Sports Digest

A round-up of today's other sports news in brief...

Lynch to hear if ban appeal successful

SHOW JUMPING:Germany-based Irish rider Denis Lynch, whose horse tested positive during the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, is reported to have appealed his suspension to a civil court in Dortmund and expects a decision today, writes Margie McCloone.

Attempts by Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa to compete at this week's Global Champions Tour final in Sao Paolo by obtaining an injunction against his four and a half months' suspension for a similar offence in a local civil court, were roundly criticised yesterday by Alexander McLin, the secretary general of the Federation Equestre International, the governing body of the sport.

Kohl admits doping offence

CYCLING:Austrian Bernhard Kohl yesterday admitted using CERA, the new version of EPO, in the Tour de France in July when he finished as best climber and third overall in the race.

The results of a doping test he took during the race "correspond to the facts. I succumbed to temptation," Kohl, 26, told a news conference on his return to Vienna, two days after his team manager reported the failed test.

Walker's top three bid doesn't work

SAILING:An attempt by Ian Walker's Green Dragon team at the Canary Islands to break into the top three on the leaderboard of the Volvo Ocean Race failed in spite of using the first "stealthplay" of the race, writes David Branigan.

Precise position reports for Ireland's entry were shielded from competitors and race fans watching online for 12 hours beginning yesterday morning at 4am GMT. At that time, the Galway boat was lying to the north-west of Gran Canaria in fourth place behind Ericsson 3. Meanwhile, the fleet leaders had earlier opted to hug the coast of West Africa, a tactic that proved successful due to stronger winds.

When Green Dragon "re-appeared" late yesterday afternoon, instead of gaining or over-taking Ericsson 3, the distance had opened up to almost 30 miles behind with overall leaders Puma Racing and Ericsson 4 over 50 miles ahead. Walker's route had been between Tenerife and Gran Canaria but lighter winds slowed the 70-foot yacht.

Djokovic survives tough test but Davydenko knocked out 

TENNIS:Novak Djokovic survived a testing second round match at the Madrid Masters yesterday after rival Victor Hanescu retired injured, while fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko was knocked out by American qualifier Robby Ginepri.

Davydenko's 4-6 6-4 6-4 defeat was a major blow as the Russian is chasing one of the four remaining places in next month's eight-man Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Third seed Djokovic, meanwhile, was pushed hard by Romanian world number 73 Hanescu. The first two sets were decided in tight tiebreaks, with Hanescu grabbing the first 10-8 and the Serb sealing the second 8-6 when he pounced on a tame volley to slash a cross-court winner.

Both players held their serves at the start of the decider but at 1-1 Hanescu called a medical time out for a groin injury. He was immediately broken in the next game and battled on for one more game before he retired hurt at 3-1.