IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Golf

Poulter holds on for win

SINGAPORE: Briton Ian Poulter overcame a mid-round crisis to fire a one-over 72 and win the Singapore Open by one shot yesterday, finishing the $5 million event on 10-under 274 for a wire-to-wire victory.

China's Liang Wenchong finished second on nine-under-par, with Australian pair Scott Hend and Adam Scott tied for third, a further shot adrift of Poulter, who won for the first time on the European Tour since the 2006 Madrid Open.

"I was playing fairly solid but mishit some shots," Poulter said. "I made it a little bit interesting on a string of holes yesterday and coming out today I made some mistakes on the front nine and back nine to make it too close for comfort."

Tennis

Serena pulls out of Fed Cup

DOHA: Serena Williams has withdrawn from US Fed Cup team for next week's final against Italy in Calabria, the USTA said on Saturday.

No reason for her withdrawal was given in the statement which said Vania King would take her place.

Serena, who will reclaim the top ranking on Monday, has not played for the US in the Fed Cup since 2007.

The US are trying to win the competition for the first time since 2000 but Serena's withdrawal will severely weaken their chances against a strong Italy side.

Boxing

Perez captures IBF title

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Colombia's Yonnhy Perez seized the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title on Saturday, dethroning Ghana's Joseph Agbeko with a unanimous 12-round decision.

Perez emerged from the action-packed bout still unbeaten, improving to 20-0 with 14 wins inside the distance.

He was credited with a knockdown late in the 10th round, sending Agbeko to the canvas when Agbeko had turned away to complain to referee Robert Byrd about a head butt.

"I didn't see whether it was a head butt or a punch, therefore I had to rule it was from a punch," Byrd said.

Cycling

Evans to leave Silence

BRUXELLES: Australia's road race world champion Cadel Evans is to leave the Silence cycling team the group announced on its internet site on Saturday.

The 32-year-old has been with the team for five years but has decided to look for pastures new, though, Silence did not reveal which team he would link up with.

"Cadel Evans has decided to exercise a clause in his contract which allows him to be released and ride for another team," Silence said. "After five successful years with among other things two Tour de France podium finishes and the world championship title, Cadel has decided to take advantage of his new financial weight and take on new challenges."

Soccer

Ballack keen to stay

BERLIN:Germany captain Michael Ballack said on Saturday he is keen to extend his contract at English giants Chelsea until after next year's World Cup.

The 33-year-old wants to stay with the London club and says things are improving under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti with the German's contract due to expire on June 30, 2010.

"Things are improving in such a way that we will soon be consistent," he told German magazine Der Spiegel.

And the midfielder says he is enjoying his time in the English capital.

"Things are easier with the language", he said. "At first, I was quiet in the changing room.

"But things soon got better when I learned English, especially after I could articulate myself and it makes it easier working with the other players."

(China Daily 11/02/2009 page12)