Brit Elena shows teary Keothavong how to do it June 23, 2009 BRITISH women’s No2 Elena Baltacha provided the silver lining after seeing all her compatriots, including No1 Anne Keothavong, dumped out in the first round. Baltacha, who reached the third round in 2002, sprung a major upset by beating world No33 Alona Bondarenko 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Scot, ranked No106, punished an error-ridden performance from her [...]
Chelsea’s Essien lured by La Liga but Sturridge set to sign June 23, 2009 CHELSEA’S ambitious summer rebuilding plans were dealt another blow yesterday when it emerged midfielder Michael Essien is considering leaving Stamford Bridge. The Blues have already received high-profile snubs in the transfer market this month, with top targets preferring to join Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Essien, a key part of Chelsea’s first team, is [...]
Lions pegged back in last gasp drama June 23, 2009 EMERGING SPRINGBOKS (13) vs. BRITISH LIONS (13)BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan blamed atrocious conditions after seeing his side denied victory by a last-minute touchline conversion. The Lions looked to have sewn up the tour match when replacement fly-half James Hook slotted a penalty three minutes from time. That sent them 13-6 ahead, [...]
Mosley hints at U-turn as row heats up June 23, 2009 EMBATTLED motorsport chief Max Mosley yesterday lashed out at recent criticism and threatened to go back on his decision to stand down later this year. Mosley’s comments came on the eve of today’s potentially explosive meeting of the sport’s powerbrokers in Paris and are sure to inflame the bitter row raging over the future of [...]
POSITIVE TEST June 23, 2009 WIGAN and England forward Gareth Hock has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine. The 25-year-old second row faces a two-year ban if his B sample is also found to be positive when tested next week. Former Super League Young Player of the Year Hock returned his positive sample following a match against Salford [...]
British pair showed mettle at US Open June 23, 2009 ON THE GREENS WITHSAM TORRANCE LUCAS GLOVER may have taken the US Open title this week, but there was cause for cheer for Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy. Englishman Fisher continued his encouraging form by finishing fifth at Bethpage Black, and was still fighting it out with the leaders until the very end. Prodigious Northern [...]
Benitez defends 17m Johnson June 23, 2009 FOOTBALL: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended the decision to spend £17.5m on Portsmouth and England full-back Glen Johnson. The outlay means Benitez is likely to have to sell in order to buy more than one other player, but the Spaniard said: “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more. We were looking for [...]
Hammers land Chilean Jimenez June 23, 2009 FOOTBALL: West Ham last night completed the signing of Inter Milan forward Luis Jimenez on a one-year loan after a successful appeal for a work permit. The Chilean, 25, who joins with a view to a permanent transfer subject to a medical, lacks the recent international caps needed for a permit. But a Hammers appeal, [...]
Henderson ‘very disappointed’ June 23, 2009 HORSE RACING: Leading trainer Nicky Henderson said yesterday he was awaiting a full explanation after being hit with a doping charge. He faces a ban of up to five years after being found guilty of administering a banned substance to Moonlit Path in February. Henderson, who denies the charge, said: “I’m obviously very disappointed. We’re [...]
Glover rockets up world rankings June 23, 2009 GOLF: US Open winner Lucas Glover has climbed 53 places to 18th in the world rankings following his triumph at Bethpage Black. The American won by two shots from Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ricky Barnes. England’s Ross Fisher, meanwhile, who finished fifth, has pulled out of this week’s BMW International Open.