World Sport Briefs

Federer honoured as top player of 2007 * SHANGHAI – Roger Federer was honoured in Shanghai yesterday after finishing the year as the world’s top player for the fourth season in a row.

The Swiss was assured of finishing 2007 ahead of Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in the ATP Tour’s Champions Race after winning his hometown title in Basel at the end of last month. Federer, still licking his wounds after Monday’s shock defeat by Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez in his opening round-robin match at the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup, paid tribute to Nadal.”This year was very special because I was behind Nadal and won it back,” said Federer in an on-court ceremony before the Spaniard’s match against compatriot David Ferrer.Gasquet beats Djokovic * SHANGHAI – Frenchman Richard Gasquet swept past world number three Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-2 to keep his hopes alive at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup yesterday.Gasquet, the last player to qualify for the showcase eight-man event, levelled his round-robin record to 1-1 with a stylish performance.The Serbian became the first player to be eliminated following a straight sets defeat by Spain’s David Ferrer in his Gold Group opener at the weekend.Put money where your mouth is * MANILA – Boxers should be forced to wear dentist-designed mouth guards to protect their jaws and teeth and stamp out a trick of playing for time, referees said yesterday .The call for individually designed shields, fitted by dentists, has been a central issue at the World Boxing Council’s 45th annual Convention in Manila.”The first thing that should be done is the various different sanctioning organisations step in and demand that boxers, trainers and the corners spend a little money to get their boxer a proper mouthpiece,” referee Tony Gibson told Reuters.Vitali Klitschko reveals double vision * MANILA – Vitali Klitschko has a vision.A vision he is determined to turn into reality.The Ukrainian boxer is adamant he and his sibling Wladimir will become the first brothers to simultaneously hold world heavyweight titles.”I’m going to realise my dream and make boxing history.It’s a big adventure,” Vitali told Reuters at the WBC annual convention in the Philippines.”I can’t imagine how people live without dreams.I dream all the time, and all the time I make my dreams come true.Nothing is impossible!” Wlad holds the IBF version.To realise his dream, Vitali must defeat the winner of the long-awaited WBC bout between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter, which is scheduled for February 2.Pound prepares to step down as WADA chief * MONTREAL – There will be few tears shed when Dick Pound steps down from his post as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief at the end of the year.Disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis will not be congratulating the Canadian lawyer on a job well done, nor will Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, NHL boss Gary Bettman, the NFL’s Roger Goodell or the NBA’s David Stern.Even Juan Antonio Samaranch, who pushed Pound into taking the WADA job, might be glad to see him go after the Canadian’s recent suggestion that the former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president had not been particularly interested in the fight against doping in sport.Nampa-ReutersFederer, still licking his wounds after Monday’s shock defeat by Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez in his opening round-robin match at the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup, paid tribute to Nadal.”This year was very special because I was behind Nadal and won it back,” said Federer in an on-court ceremony before the Spaniard’s match against compatriot David Ferrer.Gasquet beats Djokovic * SHANGHAI – Frenchman Richard Gasquet swept past world number three Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-2 to keep his hopes alive at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup yesterday.Gasquet, the last player to qualify for the showcase eight-man event, levelled his round-robin record to 1-1 with a stylish performance.The Serbian became the first player to be eliminated following a straight sets defeat by Spain’s David Ferrer in his Gold Group opener at the weekend.Put money where your mouth is * MANILA – Boxers should be forced to wear dentist-designed mouth guards to protect their jaws and teeth and stamp out a trick of playing for time, referees said yesterday .The call for individually designed shields, fitted by dentists, has been a central issue at the World Boxing Council’s 45th annual Convention in Manila.”The first thing that should be done is the various different sanctioning organisations step in and demand that boxers, trainers and the corners spend a little money to get their boxer a proper mouthpiece,” referee Tony Gibson told Reuters.Vitali Klitschko reveals double vision * MANILA – Vitali Klitschko has a vision.A vision he is determined to turn into reality.The Ukrainian boxer is adamant he and his sibling Wladimir will become the first brothers to simultaneously hold world heavyweight titles.”I’m going to realise my dream and make boxing history.It’s a big adventure,” Vitali told Reuters at the WBC annual convention in the Philippines.”I can’t imagine how people live without dreams.I dream all the time, and all the time I make my dreams come true.Nothing is impossible!” Wlad holds the IBF version.To realise his dream, Vitali must defeat the winner of the long-awaited WBC bout between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter, which is scheduled for February 2.Pound prepares to step down as WADA chief * MONTREAL – There will be few tears shed when Dick Pound steps down from his post as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief at the end of the year.Disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis will not be congratulating the Canadian lawyer on a job well done, nor will Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, NHL boss Gary Bettman, the NFL’s Roger Goodell or the NBA’s David Stern.Even Juan Antonio Samaranch, who pushed Pound into taking the WADA job, might be glad to see him go after the Canadian’s recent suggestion that the former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president had not been particularly interested in the fight against doping in sport.Nampa-Reuters