STUTTGART - RUSSIA'S Dinara Safina has cemented her world number one ranking at Stuttgart's WTA tournament this week by reaching Saturday's semi-finals without dropping a set on the way.

The 23-year-old made light work of Friday's quarter-final against eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska with a 6-4, 6-2 win - her third consecutive straight-set triumph - en route to Saturday's semi-final where she faces Italy's Flavia Pennetta.

TOKYO - AN INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee survey showed a small dip in support for Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, putting the support rate at 56 per cent of respondents.

The IOC reported the outcome of the February survey to Tokyo governor and bid committee president Shintaro Ishihara during its April 16-19 inspection tour, Tokyo bid officials said on Saturday.

MADRID - After a disappointing midweek Champions League result, Barcelona must regain their focus on the Spanish Primera Liga.

The leaders - who were held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea at the Nou Camp last week - take on arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu today in a crucial derby that will shape the title race with only five games to play.