Melbourne  - Tomas Berdych has joined Roger Federer in slamming the Hawk-Eye electronic linecalling system after its failure struck him at a key moment in his losing fourth-round match to the Swiss star at the Australian Open.

It's no secret that traditionalist Federer has never been a fan of the system - and his poor record on challenges proves that point.

But the system really caught Berdych at a bad time when it failed to function on a challenge he made - likely because of a deep shadow over one side of the court in late afternoon.

Melbourne  - After a lifetime based in Australia,  may be planning a possible move to the US in hopes of extending his tennis career.

Hewitt, 27, wife Bec Cartwright and the couple's two children could be set for a shift of continent within months, according to Melbourne's Herald Sun - all part of a strategy to dispel any notion that the former number one might soon retire after his ranking dropped out of the Top 100.

Hewitt crashed out in the Australian Open first round.

Tehran  - Following a dispute between the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) and a popular television presenter, football fans on Monday night voted in favour of the presenter in a text message survey.

Adel Ferdowsipour, the country's most famous football commentator and presenter of the popular football programme 90, got into a dispute with the FFI earlier this month after he made critical remarks about the federation's inefficiency in managing the football affairs.

Karachi, Jan 27 : Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has emerged as the front-runner to replace Shoaib Malik as skipper ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after they were thrashed badly by the Lankans in the just concluded ODI series.

Shoaib Malik's is in the line of fire after being retained as Pakistan captain in December 2008, for an `indefinite' period, after his team's performance hit rock bottom against Sri Lanka on home soil, The News reported.

Melbourne - Gilles Simon broke through on Monday to earn the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, a victory blighted by the retirement of opponent Gael Monfils.

Sixth seed Simon took a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win when his fellow Frenchman and frequent practise partner had to retire trailing two sets to one on the Australia Day holiday.

"Of course I didn't want to win like this," said Simon, who will face the winner from the match between top seed Rafael Nadal and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez. "I'm sorry, but that is tennis."

Melbourne, Jan. 26 : Australian Open officials have said that they will prevent tennis player Jelena Dokic''s estranged father Damir from meeting his daughter should he attempt to gatecrash her Australian Open party.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted tournament officials as saying on Monday that he is free to purchase tickets to Melbourne Park, but he would not be allowed to make contact with Australia''s comeback queen - unless given permission to do so by Dokic.