Adebayor in sights of 'important team'

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is being tracked by a "very important team" according to his agent.

Tabloid speculation has claimed the Gunners have offered Adebayor to both AC and Inter Milan in an attempt to prevent the Togo ace joining Chelsea.

The former tried to sign Adebayor last summer and former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti's move to Chelsea has prompted rumours the forward could also head to Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United have also been linked with a bid, but the player's agent Stephane Courbis says Arsenal's domestic rivals have not been in touch.

"As of today, I have not even got evidence to speak of presumed interest from Chelsea and Manchester United," Courbis told calciomercato.it.

"It's a given fact that Carlo Ancelotti likes the player seeing that last year he tried to sign him for Milan, although Chelsea have not contacted us.

"We have not received any calls, not from Milan or Ancelotti. Another team has contacted us, but I cannot say anything, it's a very important team."

Courbis also confirmed there has been no meeting with Milan and is confident Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not looking to cash in on the £25million-rated former Monaco man.

He added: "There has not been any meeting with Milan for Adebayor and lately I have not received a call on their behalf.

"This doesn't mean Ade is for sale to resolve Arsenal's economic problems. I spoke with Arsene Wenger this morning and he told me nothing of the kind."

Fabregas is tired of life at Arsenal

Despite previously claiming that he would remain at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas has intriguingly pointed towards a Gunners exit.

In an interview with The Sun, Fabregas spoke about the frustration he felt from a lack of silverware at the Emirates, and hinted that he will be moving to the Primera Liga to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"This year we wanted it, we were giving everything - but we couldn't reach the level that everyone expected of Arsenal," Fabregas said.

"When you win, you're well. But when you don't, everyone is in a bad mood. For four years now, we've needed a title to regain our belief in ourselves."

"The absence of titles at Arsenal is what angers me the most."

"Cristiano said he's leaving Manchester United because he had nothing else to win. For me right now it is the exact opposite, seeing the impotence here."

Apart from expressing disappointment at Arsenal's failure over the past few seasons, Fabregas also reiterated his desire to return to Spain, after seven years in England. He joined Arsenal as a 16-year old plucked from Barcelona's academy.

"My seventh season is about to start. It's a lot when you're just 22. When you stop to think, you see that time flies."

"In football, you have to learn fast and take the best decisions for yourself and try to be happy."

Sure to fuel speculation, he also added that his family, who are staunch Barcelona supporters, would still be accepting of a move to the Bernabeu.

"Of course my family would understand if I signed for Real Madrid because they love me, they want me to be happy and what is best for me. "

"They'd support me - whichever club I joined. My family will always be there for me - whatever decision I make. They're the ones who are always by my side."

When asked what he would do if he was forced to choose between Real Madrid and Barca, he said it was not something he could decide at present.

"At the moment it's not happened so I don't have to choose. For any player it gives great pride that those two clubs come to sign him. It would be a difficult choice."

However, Gunners' fans will be relieved since Fabregas added that this was not a way for him to demand a move from the Emirates.

"I will never do that. It's not the way I am. If I have to say I want to leave I will do it face to face."

"I am well in England, but what happens is that every player likes to win and at Arsenal we've won nothing for the last four years."

"If one day I'm not happy, I will be the first to tell the manager."

These comments will ease the worries of Arsenal fans a little bit, but this interview comes just a week after a Spanish TV appearance in which Fabregas lamented the atmosphere in the Gunners' dressing room as compared to the Spanish national side.

"It's difficult to explain how good the camaraderie is in the Spain team. I am now at Arsenal, where there isn't this social group which is so human, so friendly, a group of normal people like my friends. We don't talk about things too much," he said last week.

Arsenal will have to fight hard to hold on to Fabregas this summer, but even if they manage that, it seems like a move to one of the Spanish giants is inevitable for Cesc. Unless, of course, Arsenal manage to end their barren streak.

Manchester United target Nilmar

Man United are currently monitoring the situation of Nilmar at Internacional, and are keen on signing the striker.

United are allegedly in the midst of raising the £20 million needed to purchase the 24-year-old hitman.

Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly singled out the Brazilian forward as Carlos Tevez's successor, after the Argentine international ruled out a return to Old Trafford.

Rumours from England have claimed that the Premier League champions sent more than a handful of scouts to the Confederations Cup to have a good look at Nilmar, but he has only made a substitute appearance for Brazil in the tournament so far.

Nilmar began his career with Internacional, hauling in 16 goals in 42 games in his rookie campaign. The Bandeirantes-born hitman then joined Olympique Lyonnais in 2004, but struggled to make the grade at the Stade Gerland.

The Brazil international then moved to Corinthians in 2005, scoring eight goals in 32 games.

Nilmar has now rediscovered the rich vein of form that once made him such a prized asset, scoring 15 goals in 31 games since returning to Internacional in 2007.

Murray "feeling good" about opener

Andy Murray adopted a low-key strategy for the biggest tournament of his career as he wound up his preparations for Wimbledon.

The world number three held his final practice session with coach Miles Maclagan on a secluded outside practice court at the All England Club, well away from the glare of the media and the hordes of autograph hunters.

And, after a longer-than-expected hit-out, he pronounced himself fit and ready to go ahead of his first-round match with American Robert Kendrick.

"I'm feeling good," Murray told PA Sport as he made full use of his time on the grass-court. "I practised for an hour and 10 minutes.

"I had a lot of practice last week so it's been good."

Murray, who had the best possible preparation for his assault on Wimbledon with victory in the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club, was planning to put his feet up for the rest of the day, confident that he is in the best shape of his life.

"I hope so," he said. "I'll see tomorrow, but I'm feeling good.

"I've nothing planned for the rest of the day. I'll just go and relax and watch some tennis at home."

Judy Murray, mother of the British number one, confirmed that big-match nerves will not be a problem as Murray prepares to carry the expectations of a nation into his home slam tournament.

"He is calm and collected," she said. "It's all very exciting but he's played a few of these big events and he knows what to expect."

Murray has won all three previous meetings with Kendrick, each of them in the United States, but has pledged not to take lightly an opponent who took Rafael Nadal to five sets at Wimbledon three years ago.

"I've played him three times so I know a lot about him," added Murray. "I'm not looking past him at all.

"He's a tough grass-court player. He obviously proved that when he nearly beat Nadal here.

"He has a big game, plays very aggressively and takes a lot of chances so there is no chance of me underestimating him."

Murray, whose quarter-final appearance last year was his best result at Wimbledon, is the 15-8 second favourite behind Roger Federer to win at Wimbledon following the withdrawal of Nadal.

And he will enter the tournament genuinely full of hope and ready to fulfil the growing weight of expectation.

"I have a lot more confidence now in myself," he said. "When the big points and important moments come in matches, I feel like I am going to win them.

"Whether or not my opponents feel that as well, I am not sure.

"I am just going into every match feeling and thinking exactly the same, not worrying about my opponents too much."

Blake goes out with a blast

As Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic sailed into the second round James Blake's miserable Wimbledon record continued as he crashed out.

The 17th seed, who has failed to make it past the third round in six previous appearances at the All England Club, was beaten 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7/5) by Italy's Andreas Seppi on Court Three.

Blake would have expected better having reached the recent final at Queen's Club and he was at a loss to explain his poor showings at Wimbledon.

"I was playing pretty well at Queen's, I thought I had a good chance to do well here," he said.

"This has probably been my worst slam and I don't understand why. I just didn't feel like myself out there today. Andreas played well when he had to and I didn't."

Following top seed Rafael Nadal's withdrawal on Friday because of tendinitis in his knees, Blake also took the opportunity to hit out at the packed nature of the international tennis schedule.

"When we're playing slams, it's three out of five (sets) but we get a day off in between. You're able to rest," he continued.

"(In) Masters Series you're playing two of three (sets) but you're playing six matches in seven days. That's pretty rough, especially for someone like him that's generally in the semis or finals of those tournaments.

"I know I'm probably not supposed to say anything about the schedule or about the ATP in that way, but it's just tough for guys."

Spaniard Feliciano Lopez was another casualty in the first round, the 21st seed losing 1-6 7-5 6-3 4-6 10-8 to Slovakia's Karol Beck in a marathon match on Court 18.

Federer, the highest seed following Nadal's withdrawal, got off to a relatively slow start in his first match on grass this year but upped his game to see off Yen-Hsun Lu 7-5 6-2 6-3.

The Swiss star, who will play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in round two, said: "That was a tough first set. He's beaten some good players and I knew the danger."

Serbian Djokovic was given a much sterner test by Julien Benneteau, losing the first set before eventually coming through 6-7 (8/10) 7-6 (7/1) 6-2 6-4, with the Frenchman needing treatment at match point after slipping at the back of the court.

Thirteenth seed Robin Soderling, beaten by Federer in the final of the French Open two weeks ago, lost his first set to Luxembourg's Gilles Muller before triumphing 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 6-1 6-2.

Another seed taken to four sets was France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the ninth seed, who eventually battled past Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/5) in a match lasting more than three hours.

Seventh seed Fernando Verdasco had an easier time of it against British wild-card entry James Ward, winning 6-1 6-3 6-4, while 15th seed Tommy Robredo beat Luka Gregorc 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7/3) and big-serving Ivo Karlovic, seeded 22nd, defeated Lukas Lacko 6-3 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.

Karlovic, the 6ft 10in Croatian who served a record 55 aces in his first-round defeat by Lleyton Hewitt at the French Open, smashed down another 32 today.

Karlovic's compatriot Marin Cilic, seeded 11th, eased past Alberto Martin 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Of the other seeds in action, German Philipp Kohlschreiber, the 27th seed, beat Florent Serra 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 6-4, 29th seed Igor Andreev saw off Russian countryman Evgeny Korolev 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) and 28th seed Mardy Fish was leading Sergio Roitman 6-3 6-2 4-1 when the Argentinian retired.

Former semi-finalist Xavier Malisse was forced to qualify for the tournament after dropping to 170th in the world but his run was ended today by 18th seed Rainer Schuettler, who triumphed 6-7 (9/11) 6-4 7-6 (7/3) 6-1. Albert Montanes, the 32nd seed, eased past Grega Zemlja 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The tightest match of the day was out on Court 13 where Spain's Nicolas Almagro beat Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-7 (3/7) 6-7 (7/9) 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 8-6.

Federer turns on the style

The coat was military, the waistcoat was fancy and Roger Federer's tennis game was just as neatly creased and packaged.

Not entirely tailored to perfection yet, even if he did beat Chinese Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu 7-5 6-3 6-2 in a Wimbledon first-round match which lasted one hour and 44 minutes.

But there was enough power and style amid the odd flake of rust to suggest Federer, whose liking for fashion saw him walk out in more white layers than the England cricket team, has arrived at Wimbledon with a sense of freedom after winning the French Open and equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slam titles.

It clearly helped that he had been given the job of kick-starting the championship on the new refurbished Centre Court with defending champion Rafael Nadal having withdrawn through injury.

Federer may not own the badge of champion this time after losing out to Nadal in last year's epic final but he looked like the champion. Clearly he felt like the champion. And he talked like one too.

"It is very special," said Federer. "It's a very privileged spot Monday 1pm, so of course I feel honoured.

"Rafa deserves it more than me this year but somebody had to do it and I'm very happy they chose me. Your heart's beating, that's for sure."

It did not show as he ripped off the first six points of the match on a new Centre Court which received his approval.

"I've played in different Centre Court stadiums in the past few years," said Federer. "Ones that didn't have a roof, ones that had a roof, but this one felt very much at home again. It felt good. It looks good too."

Feeling at home? That is not good news for the rest of the men's draw, although the likes of Andy Murray might have detected the odd chink in Federer's game against an opponent ranked 64th in the world.

But Lu's story is an inspiring one.

He took up tennis at the age of eight, only to give it up briefly at 17 when his dad and mentor died.

Realising that he was the family's main breadwinner, he took it up again and reached the second round at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005 and the third round of the Australian Open in January.

He has also beaten David Nalbandian in the past and was the man who humiliated Murray in the first round of the Beijing Olympics.

So he was not without danger and after saving four break points in the fourth game of the first set he went on to break Federer's serve. It looked as if the great man was in for a tough afternoon.

It might have been, too, if Federer had not benefited from the aid of a freakish net cord in the sixth game to reclaim the break and then seen Lu attempt a drop shot in the 12th game, only to dump his volley into the net to concede the first set.

It was never one-way traffic but from that moment the trademark confidence was back in the Federer step as he began the second set in superb style, timing the ball better and breaking Lu's serve in the second game.

The serve, too, was heavy but it was the running backhand pass down the line in the fourth game of that set which announced Federer has arrived at this tournament riding on the wings of history after equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams.

True, the gutsy Lu never gave up but as each game went by Federer appeared to grow more elegant, more ruthless.

And his verdict after negotiating the first round offered little hope to future opponents.

"Once you're in it, things are a bit easier," Federer said. "Your mind's right in the tournament.

"Thank God it hasn't happened in a long, long time that I've lost in the first round of a slam. If you're a great champion or not you just want to enjoy the moment and hopefully get off to a good start."

On that score it was mission accomplished.

Italy 0-3 Brazil

Three goals in seven minutes helped Brazil dump Italy out of the Confederations Cup with a convincing victory in Pretoria.

Luis Fabiano was the star for the South Americans, scoring twice to set them on their way, before an own goal from Andrea Dossena in first-half stoppage time sealed an emphatic victory.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and England coach Fabio Capello were just two of the high profile spectators among the 40,000 plus crowd at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium to watch two of world football's heavyweights clash in a must-win encounter for the Azzurri.

Both came out with attacking intent and it was the Italians that strung together the first meaningful attack down the right with Mauro Camoranesi whipping in a dangerous looking ball that needed a last-ditch interception from Lucio.

Andrea Pirlo followed that up with a good corner that saw Riccardo Montolivo rise highest to meet it with his head, only for the finish to fly over.

At the other end, Ramires should have done better than hit the post with his angled shot from the right after being played in nicely by Luis Fabiano.

Kaka then saw his long-range strike well blocked by Fabio Cannavaro, before Robinho finally hit the target, with his shot comfortably gathered by Gianluigi Buffon.

The South Americans continued to press forward and had another half chance on 15 minutes when Kaka's defence-splitting pass set Luis Fabiano on his way, but he was beaten to the ball by the Italian goalkeeper.

Brazil coach Dunga was forced into an early change after an injury to Juan with Luisao introduced and the change almost produced a goal for the opposition with the ball coming to Camoranesi, who sent in a dipping 18-yard shot that flew inches over.

But Brazil still looked good going forward as Maicon floated in a neat pass onto the head of Luis Fabiano that was again wastefully off target.

Lucio was denied shortly after the half-hour mark - the Bayern Munich defender leaving two defenders stranded on the left only to see his shot deflect off Daniele De Rossi and onto the upright.

But the deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute when Maicon cut inside from the right and slid a pass through to Luis Fabiano, who turned Giorgio Chiellini and finished low beyond Buffon.

It was 2-0 six minutes later after another quick breakaway saw Robinho and Kaka exchange passes, before the former dummied the ball for the Sevilla frontman to tap home.

The scoreline looked even more emphatic going into the break after the Manchester City forward was sent flying down the left by Kaka and his intended cross to Ramires was turned into his own goal by Dossena to leave the world champions 3-0 down at the break.

The game was much slower after the restart with Italy, in search of a comeback goal, failing to create any clear-cut openings.

That was until the 63rd minute when substitute Simon Pepe was played in, but he miscued his effort as the chance went begging.

Another flowing move followed with Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino drawing decent saves out of Julio Cesar as Marcello Lippi's team finally looked more threatening.

At the other end, Kaka and Robinho again combined with the new Real Madrid signing curling his 18-yard strike inches wide of a well-beaten Buffon.

Despite pressing forward towards the end, the closest the Italians came to scoring was when a rush of blood to the head of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar saw him rush of the line, but Pepe saw his effort blocked.

The defeat and the USA's 3-0 win against Egypt saw the US advance by virtue of scoring one more goal than the Azzurri.