DIGESTTENNIS: Not quite the full Monty perhaps, but for the second year in succession Tim Henman reached the last eight of Europe's first major tournament of the year, thereby edging himself tantalisingly nearer to what many would consider something close to a miracle, namely a clay-court title.
His 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 victory yesterday over Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela was Henman's third win over a South American this week, and further emphasised the progress he has made on the surface over the past couple of years.
However, to suggest he might win this title, or any other clay-court tournament, still demands a huge leap of faith. As Henman himself admitted after this excellent win: "My game is high risk at the best of times."
MOTOR RACING: The Williams FW16 car driven by Ayrton Senna when he died at Imola in 1994 has not been destroyed since Italian police released it last month, the Formula One team said yeszterday.
The car was impounded after the triple world champion's death in the San Marino Grand Prix and was held throughout court cases involving top Williams staff.
YACHTING: Jez Fanstone's News Corp captured the sixth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday, crossing the line at 6.12 a.m. yesterday to take their first leg win in the nine-stage round the world event.
After six hours of stop-start sailing, News Corp glided through the finish in rapidly fading breeze to complete the 875 nautical mile leg from Miami.
The last 120 nautical miles of racing were tight, with four boats battling to claim the lead before Fanstone found the extra line of pressure to take a three-mile lead over the fleet.
Grant Dalton's Amer Sports One was second. Swedish yacht Asa Abloy, skippered by Neal McDonald finished third, followed by overall leader Illbruck.
