Ivan Lendl once famously described grass as fodder for cows. He won eight slams but non at SW19 and the hint of smile he wore when his ward finally ended Britain's 77 year old wait for a men's singles champion at Wimbledon was one of satisfaction. Andy Murray broke his grand slam duck last year beating Novak at Flushing Meadows in a 5 set thriller. He didn't need to go as far at the hallowed center court. He managed to beat the world number one at his own game and the typically steely nerved Serb succumbed to a sustained onslaught from both wings of the Briton's racquet. Its not often that Nole lets go off a break but the Scot managed to come from behind in the second and third sets and survived some jitters before serving out for the championship. A knighthood now awaits the champion and irrespective of what he does from now on, he has a place in folklore and the rolls of immortals. This also looks like a threat to Djokocvic's reign at the top and though he remains perched comfortable for the moment, the rise of Andy under the stellar guidance of Lendl is an omen of things to come. Murray has reached the finals of the last four grand slams he has played and won two of them. With Federer waning faster than he rose and Nadal continuing to battle his knees, these two men shall continue to provide the edge to the men's game until a worthy successor comes in sight. For the moment, there is none and the sun continues to shine on another rasping rivalry. The US open is not far ahead and its difficult to look past these two as the contenders to that crown.
Sebastian Vettel was another home winner after he survived some tense moments to finish ahead of the Lotus duo of Riakonen and Grosjean. After Hamilton failed to defend his pole position against the marauding Red Bulls, Vettel drove home in the midst of a safety car incident and some fight from the Lotus cars. He has once again slammed the doors for his challengers after offering them a glimpse at Silverstone. He already has another driver's championship in his sights and it would take a miracle if he doesn't cross the checkered flag as winner once again.
The Ashes start this week and England are firmly in the driver's seat to hold onto their crown they deservedly won down under. They play at home against a side weakened with the retirement of Ponting and Hussey and reeling under off field distractions. Some important players like Watson and Warner have been embroiled in disciplinary issues and the captain is nursing a bad back. The Aussie batting seems like sitting ducks against the likes of Anderson and Swann and the bowling lacks teeth to dislodge the firm of Cook and Trott. With Peterson back in the dressing room, the England squad now holds firepower enough to blow the Kangaroos right out of the park. The forecast is for a one sided drubbing but its in these circumstances that heroes emerge and Australia desperately need one to get them ashore.