Rampant Bulls overpowers fading Knicks

Rampant Bulls overpowers fading Knicks

New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (L) is defended by Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah during their NBA basketball game in Chicago, March 12, 2012.

The heady days of "Linsanity" are fading further from New York fans' memories after the Knicks slumped to their sixth straight defeat with a 104-99 loss to the NBA-best Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Jeremy Lin, whose meteoric rise from unknown benchwarmer to NBA sensation set the Knicks alight last month, scored 15 points and had eight assists but his impact on the team continues to dwindle as New York fell into a tie with Milwaukee for eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Derrick Rose attacked Lin and the Knicks relentlessly for 32 points and seven assists while the Bulls (35-9) abused New York in the rebounding battle to keep control.

"The whole game they had us on the offensive glass," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We played well for long stretches but the second-chance points got us."

New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin (L) is defended by Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose during their NBA basketball game in Chicago, March 12, 2012.

New York stayed in touch for three quarters and trailed by one point heading into the fourth, but they were overmatched in the crucial closing stages.

The Knicks (18-24), who enjoyed a seven-game winning streak last month, have struggled since Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup from injury and their schedule has intensified.

Chicago, winners in 10 of their last 11 games, have had no such worries as they sit top of the NBA standings despite nagging injuries.

Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton both missed Monday's game but the home team picked up the slack with hustle and effort as the Bulls outrebounded New York 56-38 and grabbed 22 offensive rebounds.

Chicago started the fourth with a 12-6 run, punctuated by a drive and monster dunk through the lane from Rose, and held the visitors off the rest of the way.

"I usually don't dunk it, but I was just mad I wasn't getting any calls," Rose said. "No matter who I'm playing against, I'm trying to win the matchup."

Taj Gibson had 15 points and 13 rebounds off the bench for the Bulls while Carlos Boozer added 15 points.

Anthony finished with 21 and Amar'e Stoudemire tallied 20 for New York in the loss.

Chicago Bulls' Kyle Korver (L) and New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire battle for a loose ball during their NBA basketball game in Chicago, March 12, 2012.

(Agencies)

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Federer wins Dubai Open ATP for the fifth time

Federer wins Dubai Open ATP for the fifth time

Roger Federer of Switzerland lifts his trophy after winning his men's singles final match against Andy Murray (R) of Britain during the Dubai Tennis Championships March 3, 2012.

DUBAI - Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer won the Dubai Open ATP for the fifth time after defeating Scotsman Andy Murray 7-5, 6-4 Saturday.

For 30-year-old Federer, the current number three in the ATP lists, it was the 72nd title in his career. The Swiss dominated in first service points in particular, scoring a success rate of 75 percent against Murray's 66 percent.

Murray, 24, currently ranked number four, improved his game during the second set and led 4-3 against Federer, but the Swiss multi-Grand Slam champion showed nerves and brought the victory home after scoring a second match point after one hour and 36 minutes on the Dubai hard court.

For Federer, Saturday's victory was a healing of his 2011 defeat, when he lost the Dubai final against the current ATP leader Novak Djokovic from Serbia. This year, Djokovic lost the semifinal against finalist Murray.

Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with his trophy after winning his men's singles final match against Andy Murray of Britain during the Dubai Tennis Championships March 3, 2012.

(Agencies)

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Boxing their way to Olympic gold

Boxing their way to Olympic gold

Two female boxers compete during training in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. The two are preparing for the London Olympic Games in July this year. File photo Nov 4, 2012.

A female boxer shows her injured hands from training in Ningbo, Zhejiang province , Nov 4, 2012.

A boxer relaxes at the gym after training in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Nov 4, 2012.

A female boxer cools her injured face from training in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Nov 4, 2012.

(CFP)

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Superior France stun Germany 2-1 in friendly

Superior France stun Germany 2-1 in friendly

Jerome Boateng (R) of Germany challenges Olivier Giroud of France during their friendly soccer match in Bremen, February 29, 2012.

BREMEN, Germany - Goals from Olivier Giroud and Florent Malouda propelled France to a surprise 2-1 international friendly victory over Germany on Wednesday as the two sides continued their preparations for Euro 2012.

The French, who have now gone 18 games undefeated after losing the first two under coach Laurent Blanc, grabbed the lead after 21 minutes when Giroud slotted in through keeper Tim Wiese's legs.

Substitute Malouda fired in from close range midway through the second half before Germany substitute Cacau cut the deficit in stoppage time.

Germany, missing several players through injury including midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain Philipp Lahm and speedy winger Lukas Podolski, lacked their usual offensive spark and were left seeking their first win against France since 1987.

"We knew that Germany were very strong offensively but we had studied a few weaknesses in the defence," Blanc told reporters.

"I fully enjoyed this game because it was two countries playing attacking football and of course my pleasure was ten-fold because we won," he said. "We had good chances, we saw goals and that was great."

Tight Pressing

The visitors, sprightlier than the hosts from the start, had the first real chance with Yohan Cabaye's header cleared on the line by Wiese in the 16th minute.

Giroud made amends five minutes later with the Montpellier striker tapping in from 10 yards after a clever cutback in the box.

Germany, donning their new green shirts in honour of their 1972 European championship victory, had trouble executing their game plan while the French pressed forward.

The hosts had to wait more than half an hour for their first real chance, a Mirsolav Klose shot that newly-appointed captain Hugo Lloris did well to block.

Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil, back at the Weser stadium for the first time since leaving Werder Bremen to join the Spanish club in 2010, tried his luck from 25 metres with his shot flying narrowly wide on the stroke of halftime.

The speedy French did not let up in the second half, Mathieu Valbuena coming close on the hour with a long-range effort before Malouda fired in from a metre out in the 69th after the Germans failed to clear a low cross into the box.

Brazilian-born Cacau, who is battling for a spot on the Euro squad after losing his starting place at VfB Stuttgart, grabbed a late consolation goal for Germany, scoring from close range in stoppage time.

"We are obviously a bit annoyed with the result but I am more annoyed about the way we lost," Germany coach Joachim Loew told reporters. "We did have some chances in the first half but France were better."

"We had too big gaps in the defence. But we must keep in mind it was a long break since November, there were some changes, some injuries and you can lose your rhythm a bit.

"Once we are together for three or four weeks it will be much better."

Germany's head coach Joachim Loew reacts during their international friendly soccer match against France in Bremen, February 29, 2012.

(china daily)

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London puts rings on Thames to mark 150 days to go

London puts rings on Thames to mark 150 days to go

LONDON - Mayor Boris Johnson promised Londoners a "summer like no other" after sending a giant set of Olympic rings down the River Thames on Tuesday and announcing a programme of free cultural events throughout the Games.

Olympic rings mounted on a barge pass under Tower Bridge during a promotional event on the River Thames in London, Feb 28, 2012.

With 150 days to go before the July 27 Olympic opening ceremony, Johnson watched from the riverside as a tug pulled a barge with the five coloured rings through the open Tower Bridge while schoolchildren waved flags and a steel band played.

The Rings on the River, standing 11 meters high and 25 meters wide, were due to travel down to the Thames barrier, past Canary Wharf and Greenwich, before returning to the 19th century bridge next to the Tower of London.

They then go into storage to re-emerge during Games' time as part of the 'Look and Feel' of London 2012.

"In Games time you are not only going to be able to watch them, but when they dock at various points you are going to be able to mount bicycles and churn your legs and by some miraculous procedure several jets of water will come up around those fantastic rings," beamed Johnson, as renowned for his love of cycling as for his boyish exuberance.

"The serious point is that, I suppose, with 150 days to go, it shows that London's preparations are very far advanced and that these Olympics are on time and on budget."

Britain's Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said earlier that the country was likely to have money left over from the 9.3 billion pounds ($14.73 billion) in public funds earmarked for the Games.

"We're on time, we're on budget and in fact we've got about half a billion pounds left in the budget," said Johnson. "But it's absolutely vital that we work very hard now to deliver all the programs.

"Today we are also announcing a lot of our cultural events. There are going to be Shakespeare performances popping up across London, opera taking place in London's canals, all sorts of events and they are going to be free to everybody."

Olympic rings mounted on a barge are manoeuvred to pass under Tower Bridge during a promotional event on the River Thames in London, Feb 28, 2012.

The events will include London's biggest ever outdoor arts festival and free events to be held in every borough of the capital from July 21 to Sept 9.

There will be a floating opera inspired by Edward Lear's 'The Owl and the Pussy Cat' and, staged on the canals, a series of free events called "Secrets: Hidden London" to encourage visitors and residents to see the city in a different light.

"Wherever you are you will feel a part of the 2012 celebrations and experience a summer like no other in one of the most exciting cities on Earth," said Johnson.

Olympic rings, mounted on a barge, pass the Tower of London as they move east along the Thames river to celebrate 150 days until the games begin, in London, Feb 28, 2012.

Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters, are seen through Olympic rings mounted on a barge, as it is positioned in front of the Tower of London on the River Thames in London, Feb 28, 2012.

(Agencies)

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Liverpool survive Cardiff scare to win League Cup

Liverpool survive Cardiff scare to win League Cup

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (L) celebrates with Jamie Carragher and son James with the trophy after their English League Cup final soccer match against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium in London, Feb 26, 2012.

LONDON - Liverpool won the English League Cup for the eighth time on Sunday but were given a huge fright by Championship Cardiff City who snatched a goal deep into extra time to salvage a 2-2 draw before going down 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

There were hugely contrasting emotions for Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who lifted the trophy in his first club appearance at Wembley, and his cousin, Cardiff substitute Anthony, whose missed spotkick handed Liverpool victory.

Liverpool's famous "You'll Never Walk Alone" anthem rang out and fireworks blasted into the sky as their players celebrated the club's first silverware since the 2006 FA Cup, but Gerrard, who missed a penalty in the shootout, still found time to console his crestfallen cousin.

"It's always cruel when it goes to penalties," he told the BBC. "We got through by the skin of our teeth."

"It was always going to be one sad and one celebrating. I feel for Anthony and for Cardiff," he added.

After Ben Turner's goal near the end of extra time took the 52nd League Cup final to penalties, Dirk Kuyt, Stewart Downing and Glen Johnson converted from the spot to complete Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's collection of major English domestic trophies, 14 months after he returned as manager.

"It's a first trophy for six years so it's a very good day for the football club," Dalglish told reporters.

"It was a difficult game and Cardiff represented their club very well. Even when Dirk (Kuyt) scored in extra time they were very tired but they dug in to get an equaliser."

Liverpool's massed armies of red clad fans arrived for their first visit to the new Wembley in party mood but it looked like going flat as Cardiff, bidding to become the first Welsh club to win the League Cup, threatened a huge shock.

The Premier League side had been served a warning of Cardiff's threat when Kenny Miller wasted an early chance but they did not learn and when Miller's slide rule pass dissected Liverpool's defence on 19 minutes Joe Mason drilled a low shot past Pepe Reina into the corner.

Charlie Adam, who scored for Blackpool in a Championship playoff final against Cardiff at Wembley in 2010, went close for Liverpool when his low blast from 25 metres whistled past the post but chances were few and far between for the front duo of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

The sides traded chances at the start of the second half with Miller firing wide for Cardiff and Suarez's shot from an acute angle turned out by Tom Heaton.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates with the trophy after their English League Cup final soccer match against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium in London, Feb 26, 2012.

Liverpool's players react after winning on penalties against Cardiff City during their English League Cup final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London, Feb 26, 2012.

Warmly applauded

Just before the hour mark Craig Bellamy replaced the ineffective Jordan Henderson and the Cardiff native who played for his home town club on loan last season from Manchester City before joining Liverpool for a second time was warmly applauded on by both sets of fans.

Within a minute Liverpool were level. Downing's corner was met powerfully by Andy Carroll whose header was diverted on to the post by the head of Suarez and when the ball came back to Martin Skrtel he fired past Heaton.

The relief at the Liverpool end was palpable and Dalglish's side enjoy some clear superiority as extra time loomed. Downing's powerful shot drew a sprawling save from Heaton while Suarez buzzed around menacingly.

Adam forced another fine save from Heaton but there were two late scares for Liverpool, first when Turner headed just wide and then when Miller found himself with a clear sight of goal after being played in by an astute Don Cowie pass but the Scot lashed a dipping right foot shot inches over the bar.

"I thought that was our chance to win it with two minutes left," said Cardiff manager Malky Mackay. "We may have lost, but we lost with dignity."

After the flurry of chances at the end of the 90 minutes, extra time took a while to ignite. Carroll looped a header wide before being replaced by Kuyt and Bellamy jinked across the area before hammering a shot over the bar.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt (L) shoots at goal against Cardiff City during their English League Cup final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London, Feb 26, 2012.

Many Cardiff players lay stretched out on the turf during at halftime of extra time as physios and coaching staff massaged some life back into their aching limbs.

They looked down and out when Dutchman Kuyt rattled a shot past Heaton at the start of the second period of extra time after his initial effort was blocked by a Cardiff defender.

Kuyt made a goal-saving clearance at the other end before Cardiff's massed ranks of fans were sent into delirium when Turner prodded in from a corner.

The Welsh club's joy turned to despair, however, as their nerve failed them in the shootout.

(china daily)

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Not an all-star, but Lin still shines

Not an all-star, but Lin still shines

New York Knicks' point guard Jeremy Lin talks during a new conference before the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, Florida, February 24, 2012.

Jeremy Lin's sudden emergence came too late to make him part of this year's NBA All-Star game, but he still managed a starring role on Friday as he shared his story at a press conference before playing in the Rising Stars Challenge.

"Just to be here and to see the company and all the players that are here," Lin said, "it's just been unbelievable, and I'm just trying to take it all in and embrace it and enjoy it every step of the way."

The NBA determined there would be too many reporters and cameras to have Lin meet the media on Friday along with the other first and second-year players in the Rising Stars Challenge. So the league gave him his own press conference; something usually only afforded to Commissioner David Stern.

Lin's first question was from Knicks teammate Landry Fields, who asked his backcourt mate if he knew who the MVP of the San Francisco Pro-Am was in 2009 and 2010. Lin, from the Bay Area, knew it was Fields.

"He played for the Oakland Believers, and he doesn't have a lot of friends," Lin said.

Fields is Lin's closest friend on the Knicks, and Lin spent the night before his breakout game sleeping on Fields' couch since his brother's place, where he had been staying, was unavailable.

The couch story became well known - Fields even posted a picture of it on Twitter - and Lin revealed that a couch was going to be part of the Slam Dunk contest before Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert had to pull out with a knee injury.

"Landry was going to roll a couch out with a cover over it, I was going to be sleeping underneath it, and then we were going to pull the cover," Lin said. "I was going to throw to Iman an alley-oop from the couch, and he was going to jump over both me and the couch, windmill it and then sit down and have Landry hand him a Sprite."

Jeremy Lin (L) of the New York Knicks and playing for Team Shaq looks to pass under pressure from Evan Turner of the Philadelphia 76'ers and Team Chuck in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, Florida, February 24, 2012.

Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks and Team Shaq laughs during warmups for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, Florida, February 24, 2012.

Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks (L) and Blake Griffin of the L.A. Clippers look on from the bench during play in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando, Florida, February 24, 2012.

(Agencies)

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Radwanska targets Olympic glory after Dubai win

Radwanska targets Olympic glory after Dubai win

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland kisses her trophy after winning her women's singles final match against Julia Goerges of Germany at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships February 25, 2012.

DUBAI - Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska is targeting Olympic gold in London this year after winning an eighth WTA singles title in Dubai on Saturday.

The Olympics tournament will be held on Wimbledon's grasscourts and the 22-year-old believes they will suit her game far more than in Beijing four years ago when she lost in the second round.

"The Olympics are always a very important event for everyone," Radwanska told reporters after clinching the Dubai Tennis Championships with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Germany's Julia Goerges.

"It's going to be a tough season, because we're going to change the surface a couple of times in a very short time.

"I'm ready for it. The Olympics are on grass, so it's going to be a little bit different. I like grass, so I just hope I can play better than in the last Olympics."

The five-times Grand Slam quarter-finalist has started 2012 in sparkling form and will move up to fifth in the world rankings when the new standings are released on Monday.

She reached the last eight at January's Australian Open and was a semi-finalist in her two other tournaments this year, but lost all three of those matches to top-ranked Victoria Azarenka.

"I'm five, but it's still far from being number one," said Radwanska. "It looks pretty actually close, but it's still far. I'm just trying to go on court and enjoy my tennis and win the matches.

"In women's tennis everything can change pretty fast, like we see every week the rankings are a little bit different.

"Everything can happen, so I'm just going to try playing my best tennis every match, every tournament, and we will see."

(Agencies)

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Federer beats Davydenko to book Del Potro final

Federer beats Davydenko to book Del Potro final

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after a matchpoint against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during their semi final men's singles tennis match at the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam, the Netherlands February 18, 2012.

ROTTERDAM - Top seed Roger Federer battled past Russian Nikolay Davydenko in an entertaining 4-6 6-3 6-4 triumph on Saturday to reach the World Indoor Tournament final.

The Swiss former world number one now faces third seed Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina who brushed aside second-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-1 in Saturday's first semi-final.

Federer, who has admitted struggling with the surface and his rhythm, recovered after losing the first set having been broken in the ninth game and early in the second set.

Davydenko dominated from the baseline using his powerful forehand but dropped his serve in the sixth game of the second with Federer taking four straight games to force a decider.

Davydenko wasted four break points in the third set while Federer, whose serve was never convicning, failed to take six chances before finally breaking to love to settle the match.

"We often played big matches and today again," said Federer. "It is good so see him performing so well again."

Asked about his previous showdowns with Del Potro ahead of Sunday's final, the Swiss added: "He beat me in the 2009 US Open final in a tough five setter, while our last match at the Australian Open was my 1,000th match on the tour."

(china daily)

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Robinho double lifts Milan to big win over Arsenal

Robinho double lifts Milan to big win over Arsenal

MILAN - Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired AC Milan to a 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, although the sorry performance of the visitors had as much to do with the scoreline as the volatile Swede's brilliance.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring against Arsenal during their Champions League round of 16 soccer match at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Feb 15, 2012.

Ibrahimovic set up two goals for Robinho and won and converted a penalty for the fourth to leave Milan almost certain of ending their dismal recent record against English opposition.

Kevin-Prince Boateng had fired Milan ahead with a typically emphatic effort in the 15th minute.

Arsenal, who had not previously lost by more than three goals in the Champions League, never got to grips with the nimble footwork of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Boateng, who pulled their defence all over the place.

The visitors were also at a loss as to how to penetrate the Milan defence where Thiago ilva had an outstanding game. Antonio Nocerino and Luca Antonini were also impressive for the Serie A leaders.

"We were never in the game, we were very poor offensively and defensively, and it as shocking to see how were beaten everywhere," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters.

"It was our worst performance in Europe by far, there was not one moment we were really in the game.

"We had to chase the game, open up our game. It was always the same for us, balls over the top, it's difficult to analyse. It's better not to talk too much and to analyse with a cool head."

AC Milan's last three participations in the Champions League have endedin the round of 16 with defeats against English clubs, includingArsenal, but Wenger saw no change of that run continuing.

"We don't play in dream world....realistically we are out of this competition," he said.

AC Milan's Robinho celebrates after scoring against Arsenal during their Champions League last 16 first leg soccer match at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Feb 15, 2012.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri praised his team's defence and criticised the attack for not scoring more goals.

"We played well as a team, we did not give them any scoring chances, we were very good in defence and especially good when Arsenal had possession," he said.

"We could have scored more which is a pity in the Champions League where you have two legs."

The match was played on a shocking pitch at San Siro where both flanks resembled a ploughed field. Around one dozen officials in green uniform spent the halftime interval trying to replace divots and flatten the turf with hoes.

The Serie A champions began with a flourish as Boateng back-heeled the ball to Clarence Seedorf and he shot into the side-netting.

Seedorf limped off after 12 minutes and was replaced by Urby Emanuelson but it made little difference and three minutes later they were ahead.

Nocerino chipped the ball over the Arsenal defence and into the path of Boateng, who chested the ball down and hammered a dipping shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Nocerino fired over the bar before Ibrahimovic broke down the left, reached the byline and dinked the ball back for Robinho to head the second.

Milan could easily have a third goal before halftime as Boateng broke clear but shot into the side-netting and Antonini poked the ball wide after Ibrahimovic sent him clear.

But it only took four minutes of the second half for them to score again as Ibrahimovic passed the ball behind Robinho but he reacted quickly, got in position and shot into corner.

Arsenal had to wait until the 66th minute for a real chance when Robin van Persie's shot on the turn was superbly turned around the post by Christian Abbiati.

Milan were still dominant although their fourth goal came from a highly dubious penalty as Ibrahimovic tumbled over, beginning his fall before any contact had been made by Johan Djourou.

The Swede fired home the resulting penalty to complete the rout.

A supporter holds a banner reading "Thanks for all Thierry" after the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between AC Milan and Arsenal at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Feb 15, 2012.

Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saves the ball as he is challenged by AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) during their Champions League round of 16 soccer match at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Feb 15, 2012.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) and Arsenal's Thierry Henry leave the field after their Champions League round of 16 soccer match at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Feb 15, 2012.

(china daily)

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