Federer advances to fourth round at US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) - Four-time defending champion Roger Federer won his 30th consecutive US Open match, defeating Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 Sunday to reach the fourth round of the year's last Grand Slam event.

The Swiss superstar remains two Grand Slam singles crowns shy of Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 as he tries to become the first player since Bill Tilden in 1924 to win five US titles in a row.
Federer's win streak at Flushing Meadows since losing to David Nalbandian in the round of 16 in 2003 does not include a fourth-round walkover in 2004. He has not fallen short of the fourth round at a Slam since the 2004 French Open.
Second seed Federer was bumped from the world number one ranking by Spain's Rafael Nadal two weeks ago after the Spaniard had beaten Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier this year.
Never in tennis history have players met in the finals of three consecutive Slams in the same year.
Stepanek was denied his first trip to the US Open's fourth round, falling to 2-10 in the third round at Slams even though he had beaten Federer in their most recent prior meeting in the Rome quarter-finals.
Federer will next face the winner of a later match between Russia's Igor Andreev and Spanish 13th seed Fernando Verdasco.
Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko, who lost to Federer in the US Open semi-finals each of the past two years, also reached the round of 16 by defeating 27th-ranked compatriot Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.
Davydenko next faces Luxembourg qualifier Gilles Muller, who outlasted Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (3/7), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.
Since winning his 14th career title in June at Warsaw, Davydenko had lost four of six matches before the Open. But he has found top form again and could face the Federer express again in this year's quarter-finals.
"I'm not top fit but I need to do everything to be top fit, fight every point," Davydenko said. "I'm really happy to win three rounds in three sets. I hope I will be fit and feeling good for the fourth round."
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic, who lost to Federer in the 2007 US Open final, meets Croatia's Marin Cilic in a night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where US eighth seed Andy Roddick and Italy's Andreas Steppi also meet later.

by Jim Slater

http://news.yahoo.com

Jankovic battles into last eight

Jelena Jankovic came from a set down to see off Caroline Wozniacki and bag a place in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
The Serbian made a stuttering start and lost the first set 6-3 but powered back to take the next two sets 6-2 6-1.
Jankovic appeared a bit sluggish early on, but was still able to secure a place in the last eight at the year's final grand slam for the third straight year.
The 23-year-old will play either Sybille Bammer or Marion Bartoli in the quarter-finals.
Jankovic also recorded her second three-set win in two career meetings with the 18-year-old Wozniacki, beating her in the second round at Wimbledon earlier this year.
Wozniacki was coming off a title at New Haven last week.

Monday 1st September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/tennis

Benitez mocked at Villa Park

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez suffered a torrent of abuse and saw his side play to a goalless draw at Villa Park.
Aston Villa fans taunted the Reds boss with chants of 'There's only one Gareth Barry' after the collapse of the England midfielder's move to Liverpool, and some of the crowd aimed personal insults at the Reds manager.
Benitez was met with a crescendo of abuse from Villa fans when he made his way to the dug-out before shaking hands with home manager Martin O'Neill, with whom he became embroiled in a war of words over Barry.
But the game itself was mostly disappointing, with both sides cancelling each other out and for long periods adopting a safety-first approach until an exciting finale.
Liverpool needed to win to go top but they could not find their way through a home rearguard in which captain Martin Laursen was a rock-solid performer.
Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker had one of his best games for Villa on the right flank, before switching to full-back in the closing stages to accommodate US$24 million new recruit James Milner.
The encouraging factor for Villa was that they looked a match for Liverpool, an established member of the Premier League's 'big four', in a season where they are expected to challenge to break into the elite group of teams.
But Villa also found it difficult to create decent opportunities, with Javier Mascherano impressing in the Liverpool midfielder after his return from Olympic action with Argentina.
The first incident of note saw Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel booked after 13 minutes for hauling back John Carew on the left flank.
Liverpool suffered a setback after 27 minutes when striker Fernando Torres pulled up sharply when chasing an innocuous-looking pass and was immediately taken off.
It led to Benitez giving a debut to striker David Ngog who was signed from Paris St Germain earlier in the summer.
Then, after 35 minutes, Carew squandered the first clear-cut chance.
Barry's fine pass played in Ashley Young who had beaten the offside trap and he laid the ball back invitingly into the path of Carew, only eight yards out from goal.
But the Norwegian international opted to place his low shot rather than go for power and Reina was able to block his attempt.
Liverpool threatened for the first time when a deep cross from Andrea Dossena was only headed by Nicky Shorey into the path of Dirk Kuyt but his side's midweek Champions League goal hero shot into the sidenetting.
Then a superb reverse pass from Robbie Keane opened up the Villa defence for Ngog and his left-footed curler was only inches too high.
The visitors stepped up their game in the second half and Keane teed up a shot for Xabi Alonso which was deflected over Brad Friedel's bar by Shorey.
Then Friedel did well to tip over, at full stretch, a superb cross on the run from Dossena.
Villa enjoyed pressure of their own and Curtis Davies made good ground to get on the end of Young's free-kick but summed up the game by heading the ball away from the Liverpool goal.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon came with the introduction of Milner in place of Luke Young whose right-back berth was filled by Reo-Coker.
Dossena was booked a minute later for throwing the ball away after disputing a throw-in awarded to Villa.
Benitez brought on Fabio Aurelio for Kuyt after 70 minutes, and Petrov was just off target with a dipping volley.
Benitez then appealed in vain for a penalty after Reo-Coker's tackle on Keane who shot wide when under pressure from the Villa midfielder.

Monday 1st September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Serie A Sunday Review

Last season's runners-up Roma were held to a draw while AC Milan were dealt a shock home defeat at the San Siro.
Champions Inter began their quest for a fourth straight Scudetto with a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria on Saturday and would probably have expected to lose ground to both Roma and Milan on the first round of fixtures.
But Roma could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Napoli while Milan's miserable form at the San Siro continued with a 2-1 loss to Bologna.
Not even Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko were able to reverse a trend of bad results at home which effectively condemned Milan to finishing only fifth last season.
Marco di Vaio put Bologna ahead in the 18th minute and, although Massimo Ambrosini got the Rossoneri back on level terms at the break, a wonder-goal from Francesco Valiani sealed the win for Bologna 10 minutes from time.
Roma, meanwhile, went ahead in the 29th minute through Alberto Aquilani as they dominated the first half against Napoli.
But it was a different story in the second period with Marek Hamsik netting a deserved equaliser in the 55th minute - shortly after Fabiano Santacroce was sent off for the visitors.
Roma's Eternal City rivals Lazio enjoyed a much more productive first afternoon, coming from behind to record a thumping 4-1 win at Cagliari.
Joaquin Larrivey put the hosts in the ascendancy but they were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Diego Lopez was given his marching orders.
And Delio Rossi's men took full advantage of their numerical superiority with a brace from new signing Mauro Zarate (one penalty) and further strikes from substitute Pasquale Foggia and Goran Pandev.
The emphatic triumph sees Lazio take the early lead at the Serie A summit on goals scored from Torino - 3-0 winners at home to newly-promoted Lecce.
Alessandro Rosina's penalty in the 29th minute gave the hosts the ideal start, before Paolo Zanetti added a second four minutes later and debutant Rolando Bianchi headed home the third to complete the rout 16 minutes from time.
Other teams to enjoy winning starts on Sunday were Atalanta, Catania and Chievo.
Simone Padoin's 15th-minute goal was enough for Atalanta to register a 1-0 victory over Siena, who were not helped by the dismissal of Massimo Maccarone with four minutes remaining.
Walter Zenga's Catania edged past Genoa 1-0 thanks to a Giuseppe Mascara strike just after the hour.
Chievo made a triumphant return to the top flight with a late 2-1 home win over Reggina.
Having spent just one season in the second division, the Gialloblu made a fine start to the new campaign and came back from a goal down through Michele Marcolini's penalty in the 76th minute and Vincenzo Italiano's strike two minutes from time.
Bernard Corradi had briefly put the visitors ahead with a 72nd-minute spot-kick but Reggina could not find an equaliser despite Chievo new boy Antonio Langella's dismissal late on.
Sunday's action concludes with the evening kick-off between Fiorentina and Juventus.
In Saturday's Serie A curtain-raiser, Antonio di Natale scored twice as Udinese posted a convincing 3-1 victory over Palermo.
The Italy international put the home side in control with two first-half strikes and, although Palermo threatened a comeback when Mark Bresciano scored, highly-rated Switzerland midfielder Gokhan Inler settled the contest shortly after.

Monday 1st September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Milan continue to flounder

AC Milan's miserable form continued as they made a losing start to the season on Sunday, going down 2-1 to Bologna.
Not even Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko were able to reverse a trend of bad results at home which effectively condemned Milan to finishing only fifth last season.
Marco Di Vaio put Bologna ahead in the 18th minute, but Massimo Ambrosini ensured the Rossoneri went in at the break on terms.
However, a wonder-goal from Francesco Valiani sealed the win for Bologna 10 minutes from time and put Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti under pressure after just one game.
Ancelotti named Ronaldinho in his starting XI with fellow debutant Mathieu Flamini making his first appearance at the San Siro.
For many of the Bologna team, it was also a first taste of Serie A football following their promotion from Serie B last season, but they did not run and hide as they took the game to their hosts from the outset.
Adailton had the first chance for Daniele Arrigoni's side, but his angled shot was saved easily by Christian Abbiati, Milan's new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Zeljko Kalac and Dida.
Ronaldinho was the centre of attention and he did not disappoint either, showing glimpses of what made him World Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
He sent one shot wide of Francesco Antonioli's goal before heading over when Filippo Inzaghi seemed better placed from Clarence Seedorf's cross.
Bologna were forced onto the back foot , but when they managed to break, they went ahead thanks to Di Vaio in the 18th minute
The former Genoa striker provided the finishing touch to an excellent team move, volleying the ball low and unstoppably past Abbiati to silence the San Siro.
Ronaldinho continued to cause a threat to the Bologna defence, but nobody was able to add a finish to his intelligent build-up play, until Ambrosini obliged in the 41st minute with a header from close range bringing Milan level.
Shevchenko made his second Milan debut at the start of the second half, replacing Marek Jankulovski as Milan went with a more adventurous, attacking formation.
Ronaldinho almost set his new strike-partner up for a second goal early in the second half, but Shevchenko was unable to reach the ball at the far post.
Ancelotti introduced Alexandre Pato into the game with 20 minutes left as he went for the win, but it was Bologna who began to look the more dangerous.
However, nobody could have expected the goal which won this game for Bologna.
Valiani exchanged passes with Di Vaio before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.
It was a goal fit to win any game, and it was enough to decide this one in favour of the Serie A newcomers against one of the main title favourites.
After being put on probation after a lacklustre pre-season campaign, Ancelotti will now be fearing for his job after just 90 minutes of the season.

Monday 1st September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football

Barclays Premier League Sunday LIVE!

Latest Scores Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham(FT) Sunderland 0-3 Man City(FT) Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool

Halftime:

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
The score is 0-0 at Villa Park as Rafael Benitez resorted to negative tactics, playing nine men behind the ball, with Fernando Torres plowing alone upfront.
To make things even worse, Torres looked like he tweaked a hamstring during the half, and had to be replaced by David Ngog in the 30th minute.
A boring 0-0 at halftime, with everyone hoping for a better showing by both teams in the second half.

Fulltime:

Sunderland 0-3 Manchester City(FT)
Manchester City crushed Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light, with Shaun Wright-Phillips capping off his return to the Sky Blues with an emphatic brace.
Manchester City drew first blood when Danny Collins failed to make a decent clearance from a cross and Stephen Ireland pounced on the rebound to place the ball far away from a diving Craig ‘Flash' Gordon.
Wright-Phillips doubled City's advantage in the 50th minute by slotting in a Jo cross that went across Gordon goalmouth.
The former Chelsea winger secured three points for the Citizens by beating the offside trap to receive the ball from Michael Ball and poke it past a bewildered Gordon.
Wright-Phillips was substituted in the 85th minute, with a standing ovation waiting for the City returnee.

Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur(FT)

Tottenham managed to hold out for a draw at Stamford Bridge, with Darren Bent cancelling out Belletti's opening goal.
Chelsea drew first blood when Deco put in a low curler from a corner, which Darren Bent failed to clear, only for the Brazilian fullback to run into the ball and put it past compatriot Heurelho Gomes.
Bent made up for his mistake at the stroke of halftime by latching on to a stray ball, the result of a Frank Lampard and Luka Modric clash, to slot the ball past a looming Petr Cech.
After halftime, Chelsea dominated the match but failed to make a breakthrough, all credit going to Gomes who played a great game overall.
Click here for espnstar.com's LIVESCORE coverage of tonight's matches!

Monday 1st September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league

Robinho determined to join Chelsea

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho said Sunday that his "head was at Chelsea" and that he was determined to leave the Spanish club despite efforts of team bosses to keep him.

"I've already told the president (Ramon Calderon), and coach (Bernd Schuster), management and (the media): my head is there (at Chelsea), I want to play over there," the 24-year-old said.
"Until now I've never had a problem in the locker room (at Real)," he added.
Robinho, who joined Real in 2005, attacked the Spanish champions for their attitude to him during the summer when his father and agent had been trying to negotiate a new contract for him.
"The club showed little interest in keeping me," said Robinho of Real, who focused their efforts on their failed bid to sign Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
"The problem is that (Real Madrid) did not manage to recruit.
"Schuster isn't my father, he's my coach. He can't make me do anything."
Real also recently failed in their bid to sign two Spanish internationals Santi Cazorla from Villarreal and David Villa from Valencia.
"I want to leave, nothing more," he added.
Chelsea's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been keen to tie up a 27 million pounds (33.7 million euros) swoop for Robinho before the transfer window shuts at midnight on Monday.
But Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insisted Saturday they would not be letting the striker go.
"He's going to stay here, I'm saying that," Calderon told the daily ABC, adding that the Brazilian was "a good boy, badly advised" by his entourage.



by http://news.yahoo.com
Sun Aug 31

Spurs sign Russia striker Pavlyuchenko

LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham reached an agreement to sign Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow.

Pavlyuchenko arrived in England on Friday for a medical and negotiations over personal terms and the deal was sealed on Saturday.
"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Spartak Moscow for the transfer of Roman Pavlyuchenko to the Club," a statement on Tottenham's website confirmed.
The fee paid by Tottenham has not been disclosed but it is understood to be around 14 million pounds (17 million euros) and the move could pave the way for Dimitar Berbatov to leave Spurs for Manchester United.
Pavlyuchenko will not feature when Spurs take on Chelsea on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Real Zaragoza president Agapito Iglesias is reported to be in London to discuss the possible transfer of Diego Milito and Sergio Garcia from the Spanish club to Spurs.

by http://news.yahoo.com

Sun Aug 31, 6:00 AM

Nadal breezes while Nishikori leads US Open upset parade

NEW YORK (AFP) - World number one Rafael Nadal of Spain rolled into the fourth round of the US Open while Japanese teen Kei Nishikori pulled off the biggest upset on a Saturday of shockers that saw three top men ousted.

Wimbledon and French Open champion Nadal raised his game when challenged, winning his final 11 games to answer a fightback and defeat 71st-ranked Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-3, 6-0, for his 41st triumph in 42 starts.
"I have started playing better," Nadal said. "Today I served very well. I have more confidence and I hope to continue to improve my tennis. I know I have to keep improving my tennis if I want to win."
Nishikori stunned Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5 to become the first Japanese man into the fourth round of a US Open.
"I'm very proud of that," said Nishikori, who at 18 is the youngest man in the US Open round of 16 since Marat Safin in 1998.
"I still can't believe it. I felt happy and more positive. That's why I felt I could fight through."
Ferrer was joined on the seeded scrap heap by Argentine number seven David Nalbandian, who lost to France's Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, and US ninth seed James Blake, who fell to compatriot Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Ferrer denied Nishikori on a match point in the ninth game and broke back, then saved another match point in the 10th game before Nishikori blasted back-to-back forehand winners to end it after three hours and 32 minutes.
"Nishikori played really well," Ferrer said. "I'm not surprised. I'm sure he will be a very good player."
The only Japanese man to go deeper in a Grand Slam event was Shuzo Matsuoka, who reached the 1995 Wimbledon quarter-finals.
"I don't think about it like I'm making history," Nishikori said. "I'm just very proud."
Next up for the Asian sensation is Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, who stretched his win streak to 22 matches by outlasting France's Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 over three hours and 47 minutes.
British sixth seed Andy Murray barely avoided the victims list, rallying to defeat Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (5/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-3 after three hours and 52 minutes and book a date with Swiss 10th seed Stanislas Wawrinka.
"He was playing unbelievable," Murray said. "I really didn't get any rhythm. I just kept fighting. This is why you put in all the work. Hopefully I can keep it going."
On the women's side, seventh seed Venus Williams and fourth-seeded sister Serena cruised in third-round matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium, moving them one step closer to a quarter-final showdown at the year's last Grand Slam event.
But the men stole the show. Olympic champion Nadal was down a break in the second set until blasting a running forehand winner past Troicki to level at 3-3 and he never lost another game.
"That gave me a lot of confidence that I could win," Nadal said. "He was playing well in that moment but after that I started playing better and he made some mistakes."
Nadal can match his best US Open showing by winning his next match over Sam Querrey, the 55th-ranked American who ousted Croatian 14th seed Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. Nadal won their only prior meeting in 2006.
"I've gotten a lot better since then. He has too," Querrey said. "I can go out there and rip away. I have nothing to lose."
Nadal, whose only loss since May was to Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic in a Cincinnati semi-final, could join Roger Federer, Rod Laver and Pete Sampras as the only men to win three Slams in a row in the Open era.
Seven-time Slam champion Venus Williams advanced by beating Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-1 in 56 minutes. Next up is Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat Williams in 2006 at Luxembourg in their only prior meeting.
"I'm looking forward to evening the score," Williams said.
Eight-time Slam champion Serena Williams beat Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-2, 6-1 and will next face French wild card entrant Severine Bremond, who outlasted Italy's Tathiana Garbin 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
"I'm definitely not at my best, but I hope to get there," Serena Williams said.
Russian sixth seed Dinara Safina beat Swiss teen Timea Bacsinszky 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 and will next face German Anna-Lena Groenefeld, the first woman qualifier since Anna Kournikova in 1996 to reach the US Open's fourth round.
Sunday's top matches find defending champion Federer playing Czech Radek Stepanek, fellow second seed Jelena Jankovic facing Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Australian Open champion Djokovic meeting Croatia's Marin Cilic.

by Jim Slater

Sun Aug 31, 12:57 AM

http://news.yahoo.com

NEW YORK - Jets running back Jesse Chatman was suspended without pay by the NFL on Saturday for the team's first four regular-season games for violating the league's steroids and related-substances policy.

Chatman, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, is eligible to rejoin the team Sept. 29, a day after New York's game against Arizona.
"It's always disappointing, but it's a program that the league has set up and something that I understand and Jesse understands the consequences of," coach Eric Mangini said. "Jesse has had a very good training camp and really punctuated it with his game against the Eagles. He's disappointed and so am I, but I look forward to him being able to come back and contribute."
Chatman's agent, Brett Tessler, said in a statement that the running back "never tested positive for a steroid or any other performance-enhancing drug."
"Near the end of last season, the league claimed he had a diuretic in his system that they said could also be used as a masking agent," Tessler said. "After Jesse spent great time and money defending his innocence, the league made its final ruling and now he has no choice but to look ahead to Week 5."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would have no further comment regarding the suspension.
Chatman had 180 total yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Jets in their 27-20 victory at Philadelphia on Thursday night. He ran 29 times for 93 yards and caught six passes for 87 yards, and led the team with 164 yards rushing in the preseason.
"I respect the program the league has in place and it's very clear that if there's a violation, there are consequences," Mangini said. "My experience with Jesse since he's been a New York Jet has been extremely positive. I think he's done everything we've asked him to do."
With Chatman sitting out four games, the only running backs on the team's roster after cutdowns Saturday were starter Thomas Jones and backup Leon Washington, along with fullback Tony Richardson. Mangini wouldn't say whether the team will look into bringing in another tailback during Chatman's absence.
"We'll gauge it week in and week out," he said. "Tony Richardson has run the ball in the past and (wide receiver) Brad Smith can be used back there as well, so we'll definitely have alternatives in place."
Mangini said Chatman will have a job waiting for him when he finishes serving the suspension.
"Had this not gone through, he would be on the 53-man roster," Mangini said. "In terms of evaluating him as a player and a contributor, I think he earned that spot from that perspective."
Out of football in 2006, Chatman ran for a career-high 515 yards and a touchdown for Miami last season. He became the Dolphins' starting running back after Ronnie Brown was sidelined for the season by a knee injury in Week 7.
The 5-foot-8, 220-pound Chatman spent his first three NFL seasons with San Diego from 2002-04, but was released by the Chargers in July 2005. He signed with the Dolphins before that season, but was traded to New Orleans after being inactive for the first five games. Chatman was then inactive for three games with the Saints before they also released him.
After sitting out a year and losing 60 pounds, Chatman was again signed by the Dolphins and revived his NFL career.

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer

Sat Aug 30, 8:32 PM

http://news.yahoo.com

Robinho to hold press conference

Robinho is to hold a press conference in Madrid today as time runs out for Chelsea to sign the Brazilian striker.
The Blues have been tracking Robinho for much of the summer and it appeared earlier this week that a move would go ahead.
The saga took another twist as Real declared their intention to keep Robinho, but the player himself is now set to make an announcement about his future.
It is expected that he will again outline his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.
Schuster hope Real boss Bernd Schuster remains hopeful that Robinho will stay at the Bernabeu, despite leaving the 24-year-old out of his squad for Sunday's league opener at Deportivo La Coruna.
Schuster said: "I want him to stay. I've always said so and I stand by what I say. He is important for us."
Schuster insisted the decision to leave Robinho out of his travelling party was down to him, even though last Saturday he included the Brazilian in his squad for the Supercopa second leg against Valencia - a move that came just 24 hours after the player had declared he wanted to join Chelsea.
Robinho was ultimately left on the bench against Valencia, but Schuster this weekend opted to omit him completely.
"It's been my decision. The club has never given their opinion, they've always left it to me to make the decision," said Schuster.
"You need to know in what condition a player will arrive and there's been a lot of pressure on him and he isn't in the optimum condition to play. He's got too many concerns going on in his head.
"We realised this during the Spanish Supercopa. We wanted to win the title, so we decided it was better to use players who at that time were more focused.
"Until the matter is resolved definitely he will not be in perfect condition to play."

Sunday 31st August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Ramos fears gap is widening

Juande Ramos fears Tottenham and Chelsea are moving in "different directions" but has backed his club's structure.
When Spurs defeated their London rivals in the Carling Cup in February there were hopes of closing the gap with the heavyweights of the Premier League - but there have been contrasting summers in both camps.
"Chelsea have the ability to sign absolutely top-echelon stars from anywhere around the world, pick the cream of the crop, to try and win every trophy. We are kind of in a different league to that," said Ramos. "Maybe it's a case of two clubs moving in slightly different directions."
Ramos has nevertheless been pleased with the improvement in the quality of his squad after letting seven first-team players leave, which has offers an assessment of the players brought to the club by sporting director Damien Comolli.
The likes of Younes Kaboul and Kevin-Prince Boateng struggling last season brought Comolli's influence in the spotlight, and Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov's situation has put pressure on the Frenchman to use his scouting network to find suitable replacements.
Comolli finds players for Ramos - such as Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is understood to have agreed a long-term deal - and a consensus is made over transfers along with chairman Daniel Levy.
Ramos, speaking of his work with Comolli, said: "We have an excellent relationship, the contact is daily.
"It was the same story at Sevilla. "We had a sporting director, a director of football if you like, who was responsible for transfers and signings.
"Tottenham is a similar situation."

Sunday 31st August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Serie A Weekend Preview

The Rossoneri, who begin their campaign at home on Sunday against Bologna, have reason to be optimistic this season.
Milan missed out on a place in this season's Champions League after coming fifth last term. The San Siro giants have not won the Italian title since 2004 and there will be pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti to deliver.
However, the signings of Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko have strengthened Milan's flagging squad, and club vice-president Adriano Galliani warned it is time for Ancelotti to come up with the results on the domestic stage.
"Milan is a Scudetto team, the coach knows that," said Galliani.
"We must fight for the title. This doesn't mean that we cannot lose, but we certainly must be in contention until the last day of the campaign."
Juventus visit last year's fourth-placed finishers Fiorentina with both teams on a high after safely negotiating the Champions League qualifying phase to reach the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.
The Bianconeri are boosted by the arrival of highly-rated forward Amauri from Palermo, who is set to partner the experienced David Trezeguet in Juve's attacking line.
Last season's runners-up Roma will be without captain Francesco Totti when they entertain Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico.
Totti returned from a long-term knee injury to feature in the Italian Supercoppa earlier this week but picked up an ankle injury that puts him out of Sunday's game.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Siena travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta, Torino host Serie A new boys Lecce and Chievo, another promoted side, entertain Reggina.
Cagliari and Lazio meet in Sardinia and Catania welcome Genoa to the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

Sunday 31st August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Nadal juggernaut rolls on

World number one Rafael Nadal crushed Viktor Troicki in straight sets to move into the round of 16 at the US Open on Saturday.
The world number one did not have it all his own way in the opening two sets but always had too much for the Serbian as he won 6-4 6-3 6-0.
The first set was tight until Troicki served at 4-5. Nadal seized on his opponent's nerves to break and take the opener in 41 minutes.
Troicki recovered well and broke Nadal for a 2-1 lead in the second but the Spaniard raised his game to storm back.
He broke back twice to take a commanding two-set lead.
The third was not a contest, Nadal strolling through it in 26 minutes to set up a clash against American Sam Querrey.
Querrey stunned 14th seed Ivo Karlovic in their third-round encounter.
After a tough start against German Bjorn Phau in the first round, Nadal has improved with each match and said that he is beginning to approach top form.
"I am starting to play better," Nadal told reporters after clinching his 41st win in his past 42 matches.
"Today I played better than the last days. I started playing well and today I served very well."
Having added Olympic gold to his two grand slam titles this year, Nadal is the favourite to end Federer's hopes of a fifth straight US Open triumph.
His later than usual arrival in New York, though, meant he has taken more time to find his feet.
"The truth is that I was practising much better yesterday than the (first few) days," Nadal said.
"I think I am ready to play a good match in the fourth round. I know I have to play a good match if I want to win."

Sunday 31st August 2008
by www.espnstar.com/tennis

Ronaldo plans early return

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes he could return earlier and be playing again by the end of September.
The Portuguese underwent ankle surgery in July and initial forecasts were that he could be out of action until late October and possibly November.
But Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals last season to fire United to the Barclays Premier League title and Champions League, has been told to step up his rehabilitation after making better-than-expected progress.
"I am feeling fine. I am feeling really good and my recovery is going well," the 23-year-old said.
"I am more than happy with my progress and I hope to be back playing for United by the end of September - that is my target and it is a realistic one.
"It has been frustrating to miss the start of the Premier League season but I am pleased with my rehabilitation and, hopefully, I'll be ready soon."

Sunday 31st August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/footbal

Villa on target in Valencia romp

Valencia began their Primera Liga campaign with a resounding victory over Real Mallorca at the Mestalla on Saturday nightFirst-half headers from David Villa and Juan Manuel Mata put Los Che firmly in control before substitute Vicente poked home a third goal from close range seven minutes from time.
It was a comprehensive result in the end but the hosts did appear to be a little nervy in the opening exchanges and it required a controversial refereeing decision to bring the game to life.
On 11 minutes, the visitors were awarded a free-kick inside the Valencia penalty box when Jose Manuel Jurado burst into the area and Raul Albiol's timely interception was gathered by debutant Brazilian keeper Renan.
Referee Rubinos Perez deemed the pass to have been intentional, much to the dismay of the Mestalla faithful, but Nunes could find no way through a 10-man defensive wall when he blasted the resulting free-kick at goal.
The controversy certainly livened things up as the home side started to throw men forward in greater numbers from that point.
Their first corner after 17 minutes caught the Mallorca defenders unawares when a cleverly worked delivery culminated with keeper Miguel Angel Moya being worked by a David Silva turn and shot from 10 yards that he couldn't hold.
However, it was only after the introduction of former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes shortly after the 20-minute mark that the hosts really began to turn the screw.
Unai Emery withdrew Ruben Baraja from the action and while it wasn't clear whether Baraja was carrying an injury, the change proved to be the defining moment of the match as Fernandes' greater energy and purpose immediately caught the eye and turned the balance of play directly in favour of Los Che.
Valencia grabbed the lead on 34 minutes when Villa stooped to head Pablo Hernandez's deflected cross into an empty net from six yards.
The move came on the back of some clever play from Silva, his dazzling skills and close control catching the entire Mallorca defence ball-watching.
The hosts added a second four minutes later with a similarly scrappy finish from some neat build-up play.
This time it was Mata who applied the finishing touch with his head after Fernandes' effort was blocked by Moya and sat up nicely for the midfielder.
Oscar Trejo responded for the visitors with a well-struck shot from just outside the box that had Renan beaten but came back off the inside of the post but Valencia were just about value for their 2-0 half-time lead.
Things settled down after the interval and Mallorca rarely threatened as they struggled to find a cutting edge following the departure of last season's Pichichi winner Dani Guiza.
Valencia did string together some excellent passing moves and one of them was rewarded with a fine goal on 83 minutes when two substitutes combined to kill the game off with Vicente applying the finishing touch to a Miguel Angulo cross.

Sunday 31st August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Gunners back on track

Arsenal emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United who were made to look second class.Robin van Persie netted twice as Arsenal silenced any talk of a club in crisis with a 3-0 romp over Newcastle in Saturday afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners continued from where they had left off against FC Twente in their midweek Champions League qualifier to outclass the Magpies.
Dutchman van Persie - who endured an injury-plagued campaign last season - struck from the penalty spot after Charles N'Zogbia handled after 18 minutes, which was no more than the resurgent hosts deserved.
Another well-worked goal from the Dutchman followed before the break, with Brazil youngster Denilson hitting his first Premier League goal after more breathtaking, quick passing from Arsene Wenger's men - who if they can maintain such displays look again set for a sustained title challenge.
Arsenal had started in determined fashion and had a great chance to take the lead inside three minutes.
A corner from the right was flicked on by Bacary Sagna at the near post, and the ball fell at the feet of William Gallas.
However, the Gunners captain - who has netted twice already this season - somehow blazed his shot over the bar from no more than a yard out.
Kolo Toure then came forwards and flashed in a low drive from 25 yards, which Shay Given turned behind at full stretch.
There was little respite for the Magpies as Arsenal maintained a high tempo, under the watchful eye of England manager Fabio Capello - at the Emirates Stadium for a second time this week.
Then just after Newcastle looked to have got a themselves a foothold in the match, they conceded a penalty.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor dashed past his marker and into the right side of the box, before cutting the ball back across goal, where it hit N'Zogbia on his trailing arm.
Van Persie stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, which was coolly dispatched low into the bottom right corner past the dive of the Newcastle keeper.
With the cushion of an early lead, Arsenal started to showboat, passing the ball around with consummate ease.
Cesc Fabregas - in his 200th appearance for the Gunners - tried his luck with a speculative 25-yard effort, which flew over.
Samir Nasri got away down the left, before floating over a cross with the outside of his boot - and only a deft touch from the fast-retreating Fabricio Coloccini denied an on-rushing Adebayor a tap in.
After 31 minutes, van Persie curled a 20-yard free-kick up towards the top-left corner, but Given was at his acrobatic best to make a flying save.
Newcastle finally created a decent opening after 37 minutes when Jonas Gutierrez, the Argentina international midfielder, got clear down the left and cut a low centre back across goal.
Michael Owen was lurking at the far post, but just as he shot, team-mate Shola Ameobi got in the way and deflected the ball off target.
Arsenal went up the other end and carved open the visitors' defence again with van Persie feeding Adebayor.
However, the big Togo frontman, under pressure from two defenders and the advancing keeper, could only slot the ball wide.
It was, though, soon 2-0 with four minutes to go to half-time.
Emmanuel Eboue played Adebayor in down the right, and continued his run into the penalty area to collect the return pass.
The much-maligned Ivory Coast midfielder then produced a clever back-heel, which rolled into the path of van Persie - who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Newcastle were positive following the restart and only the woodwork denied Kevin Keegan's men a way back into the match after 56 minutes when Nicky Butt's flicked header from a left-wing corner dropped onto the crossbar.
It was just one of those days for the visitors as Arsenal wrapped up the match with another superbly-crafted goal in the 59th minute.
Nasri worked himself space in the box, before tapping the ball back to Adebayor.
The Togo frontman simply laid it off sideways, where Denilson was on hand to slip the ball back past the oncoming defender and a wrong-footed Given.
Arsenal could have further extended their lead before the final whistle.
Van Persie smashed in an angled drive from almost on the goal-line, which ricocheted off the underside of the bar at the near post.
Given then produced a fine reaction save at point-blank range to keep out Toure's header and also was at full stretch to turn away Nasri's curling free-kick before substitute Theo Walcott pulled an angled drive wide after another swift counter-attack.
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, recently released from jail and facing a violent conduct charge from the Football Association, came on for the closing two minutes - to resounding jeers from the home crowd.

Sunday 31st August 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league

Premier League BPL Saturday Live!

Latest ScoresArsenal 1-0 NewcastleCompleted matchesHull 0-5 WiganWest Ham 4-1 BlackburnBolton 0-0 West BromMiddlesbrough 2-1 StokeEverton 0-3 Portsmouth
Arsenal vs Newcastle United
Arsene Wenger's men went down to a shocking defeat away to Fulham last weekend but were back to their best in their midweek trouncing of FC Twente in the Champions League qualifying game.
The Magpies have started the season in great fashion with a draw at Old Trafford before a late Michael Owen goal wrapped up three points last week.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Song Billong, Djourou, Bendtner
Newcastle Starting Lineup: Given, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Taylor, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, Beye, N'Zogbia, Owen, Amoebi.
Subs: Harper, Barton, Bassong, Edgar, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger
Bolton vs West Brom
New signing Johan Elmander has not recovered in time and Kevin Davies will lead the line with Kevin Nolan in support.
Bolton are searching for their fifth successive home win in the Premier League while West Brom manager, Tony Mowbray seeks his 50th win .
Bolton Starting Lineup: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Shittu, Samuel, Joey O'Brien, McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Nolan, Davies.
Subs: Al Habsi, Hunt, Riga, Helguson, Vaz Te, Dzemaili, Fojut.
West Brom Starting Lineup: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Barnett, Robinson, Borja Valero, Koren, Greening, Morrison, Kim, Miller.
Subs: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Bednar, Brunt, MacDonald, Moore.
Hull City vs Wigan
Geovanni will be the key man for the home side who are missing George Boateng in the middle.
Wigan's Emile Heskey will need to be at his striking best against a defence used to the rough rigours of the Championship.
Hull Starting Lineup: Myhill, Ricketts, Brown, Turner, Dawson, Fagan, Ashbee, Marney, Garcia, Geovanni, Folan.
Subs: Duke, Barmby, Windass, Hughes, Mendy, Halmosi, Cooper.
Wigan Starting Lineup: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Kilbane, Heskey, Zaki.
Subs: Pollitt, Koumas, Brown, De Ridder, Kapo, Camara, Kupisz.
West Ham vs Blackburn
Two of the league's top strikers, Dean Ashton and Roque Santa Cruz will be on show at Upton Park.
A win for West Ham will give thems six points from three games while the visitors can go onto seven points with an away win.
West Ham Starting Lineup: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Parker, Noble, Etherington, Cole, Ashton.
Subs: Lastuvka, McCartney, Bellamy, Boa Morte, Mullins, Reid, Sears.
Blackburn Starting Lineup: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Grella, Pedersen, Roque Santa Cruz, Roberts.
Subs: Brown, Mokoena, Andrews, Villanueva, Simpson, Treacy, Derbyshire.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke
Gareth Southgate's team started the season with a brilliant win against Tottenham Hotspur but floundered against Liverpool at Anfield to leave them on three points in two games.
If Southgate has any European aspirations, this game has to be three points in the bag with in-form striker Mido and Alfonso Alves giving the Stoke defence a nightmarish visit to the Riverside.
Middlesbrough Starting Lineup: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Shawky, O'Neil, Downing, Alves , Sanli.
Stoke City Starting Lineup: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Faye, Delap, Kitson, Fuller.
Everton vs Portsmouth
Both clubs have had slow starts to the season and another defeat for either team could be a major blow to their European ambitions.
Harry Redknapp will be banking on his new strike partnership, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch to deliver the goods while David Moyes will rely on Nigerian hitman, Yakubu to earn him three points.
Everton Starting Lineup: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Rodwell, Jagielka, Osman, Yakubu, Vaughan.
Subs: Turner, Jacobsen, Nuno Valente, Anichebe, Kissock, Baxter, Wallace.
Portsmouth Starting Lineup: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Diop, Davis, Diarra, Armand Traore, Crouch, Defoe.
Subs: Ashdown, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Mvuemba, Sahar, Djimi Traore.
Click here to get the latest scores and match updates!

Saturday 30th August 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football

Duckett leads Seahawks over Raiders 23-16

SEATTLE - The second- and third-string Seattle Seahawks were just like their starters: better than the Oakland Raiders.

T.J. Duckett showed he may be more than just the short-yardage back coach Mike Holmgren thinks he is by running for 71 yards and two touchdowns in Seattle' 23-16 victory Friday night in a preseason finale without all but three starters.
Seahawks Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was in sweats to rest a back that has been tight since Aug. 8. He will start the season opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo having played just two snaps since last January's playoffs.
Seneca Wallace, slowed this month by a groin injury, was 21-of-30 for 225 yards in Hasselbeck's place. Wallace fumbled away a scoring chance at the Raiders 3 while getting sacked in the third quarter.
Oakland starter JaMarcus Russell, who will start the Sept. 8 opener against Denver, was in uniform. But the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 stayed on the sideline wearing a team coat as Andrew Walter concluded an improved preseason. Walter was 16-of-24 for 162 yards before yielding to hometown veteran Marques Tuiasosopo with 9:26 remaining.
Tuiasosopo, who led Washington to the 2001 Rose Bowl, threw a 25-touchdown pass to former Huskies receiver Marcel Reece with 1:51 left.
The only starters appearing were Seahawks (3-1). Center Chris Spencer played the first two series, his first game since last January's playoff loss at Green Bay following surgeries on his shoulder and thumb then a back injury last month. Regular right guard Rob Sims started next to him.
On defense, rookie first-round pick Lawrence Jackson started at right end.
It wasn't that the reserves weren't impressive.
In the second quarter, Darren McFadden showed why he was the fourth overall draft pick by Oakland, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and the star of training camp, according to Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.
McFadden took a handoff, stopped behind traffic on the right, veered left, ran through an arm hug from Seattle's Jason Babin and bolted up field. McFadden appeared on his way to the end zone before Josh Wilson grabbed his shoe and tripped him for a 23-yard gain that brought gasps from the crowd.
McFadden finished with 50 yards on four carries. He will begin the season as the No. 2 back behind Justin Fargas.
Oakland got a scare — and the rest of the stadium got a laugh — when Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler dropped a high snap from Jon Condo on a 21-yard field goal try by Sebastian Janikowski in the first quarter. Lechler, a high school quarterback who wasn't punting because of a quadriceps injury, ambled away and launched a shot put toss that C.J. Wallace intercepted and returned 41 yards. That, and a 33-yard pass from Wallace to Ben Obomanu, set up a 34-yard field goal by Olindo Mare that made it 10-0.
Mare boomed the opening kickoff nine yards deep into the end zone and another five yards deep for a second touchback. That may have clinched the competition between the veteran and rookie draft pick Brandon Coutu to replace Josh Brown as Seattle's kicker.
Coutu made both of his short field goal tries, from 28 and 21 yards. He was 7-for-7 with a game-winner against Chicago in overtime two weeks ago, but Holmgren loves Mare's deep kickoffs. That's something Seattle lacked for years with Brown.
Janikowski tried to upstage Mare by attempting a 66-yard field goal — 3 yards longer than the NFL record for a game — early in the third quarter, after his second field goal of the first half from 50 yards would have been good from 60. But he was short by about 3 yards.
Obomanu, who is almost assured a roster spot, injured his shoulder later in the first half and did not return. It was the latest injury for Seattle's battered receivers. Bobby Engram, who set a team record with 94 catches last season, may be out into October with a broken shoulder. And former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch is just seven months into rehabilitation from reconstructive knee surgery. He may test his knee next week to see if he can play in the opener.

By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer

Sat Aug 30, 1:18 AM ET

http://news.yahoo.com

Madrid drop Robinho

Robinho has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Sunday's Primera Liga opener against Deportivo La Coruna.
The decision to omit the Brazil international comes amid continued speculation about the wantaway winger's future, with Robinho on Friday insisting negotiations with Chelsea were ongoing.
Robinho declared over a week ago that he wanted to leave Madrid and join Chelsea, but Madrid coach Bernd Schuster still included the 24-year-old in his squad for last Sunday's Supercopa second leg against Valencia, although did not play him.
Madrid insist they do not want Robinho to leave but have said they will not keep a player at the Bernabeu against their will.

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Ferguson rues Hargreaves injury

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his disappointment at yet another Owen Hargreaves knee injury.
The England midfield suffered the setback before the 2-1 defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Super Cup on Friday night.
Hargreaves was hoping to get some minutes on the clock but pulled up in training on Thursday.
Ferguson said: "He said he felt his knee and that he was not fit enough to play.
"There is nothing you can to do about it. If a player declares himself unfit you have to accept that.
"We'd have liked to play him and get him back into the run of things and playing football again.
"To be honest, he has not played enough football in the last year. He'd like to get back and it is disappointing."
Hargreaves appeared to be in line for an England call for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia - even though Ferguson voiced his disapproval at the prospect earlier this week.
Instead he is now certain to sit out the back-to-back matches for Fabio Capello's side.

Roddick wins battle of US Open birthday boys

by Greg Heakes

Sat Aug 30, 2:34 AM ET

news.yahoo.com

NEW YORK (AFP) - Andy Roddick and Ernests Gulbis may share the same birthday but only one got to take home the prize early Saturday morning.

Roddick, who turned 26 Saturday, won the battle of the US Open birthday boys, rallying to beat the younger Gulbis 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 in the second-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"He was definitely out-playing me for the first two sets," Roddick said. "I felt like a little kid out here playing against him.
"Then the clock struck 12 and I felt a lot better playing out here as a 26 year old."
The hard-serving Gulbis, who is six years younger, matched Roddick serve-for-serve, hammering 19 aces to Roddick's 21.
But he had nine double faults and made 56 unforced errors to Roddick's 42 unforced errors in the two hour, 52 minute match.
Roddick, whose lone Grand Slam title came at Flushing Meadows in 2003, is hoping that his decision to skip the Beijing Games to get ready for the final Grand Slam of the year will pay dividends.
Asked if he is ready to win another Grand Slam title Roddick said, "I've been off for a while but I'm going to get better with every match I play. If this crowd comes with me, who knows?"
Eighth-seeded Roddick moves through to the third round where he will play unseeded Andreas Seppi of Italy.
Roddick drew huge cheers from the partisan crowd of 20,000 as he started to take control of the match in the third set.
Roddick remains the player with the best chance of keeping the US Open trophy on home soil. He was a runner-up in 2006 and has reached the quarter-finals or better in six of his eight appearances.
Gulbis came out with more spark taking the opening set in just 29 minutes.
"I was proud of the way I played," said Gulbis, who fired 79 winners and won 76 percent of his first serve points.
"It's my first appearance before such a big crowd. It's a really great experience to play on my birthday on this court in a night session against Andy Roddick."
Gulbis reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at this year's French Open before losing to Serbian Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 40 Gulbis is Latvia's lone competitor in the tournament and has twice defeated ninth seed James Blake, Roddick's US Davis Cup teammate, this year.

NBA Knicks obtain Ewing Jr. from Rockets for Weis

by news.yahoo.com

Fri Aug 29, 6:35

NEW YORK (AFP) - Patrick Ewing Jr. followed in his father's footsteps Friday, joining the New York Knicks in a National Basketball Association trade with the Houston Rockets.

Ewing's father, who will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame next week, was a star with the Knicks, taking New York within a game of the NBA crown before losing to the Rockets.
New York sent the rights to French center Frederic Weis, a 1999 first-round draft pick who never made it to the NBA, to the Rockets in exchange for Ewing Jr., a rookie who joined Houston two weeks ago in a major deal with Sacramento.
"Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me," Ewing Jr. said. "It has been my dream to play for this team. My goal is to show the coaches I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games."
The younger Ewing spent his first two US college seasons at Indiana before transferring to Georgetown, his father's alma mater. He was named his conference's top reserve after averaging 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists a game off the bench.

Advocaat delight at Super Cup win

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Zenit St Petersburg's Dick Advocaat has praised his team after their 2-1 UEFA Super Cup defeat of Manchester United.
The lively Pavel Pogrebnyak opened the scoring for the Russians just a minute before the interval and new signing Danny doubled their lead on the hour mark.
A 73rd-minute strike from Nemanja Vidic set the stage for a nailbiting ending, but the 2008 UEFA Cup winners held on to a deserved victory at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.
"I think if we see the chances we created tonight, we deserved the win," said Advocaat.
"The start was a little bit difficult and we had problems with the movement of our strikers for the first 15 minutes.
"Then we created chances and unfortunately we did not score enough, but overall I think it was a well-deserved win."
Advocaat afforded himself the luxury of leaving coveted striker Andrei Arshavin on the bench for the first half, but he denied his choice had anything to do with speculation linking the striker with a transfer to Tottenham.
"I should perhaps also have to explain why other players were not playing," he said.
"You make a decision and that was that Dominguez played the first half and Arshavin the second. It's as simple as that."
"They (Tottenham) had several weeks of time to buy him and they did not offer 22 million like everybody has been writing but just 16 million.
"I think that Arshavin costs more than 16 million."
However, Advocaat has left the door ajar to a deal going through this weekend.
"In principle, this is the squad I like," he said when asked if he was looking to bolster his squad before the transfer deadline.
"There is no need to buy new players. We have bought two players - a central defender and an extra striker - and that works, if everybody stays, because you never know."
After setting Europe alight on the way to success in the UEFA Cup last season, and with this impressive victory over the English champions, Advocaat believes Zenit can now enter the Champions League next month with high expectations.
"I think it is not an easy draw for us, but we did really well in the UEFA Cup and why not in the Champions League too," he added.
"Tonight we gave a warning so everybody knows what to expect, but the Champions League is a bit different to today, which was in principle a friendly match, although an important one."
Zenit will kick off their Champions League campaign at Juventus on September 17 and face Real Madrid and BATE Borisov in Group H.
But Friday's win over United will surely leave Juve and Real in no two minds that they have another rival for a place in the second round.

Sampdoria v Inter Preview

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Jose Mourinho has called the match at Sampdoria as "the biggest game" of his life as he prepares for his official debut.
The former Chelsea coach was appointed to replace Roberto Mancini during the summer and has a tough act to follow with his predecessor winning the Scudetto for three seasons in a row.
And the Serie A fixture list has given the Nerazzurri a tough start at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris where Samp only lost twice last season.
"We know that Sampdoria are a strong team and, last year, they finished just behind AC Milan," he said.
"We will be going to Genoa to win and do our own game, but if we were to only draw, it would not be a drama.
"The season is long and to win it, you need to in a lot of games, draw a few and lose little - very little."
Mourinho led Inter to the Italian Super Cup last weekend with a penalty shoot-out win over Roma and the Portuguese coach will be looking for the same kind of fighting spirit from his side for his Serie A debut.
"I hope everything is repeated tomorrow night against Sampdoria," he added.
"I hope it is a good game like last Sunday. It is only a game, but it is the most important game of my life because it is my next one."
Mourinho will be able to call on Italy defender Marco Materazzi while Ivan Cordoba is also fit again, but there is still a shortage of defenders which will see Esteban Cambiasso forced again to play an unfamiliar role at the back as he has done for much of pre-season.
Nelson Rivas and Nicolas Burdisso are both in the treatment room, as is Christian Chivu, news which will please Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano, preparing for his second season at Blucerchiato.
Mourinho has picked out the former Roma and Real Madrid man out as the one to watch.
"He is a great player," admitted Mourinho. "I have been studying up on him and thought a lot about him during the week and respect him because he is strong."
Samp coach Walter Mazzarri will know he needs all of Cassano's qualities and the best from all of his players to stand any chance of making it a winning start to the season.
He said: "To get a result against Inter or any club of their size you need everything to go right.
"The players have got to exceed themselves and luck must go your way while their top players have got to have an off day."
Mazzarri can count on a strong support from the stands with the Marassi sold out days before this fixture, and the Samp coach knows it could make a difference.
"Fortunately, we are playing at the Marassi," he said.
"Playing in front of our own fans is like having a 12th man on the field. If we were playing up at the San Siro, we would have had an extra degree of difficulty, but at Marassi, we can really give that little bit more."
The rest of Serie A will be hoping the same as the season commences this weekend with Inter again favourites to successfully defend their crown.

Spurs’ Ginobili needs ankle surgery next week

By ELIZABETH WHITE, Associated Press Writer

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba

SAN ANTONIO (AP)—San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who helped lead Argentina to a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics, will need surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle.
The Spurs said Friday that Ginobili will have surgery next week. The team will announce a timeline for his return after the surgery.
Ginobili said an MRI of his ankle showed no improvement from a previous exam two months ago. He led the Spurs in scoring last season (19.5 points) and won the league’s sixth man award.
“They’re going to operate on me,” the 31-year-old Ginobili told Argentina’s La Nacion newspaper Friday. “It’s not worse, which is important. Now, the thing is, it’s not better either, and it seems like the only way to repair it completely is arthroscopic surgery.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had urged Ginobili not to compete in the Olympics unless the injury improved. But he was cleared to play and not only competed in the games, he carried the flag for Argentina at the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing.
Ginobili hobbled off the court during Argentina’s loss to the eventual gold-medal winner United States in the semifinal game. He did not play in Argentina’s bronze-medal win over Lithuania.
“My plan was to be part of the Olympic games, and I knew that if I suffered from pain they would have to operate,” Ginobili told the newspaper. “This isn’t something that took me by surprise.”
The injury hobbled Ginobili during the NBA playoffs, particularly during the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, when his signature explosiveness was visibly absent.
At the end of the season, Ginobili had an injection in the ankle. Ginobili wore a walking boot for several weeks starting in June after an MRI showed a ligament to be five times the size of the one in his other foot.

Federer overcomes Alves challenge

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/tennis/news

Roger Federer was able to overcome a sloppy performance against unheralded Brazilian Thiago Alves to reach the third round of the US Open.
Federer nearly had as many unforced errors as winners in a tougher-than-expected 6-3 7-5 6-4 victory over the 26-year-old Alves, who is ranked 137th in the world.
Trying to salvage one Grand Slam in a disappointing year, Federer advanced to a third-round meeting against either number 28 seed Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic or Australian Chris Guccione.
"These are the early-round matches, so it will only get better from here," Federer said. "I was never really in danger, so it was actually pretty good for me."
His performance may have raised more questions about the overall state of Federer's game. He had 54 winners, but committed 46 unforced errors and converted only four of his 15 break points. The 27-year-old Swiss superstar was pushed in the last two sets and trailed 4-3 in third before winning the final three games in a match that lasted two hours, 17 minutes.
In the match after Federer, Novak Djokovic secured his place in the third round after defeating Robert Kendrick 7-6 (10/8) 6-4 6-4. The number three seed from Serbia took over two hours to see off the challenge of his American opponent, who committed 30 unforced errors.
The reigning Australian Open champion, Djokovic had received a scare in his first-round match on Wednesday when he injured his ankle in the third set. The 21-year-old overcame the setback and posted a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over Frenchman Arnaud Clement.
In an earlier second-round match on Friday, number 11 seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile survived an injury scare to get past American Bobby Reynolds, 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 6-4.
Down 2-0 in the second set, Gonzalez suffered a sprained left ankle, but he recovered after getting his ankle re-taped during an injury time-out.Also reaching the round of 32 was number five seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, who ousted Argentina's Agustin Calleri 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7/2).
Other winners included number 18 seed Nicolas Almagro of Argentina, number 23 Igor Andreev of Russia, number 26 Dmitry Tursunov, also of Russia and number 30 Marin Cilic of Croatia. Unseeded players to advance were Finland's Jarkko Nieminen and Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Zenit win as Scholes sees red

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Zenit St Petersburg romped to a surprise 2-1 UEFA Super Cup victory over Manchester United at Monaco's Stade Louis II.
Pavel Pogrebnyak opened the scoring and Danny, who cost an astonishing US$48 million, extended the UEFA Cup winners' lead before Nemanja Vidic pulled a goal back.
United's misery was completed late on when Paul Scholes was sent off for a second bookable offence after committing a deliberate handball in the area with United looking to draw level.
While there will be bigger prizes to win than the Super Cup and more competitive games, it is clear the Champions League holders are thin on numbers in attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo helped lighten their load in spectacular fashion last season with 42 goals. But he is currently sidelined through injury and United, not surprisingly, miss his cunning and eye for goal.
Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez worked hard but could not break down the Russian side, who sealed a memorable victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken on the eve of the match of his admiration for managerial counterpart Dick Advocaat - and United found themselves chasing the game.
Former Rangers boss Advocaat has won widespread acclaim for the way he has transformed Zenit and turned them into winners.
The Russians chalked up a notable double last season securing the UEFA Cup and their domestic title.
It was obvious from the start their confidence was high and they took the game to United.
United were anxious to make up for the disappointment of losing to Lazio the last time they appeared in the Super Cup nine years ago.
However Pogrebnyak was quickly into the action and peeled away from his marker before spooning his effort over the top.
United responded and Tevez sent a shot into the body of Vyacheslav Maleev after 19 minutes.
Zenit carried a threat for set-pieces, though, and a superb free kick from Alejandro Dominguez went narrowly wide of the post five minutes later .
Rooney almost put United ahead in the 35th minute after a surging run by Tevez only for the goalkeeper to make a marvellous block.
Zenit hit back immediately and Ivica Krizanac came close after another good free kick from Dominguez.
Danny then headed wide in the 42nd minute before Pogrebnyak made the breakthrough. He headed in at the back post after Igor Denisov had flicked on a corner from Dominguez to leave United rattled.
The unsettled Andrei Arshavin, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham, came on for Zenit at the start of the second half but Rooney gave them a scare in the 56th minute, getting clear on the edge of area only to see his effort go narrowly wide of the post.
Tempers flared a minute later when Vidic and Pogrebnyak were left on the floor in a nasty clash of heads.
Anderson, in particular took exception to the challenge and was booked for his troubles.
Zenit stunned United again in the 60th minute by extending their lead with a magnificent effort from Danny.
He ran from deep, shrugged off Rio Ferdinand and cut inside before rifling a shot beyond Edwin Van der Sar.
United were stung but pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute when Vidic scored from close range after Tevez had cut the ball back from the by line.
Substitute John O'Shea almost pulled United level in the 86th minute, only to see his header tipped away by the goalkeeper.
Zenit then launched a swift counter attack and Danny chipped Van der Sar but his effort went over the bar.
United's irritation at playing second fiddle to Zenit was emphasised at the death with Scholes dismissed for palming the ball into the net and he will now be suspended for the home Champions League game against Villarreal.

Premier League Weekend Preview

Saturday 30th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news

Tottenham midfielder David Bentley believes a victory at Chelsea on Sunday can be the catalyst for a successful season.
Spurs lost their opening Premier League games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland and face an ominous trip to Stamford Bridge to face Luiz Felipe Scolari's in-form Blues.
But Bentley told www.tottenhamhotspur.com: "It's great to test yourself against a side like Chelsea and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.
"If we go there and put in a solid performance, play good football and get a positive result it could kick-start our season."
Also on Sunday, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists he will have no qualms about playing Gareth Barry in their home match against Liverpool - the club the England midfielder looked set to join for most of the summer.
Barry took another step nearer to regaining full sharpness and fitness by playing 90 minutes at left-back in Thursday's UEFA Cup clash with Icelandic part-timers Hafnarfjordur at Villa Park.
O'Neill said: "I am delighted Gareth is staying. It is a situation that three weeks ago I couldn't have envisaged.
"In my mind I thought he would go. It is great that it didn't materialise, a big lift for us all.
"Gareth has a pretty good chance of starting on Sunday."
Like Villa, Manchester City were in UEFA Cup action on Thursday, sneaking past Danish side FC Midtjylland on penalties.
Mark Hughes' side resume their Premier League campaign against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
On Saturday, Newcastle face a difficult trip to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
And midfielder Danny Guthrie is less concerned about picking up unexpected points on the road than making sure St James' Park is re-established as one of the Premier League's least-favoured destinations for visiting teams.
"Our home form is massive this season," he told www.nufc.co.uk.
"If you win your home games you will finish high up the table."
Matthew Upson insists West Ham's squad are focused on facing Blackburn this weekend - but they are desperate for any uncertainty behind the scenes at Upton Park to disappear.
Anton Ferdinand's departure to Sunderland raised questions following Alan Curbishley's insistence the defender was part of his plans the week before, then the Hammers boss was jeered by his own fans during the Carling Cup win over Macclesfield.
Upson said: "I think once things settle down behind the scenes and stabilises then I think the players will be pleased.
"But we're here to do a job and all that stuff is not really any of our business to be honest, it's happening at the club we play for but it's not a lot to do with us and we just have to focus on what we're doing."
Also on Saturday, Hull City will look to continue their unbeaten start to their maiden top-flight campaign at home to Wigan, fellow Premier League new boys Stoke travel to Middlesbrough, Bolton battle West Brom and Everton host Portsmouth.

Yankees rally past Red Sox

Friday 29th August 2008

by www.espnstar.com/us-sports

Jason Giambi's bases-loaded single plated Brett Gardner with the winning run as New York rallied for a 3-2 win over Boston.
Giambi also belted a pinch-hit two-run homer for the Yankees, who avoided a devastating three-game series sweep at the hands of the rival Red Sox.
Xavier Nady led off the ninth with a single and was lifted for Gardner, who stole second with one out. Boston rookie Justin Masterson (4-4) issued an intentional walk to Hideki Matsui and also walked Ivan Rodriguez before being replaced by All-Star Jonathan Papelbon. That set the stage for Giambi, who lined an 0-2 pitch into center field to drive in Gardner.
Edwin Jackson won for the sixth time in his last seven starts and Cliff Floyd and Willy Aybar each homered as the Tampa Bay Rays edged the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2. The Rays won two of the three games with the Blue Jays, improving to 11-0-1 in series since the All-Star break.
The win helped Tampa Bay (81-51) open a 4 1/2-game lead atop the American League East over the Boston Red Sox (77-56). Tampa Bay also owns the best record in the AL. Jackson (11-8) allowed one run and six hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out two.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim plated five runs in the eighth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and earn a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers.
Juan Rivera had the big hit in the inning, clubbing a three-run double into the right-center field gap to put the Angels on top, 5-2. Mike Napoli drew a bases-loaded walk to start the uprising and Reggie Willits capped it with an RBI single.
Pinch hitter Kurt Suzuki belted a shot into the left-center field gap to score Ryan Sweeney from second base for the game-winning run in the ninth inning, lifting the Oakland Athletics to a 3-2 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.
With the game tied and runners on first and second with one out, Suzuki hammered a 3-1 offering from Jesse Crain (5-5) off the wall in left-center, allowing Sweeney to reach home easily from second base.
Daric Barton had an RBI single and Dana Eveland tossed seven effective frames for the Athletics, who have won back-to-back games for the first time since July 10-11.