Ronaldo: City talks in progress

Brazil striker Ronaldo has again claimed he is in talks with Manchester City and believes it is a "big possibility" he could soon be playing in the Barclays Premier League.
The out-of-contract 31-year-old reckons he is within two to three months of a return to competitive action after being sidelined since February with a knee-ligament injury.
"It is a big possibility," he told French daily L'Equipe. "Manchester City are in the process of putting in place an unbelievable project, with some great players. We are in the process of talking to them. So we will see."
The Brazilian, who believes his recovery from his knee injury is going "marvellously well", has played down fears about his fitness.
"People can say what they want," he added. "Let's just say I am above my usual weight, but that is normal. That isn't surprising - I have gone five months without training.
"There is nothing illogical about putting on a few kilos. They can say what they want, it doesn't bother me.
"I am going to continue to work hard and to look to reach my goal, to get back playing football. Like before."

by espnstar.com


Manchester City

Jankovic beaten in Tokyo

Jelena Jankovic's hopes of reclaiming the world number one ranking came to a crashing halt on Friday when she was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals of the Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Serb Jankovic started well against the fifth-seeded Russian but eventually went down 2-6 7-5 7-5.
Jankovic, the world number two, ascended to the top spot in the rankings for the first time in her career on August 11. However, it didn't last long as she was overtaken by Serena Williams following the American's triumph over Jankovic in the final of the US Open on September 7.
A victory at this event would have catapulted Jankovic back to the top but Kuznetsova had other ideas.
Kuznetsova, the world number seven, is seeking her first title of 2008 and next will face either third-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva or Slovakia's Katarina Srebotnik, who meet later.
Another Russian, Nadia Petrova, had little trouble advancing to the semi-finals as she cruised to a 6-3 6-0 triumph over sixth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Petrova used eight aces and six break points to forge her first victory in three career meetings against the world number 10.
Petrova advanced to take on the winner of the quarter-final match between fourth seed Dinara Safina of Russia and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.
by espnstar.com

Pacific Open

Murray relishing Davis Cup tie

Andy Murray believes Wimbledon will provide an inspirational setting for Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Austria.
The All England Club hosts the World Group relegation play-off, which opens when Alex Bogdanovic meets Jurgen Melzer on Court One.
Murray, who faces Alexander Peya in the second rubber of the tie, said: "Wimbledon is the most prestigious venue in the world and I'm really excited about playing here."
Bogdanovic has never progressed beyond the first round at Wimbledon in seven visits and his Davis Cup record is only marginally better, consisting of five defeats in six rubbers.
But he insists he is undaunted by the prospect of facing a player sat 121 places higher in the world rankings at 41.
"I'm looking forward to playing Melzer. It will be a tough match but I'll go out there and do my best," said Bogdanovic.
"It will be nice to be in front of a home crowd and I like playing on grass. I'm getting better with every match.
"I'm not favourite against Melzer so I can go out and give everything. I've been playing quite well since Wimbledon, winning a few matches."


by espnstar.com

Davis Cup

Fergie hopes Berba will feature

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is optimistic Dimitar Berbatov will be fit to face Chelsea this weekend.
United travel to London on Sunday aiming to get their Premier League title challenge back on track after last weekend's defeat at Liverpool.
Berbatov missed Wednesday's goalless draw with Villarreal in the Champions League with a knee injury he sustained on his debut at Anfield.
Ferguson is keen to have the Bulgaria international available for the trip to Stamford Bridge and he is also boosted by the return of Paul Scholes after suspension.
"I think he (Berbatov) has a good chance and hopefully he is fit," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.
"Scholes is back from suspension, which is of course a plus for us, Vidic is suspended and that is why I played Jonny Evans [against Villarreal] and he did very well indeed.
"I think if we get Berbatov available and Scholesy back then I have some selections to make."
United have made a slow start to the season, winning only one of their opening five games in all competitions, but Ferguson is confident they will soon find their best form.
"It is a big game, they are all big games now," added Ferguson.
"We have yet to reach our peak and it is the same as last season. Normally around October you will see us much, much better."

by espnstar.com

Manchester United

Schuster unhappy despite win

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster admitted he was disappointed with the 2-0 victory over BATE Borisov in their opener.
Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy put Madrid firmly in control inside an hour and when BATE's Anri Khagush was dismissed in the 62nd minute the Bernabeu waited expectantly for the goals to flood in.
But Madrid appeared to put their foot on the brake and Schuster admitted he was at a loss to explain why saying: "That would be a good question to ask the players. Because I didn't put the handbrake on, but they did. It would be a good question to ask them."
He added: "I think relaxation was probably the key. We failed to score from many chances after having a good start to the game.
"After scoring our first goal we realised they couldn't hurt us and we relaxed a little.
"We wasted an incredible chance to earn a brilliant result that would've thrilled the fans even more."
Madrid have endured a disappointing time in the Champions League in recent years, going out at the first knockout stage on each of the previous four occasions.
The fans would have expected a much better scoreline at the Bernabeu against the first Belorussian side to reach the group stages of Europe's premier club competition, but it was not to be.
"Bate decided to defend more when they were one goal down because we were playing a fast game and had many chances to score," continued Schuster.
"We shouldn't have been more relaxed when we were winning by only one goal because they could've reacted and drawn the game. We needed more strikes in order to control the match. Van Nistelrooy's eased things for us."

by espnstar.com


Real Madrid