King of Clay on cloud nine after French triumph June 8, 2014 WORLD No1 Rafael Nadal has his sights set on a first Wimbledon title since 2010, after beating Novak Djokovic to claim his ninth French Open crown yesterday. Djokovic’s pursuit of a career grand slam began well with victory in the first set, but Nadal battled back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 and seal a [...]
Froome shows Tour form with Dauphine win June 8, 2014 BRITISH cyclist Chris Froome enjoyed a perfect start to the defence of his Criterium du Dauphine title yesterday when he won the first stage time trial by an emphatic margin. The Team Sky rider beat his closest challenger, Spain’s Alberto Contador, by eight seconds in Lyon, France, in the opening skirmish of a race seen [...]
Murray breaks with norm and hires Mauresmo June 8, 2014 FORMER world No1 Amelie Mauresmo insists paving the way for more women to mentor males is not on her agenda, after agreeing to become the new coach of Britain’s Andy Murray. The 34-year-old, who won two grand slam titles and spent 39 weeks at the top of the world rankings, is set to coach Murray [...]
Sport Comment: For Milner and England, see Michalak and French rugby June 8, 2014 CONSUMED by optimism, most of you reading this will be in front of a television next Saturday evening, believing that a combination of Steven Gerrard’s drive, Gary Cahill’s determination and the odd flash of brilliance from Wayne Rooney and/or Daniel Sturridge will upset Italy and kick-start England’s World Cup challenge in style. However, if things [...]
Don’t blow title bid, Hamilton tells Mercedes June 8, 2014 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton has urged Mercedes to correct the reliability problems that saw him lose ground on world championship leader and team-mate Nico Rosberg in last night’s Canadian Grand Prix. Hamilton retired on lap 48 of 70 after suffering an overheating issue that impacted on his brakes, while the same problem afflicted Rosberg, who lost [...]
Lancaster ready to swing axe for must-win Test June 8, 2014 ENGLAND rugby boss Stuart Lancaster intends to make significant changes for the second Test against New Zealand despite his experimental team pushing the All Blacks close on Saturday. The world champions needed a late try from Conrad Smith to overcome the tourists 20-15 in Auckland after a dogged effort from an England side missing several [...]
World Cup spread betting June 8, 2014 THE REASON Brazil 2014 is going to be the biggest betting event of all time – a Regulus Insights World Cup betting report sponsored by Sporting Index forecasts £800m will be staked in Britain – is because of the sheer volume of choice for the modern-day punter. There are going to be spread betting markets [...]
Waiting almost over as England arrive in Brazil June 8, 2014 ENGLAND’S World Cup squad touched down in Brazil yesterday as preparations intensified for their opening match against four-time champions Italy on Saturday. Roy Hodgson’s team made the nine-hour flight from stormy Miami, following Saturday’s lightning-disrupted goalless draw with Honduras, to Rio, where they will be staying at the Royal Tulip hotel and training at a [...]
Ujah breaks 10-second barrier June 8, 2014 ATHLETICS: Sprinter Chijindu Ujah ran the third fastest time ever by a British male over 100m yesterday, clocking 9.96 seconds at the FBK Games in Holland. Only Olympic champion Linford Christie and European indoor silver medallist James Dasaolu have run faster than the 20-year-old Londoner.
Australia set for Irish Derby run June 8, 2014 HORSE RACING: Investec Derby winner Australia is being prepared to run at the Irish Derby on 28 June, following Saturday’s victory. Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who triumphed for a third time at Epsom, says the going at the Curragh course will be the decisive factor.