Henin and Clijsters meet in Miami

by admin on Apr.01, 2010, under General

Justine Henin (left) and Kim Clijsters celebrate after their respective quarter-final victories

Rejuvenated Belgian stars Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters will meet in the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Henin, who only returned to action in January after an 18-month break, beat world number two Caroline Wozniacki 6-7 6-3 6-4 in Miami on Wednesday.

Clijsters, who ended a two-year break in 2009, beat Samantha Stosur 6-3 7-5.

Henin leads their head-to-head series 12-11 but Clijsters won when they met in the Brisbane Open final in January – Henin’s first tournament back.

"That was one of the most fun, most exciting matches I think that I’ve played in my career," said 26-year-old Clijsters, who saved two match points in that contest.

"Hopefully we can both play the same kind of match level and intensity. It’s fun to see the two comebacks doing well."


Henin, 27, said the pair’s rivalry "has always been special, and it will always be special, because Kim and I grew up together".

She added: "We arrived on the tour almost at the same time, we played good at the same time, we retired at the same time, and we came back at the same time."

Henin’s win was her fourth in a row against a seeded player and ensures she will return to the world’s top 30 on Monday.

A seven-time Grand Slam champion, Henin has lost only three matches since coming back, but she made a scrappy start against Wozniacki, committing 31 unforced errors as she lost the opening set.

However, the Belgian steadied herself, and lost only two points on serve as she came through the decider thanks to a single break.

Wednesday’s meeting was her first with 19-year-old Wozniacki, who said she watched Henin playing at her peak when growing up.

"It’s really difficult to play matches again after you haven’t played for a while, but I think she just didn’t feel the pressure," said the Danish teenager.

"She just went out there and enjoyed it, and that’s why the results are coming.

"She had a break for 18 months, but she was still practising hard and she has been working out a lot and she’s been number one in the world.

"She has the experience, all the package that she needs to become a great player again, and she is."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Fabregas fears his season is over

by admin on Apr.01, 2010, under General

Cesc Fabregas is fouled by Carlos Puyol

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas fears his season may be over after picking up an injury late in Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Barcelona.

The midfielder fears he may even have suffered a broken leg during the quarter-final first leg.

"I fear the worst, which is that I have broken something," said Fabregas, who left the Emirates on crutches.

The Gunners may also have lost William Gallas for the season due to a calf injury suffered in Wednesday’s game.

Gallas limped off just before half-time in a match in which the north Londoners also lost Andrey Arshavin to a calf injury.

We have to wait for tomorrow, but I hope I can wear the Arsenal shirt again this season

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lamented the loss of both players, admitting that he had taken a risk on Gallas, who has missed the last six weeks through injury.

"Gallas has a calf strain and will be out for a while now," said Wenger. "I took a gamble that didn’t pay off. Yes I regret that now. Arshavin has also done his calf."

Most worrying of all for the Gunners boss will be the potential severity of the injury to his influential captain.

Fabregas had been a doubt for the clash with Barcelona after suffering severe bruising to his knee and leg during the Premier League game at Birmingham.

However, the Spaniard returned to lead the side, and played a pivotal role in their comeback after falling 2-0 down to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic which looked to have all but ended the tie in the Spanish side’s favour.

After Theo Walcott had reduced the deficit, Fabregas was bundled over by Barca defender Carlos Puyol and picked himself up to score the resultant penalty.

The Arsenal captain was visibly pained following the spot-kick and admitted after the game: "When I took the penalty, I was quite strong, but after when I went to get the ball, I could not walk any more.

"It is the fibula. I think I put my leg between Puyol’s when I was fouled, and kicked it.

"We have to wait for tomorrow, but I hope I can wear the Arsenal shirt again this season.


"I do not think it is going to be good news, but still I hope there will be."

Wenger is waiting on the results of an X-ray to discover the extent of the injury but Fabregas is unlikely to figure in Saturday’s home match with Wolves regardless of the results.

And he is certain to miss the Champions League return leg in Spain after picking up a second booking of the competition in the first leg, thus incurring a suspension.

In better news for Arsenal, striker Robin van Persie is expected to return to full training in two weeks after being sidelined since November with an ankle ligament injury.

Wenger revealed he hopes to "give him some big games to aim for at the end of the season."

Van Persie, who suffered his injury playing for the Netherlands has scored seven goals in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Rooney has scan on injured ankle

by admin on Mar.31, 2010, under General

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down fears over Wayne Rooney’s ankle injury suffered in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich.

The England frontman turned his ankle in the build-up to the Germans’ injury-time winner and limped from the field.

But Ferguson said: "He’s obviously hurt his ankle. It’s too early to say [but] I don’t think it’s terribly serious."

United face title rivals Chelsea on Saturday, ahead of the second leg clash against Bayern on Wednesday, 7 April.

The 24-year-old’s injury is also bound to be a concern for England coach Fabio Capello, coming a little more than two months before the start of the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Rooney left the stadium in Munich on crutches, but United will allow his injury to settle overnight before assessing the damage and deciding on a course of action.

Asked if he could feature against Chelsea in Saturday’s 1245 BST kick-off at Old Trafford, Ferguson added: "I can’t answer that, we will know better on Wednesday."

Rooney had scored the opener in Tuesday’s tie at the Allianz Arena, taking his tally for the season for United to 34 goals.

It was not enough to earn United the first-leg advantage, though, as Bayern fought back with a Franck Ribery free-kick and injury-time winner from Ivica Olic to give themselves a lead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.

And Ferguson admitted his side had not produced their best in Germany.

"We didn’t start the game that well," he said. "We gave the ball away too easily from minute one. Our possession wasn’t our standard and that’s something we pride ourselves on.

"I just felt that our possession wasn’t good enough and that was a big disappointment for us.


"[Still] it’s an advantage to score away from home. And we had outstanding chances to kill the tie, twice with Rooney, once in the first half and once in the second half.

"That said, [goalkeeper] Edwin van der Sar kept us in the game."

He added: "They pressed us really hard and we cracked a bit. The last goal was a terrible one to give away.

"However, the game at Old Trafford will be a different one and we will be much better. No doubt about that."

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, was delighted with what he described as a "well-deserved win."

"After a shock first goal, we needed 10 minutes to recover and afterwards we were the best side," said the Dutchman.

"We have a good chance in Manchester because we can always score away from home."

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Smith rejoins Leeds Rhinos

by admin on Mar.31, 2010, under General

Lee Smith

Leeds Rhinos have moved to ease their injury crisis by re-signing England international Lee Smith, who was released by London Wasps on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old returns to Headingley on a four-year deal after his cross-code move at the end of last season.

Smith had asked to leave Wasps for personal reasons.

"It’s a dream come true to get another opportunity to play for the Rhinos and pull on a blue and amber shirt again," said Smith.

"Unfortunately things did not work out for me at Wasps but I am grateful to them for allowing me to return home and move on to the next stage of my career.

"I always said that if I did return to rugby league that Leeds was the only club I was interested in playing for and I am grateful to Paul Caddick, Gary Hetherington and Brian McClennan for allowing me another opportunity to play for my club," added Smith.


Smith made just two appearances in the Wasps first team with a further two appearances in the A team.

He could be in line for a dramatic return to action for the Rhinos in Thursday’s derby against Bradford Bulls after being drafted into the match day squad.

"I can’t wait to get a game under my belt," Smith added.

"It has been frustrating because all players just want to play rugby. On paper eight rounds of the competition doesn’t sound like that long of time away but it feels like ages because of the move to London and the big change in my life.

"I stayed in contact with the Leeds lads and we would speak at least once a week. I have been following the team this year and hopefully I can help out.

At just 23 years of age, he has his whole career hopefully in front of him

"I went to the Melbourne game at Elland Road and it was very tough sitting in the stand watching my team on the field.

"I can’t wait to run out at Headingley Carnegie again, that is something that I thought I may not get the chance to do again in a Leeds shirt so it will be very special."

Head Coach Brian McClennan said: "We are delighted to welcome Lee back into our family.

"At the end of last season, he went with our best wishes to try a new challenge in his life.

"At just 23 years of age, he has his whole career hopefully in front of him. We are delighted to have him back at Leeds especially on a long term contract."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Wenger undaunted by Barca threat

by admin on Mar.31, 2010, under General

Cesc Fabregas

Arsene Wenger has said he will only pick Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg if he is fully fit.

The 22-year-old had severe bruising to his leg and knee following a challenge from Craig Gardner of Birmingham in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

He missed Tuesday’s training ahead of the Emirates clash and manager Wenger said: "At the moment he is not fit.

"We will assess the situation, if he has full capacity we will play him."

Wenger insisted that he would not gamble in any way on the fitness of his midfield playmaker.

"We have a squad of 19 players so I have considered the possibility of leaving him out completely," he said. "We will give him 24 hours more, but I don’t know if he will be available.

"If he is not capable to play I would not even play him on the bench."

The Gunners boss added that Fabregas would be given the maximum amount of time possible to prove his fitness for the big match.

"The medical staff tell me he could be available and that will be decided in the warm-up, that’s how late we will leave it," he said.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Mourinho fed up with Italian game

by admin on Mar.31, 2010, under General

Jose Mourinho

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has sparked speculation about his future in Italian football after insisting: "I don’t like it and it doesn’t like me."

Mourinho has not spoken to the Italian media for a month and was recently fined £35,000 by the Italian Football Federation for criticising officials.

"I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football," said Mourinho.

The 47-year-old, who left Chelsea in 2007, has made no secret of his desire to return to the English game.

"I always speak with my heart but if I spoke with my heart now about Serie A I would be suspended," added Mourinho.

His comments came on the eve of his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against CSKA Moscow.

Mourinho’s Inter knocked out his former club Chelsea in the last round of the Champions League and are currently top of Serie A.

But his side have seen a healthy lead whittled down to just one point by Roma, to whom they lost 2-1 on Saturday, and three points by AC Milan.

He received a £16,000 fine last month for claiming "everything was done for us not to win" following a 2-0 defeat of AC Milan, a game in which Inter had two players sent off.

Mourinho also said the game had left a "strange taste" in his mouth, adding: "I’ve realised they won’t let us wrap up the championship early".

He subsequently received a three-game touchline ban and was fined £35,000 for "insulting officials" during a game against Sampdoria.

Mourinho also made a ‘handcuffs’ gesture after seeing Walter Samuel sent off and Ivan Cordoba booked during the 0-0 draw, with the gesture interpreted as him suggesting his side were being victimised by referees.

Reports in Italy suggested referees were prepared to go on strike if Mourinho was not given a severe punishment.

Also in February, Mourinho paid a £11,500 fine to settle a disciplinary case over an altercation with a journalist last December.

Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Premier League, where he won the title twice with Chelsea, with Manchester City and Liverpool both touted as possible destinations.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Roddick into last eight in Miami

by admin on Mar.30, 2010, under General

Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick recovered from a poor start to eventually book his place in the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Miami.

The sixth-seeded American trailed 1-4 and 0-40 to Germany’s Benjamin Becker in the first set.

But Roddick recovered to take the set to a tie-break, which he won 7-4, before winning the second set 6-3.

Fourth seed Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard and 15th seed David Ferrer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Nadal will next play eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who dismantled former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2 6-2.

The Frenchman turned in a fantastic performance as he dropped just four points on his first serve.

Roddick faces Spain’s Nicolas Almagro in the last eight after he beat Thomaz Bellucci 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-3).

But Andy Murray’s conqueror Mardy Fish is out after the American was forced to retire while trailing 6-1 1-0 against 13th seed Mikhail Youzhny.

Fifth seed Robin Soderling of Sweden beat ninth seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-0 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.

Later on Tuesday number one seed Roger Federer faces number 16 seed Tomas Berdych.

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England to reveal Twenty20 squad

by admin on Mar.30, 2010, under General

Tim Bresnan played in England's last two Twenty20s, both against Pakistan

Injuries mean England may have to select an inexperienced pace attack when they reveal their World Twenty20 squad at 1300 BST on Wednesday.

Graham Onions, Liam Plunkett, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Ryan Sidebottom may all be unavailable because of injury.

Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn, Ajmal Shahzad, Chris Woakes, Sajid Mahmood and Peter Trego are in contention.

Paul Collingwood’s 15-man squad is expected to contain seamers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Luke Wright.

The tournament takes place in the West Indies from 30 April to 16 May.

Bresnan and Shahzad were in England’s last Twenty20 team, against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and so are the most obvious pace bowling candidates.


There are plenty of other areas of discussion for the selectors, including whether to pick both wicketkeeper-batsmen in Craig Kieswetter and Matt Prior.

Kieswetter is being tipped for a place at the top of the order and, with the uncapped Michael Lumb impressing in the IPL, incumbents Joe Denly and Jonathan Trott are both looking vulnerable.

Ravi Bopara could also be in the reckoning and will doubtless be eyeing a recall, along with back-up middle-order batsman Owais Shah.

Both could have done with stronger starts to this year’s Indian Premier League and although that also applies to Eoin Morgan, he is nonetheless a sure-fire selection after a clutch of match-winning contributions for England.

The slow pitches in the Caribbean mean spin may have an important role to play in the tournament, although medium pacers such as captain Collingwood and Bopara could also prosper.

Graeme Swann should fill the number one spinner role, while James Treadwell heads the list to provide back-up, although the Yorkshire pair of David Wainwright and Adil Rashid are also in contention.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Denman set for Scottish National

by admin on Mar.30, 2010, under General

Imperial Commander (left) and Denman clear the first fence during Friday's Gold Cup

Denman is likely to run in the Scottish National, the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner’s owners have revealed.

The popular 10-year-old, runner-up in the last two Gold Cups, has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb for the 17 April showpiece at Ayr.

Ruling out the Aintree Totesport Bowl, joint-owner Paul Barber said: "Ayr is virtually certain if the ground is soft. It has to be on the soft side.

"But if the ground is fast, or even good, he will not be running."

Trainer Paul Nicholls also spoke of his intention to prepare the horse for Scotland following discussions with jockey Ruby Walsh and Denman’s other joint-owner Harry Findlay.

"I had a chat with Ruby, Paul and Harry and we decided it was the obvious race to go for," he told the Racing Post.


Another possibility for the horse is the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival, also in April.

And, analysing the options, Barber said: "Aintree has no chance and Punchestown has got some chance if the ground is right.

"Ayr would have as good a chance as anywhere, but it’s all on the ground – he might end up not running in any.

"At that time of year it can come up quick at Ayr and if it’s quick ground, he won’t be there."

David Pipe’s Madison Du Berlais is the second highest-rated contender and would carry 10st 1lb, while other notable contenders include Lucinda Russell’s Haydock Blue Square Gold Cup winner Silver By Nature.

Nicholls has five other entries, including Big Fella Thanks.

Lindsey Smith, Ayr marketing manager, said: "What a great boost it is for the Scottish Grand National that Denman is amongst the entries.

"It underlines the standing the race has in the racing calendar and if Paul Nicholls does declare him it will create an unprecedented interest in the race."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Drogba given two-match Europe ban

by admin on Mar.30, 2010, under General

Uefa bans Chelsea’s Didier Drogba for two European matches following a red card in the Champions League defeat by Inter Milan.

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