Safina and Kuznetsova to meet in all-Russian final June 4, 2009 WORLD No1 Dinara Safina admits she is deperate to win her first Grand Slam after beating Dominika Cibulkova to set up an all-Russian French Open final. Safina got away with an error-strewn performance against the Slovakian 20th seed to win 6-3, 6-3, and take another step closer to her first major title. Last year’s runner-up [...]
Fancied Sariska has competition in the perfect starter at Epsom June 4, 2009 THE Oaks at Epsom today makes the perfect starter for the main course of the Derby tomorrow. Sariska is Paddy Power’s current market leader for the Oaks but other leading contenders include Rainbow View, who hated the firm ground in the Guineas, and Midday, who bids to give trainer Henry Cecil a ninth Oaks win. [...]
Martinez set for Wigan return June 4, 2009 FOOTBALL: Wigan hope to name Roberto Martinez as their new manager today after agreeing compensation of around £2m with Swansea. Former Wigan midfielder Martinez, 35, held talks with his old club yesterday about succeeding Steve Bruce. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said: “Hopefully things will be sorted out and contracts signed by this morning.”
Scotland name Robinson coach June 4, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Former England boss Andy Robinson was yesterday named head coach of Scotland. Robinson, whose poor spell with England ended in 2006, has left Edinburgh after almost two years in charge. “This is a wonderful opportunity to get back into Test rugby,” he said. “I’m confident I can take the national team onto bigger [...]
Liverpool in turmoil after owners lose 46m in year June 4, 2009 THE FUTURE of Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett is in “significant doubt” unless £350m of debt is refinanced before next month’s deadline, the club’s accountants KPMG warned last night. Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd, the parent company of Americans Hicks and Gillett, made a £42.6m loss for the year ending July 2008, according to [...]
Lampard: Ancelotti can take us to next level June 4, 2009 CHELSEA midfielder Frank Lampard insists the appointment of new manager Carlo Ancelotti has triggered a wave of optimism at Stamford Bridge. Lampard says he has received glowing tributes from all those he has canvassed about the Champions League-winning former AC Milan coach. And, having finished last season on a high by lifting the FA Cup, [...]
SHAMED SYMONDS AXED June 4, 2009 AUSTRALIA all-rounder Andrew Symonds was sent home yesterday on the eve of the World Twenty20, which begins today in England, following an alcohol-related breach of team rules. Captain Ricky Ponting said Symonds had “let himself down and let the team down”. The 33-year-old, who was not part of the Ashes squad, has been replaced by [...]
Network Rail bosses set to get bonuses June 3, 2009 RAIL OPERATOR Network Rail said yesterday it would pay its executives bonuses, despite a furore over pay in blue chip companies, and a possible licence breach at the company. Directors will share £1m between them as the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), investigates claims of a licence breach on its west coast [...]
BNP Paribas on hunt for exec June 3, 2009 THE HUNT for someone to run one of Europe’s largest asset managers has begun after Richard Wohanka stepped down as chief executive of Fortis Investments ahead of its merger with the fund management operations of French lender BNP Paribas. Wohanka leaves the company before a tie-up expected to create the fifth-largest asset management business in [...]
Magna takeover of GM to complete by September June 3, 2009 MAGNA INTERNATIONAL looks set to close its takeover of GM Europe by September, it said yesterday, as the white knight clarifies the details of its takeover. Magna agreed to buy the European arm of bankrupt car firm General Motors (GM) at the weekend, as its US parent filed for Chapter 11. The Canadian carparts maker [...]
