Snooker: Doherty facing Crucible debutant
Snooker: Ken Doherty will launch his 888.com World Championship campaign in Sheffield next month against a Crucible newcomer, Liang Wenbo.
Liang, the Chinese No 2, negotiated four qualifying matches to book his place in the last 32 of the game's premier event, beating former World semi-finalist Ian McCulloch at the final hurdle.
"Of course I could've had a tougher draw but the lad is obviously very talented and there's no way I'll be taking him lightly," insisted Doherty, unexpectedly beaten 10-7 by Crucible debutant Mark Allen from Antrim in the first round last year."
The contest will be of massive importance for Doherty, for whom defeat would more than likely end an unbroken 15 season occupation of a top 16 place in the world rankings.
Doherty's fellow Dubliner Michael Judge takes on No 16 seed, Welshman Ryan Day, the in his opening assignment.
Dennis stays on as McLaren boss
FORMULA 1: McLaren boss Ron Dennis is not be quitting the Formula One team.
Dennis was considering quitting at least one of his three key roles with the Woking-based team in the wake of last year's F1 spying scandal. However, he has decided to stay on as chief executive and chairman of McLaren Group and principal of the Formula One team.
Dennis's judgement came under intense scrutiny after the 'spygate' affair which rocked McLaren last season. They were fined £50m and stripped of their Constructors' Championship points after being found guilty of possessing data from Ferrari.
Second stage win for Steegmans
CYCLING: Belgian sprinter Gert Steegmans won his second successive stage in the Paris-Nice race yesterday.
Winner of a mass sprint finish in the first stage, the Quick Step rider made it two at the end of the 201-km second stage to Belleville in a race that is not sanctioned by the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Aussies pull out of Pakistan tour
CRICKET: Australia have pulled out of their tour of Pakistan, due to begin on March 29, because of security fears.
Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said they had been "left with no alternative'' but to postpone the tour.
The decision comes in the wake of a wave of violence in Pakistan surrounding last month's elections.
