Clijsters set for motherhood
Former tennis world number one Kim Clijsters is pregnant with her first child, a Belgian sports website has reported. The 24-year-old, who has been blighted by injuries, quit in May to focus on her private life, including her forthcoming wedding to US basketball player Brian Lynch. “If all goes well, Kim will become a mother next year,” her father Leo said in the website.

Chetan, Jwala fall in qualifiers
Chetan Anand and Jwala Gutta failed to make it to the main draw of China Open badminton championship at Chengdu, bowing out in the men’s and women’s singles respectively to Chinese opponents in the qualification round, reports PTI from New Delhi.

While Anand went down fighting 19-21, 22-20, 18-21 to Yu Li of China, Jwala lost to Wen Li 14-21, 9-21.

Shruti Kurien, the only Indian in the women’s singles main draw, meets Shao-Chieh Cheng of Chinese Taipei in the first round.

Women’s hockey probables named
The Indian Women’s Hockey Federation on Tuesday announced the names of 36 probables for a coaching camp prior to the Asia Cup and Olympic qualifiers, reports PTI from New Delhi.

Probables: Goalkeepers: Dipika Murthy, Poonam Toppo, Rajni Bala, Marita Tirkey, Jasdeep Kaur, Suniti Kispotta. Defenders: Binita Toppo, Pushpa Pradhan, Nilima Kujur, Suman Bala, Rajwinder Kaur, Anjana Barla. Midfielders: Subhadra Pradhan, Gagandeep Kaur, Th Ranjita, Iti Shrivastava, Mukta P Barla, Asunta Lakra, Joydeep Kaur. Forwards: Deepika Thakur, Saba Anjum, Ritu Rani, Binita Xess, Rijuta Mullick, Mamta Kharab, Surinder Kaur, Th Anuradha Devi, Rosalin Ralte, A Manorama Devi, Lalremruati, Harpreet Kaur, S. Ranjita, Poonam Singh, Simerjeet Kaur, Jasjeet Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur.

Real to sign up defender Pepe
Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Porto centre-back Pepe on a five-year deal, the Spanish soccer champions said on Tuesday, reports Reuters from Madrid. The Brazilian-born 24-year-old is the second centre-back the club have signed in the close season, with German international Christoph Metzelder also due to be presented this week.

Russia want change in venue
Russia's Fed Cup captain has asked the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to move this week's semifinal against the United States to a neutral country after being unable to accompany his team to a US venue, reports Reuters from Moscow.

"The ITF regulations stipulate that a host country cannot deny entry to any official member of the visiting team," Shamil Tarpishchev said on Tuesday.

Bellamy moves  to West Ham
Wales captain Craig Bellamy has joined West Ham United from fellow English Premier League side Liverpool for 7.5 million pounds, reports Reuters from London.

Thaksin asked to appear in court
A Thai court has ordered ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the new owner of English top flight soccer club Manchester City, to appear for a corruption trial on August 14, a public prosecutor said.