Three down, two to go. If anyone deserves a few days with his feet up, it is Rafael Nadal. Anna Maria, his mother, can have the three weeks of dirty washing, with its layers of caked-on dirt, as her son has bludgeoned his way through 14 matches, collected clay titles Nos 23, 24 and 25 and now pauses for a few days to prepare for three more weeks when he could further redefine the credos by which the sport used to be judged.
From this weekend, Nadal plays in Madrid, a tournament switched from autumn to spring, from hard court to clay, into the Caja Magica, the magic box. Not a bad place to welcome the man with all the tricks in the book — and a few more he has patented. Then it is on to Paris, for his attempt to add a fifth consecutive French Open title to his compendium. Is there anyone out there who seriously doubts he will do it, for is there a player on this planet who can win three sets against him in one match on clay?
Because of the lousy weather earlier in the week here, Nadal had to win five matches in five days to become the Rome Master for a fourth time — an historic moment. Björn Borg, Jaroslav Drobny, Martin Mulligan and Thomas Muster each won this title three times when it was the plain Italian Open; he has outdone these great champions and is not 23 until next month.
Novak Djokovic tried everything he knew in defence of his title and played some shots of rare audacity, but in the end, he was worn down, as everyone is. The result was 7-6, 6-2 in Nadal’s favour, though it was only when the spirit drained from the Serb from deuce at 2-2 in the second set, that even someone as imperious on this surface as the world No 1 could be relatively certain that this would another of his days.
The defeat means that Andy Murray will bypass Djokovic to take the Serb’s place as No 3 when the world rankings are announced next week.
It was not a final of the greatest quality. Both these titans looked a mite jaded at the end and no wonder, for they do not spare themselves. The throttle is out from the start, the contrasting flatter trajectory of Djokovic against the spitting spin of Nadal, inclination to attack versus outrageous defence, brio against brio and sometimes, dramatic introductions of subtlety and grace. What hurt Djokovic most was that, after forfeiting his first service game from 30-0 and 40-30, he was ahead only once, after the first point of the first-set tie-break. He was never able to breathe easily. Even when he broke back to 5-5, when Nadal was distracted by the chanting of a group of Roma fans passing from the adjacent Stadio Olimpico, Djokovic promptly dropped serve, to which he responded by decapitating his racket.
It is hard to keep a clear head against Nadal, for he forces the opponent to come up with shots they might not usually try. The drop shot is a risky strategy and when it comes off a couple of times, the tendency is to overplay it, which is how Djokovic came unstuck.
And he enjoyed his moments of triumph so much, raising his arms to the sky in one mock salute when he played a quite astonishing backhand half-volley when Nadal had blasted the ball straight at him, that it took him the next few rallies to get his head clear, by which time the Spaniard was racing away. His roar at the end was lost in the cries of his name. Since 2005, he has won 147 of his 151 matches on clay. A man rewriting history.
Murray's rise to top 3
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
Source:The times
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rafael Nadal continues triumphant progress on favourite surface
Three down, two to go. If anyone deserves a few days with his feet up, it is Rafael Nadal. Anna Maria, his mother, can have the three weeks of dirty washing, with its layers of caked-on dirt, as her son has bludgeoned his way through 14 matches, collected clay titles Nos 23, 24 and 25 and now pauses for a few days to prepare for three more weeks when he could further redefine the credos by which the sport used to be judged.
From this weekend, Nadal plays in Madrid, a tournament switched from autumn to spring, from hard court to clay, into the Caja Magica, the magic box. Not a bad place to welcome the man with all the tricks in the book — and a few more he has patented. Then it is on to Paris, for his attempt to add a fifth consecutive French Open title to his compendium. Is there anyone out there who seriously doubts he will do it, for is there a player on this planet who can win three sets against him in one match on clay?
Because of the lousy weather earlier in the week here, Nadal had to win five matches in five days to become the Rome Master for a fourth time — an historic moment. Björn Borg, Jaroslav Drobny, Martin Mulligan and Thomas Muster each won this title three times when it was the plain Italian Open; he has outdone these great champions and is not 23 until next month.
Novak Djokovic tried everything he knew in defence of his title and played some shots of rare audacity, but in the end, he was worn down, as everyone is. The result was 7-6, 6-2 in Nadal’s favour, though it was only when the spirit drained from the Serb from deuce at 2-2 in the second set, that even someone as imperious on this surface as the world No 1 could be relatively certain that this would another of his days.
The defeat means that Andy Murray will bypass Djokovic to take the Serb’s place as No 3 when the world rankings are announced next week.
It was not a final of the greatest quality. Both these titans looked a mite jaded at the end and no wonder, for they do not spare themselves. The throttle is out from the start, the contrasting flatter trajectory of Djokovic against the spitting spin of Nadal, inclination to attack versus outrageous defence, brio against brio and sometimes, dramatic introductions of subtlety and grace. What hurt Djokovic most was that, after forfeiting his first service game from 30-0 and 40-30, he was ahead only once, after the first point of the first-set tie-break. He was never able to breathe easily. Even when he broke back to 5-5, when Nadal was distracted by the chanting of a group of Roma fans passing from the adjacent Stadio Olimpico, Djokovic promptly dropped serve, to which he responded by decapitating his racket.
It is hard to keep a clear head against Nadal, for he forces the opponent to come up with shots they might not usually try. The drop shot is a risky strategy and when it comes off a couple of times, the tendency is to overplay it, which is how Djokovic came unstuck.
And he enjoyed his moments of triumph so much, raising his arms to the sky in one mock salute when he played a quite astonishing backhand half-volley when Nadal had blasted the ball straight at him, that it took him the next few rallies to get his head clear, by which time the Spaniard was racing away. His roar at the end was lost in the cries of his name. Since 2005, he has won 147 of his 151 matches on clay. A man rewriting history.
Murray's rise to top 3
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
Source:The times
From this weekend, Nadal plays in Madrid, a tournament switched from autumn to spring, from hard court to clay, into the Caja Magica, the magic box. Not a bad place to welcome the man with all the tricks in the book — and a few more he has patented. Then it is on to Paris, for his attempt to add a fifth consecutive French Open title to his compendium. Is there anyone out there who seriously doubts he will do it, for is there a player on this planet who can win three sets against him in one match on clay?
Because of the lousy weather earlier in the week here, Nadal had to win five matches in five days to become the Rome Master for a fourth time — an historic moment. Björn Borg, Jaroslav Drobny, Martin Mulligan and Thomas Muster each won this title three times when it was the plain Italian Open; he has outdone these great champions and is not 23 until next month.
Novak Djokovic tried everything he knew in defence of his title and played some shots of rare audacity, but in the end, he was worn down, as everyone is. The result was 7-6, 6-2 in Nadal’s favour, though it was only when the spirit drained from the Serb from deuce at 2-2 in the second set, that even someone as imperious on this surface as the world No 1 could be relatively certain that this would another of his days.
The defeat means that Andy Murray will bypass Djokovic to take the Serb’s place as No 3 when the world rankings are announced next week.
It was not a final of the greatest quality. Both these titans looked a mite jaded at the end and no wonder, for they do not spare themselves. The throttle is out from the start, the contrasting flatter trajectory of Djokovic against the spitting spin of Nadal, inclination to attack versus outrageous defence, brio against brio and sometimes, dramatic introductions of subtlety and grace. What hurt Djokovic most was that, after forfeiting his first service game from 30-0 and 40-30, he was ahead only once, after the first point of the first-set tie-break. He was never able to breathe easily. Even when he broke back to 5-5, when Nadal was distracted by the chanting of a group of Roma fans passing from the adjacent Stadio Olimpico, Djokovic promptly dropped serve, to which he responded by decapitating his racket.
It is hard to keep a clear head against Nadal, for he forces the opponent to come up with shots they might not usually try. The drop shot is a risky strategy and when it comes off a couple of times, the tendency is to overplay it, which is how Djokovic came unstuck.
And he enjoyed his moments of triumph so much, raising his arms to the sky in one mock salute when he played a quite astonishing backhand half-volley when Nadal had blasted the ball straight at him, that it took him the next few rallies to get his head clear, by which time the Spaniard was racing away. His roar at the end was lost in the cries of his name. Since 2005, he has won 147 of his 151 matches on clay. A man rewriting history.
Murray's rise to top 3
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
Source:The times
Rafael Nadal continues triumphant progress on favourite surface
Three down, two to go. If anyone deserves a few days with his feet up, it is Rafael Nadal. Anna Maria, his mother, can have the three weeks of dirty washing, with its layers of caked-on dirt, as her son has bludgeoned his way through 14 matches, collected clay titles Nos 23, 24 and 25 and now pauses for a few days to prepare for three more weeks when he could further redefine the credos by which the sport used to be judged.
From this weekend, Nadal plays in Madrid, a tournament switched from autumn to spring, from hard court to clay, into the Caja Magica, the magic box. Not a bad place to welcome the man with all the tricks in the book — and a few more he has patented. Then it is on to Paris, for his attempt to add a fifth consecutive French Open title to his compendium. Is there anyone out there who seriously doubts he will do it, for is there a player on this planet who can win three sets against him in one match on clay?
Because of the lousy weather earlier in the week here, Nadal had to win five matches in five days to become the Rome Master for a fourth time — an historic moment. Björn Borg, Jaroslav Drobny, Martin Mulligan and Thomas Muster each won this title three times when it was the plain Italian Open; he has outdone these great champions and is not 23 until next month.
Novak Djokovic tried everything he knew in defence of his title and played some shots of rare audacity, but in the end, he was worn down, as everyone is. The result was 7-6, 6-2 in Nadal’s favour, though it was only when the spirit drained from the Serb from deuce at 2-2 in the second set, that even someone as imperious on this surface as the world No 1 could be relatively certain that this would another of his days.
The defeat means that Andy Murray will bypass Djokovic to take the Serb’s place as No 3 when the world rankings are announced next week.
It was not a final of the greatest quality. Both these titans looked a mite jaded at the end and no wonder, for they do not spare themselves. The throttle is out from the start, the contrasting flatter trajectory of Djokovic against the spitting spin of Nadal, inclination to attack versus outrageous defence, brio against brio and sometimes, dramatic introductions of subtlety and grace. What hurt Djokovic most was that, after forfeiting his first service game from 30-0 and 40-30, he was ahead only once, after the first point of the first-set tie-break. He was never able to breathe easily. Even when he broke back to 5-5, when Nadal was distracted by the chanting of a group of Roma fans passing from the adjacent Stadio Olimpico, Djokovic promptly dropped serve, to which he responded by decapitating his racket.
It is hard to keep a clear head against Nadal, for he forces the opponent to come up with shots they might not usually try. The drop shot is a risky strategy and when it comes off a couple of times, the tendency is to overplay it, which is how Djokovic came unstuck.
And he enjoyed his moments of triumph so much, raising his arms to the sky in one mock salute when he played a quite astonishing backhand half-volley when Nadal had blasted the ball straight at him, that it took him the next few rallies to get his head clear, by which time the Spaniard was racing away. His roar at the end was lost in the cries of his name. Since 2005, he has won 147 of his 151 matches on clay. A man rewriting history.
Murray's rise to top 3
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
Source:The times
From this weekend, Nadal plays in Madrid, a tournament switched from autumn to spring, from hard court to clay, into the Caja Magica, the magic box. Not a bad place to welcome the man with all the tricks in the book — and a few more he has patented. Then it is on to Paris, for his attempt to add a fifth consecutive French Open title to his compendium. Is there anyone out there who seriously doubts he will do it, for is there a player on this planet who can win three sets against him in one match on clay?
Because of the lousy weather earlier in the week here, Nadal had to win five matches in five days to become the Rome Master for a fourth time — an historic moment. Björn Borg, Jaroslav Drobny, Martin Mulligan and Thomas Muster each won this title three times when it was the plain Italian Open; he has outdone these great champions and is not 23 until next month.
Novak Djokovic tried everything he knew in defence of his title and played some shots of rare audacity, but in the end, he was worn down, as everyone is. The result was 7-6, 6-2 in Nadal’s favour, though it was only when the spirit drained from the Serb from deuce at 2-2 in the second set, that even someone as imperious on this surface as the world No 1 could be relatively certain that this would another of his days.
The defeat means that Andy Murray will bypass Djokovic to take the Serb’s place as No 3 when the world rankings are announced next week.
It was not a final of the greatest quality. Both these titans looked a mite jaded at the end and no wonder, for they do not spare themselves. The throttle is out from the start, the contrasting flatter trajectory of Djokovic against the spitting spin of Nadal, inclination to attack versus outrageous defence, brio against brio and sometimes, dramatic introductions of subtlety and grace. What hurt Djokovic most was that, after forfeiting his first service game from 30-0 and 40-30, he was ahead only once, after the first point of the first-set tie-break. He was never able to breathe easily. Even when he broke back to 5-5, when Nadal was distracted by the chanting of a group of Roma fans passing from the adjacent Stadio Olimpico, Djokovic promptly dropped serve, to which he responded by decapitating his racket.
It is hard to keep a clear head against Nadal, for he forces the opponent to come up with shots they might not usually try. The drop shot is a risky strategy and when it comes off a couple of times, the tendency is to overplay it, which is how Djokovic came unstuck.
And he enjoyed his moments of triumph so much, raising his arms to the sky in one mock salute when he played a quite astonishing backhand half-volley when Nadal had blasted the ball straight at him, that it took him the next few rallies to get his head clear, by which time the Spaniard was racing away. His roar at the end was lost in the cries of his name. Since 2005, he has won 147 of his 151 matches on clay. A man rewriting history.
Murray's rise to top 3
July, 2003 Andy Murray’s first ranking was No 774. He ended the year ranked No 539. Won US Open Junior Championship in September 2004 at No 479. Ended the year ranked No 449
2005 Climbed to No 65 as he won first ATP Tour match at Queen's Club in June. Won two challenger titles in the United States in the summer and reached second round of US Open.
2006 Won his first ATP Tour title in San Jose in February, ranked No 42. Reached Wimbledon and US Open fourth rounds to become No 16 in September. Ended year on the same mark.
2007 Reached the top ten in April after semi- finals in Indian Wells and Miami Masters. In June, reached No 8 but had three months out with wrist injury and ended the year at No 11.
2008 Won five ATP titles, his first Masters title in Cincinnati when ranked No 6, reaching a career-high No 4 after reaching the final of the US Open. Won Masters Series event in Madrid and reached Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Has been No 4 ever since
2009 Reached Australian Open fourth round, won titles in Doha, Rotterdam and the Masters in Miami. Reached semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April.
Source:The times
Magic Weekend will revive derby matches
The Magic Weekend will be back at Murrayfield next year, almost certainly with a resumption of the derby fixtures that comprised the first two years of the event in Cardiff, to build on the success of taking a full round of engage Super League fixtures to Edinburgh.
There is an acceptance by the RFL that some of the fixtures this time — the product of a draw — were uninspiring and that the biggest draw card was the only derby of the weekend, between Wigan Warriors and St Helens. Rather than building to a climax, the aggregate 59,749 crowd for the two days was at its most sparse for the last of the four matches on Sunday night.
It is likely to mean a revival of the local rivalries, between Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls, and Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Wildcats, although there is an argument to stagger the derbies over two years and mix and match the fixtures.
Whatever the misgivings about the concept expressed by a handful of leading players, the Magic event has established its place in the calendar, and given the economic climate, a marginally lower attendance than last year for the first time in Scotland was a satisfactory outcome for the RFL and Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), which had courted the event and was delighted by the response.
The Edinburgh economy received a £10 million boost and the SRU has an option for a third year in 2011, although the impetus for a possible “Geordie Magic” bid at St James’ Park would grow were Newcastle United to be relegated from the Barclays Premier League.
Wigan’s first win over St Helens in two years has not yet secured Brian Noble a new contract for 2010, but he is anxious to extend his tenure as coach. “I absolutely want to stay,” he said. “We’ve made some massive strides the last three years. We’ve a team that, if it applies itself, can go on to win trophies for years to come.”
Source:The times
There is an acceptance by the RFL that some of the fixtures this time — the product of a draw — were uninspiring and that the biggest draw card was the only derby of the weekend, between Wigan Warriors and St Helens. Rather than building to a climax, the aggregate 59,749 crowd for the two days was at its most sparse for the last of the four matches on Sunday night.
It is likely to mean a revival of the local rivalries, between Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls, and Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Wildcats, although there is an argument to stagger the derbies over two years and mix and match the fixtures.
Whatever the misgivings about the concept expressed by a handful of leading players, the Magic event has established its place in the calendar, and given the economic climate, a marginally lower attendance than last year for the first time in Scotland was a satisfactory outcome for the RFL and Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), which had courted the event and was delighted by the response.
The Edinburgh economy received a £10 million boost and the SRU has an option for a third year in 2011, although the impetus for a possible “Geordie Magic” bid at St James’ Park would grow were Newcastle United to be relegated from the Barclays Premier League.
Wigan’s first win over St Helens in two years has not yet secured Brian Noble a new contract for 2010, but he is anxious to extend his tenure as coach. “I absolutely want to stay,” he said. “We’ve made some massive strides the last three years. We’ve a team that, if it applies itself, can go on to win trophies for years to come.”
Source:The times
Epsom celebrates new Derby sponsorship
Barely a month before the race, and against considerable odds, Epsom has acquired a new Derby sponsor. Not just any old short-term sponsor, either, but a blue-chip private bank prepared to back the two-day Derby meeting for five years. It must feel like a cup-winning goal in injury-time.
With the marketplace so depressed and the timescale so tight, even senior figures at Epsom and its parent group, Jockey Club Racecourses, had been publicly preparing the ground for a year without sponsorship of the greatest classic. Then, within days, a late deal was done with the specialist banking group Investec, whose most prominent sporting identity has been the autumn rugby internationals at Twickenham.
It may not have been struck at the financial level Epsom had originally pitched but it is nevertheless a triumph to recruit an international brand, new to the sport, for a long-term partnership. Nick Blofeld, the managing director at Epsom, said: “It's a good deal for us in the current market, one that should enable us to uphold prize money levels and take the meeting forward.”
Blofeld has worked tirelessly through the frustrations of trying to sell such a high-profile sponsorship in a discouraging financial climate. However, the conduit for the deal was Sir David Prosser, a non-executive director of both Investec and Epsom.
“Investec were one of the companies we'd spoken with some time ago and it was Sir David who suggested we went back to them,” Blofeld said. “We had a detailed meeting with their marketing team at the racecourse and they were impressed by our new facilities. This has all happened within the last fortnight and although we recognise it's very close to this year's meeting, the five-year term allows us to plan ahead.”
Blofeld speaks of the partnership being “a good fit”, explaining: “They have a good feeling for the history of the race but they are also quite quirky and creative on the marketing side and keen to take racing to a wider audience.” There is also a racing link, as Bernard Kantor, Investec's managing director, has horses trained by William Haggas and Mike de Kock.
This will be an informative week of Derby rehearsals, notably for Aidan O'Brien. Fame And Glory is to run at Leopardstown on Sunday and O'Brien has entered Age Of Aquarius and Masterofthehorse in Lingfield's Derby Trial the previous day.
Luca Cumani went to Epsom with a live Derby hope last year but Curtain Call could finish only tenth. The colt won for the first time since at the Curragh yesterday, confirming the health of a stable that fields Fantasia in the French 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.
Source:The times
With the marketplace so depressed and the timescale so tight, even senior figures at Epsom and its parent group, Jockey Club Racecourses, had been publicly preparing the ground for a year without sponsorship of the greatest classic. Then, within days, a late deal was done with the specialist banking group Investec, whose most prominent sporting identity has been the autumn rugby internationals at Twickenham.
It may not have been struck at the financial level Epsom had originally pitched but it is nevertheless a triumph to recruit an international brand, new to the sport, for a long-term partnership. Nick Blofeld, the managing director at Epsom, said: “It's a good deal for us in the current market, one that should enable us to uphold prize money levels and take the meeting forward.”
Blofeld has worked tirelessly through the frustrations of trying to sell such a high-profile sponsorship in a discouraging financial climate. However, the conduit for the deal was Sir David Prosser, a non-executive director of both Investec and Epsom.
“Investec were one of the companies we'd spoken with some time ago and it was Sir David who suggested we went back to them,” Blofeld said. “We had a detailed meeting with their marketing team at the racecourse and they were impressed by our new facilities. This has all happened within the last fortnight and although we recognise it's very close to this year's meeting, the five-year term allows us to plan ahead.”
Blofeld speaks of the partnership being “a good fit”, explaining: “They have a good feeling for the history of the race but they are also quite quirky and creative on the marketing side and keen to take racing to a wider audience.” There is also a racing link, as Bernard Kantor, Investec's managing director, has horses trained by William Haggas and Mike de Kock.
This will be an informative week of Derby rehearsals, notably for Aidan O'Brien. Fame And Glory is to run at Leopardstown on Sunday and O'Brien has entered Age Of Aquarius and Masterofthehorse in Lingfield's Derby Trial the previous day.
Luca Cumani went to Epsom with a live Derby hope last year but Curtain Call could finish only tenth. The colt won for the first time since at the Curragh yesterday, confirming the health of a stable that fields Fantasia in the French 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.
Source:The times
Max Mosley's son found dead from suspected overdose
The elder son of F1 chief Max Mosley has been found dead from a suspected drugs overdose.
Alexander Mosley, 39, was confirmed dead after police were called to his home in Notting Hill, West London, yesterday afternoon.
A police spokesman said that the body of a male in his late thirties had been discovered by officers. Police were called by a relative who discovered Dr Mosley, a respected economist, collapsed in a room. Paramedics were called but could not revive him and he was declared dead at the scene.
Steve Abrams, 70, a retired psychologist who lives opposite the house, told thelondonpaper: “I saw two men go into the flat and about an hour later there were rows of police outside and an ambulance. They stayed for a couple of hours and I wasn’t sure what was going on.”
Mr Mosley, a former pupil at Westminster School and an Oxford graduate, co-founded the Hereford Road restaurant in Westbourne Grove two years ago with school friend and chef Tom Pemberton.
Friend Alexia Collen said: “He was a beautiful person and that’s all I can say.”
Others described him as a “maths genius” but said he had previously battled drug problems.
The death is not being treated as suspicious but police are not formally identifying the victim as not all next of kin have been informed.
Scotland Yard said: "We were called at 16.20pm on Tuesday to reports of a male found dead at a property in W11. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man is in his late thirties.
"We believe we know the identity of the deceased. The Coroner's office has been informed."
As the president of the world governing body of motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l’Auto-mobile (FIA), Max Mosley is one of the most powerful men in world motor racing.
He faced a stream of lurid headlines last year when The News of the World reported how the 69-year-old spent five hours with five prostitutes in an underground “torture chamber” in Chelsea indulging in sado-masochistic sex.
The son of the Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley he married a policeman's daughter Joan Taylor at the age of 20 and was called to the bar in 1964. A career in law did not appeal and a life in politics proved impossible because of his ancestry.
His wife introduced him to motor racing by taking him to see the British driver Stirling Moss and and he worked his way up the hierarchy throughout the 1970s and 80s. The couple had two sons - Alexander and Patrick, who was born in 1972. His wife and sons were said to have been devastated by the revelations about Mr Mosley's sexual activities.
He was elected president of FIA in 1993 and, after four successive terms in office, he resisted calls to resign after the and has vowed to stay until October 2009.
A spokesman for London Ambulance confirmed they were called just after 4pm to a domestic address and sent an ambulance and a fast response car "but sadly the patient was dead".
Source:The times
Alexander Mosley, 39, was confirmed dead after police were called to his home in Notting Hill, West London, yesterday afternoon.
A police spokesman said that the body of a male in his late thirties had been discovered by officers. Police were called by a relative who discovered Dr Mosley, a respected economist, collapsed in a room. Paramedics were called but could not revive him and he was declared dead at the scene.
Steve Abrams, 70, a retired psychologist who lives opposite the house, told thelondonpaper: “I saw two men go into the flat and about an hour later there were rows of police outside and an ambulance. They stayed for a couple of hours and I wasn’t sure what was going on.”
Mr Mosley, a former pupil at Westminster School and an Oxford graduate, co-founded the Hereford Road restaurant in Westbourne Grove two years ago with school friend and chef Tom Pemberton.
Friend Alexia Collen said: “He was a beautiful person and that’s all I can say.”
Others described him as a “maths genius” but said he had previously battled drug problems.
The death is not being treated as suspicious but police are not formally identifying the victim as not all next of kin have been informed.
Scotland Yard said: "We were called at 16.20pm on Tuesday to reports of a male found dead at a property in W11. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man is in his late thirties.
"We believe we know the identity of the deceased. The Coroner's office has been informed."
As the president of the world governing body of motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l’Auto-mobile (FIA), Max Mosley is one of the most powerful men in world motor racing.
He faced a stream of lurid headlines last year when The News of the World reported how the 69-year-old spent five hours with five prostitutes in an underground “torture chamber” in Chelsea indulging in sado-masochistic sex.
The son of the Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley he married a policeman's daughter Joan Taylor at the age of 20 and was called to the bar in 1964. A career in law did not appeal and a life in politics proved impossible because of his ancestry.
His wife introduced him to motor racing by taking him to see the British driver Stirling Moss and and he worked his way up the hierarchy throughout the 1970s and 80s. The couple had two sons - Alexander and Patrick, who was born in 1972. His wife and sons were said to have been devastated by the revelations about Mr Mosley's sexual activities.
He was elected president of FIA in 1993 and, after four successive terms in office, he resisted calls to resign after the and has vowed to stay until October 2009.
A spokesman for London Ambulance confirmed they were called just after 4pm to a domestic address and sent an ambulance and a fast response car "but sadly the patient was dead".
Source:The times
Ravi Bopara leads England recovery at Lord's
Ravi Bopara helped England recover from the loss of three quick wickets to reach 182-4 at tea on day one of first Test against West Indies.
Fidel Edwards had earlier taken three quick wickets, removing Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in successive balls and dismissing Paul Collingwood soon after. Cook, who was out for 35, and Pietersen fell to deliveries that moved off the seam before Collingwood (8) edged another delightful delivery from Edwards to slip.
Bopara remained the driving force behind England's innings, the Essex batsmen reaching his 50 in his first match as England's No 3. Cook and Bopara had guided England to 92-1 after the early loss of captain Andrew Strauss.
Strauss was dismissed in the seventh over of the morning after he had lost the toss and been put into bat by West Indies. Strauss, having struck two early boundaries, was dismissed when he nicked a Taylor delivery outside off-stump and Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies wicketkeeper, held a low catch.
England, who have not won the first Test of a series in 14 attempts, handed debuts to seam bowlers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions in what will be a new-look five-man attack after Monty Panesar was left out of the 12-man squad.
West Indies, who beat England 1-0 in their Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year, included Fidel Edwards, another IPL player, and fit-again Jerome Taylor in their bowling attack. Devon Smith will open alongside Gayle after several top-order batsmen had struggled in warm-up matches.
The last six Tests at Lord's have all ended in draws.
England: A J Strauss (Capt), A N Cook, R S Bopara, K P Pietersen, P D Collingwood, M J Prior (Wkt), T T Bresnan, S C J Broad, G P Swann, J M Anderson, G Onions.
West Indies: C H Gayle (Capt), D S Smith, L M P Simmons, R R Sarwan, S Chanderpaul, B P Nash, D Ramdin (Wkt), S J Benn, J E Taylor, F H Edwards, L S Baker.
Umpires: S J Davis (Australia) and E A R de Silva (Sri Lanka).
Third umpire: I J Gould.
Match referee: A J Pycroft (Zimbabwe).
Television: Live coverage on Sky Sports 1; highlights on Five, 7.15pm-8pm.
Series detail: Second Test: May 14 (Riverside).
Source:The times
Fidel Edwards had earlier taken three quick wickets, removing Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in successive balls and dismissing Paul Collingwood soon after. Cook, who was out for 35, and Pietersen fell to deliveries that moved off the seam before Collingwood (8) edged another delightful delivery from Edwards to slip.
Bopara remained the driving force behind England's innings, the Essex batsmen reaching his 50 in his first match as England's No 3. Cook and Bopara had guided England to 92-1 after the early loss of captain Andrew Strauss.
Strauss was dismissed in the seventh over of the morning after he had lost the toss and been put into bat by West Indies. Strauss, having struck two early boundaries, was dismissed when he nicked a Taylor delivery outside off-stump and Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies wicketkeeper, held a low catch.
England, who have not won the first Test of a series in 14 attempts, handed debuts to seam bowlers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions in what will be a new-look five-man attack after Monty Panesar was left out of the 12-man squad.
West Indies, who beat England 1-0 in their Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year, included Fidel Edwards, another IPL player, and fit-again Jerome Taylor in their bowling attack. Devon Smith will open alongside Gayle after several top-order batsmen had struggled in warm-up matches.
The last six Tests at Lord's have all ended in draws.
England: A J Strauss (Capt), A N Cook, R S Bopara, K P Pietersen, P D Collingwood, M J Prior (Wkt), T T Bresnan, S C J Broad, G P Swann, J M Anderson, G Onions.
West Indies: C H Gayle (Capt), D S Smith, L M P Simmons, R R Sarwan, S Chanderpaul, B P Nash, D Ramdin (Wkt), S J Benn, J E Taylor, F H Edwards, L S Baker.
Umpires: S J Davis (Australia) and E A R de Silva (Sri Lanka).
Third umpire: I J Gould.
Match referee: A J Pycroft (Zimbabwe).
Television: Live coverage on Sky Sports 1; highlights on Five, 7.15pm-8pm.
Series detail: Second Test: May 14 (Riverside).
Source:The times
Guus Hiddink warns time is running out
As Guus Hiddink sidled out of the Chelsea Museum to the sound of whistling and jeering from the visiting Catalan press - presumably for having the temerity to send out his side to compete, rather than roll over in the manner of Juande Ramos's Real Madrid - he could have been forgiven for pointing two fingers at his detractors.
Instead, the Chelsea interim manager aimed a subtle barb at his players, warning them that this season could represent their last chance of winning the Champions League.
Hiddink arrived at Stamford Bridge to win trophies rather than friends, a marked contrast to his predecessor, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who seemed to take the opposite approach.
The Dutchman had only four months to make an impact and has been determined to take advantage of every second, driving his side on to levels that could not have been envisaged when he was appointed in February.
Hiddink will have only one opportunity to win the Champions League for Chelsea, given the combustible state of Russian politics, with Roman Abramovich, the club's owner, unwilling to muddy the waters further with the Dutchman's paymasters in his role as Russia coach in World Cup year. It is a situation that Hiddink believes applies to some of his players, too. The 62-year-old's logic is based on the collective age of a squad that is growing old together, as well as the fact that the competition has treated them well in recent years, which the law of averages dictates cannot last. The squad will be overhauled by his replacement in the summer and Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka face uncertain futures.
“I don't think of getting older every year, but that is the reality for you, for me and for the squad,” Hiddink said. “It's obvious that this team is good. The players have a lot of desire and they've proved that in previous Champions League campaigns, but these players don't have five, six or seven years more to have the same chances they've had in recent years.
“It's very respectable that Chelsea have made it into five semi-finals in the last six years. That's a sign that the club have big ambitions. But this is one of the last occasions for these players to get where they want to be.”
For the moment, however, Chelsea appear the best equipped of all the semi-finalists to disrupt what some in Barcelona view as their God-given right to the European title.
Hiddink offers no apology for the tenacity Chelsea displayed at the Nou Camp last week - earning a goalless draw to take into the semi-final, second leg - and his players will be similarly resolute this evening, but he does expect them to demonstrate more composure in possession.
Certainly the presence of Anelka wide on the right should give the home side more penetration, with Michael Essien moved in from the right of midfield alongside Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack.
“I've analysed the game in Barcelona where we did not concede a goal, where they had one or two options to score, where we had one,” Hiddink said. “Tactically, we did very well, but during the game there were some periods where I would have liked more initiative. That was caused by the way Barcelona played, but we also have to show a little bit more when we are on the ball. We've spoken about that.”
Hiddink resisted the temptation to hit back at Barcelona's relentless complaining, which he attributed to their failure to score at home for the first time this season. However, he did choose to damn them with faint praise, describing their stunning 6-2 win over Real last weekend as simply respectable. “I think it's very human when you're used to scoring every week and then you don't,” he said. “You get frustrated and you get hot comments after the game, when the emotion is still there. But we have the full right to compete ourselves.
“I have seen, rather clinically, the supposed toughness of our team in the first game. I think it was actually rather normal in terms of the challenges that were made, and they were made by both sides.
“We should not try to create something which isn't a reality. If you see some of the challenges from Barcelona in their last game against Real, they were similar to last week and it was rather normal in what is a man's game.
“It was a respectable performance, what they did in the Bernabéu. That was a record for [Real] to concede six, but every game is different. There will be different circumstances in tomorrow's game. This is a team that is able to score. They have done it almost without exception in the games until last week. Having scored six, that gives them a tremendous boost, but every game is different. I think it will be different tomorrow as well.”
Source:The times
Instead, the Chelsea interim manager aimed a subtle barb at his players, warning them that this season could represent their last chance of winning the Champions League.
Hiddink arrived at Stamford Bridge to win trophies rather than friends, a marked contrast to his predecessor, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who seemed to take the opposite approach.
The Dutchman had only four months to make an impact and has been determined to take advantage of every second, driving his side on to levels that could not have been envisaged when he was appointed in February.
Hiddink will have only one opportunity to win the Champions League for Chelsea, given the combustible state of Russian politics, with Roman Abramovich, the club's owner, unwilling to muddy the waters further with the Dutchman's paymasters in his role as Russia coach in World Cup year. It is a situation that Hiddink believes applies to some of his players, too. The 62-year-old's logic is based on the collective age of a squad that is growing old together, as well as the fact that the competition has treated them well in recent years, which the law of averages dictates cannot last. The squad will be overhauled by his replacement in the summer and Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka face uncertain futures.
“I don't think of getting older every year, but that is the reality for you, for me and for the squad,” Hiddink said. “It's obvious that this team is good. The players have a lot of desire and they've proved that in previous Champions League campaigns, but these players don't have five, six or seven years more to have the same chances they've had in recent years.
“It's very respectable that Chelsea have made it into five semi-finals in the last six years. That's a sign that the club have big ambitions. But this is one of the last occasions for these players to get where they want to be.”
For the moment, however, Chelsea appear the best equipped of all the semi-finalists to disrupt what some in Barcelona view as their God-given right to the European title.
Hiddink offers no apology for the tenacity Chelsea displayed at the Nou Camp last week - earning a goalless draw to take into the semi-final, second leg - and his players will be similarly resolute this evening, but he does expect them to demonstrate more composure in possession.
Certainly the presence of Anelka wide on the right should give the home side more penetration, with Michael Essien moved in from the right of midfield alongside Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack.
“I've analysed the game in Barcelona where we did not concede a goal, where they had one or two options to score, where we had one,” Hiddink said. “Tactically, we did very well, but during the game there were some periods where I would have liked more initiative. That was caused by the way Barcelona played, but we also have to show a little bit more when we are on the ball. We've spoken about that.”
Hiddink resisted the temptation to hit back at Barcelona's relentless complaining, which he attributed to their failure to score at home for the first time this season. However, he did choose to damn them with faint praise, describing their stunning 6-2 win over Real last weekend as simply respectable. “I think it's very human when you're used to scoring every week and then you don't,” he said. “You get frustrated and you get hot comments after the game, when the emotion is still there. But we have the full right to compete ourselves.
“I have seen, rather clinically, the supposed toughness of our team in the first game. I think it was actually rather normal in terms of the challenges that were made, and they were made by both sides.
“We should not try to create something which isn't a reality. If you see some of the challenges from Barcelona in their last game against Real, they were similar to last week and it was rather normal in what is a man's game.
“It was a respectable performance, what they did in the Bernabéu. That was a record for [Real] to concede six, but every game is different. There will be different circumstances in tomorrow's game. This is a team that is able to score. They have done it almost without exception in the games until last week. Having scored six, that gives them a tremendous boost, but every game is different. I think it will be different tomorrow as well.”
Source:The times
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