tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79220304973978994382010-05-02T18:50:00.120+01:00Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-43413931035677759612010-05-02T18:50:00.000+01:002010-05-02T18:50:00.155+01:00<p>Usain Bolt clocked a time of 19.56 in the 200 metres sprint in Jamaica. Competing in front of 30,000 home fans at the Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston on Saturday, Bolt was in ominous form as he raced away from his rivals to cross the line in 19.56 seconds – 0.4sec ahead of second-placed American Wallace Spearmon. </p><p>"I felt good, the race was a good one and I am on target to have a good season," said the triple Olympic champion and double world record-holder. "My training has been going well and I am pleased with my performance.”</p> Related ArticlesGay confident he can challenge BoltEngland commit to Commonwealth GamesI have missed out on a great marathon experienceOur team's marathon effortFlat tyres end Weir's title hopesWorld Athletics: Usain Bolt breaks 200 metres world record in 19.19 seconds<p>Bolt’s display was all the more impressive because the race was run into a 0.8 metres per second headwind. Running from lane five, he was ahead by 60 metres and, by the finish, had a 10-metre advantage over Spearmon, the world bronze medallist. </p><p>His winning time has been bettered only three times before – twice by Bolt himself with his world record records of 19.19sec at last year’s World Championships in Berlin and 19.30sec at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Michael Johnson holds the third quickest time with his old world mark of 19.32sec. </p><p>Bolt insists he has no interest in chasing world records this year but such a brilliant performance so early in season suggests it is time to heed his oft-quoted mantra: “Anything is possible”. </p><p>Last year, Bolt managed to smash his own 100m and 200m world records on the back of a late start to his winter training that was further delayed by injuries he sustained in a car accident. </p><p>With a trouble-free winter behind him this year, more great things surely lie ahead for the giant Jamaican, who will run his first 100m of the season in Daegu, Korea, on May 19 before making his Diamond League debut over 200m in Shanghai on May 23. </p><p>American Tyson Gay, the world’s second fastest man, was also in action in Kingston but avoided an early confrontation with his rival by opting to compete in the 400m. He won comfortably in 45.05sec. </p><p>Meanwhile, 19 year-old Chris Thompson leapt to third on the all-time British 10,000m list behind Jon Brown and Eamonn Martin after clocking 27min 29.61sec at a meeting at Stanford University in the United States. His time qualifies him for this summer’s European Championships in Barcelona. </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/7668252/Usain-Bolt-storms-to-impressive-200-metre-victory-in-Jamaica.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-4341393103567775961?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-31229941079913271292010-05-02T17:50:00.000+01:002010-05-02T17:50:00.252+01:00<p>John Higgins has insisted he would never fix a snooker match and declared his conscience was "100% clear" following the newspaper allegations that he agreed to throw frames in return for money.</p>Commenting for the first time since the allegations emerged in the News of the World, 34-year-old Higgins claimed he only said he would participate in the deal so he could get out of a potentially threatening situation.<br /><br />He said in a statement read out on BBC2 prior to the World Championship final: "Can I say I have never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing. In my 18 years playing professional snooker I have never deliberately missed a shot never mind intentionally lost a frame or a match."<br /><br />He explained: "Those who know me are aware of my love for snooker and that I would never do anything to damage the integrity of the sport I love. My conscience is 100% clear."<br /><br />Higgins, the sport's new world number one, was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, and his manager Pat Mooney resigned from the WPBSA board.<br /><br />Both men were secretly videoed by an undercover reporter who was posing as a businessman at a meeting which the News of the World say took place in the days following Higgins' World Championship second-round defeat to Steve Davis.<br /><br />"In all honesty I became very worried at the way the conversation developed in Kiev," Higgins said in his statement.<br /><br />"When it was suggested that I throw frames in return for large sums of money, I was really spooked, I just wanted to get out of the hotel and onto the plane home.<br /><br />"I didn't know if this was the Russian mafia or who we were dealing with. At that stage I felt the best course of action was just to play along with these guys and get out of Russia."<br /></p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/172774/Higgins-My-conscience-is-clear/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-3122994107991327129?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-13604783129280310802010-05-02T16:50:00.001+01:002010-05-02T16:50:36.101+01:00<p>Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from the Coca-Cola Championship after a dramatic match at Hillsborough against Crystal Palace.</p>Only victory over the visitors would ensure survival, but they could only manage a 2-2 draw. Alan Lee put Palace ahead in the first half, only for Leon Clarke to level matters just before the break. Palace went ahead again thanks to a second half Darren Ambrose goal, but the Owls fought back with a Darren Purse shot with just three minutes of normal time remaining.<br /><br />Five minutes of injury time ensured a nervous end to the game but Palace, who had 10 points deducted this season for going into administration, managed to hang on.<br /><br />At the other end of the table Blackpool celebrated securing a play-off place with a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City.<br /><br />Nicky Maynard gave City a surprise first-half lead with a wonderful opportunist strike, but Brett Ormerod levelled nine minutes after the break to earn the hosts a share of the spoils.<br /><br />That draw meant a victory for Swansea over Doncaster at the Liberty Stadium would mean the south Wales side made the play-offs at the Seasiders' expense.<br /><br />But they could only manage a goalless draw and to make matters worse had a Lee Trundle strike disallowed in the dying seconds.<br /><br />Champions Newcastle finished their season on a high with a 1-0 victory at QPR. Peter Lovenkrands' 71st-minute strike ensured they signed off their brief stint outside the top flight with a win. <br /><br />West Brom - already guaranteed second place and like Newcastle a quick return to the Barclays Premier League - scored a late equaliser to deny Barnsley the three points. Hugo Colace put the visitors in front with an hour on the clock, but West Brom's player of the season Graham Dorrans popped up with a stoppage-time equaliser.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest ended the season third in the table with a 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe, while Leicester beat Middlesbrough 2-0. Cardiff went down 2-0 at Derby. Forest will take on Blackpool in the play-offs, while Leicester will meet Cardiff.<br /></p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/172790/Wednesday-suffer-relegation-heartache/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-1360478312928031080?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-56433883158559818552010-04-22T09:53:00.000+01:002010-04-22T09:53:00.683+01:00<p>Opting to bat first in the first IPL semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, the Indians were lifted to a formidable 184 for five by superb batting performances from Saurabh Tiwary (52 not out), Ambati Rayudu (40) and an excellent cameo from Pollard (33). </p><p>The West Indies international then took three for 17 in his four overs as the Royal Challengers caved in and were restricted to 149 for nine in what eventually fizzled out into a one-sided game. </p> Related ArticlesIPL investigators scrutinise payments to English playersModi: I'll be vindicatedIPL cricket bomb attacks ordered by 'betting mafia'Virender Sehwag ruled out of World Twenty20IPL 2010: YouTube Top 10Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff on Indian Premier League A-list, but England team-mates will miss out<p>The Royal Challengers initially gained the edge when Dale Steyn had Sachin Tendulkar caught by Ross Taylor in the second over for nine, his first single-figure score in the competition this year, and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan was then run out for 12. </p><p>Abhishek Nayar (22) and Rayudu, however, briefly arrested the slide and lifted the Indians' run rate with a flurry of boundaries which had the Royal Challengers rattled and left their side poised nicely on 54 for two at the end of the powerplay. </p><p>Captain Anil Kumble called the Royal Challengers into a huddle during the strategic time-out and, when they returned, Kumble brought himself and Pietersen on to bowl from either end. </p><p>Pietersen secured the breakthrough by removing Nayar and Kumble struck in his second over to scalp JP Duminy cheaply, and the Royal Challengers again had the advantage as the two spinners put the brakes on the scoring. </p><p>But Kumble slipped up when he brought on Virat Kohli in the 14th and Tiwary, who had joined Rayudu at Nayar's dismissal, immediately eased the pressure by hitting the part-time bowler for a six in an over which yielded 10. </p><p>Tiwary then cut loose and, with Rayudu chipping in nicely, the Indians easily wrested the initiative. </p><p>Rayudu fell after a 67-run stand with Tiwary, but his replacement Pollard smacked three sixes and a four in his 13-delivery stint as the Indians finished on a high. </p><p>The Indians carried the momentum into the second innings as Jacques Kallis (11), who had earlier conceded 25 from two overs, completed a forgettable match when he edged Lasith Malinga to wicketkeeper Rayudu. </p><p>Although several batsmen got starts thereafter, the Royal Challengers lost wickets regularly and were out of the contest long before the final delivery. </p><p>Pietersen (19) was castled by Harbhajan Singh in the bowler's first over immediately after fielding restrictions were relaxed. </p><p>Although Robin Uthappa (26) and Rahul Dravid (23), who had opened alongside Kallis, briefly kept the chase alive, their dismissals within the space of two deliveries pegged the Royal Challengers back. </p><p>Pollard, who had removed Uthappa in his first over, then had Kohli caught behind and it was all over bar the shouting. </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/kevinpietersen/7616146/Kevin-Pietersens-Indian-Premier-League-dreams-dashed-by-Mumbai-Indians.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5643388315855981855?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-59713841364814473012010-04-22T07:53:00.000+01:002010-04-22T07:53:00.896+01:00<p>Since my early teens, my life has been inextricably bound to sport, whether competitive, political or administrative. And there are two people to whom I owe an eternal debt of gratitude. </p><p>One was my father, who steered my career from its first tentative steps to an Olympic stadium. The other, Juan Antonio Samaranch, who left us on Wednesday, had an equally profound influence on a large part of my sporting landscape. </p> Related ArticlesIngram takes World Cup bowAjulu-Bushell a step closer to joining Team GBDaley intends to stay on topAinslie's double dreamSport on televisionIOC president Jacques Rogge set to step down after 2012 London Olympics<p>In 1981 I was invited by Samaranch, who only a year earlier had become the International Olympic Committee's seventh president, to attend the Olympic congress in Baden Baden alongside a clutch of other competitors. As ever, with the sixth sense of a seasoned sailor seizing upon a changing wind – long before anyone else – he knew that the athlete had to be at the epicentre of the decisions being made on their behalf by sporting organisations. </p><p>Up until this point, although they were often the first thought, they were, in essence, the last consideration. As a sports leader, Samaranch was different. He knew instinctively that if the movement were to modernise, it could only do so by taking the athletes with him on that journey. </p><p>At the end of the conference I was asked to present a synthesis of our deliberations. Shortly afterwards, he announced the formation of the first Athletes' Commission – ostensibly made up from those of us in Baden Baden. Thomas Bach, Pal Schmitt and Kip Keino were among those who went on to reach the upper echelons of administrative sport in their own countries and the IOC. There were many more who now hold prominent positions in international federations and even government, who all owe those posts to the foresight of the Catalan. Within a few years, the Athletes' Commission was an integral part of most international federations. </p><p>Shortly after joining the Athletes' Commission I was appointed to the UK Sports Council and not, of course, without asking his opinion first – and he was always on hand and generous with his time. </p><p>It was this friendship that probably persuaded him to offer me a wild card after being dropped from the British team for the 1988 Games in Seoul. For understandable reasons, the British Olympic Association did not welcome this overture from Lausanne with unalloyed joy. In the end, I sat out the Games as a spectator. </p><p>At the Atlanta Games six years after I'd retired, buried in a political career and with less day-to-day contact with sport, he invited me to watch the 1500 metres final with him. At the end of the evening, he turned to me and, with a clipped command, announced he was leaving and that I should follow. We were ushered from the stadium and arrived at the basketball venue, the Georgia Dome, for the Dream Team v Yugoslavia final. At half-time, again he told me to follow. We disappeared into the bowels of the stadium, only to reappear on the apron of the court. </p><p>A few moments later, he presented Muhammad Ali with the gold medal that he supposedly threw away after winning the Olympic heavyweight crown in Rome, when refused service in a restaurant in his hometown. It was a moment I will never forget. In the car returning to the hotel, I asked him whose idea it was. He smiled and with clear pride said, "It was mine". </p><p>At the end of last summer, I sat with him in Spain. In his 90th year his grasp of not just international sport but the global condition was breathtaking. There was always that disarming moment when you thought you were imparting information that was fresh, only to be politely told that he'd known at least six months earlier. And you knew he did. </p><p>He had the rare quality of grasping granular detail but never letting it get in the way of the broader vision. He was quite simply the most intuitive politician I have ever met. </p><p>He pulled the movement together after the Moscow boycott and moulded it into the powerful global movement it is today – reducing dramatically the potential for further damage in the tit for tat boycott in Los Angeles and, again, holding the rings so astutely during the Seoul Games, staged in a country recognised by less than half the diplomatic world, which is testimony alone to that assertion. </p><p>But what many of his chroniclers miss was his sheer love and encyclopedic knowledge of sport. As a spectator his concentration was total. His knowledge of the current crop of competitors and their form was astonishing. And that was the same in almost every Olympic sport. </p><p>It will come as no surprise when I write that the first person I went to see after being appointed chairman of the London 2012 bid team was this man. "Of course you have to do it," he said impatiently. "You have a responsibility."</p><p>Then a short pause, "of course, you're not going to win". This was not the occasion to push my luck, particularly as Madrid were also in the running. </p><p>Just before our first Athletes' Commission meeting, nearly 30 years ago, he briefly addressed the group, "I want you all to challenge me, to challenge the movement and to challenge sport". Much has been written about his presidency, events chronicled and analysed. He led from the front and he unquestionably challenged us all. I shall miss him. </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/7615952/IOC-president-Juan-Antonio-Samaranchs-love-and-knowledge-of-sport-was-unsurpassed.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5971384136481447301?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-30926598283772888972010-04-22T05:53:00.000+01:002010-04-22T05:53:00.421+01:00<p>Results from 20 April 2010</p><p>Western Conference First Round:</p><p>Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8)</p><p>A magnificent 39 point performance from Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant ensured Los Angeles came out on top in a very tense battle at the Staples Centre in front of a star-studded crowd. David Beckham, Kid Rock, Charlize Theron and Jack Nicholson were all in the crowd to see the Lakers win 95-92, which gives them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Thunder power forward Jeff Green missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have taken the game to overtime but it was an encouraging performance by the young team led by small forward Kevin Durant who had 32 points. Spanish power forward Pau Gasol was also influential for the Lakers as he recorded his second double-double of the series with 25 points and 12 rebounds.</p><p>Next match: Thursday 22nd April</p><p>Phoenix Suns (3) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (6)</p><p>Jason Richardson hit four three-pointers in his 29 points as the Phoenix Suns thrashed the Trail Blazers to draw the series level at 1-1. The Suns won every quarter in a dominating 119-90 win with Canadian points guard Steve Nash dishing out 16 assists. Veterans Andre Miller and Marcus Camby were crucial in the Blazers win over the Suns on Sunday but combined for just 18 points last night as the Phoenix ran them ragged. Power forward Amare Stoudemire (18 points) and small forward Grant Hill (20 points) ably assisted Richardson and Nash as the Suns cruised to victory.</p><p>Next match: Thursday 22nd April</p><p>Eastern Conference First Round:</p><p>Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)</p><p>Celtics star Ray Allen was on fire as Boston destroyed the Miami Heat to take a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series. Allen scored on nine of his 11 field goal attempts, including seven three-pointers as he led the Celtics with 25 points. Boston were without suspended power forward Kevin Garnett but Glen Davis filled in brilliantly for the former MVP with 23 points and eight rebounds. Not even 29 points from All Star Dwyane Wade kept the Heat close as they were beaten 106-77.</p><p>Next match: Friday 23rd April</p><p>Atlanta Hawks (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6)</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/21/nba-playoffs-results-round-up-115875-22201666/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-3092659828377288897?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-26483031144658478022010-04-22T03:53:00.001+01:002010-04-22T03:53:31.822+01:00<p>Carl Froch's showdown with Mikkel Kessler will decide who wins the Super Six Series, claims Peter Schmeichel.</p><p>Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham may have something to say about the comments from Schmeichel, who is presenting Danish TV's coverage of the fight, but Froch v Kessler is the fight everyone has been looking forward to since the Super Six began.</p><p>Saturday's contest, which is exclusively live on Primetime, is finely balanced as the current WBC super-middleweight champ Froch takes on the former holder of the crown in Kessler.</p><p>Kessler's stock may have fallen since he faced Joe Calzaghe in their unification clash in November 2007 and the Dane is coming off a shock loss to Andre Ward.</p><p>But he has the plus of home advantage and the fight will take place in front of several thousand screaming Danes in Herning.</p><p>The unbeaten Froch, who despite being a year older than Kessler is much the fresher fighter, was unhappy about having to fight in Herning, which is the Danish equivalent of Kettering, and hard for his fans to reach.</p><p>His travel plans were also affected by the volcanic dust cloud and he finally arrived in Denmark today - four days later than he had originally planned.</p><p>That aside, everything else has gone like clockwork for Froch, who, like our other champions Amir Khan and David Haye, likes to put on a show for the fans.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/21/schmeichel-froch-v-kessler-is-the-super-six-series-decider-115875-22201949/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-2648303114465847802?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-31949483460215407512010-04-21T07:12:00.000+01:002010-04-21T07:12:00.059+01:00<p>Lens president Gervais Martel has confirmed the club will allow Aruna Dindane to play for Portsmouth in the FA Cup final, for the sake of the on-loan striker.</p>Dindane has become a regular for Pompey since arriving on a season-long loan in August but should he play another match it would trigger a clause requiring them to pay £4million to Lens.<br /><br />The cash-stricken club can ill afford that sum and Martel has suggested Lens could now waive that fee.<br /><br />Lens confirmed on their website that they have decided to allow Dindane to play for Portsmouth in the final against Chelsea, while the Ivory Coast striker could also feature in their final three Barclays Premier League games against Bolton, Wolves and Everton.<br /><br />Martel added on www.rclens.fr: "There remains some problems to sort out with the English club. But I gave priority above all to the human aspect. <br /><br />"I couldn't prevent the player from preparing for the Cup final against Chelsea. And moreover, above and beyond this final, there is also the next World Cup for him with his country the Ivory Coast.<br /><br />"It was impossible to deprive him of a possible World Cup call-up. I couldn't block the player because of difficult discussions between Portsmouth and Lens."<br /><br />The 29-year-old earned the penalty which Kevin-Prince Boateng scored to book Pompey's place in next month's FA Cup final with victory over Tottenham at Wembley.</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/170422/Lens-to-let-Dindane-play-final/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-3194948346021540751?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-79764359669641011762010-04-21T06:12:00.000+01:002010-04-21T06:12:00.557+01:00<p>Edvald Boasson Hagen dominated last year's Tour of Britain. The 2010 race will visit several established venues for The Tour of Britain, but also takes-in several regions and venues for the first time, venturing into Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and revisiting Wales for the first time since the race's revival in 2004. </p><p>The two West Country stages would appear likely to sort out the potential winners and riders face massive, tiring, transfer after the second of these having to get from Glastonbury at the finish of stage five to King's Lynn in distant Norfolk for the start of the following day's stage. </p> Related ArticlesWiggins likely to miss Tour of BritainYou have to be a masochist, says CavendishRace guide to 2010 ProTourBlog: latest cycling round-upCycling on televisionNational cycling results<p> "This year's event sees The Tour of Britain race into several new regional venues, and for the first time ever we will have two stages take place in the East of England region, bringing the race to new audiences in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex," says Mick Bennett, Technical Director of The Tour of Britain. </p><p> "We are delighted to be bringing the race back into Wales this year and look forward to a tough stage into Swansea this year. On the way from the Grand Depart to the final stage in London, riders will face tough routes and intense competition, while taking in some breathtaking views of our wonderful country. </p><p>The race this year will feature 16 top professional international teams, including Team Sky, over a route designed to deliver a worthy overall winner to join the ranks of previous yellow jerseys such as Edvald Boasson Hagen, Geoffroy Lequatre, Romain Feillu and Nick Nuyens. </p><p>Tour of Britain route </p><p>Sept 11, stage one: Rochdale-Blackpool 126km<br />Sept 12, stage two: Stoke-on-Trent-Stoke-on-Trent 160km<br />Sept 13, stage three: Newton-Swansea 150km<br />Sept 14, stage four: Minehead-Teignmouth 171km<br />Sept 15, stage five: Tavistock-Glastonbury 176km<br />Sept 16, stage six: King’s Lynn-Great Yarmouth 189km<br />Sept 17, stage seven: Bury St Edmunds-Colchester 151km<br />Sept 18, stage eight: The TfL London Stage 100km </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/7611784/Tour-of-Britain-is-toughest-yet.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-7976435966964101176?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-12781099222842061822010-04-21T05:12:00.000+01:002010-04-21T05:12:00.236+01:00<p>So Barcelona do have an affliction: travel sickness. In deference to the Icelandic volcano, the Catalan all-stars had embarked on a two-day coach trek just to reach the San Siro and, in the wake of a remarkable Champions League defeat that recast the order of Europe’s football powers, they were no doubt hoping that Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan would be forced to do the same in two weeks’ time.</p><p>This was a stunning result for Mourinho, all the more so given that his players had failed to score against Barcelona in three previous attempts and had gone a goal down again last night. </p> Related ArticlesMourinho: Inter still have work to doBalotelli outburst enrages InterDebate: Can Barcelona turn it around against Inter Milan?Advantage MourinhoInter v Barca: as it happenedMourinho plays down Messi threat<p>But galvanised by dynamos including Diego Milito, Maicon and the irrepressible Wesley Sneijder, they not only cancelled out Pedro Rodriguez’s opener but glimpsed an opportunity to complete the task at the Nou Camp and advance to the most unlikely final in Madrid.</p><p>Truth be told, Barcelona did not have to endure the greatest hardship en route to Lombardy, travelling by luxury coach and staying overnight in Cannes. </p><p>Indeed, Mourinho, in the all-conquering mindset that comes with snuffing out the lethal threat of Lionel Messi, would no doubt gladly walk his way to the return leg. </p><p>Barcelona’s passing sequences were just as exquisite as those that unravelled Arsenal in the first leg of a rivetingly one-sided quarter-final, but Inter Milan’s doughty defence refused to be so exposed. </p><p>Anchored by the formidable Lucio, the Inter back line absorbed the early running of Maxwell and Dani Alves, those tireless full-backs, with relative ease – at least until they were taught a salutary lesson in how to turn defence into attack before the average player could blink. </p><p>Pep Guardiola’s master craftsmen are so far above average that it is a great surprise, after Inter’s fine win, that their bid to be the first team since Arrigo Saachi’s Milan to win consecutive European titles is in doubt. </p><p>Surely, their profound recent impact on the continental stage demands nothing less. Even if their form did not last, they demonstrated their full capacity to achieve their ambition in the construction of the first goal, winning the ball high up the pitch before Maxwell darted down on a devilish run to the by-line. </p><p>Espying the unmarked Pedro to his right, the left-back found the perfect weight for the pass, but questions surrounded the role of Maicon as the Brazilian was caught horribly out of position. </p><p>Pedro was quick to exploit his freedom, angling a finish beyond Julio Cesar with an aplomb that befitted one of Barcelona’s least heralded performers. </p><p>He might be barely mentioned in the same breath as Messi but already the striker has contributed 20 goals for the blaugrana this season, in six different competitions. </p><p>Thoughts of a seamless passage to Madrid proved premature, however. Milito served notice that Inter would not be cowed with an instant riposte, pouncing on a cross from Sneijder but sliding his shot inches wide of Victor Valdes’ far post. </p><p>At least he fared better than Lucio, who underlined his status as a natural centre-back with one particularly wretched header. </p><p>The Inter pressure was gradually gathering, and the breakthrough fashioned by Sneijder, such an inventive presence behind the front two, fully merited. </p><p>The Dutchman has often been likened to David Beckham for the range of his passing but he proved his forward’s instincts last night, sidefooting past Valdes after Eto’o’s scuffed cross had been touched on by Milito. </p><p>Immediately he turned to the San Siro’s seething 70,000-plus crowd in salute but there was a sense of a comeback only just beginning. </p><p>Barcelona were rattled, as Sergio Busquets hinted by throwing the ball away even when his own side had won a free-kick. Tellingly, Mourinho was in the dug-out long before the second half started, satisfied that the briefest team talk would suffice after such an auspicious Inter performance. </p><p>His air of serenity, always ominous for his opponents, was soon explained as Maicon, the fall guy in Pedro’s strike, atoned spectacularly. </p><p>The move had opened with the unusual event of Messi being dispossessed and the brutish right-back was emphatic in ending it, controlling an awkwardly bouncing ball from Milito to stab his shot beyond Valdes’ clutches. </p><p>The upset was on, and Milito, the temperamental Argentine who had squandered a raft of chances, confirmed it when he surged clear of Barcelona’s punch-drunk defence to head in the third. Suspicions of offside will only enrage the Catalans as they look to repair the damage done by this game. </p><p>Messi was conspicuous by his absence from the plot, an omission he almost corrected when he unleashed a wickedly swerving free-kick that Julio Cesar did well to repel. But there was to be no place for his magic. </p><p>Barcelona were denied an apparent penalty when Sneijder raked the heels of Dani Alves but for the scoreline they had only their curious listlessness to blame. Their journey home would take another 16 hours and this time they would feel every second of it. </p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/championsleague/7611142/Inter-Milan-3-Barcelona-1-match-report.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-1278109922284206182?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-66628617503501963042010-04-21T04:12:00.000+01:002010-04-21T04:12:00.302+01:00<p>Carl Froch is set to be flown to Denmark by private jet today - to ensure Saturday's world title fight with Mikkel Kessler goes ahead.</p><p>That should beat the threat posed to commercial flights by volcanic ash.</p><p>And the result could be explosive as the Nottingham fighter bids to ram taunts down the throats of the Dane's followers.</p><p>Froch had earlier taken a strict "no flight, no fight" stance yesterday.</p><p>Before his emergency travel arrangements were confirmed last night, Kessler's promoter Kalle Sauerland said: "I do not care if he puts himself into a car, on a ferry, in a submarine or a helicopter.</p><p>"There are several ways to come into Denmark from England. Perhaps he wants a way to get out of the fight because he knows that he has no chances against Kessler and the 10,000 fans in Herning."</p><p>Wbc super-middleweight champion Froch hopes to arrive in north Germany or Denmark this afternoon, after admitting earlier yesterday the fight would be off if his scheduled flight tomorrow from London Stansted was cancelled.</p><p>Froch was refusing to travel by car and ferry if his Ryanair flight did not take off due to Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul eruption that has grounded flights in northern Europe.</p><p>Froch, 32, was due to arrive in the remote Danish town of Herning on Saturday, and then had a rearranged flight today also cancelled.</p><p>The Nottingham fighter insisted he would not be left fit to box if he was forced to make a marathon journey by road and sea to get to Scandinavia to face local hero Kessler in the third defence of his world title.</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/20/carl-froch-to-be-flown-to-denmark-by-private-jet-to-make-world-title-fight-with-mikkel-kessler-115875-22198177/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-6662861750350196304?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-14506886619152696402010-04-21T03:12:00.001+01:002010-04-21T03:12:54.699+01:00By Trevor Baxter20/04/2010</p><p>Liang Wenbo lost his way on and off the table yesterday with Ronnie O'Sullivan now poised to show his Sheffield rival the Crucible Theatre exit door this afternoon.</p><p>The Chinese cueman took a wrong turn backstage on his way in to the arena for a repeat of their 2008 Betfred World Championship quarterfinal.</p><p>After a promising start against the World No.1 and title favourite, 23-year-old Wenbo went off course in a one-sided first round encounter.</p><p>'Rocket' Ron, playing for a meeting against China Open winner Mark Williams or Scotland's Marcus Campbell, resumes this afternoon with a 7-2 lead.</p><p>He needs just three frames to reach the last 16.</p><p>Advertisement - article continues below »</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/20/ron-shows-wenbo-the-way-out-115875-22198169/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-1450688661915269640?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-73313725136570442622010-04-20T02:57:00.000+01:002010-04-20T02:57:00.881+01:00<p>Lewis Hamilton insists his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button leads the driver's standings because he has made life easier for himself. However, the 25 year-old is confident that the tables will soon turn and says he is proud of the way he has stayed in touch with his team-mate despite various qualifying setbacks and team errors. </p><p>Button led home a McLaren one-two at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, making what turned out to be an inspired decision not to pit early when others, including Hamilton, switched their dry tyres for intermediates. </p> Related ArticlesJenson Button heads McLaren one-two in ChinaHamilton admits rift with fatherVettel takes pole in ShanghaiSchumacher disappointed with qualifyingSport on televisionPatience will be key for Jenson Button in pursuit of world championship dream<p>It was the second time in a month, following the Australian Grand Prix three weeks ago, that Button, 30, had stolen a march on his younger compatriot. </p><p>Nevertheless, Hamilton, 25, feels he has raced superbly in the four races so far this year – making 32 overtaking manoeuvres, 12 of them in China alone, to Button's seven – and has only been let down by his qualifying pace and team mistakes. </p><p>"I feel I have had great races but Jenson has taken the right decisions and taken the easier route," Hamilton said. "I have had the harder route and got good results but hopefully soon I will take the easier route and it will be a lot easier." </p><p>Of course, Hamilton was not suggesting that his McLaren team-mate has had it easy – clearly if it was so straightforward everyone would have made the same race-winning tyre calls – merely that he has not yet enjoyed the rub of the green. </p><p>Nevertheless, he finds himself just 11 points behind Button going into the European season and says everything between them is going swimmingly. </p><p>"The good thing with me and Jenson is that we clearly want to beat each other but Jenson is very smart and does not have that too aggressive flair in him and neither have I," Hamilton said. </p><p>"I'm not surprised he has settled so quickly. There was a lot of stuff about him joining my team and I would be favoured ... the team just embrace the drivers, they want us both to win.</p><p>"They did absolutely everything to get him up to speed and feel comfortable. They did the same for me in 2007. </p><p>"I am really happy for him. He did a better job and I am sure that when the tables turn, as they will, it will the same for me."</p><p>Neither Hamilton nor Button is being beset by the travel problems afflicting the 1,000-plus members of the F1 travelling circus in Shanghai. </p><p>As desperate mechanics, chefs, engineers and journalists tried to plot a route home on Monday after travel plans were compromised by the Icelandic dust clouds, Hamilton jetted to South Africa for a sponsorship trip accompanied by his mother, with whom he is then going on safari, while Button flew to Thailand for a holiday with his girlfriend. </p><p>"It's the best time of my life, so far. You can write that as big as you want," said Button, who paid tribute to his team-mate. </p><p>"I think we're both dong a fantastic job. It's good to have a team-mate who's so competitive. The guy will never give up. He's like a pitbull." </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/7608252/Lewis-Hamilton-Jenson-Button-leads-Formula-One-title-race-after-taking-easy-route.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-7331372513657044262?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-68241083823660807272010-04-20T02:01:00.000+01:002010-04-20T02:01:00.071+01:00<p>Stephen Hendry rolled back the years in Sheffield last night to avoid one of his worst-ever defeats.</p><p>The 41-year-old Scot trailed little-known Chinese newcomer Anda Zhang 9-7 at the Betfred World Championship in Sheffield.</p><p>But the seven-times Crucible king stayed on cue to become Hendry the Eighth with a brilliant finish to win 10-9. He snatched the last three frames to join defending champion John Higgins in the last 16.</p><p>However, 18-year-old Zhang, nicknamed 'Mighty Mouse', will rue a missed opportunity to claim the scalp of the sport's most prolific winner. The 5ft 3in World Championship novice recovered from 4-0 and 7-5 down to snatch the lead.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/19/hendry-shades-thriller-115875-22195821/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-6824108382366080727?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-42837026417300477142010-04-20T01:57:00.000+01:002010-04-20T01:57:00.364+01:00<p>Liverpool's journey to Madrid will be far more taxing than this leisurely stroll through West Ham United’s defence, which obligingly parted three times to allow goals for Yossi Benayoun, David Ngog and a rebound in off the unfortunate Robert Green. </p><p>In stark contrast to their lively support, West Ham’s lack of fight was alarming as they remain in 17th position, only three points above Hull City, who play their game against Aston Villa tomorrow. West Ham remain in peril, although at least their goal difference is markedly superior to Hull’s. </p> Related ArticlesLiverpool and Fulham face 24-hour journeysPremier League tablePremier League actionTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesSport on television<p>West Ham had no one in the class of Steven Gerrard, who ran the game until leaving to a standing ovation, and whose set-pieces triggered carnage in the visitors’ defence. Liverpool’s captain seemed a man on a hurry, as if he had a train to catch, which he actually does today. </p><p>Such was Liverpool’s early control, the hosts cruising into a two-goal lead, that they could have left even earlier for Madrid. Despite their team’s very obvious travails, the West Ham supporters were at least in good voice, taunting the Kop with chants of “Thursday night, Channel Five’’, although they could easily have added “Tuesday night, Channel Tunnel’’. </p><p>Liverpool’s complicated journey to Madrid seems to involve everything but the ferry across the Mersey, and it seemed slightly cruel to stage stop-overs in London and Paris, two cities where they have experienced such joy in the European Cup. </p><p>Ignoring the West Ham jibes, Liverpool let their football do the talking. Benayoun was really in the mood, taking the game time and again to his old team, doubtless stirred by some of the ribald chants coming his way, scoring early. When Steven Gerrard swung over a free-kick from the right, West Ham’s defence froze, allowing Benayoun to glide in and score via his midriff. </p><p>For those West Ham supporters who had questioned Benayoun’s occasional stomach for the fight, here was the most ironic of responses. </p><p>Sadly for West Ham, Zola’s defence lacked the defiance of their supporters and the visitors almost fell further behind from another chaos-bringing set-piece. This time it was a corner from the right, driven in by Gerrard, perfectly measured to pick out Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Somehow, he managed to head the ball down and over the bar. </p><p>Beware Greeks wasting gifts? Liverpool swiftly recovered from the centre-half’s aberration, extending their lead through a fine, quick-passing move. Benayoun was again involved, darting through the middle before intelligently switching the ball </p><p>right to Maxi Rodríguez. The Argentine’s cross was immaculate, swept into the box where Ngog deftly re-directed it first time past Green. </p><p>In front of the watching Ray Clemence, and in the wake of good reviews for David James against Aston Villa, Green picked a bad moment to falter. However much he was let down again by his sluggish defenders, West Ham’s England keeper reacted too slowly to Ngog’s finish. </p><p>West Ham tried to respond, tried to give their fans some reward for their devotion, something to remember on the tortuous journey back down the cone-zone that is the M6. Carlton Cole, who was being watched by Franco Baldini, embarked on a typical muscular charge through the middle, Liverpool players bouncing off him, before he shot wide. </p><p>Badly missing the suspended Scott Parker, West Ham’s midfield lacked real bite and Gerrard drove through the middle almost at will. When space really opened up just before the interval, Dirk Kuyt tried his luck from 30 yards, bringing a sprawling save from Green. </p><p>West Ham were so disappointing, so tame. Arguably the best touch from a visitor in the first half came from Zola, the Italian neatly controlling a loose ball as it hurtled out for a throw near the tunnel. </p><p>Zola had little choice but to gamble at the break sending on another striker, attempting to pose Liverpool some semblance of a threat. He removed his right-winger, Junior Stanislas, and sent on Guillermo Franco, who ran around, soon colliding with Pepe Reina. Franco was often involved, soon lifting a long pass towards Cole on the right only for Glen Johnson to intercept. </p><p>After this brief flurry of action from West Ham, the game settled back into its earlier rhythm. Liverpool were dominant, adding a third just before the hour mark from more dead-ball mayhem. When Gerrard whipped over another free-kick, Kyrgiakos diverted the ball goalwards, it hit the post and rebounded in off the luckless Green. </p><p>West Ham finally remembered the art of defending when Gerrard came raiding into the box, being denied only by a block from Manuel da Costa.</p><p>West Ham woke up, piecing together a quick attack, bringing Cole one-on-one with Reina. It was an unequal contest, Reina spreading himself and saving with ease at an Anfield Road End that was far from full. For all the talk of a fans’ protest, it appeared that the empty seats were a result of Liverpool’s Scandinavian and Irish fan clubs being unable to travel. </p><p>The Kop was full but quiet and the only real noise emanated from the West Ham section. “4-3, we’re going to win 4-3’’ they chanted, breaking off from a lengthy version of the Hokey Cokey. </p><p>Keen to shake it up, Zola sent on Benni McCarthy for Cole. Rafa Benitez made a substitution that will have doubtless pleased Baldini, removing Gerrard, who departed to a standing ovation after tenderly tying the armband around Jamie Carragher’s left bicep. Some of Gerrard’s passing and turning had been superb and Liverpool briefly lost some of their zest. Rodríguez sought to raise the tempo again with a powerful shot that Green clutched at the second attempt.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7601083/Liverpool-3-West-Ham-United-0-match-report.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-4283702641730047714?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-70333320382060672792010-04-20T01:01:00.001+01:002010-04-20T01:01:01.948+01:00<p>Edwin Valero has hanged himself in a police cell less than 48 hours after his arrest on suspicion of stabbing his wife to death. The 28 year-old was detained on Sunday on suspicion of murdering his wife Jennifer, 24, after police found her body in a hotel room in Valencia, Venezuela. The boxer left the hotel room around dawn on Sunday and allegedly told security he had killed his wife as he left the hotel. They had two children together.</p><p>The fighter, who won all 27 of his professional contests by knockout, was a household name in Venezuela and had a huge image of President Chavez tattooed on his chest, alongside the country's yellow, blue and red flag. Valero had been lionised by Chavez supporters as a national hero.</p> Related ArticlesValero arrested on suspicion of killing wifeESPN debate Anderson Silva behaviour on MMA LiveHaye camp ready for the KlitschkosKlitschko taunts HayeHarrison belongs in amateur boxingSport on television<p>There had been warning signs for some time. The former World Boxing Association super-featherweight and WBC lightweight champion had been in trouble with the law before. He was banned from driving in the United States and, last month, was charged with harassing his wife and threatening medical personnel who treated her at a hospital in the western city of Merida.</p><p>Police had arrested Valero following an argument with a doctor and nurse at the hospital, where his wife was being treated for a series of injuries, including a punctured lung and broken ribs. His wife had told police the injuries were from a fall.</p><p>Valero was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2001 which caused a cerebral haemorrhage, and because most jurisdictions refuse to license a fighter who has sustained a brain injury, he was unable to fight in the United States. He wound up fighting mainly in Japan and Latin America, where he won his first title in 2006.</p><p>Carl Froch is determined to make it to Denmark this week in preparation for his Super Six fight with Mikkel Kessler on Saturday, despite the volcanic ash disruption. The undefeated WBC super-middleweight champion's route is likely to be a combination of sea, land and even possibly air to get to Herning in Denmark where the fight is taking place. </p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/7608167/Edwin-Valero-hangs-himself-in-police-cell-after-arrest-on-suspicion-of-killing-his-wife.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-7033332038206067279?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-53323484347967548792010-04-20T00:57:00.001+01:002010-04-20T00:57:59.957+01:00<p>Fresh doubts, as revealed by The Daily Telegraph, were raised by the Badminton World Federation in December over the long journey times from the Olympic park, despite athletes being offered hotel rooms and training venues close to the venue for the duration of the tournament.</p><p>Badminton England understandably wants to use the World Championships as a test event ahead of the Olympics but has been unable to persuade the BWF to make a decision so that further planning can be put into action. The International Olympic Committee will have the final say on the matter next month.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/badminton/7608177/London-to-stage-2011-Badminton-World-Championships.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5332348434796754879?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-53364770961751402952010-04-19T08:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T08:44:00.328+01:00<p>Brian Davis moved into second place at the Verizon Heritage in South Carolina.</p><p>The Englishman shot a third round of 66 to move to 10 under par, one shot behind American leader Jim Furyk.</p><p>Luke Donald, who carded a 67, is one of seven players a shot further back, but joint halfway leader Greg Owen slipped back to a tie for 24th after a disappointing 73.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/18/brian-davis-on-the-rise-115875-22193691/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5336477096175140295?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-34730341241317667502010-04-19T07:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T07:44:00.073+01:00<p>Tommy Hill brushed aside a 130mph crash to take pole position for the British Superbike championship second round at Thruxton today.</p><p>The series leader from Surrey set the fastest bike lap on the 2.356mile circuit after suffering severe bruising in the practice crash. He said: "The boys did a great job to get the bike fit enough."</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/04/18/hill-scales-crash-blow-115875-22193398/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-3473034124131766750?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-57061521077929367562010-04-19T06:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T06:44:00.093+01:00<p>"I'm so sorry, Fernando," Nadal said in his champion's speech during the post-match ceremonies, having just demolished his countryman 6-0, 6-1, coming close to what would have been the first 'double bagel' victory of his international career. So polite with a microphone, Nadal has been a brute with his racket, every one of those whippy forehands loaded with topspin and menace.</p><p>On the Cote d'Azur, at his favourite tournament, this was the old Rafa, the player who won four consecutive French Opens until his unexpected defeat last season, the man who once went undefeated on the scorched earth for 81 matches. </p> Related ArticlesNadal reaches Monte Carlo finalATP men's world rankingsNadal sparkles in Monte CarloNadal gunning for sixth titleMurray focuses on grand slam prizeSport on television<p>In Nadal's opinion, this was the best week of tennis he has produced in a long time, "and the results, they have been unreal", as he dropped a total of just 14 games from his five matches at this Masters-level tournament. </p><p>Since Prince Albert succeeded his father in 2005, he has only presented the trophy to one man. It was an emotional day for Nadal, as he won his first singles title since his victory at Rome's Foro Italico last May, and became the first man to score six trophies on the Riviera since an Englishman, Reggie Doherty, more than a century ago. </p><p>This tournament is just the start of the clay-court season, and the French Open does not begin in Paris for more than a month yet, but already thoughts are turning to Roland Garros. If Nadal plays like this, he will win the Coupe des Mousquetaires, having experienced defeat in Paris for the first time last season when he lost to Sweden's Robin Soderling in the fourth round. Roger Federer, beware. </p><p>Verdasco, on his first appearance in a Monaco final, was perhaps fortunate to have got on the scoreboard at all with that hold of serve at the beginning of the second set, as Nadal had break points in that game that he did not convert. For Verdasco to have had any chance of defeating Nadal, he would have needed to have been playing the best tennis of his life, to have been striking everything off the sweet-spot. And Verdasco plainly wasn't. Even his forehand, which is supposedly his best shot, was malfunctioning, with a number of his strokes landing halfway up the net. </p><p>After Verdasco was broken for the first time in the second set, to go 1-2 down, he walked back to his chair while waving both arms, which appeared to be an impression of a bird flapping his wings. Not long after that 'birdie of desperation', Verdasco performed a 'teapot of exasperation', placing his hands on his hips, and then, after he had just lashed a forehand into the net to drop serve once more, the crowd whistled at him. </p><p>In all, Verdasco made 32 unforced errors on one of the most excruciating afternoons of his professional life. Verdasco had lost his previous nine matches against his friend, his countryman and his fellow leftie: the 10th defeat was worse than anything that had come before. </p><p>Nadal, who missed the 2004 tournament with injury, has not lost here since 2003, when he was 16. This victory extended his undefeated run in Monaco to 32 matches. An astonishing week of clay-court tennis.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/rafaelnadal/7604463/Rafael-Nadal-makes-it-six-in-a-row-at-Monte-Carlo-Masters.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5706152107792936756?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-4149730587769014962010-04-19T05:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T05:44:00.104+01:00Let down: Michael Schumacher in the aftermath of his 10th-place finish in ChinaPhoto: EPA <p>After what the 41 year-old termed a "frustrating" weekend, culminating in his 10th place in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, more than a few paddock-goers were enjoying some schadenfreude at the German's expense. </p><p>Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug moved to batten down the hatches, describing the seven-time champion as "an institution" and suggesting there might have been something wrong with his car. "Give us a chance to look at that and we can come up with a good explanation," Haug said. Time, though, is a currency in short supply as far as Schumacher is concerned. </p> Related ArticlesHamilton admits rift with fatherDC's guide to ShanghaiVettel takes pole in ShanghaiVettel takes pole in ShanghaiSchumacher disappointed with qualifyingJenson Button aims to show perfect combination of Brawn and brains<p>He has now been out-qualified and outperformed by his team-mate Nico Rosberg, who moved to second in the championship with his third place yesterday, in every race so far this season and the prevailing mood is turning from intrigue to pity. </p><p>Funnily enough, there was much to enjoy in Schumacher's performance yesterday. He showed he still enjoys a racer's instinct – his early duel with the much faster McLaren of Lewis Hamilton was particularly thrilling – and it looked for a time as if he would claim eighth place, an improvement on his starting position of ninth, only for Red Bull's Mark Webber and Ferrari's Felipe Massa to pass him late on. </p><p>But a bad decision to switch to intermediates early in the race cost him, and it was clear he struggled with the car's set-up all weekend. </p><p>"It is one of those races that you call frustrating," he said. "All weekend it didn't work out for myself. There were some good emotions. I had a nice battle with Lewis at some point, some nice kissing to each other. But there were too many bad emotions."</p><p>The final insult came when Hamilton was asked if his duel with Schumacher, a winner of 91 grands prix, had been a highlight for him. "Jenson says 'tell the truth'," Hamilton replied coolly. "The truth is it's just as exciting racing with any other driver." The aura has now slipped beyond doubt. </p><p>Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said it would be wrong to read too much into yesterday's results. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber placed sixth and eighth respectively, having locked out the front row in qualifying, and the Australian admitted his team were "blown away" by the pace of the two McLaren cars and struggled in the wet. </p><p>Horner, though, said he was confident the speed was still there. "I think you can't read too much into today. Yesterday <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/7604735/Chinese-Grand-Prix-Mercedes-stand-behind-off-the-pace-Michael-Schumacher.html' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-414973058776901496?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-72909133180670807622010-04-19T04:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T04:44:00.122+01:00<p>Jo Pavey was thrilled with her second-place finish on her first competitive race since becoming a mother at the SPAR Great Ireland Run today.</p><p>Pavey, who gave birth to son Jacob last September, had planned to make her international comeback at next month's BUPA Great Manchester Run, but stepped in as a replacement when European cross country champion Hayley Yelling-Higham withdrew due to illness.</p><p>The 36-year-old may have not matched the strength of Scot Freya Murray, who powered away in the final 2.5 kilometres of the 10 kilometres race to win by 15 seconds, but she was delighted with her display on her return to racing.</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1267055/Returning-Jo-Pavey-delighted-second-place-finish-Great-Ireland-run.html?ITO=1490' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-7290913318067080762?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-53872907574681557442010-04-19T03:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T03:44:00.778+01:00<p>US PGA champion YE Yang needed just two final-round birdies to win the Volvo China Open by two shots at a damp Jinji Lake International Golf Club.</p><p>Yang, 38, held a one-shot overnight lead but a battling one-under-par final round of 71 was enough to top the leaderboard at 15 under ahead of Challenge Tour graduate Rhys Davies and former champion Stephen Dodd.</p><p>Yang went 50 holes from Friday afternoon without dropping a shot, although the Korean was denied a bogey-free last round on the final green after finding sand off the tee.</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-1266981/YE-Yang-winner-sees-Welshmen-claim-victory-China-Open.html?ITO=1490' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-5387290757468155744?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-4491045970510295442010-04-19T02:44:00.000+01:002010-04-19T02:44:00.690+01:00<p>Fernando Torres</p>Sunday April 18,2010</p>Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after it was confirmed he would undergo surgery on his troublesome knee injury on Sunday night.</p>The procedure will rule the 26-year-old out of action for around six weeks, meaning he will miss not only the Barclays Premier League run in but also the remainder of the club's Europa League campaign, which continues this week with a semi-final against Torres' former club Atletico Madrid.<br /><br />"Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee," a Liverpool spokesman told the club's official website on Sunday.<br /><br />"This will be carried out later tonight. <br /><br />"We cannot comment ahead of the operation, but as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks."<br /><br />The news will also cast a shadow over Spain's preparations for the World Cup, with Torres a key element of the European champions' set-up for the tournament which gets under way in just over seven weeks.<br /><br />Coach Vicente del Bosque will almost certainly gamble on the fitness of his star striker when he has to finalise his final 23-man squad, with Spain's first game in the tournament not until June 16 - around two and a half weeks after Torres' projected return date.<br /><br />Torres' knee problem forced him to miss last weekend's goalless draw against Fulham as he flew to Barcelona to see Dr Ramon Cugat, the surgeon who operated on him in January when he was struck by a similar problem.<br /><br />As recently as Friday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was hopeful Torres would play some part in Monday's league encounter with West Ham or Thursday's first leg against Atletico.<br /><br />The loss of Torres could sound the death knell on Liverpool's fading chances of claiming a fourth-place finish in the Premier League which put them into the Champions League next season, with the Reds having dropped to seventh in the standings after this weekend's fixtures, eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.</p> <br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/170032/Torres-out-for-the-season/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-449104597051029544?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922030497397899438.post-75111230487281651612010-04-19T01:44:00.001+01:002010-04-19T01:44:05.504+01:00 <p>Selby earned himself an early finish with a 10-4 win over 1997 champion Ken Doherty at the Betfred.com World Championship.</p> And after a near-faultless display, Selby, 26, will fear no one at the Crucible as he looks to go one better than his 2007 appearance in the final.</p> In January, Selby pulled off a magnificent comeback to claim a second Masters crown at Wembley, winning the last four frames.</p><br /><br />View the <a href='http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/170102/Snooker-Mark-Selby-sends-champion-message-to-Ronnie-O-Sullivan/' rel='nofollow'>Original article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7922030497397899438-7511123048728165161?l=www.sports-time.info' alt='' /></div>Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462428933142991815noreply@blogger.com0