Anelka joins Chelsea

LONDON: Chelsea has signed Nicolas Anelka from Bolton for $29.4 million. The 28-year-old Anelka signed a 4-year contract with the Blues. Bolton had already rejected an offer from Chelsea on Monday, but agreed to sell the France striker after receiving an improved bid. Chelsea were keen to sign Anelka to compensate for the departure of leading scorer Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou to the African Cup of Nations. With Andriy Shevchenko injured and Claudio Pizarro in unconvincing form, the Blues had been left short in attack as they challenge for the Premier League and Champions League. Anelka, who signed a new four-year contract at Bolton in August, has scored 11 goals this season for a team struggling to avoid relegation. — AP

Heineken Open

AUCKLAND: Seventh-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany beat third-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-2, 6-1 on Friday to advance to the Heineken Open final. Kohlschreiber will face fourth-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Frenchman Julien Benneteau. Ferrero faced a much tougher battle before beating Benneteau, who beat top seed and defending champion David Ferrer 6-4, 6-0 in the quarter-finals. Kohlschreiber is bidding for his second ATP title, while Ferrero, the former world No 1 and French Open champion, is looking for his 13th career title in his 28th final. — AP

Choi takes lead

HONOLULU: South Korea’s KJ Choi is accustomed to starting strong at the Sony Open, closing with a birdie for a 6-under 64 that gave him a one-shot lead and his sixth consecutive opening round in the 60s at Waialae Country Club. Jimmy Walker was among three players at 65 on a day of low scoring and no wind. It was reflected on the scoreboard, with more than half of the 144-man finishing under par. Heath Slocum and Stephen Marino joined Walker at 65. The group at 66 included Mercedes winner Daniel Chopra, Chad Campbell and Rory Sabbatini. — AP

Hobart International

HOBART: Eleni Daniilidou’s first WTA Tour singles title since Seoul in 2006 and her fifth overall was her easiest, winning the Hobart International final on Friday in a walkover. Vera Zvonareva of Russia rolled her left ankle during a practice session about two hours before the scheduled start and could not play, giving Greece’s No 1 player the title. Zvonareva will travel to Melbourne on Saturday for an MRI scan. Daniilidou had advanced to the Hobart final by beating Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals while Zvonareva defeated American qualifier Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-1. — AP

Liverpool sign Skrtel

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have completed the signing of Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg. Skrtel has signed a 4-year contract with the Reds who are reported to have paid $12.7 million for the 23-year-old player. With Daniel Agger recovering from a broken foot, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been trying to strengthen the defense, relying on 34-year-old Sami Hyypia in partnership with Jamie Carragher at the heart of the back four. — AP