SPORTS BRIEFS

Woods hopes for full fitness

BETHESDA, Maryland (AP):

Tiger Woods says he hopes his left elbow will be fully healed when he gets to the British Open. But he says it will be "good enough".

Woods spoke yesterday at the AT&T National, where he had to withdraw as the defending champion because of a left elbow strain. Doctors have advised him not to play at Congressional or next week at The Greenbrier Classic.

The British Open is July 18-21 at Muirfield.

Paulinho sends Brazil to Confed final

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP):

Paulinho scored on a header from Neymar's corner kick in the 86th minute, and Brazil beat Uruguay 2-1 yesterday to reach the Confederations Cup final as anti-government protesters clashed with police near Mineirao Stadium.

Seeking their third straight title in the World Cup preparation tournament, Brazil will play Spain or Italy in Sunday's final at Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil took the lead in the 41st. Neymar brought down Paulinho's high ball and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved Neymar's shot, with Fred scoring off the rebound.

Edinson Cavani took advantage of sloppy defending to tie the score three minutes into the second half.

Real Madrid unveil new coach Ancelotti

MADRID (AP):

New coach Carlo Ancelotti was presented as "a true sage" of football by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez yesterday.

Ancelotti was introduced to Madrid members and the press at the Santiago Bernabeu by Perez in a step aimed at healing the rifts caused by predecessor José Mourinho.

Speaking in Spanish, the 54-year-old Italian said he was "happy to be at the most prestigious club in the world".

Ancelotti's first move with his three-year contract was to confirm former galactico Zinedine Zidane would be joining his coaching staff alongside his usual assistant, Paul Clement.

Tevez feels love at Juventus

TURIN, Italy (AP):

Carlos Tevez received a warm welcome from Juventus fans upon his arrival in Italy yesterday, and he only needs to pass a medical before joining the club officially.

Hundreds of fans swarmed around the Argentina forward when he landed at Milan's Malpensa airport and more supporters waited for his arrival at Juventus headquarters in Turin.

"I'm very happy to be with Juventus; it's very satisfying," Tevez told reporters before entering the Juve offices. "Juve was the club that wanted me most."

Juventus also showed how much Tevez means to the club by letting the striker wave a shirt with Alessandro Del Piero's old No. 10 on it from a balcony.