TQ's A-Z / Tareq Quiroz / 25 February 2008 /

TQ goes through the alphabet as he tells us the main stories from the world of sport that made the headlines last week

A is for Andy Roddick. Andy Roddick secured his first tournament win of the season in the San Jose Open. It was his third victory in this event and Roddick will now be hoping he can push his season on from here. This week he lines-up in the Morgan Keegan Champs where he is market leader at current odds of [3.55].

B is for Bayliss. The 2008 World Superbikes Championship got underway in Qatar over the weekend and it was Troy Bayliss who made the most impressive start. The Aussie took the first race in fine style and was able to consolidate that with a fourth in the second race of the weekend. Check out the World Superbike Winner market for all the latest outright odds.

C is for Change? A word often associated with England cricket is change. Do you need it or conversely do they need more of it? Well, that discussion topic is up again after another miserable one day series where New Zealand fully deserved their series win. Peter Moores is already under a modicum of pressure and he will need to make sure the team performs in the upcoming Test series. The first Test starts on the 4th March, with England favourites in the Match Odds market at [2.4].

D is for Dirk Kuyt. It was another incredible European night for Liverpool on Tuesday as they beat Inter Milan 2-0. It was the late late show from the Merseysiders with Kuyt notching the all-important opener in the 85th minute. Kuyt has been under pressure recently and he will be hoping that this is the start of a good run for him and Liverpool. Check out the Champions League Winner market to see who you fancy ahead of the second legs.

E is for Eto'o. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o was in great form on Sunday as Barcelona crushed bottom placed Levante 5-1 to keep up the heat on league leaders Real Madrid. Eto'o bagged a hat-trick as Barca closed the gap at the top to just two points. Check out the league Winner market where Barcelona are down to just [2.3] to take the title.

F is for Folan. The Championship is turning out to be an incredibly exciting league this season and it seems that every team still has something to play for. The big result of the weekend was Hull's 2-1 win at free scoring West Brom. Caleb Folan was the man of the moment, he netted the winner late on to give Hull all three points and a great chance of making the play-offs. Take a look at the Top Six Finish market for that league where you can back Hull at current odds of around [3.5].

G is for Gungadu. There was yet another top race win for the awesome Paul Nicholls yard on Saturday. The popular Gungadu was in determined form as Ruby Walsh powered his mount up the run-in for a well deserved win in the Racing Post Handicap Chase. Gungadu will now head to the Aintree meeting whilst all racing eyes turn to the fast approaching Cheltenham festival. Check out all the latest Antepost odds currently on site.

H is for Hannes Reichelt. Austrian Hannes Reichelt was in super form at Whistler Mountain over the weekend. He was just touched off into second place in the super-g event on Saturday before getting his revenge and claiming the giant slalom crown on Sunday. It was a great weekend for the Austrians as they took four of the six podium positions. They all head off to Kvitfjell, Norway for this week's alpine skiing events where there will be plenty of markets available.

I is for Inzaghi. After a pleasing mid-week draw at Arsenal in the Champions League, AC Milan took maximum points in their Serie A game against Palermo on Sunday. The much maligned Filippo Inzaghi was the hero of the day as he netted in the last minute to give Milan a 2-1 win. Now up into fourth they are chasing Juventus down in third place. Check out the Top Three Finish market for all the latest odds.

J is for Jazz. Utah Jazz are becoming a very difficult side to beat in this years' NBA Champs. A 100-94 win over Atlanta over the weekend gave them their 14th straight home win. They are a team many of the favourites will want to avoid and you can be sure the Jazz will fancy their own chances of taking the crown. Check out the Outright Winner market where Utah Jazz are currently trading at [28].

K is for Klitschko. Wladimir Klitschko took one step closer to becoming the fully unified heavyweight champion of the world with victory over Sultan Ibragimov. The giant Ukrainian was too strong for his opponent and completed a comprehensive points victory. British boxing fans will now turn their attention to the Haye v Maccarinelli clash on March 8th. It promises to be an absolute cracker, with Haye slight favourite at [1.76].

L is for Llodra. Michael Llodra claimed only his third tour title with a surprise win in the ABN AMRO tournament in Rotterdam. He overcame Robin Soderling in a tight three set clash that could have gone either way. In the end it was Llodra that took the honours and will this week line-up in the PBZ Zagreb Indoors tournament where Ivan Ljubicic heads the market.

M is for Monaghan. Warrington withstood a spirited second half comeback from Hull KR to prevail 29-28 on Sunday afternoon. At 28-4 up they looked to have the points in the bag but it was left to a Michael Monaghan drop goal to sneak the narrowest of wins. If you fancy Warrington can maintain there impressive start then check them out in the To Make Play-Offs market.

N is for Nakamura. Just when it looked like Celtic were going to leave St Mirren with just one point, up stepped Shunsuke Nakamura to whip home a magnificent free-kick. It was a strike right out of the top draw and one that keeps Celtic within four points of Rangers at the top of the SPL. If you fancy Celtic can overhaul them then check out the league Winner market where they are trading at [2.36].

O is for One Dart. Peter 'One Dart' Manley thrashed Phil Taylor on night four of the Premier League of Darts. Taylor was never able to get going and Manley recorded a famous 8-3 win over his nemesis. He will be looking to take that form forward to this week's event in Bournemouth, where he is [2.9] to beat Adrian Lewis.

P is for Ponting. Aussie legend Ricky Ponting was back in scintillating form against India on Sunday. Ponting was the driving force behind Australia's big total as he took India's bowling attack apart with 124 off 133 balls. The triangular series is still up for grabs to all three teams, with Australia currently holding sway in the Winner market. The Aussies have already made the final and are trading at [1.29] to take the series.

Q is for Qatar Champion. Maria Sharapova extended her unbeaten run to 14 matches as she notched up yet another tour win in the Qatar Open. Clearly recovered from the problems of last year, Sharapova is now beginning to stake her claim as the world's number one. She and most of the women's elite head off to the Dubai Championships for this weeks big event. Check out all the latest outright and match prices.

R is for Richard Wigglesworth. England triumphed in Paris yet again on Saturday evening and despite much criticism they are now well and truly in the race for the Six Nations title. It was scrum-half Wigglesworth that scrambled over for the late try that sealed the win and he will be hoping he has done enough to keep his place for the trip to Scotland in two weeks time. If you fancy England can still take the title then check out the Outright Winner market where they are available at [6.6]

S is for Spurs. Juande Ramos' Spurs showed they can match anyone on their day with a fabulous Carling Cup Final win over Chelsea. A tense match largely dominated by Spurs was forced into extra-time before Jonathan Woodgate headed home what turned out to be the winner. They will now be looking to a cup double in the UEFA Cup and are currently available at [7.2] in that market.

T is for Tom Shanklin. After a tight first half, Wales ran riot in a one sided second period against Italy. The happiest man on the field was Welsh centre Tom Shanklin as he scored an interception try to mark his 50th cap. Wales now take their unbeaten record to Croke Park where Ireland will be determined to end that run. Check out the Match Odds market where Wales are currently available at [2.48].

U is for Unbelievable. Anyone has taken to watching the incredible sport of Ski Flying will know that it takes some serious nerve. Imagine an extreme version of ski jumping and you will get the right kind of image. Oberstdorf was the setting for the event last weekend as the world's top ski jumpers set out to prove they are just as good on the fly hills. Amazingly though it was 18-year-old George Schlierenzauer that took the gold with four superb jumps. Check out the upcoming markets for all Ski Jumping events and be sure to watch out for the next time these guys go Ski Flying.

V is for Van Basten. Dutch Head Coach Marco Van Basten has agreed to take over at Dutch giants Ajax starting after Euro 2008. He is clearly held in high regard and will be hoping to go out of his current job with a bang. Check out the Euro 2008 Winner market, where Germany are market leaders but the Netherlands are available at [15.5].

W is for Woods. The World Accenture Match Play had its up and its downs but when all was done and dusted, the result was a familiar one. Tiger Woods, unbelievably, is dominating the game more than he has ever done before. He demolished Stewart Cink in the final and you have to ask the question of who can beat this man? If he keeps this kind of form up then the [2.36] currently available for him to win the US Masters won't last much longer.

X is for X-Rated. Unusually it was the Premier League that this week overstepped its disciplinary mark. The end of the season is drawing in and players are getting frustrated as things don't go their way. There were three red cards over the weekend from just eight games and you have to think it will only get worse. Take a look at the Sending Off? market for all next week's Premier League matches to see if you can pick the likely culprits.

Y is for Young. Aston Villa's vibrant attack was at its best on Sunday afternoon as a struggling Reading side struggled to cope with their power and pace. Ashley Young was as ever at the heart of everything good, scoring one and playing Harewood in for the other. It is very tight from fourth to tenth in the league and Villa will be desperate to push for a place in Europe. Things are looking good for Martin O'Neill's side and they are currently trading at [1.82] in the Top 6 Finish market.

Z is for Ze Roberto. Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich were pushed all the way by high flying Hamburg on Sunday and were grateful to a Ze Roberto goal to salvage a point. With closest rivals Bremen losing they have actually extended their lead at the top to four points. Check out the Winner market where Bayern Munich are hot favourites at current odds of [1.34].

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