England v Ukraine - review

England played a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine yesterday and it ended in a draw. 

England are still at the top of the table despite getting this draw and qualification to the World Cup is still very much in England's hands. 

This was always going to be tough away match for England. What doesn't help matters is the lack of strength and depth in the squad. 

Roy Hodgson chose to go with experience and some up and coming players like Rickie Lambert who plays for Southampton. 

It was a gamble that enabled England to get a draw over a much more established and experienced team like the Ukraine.

The England 's subs bench was also filled with lots  of up and coming players. There was only about two or three players on that subs bench that could have made a difference like Ashley Young , Jermaine Defoe and Michael Carrick. 

Roy Hodgson chose to bring  on Ashley Young who made little impact on the score line. 

The next two qualifiers in October are going to be huge for England. Hopefully Roy will have a better selection of players to pick from.

Although qualifying is still very much in England's hands  it is going to be a real challenge. I still wish Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were still playing for England.

 Yes qualification can be achieved with these current players but it going to require an amazing  effort from the eleven players picked.

I hope England qualifies as anybody who supports them desperately wants to see them at  Brazil 2014.

Review of the US Open

The US Open 2013 tournament was incredibly entertaining with some very high quality matches. 

My favourite match of the tournament was when Serena Williams played Sloane Stephens. It was good to see an up and coming player like Sloane push Serena to play her best tennis. 

From a British perspective it was nice that Dan Evans was able to make a name for himself by reaching the third round for the first time ever! 

I was disappointed that Andy Murray was unable to retain his title. However I am confident that he will bounce back at the Australian Open. 

Both Heather Watson and Laura Robson went into the open nursing injuries of some sort. Therefore we didn't get to see either of them play their best tennis. 

However Laura did manage to make it to the third round. So it was better tournament for Laura as Heather was knocked out in the first round. I am hoping that they will both come back healthier and fitter for the rest 2013. 

The biggest upset was when seventeen year old Victoria Duval beating former grand slam winner Sam Stosur. I am sure we will see and hear a lot more from Victoria in the years to come.

Overall it was a fun and riveting US Open to watch and I was pleased that both Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal won their respective titles.

US Open - Men's Final

US Open men's final took place yesterday between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 

Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in four highly entertaining and competitive sets. It was match a battle of wills as well as  talent. 

Rafa played quite tentatively in the first three sets and in these first three sets he played to Novak strengths. 

It was only in the fourth set that Rafa was able to play his own game and win the match. 

I always thought this match was going to be  physically tough for Novak. He had to play a five set match against Stanislas Wawrinka to reach final. 

Novak played well in the first three sets then seem to lose his momentum in the fourth set. 

It was a good match and I thought that Rafa played key the points better than Novak. 

Rafa has now won thirteen grand slams and health permitting, there no reason why he cannot beat Roger Federer current record of seventeen grand slams in the next few years. 

US Open - Women's Final

The US Open women's final took place yesterday between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka and it was certainly an action packed match. 

Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka in three sets to retain her title. It wasn't the best final I have ever watched  but it was certainly the most gripping to say the least.

Serena came across as nervous and tentative in both the first and second set and she served about six double faults.

 In the third set, she was able to regroup and win the set and the match convincingly with a few more aces and winners.

This was always going to be a tough match for Victoria Azarenka and her serve do not help matters.

Victoria served about five double faults and in the third set she looked a little tired and was making more unforced errors. 

However there are many good things about Victoria's game like her coverage of the court was excellent.

If Victoria works on her serve and her fitness I'm sure she will win many more grand slams.

Alternatively  Serena  now has an  opportunity not only to establish her legacy but to make tennis history.

If she wins one more grand slam she will be tied with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and I am confident that in the next year or so Serena will achieve this.  

US Open - day thirteen

Day thirteen at the US Open was the men's semi finals day. 

Novak Djokovic beat Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets. It was an great match which could have gone either way. 

In the fifth and deciding set, the third game on Stanislas's serve had twelve deuces an lasted twenty one minutes! and that particular game was won by Stanislas. 

It was a physically tough match and lasted about four hours. So hopefully Novak will get enough rest to properly compete in the final. 

Rafael Nadal beat Ricard Gasquet in three sets. The first set when to a tie-break but after that Rafael was able to control the match and win the game.

So the final will between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and it also has the potential to be a great match.  

US Open - day twelve

Day twelve at the US Open was the women's semi - finals day.

In the first semi - final Victoria Azarenka beat Flavia Pennetta in straight sets. This result was not unexpected and Victoria was able to win and set up a final match against Serena Williams.

In the second semi - final Serena beat Na Li in straight sets and I was little surprised with the ease in which Serena won this match.  

In the first set Na Li did not win a game and the second set only really became, competitive at the end by this time it was a little too late for Na Li.

The final between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will take place about 9.30pm UK time. 

Shortly after winning her singles semi-finals match, Serena then played doubles with her sister Venus. They lost in straight sets to Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.

Serena appeared to be a little tired from her earlier singles match, however Lucie and Andrea played well to win this match.

US Open - Men's semi-finals

The men's semi-finals is taking place today and the first semi-final will between Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka. 

On paper it would seem that Stanislas as little chance of beating Novak. Novak has great serve and he also moves very well around the court.

Stanislas is going to need to serve very and return very well to have any chance of beating Novak. However I do think that Novak will probably win in four sets.

The second semi-final will be between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet. Richard has not beaten Rafael since they played each other at junior level.

Therefore I think Rafael will probably in straight sets.

My prediction is that final will be between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. But I would not rule out Stanislas Wawrinka or Richard Gasquet as they could spring  a surprise.