ATP World Tour Finals
Some commentators have suggested Federer can regain the no. 1 spot following his victory at the ATP World finals. While I think Fed will run Nadal closer next year, I feel Rafa will still head the rankings.
I was lucky enough to see the Murray-Nadal semi live. It was incredible how after three hours of a gruelling match they were still hitting with ferocious power, & the noise as they changed ends at six-all in the final set tie-break was something to behold. Skill, guts, fitness & power hitting were all on display in a brilliant match. Murray came back from a break down in the final set-was it a coincidence that it followed a fan’s cry of ‘William Wallace !’ I like to think not.
Redemption for Higgins
Until last week, 2010 was a year to forget for John Higgins . His father has terminal cancer, & for not reporting an approach to fix matches he served a six month suspension & was fined for bringing the dame into disrepute. Higgins found redemption beating Mark Williams 10-9 in the UK final. While O'Sullivan is the most gifted, Higgins is the best match player on the circuit- the most tacticaly astute & one of the strongest mentally, as he proved with his comeback from 9-5 down in the final.
UCL last 16 draw
I had thought Spurs would struggle to get out of their group (13 Sep blog), but they ended up finishing a point clear of the holders, Inter. I also tipped Real Madrid to win, but am slightly nervous about that prediction now if they were to draw Barca, following their 5-0 drubbing three weeks ago. However Mourinho’s Inter lost 2-0 to Barca last season in the group stage, but went on to knock them out in the semi; & if any manager can turn it around, it’s Jose.
Spurs-Milan is a tough one to call, the bookies have it even money-but if Mr Bale has one of his inspirational nights I can see Spurs edging it.
Arsenal paid the price for finishing runners-up in their group by drawing the bookies’ favourites, Barcelona. Barcelona & Arsenal are arguably the two most attatractive passing football teams in the world. However Arsenal’s style doesnt match up well vs the Catalans, as was seen in the 6-3 aggregate loss in last years’ quarter-final.
Man U & Chelsea should comfortably get past Marseille & Copenhagen respectively.
Sunday 19 December 2010
Monday 22 November 2010
Best League in Years
Until a couple of years ago, the Premier League was becoming a bore. The Big Four were dominant, monopolising the Champs League places, & there was a huge gap between them & the rest of the league. Last season things Spurs broke into the top four, & this year the league is more competitive than I can remember for many years. After 14 games, 8th & 18th place are separated by only five points; & the leading teams have been regularly dropping points against sides from the bottom half. Pre-season, I expected Chelsea would retain the title, with Man U a close second, & I still think so now despite Chelsea's bad patch (three defeats in four games) though now it looks like Man City are contenders. Arsenal arguably still play the most attractive football, but are not good enough without the ball & there are still question marks about the goalkeeper. Spurs & Liverpool will still have a say on the title race but are too inconsistent.
Two events I really enjoyed this month: Wales v South Africa was a fantastic spectacle of open rugby. Steve Beaton's win over Phil Taylor in the Grand Slam of Darts QF was an epic comeback. From 13-9 down, Beaton won 16-14, in a high quality match of heavy scoring & massive outshots.
Two events I really enjoyed this month: Wales v South Africa was a fantastic spectacle of open rugby. Steve Beaton's win over Phil Taylor in the Grand Slam of Darts QF was an epic comeback. From 13-9 down, Beaton won 16-14, in a high quality match of heavy scoring & massive outshots.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
The End for Fred (& the Fed?)
Sad to see that Flintoff has retired from cricket. When the other England bowlers were being hit all over the park, Flintoff was the go-to guy, who could keep things tight &/or make the decisive breakthrough with a wicket. With his larger than life personality, the Preston lad is truly a cult hero, & apparently a champion of carousing too –most infamously hiding the after-effects with dark glasses for the 2005 Ashes victory open-top bus parade.
US Open Tennis
So much for the theory that hardcourts are Nadal’s worst surface (due to the pounding on his knees). His domination of the big events this year has been astounding. Quarters in Australia, then semis or better in all the Slams & Masters events, except for Cincinatti (QF). In the July blog I tipped the Fed to bounce back in the US hardcout season. He was runner up in Toronto & won in Cincinnati; I expected him to make the final at the Open, but for once Djokovic got the better of him at Flushing. I wonder whether he can still win Slams. Andy Murray’s 3rd round exit was a worry for British fans hoping he can win his first Slam. Every time he seems poised to win a major, he loses a match he’s expected to win-Cilic, Wawrinka, Roddick. Still, I would love him to prove me wrong.
US Open Tennis
So much for the theory that hardcourts are Nadal’s worst surface (due to the pounding on his knees). His domination of the big events this year has been astounding. Quarters in Australia, then semis or better in all the Slams & Masters events, except for Cincinatti (QF). In the July blog I tipped the Fed to bounce back in the US hardcout season. He was runner up in Toronto & won in Cincinnati; I expected him to make the final at the Open, but for once Djokovic got the better of him at Flushing. I wonder whether he can still win Slams. Andy Murray’s 3rd round exit was a worry for British fans hoping he can win his first Slam. Every time he seems poised to win a major, he loses a match he’s expected to win-Cilic, Wawrinka, Roddick. Still, I would love him to prove me wrong.
Monday 13 September 2010
Put Your Money on Madrid
Predictions for UCL ahead of the start of the group stage
Barca will still be comfortably the best passing team on the planet, & are once again faves with the bookies. But do Barca have a plan B if opponents 'park the bus' & they can’t break the defence down with their passing game?
It's dangerous to read too much into one game, but the holders, Inter, lost the Super Cup to Atletico Madrid. Their new manager, Benitez, of course has a very good Euro record (1 Uefa Cup, as well as winner & RU in UCL) though.
What of the British teams’ chances?
Spurs have tough group & will do well to make the knockout stages, while Rangers have it even tougher.
Chelsea will be strong again, but what will they do if their talisman Drogba gets injured?
Man Utd & Arsenal will flatter to deceive, but I can’t see them getting past the quarters.
Which leaves (Real) Madrid. Is it asking too much for even the 'special one' to deliver the big prize in his first season in charge? However, if anyone can coach Madrid to improve their defence it's Mourinho, & they're not lacking in attack with Kaka & Ronaldo now joined by Mesut Ozil. They drew their first game in La Liga (away to Mallorca), but by the time of the knock-out stages Jose will have sorted the team shape & tactics.
Barca will still be comfortably the best passing team on the planet, & are once again faves with the bookies. But do Barca have a plan B if opponents 'park the bus' & they can’t break the defence down with their passing game?
It's dangerous to read too much into one game, but the holders, Inter, lost the Super Cup to Atletico Madrid. Their new manager, Benitez, of course has a very good Euro record (1 Uefa Cup, as well as winner & RU in UCL) though.
What of the British teams’ chances?
Spurs have tough group & will do well to make the knockout stages, while Rangers have it even tougher.
Chelsea will be strong again, but what will they do if their talisman Drogba gets injured?
Man Utd & Arsenal will flatter to deceive, but I can’t see them getting past the quarters.
Which leaves (Real) Madrid. Is it asking too much for even the 'special one' to deliver the big prize in his first season in charge? However, if anyone can coach Madrid to improve their defence it's Mourinho, & they're not lacking in attack with Kaka & Ronaldo now joined by Mesut Ozil. They drew their first game in La Liga (away to Mallorca), but by the time of the knock-out stages Jose will have sorted the team shape & tactics.
Monday 5 July 2010
The German Mentality
Germany arguably do not have more talented players than England, but they consistently outperform us in the big tournaments. If only England had their mentality. Players like Klose are of the same generation as Lampard & Gerrard, but they have delivered when it matters. Everyone knows Germany’s World Cup record is awesome, but their recent tournament record is exceptional. Apart from Euro 2004, where they didnt get out of the group stage, they over-achieved to reach the 2002 final; then semis in 2006 (though with home advantage) ,runners-up at Euro 2008 & now semis again. Their 4-0 win over Argentina makes the English defeat look slightly better. Once again they were able to soak up pressure & were devastating on the counter.
I expected Brazil to beat Spain in the final, but they self-destructed against Holland. Still no African team has reached a WC semi-final.
No-one could have predicted both France, & the holders Italy, going out at the group stage, & both finishing bottom of their groups.
Wimbledon
In November I was at the O2 for the Masters & saw Djokovic comfortably take care of Nadal. In fact Rafa lost all his matches in straight sets. So it’s quite incredible how he has regained the no. 1 spot & again done the French-Wimbledon double. At the moment, it;’s difficult to see anyone challenging him (maybe Del Potro, if he can regain his previous level after wrist surgery)
, & assuming his knees hold up, he can set his sights on Federer’s record no. of Slams, he’s already half-way there with 8 majors.
Many commentators are wondering whether its time to start writing Federer's obituary. His incredible streak of 23 consecutive Slam semis having been broken, he's now made two Slam QF exits in a row. I'm not writing him off though, & am expecting to bounce back at the US hardcourt season & the US Open.
Andy Murray came up short in the semi v Rafa. Nadal played the big points better- taking the only break point in the 1st set, but he also benefited from a net cord in the 2nd set tiebreak. Murray is very close to winning a Slam but i do wonder if his groundstrokes are big enough.-he can’t blast opponents off the court like Soderling or Berdych. The latter is someone whose low ranking i always found a puzzle, considering he has wins over Roger & Rafa. But this year he's finally broken into the top ten, reaching the French semis & the final here at SW19.
Laura Robson, ranked 234 prior to Wimbledon, again put up a good fight against a much higher ranked opponent (no. 4 Jankovic) but lost in straight sets. I was surprised to read an article in the Guardian that Wozniacki is the only teenager currently in the top 25. The WTA top 20 average is 26, 5 years older than it was in 1990. Many prodigies in the womens game have won slams/cracked the top ten at an early age-Capriati, Seles, Graf, Hingis, Sabatini, Sanchez-Vicario, the Williamses etc. But lately with the Williams sisters, the Belgians coming out of retirement, the top players are extending their careers into their late twenties & beyond. With her talent I think Robson can make top 50 at the least, & with the higher average age of the top players, has time on her side.
I expected Brazil to beat Spain in the final, but they self-destructed against Holland. Still no African team has reached a WC semi-final.
No-one could have predicted both France, & the holders Italy, going out at the group stage, & both finishing bottom of their groups.
Wimbledon
In November I was at the O2 for the Masters & saw Djokovic comfortably take care of Nadal. In fact Rafa lost all his matches in straight sets. So it’s quite incredible how he has regained the no. 1 spot & again done the French-Wimbledon double. At the moment, it;’s difficult to see anyone challenging him (maybe Del Potro, if he can regain his previous level after wrist surgery)
, & assuming his knees hold up, he can set his sights on Federer’s record no. of Slams, he’s already half-way there with 8 majors.
Many commentators are wondering whether its time to start writing Federer's obituary. His incredible streak of 23 consecutive Slam semis having been broken, he's now made two Slam QF exits in a row. I'm not writing him off though, & am expecting to bounce back at the US hardcourt season & the US Open.
Andy Murray came up short in the semi v Rafa. Nadal played the big points better- taking the only break point in the 1st set, but he also benefited from a net cord in the 2nd set tiebreak. Murray is very close to winning a Slam but i do wonder if his groundstrokes are big enough.-he can’t blast opponents off the court like Soderling or Berdych. The latter is someone whose low ranking i always found a puzzle, considering he has wins over Roger & Rafa. But this year he's finally broken into the top ten, reaching the French semis & the final here at SW19.
Laura Robson, ranked 234 prior to Wimbledon, again put up a good fight against a much higher ranked opponent (no. 4 Jankovic) but lost in straight sets. I was surprised to read an article in the Guardian that Wozniacki is the only teenager currently in the top 25. The WTA top 20 average is 26, 5 years older than it was in 1990. Many prodigies in the womens game have won slams/cracked the top ten at an early age-Capriati, Seles, Graf, Hingis, Sabatini, Sanchez-Vicario, the Williamses etc. But lately with the Williams sisters, the Belgians coming out of retirement, the top players are extending their careers into their late twenties & beyond. With her talent I think Robson can make top 50 at the least, & with the higher average age of the top players, has time on her side.
Sunday 28 March 2010
Decline & Fall
UCL QFs
Its’ the UCL QFS this week, & the round of 16 saw a couple of shocks.
Real Madrid have now gone out in the last 16 for the 6th year in succession. In recent years they have been vulnerable defensively. The biggest mistake Real made in that time was not offering Claude Makele an improved contract. Since he left, they haven’t replaced him with a defensive midfielder of similar quality, & in fact since they sold him have never gone past the UCL QFs. Still, it defies belief to think a team with both Ronaldo & Kaka can’t get past the 1st knockout round.
Inter thwarted Abramovich's dreams of glory for another year. Once Inter had a first leg lead against Chelsea, if you were to bet on any side to keep a clean sheet, it would be a Mourinho team.
Barca & Man U, the betting favourites, are in opposite halves of the draw & I think will both get through, for a repeat of last year’s final.
Davis Cup Disaster
British tennis reached its nadir with the 3-2 Davis Cup loss to Lithuania. The contrast with the strength in depth of men’s tennis with the leading Euro nations (Spain, France, Germany) is obvious.
I don’t believe the common opinion that GB players fail as they tend to be middle class & so don’t have the hunger to succeed. Henman is from a comfortable middle class background & got to no. 4 in the world, & Murray is similar. British tennis is undoubtedly too elitist though. Two courts in the local park were taken over by the local tennis club (they can still be booked by the public through the club, but its hardly widely advertised). Widening the participation at grassroots level to reach more of those from less comfortable backgrounds cannot do any harm.
Apart from Murray, the womens side is healthier with both Baltacha & Keothavong reaching the main draw of Indian Wells this month; & the talents for the future of Laura Robson & Heather Watson (junior Wimbledon & US Open winners respectively)
Its’ the UCL QFS this week, & the round of 16 saw a couple of shocks.
Real Madrid have now gone out in the last 16 for the 6th year in succession. In recent years they have been vulnerable defensively. The biggest mistake Real made in that time was not offering Claude Makele an improved contract. Since he left, they haven’t replaced him with a defensive midfielder of similar quality, & in fact since they sold him have never gone past the UCL QFs. Still, it defies belief to think a team with both Ronaldo & Kaka can’t get past the 1st knockout round.
Inter thwarted Abramovich's dreams of glory for another year. Once Inter had a first leg lead against Chelsea, if you were to bet on any side to keep a clean sheet, it would be a Mourinho team.
Barca & Man U, the betting favourites, are in opposite halves of the draw & I think will both get through, for a repeat of last year’s final.
Davis Cup Disaster
British tennis reached its nadir with the 3-2 Davis Cup loss to Lithuania. The contrast with the strength in depth of men’s tennis with the leading Euro nations (Spain, France, Germany) is obvious.
I don’t believe the common opinion that GB players fail as they tend to be middle class & so don’t have the hunger to succeed. Henman is from a comfortable middle class background & got to no. 4 in the world, & Murray is similar. British tennis is undoubtedly too elitist though. Two courts in the local park were taken over by the local tennis club (they can still be booked by the public through the club, but its hardly widely advertised). Widening the participation at grassroots level to reach more of those from less comfortable backgrounds cannot do any harm.
Apart from Murray, the womens side is healthier with both Baltacha & Keothavong reaching the main draw of Indian Wells this month; & the talents for the future of Laura Robson & Heather Watson (junior Wimbledon & US Open winners respectively)
Sunday 17 January 2010
Return of the Ronster
This is my first post in ages-long hiatus due to buying & moving into a flat…
After years of total domination by the Big Four, this year's Premiership has been a welcome change with the increased competition. Man City, Villa & Spurs are threatening the established pecking order. Vila have beaten Liverpool, Man U & Chelsea this season. The so-called lesser sides have also taken points off the Big Four- Wigan, Burnley. The result is that with 20 games played Man U have already lost 5 games. But they have suffered badly with injuries to their defence. Chelsea could lose points with Essien, Drogba & Mikel away at the African Cup., Meanwhile Arsenal have capitalised on recent slip-ups by Chels & MU , with 5 wins & a draw since the 3-0 home loss to Chelsea, but then were held to a draw by Everton. Liverpool have a lot of work to do just to get into the last Champions League spot. I’m still sticking by my pre-season prediction that the title will be between Chelsea & MU, with the Blues edging it.
The FA Cup Third round saw no upsets on the Saturday. Then United lost to Leeds on the Sunday, & Liverpool lost their replay to Reading. It’s the first time in 50 years both teams have gone out in R3.
Australian Open
Andy Murray, seeded 5, has a tough draw- Nadal in the quarters & then potentially Del Potro in the semi. Will Federer reach an incedible 23rd consecutive (!!) Slam semi. He’s seeded to meet Davydenko in the quarters, who recently broke his duck against Roger & has now beaten him twice on the trot; after that Djokovic is seeded for the semi.
Clijsters & Henin contested the Brisbane final, Clijsters winning the 3rd set breaker. I think these two will be a familiar sight in the next few years playing each other in the semis & finals of the Slams. Henin has a tricky draw, & will probably face Dementieva in the 2nd round. The Russian is probably the fittest player on the womens tour, & Henin could suffer with the heat, given that Melbourne had a record high night temperature this week.
Tips for the titles: Clijsters & Del Potro.
After years of total domination by the Big Four, this year's Premiership has been a welcome change with the increased competition. Man City, Villa & Spurs are threatening the established pecking order. Vila have beaten Liverpool, Man U & Chelsea this season. The so-called lesser sides have also taken points off the Big Four- Wigan, Burnley. The result is that with 20 games played Man U have already lost 5 games. But they have suffered badly with injuries to their defence. Chelsea could lose points with Essien, Drogba & Mikel away at the African Cup., Meanwhile Arsenal have capitalised on recent slip-ups by Chels & MU , with 5 wins & a draw since the 3-0 home loss to Chelsea, but then were held to a draw by Everton. Liverpool have a lot of work to do just to get into the last Champions League spot. I’m still sticking by my pre-season prediction that the title will be between Chelsea & MU, with the Blues edging it.
The FA Cup Third round saw no upsets on the Saturday. Then United lost to Leeds on the Sunday, & Liverpool lost their replay to Reading. It’s the first time in 50 years both teams have gone out in R3.
Australian Open
Andy Murray, seeded 5, has a tough draw- Nadal in the quarters & then potentially Del Potro in the semi. Will Federer reach an incedible 23rd consecutive (!!) Slam semi. He’s seeded to meet Davydenko in the quarters, who recently broke his duck against Roger & has now beaten him twice on the trot; after that Djokovic is seeded for the semi.
Clijsters & Henin contested the Brisbane final, Clijsters winning the 3rd set breaker. I think these two will be a familiar sight in the next few years playing each other in the semis & finals of the Slams. Henin has a tricky draw, & will probably face Dementieva in the 2nd round. The Russian is probably the fittest player on the womens tour, & Henin could suffer with the heat, given that Melbourne had a record high night temperature this week.
Tips for the titles: Clijsters & Del Potro.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)