Jennifer Capriati elected to tennis Hall of Fame

Jennifer Capriati went from teen prodigy to off-court troubles to Grand Slam champion, and now she's headed to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Capriati's election was announced Friday, joining a 2012 class that includes Gustavo Kuerten, Manuel Orantes, Randy Snow and Mike Davies.

"Tennis has been my passion and dedication for my entire life, and to be acknowledged for this passion and dedication is truly icing on the cake," said the 36-year-old Capriati. "Finally, to all of my fans: You mean so much to me. I am, and have always been, blessed beyond words by your support both during and after my playing days. You unquestionably made this game so memorable for me and I miss you all so much."

With a power-based game and competitive fire, Capriati won the Australian Open in 2001 and 2002. She won the French Open in 2001 and a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. She also reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings.

"We are delighted to hear the news that Jennifer has been elected to the Hall of Fame. She indeed is one of our greatest players, known for her remarkable success and powerful style of play," WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement. "Jennifer worked hard and fought hard. Congratulations to her on an honor well deserved."

At 14, just out of eighth grade, Capriati reached the semifinals of the first Grand Slam tournament she played — the 1990 French Open. Another 11 years would pass before she would take the next step, reaching a major final.

Drug and other problems sidetracked her, and Capriati temporarily dropped off the tour after the 1993 U.S. Open. She was arrested that year for shoplifting at a Florida mall, and again the next year for marijuana possession. She also spent time in drug rehabilitation in 1994.

After going more than two years without playing a competitive match, Capriati came back in April 1996. Two years later, her ranking dipped to No. 267.

But she really completed her comeback — and reached heights long expected of her — in 2001, when she was selected as The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. Seeded 12th at that year's Australian Open, Capriati beat past champions Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis en route to the title and her first top-10 ranking in seven years.

She retired in 2004 with a career record of 430-176, including 14 singles titles.

Nadal admits to nerves prior to Monte Carlo start

Clay king Rafael Nadal has admitted that he is nervous about his Wednesday start at the Monte Carlo Masters, a fortnight after quitting with knee pain prior to his last match.

"I'm scared because this is the start to an important season for me," said the Spaniard, who is bidding for an unprecedented eighth straight title on the clay of the principality. "Hopefully it will work well."

Nadal, seeded second behind Novak Djokovic, will play Jarkko Nieminen in the second round after the Finn beat Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

In first-round play on Monday, all three seeds on court advanced.

Spain's number 13 seed Fernando Verdasco, a 2010 finalist against Nadal, beat Belgian Olivier Rochus 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, while 15th-ranked Austrian Jurgen Melzer defeated Lukas Kubot 6-2, 7-5.

Alexandr Dolgopolov, the number 16 seed, put out Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-2.

Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, ranked 352 in the world after a long absence with a knee injury, crushed Donald Young 6-0, 6-1 to leave the American winless in his last five events.

Australian Bernard Tomic reached the second round by beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-3 to claim his first ATP-level victory on clay.

Tomic won a qualifying match in Moncao a year ago but lost out to Julien Benneteau for a spot in the main draw.

"I'm starting to learn how to play on clay, that's the important thing," said the 36th-ranked Australian.

"If I play my tennis, (clay specialists) struggle with my game even on clay.

"This next six weeks will be very interesting to see how I go. And I think can do pretty good."

After quitting before his Miami semi-final against Andy Murray on March 30 due to pain in his left knee, Nadal returned to Spain for injections and treatment of the tendon problem that was causing him grief.

He was unable to train for a fortnight and only got back onto the clay in the middle of last week.

"Now it's time to see how good it is," the 10-time Grand Slam-winner said.

"I need to be able to play at my top level and run without thinking about the knee. I've put all the effort in and hopefully it is well and I can train in the right conditions. That's the most important thing for me today."

The king of clay, whose last trophy came at the 2011 French Open, played down the fact that his last success came 10 months ago.

"I haven't won a title, but how many finals have I played?" asked Nadal, who has appeared in four finals since his Roland Garros triumph.

"It all depends on your calendar. If I played more on clay, like in South America or after Wimbledon, I would have better chances of winning titles.

"There are players there (at lower-profile events) who can beat you, but the chances are better. But I don't make my calendar to win titles, I want to compete at the most important events against the best players of the world.

"I'm not playing only on my best surface, but to try and win titles. That makes it more difficult. But I don't feel pressure just because I haven't won since Roland Garros."

Pakistan to host international cricket for first time since 2009

Pakistan will host its first international matches since 2009 when Bangladesh tour at the end of April.

Lahore will host a one-day international on 29 April and a Twenty20 match 24 hours later.

"The public of Pakistan have been deprived of cricket and we felt that we needed to support them," said Bangladesh official Mustafa Kamal.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board president added: "The reception we received when we toured Lahore and Karachi on our security visit was overwhelming."

During the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team six policemen and the team coach driver were killed, while seven cricketers and an assistant coach were injured

Manchester United re-established a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League but their victory over Aston Villa was aided

Ashley Young, who won a spot-kick last week against QPR, was involved again, adjudged to be tripped by Ciaran Clark.

Contact between the pair was minimal but Wayne Rooney converted before Danny Welbeck made it 2-0 at the back post.

Villa improved after the break but Rooney and Nani sealed victory.

United were the superior team, especially in the first half, and the win also cut Manchester City's goal difference advantage to four goals.

But questions will be asked of Young, after Clark appeared to pull his foot away from the winger.

Young's former team-mates failed to improve a wretched record against United, which now extends to one win in 31 games.

More importantly, they remain just six points above the relegation zone but they will look at games against Sunderland, Bolton and West Brom as a better chance of accruing points than a trip to Old Trafford.

For United, victory was a perfect response after losing at Wigan on Wednesday and they were not put under any sustained pressure, hard as Villa fought.

Before the spot-kick controversy, Andreas Weimann had tested David de Gea and Clark almost made amends for his transgression later in the half when his header whistled wide.

Stephen Ireland's curling shot also went close, but United were well on top and could have extended their lead through efforts by Welbeck, Rooney and Paul Scholes।

Visiting keeper Shay Given had to be on top form to tip one Welbeck shot over, and he was severely let down by his defence for United's second।

Patrice Evra overlapped on the left and although his low cross was delivered into a dangerous area, it was well within the reach of James Collins and Nathan Baker, who inexplicably chose to leave it allowing Welbeck to slide in at the back post।

Scholes was once again the dictator in midfield, having being left out of the defeat by Wigan.

But the 37-year-old was booked for an ugly tackle on Gabriel Agbonlahor early in the second half, as Villa attempted to impose themselves on the game.

They had some success in stemming the flow towards their goal and Emile Heskey, who replaced the injured Clark, had a header tipped over by De Gea, while Nathan Baker also headed inches wide from a corner.

McLeish may take a dim view of the first goal, but Villa can have few complaints about the result - if there were any doubts about the direction of the game, Rooney made sure when he tucked in Antonio Valencia's cutback for his 32nd goal of the season.

And Nani came on to boost United's goal total when he scored from close range.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team now host Everton before they travel to Etihad Stadium to face City, where - following this result - victory could secure them their 20th top-flight title.

Chennai stun Bangalore

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings pulled off a sensational five-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday.

Super Kings reached the improbable 206-run target. It is the second highest run chase in IPL history.

F du Plessis scored 71 and MS Dhoni 41. But Albie Morkel (28 off seven balls) and Dwayne Bravo (25 not out) changed the game's complexion.

Earlier, Bangalore scored an impressive 205-8 in 20 overs.

Chris Gayle (68 off 35 balls) and Virat Kohli (57 off 46 balls) set up Bangalore for an impressive score of 205-8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

However, Bangalore eventually stuttered in the slog overs as they lost six wickets for 43 runs.

Australia need 192 to win

Australia need 192 to win the first Test after they bowled out West Indies for 148 before lunch on the final day in Barbados on Wednesday .

Ryan Harris finished with three for 31 to follow up on Tuesday's batting heroics when he helped the tourists turn the Test around with an unbeaten 68.

Harris got the first breakthrough of the day trapping Narsingh Deonarine (21) leg before.

West Indies, needing to eat up time and add runs, really needed a strong contribution from skipper Darren Sammy but he made just 14 before he was bowled by Shane Watson.

Harris then proved his worth in the field with a catch at mid-on when Carlton Baugh (23) attempted to drive Ben Hilfenhaus (4-27).

Fidel Edwards (3) played a wild shot to sky a short delivery from Peter Siddle to Shane Watson.

Kemar Roach (25), the only tailender to produce what was needed, was bowled by Harris to end a deeply disappointing second innings from West Indies.

After making 449 for nine declared and then having Australia at 250 for seven, West Indies now face defeat unless their bowlers can produce some final day drama.

Real restore lead over Barca

Leaders Real Madrid restored their four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when Cristiano Ronaldo netted his seventh hat-trick of the La Liga campaign in a 4-1 drubbing of city neighbours Atletico on Wednesday.

Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Valencia and Barca's 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Tuesday and needed a win to keep their bid for a first title in four years on track.

Ronaldo was the difference between the sides at the Calderon and the Portuguese international smashed in a free kick to open the scoring in the 25th minute before Radamel Falcao nodded an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.

Atletico, who have not beaten Real in almost 13 years, pressed forward in search of an unlikely winner but Ronaldo made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when he drifted in from the left and arrowed a long-range shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The goal incensed some of the home fans and they pelted the Real players with plastic bottles as they celebrated together in the corner of the pitch.

Atletico defender Diego Godin felled Gonzalo Higuain in the penalty area around 10 minutes from time and Ronaldo stroked the spot kick past Courtois for his 40th league goal of the campaign, equalling the La Liga record he set last season.

He is one ahead of Barca forward and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored the Spanish champions' second goal on Tuesday.

BIT TENSE

Ronaldo, who sent Jose Callejon clear on the right in the 88th minute to score Real's fourth, said he and his team mates had been feeling the pressure after Barca's victory.

"We were a bit tense as we knew that Barca had won yesterday and we had to win," Ronaldo, who is the first player in the history of Europe's top four leagues to net 40 goals in consecutive seasons, said in a television interview.

"I am very pleased that the team won, that I scored and set up a goal and we have to carry on in the same way.

"There is still some way to go in the league but we are closer to the title now."

Real, who play at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on April 21, have 82 points from 32 matches, with Barca on 78. Europa League semi-finalists Atletico are ninth on 42 points and in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.

In the earlier kickoffs, Valencia climbed above Malaga into third and an automatic qualification slot for next season's Champions League when a Jonas double helped them to a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano.

Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez also struck for the Europa League semi-finalists, who have 52 points.

Valencia's less illustrious city neighbours Levante missed a chance to go fourth when they surrendered the lead and lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.

They stay fifth on 48 points, two behind Malaga who play at struggling Villarreal on Thursday and can reclaim third with a win at the Madrigal.

Athletic Bilbao, who are also through to the last four of the Europa League but whose La Liga form has been erratic, had to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at 10-man Granada and are seventh on 42 points.

India tour likely this year: BCB

Tigers are likely to have the first fully-fledged tour to India this year, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president A H M Mustafa Kamal has said.

Speaking at the board's meeting on Monday, Kamal said his Indian counterpart N Srinivasan had assured him in his recent visit to the country about the tour by the end of 2012, a BCB media release said.

Kamal's meeting with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Srinivasan during the inauguration of Indian Premier League was fruitful, the release said, quoting Kamal as saying in Monday's meeting.

Bangladesh played the first Test on Nov 12, 2000 against India at home ground but has not had a fully-fledged tour to the neighbouring country.

BCB is being criticised for its failure to keep a tour to India in the current future tours programme of Bangladesh cricket team.

After meeting Srinivasan during his recent visit to India to join IPL inauguration, Kamal said they had discussed the issue.

"The national team will tour India soon," he had said.

Mumbai clinch last-ball victory

Rohit Sharma's last-ball six snatched a five-wicket victory for Mumbai Indians against Deccan Chargers in the ninth match of IPL on Monday.

Mumbai looked like they were out of the contest as they chased only 139 especially after Dale Steyn's magnificent spell of bowling.

Steyn first took an outstanding return catch to dismiss Suman and then bowled out Levi to reduce the visitors to 10-2 in four overs.

Then he returned in his second spell to remove Dinesh Karthik to finish with 3 for 12 in four overs.
For a while Kieron Pollard kept Mumbai in the game hitting a quickfire 24 off 18 balls.

But Sharma, who remained undefeated on 73, guided Mumbai home (142-5) in the final over in which they needed 18 runs.

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan scored a swashbuckling 41 off 24 balls to lift Deccan Chargers to 138-9 after early blows by Munaf Patel who finished with 4-20.

Lasith Malinga grabbed three wickets for 27 runs and Kieron Pollard took two wickets.

Winning the toss, Deccan Chargers got off to a dismal start as Mumbai pacer Patel sent back Parthiv Patel and Bharat Chipli early.

Munaf got Patel caught by Rahul Sharma in his first over and then dismissed Chipli on the first delivery of the fourth over to reduce the hosts to 9-2.

Daniel Christian 39 and Cameron White's unbeaten 30 then gave the total respectability after Kumar Sangakkara was given out as a result of Mumbai skipper Harbhajan Singh and Patel pressurising the umpires to go for a referral.

The controversial incident happened in the 13th over of Deccan innings with Sangakkara clearly out off the bowling of Munaf though the field umpires thought it otherwise initially.

Sangakkara dragged the ball onto the off-stump with the bails dislodged and the ball hit wickets for the second time after ricocheting from Mumbai wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

A heated argument followed between Harbhajan and the field umpires with Munaf joining in and play stopped for more than five minutes.

The field umpires, who apparently thought the ball hit wickets after coming off from Karthik's pads, eventually referred the decision to the third umpire who gave Sangakkara out.