A MULLIGAN IN LIFE June 25, 2009 FIVE-TIME major winner Seve Ballesteros yesterday hailed his recovery from a brain tumour as “a miracle”. On his first public appearance since life-saving surgery last year, the Spaniard compared his survival to a golfing rule – known as a mulligan – whereby a player is allowed to retake a shot. “Nine months ago my life [...]
McGeechan hands Shaw Test chance June 25, 2009 THE BRITISH and Irish Lions face South Africa tomorrow in Pretoria, 4,500 feet above sea level – and head coach Ian McGeechan has told his players to set their expectations just as high. McGeechan’s beefed-up side head into the second Test at Loftus Versfeld trailing 1-0, after being overpowered in last weekend’s 26-21 defeat in [...]
Fota want independent FIA boss June 25, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Teams’ alliance Fota has called for the next president of governing body the FIA to be independent, amid rumours linking former Ferrari boss Jean Todt with the role. Current incumbent Max Mosley this week agreed to stand down when his term ends in October, after averting a Fota breakaway. Fota vice-chairman John Howett [...]
Aussie pair impress at Sussex June 25, 2009 CRICKET: Australia pair Brett Lee and Stuart Clark boosted their chances of Ashes selection by taking three wickets each in the warm-up match against Sussex at Hove. The tourists declared on their overnight score of 349-7 before Lee (3-53) and Clark (3-46) tore through the Sussex batting order, dismissing them for 311. In contrast, spinner [...]
Finch off to a flyer in Munich June 25, 2009 GOLF: England’s Richard Finch fired a six-under-par round of 66 to end day one of the BMW International Open in Munich just two shots off the lead. South African Retief Goosen, seeking his first European Tour win for more than two years, carded the lowest score, a bogey-free 64, but Finch was next. Welshman Phillip [...]
Murray shows title-winning form to silence Gulbis jibes June 25, 2009 AN EMPHATIC victory, a standing ovation and the sound of his opponent’s pre-match jibes drowned out by a rapturous Centre Court: it may only have been the second round, but British No1 Andy Murray could have asked for little more. There were no signs of animosity at the previous day’s accusations of gamesmanship when Murray [...]
Baltacha blasts Brit critics after bowing out June 25, 2009 BRITISH No2 Elena Baltacha hit back at critics who have lambasted the country’s dearth of achievement after her second-round defeat ended home interest in the Wimbledon women’s singles title. Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe called for funding to be reassessed after all of Britain’s top players – Baltacha and men’s third seed Andy Murray aside – [...]
Fabregas commits to Arsenal as Milan cool Adebayor talk June 25, 2009 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas yesterday rubbished reports that a lack of silverware has made him hanker for a return to Spain, insisting his future lies in north London. And Emmanuel Adebayor also looks likely to stay with the Gunners, after AC Milan played down their interest in the unsettled striker. Fabregas had been quoted as [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF June 25, 2009 United Costa trial bid rejectedMANCHESTER UNITED’S search for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo hit another hitch yesterday when they were refused permission to take Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa on trial. United wanted to see the 18-year-old attacking midfielder train in England for 20 days but his club Gremio rejected the proposal. President Duda Kroeff said: [...]
Sharapova stunned by early exit as Federer sails through June 24, 2009 FORMER champion Maria Sharapova blamed injury after being dumped out of Wimbledon at the second round by unseeded Argentine Gisela Dulko yesterday. Sharapova, seeded 24, looked far short of the form that carried her to the title in 2004 as she slumped to a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 defeat on Centre Court. The three-time grand slam [...]