DUBAI - SECOND seed Andy Murray pulled out of the Dubai Championships on Thursday with a virus.

The Briton was due to play a quarter-final against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who received a walkover.

ROME - JUVENTUS midfielder Pavel Nedved has confirmed that he will end his playing career at the end of this season.

CALGARY (Alberta) - MICHAEL Phelps has been dropped as the keynote speaker at two events in Canada next week, with the promoter citing the Olympic champion swimmer's 'widely publicised alleged use of marijuana.'

Power Within of Toronto, which organises motivational speaking events, canceled Phelps' appearances at events in Calgary and Vancouver, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported.