Saturday 22 June 2013

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull won the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, leading almost the entire way to extend his lead in the Formula One points race.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Vettel cruised to his first triumph in North America with a dominant performance to erase the disappointment of his last lap error in the 2011 race in Montreal.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Fernando Alonso finished second, 14.4 seconds behind Vettel. Alonso said he never really had a chance of catching Vettel, who made a fast getaway from pole position.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes finished third. He was unable to keep up with Vettel in the early stages, and held off to Alonso at the end as the Spaniard overtook him for second place.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada


Race winner Vettel gestures on the podium along with second placed Alonso and third placed Hamilton at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull (front) and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes (behind) drive during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives during the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuv.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton celebrate with champagne on the podium after the Red Bull driver stormed to his third victory of the year.

In Pics: Sebastian Vettel triumphs in Canada

Pakistan's chief selector refuses to step down

Pakistan\'s chief selector refuses to step down 

Karachi: Pakistan's chief selector, Iqbal Qasim has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down because of the national team's poor performance in the Champions Trophy. "To say that only I or my fellow selectors should resign because the team performed badly in the Champions Trophy is unfair. I think the responsibility for this poor show lies with everyone not just the selectors," he said.
The former Test spinner has faced calls for his resignation following Pakistan's three straight losses in the eight-nation tournament in England. Pakistani batsmen failed miserably in the major event.
"If a team does well everyone takes credit including the board, selectors and national team management. Similarly I believe that if a team does badly the selectors and team management must share the responsibility and take the blame for this," he said. Qasim said that his tenure as chief selector had ended in March and he had himself told the board they could appoint someone else.
The former Test spinner has faced calls for his resignation following Pakistan\'s three straight losses in Champions Trophy.
"But I was asked to continue till further notice. The national selection committee in consultation with the team captain and coach selected the best possible players for the Champions Trophy. If some of them didn't perform than we must all share the blame," he added. The former spinner pointed out that no one expected the batting to fare so badly.
"We had lot of experience in the batting if you look at Imran Farhat, Hafeez, Malik and Misbah unfortunately except for Misbah the others didn't click, "he said. He also defended the decision to drop seniors like Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq for the tournament.
"Razzaq has not been playing any domestic cricket so he was not considered while Afridi and Younis have been struggling of late. So we thought we could give others a chance to establish themselves. Unfortunately that didn't happen." The chief selector also said that the time was right to start building a team for the 2014 T20 World Cup and 2015 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan likely to make a comeback

Afridi, Younis likely to make a comeback 

Karachi: Pakistan's flamboyant allrounder Shahid Afridi and senior batsman Younis Khan have emerged as strong contenders to make a comeback to the national team for the coming tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe after the selectors dumped them for the Champions Trophy.
Afridi in particular also made his intentions clear that he was ready for the West Indies tour despite his recent poor batting form.
"I have been training hard for the coming tour to West Indies and I feel I am in rhythm for the tough tour. I am confident I can still give a lot to Pakistan cricket," Afridi said in an interview on Dawn TV.
Afridi and Younis were dropped for the Champions Trophy squad in which Pakistan lost all their three matches.
The allrounder whose absence was felt by fans in the Champions Trophy, said that he also felt that it was time to give chances to some new players but advised against pressing the panic button.
"The selectors should start trying out some new players with the future in mind but it would be risky to make too many changes in the team," he said.
The outspoken allrounder said there was talent in Pakistan's domestic cricket but they needed to be scouted and groomed properly.
"Even our bench strength is not bad, we have some good talented players who can be given a proper run to establish themselves in international cricket," Afridi said.
The former Pakistan captain also made no bones of the fact that it was easier for the national team players to communicate with a local coach.
"The role of coaches is important but yes it is a fact that our players tend to be more comfortable while communicating with a local coach like when Mohsin Khan was with the team," Afridi said.
The PCB didn't extend Mohsin's interim contract as head coach in March, 2012 despite his impressive record with the team and instead opted to appoint Australian coach, Dav Whatmore with the team.
Whatmore's tenure has proved to be a disappointing one for Pakistan with the team losing four out of six Tests and 12 out of 22 one-day internationals.

Champions Trophy: Can India and England repeat the Natwest final?

Can India and England repeat the Natwest final?

England v India at Edgbaston on Sunday will mark the first instance of the two teams facing each other in the final of an ICC tournament. In fact, the only time they played each other in any sort of final was at Lord's in 2002 when they were contesting the tri-nation Natwest Series.
The closest either team has ever come to meeting in a tournament final were the semi-finals of the 1983 and 1987 World Cups. In their first encounter, at Manchester on June 22, 1983 India knocked England out in the semi-final of the Prudential World Cup with a six-wicket win.
There were two moments that really stood out from this match: Yashpal Sharma hitting Bob Willis for six and Kirti Azad bowling Ian Botham with a shooter that rolled along the turf. On both occasions an obscure Indian had humbled a famous Englishman. Azad was an innocuous offspinner who had his day when he helped bottle up the middle order with his fastish offbreaks and earned a bonus while bowling the dangerous Botham. Later, during India's chase, Yashpal contemptuously flicked Willis for six during a crucial third-wicket stand with Mohinder Amarnath. That, like Azad's shooter, was to become an indelible memory of India's glory run.
Edgbaston on Sunday will mark the first instance of the two teams facing each other in the final of an ICC event; a lacklustre tournament is in dire need of a fitting send-off.
Four years later it was England's turn to eliminate India in front of their home fans with 35-run win at the Wankhede Stadium in the Reliance World Cup semi-final.
India qualified for the semis on the back of Sunil Gavaskar's swan song and Chetan Sharma's hat-tricks, but when they reached Bombay they contrived to lose the plot. After Kapil Dev asked England to bat on a tricky surface, Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting got down and dirty and swept and pulled themselves a 117-run alliance in 19 overs. That paved the way for a total of 254 that proved too much for India's vaunted batting line-up, missing Dilip Vengsarkar with a stomach bug. Kris Srikanth and Navjot Singh Sidhu, dashers alike, were not able to pinch a single boundary and the pressure built up. Eddy Hemmings ended the match with 4 for 21 in 34 balls and England, though sheer commitment, dashed the defending champions' aspirations of a place in the final.
Since then, England have never reached a World Cup final while India have made it twice - in 2003 when they were crushed by Australia and 2011 when they beat Sri Lanka to become world champs.
India and England have both made the final of an ICC Champions Trophy in the past, but ended up losing. At Nairobi in 2000, a Chris Cairns-inspired New Zealand surprised India and at The Oval in 2004, England would have lifted the title if not for a heroic ninth-wicket partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw.
Fittingly, the two best teams in the final edition of the Champions Trophy are in the final. England have played very good cricket, inspired by their bowling talisman James Anderson, and in conditions more tailored to their bowlers the hosts they are serious contenders. India, the world champions, are unbeaten in the tournament and a win away from achieving the distinction of holding both ODI titles.
So far the tournament has been uninspiring, save for a couple matches early on. A repeat of that epic 2002 Natwest final would be a fitting send-off to the tournament once regarded as the mini World Cup. That match, after all, helped transform the shape of India's future as an ODI force to be reckoned with. Here's for an encore.
Have your say: Who do you think will win the ICC Champions Trophy?

India have bound a winning unit in England

 


The Indian cricket team is totally dialled in at the ICC Champions Trophy. They have played a very exciting brand of cricket. They have so far given a lot to cheer for to their faithful followers all over the world. Totally what the doctor ordered after this year's IPL. As opposed to England, India are unbeaten through to the final in Birmingham. England lost to Sri Lanka in the league phase.
This Indian team is a young side. A very talented team. A team with ever-increasing self belief as they advance into the final. And because they are a young team they know how to be fearless and live in the moment. Most players are very instinctive in the way they play the game. And with the enthusiasm of youth abounding, MS Dhoni is the perfect leader. With not only experience but also the ability to change his own batting plan according to the demands of the situation, Dhoni is a very great threat for the opponents.
Now that the team has breezed into the final, they will be a very confident side. A unit just raring to go. With wise direction coming from their skipper as an when the occasion demands, India are turning out to the the team to beat. A huge factor that has gone a long way is the quality of fielding. Fielding by itself has the potential to lift the spirits of a side immensely. The team is exhibiting the effort and skill while fielding that we associate with a team like South Africa.
Another aspect of the game that the team think tank will be happy about is the fact that, though there have been some great individual performances, the team has worked as a unit to win games. In all the games its been a team effort. This means that every player feels much stronger being a part of the team that he would as an individual. The feeling of being a close knit unit will help India win close games.

Waiting for them is England. The hosts of the final Champions Trophy have looked increasingly stronger and more comfortable with each win in the tournament. It wasn't too long ago that they were having a tough time of it against New Zealand in the three-ODI series, but it looks like England used that brief contest as a tune-up for the Champions Trophy.
England possess the home advantage. The intimate knowledge of the pitch conditions and the ability to play in colder and wetter climes makes them a formidable team. They also possess a very potent seam attack with James Anderson, one of the word's best fast bowlers along with Stuart Broad and Steven Finn. And with batsmen like Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and the younger Joe Root and Jos Buttler, they have a side that can be tough to beat on their day.
The way they trounced South Africa proves that England as an ever improving team and that they know how to keep the momentum going once they are on a roll. Cook later said that he never would have thought that England would be done winning the semis as early as 5pm. The team is in a happy place and though they have a strong team to face in the final, they will be prepared and waiting for India.
As seen throughout the tournament, the toss has been very important with regards to pressing home the advantage gained by winning it. In rain affected games the team opting to bat second has come out on top more times than not. Just like India did in the semi-final against Sri Lanka.
Apart from the the toss which both teams have equal chance of winning, the weather might play a major role in the outcome of the game and with all the on field calculations, the captains will also have to keep an eye on how the weather is likely to be when it comes to deciding what to do after winning the toss. For this reason its vital that the coaches be on the top of their game as well. Because in a rain affected match, when the Duckworth/ Lewis comes into play, its the coach who has to keep abreast of the calculations and keep the captain, who is on field, informed at all times on the ever changing situation.
For England, winning will be a natural progression to their constant development into a world class Test and ODI team. Cook is happy with the way they have played and believes that his England team is one that will rise to the occasion when the situation demands it.
For India, winning the trophy will mean much more than the champions tag. The team will look at it as a very apt gift for the people of the country. It will be a great way to give cricket lovers a great memory to cherish. The Indian cricket fan has gone through a lot of heartbreak recently and this may be exactly the medicine needed to recover.

Friday 21 June 2013

Andy Murray beats Kei Nishikori in an exhibition ahead of Wimbledon

Andy Murray: Won again as he prepares for Wimbledon
Andy Murray: Won again as he prepares for Wimbledon

Andy Murray put the finishing touches to his preparations for Wimbledon with victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori in the exhibition BNP Paribas Tennis Classic at the Hurlingham Club on Thursday evening.
The Scot missed the French Open with a back injury but secured a third AEGON Championships title at Queen's last weekend and he again looked in good form in London as he beat Nishikori 6-2 7-6 (7/5).
The GB ace broke the serve of his opponent, who is at a career-high of 11th in the ATP world rankings, in the third game of the opening set to move 3-1 ahead. The spectators were treated to some exhibition shots which are unlikely to follow either player to the All England Club next week.
World number two Murray - runner-up to Roger Federer at Wimbledon last year but the reigning Olympic and US Open champion - dropped his next service game before closing out the set by breaking to love.
Nishikori, who reached the quarter-finals of last year's Australian Open, showed intent at the start of the second set to lead 3-0 as Murray lost momentum following some unforced errors and misplaced serves.

Rhythm

However, Murray was soon back in his rhythm and two breaks brought him level, featuring a range of passing shots from the baseline.
Both men then held serve before Murray moved 6-5 ahead and forced a match point in game 12, but he sent a forehand into the net.
An early mini-break, though, saw him go 3-1 ahead in the tie-break. After spurning another match point, Murray clinched the tie-break on his own serve.
While Murray will head back to his SW19 training base, there is little rest for Nishikori, who is set to return to the Hurlingham Club on Friday to play French Open champion Rafael Nadal.
Spain's former two-time Wimbledon winner has been seeded at just number five this year, and depending on the outcome of Saturday's draw, he could be a quarter-final obstacle in Murray's path.

ATP AEGON International: Ivan Dodig surprises Fabio Fognini in quarter-finals

Ivan Dodig: Croat beat Fabio Fognini to reach the semi-finals
Ivan Dodig: Croat beat Fabio Fognini to reach the semi-finals

Ivan Dodig beat Italian eighth seed Fabio Fognini to reach the last-four of the AEGON International at Eastbourne.
The unseeded Croatian triumphed 6-3 6-2 thanks to a clinical serving display as he played in his third career grass quarter-final.
Dodig, who had beat top seed Milos Raonic in the last round, will next face unseeded Spanish ace Feliciano Lopez.
The Wimbledon quarter-finalist beat good friend and compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-4 7-6 (8-6) with Verdasco complaining of a slick court. His pleas to halt the match on safety conditions went unanswered by officials.
2011 champion and seventh seed Andreas Seppi reached his third straight semi-final here, beating Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-2.
He will take on second seed Giles Simon in the last four after the Frenchman beat Bernard Tomic 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 to progress.

Wimbledon: Andy Murray faces tough path to Wimbledon final

Andy Murray: High hopes for first Wimbledon title
Andy Murray: High hopes for first Wimbledon title

Andy Murray faces a tough battle to reach the Wimbledon final again with either Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer potentially standing in his way in the semis.
Murray - who will take on big-serving German Benjamin Becker in the first round - Federer andNadal are all in a brutal bottom half of the draw. They will all be in action on a mouth-watering Monday, the first day of the tournament.
But Murray has at least avoided the worst case scenario of facing Nadal in the last eight. Instead, fifth seed Nadal is likely to face Federer in a titanic quarter-final, with Murray their probable semi-final opponent.
If the draw goes according to seedings, Murray will face Janko Tipsarevic in the last 16, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals before taking on either Federer or Nadal.
The quarter-final draw would be Novak Djokovic v Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer v Juan Martin Del Potro, Nadal v Federer and Tsonga v Murray.


Murray feeling good
The biggest winner is Djokovic, who could be facing a semi-final against clay court specialist Ferrer. His biggest rivals - Murray, Nadal and Federer - are all in the other half.
Murray beat world No 95 Becker 6-4 7-6 (7-3) at Queen's last week - the only time the two have met - and assuming he gets past the 32-year-old German, he could face another Briton, James Ward, in the second round.
Tommy Robredo, the experienced Spaniard, could be next before things become decidedly difficult with Tipsarevic, although the Serb has had a bad year by his standards.
None of the top five seeds should be troubled in the first round.
Djokovic opens up against Germany's Florian Mayer in the first round. Nadal takes on the Belgian Steve Darcis. Ferrer - the fourth seed and beaten finalist at the French Open - plays Martin Alund and Federer will face the veteran Romanian Victor Hanescu.
There are two other British men in the draw. Wimbledon debutant Kyle Edmund takes on Polish giant Jerzy Janowicz, who is ranked 22nd. Ward, the world No 216, takes on world No 74 Lu Yen-hsun and he may fancy his chances of setting up an all-British showdown with Murray.
There are some intriguing first round matches. Leyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion is paired with the in-form Stanislas Wawrinka and the dangerous Marco Baghdatis faces Croatian Marin Cilic.
MEN'S DRAW
1-N DJOKOVIC (Srb) v F Mayer (Ger)
B Reynolds (USA) v S Johnson (USA)
B Kavcic (Slo) v J-L Struff (Ger)
R Harrison (USA) v 28-J CHARDY (Fra)
19-G SIMON (Fra) v F Lopez (Esp)
R Berankis (Ltu) v P-H Mathieu (Fra)
W Odesnik (USA) v J Wang (Tpe)
D Tursunov (Rus) v T HAAS (Ger)
9-R GASQUET (Fra) v M Granollers (Esp)
A Haider-Maurer (Aut) v G Soeda (Jpn)
J Blake (USA) v T de Bakker (Ned)
B Tomic (Aus) v 21-S QUERREY (USA)
27-K ANDERSON (Rsa) v O Rochus (Bel)
P Petzschner (Ger) v M Przysiezny (Pol)
D Brands (Ger) v D Gimeno Traver (Esp)
M Klizan (Svk) v 27-T BERDYCH (Cze)
4-D FERRER (Esp) v M Alund (Arg)
R Bautista Agut (Esp) v T Gabashvili (RUS)
H Zeballos (Arg) v S Giraldo (Col)
G Elias (Por) v 26-A DOLGOPOLOV (Ukr)
17-M RAONIC (Can) v C Berlocq (Arg)
A Kuznetsov (USA) v I Sijsling (Ned)
J Duckworth (Aus) v D Kudla (USA)
I Dodig (Cro) v 16-P KOHLSHREIBER (Ger)
12-K NISHIKORI (Jpn) v M Ebden (Aus)
L Mayer (Arg) v A Bedene (Slo)
M LLodra (Fra) v J Nieminen (Fin)
D Istomin (Uzb) v 23-A SEPPI (Ita)
29-G DIMITROV (Bul) v S Bolelli (Ita)
G Zemlja (Slo) v M Russell (USA)
G Pella (Arg) v J Levine (Can)
A Ramos (Esp) v 8-JM Del POTRO (Arg)
5-R NADAL (Esp) v S Darcis (Bel)
L Kubot (Pol) v I Andreev (Rus)
Stephane Robert (FRA) v Alejandro Falla (COL)
A Ungur (Rom) v 25-B PAIRE (Fra)
18-J ISNER (USA) v E Donskoy (Rus)
P Andujar (Esp) v A Mannarino (Fra)
D Brown (Ger) v G Garcia Lopez (Esp)
L Hewittt (Aus) v 11-S WAWRINKA (Swi)
15-N ALMAGRO (Esp) v J Zopp (Est)
M Matosevic (Aus) v G Rufin (Fra)
R Stepanek (Cze) v M Reid (AUS)
K Edmund (Gbr) v 24-J JANOWICZ (Pol)
30-F FOGNINI (Ita) v J Melzer (Aut)
J Reister (Ger) v L Rosol (Cze)
R Dutra Silva (Bra) v S Stakhovsky (Ukr)
V Hanescu (Rom) v 3-R FEDERER (Swi)
6-J-W TSONGA (Fra) v D Goffin (Bel)
E Roger-Vasselin (Fra) v E Gulbis (Lat)
F Verdasco (Esp) v X Malisse (Bel)
T Kamke (Ger) v 31-J BENNETEAU (Fra)
22-J MONACO (Arg) v B Knittel (Ger)
L Lacko (Svk) v R Ram (USA)
K de Schepper (Fra) v P Lorenzi (Ita)
M Baghdatis (Cyp) v 10-M CILIC (Cro)
14-J TIPSAREVIC (Srb) v V Troicki (Srb)
A Kuznetsov (Rus) v A Montanes (Esp)
M Gicquel (Fra) v V Pospisil (Can)
R Haase (Ned) v 20-M YOUZHNY (Rus)
32-T ROBREDO (Esp) v A Bogmolov (Rus)
N Mahut (Fra) v J Hajek (Cze)
J Ward (Gbr) v L Yen-Hsun (Tpe)
B Becker (Ger) v 2-A MURRAY (Gbr)

Wimbledon: Laura Robson to take on world No 10 Maria Kirilenko in opening round


Laura Robson: Tough first round draw for British No 1
Laura Robson: Tough first round draw for British No 1

British No 1 Laura Robson has been handed a tough first round draw at Wimbledon against world No 10 Maria Kirilenko.
Russian star Kirilenko arrives at Wimbledon in form - she reached the last eight at the French Open and has shown steady improvement over the years at SW19 culminating in her first quarter-final appearance last year.
Johanna Konta has glamorous first round match with former world No 1 Jelena Jankovic.
Elena Baltacha will face Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta, who is much happier on clay and the British star may fancy her chances. If she wins, Victoria Azarenka, the No 2 seed, awaits in round two.
Heather Watson has a tough task against rising American star Madison Keys, the world No 53.


Williams - I don't think about my win streak
Anne Keothavong faces Spaniard Garbine Muguruza and wildcard Samantha Murray takes on Camila Giorgi. British No 5, wildcard Tara Moore, plays Kaia Kanepi.
Serena Williams, the overwhelming favourite to win the title, opens up against Mandy Minella of Luxembourg and, like Novak Djokovic, she will be delighted to see her main rivals for the title in the other half of the draw.
In the second round the American could face Zheng Jie, who nearly knocked her out in the third round last year.
Tests do await. The hugely talented but inconsistent German Sabine Lisicki - a semi-finalist two years ago - is a possible last 16 opponent and last year's finalist Agnieszka Radwanska could await in the semi-finals.
But the two most likely challengers, Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, are both in the bottom half of the draw as is former champion Petra Kvitova.
Azarenka faces Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal in the first round and third seed Sharapova will take on Kristina Mladenovic and neither should be kept on court for long.
Women's singles draw:
(1) Serena Williams (USA) v Mandy Minella (Lux)
Caroline Garcia (Fra) v Jie Zheng (Chn)
Kimiko Date Krumm (Jpn) v Carina Witthoeft (Ger)
Alexandra Cadantu (Rom) v (28) Tamira Paszek (Aut)
(23) Sabine Lisicki (Ger) v Francesca Schiavone (Ita)
Elena Vesnina (Rus) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze)
Olga Puchkova (Rus) v Arantxa Rus (Ned)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Svk) v (14) Samantha Stosur (Aus)
(10) Maria Kirilenko (Rus) v Laura Robson (Gbr)
Mariana Duque Marino (Col) v Julia Goerges (Ger)
Ayumi Morita (Jpn) v Marina Erakovic (Nzl)
Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spa) v (24) Shuai Peng (Chn)
(31) Romina Oprandi (Swi) v Alison Riske (USA)
Mallory Burdette (USA) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol)
Kaia Kanepi (Est) v Tara Moore (Gbr)
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v (7) Angelique Kerber (Ger)
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Yvonne Meusburger (Aut)
Timea Babos (Hun) v Mathilde Johansson (Fra)
Heather Watson (Gbr) v Madison Keys (USA)
Monica Niculescu (Rom) v (30) Mona Barthel (Ger)
(21) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus) v Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (Cze) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk)
Anna Tatishvili (Geo) v Petra Martic (Cro)
Karolina Pliskova (Cze) v (13) Nadia Petrova (Rus)
Roberta Vinci (Ita) (11) v Chanelle Scheepers (Rsa)
Kristyna Pliskova (Cze) v Jana Cepelova (Svk)
Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (Spa) v Irina-Camelia Begu (Rom)
Maria Elena Camerin (Ita) v (18) Dominika Cibulkova (Svk)
Klara Zakopalova (Cze) (32) v Daniela Hantuchova (Svk)
Nina Bratchikova (Por) v Annika Beck (Ger)
Olga Govortsova (Blr) v Simona Halep (Rom)
Michaella Krajicek (Ned) v (6) Na Li (Chn)
(5) Sara Errani (Ita) v Monica Puig (Pue)
Silvia Soler Espinosa (Spa) v Misaki Doi (Jpn)
Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (Spa) v Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr)
Eva Birnerova (Cze) v (26) Varvara Lepchenko (USA)
(17) Sloane Stephens (USA) v Jamie Hampton (USA)
Pauline Parmentier (Fra) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)
Petra Cetkovska (Cze) v Donna Vekic (Cro)
Estrella Cabeza Candela (Spa) v (9) Caroline Wozniacki (Den)
(15) Marion Bartoli (Fra) v Elina Svitolina (Ukr)
Christina McHale (USA) v Alexa Glatch (USA)
Camila Giorgi (Ita) v Samantha Murray (Gbr)
Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v (22) Sorana Cirstea (Rom)
(27) Lucie Safarova (Cze) v Lauren Davis (USA)
Lauren Davis (USA) v Lucie Hradecka (Cze)
Michelle Larcher De Brito (Por) v Melanie Oudin (USA)
Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) v (3) Maria Sharapova (Rus)
(8) Petra Kvitova (Cze) v Coco Vandeweghe (USA)
Kiki Bertens (Ned) v Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz)
Garbine Muguruza (Spa) v Anne Keothavong (Gbr)
Johanna Larsson (Swe) v (25) Ekaterina Makarova (Rus)
(19) Carla Suarez-Navarro (Spa) v Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spa)
Sofia Arvidsson (Swe) v Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (Cro)
Eugenie Bouchard (Can) v Galina Voskoboeva (Kaz)
Virginie Razzano (Fra) v (12) Ana Ivanovic (Ser)
(16) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Johanna Konta (Gbr)
Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Vesna Dolonc (Ser)
Ajla Tomljanovic (Cro) v Bojana Jovanovski (Ser)
Yulia Putintseva (Kaz) v (20) Kirsten Flipkens (Bel)
(29) Alize Cornet (Fra) v Vania King (USA)
Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) v Tatjana Maria (Ger)
Elena Baltacha (Gbr) v Flavia Pennetta (Ita)
Maria Joao Koehler (Por) v (2) Victoria Azarenka (Blr)

WTA AEGON Internatinal: Caroline Wozniacki beaten by Jamie Hampton in semi-finals

Jamie Hampton: Through to Eastbourne final after eliminating Wozniacki
Jamie Hampton: Through to Eastbourne final after eliminating Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki's wait for a first WTA title of 2013 was extended after she was beaten by Jamie Hampton in the semi-finals of the AEGON International in Eastbourne.
The American qualifier edged a tight contest against the former World No 1, fighting back from a set down to claim a 6-7 (8-10) 7-5 6-3.
There were a total of 11 breaks of serve during the first two sets, while a single break from Hampton was enough to round things off in the decider.
Wozniacki, who is currently ranked ninth in the world, has not won a tournament since triumphing at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow last October.
Hampton, meanwhile, will play in her maiden WTA singles final on Saturday, where she will face Elena Vesnina of Russia.
Vesnina cruised to a 6-2 6-0 victory over Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer, completing the job in just 51 minutes.

Rafael Nadal makes a winning return to a grass court against Kei Nishikori

Rafael Nadal: Beat Japan's Kei Nishikori in a warm-up for Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal: Beat Japan's Kei Nishikori in a warm-up for Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal made a winning return to a grass court for the first time in competitive action in almost 12 months with a tight 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/4) victory against Japan's Kei Nishikori.
The Spaniard secured the win in the exhibition BNP Paribas Tennis Classic at London's Hurlingham Club in his first match since lifting the French Open title on the red clay at Roland Garros for a record eighth time 12 days ago.
There were a few rusty moments on the Spaniard's return to grass, which was not surprising considering his last match on the surface ended in a shock second-round defeat to Lukas Rosol, a player who was then ranked 100th in the world, at last year's Wimbledon.
But Nadal, who missed the US Open and Australian Open during a seven-month lay-off with a knee injury, looked in fine physical form after pulling out of the Halle tournament following Roland Garros to take a rest at home in Majorca.
"I'm happy to play the event at the Hurlingham Club, especially as I haven't played on grass since the French Open," said Nadal, who faces Belgium's Steve Darcis in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday.

Breaking serve

Nadal, who controversially is seeded five at SW19 where he is scheduled to meet Roger Federer in the quarter-finals and Andy Murray in the semis, was swiftly into his stride, breaking Nishikori's serve in the first game of the match.
But Nishikori, a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open last year and who had lost narrowly to Murray on the same Hurlingham court on Thursday, immediately broke back in a hard-fought set which yielded four breaks of serve and some patchy tennis before Nadal showed his tenacious spirit to take the tie-break 7-3.
Nadal, with a bandage protecting the site of the partially torn patella tendon in his left knee, looked more comfortable in the second set, a series of trademark ripping forehands pressurising his opponent.
Even so the set went to another tie-break and, with the thunderclouds gathering, Nadal needed all his determination to wrap up the match.
The hard stuff starts on Monday but if this initial run-out in the sun at Hurlingham is anything to go by Nadal is raring to go on the grass of SW19 and on a mission to show the All England Club got it wrong when they decided not to change the seeding of the two-time Wimbledon champion from his world ranking of five, an arguably false position caused by his injury lay-off.

Topshelf Open: Stanislas Wawrinka reaches first grasscourt final


Stanislas Wawrinka: Won through to his first grasscourt final
Stanislas Wawrinka: Won through to his first grasscourt final

Stanislas Wawrinka reached his first grasscourt tournament final by beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets at the Topshelf Open in Den Bosch.
The Swiss No 2 beat the Spaniard 6-1 6-4, saving a total of 10 break points, including rallying from a 15-40 deficit when serving for the match.
He will now face qualifier Nicolas Mahut for the first time after the Frenchman beat Belgian Xavier Malisse 6-3 6-3 in Friday's other semi-final in the Netherlands.
Wawrinka told the ATP's official website: "I can say today I played my best match of the tournament and I'm really happy for that. I really enjoy playing on grass and I think my game can fit really good on this surface."
Belgium had a better day in the women's event at the same venue as fourth seed Kirsten Flipkens beat Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-3 6-1.
Flipkens will face Simona Halep of Romania in the final after she beat Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-3 6-2.

AEGON International: Gilles Simon to face Feliciano Lopez in final

Gilles Simon: Frenchman has won 10 ATP Tour titles in his career - none on grass
Gilles Simon: Frenchman has won 10 ATP Tour titles in his career - none on grass

Gilles Simon reached his first final of the year at AEGON International in Eastbourne.
The Frenchman, ranked 17 in the world, saw off Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-3 in his semi-final at the Devonshire Park grasscourt tournament.
Second seed Simon will face Spain's Feliciano Lopez for the title on Saturday.
Lopez had earlier earned a 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 win against Croat Ivan Dodig in his semi-final.
Simon won in straight sets the only time the pair have previously met, on a hardcourt in Rotterdam in 2008. Neither player has won a title on grass before.

Carl Froch would fight George Groves while he waits for Andre Ward



Carl Froch has confirmed he would consider fighting George Groves while he waits for a rematch with Andre Ward.
Having gained revenge for defeat to Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena last month, IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion Froch has now set his sights on Ward, the only other fighter to beat him.
That could be up to a year away though and Froch admitted he wold not rule out a bout with Groves in the meantime, if he is named as the mandatory opponent.
"Every man and his dog is calling me out. Even that Welsh kid (Nathan Cleverly), who is insignificant because he's not even in my weight division."
Carl Froch
"The best win for me now and the only win that would be totally satisfying for me would be to rematch Andre Ward," said Froch.
"But I don't think that is in our immediate plans, that will be two or three fights down the road.
"I've got mandatory obligations with the IBF and I'm now WBA champion. So I'm just going to see what pans out and what opens up.
"Every man and his dog is calling me out. Even that Welsh kid (Nathan Cleverly), who is insignificant because he's not even in my weight division.
"He's making plenty of noise recently and it's just ridiculous. A lot of these guys are just embarrassing themselves because they're saying stupid things.
"But I'll let them carry on, I'll sit back and bask in the ambience, keep smiling and taking the accolades and the pats on the back. I'm just enjoying it all.
"I don't know how easy it is to make the Groves fight. Of course it's winnable, as is every fight.
"It's definitely a fight I want. I've said before I'm not just going to give him a shot, but if he becomes mandatory - which I think he might do by default because of guys above him being injured or moving in weight - then yes."

Travelers Championship: Justin Rose makes solid start, Charley Hoffman leads thanks to 61

Justin Rose: Being announced as US Open champion was 'sweeter moment than I thought it would be'
Justin Rose: Being announced as US Open champion was 'sweeter moment than I thought it would be'

US Open champion Justin Rose returned to action with a three-under 67 to leave him six shots behind first-round leader Charley Hoffman at the Travelers Championship.
Rose, just four days removed from his major breakthrough at Merion, stuttered early on before finishing off his round in a blaze of birdies.
The Englishman picked up a shot at the first but then had three bogeys in reaching the turn at one over.

First round leaderboard

(US unless stated)
-9 C Hoffman
-8 H Mahan
-7 B Watson

But he birdied four of five holes from the 12th to finish the day in good shape.
Rose said: "I got to the first tee and there was a nice crowd assembled there. I felt very calm, focused and ready to play golf.
"And then that happened (introduced as US Open champion) and I felt a smile come across my face. It was a sweeter moment than I thought it would be."
Hoffman took advantage of good scoring conditions on the back nine at TPC River Highlands to come home in 28 shots, including eagles at the 10th and 13th.
He is one ahead of his fellow American Hunter Mahan, who briefly flirted with a 59 before parring the last three holes in his eight-under 62.
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson is a stroke further back after a 63, while Graham DeLaet, Zach Johnson, John Merrick, Rod Pampling, Webb Simpson and Camilio Villegas all managed 65s to sit in a share of fourth on five under.

BMW International Open: Ernie Els one ahead of Alexander Levy and Matthew Baldwin

Ernie Els: South African is gearing up for his Open Championship defence at Muirfield in July
Ernie Els: South African is gearing up for his Open Championship defence at Muirfield in July

Ernie Els birdied the 18th to maintain his one-shot advantage at the halfway stage of the BMW International Open in Munich.
Els followed his opening 63 with a 69 on Friday to leave him on 12-under-par for the tournament, just ahead of Frenchman Alexander Levy and England's Matthew Baldwin.

Second round leaderboard

(GB and Ire unless stated)
-12 E Els (SA)
-11 M Baldwin
-11 A Levy (Fra)
-10 B Wiesberger (Aut)
-10 D Willett
The South African played the front nine in level par, a double bogey at the seventh cancelling out his birdies at the sixth and ninth.
He rallied with four birdies on his back nine, including at the last, to ensure he remained clear of the chasing pack.
"I think it's going to play a little tougher over the weekend," said Els. "It's getting a little bit firmer but I would like to swing a little better tomorrow, but I'm in a really nice position.
"I'm quite fortunate to be where I am. I didn't play as good today as I did yesterday obviously. I fought hard for a score and satisfied with that.
"There is so much golf to be played. If you fall out of the lead, if you're not leading after three rounds, it doesn't really mean much at all late Sunday. So you just want to stay in the race and keep trying to go forward."
Levy mixed seven birdies with three bogeys in his 68, while Baldwin - starting from the 10th - came home in 32 for a 69.

Defending champion Danny Willett moved up the leaderboard into a share of fourth place at 10 under thanks to a 65, the equal best round of the day.
Willett is alongside Austria's Bernd Wiesberger (68) with German duo Martin Kaymer (71) and Marcel Siem (68) part of a five-man group a stroke further back.
Kaymer, who won the tournament in 2008, and Siem are joined on nine under by Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez (67), Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (69) and Swede Alex Noren (71).
American Ryder Cup player Dustin Johnson is well placed on seven under after 71, while Spain's Sergio Garcia managed a 69 to move to four under.
Former European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who turns 50 on Sunday, is among those free to make alternative weekend plans after successive 71s left him on two under, one outside the cut.

Two-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Hunt has died at the age of 83

Bernard Hunt (far right) at the 1953 Ryder Cup at Wentworth with, from left, Americans Ted Kroll (1919 - 2002), Jack Burke Jr and the UK's Jimmy Adams

Bernard Hunt (far right) at the 1953 Ryder Cup at Wentworth with, from left, Americans Ted Kroll (1919 - 2002), Jack Burke Jr and the UK's Jimmy Adams
Tributes have been paid to two-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Hunt MBE, who has died at the age of 83.
As a player Hunt featured in eight of nine Ryder Cups between 1953 and 1969 - including the famous 1957 Great Britain victory over the United States at Lindrick - losing just three of 10 singles matches.
In 1963 he and his brother, Geoff, became the first brothers to play in the same Ryder Cup team and he went to captain the side in the 1973 and 1975 Ryder Cups.
His record as a player was impressive, winning the Order of Merit in 1958, 1960 and 1965 on his way to 30 titles and four top-five finishes at The Open.
Hunt, a founding member on the European Senior Tour when it was launched in 1992, is survived by his wife Meg and three children Matthew, Sophie and Viv.

Great champion

"Bernard Hunt was one of Britain's truly great champions and has been a steadfast ally to all of us involved in the growth of The European Tour."
European Tour chief executive George O'Grady
"Bernard Hunt was one of Britain's truly great champions and has been a steadfast ally to all of us involved in the growth of The European Tour," said European Tour chief executive George O'Grady.
"He was enormously respected by all of his fellow players, as was evidenced when he was appointed Ryder Cup captain in 1973 and 1975 and captain of the PGA in 1966 and again from 1995 to 1997.
"We extend our deepest sympathy to Meg and all the extended Hunt family."
Chief executive of the Professional Golfers' Association Sandy Jones added: "It was with great sadness I learned of Bernard Hunt's passing.
"He was one of the gentlemen of golf and his record on the course is one of the best in the British game.
"He will be missed greatly by those who played with and against him during those halcyon days."

BMW International Open: Danny Willett shakes off 'rust' with second-round 65 in Munich

Danny Willett: Englishman was round in 65 in Munich on Friday
Danny Willett: Englishman was round in 65 in Munich on Friday

Defending champion Danny Willett was pleased to take advantage of good early scoring conditions in the second round of the BMW International Open.
The Englishman, who has been struggling with a back problem recently, followed his first-round 69 with an equal best-of-the-day 65 on Friday to get to 10 under for the tournament, two behind leader Ernie Els.

"Yesterday was a little bit hit-and-miss. I haven't played a lot of tournaments in the last 14 weeks," said Willett.
"It was a bit rusty but I hit a lot of good shots. It is good to put yourself in a good position playing sensible golf.
"It is a birdie-fest out here. People make a lot of putts and the greens are obviously better in the mornings than the afternoons, but if you can keep hitting it inside 15-20 feet you have a chance."
Martin Kaymer, who lifted the title in 2008, is another former champion in contention at the Munich event.
The German is part of a five-man group tied for sixth on nine under after rounds of 64 and 71.
"The course has played longer, there was more wind and the pins are the biggest difference - today you have to play more conservatively," he said.
"My game was similar to yesterday, I just didn't make as many putts. It was definitely tougher to play but it is fine.
"Overall I am playing okay but I'm not feeling very well."

Manchester City target Isco ready to make decision on future


Isco: Ready to reveal where he will be playing in 2013/14
Isco: Ready to reveal where he will be playing in 2013/14

Malaga forward Isco says his future could be decided by Sunday, with Manchester City and Real Madrid waiting in the wings.
The Spanish starlet, who helped his country to European U21 Championship glory on Tuesday, has found himself at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war since the 2012/13 campaign came to a close.
With Malaga's financial struggles well-documented, and with coach Manuel Pellegrini having decided to leave his post for one at the Etihad Stadium, it did not take long for Isco to become one of European football's hottest properties.
City and Real have led the chase from the start, and are known to have put offers to the talented 21-year-old.
They are now waiting to hear back, with conflicting reports suggesting that both clubs consider themselves favourites to secure Isco's signature.
Both are already well-stocked for creativity - with City having added Fernandinho and Jesus Navas to a group which already includes Samir Nasri and David Silva, while Real's midfield options include the likes of Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Kaka.
Isco would face fierce competition for a starting berth at either club and is determined to make the right call for his career.
He has thought long and hard about his decision, keeping everyone waiting, but has now hinted that a lengthy transfer saga is nearing a conclusion.
He said: "I prefer not to comment about my future, but the matter could be closed this Sunday."
Reports emanating from Spain suggest City and Real could face competition from big-spending Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund for Isco's signature with both clubs thought to have tabled offers for the playmaker.

Phil Neville says young England stars are not tough enough after U21 Euro woe

Phil Neville: Wants to see young stars playing more 'quality football'
Phil Neville: Wants to see young stars playing more 'quality football'

Phil Neville feels England's struggles on the international stage are down to youngsters not being 'battle-hardened'.
Neville, who has called time on his distinguished playing career, formed part of an exciting crop of talent which graduated out of Manchester United's youth system in the early 90s.
He, along with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and brother Gary, was thrown into the first-team fold at Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson and entrusted with the responsibility of delivering results at home and abroad.
United reaped the rewards of putting faith in players of promise, but that blueprint has not been followed by other top clubs or by the England national team.
A disappointing showing at this summer's European U21 Championship only served to highlight those deficiencies and Neville says more needs to be done to ensure that the stars of tomorrow are given the right stage on which to showcase and mould their ability.
"A lot of the kids now aren't battle-hardened until they get to 27 - and that's too late. We'll have missed another generation of international footballers."
Phil Neville
After forming part of Stuart Pearce's coaching team at the U21 Euros in Israel, Neville said: "Our U21 players aren't playing enough quality football early enough.
"I got my experience at 18. Our lads now are 21, 22, 23 and a lot of them still aren't playing and getting the rigours of 40 or 50 games a season. When I was 21, I'd travelled the world playing football, playing three games a week, so my body and mind were battle-hardened.
"A lot of the kids now aren't battle-hardened until they get to 27 - and that's too late. We'll have missed another generation of international footballers.
"Before I went to the tournament, I got emailed a list of all the squads. Part of me felt then that we have got no chance at this tournament. I didn't say anything, but I looked at the Dutch list and the Spanish list and the number of full international players they had, and then at ours, and thought to myself: 'What chance are we giving ourselves?' People say it's easier said than done, but the Spanish, Germans and Dutch do it.
"We've hopefully got a World Cup in a year's time and a lot of players who didn't come with the U21s won't have been to a tournament before, whereas five or six Spanish players who won the U21 tournament will be at the World Cup."

Premier League: Jermaine Pennant impresses Stoke City boss Mark Hughes

Jermaine Pennant: Earned a new one-year deal after impressing Mark Hughes
Jermaine Pennant: Earned a new one-year deal after impressing Mark Hughes

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is confident he can get the best out of Jermaine Pennant and believes the winger is ready to 'kick on'.
Pennant was set to be released this summer by former Britannia Stadium manager Tony Pulis - but the 30-year-old has since impressed Hughes.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal player has earned a new one-year contract to provide room to develop over the new season.
Hughes said in the Daily Star: "I think I can take him on.
"One of my backroom staff, Eddie Niedzwiecki, worked with him at Arsenal so he knows him well. There's a personal relationship there that we can build on and revisit.
"He will enjoy the day-to-day work we do as well, it is very player orientated. So the type of work we do on a daily basis will encourage him, I am sure.
"I needed to sit down with Jermaine and just talk to him one-to-one. I sense he still has more to give Stoke City and that he is really motivated to kick on."

Middlesbrough keen on free agent Dean Whitehead after Stoke exit


Dean Whitehead: Former Stoke midfielder a transfer target for Middlesbrough
Dean Whitehead: Former Stoke midfielder a transfer target for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has confirmed the club's interest in former Stoke midfielder Dean Whitehead.
Whitehead is available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at Stoke earlier this summer.
A number of Championship clubs are thought to have expressed an interest in the 31-year-old, with the player now weighing up his options.
Mowbray has held talks with former Sunderland captain Whitehead and hopes he can persuade him to move to The Riverside.
"I feel he could help solidify us out of possession," Mowbray told the Evening Gazette.
"Can we do it? I think the boy has got options but he's somebody we've talked to and we'll see what develops over the next few weeks."
Mowbray also confirmed his interest in Hungarian Jozsef Varga and former Burton Albion star Jacques Maghoma - both Sky Sports exclusives.
On Varga he said: "He's one that we've had conversations about."
And on former Spurs trainee Maghoma: "I'll talk to the boy next week. I think he's got the potential to be a decent player."

Appointment

Meanwhile, Mowbray also revealed that former Chelsea fitness director Bryan English had joined the club.
"I felt we probably cut too far in certain areas regarding fitness, regarding sports science, regarding medical," Mowbray said.
"So Bryan is coming in as a consultant to help in that department.
"He's a guy who worked with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, he's got huge experience and has worked at the very top end of English football.
"He's coming in to oversee pre-season. We talked long and hard at the end of the season about the fall off in the second half of the season.
"Bryan's going to come in and help us and see if we need to do anything different. Hopefully the expertise and knowledge he brings will help maintain the good standards we set at the start of the last two seasons."

Juventus still chasing Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain: Reported to have agreed terms with Arsenal
Gonzalo Higuain: Reported to have agreed terms with Arsenal

Juventus are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain amid reports that Arsenal have reached an agreement with the Argentina international.
The Gunners have been considered favourites to do a deal ever since it emerged that the South American forward could be lured away from Santiago Bernabeu.
Juve have offered opposition in the transfer market, with the Serie A champions striving for continuous improvement.
They feel a new frontman would aid their cause, and believed a proven goalscorer in the form of Higuain would represent sound business.
If speculation is to be believed, then Arsenal have already agreed terms with the 25-year-old over a move to England.
Juve will not be giving up without a fight, though, and general director Giuseppe Marotta believes there could be a late twist in a long-running saga.
He told Sky Sport Italia: "Higuain? I do not want to say anything because there is still so much time left for things to happen."
With a striker considered to be Juve's top priority this summer, they have also been linked with moves for Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez.
Marotta is, however, keeping his transfer cards close to his chest.
He added: "There is no hurry. They are both great players but they are also with great clubs, so it would not be right to discuss them.
"I do not want to create an illusion that things are already in motion."

Premier League: Kevin De Bruyne will fight for first-team place at Chelsea next term

Kevin De Bruyne: Belgium international will fight for Chelsea starting spot
Kevin De Bruyne: Belgium international will fight for Chelsea starting spot

Kevin De Bruyne is ready to fight for his place in the Chelsea team after receiving assurances from Jose Mourinho that he is part of his plans.
The Belgium forward signed for the Blues in January 2012 in a £6.7m move from Genk before being loaned out to Werder Bremen last season.
The 21-year-old impressed during his spell in the Bundesliga and was being linked with a possible move to UEFA Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
But his agent, Patrick De Koster, has revealed that Mourinho called his client after Belgium's 2-1 win over Serbia earlier this month in which De Bruyne scored the opener, and assured him he had a future at Stamford Bridge.
De Koster said: "Mr Mourinho gave a phone call to Kevin, explaining a little bit the situation for next season.
"We didn't receive any guarantees, but it's normal in a team like Chelsea. It's up to him to prove like he did in the last 18 months.
"A year and a half ago when he signed a contract at Chelsea, it was like a dream which became reality. Afterwards it was important for Kevin to put the right steps at the right moments.
"Kevin wants to play. Playing football, he became a better football player. I think he proved it staying six months more in Genk and last season in Bremen.
"He did very well. Now it's up to him to prove the same thing at Chelsea."

Reported Tottenham target Leandro Damiao has received no offers

Leandro Damiao: The Brazil striker says he has received no offers regarding a move
Leandro Damiao: The Brazil striker says he has received no offers regarding a move

Internacional striker Leandro Damiao insists he has received no offers regarding a summer move, despite the speculation surrounding his future.
Tottenham are reported to have been chasing the Brazil international's signature in a number of recent transfer windows, with Andre Villas-Boas believed to have come close to clinching a deal back in January.
Napoli have also been linked with a move should striker Edinson Cavani depart in the coming weeks, while Atletico Madrid have also been rumoured to be eyeing him up.
The 23-year old is a full international for Brazil and he was the top scorer in last year's Olympics, netting six times in five games.
Damiao has two years remaining on his contract with Internacional, but he says he is in no hurry to depart the club that he has spent three years with.
"I am an Internacional player until 2015 and I am happy," he told Globo Esporte.
"I will leave Internacional one day but there is no offer today and maybe there won't be any tomorrow. I am calm."

Luis Alberto will undergo medical with Liverpool on Friday

Luis Alberto: Sevilla forward set for medical with Liverpool on Friday
Luis Alberto: Sevilla forward set for medical with Liverpool on Friday

Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for Luis Alberto with the Sevilla forward due on Merseyside for a medical on Friday, Sky sources understand.
The Spain U21 international is set to join the Anfield outfit on a four-year contract with a fee expected to be in the region of £7m.
The 20-year-old scored 11 goals while on loan with Barcelona B in Spain's Segunda Division last season, but the Catalans decided not to exercise an option to sign him on a permanent deal.
That opened the door for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers to pursue his interest in Alberto, who is set to become the Reds' third signing of the close season.
Rodgers has already put deals in place to sign Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo for £7.7m, while Kolo Toure will complete a free transfer from Manchester City when the transfer window officially opens on 1 July.

Royston Drenthe agrees two-year Reading deal

Royston Drenthe: Former Real Madrid and Everton man agrees Reading deal
Royston Drenthe: Former Real Madrid and Everton man agrees Reading deal

Former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe has agreed a two-year contract to join Championship side Reading.
The 26-year-old Dutchman will join the Royals on a free transfer from Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz after agreeing a deal at the Madejski Stadium which could be extended by a further year.
The move is subject to international clearance from the Russian football authorities and Alania.
Drenthe joined Real from Feyenoord in 2007 and was loaned out to Goodison Park in 2011, scoring three goals in 21 appearances for David Moyes' side.
The one-time Holland international moved to Russia in February but could not help Alania escape relegation.
He is the Royals' second signing of the summer, joining full-back Wayne Bridge, as manager Nigel Adkins plots an immediate return to the Premier League.

Confederations Cup: FIFA says there are no plans to abandon tournament



FIFA have denied reports in the Brazilian press that the Confederations Cup could be abandoned due to security fears.
CBN radio and Estado de Sao Paulo were reporting that the remaining matches of the eight-team tournament could be cancelled as demonstrations continue across the country.
However, a FIFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News that there were no plans to cancel any of the remaining fixtures and no discussions had taken place with tournament organisers.
An estimated 1,000,000 people took to the streets in more than 80 Brazilian cities over protests about the quality of public services, corruption and the high cost of staging next year's World Cup finals.
Brazilian police mounted a huge operation at the Maracana on Wednesday night for Spain's clash against Tahiti, with 1,500 armed police drafted in to protect the stadium.
"We support and acknowledge the right of free speech and to demonstrate peacefully and condemn any form of violence," read an official FIFA statement.
"We are in constant contact with the local authorities and have full trust in the security arrangements in place. We will continue to monitor the situation.
"At no stage did FIFA, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) nor the Federal Government discuss or consider to cancel the FIFA Confederations Cup.
"We are in constant contact with all stakeholders, including the teams, and keep them updated on all arrangements made. We have not received any requests to leave Brazil from any team."
The tournament is due to resume on Saturday with Italy facing Brazil in Fortaleza and Japan playing Mexico in Belo Horizonte in Group A.
The final and third-place play-off are scheduled for Rio de Janeiro and Salvador respectively on Sunday week.

Celtic sign Virgil van Dijk from FC Groningen on a four-year deal

Virgil van Dijk: Highly-rated Holland U21 defender has joined Celtic
Virgil van Dijk: Highly-rated Holland U21 defender has joined Celtic

Celtic have completed the transfer of centre-back Virgil van Dijk from Dutch club FC Groningen.
The Holland U21 international, who arrived in Glasgow on Thursday for a medical, has agreed a four-year contract with the Hoops.
Van Dijk is Celtic's second signing this month, with striker Amido Balde also arriving from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.
A statement from Celtic read: "Celtic are delighted to announce that defender Virgil van Dijk has joined the club from FC Groningen.
"The Dutch Under-21 international has signed a four-year deal with the Scottish Champions, and he becomes the latest player to join Neil Lennon's squad during the close season following the arrival of striker Amido Balde from Portuguese side, Vitoria Guimaraes."
The highly-rated 21-year-old is confident he has the attributes to succeed both with Celtic and in the Dutch national set-up.
"Celtic is the biggest club in Scotland and they also play in the Champions League. They're a fantastic club and when Celtic came in for me I was so excited," van Dijk said.
"Everything here is good so I can't wait to get started. I hope to play many games for my country in the future but first of all I want to make things happen here.
"I'm a strong defender and I'm good in the air, but I also like to play football on the ground, and I hope that we'll do even better than we did last season."

Laurent Blanc's agent denies he has been appointed as PSG coach

Laurent Blanc: Former France boss
Laurent Blanc: Former France boss

Laurent Blanc's agent has denied reports the former France defender has been appointed as Paris St Germain coach.
Sports network beIN Sport had earlier claimed an agreement had been reached between the former France and Bordeaux coach and PSG, with Blanc to take over at the Parc des Princes on a two-year deal.
That seemed to pave the way for last season's title-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti to succeed Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
However, Blanc's agent Jean-Pierre Bernes told radio station RMC that nothing has as yet been finalised with negotiations still ongoing.
While Bernes expects Blanc to be installed at PSG, he said talks are not yet concluded and many details have yet to be ironed out - which contradicts much of the talk in the French media.
Reports had stated that Bernes had met with PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo where the deal was agreed, with the former Marseille, Inter Milan and Manchester United defender expected to sign a contract early next week.
A short statement posted this afternoon on the website of beIN Sport, a network of sports channels jointly owned and operated by PSG owners Qatari Sports Investments, read: "An agreement was reached today between Paris St Germain and Laurent Blanc for him to become the new coach of the capital club.
"An agreement between the former coach of the France team and PSG was reached for two years. It is planned that he will sign the contract next week."
If and when Blanc is appointed, it would bring to an end long-time speculation about the identity of the next PSG coach with the likes of Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, Fabio Capello and Andre Villas-Boas - among others - linked with the job.
Blanc enjoyed a stellar playing career both domestically and internationally before being appointed Bordeaux boss in 2007.
He led Les Girondins to second place in Ligue 1 in his first season before going one better the following campaign as they were crowned champions as well as winning the Coupe de la Ligue.
Blanc was then confirmed as France coach in July 2010 ahead of the shambolic World Cup in South Africa, with Bordeaux receiving compensation from the French Football Federation.
He inherited a team that had been riven by in-fighting and divisions but managed to lead them to Euro 2012, where they reached the quarter-finals only to lose to Spain. Blanc stepped down after the tournament.

Manchester City refuse to meet £54m buy-out clause for Edinson Cavani, say Napoli

Edinson Cavani: £54m buy-out clause reportedly too high for Manchester City
Edinson Cavani: £54m buy-out clause reportedly too high for Manchester City

Napoli claim Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Edinson Cavani over his asking price.
President Aurelio de Laurentiis, speaking at a news conference to officially unveil Rafael Benitez as the Serie A club's new manager, told reporters City were not prepared to meet a £54m buy-out clause for the highly-rated striker.
"Manchester City do not have money to pay for Cavani because they say we won't pay that," De Laurentiis said on Friday.
"Abu Dhabi (City's owners) say they would never pay 63m euros (£54m) for Cavani."
Real Madrid are leading the hunt for a player Chelsea also admire but though De Laurentiis revealed the Spanish giants have bid for the Uruguayan's services, he believes his exit is far from inevitable.
"At this time, Real Madrid are the only club who have made a firm offer for Cavani," De Laurentiis added.
"It is human, if Real Madrid call, to answer. He knows he has a clause and must decide.
"He could never deny the importance of a club like Real Madrid's, but don't forget that he made his name at Napoli.
"If a club like Anzhi (Makhachkala) enquire about him, maybe he says no, but other clubs like Bayern (Munich), Barcelona or Real Madrid could persuade him to leave.
"He knows that he has a contract and an obligation to us, and there is a buy-out clause.
"Cavani knows that at Napoli he is the most important player. I do not know whether, at Real Madrid or in other teams, he will be as important."

Kenny Jackett claims Wolves have had no bids for Jamie O'Hara

Jamie O'Hara: No interest in midfielder
Jamie O'Hara: No interest in midfielder

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett has revealed that there have been no bids for wantaway midfielder Jamie O'Hara.
O'Hara has been open about the fact that he still sees himself as a Premier League player but Wolves are currently down in League One after back-to-back relegations.
Jackett was appointed as the new Molineux boss last month and claims there have been no enquiries for O'Hara.
"He's been quoted quite freely in the press," Jackett told the Express and Star. "But I haven't had any enquiries, unless something has happened yesterday or today.
"I'm fairly certain we are not at any advanced stage with any club where anybody is phoning regularly about him or anybody else.
"At present, he's a Wolves player and like all of them, I will speak to Jamie on Monday."
O'Hara is just one of a host of players that Wolves could be set to part company with in the summer but Jackett insists any deal will have to be right for the club as well as the player.
He added: "With the sudden fall from Premier League down to League One, these issues have to be resolved - but they will be.
"The process needs to start. Is it going to be a short one or a long one? You don't sell players, other people buy them.
"So there has to be a third party somewhere that would be attractive to Wolves, and to the player.
"There's so much mental energy going to go into people that don't want to be at Wolves, but we kick off on August 3, so what about the club? I'm sure all parties will consider that.
"I don't think any players will go without it being right for the club."

Aston Villa signing Nicklas Helenius wants to play in hole behind a striker

Nicklas Helenius: More than just a targetman
Nicklas Helenius: More than just a targetman

Aston Villa new boy Nicklas Helenius believes his best role is in behind a striker but insists he is prepared to be flexible.
The 22-year-old joined Villa on a three-year deal this week and has been touted as a possible replacement for in-demand striker Christian Benteke given his 6'5" stature.
But the giant Dane claims he is far more than just a centre forward and has already discussed a more expansive role with manager Paul Lambert.
"They see me playing different positions rather than just as a striker as the experts say," Helenius told Danish newspaper Bold.
"They think I'm fast enough to play on the wing and I agree. I'm also able to play in the hole behind the striker.
"Personally I've always seen myself as a player in the hole behind the striker because of my finishing ability outside the area and Villa sees me the same way, as a flexible striker.
"But my main aim is first team football and I enjoy playing any position."