With the Oz tennis open almost upon and the usual suspects likely to be affected by fitness issues, (no Andy Murray), there could well be a new champion this year. In fact I am going to predict 4 new winners of the men's open in tennis this year. And one or two new ones in the ladies as well, but first I hope Queen Serena wins two more to surpass Margaret Court's record. Then she can pass the baton on to Sloane Stephens to become the next ladies' great.
I hope Murray's career isn't going to peter out through injury....he is facing another op. Mainly for the man himself, but also because it was nice to have a possible champion to follow. We have some promising players...but that is all they are. Not stars like Murray.
Just read the bulletin on the BBC website, and according to that he fears if he undergoes the operation, he may never get back to the top. He may never get back to the top as it stands at present. Whatever happens, I am sure we all wish him well. He has been a fantastic player, and also shows an awareness of certain issues within the game.
I think the best Briths hope for a title at the Oz Open is with Jamie Murray in the Mens' and Mixed Doubles. Men's wiiner: the young German Alexander Zverev. In the ladies, Coco Van????????????????.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42685102 Kyle Edmund beats Kevin Anderson in 5 sets in the Australian Open. Kyle is such a good player and can get some good victories....if only he could string results together. However, he is a pleasure to watch.
Anyone catch the Saints at Vikings last night? Unbelievable.....supporting Saints on both sides of the pond is subject to the same outcomes of glorious failure!
Yep, am a Vikings fan. Went to bed at HT with them 17-0 up assuming it would be a cruise for the Vikings in the 2nd half. Woke up and saw the unbelievable finish.
You will get used to this as a Vikings fan. Was 100% convinced when Forbath missed the field goal to make it 20-0 that they would lose. They are ****ing cursed, couldn’t believe it when they won. Going to be even more crushing when they lose in the Super Bowl now
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42713501 Edmund beats Istomin in straight sets and goes into 3rd round of the Australian Open.
Eddie Jones (England RU) has had his contract extended to 2021....with a get out clause depending on results in 2019 World Cup.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42742173 Edmund through to next round in a 5 set match when temperature was in the forties. Kyle should be told that you can win in fewer than 5 sets....a bit of an expert in long matches.
He is the surprise of the tournament thus far on the men's side of things, and looking at his next possible opponent, who is at around his level in the rankings, or maybe slightly higher, a last 8 place is a possibility. As for the tournament as a whole, it would be good if both Nadal and Federer are both beaten before reaching the semis. Time for Dimitrov or Zverev or even Nick K to step up and get to the final. As for the ladies, anyone bar Sharapova. Maddison Keys?
Edmund can be excellent and has a good calm temperament....needs to be consistent. Shame Konta went out to a lucky loser....another one who is inconsistent...though well done to Pela (sp?). As said...anyone but Sharapova.
Before the next generation start winning titles in the men's game, how about a cheer for Thomas Berdych, who has been around as long as Djoko but rarely gets beyond a qf or sf. It would be brilliant for him to win it, even at the expense of beating one of the perennial favourites, Nadal or Federer in the final. It is good to see NK getting his act together. Would love to see him demolish Nadal!!
Jamie Murray goes out in second round of the men's doubles in Australia. Inglot and partner go through to the 3rd round. Murray asks that the doubles prize money should be increased.....apparently the winners in Australia share 400K compared with the 2 singles prizes of 2.3 million. Does seem a massive difference. I really enjoy doubles...the rallies can be long and exciting. Good players seem to be almost mind readers and matches can look like choreographed dances....with occasional confusion as light relief. There are of course fewer chances to play doubles matches. More players would get involved if the prize money was increased and greater opportunities were created in tournaments.
Wimbledon are missing a marketing trick in promoting doubles. What about the middle Sunday being the people's day, with the day being devoted entirely to the doubles tournaments?