Russian men fail to fire-up home crowd
MOSCOW
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, top seed of the joint ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup tournament, crashed out of the event beaten by unheralded Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in straight sets.
The 24-year-old Cuevas won 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) in one hour 48 minutes to level his record with Davydenko, three-times a champion here (2004/06/07), at 1-1. It was not a good day for the Russian hopes as defending champion Mikhail Youzhny pulled out because he has not recovered after falling ill in
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, top seed of the joint ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup tournament, crashed out of the event beaten by unheralded Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in straight sets.
The 24-year-old Cuevas won 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) in one hour 48 minutes to level his record with Davydenko, three-times a champion here (2004/06/07), at 1-1. It was not a good day for the Russian hopes as defending champion Mikhail Youzhny pulled out because he has not recovered after falling ill in
Bale hits treble in Spurs loss, Rooneyless United win
PARIS
A second half Gareth Bale hat-trick enabled Tottenham Hotspur to limit the damage on Wednesday but was still not enough to stave off a Champions League loss at holders Inter Milan in a seven-goal thriller.
Manchester United, meanwhile, missing injured and want-away striker Wayne Rooney, thanked an early Nani goal to see off Turkey's Bursaspor at Old Trafford to go two points clear of Rangers in Group C after the Scots could only draw 1-1 at home to Valencia.
A second half Gareth Bale hat-trick enabled Tottenham Hotspur to limit the damage on Wednesday but was still not enough to stave off a Champions League loss at holders Inter Milan in a seven-goal thriller.
Manchester United, meanwhile, missing injured and want-away striker Wayne Rooney, thanked an early Nani goal to see off Turkey's Bursaspor at Old Trafford to go two points clear of Rangers in Group C after the Scots could only draw 1-1 at home to Valencia.
Top seed Jankovic crashes out of Kremlin Cup
MOSCOW
Top seed tennis player Jelena Jankovic crashed out of the Kremlin Cup at the first hurdle in a 6-1 6-2 thrashing by Kazakh teenager Zarina Diyas on Thursday.
Serbia's former world number one, who had a bye in the first round, looked out of sorts from the start, committing numerous errors and winning only 43 percent of her first serves. The 268th-ranked Diyas beat her in less than an hour.
Diyas, who had not won a tour match this year before this week, now takes
Top seed tennis player Jelena Jankovic crashed out of the Kremlin Cup at the first hurdle in a 6-1 6-2 thrashing by Kazakh teenager Zarina Diyas on Thursday.
Serbia's former world number one, who had a bye in the first round, looked out of sorts from the start, committing numerous errors and winning only 43 percent of her first serves. The 268th-ranked Diyas beat her in less than an hour.
Diyas, who had not won a tour match this year before this week, now takes
Hussey to miss decider
VISAKHAPATNAM
Cricketer Batsman Mike Hussey will return to Australia ahead of the third and final one-day international against India, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.
Hussey will return to play in West Australia's Sheffield Shield match with South Australia. "Mike (Hussey) will have a few days off and then resume cricket in the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and West Australia commencing on Oct 29 at Adelaide Oval," national selection panel chairman
Cricketer Batsman Mike Hussey will return to Australia ahead of the third and final one-day international against India, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.
Hussey will return to play in West Australia's Sheffield Shield match with South Australia. "Mike (Hussey) will have a few days off and then resume cricket in the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and West Australia commencing on Oct 29 at Adelaide Oval," national selection panel chairman
Bollinger back home with injury
SYDNEY
Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger has been sent home from the one-day series against India with an abdominal strain, team officials said Thursday, raising further injury concerns before the Ashes.
Middle-order batsman Mike Hussey, who is returning to play for his domestic side West Australia, will accompany Bollinger. Bollinger also missed the second Test against India with an abdominal problem.
Sims said Bollinger would undergo further assessment and
Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger has been sent home from the one-day series against India with an abdominal strain, team officials said Thursday, raising further injury concerns before the Ashes.
Middle-order batsman Mike Hussey, who is returning to play for his domestic side West Australia, will accompany Bollinger. Bollinger also missed the second Test against India with an abdominal problem.
Sims said Bollinger would undergo further assessment and
Lillee backs Aussie bowlers to decide Ashes battle
LONDON
Australia cricket legend Dennis Lillee believes his country will regain the Ashes from England because Ricky Ponting's team has a stronger bowling attack.
Lillee, who took 355 wickets in 70 Tests from 1971 to 1984, knows what it takes to win the Ashes after forming a lethal partnership with Jeff Thomson to destroy England in the 1974-75 series in Australia.
While Australia's current crop of bowlers may not be in the same class as Lillee and Thomson, the fiery
Australia cricket legend Dennis Lillee believes his country will regain the Ashes from England because Ricky Ponting's team has a stronger bowling attack.
Lillee, who took 355 wickets in 70 Tests from 1971 to 1984, knows what it takes to win the Ashes after forming a lethal partnership with Jeff Thomson to destroy England in the 1974-75 series in Australia.
While Australia's current crop of bowlers may not be in the same class as Lillee and Thomson, the fiery
Khan wants to forget the past
LAHORE
Pakistan's former captain Younis Khan said Thursday he wanted to move on from bitter troubles this year and rebuild his career, after winning back a place in the national team.
The 32-year-old resolved a long-running battle with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday and was immediately picked to play for Pakistan's limited over series against South Africa starting next week.
"I am happy to be back and eager to play for my country," Younis told reporters. "I
Pakistan's former captain Younis Khan said Thursday he wanted to move on from bitter troubles this year and rebuild his career, after winning back a place in the national team.
The 32-year-old resolved a long-running battle with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday and was immediately picked to play for Pakistan's limited over series against South Africa starting next week.
"I am happy to be back and eager to play for my country," Younis told reporters. "I
Schleck team signs Italian sprinter Bennati
PARIS: Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati has signed a two-year deal with the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project, where brothers Andy and Frank Schleck will carry hopes of winning the Tour de France yellow jersey.
Bennati has joined compatriots Davide Vigano and first-year pro Giacomo Nizzolo, as well as Portugese Bruno Pires in signing for the team. "Bennati is such a classy rider and we are very happy to have him," general manager Brian Nygaard said.
"He is really passionate
Bennati has joined compatriots Davide Vigano and first-year pro Giacomo Nizzolo, as well as Portugese Bruno Pires in signing for the team. "Bennati is such a classy rider and we are very happy to have him," general manager Brian Nygaard said.
"He is really passionate
S.Korea GP fails to draw big crowds
YEONGAM: After three years of work, a 275 million dollar investment and frantic last-minute building work, Formula One comes to South Korea this weekend on what is touted as Asia's best circuit.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has predicted the world will watch a "great race", on a 5.6-kilometre (3.5-mile) track featuring a mix of corners, long straights and good overtaking opportunities.
But ticket sales have been slow and big business groups have shunned the opportunity to
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has predicted the world will watch a "great race", on a 5.6-kilometre (3.5-mile) track featuring a mix of corners, long straights and good overtaking opportunities.
But ticket sales have been slow and big business groups have shunned the opportunity to
Bangladesh team showered with gifts
DHAKA: Bangladesh's national cricketers have been showered with gifts including new cars and plots of land in the smartest part of the capital Dhaka after the team's home series victory over New Zealand.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a reception for captain Shakib Al Hasan and his men late Tuesday after Bangladesh recorded their first series win over a major opposition team with a 4-0 clean sweep of one-day internationals.
"It's a glorious accomplishment for the
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a reception for captain Shakib Al Hasan and his men late Tuesday after Bangladesh recorded their first series win over a major opposition team with a 4-0 clean sweep of one-day internationals.
"It's a glorious accomplishment for the
Kohli stars as India continue domination
VISAKHAPATNAM: Young Virat Kohli overcame a bout of cramps to make a career-best 118 as India posted a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be
The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be
Federer ready to take back lost crown
STOCKHOLM: Roger Federer has endured his leanest season on the men's circuit since 2001 but the Swiss maestro is already plotting a way to grab back the number one ranking from rival Rafael Nadal.
World number two Federer cannot dislodge his Spanish bogeyman from the top spot this year but that has not stopped the Swiss from planning his goals for 2011. "For me it's not that important to be two, three or four. Sure you would like to be ranked as high as possible but for me it's
World number two Federer cannot dislodge his Spanish bogeyman from the top spot this year but that has not stopped the Swiss from planning his goals for 2011. "For me it's not that important to be two, three or four. Sure you would like to be ranked as high as possible but for me it's
Korea’s Seongnam reach Champions League final
EONGNAM: South Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa qualified for final of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 win over the Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Forward Cho Dong-Geon struck home the only goal in the 30th minute, allowing his side to tighten up their defence for the remainder of the game. The result made the tie 4-4 on aggregate, but the Koreans went through thanks to their superior number of away goals.
It was sweet revenge for the seven-time K-League champions, who
Forward Cho Dong-Geon struck home the only goal in the 30th minute, allowing his side to tighten up their defence for the remainder of the game. The result made the tie 4-4 on aggregate, but the Koreans went through thanks to their superior number of away goals.
It was sweet revenge for the seven-time K-League champions, who
High-flying Man City eye Europa top spot
PARIS: Manchester City may have grander ambitions than the Europa League, but the big-spending Premier League club can take a big step towards the knockout phase with a win over Lech Poznan on Thursday.
The Polish side are the surprise leaders of Group A after two matches, heading City on goal difference, while Italian aristocrats Juventus are third, two points adrift.
City supporters of a certain vintage will be heartened by the opposition being Polish as their last
The Polish side are the surprise leaders of Group A after two matches, heading City on goal difference, while Italian aristocrats Juventus are third, two points adrift.
City supporters of a certain vintage will be heartened by the opposition being Polish as their last
Real outclass Milan as Chelsea, Arsenal impress
PARIS: Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 win over AC Milan in the clash of the Champions League heavyweights on Tuesday, while English powerhouses Chelsea and Arsenal both recorded impressive victories.
The match at the Santiago Bernabeu pitted together two teams with 16 European Cups between them, but Milan were no match for nine-time champions Real, who went three points clear in Group G. After a start full of intent from Jose Mourinho's men, the damage was done in the space of one
The match at the Santiago Bernabeu pitted together two teams with 16 European Cups between them, but Milan were no match for nine-time champions Real, who went three points clear in Group G. After a start full of intent from Jose Mourinho's men, the damage was done in the space of one
Injured Yousaf bows out
LAHORE: Pakistan suffered a serious blow on Wednesday with experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf ruled out of the limited over series against South Africa next week, team manager Intikhab Alam said.
The 36-year-old ruptured a muscle in his right leg during training last week and Alam said the injury was serious. "Yousuf has informed us of the gravity of the injury and, since its a second grade tear of the muscle, he will not be able to play in the limited over series but he will be
The 36-year-old ruptured a muscle in his right leg during training last week and Alam said the injury was serious. "Yousuf has informed us of the gravity of the injury and, since its a second grade tear of the muscle, he will not be able to play in the limited over series but he will be
Suspended trio barred from National Cricket Academy
LAHORE: The Pakistani captain, along with the two speedsters, who were suspended over allegations of spot fixing have been barred from practising at the national academy until investigations are complete, an official said on Wednesday.
Former Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month during Pakistan's tour of England, were turned away from the academy late on Tuesday.
"A written
Former Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month during Pakistan's tour of England, were turned away from the academy late on Tuesday.
"A written
