Athletics: World record holder Kenenisa Bekele claimed a narrow victory in the 10,000 metres at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, yesterday. The 30-year-old Ethiopian headed off two compatriots to lead a 1-2-3 for his country in the race. Former Olympic champion Bekele clocked 27 minutes and 12.08 seconds, crossing the line marginally in front of Imane Merga and Abera Kuma. Kenyan Bedan Karoki Muchiri took fourth, two hundredths of a second further back.

Golf: Australian Andrew Dodt made history at the Scandinavian Masters on Friday when he became the first player on the European Tour to record two holes-in-one in a single round. The 27-year-old aced the 11th and seventh as he shot a seven-under-par 65 to finish with a two-under-par total of 142, 11 behind leader Matteo Manassero, of Italy. Dodt has one previous European Tour victory to his credit, the 2010 Avantha Masters in India.

Rugby Union: Wallaby back Kurtley Beale, who is undergoing counselling for alcohol-related issues at a private clinic, returned to action with his Randwick club yesterday, boosting Australian hopes he might be available for the British and Irish Lions series. Looking relaxed and playing at full-back, the 24-year-old appeared to enjoy the match despite ending up on the losing side as the Galloping Greens went down 38-25 to Sydney University in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man to reach the last 16 of the French Open in 75 years when he beat French 24th seed Benoit Paire 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4 6-1 in the third round yesterday. Nishikori, the 13th seed, kept his composure despite his opponent’s histrionics and bad temper, weathering the fickle Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd to prevail on his first match point. Fumiteru Nakano was the last man to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros, in 1938.