Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/181770
53 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 FOOTBALL Pandev stars for Napoli Details announced about Zanetti's visit JAMES J. PISCOPO GORAN Pandev struck twice as Napoli went back to the top of the Serie A table on Saturday night with a 2-0 win at Genoa. Pandev's first goals of the season came inside the opening 25 minutes to ensure Rafael Benitez's side were immediately on track to bounce back from their shock 1-1 midweek draw with newly-promoted Sassuolo. Genoa improved after half-time, veteran Alberto Gilardino skimming the post, but Napoli's win moved them a point clear of Roma, who could reclaim top position on Sunday when they travel to Cagliari. Pandev blasted an early effort wide in an indication of what was to come. Jose Reina still needed to be alert before then, clutching a straightforward Luca Antonini header to his chest before displaying greater athleticism to keep out a Sime Vrsaljko cross-shot. Pandev then grabbed the opening goal on 14 minutes after intercepting Jurai Kucka's ill-advised back pass before beating Mattia Perin from the edge of the area. The Macedonia international then made it 2-0 on 25 minutes although this time it was the creativity of his team-mate, Lorenzo Insigne, who set him up. Insigne's clever assist gave Pandev room to shoot from 20 yards out and give Napoli all the breathing space they would require. Genoa showed glimpses of at least pulling back one goal in their improved second-half showing, although Jose Callejon spurned two early chances after the break to make it 3-0. Gilardino then skimmed the far post with a header on the hour and Emanuele Calaio shot high and wide. Reina then plucked a Ioannis Fetfatzidis strike out of the top corner and blocked Gilardino at close quarters in injury time to ensure Genoa found no late reason for optimism. In the other match of the evening, Valter Birsa's first goal in a Milan jersey was enough to beat Sampdoria 1-0 and take some of the heat off Max Allegri. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt INTER Club Malta announced further details about Javier Zanetti's visit to Malta, between 6th and 7th October. The club will be organizing a gala buffet dinner at Hotel Excelsior for Sunday 6th, in the presence of Inter's most successful captain. Booking for the activity will be taken between Monday 1st and Friday 5th October, on a first come first served basis, for a fee of €35. Children pay half price. On Monday 7th, Javier Zanetti will be visiting the Inter Club Malta premises in Santa Venera, with the activity only being open to club members for the 2013/14 season. The entrance fee of €25 will include a reception and a photo with Inter's most capped player. Proceedings from both events will be donated to PUPI foundation, a charitable organisation set up by Zanetti himself in favour of disadvantaged children in Ar- gentina. The event was co-ordinated by Inter Club Malta, "as a gesture of appreciation to dedicated members who regularly pay the annual membership." WORLD number 11 Petra Kvitova can expect to climb four places in the rankings after recovering from a second-set collapse to beat Angelique Kerber 6-2 0-6 6-3 in the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The Czech seventh seed clinched her second WTA Tour title of the year - following her February triumph in Dubai - but had to do it the hard way after the world number nine from Germany pulled off a bagel set to force a tense decider. Kvitova had fired 17 winPetra Kvitova: Winner in Tokyo ners to just five unforced errors in the first set but watched former US Open semi-fi- with a huge crosscourt forehand on nalist Kerber speed through the next the 19th shot of a rally to earn her six games to keep her hopes of a third 11th career title. career victory alive in the Japanese She told wtatennis.com: "In the capital. first set I was attacking every ball and But the 2011 Wimbledon cham- hitting so many winners but in the pion rallied convincingly, storming beginning of the second set I made to a 4-0 lead before closing the match some easy mistakes and felt slower out inside an hour and 39 minutes in my legs, and that's what Angie was waiting for. "I knew it wasn't over until the last point, though. After the second set I knew what I had to do - play the same way as the first set, stay aggressive and cut the mistakes down again. "I'm very happy I could win this final today. For me the whole tournament was great - I felt good all week on the court. I really enjoyed my week here and it's even better to come away with the title." The final was also a first between left-handed players on the WTA Tour since Melinda Czink beat Lucie Safarova for the Quebec City title in 2009. Kvitova and Kerber next head to Beijing for the China Open, with the Czech saying: "I'll take a day off from tennis maybe. "Then I'll think about my first match there." TENNIS Fast, Reliable, Economical 24Hrs Service Best Prices Discounts for Account Holders Car, Vans & Coaches SILVER CABS, No.4, Margaret Mangion Street, Paceville, St. Julians STJ 3180 Tel: +356 21 389 575 24Hrs Mob: 9921 5286 Freephone: 800 73770