Williams sisters collide in final
Venus and Serena, the Williams sisters, will contest their third Wimbledon final tomorrow after brushing aside Elena Dementieva and Zheng Jie respectively. But there was controversy even before the Serena had secured her place in the final after "the spectre of the two Americans deciding on the outcome in advance, as has been suggested in the past, had been raised by Russia's Elena Dementieva," writes Steve Bierley in the Guardian. It is not the first time the Russian has raised the spectre of a carve up, but there was no animosity between the pair on court although Venus reacted angrily to suggestions of a fix after the match. (Guardian)
"I find the question pretty offensive because I'm extremely professional in everything I do on and off the court. I contribute my best in my sport and I also have a ton of respect for myself and my family." Venus Williams is not pleased by suggestions of a fix before she plays her sister Serena in the Wimbledon final
Safin redeems himself on grass
Marat Safin has had a prickly relationship with grasscourt tennis and Wimbledon in the past - but he has booked himself a place in the semi finals at the All England Club defeating the fancied number three seed Novak Djokovic along the way. "Today, in what is very much the real thing, the 28-year-old Russian plays Roger Federer on the second Friday of Wimbledon, completing his set of grand-slam tournament semi-final appearances. Could it be that Safin, who used to rage at everything about Wimbledon, can execute the most remarkable volte-face?" wonders Neil Harman in the Times. Rafael Nadal, the conqueror of Andy Murray takes on Rainer Schüttler, the 32-year-old German in the other semi. (Times)
Ronaldo to undergo ankle surgery
The Ronaldo saga took another turn after it was revealed that the Portuguese winger was to undergo surgery on his ankle - delaying his return to Manchester for pre-season training. It is also reported that his club were unaware of the decision to go under the knife as the transfer saga between United and Real Madrid rumbles on. "If anything, the operation and Ronaldo's recuperation in his homeland is likely to work to Real's advantage, with the winger away from United and any influence upon him to stay in Manchester. United are, however, insisting no decision has yet been made as to whether Ronaldo will need surgery on his right ankle," reports the Mail. (Mail)
Barca close in on Adebayor
Barcelona should wrap up the signing of Emmanuel Adebayor for £30m after Arsenal accepted that they should sell the striker. Roque Santa Cruz could replace him at the Emirates... Frank Lampard will be offered a record wage for a Premier League footballer in a bid to keep him at Stamford Bridge... Andrei Arshavin, the Russian star of Euro 2008, is due in London for talks wioth Chelsea over a move to Stamford Bridge after the London club moved ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign him... Shaun Wright-Phillips has been urged to quit Chelsea - by his father Ian Wright. He says his son should move to Portsmouth, who are interested in the player... Villa boss Martin O'Neill has told Liverpool to pay the £18 million asking price for Gareth Barry if they want him...
Transfer Talk: all the comings and goings of the close season 
Jones handed England lifeline
While the England selectors have kept faith with the now-familiar 12 for the first Test against South Africa, there were more interesting names in the 30-man squad for September's ICC Champions Trophy. They included Andrew Flintoff and fellow 2005 hero Simon Jones. The annoucement gives Jones "fresh hope" writes Andy Wilson in the Guardian. He says the 29-year-old has revived his career since moving to Worcestershire, with 26 wickets in five games this season. He adds: "Other than Jones, the most eye-catching inclusion in the one-day squad is Darren Pattinson, a Grimsby-born seamer who worked as a roofer in Melbourne before joining Nottinghamshire this season." (Guardian)
Zimbabwe pull out of Twenty20
Zimbabwe have voluntarily withdrawn from the World Twenty20 event in England next summer. The annoucement came during talks in Dubai over the futire of Zimbabwe cricket following the decision by England and South Africa to break off relations last week. "we will continue to be a full member of the ICC and welcome any team that wants to play against us.," Zimbabwe Cricket Union president, Peter Chingoka said in the Times. "We voluntarily agreed to back out of the Twenty20 because we were told we won't get visas to England. We don't want to gatecrash where we are not welcome." (Times)
Dramatic start at Silverstone
It could be a vintage British Grand Prix this year if the build-up is anything to go by. "Jenson Button challenged Lewis Hamilton to a triathlon duel, David Coulthard announced his retirement, and Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, sent a note to the teams that began: 'Gentlemen, Formula One is becoming unsustainable.' Another day, another drama in F1," writes Kevin Garside in the Telegraph. A knockabout press conference featuring the British drivers turned competitive when Button and Hamilton clashed over who was the fitter - initially Hamilton agreed to take on Button in a triathlon, before his father stepped in and withdrew Hamilton from the race. Elsewhere, David Coulthard announced that this would be his final season of racing and FIA president Max Mosley warned the teams that employing up to 1,000 people to put two cars on the grid was 'unacceptable'. (Telegraph)
"Lewis has accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, but his manager has decided to withdraw him from it." Lewis Hamilton's dad and manager Anthony steps in after his son got a bit carried away and offered to take on Jenson Button in a triathlon
Transfer talk: The latest football transfer news and transfer rumours 
