Nadal issues warning as he closes in on Federer clash January 22, 2012 SECOND seed Rafael Nadal warned his rivals that he is already firing on all cylinders after claiming a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals and staying on course for a last-four showdown with Roger Federer. Nadal beat compatriot Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to continue a strong beginning to the year’s first grand slam that [...]
Fraser: Morgan Review will undermine England Test side January 22, 2012 ENGLAND’S world-beating Test team will suffer if radical plans to reform the county game are passed by governing body the ECB, fears Middlesex chief Angus Fraser. The headline recommendation from the Morgan Review, which the ECB will discuss today, is a reduction in the number of matches in the County Championship, while keeping a two-division [...]
Defeat in Dubai was a real slap in the face, says Prior January 22, 2012 ENGLAND wicketkeeper Matt Prior admits his side came into last week’s first Test against Pakistan undercooked but insists his side are equipped to banish the memories of that 10-wicket defeat and square the series in Abu Dhabi this week. Prior, the only English batsman to pass 50 in either innings of last week’s match in [...]
Ascot sorry after visitors tagged for casual outfits January 22, 2012 ASCOT chiefs have apologised and offered a five-figure sum in refunds after branding racegoers who fell short of their new, tougher dress code with orange stickers. Visitors to the premier enclosure who did not meet revised standards – men without jacket and tie, for example – were admitted for Saturday’s meeting but tagged with labels [...]
Clijsters sweats on injury after reaching last eight January 22, 2012 REIGNING champion Kim Clijsters admits her title defence hangs in the balance after aggravating an ankle injury in a gutsy three-set defeat of fifth seed Li Na. Clijsters (inset), seeded 11th, fought back from a set down to defeat the Chinese French Open winner 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 and reach the Australian Open quarter-finals. But [...]
Saracens into quarters January 22, 2012 TREVISO (20) vs SARACENS (26) SARACENS boss Mark McCall hailed loan signing Peter Stringer after the Premiership champions fought back to become the only English side to reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. England stars David Strettle and Mauritz Botha notched tries and Owen Farrell landed six vital kicks as Sarries confirmed their status as Pool [...]
Pole vaulter Bleasdale’s joy at triple record feat January 22, 2012 BRITISH pole-vault sensation Holly Bleasdale announced her arrival as one of the best home medal hopes for London 2012 by recording the second highest indoor jump of all time yesterday. Bleasdale, who only took up the sport four years ago, beat her own British indoor record three times as she won in Lyon with a [...]
Narraway handed England chance January 22, 2012 Gloucester No8 Luke Narraway has been drafted into the England squad ahead of the Six Nations as a replacement for injured Northampton back-rower Tom Wood. Narraway, 28, has seven caps, the most recent against Ireland at Croke Park two years ago. Wood, who had been touted as a potential successor to Lewis Moody as England [...]
Drogba on target for Ivory Coast January 22, 2012 Chelsea striker Didier Drogba ensured Ivory Coast got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start by scoring the only goal of their opening Group B clash against Sudan. It took the Elephants 39 minutes to break down Sudan, with Drogba heading home Salomon Kalou’s cross. Ivory Coast face Burkina Faso in [...]
Olazabal rolls back the years January 22, 2012 Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal defied his world ranking of 596 to secure an impressive sixth placed finish at the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt Links in Western Cape. The Spaniard, 45, who hasn’t won a tournament for seven years, finished on eight under, four shots behind winner Branden Grace, who beat Ernie [...]