French Open
Considering Djokovic is on a 39 match win streak, I was surprised to see that Nadal is still favourite with the bookies for the French Open.
Prior to this year, he had never beaten Nadal on clay, now he has done it twice (Madrid & Rome finals). The question is whether he can do it over five sets.
In the past, some commentators have (harshly) has questioned his attitude due to several high profile retirements, eg Wimbledon 2007 semi v Nadal, with foot blisters (though his previous two rounds were five & four hour matches respectively v Baghdatis & Hewitt ) & 2009 Aus Open (v Roddick) with heat exhaustion. Clearly there’s nothing wrong with the mental side of his game now. Serbia’s Davis Cup victory in December has been the catalyst for this amazing run which has pushed Federer down to no. 3 in the rankings
I think the Djoker can stay unbeaten until the grasscout season, surpassing Vilas’ record (46 straight wins) in the process.
Sharapova has returned to her best form recently, achieving her best ever result on clay in winning Rome, & is back in the top ten. Wozniacki will again be trying to justify her no. 1 ranking by breaking her duck at the majors, but for me Clijsters is still favourite to win her first title at Roland Garros.
Champions League Final
This year sees a dream final, between the two teams who have been consistently the best two club sides in the world over the last four years or so. The Reds play their 3rd final in four years, Barca’s sequence since 2008 reads semi, final, semi, final. Man U are domestic champs for the 4th time in five years, & Barca completed a league threepeat this year. Hopefully Barcelona will not repeat the diving & histrionics which marred their semi with Madrid; & instead showcase their ability as the undisputed masters of the possession game. If Man U can cut off the supply to Leo Messi, they still have to cope with Villa, Iniesta, Xavi …
Barca to win 2-1.
Showing posts with label Clijsters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clijsters. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Djoker Tops the Pack
Although not at his very best today, Murray was outclassed by Djokovic. Murray has not won a set in his three Slam final appearances, a big worry for his fans. His talent is unquestioned, but as I blogged in my July post, he seems to have no answer when he’s being outhit. Djokovic did play an incredible match (and tournament), his retrieving was in the same class as Rafa at his best, & he was able to hit winners while doing the splits from way behind the baseline.
In my September blog I worried that the Fed may not win another Slam. He has now lost two Slam SFs in a row to Djokovic. Notwithstanding his victory at the Tour Finals, last week's results just reinforce my view that another major will elude him. Arguably Djokovic was fortunate to win in five sets in the Flushing SF, but here he won in straight sets. Federer wasn’t hitting his spots on serve, which has often got him out of trouble in the past. Rog will still have a great chance at Wimbledon, where only a select few of the top players are comfortable.
Nadal lost in the QFs, as he did last year. If Rafa can stay largely injury-free, he will still be the man on clay , & I’m still tipping him to be the year-end no. 1.
The hoary old argument that women don’t deserve equal money was blown out of the water here. The second longest match of the tournament, 4 hr 44 min, was Kuznetsova-Schiavone (4th round, 16-14 in the 5th) a new record for a womens Slam match.
Is it the end of an era in the womens game? Venus Williams retired from a Slam with injury for the first time, & there’s still no sign of Serena making a comeback. Sadly Henin has taken doctors’ advice to retire due to her elbow injury, as I’ve said before, my favourite woman player with her volleying ability & sublime backhand. Like Murray, Wozniacki’s wait for a Major title continues, but this despite her being world no. 1. Before winning the final, Clijsters had announced this would her last full-time year on Tour, perhaps Wozniacki won’t be too pleased to hear she’ll be back to defend the title next year.
In my September blog I worried that the Fed may not win another Slam. He has now lost two Slam SFs in a row to Djokovic. Notwithstanding his victory at the Tour Finals, last week's results just reinforce my view that another major will elude him. Arguably Djokovic was fortunate to win in five sets in the Flushing SF, but here he won in straight sets. Federer wasn’t hitting his spots on serve, which has often got him out of trouble in the past. Rog will still have a great chance at Wimbledon, where only a select few of the top players are comfortable.
Nadal lost in the QFs, as he did last year. If Rafa can stay largely injury-free, he will still be the man on clay , & I’m still tipping him to be the year-end no. 1.
The hoary old argument that women don’t deserve equal money was blown out of the water here. The second longest match of the tournament, 4 hr 44 min, was Kuznetsova-Schiavone (4th round, 16-14 in the 5th) a new record for a womens Slam match.
Is it the end of an era in the womens game? Venus Williams retired from a Slam with injury for the first time, & there’s still no sign of Serena making a comeback. Sadly Henin has taken doctors’ advice to retire due to her elbow injury, as I’ve said before, my favourite woman player with her volleying ability & sublime backhand. Like Murray, Wozniacki’s wait for a Major title continues, but this despite her being world no. 1. Before winning the final, Clijsters had announced this would her last full-time year on Tour, perhaps Wozniacki won’t be too pleased to hear she’ll be back to defend the title next year.
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.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
The Belgians
I'm feeling smug: I tipped Kim Clijsters for the top 5 & to be a Slam contender in my 18 Aug blog. I never expected her to win the US Open, but who did, in only her third comeback tournament ? I was also musing how great it would be if Henin came back as well. Guess what ? This week Henin called a press conference to announce her comeback. Henin said Clijster's’ success was only a small part of her decision to unretire, though announcing it only a week after the US Open suggests it played a much larger part in her decision than she is letting on.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
New Season
My predictions for the Premiership:
This year again, only the Big Four can win the title. Man City's squad seems top-heavy with strikers & they will need to massively improve on their away form from last season. They will get some good results but i can't see them being consistent enough. Arsenal have talent & the promise of youngsters like Wilshere for the future. Their midfield looks too lightweight to me, they need someone in the Viera mould who can boss the midfield. Liverpool will up at the top again this year, but they lack adequate cover for Torres. Which leaves the usual suspects: Man U & Chelsea. Man U are bound to miss Ronaldo's goals & assists, though they will hardly be struggling for goals with Rooney, Berbatov & Owen. Chelsea can grind out the title, but it will be close, by not more than 5 points.
WTA & ATP
Kim Clijsters' first tournament since her comeback ended with a QF loss in Cincinnati to world no. 1 Safina, a great effort. Clijsters looks like a sure bet to return to the top five & be a Slam contender again. If only her fellow Belgian Justine Henin is now tempted to come out of retirement, it would be fantastic for the womens' game.
Andy Muray has a chance today to overtake Nadal as world no. 2. Rafa lost in the Montreal QFs to del Potro, Murray plays Tsonga (who beat Federer in the quarters) in the semi, if AM wins he'll be the new world no. 2.
This year again, only the Big Four can win the title. Man City's squad seems top-heavy with strikers & they will need to massively improve on their away form from last season. They will get some good results but i can't see them being consistent enough. Arsenal have talent & the promise of youngsters like Wilshere for the future. Their midfield looks too lightweight to me, they need someone in the Viera mould who can boss the midfield. Liverpool will up at the top again this year, but they lack adequate cover for Torres. Which leaves the usual suspects: Man U & Chelsea. Man U are bound to miss Ronaldo's goals & assists, though they will hardly be struggling for goals with Rooney, Berbatov & Owen. Chelsea can grind out the title, but it will be close, by not more than 5 points.
WTA & ATP
Kim Clijsters' first tournament since her comeback ended with a QF loss in Cincinnati to world no. 1 Safina, a great effort. Clijsters looks like a sure bet to return to the top five & be a Slam contender again. If only her fellow Belgian Justine Henin is now tempted to come out of retirement, it would be fantastic for the womens' game.
Andy Muray has a chance today to overtake Nadal as world no. 2. Rafa lost in the Montreal QFs to del Potro, Murray plays Tsonga (who beat Federer in the quarters) in the semi, if AM wins he'll be the new world no. 2.
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