Lehmann warned

STUTTGART: Ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was on Sunday warned to watch his future conduct by his Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel. The 39-year-old, who turns 40 next month, landed himself in hot water a fortnight ago when

he failed to get permission from

his club to attend Munich’s Oktoberfest beer festival which earned him a one-match suspension. “Jens

must know that he is constantly in the media’s spotlight because he is

a well-known name,” Babbel told

Bild on Sunday. “He must refrain from quick-tempered and rash actions and concentrate on doing the essentials well.” — AFP

Ishikawa triumphs

MIYOSHI: Japan’s teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa birdied the last two holes for a one-stroke victory in the Tokai Classic men’s golf tournament on Sunday. Overnight leader Ishikawa hit an eagle, six birdies, one bogey and two double bogeys for a 69 to complete the four rounds with a 14-under-par 274. Takeshi Kajikawa came second, Shingo Katayama and Yuta Ikeda were tied at third place on 277, followed by Yasuharu Konno at fifth on 278. It was the 18-year-old’s fourth title of the season and sixth overall, and kept him on top of the Japan Tour rankings. — AFP

I’m a fighter: Serena

BEIJING: US tennis superstar Serena Williams on Sunday declined comment about an ongoing probe into her abusive outburst at the US Open, but said she loved the game and would not give up her fighting spirit. Williams has apologised and been fined $10,500 for her profanity-laced tirade at a line judge during her semi-final at Flushing Meadows, which cost her the match against eventual champion Kim Clijsters. When asked if she was concerned about future punishment, the 28-year-old declined comment, but added: “It is what it is. I’m really excited to be a tennis player... I love fighting for every point, for everything.” — AFP

Australia fined

JOHANNESBURG: Australia have been financially punished for a slow over rate when defeating England by nine wickets last Friday in an ICC Champions Trophy semi-final at Centurion. An International Cricket Council (ICC) statement said skipper Ricky Ponting has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee and his teammates 10 per cent each for falling two overs short of the target. The title holders are the second team after Sri Lanka to fall foul of this section of the council code of conduct with players fined five percent and skippers 10 for every over not bowled in the allotted time. — AFP

Akram denied

KARACHI: Wasim Akram has been denied permission by the Indian government to do a commentary stint in the Airtel CL T20. Pakistan former captain and expert commentator Wasim, who was in Johannesburg covering the Champions Trophy was all set to fly to India for his fresh stint in the Airtel Champions League T20 tournament starting in India from October 8, a daily newspaper report in Pakistan said. “But at the last moment he was informed by the organisers of the tournament that his services were no longer required in the tournament,” the report said. — Agencies