History Made at Wimbledon on Monday
June 30, 2009
If you are into trivia remember Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo, and maybe throw in Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka. Why you may ask? Well the first two players have had the honor of being the first players to play a competitive match at Wimbledon under the new roof.
This took place a bit after 5.15pm on Monday 29 June after the players returned from a short break. It did not matter that the outside courts were able to be used after the rain stopped. They wanted a match to be played under the roof. As it turned out the match continued under the roof and Safina went on to rack up a win over Mauresmo. The final score was 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Next to play on centre court were Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka. Murray of course is playing with the added pressure of being the great British hope. No male Brit has won Wimbledon since Fred Perry way back in 1936.
Murray did not start well and soon found himself down 0-4 and ended up losing the first set 6-2. Things turned around in the second set and Murray leveled the match with a 6-3 second set win. With so many watching around Britain Murray consolidated with a 6-3 third set. Under lights with the roof closed Murray would go on to record a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory.
With the match being played under lights and with the roof closed it goes does as another moment in history. For the record it ended at 10.38 pm, the latest end to a match at Wimbledon.
In other matches on Monday Lleyton Hewitt pulled off another fighting win when he beat Radek Stepanek 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. In the first two sets Hewitt looked ordinary. He received treatment for a leg strain and after that he seemed to be a changed man, especially after a short rain delay when he had further treatment. It was the Lleyton of old that won the last three sets to setup a matchup with Andy Roddick. The big serving American defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets.
Juan Carlos Ferrero continued to make the most of his wildcard as he defeated Gilles Simon. Ivo Karlovic defeated Fernando Verdasco.
Tuesday at Wimbledon is ladies quarterfinals day.
Brazil Crowned Confederations Cup Champions
June 28, 2009
After stunning the soccer world with their defeat of Spain in the semifinal at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the USA were looking to pull off another impossible defeat against Brazil.
In the tenth minute the USA took the lead after a pass into Clint Dempsey was hit first time to beat the Brazilian keeper.This came from the first attacking move from the underdogs.
Amazingly it was the USA who was next to score. A counter attack expected more from Brazil saw Landon Donovan score in the 27th minute. It was a beautiful goal which came from three passes after a poor pass from Brazil at the top of the penalty box. The final play saw Donovan touch the ball with his right foot to get around a defender before shooting with his left into the bottom right corner of the Brazil goal.
The question was now is 2-0 enough to win the match and shock the world yet again? Brazil had plenty of chances but could not beat the USA in the first half.
Brazil hit back just after the start of the second half when Luis Fabiano scored a great goal inside the first minute when he turned at the top of the penalty box to score. The comeback was complete after Kaka made a run down the left to send in a cross that was headed against the crossbar, it was Fabiano again who was on hand to head in the rebound in the 74th minute.
The dream was over for the USA when in the 84th min Lucio scored a headed goal from a corner kick. The USA coach was nearly in tears when that one went in. The final score was to be 3-2.
A brave USA could not find another goal and the five time world champions were once again crowned Confederations Cup champions. It was a great match to give soccer fans a taste of what is to come at the FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010. All credit to the USA who made this a great final.
2009 NBA Draft
June 27, 2009
Draft time in any sport is an exciting time. For sports fans finding out who is heading to your team is something worth checking out. Will the team make a smart choice and change the future for their club, that is always the question. Just imagine how different things would have been if the Houston Rockets selected Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft. Amazingly he went at no. 3 behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie.
Another missed opportunity was with Kobe Bryant in the 1996 draft when he was picked at no. 13. He was going in straight out of high school but history shows he should have gone higher.
The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York on June, 25. You may remember that last year the first pick went to the Chicago Bulls and with that they selected Derrick Rose. He went on to take rookie of the year honours.
The Los Angeles Clippers had the first pick in this years draft. The chosen one was Blake Griffin from Oklahoma. He is a 6′ 9″ power forward. The second pick went to the Memphis Grizzlies. They selected Hasheem Thabeet who hails from Tanzania.
For the rest of the 2009 NBA draft picks you can go to the wikipedia site as they have the info nicely presented.
The no. 55 pick was of most interest to me. It was the Portland Trail Blazers who selected Patrick Mills. Not only is he an aussie, but he comes from my hometown Canberra. Mills played for Australia at the Beijing Olympics and more recently for Saint Mary’s College. It would have been good if Mills was picked in the first round as that guarantees a contract. Now as a second round pick Mills will need to play for a contract. If Mills makes it into the NBA he joins Andrew Bogut as current players from Australia in the NBA.
Can’t wait to see the players take to the court in the new season towards the end of the year.
Brazil Break South African Hearts
June 26, 2009
In semifinal one of the FIFA Confederations Cup the world witnessed the shock upset of Spain at the hands of the USA. The 2-0 win took USA into the final. In semifinal two local fans were hoping that South Africa could also pull off an upset.
After 85 minutes it looked possible. The score was 0-0. South Africa had even gone close to scoring at times and in the first half the hosts looked the better team. Could this be another miracle win?
If fairytales always come true then we would have seen South Africa grab the win. Bad news for the home team was that this was not to happen.
No. 18 for Brazil, Ramires was brought down just outside the penalty box. For the free kick up stepped Daniel Alves. The tension built as he lined up the kick from the left side of the field, then bang. He unleashed the perfect strike that sent the ball into the top right corner of the South African goal. The dream was over, Brazil just had to hold on for four minutes to move into the final.
The only chance after that goal came the way of Brazil but Fabiano could not covert a wide open chance. The game ended and the locals were left with an empty feeling. At least they have had a taste of what is to come at the big event next year at the FIFA World Cup.
We now look forward to the final of the tournament when Brazil play the USA. It is not the final that most expected however it should be an interesting match.
USA Stun European Champion Spain in South Africa
June 26, 2009
Going into the semifinal match between the USA and Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup it was the USA who had nothing to lose. The European Champions, Spain were expected to continue their impressive winning streak and advance to the final.
According to where the money was going into the match Spain were raging hot favourites. A win for Spain would pay $1.22, a draw $5.25 and a USA win was to pay out $12.00. Clearly everyone thought this was going to be a win for Spain.
Spain were playing for a record of 16 consecutive wins as well as going past Brazil’s 35-match unbeaten run. Also on an individual level David Villa was trying become the first international player for some time to score in four consecutive matches. This perhaps detracted from Spains game as instead of trying to setup Fernando Torres he went for glory.
The USA opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Spanish based Jozy Altidore scored. He was able to get on the goal side of his defender as the ball was delivered to him.
Spain had several good chances throughout the match but could never find the back of the net. To make matters worse the USA went 2-0 up when Clint Dempsey scored at the 74 minute mark. It was once again a defensive error that allowed the goal. The ball had been crossed close to the Spanish goal. Instead of the defender clearing the ball on the first touch they controlled the ball only to see Dempsey poach it for the goal from close range.
There was no answer from Spain and perhaps the biggest upset in world football was complete.
Queensland Wins Historic Fourth Straight State of Origin Series
June 24, 2009
New South Wales played perhaps the worst half seen from the players of that state in ten years yet at halftime they were just 18-10 behind the Queensland team in State of Origin game two. Queensland went into the game with a 1-0 advantage after winning the opening match of the series in Melbourne.
The New South Wales blues basically let in three very soft tries. The first came after Greg Inglis went over from a short run in just the sixth minute. The next try for Queensland saw Israel Folau break through a tackle with ease near the 20 metre line before strolling over, this came following a spilt ball from David Williams.
Queensland scored again after another poor play from New South Wales. The Blues were trying to move the ball out of their defensive 20 metre zone when a pass went to ground. Two players from New South Wales tried to retrieve the ball but failed. In the end Darren Lockyer said thanks as he crossed the line to setup an 18-0 score.
From that moment the Blues could have easily thrown in the towel but thanks to a Jarrad Hayne intercept try they edged their way back into the match. It was Hayne again that saw the Queensland lead brought back to eight just before halftime. He managed to kind of fall sideways over the line from dummyhalf to score. The was some doubt about the try as the player playing the ball was thought to have interfered with the marker.
Minutes before the New South Wales try was scored Queensland had been denied what looked like a fair try to Ashley Harrison. Willie Tonga in going for the line held the ball up near his head, he managed to release the ball and it appeared to come off a Blues player and go forward. Harrison scooped the ball up from just on the try line and fell over. The video ref decided it was no try.
In the second half it was a different Blues team. They played with purpose and managed to get the score to 18-14 after a try to David Williams. The Manly star had a few Queenslanders attempting a tackle when he managed to pop out his arm to plant the ball over the line.
It was looking like the Blues would score a match winning try, but it was not too be. Just to rub salt into the wound Luke O’Donnel spilt the ball right in front of the posts. Cameron Smith swooped on the ball to go over. Billy Slater had setup the play when he batted down a short kick from Thurston, it was from this that O’Donnell made his error.
History has now been made as Queensland wins their fourth consecutive series, a first for State of Origin Rugby League football. A gutsy win by the Queenslanders showing once again the true State of Origin spirit.
Who Will Win the 2009 F1 Drivers Championship?
June 24, 2009
Last weekend we saw the Red Bull Racing team dominate the British Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. Sebastian Vettel started on pole position and this time managed to convert that to a win. His teammate Mark Webber took second spot.
This was the second one-two result for the team in 2009. The 2009 F1 championship leader, Jenson Button could only manage sixth place at his home grand prix.
The win for Vettel was his second of the season after he won the Chinese grand prix. This sees him needed to win another four races to have a chance to match Button for race wins in 2009. This is provided Button does not win again. (edit. after initially deciding to crown the F1 champion based on wins it was changed back to the leading points scorer after an appeal from the f1 teams association).
Have Red Bull Racing worked themselves into a championship winning position? Will their cars continue the recent domination or will other teams come into their own. Time will tell.
Lets look at the championship situation. Button is out in front with six wins and he has a total of 64 points, Barrichello is on 41 without a race win, Vettel 39 with two wins, Webber 35.5, Trulli 21.5 and Massa 16.
With nine races left in the season you could only see one of the top four winning the championship. With Button so far out in front he would be the raging hot favourite. Vettel of course cannot be ruled out.
On a poll on Formula1.com fans were asked if Red Bull Racing should put all their efforts into getting the championship with Vettel. So far 54.9 per cent say yes. Webber would not be happy with this. He has been quite consistent over recent times but is yet to get his first career win.
If we assume Button does not have another win left in him but he does cruise with third places results then Vettel needs about seven wins to claim the championship. It is a tall order indeed.
It all remains to be seen if Vettel and the Red Bull Racing team continue to lead the pack, and will Button not get another win for the season.
Webber could still win the championship if he hits a purple patch and gets seven or so wins, but how likely is that to happen?
I can’t wait for the next five or so races to see how it all pans out. The next Formula One GP takes place on 12 July in Germany.
Roger Raises Eyebrows with Fashion Choice at Wimbledon
June 24, 2009
Not for the first time Roger Federer has come out in what some might call outrageous clothing in his latest Wimbledon campaign. On this occasion he looked resplendent in a white military-style jacket complete with gold trimmings. He matched this with a pair of long white pants more common in Wimbledon days long ago.
The jacket of course was nicely finished off with the “RF” logo seen on the Roger Federer clothing line. After wowing the crowd with his new fashion choice Federer took off his jacket to reveal a formal white waistcoat. He kept this on during the warm-up for his Wimbledon 2009 first round match against Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu.
Federer also took to the court with a new design for his racket bag. It featured plenty of gold. Federer said after the match that it had tongues wagging in the locker room. “People were saying ‘Wow, looks great!’”
Federer the five time Wimbledon champion was not the only one to make a fashion statement on opening day. Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams both walked out in interesting overcoats not often seen on a tennis court.
Federer gets together with Nike representatives once a year to discuss his Wimbledon fashion. “They always have lots of good ideas and even though it didn’t look right to begin with, they got there in the end,” he said, adding that it’s important to him to respect the Wimbledon tradition of wearing white.
Getting back to the tennis, Federer defeated his opponent 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 as he attempts to win his sixth All England title and more importantly his 15th Grand Slam singles title. If he can pull off the win he will stand alone at the top of the Grand Slam singles titles list. He currently shares the honour with Pete Sampras.
Rafael Nadal the defending champion was forced out of the 2009 Wimbledon tournament due to injury.
What do you think of Federer’s fashion choice for Wimbledon? Some of the comments I have seen have not been too complimentary. I think he should be applauded for breaking the mould of you regular tennis player. It gives the crowd something to discuss during the warmup at least.
Leave your comments below.
South Africa and USA join Spain and Brazil in Confederations Cup Semifinals
June 22, 2009
The last round of pool play had plenty on offer for soccer fans around the world. Much to the delight of the host country their team, thanks to a well fought draw by New Zealand against Iraq, advanced. Even with a 2-0 loss to Spain, South Africa booked a matchup against Brazil.
In Group B all teams were still alive going into the last night of the group stage. A good win for the USA over Egypt and a loss for Italy could see the USA advance. A pair of 3-0 victories saw just that happen. First of all it was a Brazilian three goal blitz over an eight minute period in the first half that setup a 3-0 win.
In the match that followed the USA needed a 3-0 victory to advance. That is exactly what they got. The last goal coming in the 71st minute after Clint Dempsey headed into the Egyptian goal. This followed a goal in the 21st minute by Charlie Davies and 63rd minute goal to Michael Bradley.
The first semifinal will take place on 24 June when Spain faces the USA. The next night will see South Africa take on the five time World Cup champion nation, Brazil.
It would be hard to tip anything other than a Brazil – Spain final. That promises to be an exciting matchup. Could that perhaps be a preview of the 2010 World Cup final?
Nadal Will Not Defend Wimbledon Title
June 19, 2009
World no. 1 tennis player Rafael Nadal has announced on Friday that he is not going to defend the title he won in 2008.
This comes due to tendinitis he has been struggling with over recent times. He was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadriceps tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.
At a packed press conference on Friday evening Nadal said “”To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career.”
After his shock French Open loss to Robin Soderling, Nadal made it clear that he would not compete at Wimbledon unless he was 100% fit and now it has come down to the difficult decision he decided to make.
Nadal revealed that he has been playing with considerable pain and he was not able to say when he would return to tennis. He expects to fully recover from the injury.
