Seeds tumble in Charleston

Clay court specialist Anabel Medina Garrigues battled past qualifier Melanie Oudin 6-4 4-6 6-0 in the first round of the WTA Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

The Spanish 10th seed will face Anastasia Rodionova next, after the Australian beat qualifier Melanie Czink 6-2 2-6 6-1.

Medina Garrigues has won 10 WTA titles on clay - more than any other active player - but had to grind it out over the first two sets before coming through in two hours and 29 minutes.

Unseeded Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak outlasted American 11th seed Christina McHale 7-5 5-7 6-4 in a two-hour, 48-minute marathon.

Wozniak, a former world number 21, had three aces and won 70 per cent of her first-serve points.

In other matches on Monday, Argentinian Paula Ormaechea surprised 15th seed Chanelle Scheepers 6-1 1-6 6-4 while 16th seed Jarmila Gajdosova lost to Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Serena Williams begins her challenge on Tuesday against Elena Vesnina of Russia, who beat Canada's Stephanie Dubois 7-6 (12/10) 7-5.

Tiger Woods: the journey back is only just beginning

Tiger Woods is the bookies' favourite for the Masters. But judging from his recent dealings with journalists he still has some way to go on the comeback trail

Tiger Woods is back, according to the snappy but inadequate shorthand of those whose job it is to interpret narrow sporting narratives for a wider audience. As is usually the case when it comes to the man who was at once the most celebrated and the most unknown athlete in the world, the truth is more complex.


Certainly, Woods is back among the best half-a-dozen or so of the world's best golfers. He is back in the winner's circle after beating the field at the PGA Tour's Bay Hill Invitational last month, his first official victory anywhere in the world for almost two and a half years. And this week he is back at Augusta National Golf Club to compete in the Masters, for which he is the bookies' favourite. But for the Tiger Woods of old, the sporting demi-god and global corporate icon, the journey back is only just beginning.

Chelsea and Inter Milan scramble Laurent Blanc

Chelsea come to reap the impact of firing the coach of Inter Milan, ClaudioRanieri. Because Inter are now also pursuing a candidate who wants Chelseacoach.

Coach coveted British and Italian giants was none other than Laurent Blanc. In fact, Blanc is still dealing with the French national team has been offered a salary of £ 200,000 per week to gush Chelsea.

Gomez scores in Santos 1-1 draw with Toronto

Gomez with Santos
*He scored in a 1-1 draw with Santos.
*Highlights after the jump...

Balotelli Surprise Konpers Ramaccioni

There are interesting things during a press conference the new coach of InterMilan, Andrea Stramaccioni. In konpers broadcast live by the Inter Channel, all of a sudden Mario Balotelli came into the room. Manchester City striker was immediately greeted all directors are present including the Inter Inter coach,Andrea Stramaccioni.

Former Inter Milan striker's red Ferrari parked in the gym Inter. After that, hesurprised everyone with a direct presence in the press conference.

No extra Security Needed for Bahrain - Motorsport Chief

Security does not need to be stepped up during the Bahrain Grand Prix, according to the president of the country's Automobile Federation.

The race will return in April - after it was cancelled in 2011 following the deaths of anti-government protesters involved in clashes with authorities.

Liselotte Neumann named European captain for Solheim Cup

Sweden's Liselotte Neumann is to succeed England's Alison Nicholas as Europe's Solheim Cup captain.

Nicholas stepped down after leading the Europeans to a dramatic 15-13 victory over the United States in Ireland last year.

Graeme Swann backs England to beat Sri Lanka in Galle

Graeme Swann has backed England to make history by chasing down a fourth-innings target of 340 to beat Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle.

England, who have never chased more than 332, require a further 229 to win with eight wickets in hand.

Andy Murray overcomes Janko Tipsarevic to book last-four spot

Andy Murray overcame illness to secure his place in the last four of the Miami Masters.

Murray secured a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory against Janko Tipsarevic but it was far from easy for the Scot.

AC Milan 0-0 Barcelona

Barcelona will need to beat AC Milan at the Nou Camp to ensure their place in the Champions League semi-finals after being held to a goalless draw in Italy.

The defending champions' claims for a penalty were turned down when Alexis Sanchez fell under Christian Abbiati's challenge in a dominant first half.

Yanks Abroad on TV

All Times EST.

Wednesday, March 28
8:00 pm - Toronto vs Santos (Gomez) - FOX Soccer/TeleFutura

Thursday, March 29
3:05 pm - Atletico Madrid vs Hannover (Cherundolo) - DirecTV-UEFA (chs. 481/481-1) (delay, 5:00 pm - GolTV)
3:05 pm - AZ Alkmaar (Altidore) vs Valencia - DirecTV-UEFA (chs. 482-482-1)
3:05 pm - Schalke (Jones) vs Athletic Bilbao - GolTV

Federer rocked by 'tough' Miami loss to Roddick

Roger Federer dropped his serve just once during a two-hour battle with Andy Roddick at the Miami Masters, but it was enough to end the former world No. 1's 16-match winning streak.

Federer, who has already clinched three titles in 2012, boasts a strong record against world No. 34 Roddick and has beaten the American in four major finals among his record 16 grand slam crowns.

McIlroy turns Augusta tragedy into major triumph

After a gut-wrenching collapse on the final day of the 2011 Masters, questions were asked about Rory McIlroy's mental fortitude and his ability to compete for golf's major honors.

But two months later, at June's U.S. Open, the Northern Irishman produced a resounding response to his doubters by romping to a record-breaking eight-shot victory at Congressional.

Ream and Bolton Versus Tottenham in the FA Cup

Ream came on as a substitute in the 28' minute after an injury to Darren Pratley.  Ream played in a central defensive midfield position.

Brilliant Sharapova cruises through to Miami semifinals

Second seed Maria Sharapova is through to the semifinals of the Miami Masters after crushing French Open champion Li Na in straight sets on Tuesday.

Sharapova, who has never won the Miami title despite reaching three previous finals, won eight games in a row on her way to a 6-3 6-0 success in just 68 minutes.

Dempsey and Fulham Versus Manchester United

Clint Dempsey went 90' in Fulham's 1-0 loss to Manchester United. Link after the jump.

Link:  http://www.fulhamfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/1112Highlights/0,,10415~2694133,00.html

Pacquiao Squares Up To Tax Man

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao says he intends to fight criminal charges that he failed to submit the proper tax documents for his earnings from boxing matches and his many commercial endorsements.

The eight-time world champion, who is also a politician, could face up to two years in jail if found guilty, but officials from the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the matter could be easily resolved if Pacquiao submits the proper documents.

New Inter coach profile, Andrea Stramaccioni "Villas-Boas Italy"

Monday night in Italy (26/03) Internazionale Milano meet sudden impact of a prolonged crisis in the Nerazzurri's growing season, a tripartite meeting between President Massimo Moratti, director Marco Branca and Piero Ausilio resulted in a verdict, Claudio Ranieri had to go.
 
Instead of being fired, but coach nicknamed The Thinkerman is reportedly going with the status of mutual consent (agreement) that it could ultimately reduce the cost to be incurred Inter.

Mourinho: Had APOEL Make Dizziness

Jose Mourinho delighted his side can win away to bring home the third goal of APOEL headquarters, but he admitted that he was confused by his opponent.
You could say Real Madrid has set one foot in the semi-final round with impressive results early this morning, at least APOEL now need to score four goals without reply later in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu if you want to be a stronghold of the escape.

Aims Bojan Krkic Liverpool

Bojan Krkic admitted to feeling uncomfortable with the conditions at hand at AS Roma. This makes Liverpool want to pull into Anfield.

Krkic is a former mainstay at Barcelona but now his career is less developed in Rome. Krkic has been Barca's defense as much as 150 appearances and contributed 41 goals for the Catalan team.