NNewew VVisionision SPORT Thursday, May 5, 2011 41 Murdoch and Exor prepare bid for F1

FORMULA ONE Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and an Italian investment firm linked to Ferrari are working on a pos- sible bid to take control of Formula 1. “Exor and News Corp will approach minority partners and key stakehold- ers in the sport,” a joint Exor and News Corp statement read. “There can be no cer- tainty that this will lead to an approach to F1’s current own- ers.” F1’s owner CVC Capital Partners insists the sport is not “for sale”. Wozniacki marches forward in Madrid power forward (left), LeBron James (centre) and were on the winning side in Tuesday morning’s NBA action TENNIS Top seed Caroline Wozniacki eased through to the third round of the Madrid Open with a 6-4 6-4 win over Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski. In the men’s first round Juan Martin del Potro overcame a Miami put the Heat on hip injury to beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-1 3-6 6-3. Argentina’s Del Potro, who was out for eight months last year following wrist surgery, said he may not be fit for his round-two tie with Marin Celtics, Thunder levels Cilic. Kings stay put

MIAMI and the Thunder held red-hot Zach 20 points and 12 assists for Boston in Sacramento NBA play-off conference semis Randolph to 2-for-13 shooting as who trailed by five points after both BASKETBALL The Miami Heat piled the pressure Oklahoma City bounced back from Friday 5:30 am live on ESPN the second and third quarters. on bruised and battered Boston their series-opening loss to the A. Hawks v The Celtics will have to regroup The Sacramento Kings will by taking a 2-0 lead in their NBA giant-killing Grizzlies. Mavericks v LA Lakers at home if they are to take down remain in the California capi- playoff series with a 102-91 victory In Miami, LeBron James took his Saturday 3am live on ESPN Miami’s “Big Three”, who were tal for at least one more sea- on Tuesday. turn to carry the load with 24 of Celtics v Miami Heat brought together in the off-season son after dropping plans to Quicker and more athletic than his game-high 35 points coming in Grizzlies v Oklahoma City to challenge Boston’s supremacy. relocate to Anaheim, the NBA the veteran Celtics, who were the second half, while Game One Sunday 5:30am live on ESPN Chris Bosh, the Heat’s final mem- team confirmed this week. hampered by a series of nagging standout Dwyane Wade added 28. A.Hawks v Chicago Bulls ber of the triumvirate, finished with The Maloof family, owners of injuries, the Heat again met the “This is a great team we’re going Mavericks v LA Lakers 17 points and 11 rebounds. the Kings, had been investi- challenge of the defending Eastern against right now,” James told Having allowed 34 points from gating a move to Orange Conference champions and have reporters. “We’re playing as hard as Boston’s Paul Pierce, who was Memphis’s Zach Randolph in Game County after their efforts to a commanding lead in the best- we can defensively and just trying ejected from the contentious series- One, the Thunder restricted him to secure a new arena deal in of-seven second-round series with to wear them down throughout the opener with two technical fouls in just 15 points, as they charged to a Sacramento stalled. “Out of Game Three set for Saturday in course of the game.” the fourth quarter, returned from 28-17 lead after the first quarter and respect to Kings fans and the Boston. “They made a run but we stuck to a strained left foot but the injury stretched it to 97-76 in the fourth. regional business community, In the Western Conference, the our principles and finally wore them forced him off the court briefly in Russell Westbrook had 24 points we have decided to remain in Oklahoma City Thunder slowed down.” the first quarter. and James Harden put in 21 for the Sacramento for the 2011-12 the inside force of the Memphis With the game tied 80-80 midway Ray Allen also played with a Thunder. season,” the Maloofs said in a Grizzlies in a 111-102 victory that through the fourth, the Heat ex- bruised chest following a collision Mike Conley led the way with 24 statement. levelled their series 1-1. ploded with a 14-0 burst to put the with James in the third. points for Memphis who will host Kevin Durant scored 26 points contest out of reach. Rajon Rondo led the way with Game Three on Saturday. Flower signs new England contract

CRICKET Serena stalker arrested outside her Florida home Andy Flower has signed a new contract to remain as England team director. FLORIDA When he was asked for his driver’s placed under house arrest. license, authorities found out that he Serena had taken out a temporary The former Zimbabwe cap- tain, 43, took over from Peter A man who is accused of stalking had been named by Williams as a restraining order agains Ouedraogo suspected stalker. but because he could not be found it Moores in January 2009 and tennis star Serena Williams was ar- has since overseen successive rested outside of her home in Florida According to the affidavit, the was never served. police found a letter on Ouedraogo’s However, as he could not be found Ashes series victories over in the early hours of Wednesday Australia. “I am delighted to morning. belongings when they searched him it had not been served. which stated that he was in love with The accused man said he knew have been given the oppor- Patenema Ouedraogo, 40, was tunity to build on the consid- caught on the grounds of Williams’ Serena and felt they were soulmates where Serena was all of the time and that she was in love with him because of her twitter updates. erable progress we have Palm Beach Gardens estate. made to date as a squad,” he Local police say that he tried to too. Ouedraogo has now been Luckily, Williams was not at home charged with stalking and cyber- at the time as she was in New York said. He has accepted a fresh walk into the subdivision but was staff contract with the stopped by security guards at the stalking and his bond has been set at attending the Met Gala with a host Serena got an unwanted guest $25,000. If he makes bail he will be of other celebrities. England and Wales Cricket 29-year-old’s sprawling mansion. Board, rather than a fixed- term deal.