Tennis

As predicted in this column in October, Andy Murray returned to full fitness and form at the Australian Open in Melbourne last month.

After a hectic close season in Miami where as well as proposing to long standing girl-friend Kim Sears, who accepted his proposal by swearing her allegiance to him, Murray in a show of support for his new head coach Amelie Mauresmo, removed his long term friend and assistant coach Dani Vallverdu and fitness coach Jez Green from his team. He replaced Green with a new fitness coach, Matt Little. Existing physiotherapist Mark Bender completed the reduced team. Andy reached the final of the seasons first grand slam in Melbourne. Murray crossed swords with Dani Vallverdu in his semi-final victory over against Tomas Berdych, who is now coached by Vallverdu.

Although Murray lost to Novak Djokovic in the final, he has regained his top four seeding and demonstrated his return to form. He will be in full contention to win at least one of the seasons remaining grand slams, with his best chance being at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Skeleton
Britain's reigning winter Olympics gold medallist in the skeleton event, Lizzy Yarnold, added the European Championship gold medal to her list of titles at IgIs in Austria on 8 February. Fellow Briton Rose McGrandle took the bronze. In a remarkable weekend for British Ladies Winter Sports. Lizzy also won the World Cup event also held in lgls the day before.

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