■TENNIS
Safina pulls out of Dubai
World No. 2 Dinara Safina pulled out of next week’s Dubai tennis championships because of continuing problems with a back injury, the Russian said on Monday. “Unfortunately, I will not be able to play this year because of the back injury that’s been bothering me since the end of last season,” Safina said on her Web site. Safina has not played since retiring injured during her fourth-round match against compatriot Maria Kirilenko at the Australian Open last month. The 23-year-old said she was hoping to come back at the US$4.5 million Indian Wells tournament in the US starting on March 10.
■SOCCER
Gascoigne arrested, again
Former England star Paul Gascoigne was arrested at the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, police said on Monday. The 42-year-old, who has struggled with alcoholism and depression, was arrested after officers were called to a disturbance at a takeaway restaurant in Leeming Bar, England, on Sunday evening. Gascoigne claimed last year to have given up drinking, but he was arrested and fined in December for being drunk and disorderly in his hometown of Newcastle. As well as his drink-related problems, Gascoigne has admitted heavy use of cocaine and has undergone treatment for bulimia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He was institutionalized three times under the Mental Health Act in 2008. Gascoigne — known to fans as “Gazza” — made 57 appearances for England in an international career that included a starring role in his country’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup. He played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers and Middlesbrough as well as having a spell in China.
■BASKETBALL
Kaman joins All-Stars
Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman was named to the Western Conference All-Star team in place of injured Portland guard Brandon Roy, the Clippers said on their Web site on Monday. Roy was originally selected as a reserve, but has been sidelined with a hamstring ailment, clearing the way for the 213cm Kaman to play in Sunday’s game. Kaman, who is averaging a career-best 20.2 points per contest and nine rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field, will make his first All-Star appearance. The 27-year-old, who has played for the German national team, is one of just three players in the NBA currently averaging 20 points and nine boards.
■CYCLING
Steurs wins Qatar stage
Belgian Topsport rider Geert Steurs won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar on Monday after edging Dutchman Wouter Mol of the Vacansoleil team, who assumed the overall lead. Steurs and Mol launched a breakaway after barely 2km of the 147km course between the Camel Race Track and the Qatar Foundation, which is the longest of the race. The peloton, including Belgian Tom Boonen — who lies fourth overall — and his compatriot Philippe Gilbert, American Tyler Farrar and Germany’s Heinrech Haussler, crossed the line just under two minutes behind the lead pair. Steurs dedicated his stage victory to his former team-mate Frederik Nolf, who died in the same race last year. Norwegian national champion Kurt-Asle Arvesen will play no further part after he crashed out the day before his 35th birthday. He tumbled at the start of the stage and broke his collarbone for the second time in a year, having sustained the same injury in last year’s Tour de France.
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
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
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