Ferrer Defeats Lopez To Win Fourth Title Of The Year

photo: PelanconganKini

Top seed David Ferrer saved his best form in Kuala Lumpur for the final match as he swept aside a strong challenge from Spanish compatriot Feliciano Lopez, winning 7-5, 7-5 in 93 minutes to pick up his fourth title of the year and 25th career title at the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2015.

In an thrilling all-Spanish finale, the world No.8 Ferrer was in sensational returning form, winning 59% of second serve returns and crafting eleven break opportunities (converted three) in the 93 minute long match.

The 33-year-old Spaniard collects the winners cheque of USD$170,600 and 250 points as he further cements his No.8 position in the Emirates ATP Race to London standings (460 points behind Nadal and 900 ahead of Gasquet).

“I am very happy. I played good during the match - I served well, I received well and I played consistently. I’m very happy with my game. It’s important for my game to serve well because if I don’t, it will be difficult against Feliciano because he pressures a lot at the net. This year is a good year - I won all my finals,” said Ferrer, who now has a 25-25 overall record in career finals.

“I think I was serving good enough but maybe not good enough to beat him. I think he is one of the fastest guys in the world in returning serve. Well I just wanted to do better but I couldn’t make it because he was better than me. Everything I tried, he made a better shot,” said the 34-year-old world No.17 Lopez after his defeat.

In an exciting doubles finale, second seeds Treat Huey of the Philippines and Henri Kontinen of Finland picked up their second title in as many weeks with a 7-6(4), 6-2 victory over top seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram.

The duo, who enjoyed a dream debut at St. Petersburg last week, won 81% of their first service points to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches and pick up the USD$51,820 doubles winner’s purse.

Huey picks up his third title of the season in four finals (sixth of career) while Kontinen has won an incredible five doubles titles in 2015 to add to his first career title picked up last year at the Generali Open.

“The score maybe was not that close but there was a lot of close points there. It came down to one or two points and we played well in the points that really mattered in the end so it was a lot of fun to get the win. It’s always good to play near the Philippines. There were always some Philipino fans cheering for me and that makes it extra special,” said Huey, who picks up his first title on Asian soil.

“It is not something we expected two weeks ago when we started playing. From the first match, we felt good playing together. We understand each other very well and when we talk about the game we’re on the same page, and when you win a lot of tight matches (in tie breaks), you get confident that you’ll somehow find a way,” Kontinen said.

After a highly successful seventh edition, the tournament would like to thank its suite of official sponsors. In addition to the distinguished support of the Event Patron, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the event is proud to have prestigious commercial sponsors that include KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Rado, CNN International, the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Wilson, 100 Plus, the Albukhary Foundation, Astro and the ATP World Tour’s Premier Partner Corona. 

For more information on the tournament, visit www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com or https://www.facebook.com/MalaysianOpen.KualaLumpur  or  https://twitter.com/KLopentennis.

-MalaysianOpenKualaLumpur.

ONE Championship - TIGERS OF ASIA ( 9 October 2015 )

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has swept across Malaysia like a tidal wave since ONE Championship first arrived in Kuala Lumpur in 2012. Thanks to the support from the Ministry of Sports and the on-going efforts of ONE and Tune Talk, the exploding number of MMA gyms, events and TV programs across the peninsula has given a majority of Malaysians a chance to personally experience the world’s fastest growing sport for themselves.

Now it is time for ONE Championship, Asia’s largest MMA event, to return to the capital city again! Get ready for another unforgettable night of non-stop MMA action as Malaysia’s best go up against contenders from around the world. Witness the return of homegrown superstars Peter Davis, Ann Osman, Gianni Subba and more as Putra Indoor Stadium erupts with the united screams over 10,000 Malaysian voices.

Get your tickets from:

1. Online at www.AirAsiaRedtix.com
2. Rock Corner outlets:	The Gardens, Mid Valley (TEL: 03 - 2201 4893)
	Subang Parade (TEL: 03 - 5613 1139)
	The Curve (TEL: 03 - 7733 1139)
	Bangsar Village (TEL: 03-22021139)
3. Victoria Music outlets:	Sg Wang(TEL: 03 - 2148 7208)
	Amcorp (TEL: 03 - 7956 0592)
	Tropicana (TEL: 03 - 7722 2955)
4. Artist Gallery:	Gurney Plaza, Penang
	Queensbay Mall, Penang

-AirAsiaRedTix.

Ferrer And Lopez To Meet In All-Spanish Final

For the second time in the tournament’s seven year history, the top two seeds are set for a showdown in the final of the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2015 held here at the Putra Stadium at Bukit Jalil.

Top seeded world No.8 David Ferrer overcame a one set deficit to defeat surprise semifinalist Benjamin Becker 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and five minutes.

The two-time Malaysian Open semifinalist had his serve broken twice in the opening set, but crucially saved all six break opportunities against him in the next two sets to advance into his fourth final of the year (won all three at Acapulco, Rio de Janeiro and Doha).

“I feel happy because it’s my first final here after many times of coming. Benjamin played great in the first set so in the second set I tried to change my tactics, my forehand and importantly, I could win. Feliciano is a very good friend and a great player. Every time I play with Feliciano, I know it’s going to be a tough match. Tomorrow I have to improve my game against him,” said Ferrer, who has an 8-6 win/loss record against Lopez.

Second seed Lopez proved one hurdle too many for the in-form Nick Kyrgios, with the 34-year-old Spaniard defeating the 20-year-old Aussie 7-6(2), 7-6(5) in a closely contested match lasting 84 minutes.

The duo exchanged breaks in the first set, the first time Kyrgios’s serve was broken this tournament, but in the end it was down to the tie-breaks, where the Aussie simply could not compete against a Lopez who was in exquisite serving form (hit 12 aces and won 85% of first serve points).

World No. 17 Lopez will play in his 13th career final on Sunday, his second of the year (l. to Estrella Burgos in Quito), as he guns for his fifth career title.

“The match was so close. It could have gone either way. He played really good also. I have to be proud of the way I played because he was really playing well. When I played here in the past I didn’t play my best so I really wanted to do better this time and I made it. I am very happy; it has been a good week of tennis for me. I’m playing better now than I did in February when I played the final in Quito,” Lopez said.

Despite his defeat, Kyrgios, who has a Malaysian mother, can take heart from making the second semifinal of his career and playing some of his best tennis this week in front of a crowd that considers him one of their own.

“He served unbelievably throughout the match. That’s why he’s one of the best players in the world. His serve kept him in the match. His volleys were unbelievable. I was impressed with him today. (But) I’m really happy with my performance this week. I’m really close to hitting the top 30 so that’s my (next) goal,” Kyrgios said.

In the doubles, top seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram defeated Czech pairing Frantisek Cermak and Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 in 58 minutes to set up a Sunday final with number two seeds Treat Huey and Henri Kontinen.

The doubles finals will be played on Centre Court this Sunday at 2.15pm, with the singles final expected to commence not before 4.30pm.

Once again the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur is making the event affordable for all Malaysians. Ticket prices for the finals range from RM25 to RM620 and can be purchased now on-line via the tournament website www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com, at TicketCharge outlets or through the ticket hotline at TicketCharge Ph: 603-9222 8811.

The tournament would like to thank its suite of official sponsors. In addition to the distinguished support of the Event Patron, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the event is proud to have prestigious commercial sponsors that include KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Rado, CNN International, the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Wilson, 100 Plus, the Albukhary Foundation, Astro and the ATP World Tour’s Premier Partner Corona. 

For more information on the tournament, visit www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com or https://www.facebook.com/MalaysianOpen.KualaLumpur  or  https://twitter.com/KLopentennis.

-MalaysianOpenKualaLumpur.

Yuna Live in Malaysia @ Plenary Hall, KLCC ( 16 October 2015 )

Malaysia’s very own contemporary pop singer, Yuna, is set to perform live in Malaysia for an exclusive show on October 16 at Plenary Hall, KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Organized by The Livescape Group, the one-night-only show is expected to attract over 3,000 fans.

Yuna, the sensational Malaysian singer songwriter is known for her unique organic blend of contemporary pop, acoustic folk and soulful R&B sound. She began writing her own songs at the age of 14 and started performing solo on her MySpace page in 2006 before she formed a band. In 2008, she released her self-titled EP in Malaysia producing the hit single, “Deeper Conversation”. The following year, Yuna won her first of several Anugerah Industri Muzik award which is Malaysia’s equivalent of the Grammy.

“We are thrilled to have Yuna returning home to perform live and we are sure that her fans are as excited to see her as we are. Yuna will be performing songs from her new album so fans can look forward to a selection of both her older hits and new music. Tickets to the show are limited because we want to provide an intimate show, so I urge fans to purchase them early to avoid disappointment”, Rahul Kukreja, Director of Live Events of The Livescape Group said.

The talented vocalist is fresh off the 2015 AFC Asian Cup closing ceremony, coming together with ‘The Art Of Saving A Life’ campaign premiering ‘New Day’ & releasing ‘Material’; a compilation of previously released Malay singles now re-arranged with added freshness.

-www.ticketpro.com.my

AirAsia X takes on Sapporo

AirAsia X marks the spot: Japanese dancers striking a pose while displaying the 9,900 ticket price to fly from Sapporo to Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia X in Sapporo.

SAPPORO: It was a red-eye flight that was anything but a dowdy affair as AirAsia X began its inaugural flight to the northern Japan city of Sapporo in style.

Arriving on the 11.35pm flight from KLIA2 was group chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who took the seven-hour trip to Sapporo – the capital of Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture.

She said she was charmed by the city, known for its white winter festivals. “I am happy to be back. It has changed so much since then,” said Rafidah, who last visited the city nearly 35 years ago.

Passengers on the inaugural flight received a warm welcome from the AirAsia X ground staff to mark the occasion.

Also on the flight was AirAsia X chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail and AirAsia X director Datuk Fam Lee Ee.

At Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, Rafidah said the new route would fly four times a week, which was hoped to boost a two-way flow of tourists between Malaysia and Japan.

This is AirAsia X’s third Japanese destination after Tokyo and Osaka.

“Hokkaido is really famous. There will be many Malaysians who would like to see this part of Japan. We hope Japanese from this prefecture will also look to visit Malaysia for all-year-round summer,” said the former International Trade and Industry Minister.

The long-haul arm, having spent seven consecutive quarters in the red, is also in talks to defer the purchase of up to 13 new aircraft from Airbus as well as looking to start flights to Hawaii and New Delhi to tap new markets.

“We have seen very good response for the Sapporo route. For our December to February flights, we are close to full and flights in March to May are picking up.

“We are targetting about 250,000 passengers to Sapporo for next year,” Benyamin said.

AirAsia flight D7 550 will be flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sapporo at 11.35pm every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It will arrive at 8.10am.

Flights from Sapporo to Kuala Lumpur will leave at 9.20am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive at 5pm.

To celebrate its inaugural flight, AirAsia X is offering promotional all-in-fares for one way trips starting from RM349 for standard seats or RM1,299 for the premium flatbed seats.

The fares will be available for online booking until Oct 18 for the travel period between Oct 2 and Jan 3 next year.

-thestar online.

XLR8 - Automotive Festival @ Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside ( 3 & 4 October 2015 )

-xlr8.

‘Half-Kampung’ Kid Nick Kyrgios Powers Past ‘King Of Aces’ Ivo Karllovic

Aussie Nick Kyrgios, or the ‘Half-Kampung’ Kid as he is affectionately known here, continued his fine run in the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2015 with a 7-6(7-4), 7-6(7-2) upset victory over third seed Ivo Karlovic in today’s quarterfinal match played on the Centre Court of Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

It was the third consecutive straight sets victory in the tournament for the 20-year-old, who racked up eleven aces to Karlovic’s 13, including two in a row to close out a tight 84-minute match in which neither player managed to break the other’s serve.

“I knew today was going to be tough. I thought I served really well and looked after my serve. It was a fun match as well. It was really good. I think knowing that I can beat guys with big serves gives me confidence. I thought today was very important,” said the world No.41, who will face Feliciano Lopez in Saturday’s semifinal as he tries to win his first career title.

‘King of Aces’ Karlovic leaves Kuala Lumpur just 35 aces shy of the ATP World Tour record for career aces held by fellow Croat Goran Ivanisevic (10,237).

Second seeded world No.17 Lopez fought back from a set down to defeat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-7(2-7), 6-3, 6-2 in a passionate two-hour long encounter.

The Spaniard will be attempting to make his second final of the season, after missing out on his 5th career title in his other final this year at Quito.

“I think I played a great match compared to yesterday. I was getting better and better as the match grew longer. It’s going to be tough against Nick. He’s an aggressive player and he has the weapons - he has the serve and the forehand. It’s an exciting match to play against one of the ‘young guns’ in the tour right now,” the 34-year-old said.

Top seed and world No.8 David Ferrer needed just 70 minutes to overcome the challenge of Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-4 and move into the Malaysian Open semifinal for the third time (also in 2010 & 2012), where he will face Benjamin Becker.

“I feel better than yesterday. It was a great match for me. (My semifinal tomorrow against) Becker is going to be tough. He has had a good week, winning (Jeremy) Chardy and (Grigor) Dimitrov. I will have to play like tonight - consistent and aggressive with my forehand,” the 33-year-old former world No. 3 said.

Earlier in the day, Germany’s Becker once again upset the odds to defeat fourth seed Dimitrov 6-4, 7-6(7-3) in 95 minutes and move into his first ATP World Tour semifinal since Tokyo last year.

The match looked destined for a decider with world No. 19 Dimitrov 5-2 up in the second set, but the 34-year-old Becker responded superbly by saving set point and taking four of the next five games for a memorable victory. The world No.74 ranked player can look forward to a jump in the rankings next week with at least 90 points in the bag.

“I played very solidly I think from start to finish and I didn’t let myself down when he broke me in the second set. I had a little bit of luck in the second set (when Grigor missed his set point opportunity) but I felt good during the whole match and I think it was a good performance from me,” Becker said.

In doubles matches, second seeded Pilipino-Finnish pair Treat Huey and Henri Kontinen booked their spot in Sunday’s final with a come from behind 6-7(2-7), 7-6(7-2), 10-7 super tie-breaker victory over Andre Begemann and Artem Sitak.

Meanwhile, 2010 champion Frantisek Cermak (w/ Michal Mertinak) and Radek Stepanek ousted third seeds Eric Butorac and Scott Lipsky with a 6-4, 6-4 win in 67 minutes to set up a semifinal clash with top seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram on Saturday.

Saturday’s matches begin with Kyrgios v Lopez from 2.15pm on Centre Court, followed by Ferrer v Becker (not before 4.30pm) and the remaining doubles semifinal.

Off the court, top doubles seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram took part in a ‘Health Check’ and autograph session at the KPJ Healthcare booth located at Putra Stadium.

Once again the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur is making the event affordable for all Malaysians. Ticket prices range from RM10 to RM620 and can be purchased now on-line via the tournament website www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com, at TicketCharge outlets or through the ticket hotline at TicketCharge Ph: 603-9222 8811.

The tournament would like to thank its suite of official sponsors. In addition to the distinguished support of the Event Patron, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the event is proud to have prestigious commercial sponsors that include KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Rado, CNN International, the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Wilson, 100 Plus, the Albukhary Foundation, Astro and the ATP World Tour’s Premier Partner Corona. 

For more information on the tournament, visit www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com or https://www.facebook.com/MalaysianOpen.KualaLumpur  or  https://twitter.com/KLopentennis.

-MalaysianOpenKualaLumpur.

CIMB Classic 2015 @ KLGCC ( 29 October ~ 1 November 2015 )

The CIMB Classic 2015, now in its sixth year, is the PGA TOUR's only official FedExCup event in Southeast Asia.

This years event will be held 29 October - 1 November at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and will feature a 78-player elite field, comprising 60 from the PGA TOUR, 10 from the Asian Tour and eight sponsor's exemptions, including two Malaysians, competing for prize purse of $7 million USD.

Price Details

-www.ticketpro.com.my

Star-Studded Line Up Announced For Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015

With just over a week remaining before one of Malaysia’s most anticipated sporting events takes place, organisers of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015 today announced a star-studded field for the Asian Swing curtain-raiser, which tees off at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) on Thursday 8 October.

Once again, the annual show-piece boasts a field that would be the envy of any golf tournament anywhere in the world with 63 out of top 66 players on the official LPGA Money List, including nine out of the top 10 ranked players, due to touch down in the capital over the weekend.*

The field contains no less than 18 players from this month’s thrilling Solheim Cup, including Paula Creamer, Brittany Lang, Alison Lee, Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel, Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie from the victorious Team USA; while Team Europe will be represented by Sandra Gal, Charley Hull, Karine Icher, Catriona Matthew, Azahara Munoz, Anna Nordqvist, Suzann Pettersen and Melissa Reid.

In addition, 12 players will compete at the tournament under sponsor invites on account of their valued contribution to the game over the years or the considerable promise they show for the future. Christina Kim (U.S.), Ryann O’Toole (U.S.), Melissa Reid (England), Paula Reto (South Africa), and Jennifer Rosales (Philippines), will join Cheyenne Woods (U.S.) and Aditi Ashok (India), who won the local qualifying tournament will be the first Indian player to feature in the tournament.

The 75 player field is completed by the five strong Malaysian Angels, consisting of qualifiers Nur Durriyah and Cindy Lee-Pridgen, and Malaysia’s top three World Ranked professionals, Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh and Ainil Bakar, ensuring that Malaysian fans have plenty of local talent to follow when the action starts.

Of the players with sponsor exemptions, Kim, Reid, Rosales and four of the five-strong Malaysian contingent will know what to expect on the East Course, having played the tournament on previous occasions, but for O’Toole, Reto, Ashok and Durriya, it will be their first outing at what is one of the biggest purse events in Asia.

Kim, O’Toole and Reto are LPGA Tour regulars placed 58, 72 and 91 respectively on the LPGA Money List but narrowly missing out on automatic qualification. Melissa Reid returns to the tournament she last played in 2011 on the back of a very strong personal performance in the Solheim Cup, where she won four matches and halved one, making a significant personal contribution to the European team.

“I am feeling great coming into Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, a tournament I have good memories of. I played pretty well in the Solheim Cup a few weeks ago, which has given me a lot of confidence, so I am looking forward to putting in a few good rounds of golf in Kuala Lumpur. It will be tough as every top player is there but hopefully I will do well”, said Reid.

The popular Jennifer Rosales will be making her swan-song appearance before retiring after next year’s Olympic Games. The 36 year old said:

“It has been a really fun year. Obviously, knowing it is the last means I have had a different approach to it. I am playing without pressure, and doing my best to enjoy every moment, and treasure every minute of it. The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is a great tournament, with an mazing course, so I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to play there again.”

Speaking about the field ahead of the sixth edition of the tournament, Chairman of the Sime Darby Foundation, Tun Musa Hitam said:

“We are delighted to see, yet again, all the best players in the world making their way to the nation’s capital to compete in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. With nine of the world’s top ten ranked players confirming their attendance, together with a wealth of emerging talents from both Malaysia and around the world, we look forward to seeing some fireworks on course. The good representations from America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia further confirms that the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has established itself as a truly global event for everyone to enjoy.”

Billed ‘the nation’s most fun golf event’, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015 sees a host of new initiatives planned both on and off the golf course, promising four days of fun-filled entertainment complete with live DJs, food stalls, Kids Zone, Chip-4-Charity, and its very own KL Food Truck Festival.

For ticketing information log on to www.simedarbylpgamalaysia.com. Follow the latest updates on ww.facebook.com/SimeDarbyLPGAMalaysia or follow us on Twitter and Instagram

@SimeDarbyLPGA, #SimeDarbyLPGA, #WomenWithDrive.

* According to the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, 28 September 2015

-http://simedarbylpgamalaysia.com/home

New Mt Kinabalu route to include breathtaking view

KOTA KINABALU: A breathtaking view of areas surrounding Mount Kinabalu will be part of a new trail up to its highest point, Low’s Peak at 4,0895m.

The new trail to the summit of the mountain, however, would be along a higher and steeper elevation, said Sabah Parks manager Yassin Miki.

“The new trail has a breathtaking view as it is placed on a higher elevation as compared to the previous trail where climbers only saw fo­rests and rocky plateau,” he said.

The new trail from Laban Rata (3,272m) to the summit is still under construction after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake on June 5 hit the mountain’s western side which killed 18 climbers and guides.

Officials decided not to fix the old, badly damaged trail, particu­­­larly between the 6km and 6.8km mark, which had been blocked by boulders and rocks, as well as the fear of falling debris from the aftershocks.

Climbers, said Yassin, could face a more challenging and longer trail near the 9km mark as compared to the previous 8.72km trail from the Timpohon Gate base.

“The new summit trail is safer,” he said, adding that this was chosen on the advice of international mountaineering experts and geologists from Japan.

The route from Pendant Hut (3,829m) was found to be the best and most secure route after they looked at two other alternative sites, he said.

Sabah Parks hopes to complete the restoration work, which began on Sept 22, in two months with the target of reopening the climb to the summit by Dec 1.

Yassin said the works were being carried out by 30 mountain guides and experts and they hoped to complete these on schedule unless there were further tremors, bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

On Sabah Parks’ future plans for the two damaged Panar Laban and Gunting Lagadan huts, he said these would be transformed into a memorial site with a gallery as remembrance of the people who died in the quake.

As of Sept 1, Sabah Parks re-opened the mountain to allow climbers to trek from the Timpohon Gate base to Laban Rata.

They have limited climbers to 100 per day.

-thestar online.