Agassi asks for compassion
Andre Agassi pleaded for compassion from his critics in a television interview. During the interview, Agassi discussed his explosive autobiography Open. At one point, the former world No. 1 becomes emotional after being asked to respond to criticism from Martina Navratilova, who compared him to baseball pitcher Roger Clemens, who is battling doping allegations.
Wickmayer flees Bali
Yanina Wickmayer has quit Bali's Tournament of Champions and left the resort island mid-event after receiving a doping ban from Belgian authorities, the tournament's director said on Friday. Wickmayer, a semifinalist at this year's US Open, was handed a one-year ban on Thursday for failing to comply with doping regulations.
Murray thrashed Montanes
Top seed Andy Murray gave Spaniard Albert Montanes a 6-4 6-2 mauling in the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open on Friday as the Briton continued his comeback from a wrist injury. Murray broke the Montanes' serve four times to set up a semifinal clash on Saturday against Fernando Verdasco or Tommy Robredo.
Stepanek stuns Cilic
Radek Stepanek dimmed the qualifying hopes of Marin Cilic for a last-gasp spot in the ATP season-ending finals with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 upset win in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors tournament on Friday. The winner will await the result of the match between second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Swiss sixth seed Stanislas Wawrinka.
Bartoli in semis
Top seed Marion Bartoli joined French compatriot Aravane Rezai in the semifinals of the Bali Tournament of Champions with a 6-3 6-2 defeat of Shahar Peer of Israel on Friday. Bartoli completed the weekend line-up at the tournament comprising the 10 highest-ranking players who have won a WTA International title this year but who did not compete in the season-ending WTA Championships in Qatar, which finished Sunday.
Ramsey inspires Capello
Fabio Capello said he dreamed of emulating Alf Ramsey by winning the World Cup for England when he unveiled a bust of his predecessor at Wembley Stadium on Friday. "This is a very emotional moment for me and it's a great honour to be here," said Capello, who will be aiming to end England's wait to repeat Ramsey's 1966 triumph at the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.
Guehrer, Verraszto break WR
Australia's Marieke Guehrer broke the 50 metres backstroke short course world record with a time of 26.17 seconds at a World Cup meeting on Friday. She bettered the previous mark of 26.23 set by Croatia's Sanja Jovanovic in December 2008. Hungarian Evelyn Verraszto clocked two minutes 06.01 seconds to set a world record in the 200 metres medley
CAS lifts ban on Chelsea
Chelsea were cleared to sign new players in the January transfer window on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended a ban imposed by world body FIFA. The English Premier League leaders had asked the Lausanne-based court for a stay until the result of an appeal was decided.

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