Defending champ Ivanovic ousted from French

PARIS - Defending champion Ana Ivanovic was eliminated from the French Open in the fourth round Sunday, losing to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-2, 6-3.

The eighth-seeded Serb did little right on Court Suzanne Lenglen, converting only two of her five break points and making 20 unforced errors.

Before the final game of the first set, Ivanovic called for a trainer to look at her neck. Azarenka then held to take the lead, and broke Ivanovic’s serve in the first and third games of the second set to take a 4-0 lead.

Ivanovic won her only Grand Slam tournament title at last year’s French Open.

The 19-year-old Azarenka lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros last year, and will next be playing in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

Maria Sharapova rallied again, moving into the fourth round by beating Li Na of China 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.

Sharapova is making her return to Grand Slam tennis after almost a year off due to a right shoulder injury. She lost the first set of her matches in the first and third rounds, and lost the middle set in the second round.

The three-time major champion needs only a title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam.

Dinara Safina had a much easier time on center court, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Aravane Rezai of France.

The top-seeded Safina won 11 straight games to close out the match. She has lost only five games through four rounds of the clay-court major, and has won four of the eight sets she has played at love.

“I’m just surprised that it’s really like five games that I lost before getting into the quarters,” Safina said. “It’s not a bad feeling, and I hope if I continue like this I can go a long way.”

Safina took over the No. 1 ranking this year, but has yet to win a Grand Slam title. She lost to Ivanovic in last year’s French Open final, and fell to Serena Williams in this year’s Australian Open title match.

But since taking over the top spot in the women’s rankings, Safina said things have been easier on her.

“It was too much pressure for me,” Safina said of the rise to the top. “It was always going on the court not to lose a match, and of course it’s always difficult to play when you step on the court and you’re afraid of losing.

“So I think once I go to No. 1 spot, I took it (off) my shoulders. Like, OK, I’m there where I wanted to be. Now I just want to go out there and play.”

No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova also reached the quarterfinals in the women’s draw at Roland Garros. The 20-year-old Slovak beat No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-2, 6-4 in a sloppy match that had a combined 17 winners and 66 unforced errors.

ALSO ON THIS STORYVote: Who will win women's title?
  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

 Slide show 

Safina rolls, Venus struggles, Maria survives
East Notes: Rough start for Crew

Perez prepares Ronaldo pounce

Real Madrid's president-in-waiting Florentino Perez is keen to take Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain.

Perez is set to return to the helm at Santiago Bernabeu for a second term this summer after his three rivals in the race for office pulled out.

He previously oversaw events in the Spanish capital for six years between 2000 and 2006, and was responsible for the infamous 'Galacticos' era.

Perez has promised to adopt a similar transfer policy this time around, with the world's best players already being linked with a move to Real.

Manchester United forward Ronaldo has been a target for some time, and was the subject of a protracted transfer saga last summer.

He was persuaded to stay in England on that occasion but speculation continues to suggest that he will be on the move this time around.

Real claim to already have an agreement in place for the World Player of the Year and Perez admits he would be keen to push that deal through.

Interest

"He's a player that would be very good if he came to Real Madrid," he said.

"What I know is what I've read, that there is an agreement by means of which he would come for Ј80million..."

Asked if he would be prepared to sanction such a deal, Perez added: "Next week we will look at the numbers and nobody should doubt that we are going to design with our sporting advisors a spectacular project."

Perez has also confirmed his interest in acquiring AC Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka.

"Until the competitions finish we are not going to talk with the clubs, but I've always spoken of my great relationship with (Milan vice-president Adriano) Galliani and this relationship maybe makes it easier that Kaka comes to Madrid.

"I've talked with Galliani many times about football and also about Kaka, but this is a theme that we have to postpone until after Sunday."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Ronaldo's club start PL 2009/10. Click here to bet.


Late goals haunt Real Salt Lake in draw with LA
Onieva - Ronaldo price madness

La Liga round-up

Atletico Madrid clinched fourth place ahead of Villarreal, while Valencia secured sixth to also qualify for Europe.

Barcelona were crowned UEFA Champions League winners on Wednesday following a magnificent 2-0 victory over Manchester United.

Having already won the domestic double, Pep Guardiola decided to make changes for the final game of a historic campaign.

Deportivo La Coruna needed to beat Barca to stand any chance of finishing sixth and they made the perfect start as Rodolfo Bodipo fired them ahead after 31 minutes.

However, Samuel Eto'o grabbed a last-minute equaliser to ensure Barca did not end their season with three consecutive league defeats.

Deportivo would have missed out on the final Europa League spot anyway after Valencia beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home.

David Villa opened the scoring after seven minutes and netted his second of the evening in the 90th minute to seal the three points.

Bilbao will join Valencia in the Europa League despite finishing in the bottom half of the Primera Division table, having lost to Barca in the Copa del Rey final.

Villarreal are the third side to make it into the inaugural Europa League, although they had hoped to qualify for the Champions League.

Atletico Madrid started the final round of games two points clear of Villarreal and maintained their advantage courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Almeria.

Sergio Aguero broke the deadlock in the 19th minute and Raul Garcia made it 2-0 before half-time.

Diego Forlan then added a third after the break as Atletico registered a sixth straight win.

Villarreal ended the season with a four-game unbeaten run following a 3-2 success at Real Mallorca.

Ruben Gracia's opener was cancelled out by Aritz Aduriz but Joseba Llorente put Villarreal back in front five minutes before half-time.

Llorente's second gave the visitors a two-goal cushion and it proved important as Pierre Webo netted late on for Mallorca.

Primera Liga round-up
La Liga round-up
Gaven’s goal gives Crew first win of 2009 season

Espanyol move for Nakamura

Espanyol have made a move to sign Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, according to the player's agent.

Nakamura is free to leave Celtic next month as his current contract is due to expire.

Celtic are believed to have tabled an offer to keep the Japanese playmaker, while his old club Yokohama Marinos are keen to lure him back to his homeland.

Nakamura's future at Celtic looks uncertain following the departure of Gordon Strachan and clubs across Europe are lining up moves for the player.

Nakamura's representative, Roberto Takuda claims Espanyol have made an approach for the 30-year-old schemer.

"It is true they (Espanyol) have approached us," Takuda told Daily Sports newspaper.

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Multiple Trophies 09/10 Win special: SPL & CIS Cup 4/1


TFC’s Guevara earns Player of the Week
Laporta - Messi a genius

Dokic's Dad on trial over threatening ambassador

RUMA, Serbia (AP) -Australian tennis player Jelena Dokic's father went on trial Friday in his native Serbia on charges that he threatened the Australian ambassador.

Damir Dokic could face up to eight years in prison if found guilty of "endangering the security'' of the ambassador and unlawful possession of weapons.

Dokic appeared calm as he arrived under police escort at the court in Ruma, a town about 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Belgrade.

He was arrested earlier this month after reportedly saying he would blow up ambassador Clair Birgin's car if she didn't stop negative articles about him from being published in Australia. Jelena Dokic had given interviews to Australian media, saying her father had beaten her.

Dokic had told Serbian media he would fire a rocket launcher at Birgin's car, but later said the statements were made in anger. He also has admitted having beaten his daughter.

Jelena Dokic, born in the former Yugoslavia, migrated to Australia with her family as a child and represented her adopted country at the 2000 Olympics. She renounced her Australian ties in 2001 to move back to Serbia, then decided to compete for Australia again in 2006.

The 26-year-old Dokic is ranked No. 72. She retired from a second-round match at the French Open while leading against fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva after twisting her back.

Dokic says father physically abused her
Capsules on top women’s French Open players
Dynamo seek first road win in New England

More French frustration for Venus

PARIS - Out of breath and out of sorts, Venus Williams played her way right out of the French Open on Friday with her most lopsided Grand Slam loss since 2001.

That the No. 3-seeded Williams would exit in the third round at Roland Garros is not quite so extraordinary, perhaps, considering she now has left this particular Grand Slam tournament at this precise stage in four of the past five years.

That Williams would lose the way she did — 6-0, 6-4 — and to the player she did — 29th-seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary, whose resume boasts a lone major quarterfinal appearance — was anything but ordinary.

“I’m used to beating people 6-0. I’m not used to my shot not going in and losing a set 6-0,” Williams said. “So it completely was foreign ground for me.”

The red clay of Paris often feels that way to the older Williams sister, whose seven Grand Slam singles titles were earned at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Based on seeding and name, her departure qualifies as by far the tournament’s most significant.

Hours later, Maria Sharapova appeared headed in the same direction. Like Williams, Sharapova hasn’t won the French Open, and she, too, slogged through three sets in each of her first two matches this week, then looked awful at the start Friday.

But Sharapova, surgically repaired right shoulder and all, did what Williams couldn’t: She pulled herself together and moved into the fourth round. Sharapova came back to beat 98th-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

While Sharapova found herself in yet another two-hour-plus test, No. 1 Dinara Safina and defending champion Ana Ivanovic won easily. Four-time reigning champion Rafael Nadal made things look simple against former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, beating him 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, and No. 3 Andy Murray, No. 8 Fernando Verdasco, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko and No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez also reached the fourth round.

“I dug a nice pothole for myself there. That’s kind of what I’ve been doing the last few rounds,” Sharapova said. “I don’t think she came up with great shots in order to win that first set. I honestly believe that I was making easy errors.”

Williams offered a similar assessment after finishing with more than twice as many unforced errors (23) as winners (10) against Szavay.

“She hung in there. She played really well, but I definitely have to attribute that loss to, you know, to me not being able to execute what I wanted to on the court,” Williams said. “It seemed every shot I tried, somehow, it found a way to go out.”

Her mother, Oracene Price, offered an explanation: She thought Williams was wiped out after her second-round match began Wednesday, was suspended by darkness, then was completed Thursday. Williams was forced to save a match point before winning that one.

“Sometimes a match is so emotional, kind of draining mentally,” Price said. “And then she didn’t really get her real rest.”

Williams’ father, Richard, said after Thursday’s victory that his daughter was dealing with a knee problem. She often was out of position against Szavay, who held her own in the kind of baseline exchanges Williams can dominate more easily on faster surfaces.

It was the 14th time in 662 career matches that Williams was shut out in a set, and her only worse defeat in Grand Slam play was a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Martina Hingis in the 2001 Australian Open semifinals.

“I said, ’Fight! Try to find some fire!’ She just didn’t have it, couldn’t bring it out today, for some reason,” Price said. “Probably doesn’t understand it herself.”

Neither, really, did Szavay, whose only real blip came when she double-faulted, then put a forehand into the net, allowing Williams to break for a 4-3 lead in the second set. But Williams wouldn’t win another game, double-faulting to get broken right back, then adding to her error count the rest of the way.

An awkward, out-of-position forehand by Williams landed in the net, putting Szavay one point from completing the upset.

“I started to think, ’Oh, my God, I have match point against Venus,”’ Szavay said.

If she was nervous, it didn’t show, and when Williams slapped one last backhand into the net, the match was over and Szavay was skipping to the net with glee.

ALSO ON THIS STORYVote: Who will win?
  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

Later Friday, Williams teamed with sister Serena to reach the third round in doubles with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over — guess who? — Szavay and Gisela Dulko. Little consolation to someone whose mother says Williams’ “major focus right now” is trying to add a French Open or Australian Open singles title to her collection.

“Every time she gets here, it’s just weird,” Price said. “It’s like the players know, ’I’ve got a chance now.’ I think the players go, ’I’ve got a better chance on clay than any other surface.”’

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: Kobe makes sure Lakers return to Finals
Duff: Sid the Kid close to graduation  |  Perfect NHL player?
Baseball: Taking the ultimate road trip  |  Our guide
Austin: Venus falls flat in Paris  |    French Open highlights
Boxing: Is Tyson doomed to tragic life?  |    Images

 

Capsules on top women’s French Open players
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth
Safina rolls, Venus struggles, Maria survives
Seattle claims spot in Open Cup with win over Rapids

Kaka happy in Milan

Kaka has once again looked to play down rumours regarding his future by pledging his allegiance to AC Milan.

Reports continue to link the Brazilian superstar with a big-money summer move to Real Madrid.

Kaka has grown accustomed to the ongoing furore surrounding his position in Italy, and has never suggested that he is looking to leave his current employers.

That remains his stance for now, as the former World Player of the Year insists he is happy at the San Siro.

"I have always said that I feel really good at Milan," he said.

Kaka insists his sole focus at present is to ensure that Milan book a safe passage into the group stages of next season's UEFA Champions League.

A third place finish, or better, in Serie A would allow Carlo Ancelotti's side to achieve that ambition, but their final game of the 2008/09 campaign takes them to Fiorentina this Sunday - the only side who can overtake them.

"It's going to be a special week, a really delicate one," said Kaka.

"We are facing a really difficult task, but we must ensure that we get into the Champions League."

Kaka in Milan pledge
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
European review

No move for Martinez

Athletic Bilbao insist they have received no approach from Liverpool for Javi Martinez.

The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield of late, with Rafa Benitez reported to be ready to return to Spain in search of new recruits.

The Reds are believed to have had scouts run the rule over 20-year-old Martinez on a number of recent outings, and have been suitably impressed by what they have seen.

A big-money move has been widely touted, but Bilbao claim no such offer has been forthcoming.

"We know there is interest from some clubs in Javi Martinez, and that Liverpool have sent scouts to matches, but the club has received no bids," a spokesman for the Basque club told skysports.com .

History

"We have no intention of selling him, but it is normal that we will study any offers that are made."

Martinez, meanwhile, has admitted that he would welcome the prospect of a switch to Anfield.

"The rumours are not affecting me. I am very calm," he said.

"If an offer is received, then I will speak with the club.

"Liverpool are a great club with a great history and any player would like to be in their squad."

Martinez doubts Gomez return
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
Philadelphia Union unveil name, logo

Giggs - Ronaldo should stay

Ryan Giggs has urged Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to resist Real Madrid again and stay at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo was courted by the Spanish giants last summer, with reports suggesting the Portuguese winger wanted to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

United stood firm and persuaded Ronaldo to remain with the club, but there is speculation Real will make a renewed attempt to sign the 24-year-old over the coming weeks.

However, speaking ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona, Giggs believes Ronaldo's career would be best served by staying at United.

Giggs expects Real to come back with a fresh bid to entice Ronaldo away, but he feels his team-mate can continue to improve his game under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Stable

"He is at the best club," Giggs told The Sun .

"Cristiano has proved he is the best player in the world over the last couple of years and he has done that at United, so why leave?

"He's still a young player, still learning the game and can still improve. He can do that at United.

"Real Madrid will come back purely because of the club they are and the history they have got.

"But United are more stable in the fact there are no presidential elections and the manager's been here so long."

Giggs is also confident that Ronaldo will relish the clash with Barcelona in Rome, having scored in last season's final against Chelsea.

The Welshman added: "He's a big-game player. He was brilliant last season in the final and scored, and he thrives on those games."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Barcelona v Man Utd 1st Goalscorer: Giggs, R. 18/1


Ronaldo - Real dream is over
The Commissioner Speaks
Onieva - Ronaldo price madness

Djokovic completes third set, advances

PARIS - Defending champion Rafael Nadal had little trouble at the French Open on Friday, defeating former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.

“Always a win against Lleyton is a very good news,” said Nadal, who is trying to become the only person to win five straight French Open titles. “You must be playing well.”

Novak Djokovic reached the third round in the men’s tournament, quickly completing his suspended match by easily winning the final set and beating Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic won the first two sets Thursday, but the match was stopped because of darkness. He broke Stakhovsky to open the third set and had little trouble the rest of the way.

“It’s not pleasant when you don’t finish a match in one day,” Djokovic said. “But I was lucky to come back and be two sets up.”

Djokovic won his only Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open, but the Serb has reached at least the semifinals at all four major tournaments.

Seventh-seeded Gilles Simon of France was eliminated by No. 30 Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Hanescu won three matches in a row for the first time this year.

No. 29 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany also advanced to the third round, beating 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in another match suspended by darkness Thursday night.

No. 8 Fernando Verdasco of Spain, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and No. 13 Marin Cilic of Croatia reached the fourth round.

Andy Murray advanced when Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia retired while trailing 7-6 (3), 6-3 on Friday.

ALSO ON THIS STORYVote: Who will win?
  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

The third-seeded Murray has never before reached the fourth round at Roland Garros.

Last year, Murray lost in the third round. In his only other appearance at the French Open in 2006, he lost in the first round.

Also on NBCSports.com

Baseball: Taking the ultimate road trip  |  Our guide
Ventre: Lakers finally showing killer instinct
NHL: If healed, Wings will deal with Pens again  |  Matchups
Boxing: Is Tyson doomed to tragic life?  |    Images
Austin: Sharapova shows fine form at French Open

 

Seattle claims spot in Open Cup with win over Rapids
Djokovic and Murray reach 3rd round at Monte Carlo
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth

Five to watch: Federer looks to cut down on errors

1. Most tennis fans are surely clamoring for another epic Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal final at Roland Garros. Nadal has been doing his part, most recently dismantling Lleyton Hewitt, and now it will be Federer's turn as the No. 2 seed faces France's own Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Mathieu has made it to the fourth round of the French Open twice and most recently last year. He has four career titles and achieved his highest world ranking of No. 12 just more than a year ago, so Federer cannot afford to take this match up lightly.

Federer looked dominant in his first round match up against Alberto Martin, but he labored through a four set win over Jose Acasuso, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2. Federer has had his serve going, notching 21 aces in his two matches, but he's also been troubled by unforced errors with 29 in the first round and 45 in the second. Will Federer be able to stay on a collision course with the King of Clay, Nadal?

2. Will Serena suffer the same fate as her sister? Venus Williams suffered a shocking loss to Agnes Szavay, 6-0, 6-4. The younger Serena will face off with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. After struggling through an opening round win over Klara Zakopalova, the No. 2 seeded Serena coasted by Virginia Ruana Pascual, 6-2, 6-0. She went from 35 unforced errors in her first match down to just 14 in her second. She had four double faults in the opening round, but didn't suffer any in round two. Will Serena be able to stay focused and keep her mistakes at a minimum?

3. Can Andy Roddick make it past the third round of the French Open for the first time in his career? Roland Garros has been a virtual house of horrors for Roddick, but he is doing his best to put that behind him. His best performance at the French had been making it to the third round, a feat he only achieved once before this year (2001). Roddick has yet to drop a set, so a fourth round appearance could be in his future. The No. 6 seed has notched just 24 unforced errors in his first two matches while racking up 63 winners and 26 aces. Can Roddick continue his high level of play against France's Marc Gicquel?

4. Will Elena Dementieva take advantage of her second chance? It looked like the No. 4 seed was headed for a second round exit in her match against Jelena Dokic. Dementieva dropped the first set, 6-2 and was struggling in the second set before going up 4-3 before Dokic had to retire due to a lower back injury. Dementieva may have come back and won the match anyway, but she has to feel like she has been given a second chance. She double faulted six times and committed 20 unforced errors in her abbreviated second round match, both numbers she'll need to work on to keep advancing. Will she be able to regain form against Samantha Stosur?

5. Can Jo-Wilfried Tsonga continue to take advantage of the home court advantage. After No. 7 Gilles Simon fell, Tsonga, the No. 9 seed, is the highest ranked French player remaining. This is just Tsonga's second appearance in the French Open, but he burst onto the scene as a player to be reckoned with in 2008 as he made it to the finals of the Australian Open as an unranked player. He took the first set in the finals against Novak Djokovic, the only set Djokovic dropped in the entire tournament, but had to settle for runner up. He came back with a quarterfinals appearance this year and looks to keep his momentum going at Roland Garros.

Also on NBCSports.com

Baseball: Taking the ultimate road trip  |  Our guide
Ventre: Lakers finally showing killer instinct
NHL: If healed, Wings will deal with Pens again  |  Matchups
Boxing: Is Tyson doomed to tragic life?  |    Images
Austin: Sharapova shows fine form at French Open

 

Capsules on top women’s French Open players
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth
Kohlschreiber and Bolelli advance at Monte Carlo

Pellegrini focused on Villarreal

Manuel Pellegrini says he is focusing on Villarreal's final game of the season after being linked with the Real Madrid job.

Reports in Spain have claimed that Real presidential candidate Florentino Perez has settled on Pellegrini as his choice of coach.

Perez is tipped to present the Chilean next Tuesday, but Pellegrini would not be drawn on his plans for next season.

Instead, he is hoping to overhaul Atletico Madrid on the final day of the campaign to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League.

"Now, my objective is to win this weekend and to fight for a position in the Champions League for Villarreal," Pellegrini told reporters.

Villarreal defender Gonzalo Rodriguez, who has signed a new contract until 2014, is hoping Pellegrini will stay at the club.

Rodriguez said of the Real rumours: "I do not know anything about that, it is not an issue for me, but hopefully he will stay here with us as he is a great coach for Villarreal.

"In football there are always many changes and, if one day he has to go, he will be remembered a lot here."

Red Bulls feeling pressure to perform
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
Pires pens new deal
Senna out of Gunners tie

Ruud return looks likely

Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to be fit in time for next season.

The Dutch striker is recovering from knee surgery which has kept him out of action since November.

Now on the road to recovery, the 32-year-old hopes to be back in action by August but insists he will not rush his return.

"I will start some gentle jogging next week," he told Real Madrid TV.

"The pre-season starts more or less in mid-July and if all goes well I think I'll be able to join up with the group again in the first weeks of August."

Speculation

The Dutchman went on to quash rumours he may be leaving the club having been linked with a move to Galatasaray.

"I have a year left on my contract and I'm very happy," he said.

"I'm going to remain here, I have no doubts. I will recover and I return to play in the Santiago Bernabeu."

Ruud nears training return
Chivas gain modicum of revenge on RSL
Reds join Negredo chase

Wenger wanted Henry stay

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was powerless to prevent Thierry Henry leaving Arsenal in 2007.

The Gunners boss admits he tried to persuade the Frenchman to remain at Emirates Stadium and be the leader of his exciting young side.

However, Henry felt he would be unable to match his ambition in North London and instead packed his bags for Barcelona.

That decision has been vindicated during a 2008/09 campaign which has seen the Catalan giants land an historic Treble - the Primera Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

Wenger is pleased to see his former charge enjoying considerable success, accepting that he could not have offered such opportunities in England.

"Thierry wanted to leave. It was his decision," the Frenchman told L'Equipe .

World class

"I tried to convince him to stay. But do you know why I let him leave? He told me: 'You will have a great team in two or three years, but I can't wait that long because I am 30 years old and I have to win trophies in the next few years'.

"At Barcelona he endured a very difficult first season and because of that I am happy for what he has achieved this term. He has convinced everybody that he is a world-class player."

While Wenger was prepared to let Henry leave in order to chase his dreams elsewhere, he has made it clear that he has no intention of letting any of his current crop of talent follow a similar path.

"It is not the same [if another player said he did not want to wait for trophies]," he added.

"Thierry played a long time for us, nobody else did that and he was close to the end of his career. All these players [in the current squad] are at the start of their careers so it's completely different.

"I think the exact opposite now - I don't see why we should educate the players, get some stick and when they're ready we sell them. That would be masochistic."

Henry - Win is unbelievable
Hill-Wood - Wenger will stay
The Commissioner Speaks

Venus rallies for three-set win at French Open

PARIS - One point from an early exit at the French Open, one point from another disappointing Grand Slam defeat, Venus Williams avoided focusing on any such negativity.

“I wasn’t thinking,” she said of that crucial moment. “Not at all.”

The third-seeded Williams smacked a backhand to erase that match point Thursday, then completed a comeback against 46th-ranked Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic by taking the last three games of a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-5 victory in the second round at Roland Garros.

“Nothing but guts. Courage. Venus was suffering with a little knee pain in her left knee,” said Richard Williams, her father and coach. “Venus today just wouldn’t give up. She kept coming and coming.”

Both of his daughters moved into the third round Thursday, although Serena had a much easier time than Venus, routing 133rd-ranked Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain 6-2, 6-0.

The clay of Roland Garros slows the sisters’ powerful serves and groundstrokes, and Venus Williams lost in the French Open’s third round in three of the past four years. Her last major tournament was even less successful: She was upset in the second round of the Australian Open in January.

Not that such setbacks stay with the older sister for long.

“I just usually congratulate myself on doing something good and correct the bad and not dwell,” said Venus Williams, a seven-time major champion. “Dwelling can kill you on the court.”

Still, she did admit stewing a bit overnight. Her match against Safarova was suspended because of darkness after she lost the first set tiebreaker on Wednesday.

“I was very angry,” Williams said. “I really wanted that tiebreaker. She just came up with shot after shot, you know — on the line, deep, hard.”

Safarova, a one-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, managed to do more of the same in Thursday’s final set.

“It’s a great effort to play with Venus like this,” Safarova said.

She might have less strength, less variety to her game and less experience, but she was able to hang in there, even finishing with a 29-19 edge in groundstroke winners.

“She was playing well,” Williams said, “but I felt like I deserved it.”

A light rain was falling, and the crowd at Court Suzanne Lenglen was sparse and mostly silent for stretches. Until, that is, at 3-all in the third set, when Safarova double-faulted to hand Williams a break point.

As the second serve missed the mark, one person’s applause and yell of “Come on, Venus, baby! That’s right!” pierced the air. It was Richard Williams’ companion; instead of sitting in the players’ guest box, they chose front-row spots along a sideline, near where Safarova happened to be serving in that game.

Spectators responded by booing and whistling. And when Williams sailed a forehand long to waste that break point, the no-longer-non-partisan fans roared their approval. They did the same after each of the next two points — Safarova ended a 17-stroke rally with a forehand winner, then Williams missed a backhand.

With Williams trailing 5-4 and serving at 30-all, she dumped a backhand into the net to give Safarova her match point. But Williams hit a 104 mph serve that drew a short return, and she delivered a winning backhand. Two points later, it was 5-all.

“The match,” Safarova said, “was turning.”

Williams broke to 6-5 with a backhand return winner, then ended things by closing with a 114 mph service winner.

“I have a lot to work with, with my serve and return and lots of good things,” Williams said. “It gives me a chance to be confident.”

Jelena Jankovic had an easier time, moving a step closer to her third straight semifinal appearance at Roland Garros by beating Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-2.

"I think I'm coming back," said Jankovic, who started this season as the top-ranked player in women's tennis. "This is the most important thing for me, especially when you saw me playing a few months ago. It was really disastrous."

The fifth-seeded Jankovic won 15 of the first 17 points, and then broke her opponent in the final game of the first set. In the second, she recovered from an early break to win four straight games, and closed out the match with her sixth break of service.

Jankovic lost in the semifinals at Roland Garros in each of the last two years. She made her first Grand Slam final at the 2008 U.S. Open.

ALSO ON THIS STORYVote: Who will win?
  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

“I’m trying to, little by little, play more aggressive and move into the net as much as I can, and, you know, try to improve my serve,” Jankovic said.

In other action, seventh-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia also advanced, defeating Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-0, 6-2. No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and No. 24 Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada also won, but seeded French players Marion Bartoli and Alize Cornet lost along with No. 18 Anabel Medina Garrigues and No. 28 Sybille Bammer of Austria.

The 13th-seeded Bartoli, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2007, lost to Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-3, 7-5, while No. 21 Cornet fell to Sorana Cristea of Romania 6-3, 6-2.

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: NBA could eliminate ref miscues in an instant
NHL: Wings set up Cup rematch with Pens  |  Preview
Celizic: Mad Manning signals bad news in Indy
Boxing: Is Tyson doomed to tragic life?  |    Images
Austin: Sharapova shows fine form at French Open

 

Safina wins, Jankovic loses at Italian Open
Sounders FC try to get healthy before Chivas match
See-saw match comes to rest even in Colorado

Boro linked with Gomez

Espanyol midfielder Jordi Gomez would be prepared to accept a permanent move to England, amidst rumours Middlesbrough are considering a bid.

The playmaker spent the season on loan at Championship side Swansea, but boss Roberto Martinez has confessed the Welsh club are unlikely to be able to afford a full-time deal.

Gomez impressed for the Swans and it is thought that Boro are considering an offer, funded by parachute payments from Premier League relegation and probable player sales.

The 24-year-old, who is believed to be valued at €2million (Ј1.7m) has stated that he would prefer to stay in Spain but, with La Liga interest limited, he would accept a return to England.

Dream

"My dream is to play in the Primera division, but nobody has done anything," Gomez told Spanish media.

"The normal solution would be a move to England and I am mentally prepared for this.

"During the season, many clubs have sent their scouts and I believe the reports are positive.

"But the definitive decision rests with Espanyol."

An Espanyol spokesperson has said that the club's transfer discussions are scheduled, adding: "In the next week we predict a meeting to plan for the following season and decide on the players."

Gomez in dark over future
Dynamo seek first road win in New England

Henry - Win is unbelievable

Thierry Henry said there were "no words to describe" his feelings after Barcelona's UEFA Champions League win.

The French striker put in a solid performance for the Spanish giants who claimed their third European Cup crowne with a superb performance in Rome.

Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi were enough to secure top honours for Barca who were much the better side on Wednesday evening.

An emotional Henry told Sky Sports after the game: "It's unbelievable.

No words

"I have no words to describe what we have done this year, what we have achieved.

"No team have ever done the treble in Spain - we are the first ones to do it so it's amazing."

Henry admitted his relief in overcoming a late injury problem to feature in Rome, saying: "I wasn't going to play.

"I wanted to play," he said. "We were playing against a Manchester United side who are always difficult to beat.

Glory

"You always remember winners. Sometimes you can play good football but if you don't bring back silverware it doesn't count."

In reaction to Messi's goal, he said: "I think it was well deserved but I think throughout the whole season we won games because we were playing well. We were running and working hard.

"When people talk about Barcelona - they talk about the way we play. They forget that we put pressure on sides, in particular at the front. We fight, and we never give up."

No stranger to disappointment in Europe's elite competition, Henry reflected on his Champions League heartache with Arsenal.

"It will always remain a disappointment in my career because the club are in my heart and in my blood," he said. "Everybody knows that.

"I am happy though. For my family and the troubles I have suffered playing football. I am still alive."

MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
Ronaldo - I’m still No.1
The Commissioner Speaks
Barca suffer Iniesta blow

Laporta lauds Pep effect

Joan Laporta believes Barcelona's UEFA Champions League win demonstrates that the current crop of players are 'the best in the history of the club'.

Barca made history after their 2-0 success over Manchester United in Rome followed glory in the Primera Division and the Copa del Rey.

Head coach Pep Guardiola has been hailed for the success, having overseen their treble-winning campaign in his maiden term in charge.

Barca president Laporta could not hide his delight at the club's progress and hailed Guardiola, who played under Blaugrana legend Johan Cruyff.

Dream Team

Cruyff played for Barca in the mid-1970s before returning as coach in 1988 and leading the Catalan club to one European Cup victory and four straight Spanish league titles with a thrilling brand of attacking football.

"Pep and the players have played the best season in the history of Barca and they have demonstrated that they are the best team in the history of Barca," said Laporta.

"We have to go back to the Dream Team of Johan and the way Johan transformed football.

Ideals

"Pep in one year has really created a genius team. It has roots (in Cruyff's philosophy) but at the same time he himself has created something."

Laporta continued: "We thought he was the suitable person for the job and now with much pride and happiness we can say that we took the right decision.

"We have a coach who manages the team majestically, everyone together with a lot of talent and quality and I think it has a long way it can still go.

"It is the prize for perseverance, the prize for those who fought for our ideals."

Marquez blow for Barca
TFC make Cummins interim head coach
Laporta - Messi a genius

After 20 French Opens, Santoro bids adieu

PARIS - Fabrice Santoro walked off the court at the French Open for the last time Wednesday, ending his record-tying run of 20 straight appearances at Roland Garros.

The 36-year-old Frenchman played only eight minutes Wednesday before completing a first-round loss to Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. The match had been suspended Tuesday.

"When I started my career on court No. 10 in 1989, I did not imagine at all that I would hold the microphone in my hands 20 years later in front of you," Santoro said to the crowd at Court Suzanne Lenglen. "Those were extraordinary and fantastic years that I will never forget."

Santoro has played in a record 67 Grand Slam tournaments, making the fourth round three times - at the French Open in 1991 and 2001 and at the Australian Open in 1999.

"Twenty years. That counts for something in a lifetime," Santoro said. "It has been a long road, a fantastic career. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot."

Santoro and Rochus started their match Tuesday, but it was suspended by darkness with the Belgian leading 5-3 in the fourth set. The pair came back out onto the court after Dinara Safina's easy win and finished the match quickly.

"I'm saying to myself that the story is over, that a page is being turned," Santoro said. "I will no longer be on court next year. But I think that it is time to go."

Santoro plans to play other tournaments before retiring at the end of the year.

ALSO ON THIS STORY  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

Besides tying Francois Jauffret's record for appearances at the French Open, Santoro also holds the record for the longest match at the Paris tournament in the Open era.

"That was in 2004. A match lasting 6 hours, 33 minutes on this same court," said Santoro, who beat Arnaud Clement in the first round that year 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 3-6, 16-14. "Quite a few records over the long haul: The longest match, the greatest number of Grand Slam appearances. Those are figures that are going to my head. I couldn't imagine that when I started playing."

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: Nuggets show they won't go away easily
  Video: Did you see that? Weekend highlights
Celizic: T.O.'s rip of Romo a warning to Bills  |    Discuss
  Boxing: Tyson's daughter, 4, dies after accident
  Video: Soccer mob beats man to death in N. Ireland

 

30-0 at French, but Nadal shrugs: ‘So what?’
Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth

30-0 at French, but Nadal shrugs: 'So what?'

PARIS - Four-time defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal and third-seeded Andy Murray advanced to the third round on Wednesday.

Nadal, attempting to become the first to win five straight French Open titles, extended his French Open record to 30-0 by beating Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

“So what?” Nadal said of his accomplishment. “(I’m) happy for the record, but in the end happy for the result.”

Murray defeated Potito Starace of Italy 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The top-seeded Nadal has never lost at Roland Garros, and his 30th straight win on the tournament’s red clay gives him the record for most consecutive wins.

Nadal was forced to save three break points in the first game of the match. He only had to save one more the rest of the way, winning in straight sets for the second match in a row.

Murray trailed 5-1 in the third set but broke Starace three straight times to win.

“On clay, there’s always time for you to get sort of back into the match and find your game, even if you’re struggling,” Murray said.

Murray also reached the third round at Roland Garros last year but lost to Nicolas Almagro in four sets. In his only other appearance at the French Open, in 2006, he lost in the first round.

No. 7 Gilles Simon of France, No. 8 Fernando Verdasco of Spain, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and No. 13 Marin Cilic of Croatia also advanced, but two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin and French veteran Fabrice Santoro played their last matches at Roland Garros.

Safin, who plans to retire after this season, fell to wild-card entry Josselin Ouanna of France in five sets 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 3-6, 10-8.

Santoro, who has made a record 67 Grand Slam appearances, lost in the first round of this year’s French Open — his record-tying 20th — to Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

ALSO ON THIS STORY  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

“Twenty years. That counts for something in a lifetime,” Santoro said. “It has been a long road, a fantastic career. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.”

Santoro and Rochus started their match Tuesday, but it was suspended by darkness with the Belgian leading 5-3 in the fourth set. The pair came back out onto the court after Safina’s win and played only eight minutes.

No. 21 Dmitry Tursunov of Russia and No. 28 Feliciano Lopez of Spain also lost.

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: Nuggets show they won't go away easily
  Video: Did you see that? Weekend highlights
Celizic: T.O.'s rip of Romo a warning to Bills  |    Discuss
Boxing: Tyson's daughter, 4, dies after accident
  Video: Soccer mob beats man to death in N. Ireland

 

United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth
After 20 French Opens, Santoro bids adieu

Ronaldo - I'm still No.1

Cristiano Ronaldo reckons he will remain the world's best player regardless of what happens in the UEFA Champions League final.

Wednesday's showpiece in Rome has been billed as a battle between Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi to decide who is the world's number one footballer.

Ronaldo became the first Manchester United player to be crowned World Player of the Year for 2008 and the first since George Best 40 years ago to be named European Footballer of the Year.

Messi, 21, was runner-up for both awards and has been tipped to prise those titles away from Ronaldo after a fine season with the Spanish champions.

Yet despite failing to hit the heights of last season, Ronaldo is confident he will still be recognised as the world's best.

Confidence

Some may see that as arrogance but the 24-year-old Portuguese forward reckons it is that self-belief that has enabled him to emerge as an Old Trafford great.

"Every time I play football I go out on to the field believing that I am the best," he told the Sunday Mirror .

"And that is the same whether I am training or playing in the Champions League Final.

"For me, you have to have that confidence at all times. That's what makes me the player I am.

"It made me proud to be recognised as the best. I always believed I was the best, but it was an honour to become the official number one - and I still think I am at the top.

"Sometimes it is clear that if it is a close fight between two players for the European or world player of the year then winning the Champions League can decide the outcome.

"I won it last year because Manchester United won the Champions League and the Premier League, but I also won it because I scored 42 goals myself.

Honour

"It made me very happy. It was a big honour for me personally but also for Manchester."

While Ronaldo and Messi's personal battle will provide an extra dimension to Wednesday's clash, Ronaldo believes it will have no bearing on whether United retain their European crown or the Champions League trophy heads back to the Nou Camp after a three-year absence.

"This game we play is about the team, not individuals," he added. "This final is not about me and Messi. It is between Manchester United and Barcelona.

"Both are winners of their national titles and I predict that it will be a spectacular duel."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Champions League 2008/09. Click here to bet.


Messi looking to make history
Messi admits English appeal
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4

Messi looking to make history

Lionel Messi believes beating Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final would be the icing on the cake of an amazing season for Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola's side have been all conquering in Spain this term after scooping the double following their Primera Division title success on the back of victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.

Barca can make it an unprecedented treble on Wednesday with success over Premier League champions Manchester United and Messi is desperate to write a new page in the history of the Camp Nou club.

Icing on the cake

"To win would be the icing on the cake of an amazing season," he told Sky Sports News .

"We know it won't be easy, but we all want to write one of the most spectacular pages in the glorious history of our club.

"I hope we can do it, because we really deserve it."

Special praise

The Argentina international has reserved special praise for United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, stating he must be kept under wraps if Barca are to emerge victorious.

"Cristiano is a huge player with an amazing technical ability and is extremely quick and pacey," he continued.

"He can score goals in many different ways and is a fully rounded player and is a real threat for us.

"But we're playing some really exciting football and that should be the centre of my focus, not any individual achievement."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Barcelona v Man Utd 1st Goalscorer: Messi, L. 7/1


Messi admits English appeal
The Commissioner Speaks

English interest in Fernandez

Villarreal midfielder Matias Fernandez could be set to join a Premier League club in the summer, according to his agent.

The 23-year-old has been with the Primera Division outfit since 2007 but speculation suggests he may leave during the transfer window.

Agent Alejandro Santiesteban is ready to assess every available option and claims there are already offers on the table from two top-flight clubs in England.

Santiesteban claims Bolton are interested and also Blackburn, where Fernandez's Chilean compatriot Carlos Villanueva spent the 2008/9 campaign.

"Matias will have his holidays after the match with Bolivia and we then have time until August 31 to resolve his situation because the transfer window gets closed that day," Santiesteban told the Chilean press.

"There is an offer from Bolton and a chance in Blackburn, where Carlos Villanueva was but we will analyse everything once the Spanish Liga ends."

Dynamo have high expectations for Akinbiyi
Real admit Tevez approach

Easy street for Djokovic when opponent injured

PARIS - Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the French Open after Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador retired Tuesday while trailing 6-3, 3-1 after injuring his left ankle.

Lapentti hurt his ankle when coming to net at 5-2 in the first set. He called for a trainer but then continued playing.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic, who won his fourth career title on clay at this month’s Serbia Open, has reached the semifinals at the French Open the last two years. He also won the 2008 Australian Open.

James Blake was the biggest seed to lose so far, falling to a qualifier making his Grand Slam debut.

The 15th-seeded Blake was upset 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-2 by 93rd-ranked Leonardo Mayer of Argentina.

Blake has never been past the third round at Roland Garros. The American made more than twice as many unforced errors as Mayer.

Fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina had little trouble in his opening match at Roland Garros, beating Michael Llodra of France 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Del Potro won four straight ATP titles last year, the first two on clay.

No. 27 Rainer Schuettler of Germany narrowly avoided a “triple bagel” after being shut out in the first two sets of a 6-0, 6-0, 6-4 loss to Marc Gicquel of France.

On Friday, Schuettler lost to Robin Soderling 6-0, 6-0 at the ATP World Team Championship in Germany.

“A ’double bagel’ is fine,” said Schuettler, who reached the semifinals at last year’s Wimbledon. “I had one last week. It’s nothing new.”

Gicquel was unapologetic about the thrashing.

“I didn’t come here to sympathize,” said the Frenchman, who was trying to win the third set at love as well. “If I tried to give him one or two games, then everything could be overturned against me.”

No. 11 Gael Monfils of France also advanced, easily beating Bobby Reynolds of the United States 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 despite being hampered by a knee injury.

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: Nuggets show they won't go away easily
    Video: Did you see that? Weekend highlights
Celizic: T.O.'s rip of Romo a warning to Bills  |    Discuss
Boxing: Tyson's daughter on life support after accident
    Video: Soccer mob beats man to death in N. Ireland

 

Hyndman contemplating changes after Houston loss
Djokovic and Murray reach 3rd round at Monte Carlo

French Open Show Court Schedules

PARIS (AP) -Show court schedules for Wednesday at the French Open (seedings in parentheses):

Play begins on all courts at 0900 GMTCourt Philippe Chatrier
Andy Murray (3), Britain, vs. Potito Starace, Italy

Tamarine Tanasugarn, Thailand, vs. Ana Ivanovic (8), Serbia

Josselin Ouanna, France, vs. Marat Safin (20), Russia

Venus Williams (3), United States, vs. Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic

Court Suzanne Lenglen

Dinara Safina (1), Russia, vs. Vitalia Diatchenko, Russia

Robert Kendrick, United States, vs. Gilles Simon (7), France

Nadia Petrova (11), Russia, vs. Maria Sharapova, Russia

Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili, Russia

Court 1

Julie Coin, France, vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27), Russia

Polona Hercog, Slovenia, vs. Aravane Rezai, France

Radek Stepanek (18), Czech Republic, vs. Mathieu Montcourt, France

Nikolay Davydenko (10), Russia, vs. Diego Junqueira, Argentina

French Open Results
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth

European review

Wolfsburg and Rangers both sealed their respective league titles on the final day of their seasons.

Wolfsburg romped to their first Bundesliga crown as they hammered Werder Bremen, whilst Rangers pipped rivals Celtic to the title in the SPL after they won at Dundee United.

In France, Bordeaux made sure they only need a point on the final day of the their campaign to secure the Ligue 1 crown ahead of Marseille.

Bundesliga

Wolfsburg made sure of their first German title as they hammered Werder Bremen 5-1. Bayern Munich secured second spot as they beat Stuttgart 2-1.

At the wrong end of the table, Borussia Monchengladbach grabbed a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund, which meant Energie Cottbus were relegated despite their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

SPL

Rangers collected the SPL title as they defeated Dundee United 3-0, whilst rivals Celtic were held to a 0-0 draw at Hearts.

At the bottom, Inverness Caledonian Thistle were sent down as they lost 1-0 at home to Falkirk, who rescued themselves from the drop.

Serie A

Lecce were relegated from Serie A with one game remaining after drawing 1-1 with Fiorentina. The Viola now only need a point in the last day of the season to claim the last Champions League berth.

Torino dropped into the bottom three after they lost 3-2 at Genoa. They were leapfrogged by Bologna - who drew 0-0 at Chiveo.

La Liga

Numancia and Recreativo de Huelva were both relegated as they lost at the weekend. Getafe defeated Numancia 1-0, whilst Recreativo lost 1-0 at home to Racing Santander. Five clubs are left to fight the battle against filling the last relegation spot.

Barcelona and Real Madrid already have the top two places sealed, and they both suffered defeats.

Ligue 1

Bordeaux only need to avoid defeat on the final day of the season to secure the French title after they won 1-0 at Monaco. Marseille made sure the battle for the top goes down to the final day of the season after they won 2-1 at Nancy.

Nantes are all-but relegated after their 2-1 loss at the hands of Sochaux - whose fate is now in their own hands. Sochaux are one of four clubs who could be dragged down along with Nantes and Le Havre.

Best of the rest

Standard Liege sealed the league crown in Belgium with a 2-1 aggregate success over Anderlecht. FC Copenhagen sealed the domestic double in Denmark after a 1-0 win at Esbjerg as Brondby were beaten. FK Tirana snatched the Albanian title on the final day of the season wit h victory over KS Vllaznia. Debrecen retained their Hungarian title as they defeated Diosgyori 3-2. Elswhere, Maccabi Haifa were won the Israeli title, the Swiss crown was captured by FC Zurich, whilst the Maltese champions are Hibernians.

European review
Week in Review: Sweet victory, at last
Warzycha not panicking over slow start

Inter - Mourinho is staying

Inter Milan are confident Jose Mourinho does not want to leave the club to take over as Real Madrid coach.

Reports in Spain claim that Real presidential candidate Florentino Perez has turned to Mourinho as his top target to become the club's new boss.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly rejected an offer from Perez, with current incumbent Juande Ramos not expected to stay on beyond the end of the season.

Wenger's knock-back has seen Mourinho emerge as the No.1 contender for the helm, but Inter president Massimo Moratti is not troubled by the rumours.

Mourinho has won the Serie A title in his first season at the club and Moratti has been assured that the former Chelsea chief will not walk out to join Real.

Honours his word

"Yes, we were immediately alerted to the reports that came from Spain," said Moratti.

"But our coach has assured us that he doesn't want to leave Inter.

"I believe in my coach's words.

"In the past he has shown seriousness and has proved that he always honours his word."

Jose dampens Real rumours
TFC make Cummins interim head coach
Real keen on Wenger - reports

Jimenez extends Sevilla stay

Sevilla have agreed to extend coach Manolo Jimenez's stay at the Primera Division club.

The 45-year-old Jimenez replaced then Tottenham-bound Juande Ramos near the start of last season.

Jimenez led Sevilla to fifth place in his debut term in charge and this campaign he has shone at the helm.

The club's 1-0 win over Deportivo secured third spot, and in turn automatic UEFA Champions League qualification, and Jimenez has been rewarded for his efforts.

Sevilla confirmed on their official website on Tuesday that Jimenez has prolonged his stay until the end of next season.

Kanoute stays with Sevilla
La Liga round-up
Berhalter’s debut cut short against Chivas

French Open Results

PARIS (AP) -Results Monday from the French Open, played on clay at Stade Roland Garros (seedings in parentheses):

SinglesMen
Nikolay Davydenko (10), Russia, def. Stefan Koubek, Austria, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

Mikhail Youzhny, Russia, def. Gilles Muller, Luxembourg, 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-4.

Stanislas Wawrinka (17), Switzerland, def. Nicolas Devilder, France, 6-3, 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Potito Starace, Italy, def. Mischa Zverev, Germany, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 1-0, retired.

Robin Soderling (23), Sweden, def. Kevin Kim, United States, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Nicolas Massu, Chile, def. Daniel Koellerer, Austria, 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 2-6, 6-3.

Nicolas Kiefer, Germany, def. Ilia Bozoljac, Serbia, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Denis Istomin, Uzbekistan, def. Santiago Giraldo, Colombia, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Victor Hanescu (30), Romania, def. Steve Darcis, Belgium, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3).

Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Marcos Daniel, Brazil, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.

Fernando Gonzalez (12), Chile, def. Jiri Vanek, Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Rui Machado, Portugal, def. Kristof Vliegen, Belgium, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3.

Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def. Alberto Martin, Spain, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

Paul-Henri Mathieu (32), France, def. Laurent Recouderc, France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.

Guillaume Rufin, France, def. Eduardo Schwank, Argentina, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, def. Albert Montanes, Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Feliciano Lopez (28), Spain, def. Franco Ferreiro, Brazil, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 6-2.

Teimuraz Gabashvili, Russia, def. Igor Kunitsyn, Russia, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1.

Pablo Andujar, Spain, def. Robby Ginepri, United States, 6-4, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3).

Simone Bolelli, Italy, def. Tomas Berdych (19), Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3.

Jose Acasuso, Argentina, def. Santiago Ventura, Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-0, 6-3.

Jurgen Melzer (24), Austria, def. Sergio Roitman, Argentina, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Andy Roddick (6), United States, def. Romain Jouan, France, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Jeremy Chardy, France, def. Thiago Alves, Brazil, 6-2, 7-6 (10), 6-3.

Martin Vassallo Arguello, Argentina, def. Thomaz Bellucci, Brazil, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 5-5, retired.

Diego Junqueira, Argentina, def. Paul Capdeville, Chile, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.

Ivo Minar, Czech Republic, def. Oscar Hernandez, Spain, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Igor Andreev (25), Russia, def. Fabio Fognini, Italy, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

WomenFirst Round

Aravane Rezai, France, def. Ai Sugiyama, Japan, 6-3, 6-2.

Dinara Safina (1), Russia, def. Anne Keothavong, Britain, 6-0, 6-0.

Agnes Szavay (29), Hungary, def. Corinna Dentoni, Italy, 6-3, 6-4.

Tamarine Tanasugarn, Thailand, def. Camille Pin, France, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

Polona Hercog, Slovenia, def. Alisa Kleybanova (23), Russia, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

Kirsten Flipkens, Belgium, def. Stephanie Foretz, France, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

Venus Williams (3), United States, def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, United States, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic, def. Sabine Lisicki, Germany, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.

Lucie Hradecka, Czech Republic, def. Yvonne Meusburger, Austria, 6-1, 6-2.

Michelle Larcher de Brito, Portugal, def. Melanie South, Britain, 0-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Carla Suarez Navarro (22), Spain, def. Edina Gallovits, Romania, 6-1, 6-4.

Zheng Jie (15), China, def. Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, France, 6-1, 6-3.

Dominika Cibulkova (20), Slovakia, def. Alona Bondarenko, Ukraine, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Olga Govortsova, Belarus, def. Katie O'Brien, Britain, 6-1, 6-1.

Maria Sharapova, Russia, def. Anastasiya Yakimova, Belarus, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Jill Craybas, United States, def. Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgaria, 7-5, 6-2.

Mariya Koryttseva, Ukraine, def. Patricia Mayr, Austria, 6-1, 6-1.

Akgul Amanmuradova, Uzbekistan, def. Irena Pavlovic, France, 6-3, 6-4.

Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Spain, def. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Czech Republic, 6-1, 4-6, 9-7.

Marion Bartoli (13), France, def. Pauline Parmentier, France, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Alexa Glatch, United States, def. Flavia Pennetta (14), Italy, 6-1, 6-1.

Mariana Duque Marino, Colombia, def. Anna Chakvetadze (26), Russia, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Olivia Rogowska, Australia, def. Maria Kirilenko, Russia, 6-4, 6-4.

Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukraine, def. Patty Schnyder (17), Switzerland, 6-4, 6-3.

Agnieszka Radwanska (12), Poland, def. Rossana de Los Rios, Paraguay, 6-3, 6-1.

Jarmila Groth, Australia, def. Kinnie Laisne, France, 6-4, 6-3.

Tathiana Garbin, Italy, def. Ayumi Morita, Japan, 7-5, 7-5.

Vera Dushevina, Russia, vs. Caroline Wozniacki (10), Denmark, 6-4, 5-7, susp., darkness.

Safina rolls, Venus struggles, Maria survives

PARIS - Top-seeded Dinara Safina quickly worked her way into the second round of the French Open on Monday, routing Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0 on a day when Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova also advanced.

The Russian favorite sprayed shots to all parts of the court at Roland Garros, giving her opponent few chances on Day 2 of the tournament.

“I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this,” said Safina, who with Marat Safin forms the only brother-sister combination to have held the No. 1 ranking.

Keothavong had a couple of chances against Safina, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set, and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn’t hold on.

“When that’s happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn’t able to do that,” said Keothavong, who saved four match points before Safina hit a forehand winner down the line. “It just kept getting harder and harder.”

Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic won 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open last year, and Serena Williams did it in 2003.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, survived a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. She won the match’s first five games, while Mattek-Sands asked for a medical timeout during the first set so a trainer could look at her right wrist.

“I’m definitely a third-set player,” Williams said. “Once I get to the third set ... I feel a new level coming.”

Williams has never won the French Open, but she did reach the final in 2002 when she lost to little sister Serena. Overall, Williams holds a 36-12 record at Roland Garros, giving her the most wins of any player in the women’s draw at the tournament.

Sharapova played with a bandage on her right shoulder, and she struggled in the first set before beating Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The unseeded Russian was broken three times in the first set, but she opened the second with four straight wins before being broken once again. Before the start of the next game, Yakimova called for a trainer to work on her lower back.

“I started pretty lousy,” said Sharapova, playing a Grand Slam match for the first time since last year’s Wimbledon. “I was just a little sloppy. But I totally changed it around, and I started playing a lot better and more aggressive.”

ALSO ON THIS STORY  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

 Slide show 

Dinara Safina to supplant Serena at No. 1
Dynamo staying in the moment

Martinez doubts Gomez return

Swansea manager Roberto Martinez does not expect to be able to bring Jordi Gomez back to the Liberty Stadium.

The creative midfielder shone in Wales during a season-long loan move from Espanyol, scoring 14 goals for the Championship outfit.

Martinez is a fan of Gomez, but believes Swansea would struggle to meet any price tag set by the 23-year-old's parent club.

"Jordi is going to be a difficult one," the Swans boss told the South Wales Evening Post .

"We are talking about a player who has grown massively in the last season and his valuation has gone through the roof."

Gomez in dark over future
TFC open Canadian Championship with win
Crew, Rapids meet at early crossroads

Onieva - Ronaldo price madness

Real Madrid presidential candidate Juan Onieva says it would be 'madness' to spend 100million euros on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United winger Ronaldo has been a long-time target for Real and was heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer.

Ronaldo was convinced to stay at Old Trafford, but reports have claimed former Real president Ramon Calderon had a pre-agreement in place to sign the Portugal international at the end of this season.

A figure in the region of 100million euros (Ј88million) had been mooted, but Onieva has no intention of following up on Calderon's agreement.

The former Real vice-president is aware of the proposed deal, but believes it would be 'offensive' to pay such a sum in the current economic climate.

Offensive

"I wouldn't go through with it," Onieva told Onda Cero . "If I had to take a decision I would contest the deal. I think it's madness.

"I only know the terms in general. I haven't seen the document.

"I think it is a little less than this (100m euros) because the deal was made in pounds.

"In terms of the figures, as far as I am aware, it is not right to pay that amount of money, especially in times like these.

"It's almost offensive. Also, I don't think he is the solution for Real Madrid."

Onieva's chief rival for the presidency - Florentino Perez - has been tipped to launch a bid for Ronaldo if he wins the upcoming election.

However, Ronaldo is expected to remain with the Premier League champions over the summer after admitting he 'doesn't care' about what is currently happening in the Spanish capital.

Not transferable

Real, meanwhile, have issued a statement to deny reports that a pre-agreement is in place for the club to sign Ronaldo.

"In relation to the reports that have appeared in several media in the last few hours regarding the alleged signing of the Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo, the club want to categorically deny said information," the statement read.

"There exists no pre-agreement, neither with the player, nor with his agent, nor with Manchester United.

"As is well known, Real Madrid tried to sign the player last summer and Manchester United made it clear that the player was not transferable."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/skysports/fixturecal/icons/fix-bet.gif');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:18px;} Barcelona v Man Utd 1st Goalscorer: Ronaldo, C. 13/2


The Commissioner Speaks
Barca ‘agree’ Ribery deal
Ronaldo - Real dream is over

Jose dampens Real rumours

Jose Mourinho has stated he is '99.9 per cent' sure he will remain at Inter Milan next season.

Mourinho has been linked with the Real Madrid job ahead of the Spanish club's presidential election.

Florentino Perez is a leading candidate to become president and he has reportedly singled out Mourinho as the man he would like to take over from Juande Ramos in the summer.

However, the Portuguese tactician fully expects to stay at the Giuseppe Meazza and has also voiced his appreciation for the work of Inter president Massimo Moratti.

"I'm 99.9 percent sure to stay at Inter," he told Sky Italia .

"But the person who'll coach Real next season will be a very lucky man.

"Personally, the most important thing is that my president knows everything and knows everything about me, not the media or because someone told him. The first to know if there was something (happening) would be my president."

Mourinho admits it is flattering to be linked with Real but maintains that his main goal in life is to be happy at work.

He explained: "The great temptation is to be happy, happy to work, to wake up every morning and go to (Inter's training ground) Appiano with happiness and satisfaction, and to work.

"As a coach said a few years ago, 'Where there's a ground, players and some balls, you're happy'.

"But of course, Real is Real and you can say it is a little tempting."

Chivas gain modicum of revenge on RSL
Blanco appears ready for San Jose
Drenthe - Ibra set for Real

Ivanovic works hard for first-round win

PARIS - Defending champion Ana Ivanovic struggled on the important points in her opening match at the French Open before beating Sara Errani of Italy 7-6 (3), 6-3 Sunday to reach the second round.

The eighth-seeded Serb converted only five of the 20 break points she earned against her opponent. Errani broke three times and even served for the first set at 5-4.

“I knew I had to work hard for my points today, and I’m very happy I did that,” Ivanovic said. “And I kept my composure.”

Ivanovic, who beat Dinara Safina in last year’s final, pulled out of this month’s Madrid Open with a knee injury, and her right knee was taped Sunday at Roland Garros. She finished the match with seven double-faults and six aces, while the 44th-ranked Errani did a good job of moving her around the court.

“Even though I had some time off during the Madrid tournament, I feel like it takes only few days to get back in shape,” Ivanovic said. “I feel very fit.”

Both Ivanovic and Errani questioned calls on the red clay, but Ivanovic was on the winning side of a crucial challenge in the tiebreaker. At 1-1 with Errani serving, the Italian hit a ball wide that Ivanovic returned. Errani then sent a winner to the other side of the court on her next shot and believed she had taken the lead, but Ivanovic called for the chair umpire, who checked the previous mark and overruled the call.

Errani stood at the net and complained, but the call stood and Ivanovic won the next two points on serve to take a 4-1 lead.

The 21-year-old Ivanovic also reached the final at Roland Garros in 2007, and last year’s Australian Open final. She was the world’s top-ranked player for 12 weeks in 2008 but has dropped to No. 8.

“I just have to keep my head down and work tough through the matches,” Ivanovic said about her chances at this year’s French Open. “There (are) no easy points.”

Also, 25th-seeded Li Na of China defeated Marta Domachowska of Poland 6-4, 6-2, 27th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia beat Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania 6-3, 6-2, and 32nd-seeded Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic advanced when Julia Goerges of Germany retired while trailing 7-5, 4-1.

ALSO ON THIS STORY  Discuss: Sound off on tennis at Newsvine.com

Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia saved eight match points before finally beating Mathilde Johansson of France 2-6, 6-2, 10-8.

“For each match point, I was very confident,” Johansson said. “I thought I would win it, and I missed the first one, and I was pretty nervous on the second, and it was more difficult for me to play.”

Also on NBCSports.com

NBA: LeBron is the ‘The Chosen One’  |    Images
Circling the Bases: Quarter-season report
NFL: Which available veterans can still play?
Curran: Seven NFL front offices feeling the heat
NHL: Wings stand apart in Hall of Fame talk
College hoops: LeBron prompts buzzer-beater love

 

TFC open Canadian Championship with win
United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth
Davydenko pulls out of Austrian Open with injury

City deny Messi rumours

Manchester City have denied making an attempt to sign Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Reports emanating from Spain claimed City had offered a blockbuster €150million deal to buy out the remainder of the 21-year-old's contract with Barca, and then pay him a further €10m a year to play at Eastlands.

Cash-rich City have been linked with a host of big-money signings in the summer as they look to establish themselves as a major force at home and abroad.

Earlier this month, City boss Mark Hughes hit out at the number of reports linking the club with players around the world since the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover of the club last summer.

The club have moved quickly to reject the rumours of a move for Argentine schemer Messi.

"Manchester City Football Club note with interest the reports circulating in the Spanish media that the club have made an offer to the Barcelona player Lionel Messi and that he has turned down the chance to join the club," read a statement.

"While acknowledging that Lionel Messi is a world-class player of the highest calibre, Manchester City would like to make it clear that the club has at no time made an approach to Mr Messi or his representatives."

The Commissioner Speaks
Laporta - Messi a genius
Messi admits English appeal
Philadelphia Union unveil name, logo

Maicon rules out Inter exit

Inter Milan's Brazil international Maicon has dismissed talk suggesting he will leave the club this summer.

The full-back has been strongly linked with a move to England or Spain of late, with Chelsea reported to be leading the race for his signature.

Maicon, though, insists there is no substance to the reports and he remains fully committed to Jose Mourinho's side.

"I'm ready to restart with Inter over the summer," he told Corriere dello Sport , having seen his 2008/09 campaign hampered by injury.

"There is a 100 per cent chance that I will stay here.

"Many players are attracted by the Premier League and La Liga, but I like Serie A.

"I am happy here because this club has allowed me to prove my worth domestically and in Europe.

"It is thanks to Inter that I have regained my place in the national side."

Maicon is under contract with Inter until 2013 and the Serie A champions have given no indication that they would be willing to part with his services.

Agent - Blues eyeing Maicon
Reds take step in right direction
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4

Cygan looking to head home

Pascal Cygan has admitted that he would welcome the opportunity to head back to France this summer.

The veteran centre-half has spent the last seven years away from his homeland, taking in spells at Arsenal and Villarreal.

He is currently contracted to the Spanish outfit until next summer, but believes an early exit from El Madrigal may be in the offing.

Villarreal are unwilling to offer him an extension to his terms, while Cygan has grown frustrated at a lack of action.

Valenciennes are believed to be keen on taking him back to Ligue 1, where he previously figured for Lille, and Cygan is willing to listen to offers.

"This season was hard as I did not play a lot, because the coach had his first choice players," he told skysports.com .

"I would now love to go back to France. I have contacts there so let's wait until the end of the season and see what happens.

"A return to Lille would be fantastic. I love the club and I enjoyed my best years of football there."

Hyndman planning to shake up starting XI
Hazard flattered by interest
Pires pens new deal