| Sri Lanka: 457/2 (90.0 Ovs) | |
|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara* | 214 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 71[133] |
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
FI TODAY
Ferrari has been fined $100,000 for implementing team orders at the German Grand Prix and the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will consider whether a heavier sanction should be imposed.
Fernando Alonso took victory at Hockenheim but only after Felipe Massa moved over with 17 laps remaining. Massa was not told directly to cede position, but before the incident his race engineer Rob Smedley told him: "Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?"
Smedley later said, "Good lad, just stick with it. Sorry." But after the race claimed that was due to Massa's struggles on hard tyres.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali, team manager Massimo Rivola, Alonso and Massa were all summoned by the stewards, who then ruled that Article 39.1, which bans team orders, and Article 151c, which forbids teams bringing the sport into disrepute, had been breached.
"The case will also be referred to the FIA World Motorsport Council for further consideration," read the statement.
Team orders are banned under the regulations after Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher pass at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2002. However, no team has been found guilty under the rule until now, and there is no indication in the regulations what the punishment should be.
After the race Ferrari's press officer Luca Colajanni denied his team ordered a position swap.
He claimed it was "a driver decision" made by Felipe Massa, before adding: "We didn't give any instruction at all. I don't think anything wrong has been done, or regulation breached.
"Fernando was slightly quicker at that stage, and we informed the drivers."
Fernando Alonso took victory at Hockenheim but only after Felipe Massa moved over with 17 laps remaining. Massa was not told directly to cede position, but before the incident his race engineer Rob Smedley told him: "Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?"
Smedley later said, "Good lad, just stick with it. Sorry." But after the race claimed that was due to Massa's struggles on hard tyres.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali, team manager Massimo Rivola, Alonso and Massa were all summoned by the stewards, who then ruled that Article 39.1, which bans team orders, and Article 151c, which forbids teams bringing the sport into disrepute, had been breached.
"The case will also be referred to the FIA World Motorsport Council for further consideration," read the statement.
Team orders are banned under the regulations after Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher pass at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2002. However, no team has been found guilty under the rule until now, and there is no indication in the regulations what the punishment should be.
After the race Ferrari's press officer Luca Colajanni denied his team ordered a position swap.
He claimed it was "a driver decision" made by Felipe Massa, before adding: "We didn't give any instruction at all. I don't think anything wrong has been done, or regulation breached.
"Fernando was slightly quicker at that stage, and we informed the drivers."
MICROMAX CUP UPDATE
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a tribute to the wizard of spin
Controversy of bowling action
Throughout much of his international career, Muralitharan's action has been suspected of contravening the laws of the game by the straightening of his bowling arm during delivery. Although he has been cited three times, subsequent biomechanical testing led the ICC to clear him of the charge and permit him to continue bowling.Biomechanical testing conducted on four occasions has fueled debate as to whether his action is in fact illegal or actually an illusion created by his allegedly unique ability to generate extra movement both at the shoulder as well the wrist enables him to bowl the doosra without straightening the elbow.[130]ref name="Murali bowling with brace">Nicholas, Mark (2004-07-08). "Brace yourselves for new footage that may prove Murali's not bending the law". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000223490.html?from=storylhs. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
[edit] First throwing citation and testing
Ten days later, on 5 January 1996, Sri Lanka played the West Indies in the seventh ODI of the triangular World Series competition, in Brisbane. Umpire Ross Emerson officiating in his debut international match, no-balled Muralitharan three times in his first over, twice in his second and twice in his third. It was an identical tally to that called by Hair on Boxing Day and (like Hair) Emerson made his calls from the bowler's end while his partner stood silent. The main difference was that several no-balls were for leg-breaks instead of the bowler's normal off-breaks.
In February 1996, just before the world cup Muralitharan underwent biomechanical analysis at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology under the supervision of Prof. Ravindra Goonetilleke, who declared his action legal in the conditions tested, citing a congenital defect in Muralitharan's arm which makes him incapable of fully straightening it, but giving the appearance of fully straightening the arm. Although under the original Laws a bowler's arm did not need to be fully straightened to be in breach of a legal delivery.[133][134] They concluded that his action created the 'optical illusion of throwing'. Based on this evidence ICC gave clearance to Muralitharan to continue bowling.[10]
[edit] Second citation and testing
Doubts about Muralitharan's action persisted however, on the 1998–99 tour to Australia he was once again called for throwing by Ross Emerson during a One Day International against England at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. The Sri Lankan team almost abandoned the match, but after instructions from the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, the game resumed.[135] The Sri Lankan captain at the time Arjuna Ranatunga, was later fined and given a suspended ban from the game as a result.[136] It later emerged that at the time of this match Emerson was on sick leave from his non-cricket job due to a stress-related illness and he stood down for the rest of the series.[137] Muralitharan was sent for further tests in Perth and England and was cleared again.[10] At no stage was Muralitharan requested to change or remodel his action, by the ICC. Up to this point in his career (1999) Muralitharan primarily bowled two types of deliveries, namely the off-break and the topspinner. He had not yet mastered the doosra.a tribute to the wizard of spin
Cricket awards
Wisden leading cricketer in the world
| Preceded by Andrew Flintoff | Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2006 | Succeeded by Jacques Kallis |
| Preceded by Steve Waugh | Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2000 | Succeeded by Glenn McGrath |
Man of match in Test cricket
| Table: Man of match in Test cricket |
|---|
Man of match in one day internationals
| Table: Man of match in one day internationals |
|---|
Recognition
In 2002, Wisden carried out a statistical analysis of all Test matches in an effort to rate the greatest cricketers in history, and Muralitharan was ranked as the best Test bowler of all time.[3] However, two years earlier, Muralitharan was not named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh called him "the Don Bradman of bowling".[121]Muralitharan was selected as the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2000 and in 2006.[122]
On 15 November 2007, the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy was unveiled named after the two leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, Shane Warne and Muralitharan. The trophy displays images of the two spin bowlers' hands each holding a cricket ball. This trophy will be contested between Australia and Sri Lanka in all future Test series.[123]
On 3 December 2007, just hours after Muttiah Muralitharan became Test cricket's leading Test wicket-taker, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced it had unveiled a portrait of the Sri Lanka off-spinner at Lord's.[124] On the same day the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts in Sri Lanka issued a circular stamp with a denomination of Rs. 5 to mark the world record set by Muttiah Muralitharan. The circular design was meant to denote the cricket ball.[125]
Australian musician Alston Koch provoked worldwide interest when he recorded the only official tribute song to Muralitharan, the song was even mentioned on the BBC's Test Match Special.[126][127] The Muralitharan Song video was also released after he broke the world record.
On 10 January 2008, the Parliament of Sri Lanka felicitated Muttiah Muralitharan for his world record breaking feat of being the highest wicket taker in Test cricket.[128] This is the first time that a sportsman has been honoured in the country's Supreme Legislature.[
a tribute to the wizard of spin
Muttiah Muralitharan holds a number of world records, and several firsts:
- The most Test wickets (800 wickets as of 22 July 2010).[97]
- The most One-Day International wickets (515 wickets as of 22 July 2010).[98]
- The highest number of international wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20s combined (1320 wickets as of 22 July 2010).[98]
- The most 5-wicket hauls in an innings at Test level (67).[67]
- The most 10-wicket hauls in a match at Test level (22). He is the only player to take 10 wickets/match against every Test playing nation.[99]
- Fastest to 350,[100] 400,[101] 450,[102] 500,[103] 550,[104] 600,[105] 650,[106] 700,[107] 750[108] and 800 Test wickets, in terms of matches played (indeed the only bowler to exceed 708 wickets).
- Only player to take 10 wickets in a Test in four consecutive matches. He has achieved this feat twice.[109]
- Only player to take 50 or more wickets against every Test playing nation.[110]
- Muralitharan and Jim Laker (England), are the only bowlers to have taken 9 wickets in a Test innings twice.
- 7 wickets in an innings against the most countries (5).[111]
- Most Test wickets taken bowled (157),[112] stumped (41)[113] and caught & bowled (31).[114] Bowled by Muralitharan (b Muralitharan) is the most common dismissal in Test cricket (excluding run out).[115]
- Most successful bowler/fielder (non-wicket keeper) combination – c. Mahela Jayawardene b. Muttiah Muralitharan (67).[116]
- Most Man of the Series awards in Test cricket (11).[117]
- One of only six bowlers who have dismissed all the eleven batsmen in a Test match. Jim Laker, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, Geoff Dymock, Abdul Qadir and Waqar Younis are the others.[118]
- Most Test wickets in a single ground. Muralitharan is the only bowler to capture 100-plus Test wickets at three venues, the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy and the Galle International Stadium in Galle.[119]
- The only bowler to take 75 or more wickets in a calendar year on three occasions, achieving it in 2000, 2001 and 2006.
- Most ducks (dismissals for zero) ever in international cricket (Tests+ODI's+Twenty20): 59 ducks total.[120]
a tribute to the wizard of spin
Muttiah Muralitharan is the first and only Tamil of Indian origin to represent Sri Lanka in international cricket.[citation needed]
Muralitharan's paternal grandfather Periyasamy Sinasamy came from South India to work in the tea plantations of central Sri Lanka in 1920. Muralitharans belong to the Kongu Vellalar caste which is the caste majority of people from the north-western part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. [22] Sinasamy later returned to the country of his birth with his daughters and settled in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. However his sons, including Muralitharan's father Muttiah, remained in Sri Lanka.[23]
Muralitharan was born in the village of Nattarampotha in Kundasale (near Kandy), the eldest of the four sons to Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi. Muralitharan's father Sinnasamy Muttiah, runs a successful biscuit-making business.[24]
When he was nine years old Muralitharan was sent to St. Anthony's College, Kandy, a private school run by Benedictine monks. He began his cricketing career as a medium pace bowler but on the advice of his school coach, Sunil Fernando, he took up off-spin when he was fourteen years old. He soon impressed and went on to play for four years in the school First XI. In those days he played as an all-rounder and batted in the middle order. In his final two seasons at St Anthony's College he took over one hundred wickets and in 1990/1 was named as the 'Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year'.[25]
After leaving school he joined Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club and was selected for the Sri Lanka A tour of England in 1991. He played in five games but failed to capture a single wicket. On his return to Sri Lanka he impressed against Allan Border's Australian team in a practice game and then went on to make his Test debut at R. Premadasa Stadium in the Second Test Match of the series.[26]
When his grandfather died at the age of 104 in July 2004, Muralitharan returned home from a tour of India to attend his funeral. Periyasamy Sinasamy's first wish to see Muralitharan claiming the world record for the most Test wickets was realised (passing the record set by Courtney Walsh), but not his desire to live to see his grandson married. Muralitharan's grandmother had died one month earlier at the age of 97. Muralitharan's manager, Kushil Gunasekera stated that "Murali's family is closely knit and united. They respect traditional values. The late grandfather enjoyed a great relationship with Murali."[27]
Muralitharan married Madhimalar Ramamurthy,[28] an Indian national, on 21 March 2005.[29] Madhimalar is the daughter of late Dr S. Ramamurthy of Malar Hospitals, and his wife Dr Nithya Ramamurthy. Their first child, Naren, was born in January 2006.[30]
Muralitharan's paternal grandfather Periyasamy Sinasamy came from South India to work in the tea plantations of central Sri Lanka in 1920. Muralitharans belong to the Kongu Vellalar caste which is the caste majority of people from the north-western part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. [22] Sinasamy later returned to the country of his birth with his daughters and settled in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. However his sons, including Muralitharan's father Muttiah, remained in Sri Lanka.[23]
Muralitharan was born in the village of Nattarampotha in Kundasale (near Kandy), the eldest of the four sons to Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi. Muralitharan's father Sinnasamy Muttiah, runs a successful biscuit-making business.[24]
When he was nine years old Muralitharan was sent to St. Anthony's College, Kandy, a private school run by Benedictine monks. He began his cricketing career as a medium pace bowler but on the advice of his school coach, Sunil Fernando, he took up off-spin when he was fourteen years old. He soon impressed and went on to play for four years in the school First XI. In those days he played as an all-rounder and batted in the middle order. In his final two seasons at St Anthony's College he took over one hundred wickets and in 1990/1 was named as the 'Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year'.[25]
After leaving school he joined Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club and was selected for the Sri Lanka A tour of England in 1991. He played in five games but failed to capture a single wicket. On his return to Sri Lanka he impressed against Allan Border's Australian team in a practice game and then went on to make his Test debut at R. Premadasa Stadium in the Second Test Match of the series.[26]
When his grandfather died at the age of 104 in July 2004, Muralitharan returned home from a tour of India to attend his funeral. Periyasamy Sinasamy's first wish to see Muralitharan claiming the world record for the most Test wickets was realised (passing the record set by Courtney Walsh), but not his desire to live to see his grandson married. Muralitharan's grandmother had died one month earlier at the age of 97. Muralitharan's manager, Kushil Gunasekera stated that "Murali's family is closely knit and united. They respect traditional values. The late grandfather enjoyed a great relationship with Murali."[27]
Muralitharan married Madhimalar Ramamurthy,[28] an Indian national, on 21 March 2005.[29] Madhimalar is the daughter of late Dr S. Ramamurthy of Malar Hospitals, and his wife Dr Nithya Ramamurthy. Their first child, Naren, was born in January 2006.[30]
wizard of spin
| Full name | Muttiah Muralitharan | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 17 April 1972 Kandy, Sri Lanka | ||||||||
| Nickname | Murali, Spinning genius | ||||||||
| Batting style | Right-handed | ||||||||
| Bowling style | Right-arm off break | ||||||||
| Role | Bowler, Sri Lanka vice captain | ||||||||
| international | |||||||||
| National side | Sri Lanka | ||||||||
| Test debut (cap 54) | 28 August 1992 v Australia | ||||||||
| Last Test | 18 July 2010 v India | ||||||||
| ODI debut (cap 70) | 12 August 1993 v India | ||||||||
| Last ODI | 25 September 2009 v England | ||||||||
| ODI shirt no. | 08 | ||||||||
| Domestic | |||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||
| 1991–present | Tamil Union | ||||||||
| 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2007 | Lancashire | ||||||||
| 2003 | Kent | ||||||||
| 2008–present | Chennai Super Kings | ||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||
| Competition | Tests | ODI [1] | FC | LA | |||||
| Matches | 133[1] | 337[2] | 231 | 425 | |||||
| Runs scored | 1,256 | 660 | 2,187 | 918 | |||||
| Batting average | 11.62 | 6.80 | 11.33 | 7.40 | |||||
| 100s/50s | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | |||||
| Top score | 67 | 33* | 67 | 33* | |||||
| Balls bowled | 43,669 | 18,169 | 66,563 | 22,365 | |||||
| Wickets | 800 | 515 | 1,366 | 641 | |||||
| Bowling average | 22.72 | 23.07 | 19.62 | 22.33 | |||||
| 5 wickets in innings | 67 | 10 | 118 | 12 | |||||
| 10 wickets in match | 22 | n/a | 34 | n/a | |||||
| Best bowling | 9/51 | 7/30 | 9/51 | 7/30 | |||||
| Catches/stumpings | 72/– | 128/– | 123/– | 151/– | |||||
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Defending champion Serena Williams put on a serving clinic Saturday, hitting 20 aces in a straight-sets win over Dominika Cibulkova that sets up a possible fourth-round matchup with former champion Maria Sharapova.LONDON: Rafael Nadal is scared that his debilitating knee problems could flare up again as he tries to reclaim the Wimbledon title from Roger Federer.
The world number one said he was heading for treatment once his Wimbledon campaign is over in a bid to be in good shape for the US Open, the one Grand Slam he has yet to win, and will skip Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final against France.
The Mallorcan was sidelined for two months with knee tendinitis last season and was unable to defend the Wimbledon crown he had sensationally taken from Federer in 2008 in an epic Centre Court battle.
"I have a little bit of a problem on the right knee," Nadal said. "I am a little bit scared.
"I tried to play the clay season perfectly because the right knee was better than the left. But at the same time I know the knees are not 100 percent recovered."
Sania Mirza
LONDON: On a disappointing day for India, Sania Mirza crashed out of the women's doubles competition, while Mahesh Bhupathi exited the mixed doubles event with second-round defeats at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Already out of contention in the singles event, Sania and her Dane partner Caroline Wozniacki lost 6-7 (0) 3-6 to the 11th seeded Zimbabwean-Slovak pairing of Cara Black and Daniela Hantuchova.
There was more disappointment for India as Bhupathi and his American partner Liezel Huber went down 2-6, 6-3, 3-6 to Russians Dmitry Tursunov and Vera Dushevina in the mixed doubles event.
It was a stunning result as the third-seeded Bhupathi and Huber were expected to have it easy against their unseeded rivals.
Bhupathi, however, remains in contention in men's doubles, having advanced to the third round with Max Mirnyi of Belarus.
Andy Murray blew a reduced but dangerous incarnation of French prodigy Gilles Simon off Centre Court with such force and certainty last night that he surely stands not far behind Robin Soderling as favourite to win this 133rd Wimbledon.
If evidence of that assertion were needed, it was laid out on the same turf not long before Murray completed his 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win. Nadal, struggling with a sore right knee and niggles to his left elbow, outlasted an exhausted Philipp Petzschner in five desperate sets, his second ordinary match in a row. When Murray came out just before 7pm, though, there was brightness and lightness in his step, a renewed air of confidence. He did not disappoint.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The football fever is ripping every nook and corner in South Africa.Though the hosts impressed with their extraodinary ball play they could'nt reach the last sixteen due to low goal difference.With the former runner up already out of the this tournament seems to have a lot to offer.
WC23/6/2010:Defoe was the man of action yesterday for the English as his goal made sure that his team sails to the knock out stage of the tournament .While Fabio Capello, England coach had a lot to say
"This was the team that I know. We played together with spirit; we fought together and I am really, really happy with the result. I’m also happy that I re-found the team that I knew from the qualifiers,"
Frank Lampard praised the England fans after the 1-0 victory over Slovenia that sent the Three Lions through to the Round of 16.
A lone goal from Jermain Defoe proved enough for England to edge past Slovenia in a tough contest and advance to the Round of 16, while the result left the Slovenians heartbroken.
USA also made it in to the knock out stages and they also topped their their table with a goal difference of four.They ended the campaign of the brave Algerians.Donovan was the lone striker for USA.At the final whistle the USA team jumped in joy while ball made its way in to the strands after kissing the boot of Landon Donovan.
"This was the team that I know. We played together with spirit; we fought together and I am really, really happy with the result. I’m also happy that I re-found the team that I knew from the qualifiers,"Frank Lampard praised the England fans after the 1-0 victory over Slovenia that sent the Three Lions through to the Round of 16.
A lone goal from Jermain Defoe proved enough for England to edge past Slovenia in a tough contest and advance to the Round of 16, while the result left the Slovenians heartbroken.
USA also made it in to the knock out stages and they also topped their their table with a goal difference of four.They ended the campaign of the brave Algerians.Donovan was the lone striker for USA.At the final whistle the USA team jumped in joy while ball made its way in to the strands after kissing the boot of Landon Donovan. | Team | MP | GF | GA | Pts | ||
 | USA | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
 | ENG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
 | SVN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
 | ALG | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
KING OF CLAY
* Born: 3 June 1986
* Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
* Best Known As: The winner of four straight French Opens (2005-08)
Name at birth: Rafael Nadal-Parera
Rafael Nadal was 19 years and two days old when he won the 2005 French Open in his very first appearance at the event. A left-hander with a booming forehand, Nadal had been known as a clay-court specialist since playing his first pro tournaments in 2001. His aggressive style, flowing hair and muscular build have made him a consistent favorite with female fans as well. He won his first singles title in 2004, and had a breakout season in 2005, winning at Monte Carlo, Rome, Barcelona and Stuttgart as well as at Roland Garros. He won the French Open again in 2006, 2007 and 2008, defeating Roger Federer in the final each time. In 2008 he broke through at Wimbledon, beating Federer to win the men's singles title there. No longer just a master of clay, he beat Federer at the hard-court Australian Open in 2009, confirming his #1 ranking in the world.
Though his full name is Rafael Nadal-Parera, he is generally known simply as Rafael Nadal... According to the ATP Tour site, his name is pronounced "ra-FAY-el nay-DAHL." The ATP also says he is nicknamed "Rafa"... Nadal beat Mariano Puerta in the 2005 French Open finals; he beat Federer in the semifinals that year... Mallorca is one of the Balearic Islands, which stand in the Mediterranean Ocean off the coast of Spain.
Family and early life
Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, Majorca to Sebastián Nadal and Ana María Parera. He has a younger sister named María Isabel. His uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, is a retired professional football (soccer) player, having played for RCD Mallorca, FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.[7] Nadal supports football clubs Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca.[8] Recognizing that Rafael had a natural talent for tennis, his other uncle, Toni Nadal, a former professional tennis player, introduced him to tennis when he was three years old. Toni Nadal has been coaching him ever since.[9]
At age eight, Nadal won an under-12 year regional tennis championship at a time when he was also a promising football player.[10] This made Toni Nadal intensify training, and at that time he encouraged Nadal to play left-handed—for a natural advantage on the tennis court, as he noticed Nadal played forehand shots with two hands.[10] When Nadal was 12, he won the Spanish and European tennis titles in his age group and was playing tennis and football all the time.[10] Nadal's father made him choose between football and tennis so that his school work would not deteriorate entirely. Nadal said: "I chose tennis. Football had to stop straight away."[10]
When he was 14, the Spanish tennis federation requested that he leave Mallorca and move to Barcelona to continue his tennis progression and training. Nadal's family turned down this request, partly because they feared it would hurt his education,[10] but also because Toni Nadal said that "I don't want to believe that you have to go to America, or other places to be a good athlete. You can do it from your home."[9] The decision to stay home meant that Nadal received less financial support from the federation; instead Nadal's father covered the costs. In May 2001, he defeated former Grand Slam champion Pat Cash in a clay-court exhibition match.[7]
Nadal participated in two events on the ITF junior circuit. In 2002, at the age of 16, Nadal reached the semifinals of the Boy's Singles tournament at Wimbledon, in his first ITF junior event.[11] Later that year, Nadal won all of his matches en-route to a winning campaign with Spain, over the US, in the junior Davis Cup in his second, and final, appearance on the ITF junior circuit.
By the age of 17, Nadal was ranked in the world's top 50 players. In 2003, Rafael had won the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award.
* Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Name at birth: Rafael Nadal-Parera
Rafael Nadal was 19 years and two days old when he won the 2005 French Open in his very first appearance at the event. A left-hander with a booming forehand, Nadal had been known as a clay-court specialist since playing his first pro tournaments in 2001. His aggressive style, flowing hair and muscular build have made him a consistent favorite with female fans as well. He won his first singles title in 2004, and had a breakout season in 2005, winning at Monte Carlo, Rome, Barcelona and Stuttgart as well as at Roland Garros. He won the French Open again in 2006, 2007 and 2008, defeating Roger Federer in the final each time. In 2008 he broke through at Wimbledon, beating Federer to win the men's singles title there. No longer just a master of clay, he beat Federer at the hard-court Australian Open in 2009, confirming his #1 ranking in the world.
Though his full name is Rafael Nadal-Parera, he is generally known simply as Rafael Nadal... According to the ATP Tour site, his name is pronounced "ra-FAY-el nay-DAHL." The ATP also says he is nicknamed "Rafa"... Nadal beat Mariano Puerta in the 2005 French Open finals; he beat Federer in the semifinals that year... Mallorca is one of the Balearic Islands, which stand in the Mediterranean Ocean off the coast of Spain.
Family and early life
Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, Majorca to Sebastián Nadal and Ana María Parera. He has a younger sister named María Isabel. His uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, is a retired professional football (soccer) player, having played for RCD Mallorca, FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.[7] Nadal supports football clubs Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca.[8] Recognizing that Rafael had a natural talent for tennis, his other uncle, Toni Nadal, a former professional tennis player, introduced him to tennis when he was three years old. Toni Nadal has been coaching him ever since.[9]
At age eight, Nadal won an under-12 year regional tennis championship at a time when he was also a promising football player.[10] This made Toni Nadal intensify training, and at that time he encouraged Nadal to play left-handed—for a natural advantage on the tennis court, as he noticed Nadal played forehand shots with two hands.[10] When Nadal was 12, he won the Spanish and European tennis titles in his age group and was playing tennis and football all the time.[10] Nadal's father made him choose between football and tennis so that his school work would not deteriorate entirely. Nadal said: "I chose tennis. Football had to stop straight away."[10]
When he was 14, the Spanish tennis federation requested that he leave Mallorca and move to Barcelona to continue his tennis progression and training. Nadal's family turned down this request, partly because they feared it would hurt his education,[10] but also because Toni Nadal said that "I don't want to believe that you have to go to America, or other places to be a good athlete. You can do it from your home."[9] The decision to stay home meant that Nadal received less financial support from the federation; instead Nadal's father covered the costs. In May 2001, he defeated former Grand Slam champion Pat Cash in a clay-court exhibition match.[7]
Nadal participated in two events on the ITF junior circuit. In 2002, at the age of 16, Nadal reached the semifinals of the Boy's Singles tournament at Wimbledon, in his first ITF junior event.[11] Later that year, Nadal won all of his matches en-route to a winning campaign with Spain, over the US, in the junior Davis Cup in his second, and final, appearance on the ITF junior circuit.
By the age of 17, Nadal was ranked in the world's top 50 players. In 2003, Rafael had won the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award.
USA Tim Howard; Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Bornstein, Carlos Bocanegra; Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Clint Dempsey; Jozy Altidore, Hercules Gomez.
Algeria Rais Ouheb Mbouli; Majid Bougherra, Rafik Halliche, Antar Yahia, Nader Belhadj, Fouad Kadir, Hassan Yebda, Medhi Lacen, Karim Ziani, Rafik Djebbour, Karim Matmour.
Referee Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
Algeria have scored only goal in their last seven matches and that was a penalty against the United Arab Emirates. The Americans, however, refrained from using that stat to mock their opponents ahead of today's game and that was wise – because if there is one thing that World Cup history has taught us it is that you shouldn't taunt Algerians.
Fabio Capello has made three changes from Friday’s dismal draw against Algeria, with Jermain Defoe, James Milner and Matthew Upson coming into the starting line-up in the place Emile Heskey, Aaron Lennon and the suspended Jamie Carragher.
the English team line up looks like this after these changes:
1-David James; 2-Glen Johnson, 15-Matthew Upson, 6-John Terry, 3-Ashley Cole; 16-James Milner, 4-Steven Gerrard, 8-Frank Lampard, 14-Gareth Barry; 19-Jermain Defoe, 10-Wayne Rooney.
Slovanias team line up:
1-Samir Handanovic; 2-Miso Brecko, 4-Marko Suler, 5-Bostjan Cesar, 13-Bojan Jokic; 10-Valter Birsa, 8-Robert Koren, 18-Aleksandar Radosavljevic, 17-Andraz Kirm; 9-Zlatan Ljubijankic, 11-Milivoje Novakovic.
Man with red cards in his pocket, ready to go: Wolfgang Stark
sports daily: the wimbledon 22/6/2010
sports daily: the wimbledon 22/6/2010: "LONDON:The Wimbledon seemed to lack much except for one disappointment.Nadal playing his second tournament after he claimed his fifth fren..."
the wimbledon 22/6/2010
LONDON:The Wimbledon seemed to lack much except for one disappointment.Nadal playing his second tournament after he claimed his fifth french open crown had a pretty easy outing as he defeated his 17 year old rival in less than 1.05 hours 6-2 6-4 6-4.his succession to the title of world no 1 seemed to have boosted his confidence as he showed some extraordinary power hitting.
Andy Roddick who is back in his favorite turf defeated Ranjeev Ram.He is seeded 5th in this years Wimbledon while the 10th seeded Tsonga successfully had beaten his first round opponent Robert Rendrick a wild card entry made the former French runner up sweat,even making him drop a set.7th seed Davydenko,9th seed David Ferrer, 11th Seed Martin Cilic have had successful outing while big hitting Wawrinka had to pack his bags in the first round.
In the woman's side Serina Williams confortably defeated portugal teenager in straight sets.the 4th seeded Jelena Jankovic packet off he opponent wild card opponent Leira Robson in straight sets
Big tournaments are usually full of surprises and this time the surprises came in the form of Kania Kanepi who defeated six seeded Samantha Stosur, she was the finalist in Roland Garros.
This June is kind of buzzing with energy,there is a lot of action for almost every sports fan out there. Asia cup(cricket),wc football which as we all know is gonna reveal its might for the first on an African soil,and there is always tennis with the wimbledon starting this week with Federer still wearing the favorite badge, there is a lot to look out for.
CRICKET:India which seemed to have shrugged off its big tournament fever for now had to bow down to a Lankan team of gifted youngsters.India's 209 which was completely built up by the trio of D.Karthik(40),Rohit Sharma(69) and their skipper M.S.Dhoni(41),Rohit Sharma seems to be in fine nic of form lately was sent back to the pavilion by some good work in the field.Maharoof had an extraordinary outing, captured 5 wickets which also consists of an hat-rick.the Lankans easily chased 209 runs in 37 overs due to an excellent partnership between K.Sangakkara and M.Jayawardene who made 73 and 53 runs respectively.
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