Melbourne  - Dinara Safina is prepared to celebrate with a chocolate cake should she deny Serena Williams a fourth title at the Australian Open when the pair meet in Saturday's women's final.

Safina, younger sister of 2005 men's champion Marat Safin, is also playing for history with the match-winner taking over the number one WTA ranking from Jelena Jankovic.

In addition, a dream victory would bury the demon of Safin's Roland Garros finals loss to Ana Ivanovic on clay last spring in Paris.

Los Angeles  - Spaniard Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers is officially an All-Star again.

Gasol was named to the Western Conference for the second time in his career on Thursday, as the NBA announced the list of 14 players chosen by the coaches as reserves for the All-Star Game, to be played on February 15 in Phoenix, Arizona.

"I think it's something that gives me a lot of pride and it's an honour to be part of that game," said Gasol, who played in the 2006 mid-season showpiece as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Melbourne  - Jelena Dokic made more than a run to glory with her surprise Australian Open quarter-final. The comeback player also headed straight for the bank - the result of a new 680,000-dollar sponsor contract.

The 25-year-old, who nearly quit the game two years ago due to depression after a flame-out as a teenaged star and a split with her dominating father, has signed a deal with Australia's Jetstar airlines.

Melbourne  - Former great Patrick Rafter has voiced his doubts about the desire of deposed Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic after the Serb's retirement during his quarter-final with Andy Roddick.

During a television match commentary, the double US Open champion and one of the most popular of the former Aussie players, had his say about the increasingly controversial Djokovic.

Rafter said that the 21-year-old had a history of "pulling the pin" (with four retirements in Grand Slam matches).

Sydney  - Retired Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has denied he is in a sexual relationship with Brazilian housemate Daniel Mendes.

"Over the last few days there have been a series of press articles published, speculating about my friendship with Daniel Mendes," the five-time Olympic gold medallist said in a statement published Friday.

"In the past, on several separate occasions, I have answered questions about my sexuality openly and honestly with the media ... my situation in this regard has not changed."

Madrid - Real Madrid are planning to register Hungarian youngster Adam Szalai for the knockout stages of the Champions League, according to the digital version of Marca on Thursday afternoon.

According to AS, the 21 year-old striker will be registered with UEFA before Saturday's deadline.

Szalai has still to make his first team debut, but has scored 13 goals this season for third division nursery side Castilla.