'Vampires', biological passports open new frontiers of fear

PARIS: For Belgian cyclist Maxime Montfort, and many others, the drug testers who come calling are "vampires." But such is the climate of fear gripping his dope-tainted sport, and he goes to extraordinary measures to protect himself.

Sweden's Persson says China invincible at Worlds

GUANGZHOU, China: Swedish veteran Jorgen Persson said China was virtually impossible to beat at the World Team Table Tennis Championships as the Red Army notched up its third straight win yesterday.

Sports

Tiger targets perfect season after romp

MARANA, Arizona: Tiger Woods sounded an ominous warning to his rivals with talk of a perfect season after cruising to a sixth consecutive tournament victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Sunday.

Rockets extend winning streak as Pistons embarrass Shaq, and Suns

PHOENIX: Rasheed Wallace scored 22 points in 26 minutes to lead six Detroit players in double figures, and the Pistons embarrassed Shaquille O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns 116-86 in the NBA on Sunday.

China women battle hard at Worlds

GUANGZHOU: China's women fought off a tenacious North Korea on day two of the World Team Table Tennis Championships yesterday, but not before veteran Wang Nan suffered a shock defeat.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Sports

Champions League centuries for Wenger, Giggs end in draws

PARIS: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs failed to get victories on their 100th Champions League matches on Wednesday but both can still dream of a place in the last eight.

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.