The Mike Trout Effect on the Angels

Mike Trout’s big league numbers, with the exception of his home-to-first times, are not off-the-charts — he entered Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners with a .241 average, five home runs and 14 runs batted in in 27 games.

But there is one statistic that is eye-popping: The Angels are 18-4 in games the 20-year-old outfielder has started.

“That’s just part of the Lore of Trout—or the Lure of Trout?” outfielder Vernon Wells joked after Monday night’s win over Seattle, pun intended.

Trout is a dynamic two-way player, a 20-year-old with speed, power, plate discipline and excellent defensive instincts, and he has injected some much-needed life into an offense that has averaged 6.6 runs, more than two runs above its season average, over the past 16 games.

Since being recalled from double-A Arkansas for the second time on Aug. 19, Trout is hitting .325 (13 for 40) with four homers, 11 runs and eight RBIs in 13 games.

India dressing room: rain delay fly-on-the-wall

India's latest call-up warms up for action at the Rose Bowl

Behind-the-scenes in the Indian rooms at a rainy Rosebowl…

“Right then you guys,” said Duncan Fletcher. “How about we use this rain delay for a bit of work in the gym?”

He bounced a rugby ball eagerly on the floor and mimed some forward presses.

“That is a most splendid idea, Mr Duncan,” said MS Dhoni. “And thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. Very much the sort of radical ‘out of your box’ thinking that we are keen to hear from you.”

Fletcher looked pleased. “I thought we could start with a really good run around and then I could whack some balls about for everyone to chase and –”

MS held up his hand, smiling benevolently.

“As I say, Mr Duncan, a wonderful suggestion but I think it would be best if we all had a bit of discussion and got back to you with our findings.”

Politely but meaningfully, MS nodded towards the dressing room door. Fletcher trudged out sadly. He took a picture of Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones fooling around with the slip cradle out of his pocket and sighed. Fletcher shut the door behind him.

Parthiv Patel woke up with a start.

“Is that the pizza man? You better not have had my pizzas, you greedy sods. I’ve had nothing since lunch,” said Parthiv.

“It’s okay man, relax,” said Suresh Raina. “It’s just that old guy who tells the scary stories about packs of fast bowlers. He’s harmless enough.”

“Oh thank goodness,” said Parthiv. “I thought I’d missed my pizza.” He went back to sleep on top of a pile of bandages.

“Well then boys,” said MS. “Shall we give this ‘gymnasium’ business a go, then? Rahul swears by it, apparently.”

Praveen Kumar stood up. He picked up a niggle.

“On second thoughts,” said Dhoni. “I don’t think we can afford any more injuries. I’ll tell Fletcher he’ll have to come up with something else.”

Telegraph interview: UFC signee Alistair Overeem on fighting Brock Lesnar on Dec 30

Alistair Overeem spoke to Telegraph Sport shortly after it was announced that he has signed with the UFC, and will face Brock Lesnar in Las Vegas on Dec 30. He was offered his first fight in the UFC against the winner of Cain Velasquez (UFC heavyweight champion) v Junior Dos Santos, but turned that down as he wanted to get into action sooner.

GAD: A very exciting announcement that you have signed for the UFC. The world over, MMA fans are excited for this. You must be too?

Alistair Overeem: I am as well. My team is excited, the UFC is excited. It’s a great development. And yeah what can I say? I’m all pumped up.

GAD: It’s come in the week that it’s been announced UFC has signed a 7 year deal with the FOX Network, taking the UFC brand on to mainstream television. It must be fantastic to be involved at a time when the heavyweights are being put on the main frame in the sporting world?

AO: Very exciting time. It couldn’t have been better timing, and for me it’s the logical next step. Not fighting in Strikeforce anymore, Japan was quiet, one of my goals was to become world champion and I already achieved that goal in K1. The UFC has always been regarded as the highest belt out there so for me it’s the next step and yeah it’s just a great time.

GAD: Have there been talks ongoing for a long time behind the scenes?

AO: There have been talks for the last couple of weeks and of course there was a little beef going on. There were all the differences, over when they could start negotiations. I heard the last couple of weeks there were talks. I didn’t really worry about myself but I did worry about my team-mates because of the beef. My future wasn’t really a major concern because I have a good record, and I am a world champion. But the deal came and today’s the big day.

GAD: When you came into the UFC office [in Las Vegas] was the deal already signed?

AO: It was finalised but not yet signed.

GAD: Ok, so you’ve come in today and its been finalised. Did you know before today that Brock Lesnar would be the first opponent?

AO: Ummm… well, yeah we wanted to do it. So that would be the first fight.

GAD: It’s a great fight for you to start in the UFC against Brock Lesnar who has become a great star in the UFC and who has achieved great things already, but he has holes in his game. I’m sure you feel you must be able to exploit them ?

AO: Definitely. I think Brock is an excellent wrestler but I see myself as better rounded, a better striker, but that’s the sport. It can go either way. I’m not sure I would still be standing if Brock hits me clean on the chin.

GAD: But obviously you’re not gonna let him?

AO: That’s the thing with the sport… it can go either way. The thing with Brock is that he’s an unpredictable, strong explosive guy. It’s exciting. I’m really excited about it.

GAD: In some ways, you were the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle for the UFC in the heavyweight landscape. Now they have the strongest heavyweight group. Could we now end up – finally – with a European heavyweight champion in the UFC ?

AO: That’s quite exciting, right ? And I was even born in England. I have, like, British nationality.

GAD: Where will you go from here? The fight is at the end of the year. Will you go straight into training camp in a couple of weeks?

AO: Well, I’m already keeping my shape up. I’ve got some sparring partners with me. I’m going to head to Tokyo after this to do a television tour, so there’s going to be breaking news there as well. After that I’ll be heading back home and then get into my 100% training schedule.

GAD: Did you always feel this would come about ? Did you think ‘I’m going to end up in up in the UFC’ ?

AO: I did see the UFC as a place that I was going to end up in. But of course you never know. You could injure yourself, you could get hit by a truck. That is one of the things I have seen in my career, in my experience that a lot of things can change in the fight scene. But I did see it coming. I thought I would end up in the UFC eventually….

GAD: Finally, there’s another major heavyweight fight coming up on FOX on November 12 between Cain and Junior. Can you give your analysis on that fight and how you’d pick in that contest?

AO: It’s going to be a very exciting fight. Two fighters who are well-rounded, who have excellent striking. They both come from two excellent camps. It could go either way. It’s hard to say. They’re well rounded, evenly-matched. For me, it’s 50/50. I have no gut feeling on who the winner will be.

Chris Leben v Mark Munoz: UFC expecting sell-out

The UFC announced yesterday that tickets for the Saturday, November 5 event at the LG Arena, Birmingham, are on sale. It is expected to be a sell-out, with the mixed martial arts fighting organisation returning to British shores for the first time in a year.

UFC UK President Marshall Zelaznik told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s great to have an event in the UK again. At one point it looked like venue dates and TV dates just wouldn’t line up for us, so we’re very happy that tickets for UFC 138 go on sale this week.

“Yes, we are expecting a sell-out. We’ve sold out all our events in England, the UFC is the biggest indoor sporting event in the UK with us breaking records in the biggest arenas all over the British Isles. There’s some great fights up and down the card, from the historic main event – a five rounder with Chris Leben and Mark Munoz, right down to some new British talent getting their shot at fighting in the UFC.

“I know a lot of fans are very excited to see what Brad Pickett can do in the UFC. Along with Mike Bisping, he’s probably the Brit closest to a world title shot right now, but he’s fighting a real talent in Renan Barao, who has the longest unbeaten record in the entire sport.

“For the sport to keep growing in the UFC, we need to developing British talent and we are always looking for the next Mike Bisping, Dan Hardy or Ross Pearson.”

NBA, players union meeting Wednesday

 

NBA Commissioner David Stern and union representatives including Lakers guard Derek Fisher are scheduled to attend another bargaining session Wednesday in New York in an effort to end the two-month-old lockout, sources reported Tuesday.

The parties met last week for the second time since the lockout took effect. The players have agreed to accept a smaller percentage of league income but have balked at the league's proposed $2-billion total salary cap after earning $2.15 billion last season.

The scheduled opening of training camp is the first week of October.

Both sides continued to be reluctant to assess the tone of the talks despite some reports that there was momentum to strike a deal. Stern told reporters after last week's meeting that there was "clearly enough time" to save regular-season games that are set to begin Nov. 1.

"I could see it going either way," former MVP guard Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns told the Canadian Press on Tuesday. "It looks like right now we probably won't start on time.

"Hopefully, as we start to get into the time of year where everyone is missing basketball, we can start to concede on some points that each other are looking for and find a middle ground. That would be the best of both worlds."

Wednesday's meeting could spawn follow-up sessions later this week, sources have reported to Associated Press.

ALSO:

USC falls out of AP top 25 rankings

Quarterback controversies still the rage at UCLA and in L.A.

UCLA's Kip Smith has kicker's job, with caveats

--Lance Pugmire

Twitter.com/latimespugmire

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

 Photo: David Stern. Credit: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images.

 

UCLA football: Brandon Willis enrolls, hopes for NCAA waiver

Brandon Willis, the well-traveled defensive tackle, has enrolled at UCLA and will be able to practice starting today.

The last step in his return was the repayment of a student loan from his previous time at UCLA, according to a person in the program not authorized to speak on the matter.

Willis originally signed to play at North Carolina in 2010. He transferred from North Carolina to UCLA in the summer of 2010, but left UCLA this past spring and enrolled at North Carolina.

UCLA is requesting a waiver from the NCAA that would allow Willis to play this season. Willis can practice with the team while the waiver process is in progress. If it is denied, he will have to sit out another year.

RELATED:

USC falls out of AP top 25 rankings

Quarterback controversies still the rage at UCLA and in L.A.

UCLA's Kip Smith has kicker's job, with caveats

-- Chris Foster

Angels minor leaguer Ercilio De La Cruz fails drug test, is suspended

Outfielder Ercilio De La Cruz, who helped lead the Angels' Dominican Summer League team to a  championship this season, has been given a 50-game suspension after testing positive for an elevated testosterone/epitestosterone ratio in violation of baseball's minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

De La Cruz, an 18-year-old switch-hitter from Santo Domingo, hit .231 in 47 games, scoring 30 runs and stealing 13 bases in 19 tries. He's a .226 lifetime hitter in two minor league seasons, both in the Dominican.

De La Cruz will serve his penalty at the start of next season.

RELATED:

Angels call up Alexi Amarista, Gil Velazquez from Salt Lake

Angels right hander Garrett Richards moves to bullpen

Angels' victory is a thing of beauty for Dan Haren

Bill Dwyre: Angels are warming to September task

-- Kevin Baxter

Who will take a chance on Tiki Barber after the season starts?

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

Writers from around the Tribune Co. share their thoughts on Tiki Barber's comeback attempt and the possibility of whether a team might still sign him this season.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times

I don’t think any team will be desperate enough to sign Tiki Barber, especially now that he’s strongly indicating -– through his agent –- that he’s moving on with his life.

Running backs commonly hit the wall around 30 and their statistics nosedive in the years that follow. Barber is 36 and hasn’t played since 2006, when he retired as the Giants’ all-time rushing and receptions leader.

He’s a talented guy, and I suppose there would be a nice, sentimental story were he to join his twin brother, Ronde, with the Buccaneers. But that move wouldn’t make much football sense.

There are plenty of young backs who are good enough to merit a chance in the league. There is life after “Today” for Barber, but it’s not back in the NFL. Good night, Tiki.

Teemu Selanne still waiting for knee to get stronger

Ducks General Manager Bob Murray said Tuesday that winger Teemu Selanne “wants to come back and play from a mental perspective,” but the 41-year-old Finn wants to fortify his surgically repaired knee before deciding whether to return for another season.

“He is working out on and off the ice and trying to strengthen his knee. It’s not quite where he wants it yet,” Murray said Tuesday via email. “He wants to make a decision prior to training camp.”

Camp will open next week for teams across the NHL. The Ducks are due to report for medical tests on Sept. 16 and take to the ice on Sept. 17.

UFC: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem set for Dec. 30

Brock Lesnar will return to the UFC octagon in a five-round main event Dec. 30 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, facing newly signed former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

"Brock is a big name, a dangerous guy, and this is a dream matchup," Overeem told The Times on Tuesday, just after signing a standard UFC fight contract in the office of Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta. "Brock's a big guy, an exciting wrestler with his takedowns.

"I want to see this fight myself. Overall, I'm a different fighter. A striker, athletic, big. These are going to be two big trucks going at it on a collision course."

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Overeem, 31, is a former K-1 kickboxing champion too, He most recently defended his Strikeforce belt in June with a unanimous decision over takedown specialist Fabrio Werdum, who had previously defeated Fedor Emelianenko.

USC football: Tailback Marc Tyler will play against Utah

USC tailback Marc Tyler, who was suspended for the season opener because of a series of offseason incidents, has been reinstated and will play against Utah, Coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday.

Tyler, the Trojans' leading rusher in 2010, practiced with the regular offense for the first time Tuesday after spending last week mainly with the scout team.

Kiffin said Tyler was reinstated because he met unspecified requirements set by the coach and Athletic Director Pat Haden.

"[He] completed all those things and hopefully he'll continue that way," Kiffin said.

Tyler left practice early and was not made available to the media.

U.S. Open: Tuesday sessions, day and night, canceled

A steady rain, which began falling moments after Roger Federer finished his fourth-round match at 1:13 a.m. Tuesday, was still falling Tuesday afternoon when the United States Tennis Assn. made the decision to cancel both the day and night sessions of the U.S. Open.

Among the matches canceled were fourth-round matches for three Americans -- 21st-seeded Andy Roddick against fifth-seeded David Ferrer; 28th-seeded John Isner against 12th-seeded Gilles Simon; and wild-card entry Donald Young against fourth-seeded Andy Murray.

The weather forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday isn't a lot better, with predictions of Hurricane Katia remnants hitting the area on Friday.

For those who had tickets for Tuesday's session, here is the policy on ticket exchanges and returns.

RELATED:

Serena Williams advances to U.S. Open quarterfinals

Donald Young feels good, humidity gets to others at U.S. Open

Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka at U.S. Open

-- Diane Pucin in New York

Photo: Fans sit in the upper deck of Arthur Ashe Stadium during a rain delay at the U.S. Open on Tuesday. Credit: Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

College football rankings: USC falls out of AP top 25

USC beat Minnesota on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to keep the Trojans in the top 25 of the Associated Press college football poll.

The Trojans, who were ranked No. 25 in the AP preseason poll, fell out of Tuesday's Week 1 poll following their 19-17 victory over the Golden Gophers. USC, which is considered among the best teams in the Pac-12, received 69 votes, placing it behind Arizona State and Auburn among teams that failed to crack the top 25.

LSU, which defeated Oregon, 40-27, in the biggest first-week matchup of the season, jumped from No. 4 to No. 2 as the Ducks fell 10 spots to No. 13. Oklahoma stayed in the top spot while Alabama, previously ranked No. 2, fell to No. 3.

Defending national champion Auburn fell out of the top 25 on the heels of its 42-38 victory over Utah State.

Click on the thread to see this week's rankings:

Fontana track sets date for IndyCar return in 2012

Auto Club Speedway in Fontana set Saturday Sept. 15, 2012, as the date that IndyCar racing will return to Southern California for a 400-mile night race.

The two-mile speedway had said in July that the Izod IndyCar Series, whose drivers include Dario Franchitti, Marco Andretti and Helio Castroneves, would return to the track next year after a seven-year absence but had not immediately set a date.

Tickets for the 200-lap race go on sale next Monday, and prices range from $30 for general admission to $60 for reserved club seats. Kids 12 and under are free in the general admission area, and camping packages also are available.

Auto Club Speedway also hosts a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock-car race, which next year is scheduled for March 25.

ALSO:

Pau Gasol optimistic there will be an NFL season

USC falls out of AP top 25 rankings

Will Rod Barajas be back with the Dodgers next season?

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Driver Will Power speeds toward winning the Izod IndyCar Series race Sunday on a street course in Baltimore. Credit: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

UFC 138 tickets for Mark Munoz v Chris Leben on sale, sell-out expected in Birmingham

The UFC announced yesterday that tickets for the Saturday, November 5 event at the LG Arena, Birmingham, are on sale. It is expected to be a sell-out, with the mixed martial arts fighting organisation returning to British shores for the first time in a year.

CHRIS ‘THE CRIPPLER’ LEBEN AND MARK ‘THE FILIPINO WRECKING MACHINE’ MUNOZ SET FOR FIREWORKS ON BONFIRE NIGHT, WHILE BRIT HOPES BRAD PICKETT, JOHN HATHAWAY AND PAUL TAYLOR ALSO MAKE MAIN CARD APPEARANCES.

The main event is a fascinating middleweight (13stone 3lbs) showdown between Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben and Mark ‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’ Munoz, over 5 rounds, as well as a bantamweight (9st 9lbs) battle between Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett and Renan Barao. UFC 138 marks the UFC’s first and only appearance on British soil this calendar year.

The UFC 138 main event between Leben and Munoz carries significance for a number of reasons. As well as having major implications on the future of the middleweight division, Leben’s brawl with Munoz also represents the first time a UFC non-title fight has ever been scheduled over five rounds.

The 31-year-old Leben, 22-7 in his career, remains one of the most colourful and beloved characters in the sport of mixed martial arts, having first risen to prominence as a cast member on season one of The Ultimate Fighter. He has since carved a niche for himself as a dangerous and durable middleweight contender and has scored stunning victories over the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Aaron Simpson. He was last seen on British shores in October 2010, the night he last travelled to Birmingham and pushed British hero Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping all the way.

Rejuvenated by recent results, however, Portland-born Leben looks to move one step closer to a shock stab at the UFC middleweight championship with an emphatic victory over Munoz.

The 33-year-old Munoz, 11-2 in MMA, meanwhile, is another fighter who is at the peak of his powers. The former light-heavyweight contender is now settled and thriving at the peak of the UFC’s middleweight division and has dazzled in wins over Demian Maia, C.B. Dollaway and Aaron Simpson. A world-class wrestler with one-punch knockout power, Californian Munoz guarantees excitement each and every time he steps inside the Octagon.

British fight fans have waited with baited breath for the arrival of Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett, 21-4, a high-octane bantamweight who previously compete with distinction in the WEC® organisation. The talented Londoner scored Stateside wins over currently No1 contender Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson and Ivan Menjivar and now attempts to bring the same level of success into the UFC’s famed Octagon.

Pickett’s first UFC opponent will be Renan Barao, 26-1 1NC, a skilful 24-year-old from Rio De Janeiro of whom great things are expected. Having spent the first five years of his career competing in his native Brazil, Barao has achieved his last three victories in America has the longest unbeaten record in all of MMA. His recent performances have announced his arrival as a major player in the 9stone 9lbs division and this battle with Pickett has significant implications for the bantamweight class.

Another British star looking to steal the show at UFC 138 is John ‘Hitman’ Hathaway, 15-1, a welterweight contender from Brighton with the world at his feet. Still just 24 years of age, Hathaway has already defeated the likes of Diego Sanchez, Rick Story and Paul Taylor in his brief UFC tenure and many consider the long-limbed fighter one of the best prospects in mixed martial arts right now.

Hathaway’s foe on November 5 will be American Matt ‘The Immortal’ Brown, 12-10, no stranger to the British Isles himself. The 32-year-old Brown shattered the dreams of Englishman James Wilks in Manchester in November 2009 and carries a reputation for dogged determination and a never-say-die spirit. Brown most recently defeated the dangerous John Howard over three rounds and seeks to continue this good form on a return trip to Britain in November.

The UFC 138 main card is rounded off by an intriguing match between former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves and Sweden’s undefeated Papy Abedi, as well as a lightweight slugfest between Walsall favourite Paul Taylor and fast-rising Nigerian Anthony Njokuani.

Tickets for UFC 138 are priced at £50, £75, £100, £150 and £225 and go on sale to UFC Fight Club members on Wednesday, September 7 at 9am and to UFC Newsletter subscribers on Thursday, September 8 at 9am.

Tickets will then go on general public release on Friday, September 9 at 9am and will be available to buy via theticketfactory.com and the LG Arena box office.

India Dressing Room: Rain Delay Fly-On-The-Wall

India's latest call-up warms up for action at the Rose Bowl

Behind-the-scenes in the Indian rooms at a rainy Rosebowl…

“Right then you guys,” said Duncan Fletcher. “How about we use this rain delay for a bit of work in the gym?”

He bounced a rugby ball eagerly on the floor and mimed some forward presses.

“That is a most splendid idea, Mr Duncan,” said MS Dhoni. “And thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. Very much the sort of radical ‘out of your box’ thinking that we are keen to hear from you.”

Fletcher looked pleased. “I thought we could start with a really good run around and then I could whack some balls about for everyone to chase and –”

MS held up his hand, smiling benevolently.

“As I say, Mr Duncan, a wonderful suggestion but I think it would be best if we all had a bit of discussion and got back to you with our findings.”

Politely but meaningfully, MS nodded towards the dressing room door. Fletcher trudged out sadly. He took a picture of Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones fooling around with the slip cradle out of his pocket and sighed. Fletcher shut the door behind him.

Parthiv Patel woke up with a start.

“Is that the pizza man? You better not have had my pizzas, you greedy sods. I’ve had nothing since lunch,” said Parthiv.

“It’s okay man, relax,” said Suresh Raina. “It’s just that old guy who tells the scary stories about packs of fast bowlers. He’s harmless enough.”

“Oh thank goodness,” said Parthiv. “I thought I’d missed my pizza.” He went back to sleep on top of a pile of bandages.

“Well then boys,” said MS. “Shall we give this ‘gymnasium’ business a go, then? Rahul swears by it, apparently.”

Praveen Kumar stood up. He picked up a niggle.

“On second thoughts,” said Dhoni. “I don’t think we can afford any more injuries. I’ll tell Fletcher he’ll have to come up with something else.”

US Open Diary 2011: Roger Federer walks on water

Roger Federer didn't hang around to make it a record late-night finish

Monday in New York

Two more marathon matches as the wet weather threatened to appear…

Playing in the rain

At roughly 10 to midnight, Roger Federer began his fourth round match against Juan Monaco. As one tweeter so aptly alluded, Roger is probably used to waiting around for the women in his life, there being three of them. But not at such a late hour.

Thankfully for the world’s media, and the capacity crowd, Federer wasn’t in the mood to have the US Open’s latest-ever finish. Taking six minutes to win the first three games, 12 minutes to win the first five, and 19 to win the first set, Federer even produced what is known on the tour as a ‘poker’ – four aces in a row.

Handing Monaco (who has to win best hair of the tournament) an opening breadstick, then a brioche (desperate failure to find something that could possibly look like a 2 and starts with ‘b’), Federer was 3-0 up when the rain began to fall.

Before the umpire could even move to examine the droplets on his trousers, Federer had produced a third set bagel, finishing off Pico in an hour and 22 minutes at just after 1am.

Pity the poor press corps though, who were huddled under a tree at 2am waiting for the bus home.

The ladies continue to enthrall

This tournament has not lacked for drama, but it’s largely been thanks to the ladies. Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova continued the ‘oh my wow’ trend, contesting an epic over three hours and two minutes.

If ever there was a match to make Wozniacki, it was this one.

“She was a wall and to break a wall you cannot hit hard you have to mix it up…I just couldnt close it,” said a desperate Kuznetsova, who, leading by a set and 4-1, showed at once why she is both enormously talented and enormously frustrating at the same time. You can hit the most beautiful forehand from nowhere off the back of your heels, but 78 unforced errors do not a match win.

With dear Rors tweeting “COME ON!!!!!!” from his Swiss hotel (imagine what time it was), Caro came through 6-7, 7-5, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals. Another step towards justification.

Tsonga reels in Fish

The Murraycoaster against Robin Haase aside, the men have been waiting for an edge of the seat five-setter that shows off concrete tennis at its best. Enter Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish, who did a superb job of winding each other up the wrong way. Some players play well angry, some don’t. Mardy definitely doesn’t, and seemed to have eaten some firecrackers for lunch, complaining about the umpire, and basically losing his way.

It’s a shame, because Fish has been the man of the moment, but credit to Tsonga, who certainly hung tough, even sinking his teeth into a tennis ball. One way to manage anger, I guess. His reward is another meeting with Federer. He’s won the last two…

Romper suits

Surprise, surprise, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic still haven’t dropped a set. Let’s talk about Nole first. As expected, Dolgolpolov gave him a lot to think about in their opening set, whipping that bizarre service motion so quickly, and cutting such a slice that a slightly sleepy-looking Djokovic did a little head-scratching as he went a break down.

But, then he remembered that he’s invincible. Saving umpteen set points to win an edgy first-set tie-break 16-14, the next two sets were routine with a capital R. 61 wins now for Djokovic. That’s as many as he managed in the entire 2010 season.

Janko Tipsarevic is up next, playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final after defeating J.C. Ferrero. Odds of him causing an upset? Unlikely.

Serena meanwhile, was not the Serena who destroyed Victoria Azarenka. But sadly, even so, there was nothing Ana Ivanovic could do, even if she did hit more forehand winners than Ms Williams. It was Serena’s serve, one of the best shots in women’s tennis, that sent her through to the quarter-finals.

Ciao…

Another day, and some more farewells. Francesca Schiavone, surely the most joyful player to lace up her tennis shoes, bowed out at the hands of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, avenging her loss to the Italian at the 2010 French Open. Pavs hits a heavy ball. But will she get stage fright against Serena? Probably.

Let’s dance

Andrea Petkovic became the only woman on tour to reach three Grand Slam quarter-finals this year, brushing aside Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets before performing her latest jig. And with a torn meniscus too. Respect.

Healthy coffers

There’s no danger of this year’s US Open not making a profit. The weekend smashed the all-time record for people through the gates on Labor Day weekend.

Soundbite

“I don’t know if I’m the best or not. I believe I am and I think a lot of other girls believe they are, too, as they should. I don’t think anyone should go out and say that they’re not.”

Saying it like it is, Serena.

Young Brits

Don’t get too excited, but four out of four British boys made it through their first-round matches at the US Open juniors. Oliver Golding, George Morgan and Liam Broady all joined Kyle Edmund in round two. Woop.

Coming up this evening…

Andy Murray v Donald Young

Given the dark clouds currently hovering over New York City, word on the street is that this is unlikely to start on time. But when it does, expect it to be a) very loud, and b) hopefully nothing like their previous and only meeting in Indian Wells. Muzza is well aware of what makes D-Young tick now, and bar the partisan crowd messing with Murray’s concentration, it should not be too much of a bother.

John Isner v Gilles Simon

Little and large? Power v poise? Something like that. How well Simon can get under Isner’s skin and force the errors will be vital. But big John has been playing verrry well of late, so it is a big ask.

Andy Roddick v David Ferrer

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Daveeed is absolutely the last player you want to play if you’re not feeling physically tip top. It’s exhausting just thinking about it. So Roddick needs to be very much on strike if he is going to compete from the baseline.

Sam Stosur v Vera Zvonareva

Just how in the zone is Vera? She took care of Sabine Lisicki in an awesome display, but are the marbles upstairs sufficiently aligned to withstand Stosur’s variety, and, crucially, confidence?

Also in action

Rafael Nadal v Gilles Muller, Flavia Pennetta v Angelique Kerber.

The daily click

Judy Murray’s blogs. The best guide to cakes and cocktails in New York. And some tennis too.

Get your umbrellas out

It’s raining in New York. Bring on the heaters, squeegee mops and towels.

Andy Carroll needs to take Capello warning seriously or he will fail at Liverpool

If Andy Carroll isn’t careful he will have achieved the seemingly impossible on Tyneside – made Mike Ashley look good and the decision to sell him to Liverpool for £35m a masterstroke.

There were those who, even if Carroll went on to play 100 games for England and led the Liverpool line with distinction for the best part of a decade, would have argued the money was too good to turn down.

At least they would if Newcastle had actually spent any of it on incoming transfers this summer rather than grabbed it to balance the books.

Others, the more romantic souls, who were thrilled to see a Geordie in the club’s iconic number nine shirt again, will never accept it. Well they might, if as is rumoured, Newcastle have a buy back option should Liverpool decide to part with him and Carroll returns to St James’ Park for less than they sold him for, but I’m getting off track here.

At the moment, even though Newcastle have ridiculously failed to sign a replacement for Carroll this summer despite sitting on a great big wad of cash, it is the selling club who have come off best in the deal.

The stark, brutal stats of his time at Liverpool, are this. Carroll has played 13 games for Liverpool and scored just three goals, one of which came against Exeter City in the Carling Cup. The other two in a solitary game against Manchester City.

To put the Carroll transfer into some sort of context he is the most expensive British footballer and joint 13th in the all-time world list.

Yet, this is a player who moved to Anfield after just six successful months in the Premier League. A year earlier, the young striker had not even been guaranteed a start in Newcastle’s Championship-winning promotion side.

Liverpool paid a huge price for potential, but potential isn’t always realised, particularly if the person in possession doesn’t fully appreciate what needs to be done to unlock it.

Early days of course. Carroll hasn’t even been at Anfield a year and has spent a lot of that time recovering from a niggling knee injury.

There is still plenty of time for the 22-year-old to come good and rediscover the rampaging, uncontainable old fashioned centre-forward quality he appeared to have in black and white stripes. But, for the first time in his young career, Carroll is under pressure and we don’t know if he can cope.

He is being questioned and criticised, something he never had to contend with on Tyneside. For £35m, Liverpool don’t want potential, they want performances and goals, or at least a suggestion they are on the horizon.

As a local lad, fresh faced out of the Academy, Carroll’s failings were ignored at Newcastle, his bad behaviour forgiven and his liking for a night out just part of his charm in a city where everyone, young and old, enjoys doing the same.

At Newcastle, Carroll could do no wrong. He was encouraged and supported, even when he first broke into the first team and was so raw he looked blue.

Carroll thrived in that environment as an unknown quantity and was more accustomed to having smoke blown where the sun doesn’t shine rather than kicked around the same area.

The move to Liverpool looked a good one. He would learn from an old master like Kenny Dalglish and would develop at a club which could curb his wild streak and turn him into a finely-tuned athlete.

It has not quite worked out that way. Carroll regularly returns to Newcastle to enjoy his home town and he does not appear to have curbed anything.

Dalglish is sensibly trying to protect his player and has never criticised Carroll in public, but England manager Fabio Capello will be gone in a year’s time and has no interest in the long game or the hope Carroll matures with age.

He wants performances from Carroll now and he isn’t delivering them, hence his presence in the stands, not the squad, when England beat Bulgaria last week. Carroll has looked heavy and slow so far this season and there are suggestions he has put on weight since he left Newcastle.

No wonder Capello is worried about his lifestyle. The English drinking culture is alien to the Italian, but he has a valid point where Carroll is concerned.

There was another player like Carroll who once took the Premier League by storm. He was unplayable on his day, a devastating target man defenders were terrified of. His name was Duncan Ferguson.

Ferguson was a nearly player, someone who had 10 excellent games a season when he was fully fit and firing. As he got older and his lifestyle caught up with him, his body began to protest and he spent most of his time at Everton and Newcastle injured or recovering from them.

He was a brilliant player, but he never did it enough to be considered a great. Carroll could find he is following in his footsteps.

Does anyone remember Michael Ricketts? He scored 24 goals for Bolton Wanderers as they won promotion to the Premier League and had scored another 15 by February in his first season in the top flight.

It was form that rightly earned him an England cap against Holland in 2001. His career has been in free fall ever since, taking in the delights of Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Stoke, Cardiff, Burnley, Southend, Preston, Oldham, Walsall and finally Tranmere, who released him at the end of last season.

Carroll is a far better prospect than Ricketts, but his rapid decline is a timely reminder of what can happen to one season wonders in the Premier League.

Carroll could be a magnificent centre-forward for club and country. He could be the player Newcastle supporters always dreamed he would be for them, but at the moment he is danger of becoming the most expensive transfer flop of all time. Capello’s warning must not be ignored.

US Open 2011 Diary – Novak Djokovic having fun in the bagel shop

Even Novak Djokovic had to laugh at his own brilliance

Thursday in New York

Terrifying form

When a tennis player is in one of those ‘I can do no wrong moods’, it’s hard to see how they can lose a point, let alone a game or a match. Which is the situation that Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic find themselves in at the moment. Both S and Nole have been all too happy to visit the Flushing Meadows bagel shop, dropping just three games on their way to the third round – Serena two in her opener, one in her second, Novak one in his opener (admittedly helped along by Conor Niland’s stomach troubles), and two in his second.

Djokovic’s dominance over Carlos Berlocq was so ridonkadonk that he hit a  hotdog to set up match point. This does not happen in the real world.

It can’t last of course. Or can it? Either way, woe betide those poor souls who come next.

Passing through

Also cruising along were Roger Federer in 77 minutes, Caroline Wozniacki in 63 minutes (Arantxa Rus, you let me down), and Francesca Schiavone in 53 minutes. Restoring order with every game or set that they don’t drop. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marin Cilic, Jelena Jankovic and Tomas Berdych also advanced.

Stars and stripes

Yesterday marked the passage of five American women through to the third round at Flushing Meadows, the most since 2004 (when eight made it through). And, much more tellingly, three of the five are below the age of 21. Introducing Serena’s successors…Christina McHale, Irina Falconi, and now, 18 year-old Sloane Stephens. The punchy teenager didn’t even stop to muse on the fact that Shahar Peer might be too much for her, and will instead meet Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

The ones that don’t make sense

Gael Monfils lost to juan Carlos Ferrero in five very strange sets.

La Monf is a particularly curious case. Yes, JC Ferrero (not related to the chocolates, as someone did in fact ask), can defy his age to produce some vintage mosquito play, but still. These are matches that Monfils, who has talent screaming from his afro, should be winning. Except he doesn’t. Head-banger.

Richard Gasquet also went out to Ivo Karlovic in four.

And then there was one

Five players in the first round was pretty great, considering that it’s not Wimbledon. Three in the second round was greater. But now, as per usual, there’s just one. Not for want of trying on the part of Elena Baltacha, I’ll quickly add. She lead Svetlana Kuznetsova by a break at the start of their second-rounder, before the mercurial Russian got it together, and was ultimately that bit more consistent.Food for thought for Bally, who has had her best year in the Slams, all second rounds, at the grand old age of 28.

“Matches against world-class players like her teach you a lot about your game and where you need to improve,” Baltacha wrote in her BBC column. “My US Open might be over but I’m determined to finish the year strongly to give myself the right platform for 2012.”

But it does mean that Andy Murray is Britain’s last remaining player in the singles competition. Praise Peter for the doubles… Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, and Jonny Marray and Jamie Delgado are all in second round action today.

More on Venus

Venus Williams has been talking a bit more about being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome.

“I’ve been told it’s going to take three to six months for all the medication to sink in,” Williams told the New York Times, adding that she received a diagnosis last month. “Looking back, it’s affected my career in a huge way… A lot of times I’ve had to pretend I felt good when I felt terrible.”

The tennis world is behind her.

Have a read of some more thoughts on the US Open sick bay syndrome.

Soundbite

“Not much trouble on serve/baseline when it’s like that obviously tough 4 opponent. I just think I was superior today”

Vintage Roger Federer

What’s coming up this evening

Andy Murray v Robin Haase (approx 8.45pm UK time)

Robin Haase is a very sweet-natured Dutchman with a lovely smile. But let that not delude you that he can be swimming shark, his huge serve and groundstrokes meaning that Murray can’t afford to stand at the back of the court and swat.Will be a good test of where Murray’s return game is at.

Maria Sharapova v Flavia Pennetta

Inconsistent in her first round, dominant in her second – what will the third round bring from MaSha? Pennetta is one of the most naturally-gifted athletes on the WTA, so it won’t be easy. But when Maria gets the banshee wail going…

Rafael Nadal v Nicolas Mahut

Can the marathon man do anything to upset Rafa? Or will this be a chance for the defending champ to ease his way back into form.

Irina Falconi v Sabine Lisicki

Why? Because Falconi has a great name and Lisicki is one of the hardest hitters out there. Should be interesting.

Andy Roddick v Jack Sock

Old takes on new in this all-American duel. Roddick needs to stamp on Sock from the beginning. But can he?

Also in action

Juan Martin Del Potro (v Diego Junqueira), David Ferrer v James Blake, David Nalbandian v Ivan Ljubicic, John Isner (v Robby Ginepri), Sam Stosur v Nadia Petrova, Vera Zvonareva (v Annabel Medina Garrigues), Julia Goerges v Peng Shuai.

The daily click

Djokovic on song. In case you missed it.

US Open 2011 Diary: Freaky Friday for Andy Murray in New York

Andy Murray after turning things around against Robin Haase

Friday in New York

It was exhausting…

Agony and ecstasy

It doesn’t get any easier for Andy Murray fans. He’s either sublimely good, or sometimes, sublimely bad, mainly because he’s beating himself up rather than his opponent. Cue a lot of hair-tugging, swiping and swatting, and then, suddenly, big come on’s, fist pumps, even a leap or two in the air.

Which is exactly what happened last night against the curly top Robin Haase. The Dutchman did exactly what we thought he would do – served big and hit bigger from the back of the court. And Murray did, just nothing. Couldn’t get a ball in the court for two sets.

The world No 4 was left staring at the fact that he would have to come back from a two-set deficit for the sixth time in his career, or else head for JFK. And so, he did. Found some energy from I don’t know where, and basically fought himself silly to win 13 games on the trot, survive a Haase fightback, miss two match points (prompting one Italian journalist to yell ‘Ah, idiota!’) and finally come through by the car crash scoreline of 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4.

His reaction at the end – grinning and almost giggling as he pogo-sticked around the court, said it all. Might this just be the making of Andy Murray’s US Open? We shall see. Deliciano Lopez is up next.



If the Brits have it bad…

Try being an Australian. Sam Stosur, she of immense talent, potential and one of the nicest accents around, won the longest US Open women’s match of the Open era as she battled and tussled her way past a bicep-bragging Nadia Petrova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 in three hours and 16 minutes. Imagine the ice bath after that.

Amongst all the kerfuffle

Four other British players made it into the third round, albeit of the men’s doubles…Jonnny Marray and Jamie Delgado survived a three-set thriller, and Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins knocked out the No 2 seeds. Fab.

Over and out

Maria Sharapova. Flavia Pennetta played the match of her life to oust the former champion in three sets. Admittedly, Sharapova made it easier for her, producing a staggering 60 unforced errors, but Pennetta still needed to Hold Her Nerve, as we like to say.

“One of best wins of my career,” Pennetta said. “We fight lot, play really good. At 4-1 up started to shake a little. Just tried to focus.”

So what next for Masha? Losing the Wimbledon final, and now this? Thomas had better start practising his pep talks.

Bizarrely, depending on how everyone else does, Sharapova could still end the tournament as the world No 2. Make of that what you will.

Where did that come from?

Donald Young, the jaunty-angled cap-wearing American, with a fondness for a bit of bling,  dumped out the 14th seed, Stanislas Wawrinka, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1) victory in 4 hours, 20 minutes on the new court 17. Like, wow.

Young, a former junior No 1, has been one of these perennial ‘is he ever going to make it?’ sort of players, who, ever since beating Andy Murray mid-slump at Indian Wells, has started to do just that.

His celebrations alone showed just how much it meant to him. And to others as well…

@sloanetweets: “Donald Young did that!!! I’m VERY proud ”

Keep an eye on

Sabine Lisicki. ‘Boom Boom’, as she is becoming known, bagel-sticked Irina Falconi to reach her first ever US Open fourth round. Anticipation is building for a collision with Serena. Which of course means it might not happen. But keep an eye just the same.

More on the sick bed

Nicolas Mahut became the latest player to head to the Billie Jean King infirmary, retiring against Rafael Nadal. One half of a doubles team retired yesterday as well.

Still alive

Andy Roddick, Sam Stosur, Vera Zvonareva, David Ferrer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Rafael Nadal, John Isner.

Tweet of the day

“Bloody nora… @judmoo your lad mad us all a bit twitchy there. Well done @andy_murray amazing match.”

@gaby_logan on being an Andy-fan

Coming up this evening…

Novak Djokovic v Nikolay Davydenko

ND v ND. Present v past. And realistically, it’s only going to end one way.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Fernando Verdasco

Hold onto your power tools. This is going to be a big-hitting fest, one which the Frenchman should sneak.

Victoria Azarenka v Serena Williams

It seems very strange to think that it was a full three years ago that Azarenka had the running of Serena in their Australian Open meeting before having to retire. Not a lot has changed – Serena is still the favourite. But this should be her first big test.

Sloane Stephens v Ana Ivanovic

An audience with American for the young Stephens, who will show us if Ana really has the goods to make it back up to the top. Watch out for her serve.

Also in action

Roger Federer v Marin Cilic, Mardy Fish v Kevin Anderson, Tomas Berdych v Janko Tipsarevic, Jelena Jankovic v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The daily click

The Federer twins. Too cute.

US Open 2011 Diary: Is Serena Williams back to her best?

Serena Williams was at her best level for quite some time

Saturday in New York

Order is restored, but more players withdraw…

Float like a butterfly…

There was a moment yesterday when Serena Williams looked like she was on the ropes. Breathing heavily, walking slowly, she had just seen four match points come and go against Victoria Azarenka, and then surrendered her serve for the first time all tournament.

But Serena, who one tennis pundit remarked as back to being just as quick around the court as she was in her Serena Slam pomp 11 years ago, merely soaked it all up. Absorbing Azarenka’s aggression like a sponge, she sent it straight back during an extraordinary knife-edge tie-break.

It wasn’t just that she was hitting it gob-smackingly hard. She was hitting it so deep, and with such angles. And all the while sprinting to the net too. She even did the splits.

There is one word for Serena so far – awesome. Huge credit to Vika too. She tried.

Serena plays Ana Ivanovic next in the fourth round, who clutched her way to a straight-sets win over Sloane Stephens.

Unsung hero

Louise Engzell. The umpire over-ruled a call on one of Serena’s three match points, when the security guards had already begun to make their way onto the court. Keen eyes.

Props also to Jack Sock and Melanie Oudin, who knocked out top seeds Bob Bryan and Liezel Huber.

Cruising

Roger Federer may have dropped a set against Marin Cilic, but it didn’t seem to bother him unduly. The mighty Swiss moved within one win of extending his record streak of Grand Slam quarter-finals to 29, and also, on 226, an inch closer to Jimmy Connors’ record of 233 Grand Slam match wins.

Novak Djokovic had not the merest whiff of trouble against Nikolay Davydenko, romping his way to a 60th win this year. Just two losses, remember.

Mardy Fish also made it through very easily, as did Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone (albeit not so easily, but in true Fran style). It’s hotting up.

More wounded

The retired/withdrawn list rose again yesterday, prompting some reaction from the players…

@andy_murray is the 18th pull out in the us open telling the tennis authorities anything?? No?? Thought not….

Of course, pundits were quick to say that players shouldn’t overload their schedules so much. Let the blame-game begin.

New knowledge

John McEnroe provided yesterday’s ‘learn something new every day’ – apparently the nets at the US Open are tighter than they are at Wimbledon. Hence, more net cords?

Chest-bump of the day

Team Auf Geht’s - Andrea Petkovic and Julia Goerges. It’s a miracle they were still standing, they laughed so much.

Hitting partners

While Peter Fleming was spotted on the practice courts yesterday, unorthodox forehand and all, British youngster Liam Broady had the chance to have a hit with Andy Murray. Nadal at Wimbledon, Murray in New York. Not at all bad…

Coming up tonight…

Andy Murray v Feliciano Lopez

A re-match of their Wimbledon quarter-final, and one hopefully free of silly jokes about Judy, Murray should relish the prospect to face his good friend in his first night match of the tournament.

Lopez had no answer to Murray’s versatility and power at Wimbledon. But that will be different on hard courts. As ever though, Murray will need to execute well from the start, and not take himself on as well as the Spaniard.

Sabine Lisicki v Vera Zvonareva

Aside from Serena, Miss Lisicki is probably one of the most eagerly anticipated prospects  in the women’s game, so people will be expecting her to cause serious problems for Zvonareva, who withdrew from the doubles yesterday.

That said, the Russian and her phenomenal defence have a 3-0 record over Lisicki, so the German will need to make sure she is not missing.

Juan Martin Del Potro v Gilles Simon

The first big test for DelPo? The BFG hasn’t played on these courts since winning the title here two years ago, remember, and has so far been a rather silent mover through the draw. But Gilou, who takes an Andy Murray approach to hard court tennis, is not a straightforward customer. Del Potro’s power should be too much though.

Rafael Nadal v David Nalbandian

The fifth career meeting between these two, Rafa has two, Nalby has two. Nalbandian’s power will always present problems for Nadal, especially if he hits it flat to Nadal’s toes, but the question remains over whether he is physically fit enough to keep up with Nadal over five sets.

Nalbandian showed glimpses of his old form against Andy Murray in Cincinnati, but in reality, could only sustain it for a set.

The daily click

Jon Wertheim’s mid-term grades. Who’s ranked where so far in New York?

Keep an eye on

The weather. Rain is on the way. The doom-mongering has begun.