US Open 2012 – Preview of Men’s Singles preview

So the final slam of the year is here. Considered to be the fastest of the four courts, the US Open has always been exciting. Last four years have produced four different winners, most notable was the US Open of 2009 where Juan Martin Del Potro came from 2 sets down to win the match and the tournament. I still remember how I had written off Del Potro after being 2 sets down and had gone off to sleep. But as the saying goes, you can never win at half time and the goal is not scored until it is actually scored.

So, time for predictions of US Open 2012 winner. People would call me foolish and also thoughtless if I say that this year’s tournament will be won by someone apart from Federer or Djokovic or Murray and it may be right too considering the way these people have dominated tournaments year after year. There are few who have managed to challenge these players in grand slams and no player has been able to keep winning against these players on a consistent basis.

Obviously, the withdrawal of Rafael Nadal from this year’s tournament may be the talking point but everything would be forgotten once the tournament gets underway. Talking about the grand prediction, it doesn’t take in-depth tennis knowledge to guess the winner.

Roger Federer has rolled back years and sublimely taken over Wimbledon again. The elegance, the skill and the mastery seems to be back. Besides, his bogey player, Nadal has also withdrawn. He is thus a formidable opponent and a challenger for title. Novak – he is another contender to win the title. With his fighting spirit, his rise to the top, his stamina and bringing out his best at toughest times, Djoko is now one of the favourites. Murray has now formed a reputation which he may not like - of not performing at a big stage. But, it seems, with Ivan Lendl being his coach, there is a difference in his mentality. Shockingly, his previous defeats in grand slam finals were in straight sets but in Wimbledon finals he managed to finally win a set. His comprehensive victory against Federer in the Olympics gold medal match may come as a shocker but it seems that his time has finally come.

Apart from these three, the only player which I feel can challenge top three is Del Potro. The fast pace court will suit his game. Del Potro is one whom I assume to be a dark horse and certainly consider him better than Tsonga and Ferrer.

However, if you ask me to put my money on a player, I may still go with Novak Djokovic. According to me he just has that extra edge which may help him to overcome other 127 players. Lets wait for 8th September !!!

Virat Kohli – Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man

The memory of Herschelle Gibbs tearing apart the Australian balling line up in the chase of the then highest one score of 434 is still clear. However, after doing all the good work and scoring a mesmerizing 175, he was not able to finish the match. Enter VIRAT KOHLI.  Scoring 133 against Sri Lanka and finishing it in style is something which I will rate higher than Gibbs’ innings. The score was not the only concern against Sri Lanka - the pressure of a failed batting line up in Australia, expectations back home and the ghosts of bouncy pitches of Australia. Virat Kohli defied all odds and did the impossible.

Never before had any player risen to the status of one of the bests in such style, never before had any player scored 13 centuries in just 89 matches and never before did any player cement his place in the side in such an imperious manner !!!

VIRAT PREM KOHLI is a name which would now run shivers in the Sri Lankan side for years to come. Never has one particular player been such a thorn for any side. Virat scored his first ever ODI century against Sri Lanka and has never looked back since then. Scoring 13 centuries over a period of last two and half years, Virat Kohli has undoubtedly been the best ODI batsman for Team India. Scoring 12 centuries in winning causes he created an uproar in the cricketing world.

Critics may always point out that scoring 11 out of 13 centuries in sub-continent doesn’t make a player great. True, very true… Virat has still a long way to go to be called as a cricketing LEGEND. But, there would hardly be anyone who will point out against Virat. He has been in the form of his life and his purple patch has continued for longer than anyone would have expected. Averaging more than 50 for a one down batsman is outstanding to say the least. However, success doesn’t come easy.

At the age of 18, Virat lost his father. A Ranji match between Delhi and Karnataka was going on the day this tragedy happened. Delhi’s then coach, Chetan Chauhan, had relieved Virat from his duties towards Delhi and had asked him to go for his father’s last rites. Despite being up for the most of the night and rising to his duties as a son, he nevertheless turned up for the match. Scoring a gritty 90 which helped Delhi in avoiding follow-on he left a mark of being special. Comparisons were then drawn between him and Sachin Tendulkar who had done a similar thing during the 1999 World Cup - scoring a century against Kenya after his father’s death. The innings shall forever be etched in the minds of those who witnessed it.

Captaining the U-19 Indian team and leading them to World Cup glory now seems just a beginning of an illustrious carrier which Virat seems to very well have. Despite being just 23 he has established himself as an important batsman on the team or may be the “MOST” important batsman.  However, it will help to remember that he began merely as a reserve batsman. After performing decently in his first one-day series he was never given a chance considering the famed batting line up of India. He finally got his chance with a share of luck which every cricketer waits for. In his case Yuvraj Singh got injured. Virat grabbed this opportunity and scored his first ODI century and from there on, as they say, rest was history.

Kohli has been in a domineering form, tearing apart all the famous bowling line ups around the world, burying the ghosts of so-called bouncy pitches. His innings of Hobart where he scored 133 of just 86 balls may have just defined his career (which was already superbly defined before this innings). Tearing apart one of the deadliest bowlers, Malinga, he carted 24 runs of his over and made the chase of 320 runs pretty easy. And then came his top-notch innings - scoring 183 runs of just 148 balls against Pakistan.  Well agreed that the Pakistan line up was new but then Pakistan has a history of producing superios fast bowlers one after another.

Now, after 13 centuries in 89 innings and with a batting average of 52, we can truly say he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. Talent was always there but unlike many players he has not (yet) thrown away his talent. Players with immense talent like Rohit Sharma have let go innumerable chances but Kohli is one of those rare breeds who create their own place in the side. Brought in as a replacement of rested or injured players, currentlyno one can even think of dropping him.

It may seem that Sachin’s golden days have been revived by this Delhiite. Till he is remains on the crease it does seem that anything is possible. Younger players should take a leaf – or even many leaves if possible - out of his book - his determination, his grit, his dedication… Age just seems to be a number for him, because he has played so many wonderful innings under pressure which would seem impossible even for the greatest of greats.

XXX Olympics London 2012 - Let the games begin!

 Here we are; a fortnight before the biggest sporting event falling in this calendar year kicks off - Games of the XXX Olympiad or the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Don’t take me wrong but it’s the first time since 2^nd April, 2011 that I am looking forward to the display of patriotism in India when it comes to sports (including me). Let’s be true to ourselves, we have always fought over Rafa, Djoker, Roger or Chelsea, Liverpool, ManU or Spain, Portugal, Italy and not to forget MI, CSK, KKR and the likes. The most exciting part of the next 17 days is the fact that 81 athletes from India will be competing against the likes of Jamie Dywer, Wang Yihan, Roger Federer, Dani Samuels and many more – the best in business to be more precise. However, this is one event where we let go our favoritism and support athletes from home irrespective of their rankings. Every Indian, avid sports follower or not, will come out and support that team or athlete – the one that belongs to India. Now, this is the beauty that makes Olympics not only the biggest sporting event of any year but THE biggest sporting event there ever was, is or ever will.

Liu Xiang

Roots of the Games date back to the 8^th century BC better known as the Ancient Olympic Games which saw a series of competitions held between representative of several city-states and kingdoms in ancient Greece. However, with shift of ruling powers, the Games experienced their demise by 5^th century AD.  By the 19^th century, the interested and wealthy were instrumental in the revival of the Olympic Games. Although the first games on revival took place in 1859, Pierre de Coubertin was influential in forming the governing body for the Games – International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first Games held under the auspices of the IOC were hosted in the Panathenaic stadium in Athens in 1896.  Growth of this event in the past 116 years can be understood by one factor alone – the number of participants in one edition of the Games. They have risen from 241 participants representing 14 nations in 1896 to just over 11,000 competitors from 204 countries at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Mo Farah

Looking back at Beijing 2008 will give us a fairer view of the fireworks we can expect in London. Taking into consideration the gold medal tally, China topped the list with 51 gold medals, followed by the USA with 36 and Russia with 23. However, taking into consideration the tally of total medals, USA topped with 110 medals followed by China with 100 and Russia with 73. China and USA clearly had a competition of their own. When it came to India, with both the men and women hockey teams failing to qualify for field hockey, the nation’s hopes rested on the tennis duo of Bhupati and Paes and Athens silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Both events failing to make a mark, Abhinav Bindra was the first surprise for India by winning us our first individual gold medal till date. This was followed by one bronze medal each for Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar in wrestling and middleweight boxing respectively. Thus, with three medals, the last edition of the Games was the most successful till date for any Indian contingent.

The world experienced 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records in Beijing. The most notable performances in Beijing were those of American swimmer Michael Phelps who broke the record for most gold medals in one Olympics and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt becoming the fastest man on the planet. These men remain favorites to defend their events in London. However, there are a few who have impressed over the last four years and have emerged as a threat.

  Ryan Lochte (left) and Michael Phelps (Right)

Michael Phelps, who has 16 Olympic medals to his credit including 14 gold medals, is clearly ‘the’ man to beat in his pet events. However, he faces a serious threat from his countryman Ryan Lochte who was named the 2011 World Swimmer of the year. Lochte won 5 gold medals in the 2011 world championships in which he beat Phelps in 200-meters freestyle and 200-meters individual medley. Although Phelps has withdrawn from 200-meters freestyle, keep an eye out for a final showdown between the two in 200-meters individual medley. Lochte will give Phelps a run for his money preventing a clean sweep in what Phelps has announced will be his last Olympic appearance.                                                                                                  

     Usain Bolt (left) and Yohan Blake (Right)

From one favorite to another, Usain Bolt – very difficult to look beyond this name in 100-meters dash and 200-meters. Another Jamaican bloke named Yohan Blake, just 22 years old has already proven Usain Bolt is good (ok maybe an understatement) but not God. Yes, Blake did beat Bolt in 100-meters in the world championships held at Daegu in 2011 for which he may be claimed lucky because of a Bolt false start, however he backed his performance by beating Bolt in both 100-meters and 200-meters in national championships. The finale of these two legs is going to be one of the best moments of London 2012.                                     

Yelena Isinbayeva

Moving on to one of my favorite sports, field hockey – couldn’t be more excited that India (well at least the men’s team) has qualified for the Olympics. India has a relatively inexperienced team with a coach who has not been with us for a long time either. India in pool B has tough competition in defending champions Germany, one of the best performers Netherlands and New Zealand. Going into the knock-out stages, India needs to put in brilliant performance to stay in the game. Realistically the tournament favorites have to be the world number one Australian team (more famously known as Kookaburras) which is led by five-time ‘hockey player of the year’ Jamie Dwyer. This team consists of a number of World All-Star team players and has won every major competition since 2010 (including the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, 2010). Netherlands or Germany will be their likely rivals in the finals. Among the women, it is going to be a battle for gold between the Dutch and the Argentines. Netherlands will try to retain their gold while Argentina led by Lucina Aymar (referred to as he Maradona of hockey), seven time player of the year, will try to bring home the gold before she calls it a day.

Sally Pearson

For the ones who share my enthusiasm of the Olympic Games, keep an eye out for the following names - they will excite you. The journey of Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva would be a very interesting watch. She is the world record holder and looks good to break her own record yet again. A few other names to keep a track of would be Matthew Mitcham (diving), Sally Pearson (100m hurdles), Liu Xiang (110m hurdles), Sir Chris Hoy (track cyclist), Rebecca Adlington (swimming), Mo Farah (5000m) and last but not the least the Dream Team (basketball). Russia, China and USA sure remain at the top of my list for some interesting rivalries followed by USA and Australia in the pool. An interesting catfight would be in the pool between Australia’s golden girl from Beijing Stephanie Rice and their golden girl from Commonwealth Games in Delhi. 

Deepika Kumari - The one to watch

            India is sending her biggest contingent till date to the London Games. Considering our performance in the past 4 years, we have the best opportunities to win medals in badminton, boxing, wrestling, archery, mixed tennis and shooting. My biggest hopes lie on the world number one player in Archery- the 18 year old Deepika Kumari. It is not going to be an easy road to success for any of the athletes. Athletes from around the world will have a huge appetite to be on the podium but it will be the grit and determination over the next 17 days which will make the difference. With London 2012 right at the doorstep, it is safe to say that the Games are a bigger deal than they ever were. Now why am I saying that? It’s not because of the money or glamour involved in the staging of this edition of the Games but the dimensions covered by athletes involved in it. London 2012 will see the fastest man on earth, fastest man in water, highest vaulter, legends on the tennis court, magicians on the hockey field (just a handful figures out of many) ready to challenge the world. Defence versus emergence is going to be the royal battle in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.




(Shweta Vishwanath is an athlete by dawn, equity trader by noon, event manager by evening and blogger by mid-night. She is a sports enthusiast hoping to make a change. 
You can follow her on Twitter: @crazyindie1888 )

Shocking exit of 'the' Rafael Nadal from Wimbledon

Czech player, Rosol, played the match of his life. Unknown till now, the 101^th ranked player on the circuit has defeated the number 2 ranked player of the world with a score line of 6-7 (9-11) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4. Rafael Nadal, who has not lost at such an early stage of the tournament since Wimbledon 2005, was thoroughly outplayed by the lanky 6’5’’ Lukas Rosol.

Rosol, whose best performance till date has been third round of French open 2011, played his heart out. Although agreed that Nadal may not be very best, but still nothing can be taken away from Rosol. Nadal is capable of beating most of the players on the circuit even on his bad-day. But today, he simply had no answer to the power-packed punches which were delivered to him by Rosol.

Rosol started off the match with two consecutive aces and few would have fathomed what was about to follow over the next five sets. Nadal managed to break Rosol’s serve as early as fifth game of the match. However, he could not hold on to his serve and Rosol immediately broke back Nadal’s next serve. The set went into a tie-breaker with Rosol having a set point with Nadal to serve. However, he could not break his serve and finally Nadal took the tie-breaker (11-9).

The second set started on a positive note for Rosol as he had 3 break points in the very first game itself. And to sum that game up, Nadal gifted the last point with a double fault. Although Nadal had a break point in the next game, Rosol made his big serve count. The rest of the games were more or less regulation games with each player holding on to the serve. Rosol managed to close down the set at 6-4. The most shocking part of the set was Nadal made only one unforced error and still lost the set.

Rosol managed to get a break right in the third game of the third set. He was asking all sorts of questions and with Nadal having an awful day at work, he did not fail to capitalize on the opportunities. Rosol then managed to hold on to his serves and duly closed out the set 6-4. Where Rosol was building momentum and confidence, Nadal was getting agitated. I haven’t seen him this frustrated or agitated since long.

Nadal had never lost a match in Wimbledon after winning the first set. Besides, he has never been defeated to such a lowly ranked player before. Though the statistics were stacked against Rosol, he gave everything to the match. Rosol would always have expected Nadal not to give up. Nadal came fighting back into the fourth set and broke the sixth game and eight game of the set to win 6-2.

Rosol’s first serve points won dipped alarmingly from 92% in first set to 60% in fourth. Also, Nadal had started dominating the rallies. One would always back Nadal when the match is going to the fifth set. With the experience of playing under pressure and the experience of “been there and done that” anyone would have put his money on Nadal.

And then the officials started putting the roof on centre court. This proved to be a welcome break for Rosol as he was looking out of sorts in the fourth with his first serve and Nadal had begun dominating the game.

After a 43 minute break Rosol came back roaring into the match by breaking the very first game of the set. And then, it was again back to holding serves for Rosol. With his first serve in the money again and all his booming forehand winners on target it was impossible for Nadal to get back into the game.

Anyone and everyone who was glued to their TV sets across the globe may not have imagined this kind of upset. Even when Rosol was serving for the match and his first serve was going really good, no one would have imagined him to go all the way. Surely, logic says that he should have blinked, he should have given Nadal that little opening which is needed to be back into match. However, with three match points, all the demons were put to rest with a big ace which actually summed up the match.

Rafael Nadal was thoroughly outplayed by this lowly ranked player. Obviously, Murray would now be having an eye on the progress or otherwise of this dark horse.

The manner and timing of the announcement reeks of male chauvinism: Sania Mirza

After been given a wildcard entry in Olympics, Sania Mirza comes out all guns blazing on everybody – AITA, Paes, Bhupathi and Dr Paes. Accusing AITA as male chauvinist, she asserts that she has been used as bait and which I don’t feel is wrong. We expect Indian women to better in all the areas. Everytime Sania goes to a grand slam, we want her to progress to as many rounds as possible. Currently, she has been highest the ranked singles player India has seen (Apart from Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan who have been better ranked then her in past). And still she was asked to compromise due to the feud of Paes between Bhupathi.

AITA has been taking a stand that they will keep the interests of the country above everything else. I don’t believe their stand remained the same while pairing Sania with Paes. Certainly, they don’t think this pair would be better than Grand Slam winning combination of Bhupathi and Mirza. In doubles, co-ordination and partnership is of utmost importance. Ignoring that and by partnering Sania with Paes, either AITA has favoured Paes and did not think about the country (which they said while trying to partner Paes with Bhupathi) or that they actually think Sania – Paes would form a better pair than the Grand Slam winning combination of Sania – Bhupathi. Certainly, AITA must know that by winning Grand Slam they have proved that they are one of the best pair in world. However, it is impossible to fathom the thinking behind the pairing of Sania and Paes.

Sania Mirza claiming that we are still male chauvinist is absolutely correct. However, it would be a pity if everyone now starts criticizing her for all the reasons apart from tennis.

Whatever done has been done. Hopefully, AITA and everyone, learns a good lesson or two out of the whole saga. Certainly, what has happened with Sania is absolutely wrong.

Sania Mirza quotes:

“I feel absolutely thrilled and emotionally overwhelmed to have qualified to represent India at the Olympics in London. I am extremely grateful to the International Tennis Federation for the faith they have reposed in me by giving me a wild card entry that gives me a cherished opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics for the second time in my life.

While, of course, nobody in the world can guarantee winning a medal in London, I can promise that I shall leave no stone unturned to bring glory to my beloved country.

I have to admit that helplessly watching the sport that I love and passionately play , go through extremely trying times in my country in the last few days and the unusual pressures that I was personally subjected to have left me shaken and disturbed. But I can assure all my countrymen that I shall never allow these difficult circumstances to come in the way of giving my very best when the Games begin.

Since the day AITA announced the team for the Olympics a lot of questions have been raised by friends, colleagues, their parents and of course, by the media. As I thought these questions were purely hypothetical without my having qualified into the London Olympics, I did not think it was appropriate for me to respond to them at that point of time. However, now that I am officially a part of the greatest sporting event in the world, I think it is imperative for me to clarify my feelings.

To Dr. Vece Paes, who has on camera asked me to give in writing about my intention of partnering his son for the mixed doubles event at the Olympics, I would like to point out that my commitment is to my country. For the sake of India I am committed to play with Leander Paes or Mahesh Bhupathi or Rohan Bopanna or Somdev Devvarman or Vishnu Vardhan or any other person that my country feels I am good enough to partner. There should never ever be a question on this although if asked, I am entitled to have my preferences. I will do everything I possibly can to win a medal for India.

To Leander Paes I would like to point out that Vishnu Vardhan is an extremely talented player, who I had the privilege of partnering. We went on to win a silver medal for India at the 2010 Asian Games, when all the three male stalwarts of Indian tennis had opted to stay away from Guangzhou. I am convinced that he can go one better when pitted with someone as good as Leander as partner. For Leander to consider partnering with Vishnu only if he has a written assurance from me to play mixed (as Vece Uncle has suggested in his television interviews) is, I think demeaning for me, Vishnu and Leander Paes.

Mahesh Bhupathi has firmly stood by his commitment to play together with his men's doubles partner, Rohan Bopanna as he genuinely believed it was good for India. However, in the process, he sacrificed the commitment he made to me to try and win an Olympic medal together for India. Each person has his or her own priorities and I would like to believe that Mahesh made his choice in the best interests of the country.

As an Indian woman belonging to the 21st century, what I find disillusioning is the humiliating manner in which I was put up as a bait to try and pacify one of the disgruntled stalwarts of Indian tennis. While I feel honoured and privileged to have been chosen to partner Leander Paes, the manner and timing of the announcement reeks of male chauvinism where a two time Grand Slam champion, who has been India's number 1 women's tennis player for almost a decade in singles and doubles is offered in compensation to partner one of the feuding champions purely in order to lure him into accepting to play with a men's player he does not wish to play with! This kind of blatant humiliation of Indian womanhood needs to be condemned even if it comes from the highest controlling body of tennis in our country.

I have been fortunate to achieve a career best singles ranking of 27 in the world that has been only bettered by Vijay Amritraj (16) and Ramesh Krishnan (23) even amongst the men in the modern era. I have a career best doubles ranking of 7 in the world, which only Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have bettered. I am the only Grand Slam champion from India apart from Mahesh and Leander. I believe I can expect a little more respect from the National Tennis Federation than what has been accorded to me even if they did not think it necessary to send me a simple congratulatory message after I had won my second Grand Slam title 3 weeks ago.

What is even more shocking is the manner in which facts have been misrepresented to the public at large to paint a totally wrong picture in an attempt to justify the breaking up of a team that won a second Grand Slam title only days earlier. Leander and I are not the only combination likely to get a direct entry into the mixed doubles draw at the Olympics, as has been wrongly portrayed. If that was true, a highly intelligent man like Dr. Paes would not have felt insecure enough to ask for my written declaration to partner Leander. AITA, itself would not have needed to write a letter to Mr. Randhir Singh giving details of the final pairings and clarifying that these could not be changed without the written permission of the IOA!

I would like to reiterate that I consider it the ultimate honour to represent India to the best of my abilities at the Olympics and I will do everything I possibly can with whosoever I am partnered with. This has always been my stand and this will never change. I only seek the blessings of the people of our beloved country. Nothing more.”

The tennis saga has been messier than ever. It will always be debatable whether it was Bhupathi – Bopanna’s fault or Paes and AITA’s fault. However, one thing is certain, except for Bhupathi and Bopanna, no one is benefitting out of it. At the end of the day, someone had to make huge sacrifice or at least make it appear they are making one. All eyes will be on AITA. It seems matches have already begun. All we can hope for is it does end up as a love all (0-0) game.

Source of Sania Mirza’s quote: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tournaments/london-olympics/Humiliating-to-be-used-as-bait-for-Paes-Sania-Mirza/articleshow/14418170.cms

Euro 2012 - Review & Predictions

After three weeks of mind blowing football, we are down to the final four or if I may call them the fantastic four. The Euro cup is probably the biggest international football tournament after the World Cup and this Euro has been no less fun either with a lot of surprising results and amazing football. The most shocking of them all was the exit of the World Cup 2010 finalists Netherlands who failed to get on the score board after the group stages. The host nations fought hard but even they had to bow out. But one has to feel for Denmark who although were stuck in the group of death, still played their hearts out and almost managed to sneak through to the last 8. Germany, Spain and England romped through into the last 8 and France, Italy and Portugal did just enough to make the final cut.

In the group of 8, CR7 aka Cristiano Ronaldo headed home Portugal into the final 4 leaving the C(z)ech behind. Germany were their consistent self without losing any points in the group stage, where they thrashed the 2004 Euro winners Greece to a 4-2 defeat. All this when Gomez was not even on the score sheet. Spain took on the mighty French who hadn’t lost a game since Oct 2010. Xabi Alonso who was playing his 100^th game scored a brace to take the Spaniards home. But the pick of the quarter finals was the England vs Italy game. Italy definitely looked the better of the two teams but ninety minutes were not enough to separate the two and the game went on to penalties after extra time. It seems, England have become the chokers in football - like South Africa are in Cricket. Both the Ashleys (Cole & Young) failed to convert their penalties and ensured that the English yet again fail to go into the final 4 of a major tournament.

So the stage is set - Portugal vs Spain and Germany vs Italy. Both are really mouth watering fixtures and its even steven as all the four have the quality and the capability to take on any side on their day.

The first semi-final is between Portugal and Spain, which would basically mean seeing the Barcelona & Real Madrid players in action with as many as thirteen players in both the teams put together from these two clubs. On paper the Spanish look the favorites but going by the current form we would have to go with the Portuguese. The Spanish have been setting records in the number of passes made in the match, a staggering 900 passes in ninety minutes and we all know the ball is always going to be at their feet. The Portuguese have to play on the counter with the likes of Nani, Ronaldo and Almeida. The Spanish do not have the fire power in front of the goal which might be a cause of concern for them against the skillful Pepe and Coentrao. Portugal has been riding high on the sublime form of their star captain Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored three goals and has hit the post four times. Portugal will miss the services of Postiga who sustained a thigh injury against the Czech. So all in all it is going to be a cracker of a game - full of goals. I’d say Spain would move ahead from this side of the draw overpowering the Ronaldo-inspired Portuguese.

Spanish Supporters at the Euro 2012

The second semi-final is a Germany vs Italy game. The Germans have been in red hot form this Euro and are the only team which has not even drawn a game, let alone lose. They have a perfectly balanced side with a superstar in almost all positions. Their midfield is the heart of their play. Gomez has been scoring goals for fun and even Klose has joined in the party in the last game. Italy on the other hand has won only one out of their four games (in normal time) and the other one on penalties and has somehow managed to reach the semis. Balotelli and Pirlo nevertheless have looked good throughout the tournament. So will it be the 2006 World Champions or the most consistent team in the tournament? I feel it would be the Germans as they have truly been a class apart.

Members of the German National Squad

So if all happens as per my calculations then it should be a Spain vs Germany final, which I feel Spain should win (‘coz I am supporting them). But logic tells me it is going be the Germans this time. So let’s see who takes the Euro2012 and makes a statement ahead of the 2014 World Cup finals.

Enjoy the matches !!

You can follow the matches online at UEFA’s official website.

Wimbledon 2012 – Men's Preview

Finally, Wimbledon – The Mecca of Tennis has arrived. Wimbledon will always have a special place in the heart of true tennis lovers – above Australian Open, French Open and US Open. A tournament, which started in 1877, still rules the tennis world.

It has been much debated that the grass of Wimbledon is not the same anymore. It is slower than what it used to be. Thus, players like Nadal, who relentlessly keep on chasing the ball, have an advantage over players who believe in playing short rallies.

Now comes the important question – Who will be the Wimbledon 2012 Champion. There are two ways to answer the question. First is to use your brain, follow logic and come to the conclusion that Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have reached unattainable heights and it is practically not possible for any other player to defeat them. Other is to use your heart and still support Roger Federer (which I’ll be doing) for winning the tournament. It seems that the elegance and artistic play brought in by RF will not be able to sustain the physical onslaught dished out by Djokovic and Nadal. And then there always is Andy Murray, who may perhaps in some other era, could have won number of Grand Slams. He is good enough to reach semis, but somehow it seems he has lost the battle mentally. It seems as if he can defeat any player but Djokovic (Although he came agonizingly close to defeating him in the semi finals of the Australian Open 2012), Nadal or Federer.

Also there is a new breed of players coming up – Tsonga, Del Potro, Berdych and Ferrer, who all seem to have the capability of defeating top seed players but do not seem to possess the required nerve to go all the way. It is worth mentioning that Del Potro, who was 2 sets to 1 down in the US Open 2009 finals, fought back to take the title. However, ever since he injured his wrist, which practically ruined his 2010, he doesn’t seem to be the same force.

Ask me to put my money on some player and it would definitely be on Djokovic. All said and done Nadal has come back roaring on to center court and is looking his best. It still would be asking for too much to expect Nadal to defeat Djokovic. The mental scars of getting defeated by the same man in previous 3 grand slam finals prior to the French Open of 2012 may just be too much to overcome.

Whosoever wins the tournament, one thing is sure that the spectators will have a cracker of a time. It’s time to sit back, relax and watch players hitting at unbelievable angles, unbelievable speeds and give a tough time to each other. The audience is going to have a gala time and I am going to keep my fingers crossed for RF.

Playing a different ball game

Finally, a long drawn saga comes to an end. Various opinions were considered, innumerable meetings held, warnings given to players and AITA tried everything in its power to break the pairing of Bhupathi – Bopanna. However, it was these players who seem to have won the battle.

However, whether the best team has won or was Indian Tennis defeated might never be known. To start with, each side will present its story which favours itself. So, when we say Bhupathi – Bopanna were correct in not teaming up with Paes as they do not have any match practice and co-ordination with him, it makes sense. At the same time, when AITA said that the country should be kept in mind while selecting the team, it also made sense. So, how to decide who is right and who isn’t???

Maybe, this is one of those topics, wherein no clear winner may come out. Maybe, 20 years down the line, we would still be debating who was right. Maybe, everything would be forgotten if Bhupathi – Bopanna get GOLD for India. But, everything is just still a ‘MAYBE’.

In my personal opinion, I feel Bhupathi – Bopanna are on the right side of the line which indirectly means AITA is on the wrong side. Having myself played doubles before (although not professionally), I can assure you that it takes weeks and months of practice to get the right co-ordination going. It is practically impossible to come together a month before tournament and gel like a team for years. On that front, I feel Bopanna has every right to refuse partnering with Paes in the Olympics. Also, his decision is in the interest of the country. It would have been very easy for a player who is representing India for the first time to give into demands of AITA. However, he stuck to the tougher route and eventually got what he wanted.

As far as Bhupathi is concerned, many would say that he has already played with Paes on earlier occasions and would not need much time to gel. However, it is all the more a reason not to partner with him, since they have been partners before and unceremoniously broken off. One should always remember that this has been the best tennis pair ever to represent India. However, I just cannot see Bhupathi able to trust Paes off court or on court. This would be a perfect recipe for disaster given the long drawn saga in which Bhupathi had openly declared he does not want to partner Paes.

Also, Bhupathi – Paes have represented India on previous four occasions and every time have returned empty handed. And one should not undermine Bopanna. With his height and physique, he can always wreck havoc in doubles. He also has the requisite experience considering that the Indo-Pak pair of Bopanna-Quereshi lost in finals of the US Open. So this team does not deserve an outright rejection.

As a final thought, Sania Mirza should not be paired with Paes because individual ranking hardly matters in doubles. What is more important is the level of understanding and co-ordination the two players share. Sania Mirza and Bhupathi already have the French open to their name and have been champions before. Breaking their partnership and partnering Sania with Paes just to pacify his ego goes against the very stand of AITA of putting the country first.

The whole thing can blow off like a pack of cards if Paes wins gold. In that scenario, the ball would be totally in his court, media would be go gaga over him (which he would deserve considering the circumstances under which he would achieve gold) and Bhupathi – Bopanna would wish this to be just a horrible dream.

However, all said and done, these teams are going to represent India. It would be better for everyone especially Bhupathi, Bopanna, Paes and Mirza to forget all this and put their best foot forward. Hopefully, the long wait for the tennis medal would end this Olympics.

Just a brief history:

Paes is India’s number 1 ranked doubles player and ranked 7^th in the world because of which he gains direct entry into the Olympics. Also, he has the right to choose his own partner. However, AITA and Paes were in for a rude shock when both Bhupathi and Bopanna refused to partner Paes individually. Thus, Paes had an option of partnering either Vishnu Vardhan (207^th ranked) or Yuki Bhambri (306^th ranked) which he was reluctant to do despite the fact that in the year 1992, when he was a new kid on the block, he was taken to Olympics under the wings of Ramesh Krishnan. AITA wanted to partner Paes with Bhupathi or Bopanna as, according to them, only then India would have won the medal. However, Bhupathi – Bopanna have made this amply clear that they would be preferred to be selected as a team only and not individually, even if that meant, losing out on the Olympics.