Wozniacki shocks Russian foe in opening WTA clash October 21, 2014 DENMARK’S Caroline Wozniacki summoned reserves of energy to stun five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova in an exhausting opening match in the WTA Finals in Singapore. Eighth-seed Wozniacki claimed a 7-6 [7-4], 6-7 [5-7]. 6-2 victory in three hours and 14 minutes during a match which featured 12 breaks of serve and 111 unforced errors. [...]
Premier League: Points to prove as van Gaal’s search for away victory goes on October 20, 2014 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 DISGRUNTLED Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal admits his side are some way short of an acceptable points tally after their stuttering away form continued against West Brom at the Hawthorns last night. Holland midfielder Daley Blind struck a late equaliser while Marouane Fellaini also notched his first [...]
NFL chiefs open to establishing a London team October 20, 2014 NFL executives have confirmed they plan to consider establishing a London franchise, though they insist that they are in no hurry to make the long-mooted proposal a reality. American football has never had greater presence in Britain, with Wembley set to host the second of three sold out regular-season games this year on Sunday when [...]
Saracens hooker Brits sidelined by knee ligament injury October 20, 2014 STRICKEN Saracens hooker Schalk Brits faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage during the club’s opening European Champions Cup fixture with French side Clermont Auvergne on Saturday. The 33-year-old South African forward sustained the injury during the second period at Allianz Park, only taking the field and replacing fellow hooker [...]
Navratilova blasts ITF silence over Russian’s Williams brothers slur October 20, 2014 EIGHTEEN-TIME grand slam winner Martina Navratilova has criticised the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for its failure to punish the Russian official who referred to Serena and Venus as the “Williams brothers”. Shamil Tarpischev, the president of the Russian Tennis Federation, landed a £15,000 fine and a one-year ban from the Women’s Tennis Association for the [...]
Golf Comment: Match Play title may be just the start for Ilonen the dark horse October 20, 2014 HE DOESN’T always get the praise he deserves but I thought Mikko Ilonen was magnificent in winning the World Match Play title at the London Club in Kent last week. The Finn had to overcome a really tough opponent in Henrik Stenson in Sunday’s final but did so with a very impressive victory to claim [...]
Caterham hit back at Kobayashi worries over suspension safety October 20, 2014 CASH-STRAPPED Formula One team Caterham have defended their safety procedures after it emerged that driver Kamui Kobayashi was fearful of driving his car at this month’s Russian Grand Prix. Kobayashi wrote on Facebook that he felt “seriously troubled” by a suspension fault that could not be replaced so instead had to be wrapped in carbon [...]
Trott wins Euro title at a canter October 20, 2014 OLYMPIC champion Laura Trott retained her omnium title on the final day of the European Elite Track Cycling Championships in Guadeloupe yesterday, while Scotland’s Katie Archibald claimed victory in the 3km individual pursuit. With vital Olympic qualifying points available for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Britain ended the championships with an eight-medal haul, including six [...]
CSKA star Musa labels rivals Man City very weak October 20, 2014 CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa has taunted Manchester City on the eve of their Champions League meeting, calling them “very weak” and depicting them as defensively frail. The Nigeria international also criticised his club’s stadium ban, which was imposed for incidents of racism among fans and means tonight’s fixture will be played behind close doors, [...]
Podolski’s Twitter joke at close season Tottenham link October 20, 2014 UNSETTLED Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski yesterday scotched suggestions of a summer transfer to rivals Tottenham by poking fun at a post on Twitter floating the idea. The experienced Germany star has admitted frustration at his peripheral role this season, following a World Cup-winning summer in Brazil, but made clear he would not be crossing north [...]