 | Federer faces Davydenko in opener RAAJIV TRIPATHI DOHA NIKOLAY Davydenko has a golden chance to arrest his slump in form and ring in the new season on a positive note as the 20th Anniversary edition of the $102,4000 Qatar ExxonMobil Open gets underway on Monday.
...
|
|
| | PSG waits for Beckham's response |  DOHA QATAR-OWNED Paris St Germain is waiting for English superstar David Beckham to decide about his wish whether he wants to play in France or continue in Los Angeles.
PSG sports director and former Brazilian midfielder Leonardo, who is Doha to witness Qatar ExxonMobil Open draw, said that the Beckham deal has not been struck yet.
"Some papers wrote a lot about the signing of the deal by Beckham but it has not been done till now. We also don't know yet if he will sign for PSG or will continue to live in Los Angeles. We have no clear idea about his plan," said Leonardo. He also added that the deal would depend on what the Beckham family wants. "It is not a question of a deal. It is a matter of the Beckham family's choice. It is also quite possible that he may continue to stay in Los Angeles.
"There are two things inter-connected – the future goals of Beckham and the lifestyle of his family. We really don't know if he will agree to play for PSG," added Leonardo. But whatever Beckham and his family decide, PSG will honour it, he said. "We did some study about the schools for his kids in Paris and all. But we have to say the truth... | | | Qatar's Attiyah gears up to defend Dakar Rally crown |  MAR DEL PLATA (ARGENTINA) A COLOURFUL cavalcade of cars, motorbikes, quads and trucks will set off from this Atlantic resort on Sunday for the 33rd edition of the mythic Dakar Rally.
The 2012 Dakar promises to be as tough as any in the event's drama-laden history, tracing a route across the South American continent, over the Andes and through the Atacama desert to the Pacific coast in the Peruvian capital of Lima.
Heading the list of 466 intrepid adventurers are Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah, the Qatari driver crowned champion in 2011 after the heartache of disqualification in 2009 and missing out on victory to Carlos Sainz in 2010.
Attiyah, who is hoping to compete for his country in shooting in his third Olympic Games in London, was almost facing the prospect of missing a defence of his hard earned title when Volkswagen pulled the plug on their Dakar involvement.
But the versatile 41-year-old has found a new home driving a Hummer for Team Robby Gordon.
... | | | Man U loses to Blackburn, Chelsea slumps to Villa |  LONDON MANCHESTER United missed the chance to start the New Year on top of the Premier League after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Blackburn as Arsenal went fourth after Chelsea crashed 3-1 at home to Aston Villa.
With Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrating his 70th birthday at Old Trafford, the stage was set for United to open up a three-point lead against crisishit bottom club Rovers.
But an 80th-minute winner from Grant Hanley settled a pulsating game in Rovers' favour after two goals from Dimitar Berbatov had helped United fight back from 2-0 down after Ayegbeni Yakubu's double for Blackburn.
"It is a disappointment," said Ferguson. "I never expected it. We lost two terrible goals and you can't do that."The defeat means league leaders Manchester City can go three points clear of United if they defeat Sunderland on Sunday.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean — who has faced months of abuse from Rovers fans seeking his dismissal — meanwhile said he hoped the win would bring the club's supporters together.
"I hope, in time, the fans who have been negative will turn as well and be with us and make a real intimidating atmosphere at Ewood Park," Kean said.... | |
|
|
|
