Suns shine, hold off Spurs charge

DALLAS: Boris Diaw and Raja Bell kept the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs for one more game while the Dallas Mavericks fell to the edge of elimination on Sunday at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets.

Wang's fifth consecutive win helps Yankees top Indians

NEW YORK: Wang Chien-ming won his fifth consecutive game to pitch the New York Yankees to a 1-0 road victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

Penguins blank Rangers to take 2-0 lead

NEW YORK: The Pittsburgh Penguins shut out the New York Rangers 2-0 on Sunday, Jordan Staal's powerplay goal in the second period putting the home team on course for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Sports

Ronaldo misses penalty as United draws

BARCELONA, Spain: A rare failure of nerve by Cristiano Ronaldo cost Manchester United the chance of a famous victory but Sir Alex Ferguson's side still emerged as favorite to reach the Champions League final after a goalless draw with Barcelona in their semifinal first leg clash here on Wednesday.

Bryant shines as Lakers beat Nuggets

LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant poured in 49 points to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal on Thursday.

Red Devils set to seal title victory

LONDON: Manchester United will all but retain its Premier League title on Saturday if it becomes the first English side to win at Stamford Bridge for four years.

O'Malley takes pole at BMW Asian Open

SHANGHAI: Australian veteran Peter O'Malley snatched the first round lead at the BMW Asian Open yesterday as in-form Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh headed the chasing pack at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Federer avoids humiliation

MONTE CARLO: Roger Federer narrowly escaped complete humiliation on Wednesday when he came back from 1-5 down in the final set to beat Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Sports

Chelsea Riise to occasion at the death

LIVERPOOL, England: Chelsea snatched a Champions League lifeline as Liverpool defender John Arne Riise's last-gasp own goal allowed Avram Grant's side to escape with a 1-1 draw from Tuesday's semifinal first leg.