IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Tennis

Williams and Yan Zi cruise in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams shrugged off a rain delay to advance to the second round of the Bangkok Open yesterday with an easy 6-2, 6-2 win over Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki.

China's Yan Zi, who escaped the first round when top-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic retired on Wednesday, bounced back from one set down to defeat Russia's Olga Poutchkova 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Williams, the tournament's second seed, had been leading 6-2, 4-1 when rain forced a suspension in play late Wednesday, and did not need much time to seal the deal, using her powerful forehand to finish off the Dane.

Soccer

Chelsea expect ten Cate to sign within 24 hours

LONDON: Chelsea expects to sign Henk ten Cate as assistant coach within the next 24 hours, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

"Chelsea... has reached agreement with Ajax for the release of Henk ten Cate," the Premier League club said on its website (www.chelseafc.com).

"We expect to finalize his contract with Chelsea FC in the next 24 hours as assistant first-team coach."

Chelsea wants to rebuild its backroom staff after the departure of Jose Mourinho last month. Israeli Avram Grant has since taken over from the Portuguese manager.

Grant, 52, has yet to obtain the UEFA pro licence normally required to coach in European competition and the Premier League.

Omission of Ibrahimovic, Totti angers Italy

MILAN: Italy has been shocked at the absence of Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AS Roma forward Francesco Totti, last season's European Golden Boot winner, on the list of nominations for FIFA World Player of the year.

"It is absurd...and unbelievable. It damages soccer," Inter director general Ernesto Paolillo told reporters about Ibrahimovic's omission.

Italian Football Federation chief Giancarlo Abete said: "Both players deserve to be on this list, they have all the qualities."

Scottish PL player suspended for drug use

LONDON: Scottish Premier League club Inverness Caledonian Thistle has suspended midfielder Richie Hart after he was found guilty of possessing cocaine.

The 29-year-old was arrested in June while attending a festival in the Scottish Highlands.

"We can confirm that following Richie Hart pleading guilty to a criminal offence concerning a controlled substance, Mr Hart has been suspended from playing and training until further notice," a club statement read on Wednesday.

Hart, who was fined $613, has been a regular on the Inverness squad since 2002 but has only made one substitute appearance this season.

Cricket

Cook guides England to historic series win

COLOMBO: Opener Alastair Cook scored 80 to guide England to a five-wicket win and its first one-day series victory in Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

A lackluster display by Sri Lanka's top order meant it was restricted to a modest 211-9 after winning the toss and England surpassed this with 19 balls remaining.

It was England's first series win on the sub-continent since 1987. It has an unassailable 3-1 lead with one match remaining.

Visibly confident after two successive wins in Dambulla, England started its run chase positively with Phil Mustard (19) smashing early boundaries before Lasith Malinga grabbed a breakthrough with a cleverly disguised slower ball.

(China Daily 10/12/2007 page24)