Aussie Jedinak on cusp of EPL

One more to go ... Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak is close to EPL dreams. Source: Clive Gee / AAP

Socceroos midfielder Mile Jedinak is one game away from achieving his Premier League dreams after Crystal Palace qualified for the Championship play-off final on Tuesday morning (EST).

A double from Manchester United-bound Wilfried Zaha, who had only scored once in his last 21 games, secured a stunning 2-0 win at Brighton to progress to the Wembley final against Watford on May 27. 

Zaha grabbed the opening goal in the 69th minute when he powerfully headed home sub Yannick Bolasie's pin-point left wing cross. 

The second leg looked to be heading for extra-time with a repeat of the first-leg 0-0 scoreline on the cards, before Bolasie's fine ball in was converted by the diving Zaha.

And with two minutes remaining Zaha turned Gordon Greer in the box and crashed home a shot in off the crossbar to double Palace's lead.

More to come ... 

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Aussie ATP chief Drewett dies at 54

Brad Drewett ... the CEO of the ATP died at his home after a battle with motor neurone disease. Source: AAP

Brad Drewett, the president of the ATP, died on Friday at the age of 54 following a battle against motor neurone disease, the governing body of men's tennis announced.

"The ATP is deeply saddened to announce that Brad Drewett passed away at his home in Sydney, Australia, earlier today," said an ATP statement.

"Brad, who served as ATP Executive Chairman and President since January 2012, had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

"Our thoughts are with Brad's family on this extremely sad day for them, the ATP and the entire international tennis community. He will be sorely missed by all."

Spanish star Rafael Nadal was among the first to pay tribute to the Australian.

"A very sad day for the world of sports and tennis in particular. Our president Brad has passed away. Rest in peace," said Nadal on his Facebook page.

A period of silence was observed at the draw for the Madrid Masters which starts on Saturday.

Drewett said in January that he was stepping down from his role with the ATP after being diagnosed with the incurable disease.

However, he added at the time that he would continue as executive chairman and president of the ATP until a replacement was appointed.

"It has been a privilege to serve as executive chairman and president of the ATP, an organisation that I've been a part of for more than 35 years since I became a professional tennis player," Drewett said.

"I hold the ATP very close to my heart and it's with sadness that I make the decision to enter this transition period due to my ill health."

Drewett won two singles titles in the early 1980s and rose to number 34 in the world rankings.
Since becoming ATP chief last year, he was instrumental in gaining increased prize money for players.

He was widely credited in helping to secure a larger share of prize money for the journeymen of the sport who more often than not fall at the first hurdle of the four Grand Slams.

Stacey Allaster, the head of the WTA, described Drewett as a "great" administrator.

"Brad's contributions as a player and visionary leader make him one of the greatest in making tennis the popular, worldwide sport it is today," she said.

"The recent prize money increases with the Grand Slams are perfect examples of Brad's brilliant strategic management, and another example of how much he cared about our athletes and the sport's long-term growth."

International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti also praised the Australian: "His knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be a great loss to the whole sport. We send our deepest sympathies to Brad's family and to everyone at the ATP during this very sad time."

Motor neurone disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is incurable. The life expectancy after diagnosis is normally three to five years.

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Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here