IN BRIEF (Page 24)
Tennis
Off-colour Nadal begins bid for third Rome title
ROME: World No 2 Rafael Nadal launched his bid for a third successive Rome Masters title with a below-par 6-4, 6-2 win over Italian wild card Daniele Bracciali on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Spaniard, who extended his claycourt winning streak to 73 matches after receiving a bye into the second round, was joined in the last 16 by third seed Andy Roddick and fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko.
Roddick beat former French Open champion Gaston Gaudio 6-1, 7-6, while Davydenko defeated compatriot Marat Safin 7-6, 7-5.
Fifth seed Novak Djokovic completed a clean sweep of victories for the top five players, holding his nerve to edge out Robin Soderling 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
World No 1 Roger Federer reached the last 16 on Tuesday with a win over Nicolas Almagro.
Soccer
Sevilla ease past Depor into King's Cup final
SEVILLE, Spain: Sevilla reached their second final of the season beating Deportivo Coruna 2-0 at home to cruise into the King's Cup final 5-0 on aggregate on Wednesday.
Juande Ramos's side, who face Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final next Wednesday, led 3-0 from the first leg and swiftly ended any thoughts of an upset when Duda scored from a freekick after just three minutes.
Ernesto Chevanton doubled the lead in the 33rd and a feeble Depor never looked capable of threatening Sevilla's first appearance in the final since losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in 1962.
Sevilla look set to meet Barcelona at the Bernabeu on June 23. The Primera Liga leaders hold a 5-2 first leg advantage going into Thursday's second leg away to Getafe.
It would be a repeat of last August's European Super Cup when they beat Barcelona 3-0.
Marseille go second, Nantes relegated
PARIS: Olympique Marseille boosted their morale ahead of the French Cup final by beating Nancy 2-1 on Wednesday to move into second in Ligue 1 while once great Nantes were relegated for the first time.
Marseille, who will chase their first title in 14 years when they face Sochaux in the Cup final on Saturday at the Stade de France, are on 58 points from 36 matches, with just two games left.
Olympique Lyon, who have already secured a sixth consecutive title, are 20 points clear at the top after a 3-0 win over Racing Lens, who fall a spot to third, two points behind Marseille.
Nantes were demoted after a record 44 consecutive years in the top flight despite winning 1-0 at Girondins Bordeaux.
The eight-times champions are stuck at the bottom of the table, seven points from safety with just six to play for.
River Plate stadium searched after riot
BUENOS AIRES: River Plate's Monumental stadium was searched by police and judicial officials on Wednesday as they continued to hunt for the culprits of a riot outside the arena on Sunday.
A party of officials inspected inside and outside the stadium, venue of the 1978 World Cup final, in a search for evidence.
Rival factions of River Plate's own supporters fought amongst themselves following Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Independiente.
Police said three people had been injured in the clash which was filmed by one supporter on a mobile phone.
Earlier this year, River were given a five-match home ban after fans fought amongst themselves in the adjoining social club, leaving a trail of destruction.
The ban was later reduced to three games.
(China Daily 05/11/2007 page24)
