Zakopalova clinches WTA Brazil Cup
FLORIANOPOLIS - Czech third seed Klara Zakopalova put an end to a run of six final losses Saturday, securing the WTA Brazil Cup by beating Spanish second seed Garbine Muguruza for her first title since 2005. Zakopalova, who fought back from 4-6, 2-5 down to land the $250,000 event, had lost last week's Rio final to Japan's Kurumi Nara and she also went down to Muruguza in the Hobart final in January. This time, in the southern city of Florianopolis, home to former men's French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, she triumphed after a shaky start cost her the first set. She then found herself 2-5 down in the second before digging in to land her third WTA title. "I was losing the whole match, but anything can happen in a final," said Zakopalova, 32. "Winning this title is just incredible."–AFP

Pardew fined £100,000 over headbutt
NEWCASTLE- Newcastle fined manager Alan Pardew £100,000 and gave him a formal warning on Saturday for headbutting an opposition player in the Premier League game at Hull. The 52-year-old clashed with Hull's David Meyler during his side's 4-1 win and later apologised for the sensational incident. "Alan has accepted a formal warning from the club in relation to his behaviour today and also a club fine of £100,000," said a club statement. Despite apologising, Pardew will still face a Football Association investigation. "His behaviour was unacceptable and is not the behaviour we expect from the manager of Newcastle United," added the Newcastle statement. "Sadly, the headlines will not be focused on the result or the efforts of the players, but instead on the actions of our manager. "–AFP

Berdych to miss Davis Cup tie in Japan
PRAGUE - Defending champions the Czech Republic will be without their number-one player Tomas Berdych, the world number six, for the Davis Cup quarter-final tie in Japan on April 4-6. "I understand and respect Tomas's decision" to skip the tie, Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil said on the Czech Davis Cup team's Facebook page. The 28-year-old Berdych and veteran Radek Stepanek led the Czechs to two straight Davis Cup titles in 2012 and 2013, and to a first-round victory over the Netherlands in February this year. Czech media quoted Berdych as saying after the Dubai Open final on Saturday that he would skip the whole Davis Cup season, but the Czech team insisted the decision only concerned the Japan tie. Berdych lost to Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 in Dubai Open final.–AFP

CDA thrash PEB in Patron's Trophy G-II
ISLAMABAD - Azam Khan helped Capital Development Authority (CDA) thrashed PEB by 10 wickets in the Patron's Trophy Grade-II 2013-2014 first round Group-B match Sunday as CDA achieved the 8-run target without losing a wicket. CDA bowlers rattled PEB batting and PEB were bundled out for 97. Azam took 6 for 51 and Yasir Afaq 3 for 24. CDA declared their innings on 236-5 in 35.5 overs. Muzammil Nizam made unbeaten 65 while Naved Malik also made 65. PEB were bowled out for 143 in their second outing. In another Group-B match, NADRA finished the day at 121-6 in 33 overs. Ehsan Ali was unbeaten on 67. Shahid Khan took 5 for 24. Earlier, putting into bat first, Army to were all out for 302 all out. Shahid Khan made 73 while Shafique Khan 51. Munawar Ali took 5 for 58.–Staff Reporter

Nofil wins U18 Ranking Tennis title
ISLAMABAD - 14-year old Nofil Kaleem annexed the Boy's U-18 singles title of the 1st Zarkon International PTF National Ranking Tennis Championship beating top seed Husnain Manzoor in straight sets 6-2 6-4. It was Nofil's first ever U-18 singles title. Nofil won the first set 6-2 by breaking 1st and 3rd games of Husnain. In the second set Husnian build up healthy 3-0 lead by breaking first and third game of Nofil. However Nofil leveled the score at 3-3 by breaking 6thgame of Husnain and won the second set 6-4 by breaking last game. Aqeel Khan and Yasir Khan won the men's doubles title by defeating second seeds M Abid/Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-4. Men's singles final between Aqeel and Heera Ashiq will be played today and Maruf Azfal Chairman CDA will grace the occasion as chief guest.–Staff Reporter