Good start
PERTH - Australias mens hockey side opened their four-Test series against South Korea with a 2-0 win in Perth on Friday night. With places in the London Olympics squad up for grabs, the hosts dominated the match and eased to victory thanks to goals from co-captain Mark Knowles and Luke Doerner. While Australia enjoyed a glut of possession, Kookaburras assistant coach Graham Reid noted his side failed to make the most of six penalty corners and 19 shots on goal. We were solid, had plenty of shots but when you create so many opportunities, you need to be far more thorough in the circle, Reid said.
French double
PARIS - Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy won their first grand slam doubles title, beating Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova of Russia 4-6 6-4 6-2 in the French Open final on Friday. Errani became the first player since Kim Clijsters in 2003 to reach the singles and doubles final at Roland Garros. The two Italians were runners-up at the Australian Open in January. They remain unbeaten on clay this season, winning 23 matches and clinching titles in Acapulco, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome. Errani faces top-ranked Maria Sharapova of Russia in the singles final today.
Stars in trouble
BRISBANE - Wallabies stars Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale are in hot water again as the Australian Rugby Union investigates a late night scuffle at a popular Brisbane city hotel. The two sidelined backs were allegedly involved in an incident with security guards outside the Victory Hotel after trying to re-enter the venue. Its understood a scuffle broke out after the high-profile pair, who had previously left the venue, wanted to resume drinking but were denied access in the early hours of Friday morning. Police were called but no arrests were made at the time.
Rugby review
BRISBANE - Former Wallabies coach John Connolly has called for a complete review of Australian rugby if Robbie Deans vulnerable team lose their three-Test series with Wales. The battle between the Six Nations and Tri-Nations champions kicks off on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium with coach Deans on shaky ground and the Welsh justifiably confident of ending their 42-year drought Down Under. But rather than wanting successor Deans to be made a scapegoat, 2007 World Cup coach Connolly said a series defeat should spark a broad national review of how the code is being governed by the Australian Rugby Union. Connolly feels the New Zealander could be axed immediately if the Welsh triumph but said that would paper over the cracks of more significant deep-rooted problems. If they lose this series to Wales there should be a review of the game.
Fast time
MONTREAL, Canada - Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in overcast conditions during the opening free practice for the Canadian Grand Prix here on Friday. The 27-year-old McLaren driver, who is yet to win a Grand Prix this year, clocked a time of 1min 15.564 seconds towards the end of the session. Hamilton set the pace from the start until the session was red-flagged after Finn Heikki Kovalainen of Caterham lost control of his car and crashed.