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Djokovic says Federer under threat from rivals

DUBAI: Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic said Andy Murray's victory over Roger Federer was not only expected but a reflection of a greater belief by the players that the Swiss world No 1 was now vulnerable.

"Honestly, considering the results of this year, the style both players have and the speed of this court, I expected Murray to win," the third-seeded Serb said on Tuesday after beating Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-4 6-3.

"I wasn't really too much surprised. I have to give him a lot of credit," Djokovic added.

"I don't think Roger likes it when he gets a lot of balls back, and obviously Murray has a great style, a great talent, he knows what to play in the moment.

"Obviously, when the time is passing you learn more and more, especially if you play him, so I think after those results in the last couple of months more players are believing they can win against him."

Cassano banned for five matches for abusing referee

MILAN: Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano has been banned for five matches after abusing the referee following his red card in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Torino, the Italian league said on Tuesday.

The temperamental forward, on a season's loan from Real Madrid, protested wildly after being dismissed for dissent in the closing stages.

He took off his shirt and threw it toward the referee before continuing to shout abuse for a spell from the sidelines.

The always colorful Cassano issued a public apology afterward but the league has still come down hard, saying in a statement that he would also be fined 15,000 euros.

He had earlier scored Samp's second equalizer, his seventh goal in a stunning return to Serie A this season.

Lampard wins appeal against red card, avoids 3-match ban

LONDON: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has escaped a three-match ban after the English Football Association upheld an appeal against his red card in Saturday's 4-0 win over West Ham United.

Lampard was sent off for violent conduct after a seemingly innocuous exchange of shoves with West Ham's Luis Boa Morte.

"At a Regulatory Commission hearing today, a claim for wrongful dismissal from Chelsea's Frank Lampard was upheld," the FA said in a statement.

Ronaldo could stay with Milan after serious knee injury

MILAN: AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has hinted Ronaldo will be offered a new contract if the 31-year-old Brazilian shows the will to return to playing following a serious knee injury that could sideline him for at least nine months.

"I think Ronaldo will stay with us. If he still wants to be a big player, he can be it. I think and hope he wants to come back and Milan will be very happy to have him with us," Berlusconi told Sky. Ronaldo's deal expires in June.

Japan's Terauchi to take plunge in record fourth Games

TOKYO: Japan's Ken Terauchi will represent his country for a record fourth Olympic Games in Beijing this year, Japanese officials said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old will become the first Japanese to appear in four consecutive Olympics in aquatic competition when he steps on to the 3m springboard in August.

Terauchi, whose best Olympic performance to date was fifth place in the platform diving at the 2000 Sydney Games, qualified for the springboard event in Beijing after finishing fourth at last year's World Championships.

Mai Nakagawa was selected for the women's platform diving, securing the 20-year-old her first Olympic appearance.

New honorary member Singh plans more Asian Tour outings

SINGAPORE: Triple major champion Vijay Singh has promised to play more on his home circuit after accepting honorary membership of the Asian Tour.

"It's an honor," said the 45-year-old Fijian in a news release on Tuesday. "The Asian Tour has grown and it'll get stronger and stronger.

"(Executive chairman) Kyi Hla (Han) has done a great job. I'll try to come back and play here more often and support the Asian Tour."

Singh, who has 60 international victories including the 2000 US Masters and the 1998 and 2004 US PGA Championships, cut his professional teeth in Asia in the 1980s.

Although the world No 11 is now firmly established on the US PGA Tour, he has won in Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

(China Daily 03/06/2008 page22)