CLAYm to history

Two dodgy knees made a reappearance around this time last year. Joints that were out to grab eyeballs if you would forgive my liberty with anatomy. The man who stood on those legs was a legend already but the pinnacle of sport can be as unforgiving as it can be ecstatic. The soft red dirt certainly provided a cushion not forthcoming on the slippery grass or hard plexi. Walking out onto the clay, you could see those eyes twinkling with as much anticipation as a toddler would have after being reunited with his beloved toy. What followed was a season that bagged Rafael Nadal a stupendous eighth Roland Garros title on the heels of almost complete domination of the slow courts. There is certainly no doubt that he qualifies to be the best ever clay courter if not all around. The one blemish that the Mallorcan had to encounter was a loss at the principality of Monte Carlo at the hands of the challenger Novak. Its been a repeat this year of the unpleasant result with the other indomitable Spaniard Ferrer getting the better of an off color Rafa. This could be a good omen if the past is anything to go by and while we are talking about the casino city, betting against the defending champion in Paris in a month's time will take more than a brave man. Getting past him in a best of five setter takes super human abilities, evident in the fact that the matador has been beaten just once since he made his debut on the Parisian dirt. Its certainly gearing up to be a season for rewriting record books.

Its over bar the shouting for the Merseysiders. And i am talking about both Liverpool and Everton. With three games to play, the reds top the table with a handy lead and if they can negotiate Chelsea at home, Steven Gerrard's tears will take some stopping. Its taken some time coming and one just hopes the idiom about the slip between the cup and the lip doesn't choose Rodger's side to illustrate its gravity. Manchester United looked stunned against an inspired Everton side in spite of the latter's former coach being in their wings. The purpose with which the blues attacked the ball showed how much they would like to kick among the big boys in the Champions League. They have a few tricky encounters to settle as well before the fat lady actually sings.

 

Mercedes made it another one two in Shanghai but the surprise package was Fernando Alonso's podium finish. The Ferrari ace has been in the shadow of others the last few seasons and it was welcome to see him back amidst the champagne. While the race itself ran out on expected lines, a certain excited steward handed the chequered flag to Lewis a lap in advance. One just wonders if a red face would have been the only after effect of the zealousness if Nico had over taken Hami in the last lap. With Nicole Scherzinger by his side, it does look like the Briton is well on his way to another world title. Is Jessica Michibata going to be on the Button? Only a few more races would tell.