Hughes' Worcestershire arrival delayed

Worcestershire have been forced to swap the dashing strokeplay of Phillip Hughes with the more measured approach of his fellow Australian Michael Klinger because Hughes' arrival at New Road has been delayed until late May due to his involvement in Austral

Federer discusses outdoor woes

Roger Federer discusses why he went through a 14-month title drought on outdoor hard courts. Federer won the Dubai title on outdoor hard courts last week, his first crown on cement since 2011 Doha.

"Part of it is where Novak [Djokovic] and [Andy] Murray have played really well on hard courts last season and I was extremely close the last couple of US Opens with match points in the semis [against Djokovic] and that would have given me the opportunity to be in the finals, and I believe I would have won at least one of the two and I didn't, I lost twice in semis. I've lost tough matches, but it also has something to do with the strength of Murray, Djokovic and Nadal."

Radwanska to Azarenka: Play fair

Agnieszka Radwanska  says she still not pleased with what occurred in the Doha semifinals in her loss to Victoria Azarenka, when she says the No. 1 was exaggerating injuries.

"Maybe she won the match or the tournament, but she lost a lot of respect because I don't think those kind of behavior is a good image for women's tennis," Radwanska told TENNIS.com and another journalist. "A lot of things happen on court, a lot of different situations but I think is not the level that you're doing that -- this is the highest level. She is No 1, top 10 for many years…"It's not like we're not going to talk anymore, but it's good to play fair play, off the court and on the court.

Azarenka said that she had already put the incident behind her.

"She's the same girl she was for me before," Azarenka said. "It's emotions. I'm the same girl I was before. I don't care about whatever. [Things can get heated in competition], but I don't take it personally." - Matt Cronin

Wozniacki willing to take losses to improve

Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki says she is willing to try out new elements in her game in live matches, even if she might take losses in order to reach her goals, which are to win a major and the Olympics.

"It's not easy to lose and I hate to lose and I don't know anything worse than losing," she told TENNIS.com and another reporter. "It's tough because you know you  have to break the barrier, but if you know the door is open and you just need to put your foot inside the door, it's worth taking that risk. I'm the kind of player who can take risks in a match and if it doesn't work out, I can always go back to my base and try to grind it out."

Wozniacki, who dismissed coach Ricardo Sanchez after just two months when the Australian Open was completed and now is just back to working with her father, Piotr, added that she can envision what type of game will take her back to the top.

"I see that game and I know I've played that game before, but you need to get there step by step and its all about timing, belief and getting matches under your belt and getting important points that make decision as to whether you win or lose,” she said. "It's small improvements. You wont see me doing serve and volleying and doing drop  shots. You shouldn't repair something that's not broken, I've been in top 5 for three years I must be doing something right." - Matt Cronin

Barisal named fourth semi-finalist after much confusion

It was initially announced that Chittagong Kings would play Duronto Rajshahi in the first semi-final. After meetings late into the night, however, the BPL announced that Barisal Burners, and not Chittagong, were through

Federer Welcomes Desert Calm

Roger Federer hasn’t always been a fan of the California desert, but now 30 and a father of two young girls, the Swiss admitted Wednesday he’s come to appreciate his visits to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

Flu crowned as Boca, Chivas impress

A Fred-inspired Fluminense beat Vasco da Gama in the Taca Guanabara final as Neymar inspired Santos to a resounding victory, while Boca Juniors maintained their impressive form and Guadalajara ended their winless run.

Favourites stumble as debutants shine

The AFC Champions League began in striking fashion with a host of debutants making their mark while former winners endured mixed fortunes, most notably Gamba Osaka and Jeonbuk Motors who both fell to stunning defeats.

APOEL continue dream with shoot-out win

APOEL's historic run in the UEFA Champions League continued as they booked a place in the quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out win over Lyon after the two sides had finished level 1-1 on aggregate.

Hampton, Barthel win on windy day at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP)â€"Keep the ball in the court. It sounds like the simplest approach possible to the game of tennis. But when the wind is swirling and gusting as it has been this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden there’s nothing simple about it.
 
Caroline Wozniacki, who won last year’s BNP Paribas Open, said when she practiced Tuesday evening “it was like a hurricane, it was so windy and cold.” The weather hadn’t changed much Wednesday, when the 12-day, $11 million event got under way with 16 women’s singles matches and winds gusting up to 20 mph.
 
Wozniacki, No. 4 in the world, didn’t have to play one of those matches. She was one of the 32 seeded players who got first-round byes. So she could sit and watch, and empathize with those who did.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said in those conditions “it’s not really about the tennis,” and Wozniacki said the only viable strategy is to “move your feet and play in the middle of the court - depending on how much wind there is, naturally. If it’s like this, it’s just about trying to get it over the net and inside the lines more than the other person.”
 
Wozniacki said experimenting with the tension of the racquet strings to alter the pace of the shots doesn’t help, either, “because from one side you’re hitting the ball hard and it doesn’t go anywhere and from the other side you hit it a little bit and it goes into the fence.”
 
American Jamie Hampton, who made her debut in the top 100 last week, had little trouble keeping her shots in the court and routed Polona Hercog of Slovakia, 6-1, 6-1, in the opening match on stadium court.
 
American Coco Vandeweghe felt she dealt with the wind fairly well in the first set of her match, too. After that it got difficult, however, and Vandeweghe lost to Jarmila Gajdosova, of Austria, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
 
The oldest player in the women’s field, 41-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan, was a 6-1, 6-3 winner over 26-year-old Pauline Parmentier of France. But American Jill Craybas, 37, lost to 21-year-old Mona Barthel of Germany, 6-1, 6-2. Barthel’s reward for the victory is a second-round match with top-ranked Victoria Azarenka.
 
Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic got the first win of the tournament, a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Laura Pous-Tio of Spain, and later in the day Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan, Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland, Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and Sorana Cirstea of Romania moved into the second round.
 
First round activity will continue Thursday, with the men joining the women and the forecast calling for temperature in the low 80s and winds under 10 mph.

Five-goal Messi sends Barça through

Lionel Messi scored five incredible goals, chipping hapless goalkeeper Bernd Leno on two occasions, to help Barcelona to a 7-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and clinch a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

France conquer as Canada take silver

FIFA.com rounds up the action from this year's Cyprus Women's Cup, where in-form France claimed the trophy for the first time with a 2-0 victory over Canada and Italy seized bronze.

APOEL dream continues in shoot-out win

APOEL Nicosia's dream run in the UEFA Champions League continued as they booked a place in the quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out win over Lyon after the two sides had finished level 1-1 on aggregate.

Federer: Time violations not being enforced

Roger Federer says that the time taken in between points is being violated and that officials do not properly enforce it enough. At the Grand Slams, The ITF allows 20 seconds between points, while the ATP allows 25 at its tournaments.

"I do believe the officials could be a bit more tough on timing," he told reporters at Indian Wells. "I'm not complaining a lot, but I don’t know how you can go through a four-hour match with Rafa [Nadal] and he never gets a time violation. It’s natural that even I would go over time, but they never call it. There are times when they could be a bit more firm. because at the end of the day, I don’t know if fans are getting frustrated to watch five points that are going to take us five minutes."

However, Federer is not in favor of installing shot clock.

"I hope it does not go that far. All of us should be able to agree of something that is possible. But you don’t want to lose fans because of that." â€" Matt Cronin

McCullum and Guptill resist South Africa's quicks

New Zealand's form batsmen of the summer were subjected to one of the sternest inquisitions of their careers as Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander put technique and temperament to the test in a vicious spell on the second morning

Defoe double steers Spurs into last eight

Stevenage went ahead within two minutes through a Joel Byrom penalty, but Tottenham replied through a Jermain Defoe brace either side of a Emmanuel Adebayor spot-kick to clinch a 3-1 win and move on to the quarter-finals.

Williams sisters to play World TeamTennis

NEW YORK (AP)â€"Serena Williams will make her only World TeamTennis appearance with the defending champion Washington Kastles on July 22 before heading to the London Olympics.

The WTT schedule was announced Wednesday. Williams will play in D.C. against the Kansas City Explorers.

Lindsay Davenport and the Orange County Breakers will host the Kastles at the UC Irvine campus July 9 to open the 37th WTT season.

Venus Williams of the Kastles will face Martina Hingis of the New York Sportimes on July 23 in Albany, N.Y., and play a home match the next night.

John Isner returns to the Boston Lobsters on July 23 against Philadelphia and will play July 24 in Albany.

The eight-team league runs from July 9-28, with the WTT finals Sept. 14-16 in Charleston, S.C.

Ljubicic To Retire Next Month

Ivan Ljubicic announced today that he will retire from the ATP World Tour after competing in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in April.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

Williams sisters, Davenport to play World TeamTennis

NEW YORK (AP)â€"Serena Williams will make her only World TeamTennis appearance with the defending champion Washington Kastles on July 22 before heading to the London Olympics.

The WTT schedule was announced Wednesday. Williams will play in D.C. against the Kansas City Explorers.

Lindsay Davenport and the Orange County Breakers will host the Kastles at the UC Irvine campus July 9 to open the 37th WTT season.

Venus Williams of the Kastles will face Martina Hingis of the New York Sportimes on July 23 in Albany, N.Y., and play a home match the next night.

John Isner returns to the Boston Lobsters on July 23 against Philadelphia and will play July 24 in Albany.

The eight-team league runs from July 9-28, with the WTT finals Sept. 14-16 in Charleston, S.C.

Luca predicts ‘the longest championship in the history of Formula 1′

I know there’s been plenty of hand-wringing over the performance of Ferrari during preseason tests. I wish what I was about to pass on to all you Ferrari fans would help alleviate that, a bit. But I don’t think it will. In a post today at the Ferrari site, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo had

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ICC acts after BPL fixing arrest

One player has been called into hearing by the BPL and ICC ACSU officials on Monday after a man was arrested the previous night for his suspected involvement in spot-fixing in the BPL

Juve stutter on day of draws

Juventus remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw with Bologna, however, are three points off pace of leaders AC Milan, while Parma salvaged a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, and Cesena were held goalless at home against Catania.

Muniain: We can achieve great things

Athletic Bilbao youngster Iker Muniain recently spoke with FIFA.com about his club's rise in form under Marcelo Bielsa, his anticipation for London 2012, and the possibility of claiming a place in Spain's squad for UEFA EURO 2012.

Green rulers of the ‘60s and ‘70s

FIFA.com looks at the tale of Saint Etienne, who won eight of their record ten Ligue 1 titles between 1964 and ’76, when they were just one step short of becoming European champions.

Mata: We’re all behind Di Matteo

Juan Mata has discussed the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, appointment of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea’s win over Birmingham City, forthcoming UEFA Champions League game against Napoli and Fernando Torres’s goal drought.

Unique F1 art collection unveiled in London

A unique exhibition of Formula One-inspired artwork was unveiled by artist Mark Dickens in London on Tuesday evening in an exclusive UK showing to over 100 guests, including dignitaries and media representatives from the worlds of motorsport and the arts.

FIFA Statement

FIFA has taken note of the draft resolution published today by the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Council of Europe titled "Good governance and ethics in sport" and has addressed certain inaccuracies.

Pirelli to use 2010 Renault for tyre testing

Official tyre supplier Pirelli have announced they will replace their current Toyota TF109 test car with the more contemporary Renault R30 for this season. The 2010 car will be adapted to simulate the latest technical and aerodynamic regulations to aid tyre development. With official in-season testing limited to one further session at Mugello in May, a test programme with a contemporary car will play a vital part in Pirelli's tyre development throughout the year.

Maria de Villota joins Marussia's test line-up

Marussia have announced that Maria de Villota has joined their testing line-up. De Villota has raced in a variety of single-seater and sports car categories, including Spanish Formula Three, the Daytona 24 Hours, Euroseries 3000 and the Superleague Formula championship. The Spaniard, daughter of former Formula One driver and British Formula One series champion Emilio de Villota, has already tested a Formula One car, having completed 300km of running for the Lotus (now Caterham) team at Paul Ricard last August. As well as working alongside the team's racers Timo Glock and Charles Pic, De Villota will have the chance to drive the MR01 during the year.

BCCI to issue new tender for broadcast, internet and mobile rights

The BCCI will issue a fresh tender for the broadcast, internet and mobile rights to cricket in India on March 10 and appears to have marginally raised its base price per game for its broadcast rights

ICC frames plan for 'unsafe' seriesÂ

The ICC has introduced a "special dispensation" to be made only in "exceptional circumstances" in order to ensure that bilateral series take place even if the ruling body has determined it "unsafe" to appoint its officials for such series

Rumours made Cairns 'barking' angry

Internet rumours that suggested Chris Cairns had been involved in match-fixing during his time with the Indian Cricket League had made him "barking" angry, according to his advisor Andrew Fitch-Holland, who gave evidence on the third day of Cairns' libel

Horner calls Button biggest threat to Vettel in 2012

Jenson Button is the biggest threat to Sebastian Vettel’s claiming a third-straight Formula 1 title, Red Bull boss Chrisitan Horner claims. But he also says we haven’t seen the best from the two-time champ. “We are yet to see the best from him,” Horner informed BBC Radio 5 live. “He will evolve and get stronger.” Now,

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PURE opportunity or hype?

This year finds Williams F1 running a Renualt engine instead of the Cosworth they had used for the past few years. This move to Renault power sees the team with the same shove as the title-winning Red Bull Racing and could level the playing field a little should engines matter…which they clearly do. While it’s

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Pirelli to use 2010 Renault for testing

Official tyre supplier Pirelli have announced they will replace their current Toyota TF109 test car with the more contemporary Renault R30 for this season. The 2010 car will be adapted to simulate the latest technical and aerodynamic regulations to aid tyre development. With official in-season testing limited to one further session at Mugello in May, a test programme with a contemporary car will play a vital part in Pirelli's tyre development throughout the year.

Rajasthan High Court stays Sanjay Dixit's suspension

The Rajasthan High Court has stayed the dismissal of suspended Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) secretary Sanjay Dixit, and passed an interim order directing that the status quo be maintained until further orders are issued

Coach Gonzalez leaves Santander

Racing Santander have parted company with coach Juan Jose Gonzalez after just four months in the post, with coaches Fede Castanos and Pablo Pinillos left to lead the team until a permanent appointment is made.

Udinese grab victory at Bologna

Antonio Di Natale, Dusan Basta, and Antonio Floro Flores all scored as Udinese claimed a 3-1 win over Bologna, whose reply through Panaiotis Kone was little consolation for the misfiring hosts.

Toulouse see off misfiring Sochaux

Goals from Aymen Abdennour and Emmanuel Riviere gave Toulouse a comfortable 2-0 win over a beleaguered Sochaux, who are without a win since November and goalless in their last four games.

Last-gasp Genoa draw Parma

Rodrigo Palacio scored in injury time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Genoa with Parma, who had Alessandro Lucarelli sent off as the end of the match finished in dramatic fashion.

Ganguly approached me before Mumbai Indians - Samuels

Marlon Samuels had to choose between Pune Warriors, who approached him first, and Mumbai Indians, led by his all-time favourite - Sachin Tendulkar. Being a man of his word, Samuels chose the former

Pisacane: I'm not that kind of guy

Italian footballer Fabio Pisacane talks about his decision to not only refuse the approach of a match-fixer, but his decision to go public and help do his part to end the nefarious practice.

African teams on the march

Spain remain top, but the biggest climbers in the March edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking all hail from Africa, with São Tomé e Príncipe shooting up a remarkable 53 places.

Mancini: City must not be complacent

Roberto Mancini has told his Manchester City team to remain focused in their quest for the Premier League title, and hailed the return of Yaya Toure from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Ayew gives Marseille edge over Inter

A dramatic Andre Ayew winner deep into injury time gave Marseille a 1-0 victory over an unlucky Inter Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 meeting.

From pub league to silver screen

USA defender Jay DeMerit completed an improbable journey from the lowest levels of English “pub league” football to playing at the FIFA World Cup™. Now, his story has been chronicled in an equally unlikely documentary film.