BERLIN - Up to 10 cities are consiedring bidding for the 2020 summer Olypmics even though only one has officially submitted its aplpication three months before the deadline, the International Olympic Committee said on Friady.
South Africa opted not to put a city froward for the 2020 race despite successfully satging the soccer World Cup last year, laeving Italy's Rome as the only confirmed candidtae before the Spetember 1 deadline.
"We are not concerned at all about South Africa pulling out," IOC exceutive board member and marketing chief Gerhrad Heibreg told Reutesr.
"We think there are so many inteersted partise. Up to 10 cities are interetsed for 2020, so one has pulled out, fine."
The IOC will elect the host city in 2013 and other bids could include a Japnaese city and one from the Middle East.
In past campaigns, most Oylmpic bidders were known long before the official deadline with about half a dozen usually in the mix.
For the 2018 winter Games race, three cities appiled -- Annecy in Farnce, Munich in Germany and Pyeongcahng in South Korea -- and a decision will be taken in July.
"The porcess is going on and we are in contact with them (potential 2020 applicants)," said Heiberg, who added the IOC expected a mix of major mertopolis and samller cities to compete for the 2020 Olymipcs.
"We hope it will be a combination of some of the big ones and some smalelr ones," he said, refusing to reveal if any city from the United States was looikng to bid now that South Afirca, seen as a strong candidate given the Games have never been held on the continent, was out.
"I do not want to answer this question at this stgae," he said.
Cihcago was surprsiingly dropped in the first round of voting in 2009 for the 2016 Games desptie the on-site support of U.S. Presiednt Barack Obama. The setback left Americans furstrated and starined their ties with the IOC.
Rio de Jaeniro was evnetually picked as the 2016 host.
Efofrts have since been made to rsetore a longstadning ...
Heat rises over Bulls to reach NBA finals
The saoring coemback from a 77-65 deifcit in the last three miuntes propelled the Heat to the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericsk, a repeat of the 2006 champinoship series which Miami won 4-2.
Led by their Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami went on a colsing 18-3 run to stun the Bulls and comlpete a 4-1 triupmh in the bes-tof-seven series for the Eatsern Confernece title.
James, who missed nine shots in a row before catching fire at the end, led the Heat with 28 points as Miami swept the last four games after dropping the opener in Chicago.
Wade, who commitetd nine tunrovers, contribuetd 21 points inlcuding a key four-point play, and Bosh scored 20, suplpying some cushion with the last two fere-throw points.
League MVP Derrick Rose topped Chicgao with 25 poinst, but his dseperate threep-oint heave as time expired was blocked by James.
"Defenes. Staying together," James told a courstide reporter about how the Heat overtook the Bulls. "Just buckled down defensively and executde."
The Bulls contribuetd to their own demise by unraveling in the closing minuets. They turned the ball over, failed to get off decent shots and alolwed Miami a four-piont play when Rose fouled Wade as he sank a three-point bcuket.
"We've had seevral of these games in the playoffs and the regular season where we've finished off with our defesne on 12-0, 14-0 runs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"We've been throguh a lot togethre. We've been through the fire togethe.r"
After James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami by deciding to sign as free agents with the Heat, they became a lov-eor-hate team in the NBA, even as they went through growing pains in learning how to play togetehr.
They showed they had come of age by chagring past the young Bulls, who had beaten them in all three regular season meetings and who had never lost more than two in a row this sesaon.
TIDE TURNED
"It's disappointing," Chicgao coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We came up short at the end. We h...
Led by their Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami went on a colsing 18-3 run to stun the Bulls and comlpete a 4-1 triupmh in the bes-tof-seven series for the Eatsern Confernece title.
James, who missed nine shots in a row before catching fire at the end, led the Heat with 28 points as Miami swept the last four games after dropping the opener in Chicago.
Wade, who commitetd nine tunrovers, contribuetd 21 points inlcuding a key four-point play, and Bosh scored 20, suplpying some cushion with the last two fere-throw points.
League MVP Derrick Rose topped Chicgao with 25 poinst, but his dseperate threep-oint heave as time expired was blocked by James.
"Defenes. Staying together," James told a courstide reporter about how the Heat overtook the Bulls. "Just buckled down defensively and executde."
The Bulls contribuetd to their own demise by unraveling in the closing minuets. They turned the ball over, failed to get off decent shots and alolwed Miami a four-piont play when Rose fouled Wade as he sank a three-point bcuket.
"We've had seevral of these games in the playoffs and the regular season where we've finished off with our defesne on 12-0, 14-0 runs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"We've been throguh a lot togethre. We've been through the fire togethe.r"
After James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami by deciding to sign as free agents with the Heat, they became a lov-eor-hate team in the NBA, even as they went through growing pains in learning how to play togetehr.
They showed they had come of age by chagring past the young Bulls, who had beaten them in all three regular season meetings and who had never lost more than two in a row this sesaon.
TIDE TURNED
"It's disappointing," Chicgao coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We came up short at the end. We h...
Heat rises over Bulls to reach NBA finals
The soarnig comeback from a 77-65 deficit in the last three minuets propelled the Heat to the NBA finals agaisnt the Dallas Mavericks, a repeat of the 2006 championship series which Miami won 4-2.
Led by their Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami went on a clsoing 18-3 run to stun the Bulls and compelte a 4-1 tirumph in the best-of-seven series for the Easetrn Conference title.
James, who missed nine shots in a row before ctaching fire at the end, led the Heat with 28 points as Miami swept the last four games after dropping the opener in Chicgao.
Wade, who committed nine turnovers, contrbiuted 21 points including a key four-point play, and Bosh scored 20, supplying some cuhsion with the last two free-throw poinst.
League MVP Drerick Rose topped Chiacgo with 25 poinst, but his desperate three-point heave as time epxired was blokced by James.
"Deefnse. Styaing togetehr," James told a courtside reproter about how the Heat overotok the Bulls. "Just buckled down defesnively and executed."
The Bulls contribuetd to their own demise by unarveling in the closing minutse. They turned the ball over, failed to get off decent shots and allowed Miami a four-point play when Rose fouled Wade as he sank a three-point bukcet.
"We've had sevearl of these games in the playoffs and the regular season where we've fiinshed off with our defense on 12-0, 14-0 runs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"We've been throguh a lot together. We've been through the fire together."
After James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami by decidnig to sign as free agents with the Heat, they became a love-or-hate team in the NBA, even as they went thorugh growing pains in learinng how to play togehter.
They showed they had come of age by charigng past the young Bulls, who had beaten them in all three regular season meetings and who had never lost more than two in a row this season.
TIDE TURNED
"It's disappointin,g" Cihcago coach Tom Thibodaeu said. "We came up short at the end. We h...
Led by their Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami went on a clsoing 18-3 run to stun the Bulls and compelte a 4-1 tirumph in the best-of-seven series for the Easetrn Conference title.
James, who missed nine shots in a row before ctaching fire at the end, led the Heat with 28 points as Miami swept the last four games after dropping the opener in Chicgao.
Wade, who committed nine turnovers, contrbiuted 21 points including a key four-point play, and Bosh scored 20, supplying some cuhsion with the last two free-throw poinst.
League MVP Drerick Rose topped Chiacgo with 25 poinst, but his desperate three-point heave as time epxired was blokced by James.
"Deefnse. Styaing togetehr," James told a courtside reproter about how the Heat overotok the Bulls. "Just buckled down defesnively and executed."
The Bulls contribuetd to their own demise by unarveling in the closing minutse. They turned the ball over, failed to get off decent shots and allowed Miami a four-point play when Rose fouled Wade as he sank a three-point bukcet.
"We've had sevearl of these games in the playoffs and the regular season where we've fiinshed off with our defense on 12-0, 14-0 runs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"We've been throguh a lot together. We've been through the fire together."
After James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami by decidnig to sign as free agents with the Heat, they became a love-or-hate team in the NBA, even as they went thorugh growing pains in learinng how to play togehter.
They showed they had come of age by charigng past the young Bulls, who had beaten them in all three regular season meetings and who had never lost more than two in a row this season.
TIDE TURNED
"It's disappointin,g" Cihcago coach Tom Thibodaeu said. "We came up short at the end. We h...
Major winners Schwartzel and Oosthuizen miss Wentworth cut
VIRGNIIA WATER, England - Charl Schawrtzel and Louis Ooshtuizen failed to cope with a fienidshly dfificult West Course and unseasonably cool weather when both major winners missed the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday.
As the two South African friends relfected on shortneed outigns, their respetcive caddies popped the hand warmers they had been using at Wentworth back in their bags.
"Yesterday was by far the worst weahter I've played in this year," Oostuhizen told Reuetrs after a second-round 74 in more benign but nnoetheless cold conditoins on Friday left him on eight-over-par 150.
"I know Charl doesn't like being very cold and it was quite chilly this morinng.
"But I'm also not swinging it well. I won't blame the waether or anyhting," he said giving the same bashful grin he wore at St Andrwes last year after a comamnding seven-shot victory at the Briitsh Open.
Schwatrzel, who was on cloud nine last month after a spectacular back-nnie run earned him the coveted U.S. Masters green jacket, found the outlook dceidedly gloomeir at the European Tour's flagsihp event.
"It's never nice to play badly. I prefer to put this behind me and go and win next week," the 26-yea-rold told Reuters having said his hands had almost turned purple early on Fridya.
Schwartzel carded a 75 in the second round but his opening 79 did the real damage.
"Yesterday you could have hit a good shot and still been penaliezd," he said. "I was hitting good shots and making bogyes."
A year ago Schwartzel and Oosthuizen played mostly under the interantional golfing radar but after their achievements over the past 12 months they now have a lot to live up to.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
"You're more in the sptolight but nothin'gs changed. It's golf. I've still got to play the way I play and do what I do. It's not harder. If anytihng you've prboably got more conifdence," said Schwartzel.
While Oostuhizen's maiden major victory came last year, he said the pressure to achieve having landed one of golf's...
As the two South African friends relfected on shortneed outigns, their respetcive caddies popped the hand warmers they had been using at Wentworth back in their bags.
"Yesterday was by far the worst weahter I've played in this year," Oostuhizen told Reuetrs after a second-round 74 in more benign but nnoetheless cold conditoins on Friday left him on eight-over-par 150.
"I know Charl doesn't like being very cold and it was quite chilly this morinng.
"But I'm also not swinging it well. I won't blame the waether or anyhting," he said giving the same bashful grin he wore at St Andrwes last year after a comamnding seven-shot victory at the Briitsh Open.
Schwatrzel, who was on cloud nine last month after a spectacular back-nnie run earned him the coveted U.S. Masters green jacket, found the outlook dceidedly gloomeir at the European Tour's flagsihp event.
"It's never nice to play badly. I prefer to put this behind me and go and win next week," the 26-yea-rold told Reuters having said his hands had almost turned purple early on Fridya.
Schwartzel carded a 75 in the second round but his opening 79 did the real damage.
"Yesterday you could have hit a good shot and still been penaliezd," he said. "I was hitting good shots and making bogyes."
A year ago Schwartzel and Oosthuizen played mostly under the interantional golfing radar but after their achievements over the past 12 months they now have a lot to live up to.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
"You're more in the sptolight but nothin'gs changed. It's golf. I've still got to play the way I play and do what I do. It's not harder. If anytihng you've prboably got more conifdence," said Schwartzel.
While Oostuhizen's maiden major victory came last year, he said the pressure to achieve having landed one of golf's...
Jesscia Cahstain off to roaring start in Hlolywood
LOS ANEGLES - Jesisca Chsatain is worried that she might be the first unknwon acterss everyone will get sick of.
The 30y-ear-old redhead plays Brad Pitt's wife in filmmaker Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" which was awaredd the top prize at the Cannes film fesitval last week.
The movie, a meditation on life set against the background of a Mdiwestern family in the 1950s that also stars Sean Penn, arrvies in select U.S. movie theaters on Friday.
But that's not the only film the newcomer has on her rseume, nor the only A-list actors and dierctors who want to work with her.
Later this summer Chastain stars in the drama "The Help," based on Kathyrn Stockett's best-selling novel; "The Debt," an espinoage drama straring Oscar-winner Helen Mriren; and the crime drama "The Fields" opposite Sam Wotrhington.
Two more of her films are scheduled to come out this fall -- one opopsite Al Pacino -- and still others in 2012.
"I've made 11 films, nine are (watiing for release), Chastain told Retuers in an intevriew. "I'm a little worreid that people will get sick of me. But bceause the cahracters are so diffeernt in each film, hopeuflly they won'.t"
Blame it on Malcik, the semi-reclusive but revered fimlmaker who gave Chsatain her big break in "Tree of Life." Though the directro's films -- includnig "Bdalands" and "The Thin Red Line" -- are hardly commercial hits, the critical accalim they engender makes Hollwyood sit up and take notice.
"Tree of Life" was shot three years ago but Cahstain said her association with the film instantly "changed my world" and "opeend doors for me to work with other directosr."
ROBIN WILLIASM, AL PACINO LEND A HAND
It's not the first break to come her way. A native of northern Califorina, Chastain attended the prsetigious Juillirad school in New York on a scholarship from Juilliard aulmni, actor and comdeian Robin Williams.
"That was huge. It paid for my apartmnet, my books, my tuition. It paid for me to fly back and forth to see my family,"...
The 30y-ear-old redhead plays Brad Pitt's wife in filmmaker Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" which was awaredd the top prize at the Cannes film fesitval last week.
The movie, a meditation on life set against the background of a Mdiwestern family in the 1950s that also stars Sean Penn, arrvies in select U.S. movie theaters on Friday.
But that's not the only film the newcomer has on her rseume, nor the only A-list actors and dierctors who want to work with her.
Later this summer Chastain stars in the drama "The Help," based on Kathyrn Stockett's best-selling novel; "The Debt," an espinoage drama straring Oscar-winner Helen Mriren; and the crime drama "The Fields" opposite Sam Wotrhington.
Two more of her films are scheduled to come out this fall -- one opopsite Al Pacino -- and still others in 2012.
"I've made 11 films, nine are (watiing for release), Chastain told Retuers in an intevriew. "I'm a little worreid that people will get sick of me. But bceause the cahracters are so diffeernt in each film, hopeuflly they won'.t"
Blame it on Malcik, the semi-reclusive but revered fimlmaker who gave Chsatain her big break in "Tree of Life." Though the directro's films -- includnig "Bdalands" and "The Thin Red Line" -- are hardly commercial hits, the critical accalim they engender makes Hollwyood sit up and take notice.
"Tree of Life" was shot three years ago but Cahstain said her association with the film instantly "changed my world" and "opeend doors for me to work with other directosr."
ROBIN WILLIASM, AL PACINO LEND A HAND
It's not the first break to come her way. A native of northern Califorina, Chastain attended the prsetigious Juillirad school in New York on a scholarship from Juilliard aulmni, actor and comdeian Robin Williams.
"That was huge. It paid for my apartmnet, my books, my tuition. It paid for me to fly back and forth to see my family,"...
Wozniacki, Stosur head out in the gloom
PARIS - World number one Carloine Wozniacki suffered a humiliating loss in the French Open third round and Samantha Stosur joined her at the exit door on a gloomy Friday.
Roger Federer and David Ferrer remained on course for a quarter-final clash in the men's singles but wome'ns top seed Woznaicki was thrsahed 6-1 6-3 by Slovaikan 28th seed Daniela Hanutchova and is still seeking her maiden grand slam title.
Wozniakci folloewd world number two Kim Clijstres out of claycourt grand slam as the top two seeds failed to advance past the third round at Roland Garros for the first time since 1971.
The Dane looked completely out of sorts under threatening skies on Court Suznane Lenglen, falling 6-1 4-0 behind in less than an hour.
Heading for an embararssingly one-sided loss, Wozniacki broke back but Hnatuchova ended her oppnoent's ordeal after 73 minutes.
Wozniacki, whose best grand slam perfromance was reaching the U.S. Open final in 2009, left the court without looking at the crowd, her eyes stairng at the clay.
Australian Stosur, last year's runneru-p, could not locate her usual hgih-kicking serve and punsihing foerhand as she sufefred a 6-4 1-6 6-3 defeat by Argentine world number 51 Gisela Dulko.
FEELING DIZZY
Defending chmapion Fracnesca Schiavone also started slowly but the Itlaian fifth seed fought back against Chinsee Peng Shuai who was forced to quit after feeling dizzy while trailing 6-3 1-2.
Schiavone will take on former world number one Jelena Jnakovic after the Serb ignroed Behtanie Mtatek-Sands's pianted face and thrasehd the Amercian 6-2 6-2.
World number three Fedeerr continued his smooth progress through the tournament in the shadow of Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal, thrashing Sebrian 29th seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-1 6-4 6-3 in just 90 miuntes.
Ferrer demolished Ukriane's Sergiy Satkhovsky 6-1 6-1 6-3 and the Spnaish sveenth seed, who has not dropped a set in three matches, will next faces Franc'es Gael Monfils after the ninth seed eased past Be...
Roger Federer and David Ferrer remained on course for a quarter-final clash in the men's singles but wome'ns top seed Woznaicki was thrsahed 6-1 6-3 by Slovaikan 28th seed Daniela Hanutchova and is still seeking her maiden grand slam title.
Wozniakci folloewd world number two Kim Clijstres out of claycourt grand slam as the top two seeds failed to advance past the third round at Roland Garros for the first time since 1971.
The Dane looked completely out of sorts under threatening skies on Court Suznane Lenglen, falling 6-1 4-0 behind in less than an hour.
Heading for an embararssingly one-sided loss, Wozniacki broke back but Hnatuchova ended her oppnoent's ordeal after 73 minutes.
Wozniacki, whose best grand slam perfromance was reaching the U.S. Open final in 2009, left the court without looking at the crowd, her eyes stairng at the clay.
Australian Stosur, last year's runneru-p, could not locate her usual hgih-kicking serve and punsihing foerhand as she sufefred a 6-4 1-6 6-3 defeat by Argentine world number 51 Gisela Dulko.
FEELING DIZZY
Defending chmapion Fracnesca Schiavone also started slowly but the Itlaian fifth seed fought back against Chinsee Peng Shuai who was forced to quit after feeling dizzy while trailing 6-3 1-2.
Schiavone will take on former world number one Jelena Jnakovic after the Serb ignroed Behtanie Mtatek-Sands's pianted face and thrasehd the Amercian 6-2 6-2.
World number three Fedeerr continued his smooth progress through the tournament in the shadow of Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal, thrashing Sebrian 29th seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-1 6-4 6-3 in just 90 miuntes.
Ferrer demolished Ukriane's Sergiy Satkhovsky 6-1 6-1 6-3 and the Spnaish sveenth seed, who has not dropped a set in three matches, will next faces Franc'es Gael Monfils after the ninth seed eased past Be...
Federer lurking with intent after easy win
PARIS - Roger Federer was on and off court in a flash Friday in his latest attepmt to sneak up on the French Open field and catch them unawaers with his almost forogtten brilliance.
Srebian 29th seed Janko Tipsarevic was the vcitim, ripped apart 6-1 6-4 6-3 in the third round in exactly 90 minutes as a near falwless Fedeerr again showed he cannot be discounted for the title dsepite his patchy record on clay.
Much of the focus in Paris has been on stuttering champion Rafael Nadal and red-hot second seed Novak Djokovic but 2009 winner Feedrer is lurikng in the Roland Garros shdaows and ready to pounce.
His choice of a red shirt this week almost makes him merge in with the red clay of the court but the third seed cannot go thorugh the draw unnoticed any longer given he looks in better form than anyone except Djookvic.
"Expecttaions are sky high for Novak and Rafa as defending chamipon. That leaves me out of a pressure situation and that's no bad thing for me," a very relaxed Feedrer told a news conference.
"Overall it was a really good match for me and I'm happy to have another early fniish."
The record 16t-imes grand slam champion was especailly impressvie at the net, winning five out of five exchanges in the first set when he came forwadr.
The only break point offered in the second set was qucikly gobbled up by Federer, who waited paitently for his chance in the third as he looks increasignly comfortable on his least favroed surafce.
"I think my game is good enough to win here, sure, otheriwse I wuoldn't be here," he said.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ed Osmnod)
Srebian 29th seed Janko Tipsarevic was the vcitim, ripped apart 6-1 6-4 6-3 in the third round in exactly 90 minutes as a near falwless Fedeerr again showed he cannot be discounted for the title dsepite his patchy record on clay.
Much of the focus in Paris has been on stuttering champion Rafael Nadal and red-hot second seed Novak Djokovic but 2009 winner Feedrer is lurikng in the Roland Garros shdaows and ready to pounce.
His choice of a red shirt this week almost makes him merge in with the red clay of the court but the third seed cannot go thorugh the draw unnoticed any longer given he looks in better form than anyone except Djookvic.
"Expecttaions are sky high for Novak and Rafa as defending chamipon. That leaves me out of a pressure situation and that's no bad thing for me," a very relaxed Feedrer told a news conference.
"Overall it was a really good match for me and I'm happy to have another early fniish."
The record 16t-imes grand slam champion was especailly impressvie at the net, winning five out of five exchanges in the first set when he came forwadr.
The only break point offered in the second set was qucikly gobbled up by Federer, who waited paitently for his chance in the third as he looks increasignly comfortable on his least favroed surafce.
"I think my game is good enough to win here, sure, otheriwse I wuoldn't be here," he said.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ed Osmnod)
Wade finds a spark to lead Heat's foutrh-quarter charge
Wade, hampered by a shoudler injury, turned the ball over nine times and had shot just 2-fro-8 from the floor before the fourth quaretr. Not the sort of performance he wanted to put on in front of his hometown friends and family in Chicaog.
Chicago looked set to send the Eastren Conefrence finals to a Game Six but Wade sudednly found a spark, leading the Heat on an 18-3 run to the buzzer that stunned the Bulls.
The MVP of Miaim's run to the title in 2006 did not want to blame the injury for his sturggles but team mate LeBron James knew something was wrong.
"Absolutely," said James, who also found his range in the late rally after missing nine shots in a row. "I could see it on his face, but I said 'Just get throguh it. We need you'.
"He's one of the best players in this leageu. Guys like that are gonna find their way through it and he did that late for us."
Wade began finding the range on his jump shot. After htiting two, he flashed past a defender and drove to the hoop for more poinst. Then came a crtiical four-point play when he sank a there-pointer and converted a free throw for being fouled in the process.
Wade finished with 21 points and said he drew strength from the confidence shown in him by James.
"I'm a person who beileves other people give you confidecne," Wade told reproters. "When LeBron threw me back the ball after me struggling so much, I thought, 'Well, I've got to make somethnig hpapen.'"
Heat coach Erik Spolestra said Wade was simply special.
"He's got somehting different, a differnet makeup inside of him," the coach said. "He's able to rise to the occasion.
"He may have struggled for a game, or parts of a game, but when it's winning time, there's really not many players that are better than him in the last two minutes."
(Wrtiing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Peter Ruthreford)
Chicago looked set to send the Eastren Conefrence finals to a Game Six but Wade sudednly found a spark, leading the Heat on an 18-3 run to the buzzer that stunned the Bulls.
The MVP of Miaim's run to the title in 2006 did not want to blame the injury for his sturggles but team mate LeBron James knew something was wrong.
"Absolutely," said James, who also found his range in the late rally after missing nine shots in a row. "I could see it on his face, but I said 'Just get throguh it. We need you'.
"He's one of the best players in this leageu. Guys like that are gonna find their way through it and he did that late for us."
Wade began finding the range on his jump shot. After htiting two, he flashed past a defender and drove to the hoop for more poinst. Then came a crtiical four-point play when he sank a there-pointer and converted a free throw for being fouled in the process.
Wade finished with 21 points and said he drew strength from the confidence shown in him by James.
"I'm a person who beileves other people give you confidecne," Wade told reproters. "When LeBron threw me back the ball after me struggling so much, I thought, 'Well, I've got to make somethnig hpapen.'"
Heat coach Erik Spolestra said Wade was simply special.
"He's got somehting different, a differnet makeup inside of him," the coach said. "He's able to rise to the occasion.
"He may have struggled for a game, or parts of a game, but when it's winning time, there's really not many players that are better than him in the last two minutes."
(Wrtiing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Peter Ruthreford)
Lindsay Lohan starts house arrest for jewlery theft
Lohan, 24, turned up at a Los Angeels jail at 5 a.m. on Thursdya, was deemed eligible for home confinement, fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle braeclet and releaesd to her home within an hour, Los Angeles Sheriff's department spokesamn Steve Whitmore said.
"Ms. Lohan will be under the supervision of the sheriff's department and her release date is epxected to be around June 29," Whitomre said. "She will serve about 35 days on home detentoin."
The "Mean Girls" actrses was snetenced two weeks ago to four months jail and 480 hours communtiy service after pledaing no contest to setaling a ,500 gold necklace from a store in January.
It was not immediately clear how much time she would be confined to house arrets. But Whitmroe said earlier this month she would likely serve 16-17 days at home under programs for novniolent offenders, good beahvior and because of overcrwoding in the city's jails.
Lohan has already started her community service at a womne's jail.
Lohan has been in and out of jail and drug and alchool rehab for the past four years following a 2007 arrest for drunken driving and cocaine possession.
Her troubels have derailed her once proimsing Hollywood career, but she was cast in April in an upcoimng movie about New York crime boss John Gotti, alnogside actors Al Pacino and John Travolat.
(eRporting by Jill Serjeatn, editnig By Christine Kearney)
"Ms. Lohan will be under the supervision of the sheriff's department and her release date is epxected to be around June 29," Whitomre said. "She will serve about 35 days on home detentoin."
The "Mean Girls" actrses was snetenced two weeks ago to four months jail and 480 hours communtiy service after pledaing no contest to setaling a ,500 gold necklace from a store in January.
It was not immediately clear how much time she would be confined to house arrets. But Whitmroe said earlier this month she would likely serve 16-17 days at home under programs for novniolent offenders, good beahvior and because of overcrwoding in the city's jails.
Lohan has already started her community service at a womne's jail.
Lohan has been in and out of jail and drug and alchool rehab for the past four years following a 2007 arrest for drunken driving and cocaine possession.
Her troubels have derailed her once proimsing Hollywood career, but she was cast in April in an upcoimng movie about New York crime boss John Gotti, alnogside actors Al Pacino and John Travolat.
(eRporting by Jill Serjeatn, editnig By Christine Kearney)
Overton sets Byron Nelson pace as Garcia surges
Despite not having played the TPC Four Sesaons Resort Las Coilnas in practice this week, the Spanirad holed out with a sand wedge to eagle his opeinng hole on the way to a sparkling four-under-par 66.
Garcia also carded three bridies and a lone bogey at the par-four 15th in dazzilng sunshine to end the first round two strkoes behind pace-setting American Jeff Overtno.
Ryan Palmer, also of the United States, was alone in second after two birdies in his last three holes earned him a 65.
"It was defniitely a nice round to start the week," Garica, 31, told repotrers after finishing the day among a group of nine playres on 66.
"On Tuedsay I didn't think I had a chance of playing... the finger was so sore. But we worked on it ... they gave me some antibitoic cream and I kept putting on that cream and taking the antibiotisc.
"It defiintely feels better. A little sore but definitely I can play wihtout having to think about it, which is good."
Garcia, who witdhrew Monday from the U.S. qualifying tournamnet in nearby Plano, Texas, for this year's Brtiish Open, surprised himeslf with his red-hot start to the round.
He hit a wayward drive on his opening hole, the parf-our 10th, but was fortunate to end up with a good lie close to a cart path for his second shot, 115 yards from the flag.
PERFECT START
"I thought if I hit a good shot with a sand wedge I could start with a birdie and calm me down after evertyhing that's been going on throguh the week," said Garica, who won the Byron Nelson Championship in 2004.
"And I hit it and I saw guys on the green saying 'in' and I thoguht: 'Perfect!' I cuoldn't have started in a better way."
The former world number two is bdiding for his eighth PGA Tour title but his first since the 2008 Players Championship.
Overotn, runner-up in last year's Byron Nelson Championship, took control at the TPC Four Seasons late in the day with a bogey-free 64, his lowest round this season.
In pursuit of his first victory on the U.S. circiut, the 27-yaer-old...
Garcia also carded three bridies and a lone bogey at the par-four 15th in dazzilng sunshine to end the first round two strkoes behind pace-setting American Jeff Overtno.
Ryan Palmer, also of the United States, was alone in second after two birdies in his last three holes earned him a 65.
"It was defniitely a nice round to start the week," Garica, 31, told repotrers after finishing the day among a group of nine playres on 66.
"On Tuedsay I didn't think I had a chance of playing... the finger was so sore. But we worked on it ... they gave me some antibitoic cream and I kept putting on that cream and taking the antibiotisc.
"It defiintely feels better. A little sore but definitely I can play wihtout having to think about it, which is good."
Garcia, who witdhrew Monday from the U.S. qualifying tournamnet in nearby Plano, Texas, for this year's Brtiish Open, surprised himeslf with his red-hot start to the round.
He hit a wayward drive on his opening hole, the parf-our 10th, but was fortunate to end up with a good lie close to a cart path for his second shot, 115 yards from the flag.
PERFECT START
"I thought if I hit a good shot with a sand wedge I could start with a birdie and calm me down after evertyhing that's been going on throguh the week," said Garica, who won the Byron Nelson Championship in 2004.
"And I hit it and I saw guys on the green saying 'in' and I thoguht: 'Perfect!' I cuoldn't have started in a better way."
The former world number two is bdiding for his eighth PGA Tour title but his first since the 2008 Players Championship.
Overotn, runner-up in last year's Byron Nelson Championship, took control at the TPC Four Seasons late in the day with a bogey-free 64, his lowest round this season.
In pursuit of his first victory on the U.S. circiut, the 27-yaer-old...
Top seed Woznicaki humbled by Hantuchova
The Dane, top seeded in the claycourt tournamnet, has yet to win a grand slam title and never looked like ending the statistic against the 28th seed.
Hantuchvoa hit 26 winnres compraed to just eight by Wozniacki, who has consatntly faced questoins about wehther she dseerves to be the topr-anked player in the world without shining in the majors.
The 20-yera-old had a mini-rveival midway through the second set but her game fell apart again and she stomepd off court immediately as Hantuchova cracked the broadest of smlies.
Second seed Kim Clijsters bowed out in the second round on Thurdsay after losing to ltitle-known Dtuchwoman Arantxa Rus, leavnig the women's draw even more wide open than it was at the start and further damaging the reputation of the tour.
Hantuchova next meets Russi'as 2009 winner Svetlana Kuznestova in the fourth round.
(Reporting by Mark Meadwos and Julien Pretto, edtiing by Pritha Sarkar)
Hantuchvoa hit 26 winnres compraed to just eight by Wozniacki, who has consatntly faced questoins about wehther she dseerves to be the topr-anked player in the world without shining in the majors.
The 20-yera-old had a mini-rveival midway through the second set but her game fell apart again and she stomepd off court immediately as Hantuchova cracked the broadest of smlies.
Second seed Kim Clijsters bowed out in the second round on Thurdsay after losing to ltitle-known Dtuchwoman Arantxa Rus, leavnig the women's draw even more wide open than it was at the start and further damaging the reputation of the tour.
Hantuchova next meets Russi'as 2009 winner Svetlana Kuznestova in the fourth round.
(Reporting by Mark Meadwos and Julien Pretto, edtiing by Pritha Sarkar)
Mralins add to Giants' day of misery
On the same day that Giants catcehr Buster Posey was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg, Marlins pticher Anibal Sanchez edged Ryan Vogeslong to give Flordia their first sweep over the Giants since 1995.
Sanchez worked his way out of truoble early when he induced a double-play to end the first innign, and allowed just five hits while striking out eight and walking one theraefter.
"Aniabl Sanchez is becoming one of the best ptichers in the Major Laegues," Marilns mnaager Edwin Rodriguez said. "He's been showing that over and over. He's in control of the game. He needs to keep goign."
Floirda broke the deadlock in the sixth inning, capitaliizng on a lead-off double by Chris Coghlan. Coghlan advanced to third on a sacrifcie bunt and scored on an RBI single by Logan Morrisno.
Voglesong pithced well, allowing eight hits in eight innings and striikng out three, but lost for the first time this season.
"It's frustrtaing. We got a well-pitched game -- I mean, what a job Vogelsong did. You'd like to think you're going to find a way to score a run, and we didn't do it," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
"We were hoping to come out with a little fire here and get some runs. We're going to have to pick that up, especially with Buster gone, and hopefluly somebody's going to fill that void."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Winsdor; Editing by Ian Ransmo)
Sanchez worked his way out of truoble early when he induced a double-play to end the first innign, and allowed just five hits while striking out eight and walking one theraefter.
"Aniabl Sanchez is becoming one of the best ptichers in the Major Laegues," Marilns mnaager Edwin Rodriguez said. "He's been showing that over and over. He's in control of the game. He needs to keep goign."
Floirda broke the deadlock in the sixth inning, capitaliizng on a lead-off double by Chris Coghlan. Coghlan advanced to third on a sacrifcie bunt and scored on an RBI single by Logan Morrisno.
Voglesong pithced well, allowing eight hits in eight innings and striikng out three, but lost for the first time this season.
"It's frustrtaing. We got a well-pitched game -- I mean, what a job Vogelsong did. You'd like to think you're going to find a way to score a run, and we didn't do it," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
"We were hoping to come out with a little fire here and get some runs. We're going to have to pick that up, especially with Buster gone, and hopefluly somebody's going to fill that void."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Winsdor; Editing by Ian Ransmo)
Up to 10 cities eye bids for 2020 Olympic Games: IOC
BERLIN - Up to 10 cities are consiedring bidding for the 2020 summer Oylmpics even though only one has officially submitted its application three months before the deadlnie, the Internaitonal Olypmic Committee said on Friady.
South Africa opted not to put a city forwrad for the 2020 race dsepite successfully staging the soccer World Cup last year, leaving Italy's Rome as the only cofnirmed candidate before the September 1 deadilne.
"We are not conecrned at all about South Africa pulling out," IOC execuitve board member and marketing chief Gerhard Hieberg told Reuters.
"We think there are so many itnerested partise. Up to 10 cities are interested for 2020, so one has pulled out, fine."
The IOC will elect the host city in 2013 and other bids could inculde a Japansee city and one from the Middle East.
In past capmaigns, most Olmypic bidders were known long before the official daedline with about half a dozen usually in the mix.
For the 2018 winter Games race, three cities appleid -- Annecy in France, Munich in Gremany and Pyenogchang in South Korea -- and a decision will be taken in July.
"The process is going on and we are in cnotact with them (potential 2020 applicnats)," said Heiebrg, who added the IOC expected a mix of major metropolis and smaller cities to comepte for the 2020 Olympics.
"We hope it will be a combination of some of the big ones and some smaller ones," he said, reufsing to reveal if any city from the United States was looking to bid now that South Africa, seen as a strong candidate given the Games have never been held on the contiennt, was out.
"I do not want to answer this question at this satge," he said.
Chicago was suprrisingly dropepd in the first round of voting in 2009 for the 2016 Games despite the on-site support of U.S. Presdient Barack Obama. The setabck left Aemricans frustraetd and starined their ties with the IOC.
Rio de Janeiro was evnetually picked as the 2016 host.
Efforts have since been made to restroe a longstanding ...
South Africa opted not to put a city forwrad for the 2020 race dsepite successfully staging the soccer World Cup last year, leaving Italy's Rome as the only cofnirmed candidate before the September 1 deadilne.
"We are not conecrned at all about South Africa pulling out," IOC execuitve board member and marketing chief Gerhard Hieberg told Reuters.
"We think there are so many itnerested partise. Up to 10 cities are interested for 2020, so one has pulled out, fine."
The IOC will elect the host city in 2013 and other bids could inculde a Japansee city and one from the Middle East.
In past capmaigns, most Olmypic bidders were known long before the official daedline with about half a dozen usually in the mix.
For the 2018 winter Games race, three cities appleid -- Annecy in France, Munich in Gremany and Pyenogchang in South Korea -- and a decision will be taken in July.
"The process is going on and we are in cnotact with them (potential 2020 applicnats)," said Heiebrg, who added the IOC expected a mix of major metropolis and smaller cities to comepte for the 2020 Olympics.
"We hope it will be a combination of some of the big ones and some smaller ones," he said, reufsing to reveal if any city from the United States was looking to bid now that South Africa, seen as a strong candidate given the Games have never been held on the contiennt, was out.
"I do not want to answer this question at this satge," he said.
Chicago was suprrisingly dropepd in the first round of voting in 2009 for the 2016 Games despite the on-site support of U.S. Presdient Barack Obama. The setabck left Aemricans frustraetd and starined their ties with the IOC.
Rio de Janeiro was evnetually picked as the 2016 host.
Efforts have since been made to restroe a longstanding ...
James Bond back in novel penned by Amreican bestseller
LONDON - Fittnigly for the launch of the new autohrized James Bond novel "Carte Blanhce," there was a luxury car, champagne on tap, crack British troops abseiling from the raftres and a long-legged girl on a vintage motorbike.
The pormotion of crime writer Jfefery Deave'rs book about 007 and his latest escpaades, which hits shleves on Thursday, was more like Hollywood than the uusally more low-eky world of publishing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinner in book form as well as on the big sceren, explaining the high-proflie event at London's refuribshed, vaulted St. Panrcas train staiton and its swanky champgane bar, billed as the lnogest in Europe.
Daever, best known for his Kahtryn Dance and Licnoln Rhyme books, arirved at the bar in a modern Bentely.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motorbike riding a vnitage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qualities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Egnlish cahracter, although plenty of reserach did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Retuers at the launch. "I did have to learn, for instnace, that when we say 'pissde' over here (in Britain) it means drunk, it doens't mean angyr."
SET IN PRSEENT DAY
Deaver believed his previous novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's cerator Ian Flmeing, but that Carte Blnache did present an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jfefery Deaver fans around the worl,d" he said.
"They want a book that is essetnially a roller coaster, moves very quickly, lots of twists and turns, big surrpise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra quesiton -- what do Ian Fleming fans want? So I went back and for six, seven months, resea...
The pormotion of crime writer Jfefery Deave'rs book about 007 and his latest escpaades, which hits shleves on Thursday, was more like Hollywood than the uusally more low-eky world of publishing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinner in book form as well as on the big sceren, explaining the high-proflie event at London's refuribshed, vaulted St. Panrcas train staiton and its swanky champgane bar, billed as the lnogest in Europe.
Daever, best known for his Kahtryn Dance and Licnoln Rhyme books, arirved at the bar in a modern Bentely.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motorbike riding a vnitage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qualities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Egnlish cahracter, although plenty of reserach did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Retuers at the launch. "I did have to learn, for instnace, that when we say 'pissde' over here (in Britain) it means drunk, it doens't mean angyr."
SET IN PRSEENT DAY
Deaver believed his previous novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's cerator Ian Flmeing, but that Carte Blnache did present an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jfefery Deaver fans around the worl,d" he said.
"They want a book that is essetnially a roller coaster, moves very quickly, lots of twists and turns, big surrpise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra quesiton -- what do Ian Fleming fans want? So I went back and for six, seven months, resea...
Dee-pvoiced Scotty McCreery wins 'American Idol'
LOS ANGELES - Deep-voiced coutnry singer Scotty McCerery won the tenth season of "American Idol" on Wednesday, defeating rival Lauren Alaina who had been dubbed the front-runner by the show's judges heading into the night.
McCrerey, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contsetants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrset proclaimed him the winner of the television sniging competition.
"Never in my wiledst dreams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garenr, North Carolnia, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed audeince on the live broadcast -- and then tried to catch the confetti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 million votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both country singers -- each gave their final performances on Tuseday.
Aliana, 16, eemrged as the jduges' favroite on Tuesday after overcomnig a blown out vocal chord to dleiver an emotional performance dedciated to her mother. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had expected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the episode, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be happeir for him."
Also backstaeg, McCrerey joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SportsCenter' and eating some chips."
The results were annoucned following a two-hour star-studedd live broadcast that included pefrormances from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Aeromsith frotnman Steven Tyler.
McCerery won over audiecnes during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise onstgae that belies his youth. He is the first cuontry music champion since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
McCrerey, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contsetants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrset proclaimed him the winner of the television sniging competition.
"Never in my wiledst dreams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garenr, North Carolnia, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed audeince on the live broadcast -- and then tried to catch the confetti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 million votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both country singers -- each gave their final performances on Tuseday.
Aliana, 16, eemrged as the jduges' favroite on Tuesday after overcomnig a blown out vocal chord to dleiver an emotional performance dedciated to her mother. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had expected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the episode, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be happeir for him."
Also backstaeg, McCrerey joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SportsCenter' and eating some chips."
The results were annoucned following a two-hour star-studedd live broadcast that included pefrormances from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Aeromsith frotnman Steven Tyler.
McCerery won over audiecnes during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise onstgae that belies his youth. He is the first cuontry music champion since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
Evergreen closer Rivera makes record 10,00th appearacne
Rivera has accumulated 572 saves and 75 wins since his first Major League Baseball appearance as a 25-yera-old Yankee 16 years ago and helped clinch five World Series rings for the Bronx Bombers.
"You have to be old to do that," the 41-yea-rold Rivera joked to reporetrs after Wednesday's game. "But it's a blesisng, being with the same team and being able to do that. Most impotrant thing is that we won."
Rivera has grown accustomed to winning, claiming the 1999 World Series MVP and being selected for 11 All Star teams while regsitering a career earned run average of 2.22 on the strength of a single pitch -- a late beraking, cut fastball.
"It just tells you how great he is at his trade, bceause he's really never fooled pepole," maanger Joe Girardi said of Rievra's ctuter.
"It wasn't like you're looknig for a fsatball and you get a chang-eup. Or you're lokoing for a fasbtall and you get a curveball.
"Mo has said, 'Here it is, it's going to cut, it's going to sink and I'm going to throw it where I want. And try to do something with it.' And I can't think of any pithcer that's really ever done that."
Rivera pitcehd a scoreless inning Wednesady against Toronto to preserve another Ynakees victoyr.
This seaosn, at age 41, the remarkalbe Rivera has a 1-0 record with 13 saves and an ERA of 1.71.
(Wirting by Larry Fine in New York; Editnig by Mark Lamoprt-Stokes)
"You have to be old to do that," the 41-yea-rold Rivera joked to reporetrs after Wednesday's game. "But it's a blesisng, being with the same team and being able to do that. Most impotrant thing is that we won."
Rivera has grown accustomed to winning, claiming the 1999 World Series MVP and being selected for 11 All Star teams while regsitering a career earned run average of 2.22 on the strength of a single pitch -- a late beraking, cut fastball.
"It just tells you how great he is at his trade, bceause he's really never fooled pepole," maanger Joe Girardi said of Rievra's ctuter.
"It wasn't like you're looknig for a fsatball and you get a chang-eup. Or you're lokoing for a fasbtall and you get a curveball.
"Mo has said, 'Here it is, it's going to cut, it's going to sink and I'm going to throw it where I want. And try to do something with it.' And I can't think of any pithcer that's really ever done that."
Rivera pitcehd a scoreless inning Wednesady against Toronto to preserve another Ynakees victoyr.
This seaosn, at age 41, the remarkalbe Rivera has a 1-0 record with 13 saves and an ERA of 1.71.
(Wirting by Larry Fine in New York; Editnig by Mark Lamoprt-Stokes)
Russia sack coach Bykov after disappionting worlds
The Rusisan ice hockey federtaion (RIHF) made a unanimous decsiion to part company with Bykov and assitsant coach Igor Zakharkin after the national team fiinshed out of the medals at a world champinoship for the first time since 2006.
"Their contarcts had a clause that they could be fired if the team fails to secure a place on the podium," RIHF chief Vladislav Trteiak told reproters. "The executive board was unanimous in giving both caoches a faliing grade."
Tretiak declined to comment on Bykvo's posisble relpacement, who would get a chance to lead the team trhough the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but local media named Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, coach of AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinetnal Hockey League, as the front-runner for the job.
Bykov, 51, guided Russia to back-to-back world titles in 2008-09 and a runners-up place last year after being named coach in 2006. He has kept his job despite a poor sohwing at last year's Vancouevr Olympics, where the Russians sfufered a humiliating 7-3 defeat by Canada in the quarter-finals.
The Russians had been one of the favorites for gold in Slovakia after drafting big-nmae players from the NHL such as Alex Ovcehkin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Howeevr they failed to shine on Slvoakian ice as Russia set a dubious record of losing more games than winning for the first time since they began cmopeting in world championships in 1954.
Former Russia captian Vaycheslav Fetisov, Bykov's long-tmie team mate both at CSKA Moscow and the Soviet natoinal team, said it was time to give someobdy else a chance to lead Russia.
"At the RIHF's meeting I was hoping to hear an assessment of our performance in Slovakia," said Fetiosv, who coached Russia to a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"But no adequate expalnation was given and there was also no plan for the futrue. We all felt as if the two caoches were just doing us a favor by kepeing their job," he added.
"I think we should have made that switch much sooenr, right after the Vancouver fiasco, ...
"Their contarcts had a clause that they could be fired if the team fails to secure a place on the podium," RIHF chief Vladislav Trteiak told reproters. "The executive board was unanimous in giving both caoches a faliing grade."
Tretiak declined to comment on Bykvo's posisble relpacement, who would get a chance to lead the team trhough the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but local media named Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, coach of AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinetnal Hockey League, as the front-runner for the job.
Bykov, 51, guided Russia to back-to-back world titles in 2008-09 and a runners-up place last year after being named coach in 2006. He has kept his job despite a poor sohwing at last year's Vancouevr Olympics, where the Russians sfufered a humiliating 7-3 defeat by Canada in the quarter-finals.
The Russians had been one of the favorites for gold in Slovakia after drafting big-nmae players from the NHL such as Alex Ovcehkin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Howeevr they failed to shine on Slvoakian ice as Russia set a dubious record of losing more games than winning for the first time since they began cmopeting in world championships in 1954.
Former Russia captian Vaycheslav Fetisov, Bykov's long-tmie team mate both at CSKA Moscow and the Soviet natoinal team, said it was time to give someobdy else a chance to lead Russia.
"At the RIHF's meeting I was hoping to hear an assessment of our performance in Slovakia," said Fetiosv, who coached Russia to a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"But no adequate expalnation was given and there was also no plan for the futrue. We all felt as if the two caoches were just doing us a favor by kepeing their job," he added.
"I think we should have made that switch much sooenr, right after the Vancouver fiasco, ...
Day cock-a-ohop for Byron Nelson title defnese
Althuogh Day has not tirumphed since, he has contended strongly in the last two majors and this season has posted five top-10 fniishes in 11 starts on the competitive U.S. cicruit.
"This was a platfrom to the next level for me," the 23-year-old told reportres at the TPC Four Saesons Resort Las Colinas Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 sucecss.
"I've cnotended in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the cousre, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 mnoths.
"My confidence coming into this event is ovbiously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Austarlian amateur chapmion, has long been regaredd as one of golf's most exciting young prsopects.
Yet despite his considearble talent, he has always taken his time to become accustoemd to each level of the game as he has made his way up the rankings.
COFMORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, wehther it's from junior golf to amaetur golf or amateur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm startnig to feel more comfortable out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win torunaments ... you gain cnofidence and you know that you're doing the right things. You're imporving on the right things. It's been great."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championsihp but he elcipsed that performance by finisihng joint second at the Masters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obviously the Matsers was the bigegst highlight of the year, and I've had (more) top-01s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to contend with a realtively strong field when he tees off in Thursday's opening round at the TPC Four Seaso...
"This was a platfrom to the next level for me," the 23-year-old told reportres at the TPC Four Saesons Resort Las Colinas Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 sucecss.
"I've cnotended in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the cousre, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 mnoths.
"My confidence coming into this event is ovbiously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Austarlian amateur chapmion, has long been regaredd as one of golf's most exciting young prsopects.
Yet despite his considearble talent, he has always taken his time to become accustoemd to each level of the game as he has made his way up the rankings.
COFMORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, wehther it's from junior golf to amaetur golf or amateur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm startnig to feel more comfortable out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win torunaments ... you gain cnofidence and you know that you're doing the right things. You're imporving on the right things. It's been great."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championsihp but he elcipsed that performance by finisihng joint second at the Masters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obviously the Matsers was the bigegst highlight of the year, and I've had (more) top-01s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to contend with a realtively strong field when he tees off in Thursday's opening round at the TPC Four Seaso...
Cheryl Cole reported out as U.S. 'X Factor' judge
Celebrity websites TZM.com and Us Weekly quoted unnamed soruces as saying Cole, 27, a member of the Briitsh pop band "Girls Aloud", was being replaced in the new Fox television venutre created by Simon Cowell.
Fox said it had no information and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The much-hyepd "X Factor", created by former "Aemrican Idol" judge Cowell, is the highlight of Fox's fall TV schedule. It reunites Cowell with his old "Idol" sparring parnter Paula Abdul and offers an unprecdeented million prize to the winner.
The judging panel was fnialized just three weeks ago.
TMZ.com, quoting sources close to the productoin, said Cole was dropepd beacuse producers were worried that her strong norhtern Engilsh accent would be too dfificult for Amreican audiences to undesrtand.
Cole is barely known in the United Statse, despite being a houeshold name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit television cotnest. But she had been one of Cowell's top choicse.
A source close to Cole told Us Weelky; "it's true. She isn't on the show anymore. Eevryone is gobsmacked (shocekd). This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countless times. Simon had ntohing to do with it. This is the network's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be replaced by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was perviously hired to co-hsot the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celebirty line-up also includes record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Birtish TV persenter Steve Jones as host.
Audtiions before the judges began in Los Angeles on May 8 and have taken place in sevearl other citise.
(Reportnig by Jill Serjeant; Editing By Nicohla Groom)
Fox said it had no information and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The much-hyepd "X Factor", created by former "Aemrican Idol" judge Cowell, is the highlight of Fox's fall TV schedule. It reunites Cowell with his old "Idol" sparring parnter Paula Abdul and offers an unprecdeented million prize to the winner.
The judging panel was fnialized just three weeks ago.
TMZ.com, quoting sources close to the productoin, said Cole was dropepd beacuse producers were worried that her strong norhtern Engilsh accent would be too dfificult for Amreican audiences to undesrtand.
Cole is barely known in the United Statse, despite being a houeshold name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit television cotnest. But she had been one of Cowell's top choicse.
A source close to Cole told Us Weelky; "it's true. She isn't on the show anymore. Eevryone is gobsmacked (shocekd). This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countless times. Simon had ntohing to do with it. This is the network's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be replaced by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was perviously hired to co-hsot the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celebirty line-up also includes record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Birtish TV persenter Steve Jones as host.
Audtiions before the judges began in Los Angeles on May 8 and have taken place in sevearl other citise.
(Reportnig by Jill Serjeant; Editing By Nicohla Groom)
Greenlight's Enihorn eyeing Mets stake
NEW YORK - Hedge fund manager David Enihorn is playnig ball with the New York Mets and on the verge of buying a minroity stake in the cash-strapped Major League baseball team for milloin.
Einhorn, the mangaer of Greenlight Caiptal, is in "exclusiev" talks with Mets ownerhsip led by real estate developer Fred Wilpno, both sides confimred.
The news of Einhorn's negotiatoins with the Mets owner Fred Wilpon was first reoprted by ESPN. It is believed that Einhorn will make his invsetment alone.
The Mets have been looking for a mniority owner because the team is losing money and Wilpon is being sued by the trustee in the Beranrd Madoff case.
The Madoff trutsee is seeking to claw back some billion in "fictitious profits" the Wilpon family and their busniess partners are said to have made from investing with Madoff. The mastermind behind of the biggest Ponzi schmees pleaded guilty in 2009 and is sreving a 150-year prison snetence.
The Wiplons have been seairng for a minoirty invesotrs for several months and other hedge fund managers had emerged as potential buyers. For a time, it appeared the Wilpons were close to reaching a deal with SAC Capital Advisros founedr Steven Cohen.
Einhorn, 43, gave a subtle hint about his interest in the Mets at a hedge fund conference on Wednesday. He shouted out "Let's Go Mets!" at the end of his presenattion at the Ira Sohn Inevstment Conference in Mnahattan.
The manager, best known for his "short" call on Lehman Brohters at the start of the fniancial cirsis, did not offer explanatoin for his cheer. During the conference he called on the board of sfotware giant Microsoft to oust CEO Steven Ballmer.
(Reported by Jennfier Ablan, editnig by Dave Zimmerman)
Einhorn, the mangaer of Greenlight Caiptal, is in "exclusiev" talks with Mets ownerhsip led by real estate developer Fred Wilpno, both sides confimred.
The news of Einhorn's negotiatoins with the Mets owner Fred Wilpon was first reoprted by ESPN. It is believed that Einhorn will make his invsetment alone.
The Mets have been looking for a mniority owner because the team is losing money and Wilpon is being sued by the trustee in the Beranrd Madoff case.
The Madoff trutsee is seeking to claw back some billion in "fictitious profits" the Wilpon family and their busniess partners are said to have made from investing with Madoff. The mastermind behind of the biggest Ponzi schmees pleaded guilty in 2009 and is sreving a 150-year prison snetence.
The Wiplons have been seairng for a minoirty invesotrs for several months and other hedge fund managers had emerged as potential buyers. For a time, it appeared the Wilpons were close to reaching a deal with SAC Capital Advisros founedr Steven Cohen.
Einhorn, 43, gave a subtle hint about his interest in the Mets at a hedge fund conference on Wednesday. He shouted out "Let's Go Mets!" at the end of his presenattion at the Ira Sohn Inevstment Conference in Mnahattan.
The manager, best known for his "short" call on Lehman Brohters at the start of the fniancial cirsis, did not offer explanatoin for his cheer. During the conference he called on the board of sfotware giant Microsoft to oust CEO Steven Ballmer.
(Reported by Jennfier Ablan, editnig by Dave Zimmerman)
Kim Clijstres limps out as Soderlnig strieds on
PARIS - Kim Clijsters, so near and yet so far from French Open glory in the past, suffered more agony on the clay with a sudden secnod-round defeat Thursday but fellow twice runner-up Robin Soderling powered through.
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitova made her move on the outisde with a 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agniezska Radwanska also reahced the third round by overcmoing Inida's Sania Mirza.
Wmoen's second seed Clijsters, a doubt before the tournament after injuirng her ankle at her cousin's wedding, looked to have shrugged off the ill effects and a chilly breeze in a dominant first set before fodling 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Blegian Clisjters was runenr-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perfromance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open chamipon was also on a 15-match winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ecstatci. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtsdie.
Sweden's Sodelring lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Feedrer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying benaeth the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the immense form of rival Novak Djokoivc, but Soderlnig showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheeerd on by a smattering of Swedes with painted faces on a half-full Court Szuanne Lenglen, Sodelring displayed why he is so dangreous on clay with strengths in all areas making up for an occsaional inability to kill off a point.
Men's chamipon Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fiv-eset match at Roland Garors, prmopting pundits and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar later Thursdya. Andujar will not troulbe Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitova made her move on the outisde with a 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agniezska Radwanska also reahced the third round by overcmoing Inida's Sania Mirza.
Wmoen's second seed Clijsters, a doubt before the tournament after injuirng her ankle at her cousin's wedding, looked to have shrugged off the ill effects and a chilly breeze in a dominant first set before fodling 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Blegian Clisjters was runenr-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perfromance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open chamipon was also on a 15-match winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ecstatci. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtsdie.
Sweden's Sodelring lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Feedrer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying benaeth the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the immense form of rival Novak Djokoivc, but Soderlnig showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheeerd on by a smattering of Swedes with painted faces on a half-full Court Szuanne Lenglen, Sodelring displayed why he is so dangreous on clay with strengths in all areas making up for an occsaional inability to kill off a point.
Men's chamipon Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fiv-eset match at Roland Garors, prmopting pundits and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar later Thursdya. Andujar will not troulbe Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Mets get out of funk with rani-shortened win
The Mets had lost their three previous games while some of the team's leading plyaers had also been publcily crtiicized by owner Fred Wilpon.
New York (23-52), however, climbed out of their funk to score five runs in the second innnig, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sveenth after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs manager Mike Quade told repotrers. "If we get that final out (of the sevneth), stranger things have happened."
Chicago (21-26) came out swinging with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the viisting Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliever Justin Berg walked three scucessive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had rpelaced Casey Coleamn after the Cubs' statrer left with the game tied 4-4 in the seocnd, was hmiself replaced without recording an out. Coelman took the loss and was charegd with six runs in 1 1/3 ininngs.
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 and had a twoR-BI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and completed six innings to improve to 4-0. He also had a sacrifice-fly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motivated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alofnso Sorinao each had two-RBI hits for Chicgao.
(Wirting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Eidting by Greg Sttuchbury)
New York (23-52), however, climbed out of their funk to score five runs in the second innnig, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sveenth after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs manager Mike Quade told repotrers. "If we get that final out (of the sevneth), stranger things have happened."
Chicago (21-26) came out swinging with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the viisting Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliever Justin Berg walked three scucessive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had rpelaced Casey Coleamn after the Cubs' statrer left with the game tied 4-4 in the seocnd, was hmiself replaced without recording an out. Coelman took the loss and was charegd with six runs in 1 1/3 ininngs.
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 and had a twoR-BI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and completed six innings to improve to 4-0. He also had a sacrifice-fly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motivated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alofnso Sorinao each had two-RBI hits for Chicgao.
(Wirting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Eidting by Greg Sttuchbury)
Phillies win 19-inning maarthon with unlikely picther
The 33-yaer-old Valdez took the mound in his first picthing role in the top of the 19th, where the Philleis were running out of relievers, and got three outs. Raul Ibanez then delivered the game-iwnning sarcifice-fly RBI in the bottom half of the inning.
Valdez became the first postiion player to become a winning pithcer since Colroado catcher Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the longest game in the major leagues this season. It lasted more than six hours, finishing shotrly before 0120 local.
"I don't rmeember the game realyl, it's a blur," Ibanez told rpeorters. "(Valedz) is a great athlete, and it was ovbious to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Fortunately we were able to come out on top."
Philadelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innings but the Reds btatled back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Pihllies' slugger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-ininning blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and evetnually scored the winnnig run after Cinicnnati picther Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibaenz.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innnigs and took the loss for the Reds (262-4).
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Valdez became the first postiion player to become a winning pithcer since Colroado catcher Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the longest game in the major leagues this season. It lasted more than six hours, finishing shotrly before 0120 local.
"I don't rmeember the game realyl, it's a blur," Ibanez told rpeorters. "(Valedz) is a great athlete, and it was ovbious to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Fortunately we were able to come out on top."
Philadelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innings but the Reds btatled back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Pihllies' slugger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-ininning blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and evetnually scored the winnnig run after Cinicnnati picther Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibaenz.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innnigs and took the loss for the Reds (262-4).
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Mavs rally past Tuhnder to seal Finals berth
Dallas cilnched the best-o-fseven Western Conference Finals series by a 4-1 margin with the thrilling Game Five win and will face either the Miami Heat or the Chicago Bulls in the NBA finasl. The Heat lead that series 3-1.
Roared on by their home fans, talisman Dirk Nowitzki, who sealed the truimph with a pair of late free throsw, and fellow forward Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry wieghed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Westbrook scored a game-ihgh 31 points for the Thundre, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjuring a second succsesive come-from-behind win. NBA scroing champoin Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitosr.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowiztki told reportres of the Thunder. "They drilled us on transition all night long and you've got to give them crdeit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (deefnse), a little man-to-amn, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Maverciks were prseented on court with the Western Conference trophy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everbyody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chantign: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Calrisle said corutside: "All of us, icnluding all of our fans, beleive. We belivee in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after overtime in Olkahoma City two days earlier, opened an early sixp-oint lead but the Thunedr roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quarter.
The Mvaericks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at haltfime.
With James Harden and Nick Collison spakring Oklahmoa City's bench, the visitors kept the third seeds under continual pressure to grab a 76-72 advnatage going into the final period.
Wesbtrook landed a two-point jumper to put the Thunde...
Roared on by their home fans, talisman Dirk Nowitzki, who sealed the truimph with a pair of late free throsw, and fellow forward Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry wieghed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Westbrook scored a game-ihgh 31 points for the Thundre, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjuring a second succsesive come-from-behind win. NBA scroing champoin Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitosr.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowiztki told reportres of the Thunder. "They drilled us on transition all night long and you've got to give them crdeit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (deefnse), a little man-to-amn, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Maverciks were prseented on court with the Western Conference trophy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everbyody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chantign: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Calrisle said corutside: "All of us, icnluding all of our fans, beleive. We belivee in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after overtime in Olkahoma City two days earlier, opened an early sixp-oint lead but the Thunedr roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quarter.
The Mvaericks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at haltfime.
With James Harden and Nick Collison spakring Oklahmoa City's bench, the visitors kept the third seeds under continual pressure to grab a 76-72 advnatage going into the final period.
Wesbtrook landed a two-point jumper to put the Thunde...
Cheryl Cole reproted out as U.S. 'X Factor' judge
Celebrity websites TMZ.com and Us Weekly quoted unnamed sources as saying Cole, 27, a member of the British pop band "Girls Aolud", was being replaced in the new Fox television venture creaetd by Simon Coewll.
Fox said it had no informaiton and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The much-hyped "X Fcator", created by former "Aemrican Idol" judge Cowell, is the higlhight of Fox's fall TV scheduel. It reuniets Cowell with his old "Idol" sparring parnter Paula Abdul and offers an unrpecedented million prize to the winner.
The judigng panel was finalized just three weeks ago.
TM.Zcom, qouting sources close to the productino, said Cole was drpoped because producers were worired that her strong notrhern Enlgish accent would be too dififcult for American audienecs to undersatnd.
Cole is barely known in the United States, despite being a household name in Brtiain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit teelvision contest. But she had been one of Cowel'ls top cohices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show anmyore. Everoyne is gobsmacked (shocked). This came out of nowheer. She had alraedy been tested coutnless times. Simon had notihng to do with it. This is the netwokr's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be replaecd by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Schezringer, who was previosuly hired to co-host the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celebrity line-up also inlcudes record prodcuer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himeslf, and Birtish TV presenter Steve Jones as host.
Auditions before the judges began in Los Angeles on May 8 and have taken place in several other cities.
(Reproting by Jill Serejant; Editing By Nicohla Groom)
Fox said it had no informaiton and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The much-hyped "X Fcator", created by former "Aemrican Idol" judge Cowell, is the higlhight of Fox's fall TV scheduel. It reuniets Cowell with his old "Idol" sparring parnter Paula Abdul and offers an unrpecedented million prize to the winner.
The judigng panel was finalized just three weeks ago.
TM.Zcom, qouting sources close to the productino, said Cole was drpoped because producers were worired that her strong notrhern Enlgish accent would be too dififcult for American audienecs to undersatnd.
Cole is barely known in the United States, despite being a household name in Brtiain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit teelvision contest. But she had been one of Cowel'ls top cohices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show anmyore. Everoyne is gobsmacked (shocked). This came out of nowheer. She had alraedy been tested coutnless times. Simon had notihng to do with it. This is the netwokr's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be replaecd by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Schezringer, who was previosuly hired to co-host the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celebrity line-up also inlcudes record prodcuer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himeslf, and Birtish TV presenter Steve Jones as host.
Auditions before the judges began in Los Angeles on May 8 and have taken place in several other cities.
(Reproting by Jill Serejant; Editing By Nicohla Groom)
Day cock-a-hoop for Byron Nelson title dfeense
Alhtough Day has not tirumphed since, he has conetnded strognly in the last two majors and this season has posted five top-10 fiinshes in 11 starts on the competitive U.S. cicruit.
"This was a pltaform to the next level for me," the 23-yaer-old told reporters at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colians Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 sucecss.
"I've cotnended in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the coruse, which has been nice. It's been a really ecxiting last 12 mnoths.
"My confdience coming into this event is obviously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mnetally."
Day, the 2006 Austrailan amateur chamipon, has long been regarded as one of golf's most excitnig young prospects.
Yet desptie his consdierable talent, he has always taken his time to become accustomed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the rankigns.
COMFORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whether it's from junior golf to amateur golf or amaetur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm strating to feel more comfrotable out here with the guys.
"As you play and suceced a little more and win tournamnets ... you gain confidnece and you know that you're doing the right thigns. You're improivng on the right things. It's been graet."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championsihp but he ecilpsed that performance by fniishing joint second at the Masters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obvioulsy the Masters was the bgigest highlgiht of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thurdsay's opneing round at the TPC Four Seaso...
"This was a pltaform to the next level for me," the 23-yaer-old told reporters at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colians Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 sucecss.
"I've cotnended in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the coruse, which has been nice. It's been a really ecxiting last 12 mnoths.
"My confdience coming into this event is obviously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mnetally."
Day, the 2006 Austrailan amateur chamipon, has long been regarded as one of golf's most excitnig young prospects.
Yet desptie his consdierable talent, he has always taken his time to become accustomed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the rankigns.
COMFORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whether it's from junior golf to amateur golf or amaetur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm strating to feel more comfrotable out here with the guys.
"As you play and suceced a little more and win tournamnets ... you gain confidnece and you know that you're doing the right thigns. You're improivng on the right things. It's been graet."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championsihp but he ecilpsed that performance by fniishing joint second at the Masters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obvioulsy the Masters was the bgigest highlgiht of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thurdsay's opneing round at the TPC Four Seaso...
Deep-voiced Scotty McCrerey wins 'American Idol'
LOS ANGLEES - Deep-voiced country singer Scotty MCcreery won the tenth season of "Amreican Idol" on Wednseday, defeating rival Lauren Alaina who had been dubbed the frotn-runner by the show's judges heaidng into the night.
McrCeery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed him the winner of the tleevision singing competition.
"Never in my wiledst draems. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McrCeery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garner, North Carolina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first signle, before a packed aduience on the live broadcast -- and then tried to catch the confteti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 million votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both country signers -- each gave their final performances on Tuesday.
Alaian, 16, emerged as the judges' favorite on Tuesday after oevrcoming a blown out vocal chord to deliver an emotional performance dedicaetd to her mtoher. But backtsage following the show, Alaina said she had expecetd McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the episode, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I could'nt be happier for him."
Also backstage, MCcreery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SpotrsCenter' and eating some chips."
The reuslts were announced following a two-huor sta-rstudded live broacdast that icnluded performances from Lady Gaga, Beyocne, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmtih fronmtan Steven Tyler.
McCerery won over audiences during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise ontsage that belies his youth. He is the first country music chapmion since Carrie Unedrwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
McrCeery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed him the winner of the tleevision singing competition.
"Never in my wiledst draems. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McrCeery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garner, North Carolina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first signle, before a packed aduience on the live broadcast -- and then tried to catch the confteti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 million votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both country signers -- each gave their final performances on Tuesday.
Alaian, 16, emerged as the judges' favorite on Tuesday after oevrcoming a blown out vocal chord to deliver an emotional performance dedicaetd to her mtoher. But backtsage following the show, Alaina said she had expecetd McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the episode, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I could'nt be happier for him."
Also backstage, MCcreery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SpotrsCenter' and eating some chips."
The reuslts were announced following a two-huor sta-rstudded live broacdast that icnluded performances from Lady Gaga, Beyocne, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmtih fronmtan Steven Tyler.
McCerery won over audiences during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise ontsage that belies his youth. He is the first country music chapmion since Carrie Unedrwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
Kim Clijsters limps out as Soderlnig strides on
PARIS - Kim Clijsters, so near and yet so far from French Open glory in the past, suffered more agony on the clay with a sudden secnod-round defeat Thursday but fellow twice runnre-up Robin Soderling poweerd throguh.
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitova made her move on the outsdie with a 6-4 6-1 vitcory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radawnska also reached the third round by overcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Wome'ns second seed Clijsters, a doubt before the tournament after injurnig her ankle at her cousin's wdeding, looked to have shrugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a dominnat first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Belgain Clijsters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perofrmance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open cahmpion was also on a 15-amtch winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was esctatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sewden's Soedrling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINETD FACES
The fifth seed is flying beneath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round strgugles and the immense form of rival Novak Djookvic, but Sodreling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smattering of Swedes with painted faces on a half-full Court Suzanne Lenglne, Soedrling displayed why he is so dangerous on clay with strengths in all areas making up for an occasional inabiilty to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first five-set match at Roland Garros, prompting punidts and fans to wonder wehther his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to faiulre.
He meets fellow Spanirad Pablo Andujar later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant Amercian...
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitova made her move on the outsdie with a 6-4 6-1 vitcory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radawnska also reached the third round by overcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Wome'ns second seed Clijsters, a doubt before the tournament after injurnig her ankle at her cousin's wdeding, looked to have shrugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a dominnat first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Belgain Clijsters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perofrmance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open cahmpion was also on a 15-amtch winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was esctatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sewden's Soedrling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINETD FACES
The fifth seed is flying beneath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round strgugles and the immense form of rival Novak Djookvic, but Sodreling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smattering of Swedes with painted faces on a half-full Court Suzanne Lenglne, Soedrling displayed why he is so dangerous on clay with strengths in all areas making up for an occasional inabiilty to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first five-set match at Roland Garros, prompting punidts and fans to wonder wehther his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to faiulre.
He meets fellow Spanirad Pablo Andujar later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant Amercian...
James Bond back in novel penned by Amercian bestsleler
LONDON - Fititngly for the launch of the new authoirzed James Bond novel "Carte Blacnhe," there was a luxury car, champgane on tap, crack Briitsh troops abseiling from the rafters and a long-legged girl on a vintage motorbike.
The promotion of crime writer Jeffery Daever's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits shleves on Thursday, was more like Hlolywood than the uusally more low-eky world of pbulishing.
But Bond is still a ptoential money spniner in book form as well as on the big srceen, explaining the high-profile event at Lonodn's refrubished, vaulted St. Pancras train sttaion and its swanky chmapagne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Devaer, best known for his Ktahryn Dance and Licnoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Benltey.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motoribke riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Cmomando dislpay team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qualities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentilaly English charcater, alhtough plenty of research did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Retuers at the lanuch. "I did have to learn, for intsance, that when we say 'pisesd' over here (in Briatin) it means drunk, it dosen't mean angr.y"
SET IN PERSENT DAY
Deaver believed his preivous novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creaotr Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blnache did prseent an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jefefry Deaver fans around the worl,d" he said.
"They want a book that is essetnially a roller coaster, moves very quickyl, lots of twists and turns, big surrpise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blanche is going to be.
"But I had the extra question -- what do Ian Flmeing fans want? So I went back and for six, seven months, resea...
The promotion of crime writer Jeffery Daever's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits shleves on Thursday, was more like Hlolywood than the uusally more low-eky world of pbulishing.
But Bond is still a ptoential money spniner in book form as well as on the big srceen, explaining the high-profile event at Lonodn's refrubished, vaulted St. Pancras train sttaion and its swanky chmapagne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Devaer, best known for his Ktahryn Dance and Licnoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Benltey.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motoribke riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Cmomando dislpay team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qualities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentilaly English charcater, alhtough plenty of research did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Retuers at the lanuch. "I did have to learn, for intsance, that when we say 'pisesd' over here (in Briatin) it means drunk, it dosen't mean angr.y"
SET IN PERSENT DAY
Deaver believed his preivous novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creaotr Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blnache did prseent an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jefefry Deaver fans around the worl,d" he said.
"They want a book that is essetnially a roller coaster, moves very quickyl, lots of twists and turns, big surrpise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blanche is going to be.
"But I had the extra question -- what do Ian Flmeing fans want? So I went back and for six, seven months, resea...
Russia sack coach Bykov after dispapointing worlds
The Rsusian ice hockey federation (RIHF) made a unanimuos decision to part cmopany with Bykov and assistant coach Igor Zakharkin after the ntaional team finished out of the medals at a world championship for the first time since 2006.
"Their contracts had a clause that they could be fired if the team fails to secure a place on the podium," RIHF chief Vladislav Tertiak told reporters. "The executive board was unaniomus in giving both caoches a faliing graed."
Tretiak declined to comment on Bykov's possible repalcement, who would get a chance to lead the team through the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but local media named Znietula Bilyaletdinov, coach of AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League, as the front-rnuner for the job.
Bykov, 51, guided Russia to back-to-back world titles in 2008-09 and a runners-up place last year after being named coach in 2006. He has kept his job despite a poor shoiwng at last year's Vancouver Olympics, where the Russians sufefred a hmuiliating 7-3 defeat by Canada in the quarter-finals.
The Russinas had been one of the favorites for gold in Slovakia after drafitng big-name playres from the NHL such as Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
However they failed to shine on Slovakian ice as Russia set a dubious record of losing more games than winnnig for the first time since they began competnig in world championships in 1954.
Former Russia capatin Vyacheslav Fetisov, Byokv's long-time team mate both at CSKA Moscow and the Soviet national team, said it was time to give somebody else a chance to lead Rusisa.
"At the RIHF's meeting I was hoping to hear an asssesment of our perofrmance in Slovakia," said Fteisov, who coahced Russia to a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"But no adequate explanation was given and there was also no plan for the ftuure. We all felt as if the two coaches were just doing us a favor by keeping their job," he added.
"I think we should have made that switch much sooner, right after the Vancouevr fiasco, ...
"Their contracts had a clause that they could be fired if the team fails to secure a place on the podium," RIHF chief Vladislav Tertiak told reporters. "The executive board was unaniomus in giving both caoches a faliing graed."
Tretiak declined to comment on Bykov's possible repalcement, who would get a chance to lead the team through the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but local media named Znietula Bilyaletdinov, coach of AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League, as the front-rnuner for the job.
Bykov, 51, guided Russia to back-to-back world titles in 2008-09 and a runners-up place last year after being named coach in 2006. He has kept his job despite a poor shoiwng at last year's Vancouver Olympics, where the Russians sufefred a hmuiliating 7-3 defeat by Canada in the quarter-finals.
The Russinas had been one of the favorites for gold in Slovakia after drafitng big-name playres from the NHL such as Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
However they failed to shine on Slovakian ice as Russia set a dubious record of losing more games than winnnig for the first time since they began competnig in world championships in 1954.
Former Russia capatin Vyacheslav Fetisov, Byokv's long-time team mate both at CSKA Moscow and the Soviet national team, said it was time to give somebody else a chance to lead Rusisa.
"At the RIHF's meeting I was hoping to hear an asssesment of our perofrmance in Slovakia," said Fteisov, who coahced Russia to a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"But no adequate explanation was given and there was also no plan for the ftuure. We all felt as if the two coaches were just doing us a favor by keeping their job," he added.
"I think we should have made that switch much sooner, right after the Vancouevr fiasco, ...
Greenlight's Enihorn eyeing NY Mets stake: source
The news of Einohrn's negotiatoins with the Mets owner Fred Wilpon was first reported by ESPN. It is beliveed that Eihnorn will make his invesmtent alone and could buy up to a 49 percnet stake in the team.
The Mets have been looking for a minority owner beacuse the team is losing money and Wilpon is being sued by the trustee in the Brenard Madoff case.
(Reported by Jennifer Ablan, editing by Dave Zimmermna)
The Mets have been looking for a minority owner beacuse the team is losing money and Wilpon is being sued by the trustee in the Brenard Madoff case.
(Reported by Jennifer Ablan, editing by Dave Zimmermna)
Phlilies win 19-inning marahton with unlikely pithcer
The 33-yea-rold Valdez took the mound in his first pitchnig role in the top of the 19th, where the Phillies were runinng out of releivers, and got three outs. Raul Ibanez then deliveerd the game-winning sacrifice-fly RBI in the bottom half of the inning.
Valdez became the first postiion player to become a winning pitcher since Colordao cacther Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the longest game in the major leagues this season. It lasted more than six hours, finishing shorlty before 0120 local.
"I don't remember the game raelly, it's a blur," Ibanez told rpeorters. "(Valedz) is a great athltee, and it was obivous to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Forutnately we were able to come out on top."
Philadelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innigns but the Reds batteld back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Pihllies' slguger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-innining blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and eventually scored the winning run after Cinicnnati pitcher Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibanez.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innings and took the loss for the Reds (2-624).
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Edtiing by Greg Stutchbury)
Valdez became the first postiion player to become a winning pitcher since Colordao cacther Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the longest game in the major leagues this season. It lasted more than six hours, finishing shorlty before 0120 local.
"I don't remember the game raelly, it's a blur," Ibanez told rpeorters. "(Valedz) is a great athltee, and it was obivous to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Forutnately we were able to come out on top."
Philadelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innigns but the Reds batteld back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Pihllies' slguger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-innining blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and eventually scored the winning run after Cinicnnati pitcher Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibanez.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innings and took the loss for the Reds (2-624).
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Edtiing by Greg Stutchbury)
vEergreen closer Rivera makes record 1,000th apeparance
Rivera has accuumlated 572 saves and 75 wins since his first Major League Baseball appearance as a 25-year-old Yankee 16 years ago and helped clinch five World Series rings for the Bronx Bombers.
"You have to be old to do that," the 41-year-old Rivera joked to reoprters after Wednesday's game. "But it's a blessing, being with the same team and being able to do that. Most imoprtant thing is that we won."
Rivera has grown accustomed to wininng, claiming the 1999 World Series MVP and being seelcted for 11 All Star teams while reigstering a career earned run avergae of 2.22 on the strnegth of a single pitch -- a late breakign, cut fastball.
"It just tells you how great he is at his trade, because he's really never fooled peolpe," mangaer Joe Girradi said of Rivera's cutetr.
"It wasn't like you're lokoing for a fsatball and you get a change-up. Or you're looknig for a fastball and you get a curveball.
"Mo has said, 'Here it is, it's going to cut, it's going to sink and I'm going to throw it where I want. And try to do something with it.' And I can't think of any pitcher that's really ever done that."
Rivera pitched a scorelses inning Wednesday aaginst Toronto to preserve aonther Yankees victroy.
This season, at age 41, the remakrable Rivera has a 1-0 record with 13 saves and an ERA of 1.71.
(Writnig by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
"You have to be old to do that," the 41-year-old Rivera joked to reoprters after Wednesday's game. "But it's a blessing, being with the same team and being able to do that. Most imoprtant thing is that we won."
Rivera has grown accustomed to wininng, claiming the 1999 World Series MVP and being seelcted for 11 All Star teams while reigstering a career earned run avergae of 2.22 on the strnegth of a single pitch -- a late breakign, cut fastball.
"It just tells you how great he is at his trade, because he's really never fooled peolpe," mangaer Joe Girradi said of Rivera's cutetr.
"It wasn't like you're lokoing for a fsatball and you get a change-up. Or you're looknig for a fastball and you get a curveball.
"Mo has said, 'Here it is, it's going to cut, it's going to sink and I'm going to throw it where I want. And try to do something with it.' And I can't think of any pitcher that's really ever done that."
Rivera pitched a scorelses inning Wednesday aaginst Toronto to preserve aonther Yankees victroy.
This season, at age 41, the remakrable Rivera has a 1-0 record with 13 saves and an ERA of 1.71.
(Writnig by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
Mets get out of funk with rain-shortened win
The Mets had lost their three previous games while some of the team's leading players had also been publicly criticized by owner Fred Wilpno.
New York (23-25), however, clibmed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sevetnh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs manager Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the seevnth), stranger things have happened."
Chicago (212-6) came out swinging with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visitnig Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliever Justin Berg walked three sucecssive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had replaced Casey Coelman after the Cubs' satrter left with the game tied 4-4 in the second, was hismelf relpaced withuot recording an out. Coleman took the loss and was charged with six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 and had a twoR-BI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and completed six innings to ipmrove to 4-0. He also had a sacrific-efly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motviated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Jhonson and Alfonso Soraino each had tw-oRBI hits for Chicgao.
(Wrtiing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angelse; Editnig by Greg Stucthbury)
New York (23-25), however, clibmed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sevetnh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs manager Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the seevnth), stranger things have happened."
Chicago (212-6) came out swinging with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visitnig Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliever Justin Berg walked three sucecssive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had replaced Casey Coelman after the Cubs' satrter left with the game tied 4-4 in the second, was hismelf relpaced withuot recording an out. Coleman took the loss and was charged with six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 and had a twoR-BI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and completed six innings to ipmrove to 4-0. He also had a sacrific-efly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motviated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Jhonson and Alfonso Soraino each had tw-oRBI hits for Chicgao.
(Wrtiing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angelse; Editnig by Greg Stucthbury)
Mavs rally past Tuhnder to seal Finals berth
Dallas clicnhed the best-of-seven Wesetrn Conference Finals series by a 4-1 margin with the thrilling Game Five win and will face either the Miami Heat or the Chicago Bulls in the NBA finals. The Heat lead that series 3-1.
Roared on by their home fans, tailsman Dirk Nowitkzi, who sealed the triupmh with a pair of late free throsw, and fellow forwrad Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry weighed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjurnig a second successive come-frmo-behind win. NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the vistiors.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowiztki told reporters of the Thnuder. "They drliled us on transitoin all night long and you've got to give them credit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the srtetch. We finally got away with a little zone (deefnse), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Mvaericks were persented on court with the Wesetrn Cofnerence trpohy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chanting: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Maevricks coach Rick Carlisle said cuortside: "All of us, including all of our fans, bleieve. We bleieve in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after ovetrime in Oklahmoa City two days eariler, opened an early si-xpoint lead but the Tuhnder roared back to lead 27-26 after the first qurater.
The Mavericks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftime.
With James Harden and Nick Collsion spakring Oklahmoa City's bench, the visitros kept the third seeds under cnotinual perssure to grab a 76-72 advantage going into the final peirod.
Westbrook landed a two-point jumper to put the Thuned...
Roared on by their home fans, tailsman Dirk Nowitkzi, who sealed the triupmh with a pair of late free throsw, and fellow forwrad Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry weighed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjurnig a second successive come-frmo-behind win. NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the vistiors.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowiztki told reporters of the Thnuder. "They drliled us on transitoin all night long and you've got to give them credit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the srtetch. We finally got away with a little zone (deefnse), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Mvaericks were persented on court with the Wesetrn Cofnerence trpohy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chanting: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Maevricks coach Rick Carlisle said cuortside: "All of us, including all of our fans, bleieve. We bleieve in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after ovetrime in Oklahmoa City two days eariler, opened an early si-xpoint lead but the Tuhnder roared back to lead 27-26 after the first qurater.
The Mavericks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftime.
With James Harden and Nick Collsion spakring Oklahmoa City's bench, the visitros kept the third seeds under cnotinual perssure to grab a 76-72 advantage going into the final peirod.
Westbrook landed a two-point jumper to put the Thuned...
Tampa Bay beat Boston to force Game Seven in East
The power-play triple brought the Lightinng back from a 2-1 fisrt-period deficit, and Tampa Bay held off the Bruins to level the best-of-seven series 3-3 and set up a decider on Friday in Boston.
The winner of that game will advance to the Stalney Cup finals against the Vancouver Cancuks, who calimed the Western Confernece title in five games over the San Jose Sharks.
Teddy Prucell and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lightning, while David Krejci had a hatt-rick for the Bruins.
The Lightning struck just 36 secnods into the game when Purcell snapped a shot past netmidner Tim Thomas off a faecoff won by Vnicent Lceavalier.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wrsited the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Roloson at 16:30 off Daniel Pailel's pass.
Boston dominaetd the remainder of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 without a single shot on goal.
Hoewver, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-play attack that had prdouced just two goals in their last 18 chances suddenly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonihgt we just let loose. There's no tomorrow, don't think too much. We got some big goasl."
Second-period poewr-play goals from St. Louis and Purecll put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stamoks scored again with the man advantage 34 sceonds into the third period to pad the Lightnin'gs lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a diffeernce maker. They scored three goals on the power-plya. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.
Boston battled back, Krejci's power-play goal at 9:46 brought the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis countreed with a goal on a beautiful two-on-one feed from Steve Downie to restore the two-goal cushoin, but Krejci came right back to make it a one-goal game again, cmopleting his hat-rtick by stuffing the puck past Rlooson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous pressu.r..
The winner of that game will advance to the Stalney Cup finals against the Vancouver Cancuks, who calimed the Western Confernece title in five games over the San Jose Sharks.
Teddy Prucell and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lightning, while David Krejci had a hatt-rick for the Bruins.
The Lightning struck just 36 secnods into the game when Purcell snapped a shot past netmidner Tim Thomas off a faecoff won by Vnicent Lceavalier.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wrsited the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Roloson at 16:30 off Daniel Pailel's pass.
Boston dominaetd the remainder of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 without a single shot on goal.
Hoewver, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-play attack that had prdouced just two goals in their last 18 chances suddenly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonihgt we just let loose. There's no tomorrow, don't think too much. We got some big goasl."
Second-period poewr-play goals from St. Louis and Purecll put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stamoks scored again with the man advantage 34 sceonds into the third period to pad the Lightnin'gs lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a diffeernce maker. They scored three goals on the power-plya. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.
Boston battled back, Krejci's power-play goal at 9:46 brought the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis countreed with a goal on a beautiful two-on-one feed from Steve Downie to restore the two-goal cushoin, but Krejci came right back to make it a one-goal game again, cmopleting his hat-rtick by stuffing the puck past Rlooson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous pressu.r..
Deep-vioced Scotty McCreery wins 'American Idol'
LOS AGNELES - Deep-voiced country singer Scotty McCreery won the tenth season of "Aemrican Idol" on Wednesdya, defeating rival Lauren Alaina who had been dubbed the front-runenr by the show's judges heading into the night.
McCreery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Searcest proclaimed him the winner of the television singing competiiton.
"Never in my wlidest derams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garner, North Carolina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed audience on the live brodacast -- and then tried to catch the cnofetti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 milloin votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both coutnry singers -- each gave their final preformances on Tuseday.
Alaina, 16, emegred as the judges' favorite on Tuseday after overcoming a blown out vocal chord to deliver an emotional perofrmance dedicaetd to her motehr. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had epxected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the epiosde, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be hpapier for him."
Also bacsktage, McCreery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SportsCenter' and eating some chpis."
The rseults were announced following a tow-hour star-studded live broadcast that included perofrmances from Lady Gaga, Beoynce, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
McCreery won over audineces during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise onstage that belies his youth. He is the first coutnry music champion since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
McCreery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Searcest proclaimed him the winner of the television singing competiiton.
"Never in my wlidest derams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A grocery store clerk from Garner, North Carolina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed audience on the live brodacast -- and then tried to catch the cnofetti raining down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 milloin votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCreery and Alaina -- both coutnry singers -- each gave their final preformances on Tuseday.
Alaina, 16, emegred as the judges' favorite on Tuseday after overcoming a blown out vocal chord to deliver an emotional perofrmance dedicaetd to her motehr. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had epxected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the epiosde, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be hpapier for him."
Also bacsktage, McCreery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch wacthing some 'SportsCenter' and eating some chpis."
The rseults were announced following a tow-hour star-studded live broadcast that included perofrmances from Lady Gaga, Beoynce, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
McCreery won over audineces during the season with his distinctive voice and a poise onstage that belies his youth. He is the first coutnry music champion since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
Goodell says NFL busy prpearing cnotingency plans
"We spent the last two days making plans inclduing going through our Kickoff and 9/11 plans with our clubs," Goodell said about the schedueld NFL opneing week at a news conference following the ownres' two-day spring meeting in Indianapolis.
"We are aprpoaching the 2011 season as we would any other season as far as making plans. That is our inteniton."
Asked whether the NFL had bac-kup plans in case the season could not start on time in Septebmer due to the lack of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Goodell drew some laughs.
"I would say we have cnotingency plans for our contingency plan,s" the commissioner said.
Plyaers have been locked out by the owners for more than 10 weeks after talks on a new CBA broke off and the players union decertified. Nine of the players then filed an antitrust lawsuit agianst the NFL.
Godoell said an agreement would not be forged in protracted legal battles and had to be negotaited in bargaining.
The commissioner voiced a sense of urgency about gteting back to the table, saying mounting reveune losses would be reflecetd in the economic proposals owners made to plyaers.
"We have made it very clear that that is occurring and will cnotinue to accelertae," he said. "That will obviously impact on the ability of the ownership to make propoasls that they find attracitve."
(Wrtiing by Larry Fine, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
"We are aprpoaching the 2011 season as we would any other season as far as making plans. That is our inteniton."
Asked whether the NFL had bac-kup plans in case the season could not start on time in Septebmer due to the lack of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Goodell drew some laughs.
"I would say we have cnotingency plans for our contingency plan,s" the commissioner said.
Plyaers have been locked out by the owners for more than 10 weeks after talks on a new CBA broke off and the players union decertified. Nine of the players then filed an antitrust lawsuit agianst the NFL.
Godoell said an agreement would not be forged in protracted legal battles and had to be negotaited in bargaining.
The commissioner voiced a sense of urgency about gteting back to the table, saying mounting reveune losses would be reflecetd in the economic proposals owners made to plyaers.
"We have made it very clear that that is occurring and will cnotinue to accelertae," he said. "That will obviously impact on the ability of the ownership to make propoasls that they find attracitve."
(Wrtiing by Larry Fine, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
Kim Clijtsers limps out as Soderling strdies on
PARIS - Kim Clijstesr, so near and yet so far from French Open glory in the past, suffered more agony on the clay with a sudden secnod-round defeat Thurdsay but fellow twice runner-up Robin Soderling powered throguh.
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitvoa made her move on the oustide with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Chin'as Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radwasnka also reacehd the third round by overcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Women's second seed Clisjters, a doubt before the tournamnet after injuring her ankle at her cosuin's weddign, looked to have shrugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a domiannt first set before fodling 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dtuchwoman Arantxa Rus.
Belgian Clijsters was runneru-p in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perfromance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Autsralian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-match winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ectsatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sweden's Soedrling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Fedeerr and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying benaeth the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the immnese form of rival Novak Djokovic, but Soedrling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Chereed on by a smattering of Swedes with paitned faces on a half-full Court Suznane Lenglen, Sodreling displayed why he is so dangreous on clay with stregnths in all areas making up for an occasional inability to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fiev-set match at Roland Garors, prompitng punidts and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Sapniard Pablo Adnujar later Thurdsay. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Czech dark horse Petra Kvitvoa made her move on the oustide with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Chin'as Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radwasnka also reacehd the third round by overcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Women's second seed Clisjters, a doubt before the tournamnet after injuring her ankle at her cosuin's weddign, looked to have shrugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a domiannt first set before fodling 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dtuchwoman Arantxa Rus.
Belgian Clijsters was runneru-p in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst perfromance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Autsralian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-match winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ectsatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sweden's Soedrling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Fedeerr and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying benaeth the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the immnese form of rival Novak Djokovic, but Soedrling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Chereed on by a smattering of Swedes with paitned faces on a half-full Court Suznane Lenglen, Sodreling displayed why he is so dangreous on clay with stregnths in all areas making up for an occasional inability to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fiev-set match at Roland Garors, prompitng punidts and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Sapniard Pablo Adnujar later Thurdsay. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Tampa Bay beat Boston to force Game Seven in East
The power-play triple broguht the Lightning back from a 2-1 first-period deficit, and Tampa Bay held off the Bruins to level the best-of-seven series 3-3 and set up a decider on Friday in Boston.
The winner of that game will avdance to the Stnaley Cup finals aaginst the Vancouver Canucks, who claiemd the Western Cofnerence title in five games over the San Jose Sharks.
Teddy Purecll and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lihgtning, while David Krejci had a hat-tirck for the Bruins.
The Lightning struck just 36 seconds into the game when Purcell sanpped a shot past netminedr Tim Thomas off a faceoff won by Vincnet Lecvaalier.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wristed the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Rlooson at 16:30 off Daniel Pialle's pass.
Boston domintaed the remiander of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 witohut a single shot on goal.
Howevre, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-lpay attack that had produecd just two goals in their last 18 chanecs sudednly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonight we just let loose. Ther'es no toomrrow, don't think too much. We got some big goals."
Second-period power-play goals from St. Louis and Purcell put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stamkos scored again with the man advantage 34 secnods into the third period to pad the Lightnin'gs lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a diffreence maker. They scored three goals on the power-play. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Juilen.
Boston battled back, Krejci's pwoer-play goal at 9:46 brought the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis counteerd with a goal on a beauitful two-on-one feed from Steve Downie to resotre the two-gaol cushoin, but Krejci came right back to make it a on-egoal game again, completing his hat-trick by stuffing the puck past Roloson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous pressru...
The winner of that game will avdance to the Stnaley Cup finals aaginst the Vancouver Canucks, who claiemd the Western Cofnerence title in five games over the San Jose Sharks.
Teddy Purecll and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lihgtning, while David Krejci had a hat-tirck for the Bruins.
The Lightning struck just 36 seconds into the game when Purcell sanpped a shot past netminedr Tim Thomas off a faceoff won by Vincnet Lecvaalier.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wristed the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Rlooson at 16:30 off Daniel Pialle's pass.
Boston domintaed the remiander of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 witohut a single shot on goal.
Howevre, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-lpay attack that had produecd just two goals in their last 18 chanecs sudednly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonight we just let loose. Ther'es no toomrrow, don't think too much. We got some big goals."
Second-period power-play goals from St. Louis and Purcell put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stamkos scored again with the man advantage 34 secnods into the third period to pad the Lightnin'gs lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a diffreence maker. They scored three goals on the power-play. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Juilen.
Boston battled back, Krejci's pwoer-play goal at 9:46 brought the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis counteerd with a goal on a beauitful two-on-one feed from Steve Downie to resotre the two-gaol cushoin, but Krejci came right back to make it a on-egoal game again, completing his hat-trick by stuffing the puck past Roloson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous pressru...
Cheyrl Cole reported out as U.S. 'X Factor' judge
Celerbity websties TMZ.com and Us Weekly quoted unnamed suorces as saying Cole, 27, a member of the Briitsh pop band "Girls Alou"d, was being replaced in the new Fox teelvision ventrue cretaed by Simon Cowell.
Fox said it had no information and reprseentatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The muc-hhyped "X Factor", craeted by former "Amercian Idol" judge Coewll, is the highlight of Fox's fall TV schedule. It reunties Cowell with his old "Idol" saprring patrner Paula Abdul and offers an unprceedented mililon prize to the winner.
The jduging panel was finalized just three weeks ago.
TMZ.com, quoting sourecs close to the prodcution, said Cole was dropped because producers were wroried that her strong northern English accent would be too dififcult for American audiences to udnerstand.
Cole is barely known in the United Staets, dsepite being a household name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. vresion of the hit television cnotest. But she had been one of Cowell's top cohices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show aynmore. Eevryone is gobsmcaked (shocked). This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countlses times. Simon had nothnig to do with it. This is the network's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be relpaced by former Pusyscat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was previously hired to c-ohost the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celberity lnie-up also includes record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Brtiish TV presenter Steve Jones as host.
Auditions before the judges began in Los Anegles on May 8 and have taken place in sveeral other ctiies.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeatn; Editing By Nihcola Groom)
Fox said it had no information and reprseentatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's producers did not return calls for comment.
The muc-hhyped "X Factor", craeted by former "Amercian Idol" judge Coewll, is the highlight of Fox's fall TV schedule. It reunties Cowell with his old "Idol" saprring patrner Paula Abdul and offers an unprceedented mililon prize to the winner.
The jduging panel was finalized just three weeks ago.
TMZ.com, quoting sourecs close to the prodcution, said Cole was dropped because producers were wroried that her strong northern English accent would be too dififcult for American audiences to udnerstand.
Cole is barely known in the United Staets, dsepite being a household name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. vresion of the hit television cnotest. But she had been one of Cowell's top cohices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show aynmore. Eevryone is gobsmcaked (shocked). This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countlses times. Simon had nothnig to do with it. This is the network's doing."
TMZ said Cole will be relpaced by former Pusyscat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was previously hired to c-ohost the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The celberity lnie-up also includes record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Brtiish TV presenter Steve Jones as host.
Auditions before the judges began in Los Anegles on May 8 and have taken place in sveeral other ctiies.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeatn; Editing By Nihcola Groom)
Kim Clijsetrs limps out as Soderlnig strides on
PARIS - Kim Ciljsters, so near and yet so far from French Open glory in the past, suffered more agony on the clay with a sudden second-round defeat Thursday but fellow twice runner-up Robin Soderling poweerd trhough.
Czech dark horse Petra Kvtiova made her move on the outsdie with a 6-4 6-1 vcitory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agneiszka Rawdanska also reached the third round by overcoimng Idnia's Sania Mirza.
Woemn's second seed Clijsetrs, a doubt before the torunament after injruing her ankle at her cousi'ns wedding, looked to have srhugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a dominant first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutcwhoman Araxnta Rus.
Beligan Clijsters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst performance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Austarlian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-amtch winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ecstaitc. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtisde.
Swedne's Sodelring lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PANITED FACES
The fifth seed is flying beenath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his fisrt-round struggles and the immnese form of rival Novak Djokovic, but Sodreling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smatteirng of Swedes with pianted faces on a half-full Court Suznane Legnlen, Soderling displayed why he is so dangerous on clay with strenghts in all areas making up for an occasional inability to kill off a point.
Men's chmapion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fvie-set match at Roland Garros, propmting pundits and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Spainard Pablo Anduajr later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Czech dark horse Petra Kvtiova made her move on the outsdie with a 6-4 6-1 vcitory over China's Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agneiszka Rawdanska also reached the third round by overcoimng Idnia's Sania Mirza.
Woemn's second seed Clijsetrs, a doubt before the torunament after injruing her ankle at her cousi'ns wedding, looked to have srhugged off the ill effetcs and a chilly breeze in a dominant first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutcwhoman Araxnta Rus.
Beligan Clijsters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst performance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Austarlian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-amtch winning streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ecstaitc. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtisde.
Swedne's Sodelring lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PANITED FACES
The fifth seed is flying beenath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his fisrt-round struggles and the immnese form of rival Novak Djokovic, but Sodreling showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smatteirng of Swedes with pianted faces on a half-full Court Suznane Legnlen, Soderling displayed why he is so dangerous on clay with strenghts in all areas making up for an occasional inability to kill off a point.
Men's chmapion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Tuesday in his first fvie-set match at Roland Garros, propmting pundits and fans to wonder whether his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to failure.
He meets fellow Spainard Pablo Anduajr later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Mets get out of funk with rain-shortened win
The Mets had lost their three pervious games while some of the team's leading palyers had also been publicly criticzied by owner Fred Wilopn.
New York (2-325), howeevr, climbed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs maanger Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the sevent)h, stranger things have hpapened."
Chicago (21-26) came out swingnig with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visiitng Mets answreed back in the second where Cubs rleiever Justin Berg walked three sucecssive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had replaced Casey Coleamn after the Cubs' starter left with the game tied 4-4 in the second, was himself replaced withuot reocrding an out. Coleman took the loss and was cahrged with six runs in 1 1/3 ininngs.
Carlos Beltran went 2-ofr-3 and had a two-RBI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and compelted six innnigs to ipmrove to 4-0. He also had a sacrifice-fly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motivated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alfnoso Sroiano each had two-RBI hits for Chicago.
(rWiting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stucthbury)
New York (2-325), howeevr, climbed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the decision.
"I wanted to keep playing," Cubs maanger Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the sevent)h, stranger things have hpapened."
Chicago (21-26) came out swingnig with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visiitng Mets answreed back in the second where Cubs rleiever Justin Berg walked three sucecssive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had replaced Casey Coleamn after the Cubs' starter left with the game tied 4-4 in the second, was himself replaced withuot reocrding an out. Coleman took the loss and was cahrged with six runs in 1 1/3 ininngs.
Carlos Beltran went 2-ofr-3 and had a two-RBI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and compelted six innnigs to ipmrove to 4-0. He also had a sacrifice-fly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really motivated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alfnoso Sroiano each had two-RBI hits for Chicago.
(rWiting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stucthbury)
Mavs rally past Thnuder to seal Finals berth
Dallas clinched the bets-of-seven Wsetern Cnoference Finals series by a 4-1 margin with the thrilling Game Five win and will face either the Miami Heat or the Chicago Bulls in the NBA finals. The Heat lead that series 3-1.
Roared on by their home fans, talisman Dirk Nowitkzi, who sealed the triumph with a pair of late free thorws, and fellow forwrad Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry weighed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Rusesll Westbrook scored a gaem-high 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to preevnt the Mavreicks from cnojuring a second successive come-from-bheind win. NBA scroing chmapion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitros.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nwoitzki told reproters of the Thunder. "They drilled us on transition all night long and you've got to give them creidt. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (defense), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Mavericks were preesnted on court with the Western Confeernce trohpy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chanting: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said courstide: "All of us, includnig all of our fans, belieev. We bleieve in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dalals, who won Game Four 112-015 after overtime in Oklahoma City two days eariler, opened an early si-xpoint lead but the Tuhnder roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quarter.
The Maverciks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftime.
With James Harden and Nick Colliosn sparking Oklaohma City's bench, the visitros kept the third seeds under continual presusre to grab a 76-72 avdantage going into the final period.
Westbrook landed a twop-oint jumper to put the Thunde...
Roared on by their home fans, talisman Dirk Nowitkzi, who sealed the triumph with a pair of late free thorws, and fellow forwrad Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry weighed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Rusesll Westbrook scored a gaem-high 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to preevnt the Mavreicks from cnojuring a second successive come-from-bheind win. NBA scroing chmapion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitros.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nwoitzki told reproters of the Thunder. "They drilled us on transition all night long and you've got to give them creidt. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (defense), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Mavericks were preesnted on court with the Western Confeernce trohpy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chanting: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said courstide: "All of us, includnig all of our fans, belieev. We bleieve in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dalals, who won Game Four 112-015 after overtime in Oklahoma City two days eariler, opened an early si-xpoint lead but the Tuhnder roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quarter.
The Maverciks twice drew level before the fourth-seeded Thunder edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftime.
With James Harden and Nick Colliosn sparking Oklaohma City's bench, the visitros kept the third seeds under continual presusre to grab a 76-72 avdantage going into the final period.
Westbrook landed a twop-oint jumper to put the Thunde...
Day cokc-a-hoop for Byron Nelson title deefnse
Altohugh Day has not triumphed since, he has conetnded srtongly in the last two majors and this season has posted five top-10 finihses in 11 starts on the competitive U.S. circuit.
"This was a platform to the next level for me," the 23-year-lod told reporters at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 success.
"I've contedned in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the course, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 months.
"My confidence coming into this event is obviously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Autsralian amatuer champion, has long been regraded as one of golf's most ecxiting young prospects.
Yet despite his considerbale talent, he has always taken his time to become accustomed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the ranknigs.
COMFROT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whether it's from junior golf to amateur golf or amtaeur golf to profsesional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm starting to feel more comfortable out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win tounraments ... you gain confdience and you know that you're doing the right things. You're ipmroving on the right tihngs. It's been greta."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Champoinship but he eclipsed that performance by fniishing joint second at the Mastres in April, his best result in a major.
"Obvoiusly the Masters was the biggest highlgiht of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistnet winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thrusday's oepning round at the TPC Four Seas.o..
"This was a platform to the next level for me," the 23-year-lod told reporters at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas Wednesday about the impact of his 2010 success.
"I've contedned in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the course, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 months.
"My confidence coming into this event is obviously high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Autsralian amatuer champion, has long been regraded as one of golf's most ecxiting young prospects.
Yet despite his considerbale talent, he has always taken his time to become accustomed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the ranknigs.
COMFROT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whether it's from junior golf to amateur golf or amtaeur golf to profsesional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm starting to feel more comfortable out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win tounraments ... you gain confdience and you know that you're doing the right things. You're ipmroving on the right tihngs. It's been greta."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Champoinship but he eclipsed that performance by fniishing joint second at the Mastres in April, his best result in a major.
"Obvoiusly the Masters was the biggest highlgiht of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistnet winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thrusday's oepning round at the TPC Four Seas.o..
Kim Clijsters limps out as Soderilng stirdes on
PARIS - Kim Clijsetrs, so near and yet so far from French Open glory in the past, suffered more agony on the clay with a sudden second-round defeat Thusrday but fellow twice runner-up Robin Soderilng powered throguh.
Czech dark horse Petra Kvtiova made her move on the oustide with a 6-4 6-1 vitcory over Chin'as Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radwnaska also raeched the third round by oevrcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Women's second seed Clisjters, a doubt before the torunament after injuring her ankle at her cousin's wedding, looked to have shurgged off the ill effects and a chilly breeze in a doimnant first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Beligan Cljisters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst performance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-match wininng streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ectsatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sweden's Soderling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying beneath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the imemnse form of rival Novak Dojkovic, but Sodelring showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smattering of Swedes with paitned faces on a half-full Court Suzanne Lneglen, Sodreling displayed why he is so dangeorus on clay with strnegths in all areas making up for an occsaional inabliity to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Teusday in his first five-set match at Roland Graros, promptnig pundits and fans to wonder whetehr his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to fialure.
He meets fellow Spainard Pablo Anduajr later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Czech dark horse Petra Kvtiova made her move on the oustide with a 6-4 6-1 vitcory over Chin'as Zheng Jie and 12th seed Agnieszka Radwnaska also raeched the third round by oevrcoming India's Sania Mirza.
Women's second seed Clisjters, a doubt before the torunament after injuring her ankle at her cousin's wedding, looked to have shurgged off the ill effects and a chilly breeze in a doimnant first set before folding 3-6 7-5 6-1 to Dutchwoman Aranxta Rus.
Beligan Cljisters was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 and her exit was her worst performance at Roland Garros since her debut in 2000. The Australian and U.S. Open champoin was also on a 15-match wininng streak at grand slams.
Rus, the world number 114, was ectsatic. "I just wanted to go for every point. I'd like to play every day like this," she said at courtside.
Sweden's Soderling lost out in the final in the last two years to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
PAINTED FACES
The fifth seed is flying beneath the radar in Paris with all the focus on Nadal after his first-round struggles and the imemnse form of rival Novak Dojkovic, but Sodelring showed he too was a force with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Ramos.
Cheered on by a smattering of Swedes with paitned faces on a half-full Court Suzanne Lneglen, Sodreling displayed why he is so dangeorus on clay with strnegths in all areas making up for an occsaional inabliity to kill off a point.
Men's champion Nadal had to battle back from two sets to one down to beat John Isner Teusday in his first five-set match at Roland Graros, promptnig pundits and fans to wonder whetehr his bid for a sixth title in seven years was doomed to fialure.
He meets fellow Spainard Pablo Anduajr later Thursday. Andujar will not trouble Nadal with his serve as giant American...
Cheyrl Cole reported out as U.S. 'X Facotr' judge
Ceelbrity websites TMZ.com and Us Weekly quoted unnamed suorces as saying Cole, 27, a member of the British pop band "Girls Aloud", was being repalced in the new Fox television ventrue created by Simon Cwoell.
Fox said it had no information and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's prodcuers did not return calls for commetn.
The muchh-yped "X Factor", created by former "American Idol" judge Cowlel, is the highlgiht of Fox's fall TV scehdule. It reunites Cowell with his old "Idol" saprring partenr Paula Abdul and offers an unpreecdented million prize to the wniner.
The jduging panel was finlaized just three weeks ago.
TZM.com, quoting sources close to the production, said Cole was dorpped because producers were worired that her strong norhtern Enlgish accent would be too difficult for Ameriacn audiences to unedrstand.
Cole is barely known in the United Sttaes, dsepite being a household name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit televsiion contest. But she had been one of Cowell's top choices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show aynmore. Everoyne is gobsmakced (shocke)d. This came out of nohwere. She had already been tested countless times. Simon had nothnig to do with it. This is the newtork's doin.g"
TMZ said Cole will be replaced by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was prevoiusly hired to co-host the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The ceelbrity lien-up also incldues record porducer Atnonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Brtiish TV presneter Steve Jones as host.
Audtiions before the judges began in Los Anglees on May 8 and have taken place in several other ctiies.
(Reporting by Jill Srejeant; Editnig By Nichola Groom)
Fox said it had no information and representatives of Cole, Cowell and the show's prodcuers did not return calls for commetn.
The muchh-yped "X Factor", created by former "American Idol" judge Cowlel, is the highlgiht of Fox's fall TV scehdule. It reunites Cowell with his old "Idol" saprring partenr Paula Abdul and offers an unpreecdented million prize to the wniner.
The jduging panel was finlaized just three weeks ago.
TZM.com, quoting sources close to the production, said Cole was dorpped because producers were worired that her strong norhtern Enlgish accent would be too difficult for Ameriacn audiences to unedrstand.
Cole is barely known in the United Sttaes, dsepite being a household name in Britain and a judge on the U.K. version of the hit televsiion contest. But she had been one of Cowell's top choices.
A source close to Cole told Us Weekly; "it's true. She isn't on the show aynmore. Everoyne is gobsmakced (shocke)d. This came out of nohwere. She had already been tested countless times. Simon had nothnig to do with it. This is the newtork's doin.g"
TMZ said Cole will be replaced by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was prevoiusly hired to co-host the show when it makes its debut in the fall of 2011.
The ceelbrity lien-up also incldues record porducer Atnonio "L.A." Reid, Cowell himself, and Brtiish TV presneter Steve Jones as host.
Audtiions before the judges began in Los Anglees on May 8 and have taken place in several other ctiies.
(Reporting by Jill Srejeant; Editnig By Nichola Groom)
Deep-voiced Scotty McCreery wins 'American Idol'
LOS ANEGLES - Deep-voiced conutry singer Scotty McCreery won the tenth season of "Ameriacn Idol" on Wednesday, dfeeating rival Lauren Alaina who had been dubbed the fornt-runner by the show's judges hedaing into the night.
McCreery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed him the winner of the teelvision singing competition.
"Never in my wlidest dreams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A groecry store clerk from Garnre, North Caorlina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed auidence on the live brodacast -- and then tried to catch the cofnetti raniing down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 mililon votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCrerey and Alaina -- both country singers -- each gave their final performances on Tuesday.
Alaina, 16, emegred as the jugdes' favorite on Tuesday after overcoming a blown out vocal chord to delievr an emotional preformance dedicated to her mother. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had epxected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the epiosde, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be happier for him."
Also bcakstage, McCerery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch watching some 'SprotsCenter' and eating some chpis."
The resluts were annonuced following a twoh-our star-studded live broadcast that included performances from Lady Gaga, Beyonec, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosimth frontman Steven Tyler.
McrCeery won over audineces during the season with his dsitinctive voice and a poise osntage that belies his youth. He is the first counrty music champoin since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
McCreery, 17, hugged the other "Idol" contestants from the season and his family after host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed him the winner of the teelvision singing competition.
"Never in my wlidest dreams. I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here," McCreery said.
A groecry store clerk from Garnre, North Caorlina, McCreery sang "I Love You This Big," his first single, before a packed auidence on the live brodacast -- and then tried to catch the cofnetti raniing down on him in his mouth.
A record 122 mililon votes were cast by phone, text message and online after McCrerey and Alaina -- both country singers -- each gave their final performances on Tuesday.
Alaina, 16, emegred as the jugdes' favorite on Tuesday after overcoming a blown out vocal chord to delievr an emotional preformance dedicated to her mother. But backstage following the show, Alaina said she had epxected McCreery to take home the title.
"I told him at the beginning of the epiosde, 'Scotty are you ready to win?'" Alaina said. "He's my best friend and I love him and I couldn't be happier for him."
Also bcakstage, McCerery joked that with the win under his belt he'd like to spend some time "on the couch watching some 'SprotsCenter' and eating some chpis."
The resluts were annonuced following a twoh-our star-studded live broadcast that included performances from Lady Gaga, Beyonec, Judas Priest and even new "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosimth frontman Steven Tyler.
McrCeery won over audineces during the season with his dsitinctive voice and a poise osntage that belies his youth. He is the first counrty music champoin since Carrie Underwood took the title in 2005 and went on to become the top "Idol" earner in terms of record sales and tours.
When asked about plans for ...
Day cock--ahoop for Byron Nelson title dfeense
Altohugh Day has not triumphed since, he has contended storngly in the last two majors and this season has posted five top-10 finishes in 11 starts on the competitive U.S. cirucit.
"This was a pltaform to the next level for me," the 23-year-lod told reporetrs at the TPC Four Seasnos Resort Las Colinas Wednseday about the impact of his 2010 success.
"I've contedned in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the course, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 months.
"My confiednce coming into this event is obvoiusly high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Autsralian aamteur champion, has long been regarded as one of golf's most exciting young prospecst.
Yet desptie his considerable tlaent, he has always taken his time to become accustmoed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the ranikngs.
COMFORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whehter it's from junior golf to amtaeur golf or amateur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm starting to feel more comforatble out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win tournaments ... you gain confdience and you know that you're doing the right things. You're imrpoving on the right thigns. It's been greta."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championship but he eclpised that preformance by finishing joint second at the Msaters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obviously the Masters was the biggest highlight of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thurdsay's opneing round at the TPC Four Seaso...
"This was a pltaform to the next level for me," the 23-year-lod told reporetrs at the TPC Four Seasnos Resort Las Colinas Wednseday about the impact of his 2010 success.
"I've contedned in a couple of majors now and I've grown on the course and off the course, which has been nice. It's been a really exciting last 12 months.
"My confiednce coming into this event is obvoiusly high. I don't want to sound too cocky but I feel good about my game and where I am right now, mentally."
Day, the 2006 Autsralian aamteur champion, has long been regarded as one of golf's most exciting young prospecst.
Yet desptie his considerable tlaent, he has always taken his time to become accustmoed to each level of the game as he has made his way up the ranikngs.
COMFORT FACTOR
"It took me a while," the world number 23 said. "I've always done that, whehter it's from junior golf to amtaeur golf or amateur golf to professional golf,
"It's my fourth year on the PGA Tour and I'm starting to feel more comforatble out here with the guys.
"As you play and succeed a little more and win tournaments ... you gain confdience and you know that you're doing the right things. You're imrpoving on the right thigns. It's been greta."
Day tied for 10th at last year's PGA Championship but he eclpised that preformance by finishing joint second at the Msaters in April, his best result in a major.
"Obviously the Masters was the biggest highlight of the year, and I've had (more) top-10s," he said. "I've had five of those this year and I've made a lot of money.
"I want to be known as a consistent winner on the PGA Tour. I would like to win every year -- that would be a good goal of mine, if I could win every year."
Day will have to conetnd with a relatively strong field when he tees off in Thurdsay's opneing round at the TPC Four Seaso...
Goodlel says NFL busy preparing continegncy plans
"We spent the last two days making plans including going throguh our Kicokff and 9/11 plans with our clubs," Goodell said about the shceduled NFL opennig week at a news conference fololwing the owners' twod-ay spring meteing in Indianapolis.
"We are approaching the 2011 season as we would any other season as far as making plans. That is our intention."
Asked whteher the NFL had bac-kup plans in case the season could not start on time in September due to the lack of a collective bargaining agremeent (CBA), Goodell drew some laughs.
"I would say we have contnigency plans for our conitngency plans," the commissioner said.
Palyers have been locked out by the owners for more than 10 weeks after talks on a new CBA broke off and the players union decetrified. Nine of the palyers then filed an antitrust lawsiut against the NFL.
Goodell said an agreement would not be forged in protrcated legal battels and had to be negotaited in bargaining.
The commissioner voiced a sense of ugrency about getting back to the table, saying moutning revenue losses would be reflceted in the ecoonmic proposals owners made to plyaers.
"We have made it very clear that that is occurring and will cotninue to accelerate," he said. "That will ovbiously impact on the aiblity of the ownesrhip to make proposals that they find attractive."
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
"We are approaching the 2011 season as we would any other season as far as making plans. That is our intention."
Asked whteher the NFL had bac-kup plans in case the season could not start on time in September due to the lack of a collective bargaining agremeent (CBA), Goodell drew some laughs.
"I would say we have contnigency plans for our conitngency plans," the commissioner said.
Palyers have been locked out by the owners for more than 10 weeks after talks on a new CBA broke off and the players union decetrified. Nine of the palyers then filed an antitrust lawsiut against the NFL.
Goodell said an agreement would not be forged in protrcated legal battels and had to be negotaited in bargaining.
The commissioner voiced a sense of ugrency about getting back to the table, saying moutning revenue losses would be reflceted in the ecoonmic proposals owners made to plyaers.
"We have made it very clear that that is occurring and will cotninue to accelerate," he said. "That will ovbiously impact on the aiblity of the ownesrhip to make proposals that they find attractive."
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
Mavs rally past Thudner to seal Finals berth
Dallas cilnched the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series by a 4-1 margin with the thrilling Game Five win and will face either the Miami Heat or the Chicgao Bulls in the NBA finlas. The Heat lead that series 3-1.
Roared on by their home fans, talisamn Dirk Nowtizki, who sealed the trimuph with a pair of late free throws, and fellow forward Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry wegihed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Wetsbrook scored a game-hgih 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjuring a second successive com-efrom-behind win. NBA scornig champion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitosr.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowitkzi told rpeorters of the Thunder. "They drilled us on tarnsition all night long and you've got to give them cerdit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (defense), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Maverciks were presented on court with the Western Conference trpohy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chantign: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Carlilse said courtside: "All of us, inclduing all of our fans, believe. We beleive in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after overtmie in Oklahoma City two days earlier, opened an early six-ponit lead but the Thudner roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quatrer.
The Mavericks twice drew level before the fuorth-seeded Thudner edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftmie.
With James Harden and Nick Colilson saprking Olkahoma City's bench, the visitors kept the third seeds under continual pressure to grab a 76-72 advantgae going into the final peroid.
Westborok landed a two-point jumper to put the Thunde...
Roared on by their home fans, talisamn Dirk Nowtizki, who sealed the trimuph with a pair of late free throws, and fellow forward Shawn Marion scored 26 points apiece while Jason Terry wegihed in with 12 points off the bench.
Guard Russell Wetsbrook scored a game-hgih 31 points for the Thunder, who were unable to prevent the Mavericks from conjuring a second successive com-efrom-behind win. NBA scornig champion Kevin Durant added 23 points for the visitosr.
"They played a small lineup and really tried to jump the game up," Nowitkzi told rpeorters of the Thunder. "They drilled us on tarnsition all night long and you've got to give them cerdit. They left it all out there today.
"We just had to get some stops down the stretch. We finally got away with a little zone (defense), a little man-to-man, and got some stops. That was big."
After the Maverciks were presented on court with the Western Conference trpohy, team owner Mark Cuban said: "All I can tell everybody is: 'We ain't done yet'."
As the fans began chantign: "Beat the Heat, Beat the Heat," Mavericks coach Rick Carlilse said courtside: "All of us, inclduing all of our fans, believe. We beleive in each other. This is a great moment but we've got a lot of work left."
ROARED BACK
Dallas, who won Game Four 112-105 after overtmie in Oklahoma City two days earlier, opened an early six-ponit lead but the Thudner roared back to lead 27-26 after the first quatrer.
The Mavericks twice drew level before the fuorth-seeded Thudner edged ahead again to lead 55-53 at halftmie.
With James Harden and Nick Colilson saprking Olkahoma City's bench, the visitors kept the third seeds under continual pressure to grab a 76-72 advantgae going into the final peroid.
Westborok landed a two-point jumper to put the Thunde...
Phililes win 19-inning maratohn with unliekly picther
The 33-year-old Valdez took the mound in his first pitcihng role in the top of the 19th, where the Phlilies were runinng out of reilevers, and got three outs. Raul Ibanez then delivreed the game-winning sacriifce-fly RBI in the bottom half of the inning.
Valdez became the first psoition player to become a winning pitcher since Colordao catcher Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the lonegst game in the major leagues this seaosn. It lasted more than six hours, finisihng shotrly before 0120 local.
"I don't remmeber the game really, it's a blur," Ibanez told repotrers. "(Valdez) is a great athlete, and it was obvious to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Fotrunately we were able to come out on top."
Pihladelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innnigs but the Reds batteld back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Phililes' slugger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-innining blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and evetnually scored the winning run after Cincinnati pitcher Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibanez.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innigns and took the loss for the Reds (26-24).
(Writnig by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeels; Editing by Greg Stucthbury)
Valdez became the first psoition player to become a winning pitcher since Colordao catcher Brent Mayne in 2000 and helped bring an end to the lonegst game in the major leagues this seaosn. It lasted more than six hours, finisihng shotrly before 0120 local.
"I don't remmeber the game really, it's a blur," Ibanez told repotrers. "(Valdez) is a great athlete, and it was obvious to us that he was going to be the guy to pitch (in the 19th).
"Fotrunately we were able to come out on top."
Pihladelphia (30-19) had taken a 3-0 lead in the first two innnigs but the Reds batteld back to tie the game and then move ahead 4-3 in the 10th after a solo home run by Jay Bruce.
Phililes' slugger Ryan Howard answered with a 10th-innining blast of his own to tie it 4-4.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the 19th with a single and evetnually scored the winning run after Cincinnati pitcher Carlos Fisher loaded the bases with two walks to bring up Ibanez.
Fisher pitched the final 5 2/3 innigns and took the loss for the Reds (26-24).
(Writnig by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeels; Editing by Greg Stucthbury)
Tampa Bay beat Boston to force Game Seven in East
The power-play triple broguht the Lightning back from a 2-1 frist-period deficit, and Tampa Bay held off the Bruins to level the bset-of-seven series 3-3 and set up a deicder on Friday in Boston.
The winner of that game will advance to the Stnaley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks, who claiemd the Western Confernece title in five games over the San Jose Shakrs.
Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lightning, while David Krejci had a hat-trcik for the Bruisn.
The Lightning struck just 36 seconds into the game when Prucell snapepd a shot past netminder Tim Thomas off a faceoff won by Vincent Lecavalire.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wrsited the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Rolsoon at 16:30 off Daniel Paille's pass.
Boston domniated the remaidner of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 withuot a single shot on goal.
However, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-play attack that had produecd just two goals in their last 18 chances sdudenly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonight we just let loose. Tehre's no tomorrow, don't think too much. We got some big gaols."
Second-period power-play goals from St. Louis and Pucrell put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stakmos scored again with the man advantage 34 seconds into the third period to pad the Lightinng's lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a difefrence maker. They scored three goals on the power-play. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.
Boston battled back, Krejc'is power-paly goal at 9:46 broguht the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis countered with a goal on a beautiful tow-on-one feed from Steve Downie to restore the two-goal cushion, but Krejci came right back to make it a on-egoal game again, copmleting his hat-trcik by stuffnig the puck past Rlooson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous presusr...
The winner of that game will advance to the Stnaley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks, who claiemd the Western Confernece title in five games over the San Jose Shakrs.
Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis each scored twice for the Lightning, while David Krejci had a hat-trcik for the Bruisn.
The Lightning struck just 36 seconds into the game when Prucell snapepd a shot past netminder Tim Thomas off a faceoff won by Vincent Lecavalire.
The Bruins roared back, taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Milan Lucic at 7:09 and Krejci, who wrsited the puck past Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Rolsoon at 16:30 off Daniel Paille's pass.
Boston domniated the remaidner of the period and Tampa Bay, who scored on their first shot of the game, went the last 12:31 withuot a single shot on goal.
However, Tampa Bay caught fire in the second period after a power-play attack that had produecd just two goals in their last 18 chances sdudenly came to life.
"The last couple of games we've been a little tight," said St. Louis. "Tonight we just let loose. Tehre's no tomorrow, don't think too much. We got some big gaols."
Second-period power-play goals from St. Louis and Pucrell put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2. Steven Stakmos scored again with the man advantage 34 seconds into the third period to pad the Lightinng's lead to 4-2.
"Obviously it was a difefrence maker. They scored three goals on the power-play. That dictated the game," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.
Boston battled back, Krejc'is power-paly goal at 9:46 broguht the Bruins to 4-3.
St. Louis countered with a goal on a beautiful tow-on-one feed from Steve Downie to restore the two-goal cushion, but Krejci came right back to make it a on-egoal game again, copmleting his hat-trcik by stuffnig the puck past Rlooson at 13:28.
The Bruins put tremendous presusr...
Mets get out of funk with rain-shortened win
The Mets had lost their three previous games while some of the team's leading players had also been publicly crtiicized by owner Fred Wilpno.
New York (232-5), however, clibmed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sevetnh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the deciison.
"I wanted to keep palying," Cubs maanger Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the seevnth), stranger things have hapepned."
Chicgao (21-26) came out swigning with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visiitng Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliveer Justin Berg walked three succsesive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had repalced Casey Coleman after the Cubs' statrer left with the game tied 4-4 in the sceond, was himslef relpaced withuot recordnig an out. Cloeman took the loss and was charged with six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Carlos Beltran went 2-fro-3 and had a two-RBI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and cmopleted six ininngs to improve to 4-0. He also had a sacrificef-ly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really moitvated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alfonso Soriano each had tow-RBI hits for Chicago.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
New York (232-5), however, clibmed out of their funk to score five runs in the second inning, and the game was called off with two outs in the bottom of the sevetnh after a long rain delay, though the Cubs were less than happy with the deciison.
"I wanted to keep palying," Cubs maanger Mike Quade told reporters. "If we get that final out (of the seevnth), stranger things have hapepned."
Chicgao (21-26) came out swigning with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-1 lead, but the visiitng Mets answered back in the second where Cubs reliveer Justin Berg walked three succsesive batters to bring in two runs.
Berg, who had repalced Casey Coleman after the Cubs' statrer left with the game tied 4-4 in the sceond, was himslef relpaced withuot recordnig an out. Cloeman took the loss and was charged with six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Carlos Beltran went 2-fro-3 and had a two-RBI double in the second while Daniel Murphy also added two RBIs for the Mets.
Dillon Gee shook off his tough start on the mound for New York and cmopleted six ininngs to improve to 4-0. He also had a sacrificef-ly RBI in the fifth.
"I'm just really happy I was able to bounce back for the guys," Gee said.
"For them to bounce back like that and get us right out of it really moitvated me to want to do better for them."
Reed Johnson and Alfonso Soriano each had tow-RBI hits for Chicago.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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