BIRMINGHAM - MANCHESTER City surprisingly signed England midfielder Gareth Barry on Tuesday from Aston Villa on a five-year deal as it begins an offseason of big spending to revamp the squad.

LONDON - MICHAEL Ballack has agreed a contract extension that will keep him at Chelsea for another season.

PARIS - WORLD number one Dinara Safina came from behind to survive her first real test at the French Open on Tuesday, reaching the semi-finals after beating feisty Belarussian teenager Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-4 6-2.