Ronaldo, Bale help Real see off Getafe

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates. Source: Andres Kudacki / AP

CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored twice in the second half of a 3-0 win at Getafe on Sunday as Real Madrid stayed top of the Spanish league at the halfway point.

Madrid started slowly three days after its defense of the Copa del Rey title was ended by Atletico Madrid, but its talented attack eventually came through after light snow fell on the Alfonso Perez Coliseum.

Ronaldo was particularly subdued until Karim Benzema dribbled to the end line and used a skillful change of foot to open a passing angle and set up the Portugal forward to net from close range in the 63rd minute.

Bale sprinted forward to redirect James Rodriguez's long ball with the outer edge of his left foot to double the advantage four minutes later.

Rodriguez continued to excel as Madrid's playmaker when he spotted Ronaldo calling for the ball and swerved in a perfectly placed cross for the Ballon d'Or winner to head home in the 79th.

Madrid has a four-point lead over Barcelona which visits Deportivo La Coruna later Sunday. Madrid also has a game in hand.

Gareth Bale wheels away in celebration after scoring for Real Madrid against Getafe. Source: AP

After its exit from the cup, Carlo Ancelotti's team was under pressure to have a strong showing with only one win in four matches to start 2015 after finishing last year on a Spanish record 22-win streak.

"We didn't come back from Christmas in the best shape," Ancelotti said. "But, for example, James (Rodriguez) played an extraordinary game. He is getting back to his top form. Little by little the entire team is recovering its best form."

In the first half, Getafe's midfield of Jorge Sammir and Diego Castro kept Toni Kroos from linking up with Madrid's forwards. The visitors were limited to Francisco "Isco" Alarcon's strike that goalkeeper Jordi Codina palmed over the bar before Kroos rattled the woodwork from long distance just before halftime.

Getafe's best scoring chance came with the result beyond doubt when Alvaro Vazquez hit the upright four minute from time. The modest Madrid-based club remained one point above the relegation zone.

Bale ended the match limping, but Ancelotti said it was only a "knock."

Also later, Atletico Madrid hosts Granada aiming to recover third place, Sevilla hosts Malaga, and Levante is at Elche.

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Kyrgios shown faith he’ll handle hype

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GIVE a star a stage, they say, and settle in for the show.

Open organisers have certainly done that by assigning Nick Kyrgios to christen the luxuriously transformed Margaret Court Arena tonight — a plum gig in the context of exposure.

Tennis royalty Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova will share the full glare of the opening night spotlight on Rod Laver Arena, but Kyrgios's placement is a statement about his place in the pecking order of the most impressive squad of young Australian men to have graced the tournament for years.

Nine are spread around the complex today, giving ground-pass fans plenty of scope to get a handle on them.

Kyrgios is the headline act, narrowly ahead of the apparently reformed Bernard Tomic.

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After slaying of the mighty Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon, the expectation is, unavoidably, very high — perhaps even out of whack with his overall achievements, not to mention that his back is not 100 per cent right.

But that's one of the captivating things about sport — when a new star arrives, guns blazing, nobody wants to put limits on what is possible.

Kyrgios, 19, starts against Argentina left-hander Federico Delbonis, 24, who has lost more matches than he has won and is ranked slightly further back.

It is eminently winnable but also a potentially deep disappointment: an early exit is not what fans want to see given the build-up.

How much of Kyrgios is show and how much is substance is still a matter of debate, a work in progress.

Nick Kyrgios starts against Argentina left-hander Federico Delbonis. Source: News Corp Australia

There was plenty of both when he took Nadal down.

It wasn't just that the Spanish superstar was beaten — he was blown away by a phenomenal 37 aces, the most he had ever faced. It was truly exciting to see and it is why queues will form to watch Kyrgios here.

When he rocked up to a black-tie dinner in October to receive the Newcombe medal as the year's best Australian, Kyrgios sported a purple suit he was suspected of pinching from Elvis.

He revelled in the attention it provoked, confirming he is out to enjoy what the game — and his profile in it — has to offer in a broad sense, as he should.

Like Tomic he is a product of his times and his generation.

It's possible to forget he is still only 19 but he doesn't. "This is my last Grand Slam as a teenager and I'm going to embrace that," he said yesterday.

Legendary American coach Nick Bollettieri is a fan, saying: "He's a real character — a big dude with all the tools. Now he has to prove he can be one hell of a player.

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"He knows he can do it. He's fiery. He puts on a great show.

"But I believe he has to get a lot stronger mentally and not get so emotional. I believe mindset will determine his future."

Kyrgios seems to be working hard on that.

"I think I play my best tennis when I'm finding that fine line between staying really positive and staying calm," he said.

"You don't want to get too over-hyped.

"The older I get the more mature I'll get.

"I'm obviously not going to be a robot, not show any emotion.

"I'm putting more expectation and pressure on myself to perform and obviously I'm expecting more out of myself now."

The scriptwriters have read the play correctly with the fixture. "I play the game to play on big stages and obviously get good fans and crowd support," he said.

ron.reed@news.com.au

Twitter: @Reedrw

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Battling Djoker declares: I’m right

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NOVAK Djokovic insists he has recovered from illness threatening to derail his Australian Open campaign.

Djokovic's health has been the subject of rampant speculation over the past 48 hours following his failure to practise on Saturday.

The world champion last night admitted he had endured a "tough couple of days".

Djokovic's disjointed preparation appeared to be compromised further yesterday when he had his right shoulder manipulated by a member of his support staff during practice.

But the reigning Wimbledon champion is adamant he is fine to start his quest for an Open era record fifth title tomorrow.

"I had tough couple days. But it's all behind me now. I'm ready for the Open," Djokovic said.

Argentine Juan Martin del Potro however faces an uncertain future after withdrawing from the Open because of chronic wrist soreness.

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Serb Djokovic said he had been unable to train because of "little bit with the flu and stomach."

"But I carried that already from the Middle East a little bit. But now it's good. It's passed."

Djokovic certainly struck the ball with impressive precision and depth on Rod Laver Arena where he traded shots with fellow Serb Viktor Troicki.

But his body language was not as positive on Margaret Court Arena an hour earlier, prompting fears the baseliner was struggling with injury as well as sickness.

Djokovic cancelled training on Saturday as well as a scheduled pre-tournament interview.

A spokesman for the International Tennis Federation confirmed Djokovic "was not well" on Saturday.

Seeking his fourth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in five years. Djokovic has endured a rugged start to the season.

Novak Djokovic talks with his coach Boris Becker after taking a time-out from training. Source: AP

He withdrew from the final of an Abu Dhabi exhibition, citing a virus, and then lost to Ivo Karlovic in Doha.

Speaking in Doha at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, he said the infection was the result of a hectic six months which included marriage to long-term partner Jelena Ristic and the birth of the couple's first child, Stefan.

Djokovic will face Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene in the first round.

It is likely Djokovic requested a Tuesday start, leading officials to schedule the bottom half of the draw for today and the top half tomorrow to give the world champion more time to recover.

De Potro said he did not want to jeopardise his long-term future by contesting the Open.

"I don't want to put in risk again my body and my wrist. I want to play healthy." he said yesterday.

Boris Becker drills home a point to Novak Djokvic during practise on Rod Laver Arena. Source: News Corp Australia

"I can practise and train. But if I couldn't hit backhands like I want, it's not helping a lot for my game. If I do that, could be a risk for my mind, for my body, for everything.

"Now is time to stop and see the doctor again and make a good plan for the future. I really want to play tennis as soon I can. I will do everything to do it.

"I'm still very positive."

The 2009 US Open champion has been plagued by wrist problems for much of the past five years.

He returned from a 10-month lay-off at the Sydney International last week, losing to eventual runner-up Mikhail Kukushkin after posting two impressive wins.

Del Potro was scheduled to face Poland's Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz in the first round.

Janowicz will now play Japanese lucky loser Hiroki Moriya.

DAY 1 AT MELBOURNE PARK

BEST ON SHOW

1. Federico Delbonis (Arg) v Nick Kyrgios (Aus)

MARGARET COURT ARENA (NIGHT)

After his breakout performances last year, all eyes will be on the 19-year-old Aussie to see what he can deliver at his home grand slam.

2. Yen-Hsun Lu (Tpe) v 2-Roger Federer (Sui)

ROD LAVER ARENA (NIGHT)

Chasing a fifth Australian Open crown, the Swiss master says his weapons are as strong as ever, which means bad news for his opponents, but equals eminently watchable tennis.

3. Petra Martic (Cro) v 2-Maria Sharapova (Rus)

ROD LAVER ARENA (NIGHT)

Sharapova is chasing her first Australian Open crown since 2008, but has started 2015 with form on her side after winning the singles title in Brisbane.

4. Thanasi Kokkinakis (Aus) v 11-Ernests Gulbis (Lat)

SHOW COURT 3

Aussie watch No.2. The other half of the 'Special Ks' will be hoping to make the most of his Open wildcard, but faces a tough first-round draw against the No.11 seed.

5. 7-Eugenie Bouchard (Can) v Anna-Lena Friedsam (Ger)

With the 'Genie Army' behind her, Bouchard has quickly emerged as a crowd favourite at Melbourne Park and is striving to improve on her semi-final run here last year.

- REBECCA WILLIAMS

THE FORECAST

MAX 24C

Cloud clearing to a mainly sunny afternoon

Other Aussies in action today

Bernard Tomic v Tobias Kamke (Ger)

Marinko Matosevic v Alexander Kudryavtsev (Rus)

Sam Groth v Filip Krajinovic (Srb)

James Duckworth v Blaz Kavcic (Slo)

Thanasi Kokkinakis v 11-Ernests Gulbis (Lat)

Luke Saville v Tim Smyczek (USA)

John Millman v 26-Leonardo Mayer (Arg)

Jordan Thompson v Joao Sousa (Por)

Jarmila Gajdosova v Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom)

Storm Sanders v Klara Koukalova (Cze)

Daria Gavrilova v Kiki Bertens (Ned)

Arina Rodionova v Monica Puig (Rom)

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Ferguson out to haunt state teammates

Callum Ferguson in action for Melbourne Renegades. Source: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

THEY haven't been in the Big Bash League top four all summer, but Callum Ferguson says the Melbourne Renegades are primed to make the jump with their final game of the season on Monday night.

A healthy win against Adelaide Strikers — who have already secured a home semi-final — would boost the Gades above Sydney Sixers and force them to wait until the final game of the season to learn their finals fate.

Ferguson crossed from the Strikers this summer for a "change of scenery" after more than a decade spent representing South Australia in domestic cricket and said he expected some banter from bowlers Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa.

Melbourne Renegades batsman Callum Ferguson gets the jump on Adelaide Strikers bowler Adam Zampa. Picture: Hamish Blair. Source: News Corp Australia

The do-or-die clash will be staged on the same Etihad Stadium pitch on which 15 batsmen were dismissed on last week as the Gades bowled Brisbane Heat out for 80.

But Ferguson said he was expecting improved batting conditions after recent sunlight.

"With the roof closed it does become a bit of a glass house and certainly Jimmy Pattinson has enjoyed those conditions, so he'll be hoping for the same," Ferguson said.

"I've got a lot of good mates over in that dressing room and I'll be back with them (in Sheffield Shield) in a short space of time. But for now it's certainly going to be loggerheads."

Ferguson has reached 30 four times in red but is yet to raise the bat and must be wary of Ben Laughlin on Monday night.

Callum Ferguson knows what to expect from the opposition on Monday night. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

The quick has taken 4-16 from five power play overs this summer, while Gades analysis showed spinners Zampa and Johan Botha have combined for 12-157 from 180 deliveries in the middle section of matches.

The Strikers can seal first place tonight, the carrot coach Darren Berry is dangling to ensure his side is awarded the silverware should it be involved in a washed out final.

Berry helped remodel Zampa's action at the indoor Adelaide nets during pre-season, triggering his sharp rise into World Cup contention.

"If you put a split screen on my bowling you'd see a massive difference," Zampa said.

"I'm biding my time, I'm only 22 and I'm a wrist-spinner as well.

"Just to be in the (World Cup) mix was a great feeling. A lot of people are bagging Xavier (Doherty) saying, 'What's he doing in the side?' but he's a class one-day bowler and he's going to do a great job."

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Genie hoping to work her magic again

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CANADIAN Eugenie Bouchard says she is not concerned about falling victim to any second-year blues after her breakthrough 2014.

The 20-year-old from Montreal made a rapid rise up the WTA rankings last year, which started with her semi-final run at the Australian Open and returns to Melbourne Park as No.7 seed.

Bouchard was also a semi-finalist at Roland Garros and runner-up to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon, with a fourth-round appearance at the US Open her worst grand slam result for 2014.

But Bouchard, who achieved a season-high ranking of No.5, said she did not feel the pressure of expectation to back-up her results as she approached 2015 with a clean slate.

"I try to see it as just a new year. I'm not concerned about defending points from last year,'' Bouchard said yesterday.

"To me it's 2015. I start at zero and try to do as well as I can. My past results don't mean anything when I'm going to walk out on the court (today). I still have to fight and try to play as well as I can.

"I have great memories from last year, but it doesn't really mean anything to me this year.''

Eugenie Bouchard serves during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

Bouchard starts her Open campaign against Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam on Margaret Court Arena tonight.

She is sure to have plenty of crowd support with her own personal cheer-squad, the 'Genie Army', behind her.

Bouchard said her Melbourne Park campaign last summer launched her year and she hoped to use it as a springboard to more success this season.

"This was a great tournament for me last year. It kind of started a great year for me,'' Bouchard said.

"I think I gained so much more experience after that, as well. You know, more big matches, more high-pressure situations.''

Bouchard's Open preparation was given a boost at the Hopman Cup in Perth when she claimed the scalp of World No.1 Serena Williams, with a 6-2 6-1 win.

Eugenie Bouchard: "This was a great tournament for me last year. It kind of started a great year for me". Source: AP

"It was the Hopman Cup, so it wasn't a tournament, but it's still good to play against a great champion like that ... feel a bit better in a match against her than my previous encounters with her,'' Bouchard said.

"I think I had a few good matches in Hopman in general ... hopefully that will help me this week.''

It was an off-season of change for the young Canadian, who parted company with her coach of eight years, Nick Saviano and is, for now, working with Diego Ayala.

"Change can be scary, but change can also be good,'' Bouchard said.

"It's just about adapting now, I think slowly putting the pieces in the right place. I'm feeling good.''

Bouchard has had just one meeting against her first-round opponent before, but said she was ready for a tough introduction to the tournament.

"I know she's talented. She's young, as well. I think she has a good serve, a good forehand,'' she said.

"I'm just going to be ready for a battle.''

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Organised China finish DPR Korea

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CHINA are capable of being just as entertaining as the Socceroos at this Asian Cup.

Alain Perrin's side were super slick in the opening 45 minutes before labouring to a 2-1 Group B win over DPR Korea at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

It also demonstrated glaring defensive deficiencies but still managed to issue Australia a warning before the nations clash in the quarter-final at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.

Sun Ke scored both of China's goals against DPR Korea. Source: Getty Images

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou wisely dispatched the nation's best scouts to Canberra as China toyed with their opponents with a brand of quick entertaining and attacking football in the first half.

It was China's third consecutive win at the Asian Cup after seeing off Uzbekistan (2-1) and Saudi Arabia (1-0) but DPR Korea had enough chances to steal a point.

DPR Korea's substitute So Hyon-uk rattling the crossbar with a thunderous 82nd-minute 25m volley before keeper Wang Dalei's brilliant save deep in stoppage time was evidence China was made to suffer.

China enjoyed huge support with a sell-out crowd in Canberra. Source: Getty Images

But Sun Ke kicked off the Chinese party in front of a sea of red draped fans when he scored when the clash was just 45 seconds old.

He scored his second goal before half-time.

An own goal gave DPR Korea hope of recovering the deficit when Jong Il-gwan's shot after a neat turn crashed into the back of the net off the body of China's Gao Lin.

But Canberra Stadium has been lucky in a sense that it has witnessed the two fastest goals of the Asian Cup.

Sun Ke puts his second goal away for China. Source: AFP

United Arab Emirates' Ali Mabkhout claimed the tournament's fastest goal record when he scored after 14 seconds in a clash against Bahrain last week.

Ke's opener came when DPR Koreas' defence appeared shell shocked after a brilliant delivery from Jiang Zhipeng which met the boot of the classy forward before he tucked the ball home from 7m

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Ke scored his third goal of this Asian Cup and China's second of the evening when Korea's nervous defence parted for a cross from Jiang Zhipeng before the Jiangsu Sainty forward nodded the ball home in the 43rd minute.

North Korea got one back after a deflection led to an own goal. Source: AFP

Ke then ended his shift in the 71st minute after a head injury seemingly forced him off the park.

But a minute after Ke scored his brace controversy reigned.

The Asian Cup not investing in goal-line technology or extra assistant referees potentially robbed China of one of the classiest goals of the tournament.

Yu Hai's delightful chip which was cleared by Korea's defender Jon Kwang-ik in the 42nd minute may have crossed the goal-line.

Camera angles were inclusive.

Jong Il-gwan was the main danger for DPR Korea. Source: Getty Images

But despite DPR Korea having a mostly torrid first half when their only real chance was skied over the bar by Il-gwan, with the forward also testing Dalei with a wicked 20m effort, which was beaten away to safety three minutes after the break.

Asian Cup Group B

CHINA 2 (Sun Ke 1m, 43m) DPR KOREA 1 (TOG 56m) at Canberra Stadium — Referee: Abdulrahman Hussain (Qatar)

Crowd: 18,457.

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149 off 44: how AB rewrote record book

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RECORDS tumbled at an alarming rate during AB de Villiers' remarkable innings against West Indies on Sunday.

Check out the new marks set by the South African superstar and his teammates during a crazy hour of cricket in Johannesburg.

REPORT: DE VILLIERS SMASHES RECORD FOR FASTEST TON

FASTEST ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL CENTURY (BALLS)

De Villiers didn't just edge past the previous record, set by New Zealand's Corey Anderson on New Year's Day 2014 - he smashed it.

Anderson made triple figures in 36 balls, but de Villiers got there in just 31, leaving some to suggest this mark might never be broken.

Interestingly, both innings came against the West Indies.

AB de Villiers screams in delight after reaching his century. Source: Getty Images

FASTEST ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL CENTURY (MINUTES)

It took de Villiers a mere 40 minutes to go from zero to 100, not quite as fast as a Ferrari but faster than most things of substance take in cricket, and in life.

Here's a list of activities that take longer than it took for de Villiers to score 100 runs:

- An episode of Game of Thrones

- A session of Test cricket

- A university lecture

- A half of a football match

- A standard yoga class

De Villiers played some outrageous shots during his brief but incredible innings. Source: Getty Images

FASTEST ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL FIFTY

It's amazing how quickly news moves in the age of social media.

Just a few minutes after Twitter lit up with reports of de Villiers setting a new record for the fastest half-century of all time, talk had already turned to his chase of the magical mark for a ton.

For the record de Villiers reached 50 off just 16 balls, bettering the previous mark of 17 set by Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuria back in 1996.

HIGHEST STRIKE RATE IN A ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL INNINGS (OF 50 OR MORE)

De Villiers' strike rate at the end of his innings was 339 which is, quite frankly, ridiculous.

That means over the course of an innings in which he scored 149 runs, he averaged more than three runs per ball.

It's the highest strike-rate for a score of more than 50, and the first time anyone has hit a century with a strike rate over 300.

De Villiers in action during his record-breaking innings at the Wanderers. Source: Getty Images

EQUAL-MOST SIXES IN A ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL INNINGS

Here's one record that de Villiers couldn't quite break, but he did equal it.

The mark for the most sixes in a one-day international innings sits at 16, which de Villiers now shares with India's Rohit Sharma, who set the record during his famous 264 against Sri Lanka last year.

FIRST TIME TOP THREE HAVE MADE HUNDREDS

You've got to feel sorry for Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw.

The Proteas openers both hit classy hundreds - in Rossouw's case, his first in international cricket - as they notched a massive opening partnership of 247.

It wasn't quite the highest ever first-wicket stand - that belongs to Jayasuria and fellow Sri Lankan Upul Tharanga - but it was the biggest for South Africa.

Unfortunately for them, nobody will remember that, but at least they can take solace in the fact that they were part of history after South Africa became the first side to have its top three batsmen make hundreds in the same ODI match.

Rilee Rossouw (L) and Hashim Amla (R) were at least part of one new record. Source: Getty Images

SECOND-HIGHEST TOTAL IN A ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL

With one over to go and de Villiers still at the crease, the Proteas needed just eight more runs to set a new record for the highest ever one-day international total.

But de Villiers was dismissed and just three runs were scored off the over, leaving South Africa four runs short of the current mark of 9-443, set by Sri Lanka against Netherlands in 2006.

Amazingly, three out of the top four have now all come at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, with spots three and four filled by South Africa and Australia thanks to their famous match at the ground in 2006.

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Ronaldo ‘dumps Shayk after spat’

They're single again ... Irina Shayk and Cristiano Ronaldo have split up. Picture: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images Source: Christof Koepsel / Getty Images

IT'S official: One of the world's most beautiful couples, Irina Shayk and Cristiano Ronaldo, have split after five years together.

"We can confirm Irina Shayk has ended her relationship to Cristiano Ronaldo of five years. She has been close with his family throughout the course of their relationship," Shayk's rep said. "Any negative rumours with regards to Irina and the Ronaldo family are completely false and have not been a factor in the cause of the split."

The comments come after Portuguese newspaper Coreio de Manhana reported Ronaldo dumped Shayk because she refused to attend his mother's 60th birthday party.

In happier times ... Real Madrid soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo and Russian model Irina Shayk watch a Euroleague basketball game. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

"Cristiano wanted to surprise his mum and as he spent Christmas with Irina in Dubai, he had planned to be with his mum on her birthday, but Irina didn't want to go," a source told the paper.

"They had such a big row that he ended up spending New Year's Eve alone with his son. Irina mouthed off about Dolores and Ronaldo took sides with him mum. It was the straw that broke the camel's back because they had hadn't been getting on well in the last few months."

The source continued: "Dolores thinks Irina wasn't the right woman for Ronaldo's son. She wanted someone who would, in the future, assume the role of mum for Cristiano Jr. That wasn't a priority for Irina."

Celebrity couple ... Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk on the cover of Vogue Spain in June 2014. Picture: Vogue Source: Supplied

Rumours had been swirling that the couple was in crisis after the Real Madrid star failed to thank Shayk when he accepted the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

The supermodel didn't attend the star-studded awards ceremony, and also stopped following Ronaldo on Twitter.

Instead, the Russian-born model ventured to a mysterious tropical location for her 29th birthday, treating fans to some racy bikini shots.

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