The European Court of Justice ruled Tuesday in favor of a British pub circumventing a football TV monopoly, in a case that threatens to shake up the highly lucrative world of sports broadcasting.

In a long-awaited judgment, the court sided with a British pub landlady who was fined for showing English Premier League (EPL) football matches using a foreign satellite TV provider.

Frustrated Andy Roddick says players' views are often ignored when it comes to tennis power politics, with efforts to tackle the punishing schedule likely to come to nothing.

The American, who exited in the first round of the China Open on Monday, is backing calls from Scotland's Andy Murray for talks between players and the organizers of the ATP tour to lighten the load, cutting out some of the required events.

The Spanish duo of defending champion Rafael Nadal and former winner David Ferrer crushed local hopes Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Japan Open.

World number two Nadal, playing his first singles tournament since finishing as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at last month's U.S. Open, opened his bid in style, thumping Go Soeda 6-3, 6-2.

U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur was knocked out of the China Open Tuesday in another upset at the tournament following shock defeats for the women's Wimbledon and French Open champions.

The Australian world number seven lost 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 in the second round to 2005 Beijing champion Maria Kirilenko, following early exits for French Open winner Li Na and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

Indian farmers on Tuesday threatened to disrupt the country's first Formula One race later this month, angry over the way in which their land was acquired for the new track.

The farmers say that they have not been adequately compensated for the land that was given to race organizers to build the $350-million circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Former England captain Alan Shearer is confident that £35 million Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has the ability to forge a successful career for club and country.

Shearer told several newspapers on Tuesday that the 22-year-old former Newcastle center-forward would overcome a slow start to his Anfield career and establish himself in the England team.

Barcelona's Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay will be sidelined for about six months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

The 25-year-old, who signed with Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in December, picked up the injury during a training session on September 22. He underwent the 50-minute operation at a Barcelona hospital on Monday.

The athletics track at London's Olympic Stadium, which will host next year's games, was inaugurated on Monday.

The red synthetic rubber track, made by an Italian firm, was tested by several athletes including middle-distance runner Hannah England, who won a 1500m silver medal at the recent world championships.

Caroline Wozniacki may not have won a Grand Slam, but the top seed at the China Open says she knows what Roland Garros winner Li Na is going through after a humiliating first-round exit in Beijing.

Home idol Li was bundled out in straight sets at the weekend by qualifier Monica Niculescu of Romania, earning the wrath of China's tennis fans.

Defending champions Barcelona went top of La Liga on Sunday with a labored 1-0 win at rock-bottom Sporting Gijon while Gonzalo Higuain blasted a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-0 cruise at Espanyol.

An injury-plagued Barcelona moved into first place with 14 points as Adriano gave them their first away win of the season.