THURSDAY, 12.15PM:
THE South Africans at Wimbledon had mixed fortunes on Wednesday, with ninth-seed Amanda Coetzer, David Nainkin and Grant Stafford being shut out of the tournament.
Wayne Ferreira, Mariaan de Swardt and Surina de Beer managed to win their matches and go through to the second round.
Coetzer was looking a tad dodgy on the grass and, despite trying her best, went down 3-6 6-3 6-2 to Japanese girl Naoka Sawamatsu.
Grant Stafford was blown away by a fired-up 14th-seeded Goran Ivanesevic, who beat the South African 6-3 6-3 6-2. David Nainkin’s fortunes turned when he was beaten by 12th-seed Briton Tim Henman. Nainkin had his share of chances, but could not force the upset win and, when Henman won the third set, he looked a sure winner. The backing of a partisan crowd played a large part in Henman winning 6-3 5-7 6-4 6-2.
Ferreira beat Frenchman Arnaud Clement 4-6 6-3 6-4, while De Swardt completed her unfinished business from Tuesday, beating Austrian Barbara Schwartz 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
Twenty-year-old qualifier Surina de Beer made it through with a 6-4 6-4 win over Argentinian Ines Gorrochategui.
SPORT BRIEFS
NIGERIA THUMPED
NIGERIA were thumped 3-0 by South American minnows Paraguay in a Group D match in Toulouse on Wednesday. The South Americans scored the fastest goal of the tournament thus far when they went ahead after onlt 50 seconds, courtesy of Celso Ayala. Paraguay now face France in the second round knock-out.
SMALL TO LIONS
JOHAN PRINSLOO CEO of the Golden Lions Rugby Union said on Wednesday that James Small, South Africa’s most capped player, is to return to Gautend. “He will sign a contract today or tomorrow.” Prinsloo said.
POLLY BEST IN THE WORLD
SHAUN POLLOCK was named International Young Cricketer of the Year by Coopers and Lybrand in London on Wednesday night. Indian batting supremo was voted as the best cricketer in the world, deposing Australian Steve Waugh as the International Cricketer of the Year.
FOOTBALL HOOLIGAN
AN UNNAMED prominant Swaziland soccer player surrendered himself over to Police on Tuesday after he allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old man to death on Sunday. The former royal soldier, who cannot be named before he appears in court, reportedly stabbed the man during a quarrel at Mzilikazi in Siteki region of Swaziland on Sunday. The victim was rushed to hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
NDOU KO’S IN TWO
PHILLIP N’DOU knocked out Si Augustine of the Ivory Coast in the second of the scheduled eight rounds of a catchweight bout at Nasrec last night. N’Dou had the Ivorian smelling canvas early in the second round, and after Augustine received a mandatory eight count N’Dou set him up with a left hook before putting him to sleep with the right.