Shortest tennis career
Former Italy and AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini's professional tennis career is likely to stop at one match after a debut he described as "like writing a poem after studying years of maths". Maldini, 49, who only took up tennis about six years ago, acquitted himself well but he and his partner, Stefano Landonio, were well beaten, 6-1, 6-1 by Poland's Tomasz Bednarek and Dutchman David Pel in the first round of the Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan on Monday. "Ironically, on the very first point of the match I pulled a muscle," Maldini said.
Worst summer spoiler
Caravaggio and Harry Angel are on course for an eagerly awaited rematch in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Caravaggio proved without doubt that he is the best-three-year-old sprinter in Europe when he beat Godolphin’s Harry Angel and Blue Point in a compelling Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last week. Such was the power of Caravaggio's finish, Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby said after the race there are "no chinks in the winner’s armour" and that "We need to try to stay out of each other’s way or else turn up 100 per cent and hope the others are not."
Best self-preservation
Sunderland striker Fabio Borini is to undergo a medical at AC Milan on Thursday as he looks to complete a move back to Serie A. It is understood the 26-year-old Italian, who has also been courted by Lazio, flew to his native Italy on Wednesday in a bid to tie up the deal. Reports in the Italian media have suggested he will complete a £5.3 million permanent transfer, although the finer details of the proposed move are still to be finalised. But one financial aspect is not up for debate: with Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League triggering an automatic 40 per cent reduction in wages - a clause wisely inserted in players' contracts some years ago given the club's struggles to preserve their top-flight status before finally being relegated last term - means the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker is unlikely to be hit too hard in the wallet.
Most interesting menu selection
Football and showbiz stars gather in northern Argentina on Friday for Latin America's celebrity wedding bash of the decade when Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi marries his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo. The guest list is none too shabby. Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique are expected among the 260 guests. Brunette bride Roccuzzo, 29, will wear a dress by Spanish designer Rosa Clara, which has been flown over from Barcelona. The most standout request could be the menu though. As well as reportedly asking chefs at the Hotel City-Center Casino in Rosario to cook local delicacies such as "locro" stew and "empanada" pasties for the feast, Messi, 30, has requested the star dish be a typical Argentine beef roast including chitterlings, gizzards and kidneys. Yum.
* With agencies
