BUENOS ARIES: Spain claimed its third Davis Cup title since 2000 as Fernando Verdasco defeated Jose Acasuso 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to clinch a 3-1 victory over Argentina. The winners managed to complete their trophy hat trick in the worldwide team competition without the services of Rafael Nadal, out with a knee injury.The victory ended the Argentine victory run at home at 13 straight ties. Spain becomes the seventh nation in the Cup's 108-year history to win three or more titles.Spain won the Cup in 2004 over the US in Sevilla and in 2000 against Australia in Barcelona.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
Comments