Nadal's trail to a drought-breaker easier

DOHA: Rafael Nadal, who played mock tennis with Roger Federer on a suspended "magic" carpet, was on Monday given a slightly easier path to the final of the opening tournament of what could be a transformative season.

Zheng to face Sharapova in HK Classic opener

HONG KONG: The nation's first Wimbledon semifinalist, Zheng Jie, is looking forward to facing off against former world tennis No 1 Maria Sharapova at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic today.

Peterhansel says stage win a 'step' to Dakar victory

FIAMBALA, Argentina: French veteran Stephane Peterhansel won stage three of the Dakar Rally on Monday and claimed it was a step towards overall victory in the testing event.

Score board

Cricket

Heat burn low-scoring Hawks 92-75

Miami's tight defense proves too much for Atlanta again as hosts win

Given vows to add to FA Cup pain for Man United

MANCHESTER, England: Shay Given has vowed to make it a week of cup pain for Manchester United when Manchester City face their neighbors in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Arsenal set to underline title credentials

LONDON: Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal have a golden opportunity to underline their credentials as serious Premier League title challengers in Wednesday's crucial clash with Bolton.

Beckham, Toni eye openers in Italy

ROME: High-profile new arrivals David Beckham and Luca Toni will be aiming to be in the thick of the action for AC Milan and AS Roma respectively when the Italian league restarts after the winter break on Wednesday.

Cricket great Boycott suggests feng shui help for Owen

LONDON: Former England cricketer Geoff Boycott has urged Michael Owen (pictured) to try the ancient Chinese art of feng shui in a bid to get his World Cup ambitions back on track, the Daily Express newspaper said on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Convicts get cultured in city's jail

One of the maximum security prisons in Beijing plans to make the learning of Chinese classics including Analects of Confucius compulsory among its inmates this year.

More bones broken by icy roads: Doctors

The emergency room in Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing's largest orthopedics hospital, was filled with patients yesterday due to the heavy snow.