Kerber stuns Serena to protect idol Graf’s record

Angelique Kerber

On a night when Steffi Graf loomed large over Rod Laver Arena, an inspired Angelique Kerber stunned Serena Williams in a three-set classic to win the Australian Open on Saturday and become Germany’s first grand slam champion in 17 years. 

In the ultimate tribute to her childhood hero, Kerber foiled Williams’s bid to match the German great’s tally of grand slam titles, closing out a magnificent 6-4 3-6 6-4 win in her first major final. 

The seventh seed’s triumph secured her nation’s first grand slam win since Graf raised her 22nd and final trophy at the 1999 French Open. 

‘Yeah, I think I helped Steffi right now,’ a beaming Kerber told reporters. ‘This is the first big tournament of the year, and I won it, the first grand slam. It sounds crazy, but I can say I’m a grand slam champion now.’ 

Kerber sought inspiration from Graf during a trip to the 46-year-old’s Las Vegas home last year and put in a performance worthy of her mentor.

She defended brilliantly throughout the two-hour and eight-minute cliff-hanger, showing nerves of steel to fend off Williams who had roared back from 5-2 down in the deciding set. 

In a final game riven with tension, Williams succumbed on the first match point with a volley that floated well past the baseline. 

Kerber was already flopping to the ground before the ball had landed, and she flung her racquet away as a packed crowd of 15,000 roared in elation and disbelief. 

The 24-year-old Williams has no liking for runner-up finishes at grand slams, and her defeat was the first in a final since her shock loss to Sam Stosur at the 2011 US Open. Her hopes of pulling off a rare calendar grand slam were left in tatters once again, only four months after they were crushed in the US Open semi-finals by Italian Roberta Vinci. 

Williams was nonetheless gracious in defeat, walking directly to Kerber’s side of the court to embrace her warmly as the champion wept with joy. ‘She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from: just to always stay positive and to never give up,’ Williams told reporters. ‘I was really inspired by that. So, honestly, she’s a really good girl. If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did. ‘I mean, every time I walk in this room, everyone expects me to win every single match, every single day of my life. As much as I would like to be a robot, I’m not. I try to.’ 

It was instead an all-too-human display by Williams in an opening set laden with 23 unforced errors — 20 more than her opponent. Kerber broke her twice to wrap up the set before Williams regrouped to send the match into a decider, accompanied by screams of ‘C’mon!’ 

Atletico appeal transfer ban

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid lodged an appeal Monday against a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA over their dealing in under-age players.

The ban starts from the July transfer window this year and finishes with the January transfer market in 2017. 

Real Madrid were hit with the same punishment.

Atletico were also fined 900,000 Swiss francs (820,000 euros) and Real 360,000 (330,000 euros). However, both clubs are still allowed to sign players until the end of the month. 

Atletico in a statement announced that they had ‘lodged an appeal against the decision by FIFA’s disciplinary commission’. 

World football’s governing body FIFA said the alarm was raised over the two clubs by FIFA’s Transfer Matching System and its disciplinary committee completed the inquiry. 

Under international football rules, players under 18 cannot be transferred to another country, except in limited circumstances. All transfers need the approval of a special FIFA committee. 

European champions Barcelona have just completed a one year ban for similar reasons. 

Counter Attack of Bernard Tomic!

Bernard Tomic

So Bernard Tomic has a 'reputation' to speak loose words! That's why, can he gibe Roger Federer (!) Australian tennis player slebor said, at the moment Federer is behind to Novak Djokovic!

Federer knows it also! But suddenly why this bad boy is distraught on Federer? Bernard Tomic is anger for a speech of Federer. Federer said about Bernard Tomic, He has come with many promises, but couldn't show anything! At the beginning of the year he plays a little bit well in the Australian Open, after he plays nothing!

Federer reminded to Tomic, a year makes with 52 weeks not only with one week! Tomic feels anger for this.

Messi to the rescue for Barcelona

Leonel Messi

Lionel Messi scored a spectacular winner as Barcelona moved to the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Malaga on Saturday.

The European champions were handed the perfect start when Munir El Haddadi tapped home the opener after just 64 seconds, but were far from their best and Malaga deservedly levelled through Juanpi either minutes before the break. 

Messi had been struggling with a slight hamstring strain in the past week, but the five-time World Player of the Year made the difference once more as he volleyed home his 20th goal of the season to move Barca a point clear of Atletico Madrid in top spot. Atletico and Real Madrid – who now trail Barca by five points – are both in action on Sunday when they face Sevilla and Real Betis respectively. 

Barcelona were without the injured Neymar and suspended Gerard Pique, but did have the luxury of welcoming back Messi and Luis Suarez after they missed the 2-1 win Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao in midweek. 

And Suarez made a telling impact after just a minute as he wriggled clear inside the area and although his low shot was kept out by Carlos Kameni, the ball fell invitingly for El Haddadi to tap home his fourth goal in three games. 

Despite a great start, though, Barca were completely outplayed by Malaga in the first-half and were only saved by some wasteful play by the hosts in the final third. 

Malaga got on level terms as Barca again gave the ball away needlessly inside their own half and Charles teed up Juanpi, whose effort deflected in off Mascherano. 

However, Barca could still have been ahead at the break as Kameni made a fine low save to deny El Haddadi his second and Miguel Torres produced a brilliant block to prevent Messi rolling home the rebound into an empty net.