Bryant shines to spoil O'Neal's Phoenix debut

NEW YORK: The Los Angeles Lakers ground out a 130-124 victory over Phoenix on Wednesday, Kobe Bryant leading the visitors with 41 points to ensure former teammate Shaquille O'Neal's first game for the Suns ended in defeat.

Shocks in a Gulf sandstorm

DOHA: Ana Ivanovic, the top seed in a tier one tournament for the first time, may not survive to play her second match after hurting her left ankle in Wednesday's 6-3, 6-1 win over Olga Govortsova in the $2.5 million Qatar Open.

North Korea held by host China; Japan stays unbeaten

CHONGQING: Fancied North Korea was held to a goalless draw by host China in the East Asian women's championship yesterday, as Japan surged to the top of the table with its second win.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Sports

Hungry Woods recalls his perfect season

MARANA, Arizona: Tiger Woods astounded reporters at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club on Tuesday by revealing he had gone through an entire season without losing a tournament.

Milicic hopes to be part of 2003 class reunion

DETROIT: The NBA All-Star weekend has taken on the look of a class reunion in recent years with the top picks of the 2003 draft hogging center stage.

Els motivated to improve PGA match-play form

MARANA, Arizona: Ernie Els, the king of match-play golf in Europe, is eager to improve his dismal record at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in the United States.

Top shot

Hitzfeld to coach Switzerland after Euro 2008

Sports

Mauresmo builds up new head of steam

DOHA: Amelie Mauresmo, who had won only eight matches since losing her Wimbledon title last July, continued what she hopes is the building of a comeback when she reached the second round of the Qatar Open here on Monday.

Federer upbeat on French Open chances

ST PETERSBURG, Russia: Roger Federer has scoffed at suggestions he is destined never to win the French Open despite having fallen at the last hurdle in the past two years.