Marat Safin defeats Novak Djokovic
June 25, 2008
Novak Djokovic has amazingly been knocked out of Wimbledon. The world number 3 was defeated by Russian Marat Safin in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. Everybody including myself was waiting for a Federer-Djokovic semi-final with the winner facing Nadal. But it didn’t go to plan.
After the match Safin said…
”For me to beat Djokovic on Centre Court, especially on this surface, is great. I had to concentrate from the beginning and take my opportunities because he is the one under pressure, trying to be number one in the world at the end of the year. For me, nobody expects anything. I didn’t look in the draw beyond this when I saw Djokovic in the second round.”
Seeds are falling at Wimbledon with now Juan Carlos Ferrero, Nikolay Davydenko, David Nalbandian and Ivan Ljubicic the biggest casualties.
Liverpool reject Crouch bid
June 25, 2008
Liverpool have rejected Pompey’s £9m bid for their striker Peter Crouch. Peter has fell out of favour with Rafa Benitez and concedes that he needs to find first team football. The ex Southampton man is willing to sign for Pompey but according to Harry Redknapp Portsmouth may be priced out of a deal.
Harry said…
“I’d love to bring Crouchie back here, But the fee seems a bit too high, and at the end of the day it comes down to the price. It seems like things are getting a bit too expensive. Crouchie is a player who is on our list, but if nothing can be done then we will just move on to the next player.”
Crouch will be hoping a deal pushes through so he can make an impression on England manager Fabio Capello next season.
Simon Says…
Why won’t Liverpool sell? Last season they hardly played him and when they did it was dead rubber games. They should let the lad move on. £9m is a good price and I cannot believe they have rejected it, they are wrecking Peter’s career.
Rafa wins at Wimbledon
June 25, 2008
Rafael Nadal cruised to a straight sets victory in his first round match against Andreas Beck. The Spaniard won 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 to earn a place in the second round.
Rafa spoke about his victory…
”He was another leftie and his second serve was difficult to read. He served to the body and that was hard for me. But in the tiebreak I hit some good forehands. It was a strange match. There weren’t many points from the baseline and I play mostly from the baseline.”
Rafa will be thrilled with the win and he now faces talented young Latvian Ernests Gulbis after he defeated favored American John Isner.
Simon Says…
I really want Nadal to win this year, I think he is ready to overtake Roger at the top and be World number one. The way he goes about himself on and off the court is unbelievable and his power and shots that he makes are great to watch. The Gulbis match should be good and with Djokovic in the other draw Rafa should get in the final for the third time running.
Andy Murray thanks McEnroe
June 24, 2008
Andy Murray has thanked John McEnroe for his kind comments ahead of his first round match against Fabrice Santoro.
Andy said…
“It’s great when people say nice things. It helps build your confidence. Ultimately, they are the people that know the most about tennis and, if they’re being complimentary about me, then that counts for something.”
Murray’s opponent will be 35 yr old Santoro. He spoke about the challenge of facing Andy…
“It’s a great challenge to play Andy. But, as you get towards the end of your career, you want these sort of matches. I was hoping I would play on Centre Court for the first time. I have had a 19-year career and I’ve played on every other court apart from Wimbledon’s Centre Court. I was pleased when I saw the draw. Andy’s a smart player. One day he will do something big.”
Simon Says…
I really hope Andy can perform well this year and make it to the quarters or beyond. He has all the talent in the world and one day he will win Wimbledon.
Federer wins at Wimbledon
June 24, 2008
Roger Federer is through to the next round of Wimbledon after easily defeating Dominik Hrbaty. The Swiss won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Roger has been slated in the press after the French Open with many suggesting he was past his best.
He said…
I haven’t been reading and I haven’t been listening to what has been said. So, of course I haven’t been affected either. I’ve been working in there as defending champion, opening Centre Court, trying to defend the title again. That’s all that mattered to me. I came from a good tournament in Halle. I couldn’t do any better than not dropping a set, not dropping a service game, so I feel like I’m right there to do the same thing again this week.”
Simon Says…
It was a very enjoyable match played in Great Spirit. Roger looked really focused throughout and talk of the title being taken away from him is nonsense. Ok maybe not nonsense but I cannot wait to see Rafael’s reaction, them two are probably going to be in the final.
Massa wins French GP
June 23, 2008
Felipe Massa won the French GP finishing in front of his teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Jarno Trulli who both got on the podium. Kubica came in fourth to keep his title challenge alive.
Bad weekend for Hamilton…
After incurring a 10 place penalty in qualifying it was always going to be hard for Lewis. It looked a good start and on the first lap he was going through the field. He got up to 9th but incurred another penalty after incorrectly passing Vettel, that meant he had to drive through the pits, there was no way back for Lewis and he ended in 10th. He is now 10 points off new Championship leader Felipe Massa.
Race Times…
1. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1 min 31:50.245 secs
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari +00:17.984
3. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 00:28.250
4. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren 00:28.929
5. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 00:30.512
6. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull - Renault 00:40.304
7. Nelson Piquet (Brazil) Renault 00:41.033
8. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 00:43.372
9. David Coulthard (Britain) RedBull - Renault 00:51.072
10. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren 00:54.521
11. Timo Glock (Germany) Toyota 00:57.738
12. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 00:58.065
13. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 01:02.079
14. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda 1 lap
15. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams - Toyota 1 lap
16. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams - Toyota 1 lap
17. Sebastien Bourdais (France) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1 lap
18. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Force India - Ferrari 1 lap
19. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India - Ferrari 1 lap
r. Jenson Button (Britain) Honda 54 laps
Will Ronaldo move to Madrid?
June 23, 2008
Somehow, someway the transfer saga surrounding Ronaldo is still going on. It started so long ago, according to Ronaldo he made had made his decision before the champion’s league final. He decided not to tell us and now it has been going on for some months.
Ronald said…
“The possibilities of me going to Madrid are great but it does not depend on me. I know there is a concrete offer on the table, now let’s see if we can reach a deal in the next days. ” He continued…
“For me it’s a very good opportunity. As Scolari says, this only happens once. I didn’t want to say anything because we were in competition and these are important decisions.”
Real Madrid president has also been stirring the situation by saying…
“If the kid keeps himself in that strong position, the step he has taken could be key. As we have already said many times, it is a problem between Manchester United and the player. If the two resolve the situation and Manchester United want to call us, then we will be happy and delighted with that because Cristiano is a great player.”
Simon says…
I really don’t know how this is still going. I am a United fan and I don’t care whether he stays or goes now. He has disrespected Fergie, the club and the fans. He has gone down in my estimation and I believe we will cash in. The prospect of Wesley Sneidjer joining and £40m in the bank sounds mouthwatering. I hope we do the deal and get rid of “the god”.
Raikkonen on pole in France
June 21, 2008
Kimi Raikkonen will lead the way in France tomorrow after narrowly pipping Felipe Massa to pole. Lewis Hamilton qualified in third place but after crashing last race he has incurred a 10 place deduction so will start in 13th. That moves Fernando Alonso up to third and Jarno Trulli in fourth.
Here are the qualifying times…
01 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:16.449
02 F. Massa Ferrari 1:16.490
03 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:16.693
04 F. Alonso Renault 1:16.840
05 J. Trulli Toyota 1:16.840
06 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:16.944
07 R. Kubica BMW 1:17.037
08 M. Webber Red Bull 1:17.233
09 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:17.426
10 T. Glock Toyota 1:17.596
11 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:15.770
12 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:15.786
13 S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:15.816
14 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:16.045
15 N. Rosberg Williams 1:16.235
16 K. Nakajima Williams 1:16.243
17 J. Button Honda 1:16.306
18 R. Barrichello Honda 1:16.330
19 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:16.971
20 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:17.053
Turkey beat Croatia
June 21, 2008
Croatia had been backed to cause an upset at Euro 2008 and make a real push to win the tournament. It’s all gone down in tears after they suffered a humiliating defeat to the hands of Turkey. The game itself was very poor, there was not many chances and it was destined for penalties.
Extra time and Penalties…
Turkey are like the comeback kids, they came back against Czech Republic but this was just incredible. Ivan Klasnic headed home from a Luka Modric cross to give Croatia the lead with just one minute to go. One final long ball into the box from Turkey and the unlikely happened. Super Sub Semih Senturk latched onto the ball and his deflected volley went into the top corner. The Turks were level and the game was going to penalties. Star man Luka Modric missed along with, Mladen Petric who missed the vital kick which gave Turkey an unlikely win. All the Turks scored and the crowd went into raptures after the match. Turkey would face Germany in the semi’s and a possible final is on the cards.
McClaren gets FC Twente job
June 20, 2008
Steve McClaren is back in work after agreeing to be manager of Dutch team Fc Twente. He has also been in the running for the Blackburn job but has now decided on the Dutch team.
McClaren said…
“I have this morning accepted a two-year contract to become the new manager of FC Twente in Holland. This is an exciting new phase of my managerial career and I can’t wait to take up the challenge. Last season was very exciting for the club having qualified for the third round qualifiers for this season’s Champions League. It’s great to be back in management and I’m relishing the opportunity and challenge that lies ahead.”
Simon Says…
After the disaster which happened with England im sure that he is over it and has moved on. He will be well away from the press and maybe that is the reason he has moved to Holland. I don’t think he will work miracles but it should be a nice job for him without too much expectation.
