Moscow - The rouble's deprecation against the dollar and euro is causing havoc with Russia's financing of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi due to the increased cost of importing raw materials.

A large percentage of the building materials and equipment needed to prepare the Black Sea resort for the Olympics need to be sourced from abroad, Thursday's Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper reported, citing the Olympic construction company Olimpstroj.

Karachi, Jan. 29 : The change in leadership of the Pakistan's cricket team has been welcomed by former stalwarts of the game in the country.

Veteran Pakistan cricket players are of the view that handing over the captaincy to Younis Khan could revive the sagging fortunes of the national squad.

According to Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of the most successful captains of the Pakistan team said that the frequent changes in the team set-up is hampering the growth and the performance.

He hoped that Younis Khan would lead the side well and help Pakistan to regain the top spot in the World Cricket.

Melbourne, Jan 29, : The third-seeded duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles cruised into the finals of men's doubles of the Australian Open.

Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles defeated the unseeded Polish-Austrian pair of Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach 6-3 6-1 taking just 58 minutes to win their semifinal encounter.

Mahesh Bhupathi has now a chance to grab his fifth men's doubles Grand Slam title, his first Australian Open title and 11th overall.

London  - There may be more than three months still to go in the English Premier League, but this weekend's fixtures could yet prove to be pivotal in the destination of the championship trophy.

Champions Manchester United sit two points clear at the top, with a game in hand on Chelsea and Liverpool, who meet on Sunday at Anfield, with Aston Villa just a point behind.

Depending on the results of the games involving both United and Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool could find themselves in third and fourth come kick-off on Sunday.

Madrid  - Barcelona will be looking for their ninth successive league win on Sunday, away to unpredictable Racing Santander.

Barca are busy breaking all the records this season, and have in their sights Real Madrid's 1989/90 record of 107 goals.

Josep Guardiola's team have already scored 63 goals, with Samuel Eto'o putting away 19, Lionel Messi 14 and Thierry Henry 12.

Melbourne, Australia  - Serena Williams will bid for her tenth Grand Slam title to mark a decade of play at the Australian Open when she faces Dinara Safina in the Saturday final.

Second seed Williams, who has lifted Melbourne trophys during odd-numbered years dating to 2003, is going after her fourth at the venue.

The American snapped a three-match loss streak to Elena Dementieva as she knocked the Russian out 6-3, 6-4 in the Thursday semi-finals.