Tennis: Latest Australian Open
Serena Williams has avenged last year’s French Open loss to Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open this morning, overhauling the hard-hitting Spaniard 2-6 6-3 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals.
She will now face Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova who grinded down two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in their encounter in the early hours of this morning.
Also joining them in the quarter finals is 19-year-old Madison Keys who advanced to her first grand slam quarter-final after a 6-2 6-4 victory over compatriot and namesake Madison Brengle.
Meanwhile in the men’s competition defending champion Stan Wawrinka turned over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, avenging his early exit at last year’s French Open, as Japan’s Kei Nishikori matched his career-best performance at Melbourne Park by defeating David Ferrer 6-3 6-3 6-3 - both are now into the last eight.
Rugby: Good weekend for the provinces
Leinster fans can be happy with their lot this past weekend, a home European Champions Cup quarter final awaits with two of the country’s finest players nearing a return.
Centre Luke Fitzgerald has even more to be pleased about, a few weeks ago his very career was in doubt such were his prolonged injury concerns. He spoke after Saturday's European draw with Wasps about the intervention of Enda King in the Santry Sports clinic, overcoming the lack of a pre-season fitness base, and learning from O'Driscoll and the "hobbit" Gordon D'Arcy.
Gerry Thornley who was at that game has been looking at the merits of a home quarter final tie against Bath, a team sure to bring a healthy following of support with them. Moving the game to the 50,000-capacity Aviva Stadium should ensure gate receipts in excess of €1 million. Slamming the brakes on the whole parade though is the likely away semi-final trip to Toulon, the second in two seasons, that's if they can do the business in the last eight of course.
Meanwhile after Munster's crushing victory in their game-for-nothing against second string Sale Sharks on Sunday, head coach Anthony Foley has been cursing the impact of the team's crucial home loss to Clermont earlier in the group.
GAA: Big guns to the fore
Dublin defeated Kildare to complete Jim Gavin's collection of possible titles for the capital county on Sunday. Dean Rock's effectiveness from placed balls was to the fore, yet a straight red card and likely suspension to follow for key player Michael Dara Macauley ahead of the Allianz League has put a dampener on events.
In Ulster Cavan failed to score in second half as Tyrone emulated their four-in-a-row of McKenna Cups previously achieved in 2004-2007.
Roscommon's three goal second-half blitz allowed for a five point victory over Galway, a first FBD League triumph in six years, and the local bragging rights against their experimental opponents.
Summing up the pre-season football tournaments Waterford defeated UCC in the McGrath Cup final over the weekend- a memorable victory.
On Sunday evening Galway's hurlers eased past Offaly although a hand injury to talisman Joe Canning has put a negative spin on that day's outcome.
Soccer: FA Cup action
There was less of the drama of the FA Cup on show in Sunday's fourth round encounters, in contrast to Saturday's litany of upsets, Arsenal edged past Brighton and Hove Albion as Aston Villa and West Ham also mustered wins.
Whilst in the NFL Pro Bowl last night Matt Ryan threw the winning score on a fourth down to give Team Irvin a dramatic 32-28 victory over Team Carter.
What to watch out for:
In the Leinster Schools Rugby senior cup first round today CUS take on CBS Monkstown in Donnybrook at 3pm, while on TV you can tune into the Australian Open as Rafa Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray are all in action this morning. Later today there's some soccer action with the continuation of the African Nations Cup , Serie A action on ESPN and Stoke City take on Rochdale in their FA Cup fourth-round fixture at 8pm. While the FA Cup fifth round draw is also on tonight.
