Robson makes first WTA final

TENNIS: Laura Robson became the first British woman to make a final of a WTA Tour event in 22 years after she defeated Sorana Cirstea in the semi-final at the Guangzhou Open.

Robson dominated throughout and eased to victory with a 6-4 6-2 win to become the first British woman in a final since Jo Durie in 1990.

The 18-year-old went three games up after breaking her opponent early on before taking the first set, with the second a formality despite some late resistance and a break by her Romanian rival.

The victory continued the impressive run of form for the new British number one after she overcame seventh seed Peng Shuai in the quarter-finals, following on from her success at the US Open where she made it to the last 16 after wins over Kim Clijsters and Li Na.

Su-Wei Hseih booked her place in the final after she defeated Urszula Radwanska in the other semi-final.

UCI deny Lance cover-up

CYCLING: The chief of the International Cycling Union has categorically denied that the sport's governing body ever hid a positive doping test by Lance Armstrong or that the organisation ever tipped off the seven-time Tour de France winner ahead of a doping test.

Pat McQuaid told delegates at the UCI's annual congress yesterday that the organisation "has never hidden a positive sample, not just of Lance Armstrong, but of any other athlete."

The UCI has not yet received the US Anti-Doping Agency file of evidence that led it to ban Armstrong for life and strip him of his seven tour titles.

McQuaid says that when he gets the report and if UCI lawyers find it "strong and clean", the organisation "will give the appropriate sanctions".

Wright stars for England

CRICKET: Luke Wright hammered an unbeaten 99 to steer defending champions England to a crushing 116-run win over Afghanistan in their World Twenty20 match yesterday.

England made a formidable 196 for five in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat, and then bowled out Afghanistan for 80 in the 18th over at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Wright and Alex Hales joined in a 69-run stand, and Wright shared 72 runs with Dubliner Eoin Morgan.

The game ended Afghanistan's tournament.

Wright said that England knew the Afghans were a dangerous team. But he added: "The way we came back and bowled them out was a superb effort."