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text-decoration:none; } img {border:none;} The Sport Review: “US Open
draw developing into tale of two halves in New York” plus 7 more- US Open draw developing into tale of two halves in New York - England cruise past Pakistan to equal T20 world record - Kamui Kobayashi to stay with Formula 1 team Sauber - Guardiola selects Fábregas as his Euro midfielder of the year - England focused for Swiss test, insists Steven Gerrard - Top seed Wozniacki disposes of title rival Sharapova - Stars heap praise on Real Madrid boss José Mourinho - Bridgestone offer Pirelli advice ahead of return to Formula 1 US Open draw developing into tale of two halves in New York Posted: 07 Sep 2010 05:21 PM PDT It has broken down nicely into two very contrasting halves. In the bottom segment of the US Open draw, things have diverted little from the script. Seeds two, three, and five sit contentedly in their quarter-final slots, dropping just one set between them in their fourth round contests. Roger Federer cruised through Jurgen Melzer in straight sets. Novak Djokovic found, in the end, little resistance from a Mardy Fish who had just one too many tournament finals weighing heavy in his slender legs. Robin Soderling, facing an Albert Montanes in his first ever fourth round in a Slam, got off to a slow start. But having conceded the first set, he ripped off the next three in short order. The fourth spot, on paper, should have gone to No6 seed Nikolay Davydenko, but he has barely regained his form after his long injury break. Next in line might have been Andy Roddick, but he had suffered from glandular fever ahead of the tournament and from melt-down in his second round exit. So it will fall to the Gallic flair of the athletic Gael Monfils to take on Djokovic in the quarters. The top half of the draw—well that has been another story. Yes, the No1 seed, Rafael Nadal, has stood strong at the top, not a set dropped, not a serve broken. He will face only compatriots from fourth round until the semis as three more Spaniards fill his segment of the draw. First up was fellow left-hander, the serve-volleyer Feliciano Lopez. After that will be the winner between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco: their dead-even record confirms it could be either who wins the dubious privilege of a Nadal quarter face-off. But who would filter through to face the guaranteed man from Spain? Not the No4 seed Andy Murray, nor the No7 seed Tomas Berdych. Both were tipped as strong contenders for the final. Neither got beyond Round Three. No, it was a quarter filled with a bevy of beautiful backhands: the single-handed variety. First, one more Spaniard, Tommy Robredo, took on the exciting Russian, Mikhail Youzhny, in a real crowd-pleaser of a match. The two met at the Open in 2006, also in the fourth round: Youzhny crushed Robredo in 77 minutes. This time, it was a closer contest that showed off the all-court craft and elegance of two of the classiest players on the tour. But it was the 28-year-old Youzhny, attacking the net with great success, who took the match in four sets and three hours. In that 2006 US Open, Youzhny went on to reach his only Slam semi-final downing Nadal along the way, and the two could meet again in this year’s semis. The 2010 Nadal, though, is a far better all-round player and would be favourite to take his revenge. The match that brought most razzle-dazzle to the fourth round was the intense, punishing, high-quality battle between Stanislas Wawrinka and Sam Querrey. If there were any doubts that the Swiss man could reproduce the quality of game he used to beat Murray, they were quickly allayed. In the strong winds on Louis Armstrong, both men brought big serving and superb court coverage to a gripping contest that, quite rightly, reached one tie-break set apiece after two hours. By mid-way through the third, it was still all square, as Wawrinka roared his defiance in breaking the American back to 3-3. Whether it comes from new confidence and a new coach, or from marriage and fatherhood, the usually restrained and undemonstrative Swiss has brought more passion and motivation to this tournament than he has since his heyday two years ago—his only entry into the top 10. He went on to break Querrey and take the third set, 7-5. In the fourth, Querrey again went a break up, as the combined winners from the pair sailed past 50. There were break points aplenty as Wawrinka refused to let the set go. Querrey, though, the only remaining American in the draw, was cheered all the way to a 6-4 set. After more than three and a half hours, it was level again. In the final set, Wawrinka—leg heavily bound as it had been against Murray—served first and, when it came to the key moment, at 5-4 up, he found some extra attack, chipped and charged against the Querrey serve and took some chances. He also took his second break point opportunity, and the match, 6-4. Wawrinka has a singing, swinging backhand, one of the finest in tennis. It is delivered with a single right arm like a slap in the face from the glove of a man defending the honour of his betrothed. It sealed him countless outright winners in this match, including the last. The win gives the single-handed backhand of the Swiss a place against the more graceful single-hander of Youzhny. Beyond that lies the Spanish Armada. But even further ahead is a very rare—and very slim—chance of an all-Swiss US Open final. England cruise past Pakistan to equal T20 world record Posted: 07 Sep 2010 04:04 PM PDT England coasted past Pakistan to seal a 2-0 series win and claim a world record-equalling seventh T20 victory in a row. Umar Akmal top-scored with 17 in an appalling batting display in which Pakistan could only muster 89 as England's seamers caused havoc. Tim Bresnan claimed 3-10 whilst Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad took two wickets each. England stuttered to the tiny target with captain Paul Collingwood making 21 and Eoin Morgan once again providing the finish, ending unbeaten on 18. Again Pakistan made a promising start, taking 11 runs from the opening over, yet from here on England completely commanded the match as the tourists folded. The top three all fell playing loosely to the short ball which brought talisman Shahid Afridi to the crease. However, once more the shorter ball got the better of Pakistan as Afridi spliced Broad to Eoin Morgan at point. Spinners Swann and Michael Yardy were immediately on the spot as the pair drained the remaining life from the Pakistan innings. Yardy's four overs cost just 10 as he sealed his most economical figures in T20 cricket while Swann removed Akmal with a cleverly-flighted delivery. Despite the best efforts of the Pakistani tail, including Umar Gul's late cameo, the tourists could only manage 89 all out. England were quick to attack as Craig Kieswetter struck a free hit for six off Gul. Pakistan's first resistance to the host's dominance came soon after when two wickets fell in two balls. Shoaib Akhtar had Steve Davies caught before Akmal ran out Kieswetter. Ravi Bopara and Collingwood steadied the wobble to see off Akhtar, but the England skipper then fell to the spin of Saeed Ajmal. Afridi then trapped Bopara lbw in the very next over but with England only requiring 27 for the win, Pakistan were left to further rue their first innings efforts. And just as they did in the first T20 clash on Sunday, Yardy and Morgan took England across the finish line to seal the series win with six overs to spare. Kamui Kobayashi to stay with Formula 1 team Sauber Posted: 07 Sep 2010 11:21 AM PDT Sauber have announced they will retain rookie driver Kamui Kobayashi for 2011 after a string of impressive performances for the Swiss team. The Japanese driver was given his chance with the team after making appearances for Toyota at the end of 2009, and has scored 21 of Sauber's 27 points this year while regularly outshining experienced team-mate Pedro de la Rosa. "Kamui has definitely fulfilled our expectations in terms of his speed and fighting spirit," said owner and team principal Peter Sauber. "Plus, his work with the engineers and his technical understanding has also developed very well. "The experience he has built up over his first full season in Formula One will certainly stand him in good stead for 2011," he added. "And our aim is to give him a fast and reliable car from the outset next season." The 24-year-old's best finish for Sauber was an impressive sixth in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July, equalling his sixth place for Toyota at Abu Dhabi. Kobayashi said: "I feel very much at home in Peter Sauber’s team and am very pleased we’ll be working together again in 2011. However, for now I’m focusing 100 per cent on this year. There are still six grand prix weekends to go in 2010, and we’ll be hoping to make up more ground." Sauber have struggled for finances and sponsorship this year, with their cars running largely unbranded, but Peter Sauber is understood to have several big names lined up for 2011 after exceeding expectation in their first year as an independent team following BMW's withdrawal at the end of 2009. Guardiola selects Fábregas as his Euro midfielder of the year Posted: 07 Sep 2010 09:03 AM PDT Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola chose Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas as his European midfielder of the season for the UEFA Club Football Awards 2010. The Barça boss, barred from selecting players from his own side, chose the Spaniard ahead of the likes of Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and eventual midfield winner Wesley Sneijder. Guardiola also picked Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia as his second-choice stopper behind Inter Milan's Júlio César. The coaches from the 16 clubs that participated in the knockout stage of last season's Champions League, including Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, were asked to select their top players in each category. Lionel Messi's four-goal haul against Arsène Wenger's Gunners side in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Barcelona clearly made an impression on Arsenal boss – the Frenchman voted the Argentine as his forward of the year. Elsewhere, United boss Ferguson selected Petr Cech as his top goalkeeper and Inter Milan's Diego Milito as his number one forward. Ancelotti, meanwhile, rated Sneijder as his top midfielder and Walter Samuel as his No1 defender. The final awards saw an Inter Milan clean sweep as Júlio César, Maicon, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito were named as players of the season in their respective positions. European managers' first-choice players for the UEFA Club Football Awards 2010 in order of playing position – Voting Results Arsène Wenger (Arsenal): Júlio César, Lucio, Xavi, Messi Josep Guardiola (Barcelona): Júlio César, Maicon, Fábregas, Milito Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea): Júlio César, Samuel, Sneijder, Milito Louis van Gaal (Bayern Munich): Van der Sar, Pique, Sneijder, Milito Laurent Blanc (Bordeaux): Júlio César, Maicon, Xavi, Milito Leonid Slutsky (CSKA Moscow): Júlio César, Maicon, Robben, Milito Cesare Prandelli (Fiorentina): Júlio César, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Milito Claude Puel (Lyons): Júlio César, Lucio, Iniesta, Milito Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United): Cech, Samuel, Xavi, Milito Leonardo (AC Milan): Júlio César, Maicon, Cambiasso, Messi Bozidar Bandovic (Olympiacos): Júlio César, Lucio, Robben, Messi José Mourinho (Inter Milan): Lloris, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Robben Manuel Pellegrini (Real Madrid): Júlio César, Pique, Sneijder, Milito Manuel Jesualdo Ferreira (Porto): Júlio César, Maicon, Xavi, Milito Manuel Jimenez (Sevilla): Júlio César, Pique, Xavi, Milito Christian Gross (Stuttgart): Júlio César, Maicon, Cambiasso, Milito England focused for Swiss test, insists Steven Gerrard Posted: 07 Sep 2010 07:55 AM PDT Stand-in skipper Steven Gerrard insists England are fully focused ahead of tonight’s European Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Basel. The England captain admitted Friday night’s 4-0 demolition of Bulgaria did “wonders” for the squad's confidence following their dismal World Cup campaign. Gerrard sparkled in midfield at Wembley, producing a dominant performance of the sort Liverpool fans have grown accustomed to at Anfield. “The way the boys played the other day was fantastic," said Gerrard. "I don’t think you have to change much after a 4-0 win. We’re away from home against a good side and it’s a big test for us." The 30-year-old then outlined Fabio Capello’s desire to secure maximum points from their opening two matches of the qualifying campaign. Gerrard added: “That was the plan when we first joined up last week – to take six points. A draw here would be a good result but it would be fantastic to take three points." And Gerrard jumped to Wayne Rooney's defence, claiming the allegations surrounding the striker’s private life will not affect his performance tonight. “If you have an issue off the pitch, you’re in a situation where you have to park it and then get on with the rest of your life," said Gerrard, who himself became embroiled in controversy in December 2008 following a disagreement in a bar. "But this is where football sometimes can be a great release. “Once the game starts, you’re focused on what happens on the pitch — not what’s going on off it. I’m sure that’s what will happen with Wayne as soon as the referee blows his whistle.” As permanent England captain Rio Ferdinand continues his recovery from injury, Gerrard added that he has enjoyed every moment of leading the national team. “I won’t lie to you, I’ve had to deal with some difficult questions,” he said. “And I’ve tried to do the best job I can and be as honest as I can. I’ve really loved leading the team out, every minute of it, even the games we’ve lost. “Sure, it’s frustrating sometimes when you’re preparing for a big game and it seems as if people are only interested in the other story that is going round at the time.” Top seed Wozniacki disposes of title rival Sharapova Posted: 07 Sep 2010 07:22 AM PDT Caroline Wozniacki pinned her colours to the US Open mast with a thrilling 6-3 6-4 victory over resurgent Russian Maria Sharapova on the Arthur Ashe court last night. In a captivating fourth round clash, Sharapova, 23, and Wozniacki, 20, produced some exhilarating tennis in what panned out to be an enthralling match-up in New York. Former world No1 Sharapova has rekindled her form of old in recent weeks and many had cited her as an outside tip for the Flushing Meadows title. Meanwhile, Wozniacki had dropped just three games in the lead-up to her blockbuster clash against the 2006 champion. Sharapova, the 14th seed, produced ferocious strokes throughout Monday’s encounter but Wozniacki displayed an invulnerable defensive side to her game as she tenaciously tracked down every ball. And at the crucial moments, the Russian's serve let her down; three double faults in the fourth game of the first set allowed world No2 Wozniacki to take an early 3-1 lead. The Dane held her nerve to take the opening set despite a late rally from her opponent. The hard-hitting Sharapova produced 32 winners compared to Wozniacki’s modest tally of 16. However, it was the Russian's unforced error count of 36 that was to be her downfall as Wozniacki remained consistent, making just 10. It proved to be the common theme of the match. The 20-year-old top seed deflected the former world No1′s best efforts and as the pair became entangled in lengthy rallies, Sharapova regularly lost her patience. At 4-2 in the second set Wozniacki stuttered, albeit momentarily. Sharapova finally managed to seize a break point, but any chance of a comeback was snuffed out by Wozniacki who broke back immediately and claimed victory in the following game as she confidently served out the match. “I think I’m a really tough player,” said Wozniacki afterwards. “I never give up. Doesn’t matter what the score is. And I think that makes me tough to beat. "It was a really tough match, Maria is a great player so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy" Sharapova was quick to congratulate her opponent and paid testament to her current vein of form. She said: “She’s at the top of her game, playing the best tennis of her career.” Stars heap praise on Real Madrid boss José Mourinho Posted: 07 Sep 2010 03:38 AM PDT Bernabéu legend Zinedine Zidane and new signing Ricardo Carvalho have heaped praise on new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho. Mourinho's tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu got off to a stuttering start as his side limped to a goalless draw at Mallorca on the opening day of the season. But centre-back Carvalho, who joined Real this summer and has worked with the Portuguese coach at both Chelsea and Porto, has declared the 47-year-old manager to be the best in the world and believes his side deserved to win their opening fixture. "I have known Jose Mourinho for many years now, which has become very helpful to me because I know the way he works perfectly well,” said Carvalho. “He is the best coach in the world, a coach who knows exactly what has to be done. I feel very integrated at Real Madrid; the Club is exactly how I expected it to be. "We had many opportunities to score against Mallorca, but we didn't. Our defence played with great confidence, but it was a shame we didn't capitalise on any of our chances to score. That was the only thing we failed to do during the match. He added: "Normally, we would have scored one or two goals and we would have won the game. We played well in defence and in attack we had many opportunities to win. We are going to give our best performance to win against Osasuna on Saturday in order to earn our first victory in the season." Meanwhile, Zidane, who scored 49 goals in 225 appearances for Los Blancos, believes bringing Mourinho to the Bernabéu was "the best move Real Madrid could make". "He brings what the team was lacking," said Zidane, 38. "It was the right move. I am sure Real Madrid will go on to do great things and win titles. Signing Mourinho was the best move Real Madrid could make." Bridgestone offer Pirelli advice ahead of return to Formula 1 Posted: 07 Sep 2010 02:51 AM PDT Outgoing Formula 1 tyre manufacturer Bridgestone have offered assistance to incoming Pirelli – but only if the Italian marque want help to make the transition a smooth process. "We had the advantage that we could enter step-by-step, because Goodyear was still there," said Bridgestone director of motorsport tyre development Hirohide Hamashima. "First we had only one top team, then two and so on. For Pirelli it's different, because they immediately have to equip the entire field, which will be very difficult. "So far Pirelli has not asked for advice, because engineers are very proud, especially when it comes to the competition – but if Pirelli would like to make use of some of our employees, it would be our pleasure. We have built up very good contacts with the teams and I would not want there to be a big confusion. The transition of Bridgestone to Pirelli should run as smoothly as is possible." Force India's Adrian Sutil predicts difficult times for Pirelli until they've collected enough data to perfect their tyres. The German said: "It's understandable that as a new tyre manufacturer, you need to collect your experience. It's going to be one or two years until Pirelli supplies the perfect tyre, but it's the same for everyone, so everyone has to cope with the situation. That makes it exciting." Pirelli have already begun testing for their 2011 PZero prototype F1 tyres with Nick Heidfeld behind the wheel of a 2009 Toyota TF109. Successful tests have already taken place at Mugello and Paul Ricard, with further trials to come before the end of the season in November. You are subscribed to email updates from The Sport Review To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 -- Posted By Mas Item Arekjowo to The Sport Review at 9/08/2010 12:05:00 AM -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Gugukluhayat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. 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