Manny makes ESPN Champ of Champs final

Manny Pacquiao advanced to the finals of the ESPN STAR Sports’ Champion of Champions competition, knocking out Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in the online poll for the Sports Personality of the Year.

Pacquiao booted out Tendulkar in the semifinals after voting ended Wednesday. The world’s best pound-for-pound boxer will now face World number one squash player Nicol David of Malaysia for the title as the man who made the biggest impact in the world of sport in the year about to end.

David defeated another Indian cricket player in Sourav Ganguly in the other semifinal bracket. The Champion of Champions will be announced live on SportsCenter on Dec. 31.

Prior to his victory over Tendulkar, Pacquiao outvoted Liverpool striker Fernando Torres of Spain in the quarterfinal round and motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi in the first round.

The contest aims to garner public opinion to determine the individual who has gone beyond achievements and new levels of excellence to leave his mark on sports fans in 2008.

Tennis Star Lindsay Davenport Returns in Aussie Open

Sydney, Australia (AP)—Three-time Grand Slam-winner Lindsay Davenport has signaled a return to the WTA Tour by entering the Australian Open.

Davenport, 32, who won the 2000 Australian Open, has not played a tournament since the U.S. Open in August, fueling speculation she was planning to retire.

“We are really excited that she has entered,” tournament director Craig Tiley said Thursday. “She is a world class player and a great ambassador for our sport.”

As well as her Australian Open singles title, Davenport won Wimbledon in 1999 and the U.S. Open in 1998. She took part in this year’s Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Maria Sharapova in the second round.

Davenport took a break from the WTA Tour for part of the 2006 and 2007 seasons before giving birth to a son, Jagger, in June 2007.

Entries for next year’s Open have closed and the top 100 men and women are all on the list for the main draws