IN BRIEF (Page 24)
TENNIS
Feverish Zheng Jie advances in Tokyo
TOKYO: China's Zheng Jie battled a high fever to thrash American Bethanie Mattek 6-2 6-1 to reach the second round of the Pan Pacific Open yesterday.
The world No 33 was never seriously tested by qualifier Mattek as she joined compatriot Li Na in the last 16 in Tokyo.
"I had a fever of C 39 yesterday," Zheng said. "I'm not feeling very well. But I'm comfortable with my tennis and I'm enjoying every tournament now."
Zheng's second round opponent will be fourth-seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic.
Sixth seed Li won her opening match in equally convincing fashion on Tuesday and will play Samantha Stosur next following the Australian's 6-4 6-7 6-4 win over Russia's Vera Zvonareva.
SOCCER
Kenyan football crisis deepens
NAIROBI: The trouble-ridden Kenyan Football Federation on Tuesday faced further turmoil after a suspended chairman attempted to overturn his sacking in court.
A day before FIFA was to rule on whether to readmit Kenya into international football, suspended chairman Alfred Sambu told the court that the KFF National Executive Committee (NEC) had no powers to oust him alongside secretary Dan Omino.
Sambu, suspended on November 25, said that only the KFF's Annual General Meeting had the power to suspend a member and not the NEC, according to legal documents filed in Nairobi court.
Bayern slip up again
BERLIN: Bayern Munich slipped up badly on Tuesday when Felix Magath's champions were held to an embarrassing goalless draw by lowly Vfl Bochum.
This result coming after their 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in their opening match of 2007 left them struggling in fourth, four points off leaders Werder Bremen who can pull seven points clear with victory over against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
This was the Bavarian giant's fourth draw of a season that has already thrown up five defeats.
BASEBALL
Sosa on comeback trail after minor deal
DALLAS: Slugger Sammy Sosa signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, taking a first step towards a return to the major leagues.
A seven-time All-Star and former-National League MVP, Sosa reportedly agreed to an incentive-laden deal with a base salary of $500,000 but could earn another $2.2 million based on his number of plate appearances.
"I feel born again," the 38-year-old Sosa told MLB.com.
"There is a lot left in my body and I'm going to give it to the Texas Rangers."
MOTOR SPORTS
Frenchman joins China's powerboat team
F1 powerboat racers TRIC China Team are aiming for a better result in the 2007 F1 UIM World Championship after veteran French driver Philippe Dessertenne agreed to join the team.
Having been involved in the sport for 17 years, Philippe was appointed driver and also head coach of the team, which had only one local driver, Peng Linwu, last year.
TRIC China Team became the first Chinese team in the prestigious international racing circuit in 2006, and they are determined to catch up with the world's best.
China will host two stages of 2007 season world championships, in Chengdu in September and in Shenzhen in October.
(China Daily 02/01/2007 page24)
