Once again the world is obsessed with David Beckham’s feet. It’s like 2002 and the broken metatarsal all over again. Will his ankle heal in time for Galaxy’s game against Chelsea this evening? Of course it won’t. Will they politely beg him to play for ten minutes or so anyway? Of course they will, because ESPN has sent a small army of production people to the Home Depot Center and MLS have marketed this game to the point everyone seems to think Beckham only joined the Galaxy for this one, ultimately meaningless, friendly. And for the Posh Spice TV special of course. Beckham’s half time interview at the MLS All Star game summed it up perfectly. “At the moment it doesn’t look good that I’m going to play. I’m here for five years, not just for the game on Saturday.” Undeterred, Rob Stone’s follow up question showed the stubbornness and determination of ESPN. “Tell me about your desire to play in this game though…” he asked, as if Becks could will his swollen ankle to magically shrink to normal size just because ESPN had brought 19 cameras. Latest new is that he will play, limping about for between 10 and 30 minutes at the end of the game so the whole evening isn’t a complete bust for all involved. MLS and Galaxy suits will just have to hope he’s not involved in a 50/50 with someone like Michael Essien.
After a dismal first half against Australia, New Zealand had just 40 minutes to prove their Rugby World Cup credentials. And coach Graham Henry made sure they did - with a 26-12 victory. There was strange feeling in the air as the half-time whistle blew on Saturday in Auckland with New Zealand struggling in their Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations showdown with Australia. All Blacks coach Graham Henry had walked onto the pitch prior to the end of the half, something never before seen in his four-year tenure in charge. The entire team had almost sprinted into the changing room at first sound of the whistle. The reason for this strange feeling was because only 40 minutes remained for the World Cup favourites to click against Australia - and finally show why they were regarded 12 months ago as certainties to take home their first World Cup in 20 years. In a scrappy first half, where the weather had played into the All Blacks' greatest strength, it was the Wallabies who had the game by the scruff of the neck. With over 60 per cent of possession and territory, they had the best in the world fighting for their lives against a team who were not even rated in their own country. This performance from the Kiwis was on the back of two last-gasp wins against the Springboks and an unfathomable loss to the Aussies in Melbourne. The only positive, in a season of failures for New Zealand, was that it was not going to the script, something that had happened in each of their previous unsuccessful World Cup years. But the Kiwis had learnt their lesson in Melbourne and this time they were ready to play rugby. They gritted their teeth and defended until half-time, somehow escaping the battlefield with a slender lead, thanks to the golden boot of Dan Carter. It was what happened in the next 10 minutes that could prove the difference come Paris in October. Whatever Henry said to his charges caused the penny to belatedly drop. They came out firing in the next 20 minutes as they began to adapt to the conditions. Plan B was in action as Henry learnt from his predecessor’s mistakes in 2003. Everything just fell the All Blacks' way and the team that dominated all of 2005 and 2006 began to show the form that had made them so intimidating. Carter controlled the backline like he does best, while Brendan Leonard and Keven Mealamu emerged form the bench fighting for a place in the starting line-up in France. The forwards drove and drove and then drove some more, until finally, Tony Woodcock drove himself over the try line and score his second try against the Wallabies in two matches. The All Blacks won a match under pressure, a match that four years ago they would have lost. What was said in the changing room at half time will possibly never be known. But what will be known is that this All Blacks team can play rugby - and will do so when it matters most.
Remember how the Brazilian Adriano was an absolutely fantastic striker? And then all of a sudden he was rubbish: struggling for Inter Milan, looking like he didn’t belong at the World Cup in 2006 and ultimately losing his place in the Seleção. There were lots of little injuries, more than a little weight gain and a general look of lethargy in front of goal. Well, now the forward has come clean and admitted that his problems were down to drinking. “After the death of my father and the break up with Daniela (his girlfriend), I took refuge in alcohol,” Adriano told Saturday’s Gazzetta dello Sport. “I must say thank you to the president [of Inter]. It is beautiful to know that he counts on me.” In many many many ways this is good news. Obviously Adriano’s been through a rough time, but at least now we know what was wrong with him. And by the sound of things, he’s all set to make a fresh sober start to 2007/8. Inter aren’t struggling for forwards, they have Crespo on loan, the brilliantly lanky Zlatan Ibrahimovic and have just signed David Suazo. But at just 25, Adriano’s still got his best years to come so Inter and Brazil fans - as well as neutrals - can look forward to seeing one of the world’s great strikers getting back into top form.
It's not quite Open and shut at Carnoustie, but the Spaniard is three shots clear going intro the final day and it's up to American Steve Stricker and South Africa's Ernie Els to make a move. It’s going to take an exceptional player, and an even more exceptional round of golf, to prevent Sergio Garcia becoming the first European to win a major golf tournament for eight years. Spain’s one-man armada has been in control since the first day, when he slept on a two-shot lead. After two more days of intense pressure, unkind weather, distractions and a host of rivals aiming to knock him off his perch, Garcia goes into the final round at Carnoustie today with a three-shot lead at nine under par. Carnoustie was no place for the faint-hearted yesterday. The course played easier than the first two days and there were nearly 30 under-par rounds. And while American Steve Stricker put the course record in danger, a couple of wayward shots proved to be a knock-out for two spectators. Tiger Woods managed to knock a woman unconscious when his wild second shot at the sixth hit her on the head. And Garcia had to put out of his mind another wayward shot that flattened a scoreboard operator at the 17th. Who said golf was a game for softies? Not since Paul Lawrie came from 10 shots off the pace to win the 1999 Open on this same Carnoustie course, has a European won a Major, and not since Tom Weiskopf’s victory in 1973 has a player led from start to finish, although Gary Player did it the following year but tied for the lead in one round. Woods put together a round of 69 but it left him nine shots behind Garcia in joint 15th place. Now there are those who might think nine shots is within his comeback range, but it’s worth remembering that The Tiger has never even had to come from one shot adrift in any of his 12 major victories. However, there’s plenty of quality between Garcia and Woods, including Ryder Cup partners Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington from Ireland, and England’s Paul Broadhurst. In joint third place, with six shots to make up, are Korean K J Choi, Americans Chris DiMarco and Stewart Cink - and the man who’s been there before, done it and got the T-shirt, South Africa’s Ernie Els. Ernie managed to sew a few seeds of doubt in Garcia’s mind when he rather mischievously stated: “Obviously Sergio is going for his first Major and he is going to have a lot to think about. I’ve been in that position.” Naughty, Ernie! It is only four years ago that Thomas Bjorn was three shots clear with four holes to play and couldn’t lift the famous Claret Jug. But the confident, almost cocky Garcia is a different animal. He’s aware of the fact that his mentor, Seve Ballesteros, announced his retirement from the game last Monday, and the following day Jose Maria Olazabal pulled out of The Open with a knee injury. Perhaps destiny will take a hand and guide him through his final-round minefield, displaying the kind of talent that has been evident in all four Ryder Cup competitions in which he has played. A sub-par round should see Garcia safely home and dry (despite the weather) but the one thing about Carnoustie is that it is never over until it’s over.
The Russian is sliding, the Argentinian is having trouble holding ground and the Chilean can't win a tournament We’re just about to start the third round here in Los Angeles at the Countrywide Classic and David Nalbandian and Fernando Gonzalez are already gone after losing in the first round. Both appear to have hit a kind of tennis wall. Nalbandian’s best result this year was a quarter-final and he looks out of shape. This is a guy who’s been in the top 20 for the last five years and most of that time he was in the top 10. That’s a good career, but he’s also the quintessential runner-up. He has only five titles and one Tennis Masters Cup to show for it. Again and again he went deep into tournaments before coming up against the top players in the world and ending a bit short of the target. Fernando Gonzalez is somewhere else in his career. Since hiring Larry Stefanki as his coach last year, he’s jumped into the top ten and stayed there and he’s reached the finals of two Masters Series events and a Slam. But he hasn’t won a title since 2005. He might be stepping in and taking over where Nalbandian left off now that the Argentine is slipping down the rankings. Marat Safin is still in the draw here but these days he’s having trouble closing out matches with players like Swiss George Bastl, a 32-year-old who’s ranked at No.255. After winning the first set handily, Safin hit five double faults and a number of ill-advised drop shots in the second set and allowed Bastl to level the match. In the third set, Safin hit some wild forehands; he wasn’t moving well and he appeared tired. After another drop shot ended up in the net, someone in the crowd yelled out: “You cannot be serious!” John McEnroe’s taunt has now become the de facto tennis insult. Bastl hit his own double fault to give up a break in the third set and Safin pulled out the match, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. But the match ended too late for a media session although Safin summed it up accurately in his on-court interview: “I was lucky, actually.” If I'd been able to interview Safin, I might have asked him about his new coach, Hernan Gumy. Check out the images on this site for beefcake photos of Gumy. When those two guys go out to clubs together, I imagine they set off a stampede of women. Safin is 27, Gonzalez will be 27 this month and Nalbandian is only 25 - but they may be too late. Novak Djokovic, a 20-year-old, beat Gonzalez at the French Open last year and his young pals are just as good. Marcos Baghdatis beat Nalbandian at Wimbledon a few weeks ago and Tomas Berdych has already won the Paris Indoors which used to be Safin’s property - he won it three times and was also a runner-up. Maybe Djokovic, Baghdatis and Berdych will have similar careers to Gonzalez, Nalbandian and Safin: successful but not spectacular. Maybe we’re substituting one trio of players for another. If so, it’s a testament to the sport because Safin has been spectacular at times and Nalbandian’s tenure close to the top has been exceptional. Sometimes I’ll hear someone talk about a retired player in glowing terms and I’ll look up his record. If there aren’t many titles next to his name I tend to dismiss him, but now I know better. Watching Nalbandian go deep in the Slams for the past five years has changed my mind.
Russia's Fed Cup captin is fed up of repeated withdrawals by the young star. But is she being badly advised?Maria Sharapova has been dropped from the Russian Fed Cup team after yet another last-minute withdrawal at last week's Fed Cup semi-finals against the US. The decision to leave out the tall, blonde beauty was confirmed by Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev, who stated that he didn't think it appropriate to invite Sharapova to the Fed Cup final. The decision to leave out the world No. 2 from the Russian team was arguably made through frustration, after repeated withdrawals due to 'mystery injuries'. Tarpischev was clearly angered and stated that Sharapova should forget the promises she made to play Fed Cup. He went on to say that it would be inappropriate to allow her to play in the Fed Cup when the team managed to reach the final without her. Tarpischev's suspicions about Sharapova's withdrawals also had political undertones as he claimed that her decision to pull-out from the team yet again was fuelled by pressure from her advisers, who are American. He went on to say that the American advisers would never allow her to play for Russia. Regardless of the validity of such accusations, the decision to drop Sharapova will probably not have a detrimental impact on the team, which is why Tarpishchev was so outspoken about this decision. Russia have many capable players, and showed this by defeating the U.S. 3-2 last week. Although Svetlana Kuznetsova also pulled out with injury, Tarpishchev is still keen on inviting her to play for Russia in the finals. This is probably due to her loyalty to the Russian team, playing several ties in the past, including the first round in May, when Russia whitewashed Spain 5-0. Nadia Petrova, Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Vesnina are likely to complete the Russian lineup and even without Sharapova, the Russian team appear strong enough to defeat the Italians in the final. Russia also have home advantage, as the final will be played at Moscow's Luzhniki Arena, an indoor stadium which can hold 10,000 spectators. Sharapova's decision to pull out ahead of the clash with the U.S. represents her ongoing lack of commitment to play for her country and it will almost certainly harm her chances of playing in the Beijing Olympics next year as eligibility requires a commitment to compete in the Fed Cup.
The All Blacks haka instils fear while grid-iron cheerleaders bring cheer to the US game. Minter Dial takes a quirky look at the two oval-ball games and the world around us. As we ramp up for the Rugby World Cup here in Paris, my first observation is that, perhaps because France will basically be on break during July and August, there does not seem to be much warm-up 'buzz' in the capital. Cafe banter -- French equivalent of water-cooler discussions -- is not streaming with debate about who will win the 2007 RWC and/or how les Bleus will fare. Possibly the two walkovers in June by the All Blacks (combined score of 103-21 to New Zealand) put a kibosh on French spirit -- regardless that the French team was essentially a load of second-string players. (As an aside, I laughed when the French coach unloaded on an Australian referee, then wrote an apology letter in French.) Meanwhile, South Africa's coach has asked for permission to introduce officially a Zulu-inspired pre-game tribal war dance. Apparently, this Springbok haka has been in the pipeline for several years -- although you wouldn't know it (or believe that it has made a difference), given the Boks' dismal recent results against their traditional foe. If you have ever been in the presence of an All Black (all you need is one man) who performs a Maori haka, you can only be left impressed. A swathe of 15 fired-up Kiwis on a pitch is another sight altogether. The people I have met who have personally faced that sight on the pitch have, to a man, all professed intimidation. Between these various hakas, you definitely get a whiff of the warlike overtone of a Rugby Union match. Much has been said about sports providing a surrogate for man's innate warrior instinct. What sparked this article was the desire to make a comparison between Rugby Football and American Football. Aside from the bravado about 'no pads' in rugby, I was considering the different attitudes to pre-game warm-ups. Like all national sports, the national anthem would be a feature -- except there is little occasion for the US to field a national American Football team. That said, at the 2007 American Football World Cup, at which the US, for the first time since its inception in 1999, fielded a team (and yes they won, but only 23-20 in the final against Japan), there was a US team. Anyway, after the national anthem, things diverge in Rugby and American Football (aka Gridiron Football in parts of the world). In Rugby, when you play the All Blacks, the haka is a must see. It is legendary. Of course, aside from RSA, Tonga and Samoa, I don't believe any other national team has such a ritual. But the fact that these four teams have a haka is enough for me. The haka truly sets the tone. In American Football, on the other hand, we have marching bands AND cheerleaders. The marching bands are the closest we will get to 'warlike'. And the cheerleaders? They are the equivalent of the women at home, keeping the home fires burning and wishing on their men at war. In the final analysis, sport as a dislocated field of war suits me fine as long as it reduces war (there have been many articles--I site one--written on how cricket has been a great antidote to war). However, that doesn't exactly seem to be the case these days. At times, sport itself instils warlike behaviour (for example, the rivalry between Turkey's Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. And although we have had a long stretch without a traditional world war, war is on the lips all the time (and more war seems more likely than less war; for example, Turkey and the Kurds). It might be a little trite, but in the Islam v Western World (including of course Australia, NZ, etc.) conflict, maybe a little sports interest would be valuable. The Iraqi national football (soccer) team makes valiant strides in difficult times. However, I don't imagine that sports banter is a common feature in Al-Qaeda huddles. Maybe they need some athletic recruits more than MDs for that to happen? In the Western world, on the other hand, it would be highly appropriate that sport managed to recruit more interest from women. Their exclusion from the 'boys outing' is not necessary and their pacifying effect on crowds would be most welcome. One thing is for sure, as in war, when you like sport, you must announce your colours. Otherwise, you get the less-than-courageous moniker of "neutral." BTW, I am a Galatasaray fan.
Only once in the history of the summer Olympics has there been a basketball tournament without team USA competing, and that was when the Americans boycotted the Olympics altogether. The 2008 Olympics might be the first to feature a basketball tournament for which the US was unable to qualify. Thanks to Spain winning the world championships, Europe are guaranteed to have at least three representatives at next year’s Games in Beijing as the winners and runners-up of the European Championships are also guaranteed a berth. China, as the host country will be there in 2008, and so will one more Asian team by virtue of winning the Asian championships. The Americas are only guaranteed two spots, as the winners and runner-up of this year’s Americas championships in Las Vegas will receive berths to the Olympic tournament. Before you think the US is guaranteed a spot in the finals of this qualifying event, think again. Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico have all had good showings in past FIBA tournaments against the US’s selection of NBA players, and upstarts like Uruguay, if taken lightly, could cause quite a stir in Las Vegas. While no team matches up favorably to Team USA's talent (although Argentina has clearly become a force in international basketball), it is cohesion and court awareness that will decide the outcome of most games. USA squads in the past have been at a disadvantage in international play, as the games use FIBA rules, which NBA stars have found tough to get used to. Established, fundamentally sound basketball stars like Tim Duncan have found it difficult to adjust to the more tightly called, less physical international matches. However, even with the court being slightly tilted against them this way, Team USA is still expected to not only win an Olympic berth in Las Vegas, but to win the tournament itself. There are, however, teams that might have a different final rankings in mind. Argentina is the main competition for the hosts. Considering recent performances, one might even argue that they should be favorites to win. With a healthy dose of NBA stars and role-players along with established players from Europe, the Argentines boast a very strong, cohesive squad. Naturally, everything starts with the energy player Manu Ginobili. His style has gotten him many fans, even NBA legends like Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have spoken highly of him. Along with Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls) and Fabricio Oberto (Manu’s teammate on the Spurs) the NBA power is there. One must also mention Luis Scola, who for years now has been courted by the NBA to come stateside as he has remained in the Spanish ACBL, dominating the league at the forward spot. Brazil is starting to shape up nicely. Hopefully they will have every one of their NBA trio ready and able to play. The Denver Nuggets’ Nene (listed on FIBA’s sites by his real name Maybner Rodney Hilario) has recently made himself eligible for the tournament. Brazil is hoping to team up Denver’s bruiser power forward with hustle guy Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers) and the undisputed fastest player of the NBA, Leandro Barbosa (Phoenix Suns). Brazil also boasts fringe NBA center Rafael Araujo, who has the type of game that is better suited for FIBA’s rules. Tiago Splitter of the ACBL’s Tau Vitoria is an NBA level talent, who much like Argentina’s Scola has so far resisted the luring of NBA teams. Puerto Rico’s national team has been in a slump recently. They are, however, one of the teams the US has always had a problem matching up against. The problem can mostly be caused by Carlos Arroyo, the point guard of the Orlando Magic. Arroyo is known to have his best international outings against Team USA. This is not a one-man show, however. Most of the squad is made up of players with prior NCAA basketball experience. Players like Peter John Ramos, Daniel Santiago, Angelo Reyes have even had a chance to try themselves out against NBA talents as they have previously occupied roster spots in the league. Mystery man Ricardo Sanchez Rosa has been pointed out as one of the talents to watch at the tournament. He’s a seven-foot 20-year-old forward. If he has a nice outing, clubs will definitely be calling him as everybody knows: “You cannot teach height!” Uruguay has recently beaten Argentina twice in exhibition games. Although the Argentines were without some of their bigger stars this is still a warning sign that this team is not to be taken lightly. They will probably go only as far as their best player, the Atlanta Hawks’ Esteban Batista will take them. Considering Batista’s recent form (26 points and 16 rebounds against Argentina in their second meeting) they could surprise quite a few teams in Las Vegas. The remaining teams have a way to go to be able to get to the medal rounds. Venezuela has always been a well coached unit, and with Victor Salazar having taken his squad to the third spot in the 2005 competition they certainly can not be counted out. Alas, with Olympic qualifying being in the bag every team will field its strongest line-up, something that was not the case in 2005. Canada could be worthy of consideration if two-time MVP Steve Nash, NBA centers Jamaal Magloire and Samuel Delembert were to decide to join the squad. I’m expecting them to make a run rather at the 2008 Olympic qualifying tournament where the field will be substantially more manageable. Panama is also an intriguing team. With the experienced and highly-talented trio of Ruben Douglas, Ruben Garces, and Ed Cota they could make some noise. Alas, with such a strong field it would be a huge surprise if they were to reach the medal rounds. The Virgin Islands had a good showing last year at the Centrobasket Men’s Championship where they finished second, ahead of Puerto Rico and Mexico. Keep an eye out for Frank Roderick Elegar, the 21- year-old who used last year as his coming out party within the team. Mexico seems to have been able to convince UCLA’s Lorenzo Matta to join the squad. Coach Nolan Richardson is, however, unwilling to discuss the status of NBA players Eduardo Najera and Earl Watson. With the two NBA players on the roster, Mexico can be a force to reckon with, without them they are a talented team, but one unable to beat the best in this tournament. The way Richardson refuses to answer questions about his stars has me believing that both will be no-shows at Vegas. So is there any imaginable way that Team USA manages to miss out on the top two spots? Of course there is. We have seen it in the past that the gap between other countries and the USA has closed so much that the best teams can beat the NBA’s select in a game played under FIBA rules. This only has to happen twice for the home team and then panic will set in. If, however, you were to ask: Is it fathomable that the US could miss the 2008 Olympic tournament? I’d say it is not impossible, but it is highly unlikely. You see, they would have to finish lower than fifth in Las Vegas to not get an invite to next year’s qualification tournament, which will determine the final three berths. The top three teams from there will go to the Olympics, and you clearly do not expect the USA to flop so many times, especially since if they do not win an outright berth in Vegas, the alarm bells will sound, and I’m sure the top stars will be lining up for a roster spot to save USA Basketball.
The great man duly equalled Bjorn Borg's record of five titles in a row - and once again proved his superiority over world No.2 Rafael Nadal on grass. But only just . . . Roger Federer won his fifth consecutive Wimbledon men's singles title on Sunday in an epic encounter of guts and courage which underlined his superiority as the World No.1 - and probably finally confirmed him as the greatest player of all time. What made this final most special - apart from Federer's amazing stats - is that the Swiss master managed to do it while playing badly against Rafael Nadal. For much of the match, the formidable Spaniard looked as if he would end King Roger's Wimbledon winning streak just one match short of equalling Bjorn Borg's record of five straight titles at SW19. The 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 scoreline is a pretty accurate reflection of the match. Federer broke Nadal early in the first set to open up some daylight. But with a battler on the other side of the net, he was unable to maintain the momentum and Nadal broke back to level the scores and take the set to the tie break. Federer's superior ability when the chips are down is always of particular significance at the crucial stages and his strong serve gave him the advantage to keep his nose in front to take the set. The character of the main part of the match was pretty much defined by Federer's attempt to battle Nadal from the baseline - never a good idea, not even for him and not even on grass. He soon paid the price when Nadal took the second set 6-4 as the baseline style of play predominated and Federer appeared unable and even less willing to commit himself by coming into the net. Although he never lets his feelings show, the four-times champion did not look like a happy camper throughout the match and he was simply unable to string together a run of points which would allow him to break free of the Nadal stranglehold. The third set also went to a tie break with Nadal appearing far more brittle from the outset when he was broken on the first point. Federer, who ended up with five set points, duly went ahead in the match once more. The fourth set saw Federer relax a little and Nadal continued to plug away with excellent baseline shots on both sides. He got an early break, and even though he called the trainer to treat what appeared to be a knee injury, he continued to blast his shots from the baseline, with the occasional foray into the net. He maintained his lead to take the set and send the final to a fifth set for the first time since 2001, when Goran Ivanisevic beat Pat Rafter. Amazingly, towards the end of the set Federer actually lost his cool and even uttered an expletive (albeit a minor one considering the bad language which is so freely used these days) when he questioned the 'hawkeye' verdict after Nadal challenged the linesman's call. With such an unusual incident, one felt as if Federer was finally about to crack under the pressure. But like the great player he is, the Swiss maestro came back in the final set - even though it was mighty close. The strapping on Nadal's knee belied his real state. He ran as normal and hit his shots as powerfully as ever. He began the final set by almost breaking Federer, but the champion's serve was too strong and he held on before finally breaking Nadal in the fifth game and going on to clinch the match and the title. Federer fell to the ground in a combination of joy and relief - and there were tears of emotion as he celebrated a draining victory, not only for him but for the spectators as well.
Everyone expects another Roger v Rafa showdown at Wimbledon - but the young Serb has the energy to cause a semi-final upset.
Anyone ever wanting to write a tennis preview again, will have nightmares about Marion Bartoli. Even the experts didn't see that coming. Well, at least your truly was the only writer on the web who saw Richard Gasquet winning! With that crumb of comfort, let's get into the preview of Wimbledon's own version of Super Saturday.
Roger Federer vs. Richard Gasquet
The battle of the two best singe-handed backhands in the men's game should really only have one winner. Gasquet played the match of his life against Andy Roddick, with the aforementioned backhand resulting in over 40 winners out of a staggering 93.
Even the King of Grass didn't hit that amount of winners - that's quite simply because Roger never really needs to go the distance at SW19. I certainly don't expect him to be taken the distance in this match. It definitely won't be as lopsided as last year's first-round encounter. Gasquet is a talented shot maker, and he will certainly unfurl some gorgeous backhand winners.
There are a few problems though. For starters, Federer's backhand is even better than Gasquet's. Federer is an extremely intelligent player, and won't go to Richard's backhand side as naively as Roddick did consistently. Finally, what kind of physical and mental shape will Gasquet be in after that gruelling five setter, with less than 15 hours rest? The answer is simple. Federer is going to win, but the Frenchman certainly is capable of taking a set in this match if he has a streak of winners like he had against Roddick.
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
A repeat of their semi at Roland Garros, and a match-up that is going to be repeated again quite often over the next few years. This really should have been a classic in the making. However, the scheduling committee certainly have put paid to any hopes of that happening. Despite their seedings, I didn't expect either player to make it to the semis this year. I humbly stand corrected, and it only goes to show that intangibles such as mental strength and intelligence are even more important on the big points than shot-making ability.
I think Marcos Baghdatis predicted this match accurately when he said normally it would be a 50-50, but with Djokovic tired, it's 60-40 in favour of Nadal. Then again just yesterday I predicted Djokovic would be too physically exhausted to overcome Baghdatis after his four-hour affair, only for the 20-year-old Serb to then win a five-hour affair. This match perfectly sums up this year's Wimbledon - unpredictable!
Venus Williams vs. Marion Bartoli
Richard Williams must be fretting right now. Where is the scouting report on Bartoli? Only time will tell if this surprise finalist will be the new Monica Seles. But, boy, can she hit the ball - especially on her backhand side. She is having the tournament of her life, beating Jelena Jankovic and Justine Henin on the way to the final. It's a remarkable achievement for this French girl, considering she has come back from a set down in each of her last three matches.
However, her final opponent should really be just one step too far. After her performances in the first week of Wimbledon, many would have predicted a miracle for Venus to have made it this far. Everyone conveniently forgot that the older Williams is a master of getting into form through a tournament. And the form has arrived in real style with the convenient thrashing of Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic - after struggling against Akiko Morigami!
I said yesterday that you can tell from her body language that Venus has all momentum and confidence on her side. Along with excellent court coverage, footwork and speed, she has shown since the weather has improved that she is the undisputed Queen of Centre Court.
Tomorrow she will be crowned for the fourth time. As for Bartoli, she said in her post-match conference that seeing Pierce Brosnan inspired her. Well, if Brosnan comes along to the final with Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, then maybe she can dream of a rescue mission!
