Nadal signs off with Davis Cup victory December 4, 2011 AN EMOTIONAL Rafael Nadal hailed the best crowd of his life after a typically gutsy victory over Juan Martin del Potro earned Spain a third Davis Cup in four years, to the delight of a 22,000-strong support in Seville. Nadal had to come from a set down to defeat Argentinian No1 Del Potro 1-6, 6-4, [...]
Dubai showdown on cards as McIlroy closes in on Donald December 4, 2011 NORTHERN Ireland’s Rory McIlroy piled further pressure on European Tour leader Luke Donald and ensured a nailbiting climax to the season by winning the UBS Hong Kong Open yesterday. McIlroy’s two-shot victory at Fanling means he can deny Donald the honour of becoming the first man to officially top the US and European money lists [...]
Schwarzer: Tiredness is no excuse December 4, 2011 FULHAM goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has warned his team-mates that fatigue will not be an acceptable excuse if their winless run continues. The Cottagers host Liverpool tonight in the Premier League, seeking their first victory in five matches and their first domestic triumph since October. Thursday’s Europa League defeat at FC Twente was their 27th match [...]
Brazil hero Socrates dies December 4, 2011 Former Brazil captain Socrates died yesterday, aged 57, after an intestinal infection. The elegant midfielder, who played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a Sao Paulo hospital on Friday. The ex-Corinthians, Botafogo, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos player suffered a stomach haemorrhage in August caused by alcohol [...]
Blatter aims fire at English December 4, 2011 Fifa president Sepp Blatter has renewed his attack on his English critics, claiming they are bitter at the failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup. “They thought that football should have come home; the World Cup was theirs by right,” Blatter said. “When they came with David Beckham, Prince William and Prime Minister Cameron, [...]
O’Sullivan knocks out Davis December 4, 2011 Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Steve Davis 6-1 in a first-round clash of former champions at the UK Championships in York. World No1 Mark Selby eased into round two with a 6-0 drubbing of Ryan Day and will play Marco Fu next, after he beat Stuart Bingham 6-4.
Pattinson shines on Test debut December 4, 2011 Seamer James Pattinson took 5-27 on his debut as Australia beat New Zealand by nine wickets in the first Test in Brisbane. Pattinson, younger brother of former England bowler Darren, claimed a triple-wicket maiden as the tourists slumped to 28-5, and although Dean Brownlie’s 43 hauled them to 150 all out, Australia reached their target [...]
Greenwood: RFU right to wait for boss December 1, 2011 FORMER England centre Will Greenwood believes the Rugby Football Union is right to delay naming a permanent successor to Martin Johnson until after the Six Nations. The RFU confirmed on Wednesday its intention to appoint a caretaker manager, which would seemingly pave the way for former Italy head coach Nick Mallett to take over ahead [...]
TRAIN-ING | Rugby stars play at City station December 1, 2011 PREMIERSHIP champions Saracens stunned onlookers at Liverpool Street Station yesterday by practising at the busy City terminal. Players Mouritz Botha (with ball), Jacques Burger and Kelly Brown put on line-out demonstrations and even roped in curious passers-by for some impromptu training as part of the build-up to their Heineken Cup clash with Ospreys at Wembley [...]
Late goal and red card dash Fulham hopes of easy route December 1, 2011 FC TWENTE 1 vs FULHAM 0 FULHAM manager Martin Jol refused to blame striker Andy Johnson after his stoppage-time red card completed a miserable Europa League night in Holland for the Cottagers. An 89th-minute winner from Marc Janko condemned the west Londoners to a defeat that leaves them needing to win their final group fixture [...]