Federer too strong for Murray in O2 thriller November 24, 2009 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray was reminded what world No1s are made of last night when Roger Federer came from a set down to beat him at the ATP World Tour Finals. Murray, the world No4, took the first set but saw his serve desert him as 15-time Grand Slam winner Federer powered back to take the [...]
Portsmouth lose patience with Hart failure as Grant prepares to take reins November 24, 2009 PORTSMOUTH director of football Avram Grant is expected to take over as manager after the club sacked Paul Hart yesterday. Hart paid the price for a disastrous start to the season that has left them anchored to the bottom of the Premier League after 10 defeats from 13 games. His departure clears the way for [...]
World Cup bid in disarray as Richards quits board November 24, 2009 ENGLAND’S hopes of staging the 2018 World Cup have been dealt another blow after Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards resigned from the bid’s board. The departure of Richards, who joined the bid as vice-chairman for international relations just seven months ago, comes after a restructuring of the board earlier this month. It is the [...]
Strauss reins in Trott hype November 23, 2009 ENGLAND skipper Andrew Strauss has attempted to ease the pressure on batsman Jonathan Trott to replicate his eye-catching performances each time he steps up to the crease. Trott’s latest impressive display came in Sunday’s seven-wicket victory over South Africa, when the Warwickshire man bludgeoned 87 in only his second one-day international. That followed an equally [...]
IRB to ponder rule changes November 23, 2009 ENGLAND chiefs insist they would support changes in the rules to make the game safer, following a litany of injuries to Test stars. National team boss Martin Johnson was deprived of a host of regulars ahead of the autumn internationals, while at any one time around a quarter of Premiership players are in the treatment [...]
Nadal rocked by early loss November 23, 2009 WORLD No2 Rafael Nadal’s ATP World Tour Finals in London got off to the worst possible start with a straight-sets loss to Sweden’s Robin Soderling. The Spaniard, who has not won a tournament since May following a series of injuries, went down 6-4, 6-4 in the Group B match at the O2 Arena. Defeat was [...]
Mercedes chiefs fuel Schumacher return talk November 23, 2009 MERCEDES GP chiefs have fuelled speculation they could tempt Michael Schumacher out of retirement after confirming Nico Rosberg will drive for them next year. Schumacher, 41, has not raced since calling time on his career in 2006 after winning seven world championships with Benetton and Ferrari. But the track legend has been linked with a [...]
Silverstone close to deal November 23, 2009 SILVERSTONE’S managing director insists a deal to stage the British Grand Prix for at least the next 10 years is on the brink of being clinched. Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has warned that any agreement to keep the race on the calendar must be done by 9 December, and Richard Phillips is confident it [...]
Scots eye autumn clean sweep November 23, 2009 RUBBY UNION: Scotland lock Nathan Hines has challenged his team-mates to follow their stunning victory over Australia with defeat of Argentina. Having already beaten Fiji, another win would make it three from three autumn Tests. Hines said: “You can’t go beating Australia and then taking your foot off the gas for the last game of [...]