In what was without a doubt the most dramatic and exciting final ever seen at Wimbledon, Spain's Rafael Nadal won an incredible 7-hour marathon (5 on the court, 2 rain delays) over Switzerland's, Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7. Federer, who had won Wimbledon five consecutive times was chasing Swedish great Bjorn Borg's record of 6 All-England titles.
Nadal, who originally comes from the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Mallorca, became the first player to win both Wimbledon and the French Open since Bjorg accomplished the feat 28 years ago in 1980. With the Spaniards winning the European Cup last Sunday in Austria against Germany 1-0, it's certainly been a banner week for Spanish pride.
Congratulations to Serbian born, Toronto raised Daniel Nestor, who along with his partner Nenad Zimonjic, won the doubles championships at Wimbledon this year. Probably the top doubles player of the past decade, Nestor's title this year is his impressive 54th that includes winning the Australian, US and French Open championships to go along with his now crowning jewel, Wimbledon.
Great upset unanimous decision win for Forest Griffin over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Saturday night when he took the defending champ to school to win the UFC light heavyweight title at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas. It was a great fight from the opening bell and my little birdies tell me that the powers to be have already begun to negotiate a rematch between the two warriors.
Great co-main event saw Canadian middle weight phenom Patrick Coté, eke out a really tight decision over Brazilian Jui Jitsu king Ricardo Almeida in a great technical fight that has thrust the former Canadian soldier into the top echelon of his weight class and the UFC pound for pound rankings.
Congratulations and two thumbs up for Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, who will be the bottom dwelling team's lone representative in this year's all-star game next week at New York's Yankee Stadium. Halladay, who sports an impressive 10-6 record, leads the league in innings pitched and complete games and is one of the few bright spots in a team whose lack of a star quality lineup is certainly reflected in their bottom dwelling status in the American League Eastern Division.
The CFL lost one of its most respected and influential executives over the weekend with the sudden passing of BC Lions president Bobby Ackles, 69. One of the feel good stories in football, Ackles, who literally began his football career in the early 1950s as a water boy for the Lions would see his career develop into not only one of the CFL's top executives, but one of the league's most respected visionaries. Condolences go out to his family and to the Lions and football fans everywhere, which lost one of Canadian football's greatest forces.
It looks like Todd Bertuzzi has returned to Canada to play, signing a one-year deal with the Calgary Flames after being put on waivers by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to make some salary cap room. The last time I looked, former Avalanche centre Steve Moore, who was severely injured by Bertuzzi in a February 2004 game in what was one of the most violent cheap shots in NHL history, has yet to play a game since the incident. Something in this scenario just doesn't sit well with this sportswriter.
Not a great day yesterday for former Leaf star Doug Gilmour, who has been working as a special consultant for the team. With Cliff Fletcher's hiring of Joe Nieuwendyk as a special consultant assisting Fletcher, the team's interim GM, it cuts into the 'killer's job description with the team. Look for Gilmour to accept an assistant coaching job somewhere in the Leaf's minor league organization.
For anyone looking to add some class to their wedding or special occasion, call my pals Sophia or Marjana Bauk at Floral Affairs at 416-505-9542 or 647-408-7935. This talented Mother and Daughter Wedding and special events planners are truly one of the best duos in the business and are sure to make your once in a lifetime event a classic and memorable affair. They're the best!
Until next time
all
It is with a heavy heart that I write tonight that sportscaster, ‘King of Fight’ Eddie Zawadzki is gone. Eddie’s sister, Christine called to tell Canada Free Press (CFP) that Eddie died this morning of a massive heart attack, age 55.
