Federer joy at long-awaited French glory June 7, 2009 WORLD No2 Roger Federer toasted the finest moment of his distinguished career after finally triumphing at the French Open yesterday. A straight-sets victory over Sweden’s Robin Soderling saw Federer snare the one Grand Slam to elude him, and equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 major titles. Federer sank to his knees in relief upon completing [...]
Button’s Turkish delight after sixth win June 7, 2009 BRITAIN’S Jenson Button paid tribute to his “monster” car after tightening his grip on the world championship with a sixth win of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix. Button took full advantage when pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel ran his Red Bull wide at turn nine on the opening lap. He quickly extended his lead and [...]
Flutey back in contention as Lions prepare to face Sharks June 7, 2009 ENGLAND centre Riki Flutey has given the British and Irish Lions a fitness boost ahead of their penultimate warm-up game against the Sharks on Wednesday. Flutey will resume training today after overcoming a knee injury he sustained in the Lions’ opening tour game against the Royal XV. The Wasps player will hope to earn his [...]
Proteas end Scottish T20 hopes June 7, 2009 CRICKET: Scotland became the first team to be knocked out of the Twenty20 World Cup after a crushing 130-run defeat by South Africa. AB de Villiers blasted 79 runs off just 34 deliveries to help the Proteas reach 211-5. In their reply the Scots quickly slumped to 13-4 and, despite some resistance from Kyle Coetzer, [...]
Huldahl scoops surprise win June 7, 2009 GOLF: Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl clinched his first European Tour victory with a bogey-free final round of 67 at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor. Huldahl, ranked 377th in the world, started the day in a three-way tie for the lead with Nick Dougherty and Ignacio Garrido but moved clear with birdies at the third and [...]
Banahan set to keep place June 7, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Bath’s Matt Banahan should get another chance to impress manager Martin Johnson when England face Argentina in Salta next weekend. The winger, 22, stole the show at Old Trafford on Saturday, scoring one try and setting up another as England beat the Pumas 37-15. The 6ft 7in, 18-stone giant said: “It’ll be a [...]
Pietersen shrugs off injury to fire England to last eight June 7, 2009 ENGLAND captain Paul Collingwood praised his side’s perfect response to a barrage of criticism after securing a place in the last eight of the World Twenty20 with a 48-run win over Pakistan at The Oval. Batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was only passed fit after a late test on his Achilles, shrugged off injury worries to [...]
United bid 16m for Valencia but old foes Real are lurking June 7, 2009 MANCHESTER United and Real Madrid look set to resume hostilities in the transfer market this week as the race to sign Luis Antonio Valencia heats up. Wigan wide man Valencia’s displays last season earned him plenty of admirers and it is understood that both United and Real have lodged bids in excess of £16m. The [...]
Capello to be without Ferdinand for Andorra June 7, 2009 ENGLAND could all but guarantee their place at next summer’s World Cup with victory over Andorra on Wednesday – but they will have to do so without defender Rio Ferdinand. Head coach Fabio Capello had hoped to have the Manchester United player available for their second group six match within four days, having rested him [...]
Ribery set to snub Blues over fears of grey skies June 7, 2009 CHELSEA target Franck Ribery has appeared to rule out a move to England – because he is put off by the prospect of bad weather. Bayern Munich winger Ribery looks set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, with the Blues rivalling Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona for his signature. But the £45m-rated Frenchman, who [...]