Former champions Gaston Gaudio and Juan Carlos Ferrero, two of a host of men praying that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal lose their way at Roland Garros, reached the second round at the French Open on Monday. Argentinian 10th seed Gaudio, the 2004 champion, breezed past Croatian qualifier Roko Karanusic 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
Roger Federer gained an early psychological edge in his eagerly awaited French Open duel against Rafael Nadal when he enjoyed the lion’s share of fortune in Friday’s draw. The world number one, bidding to become the first man in 37 years to hold all four Grand Slam titles, was handed a comfortable-looking passage to the quarterfinals.
Roger Federer’s dream of becoming the first man in 37 years to hold all four grand-slam titles will be at the mercy of Mallorcan muscleman Rafael Nadal when the French Open gets under way on Sunday. In the history of the game, only five men have won Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Australian and United States Open crowns.
Twenty-five years after the infamous Trevor Chappell under-arm bowling affair sporting relations between Australia and New Zealand nosedived again on Friday. This time it was the normally sedate world of badminton which hosted the latest trans-Tasman spat when a Commonwealth Games men’s doubles match ended in acrimony.
Asafa Powell stormed to the 100m title while Australian swim queen Leisel Jones smashed the 100m breaststroke world record on a marathon Monday at the Commonwealth Games. Jones claimed her third gold of the Games while teammate Libby Lenton clinched her fourth with her win in the women’s 50m freestyle.
Australia’s superstar women swimmers pushed the hosts futher ahead in the Commonwealth Games gold chase on Saturday as a fascinating battle for individual glory unfolded. Libby Lenton won her second gold in the pool as she continued her pursuit of six titles while compatriot Leisel Jones captured her second victory in what could be a unique breaststroke treble.
Australia’s superstar swimmers helped lift the doping gloom which had descended upon their weightlifting colleagues as action at the 18th Commonwealth Games got under way on Thursday. A total of 11 gold medals were to be decided with five in the pool on the opening day and the host nation’s swimmers put down their marker by qualifying fastest into three of four finals.
World champion Nicol David has targeted the Commonwealth Games gold medal as she attempts to complete a clean-sweep of major squash titles. Malaysian star David became the first Asian woman to win the World Open when she triumphed in 2005, a golden year in which she also picked up the prestigious British Open title and claimed the world number one ranking.
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/ 19 February 2006
Italian police raided the Austrian biathlon team, casting a shadow over a super Saturday that had seen two stirring performances on the slopes and a landmark gold won by a black American skater. The evening raid centred on the private quarters of the Austrian team.
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/ 17 February 2006
They came from far flung corners of the world with hope in their hearts. They’ll be heading home with their tails between their legs. It’s been a tough week for the no-hopers of the Winter Olympics but the super-flops of Turin will pack away plenty of positives in their suitcases.