Ruthless Nadal crushes Murray
Andy Murray's roller-coaster ride at Wimbledon was finally curtailed in brutal fashion yesterday by Rafael Nadal, who pounded him 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on Centre Court. "This time there was to be no coming back. Andy Murray had believed that by performing at the very top of his game he might be able to beat the second-best player in the world. This never looked remotely likely," writes Steve Bierley in the Guardian. "Rafael Nadal, now virtually as lethal on grass as on clay, crushed him 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in under two hours, never once allowing Murray to generate any momentum to get the crowd fired up." (Guardian)
"He played so much better than me. You have to try and keep fighting, and hope his level goes down, but his forehand was ridiculous" A shell-shocked Murray reflects on his defeat to Rafael Nadal
Federer glides into semis
Mario Ancic, some had suggested before this mismatched quarter-final with Roger Federer, would provide the World No 1 with a genuine challenge, having been the last man to beat him on grass. 19 minutes into the game, and having lost the first set 6-1, those predictions sounded nonsensical. "Ancic encountered a defending champion in imperious form. Someone must have told Federer that there are people here at Wimbledon (notably B Borg) openly commenting that his rule over Centre Court is about to come to an end," writes Andrew Baker in the Daily Telegraph. "Federer's serve looked invincible and his groundstrokes, particularly the work-of-art backhand, oozed confidence. Ancic simply couldn't find a way into a match that might have been over within an hour had not the rain intervened with the players level at 1-1 in the second set." (Daily Telegraph)
Toon ethics questioned by Dabo
Ousmane Dabo, the French footballer assaulted by Joey Barton while both were playing for Manchester City, has attacked Newcastle United for standing by the troubled midfielder. "Dabo was in court this week to see Barton, a man he describes as a "coward", admit assaulting him, causing actual bodily harm, during a practice match at Manchester City's training ground in May last year," reports the Guardian. "Newcastle have subsequently announced that they intend to hold talks with Barton as soon as he is released from a six-month prison sentence imposed for assault when he was on bail for the Dabo attack. 'English clubs teach you lots of lessons but in this case they [Newcastle] lack ethics and morals,' Dabo said. 'Newcastle have invested a lot in this guy and they do not want to lose money. The club does not give a damn about the law and that truly shocks me.'" (Guardian)
Barry banned from Villa training
Gareth Barry's torment at Aston Villa appears to be coming to an end after the club yesterday banned him from pre-season training for giving an unauthorised interview about his desire to leave Villa Park for Liverpool, "news that the Villa captain heard from a journalist rather than the club," reports the Times. "Barry believed that he had a 'gentlemen's agreement" with Villa boss Martin O’Neill that he could leave the club if the chance of Champions League football came along. Sources at Villa Park denied the existence of any such agreement. The player is reluctant to put in an official transfer request because it would cost him significant loyalty payments from Villa. But at the weekend he expressed his dissatisfaction in print at being denied a move to Liverpool." (Times)
Bentley set for Spurs move
Spurs are in pole position to secure the services of David Bentley from Blackburn Rovers. The deal to bring the right-winger to London is reported to be worth about £12m... Manchester City unveiled their £19m record signing, Brazilian striker Jo, and manager Mark Hughes has said that the deal to bring Ronaldinho from Barcelona to Eastlands is still on... Sunderland are the latest club to take a look at Spurs' out-of-favour striker Darren Bent. The one-time England international would cost Roy Keane around £10m... Barcelona are to return with an improved bid for Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor after the first one of £24m was rejected by Arsene Wenger...
Transfer Talk: all the comings and goings of the close season 
Flintoff out of England running
The English selectors will announce their squad to face South Africa in the First Test at Lord's next week, and there won't be a place for all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in the side, despite a battling return to form with the bat in Lancashire's County Championship game against Sussex. Flintoff was not out on 62 when Lancashire won the game by eight wickets, smiting three sixes and seven fours in his run-a-ball innings."After bowling well, but remaining wicket-less for 34 overs, it capped a decent return to first-class cricket. Understandably it came too late to convince the selectors that he is ready for Lord's next week," writes Mike Averis in the Guardian. (Guardian)
"The work he has put in has been absolutely fantastic but there is bat form to consider, he will want some runs, and a few more miles in his legs as well" Geoff Miller explains the selectors' decision not to pick Andrew Flintoff
Transfer talk: The latest football transfer news and transfer rumours 
