Djokovic moves into Masters Cup final
November 15, 2008
Novak Djokovic has won a thrilling semifinal match at the Masters Cup in Shanghai to claim a finals berth. He defeated Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
He now awaits the winner of the Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Murray semi.
The final will be played on Sunday in Shanghai.
Murray sends Federer packing in Shanghai
November 15, 2008
Andy Murray had already qualified for the Masters Cup semis in Shanghai when he met Roger Federer in the final match of group play. For Federer to join him he needed to defeat the player he defeated at the US Open.
As it turned out Murray eliminated the former champion with a 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 win over Federer. It took Murray eight match points before he finally got the job done. He will now face Nikolay Davydenko for a spot in the finals.
If Murray can win the tournament he will pocket 1.34 million. For Federer it ends a mixed season. He lost his no. 1 ranking to Nadal as well as the Wimbledon crown but he did win his fifth straight US Open title and a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the doubles.
Davydenko advances to Masters Cup semifinals
November 14, 2008
World no. 5 Nikolay Davydenko has advanced to the Masters Cup semifinals in Shanghai after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 6-3, 6-2. He advanced along with Gold Group winner Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic lost his match to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga however the result did not matter as the Davydenko-del Potro match would decide who advanced to the semis.
In the Red Group Roger Federer will need to defeat Andy Murray to book his spot in the semis. Federer is fighting Gilles Simon who plays Radek Stepanek, for the remaining semi berth. Murray has already qualified.
Murray books Masters Cup semi spot, Federer hangs in
November 13, 2008
Andy Murray racked up his third successive win over Gilles Simon with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in 94 minutes at the Masters Cup in Shanghai. The win takes him to 2-0 in his group and gives him a semi spot.
Roger Federer defeated stand-in player Radek Stepanek, 7-6(4), 6-4 to stay in contention for the title. Stepanek replaced Andy Roddick who hurt his ankle.
Gamba Osaka are the new kings of Asia
November 13, 2008
Gamba Osaka have comprehensively defeated Adelaide United to claim the Asian Champions League title for 2008. The team from Japan scored two goals in the first half to take the aggregate to 5-0 after they had won 3-0 in Osaka last week.
For Adelaide to make the final was an achievement in itself as they have a lot smaller operating budget compared to their JLeague opponents.
Read more about the Asian Champions League.
Venus bags WTA Championships final
November 11, 2008
Playing in her first ever season ending WTA championships final Venus Williams has walked away the victor. She played another first time finalist in Russia’s Vera Zvonareva. Both players reached the final undefeated.
Zvonareva started strong winning a tie-break 7-5 to take the first set. She could not then go on with things and Williams steamrolled her in set two and three to take the match 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-2.
Anelka double puts Chelsea back on top of EPL
November 11, 2008
Nicolas Anelka has scored the only two goals in the match between Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers. The double made him equal top goal scorer in the English Premier League.
Chelsea are now equal on points with Liverpool at the top of the ladder. A superior goal scoring record sees Chelsea in top spot. The top two have a six point break over third place Arsenal who on the weekend defeated Manchester United 2-1.
On the weekend coming Chelsea face the bottom place West Bromwich Albion. Last time the top team faced off against the bottom team it was the bottom placed Spurs team that got the better of top placed Liverpool.
I don’t expect a repeat of this with Chelsea.
New Zealand fight back to defeat England at RLWC08
November 9, 2008
New Zealand were down 24-8 in the first half of their match against England. From there they slowly worked their way back into the match to take the victory.
In bad news for the Kiwi’s centre Steve Matai suffered a potentially serious neck injury. He collided with teammate Greg Eastwood in the 29th minute when making a tackle. He was stretchered form the field after being fitted in a neck brace.
Kiwi skipper Benji Marshall and Lance Hohaia played strongly and helped setup big winger Manu Vatuvei several times as he scored four tries on the night.
England who rested stars Leon Pryce, James Roby and James Graham were on top in the first half, taking a 24-14 lead into the break. Rob Burrow the halfback for England bagged a double and Mickey Higham and Martin Gleeson scored a try each.
In the second half two backline moves that sucked in England defenders left Vatuvei with wide open runs to the line. He held the ball in one hand as he crossed, something that may one day embarass him. Vatuvei’s try in the 55th minute, his third, levelled the scores.
New Zealand hit the front after a penalty goal in the 69th minute. Then they closed out the match with Fien scoring in the 75th minute and then Vatuvei scored his fourth in the 78th minute.
The match counts for nothing unless PNG pulls off a huge upset to defeat Australia on Sunday night. If the match goes as expected England and New Zealand meet again in the semi next weekend.
Venus and Zvonareva to meet in Sony Ericsson Tennis Championships final
November 9, 2008
Vera Zvonareva must like the Doha courts. Earlier this year she reached the final at the Qatar Total Open. Now playing on the same courts in the Sony Ericsson Championships she has defeated no. 5 seed Elena Dementieva 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3 to reach the season ending final.
Her opponent will be Venus Williams who got past the world no. 1 Jelena Jankovic. It also was a three set match with the final score 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Going into the match Jankovic had the form on the board against the older Williams sister having won 5 or the last 6 matches between the pair. Williams did however win the big match at the US Open this year.
Zvonareva was playing Dementieva for the fourth time this season. She beat her in three sets in Charleston but then lost to her Russian country woman at the French Open and the Olympics also in three sets.
Looking ahead to the final you would have to favour Williams. She is 5-1 in the head-to-head matchup. Zvonareva won their first ever match on clay at the French Open in 2003 but since then it has been all Williams as she ran up five straight two set victories, including two this year.
For both players it is the first time they have played in the final at the season ending Championship. Williams has previously only made the semifinals in 1999 and 2002. This is only the third time Williams has competed in the Championship finals. You would have expected her to be there more often.
The final should be interesting as Zvonareva is in good form and could end the run of five losses to Williams.
Liverpool back on top after 3-0 win over WBA
November 9, 2008
Two goals from Robbie Keane have helped Liverpool bring up victory 150 under manager Rafael Benetez. Alvero Arbeloa also scored a late goal to make the final score 3-0.
Liverpool is on top of the EPL for now. Chelsea have a match Sunday against Blackburn and will replace Liverpool at the top if they win.
The two goals for Keane were his first in the Premier League for Liverpool. Keane was replaced by Fernando Torres with 20 minutes to go. This is good news for Liverpool as the Spaniard has been out injured over recent weeks.
In another match between the top teams Arsenal got the better of Manchester United. Nasri scored a double for Arsenal with goals in the 22 and 47th minute. Man United scored a late goal through Da Silva to make the score 2-1. The win saw Arsenal move into third spot on the Premier League ladder.
Liverpool’s cross town rivals, Everton had a good 3-1 win over West Ham United. Wigan and Stoke drew 0-0 and Portsmouth defeated Sunderland 2-1.
