Shock Nadal exit is boost for Murray May 31, 2009 DEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal’s bid for a fifth successive French Open title ended abruptly yesterday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. The world No1 took a 31-match unbeaten run at Roland Garros into his clash with Robin Soderling, but was always on the back foot against the 23rd seed and slumped [...]
Mauled Lions hit by early fitness fears May 31, 2009 BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan is today set to name a much-changed side for Wednesday’s second tour match, against Golden Lions. McGeechan has been forced to shuffle his pack with a number of players already nursing injuries, just a week into the tour of South Africa. Centre Keith Earls, who made a [...]
Injured Strettle to miss Pumas Tests May 31, 2009 GIANT Bath wing Matt Banahan has been drafted into the senior England squad after Harlequins’ David Strettle was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Argentina with an abdominal injury. Banahan earned himself promotion from the second string Saxons squad by impressing in Saturday’s 33-26 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham. The Jersey-born player, [...]
Colly:We’ll flower at World T20 May 31, 2009 CRICKET: England captain Paul Collingwood believes home advantage will ensure they improve on their previous World Twenty20 showing when this year’s competition begins this week. The Durham all-rounder skippered England to just one win from five matches at the inaugural event in South Africa in 2007. But he said: “We know what England is all [...]
Cevaer lands shock triumph May 31, 2009 GOLF: Rank outsider Christian Cevaer clinched only his second tour title by holding out for a one-shot victory at the European Open at the London Club in Kent. The Frenchman, ranked 449 in the world, could only manage a two-over-par final round of 74, but on seven under pipped Steve Webster, Gary Orr and Alvaro [...]
Wurz to head up new F1 team May 31, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Former driver Alexander Wurz is reportedly set to return to F1 next season as team principal of new entrants Team Superfund. The former Williams, McLaren and Benetton racer is not expected to drive but will head up the team funded by Austrian tycoon Christian Baha, founder of investment company Superfund. The team is [...]
Sport on TV May 31, 2009 Tennis: French Open, Day Nine, British Eurosport and BBC interactive, 10am.Cricket: Australia v Bangladesh, ICC World Twenty20 warm-up, Sky Sports 1, 1pm.Cricket: Pakistan v South Africa, ICC World Twenty20 warm-up, Sky Sports 1, 5pm.Football: England v Scotland, Under-Setanta Sports 1, 6:45pm (kick-off 7pm).
Ancelotti set for Chelsea as he quits Milan May 31, 2009 ITALIAN coach Carlo Ancelotti last night paved the way for his expected arrival at Chelsea by parting company with AC Milan – and admitted he would like to bring Brazil superstar Kaka with him. Ancelotti is tipped to this week be confirmed as the replacement for Guus Hiddink, who completed a successful stint as temporary [...]
England call on Milner after Carrick ruled out of qualifiers May 31, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out of England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers with a foot injury. Aston Villa’s James Milner has been promoted from the Under-21 squad to replace Carrick, who looked out of sorts in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona. England face Kazakhstan on Saturday in Almaty before returning to [...]
Real Alonso rumours are false, says defiant Benitez May 31, 2009 LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has emphatically denied reports that midfielder Xabi Alonso has agreed a summer move to Real Madrid. Spain playmaker Alonso was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal 12 months ago but flourished at Anfield last season, and Benitez expects that to continue. “The situation is clear, we do not want to [...]