Wimbledon prize money increased April 24, 2012 ■ TENNIS: Wimbledon’s prize money is to be increased by 10 per cent to £16.1m this summer. Andy Murray, meanwhile, yesterday reached the Barcelona Open’s third round by defeating Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3 6-2.
McIlroy tipped to replace the Tiger April 24, 2012 ■ GOLF: Rory McIlroy has been tipped to replace Tiger Woods as the sport’s big star by Peter Dawson, chief executive of governing body the R&A. “Every generation has its stars, and Rory is going to be this one,” he said.
Geraghty to return to London Irish April 24, 2012 ■ RUGBY UNION: Fly-half Shane Geraghty will rejoin London Irish this summer from Brive, three years after leaving the club. “Shane is an exceptional player,” said the Exiles director of rugby Brian Smith.
Cameron Highland to book his ticket to Investec Derby April 24, 2012 THE field for this afternoon’s Investec Derby Trial (3.20pm) is a definite improvement on the last few years and it looks like a really competitive race. The racecourse and the sponsors have increased prize money by £20,000 and winning connections will be offered a wild-card entry into the Investec Derby, if not already entered. There [...]
Soft ground holds no fears for Gosden’s Aiken who still looks ahead of the handicapper April 24, 2012 JOHN Gosden has made his customary strong start to the flat season and he looks to have an outstanding chance with AIKEN in the Investec Great Metropolitan Handicap (2.50pm). George Strawbridge’s four-year-old has won three of his four career starts and even though he went up 11lb for his latest win at Ascot last summer, [...]
We can be Euro champs, says Chelsea boss April 23, 2012 16 Number of goals scored by Barca this season CHELSEA manager Roberto di Matteo insists his side are good enough to win the Champions League as they prepare for 90 minutes that could define their season in Barcelona tonight. A gutsy 1-0 win in last week’s semi-final first leg has given the Blues an outstanding [...]
Drogba doesn’t dive, insists Barca defender Pique April 23, 2012 BARCELONA’S Gerard Pique has defended Didier Drogba from accusations the Chelsea striker is a diver ahead of this evening’s crucial Champions League semi-final. Pique, who left Manchester United to become one of Barca manager Pep Guardiola’s first signings, was an unused substitute for Chelsea’s 1-0 victory in the first leg and said he believes Drogba’s [...]
Huh comeback proves rookie’s one to watch April 23, 2012 ENGLAND’S own Lee Westwood enjoyed his first win of the season and former Open champion Ben Curtis ended a six-year barren streak, but the player who really caught my eye at the weekend was rookie John Huh. The 21-year-old American was nine over par after eight holes of his first round at the Valero Texas [...]
Leicester victory keeps West Ham in contention for top-two finish April 23, 2012 LEICESTER CITY 1 vs WEST HAM UNITED 2 WEST Ham remain in the hunt for automatic promotion to the Premier League after winning 2-1 at Leicester to close to within two points of second-placed Southampton. Striker Jermaine Beckford headed the Foxes in front just after the half-hour mark but defender Winston Reid equalised just five [...]
Boat-race rebel banned from attending Olympic torch relay April 23, 2012 THE man accused of disrupting the University Boat Race by swimming in the River Thames has been prohibited from being within 100m of London’s Olympic torch route. Trenton Oldfield, 35, of Whitechapel, east London, was summoned to Feltham Magistrates’ Court and charged under the Public Order Act after interrupting the 7 April race by swimming [...]