Crunch Time

FOOTBALL

It’s a case of ‘better the devil you know’ for Chelsea in the Champions League. Guus Hiddink’s side dispatched Juventus with relative ease to book their place in the quarter-finals, and were rewarded for their efforts with the chance to renew their European rivalry with Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. It is the fifth successive year that the two teams have met in Europe, and Chelsea will be keen to rekindle the memories of their 2008 semi-final triumph. On the domestic front, John Terry and his team-mates will have been frustrated by their failure to make up ground on Manchester United following their narrow defeat by Tottenham on March 21, and they will be fully aware that they can’t afford any more slip-ups as the Premier League enters its final stages. They will also have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal on April 18, which promises to be a spicy all-London affair. It looks like there are a few action packed weeks ahead for the Stamford Bridge faithful.

RUGBY

England’s RBS Six Nations campaign ended on a high, as resounding home wins against France and Scotland secured them second place in the final standings. It was an outstanding effort by Martin Johnson’s men, who had come in for a great deal of criticism following their ill-disciplined displays earlier in the tournament. France were simply overwhelmed, unable to cope with England’s pace and power, and the lively Twickenham crowd had to pinch themselves as they watched their heroes run in five tries against Marc Lièvremont’s shell-shocked side. Scotland provided their hosts with a sterner examination, but ultimately Johnson’s men proved too strong, recording their third straight home victory and regaining the Calcutta Cup. With Ireland securing their first Grand Slam in 61 years after a dramatic showdown with Wales at the Millennium Stadium, England’s superior points difference handed them the runners-up spot. With the likes of Delon Armitage, Riki Flutely and Tom Croft looking increasingly assured performers at international level, England can look ahead to the Autumn Internationals against Argentina, New Zealand and Fiji with renewed confidence. 

TENNIS

Andy Murray recently cruised into the last 16 of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after clinically dispatching Viktor Troicki 6-1 6-0. It was an inspirational display from the Scot, picking himself up from the disappointment of losing the final of the Indian Wells Masters to Rafael Nadal. Murray has been in imperious form so far in 2009, winning three tournaments and recording victories over both Nadal and Roger Federer, and whilst he will have been disappointed to miss out at Indian Wells, it is increasingly apparent that Murray’s game has come on leaps and bounds over the last 12 months. Elsewhere, there was further good news for British tennis as Laura Robson claimed top spot in the world junior rankings. The 15-year-old succeeded Thailand’s Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, whom she beat in the final of the Wimbledon girls' tournament last July.

HORSE RACING

The big winners at Cheltenham were jockey Ruby Walsh, who rode seven winners across the four days to set a new festival record, and trainer Paul Nicholls, who was the leading trainer with five winners. But the real story of this year’s festival was Kauto Star, who became the first horse ever to regain the Gold Cup. The nine-year-old 7-4 favourite, ridden by Walsh, first won the race back in 2007 and cruised home some 13 lengths ahead of 2008 winner Denman. All eyes now turn towards The John Smith's Grand National on April 4, which promises to be as unpredictable as ever, and speculating punters hoping to make a quick buck have been hampered by the fact that 13-time champion jockey Tony McCoy has yet to disclose which of JP McManus’ four entered horses he will ride. But with the Nicholls-owned My Will the current ante-post favourite, McCoy will have his work cut out.

CRICKET

England’s tour of the Caribbean has been one of intense frustration, as a succession of lifeless pitches blunted their efforts to square the Test series following their shock innings defeat in the opening Test at Jamaica. England dictated proceedings for the rest of the series, with captain Andrew Strauss and his fellow batsmen making merry against the West Indian attack, but a series of valiant rearguards from Chris Gayle’s team ensured that they held on to record their first victory in a Test series for five years. With the one-day series also a bruising, hard-fought affair, England will be champing at the bit to make amends when the West Indies arrive on these shores for the two-Test series, which kicks off at Lord’s on May 6. With the Ashes just around the corner and England’s best line-up still in no way certain, the Lord’s Test promises to be an enthralling encounter, as the likes of Matt Prior, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad will be desperate to turn in the sort of performance that guarantees them a crack at the Australians later in the summer.