Vera Zvonareva, the Russian who came within a couple of wins of becoming a surprise year-end world number one, continued her bid to reach the pinnacle with a fine start to the two-million-dollar Dubai Open.

Zvonareva overcame Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-1, finishing the second round match with such panache that she reduced the capable top 40 Italian to an unexpectedly pedestrian second best.

Roma host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday in a match that has taken on extra significance for the Italians.

Claudio Ranieri's team have taken just one point out of the last nine in Serie A, losing to two of their would be title rivals: Inter Milan and Napoli.

Brazil legend Ronaldo, whose goals helped his country win two World Cups, has hauled his aching limbs onto the pitch for the last time and will announce his retirement on Monday, Brazilian media said.

"I can't take any more," the 34-year-old star told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper ahead of a formal announcement expected at a press conference Monday.

Formula One star Robert Kubica has vowed to bounce back better than ever despite suffering a horror crash in a rally in Liguria on Sunday that has put his racing career at risk.

Surgeons battled for seven hours to save the functionality of his right hand and he is due to go under the knife again before also facing surgery on his arm and foot.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit landed in the Chechen capital on Wednesday to the cheers of hundreds of Terek Grozny supporters who hope to see him make their side the new darling of Europe.

The two-time world footballer of the year draped a green Chechen republic scarf around his neck and smiled broadly as fans chanted Gullit's name and performed traditional Caucasus dances around the global superstar.

Rafael Nadal and Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn won this year's individual Laureus Sports Awards on Monday, with Spain's World Cup winners taking the team prize.

The No. 1-ranked Nadal — winner of three Grand Slam tennis titles in 2010 — was named sportsman of the year, beating nominees including Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and Barcelona footballers Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Beirut Marathon Association founder May el-Khalil won this year's Laureus “Sport for Good Award” on Monday.

The No. 1-ranked tennis player Rafael Nadal — winner of three Grand Slam tennis titles in 2010 — was named sportsman of the year, beating nominees including Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and Barcelona footballers Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Kenny Dalglish refused to revel in revenge over Fernando Torres as Liverpool spoiled the Chelsea striker's debut with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Torres ignored Dalglish's pleas to remain at Anfield as he handed in a transfer request in a successful attempt to force through a British record 50 million pound transfer last week.

Real Madrid, one of the world's richest football clubs, have announced they have reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman Foundation to build a sports academy in the Middle Eastern country.

The deal will officially be signed in Madrid on Monday, the Spanish club said in a statement published on their website late on Friday.

Maria Sharapova hopes her first Fed Cup outing in three years will help erase the misery of her latest Grand Slam blow-out.

The three-time major winner, and former world number one who has struggled to rediscover her best form since a 2008 shoulder injury, suffered a tame fourth round defeat at the Australian Open.