Augusta, Georgia - It's hard to imagine a canvass more bright and colorful than the sun-drenched grounds of Augusta National on Friday morning.

Buenos Aires - The Olympic torch relay escaped major incidents Friday in Buenos Aires, with the flame covering almost 14 kilometres through city streets amid very tight security.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - A confident Andy Roddick rained down 29 aces to give the defending champion US a 1-0 lead over France in the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals in a masterful display on Friday.

The number six Roddick put the hosts into command 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5) in just over two hours at the stadium where he led a victory over Spain at the same stage a year ago in the worldwide competition.

Llodra, substituting on a French team hit by the injury defections of Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, put in his best effort - 25 aces - but it was not enough against the inspired local.

Madrid  -  Veteran Spain manager Luis Aragones has been forced to reveal his hand for Euro 2008 - for the most bizarre reason possible.

Hamburg - Zenit St Petersburg comfortably moved into the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup for the first time Thursday despite going down 1-0 at home to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - France limp into Friday's start of the Davis Cup World Group tie against the reigning champion US minus top hopes Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.