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MT 19 October 2014

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maltatoday, Sunday, 19 OctOber 2014 54 Sport TENNIS RUGBY UNION Russian tennis chief banned for 'Williams brothers' slur Russian Tennis Federation president shamil Tarpischev has been suspended for one year and fined €19,600 for re- ferring to siblings serena and Venus Williams as "the Wil- liams brothers" on a TV chat show. shamil Tarpischev, a member of the international Olympic Committee, made the refer- ence on a television chat show last week. Women's Tennis association (WTa) chief executive stacy allaster said the comments were "insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place in our sport". But Tarpischev claimed it was a "joke" with no "malicious in- tent". He added in a statement: "i didn't want to offend any ath- lete with my words. i regret that this joke has garnered so much attention. i don't think this in- cident deserves so much fuss." Tarpischev added the Wil- liams sisters are "outstand- ing athletes" who "personify strength and perseverance". World number one serena, 33, has won 18 Grand slams, while 34-year-old Venus has won seven. allaster said: "Mr Tarpis- chev's statements questioning their genders tarnish our great game and two of our champi- ons. "His derogatory remarks de- serve to be condemned and he will be sanctioned." Dave Haggerty, president of the united states Tennis asso- ciation, called on Tarpischev to apologise. "as the president of the Rus- sian Tennis Federation and a member of the international Olympic Committee, Mr Tarp- ischev is expected to conduct himself with the highest degree of integrity and sportsman- ship," Haggerty said. "unfortunately, his com- ments do not embody either of these traits and in fact were reprehensible." NEW ALFA ROMEO MITO AND GIULIETTA FANTASTIC PRICES WITH UP TO €1,000 DISCOUNT ON UNITS IN STOCK MITO STARTING FROM €14,995 - GIULIETTA STARTING FROM €21,980 OFFERS VALID UNTIL THE END OCTOBER OR UNTIL STOCK LASTS. TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY U.C.I.M. CO. LTD, ALFA ROMEO SHOWROOM, MSIDA VALLEY ROAD, MSIDA. T: 2382 3500 E: ALFAROMEO@UCIM.COM.MT Venus and Serena Williams have won 13 Grand Slam doubles titles together a last-minute converted try from Malakai Fekitoa secured new Zea- land a one-point victory over aus- tralia as they won the Bledisloe Cup series 2-0. Despite the narrow defeat, the result was overshadowed by the aRu's announcement after the full- time siren that the Wallabies' coach, Ewen McKenzie, tendered his resig- nation before kick-off in Brisbane. The all Blacks were trailing 25-15 after 60 minutes and 28-22 in the dying seconds of a thrilling Bris- bane match. after a tumultuous week, the Wallabies looked destined for a fa- mous victory until Fekitoa burst through a gap to touch down and Colin slade held his nerve to slot the conversion. "The boys had to dig pretty deep," said new Zealand captain Richie McCaw. "We showed great compo- sure at the end." The Wallabies have now lost three Tests in a row following defeats by south africa and argentina in the Rugby Championship. australia led 15-12 at half-time after tries from nick Phipps and Bernard Foley, while Corey Jane and Dane Coles went over for the visitors. The Wallabies opened up a 10- point gap when adam ashley- Cooper wriggled over to mark his 100th Test with a try that was con- verted by Foley. after a penalty apiece, aaron smith scored for new Zealand and Barrett added the extras to move the all Blacks within three points. nic White's penalty gave the Wal- labies a bigger cushion but Fekitoa's intervention allowed slade to slot the winning conversion. new Zealand had already retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 51-20 win in auckland, following a 12-12 draw in sydney at the start of the Rugby Championship. new Zealand beat australia in brisbane thriller

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