Tag Archives: crack

Australian Open 2013: Jeremy Chardy beat Andreas Seppi 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2

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Chardy fights back from a set down to see off Seppi and make his first quarter-final

By
Jon Fisher, Press Association

PUBLISHED:

05:42 GMT, 21 January 2013

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UPDATED:

05:42 GMT, 21 January 2013

Frenchman Jeremy Chardy made it through to his first grand slam quarter-final – and a possible crack at Andy Murray – after seeing off Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open.

Chardy dropped the first set to the 21st-seeded Italian but hit back to win 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Marching on: Jeremy Chardy celebrates beating Italian Andreas Seppi

Marching on: Jeremy Chardy celebrates beating Italian Andreas Seppi

Over and out: Seppi reacts to going out despite taking the first set

Over and out: Seppi reacts to going out despite taking the first set

Seppi claimed the opener after breaking for a 6-5 lead but was then pushed around by Chardy with his big serve allowing his opponent few chances to plot a route back into the contest.

Murray plays Chardy's compatriot Gilles Simon in the fourth round later today. He has a 4-1 record against Chardy but the defeat came in their last match, at the Cincinnati Masters last year.

In control: Chardy fought back from a set down to make the quarter finals

In control: Chardy fought back from a set down to make the quarter finals

Showboating: Seppi plays a shot through his legs

Showboating: Seppi plays a shot through his legs

Manchester City v Manchester United: Winning derby would be best ever result, says Sir Alex Ferguson

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Beating City will be one of our greatest ever results, claims Ferguson after warning United players to 'get their act together' for Manchester derby

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UPDATED:

12:06 GMT, 6 December 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed it would be one of Manchester United's greatest results if they were to beat Manchester City on Sunday but warned his own players to get their act together.

The United manager told MUTV: 'If we win [on Sunday] it will be one of our best ever results. They are a really good, powerful team with massive players.

'It won't be easy and if we defend like we did at Reading we'll be in trouble. The important thing for us is to take lessons from the mistakes we're making and do something about it. We need to find a solution.'

Defeat: United were beaten by Cluj at Old Trafford on Wednesday night

Defeat: United were beaten by Cluj at Old Trafford on Wednesday night

City were heavily criticised for their limp displays in Europe this season and Ferguson warned his rivals that the Champions League will 'break' them unless they step up to its more competitive nature.

Writing in his programme notes, Ferguson warned City: 'You have to learn quickly in Europe and if you don't you have to wait until the next season to have another crack. Unless you come to terms with its highly competitive nature it can break you.'

United qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League before the final round of games, but a limp display saw them lose 1-0 to group minnows Cluj at Old Trafford.

In the stands: Ferguson watches United alongside David Gill on Wednesday

In the stands: Ferguson watches United alongside David Gill on Wednesday

Afterwards, the United manager sent out a clear message to the senior players who have been letting his team down in their pursuit of the Premier League title.

'In terms of the defending, it's the senior players that have to get their act together,' he said.

'We put a very young team out and they did very well at times. mSunday will be different altogether. We were beaten by a wonder goal and there was nothing we could do about that.

Rivalry: Ferguson and Mancini will face each other once more on Sunday

Rivalry: Ferguson and Mancini will face each other once more on Sunday

'I thought we did OK. We created quite a few chances.'

For the main event on Sunday, United will hope their first XI can do rather better. But Ferguson will have been pleased with the work of Jones on his second start in nine months, and if a player who was so valuable to United early last season can stay fit he will be an asset over the coming weeks.

Last night also saw Rooney, who was his usual energetic self, complete 90 minutes.

Ferguson added: 'Phil Jones was fantastic and we got exactly what we wanted as far as he was concerned. The more game time players like Smalling and Jones can get, the better it will be.

'Wayne is now close to full fitness also and hopefully he will be approaching top form come Sunday.'

Tony Bellew fights through the blood to step closer to world shot

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Bellew fights through the blood to step closer to world shot

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UPDATED:

23:09 GMT, 17 November 2012

Tony Bellew survived a nasty cut to
jump a step closer to a world title shot with a unanimous decision win
over Argentina's Roberto Bolonti in Nottingham.

The fiery Liverpudlian was seeking
to build on his recent win over Edison Miranda as he looks to earn a
second bid for world honours.

Bellew had shown his world title
credentials in a premature and unsuccessful shot at Nathan Cleverly's
WBO light-heavyweight title last year and has been rebuilding towards
another crack since then.

Stepping stone: Tony Bellew celebrates his victory over Roberto Bolonti

Stepping stone: Tony Bellew celebrates his victory over Roberto Bolonti

He continued that progress at the Capital FM Arena with a solid win over Bolonti despite suffering a nasty third-round cut above the right eye which had initially looked potentially catastrophic to his hopes.

Tonight's scrap with Bolonti was essentially an eliminator of sorts for the WBC crown, with the body's inconsequential 'silver' belt on the line.

Evertonian Bellew, 29, had a record of 18-1 (12KO wins) heading into the bout while 33-year-old Bolonti (30-1, 19KO wins) was boxing outside Argentina for the first time.

Bellew provided the early pressure and landed a left which wobbled Bolonti mid-round.

Through the gate: Tony Bellew throws a punch

Through the gate: Tony Bellew throws a punch

A right to the top of the head then put Bolonti down, though the South American may have lost his footing.

He beat Victor Loughlin's count and survived the round as Bellew failed to capitalise, despite landing a big right.

The second round was all Bellew until a cheeky right from Bolonti gave him food for thought.

A left hook put Bolonti down in the third but again he rose quickly with a clear head.

He was certainly more wary as a result but things threatened to turn when Bellew suffered a bad cut over the right eye, thought to be from a Bolonti left hook.

Down and out: Tony Bellew knocks Roberto Bolonti down

Down and out: Tony Bellew knocks Roberto Bolonti down

The wound was far from superficial as blood flowed into the Englishman's right eye but Bellew at least had Mick Williamson, a renowned cutsman, in his corner.

A left hook to the body by Bellew punctuated a quieter fifth round with the Briton remaining patient safe in the knowledge Williamson had worked his magic on the cut.

Bellew landed a left uppercut in the ninth which was the best shot of the middle rounds while a left hook to the mid-section was correctly adjudged to have been too low.

A right uppercut seemed to hurt Bolonti and Bellew piled in, landing combinations for the first time in several rounds.

Tough test: Roberto Bolonti gets a shot in against Tony Bellew

Tough test: Roberto Bolonti gets a shot in against Tony Bellew

While the pace was slow and the action fractured, Bellew was winning the rounds with relative ease.

Another uppercut in the 10th led to another aggressive flurry but again Bolonti held it together.

At the final bell the fighters embraced, with both men claiming to have won. But the victory was clearly Bellew's, with scores of 120-106, 119-107 and 120-106.

Kell Brook to fight Devon Alexander for IBF welterweight title in January 2013

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Brook to fight IBF king Alexander for shot at world welterweight crown

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UPDATED:

10:59 GMT, 11 November 2012


Title shot: Kell Brook

Title shot: Kell Brook

Kell Brook has been offered a shot at Devon Alexander’s IBF welterweight world title in January.

The 26-year-old from Sheffield earned a crack at the belt when he stopped Argentinian Hector Saldivia inside three rounds last month in the final eliminator.

Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed a deal has been proposed for a title fight on January 19 – either in Las Vegas or New York – and indicated an agreement is likely to be reached this week.

Hearn said: 'We have received an offer to fight Devon for the IBF world title on January 19. In principle we are happy with the terms and will now work to try and get this made this week.

Champion: Brook will look to win Devon Alexander's IBF welterweight title in January

Champion: Brook will look to win Devon Alexander's IBF welterweight title in January

'The venue looks like NYC or Vegas but definitely not St Louis (where Alexander is based).'

Brook is undefeated after 29 professional fights and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Wincobank Gym graduates Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson in winning a world title.

Jenson Button to practice marathon at Dubai Autodrome

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Marathon man Button steps up race preparations with 20-mile run at Dubai Autodrome

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UPDATED:

15:01 GMT, 29 October 2012

Jenson Button will take to the track this week and put in the miles in a different way as he prepares for his first crack at a marathon.

Outside of a Formula One car, Button has become renowned for tackling triathlons, mainly a half-ironman event which comprises a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13-mile run.

The 32-year-old McLaren star, however, has never run a marathon, but is due to enter one in Hawaii in early December as part of a month-long winter programme on the island ahead of the 2013 campaign.

Next challenge: Button will run a marathon in Hawaii next year

Next challenge: Button will run a marathon in Hawaii next year

To prepare for the event, Button and trainer Mikey Collier are to run six laps of the 3.6-mile Dubai Autodrome on Tuesday, amounting to 20 miles.

Button said: 'It's good to do training in hot conditions, which is perfect for this weekend's race in Abu Dhabi.

'It's also good for my weight. It keeps it down. If I run I lose so much weight, which I need because you're limited on weight when you are a tall driver.

'And have you seen marathon runners They're quite skinny.'

Asked as to his thinking on opting for a marathon, Button said: 'It is just another challenge, a mental challenge.

'I'm not going to set a quick time because it's a tough hilly course. The quick guys, the Africans, they will run it and be 10 minutes off the world record, so that tells you it's not a quick circuit.

'But for me it will be mentally very challenging, and I love doing that sort of stuff, pushing yourself.

Triathlete: Button has already been involved in a number of races

Triathlete: Button has already been involved in a number of races

'It will also be the start of training for next year, so it's a good place to start.

'I'm not looking forward to next year too much just yet, but I'm obviously excited about next season.

'Hawaii will be the perfect place to prepare, to refresh myself for the year.'

For
Button, the rest of this campaign has become about enjoyment, and
extracting as much information as possible to aid his cause in 2013.

The
current campaign has been a rollercoaster for Button with more lows
than highs, with the 32-year-old 99 points adrift of Sebastian Vettel in
the wake of the German's four consecutive wins.

Button
could only manage fifth in yesterday's Indian Grand Prix as Vettel
emphasised his dominance with a third successive lights-to-flag victory.
In terms of what can be learned from the final three races, Button said: 'We want to end the year with some good results.

'With
next year's car there are not a lot of rule changes, so it will be a
development of what we end this year with, and everything we put on the
car now we could use next year.

'In
particular, understanding why one tyre works for us and another doesn't
is something that's important. We still don't know why that is.

'I
don't know if it's something to do with the geometry of our car, but it
was transformed for both myself and Lewis (Hamilton) from the first to
the second stint.'

Fabio Borini injury could lead to compensation battle between Liverpool and Italy

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Liverpool and Italy set for compensation battle over Borini injury

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UPDATED:

21:00 GMT, 12 October 2012

Liverpool could be set for a compensation wrangle with the Italian FA after it emerged Fabio Borini reported for international duty already carrying an injury.

The Italian striker fractured the scaphoid bone in his right foot during a training session with his country's Under-21s on Thursday, an injury which will lead him to be absent for a number of weeks.

Crocked: Borini has broken a bone in his foot

Crocked: Borini has broken a bone in his foot

But the Italians discovered when they sent him for x-rays that he already had a crack in his ankle from a problem he sustained against Manchester United last month.

Borini's injury leaves Luis Suarez as Liverpool's only fit striker.

Clint Dempsey goes fishing

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Addicted to Bass! Spurs star Dempsey hooked on fishing as perfect way to relax

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UPDATED:

12:37 GMT, 9 October 2012

For the modern day footballer, favourite activities outside of playing in the Premier League can involve a round of golf, video games or stumbling out of night clubs.

But for Clint Dempsey, few things are more enjoyable than going out to the middle of a lake to do a spot of fishing!

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The Tottenham forward, signed from Fulham in the summer, scored the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month, but one of his favourite past-times could not be any different to the atmosphere he experienced in the 3-2 win for Spurs.

The American international wouldn’t have it any other way either, explaining he loves nothing better than going back to his childhood roots.

Dempsey said: ‘Fishing is important to me because it reminds me of growing up. My family used to go on camping trips and always be together doing that kind of stuff. The game, it can consume you and it's a lot of pressure.

‘For me it's being able to shut that off for a little bit and relax and get back to what I used to do as a kid.’

So for the locals around White Hart Lane, next time you get up at the crack of dawn to go for a spot of fishing on the banks of the River Lea, you may just find a Tottenham forward in close proximity.

Ian Holloway vows to attack in play-off second leg

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We'll go and attack: Holloway says Blackpool won't sit back and defend lead

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UPDATED:

22:01 GMT, 8 May 2012

Ian Holloway has vowed to go on the offensive at St Andrews in the hope Blackpool’s attacking verve will give him a second crack at the Barclays Premier League.

The exuberant Holloway cut a disconsolate figure at times earlier in the campaign, as he struggled to adjust back to life in the Championship following Blackpool’s final day relegation at Old Trafford.

On the attack: Ian Holloway says he will go on the offensive

On the attack: Ian Holloway says he will go on the offensive

Team line-up

Holloway has “unfinished business” with the top flight and says he would savour every second this time, as the last campaign tended to pass him by.

‘It was almost like a dream,’ he recalled. ‘It happened so quickly you didn’t get chance to absorb it. I watched the golf the other night and Jose Maria Olazabal was talking about his second green jacket.

‘He didn’t enjoy the first one but the second one he loved and cherished. I’d love every minute of it if we did it again, as the last time was so fast and so unique, none of us had time for it to sink in.’

That Birmingham will have to chase the game could play into Blackpool’s hands and Holloway expects his flying wingers Thomas Ince and Matt Philips to play a crucial role.

‘It is a massive pitch at St Andrews and we have got got to impose ourselves,’ said Holloway. ‘This is the biggest moment of our lives but we have done it before and want to do it again.’

Bacary Sagna says leg break tackle was deliberate

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He did it on purpose! Sagna hits out at Johnson over leg-breaking tackle

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UPDATED:

16:53 GMT, 6 May 2012

Bacary Sagna has accused Bradley Johnson of deliberately stepping on his leg shortly before the Arsenal man broke his fibula.

The Gunners defender faces a fight to be fit for the start of next season having sustained a second break to his right leg in eight months.

Sagna fell to the ground unchallenged midway through the second half of Arsenal's 3-3 draw with Norwich on Saturday, seemingly having twisted his ankle.

Down and out: Bacary Sagna suffered a broken leg in Arsenal's draw with Norwich

Down and out: Bacary Sagna suffered a broken leg in Arsenal's draw with Norwich

Down and out: Bacary Sagna suffered a broken leg in Arsenal's draw with Norwich

However it emerged that shortly
before he fell, the France international had collided with Johnson in
what at first appeared to be an innocuous challenged.

Sagna, though, believes he was stamped on deliberately by the Canaries midfielder.

'I think he did it on purpose,' the 29-year-old told French newspaper L'Equipe.

He added: 'He stepped on my leg. Play
continues, I get back on my feet. And when I tried to control the ball,
I felt a crack, just like the first time at Tottenham.

'He stepped right where the plate was. I think the plate pressured [the bone]. It's a neat break, just above the plate.'

His manager, Arsene Wenger, was more cautious in his evaluation, saying that he was unsure if there was intent from Johnson.

'The guy closed him down and walked on him. I don't know if it was deliberate or not,' the boss said.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert, though, told reporters: 'There's nothing in that [challenge].'

Sagna insisted he would come back stronger from the injury.

'It has happened to others before me. I came back once, I will come back a second time, even stronger.'

Cameron Jerome could quit Stoke

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Jerome will consider quitting Stoke over lack of first-team opportunities

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 2 May 2012

Cameron Jerome is hinting at a summer exit from Stoke City after admitting his frustration at playing a bit-part role at the Britannia Stadium.

The former England Under-21 international has completed just five full games for the Potters since making a 4m move from Birmingham City last August.

But he has made himself a firm favourite with Stoke's fans, grabbing eight goals this season despite being used sparingly by boss Tony Pulis.

Time to go Cameron Jerome (left) could leave Stoke in the summer

Time to go Cameron Jerome (left) could leave Stoke in the summer

Jerome grabbed a point on Tuesday night against Everton, using his strength and pace to good effect.

But he emerged afterwards to voice his dissatisfaction at a lack of opportunities.

'I've not had the run of games I would have like,' he said. 'To be honest, I think I've been hard done by.

'I think I've made a big impact this year – certainly in the Europa League. I've played most of the games and scored a few goals.

'But I've not been given a fair crack of the whip or what I think is a fair run in the side.

'In my eyes, the rotation policy's not been fair. That's my personal opinion.

'I train hard and I see what goes on in training.

'And coming on for ten minutes here and there means it is a hard to make an impact in the Premier League.

'I've not spoken to the manager about it at all. I've not spoken to him about playing. He picks the side.

Leveller: Jerome earned his side a point against Everton

Leveller: Jerome earned his side a point against Everton

'You try to break in. It just seems that no matter what I do, I can't get in.

'It's something I'll have to address in the summer because I'm not really happy about not playing.

'I've not really thought about leaving. But considering me age and the fact I'm in my prime at 25, I want to play first-team football regularly.

'I think there's probably ten or 11 others in that dressing-room who feel the same as me.

'And if it was a case of rotating fairly, I'd be happy. But I'm not getting a look in, regardless of how other people perform, or of how the team perform.

'I come on, week in, week out and make an impact. But I never get a start. I'm puzzled.

'I know Stoke will be strengthening in the summer so we'll have to see what that brings. And I'll have a conversation with the manager if and when it's appropriate to do so.'