A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Azarenka ups her Aussie profile
TENNIS: Victoria Azarenka emerged as a big noise for the Australian Open by winning the Sydney International title yesterday while beaten opponent Li Na asked her supporters to stop shouting during matches.
“Maybe they think I’m stupid so they coach me,” defending champion Li said after her 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 loss to Belarus’s world number three at the Ken Rosewall Arena. “But I would like to say I’m not stupid.
“I can play very good tennis. I think if they come to see more tennis they will know not to shout. It is something I couldn’t change. I don’t have to listen to what they say. I have to focus on my tennis.”
Any hopes Azarenka had of sneaking quietly into the Australian Open with a low profile disappeared. The 22-year-old will now be seen as a serious title threat when the first major championship of the year begins at Melbourne Park on Monday.
WBA order rematch of Khan-Peterson fight
BOXING:Amir Khan's chances of avenging his controversial defeat by American Lamont Peterson improved yesterday when the World Boxing Association (WBA) said it had ordered a rematch. "I can confirm we have ordered a direct rematch," WBA vice-president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza was quoted as saying by the BBC.
A statement from Khan’s US promoters, Golden Boy Promotions, said the WBA had ordered the rematch within 180 days after examining their appeal.
Peterson earned a surprise victory in an enthralling contest in Washington on December 10th, taking Khan’s WBA super-lightweight and IBF light-welterweight belts on a split decision after the Briton was docked two points.
Khan’s team questioned the performance of referee Joseph Cooper who crucially deducted points from the British fighter in the seventh and 12th rounds, one for pushing and one for hitting his opponent on the break.
Warner hits fastest Test 100
CRICKET:David Warner matched the record for the fourth-fastest Test century as Australia neared India's first innings score of 161 without losing a wicket in the third Test in Perth. Australia's bowlers dismissed India in 60.2 overs before Warner and Ed Cowan tore into the visitor's bowlers, reaching 149-0 by the close of play.
Warner (25) reached his landmark in just 69 balls to record the quickest century by an opening batsman in Test history. India, who lost the opening two Tests, lost its last six wickets for 30 runs as Ben Hilfenhaus took four wickets and Peter Siddle grabbed three against an opposition seeking to avoid a seventh-straight defeat away from home soil.
Warner was on 104 runs and Cowan on 40 at the end of the day. Australia trails India by 12 runs with 10 wickets remaining.
Brady-Tebow clash looks intriguing
AMERICAN FOOTBALL:The Denver Broncos will try to bring a little Mile High magic to Foxboro when they take on the New England Patriots in a fascinating National Football League (NFL) divisional showdown today featuring two of the game's most intriguing figures.
The Patriots and Broncos will clash for the second time in four weeks but this time much more will be at stake with the winner advancing to the AFC championship game and one step from the Super Bowl.
The 13-3 Patriots and their high-octane offence led by the much decorated Tom Brady were always expected to be in the Super Bowl frame unlike the 8-8 Broncos, who arrive in the divisional contest thanks to some edge-of-your-seat drama provided by Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, who has mastered the art of the late-game comeback.
