Tennis: Russia's Marat Safin, who by defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in Saturday's semi-final became the youngest player to be ranked number one in the world, triumphed in the battle of the heavweights against Australia's Mark Philippoussis in Bercy yesterday afternoon, winning 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 to take the Paris Open, even though he was in danger of being stopped by a cut eye.
At 3-3 in the third set, the 6ft 4in Safin plunged to his left for an attempted backhand volley and as he fell his racket ricocheted into his face, inflicting a long gash through his right eyebrow. Ironically this incident appeared to do more for the 20-year-old Safin's concentration than that of the Australian, who duly lost his serve and the set.
Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten, beaten by Philippoussis in the other semi-final, remains the most potent threat to Safin's supremacy; Sampras, who has not played since losing to the Russian at Flushing Meadows, remains in the number one equation, but only just.
Equestrian: Andrew Davies, winner of the World Cup qualifier with Captain Wellington at Millstreet a fortnight ago, added yet another victory to his already impressive tally when claiming the £3,500 Pedens Transport Grand Prix at the East Clare international in Scarriff last night.
Riding the Irish export Gamble, which had already won Saturday night's Castle Freight international, the 26-year-old Welshman's clear in a time of 28.52 proved an impossible target to give Gamble a win in his first ever Grand Prix outing.
Robert Whitaker, the 17-year-old son of British star John Whitaker, had two through to the decider and came closest with his second chance, the grey Virtual Village Livingston II. He finished just 0.02 adrift on the clock and, even with a fence down midway round the track, still slotted into second ahead of best of the Irish, James Kernan, winner on Friday with Killybegs Schubert, this time riding Cheyne Walk.
Shane Breen, who broke the world bareback high jump record when clearing 7ft 1ins at this show three years ago, slotted into fourth with God Send. But the Cashel, Co Tipperary rider had already scored a thrilling victory in the earlier Statoil speed. Breen was riding Cullohill Boy, which had also claimed Saturday's Cassin Transport and Kedrah House Stud two-phase.
Despite Davies' string of wins, the leading rider award went to 22-year-old Adrian Williams from Ennis, who notched up a double in yesterday's national finals, winning the 1.10 and 1.20 metre classes. The indoor season's leading rider award had already been clinched by Tom Slattery.
Cycling: After winning last weekend's second round of the Apollo CRT's cyclo cross series, Robin Seymour repeated the feat in the penultimate race of the series on Saturday and showed he is the clear favourite for the national championships on December 2nd. Seymour overcame an eight minute handicap to win, hauling back all in front, including girlfriend - and fellow Olympian - Tarja Owens, who led the race until the third of seven laps. Seymour completed the 10.5 mile race 13 seconds ahead of round one winner Don Travers of Banbridge CC, with Owens taking the prize for first woman.
