...a forehand that looked to spark a comeback, but didn't.
Cardiff hairdresser Dody Constantinou was another to have high hopes but ultimately suffer a bad day in the office.
09 June 2008
08 June 2008
Federer, traffic wardens and weekend action
Trainee sports journalists are paid less than traffic wardens. But on a weekend such as this, who in their right mind would want to be a traffic warden.
The quick feet of Shane Williams, the forehand of Federer, a splash of arrogance from Ronaldo, a six-wicket session from Jimmy Anderson, pole for Lewis Hamilton in Canada and, if you live on the Welsh side of the bridge, the Under-20 Rugby World Junior Championship.
At 8am yesterday the All Blacks put paid to a ballsy display from their Irish visitors before the Springboks were less charitable in their domination of Wales, supposedly the best Europe has to offer.
Shane Williams gave Warren Gatland some light relief with what has virtually become an almost-assured moment of twinkle-toed magic to produce a consolation try but Wales will have to rethink and reform if they are to take anything from the second test next Saturday.
The Czech Republic were another favourite who failed to read their script and spoilt the underdog-hosts, Switzerland, from claiming a win in the opening match of Euro 2008.
Hours later Portugal showed the same attacking verve as the England cricket team, whipping up a show which Turkey, like New Zealand, couldn't live with.
And today it is Federer who is struggling on another grand sporting stage, the final of the French Open.
Serving first he hit another of his special, special forehands three points in before capitulating completely to lose the first set 6-1 and go a break down in the second. Trailing 2-0, and at 15-15 t in the third game, he hit another one. It was a forehand drive so sweet the crowd rose to their feet and Federer's head lifted for the first time in the match.
He went on to finally convert a break point and perhaps prove to himself there is a way back into a game in which victory would surely see him crowned the greatest tennis player ever... and on which I now need to concentrate.
The quick feet of Shane Williams, the forehand of Federer, a splash of arrogance from Ronaldo, a six-wicket session from Jimmy Anderson, pole for Lewis Hamilton in Canada and, if you live on the Welsh side of the bridge, the Under-20 Rugby World Junior Championship.
At 8am yesterday the All Blacks put paid to a ballsy display from their Irish visitors before the Springboks were less charitable in their domination of Wales, supposedly the best Europe has to offer.
Shane Williams gave Warren Gatland some light relief with what has virtually become an almost-assured moment of twinkle-toed magic to produce a consolation try but Wales will have to rethink and reform if they are to take anything from the second test next Saturday.
The Czech Republic were another favourite who failed to read their script and spoilt the underdog-hosts, Switzerland, from claiming a win in the opening match of Euro 2008.
Hours later Portugal showed the same attacking verve as the England cricket team, whipping up a show which Turkey, like New Zealand, couldn't live with.
And today it is Federer who is struggling on another grand sporting stage, the final of the French Open.
Serving first he hit another of his special, special forehands three points in before capitulating completely to lose the first set 6-1 and go a break down in the second. Trailing 2-0, and at 15-15 t in the third game, he hit another one. It was a forehand drive so sweet the crowd rose to their feet and Federer's head lifted for the first time in the match.
He went on to finally convert a break point and perhaps prove to himself there is a way back into a game in which victory would surely see him crowned the greatest tennis player ever... and on which I now need to concentrate.
01 June 2008
Holland thin up top
WAYNE Hennessey ensured Wales's 2-0 defeat to Holland today didn't stretch to the 7-1 hiding last time the two teams met, but the Dutch have more pressing problems than an able Welsh goalkeeper with blonde highlights.
Holland's team is brimming with footballing highlights, it's the hair they are lacking. Main men Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are well on the way to perfecting the aerodynamic look of Lee Carsley and fellow Real Madrid marksman Ruudd van Nistelrooy and midfielder Rafael van der Vaart look thin on top.
The dreadlocked Mario Melchiot aside, all the above will be reaching for additional sun cream in the coming month but will no doubt outshine the dubious tints of players like Hennessey as and when goalkeepers pick their freekicks out of the back of the net.
Today they served up another feast of attacking play, Robben slotting home the first after skinning Chris Gunter and Lewin Nyatanga.
Wesley Sneijder curled home a second-half free-kick to complete the score-line although the rest of the match resembled a coconut shy with the entire Dutch team lining up to test Hennessey and ensure Premiership scouts following the talented Welsh keeper value for money.
They may have been slow to get going but Holland, yet again, look set to be one of the favourites of the tournament. Whether they can deliver on the big stage still remains to be seen. Like England, the Dutch are perennial under achievers although they did win the European Championship in 1988, courtesy of this moment of brilliance:
Holland's team is brimming with footballing highlights, it's the hair they are lacking. Main men Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are well on the way to perfecting the aerodynamic look of Lee Carsley and fellow Real Madrid marksman Ruudd van Nistelrooy and midfielder Rafael van der Vaart look thin on top.
The dreadlocked Mario Melchiot aside, all the above will be reaching for additional sun cream in the coming month but will no doubt outshine the dubious tints of players like Hennessey as and when goalkeepers pick their freekicks out of the back of the net.
Today they served up another feast of attacking play, Robben slotting home the first after skinning Chris Gunter and Lewin Nyatanga.
Wesley Sneijder curled home a second-half free-kick to complete the score-line although the rest of the match resembled a coconut shy with the entire Dutch team lining up to test Hennessey and ensure Premiership scouts following the talented Welsh keeper value for money.
They may have been slow to get going but Holland, yet again, look set to be one of the favourites of the tournament. Whether they can deliver on the big stage still remains to be seen. Like England, the Dutch are perennial under achievers although they did win the European Championship in 1988, courtesy of this moment of brilliance:
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