Murray overcomes stricken Simon

Andy Murray reached the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over France’s Gilles Simon yesterday. He was jeered by the crowd, however, as he played a succession of drop shots with Simon suffering from an ankle injury. MORE

Adams takes five as Hants collapse

Andre Adams took five for 54 as Nottinghamshire bowled out Hampshire for 218 at Trent Bridge yesterday. The visitors reached 91 without loss but collapsed to the 35-year-old New Zealander after lunch. Notts were six without loss at stumps. MORE

Hamilton: People want to see racing

Lewis Hamilton has defended his driving style after a 20-second penalty in the last grand prix. “I don’t think I was overly defending my position,” he said, “I’m a racer, and people want to see racing, to see overtaking.” MORE

Fallon set to miss 2,000 Guineas

Kieren Fallon is likely to miss the 2,000 Guineas having been handed a 10-day suspension for failing to ride out to the line in a race at Kempton on Wednesday night. He will appeal, but is not optimistic of success. Fallon was going to ride Native Khan. MORE

Falcons’ fight for survival heats up

Newcastle host Northampton tonight at the start of a four-game bid for Premiership survival. The Falcons’ 30-29 defeat to Leeds Carnegie last weekend saw them swap places with Leeds at the foot of the Premiership table. MORE

Ronaldo wants to play United in final

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo wants to face former club Manchester United at Wembley in the European Cup final. “Of course I want to play them,” he said. “That would make me very, very happy. I’ve still got a lot of friends there and memories.” MORE

Chelsea to charge £87 for some seats

The rising price of football tickets was demonstrated yesterday with news that a new AA category at Chelsea will mean some Premier League tickets costing £87, a £12 increase. The dearest FA Cup final tickets have gone up to £115, the cheapest are £45. MORE

Platt speaks about Mancini friendship

David Platt has told i about his close relationship with Roberto Mancini. “Every two weeks he would be on the phone, pressing me,” Platt recalls of Mancini’s attempts to have him join Sampdoria. Mancini later recruited him to coach at City. MORE

Spurs aim for late run into top four

To return to next year’s Champions League Tottenham will have to recreate last year’s late league run. They have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City yet to play. “The Champions League is where you want to be,” said Michael Dawson. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

So where does Gareth Bale look for sure footing and guidance? It is surely Ryan Giggs. There is an extraordinary symmetry between the two players. Bale carries the highest expectations; Giggs has been doing it for 20 years. MORE

Mancini harnesses underdog spirit

Roberto Mancini believes that he is well equipped to lead Manchester City to FA Cup success against Manchester United tomorrow, thanks to his experience with second clubs in big cities. “It was the same when I went to Lazio because Roma were better,” he said, “and at Inter because AC Milan won everything. This is my life.” Mancini will be without captain and top-scorer Carlos Tevez, who has been ruled out for one month with a hamstring injury. “We can’t cry now,” said Mancini, “We have other players. We know Carlos is very important for us but we can win this game without him.” Mancini believes a win would change City’s history: “From next year everything would be different. I don’t know if United think that the future will be different for them if we win.” MORE

Scholes: Losing to City is ‘horrible’

Paul Scholes does not believe that Manchester City can be classed as “main rivals” to United, due to their league position. He does think that losing to City is particularly “horrible”, though, and that Arab investment in City “has probably spurred us on”. MORE

Martinez: I relax by watching football

Relegation-threatened Wigan manager Roberto Martinez does not try to avoid the pressures of football in his spare time. “This sounds strange but I relax by watching football,” he said. “I watch between 12 and 15 games a week.” MORE