Sports

Soboleva's new record steals the show

VALENCIA, Spain: Russian middle-distance runner Yelena Soboleva stole the show on the final day of the World Indoor Championships when she smashed her own indoor world record to take gold in the 1,500m.

Billups helps Pistons tame Bulls to clinch playoff spot

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan: The Detroit Pistons clinched a seventh straight playoff berth with a 116-109 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Chauncey Billups matching a season-high 34 points to lead the home team to victory.

Rasmussen prevents Asian clean sweep

BIRMINGHAM, England: Denmark's Tine Rasmussen prevented an Asian clean sweep of the All England titles with a deciding game victory over China's Lu Lan in the women's singles final Sunday in Birmingham.

Cardiff, West Brom reach FA Cup semis

LONDON: The FA Cup will boast one Premier League side in the last four after Cardiff City continued a weekend of shocks by beating Middlesbrough 2-0 on Sunday.

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Sports

James' 50 pts lifts Cavs past Knicks

NEW YORK: LeBron James had 50 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Grant and Slomka breathe easier after wins

PARIS: Chelsea manager Avram Grant and his Schalke 04 counterpart Mirko Slomka can sleep a little easier on Wednesday after both their sides reached the Champions League quarterfinals.

Lin survives but his girlfriend exits

LONDON: China's Lin Dan stuttered in the defense of his All England badminton title in Birmingham on Wednesday with a 16-21, 21-8, 21-11 first-round victory over Anup Sridhar of India.

Benitez hails fiery Torres

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez hailed Fernando Torres as "on fire" after the Spanish striker hit his second successive Anfield hat-trick to lift his club into fourth spot in the Premier League table.

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