Other sport
Rowing
Olympic rowing champion Rob Waddell, who returned to the sport after a seven-year absence to compete at the Beijing Games, will rejoin New Zealand's America's Cup syndicate next year. Single sculls gold medallist at Sydney in 2000, Waddel partnered Nathan Cohen to fourth place in the double sculls at Beijing last month before setting his sights on a return to Team New Zealand as a grinder for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland.
Tennis
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo's troubles continued when she blew four match points on the way to a first-round exit at the Pan Pacific Open yesterday. The Frenchwoman, who has been plagued by injuries this season, was bundled out in a 0-6 6-1 7-6 defeat by Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in a match riddled with unforced errors.
Davis Cup
Marat Safin has pulled out of Russia's team for this month's Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina in Buenos Aires. World no.39 Safin cited personal commitments as he attempts to climb the rankings. He is due to play at the Thailand Open immediately after the Sept. 19-21 tie in Argentina. The Russians are already weakened by the absence of 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny. Russia, are bidding for their third Davis Cup title.
Cycling
Sylvain Chavanel, who led in the early stages of the Tour of Spain, will lead the French men's team at the world championships later this month, the country's cycling federation said. David Moncoutie ruled himself out of the Sept. 28 road race in Italy and will end his season after the Tour of Spain.