The dark horses of the Coca-Cola IPTL

The Coca-Cola IPTL was conceived to bring together a galaxy of stars playing in a mixed team format. The Hopman cup is perhaps the closest it gets to this exciting and novel format but then it’s played along country lines precluding some delicious pairings as Djokovic-Wozniacki or Federer-Ivanovic. While the front line of all the teams boasts of superlative names like Federer, Novak, Murray, Serena, and Sharapova, there have been a few stellar performances from unexpected quarters as well. These are players who are stars in their own right but in a field this glittering, need to take a back seat in the popularity stakes. That has however not translated to a muted show from the relatively unknown faces in this part of the world. Mingling in with the supernovas are these quarks that have shone bright on this exalted stage and added that big dash of delight to the "happiness open". Given that the games won is the prime metric of a player's performance within the set of rules, we look at the average number of games won per set by some of the unexpected stars of the Coca-Cola IPTL. They are the ones who have beaten their reputation to take center stage on the court.

 

Mark Philippoussis

The "scud" has not lost any of his fire power and looked in prime touch in all the matches that he has played so far for the Manila Mavericks. With Carlos Moya struggling, the mavericks got a shot in the arm with the Aussie icon in their fold. With a perfect record of winning all the five matches that he has played and an average of the best possible 6 games per set, Mark has truly lived up to his billing as a legend. He may not have landed a grand slam title in his hey-day but has got better of more fancied opponents in Andre Agassi, Cedric Pioline and Goran Ivanisevic. He has looked in fine fettle and his single handed passes have been nothing short of astonishing. That he looks as fit as he did at the two slam finals he reached is testimony to the fact that tennis still sits easy on this icon's broad shoulders. The Philippines based team would look to him to take them closer to the coveted top slot.

Fabrice Santoro

Another legend has punched above his weight. The Indian Aces owe their top position at the moment to the "magician". The two handed forehand was something that pulled a few tricks from the Frenchman as an active player on the ATP tour and it seems the sleight of hand has not waned. Fabrice matches Philippoussis at the incredible average of 6 games per set and has proved his worth with the other legends on the Aces' team in Cedric Pioline and Pete Sampras falling short of expectations. His agility and ground strokes have been phenomenal and the longevity he showed on the professional circuit having played in grand slams in four different decades is evident for everybody who saw him trade shots at the Coca-Cola IPTL. His smile remains one of the hallmarks of the table toppers scintillating run.

Rohan Bopanna / Sania Mirza

The Indian pair is accomplished in doubles play with multiple grand slam titles to their name, albeit with different partners. However, not many would have expected them to light up the courts against bigger names. Their mixed doubles combination has played 7 out of the 8 matches played so far for the Aces and won 5 of them, losing one in the shoot-out. Their average games per set is a remarkable 5.28 which is proof of how well the duo has played in tandem. Their net coverage has been exemplary and with the traditional quick hands that doubles play asks for, the Indians have been a source of joy to the crowd and team alike. Bops has had a slightly lower rate of success at the men's doubles but has combined well with Monfils to rake in some important victories. His average of 4.12 games per set for the 8 sets played pales in comparison with the number for the mixed doubles but is nevertheless a respectable achievement given that he has had to play two sets for all the matches. To top it all, both Sania and Rohan combined today with Federer to slam the slammers 6-0, 6-1 in the mixed doubles and men's doubles respectively. If nothing else, those last two matches make the pair worth a mention in this list.

Kristina Mladenovic

I have to admit that i had not heard much of the French girl of Serbian descent before she took the Coca-Cola IPTL by storm. She has had some success on the WTA tour rising to 36 in 2013. Her claim to fame however are the two grand slam titles in mixed doubles at the 2013 Wimbledon and the 2014 Australian open with the more established Canadian Daniel Nestor. Her 5 games won on average per set in 12 sets played across singles and mixed doubles is a tremendous achievement given the stature of the more fancied ladies in the fray. She has combined well with Nenad Zimonjic to have the UAE Royals in the second spot. Kristina has been a consistent out-performer for the middle-east based team and would count as the chief architect of a possible top of the table finish. A shooting  star by every stretch of the imagination.

Nick Kyrgios

The slammers are languishing at the bottom of the table. In spite of their twin wins at home in Singapore, some other poor results have had them struggling. Standing out for them has been the effervescent Nick. He has been the anchor of the team with some stalwarts like Serena Williams, Tomas Berdych and Andre Agassi. Having played all of men's singles, mixed doubles and men's doubles for the Slammers with regularity, he has been the face of the faltering team. Some of his losses have been close fights with the teenager losing out in the shoot-out. His return of 4.08 games per set may not set the charts on fire but does impart an air of respectability to his team's fortunes. That he has been egging on his mates with a fervor reserved typically for Davis cup events has projected him out like a beacon. He has given it his all and stands out as one of the most likeable participants of the "happiness open".

Coca-Cola IPTL: How brands are leveraging niche events to inspire youngsters to take up sport

One of the most visible and exuberant proponents wielding the tennis racquet at the Coca-Cola IPTL is Nick Kyrgios. All of 19, the Australian star of Greek heritage has the boys' singles event at the Australian Open to his name but more importantly, made the quarters at this year's Wimbledon championships after defeating the indomitable Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet en route. The man Nick conquered on grass made a splash himself on the Parisian red dirt bagging the French Open title on his first attempt; Rafa had not gone past his teens either when he started his clay domination.

We have just seen the "Mozart" of chess Magnus Carlsen retain his world championship in the classical format to add to his rapid and blitz titles he won earlier this year. With an ELO rating that is shooting through the roof, his achievements only buttress his claim of being an all-time great. The Norwegian is all of 24 now; he made the GM norm at 14 years, and was the world number one at 19. If you get my tilt, sport is increasingly being dominated by young champions at ages where adolescence has not yet let go.

Popular commercial brands have had a major role to play in this phenomenon. Teenagers are increasingly getting access not just to live telecast of sport at its pinnacle but also watching the superstars in flesh and blood. All of this courtesy a number of sports leagues getting a foothold around the globe.

Global brands have been the principal pillars of support for these tournaments, which are still in their infancy. A wide-eyed youngster walking out on the court hand in hand with Roger Federer to the adulation of thousands of fans at the Coca-Cola IPTL is sure to be inspired beyond the regular pep talk from her local coach. The ball boy who watches from close quarters, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils fight it out is bound to dream of matching the Frenchmen’s shots and charisma.

Seeing top flight action at such close quarters certainly goes a long way in producing young champions. Crucially, these events also lend the youngsters a perfect opportunity to understand the mindset of these athletes who are at the summit of their game. Listening to them talk about the work, dedication and sacrifice they needed to put in since they were at the same age is a lesson no book can impart.

After all, what can be better than hearing it from the horse's mouth? With youngsters walking out on the pitch for every big match in every big event, dreams take wing and carry some of those walking alongside their heroes to sporting greatness.

Then there is the aspect of reaching out to the young sporting audience. Events like the football World Cup and the Coca-Cola IPTL leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every person in the world follows the action and gets to witness the incredible athletic feats that are performed by the stars.

Ahead of the football showpiece event in Brazil this year, Coca-Cola had launched the “World’s Cup” campaign to unite people from all over the world in the name of football. The campaign worked like a charm, as youngsters and aspiring players facing hardships in different parts of the globe got the opportunity to come into the spotlight. “Everyone was invited” to participate in the celebration of football, and everyone did indeed accept the invitation.

With the IPTL, Coca-Cola is trying to make use of another opportunity to reach out to the youngsters, this time through tennis. Brands like Coca-Cola use occasions like these to replace naiveté with steel, leading to the birth of champions. Sporting master-classes from icons, a spin trip with Shane Warne or a kick around with Lionel Messi are regularly organized around niche events and the tender ones learn a few things about precision, application and fair play in the company of these greats.

There are sponsored complimentary tickets for juniors to watch matches live, and witnessing a game from inside a stadium is an experience that gives every prodigy the sense of awe and grandeur and pushes him toward realizing his talent. With television and live telecasts making inroads into the remotest corners of the globe, commercials are being used by brands not just to further sales but also to bring sport closer to the youngsters.

Business promotion is sometimes looked at with skepticism, but brands leveraging global sport and its legends to inspire teenagers to take up sport is certainly a welcome development.

Coca-Cola IPTL : A league of extraordinary gentlemen (and women)

 The league of happiness

The Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League adds another dimension to the burgeoning interest in top flight tennis in Asia. The novel format brings together elements of competition, fun and glamor to the game that is typified by the staid whites of the Wimbledon lawns to the boisterous yet appreciative crowds of the Flushing Meadows. The juxtaposition of entertainment with sport is something that leagues around the world have exploited but what makes the Coca-Cola IPTL stand apart is its endorsement in a geography that has traditionally not been a power house in tennis. Lets look at a few factors that make this tourney fit the tag of the "Happiness Open" to the T.

Tennis magic, new and old.

A gathering of 21 grand slam champions and 14 current and former world numbers ones is an event that should chart its own course in tennis history. With names like Federer, Djokovic, Murray on the men's side and Serena Williams, Sharapova and Ivanovic on the women's, the league is bound to catch the fancy of any tennis connoisseur. Add to that the element of nostalgia that the legends will bring in. Sampras, Ivanisevic, Agassi, Rafter, Moya and the magician Santoro will be trading a few shots against each other and an era gone by should flash in front of our eyes once more. And then there are the dream pairings that one only fantasized about till now. Where else would you expect to see Andy Murray partner Maria Sharapova in a mixed doubles match or the two claimants to the all time great spot, Federer and Sampras taking the court together on the same side. If that does not "open happiness", not much else would. The legends would want to make sure, they live true to their names and with professional rivals on the tour egging each other on in a novel team play format, new partnerships should be forged. All in all, a recipe for a wonderful fortnight of tennis mixing the old with the new in front of mammoth and discerning crowds that rarely get to see a field as rarefied as this.

 New rules, to get you hooked and stay that way

The Coca-Cola IPTL will see far reaching changes to the way traditional tennis is played. The aim to make it viewer friendly both for television and live audience has driven novelties that should bring in an adrenaline rush reserved for the grand slam humdingers.  The advent of the shot timer for serves should keep the pace of the game brisk and with every game counting in the final evaluation,  any let ups in the intensity are ruled out. What marks the most interesting innovation for me is the "power point" that would let the receiver break at 30-40 with just one point. With no advantage play and a 15 second running counter, the margin of error should be minimal and serves would count for less making breaks a regular occurrence during the matches. With a 5 minute shoot out to decide a set at 5-all and a 7 minute super shooter to decide a tied match at the end of 5 sets, there ought to be less towels and more play. Drop shots should be in vogue to keep the points short and the players  forgiven for the number of double faults that would be considered sacrilege on the professional tour. With just one set to play for most players in a match and the tempo at break neck speed, mental agility would count for as much as tennis skill. Akin to a game of blitz chess when compared to the classical format. The one who keeps her wits around wins.

See these legends fly your flag high

 One does not see a blunting of the competitive edge in spite of the novel format given the teams would play for 4 separate nationalities and it won't be surprising to see a few current and former rivalries take center stage. Not often to Asian countries get to call icons as these their own. With 4 legs planned in each of the four countries of Philippines, Singapore, India and the UAE in that order, the round robin league should see all the players ply their trade fairly often. In a match of five sets comprising of men's singles, men's legends singles, women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles, a variety of combinations would be tried by the teams giving the audience a chance to watch as many as 20 champions, former and current in an afternoon's outing. In times of short attention spans and shorter leisure allocations, this is certain to entice not just the loyal followers but also fringe spectators into the tennis fold.

An enchanting schedule

One of the key factors to make the Coca-Cola IPTL successful is the scheduling. The last grand slam of the year finishes in August and with a 4 month void till the new year's Australian open, a league like this fits in perfectly. With exhilarating tennis compacted on one court and running for the same time as a grand slam, the tournament has the distinct air of watching a happiness slam. High octane sets in a jovial atmosphere serve as the perfect compliment to the grinds of the ATP and WTA tours that we see all year round. At a time when tennis lovers get ready for the year end celebrations, what could be a better Christmas present. If nothing else, joy should be the primary outcome of this cracker of an idea. Love all and lets get ready for a scorcher.

Another Sochi scorcher

The winter Olympics haven't really faded away from memory and Sochi gets ready to host another bout of sporting hostilities. Whatever happens in the encore of the one sided Chennai World Chess Championship match, the action should make for better viewing this time around. For one, the positions of the defending champion and the challenger have reversed. Vishy Anand comes in without an entourage of fans trailing him and the undisputed world champion across all formats in his usual cocky frame of mind. Anand has had a stupendous run this year and his win at the candidates surprised not just an army of cynics but also his die hard fans. Given the margin of loss that the former world champion suffered, not may thought him capable of mounting a challenge of this magnitude. With another Bilbao title that he bagged with a round to play, the form guide is certainly even if not slightly in favor of the Indian. Carlsen on the other hand followed up his massive victory last year in the classical format with championship claims in both the blitz and rapid versions as well. His form has been patchy leading up to this match when measured to his lofty standards but that can as well be a well disguised master stroke to hide his preparation. Grzegorz Gazewski of Poland is the only new face in Anand's seconds team and is someone who has a reputation of carving a niche for himself in less known positions. Carlsen has retained his team of the Dane Peter Heine and the Hammer Jon Ludvig. A betting man would undoubtedly put his money on the younger competitor but a better fight would certainly be expected out of the older head. They are like chalk and cheese in how they go about their business but once the board is laid out, chess would be the common denominator in another cold war.

Long live the new king...oh well not so new.

Novak is a family man now. With a baby boy vying for his attention, the tennis courts may not look as inviting as they used to but that didn't stop the world number one from defending his points from last year's Paris masters win. The way he tamed Milos Raonic in the finals a was rude reminder to his contemporaries that the Serb remains the best returner of serve in the game by a far distance. He would go into the season ending World tour finals as the clear favorite and it would take one of the other seven to play out of their skins to topple the defending champion. With Federer slated to take on France in the Davis cup finals for the Swiss and some ATP points on the line, Djokovic would want to make sure, he shuts the door on the year ending numero uno spot with an emphatic thud.

The Abu Dhabi grand prix would be a lottery with a bonus double points on offer. Lewis Hamilton remains in pole position to take home his second drivers' title but his partner at Mercedes would do all he can stop the Brit in his tracks. Nico Rosberg has had to play second fiddle for the last five races but has managed to keep the gap to reasonable proportions and a late charge in the two season ending runs can land the German a much coveted world title. There would be no dearth of competitive edge even though the two ride in the same colors. In another season dominated by one constructor, this may be of some succor to the fans who continue to stick with a sport that is struggling to find solutions to financial and organizational problems.

Carribean Collapso

A tour to the world's most powerful cricket board getting cancelled mid way is certainly an extra ordinary occurrence.  The impasse between the WICB and the players that led to this calamity is a storm that has been brewing for some time. Although, timely mediation has made sure, it remains inside the tea cup instead of spiraling out of control. At a time when a list of players from the islands ply their trade in the IPL, their returning home ruining a tour is bound to create flutters. With bilateral tours being suspended and a question mark over the player's participation in the cash rich league, its a melt down that could have been avoided if a few cool heads prevailed. But then, sensible negotiations is a quantity hard to tag in these days of chest thumping diplomacy. The whole episode is another strong indication toward crumbling international cricket. Players no longer put a premium on showcasing their skills for their countries. The burgeoning 20-20 leagues around the globe have become the main recourse for them. Its a carrot that is as easy to come by as its juicy. With just a handful of test playing nations clear of bankruptcy fears, time is nigh when only the clique of the top three that now control the ICC would really be playing any meaningful five day games. Times, they are a changing and most aficionados would not take heart from that. The gentleman's sport is now so much more closer to becoming the mercenary's gamble.

Serena Williams made sure she avenged her group stage defeat to Simona Halep in the finals of the WTA world tour final. She has been the dominant player on tour all year round, not without a few blips but has managed to round off the year in style. The challengers to her throne have been many including contemporary Sharapova and new comers like Halep. Most have dazzled like night flies without putting up a sustained fight. That she managed to get past Wozniacky in the semis after the Dane served for the match and led in the deciding tie break, is testimony to the fact that the competitive instincts remain intact within the American. One would like to call this the WTA rankings topper's twilight but the way she has blown opposition off the court, a few more years of winning majors is not out of the question. With 18 already in the bag, Margaret Courts' mind boggling all time record of 24 looks to be on the line. It would only be a question of hunger than anything else for the younger Williams as she fights forth for the highest laurel of them all.

Winner takes all

Rafael Nadal has had a few bad years with fitness issues. 2014 would count amongst one of them. With a glittering first half and a thundering 9th title on the Parisian clay, the season turned into a night mare for the Spanish matador. With back and wrist problems, he spent most of the time recuperating than competing and when it was time to return, that quite useless appendix made its presence felt. He has called time on the 2104 season opting out of the Paris masters and the world tour finals and whether the new year would bring him better luck is a question we all need to wait for an answer. With Rafa's withdrawal another slot opens up for the elite eight men season ending tourney. Murray did his chances no harm with a facile win over another man fighting for his place, David Ferrer at the Valencia open. The two men who would again be favorites to make the final and fight it out would be the top two seeds. Roger would have the additional incentive to go all out and finish at the top of the rankings should he land the title. By all means, that would be an achievement, few thought the Swiss was capable of after his troubles at the grand slams in recent years. Champions do have a way of making a mockery of popular opinion.

Real Madrid burst through two big games this week in getting past Liverpool in the Champion's League and then downing Barca at the Bernabeau. With Ronaldo in fine fettle, they are shaping up to be the team to beat this European season. With Man City losing out to the Hammers, Chelsea managed to consolidate their lead at the top. Man United and Liverpool continue to languish while the Saints occupy the second place behind the blues. Ronald Koeman's team have been a revelation this season and if they can hold their own till the Christmas games, a chance at playing Champion's League football next year is a distinct possibility.

Not the right formula

Racing circuits are supposed to get your adrenaline shooting, with competition and a good probability of magic happening. Formula one has been going from bad to worse in that department over the seasons and in spite of tinkering with the rules every year, is losing out on both on the television and the turnstiles. Racing on the water logged Suzuka track led to a sickening crash for the Frenchman Jules Bianchi and brought to the fore front safety issues plaguing the summit of motorsport. While one may argue that all protocols were followed in the wake of Adrian Sutil's crash and it was a freak accident, double yellow flags were probably not enough as coincidence showed us. In conditions where it was not possible to airlift a driver suffering from head trauma, the race still went ahead and a safety car wasn't deemed fit following a crash. There seems to be too much emphasis on getting on with the game even in the face of imminent danger. While this may be good for the coffers of the broadcasters and in turn the organizers, the lives of those who put the show together are put at stake and that certainly cannot be the right way to go. 

Sebestian Vettel has decided to leave the Red Bulls and enter uncharted territory with Ferrari. While his reasons for switching teams for a change may be true, a down swing in fortunes seemed to have played a bigger role. Having won four consecutive titles, the German has had to play second fiddle to the Mercedes duo of Hamilton and Rosberg this season. That should have hurt a bit for the ultra competitive Seb and the change looks like a step to jump a slow car. Who would his team mate be come March next year is a moot question. Fernando Alonso would surely be the one and that means new avenues beckon Kimi Raikkonen again.  The Mercedes team wrapped up the constructor's title at the inaugural Russian grand prix amidst much fanfare but the fight between the two white draped men is still on. Lewis Hamilton became only the fourth driver to win nine races in a season starting from pole and with Nico winning four more for the Brackely based outfit, only three of the sixteen races have gone to another team. Tellingly, even all of those three have been won by the defending champions. In summary, it has been another one sided season, albeit with a different car leading the points table. Red Bull has been found wanting and would surely want to strike back sooner than later. Hami has opened up a seventeen point lead over Rosberg and with just three races to go and just 100 points up for grabs, the driver's title is for the Briton's to lose. 

In pole position

The Shanghai masters had proved elusive for Federer over his career. That changed today with a hard fought win over Giles Simon. Having beaten Novak in the semis, the Swiss ace was the favorite to land his second masters 1000 title of the season and it surely didn't come easy. It took two tie breaks to settle the final and with a busy end to the season beckoning, a jump in the rankings is a welcome result for the now world number two. He would certainly play his home tourney in Basel followed by the Paris masters. The ATP world tour finals and an enticing Davis cup final is all in line for the great. Its lining up to be a strong show leading to the new season and another fight to add to that tally of seventeen.

One for the victors

The Indian contingent returned from Incheon with fewer medals when compared to 2010 and an 8th position on the medals tally. While the downturn was not catastrophic, the number of yellow metal performances left a lot to be desired. The shooters disappointed massively with just Jitu Rai living up to his reputation. Given that the guns have boomed for India at multi-sport meets as well as world championships, this would be considered a massive let down. The wrestlers and boxers only managed a few bronze finishes with Yogeshwar Dutt being the exception. The Haryana lad surely stepped out from the shadow of Sushil Kumar and the determination and grit that he wore on his sleeves was found missing in most of his compatriots. The other Punia made sure that the track and field events would not go bare. Seema Punia has been outperforming the more celebrated Krishna Poonia for some time and should surely be one of the few medal hopefuls in Rio. The 4x400m relay has been an Indian stronghold for some Asiads and the quartet of Priyanka Pawar, Tintu Lukka, Mandeep Kaur and Machettira Poovamma Raju made sure of the continuing hegemony with a games record. While she was made to fight it out to qualify for the Asian games, Mary Kom was the only pugilist to stand up and deliver. She has stood up against all odds and this gold certainly puts that extra shine on an already exemplary CV. The Sarita Devi episode is one that led to much heart burn and given that dubious decisions are part of boxing judgement, her meltdown on the podium left a sour taste in the mouth. 

There were a few pleasant surprises in the team events other than the wins in the traditional gold mines of Kabaddi. Though trailing for a significant part of the final, the men's team did manage to stage a smart come back and make it to the top. Two golds did lend an iota of respectability to the final position that India finished with. A gold in the mixed doubles tennis, squash and compound archery were welcome given that the expectations were low from these events. Sourav Ghoshal did make some amends for his upset loss in the single's finals by helping win the team event. The one gold that brought the most joy was that on the hockey field. The team led by Sardar Singh brought back the top finish after a gap of 16 years. A direct entry to the 2016 Olympics is a shot in the arm for the team that has been relegated to also rans in most events lately. That should provide some much needed boost to the sport in the country and also a chance for the team to prepare for the marquee event against stronger teams without having to worry about qualification. That they beat both Korea and Pakistan en route to the gold was heartening to watch. Some cheer to end what was largely an underwhelming performance by the athletes. There is a lot of work to be done and the euphoria of this performance should not drown the hard yards needed to even make the top 8 at the Olympics. 

Rio needs an encore

Rafael Nadal's return to the hard courts did not pan out as expected. After having lost the doubles in the opener, his comeback ended short in the quarters at the China open having lost to the qualifier Martin Klizan. With the ATP world tour finals fast approaching, things are not looking sunny for the Spanish matador. The question of whether he can bag another four grand slams to be crowned the undisputed king of all time should be answered next year. With Roger more a miss than a hit at the majors these days, the ball is certainly in Rafa's court to eke out a few more before the dodgy knees and wrists make it a bridge too far.

A handy question

What do Roger Federer and Nicholas Almagro have in common? Lets add Stan Wawrinka and Tommy Robredo to the club and make it two a piece for the Spanish and the Swiss. If you guessed it already, the next won't be a surprise but if you didn't, here is another trio, two former legends and  one in the making. Justine Henin, Pete Sampras and Grigor Dimitrov also make excellent additions to that list. For the befuddled, the aforementioned tennis professionals belong to the clique of one handed backhand exponents. If there is one thing that i find amiss on a tennis court, its the two handed backhand. Oh well, shrieks from a few fair maidens would top that but we shall not indulge ourselves in the dichotomy of screams and tennis. The flair of the single handed backhand has become increasingly difficult to appreciate in modern tennis. The endangered art though has made a smart come back after some of the names lined above have increased its visibility in the latter stages of major tourneys. What is it that two hands on a tennis racquet provide that one can't? Control is the first word that springs to mind and in a world that has a surfeit of baseline grinders, that is an invaluable arrow in the quiver. In an age where serve and volley ruled roost and power took a back seat to finesse and grace, there was little need to paint the lines with an accuracy we see today. With the advent of taut strings high on tension that rival guitars, an army of double handed backhands invaded the tennis scene in the new millennium and not without reason. Too many unforced errors and a pummeling on the weaker side led generation after generation of tennis comers to start using both upper limbs on the racquet. It was an obvious effort to stem the onslaught by owning the same weapon as the aggressor. What got lost in the transition was the thing of beauty that is a single handed backhand. If one were to draw an analogy, the former would be a hammer to the latter being the proverbial knife through the butter. A screaming back hand down the line from one hand is something that can be a source of pure ecstasy, not just to the one who executes the shot but to the one who watches the ball whistle past the net like a dream as well. Its a thing of joy as much as pure technique and confidence. And just the fact that the man who still owns the highest number of grand slam titles wields the racquet with just one hand is succor enough for souls who find guile and grace a better watch and a higher art than thumping ground strokes.

There is a new sensation on the swimming blocks. The Japanese youngster Kosuke Hagino bagged seven medals at the ongoing Asian games, four of which being gold. He won a stunning 200m freestyle and followed that up with the 200m individual medley, 4x200 freestyle relay and the 400m individual medley. At 20, he is one of the stars to look forward to post the Phelps era at the Rio and possibly the Tokyo Olympic games. His scraps with the Chinese star Sun in the 200m and 400m freestyle races won't be the last of a rivalry that should have a few more chapters written. An honorable mention for Sandeep Sejwal for landing a rare bronze in the 50m breaststroke. While the pool may have gone silent, the track and field events should continue to generate interest in the Asiad. Though there  may not be a Bolt or a Farah to light up the track, the marquee athletics events always throw up intriguing stories and glittering champions. There have been a few world records broken in the weightlifting arena and with the Chinese and the North Koreans doing bulk of the heavy lifting, the discipline should be a fruitful one for Asians at the world stage. The Indian performance has been tepid at best with most gold hopefuls in shooting settling for bronze or bowing out before the finals. A compound archery gold in addition to Jitu Rai's exploit are the only bright spots that the contingent can boast off till date. A top ten finish looks out of bounds at this point in time unless there are pleasant surprises in store.

Alpine Frost

Beyond banks, watches and milk, the Swiss flag had another reason to cheer last week. Back in 1992 when Switzerland first competed in the Davis cup finals, Marc Rosset and Jacob Hlasek could do precious little to make a dent in the firm of Sampras and Agassi. Though Rosset came through in a five setter against Jim Courier, the eventual result was never in doubt. Fast forward to 2014 and the two journey men have been replaced by a duo who have achieved stupendous success on the tennis courts. They have fought on opposite sides of the net but have also combined together to land laurels for the chocolate factory of the world. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka have led the Swiss guard into another Davis cup title tilt and for a change, they would be favorites against their alpine neighbors. Their yellow metal winning performance at the Beijing games may be a tad in the past but their performance remains as superlative. Up against the Italians, Roger sliced through both of his singles and Stan accounted for the dangerous Andreas Seppi to leave the last semi final rubber inconsequential. They will be up against France who along with Spain boast of the best pool of players in the men's ATP rankings. In Jo who throws all the punches, La Monf and Richard Gasquet, the Gallic have a strong team that made mincemeat of the powerhouse Czech Republic. Even Tomas Berdych and Nadal slayer Rusol could do little to stop the French juggernaut. As comeuppance, we now go to Lille where the French will host the Swiss to decide who raises the toast. If current form is used as the yardstick for prediction, the white cross should be seen flying high in the north of France. Can Tsonga, Gasquet and Monfils play spoil sport to land a tenth title for the French? Bon Appetit, mes amis.

 

Conspiring to be champions

Incheon is not a name that springs to mind when one thinks of global cities. The opening ceremony of the 17th Asian games however dazzled the onlookers and skeptics alike. The Asiad is the second largest gathering of athletes after the summer Olympic games and a medal here is coveted as one of the biggest prizes in sport. As always, for India, the shooting stars and the wrestlers will hold forte. Gone are the days when PT Usha would light up the athletics arena and the track and field events hold little hope for the Indian contingent. A certain Vikas Gowda may have something to say about that. At the time of writing this, the up and coming star of Indian shooting, Jitu Rai has already bagged a gold in the 50m pistol and if this is a harbinger of things to come, he is in line to double the number of individual Olympic gold winners for India. Rio can't wait. Badminton is another discipline that can add to the medals kitty. With Saina, Sindhu and Kashyap leading the charge, one can hope that the shuttle falls India's way against the traditional powerhouses of China, Korea and Japan. The pugilists would also want to turn around the ignominy being faced by the Indian Boxing administration. Can they beat the haul of 14 golds from 2010. Hope lives eternal.

End of an era

The last time it happened was in early 2005 at the Australian Open. A decade has gone by since a grand slam final will not feature at least one of Federer, Nadal, Novak or Murray. As staggering as that piece of stat is, it puts in perspective the dominance of the quartet that ushered in the golden era in men's tennis. As with all good things, the end of this hegemony seems near and the gong has been beaten. And how. Not many saw Maran  Cilic and Kei Nishikori upset the top two seeds in a day and the way Cilic blasted Roger off the court was a sight to behold. We will have four separate grand slam champions on the men's side this year and two of them would be outside the big four. The open era should truly be open very soon but the proponents of a rivalry that amazed us over the last few years can stand proud in what they have achieved. As for the prediction for the champion, Kei may have the legs but Maran should comfortably pull the rug from underneath those with serves that remind one of his coach's exploits.

When you part ways, you play your part better. Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki may have called it quits but it certainly aint showing in their games. Rory shot down the field to bag the Open Championships and is now widely considered to be the man to beat on a golf course. He is the numero uno in the standings and the front runner to top the birdie and eagle charts when it comes to the majors. His erstwhile fiancee, Caro the Dane did not live up to her billing while she was number one on the WTA rankings. Having not won a grand slam, she was always considered to be at the top by the design of her fellow players rather than her own doing. She will have a good chance to undo that blot today. She goes up against the indefatigable Serena Williams for the US Open crown and while she will be the underdog, reputations count for little on this grand stage as a couple of fighters showed on the men's side of the draw. Serena would try to blast her off with her serves but if the number 10 seed can get a reasonable number of returns back, we may have a game on our hands.

Louis van Gaal's initiation has been stiffer than expected. Many believed he would be the rainmaker for the struggling devils in the new season but has not been able to hit the ground running. With two losses and a draw in the first three games, a repeat of last season's horror show raises its ugly head in the minds of the Old Trafford faithful. He has roped in the charismatic Di Maria to inject some much needed boost at front but whether the Argentine can prove to be an "Angel" for the Dutchman is a question only time will answer. Chelsea and Liverpool have started well, the former buoyed with Diego Costa's form and the latter untroubled with the departure of Luis Suarez. Swansea have been the surprise table leaders with three wins out of three but with the season in its infancy, the listings will change quickly. Liverpool have drawn Real Madrid in the Champion's League group fixtures and while both will hope to qualify for next round, a hiccup for either side may mean early curtains at the European stage.

Grappling pride

Sushil Kumar is one of my favorite athletes. In a land of sporting mediocrity, he shines like a lone star. A double Olympic medalist, he is a beacon to the burgeoning flock of wrestlers that form the mainstay of Indian hopes at any sporting meet. The mat has brought laurels to others like Yogeshwar Dutt and Amit Kumar who have followed in the steps of this soft spoken champion. What is remarkable about Sushil is that he steals the limelight only in the arena. Once he is off the mat, there are no flash lights, no shenanigans till the next available opportunity to ply his trade. The Glasgow games brought him another gold following up on his yellow metal performance in New Delhi. For someone to have performed at the biggest stage consistently, he is surprisingly short of the tantrums that most other famous Indian sportsmen throw. The Indian wrestling community looks in fine fettle and Rio should bring in more podium finishes than London if they grapple true to form under the leadership of this deserving fighter. Enjoy the adoration this Canadian wrestler shares with me for the Haryana lad.

Sri Lanka is generally a fortress. To win a test series on the dust bowls of Colombo and Kandy takes more than just cricketing skill. That Dale Steyn bowled the Proteas to thrilling series win over the tigers is testimony to the genius of the fast bowler. The grit shown by the South Africans to draw the second test after winning the first should put to shame another team that drowned in ignominy trying to protect its thin lead. Hashim Amla has had a cracking start to his test captaincy and has shown that he is not averse to taking a few bold decisions to win tests unlike a lot of the current crop of skippers. He also got a fine ton to prove that he certainly is going to lead by example. The Saffas are back to the numero uno position in the test rankings and if this recent performance is anything to go by, they are not going to let their grip loosen any time soon.

King Kallis bid adieu to cricket while being with the rhinos. Jacques boasts of numbers that would put any batsman or bowler worth his salt in green envy. Is he better than Sobers? I would say so. The great West Indian didn't have to push his body as much as South African needed to. Kallis scored runs in seaming conditions and took a bundle of wickets on the flat decks of Asia. There are few better slip fielders and some of his catches in the outfield are stuff of legend. He would hang his boots with just one regret, that of not leading his side to a major ICC trophy. He gave up on his dream to play one final world cup and in that showed honesty and courage that most sportsmen cannot muster. He has been the leading light for a generation of all rounders and will always find a place in the pantheons of greats.

Eight in sight

There is something about grass that the seven time champion relishes. Probably its his footwork that makes him glide on worn courts where others crash and burn. Or may be its that aura of royalty that sits so lightly on his shoulders as it does in the spectator box. Roger Federer may not be his former self on other surfaces but put him on grass and he is a force of nature even in the twilight of his career. The post match remarks lay bare the disappointment that he carried with last year's shock exit. But this year has made amends. Well, almost. The Swiss maestro is in his ninth Wimbledon final. He has won seven of the previous eight having lost out to his nemesis in one. On the other side of the court would be another indomitable former champion in Novak. The new guard has been thwarted, only if temporarily. The Dimitrovs, Kyrgyoses and Raonics of the world will have to wait another year to make an attempt to topple the hegemony of old. Djokovic has been making grand slam finals with the same regularity as Roger used to do in his prime. The hitch however is that the Serb has been on the losing side more often than not and that would rankle. The two always serve up a delicacy and there won't be any let ups on center court come Sunday in probably the biggest tennis match on the tennis calender. A betting man would put his money on the younger contender but with Federer having lost just one game on serve whole tournament, the advantage may be nullified. Would it be a record breaking number eight for the man from Basel? It would certainly be an icing on what has been an already good year with a second set of twins arriving. Maybe the four young Feds will be in presence to see their illustrious father grace the trophy one more time. Amen to that.

There have been stutters and falls on the ladies side of SW19. With Serena getting knocked out early, it was Sharapova's tourney for the taking. But the German Kerber had other ideas. What we have left now is a former champion and an attack minded Canadian to fight for the spoils. Kvitova has the experience to go all the way but Genie Bouchard would have the crowd on her side. Their won't be any dearth of power tennis on show and unless the young and exhilarating Eugenie gets caught in the headlights of big match nerves, we may have a new queen on the lawns of Wimbledon. Its time to sit back and enjoy a couple of humdingers on grassy knolls.

The Maracana awaits its boys. The first set of quarters in Brazil have thrown up a South American and a European contender for the football world cup. Brazil are through against free flowing Columbia and Germany managed to scrape through in a scrappy affair against France. Whether the Ticos can upset the Dutch and the Belgians can get pass Messi would become clear in a night. The tournament that started with a deluge of goals is now turning into a more tactical affair with nettings becoming as rare as Asians in the second round. Most knock out matches have been won on slender margins and that does take the sheen off the marquee event. Whether we will see something special in the home stretch is debatable but what is not is that the home crowd will have their interest perfectly piqued for the semis. Its been an up and down affair and what the neutral would want is for the talented Netherlands to break their unfortunate duck on the world stage.

Get a kick

The cup of joy is back in its spiritual home. Amidst protests and social unrest, the bonhomie of the soccer world cup is succor to the latin American country where "Christ the redeemer" towers above them all. A sea of yellow welcomed the first game and for a brief moment all the anguish and troubles that threatened to derail the greatest show on earth seemed to ebb away. Neymar is to Brazil what probably Ronaldo is to their former colonial rulers. The messiah stood up in style to score a brace, notwithstanding the generosity from the Japanese official. It was a start that most people except the Croats hoped for and in delivering it, the Samba boys made sure that the joy will last a little bit longer. Tiki-taka took a hit from total football with the Dutch slamming a round five against the defending champions. It was a rude wake up call for del Bosque's boys who conquered all before them last time around in Africa. Will the Spanish be able to veer around this setback or fly back home in a hurry is a question that has only a Chilean answer. Who will be crowned in Rio come the 14th of July is certainly debatable especially with no Paul at hand to help out. Will England top all their previous disappointments to double up on Geoff Hurst's 1966 success? Or will it be the perennial favorites in Italy, Germany or Argentina that would have tears of joy when the fat lady sings? If i were a betting man looking for sporting odds, Belgium may be the dark horses to take the cake, thought what would really be a sight for sore eyes is a team from the original continent landing a much awaited triumph.

That Rafael Nadal won the French Open again is no longer a surprise. He may land on the Parisian dirt on crutches and will still be the favorite. What surprised me was the way in which the challenger threw in the towel. Novak started off with a good first set but to his own peril was way below par for the next three. Every year, the Spanish matador and his troops arrive saying that it would be impossible to win and run away with the trophy as if it was a birthday present. One wonders if the Roland Garros can hold the tournament only to declare the runners up. As always, the English grass courts follow the French clay. Wimbledon is little more unpredictable and if Andy wants to do a two pete after exorcising the ghosts last year, he will need more than just Amelie Mauresmo by his side. His form has been patchy and with the top two still going strong, the British may be in for a heart break this time around after last year's copious tears of ecstasy. The strawberries and cream are waiting and with the season already throwing up a new grand slam winner, another one may well be on the SW19 cards.

The hockey world cup in Hague ran on expected lines with the flying Dutchmen slated to taken on the mighty Aussies in the final. I managed to catch some action and the ball control that the men from down under display both in attack and defense is a sight to behold. Traps and tackles that other teams dream of are executed with clock work like precision. It would take the hosts a big slice of fortune to stop the marauding Aussies. While Europe dominates the scene on the astro turf, Asian representation has been reduced to a stage of just making up numbers. Neither of India, S Korea or Malaysia managed to make their presence felt. Its a story of decadence for the erstwhile home of hockey.

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.

You will never walk alone

The kop is buzzing this season. Anfield hasn't had it so good for some years and the Reds have given their fans something to cheer about. With five games to play, Brendan Rodger's team lead the table by a small but important two points. Liverpool have been the perennial under performers in the recent history of the premier league, ironically enough given their free scoring ways. It has been a calendar that has brought back memories of glory days past. Luis Suarez has put his delinquent days behind and his prolific form in front of the goal has put him within striking distance of a record number of goals in a season. He has partnered well with cap Gerrard and is in line to be named the PFA player of the year. The other team in reds however has suffered a decline in fortunes with the departure of their talisman manager. David Moyes hasn't been able to live up to the expectations of the United fans with his team not in the reckoning for the Champions League title this year and fighting to bag a spot in the premier competition the next. In contrast the Blues have made the semis again and are running Liverpool close for the league title. The chosen one certainly has made a difference for the London side. The clash between Liverpool and ManCity tonight would go a long way in determining who would ultimately lift the premiership but the end to the Machester hegemony has certainly added an element of mystique to the EPL. 

Two Spanish, one German and one English team would vie for the Champions League which is a fair summary of the quality of soccer played in the different European leagues. The two Madrid sides in Real and Atletico would want to make in an all Spanish affair in Lisbon. Standing in their way are Bayern and Chelsea respectively. Munich in particular would be looking to justify the favorites tag they carry being the defending champions. They are one of the strongest sides in European football and a match up against Real Madrid is worthy of a final but the draw of lots doesn't always serve up fanciful results.

The formula one season is also under way and there has been a lot of noise about the lack of it with the new hybrid engines not being able to pump adrenaline with their meek sounds. The Mercedes team has done a Red Bull at the start of the season with all three races in  Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain bagged by the UK based outfit. Lewis Hamilton has won two but Nico Rosberg leads the championship race by the virtue of finishing all three races and won one. Force India climbed the podium after an extended lean period. Unless the other teams can get a little more fizz out of their ensembles, its gearing up to be another run away by one team, albeit a different one. One wonders why a changes in specifications leaves such a big gap between constructors making it a wee bit maudlin for the fans.

Augusta had to get the Masters underway without Tiger in a long time. The conditions have not been ideal and previous champions like Mickelson and Angel have had to bite the cut. Bubba Watson leads the way at the time of writing this with a second win in three years well in sight. Unless he has a meltdown akin to Rory, the green jacket should sit on his proud shoulders again. Debutant Jordan Spieth has a good chance to eclipse Woods who won his maiden Masters aged 21 years and three months. Under par scores have been difficult to come by in hot and fast Georgian conditions and a few birdies may seal the fate of the contenders.

Turning the clock back

Two men with their names etched in the history of the games they embellish have staged a rear guard challenge, the naysayers never thought them capable of. Champions are so because they believe in themselves and not the press. Arm chair critics have long written premature obituaries but the last nail in the coffin is not struck till the hand is of their own. To temper the blow of age with a mix of experience and skill is painstakingly difficult if not impossible. To have managed the trick with such aplomb is testimony to the rarefied competence of these legends.

Khanty Mansiysk, Russia is one of the colder places on the face of earth. That it was host to the qualification candidates tourney for the World Chess Championship 2014 would have raised the degrees by a notch. The winner would earn the right to challenge the "Mozart" Carlsen for the title of world champion. With eight of the strongest GMs battling their wits, this was one of the strongest field fighting for the honor. Vishy Anand made it only on the back of being the losing half of the championship match last year. The start of the year at London and Zurich was bleak and the clamor for retirement had gone up a few decibels. He arrived in Russia as the sixth seed and an expectation to finish in the top four. Armenia's proudest son Levon Aronian was considered the strong favorite. The five time world champion was out bar the official announcement. Would Vishy last the grueling 14 rounds of intensive battle or go down meekly as he had against the genius of Magnus in Chennai. If the first round was anything to go by, the Anand of past had resurfaced. He caught the favorite off guard and a facile win with white was all he needed to kick start his fight. What transpired over the next few days is surely going to become part of chess folk lore. While the others in the fray displayed an inconsistency expected of Vishy, he played chess as if free of any burden ending up as the only undefeated man with 3 wins to boot. The oldest man in the challenge, the Madras tiger has once again bared his fangs. Come November, he would get another chance to lock horns with his nemesis to win back the coveted crown. Whether Vishy crosses that final hurdle will only time tell but in getting thus far, he has just put a stamp on what the great Kasporov said " He embarrasses people who ask for his retirement".

2013 was a year Roger Federer would like to forget in a hurry. With back problems and his confidence at a nadir, there were only straws to clutch at for the GOAT. The murmurs of disquiet about the Swiss no longer being able to run with the top men were getting louder. On the wrong side of 30 and with no double handed back hand to lend him that extra power, Roger finally shifted to the larger racquet head he had been experimenting with. A semi-final place at Melbourne that included a win against the redoubtable Djokovic indicated that the maestro may be on his way back up. He had dropped down to 8 in the ATP rankings and even the comers fancied their chances of getting the better of the man once invincible on the tennis courts. A win in Dubai and a final at the BNP Paribas at Indian Wells have rocked him back in the top 4 with a further rise to 3 quite probable. The other challengers in Murray, Del Potro, Ferrer and Berdych have all been marred by inconsistency and the first few months of the season bode well for Roger to increase his tally of slams. Next up on the calender is the clay court season which has been taken on the platter by Rafa for more years than one can remember. The grass at Wimbledon would provide the best chance for the seven time champion to get one back at the doomsayers. A relaxed and aggressive game that he has displayed this season will go a long way in decorating the twilight of his already distinguished career.