NEW YORK: Maria Sharapova, back in the US Open s last eight for the first time since she won the title six years ago, sent fellow Russian Nadia Petrova packing with vigor and passion on Sunday.Not only did she rally after twice losing four games in a row against 19th seed Petrova but third seed Sharapova won six of the last eight games in the match after a 73-minute rain delay to take a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory.The Russian third seed, clearly the fan favorite in the Arthur Ashe Stadium night match, was pumping her fist with evry point in the seventh game of the last set when she broke Petrova to seize the lead for the first time since the opening set.Sharapova, who completed a career Grand Slam by capturing the French Open title last June, rolled through the first set in 31 minutes but Petrova broke her in the second and fourth games of the second set on the way to a 4-0 lead.Sharapova broke back twice to level the set at 4-4, only to have Petrova break her again in the 10th game to capture the set and in the second game of the third set for a 2-0 lead before rain began falling to halt the match.Petrova, who fell to 1-9 all-time against Sharapova, surrendered a break in the first game after the delay and Sharapova broke again four games later then held twice for the victory.Sharapova will next face French 11th seed Marion Bartoli, who beat Czech fifth seeded left-hander Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon winner, 1-6, 6-2, 6-0, to book her first trip to the US Open quarter-finals in her 11th attempt. (AFP)

Stosur ousts Robson to reach Open s last eight

NEW YORK: Defending champion Samantha Stosur squandered eight match points but finally subdued stubborn British teen prodigy Laura Robson 6-4, 6-4 in 98 minutes on Sunday to reach the US Open quarter-finals.The Australian seventh seed advanced to a last-eight meeting with either World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Georgia s Anna Tatishvili, who were set to meet in a later night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.Robson broke Stosur in the third game of the match but the Aussie broke back in the next game and seized command, breaking again to take the first set and jumping ahead 5-2 in the second before struggling to close out the triumph.Robson held and broke and threatened to hold again to level the match before Stosur struck, firing a forehand winner that Robson sent wide to end the fight.Stosur has lost all six career meetings with top seed Azarenka, never taking a set off the reigning Australian Open champion. Azarenka s most recent victory over Stosur came in last February s Doha final.Russian third seed Maria Sharapova, the 2006 winner, faced 19th-seeded compatriot Nadia Petrova for a quarter-final berth. The winner would meet either Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova or French 11th seed Marion Bartoli. (AFP)

Why doesn’t sand stick to beach volleyball players?

Look closely at the picture above. What do you notice? Better yet, what don't you notice?

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are sprawled out in the sand, a position they find themselves in more than a dozen times per match. They're surrounded by their sport's playing surface and it's kicked up all around them. But look at Kerri's legs. Check out Misty's arms and take special notice of her feet. There's no sand anywhere.(Yahoo News)

Gymnastics: Jordyn Wieber Qulification in Olympic 2012

Jordyn Wieber of the U.S. competes in the balance beam during the women's gymnastics qualification in the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games

Maria Sharapova win the England Lawn Tennis Club

Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after winning her women's singles tennis match against Israel's Shahar Peer at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the London 2012 Olympics Games July 29, 2012. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Celebrate Women's Volleyball Preliminary Match

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin of Great Britain celebrate during the Women's Beach Volleyball Preliminary match between Great Britain and Canada on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Horse Guards

Olympic opening ceremony

London Olympic spectacle kicks off

The eagerly awaited opening ceremony to the Olympic games kicked off on Friday with a mass countdown and the chime of a giant bell, ushering in an eccentric and exuberant celebration of British history, art and culture.