The Yorkshire County Cricket Club says Brian Close, the former England and Yorkshire captain, has died. He was 84. Close became the youngest player to make his test debut for England when he started against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1949, at 18 years and 149 days — a record which still stands. Yorkshire issued a statement yesterday confirming that Close had died on Sunday, and describing him “one of Yorkshire and England’s greatest ever captains and one of the game’s most courageous players.” Close, who also played for Somerset, scored 22,650 runs and captured 967 wickets in a 21-year stint at Yorkshire. He played his last first-class match at the age of 55 in 1985, finishing only six runs short of 35,000 career runs at that level.
Tennis – Djokovic beats Federer for 2nd US Open title, 10th major
After winning a point in the U.S. Open final, and bent on proving a point, Novak Djokovic leaped and roared and threw an uppercut, then glared at some of the thousands of spectators pulling for Roger Federer. Following another point in that game, Djokovic nodded as he smiled toward the stands. And moments later, Djokovic shook his right arm, bloodied by an early fall, and screamed, “Yes! Yes!” to celebrate a missed forehand by Federer. Djokovic appeared to be all alone out there in Arthur Ashe Stadium, trying to solve Federer while also dealing with a crowd loudly supporting the 17-time major champion proclaimed “arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport” during prematch introductions. In the end, Djokovic handled everything in a thrill-a-minute final on a frenetic night. Thwarting Federer with his relentless defense and unparalleled returning, Djokovic took control late and held on for a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Tennis – Date-Krumm beats Doi to reach 2nd round of Japan Open
Four-time champion Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan cruised into the second round of the Japan Open yesterday with a straight-set win over a player 20 years her junior. The 44-year-old Date-Krumm, ranked 160th, beat 83rd-ranked Misaki Doi of Japan 6-4, 6-2. Third-seeded Madison Brengle and No. 6 Christina McHale of the United States advanced in straight sets. Brengle, who made the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open, beat Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-3, 6-1, while McHale defeated Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 7-5.
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