Monfils triumphs in Montpelier for a second time |
- Monfils triumphs in Montpelier for a second time
- 70,000 rally in Kiev in fresh show of force
- Walker hangs on to win Pebble Beach
- Sherwood backs Adebayor to fire Spurs into top four
- Don’t write off ‘hurting’ United says Moyes
- Chastened HTC turns to cheaper smartphones in search of profit
| Monfils triumphs in Montpelier for a second time Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:28 PM PST
Monfils, who won the event in Montpellier for the first time in 2010 and was a losing finalist in 2012, overpowered the defending champion Gasquet 6-4, 6-4. It was the fifth title of Monfils’s career. The strong-serving 27-year-old dominated throughout. Monfils did not face a break point in the entire game, hit nine aces to zero and twice as many as winners â€" 34 to 17 â€" as his opponent. The win also maintains his good start to the season, as he looks to reignite a career blighted by injury. Monfils took the first set in 32 minutes, breaking Gasquet in the seventh game and then held his serve to go one up. The second set followed a similar pattern to the first with Monfils breaking this time in the ninth game, having squandered three break points in the first. Monfils, currently ranked 30th in the world from a career high of seventh, took time to thank “medical staff†for his victory. “Basically, I did not think I was going to play in this tournament and it is strange that I have ended up the winner,†said the Parisian. Gasquet, who hails from the town of Beziers close to Montpellier, is the current French number one and has Spain’s Sergi Bruguera as his new coach, said he could not put his opponent under any pressure. “Obviously I am disappointed to have lost but Gael played well.†Monfils and Gasquet, the current world number nine, have now met 10 times with Monfils winning on six occasions. â€" AFP  |
| 70,000 rally in Kiev in fresh show of force Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:26 PM PST
Opposition leaders addressed a crowd of supporters wearing blue and yellow ribbons ― the colours of both Ukraine and the European Union ― on the central Independence Square in a bid to ratchet up pressure on Yanukovych to appoint a new pro-Western government. “None of the kidnappings and tortures has yielded any results,†said Igor Lutsenko, an activist who survived a severe beating after reportedly being abducted from hospital during deadly unrest in January. The ex-Soviet nation of 46 million people has been in chaos since November when Yanukovych ditched an historic EU trade and political pact in favour of closer ties with Moscow, stunning pro-EU parts of the population and sparking violent protests. Since then, what started out as a localised, domestic bout of unrest has snowballed into a titanic tussle for Ukraine’s future between Russia and the West, as demonstrations continued and spread to other parts of the country. Opposition must be ‘resolved’ After initially ignoring protesters’ demands, Yanukovych has recently yielded ground by dismissing the government. But he also has to appease Russia, which has effectively frozen a sorely-needed US$15-billion (RM49.8 million) bailout until the situation clears up. Moscow has so far issued only one US$3.0-billion instalment of the loan, which it promised to Yanukovych after he rejected the EU pact. “People must stay on the streets until the end, otherwise there will be reprisals. And the opposition must be more resolved, not limit themselves to speeches on the podium. We need early presidential elections and a new constitution,†Anna Rebenok, a young secretary, told AFP on Independence Square. The protest ― which ended without violence― is the 10th major demonstration since November, and the size of the crowds yesterday roughly equalled the turnout last weekend, although it was markedly lower than at the end of January, when violence left several people dead and hundreds injured. Protesters have set up row upon row of manned, grimy barricades on all four roads leading to the square, turning it into a pro-Western fortress that leaves riot police on the outside. On an upmarket avenue near the square, protesters and curious onlookers had clambered onto one of these barricades made slippery by melting snow, facing off with dozens of riot police as a line of burnt vehicles stood in between. One woman wore high-heels, the other carried her baby up, and many took pictures with their smartphones. Nearby, a man in army fatigues read Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons.†But this light atmosphere was darkened by the presence of men wearing bullet-proof vests, helmets and carrying batons ― members of self-defence groups patrolling an avenue that was the scene of violent clashes in January. People also stopped to take photos of a bullet hole in a building not far away, which activists say was fired during the clashes. Klitschko challenges president Former boxer turned opposition icon Vitali Klitschko set a challenge for Yanukovych, inviting him to come to the square and face his pro-EU foes. “I am going to suggest to him that he come here on the Maidan (Independence Square) to hear what people say about him," he told a cheering crowd. The opposition wants lawmakers to slash presidential powers and return to a pre-2010 constitution that swayed the balance towards parliament. They are also calling on authorities to release detained protesters. Influential pro-demonstration tycoon Petro Poroshenko told the crowd that so far, 392 demonstrators had been released and 49 were still being held. But Sergei Guilenko, a student in Kiev, said he had heard it all before. “Authorities can only be influenced by two things: energetic action from society and Western sanctions. The European Union must get going, hit our oligarchs and Yanukovych himself,†he said. “Then he will have to make concessions.†But Ukraine’s tattered economy is in ever-growing need of assistance amid sliding domestic production and dwindling foreign reserves, which analysts say could push Yanukovych to ignore opposition demands and appoint a new pro-Moscow government. The protracted crisis has seen Ukraine’s borrowing costs spike and the currency lose nearly 10 per cent of its value as frightened consumers rush to stock up on dollars and euros. ― AFP |
| Walker hangs on to win Pebble Beach Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:24 PM PST
Walker began the day with a six-stroke lead but he made hard work of it with consecutive bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes that opened the door to his rivals at Pebble Beach. He steadied the ship down the stretch for the most part, hitting a series of precise shots, before a three-putt bogey at the penultimate hole left him with a tenuous one-stroke lead going to the par-five 18th. But Walker managed a nervous par, sinking a five-footer to stagger across the finish line with the victory. He carded a two-over 74 to finish at 11-under-par 276, with fellow Americans Dustin Johnson (66) and Jim Renner (67) equal second on 10 under par. It is Walker’s third victory in eight starts at the start of the season - a feat achieved in the modern era only by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and David Duval, according to the PGA Tour. The 35-year-old from Oklahoma collected over US$1.18 million to increase his lead on the PGA Tour money list and also his lead in the FedEx Cup points standings. â€" Reuters |
| Sherwood backs Adebayor to fire Spurs into top four Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:21 PM PST
Sherwood’s side were below their best for long periods at White Hart Lane yesterday, but still took the points thanks to Togo striker Adebayor’s seventh goal in his last 11 appearances. The former Arsenal star struck midway through the second half, showing great technique and determination to control Kyle Walker’s free-kick with his chest, hold off Seamus Coleman and fire past Tim Howard. Adebayor’s winner lifted Spurs above Everton into fifth place and the north Londoners are just three points behind Liverpool in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League. If Tottenham do land a lucrative place in Europe’s elite club competition, Sherwood is convinced Adebayor, who was frozen out by former boss Andre Villas-Boas, will have a significant role to play. “Once he got it onto his left foot I knew it would be in,†Sherwood said of Adebayor’s goal. “I know he did well over a whole season for Arsenal in the past and I’m hoping he will do that here. “It’s all about how he is being managed. He is a good character. “Every striker will have a sticky patch but I’m just delighted with him at the moment.†After a humbling 5-1 home defeat against Manchester City and a draw at Hull threatened to derail Tottenham’s top-four bid, this was a vital, if slightly fortunate, win against another contender for the Champions League berths. Sherwood acknowledged Tottenham had been out-played by Roberto Martinez’s smooth-passing side in the first half, but he was delighted with the way his players responded to his half-time demand for a higher tempo. “I keep finding myself saying the same thing. We started slow against Man City and were out of the game and it could easily have happened this time,†Sherwood said. “We sat the players down at half-time and had a little chat. We had to put more pressure on Everton and when we made them play quicker they didn’t have a shot in the second half. “There are going to be fine margins between now and the end of the season for that fourth place we are all chasing. There are going to be more matches won like this than smashing people 4-0. “The fourth place will be determined by the results against teams around us. That’s why this was an important result.†Sherwood was less enthused by the sight of Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe being carried off on the shoulders of his team-mates as he took a standing ovation from the White Hart Lane faithful, who believed this was his final home game before a move to Canadian club Toronto later this month. In fact, Defoe, who has agreed a four-year contract with the MLS club, could bid one last farewell in a Europa League tie against Dnipro on February 27 and Sherwood said: “If he got 10 standing ovations it’s not enough, he’s a legend at this club, but it’s a bit early. “We’ve got a few games yet, so he’s not finished...unless there’s something he hasn’t told me!†Martinez was frustrated his side, who are now five points behind fourth placed Liverpool, had nothing to show for a strong performance, although he refused to blame referee Mark Clattenburg for failing to award a penalty after Etienne Capoue’s challenge on Coleman in stoppage-time. “Sometimes in football it is better to be lucky than good,†he said. “If we play that game nine times we are going to win eight. “The goal is as disappointing as you are going to get. We feel a lapse of concentration cost us. “But if we play like this in the next few games we will get a lot of points because football can’t be that harsh on us.†â€" AFP |
| Don’t write off ‘hurting’ United says Moyes Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:18 PM PST
Not including their extra-time League Cup match against Sunderland, United have won just two of their eight matches since the turn of the year following yesterday’s 2-2 draw with bottom club Fulham. They are nine points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and travel to Arsenal on Wednesday hoping to get their push for a Champions League place back on track. But despite failing to beat teams like Swansea, Stoke, Sunderland and Fulham since the start of the year, Moyes maintains he still has confidence in his players. He said: “We just go into the next game and take the teams on and challenge them. “We’ve got a good team and there will be very few teams desperate to play Manchester United. “The players are hurting. I can see every day that they’re hurting because the results aren’t going the way they want. “They’re really good professionals in the way they go about their work and what I see in training makes me feel they’ll get results.†Steve Sidwell gave the Cottagers the lead in the 19th minute at Old Trafford and United struggled to hurt the Premier League’s bottom side despite dominating possession and camping around the visitors’ area. They finally made the breakthrough when Robin van Persie tapped in from Juan Mata’s cross with 12 minutes left and Michael Carrick scored with a deflected shot just over a minute later. But after David de Gea could only push Kieran Richardson’s shot into the air, Darren Bent headed in Fulham’s equaliser in the fourth minute of added time. United have now failed to win seven of their 13 home matches in the Premier League this season. Moyes defended his tactics but admitted that the Fulham result was the lowest point in the season. He said: “Today was as bad as it gets. We dominated the game. Being one down was bad enough. The amount of attempts, chances and play we had was unbelievable. How we didn’t win I have no idea. “Quite often you’ve seen similar games here where we have been the better team by far, the opposition have got a goal from a set-piece or on the break and then we’ve been chasing it. “It is a concern but I was more worried we were in their box probably 150 times and we didn’t score and that’s as worrying as it is going the other end twice so equally as worrying.†Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen, who left his job as a coach at United in the summer, felt his old team’s game-plan was simple to read. He said: “I don’t think there was any lack of belief as such. When I saw Manchester United I thought the game-plan was quite straight forward - get it wide, get it in. “Whether it was from the full-back pushing on or the supporting wide man and midfielder, they put crosses in from wide angles from outside the box. We defended it well.†Meulensteen is hopeful that his side, who had lost 13 of their previous 16 league games, have reached a turning point after their battling draw at Old Trafford. He added: “I certainly hope and certainly felt if you came in the dressing room after that it felt like a win. Credit to our lads they hung in there. “It felt like really finally the players said we’d worked our socks off and want to do it week in week out.†â€" AFP |
| Chastened HTC turns to cheaper smartphones in search of profit Posted: 09 Feb 2014 05:09 PM PST TAIPEI, Feb 10 â€" Smarting from growing losses, Taiwanese phone maker Corp says it will expand its range of cheaper products as it fixes off-target marketing for its premium smartphones. The company, which has long prided itself as a purveyor of upscale, feature-loaded products, says it needs to sell more mid-tier and affordable smartphones after losing out in 2013. Muscled off-track by fast-growing Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi Inc as well as giants such as Samsung Electronics Co and Apple Inc, HTC is seeking to reverse a two-year slump in sales and 80 per cent drop in its share price. “The problem with us last year was we only concentrated on our flagship,†said co-founder and chairwoman Cher Wang, speaking to Reuters in New York last week alongside Chialin Chang, HTC’s ‎chief financial officer. “We missed a huge chunk of the mid-tier market.†Speaking ahead of an HTC earnings guidance presentation expected later today, Chang said HTC would sell products in the US$150 (RM500) to US$300 retail price range for both emerging and developed markets, along with high-end phones that can sell for over US$600. HTC would not get into the “very, very low-end marketâ€, Chang said, but would soon unveil a new flagship phone. “The two cylinders are going to be fired together,†Chang said. The new strategy marks a need to address problems at a company â€" 3.8 per cent-owned by Wang herself â€" that just over two years ago supplied one in every 10 smartphones sold around the world. In 2013 its global market share had fallen to just 2 per cent, according to Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston, and HTC last month reported its second straight quarter of operating losses. HTC will need to move quickly in order to convince sceptical shareholders. “Only time will tell, but I’m not optimistic,†said Laura Chen, a Taipei-based analyst at BNP Paribas. Chen believes the company’s fundamental problem is unattractive, underwhelming products, and that this will continue to hold it back in 2014. “They don’t offer anything really new to the market,†said Chen, who has a “sell†rating on HTC shares. Marketing miss Wang aims to boost smartphone sales this year by improving its marketing, something she said her company “didn’t do well†in 2013. While the flagship HTC One phone it launched last year attracted rave reviews, these did not translate to strong sales: HTC needed a “very aggressive campaign†to broaden its market beyond tech-savvy 20- to 30-year-olds, the executives said.
The executives said that higher volumes of cheaper phones should make up for the difference in price with its higher-end phones. “Overall profitability is going to grow,†said Wang. Along with an improvement in the mid-tier, HTC is also hoping for incremental growth in the high-end phone market this year. The executives said invitations would be sent out in about two weeks for an event where it would announce the successor to the HTC One flagship phone. More affordable phones should fill a gap in HTC’s range. Of the 53 phones for sale on HTC’s China website, only two models cost less than US$150 â€" the highest-growth price bracket in China, according to research firm IDC. Twenty-one are over US$500. “I used to have an HTC, but their prices have gotten too high,†said 30-year-old Beijing resident Liang Lihuan. The bank worker said she recently switched to a phone made by South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. “The price is simply more reasonable.†With growth in China shifting to cheaper models, posing problems for heavyweight Apple despite a much-hyped deal with China Mobile, local smartphone maker Huawei Technology Co Ltd lists eight models under the magic US$150 threshold. Xiaomi, whose phones sell for between US$130 and US$410, said it planned to double its sales this year compared with 2013. “I think (HTC) will be forced to migrate into the mid-tier,†said Richard Ko, an analyst at Taipei-based KGI Securities. “Those products are low-price and high-spec, which is a trend for this year,†said Ko, who has a “sell†rating on HTC shares. While HTC recalibrates, Wang said the company would not return to its roots as a contract manufacturer supplying phones for others. “We’re not even considering that,â€â€Ž she said: The only manufacturing partnerships HTC will consider are ones where its brand features on the phone alongside that of a partner such as a mobile carrier. â€" Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malay Mail Online | All To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
