FRENCH OPEN MEN'S FINAL DELAYED BY RAIN AS NADAL LEADS DJOKOVIC

June 11 (Bloomberg) - The French Open men's tennis final was pushed into an extra day because of rain for the first time since 1973, with defending champion Rafael Nadal leading 2 sets to 1 over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.



Spain's Nadal eased through the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 yesterday. After dropping the first two games of the third set, Djokovic turned the match around, winning eight games in a row to take his first set off Nadal at Roland Garros and going up a break in the fourth. After Nadal held serve for 1-2, play was halted and eventually called off, to be resumed at 1 p.m. today.

Organizers initially said the match would resume at 8 p.m. last night. The crowd on the main Court Philippe Chatrier whistled and booed when the tournament announced the postponement as rain continued. The final started at 3 p.m. and was halted for a first time for 34 minutes at the end of the second set.

Tournament director Gilbert Ysern told reporters it hadn't been possible to start the final an hour sooner because the forecast kept changing. He denied broadcasting contracts prevented the match starting earlier.

"TV does not dictate anything," Ysern said.

The clay-court tournament at Roland Garros has been hampered by rain in the past week. It's the first time since 1973 the event has gone into a third week. In that year, Ilie Nastase beat Niki Pilic in a final that took place two days late because of bad weather. More rain is forecast at Roland Garros today, according to the website of Meteo Consult.

DURAN DURAN TO REPRESENT ENGLAND IN OLYMPICS OPENING CONCERT

Show to mark start of London 2012 Olympic Games will also feature acts representing Scotland (Paolo Nutini), Wales (Stereophonics) and Northern Ireland (Snow Patrol)

Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and Stereophonics are to play a gig in London's Hyde Park this summer to mark the start of the Olympics.

The show will take place on 27 July, the same day as the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be broadcast live on screens in between the acts.

The bill has been put together to represent each part of the United Kingdom, with Duran Duran representing England, Paolo Nutini playing on behalf of Scotland, Stereophonics representing Wales and Snow Patrol playing on behalf of Northern Ireland.

"Performing to so many people on the most exciting day in sport will be one of the highlights of the last decade for us," said Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon.

"We have been invited to represent England for this show, and we couldn't be more proud. Seeing the torch being lit on the big screens before hitting the stage in this iconic location will be a great experience … We simply can't wait."

Snow Patrol's Jonny Quinn said: "Living in London and everything, with all the excitement, it's certainly an honour to be part of it. I think it will be very special."

While this show will act as an accompaniment to the opening ceremony, Blur will headline a gig in Hyde Park to celebrate the end of the games. They will be joined by New Order and the Specials on 12 August for the show.

Both events have been organised by BT London Live as part of a series of events to mark the Olympics. Tickets for the opening ceremony celebration concert go on sale on Friday 4 May at 09:00BST.


See tickets for the Open Ceremony Celebration Concert

Lady Gaga Announces UK Tour Dates

Lady Gaga has revealed the dates of two massive UK shows on her Born This Way Ball tour.

The pop phenomenon will be playing Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday, September 8, and the Manchester Arena on Tuesday, September 11. She has also revealed an Irish date at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Saturday, September 15.

Recently reformed joke rockers The Darkness will support on all European dates, while Lady Starlight will also appear on some.

Gaga's statement said: "The Haus of Gaga and I have worked for months conceiving a spectacular stage.

"The Born This Way Ball is an electro-metal pop-opera; the tale of the beginning, the genesis of the Kingdom of Fame. How we were birthed and how we will die celebrating."

Announcing the dates to her 20 million followers on Twitter, she described them as "the first 21 European dates", providing a hint that more will follow - perhaps when or if some of the first batch sell out.

Blur's summer concert should be their last, Damon Albarn says

Blur look likely to end a quarter-century career this summer with their final concert and single release. In an exclusive interview, the band's singer and chief songwriter Damon Albarn has told the Guardian that he intends a new song titled Under the Westway to mark the end of their recording career, and that "in all likelihood", a huge gig on 12 August in Hyde Park, London, will be their last.

Albarn has also cast doubt on the other brand name that has defined his career, revealing that new activity under the banner of Gorillaz, the hugely successful pop project he created with the artist and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, is unlikely, after the pair ended up at "cross-purposes".

The Hyde Park event, which will also feature New Order and the Specials, is being staged as part of the closing festivities for the Olympics, and follows two Blur shows at the same location three years ago. "I'll give it 100%, like I did last time," said Albarn. "And that's it.

"And I hope that's the truth: that that's how we end it."

See tickets to Blur Concert at the Hyde Park

Djokovic beats Murray to defend Miami Masters title

Novak Djokovic successfully defended his Miami Masters crown as he overcame Andy Murray 6-1 7-6 (7-4) in the sweltering heat.

Djokovic becomes just the third man to win the tournament three times or more even though he was at times a distance from his best.

Murray was similarly below par as Djokovic raced through the first set, but took the world number one all the way in the second - though a total of one break point in the entire match for the Scot told its own story.

Djokovic's victory was his third at Miami and avenged his 2009 loss to Murray here at Crandon Park.

For Tennis tickets, call Premier Events on 020 7283 4040 or see tickets online.