Waring early leader on Ryder Cup stage
NOVAK DJOKOVIC expects Andy Murray either to recover from his hip injury or play through pain to defend his title next week at Wimbledon.
The world No 1’s preparations were further undermined when injury forced his withdrawal from an exhibition match at Hurlingham scheduled for tomorrow.
On Tuesday the same problem led to him pulling out of facing France’s Lucas Pouille, with the Scot having also suffered from shingles, the flu and an elbow injury amid his inconsistent form so far in 2017.
World No 4 Djokovic on Wednesday learned he had been seeded second behind Murray at Wimbledon, despite his disappointing results over the past 12 months.
The Serb’s rivalry with his fellow 30-year-old will likely be the one that defines his career, and discussing Murray’s prospects he said: “I’m sure Andy does everything in his power to get himself ready and prepared for his first match.
“He’s got a team of great professionals. There is a reason behind it, because they all make sure that every single aspect of our bodies are being taken care of and worked on and to the state where you can perform your best.
“At times it’s not possible. But we have learned how to play through pain. Professional athletes are very familiar with pain on a daily basis, whether it’s a small stiffness, tightness, soreness, or something even bigger.
“There are times when you have to take anti-inflammatories. There are times when you try to do it without the tablets. I’m sure all the athletes can relate to that.
“I’m against tablets and antiinflammatories, but at times I have to take them because I’ve got to play a match in a grand slam.”
Djokovic yesterday overcame Donald Young of America 6-2 7-6 (11/9) to progress to the semifinals of the Aegon International at Eastbourne, where he is the No 1 seed.
Britain’s Alex Ward, ranked 855 in the world, caused a major shock by beating Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili, a player ranked 679 places higher, to secure his place in today’s main Wimbledon draw.
Fellow Briton Marcus Willis fell at the final qualifying hurdle when he crashed out in straight sets to Illya Marchenko of Ukraine. ENGLAND’S Paul Waring left some of Europe’s biggest names trailing in his wake to claim the lead after the first round of the HNA Open de France.
Waring, 32, who is competing this season on a medical exemption due to ongoing back problems, which restricted him to four starts in 2016, carded seven birdies in a flawless opening 64 at Le Golf National, venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup.
It left the former English Amateur champion two shots clear of Thomas Pieters, Alexander Bjork and qualifying school winner Nathan Kimsey, with Tommy Fleetwood part of a three-strong group on four under.
Pieters, who won a record four points from five matches on his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine, carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in his 66 after benefiting from a putting lesson from the coach of fellow Belgian Thomas Detry.
Kimsey, who won the qualifying school last year after coming through all three stages, recovered from a bogey on his opening hole – the 10th – to card five birdies in the next six on his way to a 66, which matched Bjork’s flawless effort.
Fleetwood, who followed his fourth place in the US Open with a tie for sixth in last week’s BMW International Open, carded four birdies in a flawless 67 to share fifth place with American Peter Uihlein and Germany’s Florian Fritsch.
Former champions Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell were three off the pace on 69.
Malton’s Simon Dyson heads the Yorkshire challenge after a one-under-par 70.
He was one shot lower than Howley Hall’s Marcus Armitage, while 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett and Woodsome Hall’s Chris Hanson both shot 72.
Willett’s fellow Sheffielder and Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick had a disappointing 76.