PARIS: World number one Rafa Nadal broke the stubborn resistance of Poland's Jerzy Janowicz's to win 7-5, 6-4 and reach the last eight of the Paris Masters on Thursday.

LAHLI (Haryana): Seven balls was all it took to turn fairground vibe to familiar mayhem. In the ten minutes that followed, the Chaudhary Bansi Lal stadium was emptied as seven and a half thousand people trooped out double quick.

UEFA chief Michel Platini wants the World Cup finals expanded to 40 teams from 2018 to allow more African and Asian countries into the tournament without reducing the number of European nations represented.

LAHLI (Haryana): With their television set on since 9 am, a group of villagers in this Haryana hinterland was eagerly waiting for Sachin Tendulkar to come out and bat. However, when Mumbai captain Zaheer Khan won the toss and elected to field, their disappointment was palpable. The television was switched off and prompt came a statement from a village man, "Gayi bhains paani mein (the plan is off)."

MUMBAI: Former Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea superstars like Thierry Henry, Dwight Yorke, Fredrik Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Louis Saha and Hernan Crespo could soon be playing in your neighbourhood.

CHANDIGARH: After India lost the third one-dayer against Australia on Saturday after being in the driver's seat, skipper MS Dhoni vented his frustration at the post-match press conference and said, "The individuals will have to step up. You can't spoon-feed bowlers at the international level." He also added, "I think the last few overs were disappointing, it is an area of concern and it is getting worse."

CHANDIGARH: During the victorious 2011 World Cup campaign, Indian team's batting order had a settled look to it. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag opening with Gautam Gambhir coming at one down. Then Virat Kohli batted at the crucial Number 4 position.

KOLKATA: Less than 18 months after quitting as Australia's bowling coach, Craig John McDermott has once again been entrusted with the task of preparing the country's premier fast bowlers ahead of the return Ashes series against England.

NEW DELHI: The itinerary of India's troubled tour to South Africa may hinge on the SA board bowing to BCCI pressure and keeping newly-appointed chief executive Haroon Lorgat away from all dealings with the Indian board in future.

Sachin Tendulkar's farewell series is still a good three weeks away. The hype, however, has already begun. Fans have started making plans to be in Kolkata and Mumbai and many have started saving up to buy that elusive ticket to bid their hero a final farewell.