Top shot

Youzhny keeps alive slender Masters Cup chances

PARIS: Russia's Mikhail Youzhny kept alive slim hopes of qualifying for the Masters Cup by downing Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-4, 6-3 in the opening round of the Paris Masters on Monday.

Youzhny, ranked 17th in the ATP Race, is one of several players fighting for the two remaining spots at the November 11-18 season-finale in Shanghai, which features the world's top eight.

Clement fought back from a break-down in the first set but showed signs of nerves throughout and eventually bowed out with a double fault on match point.

Youzhny next meets one of the favorites to book a ticket for China, seventh-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

United midfielder Scholes out for three months

LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will be out for three months with knee ligament damage, the Premier League champions said on Monday.

"He will undergo an operation on Thursday and will be out for approximately 12 weeks," the club said on its website (www.manutd.com).

Scholes, 32, suffered the injury in training ahead of last week's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev.

He has played 12 times this season for United, scoring once.

Redknapp extends Portsmouth deal until 2011

LONDON: Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp has signed a new contract which will keep him at Fratton Park until 2011, the Premier League club said on Monday. Redknapp, 60, first joined the southcoast club as director of football in 2001, then succeeded Graham Rix as manager.

In 2003 he guided the club into the top flight for the first time in 15 years but resigned in 2004 and moved to local rival Southampton.

He rejoined Portsmouth in December 2005 and saved it from relegation.

Last season Portsmouth finished seventh, its best finish in more than 50 years, and it is in the same position after 11 games of the new season.

"I'm delighted. Since returning to Fratton Park I have had nothing but the utmost support from the owner Sacha Gaydamak and chief executive Peter Storrie," Redknapp told the club's website.

White set to quit Springboks

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White looks set to end his stint in charge of the Springboks after declining to re-apply for his job.

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) said on Monday a four-man shortlist for the position of Springbok coach did not include him.

White, whose four-year tenure ends on December 31, guided the Springboks to their second World Cup triumph with a 15-6 victory over England in Paris on October 20, but SA Rugby has advertised his job.

A Saru statement said the names of the four candidates would only be revealed once the applicants had been informed, but added: "Jake White did not apply for the position and he was therefore not considered."

White, part of the backroom staff when South Africa won the World Cup in 1995, took charge of the Springboks in 2004 when they were at a very low ebb following a poor 2003 tournament in Australia.

Lee demands Middlesbrough chance

MIDDLESBROUGH, England: The Repubic of Korea (ROK) striker Lee Dong-gook has told Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate he is fed up with sitting on the bench.

Lee has started only four Premier League matches and is yet to score a goal since joining Middlesbrough after a successful trial in January.

His spell on the sidelines has come as a shock to Lee, who is regarded as one of the best players in Asia.

The 28-year-old believes too much was expected of him while he adapted to life in England, but he is determined to prove Southgate wrong.

"First of all, I have not had the chances and I have had too much pressure on me," said Lee.

"Firstly, I am very annoyed that the media evaluates me before the manager does.

"I will do my best to make sure the memory of me to Middlesbrough fans is one that I am a passionate player."

(China Daily 10/31/2007 page23)