Virus prompts Williams’ retirement July 1, 2014 WORLD No1 Serena Williams was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon yesterday after the effects of a virus reduced her to tears while playing doubles with sister Venus on Court One. Having looked groggy in the warm-up, Serena, who bowed out of the single’s competition in round three, served an entire game of double faults against [...]
Shamed Vincent banned for life July 1, 2014 CRICKET: Former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent has been given a lifetime worldwide ban from the sport after admitting 18 counts of fixing. The charges relate to his spells at Lancashire and Sussex and mean the 35-year-old cannot play, coach or participate in organised cricket. He said: “I could not live with my wrongdoing any [...]
Govt hand Ainslie project £7.5m July 1, 2014 SAILING: Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team project has been granted a £7.5m injection form the government. Britain’s most decorated competitive sailor is aiming to raise £80m to enter the contest in 2017, and the public money is set to go towards a team base in Portsmouth.
Orient drop Olympic dispute July 1, 2014 FOOTBALL: Leyton Orient have dropped their legal bid to prevent West Ham moving to the Olympic Stadium. The League One club is on the verge of being taken over by Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti, who is thought keen to remain at the Matchroom Stadium.
Keane is new Villa assistant July 1, 2014 FOOTBALL: Aston Villa have appointed Roy Keane assistant to manager Paul Lambert. The former Manchester United captain will carry on as Republic of Ireland No2.
Suarez bites bullet and sets up £80m Barca switch June 30, 2014 LIVERPOOL and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez last night paved the way for a big-money transfer to Barcelona by finally issuing an apology for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. Six days after the incident that shocked the World Cup and earned him a four-month ban from all football activity, Suarez spoke of “deep regret” and promised [...]
Murray rules out recruiting Sir Alex to backroom team June 30, 2014 FORMER Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will not be invited to join Team Murray in an official capacity, but was on hand last night to offer words of wisdom he hopes will take his Scottish compatriot all the way to the Wimbledon final once again. Ferguson watched from the royal box on Centre Court [...]
World Cup: Germany need extra time to see off Algeria June 30, 2014 GERMANY 2 ALGERIA 1 (After extra time) EXTRA-TIME goals from Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil saw Germany reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the 15th time in 16 tournaments at the expense of plucky Algeria. The three-time winners advance to play France at the Maracana on Friday, but were given an almighty scare [...]
Wozniacki calls for introduction of shot clocks June 30, 2014 FORMER world No1 Caroline Wozniacki has called on tennis authorities to get tough on time-wasters following her surprise fourth-round exit in straight sets to Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova. With top two seeds Serena Williams and Li Na already out, 2012 finalist Agnieszka Radwanska and former world No1 Ana Ivanovic joined Wozniacki on the scrapheap on a rain-disrupted [...]
Golf Comment: Rose maintains winning run as Ryder team takes shape June 30, 2014 ONE OF the greatest compliments you can pay Justin Rose is that it comes as no surprise whatsoever when he wins another title, as he did on Sunday in the National at Congressional. It may have been the Englishman’s first victory this season, but it kept up his run of winning a PGA Tour event [...]