Preview of the premiership games

Today in the Premiership Tottenham play Chelsea in the lunch time kick off. This match could go either way but I think Chelsea will get the win. 

Arsenal are away to Swansea City, now will be a tough match and with at least five key players missing it is going to be a challenge. 

But I think Arsenal have started this season with a different more winning mindset hopefully this will be carried on on into today's game.

Man United are at home to West Brom in a match that most people would expect Man United to win comfortably but as I always say anything can happen!

Toray Pan Pacific Open - final

Today was finals day at the Toray Pacific Open and Petra Kivitova beat Angelique Kerber in three topsy turvy sets. 

I thought that the amount of games that Petra played beforehand would go against her.

 This was not a problem for her and she was able to win her eleventh WTA title. 

So maybe if Petra is able to capitalise on this win she may hopefully reach the end of year championships. 

League Cup round up

League cup matches took place this week and Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion on penalties. 

It was a close encounter with both teams missing a host of chances. Arsene Wenger played a young team, which included the more experienced players like Nicklas Bendtner. 

Overall it was a close match which could have gone either way. So I was very relieved that we managed to get through it and we now face Chelsea in the next round!

Man United beat Liverpool a goal to nil and what surprised me about this game, was that Liverpool put out a near enough a full strength squad but somehow managed to lose. 

Man United's  win will now ease the pressure off David Moyes and they now face Newcastle in the next round. 

Toray Pan Pacific Open - day five

Day five at the Toray Pan Pacific Open and Venus was in action again. Today Venus was beaten by Petra Kivitova in three close sets.

Venus has really had a fantastic tournament and has a lot to be proud of. She has not allowed her debilitating illness to stand in the way of her playing top level tennis. 

Petra also had to play very well to beat Venus,  it was very good tennis and a long match. This may be factor when Petra plays Angelique Kerber in the final.

Angelique beat Caroline Wozniacki  in straight sets. so Angie might have more energy in the final than Petra.

 Petra played two matches yesterday and a long two and half hour match against Venus today. 

But in tennis anything can happen and I am sure Petra will get a adrenalin rush from making it to the final. 

Angelique is the higher ranked player but I would not rule Petra out from winning this title. 

Toray Pan Pacific Open - day four

Day four at the Toray Open and Venus Williams was back in action today. She beat the young and coming Eugenie Bouchard in three long sets. 

Venus managed to unofficially equal her fastes serve record of 129 mph. It seems that Venus has now got her confidence back and to hopefully try and win the tournament.

 

The shock and unexpected award of the days go to Angela Kerber who beat the world number three. Agneiska Radwanska in straight sets.

Angela Kerber now faces Caroline Wozniacki for a place in the final. 

  

Toray Pan Pacific - day three

Day three at the Toray Pacfic Open and Venus Williams had a great three set win against the up and coming Simona Halep. 

Venus served well and kept her unforced errors down and most importantly did not run out of energy. 

It's the first time in over a year that Venus has won a match in three sets. Next she faces the nineteen year old Eugenie Bouchard. 

This will be another tough match for Venus hopefully she will serve well and keep those unforced errors down.

In the second  quarter final match Angela Kerber faces Agnieszka Radwanska. Agnieszka should win, but they have such contrasting styles that it should make it a good match. 

In the third quarter finals match Caroline Wozniacki faces Lucie Safarova. Caroline on paper should win this match being the top ten player but anything can happen. 

The fourth quarter finals is yet to be decided to the rain delay. 

Toray Pan Pacific Open - day two

Day two at the Toray Pan Pacific Open definitely had its element of surprise. 

Eugenie Bouchard beat Sloane Stephens in three sets. This was a surprise as Sloane is just two hundred ranking points from being in the top ten. 

So a good run in this  tournament would definitely have brought her closer but it was not meant to be.

The major surprise of the day was Venus Williams beating Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. 

Victoria did not seem herself as she was not grunting or making a real effort to chase the balls. 

But at the same time Venus has this long term debilitating  illness. So to me they came across as evenly matched.

 Venus served incredibly well and kept the  points short and her return game was on fire ! It was a real pleasure to watch two women  really competing at the highest level.

 Venus now plays Simona Halep and I hope she will carry the same desire and intensity into her that match.