Scott Murray's Blog, page 179
July 15, 2015
Everton v Stoke City: Asia Trophy – as it happened | Scott Murray
No goals, but some half-decent penalty kicks at the end of this appetite-whetting pre-season friendly in Singapore
Twenty youngsters who can make an impact in pre-season1.01pm BST
Everton beat Stoke City 5-4 on penalties! Jagielka Sounesses it into the top right corner, and Everton are through. Good old Premier League Asia Trophy. Follow that, Arsenal and Singapore Select XI!
1.00pm BST
Stoke City 4-4 Everton: Crouch
takes it with his head
slots it into the bottom left.
12.59pm BST
Stoke City 3-4 Everton: Deulofeu blooters his into the bottom right. Everton are very close to the big game now.
12.59pm BST
Stoke City 3-3 Everton: Bardsley larrups it straight down the middle. Howard dives out of the way.
12.58pm BST
Stoke City 2-3 Everton: Stones sidefoots calmly into the right, Haugaard going the other way.
12.57pm BST
Stoke City 2-2 Everton: Walters smoothly rolls his into the bottom right.
12.57pm BST
Stoke City 1-2 Everton: Cleverley batters his into the right-hand portion of the net.
12.56pm BST
Stoke City 1-1 Everton: Van Ginkel pelts his to the left, and he’s denied by a strong Howard hand.
12.56pm BST
Stoke City 1-1 Everton: Lukaku stutters, John Aldridge style, and pops it into the bottom left.
12.55pm BST
Stoke City 1-0 Everton: Adam tucks it into the bottom left.
12.54pm BST
So who will face either a Singapore select side or an Arsenal select side in the final of this prestigious championship? We’ll find out after this shoot-out. Stoke will be taking the first penalty. Charlie Adam waits around for ages, and ...
12.50pm BST
Full time: Everton 0-0 Stoke City. Penalties, then. Let’s get this over with.
12.49pm BST
90 min +1: And he’s clear again! But Haugaard is quickly off his line and blocks on the edge of the area. Great save. But Everton should have won this. Though to be fair, he had a good goal disallowed for offside in the first half.
12.48pm BST
90 min: Yes, this is going to penalty kicks. Lukaku latches onto a loose ball in the Stoke half and powers towards the goal. He should score, but squirts a useless effort wide left.
12.46pm BST
88 min: Everyone jogging around in the ‘Light’ style.
12.43pm BST
85 min: Lukaku tries to score from 35 yards. His effort flies 35 yards high and 35 yards wide. A geometric curiosity.
12.42pm BST
83 min: Deulofeu draws a couple of Stoke players towards him to the left of the Stoke D, then flicks a pass between them to send Naismith into the box. He’s one on one with Haugaard, at a tight angle. The keeper wins the duel, after an alarming scramble.
12.40pm BST
82 min: Kone’s on for McCarthy.
12.39pm BST
81 min: This was nearly it, though. Crouch takes down a gorgeous right-to-left crossfield Adam pass with telescopic leg. He attempts to lay off to Ireland, bombing in, but gets it all wrong. A lame end to a decent move.
12.38pm BST
80 min: A bit of head tennis in the Everton box. Crouch is involved. Howard doesn’t need to intervene. All very aimless.
12.34pm BST
77 min: This is heading for penalty kicks, isn’t it.
12.32pm BST
74 min: Deulofeu scampers into the Stoke area down the right, Osman having set him free. He hesitates, with Naismith screaming for a pass inside, and Cameron comes in to concede a corner. The set piece comes to naught.
12.30pm BST
72 min: Walters comes on for Shenton.
12.29pm BST
70 min: Van Ginkel is sent scampering clear down the inside-left channel, a lovely pass from Adam. He’s got to score, but hesitates, allowing Stones to get in the road and deflect the eventual weak shot into the arms of Howard.
12.27pm BST
69 min: Everton versus Stoke in July, huh.
12.26pm BST
68 min: Drinks.
12.25pm BST
67 min: Adam screws a dreadful shot wide right from the edge of the Everton box.
12.25pm BST
66 min: And this was nearly it. Wilson, newly arrived for Stoke, has his pocket picked by Lukaku, who bombs goalwards. But he’s penalised for aggressive play.
12.23pm BST
65 min: Van Ginkel tries to burst through the middle, busy busy. But Jagielka steps across him and ushers the ball back to Howard. A sense that somebody might score a goal soon.
12.22pm BST
64 min: Here comes Peter Crouch, scorer of Stoke’s sixth goal against Liverpool the other month. Also making his entrance: Van Ginkel.
12.19pm BST
61 min: What A Miss II: Naismith plays a ball round the corner, down the inside-left channel. Deulofeu, who has been lively since coming on, is free, but his attempted sidefoot into the bottom right is easily snaffled by Haugaard.
12.18pm BST
60 min: Odemwingie zips down the right and whips a low ball towards the near post. Ireland dinks it goalwards, and should really score, but it’s straight at Howard. What a miss.
12.17pm BST
58 min: Deulofeu leaps on a loose ball in the middle of the park. He races towards the box, and should either shoot or lay off to Lukaku on his left. But he faffs around, allowing Cameron to steam in from behind and rob him of the ball. Great defending, but Cameron should never have been given the opportunity to make the challenge.
12.15pm BST
57 min: Deulofeu smacks a free kick, 30 yards out, straight at Haugaard.
12.12pm BST
55 min: The golf and cricket start tomorrow. And it won’t be a moment too soon.
12.11pm BST
52 min: Osman, on the edge of the Stoke box, elects to take a shot with Naismith in a better position to his left. He’ll be regretting that decision now.
12.09pm BST
50 min: Odemwingie presses down the right, but Galloway has his number.
12.06pm BST
47 min: Lukaku goes up again for a high ball with Haugaard, and comes off worse this time. The second chunk of bad luck for the big striker, because replays of that offside goal just before the break suggest Bardsley was playing him on. The goal should have stood. Ah well. Just as well this doesn’t matter.
12.05pm BST
The second half is underway. Some new faces. Adam is on for Stoke. Cleverley, Osman, Naismith and Deulofeu are on for Everton. Naismith and Osman are in the thick of it immediately, one-twoing down the inside-right channel. Naismith is clean through, and aims top right, but Haugaard tips over brilliantly. The corner comes to naught.
11.48am BST
Half time: Everton 0-0 Stoke City. Don’t go anywhere, there’s going to be another 45 minutes of this. And maybe penalty kicks at the end of it.
11.48am BST
45 min +1: Pienaar, down the left, slides a ball towards the middle to release Lukaku into the area. Lukaku rounds Haugaard on the left, and slips the ball into the net, but he was a yard offside.
11.45am BST
45 min: Bardsley has a dig from 20-odd yards. He blooters the ball straight into Galloway’s startled coupon. Danger over.
11.44am BST
42 min: Hibbert bursts down the right and stands one up into the middle. It’s clanked away by the head of Cameron, just as Lukaku was winding his neck back. A nice move, which nearly piqued the interest.
11.41am BST
40 min: Pienaar chases back with the sole intention of clipping Shenton’s ankles. Safe to say he’s recovered from that earlier knock.
11.37am BST
37 min: Ireland has a pop from 25 yards. The ball lands in Scotland.
11.36am BST
34 min: Pienaar might have taken a bit of a clatter there, though. He’s down getting a bit of treatment, and a drink of water. He’s OK to continue for now.
11.34am BST
30 min: Bardsley is booked for clattering into Pienaar. The erstwhile Southern TV commentator Martin Tyler, now on Sky, suggests this shows that the Premier League Asia Trophy really means something. But it doesn’t, does it.
11.32am BST
29 min: Hibbert is caught flailing around like the Isle of Man flag, and eventually ends up on his face, allowing Arnautovic to tear off with the ball. I say tear, he lightly jogs towards the box, but before he can slip a shot past Howard, is robbed by a last-ditch tackle by Jagielka, who appears to be in Proper Match Mode. A fine challenge to save the day, though Arnautovic was snoozing.
11.29am BST
27 min: A drinks break. It’s the taste.
11.26am BST
25 min: The crowd noise, what there is of it, pings off the roof of the stadium. The ambient effect is not dissimilar to a municipal swimming pool. Will patrons kindly refrain from running, bombing, smoking and petting.
11.24am BST
22 min: Haugaard rises to catch a high ball. Lukaku gently brushes him and steals possession. But before he can batter home, it’s a free kick. Nat Lofthouse’s day, etc.
11.19am BST
19 min: Arnautovic jigs into a bit of space down the left, then burns Hibbert for pace. He lashes a cross along the byline towards the near post. Howard fumbles out for a corner, which is wasted. Everyone’s getting a nice run out.
11.18am BST
17 min: A free kick for Everton, 35 yards out, just to the right. McCarthy curls a high one into the box. Jagielka, on the penalty spot, heads high and wide right.
11.17am BST
16 min: Arnautovic, in a central position, slides a pass down the inside right for Bardsley, who nearly breaks clear but Galloway gets in the road, and puts him off.
11.15am BST
14 min: Nothing much happening right now. But then nothing much was happening at this point of Stoke’s final match of last season, and look how that turned out.
11.13am BST
11 min: Stoke finally turn up. Shenton, in a little space down the left, fires a low cross into the area. It’s met by the in-rushing Odemwingie, who sidefoots wide left from eight yards. He should have scored.
11.12am BST
10 min: Galloway zips past Bardsley down the left, and has his ankles clipped for his trouble. He tries to stay on his feet, and much good that honesty does him. He eventually loses control, and the referee doesn’t bother to pull the play back.
11.08am BST
7 min: Barkley twists and turns very impressively down the inside-right channel to earn Everton a corner. Already he’s having a better season than the last. The set piece comes to naught.
11.06am BST
4 min: Jagielka comes romping out of defence like Franz Beckenbauer. He slides a pass down the left for Lukaku, whereupon the move peters out somewhat. A bright start for Everton. But what does this mean for their season? It’s too early to say. Too early to have learned one thing, never mind five.
11.02am BST
2 min: Barkley slips the ball wide right for Mirallas, who cuts inside and drags a weak shot straight at Haugaard.
11.01am BST
And we’re off! The Stadium is at best one-tenth full. Everton get the
glorified training session
match underway.
10.59am BST
The teams are out. They’re warming up. In a minute, this warm-up will break into an extended warm-up. Maybe even a run out. The new Singapore National Stadium looks very fancy, and apparently the air conditioning is fully functional, with a pleasant breeze cutting through the humidity. Some more breaking news: Stoke City are in their red-and-white stripes, Everton in their blue. The crowd aren’t making much noise, so in that sense the Premier League Asia Trophy is just like the Premier League. Best Asia Trophy in the world!
10.22am BST
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Galloway, Jagielka, Browning, Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku.
Subs: Robles, Stones, Kone, Naismith, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Osman, Coleman, Garbutt, Kenny, Williams, Robinson.
Stoke City: Haugaard, Bardsley, Cameron, Muniesa, Teixeira, Sidwell, Shenton, Odemwingie, Ireland, Arnautovic. Joselu.
Subs: Given, Whelan, Johnson, Wilson, van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters, Crouch, Moha.
10.12am BST
Preamble:
Continue reading...
Mock the BBC’s Open coverage and Peter Alliss if you must, but we’ll miss it when it’s gone | Scott Murray
With Sky hovering to take control, the days of uninterrupted golf, wildlife and fashion chat from dawn to dusk could be over sooner than we all realise
There’s a fair chance Manchester United’s Rory McIlroy will forever regret his decision to hare around a football pitch last weekend like a slightly less relaxed Roy Keane. Bang went that ankle ligament and with it the chance, at the peak of his powers, to join that illustrious roll-call of stars to win an Open at the home of golf. Jones, Snead, Nicklaus, Faldo, Seve, Tiger and Rory had such a lovely rhythm to it. Ah well, never mind, Jordan’s got the same number of syllables. 2020 maybe.
Silver linings, though. At least poor Rory will have the chance to put that injured foot up, hunker down and devour every single minute of the BBC coverage. We’d all do well to follow his lead, too, because with Sky taking charge in 2017, and the BBC reportedly looking to offload its rights a season early, this week could potentially mark the corporation’s last-ever live Open. Whatever transpires, there’s a whiff of fin de siècle in the air.
Related: The Open 2015 quiz: test your knowledge of golf's oldest major
Continue reading...July 10, 2015
£35m less than £45m plus add-ons
After a couple of days at home with the curtains drawn, possibly flicking between the cricket and the tennis with a tube of Pringles close by, Raheem Sterling has gone back to work. We know this because a member of the paparazzi has taken a long-lens shot of him from over the wall at Melwood, where Sterling is standing around, occasionally stretching a bit and lightly jogging. But mainly standing around. It’s not a bad picture. Sterling, as the main subject of the shot, has been given due prominence, but isn’t positioned in the centre of the frame, which would make for a rather dull and static photo. He’s just to one side, giving a pleasing sense of movement. We do hope young Raheem, a keen student of photography and a vocal critic of poor composition, is happy with the outcome.
Continue reading...The Joy of Six: The Open at St Andrews
From 19th-century wrath of Strath, snarking from Snead and not so elementary for Tom Watson, here’s a selection of the highlights from the Old Course
The 1873 Open was the first to be held at St Andrews, and the first to be played over two rounds on an 18-hole course. (The competition had previously been decided by three rounds of 12 at Prestwick.) A record entry of 26 players contested it. Tom Kidd, a local lad, triumphed with rounds of 91 and 88. The scoring was high, even by the standards of the day: Mungo Park would take 20 shots fewer the following year at Musselburgh. The cause? Driving rain had turned the Old Course into a quagmire, though the local press hesitated before finally admitting any imperfections. “The putting greens were in fine condition,” one paper insisted, before finally, reluctantly, conceding downpage that “pools of water on the greens added considerably to the hazards”.
Continue reading...Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign PSG’s Edinson Cavani?
Manchester United are in the market for a striker now Robin van Persie is leaving Old Trafford for Fenerbahce in high dudgeon. He’s “furious”, having been “betrayed” by Louis van Gaal. Penny for the thoughts of Arsène Wenger. Anyway, United ideally want Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani or Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane. But failing that, West Ham United’s Diafra Sakho will suffice.
United are also planning to offload Javier Hernández, who will go much more quietly than rantin’ Robin. He could serenely head off to West Ham as part of a deal for Sakho, or join Sevilla instead.
Continue reading...July 8, 2015
Roger Federer v Gilles Simon: Wimbledon 2015 – as it happened
An easy win for Roger Federer, who looks in the mood to claim a record eighth Wimbledon title.
4.10pm BST
That was so easy for Federer. Simon didn’t do much wrong, he was simply swatted aside by this imperious living legend of the game. Simon even managed to break Federer, the first man to do so in this tournament. And what was his reward? Federer simply applied some pressure to the gas pedal, and broke straight back. He looks unstoppable in this form. Andy Murray - if he makes it through his quarter final against Vasek Pospisil - will have a job on in the semis, put it that way.
4.06pm BST
Third set: Simon 3-6, 5-7, 2-6 Federer*
Nothing’s gone right for poor old Simon today, and again Federer benefits from an outrageous stroke of luck. He mishits a simple forehand, the ball coming off the frame of his racket and dropping over the net, but Simon is unable to retrieve. But of course he’s been by far the better player today, and sets up a couple of match points with some crisp serve-and-volley tennis. A comic double fault delays the inevitable, but he wraps up the victory after winning a rat-a-tat rally at the net. Slam dunk.
4.03pm BST
Third set: Simon* 3-6, 5-7, 2-5 Federer
A short second serve allows Federer to jog all the way round it and whip an unstoppable cross-court forehand from left to right. Stunning. And then the same treatment on the next point, the ball zipping through the deuce court this time. Simon’s in all sorts of trouble, and he fizzes a forehand long. Two break points for Federer. And he gets the double break, showing patience during a long rally, Simon sending the weakest of forehands into the net. He cries in anguish. This is over.
3.59pm BST
Third set: Simon 3-6, 5-7, 2-4 Federer*
Another lucky net cord for Federer, as an attempted pass down the right hits the net and topples over. Simon does well to chase it down, but can’t keep his desperate dink in play. Federer has been effortlessly brilliant today - he closes this game out with a yawn - and he really doesn’t need the luck too. But he’s got it. He makes it himself, I guess.
3.57pm BST
Third set: Simon* 3-6, 5-7, 2-3 Federer
Another strong hold for Simon. This is the thing: he’s played his service games pretty well, on the whole. A couple of momentary lapses. But those lapses have been enough. He looks a beaten man. Immediately losing his serve after finally breaking Federer in the second set has broken him.
3.53pm BST
Third set: Simon 3-6, 5-7, 1-3 Federer*
These Federer service games are a total non-event! Simon’s a superb returner, but he can’t do anything about Federer’s metronomic brilliance. Even the net’s against him: the one ball he gets back hits the cord, and topples over, but just the wrong side of the right-hand sideline. It’s just not his day. It’s almost certainly Federer’s, though. And perhaps his tournament as well.
3.51pm BST
Third set: Simon* 3-6, 5-7, 1-2 Federer
Simon holds in a fairly fuss-free fashion here, though Federer’s not exactly busting a gut. A sense that his work here is done. It’s almost as though he’s trusting that serve to finish the job.
3.47pm BST
Third set: Simon 3-6, 5-7, 0-2 Federer*
A simple hold to back up the break, and already this match feels over. Simon hasn’t got going again at all.
3.46pm BST
Third set: Simon* 3-6, 5-7, 0-1 Federer
After both players enjoy a well-deserved rest after those three unreturned Federer serves, the third set gets underway. Simon needs something to happen soon. What he doesn’t need is an immediate implosion. Federer advances to the net, inviting the lob. Simon indeed lobs, but too long. Then a long forehand, and suddenly the Frenchman is in a whole world of pain. Another break, and Federer is closing in on victory.
3.39pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 5-7 Federer*
Boom. Boom. Boom. Wasn’t that worth waiting 40 minutes for?
3.38pm BST
And we’re off again. Federer will restart the match, serving at 15-0, as he looks to close out the second set.
3.33pm BST
The chaps are out and about again. And now for another painfully slow warm-up, as the players get themselves in the zone for a third time today. But the good news is, we’ll have some more tennis very soon!
3.26pm BST
Entertainment ahoy! For the covers are coming off. After another half-hour hiatus, we’ll be going again shortly.
2.59pm BST
And it’s another rain delay. Gah! Federer, at 15-0, was desperate to finish his service game and wrap up the second set - a second set he should have won already, of course - but the heavens have opened and the covers are on. God bless Great Britain and her summers.
2.58pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 5-6 Federer
Federer appears to have taken that break as a personal insult. A net cord looks to have benefitted Simon, but Federer chases it down and whips a ball to the right corner. Simon can’t return. Then Federer smashes away a short one. And then a Homeric rally, Federer earning a couple of break points with an astonishing whipped forehand down the right sideline. An immediate break back, and once again he’ll be serving for the set. A huge COME ON greets his achievement. How about that for stepping on the gas, moving up the gears, and other automotive metaphors? He’s like no other.
2.53pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 5-5 Federer*
Well, what’s this? A couple of lengthy rallies, Simon pushing Federer to the back of the court, and it’s 0-30. Then he whips a two-handed backhand down the left sideline, and he’s got three break points! Federer’s only faced two in the entire tournament so far! And Simon only needs the one, Federer flashing a cross-court forehand well wide left. This set is back on! As, indeed, is the match! Out of nowhere, as well!
2.50pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 4-5 Federer
An easy enough hold for Simon, with Federer happy enough to bide his time and serve for the set. The damage here has, you sense, already been done.
2.46pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 3-5 Federer*
Thing is, Simon hasn’t been playing particularly badly. He’s certainly not been serving badly. But there’s an awful lot of pressure on your serve when you can’t make any inroads into your opponent’s. Federer’s made 79% of his first serves, and he’s winning over 80% of those points. Federer is utterly dominant, clinical, relentless. It’s less Federeresque, more Samprasian. He’s within touching distance of the second set.
2.43pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 3-4 Federer
A weak second serve. Federer meanders round it, with the air of a man popping down the shops for the Sunday paper, and whips it away through the deuce court. Then Federer nearly knocks his opponent off his feet with a crunching forehand that lands on the baseline. A couple of break points, and Federer only needs one, a patient rally ending with Simon lashing the ball out of play down the right. This is easy for Federer right now.
2.39pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 3-3 Federer*
This gets the crowd going, though. A 26-stroke rally, both players finding the corners with fizzing forehands. And for once it’s Simon who comes out on top, Federer cracking by shanking an impatient forehand well wide right. A rare unforced error. But Federer simply, smoothly, wins the next four points. The last is the only one that’s anything other than simple, Simon pushing him wide left, only for a cross-court forehand to whistle back past his eyes.
2.35pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 3-2 Federer
Now it’s Simon’s turn to hold with no fuss. This one to love. Federeresque. This match hasn’t really taken off at all, and a subdued No1 Court reflects that.
2.33pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 2-2 Federer*
Federer - like this is breaking news - is never afraid to come to the net. Here he advances for the seventh time in the match so far, and puts away the seventh crisp volley. Then another ace, and once again Simon has no answers to the Federer serve.
2.31pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 2-1 Federer
An odyssey of a rally at 15-0. Federer looks to have won it with a monster crosscourt forehand, but Simon retrieves well. Federer should nevertheless put away a smash, but hoicks the ball wide right. It’s 30-0, but Simon’s serve briefly malfunctions. After a double fault, Federer’s got him to 30-30. But Simon quickly relocates the groove, and a couple of booming serves earns him the game. He had to work a little for that one, though.
2.26pm BST
Second set: Simon 3-6, 1-1 Federer*
Although getting anything out of this Federer serve is another matter. There goes another service game, to love, in a flash.
2.25pm BST
Second set: Simon* 3-6, 1-0 Federer
A simple enough hold for Simon, the high point of which is a glorious two-handed backhand down the left sideline. He’s looked fairly metronomic since the resumption in play. Too late to save the first set, but perhaps we’ve got a game on now.
2.21pm BST
First set: Simon 3-6 Federer*
Simon charges down a drop shot and whips a backhand across court. It’s 30-30, and there’s a glimmer of an opening. But only for a brief moment in time. A couple of big serves, the second of them a booming ace, and Federer takes the opening set! He’s hardly broken sweat in doing so.
2.19pm BST
First set: Simon* 3-5 Federer
Some classic serve-and-volley stuff wins Simon the first point. The tone set, he eases his way to a game that keeps him alive in this set. He’s been fine since the resumption of play. Will that slow start cost him?
2.15pm BST
First set: Simon 2-5 Federer*
Shot of the match so far, as Simon draws Federer to the net, then lobs his opponent with a dainty flick of the wrists. Phil Mickelson would have been proud of that chip. But Federer puts away a simple smash, then whistles down an ace, and finally teases Simon by ending a long rally with an exquisite drop volley. He’s closing in on the first set.
2.12pm BST
First set: Simon* 2-4 Federer
An easy enough hold for Simon, this time, one double fault apart. Federer hits long, then finds the net, then hits another couple long. Solid by Simon, and totally unspectacular.
2.09pm BST
First set: Simon 1-4 Federer*
Simon’s still struggling to make any inroads on the Federer serve. A couple of decent returns, which push his opponent back, but again Federer comes up with a big serve here, a powerful second serve there, and the game’s wrapped up without fuss.
2.07pm BST
First set: Simon* 1-3 Federer
A couple of easy points for Simon, but then he nets a simple volley. That gives Federer an opportunity, which he threatens to take by slashing a forehand down the line. It’s 30-30, but a couple of weak forehands into the net put paid to any notions. Simon’s on the scoreboard.
2.04pm BST
At last! It’s the fourth game and 15th minute of the match! Simon to serve, 0-3 down, looking to make his first impression on the scoreboard. We’re off! Again!
1.59pm BST
And here come the lads! A break of just over half an hour. I hope Roger didn’t keep Gilles waiting this time, hanging around like a spare part. A quick warm-up, and soon we’ll be away again.
1.57pm BST
Rain has been replaced by mere cloud, and the covers are coming off. I’m also pleased to report, courtesy of the BBC’s roving eye, that several members of the No1 Court crowd are busy getting totally flootered, paggered and banjaxed on carbonated grape drink. One couple in particular were earnestly charging their flutes like they really mean business, a serious job of work tackled head on. And good on them for making the most of their day off. Someone else in an NFL cap was eating a pasty. Or it might have been a sandwich. We could probably do with some tennis, to be honest. Meanwhile I’m not the only one with too much time on my hands right now. “Why is Bill Giles smelling no evil?” wonders Thomas Lawrence. “Shouldn’t he be seeing no evil? Cheeky monkey.”
1.33pm BST
Weather report: It’s coming down in stair rods, but expected to be a brief enough break. So don’t wander too far. Or start any work. Hopefully we’ll get going again in a little while.
1.26pm BST
And after 14 minutes play, both men are hauled off court as the covers are hauled on. It’s raining. Hot damn.
1.25pm BST
First set: Simon 0-3 Federer*
Simon struggled awfully during his first service game. No such drama yet on the Federer serve. This one’s held to love, and sealed with a delicious drop volley, Simon scampering towards the net in impotent despair. The Frenchman hasn’t got a foothold in this match yet.
1.23pm BST
First set: Simon* 0-2 Federer
Federer moves Simon this way and that, before approaching the net. A beautifully worked point. So then he wafts a dismal volley into the net. Very uncharacteristic. But it’s his only real mistake of the game. He’s finding the corners, and he forces deuce, Simon’s serve not quite firing yet. Federer’s lovely whipped cross-court forehand is called out, and it looks like Simon’s won the game, but the call’s challenged with a raise of a Swiss eyebrow, and it’s the width of an eyelash in. Four deuces and two break points later, and a lovely passing shot down the right-hand sideline earns the break.
1.14pm BST
First set: Simon 0-1 Federer* (*denotes server)
Simon is straight out of the blocks, passing Federer twice with his two-handed backhand. One more point, and it’ll be only the third break point Federer’s given up in the championship so far! But four quick big booms later, and the game’s over in a flash. Some early promise for the underdog, I guess.
1.11pm BST
Simon won the toss, and has elected to receive. It’s time! A rare old atmosphere on No1. It’s cloudy. We’re under way!
1.06pm BST
The line judges, resplendent in their blazers and caps, take to No1 Court. Punters, full of a popular brand of fruit cup, the stuff rolling out of their eyeballs neat, stumble to their seats. And finally, in their Wimbledon whites, it’s the arrival of Roger Federer and Gilles Simon. Federer keeps Simon waiting awhile in the changing rooms, popping into the water closet to do what an athlete has to do. But eventually he’s ready to enter the arena. Hands are shaken, coins are tossed, and now they’re knocking up. Tik tok swish swipe clip clatter clack clackity click. We’ll be off in a minute!
12.00pm BST
Roger Federer - as he did in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2012 - is making his own sweet way through the Wimbledon draw. As he goes for that record-busting eighth title, which would render William Renshaw and Pete Sampras as mere dots in the rear-view mirror, he’s yet to be broken. In fact, he’s given up just two break points in 58 games. Stylish and serene. Effortless. If you set his life to a soundtrack, the bass part would be played by Ray Brown.
By rights, Gilles Simon shouldn’t really cause the 17-time major winner too many problems. This is already Simon’s best run at Wimbledon, matching his career best in a slam, a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open in 2009. But! The 30-year-old Frenchman is in the zone on grass right now. He made the semis at Queen’s last month. He’s just cashiered Tomáš Berdych, the world number six and 2010 finalist, from this tournament in straight sets. He’s also got a history of giving Federer a little trouble in the slams, having taken the Swiss living legend to five sets at the 2011 Australian Open and 2013 French Open. No mug, then. He is the world number 13, after all. And one hell of a returner, so Federer might do well to keep that proud service record going.
Continue reading...July 7, 2015
A brief guide to … Andrea Pirlo, the ultimate hipster footballer
The looks, the beard, the vineyard … New York City FC’s new star is a passionate aesthete – but he also won pretty much everything for Milan, Juve and Italy
With the Guardian’s unstoppable rise to global dominance (NOTE: actual dominance may not be global. Or dominant) we at Guardian US thought we’d run a series of articles for newer football fans wishing to improve their knowledge of the game’s history and storylines, hopefully in a way that doesn’t patronise you to within an inch of your life. A warning: If you’re the kind of person that finds The Blizzard too populist this may not be the series for you.
New York is the world capital of aging hipsters, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Andrea Pirlo is rocking up for New York City FC. To be fair, the 36-year-old heartbeat of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning side deserves better than to be lumped in with all the desperadoes practising taxidermy and collecting Detroit techno on vinyl in their Williamsburg loft conversions. But then he does have the beard, a love of vintage fashion, his own vineyard, and an autobiography entitled I Think Therefore I Play. He’s not helping himself in that respect.
Related: Andrea Pirlo taking his 'silent charisma' to New York City FC, Juventus confirm
Continue reading...July 5, 2015
Ashes 2015: the A to Z of Ashes history
A man so good he colonised the first two letters of the alphabet, Allan Border revitalised and revolutionised Australian cricket with a ferocious toughness that underpinned a generation of glory. In the first instance an unwilling leader, his players soon knew him as Captain Grumpy – but they quickly learned that it was worth it. In 1987 he led them to World Cup victory, beating England in the final, and then, in the 1989 Ashes, his team dispensed one of sport’s great surprise kickings. Hitting six half-centuries in a 4-0 win, Border’s contribution to the cause earned him the Australian of the Year award, and things continued in similar vein, the urn retained by 3-0 in 1990-91 and 4-1 in 1993. The culture he imposed sustains even now.
Related: The Joy of Six: Ashes quotes | Rob Smyth
Related: Ashes 2015: How England and Australia shape up in each department
Related: Darren Lehmann’s nous gives Australia Ashes edge | Jason Gillespie
Continue reading...July 2, 2015
Football transfer rumours: Thomas Müller to Manchester United?
Today’s gossip is stored on a special server which will, like Cleopatra, be kept cool all day by attendants in shendyts waving plumes of peacock and ostrich
The transfer window’s open now, which should in theory get things finally moving this summer. In theory. But Paul Pogba’s still not left Juventus, and Manchester City are still interested. Now it seems someone who knows Paul has had dinner in a fancy restaurant with a couple of people who have an expense account at Barcelona, and you know what that means. The capture of Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg should soften the blow, but probably won’t.
Aston Villa are in the market for Ajax and Denmark full-back Nicolai Boilesen. They’ve also thrown the Big Bodyswerve to see off Southampton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Marseille in the £9m race for Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye. Something of a coup for Villa, that, especially as Saints were able to offer Gueye a guaranteed starting place at Anfield for the 2016-17 season.
Continue reading...July 1, 2015
Daniela Hantuchova v Heather Watson: Wimbledon 2015 – as it happened
British No1 Heather Watson beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 6-2 and could face Serena Williams in the next round
6.16pm BST
Apologies. A major technical issue meant that we were unable to bring you this live as planned. Heather Watson won 6-4, 6-2 and we will have a report up as soon as circumstances allow.
4.14pm BST
Ah no, our servers are required to take a breather. Apologies, apologies. Here’s an interlude, featuring our old golf correspondent:
4.13pm BST
First set: Hantuchová 1-1 Watson*
Some nice old-fashioned serve-and-volley stuff from Watson, who drops elegantly over the net, then flicks away Hantuchová’s return with a tight-angled volley. A very easy hold. Both players in energy-conservation mode right now. Energy conservation could be the theme of this blog, the state of our smouldering VIC-20.
4.11pm BST
First set: Hantuchová* 1-0 Watson (*denotes server)
So now I’m getting reports that our servers are still working, with no hard drives yet to be spotted fizzing down York Way towards Kings Cross like Catherine Wheels. So let’s give this a go. Sorry to mess you around. A fairly nondescript start to the match. Three baseline rallies, Hantuchová winning two of them. An easy enough hold. Court One is quiet, the heat taking its toll. And the Pimms no doubt. Hey, we’re judging nobody.
3.58pm BST
Ah, some more breaking news, which is not so good for this blog, just as Watson and Hantuchová make it to court. We’ve got some serious server issues, so I’ve just been informed. Perhaps a fuse has melted in the heat. Ah well, we’ve all been there, done that. But that means no updates for the next 45 minutes. Here’s hoping this goes to three sets. See you soon, and many apologies for this. Please hang in there with us...
3.55pm BST
Watson and Hantuchová should be out soon. Milos Raonic has just seen off Tommy Haas in a four-set thriller. He was cruising 6-0, 6-2, but the veteran Haas raised his game to take the third set on a tie-break, then forced another tie-break in the fourth. Alas for the 37-year-old trooper, Raonic stepped on the gas at that point, and the Canadian boomed his way through to the fourth round. That was a two-and-a-half hour shift in some heat.
2.55pm BST
While Andy Murray faffed around on Centre Court yesterday, the real great British performance of the day was staged out on Court 12. That’s where Heather Watson dug deep to save three match points at 4-5 in the final set against the No32 seed Caroline Garcia, after which Garcia’s serve crumbled, allowing the Guernsey player to close the match out 1-6, 6-3, 8-6. Here’s Jacob Steinberg’s report, all the way from SW19.
That magnificent victory’s earned Watson a shot at Daniela Hantuchová of Slovakia. At 32, it’s probably safe to say that Hantuchová’s singles career has promised more than it’s delivered. She once climbed as high as fifth in the world, but one semi-final appearance in the Australian Open is the best she’s got to show for all that effort. Still, swings and roundabouts: she’s one of only five female players to complete a career grand slam in the mixed doubles. When she looks back, she’ll sleep easily enough at night.
Continue reading...Scott Murray's Blog
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