Serena defends her WTA title October 27, 2013 TENNIS: World No1 Serena Williams reinforced her status by retaining the WTA Championship yesterday with a gritty win over Li Na. Williams fought back from a set down to beat the Chinese world No3 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in Istanbul and claim the season-ending title for a fourth time.
England sore after Australia defeat October 27, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England’s Sam Tomkins says their gutsy display in Saturday’s 28-20 defeat to Australia is of little consolation following the World Cup opener in Cardiff. “We’ve a lot to improve on, that’s the main thing to come out of it,” said Tomkins. “You’ve got to be disappointed with a loss. We probably gave them [...]
A sci-fi treat with plenty of brains October 24, 2013 FILM ENDER’S GAME Cert 12a | By Simon Thomson Four Stars ENDER’S Game is a science fiction adventure about a special boy, sent to a special school, where he is trained to be a ruthless war commander. Basically, it’s Harry Potter. If he’d been sent to a military academy. In space. The internet has been [...]
Toure accused of false racism complaint as CSKA hit back October 24, 2013 CSKA MOSCOW have hit back at Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, accusing the Ivory Coast midfielder of fabricating a complaint that he was subjected to monkey chants from their fans during Wednesday’s Champions League match. In the face of growing condemnation yesterday, the Russians also quoted his international colleague Seydou Doumbia, who plays for CSKA, as [...]
Mourinho fined £8,000 by FA October 24, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has escaped a touchline ban and instead been fined £8,000 by the Football Association after admitting to a charge of improper conduct in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Cardiff. Mourinho was sent to the stands in the victory at Stamford Bridge following an exchange with referee Anthony Taylor. But the Portuguese [...]
French strike over super tax October 24, 2013 CLUBS in the top two tiers of French football plan to strike next month in protest at government proposals to introduce a 75 per cent “super tax” on those whose annual salary exceeds €1m (£850,000). Under the proposals clubs, as opposed to individuals, would be liable to pay the increased rate of tax, though Ligue [...]
Europa League: Villas-Boas not ready to toast Defoe milestone October 24, 2013 SHERIFF TIRASPOL 0 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas says celebrating Jermain Defoe’s achievement of equalling the club’s all-time European goalscoring record will remain on hold until he seals their qualification for the Europa League knockout stages. After defender Jan Vertonghen headed the opener, Defoe doubled Spurs’ lead with his 22nd European goal [...]
Unions relent but English clubs still set on rebel cup October 24, 2013 PREMIERSHIP Rugby chief Mark McCafferty has ruled out a compromise deal with Heineken Cup chiefs ERC despite the six unions involved in the row over the future of the European club game accepting his blueprint. Talks in Dublin ended yesterday with all unions agreeing on changes to the number of places available to the English, [...]
Legal threat jeopardises Indian Grand Prix October 24, 2013 INDIAN Grand Prix organisers are confident this weekend’s potential world championship decider will go ahead despite a tax row plunging the race into doubt just hours before the first practice session. The country’s supreme court yesterday agreed to hear a petition today arguing that the Formula One race should be called off because organisers owe [...]
Struggling Wasps ready to sting champions Leicester, warns Daly October 24, 2013 LONDON Wasps centre Elliot Daly believes Sunday’s visit of Aviva Premiership champions Leicester is the perfect chance to showcase their top-six credentials. Wasps are precariously placed second from bottom of the table, but Daly believes they are ready to kick-start their domestic campaign. He said: “We think we are a top-six team and hopefully this [...]