Sharapova claims Porsche title April 27, 2014 TENNIS: Former world No1 Maria Sharapova came from behind to win her third consecutive Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title in Stuttgart yesterday, beating Ana Ivanovic 3-6, 6-5, 6-1. Top seed Grigor Dimitrov beat Lukas Rosol in the Nastase Tiriac Trophy final in Bucharest, 7-6, 6-2.
Ouseph wins European silver April 27, 2014 BADMINTON: Commonwealth silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph won silver at the European Championships in Kazan yesterday, losing to top seed Jan Jorgensen 21-18, 21-10 in the final. England has not had a European singles champion since Steve Baddeley won in Moscow in 1990.
Spotlight on Financial Fair Play in Football: Uefa forced to defend FFP’s independence April 24, 2014 EUROPEAN football’s governing body Uefa was forced into a PR offensive yesterday after their president Michel Platini appeared to state that no clubs would be banned for breaking new financial fair play (FFP) rules. The suggestion raised significant questions about Uefa’s willingness to get tough on serious offenders, and what influence, if any, Platini might [...]
LA Reign just became the NPFL’s hottest prospect April 24, 2014 If the National Pro Fitness League – a new format in the fitness world – was looking for some real star power, it just got it. It comes in the form of Samantha Briggs. Standing at 5ft 7in and at 62kg, the Mancunian is a proven athlete, having won the title of Fittest Woman on [...]
Carling’s French fancy: England great predicts Sarries heartache April 24, 2014 FORMER England captain Will Carling fears Saracens will again come up short in their quest to reach a first European final tomorrow. The Aviva Premiership leaders take on French powerhouses Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup semi-final at Twickenham, looking to end their hoodoo against cross-channel opponents having lost at the same stage last year [...]
Blow for Chelsea as Ramires hit with suspension into next season April 24, 2014 CHELSEA will be without midfielder Ramires for the remainder of the Premier League season, after the Brazilian accepted a Football Association charge of violent conduct and received a four-match ban. Ramires was accused of elbowing Sunderland midfielder Seb Larsson during last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, an incident missed by referee Mike Dean and [...]
Rugby Comment: Nausea and headaches gone, we’re ready for Clermont April 24, 2014 I HARDLY remember anything of the incident that knocked me out and left me concussed in the Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Ulster three weeks ago. I can recall the moment just before jumping, but not the leap, catching the ball, the impact from Jared Payne, the bumpy landing, being carried off in a neck [...]
Wyles targets end to Sarries’ Euro suffering April 24, 2014 SARACENS full-back Chris Wyles hopes European heartache suffered in the past two seasons will inspire his side to win tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Clermont Auvergne. Defeat to the same opposition in the 2012 quarter-finals was followed by a 24-12 loss to Toulon in last year’s semi-final at Twickenham. Wyles said: “We’ve moved on as [...]
Moyes tipped for comeback April 24, 2014 EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez believes predecessor David Moyes will make a swift return to management. Moyes was sacked by Manchester United earlier this week after a strenuous 10 months in charge, but has emerged as a possible candidate for the anticipated vacancy at Tottenham next season. Martinez said: “I am sure he will be ready [...]
Benfica establish Euro advantage April 24, 2014 THREE-TIME Europa League winners Juventus lost 2-1 to Benfica in last night’s semi-final first leg. Former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez cancelled out Ezequiel Garay’s second-minute goal for the home side. But Lima came off the bench to hit a late winner. In the other last-four clash, Sevilla beat Valencia 2-0 with two goals in the [...]