July review
Amir Khan’s five round demolition of Zab Judah keeps him firmly on course for a megabucks showdown with Floyd Mayweather next year. Judah, though 33 & with six losses on his record, had previously only lost to top drawer opposition (Kostya Tszyu, Mayweather etc).
On the same night, the British heavy title fight between Tyson Fury & Dereck Chisora exemplified the best of boxing. It only takes one punch with the heavyweights to turn a fight, but in this contest both fighters were even more vulnerable. Fury was wobbled in the 2nd & Chisora was often under sustained barrages, but both fighters showed their guts with fightbacks from the brink of defeat. In the end the fight went the distance, with mutual respect enhanced, & Fury took a well-deserved points victory.
In my last blog I introduced a new feature, which, given the frequency which I write this blog, I’m going to rechristen:
Performance of the Month
For pure sporting achievement, Cadel Evans win in the Tour de France, after twice finishing second, could take top spot. Honourable mention to Mark Cavendish for winning five stages & the green jersey for the first time.
It wasn’t just Cav, July was a great month for the Brits. There was British success at the world swimming championships with golds for Becky Adlington, Liam Tancock & Keri-Anne Payne; Michael Phelps also added to his extensive medal collection, though Ryan Lochte got the better of him twice (200 free & 200 IM).
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button won the German & Hungarian GPs respectively.
The England cricket team are 2-0 up in the Test series against India, Stuart Broad in particular has stood out with both bat & ball, taking up the all-rounders mantle of Botham & Flintoff.
But my perf of the month goes to Darren Clarke. The amiable Northern Irishman has had to deal with well documented personal tragedy, & his win at the Open was his first major at the age of 42, having been a 200-1 shot with the bookies before the tournament.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Dig the New Breed
Wimbleon Review
The Men’s final showcased a new brand of tennis, with incredible retrieving and returning, and maybe the tennis of the future at the top level. The contrast could not be greater than with the serve-dominated finals of the past, like Sampras v Ivanisevic 1998. I think there was only one serve-volley point in the whole match (when Djokovic was serving it out) and then it was only as a surprise weapon.
Mats Wilander was considered exceptional when he won three of the four majors in 1988. Now it’s almost commonplace. Federer has done it three times (2004, 06, 07) & Rafa did it last year. It’s a tough call now to bet against Nole doing the same this year.
If it wasn’t tough enough for Murray trying to win a Slam with Fed & Nadal around, now you have Djokovic, who has raised his level to leapfrog Roger & Rafa to world no. 1, & now astonishingly won 50 of his last 51 singles matches.
Petra Kvitova was the surprise ladies champion. Her big lefty serve should see her as a regular finalist for the next few years. While reaching the final was a welcome return to form for Sharapova, I wonder if it’s the end of an era with both Wiliams sisters going out in the fourth round. Serena reaching that stage after such a long injury lay-off was no mean feat however, & if she can continue to improve her fitness, I wouldn’t want to rule her out of contention for the US Open.
There was one Brit in a Wimbledon singles final this year, Liam Broady was the boys' runner-up, the best British performance since Miles Kasiri in 2004 .It’s notoriously difficult to predict whether a junior will be a success in the pro ranks. Although Federer & Edberg are past winners of the boys' titles, there is a far longer list of ex-junior champions who haven’t set the pro ranks on fire. Only time will tell whether Broady is another Murray, or another Kasiri (who peaked at 504 in the world rankings), though he does seem to have a good temperament.
Time for an exciting new feature, readers (yes, both of you)
Performance of the Week
This week I’m going for Tommy Voeckler, for his strength & guts in living with the climbers through the Pyrenees, & so holding onto the yellow jersey.
The Men’s final showcased a new brand of tennis, with incredible retrieving and returning, and maybe the tennis of the future at the top level. The contrast could not be greater than with the serve-dominated finals of the past, like Sampras v Ivanisevic 1998. I think there was only one serve-volley point in the whole match (when Djokovic was serving it out) and then it was only as a surprise weapon.
Mats Wilander was considered exceptional when he won three of the four majors in 1988. Now it’s almost commonplace. Federer has done it three times (2004, 06, 07) & Rafa did it last year. It’s a tough call now to bet against Nole doing the same this year.
If it wasn’t tough enough for Murray trying to win a Slam with Fed & Nadal around, now you have Djokovic, who has raised his level to leapfrog Roger & Rafa to world no. 1, & now astonishingly won 50 of his last 51 singles matches.
Petra Kvitova was the surprise ladies champion. Her big lefty serve should see her as a regular finalist for the next few years. While reaching the final was a welcome return to form for Sharapova, I wonder if it’s the end of an era with both Wiliams sisters going out in the fourth round. Serena reaching that stage after such a long injury lay-off was no mean feat however, & if she can continue to improve her fitness, I wouldn’t want to rule her out of contention for the US Open.
There was one Brit in a Wimbledon singles final this year, Liam Broady was the boys' runner-up, the best British performance since Miles Kasiri in 2004 .It’s notoriously difficult to predict whether a junior will be a success in the pro ranks. Although Federer & Edberg are past winners of the boys' titles, there is a far longer list of ex-junior champions who haven’t set the pro ranks on fire. Only time will tell whether Broady is another Murray, or another Kasiri (who peaked at 504 in the world rankings), though he does seem to have a good temperament.
Time for an exciting new feature, readers (yes, both of you)
Performance of the Week
This week I’m going for Tommy Voeckler, for his strength & guts in living with the climbers through the Pyrenees, & so holding onto the yellow jersey.
Friday, 17 June 2011
A Class Apart
Champions League final
Barcelona’s victory was the most convincing display I’ve ever seen in a final. A work colleague thought Man U would have been disappointed to lose it. Nonsense. Barcelona are so far ahead of anyone else it's no disgrace losing to them. If they carry this form on into next season, surely no-one can deny they deserve to be ranked among the all-time great teams: the DiStefano Real Madrid side of the 50's, Cruyff's Total Football Ajax team who won a hat-trick of titles in the 70's, or the Milan of Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard (winners 89,90)
Wimbledon
Despite just coming off a year-long injury lay-off, Serena Williams is the bookies' favourite for the title, which shows both what a great athlete & competitor she is, but also the poor state at the very top of the womens game. Serena has won a slam before in similar circumstances- 2007 Aussie Open when ranked 81 in the world. She’s in the top half with Sharapova, & I think the winner of that semi will lift the title.
On the mens’ side, Nadal & Federer are in opposite halves of the draw & I can see them meeting in the final, with Rafa triumphant.
What chances of British glory ? I was saying to a mate last week there was no strength in depth with the men. Then James Ward made the semis at Queens. Ward faces Llodra, an exponent of the dying art of serve & volley, in the first round. I think Llodra will come through in five tough sets.
Two of the women have been drawn together, apart from that I think Watson has a good chance of reaching the second round.
Murray has a tough draw, if it goes as projected, from r3 it would be Cilic, Gasquet(or Wawrinka), Roddick & if he gets past that lot in one piece then Nadal. I think he will do very well to get to the semi with Rafa.
Barcelona’s victory was the most convincing display I’ve ever seen in a final. A work colleague thought Man U would have been disappointed to lose it. Nonsense. Barcelona are so far ahead of anyone else it's no disgrace losing to them. If they carry this form on into next season, surely no-one can deny they deserve to be ranked among the all-time great teams: the DiStefano Real Madrid side of the 50's, Cruyff's Total Football Ajax team who won a hat-trick of titles in the 70's, or the Milan of Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard (winners 89,90)
Wimbledon
Despite just coming off a year-long injury lay-off, Serena Williams is the bookies' favourite for the title, which shows both what a great athlete & competitor she is, but also the poor state at the very top of the womens game. Serena has won a slam before in similar circumstances- 2007 Aussie Open when ranked 81 in the world. She’s in the top half with Sharapova, & I think the winner of that semi will lift the title.
On the mens’ side, Nadal & Federer are in opposite halves of the draw & I can see them meeting in the final, with Rafa triumphant.
What chances of British glory ? I was saying to a mate last week there was no strength in depth with the men. Then James Ward made the semis at Queens. Ward faces Llodra, an exponent of the dying art of serve & volley, in the first round. I think Llodra will come through in five tough sets.
Two of the women have been drawn together, apart from that I think Watson has a good chance of reaching the second round.
Murray has a tough draw, if it goes as projected, from r3 it would be Cilic, Gasquet(or Wawrinka), Roddick & if he gets past that lot in one piece then Nadal. I think he will do very well to get to the semi with Rafa.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
The Streak
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.
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.
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, 19 December 2010
Hope and Redemption
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.
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.
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.
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