French Open men’s singles draw
Seeds in CAPS: 1-N DJOKOVIC (Srb) v D Goffin (Bel) I Dodig (Cro) v G Pella (Arg) A Kuznetsov (USA) v L Pouille (Fra) A Falla (Col) v 26-G DIMITROV (Bul) 22-A DOLGOPOLOV (Ukr) v D Tursunov (Rus) B Tomic (Aus) v V Hanescu (Rou)’s Bolelli (Ita) v Y-H Lu (Tai) Qualifier v 16-P KOHLSCHREIBER (Ger) 12-T HAAS (Ger) v G Ruffin (Fra) Qualifier v G Garcia-Lopez (Esp) A Kuznetsov (Rus) v R Harrison (USA) C Berlocq (Arg) v 19-J ISNER (USA) 29-M YOUZHNY (Rus) v P Andujar (Esp) F Delbonis (Arg) v Qualifier F Verdasco (Esp) v M Gicquel (Fra) N Mahut (Fra) v 8-J TIPSAREVIC (Srb) 3-R NADAL (Esp) v D Brands (Ger) M Klizan (Svk) v M Russell (USA) Qualifier v L Rosol (Cze) Qualifier v 27-F FOGNINI (Ita) 24-B PAIRE (Fra) v M Baghdatis (Cyp) L Kubot (Pol) v Qualifier G Zemlja (Slo) v’s Giraldo (Col) J Levine (Can) v 13-K NISHIKORI (Jpn) 9-S WAWRINKA (Sui) v T de Bakker (Ned) Qualifier v H Zeballos (Arg) K de Schepper (Fra) v R Haase (Ned) A Ramos (Esp) v 21-J JANOWICZ (Pol) 28-F MAYER (Ger) v D Istomin (Uzb) F Serra (Fra) v N Davydenko (Rus) Qualifier v Qualifier’s Stakhovsky (Ukr) v 7-R GASQUET (Fra) 5-T BERDYCH (Cze) v G Monfils (Fra) E Gulbis (Lat) v R Dutra Silva (Bra) I Sijsling (Ned) v J Melzer (Aut) J Zopp (Est) v 32-T ROBREDO (Esp) 20-A SEPPI (Ita) v L Mayer (Arg) B Kavcic (Slo) v Qualifier M Alund (Arg) v E Roger-Vasselin (Fra) Qualifier v 11-N ALMAGRO (Esp) 14-M RAONIC (Can) v X Malisse (Bel) Qualifier v M Llodra (Fra) Qualifier v E Donskoy (Rus) Qualifier v 23-K ANDERSON (Rsa) 31-M GRANOLLERS (Esp) v F Lopez (Esp) J Sousa (Por) v G Soeda (Jpn) Qualifier v A Montanes (Esp) M Matosevic (Aus) v 4-D FERRER (Esp) 6-J-W TSONGA (Fra) v A Bedene (Slo) J Nieminen (Fin) v P-H Mathieu (Fra) R Bautista Agut (Esp) v G Muller (Lux) B Becker (Ger) v 25-J CHARDY (Fra) 17-J MONACO (Arg) v D Gimeno-Traver (Esp) V Troicki (Srb) v J Blake (USA) R Stepanek (Cze) v N Kyrgios (Aus) P Petzschner (Ger) v 10-M CILIC (Cro) 15-G SIMON (Fra) v L Hewitt (Aus) A Mannarino (Fra) v P Cuevas (Uru) J Hacek (Cze) v Qualifier L Lacko (Svk) v 18-S QUERREY (USA) 30-J BENNETEAU (Fra) v R Berankis (Lit) T Kamke (Ger) v P Lorenzi (Ita) Qualifier v Qualifier Qualifier v 2-R FEDERER (Sui)
European Tour chief George O’Grady apologises for language regarding Sergio Garcia race row
Golf’s racism row took another ugly turn yesterday when the chief executive of the European Tour was forced to apologise for using inappropriate language on television.
Ironically, George O Grady was trying to defend Sergio Garcia’s fried chicken apology to Tiger Woods when he sparked another storm.
Most of Sergio Garcia’s friends are coloured athletes in the United States, he said.
Meet: Garcia with O’Grady on Wednesday at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Barely had the words been uttered by the 64-year-old than the backlash began.
In America, using the word coloured might be even more offensive than Garcia’s original remark while over here, Paul Kearns, deputy chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, said: Black people prefer to be referred to as black because historically the term coloured has carried particularly negative connotations.
It is certainly something we would like to see disappear.
It is old-fashioned and lazy but more importantly it has an offensive undertone.
Kearns continued: Fifty or sixty years ago you could still see signs saying No Irish, no coloureds and no dogs and that is exactly the sort of thing we are trying to get away from.
Calm before storm: Garcia in action on Wednesday at Wentworth I do think anyone using that term these days does so through ignorance or lack of education rather than malice, but we would actively discourage people from using the word coloured when they mean black.
O Grady’s comment mirrored a similar one made by football pundit Alan Hansen on the BBC’s football highlights programme Match of the Day in 2011.
Like Hansen, O Grady issued an instant apology.
I deeply regret using an inappropriate word in a live interview for Sky Sports for which I unreservedly apologise, he said.
It was the last thing needed at the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, which began yesterday.
Unnecessary: O’Grady’s ‘coloured’ comments may have made the situation worse This was supposed to be a celebration of everything that is good about the European game, with all 12 of last year’s victorious Ryder Cup team present at the players awards dinner on Tuesday Swede Peter Hanson isn t playing in the event because of a back injury.
But Garcia’s racially charged attempt at humour, when he jokingly said he would be having Woods round to dinner every night at the US Open next month and serving him fried chicken a wretched example of racial stereotyping dominated the preview days and now O Grady has deflected further attention away from the event itself.
In America, Garcia’s idiocy made the front page in two papers in New York and was featured extensively on news channels like CNN and MSNBC.
On the course yesterday, Garcia eagled the last for a level-par 72 and thanked the fans who gave him a warm reception throughout.
Carry on: Garcia finished two under after the first round at Wentworth It was great and amazing, I ve always been fortunate to have fans all over the world, said Garcia.
It was a little different out there after all that has gone on but they were very supportive.
I was fortunate as well to be paired with two friends of mine (Luke Donald and fellow countryman Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano) so they could help me get along and make it all feel a little bit easier.
For the most part, I have to say it felt pretty good.
Garcia also revealed he had spoken to Woods’s manager Mark Steinberg but not Tiger himself.
Mark was good, he said it was time to move forward, added Garcia.
Side by side: Golf has been plunged into controversy this week because of Garcia’s comments If I manage to talk to Tiger that will be perfect, but if not I will see him at the US Open when we can talk face to face.
Regarding O Grady’s gaffe, Garcia added: Obviously I was playing so I didn t hear him say it but I have heard about it, and I think it’s unfortunate.
As for the tournament itself, South African James Kingston leads after a 66.
None of the 11 Ryder Cup heroes who starred at Medinah last year on view managed to break 70 on a difficult day, with world No 2 Rory McIlroy shooting 74 and defending champion Donald a 78 his worst ever score at Wentworth.
A pair of Champions League final tickets can cost up to 14,000 on black market
German football fans are being charged up to almost 14,000 for a pair of black market tickets to the Champions League final at Wembley.
Even the cheapest 60 seats for Saturday’s showpiece are on sale online for up to 4,510 per pair – 38 times face value.
Wembley has a capacity of 86,000 but finalists Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been allocated only 50,000 tickets between them.
Hefty: Fans may have to fork out up to 14,000 for a pair of tickets for Saturday’s Wembley final Borussia, who have an average home crowd of around 80,000, held a draw after over 500,000 fans applied for its allocation.
Over 20,000 seats have been reserved for the Uefa family – the governing body, national associations, sponsors, broadcasters and hospitality packages.
Greedy touts are cashing in on the unprecedented demand by offering desperate fans black market seats at eye-watering mark-ups.
The face value of final tickets was already a shock for German supporters used to much lower prices for Bundesliga games.
The most expensive Category 1 tickets for the match have a face value of 330.
Same again: The 2011 final between Manchester United and Barcelona had a similar problem But Madrid-based agency 1st4footballtickets.com is charging up to 13,760 per pair – 10,450 for the tickets plus 3,310 in fees and taxes.
The cheapest Category 4 seats to the match have a face value of 60 but are on sale on the same website for up to 2,260 – 1,710 for the tickets plus 550 in fees and taxes.
Similarly, a pair of prime Wembley seats from agency ticket4football.com will set fans back up to 7,350.
The firm, which claims to have the ‘most specialised and fully dedicated football ticket website’ is based in Murcia and warns that Spanish law governs any disputes.
Tickets are also being offered on internet auction site eBay for 1,500 per pair.
The Ticket Touting Order of 2007 outlaws the re-sale of tickets by UK firms at an inflated price but that does not prevent foreign sellers flogging seats.
Only 9,000 were sold to the general public on Uefa’s website.
All-German: Dortmund and Bayern Munich will battle it out after overcoming the Spanish It is feared as many as 150,000 supporters of the arch German rivals could descend on London with thousands hunting tickets on the black market.
Uefa says that it is trying to clamp down on touts in the run-up to the final.
A massive security operation is under way with staff at Wembley working closely with Uefa, the Metropolitan Police, Brent Council and the two competing clubs.
In a statement, Uefa warned: ‘Any unauthorised offer or sale of tickets to this match in the UK is a criminal offence under British law.
‘Uefa and The Football Association are working with the authorities to combat ticket touting activities in the lead-up to the Uefa Champions League final and we will be taking appropriate legal action against ticket touts found to be breaking UK law and/or the ticketing terms and conditions.
‘All official sales channels are now closed and tickets as well as hospitality packages are completely sold out.
‘We urge you not to purchase tickets or hospitality packages from unauthorised sellers.
‘Any unauthorised sale renders tickets invalid.
Familiar surroundings: Wembley holds the final for the second time in three years ‘Identity checks may be carried out at Wembley Stadium and ticket holders will be denied entry if their tickets have been purchased from unauthorised sources.’ Uefa sparked outrage over the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley between Manchester United and Barcelona when the cheapest tickets on general sale cost 150 plus a 26 administration fee.
Its president Michel Platini apologised and the price of the cheapest tickets has since been substantially reduced.
But Bundesliga fans are used to modern German stadiums that have low-cost standing areas.
Supporters of Bayern and Borussia could even end up paying more for a ticket to the Wembley final than they do for a season ticket in Germany.
A worldwide TV audience of 220 million is expected for the match that will be screened in over 100 countries.
Uefa will operate a fan park next to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, for the final.
German-bound: UEFA announced today that the Olympiastadion in Berlin would hold the 2015 final
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Sergio Garcia faces losses of millions after Tiger Woods fried chicken jibe
Sergio Garcia is facing losses running into millions after his biggest sponsor threatened to dump him on Wednesday night in the wake of his race comment about Tiger Woods.
The Spaniard showed genuine remorse on Wednesday for an attempt at humour that went horribly wrong at a players awards dinner on Tuesday night.
Asked light-heartedly whether he would be inviting Woods round for dinner at the US Open next month, Garcia said: Every night and serving him fried chicken.
Scroll down for video Ashamed: Sergio Garcia apologised unreservedly for his comments over serving Tiger Woods ‘fried chicken’ Embarrassed: Garcia admitted he has felt ‘sick to his stomach’ and could not sleep on Tuesday night Reply: Tiger Woods took to Twitter to express his displeasure at Sergio Garcia’s comments Garcia’s abject apology for a remark that carries racist overtones fried chicken is stereotypically a food associated with African Americans might not save his 5million-a-year deal with TaylorMade.
A company statement said: Sergio Garcia’s comment was offensive and in no way aligns with our values and corporate culture.
We discussed with Sergio that his comments are clearly out of bounds and we are continuing to review the matter.
The inference is clear.
If it dominates the golfing news agenda in the US for any length of time, he will be history.
Woods wasted no time in tweeting his horror that his long-running feud with Garcia had stooped so low.
The comment that was made wasn t silly.
It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate, said the world No 1, who added: I am confident there was real regret that the remark was made.
Response: Woods took to Twitter to hit back at claims that Garcia’s comments were just ‘silly’ He said what? Sergio Garcia (left) said he would ‘serve Tiger Woods fried chicken’ and later apologised Euro stars: Garcia’s Ryder Cup team-mates Luke Donald (centre) and Nicolas Colsaerts were also on stage Remarkably, given Garcia’s actions have overshadowed their flagship event the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, which begins on Thursday the European Tour said they considered the matter closed.
A crestfallen Garcia said: To Tiger, I say I am truly sorry and that I feel sick about it.
My answer was stupid and out of place and I can t say sorry enough about that.
I wasn t able to sleep at all last night.
I wish I didn t do it but the only thing I can do is apologise.
Garcia, who admitted he had thought about pulling out of the event, is due on the first tee in the company of defending champion Luke Donald and his fellow Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Teeing off: Sergio Garcia during the Pro-Am round on the West Course at Wentworth Focused? Garcia has long had a rivalry with Woods Practice round: But Garcia will need to be at his best if he is to succeed He added: ‘ I was caught off guard by the question and understand the answer was totally stupid.
I can’t say sorry enough.
‘I’d like to say sorry to the European tour and my Ryder Cup team-mates for taking the shine away from a wonderful awards dinner.’ Asked if he will call Woods to reconcile with the world No 1, Garcia said: ‘I don’t have his number but I called his manager and left a message.
‘I’d love to talk as soon as possible and say how sorry I am.
I want to apologise face to face and hopefully move on.
‘It was not meant as a racist comment.
It seemed to be a funny question and I tried to give a funny answer.
It came out the wrong way.’ Through the years: Garcia (right) and Woods together in their younger days (above and below) The two players have clashed on many occasions in the past.
The long-running feud raised its head again at the Players Championship at Sawgrass a fortnight ago.
The root of their mutual antipathy goes all the way back to 1999.
The pair were duelling for the US PGA and the teenage Garcia had the temerity to point across the course at Tiger, as if to challenge him.
Twelve months later, the Tiger tail was tweaked again when Garcia celebrated loudly after beating him in an exhibition match.
Since then, it has been all Woods, with the American winning 14 majors and Garcia none, but some of the old Garcia swagger certainly seems to have made a reappearance lately.
Raikkonen: I’ll have options
Kimi Raikkonen: Content to play the waiting game over 2014 Sky Bet Formula 1 Betting Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds Formula 1 Betting 10 Free Bet Kimi Raikkonen has admitted “there’s no secret” that he is likely to have several options for 2014 but is adamant he has no intention to rush decisions on his future.
The former World Champion’s prospective plans beyond the end of the season remain the hot topic of conversation in the early stages of the 2013 ‘silly season’ with persistent speculation linking the Lotus driver to a Red Bull switch to partner Sebastian Vettel.
With Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz having previously fuelled the speculation, Raikkonen himself was quoted in the Italian media on Wednesday as suggesting he had “two” options for 2014.
Asked about that quote during his appearance in front of the international media ahead of the Monaco GP later on the same day, Raikkonen didn’t deny the fact that he was likely to have multiple options for 2014 – but remained characteristically evasive over where and what he will be doing come 12 months’ time, even reiterating a threat he made last year about the option of quitting F1 again altogether.
“I’m sure there are some options, there’s no secret,” Raikkonen told reporters.
“There is also the option that I don’t drive anything because right now I have no contractual options, I don’t have a contract, nothing.
When I have and when I know what will happen I will tell you and it’s as simple as that.
“But I’m sure it won’t be the next race or the race after so for sure it will take time whatever the decision will be.” While Lotus owner Gerard Lopez has expressed confidence that the team’s star asset will ultimately commit his future to the Enstone team he first joined in 2012, Raikkonen reiterated that he was content to hold fire on any formal discussions.
He did add, however, that if it came to it he didn’t imagine any problems with any contract renewal with Lotus.
“I’m not in a hurry.
Obviously if I was desperate for a contract I would probably have already tried to sign next year as well last year.
But like I said I try to do my work well and if I do it well I’m sure I will get the contract if I want,” he added.
“I’m sure if we want to make a contract in the end together it will be very easy.
Certainly you have to get it right and that’s it.
I don’t really think we have to sit down every day and discuss it because nothing’s changed, the decision has to come from me and I’ve not made any decisions.” Although not keen to look too far into the future, Raikkonen did acknowledge why his future moves were of particular interest this year – although made clear that he and his management team weren’t out to make headlines.
“There are not many top, top drivers that don’t have a contract for next year so obviously I’m probably the only one of those,” he acknowledged.
“There are some contracts that will end next year.
Like I said, I don’t have a contract and so it’s normal that rumours happens and even if you have a contract there are rumours that will still go round, so it’s a very normal situation in Formula 1.
“It’s not me or my manager who will create the stories, obviously it comes from the other side of the table.” The 2013 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend is live only on Sky Sports F1.
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Klopp: Lewandowski staying
Robert Lewandowski: Became just the eighth player to score four goals in a Champions League match Sky Bet Football Betting Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds Football Betting 10 Free Bet Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski will not be leaving the club, according to coach Jurgen Klopp.
Lewandowski has been widely rumoured to be following fellow Dortmund team-mate Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich this summer, with Manchester United also showing interest in the Polish forward.
Lewandowski is the second top scorer in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season, and scored four goals during Dortmund’s semi-final tie against Real Madrid to set up an all-German final against Bayern.
When asked if there were any developments regarding Lewandowski, Klopp was adamant that the striker would stay at the Westfalenstadion.
“There is no topic of Lewandowski’s transfer right now,” Klopp told Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy .
“The rest of the team and I talk and think only about the final right now.
“My conclusion is that Robert is not leaving Borussia, and he will play here for the next season and I will be able to use him.
That is why I don’t want to even think about to which club he may fit better.” Klopp also heaped praise on full-back Lukasz Piszczek, who he felt had been Dortmund’s best player this season.
“All of my Polish players did their best and played a great part in our success, but the greatest and the best season was had by Lukasz Piszczek.
I know only a few players that with his health problems could keep such high level.”
Watling blow for New Zealand
BJ Watling: Will miss New Zealand’s second Test with England New Zealand have confirmed BJ Watling has been ruled out of the second Investec Test against England at Headingley.
The Black Caps wicketkeeper hurt his knee during the defeat at Lord’s and will not recover his fitness in time for the Leeds clash on Friday.
Captain Brendon McCullum will take the gloves, having briefly deputised at HQ, while Martin Guptill is ready to replace Watling in the side and bat at six.
With spinner Bruce Martin already ruled out of the match, former skipper Daniel Vettori is expected to play despite only joining the side on Wednesday morning.
Vettori will face a fitness test of his own in Thusrday morning, with seamer Doug Bracewell the other option for New Zealand.
Warner fined for Twitter outburst
Link to video: Michael Clarke defends David Warner’s Twiiter rant, tips him as captain The Australia batsmen David Warner has been fined $5,570 ( 3,700) for his Twitter outburst against two cricket writers at the weekend after being found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia’s code of behaviour.
Cricket Australia issued a statement late Wednesday saying its code of conduct commissioner, Gordon Lewis, imposed the maximum financial penalty for a first offense under Rule 6 of the code relating to “unbecoming behavior”.
“In hindsight, clearly I let my frustrations get the better of me and posted some inappropriate tweets last weekend,” Warner said in a statement after pleading guilty to the charge.
“While I disagreed with the story and my image being used alongside the story, I could have chosen my words better and I apologise for any offence that my language may have caused.
“I’ll continue to have honest conversations with all my followers and I will be mindful of the language I use in future.” Warner used Twitter on Friday night in India to launch an often expletive-filled attack on the News Limited journalists Robert Craddock and Malcolm Conn after taking exception to an article critical of the IPL.
Warner played for the competition’s Delhi team.
Last week spot-fixing allegations were levelled against three Rajasthan Royals players taking part in the tournament, including the former India fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.
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