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Reigning champion David Nalbandian will play Juan Martin Del Potro in an enticing top ten match-up in the Madrid Masters.
Nalbandian defeated Czech Tomas Berdych 6-2 6-7 6-1, while Del Potro easily accounted for Finland's Jarkko Nieminen after he retired hurt, trailing 6-2 4-2.
Like last year, Nalbandian and Del Potro will go head to head for a place in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters.
Judging by their most recent performances, the match-up between these two Argentine's should be a spectacle worth watching.
Nalbandian accounted for Berdych in a tough match, despite always being in control. When the Argentine relaxed at stages, Berdych would pounce strongly.
But in the end, the world no.7 displayed his A game when it counted and cruised to victory in the third set 6-1.
Del Potro meanwhile had it much easier against Nieminen, who had to retire due to injury. Regardless, Del Potro more than held his own against the Finland player, claiming the first set 6-2 and being up a break in the second 4-2.
Although both Nalbandian and Del Potro will be teammates when the Davis Cup final kicks off in November, there will be much at stake when they play each other in Madrid.
Nalbandian needs to win to save the ranking points he generated courtesy of his victory here in Madrid last year. If he loses, he will drop in the world rankings.
Del Potro on the other hand will hope a win against Nalbandian delivers him more points for a place in the Shanghai Masters this year.
Indeed both players have clear objectives of their own to make this matchup an enticing prospect.
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Leon Pryce can star for England
England will form the trio of the big nations expected to win the 2008 rugby league world cup. They are ranked third in the world and their history and roster suggests they have the necessary ingredients to perhaps wrestle league supremacy away from their deadly southern rivals Australia.
One can never discount the Poms in any sporting event.
Many wrote them off in last years Rugby World Cup due to their horrific form prior to the start of the tournament.
Then we see them make the final where they would just lose to South Africa in a close contest.
Indeed England are a team for the occasion. They love being written off under all circumstances and this is when the side prospers big-time.
But for all their passion and glory, the Poms are yet to win a World Cup, finishing runners-up in both the 1975 and 1995 editions.
Even when 'The Lions' hosted the tournament in 2000, they only scraped through to the semi-finals where they were humbled and humiliated by a rampant New Zealand 49-6.
Although the English team has had its fair share of dark moments on the world stage, that should not come into calculations when predicting their chances come late October.
Their roster suggests this England team has the makings to severely challenge both Australia's and New Zealand's credibility in Rugby League.
While all their squad is made entirely of Engage Super League players, the competition itself has grown as a spectacle, allowing all English players to build up their playing style significantly to combat the likes of Australia and New Zealand on a regular basis.
Players such as Danny McGuire, Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley, James Roby, Leon Pryce, Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock are now able to take a game against any opposition by the scruff of the neck and control it to their desire.
Most of the above players have participated in the world club challenge title which pits the Super League and NRL's best teams against each other for the right to be the no.1 club on the planet.
At the moment, English clubs still hold the ledger over their Australian counterparts in terms of world supremacy and that will give 'The Lions' great confidence about their prospects.
Overall, England still have a better head to head record against both Australia and New Zealand. The Poms have beaten the Kangaroos nine times for five losses while they have also defeated the Kiwi's three times for only one loss.
But regardless of their head to head record against powerful nations, England have not acted when it counts.
For all their perceived potential and strength, they have severely underachieved in most sports and find themselves under pressure in League, considering they performed so poorly in 2000 at home.
England head coach Tony Smith will be expected to deliver good performances from the talented group at his disposal. But he too will be casting hope on one superstar in the making that can guide England to glory.
Despite his already tarnished reputation, whether it be squeezing another player's testicles or breaking and entering, Leon Pryce has a Greg Inglis feel about him. He could indeed star in this World Cup if he finds true consistency with his unquestionable talent.
For England's sake, they will hope he performs his magic on the field rather than off it, even if Australia’s beaches aren't as good as his beloved Blackpool back home. Shared on
India vs Australia day 5 highlights
Zaheer Kahn was terrific with bat and ball
Man of the match Indian fast bowler Zaheer Kahn says Australia now lack the defining edge that made them the world's best team for years now.
Khan accused Australia of being all talk after the sides played out a draw in the first Test.
The first match of the Border-Gavaskar series petered out into stalemate in Bangalore on Monday, Australia taking only four wickets on the final day after setting India a target of 299 to win.
Zaheer, who had wrecked Australia's hopes with a partnership worth 80 runs with Harbhajan Singh in the first innings, also claimed five wickets in the first innings.
"Australia came into this game talking about scoring at four an over," he said. "What happened to all that talk?
"They know that they cannot take 20 wickets. They couldn't get Harbhajan and me out.
"They are on the back foot and under pressure and we are in with a big chance."
The left-arm paceman rubbished Australia's pace battery, adding that the tourists are hampered by the lack of a top slow bowler.
"This match clearly shows that," he said. "On a fifth-day wicket, they could not do us any harm.
"That's shows just what their spin attack is all about.
"Even the pacemen didn't look like they would get a wicket at any stage especially on the fifth day on a wicket like this.
"Like I said, the pressure is on them to take 20 wickets."
Zaheer said his spat with Brad Haddin was in the past after the two clashed late on the third day.
"The Aussies always do these things," he said. "But we settled it there on the field and we decided not to take it any further."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting reacted with bewilderment to Zaheer's charge of defensiveness.
"I don't know what he meant to tell the truth," said Ponting.
"We were the only ones in the game trying to take the game forward. We played aggressive cricket. I'm not sure what he means by that.
"He can have a little bit of chuckle to himself on the inside, that's what I have to say to him.
"I don't think it means too much to us."
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Warriors hooker Ian Henderson will provide determination for Scotland
Scottish Rugby League can be traced back to the early 1900's. But it would take approximately 90 years for Scotland to formally build a national team that will now enter its second World Cup after losing all three games in their maiden appearance in 2000
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German football striker Kevin Kuranyi has apologised for his decision to leave his teammates behind during their world cup qualifier against Russia - but his playing days for Germany are now over
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Pat Richards will be the main man out wide for Ireland
While luck is something Ireland pride themselves with, it hasn't been nice to them recently with the departure of star winger Brian Carney to Rugby Union and the injury to Melbourne premiership forward Brett White
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Gone - Kuranyi leaves German teammates behind
A German football player has deserted his international teammates after escaping at halftime and not returning without reason
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Justin Murphy will be a key for the French
France and history go together well. They seem made for each other and this is why the French are one of the most culturally significant nations in the world - even in Rugby League
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Argentina needed to contain a late surge from Uruguay before they could register a 2-1 victory at home. Their first win in five matches in World Cup qualifying
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Eels star Jarryd Hayne will lead an island nation responsible for casting the darkest of clouds on Welsh Rugby Union last year, whilst also maintaining the impression that dreams really do come true
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Comments (2)
Comment by Alan
on Can history repeat itself for the Warriors?
Sports Odyssey
NRL Times
Google Images is good or Foxsports.com.au
Leaguehq is great aswell.