Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Drake Bell is Dragonfly
Monthly Archives: January 2009
Andy Roddick loses Doha final
DOHA, Qatar — Andy Murray downplayed talk that he’s the favorite heading into the Australian Open after his successful defense of the Qatar Open title.
The fourth-ranked Murray defeated No. 8 Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to win his first ATP title of the year, and ninth overall.
En route to the title, the Scotsman beat Roger Federer in the semifinals. He also defeated Federer and top-ranked Rafael Nadal last week in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
With the Australian Open starting in Melbourne on Jan. 19, Murray heads into the first major of 2009 in fine form.
“I feel good going into the Australian Open but after what happened last year, I don’t want to get too carried away,” Murray said. “I am one of the top guys, but I don’t know if I am the favorite at the Australian Open. There is Roger, Rafa and Novak (Djokovic), who won last year.”
A year ago, Murray lost in the first round to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who reached the final.
Murray travels to Australia after a convincing win over Roddick.
All pictures via Yahoo! Sports
Article via www.chron.com
Lionel Messi Barcelona Stadium: Nou Camp
This is the home of the Barca, for more information on the stadium click here
Lionel Messi: Feet Close Up [High Quality]
I have a foot fetish big time, I love Lio’s feet :)
Andy Roddick fan picture
Rafael Nadal Ass Shot
Drake Bell Vintage
Drake Bell’s Dad [My daddy in law]
Rafael Nadal awarded No. 1 on World ATP Ranking
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal holds the reward he received for placing himself first of the World ATP ranking after his match against French Fabrice Santoro, on January 6, 2009 in Doha, during the 2009 Qatar Tennis Open. Prev 1 of 200 Next Nadal won 6-1, 6-0.
Rafael Nadal needed little more than three-quarters of an hour to score his first victory on the 2009 ATP World Tour, his crushing success appearing like an omen of yet further triumphs to come.
The Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champion won 6-0, 6-1 against Fabrice Santoro in the first round of the Qatar Open, overwhelming the oldest man on the tour with his heavy hitting and relentless energy.
Santoro, a 36-year-old former Davis Cup hero who is playing his last, and a reduced, season, made his first appearance on Wimbledon’s centre court only six months ago, and was now playing his first match against the mighty Nadal.
He may have wished he wasn’t.
It was not till the ninth game that the clever Frenchman won one, and all his slices, variations of pace and tactical subtleties created little distraction for the muscular Spaniard. Fully 51 of the 66 points in the match were won by Nadal.
“It was really impressive being on the other side of the net against Nadal,” said Santoro generously.
“Now I understand why Roger Federer missed volleys playing against him, something I previously couldn’t understand,” he added, referring to the deceptive weight of shot which Nadal creates, rather than the speed of hitting.
Nadal was pleased to win so quickly. “I hope to do that,” he said, unconcerned at the brevity of the match practice.
“With my topspin, his ball is not the worst one for me. When he plays slice, that’s a good ball for me.”
Nadal felt pleased to have played such a close match in the exhibition final against Andy Murray in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, even though he lost it, believing that his preparation for the Australian Open in 12 days time is now further advanced.
But he was not prepared to suggest how far close he is, at this early stage, to his best. “You are never sure how far away you are,” he said. “It’s very important to practise every day with one hundred percent concentration.”
Nadal became most animated when discussing his difficulties of 2008, when after winning three major titles, he was too tired to do himself full justice in the US Open and then was unable to play either the Davis Cup final or the ATP Tour year-end championships in Shanghai.
“What can I do?” he said. “Most of the tournaments I play I have to play,” he said, referring to the ATP World Tour regulations. “I play here to prepare for the Australian Open and I play Barcelona (a home tournament). But I can’t change my schedule.”
Meanwhile, Federer also progressed quickly. The winner of 13 Grand Slam titles started the new tour with an imperious 6-2, 6-2 success over Potito Starace, the world number 71, and now plays a second successive Italian, Andreas Seppi, who is almost 40 places higher.
All pictures via Yahoo! Sports
Article via AFP
Andy Roddick signs autographs @ Qatar
Like this:
Lionel Messi hattrick gives Barcelona handsome win over Atletico
MADRID (AFP) – Argentine forward Lionel Messi scored three times to give Barcelona a 3-1 away win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Cup’s last 16 first leg on Tuesday.
Messi, who was rested for Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Mallorca in the league on Saturday, raced up the right wing towards the area, slipped a pass to Daniel Alves who back-heeled to him.
The 21-year-old then used his left foot to send the ball past Atletico’s French keeper Gregory Coupet in the 11th minute as Argentina’s new national coach Diego Maradona watched from the stands.
Messi scored again in the 58th minute with a penalty kick into the bottom left corner that sent Coupet scrambling in the other direction.
His third goal came just 11 minutes from the final whistle with a clip with his left foot into an empty net after receiving the ball from Spanish international Andres Iniesta.
Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi contributed Atletico’s only goal of the match in the 69th minute as he nodded the ball into the net after Portuguese winger Simao Sabrosa had swung in the corner.
The Madrid side quickly became frustrated at Barcelona’s domination of the game and racked up three yellow cards in a five-minute period as the end of the first-half neared.
Simao got a yellow card in the 37th minute for pushing Messi, followed two minutes later by Simao’s compatriot Maniche who got carded for tripping Iniesta. Left back Mariano Pernia got a yellow card in the 41st minute for tripping Alves.
Barcelona, who have won the Cup a record 24 times, were without injured Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Aleksandr Hleb, and they rested Victor Valdes, Xavi and Samuel Eto’o, the top scorer in the Spanish league this season.
Atletico’s Argentine striker Sergio “Kun” Aguero was out due to a sore throat and fever.
There are five more first legs on Wednesday including holders Valencia’s trip to face Racing Santander and the 2007 winners Sevilla’s match at home to Deportivo Coruna.
The second legs take place on Jan 14 and 15.
Article via Yahoo! News
Pictures via Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News and Daylife.com
Breakfast with Drake :)
High Quality Pictures: Andy Roddick & Rafael Nadal
Click on the pictures for bigger size :)
Taxi for Drake Bell
Lionel Messi Big Bulge @ Barcelona Practice
I love love love this guy : )
This pic was posted on the Barcelona official website today :D
Click on the 2nd pic for full view
Pics via fcbarcelona.com
Andy Roddick: Exxon Mobil Qatar Open – Day One
Diego y Barcelona quieren que Messi sea el nuevo rey
La imagen dibuja a los dos astros juntos. Uno al lado del otro. El olor a Selección inunda a toda la grada catalana. Diego Maradona y Lionel Messi presenciaron juntos una nueva victoria del conjunto azulgrana, que se consolida más y más en la punta de la Liga española.
El encuentro no surgió de casualidad. El director técnico de la Selección Argentina (junto a su ayudante Alejandro Mancuso) viajó a Europa para ver a sus jugadores, y aprovechó para visitar a la pulga, que vio el encuentro desde el palco dado que llegó tarde al primer entrenamiento tras el receso por vacaciones debido a que se cerraron varias de las pistas del aeropuerto de Barajas, donde aterrizó. Igualmente, la idea del entrenador Josep Guardiola era la guardarlo para el encuentro de ida de los octavos de final de la Copa del Rey ante Atlético Madrid, el próximo martes. Conversaron durante todo el encuentro, relajados, disfrutando del juego. Luego, Maradona aprovechó para firmar una camiseta de su época de jugador, que el club guardará en su museo, y dejó la cancha faltando poco para que termine el encuentro.
Maradona, de pasado en el Barcelona (donde ganó la Copa del Rey de 1983) aterrizó en el aeropuerto de El Prat media hora antes de que se inicara el juego. Al llegar al palco del estadio, Diego se saludó con Johan Cruyff, otra gloria de la institución, y habló con Joan Laporta, a quien le agradeció por “haberme abierto la puerta otra vez y como yo quería. Con Núñez no me llevaba bien y, en cambio, con Laporta sí que me llevo bien”. Además, aclaró que tanto Barcelona como la Selección desean “cuidar y arropar a Messi, y que sea el rey”.
Devolviéndole la caricia, el mandamás del equipo líder del torneo declaró: “Maradona fue un ídolo y es una persona excepcional. Ha sido emocionante porque se trata de un futbolista que nos dio títulos y jugadas históricas”. Además, ambos coincidieron en que lo importante es “conciliar los intereses del Barça y de la AFA”. También analizó al plantel con el que cuenta Josep Guardiola: “el Barcelona tiene a jugadores como Etòo y Henry, y Messi. Hacen jugadas excepcionales”.
La agenda de Maradona lo lleva, por lo pronto, a Madrid, donde hoy llegará para encontrarse con su hija Gianina. Por último, fue invitado por el Sevilla para presenciar el partido de Copa del Rey ante Deportivo La Coruña, el miércoles.
Via Clarin.com
If you dont know Spanish… LEARN! :)
Nadal In Abu Dhabi Final, Meets Shakira & Shorter Pants
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Nadal dropped serve in the second game of the first set but never looked back as he reeled off the next six games. Davydenko hung on in the second set but was broken in the sixth game as Nadal closed out the match.
Shakira had a concert Dec 31st on Abu Dhabi and attended the match.
Rafael Nadal will be showing more skin this season as his pants are shorter just above the knee…
All the pictures via Yahoo! Sports
Juventus To Offer Barcelona €75m For Lionel Messi – Reports
Messi to Juventus sounds like wild conjecture, but it could happen if the Italians stump up the cash required for his services…
Juventus are planning to turn their Lionel Messi dream into reality by scrambling together €75 million in an attempt to prise the striker away from Barcelona.
Reports of a possible deal have been fuelled with speculation after club heir Andrea Agnelli told Tuttosport about his dream to bring Messi in.
The same paper has now claimed Juve are looking to build up a mega transfer kitty in order to tempt the Catalan giants. Although the move is possible, it will not come soon as reports suggest the Old Lady have a long-term plan to sign the Argentine, rendering any January move highly unlikely.
A €75m deal is being touted and this could be enough to convince the Blaugrana to part company with their man in future. Messi has been outstanding for Barça but he could be wearing the Juventus jersey within the next couple of years.
As well as this, Juve are not worried about splashing out such a mega sum of cash as they would make massive returns on their investment through marketing and sponsorship deals and the move could tie in nicely with their plans for a new stadium.
The arena is set to be completed in 2011 and the club is looking to have Messi on their books by then. Tuttosport have always linked the greatest players to Juventus, but not all of their predictions have materialised.
Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Via Goal.com
Rafael Nadal @ 2009 Capitalia World Tennis Championship
Rafael Nadal is also included in the roster of the 2009 Capitalia World Tennis Championship @ Abu Dhabi.
The only question I have is: What shampoo do you use baby?
Check out the Championship’s official photo gallery of Rafael Nadal HERE
Top seeded Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal gestures during a press conference prior to the start of the 250,000 dollar prize Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on January 1, 2009. Second seeded Swiss star Roger Federer faces an early start to the 2009 season as he begins his campaign to reclaim the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal. Federer was deposed from the top ranking by Nadal in 2008 with the Spaniard also taking his Wimbledon crown after a five-year reign. AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)
All pictures via Yahoo! Sports
Andy Roddick @ 2009 Capitalia World Tennis Championship
Andy Roddick lost today a match, dont know if he is out of the Championship (I guess because it is only a 3 day event).
Click HERE for the Championship official Andy Roddick photo gallery.
All pictures below via Yahoo! Sports
Andy Roddick from U.S., reacts, during a match with Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko during the first day of Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.
Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi begins Today Jan 1st
Andy Roddick Flashback: Andy Wins 2008 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
Sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick captured his 25th career ATP singles title and second trophy in three weeks with a 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-2 victory over unseeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in one hour and 55 minutes at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Roddick, who didn’t lose his serve in five matches this week, hit 22 aces to extend his perfect record to 4-0 against Lopez.
Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi begins today January 1st.
Happy New Year hug by Lionel Messi
To All,
May this 2009 bring you the best. Receive a warm hug from hottie Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi all smiles :)
He is flying from Argentina to Barcelona today, we may get some new shots of him training next week :D
