Tennis
Li Na made history today by becoming the first ever Chinese tennis player in history to reach the French open final. She overcame former world number one, Russian star Maria Sharapova. Sharapova was after the clean sweep of all 4 grand slam titles, until the history making Chinese star stopped her in her tracks! It was an extremely tight match which ended 6-4 7-5, ensuring Li Na a place to go in her second consecutive grand slam final. The recent Aussie open in January saw the Chinese star defeated by Kim Clijsters in the final.
“I never believed myself that I could be in the French Open final, I wish I can do even better in Saturday’s final. It was a tough match.”
Picture: Li Na, delighted with her historic victory today!
Football
United will get another crack at the Bacelona side, that has been dubbed the best club football side of all time. I won’t lie, even as a United fan myself I can only agree. The style, pace, comfort and deadly way they move the ball around leaves teams and fans speechless, and, that is without even mentioning that bladdy magician Lionel Messi. The teams will meet on their pre-season tour of the USA, where they will compete in the much anticipated World Football Challenge. The European giants along with MLS sides involved in the tournament include names like Manchester United, Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Club America and Chivas Guadalajara.
30 July in Washington D.C should be another cracker, seeing as though both sides should have all their big name stars accompanying them. The fans can expect to see Rooney, Xavi, Giggs, Villa and a few new signings who may be joining either team in the off season 😉
I want another crack at Barca – Patrice Evra
Rugby
Chester Williams, whom I met at the Good Food & Wine Show in Cape Town over the weekend, has tipped New Zealand to take the 2011 RWC in 99 days time. After we shared a good few glasses of Merlot and other lekker blends, I just had to pick the big mans brain about the upcoming tournament. I must add, Chessie (as Herschelle Gibbs referred to him) is a proper legend and really interacted well with his fans throughout the day!
SA Rugby National coach Pieter de Villiers seems awfully confident in his troops and has said that it will take some work, as Provincial rugby influences the way players from different teams train, focus and strategize. The sides all play very different brands of rugby, but de Villiers is confident that we can retain our RWC title come August this year!
Basketball
Basketball icon and 4 time NBA winner Shaquille O’Neal announced today that he would be retiring after 19 years in the game. He posted a video on his Twitter account announcing to fans that after 19 beautiful years, he had made the decision that his time has come. He joins the likes of Paul Scholes, another sporting legend on and off the field, in his decision to hang up his boots. Shaq was restricted to only 37 appearances this season for the Boston Celtics and confessed to a reporter after returning against Miami Heat, that he did not want to let the fans down again next season. He lasted just 12 minutes before he had to be taken off with yet another niggling injury, which all but cemented his decision!
“I’m going to miss the competition. I’m going to miss, you know, the chase for the ring. You know, I’m actually going to miss everything,”
Good article man
Only problem is Maria Sharapova was definitely not after the clean sweep. she hasn’t won a grand slam since the 2008 Aus open
“For Sharapova, who committed 10 double faults and 28 unforced errors, it means her quest to complete a clean sweep of the four major tournaments on the tennis calendar goes on” – sorry I worded mine wrong. I meant she is still on the quest and that ended her hopes this time around! Shot for the heads up bro!