Melbourne, Jan 12 : Female tennis stars participating in the Australian Open have been asked to give up skimpy outfits, and cover up at the Melbourne event.

The move came after French player Alize Cornet caused a stir in the Hopman Cup last week with a revealing, see-through top during a doubles match, reports The Sunday Herald Sun.

The Australian Open officials have threatened to impose a fine up to 2000 dollars for any player who broke strict dress code.

They would review the Cornet's outfits ahead of the tournament from January 19 to February 1.

Ex-tennis star Margaret Court also condemned Cornet's attire, insisting it pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable.

Sydney, Jan. 12 : Australian Test opener Simon Katich does not believe the ongoing controversy surrounding former skipper Kevin Pietersen and former coach Peter Mooresa will damage England''s hopes of trying to win back the Ashes this year.

Katich, who has not looked back since being reinstated to national duty last year, and has amassed 461 runs at an average of 57.63 during the five Tests on home soil this summer, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying: "It''s been huge news, but in saying that the Ashes are a long way away, they''ve got a lot of cricket to play and so have we."

London, Jan. 12 : Argentinian football boss Diego Maradona triggered off an alarm at 7 a. m. on Sunday by puffing on a Havana (cigar), and is now being blamed for Chelsea''s defeat against Manchester United, as the team was staying in the same hotel as the Argentinians.

According to The Sun, the alert led to 200 guests being evacuated from the posh hotel in Manchester where Chelsea were staying before their match with Manchester United.

Chelsea lost the match three goals to nil at Old Trafford following their night of shattered kip.

Hobart, Jan. 12 : Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger hopes he won''t be snubbed for Australia''s tour of South Africa next month, despite a number of his rival quicks getting the chance to shine in front of selectors in the limited-overs format.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Bollinger is relying on his one and only Test appearance in Sydney to assure him a plane ticket to South Africa.

Bollinger took 2-131 on debut against the Proteas and was unlucky not to have taken more wickets.

The 27-year-old has tonight''s Twenty20 clash against Tasmania at ANZ Stadium, another Twenty20 clash against Victoria on Saturday and a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the end of the month to enhance his Test prospects.

Johannesburg, Jan. 12: Former South African fast bowler Allan Donald, also known as the "White Lightning" when he was playing, still believes Australia needs veteran opening batsman Mathew Hayden for the forthcoming tough tours to South Africa and England.

Los Angeles - The Orlando Magic hit the long ball on Sunday night to beat the San Antonio Spurs at their own game.

Jameer Nelson scored 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter, and the visiting Magic hit 14-of-22 three-pointers to shoot down the Spurs 105-98 in a battle of division leaders.

"It was a really well played game with neither one of us able to stop the other for any length of time," said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, after his South-east Division leading Magic (30-8) moved to a league best 14-5 on the road.

"The difference in the game simply came down to three-point baskets. We simply shot the heck out of the threes."