UFO Info Week-End

There was not as much excitement and colour as anticipated in yesterday’s round- robin match between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras

There was not as much excitement and colour as anticipated in yesterday’s round- robin match between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras at the ATP Tour Championship here, partly because Agassi was playing with the confidence of a world No 1, but chiefly because Sampras lacked the match toughness for such a challenge, having only played twice since August.

A bonus of the league format, where two groups of four players each play three matches, is that early losers can end the weekend as winners, so it is possible that Agassi and Sampras will meet again in Sunday’s five-set final.
If that transpires, it is to be hoped that Sampras’s game will have grown sharper than it was yesterday, when Agassi won, 6-2, 6-2, in 59 minutes.
It was Agassi’s first victory against his American compatriot in four meetings this year, including Sampras’s dazzling performance in the Wimbledon final in July. Saints’ director of rugby, John Steele, said: “He has made an excellent contribution and we are delighted he has agreed to stay on.”. “I’m not taking anything for granted, I’ll have to be at my best,” Lomu said. Lomu was the top try-scorer with eight at the World Cup and rejected several offers, including from English clubs, to stay in New Zealand.
Simon Holmes, the 32-year-old flanker, is staying with Northampton until the end of the season after originally joining them as cover during the World Cup. “I’ll have a bit more privacy, it’s a great place to relax and when I’m relaxed I play better,” the giant 24-year-old said.
Lomu and Stace have not yet decided where to live in Wellington but he joked: “A few people have dropped off photos of their houses.”
Lomu, who joined the Chiefs from Auckland last year, will partner fellow All Blacks Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga in the Wellington backline. “I’d be lying if Teina didn’t have a part in it but it’s a rugby decision about what will bring out the best in me,” he said.
Lomu said another factor prompting his decision to leave Auckland was the relaxed atmosphere offered by the capital.

The former Auckland and Waikato Chiefs player will line up for his third Super 12 team in as many years in the hometown of his girlfriend, Teina Stace.

Lomu said the relationship was a factor in his decision but added the major reason was to improve his rugby. The former Auckland and Waikato Chiefs player will line up for his third Super 12 team in as many years in the hometown of his girlfriend, Teina Stace. Jonah Lomu, the All Black wing, admitted yesterday that love had helped him decide on a two-year contract with Wellington. Jonah Lomu, the All Black wing, admitted yesterday that love had helped him decide on a two-year contract with Wellington.

It’s next year that matters.”
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL STANDINGS
1 T Makinen (Fin) Mitsubishi 62pts 2 R Burns (GB) Subaru 553 D Auriol (Fr) Toyota 52 4 J Kankkunen (Fin) Subaru 445 C Sainz (Sp) Toyota 446 C McRae (GB) Ford 237 P Bugalski (Fr) Citroen 20 8 F Loix (Bel) Mitsubishi 14
Manufacturers: 1 Toyota 109; 2 Subaru 105; 3 Mitsubishi 83; 4 Ford 37; 5 Seat 23; 6 Peugeot 11; 7 Skoda 6.. He must convince his team that he remains their best hope for the championship and win the psychological jousts with Sainz before the Monte Carlo Rally.
Burns and Subaru begin their preparations for the new season on Monday, testing in Lapland. They plan further stints in Spain and the south of France, a total of 20 days’ testing, before Christmas “We’ll be prepared as well as possible,” said Richards. “I’ve been so proud of the team’s efforts this year and Richard has come good as a world-class driver But that’s now last year.

However, he has contributed to a catalogue of retirements this year by making high-speed errors, while Sainz is renowned for his constancy and judgement.
The short off-season could be a crucial, even defining period for McRae. “Peugeot’s the threat next year and everyone should realise that now,” he said.
McRae, meanwhile, contends he has no concerns about Sainz and few question his natural pace. You need fitness and stamina to sustain the pace over the three days of a rally.”
Subaru plan to concentrate their campaign on Burns, while Ford have signed Carlos Sainz, twice world champion, to partner McRae. The Scot won his title when the Spaniard was his team-mate at Subaru in 1995, but Richards warns that Sainz has no intention of playing a supporting role next year.
Richards said: “Colin has got problems to face. Not only in terms of getting his own form back but also because he will have Carlos there to share the limelight. And Carlos believes he’s there to be No 1.”
With the departure of Toyota, it is Peugeot whom Richards rates as the key challengers next season. He’s focused on what he has to do and he’ll be difficult for anyone to beat next year.
“He’s 28, the youngest of the leading drivers, and this is becoming more of a young man’s game.