Recently, twins Craig and Jamie Overton, were called up to the England ODI squad, and Adam and Simon Yates, are both going to ride the Tour de France.
I thought I'd have a look at these twins, and some other notable sporting twins.
Craig and Jamie Overton (Cricket)
The twins are both at Somerset, and were both recently called up for England's ODI squad against New Zealand.
Craig boasts better bowling and batting figures at this stage, but both are only 21, and have the speed and potential to play at international level.
At 21 their talent is still raw, Jamie has had to work hard to try and eradicate no-balls from his game, and is more of a work in progress than Craig.
The big concern for both brothers is if England's coaches alter with their natural game, as they did with Steven Finn, hopefully they will be able to progress and become future England test bowlers.
Adam and Simon Yates (Cycling)
These cycling twins are precociously talented, and smart as well, as they turned down Team Sky, to join Orica-Greenedge, so they were able to challenge for races from the start of their career, rather than ridign for others.
In his first year as a pro, Adam won the Tour of Turkey , as well as coming 5th in the Tour of California and 6th in Dauphine Libere (the French Tour de France warm-up race). He then finished his first grand tour at the Vuelta.
His 2015 has been disrupted somewhat by a broken finger in the Tour of Basque country in April.
Simon's neo-pro year was not as straight forward as Adam's, in the Tour of Turkey which Adam won, Simon broke his collarbone, which hampered his debut year. However, it did have the unexpected consequence of allowing him to ride the Tour de France, where he performed admirably, getting into 2 breaks, which in the Tour is no mean feat, before being withdrawn by his team, so as not to over exert him.
In 2015, Simon has been on an upward trajectory, finishing 6th in Tour of Romandie and 5th in the Dauphine, two impressive performances, which suggest he maybe able to ride with the front group in the mountains at the tour.
At present both riders are scheduled for the Tour de France, and both will be a force.
They won't be the first twins to ride the Tour, as most recently Peter & Martin Velits rode for Omega-Pharma Quick-Step in the 2012 Tour de France.
Bob and Mike Bryan (Tennis)
Men's doubles tennis has been dominated for the last decade, by these tennis twins.
Bob and Mike Bryan have won 16 grand slam men's doubles titles, while in mixed doubles they Bob has 7 titles and Mike has 4.
They are Olympic champions, won the 2007 Davis cup, have 4 world titles and over 100 tournament titles, in fact they have won every major title, and have not failed to win a grand slam title since 2004.
They are mirror twins, Bob is left handed and Mike is right handed, which helps them compliment each other in covering the court.
Football
The most famous current footballing twins, is probably Fabio and Rafael, the Brazilian full-backs, who were both at Manchester United. Fabio, has since left to join Cardiff City. The most famous incident involving Fabio and Rafael, was in 2009, where the referee Chris Foy, mistakenly booked the wrong brother, the decision was later reversed.
Further down the leagues, Adam and James Chambers play together at Walsall and both started their career in the West Midlands with West Brom.
The De Boer brothers, Ronald and Frank, were probably the most notable past footballing twins, they had a combined 179 caps for the Netherlands, Frank with 112 of them. They both started at Ajax, before playing for Barcelona, Rangers, Al-Rayyan and Al-Shamal.
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Monday, 27 October 2014
The race to the O2
ATP Tour Finals
The ATP Tour finals are mens' tennis 5th biggest tournament, after the 4 grand slams (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US).
The tournament has run since 1970, but has changed format in the years since.
The current format, features the top 8 ranked players in the world (in the Race to London rankings), well kind of. There is an exemption for a grand slam winner outside of the top 8, so technically the qualifiers are the Grand slam winners, and then the next top ranked players, until the top 8 spots are filled.
In the current era of dominance, of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, there hasn't been any need for the technicality. However, Marin Cilic's win at the US Open, opened up the possibility that the technicality maybe needed.
As it happens Cilic is currently ranked 6th in the Race to London rankings, so it shouldn't be an issue.
However, Andy Murray's tough year has meant after the US open he faced a tough road to qualify for the season finale in London.
Rankings
Murray is determined to be present in London, and will be helped by Nadal's absence, as he now only has to make the top 9.
His determination to reach London, can be seen, by adding Vienna to his schedule after his exit in Shanghai to David Ferrer. He avenged that defeat by Ferrer, by beating Ferrer in the Vienna final, securing 250 points.
Valencia Open
Murray hasn't had it easy in his attempts to qualify for the ATP Tour Finals. In Valencia, he had to beat Fabio Fognini (19th), Kevin Anderson (17th), David Ferrer (5th) and finally Tommy Robredo (21st).
The final against Robredo, was especially tough. Murray has had a difficult year, after overcoming his back injury. His schedule has been packed, playing 5 tournaments in as many weeks, in contrast to Federer and Djokovic, who have played only 2.
The Final
The final was a repeat of the Shenzen Open Final, that Murray won 5-7, 7-6, 6-1, after Robredo had held 5 match points.
From the first point of the match, it promised to be a gruelling encounter, a 23 shot rally, ended with Murray netting. Robredo took the first set 6-3, as Murray looked increasingly fatigued.
Murray found some form in the 2nd set breaking Robredo, to take a 4-2 lead, but Robredo fought back, broke back and was 1 game away from winning. However, Murray often plays his best when on the edge of defeat, and he served out to love. A tie-break ensued and Robredo had two match points, the first of which Robredo pushed a forehand long, and the 2nd was saved by a Murray ace.
Murray took his chance and won the second set.
The third set, was like the last round of a heavyweight boxing match, both players almost out on their feet. The 3rd set went to a tie-break, almost inevitably so, as there was little between the two players.
Murray fought off another 3 match points, to finally prevail over Robredo and the partisan crowd.
Watch the highlights below (skip to the end to see Robredo's frustration at losing a 2nd ATP final to Murray, with 5 match points in each final).
Barring unlikely outcomes, Murray is guaranteed to be at the O2 Arena in November, a well deserved reward, for some hard work in the late season. Indeed, if this season was a course Murray would scrape a pass, as a result of some last minute desperate cramming.
For Murray to not make, London, Murray would have to get knocked out early on at the Paris Masters, then Raonic and Dimitrov would both have to make the final, with Dimitrov winning. (note Murray can finish 9th in the race to London rankings and still qualify as Nadal has pulled out of the finals).
The ATP Tour finals are mens' tennis 5th biggest tournament, after the 4 grand slams (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US).
The tournament has run since 1970, but has changed format in the years since.
The current format, features the top 8 ranked players in the world (in the Race to London rankings), well kind of. There is an exemption for a grand slam winner outside of the top 8, so technically the qualifiers are the Grand slam winners, and then the next top ranked players, until the top 8 spots are filled.
In the current era of dominance, of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, there hasn't been any need for the technicality. However, Marin Cilic's win at the US Open, opened up the possibility that the technicality maybe needed.
As it happens Cilic is currently ranked 6th in the Race to London rankings, so it shouldn't be an issue.
However, Andy Murray's tough year has meant after the US open he faced a tough road to qualify for the season finale in London.
Rankings
 |
| The top 4 are the same in both rankings, but Murray's win in Valencia has propelled him into 5th in the Race to London, but he is 8th in the ATP rankings, which are based on more tournaments. |
His determination to reach London, can be seen, by adding Vienna to his schedule after his exit in Shanghai to David Ferrer. He avenged that defeat by Ferrer, by beating Ferrer in the Vienna final, securing 250 points.
Valencia Open
Murray hasn't had it easy in his attempts to qualify for the ATP Tour Finals. In Valencia, he had to beat Fabio Fognini (19th), Kevin Anderson (17th), David Ferrer (5th) and finally Tommy Robredo (21st).
The final against Robredo, was especially tough. Murray has had a difficult year, after overcoming his back injury. His schedule has been packed, playing 5 tournaments in as many weeks, in contrast to Federer and Djokovic, who have played only 2.
The Final
The final was a repeat of the Shenzen Open Final, that Murray won 5-7, 7-6, 6-1, after Robredo had held 5 match points.
From the first point of the match, it promised to be a gruelling encounter, a 23 shot rally, ended with Murray netting. Robredo took the first set 6-3, as Murray looked increasingly fatigued.
Murray found some form in the 2nd set breaking Robredo, to take a 4-2 lead, but Robredo fought back, broke back and was 1 game away from winning. However, Murray often plays his best when on the edge of defeat, and he served out to love. A tie-break ensued and Robredo had two match points, the first of which Robredo pushed a forehand long, and the 2nd was saved by a Murray ace.
Murray took his chance and won the second set.
The third set, was like the last round of a heavyweight boxing match, both players almost out on their feet. The 3rd set went to a tie-break, almost inevitably so, as there was little between the two players.
Murray fought off another 3 match points, to finally prevail over Robredo and the partisan crowd.
Watch the highlights below (skip to the end to see Robredo's frustration at losing a 2nd ATP final to Murray, with 5 match points in each final).
Barring unlikely outcomes, Murray is guaranteed to be at the O2 Arena in November, a well deserved reward, for some hard work in the late season. Indeed, if this season was a course Murray would scrape a pass, as a result of some last minute desperate cramming.
For Murray to not make, London, Murray would have to get knocked out early on at the Paris Masters, then Raonic and Dimitrov would both have to make the final, with Dimitrov winning. (note Murray can finish 9th in the race to London rankings and still qualify as Nadal has pulled out of the finals).
Friday, 27 January 2012
The Rumble Down Under pt 2
Semi Final 2
If last's nights game was a true epic in the Nadal-Federer vein, with the grace and style of Federer and the tenacity and never say die attitude of Nadal, then tonight's match up of Murray vs Djokovic was two boxers slugging it out.
It seemed like Murray was keep Djokovic out on court as long as possible, putting him up against the ropes and trying to punch him out. Djokovic seemed spent in the 2nd set, hands on knees puffing hard, but he is not the world no. 1 for the sake of it and he came back, losing the 2nd set but staying in the third despite break points against his serve.
Djokovic managed to turn the match around to bring up set points but Murray responded, to save the set and then broke to serve for the set.
But Djokovic hit back and Murray faltered, and so it was tie-break, neither man had the knock-out punch, until Murray had Djokovic pinned at 3-set points, and obliged at the second attempt.
When it seemed like Djokovic was out for the count 2 sets to 1 down, Murray wilted and faltered inexplicably gifting the 4th set to Djokovic.
So four hours later a fifth set ensued, Djokovic had an air of ascendancy, unseen since the first set, and broke Murray to go to 5-2 with Murray serving. The game seemed over, Murray held, but Djokovic just had to serve out the match, however Murray picked himself up off of the canvas, to break and serve out his game.
At 5-5 the game was poised on a knife edge, impossibly, almost implausibly the game after 4 and a half hours was tied up at 2-2, 5-5.
To say what followed was the turning point of the match, would be to undermine all that had gone before, for there was no one turning point but many. Djokovic seemed out for the count in the second, Murray utterly defeated in the fourth, but the 11th game of the 5th set was where the match was ultimately lost and won.
Murray held break points on the Djokovic serve, but the serbian produces his best tennis in the tightest corners, the mark of a champion, and in fairness to Murray he likewise produced aces in crucial places. This was the last stand, this game epitomised a whole 4 and a half hour match, twists and turns, scowling and howling. Unfortunately for Murray, Djokovic held and Murray was broken. If this was a boxing match, it would have been a split decision, but this is tennis and in tennis one man always triumphs, and tonight that man was Djokovic.
Conclusion
So did Murray bottle it? Comprehensively not! The fight he showed from 5-2 down in the fifth set, displayed a strong reserve, but the capitulation in the fourth was a concern for sure.
I think over the last 2 nights we have seen four champions, one fading, two shining and one beginning to shine. On Sunday the two shining stars battle it out. And though Djokovic won against Nadal in the major slams last year......... this year nothing is certain.
If last's nights game was a true epic in the Nadal-Federer vein, with the grace and style of Federer and the tenacity and never say die attitude of Nadal, then tonight's match up of Murray vs Djokovic was two boxers slugging it out.
It seemed like Murray was keep Djokovic out on court as long as possible, putting him up against the ropes and trying to punch him out. Djokovic seemed spent in the 2nd set, hands on knees puffing hard, but he is not the world no. 1 for the sake of it and he came back, losing the 2nd set but staying in the third despite break points against his serve.
Djokovic managed to turn the match around to bring up set points but Murray responded, to save the set and then broke to serve for the set.
But Djokovic hit back and Murray faltered, and so it was tie-break, neither man had the knock-out punch, until Murray had Djokovic pinned at 3-set points, and obliged at the second attempt.
When it seemed like Djokovic was out for the count 2 sets to 1 down, Murray wilted and faltered inexplicably gifting the 4th set to Djokovic.
So four hours later a fifth set ensued, Djokovic had an air of ascendancy, unseen since the first set, and broke Murray to go to 5-2 with Murray serving. The game seemed over, Murray held, but Djokovic just had to serve out the match, however Murray picked himself up off of the canvas, to break and serve out his game.
At 5-5 the game was poised on a knife edge, impossibly, almost implausibly the game after 4 and a half hours was tied up at 2-2, 5-5.
To say what followed was the turning point of the match, would be to undermine all that had gone before, for there was no one turning point but many. Djokovic seemed out for the count in the second, Murray utterly defeated in the fourth, but the 11th game of the 5th set was where the match was ultimately lost and won.
Murray held break points on the Djokovic serve, but the serbian produces his best tennis in the tightest corners, the mark of a champion, and in fairness to Murray he likewise produced aces in crucial places. This was the last stand, this game epitomised a whole 4 and a half hour match, twists and turns, scowling and howling. Unfortunately for Murray, Djokovic held and Murray was broken. If this was a boxing match, it would have been a split decision, but this is tennis and in tennis one man always triumphs, and tonight that man was Djokovic.
Conclusion
So did Murray bottle it? Comprehensively not! The fight he showed from 5-2 down in the fifth set, displayed a strong reserve, but the capitulation in the fourth was a concern for sure.
I think over the last 2 nights we have seen four champions, one fading, two shining and one beginning to shine. On Sunday the two shining stars battle it out. And though Djokovic won against Nadal in the major slams last year......... this year nothing is certain.
The Rumble Down Under part 1
Semi Final 1
It's late Jan, which can only mean Australian Open time.
What's more, we are at the business end, which means Men's semi-finals, with the best four players in the world, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
Last night was Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer, and it was a classic match in keeping with their past matches.
Roger was his technically brilliant self, with the beautiful backhand full of elegance, but he was against the typically tenacious Rafa, who would not lie down. Nadal has this phoenix like ability to look like he is beaten in a point, only to rise from the ashes, with a long stretch, a craftily angled racquet and flick of the wrist. Every time Federer had Nadal on the ropes, Nadal would pull out the uppercut, to leave Roger reeling.
What I loved most about the game, aside from the amazing tennis, was the humility of Nadal in victory. These two men are champions of the game, not just in their tennis, but also in their character.
It's late Jan, which can only mean Australian Open time.
What's more, we are at the business end, which means Men's semi-finals, with the best four players in the world, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
Last night was Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer, and it was a classic match in keeping with their past matches.
Roger was his technically brilliant self, with the beautiful backhand full of elegance, but he was against the typically tenacious Rafa, who would not lie down. Nadal has this phoenix like ability to look like he is beaten in a point, only to rise from the ashes, with a long stretch, a craftily angled racquet and flick of the wrist. Every time Federer had Nadal on the ropes, Nadal would pull out the uppercut, to leave Roger reeling.
What I loved most about the game, aside from the amazing tennis, was the humility of Nadal in victory. These two men are champions of the game, not just in their tennis, but also in their character.
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