Open joy for Britain as Baltacha exacts revenge August 30, 2010 ELENA BALTACHA gave British tennis much-needed encouragement after storming into the second round of the US Open last night. The British No1 powered to a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Petra Martic – reversing her first-round defeat to the Croatian at Wimbledon. “I stayed really positive and I just kept putting her under pressure. I [...]
Wenger may swoop after Robin blow August 30, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he could be tempted to make a last-ditch dip into the transfer market after Robin van Persie’s injury jinx struck again. The 27-year-old, who missed five months of last season after damaging ankle ligaments, is likely to be sidelined for “at least a few weeks” according to the Dutch Football [...]
Pakistan quartet warned: You won’t get away with it August 30, 2010 THE International Cricket Council last night warned the Pakistan cricketers locked in the centre of match-fixing allegations to expect “prompt and decisive” action if found guilty. As yet, the four players in question – captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Kamran Akmal – have not been suspended amid an ICC probe and could [...]
Is cricket damaged? You bet it is August 30, 2010 THERE’S an old saying in life, which goes: “It’s just not cricket” – a phase which is testimony to the fair nature and traditional values of the game of cricket. But never has that been more undermined than the events of the last two days with the emergence of these damning match-fixing allegations involving Pakistan [...]
Spurs boss Harry warns off Hammers in Keane pursuit August 30, 2010 HARRY REDKNAPP says he would be reluctant to let Robbie Keane leave White Hart Lane for a third time after West Ham boss Avram Grant confirmed his interest yesterday. The Republic of Ireland captain has been linked with a move away from Spurs this summer after failing to hold down a starting place in Harry [...]
£20m Lucas won’t follow Mascherano out of Anfield August 30, 2010 JAVIER MASCHERANO finally completed his £18m move from Liverpool to Barcelona last night after passing an arduous five-hour medical at Camp Nou. The Argentine international, 26, put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal with a mammoth buy-out clause of €90m after finally getting the thumbs up from club medics. But while Mascherano settles in Spain, Reds [...]
Wembley ‘big incentive for London clubs’ August 26, 2010 ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes a Wembley final will provide extra motivation for London clubs to go all the way in the Champions League after British sides learned their fates yesterday. Newcomers Tottenham got the plum draw they hoped for with a group that includes last season’s winners Inter Milan, while Chelsea and the [...]
Strauss falls as England denied by rain August 26, 2010 ENGLAND only faced 12.3 overs on a rain-hit first day of the fourth Test, but that was still enough time for Pakistan to dismiss captain Andrew Strauss. The skipper (right) has endured a modest series with the bat and that lacklustre sequence continued yesterday when he was bowled by Mohammad Asif for 13 at Lord’s. [...]
Kuyt rejects Inter talk as Reds qualify August 26, 2010 TRABZONSPOR (1) V/S LIVERPOOL (2) LIVERPOOL forward Dirk Kuyt pledged his future to the club after his goal helped them to a comeback win and a place in the Europa League group stage. The Reds, missing star trio Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano, looked in for a difficult night when Teofilo Gutierrez scored [...]
Chiefs tighten up blood injury rules August 26, 2010 TOP-FLIGHT chiefs are convinced there will be no a repeat of the Bloodgate scandal that shamed the sport after tightening up regulations for the new season. Aviva Premiership rules set to come into effect mean doctors from the opposing team will have the right to demand a look at any blood injury they suspect to [...]