Sharapova crashes out as Nadal marches on January 18, 2010 MARIA SHARAPOVA insisted she will take defeat on the chin after becoming the first big-name casualty of the Australian Open. The 2008 champion, seeded 14, made no fewer than 77 unforced errors and served 11 double faults as she crashed 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-4 to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko. “It’s a bad day and you [...]
Embark on an unforgettable winter journey January 17, 2010 SITTING under a palm tree on an idyllic beach starts to sound almost pedestrian when you consider what adventures lie in store for those willing to embrace snow and ice. It’s cold, but winter brings some of the most beautiful landscapes and thrilling activities on earth – from dog sledding in the Arctic Circle to [...]
Oleg Deripaska cancels 2007 deal to acquire Russneft firm January 10, 2010 Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska has pulled out of a deal struck in 2007 to acquire oil firm Russneft from its founder, Mikhail Gutseriyev. The deal was reversed because Deripaska failed to win permission from the Russian government’s commission on foreign investment in strategic industries. Approval from the commission, chaired by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, [...]
Goodyear turns down Usmanov January 10, 2010 Charles “Chip” Goodyear, the former chief executive of FTSE 100 mining group BHP Billiton, has turned down a return to the sector with Metalloinvest – the steel group founded by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov. Goodyear is understood to have been approached before Christmas but rejected an offer.
Gerrard and Torres may have to go, admits Rafa January 10, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has admitted the club’s cash crisis could force him to sell star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The Spaniard has always said he would never consider a bid for either of his star men, but confessed for the first time yesterday that a lack of funds may force his hand. [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING January 7, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES INEOS PUTS IPO ON BACK BURNER Ineos, the world’s third-largest chemicals producer, has put on ice exploratory work for an initial public offering, according to people close to the situation. A listing, which would have been among the largest by a UK company, was one of a range of options that had been [...]
Haye: I’ve got a weak chin January 6, 2010 BOXING: World heavyweight champion David Haye admits he will always have a suspect chin – but insists it will not stop him in his tracks. The Londoner brilliantly dispatched Russian giant Nikolay Valuev to take the WBA title in November, but critics question whether he can achieve his aim of unifying the belts against the [...]
Swift entrance for Sky new boy January 4, 2010 CYCLING: Rising star Ben Swift has been unveiled as the new rider for Team Sky in the 2010 season. Swift, 22, who rode for Russian team Katusha last year, was part of the team’s launch yesterday and is in the squad for the Tour Down Under this month. “It feels like coming home because I [...]
Winning return for Henin January 4, 2010 TENNIS: Former world No1 Justine Henin made a winning return to professional tennis after beating Nadia Petrova in the first round of the Brisbane International. Belgian Henin, playing her first match since retiring in May 2008, impressed on her way to a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the Russian second seed. “I have been waiting for [...]
Rusal float set to earn millions for Rothschild January 3, 2010 RUSSIAN aluminium firm Rusal, owned by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, is planning a $2.6bn (£1.6bn) flotation this month, tipped to earn millions for merchant bank NM Rothschild, it emerged yesterday. Rusal will sell 1.61 billion shares at up to HK$12.50 (£1) a share to cut $14.9bn (£9.2bn) of debt in a float set to value Rusal [...]