Davydenko wins

KUALA LUMPUR: Nikolay Davydenko claimed his third ATP tournament victory of the season after beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Malaysian Open here on Sunday. Russia's World No 8 Davydenko, fighting to hold his place for the November ATP World Finals in London -- limited to the top eight men in the world -- has now added Asian honours to victories won in Hamburg, Germany and Umag, Croatia this summer. "It feels just great to win here," said Davydenko, 17-5 in career finals. "I have confidence now. It was a tough match, they are all different." — AFP

Simon triumphs

BANGKOK: Gilles Simon handed the Bangkok Open title to France for the second year in a row as he defeated Serb Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-3 in the final. Simon followed on from good friend and beaten Bangkok semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 champion at the Impact arena. Simon got a break back after losing his serve in the ninth game of the opening set before finishing with a second straight break of the Serb. In the second set, the Frenchman lifted his game, taking the title on his second match point. — AFP

Piercey, Kuchar tied

VERONA: Americans Matt Kuchar and Scott Piercy share the lead after third round of the PGA Turning Stone Resort Championship. Kuchar shot a five-under 67, while Piercy had a six-under 66 on Saturday to move to 14-under 202. Australia's Rod Pampling (65) and rookie Leif Olson (68) share third place at 13-under, which is one better than Nicholas Thompson, who had a three-under 69 on Saturday. American Vaughn Taylor shot a one-under 71 and is tied for sixth place with Jonathan Byrd (67), Tim Petrovic (68) and Fredrik Jacobson (69). They are at 11-under 205. — AFP

Match officials named

JOHANNESBURG: The International Cricket Council has named the match officials for the Champions Trophy final between title holders Australia and New Zealand at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Monday. Aleem Dar of Pakistan and Ian Gould of England will officiate the match, while Asad Rauf of Pakistan is the TV umpire. Roshan Mahanama of Sri Lanks is the match referee, while Billy Bowden of New Zealand has been named as the reserve umpire. — AFP

Capello warns Owen

WEMBLEY: England manager Fabio Capello has sent out a message to Michael Owen and Ledley King that, no matter how talented they are, they won't be going to the World Cup unless they prove their fitness will allow them to play every game. After eight straight group wins, Capello's team has qualified for next year's finals with two games to spare. "When I select a player, I expect a player to play every game, not wait 10 days to play another game. He has to be fit, this is the problem, always, every game, every training, every day." — AP