TSONGA HAS GRAND SLAM IN SIGHTS
PERTH, Australia: With a new coach in his corner, French star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga heads into a new year believing his maiden Grand Slam title is within reach.

Ranked eighth in the world, the flamboyant Tsonga finds his path to Grand Slam glory blocked by three of the best players of all time in Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, as well as US Open champion Andy Murray. Speaking in Perth as he prepared for the Hopman Cup, where Djokovic is one of his rivals in the $1-million mixed teams tournament, Tsonga admitted the road to his first major title was a tough one. However, he said his goals were higher than ever heading into 2013.         

GLAMOR SERBIAN DUO KEEN TO ATONE AT HOPMAN
PERTH, Australia: Serbian glamor pairing Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic hope it will be a case of third time lucky when they join forces at the Hopman Cup starting on Saturday. The duo are top seeds for the $1-million tournament at the new Perth Arena, and the long-time friends will be competing in the event together for the third time, having also teamed up in 2006 and 2011. Serbia’s main obstacle may again be the United States, represented by Venus Williams, now ranked 24th in the world but a seven-time Grand Slam champion, and John Isner, ranked 14th.

BRITISH KICKBOXER CHARGED WITH KILLING AMERICAN MARINE IN THAILAND
BANGKOK: A British kickboxer who was extradited to Thailand could face the death penalty after being charged with the murder of an American on the resort island of Phuket, a court official said Thursday. Prosecutors allege Lee Aldhouse stabbed to death a 23-year-old Marine, Dashawn Longfellow, following a bar fight in 2010. Aldhouse, known in Phuket by his ring name “The Pitbull,” fled to the UK after the incident and was extradited this month under a 100-year-old treaty, becoming the first British suspect to be returned to Thailand. He could face the death penalty if convicted, although it is rarely carried out, or up to a life sentence in prison. Both men are believed to have trained in the muay thai form of kickboxing, with local reports saying Aldhouse competed in Phuket. He was 28 at the time of the alleged murder.                     
HAWKS HOLD ON FOR DOUBLE-OVERTIME WIN OVER PISTONS
ATLANTA, Georgia: Josh Smith scored 31 points and Al Horford added 22 Wednesday as the Atlanta Hawks held on for a 126-119 double-overtime NBA victory over the Detroit Pistons. Smith added 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots and Horford grabbed 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who squandered a 22-point fourth-quarter lead before managing to win their second straight. Lou Williams added 18 points with eight rebounds and seven assists and Jeff Teague scored 17 points for Atlanta, who overcame 31 points from Detroit reserve Will Bynum.                          

RED SOX ACQUIRE HANRAHAN IN SIX-PLAYER SWAP
BOSTON, Massachusetts: The Boston Red Sox acquired closing pitcher Joel Hanrahan from Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in a six-player trade. Infielder Brock Holt will also go to Boston, while the Pirates get pitchers Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan De Jesus and utility man Jerry Sands. Hanrahan has notched 76 saves over the past two seasons with the Pirates, fourth-best in the National League. That included 36 saves in 2012 for the 31-year-old two-time All-Star. AFP