The Blog Sport

Federer - set to lose top ranking now. FEDERER BEATEN AGAIN
Roger Federer crashed out of the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters on Thursday at the hands of Ivo Karlovic. The Swiss top seed found the big-serving Croatian too much to handle as he slumped to a 7-6 (8/6) 4-6 7-6 (7/5) in the third round. Federer’s failure to reach the quarter-finals could prove even more costly as he will now lose his world number one ranking if Rafael Nadal wins the tournament. The first set went with serve and the tie-break also proved a close affair, but the key moment came when 16th seed Karlovic stopped mid-point to challenge a line call, with Hawk-eye showing Federer had pushed his shot long. (Read the full post about ‘FEDERER BEATEN AGAIN’…)

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Arshavin - Tottenham target. ZENIT: ARSHAVIN TALKS CONTINUING
Zenit St Petersburg say Andrei Arshavin could be a Tottenham player within five days. Russia forward Arshavin has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in recent days, with Zenit having invited them to make a bid upwards of 20million. But while Spurs are apparently unwilling to meet that asking price, Zenit spokesman Konstantin Sarsaniya has said talks are continuing - and could be concluded within a matter of days. He told sports.ru: “We have certain contacts with Tottenham, but when they will conclude, I still do not know. “Maybe within five days, maybe sooner, maybe later. (Read the full post about ‘ZENIT: ARSHAVIN TALKS CONTINUING’…)

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Murray strains on his way to victory. MURRAY TURNS UP THE HEAT
Andy Murray overcame the searing heat to produce some scorching tennis as he saw off Dmitry Tursunov 6-3 6-3 to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. Aside from some brief wobbles in the first set, the world number nine found his best form and with Roger Federer suffering another surprise defeat, the path is now clear for Murray to reach his first Masters Series final. There was little sign of the nagging knee injury which has hampered him in recent weeks as he maintained the level of performance which saw him run Rafael Nadal close in the semis of the Toronto Masters last week. (Read the full post about ‘MURRAY TURNS UP THE HEAT’…)

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Bougherra - signs for Rangers. GERS SIGN BOUGHERRA
Rangers have announced the 2.5million signing of Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra from Charlton. The 25-year-old completed a medical at Murray Park before signing a four-year deal with the Ibrox side on Thursday night. The French-born player can play in the middle of a back four or as a defensive midfielder. He was signed by Charlton three days before the end of the January transfer window in 2007. Bougherra moved to The Valley from Sheffield Wednesday in a 2.5million deal. Wednesday had paid Crewe 300,000 for his services in 2006. (Read the full post about ‘GERS SIGN BOUGHERRA’…)

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Arshavin - Tottenham target. ZENIT: ARSHAVIN TALKS CONTINUING
Zenit St Petersburg say Andrei Arshavin could be a Tottenham player within five days. Russia forward Arshavin has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in recent days, with Zenit having invited them to make a bid upwards of 20million. But while Spurs are apparently unwilling to meet that asking price, Zenit spokesman Konstantin Sarsaniya has said talks are continuing - and could be concluded within a matter of days. He told sports.ru: “We have certain contacts with Tottenham, but when they will conclude, I still do not know. “Maybe within five days, maybe sooner, maybe later. (Read the full post about ‘ZENIT: ARSHAVIN TALKS CONTINUING’…)

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Petrov celebrates his goal with Elano. CITY SAFELY THROUGH
Manchester City comfortably progressed to the final qualifying round of the UEFA Cup after a 2-0 win at Oakwell wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate triumph over EB Streymur. City made heavy weather of beating the brave Faroe Islanders, and it was not until early in the second-half that Petrov struck to ease any worries amongst the Manchester fans who had travelled to Yorkshire for this second-leg. The part-timers produced a defiant defensive display with goalkeeper Rene Torgard - a mechanic by trade - their star performer. But the result on the night was completed when Darius Vassell raced into the area before rounding Torgard and slotting the ball home. (Read the full post about ‘CITY SAFELY THROUGH’…)

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Murray strains on his way to victory. MURRAY TURNS UP THE HEAT
Andy Murray overcame the searing heat to produce some scorching tennis as he saw off Dmitry Tursunov 6-3 6-3 to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. Aside from some brief wobbles in the first set, the world number nine found his best form and with Roger Federer suffering another surprise defeat, the path is now clear for Murray to reach his first Masters Series final. There was little sign of the nagging knee injury which has hampered him in recent weeks as he maintained the level of performance which saw him run Rafael Nadal close in the semis of the Toronto Masters last week. (Read the full post about ‘MURRAY TURNS UP THE HEAT’…)

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Hamilton and McLaren are a happy team now. HAMILTON HAPPY WITH McLAREN FAMILY
Lewis Hamilton feels McLaren have shaken off the “excess baggage” that blighted his championship bid last season, ensuring he is in better shape to win this year’s title. Exactly a year ago Hamilton headed into the Hungarian Grand Prix with an 18-point cushion to Kimi Raikkonen, a lead he stretched to 20 with a narrow victory at the Hungaroring. But behind the scenes in Budapest, the wheels started to fall off McLaren’s dual title bid, ultimately resulting in Hamilton missing out on the crown by a point to Raikkonen. The simmering feud with then team-mate Fernando Alonso developed into an all-out war during qualifying, which led to clear-the-air talks prior to the next race in Turkey. (Read the full post about ‘HAMILTON HAPPY WITH McLAREN FAMILY’…)

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Sergeant Cecil - retired after Goodwood run. SERGEANT RETIRED BY PROUD MILLMAN
Rod Millman called time on his stable star and former Horse of the Year Sergeant Cecil after the veteran came home last of the eight runners in the Royal Bank of Scotland Goodwood Cup. The immensely popular stayer has shown little in his four starts this season, prompting connections to make an on-the-spot decision about his future. The nine-year-old captured the hearts of the racing public with his handicap wins of 2005 in the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewitch, before successfully graduating to Group company the following year. Millman said: “He has been wonderful and has taken us to places we never dreamed of going. (Read the full post about ‘SERGEANT RETIRED BY PROUD MILLMAN’…)

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Goosen - out in 32 at Akron. GOLDEN GOOSEN CLAIMS EARLY LEAD
Retief Goosen was the early front-runner at Firestone Country Club today as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational got under way in Akron, Ohio. The South African covered the front nine of the 7,400-yard, par-70 South Course in a three-under-par 32, and had carded the fourth and fifth birdies of his opening round at the 10th and 11th holes to lead the morning starters in the 81-man field by a stroke at five under, having played 13 holes on a warm and sunny morning. Goosen’s compatriot Tim Clark was at four under, starting from the 10th tee, having made the turn with a three birdie, one bogey 33 and then birdying the first and second holes. (Read the full post about ‘GOLDEN GOOSEN CLAIMS EARLY LEAD’…)

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