Monday, April 9, 2012
Sports World |
- VDV wants big finish
- Faldo tips Donald for Masters success
- Donald - Nothing special required for first major
- Big guns back McIlory
- Majestic Pietersen puts England in control
| Posted: 09 Apr 2012 10:32 AM PDT Tottenham Hotspurmidfielder Rafael van der Vaart has his sights firmly set on reclaiming thirdspot from rivals Arsenal after the balance of power shifted back towards HarryRedknapp's men. Spurs wereconsidered title challengers at the turn of the year but a poor run of formcombined with seven straight Arsenal victories left them trailing their NorthLondon neighbours by three points. However, Spurscapitalised on Arsenal's surprise slip up at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday tomove back level on points with the Gunners after a 3-1 home victory overSwansea City. With Chelsea and Newcastle United finding form at the righttime, a Champions League place is not a foregone conclusion for either of theLondon clubs. Van der Vaart thinks Arsenal could feel the heat. "I hope Arsenal are getting nervous. It's a big battle– Chelsea also keep winning – and it's not going to be easy to lead from thefront," Van der Vaart told TheSun. The incentive of finishing third is not lost on theDutchman, who is keen to avoid a Champions League play-off round and book anautomatic passage into the group stage. "It's important we finish third not fourth because inqualifying there are some big teams and you never know what can happen," Vander Vaart said. The 29-year-old former Real Madrid star believes Tottenham'sfavourable run-in could go a long way to deciding who seals third spot, withArsenal facing Manchester City and Chelsea in the coming weeks. Van der Vaartis content with Spurs' form going into the final stages of the season. "We were a little low on confidence but we showed we'restill there and want to be in the top three. There's still a long way to go butconfidence is back," he added. Whilst premier league betting predictions had Spurs nailed on for a top four finish in recent weeks their dip in form has neatly correlated with blistering runs of for by arch-rivals Arsenal and the under rated Newcastle United; a team who did not start the season with Premier League best odds.  |
| Faldo tips Donald for Masters success Posted: 09 Apr 2012 10:23 AM PDT Sir Nick Faldo isconfident Luke Donald has what it takes to end his long wait for a major whenthe Masters begins at Augusta this week. Donald regained theworld number one ranking by winning the Transitions Championship in Floridalast month and goes into the first major of the season as one of the favouritesfor the Green Jacket. The 34-year-old tied fourth in last year's Masters toprolong his misery in major championships – Donald has never finished higherthan third in 37 attempts. Faldo –  the last Brit to win the Masters back in 1996 – believes Donald will tastesuccess before long and expects him to be among the frontrunners at theMasters."Luke is one of the guys who has won in the last month,he played great last year and he was right there. He has learnt from thatexperience. I think Luke has all the qualities that you need," Faldotold Sky Sports. There is everychance a Briton will be in the running going into the final day at Augusta. Theworld's top three golfers and four of the top 10 come from the British Isles. Tiger Woods hasbeen in good form at the start of 2012 – winning the Arnold PalmerInvitational at the end of March – and is hotly tipped to add to his fourvictories at the Masters. Faldo does not expect Woods to live up to his billing as golf betting favorite; the bookies choice for golf Major bets. "The big difference now is that in the past - and Tigerhasn't won it since '05 - he was beating Phil (Mickelson), Ernie (Els) andmaybe Vijay (Singh) back in that era. Now there are 10 guys he's got to beat andmaybe they are not as scared of him nowadays as they used to be," Faldoadded.  |
| Donald - Nothing special required for first major Posted: 09 Apr 2012 10:18 AM PDT World number one Luke Donald will look to draw on recentsuccess as he bids for his first ever major win at the Masters. Donald has won five tournaments in the last 14 months duringhis ascent to the top of the world rankings and topped the money lists on bothsides of the Atlantic in 2011. "Certainly in terms of confidence I feel like I'm adifferent player. But also, knowing that with those five victories, probablyonly one of them I played what I really thought was really good golf," saidDonald. "Four of them I thought I didn't play my best and Istill managed to win. I think that was important for me to know that I don'thave to go out there and press and play my best to win." Despite being the form player in recent times, Donald isstill searching for that elusive first major success. He has finished in thetop 10 six times in 37 attempts but has never finished higher than third place. The 34-year-old has featured at Augusta eight times and hasa best placed finish of third, in 2005. Donald, despite being up against afiercely competitive field, does not believe he has to play his best golf toclaim the Green Jacket. "I think I have to play very solidly. If I play mybest, hopefully that will be good enough," added Donald. "But I feel like what I've learnt, especially from thelast year or two, is that I don't need to play quite my best. I just need toplay good golf." Donald will play alongside Italy's Francesco Molinari andAmerican Nick Watney when the tournament begins on Thursday; a grouping golf betting pundits hope will mesh to help them capitalize on golf major bets.  |
| Posted: 09 Apr 2012 10:14 AM PDT Three-time Masterswinner Phil Mickelson described world number two Rory McIlroy as an "incredible player" and expectsthe Northern Irishman to triumph at Augusta in the future. McIlroy suffered ameltdown at the Masters in 2011 – surrendering a big lead on the final day as CharlSchwartzel stole in to claim the Green Jacket. The 22-year-old hitback with victory at the US Open just months later and has started the 2012season in confident mood ahead of another crack at the Masters. Mickelson believes McIlroy has the talent todominate the sport in the coming years. "I think that he's an incredible player. That you couldtell when he first came out. I think, like everybody here, you can see histalent and his ability. He plays without fear, which is a great way to play."said Mickelson. "If he ends up learning this golf course I think he'sgoing to win here a number of times." Former world number one and 14-time major winner Tiger Woodsechoed Mickelson's sentiments, saying McIlroy has the golfing world at hisfeet. Woods believes McIlroy will become an even better playerwith experience and admires his tenacious attitude on the golf course. "He has all of the makings of being a great championfor a long period of time. We have seen obviously what he did last year at theMasters and how he came back at the Open. He led, what, seven out of eightrounds in major championships, which is pretty impressive," added Woods. McIlroy will bepartnered by former champion Angel Cabrera and American Bubba Watson for thefirst two rounds of the Masters, starting on Thursday morning. He will be keento get the first round under his belt to show there is no hangover from lastyear's nightmare; an event golf betting pundits are hoping he will achieve to see through their golf Major bets.  |
| Majestic Pietersen puts England in control Posted: 09 Apr 2012 10:09 AM PDT Kevin Pietersen dominated proceedings on day three to putEngland firmly in control of the second Test in Colombo. Pietersen came to the crease with his side 213-2 after thedismissal of Alastair Cook six short of a well-deserved century. The groundworkof the innings had been laid by the top three and Pietersen built on thatfoundation with a swashbuckling 151 off only 165 balls. England were eventually bowled out for 460 shortly beforethe end of play, leaving Sri Lanka 185 runs behind and having to face onetricky over before the close. Nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad saw off six balls from James Andersonto take Sri Lanka to 4-0 at stumps. Starting the day on154-1 and still 121 runs short of Sri Lanka's first innings total, Cook andJonathan Trott continued to build on England's strong start. Tillakaratne Dilshan had Cook caught at slip and that iswhen the fireworks began. Pietersen looked in ominous form early in his innings– launching a series of sixes down the ground. The South African-born star lost Trott (64) but continued todominate the bowling on his way to a 109-ball century, his 20th at Test level.Pietersen was warned for time-wasting just before bringing up his ton aftermoving into position too early for his trademark switch-hit. The number four shrugged off the controversy to moveserenely to 150, with no other player looking comfortable on the surface. IanBell (18) and Matt Prior (11) were caught trying to force the pace beforePietersen fell lbw to Rangana Herath. Herath went on to claim three more wickets in a haul of6-133 as England suffered a mini-collapse. The tourists were in an excellent position at the end of daythree, though, thanks in the main to the majestic Pietersen; a performancewhich will alter the course of cricketodds and cricketbets.  |
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