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Peng Shuai, Golovin forced out from Roland Garros
PARIS: Chinese prospect Peng Shuai and home star Tatiana Golovin have been forced out from the French Open due to injury, the organisers announced here on Wednesday.
The 32rd ranked Peng, who would have been seeded at Roland Garros, pulled out due to an injury to her left ankle. The 21-year-old also pulled out at the Berlin Open early this month.
Germany's Angelique Kerber will take her place in the main draw.
17th ranked Golovin also had to bid farewell to the Grand Slam as she has not recovered from bone bruising on the ankle. The French No 2 will be replaced in the women's draw by one of the lucky losers from the qualifiers.
Swiss Martina Hingis has withdrawn from the French Open earlier due to hip problem. The showpiece competition also lose Russian Zvonareva.
Hill will not return as Magic's coach, team says
NEW YORK: Brian Hill will not return as the head coach of the Orlando Magic, the club said on its Web site on Wednesday.
"We look forward to taking the next step toward being a championship-caliber team," general manager Otis Smith said in a statement that praised Hill for his disciplined approach, game preparation and attention to detail.
The club said the 59-year-old Hill would have the option of remaining with the franchise in another capacity.
Hill posted a 76-68 record in his second stint as the Magic coach, rejoining the team in May 2005.
College stars Oden, Durant join NBA stars on US team
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: US college stars Greg Oden and Kevin Durant will be playing against National Basketball Association rivals before they join NBA clubs after being named on Wednesday in the US national squad.
Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the US lineup of NBA stars that will try to win Olympic gold next year at Beijing, named eight new players to the US lineup that could play here in August's Tournament of the Americas.
But Miami's Dwyane Wade and Washington playmaker Gilbert Arenas were among seven NBA standouts that will be not be available for the Olympic qualifier.
Reigning Olympic champions Argentina and the US team, third in 2004 at Athens, are among 10 teams from the region trying to claim one of two available berths for the Beijing Games in the event, set for August 22-September 2.
Giambi meets with baseball bosses after doping comment
NEW YORK: Jason Giambi met with Major League Baseball executives here Wednesday while New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman insisted the club was not looking to dump or trade the struggling slugger.
The chaos around Giambi swirled after the New York Daily News reported Wednesday that Giambi failed a Major League Baseball amphetamines test in the past year and was therefore subject to greater testing than other players.
Giambi would confirm only that he met with officials at the office of Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig just five days after being quoted by USA Today as saying he was wrong for "doing that stuff".
(China Daily 05/25/2007 page23)
