Ivanovic out after shock Dulko defeat January 21, 2010 FORMER world No1 Ana Ivanovic’s dramatic fall from grace continued yesterday when she crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round. The Serb, runner-up in Melbourne in 2008, again looked horribly out of sorts as she succumbed to the unseeded Argentinian Gisela Dulko 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 6-4. Just 18 months ago Ivanovic was [...]
Wenger ready for acid test January 21, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the never-say-die spirit of his team, but warned them that the true test of their Premier League title credentials is still to come. The Gunners overtook Chelsea at the top of the table on Wednesday night after rallying from two goals behind to overcome Bolton 4-2. That victory resembled [...]
Murray ready to go distance with Serra January 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is expecting to have to fight tooth and nail when he meets Florent Serra today for a place in the last 16 of the Australian Open. Fifth seed Murray has enjoyed a hassle-free start to his quest to snare a first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, dropping just 12 games on his [...]
Tevez fuels spat with ‘boot-licking moron’ Neville January 21, 2010 MANCHESTER City striker Carlos Tevez last night launched a scathing attack on former team-mate Gary Neville, calling the Manchester United captain a “boot-licker” and an “idiot”. Neville infuriated Tevez this week by publicly supporting United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to let the Argentinian leave last summer because he did not think him worth the [...]
Borthwick’s our man, insists Easter January 21, 2010 HARLEQUINS’ Nick Easter admits it is flattering to be talked about as the next England captain – but insists Steve Borthwick is still the man to lead the Six Nations campaign. Borthwick has been handed the captain’s armband in every match since Martin Johnson took over as coach in April 2008, but the Saracens lock [...]
Ski hopefuls may still compete in Vancouver if BSSI goes bust January 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S skiers and snowboarders have been told they will be allowed to compete in next month’s Winter Olympics – even if the sport’s governing body goes into administration. The British Ski and Snowsport Federation is around £600,000 in debt and has been forced to cut training programmes and ask athletes to fund their own Olympic [...]
Fair result after a fair hearing January 21, 2010 WHILE we were naturally delighted with the outcome of the RFU hearing this week, it’s nice to prepare for tomorrow’s Challenge Cup trip to Rovigo knowing we can concentrate on matters on the field again. A suspended ban, together with an apology to referee David Rose, was our initial recommendation to the RFU to solving [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 21, 2010 Last-gasp kick denies Wasps RUGBY UNION: Wasps face an agonising wait to discover whether they have earned a home quarter-final tie in the European Challenge Cup after an injury-time penalty saw them slip to a 19-17 defeat to Racing Metro last night. Wasps led through two Tom Varndell tries and seven points from Danny Cipriani, [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 21, 2010 Two come in for Kjaer ITALIAN club Palermo claim two English clubs have made an offer for Danish defender Simon Kjaer, 20. “We have received four offers – two from Germany, two from England,” said president Maurizio Zamparini. “We hope to keep him.” Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are all interested. Rivals lock horns [...]
Twist all set to turn on the Magic in Ascot’s Victor Chandler Chase January 21, 2010 ONLY eight runners have been declared for tomorrow’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, but we are still set for a mouth watering clash with TWIST MAGIC, Petit Robin and Well Chief all standing their ground. However, Paul Nicholls’ dual Tingle Creek winner turned in a special performance at Sandown last month and if he turns [...]