Sharapova to test comeback waters in Las Vegas exhibition

LOS ANGELES -- Maria Sharapova, targeting an April return to the WTA after the reduction of her doping ban, will try to start sharpening her game on Monday in the friendly confines of a charity event in Las Vegas.

The Russian superstar will play in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits event at Caesars Palace, which is hosted by Billie Jean King and Elton John for the benefit of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Her appearance alongside such stars as Martina Navratilova and Andy Roddick will delight her legion of fans, who remain faithful despite the controversy Sharapova stirred last week with her charge that the International Tennis Federation wanted to make an example of her in her doping case.

"I got a 24-month suspension, but they (the ITF) wanted four years for me," Sharapova said in an interview with US broadcaster PBS, a claim ITF officials denied.

In the same media offensive last week, Sharapova indicated to ESPN she wasn't convinced the drug meldonium, newly banned this year by the World Anti-Doping Agency, enhances performance.

"I think the one thing that I'd love to see -- and if anyone could show me -- is evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has," she told the US sports network.

Sharapova's initial 24-month ban for testing positive for meldonium was cut to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday.

That CAS decision divided opinion among her peers.

"I can’t believe it actually," Australian Samantha Stosur said at a tournament in Hong Kong, calling it "remarkable" that Sharapova's ban was reduced on the argument she didn't realize a drug she'd long used had been added to the banned list.

Stosur, in comments reported in Tennis Magazine, said she thought most WTA players felt the same.

"So I wouldn’t imagine there’s a whole lot of support from the playing group," the Aussie said.

But five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova can likely expect a warm welcome in Las Vegas, where she'll arrive after a stop-off in Henderson, Nevada, to promote her candy company Sugarpova.

"Important to put this behind us for tennis and Maria," King tweeted after Sharapova's ban was reduced. "Look forward to her return to the WTA Tour@wta."

Navratilova added on Twitter: "A big price to pay for a big mistake, it will still be hard to come back for Maria. But we know how tough she is..."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Caesars Palace wants to help redesign NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - US casino giant Caesars Palace wants to build a $1.5-billion integrated entertainment center on a 30-hectare idle government property next to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

And because of the project's proximity to NAIA, Caesars is offering to help redesign the country's main gateway.

In a statement, Caesars president for international development Steven Tight said the company is bringing in foreign experts to advise on the redesign of the NAIA and on a light railway transit to connect NAIA terminals 1 and 2.

With Caesars expecting to bring in as many as 3.5 million visitors to its proposed casino-resort, Tight said the foreign experts have also proposed ways to increase the number of flights on NAIA's existing runways.

He said this can be achieved by building a new control tower at NAIA with technologically advanced equipment that can guide aircraft 150 miles away, instead of the present 50 miles to allow more take-offs and landings.

Tight said the experts also proposed additional high-speed exits for aircraft to immediately clear the runway after landing to give way to the next aircraft that will either land or take off.

Caesars Palace said its proposed casino-resort would initially create 20,000 jobs and make the Philippines a major tourist destination.

Tight also made a pitch for Caesars' entry into the Philippines. He cited the example of Macau, which became a gaming hub with the entry of global brands in 2004. Now Macau has more than 40 casinos, with revenues six times as much as Las Vegas.

"Macau blossomed into a behemoth because it allowed all the major global players to operate there. Each operator spent huge sums to market Macau. It will be the same with the Philippines, which actually has more to offer and should be a better destination," the Caesars official said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Celine Dion cancels US shows due to voice problem

LOS ANGELES - Grammy-winning singer Celine Dion announced Tuesday she had canceled a string of upcoming shows in Las Vegas due to a virus-triggered problem with her vocal chords.

The Canadian-born star was due to sing at Caesars Palace in a series of shows through March 18, but has called them off after being ordered to rest her voice for six to eight weeks.

After difficulties last week forced her to cancel weekend performances, she decided to seek advice from laryngeal physiology expert Gerald Berke in Los Angeles.

The five-time Grammy winner "flew to Los Angeles on Monday afternoon and had a thorough examination at Professor Berke's clinic," Dion said in a statement, adding that the doctor "diagnosed Celine with weakness in her right vocal chord, secondary to a viral illness."

Berke prescribed resting her vocal chords "in order for Celine to completely recover from this condition," said the statement on her website.

"I tried to sing at my sound-check last week, and I had no control of my voice whatsoever," said Dion, who is the mother of twin boys born in October 2010.

"We thought that after a few days rest I would improve but it wasn't getting any better... I guess it was worse than I thought. I'm fortunate that I was able to see Professor Berke.

"He identified what was causing the problems I was having, and he assured me that with the amount of rest he prescribed, I would be back to 100 percent."

She added: "Obviously this is the worst thing for a singer... not being able to do your shows. I feel worse knowing that I'm disappointing my fans. I'm so sorry... I hope they forgive me."

Dion expects to be back on form for her next run of Vegas shows from June 9 to August 19, said the statement, adding that fans with tickets for the canceled shows will be offered refunds.

source: interaksyon.com