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First off, the Atlanta Braves’ 14 game winning streak came to end last night with a 1-0 loss to the Florida Marlins (Boo!!!) Oh, well, many good things do come to an end, and then on to something better!! Braves still lead the division (commanding lead) and an excellent performance by rookie pitcher Wood. They are back in action this afternoon.
Rogers Cup action this afternoon saw Serena Williams defeat Cirstea (the young Romanian player coached by Daren Cahill) with ease, 6 – 2, 6 – 0. Serena has been bothered by a stomach bug but still looks very strong headed into Cincinnati and then the US Open. Later this afternoon, Rafael Nadal will face off against hometown boy Milos Raonic (I am pulling for Raonic, but expect Nadal to win!). Raonic is in his first ever Masters 1000 final, so very fitting that it would be in his home country of Canada! Nadal won a tough three set match over world no. 1 Djokovic last night, 6 – 4, 3- 6. 7 – 6. He played very aggressive hard court tennis, something he will have to continue to do with those “fragile knees” on the hard courts as we head to the year’s final major at Flushing Meadow.
Still, if I am completely honest, which I usually am (?), I am eagerly awaiting the return to action next week of Mr. Federer. Roger is already in Cincinnati, practicing for the Western and Southern Open next week, apparently with the new, larger Wilson prototype racquet in tow. Roger really needs a good tournament next week, he is the defending champion and he has points to defend, as well as his ego. It has not been a good 2013 for Roger Federer. He says the back is healthy (let’s hope so!) and he still has the passion and he is ready to go. Well, I will be ready to watch and I hope he can perform “Federer like” and head into the US Open with some positives!! GO FED! Meanwhile…results of the final of the Rogers Cup to follow later…
At the PGA, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were in unfamiliar territory, teeing off in the am on TNT coverage, non-factors in the main event later today on CBS (action underway now!) Phil finished this year’s final major at +12 and Tiger came in at +4. Very disappointing for these two!! Oh well, Tiger is still the no. 1 ranked golfer in the world and Phil can go home and gaze fondly on that Claret Jug he won at the last major in Scotland!
Final results of PGA to follow later as well…I am enjoying “kale” for the first time today while I watch! It is supposed to be the new “in” thing for healthy eating…we shall see!
Rogers Cup final – Nadal over Raonic 6 – 2, 6 – 2. Nadal looks very impressive, expect him to show up next week in Cincinnati and not rest the “knees” prior to US Open? As for Raonic, he will become the first Canadian to be ranked in the ATP top ten next week coming in at #10. (Still looking for Roger Federer to show up next week as he starts the hard court season)! As for the kale…pretty good! Put some olive oil and sea salt on it and bake in oven at 350 for about 15 minutes…really tasty…do recommend adding your beverage of choice (mine was red wine!) OK, PGA still going strong, Dufner and Furyk both in the lead at -10…stay tuned!
It’s Dufner, sweet redemption for “Duf-Daddy” as his good buddy Keegan Bradley calls him. Dufner survives #17 and #18 as he and Jim Furyk battled together the whole day to finally win his first major. Two years ago in Atlanta, Jason Dufner had a 5 shot lead leaving the 15th hole only to falter and lose in a playoff with Bradley. Really classy of Keegan to be one of the first to greet him after his victory (after Jason’s wife, of course!) Heart felt hug from Jim Furyk as well. Well done Jason and War Eagle! Final day leaderboard: Jason Dufner -10, Jim Furyk -8, Henrik Stenson -7, Jonas Bixt -6, Adam Scott -5, Scott Piercy – 5, David Toms -4, and Zach Johnson, Jason Day, and Rory Mcilroy (finally some good golf from Rory) all at -3.
Much speculation that Jim Furyk has cemented his name as the next Ryder Cup captain for US with this performance. Well deserved if so, but the day belongs to Jason Dufner!
