Murray and Robson keep up winning form as Australian Open looms large January 14, 2010 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray signed off his preparations for next week’s Australian Open with a victory over American Sam Querrey at the Kooyong Classic. Murray, who has been seeded fifth for the year’s first Grand Slam, beat Querrey 6-1, 6-4 in the exhibition match in Melbourne. The Scot is desperate to land his first major [...]
FANCY SEEING YOU HERE! January 14, 2010 CAPTAIN Steve Borthwick, right, shares a joke with England team-mate Jonny Wilkinson after Saracens rallied to a 28-9 victory over Toulon to keep alive their hopes of a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final. Fly-half Derrick Hougaard kicked over 20 points – including a conversion from Justin Melck’s try – while Justin Marshall added [...]
Trulli laughs off shortcuts plan January 14, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Lotus driver Jarno Trulli has dismissed proposals to introduce shortcuts as impossible. F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone this week floated the idea that drivers be allowed five shortcuts per race in order to increase overtaking and improve the spectacle for television audiences. But Trulli said: “This is not a game, this is a sport. [...]
Schumacher return excites Alonso January 14, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is itching to renew his rivalry with returning seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. Alonso ended Schumacher’s five-year winning run in 2005 and beat him again in 2006, which proved the German’s last season. “When Michael left it was not the same beating the others,” said Alonso. “To beat a legend is [...]
Clarke in the chasing pack January 14, 2010 GOLF: Darren Clarke fired an opening round 63 to lie one shot off the lead in a weather-affected Joburg Open. The Ulsterman carded a bogey-free round to join four other players on eight-under-par – one behind home favourite Neil Schietekat. England’s Simon Khan and David Lynn are also on eight-under with Clarke and South Africans [...]
Rocket races into last four January 14, 2010 SNOOKER: World No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan cruised into the semi-final of the Masters at Wembley after a 6-3 win over Peter Ebdon. The Rocket, a four-time winner, stormed into a 4-0 lead at the interval before Ebdon hit back with two frames. But O’Sullivan upped the tempo again and sealed the match in the ninth frame [...]
Hart leaves QPR after five games January 14, 2010 FOOTBALL: Paul Hart last night left Queens Park Rangers by mutual consent after just five games in charge of the west London side. The ex-Portsmouth boss reportedly fell out with on-loan Spurs midfielder Abel Taarabt after Tuesday night’s 3-2 FA?Cup defeat to Sheffield United. Hart spent just 28 days at Loftus Road and was the [...]
JANUARY SALES January 14, 2010 James on verge of Stoke move STOKE boss Tony Pulis expects to complete the signing of England goalkeeper David James from Portsmouth in the next 24 hours. The 39-year-old shot-stopper, who has recovered from a recent calf injury, is thought to be keen to leave financially-stricken Pompey in order to have guaranteed first-team action ahead [...]
Imperial Commander looks the only danger to Kauto and Denman January 14, 2010 ONLY 27 horses stood their ground on Wednesday for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which was no real surprise when you consider that two of those names were Kauto Star and Denman. The eagerly awaited re-match (the score currently stands at 1-1) on 19 March is already being billed as one of the best races of [...]
Cheltenham Festival Trading Strategy January 14, 2010 This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup is being billed as a straight match between Kauto Star (best priced 2.6 on Betdaq) and Denman (best priced 3.2 on Betdaq) and punters all around the country are split on who will emerge on top come March. However, the one really interesting angle from a trading point of view [...]