephone.

"I really admire the way they approach the games and cope with the pressure they put on themselves. Not only does it rub off on Andy (Roddick) and James (Blake) but it is great for the younger guys we bring along as practice players. It is great for them to see their passion."

Michael Ford claims to be Wariner's new coach

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina: Olympic and world 400m champion Jeremy Wariner will be coached by Michael Ford after parting company with his long-time trainer Clyde Hart, Ford said on Wednesday.

Hart said on Tuesday that he and Wariner had parted ways because of a contract dispute.

"We haven't worked out any details yet but I have been working with him the past couple of weeks," Ford told Reuters by telephone from his office in Waco, Texas.

Ford, who worked with Wariner at Baylor University, said the athlete would continue to train in Waco at the Baylor track.

"I don't think anything is going to change much," said Ford, an assistant coach under Hart at Baylor for the past eight years. "I learned a lot under coach Hart and I think that's probably a reason Jeremy asked me to work with him."

Klinsmann chooses American coach Vasquez as assistant

BERLIN: Jurgen Klinsmann has chosen Mexican-born American coach Martin Vasquez to work as his number two when he takes over at Bayern Munich next season, the Bundesliga club said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old Vasquez played for both the Mexican and US national teams and has held assistant coaching roles at Major League Soccer sides LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.

"I've known Martin since 2003 when he was training at an elite football camp in the United States," Klinsmann said in a Bayern statement. "I was impressed by his positive leadership style and I recommended him to LA Galaxy.

"He speaks perfect English and Spanish and he's started a German course."

Klinsmann was the mastermind behind Germany's run to third place at the 2006 World Cup but he delegated the training to Joachim Loew, who replaced him as head coach after the tournament.

The question of who would take the main assistant's role at Bayern Munich has been a burning issue in Germany ever since the club announced Klinsmann's appointment on a two-year contract starting in July, after Ottmar Hitzfeld steps down.

Packers' McCarthy named NFL Coach of the Year

PHOENIX: Mike McCarthy was named the NFL Coach of the Year on Wednesday after guiding the Green Bay Packers to a 13-3 record and within one game of the Super Bowl.

The Packers captured the NFC North and advanced to the conference title game but lost to the New York Giants 23-20 in overtime at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

McCarthy, 44, received the award in Phoenix, site of Sunday's Super Bowl between the Giants and the New England Patriots. He conceded he had bittersweet feelings.

"It's a little bitter when you get off the plane this morning walking through the Phoenix airport and you see all the Super Bowl signs," McCarthy told reporters.

"I ran into (Hall of Fame quarterback) Len Dawson coming through the baggage claim. You see all the NFL people."

(China Daily 02/01/2008 page22)