■SOCCER
Benayoun renews Reds deal
Liverpool’s Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun on Monday signed a new two-year extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until 2013. The 29-year-old told www.liverpoolfc.tv: “I am very happy that we have reached an agreement. Of course, to be at a club like this is a dream come true and I want to keep playing here. Hopefully now I can concentrate on the hard work that needs to be done and try to play better and better and win some silverware.” Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham in July 2007, scored nine goals in 42 appearances during the 2008-2009 campaign, including the late winner against Real in the Champions League last 16 at the Bernabeu stadium in February.
■TENNIS
Kournikova in ring mystery
Anna Kournikova was sparkling brighter than usual in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on Monday. Kournikova, who has long been linked to singer Enrique Iglesias, showed up for Monday night’s World Team Tennis match with a huge diamond ring on her left ring finger — the finger normally reserved for engagement rings. When asked the significance of the ring by The Associated Press, Kournikova replied: “I thought you were the good press.” The former Grand Slam doubles champion put her hand behind her back and did not elaborate. Kournikova was scheduled to play for the St Louis Aces. She will miss the season with a wrist injury, and wore a protective wrap on her left hand. She still participated in a kid’s clinic, signed autographs and cheered on her teammates.
■FIGURE SKATING
Bobek charged in meth bust
Former US champion Nicole Bobek has been charged with being part of a northern New Jersey drug ring. The 31-year-old Bobek made her first court appearance on Monday by video from the Hudson County Jail. Bobek, who has homes in New York and Jupiter, Florida, was arrested in Florida last week. She is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hudson County. Attorney Sam DeLuca entered a not guilty plea for Bobek. She was held on US$200,000 bail and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutor Edward DeFazio says 20 people have been arrested in connection with the ring.
■GOLF
Mickelson’s mom also ill
Six weeks after Phil Mickelson announced his wife had breast cancer, his mother was diagnosed with the disease and is to have surgery later this week. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on its Web site that Mary Mickelson discovered she had breast cancer last week. She is to have surgery on Friday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the same hospital where Mickelson’s wife, Amy, had surgery last Wednesday. Mickelson’s sister, Tina, told the newspaper she wanted to make her mother’s condition known so she could receive the same outpouring of support and prayers that meant so much to Amy Mickelson.
■RUGBY UNION
Bleddyn Williams dies
Welsh and British and Irish Lions legend Bleddyn Williams, known as the “Prince of Centres,” has died aged 86, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Monday. Williams was capped 22 times by Wales after making his debut in 1947 and captained both his country and the Lions including the last time the Welsh beat the All Blacks back in 1953. In total Williams played in 20 of the Lions’ 29 matches and scored 13 tries, including one in the first Test win over Australia in Brisbane.
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