Murray deflects critique of coach Mauresmo

Andy Murray has defended coach Amelie Mauresmo after former British No 1 Tim Henman said the Scot had not been "playing the right way" recently, questioning the partnership.

Win over Aussies leaves England primed for Cup

England coach Stuart Lancaster can enjoy Christmas knowing his side is growing in confidence and depth ahead of next year's World Cup and, though there are issues to address, it should be a formidable force on home soil.

Test postponed as Hughes' teammates cope with loss

The first Test between Australia and India has been postponed to allow teammates to mourn the death of PhillipHughes at his funeral on Wednesday, Cricket Australia said on Saturday.

Score board

Madrid on record roll

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's impact despite failing to score for the first time in La Liga this season as the European champion recorded a club record 16th consecutive victorywitha 2-1 win at Malaga on Saturday.

Van Gaal wants Robin to fly

Louis van Gaal wants to seemore improvement from Robin van Persie even though the Dutch striker responded superbly to recent criticism in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Hull.

Pele is feeling better

Pele is likely to be discharged from hospital within a week as he continues to recover from a kidney problem, the soccer legend's son, Edinho, said on Saturday.

Mourinho laments Chelsea hangover

Jose Mourinho said Chelsea suffered from a Champions League hangover as it was forced to settle for a point at Sunderland.

Challenging sex taboos

On an evening in early April 2006, Fang Gang, a 38-year-old PhD candidate from Renmin University, walked into a nightclub in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Bringing education to African girls through financial aid

Two decades ago, when Ann Cotton, a British educator and philanthropist, started examining the problem of low school enrollment among girls in rural Zimbabwe, she was struck by the crushing poverty, which to her presented an even bigger obstacle to girls' education than tradition.

Murray getting hitched while coaches ditched

Andy Murray announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Kim Sears on Wednesday while also dispensing with two members of his backroom staff in Dani Vallverdu and Jez Green.

Ronaldo powers Real record

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 71st Champions League goal as Real Madrid notched a club record-tying 15th consecutive win by beating FC Basel 1-0 in Switzerland in the Champions League on Wednesday.