Sport in Brief Stoner secures

MotoGP title win in Japan MOTEGI – Australian Casey Stoner clinched a sensational first MotoGP world title by finishing ahead of Italy’s Valentino Rossi in yesterday ‘s Japanese Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old finished sixth with Rossi’s mathematical hopes of halting the Ducati rider’s championship charge ended as his Yamaha limped home in 13th on a wet Motegi track. Stoner became his country’s first world champion since Mick Doohan won the last of his five 500cc crowns in 1998 and also the second youngest premier-class champion in the sport’s history.As Stoner pulled a wheelie on crossing the finish line the Ducati pit crew danced with delight as the Italian manufacturer celebrated their first MotoGP title.Stoner, who has won eight out of the 15 races so far this season, has 297 points with Rossi on 214.Pedrosa has 188 with races in Australia, Malaysia and Spain remaining.Messi double sinks Sevilla MADRID – Argentina forward Lionel Messi stole the show again when he steered Barcelona to a 2-1 home win over Sevilla in the Primera Liga on Saturday.The 20-year-old was central to the 3-0 win over Olympique Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday and carried his team to victory once more with two late goals in the Nou Camp.The first was a spectacular volley and the second a penalty, and only a fine save from Andres Palop denied him a hat-trick.AC Milan held 1-1 at home by Parma MILAN – AC Milan’s sluggish start to the Serie A season continued on Saturday when Parma held the European champions to an exciting 1-1 draw at the San Siro.Milan’s third consecutive league draw leaves them sixth with six points from four games, three points behind leaders AS Roma.Youzhny brings Russia level in Davis Cup MOSCOW – Mikhail Youzhny beat Philipp Petzschner 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3 in yesterday’s first reverse singles to pull Russia level with Germany at 2-2 in the Davis Cup semi-final and keep alive their chances of retaining the title.Youzhny, Russia’s 2002 Davis Cup hero, came to the rescue once again, replacing injured world number four Nikolay Davydenko for the match against 206th-ranked Petzschner, who was playing in place of the unwell Germany number one Tommy Haas.Nampa-ReutersStoner became his country’s first world champion since Mick Doohan won the last of his five 500cc crowns in 1998 and also the second youngest premier-class champion in the sport’s history.As Stoner pulled a wheelie on crossing the finish line the Ducati pit crew danced with delight as the Italian manufacturer celebrated their first MotoGP title.Stoner, who has won eight out of the 15 races so far this season, has 297 points with Rossi on 214.Pedrosa has 188 with races in Australia, Malaysia and Spain remaining. Messi double sinks Sevilla MADRID – Argentina forward Lionel Messi stole the show again when he steered Barcelona to a 2-1 home win over Sevilla in the Primera Liga on Saturday.The 20-year-old was central to the 3-0 win over Olympique Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday and carried his team to victory once more with two late goals in the Nou Camp.The first was a spectacular volley and the second a penalty, and only a fine save from Andres Palop denied him a hat-trick.AC Milan held 1-1 at home by Parma MILAN – AC Milan’s sluggish start to the Serie A season continued on Saturday when Parma held the European champions to an exciting 1-1 draw at the San Siro.Milan’s third consecutive league draw leaves them sixth with six points from four games, three points behind leaders AS Roma.Youzhny brings Russia level in Davis Cup MOSCOW – Mikhail Youzhny beat Philipp Petzschner 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3 in yesterday’s first reverse singles to pull Russia level with Germany at 2-2 in the Davis Cup semi-final and keep alive their chances of retaining the title.Youzhny, Russia’s 2002 Davis Cup hero, came to the rescue once again, replacing injured world number four Nikolay Davydenko for the match against 206th-ranked Petzschner, who was playing in place of the unwell Germany number one Tommy Haas.Nampa-Reuters