BASKETBALL
Nets stand pat on Melo
New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has not changed his mind about the franchise’s pursuit of Carmelo Anthony. The Russian told team executives last month to end drawn-out trade talks for the Denver Nuggets All-Star forward and nothing has changed with the NBA trading deadline a week away, his spokeswoman said on Thursday. There were reports on Wednesday that the Nets and Nuggets had renewed talks about a deal for Anthony. However, Prokhorov spokeswoman Ellen Pinchuk said in an e-mail that “Mikhail has not changed his mind” and maintains his stance, despite the reports.
BASKETBALL
Tim Duncan to start for West
NBA Western Conference All-Star coach Gregg Popovich said Yao Ming would be replaced by Tim Duncan as the starting center in tomorrow’s All-Star game at Staples Center arena in Los Angeles. Duncan, who plays for Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs, was chosen as a reserve and will be making his 12th straight All-Star start. China’s Yao was named as the starting West center despite missing almost all of this season because of an ankle injury. Houston Rockets center Yao picked up 1.14 million votes to easily beat out Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bynum by more than 170,000 votes. Yao was voted in as a starter for the eighth time in his career by NBA fans despite undergoing season-ending surgery last month.
BASEBALL
Brewers extend Weeks
The Milwaukee Brewers have rewarded second baseman Rickie Weeks with a four-year contract extension after his breakout season last year, the National League club said on Wednesday. Weeks, 28, who played just 37 games in 2009 because of injuries, belted 28 home runs, scored 110 runs and drove in 81 last year from the leadoff spot in the batting order. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although media reports said that with an option year it could be worth US$50 million over five years.
BASEBALL
Tigers’ Cabrera arrested
Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been arrested on drunken driving charges in Florida. The St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said the 27-year-old player’s car engine was smoking alongside a road late on Wednesday when a deputy spotted the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Cabrera smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of scotch in front of a deputy. Police said Cabrera repeatedly refused to cooperate, saying, “Do you know who I am, you don’t know anything about my problems.” In 2009, the All-Star first baseman got into a fight with his wife after a night of drinking, right before his team surrendered the American League Central Division title to the Twins.
HOCKEY
Chicago coach recuperating
The Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup winning coach Joel Quenneville was recovering in hospital on Thursday after being admitted the day before with an ulcer and internal bleeding. The 52-year-old coach of the reigning NHL champions was expected to make a full recovery, doctors said on Thursday, adding that the bleeding was caused by an minor ulcer brought on by the use of aspirin. He is expected to be released in a few days, Blackhawks team doctor Michael Terry said. Chicago assistant coach Mike Haviland has taken over the coaching duties and was behind the bench for the Blackhawks’ 3-1 win over Minnesota on Wednesday.
OLYMPICS
Malaysia turns to scientists
Malaysia’s sports officials have opted for the appliance of science in their quest to achieve the country’s first Olympic gold medal in London next year. The National Sports Institute (NSI) has brought in 46 sports science specialists under their “Road to London 2012” program, Malaysian media reported. The seven sports to receive the high-tech support are badminton, soccer, cycling, archery, diving, shooting and hockey. NSI director-general Ramlan Aziz said the scientists would be responsible for tailoring their expertise for the individual needs of Malaysia’s elite athletes. “It depends on the quota set by organizers for the London Olympics,” he told Bernama news agency, referring to the number of specialists who will travel to the Games. “The more Malaysian athletes eligible to compete, the more specialists we can bring along with our contingent.”
CRICKET
Silva leaves Sri Lanka squad
Sri Lanka batsman Chamara Silva and team manager Anura Tennakoon left the team’s World Cup hotel and headed home on Thursday following deaths in their respective families. Silva’s elder sister, Nelum Anusha Silva, and Tennakoon’s father, P. B. Tennakoon, died early on Thursday, Sri Lanka media manager Brian Thomas said. The two families were not related and the deaths were because of illnesses. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced and it was not immediately known if Silva, a key middle-order batsman, will feature in the co-host’s World Cup opener in Group A against Canada in the southern Hambantota district tomorrow. Thomas said the team was concentrating on cricket, despite the events. “The boys are focused on the World Cup, they really feel sorry for their colleague’s sister and the father of their manager,” Thomas said. “These are difficult times, they are one family. They have rallied together.”
CRICKET
Baugh, Barath to miss Cup
West Indies pair Carlton Baugh and Adrian Barath are set to miss the World Cup after sustaining hamstring injuries that will sideline them for up to three weeks. The West Indies Cricket Board has made a request that the injured players be replaced by Kirk Edwards and Devon Thomas, who have been put on standby. A statement said medical specialists determined that wicketkeeper Baugh and opening batsman Barath “will not be able to resume training for two to three weeks.”
RUGBY UNION
Ashton to carry on diving
England winger Chris Ashton has been given the green light to carry on celebrating tries with his flamboyant swallow dive, a showboating routine that is rapidly becoming the distinctive image of this year’s Six Nations. The Northampton Saints flyer has set the northern hemisphere championship alight by scoring six tries in England’s opening two matches, against Wales and Italy. Four of those scores were celebrated with extravagant dives over the line, which initially risked the wrath of England manager Martin Johnson. Usually something of a curmudgeon, Johnson appears to be lightening up. “We’re not here to stamp on peoples’ personalities,” Johnson said.
TENNIS
Roddick to head US team
Andy Roddick will be part of the US Davis Cup team for the first time in two years when they play in Chile next month. Roddick heads new US captain Jim Courier’s first squad, which also includes Sam Querrey, John Isner and the top-ranked doubles pair Bob and Mike Bryan.
Shohei Ohtani and his wife arrived in South Korea with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates yesterday ahead of their season-opening games with the San Diego Padres next week. Ohtani, wearing a black training suit and a cap backwards, was the first Dodgers player who showed up at the arrival gate of Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. His wife, Mamiko Tanaka, walked several steps behind him. As a crowd of fans, many wearing Dodgers jerseys, shouted his name and cheered slogans, Ohtani briefly waved his hand, but did not say anything before he entered a limousine bus with his wife. Fans held placards
Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying yesterday advanced to the quarter-finals at the All England Open, beating Kim Ga-eun of South Korea 21-17, 21-15. With the win, Tai earned a semi-final against China’s He Bingjiao, who beat Michelle Li of Canada 21-9, 21-9. Defending champion An Se-young defeated India’s P.V. Sindhu 21-19, 21-11. An on Wednesday cruised into the second round, unlike last year’s men’s winner, Li Shifeng, who suffered a shock defeat. South Korea’s An, the world No. 1, overcame Taiwan’s Hsu Wen-chi 21-17, 21-16 to set up the match against Sindhu. In other women’s singles matches, Taiwan’s Sung Shuo-yun lost 21-18, 24-22 against Carolina Marin of
EYEING TOP SPOT: A victory in today’s final against Storm Hunter and Katerina Siniakova would return 38-year-old Hsieh Su-wei to the world No. 1 ranking Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens on Thursday secured a spot in the women’s doubles finals at the BNP Paribas Open after dispatching Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the US and Australia’s Ellen Perez 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) at Indian Wells. Hsieh and her Belgian partner Mertens, who won the Australian Open in late January, coasted through the first set after breaking their opponents’ serve twice, but found the going tougher in the second. Both pairs could only muster one break point over 12 games, neither of which were converted, leaving the set to be decided by a tiebreaker. Hsieh and Mertens took a 6-3 lead,
DOUBLES PAYBACK: Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Martens avenged their defeat in the quarters at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open against Demi Schuurs and Luisa Stefani Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei on Wednesday advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s doubles at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Hsieh and partner Elise Mertens of Belgium dispatched Demi Schuurs and Luisa Stefani 6-1, 6-4 to set up a clash against Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the US and Australia’s Ellen Perez for a spot in the final of the WTA 1000 tournament. Hsieh and Martens made a blistering start to their rematch after they lost to Schuurs and Stefani in the quarter-finals at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open last month, winning three games without reply at the start of the first set