Ferdinand not to appeal

LONDON: Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has decided against lodging appeal against his eight-month ban. Ferdinand was banned in January for failing to report for a random doping control at United’s ground in September. His appeal to shorten the ban was turned down by an independent appeals commission last Thursday. Ferdinand said he won’t case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, the last recourse for an appeal. — AP

NZ ‘A’ beat SL ‘A’ again

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand A beat Sri Lanka A by an innings and 66 runs in their second five-day cricket match on Monday to go 2-0 up in the three-match series. New Zealand scored 570 in its only innings and dismissed Sri Lanka for 276 and 283, completing its second innings win in consecutive matches. The third match starts at Christchurch on Saturday. — AP

Sorenstam wins 49th title

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN: Annika Sorenstam survived hot, windy conditions in the desert to win the Safeway International at 18-under 270 in her LPGA season debut. The six-time player of the year from Sweden earned her 49th career tour victory with a four-stroke margin over Cristie Kerr. Sorenstam punctuated her triumph by rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-5, 508-yard 18th. Sorenstam opened the season three weeks ago in Australia with a victory in the ANZ Masters. — AP

Davenport withdraws

INDIAN WELLS: World No 4 Lindsay Davenport is sticking with her plan to skip the Nasdaq-100 Open starting on Wednesday in Florida. Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne will also miss the event. Both players are entered at Amelia Island, a clay tournament which begins on April 5. Davenport wasn’t tempted to play in Key Biscayne because Serena Williams is returning. — AP

Purtzer wins golf title

NEWPORT BEACH: Tom Purtzer won his second Champions Tour title, closing with a 4-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Morris Hatalsky in Toshiba Classic. Purtzer finished at 15-under 198 on the Newport Beach Country Club, two days after matching the best score in the history of the 50-and-over tour with an 11-under 60. — AP