Today's other sport's news in brief
Nadal to start US Open quest against a qualifier
TENNIS:Top-seed Rafael Nadal will start against a qualifier in his quest to add a first US Open title to his French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic crowns.
Second-ranked Roger Federer, the defending champion who lost his number one ranking to Nadal this week, faces Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina. Third-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia, this year's Australian Open champion, will play Arnaud Clement of France.
Federer and Djokovic may meet in the semi-finals. Nadal (22), replaced Federer after the 27-year-old from Switzerland's record 237th week as the world's best player.
In the women's draw, French Open champion and top seed Ana Ivanovic of Russia plays Vera Dushevina of Russia. The Wimbledon final between Serena and Venus Williams won't be repeated because the women could meet in the quarter-finals.
The US Open begins its 40th edition in the Open next Monday at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Harmison answers one-day call
CRICKET:Steve Harmison has bowed to pressure from England's management and agreed to make a dramatic reversal of his decision to retire from one-day international cricket.
The 29-year-old Durham fast bowler has been named in England's squad for the opening match of the series against South Africa at Headingley today after a hip injury ruled out Ryan Sidebottom from the day-night encounter.
If Harmison is selected for the five-match series, it will be his first appearance in England's one-day uniform since retiring after the 2006-07 Ashes tour.
His change of heart follows a personal request from new captain Kevin Pietersen, which was followed up by another from coach Peter Moores.
Kearney races up leaderboard
GOLF:Niall Kearney produced one of the most sensational nine-hole performances of the season in Denmark yesterday to race up the leaderboard in the European Amateur Individual Championship.
The hugely-talented Irish international from Royal Dublin covered the home stretch on the Esjberg course in 30 for a five-under-par 66, the lowest score of the tournament so far.
Kearney, who helped Ireland retain their European Amateur Team title in Turin in July, birdied five of the last six holes.
That gave him a total of 141 and took him to within five strokes of Dutchman Jurrian Van Der Vaart.
Paul Cutler, the Portstewart star, is also on 141 mark. He had a 70 yesterday.
Shane Lowry, who needs a good finish to stand a chance of going to the top of the world rankings, is in contention after a 71 for 144.
Cali, Drummond share Seniors lead
GOLF:Italy's Giuseppe Cali and Ross Drummond of Scotland carded one-under 71s at Slaley Hall to grab a share of the lead after a tough opening day in the PGA Seniors Championship.
The duo battled the Hunting Course, which was playing its full 7,081 yards due to the rain, to record the only under-par scores from the 120-strong field.
Ironically, neither of the pacesetters looked like leader material after a tough opening nine holes where they both reached the turn in figures of two-over-par 38.
First in the clubhouse was Cali, who produced an excellent run of four birdies in six holes from the 10th. He dropped a shot at the 16th, but two par figures to finish saw the 55-year-old from San Carlo more than content with his opening effort.
A birdie three at the 18th saw Drummond join the Italian.
Lisa best of the home players
GOLF:Lisa Maguire is brushing shoulders with the top players from all over Europe and further afield this week at the British Open Amateur Championship at Malone, and yesterday was smiling after firing a second round of level par 72 to be the leading Irish player at the halfway stage.
The Slieve Russell 13-year-old twin is one over par going into today's final 36 holes and lying in joint fourth overall. She is one stroke ahead of Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) and Tara Delaney (Carlow) as 40 players on 152 or better made the cut.
Delaney shot an equal-best-of-the-tournament 69. She topped the leaderboard for the second round along with England's Rachel Connor.
Lisa's sister, Leona, who in May won the Irish Ladies' Championship, squeezed into the last day's play on 151.
