Life&Style

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Wimbledon 2019: Novak Djokovic outlasts Roger Federer in titanic final and closes in on his tally of grand slam titles

July 14, 2019

They came in their thousands to watch the man likely to hold the record for the most grand slam titles for years to come add another to his tally – and they did, although perhaps not the man they had in mind. By outlasting Roger Federer in a colossal, almost five-hour final – the longest [...]
England beat New Zealand by the skin of their teeth in dramatic finale to win the Cricket World Cup

July 14, 2019

There’s a cliche in sport which says you couldn’t write it. Generally that’s a fallacy: over thousands of games most situations have seen airtime. But the fashion in which England won the Cricket World Cup was something unique. It would be stretching the mind to conjure up the events which somehow came to pass in [...]
England put their aggressive mantra into practice to thrash Australia and reach the World Cup final

July 11, 2019

It’s one thing to talk about positive intent, batting mantras and aggressive game-plans. It’s another to put them into practice on the biggest stage. Today England faced Australia, the most successful World Cup team in cricket history, who had never lost a semi-final in seven attempts – and they smashed them off the park to [...]
Peter Gynt at the Olivier is a toe-curling, overlong adaptation of Ibsen’s mad epic

July 11, 2019

Before the curtain rose for this reimagining of Ibsen’s allegorical play Peer Gynt, audience members were surreptitiously snapping pictures of the set, presumably to impress their Instagram followers. “I’m at the theatre! #culture”. How appropriate for a play (originally a poem but adapted soon after) that asks if a life can be fulfilled simply by winning the [...]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is an unbridled summer joy

July 11, 2019

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of three London companies presenting the Bard’s most mischievous and magical comedy this summer. How, then, does director Dominic Hill make his Dream stand out? From the outset, it’s a fresh, fun interpretation. It opens to a Riot Club-esque dinner party, with flashing lights and blaring music. The [...]
Chris Tremlett: England have what it takes to deal with the pressure and end this week with a World Cup

July 10, 2019

New Zealand’s semi-final win over India today showed just how fine the margins are in knockout cricket. At the halfway stage not many would have backed them, but Kane Williamson and his side played the situation perfectly to reach Sunday’s final at Lord’s. Now all the attention turns to Edgbaston, where England face Australia tomorrow [...]
Australia v England: Semi-final balanced as World Cup knockout specialists face confident hosts playing at Fortress Edgbaston

July 10, 2019

If they aren’t already, England and Australia are going to become very familiar with each other this summer. Having played twice already, and with the small matter of the Ashes edging ever closer, the two sides meet tomorrow in a Cricket World Cup semi-final. The match is an intriguing one, framed by two potentially decisive [...]
Day in the Life: Ironman world champion Ruth Purbrook on juggling training with a job in the City

July 10, 2019

I first got into triathlon in 2013 when I was doing a graduate placement in Lloyds’s charity team. At the time I was training for the Berlin Marathon and was slightly bored of just running, so I jumped at the opportunity of a charity place in the London Triathlon. It all spiralled from there. I [...]
Lando Norris set for first British Grand Prix after flying start to Formula One

July 10, 2019

For home fans flocking to Silverstone for this weekend’s British Grand Prix, the obvious draw is five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s attempt to win a record sixth race at the circuit. But this year there is another reason for domestic excitement, with the resurgence of McLaren and in particular 19-year-old Briton Lando Norris. Norris, who [...]
Pressure tells as Johanna Konta feels the heat of Centre Court to exit Wimbledon in the quarter-finals to Barbora Strycova

July 9, 2019

Professional sport is an unforgiving environment. When you’re playing well Centre Court feels like a hospitable stage, the points coming at a steady pace, but when you’re struggling suddenly the crowd feels oppressive and the ball unrelenting. To see a sportsperson wither under the pressure is not an enjoyable sight – yet that’s exactly what [...]