Wimbledon
The most probable match-up for the womens final, as well as the dream for the tv executives, is Ivanovic v Sharapova. The Williams sisters are formidable on grass though & could halt the glamour final in the semis. Dinara Safina could have another good run to match her form in Paris, but the winner will come from the first four mentioned.
I tipped Fed to win here back in January, & i still think he'll win his sixth straight title. The form of Nadal, & his crushing win over Federer at Roland Garros have made him the favourite for many pundits.However, I still feel that if Roger plays his 'A' game, he has the edge over Rafa, though it wil be very tight. Djokovic is in Federer's half, they are drawn to meet in the semis & the Serb won their match at the same stage in Australia. Nadal could face a tricky second round tie v the Latvian Ernest Gulbis. British hopes again rest with Murray. He's seeded to meet Gasquet in the fourth round, who made the semis last year. Murray has yet to reach a Grand Slam QF & I think Gasquet will prevent that statistic changing.
Euro 2008
My prediction of a Spain-Germany final is still on. Holland looked a good bet for the semis after their impressive displays in the group stages, especially v Italy & France. In the quarter final though they were completely outplayed by Russia, who look a team transformed with Arshavin back from suspension. Germany will have to be wary of the comeback kings, Turkey. I can't understand why Fabregas isn't a starter for Spain, but Aragones has preferred Xavi for the playmaker role. My player of the tournament so far is Ballack. Germany have played some good football, I had expected them to be more in the mould of Sweden, but they scored a great team goal with the first strike against Portugal.
Monday 23 June 2008
Saturday 7 June 2008
Feat of Clay
French Open Tennis
Dinara Safina has been the surprise of the tournament, backing up her win in Berlin by reaching the final. Her run has included two great comebacks against Sharapova (from a set & 5-3 down) & Dementieva (set & 5-2 down) saving a match point both times. Ivanovic has been undone by nerves in finals before & Safina can add another Slam to the family trophy cabinet. It looks like only the Williams sisters can prevent Serbo-Russian domination at Wimbledon & the US Open.
Federer looks to have his work cut out against Nadal in Sunday's mens' final. Rafa was awesome in beating Djokovic in straight sets in the semi yesterday. Nadal in 4 sets.
Euro2008
Euro 2008 looks quite an open tournament, the leading contenders seem to be closely matched. I've commented on the lopsided draw in my post of 15/12/07. Italy & France both have ageing squads. Italy don't appear to be as formidable defensively as they once were. Cannavaro will miss the tournament due to injury, & Nesta has retired from the national team (as has Totti). France are also getting long in the tooth through the spine of the team (Makelele, Viera, Henry) but Ribery has been in superb form. Portugal have man of the moment Mr C Ronaldo, but should suffer from lack of quality strikers. Spain are unbeaten in 15 matches & have beaten both France & Italy in that run, albeit in friendlies; & have in Torres arguably the best striker in Europe. Germany are in the easy half of the draw, and should be back to their traditional status as favourites, having performed miserably at both Euro 2000 & 2004. Croatia are my pick as dark horses. A Spain Germany final then, Miroslav Klose to finish top scorer.
Dinara Safina has been the surprise of the tournament, backing up her win in Berlin by reaching the final. Her run has included two great comebacks against Sharapova (from a set & 5-3 down) & Dementieva (set & 5-2 down) saving a match point both times. Ivanovic has been undone by nerves in finals before & Safina can add another Slam to the family trophy cabinet. It looks like only the Williams sisters can prevent Serbo-Russian domination at Wimbledon & the US Open.
Federer looks to have his work cut out against Nadal in Sunday's mens' final. Rafa was awesome in beating Djokovic in straight sets in the semi yesterday. Nadal in 4 sets.
Euro2008
Euro 2008 looks quite an open tournament, the leading contenders seem to be closely matched. I've commented on the lopsided draw in my post of 15/12/07. Italy & France both have ageing squads. Italy don't appear to be as formidable defensively as they once were. Cannavaro will miss the tournament due to injury, & Nesta has retired from the national team (as has Totti). France are also getting long in the tooth through the spine of the team (Makelele, Viera, Henry) but Ribery has been in superb form. Portugal have man of the moment Mr C Ronaldo, but should suffer from lack of quality strikers. Spain are unbeaten in 15 matches & have beaten both France & Italy in that run, albeit in friendlies; & have in Torres arguably the best striker in Europe. Germany are in the easy half of the draw, and should be back to their traditional status as favourites, having performed miserably at both Euro 2000 & 2004. Croatia are my pick as dark horses. A Spain Germany final then, Miroslav Klose to finish top scorer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)