Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/437144
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2014 Sport 41 TENNIS BOWLING Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams named 2014 World Champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have been named 2014 World Champions by the International Tennis Federation THE annual award takes in per- formances on the regular Tour and grand slams. Wimbledon champion Djokovic takes the men's prize for the fourth time having won seven titles this season and the year-end top rank- ing for the third time in four years. Williams wins the award for the fifth time in a career which has brought her 18 grand slam singles titles -- the most recent at this year's U.S. Open. "I'm so honored to be named ITF World Champion for the fifth time. This was a year of challenges and triumphs, so to win another Grand Slam and retain my year-end No. 1 ranking is an accomplishment I'm very proud of," she said. "I'm grateful to have the support of the tennis community in every way possible. I can't wait for 2015." Americans Bob and Mike Bryan were named ITF men's doubles champions while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy won the women's honour. Novak Djokovic Serena Williams BOV Bowling Platinum Cup: Mark Spiteri wins Men's title as Sue Abela retains Women's title MARK Spiteri is the BOV Men's Bowling Platinum Cup 2014 Champion, beating Mauro Anas- tasi 237-183 in the final round fol- lowing a score of 229-173 in their first encounter. Sue Abela retained the title for the second consecutive year, beat- ing Joanna Attard in a closely fought final with the score of 214- 205. The BOV Platinum Cup saw 27 men and 13 ladies competing for this final prestigious event of the year, with the top six qualifiers from every category participating in the penultimate round robin stage, having earned their place over 12 games in the initial quali- f ying round. In the men's division, Mark Spi- teri placed third in the round rob- in while Justin Caruana Scicluna placed second in the high-rolling men's semi-final. Spiteri scraped through with a 257-236 victory, to face the daunting task of having to beat Mauro Anastasi twice to win the title. His first game was a 229 against Mauro's 173, so the tour- nament winner was decided in the very final round with Spiteri bowl- ing a solid 237 against Anastasi for the win. Joanna Attard and Melissa Swift placed 2nd and 3rd respectively after the ladies' round robin, and it was Attard who prevailed in the extremely close semi-final, 181-178 the score line. Top seed Sue Abela awaited Attard for the final. While the lead changed hands repeatedly during the first of a possible two games, it was perennial National Champion Abela who would pre- vail, keeping her cool to beat Atta- rd 214-205 and retain the title she won last year at the first attempt. John Paul Abela, Manager, Media and Community Relations at Bank of Valletta presented the trophies to the winners in the presence of Paul Baldacchino, president of the Malta Tenpin Bowling Associa- tion. Sue Abela receiving the BOV Bowling Platinum Cup from John Paul Abela, Manager Media and Community Relations at Bank of Valletta Mark Spiteri receiving the BOV Bowling Platinum Cup from John Paul Abela, Manager Media and Community Relations at Bank of Valletta