TOP 100 SPORT SITES
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| Monty says Woods will no longer be the same threat LONDON (AP) -- Colin Montgomerie believes Tiger Woods will return from his marital problems to win more majors but says he won't be the iconic player who dominated golf for the past decade.... hosted.ap.org |
Cardinals-Packers tickets sold out The Arizona Cardinals home playoff game Sunday is sold out. bizjournals.com |
Murray kicks off in scintillating style • British No1 races to 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory over qualifier• Serve looks rusty, but South African is no match for No5 seedAndy Murray secured a routine 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 first-round win over the qualifier Kevin Anderson to begin his campaign at the Australian Open today. The 22-year-old ran his 6ft 8in South Africa opponent ragged as he mixed his game up from the back of the court with a sprinkling of serve-and-volley under the Rod Laver Arena roof.It was a dominant display, albeit against the world No148, as Murray broke Anderson in six of his opening eight service games. It was enough to drain any pre-match optimism South Africa's top-ranked player may have retained after coming through qualifying, where his serve was not broken once, to reach the main draw.The Scot did not drop a service game of his own despite only managing to get a paltry 35% of his first serves in play. It mattered not as Murray, who returned to No4 in the world rankings today, quickly showed why there are over 100 places between the players."I feel good. I got here 10 days earlier than I've done in the last three years," said Murray. "I feel good and I think that match proved it. He didn't get broken in the whole of qualifying. He's 6ft 8in and it was a tough first round for me, so I was a bit nervous at the start but got off to a good start and broke him straightaway."Kevin Mitchell: Murray sounds warning to Nadal and CoWomen's round-up: Sharapova crashes out to KirilenkoHighlights and more on our Australian Open siteThe writing was on the wall when Murray raced into a 5-0 lead, although the Scot was given a reminder not to underestimate his rival, or his height, when an attempted lob was viciously smashed past him and into the crowd.That helped Anderson at least get on the scoreboard, but Murray's only concern was his inability to get his first serve in play. Murray's impeccable groundstrokes, however, ensured such misfiring meant little as he fired 18 winners en route to winning the opening set in 29 minutes.Murray again immediately broke in the second set when Anderson miscued a simple volley wide. The 23-year-old South African had his chance to break back though as Murray's serve continued to look slightly brittle early on, but Anderson squandered three break-point chances. Murray extricated himself from the danger with consecutive backhand cross-court winners as Anderson advanced to the net, before serving it out with an ace.The match already looked within Murray's keeping and he looked to get to the net more often and take control against his lumbering opponent. The tactic worked as he broke three more times in the set to clinch it 6-1, with the pressure showing on Anderson who double-faulted to go two sets down.With the South African now resigned to his fate both players ambled through the final set before Murray clinched victory with a further break.Andy MurrayAustralian OpenTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Aston Villa no pass masters under Martin O’Neill Martin O’Neill is such a popular and respected manager that he can speak of Ashley Young in the same breath as Lionel Messi — as he did last season — and get away with it. Even those who found it amusing laughed with O’Neill, not at him. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Report: Soccer's 2018 World Cup likely to go to Europe Denver is to be presented as a potential site for the 2018 World Cup of soccer in the official U.S. bid, but according to news reports, it already doesn't have much of a chance. feeds.bizjournals.com |