Melbourne - Gilles Simon broke through on Monday to earn the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, a victory blighted by the retirement of opponent Gael Monfils.

Sixth seed Simon took a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win when his fellow Frenchman and frequent practise partner had to retire trailing two sets to one on the Australia Day holiday.

"Of course I didn't want to win like this," said Simon, who will face the winner from the match between top seed Rafael Nadal and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez. "I'm sorry, but that is tennis."

Washington, Jan 26 : Brit chef Gordon Ramsay is all set to renew his wedding vows with his wife Tana just months after allegations that he cheated on her came out.

Ramsay's 12-year marriage had been rocked in November after it was reported that he was having a long-standing affair with "serial mistress" Sarah Symonds.

Now, the couple have decided to cement their vows in London this June, and have even asked close pals David and Victoria Beckham to be witnesses at the ceremony.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang Monday issued a bullish assessment of the city's prospects for recovering from the global economic downturn in the Year of the Ox.

In his Chinese New Year address to the city of 6.9 million, Beijing-appointed Tsang said: "Hong Kongers are no strangers to adversity. We are used to thriving on challenges.

"I believe that if we pull together as a community, no challenge will be too big for Hong Kong."

Ranchi, Jan. 26 : As the nation marked the 60th Republic Day on Monday in different parts of the country, maoists in Jharkhand's Palamu district hoisted black flags atop several building and institutions to protest against the government's policies on this occasion.

Black flags were seen flying over several government offices across the district.

Earlier, maoists had also given a public call for a boycott of the Republic day celebrations.

Melbourne, Jan 26 : Australia's former Labor Party leader Kim Beazley, Olympic swimming champ Stephanie Rice, and singer Marcia Hines are among those that are being awarded at this year''s Australia Day Honours.

This year 536 Australians, 369 men and 167 women, were awarded for their achievements in arts, education, business, law and sport, with a majority of the recognition going to those involved in community work, reports News. com. au.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened with little action Monday as cautious investors retreated to the sidelines ahead of upcoming corporate earnings reports by major Japanese companies.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched up 11.72 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 7,756.97.

But the broader Topix index of all first section issues dipped 1.13 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 772.42.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 88.40-45 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 88.32-35 yen.