'Crazy but fun' sits well with Roger

World No 2 Roger Federer hailed the new International Premier Tennis League as "crazy but fun" after sauntering through his debut matches in the Indian capital on Sunday.

More magical moves from Messi

A third Lionel Messi hat-trick in four games helped Barcelona keep the pressure on La Liga leader Real Madrid as it recorded a 5-1 victory over local rival Espanyol on Sunday.

Gerrard knows what it takes

Ten years removed from a dramatic comeback in the Champions League, Liverpool will again look to Steven Gerrard for inspiration when it faces Basel in a must-win match on Tuesday.

Score board

Woods swinging into form

Tiger Woods flubbed chip shots and suffered glitches on short pitches that would rile a 20-handicapper, yet the 14-time major winner rated his return to competition a success.

Lin leads Chinese challenge

China's No 2 Lin Xiyu will lead a group of locals challenging the top players from the Korean LPGA at the Dec 12-14 Hyundai China Ladies Open at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Vonn's comeback an inspiration

Four-time overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn's triumphant comeback to skiing on the weekend provided inspiration for her boyfriend, golf star Tiger Woods, in his return from a back injury.

Sizzling Spieth sets sights on McIlroy

While Tiger Woods struggled in his return from a four-month layoff, it was Jordan Spieth whose overpowering Hero World Challenge victory on Sunday revived memories of Woods in his prime.

CR rockets to another record

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a record 23rd hat-trick in La Liga and his 200th goal in the Spanish top flight as Real Madrid equaled a Spanish record of 18 consecutive wins in all competitions with a 3-0 triumph over Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Guardiola unfazed by lack of goals

Coach Pep Guardiola made no apology for Bayern Munich's lack of goals in Saturday's 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Wenger laments lax defense

Arsene Wenger admits the lack of experience in his Arsenal defence proved costly as his team spurned the opportunity to give itself a glimmer of hope in the Premier League title race.

Aguero on city sideline

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said it's impossible to know how long Sergio Aguero will be sidelined with a knee ligament injury after the star striker hobbled off in Saturday's 1-0 win over Everton.