05-06-14 FRENCH OPEN TENNIS

WOMENS SEMIS

 

SHARAPOVA SHOWS HER CLASS IN THE END

In the first of the 2 women’s semi finals Maria Sharapova needed 3 sets to get rid of Eugenie Bouchard after loosing the first set 4-6 it did not look like Sharapova was at her brilliant best but after winning the second 7-5 you knew that this tie could go either way. In the third Sharapova blew Bouchard away and broke twice to win the third by 6 games to 2. Sharapova looks very good in this semi but does need to improve for the final

HALEP CRUISED TO THE FRENCH OPEN FINAL  

 

In the other semi two players that played yesterday Simona Halep played Andrea Petkovic and Halep took complete control of the first set winning 6-2 the second was much tighter as it went to a tie breaks that. This is a massive win for Halep and will improve her greatly in her quest for this French open.  
Who do you feel had the easier time?
Do you feel that the higher seed had more of an advantage because of who they have played?
Who do you feel had more pressure or expectation?

MENS SEMIS

I feel that Rafa Nadal will go into the final after meeting Andy Murray in 4 sets where he will play Novac Djockovic who will beat Ernests Gulbis in 4 sets what do you think?
Can Rafa loose? is there too much pressure on him?
Where does Novac look in this picture do you feel that the tie will be too easy for him? 

MIXED DOUBLES FINAL

 

GROENFIELD AND ROJER WIN DOUBLES

The mixed doubles had a different system of running which includes only 1 deuce and a champion’s tie break which is a race to 10 and this was the final of it between Anna- Lena Groenfield of Germany and Jean- Julian Rojer of the Nertherlands against Julia Guergos of Germany and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia. Both teams got a set with the first going to  Guergos and Zimonjic who won 6-4 and the second went to Groenfield and Rojer who won 6-2 which lead to a champions tie break which Groenfield and  Rojer won 10-7 to win this tie break

ladies french open 4-6-14

PETOVIC PULLS OFF MASSIVE SHOCK TO REACH SEMIS

 Andera Petkovic pulled of the shock of the round as she cruised to the semi final beating Sara Erani. At the early stages of the first set she broke to take control of the first set and after her second break she did the same. Everybody expected Erani to come back in the second set but she did not as the same thing happened and it is very rare that a seed is outclassed but that was what happened as Petovic was both strong at the back of the court and when she went up front and wanted to be aggressive

HALEP SHOWS WHY SHE HAS THE CHANCE TO WIN

In the other semi final Simona Halep showed why she was the seed as she got an easy win against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia showing what made her of the best players in the world as she cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win and you would think that she is ready for a

Simona Halep should be good enough to win this match in 2 sets ut with the way that this is going anything can happen

 

4-6-14 mens french open

Rain was the main problem in these matches as the womens watches did not start until 4pm but both men’s semi finals ended yesterday

MURRAY GETS HIS FORM BACK JUST IN TIME

Andy Murray probably should have lost this match as he had lost the third and 4^th set but he did make a to the referee that must have lifted his spirits. Murray though did have control of the first 2 sets winning the second quite comfortably 6-4, 6-1 but Gail Monfise from France did come back in the third and 4^th winning 6-4, 6-1  but Murray did seem to have control of the match and win it before the day was over and cruised into the semi final. He now has to look at Rafa

RAFA SHOWS THAT TOUCH OF CLASS

Rafael Nadal was in shock mode as he lost the first set to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4 but he did show why he was the best tennis player on clay as he then took control of the match winning the next 3 sets but in the first set it seemed like he was not as he won 6-4 but in the third he began to take complete control of all aspects of the game winning 6-0 and 6-1 and showed that sometimes he just can not be beaten on clay.  

03-06-14 mens french open

DJOCKOVIC SHOWS HIS FORM

 

Novac Dockovic secured a spot in the semi final yesterday after defeating Milos Raonic in a very close encounter after winning the first set 7-5 he needed a tie break to win the second and by winning the third 6-4 he got a very difficult straight sets win and will be ready for the semi final. Djockovic really wants his career grand slam and I feel that with the form he is showing something can happen what do you think?

Novac in dreamland

This was a quality performance from Novac but at the same time it was tough which will help him massively in the long run.

GULBIS SHOCKS AGAIN

 

Ernist Gulbis of Latvia seeded 18 produced the shock of the day after beating Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and showed why exactly he was one of the big surprises f this tournament and after beating the legend that is Federrer he backed it up with a big win like this and if you had money on him as a semi finalist you would be very happy. I think that he can compete with Djockovic in the semi but will have to learn very fast what do you think?

Gulbis must be in dreamland

Gulbis shows that he is the shock man of the draw and can develop but must learn very quickly if he is to go into the final

Quarter final prediction

Andy Murray will feel like he is playing away in this quarter final against Gail Monfils and I think that he will definitely loose a set and could loose this but will win

In my opinion this match between Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer will be the tie of the championship so far and will go into a 5^th set but I feel that Nadals form will hold him through into the semi finals

03-06-14 womens french open

MOST PICTURED WOMAN IN WORLD GETS SCARED

 

Maria Sharapova was slightly disappointing yesterday as she saw off Garbine Muguruza of Spain. What made me was a very poor first set as she lost 6-. But she did come back into the match winning the second 7-5 and she then took control of the third winning it 6-1. A lot of people would have expected a lot more.

Sharapova can still win

I feel that Maria Sharapova is a lot better than this but in this French open women’s side anything can and probably will happen

BOUCHARD WINS BATTLE OF THE UNDERDOGS

 

In the second match Eugenie Bouchard was the hero of the quarter final as at no 18 seed she became the big time underdog as she defeated Carla Suarez Nuvarro. After winning an incredible first set tie break. Bouchard managed to loose the second set quite comfortably loosing 2 breaks to loose 6-2 and in the final set one Bouchard break of serve was what was needed to win this semi final

Anything can still happen

Bouchard has gone a lot further than anyone expected them to go in this competition but anything can happen in the next round     

Semi final predictions  

The first semi final in the women’s semis I think will go to Sara Errani as she plays Andrea Petkovic as you think that the seeds must now come to the top but I could see this match going to three sets what do you think?

I do prefer Simona Halep to Svetlana Kunzetsova as she is a much better known and it does look like a simpler route to the final but I think she will win comfortably in 2 sets

french open 2-5-14 no pictures

MENS

PERFECTION, PERFECTION, PERFECTION

 

Rafael Nadal showed why he is the best player on clay of our time as he took complete control of his last 16 match against Dusan Lajovic winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 he never looked like loosing this tie at any stage and will have a massive tie in the next round that he could loose if things go wrong as he meets David Ferrer

FERRER SHOWS HE IS READY FOR RAFA TEST

David Ferrer showed his class in beating South African Kevin Anderson in 4 sets the first 2 sets were won by Ferrer 6-3 and he looked to be in complete control but when he lost the third in a tie break it did look like Anderson could come back. But Ferrer cruised into the quarter finals with a 6-1 win showing what he needs to do in the next round

THE FRENCH STILL HAVE HOPE

Gael Monfils gave the French some hope yesterday as he showed what can happen when you take control of a match you are not expected to take control of as he beat Gullermo Garcia Lopez in straight sets 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 as Lopez got stronger in the match it seemed like Monfils found it harder to take control of the match.

MURRAY SHOWS CLASS

Andy Murray showed yesterday that he had potential to be a great as after being in a final game tie break yesterday he cruised into the quarter finals today over Fernando Verdasco winning in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 and as this tie was a difficult match he should go into the quarter finals with a lot of confidence

QUALIFER PREDICTIONS
I feel that Novac Djockovic  will beat Milos Raonic in 4 sets

I feel that it will also take 4 sets for Tomas Berdych to beat Ernests Gulbis

womens tennis 2-5-14 no picturres

WOMENS

WOMANS FAVOURITE UNDERDOG

 

 

Andera Petkovic was the seed as low as she was and showed her class in defeating Kiki Bertins the first set belonged to Bertins as she won it 6-1 but Andera Petkovic did come back in the second set and took control of it as she won it 6-2 but the third set could have went either way as there was only one break in serve that mattered and it went to Andera Petkovic who won the set 7-5.

HALEP MECOMES A BIG TIME FAVOURITE

 

Simona Halep showed why she is one of the favourites for this title as she beet fellow seed Slone Stevens of the USA winning 6-4, 63 and she looks ready for anybody and I think with a result like this has become a favourite for this title

ERANI WINS BIG TIME BATTLE

Sara Errani won the battle of the big seeds yesterday against Jelena Jankovic as she found it very difficult in the first set winning in a tie break. The second was a lot easier as she won it 6-2 but Jankovic did not show her seeded colours in this one

QUARTERS PREDICTIONS

I Feel that Maria Sharapova will beat Garbine Muguruza in straight sets

I feel Eugene Bouchard will beat Carla Suarez Nuvarro in 3 sets and possible a tie break set

gaa blog 1-6-2014

Galway had a massive scare as they could only beat Laois by 2 points in the Leinster hurling quarter final. Laois had control of the game in the first half but Galway did show that they were the better team in the second by winning by 0.16 to 0.4 but this did show that Galway still had the class but better worry as in the next round they would have a better class of opponent  

In the other Leinster quarter final Wexford completely outclassed Antrim and scored 5 goals past the Antrim Goalkeeper and to make matters worse for Antrim they had a man sent off this showed that Antrim were in a class below even though they had beaten Laois but need to be playing in the Leinster ties more often

In the Munster semi final the scores were 1-8 a piece at half time and anyone could win the match at this time and it was that but of Momentum at the end of the match that won the match for Limerick as the score was 2-16 a piece but Limerick got 2 points and Tip could not reply to them

In the Gaelic football Antrim showed their class in the Quarter final against Fermanagh as they scored 3 goals and showed why they were the better side. Fermanagh did not show their class in this tie as they looked like a very poor side even though they have one of the best managers in Ireland

In the Munster Football Tipperary won their first championship match since defeating Waterford in 2003 and beat possibly the only tram who could beat one of the big 2 in limerick but it was a very close match that either team could have won and was settled by one goal.

 

MENS TENNIS 1-6-14

MENS

ANOTHER SPANIARD THROUGH

In round 3 One of the big shocks in the men’s side was the fact that Richard Gasguet went out in straight sets by Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 this does show when it comes to clay court matches that there is something magical when it comes to the Spanish

THE LEGEND IS OUT

In round 4 Roger Federrer is out of the French open after loosing a 5 setter to Ernests Gulblis as he lost the first set in a tie break it looked like Federrer hand control. But Gulblis came back with a tie break of his own followed by 6-2 set and looked like he could not be beaten. Federrer came back with a break in the next set to win 6-4.  There was no need for a long drawn out affair as Gulblis took control of this match getting the break that he needed to win 6-3. Federrer is the first big gun out of the men’s side of the French.

CAN DOCKAVIC WIN THE CAREER GRAND SLAM

French hopes are leaving after Jo Wilfred Tsonga lost to Novac Djockavic in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 and Djockavic shows why he is one of the best tennis players in the world and the possibility that he can still win the career grand slam. I thought that Tsonga would have had put up more of a fight as the fans would have been on his back.

BERDICH MAKES SURE OF QUARTER FINAL SPOT

Tomas Berdich secured a spot in the Quarter Finals after beating John Isner 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets he will definitely be one to watch out for in the later rounds but I do not believe that he can win the French

MURRAY SURVIVES INTO 4TH ROUND

Andy Murray will be very happy to have this match over with as he defeated no 28 seed  Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Kohlschreiber won the fist set and took control of the match by winning 6-3 but Murray came back to win the next 2 sets 6-3 each and in the fourth Kohlschreiber came back to win 6-4 but the 5^th set was an absolute thriller as it went to 12-10 for Murray. I am sure that Murray will be disappointed that it went to this state and the fact that the match went to a second day

 

womens draw 1-6-14

WOMENS

BOUCHARD SECURARES QYARTER FINAL

In round 4 This French open at least in the women’s side of the draw was about shocks and the shock here was not the fact that Eugenie Bouchard defeated Angelique Kerber and giving the performance of her life to do so. It was the fact that she took a double break in each set winning by 6-1, 6-2 she might be an outsider for the title and I would want to look a lot closer at her

MUGURUZ SECURES SHOCK SPOT

In the battle of the unseeded players it was a comfortable win for Garbine Muguruza of Spain secured a spot in the quarter finals after she defeated Pauline Parentier 6-4, 6-2

SUAREZ NUVARO GETS INTO CRUZE CONTROL

Spaniard Carla Suarez Nuvaro cruised into the quarter finals in the French open as she defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-3 and looks like she was ready for anybody or anything. The important breaks showed that this would be the Spaniards best performance and looking at this Womens anything can happen and probably will

third round french open 30-5-14

We are at the point that seeds play each other as we can say who are going to be the stronger players in the French open

WOMENS

First is Agneska Radvanska vs Ajla Tomljanovic Radvanska is very high in the seeded order so is expected to win in this match and I think that she can do it in 2 but will probably do it in 3 sets

I feel that Maria Sharapova is a lot better player than Paula Ormaecha and should get past her in 2 sets but I would not ne surpiised if there was a tie break in those 2 sets

Domimica Cibulkova will have this as the seeds must take control of this French open again as Sam Stoser can win this match and I feel that it will go to 3 sets but the Slovak will win it

 MENS

I feel that Roger Federrer will beat Demitry Tursonov in 4 sets as he has got the right mentality to get this win

I feel that this might be the first big shock of the French open as Giles Simon will beat Milos Ranoc in 5 sets and I feel that there might be 2 tie breakers in this match as the French crowd get on Simons back

Novac Djockavic is expected to win this match over Marin Cilic but I think that this might be his first test of a champion as to be one he has to win this game in three sets to show that he has the form to beat Rafa and win the title I feel that it might take him 4 sets to win this match  

 

barrys french predictions 29-5-14

Women’s

First is Jelena Jankavic vs Kurumi Nara as Jankavic is the seed in this match I would expect her to win in 3 sets

Ana Ivonavic vs Elina Svitlona Ivonavic I think is definitely a strong player and will get through this from the outside and I do feel that this is will not be easy in any way shape or form I think that all 3 sets will be close

Alison Riske vs Kristona Mladenovic you have been hoping for an American coming through but as these players are unseeded it is difficult to define between the two players I think that Riske will win this tie in 2 sets but both will be close.

Pera Kitova vs Marina Erakovic with the way that this tournament is going anything can happen but Petra should be able to get through this tie wit some ease but we can not be certain and anything can happen with the seeded players

Men’s

Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem I have seen that Nadal has got the enough form to make this quite easy for him and I should see Nadal break twice in all sets and show why he is the best on clay

Richard Gasguet vs Carlos Belocq.  Gasguet is quite possibly the player the pressure of the home fans could get to him and I could see Gasguet winning in 4  

Simone Bololi vs David Ferrer Ferrer on clay should be able to get past this second round tie as he can get past this in 3 or 4 sets

 

 

mens tennis 28-5-14

MENS TENNIS

FERRER SHOWS CLASS

 

Spain’s David Ferrer showed how he can win the title as he got better throughout this match against Igor Sisjling as he won 6-4 6-3 6-1 we saw Ferrers potential to be a champion and whether he can do enough to be a champion on clay and in my opinion if he is to take some form of control of a competition this is the one he should focus on.

HAPPY FRENCH AS MONFISE GOES THROUGH

 

Gail Monfise of France could be a bit of a surprise package as he did fall under the French pressure a set in this first round tie against Victor Hanescu of Rominia as he won   6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. He is very high in the French rankings so there will be a lot of pressure on him but he came through and I feel that there is potential for a quarter final positions here 

ANOTHER FRENCHMAN THROUGH

 

Another Frenchman through to the second round as Richard Gasguet secured a 6-2, 6-1 7-5 against Bernard Tomic of Australia. Gasguet looks ready for anybody as Tomic is not a particularly difficult opponent in this tournament and with the round. I feel that he could reach the quarters if the crowd get behind him which I think they will.

BIG BRIT THROUGH

 

Andy Murray showed why he could be the best of the rest as he defeated Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 but this does not to me show that there is enough to beat any of the big guns in the men’s draw. A quarter final might be as far as he goes as the big 2 will be there to beat him in the Quarter finals if he manages to get there. Murray does need to get better as dropping sets at this stage says you are on a bad road   

   

womens tennis 28-5-14 no pictures

WOMENS TENNIS

HALEP CRUISES THROUGH

Simona Halep of Romania cruised through to the second round with a seeding of number 4 I feel that she can set to a final of this tournament but we do not know enough about her in this round as it was too easy against Alisa Kleybanova of Russia as she won 6-0 6-2 there was no contrast here and you will need to see what she can do when she goes further in the competition

IVANAVIC FINDS IT EASY

Anna Ivanovic of Serbia cruised into the second round of the French open with a 6-3 6-1 win over Caroline Garcia of France. Sometimes you can lean a lot from a person but in this match there is very little to learn for Ivanovic and if she does go far I think that she will be very happy with this performance but will learn very little from it of herself a Quarter final is a good goal for her but if she can keep this up maybe a semi final is an achievable goal

LI OUT IN BIG SHOCK

 

No 2 seed Na Li of China was dumped out of this years French yesterday after loosing to Kristina Mladenovic and the home fans liked it as she came from France loosing the first set 7-5 but Na Li did take the second 6-3 to bring the game into the final set. The final set Li could not get started at all and lost 6-1 but you do not know how good this woman is all I can say is that this will not help Chinese tennis 

gaa weekend 27-5-14

GAELIC FOOTBALL

Donegal defend the way to win

Donegal pulled off a shock as they defeated Derry by 1.11 to 0.11. But the game itself was won at the start of the second half when Donegal scored 1-5 without reply. The people who controlled the game for Donegal at this stage of the game were Murphy Mc Hugh and Thomson. Derry did not have a leader in this period of the match. The goal itself a ball from the half way line down the left side of the pitch who passes to two players in the centre where Frank Mc Lone was who gets an easy finish.

IS there hope for London as Galway cruise to semis

Galway cruised into the Connacht semi finals with a 3.17 to 0.7 win it looks like the heroes of London will not be coming this year or do Galway have the luck

Tyrone show why they can be so good

Down got an early penalty as Morgan saves a penalty that did not have this much power on it at the start of the match. Tyrone got an early goal from Ceiron Mc Ginley as he has a simple path to go from a good pass and put into the corner. Down were beginning to have momentum in this match that was slowed by a Ceiron Mc Ginley goal this left Tyrone having complete control of the match. Especially when Peter Harte scored a penalty that did not look like a penalty.

HURLING

Cork pull miracle draw from the death  

What a comeback from Cork it looked like this game was over as Waterford lead by 1-15 to 0-7 at this period Waterford man takes on 2 players from the half wine running past 2 defenders shooting and putting it in the net and with Cork getting a quality goal as for this one as the ball went into the small parallagram and the forward put it in the net   and a perfect point it gave them momentum that they were able to hold onto and equalise at 1-20 each with both teams getting another score each this game was going to a replay.   

Antrim get important win

Antrim secured a win and a chance in their quarter final but the match itself could have went either way in this close encounter but Antrim could only win it 0.22 to 0.20. Antrim will now play Wexford in the quarter finals which will be easier as Laois will play potential all Ireland champions Galway  

yesterday french open 26-5-14

ANNA NEEDS FORM

In the first bit of the match no one was winning a service game until Radvanska went and won 9 successive games and took complete control of this match winning in 1 hour and 2 minutes

GOLDEN OLDIE SHOWS WHY HE IS STILL SO GOOD

Roger Federrer got his first ser off to a good start but the first few games were very tight but Federrer then began to take control and win the first set. The second set was also very tight and Federrer could not get rid of his opponent as he was leading 4-3 but he had the ability to turn on a light to win the third set quite comfortably he was unbelievable in the final game he as he did not loose a single point.

Micheal Jusney was 2 sets to love down but managed to win by 3 sets to 2

BOTH WILLAMS CRUISE THROUGH

Venus went into the second round by beating Belona Belic 6-4 6-1 and looks now like she could compete with the big girls. She did look a lot better than her no 29 seed in this match but that is not saying too much. She could beat a big gun in a later round but the last 16 would be as far as she can go

Serena cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 win and she looked quite incredible in it. It does look like the Williams sisters are doing well at the early stages of the French

JO TRIES IT HIS OWN WAY

Jo Wilfred Tsonga did things his own way as he needed a tie break to win the first set. Edward Roger Vasili is becoming a very difficult opponent as he lost 3 games in a row to loose the second set. He gains the third winning 7-5 but Tsonga eases through to the next round winning the final set 6-2

heniken cup amlin and play offs

STRONG SECCOND HALF KILLS OFF BATH

A breakaway try was the difference between the two teams at half time as Northampton play the ball Louw is able to take his pace and run to the other side of the pitch. You could see how important this match was to both sides.

In the second half Northampton took complete with a change if intensity which allowed for  control of the game with 2 tries of their own from Dowden and Foden.

Bath feel that they have had a poor season as they have not had a trophy but they did finish fifth which means European Champions cup and get to the semi final of the LV= cup to me this would be a good season but it is good to see teams set their ambitions high.

WASPS FIND A WAY TO EUROPE

Barnell scored a perfect kick pass to start the move and through some good passing from one side of the pitch to the other Wasps get a try in the corner which is converted

Stade then had some bad luck as a try was disallowed from Hascal but when they went to the TMO they had realised that there was a high tackle

Stade kick 2 penalties to be within 1. Wasps then hit back with a penalty of their own to lead by 10 points to 6 at half time

The fairness of all of this is balanced out as wasps have a try disallowed for a knock on

 

Wasps then score a try from a kick and go as Johnson passes to Thomson who puts the ball on the Stade line.

Goode scores a penalty which puts Stade out of the contest

TOLON SHOW THEIR CLASS

Saracens started like a dream as a Tolon error left a bad scrum which lead to the penalty

Tolon then show why they are the best team in Europe by getting a try on the half hour as a Kick fro Gueto and a hand pass to Michell who puts the ball on the ground to give Tolon the lead Wilkinson converts

Tolon then get a drop goal from a line out which leads to a scrum and Johhny Wilkinson hitting a penalty to allow Tolon to take total control 13-3 at half time

Tolon then get a try on 60 minutes by Lobbe as a Saracens error starts the move to create the gap to flick back inside to maybe win the match Johnny converts so they now lead 20-6

Wilkinson gets a penalty to seal the cup as tolon win 23-6   

play off and champions league

QPR SNEEK INTO PREMIERSHIP WITH LAST MINUTE GOAL

This game was a very defensive game as both teams were afraid to loose it at any stage  

Charlie Austin had the shot of the match on 56 minutes which was a cross that was touched slightly wide of the goal

Gary O Neil had been sent off as he tackled the man just outside the box and as he was seen to be the last man  the referee could clearly see it

Dawkins then had a simple chance to score on 74 minutes as the ball went into the box and all he had to do was touch it but Green was able to save which gave QPR the excitement to take control of the match

Bobby Zamora scores the winning goal just before full time as QPR have a throw and a solid Derby tackle gives QPR the ball back for a cross that has got the time and space to head it into the net 1-0 on 90 minutes  QPR and Derby do not have the time to react

 REAL OUTCLASS ATHLETICO IN EXTRA TIME

Athletico take the lead on 35 minutes from Gordan which could have been offside. Corner goes to the outside of the box brought back to the middle with a tap header and Gordan puts the ball in the net

Real Madrid equalise from Gareth Bale just before full time as he is able to slide through defenders to get a one on one with the goalkeeper and misses

Real equalise from a Moderic corner perfectly set to Ramoses head who puts the ball in the net 1-1

The game goes to extra time

Gareth bale scores a header on 110 minutes to give real control of this match Great shot from wide and Bale puts it in

Marcello signs seals and delivers the trophy as a decent passing move allows Marcello to run past 3 defenders and get 1 on 1 with the real keeper

Ronaldo gets and scores a penalty that looked quite clear as he was pulled back. The penalty itself he puts to the left centre

Real Madrid win the tie 4-1 but it did have to go to extra time