Woods happy with Bay Hill Final station for the Rawalpindi Express

GOLF: Tiger Woods has committed to playing in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational in what will be his final tune-up ahead of the US Masters.

Woods, who has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in 2009, will try to end the title drought on one of his favourite layouts, having won six times at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, including four straight titles from 2000.

"I've always loved playing there," Woods said. "It's just so cool. It's as good as it gets."

Woods, who is undergoing another torturous swing overhaul, posted his first top-10 finish in a PGA Tour event since June at Doral last week when he tied for 10th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Nadal and Federer through to quarters

TENNIS: Rafael Nadal survived his strongest challenge yet at the BNP Paribas Open as the world number one eventually beat qualifier Somdev Devvarman 7-5 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.

World No2 Roger Federer, a three-time champion at Indian Wells, defeated wild card Ryan Harrison 7-6 6-3. It was the 18-year-old American's third loss to a top-10 player in his career.

Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record this season to 15-0 by pounding fellow Serb Viktor Troicki 6-0 6-1.

Final station for the Rawalpindi Express

CRICKET: Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar will retire from international cricket after the World Cup.

"Yes, he's retiring after this World Cup. He will speak to the press shortly," said team manager Intikhab Alam.

Reports suggest he told his team-mates today before training in Colombo ahead of Pakistan's final Group A round-robin match with Australia on Saturday, which could well decide who tops the group.

It is understood fitness concerns were the reason for his exit. He was due to hold a news conference later today.

The 'Rawalpindi Express' burst on to the scene as the fastest bowler of his generation even though he did not possess the cleanest of actions.

His long run up and the albatross-like celebration after every dismissal made him a spectators' delight but his temperament often gave team management headaches.

NBA: Atlanta 87 Denver 102, Boston 92 Indiana 80, Detroit 107 Toronto 93, New Orleans 100 Phoenix 95, Miami 85 Oklahoma City 96, Orlando 93 Milwaukee 89 (OT), Houston 94 Charlotte 78, Utah 119 Minnesota 104, Sacramento 93 Cleveland 97.