Fantasy Football

Something in the air tonight in Beijing

You can sight glory and smell triumph for more than one reason as the Chinese capital weathers the murk of mother nature

Show’s over, now it’s all about sport

The world refuses to take China at its own valuation: nor should it. But now, at least, we can have some Games

Phelps keeps his cool as history beckons

American swimmer is not short of confidence as he prepares to launch a bid to win eight gold medals in the Olympic pool

Targeting medals is fraught with danger

Jacques Rogge carries torch for plain speaking

International Olympic Committee president dispenses a disarming honesty from within a movement short of such a commodity

Beijing welcomes the world for better or worse

The truth is, China is neither a place of achieved perfection nor one of unrestrained oppression, says Simon Barnes

Centre Court love is a crazy little thing

Williams sisters' lack of fragility has failed to endear them to the Wimbledon public despite their successes, writes Simon Barnes

Burden of history too much for Federer

Epic defeat forces the Swiss to put on hold his dream of becoming the greatest player the world has seen

Williams sisters are doing it for themselves

Serena and Venus are truly worthy of global admiration as they prepare for their third meeting in the Wimbledon final

Sport the loser after ICC's history revision

The decision to change the result of the 2006 Oval Test between Pakistan and England destroys the meaning of sport

Nadal spells despair not disgrace for Murray

British No 1 shows refreshing honesty in defeat and, despite bowing out of Wimbledon, he has made a huge stride forward

Venus Williams had it figured out all along

The elder member of the family act that is taking centre stage at Wimbledon appears to have her priorities in order

Mimicking Australians makes fools of men

The England team's betrayal of national character in their efforts to appear tough simply made them look like poseurs

Federer makes geniuses of us all

The world No 1 is like a great artist and I hope he breaks Bjorn Borg's record for consecutive Wimbledon victories

Tennis: the world’s sexiest sport

The sport did, afterall, first gain popularity because young gentlemen and young ladies could play it unchaperoned

Why the Spirit of Cricket is under threat

When a million dollars a player is up for grabs, the balance between laws and convention is going to be in grave danger

Eaton, new sex god, wins hearts but loses

It was more Beatlemania than Henmania at Wimbledon as Britain's desire for a hero reached new heights with Chris Eaton

Murray follows in the Henman tradition

It's important to win matches as a British favourite, but it's equally important to make sure that it's never easy

Federer makes stylish Wimbledon return

The defending champion follows a fashion statement with a statement of intent via a superb first-round victory

Andy Murray in search of Wimbledon miracle

The moment of truth is about to arrive for the new darling of British tennis