I am going stir-crazy without my sports!

[londonflash]

This'll make you laugh Walter, mate.

The England cricket team are looking to appoint Novak Djokovic as their batting coach.

He can't play cricket but it did take the Aussies two weeks to gey him out.

[Walter Hale 4]

This'll make you laugh Walter, mate.

The England cricket team are looking to appoint Novak Djokovic as their batting coach.

He can't play cricket but it did take the Aussies two weeks to gey him out.

Now, who have England got next in the tests and what country, do you know?

[londonflash]

We're away in the West Indies (March).

[Walter Hale 4]

Australian Open tennis , it's day three and tournament womens' number 1 seed, Ash Barty wins 61 61 in 52 minutes.

It could be the match of the year if she and Naomi OSAKA , last year's winner, advance to a fourth round.

[Walter Hale 4]

Day 4 at the Tennis and Andy Murray bows out in the second round losing 6-4. 6-4. 6-4 to Taro Daniel. Could this be the last we see of Murray in australia?

[Walter Hale 4]

Aw just moments ago, the U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu was eliminated in the second round to little known player Danka Kovinic . It was a 3-set battle, 6-4,4-6,6-3. Tough loss for her and the tournament

Here's Emma following her first round win.

[Walter Hale 4]

Australian Open tennis - tounament number two seed Danill Medvedev (effective #1 following Djokovic deported)
the talent russian star overcomes a spirited Nick Kyrgios , 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-2 to reach the 3rd round!

[Walter Hale 4]

Day 5 at the Aussie Open and Matt Berrettini , the 7 seed and Carlos Alcarez, the young 18 year-old from spain touted as the next great champion after Nadal, are playing out a marathon. Two sets each and 6 games all , they're in a final 10-point tie-break.

The type of tennis , where it's a shame there has to be a loser Love to see both players get into the semifinals.

Update - Oh no, the boy has double-faulted on match point at 5 points to 10 in the final set tiebreak. Shame to lose on a double, after 4 hours of play, but a valiant match from Carlos Alcarez on this his Australian open debut.

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[Walter Hale 4]

Am gutted that Naomi Osaka, #13 seed and defending champion has lost, also in a final set tie-break (which i dont agree with, but that's another matter).
America's Amanda Anisimova showed great bravery saving two matches down when serving 4 games to 5 down. Amanda's got a wonderful game and has earned a fourth round match-up versus tournament number 1 and favourite, Ash Barty.
That's going to be something to see

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[Walter Hale 4]

Day 7 and just minutes ago, a boilover in the mens singles with Canada's rising star Denis Shapovolov defeat of the over-rated Alexander Zverev, 6-3,7-6,6-2, the number three seed.
Alexander continues to under-perform in the Grand Slams.

Shapovolov has Rafael Nadal next up in one quarterfinal.

[Walter Hale 4]

Getting to the business end of the Australian Open tennis now with the womens and mens semi-finals determined -

Womens Semifinals

Ashleigh Barty #1 vs. Madison Keys (unseeded)
Danielle Collins #27 vs. Iga Swiatek #7

The Men

Rafael Nadal #6 vs. Matteo Berrettini #7
Danill Medvedev #1 vs Stefanos Tsitsitpas #3

[Walter Hale 4]

Australian Open Tennis Day 11 and the first title has been decided , the Mens Wheelchair Tennis trophy has been won by World No.2 Sam Schroder from the Netherlands. He defeats #1 seeded Dylan Alcott of Australia by 7-5, 6-0.

Not to take anything away from the Dutch players victory but Dylan Alcott has been through a whirlwind having been named Australian of the year yesterday on Australia Day and the fact he's announced his retirement earlier this month.
The events of the past 24 hours have caught up with him. Dylan has done so much to promote quads wheelchair tennis, certainly in this country.

Congrats to Alcott and also the winner Sam Schroder.

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[Walter Hale 4]

Rafael NADAL has booked a spot in the Australian open final on sunday evening , melbourne time.
He defeated Matteo BERRETTINI in a four setter, 6-3,6-2,4-6,6-3.

He awaits the winner of Russian star Danill MEDVEDEV vs Stefano TSITSIPAS coming up about 90 minutes from now.

Womens' singles final will be Ashleigh BARTY (Australia) vs Danielle COLLINS (U.S.)

Barty trying to become the first aussie to win the championship since 1978 has a damn good chance as she's cruised through her six previous rounds to reach the final !

[Walter Hale 4]

UPDATE... Danill Medvedev has won the second semifinal , also in 4 sets, defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Medvedev vs Nadal final - a rematch of their 2019 U.S. Open final, won by Nadal in 5 sets. I expect Nadal will repeat it on Sunday night and win his second Australian Open. If he does so , then he'll achieve 21 Grand Slams tally, moves ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, both players are not playing here.

[Walter Hale 4]

edited highlights of the mens second semifinal -

[Walter Hale 4]

The Drought, Since 1978, Is Over.

ASHLEIGH BARTY wins the Australian Open !

What a supreme display of tennis she put together and wonderfully composed she was throughout the final - and tournament. DID NOT drop one set in 7 matches.

She reminds me and plays the game like a female version of Roger, when he was young and in his prime.

Bad luck for Danielle COLLINS who tried her best and it was good to see how she was able to pick up her game after losing the first. Methinks she should've won the second set when leading 5-1, where, lets face it, she tensed up there and then. Unfortunately , these things happen in tennis.

But who would've predicted Danielle COLLINS ranked #30 to reach the final?

Final score Ash Barty defeats Danielle Collins, 6-2,7-6 (7-2).

[Walter Hale 4]

Rafael Nadal Wins the Australian Open, His 21st Grand Slam Title​ -

Nadal , 2022 Australian Open Champion.jpg

In one of the greatest comebacks of all time, Nadal trailed 2-6 6-7 2-3 and love 0-40 and was able to turn the match around winning the next three sets.
It was not a classic by any means. Lots of errors by both players and Nadal struggled most of the final with his serving. But it was a real battle of wills and character. The spanish legend was able to win the final calling on years of experience.

As a Roger Federer fan, I give Nadal who is 35 years old, full credit on not only his win but the way he has played all tournament long and his comeback from foot surgery and even covid-19 last November.

Now, he has the Men's Grand Slam titles record at 21 Slams over his rivals, Federer and Novak Djokovic.

His victory will go down as one of sports greatest achievements.

Final score - Nadal (#6) defeats Medvedev (#2) 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 - a final that took 5 hrs 24 minutes and finished up at 1.24 am monday morning Australian EST !

[Walter Hale 4]

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic Congratulate Rafael Nadal on Epic Australian Open Victory -

https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/01/30/roger-federer-novak-djokovic-congratulate-rafael-nadal-australian-open-win

[Walter Hale 4]

Bit of an unusual 5 minute monologue - it has ruined my dreams as a child - the opening to his presser from the runners-up Danill MEDVEDEV.

Clearly it bothered him that it was a pro-Nadal crowd in a neutral country during the mens final.

But the russian star and U S Open champion, can only blame himselvis , with some of his tantrums and whines (such as the semi-final) throughout this tournament.

He lost some respect from fans and its sad on the one level, because when he's at his best, focused and moving fast around the court, he is the best player in the world, certainly to watch.

As i said in my prior post it did look like he was going to be a straight sets winner but the ageing Nadal has been a great champion (and fighter) for almost 20 years now. Medvedev has a lot to learn, sometimes you have to learn the hard way and Nadal has handed him a lesson here, BIG TIME.

[eric c]

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i miss my ☆COWBOYS☆
gonna be a long off-season.
i got my Elvis music tho and i'm already zeroed in on the draft...but training camp can't get here soon enuff.
☆WE RIDE TIL WE DIE...GO☆COWBOYS☆

[londonflash]

Shane Warne RIP legend. I'm stunned. Gutted.

[carolynlm]

Shane Warne RIP legend. I'm stunned. Gutted.

Terrible news, not 24 hours after the awful news regarding Rod Marsh....2 Australian legends gone in one day.....we are all shattered.

[londonflash]

Shane Warne RIP legend. I'm stunned. Gutted.

Terrible news, not 24 hours after the awful news regarding Rod Marsh....2 Australian legends gone in one day.....we are all shattered.

2 cricketing giants.

But just can't believe Warnie has gone. Only 52. The way he played over here in 2005, loved him. I don't mind admitting I shed a tear about him tonight. He was the best.

[Walter Hale 4]

Hard to believe.

‘RIP mate’: Shane Warne posted tribute to fellow legend Rod Marsh, hours before his own death -

[Walter Hale 4]