Murray: Hard court won’t favour Nadal July 1, 2010 ANDY MURRAY has brushed off fears that a sun-baked Centre Court will help his opponent Rafael Nadal as he seeks to become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final since 1938. Murray is already the underdog for this afternoon’s semi-final against the Spaniard, who has reclaimed the world No1 spot following an outstanding [...]
Johnson hails axed captain Borthwick July 1, 2010 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson admits dropping long-standing captain Steve Borthwick from his 32-man elite squad has been the hardest decision of his coaching career. Johnson installed Borthwick as skipper upon taking over in 2008 and stuck by him for two years, despite vociferous criticism of the Saracens lock’s international performances. But Borthwick’s injury in March [...]
No bids yet but that’s okay, says chairman Broughton July 1, 2010 LIVERPOOL chairman Martin Broughton says there have no been no bids for the club yet but still hopes a sale will go through by the end of August. The Reds’ American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett officially put the club on the market in May, with British Airways chief Broughton tasked with overseeing the [...]
Argentines and Germans agree: England are rubbish July 1, 2010 ARGENTINA and Germany took time out from verbally attacking each other in the build-up to tomorrow’s eagerly awaited quarter-final to join forces and ridicule England’s woeful World Cup. Martin Demichelis, the Bayern Munich and Argentina defender, sunk the knife in deepest by pouring scorn on John Terry’s below-par performance in Sunday’s 4-1 drubbing by Germany. [...]
Evergreen Kinane still living life in the fast lane July 1, 2010 HE may have hung up his saddle after a glittering 34-year career, but there’s no such thing as an easy life if you’re Mick Kinane. Since announcing his international retirement last December, the 51-year-old has been managing his own stud farm in his native Ireland, is now Flat Ambassador for Horseracing Ireland 2010, and is [...]
Williams serves up record ace tally in battling victory July 1, 2010 DEFENDING champion Serena Williams is hoping to find an extra gear for her sixth Wimbledon final after being pushed hard in yesterday’s last-four tussle with Czech upstart Petra Kvitova. After being broken for the first time in this year’s tournament, Williams drew on her considerable battling qualities to force a tie-break that proved to be [...]
Zvonareva fights back to reach first Grand Slam final July 1, 2010 RUSSIA’S Vera Zvonareva has vowed not to even contemplate the odds of beating defending champion Serena Williams in Sunday’s final. And that is probably just as well, because punters are unlikely to be flocking to back the 21st seed against the world No1, despite a gritty comeback win over Tsvetana Pironkova. Zvonareva had to recover [...]
Don’t make Rooney World Cup scapegoat, says Owen July 1, 2010 ENGLAND outcast Michael Owen has leapt to the defence of Wayne Rooney, insisting his Manchester United team-mate does not deserve to be singled out for criticism during the World Cup inquest. Rooney had his best season yet for United but looked a pale shadow of the rambunctious marksman who terrorised Premier League defences once he [...]
Hodgson: I only had eyes for Liverpool July 1, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson insists he never considered delaying his appointment on the off-chance the England job became available. Hodgson has been touted as one of the favourites to succeed Fabio Capello, whose future as national team coach is under discussion by England chiefs. But rather than stall while the Italian’s future is decided over [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF July 1, 2010 Platt joins Man City as coach FOOTBALL: Former England captain David Platt has joined Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff at Manchester City. Platt, who has managed England Under-21s and Nottingham Forest, has been named first-team coach and will work with assistant manager Brian Kidd and coach Fausto Salsano. The 44-year-old, who won 62 England caps, played [...]