  Yao Ming Has Hopes for Early Return
Houston Rocket center Yao Ming is hoping for a better prognosis next week when he meets with doctors for an update on how his injured right knee is healing.
Yao told KRIV-TV in Houston on Friday he hopes for a better outlook than the one doctors initially provided and that he will be able to play prior to early February as presently forecast.
"It's really hard," Yao said. "This is the best year I have ever had for my team and for me personally."
Yao fractured the right tibial plateau under his knee Dec. 23 when he jumped to block a shot and his knee got caught under Tim Thomas' body. Yao immediately grabbed his knee and screamed in pain. Yao was averaging 26 points and nine rebounds before the injury.
World Champion Ding Reaches Third Round in China Snooker Championship
Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui defeated his Beijing rival Pang Weiguo 5-2 Sunday in the second round of China Championship of Professional Snooker in east China city of Yixing.
Ding started slow in warming-up as yesterday and both sides missed a couple of chances unexpectedly. He then caught up his momentum and rallied to take the following 3 frames after they drew with 2:2. The 19-year-old teenager has been in high profile when he withdrew from play-offs of snooker's Premier League earlier this month and later gained all 3 gold medals instead in the Doha Asian Games representing China.
Ding, born in the city of Yingxing of east China, received the warmest welcome ever from the hometown. Despite certain fatigue, strong support from his fans and local fellow seems to be real solid for his unparalleled show on stage.
Ding has been well expected to meet Jinlong, second in China, yet the latter's unexpected failure today seems to have paved Ding's way to his yet another title.
China Championship of Professional Snooker 2006 lasts for 4 days, and the final is scheduled on Jan. 2. |
