Sports Digest

Motor Sport:   World champion Michael Schumacher yesterday hinted he may stay in Formula One longer than expected.

The seven-time world champion has endured a miserable start to the season, claiming just two points from three races going into the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola this weekend.

But that has not put Schumacher off the sport he has dominated for a decade and he suggested he would be willing to consider extending his stay at Ferrari.

Schumacher is contracted to Ferrari until the end of next season - when he will be 37 - and was widely expected to hang up his helmet then. But he yesterday admitted informal discussions had been held in private with Ferrari boss Jean Todt over the possibility of a new deal.

DRUGS IN SPORT: Marion Jones's defamation suit against Victor Conte has been delayed until after the BALCO founder has faced a criminal trial over alleged distribution of steroids.

Jones is seeking more than $13million in damages after alleging Conte had damaged her reputation by telling a TV programme he had supplied her with performance-enhancing drugs prior to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where she won three gold and two bronze medals.

US district judge Susan Illston granted a defence motion and ruled Conte's constitutional rights regarding self incrimination would be damaged if the civil case proceeded before the criminal case is completed.

The criminal case is scheduled to take place on September 6 with the next hearing in the civil case due on October 21, or whenever the criminal hearing ends.

Jones's lawyer Rich Nichols said: "We respect the judge's decision and look forward to our day in court where Marion Jones will prove that Victor Conte made 'false', 'malicious' and 'misleading' statements." Conte is charged with distributing steroids, possession of human growth hormone and money laundering.

Jones, meanwhile, will compete in her second race of the season on Saturday when she takes part in the Kansas Relays.

It follows a disappointing opening to her campaign when she finished last over 400 metres in California.

BOXING: Danny Williams yesterday pledged to bounce back from December's crushing defeat by WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko by clinching another world title shot.

Williams hopes victory when he challenges British and Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton at London's Excel Arena early in July will pave the way for a second chance.

Promoter Frank Warren, who confirmed the fight and venue at a London press conference, will name the exact date as soon as television negotiations are completed but he said: "It will be the first or second week in July."

Warren, hoping for a crowd of 12,000, has already had talks in America with Don King - promoter of the forthcoming WBA world title fight in which James Toney challenges champion John Ruiz - and he said: "I think the winner of Skelton and Williams will challenge for a world title before the end of the year."

Williams, who had hoped to continue at the top level with a return against Mike Tyson or a fight with Klitschko's younger brother Wladimir, was happy to tackle Skelton instead. "This is going to lead me to another world title fight. That's a great motivation for me," he said.

TENNIS: Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal produced another dazzling performance to storm into the Barcelona Open quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Slovak Dominik Hrbaty yesterday.

The 18-year-old, the youngest player in 15 years to win a Masters event last week in Monte Carlo, faces Argentina's Agustin Calleri, who edged to an absorbing 6-4 6-7 7-6 victory over his fellow countryman and fourth seed Guillermo Coria.

Third seed Carlos Moya of Spain also tumbled out in the third round, losing 6-4 6-4 to big-serving Max Mirnyi.

Nadal turned in another irresistible display to record his first victory in four attempts against Hrbaty. Aggressively competing for every point, the Spaniard gave his opponent little chance as he reeled off a string of precise two-handed backhands and spectacular running passes.

"It wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests," Nadal told reporters. "It was a tough game. I seem to be making few mistakes which is good, but I certainly don't feel unbeatable at the moment."