Joko, Susi into Thai Open semis

Joko, Susi into Thai Open semis

BANGKOK (AFP): Indonesia's top seed Joko Suprianto gave his Chinese opponent little chance in a classy display on his way into the semifinals of the Thai Open here yesterday.

China's Hu Zhilan could find little answer to the accuracy and power displayed by world champion Joko, going down 15-10, 18-13. But Sun Jun, seed 5/8, kept the Chinese flag flying by brilliantly eliminating Indonesian second seed Hariyanto Arbi 15- 8, 10-15, 17-14.

In the women's singles quarterfinals top seed Susi Susanti of Indonesia lived up to her reputation by annihilating Shen Liangfeng of China 11-4, 11-1 in only 23 minutes.

Results Women's singles 1-Susi Susanti (Ina) bt Shen Liangfeng (Chn) 11-4, 11-1; 3/4-Han Jingna (Chn) bt 5/8-Christina Magnusson (Swe) 11-7, 11-6; Yao Yan (Chn) bt 5/8-Somharuethai Jaroensiri (Tha) 12-11, 12-10; 2-Lim Xiao Qing (Swe) bt 5/8-Zhang Ning (Chn) 12-11, 11-7

Men's singles 1-Joko Suprianto (Ina) bt 5/8-Hu Zhilan (Chn) 15-10, 18-13; 3/4- Dong Jiong (Chn) bt 5/8-Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) 15-11, 15-3; Lin Liwen (Chn) bt 9/16-Dwi Arianto (Ina) 15-10, 15-10; 5/8-Sun Jun (Chn) bt 2-Hariyanto Arbi (Ina) 15-9, 10-15, 17-14

;RTR;ARF; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-Cricket-Test Aussies snap up 3 early wickets JP/10/BRIEF 2

Aussies snap up 3 early wickets

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuter): Fast bowlers Glenn McGrath and Craig McDermott captured three early wickets as Australia pressed home their first-innings advantage in the third and final test yesterday.

Australia, 82 ahead after being dismissed for 455 on the fourth day, reduced Pakistan to 64 for three in their second innings at tea.

McGrath made the first breakthrough by removing Basit Ali for two in his second over with the total 20. Basit, promoted to open in the absence of the injured Aamir Sohail, edged a snick to wicketkeeper Phil Emery.

;RTR;ARF; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-Soccer-Bonus Milan to get big bonus JP/10/BRIEF 3

Milan to get big bonus

GENEVA (Reuter): Italy's AC Milan is to receive a hefty cash bonus for its Champions' League win over Salzburg even though it has already been stripped of the two points earned for the victory, UEFA said yesterday.

The European governing body said its Club Competitions' Committee had decided that the European champions should receive a bonus of 900,000 Swiss francs ($710,600) -- 450,000 francs ($355,300) for each point earned -- because the result of the match still stood.

Milan was stripped of the points for the September 29 win because the Austrians' goalkeeper, Otto Konrad, was hit by a plastic water bottle thrown from the San Siro crowd and had to leave the pitch.

;RTR;ARF; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-Soccer-Korea Pusan to host Asian club meet JP/10/BRIEF 4

Pusan to host Asian club meet

HONG KONG (AFP): Pusan in South Korea has been chosen to host the East Asian quarterfinals of the Asian Club Championship soccer this month.

The Asian Football Confederation said yesterday the six matches would be in the southern port city between Nov. 21 and 24.

Korea's Ilhwa Chonma, Yomiuri Verdy of Japan, Liaoning of China and defending champions Thai Farmers will dispute the round robin competition to find two teams to represent East Asia in the final in January. The two favorites will be Ilhwa and Yomiuri with their confrontation likely to turn into another battle in the South Korea-Japan soccer war.

;RTR;ARF; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-NFL-Fine NFL fines two players JP/10/BRIEF 5

NFL fines two players

NEW YORK (Reuter): The National Football League on Thursday fined Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Francis $12,500 for a late hit to the head of Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman in last Sunday's game at Riverfront Stadium.

Cowboys coach Barry Switzer called the league office to lobby for the suspension of Francis, who was penalized for a late hit when he struck Aikman with a forearm to the head as the quarterback was releasing a pass.

The NFL also fined New York Jets defensive tackle Donald Evans $10,000 for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and for arguing with the officials in last Sunday's game against Indianapolis.

;RTR;ARF; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-NBA-deal Oakley signs extended deal JP/10/BRIEF 6

Oakley signs extended deal

NEW YORK (Reuter): The New York Knicks on Thursday signed All- Star power forward Charles Oakley to a contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to be a one- year extension worth $8 million.

The extension, reportedly covering the 1998-99 season, would make his current deal average about $3.2 million a year.

The nine-year veteran, who turns 31 on December 18, has played in 250 consecutive games for the Knicks. He averaged 11.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in helping New York to within one game of an NBA championship last season.

;REUTER; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-tennis-women Navratilova into Oakland semis JP/10/BRIEF7

Navratilova into Oakland semis

OAKLAND, California (Reuter): Second seed Martina Navratilova climbed out of a hole to beat sixth seed Amy Frazier 2-6, 6-4, 6- 1 in the quarterfinals of the US$400,000 Bank of the West Classic on Thursday.

In a second-round match, eighth seed Zina Garrison Jackson beat fellow American Marianne Werdel 6-3, 6-3. Jackson, who lost to Navratilova here last year in the final, next faces top seed Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain in the quarters.

Germany's Anke Huber, seeded fifth, advanced past American Meredith McGrath 6-0, 6-4 in a one hour, nine minute match. Huber will face third seed Lindsay Davenport of the United States in the quarterfinals.