World Sports in brief

Pedrosa takes pole in San Marino

Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, the winner at Indianapolis last weekend, took pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix on Saturday for the 35th pole of his career and 17th in MotoGP.

Honda rider Pedrosa edged out compatriot and overall series leader Jorge Lorenzo, who was just three thousandths of a second slower.

AFP

Anton takes lead on Tour of Spain

Spanish rider Igor Anton took the overall leader’s red jersey after the first mountainous stage of the tragedy-hit Tour of Spain Saturday which was won by France’s David Moncoutie.

Moncoutie of Cofidis finished the eighth stage of the race, a 190-kilometre ride from Villena to Xorret de Cati.

AFP

England and Argentina into semis at WC

The weather turned from frigid Friday to sunny spring Saturday as England and Argentina secured semi final berths from Pool B at the women’s field hockey World Cup.

England defeated South Africa 2-1, Argentina defeated China 2-0 and Spain knocked South Korea from the semi final.

AFP

Snedeker lead as Woods rallies

Jason Day and Brandt Snedeker were tied for the halfway lead of the Deutsche Bank Championship after Saturday’s second round as Tiger Woods got his USPGA Tour playoff bid back on track.

Snedeker went from Friday’s patchy rain to breezy morning conditions, in which he posted a seven-under 64.

AFP