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?
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 Slide show 

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?
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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.”’

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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."

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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."

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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?
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“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.

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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."

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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."

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.


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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


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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."

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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.

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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

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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


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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."

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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.”

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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."

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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.

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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."

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Capsules on top women's French Open players

PARIS (AP) -Women to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday (rankings in parentheses; statistics through Thursday):

DINARA SAFINA (1)

Age: 23

Country: Russia

2009 Match Record: 28-6

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 11

Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: F, at Australian Open in '09, French Open in '08

Last 5 French Opens: '08-Lost in Final, '07-4th Round, '06-QF, '05-1st, '04-2nd

Topspin: Runner-up at two of the past four Grand Slam tournaments but still seeking first major championship. ... Jump atop WTA rankings last month made her and Marat Safin the first brother-sister duo to reach No. 1. ... Won consecutive titles at clay-court tournaments in Rome and Madrid. ... 14-1 on clay in 2009. ... Leads five Russians ranked in top 11.

SERENA WILLIAMS (2)

Age: 27

Country: United States

2009 Match Record: 21-6

2009 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 33

Major Titles: 10 - French Open ('02), Wimbledon ('02, '03), U.S. Open ('99, '02, '08), Australian Open ('03, '05, '07, '09)

Last 5 French Opens: '08-3rd, '07-QF, '06-Did Not Play, '05-DNP, '04-QF

Topspin: One of two past champions in field. ... Quit after losing the first set of her first match at last week's Madrid Open, citing a lingering right knee injury. Goes into the books as a fourth straight loss. ... Won past two Grand Slam tournaments, the first time she won consecutive majors since her 2002-03 Serena Slam of four in a row. ... Leads tour with 141 aces.

VENUS WILLIAMS (3)

Age: 28

Country: United States

2009 Match Record: 19-5

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 41

Major Titles: 7 - Wimbledon ('00, '01, '05, '07, '08), U.S. Open ('00, '01)

Last 5 French Opens: '08-3rd, '07-3rd,'06-QF,'05-3rd, '04-QF

Topspin: Had a 14-match winning streak early in the season, but heads to Paris having lost two in a row. ... In 12 previous French Open appearances, made it past the quarterfinals only one time - when she lost to younger sister Serena in the 2002 final. ... Second to her sister in WTA ace standings with 127.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (4)

Age: 27

Country: Russia

2009 Match Record: 31-8

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 13

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at French Open in '04, U.S. Open in '04

Last 5 French Opens: '08-QF, '07-3rd, '06-3rd, '05-4th, '04-F

Topspin: Semifinalist at each of the past three Grand Slam tournaments. ... Match win total is second-highest on tour.

JELENA JANKOVIC (5)

Age: 24

Country: Serbia

2009 Match Record: 23-8

2009 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 10

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at U.S. Open in '08

Last 5 French Opens: '08-SF, '07-SF, '06-3rd, '05-1st, '04-1st

Topspin: Played only one match in 2009 against a Top 10 opponent - and lost (to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals at Rome). ... 14-3 on clay this season. ... Finally reached her first career major final in her 21st attempt at U.S. Open in September, losing to Serena Williams.

ANA IVANOVIC (8)

Age: 21

Country: Serbia

2009 Match Record: 15-6

2009 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 8

Major Titles: 1 - French Open ('08)

Last 5 French Opens: '08-Won Championship,'07-F, '06-3rd, '05-QF, '04-DNP

Topspin: A French Open finalist each of the past two years. ... After losing her first two career major title matches, broke through for first Grand Slam championship at Roland Garros last year, when she also earned her first stay at the No. 1 ranking. ... Pulled out of clay-court event in Madrid last week, citing a bothersome right knee. ... In rankings, just ahead of trio expected to contend for major titles soon: No. 9 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (126)

Age: 22

Country: Russia

2009 Match Record: 2-1

2009 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 19

Major Titles: 3 - Wimbledon ('04), U.S. Open ('06), Australian Open ('08)

Last 5 French Opens: '08-4th,'07-SF, '06-4th, '05-QF, '04-QF

Topspin: Made season debut in singles this week at Warsaw Open on clay. ... Hadn't played a singles match on tour since July; missed nearly 10 minutes with right shoulder injury and had surgery last year. ... Was sidelined for past two major championships: U.S. Open and Australian Open. ... French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament she hasn't won.

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Sampras, Agassi discuss renewing old rivalry

Sampras, Agassi discuss renewing old rivalry

HONG KONG - Pete Sampras thinks his record of 14 Grand Slam titles will be tied by Roger Federer at Wimbledon this year.

Sampras made the prediction Thursday while discussing an October exhibition match against his old rival Andre Agassi in Macau.

Federer needs one more major title to match Sampras’ mark. Sampras never managed to win the French Open before he retired. Federer hasn’t won the title at Roland Garros, either, leaving Wimbledon as the most likely opportunity for him to tie Sampras.

Federer’s five-year winning streak at Wimbledon ended last year in a five-set final loss to Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who also won the French Open last year and the Australian Open in January.

“It will be interesting for Rafa to come back as defending champion as before he was always just a contender, so there will be a bit more pressure on him this year,” Sampras said of the looming Wimbledon tournament. “Roger is very hungry for the title and he came so close last year.

“If I was to put my money on it, I would say Roger, but he’s not a shoo-in.”

While Sampras was mulling over Federer’s prospects, he was reliving his own past clashes with Agassi.

The two Americans will face off on Oct. 25 at The Venetian Macao casino in the Chinese territory and gambling enclave.

Praising Agassi’s service return and passing shots, Sampras said in a telephone conference: “We always had really tough matches and we brought out the best in each other.”

When the duo were top and second-ranked men’s players in the world in the mid-1990s, the rivalry “transcended the sport,” Sampras said.

“When people ask me who my great rival is I always tell them Andre.”

Sampras won 64 singles titles, and Agassi took 60, including being the last man to win all four grand slam titles over his career.

In 34 meetings between the two, Sampras won 20, including the finals of the U.S. Open in 1990, 1995 and 2002, plus Wimbledon in 1999. Agassi beat Sampras in the 1995 Australian Open final.

The Sampras-Agassi exhibition recalled brighter times for American tennis, but Sampras said the presence of Andy Roddick (No.6) and James Blake (No.16) in the world’s top 20 showed the U.S. game was not in bad shape.

“It tends to go in cycles,” Sampras said. “In the early 1990s people were saying the same thing and then Andre, Jim (Courier), Michael Chang and myself came along.”

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Mijatovic leaves Madrid post

Real Madrid and Pedrag Mijatovic have reached a mutual agreement which will see the sporting director leave the club.

The decision sees Mijatovic walk away from Santiago Bernabeu a year before his contract was due to expire.

The former Real striker was expected to leave the club following Ramon Calderon's departure as president in January following a vote-rigging scandal.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Real Madrid's board of directors and the club's sporting director, Pedja Mijatovic, have reached a mutual agreement for the termination of the latter's contract, which was originally set to end in June 2010.

"The board wishes to express its most sincere gratitude for the work Pedja Mijatovic has done in the past three seasons, during which the club won two league titles (2006/07 and 2007/08) and one Spanish Super Copa (2008).

"Real Madrid and its board wish Mijatovic all the best in his future personal and professional endeavours."

Mijatovic said in a separate statement on the website it was the right time to go with elections for a new president coming up on 14th June and added that two league titles and a Super Cup during his three years in the post represented a positive legacy.

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La Liga round-up

Champions Barcelona suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Real Mallorca as their title celebrations fell a little flat.

Atletico Madrid moved into pole position to secure the final UEFA Champions League berth with a crucial success over top-four hopefuls Valencia.

And it was a big day at the foot of the Primera Liga with crucial home victories for Numancia, Sporting Gijon, Real Betis, Espanyol and Racing Santander.

Barcelona's status as champions had been confirmed before their surprise 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca .

Pep Guardiola named a much-changed side but saw his charges go in front in the 10th minute courtesy of Samuel Eto'o, before missing a series of opportunities to put the game to bed.

Mallorca made the hosts pay in the second half as Juan Arango fired home a spectacular free-kick before Cleber Santana glanced home a second 12 minutes from time.

Eto'o was awarded a questionable injury-time penalty after tumbling in the box, but drilled his spot-kick against the foot of the post before the final whistle sounded.

Atletico Madrid edged ahead of Valencia in the battle for the fourth and final UEFA Champions League berth with a priceless 1-0 home victory.

Diego Forlan scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Sergio Aguero tumbled theatrically over goalkeeper Cesar.

Atletico had a host of second-half chances but could not find a way beyond Cesar again, while Aguero was booked for diving, much to the Valencia No.1's satisfaction.

Relegation scrap

Numancia jumped off the bottom - dumping Recreativo Huelva at the foot of the table - after a 1-0 victory over their rivals.

The game exploded into life late on when Iago Bouzsn conceded a penalty after fouling Gorka Brit in the area.

Three Recreativo players were then booked, including Andres Lamas, who had to walk after receiving his second yellow card.

When order was restored, substitute Jose Barkero stepped up to net the winner from the spot a minute from time to leave Numancia now just two points from safety.

Sporting Gijon also remain in the drop-zone - but now only on goal difference - after an equally crucial home victory over Malaga.

The hosts took the lead through Autet Gerard in the 24th minute, before Robson Weligton equalised 14 minutes later.

But Miguel Helder Rosario netted into his own goal after 53 minutes to seal the victory for the home side, who are now only behind Osasuna on goal difference.

Marching orders

Real Betis maintained their three-point gap on the drop zone with a 2-0 home victory over Almeria.

Mark Gonzalez put the hosts ahead with a sixth-minute opener before Jose Manuel Chico received his marching orders for the visitors after a professional foul on 20 minutes.

Almeria then held out until the 65th minute before an Arturo Arzu goal put the issue beyond doubt.

Espanyol also eased their relegation fears with a crucial 1-0 home victory over Athletic Bilbao.

Fernandez Luis Garcia netted the all-important winner from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Carlos Gurpegui had fouled.

Meanwhile, Racing Santander leap-frogged Valladolid in the table after edging a five-goal thriller.

Oscar Serrano put the hosts ahead on five minutes before Manuel Victor (14) and Henok Goitom (22) put Valladolid in front.

But the visitors lost Jauregi Inaki Bea for a second bookable offence early in the second period before goals from Jonathan on 60 minutes and Nikola Zigic with four minutes to go sealed the win for the hosts.

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Real keen on Wenger - reports

Real Madrid presidential hopeful Florentino Perez wants to appoint Arsene Wenger as coach, Sky Sports' Guillem Balague understands.

Perez, who twice tried and failed to bring the Arsenal manager to the Bernabeu during his previous presidency in 2003 and 2006, is believed to have again made the Frenchman his top target should he win the forthcoming elections at the club.

And Wenger refused to dismiss the possibility of a future switch to Spain on Sunday when he admitted that the opportunity to work under Perez would be 'strongly interesting for every coach'.

Respected Spanish football journalist Balague cites sources close to the key parties who have suggested that initial informal contact has already been made by Perez to discover if Wenger would be open to the possibility of taking charge of the Spanish giants.

Speculation

And given that the Gunners boss took a different tack to his normally dismissive response to rumours over his future, the speculation has gathered pace.

Some supporters of the North London club have grown frustrated at a perceived lack of success in recent years, with the current campaign being the fourth in succession where silverware has not been secured.

Writing on his personal website, www.guillembalague.com , Balague feels that the former Monaco boss is becoming unsettled at the criticism levelled at his door, with a lack of transfer funds in comparison to their title rivals also a concern.

Wenger has been at the helm of the Gunners since 1996, during which time he has guided the club to three Premier League crowns, four FA Cup wins and the final of the 2006 UEFA Champions League.

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Medina Garrigues pulls out at Strasbourg

STRASBOURG, France (AP) -Two-time defending champion Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain pulled out of her second-round match against Kristina Barrois of Germany at the Strasbourg International on Wednesday, citing a lower back injury after losing the first set 6-4.

The top-seeded Medina Garrigues was aiming for her fourth Strasbourg title after also winning the clay-court event in 2005.

Third-seeded Peng Shuai of China reached the quarterfinals after beating Pauline Parmentier of France 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Earlier, Medina Garrigues said she felt a sudden pang at the end of a long rally.

"After the final stroke, I felt a violent pinch in my lower back,'' she said. "It is a strong pain which stopped me from bending down, straightening back up, basically from moving around.''

Despite the setback, Medina Garrigues hopes "two or three days rest'' will be enough for her to recover in time for the French Open, which begins Sunday at Roland Garros.

Aravane Rezai of France and Ayumi Morita of Japan both reached the last eight.

Rezai advanced 6-4, 6-1 against Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus, while Morita beat French player Julie Coin 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.

In other matches, Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic beat Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 7-5, 6-0; Monica Niculescu of Romania topped Yuliya Beygelzimer of Ukraine 5-7, 6-0, 6-4, and Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine downed French player Stephanie Foretz 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

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Sharapova reaches quarters at Warsaw

WARSAW, Poland (AP) -Maria Sharapova eased past Darya Kustova of Belarus 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Warsaw Open, her first singles tournament since coming back from shoulder surgery.

The three-time Grand Slam title winner needed only 57 minutes to eliminate Kustova.

"I played a solid game and did everything that I had to do in order to win today,'' Sharapova said. "More importantly right now than ever, is just to do the right things and to work on my game. It doesn't really matter who I'm playing.''

The Russian had surgery for a torn rotator cuff last year and missed the past two Grand Slam tournaments. She said the shoulder hasn't bothered her in Warsaw, and the only sign of the injury on Wednesday were two strips of white tape on her right shoulder.

"I'm really enjoying myself, and after putting in so much work and being out for so long, it just gives you so much satisfaction to know that the work that you put in at some point is going to bring you victories,'' she said. "But right now it's just a thrill to be out there and competing.''

Sharapova, who is playing in her first WTA tour singles tournament in nearly 10 months, is trying to regain the form that led her to the No. 1 ranking in 2005. She slid to No. 126 in the rankings while sidelined with the injury, but despite showing a few signs of rust, she didn't face much of a challenge from the 209th-ranked Kustova.

Sharapova broke the Belarusian in the second game of the first set, and her only slip of the match came when she double faulted when leading 4-0 to hand Kustova a break. But she quickly recovered and claimed the first set with a forehand winner that clipped the baseline.

Despite the two wins in two matches, Sharapova stressed she still faced a long road back to her championship form.

"I think it's going to take time. I think I still need match play, and being in different situations in the matches is going to give me that feeling back and that experience back,'' she said.

Looking ahead to her quarterfinal matchup with eighth-seeded Alona Bondarenko, a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Marta Domachowska of Poland earlier Wednesday, Sharapova said she expects a challenge from the Ukrainian.

"She's in good form, she plays a really good defensive game but she can also step in and hit the ball,'' Sharapova said. "She's a good opponent for me to play.''

In other second round action, sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia beat Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-3, 6-1, Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic upended third-seeded Zheng Jie of China 6-0, 6-4, and qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania upset fifth-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-4, 6-3.

Also, Anne Keothavong of Britain downed Jill Craybas of the United States 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan beat Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4, 7-6 (5) and Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania eliminated Julia Goerges of Germany 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (3).

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Barca remain on course

Barcelona remain on course for a potential trophy treble this season after coming from behind to secure a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey.

The UEFA Champions League finalists and Primera Liga leaders could now record a historic campaign after goals from Yaya Toure, Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi helped secure the trophy for the first time in more than a decade.

Gaizka Toquero had given Bilbao a shock lead in the early in the first half, but Pep Guardiola's side came roaring back to succeed in style at the Mestalla Stadium.

Barcelona were without Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry through injury so the talented Bojan, 18, started the final.

Suspended

In defence, Carles Puyol switched to left-back to replace the suspended Eric Abidal while midfielder Toure was deployed at centre-half.

The last time these two sides met in the final was back in 1984 when Bilbao won 1-0 at the Bernabeu.

If Barcelona have a weakness it is undoubtedly set-pieces and Bilbao exploited that early on, with Toquero heading in a whipped corner after just nine minutes.

It was just the start Barcelona did not want, although Guardiola's side should have equalised in the 19th minute when Samuel Eto'o, the league's top-scorer, got the ball caught up between his feet and the chance went begging.

Toure showed Eto'o the way forward after 31 minutes, surging forward before beating two Bilbao players and then dispatching a fierce right-footed shot into the corner.

Messi magic

Messi twice went close to scoring early in the second half and finally got his goal in the 54th minute after Bilbao failed to clear their lines.

Barca turned the screw, with Bojan netting three minutes later with an immaculate finish after Bilbao got caught out on the counter-attack.

Xavi curled in a free-kick in the 64th minute to torment Bilbao further as Barca lifted their 25th Copa del Rey.

The Spanish league title could soon follow, with only one point needed at Real Mallorca on Sunday, while the Champions League final will be contested against Manchester United on 27th May.

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Hill-Wood - Wenger will stay

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood is not concerned about the prospect of losing Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid.

Wenger has been heavily linked with a move to Real in the summer, with presidential candidate Florentino Perez reportedly wanting to make the Frenchman the club's next coach.

The Gunners boss sparked fresh speculation over his future at the weekend after admitting Perez's project would be interesting for any coach.

The long-serving Wenger was also criticised at a shareholders' meeting last week following a fourth successive season without a trophy.

Hill-Wood has blasted the conduct of some of those at the meeting, but is confident it will not affect Wenger's future at Emirates Stadium.

"I am not concerned about it," said Hill-Wood in the Daily Star . "Arsene is here and under contract (until 2011), and I am sure that is how it is going to remain.

"I think he is a big enough man to accept that a few people are not prepared to be reasonable.

"I think we all have to accept criticism, but you expect it to be reasonably constructive, rather than destructive."

Disgraceful

Expanding on last week's meeting, Hill-Wood praised Wenger's handling of the situation after expressing his dismay at the questions put to the Arsenal manager.

He added: "Frankly, some of the questions were quite disgraceful.

"There you have the most successful manager in our history and two or three of the shareholders made the most negative and somewhat hostile and sarcastic comments, which I think were completely out of order.

"I was very upset by the questions, I have to say. We, and he, kindly agreed to have this meeting and whether we have another one is a moot point.

"Arsene was very diplomatic and honest in his answers and deserves great credit for that. But I wouldn't have been anything like as polite if they had asked me."

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Real make Valencia bid

Antonio Valencia's agent has confirmed Real Madrid have made a bid for the Wigan winger.

Wigan are resigned to losing the Ecuador international and Real Madrid and Manchester United are believed to be battling it out for his services.

Latics boss Steve Bruce has openly admitted the 23-year-old will move on in the summer as Wigan prepare to sell him to the highest bidder.

Real have held a long-term interest in Valencia and tried to sign him during the January transfer window, and they have now made the first moves to lure him to the Spanish capital this summer by tabling an offer.

United are also believed to have contacted Wigan to register their interest in the skilful wide-man with Sir Alex Ferguson a big admirer of the South American.

The player's agent Diego Herrera has admitted Real have bid for Valencia and that Wigan are awaiting other offers before allowing the player to leave.

"I believe Wigan will sell Antonio for the right offer and they will decide that once they receive that," Herrera told skysports.com .

"Real Madrid made an offer last week, but nobody from Wigan has told me of an offer from Manchester United.

"There are a number of interested clubs and I will speak with Wigan about it this week.

"Once the season is over I expect offers to be made and I will sit down with Antonio and decide what offer is in his best interests."

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Davydenko pulls out of Austrian Open with injury

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) -Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko has pulled out of the Austrian Open because of a muscle strain in his left leg.

Paul Capdeville of Chile will replace the 10th-ranked Russian for Tuesday's first-round match against Diego Junqueira of Argentina.

Last week, Davydenko withdrew from the Madrid Open citing a left leg injury.

He has won the Austrian Open three times in the last four years, when it was known as the Hypo Group tournament.

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Agent - Only the best for Ibra

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent insists only four clubs - Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid - would be able to buy his client.

And Mino Raiola also claims that they would all be interested in signing the Swede, should he depart Inter Milan this summer.

Ibrahimovic has been strongly linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer.

And Raiola has done little to dampen the speculation surrounding his charge.

"Chelsea, Man United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the only clubs that could buy Zlatan," Raiola told Swedish daily Aftonbladet.

"Ibrahimovic, though will stay in Inter. It's just the newspapers that write different, until something else is proved, Zlatan will play in Inter.

"He has a contract with Inter for three more years."

Despite playing down talk of an imminent move, Raiola did insist that a host of clubs were tracking him.

"All the big clubs are interested in Zlatan," he said.

"He is a unique player that I don't think we'll experience the like during the rest of our lifetime. The biggest clubs are in on-going contact with me.

"If Zlatan leaves Inter, it will be for a big club, a very big club, just like Inter is.

"If he doesn't leave, he will stay and try to win the Champions League and the Scudetto next season."

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Reds to decide Alonso's future

Xabi Alonso's agent admits Liverpool will decide the midfielder's future at the end of the season.

The Spanish international's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with a number of clubs thought to be lining up summer moves for the player.

Real Madrid are thought to be leading the chase for Alonso with the 27-year-old thought to be one of presidental candidate Florentino Perez's top transfer targets if he gains control at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Alonso's agent Ignacio Ibanez has refused to confirm the player will remain at Anfield next season, admitting Liverpool will have the final say on any possible transfer.

"Many things could happen in the summer," Ibanez told the Daily Star .

"The first is to finish the season and after that to attend to other matters.

"Xabi has signed for three more years and his future depends on Liverpool."

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Messi would speak to Perez

Lionel Messi has admitted that he would speak to Florentino Perez but only to politely tell him he is more than happy at Barcelona.

Perez is running for the Real Madrid presidency this summer and he has already promised fans a 'spectacular project' should he be voted in.

The 62-year-old - who was Real president from 2000 to 2006 - has recently declared that there is nothing stopping him from bidding for Barca's top talent, as he proved when he snapped up Luis Figo from the Catalans in 2000.

But Messi is adamant that history will not be repeating itself this time around, although he doubts whether Perez would even consider signing him.

"Yes, I would take his call," he told AS . "I am not waiting for him to ring.

"I do not think he would call me anyway because he is after other players.

"I want to stay with Barca. My plan is to stay here. I came to Barcelona as a child and they have given everything to me. I am one of the people here.

"So, no, I do not believe Florentino will call because he knows this about me."

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Hanescu, Youzhny advance at Austrian Open

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) -Third-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania rallied to beat Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5 Monday in the first round of the Austrian Open.

The 32nd-ranked Hanescu broke four times and will play Marcel Granollers of Spain, who defeated Teimuraz Gabahsvili of Russia 7-6 (11), 6-3.

Seventh-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 6-2, 7-6 (7).

German wild card Andreas Beck rallied to beat Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, while Nicolas Massu of Chile defeated Robin Vik of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2.

Also advancing to the second round was Daniel Koellerer of Austria, who downed Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-4, 6-4.

Agustin Calleri of Argentina, who won the event in 2006, reached the second round after Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan quit the match due to illness at 3-6, 7-5, 0-1.

The Austrian Open, a warmup event for next week's French Open, was initially scheduled for July but moved to May after the Hypo Group tournament in Poertschach, Austria, was dropped from the ATP Tour calendar.

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Sharapova wins comeback match in Poland

WARSAW, Poland - Maria Sharapova played her first tour singles match in nearly 10 months Monday, beating Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the first round of the Warsaw Open.

The Russian wore a bandage on her right shoulder and wasted three match points in the second set before being taken to a third set.

Sharapova hadn’t played a singles match on tour since July 30. She had surgery on a torn rotator cuff about two months later. She played a doubles match in March, losing in Indian Wells, Calif.

The three-time Grand Slam tournament winner and former No. 1 player is now ranked No. 126. She has missed the last two majors.

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Casillas tired of Ronaldo talk

Iker Casillas has urged Real Madrid to dampen their lingering interest in Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal international Ronaldo was strongly linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer but a move failed to materialise as boss Sir Alex Ferguson stood firm over the winger's future.

Ronaldo recently stated that his "Real dream is dead", although his demonstration of petulance in the Red Devils' 2-0 win over Manchester City at the weekend reignited uncertainty over his future.

Furthermore, speculation continues to suggest Los Merengues could offer a substantial fee at the end of the season, with a number of contenders for the club's presidency making bold transfer pledges.

Individual

However, goalkeeper Casillas said: "Ronaldo and (AC Milan playmaker) Kaka are great players but we don't have to keep returning to these names.

"What we need is a team that compete with Barcelona and one player doesn't change a team. I believe a team always forms together and there cannot be a player that changes everything.

"If we pay €100million for Ronaldo it's because he's worth it. But with the economic crisis it is peculiar that in football we talk of these astronomical figures."

Fantastic

Spain shot-stopper Casillas also suggested Real turn to home-grown talent, rather than spend lavishly on targets from abroad.

The 27-year-old said: "The Spanish national team are great and my team-mates at international level are fantastic, that is clear.

"I have always believed in the Spanish player and right now they are playing great football."

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Real admit Tevez approach

Real Madrid have confirmed making an approach for Carlos Tevez as reports claim the Spanish giants are closing in on a deal for Kaka.

Tevez is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season after failing to agree a permanent deal with the Premier League leaders.

The Argentine had been linked with a move to Real in the summer, with sporting director Predrag Mijatovic confirming his club's interest.

However, Mijatovic has revealed Real have shelved plans to sign Tevez as the striker is determined to stay in English football.

Special

"I first made an approach four months ago to express an interest in Carlos," Mijatovic told the Daily Mail .

"We have spoken since with his representatives, but he's informed us that he wants to stay in England.

"Carlos says it's important to his family to stay in England, so it seems he will either stay with Manchester United or find another club.

"It takes a special type of player to play for a club like Real Madrid or Manchester United, and clearly Carlos has those qualities."

Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim presidential candidate Florentino Perez has secured a deal to sign Kaka from AC Milan if he wins the election.

A fee of 63million Euros (Ј56million) is rumoured to have been agreed between the clubs, with Brazilian playmaker Kaka ready to sign a five-year contract.

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Perez to consider Barca buys

Florentino Perez has hinted that he considers any player that he wants to be fair game and denied ever agreeing not to try and buy players from Barcelona.

After announcing that he will stand in Real Madrid's presidential election in June, the construction giant has seen himself linked with a host of world-class players.

While many names are from abroad, Perez was asked about a repeat performance of the Luis Figo transfer that saw him able to win office in 2000 from Lorenzo Sanz.

Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi have laughed off suggestions that they could be tempted to move to the Bernabeu, but Perez has revealed that he would see them as possibilities.

Joan Laporta and former Madrid president Ramon Calderon openly admitted that they had a gentleman's agreement not to try and attract each other's players.

Perez though does not follow that and believes that as Barcelona are currently the best side in the Primera Division then Madrid would consider looking at who they have.

"I do not remember any non-aggression pact with Barcelona," he is quoted as saying by AS .

"Barca are having a superb season. Each player, when you sign a contract, includes a clause that allows them to leave if it is paid. We can talk about it when the elections are decided."

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Atletico release Seitaridis

Atletico Madrid have released defender Giourkas Seitaridis a year before his contract is due to expire.

The 27-year-old is the second player to be released in a matter of days after Portuguese midfielder Maniche was shown the door last week.

The pair were originally suspended by the club after both failed to turn up to a match they had been selected for against Sporting Gijon.

Seitaridis has started just 10 times in the Primera Division this season and it has been reported that the Greek international has found it hard to adapt to life in Spain following his move from Dynamo Moscow in 2006.

"Seitaridis is therefore free to negotiate with other clubs who may be interested in signing him," a statement read on the club's official website .

Atletico are currently challenging for the fourth UEFA Champions League place and host current occupants of fourth spot Valencia on Sunday with one point separating the two teams.

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Perez makes presidential promise

Florentino Perez has promised a 'spectacular project' should he be elected as Real Madrid president.

Perez officially confirmed his desire to re-run for a post he held between 2000 and 2006 on Thursday.

During his first spell at the helm he helped Real lift two Primera Liga titles and conquer Europe in the UEFA Champions League.

He was also responsible for the famous 'Galaticos' transfer policy which saw the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham sign for Los Blancos.

Perez has hinted that his plans for the future revolve around similar principles, but has so far refrained from revealing the names of those he would wish to bring to Santiago Bernabeu upon his return to office.

"We are working towards and we will work to create a spectacular project, and that is to make Real Madrid the best club in the world once more," said Perez, who is considered the favourite to win the election.

"We want to clean the image of the club and become leaders in Europe.

"A club like Real Madrid needs to have several of the best players in the world and even though I can't discuss names today, we have a spectacular project on the sporting side."

Manchester United's World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and AC Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka are just two of the names strongly linked with Real in recent times.

Motivation

Perez is known to be an admirer of both, but has refused to comment on speculation suggesting he is lining up big-money moves for either player.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world," he said.

He went on to add on the continued speculation regarding Kaka: "I'm an intimate friend of (Milan vice-president) Adriano Galliani and when we meet up we always have a good chat - and we also talk about football."

Should Perez win the election, his first task will be to overhaul the domestic dominance currently enjoyed by arch rivals Barcelona.

The Catalan giants are on course to land an historic Treble this season and Perez admits Pep Guardiola's side set the standard which Real must strive to achieve.

"Barcelona are having a magnificent season, but that is motivation for me because I want to make Madrid great again," he said.

"I want us to be the leader in Europe, to compete with teams like Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea.

"We have seen that Barcelona and Manchester United have played the best football in Europe this year - and that's the level we have to get to."

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Crusat open to Spurs switch

Albert Crusat has admitted he would be interested in a possible move to Tottenham this summer.

The Spanish left winger has been in tremendous form for Almeria this season and has been linked with a switch away from the club during the transfer window.

He has been linked with Spurs in the Spanish press, although it is understood that no formal negotiations have taken place.

Crusat claims playing in the Premier League would be the pinnacle of his career but he is not getting carried away by the rumours at this stage.

"If Tottenham are following my work it will be because I have had a good season," said the 27-year-old, whose contract expires in June 2010.

"For me it is sensational but I leave everything in the hands of my agent.

"The Premier League is a success for any footballer. I am an ambitious player and it is normal that I desire to improve my career."

Ricardo link

Meanwhile, Tottenham have also been linked with a summer swoop for Real Betis goalkeeper Ricardo.

The Portugal international is tied to Betis for two more years but reports suggest he does not figure in the club's plans for next season.

"Now we are focused on keeping the club in the Primera Division but it is certain that we are also studying some chances for the squad," commented director Manuel Momparlet.

"It is also necessary for many players to exit but at this moment we do not need to give names."

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Nalbandian out 4 months after hip surgery

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Argentine tennis player David Nalbandian is recovering in Barcelona after undergoing surgery on his right hip, which will keep him sidelined for four months.

The 15th-ranked Nalbandian, who underwent surgery on Wednesday, will miss Argentina's Davis Cup quarterfinal in July, as well as the remaining Grand Slam tournaments - the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

The medical clinic that performed the operation said Nalbandian would stay in Barcelona to rehabilitate until the end of May, before returning to Argentina to continue his recovery.

The 27-year-old Nalbandian's last match was a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Chile's Paul Capdeville at last week's Estoril Open in Portugal.

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Agent admits Silva interest

David Silva's agent has admitted a number of clubs have enquired about signing the Valencia star.

Reports have suggested Liverpool are leading the chase for the Spanish international with Juventus also thought to be keen on signing the winger.

Valencia are facing a real fight to keep hold of their top stars due to their financial problems and clubs are waiting in the wings to lure Silva away from La Mestalla.

It has been claimed Liverpool have tabled a take-it-or-leave-it Ј15million offer for Silva as Reds boss Rafa Benitez refuses to get involved in a bidding war for the 23-year-old.

Silva's representatives, InterFootball Management, admit there is interest in the player, but that his future depends on Valencia.

Speculation"At this time it is normal there are many stories in the papers about transfers, but the decision depends on Valencia," an InterFootball spokesman told skysports.com .

"It is certain that some clubs have asked about the boy, but he has a deal with Valencia and he is happy in the city."

Valencia sporting director Fernando Gomez insists no decisions will be made on the futures of any players until the end of the season with Valencia still battling for UEFA Champions League qualification.

"Now it is impossible to negotiate anything because the future of the team in qualifying for Europe is not decided and that is key for the budget next season," said Gomez.

BlowMeanwhile, Silva has been ruled out of Valencia's final three games of the season through injury.

Silva sustained a groin injury in last weekend's win over Real Madrid and he is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks.

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Barca suffer Iniesta blow

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta is in a race against time to be fit for the UEFA Champions League final after being ruled out of the Copa del Rey with a thigh muscle tear.

The Spain midfielder sustained the problem in Sunday's 3-3 Primera Liga draw with Villarreal at Camp Nou. A victory in the match would have seen Barca claim the title.

Barca are now set to examine the extent of Iniesta's injury on Monday and will then announce how long the 25-year-old is facing on the sidelines.

The playmaker will definitely miss Wednesday's Copa del Rey final with Athletic Bilbao, but his club are hopeful he will be fit to face Manchester United on 27th May.

"I don't have a good feeling," said manager Pep Guardiola.

"We will do tests tomorrow, but there is no way he will play this week.

"We will try to get him fit for Rome - that's all we can do. We will have what the tests reveal.

"(Losing Iniesta) is worse news then not being crowned champions,"

Barca are already without suspended duo Dani Alves and Eric Abidal, while Thierry Henry is struggling to be ready for the Rome showpiece after suffering knee ligament trouble.

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The Commissioner Speaks
Capello warning for Barca

Spanish giants to trial Kagawa

Japan's rising star Shinji Kagawa is set for trial stints with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

According to reports in the Far East, the 20 year-old is considering offers to train with the Primera Liga giants, subject to approval from his club Cerezo Osaka.

"The Spanish league is my favourite. The attacking mentality suits my style," Kagawa said on Nikkan Sports .

"My dream is to play in the Champions League one day, so this is a great opportunity."

The skilful midfielder made his debut for the national team last May and has gone on to earn eight more caps for the Blue Samurai.

Regarded as the country's top young talent, Kagawa is backed by Cerezo club president Nobuyoshi Fujita to make it big in Europe.

"We will definitely consider any offers that we believe will benefit him," he said.

"It is a dream of his to play overseas. He has our full support."

Besides Barcelona and Real, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid are also reportedly monitoring the player's progress.

The Commissioner Speaks
Ronaldo - Real dream is over

Messi admits English appeal

Barcelona star Lionel Messi confesses that he could play in the Premier League at some point in the future.

The 21-year-old, who is preparing for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg with Chelsea, has previously stated his desire to remain at Camp Nou for the duration of his career.

However, 2009 World Player of the Year candidate Messi has now hinted that he may be interested in a move to England in later seasons.

Although the Argentina international maintains that he is happy with Barca, his recognition of the quality of the Premier League could alert the wealthy likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

"The football in England is great, just as it is in Spain," Messi told Uefa's official website .

Brilliant

"But for now I'm very settled and feel really valued at Barcelona.

"I know the Premier League is a great league, but Barcelona is a big part of my life and I'm not thinking of anything else.

"With time, we'll see. You never know."

Meanwhile, Messi remains modest about his chances of being named World Player of the Year after missing out on the accolade in 2008 to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I don't know if I am the best player in the world. At the moment Cristiano Ronaldo has the title," he added.

"I don't pay too much attention to it. I'm not worried about it. If they give me the award, that's brilliant because you enjoy these prizes. If not, that's absolutely fine too."

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Dynamo have high expectations for Akinbiyi
Laporta - Messi a genius
The Commissioner Speaks

European review

Barcelona and Inter Milan both failed to secure their respective titles, as Rangers took a huge step to landing the SPL title.

Barca had the chance to lift the Primera Liga crown on Sunday, but they were held at home by Villarreal - likewise Inter could have wrapped up the Scudetto with a win but they could not beat Chievo.

Rangers beat Celtic at Ibrox to move into pole position in Scotland, whilst Bayern Munich moved level at the top of the Bundesliga.

It also was the final day of the season in Holland and Portugal.

La Liga

Everyone thought that Barca would be crowned champions this weekend, after Real Madrid lost 2-0 at Valencia on Saturday.

However, Barca could not take advantage as they were pegged back by Villarreal at Camp Nou, as the Yellow Submarines came from behind to claim a 3-3 draw.

Serie A

It was the same story in Italy, as Inter Milan missed the chance to all but wrap up the title. Inter could have moved nine points clear of nearest rivals AC Milan but they could not get past Chievo who grabbed a 2-2 draw. Milan consolidated their place in second as they played out a 1-1 stalemate with third placed Juventus.

Bundesliga

Mario Gomez grabbed a remarkable four goals to help Stuttgart hammer league leaders Wolfsburg 4-1. That loss allowed Bayern Munich to move level at the top of the table and they made no mistakes as they powered past Energie Cottbus 3-1.

SPL

Steven Davis' goal gave Rangers a 1-0 win over arch-rivals and champions Celtic. The win sends the Gers two points clear at the top and puts them in pole position for the title. At the bottom, basement side Falkirk moved to within two points of St Mirren as they drew 1-1 at Kilmarnock, whilst The Buddies lost 3-1 at home to Motherwell.

Eredivisie

The final day of the Dutch season saw Ajax secure third spot as they beat Twente 1-0. At the wrong end of the table, FC Volendam were relegated as they drew 2-2 at De Graafschap, whilst Roda escaped the drop with a 3-2 win at Feyenoord.

Ligue 1

There was no domestic league action in France this weekend due to their cup final - which saw a shock as Ligue 2 side Guingamp beat Stade Rennes 2-1.

Best of the rest...

Porto regained the Portuguese title on the last day of the season as they defeated Nacional. The Belgian title race will go to the last day of the season as Anderlecht and Standard Liege both won at the weekend. Besiktas have gone top in Turkey with three matches remaining as they beat Ankaraspor, whilst Sivaaspor suffered a shock home defeat.

Elsewhere, Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), NK Maribor (Slovenia), GP Skopje (Macedonia) and F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg) secured their domestic crowns.

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Toure targets Treble
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Capello warning for Barca

La Liga round-up

Barcelona can clinch their 19th La Liga title on Sunday after nearest rivals Real Madrid lost 2-0 to Valencia on Saturday evening.

On the back of Barca's emphatic 6-2 success over Real last weekend they can now clinch their first title since the 2005/06 campaign with victory over Villarreal.

Juande Ramos' Real Madrid were always on the back foot at the Mestalla and the only surprise of the game was it took 29 minutes for Valencia to break the deadlock.

Iker Casillas had already made one world-class save to deny Ruben Baraja, but was helpless to prevent Juan Mata finding the back of the net after he got the better of Fabio Cannavaro.

One soon became two when David Silva's speculative shot squirmed past Casillas on 32 minutes at his near post to double Valencia's lead.

Los Che ensured there would be no comeback from Real when Baraja showed superb technique when lashing a left-footed volley past the helpless Casillas on 68 minutes.

Real remain seven points adrift of the leaders Barca, who can move an unassailable 10 points clear of their rivals on Sunday with three league games remaining.

Elsewhere, Sevilla battled back from a goal down to see off Real Mallorca while Real Betis remain in relegation trouble after losing at Athletic Bilbao.

Real Mallorca stunned Sevilla when they took the lead at Estadio Ramon Sanchez when Aritz Aduriz scored from the angle on 16 minutes.

However, parity was restored when Fredi Kanoute sent Miguel Moya the wrong way from the penalty spot after Luis Fabiano was felled.

The Brazilian marksman put Sevilla ahead for the first time in the game on the hour mark with a superb individual run that led to a neat finish.

The home side wrapped up the points late on when Jesus Navas cut in from the right wing before lashing an unstoppable drive past Moya.

Elsewhere, Real Betis remain just three points clear of third from bottom Sporting Gijon following a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

Inigo Velez scored the only goal of the game on 28 minutes to move Bilbao within a point of Mallorca in the Liga table.

Primera Liga round-up
Late goals haunt Real Salt Lake in draw with LA

US men in longest Grand Slam drought since '60s

The French Open begins in less than two weeks, so cue the annual hand wringing about the Americans' problems in Paris.

It's been a decade since a man from the United States won the title - Andre Agassi in 1999 - and none has even reached the quarterfinals there since he did in 2003.

The country's decline extends far beyond the red clay of Roland Garros, though.

"I fear, actually, for American tennis at the moment,'' said former No. 1 and eight-time major champion Ivan Lendl. "This void, this vacuum, this wait for more success may not be limited just to the French.''

Indeed, a wider look reveals a gloomier picture: American men are going through their worst Grand Slam title drought in the 41-year history of tennis' Open era. Since Andy Roddick's 2003 U.S. Open championship, 21 major tournaments have come and gone without an American man winning.

The only longer gap between U.S. titles was a 30-Slam shutout from 1955-63.

"Americans have become accustomed to having champions,'' said Jim Courier, who won four Grand Slam titles in the 1990s. "We've pretty much had players challenging for - and winning - majors forever.''

Not lately.

Only two active U.S. men, Roddick and Robby Ginepri, ever have made it as far as the semifinals at any major. At the French Open, no one is coming close to contending: Over the past three years combined, there have been three U.S. men into the third round - zero in 2007.

"There is nobody currently playing for the United States who has any chance of winning the French championships. You can say that categorically,'' said Cliff Drysdale, the 1965 U.S. Open runner-up and an ESPN tennis analyst for 30 years.

One significant reason for the current slide, not just in Paris but everywhere, is that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal collected 18 of the past 21 major titles for Switzerland and Spain. But a look at Monday's ATP rankings shows it's not merely at the very top where the United States is lacking.

Only Roddick at No. 6, and James Blake at No. 16, represent the country in the Top 25. Add in Mardy Fish at No. 26, and there are three Americans in the Top 60. That's one fewer than Croatia - a country with a population roughly 1.5 percent that of the United States. France, meanwhile, has 11 of the Top 60. Spain has eight.

There does not appear to be much help on the horizon, with only one American man younger than 23 inside the Top 100.

Thanks to one particular family from Compton, Calif., things don't seem nearly so bad for U.S. women. Sisters Serena and Venus Williams own 17 Grand Slam singles titles between them, including each of the past three.

That masks weaknesses among other Americans. Monday's WTA rankings have Serena at No. 2, Venus at No. 3 - and no one else until No. 44 Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

"I'm concerned by the numbers. We don't have that many players in the Top 100,'' said Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, appointed a year ago to lead the U.S. Tennis Association's development program and try to fix things. "I don't think you can create a system where you can create champions. Champions, to me, are born, and they come up in the right situation or they're pushed and they're prodded. If we can raise the level of the many junior players that we have and then the young pro players, that will make it more possible that a John McEnroe will develop, that a Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi will come along.''

To that end, the USTA now spends about $15 million annually to try to groom future top players, a 50 percent increase over what was funneled into such efforts before 2008. There are academies in Florida and California and certified regional training centers in suburban Washington and Atlanta. Some teens were sent to train at a tennis academy in Spain.

"This is a monumental project,'' McEnroe said. "It's something that will see some results within the next year, but really, this is a five-, six-, seven-, eight-year plan.''

At its heart is an attempt to change the way U.S. kids are taught to play tennis, to change the philosophy that dictates it's best to go for winners whenever possible.

To Courier - a member of the most recent generation of American greats, a group that included Sampras and Agassi - the most promising sign for the future might simply be that there is concern.

"Whenever we start talking about these things, it tends to be a good, leading indicator that things are about to change. It's like a sign of bottoming out,'' Courier said. "I remember hearing these conversations when our group was coming up.''

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Chang's '89 title sparked great US decade in Paris

Hard to believe, perhaps, given the recent state of affairs for Americans in Paris, yet there was a time when U.S. men were regulars in the French Open finals.

Starting with Michael Chang's championship in 1989, followed by Jim Courier's in 1991 and 1992, and ending with Andre Agassi's in 1999, American men won four titles in a decade at Roland Garros. They also accounted for four runner-up finishes in that span.

Chang ended a 34-year French Open drought for the United States: No U.S. man had won since Tony Trabert in 1954 and 1955. At 17 years, 3 months old, Chang also set a record that still stands for youngest male champion at a Grand Slam tournament.

"I don't think that anybody ever expected an American to hoist the trophy on that final Sunday,'' Chang said in a telephone interview. "And I'm one of them.''

Looking back 20 years later, Chang sounded genuinely surprised he even made it through the fourth round, when he produced a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 upset of then-No. 1 Ivan Lendl.

But Chang considered quitting because of debilitating leg cramps that began in the fourth set of the 4 1/2-hour match.

"I was walking toward the chair umpire, thinking to myself, 'Hey, let's just call it a day and get some praise in the locker room,''' Chang recalled.

Told Chang nearly stopped playing, Lendl laughed and said: "I wish he did.''

"I was cramping in that match, too,'' Lendl said last week. "I just tried to cover it up.''

Chang made his pain plain for the world to see, guzzling water and standing through changeovers, afraid his legs would lock.

Then there were Chang's unusual tactics, including at 4-3 in the fifth set the most famous underhand serve in the history of tennis (find it on YouTube). Lendl got the odd-looking offering back before missing a volley to lose the point.

Chang hit underhand, he said, because his legs were so weak, he couldn't muster serves stronger than 70 mph. And he remembered at the time that Agassi flustered him years earlier by using underhand serves when they were about 12.

"Ivan got a little bit more rattled after that,'' Chang said. "That's the only time I ever served underhand in my life.''

Later, with Lendl serving on match point, Chang walked all the way up to the service line, something rarely seen at this level.

Lendl double-faulted, ending the match.

"People ask, 'Don't you think it's terrible he served underhand?' or 'He did this, he did that.' Hey, you do what you have to. As long as you can win fair and square, which he did,'' Lendl said. "There is no bitterness. And there never was.''

Chang also moved behind the service box in his next match, against Ronald Agenor, again drawing a double-fault. Chang would go on to beat Agenor in the quarterfinals, Andrei Chesnokov in the semifinals and Stefan Edberg in the final.

"The pressure really was on everybody else,'' Chang said, "because nobody wanted to lose to a 17-year-old kid.''

Courier - who came up through the junior ranks with Chang, Agassi and Pete Sampras - called Chang's breakthrough an "eye-opening experience'' for the group. That quartet would go on to win 27 major titles; Chang's was the first - and his only one.

Still, it was his triumph that made the others think: Hey, we can do this.

Precisely the sort of boost U.S. tennis could use these days, Courier says.

"He was a peer. We recognized very quickly after Michael won that it was not an insurmountable task,'' Courier said. "Something that seemed so far away was right in front of you at that point.''

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Dr. J seesВ daughter Stevenson play for first time as pro

Saviola considering Real exit

Javier Saviola has set his sights on a summer move away from Real Madrid, according to the player's agent.

The Argentine forward was strongly linked with a transfer to Portsmouth in the winter transfer window but an agreement was not struck.

Saviola has continued to struggle for first-team football at the Spanish giants and his agent, Alfredo Cabrera Brizuela, has intimated that an exit is now likely.

It is reported that Newcastle United are interested in the 27-year-old with a deal dependent on whether they avoid relegation, but the club have yet to comment on the speculation.

Brizuela said: "Javier has a deal with Real Madrid until 2010 but he has decided to leave as he has not had many opportunities this season.

"It is true that some clubs have asked about Saviola, but we will attend a meeting at the beginning of June to resolve the issue.

"Saviola is still young and still offers much to the game. Clubs from England and Italy have contacted us."

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Tchite unfazed by speculation

Mohammed Tchite is concentrating solely on playing well for Racing Santander after being linked with a move to Blackburn.

According to reports in the Spanish press, Rovers are considering a summer swoop for the 25-year-old striker and sent scouts to watch him over the weekend.

Tchite, who has been plagued by several injury problems in recent times, only came on for the second half and was unable to prevent Racing from losing 1-0 to Malaga.

He is determined to regain his fitness and is happy to leave any decision on his future in the hands of his club.

"I saw the rumours but it depends on Racing," Tchite told the Spanish press.

"Now my objective is to get into perfect physical condition and finish the campaign on a positive level."

Tchite has a long-term contract with Racing and it is understood they would want a fee in the region of 8million euros (Ј7.2million).

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Yallop tries to right ship after loss

Hughes rejects Raul rumours

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has rejected reports linking the club with a move for Real Madrid star Raul.

Reports emanating from Spain suggested cash-rich City were lining up a mega-bid for the Real icon as they look to bolster their squad this summer.

However, Hughes has moved quickly to dismiss the speculation that the Spain legend is on City's list of targets.

"We keep on getting linked with players and that's going to happen every week," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"I think maybe if you work back to where the story originated, I would suggest it's come from Spain, it's not come from England."

Research

Hughes admits the club are busy planning for new signings, but insists they will not settle for second best.

"We are looking to bring players that will obviously complement the good players we already have," added Hughes.

"We have significant areas of the team that we want to strengthen and we will do that with the best players we are able to acquire

"If the right player isn't available we don't want to go for second best.

"We will look at what's there and if we have to wait a little bit longer then so be it.

"It is about making sure that when we do go into the market we get the right quality and the right type of player.

"We are looking at all aspects of anyone we obviously covet.

"We obviously look at injury records, the guys as individuals and as personalities and actually do more groundwork leading into hoping to sign these players than has possibly happened in the past. As a consequence we will make less mistakes in the future."

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Sharapova to play singles in Warsaw next week

NEW YORK (AP) -Maria Sharapova says she will be back on tour next week.

Sharapova writes on her Web site that she plans to play her first competitive singles match in nearly 10 months at next week's clay-court tournament in Warsaw, Poland.

The three-time Grand Slam title winner was sidelined in August by a torn rotator cuff in her right shoulder and had surgery two months later.

She has played one doubles match since then, losing in March at Indian Wells, California.

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Drenthe - Ibra set for Real

Royston Drenthe has claimed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be a Real Madrid player next season.

Ibrahimovic's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, particularly since Inter Milan were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League.

He is keen to enjoy success on the European stage and reports have suggested he could leave Inter during the summer.

Real are one club to have been linked with the Swedish forward and Drenthe believes a transfer will go ahead.

"Everyone at Real Madrid knows that he (Ibrahimovic) will be here next year," the midfielder is quoted as saying on sportmediaset.it .

"The money to buy Ibra is not a problem."

Ibrahimovic has previously refused to rule out a move away from Inter and he is still keeping an open mind regarding his future options.

"Winning the Champions League? I can do it with Inter or with another team," Ibrahimovic told Canal Plus .

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Ronaldo - Real dream is over

La Liga round-up

Barcelona were made to wait for the Primera Liga title following a 3-3 draw with Villarreal at Camp Nou.

After closest rivals Real Madrid lost to Valencia on Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola's men went into their match well aware that success would secure a 19th league crown.

But the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey finalists disappointed their expectant home supporters, who are eager for a memorable treble triumph, as they threw away a 3-1 first-half lead.

Seydou Keita opened the scoring in the 11th minute after firing in with his left foot from the side of the area.

But Joseph Llorente then silenced the Catalan on 22 minutes as he slotted a close range equaliser for Villarreal, who hold Champions League aspirations with three games remaining.

Barca's star striker Samuel Eto'o, however, restored Barca's lead nine minutes before half-time following good work from Andres Iniesta, and Daniel Alves then added a third from a free-kick in first-half injury time.

Guardiola's side's were rocked in the second half as a 78th minute Matias Fernandez penalty - after Eric Abidal, who was dismissed at Chelsea in midweek, was sent off for fouling Nihat - set up a nervy finish.

And then in time added on at the end of the match Llorente latched onto a long ball to net a dramatic, scrappy equaliser to put Barca's celebrations on hold.

Ten-man Atletico Madrid came back from two goals down at half-time to record a dramatic 3-2 win against flailing Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon.

The Champions League hopefuls were facing an uphill challenge after 32 minutes when Luis Perea was sent off, and a Nene penalty (38) and Daniel Jarque (40) goal quickly added to the home side's problems.

But eight minutes after the interval Atletico grabbed a lifeline as Diego Forlan netted an excellent goal before Sergio Aguero scored an equaliser on the hour-mark.

Atletico then bombarded the goal of Espanyol, who are not safe from relegation, and Forlan sparked wild celebrations as he hit the winner in the second minute of injury time.

At the other end of the table, 10-man Getafe boosted their survival hopes with a thumping 3-0 home win over fellow strugglers Osasuna.

Esteban Molina (27 and 50) hit a brace, with the opener from the penalty spot, while Ikechukwu Uche added a third (54) before Gonzalez Adrian was sent off on the hour-mark.

Recreativo Huelva remain in the relegation zone following a 2-1 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruna, who hold a faint chance of qualifying for the European Cup.

Joan Verdu opened the scoring for Deportivo in the 17th minute, but Perez Colunga pulled one back for the home side one minute before half-time.

Deportivo, though, secured the victory four minutes after the interval as Nunez Alvarez netted.

Sporting Gijon also remain in the bottom three after throwing away the lead in a 3-1 defeat at Almeria.

Gonzalez Carmelo put Sporting in front in the 16th minute, but Miguel Nieto (27) Kalu Uche (55) and substitute Pablo Piatti (90) completed the turn around.

Numancia remain rock bottom and four points from safety after a 0-0 draw at Valladolid.

Racing Santander are still not safe from the drop after losing 1-0 at Malaga as Albert Martos struck the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on 88 minutes.

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Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match
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Gaven’s goal gives Crew first win of 2009 season

Raul rules out City move

Real Madrid captain Raul has ruled out the possibility of joining Manchester City.

Cash-rich City were linked with a mega-money move for Raul this summer as they look to bring in some high-profile signings.

City boss Mark Hughes played down the rumours linking Raul with a switch to Eastlands on Friday and Raul has now dismissed the notion.

Raul insists he has no plans to leave El Santiago Bernabeu and is hoping to end his career at Real.

"It's true that there has been contact with my representative Gines Carvajal from Manchester City, but I've not considered it because I'm not going to leave here," Raul told Marca .

Plan"I'm only thinking about finishing my career at Real Madrid, which is my club and where I still have many things to do.

"When they told me of City's offer I didn't have a single moment's doubt. My place is here and I still think I can help the team win titles."

Raul's agent Carvajal added: "Yes, it's true that there has been interest and nothing more.

"When I told Raul about the offer he told me he didn't want to waste time on this matter. City have a good project, but Raul is a Real Madrid man."

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Dementieva advances to 2nd round in Madrid

MADRID (AP) -Third-seeded Elena Dementieva beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States 6-4, 6-1 Saturday to reach the second round of the new-look Madrid Masters.

The tournament is being played as a joint ATP and WTA Tour on clay for the first time, with men's play set to start on Sunday. It was previously a men's hard court event.

Eighth-seeded Nadia Petrova also advanced after Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic retired when trailing 6-0, 2-1, while 15th-seeded Zheng Jie of China ousted Russia's Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4.

No. 11 Marion Bartoli of France was eliminated, however, losing 7-6 (2), 6-2 to Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.

Also advancing were Russian duo Alisa Kleybanova, Anna Chakvetadze, along with Virginie Razzano of France.

Serena and Venus Williams and top-ranked Dinara Safina are also in the tournament, but were not in action Saturday.

Rafael Nadal is the top seed on the men's side, but said he was not impressed by the blue-colored clay used for the event.

"The clay tour has its history,'' he said. "The surface is red, not blue. And tennis is not just show business. History and tradition need to be valued also.''

The state-of-the-art stadium, designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, boasts retractable roofs over its three main arenas, including a center court holding 12,500 spectators.

The site was inspected by the International Olympic Committee this week as a key venue in Madrid's 2016 Olympics bid.

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Gasquet confirms positive test for cocaine

PARIS (AP) -French tennis player Richard Gasquet has confirmed that he tested positive for cocaine at the Sony Ericsson Open in March, but maintained his innocence.

Gasquet said in a statement Sunday that the "B'' sample from the tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, confirmed the result of the "A'' sample taken the same day.

"Given the complexity of this dossier, I am gathering together proof of my innocence and I will choose an appropriate moment to express myself,'' Gasquet said.

The Web site of sports daily L'Equipe had reported Saturday that traces of the banned drug were found in the 22-year-old Gasquet's urine sample at the Sony Ericsson Open, where he pulled out after the first round.

The French tennis federation called the report "very surprising'' and said Sunday it would wait for official confirmation before taking any action against him.

Gasquet cited a right shoulder injury when he withdrew before his second-round match against Albert Montanes of Spain. He could face a two-year ban.

The FFT said in a statement that it "would be very sad for Richard Gasquet himself, for tennis in general, for French tennis in particular, whose image would be dented'' if the positive test was officially confirmed.

It added that it will take no action until it has been notified to do so by the governing body of tennis and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"The FFT will follow developments in this affair with the greatest attention, will avoid passing a hasty moral judgment and take care to leave the player to organize his defense,'' the FFT said. "If the facts are nevertheless proven, it would be particularly regrettable in view of all the efforts the FFT makes with players about (drug) prevention.''

Gasquet reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2007, but has struggled with his form since then and is currently ranked 23rd.

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Gomez in dark over future

Jordi Gomez admits he has no idea whether he will still be a Swansea City player next season.

The on-loan Espanyol midfielder has been a revelation in the Championship this term but his future remains a topic of hot conjecture.

Swansea would love to keep the talented 23-year-old at the Liberty Stadium but as yet no accord has been struck with the player's Spanish paymasters.

Gomez would be happy to continue his English sojourn and is now ready to engage in discussions with his parent club Espanyol.

The Primera Division outfit have yet to indicate whether they are ready to sell and Gomez admits Sunday's game could mark his last appearance in a Swansea shirt.

Uncertain future

"I'd like to be here but I don't know what will happen," he told Walesonline .

"I have to see what Espanyol have to say to me. I haven't spoken to them yet, but I will when I go to Barcelona next week.

"I don't know if there are any other options. I only know that Swansea want me to stay here and we will see what happens. If Espanyol say they don't want me, I will look at the options.

"But Swansea would be a great choice for me. It would be easier for me with all the other Spaniards here. That's always important when you move abroad.

"It could be my last game on Sunday but then it might not be. It will be emotional for me either way though."

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Negredo wants starting berth

Almeria striker Alvaro Negredo insists he will only move on to a club who can guarantee him regular first-team football.

Real Madrid, Liverpool and Valencia have all been linked with summer swoops for the highly-rated 23-year-old.

Negredo left Santiago Bernabeu for the Andalusian outfit in 2007, but he is widely expected to be on the move again at the end of this season, in which he has bagged 19 La Liga goals.

Negredo would welcome a return to the Spanish capital, but not to watch the action from the bench, while he voiced similar concerns over a mooted switch to Anfield.

Cash-strapped Valencia are another possible destination should they be in the market for a replacement for the sought-after David Villa, who is set to be sold in a bid to help balance the books.

First option

"They are three great teams, but my first option is Madrid," said Negredo.

"If I'm going to be the fifth striker at Madrid, the option of returning will be ruled out. I have to think long and hard because my future depends on this. What I want to do now is to play, to have minutes."

Negredo also insists that will be his thought process before joining any club this summer, be it Madrid, Liverpool or Valencia.

"If I'm going to go to Liverpool and they make another signing, on top of Fernando Torres and the current strikers they have, it's perhaps not best for me to go there," Negredo said on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser .

On Valencia, he added: "The possibility that Villa is going to leave could make Valencia the best destination for me, but it's clear that if Madrid sell players then my first option is them."

Reds join Negredo chase
Hyndman planning to shake up starting XI

Xavi refutes Real reports

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has laughed off reports that he could move to Real Madrid as part of one of the presidential candidates' deals.

The Catalan playmaker was amused at the rumours linking him with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Xavi has been in the senior side at Camp Nou since 1998 and has stressed he is fully committed to the Primera Division leaders.

"Are you sure? Well I feel for them, but that is impossible. I could not be happy playing for Real Madrid, although I appreciate the compliments, especially from a rival team," he told Sport .

Chelsea

Barca are currently closing in on the Primera Division title and they defeated Chelsea during midweek to set up a UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United.

Xavi felt that Barca's performance over both legs versus the Blues merited a place in the final and also that they deserved some luck after being beaten in the last four in 2008.

He said: "The team that played the better football won the tie as we were the only team that went out to play.

Penalties

"The only penalty call that I thought could be one was the handball by Pique. But in Camp Nou we could have had one for a foul on (Thierry) Henry and (Michael) Ballack could have been sent off, but they did not say anything then."

"Football owed us something. Last season we lost to Manchester United in the semi-final and we were a lot better than them, but they beat us.

"I will always remember John Terry coming into our changing room and congratulating us all one-by one. It was great to see that professionals like this are about."

United hope to avoid Rocky Mountain low
Capello warning for Barca

Safina wins, Jankovic loses at Italian Open

ROME (AP) -Top-ranked Dinara Safina rallied to beat unseeded Spanish player Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 Thursday and reach the Italian Open semifinals, while two-time defending champion Jelena Jankovic lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Safina is seeking her first title since climbing to the top of the rankings last month, but was pressured in the first set by the 48th-ranked Martinez Sanchez, who mixed up her game with a number of drop shots and net winners.

The Russian then trailed 3-1 in the second set before turning her game around, winning 11 consecutive games to clinch the set and then the decider.

Safina next plays either Venus Williams or Agnieszka Radwanska, who played later.

In the other side of the draw, Kuznetsova ousted Jankovic 6-1, 7-6 (3).

The eighth-ranked Russian, who won the Porsche GP last week for her first title in almost two years, dictated play with her powerful groundstrokes and hit 27 winners - more than twice as many as her opponent.

In the first set, Kuznetsova fired winners from both sides of the court and attacked Jankovic's second serve. Jankovic was unable to convert two set points at 6-5 in the second, and Kuznetsova closed out the match after 1 hour, 38 minutes.

"I played what she liked, and, of course, she has more power than me,'' said Jankovic, who has dropped to fourth in the rankings after ending last season as No. 1. "Then I started to a little bit change the way ... I was playing. But it was a little bit too late.''

Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion, was a runner-up in Rome two years ago, when she lost to Jankovic in straight sets.

She will next play the sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who defeated Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a sloppy match that saw 13 breaks of serve - including 10 in the first set - and numerous unforced errors.

"It was a pretty bad match from both of us. I'm just happy I managed to stay calm in the second set and pull it off,'' said the 19-year-old Azarenka, who has won three tournaments this year and jumped to No. 8 in the rankings.

"Definitely I need to step it up and be tough tomorrow.''

Jankovic to face Suarez Navarro in final
Jankovic, Kuznetsova advance at Porsche GP
Sounders FC try to get healthy before Chivas match

Pique's final joy

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has spoken of his relief and delight after Andres Iniesta's injury-time strike broke Chelsea hearts to book his side's passage to the UEFA Champions League final.

For long spells in West London it was Chelsea that dominated as Michael Essien's stunning goal looked to be good enough to set up a repeat of last season's final against Manchester United.

It was not to be though as Iniesta's brilliant away goal at the death proved to be enough for Josep Guardiola's Barca following a goalless first leg.

Pique concedes it was especially difficult after Eric Abidal was shown a red card in the 66th minute for a trip on Nicolas Anelka, but the former Man United stopper insists he never lost faith in the idea of progressing to the final.

"At one point in the game it was really hard when we had ten men and they were attacking but finally in the last minute we scored a goal," he told Sky Sports .

"I have no words to describe how happy the team is at this moment.

"I think a team like this, that likes to attack all the time, cannot go 180 minutes without a goal. It was in the last minute but it was still enough to go through to the final."

No penalty

Chelsea were enraged at the final whistle as they felt they should have been awarded as many as three penalties, with one claim involving Pique as it appeared as if Anelka flicked the ball against his hand.

Pique admits the ball touched his hand but feels the match officials made the correct call in waving away Chelsea's protestations.

"To be fair the ball hit my hand but I did not want to touch it and the referee can decide to say it was a pen. You have to respect the decision - sometimes he is wrong - but as I said, I am just happy. We cannot control it."

Marquez blow for Barca
Primera Liga round-up
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4

Real hopeful claims Drogba deal

Eduardo Garcia, a candidate for the Real Madrid presidency, claims to have an agreement with Didier Drogba.

He says that should he win the Primera Liga club's elections in June, he will deliver the Chelsea striker.

Presidential battles at Santiago Bernabeu are renowned for the promises made by the candidates regarding possible transfer business.

Garcia has proven to be no different, claiming he already has deals in place to bring in three big names should his campaign prove successful.

"We have agreements with three players," he told AS .

"A Champions League centre-forward who scores goals in England. We could present him just after being elected. With people like Drogba we are looking for immediate results."

Garcia also added that he would sign a Brazilian playmaker currently plying his trade in his homeland and a left-back from Racing Santander.

Reports in Spain suggest the duo could be Palmeiras ace Keirrison and 21-year-old defender Ivan Marcano.

Reds join Negredo chase
Dynamo seek first road win in New England

Real officials charged

Ramon Calderon and Vicente Boluda have been charged with offences relating to irregularities at Real Madrid' s club assembly in December.

Former president Calderon was forced to resign from his post after the findings came to light, with Boluda taking charge at Santiago Bernabeu on a temporary basis until elections are held next month.

Judge Santiago Torres has charged the pair, along with 12 others, with offences relating to destruction, suppression or concealment of public documents and using false documents, the Madrid court said in a statement.

The accused have been called to appear in court on 20/21 May to answer the charges and the judge also ordered an examination of the reliability of the club accounts presented at the assembly.

Calderon's resignation in January threw Real into institutional turmoil and the 14th June elections have paved the way for a possible comeback by former president Florentino Perez, who helped to usher in the 'galactico' era during his time with the club.

Calderon, who replaced Perez in 2006, has been accused of manipulating voting at the assembly, which was later declared null and void.

He has, however, denied any wrongdoing and is prepared to challenge the accusations.

MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
MLS Original Marsch honored by Chivas
Ronaldo - Real dream is over

Barca 'agree' Ribery deal

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign French star Franck Ribery, according to reports in Spain.

Ribery has been a long-term target for Barca and the Catalan giants are thought to have a struck a deal with Bayern to sign the 26-year-old winger this summer.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that representatives of the two clubs met with Ribery's agent Alain Migliaccio in Ibiza, agreeing a Ј30million cash-plus-player deal.

Bayern are believed to have accepted a fee of 25m Euros (Ј22.3m) plus the choice of either Aleksandr Hleb or Eidur Gudjohnsen, who are valued at 8m Euros (Ј7.1m).

Four-year deal

The France international has two years left on his Bayern contract and it is thought Barca have offered a four-year deal, although the club are yet to make an official announcement.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked with a big-money move for Ribery, who cost Bayern a club-record 25m Euros from Marseille in 2007.

MLS Original Marsch honored by Chivas
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
Van Bommel claims misquote

Hughes not after Eto'o

Mark Hughes has put to bed speculation that Manchester City are after Samuel Eto'o, but insists they still have ambitious targets.

Hughes was again quizzed about the meeting between City chief executive Garry Cook and Barcelona president Joan Laporta which sparked rumours that Eto'o could be joining up with the likes of Robinho at Eastlands.

The Barca striker, who has 14 months left on his contract, has since declared his desire to remain at Camp Nou insisting he does not want to move to the Premier League in the summer.

But when asked to put the situation into context, Hughes told Sky Sports News : "I thought that was clarified.

Relationship building

"It was basically a meeting between Garry Cook and Laporta of Barcelona basically to try and build relationships with clubs at all levels business-wise and football-wise.

"I think the explanation of the meeting was well documented in the papers. It wasn't talking about individuals, it was about talking about relationships with both clubs.

"People will always mis-interpret the message that we are trying to put out there and make their own interpretation of what the meeting was about, but it wasn't to discuss players, it was to discuss things in the future that could complement both clubs."

Hughes did admit that City plan to continue chasing ambitious signings like January's failed attempt to lure Kaka, but it appears the Blues will not be looking to prise away any of Barca's stars.

"That is the case [in having ambitious targets], but that isn't the reason why Garry Cook and Laporta spoke on Monday."

Wright-Phillips

Meanwhile, Hughes has confirmed Shaun Wright-Phillips looks certain to miss the home clash against Blackburn this weekend.

"Shaun is still feeling a bit of discomfort and it is likely he will miss out," admitted Hughes.

Pablo Zabaleta and Daniel Sturridge are also sidelined by hamstring and hip problems, respectively, while Micah Richards, who limped out of the win at Everton last weekend with a knee injury, is still a concern.

"Micah is still experiencing a bit of pain in his knee," said Hughes.

"He probably won't train and we will keep him indoors in the gym but we are hopeful he will be available."

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Week 3 marked by hats, cards, surprises
Hyndman planning to shake up starting XI
Laporta - Messi a genius

De la Red waits on final test

Ruben de la Red is hoping to be given the all-clear to resume his playing career in the next few weeks.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who helped Spain to European Championship glory last summer, has been sidelined for the most of the current campaign.

He collapsed during a King's Cup match against Real Union on 30th October and has been out of action ever since.

Real erred on the side of caution after the incident by insisting he focused his full attention on making a full recovery, rather than training and playing.

He has undergone numerous tests since then in an effort to put an end to the issue.

However, he is yet to be told that he is free to make a return to professional football and remains a frustrated figure.

One more test is set to be carried out in the next few months, with De La Red hoping that will provide medical staff with the positive results they are looking for.

"They (the doctors) have told me this really is the last test and that in a month-and-a-half I will have the final results," he told El Pais .

"All the results have been negative so far."

Capello warning for Barca
Dynamo, Revs set to rekindle rivalry

Dokic says father physically abused her

SYDNEY - Tennis star Jelena Dokic says her father, Damir, physically abused her during their tumultuous relationship earlier in her career.

Dokic, 26, said in an interview with the Fairfax magazine Sport&Style: “I’ve been through a lot worse than anybody on the tour. I can say that with confidence.”

Dokic, who is estranged from her father, told how she fled from her family in 2002 to escape the abuse.

“When you go through stuff like that, playing a tennis match is a pretty easy thing to do. When I win today it’s so much more satisfying,” Dokic was quoted as saying in the article.

The magazine said Damir Dokic hung up on a telephone caller when an attempt was made to ask him about the allegations. Damir Dokic now lives in Belgrade, Serbia.

In January, Dokic continued a career resurgence when she reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after having to rely on a wild card for entry.

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

As a 16-year-old qualifier, she beat No. 1-ranked Martina Hingis in the first round at Wimbledon in 1999. She was a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2000 and her career was on the rise as she collected five WTA singles titles. In 2002, she held the No. 4 ranking.

By 2006, her ranking had fallen to 617. But she won a wild card tournament for entry to her first Grand Slam in three years in 2006, improving to a No. 187 ranking. She was No. 31 in the most recent WTA rankings.

Dokic said she went through years of mental turmoil after packing her bags and fleeing what she called “the situation.”

“There was a period where there was nothing that could make me happy ... I wanted somebody’s else’s life,” Dokic said in the magazine article.

 Week in Sports Pictures 

Dinara Safina to supplant Serena at No. 1
Berhalter’s debut cut short against Chivas

Nalbandian beaten in Estoril Open 1st round

OEIRAS, Portugal (AP) -Top-seeded Gilles Simon beat American Robert Kendrick 6-3, 7-6 (7) Monday in the first round of the Estoril Open.

Simon was twice broken in the first set but recovered to break his opponent three times.

The Frenchman started strongly in the second set, breaking Kendrick's serve in the opening game, but the American broke back in the sixth before Simon took the tie-break 9-7.

Simon, a semifinalist at the Open 13 in Marseille and the Dubai Tennis Championships, fired four aces in the match while Kendrick had four double faults.

Paul Capdeville of Chile upset fifth-seeded David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-2.

Nalbandian, the 2002 and 2006 champion, was broken once in each set to lose in 52 minutes.

The Argentine, who won the Sydney International in January, had injured a hip at the Barcelona Open last month.

Sixth-seeded Mardy Fish of the United States ousted Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-4.

Spain's Oscar Hernandez dropped a set before triumphing 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 over local favorite Rui Machado.

On the women's side, top-seeded Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic edged Neuza Silva of Portugal 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

The 29th-ranked Benesova improved to 15-11 this year.

Eighth-seeded Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany fought back to overcome France's Pauline Parmentier 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1), while Jarmila Groth of Slovakia also rallied to defeat Mathilde Johansson of France 1-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Germany's Kristina Barrois knocked out Portugal's Maria Joao Koehler 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Top-seed Cornet ousted at Barcelona
Dynamo seek first road win in New England
Djokovic and Murray reach 3rd round at Monte Carlo

Reds join Negredo chase

Liverpool have joined the race to sign Almeria star Alvaro Negredo, who admits he would love the chance to move to Anfield.

Skysports.com can reveal that Negredo is on Rafa Benitez's list of targets for the summer.

Negredo has been one of the real stars of La Liga this term with 19 goals for unfashionable Almeria.

In his two seasons with Almeria he has now bagged 32 goals and his exploits have not gone unnoticed.

Fulham made an unsuccessful effort to sign him in January, while Aston Villa are also keeping a watching brief.

Liverpool are now ready to make a move for the player, although his situation is somewhat complicated in that Real Madrid have first option on him until the end of June.

He was with Real Madrid - albeit mainly their second team - before he joined Almeria, but they inserted a buy-back clause of Ј4.4million which they are now likely to activate.

This will mean they can sell him on, with reports suggesting they would want Ј9.8million and it seems Liverpool would be willing to pay this sum.

Negredo, at just 24, represents real potential and Benitez is keen on taking him to England.

Liverpool interest

The player himself has revealed that Liverpool have made contact.

"To play next to Fernando Torres at Anfield is a dream and any player would accept that," he told skysports.com .

"But I prefer to talk about reality and I have not spoken with Rafa Benitez, but I do know that some contact exists between the clubs."

Negredo concedes that Real Madrid will ultimately decide where his future lies.

"My future depends on Real Madrid, but I believe that this summer I will be out of Almeria," he continued.

"I am grateful to Almeria because they have given me my chance to play in the Primera Liga.

"But it is logical that I am interested in playing in the Premier League and especially Liverpool.

"I believe that playing in England would be a great chance for me as this league is a sensational place for forwards."

Ronaldo - Real dream is over
Reds take step in right direction
Hazard flattered by interest

Getafe appoint 'Michel'

Getafe have appointed former Real Madrid star Jose Miguel Gonzalez as their new manager.

Michel, as he is known in Spain, will succeed Victor Munoz following his sacking on Monday after the club's 2-1 home defeat to Villarreal.

The Getafe board reacted swiftly with the result leaving the team sitting directly above the drop zone, just one point off the relegation places.

Getafe president Angel Torres has promised his new manager that if he manages to save the club from relegation he will be offered the chance to continue next term.

"With only five games left we are in the hands of the players. Michel has experience to get this job done," Torres said.

"Michel knows the team, has attended some training sessions and is a member of the club. If it all goes well, and he saves us, I will offer him the chance to continue."

Gonzalez was an integral part of the Real Madrid side that won six Spanish league titles and back-to-back Uefa Cup crowns in the late 1980s on his way to collecting 66 caps for Spain.

Getafe supporter

Despite his heavy Real links the new boss is a self-confessed Getafe fan as well as being a season ticket holder and he has explained how he aims to go about the job.

"I have come here to lift the team and to remove any of the anxieties that there are," he told Marca .

"Our position in the top flight is in everyone's hands, but I need players who are fully committed.

"As a season ticket holder and a supporter, nothing concerns me more than keeping the club up.

"This is a challenge like many others that I have had in my life and I feel prepared and confident that things will go well.

"I have watched the team train a lot and have seen many games this season, but I have not been influenced and everyone will start from zero.

"The players can win a place in my team through hard work and not because of what I have seen before."

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Diarra criticises Wenger
MLS Power Rankings: Week 4

Primera Liga round-up

Valencia were shocked by Espanyol as Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna claimed victories.

Espanyol's charge up the table continued with a 3-0 win against high-flying Valencia.

The score was goalless at half-time but Espanyol took the lead through Roman Martinez in the 66th minute.

Nicolas Pareja added a second eight minutes from time and Nene then scored from the penalty spot late on.

Atletico Madrid remain in contention for a European place following a 2-0 victory over Real Betis which lifts them to within one point of Valencia.

Diego Forlan was the star of the show, opening the scoring after 14 minutes and then sealing the three points with a second goal on 89 minutes.

Deportivo La Coruna kept up their fine form as Nouioui Lassad's early goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

Valladolid, now without a win in their last seven outings, were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when Luis Prieto was red carded.

Jose Marin set Real Mallorca on their way to a 2-1 success against struggling Getafe by breaking the deadlock after just nine minutes.

David Navarro equalised at the start of the second half but Aritz Aduriz fired in a winner with 21 minutes remaining.

Recreativo Huelva overcame Osasuna 2-1 to end a run of six straight defeats and climb off the foot of the table.

Walter Pandiani put Osasuna ahead midway through the first half but the game turned when Fernandez Sergio was sent off on 55 minutes.

Recreativo capitalised on their extra man and claimed all three points courtesy of strikes from Ersen Martin and Nasief Morris.

Sporting Gijon also halted a sequence of six consecutive losses with a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Gijon looked set to win following Mate Bilic's opener on the hour mark but Andoni Iraola netted a last-gasp leveller for Bilbao.

Juan Manuel Ortiz scored twice inside the opening 14 minutes to inspire Almeria to a 2-0 triumph at Racing Santander.

Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match
Primera Liga round-up

Nadal tops Djokovic for 4th Rome Masters title

ROME - Rafael Nadal won his record fourth Rome Masters title on Sunday, beating defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (2), 6-2.

It’s the third clay-court title in three weeks for the top-ranked Spaniard, following victories at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.

“For sure it’s one of the biggest wins of my career,” Nadal said. “It’s always incredible to win in Rome.”

He extended his winning streak on clay to 30 matches, stretching back to an opening-round loss to Juan Carlos Ferrero in Rome last year.

By failing to defend his title, Djokovic will lose the No. 3 ranking to Andy Murray on May 11, when last year’s points drop out. The 21-year-old Serb has been No. 3 since August 2007.

“I had my chances,” said Djokovic, who rallied to beat Roger Federer in the semifinals. “He overcomes the pressure better than me, that’s why he’s the best in the world. But overall, I’m pretty happy with the week.”

Nadal broke an Open Era tie with Thomas Muster, who won Rome titles in 1990, 1995 and 1996. Jaroslav Drobny and Martin Mulligan also each won three titles before the Open Era.

Chris Evert holds the women’s record at the Foro Italico with five titles.

Rome is a key warmup for the French Open, which begins in three weeks with Nadal the four-time defending champion.

Nadal broke serve in the opening game of the match, but Djokovic had his chances in the first set before losing control for good in the tiebreaker, sending a weak backhand drop-shot attempt into the net on Nadal’s third set point.

“That was one of the toughest moments of the match,” Nadal said. “The first point of the tiebreak was for him and I had two chances to serve for the first set and lost both times. But I played the tiebreak well and that was the most important thing.”

Djokovic then double-faulted to hand Nadal a 4-2 lead in the second set.

The Serb said fast conditions made it tough for him to handle Nadal’s heavy topspin.

“The ball was bouncing really, really high here today and that made my shots really difficult, especially from the backhand side,” he said.

The match was a far cry from the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago, when Djokovic became the only player to take a set from Nadal on clay this year.

 Slide show 

Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match
Chela advances at Monte Carlo to meet Nadal
Almagro advances to 2nd round at BMW Open

Almagro advances to 2nd round at BMW Open

MUNICH (AP) -Nicolas Almagro of Spain advanced to the second round of the BMW Open on Sunday, beating Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4.

Almagro broke Hernych four times and saved two of the three break points he faced.

The clay-court tournament had only one match scheduled Sunday.

Earlier, defending champion Fernando Gonzalez pulled out because of an ankle injury. The Chilean lost to top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Rome Masters on Saturday and flew to Munich on Sunday to announce his withdrawal.

East Notes: Rough start for Crew
Warzycha not panicking over slow start
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Capello warning for Barca

Fabio Capello believes it could be a 'dangerous' time for Barcelona as they face a gruelling run-in.

Barca have been scintillating at times this season but their lead at the top of the Primera Liga title has been cut to just four points.

Whereas Capello's former club Real Madrid have no other distractions, Barcelona are still hoping to be crowned as European champions.

They travel to England next Wednesday to face Chelsea in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, while Pep Guardiola must also prepare for the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao in a fortnight's time.

And Capello thinks tiredness could be a factor as Barcelona challenge for silverware on so many fronts.

"There are too many finals and semi-finals. This is dangerous for a team," the England boss told Marca .

"Although everyone says Barca have a squad of twenty-something players, the truth is there are very few who can really make a difference."

Marquez op

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, meanwhile, is to undergo surgery to repair an injured left knee.

The Mexican had already been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up the problem against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Further tests have now been carried out and he will be sent for his operation on Saturday.

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Revolution can finally see Osei
Marquez blow for Barca
Dynamo, Revs set to rekindle rivalry

Marquez blow for Barca

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against Chelsea.

Marquez was hurt during the early stages of the second half of the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou.

The Mexican was bringing the ball into the Chelsea half of the pitch when the injury occurred with no opposition players in close attendance.

He was replaced by Carles Puyol and an early assessment from the Barcelona medical staff has indicated meniscus damage in the left knee.

The injury is severe enough to rule Marquez out of the remaining weeks of the season, while further tests will be carried out on Wednesday.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola now faces a major defensive headache for the second leg at Stamford Bridge after Puyol was ruled out through suspension.

Puyol was booked for a challenge on Michael Essien, although he is available to partner Gerard Pique at the back for Saturday's crunch game with Real Madrid in La Liga.

Depleted Crew look for first win of season
Revs’ Ralston goes back on shelf
Toure targets Treble
Capello warning for Barca

Ronaldo - Real dream is over

Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered Manchester United a huge boost by declaring a move to Real Madrid is no longer in his thoughts.

Real Madrid made huge efforts to sign Ronaldo last summer and the player himself refused to rule out the move, admitting his dream was to one day move to Spain.

Sir Alex Ferguson stood firm and made sure Ronaldo did not leave United, and he has once again helped the club to the brink of another Premier League title.

However, the rumours of a Real move for the World Player of the Year have refused to go away, with former Madrid president Ramon Calderon intimating a deal was already in place for this summer.

But now Ronaldo has come out and stressed that he is no longer thinking about a 'dream' move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm no longer thinking of Madrid. That dream is dead," he told The People.

"The only thing I dream about now is Manchester United and winning the Champions League again in Rome."

Ronaldo has three years left on his current deal after he penned a five-year deal in 2007.

Schuster shock at Ron pursuit
United hope to avoid Rocky Mountain low
Moreno shines in United win over FCD
Reds join Negredo chase

Jankovic, Kuznetsova advance at Porsche GP

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) -Gisela Dulko of Argentina upset fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-4, 6-3 Wednesday to become the first player to reach the quarterfinals of the Porsche Grand Prix.

Azarenka came into the event as one of the hottest players on the tour, with three tournament titles, including the Miami Masters. But she ran into a player who is very comfortable on clay.

The Stuttgart tournament is the only event on the circuit to be played on indoor clay.

"I love it. No wind, no sun,'' Dulko said after the only second-round match of the day. "She won a lot of matches this year but I feel confident on clay. Everything worked for me. I was solid but I was also aggressive, especially on my serve. I just believed in myself, that I can beat top players.

"I mixed it up, she is very solid from both sides. I get very motivated for such matches.''

Defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia eased into the second round by defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-1, 6-1.

Jankovic finished 2008 as No. 1 in the world but she has dropped to No. 4 after a poor start this year. But playing on clay has revived her game and she won a tournament in Marbella, Spain, on the slow surface earlier this month.

"I have been playing well in the last few weeks,'' Jankovic said.

"I expected a tougher match because she's given me trouble before but I served well and I am happy to be back on clay,'' said Jankovic, who is now 3-1 against Cibulkova.

Jankovic will next play Sabine Lisicki of Germany, who defeated Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-4, 6-3. Lisicki is coming off her first career title, which she won in Charleston, South Carolina.

When Jankovic won last year, the tournament was still played on a hard indoor surface, before changing to clay.

Fifth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia beat German qualifier Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in the first round.

Kuznetsova wasted a match point in the second set against the 143rd-ranked Petkovic, who is seeking to break into the top 100 again after missing nearly the entire 2008 season with torn knee ligaments.

Kuznetsova then double-faulted to give Petkovic a break and a 6-5 lead in the second set, and the German clinched her set point with an ace. But the Russian bounced back and won the next five games before wrapping up the match.

"I didn't have the patience or the experience in the third set,'' Petkovic said.

Kuznetsova is a three-time semifinalist in Stuttgart, also when it was on a hard surface.

"I had too many ups and downs, especially in the second set,'' Kuznetsova said. "I am quite disappointed with myself.''

Also in the first round, Nadia Petrova of Russia, last year's runner-up in Stuttgart, defeated Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia beat Alize Cornet of France 6-3, 6-1 and Flavia Pennetta of Italy beat Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 6-2, 6-0.

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Hewitt, former managers go head-to-head in court

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -Details of Lleyton Hewitt's commercial deals have been revealed in a Victoria state Supreme Court case involving the former tennis No. 1 and his former management firm.

U.S. firm Octagon has filed suit against Hewitt for loss of merchandising and management fees, claiming he breached his exclusive representation contract.

Hewitt has filed counter claims, alleging Octagon failed to fulfill its obligations as his agent and that he suffered loss and damage as a result. He said he severed his relationship with Octagon in December 2004.

Details of his tournament appearance fees and endorsement deals with companies such as Nike were mentioned during legal argument before Associate Justice Melissa Daly reserved her decision for hearing to a later date, the Herald-Sun newspaper reported Wednesday.

In a previous statement, Hewitt and his management firm, Lleyton Hewitt Marketing, denied that Octagon was entitled to any additional fees since December 2004 and the company had retained certain funds to which it had no entitlement.

"As Octagon has chosen to engage in expensive and time-consuming litigation in relation to its former role as my representative and agent, I feel I have no choice but to defend myself and counterclaim in relation to the ways in which I believe that Octagon failed to discharge its obligations to me,'' Hewitt said in a statement posted on his Web site. "Naturally I would prefer not to be put in this position. I remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved out of court, but I am nevertheless prepared to fight to vindicate my position.''

In its statement of claim, reported in the domestic media, Octagon says that in 2000 Hewitt retained it to represent and market him and manage his career.

The agreement was exclusive, worldwide and included product endorsements, ATP tournament guarantees, exhibitions and clinics, TV and speaking appearances, licensing agreements, corporate sponsorships, modeling, books, films and PR.

Octagon said Hewitt agreed to pay Octagon between 16-20 per cent of his earnings on a sliding scale depending on his ranking, Grand Slam and ATP tour performances.

Hewitt was due to play against India in a Davis Cup match starting May 8 but is now trying to get entry to clay court tournaments in Europe leading up to the French Open because Australia is boycotting the Davis Cup match in Chennai on security grounds.

He was 20 when he gained the No. 1 ranking in November, 2001. He won Grand Slam titles at the 2001 U.S. Open and at 2002 Wimbledon.

Now married with two children and still on the comeback from a persistent hip injury, his ranking slipped outside the top 100 for the first time in a decade in January before he rebounded to win the U.S. Clay Court Championship at Houston earlier this month, his first ATP title in two years.

He is now ranked No. 53 and has won $17.8 million in career prize money.

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Magpies settle Gutierrez fee

Newcastle are to pay Real Mallorca Ј5.2million for Jonas Gutierrez after reaching an agreement with the Spanish club.

The Argentine joined the Magpies last summer after utilising Fifa's controversial Article 17 in order to complete the deal.

That ruling enables any player between the age of 23 and 28 to buy out their contract if they have been at the same club for three years or more.

Mallorca always claimed they were entitled to some compensation and had been looking for Ј12million.

The matter has dragged on for some time but it has now been resolved to Mallorca's satisfaction, with the Islanders confirming the settlement on their official website .

Mallorca will receive 20 per cent of any future sale and are set to give half of their Ј5.2million fee to Gutierrez's former club Velez Sarsfield.

"Gutierrez gave a lot for us and we gave a lot for him," said Mallorca sporting director Nando Pons.

"I think this is an agreement that is good for all parties."

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Swans - No bid for Gomez

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins insists the club have yet to bid for Espanyol midfielder Jordi Gomez.

Weekend reports claimed the Swans have offered Ј1.5million for the midfielder, who has impressed during his season on loan at the Liberty Stadium.

Manager Roberto Martinez is keen to hang on to Gomez, who was voted into the PFA Championship Team of the Year by his peers.

However, Jenkins admits nothing can be firmed up regarding Gomez's future until Espanyol's battle to stay in La Liga reaches its conclusion.

"There is no bid for Jordi," Jenkins told the Evening Post .

"As we have said all along, Jordi's situation is going to depend on what division Espanyol are playing in next season and that is still a long way from being decided."

Massive success

Meanwhile, Martinez has revealed his pride at the club's achievements this season after missing out on a play-off place in the Championship.

"If you look at the season, as a whole, then it has been a massive success," Martinez told skysports.com .

"We came up from League One, with probably the lowest budget in this division, and we have managed to develop our own players because we weren't able to go out and buy big-name players.

"I'm very proud for doing so because it is difficult to unearth talent and we've managed to do that with a number of our squad.

"We have lacked a little experience this season, which has cost us a top-six finish, but you either need to earn that or pay a lot of money for the experienced players.

"I'm delighted with the way the players have adapted to this level and it will add to their experience for next season."

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De Guzman in Spurs link

Julian de Guzman has reignited speculation over his future by claiming that Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on his displays for Deportivo La Coruna.

Spurs were linked with an interest in the Canada midfielder late last year but a move failed to materialise.

De Guzman, though, has cast fresh doubt over his Depor future after admitting at an interest in seeking a transfer to the Premier League.

"The (Premier) League is one of the best in the world and if something interesting comes along I will have to consider it," the 29-year-old said in The Daily Mail .

"I cannot rule anything out. My agent is working on this and I know there are clubs who have been asking about me, but we have nothing concrete on the table.

"I know they [Tottenham] have been watching me in games, but I have not spoken with anyone. I am just going to give everything in the final part of the season."

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Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time

MONACO (AP) -The tears streaming down Roger Federer's face this time came not from anguish but from happiness, and the person standing opposite the Swiss tennis star was his new wife.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who is playing this week at the Monte Carlo Masters, spoke about his marriage to longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec for the first time Tuesday.

"A few tears here and there,'' Federer said about Saturday's wedding in his hometown of Basel. "It was nice.''

Federer also broke into tears after losing to rival Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Australian Open final. As he was being awarded the runner-up plate in Melbourne, Federer said, "God, it's killing me.''

Last weekend, it was a more joyous feeling that led to the weeping.

"I got very emotional, you know, yet again,'' Federer said. "It was just nice to know that she loves me so much, I love her so much. It was just a very nice day. We had perfect sky, perfect weather.''

Ahead of his second-round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy on Wednesday, Federer spoke only briefly about tennis, saying he still hopes to finally win the French Open - the only major he has not won.

"I hope I can win the big one,'' Federer said. "That's what the focus is here.''

Off the court, Federer said he is surprised how different he feels now that he has a wife.

"It's a very special moment. I thought it to be a bit more relaxed, because we've been together for so, so long,'' Federer said. "It definitely does change your mind-set, your life.''

Even introducing Vavrinec has changed.

"It's nice to be calling Mirka my wife and not my girlfriend. That's just a big change for me. Takes maybe a bit of getting used to,'' Federer said. "I'm here, introducing her 'This is my wife.' It just sounds so much better. I didn't think it was going to make that big of a change for me, but it does feel great.''

The pair married in a private ceremony, and they did a good job of keeping it secret.

"If you want to get married in private, you have to go to Switzerland,'' Federer said. "They don't actually care over there. They actually want to give you peace and privacy. That's why I love being a Swiss and living in Switzerland.''

Besides chasing a record-equaling 14th Grand Slam title at the only major he has never won and reclaiming his No. 1 ranking, Federer also is looking for a name for his son.

"We'll see. There's quite a few books around that are that thick, so we'll see where it takes us,'' Federer said. "But, no, we haven't decided anything yet. I have no clue yet right now myself. Thank God we've got time left, right, to decide.''

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Mattek-Sands, Oudin, Huber, Glatch on US team

WHITE PLAINS, New York (AP) -Bethanie Mattek-Sands will make her Fed Cup debut for the United States in this month's semifinals against the Czech Republic.

Another Fed cup rookie, Alexa Glatch, joins teenager Melanie Oudin and No. 1-ranked doubles player Liezel Huber as other members of the team announced Wednesday by United States captain Mary Joe Fernandez.

The two top American women, sisters Serena and Venus Williams, are not playing.

The matches are April 25-26 on an indoor hard court in Brno, Czech Republic.

The 38th-ranked Mattek-Sands was supposed to play for the Americans in the first round against Argentina in February but withdrew because of a hip injury. The Czech team is led by No. 25 Iveta Benesova and No. 45 Petra Kvitova.

Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time

MONACO (AP) -The tears streaming down Roger Federer's face this time came not from anguish but from happiness, and the person standing opposite the Swiss tennis star was his new wife.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who is playing this week at the Monte Carlo Masters, spoke about his marriage to longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec for the first time Tuesday.

"A few tears here and there,'' Federer said about Saturday's wedding in his hometown of Basel. "It was nice.''

Federer also broke into tears after losing to rival Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Australian Open final. As he was being awarded the runner-up plate in Melbourne, Federer said, "God, it's killing me.''

Last weekend, it was a more joyous feeling that led to the weeping.

"I got very emotional, you know, yet again,'' Federer said. "It was just nice to know that she loves me so much, I love her so much. It was just a very nice day. We had perfect sky, perfect weather.''

Ahead of his second-round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy on Wednesday, Federer spoke only briefly about tennis, saying he still hopes to finally win the French Open - the only major he has not won.

"I hope I can win the big one,'' Federer said. "That's what the focus is here.''

Off the court, Federer said he is surprised how different he feels now that he has a wife.

"It's a very special moment. I thought it to be a bit more relaxed, because we've been together for so, so long,'' Federer said. "It definitely does change your mind-set, your life.''

Even introducing Vavrinec has changed.

"It's nice to be calling Mirka my wife and not my girlfriend. That's just a big change for me. Takes maybe a bit of getting used to,'' Federer said. "I'm here, introducing her 'This is my wife.' It just sounds so much better. I didn't think it was going to make that big of a change for me, but it does feel great.''

The pair married in a private ceremony, and they did a good job of keeping it secret.

"If you want to get married in private, you have to go to Switzerland,'' Federer said. "They don't actually care over there. They actually want to give you peace and privacy. That's why I love being a Swiss and living in Switzerland.''

Besides chasing a record-equaling 14th Grand Slam title at the only major he has never won and reclaiming his No. 1 ranking, Federer also is looking for a name for his son.

"We'll see. There's quite a few books around that are that thick, so we'll see where it takes us,'' Federer said. "But, no, we haven't decided anything yet. I have no clue yet right now myself. Thank God we've got time left, right, to decide.''

Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time
Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time
Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match

Schuster shock at Ron pursuit

Former Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster has revealed his 'surprise' at his old club's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.

The Spanish giants played out a lengthy close-season transfer saga as they unsuccessfully attempted to prise Ronaldo away from Manchester United.

Real made no secret of their admiration for the Portuguese star, who was crowned World Footballer of the Year and Ballon d'Or for his exploits last campaign, and they were reportedly prepared to offer a record fee.

But, despite the endless speculation, a move never materialised and Schuster, who left Real in December, has hit out at his ex-employers for their almost relentless attempts to sign Ronaldo.

"Look, we asked for three or four players if Cristiano didn't come," he told Marca .

"I understood the club would have to pay an extortionate fee to bring that kid, and they made it clear to me that if he came it would be very difficult to get anyone else. Maybe one more, but at a very low price.

Problems

"But of course, if he didn't come we could bring someone else in, someone who we really needed.

"The thing is we didn't need Cristiano, that was more a theme the club had going. We knew that with him alone we wouldn't solve other problems because he can't defend nor play on the wing.

"The big surprise was that in the end nobody came."

And Schuster has admitted his disappointment that the club did not pursue Valencia star David Villa after missing out on Ronaldo and only capturing Rafael van der Vaart.

"They said they had no money. (There was money for Ronaldo) but not for the others," he added.

"I don't know why Villa never came, but I have an idea.

"What I thought was really odd was that we had a meeting in April to talk signings, as is normal, to decide things in good time. But then with all that time nothing was done about anything we spoke about."

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Roddick to marry SI swimsuit model Decker

Tennis champ Andy Roddick will marry his fiancée, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker, this weekend, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

Roddick, 26, and Decker, 21, plan to celebrate the nuptials with two days of festivities near Roddick's Austin, Texas, home. "They wanted to keep it local," the source says. And very private. The pared-down guest lists includes mostly family and a few close friends of the pair, who met when Roddick spotted Decker in a magazine and asked his agent to find her number.

But part of the celebration is already in full swing. This past weekend, the festivities kicked off with a bachelorette party in Decker's native North Carolina, and included her bridesmaids, including fellow S.I. model Julie Henderson.

Of their then yearlong courtship, Decker told PEOPLE last May, "I was stalked. He'll tell you that," she joked. But "it was charming. He was charming. Eventually, I fell for it, and five months later I called him back and that was that."

She added that planning for her wedding was surprisingly fun: "This has been the happiest time. I'm very much a tomboy and this is being a total girl, being with my friends and my mom. We're shopping for a dress right now."

Roddick has also expressed his excitement. "We feel lucky to have found one another," Roddick told PEOPLE last March, after he had popped the question to his girlfriend, and even joked of her Tiffany engagement ring: "I got it in a gumball machine."

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Dr. J seesВ daughter Stevenson play for first time as pro

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -Julius Erving watched his daughter Alexandra Stevenson play tennis for the first time Tuesday in a first-round loss at the Family Circle Cup.

Erving, wearing a black sweatsuit and a black and white baseball cap, watched from the porch of the players' clubhouse as Stevenson lost on clay to Akul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan 6-2, 6-4.

Asked if it was the first time the basketball great had seen her play, Stevenson said, "Yes, that is true. And I actually didn't seem him until the second set.''

It's been a decade since the 28-year-old Stevenson learned that Dr. J was her father, about the time she made the Wimbledon semifinals.

"We were never in a bad place, I just didn't know him,'' Stevenson said. "So it's good now. I mean, obviously, it's still odd because you're getting to know somebody. But it's nice that I know him, and he's supporting me out here, coming to watch me play.''

Erving did not speak to reporters as he left the clubhouse.

It was a better day for two other Americans. Bethanie Mattek-Sands advanced with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 win over Marina Duque Marino of Colombia, and unseeded Shenay Perry upset 15th-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycovia of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1.

American Angela Haynes was eliminated 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 by Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia.

In the evening match, top-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia, ranked No. 3 in the world, overpowered American Julie Ditty 6-0, 6-2 in a match that lasted only 50 minutes.

Stevenson said her father had wanted to see her plaedlilminaty for some time. He came to the Family Circle because it's close to Atlanta.

"He lives in Atlanta. So it's four hours,'' she said, adding that her father knows Family Circle tournament director Bob Moran.

Stevenson said Dr. J has a greater appreciation for tennis.

"He can see how hard tennis is,'' she said, laughing. "It's not like basketball where you have a whole team of support. So it's nice he came out here.''

In other matches, Sania Mirza of India defeated Sesil Karatantcheiva of Bulgaria 6-4, 6-4, and Marion Bartoli of France defeated Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia, 6-1, 6-3 .

Third-seeded Vera Zvonareva defeated Rossana De Los Rios of Paraguay 6-3, 6-2 ,while Nadia Petrova, seeded fourth, defeated Patricia Mayr of Austria, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. No. 9 Aleksandra Woziak of Canada defeated American Abigail Spears 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

Defending champion Serena Williams withdrew after sustaining a leg injury in Miami this month.

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Djokovic and Murray reach 3rd round at Monte Carlo

MONACO (AP) -Third-seeded Novak Djokovic and No. 4 Andy Murray both won in straight sets Tuesday to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Djokovic was rarely troubled in beating Oscar Hernandez of Spain 6-1, 6-2, while Murray began slowly before defeating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 6-2 to stay on course for a first career quarterfinal match on clay.

Djokovic, who reached the French Open semifinals last year, next faces either Jean-Rene Lisnard or Albert Montanes. The Serb said he was surprised at how w