SPORT | IN BRIEF
Hamilton protests his innocence
FORMULA ONE: Britain’s under-fire Lewis Hamilton has defended his driving style this season which has drawn significant criticism from his peers. The McLaren star has been in trouble for a spate of incidents, including a clash with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa at the last race in Singapore. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m trying my best to avoid those things but I’ve been in awkward positions this year,” said Hamilton ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, which could see Sebastian Vettel clinch back-to-back world titles should the German claim just a solitary point from the race. “I’m trying my hardest. I’m still here, still fighting, and I’m not giving up.”
Akmal brothers named in court
CRICKET: Three more Pakistan players have been named in court in connection with alleged spot-fixing offences at the fourth Test against England last summer. It has been alleged that Umar Akmal, his brother Kamran and Wahab Riaz would follow instructions from the agent Mazhar Majeed, who has been charged with accepting corrupt payments. The names were aired on the second day of the trial involving Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.
Murray advances in Japan
TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray has moved into the quarter-finals of the Japan Open with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Alex Bogomolov Jr. Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat Milos Raonic 7-5, 6-3.