Aussie Stoner completes meteoric rise

MOTEGI, Japan: If not as instantly recognisable as a Tiger Woods or a Steffi Graf, Australia's Casey Stoner was every bit the child genius as those champions were from the moment he could walk.

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Gasquet says he's a potential grand slam winner

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Factbox on Jose Mourinho

Born Jan. 26, 1963 in Setubal, Portugal. Following a modest playing career, accepts job in 1992 as interpreter for former England manager Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon, taking over as assistant coach from 1994-1996.

Factbox on Avram Grant

Born: May 6 1955, in Petah Tikva, Israel

Sevilla knocked down to earth by slick Gunners

LONDON: Sevilla witnessed first hand the chasm between UEFA Cup soccer and the Champions League on Wednesday with a humbling 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Mourinho makes way for Grant at Chelsea

LONDON: Chelsea yesterday put former Israel coach Avram Grant in charge of its first team as English football reeled at Jose Mourinho's shock departure from Stamford Bridge.

Italy tops Portugal, on course for quarterfinals

PARIS: Italy defeated stubborn Portugal 31-5 on Wednesday and made sure it's match with Scotland next week will be for a first ever berth in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

Blues tipped to struggle without the 'special one'

LONDON: Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea sent shockwaves through English football yesterday with fans, pundits and former players virtually unanimous in predicting that the club's fortunes would nosedive as a result.

Yankees close in on Red Sox

NEW YORK: Andy Pettitte won his 200th career game to give the New York Yankees a 2-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, closing the gap on American League East leaders Boston to a game and a half.

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Romania says Scotland has the edge over Italy

EDINBURGH: Scotland is heading for a pool decider against Italy next week and Romania captain Sorin Socol, whose side has lost to both, said on Tuesday the Scots had the edge.