Golf stars accused of overreacting to Zika scare as Jordan Spieth becomes latest to withdraw from Rio Olympics July 11, 2016 Golf's four leading male players will be missing from the sport’s long-awaited return to the Olympics after world No3 Jordan Spieth became the latest high-profile withdrawal on Monday. Spieth’s decision to pull out of the Rio Games, citing concerns over the Zika virus, follows similar moves in recent weeks by fellow stars Rory McIlroy, Jason [...]
Andy Murray set to skip Great Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia July 11, 2016 Britain's Davis Cup hero Andy Murray has indicated that he is set to withdraw from the team to face Serbia this week following his Wimbledon triumph. Murray was named in a provisional five-man squad last week, alongside his elder brother Jamie, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Dominic Inglot, but said on Monday that he was [...]
Andy Murray sets sights on world No1 spot and double Olympic gold in Rio after Wimbledon triumph July 11, 2016 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is refusing to rest on his laurels and has set his sights on challenging Novak Djokovic for the world No1 spot as well as winning two gold medals at the Rio Olympics. The Scot is determined to soak up his second triumph at the All England Club, which may mean that he [...]
Drug ban appeal postponement ends Maria Sharapova’s last hope of competing at Rio Olympics July 11, 2016 Former world No1 Maria Sharapova has admitted defeat in her bid to compete at the Rio Olympics next month after her appeal against a doping ban was delayed. Sharapova had hoped the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would overturn the two-year suspension she received last month from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). That decision [...]
Royal Troon’s propensity for surprises could favour Graeme McDowell July 11, 2016 There is a Scottish expression that sums up the best way for players to approach Royal Troon, as they descend on South Ayrshire this week for the 145th Open Championship. “Ca’ canny” – meaning “tread lightly” – is sound advice for tackling the Old Course, a setting that prioritises accuracy over enormous hitting and has been [...]
Portugal 1, France 0 (AET): Pepe hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s inspiration despite first-half injury as hosts stunned in Euro 2016 final July 11, 2016 Much-malignedPortugal centre-half Pepe insists Cristiano Ronaldo remained the inspiration behind his side’s shock Euro 2016 final victory over hosts France despite injury forcing the forward’s first-half withdrawal at the Stade de France. In a match seemingly destined for penalties, Portugal sealed their first major trophy in extra-time courtesy of a goal from substitute striker and [...]
This is my time, says grand slam-chasing Andy Murray after sealing second Wimbledon title with rout of Milos Raonic July 10, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray has vowed to rack up copious grand slam titles after dismantling big-serving Milos Raonic on Centre Court to be crowned Wimbledon champion for a second time. Murray was at his destructive best as he brushed aside Canada’s Raonic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) to win the third grand slam of [...]
Lewis Hamilton crowd-surfs after equalling Nigel Mansell’s British Grand Prix record July 10, 2016 Stage-diving Lewis Hamilton celebrated by surfing an adoring Silverstone crowd after he claimed a record-equalling fourth victory at the British Grand Prix. Hamilton mastered a tricky wet start followed by a drying track to equal Nigel Mansell’s haul of wins on home soil and cut title rival Nico Rosberg’s lead in the drivers’ standings to [...]
Chris Froome satisfied as Briton defies hail and torrential rain to consolidate Tour de France lead July 10, 2016 Defending champion Chris Froome declared himself satisfied with the first week of the Tour de France after consolidating his lead in treacherous conditions on Sunday. Froome finished alongside yellow jersey rival Nairo Quintana and fellow Briton Adam Yates, more than six minutes behind Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, who won stage nine in Andorra in torrential rain. [...]
Arsene Wenger: “England is my second country. Could I manage them? Why not?” July 10, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given the clearest indication yet that he would be willing to take the England job. Wenger is unwilling to leave Emirates Stadium before his current contract expires in 12 months’ time but appeared to encourage interest from the Football Association in an interview on French television. “Could I manage England? [...]