SPORT | IN BRIEF May 16, 2010 Nadal sees off Federer in Madrid TENNIS: Four-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal stepped up his preparations for this year’s tournament by beating world No1 Roger Federer to win the Madrid Masters. Nadal’s 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) triumph, which followed his wins in Rome and Monte Carlo, means he has now won 18 Masters titles and [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS May 16, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. ENGLAND CRICKETERS They made us wait 35 years but England have finally won a limited-overs cricket tournament, and few could [...]
The Cheka is the call at 14/1 against Paco Boy in the Lockinge May 13, 2010 PACO BOY couldn’t have been more impressive at Sandown on his reappearance over a mile last month and Richard Hannon’s five-year-old will take plenty of beating in the Lockinge tomorrow. However, he was a beaten short-priced favourite in this very race 12 months ago, albeit on soft ground, and he’s a bit too short for [...]
the INSIDER May 13, 2010 IF YOU’RE a gambler then the bet or should I say ‘lay’ of the weekend is PACO BOY (10%). I have a feeling that tomorrow in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at 3.05pm the value lies with the field. Okay he has the best form, he beat most of these at Sandown, but at Newbury [...]
Terry still nursing Moscow wounds May 13, 2010 CHELSEA vs PORTSMOUTH Chelsea captain admits double glory will not ease the lingering pain of Champions League defeat JOHN TERRY insists that not even becoming the first Chelsea captain to win the double can make up for the heartache he will always feel at losing in the final of the Champions League. Terry has shrugged [...]
Managers targeting personal triumphs May 13, 2010 FOR both managers there is more than just an FA Cup winner’s medal at stake tomorrow afternoon. Carlo Ancelotti, having already attained hero status at Chelsea, is seeking the immortality that comes with leading the club to its first double. His opponent, Avram Grant, has the incentive of revenge over the team who sacked him, [...]
Tal warns: Don’t fear Chelsea May 13, 2010 TAL BEN-HAIM has urged his Portsmouth team-mates not to fear Chelsea in tomorrow’s top versus bottom tussle at Wembley. The Israeli defender moved to Stamford Bridge in a £5m deal from Bolton in July 2007, but made just 13 appearances for the Blues before he was sold to Manchester City by his now Portsmouth boss [...]
Colly goads Aussies as England canter May 13, 2010 CAPTAIN Paul Collingwood saw his England side cruise into the World Twenty20 final last night and then roared “ Bring on Australia”. Collingwood led his side to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in St Lucia, taking them to within one step of a first ever one-day tournament success. Unbeaten Australia face defending champions [...]
It would be crazy to let bad feelings run away with you May 13, 2010 It seems we at Saracens upset Northampton a bit by ending their unbeaten home record at Franklin’s Gardens a couple of weeks ago. But while that will count for nothing when we lock horns again in the Premiership semi-final on Sunday, it would be crazy to let bad feeling or emotion run away with you [...]
Hamilton confident of quick weekend in Monaco despite practice problems May 13, 2010 LEWIS HAMILTON remains confident McLaren will be competitive in this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix despite disappointing opening practice sessions yesterday. Hamilton could only finish seventh, while team-mate and championship leader Jenson Button came in ninth, as the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso dominated both sessions. But despite falling just short of the early pace, Hamilton believes [...]