Britney Settling Up With Ex-Manager

Britney Spears has one less legal scuffle to come home to.

Attorneys for the touring poptart have settled a lawsuit brought by a manger Spears worked with in the early aughts who complained that she broke her agreement to pay him commissions until 2008.

The "Toxic" singer worked with Johnny Wright until 2003, according to the suit, and she stopped cutting him checks at the end of 2006.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, per the Los Angeles Times.

Also in court today, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz, who has been overseeing Spears' conservator ship and approving money exchanges right and left, signed off on another $193,000 in legal fees to be paid by Spears' estate mainly to the attorneys who handled this case.

Meanwhile, Spears had the night off Friday in between shows at London's O2 Arena, where she's set to perform eight times before moving the Circus to Manchester's M.E.N. Arena on June 17.

'He let us down'

ICC World Twenty20

Ricky Ponting said Andrew Symonds had "let himself down, let all his team-mates down and Cricket Australia down" after he was sent home from Australia's squad at the World Twenty20 in England.

All-rounder Symonds's exit on Thursday, which Australia captain Ponting confirmed was for an "alcohol-related incident", came just 48 hours before the team's opening Group C match against the West Indies at the Oval.

This is not the first time that Symonds's career has been blighted by off-field problems - on Australia's 2005 tour of the UK he was dropped on the morning of their shock one-day defeat against Bangladesh in Cardiff following a late night drinking session.

But whereas Ponting has often spoken up for Symonds, he deliberately avoided telling reporters at the Oval on Thursday if the 33-year-old Queensland cricketer had an international future.

"We are all a little bit disappointed with the events of the last 24 hours to tell the truth on the eve of a very big tournament for us," Ponting said.

"To lose one of our better players and better performing Twenty20 players in the world right now is far from ideal, but we have got to move on from it as quickly as possible."

Ponting said any sadness he felt at the latest indiscretion of Symonds, a hard-hitting batsman, brilliant fielder and a bowler capable of both spin and seam, went far beyond the personal.

"I don't feel any more disappointed or let down than anyone else in the team. It's a team game, the bigger picture here is about the team and the future of Australian cricket.

"That's why we've come to the decision we came to."

Asked what had happened, Ponting said: "I'm not going to go into specifics. I think James Sutherland (Cricket Australia chief executive) made it pretty clear it was an alcohol-related incident.

"He (Symonds) has let himself down, let all his team-mates down and Cricket Australia down."

Ponting, who said Australia were now seeking "clarification" from the International Cricket Council as to whether they could summon a replacement in to what was now a 14-man squad, refused to speculate about Symonds's future.

"As everyone knows he's contracted until June 30 this year and we will see what happens from there."

Ponting stressed he didn't regret his previous support for Symonds.

"I don't think you'll ever see me not put my hand up and back anyone that I feel can win a game for Australia."

In the short term, the absence of Symonds - who was not selected for the Ashes series in England that follows the World Twenty20, with Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald chosen ahead of him - leaves Australia with a selection issue.

"Now we've got to find someone who can have the same impact upon a game as Andrew Symonds can," Ponting said.

"It probably throws the balance a little bit in our side but the beauty of our side is that there is a lot of flexibility within the group."

Symonds received counselling earlier this year and returned to the Australia team in the one-day series win over Pakistan in Dubai in April.

Ponting denied Symonds had been rushed back to international duty.

"I don't think so, we gave him the appropriate amount of time, Unfortunately, for him and us, he's come back in and this has happened again."

Ponting added Symonds had not broken any curfews because he considered them an irrelevance.

"There's no such thing as curfew in the Australian cricket team," Ponting said. "You don't need curfews around good teams, that's what being part of a team is all about, having respect for yourself and your team-mates."

Ponting was Australia captain when they lost leg-spin great Shane Warne to a drugs ban on the eve of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa which the team won without losing a match.

"I've been there before, I know how to handle it," said Ponting. "It's about the next guy in line coming in and putting his hand up when required and making a name and identity for himself at international level."

Crunch time for Argentina

South Africa 2010
FIFA World Cup

It's getting close to crunch time for Argentina approaching the final straight of Latin America's long slog of 2010 World Cup qualifying.

A 6-1 mauling in their last outing at high altitude in Bolivia in April was the albiceleste's worst loss in six decades and heaped acute embarrassment on coach Diego Maradona, whose side have to seek redemption Saturday at home to Colombia.

Argentina currently occupy the last of the four guaranteed qualifying slots for the finals in South Africa with 19 points from 12 games - five adrift of Paraguay, two behind eternal rivals Brazil and one shy of Chile's 20.

With Uruguay breathing down their necks on 17 points the Argentines cannot afford to slip up against a Colombian side which would, in the event of a shock win, close the gap to just two points in a tight regional contest.

As Maradona, a controversial choice as coach last year, seeks to fend off the increasingly frequent brickbats, Brazil counterpart Dunga is not without his own critics as media and fans alike moan that his style is not as full of flair as they might like.

But in defence, Dunga has assembled an effective unit as witnessed by just five goals conceded to date.

A win in Montevideo would move the Brazilians seven points ahead of Uruguay with just five games to go - but the visitors will be aware that they have not tasted success at the Centenario stadium since 1976.

In addition, Uruguay, while infuriatingly inconsistent, have scored more goals, 21, than anyone else in the group.

The Uruguayans have every reason to want to avoid the potential heartbreaker of a playoff against the fourth-placed side from the North American and Caribbean grouping Concacaf as they lost out in 2005 to Australia at the same stage.

As Brazil and Argentina try to keep the flag flying for the big guns it is Paraguay who will be out to retain the top spot they have hung onto since the early stages although third-placed Chile will be a tough rival in Asuncion.

Ecuador, level on 14 points with Colombia, will bid to stay in the hunt with an away win Sunday over rock bottom Andean rivals Peru in Lima while in the remaining encounter Bolivia will seek to use the altitude once again to their advantage against fellow strugglers Venezuela.

Fixtures
(All times GMT):
Saturday
At Montevideo: Uruguay v Brazil (1900)

At La Paz: Bolivia v Venezuela (2050)

At Buenos Aires: Argentina v Colombia (2100)

At Asuncion: Paraguay v Chile (2250)

Sunday
At Lima: Peru v Ecuador (2030)

South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup

England close in

England can all but book their World Cup finals tickets on Saturday if they can take full points at Kazakhstan in Almaty.

After the humiliation of missing out altogether on Euro 2008, on the back of yet another unfulfilled dream at the World Cup two years earlier in Germany, pride has been restored even if it took an Italian, Fabio Capello, to do it.

Five wins in as many games have the 1966 champions cantering in Group Six with a five-point cushion over a second-placed Croatia side they have already thumped away from home while third-placed Ukraine lag another three points further behind.

With little Andorra arriving at Wembley next week, six points from the two games would see England home and dry.

Yet Almaty represents a trip into the unknown and with Croatia expecting to close the gap by seeing off the Ukrainians at home, England now need to close the door with only the group winners guaranteed to go through.

Liverpool star Steven Gerrard says with Capello at their backs England are mentally ready for the task ahead against a side they beat 5-1 at Wembley, albeit after a sluggish opening.

"We need to approach them with the right attitude and get the job done," Gerrard warned.

"If we win these two games, we will be three points away from qualification with three games to play and that puts us basically in the driving seat," Gerrard told FA.Com.

International teammate Frank Lampard said England had been reassessing the Wembley meeting, conceding that "we were not at our best" on that occasion.

Even at the end of a long campaign which culminated in him landing the FA Cup with Chelsea Lampard said he was itching for action.

"Everyone is fit and fresh and, whether they have lost or won cup finals with their club teams, they are very focused.

England are without first-choice goalkeeper David James, who has undergone shoulder surgery - Robert Green is set to deputise - and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has a calf problem, meaning a chance for Everton's Joleon Lescott or West Ham's Matthew Upson to impress alongside John Terry.

As England race onwards towards the finals their recent nemesis, Portugal, can only wish they were in their shoes.

The Portuguese, who ended English hopes at Euro 2004 and then in Germany two years later, have had a near disastrous campaign under former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz and will be on the verge of elimination if they lose Saturday in Albania.One win in five games means Cristiano Ronaldo and company stand third, seven points behind Denmark and a resurgent Hungary.

With a trip to the Danes, who beat them in Lisbon, to come Portugal are at crisis point after three straight goalless draws - including one at home to the Albanians.

"We have confidence in abundance," Queiroz told reporters on Thursday.

"Mentally, physically, technically, we are fine. (But) there will have to be more intensity, quality and rhythm."

With Sweden level on points and with a game in hand on his men ahead of their home match with the Danes on Saturday, Queiroz concluded that "we can't guarantee the result - but we do guarantee 90 minutes of quality football and hard work."

Portugal's Valencia star Miguel insisted that although "we are struggling to gel as a team and have been a bit short on luck we have it in us to win the five games that can take us through."

World champions Italy, European champions Spain, France and Germany also have a break as their rivals slug it out.

Spain have maximum points in Group Five, while the unbeaten Italians sit atop Group Eight, meaning the pressure Saturday is all on the Republic of Ireland, who could go top by a single point if they end the challenge of Bulgaria away.

"It is the last game of the season for us and probably one of the biggest we have ever had," said Ireland's Manchester City defender Richard Dunne.

Germany are sitting pretty top of Group Four with Guus Hiddink's Russia four points behind albeit with a game more to play.

As both sides sit it out for now, Finland will attempt to draw to within two points of Russia by defeating minnows Liechtenstein while also-rans Azerbaijan and Wales meet in Baku.

France will meanwhile be keen observers as Group Seven leaders Serbia, whom the French must still play away, seek to build on a two-point advantage at home to Austria.

Lithuania, trailing the French by a point having played a game more, can leapfrog Les Bleus into second place if they win at home to struggling Romania.

Group Nine is all but settled with Holland having won all five games so far ahead of a trip to Iceland.

If Iceland can pull off a shock win they would go level on points with Scotland, without a game this week, in the battle for an unlikely playoff berth.

Fixtures
(All times GMT):
Saturday
Albania v Portugal 19:45, Sweden v Denmark 18:00, Slovakia v San Marino 15:30, Azerbaijan v Wales 15:00, Finland v Liechtenstein 16:00, Kazakhstan v England 15:00, Croatia v Ukraine 18:15, Belarus v Andorra 16:00, Lithuania v Romania 18:00, Serbia v Austria 18:30, Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland 17:30, Cyprus v Montenegro 18:30, FYR Macedonia v Norway 15:45, Iceland v Holland 18:45

ICC World Twenty20 New Zealand v Scotland

Kiwis staying under radar

New Zealand's World Twenty20 opener against Scotland at the Oval on Saturday promises to be a low key affair - and that is, you suspect, just the way the Black Caps want it.

For years now in one-day cricket New Zealand have punched above their weight and their quality was on show this week when they beat defending World Twenty20 champions India by nine runs in a warm-up match at Lord's.

India's subsequent nine-wicket thrashing of Pakistan in another warm-up at the Oval meant the impact of the New Zealand loss was not felt for too long back home in the sub-continent.

But it was a reminder of the heights the Black Caps can reach.

In wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum they have one of the most dynamic batsmen in world cricket and a worthy successor to the likes of Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle.

Jesse Ryder is also a batsman that can make bowlers look stupid and while the absence of Shane Bond robs them of a genuine quick, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori remains arguably world cricket's pre-eminent left-arm spinner in all forms of the game.

He took three for 24 in the recent victory over India and Vettori relishes a Twenty20 format which, on paper at least, looks to be tilted heavily in favour of batsmen.

"In Twenty20, you are not going to second-guess yourself," said Vettori.

"The batsman is going to attack you, most spin bowlers realise that, and if they attack too much you create chances and you find even part-time spinners in the Indian Premier League being highly successful."

New Zealand though are vulnerable to top order collapse - as happened in their warm-up loss to Australia - but on the flip side they do bat a long way down with reserve keeper Peter McGlashan making an impressive 49 as a No 7 against Ricky Ponting's men.

Of all the three Associate or junior nations taking part in this tournament (Ireland and the Netherlands are the other two), Scotland look least equipped to cause an upset.

It is now a decade since their captain Gavin Hamilton won his one and only Test cap for England while the squad suffered disruption during the warm-up series when former county bowler John Blain quit after a row with his skipper.

Having failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in Asia, a major blow to their morale, Scotland will be desperate to show in some way that they are deserving of a place on the big stage.

But a seven-wicket loss to the Netherlands in a warm-up confirmed the extent of the challenge facing Hamilton's men who, a day earlier, had threatened to embarrass England before Kevin Pietersen took that match away from them.

"We wanted to play decent cricket but we were miles off the mark," said Hamilton of the Dutch defeat.

"There's no excuse whatsoever for what was a lacklustre performance. The disappointing thing was that we made the same mistakes - there were far too many dot balls."

Probable teams and officials for the Group D ICC World Twenty20 match between New Zealand and Scotland at the Oval on Saturday:

SQUADS
NEW ZEALAND (from): Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wkt), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor

SCOTLAND (from): Gavin Hamilton (capt), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Kyle Coetzer, Gordon Drummond, Majid Haq, Neil McCallum, Dewald Nel, Navdeep Poonia, Glenn Rogers, Colin Smith (wkt), Jan Stander, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Craig Wright
Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Billy Doctrove (WIS)TV umpire: Rudi Koertzen (RSA)

ICC World Twenty20 India v Bangladesh

Tigers sniff a chance

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons is expecting the Tigers to arrive at the party from the very first match of the ICC World T20 against India at Trent Bridge today.

“I think everyone knows that we are dangerous at any time. We have some potential match-winners and one of them is sitting here (Mohammad Ashraful), at any form of the game but our consistency has not been there. We don't want to lose this game, we want to win it but we are the underdogs and we are very relaxed about the game. We want to put our best foot forward and put them under some pressure,” said Siddons while speaking to the media at Trent Bridge yesterday.

The Group A match starts at 6pm local time (11pm Bangladesh Standard Time). The Bangladesh side had a three-hour training session at Lady Bay just across the road from Trent Bridge in the morning after which Siddons and skipper Ashraful attended the media session at Trent Bridge. The captain then headed for London to attend the opening ceremony of the World T20.

Siddons said that expectations back home would spur the side on and the team's total focus was on the India match because winning it would mean a place in the Super Eight.

“We have 140-150 million people back home who wish us well and want us to do well. Every time we lose they feel pain and every time we win they are happy. The public mean a lot to us and we want to impress them. We'll have a crack at India and we don't want to wait for the next game against Ireland to qualify for the Super Eights. We also know that we have to bat, bowl and field well to do that.”

“If we lose tomorrow then we have just one more chance. As you have said we have nothing to lose against India and in the second game Ireland have got nothing to lose against us. We don't want to think about that game. We are thinking about the India game like you know win the toss, make some runs and put them under pressure and hopefully come out on top. We are going into the match to win it. If we do that then the Ireland match will be like a bonus practice match for us.”

The coach also felt that despite the relative youth of the side it was still an experienced unit and India would not want to wait and find out about the players.

“Most of the boys have been around for around 12-15 months now so inexperience is not an excuse for them. The fact that we have not played India that often might raise the question of surprises but there are visions and footages available and I'm sure they'll (India) do their homework. Our boys are ready to play and it is time for them to step up.”

Siddons said the team was shaping up well and no longer happy with one-off wins.

“I have always said that I don't want us to have that reputation because I will call it a fluke if we win one game out of 40-50. I don't think this team is about flukes any more. They have done the work. We have really good depth in batting and bowling now. Two of our main bowlers are in our top six in the batting line up. That's a bonus for us and not too many sides can say that. I think we have moved on from that fluky win and we have a chance of pushing anyone. We showed that in the practice matches. Against Australia we didn't quite bowl that well because we were caught on the hop but then we batted really well and against Sri Lanka we played well also. We have moved on but the other teams are rated higher than us and are probably better teams on their day at the moment and are more consistent than us but if they slip up then we are happy to jump all over them.”

Ashraful said he the practice games have given the players confidence and the spirit was up.

“We ran top sides like New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka very close in the warm-ups and if we hadn't made small mistakes here and there then we would have won all three. The boys are really pumped up for tomorrow's game. Everyone is fit and raring to go.”

The skipper was also banking on his deputy Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to put up a special show which would inspire the team.

“Mashrafe has always done well against India and has won us matches against them .He has been our best player against India both with the bat and ball. Our team has always found that something extra while facing India.”

Ashraful said the spirit in the side reminded him of the mood prior to the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies when the Tigers knocked India out of the competition.

“I remember that each and everyone in the team believed that we could beat them and we did. I could feel that energy before the match and even when we were warming up at Port of Spain. We will give it our best shot tomorrow knowing that in this form of the game any side can beat the other.”

The Tigers have decided to wait till the team meeting today morning to finalise the XI against India.

ICC World Twenty20 Australia v West Indies Aus look to reshuffle

Australia will be forced into a late change of plan when they begin their quest for the ICC World Twenty20 title against the West Indies at the Oval on Saturday now that Andrew Symonds has been sent home.

The controversial all-rounder was given his marching orders following an alcohol related incident that may well have brought down the curtain on the Queensland star's international career.

This is not the first time Symonds has been undone in this way - he was dropped for two matches during Australia's 2005 tour of England after turning up on the morning of their shock one-day loss to Bangladesh in Cardiff the worse for wear.

Symonds's absence robs Australia of one of the world's leading Twenty20 players. A hard hitting batsman, brilliant fielder and a bowler capable of both medium pace and spin, Symonds ought to be a captain's dream in this format.

That was certainly the view of the Deccan Chargers, winners a few weeks ago of the Indian Premier League, who paid 1.35 million dollars for the services of the Birmingham-born Symonds.

However, Australia know what it is like to be rocked by a late withdrawal - leg-spin great Shane Warne sustained a drugs ban on the eve of their unbeaten run to the 2003 World Cup title in South Africa - and still do well.

And experienced fast bowler Brett Lee said of Symonds: "He's a world-class player and to leave a gap like that is not great for the Australian team but we always find a way to fill a void."

Much now will depend on Australia captain Ricky Ponting to get the side back on track.

The Tasmanian remains one of the world's best batsmen in all forms of the game and Ponting looked in superb touch while making 56 during a warm-up win over New Zealand this week.

"He has let himself down, let all his team-mates down and Cricket Australia down," was Ponting's blunt assessment of Symonds's actions.

"It probably throws the balance a little bit in our side but the beauty of our side is that there is a lot of flexibility within the group."

In the short term Australia, who have called up Cameron White to the squad as a replacement, could promote either one of Michael or David Hussey up the order with David Hussey's off-spin a useful bowling option in the Twenty20.

Given their off-field problems, Australia could have had a worse opener than a match against the West Indies, who have been beaten comprehensively by England in Tests, one-dayers and most recently a Twenty20 warm-up this season.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle though did hammer 88 in a nine-wicket warm-up win over minnows Ireland this week and, in a format which more than any other type of cricket can see games won by one player alone, the left-handed opener remains a significant force.

"This is a fresh start," said Gayle after his innings against Ireland. And now those words don't just apply to his team.

SQUADS
AUSTRALIA (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin (wkt), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White

WEST INDIES (from): Chris Gayle (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wkt), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor
Umpires: Asad Rauf (PAK) and Aleem Dar (PAK)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Netherlands shock Eng, ICC World Twenty20 Cup

Netherlands shocked hosts England in the inaugural match of the ICC World Twenty20 Cup at Lord's in London yesterday beating the giants by four wickets in the last ball of the match.

The minnows staged a gutsy fightback as England made 162 for five.

England had been on a course for a huge total during a century first-wicket stand between Ravi Bopara (46) and Luke Wright, who top scored with 71.

But from 102 for none in the 12th over, England lost five wickets for 51 runs as their innings petered out.

Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate took two for 35 in his four overs as England, 89 without loss at the half-way mark, only managed 73 in the final 10 overs during an innings without a single six.

Bopara got England off to an ideal start by carving the first ball of the innings from left-arm quick Dirk Nannes, who has played at Lord's for Middlesex, for four before square driving him to the boundary later that over.

The duo shared a century stand in 71 balls before Bopara, in sight of his fifty, gave his Essex teammate ten Doeschate a wicket when he holed out to Pieter Seelaar at long-on.

Bopara's runs had come in 36 balls with seven fours. Wright though did get to his fifty, off 37 balls with five fours.

The Netherlands turned 102 for one into 113 for two when Owais Shah went cheaply but Wright, giving himslf room outside leg-stump, flayed Nannes through the offside for four.

But Eoin Morgan, like Shah playing on his Middlesex home ground, also fell cheaply when he reverse-swept Peter Borren straight to Bas Zuiderent and England were eroding their fine start.

Wright then holed out to give paceman ten Doeschate a second wicket, his exit bringing in Robert Key, a late replacement for Kevin Pietersen, who was ruled out with a recurrence of an Achilles injury.

Netherlands had a shaky start losing two early wickets for just 23 runs in the third over but a quickfire 49 off 30 balls by TN de Grooth and PW Borren (30) brought the Dutchmen closer to history. With seven required off the last over and two relatively new batsmen at the crease the match was evenly poised for an exciting finish. But it was the consistent running between the wickets by DLS van Bunge and E Schiferli who took Netherlands to victory by four wickets in the last ball.

French Open All-Russian final

Svetlana Kuznetsova set-up an all-Russian French Open final against top seed Dinara Safina when she defeated battling Australian Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in Thursday's semi-finals.

Dinara Safina hopes that a more economical run to this year's French Open final will crown her drive to win a first Grand Slam title and silence her critics.

The 23-year-old Russia top seed goes up against compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the championship match at Roland Garros on Saturday having lost just one set along the way.

Last year she arrived in the final against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in a depleted physical state having survived punishing three setters in the fourth round and quarter-finals.

The result was a disappointing 6-4, 6-3 loss that left her frustrated and determined to earn a second bite at the cherry this year.

"I wouldn't say I was too nervous last year," she said after defeating Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals.

"It was just that I was tired overall because I had such a tough draw and so many matches I had to pull out.

"This year I've spent much less time on the court so I'm much fresher."

Also different for Safina this year will be her familiarity with her opponent.

She had played Ivanovic before their final in 2008 but the Serb was still something of an unknown quantity at that level.

Kuznetsova on the other hand she knows inside out. The two are good friends, have known each other from the time they were youngsters and played 12 times since 2001 with Safina leading their rivalry 7-5.

This year they have comfortably been the two best players in the claycourt season - Kuznetsova winning the final in Stuttgart and Safina gaining her revenge in Rome.

That loss in Germany was the only one sustained by Safina in 21 matches since she earned the world No.1 spot from Serena Williams on April 20.

But her reign has been contested, notably by the younger of the Williams siblings, due to the fact that she has yet to win a Grand Slam title.

Safina believes she is being unfairly treated.

"I think since I became No.1 I'm playing in finals and winning the titles so how much more proof do I need to give people that I think I deserve that spot."

"It would be great though if I could have a Grand Slam."

Kuznetsova, still only 23 despite having played for six years at the highest level, recalls that in their earlier days back in Russia she was clearly second fiddle to the Muscovite Safina who had a famous brother Marat and a respected coach for a mother.

"I used to be girl from St. Petersburg, she was Moscow and her mom is huge coach who been coaching her. I mean, she was No. 1, No. 2, always great. I don't even know what number I had," she said.

That changed when they both turned professional with Kuznetsova, who moved to Spain with her parents to foster her career, breaking through early and Safina struggling to make the transition.

Now both find themselves at the top of the tree and facing off in a Grand Slam final for the first time.

It's a prospect that Kuzetsova relishes.

"She's going to be favourite to win. She's No. 1. She played an unbelievable season. She beat me last time we played in Rome," she said.

"But there are some points I can work on and think positive for myself.

"First of all, that I beat her, as I did in Stuttgart. It was indoor, but still, she can play very well in indoor.

"I have to move her around definitely But I have just to work my game."

Both players have minor injury concerns with Safina under the weather with a virus the last few days and Kuznetsova having a bad blister on her foot.

French Open Federer-Soderling final

Roger Federer moved to within one match of finally winning the French Open when he came from behind to defeat giant Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro in Friday's semifinal.

The second seed, who has lost the last three finals here to Rafael Nadal, took everything Del Potro could fling at him and then pounced when the South American wilted to win a cliff-hanger 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

In Sunday's final he will take on Swedish surprise Robin Soderling who sent top seed Nadal crashing out in a fourth round shocker.

Soderling, seeded 23, had earlier reached the championship match with a battling 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 semifinal win over Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

It was the second five-setter for Federer in the tournament having battled back from two sets to love down against Tommy Haas in the fourth round.

"That's one more step and I am so happy to have comeback like that," he said.

"For a moment there Juan Martin was playing so well, but I had some luck on my side and I fought hard.

"Soderling played a great match against Gonzalez to be in the final. He deserves to be there because he also beat Nadal and he was the man to beat in this tournament."

Del Potro had dropped just the one set en route to the last four while Federer had dropped four, but with the world No.2 having won all five of their previous matches in straight sets he was the big favourite.

Federer had the first break point to go 3-1 up, but failed to take it and quickly fell 0-40 down on his following serve.

He staved off two of the break points against him, but Del Potro converted the third to lead 3-2.

Del Potro easily held his next two serves hitting his first serves at well over 200 kilometres per hour and there was a stunned silence as he then broke Federer to love in the following game taking the set in 38 minutes.

Federer steadied the ship as they moved on to the second set but he was still unable to put any real pressure on the South American's big serve which he was holding with ease.

Serves dominated until the 10th game when Federer chose the wrong time to come into the net on a first serve and allowed Del Potro to blast a backhand past him.

The Argentinian got to 0-30 before Federer clawed his way back eliciting a huge roar of approval from a packed centre court crowd.

Still Federer could do nothing to menace the Del Potro serve and it needed a superb tie-break from him, taking the first three points and then winning it 7/2, to avoid having to face a two sets to love deficit for the second time in the tournament.

Federer let out a roar of self-encouragement as he clinched that, but the frown was back on his face minutes later when he played a loose service game to hand back the initiative to Del Potro at the start of the third set.

Kevin Pietersen pulls out of World Cup opener

England's leading batsman Kevin Pietersen pulled out of the opening Twenty20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on Friday because of an Achilles tendon injury.
Pietersen missed the recent one-day series against West Indies because of the injury.

Pakistan will do well: Misbah

London, June 5: Pakistan, who ended runners-up in the 2007 World T20 Championship, may have flopped miserably in their warm-up games but vice captain Misbah-ul-Haq is confident his team has the potential to go all the way in the current World Twenty20 tournament.
The experienced batsman said his team has now finally managed to adjust itself to local conditions and is looking forward to a strong showing in the event following defeats to South Africa and India in the practice games.
"We arrived here a bit late but now things are finally falling in place and I'm confident we will do well in this tournament," he maintained.
Misbah said he is ready to give his best. "It's very important that all our players including myself click here because it's a very tough contest," he said.
He stressed that Pakistan have benefitted after playing against two of the best teams in the competition ahead of their opening game of the tournament against hosts England here on Sunday.
"It's always good to play against in-form teams before a tournament because that allows you to get aware of your weaknesses," he said.
Misbah is expecting a tough game against England but hoped that Pakistan will go on to win it.
"England are a good side but I believe if we play to our potential we should be able to beat them."