SPORTS DIGEST

A roundup of today's other sports news in brief:

Stewart calls for Mosley to stand down

MOTOR SPORT: Former Formula One champion Jackie Stewart warned yesterday that Max Mosley's involvement in a scandal could have a commercial impact on the sport and called for the FIA president to resign.

"If he was chief executive of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), the FA (Football Association) or the Olympic committee, he would have already stood down," the triple champion said at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Stewart said the affair, which has eclipsed events on the track at the weekend, could make potential sponsors think twice about entering the sport and suggested commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone could force Mosley's hand.

"He has to do it (resign) himself but Bernie Ecclestone holds a very key role in that," said the Scot.

"If he is going to listen to anybody, then he should listen to Bernie because it was he who sold him the commercial rights.

"Bernie has been largely responsible for getting him where he is today."

Ecclestone is a member of the FIA's world motor sport council and, while he may privately want Mosley to tender his resignation, has refused to join the chorus of those clamouring publicly for his compatriot's head.

The Automobile Association of America (AAA), the largest motoring organisation in the world with 51 million members in the United States, called on Saturday for Mosley to go.

"For a multi-national corporation, corporate ethics are part and parcel of their daily business. There are things you can do and things you cannot do," said Stewart.

"Even if the chairman of the board or the CEO was excited about coming into Formula One, the marketing director might turn around and say 'There's a lot of stuff going at the moment, why don't we hold back until we see how they are going to handle that?'" added the 68-year-old.

Davydenko takes title in Miami

TENNIS: Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko won the Sony Ericsson title with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Spain's second-seeded Rafael Nadal in Miami yesterday.

Davydenko, the first Russian to win the title in its 24-year history, dominated the 82-minute contest and never allowed Nadal to find his rhythm.

"I had never played very well here in Miami," said Davydenko. "Now I have won my second Masters Series title."

Davydenko won his first title of the year after beating crowd favourite and sixth seed Andy Roddick in the semi-finals before beating world number two Nadal.

"He was playing unbelievable tennis and there was nothing I could do," said Nadal, still without a title this year.

Bayliss extends lead in Valencia

MOTOR CYCLING: Australia's Troy Bayliss extended his lead in the World Superbike Championship standings with a brace of second places as Lorenzo Lanzi and Noriyuki Haga shared the spoils at the third round in Valencia yesterday.

RG Ducati's Lanzi claimed race one amid controversy after Carlos Checa tangled with long-time race leader Max Neukirchner at the final corner to gift the Italian the win.

The incident was doubly cruel on Team Alstare Suzuki rider Neukirchner, who was forced to miss race two after breaking his collarbone in the crash.

Yamaha Motor Italia rider Haga recovered from a race-one crash to claim victory in the second race to reignite his title charge after a dismal start to the season.

Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) now leads the standings on 128 points, 48 clear of Fonzi Nieto (Team Suzuki Alstare) who could manage only 10th and fourth yesterday.

In race two Haga charged from 10th on the grid to claim a superb win.

Seymour makes sure of place in Beijing Olympics

CYCLING: Multiple national champion Robin Seymour made sure of his selection for his third Olympics this summer when he finished second in the last of three races that determined which Irish rider got the nod for the Beijing spectacular next autumn, writes Shane Stokes.

He came home one minute and 14 seconds behind Ian Bibby (British Cycling) in the third round of the K-Capital Cup series, which was held yesterday in Djouce Woods in Wicklow.

David Fletcher (British Cycling) was one minute and 42 seconds behind Bibby in third place.

With Seymour's two rivals for the Olympic slot, Niall Davis and Conor McConvey, placing fourth and seventh, the Team Worc rider extended his points lead in the selection events and ensured he will ride in another Olympic Games.

"It was very cold out there and while I led early on, I ran out of energy a bit towards the end and was passed by Ian," said Seymour.

"I'm obviously delighted to secure selection for the Olympics, though.

"I've been working full time lately but will structure things in such a way as to be in top form for Beijing," added Seymour.

Ireland had qualified one place by the end of last season thanks to the combined world ranking points total of Seymour, Davis and McConvey.

As was the case for the women competitors before Athens 2004, a three-race ride-off was used to select the Olympic rider.

Yao Ming back to his roots

BASKETBALL: China centre Yao Ming will seek advice from traditional Chinese medicine experts in Beijing to aid the recovery of his injured foot, local media reported. The Houston Rockets basketball star, China's most popular sportsman, had an operation on a fractured foot in February and faces a race to be fit for the Beijing Olympics.

"There is no reason to dismiss (traditional Chinese medicine)," Yao said. "It's been used in our country for thousands of years."