NHL`s Panthers use football agent in ad campaign

(PANTHERS, MARKETING, CAMPAIGN, SEASON, TICKET, WOULD)

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Drew Rosenhaus, a sports agent who typically battles with football team owners to get lucrative contracts for his clients, has been enlisted by the NHL`s Florida Panthers in a marketing campaign to boost season-ticket sales.
"This is part of our new marketing campaign that`s launching next week," Panthers President Michael Yormark said in a statement Tuesday. "The premise of the campaign is that he`s been retained by Panthers` fans to renegotiate the season-ticket pricing."
Sports teams have been hurt by the recession as fans cut back on spending at games or attend fewer events. In the National Hockey League, the tight credit markets have led to the expected sale of several teams as well as the bankruptcy of the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Panthers last season had an average attendance of 15,621 at its home arena, which seats 19,250 people. A full-season Panthers ticket currently costs an average $54.16.
Rosenhaus, who represents such National Football League players as wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson, will appear in television, radio and print ads talking about how he has been hired by fans of the hockey team to negotiate lower season-ticket prices and other benefits for the 2009-2010 season that begins in the fall, Yormark said.
The campaign is set to start on July 7, but the team would not confirm if it would result in lower season ticket prices.
(Reporting by Ben Klayman, Editing by Maureen Bavdek)
Original article

Venus restores order after Murray epic

(WIMBLEDON, NIGHT, CENTER, COURT, WOMEN, VENUS)

By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - Sobriety returned to Wimbledon Tuesday after the heady brew of the night before with Center Court open to the sunny skies and women`s champion Venus Williams blasting through to the semi-finals.
The 29-year-old American romped to a 5-0 lead against Poland`s Agnieszka Radwanska and completed a 6-1 6-2 victory on auto-pilot as slumbering Court One fans applauded politely in temperatures soaring into the 30s Celsius again.
Fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva then crushed Italy`s Francesca Schiavone 6-2 6-2 in quick time meaning that holders of costly Court One tickets were treated to a mere two hours 14 minutes of singles play.
Venus will face world number one Dinara Safina for a place in her eighth Wimbledon singles final after the Muscovite wore down unseeded German Sabine Lisicki 6-7 6-4 6-1 on Center Court in a match that at least resembled a proper contest.
Second seed Serena plays Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the day`s last quarter-final with a sense of predictability sweeping women`s tennis. Most pundits have already pencilled in a fourth Wimbledon final between the insatiable sisters Saturday.
"That first set for me was really almost perfect," Venus told reporters. "Do I feel invincible? I`d like to say yes, but I really do work at it."
Having won 33 consecutive sets at Wimbledon it seems only Serena is capable of stopping her. Asked what it must be like to have to play herself, Venus said: "I have no idea. I guess the same way I feel when I have to face Serena Williams."
The drowsy nature of what should be one of the biggest days in the women`s draw was all a stark contrast to Monday`s late-night blockbuster in which Andy Murray fought tooth and nail for nearly four hours to beat Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka under Center Court`s illuminated canopy.
That electrifying five-set contest will go down in Wimbledon folklore as the day the tournament changed forever and it was pretty much all anybody was talking about as the fans poured through the gates on another sweltering day.
Murray`s victory -- played out in front of 15,000 fans on Center Court, thousands more crammed together in the dark on Henman Hill and a British television audience of 12.6 million -- has set a high standard that sadly the women could not match.
"The only danger to the roof was that it could have been blown off by the crowds," Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said of the events of the previous night.
Murray, who had a day off to recover before his last eight assignment against Juan Carlos Ferrero, said it was the noisiest crowd he had ever played in front of -- which for somebody with experience of U.S. Open night sessions was quite a statement.
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Yao injury could be career-threatening, says doctor

(HOUSTON, INJURY, CLANTON, SEASON, COULD, WOULD)

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming`s foot injury is severe enough to end his career, the team doctor told the Houston Chronicle newspaper.
A CT scan showed Yao`s injury not only failed to heal as expected but has got worse, Rockets physician Tom Clanton said.
"At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening," Clanton said on the paper`s website (www.chron.com).
Clanton said he was trying to "make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery."
The 7-ft-6in (2.29m), 310-pound (140.6 kg) Chinese center could try to immobilize the left foot in the hope that the hairline fracture will heal on its own, Clanton said.
He added that because Yao had no pain or other symptoms there was reason to be optimistic that approach could work.
Yao, a seven-times NBA All-Star, fractured his foot during the Western Conference semi-finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 8.
He averaged 19.7 points per game and 9.9 rebounds this season.
(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Sonia Oxley)
Original article

Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic

(WIMBLEDON, NIGHT, MURRAY, AUSTRALIAN, PERKINS, REGULAR)

By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - "Andymonium" reigned supreme at Wimbledon as fans of newly crowned "King of The Night" Andy Murray threatened to blow the new roof off Center Court.
But Wimbledon officials were quick on Tuesday to stress after Murray`s epic night marathon that the world`s most famous tennis tournament would always be a daytime, open-air event.
Players at Wimbledon will not be following the U.S. and Australian Opens with matches played deep into the night.
Anyone who watched the first late night match in the cathedral of tennis will never forget the deafening roar on Monday evening.
The British third seed got a standing ovation from 15,000 screaming fans who leapt to their feet whenever he struck a winner in his titanic five-set victory over Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.
Forget the British stiff upper lip. Reserve was abandoned. Fans punched the air, cheering till they were hoarse. Union Jack flags were frenetically waved.
"At the end, that was probably the noisiest crowd I played in front of," Murray said.
But he was not complaining. "Support is great. If it`s loud, then it`s better."
Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins, reflecting on Murray`s gladiatorial fourth-round battle with Wawrinka, said: "The only danger to the roof was that it could have been blown off by the crowds."
London`s transport system was suddenly confronted late at night with thousands of spectators pouring onto the streets in search of a bus or a train.
"A lot of people descended on the system when not expected. This will not be a regular experience," Perkins told Reuters.
"This is not the start of regular night shifts. This is not the U.S. or the Australian Open. We are conscious we are in a residential area. We need to think of our neighbors," he said.
Murray thought Wimbledon should stay a daytime tournament and not adopt regular night-time sessions.
"You can`t really do it. I don`t think for the outside courts and stuff. They can`t play because of the dew and they don`t have floodlights. I like it being a day event."
Once the euphoria of novelty had died down, Wimbledon spokesman Perkins agreed: "It was an historic occasion but as with all historic occasions, it is best if they don`t happen too often."
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Related articles:
Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic
Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic

Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic

(WIMBLEDON, NIGHT, MURRAY, AUSTRALIAN, PERKINS, REGULAR)

By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - "Andymonium" reigned supreme at Wimbledon as fans of newly crowned "King of The Night" Andy Murray threatened to blow the new roof off Center Court.
But Wimbledon officials were quick on Tuesday to stress after Murray`s epic night marathon that the world`s most famous tennis tournament would always be a daytime, open-air event.
Players at Wimbledon will not be following the U.S. and Australian Opens with matches played deep into the night.
Anyone who watched the first late night match in the cathedral of tennis will never forget the deafening roar on Monday evening.
The British third seed got a standing ovation from 15,000 screaming fans who leapt to their feet whenever he struck a winner in his titanic five-set victory over Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.
Forget the British stiff upper lip. Reserve was abandoned. Fans punched the air, cheering till they were hoarse. Union Jack flags were frenetically waved.
"At the end, that was probably the noisiest crowd I played in front of," Murray said.
But he was not complaining. "Support is great. If it`s loud, then it`s better."
Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins, reflecting on Murray`s gladiatorial fourth-round battle with Wawrinka, said: "The only danger to the roof was that it could have been blown off by the crowds."
London`s transport system was suddenly confronted late at night with thousands of spectators pouring onto the streets in search of a bus or a train.
"A lot of people descended on the system when not expected. This will not be a regular experience," Perkins told Reuters.
"This is not the start of regular night shifts. This is not the U.S. or the Australian Open. We are conscious we are in a residential area. We need to think of our neighbors," he said.
Murray thought Wimbledon should stay a daytime tournament and not adopt regular night-time sessions.
"You can`t really do it. I don`t think for the outside courts and stuff. They can`t play because of the dew and they don`t have floodlights. I like it being a day event."
Once the euphoria of novelty had died down, Wimbledon spokesman Perkins agreed: "It was an historic occasion but as with all historic occasions, it is best if they don`t happen too often."
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Related articles:
Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic

Slam stays open-air despite Murray`s roof epic

(WIMBLEDON, NIGHT, MURRAY, AUSTRALIAN, PERKINS, REGULAR)

By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - "Andymonium" reigned supreme at Wimbledon as fans of newly crowned "King of The Night" Andy Murray threatened to blow the new roof off Center Court.
But Wimbledon officials were quick on Tuesday to stress after Murray`s epic night marathon that the world`s most famous tennis tournament would always be a daytime, open-air event.
Players at Wimbledon will not be following the U.S. and Australian Opens with matches played deep into the night.
Anyone who watched the first late night match in the cathedral of tennis will never forget the deafening roar on Monday evening.
The British third seed got a standing ovation from 15,000 screaming fans who leapt to their feet whenever he struck a winner in his titanic five-set victory over Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.
Forget the British stiff upper lip. Reserve was abandoned. Fans punched the air, cheering till they were hoarse. Union Jack flags were frenetically waved.
"At the end, that was probably the noisiest crowd I played in front of," Murray said.
But he was not complaining. "Support is great. If it`s loud, then it`s better."
Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins, reflecting on Murray`s gladiatorial fourth-round battle with Wawrinka, said: "The only danger to the roof was that it could have been blown off by the crowds."
London`s transport system was suddenly confronted late at night with thousands of spectators pouring onto the streets in search of a bus or a train.
"A lot of people descended on the system when not expected. This will not be a regular experience," Perkins told Reuters.
"This is not the start of regular night shifts. This is not the U.S. or the Australian Open. We are conscious we are in a residential area. We need to think of our neighbors," he said.
Murray thought Wimbledon should stay a daytime tournament and not adopt regular night-time sessions.
"You can`t really do it. I don`t think for the outside courts and stuff. They can`t play because of the dew and they don`t have floodlights. I like it being a day event."
Once the euphoria of novelty had died down, Wimbledon spokesman Perkins agreed: "It was an historic occasion but as with all historic occasions, it is best if they don`t happen too often."
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Costs squeeze profits at Japan`s baseball teams

(BASEBALL, REVENUE, TEAMS, THEIR, COSTS, TIMES)

By Junko Fujita
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese baseball pulls in the fans, produces the players and rakes in revenue many American clubs would be proud of -- but in terms of profit they still languish in the little league.
Despite earning similar revenues to Major League Baseball teams in North America, few of Japan`s 12 big professional outfits say they are profitable, prompting even their once-indulgent owners to cut costs in tough times.
Add in the credit crunch and sliding TV revenues and teams are tightening their purse strings in ever more dramatic and visible ways, including the imminent departure of high-profile American manager Bobby Valentine from the Chiba Lotte Marines.
"However hard Japanese baseball teams work to cut costs and boost revenue, most of them can`t become profitable," said Munehiko Harada, a sports management professor at Waseda University. "They have done so much but they are still struggling. We might be seeing the limit of their potential now."
The contrast with U.S. teams, almost all of which are reported to be profitable according to a Forbes magazine list, comes down to huge stadium fees faced by Japan`s teams.
DIFFICULT TIMES
U.S. baseball teams typically own stadiums or get subsidized access to public facilities but most Japanese teams hire venues at commercial rates, often from private investors.
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks pay 4.8 billion yen ($49 million) a year, a quarter of their annual revenue, to the Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC), owner of the team`s home stadium, said Itaru Kobayashi, a team director.
That is about seven times the sum the New York Yankees paid New York City for its former home, the Yankee Stadium, records from the New York City Comptroller`s Office show.
The Hawks, now owned by a mobile phone company, Softbank Corp, have never made a profit since the team was founded in 1938 despite having the fourth-highest audience.
"I always ask myself why it costs so much to operate a baseball team in Japan," Kobayashi laments.
Japanese teams survive because their losses are treated as tax-deductible marketing costs for their corporate owners, which include meat packer Nippon Meat Packers Inc, leasing company Orix Corp and drink maker Yakult Honsha.
But the sustainability of that model may be in doubt as team owners such as Orix, with a huge exposure to a troubled property market, face difficult times.
FIGHTING BACK
The departure of just one team could threaten a 60-year-old system of two leagues with just six teams each, as it did when high costs drove out Kintetsu Corp`s Buffaloes.  Continued...
Original article

McGehee grand slam propels Brewers to top spot

(BREWERS, FIRST, PLACE, MCGEHEE, INNING, THREE)

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Milwaukee Brewers moved into sole possession of first place in the National League Central with a 10-6 victory over the slumping New York Mets on Monday, the win highlighted by Casey McGehee`s first career grand slam.
McGehee acknowledged a curtain call ovation from the 39,872 fans at Miller Park after his sixth inning blast, winning over the same spectators who booed him for dropping a routine fly ball that led to two New York runs in the top of the inning.
"If somebody would have told me this time last year I`d have 40,000 people calling me out of a dugout for a curtain call, I would`ve said they were lying," McGehee, who has hit all five of his career homers in the last 13 games, told reporters.
"I didn`t really know what was going on. I`m just glad I was able to redeem myself a little bit."
Milwaukee`s win combined with the Cardinals` 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants put the Brewers (41-35) one game ahead of St Louis in the division, while the Mets lost their fourth straight game.
Braden Looper (6-4) went 6 1/3 innings for the win. Four relievers finished the game, including Trevor Hoffman, who came on in the ninth and needed just one pitch to induce a double-play and record his 18th save in 19 chances.
J.J. Hardy had four hits, including a homer, and Jason Kendall added three hits and an RBI for the Brewers, who had 19 hits off five New York pitchers.
"We were all really excited for him," Hardy said of McGehee, who was playing in just his 50th Major League contest.
"It`s also great to get into first place."
New York (37-38) fell one game under .500 for the first time since May 5 and slipped into third place in the NL East, three games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies.
"If we cannot sustain a level of .500 play, then yeah, we need help," New York manager Jerry Manuel said. "We`re a below average team. Period."
Fernando Nieve (3-1) was roughed up for three runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings and took the loss. Gary Sheffield homered, had three hits and three RBI and Ryan Church had four hits for New York.
(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by John O`Brien)
Original article

Williams sisters head for familiar final tussle

(VENUS, SERENA, WIMBLEDON, HAVING, COURT, GRAND)

By Neil Maidment
LONDON (Reuters) - Sisters Venus and Serena Williams will go into Tuesday`s quarter-finals increasingly confident of setting up a fourth family showdown in the Wimbledon final.
Five-times Wimbledon winner Venus has ground to make up, having lost twice here to Serena in 2002 and 2003 before enjoying success in the 2008 showpiece.
Third seed Venus, consigned to Court One for the second day in a row despite being defending champion, faces Polish 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska having won the last three of her four encounters with the Pole.
Opening on Center Court will be Russian top seed Dinara Safina, who will enjoy her second consecutive day in the limelight against unseeded German Sabine Lisicki, despite not having yet won a grand slam title.
Serena will follow Safina as the American continues her quest for an 11th grand slam title against eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Serena, who destroyed Slovakia`s Daniela Hantuchova on Monday, will be looking for revenge having lost to Azarenka in this year`s Miami final.
Last up on Court One is unseeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy who plays Russian fourth seed and serial grand slam semi-finalist Elena Dementieva.
Dementieva has reached the semi-final at every grand slam event including three at Wimbledon in 2000, 2005 and 2008 and is tied 4-4 in her head-to-head record with Schiavone.
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Related articles:
Murray wins thriller under new roof

Murray wins thriller under new roof

(SECOND, MONDAY, FIRST, CHAMPION, THIRD, TITLE)

By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - Heatwave conditions heralded the start of Wimbledon`s second week on Monday as the surviving 32 men and women in the singles draws chased quarter-finals slots.
With the mercury shooting past 30 degrees as Elena Dementieva polished off fellow Russian Elena Vesnina to become the first player into the last eight, fans grabbing spots near Henman Hill`s huge video screen in advance of the Andy Murray show later sizzled in the sunshine.
Defending women`s champion Venus Williams, looking for a third consecutive title here, was able to conserve vital energy, the American third seed strolling through to the quarters when tearful Serbian opponent Ana Ivanovic retired after losing the first set 6-1.
Like the third round of a golf major, nicknamed moving day, when the top players begin to rise up the leaderboard, Wimbledon`s second Monday is traditionally the moment when the main title contenders turn it up a notch.
Men`s favorite Roger Federer, seeking to reclaim the title he has won five times, has not been absent from the second week of Wimbledon since 2002, the year before his domination of the grasscourt slam began.
Federer, on course for a record 15th grand slam title, was scheduled first on Center Court for his fourth-round match against Robin Soderling, the Swede he beat in the French Open final earlier this month.
At times during the first week Federer appeared to be playing exhibition tennis, so untroubled was his progress, Soderling`s grass scorching serve and the baking temperatures should make the cool-as-a-cucumber Swiss break sweat.
SOARING TEMPERATURES
With older sister Venus already safely through, twice champion Serena Williams was also expected to make short work of unseeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova in the furnace-like bowl of Court Two.
Murray, the 22-year-old Scot tipped as Federer`s most likely opponent in the men`s singles final on Sunday, has become a tea-time fixture at this year`s championships.
The world number three was again scheduled third on Center Court to play the second best tennis player in Switzerland, Stanislas Wawrinka, when temperatures should have dipped to more comfortable levels.
Support for Murray has grown steadily since the start of the tournament and expectation levels, like the temperatures, are soaring with acres of newsprint mapping out the Scot`s likely route to greatness.
"The biggest question mark this week is whether Murray can maintain his poise," former men`s champion Boris Becker, now a BBC pundit, said on Monday. "If he can, then he is going all the way to the final."
Lleyton Hewitt`s vocal fan club, the Fanatics, will be back on Court Two to watch the 2002 champion take on Radek Stepanek having serenaded the Australian battler into the last 16 for a sixth consecutive year on Saturday.
After a first week of record-breaking crowds, up almost 10 percent on last year, large queues of hot and bothered fans snaked toward the All England Club again on Monday with another busy day expected for the club`s first-aiders.  Continued...
Original article

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Early slip costs Barnes outright lead

Russians enjoy mixed success in 4th round of Wimbledon

(WHILE, DEMENTIEVA, RUSSIAN, SAFINA, 6-3, PLAYER, WIMBLEDON)

Maria Sharapova poses, plays down Wimbledon hopes
MOSCOW, June 29 (RIA Novosti) - World No. 1 Dinara Safina and fellow Russian Yelena Dementieva won on Monday to secure places in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, while two compatriots were knocked out.
Top seed Safina enjoyed a narrow victory over Amelie Mauresmo, beating the French player in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, while No. 4 seed Dementieva sent another Russian Yelena Vesnina home in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
A fourth Russian player, Nadia Petrova (10), is also packing her bags after losing to Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (6) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 3-6.
Safina will play against Germany`s Sabine Lisicki for a semifinal place while Dementieva faces Francesca Schiavone of Italy.
 
Original article

Villarreal confirm interest in Pavlyuchenko

(MILLION, RUSSIAN, PAVLYUCHENKO, PAPER, TOTTENHAM, MOSCOW, TRANSFER)

MOSCOW, June 29 (RIA Novosti) - Spanish club Villarreal have confirmed their interest in Tottenham Hotspur`s Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko, Sport Express said on Monday.
The paper cited a Villarreal spokesman as saying that the former Spartak Moscow striker was one of the players the club was looking at to bolster its attacking force.
However, the paper also said that as the side was not prepared to spend more than 12 million euros ($16.8 million), a loan deal was the most likely option. Tottenham paid some $28 million for Pavlyuchenko last August.
Pavlyuchenko scored 14 times for Tottenham in his debut season. However, the majority of these goals came in the less-prestigious Carling Cup.
In other transfer news, Sport Express said that a deal to take CSKA Moscow`s Russian international Yury Zhirkov to Chelsea could be concluded in the next 48 hours. The Russian club could earn as much as $33 million from the transfer, the paper said.
The attacking left midfielder / defender has been an integral part of CSKA`s and Russia`s success over the past few years, scoring the second goal in a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the 2005 UEFA Cup final and starting every game in Russia`s run to the semifinals of Euro 2008.
He was recommended to the club by Russian national coach Guus Hiddink, who managed Chelsea from February to the end of the 2008/2009 season.
 
Original article

Three Russian women through to fourth round at Wimbledon

(ROUND, MATCH, VESNINA, PETROVA, DEMENTIEVA, 64, FRENCH)

MOSCOW, June 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia`s Dementieva, Petrova and Vesnina all made their way through to the fourth round of Wimbledon on Friday.
Twenty-seven-year-old Elena Dementieva trounced her unseeded compatriot, Regina Kulikova, in just under an hour 6:1, 6:2 to set up a fourth round meeting with another Russian, Elena Vesnina.
Vesnina, ranked 37th in the world, dropped the second set in her three-set thriller against Slovakia`s Dominika Cibulkova, seeded 14, but dug deep in the third to break the Slovak`s serve and win the match 7:5, 4:6, 6:4.
Earlier Nadia Petrova, seeded tenth, was also involved in a three setter against Argentine Gisela Dulko, who dumped Maria Sharapova earlier in the week. Petrova dropped the first set but her power began to tell as she broke back to take the final two sets and run away with the match 3:6, 6:3, 6:4.
In a post-match interview Dementieva, who was the 2008 Wimbledon semifinalist, said that she had been working on her fitness following her surprise third-round defeat in the French Open.
"I took some time off after the French Open and was working on my fitness and I was more focused on the footwork and just the core build exercise. I just started to practice a couple days before Eastbourne and came there early to get used to the surface. It`s really worked for me," the Olympic gold medalist winner told journalists.
 
Original article

Russian billionaire Prokhorov may buy NBA`s New Jersey Nets

(PROKHOROV, RUSSIAN, WEBSITE, BASKETBALL, RICHEST, PLANS, WOULD)

Prokhorov jumps to top of Russian richest list, Deripaska tumbles
Richest Russians
MOSCOW, June 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is part of one of four groups interested in buying the New Jersey Nets basketball team, Sports Illustrated reported on Friday on its website.
SI said a highly placed National Basketball Association source predicted that Prokhorov - Russia`s richest man according to this year`s Forbes list - would get through the league`s vetting process for prospective owners.
The Sports.ru website said that the businessman`s Onexim group had denied having plans to buy the Nets.
"Mikhail Prokhorov has not made any plans to purchase this club nor held any negotiations," Igor Petrov was quoted as saying.
The 2.06-meter (6-foot-9) Prokhorov is known to be a big basketball fan, and as a major shareholder in Norilsk Nickel funded the Euroleague champions CSKA Moscow, before selling his stake in the metals giant last year.
He has long been interested in buying an NBA franchise, and has entered into preliminary negotiations with several teams, Sports.ru reported.
"Prokhorov would prefer to acquire a team, firstly, on the East Coast, where it`s easier for him to fly, and secondly, in a city where there are Russians," the website quoted a source as saying. "New Jersey fits this plan perfectly: it is virtually in New York, and soon will be right in New York - the team plans to move to Brooklyn."
 
Original article

Arsenal`s Andrei Arshavin dismisses his agent

(ARSHAVIN, CONTRACT, HOWEVER, ARSENAL, THINGS, EXPRESS, PROBLEM)

MOSCOW, June 26 (RIA Novosti) - Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin has parted company with his agent, the player`s official website announced on Friday.
Dennis Lachter was regularly quoted by world sports media as Arshavin`s protracted, and at times torturous, move to Arsenal from Zenit St. Petersburg dragged on. Arshavin eventually signed for the London club in February.
He has however expressed dissatisfaction with his contract, worth 80,000 pounds ($127,000) a week.
"I have a problem with my contract. Certain nuances emerged linked to taxation and some other things. As a result, I`m getting less money than I expected. It`s not critical but I still need to put it right," the player told The Mail on Sunday in May.
However, the Russian international denied that contract problems lay behind his decision.
"This is in no way connected with the drawing up of my contract with Arsenal," Arshavin told Sport Express. "In fact, I would like to express my immense gratitude to Lachter for helping me make the move."
"However, Dennis, who has a newborn son, is living in Israel and can not be close by all the time. It`s simpler for me to solve things myself," he said.
 
Original article

Ukraine`s Euro 2012 prospects bleak admits President Yushchenko

(UKRAINE, UEFA, CONFIRMED, 30, VENUE, NOVEMBER, CITIES)

MOSCOW, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Euro 2012 joint host Ukraine faces serious difficulties in completing preparations for the tournament, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Thursday.
Ukraine has been hard hit by the global financial crisis, and delays in the implementation of plans to improve infrastructure have lagged far behind UEFA requirements. UEFA president Michel Platini said recently that, "There are huge infrastructure problems to be resolved in Ukraine."
European football`s governing body has so far only confirmed that the capital, Kiev, will host games, although it has not yet approved the city as the venue for the final. A decision on the suitability of the three other cities - Donetsk, Lvov and Kharkov - will be made on November 30.
"November 30 is Judgment Day," Yushchenko said, as quoted by the Rosbalt news agency. "Believe me, I don`t want to play the role of a bearer of bad news, but all of this is a major warning."
Ukraine and Poland were named as joint hosts for the tournament in April 2007. All four Polish cities put forward for Euro 2012 - Warsaw (opening game), Poznan, Wroclaw and Gdansk - have been confirmed by UEFA as venues.
 
Original article

Zenit `offer Fenerbahce $14 million for Spanish striker Guiza`

(TURKISH, 2008, GUIZA, RUSSIAN, ZENIT, MILLION, RUMORED)

ANKARA, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Zenit St. Petersburg have offered Fenerbahce 10 million euros ($14 million) and Turkish striker Fatih Tekke for Spanish international Daniel Guiza, Turkish media said on Thursday.
Talks between the two clubs are believed to have been continuing for the past 10 days and a decision is expected by the end of the week.
Fenerbahce signed 28-year-old Guiza from Mallorca in July 2008 for 14 million euros. However, the forward has scored a mere 16 times in 50 matches since joining the Turkish side.
Guiza is well known to Russian football fans, scoring in Spain`s 3-0 semifinal win over Russia at last summer`s Euro 2008.
Zenit trainer Dick Advocaat has transfer-listed Tekke over what he called his "unprofessional;" attitude.
There has so far been no official comment on the rumored deal.
Zenit are currently in 7th place in the Russian Premier League after 12 games. The club has lost a number of key players since lighting up the European arena in 2008, with Andrei Arshavin leaving for Arsenal, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk signing for Bayern Munich, and Argentine star Alejandro Dominguez returning to Rubin FC.
Russian international Pavel Pogrebnyak is also rumored to be on his way out, possibly to an English Premier League club.
 
Original article

Roddick outguns Berdych to set up Hewitt clash

(BERDYCH, AFTER, RODDICK)

LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Roddick booked a tantalizing quarter-final date against former champion Lleyton Hewitt after outgunning Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6 6-4 6-3 at Wimbledon on Monday.
The American sixth seed fired down 24 aces as he outclassed the 20th seed with a combination of guile and power.
After giving Berdych the runaround, Roddick sealed his place in the last eight here for the fifth time when his opponent could only paddle a backhand into the net.
Berdych had been one of only two men who had not dropped a set coming into the fourth round but he failed to trouble Roddick with his baseline tactics and went out after an hour and 48 minutes.
(Editing by Miles Evans)
Original article

Top U.S. court agrees to hear case on NFL licensing

(COURT, AMERICAN, NEEDLE, NFL, LEAGUE, NATIONAL, ANTITRUST)

By Ben Klayman
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court said on Monday it would decide whether the National Football League should be treated as a single entity under federal antitrust law in a dispute over an exclusive license to make caps and other headgear.
In a case that could affect other sports leagues, the court agreed to hear an appeal from American Needle Inc, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, on whether the NFL and its 32 teams can be sued under federal antitrust laws for signing an exclusive licensing deal with Reebok International in 2001.
The case will be argued during the court`s upcoming term that begins in October. A decision is expected in the first half of next year.
American Needle, a former licensee of the NFL, challenged the deal, which offered Reebok an exclusive license for 10 years according to court documents, claiming the NFL was 32 separate business entities and not a "single entity" as the popular professional sports league said.
Germany`s Adidas AG bought Reebok in 2006 for $3.8 billion in a move to boost its U.S. presence.
In its original lawsuit, American Needle had charged the NFL with unlawful restraint of trade and monopolizing the team products licensing, manufacturing and wholesale markets by violating antitrust laws by working too closely together, according to court documents. The cost of basic fitted caps jumped to $30 from $19.99, American Needle said in court documents.
American Needle lost the case in U.S. District Court as well as in the federal appeals court in Chicago in 2008.
"American Needle has pursued this litigation because it feels that if it could compete for the use of NFL trademarks in selling hats that it could provide lower priced merchandise than is currently available on the market," said Glen Nager, an attorney at Jones Day, which is representing American Needle.
The NFL also had urged the Supreme Court to take the case in the hope of winning a national victory, as it and other sports leagues have lost similar cases in other appeals courts.
"We look forward to the opportunity to explain why the court should confirm and extend on a nationwide basis the favorable rulings of the Court of Appeals on the application of the antitrust laws to the unique structure of a sports league," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.
The National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League filed briefs supporting the NFL with the Supreme Court, while Major league Baseball, which has an antitrust exemption on many issues, did not.
The U.S. Justice Department had urged the Supreme Court not to hear the case, saying neither American Needle nor the NFL had presented a question warranting review by the justices.
The case is American Needle v. National Football League, No. 08-661.
(Additional reporting by James Vicini in Washington; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)
Original article

No rest for U.S. as they prepare for Gold Cup defense

(CONFEDERATIONS, THEIR, BRADLEY, SQUAD, GREAT, GROUP, US)

By Mark Gleeson
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - United States switch attention from the Confederations Cup, where they finished runners-up to Brazil on Sunday, to defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup this weekend.
Exhausted yet exhilarated by their exertions in South Africa, where they fought back in style to earn a place in the final after losing their first two games, the Americans leave for home on Monday to seek another trophy.
However, coach Bob Bradley has chosen just four players from his 23-man Confederations squad to play in the Gold Cup. The team kickoff against Grenada in Seattle on Saturday.
"It`s been a great experience here, we`ll turn the page quickly and get to work with the group. The Gold Cup is still very important to us," Bradley told Reuters before leaving for a 25-hour flight and a change of 10 time zones.
"We knew it was going to be a challenging summer. We go to the Gold Cup with a new squad but it`s a great opportunity for some of the new players.
"It`s different to the Confederations Cup but it`s still the championship of our confederation. We take it very seriously, it`s played in the U.S. and we want to do well," added Bradley.
The Americans, who also face Honduras and Haiti in their opening-round group, have won the last two Gold Cups in 2005 and 2007 and it was as champions of the CONCACAF region that they competed in the Confederations Cup.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
Original article

U.S. sprinters to shine in Berlin: coaches

(METERS, OLYMPIC, CHAMPION, MEDALIST, 200, HURDLES, 100)

By Gene Cherry
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - The U.S. team at August`s world athletics championships are expected to take the fast track to success, with coaches tipping sprinters and hurdlers to lead the way in Berlin.
"We have put together a great team," women`s head coach Chandra Cheeseborough told Reuters at the conclusion of the four-day U.S. trials on Sunday.
"I really like the make-up of this team," men`s coach Harvey Glance added. "We have seasoned veterans, but I also like the fact we have some rookies."
Hurdles squads for both men and women should be especially strong after Olympic bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson and a rejuvenated Lashinda Demus delivered season-leading times in winning 400 meters hurdles titles.
Olympic champion Dawn Harper looked impressive in a wind-assisted women`s 100 hurdles with Beijing silver medalist David Payne claiming the men`s 110 hurdles with a narrow win over Terrence Trammell, twice an Olympic silver medalist.
Top American sprinter Tyson Gay ran only one race at the trials, as the defending 100 and 200 meters world champion has an automatic bye to Berlin in both events.
However, he showed plenty of speed in his only appearance, clocking a wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in a 100 meters preliminary round.
CRAWFORD FAST
Equally impressive was 2004 Olympic 200 meters champion Shawn Crawford. Although now 31, Crawford zipped through his final in a windy 19.73 seconds, his fastest time ever.
The 400 meters also looks strong with Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt heading the team that will also include world champion Jeremy Wariner, who ran the 200 at the trials.
The 2004 Olympic long jump champion Dwight Phillips had also returned to form, Glance noted while adding that he expected an improved showing from U.S. shot putters compared to Beijing.
Injuries knocked out Olympic decathlon champion Bryan Clay, sprint hurdles medalist David Oliver and Walter Dix, bronze medalist in the Olympic 100 and 200 meters.
"Clay`s injury, that was a big blow," Glance said. "But overall I don`t think this team takes a great blow."
Cheeseborough expressed delight in her team`s mixture.
"In the sprints, the young ladies have done well," she said, referring to 100 meters winner Carmelita Jeter, 200 meters world champion Allyson Felix and 400 meters U.S. winner Sanya Richards.  Continued...
Original article

Brazil fight back to sink U.S.

(BRAZIL, US, DONOVAN, HOWARD, HEADER, AFTER, BEFORE)

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Holders Brazil fought back from 2-0 down with three second-half goals to beat the United States 3-2 and win the Confederations Cup for the third time in an entertaining final Sunday.
The U.S., who shocked Spain in the semis, looked set to complete an even greater upset when goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan put them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard produced several good saves before striker Luis Fabiano took his tournament tally to five just after the restart and he equalized with a header.
Brazil captain Lucio completed his side`s stunning recovery when he rose superbly to power home an Elano corner six minutes from time.
The match was a fitting climax to an outstanding tournament which provided shocks, excellent football and noisy crowds, auguring well for next year`s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The U.S. stunned Brazil by taking the lead with a fortuitous goal by Dempsey.
He connected with Jonathan Spector`s cross and although he did not get a perfect touch the ball sped past Julio Cesar.
Astonishingly, the Americans doubled their lead after 27 minutes.
Donovan started the move deep in his own half when he found Ricardo Clark who broke down the left before sending a perfect cross back to Donovan.
His first touch wrong-footed Ramires, creating an opening for the striker who switched the ball to his left foot and cracked it past Julio Cesar for his 40th international goal in his 114th match.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Brazil had beaten the U.S. 14 times in 15 previous meetings but keeper Howard kept the outsiders firmly in control with a number of fine saves.
Brazil had the majority of the possession but rarely threatened until a minute after the restart when Luis Fabiano turned and shot through the legs of a defender in one movement.
Brazil twice went close to an equalizer, Howard pulling off an excellent diving save from a Lucio header and getting lucky when Kaka`s downward header looked to have crossed the line before the keeper held on to it.
But he was not quite as fortunate the next time Brazil hit the bar.  Continued...
Original article

Related articles:
Brazil fight back to sink U.S. in Confederations Cup final

"Tired" Bolt cruises to 200m title in Jamaica

(JAMAICAN, WORLD, LITTLE, METERS, I`M, CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEFORE)

By Simon Evans
KINGSTON (Reuters) - Double Olympic champion Usain Bolt won the Jamaican 200 meters national title on Sunday, his first run at that distance this year, but conceded he is far from top shape ahead of the world championships in August.
After bursting through the bend, Bolt eased off in the final stages to finish with a time of 20.25, nearly a full second shy of his world record 19.30 set at the final of the Beijing Games last year.
"I`m feeling alright, I`m a little bit tired because I am not really in the best shape of my life, but I`m OK," Bolt told reporters after the race.
"There were a lot of fast guys behind me so I ran the corner pretty hard and then I came off and saw where I was and shut it down -- it was ok," said Bolt, who also won the 100 meters race on Saturday.
In contrast to his dancing jubilation in Beijing, a no-nonsense Bolt crossed the line without celebration in front of cheering home fans to finish ahead of Steve Mullings, second with 20.40, and Marvin Anderson on 20.63.
The run was enough to win the national title and secure passage to the world championships, but betrayed little of the awesome power the Jamaican revealed at last year`s edition in the lead-up to Beijing.
"I`m probably a little bit back, compared to that. I`ve still got a lot of work to do, day by day. But I am ready to do it," he said.
"I ran the corner very well I think and my coach will decide what to do to improve it."
SHOW-DOWN
Bolt faces a showdown in Berlin with world champion Tyson Gay, who last week said he could break the Jamaican`s 100m record if he could improve his start.
After winning the national 100m title on Saturday, Bolt hit back by declaring the American had little chance of setting a new mark.
The Jamaican said he hoped to come up against his main rivals, Gay among them, at least once before the world championships in Berlin.
"I wouldn`t mind meeting them in every race in the build-up so I know what I have to do but at least once before would be good," Bolt said.
Bolt and Gay may face off before the worlds at the London Grand Prix, with the Jamaican signed up and discussions being held with the American`s camp, according to organizers of the July 24-25 event.
Like Bolt, two-time women`s 200 meters Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown had little trouble securing first place in the Jamaican trials, holding off rival and 100 meters gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser to win in 22.40.  Continued...
Original article

French Open final repeat up next for Federer

By Tom Pilcher
LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer will have happy memories of his last encounter with Swede Robin Soderling at Roland Garros and will be hoping for a similar outcome when he opens the play on Wimbledon`s Center Court on Monday.
The Swiss master swept past Soderling to clinch his 14th grand slam title earlier this month, a performance so convincing on what is statistically Federer`s weakest surface that the 27-year-old is a big favorite to reach the last eight.
British world number three Andy Murray will again play last on the main show court against Swiss number two and 19th seed Stanislas Wawrinka, while in between stands an interesting duel between women`s world number one Dinara Safina and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo of France.
Over on Court One holder Venus Williams, chasing a sixth title here, starts proceedings against Serbia`s Ana Ivanovic, then Spain`s number seven seed Fernando Verdasco is next in the firing line for Croatian ace-machine Ivo Karlovic.
The line judges will again need lightning reflexes to dodge the bullets from another massive server, American Andy Roddick, who is last on court against Czech Tomas Berdych.
Serena Williams finds herself on Court Two where she faces the unseeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. That match is followed by former champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia up against Czech Radek Stepanek.
Serbia`s world number four Novak Djokovic is the latest top four player consigned to an outside court. The 2008 Australian Open champion plays Dudi Sela of Israel on Court Four.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
Original article

White Sox claim battle of Chicago with shutout win

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago White Sox took the decider of their three-game series with cross-town rivals the Cubs, as John Danks and Scott Linebrink combined on a four-hitter in the 6-0 win on Sunday.
Danks struck out five and walked four over seven innings, while Linebrink struck out four in two perfect relief innings to give the Sox their second straight win over the Cubs after losing the series opener.
Danks also beat the Cubs 4-1 on June 17 and has allowed just one earned run in his 14 innings against them this season.
"I didn`t throw as many strikes this time around, but I feel like I was still able to make the big pitch when I had to and guys were making plays all over the field for me," Danks told reporters.
Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the third inning and that was all the runs the Sox would need, but Jermaine Dye also hit a solo homer for the winners. Chris Getz stole home for another run in the sixth inning.
The White Sox took two of three games during the week against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the best record in the majors, and then won two of three in this series.
Manager Ozzie Guillen was not ready to talk up the team`s prospects despite their run of good form, however.
"I`m going to take it one day at a time and try to move on real sneaky and quiet and see where we are in September," Guillen said.
Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano (4-3) struggled, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.
"You have to give credit to the other pitcher, Danks," Zambrano said. "Sometimes the other pitcher comes with his best stuff, and there`s nothing you can do about it."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella was frank about Zambrano`s performance.
"He was so-so," Piniella said.
The White Sox lead the all-time series 36-35, with the teams yet to play a make-up game later this season from their first series at Wrigley Field.
(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Ian Ransom)
Original article

Contador out to hold off Armstrong

By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong`s return to the race he dominated for seven years should not stop team mate and hot favorite Alberto Contador from stamping his authority on a Tour de France more scrutinised than ever before.
Spaniard Contador, winner in 2007, will lead the Astana team but with deluxe domestiques like Armstrong and Tour podium finishers Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloeden, his margin for error is extremely slim.
The Armstrong v Contador rivalry is reminiscent of that between Bernard Hinault and American Greg LeMond, who won the 1986 race despite repeated attacks from his French team mate.
Although Astana manager Johan Bruyneel made clear Contador would be the leader and Armstrong his lieutenant, the seven-times champion is likely to try his luck early in the race to turn the hierarchy upside down.
"I would love to be a little mouse and see how it goes within Astana," Tour director Christian Prudhomme told Reuters.
"Contador will have only a week, and actually two stages, to show he is the boss in his own team."
The opening 15.5-km time trial in Monaco on Saturday should give an indication of the favorites` form on a course tailor-made for climber Contador with its 7.5-km ascent to the Cote de Beausoleil in the first part.
Contador, one of only five riders with victories in all three Grand Tours, is also expected to make a move in the seventh stage which finishes with an out-of-category climb to Arcalis.
Should he still be in contention at that time, Armstrong, back on the bike after 3 1/2 years in retirement, is convinced he can cause an upset.
"I feel strong, I feel strong enough to win," he told French radio Europe 1. "It will be close. Three to one."
SCHLECK THREAT
But Contador has shown he has no rival when the slopes get really steep and he has dramatically improved against the clock as he proved by winning the Spanish time trial title last week.
The ascent in the penultimate stage to the Mont Ventoux, where Armstrong has often struggled, will be his last master card.
"I`m a much stronger rider all round," the 26-year-old told Reuters.
Contador will also have rivals outside his team.  Continued...
Original article

Perry seals River Highlands win with flawless 63

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kenny Perry held off late charges by fellow Americans David Toms and Paul Goydos with a superb all-round display to win the Travelers Championship by three shots in Cromwell, Connecticut on Sunday.
The 48-year-old, who began the final round a stroke off the pace, fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 at the rain-softened TPC River Highlands to clinch his 14th PGA Tour title.
Perry, who needed only 25 putts, birdied four of the last nine holes on a sun-drenched afternoon to set a tournament record total of 22-under 258.
"It`s hard to talk right now," an emotional Perry said in a greenside interview after parring the last and raising both arms in celebration before removing his cap.
"This is as good a win as I`ve ever had, the way I finished today. To shoot 22-under par and break the all-time record of all the great champions that are on this trophy, it`s unbelievable.
"I knew there was so many guys right there in contention who could catch me ... I knew I had to keep making birdies. I wasn`t going to play defensive golf," Perry added, after winning his second title this year.
Toms birdied two of the last four holes for a 65 to finish in a tie for second with 54-hole leader Goydos, who closed with a 67.
American Hunter Mahan, the 2007 champion, signed off with a 64 to share fourth place at 17-under with compatriots Ben Curtis (65) and Ryan Moore (64).
A stroke behind the pacesetting Goydos overnight, Perry took control with three birdies in the first eight holes.
TWO-SHOT SWING
He benefited from a two-shot swing with his birdie at the par-three eighth after playing partner Goydos bogeyed the hole when three-putting from 28 feet.
Two ahead of the chasing pack at the turn, Perry tightened his grip with further birdies on 10 and 11 where he drained putts from 16 and 28 feet.
He lipped out with a long-range birdie attempt at the 14th before sinking an 11-footer at the 15th to forge three strokes clear.
Although Toms cut the deficit to two with a birdie at the par-three 16th, Perry responded at the par-four 17th, hitting a seven-iron approach to eight feet and nervelessly holing the putt.
"That seven-iron was one of the sweetest shots I`ve hit in a long time to give me birdie and a three-shot cushion to make the 18th hole, where I didn`t have to stress out," Perry said.
Goydos covered the last four holes in four under after eagling the 15th but was left to rue missed birdie putts from inside eight feet at the ninth and 17th.  Continued...
Original article

Brazil fight back to sink U.S. in Confederations Cup final

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Holders Brazil fought back from 2-0 down with three second-half goals to beat the United States 3-2 and win the Confederations Cup for the third time in an entertaining final Sunday.
The U.S., who shocked Spain in the semis, looked set to complete an even greater upset when goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan put them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard produced several good saves before striker Luis Fabiano took his tournament tally to five just after the restart and he equalized with a header.
Brazil captain Lucio completed his side`s stunning recovery when he rose superbly to power home an Elano corner six minutes from time.
The match was a fitting climax to an outstanding tournament which provided shocks, excellent football and noisy crowds, auguring well for next year`s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The U.S. stunned Brazil by taking the lead with a fortuitous goal by Dempsey.
He connected with Jonathan Spector`s cross and although he did not get a perfect touch the ball sped past Julio Cesar.
Astonishingly, the Americans doubled their lead after 27 minutes.
Donovan started the move deep in his own half when he found Ricardo Clark who broke down the left before sending a perfect cross back to Donovan.
His first touch wrong-footed Ramires, creating an opening for the striker who switched the ball to his left foot and cracked it past Julio Cesar for his 40th international goal in his 114th match.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Brazil had beaten the U.S. 14 times in 15 previous meetings but keeper Howard kept the outsiders firmly in control with a number of fine saves.
Brazil had the majority of the possession but rarely threatened until a minute after the restart when Luis Fabiano turned and shot through the legs of a defender in one movement.
Brazil twice went close to an equalizer, Howard pulling off an excellent diving save from a Lucio header and getting lucky when Kaka`s downward header looked to have crossed the line before the keeper held on to it.
But he was not quite as fortunate the next time Brazil hit the bar.  Continued...
Original article

Federer ready to make Soderling feel queasy

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Facing Roger Federer on grass is usually a daunting enough prospect but lining up against the Swiss with a dodgy stomach could make Robin Soderling feel more than a little queasy on Monday.
The Swede has been in the Federer firing line 10 times and on each occasion he has come off second best.
The most recent was in the French Open final and just three weeks on from that drubbing, Soderling is hoping to find a quick cure for his health problems if he is to have any chance of upsetting a man chasing a record 15th grand slam title.
"My stomach has been pretty bad since Wednesday, so I didn`t eat a lot. I felt pretty bad," said the 13th seed after reaching the second week of the grasscourt major for the first time.
"And it`s tough to play against Roger. I`ve played him 10 times, and after the match I never felt like I played well.
"It`s not because of me, I think it`s because of him. It`s tough to play well against him, put it that way. I`d like to improve everything from Paris."
Revamping his game in just 22 days is almost a mission impossible. Gifted with a thunderous forehand, Soderling has the ability to leave many opponents huffing and puffing as they chase after his winners.
He also employs a high-risk strategy of blunting his opponents strengths instead of exploiting their weaknesses. Those tactics can catch out most players but Federer is no ordinary rival.
FREE-FLOWING BEST
The five-times champion and favorite to reclaim the title snatched from his grasp last year by Rafael Nadal, has been at his free-flowing best during the opening week and there is little to suggest that anyone will be able to stop him from gliding into his seventh successive final here.
The second seed left Lu Yen-hsun, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Philipp Kohlschreiber in a spin to make the last 16.
"What stands out to me, is that I`ve beaten him so many times that it gives me an incredible amount of confidence, knowing that if I do play my game well, I should be fine," said Federer, who has lost just once in his last 69 matches on grass.
"It`s going to be interesting to see how he`s going to enter that match after coping with such a long tournament in Paris and see how fresh he still is. But I`ve played him here in the past, and I`ve played him on grass a few times now.
"Yeah, I`m definitely got to be ready for that match."
Soderling, however, was not quite ready to wave the white flag.  Continued...
Original article

Ivanovic to use past lessons in Venus clash

By Kylie MacLellan
LONDON (Reuters) - Former French Open winner Ana Ivanovic will draw on lessons from her last Wimbledon clash with Venus Williams when she plays the five-time champion on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old Serbian, who marched past Australia`s Samantha Stosur 7-5 6-2 on Saturday to secure a meeting with Williams, said she had learnt a lot from playing the world number three in the semi-finals two years ago.
"I`m very excited. I can take a lot from that match," she said referring to her 6-2 6-4 defeat by Williams in 2007.
"She (Venus) likes to go for her first shot. She likes to dominate the points. I just think I have to try to make a lot of returns."
"Obviously, it`s going to be important for me to serve well in that match because she has great first serves," added the 13th seed. "So if I can hold on to my serve and then put pressure on her, that would be a key."
But Ivanovic, who has slipped from the world number one spot she held last year, is not the only one who will be drawing on her memories of the 2007 match in preparation for Monday.
Williams, who recorded her 17th successive win at the grasscourt major on Saturday with a 6-0 6-4 triumph over Spain`s Carla Suarez Navarro, also remembers her fourth round opponent`s strengths.
"We had a lot of great exchanges," the American said of that semi-final two years ago. "I just remember playing aggressively."
"She is talented," added Williams. "This is a good surface for her... she does everything well."
Venus and sister Serena, who faces unseeded Daniela Hantuchova on Monday, are firmly on course for a repeat of their 2009 clash in the final and are characteristically stepping up a gear with each round.
But Serena, who won the last of her two Wimbledon crowns six years ago, is not expecting her bid to reach the quarter-finals to be an easy ride.
"She is such a smooth player and she takes her time on the court," said Serena. "I have to make sure I don`t rush myself because she is playing well... so I`m going to have to really bring a tough game."
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
Original article

Washington finally gets his 2003 world gold medal

By Gene Cherry
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - A pleased American sprinter Tyree Washington finally got his 2003 world 400 meters gold medal Saturday.
USA Track & Field (USATF) chief executive Doug Logan presented the medal to a smiling Washington as an appreciative crowd applauded at the U.S. world championships trials.
"It felt extremely, extremely good today," the 32-year-old Washington told Reuters.
"It`s one stop among many to make this come to an end," Washington, the 2003 silver medalist, added.
The gold medal is a duplicate of one originally presented to 2003 winner Jerome Young, who last year admitted to using prohibited substances and agreed to return the medal.
Young was already serving a lifetime ban for the sport for a 2004 positive doping test.
"I am just happy that Doug Logan presented the medal to me," Washington said. "He obviously is against drug use and wants to send a statement to the world that we are not going to let these drug users get all the fame any more."
But Washington, who lives in Southern California, said he was disappointed the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was not presenting him the medal at its world championships in August in Berlin.
He said he also would continue to seek the $30,000 first prize from the 2003 championships, adding he had proof Young was not paid.
The IAAF disagreed.
"The IAAF has different information -- namely that Jerome Young was indeed paid and has not repaid us," spokesman Nick Davies told Reuters in an e-mail last week.
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
Original article

Jankovic melts, Murray blasts through

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Jelena Jankovic`s challenge melted in soaring temperatures at Wimbledon on Saturday while Andy Murray scorched the Center Court turf as he blasted his way into the second week of the grasscourt championships.
Facing an opponent who is allergic to grass, Murray produced a rash of aces -- 17 to be exact -- to leave Serbia`s Viktor Troicki in agony during a 6-2 6-3 6-4 demolition job.
For much of the 96-minute third round match, played under stormy skies, it seemed as if the All England Club`s new retractable might finally make its debut but Murray appeared in a hurry to get off court as thunder rumbled in the distance.
"It would have been a nice bit of history, I guess, the first match to play under the roof. (But) once it was 5-3 in the third set, I obviously wanted to finish it before the rain came," said Murray, who is bidding to become the first British man to win the Wimbledon crown in 73 years.
While the Scot was lucky enough to charge his way into the last 16 of the tournament in the cool evening shade, Serbia`s Jankovic looking dazed and confused in searing afternoon heat as she repeatedly called for medical attention.
It was all too much for ex-world number one who was stifled 6-7 7-5 6-2 in the third round by 124th-ranked teenage American qualifier Melanie Oudin on a roasting Court Three.
Blaming her plight on "some woman problems," the sixth seed added: "I was like a ghost... I didn`t know where I was. I felt really dizzy and I thought that I was gonna end up in the hospital. I started to shake. I was losing my consciousness.
"It`s not easy being a woman sometimes," she said.
French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova joined Jankovic at the exit door. German Sabine Lisicki ruined the Russian`s 24th birthday celebrations with a 6-2 7-5 win over the fifth seed.
Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams faced no such problems.
However, the Serb wisely opted not to spend too much time topping up her tan on Court Two as she hurried past Australian Samantha Stosur 7-5 6-2 in 70 minutes to reach the last 16.
Next up for the 13th seed is world number three Williams.
FLORIDA HEAT
She cannot afford any lapses on Monday as American Williams chalked up her 17th successive win at the grasscourt major with a 6-0 6-4 walloping of Carla Suarez Navarro and then declared the weather was not hot enough for "a Florida girl."
"You don`t understand the heat in Florida. I needed a sweater out there," grinned the five-times champion.  Continued...
Original article

Bolt sees little chance of Gay record

By Simon Evans
KINGSTON (Reuters) - Olympic 100 meters champion Usain Bolt won the Jamaican title over rival Asafa Powell on Saturday and then declared that American world champion Tyson Gay had little chance of breaking his world record.
Bolt, who holds the record with 9.69 seconds set at the Beijing Games last year, ran home in 9.86 against a negative wind at the National Stadium to post the year`s fastest non-assisted time.
Powell, who was quicker out of the blocks, was second in 9.97 ahead of Michael Frater (10.02).
Gay ran a speedy, albeit wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in his first 100 meters of the season at the U.S. world championship trials in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday, and said after the race that he felt he could break Bolt`s record if he could improve his start.
"Personally, no disrespect to Tyson but that is going to be a hard for task for him," Bolt told reporters.
"Tyson is more of a 200 runner than a 100 runner so it is going to be very hard. He had a lot of (wind) assistance for that time. It is going to be very hard for him."
Gay failed to qualify for the finals at Beijing after injury hampered his preparations but he is set for a showdown with Bolt in the world championships in Berlin in August.
FINISH WITH EASE
Bolt overtook Powell midway through the race and had enough of a lead to finish with some ease in front of a cheering crowd.
"It was good. I am just happy that I finished injury-free and I am feeling good," he said.
Bolt said that Powell, who has struggled with a left ankle injury since April, looked to be on his way back.
"I would say Asafa is coming into shape and that is a good thing, his ankle is getting better. It is going to be a good season, as soon as he gets into shape its going to be very interesting," said Bolt.
Powell was pleased with his result, set against a 0.2 negative wind, given his ankle was still troubling him.
"It was a fairly good race because I am basically running on one leg, so I`m fairly happy. The aim was just to finish in the top two," he told reporters.
"The ankle has really surprised me -- I thought it would be gone by now but still there," he said, adding that he was in some discomfort after three rounds of racing.  Continued...
Original article

Goydos snatches lead from Perry at River Highlands

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Paul Goydos birdied five of the last eight holes to overhaul fellow American Kenny Perry and grab a one-shot lead in Saturday`s third round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Two off the pace when the weather-delayed second round was completed earlier in the day, Goydos fired a sparkling seven-under-par 63 to take charge at the rain-softened TPC River Highlands.
The double PGA Tour winner, helped by a sizzling run of four consecutive birdies from the 13th, covered the back nine in five-under to post a 16-under total of 194.
Perry, who briefly held a three-stroke lead with six holes remaining, missed a five-foot birdie attempt at the last and had to settle for second place after carding a six-birdie 66.
American David Toms, winner of the 2001 U.S. PGA Championship, was a further stroke back at 14-under after a matching 66.
For much of the day, it appeared that Tour veteran Perry would retain control of the tournament.
A stroke in front of the chasing pack after the second round, he was tied for the lead with American John Merrick after reaching the turn in two-under 33.
SLIPPED BACK
Back-to-back birdies from the par-three 11th put him three ahead while Merrick slipped back with a double-bogey at the par-four 12th where he drove out-of-bounds.
Perry did well to save par at the 523-yard 13th after pulling his second shot into water but he bogeyed the 14th after finding a greenside bunker with his approach.
That dropped him into a tie for the lead at 14-under with Goydos, who had birdied 11, 13 and 14.
Goydos picked up another shot at the 15th before collecting a fourth successive birdie at the par-three 16th where he sank an uphill 28-foot putt from behind the green.
Two ahead at 16 under, his lead was cut to one when Perry also birdied the 296-yard 15th.
Goydos, however, parred the last two holes to maintain a one-stroke cushion going into Sunday`s final round.
American Lucas Glover, surprise winner of the weather-delayed U.S. Open on Monday, fired a 65 to lie seven shots off the pace at nine-under.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing by Tony Jimenez and Ian Ransom)
Original article

Jankovic wilts as fans wait for Murray

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Jelena Jankovic`s challenge melted away in soaring temperatures at Wimbledon Saturday while Andy Murray fans tried to stay cool as they waited for their hero`s prime time appearance on Center Court.
Before attention turned to Murray`s bid to become Britain`s first men`s singles champion in 73 years, spectators flocking into the grounds saw Serbia`s sixth seed looking dazed and confused as she needed medical attention for heat exhaustion.
It was all too much for ex-world number one Jankovic who was stifled 6-7 7-5 6-2 in the third round by 124th-ranked teenage American qualifier Melanie Oudin on a roasting Court Three.
Jankovic`s compatriot Ana Ivanovic and five-times champion Venus Williams faced no such problems.
However, Ivanovic wisely opted not to spend too much time topping up her tan on Court Two as she hurried past Australian Samantha Stosur 7-5 6-2 in just 70 minutes to reach the last 16.
Next up for the 13th seed is world number three Williams.
"It`s going to be a huge challenge. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to play her because in my first match I was half gone," Ivanovic, cheered on by Australian golfer Adam Scott, said referring to her opening win from match points down.
FLORIDA HEAT
She cannot afford any lapses Monday as American Williams chalked up her 17th successive win at the grasscourt major with a 6-0 6-4 walloping of Carla Suarez Navarro and then declared the weather was not hot enough for "a Florida girl."
"You don`t understand the heat in Florida. I needed a sweater out there," grinned the third seed.
Men`s 12th seed Nikolay Davydenko joined Jankovic at the exit door after being outclassed 6-2 6-3 6-2 by Czech Tomas Berdych.
Germany`s Tommy Haas, stranded at 6-6 in the fifth set overnight, needed to toil in the sun for another six games on Saturday before completing a 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7 10-8 win over Croatian 11th seed Marin Cilic.
"It has never happened to me that we stopped playing at six-all in the fifth," said Haas, whose match was suspended in near-darkness at 0933 local time (0833 GMT) Friday.
"We should have a tiebreak at six-all like in the U.S. Open. When you`ve played so much tennis... it`s really draining."
As the temperature edged above 28 degrees Celsius many people struggled to cope with the stifling heat.  Continued...
Original article

Fearless U.S. braced for Brazil showdown

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The United States are one victory away from claiming a major FIFA competition for the first time if they can produce another shock against Brazil when the Confederations Cup competition reaches its climax on Sunday.
Skipper Carlos Bocanegra, whose side were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their Group A encounter on June 18, insists the U.S. will play without fear against their heavily favoured opponents and adopt an entirely different strategy for this match.
Unlike the U.S., Brazil know all about winning major trophies, crowned world champions five times and seeking a third Confederations Cup victory in attempting to retain the trophy they won in 2005.
"The first time we played Brazil we came out a bit timid," Bocanegra said at a news briefing Friday. "We gave them too much respect.
"We went out and sat back too much, but we changed it against Egypt, playing with a lot of energy from the start and we carried that into the Spain game. We had a go at them for 90 minutes rather than absorb pressure."
The U.S. beat Egypt 3-0 to secure a surprise semi-final berth and then secured an even more unlikely place in the final with a stunning 2-0 win over Spain, who suffered their first international defeat for nearly three years and 36 matches.
Now Brazil stand in the way of the U.S. scoring what would be a truly historic upset with coach Bob Bradley hinting his side would play another direct, physical game against a higher-ranked opponent.
"It is very important for us to win," he said, explaining how it would help their seeding for the World Cup finals draw being held later this year.
"In our history, the U.S. national team have had some important and very good victories but we have never won a major competition.
"We have won the CONCACAF Gold Cup and that is the reason we are here. Every team wants the chance to play in a final and we are looking forward to it. It would be incredible for us if we won it."
IMPRESSIVE CLINT
Bradley will not be able to choose son Michael for the game, however, after he was sent off toward the end of the semi-final victory.
But he will have the impressive Clint Dempsey in attack and the Fulham forward will be looking to complete an excellent tournament with a winner`s medal.
Dempsey has scored twice, including the second against Spain, and was praised by FIFA Technical Study member Holger Osieck for "winning nearly every ball in the air, keeping possession and working hard" in their 3-0 win over Egypt.
Osieck also praised his "tireless" performance against Spain in which besides his goal, he helped set up the first for Jozy Altidore.  Continued...
Original article

Fearless U.S. braced for Brazil showdown

By Mike Collett
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The United States are one victory away from claiming a major FIFA competition for the first time if they can produce another shock against Brazil when the Confederations Cup competition reaches its climax on Sunday.
Skipper Carlos Bocanegra, whose side were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their Group A encounter on June 18, insists the U.S. will play without fear against their heavily favoured opponents and adopt an entirely different strategy for this match.
Unlike the U.S., Brazil know all about winning major trophies, crowned world champions five times and seeking a third Confederations Cup victory in attempting to retain the trophy they won in 2005.
"The first time we played Brazil we came out a bit timid," Bocanegra said at a news briefing Friday. "We gave them too much respect.
"We went out and sat back too much, but we changed it against Egypt, playing with a lot of energy from the start and we carried that into the Spain game. We had a go at them for 90 minutes rather than absorb pressure."
The U.S. beat Egypt 3-0 to secure a surprise semi-final berth and then secured an even more unlikely place in the final with a stunning 2-0 win over Spain, who suffered their first international defeat for nearly three years and 36 matches.
Now Brazil stand in the way of the U.S. scoring what would be a truly historic upset with coach Bob Bradley hinting his side would play another direct, physical game against a higher-ranked opponent.
"It is very important for us to win," he said, explaining how it would help their seeding for the World Cup finals draw being held later this year.
"In our history, the U.S. national team have had some important and very good victories but we have never won a major competition.
"We have won the CONCACAF Gold Cup and that is the reason we are here. Every team wants the chance to play in a final and we are looking forward to it. It would be incredible for us if we won it."
IMPRESSIVE CLINT
Bradley will not be able to choose son Michael for the game, however, after he was sent off toward the end of the semi-final victory.
But he will have the impressive Clint Dempsey in attack and the Fulham forward will be looking to complete an excellent tournament with a winner`s medal.
Dempsey has scored twice, including the second against Spain, and was praised by FIFA Technical Study member Holger Osieck for "winning nearly every ball in the air, keeping possession and working hard" in their 3-0 win over Egypt.
Osieck also praised his "tireless" performance against Spain in which besides his goal, he helped set up the first for Jozy Altidore.  Continued...
Original article

Sabathia shines, A-Rod homers in Yanks romp

NEW YORK (Reuters) - C.C. Sabathia allayed any fears concerning his arm injury by firing seven strong innings to lead the New York Yankees to a 9-1 victory over crosstown rivals the Mets on Friday.
Sabathia, who withdrew from last Sunday`s start after just 1 1/3 innings, returned to form by striking out eight batters and allowing just one run to improve to 6-1 on his last 10 starts.
Alex Rodriguez pounded a home run to right field in the eighth inning to surpass Yankee great Reggie Jackson on the all-time list with the 564th of his career, as the Yankees capitalized on early errors to win their third straight game.
"I feel like my legs are coming back," Rodriguez, who had suffered a recent slump, told reporters. "I feel like I have more strength."
It was the second straight lop-sided win of the Subway Series after the Yankees routed the Mets 15-0 in the last meeting between the teams on June 14.
This time, lead-off hitter Brett Gardner recorded five hits and three runs for the Yankees, who scored four runs in the second inning where the Mets committed three errors.
Throwing miscues by Alex Cora and Nick Evans, who was called up from the minor leagues last week, put the Mets in a 4-0 hole.
"Nothing was going right but we had a shot to get back in the game," Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield said. "When you get that one shot that`s when you have to bear down."
Mets starter Mike Pelfrey pitched five innings and was only charged for two of the runs. The Yankees tacked on three more in the eighth, where Rodriguez and Gardner homered, and added two in the ninth.
Despite the loss, the Mets stayed within a half-game of the National League East lead thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies taking a loss.
"You`re kind of scoreboard watching at this time for us because we`re trying to survive," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "We caught a break with the way we played."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O`Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Original article

Venus out for revenge at Wimbledon

By Tom Pilcher
LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Murray once again fills the prime time viewing slot on Center Court late on Saturday, while five-time women`s champion Venus Williams will have revenge on her mind against Carla Suarez Navarro.
World number three Murray plays fiery Serbian 30th seed Viktor Troicki, seen arguing with an umpire on Court 14 during his doubles match with German Christopher Kas on Friday. Murray has lost just seven games in their two previous meetings.
"Rest up tomorrow Viktor. Big (doubles) match on Monday," Kas joked as the pair left the court.
Before Murray-mania reaches fever pitch, Williams will take to the main show court against Spaniard Suarez Navarro, who beat the prolific American champion in the second round en route to the Australian Open quarter-finals this year.
At five feet four, and weighing only 62 kgs, Suarez Navarro is dwarfed by the six-footer Williams, though what the Spaniard lacks in height she makes up for in determination.
Sandwiched between those matches is sixth seed Andy Roddick against Austrian Juergen Melzer with the American, twice a runner-up at Wimbledon, favorite to reach the last 16.
World number one Dinara Safina of Russia and Serbia`s Ana Ivanovic find themselves on Court Two against Belgium`s Kirsten Flipkens and Australian Samantha Stosur respectively.
Revitalized ex-champion Lleyton Hewitt follows compatriot Stosur on court, with the pair certain to be cheered on by a large contingent of green and yellow clad supporters.
Sixth-seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic is up against American Melanie Oudin on Court Three while ninth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki, promoted to a Center Court slot on Thursday, finds herself cast away to the distant Court Four.
After five days of glorious sunshine, Wimbledon might finally get the chance to show off its latest innovation by closing the new multi-million pound roof. But forecasters had also predicted showers on Friday and they failed to arrive.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
Original article

Rodgers wins U.S. 100 metres minus Gay

By Gene Cherry
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - Young Mike Rodgers, who almost quit running two years ago, claimed the top prize in the men`s 100 metres when he held on to win in a wind-assisted 9.91 seconds at the U.S. world championships trials on Friday.
Veteran Darvis Patton finished a close second with little-known Rae Edwards third to join defending world champion Tyson Gay on the American team for August`s world championships in Berlin.
Patton clocked 9.92 and Edwards 10.00 behind an assisting wind of 3.1 metres per second.
Fast times also came in a wind-assisted women`s final.
Carmelita Jeter edged Olympian Muna Lee by one-hundredth of a second for the title, clocking 10.776 seconds to Lee`s 10.777.
Former world champion Lauryn Williams claimed third in 10.96 seconds.
Rodgers called his victory a great accomplishment.
"I`m young, I did it early," said the 24-year-old who as a small-college champion has often been overlooked among America`s sprinters.
He said quitting was on his mind two years ago before encouraging words from a coaching friend led him to give sprinting one more try.
Gay drew a bye to Berlin as the defending world champion in the 100 and 200 metres. He raced once in the U.S. trials -- running a wind-assisted 9.75 seconds in Thursday`s preliminaries.
DIX OUT
The U.S. lost Olympian Walter Dix in the semi-finals when the double Beijing bronze medallist strained his right hamstring and ran a non-qualifying sixth.
Dix, who won bronzes in the 100 and 200 at Beijing, shook his head when asked if he would run the 200 later this week.
That means he will not make the U.S. team since only the top three finishers in the American trials and defending world champions qualify.
Jeter threw a scare in the crowd when she fell to the ground after her victory.  Continued...
Original article

Islanders select Tavares with first pick in NHL Draft

By Roger Lajoie
MONTREAL (Reuters) - The New York Islanders ended weeks of speculation by selecting high scoring forward John Tavares with the first pick in the National Hockey League draft on Friday night.
Tavares, 18, set the Ontario Hockey League`s career goal scoring record in four seasons in the junior league and was the top-rated prospect heading into the draft.
The Islanders refused to announce who they would take with their number one selection prior to the draft, leading to speculation that they would either deal the pick or perhaps take towering Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman.
"I was just like everybody else, wondering what the decision would be," Tavares told reporters. "It was obviously a great moment for me and a special feeling.
"I can`t wait to get started and it`s a great opportunity for me. I couldn`t be more happy right now and excited about my opportunity to play for Long Island and the Islanders."
New York General Manager Garth Snow said that Tavares was the player they most coveted from the outset.
"John`s a special hockey player and an even better person," Snow said. "We had some offers to deal the pick but nothing we really considered. We`re very fortunate to have a player of his abilities."
Tampa Bay used its second pick to take Hedman, a 6-foot-6 defenseman who played last season for Modo of the Swedish Elite League.
"I`m just happy to become an NHL player," Hedman said. "It became Tampa and I`m just as happy as I can be.
With the third pick, the Colorado Avalanche took forward Matt Duchene of the OHL`s Brampton, rated a good playmaker.
Atlanta selected forward Evander Kane from the Western Hockey League with the fourth pick, while the Los Angeles Kings took WHL`s Brandon forward Brayden Schenn, younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn.
The Phoenix Coyotes, who are in bankruptcy court as they try to find new owners, took defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson from Leksand in Sweden with the sixth pick.
The Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers swung a major deal early in the draft, with the Ducks trading veteran defenceman Chris Pronger.
The former Hart and Norris Trophy winner was dealt along with forward Ryan Dingle to the Flyers for defenseman Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul, the Flyers 1st Round pick (21st overall) in 2009, 1st Round pick in 2010 and a conditional 3rd Round pick in 2010 or 2011.
Original article