Family first
NEW YORK - Blissfully happy off court and still No.1 on it, Roger Federer has no plans on retiring any time soon. His defeats are so rare that seemingly after each and every one, Federer is asked when is enough enough? But even if he admits Father Time may be catching up and that winning these days is never enough, the family man plans on sticking around for some time yet. Despite his shock US Open quarter-final loss, Federer is assured of retaining the top ranking from arch rival Novak Djokovic for a few more weeks at least.
Vijay leads
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Adam Scott's putting woes continued to plague him but the top-ranked Australian remains in contention after the second round of the penultimate US PGA tour playoff event in Indiana. Scott fired a second consecutive four-under 68 to move to eight under par at Crooked Stick Golf Club, five back of leader Vijay Singh. Singh overshadowed the showdown between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy with a six-under 66 leaving the Fijian at 13-under par, one clear of the power duo and Ryan Moore.
Serena in finals
NEW YORK - Three-time champion Serena Williams cruised into her sixth US Open final yesterday with a 6-1 6-2 mauling of Italian Sara Errani and will tackle world No.1 Victoria Azarenka in the final. Williams, the Wimbledon and Olympic champion, will be looking to capture a 15th grand slam singles title in today's title match which she has reached for the loss of just 19 games. She will take a 9-1 winning record into the final against top-seed Azarenka.
No contract
LONDON - There was no place for Kevin Pietersen among the 10 England players awarded central contracts yesterday by the England and Wales Cricket Board for the 2013 season. Pietersen has been in England exile since being dropped following the second Test against his native South Africa in Leeds last month. But the ECB did not completely close the door on Pietersen being added to the list for what will be an Ashes year, saying in a statement yesterday: "In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are on-going and they remain private."
Amazing season
BRUSSELS - Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt overcame a terrible start to round off his season with a victory in 9.86sec in the 100m at the Diamond League meet yesterday. Bolt's reaction time out of the blocks left him chasing St Kitts and Nevis veteran Kim Collins in front of a packed King Baudouin Stadium. Fresh from claiming a second successive treble gold medal haul at the London Olympics, Bolt's pick-up was also slack, but his trademark strong drive phase allowed him to surge past the field.
Rugby job
LONDON - Mike Catt has been appointed as England's new attacking skills coach, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced yesterday. South Africa-born Catt, capped 75 times by England in a variety of positions in the backs, will work under head coach Stuart Lancaster and alongside backs specialist Andy Farrell and forwards coach Graham Rowntree. Catt, currently with Premiership side London Irish, got the role after impressing in a caretaker capacity during England's recent tour of South Africa.