Europa League start the prize for Lazio, Sampdoria

ROME: Lazio and Sampdoria will go head to head in the Italian Cup final at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday knowing that the winners will secure a place in Europe next season.

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Soccer

Nadal's success on grass inspires Murray on clay

MADRID: Claycourt master Rafael Nadal's recent success on grass has inspired world No 3 Andy Murray to try to improve his poor record on the red dust.

Serena retires injured in Madrid

MADRID: Serena Williams pulled out of the Madrid Open on Monday after aggravating a leg injury in a first-round match against Francesca Schiavone.

Special Report: 'Lingnan Culture' adds its charm to 2010 Asian Games

GUANGZHOU: The Pearl River, beautiful riverside communities, tropical trees and warm weather fruits are all part of the Lingnan - or South China - Culture, which in turn adds its touch to this bustling metropolis.

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BASEBALL

Cavs reach final by sweeping Hawks

ATLANTA, Georgia: LeBron James sparked the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 84-74 victory over Atlanta but was in no mood to celebrate reaching the National Basketball Association Eastern Conference finals Monday.

Dallas keep NBA playoffs alive

DALLAS, Texas: German star Dirk Nowitzki scored 44 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to give Dallas a 119-117 victory on Monday against Denver to stay alive in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Sharapova comeback set for Warsaw

PARIS: Maria Sharapova has announced her return to singles action after an eight-month injury layoff in the Warsaw WTA tournament starting on May 18.

Bolt works hard for Manchester street dash

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, is working hard to regain his peak form ahead of a 150m street race on Sunday at Manchester.

Valverde set to miss Tour after Italy ban

ROME: Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde, the world's top-ranked rider last year, is poised to miss July's Tour de France after he was banned from racing in Italy for two years by an Italian anti-doping tribunal on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)