Sports News in Brief
Last 16
MELBOURNE - Ana Ivanovic has won the battle of the Serbian seeds to earn an Australian Open showdown with in-form Pole Agnieszka Radwanska. Ivanovic, seeded 13, defeated compatriot Jelena Jankovic, the 22nd seed, 7-5 6-3 in the third round on yesterday. Radwanska had an easier pathway, continuing her stunning form with a 6-3 6-1 win over young Briton Heather Watson. The fourth seed has already won titles in Auckland and Sydney and is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park on her progression through to the last 16.
Man City plot
LONDON - Manchester City can close to within four points of their English Premier League title rivals Manchester United by beating Fulham on Saturday (3am Sunday Fiji time). United, who don't play until Sunday, have looked imperious in recent weeks, picking up 31 points from a possible 33 to establish a seven-point lead over second-placed City, who have let 10 points slip over the same period. The Reds Devils visit Tottenham Hotspur, who have lost just once in 10 matches and who won 3-2 at Old Trafford when the sides last met in September.
Rose blooms
ABU DHABI - Justin Rose grabbed a share of the first round lead in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday on a day when both Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods struggled to get their seasons into gear. Rose went out in four under 32 en route to a five-under 67.