Dementieva triumphs

PARIS: Russia's Elena Dementieva won the Paris Indoors WTA tournament for the first time in her ninth attempt on Sunday defeating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-4 in the final. She had been the losing finalist here last year, going down to the now retired Amelie Mauresmo of France. "I have been trying to win this tournament for so many years -- it's been one of the most difficult wins of my career and I am so happy," she said.

Mirza’s injury returns

DUBAI: Sania Mirza, the first Indian woman to score high profile success in tennis, admitted on Monday after defeat in the first round of the Dubai Open that a career-threatening wrist injury had returned. Mirza was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Spanish Anabel Medina Garrigues and her performance looked little like those of the zingy, dynamic player who has become the heroine of much of Asia. "It hurts when I stretch to a forehand. It hurts when I try to hit a hard cross court backhand," the 23-year-old said.

Sports Ambassador

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari appointed gold-winning Pakistan women athletes Naseem Hamid and Sara Nasir sports ambassadors to honour their extraordinary success. The 22-year-old Hamid became South Asia's fastest woman by winning the 100m in the South Asian Games (SAG) in Dhaka, while Nasir returned with a gold medal in Karate. "President Zardari has appointed Naseem and Sara as 'ambassadors of sports' in recognition of their successes at the SA Games," Sports Minister Ijaz Jakhrani said.