Sports Update

Wimbledon

Venus Williams moved to the quarterfinals after Ana Ivanovic retired in the 2nd set of their 4th round match due to an inner thigh injury. Ivanovic was leading the 2nd set 1-0 after losing the 1st set 1-6.

Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, and Lleyton Hewitt are the notable Gentlemen winners from Monday's matches.

Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva, and Victoria Azarenka are the notable Ladies winners from Monday's matches.

Confederations Cup

The 3d place match was played early yesterday morning between Spain and South Africa. Spain won 3-2 in overtime to claim the 3rd place at the Confederations Cup.

The Final was also played yesterday between the US and Brazil. The US jumped up to a 2-0 lead in the 1st half, but in the 2nd half Brazil came back with a vengeance to score 3 unanswered goals and claim the 2009 Confederations Cup Title.

-------

Check this song out:

Martina McBride - I Just Call You Mine

Wimbledon (Days 2 & 3), Confederations Cup

It still looks like it's Roger Federer's tournament to lose. From what I've seen so far, not even Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic can come close to the level of play Federer has shown. He definitely seems hungry for his 15th Major and 6th Wimbledon title and I think he might get it.

Biggest upset so far? Argentinian Gisela Dulko beating (24) Maria Sharapova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round earlier today. Yes, Sharapova hadn't played tennis in around 10 months. Yes, it was only like her 15th match since coming back from shoulder surgery. She doesn't look like a champion, though. Her movement is horrendous. Her service game is not good at all. She might've lost some power behind her forehand. BUT she still shrieks as loud as ever. Not sure whether or not that's a plus.
Today, the 1st Semifinal of the Confederations Cup was played between the #1 team in the world in Spain against the US. I don't think there was anyone that gave the US a chance against Spain. Spain is stacked with players such as Fernando Torres, David Villa, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas - I mean, they just couldn't lose. Right?

Wrong.

The US pulled off the 2-0 win and now is headed to the Confederations Cup final against either Brazil or South Africa.
-------
Check this song out:

Blink 182 - Dammit

2009 Wimbledon (Day 1)

So, today was the first day of The Championships at Wimbledon. As you all know, defending Champion, Rafael Nadal withdrew from this year's tournament due to tendinitis in both of his knees. Which means it's Roger Federer's tournament to lose. Why? Because there is no Rafa to stop him, he could win his record-breaking 15th major and 6th Wimbledon title. There's no one (besides Andy Murray ... maybe) that could beat Federer at his favorite tournament.

Notable winners from day 1 are: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Mardi Fish, Robin Soderling, and Elena Dementieva.

-

I don't usually follow Golf, but the 2009 U.S. Open was won by 71st ranked Lucas Glover (-4) who beat out the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
-------
Check this song out:

Theory Of A Dead Man - Not Meant To Be

Summer!

Wow, I can't believe I had totally forgotten that today is the first day of Summer '09. I believe I may be an idiot for forgetting that.

I feel like going to the beach ... or eating a hot dog or something.

Ahh how I miss the salty smell of the ocean.
That looks pretty much like heaven, don't it.

It's also Father's Day today ... so Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there!

-------
Check this song out:

Kenny Chesney - Summertime

Catching Up On Sports ...

TENNIS
So, the last time I posted the Women's Final at the '09 Roland Garros had ended and Svetlana Kuznetsova had beaten Dinara Safina to claim the second major in her career.

I totally forgot to post about the Men's Final.

As expected, Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling to claim his 14th major and his first Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy.
Also, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to tendinitis in both of his knees. Nadal is the first Champion since Goran Ivanisevic in 2002 not to defend his title.

BASKETBALL
The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship by beating the Orlando Magic in 5 games. Kobe Bryant won his 4th NBA Championship (his first without Shaquille O'Neal) and his 1st NBA Final's MVP.
SOCCER
Cristiano Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid where he'll team up with Kaká who transferred from AC Milan.

At the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the #1 squad in the World, Spain, has moved on to the Semifinal stage along with South Africa, Brazil, and the United States.

The matches are as follows: Spain will face the United States in the first Semifinal on June 24th while South Africa will face Brazil in the second Semifinal on June 25th. The Final will take place on June 28th.

------
Check this song out:

Brad Paisley - Ticks

Okay, I Was Wrong ...

... I said Dinara Safina would win the French Open Women's Final in 3 sets.

She lost in straight sets to Svetlana Kuznetsova.
I seriously felt that Dinara Safina had learned from her previous experience in the "big stage." She had already been in two previous Grand Slam finals in which she lost in straight sets. I never thought that would happen for a third time.

There was a point when I knew she would lose because she looked at her coach and asked "Why am I such a chicken?" (well, at least that's what the announcers said she had asked). She looked defeated. She lost the Championship in the worst way - she double faulted her way to runner-up.

I felt for her because she is one of the women in the WTA Tour that work the hardest, but there are no results for all her hard work. Yes, she has made it to 3 Grand Slam Finals in the last 12 months, but she doesn't have the hardware that she really wants. I feel that she is the one woman in the WTA Tour that wants a Slam the most, and she just isn't getting it.

Well, congratulations to Svetlana Kuznetsova for winning the second major of her career (2004 U.S. Open was the first).
Tomorrow is the Men's Finals between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. Who is going to win? Hmmm ... I think Federer is finally going to win his first French Open title. Why? Because Soderling beat Nadal. That's why. If Soderling hadn't beaten Nadal, it would be Rafa winning in straight sets (again.)

Sooo ... Federer in 4 sets.

-------
Check this song out:

The All-American Rejects - I Wanna

'09 Roland Garros, NBA Finals

I realized I haven't talked Tennis all this year. Well ... here goes.

The Women's Final for the 2009 French Open is set. It will be Dinara Safina & Svetlana Kuznetsova (both from Russia) battling it out for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen.

Who do I see winning the whole thing? Well, since Justin Henin retired before last year's French Open, and Ana Ivanovic lost in the 4th round to Victoria Azarenka ... I think Dinara Safina will finally get her 1st Grand Slam win. She definitely deserves it. On her two previous finals, she has been absolutely slaughtered, losing in 2 sets to Ana Ivanovic in the 2008 French Open (6-4, 6-3) and losing to Serena Williams in the 2009 Australian Open (6-0, 6-3). It's her time to shine.

Safina in 3.

The NBA Finals start tonight. The Los Angeles Lakers against the Orlando Magic. Superman vs. Kobe. This should be interesting.

I gotta take the Magic in either 6 or 7. Regardless of how many games this series goes to ... I think the Magic are more well-rounded and if they get hot behind the arc, it's over. I know Shaq tweeted yesterday that he wanted Kobe to get #4 - I don't. I hate the Lakers and I really want Superman to get his 1st ring.

Go Orlando!

-------
Check this song out:

Daughtry - No Surprise

Boreddd. American Idol?

Sooo ... I just spend quite some time checking out old American Idol performances on YouTube ... YouTube is love.

Anywho ... I decided that these have been the 5 best performances from all 8 seasons of this awesome show.

#5 - Kelly Clarkson - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin)


#4 - Kris Allen - Heartless (Kanye West)


#3 - Katharine McPhee - Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland)


#2 - David Cook - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)


#1 - Carrie Underwood - Alone (Heart)


Funny how only Katharine McPhee didn't win her season of Idol ... she definitely should have, by the way.

Season 5 (Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin) has been the only season whose winner I chose incorrectly. Ughhh. I definitely thought McPhee had it in the bag after her rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow ... I guess America thought differently.

-------
Check this song out:

Keith Urban - Kiss A Girl