Earlier today, Andy Murray booked his place in the 2010 Australian Open, after beating Marin Cilic (3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2) in the semi-final. Murray will play either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final on Sunday the 31st of January. It is the British No.1′s second Grand Slam Final, after he lost 3-0 sets to against Federer, in the 2008 US Open.

The match itself between Murray and Cilic wasn’t that remarkable, but there were two or three moments from Murray that could go down in tennis folklore. The moment when Murray returned a lobbed Cilic effort was indeed a stroke of genius. The return was so accurately hit, that Cilic barely moved as it flew past. Murray roared his delight and the packed crowd jumped to their feet in appreciation.

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The Cheltenham Festival doesn’t start till March, however, such is the hype behind this premier racing card that with still 50 days to go till it starts the papers an online buzz surrounding the event is big, very big. I haven’t got an exact figure for how much money is bet at Cheltenham during the 4 day meet, but I’d imagine that somewhere between the £400 million and £500million mark would be a good estimate. It proves Cheltenham is HUGE!

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London’s Earls Court Arena, will play host to the 2010 Brit Awards, on the 16th February. And, as usual, there is a lot of Brit Awards betting speculation, surrounding this award show.

The most coveted prizes at the brit Awards are for Best British Album, British Single, British Male Artist and British Female Artist. Just a few days ago, the nominations for all the categories at this years Brit Awards 2010 were announced. Here we go over the nominees chances and their latest music betting odds.

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With the Africa Cup of Nations 2010 heading towards the quarter-final knockout stages, it’s looking more certain that the eventual winners of the tournament will come from either Egypt, Ivory Coast or Algeria. With the Ivory Coast on a collision course with Algeria in the quarter finals. Cameroon and Nigeria could become stronger as the competition progresses, but looking at their opening performances, both teams lack any real evidence that their names are destined to be etched on the trophy come the final game.

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Out of the blue, Ricky Hatton announced his comeback to boxing amid a flurry of raised eyebrows. Across all the media pieces I have read this morning, concerning Hatton’s comeback, I have yet to see a positive spin on the return. Aside from Hatton, himself, not one boxing journalist is too thrilled about this announcement, and I include myself amongst the head-shakers.

Ricky Hatton is a very likeable man and boxer. His metamorphosis between Ricky the bloke next door who likes a pint and pie into Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, former WBA Welterweight Champion, is one that made him a modern icon to many boxing betting punters.

It seems that Hatton wants to erase the Manny Pacquiao fight like a blotted stain on a very gleaming fight CV. Yet, Hatton, should accept that defeat for what it truly is, a lesson learned, that there are now better boxers out there than you. Not many mind, but some.

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Andy Murray took the bad news on the chin as he dropped to fifth in the Tennis World Rankings. It is a bitter blow to Murray, no matter how positive an outlook he puts on show, inside he’ll be hurting as he gears up to play in the Australian Open Championship early next week.

Murray made a serious contribution last year towards his efforts of being No.1 in the world. Yet, despite rising to 2nd seed in the world rankings he failed to win an Open Championship. Since then he has been pushed down the ranking ladder by fellow competitors Rafael Nadal, Serbian Novak Djokovic and now Juan Martin del Potro. Roger Federer is still seeded No.1 in the world.

The 22 year old Scot, understands he needs to up-his-game more. He is no longer the fledging, tormented teenager with the Gregory Girl’s hairdo. Tennis can be an unforgiven sport as Tim Henman knows only too well. Henman suffered from the Grand Slam hoodoo and as each passing attempt slipped away, the pressure intensified as it came around to Wimbledon.

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In a matter of weeks, the date for a General Election, will be announced. According to some parliamentary experts, the likely date will be around the beginning of May. That’s a little over 14 weeks away. And the question many political betting punters are asking is : “Can Gordon Brown really expect to turn things around before the election?”

Yesterday, a haphazard attempt to undermine Brown’s leadership was hatched by labour backbencher, Geoff Hoon. A letter was released to all Labour MP’s calling for a secret ballot on the leadership of the party. However, not one of the Labour heavyweights stood behind it and soon the attempt to boot Brown out from NO.10 before the next General Election fizzled and disappeared just as quickly as it had arose.

But, it’s left a mark on the PM and it highlights that Gordon Brown’s jacket is on a shoogly peg.

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After Manchester United’s surprise exit to Leeds in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, Alex Ferguson will be wanting more from his players over the 2 legged affair of the Carling Cup Semi-Finals. Only Ferguson will be up against city rivals, Machester City, who would like some bling in the trophy cabinet to show for all those millions spent.

Ferguson has promised to ring the changes ahead of the Manchester derby, after slating his players for their poor performance in the Leeds game. Obviously, Ferguson, needs this game like a hole-in-the-head. United’s players seem to have their eyes on bigger things, much to Ferguson’s annonyance and a defeat to City will chip away at the shield of confidence that United have built around them over the years.

It is no doubt a very tricky tie for United and one which City feel they have a great chance in progressing to the Carling Cup final. It certainly has whetted the appetite for Carling Cup betting punters as to which way the outcome of both these games will go.

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So, it finally comes to pass. After 10 years of controversy and cult tv moments the Celebrity Big Brother show begins it’s final 27 days of transmission from tonight, Sunday the 3rd of January 2010.

We’ve had some famous faces and many not-so-famous enter the house throughout the years. Who can forget the entrance by Jackie Stallone or MP George Galloway purring cringely like a cat or when fake celebrity Chantelle and lead singer from Ordinary Boy’s, Preston, fell in love on our tv screens. Of course, primarily, Celebrity Big Brother will always be remembered for the race row between the late ‘Jade Goody’ and Bollywood actress, Shilpa Shetty.

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