WTA fine $300,000

ST PETERSBURG: Organisers of the Dubai Open tennis tournament were fined $300,000 by the WTA Tour on Friday after the United Arab Emirates efused to grant a visa to Israeli player Shahar Peer, the WTA said. The proceeds of the fine will be used to compensate Peer and her doubles partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld for loss of potential prize money. Peer will receive $44,250 and Groenefeld will get $7,950. The balance of the $300,000 will be donated “to a charity or charities, to be determined by the tour in consultation with Ms Peer. — AFP

Flintoff ruled out

LONDON: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out on Saturday of the fourth Test against the West Indies in Barbados with a right hip injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced. Flintoff, 31, underwent a scan on his hip on Friday and the results showed a muscle strain. The ECB added the fast bowler and middle-order batsman would be reassessed over the coming days in the hope that he will be fit for the final Test in Trinidad and the one-day series which follows. — AFP