Lleyton Hewitt has celebrated his return from injury with a win over Germany's Nicolas Kiefer at the Hopman Cup in Perth, but he could not help Australia win the opening tie against the Germans.

Sydney FC chairman Andrew Kemeny has backed under-pressure coach John Kosmina, saying the club's players must shoulder some blame for the side's poor season.

Australian Jelena Dokic put up a fight but was ultimately outlcassed in going down 7-6, 7-6 to former world number one Amelie Mauresmo at the Brisbane International today.

Spectators turned the SCG into a sea of pink today as they marked Jane McGrath Day during the third Test match against South Africa.

The search for the missing New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Sonny Fai has been called off for the day.

Peter Siddle took a maiden five-wicket haul before Australia safely negotiated six overs to take a stranglehold on the third Test against South Africa at the SCG.

South African captain Graeme Smith has gone to Melbourne to start receiving treatment on his injured elbow.

New A-League entrant Gold Coast United has confirmed the signings of winger Tahj Minniecon and defender Michael Thwaite for its inaugural season.

Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis's comeback stalled in the first round of the Brisbane International as he bowed out to Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

Rugby Western Australia chairman Geoff Stooke has refused to guarantee that Western Force coach John Mitchell will see out the upcoming Super 14 season.

Queensland Roar's leading goal-scorer Charlie Miller returned to the training paddock today following surgery on a double hernia last month.

Proteas management says captain Graeme Smith will be ready for Australia's tour to South Africa next month.

Queensland 16-year-old Monica Wejnert was eliminated in the first round of the Brisbane International by third seed Marion Bartoli on Sunday.

Corey Williams inspired the Townsville Crocodiles to a convincing 105-88 road victory over the bottom-placed Gold Coast Blaze on Sunday afternoon.

Queensland registered its first points of the Twenty20 season with a comfortable 6-wicket triumph over the previously undefeated Victoria at Geelong.

Wellington kept its dream of a debut A-League finals appearance alive after a superb second half show ended Newcastle's title defence with a 3-0 victory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

Dinara Safina and embattled elder brother Marat Safin gave Russia a 2-1 triumph over Italy in its Hopman Cup tie on Sunday afternoon.

A Michael Clarke century and injuries to influential South African pair Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn tipped the scales in Australia's favour after two days of the third Test at the SCG.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic says he is enjoying the expectations that come with being a grand slam champion and will use the pressure to his advantage over the next month.

Australian fly half Matt Giteau said he will see out his contract with Super 14 franchise Western Force and will wait until the end of the season to decide on his future.