Cavaliers Hand Knicks 7th Loss in 8 Games

Thursday, January 26, 2012

CLEVELAND — With another humiliating loss bearing down, Carmelo Anthony worked to find a better shot, a way forward, a chance to change the Knicks’ fate. He looked to his All-Star frontcourt partner, Amar’e Stoudemire, waiting on the perimeter.

But the Anthony-Stoudemire partnership is malfunctioning, at both the micro and macro level, and the best intentions still turn out badly. Anthony’s pass skipped low and between Stoudemire’s legs, squirting out of bounds, the final devastating miscue in a 91-81 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

The Knicks cannot score consistently, or sustain any structure in their offense or even carry over their success over a 24-hour period. They looked nothing like the team that scored 111 points in a blowout victory in Charlotte a night earlier.

“We kind of went back, took a step backwards today,” said Tyson Chandler, his head drooping and his speech a low murmur. “We had an incredible game last game, and today, we went back.”

The loss was the Knicks’ seventh in eight games, denying them any sense of confidence or momentum as they head to Miami for a nationally televised game against the Heat on Friday. They have never looked more disjointed, or sounded more befuddled.

The crisp, free-flowing attack that carried the Knicks to victory over the Bobcats was gone, replaced by a mistake-prone offense that committed 23 turnovers (for 24 Cavaliers points) and made just 42 percent of its shots.

Eventually, Anthony and Stoudemire will presumably become the overpowering force they were expected to be. Until then, the Knicks (7-11) will continue to bob listlessly through the schedule.

Stoudemire scored 19 points, but he made it to the foul line only once, went 9 for 19 from the field and committed a team-high six turnovers. Anthony — who is coping with thumb, wrist and ankle injuries — scored 15 points, bouncing back somewhat from his career-low 1-point performance in Charlotte. But he was 5 for 14 from the field and scored just 2 points in the fourth quarter, when the Cavaliers (7-10) pulled away. Anthony is now 40 for 126 (.317) over the last six games.

The Knicks went 14 for 37 in the second half and scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter. Stoudemire had 8 points in the final period, but the Knicks were otherwise punchless. Toney Douglas went 1 for 5 in the quarter.

“I know it’s the same story I keep coming out here, but we got to find a way to score,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “They were hustling, they’re playing hard defense, you held them to 91, you just can’t stay in the 70s and think you’re going to get a win.”

Before tip-off, Cavaliers Coach Byron Scott paid the Knicks the ultimate compliment.

“They’re a lot like Miami,” he said. “They got a dynamic guy in Carmelo. Amar’e Stoudemire is a lot like Chris Bosh.”

Except that Anthony is not the passer or defender that LeBron James is, and Stoudemire is not even really Stoudemire right now. And the Cavaliers, who competed well against the Heat on Tuesday, seemed wholly unintimidated by the Knicks.

The Cavaliers wiped out a 9-point deficit in the first half and built a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, with a balanced attack that featured big moments from every starter. Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, had a quiet but effective night, with 7 points and 7 assists. Antawn Jamison led the Cavaliers with 15 points.

The Knicks built a 9-point lead in the second quarter and might have blown the game open if not for a flurry of unforced errors, including nine team turnovers and a pair of missed free throws by Anthony. Cleveland tied the game at 45-45 by halftime.

Stoudemire again harped on the Knicks’ failure to keep the ball moving, using words like “movement” and “spacing” repeatedly after the game.

“We got to stay together, first of all,” he said. “We got to understand what works, as far as spacing the court and moving the ball. Once we figure that out, we’ll become a great team. Until then, we are who we are.”

REBOUNDS

The Knicks do not seem to be in a rush to get Baron Davis in the lineup, nor does Davis sound ready to make the move as he completes his recovery from a herniated disk. “Right now I can go in spurts,” Davis said. “I’m just not comfortable mentally or physically out there.” It seems unlikely that Davis will play in Miami on Friday. ... The Knicks picked up the fourth-year option on Toney Douglas, extending him through the 2012-13 season, at about $2 million. Teams had until Wednesday to exercise options on rookie-scale contracts. Had the Knicks declined the option, Douglas would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer. ... Danilo Gallinari, the centerpiece of the Carmelo Anthony trade, signed a four-year, $42 million extension with the Denver Nuggets, according to reports. Gallinari was the Knicks’ lottery pick in 2008, and a favorite of Mike D’Antoni, who was once teammates with Gallinari’s father in Italy. “I’m really happy for him and his family,” D’Antoni said.





By HOWARD BECK
Published: January 25, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/sports/basketball/cavaliers-hand-knicks-7th-loss-in-8-games-91-81.html?_r=1&ref=basketball#h[TKdIrh,11]

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Williams Propels Nets Past 76ers in Overtime

Deron Williams had a reason to love this one.

Williams scored 34 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 26.8 seconds left in overtime, to help lift the Nets to a 97-90 victory over the 76ers on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Kris Humphries had 13 points and a season-high 19 rebounds, and Jordan Farmer added 12 points as the Nets (6-13) ended an eight-game losing streak against the Sixers. Anthony Morrow had 16 points starting his second straight game for the rookie MarShon Brooks (sore right Achilles’ tendon).

“Our new team motto is, ‘I love it,’ ” Williams said. “It started off sarcastic, but now we use it for everything. I had five turnovers, but I love it.”

Lou Williams led Philadelphia with 17 points. The Atlantic Division-leading Sixers (12-6) again played without the starting center Spencer Hawes (left Achilles strain) and his backup, the rookie Nik Vucevic (left knee quad strain).

Jrue Holiday stole Farmer’s inbound pass and scored on a layup to give the Sixers a 90-88 lead with 1 minute 18 seconds left in overtime.

But Deron Williams answered with a jumper to tie it. After Jodie Meeks missed at the opposite end, Williams nailed a long 3-pointer. Morrow sank a pair of free throws to seal it.

T’WOLVES 105, MAVERICKS 90 Kevin Love had 31 points and 10 rebounds after signing his new contract, and Minnesota won in Dallas. The end of the Mavericks’ seven-game home winning streak, and their franchise-record streak of holding 15 consecutive opponents under 100 points, came after they finally received their championship rings during a pregame ceremony.

THUNDER 101, HORNETS 91 Kevin Durant scored 25 points to lead Oklahoma City to its 10th win in 11 games. The host Thunder improved to 15-3, the best record in the Western Conference, despite an off night from guard Russell Westbrook and 21 turnovers.

PACERS 95, BULLS 90 Danny Granger scored 22 points and Indiana became the first visiting team to win on Chicago’s home floor this season. Derrick Rose led Chicago with 24 points but had only 2 in the final quarter.

WIZARDS 92, BOBCATS 75 Nick Young scored 20 points, and Andray Blatche had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead host Washington in Randy Wittman’s first game as coach. Wittman took over for the fired Flip Saunders on Tuesday, and guided the team without the benefit of a practice.

HEAT 101, PISTONS 98 LeBron James scored 32 points, including the game’s last 6 from the free-throw line, to lead visiting Miami. Chris Bosh finished with 27 points for Miami, which was without Dwyane Wade, who sat out because of an ankle injury.

BUCKS 105, ROCKETS 99 Stephen Jackson and Brandon Jennings each scored 20 points, Ersan Ilyasova had a career-high 19 rebounds after Andrew Bogut sprained his left ankle, and Milwaukee snapped an 11-game losing streak in Houston.

SPURS 105, HAWKS 83 Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair each scored 17 points, and host San Antonio handed Atlanta its first lopsided loss of the season.

FOUR-YEAR DEAL FOR LOVE Kevin Love and the Timberwolves agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $60 million to $62 million, a deal that includes an early termination option for Love in the final year. Love, an All-Star power forward, will make the maximum amount of salary for the four years, but he did not get the five-year deal he was seeking.




By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 25, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/sports/basketball/nba-basketball-roundup.html?ref=basketball

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Australia v India: Peter Siddle keeps hosts in charge

Fourth Test, Adelaide (day three):
Australia 604-7 dec & 50-3 v India 272
Match scorecard

Australia continued to dominate India on the third day of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide.

The tourists began on 61-2 in reply to Australia's 604-7 but struggled against paceman Peter Siddle, who took 5-49.

Virat Kohli made his maiden Test century but was last out for 116 as the tourists crumbled for 272.

Australia did not enforce the follow-on but reached 50-3 by the close, 382 ahead, and look on course for a 4-0 series whitewash.

The one consolation for India - who have endured many struggles on their travels in the last year - is that skipper Michael Clarke's decision to bat for a second time on Australia Day will spare the tourists a third successive innings defeat.

With Sachin Tendulkar resuming on 12 not out as play began, attention was inevitably drawn to his long-running search for a 100th international century, having been stuck on 99 hundreds since March 2011 - but having reached 25, he became the first wicket of the day when he edged Siddle to Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman soon followed, leaving India 111-5 but Kohli, playing only his eighth Test despite being a fixture in the one-day side, led a partial recovery.

He was aided by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha - making only his second Test appearance himself, deputising for suspended captain Mahendra Dhoni - who made a careful 35 from 94 balls, adding 114 for the sixth wicket with Kohli, before he was bowled by Ryan Harris.

With the target of 405 to avoid the follow-on looking far out of reach, Siddle returned to remove Ravichandran Ashwin and Zaheer Khan with successive deliveries.

Ishant Sharma survived the hat-trick ball and hung around to make 16 as Kohli completed India's first century of the series, before Sharma was yorked by Ben Hilfenhaus (3-62), who then trapped Kohli lbw to wrap up the innings.

Australia had 14 overs to face, but lost all of their rookie top three batsmen before the close.

Off-spinner Ashwin shared the new ball, and removed the openers in successive overs as David Warner chipped a return catch to the bowler and Ed Cowan was trapped in front.

Shaun Marsh, enduring a run of low scores, was adjudged leg before to left-arm seamer Zaheer without scoring, leaving Ponting and Clarke at the crease - with the captain in pole position to plan a declaration on the fourth morning.




Page last updated at 08:16 GMT, Thursday, 26 January 2012
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London 2012: Olympics women's boxing skirts still undecided

Amateur boxing chiefs are unlikely to make an announcement soon on whether female boxers will be made to wear skirts at the London Olympics.

The Amateur International Boxing Association (Aiba) met last week to make recommendations on the issue.

But Aiba say they "will not reveal the content of internal discussions".

The world governing body's president will now review the recommendations, with a final decision still expected to be weeks away.

An Aiba spokesman said: "Aiba staff will now summarise all recommendations that were made. Those will then run by Aiba president and Aiba executive director before they are sent to the Aiba executive committee bureau."

Women's boxing will make its Olympic debut in London and the issue of making women wear skirts has already become a controversial one.

Aiba has previously asked women boxers to trial the skirts to help spectators distinguish them from men, but at the European Championships in October the only nations to do so were Poland and Romania.

Speaking at the European Championships, Ireland's three-time world champion Katie Taylor told BBC Sport: "I won't be wearing a mini-skirt. I don't even wear mini-skirts on a night out, so I definitely won't be wearing one in the ring."

But there has been support from some boxers, such as MC Mary Kom of India: "The tennis players wear skirts and the badminton players are wearing skirts so why don't the boxers wear skirts?"

An online petition against forcing women boxers to wear skirts currently has more than 54,000 signatures.

Aiba say they are aware of the campaign and insists they are considering everyone's opinion, including the wider public, and seeking a consensus.

Marianne Marston, who has backed the campaign, said: "I feel I have more important issues to deal with in women's boxing - the acceptance of women's boxing, acceptance of women in boxing gyms - than whether they should wear skirts or not.

"I think they (Aiba) are saying that women's sport won't get accepted or viewed unless women are feminine, and boxing is not necessarily a sport that attracts particularly a feminine attitude from the women that compete in it, and I think there should be a choice."

Meanwhile, boxer and kit designer Laura Saperstein Radio 4's Woman's Hour: "I prefer to wear a skirt because they are more comfortable. In my view there is a very good reason why men wear the kind of shorts that they do."




Page last updated at 15:35 GMT, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/16608826.stm

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London Calling - The Olympic Fear

There are six months to go until the Olympic Games and many British athletes are on course to reach the pinnacle of fitness.

But the threat of injury is never far away, as Jessica Ennis found out in 2008.

The heptathlete had to withdraw from the Beijing Games because of a stress fracture to her right ankle.

On Thursday, BBC Radio 5 live's London Calling will investigate how Olympians deal with the fear of injury and illness in the biggest year of their sporting lives.

"The Olympics don't move," says Steve Cram, who struggled with injury in the build-up to both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. He won silver in the 1,500m in Los Angeles and finished fourth in Seoul four years later.

"Unfortunately, three weeks after LA I was in good shape but that's not what the Olympics are about.

"The harder you train the more injury prone you are. You can't not get injured if you're running 120 miles a week and at the intensity that you need if you're going to become the Olympic champion or break a world record.

"There's a fine line beyond which you get injured. The problem is you never know where that line is. You are trying to push that boundary as far as you can."

It is a tightrope that all athletes have to walk according to Katharine Merry, who won Olympic bronze in the 400m in Sydney, despite contracting a virus mid-season and suffering a dip in form.

"Athletes are lying if they say they don't feel any different in Olympic year," she said.

"You do worry more about your body but you can't wrap yourself up in cotton wool.

"The key is not to do anything differently in your training just because it is Olympic year. As an athlete you will have peaks during your season and you immediately think 'why can't the Olympics be tomorrow?'"

Dai Greene cites a period of injury and illness which actually helped him become world 400m hurdles champion last year. In July, he had a hip problem and was suffering with sickness ahead of the Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

Greene told BBC Sport: "I don't want my competitors to know I'm injured. Sometimes you can't race one 100% fit.

"I hadn't trained very well and was a bit of a mess. I ran and felt terrible but managed to pull out 48.4 seconds to finish third. That was the moment I thought 'do you know I'm in amazing shape because if I had a horrible week here and finished third against some of the top guys in the world, what happens when I'm fully fit?'

"I felt I was going to be unstoppable."

Hear more from Dai Greene, Dean Macey, Katharine Merry, Steve Cram and Jessica Ennis's coach Tony Minichello in "London Calling - The Olympic Fear" on BBC Radio 5 live this Thursday from 1900 GMT.





Page last updated at 09:12 GMT, Thursday, 26 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/16734644.stm

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Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele has suspension lifted

Ethiopian long-distance athlete Kenenisa Bekele has had his ban on competing lifted by his governing body.

The Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion was banned from representing Ethiopia along with 34 other athletes for not attending a mandatory training camp.

But the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) said: "They [the athletes] have pledged to respect the body's directives from now on."

Bekele is a major rival to Britain's world 5,000m champion Mo Farah.

The EAF summoned 200 athletes to a training camp in November in preparation for the World Indoor Championships in March.

However, Bekele and the other athletes, including Olympic women's 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist Tirunesh Dibaba, ignored the call-up.

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) added: "They [the athletes] apologised and explained they missed the gathering due to injury or engagements elsewhere in the world."

Ethiopia had a poor showing at the World Championships in 2011 where they finished ninth in the medal table with just one gold - Ibrahim Jeilan in the 10,000m.

Bekele, who was making his comeback in Daegu after an 18-month injury lay-off, dropped out of that race after 10 laps.

Farah won silver in that event behind Jeilan, before winning the 5,000m seven days later, with US athlete Bernard Lagat in second and Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel in third.

Bekele declared himself fully recovered prior to the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country this month, but finished well down the field.

Technical director Dube Jilo said: "We have to distinguish who is in good shape. There is a lack of commitment.

"Our preparations haven't been up to standard so far."




Page last updated at 16:17 GMT, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/16652042.stm

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Rory McIlroy shares early lead at Abu Dhabi Championship

Rory McIlroy scrambled to a five-under-par 67 to outscore playing partners Luke Donald and Tiger Woods in round one of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The US Open champion, starting on the 10th, carded four birdies in his first nine holes and picked up another shot after chipping in on the eighth.

"It's a good score but I don't feel I drove particularly well," said McIlroy.

Woods's bogey-free 70 included a couple of birdies, while Donald also had two birdies in his one-under-par 71.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson shares the early lead after sinking seven birdies.

More to follow.




Page last updated at 09:38 GMT, Thursday, 26 January 2012
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Tiger Woods reveals appearance money decides his tour schedule

Tiger Woods has admitted receiving appearance money affects which tournaments he chooses to play.

He is rumoured to be getting more than $2m (£1.3m) to play in this week's HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.

The former world number one has chosen to play in the Middle East instead of the usual PGA Tour season opener at Torrey Pines in California.

Asked whether the payment influenced his scheduling, Woods said: "I'd have to say yes, it certainly does."

He added: "That's one of the reasons why a lot of the guys who play in Europe do play in Europe, and they do get paid [appearance fees].

"I think the only tour that doesn't pay is the US Tour, but you know a lot of guys play all around the world and they do get appearance fees."

Woods won his last major title, the 2008 US Open, at Torrey Pines and in 12 Tour events at the San Diego course he has won on six occasions.

The only time he has finished out of the top 10 there was last year.

"Torrey has been a golf course I have enjoyed playing since junior golf. Unfortunately scheduling wise, it just didn't work out," Woods said.

In his last outing, the 14-time major champion won his own World Challenge tournament in California to record his first victory for two years.

And Woods insists he is the fittest he has been in around a decade heading into the new season.

"It's been quite a few years since I've been physically fit," he said.

"So I'm looking forward to getting out there and giving it a full season, which I haven't done in a while.

"It's probably been about eight, 10, 12 years [since] I felt 100% [fit]. I had surgery in 2002. I had surgery in 2008. A couple of others ones in there, too.

"I missed most of last year and then to finally be able to get ready for a tournament properly and to do the type of lifting that I think I need to do to be ready, I was finally able to do that.

"Hence my game came around, so it's very exciting.

"I played really well in my last three events, so I'm really looking forward to this year."

Woods headlines a strong field in Abu Dhabi that includes the top four players in the world - Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer - as well as Open Champion Darren Clarke and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel.

Donald and McIlroy will play alongside Woods in the opening two rounds, while Spaniard Sergio Garcia completes a trio that features Westwood and Kaymer.





Page last updated at 15:25 GMT, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/16698125.stm

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Australian Open: Victora Azarenka and Maria Sharapova reach final

Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will contest the women's final of the Australian Open after coming through tough semi-final encounters.

Sharapova secured a gruelling 6-3 3-6 6-4 win over Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in a match lasting two hours.

Azarenka, who will become world number one if she wins in Melbourne, beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4 1-6 6-3 in a thrilling see-saw battle.

The final will start at about 0830 GMT at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

Third seed Azarenka is bidding to win her first Grand Slam, while Sharapova will hope to claim a fourth major title.

The Belarusian was overcome with emotion as she sealed victory, throwing down her racquet, sinking to her knees and covering her face as Clijsters came around the net to congratulate her.

"I felt like my hand is about 200 kilograms and my body is about 1,000 and everything is shaking, but that feeling when you finally win is such a relief. My God, I cannot believe it's over. I just want to cry," Azarenka said as she choked back tears.

"It was just trying to stay in the moment. Kim really took over the second set and I felt there was nothing I could do. I just tried to regroup."

Third-seeded Azarenka, 22, did not have it all her own way during a match which lasted two hours and 12 minutes.

At times she was outplayed by Clijsters, who displayed flashes of the brilliance which have made her such a formidable opponent for so many years.

But the Belgian, who announced before the tournament started that this was to be her Melbourne farewell, was horribly inconsistent and could not come up with the knockout blow when Azarenka was on the ropes.

A perfect example of this came during the third set when Clijsters failed to hold after breaking Azarenka to get back on serve at 3-4.

Azarenka will know that her service game - which deserted her in the second set - must improve in the final if she is to win her maiden Grand Slam title.

Sharapova's serve, however, was not at its best in the second semi-final of the day, with the 2008 Australian Open champion making 10 double faults which proved costly as Kvitova took advantage to take the match to a third-set decider.

The Russian admitted she did not play her best tennis against the second seed, saying: "Sometimes even when you're not playing your best tennis you can find a way to win.

"No matter how good or bad you play you just try to win your point and that's what I tried to do."





Page last updated at 07:58 GMT, Thursday, 26 January 2012
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Andy Murray through to semi-finals of Australian Open

Andy Murray beat Kei Nishikori in an impressive straight sets victory to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Novak Djokovic, who beat David Ferrer.

The British number one had little trouble completing a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win to reach the last four in Melbourne for the third consecutive year.

"It was tough. I didn't serve well but the returning was good," said Murray.

Djokovic defeated Ferrer in the last quarter-final and faces Murray at around 0830 GMT on Friday.

Murray was happy with his performance, although admitted there was room for improvement.

"It was a good match, a lot of fun points, most of them he was winning so I was trying to keep them as short as possible," he added.

"But I need to serve better. My game has been getting better each match and I am moving better and I am going to be fresh going into the weekend."

The fourth seed beat 22-year-old Nishikori 6-0 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters in 2011 in the pair's only previous match.

Murray began as if he was intent on completing an equally comprehensive victory in Melbourne by breaking the Japanese player's opening service game.

The Scot's serve was not at its best - he got just 44% of first serves into play - and the 24th seed nearly hit back immediately after a number of unforced errors from Murray gifted Nishikori break points, but Murray held on for a 3-0 lead.

Nishikori, the first player from Japan to reach the last eight of the tournament in 80 years, had three break points in the sixth game but squandered his chances to allow Murray to hold on and eventually claim the set in 55 minutes.

The pair traded breaks at the beginning of the second set before Nishikori dropped his serve in the third game.

Nishikori had spent four more hours on the court than his opponent in reaching the quarter-finals and it began to show as Murray again broke to take the second set.

Murray quickly established a 5-1 lead in the third set and served out for the match to make a fifth successive Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

But hopes of a double British celebration were dashed when Murray's fellow Scot Colin Fleming was beaten in the mixed doubles.

Fleming and American partner Liezel Huber lost 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in their quarter-final against Indian opponents Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza.

Page last updated at 06:38 GMT, Wednesday, 25 January 2012
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Jose Mourinho criticises Barcelona tie referee after Real Madrid exit

Jose Mourinho has claimed that some of his Real Madrid players believe it is "impossible to win" at Barcelona's Nou Camp following their Copa del Rey exit.

Despite fighting back from two down to draw 2-2 on the night, his side lost the quarter-final 4-3 on aggregate.

Eight yellows were given to Real, including two to Sergio Ramos - the 13th dismissal of his Bernabeu career.

In apparent criticism of the referee, Mourinho said: "I heard [some players] say it was impossible to win here."

Real, who have won only one of the last 14 El Clasico encounters against Barca, dominated the first half but found themselves a goal down at the break - 3-1 on aggregate - after Lionel Messi danced through their defence to find Pedro.

And things got worse for the visitors when Dani Alves's fierce drive into the top corner earned the hosts a three-goal cushion.

But strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema meant Real only needed one more goal to complete a stunning comeback.

But Madrid could not find a way back and Mourinho - whose future at the Spanish giants has been called into question after he was jeered by fans last week for playing too defensively in the home leg - denied he had got his tactics wrong.

"No," he replied when asked whether he had made a mistake.

"We played a good game, the players played a very good game. We came here looking to win. We knew we were behind, we were motivated, wanted to win."

But Mourinho questioned whether visiting sides got their fair share of refereeing decisions at the Nou Camp.

"I have played here with Chelsea, Inter [Milan] and Madrid various times and this is nothing new," he said.

"I will congratulate Barcelona for what they did at the Bernabeu last week but not for the qualification."

Defender Alvaro Arbeloa agreed with his manager about the referee's performance, saying: "We were much better than Barcelona, we had a lot of opportunities but the referee lost it in the little details. We would have preferred it if the cards had been more evenly distributed."

But Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said Real were lucky not to have had another man dismissed.

He said: "The referee made mistakes in all senses, but he did the best he could. [Lassana] Diarra's play [in which he hacked Lionel Messi down having already been booked] was a clear sending-off."

His manager, Pep Guardiola, did not want to be drawn on that, but admitted he was relieved to have reached the semi-finals.

"Madrid is a great team and because of that this victory has great merit," he said. "Madrid played very well, but over the 180 minutes we were deserving winners. They played without pressure, because they knew they had nothing to lose.

"It is more difficult to beat Real Madrid every time we play them and that is why we are so happy."





Page last updated at 06:48 GMT, Thursday, 26 January 2012
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Man Utd's Patrice Evra will play if fit at Anfield - Phelan

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan insists that Patrice Evra will not be spared playing against Liverpool in Saturday's FA Cup clash.

"If he is fit, he is considered to play like any other player," said Phelan.

It is the first time the two rivals have met since Evra levelled racism allegations at Luis Suarez, who ended up being handed an eight-match ban.

Suarez will still be suspended this weekend, a fact that is only likely to heighten the tension at Anfield.

But, especially bearing in mind their injury problem, United will not countenance the idea of leaving out Evra for Saturday lunchtime's Cup fourth round tie.

"It wouldn't be a consideration," said Phelan. "Patrice Evra is a football player who plays for Manchester United.

"If he is fit, he is considered to play like any other player.

"What has happened has happened. What has been said has been said.

"You are talking about a football match now and I think it will be a very good FA Cup tie."

Earlier this season, Sir Alex Ferguson left Wayne Rooney out of his starting line-up to face Liverpool due to the adverse reaction the striker receives in his home city and, last season, the United boss did not even take the England frontman to former club Everton.

Already without Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen and long-term absentees Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic going into Sunday's 2-1 win at Arsenal, United lost Phil Jones with torn ankle ligaments, Nani left the stadium wearing a protective boot and Rooney, Evra and Michael Carrick also suffered knocks.

Rooney limped out of the stadium, Carrick tweaked a hamstring and Evra suffered a blow to the head, while Nani reportedly spent the train journey back to Manchester with his injured limb raised and his foot still protected.

But, although admitting that United are stretched by injuries as they bid to overhaul Manchester City in the title race, three points behind the Premier League leaders, Phelan remains defiant.

"We're not in the greatest state that we could possibly be in," said the United number two.

"However, we can call on all our experience and resources we have at this football club and we'll have to do that in the coming weeks."

Despite now facing a fixture list swelled by FA Cup and Europa League matches, the United assistant manager is optimistic that the versatile Jones can return to the side sooner rather than later, because of his sheer determination.

"He's that type of lad," Phelan told BBC Radio Manchester. "His character's very good in and around the place.

"He's disappointed that, over the last few weeks, he seems to have limped around the football field quite a bit, but he manages to recover, so we're optimistic he can do the same again."





Page last updated at 21:24 GMT, Wednesday, 25 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16707954.stm

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PLYMOUTH REBOUND TO WINNING WAYS

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Plymouth Raiders got rid of that sinking Sunday feeling as they bounced back from their Cup Final disappointment to bag a weekend win double in the BBL Championship.

Having routed in-form Guildford Heat on Saturday night, Gavin Love and his players returned to the Pavilions 24 hours later looking to strengthen their title bid and came up trumps with an 81-75 success against Cheshire Jets.

However they left it late and found it considerably more difficult than during their previous game, having to fight back from an 11 point deficit during the third quarter to finally get the victory – thanks mainly to Jeremy Bell who torched his former team for 27 points.

Having crashed at Worcester Wolves on Saturday evening, this was the second road loss of the weekend for Jets despite the best efforts of Adam Brown who poured in 25 points against Raiders while Matt Schneck landed a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Bill Cole also landed a double-double for Jets after claiming 13 points and 17 rebounds but endured a torrid night shooting-wise.

Glasgow Rocks sustained a humbling 89-75 defeat to lowly Mersey Tigers as their title hopes were surely left in tatters. The Kelvin Hall outfit can point to cruel fortune with injuries as an excuse for their ongoing slide. In truth, the malaise cannot be attributed to ill health alone.

The reigning champions had won only twice all season but simply tore Sterling Davis’ lacklustre side to shreds. The Rocks player-coach, intent on resting a troublesome Achilles, instead was forced to bring himself on to play during the third quarter with the hosts trailing by 17. Playing through the pain, the move only gave him a closer view of a dreadful display.

“I was really disappointed with the effort,” said Davis. “There just seemed to be a lack of interest out there in the first half. I think guys made certain presumptions about Mersey and didn’t come to play.”

Mersey swept 18-7 ahead in the first period and were subsequently unchallenged. By half-time, their advantage was 47-34 and with leading scorer Mychal Green clearly hampered by his own injury, Glasgow lacked any true spark.

The visitors began the third period with a 10-0 run and the Rocks slipped out of sight, eventually trailing by as much as 72-48 with ten minutes left before a late rally cut the deficit to 12.

Davis, whose side was led by 15 points from Green, admits he may have to replace EJ Harrison this week if scans on the club captain forecast a further delay in his recovery. On this evidence, there will be others who might worry if their tenure is on shaky ground.

Saturday: Eagles win derby

Newcastle Eagles showed their championship credentials once more as they dug themselves out of a hole to beat local rivals the Durham Wildcats 94-101. The Eagles have now won six games in a row and are still yet to lose on the road in the BBL Championship this season. But that form wasn’t evident on the night as they relied on a fourth quarter surge from Joe Chapman to win the game. He and Charles Smith led their scoring with 26 points each, while Mike Capocci led all scorers with 27 for the hosts.

Despite trailing early on, the Wildcats led for much of the game as Mario Flaherty’s dunk just before the half, and two short bursts after it, helped them to a 70-60 lead with three minutes to play in the third quarter. That forced the Eagles into a game-changing timeout and, crucially, they came out of that to narrow the deficit to 75-70 going into the fourth period. The Eagles carried that momentum into the fourth as they outscored their hosts 17-7 over the opening five minutes behind 10 points from Chapman. And they never looked back from there as a Chapman triple and Paul Gause’s basket gave them a double-figure lead of their own at 84-95 with two minutes to play, meaning the game had seen a 21-point swing in the space of ten minutes.

Meanwhile, the Worcester Wolves have won four league games in a row – and eight of their last nine – after beating the Cheshire Jets 97-87, thereby condemning the Jets to a fourth straight defeat. Sherrad Prezzie-Blue led the way with a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists for the Wolves, while Tommy Freeman hit five three-pointers on his way to 19 points.

The game was tight through the opening exchanges until a 7-0 burst, with 5 points for Prezzie-Blue, gave the Wolves an 18-10 lead which they held through to the end of the first quarter at 24-16. The Wolves pushed on from there with what turned out to be the decisive run of the game as they opened the second stanza with a stunning 10-0 surge in a little over two minutes, with 5 points from David Watts and a triple from Freeman, for a score of 34-16. From there, the closest the Jets would get was the final score.

Milton Keynes Lions snapped a run of back-to-back league defeats as they beat Leicester Riders 77-75 in the East Midlands. The Riders came within a whisker of one of the most memorable come backs in their history, but eventually fell to their first league defeat in five games. Demarius Bolds led the scoring for the victors with 19 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 steals, while Daniel Northern had a massive double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds.

The Lions have a first half rout to thank for their victory. The Riders scored the opening basket of the game and led 4-2 after the first minute, but were then inflicted with an early 16-0 surge from their visitors and a five minute scoreless spell as Bolds, with 9 points, inspired the Lions into a 18-4 lead, which was 29-10 after the opening period.

Things only got better for the Lions as they held their hosts scoreless for the opening two and a half minutes of the second period, by which time they led by 25. Things changed as Bradd Wierzbicki and Andrew Sullivan shared 6 points within a minute and the Riders got back to 37-19 in what was a 9-2 burst. They made another run just before half-time as they finished the period 10-2 in the last four minutes with 6 points for Wierzbicki and a three-pointer from Sullivan. That run meant that they had recovered to 45-35 at the half.

The Riders chipped away at that lead in the second half and got to within two points in the third period. But the Lions edged back out to 67-58 on Crawford’s score early in the fourth before a pulsating finale ensued. Four points from Hardy and a Wierzbicki score cut the gap to 68-70 and the teams were still separated by only one score at 71-73 heading into the final two minutes. With 1.20 to play Cameron Rundles made it a one point game with a free-throw and, amazingly, Wierzbicki’s steal sent Rundles running to put the Riders into the lead at 75-74 with 43 seconds to play. But the visitors held their nerve and Adrien Sturt scored a three-pointer with four seconds left to win the game; the Riders had time for one more possession but Bolds stole the ball on the inbounds play.

Plymouth Raiders bounced back from last weekend’s BBL Cup Final defeat, and won their sixth straight league game, in beating the Guildford Heat 98-68.

Jeremy Bell led the scoring with 27 points, supported by a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds for Paul Williams. Mike Martin scored 20 points for the Heat.

Despite a close first half, the Raiders used a surge around the half time break to win the game. Trailing 34-35 they called a timeout and responded swiftly with a 6-2 run to see them up 40-37, and they still led 47-41 by the half after a period in which the Heat committed ten fouls and the Raiders scored nine free-throws.

The hosts maintained that momentum after the break and scored the first 10 points with former Heat player James Jones getting 6 of those. The teams traded baskets thereafter until the Raiders made another decisive run just before the end of the quarter with five straight points, including a Michael Ojo triple, sending the margin through the twenty mark going into the fourth quarter at 74-53. The Raiders finished in style as the lead peaked at 93-60 after a 19-6 spell early in the fourth.

Friday: Eagles, Riders soar

Newcastle Eagles and Leicester Riders enjoyed comfortable victories on Friday night as the Eagles picked up a 86-67 victory over Sheffield at Sport Central, while the Riders also secured a 66-85 victory over the Mersey Tigers .

The Eagles lead from tip-to-buzzer in the game and steadily opened up a lead throughout the course of the contest, thanks in no small part to an impressive 18 points from Paul Gause as he led all scorers in the game.

Leicester also picked up a comfortable victory with Bradd Wierzbicki leading the charge with 20 points for the Riders to keep their strong grip on third position in the Championship table.

David Aliu trimmed the deficit to 14 points at 64-50 in the final period but eight points from Wierzbicki helped the Riders pick up the impressive victory.




Posted in: BBL by Mark Woods. January 22, 2012 / 21:35
http://www.mvp247.com/2012/01/bbl-round-17/

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NCAA: SOKO SO CLOSE AS BLAZERS TRAIL

Ovie Soko’s double-double heroics weren’t enough to bring UAB their first conference win, as the Blazers lost to Marshall despite a big night from the Londoner.

Soko had 18 points on an extremely efficient 8-11 shooting, and added 11 rebounds and three assists. The London-born forward also didn’t turn the ball over as he put in one of his best performances of the season, but the Blazers still went down 61-59.

UAB also lost its second game of the week, with Soko managing just four points and three rebounds as he turned the ball over six times.

Andrew Lawrence continues to be the most consistent British player in college basketball. The GB guard’s shot wasn’t falling against UNC Greensboro, but he still managed to score 14 points after making nine trips to the line. Lawrence finished with seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. He followed that with eight points, seven assists and two steals in a blowout win over Elon.

Ashley Hamilton seemed a little rusty offensively on Thursday as he had eight points on 3-11 shooting in only his second game back from injury, but he looked closer to his early-season form in the following game against Gonzaga. Hamilton had 16 points on 6-9 shooting as his Loyola Marymount team lost a close one. He also had four rebounds and two steals.

Alasdair Fraser’s Maine team dropped two conference games this week. The Scottish forward made a good contribution in the first against Boston, putting up 14 points and eight rebounds, but fouled out after playing only 13 minutes against Albany. He finished with four points and four rebounds in that loss.

Ben Mockford struggled shooting the ball this week, going 1-8 for three points and 2-6 for two points in St Francis’ two games this week. He found ways to contribute despite that, grabbing five rebounds in the first game and dishing three assists in the second.

Shane Walker didn’t shoot the ball well this week, shooting a combined 3-14 in Loyola Maryland’s two games. He finished with four points, three rebounds and three blocks against Fairfield and five points and five rebounds against Iona.

Will Neighbour returned from injury and was able to help his team stay unbeaten in the Sun Belt conference, but he wasn’t as effective as normal. Neighbour had six points, three rebounds and two assists against Louisiana-Monroe and ten points and four rebounds on 3-9 shooting against Arkansas State.

Alex Marcotullio’s disappointing season continued as his missed free throws at the end of Northwestern’s game against No. 13 Michigan ended the Cats’ chances of springing an upset. Marcotullio had been fouled on a three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left and could have sent the game into overtime if he’d been able to sink all three, but the junior guard was unable to come through. Northwestern did get a big win over No. 6 Michigan later in the week though, with Marcotullio scoring six points in 15 minutes off the bench.

Aaron Geramipoor continues to provide defence and rebounding off the bench for Seton Hall. Geramipoor played eight and six minutes in two games this week for the Pirates, who were flying high in the Big East until they were upset by South Florida on Friday.

Another Manchester big man, Phil Wait, is playing a similar role for Monmouth. Wait had two points and three rebounds in 13 minutes against St Francis, then four points and two rebounds in 14 minutes against Long Island.





Posted in: Global by Matt Clear. January 20, 2012 / 08:55
http://www.mvp247.com/2012/01/ncaa-round-12/

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Pakistan v England: Alastair Cook says openers will 'put it right'

Pakistan v England second Test
Venue: Abu Dhabi Date: 25-29 February Coverage: Live ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 LW and via BBC Sport website (UK users only); live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles; watch live on Sky Sports

Alastair Cook insists England can still rely on his opening partnership with Andrew Strauss as they try to recover from their dismal batting performance in the first Test against Pakistan.

Cook and Strauss scored just 33 runs between them as their side fell to a 10-wicket defeat.

England were bowled out for 192 and 160, Matt Prior top scoring with 70.

"It's our job to lay the platform. We didn't do that in Dubai," Cook said. "[But] we can put it right."

He added: "We made some poor decisions as a batting unit. To score runs you have to make good decisions over a long period of time and we didn't do that.

"Credit to the Pakistan bowlers who put us under significant pressure. But over the years we have handled it, and it was just a poor performance.

"The beauty of the next game coming so quickly is that we can put it right."

The match in Abu Dhabi will see Cook and Strauss become just the fourth pair in Test history to open in 100 or more innings together.

Only Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes of the West Indies, Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya and Australia's Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have previously achieved the feat.

Strauss is without a century since the Brisbane Test in November 2010, but Cook says he is still the man to lead England from the front.

"He's got a great record and has proved that over a number of years," he said.

"It's always nice for our stability with Strauss at the top of order. We have had some great moments. We are pretty similar in character and we do enjoy batting together and hopefully on the 100th time we will do something special."

Despite the failures in Dubai, Cook and Strauss average 42.90 for the first wicket, and with England not having lost successive Tests since July 2008 against South Africa, England's vice-captain says there is no cause for panic.

"When you lose and you lose heavily, naturally it does dent confidence, but if you look up history, when we have produced a poor performance we've managed to bounce back well," said Cook.

"You don't become bad players and a bad team overnight, whatever you read or whatever people say about you.

"We know we have some world-class players in the team. It's about delivering over the next five days."





By Joe Wilson
BBC Sport
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/16683108.stm

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Ascot to refund spectators made to wear orange stickers

Ascot will refund Saturday's spectators who were labelled with orange stickers for breaching new dress codes.

The rules, which require male premier enclosure ticket holders to wear a jacket and tie, were not enforced, but the stickers were issued as a warning.

"No customers should be expected to pay for such an experience," Ascot chief executive Charles Barnett said in a statement.

The move is likely to cost Ascot a five-figure sum.

This week it was announced that women must wear hats rather than fascinators - a cross between a hair accessory and a mini hat - in the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot.

For race days outside the royal meeting, the new course dress code states: "In Premier Admission, gentlemen should wear a jacket and tie, smart trousers or smart jeans, no trainers. There will be an announcement on the day allowing jackets to be removed, should the weather be hot.

"Ladies should dress for a smart occasion; hats are encouraged but not compulsory. Children should be dressed smartly."

Small orange stickers were affixed to the clothing or badges of racegoers who breached the dress code, a policy described by some as "patronising and humiliating".

"It is clear that we let down many of our premier enclosure customers yesterday with a well-intentioned but misguided policy," Barnett said.

"We have taken the view that all premier enclosure visitors yesterday will receive a full refund."

Barnett said Ascot was refunding racegoers as a gesture of goodwill, and urged them to retain their visitors' badge in order to claim back the cost of admission.

He added: "We have worked very hard for many years to establish ourselves as a benchmark for customer service and are making this statement today to reinforce that we will not allow our reputation as a welcoming sports venue to be tarnished by an isolated lack of judgement on our part.

"We will work through the logistics of the refunds tomorrow. Most people will have booked in advance or paid by card on the day but we will look after cash customers too and anyone who still has their admission badge should hold onto it."

Ascot spokesman Nick Smith told BBC Sport: "We are trying to bring in a new dress code but didn't want on day one to turn anyone away and genuinely thought we were treading quite softly.

"Because we haven't got just one premier enclosure admission point, it was not feasible to talk to people as they came in and so they were advised as they entered the escalators to level four.

"The idea of the tiny orange stickers was that staff would see who had already been advised so they didn't hassle them for the rest of the day."

Smith said the new rules were part of a move to restore formality at the course and the stickers were designed to identify dress that would be unacceptable at future meetings.

"Everything behind the thinking appeared to make a lot of sense, but it's clear that targeting people like this gave out the wrong message," he said.

"We used a very small little tag, not a huge sign saying 'you are wearing the wrong dress'.

"The intention wasn't to be heavy-handed so we apologise. We haven't had many complaints, but we are sure we will get some.

"It was clearly the wrong thing to do and there will not be orange tags next time. We will advise people politely, although this may unfortunately mean people are advised more than once."

There is no formal dress code in the course's grandstand for race days outside the royal meeting, but the rules state "bare chests are not permitted at any time".

Men are required to wear a jacket and tie in the grandstand at Royal Ascot, although the restriction does not apply to the Silver Ring.




By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_racing/16667688.stm

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European Water Polo Championships: Fran Leighton heartened by GB improvements

Fran Leighton believes Great Britain's performances in the European Water Polo Championships show how far they have come ahead of the London Olympics.

Team GB's captain says the team has improved throughout the event and are close to the level of the other sides.

Despite defeats by Hungary, Russia and Holland, Leighton is hopeful ahead of GB's play-off tie against Germany.

"We shared a training camp with them before coming to the Euros so we know them pretty well," she said.

A lack of match-sharpness contributed to a 19-9 scoreline against Hungary in their opening match but Team GB did cause European champions Russia and Olympic champions Holland plenty of problems in narrower defeats.

The Dutch were flattered by Sunday's 12-6 scoreline as they made the most of some dubious refereeing decisions, and five goals from their best player, Iefke van Belkum.

Speaking about the defeat by Holland, Leighton added: "It was light years away from the Hungary game and shows how far we've come.

"We're all playing at our first Europeans and it was always going to be about making positive steps towards the Olympics, but we deserved far more from the Holland game.

"We were tough and determined and played as a unit and I think while they have a few exceptional players I don't think the rest are anything on us.

"It will be a good game against the Germans."

The match against Germany on Tuesday is to determine seventh and eighth place.





By Nigel Adderley
BBC Sport in Eindhoven
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/swimming/16693636.stm

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Holly Bleasdale smashes own British pole vault record

Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale smashed her own British indoor record and moved to second on the all-time world list with a clearance of 4.87m in Lyon.

The 20-year-old improved her record by one centimetre in going over at 4.72m, and managed 4.80m at the first attempt.

She then cleared 4.87m at the third attempt to win the event and assume the lead in the world rankings.

Only world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia has gone higher, with a clearance of 5m.

In attempting to beat that record, Bleasdale failed to clear 5.01m, but was nonetheless satisfied with what she achieved in France.

"I just lay still on the bed [mat] in astonishment. The crowd was absolutely electric and this was an amazing boost," she said.

"Everyone was on their feet shouting, and when I attempted 5.01m the atmosphere was just out of this world. I've never experienced it like that before."

She has vowed to be more focused should she ever have the opportunity to try for the world record in the future.

"I ran through twice and had one good attempt," she said.

"I was lucky to have the chance to attempt a world record but next time I will be more mentally prepared."

Bleasdale, who only took up the event four years ago after spells in gymnastics, hurdles and heptathlon, had an impressive 2011 season, breaking the British record twice and winning the European Under-23 title in July.

The one blip was failing to register a height in qualifying at last year's World Championships in Daegu.

At the meeting in France, Bleasdale beat former British record holder Kate Dennison into second, with fellow Brit Sally Peake third.

Meanwhile, in Germany, British high jumper Robbie Grabarz set a lifetime best of 2.34m.

He beat world silver medallist Aleksey Dmitrik into second to climb to number three in the UK all-time list behind Steve Smith and Dalton Grant.

Grabarz took the lead in the world rankings after improving 5cm on his personal best of 2.29m - set only two weeks ago - in Wuppertal.

"It felt great to jump that height," he said. "Before the season started I knew heights like this and above were going to be needed to be competitive against the world's best."

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee feels that British athletes will continue to improve in the run-up to the Olympics.

"It is a promising start to the season," he said. "If Holly and Robbie manage to repeat this in the Olympic arena we will all be partying afterwards.

"I recently witnessed outstanding practice in South Africa and Kenya at our warm-weather training camps and, based on that, I expect more athletes to make a strong mark in the months to come."

The World Indoor Championships take place in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-11 March.




Page last updated at 15:01 GMT, Sunday, 22 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/16670397.stm

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Serena Williams loses to Ekaterina Makarova at Australian Open 2012

Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park Date: 16-29 January Time: 0000 GMT Coverage: Watch live on Eurosport; singles finals and one men's semi-final on BBC Two/Red Button/HD channel/website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; text commentaries and reports on the BBC Sport website

Serena Williams became the most high-profile casualty at the Australian Open so far after suffering a shock last-16 defeat by unseeded Ekaterina Makarova.

The 13-time major champion - a five-time winner at Melbourne Park - made 37 unforced errors as 56th-ranked Makarova won 6-2 6-3 in 82 minutes.

"I don't know what to say. It's an amazing feeling," said Makarova.

In her first Grand Slam quarter-final, the Russian will play compatriot Maria Sharapova, who beat Sabine Lisicki.

Sharapova came from behind to beat her German opponent 6-3 2-6 3-6.

The 2008 champion, 24, won the opening three games before Lisicki reeled off the next six games to secure the first set.

But Sharapova fought back in the second set and then scrapped tooth and nail in the third game of the third set to hold serve before breaking 14th seed Lisicki in the sixth.

"I had lots of ups and downs so I was fortunate to finish on a high note," said the number four seed.

"I'm happy that although I didn't play my best tennis I hung in there."

The result means Sharapova retains a chance of finishing the Australian Open as world number one.

Current incumbent Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka, who are also all in the last eight, can also claim the number one spot.

For Williams though, her 17-match Australian Open winning streak was brought to an abrupt end.

The American, seeded 12th after an injury-hit 18 months, and absent from last year's tournament, had not lost in Melbourne since a defeat by Jelena Jankovic in 2008.

It was was her first loss to a player ranked outside the world's top 50 in three years and only the third time since 2006 she had lost before the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.

A lack of match fitness seemed to catch up with Williams in the blistering heat and she was second best throughout as Makarova claimed a richly deserved victory.

She broke for a 3-2 lead in the opening set and then again for 5-2 as Williams's usually dominant serve faltered badly.

Williams improved at the start of the second set as she claimed a 2-0 advantage, but Makarova broke back immediately and then moved 3-2 ahead when her opponent double-faulted a remarkable four times.

The momentum remained with Makarova and despite squandering three match points, she came through on a fourth when Williams sent a tame backhand into the tramlines.

"She is an unbelievable player and it is very tough to play her," the Russian added.

"It was tough - it is a big stadium and an unbelievable feeling. I am just happy."





Page last updated at 04:53 GMT, Monday, 23 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/16675861.stm

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Australian Open 2012: Liam Broady bows out in Melbourne

British junior Liam Broady suffered a second-round exit at the Australian Open boys' tournament after a 6-4 6-1 reverse against unseeded Robin Stanek.

Broady, 18, made the final of the 2011 Wimbledon junior event and was seeded third in the first Grand Slam of 2012.

But the Stockport teenager made 13 unforced errors as Czech Stanek's consistency wore him down.

Elsewhere Britain's fifth-ranked junior Joshua Ward-Hibbert overcame Italian eighth seed Stefano Napolitano 6-3 6-4.

Nottingham's Ward-Hibbert, who turns 18 on Wednesday, will face either Serbian ninth seed Nikola Milojevic or France's Quentin Halys in the third round.

Yorkshire's Kyle Edmund survived the rising temperatures and the loss of the first set to justify his status as seventh seed with a 4-6 6-1 6-1 win over Spain's Pol Toledo Baque, but Luke Bambridge was another Briton to exit, losing 6-4 7-6 to fourth seed Kaichi Uchida of Japan.

Broady and Ward-Hibbert came together to defeat Connor Farren and Frederico Ferreira Silva 6-2 6-2 in the doubles competition.




Page last updated at 06:40 GMT, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/16695247.stm

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Tiger Woods to make debut in Abu Dhabi Championship

Former world number one Tiger Woods has opted to play in Abu Dhabi this week, and he could be back in the world top 10 if he were to win the tournament.

The 14-time major champion dropped out of the top 50 last month but rose to 21st after ending a two-year wait for a title at the Chevron World Challenge.

In his first event since, he will now make his Abu Dhabi Championship debut.

The world's top four, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer, are also in action this week.

In rankings terms, it is the second best field for a European Tour event outside the four majors and World Championship events since the list began in 1986.

Woods normally chooses to begin his season in America at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, near San Diego.

The 36-year-old has won five times at the course, which was also the venue for the last of his 14 majors, the 2008 US Open.

However, there are considerably more ranking points on offer in Abu Dhabi and there is also the added incentive of an appearance fee reported to be well into seven figures.

Should his renaissance continue it is possible Woods could be in a position to challenge for the world number one spot as early as April at the Masters.

"I'm very excited to get going," said Woods. "I'm looking forward to testing my game against a very strong field."

Woods has dropped to 25th in the rankings after taking six weeks off following his World Challenge victory at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, on 4 December, when he birdied the final two holes to beat Zach Johnson by one stroke.

"It's hard to believe it was that long," said Woods. "It was a nice way to end the season and hopefully I'll win a few more in 2012."

The four-time Masters champion has confirmed that he will make his first start on the PGA Tour at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 9-12 February.

Meanwhile, Europe's Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has found himself one of the beneficiaries of a decision to increase the field in Abu Dhabi from 126 to 129.

The 45-year-old had not been given one of the seven sponsors' invitation places, which went to Woods, Sweden's Henrik Stenson, Australian Jason Day, Korean KJ Choi, China's Liang Wen-chong, England's Challenge Tour winner Tommy Fleetwood and locally-based professional Stuart Fee, a 34-year-old Englishman who last month won a qualifying event.

But the Spaniard, who finished sixth at the Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa at the weekend and was heading to the middle east in any case for a Ryder Cup press conference, received the news that he, German Alex Cejka and Swede Niclas Fasth would all now be able to compete in the tournament.





Page last updated at 16:03 GMT, Monday, 23 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/16687719.stm

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Branden Grace takes Volvo Golf Champions title in South Africa

Volvo Golf Champions leaderboard (SA unless stated)
-12: E Els, R Goosen, B Grace* -11: N Colsaerts (Bel) -10: C Schwartzel -8: JM Olazabal (Spa) Selected others -4: P Lawrie (Sco), P Harrington (Ire) -3: R Rock, O Fisher, L Slattery (All Eng) -1: D Clarke (NI) *wins via play-off
Branden Grace beat Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a three-way South African play-off to seal the Volvo Golf Champions title.

Els put himself in contention with a final-round 67 to finish 12 under, with Grace missing a short putt on the 18th to win it over 72 holes.

But the 23-year-old made up for that by winning his second tournament in a row at the first play-off hole.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Ireland's Padraig Harrington finished joint 10th.

"I'm really ecstatic," said Grace. "It's been a great week and a dream come true winning an event like this in your home town."

Grace won his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open last week, having qualified for the European Tour via the 2011 Qualifying School last month.

He becomes the first player since Fred Couples in 1995 to follow his maiden European Tour victory with another win.

He also maintains his position at the top of the Race to Dubai standings - albeit after only three weeks - and moves into the world's top 100.

Of his missed putt on the last hole, Grace added: "I would have like to have finished it there and then.

"There was a little bit of nerves. Actually I hit quite a good putt but just misread it a bit.

"Now I can say I've beaten [Els and Goosen] in a play-off and that's something nice to say."

Els went round in six under par - the equal best of the day with England's Robert Rock - to set the clubhouse target, having eagled the 13th and almost chipped in for another at the last.

Goosen also eagled the 13th and birdied three of the last four holes in a round of 70.

Grace carded a 71, while Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who was tied for the lead with one hole to play, hit a wild drive en route to a bogey six that saw him slip to fourth.

Europe Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal shared top spot after starting with two birdies, but slipped back to sixth, while Lawrie and Harrington shot rounds of 74 and 76 respectively.




Page last updated at 15:42 GMT, Sunday, 22 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/16672651.stm

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Manchester City's Mario Balotelli has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after appearing to stamp on Scott Parker.

The incident occurred in City's 3-2 win over Tottenham, with Balotelli scoring a late penalty to win Sunday's match.

Following a dismissal earlier this season Balotelli, 21, faces a four-match ban, but any unsuccessful appeal could result in a longer suspension.

Joleon Lescott will not be punished after a clash with Younes Kaboul.

Manchester City defender Lescott caught Kaboul in the face with his forearm in a separate incident at Etihad Stadium.

Italy striker Balotelli, who has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charge, came on as a 65th-minute substitute against Spurs.

He was booked for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto but, after escaping punishment from referee Howard Webb following his clash with Parker, the striker was fouled by Ledley King in the final minute of added time and converted the resulting penalty.

If he pleads guilty, Balotelli will miss Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield.

However, should the Italian international decide to appeal he will be available for that tie, with a hearing likely to take place later this week.

The normal punishment for violent conduct is a three-match suspension but Balotelli was sent-off in the league match at Liverpool in November so would incur an additional one-game ban.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was incensed that Balotelli was not dismissed in Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter for what he termed a "blatant" foul.

"It is not the first time he has done that and I am sure it won't be the last," Redknapp said.

"I have got my own opinions but I don't like people kicking other people in the head on football pitches. I don't think it's wrong to say that.

"Why you should backheel someone in the head when they are lying on the floor is beyond me. It's not a nice thing to do.

"He reacts to challenges like that at times. Scott has got a cut on his head."

Spurs, who fought back from two goals down to draw level in a gripping contest, could have moved within two points of City with a victory.

But City's controversial win took them eight points ahead of the Londoners and maintained a three-point advantage over second-placed Manchester United.

Balotelli joined City in a £24m deal from Inter Milan in the summer of 2010 but has been involved in a number of controversies on and off the pitch.

He has been sent off three times, was unable to continue after suffering an allergy to the grass in Kiev, threw a dart at a reserve team player and escaped injury after a firework was let off in his house.

City's Sergio Aguero defended his strike partner, however, insisting there is a big difference between the public perception of Balotelli and the player he sees every day.

"Firstly we all know what a fantastic player he is. But those of us who are really close to Mario know that off the field he's a really good lad," the Argentina international said.

"Like a lot of players he has his own idiosyncracies here and there. You know him as a player - what you see on the field. But I know he's a lovely lad."




Page last updated at 07:01 GMT, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16693521.stm

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Man City 3 - 2 Tottenham

Mario Balotelli's injury-time penalty gave Premier League leaders Manchester City a vital victory after Tottenham's stirring comeback looked set to earn them a point at Etihad Stadium.

City set the platform for a win early in the second half with two quick goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott - but Spurs delivered a devastating response as an opportunist goal from Jermain Defoe and a magnificent strike from Gareth Bale drew them level in a burst of four goals in nine minutes.

Balotelli emerged from the bench and into the chaos that seems to be his constant companion - picking up a booking for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto then escaping punishment after appearing to stamp on Scott Parker, an incident which went undetected by referee Howard Webb.

Defoe was then inches away from putting Spurs back in front in stoppage time before Italian Balotelli was inevitably the central figure in the final twist that ensured Roberto Mancini's side maintained the gap ahead of their pursuers at the top of the table.

Spurs' backroom staff were enraged by Balotelli's clash with Parker and their burning sense of injustice would have been made even more acute when he calmly strode forward to score from the spot with only seconds remaining after he had been hauled down by Ledley King.

The visitors clearly felt he should not even have been on the pitch, adding to their frustration after they had demonstrated considerable character and resilience to fight their way back into the game.

City boss Mancini will have had mixed emotions - delight at a crucial three points but also anxiety at the manner in which his side allowed Spurs back into the game.

Defoe, as expected, was Redknapp's selection in attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, who was unable to figure against City, his parent club, during his season-long loan period.

In a first half that was fiercely contested, the only striker who got the chance to shine was City's Sergio Aguero as Spurs outnumbered City in midfield and contained the league leaders in relative comfort.

The Argentine saw his goalbound shot inadvertently blocked by Edin Dzeko, then demonstrated great strength and awareness to hold off Younes Kaboul and find David Silva, who dragged his shot just wide.

Aguero was frustrated by Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel after Richards forced his way into area - but there was still no indication of the torrent of goals that were to hit the Etihad after the break.


The first came after 56 minutes when Silva, with trademark creation, threaded a pass through for Nasri to thump a finish past Friedel. And when Lescott bundled home Dzeko's flick from a Nasri corner three minutes later, City could see daylight.

Not for long, however, as Spurs were back in business within seconds as the hour approached. Stefan Savic failed miserably in his attempt to deal with a clearance, heading straight to Defoe, who accepted the gift with relish as he rounded City keeper Joe Hart to score.

City's fans had gone from elation to anxiety, but Dzeko should have eased their concerns when he was played in by Silva. The Bosnian never looked convincing as he lashed his effort way over the top.

Bale showed no such uncertainty when he put Spurs level in spectacular style after 65 minutes. He took Aaron Lennon's pass and clipped a finish that possessed pace, power and precision high into the top corner beyond Hart, who had no chance.

City had introduced Balotelli for Dzeko, but his first meaningful contribution was to pick up a yellow card from referee Webb for a foul on Assou-Ekotto.

The coming together with Parker that provided a major talking point followed soon after, before a thrilling second half received the climax it deserved.

Defoe could not stretch far enough to turn Bale's cross into an open goal - leaving the stage clear for the turbulent Balotelli to write another chapter into his eventful Manchester City story.




By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Etihad Stadium
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16565416.stm

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Telegraph Examines Olympic ‘Plastic Brits’

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Telegraph’s Simon Hart published an extremely interesting article this week, asking whether the Olympic import of overseas athletes is good for British sport or if it could be stifling British talent.

A survey of Britain’s Olympic governing bodies published recently revealed that approximately 50 of our 550 British athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympics were born abroad, joining GB after London was chosen as the host in 2005.

‘Plastic Brits’ are what foreign-born athletes are now being called, and according to Hart’s research, basketball (along with volleyball and handball) is one of the biggest recruiters:

“British Basketball, whose figurehead is the Sudan-born, America-based but British-naturalised Chicago Bulls star, Luol Deng, has not been coy about its search for overseas players and even offers citizenship advice on its website. So far, the recruitment policy has yielded 10 overseas players, and fingers are crossed that Detroit Pistons star Ben Gordon (who was actually born in London before moving to the United States as a baby) will join them in time for the Games.”

It is no secret that British Basketball is extremely active in their search for overseas players with British passports, something they have been criticised for by fans on multiple occasions (particularly with the Ben Gordon saga). However it’s argued that if basketball in the UK is truly to take advantage of the exposure and potential growth the 2012 Olympics could bring, then it is in basketball’s best interests to have the strongest team possible on the floor (a stance I personally agree with).

What do you think?



January 14, 2012 17:56 pm
http://www.hoopsfix.com/2012/01/telegraph-examines-olympic-plastic-brits/

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Newcastle Eagles Crowned 2012 BBL Cup Winners

Newcastle Eagles were crowned 2012 BBL Cup winners on Sunday, beating Plymouth Raiders 115-94 in the final as veteran Charles Smith went off for a Cup record 39 points at the NIA, Birmingham.

The American outscored the whole of the Raiders side in the first quarter alone, finishing with 21 points to Plymouth’s 20 as the Eagles went up 15 and cruised the rest of the way.

Rookie Paul Gause had 24, and Andrew Bridge added 16 for the Eagles, whilst Lehmon Colbert (25), Jeremy Bell (23), and Anthony Rowe (20) all broke the 20 point barrier for the Raiders.

Box score

Notes

MK Lion Nathan Schall won the dunk contest, which I’m told was actually pretty decent (nice photo here)
Prospect watch: Young Eagles Ross Wilson and Lamar Morrison (both 1993 born) saw 2 and 1 minute respectively, with Wilson missing his field goal and both free throw attempts whilst registering an assist
You can check out a few photos from the day in this Basketball Views album courtesy of Ville Vuorenin, as well as some from Newcastle Eagles here.
Around 8,500 fans made the trip to the NIA for the game.
Did you get to Birmingham to watch the final? Thoughts?



January 16, 2012 22:54 pm
http://www.hoopsfix.com/2012/01/newcastle-eagles-crowned-2012-bbl-cup-winners/

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Peterson launches appeal

American fighter's team say there are no current rematch talks

Lamont Peterson has made "a comprehensive written appeal" against the WBA's decision to order a rematch between him and Amir Khan.

The WBA last week confirmed they wanted Peterson to defend their light-welterweight title against Khan after the British fighter lost the belt following a controversial defeat to the American on December 10.

It was thought that the IBF, whose title Peterson also won on a split decision in Washington DC, could potentially follow suit after holding a hearing into the events of the bout.

But Khan's promoters cancelled that hearing, meaning Peterson is now set to keep that title regardless, and now the new champion is ready to fight the WBA ruling.

A statement from 'Team Peterson' said: "Although rumours have surfaced that we are now in negotiations for a Peterson vs Khan rematch in Washington DC, at this time there are no open negotiations for this bout.

"The Peterson team's focus is on the WBA's decision mandating an immediate rematch.

"A comprehensive written appeal has been submitted to the WBA and we are confident that the WBA will overturn its decision mandating an immediate rematch and recognise Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA jr (light) welterweight world champion."

Response

Peterson's team claim Khan cancelled the IBF hearing because his case would not stand up, while Khan's team say it was because they would not have had a fair inquest due to the absence of referee Joe Cooper and WBA supervisor Michael Welsh.

Peterson's trainer, manager and mentor Barry Hunter said: "We are extremely pleased that Golden Boy and Amir Khan withdrew their protest with the IBF.

"As we have said all along, we were not going to be forced to make a decision by one person or entity and we will continue to do what is in the best interest of Lamont Peterson.

"The Peterson team continuously responded to each of Khan's accusations and the absurdity of the claims.

"Our reply addressed the rules and also Khan's inability to make adjustments and his performance in the ring, as opposed to placing blame on almost everyone associated with the bout.

"We have an open mind and look forward to Lamont's first title defence. We will discuss internally and asses every viable opportunity available. We will then make the best decision possible for the future of Lamont and his family."

Peterson added: "Now that this is over I am ready to move on.

"As I said before, as champion I plan on representing both sanctioning bodies to the best of ability and that means fighting the best fighters in the world in defending my titles."



Last Updated: January 18, 2012 9:42pm
http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/7441171/Peterson-launches-appeal

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