Take Safin to start well, but be Fed up July 4, 2008 It’s easy to predict that Roger Federer will beat Marat Safin in the Wimbledon semi-final today, and is all set to clash with Rafa Nadal in the final. But there might still be some value out there if you look for it. Looking at the semi-final between Federer and Russian maverick Safin, better have an [...]
Federer routs Ancic to march into semis July 3, 2008 Defending champion Roger Federer continued his serene progress towards a sixth successive Wimbledon title with a quarterfinal stroll against Mario Ancic. Croatia’s Ancic, the last player to beat Federer on grass, in 2002, failed to earn a single break point as the world No1 cruised into the last four, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. It was another [...]
Villa order captain Barry not to come back as Liverpool transfer row deepens July 3, 2008 Liverpool target Gareth Barry looks to have played his last game for Aston Villa after the club disciplined their captain and ordered him not to report for pre-season training. Villa took action after Barry criticised manager Martin O’Neill during a newspaper interview in which the England midfielder reaffirmed his desire to leave the club for [...]
Murray hopes crushed as Nadal scales new heights July 3, 2008 Britain’s dream of a home-grown Wimbledon champion was rudely awoken last night when second seed Rafael Nadal mercilessly dispatched Andy Murray in straight sets. British No1 Murray looked jaded from Monday’s epic five-set comeback against Richard Gasquet and was no match for Nadal, who swept into the semi finals 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The Scot, playing [...]
Determined Venus looks for revenge July 2, 2008 Venus Williams will be looking to gain sweet revenge on sister Serena should they be paired in Saturday’s singles final at SW19. The four-times champion has suffered defeat to her younger sibling in both their previous final meetings, in 2002 and 2003. But she moved one step closer to securing another family final yesterday with [...]
Murray: I’ve shown I’m as good as Nadal July 2, 2008 British No1 Andy Murray insists he has what it takes to cause a huge upset and knock world No2 Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon today. Murray thrilled Centre Court with a five-set win over Richard Gasquet on Monday, but goes into his first Grand Slam quarter-final as the underdog, having lost his three previous matches [...]
Twelve axed as Johnson lays down the law July 2, 2008 Martin Johnson insists his England side must learn from their two-Test mauling by the All Blacks if they are to compete with the world’s elite. Johnson marked his first day as England team manager by demoting no fewer than 12 senior internationals from his first 32-man elite squad. And he vowed to crack down on [...]
Williams sisters eyeing a family affair as Jankovic crashes to shock defeat July 1, 2008 The Williams sisters are lining up a third singles final showdown after No2 seed Jelena Jankovic joined the list of high-profile casualties at Wimbledon. The Serb, clearly struggling with a knee injury, collapsed to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn to leave the quarter-finals without any of the top four seeds for the [...]
Murray roars into last eight with epic win July 1, 2008 British No1 Andy Murray surged back from a seemingly insurmountable position to beat eighth seed Richard Gasquet and reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final. Murray looked finished at two sets and 5-4 down but mounted an epic recovery that enthralled Centre Court and reached its climax almost four hours after play began. The Scot seemed [...]
Chelsea sign Portugal’s Deco July 1, 2008 Chelsea last night completed the £8m signing of Portugal midfielder Deco from Barcelona, as Frank Lampard edged closer to leaving Stamford Bridge for Inter Milan. Deco, 30, has reportedly agreed a two-year contract, and follows his former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to Chelsea. Scolari built his Portugal team around Deco and the playmaker insists [...]