IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Golf

Ryo wins fourth title

TOKYO: Japan's Ryo Ishikawa fired birdies on the last two holes to capture the Tokai Classic by a stroke in a dramatic finish to the tournament on Sunday.

The 18-year-old, already one of Japan's biggest sporting celebrities, carded a three-under-par 69 to finish 14 under and win his fourth title of the year on Japan's JGTO Tour.

"I won by a hair but I just couldn't face losing," Ishikawa said at Miyoshi Country Club.

"I was motivated by wanting to beat my earnings for last season and get past the 100 million yen barrier again."

Cricket

New Zealand into final

JOHANNESBURG:Captain Daniel Vettori praised Grant Elliott after he batted with a broken thumb to lead New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Pakistan in Saturday's Champions Trophy semifinal.

The all-rounder needed an injection before anchoring New Zealand's run chase with 75 not out off 103 balls.

Vettori said Elliott would need to have his thumb put in a splint for six weeks when the tournament ended.

New Zealand set up a final meeting with Australia in Centurion on Monday.

Baseball

Blue Jays fire Ricciardi

TORONTO: The Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager JP Ricciardi after failing to make the post-season during his eight years in charge, the team said on Saturday.

"This was a tough decision and a difficult one for me personally as I have enjoyed JP's friendship and his perspective on the game," Blue Jays acting president and CEO Paul Beeston said.

Tennis

Davydenko wins

KUALA LUMPUR: Nikolay Davydenko claimed his third ATP tournament victory of the season after beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Malaysian Open yesterday.

Russia's world No 8 Davydenko, fighting to hold his place for the November ATP World Finals in London - limited to the top eight men in the world - has now added Asian honors to victories won in Hamburg, Germany and Umag, Croatia this summer.

Winter Sports

Financial support

China's winter sports athletes, who are preparing for next February's Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, have received financial support from EK Immigration Consulting Limited.

The company, set up by overseas-based Eddie Kwan, will give HK$1.6 million ($206,437) to the Chinese Winter Sports Administration for the "scientific support" of the athletes as they get ready for Vancouver.

At present, 13 Chinese national teams (men and women) are training for 11 different sports at the Games.

(China Daily 10/05/2009 page12)