LONDON: Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic announced he had signed a clothing deal with SergioTacchini that will start in January, ending a long association with German firm Adidas. “I am pleased to partner with Sergio Tacchini, a strong brand with a true tennis DNA and am honoured to become a part of this legacy,” the 22-year-old told reporters. The iconic T logo has been worn by some of the greatest players to play tennis, including 14-times grand slam champion Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Adidas recently announced that they had signed up world number four Andy Murray who was previously kitted out by British brand Fred Perry.
Austrian cyclist banned for life
VIENNA: Austrian cyclist Christian Pfannberger has received a lifelong ban for repeated doping offences, the national anti-doping agency announced on Saturday. Pfannberger, 30, tested positive in March for the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) as he prepared to start in the three-week Tour of Italy as part of the Russian Katusha cycling team. He was subsequently suspended by the team. The two-time Austrian champion had already been banned between 2004 and 2006 after testing positive for testosterone.
Messi doubtful for Barca’s Inter match
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi is in doubt for Barcelona’s Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday due to a leg injury. The Argentina forward was substituted in the 75th minute of Barcelona’s 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday because of a problem in his left thigh. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says his “first feelings are not very good” about Messi playing in the group game against Inter. Messi could also be a doubt for Sunday’s “clasico” match against Real Madrid, which leads the defending Spanish champions by one point in the standings. Barcelona is also missing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to a hamstring injury and three regulars to swine flu.
Gourcuff out of Juventus match
BORDEAUX, France: Ligue 1 champions Girondins Bordeaux will have to make do without playmaker Yoann Gourcuff when they host Juventus in a Champions League Group A match on Wednesday, coach Laurent Blanc said on Saturday. Gourcuff is sidelined with a groin injury sustained in France’s controversial 1-1 draw with Ireland in the return leg of their World Cup playoff at Stade de France last Wednesday. “It’s less serious than we thought but he will not be able to play (against Juventus),” Blanc told reporters after Bordeaux lost 1-0 at home to Valenciennes in Ligue 1.
Spain to host 2011 world cross country finals
MONTE CARLO: Punta Umbria in southern Spain will host the 2011 IAAF world cross country championships, the athletics governing body said on Saturday. The competition date is March 20 over a course close to the town centre, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in a statement. The IAAF Council concluded two days of meetings by also agreeing to hold the 2012 IAAF world race walking cup in Saransk, Russia. It proposed that Taicang, China, which had bid for the 2012 event, be given the possibility of hosting the 2014 competition pending confirmation by Chinese officials.
Teenager shatters record
ADDIS ABABA: Youngster Tilahun Regassa on Sunday broke the course record for the men’s Great Ethiopian Run, upsetting favorites in the annual 10 kilometre road race. The 19-year-old shaved 30 seconds off the previous record by clocking 28 minutes 36 seconds to outrun 33,000 participants and clinch a surprise victory. “I’ve run the marathon and half-marathon before but this is my first win in a 10 kilometre race,” he told AFP. “I hope I’ll raise the Ethiopian flag in other tournaments like my fellow athletes soon,” he added. The Great Ethiopian Run has revealed some of the world’s greatest long-distance runners. The annual race, regarded as a key stepping stone for Ethiopian athletes, has been held since 2001.
Sahabuddin joins Mumbai Indians
MUMBAI: Andhra seamer Syed Sahabuddin has agreed to join the Mumbai Indians for the third season of the IPL. Sahabuddin, who quit the rebel ICL with a host of other Indian players, was recommended by the franchise’s new coach Robin Singh. “I immediately gave my acceptance as it will be a great learning experience to play along with world’s greatest cricketer Sachin Tendulkar,” Sahabuddin told the Hindu. “The paperwork is on.” Sahabuddin has taken 180 wickets in 56 first-class games since his debut in 1998-99. He is also a useful lower-order hitter and said that the experience gained from the ICL will serve him well in future.
Mahela takes top Test spot
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene has gone top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings for batsmen after his superb 275 against India this week. Jayawardene, who scored his sixth Test double century in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad, leap-frogged his skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Indian opener Gautam Gambhir to reach the top, the ICC said on Sunday. The 32-year-old completed 9,000 Test runs during the same knock, only the ninth batsman to do so.