Former winner Ivo Karlovic continued his domination over German Benjamin Becker, winning 7-5 (7/5), 6-4 in the first round of the US Men's Clay Court Championship.

Qualifier Karlovic now has six victories and no losses against Becker. He also beat Becker en route to the Houston title four years ago.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher Tuesday urged his fans not to write off his Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team following a disastrous season-opening race in Australia.

"There is absolutely no doubt we want to do better than in the opening race, which was a disappointment for all of us. We clearly see that as a challenge and it is much too early to write us off," he said in a statement.

Aston Villa have begun talks on a new deal for veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, his agent said on Monday.

Friedel's current deal runs out in the summer, but the 39-year-old has been in good form of late and coach Gerard Houllier has indicated he would address a new deal before seaons's end.

Top Lebanese female boxer Rola El-Halabi, who is recovering in hospital after being gunned down by her step-father before a world title fight, may never return to the ring, her promoter said on Sunday.

El-Halabi, 26, was shot her in the hands, feet and knees in her dressing room as she prepared to fight for the WIBF world lightweight title in Karlshorst, Berlin, on Friday night.

The target of Novak Djokovic's most vicious forehand was a wooden ball box, and the swing produced an angry thud.

He disposed of another uncooperative racket by flinging it to the concrete, drawing jeers from an otherwise supportive crowd.

Rafael Nadal usually receives a trophy when he beats Roger Federer. This time, the reward is a chance to play Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Nadal advanced with surprising ease Friday drubbing his old rival 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists that Mario Balotelli has a big future at Eastlands despite his recent poor behavior.

Since joining City from Inter Milan last year, Balotelli has been the subject of several unsavory headlines relating to his personal life and his conduct both on and off the pitch at City.

World tennis number one Rafael Nadal will square off against Swiss rival Roger Federer in a rare semi-final showdown Friday that will be their first match on American soil in six years.

Spain's Nadal reached the last four at the $9 million WTA and ATP Masters tournament on Thursday by beating Czech Tomas Berdych 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Bosnia and Hercegovina was suspended from international and European football Friday after failing to adopt statutes that would lead to a single-member presidency of the country's federation (NSBIH), UEFA and FIFA announced.

European and world footballing chiefs from UEFA and FIFA respectively had demanded that NSBIH's ethnic-based tripartite presidency -- consisting of a Croat, a Muslim and a Serb member -- be replaced by a single president.

Novak Djokovic reached the Miami semi-finals by beating Kevin Anderson, extending his winning streak and avenging a loss two years ago to the South African in the same city.

World number two Djokovic on Wednesday defeated unseeded Anderson 6-4, 6-2 in a quarter-final match at the $9 million ATP Masters 1000 hard-court tournament.