Tim Henman put in a battling display before his Grand Slam career came to an end with a 7-6 2-6 7-5 6-4 defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the US Open.

The 32-year-old Briton displayed some of his trademark touch at the net and raised hopes of another improbable win after dominating the second set. But Frenchman Tsonga (22) put Henman under increasing pressure with some magni"cent serving. Henman saved one match point at 3-5 but Tsonga kept his cool to seal victory.

MUNSTER CLINCH ALL BLACKS STAR HOWLETT

Munster have completed a major transfer coup after agreeing to sign New Zealand wing Doug Howlett on January 1, subject to a work permit and medical.

Twenty-eight-year-old Howlett is in the All Blacks' World Cup squad and, with 43 tries in 59 Tests, is only five tries off becoming their all-time top tryscorer.

Howlett said: "I consider next year at Munster as a fantastic opportunity to play for another great club and experience a different lifestyle with my family."

IRISH HEAVYWEIGHTS QUALIFY FOR BEIJING

The Irish men's heavyweight four qualified for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing with a fourth place finish in yesterday's 'B' final at the Rowing World Championships in Munich. The team - Alan Martin (NUIG), Sean Casey (Muckross), Cormac Folan (NUIG) and Sean O'Neill (St Michael's) - is the first Irish men's heavyweight crew (M4) in almost 20 years to qualify for the Olympic Games. The result meant the team finished tenth overall.

The Irish men's lightweight four (LM4-) race in the 'B' final on today.

COSTIN RECOVERING AFTER OSAKA COLLAPSE

Jamie Costin has recovered after collapsing towards the finish of the 50km walk at the World Championships in Osaka yesterday morning. The 30-yearold former Irish record holder, also suffering from a pulled calf muscle and in temperatures of over 30 degrees, had to call it a day with eight kilometres of the race remaining."He's okay, " stressed Max Jones, Athletics Ireland coaching director. "He's up and about now and recovering." Colin Griffin was disqualified for "lifting", 16km into the race when lying 14th.

Nathan Deakes of Australia won the event in a season's best 3.53.43.

GAY PRIDE AT THIRD GOLD IN 4X100 RELAY

Tyson Gay picked up a third gold medal and Team USA continued to dominate in sprinting events by winning the 4x100 metres relay at the World Championships in Osaka last night.

Gay, who already possessed the 100m and 200m gold medals, ran the pivotal third leg for the US as they reclaimed the title lost when they were disquali"ed two years in Helsinki. Gay cherished this latest award, which saw him match the achievement of his hero Maurice Greene, who also bagged a full set of winner's medals at the 1999 event.

"My goal was to produce the biggest possible lead for our last runner, " Gay said.

"Our hand-off was not the best one, so I tried to push him a little bit and cheered him to make it to the line first. It felt great. It is the teamwork."

TRALEE RACECOURSE FACING CLOSURE

Tralee could have staged its final meeting after it was revealed on Friday that officials had voted to sell the course to developers.

An EGM of the shareholders of Ballybeggan Park Race Company Ltd, the owners of the course, was held on Thursday with over 80% of directors voting to sell the racecourse to developers Seamus O'Halloran and John J. Casey. The directors said it had been a very difficult decision but racing at Tralee was no longer economically viable.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said that discussions would be held over where Tralee's fixtures for 2008 would take place.

FUNSTON LIGHTS UP U-19 INTER-PRO CLASH

Ulster captain David Funston struck for two tries to secure a 24-16 win against Leinster in the Under-19 Inter-provincial Championship at Dr Hickey Park yesterday.

It was Funston's fancy footwork that unhinged the home defence in the 24th and 69th minutes to decorate a drab encounter.

Centre Matt Keville shot Leinster into a 24th minute with his boot before Funston produced the one decisive piece of skill in the first-half with two sidesteps that carried him to the line. Robin Thompson converted for a 7-3 interval lead.

Keville kicked two more penalties in the 39th and 46 minutes before Thompson restored Ulster's lead with a 54th minute penalty.

Ulster number eight Michael Browne crashed over only for McKinley to scythe through for Leinster's only try to keep it in the balance until Funston sold a dummy and surged over at the death.

SCARE FOR WALLABIES CAPTAIN MORTLOCK

Australia's skipper Stirling Mortlock sent a shockwave through the Wallabies camp yesterday when he was sidelined from training due to a back injury just a week before the start of the Rugby World Cup.

Mortlock explained the injury was a recurrence of a disc problem he suffered two seasons ago and he was confident of being back on the training paddock on the weekend.

However, Wallabies head coach John Connolly admitted the injury had given him a scare:

"It is definitely a concern because he is such an influential player, " said Connolly. "But the doctor thinks it will settle down as quickly as it came."

FORMULA ONE BOSSES TAKE CONTROL OF QPR

QPR have confirmed that Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone have "made a recommended offer" for the CocaCola Championship club.

Briatore, head of the Renault F1 team, and Ecclestone will now take control of the club although current chairman Gianni Paladini will remain in position. Briatore said:

"Bernie and I were delighted to receive a recommendation from the board of QPR for our bid for the club and we look forward to working alongside Gianni Paladini and his team. We are fully aware of the history of QPR and the loyal fanbase that it has and are totally committed to bringing future success back to the club."