Blake has the Olympic bug

After suffering a neck injury and illness in 2004, James Blake didn’t compete in the Athens Olympics. Due to this reason, he is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play in Beijing even more."This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," said the 28-year-old Blake this week. "In 2012, I hope I'm still relevant in the tennis world, but careers have ended much quicker than that. I know realistically, this might be my only shot to play in the Olympics.”"It would be an absolute thrill to represent this country again," Blake added. "It gives me goose bumps every time I do that (for the Davis Cup), but to do it for the Olympics, and be around all those other great athletes I know it doesn't carry the same weight in tennis like it does in other sports, but I think that will be part of the joy of going, seeing so many sports where it's bigger than the Super Bowl

Lewis first UK female to top U.S. chart in 20 yrs

Talent show winner Leona Lewis became the first British female solo artist in over 20 years to top the U.S. pop ratings on Thursday when her single "Bleeding Love" hit number one in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The 22-year-old Londoner, who shot to fame in Britain after winning "The X Factor" in 2006, appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show this month, helping to boost the number of downloads of her song on the Internet and mobile phones, media reported.
Kim Wilde was the last British female solo singer to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her 1987 song "You Keep Me Hangin' On," a cover of The Supremes song.

Slumping Hewitt calls on Agassi

SLIDING star Lleyton Hewitt has turned to former great Andre Agassi for advice as he seeks to regain form after a disappointing start to this year's circuit.
The Australian, whose best effort has been a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open, is in danger of dropping from the seedings for the year's next two Grand Slams, in Paris and at Wimbledon, following another early tournament exit this week.
Hewitt, 27, will drop close to 30 in the rankings after losing in the second round as defending champion of the Las Vegas Open.
But the early loss allowed him the opportunity to seek out Agassi before this month's Masters Series tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
"I've always admired how Andre went about his business and again was impressed how he was ready to go from the minute he'd stepped onto the practice court," Hewitt said.
"There was always a purpose for every drill we did and the intensity was amazing.
"It was a great opportunity to not only hit with one of the greatest ever players, but also to discuss a lot of things about my game and how the game of tennis is being played these days.
"One of the biggest advantages of speaking with Andre was finding out a lot of things that he sees through being a player that's just retired.
"He's always been a great thinker out on court and was always able to work out different ways of breaking his opponents down."
It was the first time the pair has hit since Agassi's retirement from the game after the 2006 US Open.
If Hewitt is lacking confidence, the next month will not be easier given the Indian Wells and Miami events are the next tier below Grand Slam tournaments in terms of prizemoney, ranking points and prestige.
The world's top-50 players were entered for Indian Wells when acceptances closed at the end of January.
Despite Hewitt's recent troubles, with this week's loss to Julien Benneteau following a first-round loss to 42nd-ranked Italian Andreas Seppi in Rotterdam a fortnight ago, he is adamant he will return a force.
His partnership with new coach Tony Roche, who piloted Ivan Lendl, Pat Rafter and Roger Federer, is yet to produce a semi-final appearance in five attempts, but the former Wimbledon and US Open champion believes that will soon change.
"While there are many media and others who may be writing me off after the summer, if I review the (tournaments so far), I know that I am not far from returning to my very best and continuing to be a force at Grand Slam level," he wrote on his website blog.
"Rochey explained to me that it is still work in progress and those patches will become longer and more consistent in the months to come, which will hopefully allow me to taste Grand Slam success again

Paula Abdul Plotting Comeback Album

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
After re-launching her music career with an appearance on fellow "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson's new album, Paula Abdul is getting busy on her first new album since 1995's "Head Over Heels."The as-yet-untitled project will include remixes of Abdul's best-known hits, plus a host of new songs. In addition, Abdul tells Billboard that Paul Oakenfold and Akon are preparing remixes of "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her contribution to Jackson's album. The artist has already chosen three new tracks to accompany the remixes."I will always be grateful for Randy getting me back into even the idea of helping me do this," says Abdul. "I didn't realize how much I missed it."For the artist, whose last new single was 1995's "Crazy Cool," the collaboration with Jackson consummated several years of vague conversations about working together. But during "Idol" auditions last July in San Diego, "Randy kept saying to me, 'I've got the perfect song for you. It sounds like you, like now, it's like a nod to you and your past, but it's you now,' " Abdul says. "And he played it, and it was after the first two bars, I knew it was a hit. I knew it was a total smash.""Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" was produced by Jackson and the Danish duo known as Deekay. Oliver Leiber, who wrote and produced Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" and "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me," did some additional vocal production.
Abdul, who scored her biggest hits with Virgin, now finds herself a free agent amid a music business that has changed drastically since her glory days. "I'm already getting interesting phone calls," she says. "I want to have the ability to expand on my other talents. I want to be more of a partner."Abdul is hoping "to have another single out by the end of 'Idol.' I could have another single out, and another single after that, and then have an album out before Christmas. It's the best of all worlds."Also on the horizon: a return to live performance. Abdul says she's been offered the opportunity to make guest appearances during the annual "American Idol" summer tour, but she says she's aiming higher."For me, I have to have the visuals and the staging. That's what people expect from me, and the 'Idol' tour doesn't allow for that," she observes. "I have a whole plan. I do things that are very different and I'm all about setting a new trend and exploring. I have a lot of cool ideas."

Janet Dethrones Jack To Top Billboard 200

Katie Hasty, N.Y.
Dislodging Jack Johnson from the top after a three-week reign, Janet Jackson's "Discipline" bows at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. The Island Def Jam set moved 181,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen Soundscan, becoming the artist's sixth chart-topper.Her last two Virgin albums, 2004's "Damita Jo" and 2006's "20 Y.O.," both debuted and peaked at No. 2, though "Damita" started with 381,000 while "20 Y.O." began with 296,000. Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" (Brushfire) falls 1-3 with 92,000, a 12% sales decline."4th World War," the first half of Erykah Badu's double album series "New Amerykah," debuts at No. 2, selling 124,000 copies. It's the R&B singer's first studio effort since 2003's "Worldwide Underground," an EP that began at No. 3 with 144,000. The second, as-yet-untitled portion "New Amerykah" is due some time this summer via Universal Motown.Rapper Webbie's "Savage Life 2" (Asylum/Trill Entertainment) starts at No. 4 after selling 72,000. Sales were helped in part by the track "Independent," performed with Lil' Phat and Boosie, which is steadily rising on the Hot 100. Webbie's last solo effort, "Savage Life," debuted at No. 8 in 2005 with 68,000.Despite an 8% sales increase, Alicia Keys' "As I Am" (J) slips 2-5 with 57,000. Miley Cyrus' Disney double-disc "Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus" experiences an 86% sales boost, propelling the effort 14-6 with 54,000. The young singer was recently featured on Barbara Walters' Oscar night interview special on ABC.
Speaking of Oscars, two Academy Award-winning titles are also featured in the top 10. With music from the Frames' Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the Canvasback/Sony Music Soundtrax soundtrack to "Once" climbs 31-7 with 47,000 (+142%), after the duo won the best original song Oscar. The Rhino soundtrack to "Juno" falls 6-8 with 42,000, a 10% increase. Sara Bareilles' Epic album "Little Voice" is down 7-9 with 37,000 (+1%), while Amy Winehouse's Universal Republic set "Back to Black" slips 3-10, also with 37,000 (-27%).Debuting at No. 13, D4L member Shawty Lo's solo debut, "Units in the City" (Asylum), shifts 31,000. Dolly Parton's "Backwoods Barbie" starts at No. 17, the country legend's highest debut ever. Released through her own Dolly Records label, the new project shifted 27,000 units in its first week.Other debuts this week include the original Broadway cast recording of "Disney's The Little Mermaid" at No. 26 with 20,000, the Afters' "Never Going Back to OK" (INO/Columbia) at No. 41 with 16,000 and Goldfrapp's Mute set "Seventh Tree" at No. 48 with 15,000.Sales this week are down less than 1% from last week at 7.95 million units and down 6.4% from the same week last year.

Scott: Hingis deserved a better sendoff

By Alaric Gomes, Senior ReporterPublished: March 05, 2008, 00:37
Dubai: Larry Scott regretted that a legend such as Martina Hingis did not step down from the sport on a better note.
"She [Martina Hingis] is such a legend and she deserved to end her stellar career on a high note," Scott remarked.
However, the WTA boss felt no one could possibly take anything away from the 'Swiss Miss' and that her records and achievements are there as a testimony to her being one of the best players ever in the modern annals of the game.
"Most fans will still remember her for all that she achieved during her brilliant career," Scott added.
Strong statement
Scott, however, used Hingis's case to make a strong statement. "We take the doping system very seriously and our programme is accredited by WADA," he said.

He added that players have a role to play in furthering the interests of the sport, and hence, should always be vigilant of their lives both on and off the playing field. "Our players are role models and it is very important for us to send the right signal. I completely support the programme because it is most important for our kids to know that tennis is a clean sport," Scott stated.
Scott said he was convinced the game was under no threat from ills like gambling and match-fixing.
"I am convinced we do not have a significant problem with any of these aspects that have surfaced in the sport in the recent past," sid Scott.
Some of the recent ills are Russia's Nicolay Davydenko's association with match-fixing and former world No 1 Hingis's retirement after testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon.
"We're taking these threats seriously and working with the ITF, the Grand Slams and the ATP Men's Tour," he added

Murray magic does for Federer

PARIS: Roger Federer lost in the first round of a tournament for the first time in three-and-a-half years when he was beaten by Andy Murray, the 20-year old Briton who was a revelation with his cool attitude and his counter-attack.
The unseeded player’s 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-5 win means that the world’s number one has not yet won a tournament this year, having lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
He lost the last time he played Murray too, 19 months ago in Cincinnati, when he could claim he was tired from his previous week’s efforts.
This time, there was no such explanation, though Federer is short of match play, and when the match got tight was not able to unleash his customary ability to produce overwhelming tennis.
“It was nothing to do with his game,” insisted Federer.
“It was a tricky game for both of us. One of the big guys had to go out.
“It’s difficult but it could have been worse. It wasn’t a bad match but that’s the only positive I can take from tonight.
“I thought I was missing forehands by two or three meters. That’s awful. You have it lined up and suddenly it’s out which comes as a shock.”
The first set saw both men hold solidly all through, Murray serving more aggressively but more often resorting to containment in the rallies, Federer serving more consistently well. But by the tie-breaker Murray was suddenly more assertive.
It hinged on 3 points. Murray had reached 5-2 with one mini-break and then had two chances - one good, one slight - to break again.
The first he netted an attacking return; the second he just got back but couldn’t make pass.
Federer broke back at once, and held serve, saving a set point at six points all with a fine first serve winner.
When Federer gained his first set point, at 7-6 on Murray’s serve he came up with a typical forehand attack, taken athletically from the backhand side, which surprised Murray.
Most people expected Federer to take charge from then on, but it didn’t happen.
“I don’t know if it was my game style which won the match,” Murray said. “I think it was my mentality. I went on court thinking I could win, as I always have against him, and that was the key.”
Murray next plays Fernando Verdasco, the world number 30 from Spain, whose left-handed skills accounted for Rainer Schuttler, the former world number four from Germany, 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 6-1
Other winners were David Ferrer over Tommy Haas, 6-3, 6-0; Richard Gasquet over Dmitry Tursonov, 6-4, 6-4; and Nikolay Davydenko over Mohammed Gareeb, 6-4, 6-0. -- AFP

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Favre retires after 17 years

Despite an impressive season in which he helped lead the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Championship game, quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire.
“Brett Favre has informed us of his intention to retire from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement issued Tuesday morning. “He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms – not many players are able to do that.”
Favre walks away from the game as the all-time leader with 442 touchdown passes and multiple other NFL records during his 17-year career. Most notable is that Favre played in 275 consecutive games, including the playoffs.
Favre notified the Packers of his decision on Monday night, according to his agent Bus Cook. Favre had wrestled with retirement in recent years, but usually took a couple of months after the season ended before announcing his return.
Favre’s announcement reportedly coincides with wide receiver Randy Moss’ decision to return to the New England Patriots Monday. ESPN.com had reported that Moss and Favre spoke late last week and that Favre was ready to continue playing if Moss joined the Packers.
Green Bay did not pursue Moss.
Favre finished last season with 28 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 95.7. That was the highest rating for Favre since 1996, when he led Green Bay to a Super Bowl title and the first of back-to-back appearances in the championship game.
“The Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. He has given Packers fans 16 years of wonderful memories, a Super Bowl championship among them, that will live on forever,” Thompson said. “Brett’s many accomplishments on the field are legendary. He leaves the game holding virtually every career passing record, plus his consecutive starts streak, which may never be duplicated.
“The uniqueness of Brett Favre – his personality, charisma and love of the game – undoubtedly will leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history.”
Favre was selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons and traded to Green Bay the following year. In addition to guiding the Packers to a victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, he won three straight league MVP trophies from 1995-97.
Aricle by Jason Cole

Els completes Classic comeback

Eurosport - Mon, 03 Mar 00:18:00 2008
South African Ernie Els shot a final-round 67 to win the Honda Classic, his first victory on US soil in nearly four years.

The world number four finished on six under to pip Britain's Luke Donald by a shot and land his first US Tour title since the 2004 Memorial tournament.
Els, accompanied around the course by his sports psychologist, stormed into the lead with four birdies in the opening nine holes and he remained bogey free until the 17th.
"I am so excited - it has been a long time coming," he said. "It is a great feeling: I feel really relieved.
"It has been a tough ride for everyone but ultimately you have to believe you can do it."
A gusty breeze on a tough course made for a tight contest where a few errors were always going to make the difference.
Joint overnight leader Donald, who won this event in 2006, bogeyed four holes but was in with a chance right until the end of the par-five 18th.
From a decent fairway position, Donald drove his third shot far right of the hole on to the verge of the green but his chip fell short to end his hopes of forcing a playoff.
American Mark Calcavecchia had been neck and neck with Els through much of Sunday but his chance went with a bizarre double bogey on the 15th when a bunker shot from the back of the green rolled off the putting surface and lodged in the rocks.
Calcavecchia finished on three under par along with Australians Nathan Green, Robert Allenby and Matt Jones.Reuters

India beats Austria 7-3 in World Hockey Olympic qualifier

SANTIAGO: India recovered from a shaky start to beat Austria 7-3 for their second consecutive win in the World Hockey Olympic qualifying tournament at the Prince of Wales Country Club here. Rocked by a second minute goal, India bounced back in a splendid fashion as Dilip Tirkey (9th, 23rd), Shivendra Singh (51st, 55th), Ignace Tirkey (42nd), Bharat Chhikara (53rd) and Rajpal Singh (53rd) struck telling blows. Austria, who went into the lead when Robert Buchta scrambled the ball in from a counter-attack in the second minute, kept India on their toes with two penalty corner conversions by Christian Minar (28th, 59th). India, after a poor start with their midfield play in tatters, made up for their first-half lapses with splendid attacking hockey in the second-half when they scored five goals in 13 minutes to take the game away from the Austrians. Indians were surprisingly tentative against the European outfit that solely depended on quick counter-attacks which fetched them no fewer than seven penalty corners. But the Austrian penalty corner drill was rather predictable and the Indians were rather fortunate to get away lightly. For much of the first-half, the Austrians matched their fancied rivals move for move and goal for goal giving the Indians many an anxious moment. However, with change of ends, the complexion of the game turned dramatically with India going on the rampage. Austrian defence was simply torn apart by the speed and skill of the Indian forwards who evoked memories of their 7-2 drubbing of Korea in the 2007 Asia Cup final at Chennai.

article by Sporting News

Davenport captures 55th career title

MEMPHIS (Tennessee), March 2: Former world number one Lindsay Davenport claimed her 55th career title by cruising to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over teenager Olga Govortsova of Belarus in the Memphis Championship on Saturday.The 31-year-old fourth seed needed just 60 minutes to beat the fifth-seeded Govortsova in their first career meeting.Davenport served eight aces in overpowering the 19-year-old, winning 89 per cent of her first-serve points.Govortsova double faulted five times and served just two aces.In the men’s draw, unseeded Belgian Steve Darcis and eighth seed Swede Robin Soederling advanced to Sunday’s final with semi-final victories.Darcis out-lasted veteran Swede Jonas Bjorkman 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, and Soderling served his way to a 7-6, 6-3 upset of fourth seed Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.The 23-year-old Darcis will be seeking his second career title. The first came in Amersfoort, the Netherlands last July.Bjorkman, 35, recorded the only service break of the opening set of his match with Darcis but failed to break the Belgian in the second and third.Soderling blasted 12 aces and did not lose serve to defeat Stepanek for the third time in four career matches.The Swede hit nine of his 12 aces in the opening set, including three in the tie-break where he grabbed a 5-0 lead.In the second set, Stepanek was broken in the fifth game, double-faulting twice, and lost serve in the ninth to give Soderling the chance on Sunday to win his third career title.