Sports
Del Potro knocked out of Australian Open after losing to Federer
Argentine tennis player Juan Martín Del Potro was eliminated from the Australian Open today in the first grand slam of the year, after losing in the quarter finals against the Swiss champion Roger Federer by 6-4 6-3 6-2.
Del Potro battled it out over a period of an hour and 59 minutes, but what he was able to bring was no match for Federer, who is chasing a 17th grand slam crown and fifth in Melbourne.
With shadow crawling across centre court, Federer double-faulted to bring up two break points and ended up having to save four to close out the set.
Juan Martín Del Potro avanzó a tercera ronda en Australia
The result was mixed for Argentina at the Australian Open, as Juan Martín del Potro advanced further in the competition, while David Nalbandian fell under controversy and subsequently left the tournament in Melbourne.
The player from Tandil confidently beat Slovene Blaz Kavcic, in a total of three sets (6-4, 7-5, 6-3), in Melbourne, moving him forward in the Australian Open.
Del Potro, who has plummeted to 11th place ATP ranking had recently resigned to play the first round of the Davis Cup next Feb 10 to 12 against Germany
In the next instance, Juan Martín Del Potro will face Yeng Hsung, from Taiwan.
Meanwhile a furious David Nalbandian was eliminated after his game against American John Isner 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5 el tie break) y 10-8, in the second round of the Australian Open today
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Australia Open
Juan Ignacio Chela made its debut with a victory. The Argentine tennis player advanced to the second round of the tournament after defeating American Michael Russell, 7-6, 6-3 & 6-4.
Chela placed a three-hour game against Russell and in the next round he will face Spanish Pablo Andujar, who deeated Russian Igor Kunitsyn, 6-1, 7-6 (14-12) & 6-0.
Gisela Dulko, in turn, lost agaisnt Russian María Sharapova by 6-0 y 6-1. after a 58’-game.
Del Potro & Nalbandian advanced to the second round at the first Grand Slam in Australia.
Juan Martín Del Potro defeated French Adrian Mannarino in four sets.
The tennis player (11) from the city of Tandil in the province of Buenos Aires, had to work very hard to beat Mannarino (87), 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 & 6-4, in a three-hour game.
In the next round, "Delpo" will face Slovene Blaz Kavcic (103), who has just defeated British James Ward (161) 6-4, 6-3 & 6-4.
David Nalbandian, in turn, advance to the second round of the Australia Open after his rival, Finnish Jarkoo Nieminem abandoned the game during the second set after an hour play.
The Argentine tennis player (64) had won the first set by 6-4.
Messi wins third consecutive Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi clinched his record-equalling third consecutive Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual award, after the Argentine forward was among the three shortlisted nominees named along with Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barcelona team mate Xavi.
Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2009 and 2010, was the favourite to complete a hat-trick of titles after his man-of-the-match performance helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in May.
Former France international and current UEFA President Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or for three consecutive years from 1983.
Last year, the FIFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or awards merged into the FIFA Ballon d’Or and votes now come from the coaches and captains of international teams as well as from journalists.
Messi thanked all those who voted for him: players, mates, trainers and journalists and he saif he wanted to share the prize with the Barca footballers and the Argentine Team since all of them made the it possible.
The winner was announced in Zurich with 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit of Netherlands presiding over the ceremony.
Messi sent a letter to the President
The letter expressed his affection and encouragement to face the surgery the President will undergo next week.
The football player Lionel Messi sent the President his best wishes over the difficult situation she will soon face.
A press release published in the social net Facebook, the football crack, his family and team wished the President a soon recovery and sent her their positive energy on the occasion as well as a quick and successful recovery.
Messi is currently in the city of Rosario visiting his family and spending the holiday season.
The Davis Cup
Spanish David Ferrer defeated Juan Martín Del Potro 2-0 and granted the Spanish team the second point at the final stage of the Davis Cup.
David Ferrer defeated Juan Martín del Potro by 6-2, 6-7 (2), 3-6, 6-4 y 6-3. The Davis Cup 2011, is played on a clay court at the La Cartuja Tennis Court, in Sevilla.
The first game was also lost by Argentine Juan Mónaco before Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-1 y 6-2. Therefore, a Spanish victory in the double games today will establish Spain as the champion for the fifth time running.
The Argentine team David Nalbandian-Eduardo Schwank will have to defeat Feliciano López - Fernando Verdasco in the doubles today to be allowed to play tomorrow, Sunday when the first and second best rackets will face each other.
Davis Cup 2011
Argentina, represented by Juan Martín Del Potro launched the training practices at the La Cartuja Stadium, in Sevilla, in preparation for the Davis Cup 2011 tournament against Spain, to be held between next Friday and Sunday.
Del Potro, seeded 11, and main tennis player trained before Juan Ignacio Chela, while David Nalbandian played against Juan Mónaco and Eduardo Schwank faced Facundo Bagnis.
The final selection is to be carried out this morning, at midday in the European country. The first game of the Davis Cup will face the first seeded of each country against the second seeded of the opponent. Double games will be played on Saturday while on Sunday only the best players will play.
Argentina 1-1 against Bolivia in the Americas’ Cup debut game
The Argentine team finished the game in a 1-1 draw against Bolivia after the match played at the La Plata Stadium for the inaugural Americas’ Cup tournament 2011.
In Europe “football” is meant “for all”
A European Court decided that the World Cup and the Eurocopa will be broadcast through open channels because they are very important to society.
Gisella Dulko won her first Grand Slam
Playing doubles together with Italian Flavia Pennetta, both tennis players conquered the Australia Open for the “double female” category:
Independiente beat Deportivo Quito
The team of Avellaneda defeated their opponent by 2-0, in the match of the first phase at the Libertadores Cup whose winner will integrate the 8th Group.
No Argentine players left at the Australia Open
Juan Martín del Potro was defeated by Marcos Baghdatis in the first Grand Slam of the year.
“The Dakar Rally moved around 150 M dollars”
Tourism Minister, Enrique Meyer, affirmed that the contest generated that sum of money from International and national tourism.
Tomás Maffei first on quads.
The Argentine pilot wan the second stage of the Dakar 2011 and became the leader of the category.
Tomás Maffei first on quads.
The Argentine pilot wan the second stage of the Dakar 2011 and became the leader of the category.
Marcos Patronelli entered the Dakar Rally.
The Quads driver who suffered an accident last month and fractured both ankles, Marcos Patronelli announced that he will be there to finish the Dakar Rally 2011, which will start next Saturday in Buenos Aires, despite the fractures he suffered.
Marcos Patronelli entered the Dakar Rally.
The Quads driver who suffered an accident last month and fractured both ankles, Marcos Patronelli announced that he will be there to finish the Dakar Rally 2011, which will start next Saturday in Buenos Aires, despite the fractures he suffered.
Dakar Rally 2011
Dakar director, Etienne Lavigne, confirmed the participation of 430 vehicles in the race that reunites cars, motorcycles, quads and trucks.
Juan Martín Del Potro lost in Tokio
The Argentine tennis player fell at the second game after his comeback from the operation he underwent in his right wrist.
