Andy hones in on Wimbledon
ANDY MURRAY has been having secret practice sessions on a club court in Surrey to prepare for Wimbledon.
And former GB No1 Andrew Castle believes Murray, who lost to Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s in his first match for a year after hip surgery, is ready to take on the challenge next week.
“Andy has been playing at Oxshott Tennis Club, quietly and secretly. He has done the work and he is ready,” said Castle. “The procedure he has had tidies things up. It is a deteriorating condition.
“What happens when this bit wears out won’t be so nice. He might need a new hip. If he was a normal player, he wouldn’t be doing this. But he’s a champion.”
Murray may play at Eastbourne next week if he suffers no ill effects from Queen’s, but is more likely to play an exhibition. Castle said: “He can play Wimbledon. Even at 90 per cent he can beat a lot of players.” Wimbledon have denied Dan Evans a wild card after his drugs ban. The British No2 has returned after a 12-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine but will now have to go through pre-qualifying and qualifying to make the main draw. DIEGO COSTA’S second-half strike proved enough for Spain to squeeze past Iran and move into a commanding position in their bid to qualify from Group B.
Costa broke Iran’s sturdy resistance with a 54th-minute goal and the Spaniards can count themselves lucky to have held on to their lead, with Saeid Ezatolahi’s effort ruled out for offside – after a video assistant referee check six minutes later.
But another unconvincing display following their 3-3 draw with Portugal in their opening match has raised further questions over goalkeeper David De Gea.
Working as a pundit for Radio 5, Spanish football correspondent Guillem Balague said: “De Gea wasn’t dominating his box against Iran – he’s reacting rather than being proactive.
“He’s lacking confidence I think. If you look at their chances – they all come from crosses into the box.”
Spain’s win leaves Fernando Hierro, above, and his men top of their World Cup group, with Portugal on four points, but Iran still have plenty to play for just a point behind CHARLTON have confirmed they are in talks with an investor interested in taking over the League One club.
The Addicks expect a takeover to be completed by a group linked to The Australian Football Consortium.
The consortium said: “Our goal is quite simple – to rebuild the club that we acquire and, over time, attempt to elevate it to the Premier League.”