Featured

Taylor to face Wade again

Phil “the power” Taylor will face James Wade again after both men came through easy semi-finals at the World Match play. Taylor defeated old foe Dennis Priestly 17-8. Taylor was in fine and in the match he twice had 7 perfect darts and had a dart at double 12 for that elusive nine darter. It didn’t come but Phil was just happy to beat Dennis.

Phil said…

“Dennis doesn’t give in. He just keeps going and going. Even when you look at the score and I am 14, 15-6 up he comes back at you all the time. Most people would give in.”

His opponent James Wade had an even easier ride against Wayne Mardle, the “machine” raced to a 17-6 win in what was a completely one sided match. Mardle was maybe tired after that epic match with Barney but nevertheless he never looked like challenging Wade.

Afterwards Wade said…

“If I can find another gear tomorrow night, which I can do, hopefully I can and it will be an entertaining night for people watching. Phil gives me inspiration. We all look up to Phil. I am not nervous, just excited, really excited and I just want to get it on.”

Murray defeats Djokovic

Andy Murray has moved into the semi-finals of the Toronto masters with a fantastic straight sets win over World number Three Novak Djokovic. The young Scot produced one of his best performances ever to win the match 6-3, 7-6.

After the match he said…

“Mentally, that’s probably the biggest one of my career. He’s going to be around for a long time. So to come through against him, especially when he beat me convincingly four times, is very satisfying.”

The win is even more impressive considering Novak has defeated Murray comfortably in the last four meetings.

Andy continued…

“The last few times I’ve played against him, I really struggled to read his game. But I’ve watched a lot of his matches lately and I’ve seen the patterns of play he likes to use and I read his game much better. He hit very few winners, I think. That was one of the most satisfying things for me.”

Murray now faces Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard continued his fine form coming from a set down to defeat talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The win for Rafa is the 27^th win in a row. With Roger being knocked out early Nadal is getting ever closer to that number One spot.

Tevez:Let Ron Go

Carlos Tevez has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave Man Utd and join Real Madrid. The comments of Tevez will surely infuriate Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager is still fuming with the constant interest of Real Madrid.

Tevez said…

“Manchester United have great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. It’s clear that he is a very important player for us but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him. I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United. But if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected. I have not talked to him but when these things happen, neither side feels good.”

Golf

Harrington reclaims Open title

Padraig Harrington claimed back to back Open Championships with a fantastic win at Birkdale. Harrington started the day two back of Greg Norman but some mistakes by Greg and some “par golf” from the Irishman allowed him to win. There was a late surge from Ian Poulter who ended the tournament at +7. But it didn’t matter as Padraig eagled the 17^th and parred the last to win the tournament by 4 shots.

After the win he said…

“I’d like to put the Claret Jug right back where it was last year, I really tried not to think about the consequences of winning today but I did think it would be nice to have the trophy back on the breakfast table again. I had a great year as Open champion, so much so I didn’t want to give it back. It’s important that you go on and win a second major. Very few people have won two majors or back-to-back majors. I was always trying to play that down but winning a second sets you apart. It’s a new level and there’s less people in that club.”

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.

Tennis

Murray defeats Djokovic

Andy Murray has moved into the semi-finals of the Toronto masters with a fantastic straight sets win over World number Three Novak Djokovic. The young Scot produced one of his best performances ever to win the match 6-3, 7-6.

After the match he said…

“Mentally, that’s probably the biggest one of my career. He’s going to be around for a long time. So to come through against him, especially when he beat me convincingly four times, is very satisfying.”

The win is even more impressive considering Novak has defeated Murray comfortably in the last four meetings.

Andy continued…

“The last few times I’ve played against him, I really struggled to read his game. But I’ve watched a lot of his matches lately and I’ve seen the patterns of play he likes to use and I read his game much better. He hit very few winners, I think. That was one of the most satisfying things for me.”

Murray now faces Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard continued his fine form coming from a set down to defeat talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The win for Rafa is the 27^th win in a row. With Roger being knocked out early Nadal is getting ever closer to that number One spot.

Rafa wins Wimbledon title

Rafael Nadal claimed the Wimbledon title in a dramatic five set thriller. Rafa went two sets up and looked like it was going to be a whitewash. Especially when at 4-4 Nadal at 3 break points. Federer saved them all and went on to win the next two sets in tiebreaks.

The fifth and final set was long, intriguing and was up and down like a yoyo. Until the 15^th game. Where Rafa got a crucial break and served out the match to take the Wimbledon title.

Afterwards Rafa said…

“It was the most emotional match I have played in my life. Winning here will stay with me for the rest of my life. Of the four grand slams it is the most traditional. To win here on grass is very special. To win Wimbledon for us Spanish is hard to imagine. I am very happy for me, but sorry for him, because he deserved this title, too.”

Simon Says…

Quite simply the best match I have ever seen. Both players were hitting winners after winners and holding nerve on their serve. But in the end Rafa was too strong. I have to say that he is the best in the world at this moment in time, he has proved that he can play the best on grass and most importantly beat him! I thing I must say is there will never be a better final played than this, EVER!

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

Tevez:Let Ron Go

Carlos Tevez has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave Man Utd and join Real Madrid. The comments of Tevez will surely infuriate Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager is still fuming with the constant interest of Real Madrid.

Tevez said…

“Manchester United have great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. It’s clear that he is a very important player for us but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him. I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United. But if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected. I have not talked to him but when these things happen, neither side feels good.”

Fergie attacks Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson has begun the war of words with Chelsea claiming they are old and will struggle to achieve what they achieved under Jose Mourinho.

Fergie said…

“I’m not concerned about Chelsea. It would have to go beyond Mourinho’s performance to worry us. But it’s hard to see where there’s going to be a big improvement with a team that’s really very experienced. How can they accelerate beyond what they’ve done? I don’t see outstanding progress in a team that is in their 30s.”

Meanwhile Michael Essien was talking up Chelsea’s chances of winning trophies saying…

“We’ve got the best players in the world at Chelsea and by next May will be the only team in contention. Chelsea will win the title this year. Players like Ballack, Lampard and Deco are world class. It is to our advantage that we have so many players who have achieved so much.”

It will be interesting to see if Phil Scolari bites onto the bait and attacks Fergie back.

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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”.