Melbourne - Roger Federer stepped up his preparation for the Australian Open as he claimed his eighth career victory over Carlos Moya 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday's opening day at the AAMI Classic.

Joining Federer as a winner at the promotion-relegation event was Olympic doubles partner Stan Wawrinka, with the number 16 hammering off-form Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-2.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat Croatian Marin Cilic 6-2, 7-5 while Chile's Fernando Gonzalez showed the bebefits of two and a half months off in a defeat of Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-3.

Melbourne, Jan. 14 : Wrist bands have been added to the police armoury in an attempt to stop underage drinking during cricket matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Fans who want a cold one at Friday's One Day International will have to produce photo ID and collect a wristband as part of the new ystem being introduced to prevent underage drinking.

According to the Herald Sun, there will be eight wristbands booths at the MCG. It is hoped the new system will assist staff in establishing proof of age, and means patrons will no longer have to produce ID every time they want to purchase alcohol at the bar.

Melbourne - Roger Federer stepped up his preparation for the Australian Open as he claimed his eighth career victory over Carlos Moya 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday's opening day at the AAMI Classic.

Joining Federer as a winner at the promotion-relegation event was Olympic doubles partner Stan Wawrinka, with the number 16 hammering off-form Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-2.

Melbourne  - Mark Philippoussis will play it safe in his first serious match in two years as the injury-prone former player competes in this week's exhibition in Adelaide.

After multiple knee surgeries the 32-year-old Philippoussis is unsure about any tennis future.

"I have no expectations," the two-time Grand Slam finalist told local media. "I don't need to prove anything to anyone or even to myself, it's just about me loving the game and getting back out and playing the game.

"There's no way I'm looking too far ahead."

London  - Big-spending English Premier League club Manchester City have reportedly offered 100 million euros to sign Brazilian superstar Kaka from AC Milan.

According to reports in several British papers and in Italy, City officials spent Tuesday in Milan talking to the Serie A club over a possible signing.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a media tycoon who also owns AC Milan, said that he hoped Kaka, the star player in the side, would remain a Milan player.

"I hope he's irreplaceable, and I hope he will stay with us," Berlusconi said. "I know nothing about this offer."

London - Holders Portsmouth and fellow Premier League side West Bromwich Albion both reached the fourth round of the English FA Cup after comfortable victories Tuesday in their third-round replays.