Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Brief Sports Update for September 10th, 2013

Tennis - Rafa Wins 13th Grand Slam!


Yes, that's right - Nadal followed up on the tremendous momentum on hard courts that he had built earlier in the year, by winning the US Open. He now has a very serious chance at not only reclaiming the world number one ranking, overtaking his rival (and last night's opponent) Djokovic in the process, but also of ending this year as the top ranked men's tennis player, for what would be his third time ever.

By winning last night, he won his second US Open, which means that he only has to win the Australian Open title once more to achieve the career Grand Slam twice over. Not even the great Roger Federer managed to do that! Also, he seems to be catching up to Federer. By winning his thirteenth career Grand Slam event, he is one shy of Pete Sampras, who won what was then a record 14th Grand Slam at the same US Open, back in 2002. Federer has won 17 Grand Slam titles overall, still easily the record.

But I will make a prediction here: not only will Nadal soon equal Sampras's mark of fourteen Grand Slam titles won, but he will someday match, and then surpass, Roger Federer's record of seventeen, as well. He is still young and, obviously, still very much in the prime of his career. I could be wrong, but I think he has an excellent shot at winning the Australian Open to begin 2014 so long as he stays healthy, and moreover, it is hard to see anyone beating him at Rolland Garros, as well.

This is Rafa's time now!



Monday Night Football Doubleheader

Philadelphia 33, Washington 27

Yes, I was wrong in predicting the Washington Redskins to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles. But Philly was just so bad last year, I did not think they would raise their game quite that much, and so quickly, to boot!

But they showed a lot of speed on the offensive side, and sem to utilize all of their talent in the best manner possible. This was the kind of play that a lot of people have expected from the Eagles for the last few years, when they were struggling. It was a new kind of offense that the Eagles showed.

As for the Redskins, they did mount a serious comeback, after falling behind badly. But it proved too little, too late. Griffith seems to be back, but he has his work cut out for him. And I still stand by my convictions regarding him that his team relies too heavily on him.


Houston 31, San Diego 28

Wow! What a game last night between these two!

I had expected a Houston win but, truth be told, my assumption was that they would dominate. Imagine my surprise, when watching the Chargers just pummel the Texans, taking a seemingly commanding 28-7 lead, and pushing Houston all over the field.

Maybe Houston really isn't that good, I thought.

Perish the thought!

Houston, like Washington, mounted a furious comeback of their own. Only they actually succeeded, rather improbably. They came all the way back in a game where they were trailing almost the entire time, and won with a field goal on the last play of the game, averting not just an upset, but what would have proved to be a major disappointment to start the season.


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