Federer marches on but Djokovic crashes January 27, 2010 WORLD No1 Roger Federer overcame a shaky start to see off nemesis Nikolay Davydenko and reach a 23rd consecutive Grand Slam semi-final. The Swiss star recovered from a set and 3-1 down with a storming run of 13 consecutive games before coming through 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 against the Russian, who had beaten him in [...]
Serena hits back from the brink January 27, 2010 WORLD No1 Serena Williams admitted she was contemplating her long flight home before staging a remarkable comeback to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne. The defending champion was in serious trouble at a set and 4-0 down to Russia’s Victoria Azarenka, only to storm back to win 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. “I was actually thinking: ‘If [...]
Murray brushes Nadal aside to edge closer to first Slam January 26, 2010 ANDY MURRAY insists he is ready to clinch a maiden Grand Slam title after sending Rafael Nadal crashing out of the Australian Open in a late-night thriller in Melbourne. The fifth seed looked in imperious form as he stormed into a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 3-0 lead before defending champion Nadal was forced to retire from [...]
Spurs tighten grip on fourth and return to winning ways January 26, 2010 TOTTENHAM (2) vs FULHAM (0) TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp savoured his first Premier League victory of 2010 after goals from Peter Crouch and David Bentley boosted their Champions League aspirations. Spurs came into the match without a win in three but England forward Crouch eased their nerves with a 27th-minute strike. Out-of-favour midfielder Bentley justified [...]
Benitez coy on Juventus after Reds slip up again January 26, 2010 WOLVES (0) vs LIVERPOOL (0) UNDER-FIRE Rafael Benitez remained tight-lipped over a possible move to Juventus after his Liverpool side suffered yet another setback in their bid for a Champions League place. Benitez has been heavily linked with the Italian giants amid suggestions they are about to sack coach Ciro Ferrara. The Spaniard saw his [...]
Crystal Palace in crisis after administrators are called in January 26, 2010 CRYSTAL Palace face a 10-point penalty and an imminent exodus of their best players after falling into administration yesterday. The Championship club are around £30m in debt, have failed to pay their players on time twice already this season and are due in court today to face a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs. [...]
McLeish: We can stun Blues January 26, 2010 ALEX MCLEISH believes his Birmingham City high-fliers can derail Chelsea’s title charge at Stamford Bridge tonight. McLeish’s side are currently lying a creditable eighth in the Premier League following a club record run of 15 matches unbeaten. Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea can go back to the top of the table with three points tonight, but McLeish [...]
Fulham’s Smalling opts to join United over Arsenal January 26, 2010 MANCHESTER United pounced yesterday to pip Premier League title rivals Arsenal to the signing of £8m-rated Fulham youngster Chris Smalling. England Under-21 centre-back Smalling, who was playing for non-league Maidstone just 18 months ago, will remain at Craven Cottage until the end of the season before joining United in the summer. Arsenal had appeared favourites [...]
Hammers still in dogfight after late Webber strike January 26, 2010 PORTSMOUTH (1) vs WEST HAM (1) PORTSMOUTH substitute Danny Webber climbed off the bench to score his first goal for the club and earn them a crucial point against fellow strugglers West Ham. The Hammers looked on course for their first away win since the opening day of the season when captain Matthew Upson put [...]
Coyle has last laugh after Lee silences Burnley flak January 26, 2010 BOLTON (1) vs BURNLEY (0) BOLTON manager Owen Coyle perfectly answered the taunts of Burnley fans by guiding his new team out of the relegation zone at the expense of his old side. Coyle, once worshipped at Turf Moor for leading the Clarets into the top flight, caused uproar earlier this month when he jumped [...]