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Andy sixth in the world after Cincinnati triumph
MURRAY THE MASTER
ANDY MURRAY is celebrating his first Masters Series title after victory over Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati on Sunday.
The British No 1 produced a stunning performance to overcome the Serb 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in a thrilling final in Ohio.
BLACKPOOL striker Ben Burgess will this season give News of the World readers an exclusive insight into life at one of the country's less glamorous clubs. The Seasiders are famous as the club which gave us legendary winger Sir Stanley Matthews but not even their most ardent fan would claim they are still in the big-time. Ben, 26, is about to start his third season at the club, after spells at Blackburn (where he played three games as an 18-year-old for Graeme Souness), Northern Spirit in Sydney, Brentford, Stockport, Oldham and Hull. Newly married to Kate, he lives in Lytham, drives a BMW, loves playing Pro Evo on the PlayStation and is doing a journalism degree at Staffordshire University. Here he reveals the delights of seeing players on trial.
TRIAL OF STRENGTH FOR ALL OF US
YOU meet some funny people at this time of the year because so many clubs have players on trial.
At Blackpool a couple of seasons ago, we had one guy turn up with a Geordie accent listed both Middlesbrough (believably) and Real Betis (interestingly) among his previous clubs.
NotW columnist Pietersen is England skipper
CAPTAIN K.P
News of the World columnist Kevin Pietersen is the new captain of Test and one-day sides at Lord's it has been confirmed.
Pietersen takes over from Michael Vaughan who chucked the towel in on Sunday.
Tyre trouble sees Hamilton finish fifth
LEWIS FALTERS
LEWIS Hamilton came a disappointing fifth in the Hungarian Grand Prix after tyre trouble dashed his promising pole position start.
The British racing sensation now has a five-point lead in the title race over reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen after Heikki Kovalainen took the top podium place.
"My mind has told me to pack it in"
VAUGHAN QUITS
MICHAEL Vaughan has said a tearful farewell to the England Test captaincy.
Vaughan brought his own future into question after yesterday's five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the third Test at Edgbaston gave the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.
Blues may scoop all honours with Big Phil
SCOLARI TO BE FOURSOME
by ROB BEASLEY
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI should be the most hated man across the country this season, barracked at every ground in the land for the colossal damage he has inflicted on English football.
Not even Joey Barton has created such mayhem in our national game.
Keegan faces another season among the dead men
TOON BARMY
by SIMON RUSHWORTH
TALK about a summer of Toon and gloom for Newcastle’s downbeat fans.
Backed by a billionaire owner, managed by the Messiah and boasting a stadium to die for it’s no surprise that Newcastle supporters expect better.
SIMON JORDAN APOLOGY
ON 20 July we carried an interview with Crystal Palace Chairman, Simon Jordan.
We wrongly stated in the article that Mr Jordan was planning to sell the club to the ‘highest bidder’.
City boss Hughes wants Blackburn's Santa
ROQUE FIGHT
By DAVID HARRISON
MARK HUGHES faces a fierce fight with his former club Blackburn to sign striker Roque Santa Cruz.
The Manchester City boss is willing to make a double-your-money £12million bid for the Paraguayan international who cost him £6m from Bayern Munich last summer.
Arsenal's class act lacks a touch of brawn
GRADE A WENGER TO FLUNK
by ROB BEASLEY
LET’S be brutally honest: There’s only one reason you’d even consider Arsenal being crowned Champions this season . . . Arsene Wenger.
The man’s a genius, no doubt about it.
Shinawatra legal battle could leave City in ruin
HUGHES MAY BE COURT OUT
by DAVID HARRISON
THE key to a successful Manchester City season rests on the decision of a Bangkok court.
Each day the Supreme Court of Thailand is hearing fresh charges of corruption against the club’s enigmatic owner Dr Thaksin Shinawatra.
Charlton: Big-name departures hit hard
PARDEW HAS WORK CUT OUT
THIS time last year Alan Pardew had the best squad in the division on paper — but they failed to prove it on grass.
The turbulence shows no sign of letting up either as several players including Marcus Bent and Ben Thatcher all left.
Blackpool: Simon sure to struggle
GRAY DAY
by AIDAN MAGEE
SIMON GRAYSON has proved for the first time since the Stanley Matthews era that there is more to Blackpool than candy floss and kiss-me-quick hats.
The Seasiders boss can be proud of his achievement of steering his club to safety as they were tipped to be relegated this time last year.
Scolari confident England ace will sign new deal
BLUES WIN LAMPARD WAR
EXCLUSIVE from ROB BEASLEY in Moscow
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is confident he has trounced Jose Mourinho in the battle for Frank Lampard.
Chelsea’s new boss now expects the England midfielder to sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.
See the Blues take on Portsmouth at the Bridge
WIN CHELSEA TICKETS
BLUEMING MARVELLOUS! We’ve teamed up with Samsung, official sponsors of Chelsea, to offer you the chance of winning two VIP tickets for their opening Premier League showdown against Portsmouth on Sunday, August 17.
Burnley: Kid striker aims to take them places
EAGLES CAN FLY HIGH
THE Clarets always seem to be just about good enough to reach the 55 points which usually ensures a comfortable mid-table finish.
They sacked Steve Cotterill last autumn and Owen Coyle did well enough to guide them well clear of any danger long before the end of the season.
Wildcats boss wants to shake off Cup woe
KEAR COMEBACK
By ALAN GASKELL
JOHN KEAR admits he has no idea how his wounded Wildcats will respond in Sunday's “cruel fixture".
The Wakefield coach hopes his men will bounce back with a big game after their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Hull.
Michael and Joe Cole will have to fight for place
BALLACKS TO YOU TWO
From ROB BEASLEY in Moscow
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI has told Michael Ballack he is NOT guaranteed a place in Chelsea’s starting eleven.
The new Blues boss drew up a backbone of nine ‘untouchables’ for his first Premier League campaign.
They are keeper Petr Cech, defenders John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa, midfielders Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Deco plus striker Didier Drogba.
WHO IS ANIL AMBANI?
ANIL AMBANI, 49, is the sixth-richest man in the world with an estimated personal wealth of £21billion.
He is the chairman of Reliance Capital, Reliance Communications and Reliance Energy, where he is also managing director.
