Henriques out of Windies ODI opener

Setback ... Moises Henriques' return to international cricket had been going well. Source: AAP

Moises Henriques has been ruled out of Australia's series-opening one day international with the West Indies, and remains in doubt for the second clash, after having surgery on his injured right index finger on Saturday.

Henriques underwent a minor surgical procedure on Saturday afternoon to alleviate concerns over increased swelling around the finger.

The 25-year-old will not be able to train for at least a week, certainly ruling him out of the opening clash against the West Indies at the WACA on Friday, and leaving him extreme doubt for game two at the same venue on Sunday.

It is a devastating blow for the talented allrounder, who ended a three-year exile from the international scene with his ODI call-up this month and is pushing his case for selection in next month's four-Test tour of India.

Henriques had his best performance in Australia colours in the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Wednesday, taking three valuable wickets in the 32-run victory.

''Due to concern over increasing swelling and infection Moises was reviewed by a Sydney hand specialist this afternoon and has undergone a minor surgical procedure,'' NSW team physiotherapist Murray Ryan said.

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''Moises will be unable to play or train for at least one week. His availability for state and international cricket will be determined as the injury heals.''

Henriques sustained the injury initially when he was hit on the hand while training with the Australia team in the lead-up to last week's ODI against Sri Lanka at the Gabba.

He then aggravated it while batting for NSW in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Henriques was struck on the hand during a brutal spell from Nathan Coulter-Nile on Friday, twice receiving treatment on the field while wincing in pain.

But he played through battering to score a crucial 71 and give NSW a 102-run first innings lead.

He will also miss the Blues domestic one day game on Wednesday against Western Australia.

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Victory win drama-filled Big Blue

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Battle ... Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson (R) takes on Thyan Grant. Source:AAP

They may have come to see Alessandro Del Piero, but they left talking about Marco Rojas as Melbourne Victory put the rest of the A-League on notice with a 3-1 mauling of Sydney FC on Saturday evening.

The Victory bossed and battered a Sky Blues team which finished the match with nine men in a compelling display at a sold-out AAMI Park.

Second-half efforts from Archie Thompson and Rojas, following a 24th-minute deflected own goal from Sydney defender Seb Ryall, capped a dominant performance from the hosts.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	18	11	5	2	17	38
2	Victory	18	10	3	5	3	33
3	Western Sydney	18	10	2	6	8	32
4	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
5	Heart	18	6	3	9	-2	21
6	Newcastle	17	6	3	8	-8	21
7	Sydney	18	6	2	10	-9	20
8	Perth	17	5	4	8	0	19
9	Brisbane	17	5	2	10	-2	17
10	Wellington	17	4	4	9	-11	16

Not helped by Tiago Calvano's sending off on the hour for flinging an outstretched arm to block Leigh Broxham, the Sky Blues were mainly undone by a committed Victory midfield display with Broxham, Billy Celeski and Mark Milligan outstanding.

But the silk came from Rojas, who would have impressed scouts from English Premier League club Liverpool and Italian giants Juventus in attendance with a magnificent display in the front third.

He scored a beautifully crafted goal in the 72nd minute - that was aided by heavy deflections off Sydney FC defenders - and was the architect of the opener.

The 21-year-old New Zealand international intercepted a Rhyan Grant backpass and his goal-bound effort cannoned off Ryall, wrong-footing keeper Vedran Janjetovic.

Del Piero was well held for most of the evening as Victory's midfield invaded his aura and bit around his ankles effectively.

The first half hour was all Victory.

The Victory had the majority of the best chances - coming closest to a second when Broxham forced a great diving save from Janjetovic on 28 minutes.

Sydney FC also lost Socceroo Brett Emerton midway through the half with a hamstring injury.

Once Calvano was sent off, all Sydney's hope looked gone - though their best chances and only goal came when they were down to 10 men.

They could have even equalised had Joel Griffiths not fluffed a great chance - from a Del Piero through ball - in the 66th minute as he shot across goal when it beckoned.

Thirty seconds later, the Victory were 2-0 up as Thompson found the net.

It was party time in the 72nd minute as Rojas scored a classy second, holding off a defender, turning and shooting off Adam Griffiths to make it 3-0.

Joel Griffiths grabbed a consolation on 75 minutes, but Sydney's night turned even worse when fullback Fabio was marched in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou believed the performance was close to his side's most complete of the season.

''We're trying to become a dominant force in this league and days like today, you question whether we're up to it or not but I was really pleased,'' Postecoglou said.

''We really took the game to the opposition which is what I wanted us to do.''

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina was left shaking his head with the fact nine cards were issued by referee Chris Beath in a match he felt wasn't dirty.

But he admitted his disappointment was split ''60-40'' between the officiating and his players' ill-discipline at vital times.

''We should have been playing the way we played and worked the last 25 minutes from the start,'' Farina said.

''We could do that and create chances with 10 men ... we should do that from the beginning.''

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Re-live the drama, including highlights of both reds and all four goals, in our A-League Match Centre.

 

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Hughes key to SA chase against Vics

Chief destroyer ... South Australia's Joe Mennie rips through Victoria's top order. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

South Australia's lucky charm Phil Hughes will spearhead a chase for 155 more runs to snatch a comeback triumph against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Chasing 189 to win, the Redbacks will resume on Sunday's final day at 2-34 with Hughes not out 17.

SHEF - Adelaide Oval

24 January 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

South Australia 2nd Innings

P. Hughes	17	15	2	0	113.33
N. Lyon	0	4	0	0	0

After a stunning six wicket haul from speedster Joe Mennie dragged SA back into the match, the in-form Hughes rode his luck late on Saturday's third day.

Hughes, on 10, survived a caught behind appeal from Will Sheridan's bowling which, when refused, left the Victorians gobsmacked.

In Sheridan's next over, Hughes, still on 10, was dropped at second slip by David Hussey.

And an over later, the Bushrangers were again bewildered when Hughes, on 13, survived a confident lbw appeal from James Pattinson's bowling.pePattinson's fury at the verdict was evident two balls later when he delivered a fierce bouncer which felled Redback opener Sam Raphael.

The fourth-gamer ducked into the ball and turned his head at last moment, suffering a frightful blow on the back of the helmet - he retired hurt, staggering from the ground with suspected concussion.

With SA veteran Michael Klinger already dismissed for two when trapped lbw by Pattinson, the Redbacks sent Nathan Lyon to the crease as nightwatchman - but he was dismissed for a duck in the final over.

"It's never nice losing two (batsmen) close to stumps," Mennie said.

"We have still got 150-odd runs to chase on a last day wicket, it's going to be a tough chase, both teams are still right in it."

On a topsy turvy Saturday, the Bushrangers collected innings points by bowling SA out for 267, some 52 runs behind.

But Victoria then crashed to 136 all out in their second innings with Mennie taking a superb 6-43 from 21 overs.

Mennie ripped through the Victorians, who were forced to rely on number nine James Pattinson top-scoring with 33 to stretch their victory target.

The next best Bushranger was Chris Rogers, who made 25 and featured in a 43 run opening partnership with Rob Quiney.

But Quiney (14) was the first man dismissed in a dramatic slide as the Victorians lost 8-50, before Pattinson helped the Bushrangers to eek out a valuable 43 runs for the final two wickets.

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Ten-man Wanderers break Heart

Warrior ... Shinji Ono scores for the Wanderers. Source: Quentin Jones / AAP

Even a 10-man Western Sydney proved too strong for Melbourne Heart as the A-League newcomers continued their remarkable rise with a 1-0 victory.

Despite having defender Jerome Polenz sent off in the 13th minute, the Wanderers were totally dominant in front of 14,624 fans at Parramatta Stadium.

Shinji Ono's 73rd-minute penalty secured the win, after Josip Tadic earlier had a spot kicked saved following Polenz's sending off.

The win was Western Sydney's third straight and they climb into third place, ahead of Adelaide United on goal difference.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	18	11	5	2	17	38
2	Victory	18	10	3	5	3	33
3	Western Sydney	18	10	2	6	8	32
4	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
5	Heart	18	6	3	9	-2	21
6	Newcastle	17	6	3	8	-8	21
7	Sydney	18	6	2	10	-9	20
8	Perth	17	5	4	8	0	19
9	Brisbane	17	5	2	10	-2	17
10	Wellington	17	4	4	9	-11	16

The Heart were left to rue a big opportunity to boost their finals hopes after Polenz's early exit, and the defeat leaves them in danger of dropping out of the top six.

Referee Strebre Delovski showed no hesitation in brandishing a red card early after David Williams had broken on goal before being clattered from behind by right back Polenz.

Tadic stepped up for the resulting penalty but couldn't convert it, with Ante Covic swatting his shot away with relative ease.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy was sacrificed for Lacopa La Rocca in a tactical switch and the Wanderers remained the more dangerous side.

Mark Bridge, Dino Kresinger and Ono all forced decent saves out of Andrew Redmayne while Nicholas Kalmar came closest for the visitors with a long-range drive in the 34th minute.

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Miss something? Relive every tackle, foul and goal at our Match Centre.

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As Australia Day fireworks exploded around the stadium, the tempo of the game slowed early the second half as the Heart started to grow into the game.

But Western Sydney regained the ascendancy and finally got their breakthrough when Youssouf Hersi - who had caused havoc in attack all night - was brought down in the box by David Vrankovic.

Ono stepped up and buried the penalty for his fifth goal of the season.

Tadic had a late chance for redemption but was denied by a great Covic stop.

In a positive for the Heart, former Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench in the 67th minute, his first appearance since last playing for Blackburn in September, 2011.

Striker Eli Babalj also came on, having returned to the club on after being released by Serbian club Red Star Belgrade.

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Aussies lose women's doubles final

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Bridesmaids ... Barty and Dellacqua lost their Australian Open doubles final. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Australian underdogs Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua have gone down fighting as Italian top seeds Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani clinched the Australian Open women's doubles title.

The Italians added the championship to last year's French Open and US Open trophies with their 6-2 3-6 6-2 win.

Barty and Dellacqua had been bidding to become the first all-Australian women's pair to win their home major since 1977, with no local duo having even reached the final since that year.

They were combatting an extreme experience gulf compared to the Italians, particularly 16-year-old Barty, who had played just one grand slam doubles match before this tournament and had never won a main draw match in a major in either singles or doubles.

It seemed set to be smooth sailing for the world's top-ranked doubles players when they raced through the first set and even moreso when Dellacqua's serve was broken for the third time in the match to give the top seeds a 2-1 lead in the second.

But the Australians grabbed their first break of the match next game then broke Errani again for a 5-3 lead, with Barty playing the leading role in gaining that advantage, before serving out the set.

The Australians further bolstered hopes of an unlikely victory, when they claimed another break of serve to open the third set.

But the favourites stepped up the pressure, breaking back immediately, then after the set was squared at 2-2, ripping through the last four games for the loss of just six points.

Barty and Dellacqua were the first all-Australian pair to reach the final since 1977, with Dianne Fromholtz and Helen Gourlay taking the title in January of that year while Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Gourlay reached the final in December of that year but it was washed out.

Earlier on Friday, Australians Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden booked a place in Sunday's mixed doubles final with a 7-5 7-6(7-5) sem-final win over Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova and Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.

They will play Czech pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak in the final.

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Hughes hits ton against Victoria

Purple patch ... Phillip Hughes' golden run continues. Source: News Limited

Phil Hughes' scoring splurge continued with a century for South Australia against Victoria on Friday as Test paceman James Pattinson made a successful comeback from injury.

Hughes crafted 120 as the Redbacks reached 8-239 in reply to Victoria's 319 all out in the Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval.

SHEF - Adelaide Oval

24 January 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

South Australia 1st Innings

J. Mennie	22	71	2	0	30.99
C. Sayers	2	11	0	0	18.18

Test quick Pattinson said he was rusty early in his first serious outing since suffering a side injury two months ago, but gradually improved.

Seeking to stake his claims for inclusion in Australia's touring squad to India next month, Pattinson took 2-36 from 12 overs and emerged unscathed from four separate spells.

"It was good to get a couple of wickets at the end and boost my confidence,'' Pattinson said.

"But I am just happy to be back playing competitive cricket again - it was small steps, but good ones to start with, I will only be better for the run.''

Pattinson felt no lingering effects from his injury and had no doubt he would be ready for the Indian tour, despite currently having to monitor his workload.

"Once I get bowling without restrictions, I will be good,'' he said.

"India is still another two weeks to go and once I'm selected, we're over there for a good two weeks as well before we play our first Test match.

"So I will have a couple more practice games over there before I play that first Test match, it's great preparation.''

Hughes took his summer spree to 1531 runs at an average of 58.89 in all formats, and on Friday was the sole batsman in SA's top seven to pass 21 - though all the others reached double figures.

Hughes aside, Redbacks batsmen failed to capitalise on the earlier sterling work of their paceman Chadd Sayers, who collected career-best figures of 6-49.

Sayers became the leading wicket-taker in this season's Shield competition, with 28 victims at an average of 20.35, one more than Tasmanian quick Jackson Bird.

"The ball is coming out really well and I'm getting a lot of confidence from taking wickets at this level,'' the 25-year-old Sayers said.

"I'm never going to blast anyone out with my pace, it's just that relentless line and length that I have been achieving.''

But after Sayers' heroics with the ball, SA faltered with the bat with Victorian quicks Will Sheridan (3-44) and John Hastings (2-35) doing much of the damage before Pattinson struck twice late in the day.

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Duke double wins it for Mariners

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Matchwinner ... Mitch Duke scored a double for the Mariners. Source:AAP

Young striker Mitchell Duke came off the bench to fire Central Coast to a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Adelaide and extend their lead atop the A-League.

Duke scored twice in the second half to turn what had been a frustrating match for the Mariners in front of 8294 fans at Bluetongue Stadium.

Despite totally dominating the first half, the home side trailed 1-0 at halftime of the top-of-the-table clash after Reds defender Daniel Bowles' scored against the run of play.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	18	11	5	2	17	38
2	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
3	Victory	17	9	3	5	1	30
4	Western Sydney	17	9	2	6	7	29
5	Heart	17	6	3	8	-1	21
6	Newcastle	17	6	3	8	-8	21
7	Sydney	17	6	2	9	-7	20
8	Perth	17	5	4	8	0	19
9	Brisbane	17	5	2	10	-2	17
10	Wellington	17	4	4	9	-11	16

But Duke's performance, and an inspired substitution by Graham Arnold, ensured Central Coast moved six points clear of second-placed Adelaide.

Arnold was delighted with the performance, comparing it to the Mariners' 7-2 thumping of Sydney FC earlier this season.

"It was up there with our best (performance) of the season," Arnold said.

"I think if we were more clinical in front of goals, you could have had another Sydney FC score. We had that many chances.

"I think the boys really stepped up tonight and set their own standards again and they have to maintain them."

Arnold was full of praise for Duke, who started in the season opener but has struggled with an ankle injury since.

"Over the last few week he's been getting back to his best," Arnold said.

"I just said to him 'it's your night, tonight. No one else has been able to put it in, so put it in' and it was two great finishes."

Midfielder Michael McGlinchey sealed the win with a goal in the 89th minute.

Celtic-bound playmaker Tom Rogic was officially farewelled at halftime and life after the young playmaker won't be looking quite as dim following the performance of 22-year-old Duke.

He entered the game in the 61st minute in place of Oliver Bozanic and needed only six minutes to pull the Mariners level.

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Re-live the game as it happened with our Match Centre, featuring video highlights of all the goals and other key moments!

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The Reds failed to defuse a Nick Montgomery cross and Duke was on hand to poke the ball home for his second A-League goal.

Duke was again involved a short time later as his cross was handballed by Bowles in the box and referee Peter O'Leary pointed to the penalty spot.

League top scorer Daniel McBreen stepped up but had this spot kicked denied by a brilliant diving save from Eugene Galekovic.

The miss was quickly forgotten, though, when Duke gave the Mariners the lead in the 72nd minute with a fine solo effort.

He controlled the ball well, created space for himself, then unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box to score.

Duke would have had a hat-trick if not for another great save by Galekovic.

Arnold also introduced new signing Nick Fitzgerald and he provided the assist as McGlinchey scored from close range in the dying minutes.

Remarkably, Adelaide took a 1-0 lead into halftime despite being totally dominated by the Mariners.

The home side's best opportunities came in a frantic three-minute period, with Bernie Ibini hitting the side netting from a dangerous McBreen ball in the 16th minute.

Ibini then made a spectacular run into the box two minutes later before Bozanic scuffed a shot, allowing Galekovic to stop it from point-blank range.

The frustration continued as McBreen struck the post a minute later and chances continues to go begging as the half went on.

Adelaide almost stole the lead against the run of play in the 36th minute through Jeronimo Neumann but they did so three minutes later.

Bowles' long-range shot took a deflection off Bozanic and Mariners 'keeper Mat Ryan could do little as it went in off the left upright.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina admitted his side was simply outplayed.

"There's a reason they're top and we're not - they're a good side," Kosmina said.

"Having said that, we turned the ball over way too cheaply.

"If you keep doing that you're going to build pressure on yourself and eventually you're going to start to feel the pinch."

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Parked cars blamed for TDU crash

Carnage ... Tim Duggan was one of the cyclists to go down in a crash. Source: Ben MacMahon / AAP

Retired Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen has blamed parked cars for helping contribute to another massive crash at the Tour Down Under.

But race director Mike Turtur says that is "ridiculous" and blamed the crash on rider error.

Chief commissaire Peter Stuppacher also defended the road conditions at the end of stage four on Friday.

German sprint ace Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) won the 126.5km stage from suburban Modbury to the Barossa town of Tanunda, meaning he has broken McEwen's race record for stage victories.

It was Greipel's third win in Adelaide this week and he is now the most prolific stage winner in the Tour's 15-year history with 13.

Australian riders Graeme Brown (Blanco) and Bernie Sulzberger (UniSA) went to hospital for X-rays after the sickening pile-up in the last kilometre.

Brown lost a horrific amount of skin off his left forearm, but tweeted he had not broken any bones, while Sulzberger has a badly-damaged finger.

The crash took out about 15 riders, including Orica-GreenEDGE's sprint train of Matt Goss, Daryl Impey and Jens Mouris.

"I ended up going into the side of a (parked) car," Goss said.

The crash happened on a flat, wide and straight stretch of road, with the riders travelling at close to 70km/h.

The bike of Zak Dempster (UniSA) was left in pieces by the force of the impact.

"They might say no-one actually hit them (cars), the crashes were in the middle of the road, but the problem is riders swing away from the cars," said McEwen, who retired from cycling last year.

"It goes across the bunch like a wave - somebody cops it and they crash over the other side.

"It comes directly from having cars there ... it's not good enough."

But Turtur strongly disagreed.

"It is basically a situation of rider error in the sprint," he said.

"To suggest parked cars contributed to the crash is ridiculous."

Turtur added the Tour had crash barriers for the last 800m - more than many major European races.

Stuppacher also backed the road conditions and called the crash a race incident.

There were also two other crashes in the last few kilometres as riders frantically fought for position.

One left American sprinter Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) with some cuts and abrasions.

There was also a high-speed crash on a descent near the end of stage two that took out a large group of riders.

Welsh star Geraint Thomas (Sky) stayed out of trouble again on Friday and maintained his five-second overall lead heading into Saturday's decisive stage at Willunga, south of Adelaide.

The 151.5km Queen stage of the Tour features a hilltop finish and two ascents of the testing Old Willunga Hill climb.

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Azarenka takes break for 'choking'

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Controversy ... Victoria Azarenka receives treatment for 'choking' in her semi final. Source: Andrew Brownbill / AP

Criticism has been levelled at Victoria Azarenka after the world No.1 admitted to taking a medical timeout at a critical stage of today's Australian Open semi-final because she needed to "calm down".

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round SF, 24/01/13

Azarenka won her way through to the final with a 6-1 6-4 win over American teenager Sloane Stephens on Rod Laver Arena in scorching 35C heat.

But much is being made of Azarenka taking two medical timeouts at once after she blew five match points in the second set.

Stephens had the momentum when she saved the match points and then broke Azarenka to bring it back to 4-5.

Azarenka called for the trainer and was off court for 10 minutes, stopping Stephens' momentum in its tracks.

The Belarussian finally returned to break the younger Stephens and close out the match.

In her on-court interview with Channel 7, Azarenka said it was nearly "the choke of the year".

When she left the court, she was asked by ESPN why she took the timeouts.

"I had to take a little bit of time to calm down ... I couldn't breathe, I had chest pains," Azarenka said.

"It was like I was having a heart attack or something.

"I did it it to make sure I was OK because I really could not breathe."

Then at her post-match media conference not long after, Azarenka changed her story and said it was her back that caused her to take the timeout.

"That's the reason I couldn't breathe - my back was locked," she said.

Of her comments to ESPN, she said she had misunderstood the question.

Azarenka admitted she should have taken the timeout earlier than when she did.

Stephens said she had no issue with Azarenka and denied it hurt her momentum.

"It has happened to me before, but it is not something that affects me," Stephens said.

Stephens pointed out she shares the same agent as Azarenka and said she was sure the two would talk about it at some stage.

Respected ESPN commentator and former player Pam Shriver was one of many to question Azarenka's sportsmanship.

"You cannot leave court for 10 minutes like that," she said.

"That is not the rules of the game."

United States Tennis Player Development general manager and commentator Patrick McEnroe also tweeted his thoughts.

"So let me get this straight. She had a lot of nerves and that's why she left the court. Unbelievable. Absolute travesty," he wrote.

Azarenka is also receiving criticism on her personal Twitter account with many fans accusing her of "cheating".

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Hazards: Sports' best brain snaps

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Brain snaps ... Athletes can lose their cool when the going gets tough. Source:Fox Sports

Live sport is all about being close to the action, but that's not exactly what these fans and officials were expecting when they had their run-ins with sports elite.

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Hazardous job

In Thursday morning's League Cup match - in scenes needed to be seen to be believed - Chelsea star Eden Hazard appeared to kick a ballboy, who wasn't letting go of the ball, in the stomach.

Hazard was shown a red card, and may yet face further sanctioning, but he isn't the first sportsperson to see the red mist descend in a moment of madness.

Cantona attempts to kick racism out of football

Who can forget Eric Cantona reacting to crowd abuse by hurling himself into the Selhurt Park stands and delivering a kung-fu kick and a series of punches to Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons back in 1995?

Cantona received a lengthy ban, but it could have been far worse, his two-week prison sentence eventually overturned on appeal.

Alderman's unfortunate tackle

Terry Alderman discovered the perils of taking on a fan during the 1982-1983 Ashes series when he tackled a pitch invader to the ground.

Alderman dislocated his shoulder in the process and was out of the game for a year, not that it deterred future cricketers, as Andrew Symonds showed when he put the shoulder into a streaker in 2008.

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Watch our video at the top of the page of sports best brain snaps and let us know any we have missed by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

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Williams unleashes volley of abuse

The sport brain snap isn't always physical, as tennis superstar Serena Williams showed with a foul-mouthed tirade to a lineswoman at the 2009 US Open.

Irate at a foot fault call at a crucial point in the match, Williams unleashed on the official, reportedly threatening: "I swear to god I'm f***kin going to take this ball and shove it down your f**kin mouth."

Serena later apologised but the damage was already done.

Ron Artest ... brawls with NBA fans in 2004. Source: AP

Ron Artest before his World Peace days

What's the best way to start a fight with an athlete? Throw a cup of soft drink at them of course. That's what happened to Indiana Pacers star Ron Artest during wild NBA brawl in 2004.

A scuffle between players quickly spilled into the stands, with Artest, who has since changed his name to Metta World Peace, fighting with four different fans.

Artest was suspended for an NBA-record 86 games and lost close to $5m in prize money for his role in the ugly incident.

Carmen uses his head

Former Aussie rules bad boy Phil Carmen was never far from the headlines during his career and received a 20-week ban for headbutting an umpire and striking an opponent in a match against St Kilda in 1980.

Carmen marked his return to the game from suspension in the only way he knew how, by being reported.

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Have we missed any great sporting brain snaps? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by tweeting to @FoxSportsNews using the hashtag #fsnbrainsnaps.

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Djokovic through to Aus Open final

Slammin Serb ... Novak Djokovic celebrates another semi final win at the Australian Open. Source: Dita Alangkara / AP

World No.1 Novak Djokovic will be fresh, confident and in near-perfect form for Sunday night's shot at a record third straight Australian Open title after charging through his semi-final against David Ferrer.

Djokovic made the Spanish fourth seed look like a junior hitting partner as he won 6-2 6-2 6-1 in just 89 minutes on Thursday night.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round SF, 24/01/13

Djo (1)	6	6	6
Fer (4)	2	2	1

Ferrer, who has now played in five major semi-finals but never a final, is renowned as a running machine who always keeps fighting.

Those attributes were never going to be enough as the bigger, stronger Djokovic ran the Spaniard around the court then finished points with style and power to keep his unbeaten grand slam record against Ferrer intact.

Djokovic won more than twice as many points as Ferrer, at one stage during the second set stringing together 12 in a row to underline the one-way nature of the contest.

He rode a confidence wave through the third set, making spectacular winners look regulation, as he gave up just 11 points for the set.

The Serb, who extended his Melbourne Park winning streak to 20, will now await the victor of what is expected to be a much closer and more gruelling semi-final on Friday night between 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer and US Open champion Andy Murray.

Djokovic said playing like he did against Ferrer was a rare feeling.

"I played incredible tennis," he said.

"I felt very comfortable and very confident from the start.

"I was aware of David's quality, I wanted to be aggressive on the court, but this is definitely one of the best performances I've had in my career."

He said it was no coincidence such a stellar showing came at Melbourne Park.

"This has been my most successful grand slam - I love this court, I love this atmosphere," Djokovic said.

"I'm just pleased to have another shot at the title." 

Djokovic's previous three Australian Open finals have all resulted in wins - in 2008 and the past two years - setting him up with a chance on Sunday night to become the first man in the open era to claim three in a row.

If it's Federer he's playing, both finalists will be seeking a slice of history, as the Swiss great will be chasing his fifth Australian Open crown, which would be an open era record.

If Murray wins through, it will set up a rematch of the most recent grand slam final, when the Scot won his maiden major title at last year's US Open, beating Djokovic in a near-five-hour five-setter.

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Blues bowlers restrict Warriors

Stephen O'Keefe ... backs teammate Moises Henriques for a Test call-up. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Four wickets in the space of 24 hours combined with more than 1600km travelled have left NSW captain Stephen O'Keefe in no doubt that allrounder Moises Henriques is ready for Test cricket.

Four wickets in the space of 24 hours combined with more than 1600km travelled have left NSW captain Stephen O'Keefe in no doubt that allrounder Moises Henriques is ready for Test cricket.

SHEF - Blacktown International Sportspark

24 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 3

Western Australia 1st Innings

S. Whiteman	41	107	6	0	38.32
J. Behrendorf...	0	13	0	0	0

Henriques claimed just one wicket as the Blues restricted Western Australia to 9-232 at stumps on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash at Blacktown on Thursday.

The 25-year-old faced a battle just to get to the western Sydney venue after playing a vital role for Australia in the one-day win over Sri Lanka in Hobart on Wednesday night with figures of 3-32.

Henriques' travel schedule started with a 7.30am flight out of the Tasmanian capital and ended nearly five hours later.

But it was his nine-over spell for the Blues after backing up from the previous night's heroics that impressed his state skipper enough to suggest another plane ticket - one to India - wasn't out of the question.

With Shane Watson deciding his body is unable to withstand the rigours of bowling, the Test allrounder spot has suddenly opened up, with Henriques and offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell looming as the main contenders to fill it for next month's four-Test series in India.

"There's no doubt I believe Moises has got talent as an allrounder (at that level)," O'Keefe said.

"I think his batting's good enough and I think his bowling's good enough.

"He showed in the one-dayer for Australia, that match-winning three-for, I think that's just a small glimpse at the potential he's got to win games.

"When he's on, he's as good a batter as anyone else and he's more than handy with the ball."

In fact, the most impressive bowler of the day was O'Keefe himself, another potential bolter for the Indian tour as the Shield's leading spinner with 12 wickets.

Both have just three more days to push their cases for inclusion in Australia's trip to India, and they'll have to do it against a Warriors outfit desperately fighting to get off the bottom of the Shield ladder.

O'Keefe claimed 3-52 on a slow wicket that offered a little for the spinners, including the scalps of openers Liam Davis (39) and Marcus Harris (25) as well as top-scorer John Rogers (45).

But it was his decision to send the Warriors in to bat which had the skipper most disappointed after a mostly productive day for the Blues.

"I don't think we assessed (the conditions) as best we would've liked on that wicket," he said.

"We thought it would've had a bit more with the new ball, however it's turned out to be pretty slow and offers a little bit for the spinners."

One man no longer pushing for Test selection is the recently retired Michael Hussey, who ended his international career in front of a full SCG earlier this month.

It was a far different sight at Blacktown, where the 37-year-old scored 29 before falling victim to Chris Tremain (1-35) during a period in which the visitors lost 3-37 after lunch to slump to 5-128.

Promising wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Whiteman (41) and Rogers (45) led a lower-order recovery which helped WA push their score towards respectability.

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'If it goes the distance, Geale wins'

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Rivals ... the Real Deal and The Man are set to fight it out once and for all. Source:AAP

"I've been around the block man. I've got nothing else to prove.

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"But I tell you what, once I win this, no critic, no knocker, no man can say, that I am not the man. That's what I'm gonna do; I'm gonna prove that I'm the best.''

These are the words of three-time world champion Anthony "The Man" Mundine, spoken just over a week out from his highly anticipated rematch with compatriot Daniel "The Real Deal" Geale, to be held on January 30, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The pair first met centre ring back in 2009, when Mundine claimed a controversial split decision win over Geale, taking his IBO middleweight world title in the process.

Four years on, and much has changed in the careers of both fighters – the one constant, however, has been their overwhelming dislike for each other.

Over a career spanning 29 fights, Geale's only loss has been suffered at Mundine's hands. Since then, he's gone on to win both the WBA and IBF middleweight world titles on foreign soil, beating Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm in their own backyards.

During that same time, Mundine has gone on to achieve, well, not a whole lot. After dropping down to junior middleweight, he pursued an at times laughable bid to land a shot at pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. - culminating in a seventh round stoppage of 41-year old Bronco McKart, a guy whose best years were left well and truly back in the 90s.

"You ask the other guy, he thinks he's the favourite. I'm going in there with a level head, I know what I need to do. I'm not worried about bookies or anything like that," Mundine says.

"I'm in control, and I've just got to go in there with my plan and make it come through."

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Geale is happy to let Mundine do all the talking outside of the ring – an attitude that has seen him win over the Australian public in spades.

"I love fighting in Australia, I love fighting in front of a home crowd, and I'm going to have plenty of support at this one,'' he points out.

And he will. No Australian sportsman has ever divided his country the way Mundine has. While his talent, footwork and speed speak for themselves, the quality of opponent he has chosen to fight in recent years, perhaps speaks louder.

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Watch the bout LIVE on Main Event from 8pm (EDT) on Wednesday, January 30.

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In 2012, Mundine backed out of a deal to fight undefeated WBA champ Austin Trout – a fight which, had we won, would have seen him propelled back onto the world stage.

Now 37, Mundine has been gifted another chance to take a world title from Geale. "He's done great things," Mundine acknowledges. "But when he steps in that ring with me, I'm the best fighter he's ever been in with.

"I hurt him more times in our first fight than in both his world title fights … I told you, him at his best, mentally and physically, and me at my best? I'll beat him one hundred times out of one hundred.

"Geale can't beat me. I'm faster than him. I'm stronger than him. The only thing he does consistently and probably better than me is work rate.

"But this ain't the amateurs baby, this is the pros. So you judges and you people out there – when he's hittin' air and gloves, and I'm hittin' face and ribs, score that."

Geale's long time promoter is American Gary Shaw, a man who has well documented connections with the International Boxing Federation. From the moment this rematch was agreed to, Mundine has questioned Shaw's relationship with the IBF, suggesting the only way he will lose a decision to Geale is if the judges are in Shaw's pocket.

"It's just another tactic to try and throw me off," argues Geale. "You know what he's like, he's going to make up all the excuses under the sun.

"And you know what? That's fine. That's the way he goes about things, and once he gets beat, then guess what, there's gonna be another excuse there too."

For his part, Geale just wants to avenge the only loss in an otherwise solid career. It's why he's prepared to risk it all for a fight that could very well go either way.

Both men possess hand speed in buckets, but the advantage there would have to go to Mundine. Both men are defensively brilliant, but again, Mundine may be slightly slicker.

Neither guy is known for their power though, so you get the feeling Geale v Mundine II is once again going the distance. And that is where Geale has the advantage; he's six years younger than Mundine, and unlike many boxers, he doesn't take time off during rounds.

Geale's fitness is such that he is able to keep coming forward, and keep working for every minute of every round. Mundine, on the other hand fights in patches.

Mundine has fought just once in the past 15 months, while Geale fought twice in 2012, beating Sturm for the WBA middleweight title in his most recent outing.

So not only does Geale have age and work rate on his side, he also knows Mundine hasn't really been tested since their first fight in '09 – a mental edge that may be enough to get him home come Wednesday.

In any case, this was not a fight Geale needed, it was a fight he wanted: "Everything has gone to plan. We've been working very, very hard in the gym. Everyone knows we're not taking this fight lightly … But we're very confident, and I can't wait to get in there."

And we can't wait to see it.

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Blues ban Scotland for two games

Pub Blue ... Heath Scotland will miss his club's second-round clash with the Pies. Source: Michael Klein / Herald Sun

Carlton's reigning best and fairest winner Heath Scotland will miss AFL season-opening blockbuster clashes with Richmond and Collingwood after being suspended by his club.

The Blues have also ordered the 32-year-old to make a $3000 donation to charity after he pleaded guilty to an assault charge last year.

Scotland escaped conviction and was handed a two-year good behaviour bond in October over his role in a pub brawl in Mulwala in southern NSW last January.

"The club is very disappointed in Heath's actions as they did not uphold Carlton's core values and behaviours,'' the Blues' general manager of football Andrew McKay said.

"Heath has expressed considerable remorse for his actions and will make the $3000 donation to Les Twentyman's 20th Man organisation, who he has worked closely with over the past 12 months.

"This organisation provides educational, sporting and counselling services to the homeless and disadvantaged.

"Heath understands this is a serious matter and accepts the club's reasoning for the two-game suspension and donation.''

Scotland will be available for the pre-season competition and to play for the club's VFL affiliate, the Northern Blues, during his suspension, which was endorsed by the AFL.

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Video: Lights out for teen wrestler

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Lights out ... High School wrestler Michael McComish has a day to forget. Source:AAP

Michael McComish, a high school wrestler in rural South Dakota, has found himself in the spotlight on internet videos since a spotlight literally fell on him during a match.

The Madison High School senior was on his hands and knees on the mat in the 72kg match at his home gymnasium when a huge aluminum light fixture, estimated as weighing between 35kg and 45kg, fell from the ceiling 30 feet onto him.

McComish escaped with only minor cuts from the incident last Friday, although the video of the light falling upon him has been shown nationwide on US news programs and ESPN and gained YouTube attention for him as well.

"Just letting everyone know I'm fine! Stitches in my head. Gash on forehead and back of me head and little cuts from the glass nothin serious,'' he posted on his Twitter page.

"Nothing anybody could've done about it and I'm perfectly fine right now!''

School officials told the Daily Leader newspaper that the light fell after a rope broke that was holding the spotlight, which was brought in for the annual "Madison Square Garden Night'' event.

McComish and rival Thomas Swanson of Chamberlain went out of bounds during the first period of their match and were brought to the middle of the mat just before the spotlight fell, according to the newspaper.

"I walked over to the center, set, and the next thing I know the lights are on top of me,'' McComish told television station KSFY.

"It was bright. I couldn't stand up. It was awkward. I fell back down and got some cuts on my knees."

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DR Congo want to build on bright start

THE Democratic Republic of Congo could take a massive step toward qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a win over Niger Thursday.

The Leopards displayed resilience by fighting back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Ghana, four-time champions and one of the teams fancied to go all the way to the final in the competition.

After the game, coach Claude Le Roy was congratulated by the president of the France Football Federation for "bringing honour to African football".

However, Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani warned they have to look ahead now if they wish to go past the first round.

"We have not yet qualified for the next stage of the tournament but the result against Ghana has boosted our confidence," said Mbokani.

They will be up against a determined Niger, who are still seeking their first Africa Cup point, having lost all four matches since their debut at the 2012 tournament in Gabon, where they lost to the tournament co-hosts, Tunisia and Morocco.

Niger coach Gernot Rohr has lauded the fighting spirit of his team.

"We fought hard against Mali, who I believe will go very far in this competition, and we will fight against the Congolese," said Rohr.

"We are very strong defensively, but have struggled offensively."

All-action defender Mohamed Chicoto said they will not surrender as long as they have a chance of making it to the knockout rounds.

"It will be a very difficult game against DR Congo but as long as we have a chance to make it past the first round we will not give up," stressed Chicoto," he said.

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Dellacqua, Barty into doubles semi

Young star ... Ash Barty is still in the hunt for an Australian Open title. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

As the senior partner in a blossoming Australian doubles partnership, Casey Dellacqua senses the opportunity for something special at the Australian Open this week.

The 27-year-old West Australian and 16-year-old Queenslander Ashleigh Barty powered into the women's doubles semi-finals at Melbourne Park with an emphatic straight sets win over Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-3.

For Barty, a Grand Slam semi-final is uncharted territory and the excitement is building and bubbling over.

So too for Dellacqua, who already has a Grand Slam mixed doubles title under her belt.

She won the 2011 French Open with American Scott Lipsky, and has been in the women's doubles semi-finals before at the Australian Open - with Francesca Schiavone four years ago when the duo lost.

But she believes the prospect of her and Barty being able to achieve something special at their home Grand Slam is now a real one.

"I think this is a great opportunity for Ash and I," Dellacqua said.

"I didn't think I'd win the mixed doubles at the French Open, but you keep taking it match by match. Before you know it, you're in the final. then anything can happen.

"It's a great opportunity, and we're making the most of it.

"I didn't expect to be in the semi-final of a Grand Slam. We're both pretty pumped."

Dellacqua and Barty have already won a doubles title together, winning in Toyota, Japan late last year.

Already the duo have knocked out the No.3 seeds at Melbourne Park - Maria Kirilenko and experienced Lisa Raymond - and now face American Varvara Lepchenko and Zheng Saisai of China in the semis.

Barty, from Springfield near Ipswich, has already impressed in the Hopman Cup to kick-start her year and with understandable teenage exuberance, is relishing the opportunity for a Grand Slam title.

"It's unbelievable. We played well, we're pretty excited," she said.

"To be in the semis, to give ourselves a chance to be in the final, it's unbelievable."

Italy's Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, the top seeds, play Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the other semi-final.

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'Samuels not well-liked in Australia'

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Fiery ... Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels face off. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Melbourne Stars' batsman Cameron White says he finds it remarkable that Marlon Samuels has escaped with a reprimand for hurling his bat at Shane Warne.

After a surprisingly light judgement for his role in the incident, Samuels lashed out at Warne and his behaviour as the the face of the KFC T20 Big Bash League, and now White has joined the war of words too.

The BBL handed down a verdict on Monday night on a charge of unbecoming behaviour levelled against Melbourne Renegades' batsman Samuels following the heated Melbourne derby on January 6.

An underarm throw from Warne hit Samuels, which prompted the West Indian import to hurl his bat in the direction of Warne.

Cricket Australia Commissioner John Price said in his findings from the code-of-behaviour hearing that Samuels had been officially reprimanded.

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''The player's conduct resulted from extreme provocation,'' Price said.

White is baffled at how Samuels has avoided suspension.

''Being provoked, I don't think you can use that as an excuse,'' White told reporters on Tuesday.

''It's remarkable, isn't it? How many times have you seen someone throw their cricket bat on a cricket field and get (reprimanded) for being extremely provoked?

''I've never seen it before. That's what the judiciary came up with.

White added that it isn't surprising Samuels didn't get much sympathy from him or his Stars teammates after the West Indian was floored by a Lasith Malinga screamer.

''I don't think he's very well-liked, definitely not just from the Stars' point of view but probably in Australian cricket,'' White said.

''People think he carries on a bit.

''There's probably a few reasons (the Stars' players didn't check on his welfare). We were quite busy.''

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Dellacqua, Barty into semi-final

Dream team ... Australians Casey Dellacqua, above, and Ashleigh Barty are through to the semis. Source: AAP

As the senior partner in a blossoming Australian doubles partnership, Casey Dellacqua senses the opportunity for something special at the Australian Open this week.

The 27-year-old West Australian and 16-year-old Queenslander Ashleigh Barty powered into the women's doubles semi-finals at Melbourne Park with an emphatic straight sets win over Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-3.

For Barty, a Grand Slam semi-final is uncharted territory and the excitement is building and bubbling over.

So too for Dellacqua, who already has a Grand Slam mixed doubles title under her belt.

She won the 2011 French Open with American Scott Lipsky, and has been in the women's doubles semi-finals before at the Australian Open - with Francesca Schiavone four years ago when the duo lost.

But she believes the prospect of her and Barty being able to achieve something special at their home Grand Slam is now a real one.

''I think this is a great opportunity for Ash and I,'' Dellacqua said.

''I didn't think I'd win the mixed doubles at the French Open, but you keep taking it match by match. Before you know it, you're in the final. then anything can happen.

''It's a great opportunity, and we're making the most of it.

''I didn't expect to be in the semi-final of a Grand Slam. We're both pretty pumped.''

Dellacqua and Barty have already won a doubles title together, winning in Toyota, Japan late last year.

Already the duo have knocked out the No.3 seeds at Melbourne Park - Maria Kirilenko and experienced Lisa Raymond - and now face American Varvara Lepchenko and Zheng Saisai of China in the semis.

Barty, from Springfield near Ipswich, has already impressed in the Hopman Cup to kick-start her year and with understandable teenage exuberance, is relishing the opportunity for a Grand Slam title.

''It's unbelievable. We played well, we're pretty excited,'' she said.

''To be in the semis, to give ourselves a chance to be in the final, it's unbelievable.''

Italy's Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, the top seeds, play Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the other semi-final.

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Djokovic stems Berdych challenge

Focused ... Novak Djokovic was too good for Tomas Berdych. Source: AAP

He was coming off a five hour marathon but Novak Djokovic left no one in any doubt he had his mojo back as he brushed aside the challenge of Tomas Berdych to progress to another Australian Open semi-final.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round QF, 22/01/13

Djo (1)	6	4	6	6
Ber (5)	1	6	1	4

Djokovic was challenged as Berdych red-lined his game to steal the second set and level the match but the world No.1 weathered the storm to breeze home 6-1 4-6 6-1 6-4.

Despite a string of his trademark forehand winners dotting a highlight-filled second set, Berdych never quite managed to fully sink his teeth in the quarter final clash as he relinquished his opening serve of the third set and never recovered.

Djokovic's epic fourth round match with Stanislas Wawrinka brought about question marks over the two-time defending champion's ability to hit the ground running against another heavy hitter.

But the No.1 seed wasn't in the mood to be drawn into another long match and he quickly found his rhythm in the opening set, getting hold of Berdych's serve and bolting to the lead before sealing it 6-1.

While Djokovic was playing like his old self again, Berdych was flat and made too many errors to impose his powerful groundstrokes on the intimidating Serb.

That was to turn around out of nowhere in the second set as Berdych shot out of the blocks with some breathtaking winners to break Djokovic in the first game.

It must have felt like a long haul with five service holds to level up the match but the big Czech was able to maintain an exceptionally high level until he served for it at 5-4.

With two tight points to open the game, Berdych looked to have fluffed his lines as he stared down the barrel of a Djokovic break back at 0-30 down.

With some big serving and some brave forehands, Berdych saved a couple of break points before finally taking his chance to serve out the set.

As the winners flowed from the Berdych racquet, expectation grew that another epic was afoot but the crowd was to be stunned by another monumental momentum shift as Berdych dropped his opening service game in the third and suddenly the set was over - again 6-1 to Djokovic.

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Murray, Tsonga through to last eight

Cruise control ... Murray cruises past a deflated Simon. Source: Rob Griffith / AAP

It was the fourth-round Australian Open win Novak Djokovic probably wishes he'd had.

Andy Murray swept an ailing Gilles Simon off court in straight sets in time for an early dinner - a stark contrast to the man whom the Scot may meet in Sunday's final.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Sim (14)	3	1	3
Mur (3)	6	6	6

Djokovic spent more than five hours on court to eventually finish off Stanislas Wawrinka in the early hours of Monday morning.

Fourteenth seed Simon, who had played a five-set marathon the previous round against Gael Monfils, appeared to also be suffering from some sort of 'flu, coughing and blowing his nose regularly during the match.

But Murray barely broke sweat in Monday's 6-3 6-1 6-3 victory.

He broke Simon's serve six times in the first two sets, and grabbed an early third set break before breaking again to win the match in one hour and 35 minutes.

Murray admitted Simon appeared to be struggling, but attempted to focus only on his game rather than the problems of his opponent.

"I just have to try to focus on my side of the court, but clearly he was struggling with his movement today,'' Murray said.

Murray now plays another Frenchman, surprise packet Jeremy Chardy, in the quarter-finals.

Chardy beat Murray the last time they played in the Cincinnati Open last year.

Chardy won through with a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Italian 21st seed Andreas Seppi.

In five previous appearances at Melbourne Park, he'd never made it further than the second round with his former best grand slam effort the fourth round at the French Open back in 2008.

Chardy, 25, was excited to be playing in the second week also beating sixth seed Argentine Juan Del Potro en route.

"I'm very happy,'' he said.

"I didn't play very well since the beginning of the year.

"After my first win I feel more relaxed, more confident and now I'm in the quarter-final; like a dream.''

Spurred on by his new Australian coach Roger Rasheed, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga moved a step closer to an elusive grand slam title with a fourth round win at Melbourne Park.

Seventh seed Tsonga skipped to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over good friend Richard Gasquet on Monday.

Tsonga, whose best grand slam result was runner-up here to Novak Djokovic in 2008, linked with Rasheed, a long-time mentor for Lleyton Hewitt, late last year.

Showing a clear liking for Australian conditions, Tsonga was also a semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2010 and has reached the final four at Wimbledon for the past two years, including a stunning upset of Roger Federer in a quarter-final last year.

The 27-year-old wouldn't reveal what Rasheed had focused on since taking over the coaching reins but said Rasheed had ignited his desire to win.

"It's great because he's always positive,'' Tsonga said.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Tso (7)	6	3	6	6
Gas (9)	4	6	3	2

"He want maybe more than me to win.

"I try to be at his level and have exactly the same motivation because I think he can move some mountains because he is very motivated.''

Ranked No.8 in the world, the talented Frenchman hired Rasheed, who has also worked with compatriot Gael Monfils, in the hope the Australian can help him claim a grand slam and become the world's best player.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Cha	5	6	6	6
Sep (21)	7	3	2	2

Missed a result? Catch all the Australian Open scores here!

Tsonga said he felt different approaching the Open with a local in his corner.

"Last year I was by myself,'' he said.

"It's just great to be with him; he gives me good advice so I hope I will continue to play good tennis and I hope we'll have come victories together.''

Tsonga joined another Frenchman in the quarter finals, with Jeremy Chardy advancing to his first final eight in a grand slam on his 21st attempt.

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Titans pocket cheque book - for now

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Shifting focus ... Gold Coast search for Scott Prince's replacement. Source: Ribb Cox / AAP

The search for a halfback is about to begin in earnest at the Gold Coast Titans.

But they reckon they have put away the cheque book after their ill-fated swoop on Jamie Lyon.

Coach John Cartwright says the recent $3 million-plus play for Manly matchwinner Lyon showed they had the money to sign the NRL's elite.

However, coming trial matches would decide who would replace halfback Scott Prince (gone to the Broncos) and centre Beau Champion (South Sydney) after giving up on signing any more players ahead of the 2013 season.

"It (luring Lyon) was a business decision. If the right guy is on the market we are ready to talk,'' Cartwright said on Monday.

"We've got money in the bank to make an offer but it is not just going to be to anyone.

"Jamie is one of the best in the game so if he was available we would be silly not to have a go.''

Asked if the Titans had given up on him Cartwright said: "I would say so - if it was going to happen it would have been last week.

"It shows the club is deadly serious about putting the best side on the paddock but we will not go out willy nilly.''

Cartwright conceded the Titans were "a bit thin'' in the centres after both Lyon and Michael Jennings knocked back lucrative offers.

But he was confident they had the depth to cover the gaping hole left by ex-captain Prince.

He said Beau Henry, Albert Kelly and Jordan Rankin would vie for his No.7 jersey in the pre-season trials, starting against the New Zealand Warriors on February 9.

"They have worked as hard as each other at training but it's out on the field when it is competitive, that's when you get a better grasp, the trials will be very important for these guys,'' said Cartwright who is set to name his new captain this week.

"We have built a very good side around them (halves). If I was a young halfback I would love to be playing in this side.

"Now it is about someone going out there and grabbing that spot.''

Rankin believes the next Titans halfback has the chance to follow Rabbitohs sensation Adam Reynolds and become the next NRL success story.

"It's probably the elephant in the room at the moment - who is going to fill Scott Prince's spot?'' Rankin said.

"It was important that the club showed confidence in us young guys coming through and didn't shop around (for a halfback).

"The spot is now there to be taken. Adam Reynolds showed last year if you take your chance you can be anything.''

Cartwright did not believe the failure to replace Champion put added pressure on Jamal Idris to step up in the centres this season.

"We haven't kicked a ball yet,'' he said.

"But he is where we want him to be.

"He hasn't put a foot wrong. He will start fitter than he ever has.''

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Glock, Marussia F1 team part ways

Mutual ... Timo Glock (L) and Mark Webber in Spain. Source: Jan Woitas / AAP

German driver Timo Glock has left the Marussia Formula One team with immediate effect, the team said on Monday.

Glock, 30, had a contract with the team until 2014, but Marussia cited economic reasons for a decision it said was reached "by mutual consent.''

It is believed Marussia is looking for a driver who will bring more sponsorship revenue to the team.

The racing future of Glock, who has been with Marussia since it was formed in 2009, is now uncertain.

It is thought the former Jordan, Toyota and Virgin driver could be eyeing a start in Germany's DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft) race series.

Marussia team principal John Booth praised Glock's "very significant contribution'' to the team's development.

"The ongoing challenges facing the industry mean that we have had to take steps to secure our long-term future,'' he said in a statement posted on the team's website.

"Tough economic conditions prevail and the commercial landscape is difficult for everyone, Formula 1 teams included.

"We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision, especially as he had a valid contract, and also for the contribution he has made to our team.''

Marussia has not yet named a replacement for Glock.

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Watch & vote: best catches of BBL

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Screamer ... Kane Richardson won't forget this catch in a while. Source:Fox Sports

There were plenty of spectacular catches during this season's KFC T20 Big Bash League, but which was the best?

Which catch was the best of BBL|02?

The team at Inside Cricket have trawled through a myriad of impressive fielding feats and come up with their top six grabs from BBL|02.

Kane Richardson's one-handed effort on the boundary during Adelaide Strikers' win over Hobart Hurricanes scored plenty of headlines, and rightfully so, but was it better than Joe Burns's balancing act for Brisbane Heat?

Unfortunately for Hurricanes batsman Travis Birt, he was the unlucky batsman on both occasions.

While the catches off Birt's batting are high on the list, there's also room for a couple of great grabs from earlier in the season.

Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman's amazing one-handed catch during the thrilling win over Brisbane Heat sent Fox Sports commentator Allan Border into raptures, while Cameron Borgas and Scott Coyte's team effort for Sydney Thunder certainly deserves a mention.

Let's not forget big West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who followed up his impressive catch against Melbourne Renegades with an even more impressive celebration.

And while he may have grabbed more attention for his efforts with the ball in Test cricket this summer, seamer Jackson Bird showed he's more than just a one trick pony with a nice diving catch for Melbourne Stars.

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'It's time to break up the Roar'

Tough times ... can Besart Berisha find the goalscoring touch to lift Brisbane? Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

While Sydney FC - and Alessandro Del Piero - were the undoubted stars, there were plenty of other story-lines from round 17 of the A-League.

Brisbane Roar 1 lost to Western Sydney Wanderers 2

Bozza says: Wanderers didn't play at their best but still came away with the three points - and that's a sign of a champion team. You just have to see the spirit there, not only among the players but also the connection with the fans. Any of the top four teams can win the title. As for Brisbane, there is something not quite right there at the moment. Something is going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to.

Robbie Slater says: Wanderers are in with a big shot to make the top two. They are just getting better and better. This wasn't a performance which was their best, but it was professional. The self-belief seems to have disappeared from Brisbane this season. They look a team of individuals whereas last season they were a magnificent unit. I think it's time to break the team up. Not all of it, but I think they need to add something new and also let some other players go.  

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Perth Glory 0 lost to Melbourne Victory 1

Bozza says: I thought Victory deserved this win. With all the huffing and puffing Perth did, I never thought they would ever score. I actually think Victory should have finished them off in the second half. You could say from a territorial viewpoint that Perth were really pressing, but once again, for me, they had nothing really clear cut until Ryo Nagai came on towards the end. I thought he looked dangerous. The win for Victory was the stuff of potential champions for me.

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Sydney FC 7 d Wellington Phoenix 1

Bozza says: This was definitely Sydney's best performance of the season - and they are a completely different side with the addition of Joel Griffiths up front. Alessandro Del Piero hit the nail on the head when he said the win over Heart last weekend, especially when they were 1-0 down and staring at the end of their season, has given them a massive lift. That was their season-defining effort. This game was over at half-time and they could have easily taken their foot off the pedal, but they kept on going forward. For Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert, when you suffer a defeat like this, it takes of a lot of explaining to your board.

Mark Rudan on Alessandro Del Piero: If you haven't yet, you must go and see this guy live because you don't get the chance too watch too many World Cup winners play on our shores. The guy is sheer class - an absolute winner. His teammates describe him as an absolute gentleman, but at the same time has a real burning desire to win at all costs.

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Central Coast Mariners 0 drew with Newcastle Jets 0

Bozza says: This was an unbelievable game considering the conditions. Congratulations to both sides as they really approached the game in the right manner. They went at each other hammer and tongs and it was only a mixture of some bad finishing, bad luck and some excellent goalkeeping that this stayed at 0-0. A draw was a fair result. It took the Mariners a while to adjust when they lost Griffiths and Simon in recent times. The same can be said for Tomas Rogic. When you lose a player of his caliber, it's difficult.

Mark Rudan says: Attack was the best form of defence for the Jets. There were lots of positives for Newcastle out of this. I really liked the way they played and they really took the game to the Mariners.

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Melbourne Heart 2 d Adelaide United 0

Robbie Slater says: The story of the game for Adelaide was too many individual mistakes, a lack of discipline and poor concentration - something they are normally so good at. You look at the stats and think Adelaide were a bit unlucky, but it was far from the truth. They were second best and Heart deserved their victory. We all know about Heart's good first halves - but this was more about their second-half effort. They came straight out of the blocks and got that second goal. Richard Garcia, for me, was again one of the best on the pitch. We looked for Adelaide to mount a comeback but it didn't happen.

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Fourth ODI abandoned in Sydney

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Grey old day ... The rain eventually cleared in Sydney but the umpires still weren't happy. Source:AAP

Rain robbed Sri Lanka of the chance to wrap up their one-day international series with Australia on Sunday, after two umpiring howlers and another top-order collapse restricted the hosts to just 9-222 at the SCG.

4th ODI - Sydney Cricket Ground

20 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Sri Lanka 1st Innings

M. Jayawarden...	4	11	0	0	36.36
T. Dilshan	9	9	1	0	100
M. Starc	1.2	0	1	0	0.75

Up 2-1 in the five-game series, Sri Lanka reached 0-14, with openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (nine not out) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (four not out) successfully negotiating the first 3.2 overs in reply before rain set in about 7pm (AEDT).

Rain stopped falling roughly an hour before the match was called off at 9pm, the outfield considered too wet for play.

It will go down as a missed opportunity for the tourists, who will now head to Hobart for Wednesday's fifth and final game seeking back-to-back ODI series wins, after their triumph over New Zealand at home in November last year.

Both captains were told the light rain was more troublesome than heavy rain, that would've soaked into the SCG turf and been drained away.

Instead the drizzle sat on the surface and, with no sunlight or wind to impact it, caused a premature end to the fixture.

Jayawardene feared it could cost them a series victory and said he would write to the match umpire for clarification on the rules - pointing out heavy rain during their series against New Zealand didn't end the game.

"I think we can probably write to the match ref because obviously the interpretation we got three months ago in the New Zealand series was something totally different," he said.

"It was deemed that they'd only stop play if it was dangerous, not unfair.

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"But today the interpretation was different. I accept that."

Australia's innings was built heavily around top-scoring opener David Warner (60) and some lusty lower order hitting from No.9 Mitchell Starc (52 not out).

After lamenting Australia's dismal collapse at the Gabba on Friday, when bowled out for just 74, coach Mickey Arthur would've been less than impressed as top order frailties were again exposed by crafty Sri Lankan medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekara and speedster Lasith Malinga.

But the Australians weren't helped by two blunders from the on-field officials who prematurely ended the innings of top-scorer Warner and Moises Henriques (3).

On both occasions the batsmen were given out lbw, despite replays showing clear inside edges prior to hitting the pads, and Australia slumped to 6-130 with the consecutive dismissals.

Neither was able to use the decision review system because captain Michael Clarke (20) had burned Australia's only challenge with a frivolous query of an lbw of his own - which was upheld.

Warner, whose 60 is his highest ODI score in nearly 10 months, was particularly seething at the officiating error, thumping his bat in frustration as he glared at umpire Marais Erasmus on his walk back to the pavilion.

It was a painful end to an, at times, painful innings for the explosive opener, who was felled by a quick delivery to the groin before later getting hit on his left thumb - both incidents leaving the 26-year-old grimacing like Arthur just as the wickets fell.

But the 40-run last wicket partnership between Starc and Xavier Doherty (10no) pushed Australia past 200, further exposing the disappointing performance of Warner's top-order allies who were once again bamboozled by swing bowler Kulasekara (3-30).

Malinga (2-33) also chimed in with a vicious burst of fast swing bowling that enticed an edge from David Hussey (1) and had George Bailey (22) seemingly under a spell.

Rangana Herath (2-37) and Thisara Perera (2-64) were the other wicket-takers.

Clarke praised Warner and Starc but admitted he was disappointed that Australia now no longer had a chance to win the series - only draw it in Hobart.

"I'd rather see us lose the game than not get a result at all," Clarke said.

He lamented the two decisions that went against Australia's batsmen, but said it wouldn't change his approach to using DRS.

The biggest cheer of the night came deep into the rain delay when fans in the Victor Trumper stand built the biggest beer snake in history - officially breaking the record registered at the WACA in 2007.

Check out Australia's efforts with the bat at Match Centre!

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Ferrer, Berdych ease into quarters

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Big Bad Berdych ... The No.1 five seed smoked Kevin Anderson. Source: Mark Dadswell / AAP

Fifth seed Tomas Berdych advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (15-13) win over unseeded South African Kevin Anderson.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 20/01/13

Fer (4)	6	6	6
Nis (16)	2	1	4

The Czech made light work of the first two sets, before taking a marathon third set tie-break on his fifth match point for victory in two hours and 44 minutes.

Meanwhile, No.4 seed David Ferrer obliterated 16th seed Kei Nishikori on Rod Laver Arena 6-2 6-1 6-4 to move into the quarter-finals and a showdown with No.10 seed Nicolas Almagro, who was the beneficiary of Janko Tipsarevic's retirement.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 20/01/13

Ferrer's magnificent chasing and defensive play was a feature of the two hour, 10 minute fourth-round encounter.

A tough first service game was as hard as it got for the Spaniard early as he broke Asia's highest ranked player to go up 3-1 in the first set and closed it out with relative ease.

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But what followed in the second set was at times breathtaking as Ferrer steamed to a 5-0 lead, the Japanese player allowed no chance to find rhythm.

As if to put an exclamation point on his dominance, Ferrer saved three break points before eventually serving out the set.

Nishikori, who appeared to be hampered by a knee problem late in the match, battled hard in the third set.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 20/01/13

They traded breaks of serve throughout - the decisive one coming in the ninth game on Nishikori as Ferrer grabbed a 5-4 advantage, before he comfortably served out the match.

"I played really good the first two sets - I didn't have any mistakes," Ferrer told the Rod Laver Arena crowd post-match.

"So now I am in the quarter-final of the Australian Open. I am very satisfied."

Barely mentioned as the Melbourne Park focus has been squarely on the men's big three of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, Ferrer remains on track for a semi-final with top seed Djokovic should the pair keep winning.

But he will first have to get past countryman Almagro, who had an even easier path to the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard was leading 6-2 5-1 when Tipsarevic retired hurt with what appeared to be a foot injury from late in the first set.

The Serb called a medical time-out when down 5-2 in the first and returned to the court with his ankle and foot heavily strapped and padding on his heel.

But the No.8 seed was unable to finish the second set, calling it quits just past the one hour mark.

Tipsarevic had been involved in an epic five-setter in the previous round before prevailing over France's Julien Benneteau and that may have contributed to his injury.
 

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Bozza's Save of the Week R17

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Mixed emotions ... Birighitti will have been thrilled with his effort but disappointed with the draw. Source:AAP

Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has taken out Bozza's Save of the Week for the third time this season with a fine reflex block in his side's 0-0 draw with local rivals Central Coast.

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Birighitti was called into action a number of times on a greasy night at Bluetongue Stadium where the Jets gloveman kept his third consecutive clean sheet.

But it was a firm left hand that denied what would have been a spectacular Michael McGlinchey goal that drew the praise of Fox Sports football commentator Mark Bosnich.

"There were a few good saves, no real outstanding saves, but this one pretty much stood out," Mark Bosnich said of Birighitti's effort.

"Danny Vukovic's was a close one, Matty Ryan's, but they were both basically straight at them.

"This one was a little bit to the side and was a fantastic save because that would have been goal of the round that one if he would have ended up scoring there, McGlinchey."

How did you rate Birighitti's block? Have your say below!
 

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