SPORTS

A day before the official awarding of the winners for the 2014 Oscars and the favourites are looking more and more a lock in bagging the trophies in their respective categories.

Former world's no.1 Roger Federer proved once again that he's still a force to be reckoned with in men's tennis, following his sensational 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, win over Novak Djokovic on Friday in the semifinal of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are now done taking lesser money, as they head into this summer's free-agency with a lucrative, long-term deal on their mind, a source close to situation reported on Friday.

Former Pound-for-pound Champion Manny Pacquiao has stressed a fifth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez is very essential to him and the Mexican could be his next opponent in the ring, if he manages to overcome Timothy Bradley in their WBO Welterweight Championship rematch on April 12 at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Free-agent defensive back Charles Woodson said he would seriously consider retirement, if the Oakland Raiders or another ballclub don't give him the figure he desires, the former Pro Bowl said during an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio.

The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly set to sign free-agent small forward Danny Granger, a source close to situation reported on Thursday.

Grigor Dimitrov’s recent outing with rising tennis athlete Canadian Eugenie Bouchard on Feb. 24 sparked rumours that the Bulgarian athlete may be having problems with his relationship with Maria Sharapova.

Veteran small forward Caron Butler has reportedly reached a buyout agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks, and is set to join a contender soon, an NBA insider disclosed on Thursday.

Charlotte Bobcats and veteran shooting guard Ben Gordon are reportedly discussing a buyout, multiples sources reported on Thursday.

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly close to signing former BYU Cougars shooter Jimmer Fredette, who recently bought out from his contract with the Sacramento Kings, a league insider reported on Thursday.

New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony said he will assess a lot of things when he becomes an unrestricted free-agent this coming summer, the reigning scoring champion said in an interview with Frank Isola of NY News Daily.

The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly signed controversial wide receiver Riley Cooper to a contract extension worth $25 million over five years, a reliable league source disclosed on Thursday.

Incoming free-agent wideout Eric Decker and the Indianapolis Colts have mutual interest, and a deal could go down when the NFL free-agency period officially begins, a source close to situation reported on Thursday.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to make some move, particularly in the shortstop position, as Didi Gregorious and Chris Owings continue to battle for the starting spot in the roster.

Denver Broncos' top executive John Elway believed linebacker Von Miller has learned a lot and grown up after a 2013 season that saw him sat out for six games due to suspension and torn his ACL in December.

The New York Jets are reportedly set to release wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who played below expectations last season. A source close to situation reported the development on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly interested to sign defensive tackle Jonathan Martin, and his former Stanford Cardinal teammate and current Colts signal-caller Andrew Luck approved this move by his current team.

After numerous speculations Danny Granger is set to officially join the Los Angeles Clippers days after being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The New York Yankees are not concerned at all about Derek Jeter's rehabilitation heading into the new season, as general manager Brian Cashman called the shortstop's health situation the least of the team to be worried about.

New York Mets slugger David Wright believed his team is capable of winning 90 games next year, a number of wins that could catapult the franchise back to the major league postseason.

Lamar Odom has had his chance and it seems like Khloe Kardashian is completely determined to end whatever relationship she had with him. She has a lot of reasons not to take the basketball player back in her life.

Khloe Kardashian seems to be in severe angst as far as her relationship with Lamar Odom is concerned. After dissing him with an inappropriate gesture last week, Khloe once again took to her Instagram account to slam the NBA star.

For punching Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley and confronting an official abusively, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins have been fined $20,000 and suspended for a game by the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Despite the return of Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder have gone 0-3 in their first three games since the star point guard’s comeback from injury. Is OKC a better team without Westbrook in the line-up? The team faces another stern test on Friday when the Thunder host the tough Memphis Grizzlies.

Even though Amir Khan refused to face Devon Alexander, Alexander is reportedly still open to fighting the British boxer.

Golden Boy Promotion top honcho Oscar De La Hoya said he's ready to end his 'war' with former promoter Bob Arum and his Top-Rank promotions, saying it's about time to settle their issues once and for all.

Great Britain's Carl Froch believed Manny Pacquiao should retire if he bows down again to Timothy Bradley in their WBO Welterweight Championship rematch, pointing out that Pacman is already in the twilight years of his career.

Amir Khan might have lost a chance to earn the biggest paycheck of his career, but a really nice consolation prize is on the table for him to accept. According to Ring TV, Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn has allocated $8 million for Khan to accept a showdown with undefeated welterweight Kell Brook.

Rajon Rondo might be considered as one of the premier point guards today, but the Boston Celtics playmaker appears to be a selfish, overrated player in the eyes of an Eastern Conference scout. The latest scrutiny on Rondo came in the wake of another run-in with the media after missing the team's West Coast swing.