Reuters Sports Schedule at 0001 GMT on Friday, Jan 27

Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Friday (times GMT):

TENNIS

Australian Open (to 29)

MELBOURNE - World number one Novak Djokovic's title defence runs into its toughest test yet against world number four Andy Murray, although the duo will have to wait for a mixed doubles semi-final and the women's doubles final before their battle commences for the right to play Rafa Nadal in Sunday's final. (TENNIS-OPEN/, play starts at 0400, pix, 800 words)

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GOLF

PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego, California (to 29)

SAN DIEGO - Kyle Stanley was one of several players who took advantage of a picture postcard day on the California coastline, charging into a share of the early lead in Thursday's first round at the Farmers Insurance Open. (GOLF-PGA/, moved, pix, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 400 words)

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Abu Dhabi Championship

ABU DHABI - Rory McIlroy and Robert Karlsson take a one-shot lead into the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship with 14-times major winner Tiger Woods three shots off the pace and world number one Luke Donald a further stroke back. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, expect by 1000, pix, 500 words)

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NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - The New York Giants began serious preparations for their hotly-anticipated Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots with a simple message to the players on Thursday. (NFL-SUPERBOWL/GIANTS, moved, by Larry Fine, 400 words)

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NBA

The Orlando Magic and top rebounder Dwight Howard, locked in a battle for top spot in the NBA's Southeast division, host a Boston Celtics team that is seeking a third straight win. (NBA-MAGIC/, expect by 0400, pix, 250 words)

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NHL

The National Hockey League All-Star game festivities get underway with captains Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara choosing teams for Sunday's mid-season classic from 50 players, none wanting to be the last to have their name called. (NHL-ALLSTARS/TEAMS, expect by 0200, pix, 350 words)

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CRICKET

Australia v India, fourth test (to 28)

ADELAIDE - Australia, aiming for a 4-0 series sweep over India, resume their second innings on 50-3 on day four looking to extend their 382-run lead by another couple of hundred runs before bowling agin on a wicket that is starting to turn. (CRICKET-INDIA/, expect by 0215, pix, by Nick Mulvenney, 500 words)

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Pakistan v England, second test, Abu Dhabi (to 29)

ABU DHABI - England resume day three on 207 for five, 50 runs behind Pakistan's total as they seek to build a first innings lead. (CRICKET-ENGLAND/, expect by 0800, pix, by Matt Smith, 500 words)

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SOCCER

African Nations Cup, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon (to Feb. 12)

Niger v Tunisia, Libreville (1600)

Gabon v Morocco, Libreville (1900)

LIBREVILLE - Co-hosts Gabon and 2004 winners Tunisia can reach the quarter-finals if they win their Group C games which would leave Morocco as the tournament's second major casualty after Senegal's exit. (SOCCER-AFRICA/NATIONS, expect by 1800, pix, by Brian Homewood and Mark Gleeson, 400 words)

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English FA Cup fourth round

Watford (II) v Tottenham Hotspur (1945)

Everton v Fulham (2000)

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur kick off the weekend's fourth round FA Cup matches against Championship (second division) club Watford before Everton host Fulham in an all-Premier League clash. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/CUP, expect by 2145, pix, 400 words)

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Bundesliga

Hanover 96 v Nuremberg (1930)

Copy on merit

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MADRID - La Liga basement side Real Zaragoza visit leaders Real Madrid on Saturday with defender Paulo Cesar Da Silva hoping they will be inspired by last season's shock win at the Bernabeu. (SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW) expect by 0900, by Iain Rogers, 400 words)

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Dutch championship

PSV Eindhoven v Vitesse Arnhem (1900)

Copy on merit.

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OLYMPICS

LONDON - London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe runs the rule over preparations for the Summer Olympics as the countdown enters the final six months. (OLYMPICS/LONDON, expect by 1200, pix, tv, graphic, by Alan Baldwin, 500 words)

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ALPINE SKIING

World Cup: Women's super-combined, St Moritz, Switzerland (0945/1245)

ST MORITZ, Switzerland - American Lindsey Vonn, the fastest in training, aims to increase her World Cup lead in a weekend of women's alpine skiing starting with a super-combined on Friday. (ALPINE SKIING-WOMEN/, expect by 1400, pix, by Manuele Lang, 400 words)

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FIGURE SKATING

European championships

Copy on merit.

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