Swimming

Elite squad 'not pampered brats'

Phil Lutton JAMES MAGNUSSEN'S coach, Brant Best, has defended the nation's swimmers, saying they weren't lacking in heart and some were simply guilty of trying too hard at the London Games.

Swimming

Things can only get better

Stathi Paxinos and Phil Lutton Integrity panel to be announced on Thursday to investigate incidents in swimming reports.

Monk reinforces 'toxic' claims

Phil Lutton OLYMPIAN Kenrick Monk says he's not surprised the team atmosphere at the London Games was labelled ''toxic'' and has lifted the lid on a litany of blunders leading into Australia's worst effort in...

Gracious Williams barely sweats in Brisbane

Phil Lutton She wasn't impressed with the winds whipping around Pat Rafter Arena and managed to look bored at times as she trudged between points.

Brisbane International

Williams starts Open season in low gear and high winds

Phil Lutton SHE wasn't impressed with the winds whipping around Pat Rafter Arena and managed to look bored at times as she trudged between points.

Tennis

Top 10 ball in Tomic's court - Roche

Phil Lutton TONY ROCHE is keeping the faith that one of Australia's great sporting jigsaws, Bernard Tomic, can put it all together and fulfil his destiny as a long-term world top 10 player.

Williams reignites passion

Phil Lutton Serena Williams produces a ruthless first-round display to kick off her Australian Open campaign.

Tennis

Tomic can make top 10: Roche

Phil Lutton Australian Davis Cup mentor believes youngster can put it all together and fulfil his destiny.

Pain-free Hewitt takes it one Stepanek at a time

Phil Lutton Veteran begins another home summer with ambitions to rock the boat of some big names.

Stosur stumbles at first outing after op

Linda Pearce, Phil Lutton PERHAPS by belatedly revealing her secret November ankle surgery on the eve of the Brisbane International, Sam Stosur was buying a little public understanding should the early stages of her...

Tennis

Collarbone injury forces Maria Sharapova out of Brisbane International

Phil Lutton World number two Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International with a collarbone injury but says her Australian Open campaign remains on track.

Tennis

Injured Sharapova still eyes Open

Phil Lutton World No. 2 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International with an injury.

Sharapova fit to shoulder Open assault

Phil Lutton MARIA SHARAPOVA showed last year she didn't need extensive match practice to be a force at the Australian Open.

Millman's moment not enough to topple Murray

Phil Lutton True to his word, John Millman went down flinging leather. Andy Murray was shaken, then finally stirred to put the game Queensland qualifier back in his box at the Brisbane International last night.

Tennis

Azarenka cruises to Brisbane semis

Phil Lutton, Brisbane The time for talk is almost over, which is great news for Victoria Azarenka, whose appetite for ongoing discussion about Serena Williams has diminished rapidly at the Brisbane International.

'The love' again carries Baghdatis beyond his seeding

Phil Lutton, Brisbane Marcos Baghdatis has always felt the love in Australia, from the moment he became a quasi-cult hero by making it to the final of the Australian Open as a 20-year-old in 2006.

Williams puts foot down

Phil Lutton Serena Williams makes the boldest of statements heading into the Australian Open.

Williams edges closer to No.1 with Brisbane romp

Phil Lutton Maybe Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova should have gone to the same pedicurist as Victoria Azarenka. That way, she may have avoided the pounding dished out to her by Serena Williams in the final of the...

Serene Serena is simply unstoppable

Phil Lutton Serena Williams claims the Brisbane International with ease, and sets her sights on reclaiming the No.1 spot at the Open.