It doesn't get much bigger than a World Cup semifinal (unless we're talking about a World Cup final) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst's opening strike against Uruguay was more than worthy of the occasion. It sparked the Netherlands to a 3-2 victory over Uruguay — their most impressive win of the tournament — and sends them through to their first final since Argentina '78. Gio's thunderous left-footed strike went just over Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's fingertips, rocked the far post and bounced into the net, giving the Clockwork Oranje a clockwork start to the semifinal.
[Photos: See more of Dutch defender Gio van Bronckhorst in action]
Some are calling it the goal of the tournament and it makes a strong case. Between the sheer awesomeness of it and the fact that it came in the biggest game of the tournament so far, it's hard to argue different.
That absolute rocket is going to be tough to top, but if he can somehow get the ball over the line in the final as the Netherlands try to win their first World Cup, van Bronckhorst would surely be the king of Holland.
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Gio-van-Bronckhorst-Goal-of-the-tournament-?urn=sow,254033
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010
.Tigers' Miguel Cabrera in Home Run Derby
Detroit -- Miguel Cabrera is going to Monday's Home Run Derby, the prelude to Tuesday's All-Star Game at Anaheim, Calif.
He wasn't sure how the selection affected him when asked about it late Tuesday night, following the Tigers' 7-5, 11-inning victory over the Orioles.
That's because Cabrera wasn't feeling well following a hot, four-hour evening at Comerica Park. He asked politely if he could talk about the Derby on Wednesday.
Cabrera was expected to feel like a million bucks after slamming a mammoth, two-run, game-tying home run in the ninth inning that kept the Tigers alive until Johnny Damon's two-run homer in the 11th won it for manager Jim Leyland's team.
Cabrera was named Tuesday as one of six players who will compete in the annual power-hitting contest that has helped turn the All-Star Game into All-Star Week.
The others who will be joining him: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox; Robinson Cano, New York Yankees; Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays; Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals; and Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers.
Two more players will be named sometime this week.
A couple of Cabrera's teammates had mixed emotions about his appointment to the Derby, in which he also competed when he played for the Florida Marlins in 2006.
"I hope it doesn't mess with his swing," said Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers outfielder who competed in the Home Run Derby in 2007, in San Francisco.
"One round, and see ya later," Ordonez said, laughing at his early dismissal from the fence-clearing tournament.
Brandon Inge was a late addition to last year's All-Star Game in St. Louis -- and a late addition to the Home Run Derby. As with Ordonez, he also made an early exit.
"He'll be fine," Inge said of Cabrera.
"I enjoyed it. I had a blast."
Cabrera's home run Tuesday night was his 21st of the season. He also had a triple (his first since 2008) and a single. He is batting .343 on the season with 73 RBIs. From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100707/SPORTS0104/7070365/1129/Tigers--Miguel-Cabrera-in-Home-Run-Derby#ixzz0t1hujBhm
THIS STORY CAME FROM DETNEWS.COM
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TIFFANY MAI
He wasn't sure how the selection affected him when asked about it late Tuesday night, following the Tigers' 7-5, 11-inning victory over the Orioles.
That's because Cabrera wasn't feeling well following a hot, four-hour evening at Comerica Park. He asked politely if he could talk about the Derby on Wednesday.
Cabrera was expected to feel like a million bucks after slamming a mammoth, two-run, game-tying home run in the ninth inning that kept the Tigers alive until Johnny Damon's two-run homer in the 11th won it for manager Jim Leyland's team.
Cabrera was named Tuesday as one of six players who will compete in the annual power-hitting contest that has helped turn the All-Star Game into All-Star Week.
The others who will be joining him: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox; Robinson Cano, New York Yankees; Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays; Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals; and Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers.
Two more players will be named sometime this week.
A couple of Cabrera's teammates had mixed emotions about his appointment to the Derby, in which he also competed when he played for the Florida Marlins in 2006.
"I hope it doesn't mess with his swing," said Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers outfielder who competed in the Home Run Derby in 2007, in San Francisco.
"One round, and see ya later," Ordonez said, laughing at his early dismissal from the fence-clearing tournament.
Brandon Inge was a late addition to last year's All-Star Game in St. Louis -- and a late addition to the Home Run Derby. As with Ordonez, he also made an early exit.
"He'll be fine," Inge said of Cabrera.
"I enjoyed it. I had a blast."
Cabrera's home run Tuesday night was his 21st of the season. He also had a triple (his first since 2008) and a single. He is batting .343 on the season with 73 RBIs. From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100707/SPORTS0104/7070365/1129/Tigers--Miguel-Cabrera-in-Home-Run-Derby#ixzz0t1hujBhm
THIS STORY CAME FROM DETNEWS.COM
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TIFFANY MAI
Germany and Spain in fight for final
By Barry Moody
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Germany and Spain do battle Wednesday for the right to meet the Netherlands in the World Cup final, in a semi hoped to be one of the most exciting clashes of the tournament.
A 3-2 Dutch victory Tuesday against a Uruguayan side who battled until the last in an entertaining encounter, guaranteed Europe would win its first trophy outside the continent in the final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Sunday.
“It is hard to comprehend, such a small country, but not a small footballing country, reaching the World Cup final,” emotional Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said.
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At home, the Dutch partied and prayed their new heroes could go one better than the past masters who reached finals in 1974 and 1978 but in both cases agonizingly failed to win.
The second semi-final in Durban Wednesday could be a thriller with both teams committed to attack and fast passing.
The speed and quality of the German side has been one of the surprises of the tournament while European champions Spain are one of the world’s most stylish teams, able to torment opponents with precision passes and possession.
IMPRESSIVE GERMANY
Germany are looking to avenge their defeat by Spain in the 2008 Euro final.
The Netherlands, in their first final since 1978, had to endure some nail-biting moments Tuesday night when Uruguay pulled a goal back in added time and looked in danger of scoring another in the dying seconds.
Germany and Spain have suffered only one defeat in the tournament, both to small teams—Switzerland beat Spain and Serbia shocked Germany in the group stages.
But Germany have been the most impressive, their youngest squad in 76 years scoring four goals on three occasions past Australia, England and Argentina.
German coach Joachim Loew said Spain would be much harder to beat than Argentina and rival coach Vicente del Bosque paid tribute to his opponents’ blend of youth and experience.
Spain started more slowly in this tournament and have scored fewer goals, but striker David Villa is in deadly form, joint top scorer at the tournament on five goals.
VUVUZELA CONTROVERSY
Superstitious German fans may be worried that a supposedly psychic octopus which has correctly predicted the result of all their matches so far here, foresees a loss against Spain.
Paul the octopus, which lives in an aquarium in western Germany, makes his prophecy by picking food from containers marked with the flags of the two teams.
Perhaps to counter that, Germany coach Joachim Loew is refusing to change his trademark blue sweater on the touchline because staff and players think it brings them luck.
Away from the soccer, South African authorities continued their case against a British tabloid journalist accused of helping a fan illegally enter the England dressing room after their goalless draw against Algeria in Cape Town.
Although the fan did no more than make his angry feelings clear, the case seems to be the highest-profile security breach in an otherwise fairly trouble-free tournament.
Journalist Simon Wright, who has had to surrender his passport and report to police every day, will go to trial in Cape Town after prosecutors rejected his bid to have charges dropped.
On a happier note for organizers, the overall attendance will pass 3 million at Wednesday’s match, making it the third highest after the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006.
Vuvuzelas may have been the unique symbol of South Africa 2010, but the plastic trumpets which sound like a swarm of angry bees are proving controversial.
In New Zealand, which hosts next year’s rugby World Cup, stadium authorities are banning them.
“I can’t see that that sort of deafening drone is going to be in any way well received,” said Bryan Pearson, chief executive of one venue management company.
The vuvuzela craze has even reached Peru, but for all the wrong reasons. Two women were arrested in front of a Lima school for trying to sell marijuana stuffed into the horns.
(Reporting by World Cup team; Editing by Ossian Shine)
This story came from yahoo Sports!
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TIFFANY MAI
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Germany and Spain do battle Wednesday for the right to meet the Netherlands in the World Cup final, in a semi hoped to be one of the most exciting clashes of the tournament.
A 3-2 Dutch victory Tuesday against a Uruguayan side who battled until the last in an entertaining encounter, guaranteed Europe would win its first trophy outside the continent in the final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Sunday.
“It is hard to comprehend, such a small country, but not a small footballing country, reaching the World Cup final,” emotional Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said.
Related Video
Spain struggles?
Spain struggles?
Who gets Golden Boot? Dutch domination Germany's secret weapon
More World Cup Stories:
Photos: More from the thrilling match
Donovan's alligator encounter
Controversial call costs U.S. another goal
At home, the Dutch partied and prayed their new heroes could go one better than the past masters who reached finals in 1974 and 1978 but in both cases agonizingly failed to win.
The second semi-final in Durban Wednesday could be a thriller with both teams committed to attack and fast passing.
The speed and quality of the German side has been one of the surprises of the tournament while European champions Spain are one of the world’s most stylish teams, able to torment opponents with precision passes and possession.
IMPRESSIVE GERMANY
Germany are looking to avenge their defeat by Spain in the 2008 Euro final.
The Netherlands, in their first final since 1978, had to endure some nail-biting moments Tuesday night when Uruguay pulled a goal back in added time and looked in danger of scoring another in the dying seconds.
Germany and Spain have suffered only one defeat in the tournament, both to small teams—Switzerland beat Spain and Serbia shocked Germany in the group stages.
But Germany have been the most impressive, their youngest squad in 76 years scoring four goals on three occasions past Australia, England and Argentina.
German coach Joachim Loew said Spain would be much harder to beat than Argentina and rival coach Vicente del Bosque paid tribute to his opponents’ blend of youth and experience.
Spain started more slowly in this tournament and have scored fewer goals, but striker David Villa is in deadly form, joint top scorer at the tournament on five goals.
VUVUZELA CONTROVERSY
Superstitious German fans may be worried that a supposedly psychic octopus which has correctly predicted the result of all their matches so far here, foresees a loss against Spain.
Paul the octopus, which lives in an aquarium in western Germany, makes his prophecy by picking food from containers marked with the flags of the two teams.
Perhaps to counter that, Germany coach Joachim Loew is refusing to change his trademark blue sweater on the touchline because staff and players think it brings them luck.
Away from the soccer, South African authorities continued their case against a British tabloid journalist accused of helping a fan illegally enter the England dressing room after their goalless draw against Algeria in Cape Town.
Although the fan did no more than make his angry feelings clear, the case seems to be the highest-profile security breach in an otherwise fairly trouble-free tournament.
Journalist Simon Wright, who has had to surrender his passport and report to police every day, will go to trial in Cape Town after prosecutors rejected his bid to have charges dropped.
On a happier note for organizers, the overall attendance will pass 3 million at Wednesday’s match, making it the third highest after the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006.
Vuvuzelas may have been the unique symbol of South Africa 2010, but the plastic trumpets which sound like a swarm of angry bees are proving controversial.
In New Zealand, which hosts next year’s rugby World Cup, stadium authorities are banning them.
“I can’t see that that sort of deafening drone is going to be in any way well received,” said Bryan Pearson, chief executive of one venue management company.
The vuvuzela craze has even reached Peru, but for all the wrong reasons. Two women were arrested in front of a Lima school for trying to sell marijuana stuffed into the horns.
(Reporting by World Cup team; Editing by Ossian Shine)
This story came from yahoo Sports!
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TIFFANY MAI
Bosh to join Wade in signing with Heat
Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruit LeBron James(notes) to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power, two sources with knowledge of the plans told Yahoo! Sports.
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“They think they’ve got a real chance to pull this off with LeBron,” a league source said.
Said an official with one team that made a formal presentation to James: “It’s down to Cleveland or Miami for him.”
The three players shared a call after midnight on Wednesday, when Wade and Bosh told James they were committing to the Heat, a source said. James didn’t commit with them, but kept his own plans private for a television announcement on Thursday night. Wade and Bosh plan to formally announce their decision on Wednesday afternoon.
Still, Wade and Bosh decided they needed to make a commitment to give them the best possible chance of luring more talent – including James – with the additional salary-cap space in Miami.
The New Jersey Nets have turned their attention to trying to sign either Carlos Boozer or David Lee.
As a possible contingency plan if they don’t get James, the Heat have had trade conversations since before the draft about sending point guard Mario Chalmers(notes) and a first-round pick to Portland for shooting guard Rudy Fernandez(notes), a league source said. Another possible deal for Blazers point guard Andre Miller is now considered doubtful.
ESPN first reported Wade and Bosh’s plans.
This story came from yahoo sports!
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Tiffany Mai
Other Popular Sports Stories
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“They think they’ve got a real chance to pull this off with LeBron,” a league source said.
Said an official with one team that made a formal presentation to James: “It’s down to Cleveland or Miami for him.”
The three players shared a call after midnight on Wednesday, when Wade and Bosh told James they were committing to the Heat, a source said. James didn’t commit with them, but kept his own plans private for a television announcement on Thursday night. Wade and Bosh plan to formally announce their decision on Wednesday afternoon.
Still, Wade and Bosh decided they needed to make a commitment to give them the best possible chance of luring more talent – including James – with the additional salary-cap space in Miami.
The New Jersey Nets have turned their attention to trying to sign either Carlos Boozer or David Lee.
As a possible contingency plan if they don’t get James, the Heat have had trade conversations since before the draft about sending point guard Mario Chalmers(notes) and a first-round pick to Portland for shooting guard Rudy Fernandez(notes), a league source said. Another possible deal for Blazers point guard Andre Miller is now considered doubtful.
ESPN first reported Wade and Bosh’s plans.
This story came from yahoo sports!
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Tiffany Mai
Monday, July 5, 2010
The World Cup hero with no reward
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – In a week’s time, Andre Ooijer could be returning home to the Netherlands with a World Cup winners’ medal in his pocket and the thanks of a nation ringing in his ears.
And he won’t have a job.
After being released by Dutch club PSV Eindhoven at the end of last season, Ooijer has just a single offer on the table. It is from AEK Larnaca in the tiny European nation of Cyprus, whose national team is ranked 67th in the world.
On the surface, it is difficult to see why Ooijer is not in greater demand. After being drafted into the Netherlands lineup in its quarterfinal against Brazil after Joris Mathijsen was injured in pregame warmups, Ooijer performed strongly and shut down striker Luis Fabiano in the second half.
But Ooijer turns 36 in a week, and while he can stir reserves of energy from his aging legs for a handful of games at the World Cup, his ability to perform strongly over the course of a long club season is questionable.
“I am no longer 18 years old,” he said. “And for the moment I am without a club. It has affected me, but now, that is a thousand miles away from my mind.”
No surprise there. The next week gives Ooijer the chance to be a part of something truly special, something he could barely have dreamed of when he headed into this tournament as a central defender backup to Mathijsen.
Mathijsen has undergone treatment to his knee since the 2-1 win over Brazil, but it is still doubtful whether he can get through 90 – and possibly 120 – minutes of semifinal action.
That means Ooijer is likely to retain his place against Uruguay at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium on Tuesday, where he would be charged with handling the South American side’s in-form striker Diego Forlan.
If Forlan can be controlled then the Netherlands would have one foot in the final, and Ooijer, a veteran of 56 international appearances, will have helped out his country once again.
Even if it doesn’t help his own career much.
“I am not doing this for how it can benefit my chances of finding a club,” Ooijer said. “I am doing this to help us win the World Cup. I am the daddy of the team. The guys are so much younger than me and it is interesting to be around them.
“But I believe in all of them and I know that with this group of players we have what it takes to become the champions of the World Cup.”
The Netherlands has never won a World Cup, having come tantalizingly close in both 1974 and 1978 in losses to host nations West Germany and Argentina in the final.
“For most of the players, that is so long ago it is like ancient history,” Ooijer said. “I am a bit older so I realize how close they came and what it would mean to the country if we could win the prize. That itself would be worth more than anything, better than anything else that could happen to me.”
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Music Chart News
Eminem's "Recovery" (Interscope/Universal) started a second week as the U.K.'s No. 1 album and Katy Perry a second atop the singles chart with "California Gurls" (Virgin/EMI), featuring Snoop Dogg.
"Recovery" thus matches the performance of Eminem's last album "Relapse," which spent its first two weeks at No.1 in late May and early June last year. The single "Love The Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna, climbed 7-6 on the new July 4 Official Charts Company listing, while the album outdid the Scissor Sisters' "Night Work" (Polydor/Universal), which debuted at No. 2 as its single "Fire With Fire" slipped 11-12 in its second week.
Two former No. 1 albums, Alicia Keys' "The Element of Freedom" (J/Sony Music Entertainment) and Plan B's "The Defamation of Strickland Banks" (679/Atlantic/Warner Music), climbed back 6-3 and 7-4 respectively. Mumford and Sons' "Sigh No More" (Universal Island) improved 10-8 and David Guetta's "One Love" (Positiva/Virgin/EMI) 13-10.
There were notable sales spurts for performers at the previous weekend's Glastonbury Festival. Friday (June 25) headliners Gorillaz climbed 24-12 with "Plastic Beach" (Parlophone/EMI) and Saturday's bill-toppers Muse raced 62-13 with "The Resistance" (Helium 3/Warner Music). Stevie Wonder, who headlined at Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park and then Glastonbury the next night, saw his "The Definitive Collection" (Motown/Universal Island) improve 57-16.
Perry's "California Gurls" withstood the challenge of "Airplanes" (Rebel Rock/Atlantic/Warner Music) by B.O.B. featuring Hayley Williams, which rose 12-2. Kylie Minogue's "All The Lovers" (Parlophone/EMI), which fell 4-6 last week, bounced back 6-3 after her appearance on BBC1's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" June 25.
Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It" (Interscope/Universal), the lead single from his new "Euphoria" album released today (July 5), debuted at No. 4, while labelmate Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" moved 8-7 and "Commander" by Kelly Rowland featuring David Guetta 13-9.
Eminem's "Recovery" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's European Albums chart, while K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" (A&M/Universal) is in a second week atop European Hot 100 Singles.
news from Billboard.com
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Tiffany Mai
"Recovery" thus matches the performance of Eminem's last album "Relapse," which spent its first two weeks at No.1 in late May and early June last year. The single "Love The Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna, climbed 7-6 on the new July 4 Official Charts Company listing, while the album outdid the Scissor Sisters' "Night Work" (Polydor/Universal), which debuted at No. 2 as its single "Fire With Fire" slipped 11-12 in its second week.
Two former No. 1 albums, Alicia Keys' "The Element of Freedom" (J/Sony Music Entertainment) and Plan B's "The Defamation of Strickland Banks" (679/Atlantic/Warner Music), climbed back 6-3 and 7-4 respectively. Mumford and Sons' "Sigh No More" (Universal Island) improved 10-8 and David Guetta's "One Love" (Positiva/Virgin/EMI) 13-10.
There were notable sales spurts for performers at the previous weekend's Glastonbury Festival. Friday (June 25) headliners Gorillaz climbed 24-12 with "Plastic Beach" (Parlophone/EMI) and Saturday's bill-toppers Muse raced 62-13 with "The Resistance" (Helium 3/Warner Music). Stevie Wonder, who headlined at Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park and then Glastonbury the next night, saw his "The Definitive Collection" (Motown/Universal Island) improve 57-16.
Perry's "California Gurls" withstood the challenge of "Airplanes" (Rebel Rock/Atlantic/Warner Music) by B.O.B. featuring Hayley Williams, which rose 12-2. Kylie Minogue's "All The Lovers" (Parlophone/EMI), which fell 4-6 last week, bounced back 6-3 after her appearance on BBC1's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" June 25.
Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It" (Interscope/Universal), the lead single from his new "Euphoria" album released today (July 5), debuted at No. 4, while labelmate Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" moved 8-7 and "Commander" by Kelly Rowland featuring David Guetta 13-9.
Eminem's "Recovery" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's European Albums chart, while K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" (A&M/Universal) is in a second week atop European Hot 100 Singles.
news from Billboard.com
If you would like to see any artists perform live or have any desire to see any kind of event then go to Platinumtickets.com
Tiffany Mai
Rafael Nadal ready to claim US Open title to complete full set of slams
If Federer stays in third spot throughout the hard-court swing in North America, he could end up having to play Nadal, the world No1 and Wimbledon champion, in the semi-finals of the US Open, which could have all sorts of consequences.
New York is supposed to be Federer’s town, as he has appeared in the last six finals, with his only defeat coming against Juan Martin del Potro in last summer’s title-match, but it sounds as though Nadal is going to arrive at Flushing Meadows next month as ready as he has ever been to win the US Open and to complete his collection of grand slam titles.
When Andre Agassi achieved his career grand slam, he was 29, and when Federer finished his set of majors, by taking last season’s French Open, he was 27, yet if Nadal can win in America, he will join that exclusive club at the age of 24. The only other players to have won all four slams at least once are Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.
Nadal is winning grand slam titles at a faster rate than Federer did. At the age of 24 years and one month, Nadal has eight slams, while, at that same stage in his career, the Swiss had six.
Nadal has never reached the final on the New York concrete. The last couple of years he lost in the semi-finals. In 2008, he was exhausted by the time he reached America as that summer, in addition to achieving the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double, he had flown to China and back to win an Olympic gold medal in Beijing. He lost to Andy Murray in New York.
Last summer, his knees cost him his titles in Paris and London, and an abdominal strain ended any chance of success at the US Open. Nadal won just six games against Del Potro, an Argentine with a nasty forehand, for his heaviest defeat at the slams. “I hope to be ready, to be healthy, because for the last few years I have had problems,” Nadal said. “Maybe this year it will be different. Now the most important thing is for me to rest in Majorca, to enjoy the summer there and then have a mini-pre-season practice there.”
John McEnroe, who called Nadal “an animal”, said that this could be the year that the Majorcan holds up the trophy in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Nadal wants to win the US Open so badly. It would be hard not to pick him at this time even though he’s never won it,” McEnroe said to the ATP Champions Tour website.
“The guy’s just an animal; he’s mentally and physically incredible and he can definitely do it if he’s in this shape. The conditions in New York don’t suit Nadal so well and he needs to make his body hold up. So I think after Wimbledon he is going to take some time off and get his knees recovered and then maybe not play too many matches before the Open.”
Everyone seems agreed that Federer, who lost in the quarter-finals at the All England Club to the eventual runner-up Tomas Berdych, will never again dominate men’s tennis.
“Federer has done so amazingly well that anything but a win is almost considered a bad tournament,” McEnroe said. “But he’s won the Australian Open and been in two quarter-finals at majors this year, and almost any other player would love that.
“It’s inevitable at some stage, when you’ve won 16 slams and you’ve broken every record, that maybe you lose that will at certain times. I think Federer is going to win a couple more majors but you won’t see him dominate the way he has before.”
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Tiffany Mai Cervantes
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