World number one Roger Federer has stormed into a record-equalling seventh successive Grand Slam final with a straight sets humiliation of American rival Andy Roddick at the Australian Open.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is lining up Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini to replace Jose Mourinho in case the Blues manager leaves at the end of the season.

Brian Rolston scored two goals and set up two others to spark a 12-9 Western Conference victory over the Eastern Conference at the 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game.

Australian Sarah Corrigan will become the first woman to referee a men's rugby union international, the Australian Rugby Union has said.

Tracy McGrady scored 37 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 90-85 in a National Basketball Association game.

Serena Williams has strenuously denied allegations a person in her courtside box tried to temporarily blind her opponent during their Australian Open semi-final.

Real Madrid would be willing to make Cristiano Ronaldo their third biggest ever signing if they can lure him away from Manchester United.

Troy Murphy scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to give Indiana a 96-94 over defending National Basketball Association champion Miami, spoiling the NBA return of Shaquille O'Neal for the Heat.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams battled through to the Australian Open final Thursday, staving off a determined challenge to beat Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

Eight Vietnamese footballers have gone on trial accused of rigging an under-23 international game in return for cash in a scandal that has gripped this football-obsessed nation.

Taiwan's Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung have upset defending champions Yan Zi and Zheng Jie of China to make the Australian Open women's doubles final.

Tiger Woods is willing to skip the British Open to be with his wife, Elin, for the birth of their first child, but perhaps by then he'll want the Claret Jug for a christening mug.

Andriy Shevchenko has finally rediscovered his scoring touch but he won't be content until he has savoured success at the Millennium Stadium.

England coach Brian Ashton has insisted he would have no concerns over playing ruby league convert Andy Farrell in his team against Scotland in the world champions' Six Nations opener at Twickenham on February 3.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has insisted gifted back Gavin Henson's off-field exploits are no concern of his provided the player's form isn't damaged by his celebrity lifetstyle.

Two-time defending champion Tiger Woods will try to pick up where he left off when he launches his 2007 season at the 5.2 million-dollar Buick Invitational.

Marseille moved up to second in the French league after a 3-1 win over Auxerre.

Julio Baptista scored twice as Arsenal staged a superb fightback to earn a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Tottenham.

Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy won their first major title with a resounding victory in the pairs competition at the European figure skating championships.

WBA and WBC cruiserweight champion O'Neil Bell will tackle France's Jean-Marc Mormeck in a title bout, it was announced.