IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Tennis

Peer first Israeli to play event in Gulf region

DOHA: Shahar Peer became the first Israeli to play a tour event in the Gulf region when she beat Slovenia's Andreja Klepac 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Qatar Open on Monday.

Peer had been prevented by the Israeli government from playing in the region while she was performing national service.

"When I came here I was a little bit excited because I didn't know what to expect, like every new tournament, every new place you go," said Peer. "But I really got a warm welcome from the tournament so I'm really happy being here.

"When you go on the court you don't think about politics. You just want to play your tennis. I'm really happy to be playing here and hope to keep it going as long as I can."

Youzhny surrenders crown in loss to Serb Tipsarevic

ROTTERDAM: Russia's titleholder Mikael Youzhny lost his crown here on Monday as Serb Janko Tipsarevic upset him in the first round of the Rotterdam Open with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win.

The defeat was the third in the first round here for the Russian fourth seed who lifted the title a year ago. The defeat was even more of a susprise as Youzhny had started off the season in winning style when he won the Chennai Open.

Tipsarevic sealed his reputation as a tough competitor at the Australian Open, taking Roger Federer to five gruelling sets.

Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic played Goliath to the David of Olivier Rochus, firing a dozen aces in a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing.

SOCCER

Man Utd keeps close eye on Lyon's young strikers

LONDON: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will keep a particularly close eye on Olympique Lyon strikers Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa in Wednesday's Champions League knockout round first leg at Stade Gerland.

Benzema has hit 16 Ligue 1 goals this season while Ben Arfa was twice on target against VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League in November

"It is an area we tried to strengthen last summer and I don't think that's left us," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.

"Benzema is only 20 and Ben Arfa is also 20. Lyon produce young players and Benzema is a local boy, which I'm sure gives them pride."

Ferreira signs new 5-year contract with Chelsea

LONDON: Portugal fullback Paulo Ferreira has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.

Ferreira, 29, has played 130 matches since joining the Premier League club from Porto in 2004.

"I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Chelsea," he told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com) on Monday.

"The fans have made me very welcome since I have been at Chelsea and I enjoy my football here a lot."

Golf

London Golf Club to host European Open

LONDON: The European Open will return to England for the first time since 1994 when the July tournament is staged at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage course at the London Golf Club.

"We are delighted to return to the UK in 2008 and to an outstanding venue," European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said in a news release on Monday.

Situated close to Brands Hatch in north Kent, the London Golf Club boasts two outstanding courses in the Heritage and the International.

Eight-time European No 1 Colin Montgomerie will defend the title he won at the K Club in Ireland when the European Open is held from July 3-6.

(China Daily 02/20/2008 page24)