WATCHING Andy Murray take the first set from Rafael Nadal in Friday’s semi-final, I thought Murray could have a chance of reaching his first Wimbledon final.
He was beating Nadal at his own game and was playing very aggressively.
Murray seemed to be in control and was serving well and taking the game to Nadal.
Even Andrew Castle, commentating on the match, was asking the question, ‘could we have a British player in a Wimbledon final?’
Then after one point Nadal took the advantage and didn’t let go of it until he had won the match.
The point came in the third game of the second set. Murray was 15-30 up on Nadal’s serve and had an open court to hit a winner, but unfortunately flinched and hit the shot long. What could have become 15-40 (with two break points for Murray) ended up being 30-30.
Murray seemed to be a different player after this, it was as if he was beating himself internally for his missed opportunity.
He went on to take the next seven games on a trot and Nadal was to win the next three sets convincingly.
It is now 75 years since the last player from Great Britain – Fred Perry – won Wimbledon.
I am sure Murray can go two steps further at Wimbledon and lift the title, but he needs to work with someone on the mental side of his game.
It also felt on Friday that Nadal was more hungry for the win and chased down every ball in sight.
Maybe Murray will be able to clinch his first Grand Slam victory at this year’s US Open at Flushing Meadows.
He reached the final of the US Open in 2008, but lost in straight sets to Roger Federer.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
Brilliant win for Rory McIlroy
IT was good to see Rory McIlroy overcome his disastrous last round at this year’s Masters and win The US Open by eight shots.
Earlier in the year it had been painful watching McIlroy’s back nine at Augusta as he had one hand on the trophy.
But the 22-year-old led the US Open from the beginning to the end and became the youngest winner of a US Open since Bobby Jones, 21, in 1923.
Surely the Northern Irish golfer will now go on and win more majors.
With McIlroy so far ahead the rest of the field were playing for second place.
Meanwhile Coldplay, in my opinion, outshone U2 at this year’s Glastonbury.
Their set seemed to be more powerful than U2’s and the crowd seemed to enjoy it more.
You forget how many great songs Coldplay have and their rendition of Clocks was my favourite.
U2 even sang Yellow – one of Coldplay’s songs - during their set.
Andy Murray has reached the second week of Wimbledon, but I don’t think he can go all the way this year.
First he will have a tough test on Monday against Richard Gasquet in the last 16.
And if he gets to the semi-final he could have to play Rafael Nadal who he has a poor record against at Wimbledon.
Earlier in the year it had been painful watching McIlroy’s back nine at Augusta as he had one hand on the trophy.
But the 22-year-old led the US Open from the beginning to the end and became the youngest winner of a US Open since Bobby Jones, 21, in 1923.
Surely the Northern Irish golfer will now go on and win more majors.
With McIlroy so far ahead the rest of the field were playing for second place.
Meanwhile Coldplay, in my opinion, outshone U2 at this year’s Glastonbury.
Their set seemed to be more powerful than U2’s and the crowd seemed to enjoy it more.
You forget how many great songs Coldplay have and their rendition of Clocks was my favourite.
U2 even sang Yellow – one of Coldplay’s songs - during their set.
Andy Murray has reached the second week of Wimbledon, but I don’t think he can go all the way this year.
First he will have a tough test on Monday against Richard Gasquet in the last 16.
And if he gets to the semi-final he could have to play Rafael Nadal who he has a poor record against at Wimbledon.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Who checks cinema seats?
I’M sure no-one checks the tickets of those people who sit in the more expensive seats in the cinema.
How do they know who sits there?
There is a marked difference in price between a standard seat and a luxury one.
Yet, when you go to the cinema, the luxury seats are always full, but I have never seen anybody check tickets inside a screening at the cinema.
Haven’t you noticed also if you arrive late the last seats are always in the middle of a row and that you have to disturb half the audience to get the free spaces. People seem to like sitting on the end of rows.
Meanwhile, where are the blockbuster movies this Summer? Is it too early? When I was younger there used to be a handful of blockbusters every Summer. Massive films used to be released about this time, such as Jurassic Park.
The new Harry Potter sequel is out next month, but it would be good if there were some big original films released.
This week sees the US Open being staged from June 16-19 at the Congressional Country club at Bethesda, Maryland.
The last time the course held a major was in 1997, when Ernie Els took the tournament.
Defending the title this year will be Graeme McDowell who was the winner last year at Pebble Beach.
McDowell’s form has not been as good this year, and he missed the cut at Augusta and also shot an 81 at the Welsh Open.
Tiger Woods won’t be playing.
How do they know who sits there?
There is a marked difference in price between a standard seat and a luxury one.
Yet, when you go to the cinema, the luxury seats are always full, but I have never seen anybody check tickets inside a screening at the cinema.
Haven’t you noticed also if you arrive late the last seats are always in the middle of a row and that you have to disturb half the audience to get the free spaces. People seem to like sitting on the end of rows.
Meanwhile, where are the blockbuster movies this Summer? Is it too early? When I was younger there used to be a handful of blockbusters every Summer. Massive films used to be released about this time, such as Jurassic Park.
The new Harry Potter sequel is out next month, but it would be good if there were some big original films released.
This week sees the US Open being staged from June 16-19 at the Congressional Country club at Bethesda, Maryland.
The last time the course held a major was in 1997, when Ernie Els took the tournament.
Defending the title this year will be Graeme McDowell who was the winner last year at Pebble Beach.
McDowell’s form has not been as good this year, and he missed the cut at Augusta and also shot an 81 at the Welsh Open.
Tiger Woods won’t be playing.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Is the end of the printed book in sight?
IS the end of the printed book in sight?
The announcement from Amazon that is selling more ebooks in America than print books might show it could be.
Since April 1, Amazon has said it has sold 105 ebooks to every 100 print books in America. The company brought out its Kindle electronic book reader there four years ago.
In the UK the ebook is bought by more people than the hardback, according to Amazon. They released figures showing they have sold more ebooks than hardbacks. The Kindle was launched in Britain in August 2010.
You can buy up to 650,000 ebooks at Amazon.co.uk.
The bestselling ebook titles at Amazon.co.uk of this year are Stephen Leather’s The Basement and The Hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris.
Despite all the fuss of ebooks, I still think I would rather buy an actual book than purchase an ebook.
Although I have yet to read anything on an ebook, so I don’t know what they are like.
Talking about download books outselling print books in America Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon told the Guardian: “We had high hopes that this would happen eventually, but we never imagined it would happen so quickly.”
Meanwhile, it was a shame that Liverpool could not grab fifth place from Tottenham for a place in the Europa league. Let’s hope Liverpool do better in the league next year.
The announcement from Amazon that is selling more ebooks in America than print books might show it could be.
Since April 1, Amazon has said it has sold 105 ebooks to every 100 print books in America. The company brought out its Kindle electronic book reader there four years ago.
In the UK the ebook is bought by more people than the hardback, according to Amazon. They released figures showing they have sold more ebooks than hardbacks. The Kindle was launched in Britain in August 2010.
You can buy up to 650,000 ebooks at Amazon.co.uk.
The bestselling ebook titles at Amazon.co.uk of this year are Stephen Leather’s The Basement and The Hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris.
Despite all the fuss of ebooks, I still think I would rather buy an actual book than purchase an ebook.
Although I have yet to read anything on an ebook, so I don’t know what they are like.
Talking about download books outselling print books in America Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon told the Guardian: “We had high hopes that this would happen eventually, but we never imagined it would happen so quickly.”
Meanwhile, it was a shame that Liverpool could not grab fifth place from Tottenham for a place in the Europa league. Let’s hope Liverpool do better in the league next year.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Double dose of The Apprentice last week
LAST week there was a double dose of The Apprentice.
The show, which this year sees Sir Alan Sugar give £250,000 to the winner to start a company, was just as watchable as ever.
Some of the people on The Apprentice often come across very poorly to the viewer and there are some funny moments.
The boys lost to the girls on the first two tasks they have had to carry out.
Last Tuesday night both teams were given £250, which they had to invest in food. They then had to sell the food to people in the city.
The girls mainly sold fruit salad, while the boys flogged soup. Alex Cabral was fired.
On the following night’s episode the teams had to produce a mobile phone application. I though that both apps were uninteresting and there seemed to be no point to them.
The boys app, I think was called Slangatang, and if you downloaded it you could hear different regional dialects.
While the app the girls produced was named Ampi App. Those who downloaded it were able to hear a number of annoying noises. At the end Edward Hunter was fired.
I think it is too early to pick out a clear favourite.
Meanwhile, last Friday’s £107 EuroMillions jackpot was won by a ticketholder from Spain.
That’s enough money to get you a place on the Sunday Times Rich List.
There is now a EuroMillions draw on a Tuesday night also.
The show, which this year sees Sir Alan Sugar give £250,000 to the winner to start a company, was just as watchable as ever.
Some of the people on The Apprentice often come across very poorly to the viewer and there are some funny moments.
The boys lost to the girls on the first two tasks they have had to carry out.
Last Tuesday night both teams were given £250, which they had to invest in food. They then had to sell the food to people in the city.
The girls mainly sold fruit salad, while the boys flogged soup. Alex Cabral was fired.
On the following night’s episode the teams had to produce a mobile phone application. I though that both apps were uninteresting and there seemed to be no point to them.
The boys app, I think was called Slangatang, and if you downloaded it you could hear different regional dialects.
While the app the girls produced was named Ampi App. Those who downloaded it were able to hear a number of annoying noises. At the end Edward Hunter was fired.
I think it is too early to pick out a clear favourite.
Meanwhile, last Friday’s £107 EuroMillions jackpot was won by a ticketholder from Spain.
That’s enough money to get you a place on the Sunday Times Rich List.
There is now a EuroMillions draw on a Tuesday night also.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Golfing great Seve Ballesteros has died
IT was sad to hear of the death of Seve Ballesteros who had been battling brain cancer for a number of years.
His life was cut short at the age of only 54, however he had achieved so much in the world of golf.
He won the Open Championship in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, at St Andrews in 1984 and again at Lytham in 1988.
Seve also clinched the US Masters in 1980 and 1983.
Many other European golfers were inspired by Seve after his triumphs in the majors.
His success was the beginning of a halcyon period for European golf with Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all taking major after Seve’s first Open triumph in 1979.
The Spaniard also played a big part in the achievements of the European Ryder Cup team.
Great Britain and Ireland (GB and I) had not won the cup since 1957. In 1979 it was decided to let players from Europe play against America. Seve played a part in the first European teams that began to turn the table against the Americans.
Europe were to win the Ryder Cup in 1985 and again in 1987 in America – the first time America had lost the cup on their own soil.
Seve was a successful Ryder Cup captain too and led Europe to a win against America at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.
He will be remembered for his flair and spirit. His driving was often wayward, but when he was at the top of the sport, his short game was the best in the business.
When he won his first Open, he was called the car park champion because he drove into a car park at the 16th, however Seve still managed to win.
Meanwhile it will be good to see The Apprentice return to our screens this week. The last series only finished at the end of last year and there are due to be some changes this time around.
His life was cut short at the age of only 54, however he had achieved so much in the world of golf.
He won the Open Championship in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, at St Andrews in 1984 and again at Lytham in 1988.
Seve also clinched the US Masters in 1980 and 1983.
Many other European golfers were inspired by Seve after his triumphs in the majors.
His success was the beginning of a halcyon period for European golf with Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all taking major after Seve’s first Open triumph in 1979.
The Spaniard also played a big part in the achievements of the European Ryder Cup team.
Great Britain and Ireland (GB and I) had not won the cup since 1957. In 1979 it was decided to let players from Europe play against America. Seve played a part in the first European teams that began to turn the table against the Americans.
Europe were to win the Ryder Cup in 1985 and again in 1987 in America – the first time America had lost the cup on their own soil.
Seve was a successful Ryder Cup captain too and led Europe to a win against America at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.
He will be remembered for his flair and spirit. His driving was often wayward, but when he was at the top of the sport, his short game was the best in the business.
When he won his first Open, he was called the car park champion because he drove into a car park at the 16th, however Seve still managed to win.
Meanwhile it will be good to see The Apprentice return to our screens this week. The last series only finished at the end of last year and there are due to be some changes this time around.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Writer of Only Fools and Horses has died
IT was sad to see that the writer of Only Fools And Horses, John Sullivan, had died.
Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite comedy programmes when I was growing up.
The exploits of Del and Rodney were followed by millions over the years the show was on BBC1.
Who can forget The Jolly Boys’ Outing – the Christmas feature length special from 1989.
Del Boy organises the annual trip to Margate, but the day goes wrong when the coach blows up on the way home.
It is lucky for Del though, as he bumps into an old flame (Raquel) who he later goes on to marry.
The day is also bad for Rodney, who ends up being arrested, much to the annoyance of his wife Cassandra.
Another favourite of mine was The Unlucky Winner Is. Here Rodney wins a competition to the Mediterranean after Del Boy enters a Megaflakes competition. But there is a snag as Rodney has to pretend to be 14 years old on holiday.
The show made household names of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
John Sullivan was only 64, but he was behind many other famous programmes, such as Just Good Friends and Dear John.
Meanwhile, I was surprised to find out that today (Saturday, April 23) was St George’s Day. April 23 is the day Saint George was supposed to have died in AD 303.
St George was a Roman soldier who fought against the Romans because they tortured Christians. He died for what he believed in.
He is believed to be popular in England because the Crusaders are said to have seen him in a vision before they won a battle.
Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite comedy programmes when I was growing up.
The exploits of Del and Rodney were followed by millions over the years the show was on BBC1.
Who can forget The Jolly Boys’ Outing – the Christmas feature length special from 1989.
Del Boy organises the annual trip to Margate, but the day goes wrong when the coach blows up on the way home.
It is lucky for Del though, as he bumps into an old flame (Raquel) who he later goes on to marry.
The day is also bad for Rodney, who ends up being arrested, much to the annoyance of his wife Cassandra.
Another favourite of mine was The Unlucky Winner Is. Here Rodney wins a competition to the Mediterranean after Del Boy enters a Megaflakes competition. But there is a snag as Rodney has to pretend to be 14 years old on holiday.
The show made household names of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
John Sullivan was only 64, but he was behind many other famous programmes, such as Just Good Friends and Dear John.
Meanwhile, I was surprised to find out that today (Saturday, April 23) was St George’s Day. April 23 is the day Saint George was supposed to have died in AD 303.
St George was a Roman soldier who fought against the Romans because they tortured Christians. He died for what he believed in.
He is believed to be popular in England because the Crusaders are said to have seen him in a vision before they won a battle.
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