IN BRIEF (Page 22)

TENNIS

Jankovic aims to be best women's player in world

BANGALORE, India: Serbian Jelena Jankovic said Monday she aims to become the world's top-ranked player and will focus only on big tournaments this year.

"Achieving the No 1 ranking is my dream. I grew up thinking about that. I am working hard to achieve it. If I win a Grand Slam, it will take me closer to the top spot," said the 23-year-old, currently ranked fourth.

"I played a lot of tournaments last year and won a lot, but this season I am going to concentrate only on bigger tournaments."

The Serbian, who is seeded top at the $600,000 WTA Bangalore Open, was one of the top performers on the Tour last year, winning 72 matches and four titles. The Serbian, who reached a career-high of No 3 last year, said she hoped to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

NFL

Roethlisberger signs 8-year deal with Steelers

NEW YORK: The Pittsburgh Steelers rewarded Ben Roethlisberger for his 2007 Pro Bowl season by signing the quarterback to an eight-year contract.

Terms were not disclosed but local media reports said the deal was worth $102 million, a Steelers record.

"It was my 26th birthday yesterday and this was a great birthday present to know I'm going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for a long time," he told a news conference."

Roethlisberger had the best season of his four-year career in 2007, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,154 yards and a team record 32 touchdown passes.

At the age of 23, he became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl when he led the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Roethlisberger was then injured in a motorcycle accident in 2006 and also had appendix surgery.

Former All-Pro guard Faneca signs 5-year deal with Jets

NEW YORK: The New York Jets signed unrestricted free-agent guard Alan Faneca, a five-time All-Pro, to a five-year contract on Monday.

The deal is estimated by local media to be worth $40 million, making the former Pittsburgh Steelers player among the league's highest-paid offensive linemen.

"Alan is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and we are fortunate to add him to our roster," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told the team's website (www.newyorkjets.com).

Faneca, 31, played 10 seasons and 158 games out of a possible 160 with the Steelers after being drafted as a first-round pick in 1998.

He also started 11 postseason games including Pittsburgh's victory over Seattle in the 2006 Super Bowl.

Soccer

Villanova replaces Irureta as Zaragoza coach

MADRID: Manolo Villanova was appointed to replace Javier Irureta as Real Zaragoza coach on Monday, becoming the fourth person to hold the post at the troubled Primera Liga club this season.

Zaragoza president Eduardo Bandres told reporters the 64-year-old former player and coach had quit his position at Segunda B (third division) Huesca to take on the role.

Earlier in the day, Irureta quit after a 2-1 defeat at bottom side Levante left his team hovering above the relegation zone.

"I have offered my resignation and it has been accepted by the club," Irureta, at the helm for only six league games, said. "After a draw, a win and four defeats the team need victories. They need a change. I think my leaving could be beneficial to the team, I don't think it will have a negative effect."

(China Daily 03/05/2008 page22)