Venus Williams strode into the semifinals of Wimbledon on Thursday while tournament organisers cast anxious glances to the sky. Her younger sister Serena, beaten by Justine Henin in the quarters on Wednesday, rates Venus as the best grasscourt player left in the draw.
Justine Henin won the latest battle in the most fierce rivalry in women’s tennis with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 quarterfinal victory over seventh seed Serena Williams at Wimbledon on Wednesday. The Belgian world number one is chasing the one grand slam title she needs to complete her collection and looked in ominous form.
The Stars and Stripes still fluttered in Friday’s sunshine but only one American player remained in the French Open singles after Venus Williams fell in the third round to Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic. University student Jankovic, the hottest player on the woman’s tour this year, probably cringed when she saw Venus on her horizon so early in the draw.
Paul Jewell resigned as manager of Wigan Athletic, the club said on Monday, less than 24 hours after steering them to Premier League survival. Millionaire chairperson Dave Whelan was due to hold a news conference later on Monday when a replacement for the 42-year-old Jewell was expected to be announced.
Chelsea stormed back from two goals down to snatch a 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in an electrifying FA Cup quarterfinal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Hossam Ghaly and an own goal by Michael Essien gave Tottenham a 3-1 half-time lead as they looked set to end a 17-year wait for a win at Stamford Bridge.
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/ 10 January 2007
Wednesday’s back-page headlines made unpleasant reading for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez after his side were crushed 6-3 by a young Arsenal side in the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday. Benitez apologised to the club’s fans after Arsenal became the first visiting team to score six at Anfield since Sunderland won 6-0 there in a Division One match in April 1930.
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/ 11 December 2006
West Ham United sacked manager Alan Pardew on Monday after a poor run of results left the club third from bottom in the Premier League. A club statement said Icelandic chairperson Eggert Magnusson and the board ”had been concerned by the performances in recent weeks and felt it is the right time to make a change”.
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/ 7 December 2006
Manchester United could be nine points clear at the top of the Premier League by the time champions Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. United should continue more than 30 years of Old Trafford domination against Manchester City in Saturday’s lunchtime derby, leaving the stage clear for the two London clubs to renew their fractious rivalry.