Watch out when you make Serena mad. Wiliams seemed to decide to get down to business. She was visibly fired up. She won the next three games including a break in Azarenka’s serve, taking the first set 7-5. Williams attacked with sheer power rather than finesse, her best approach with the windy conditions still bothering her.
The winner of the first set has gone on to win the last 18 championships. It would be no different this year, but it was a long hard fight.
Williams broke Azarenka’s serve in the first game of the second set. Azarenka is no quitter, but the shift in momentum was obvious. Getting whipped with service aces between 114 and 119 miles per hour will shut anyone down. The second break for Williams came when Azarenka double faulted on her serve.


Victoria Azarenka serves against Serena Williams during the women’s singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament Sunday. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
It seemed over at this point. But Azarenka fought her way back, with help from a few unforced errors by Williams and her own excellent play, especially when coming to the net. From a 4-1 deficit, Azarenka brought the set back to 6-6, then won a close tiebreak to take the second set. Once again the wind got into Williams’ head, and her frustration was distracting her.
It came down to the third set, and again came down to unforced errors. Azarenka let Williams get a service break in the fourth game due to unforced errors. Williams  regained her edge, and delivered her hardest service ace of the match in the fifth game of the third set, 126 miles per hour. Azarenka did it again in the sixth game, double faultng to put Williams up 5-1 and serving for the match.
Williams won the game, set, match and America’s championship, 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 in two hours and 46 minutes. It was the longest women’s championship match since the tournament has been keeping track, 1980.
After congratulating Azarenka, Williams shouted in triumph to the crowd. It is Williams’ fifth U.S. Open singles title, third Grand Slam title this year, and her 17th Grand Slam title overall in singles. She is the oldest U.S. Open women’s champion just shy of her 32nd birthday. She won $2.6 million in prize money, plus another $1 million for placing first in the Emirates Bonus Challenge.
After warm applause from the crowd, Azarenka told Mary Carillo of CBS, “It is a tough loss. But to be in the final against a tough player who deserves the win is incredible. We fought hard.”

Serena Williams shows her fifth U.S. Open women’s singles trophy to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Photo: Associated Press, David Goldman.
Williams told Carillo after the match “I definately felt the love, so thank you all so much. It’s an honor to play in New York.” Turning to Azarenka, Wiliams said “Vica is such a great opponent, such a great fighter … It was never over until match point.”

Source: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/sports-around/2013/sep/8/us-open-tennis-2013-serena-williams-wins-photos-su/

Is there a more divisive character in world soccer? Apparently not. Suarez, L'enfant terrible and football genius tells a Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde story. From the bitings, hand balls and diving accusations to sublime skills, goals. This has become the spilt personality of soccer's prodigal son.

Any other player who has gathered such negativity around him, would have been let go by the club.

Even the drama of wanting to leave for Arsenal during the transfer, only reinforced the club's desire to retain his services. Such is the importance and regard, Liverpool have for Saurez. And I will explore why.

1. Free Kicks

Other than Gerard, Suarez is the main danger from set pieces for the Reds. Notching up wonderful freekick goals last season. The ones he scored against  Zenith st. Petersburg comes in mind.

2. 110% Commitment

Call him what you like. Nobody can doubt the energy, desire and all round commitment that Suarez brings to the Liverpool cause. His energy galvanizes his team mates in more action. 

3. Backup for Sturridge

Right now, the new boy Daniel Sturridge is the Kop's favorite. Notching the vital goals so far. But any team is stronger with Suarez sitting on the bench, providing an option for the manager, in case Sturridge's form drops or he gets injured.

4. Not just Goals, but High Conversion rate.

Suarez converted 16/30 “big chances” for Liverpool last season in Premier League play. That’s a conversion rate of 53%. (7amkickoff) The highest in the league last season. If you prefer goals, then 19 goals, one every 117 mins.

5. Merchandizing

Clubs still need fans to buy merchandise and fill the stadium seat. Suarez is a crowd puller and mostly for the right reasons.

With the transfers window finally closed, I now write my yearly review and analysis of some select teams in the English premier League. This years championship promises to be very interesting and balanced. For the first time in a long while, we actually have six teams that have realistic chances of winning the league. 

The reigning champions, Manchester United, will be without their iconic manager , Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time in 25 years. His successor, David Moyes, formerly the Manager of Everton would like to assure any doubters at Old Trafford that he is the right man for the job. 

Whereas in King's Road, Chelsea's iconic Manager has returned "home" and will be looking forward to rekindling the successive championship success of 2005-2007 seasons. This Chelsea team, though it has remnants of those glory days, is quite different. It will be interesting to see how the rechristened "Happy One" will mould this younger, somewhat less talented side to the championship winning side of his first incarnation. 

The Spurs and the Man. City have spend close to $200 million between them to fortify the squads. Liverpool has also brought in some good players and most crucially, stopped their talisman, Luis Suarez from joining Arsenal. Wenger, in a statement of intent, uncharacteristically broke the club's transfer record to bring in Mesut Ozil from Real madrid

Without much further ado, read the predictions below.

Arsenal

Trophy-less for eight seasons now. Frustrated Arsenal faithfuls will be longing for the glory days to return again. Wenger responding to the yearnings for a marquee signing and bought Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record fee of $66 million. Only time will tell whether it is the right signing Arsenal needs, considering Giroud is currently the only striker Arsenal have,since Podoski's injury.  Arsenal made fourth place last season but only just. This season they have started well, especially with a win over potential rivals and neighbors, Tottenham. A second place finish might be the best this maturing Arsenal side can do for now.

Warning: Injuries might derail their season.


In: Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid £42.5m, Mathieu Flamini Milan, free, Yaya Sanogo Auxerre, free, Emiliano Viviano Palermo, loan

Out: Gervinho Roma, £8m, Vito Mannone Sunderland, £1.5m, Marouane Chamakh Crystal Palace, free, André Santos Flamengo, undisc, Andrey Arshavin Zenit St Petersburg, free, Denilson São Paulo, free

Final Position - 2nd

Chelsea

Don't underestimate the winning value of the Mourinho effect.  The Happy One brings box office to the league and will inherit Fergie's crown as its top dog.

It remains to be seen which tactics, Mourinho will employ in his quest to guide his side to championship victory. Will we see the counter-attacking system, he deployed in his stint with the Galaticos? Or do we see a return to workman like system used in his first stint as Chelsea boss. A giveaway will be the players, he has purchased to fit into the system he hopes to use. As usual, Mourinho favors physically strong players with a high work rate over guile and flair.  Although, this Chelsea team lacks the quality of the 2005-7 side, the Special One's experience will prove too much for the opposing pretenders to the throne.

Warning: Expect a Wimbledon-seque ride.

In: Willian Anzhi £32m, André Schürrle Bayer Leverkusen, £18m, Marco van Ginkel Vitesse Arnhem, £9m, Christian Atsu Porto, £3.5m, Cristian Cuevas O’Higgins, £3m, Mark Schwarzer Fulham, free, Samuel Eto’o Anzhi, free

Out: Victor Moses Liverpool, loan, Jeffrey Bruma PSV Eindhoven, £2.5m, Ross Turnbull Doncaster, free, Florent Malouda Trabzonspor, free

Position: 1st 

Liverpool

The most decorated team in English football will be looking to getting back on their perch. It will be ironic, if they succeed in doing that in the first year of absence of the man responsible for eroding their status as the kings of English football. Brenden Rogers has done the best business in the transfer window. Retaining the petulant Suarez, and bringing in quality signing such as Simon Mignolet, who might well be the key to Liverpool regaining their Champions League position. Sturridge and Countinho seem to have struck a cord. Hopefully, their symphony maybe what the Reds needs to propel them to the top of the league. The last time Liverpool started well, they almost won it. Could history repeat itself? Probably, and I won't put it pass them. Without the distractions of Champions League football, the Scousers could focus all their efforts in reclaiming their position as the best team in the land.

Warning: Control Suarez.


In Mamadou Sakho PSG, £12m, Iago Aspas Celta Vigo, £9m, Simon Mignolet Sunderland, £9m, Luis Alberto Seville, £6.8m, Tiago Ilori Sporting Lisbon, £6.8m, Kolo Touré Manchester City, free, Victor Moses Chelsea, loan

Out Andy Carroll West Ham, £15m, Stewart Downing West Ham, £5m, Jonjo Shelvey Swansea, £5m, Jay Spearing Bolton, £2m, Dani Pacheco AD Alcorcon, undisc

Position: 3rd

Manchester United

There is a saying that Sir Ferguson sitting on the ManUtd bench, brings the team, an extra 12 points plus fergie time. Already, the change of guard has cost ManU points from  unfavorable crucial refereeing decisions: A penalty versus Chelsea, 5 yellow cards against Liverpool. During the match against Liverpool, some might have been asking, "What would the great man do to turn the game around"? When their biggest rivals were a goal ahead for much of the game. Such is the burden, Moyes faces as he steps into, probably the biggest shoes in world football.

Warning: A blip of poor form will draw doubts,unfair Fergie comparision on Moyes.

In Marouane Fellaini Everton, £27.5m, Guillermo Varela Penarol, £2.4m

Out Bebé Pacos de Ferreira, loan, Sean McGinty Sheffield United, free, Frederic Veseli Ipswich, free, John Cofie Barnsley, free, Reece Brown Watford, free, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Scott Wootton Leeds United, undisclosed

Position: 4th

ManCity

Once again, the blue side of Manchester has spent heavily to fortified their side for this season's champaign after the poor defense of their championship last season. Even the Coach Manchin was not spared as Mancity management try to right the wrongs of wretched champaign. The new additions that Pellegrini brought will need time to settle into fast pace of the premier league. Known for a 4-4-2 formation, Pellegrini will look to forge a winning side from a chaotic dressing room.City might have all the money in the abundance but they lack team spirit. Sadly, that is what wins titles.

Warning: Pellegrini needs to check the egos.


In Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk, £30m, Stevan Jovetic Fiorentina, £22m, Jésus Navas Seville, £17m, Alvaro Negredo Seville, £16.4m, Martín Demichelis Atlético Madrid, £3.5m

Out Carlos Tévez Juventus, £10m, Denis Suárez Barcelona, £1.3m, Maicon Roma, undiscl, Wayne Bridge Reading, free, Roque Santa Cruz Málaga, free, Kolo Touré Liverpool, free, Gareth Barry Everton, loan

Position: 5th 

Tottenham

Over $100m spent on players this season by Spurs. Villa-Boas has assembled an army capable of going toe-toe with any team. Questions will be asked of the impact of Bale's loss. Hopefully, someone from the new recruits will fill Bale's void. This Spurs side is quality. Unfortunately, one will have to wait till the second half of the season to see it.

Warning: Gel quickly or Fade out.

In Erik Lamela Roma, £30m, Roberto Soldado Valencia, £26m, Paulinho Corinthians, £17m, Christian Eriksen Ajax, £11.5m, Étienne Capoue T oulouse, £9m, Vlad Chiriches Steaua Bucharest, £8.5m, Nacer Chadli FC Twente, £7m

Out Gareth Bale Real Madrid, £86m, Steven Caulker Cardiff, £8m, Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders, £6m, Tom Huddlestone Hull, £5m, Scott Parker Fulham, £2m. Benoît Assou-Ekotto QPR, loan, Tom Carroll QPR, loan

Position:6th
The Eventual League Table
1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester United.
5. ManCity
6.Tottenham.

Gareth Bale has been presented to Real Madrid supporters following his world record £85.3m (100m euros) transfer from Tottenham.

The Wales forward received a rapturous reception after stepping out on stage in a dark suit in front of more than 20,000 fans at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Speaking in Spanish, the 24-year-old told fans: "It is a dream to be here in Madrid. Thank you for this welcome."

Bale was then paraded on the pitch wearing the number 11 shirt.

Bale's arrival in Madrid was so popular that fans had to have tickets to get into the Bernabeu

Bale, who scored 21 league goals for Tottenham last season, agreed a £300,000 per week, six-year deal with Real on Sunday evening and passed a medical on Monday morning.

Confirmation of the transfer, which eclipsed the £80m Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, followed a summer-long saga involving extensive negotiations between the player, Spurs and Real.

Real fans queued up outside the Bernabeu on Monday before flooding into the stadium to greet their new idol.

They wore replica shirts emblazoned with the player's name, waved scarves and chanted Bale's name during a 10-minute welcome speech from club president Florentino Perez.

"Bale is an exceptional player," said Perez. "The negotiations have been intense, complicated and prolonged, but finally we have achieved our aim and we are delighted to welcome him as part of our team."

Bale juggled a ball on the pitch before kicking several into the crowd

Addressing Bale directly, he added: "We are the most demanding club in the world but we will always be by your side.

"Many of the best players in the world have graced this pitch and you are now following in their footsteps.

"This is your stadium, this is your shirt, these are your supporters. From today on, this is your home and that of your entire family. Welcome to your team, welcome to Real Madrid."

After a short address in Spanish and English, Bale was joined on stage by his family, including baby daughter Alba Violet, for photographs, before heading off to change into his new kit.

Source: bbc.com

On Monday Vladimir Kramnik won the World Cup in Tromsø, Norway. The 14th World Champion easily held a draw with the black pieces — in fact when Dmitry Andreikin realized he was getting into trouble, he offered a draw on move 34.

Photos by Paul Truong

After 23 days of chess, and a tournament that started with 128 players from all over the world, the FIDE World Cup finally came to an end on Monday. Dmitry Andreikin needed to beat Vladimir Kramnik to force a tiebreak, but didn't manage to do so. In a much better position, Kramnik accepted his opponent's draw offer with a smile and became the winner of the 2013 World Cup. A deserved winner!

Andreikin's strategy for that last classical game made sense, and was somewhat similar to Garry Kasparov's opening choice in 1987 in Seville, when he needed to beat Anatoly Karpov to tie the match and keep his title. A quiet English opening (Kasparov also played 1.c4!), some manoeuvring, and trying to get something going.

Andreiking managed to get a lively position, and when he pushed his g-pawn he was quite optimistic, but Kramnik always felt comfortable and the computer agrees.

Source: chessvibes.com

The World Cup will be starting in Brazil in 2014 and in terms of preparations for the African Champions ,Super Eagles of Nigeria, it has been so far so good. The qualifiers have provided a sturdy test and judging by her performance with a depleted side at  concluded Confederation Cup showed that , with her best players, the Super Eagles can compete with the world's greatest teams.

Nigeria surely can what no African nation has done: which is win the World Cup.  But they need to have the right blend of players. With hordes of players scattered across the globe,  it would not a mean feat to select the best to spear head the challenge for the World soccer title.That is what I have a taken the liberty to compile - The Team list of Nigerian players that could win the world cup for her.

Goal Keeper
Enyeama Victor

Since 2002, he has played for the national team of Nigeria. He currently plays for Lille OSC who he signed for in June 2011.Enyeama was selected for the 2002 World Cup as a cover for Ike Shorunmu. He only played one match in that tournament, keeping a clean sheet against England, and took over the spot after Shorunmu's international retirement. Since then he has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, playing in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, 2006 African Cup of Nations, and indeed all African Cup of Nations till 2013 except for the 2008 edition in Ghana where he lost his position to Austin Ejide. In the 2006 CAN, he stopped three penalties in the quarter-final against Tunisia, but could not prevent a loss to Côte d'Ivoire in the semi-final. Goalkeeper Enyeama turned out the hero for the Nigerians as he saved Thomas Nyirenda's spot kick after both teams had scored their previous three kicks. He put his own kick past his opposite number Mweene in a battle of the goalkeepers, after Mweene had scored his seconds earlier, to set up a semi-final clash with Ghana, which Nigeria lost 1–0 only to end up settling for the third place by beating Algeria by a slim 1–0 victory margin.

Vincent Enyeama justified claims as one of the best shot-stoppers in football at the moment, with a defiant display to restrict Argentina to a 1–0 win in their Group B 2010 FIFA World Cup match.

Echiejile(Defender)
Echiéjilé simply known as Elderson, is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for S.C. Braga in Portugal, as a left defender.Elderson was a member of the Nigerian U-20 team at the 2007 World Cup in Canada, playing five matches and scoring once. Having made his debuts for the senior side in 2009, he was picked for the following year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, appearing in two group stage matches in an eventual group stage exit.

Ambrose(Defender)

 plays as a centre back or right back for Scottish Premiership club Celtic and the Nigeria national football team.Ambrose has represented Nigeria at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the Summer Olympics and at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Omereuo(Defender)

On 9 January 2013, at the age of 19 he played for the senior team for the first time in a goalless draw against Cape Verde. He then went on to play in all of Nigeria's matches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria went on to win the competition for the third time

Sunday Mba (Central Midfielder)
He was a member of the Nigeria C team that won the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup. He made his senior debut in the Eagles' 0–0 tie against Angola in January 2012. He scored a brace against Liberia in his next game.He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.He scored the winning goal in Nigeria's 2–1 quarter-final win over Côte d'Ivoire. On February 10, 2013, in the final against Burkina Faso, he scored the first and only goal of the game, to hand Nigeria their third Africa Cup of Nations title.

Nosa Igiebor (Central Midfielder)

commonly known as Nosa or Nosa Igiebor, is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Real Betis as an attacking midfielder.He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Musa Ahmed

Musa represented the Nigeria national under-20 football team in the U-20 World Cup held in Colombia, where he scored three goals in five matches. Musa was included by FIFA in shortlist of 10 candidates for the Adidas Golden Ball, which was awarded to the most outstanding player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.On 7 December 2011, Ahmed Musa was one of the four nominees named for the Confederation of African Football Most Promising Talent Award, however the award went to Tottenham Hotspur's Souleymane Coulibaly. He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.He was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

 

Mikel Obi (Attacking Midfielder)

In the summer of 2005, Mikel played for Nigeria at the FIFA World Youth Championships held in the Netherlands. He had an excellent tournament until Nigeria reached the final, where they lost 2–1 to Argentina. Obi won the Silver Ball after being voted the tournament's second best player.

Victor Moses (Attacker)
plays for Chelsea. Moses can play in a variety of positions, but in the first-team games he has taken part in so far, Moses has mostly played as a winger. Born in Nigeria, he has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, but opted to play for the Nigerian national team as opposed to being fully capped for England.

Uche Nwafor (Attacker)
Is a new comer to the scene .Scoring a brace in Nigeria victory over rivals, South Africa,in the Mandela Challenge 2013.Nwofor also announced his arrival in Europe by scoring on his debut for VVV Venlo in a thrilling 3:3 home draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch top-flight. 

Emmanuel Emenike (Attacker )

He scored in Nigeria's opening AFCON match against Burkina Faso in a 1-1 draw. He also scored the first goal in the quarter final match between Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire which Nigeria won 2-1. On 3 February, Emenike scored a 30-yard free kick giving his country a 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire in the African Cup of Nations.

In 2013, he became part of the third Nigerian team to win the African Cup of Nations - Nigeria's first continental victory since 1994. His four goals proved crucial to Nigeria's progress through the tournament, and he was named to the team of the African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament.However, Emenike wasn't included in the final, due to thigh injury.He also received the Pepsi Tournament Top Scorer, with four goals, along with Ghana's Wakaso Mubarak. This secured him the Pepsi Tournament Top Scorer with four goals and three assist, having played fewer minutes than Mubarak, who also had three goals and no assist.Emmanuel Emenike was also part of the Nigerian team that won the tournament in 2013.

                                          

      The team will be spotting a 3-5-2 formation.

                                        Emmanuel Emenike                               Uche Nwafor  
                                                                             
                                 Ahmed  Musa                      Mike Obi                 Victor Moses

                                                                       
                                                Nosa Igiebor                       Sunday Mba

                                   Echiejile                             Ambrose                      Omereuo

                                                                Enyeama Victor

Subs:Onazi,Ejide,Osaze,Oboabona,

Sources:Wikipedia

Rumors has it that Real Madrid is trying to sign Gareth Bale for $105million to kick a round leather ball. If all goes according to plan,then it will certainly be the world record for the highest transfer fee for a soccer player. Which begs the question, is Bale really worth that much or in fact is any player worth that much? Obviously not!
One factor responsible for the high transfer fee is the escape clause in Bale's contract.Since his contract expires a long time from now, Tottenham are in no hurry to sell. And would love to hold on to their star man for a while longer in their quest for a top four finish.
But that does not fully explain why a Real Madrid would need to cough such an astronomical amount of money for a player. It is Real Madrid and not some newly bought small club with a sugar daddy looking to increase their profile? Juxtapose that with Barcelona's bid for Fabregas where Barca's clout reduced the true cost of their target man.  Real Madrid have the same clout if not more. The desire of any player to play for such an illustrious club, should surely trump over a quick pay day?

Besides Uefa's financial fair play has been thrown out of the window. As wenger described it, a joke. The laws due to start next year, was put in place to curb this sort of reckless player purchases. And if nothing is done ,it will only confirm what it felt in some quarters that it was meant to stop the dominance of English clubs.

Ronaldo could be making his way back to Old Trafford for $80 million. Thereby offsetting the cost of the Bale transfer. This is unlikely since Ronaldo is part of Real's per-season tour and he has been their highest goal scorer since his arrival at the Bernabeu. Madrid need for a marque signing after losing out to perennial rivals Barcelona for Neymar's signature, might also have instigated this move now. There is nothing the Bernubeu faithfuls would love more than getting one over the catalans. Makes one wonder where Bale will fit in a crowed team where the likes of  Kaka, Modric and Ozil struggle to find playing time.The Galatico bug seems to be catchy as Baracelona have now followed the same model in their $60 million pursuit of Brazilian star man Neymar.

Either way, Bale is an asset for any team and in a Galatico-studed side,could very well provide the missing piece in Real's jigsaw quest for the elusive tenth Champions League trophy.