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.

Love for Andrew!

Andrew's daughter with Liverpool Jersey

May be the wailing and lamentation can go away from Liverpool fans after a long time in this season. After two eras later All Reds can be the delight of the wining of a title. Liverpool fans surely was bursting of spirit wining against Manchester City the major rival of the title yesterday. Because this victory has closed enough their favorite team Liverpool to win the English Premier League title after 1990. Andrew Nari was one of hundreds of Liverpool fans from around the world. He would be too glad to win the favorite team. But he did not go to see the final stages of this historic success! Malaysian Airlines plane missing since last month as the underpinnings of his existence!

On that day, Andrew served as Chief Stewards of the missing aircraft. Seemed to fly with passengers from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. From the day of the occurrence his family does not know what happened on his fate really. The family cannot accept him dead until they don't get any evidence. After over a month they believe Andrew will come back one day. 

Andrew greatly loved football. Liverpool was the peer of his life. Recently a tweet of his daughter Maria blast shook the social networking world, 'Dad, Liverpool has won the match, please come back to watch the match.' This Tweet has shaken the authorities of the Liverpool club also. Andrew has recognized as a special supporter. A few days ago his daughter Maria got an 'All Red' jersey written his father's name.

Maria was excited by getting a new jersey. Again she has written on Twitter to her father,  'Dad, it's for you. I'm sure it will get you the most happy people in the world. '  Maria also wished to Liverpool.  Dad's favorite team can win the title in this season this year, she hoped so. She has written on twitter, 'I hope Liverpool will be at the top of the all-time points list, and you will win the title. For my father, for us and for all Liverpool supporters. 

Champions League: Ronaldo inflicts on Messi's record

Cristiano Ronaldo

A record for the highest goalscorer in the Champions League so far this season was under control of Lionel Messi's own. In Champions League this Argentine star had 14 goals in 2011-12 season.  Yesterday Cristiano Ronaldo inflicted on Messi's record. Scoring a goal against Dortmund Ronaldo has touched Messi.

In 2011-12 season Messi had to play 11 matches to score 14 goals. And now, Ronaldo has 14 goals in just eight matches played in this season in Champions League.  On average of goals Ronaldo has scored a goal on every 50.71 minutes. There was hardly anyone in the Champions League and to the goals of this rate. In 2011-12 season Messi scored a goal on every 70.71 minutes. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy is closer to the average of goals as Ronaldo. This dutch star scored a goal on every 57 minutes in 2002-03 season in Champions League. He was the highest scorer with twelve goals in that season in Champions League. Messi had broken this record scoring 12 goals in 2010-11 season. On next year Messi overtoped Nistelrooy scoring 14 goals.

In this season in Champions League Ronaldo would be able to break this record of 14 goals.  Winning against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter finals of the first leg by 3-0 Real Madrid is ahead of the semi-final. If Real Madrid can not go to the final, though they have still three matches to play.  Although one of the goals in three matches this season as the top scorer Ronaldo's name alone will be written.

During this season, the highest goal scorer in the list after Ronaldo is Zlatan Ibrahimović.  He has scored 10 goals in this season in Champions League. Messi is at number three in this list. He has scored 8 goals in this season.

Champions League: Barcelona is in danger!

UEFA Champions League

Anyone can be the assailant who is familiar in secure fortress. Xavi are afraid of this. Since Atletico Madrid keeps all of the ins and outs of Barça, anything can happen.

First leg of the quarter final of Barca-Atletico Madrid match in the Champions League should store an adventure today. This season, the two teams could not beat each other in three meetings. Xavi knows how much it should be difficult to beat Atletico Madrid.

But tonight, in Champions League Bayern Munich - Manchester United match could be the content of the debate. Last season when the two teams faced a desperate affair of honor was expecting.  This time it may be desperate but only for Bayern Munich! United in that situation, it would be  a 'strange' if Manchester United will beat Bayern Munich in their own home ground.

However United coach David Moise is not agreeing to concede a defeat against Bayern Munich,  'We know how hard our game, We will try to take the chance where they have a little bit of weaknesses'. 

Winning the Bundesliga title remaining seven matches Josep Guardiola's team Bayern Munich is now concentrating on  Champions League title. However, Manchester United is far away from the English Premier League title and they may not be qualified for the next Champions League.

In that sense Barca-Atletico Madrid match will be much more competitive today in the Champions League. Xavi feels a little uncomfortable, 'I do not want to play in the Champions League with the Spanish team. I would rather play with someone else in the league. We are very well known to Atletico. They do not give you the opportunity. They are very handy and frozen in defense, well in attacking'.

Atletico midfielder Koke, however, happy to play in the quarterfinals, ' You do not play it every day in the quarterfinals. We want to show the performances against a very tough opponent'.