Bundesliga striker fit for Cup qualifier debut

KUNMING, Yunnan province: German Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus striker Shao Jiayi has returned to China for his international debut under coach Vladimir Petrovic in today's World Cup qualifier against Australia, looking to inspire the team to a much-needed home win.

Local star Ding advances as Dott's title defense gets pinched

Local sensation Ding Junhui enjoyed a happy start at the Snooker China Open yesterday as he overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat world No 18 Joe Perry 5-3 at the Beijing University Students Gymnasium.

Loisel ignores e-mail sacking

China's women's soccer coach Elisabeth Loisel is scheduled to arrive in Beijing today to learn about her future despite reports that a recent e-mail from the China Football Association (CFA) to Loisel released her from her contract and asked her not to return to China.

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Serbians sweep at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California: Steadily growing in self-belief, Serb Novak Djokovic has made a dream start to the year but refuses to accept he is the game's top player on current form.

Top seeds safely through to NCAA Sweet 16

WASHINGTON: No 1 seeds Memphis Tigers and North Carolina Tar Heels recorded contrasting wins on Sunday to join top-ranked Kansas and UCLA in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

Bernard smashes his third world record

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands: Alain Bernard shattered his third world record in as many days on Sunday to achieve a rare sprint double when he broke the 50m freestyle mark at the European swimming championships.

Spurs claim key win over Mavericks

DALLAS: The San Antonio Spurs took advantage of an injury to Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki to beat the Mavericks 88-81 on Sunday in a key Western Conference game for both teams.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

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Nadal rallies to defeat Tsonga

INDIAN WELLS, California: Rafael Nadal eked out a victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday, avenging an Australian Open defeat and reaching the quarterfinals of the Pacific Life Open.