Djoker Top of the World Down Under

Novak Djokovic was just too good for Murray in the Australian Open final. This ES article

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/andy-murrays-real-pain-is-playing-in-such-a-golden-era-8469326.html

had a rather negative statistic about Murray losing five out of six Grand Slam finals. However, losing to Fed three times & twice to Djokovic is hardly a poor showing. You could say that in fact winning even one final is a great achievement, in this golden age of excellence where tennis is being taken to new levels of athleticism.

The same article did point out , that in their first Slam finals, Nadal & Federer faced easier opposition on paper, against lower ranked opponents. Whereas it used to be rare, nowadays it's unusual for the Big Four, or the top four seeds in the absence of Nadal, not to make it through to the semis of every Slam.

At the moment, it's hard to look beyond Murray & Djokovic contesting more Slam finals. Federer might be able to upset one of them at Roland Garros or maybe both at Wimbledon. The other big intangible is the state of Rafa Nadal's knees. He's due to make his tournament comeback next week in Vina del Mar, Chile. Will he be able to get back to his former level, & can his knee joints withstand the pounding of seven consecutive best -of five set matches ?

Performance of the Month

Djokovic.

Honourable Mentions:

Phil Taylor, still got it at 52, & now owner of 16 world titles.

Mark Selby, Masters snooker champ. ‘The Jester’ is as sharp on the green baize as he is in the sartorial stakes.

Going Out at the Top

So much for my skills as a tipster. In my last post, I predicted a Liverpool-Barcelona Champions League final. I also tipped Mark Selby to win the snooker world championship. Selby was knocked out in the first round. I picked the eventual champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan from the bottom half, but mentioned his 'fragile temperament'. No sign of that as the Rocket won all his matches by considerable margins(5, 6, 6, 11 & 10 frames). Moving on...



Henin

Justine Henin shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement at the age of 25. Henin is the first woman player to retire while still ranked no. 1 in the world, and would surely have been the betting favourite for the French Open (starts May 25). As I've mentioned in previous posts, Henin was arguably the most technically gifted player on the WTA tour, and had the best backhand in the game. Henin won seven Grand Slams in her career. She will now devote her time to her tennis academy & her charitable Foundation. The only comparable tennis retirement is Borg, who also retired at 25, having recently lost his no. 1 spot to McEnroe.

Rafael Nadal has said this week he expects to lose his no. 2 ranking to Djokovic. On current form, it seems a only a question of when, rather than if, the Serbian becomes world no. 1. However, unless it was kidology by Nadal, it was unexpected for him to be pessimistic, but he does have a mass of ranking points to defend over the coming months. Nadal plays Carlos Moya in the Hamburg Masters later today, & the winner will play Djokovic in the semis tomorrow (Saturday).

FAC & UCL



Viewing figures for the cup finals this week will be interesting. Will an FA Cup Final without the Big Four, or any other of the other traditional glamour clubs (Spurs, Everton, Villa etc) pull in the viewers ? It does make a refreshing change that none of the Big Four have made the final this year. You would expect ITV to get a high audience share for the all-English European Cup/Champions League final. Pompey should have just too much class & experience for Cardiff, 2-1 Pompey win. I'm expecting a tense, tight game Wednesday, which Chelsea can nick by one goal.

Predictions

Calzaghe v Hopkins

I expect Calzaghe to beat Hopkins tonight. Hopkins great defensive skills should prevent a knockout, but Calzaghe's superior workrate should ensure a comfortable points victory.

If Hopkins wins, he would love a big money rematch with Roy Jones. Jones beat him on points in 1993 (!) but has looked a spent force in recent fights, lacking the lightning reflexes he displayed at the height of his career. Calzaghe has talked about one more fight if he wins, but I think he should retire after this. He has nothing left to prove after his standout wins against Lacy & Kessler, & could retire undefeated.

World Snooker

I’m tipping Mark Selby to win. ‘The Jester’ has already won two tournaments this year, & is a tough competitor- in the Masters he won three matches in final frame deciders. On the other side of the draw, Ronnie O’Sullivan is as always the favourite with the bookmakers, but I think he could be undone by his fragile temperament.

UCL

It's Groundhog Day in the semis of the Uefa Champions League with Liverpool playing Chelsea for the third time in four years. The force always seem to be with the Reds in Europe, although Chelsea & Avram Grant will be desperate to reach the final for the first time. Liverpool to go through by the odd goal.

Barcelona will have Messi & Deco back in the squad for the Man Utd game. Messi came on as as sub in the derby today(0-0). Man U’s squad & strength in depth look formidable on paper, but I reckon Barca will be inspired by playing what is arguably the best team in the world at the moment. Barca on away goals.