Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/204636
54 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2013 DUATHLON TENNIS Malta Triathlon Federation to organise Duathlon at SmartCity Malta Ferrer ousts Nadal, faces Djokovic in Paris final WHILST the official Malta Triathlon season has ended, athletes' enthusiasm to keep on racing has not waned. In view of this the Malta Triathlon Federation has teamed up with SmartCity Malta to organise an –off season Duathlon which will be held on Sunday 10th November. The race which will consist of one distance , starting off with a 5K run followed by an 18K cycle and ending with a 2.5K run. The course, which is slightly technical and undulating will be held on the SmartCity Malta premises and its environs. In order to encourage more participation relay teams, consisting of a runner and a cyclist are being encouraged to sign up. Kids and youth races will also be held on the same route but on shorter distances. This race is part of the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy's programme but will be open to all interested children aged between 6 and 16 years of age. "Triathlon and multisports has really picked up a good momentum and whilst the 2013 season is officially over and we are gearing up for the forthcoming season, we feel the need to keep organizing multisport events" said Cyprian Dalli, President of the Malta Triathlon Federation. "The objective of this event to give triathletes the opportunity to remain in race mode as well as encourage new comers to the sport, whether undertaking the full distance or form- ing a relay team. We are grateful to SmartCity Malta who are supporting this event and assisting us with logistics on the day". The Race Headquarters will be based in SmartCity's Laguna Walk, which is the island's only Lagoon District. The Laguna Walk is the destination for families to spend quality time on a promenade which will provide a much sought after alfresco, leisure and dining centre for all. Together with the Grand Steps, the open-air amphitheater provides a picturesque, stadium-styled seating facing the Events Stage, which will play host to a number of special entertainment attractions against the backdrop of the lagoon and magnificent fountains. "As an international work-play-live business township concept, with localized practices, SmartCity Malta's support to the Malta Triathlon Federation is in line with its commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance" said Mr. Anthony Tabone, CEO of SmartCity Malta. "The project's vision mingles work and employment with lifestyle and leisure, thereby ensuring that both office workers and visitors at SmartCity Malta maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle". More information on the SmartCity Malta Duathlon can be found on www.triathlonmalta.org or by visiting the Malta Triathlon Federation on Facebook or send an email to info@ triathlonmalta.org. SPANIARD David Ferrer produced one of his finest performances to edge world number one and compatriot Rafael Nadal 6-3 7-5 in the Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday and keep alive his hope of retaining his crown. Third seed Ferrer, who won his first Masters Series title in Paris last year, will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the indoor event on Sunday after the Serb earlier subdued Roger Federer 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the battle of the former world number ones. Ferrer, who entered his match with a 4-20 win-loss record against Nadal but had won their previous encounter on hard courts, at the 2011 Australian Open, dominated from the first point to the last. He began aggressively, forcing Nadal to defend and breaking his opponent's serve in the fourth game. Nadal regrouped and created three break chances in the second game of the second set, only to see Ferrer level at 1-1 and then take advantage of one of the top seed's numerous errors to lead 2-1. Nadal threatened to record a great comeback when he levelled at 5-5, but Ferrer broke immediately and wrapped up the match on his first chance with a powerful groundstroke. "That might have been my best performance of the season," he told Spanish television broadcaster Teledeporte. "I played a very complete match and I knew that to beat Rafa I had to give my best. Maybe he started a bit nervously with more errors than usual, but the second set was really tough. "It was a big blow when I couldn't serve out the match at 5-4. You can't afford to let opportunities slip against Rafa. In the key moments you always have more self- David Ferrer doubt, but I just tried to put that game behind me and refocus." Power had also made the difference earlier on Saturday as 2009 champion Djokovic defeated Federer despite struggling to control the brilliant Swiss early on. Federer, who has slipped to sixth in the rankings after enduring his worst season in 10 years, broke his opponent's serve in the third game. Loudly cheered by the packed crowd, the 17-times grand slam champion unsettled Djokovic by attacking the net as often as possible and hitting some sharp groundstrokes. Federer looked set to qualify for his first Masters Series final this year when he broke Djokovic again in the opening game of the second set, but the Serb hit back for 1-1. Federer lost the initiative after errors began to creep into his game and he also struggled with his serve. Djokovic broke Federer's serve a second time to lead 4-2 and he carried the momentum through the deciding set. Both players will meet again next week at the ATP World Tour Finals in London after they were drawn on Saturday in the same round-robin group.