Dario sets a Twin target to deny Ryan; UPDATE.

BATHGATE'S Dario Franchitti goes into today's qualifying session for tomorrow's Indy Japan 300 at the Motegi Twin Ring knowing a high starting position is a must.

Despite four wins already this season, the Scot trails championship leader Ryan Briscoe by 25 points with just two races left, and the Australian can clinch the title this weekend.

Ryan Sharp has been dealt a cruel blow in the FIA GT Championship with his Czech team pulling out of this weekend's race in the Algarve and the next at Paul Ricard in France to conserve their budget for the last round at Zolder.

The Aberdonian and team-mate Karl Wendlinger took K PLus K to their first victory this season in round one at Silverstone.

They also took the flag in first place in the last event at Budapest until a technical irregularity with the Saleen's engine robbed them of victory.

TENNIS: Glasgow's Jamie Baker edged out Australian youngster Isaac Frost 7-5 7-6 (7-4) to reach the quarter-finals of the ITF Futures tournament in Darwin, Australia, yesterday.

The Scot now meets another Aussie, No.2 seed Robert Smeets, for a place in the semis.

CYCLING: Scot David Millar, who was second to Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara in The Tour of Spain's previous time trial in Valencia, is targeting victory in tomorrow's penultimate 26km stage in Toledo.

SPEEDWAY: Edinburgh Monarchs go into tonight's key double-header with Berwick Bandits and Redcar Bears with rising star Andrew Tully back in the saddle.

The Berwick-based racer has recovered from shoulder problems and has been given the all-clear by a specialist.

Tully, one of Scotland's hottest prospects, is a key man for the Armadale outfit who have ditched German flop Max Dilger.

HOCKEY: Pace-setting Kelburne, who have an unblemished record so far this season, travel to face Grange tomorrow at Peffermill without three of their top men.

Gordon McIntyre is on holiday and Gareth Hall and David Forsyth are sidelined with hip and ankle injuries respectively.

ICE HOCKEY: Ross Marshall will make his debut for Dundee CCS Stars in their Northern League clash at Solway Sharks tomorrow.

The Canadian defenceman left Ontario yesterday to join his brother Jeff at the Tayside outfit.

CRICKET: Aberdeenshire are on the lookout for a new professional to replace all-rounder Todd Astle who has completed a successful two-year stint at Mannofield.

The Kiwi will be missed because, despite not having been available for the first eight weeks of Aberdeenshire's title-winning campaign last season due to visa problems, he still managed to claim 21 wickets and average more than 50 with the bat.

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UNDER PRESSURE: Dario Franchitti