PAIR CAN BRING A GOLDEN ERA FOR BRITAIN

THERE were few dry eyes at the ceremony that saw Roger Federer become just the sixth player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in Paris.

Claiming this as his greatest victory pointed to his sense of history in finally landing the French Open and joining Pete Sampras on 14 titles.

Home advantage will bring Andy Murray right into the mix as Rafael Nadal struggles to regain fitness in order to defend his Wimbledon title. A first win for a Brit at Queens in the professional era this week is essential if Murray is to impose himself on the top two in the rankings and threaten Federer for a place in the July 5 final.

By virtue of a wild card, last year's junior champion, 15 year-old Laura Robson promises to add some welcome interest to the ladies' singles. The current domination of Russians is unlikely to transfer to the grass courts where the Williams sisters have landed seven of the last nine titles.

Given a good draw, Robson could fare better than the previously youngest competitor, Martina Hingis. In 1995, at 14, the Swiss met Steffi Graf in round one, losing in straight sets. Graf went on to win the tournament.

But by August young Hingis had announced herself as a senior by progressing through three rounds at the US Open.

If Laura Robson can emulate Martina Hingis and Murray continues up the rankings, we can look forward to a decade of British tennis few could have possibly imagined.

Whether the price of success that saw Hingis testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon in 2007 is worth paying must be left to those sufficiently gifted to face the question.

A British Wimbledon double in 2012 and at the Olympics a month later would send a few fans into orbit.

VERRIER BIDS TO FULFIL TT DREAM

NG Road Racing (formerly North Gloucestershire Motor Racing Club) will be hoping Robert Verrier can achieve his ambition of completing the course in both sidecar races in this week's Isle of Man TT.

The 1999 NG Road Racing Formula 2 sidecar champion's best finishing position on the island to date is a creditable 28th.

Started by a group of Gloucestershire enthusiasts in 1970, the club runs a regular seven- meeting series between March and September at circuits such as Snetterton, Brands Hatch and Donington Park. With more than 400 competing members and an annual prize fund of £25,000, their events are among the most prestigious in the sport.

Many young riders have developed their careers through the club, including the 1980 world sidecar champion Jock Taylor.

NG Road Racing's association with the county remains as strong as ever with the majority of their directors boasting GL postcodes, and their outlook remains unchanged – for enthusiasts to promote the sport of motorcycle road racing in the UK.

High winds caused a delay to the start of the TT races on Saturday. Rider safety is understandably a priority for this occasion that has experienced much tragedy over the years.

Two finishes will ensure Robert Verrier will be celebrated at the club's only Gloucestershire- based event, the dinner dance at the Hatherley Manor Hotel in November.

SETANTA FACES THE FINAL WHISTLE

THE next month looks rather less appetising for broadcaster Setanta. Daring to fly too close to BSkyB appears likely to see them crashing to earth, potentially taking a Scottish Football Club or two with them.

Competition brings enormous value for customers and the portfolio of sports Setanta have gathered has allowed viewers choice and diversity.

Losing out on the recent bidding for the English Premier League packages cast doubt on the Irish-owned company's ability to maintain its business base. Frantic efforts to re-structure financial commitments to governing bodies have led to the company's prospects of survival becoming dangerously slim.

In a world where business dominates sport, shockwaves from a collapse may be felt far wider than the immediacy of clients. It takes brave men to enter this harsh environment and, should a rescue fail to materialise, there will be little encouragement for others to make a similar challenge to what has become the natural order of television rights.