Sports

Alex assumes mantle of heir apparent

TORONTO: Barry Bonds tipped Alex Rodriguez to relieve him of Major League Baseball's home run record one day but A-Rod's New York Yankees teammates warned on Wednesday that it was too early to start planning the coronation.

Giants's slugger adds to home run record with 757th

SAN FRANCISCO: Barry Bonds hit home run No 757 and San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy picked up victory No. 1,000 with the Giants' 5-0 defeat of Washington on Wednesday.

English Premier League season opens with usual favorites

LONDON: Ninety days after the old campaign closed amid the controversy of West Ham's relegation escape act, the Premier League season opens this weekend with expectations greater than ever but the same faces tipped to prosper.

Bonds ballhawks covet piece of flying history

SAN FRANCISCO: Much of the talk in the right-field stands at AT&T Park on Tuesday night concerned how much a collector might pay for the historic 756th Barry Bonds home run ball.

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Sports

Bonds blasts 756th home run for record

SAN FRANCISCO: Barry Bonds hit the 756th home run of his career to set a new Major League record on Tuesday, sparking wild celebrations among his hometown fans and a mixed reaction elsewhere in the wake of past steroid allegations.

Safin avoids ATP betting investigation

MONTREAL: Marat Safin is steering well clear of the ATP's gambling probe currently centered on a match last week in which Russian compatriot Nikolay Davydenko withdrew injured.

Isner's dream run sparks hope for USA tennis

WASHINGTON: John Isner's unprecedented dream run of five consecutive third set tie-breaker triumphs to reach an ATP final after just one prior tour match has sparked talk of a resurgence in American tennis.

Woods: Briton Beckham is more global than me

TULSA, Oklahoma: Tiger Woods, despite being widely regarded as the world's best-known sports figure, believes England soccer player David Beckham probably has a higher global profile.

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