Featured

Murray defeated by favourite Nadal

Rafael Nadal powered on in Wmbledon with a brilliant display against home favourite Andy Murray. Rafael’s ground strokes were just too much for Murray and the Scot couldn’t get a grip hold in the match. Nadal won easily 6-3, 6-2,6-4.

After the match he said…

“If I play like I did against Andy, especially the second set, there are not a lot of things. With the second half of the first set and especially the second set, this was probably my best match here. I think I’m doing a lot of things better than last year. The slice is better. My position on court is better. I’m playing more aggressive with the forehand all the time, and the backhand is feeling good.”

Simon Says…

Although Murray said he wasn’t tired I think he was. He didn’t lift the crowd too much and was missing easy shots. It didn’t help when Nadal was hitting the ball deep and hard to put Murray under even more pressure. Rafa has got a huge chance has got a huge chance to win this tournament especially if he plays like he did today.

Murray defeats Gasquet in epic encounter

Andy Murray is through to the quarterfinals after a quite unbelievable match with number 8 seed Richard Gasquet. A match that lasted just under 4 hours was played in almost total darkness at 9-30pm last night. The Scot came back from the dead to win in 5 sets 5-7, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.

After the match Murray said…

“The crowd were unbelievable and to come back from two sets down with him serving for the match, it’s an awesome feeling.  He got a little bit nervous towards the end of the third and I just had to keep fighting.”

 Gasquet was gracious in defeat but admitted the light was not great…

“At 5-4 in the third I should win, Andy fought hard right to the end but the crowd really carried him. With the light it was strange. When I was eight years old I could understand playing in the dark to finish a match but not at Wimbledon. But I understand they wanted to finish the match and it is not an excuse. In the fourth and fifth sets he returned better than me and that was probably the key. I hope to play him at Roland Garros one day. I won’t be alone for sure and it will be hard for him.”

Simon Says…

I think the crowd really pulled Andy through. He did well and played some unbelievable points, I just cannot see him challenging Nadal in the next round. Yes the crowd will be behind him but they can only do so much. The crowd got to Gasquet and it was difficult for him. It isn’t going to happen to Rafa and the crowd like him a lot as well. It will be fascinating but Rafa will win.

Sir Alex reveals transfer plans

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his plans for the summer. His main priority will be keeping Star man Cristiano Ronaldo but he has promised that he will not sign more than one or two players. He said…

“The European Championship derails transfer activity. Nothing really happens when the championships are on. Obviously, now that is all over, people settle down. Managers are back at their clubs and you can get some dialogue now if they are interested. But I wouldn’t think we would buy any more than one player. We are looking at one or two things. Clubs with ambitions don’t want to sell their best players, so it’s not as easy as you’d think and we tend to look for younger ones.”

The news comes as a bit of a surprise with United being linked with a number of stars. The question is who is the the sole signing United will buy.

Golf

Tiger Woods out for the season

The consequences that Tiger has suffered after his historic win at the US Open mean he will miss the rest of the season. Tiger played through the pain barrier to claim his 14^th major and keep in touch with Jack Nicklaus. He has paid the price heavily and will miss the Ryder Cup and the other two majors.

Tiger said…

“I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the US Open. Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee.”

Simon Says…

Watching that US Open was brilliant and what Tiger said afterwards capped it off. He said he would never pull out in front of the thousands of people watching. I now wish he did because we will not see him again this year. I wish Tiger all the best and cannot wait to see him in action next year.

Tiger Woods wins US Open

Tiger Woods won one of the most dramatic US Open events to date. After 18 gruelling holes the two could not be separated and an extra hole was needed.

The play-off…

Both players had poor starts with a bogey at the first from Tiger Woods and a horrible double bogey at the first from Rocco Mediate. Read more »

Tennis

Murray defeated by favourite Nadal

Rafael Nadal powered on in Wmbledon with a brilliant display against home favourite Andy Murray. Rafael’s ground strokes were just too much for Murray and the Scot couldn’t get a grip hold in the match. Nadal won easily 6-3, 6-2,6-4.

After the match he said…

“If I play like I did against Andy, especially the second set, there are not a lot of things. With the second half of the first set and especially the second set, this was probably my best match here. I think I’m doing a lot of things better than last year. The slice is better. My position on court is better. I’m playing more aggressive with the forehand all the time, and the backhand is feeling good.”

Simon Says…

Although Murray said he wasn’t tired I think he was. He didn’t lift the crowd too much and was missing easy shots. It didn’t help when Nadal was hitting the ball deep and hard to put Murray under even more pressure. Rafa has got a huge chance has got a huge chance to win this tournament especially if he plays like he did today.

Murray defeats Gasquet in epic encounter

Andy Murray is through to the quarterfinals after a quite unbelievable match with number 8 seed Richard Gasquet. A match that lasted just under 4 hours was played in almost total darkness at 9-30pm last night. The Scot came back from the dead to win in 5 sets 5-7, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.

After the match Murray said…

“The crowd were unbelievable and to come back from two sets down with him serving for the match, it’s an awesome feeling.  He got a little bit nervous towards the end of the third and I just had to keep fighting.”

 Gasquet was gracious in defeat but admitted the light was not great…

“At 5-4 in the third I should win, Andy fought hard right to the end but the crowd really carried him. With the light it was strange. When I was eight years old I could understand playing in the dark to finish a match but not at Wimbledon. But I understand they wanted to finish the match and it is not an excuse. In the fourth and fifth sets he returned better than me and that was probably the key. I hope to play him at Roland Garros one day. I won’t be alone for sure and it will be hard for him.”

Simon Says…

I think the crowd really pulled Andy through. He did well and played some unbelievable points, I just cannot see him challenging Nadal in the next round. Yes the crowd will be behind him but they can only do so much. The crowd got to Gasquet and it was difficult for him. It isn’t going to happen to Rafa and the crowd like him a lot as well. It will be fascinating but Rafa will win.

Boxing

Hatton snubs Oscar

The Hitman Ricky Hatton has told Oscar De La Hoya he must wait 6 months before he can step in the ring with him. Hatton turned down a fight proposal from Oscar for the 20^th of September.

Ricky said…

“I am not dismissing the idea of fighting Oscar but the date I was offered in September was far too soon. I fought 12 hard rounds just a fortnight ago against Juan Lazcano and to make it for September I would have to be back in the gym in another two weeks time. It’s not on.”

Oscar offered the proposal because Floyd Mayweather retired meaning De La Hoya would not be able to fight him.

Ricky’s next fight is scheduled to be against Malignaggi in New York.

Hatton’s manager said…

“He wants to fight Malignaggi at New York’s Madison Square Garden to fulfil a dream of topping the bill there but offers have come in from the big casinos in Las Vegas and two cities in Canada as well.”

Many pundits predict there will only be two more fights for Ricky Hatton before he calls it a day.

Floyd Mayweather retires

“The Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather has announced his retirement because he has no desire to return to the ring and fight. His last fight was against Ricky Hatton which he won by knockout and he told fans after that match that he would consider retiring.  At only 31 the American had many more fights in him but having already achieved so much in his career he has called it a day.

Mayweather said…

“I have decided to permanently retire from boxing.  This decision was not an easy one for me to make because boxing is all I have done since I was a child. I am sorry I have to leave the sport at this time, knowing I still have my God-given abilities to succeed and future multi-million dollar paydays ahead. But there comes a time when money doesn’t matter. I just can’t do it anymore.

This is not good news for the likes of Oscar De La Hoya who had hoped to have a rematch with Floyd as did Ricky Hatton, it won’t happen now but in fairness to Mayweather he had already proved he is number one and the best.

Football

Sir Alex reveals transfer plans

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his plans for the summer. His main priority will be keeping Star man Cristiano Ronaldo but he has promised that he will not sign more than one or two players. He said…

“The European Championship derails transfer activity. Nothing really happens when the championships are on. Obviously, now that is all over, people settle down. Managers are back at their clubs and you can get some dialogue now if they are interested. But I wouldn’t think we would buy any more than one player. We are looking at one or two things. Clubs with ambitions don’t want to sell their best players, so it’s not as easy as you’d think and we tend to look for younger ones.”

The news comes as a bit of a surprise with United being linked with a number of stars. The question is who is the the sole signing United will buy.

Ronaldhino ponders future

Ronaldhino has turned down Man City and now looks to resolve his future as quick as possible. People believe he is past his best but all he wants to do is play football.

Ronnie said…

“My time with Barcelona has been a marvellous story, looking at what we have won. The supporters will never forget it. When I walk through Barcelona the people are very affectionate towards me. A lot of things have been invented about me but the fans have always recognised my hard work and professionalism. All that I ask now is to return to playing as soon as possible - it doesn’t matter where. I want to do what I love most of all, and that is to play football.”

Ronaldhino has plenty of options open to him. The question is which one will he choose.

More...

Howard Webb gets death threats

Howard Webb has received death threats after awarding Austria a penalty in the last minute to deny Poland a 1-0 victory. Polish PM Donald Tusk is the one who has been making them. He said…

“As the Prime Minister I have to be balanced and collected. But on Thursday night I was speaking very differently about the whole thing. I wanted to kill. Referees make mistakes and this was an obvious error that harmed us all.”

These words ignited all over Poland and certain Polish sites called for Webb to be killed.

Police have been called in to protect Howard Webb and his family.

Uefa promised to provide Webb with high security and were totally behind the penalty decision. A Uefa spokesman said…

 ”We don’t think it is controversial that a player is pulled down by the shirt and a penalty is given. The referee’s decision was certainly within the laws of the game.”

Pascal puzzled at arrest

Pascal Chimbonda has questioned the police after he was arrested and released on bail earlier this week. He was arrested  after an investigation opened about corruption in football.

What happened…

Pascal Chimbonda was arrested after his agent handed him an £18,000 loan which he of course defended. Pascal has now been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Pascal said…

“I am happy that I have been cleared of any wrongdoing and I always knew I would be.  When I was arrested I was amazed by all the media coverage with the news on the television and on the front and back pages of the papers.

Pascal now hopes that his Tottenham future will get back on track and he can play a part in the “Tottenham revolution”.