All-sister final moves step closer as Serena and Venus Williams hit their Wimbledon stride July 5, 2016 World No1 Serena Williams has declared her continuing admiration for elder sister Venus as a fifth Wimbledon final between the pair moved a step closer after both progressed to the tournament’s last four. Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena boosted her chances of a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title by beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-4, [...]
Chris Coleman vows Wales won’t be denied first major final by Portugal gamesmanship July 5, 2016 Wales manager Chris Coleman has vowed that his team will not allow Portugal to cheat them out of a first ever appearance in the final of a major tournament. Portugal stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe – an injury doubt for Wednesday's Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon – have both faced accusations of feigning injury, but [...]
Chris Froome eyes decisive move at Tour de France as unheralded Briton Daniel McLay grabs share of limeligh July 5, 2016 Defending champion Chris Froome is steeling himself to start the Tour de France in earnest – just as a less heralded British rider makes his mark on the world’s most prestigious race. Froome once again finished safely among the peloton as German Marcel Kittel snatched Tuesday’s fourth stage by a whisker, leaving the Team Sky [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Player of the Tournament punt in safe hands with Neuer July 5, 2016 Germany finally broke their duck on Saturday night by beating Italy for the first time at a major tournament. Another long-standing record could fall this weekend if Manuel Neuer becomes the first goalkeeper to be named Player of the Tournament at a European Championship. The ‘sweeper-keeper’ has only conceded once at Euro 2016, with Leonardo [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Fairytale Wales can book their trip to the ball July 5, 2016 It wouldn't be an understatement to call Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 semi-final one of the biggest turnarounds in sporting history. The Dragons were ranked 117th in the world in August 2011, with a side devoid of belief, quality and inspiration. They now stand on the brink of a major tournament final. If they make [...]
Wales v Portugal could come down to duel between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo July 5, 2016 Wales have been enormously impressive already at Euro 2016 and have a real chance to create more history when they face Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Gareth Bale says they feel it’s their time, and that bullishness shows the depth of their belief. I don’t think we all realised just how confident Wales were [...]
Wimbledon quarter-final preview: Andy Murray talks of hormones but history certainly on his side in battle against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga July 5, 2016 While Britain’s Andy Murray is hoping for hormone assistance, history would suggest the world No2 is entering tomorrow’s Wimbledon quarter-final tie against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on much firmer ground. “I’ve played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga a couple of times at Wimbledon and they both came down to a few points at key moments, so let’s hope the adrenaline [...]
Jose Mourinho straight onto the front foot in first media appearance as Manchester United manager July 5, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has wasted little time in going on the offensive in his new job, taking apparent swipes at the records of old foe Arsene Wenger and predecessor Louis van Gaal, and deriding as “a lie” his reputation as a coach who does not promote young players. In a prickly first media [...]
Andy Murray confident of success after rout of Australian Nick Kyrgios sets up battle with old rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga July 4, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray is convinced that a third grand slam crown could be in the offing as long as he continues to showcase the form which saw him pummel Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios on Centre Court Murray lived up to his billing as title favourite by crushing Kyrgios 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 to set up a [...]
Gareth Bale admits Wales are dreaming of the unthinkable – winning Euro 2016 July 4, 2016 Fairytale-chasing Wales forward Gareth Bale admits his side are dreaming of winning Euro 2016 as they prepare for their first ever major tournament semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday. The clash represents Wales’s biggest match since a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Brazil in 1958 – a remarkable achievement considering the principality were ranked [...]