WORLD AWARDS:Roger Federer has been named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the third year in a row. The 25-year-old Swiss continued his domination of men's tennis in 2006 by winning three more grand slam titles with his victories at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Russia's record-breaking pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the award for World Sportswoman of the Year, while the team of the year award went to the Italian football side for their World Cup triumph.

American Serena Williams took the comeback of the year award.