Tennis: Safina backs out of Dubai date

World No. 2 Dinara Safina has been forced to pull out of next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships due to her ongoing back problems.

World champion Lewis Hamilton claims pole for the Singapore Grand Prix as current title leader Jenson Button suffers a “disastrous” qualifying session to be back in 12th on the grid.

Defending champion Serena Williams will play the returning Justine Henin in the final of the Australian Open after the pair saw off Chinese opposition in Melbourne on Thursday.

PARIS, France (CNN) — A French judge has issued an arrest warrant for U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis for allegedly hacking into the computer system of the French anti-doping agency’s laboratory, the agency’s president said Tuesday.

Frank Lampard misses a late penalty as Chelsea’s English Premier League lead is cut to two points following a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Edy Reja has been named as coach of Italian Serie A strugglers Lazio following the dismissal of Davide Ballardini on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard scores twice as Chelsea went back to the top of the English Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing of Blackburn at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

China’s Li Na rallies from a set down to stun sixth Venus Williams and reach the semifinals of the Australian Open on Wednesday. She will now face defending champion Serena Williams for a place in the final.

Jenson Button has emerged a surprise contender to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in what would be an exciting partnership for the 2010 season.

Australia all-rounder Ryan Harris took five wickets to help his side claim a 40-run victory over Pakistan in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Defending champion Serena Williams will play the returning Justine Henin in the final of the Australian Open after the pair saw off Chinese opposition in Melbourne on Thursday.