Posts Tagged ‘juan martin del potro’
Thursday, September 6th, 2012
David Ferrer (Jose Porras, Wikimedia Commons)
We now know who are in the final four at the U.S. Open.
On Thursday in a riveting afternoon and evening of tennis, David Ferrer of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia booked their tickets for Saturday.
Ferrer won what could be considered one of the best matches of the year in defeating Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, 6-3, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in five outstanding sets.
Djokovic meanwhile beat Juan Martin del Potro in three straight sets, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4. The second set will go down in the history books as one of the greatest sets ever played, with Djokovic winning in 85 minutes. The long rallies and degree of difficulty in shot making by both players was legendary and historic.
Djokovic will now play Ferrer in one semi-final while Andy Murray of Great Britain will play Tomas Berdych in the other semi-final. Berdych beat the great Roger Federer last night.
In women’ action Friday, Serena Williams will play French Open finalist Sara Errani of Italy, while Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will play Maria Sharapova of Russia.
Tags: andy murray, david ferrer, janko tipsarevic, juan martin del potro, maria sharapova, novak djokovic, ROGER FEDERER, sara errani, serena williams, tomas berdych, u.s. open, victoria azarenka
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Saturday, August 18th, 2012
The log jammed Western Division in the Canadian Football League continues to get tighter. After Edmonton’s blow out loss to the Montreal Alouettes last night, the Calgary Stampeders can tie the Eskimos with a win against the Toronto Argonauts at 4-3 (Saturday, TSN, 5pm).
The Stampeders acquired offensive lineman Obby Khan this week. Khan was part of the 2011 Eastern Division champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers before announcing his retirement.
In Toronto meanwhile, the Chad Kackert experiment as the Argonauts’ number one running back begins with Cory Boyd off to Edmonton.
The Argonauts management must know something special from Kackert, who has -3 yards rushing this season.
(more…)
Tags: british columbia lions, calgary stmpeders, chad kackert, josh hamilton, juan martin del potro, novak djokovic, obby khan, ROGER FEDERER, Saskatchewan Roughriders, stanislas wawrinka, texas rangers, toronto argonauts, toronto blue jays
Posted in ATP World Tour, CFL, MLB, More |
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
Petra Kvitova (Pavel Lebeda, Wikimedia Commons)
With all the talk surrounding Maria Sharapova being the player to beat at the 2012 French Open, it was Petra Kvitova’s play in the fourth round that impressed me more.
Kvitova, the defending Wimbledon champion, only had seven winners against yesterday in an impressive 6-2, 6-1 win over unseeded American Varvara Lepchenko, who was born in Uzbekistan and only recently became an American citizen.
Kvitova is ranked fourth in the world, but everybody in the tennis world is projecting Sharapova as the clear cut favourite. I’m sorry, but the last time I checked Sharapova hasn’t won a major since 2008.
Meanwhile on the men’s side Tuesday there were two terrific five setters. Both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer won, but were pushed to the limit.
Djokovic, the top seed, is looking to be the reigning champion in all four majors at the same time since Rod Laver of Australia accomplished the feat in 1969. Djokovic defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1.
(more…)
Tags: french open, jo-wilfried tsonga, juan martin del potro, novak djokovic, petra kvitova, rod laver, ROGER FEDERER
Posted in Home |
Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
Dominika Cibulkova (Christian Mesiano, Wikimedia Commons)
Victoria Azarenka’s attempt to duplicate her outstanding performance at the Australian Open at Roland Garros this week came to an abrupt end in the fourth round today.
Azarenka lost to Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 7-6 in the fourth round today. Despite only having a first serve percentage of 47%, Cibulkova had more winners and less unforced errors than the world number one.
On the men’s side, Milos Raonic lost in five grueling sets yesterday to Argentina’s Juan Monaco.
But there was a particular instance where Raonic needs to be applauded for sportsmanship. Early in the fifth set, the ball that Monaco hit was counted out, but Raonic told the umpire that Monaco’s shot was indeed in. High praise needs to go to Raonic!
In other action today, two key fourth round matches have been suspended until tomorrow. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, the fifth seed, leads Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, the 18th seed, 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 4-2 in the fifth set, and Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, the ninth seed, leads the seventh seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 7-6, 1-6, 6-3.
Tags: dominika cibulkova, french open, jo-wilfried tsonga, juan martin del potro, juan monaco, milos raonic, stanislas wawrinka, tomas berdych, victoria azarenka
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012
Dylan Armstrong (Wilson Wong, Wikimedia Commons)
This weekend is a big tuneup for Canadian Olympic medal hopeful Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, British Columbia. The reigning Diamond League Champion is set to compete in the 2012 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon (Saturday, NBC, 1pm) , a major track and field event in Armstrong’s preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Armstrong will also be competing this weekend against a very deep field–reigning Olympic Gold medallist Tomasz Majewski of Poland, and Americans Ryan Whiting (World Indoor Champion), Christian Cantwell (2009 World Champion) and Reese Hoffa (2007 World Champion). Hoffa has the seasonal best throw of 21.73m.
Here are the other events I’ll be watching this weekend:
Saturday–ATP–French Open Tennis– Men’s Third Round–(13) Juan Monaco–ARG vs. (19) Milos Raonic–CAN–9am–TSN–For the first time in his career, Canadian Milos Raonic has advanced past the first round of the French Open. In his win Thursday, Raonic defeated American Jesse Levine 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. Levine, a native of Ottawa, has publicly stated he considers himself 100% American, making him a present day Greg Rusedski (represented Great Britain despite being born in Montreal), as a player that turned away completely from his Canadian roots. Monaco will be the slight favourite due to his experience on the clay. He has been on the ATP Tour now since 2004 and the clay is his best surface.
(more…)
Tags: boston celtics, christian cantwell, dario franchitti, dylan armstrong, french open, james hinchcliffe, jonathan quick, juan martin del potro, juan monaco, kevin garnett, los angeles kings, martin brodeur, Miami Heat, milos raonic, new jersey devils, novak djokovic, prefontaine classic, rajon rondo, resse hoffa, ROGER FEDERER, ryan whiting, tomas berdych, tomasz majewski, will power
Posted in Amateur Sports, ATP World Tour, Indy Racing League, More, NBA, NHL |
Saturday, May 26th, 2012
James Hinchcliffe (Wikimedia Commons)
The 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 runs this weekend (Sunday, ABC, 9am) with Australian Ryan Briscoe on the pole.
But the big news for Canadian sports fans is who will be driving second. James Hinchcliffe of Oakville, Ontario will be starting in the second position for Andretti Autosport. Meanwhile Alex Tagliani of Montreal will be riding 11th.
Not at the 2012 Indianapolis 500 are the defending champion, Dan Wheldon, who died at a race in Las Vegas and Danica Patrick who is in NASCAR.
However there are three ladies in the race. Brazilian Ana Beatriz is driving in the 13th position, England’s Katherine Legge is 30th and Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro is 32nd.
Australian Will Power who leads the IndyCar point standings so far this season will start fifth.
Here are the other events I’ll be watching this weekend:
(more…)
Tags: albert montanes, alex tagliani, ana beatriz, boston celtics, brandon gormley, dan wheldon, french open, indianapolis 500, james hinchcliffe, juan martin del potro, katherine legge, loik poudrier, london knights, michael chaput, philadelphia 76ers, ryan briscoe, shawinigan cataractes, simona de silvestro, texas rangers, toronto blue jays, will power
Posted in Amateur Sports, ATP World Tour, Indy Racing League, MLB, More, NBA |
Saturday, May 12th, 2012
Alexander Ovechkin (Wikimedia Commons)
Three game sevens (and possibly a fourth) will dominate my sports viewing this weekend.
In the NHL, there is a game seven in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. This will be a battle of Alexander Ovechkin versus Henrik Lundqvist. Despite limited ice time, Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with nine points, but will have to get by Hart Trophy nominee Lundqvist to move on to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in his career. The game can be seen on CBC tonight at 5:30pm.
In the NBA, there are two game sevens, both involving the Los Angeles teams. Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets in game seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinal tonight (TSN2, 8:30pm). Questions are surrounding the health of Lakers star Kobe Bryant who played with the stomach flu in game six on Thursday. Afterwards, he was not happy with Pau Gasol for his lack of effort and had no problem telling him so.
Then tomorrow the Memphis Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Clippers (ABC, 11am) in game seven of another Western Conference Semi-Final. Like the Nuggets, the Grizzlies were once down 3-1 in the series but have clawed their way back to force a game seven. Last night in Los Angeles, the Grizzlies won game six 90-88 on Marc Gasol’s 23 points.
(more…)
Tags: alexander ovechkin, Curtis Lazar, denver nuggets, Edmonton Oil Kings, henrik lundqvidst, jonathan quick, josh hamilton, juan martin del potro, k.j. choi, kevin na, Kobe Bryant, los angeles angels of anaheim, Los ANgeles Clippers, los angeles kings, los angeles lakers, marc gasol, matt kuchar, memphis grizzlies, miami marlins, mike smith, milos raonic, new york mets, new york rangers, phoenix coyotes, portland winterhawks, r.a. dickey, ricky nolasco, ROGER FEDERER, sven bartschi, texas rangers, tomas berdych, washington capitals, world hockey championships, zach johnson
Posted in ATP World Tour, MLB, More, NBA, NHL, PGA, Western Hockey League |
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
Ivan Dodig (Wikimedia Commons)
In a remarkable tennis match last night at Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium, Rafael Nadal, the number two ranked player in the world, lost in his second round match at the Rogers Cup to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.
Dodig, ranked 41st in the world, without a doubt, had the biggest win of his career. I know Dodig won the PBZ Zagreb Indoors in February, but that tournament is no where the level of prestige as the Rogers Cup.
Even though Nadal lost, there are three major points I need to address from watching the latter stages. (I was watching Laval’s Stephanie Dubois getting double bageled 6-0, 6-0 by Belarussian Victoria Azarenka). He clearly was not feeling 100%. Nadal’s throat was raspy in a pre-game and post-game interview, and was simply not well.
(more…)
Tags: andrei pavel, chris woodruff, harel levy, ivan dodig, juan martin del potro, mikael pernfors, paul-henri mathieu, RAFAEL NADAL, rogers cup, victoria azarenka, wayne ferreira
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Julia Georges (James Boyes, Wikimedia Commons)
On the first day of the Rogers Cup in Toronto there were four seeded players that were eliminated in the first round.
Ninth seeded Marion Bartoli of France, twelfth seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and fourteenth seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, each of Russia, and fifteenth seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia were all bounced on the first day of competition.
Bartoli lost in straight sets to Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-3. Bartoli really struggled in the first set, as she had 17 unforced errors.
Kuznetsova was broken three times in the third set to Romania’s Simona Halep in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 loss.
Pavlyuchenkova was destroyed in the third and final set by Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss. While Jankovic only won four games period in a straight sets defeat, 6-1, 6-3 to Germany’s Julia Georges.
It was a tough day for the Canadians as Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino lost 7-6, 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Erik Chvojka of Montreal lost 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.
(more…)
Tags: aleksandra wozniak, alexandr dolgopolov, andrea petkovic, ekaterina makarova, eugenie bouchard, galina voskoboeva, jo-wilfried tsonga, juan ignacio chela, juan martin del potro, julia georges, kathrin woerle, maria jose martinez sanchez, rogers cup, shahar peer, simona halep, stanislas wawrinka, stephanie dubois, vasek pospisil
Posted in ATP World Tour |
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
Milos Raonic (Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Milos Raonic won’t be participating in Montreal in August.
According to Rogers Sportsnet, Raonic, from Thornhill, Ontario and currently ranked 26th in the world, will have to miss the Rogers Cup from August 5-14, because of a hip injury.
Raonic suffered the lower body injury when he fell awkwardly while leading Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in the second round of Wimbledon.
Raonic, who underwent hip surgery in Vail, Colorado on Tuesday, is expected to miss six weeks. He should still be able to participate at the United States Open in late August.
Despite the loss of Raonic, the men’s event will be stacked with top international talent. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray still all plan to participate.
Murray is the two-time defending champion, having beaten Roger Federer in 2010 and Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.
Controversially, the women’s event takes place in Toronto the same week. Some of the top players that have confirmed their participation are Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and French Open Champion Li Na.
In other tennis news, Canada is playing in Ecuador this weekend in Davis Cup qualifying. Canada will be represented by Philip Bester of Vancouver, Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, British Columbia in singles and Daniel Nestor of Toronto.
Tags: andy murray, daniel nestor, gilles muller, juan martin del potro, li na, maria sharapova, milos raonic, novak djokovic, philip bester, RAFAEL NADAL, ROGER FEDERER, rogers cup, serena williams, vasek pospisil
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Friday, July 1st, 2011
NHL Free Agency
Happy Canada Day!
As always, the birthday of our great nation also signifies the start of free agency in the NHL! Thanks to smartphones and free/stolen wireless internet, it’s now easier than ever to be social and remain glued to your favorite sports sites…but who is going where this year?
The biggest fish in this year’s free agent market is definitely Brad Richards, who is coming off a 77-point season with the Dallas Stars. Richards is a talented playmaking centre who is going to score big money for sure on the open market. There are plenty of teams lining up to make a pitch for the 31 year old, including the Leafs, Rangers and Kings, but it will be interesting to see who is able to land him in the end.
Tomas Vokoun is easily the best available goalie out there this summer, after a 22-win, six-shutout season in Florida. Will he stay with the Panthers? They certainly have the cap space to make a deal, and they need to add over $20-million in salary to reach the cap floor! Adding Brian Campbell could be the first of many big moves this summer for Florida.
As for defencemen, there are a lot of veterans available at the moment, including the likes of Ed Jovanovski and Bryan McCabe. There are some intriguing restricted free agents on defence that could come into play, like Shea Weber and Drew Doughty, but I can’t see Nashville and LA letting these guys get away.
I can’t wait to see how things shake down! (After the jump: Pro tennis player messes with ball boy, Hilarious ESPN “World Cup Fever” commercial and more!) (more…)
Tags: abby wambach, amstel light, brad richards, bryan mccabe, charlie sheen, drew doughty, ed jovanovski, Edmonton, florida panthers, juan martin del potro, LA Kings, nashville predators, NHL, RAFAEL NADAL, ricky vaughn, shea weber, tomas vokoun, women's world cup, yeg
Posted in ATP World Tour, MLB, NHL, Soccer |
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Tsvetana Pironkova (James Boyes, Wikimedia Commons)
On Monday, three more significant upsets dominated the headlines at Wimbledon.
Both Williams sisters and the women’s world number one Caroline Wozniacki all lost in the round of sixteen.
American Serena Williams opened the day with a straight set loss to former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France 6-3, 7-6. Bartoli advanced to the Wimbledon final in 2007, before losing to American Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1.
It was then Wozniacki’s turn to be upset. Wozniacki, from Denmark, who has never won a major, despite being ranked number one in the world, lost to Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6, 7-5.
Then finally it was Venus Williams’s turn to be completely outmatched. Tsvetana Pironkova of Belarus knocked off the older Williams sister 6-2, 6-3 to defeat Venus for the second consecutive year at Wimbledon.
The Williams sisters have won ten of the last eleven Wimbledon finals. They both proved that you cannot come back and win a major after being injured for an extended period of time. This was also the first time that Serena and Venus lost on the same day at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
(more…)
Tags: andy murray, dominika cibulkova, juan martin del potro, marion bartoli, mikhail youzhny, novak djokovic, ROGER FEDERER, serena williams, tsvetana pironkova, venus williams, Wimbledon
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Friday, May 27th, 2011
Alex Tagliani (Wikimedia Commons)
The greatest auto race of the year takes place Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis.
It is the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. (The race was not held for two years during World War One and for four years during World War Two). In 1911, Ray Harroun of the United States was the first winner. Over that time, drivers from ten separate nations have won the coveted race including Canada’s own Jacques Villeneuve in 1995.
Well in 2011, Montreal’s Alex Tagliani has a great chance in joining Villeneuve in making Canadian history. He will be on the pole representing Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
James Hinchcliffe of Oakville, Ontario, an IndyCar rookie will start 13th, and Paul Tracy of West Hill, Ontario will start 24th.
There are also four women in the race. Joining American Danica Patrick, are Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro, Brazil’s Ana Beatriz, and Great Britain’s Pippa Mann.
(more…)
Tags: alex tagliani, alexander radulov, ana beatriz, andy oliver, atlanta braves, boston red sox, brandon wheat kings, chicago cubs, cincinnati reds, clay buchholz, danica patrick, dave cameron, david ortiz, david villa, detroit tigers, fc barcelona, gilles simon, indianapolis 500, jacob de serres, jacques villeneuve, jair jurrjens, james hinchcliffe, javier hernandez, jeff karstens, joey votto, johnny cueto, juan martin del potro, lionel messi, manchester united, mardy fish, miguel cabrera, mississauga st. michael's majors, moncton wildcats, New York Yankees, novak djokovic, Ottawa Senators, patrick roy, paul tracy, philadelphia phillies, pippa mann, pittsburgh pirates, quebec ramparts, ray harroun, ryan dempster, saint john sea dogs, sam schmidt, simona de silvestro, st. louis cardinals, ted nolan, tomas jurco, vania king, wayne rooney
Posted in Amateur Sports, ATP World Tour, Indy Racing League, MLB, More, Soccer, Western Hockey League |
Thursday, May 26th, 2011
Kim Clijsters (Wikimedia Commons)
Normally when the number 114th ranked player in the world defeats the world ranked number two, it is considered a gigantic upset of large proportions.
However when I heard the news that Kim Clijsters, the 2010 U.S. Open Champion and 2011 Australian Open champion had lost to up and comer Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands, I wasn’t too surprised.
Why?
Well, before the French Open, Clijsters injured her foot while at her cousin’s wedding. While dancing barefoot, she turned her ankle, and had her toe stepped on. On Thursday, she was clearly favouring her foot, and limped off the court after her loss.
At 100%. she would have easily beaten Rus, the 2008 Australian Junior Open Champion, but the bad foot was clearly a factor in her performance.
In the men’s side, there were a few upsets. Eighth seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria lost to Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Other seeded men’s players to lose included American Sam Querrey, Russian Nikolay Davydenko, Cyprian Marcos Baghdatis, German Florian Mayer and South African Kevin Anderson.
(more…)
Tags: arantxa rus, juan martin del potro, kim clijsters, lukas rosol, novak djokovic, rebecca marino, svetlana kuznetsova
Posted in ATP World Tour, More |
Loading ...
