WORLD OF SPORT

Nadal in Chile

RAFAEL NADAL

arrived in Chile yesterday and will test his injured left knee in competition for the first time this week, after sitting out for seven months. The 26-year-old will play in his first tennis event since Wimbledon in June. Nadal said he might have to reduce his tournament appearances.

Canada pounce

TOP SEEDS

Spain moved to the brink of a shock Davis Cup tennis exit yesterday when their weakened team slumped to a 0-2 deficit at the hands of Canada in a world group, first-round tie, played on lightning quick Vancouver hardcourts. Bigserving Milos Raonic thumped Alberto Ramos 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 and Frank Dancevic, ranked 161, shocked world No 34 Marcel Granollers 6-1 6-2 6-2. Canada have never won a

world group tie in the Davis Cup.

Phil’s double dip

PHIL MICKELSON

missed a chance to break the PGA Tour’s 36-hole golf scoring record when he finished with a double bogey after driving into the water at the Phoenix Open yesterday. Mickelson followed his opening 60 with a 65 to reach 17-under 125, one stroke off the tour record for the first two rounds. Bill Haas was second, four strokes back.

Olympians shine

NEW ZEALAND

Olympic gold medal sailors Jo Aleh and Olivia Polly Powrie showed up their male opposition at the Sail Auckland regatta, winning all three races in the 470 division on Waitemata Harbour yesterday. Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Turke were just as dominant in the 49er fleet, making a clean sweep of the opening four races. In the singlehanded classes Josh Junior won the first three races of the Finn, while Ash Bunning had a one-point lead over Andy Maloney in the Lasers.

Dramatic crash

MITCH EVANS

won race one of the Toyota Racing Series at Hampton Downs yesterday after a restart, but the most dramatic moment unfolded in before the race was a lap old. The Aucklander was leading from Britain’s Alex Lynn halfway through the first lap when, behind him, Bruno Bonifacio’s car launched high into the air after making contact with British racer Jann Mardenborough, as the field headed into the infield downhill hairpin. The collision tore the front and rear wings off Mardenborough’s car, as Bonifacio’s stricken car flew overhead to land in the gravel trap.