■ Rudolph extends deal
Former South Africa batsman Jacques Rudolph has extended his contract at Yorkshire until 2011, at which time he would be able to represent England. The two-year extension will keep him at Yorkshire until the end of 2011, and a player must have been a resident in England for four years to qualify for the country's national team. "When he signed his first contract with us, he said he had no intentions of signing a contract to play for South Africa again," Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said on Friday. "He's said that on a number of occasions but now he's putting his money where his mouth is ... The longer deal allows Jacques the potential opportunity to qualify for, and go on to represent, England in the future." Rudolph joined Yorkshire in April under the Kolpak ruling which allows a foreigner to sign a contract as a domestic player. He had to sign a declaration saying he didn't intend to play international cricket for South Africa in the future.
■ Soccer
Hannover extend streak
Hannover 96 extended their unbeaten streak to five matches in the Bundesliga with a 0-0 draw on Friday against Eintracht Frankfurt. Hannover's best chance came in the 34th minute when Szabolcs Huszti's attempt from distance missed an empty goal after Frankfurt keeper Markus Proell was forced well off his line to block a shot. The game went without a shot on goal for the first 30 minutes, but both teams expressed satisfaction with the result. "Our team definitely earned the point, but the 0-0 is absolutely OK for us," said Hannover coach Dieter Hecking, whose club climbed into seventh place.
■ Soccer
Pennant out till next year
Jermaine Pennant needs surgery on his right leg, Liverpool revealed on Friday, meaning he will be out of action for 10 weeks. The winger limped out of the Reds' Champions League defeat at Besiktas on Wednesday night and the club have now confirmed he has been carrying a problem for almost the whole of the season.
■ Soccer
PSV star banned for spitting
PSV Eindhoven's Ghanaian defender Eric Addo has been suspended for four games by European soccer's governing body, UEFA, for spitting at an opponent. The incident occurred during PSV's Champions League 0-0 draw with Turkish side Fenerbahce on Tuesday, video footage of which was reviewed by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body. "During a break in play due to an injury around 25 minutes in [the body] saw an incident involving Addo and Fenerbahce forward Semih Senturk, after which Addo spat in the face of his opponent," it said. "The referee, Howard Webb, was focusing on the injured player and was unable to see the incident." UEFA added: "Spitting at an opponent has always been considered as an act of assault by the UEFA disciplinary bodies, who did not accept that Addo was provoked by the Fenerbahce player."
■ Soccer
Totti doubtful for Milan clash
Injured Roma captain and striker Francesco Totti is in doubt for today's Serie A match against AC Milan, coach Luciano Spalletti said on Friday. "It will be difficult for Totti to take the field against Milan on Sunday, and there is also some doubt about [Rodrigo] Taddei," Spalletti told Italian agency ANSA. Totti picked up an ankle knock in Roma's 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon in midweek.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care