Federer closing in on first French title June 3, 2009 WORLD No2 Roger Federer swept into his 20th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final with a blistering demolition of home favourite Gael Monfils in the French Open. The Swiss master, 27, was forced to save a set point in an opening set tie-break before fighting back to clinch a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-4 victory over the fancied [...]
Trio handed chance for England in Pumas clash June 3, 2009 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has named three debutants in his team to take on Argentina in the first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday. Bath winger Matt Banahan and Newcastle prop David Wilson are rewarded for their impressive performances as replacements in the 33-26 defeat to the Barbarians last Saturday, while Toulon-bound back Tim May [...]
Real close to sealing 56m Kaka transfer June 2, 2009 CHELSEA’S pursuit of AC Milan superstar Kaka appeared to be fading fast last night as Real Madrid closed in on a staggering £56m deal for the coveted Brazil playmaker. Blues owner Roman Abramovich had hoped the former Fifa World Player of the Year would follow Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge, having hired the ex-AC Milan [...]
City steal march on bigger rivals by signing 12m Barry June 2, 2009 ENGLAND midfielder Gareth Barry last night insisted joining Manchester City had been an easy decision after sealing a surprise £12m switch from Aston Villa. The 28-year-old ended a year of uncertainty over his future by signing a five-year contract with the big-spending Eastlands outfit that will see his wages almost double to £90,000-a-week. Barry was [...]
Ferdinand injury hands Cahill shock call June 2, 2009 UNCAPPED Bolton defender Gary Cahill yesterday received a surprise England call-up after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Kazakhstan. Manchester United defender Ferdinand will miss the World Cup qualifier in Almaty with a calf injury but is in contention to return for the visit of Andorra on Wednesday. Cahill, 23, has impressed [...]
SUMMER SALES June 2, 2009 Bruce set for Sunderland jobSUNDERLAND are today expected to confirm the appointment of Wigan boss Steve Bruce as manager. Bruce is set to sign a three-year contract thought to be worth £60,000 per week at the Stadium of Light, after the two clubs agreed compensation earlier this week. The former Birmingham manager, who steered Wigan [...]
Sport on TV June 2, 2009 Tennis: French Open, quarter-finals, British Eurosport and BBC Interactive, from 10am Rugby Union: Tour match, British & Irish Lions v Golden Lions, Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm (ko 6.10pm) Cricket: World Twenty20 warm-ups, England v West Indies, Sky Sports 1, 5pm; India v Pakistan, Sky Sports Interactive, 5pm Racing: Fontwell, At The Races, 2.45pm; Ripon, Fairyhouse, [...]
Hand of Stone smites Murray’s French bid June 2, 2009 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray admitted having no answer to the sheer power of 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez after seeing his dream of French Open glory die at the quarter-final stage. Murray slugged his way back into the match after dropping the first set but wilted in his attempt to contend with the brute force of [...]
Show what you’re made of, Edwards urges Lions June 2, 2009 BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Shaun Edwards has urged the tourists to make a statement of intent in tonight’s clash with Super 14 side the Golden Lions. Edwards is demanding an improvement on Saturday’s lukewarm win against a Royal XV when the Lions take the field for their second tour match in South Africa. “We [...]
Prepare for a feast of entertainment June 2, 2009 WHILE all eyes are naturally on England’s bid to reclaim that precious little urn from the Australians this summer, there is a small matter of a worldwide tournament taking place on home soil, which has almost gone unnoticed. Following the success of the inaugural competition in South Africa two years ago, the world’s biggest hitters [...]