Growing in belief and confidence with each game, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal can confirm their recent resurgence by reaching the Champions League last 16 with victory at home to Marseille on Tuesday.

After a wretched start to the season, in which they won just three of their opening eight games and were humiliated 8-2 by Manchester United, Arsenal have turned their campaign around with a run of eight wins in nine matches.

Roger Federer gave his hometown fans exactly what they were seeking as the four-time champion moved into the second round of the ATP Swiss Indoors on Monday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 defeat of Potito Starace.

Federer, who is seeded three here behind 2009 winner Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, showed some rustiness against the world number 54 before he claimed his sixth win in six meetings with the Italian.

Lionel Messi is in the running for a third consecutive FIFA world player of the year award after being selected Tuesday among the 23 candidates for the 2011 prize.

Argentina forward Messi and seven of his teammates at European and Spanish champion Barcelona are on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, while archrival Real Madrid has five players nominated. Seven Spain internationals are in contention.

Inter Milan and Juventus have been fined by Italian sports justice authorities for the behavior of their fans during the pair's Serie A clash on Saturday.

Inter have been hit with a 20,000-euro fine after their supporters unfurled a banner evoking memories of the 1985 Heysel stadium tragedy.

French international Franck Ribery wants to see out his playing career at Bayern Munich, he told the German media on Monday.

"It's perfect for me here," he said in an interview with daily Bild.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has played down claims he used a Nazi salute to celebrate one of his hat-trick of goals in Saturday's stunning 5-3 win over Chelsea.

After his second goal at Stamford Bridge, which put Arsenal 4-3 up, the Dutchman was seen touching his shoulder with his right hand before raising it to the air.

AC Milan could secure qualification for the Champions League knock-out rounds if they come away from Belarus with three points on Tuesday.

Milan and Barcelona have been totally dominant in the group stages so far and if they both win they will both be through to the last 16 with a winner takes top spot clash to come at the San Siro in three weeks time.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first WTA Championships title on Sunday, beating Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 for a victory that will also put her at No. 2 in the world rankings.

Kvitova raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set, but Azarenka rallied to level it at 5-5. The Czech player finally converted her fifth set point when Azarenka’s forehand sailed out.

The organizers of the India’s first Formula One Grand Prix plan to capitalize on the success of the inaugural race by holding local championships to popularize motor racing in the country.

The track at Buddh International Circuit was praised by officials and drivers after Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won Sunday’s race in front of a huge crowd of more than 90,000 spectators.

AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes' return to action following a six-month spell on the sidelines has been curtailed due to a hand injury that will rule the France international out for a week.

It means Mexes will not be able to play in Saturday's clash with former club Roma, with whom he spent seven seasons.