US-SPORTS Summary

Different semis, same old results for Williamses

LONDON (Reuters) - Sport's most enduring sibling rivalry will be played out on U.S. Independence Day after Venus Williams exacted brutal revenge and Serena Williams displayed raw desire to inflict a double defeat on Russia at Wimbledon. The American sisters will be setting off fireworks on women's final day for the second year running at the All England Club, but on Thursday Serena came within a heartbeat of missing out on the Fourth of July celebrations.

Pistons begin rebuilding, sign Gordon and Villanueva


DETROIT (Reuters) - The Detroit Pistons wasted little time in retooling their team for next season, agreeing terms with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva on Wednesday the NBA franchise said on their website (http://www.nba.com/pistons). The NBA's free-agent market opened on Wednesday, though players can not officially sign with new teams until July 8.

Harrington toils as Kaymer shoots record tying 62

ST QUENTIN, France (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington, trying to get his game in shape to defend his British Open title, remained upbeat despite struggling again in Thursday's French Open first round. The triple major champion from Ireland lagged 10 strokes behind leader Martin Kaymer of Germany, who equaled the course record of 62 after a blistering nine-under effort containing an eagle and eight birdies.

Riis warns Armstrong about younger rivals

MONACO (Reuters) - Bjarne Riis, the man who led Carlos Sastre to Tour de France victory last year, warned Lance Armstrong he should be ready to struggle over the next three weeks against younger rivals. "Lance is obviously not too old. He will probably be very good and play a great role in this Tour," the Saxobank team leader told a news conference on Thursday.

Kim shoots record 62 to take early lead at Congressional

BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters) - Holder Anthony Kim fired a course-record, eight-under-par 62 to set the early pace in the first round of the $6 million AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on Thursday. The 24-year-old registered eight birdies to hold a two-shot lead over fellow American DA Points.

Murray's return seen as key

LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Murray's much-vaunted returning skills will be tested to breaking point at Wimbledon on Friday while Roger Federer faces a more subtle examination from a man in too much of a hurry to be blinded by reputation. Murray's semi-final against the resurgent Andy Roddick is one of those irresistible meetings of players with perfectly contrasting strengths.

ARSENAL are ready to hijack the Manchester United move for France striker Karim Benzema.

The Gunners board will be prepared to fund a £30million fee for Lyon's Benzema, 21, if Arsene Wenger opts to cash in on Emmanuel Adebayor.

AC Milan have been considering making a new move for Adebayor this week. Togo ace Adebayor, 25, has also been linked with a move to Inter Milan and even Chelsea.

United are in pole position to lure Benzema - but he is also on Real Madrid's radar. The player says he would prefer another season at Lyon to make sure he cements a place in the France side for the World Cup. But the club's owners have hinted that a bid of more than £30m would turn their heads.

Gunners chief Wenger has been a long-term fan of Benzema. There were suggestions last summer he had a verbal deal with Lyon offering him first refusal.

On the face of it, £30m would seem out of Arsenal's range. But the Arsenal board have approved up to £40m on new signings this summer and the sale of Adebayor would boost the transfer pot.

Wenger hopes to sign Brazil midfield ace Felipe Melo, 26, from Fiorentina. But the Serie A club may want £25m with Arsenal valuing him at £15m.