Wimbledon Day Two

When the draw was made for the first round matches, one match stood out ahead of all the others, Lleyton Hewitt versus Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.

The two players with a history of success at SW19, at opposite stages of their career, who play with contrasting styles, will battle it out on court one. It is a mouth-watering prospect. 

The younger man, Tsonga enters the match ranked at his highest ever ranking of five in the world coming off the back of his best ever French Open, is perhaps now ready to win his first major title.

(A dejected Tsonga will hope to overcome French Open heartbreak and finger injury against Hewitt today picture: TennisHeads) 

Hewitt remains one of the most dogged competitors on tour and regardless of ranking and match fitness, always comes to Wimbledon ready for a fight. This year the former world number one is currently outside the top 200 and has barely played since January due to having a plate inserted in his toe.

Whilst Tsonga has the faster serve as well as power and athleticism that every male tennis player envies, Hewitt is no stranger to beating and competing against more powerful opponents. In a memorable evening match in Melbourne at this year's Australian Open, Hewitt took out Milos Raonic a young man with the serve and power on tour to trouble even the ‘big three’. Recent years at Wimbledon have seen the 31 year old defeat Juan Martin Del Potro and push Robin Soderling to five sets, two giants who crush tennis balls with real venom.

(Ten years on from his triumph at Wimbledon Hewitt will look for another run at SW19 picture: Telegraph) 

The Frenchman’s mentality may be the deciding factor coming off what he described as “The toughest loss of his career”, to Novak Djokovic at the French Open. Will he be inspired or emotionally exhausted? The 27 year old only managed one win at Queens in his grass-court preparation before losing tamely to Ivan Dodig of Croatia. Tsonga is also said to be suffering with a finger injury. 

The other half of the men’s top four begin their campaigns on centre court today with both players keen to not waste physical or emotional energy early in the more competitive bottom half of the draw.

British hope Andy Murray, once again enters the All England Club under immense scrutiny and media pressure, begins today against former world number three Nikolay Davydenko.

While a quality player who at the peak of his career was rarely ranked outside the top ten and having won four of his nine meetings with the Scot could be dangerous. The fact remains the same the diminutive Russian hates grass. During his decorated career the 31 year old has only reached the second week once and Murray should come through this intriguing opener.

(Andy Murray begins his campaign against Nikolay Davydenko today picture: The Sun) 

Rafael Nadal meanwhile begins against talented Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci. The 24 year old Bellucci however is most comfortable on clay and has never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon, so expect the two time champ to win with relative ease.

Another Brit hoping to advance to round two is Jamie Baker. The Glaswegian is back among the world’s top 200 after a serious blood disease nearly took his life.

Incredibly after a fantastic recovery Britain’s number two will get his moment in the spotlight against a three time finalist at Wimbledon, Andy Roddick. Rumours have been circulating that this year will be the former world number one’s last on tour. But the 29 year old forced those ready to write his career obituary to re-think, winning Eastbourne last week and also picking up a 600^th win on tour along the way.

Two potential stars of the future meet on court two when, last year’s surprise quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic, meets David Goffin of Belgium. Goffin pushed Federer in the fourth round of Roland Garros last month losing out in four close sets after only qualifying for the tournament as a lucky loser.

Tomic proved his quarter final run was no fluke, reaching the last 16 of his home slam, at the Australian Open in January. At 19 and 21 respectively, these are two names to look out for over the next few years.

Ninth seed Del Potro is also in action against dangerous Dutchman, Robin Haase. The big hitting 25 year old took two sets off Nadal here during his 2010 winning run and also took a two set lead at last year’s US Open against Murray, before the Scot pegged him back.

Petra Kvitova begins her title defence first up on centre court. Meanwhile second seed Victoria Azarenka starts after losing her number one ranking to Maria Sharapova last month.

Many people’s pick for the women’s title Serena Williams is also in action today.

Laura Robson will hope to take inspiration from Heather Watson’s victory last night, as she clashes with 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. 

Wimbledon Day One

Novak Djokovic's defence of his Wimbledon crown begins on Monday as the world number one takes on another man who has reached the zenith of men's tennis.

(Djokovic hoping to defend crown: picture: BBC)

Former world number one, Juan Carlos Ferrero will encounter Djokovic in centre court's inaugural contest and represents a genuine challenge for the Serb.

While past his peak the Spaniard has a decent record at Wimbledon.Twice a quarter-finalist in the past six years, this is the best he's achieved recently at any of the sport's majors.

The 32 year old possesses the mental fortitude required to reach the top of the game and also has adapted an attacking solid no thrills game that has brought him success in recent years against flashier players at the four big tournaments in the tennis calendar.

The former French Open champ has seen off Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils recently in Grand Slams by keeping a consistent level and managing his game against opponents of greater talents but more prone to inconsistency.  

(Former world number one Ferrero will look to cause a major upset picture: Daily Mail) 

There is a good chance this match could resemble Ferrero's 2009 quarter-final appearance when the Spaniard was dominated by Andy Murray in three one sided sets. Yet, should Djokovic play too passively or get nervous, Ferrero has the game and self-belief to make it an arduous struggle for his 25 year old opponent.

Perhaps the most interesting element of this match up will be Djokovic's psyche. The man from Belgrade was visibly constrained during Roland Garros, rarely playing his best tennis, struggling with the pressure of trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major prizes in tennis.

The Serb still reached his first ever French Open final and won eight games in a row against Rafael Nadal during the final. Interestingly Djokovic recovered from a giant setback to win the crown at SW19 last year.

The other men's clash on Centre Court matches sixth seed, Tomas Berdych against talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

This intriguing clash sees one of the world's best players pitted against a man many tennis experts predicted to be among the best, three to four years ago. 

Gulbis's fall from grace and failure to reach full potential is one of the most curious stories in the sport. 

The 23 year old sits 87th in the world with a losing record at tour level this year, but has shown signs of top ten class during his eventful early career. 

(Ernests Gulbis hoping for one of the biggest wins of his career against Berdych picture: Getty Images)

In 2008 Gulbis was the only man, other than Roger Federer, to take a set of Nadal en route to his championship victory at Wimbledon. The Latvian was being listed alongside Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic as tennis's brightest new stars. 

Despite possessing a ferocious serve and powerful groundstrokes, Gulbis has gone backwards. Many cite his partying lifestyle and dislike of training as the crucial factors behind his decline.

In an interview with The Times Gulbis the world number 87 talked of his love of: “all women”, suggesting a player who likes to play as hard as he works. This formula seems unlikely to bring success when you compare Gulbis’s attitude and commitment to that of the dedicated top four ranked players in the game.

On the court I suspect Berdych to be too consistent and too good for the immature Latvian but few unseeded players have greater potential to cause a major upset.

The match of the day is first up on court one when David Nalbandian plays his first match after inadvertently kicking a line judge in the final of Queens.

The Argentine’s moment of madness caused a great stir throughout the tennis world with his rash kick, causing some to call for the 30 year old’s suspension.

The ATP deemed removal of his ranking points and prize money at the Aegon Championships punishment enough. The man looking to unruffle the former world number three is Jarko Tipsarevic.

The Serb has been very consistent this year backing up a great hardcourt season last term which saw him break into the World’s top ten for the first time in his career.

Nalbandian may win in five close sets but a safer prediction is that the former Wimbledon finalist gets booed in an explosive opening round contest.

(Pantomime villain David Nalbandian will be in action in mouth-watering opener against Tipsarevic picture: Getty Images.)

Perhaps the most popular player at the championships, Roger Federer, also opens his campaign on day one, he should have no trouble against Spaniard Albert Ramos.

Other matches of interest include Britain’s Oliver Golding taking on Igor Andreev. Golding was victorious at last year’s junior US Open championship and will be making his first senior appearance at a Grand Slam but may fancy his chances against the unpredictable Russian.

A former top 20 player with a huge forehand Andreev has floundered in recent years and could be the perfect opponent for the talented Londoner.

With the total domination of men’s tennis by the ‘big three’, genuine dark horses are hard to come by but one player capable of putting together a strong challenge is 11^th seed John Isner.

The American who became a household name when he won the longest match takes on a man who very nearly also became world renowned due to a historic win at Wimbledon.

Alejandro Falla was two sets up against then reigning champion, Federer on the opening day of Wimbledon in 2010 before the Swiss pegged him back to win in five sets.

A final potential five setter on day one is the all French clash between number 18 seed Gilles Simon and Paul Henri Mathieu. After crippling injury Mathieu provided an unforgettable moment at this year’s Rolland Garos defeating Isner in a five setter in front of nearly 15,000 home fans on Phillippe Chattier Court.

The epic was a reminder of the qualities and talent that made the 30 year old a top 20 player and whilst his opponent remains amongst the world’s top 20 he may struggle to scupper his countryman’s momentum.

Maria Sharapova ,number one seed and pre-tournament favourite, begins against Poland’s Anastasia Rodionova. While two former world number ones meet on court one as Jelena Jankovic collides with Kim Clijsters.

Elsewhere US Open champion Sam Stosur begins against clay court specialist Carla Suarez Navarro. Despite having a game that suits grass perfectly, the Australian has exited at this stage two years running.

King of Clay Chases Seventh French Open

Rafael Nadal remains the master of the clay court as he sets his sights on an astonishing seventh French Open title.

 When Roland Garros begins on May 28 Nadal is undoubtedly alpha male on the red dirt after two victories over world number one Novak Djokovic on the treturous surface.

 A long held aura of invincibility on clay means most of the Spaniard’s opponents are beaten before they even walk onto court. But last year the 25 year old’s equilibrium was tested by Djokovic who beat him in Madrid and Rome in integral Masters Series events.

However Nadal removed some of the mental baggage the Serbian had over him, twice overcoming the Serb in straight sets on his favourite surface this year. The two victories change the pre-tournament dynamic from 12 months ago when it was the Serbian who looked unbeatable.

 Djokovic was putting together an unheralded unbeaten run and hadn’t tasted defeat since October 2010 but the expected collision between the two was de-railed by Roger Federer. The Swiss produced his performance of the year, serving brilliantly and keeping his composure to frustrate the man of 2011, in their semi-final.

 Having disposed of Djokovic, the 16-time grand slam champ fell short against Nadal in the final with the 30 year old lacking the fire-power to penetrate the man from Mallorca’s relentless defence.

Nadal’s sixth French Open triumph came at a time he was least at ease on the red stuff. Nadal looked mediocre by his incredible standards in early round victories over John Isner and Ivan Ljubicic and even admitted himself he wasn’t playing well enough to win the major.

 Following his early struggles Nadal rallied and upped his intensity to beat Robin Soderling, Andy Murray and Federer, three great tennis, all players fairly comfortably for the title.

 If Djokovic and Nadal are set to meet for the first time in a French Open final it will be another chapter into what’s fast developing into one of the great modern sporting rivalries. Two of the greatest defensive players the game has seen, brought new levels of physicality and resilience to tennis, with their classic in the Australian Open final this year. The match lasted nearly six hours and was the most mentally and physically draining contest I’ve ever witnessed. In these classic confrontations when it truly matters the man from Belgrade has often had the last laugh.

 The sport’s two top players have contested the last three Grand Slam finals with Djokovic being the last man standing on each occasion. History beckons now for the Serb as if he wins Roland Garros he will hold all four Grand Slams something neither Nadal nor Federer have ever done.

                (Federer celebrating victory over Djokovic, the biggest moment of the 2011 French Open.)

 The tournament is likely to be a three horse race with one of the all-time greats in Roger Federer far too good to write off. Since succumbing to defeat to Djokovic in Flushing Meadows after squandering two match points last summer, the 2009 French Open champion has been in fine form only losing on four occasions in 2012. Victory in the Madrid Masters on the much maligned blue clay temporarily put Federer back up to the number two spot in the World.

Nadal’s Italian Open victory meant he replaced him and should the sport’s two biggest stars meet it’s hard to see anything other than a Nadal victory but should the six time champ slip up Federer is more than capable of repeating his 2009 run to the championship.

 Outside of the big three, Andy Murray has been largely disappointing since the clay season begun. The World number four hasn’t reached the high standards set by the three men he has been chasing his entire career. But now also looks inferior to Thomas Berdych and David Ferrer on the surface.

 His intriguing appointment of Ivan Lendl as coach looked inspired, after an impressive run at the Australian Open where the world number one only just overcame him in a marathon five-setter.

 Following another near-miss at a major Murray has been under-whelming especially at this stage of the ATP Tour calendar with Milos Raonic and Berdych bettering him prior to last week’s lethargic display against Richard Gasquet. Matching last year’s semi-final appearance would mark a success for Britain’s number one.

 David ferrer and Berdych look most likely to upset the apple-cart, the world number six and seven respectively have looked as good and come as close as anyone to beating Nadal on the red clay. Berdych continues to improve as he looks correct the mental frailties that have left him major-less at 26. His power and ball striking pushed Nadal in an incredible contest in Rome and a week earlier in Madrid, he came within a whisker of defeating Federer in the Madrid Open Final.

 Like the giant Czech, Ferrer has impressed against his compatriot Nadal, losing out in an epic first set before succumbing in Rome and pushing him hard in the Barcelona Open final, a tournament Nadal never loses at.

(Future star Milos Raonic pushing Federer to his limit in Madrid. Could he potentially make a breakthrough at Roland Garros? )

 In the rest of the field many tennis fans will continue to track the progress of Milos Raonic. The World number 22 is widely tipped to soon be challenging for grand slam titles and already possesses a monster serve which is already one the biggest weapons on tour.

 The other player making waves on the ATP Tour this year is John Isner, best known to sports fans as the winner of the unbelievable record-breaking marathon 1st round Wimbledon match that lasted over 11 hours. The American is now mentally and physically recovered from the draining match and earlier this year broke into the World’s top ten for the first time. Importantly Isner has impressed in five set contests, this year representing USA in the Davis Cup he has overcome Giles Simon, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Federer.

 While their powerful game and huge serves are most easily negated clay and their impact may be bigger at Wimbledon the big three are unlikely to want these big serving giants in their quarter. 

World number five Jo-Wilfred Tsonga has struggled with home country pressure and also using his natural power in France but has the ability to beat anyone in the World when firing. Juan Martin Del Potro is also worthy of mention. The Argentine hasn't matched the heights of winning the 2009 US Open since returning from his wrist injury in early 2011. But is still a tough assignment for any player. His third round contest with Djokovic last year was one of the standout matches of the tournament 12 months ago.

Stick or Twist?

Following a stunning win at Stamford Bridge eight days ago Sunderland boss Steve Bruce faces arguably his biggest selection dilema in the year and a half he's been managing the club.

In top scorer and Wearside talisman, Darren Bent's abscence Sunderland ran out 3-0 winners against Chelsea handing the Premier League leaders there biggest home defeat since Russian owner Roman Abramovic has been at the club.

The strikers selected by Bruce for the game: Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck were integeral in this victory; harrassing Chelsea's makeshift back four and scoring Sunderland's second and third goal respectively.

After working effectively as a partnership Bruce must decide whether to keep faith this pair or bring back Bent.

I feel Bruce should show faith in the pair; while Bent has been side-lined Sunderland's record signing, Gyan has scored four goals for the club and looked like money well spent.

While Danny Welbeck was arguably the stand-out player in a magnificent Sunderland performance at the Bridge and probably ought to be rewarded with a chance to prove he can perform like that on a regular basis.

Welbeck's form has been erratic at the club but much of that might have to do with Bruce using the striker as a left-winger which his not best role, given a run in the side up front Bruce may get the best out of the young talented Englishman.

While it is hard on Sunderland's best player over the past 15 months to have to sit on the bench it would be even more unfair in my opinion for him to walk back into the team ahead of players who haven't put a foot wrong whilst the England International has been missing.

Picking the right team for tonight's game is especially important as Everton are possibly one of the team's best placed to derail Sunderland's momentum.

The Merseyside club contain some of the best midfielder's in the Premier League outside of the supposed 'top four' and will come to Sunderland looking to take 3 points from the Stadium of Light.

With both teams looking to win the game tonight's contest could be something to savour.

Data Skills Test

For a assignment I was required to pick a piece of data from the Guardian Data Store, at http://www.guardian.co.uk/data-store and put it into a spreadsheet on google docs.
Following this I placed the information into a chart.
I looked at the information regarding British casualties in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2010. My data covers the total number of combat field hopspital admissions between 2003-2010.
I chose this information as the Uk's involvement in Afghanistan is something which most people have an opinion on and therefore these statistics are likely to provoke a emotional reaction from some people as well as a variety of opinions.
Here is my chart bellow:

Video skills test

For an assignement I was required to submit a interview of roughly 30 seconds to a video sharing site.
Here I have interviewed Manchester United fan Mike Boon discussing Manchester United's chances of winning this season's Premier League.
Here is the video I posted on Youtube:

Map Skills Test

A task for an assignment required me to upload a map showing areas which four stories from an edition of the Lancashire Evening Post covered.
The locations for the four stories are all from the Preston area and are shown in the map bellow.
The map also contains links to the LEP website showing the online article on each story. 



View maps skills test in a larger map