Murray set for battle of Britain in semis

A BRITISH player will take part in the Australian Open men’s doubles final after Joe Salisbury and Jamie Murray set up a semi-final clash against each other.

Defending champions Salisbury and American Rajeev

Ram sealed a 7-6 (6), 6-2 success against Philipp Oswald and Marcus Daniell.

Joining them in the last four are Murray and his partner Bruno Soares after they came through in straight sets against Marcelo Arevalo and Matwe Middelkoop 6-3, 6-4.

Alfie Hewett was denied a second title in Melbourne after the 23-year-old teamed up with Scotland’s Gordon Reid on Tuesday to secure a British record-equalling 10th grand slam doubles title as a team. He lost a thrilling men’s wheelchair singles final to Joachim Gerard by a 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 scoreline.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray has pulled out of this week’s ATP Challenger Tour event in Italy.

The former world No.1, who had to miss the Australian

Open due to testing positive for coronavirus last month, was runner-up to Illya Marchenko at last week’s second-tier event in northern Italy.

But rather than stay on in Biella to continue his comeback in the second tournament to be held there, Murray has opted to travel to Montpellier and prepare for the Open Sud de France.

FRANCE have recalled tighthead prop Demba Bamba following injury for the squad to face Scotland in their Guinness Six Nations clash in Paris on February 28.

Les Bleus, aiming for a first Six Nations title since 2010, have made two other changes to the 31-strong squad, with Toulon duo Jean-Baptiste Gros and Swan Rebbadj also included.

France squad to face Scotland: Forwards:

Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon),

Mohamed Haouas (Montpellier); Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse); Killian Geraci (Lyon), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Swan Rebbadj (Toulon), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), Paul Willemse (Montpellier); Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Anthony Jelonch (Castres), Charles Ollivon (Toulon, captain), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Begles).

Backs: Sebastien Bezy (Clermont), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Baptiste Serin (Toulon); Louis Carbonel (Toulon), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles); Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), PierreLouis Barassi (Lyon), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier); Damian Penaud (Clermont), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Gabin Villiere (Toulon); Anthony Bouthier (Montpellier), Brice Dulin (La Rochelle).