REUTERS, BRUSSELS - World number one Justine Henin announced she was retiring from professional tennis with immediate effect on Wednesday.

"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time," she told a news conference.

Slapping incident

Tour diary

New Zealand's No. 4 looks ahead to his first Test at the home of cricket

Cricinfo.com

REUTERS, LONDON - All-rounder Andy Flintoff would have been selected in the squad for the first test against New Zealand if he had not suffered yet another injury setback, England coach Peter Moores said on Tuesday.

Flintoff, 30, played only one test last year because of his troubled left ankle which eventually required a fourth operation.

Reuters, Beijing - Beijing Olympic officials on Tuesday assured foreigners planning to visit China for this August's Games that the country is safe despite an earthquake that killed some 10,000 people and possibly many more.

REUTERS, TOKYO- Japan's JEF United Chiba are planning an audacious swoop for England striker Michael Owen, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.

The J-League club have just unveiled former Liverpool first-team coach Alex Miller as their new manager and believe Owen can solve the team's current goal-scoring problems.

Portuguese ace settled at Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo has played down fresh rumours linking him with a possible move to Real Madrid saying he is at the right club in Manchester United.

The Portuguese wizard has been continually linked with a move to Real with recent reports suggesting Ronaldo was open to a move to the El Santiago Bernabeu.

Queudrue accepts Sullivan apology

Sky Sports

Birmingham defender Franck Queudrue insists he has cleared the air with David Sullivan after being criticised by the club's co-owner following their relegation from the Premier League.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist says his players are ready to take the Uefa Cup back to Glasgow, reports BBC.

The Ibrox side take on Zenit St Petersburg in Wednesday's showpiece final in Manchester and McCoist hopes the Russians can be overcome.

United star aims higher for 2008-09 season

Sky Sports

Manchester United's player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to try to score 50 goals next season after his amazing tally this year.

Ronaldo completed a clean awards sweep at United's end-of-season awards for the second successive season.

£16.2million fee for Portugal star

Sky Sports

Chelsea are set to win the race to sign Portuguese star Jose Bosingwa after agreeing a deal with Porto.

The Blues have struck a deal worth 20.5million euros (£16.2million) with Porto and the player has flown to London for talks and a medical.

The Premier League is preparing for one of the most dramatic days in the history of the competition, reports BBC.

The league title, Uefa Cup placings and the relegation issues will all be decided on the closing weekend of the 2007-08 season.

England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's

Cricinfo.com

England's dilemma over whether to pick Andrew Flintoff for next week's first Test has been decided for them, with the England allrounder unavailable for the first two Tests against New Zealand after picking up a side strain.

The Bangladesh women's cricket team Friday ended their Women's Asia Cup campaign on a losing streak when they faced a massive nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka at Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, reports bdnews24.com.

Sri Lanka, who have already set their final clash with India, raced to 123 for one in 25.5 overs, chasing an easy target of 121 set by Bangladesh.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has faith that Bolton will provide a stern test for Chelsea in Sunday's Premier League title decider, reports BBC.

If Bolton beat Chelsea then United will be champions, regardless of the outcome of their clash with Wigan.

Rooney fit for final

Sky Sports

Manchester United have been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney will be fit for their UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea.

The England international has not featured for The Red Devils since equalising against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.

Bdnews24.com

BRISBANE, May 9 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Australia vice captain Michael Clarke will delay his departure for the tour of West Indies due to the failing health of his fiancee's father.

Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Friday that Clarke would join the Australian team at a later, as yet unspecified, date and that Brad Hodge would act as a temporary replacement.

Former India batsman cites professional commitments

Cricinfo.com

The team had set out six hours earlier for a final summit push in an event that had been delayed for about two weeks due to adverse weather.

The event was the most ambitious part of what has become the longest and most controversial Olympic torch relay in history.