IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Liu wins in rain but no joy for Gay

SHEFFIELD, England: Liu Xiang of China, the men's 110 meters hurdles world record-holder and Olympic champion, won his race in 13.23 seconds, 0.04 seconds ahead of American Ryan Wilson in the rain at Sunday's IAAF British Grand Prix.

Sports

Uruguay unhappy over referee

MARACAIBO, Venezuela: Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez complained that Brazil got the best dressing rooms for Tuesday's Copa America semifinal and was also angry about the refereeing in the penalty shootout.

Hushovd sprints to 4th stage win

JOIGNY, France: Norway's Thor Hushovd claimed his first victory of the year when he clinched the fourth stage of the Tour de France, a 193-km trek from Villers-Cotterets to Joigny on Wednesday.

Pipat double puts Thailand on top

BANGKOK: Striker Pipat Tongkanya scored twice in eight minutes to lift hosts Thailand to a convincing 2-0 win over Oman and top spot in Asian Cup Group A yesterday.

Messi gem sweeps Mexico aside

PUERTO ORDAZ, Venezuela: Lionel Messi scored a breathtaking goal, arguably the best of the tournament, as Argentina beat Mexico 3-0 in the second Copa America semifinal on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Sports

McLaren designer 'behaved disgracefully'

LONDON: McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan "behaved disgracefully" by copying and keeping documents belonging to Formula One rivals Ferrari, London's High Court heard on Tuesday.

Russia eyes new venue after US visa woes

MOSCOW: Russia's Fed Cup captain has asked the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to move this week's semi-final against the United States to a neutral country after being unable to accompany his team to a US venue.

Cancellara rides hardest kilometer to win stage

COMPIEGNE, France: Tour de France leader Fabian Cancellara set out on Tuesday intending to keep safe in the bunch and ended the day with a hard-earned stage victory.