SPORTS DIGEST

Other sports news in brief

'No evidence' in betting inquiry

TENNIS:The ATP have said they had found no evidence of betting violations by anyone involved in a match between Nikolay Davydenko and Martin Vassallo Arguello last year.

The ATP started an investigation after Betfair reported irregular betting patterns during the match in Sopot, Poland, in August 2007.

"ATP can confirm today that it has concluded its investigation and found no evidence of a violation of its rules by either Mr Arguello or Mr Davydenko or anyone else associated with the match," a statement said.

GOLF: England's Carl Mason, one of the in-form players on the European Seniors Tour, shot a flawless opening round 68 for a three-way share of the lead with compatriots Jeff Hall and Nick Job at the inaugural Weston Homes PGA International Seniors at The Stoke By Nayland Club.

Martin up to third in tour of Britain

CYCLING:With two stages remaining in the Tour of Britain, Irish road race champion Daniel Martin has moved up to an excellent third overall in the 2.1-ranked race.

The 22-year-old first year professional started yesterday's 156km stage from Darlington to Gateshead in seventh place, but improved four slots when he finished ahead of some of the other general classification contenders.

He was 12th on the stage behind the winner Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes-Ballan), sprinting home as part of an 18-man lead group. Overall leader Geoffroy Lequatre (Agritubel) was also in the group, and so Martin remains 14 seconds back overall.

Meanwhile, Louise Moriarty triumphed on the opening stage of the Sneem Hotel Rás na mBan, winning a big sprint to the line.

She beat last year's runner-up Desiree Schuler (Coogee Saar) in the gallop.

Powell predicts 100m record to drop next year

ATHLETICS:Asafa Powell forecast yesterday the 100 metres world record could be cut to as low as 9.5 seconds in 2009.

Powell, speaking ahead of this weekend's world athletics final, has seen his world record of 9.74 lowered twice this year by fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt, who ran 9.69 to take the Olympic title, with Powell well back in fifth.

Bolt has already ended his season and will not be racing in Stuttgart, but Powell believes the event is not only about his younger rival.

"Wherever Usain takes (the record), I'll be there right with him," he said. "When I ran 9.74 I thought my limit would be 9.69. Then when Usain ran 9.69 after stopping 20 metres before the finish, it's obviously possible to go even faster. I think 9.6 is possible. I think next year you'll see 9.5."

An extra incentive is a $100,000 bonus for a world record, offered on top of the $30,000 first place prize.

In all, 21 Olympic champions are on show this weekend, lured by a total prize purse of €2.5 million.

Call for two-year ban for cyclist

CYCLING:World road race champion Marta Bastianelli should serve a two-year ban for taking banned substances, the Italian Olympic Committee's (Coni) anti-doping prosecutors said yesterday.

"The prosecutor's department has charged Bastianelli," read a statement on Coni's website. "Two-year ban requested."

The request, which will be considered by a sporting judge, comes after Bastianelli tested positive for flenfluramine on July 5th at the European under-23 championship in Verbania, Italy.

The 21-year-old said she accidentally took the banned substance in a diet product.

The news of Bastianelli's failed test came shortly after Riccardo Ricco tested positive for EPO during the Tour de France.

Wooden spoon for Ireland

GOLF:A week that started so promisingly for Ireland ended in disappointment at Wrexham yesterday when they crashed to the wooden spoon in the Women's Home International Championship.

When the Irish pulled out all the stops to beat England on Wednesday there was euphoria in the camp and hopes were high that they could emulate their men who had secured glory last week.

And even when defeated by Wales on Thursday they still harboured hopes of carrying off the TH Miller Trophy. But things went awry yesterday when they were thumped 6½-2½ by Scotland and from championship hopefuls became wooden spoonists.

Wales won the championship for only the second time despite going down 5½-3½ to England - they won on a countback of individual points secured during the three days.

Ireland were outclassed in the foursomes with a late morning surge by the Scots taking them into a 2½-½ lunchtime lead.

Carr to take  over in Cavan  

GAELIC GAMES:At a special management meeting of Cavan County Board held last night, the name of Tommy Carr was put forward as the new Cavan senior football team manager for 2008.

Carr will be appointed for a three-year term.

He will be presented to county board delegates at a meeting in the Hotel Kilmore on Monday night.

His backroom team will be appointed in due course.