If you want it, go get it! It’s yours for the taking! You couldn’t tell these Champions anything less.
So inspired and motivated by all them.
The RAMS trailed the 49ers, finally took the lead, then ensured they held on to it when 49ers had time left on the clock to score and they intercepted.
The BENGALS were down 3 – Chiefs 21 at HT and came right back for the win.
RAFAEL NADAL was down 2 sets vs. Medvedev and when Medvedev failed to break him at 3-2 in the 3rd, his momentum shift was unbeatable. Now he stands alone as the GOAT with 21 Grand Slam Wins.
ASHLEIGH BARTY was down 1-5 in the 2nd set vs Danielle Collins and refused to risk going to a decisive 3rd set and rallied back for the win.
CONGRATS to all the CHAMPIONS of the weekend! Well done.
How bad do you want it? Time isn’t waiting. Let’s get it!
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
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US Open Runner up, Serena Williams and Champion, Bianca Andreescu.
Suga hates to say it and it was hard to watch, but Serena let the thought of winning to even the 24 Grand Slam title record get in her head again. It was all about Serena’s start and you could tell from her being broken in the first game on serve, then losing the first set, 3-6, that she was likely to lose, yet another Championship after returning from having her baby.
I’m not knocking young 19-year old Bianca Andreescu’s game, but Serena was tight and was not even able to get a 1st serve in. When did Serena loosen up somewhat? Being down 1-5 in the 2nd set and facing Championship point! Serena fought back to 5-all in the 2nd, then the Canadian, Andreescu finally held her serve to go up 6-5 putting the pressure back on Serena to force a tie break for a 3rd set. Serena tightened up again with a double fault or 2, I can’t remember with the roaring crowd who came to witness the history of Serena winning a 24th major. Andreescu was back at Championship point, capitalised on making a good return from a slow 2nd serve and became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam Title. She is also the first teenager to win one since Sharapova in 2006 and the first woman to win a Grand Slam title on her 1st Final debut. Bianca was absolutely fearless and looks like a young Serena in the making. She is an all-rounder, being a hard-hitter, great on returns and has a powerful serve. Congrats to Bianca Andreescu!
Many have given up on Serena and after yesterday’s 4th straight Grand Slam final loss, I almost did too. But she shouldn’t give up yet and I don’t think she will. She missed a great opportunity with all the big names such as Halep, Kerber, Osaka etc. being out and she could have used experience to win, but it just was not time. It is the best we have seen her move since returning from having a child, but her preparation time was still cut short with injuries previous to this US Open. If she can keep herself injury free and bring back what sportswriter Lindsay Gibbs dubbed, ‘Catsuit tennis’, and maybe even keep the Duchess of Sussex out her player’s box, maybe she can get to 24.
For Serena Williams, the best is still unwritten. But on a brighter note, Women’s tennis is alive again! This has been the most exciting, competitive tennis I have seen from the women in a long time and it was great to watch. I am excited about Andreescu. I love her fearless style of play, loose yet controlled and her personality. She came from 105 in the world to no. 15 in just 1 year. She did not qualify for last year’s US Open and is now the US Open Champion. Congratulations again Bianca! She won 6-3, 7-5.
We look forward to seeing her fashionista Mom and dog, Coco in the stands again soon too!
Bianca Andreescu’s parents in her Player’s box for the Ladies US Open final.
THE MEN’S FINAL
US Open Runner up, Daniil Medvedev and 4-time Champion, Rafael Nadal.
I do not have as much to say about the men, the quieter side this time around. But do we finally see a threat to the big 3 with the Russian, Daniil Medvedev? I hope so!
Medvedev won back the respect of the US Open crowd after an angry moment with a ball boy and a few words thrown at a booing crowd in the round of 16. He did it with his ability to give the crowd what they wanted – more tennis! He went from looking like he was going to lose in straight sets, to challenging Rafael Nadal to 5-sets in the US Open Final. He somehow had a moment with his shoe at 2-2 in the 5th set, his game was thrown off a bit and it went downhill from there for him to be down 2-4 after Nadal looked like he was going to give him that game at 2-2 to save energy for his service game because he was losing the majority of long rallies.
Nadal’s first service percentage was low in this final too, but he did not let it affect his game. It was more so, lack of energy and well, age that started to show. But as a true Champion and the warrior that Nadal is, even though Medvedev fought back to 4-4, he played well and was able to come knocking on Federer’s door to win his 19th Grand Slam title and 4th US Open title, 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4. He capitalised on his opportunity with Federer out early and world no. 1 Djokovic retiring with a shoulder injury in the round of 16. Well done, well fought and Congrats Rafa! When he won, a screen showed all the moments from his Grand Slam title wins and Nadal was emotional, just like in a telenovela. Medvedev joked that it was a good thing Nadal won, because if he did, they would have nothing to show. Medvedev definitely won a lot of fans at the US open and I am one of them.
Now, let the argument of who is the G.O.A.T begin!
Spectacular Open. See you next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Mohamed Salah scored a penalty for Liverpool in the 2nd minute of the Champions League Final last Saturday. The penalty was a result of a handball off Tottenham Hotspur’s Moussa Sissoko. After a quick goal, quite a boring game followed, where Tottenham had over 60% possession for the majority of the game, but failed to score. After a few close attempts from Tottenham towards the end of the game, Liverpool’s Divock Origi sealed the title win at 87 minutes with a goal in the corner of the net.
Liverpool won 2-0. This was a great win for Liverpool after losing the English Premier League by 1 point to Manchester City. Congrats to Liverpool!
French Open, Roland Garros
Ladies
Venus Williams was sent home in the 1st round again.
Naomi Isaka (Photo: BBC Sport)
World #1 Naomi Osaka and GOAT Serena Williams were knocked out in the 3rd round of the French Open on Saturday.
Past French Open Champ, Garbiñe Muguruza was knocked out yesterday by Sloane Stephens in straight sets.
Defending Champ, Simona Halep is still in it to win it!
Simona Halep (Photo: BBC Sport)
Men
Favourites, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are all still in it to win it!
Stan Wawrinka won an epic 5-setter versus young Stefanos Tsitsipas who beat Federer in the Australian Open this year. Wawrinka faces Federer next!
WARRIORS level the series with the RAPTORS to 1-1 in the NBA FINALS
The wounded Warriors persevered to win 109-104 versus the Raptors last night.
They lost Kevon Looney in the 2nd quarter to a collarbone injury.
Steph Curry wasn’t feeling 100% and briefly went to the locker room and returned with more energy.
Klay Thompson left early in the fourth with a hamstring injury.
Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, but his supporting cast of Siakam and Gasol were shut down defensively by the Warriors. Lowry was fouled out late in the 4th.
The Splash Brothers scored the most points, Klay with 25 and Curry with 23, but their supporting cast stepped up big time to help them get the road win.
Draymond scored 17 points.
DeMarcus Cousins a.k.a Boogie who just returned in Game 1 after being out for a while with a quad injury, gave them 11 points and a lot of minutes with great passes. Cook hit some clutch 3-pointers, Bogut stepped in well for Looney and Iguodala sealed the win with a 3-pointer after a great assist from Livingston that was almost intercepted by Kawhi.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA FINALS
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Naomi Osaka is now Japan’s first World no. 1 after her Australian Open win in Melbourne on Saturday night. She defeated Petra Kvitova in an epic 3-setter. She fought hard for it and won, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4. Congrats Naomi!
Photo: Sky Sports
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic steam rolled World no. 2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets yesterday and stunned everyone with how easy he made it look to defeat his rival and 2nd all time great, Nadal, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Nadal had an extra day of rest compared to Djokovic, which could have worked against him in the final. He had a lot of unforced errors, but Djokovic was just spectacular. His game was at a new level. We all expected a memorable marathon 5-setter, but this defeat will be just as memorable.
This win, makes a record 7th Australian Open win for Djokovic and he now passes Pete Sampras with 15 Grand Slam title wins. He now eyes Rafael Nadal at 17 and Roger Federer at 20. Congrats Djoko!
Upcoming
Photo: www.pjobriens.com.au
Super Bowl LIII (53), featuring the NFC champion, Los Angeles Rams vs. the AFC champion, New England Patriots, will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia this Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 6:30pm on CBS.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Novak Djokovic won the US Open Men’s Final yesterday, beating Juan del Potro in fine style and straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 to equal American great, Pete Sampras’ haul of 14 major titles.
Djokovic was in top form and so was del Potro. But even though del Potro played well, he was not on the same level as Djokovic.
Djoko’s rivals, Roger Federer with 20 and Rafael Nadal with 17, are the only ones still ahead and dominating Men’s tennis along with him. Djokovic won Wimbledon this year as well, making it his first back-to-back Grand Slam titles since June 2016. While Nadal won the French and Federer won the Australian Open this year.
Djokovic, will now climb to 4th in the world after his great comeback from an elbow injury and back-to-back Grand Slam victories.
Congrats Novak!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Venus Williams (L) and her sister, Serena Williams (R) embrace after their 3rd round match last Friday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Serena Williams played her best tennis since her return from having a baby, routing her sister, Venus Williams 6-1, 6-2. Probably because she knows her best?
Serena moved on to send home Kaia Kanepi who eliminated the world no. 1, Simona Halep in the 1st round. Everyone thought the match would be over quickly after Serena destroyed her 6-0 in the first set in 18 minutes, but she recovered and came back to take the 2nd set 6-4. Serena took on the challenge to win the 3rd set and match, 6-3.
Serena plays Karolina Pliskova next, tomorrow at 9am ET.
Maria Sharapova eliminated young, Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.
Madison Keys is through to the Round of 16.
Madison Keys (Photo: BBC Sport)
Sloane Stephens, the last of the top seeds left in the tournament and Defending Champ, defeated Elise Mertens last night in straight sets and looks like she is in winning shape.
Young Naomi Osaka, is also still in it to win it.
Men
Things are coming down to a crunch with the Men as well. Will there be a Djokovic-Federer Semifinal?
Novak Djokovic eliminated Richard Gasquet easily in straight sets.
Dominic Thiem who eliminated Stan Wawrinka early, also eliminated marathon-setter, Kyle Anderson in straight sets, which is never easy to do.
American, John Isner eliminated the Canadian, Milos Raonic in an epic 5-setter.
Juan del Potro sailed through his match to reach the Quarterfinals. He plays John Isner tomorrow!
Roger Federer (Photo: Bleacher Report)
Roger Federer schooled the young Aussie, Nick Kyrgios in straight sets to advance to the round of 16.
Watch “US Open Hot Shot: Roger Federer Goes AROUND The Net” on YouTube here and the shot is legal!Â
Young, Kei Nishikori is still in it to win it, as well as 2014 US Open Champ, Marin Cilic.
Rafael Nadal (Photo: Bleacher Report)
World no. 1, Rafael Nadal was forced to rise to the occasion to eliminate hard-hitter, Nikoloz Basilashvili in 4 sets. That was quite a quality match! He plays Dominic Thiem tomorrow!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Serena Williams is out in her tutu for the US Open after her cat suit was banned. I mean, it’s not like the fashionable G.O.A.T would wear it again anyway.
Twirllll
Serena meets her sister, Venus today for the 3rd round at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at about 6pm ET on ESPN.
How has Serena been hitting? Check this video out from ESPN on her 2nd round win by clicking on the link here:
https://es.pn/2olVYVe
Upsets on the Ladies side so far
The no. 1 seed, Simona Halep crashed out of the US Open quite early in the 1st round! So did the no. 2, Caroline Wozniacki last night in her 2nd round match.
French and Wimbledon Champ, Garbiñe Muguruza also tapped out.
Who’s left for the Ladies besides the Williams Sisters who have dominated the sport for years?
The field is still wide open. But Defending Champ, Sloane Stephens is still in it to win it.
Maria Sharapova is still struggling with her comeback.
Then there is young Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, KarolÃna PlÃÅ¡ková, Jelena Ostapenko, Petra Kvitová and more!
What’s happening with Men?!
No upsets on the Men’s side just yet! Big name favourites Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are looking good and still in it to win it!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Kevin Anderson upset Roger Federer to reach the semis. He will face John Isner who took out Milos Raonic. Their match is scheduled for this morning at 7 am ET on ESPN.
Novak Djokovic who is attempting his comeback after an elbow injury will have a hard task ahead of him to get past Rafael Nadal to the final. Their Semifinal follows at 10 am ET on ESPN.
The Men’s Final will be this Sunday at 8 am ET. If it is a quick one, it will not clash with the World Cup Final that starts at 10am ET.
Women’s Final
Photo source: ESPN
Serena Williams is back in a Grand Slam final! She will play Angelique Kerber, who she defeated to win Wimbledon in 2016 in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. The final is tomorrow at 8 am ET on ESPN.
Even though Serena is the G.O.A.T in the open era, will she get to 24 Grand Slams to match Margaret Court?
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Starting Five of the Golden State Warriors celebrate their NBA Championship win last Friday (Photo: ESPN)
The Golden State Warriors swept the Cavs Friday night in a blowout! 108-85!
This is the 3rd NBA Championship win for Stephen Curry and the 3rd ring for Steve Kerr as a Coach to add to his 5 rings as a player.
Kevin Durant won Finals MVP, snatching it from teammate, Steph Curry after his epic, unforgettable Game 3 performance.
Photo: ESPN
KD accepting his Finals MVP Trophy last Friday night (Photo: Bleacher Report)
LeBron James had a great run carrying his team that had no chance in the Playoffs all the way to the Finals. But he has now been swept twice in the NBA Finals, where the first time was by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007.
Stay tuned for LeBron’s next move. It will be a long summer.
FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL
SIMONA HALEP VS. SLOANE STEPHENS
Photo: BBC Sport
World no. 1, Simona Halep finally won her 1st Grand Slam! Congrats to her and well fought after losing the 1st set to Sloane Stephens and being broken the 1st game in the 2nd. She beat Sloane Stephens, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Simona Halep credited mental strength to winning her first Grand Slam.
Simona Halep raises her long-awaited French Open Grand Slam Trophy last Saturday (Photo: Sports mole)
BELMONT STAKES
Justify being ridden to victory by Mike Smith at the 2018 Belmont Stakes (Photo: New York Times)
Justify, an American thoroughbred racehorse, became the 13th winner of the American Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes last Saturday. The 2018 Kentucky Derby and the 2018 Preakness Stakes preceded his big win at Belmont.
The last horse to do so was American Pharoah in 2015 who ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought. Both were guided by the same trainer, Bob Baffert.
JN RACER’S GRAND PRIX
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in action at the JN Racer’s Grand Prix at The National Stadium Saturday, June 9, 2018.
The Queen is back! Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce not only improved on her time since her return, but won the 100m Women’s race as well in 11.10s!
This all went down at the National Stadium on Saturday night.
Also look out for our future Queen, young Briana Williams (16yrs), who had a faster start than our Pocket Rocket and sustained her speed throughout the race, finishing 3rd in 11.26. Congrats to Team Jamaica and thanks to other athletes who came to the island to compete.
Jenna Prandini of the USA and no stranger to Jamaica came a close 2nd to Shelly in 11.14.
FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL
RAFAEL NADAL VS. DOMINIC THIEM
Rafael Nadal reacts after winning Championship point and his 11th French Open title yesterday
Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open yesterday! He beat Dominic Thiem who put up quite a fight, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Each set was about an hour-long, but the experience, strength, power and dominance of Nadal was just too much for Thiem. Winning never gets easier, but he has pulled it off again. Congrats Rafa!
Now let’s get ready for the World Cup!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament 2018
WOMEN
The ladies have been battling it out in some neck to neck matches. The focus has been on World #1, Simona Halep, former World #1, Angelique Kerber (21) and current World #2, Caroline Wozniacki.
Simona Halep from Romania a.k.a Jalapeño Pepper (Photo: GotCeleb)
Simona Halep has been struggling with a chronic ankle injury, but showed she was not backing out easily in the Quarterfinals after being down 3-0 in the 1st set to KarolÃna PlÃsková (6) and fighting back to win 6-3, 6-2.
Angelique Kerber (Photo: The Sun)
She then faced Angelique Kerber (21) in the Semifinals last night. Kerber has had a good run this Australian Open so far despite her inconsistencies in winning majors. She defeated huge contenders such as Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys (17).
On the other side of the draw, young Belgian, Elise Mertens had an impressive straight set win (6-4, 6-0) over Elina Svitolina (4). She has been a part of former Belgian Tennis Player and World #1, Kim Clijsters’ Tennis Camp. Kim has been texting her with encouragement for every match.
Elise Mertens (Photo: indianexpress.com)
Elise played one of the favourites, Caroline Wozniacki (2) last night in the Semifinals.
Caroline Wozniacki (Photo: www.usatoday.com)
So who’s meeting in the Women’s Final?!
It will be Caroline Wozniacki (2) versus Simona Halep (1)! Whoever wins will win their 1st Grand Slam title and will be World #1.
Wozniacki’s Semifinal vs Mertens
Wozniacki tightened up towards the end of the match versus Mertens, up 6-3, 5-4 (30-0), then was brought to a tiebreak. She managed to dominate and win the tiebreak, thus the match, 6-3, 7-6 and is heading to her 3rd Grand Slam Final. Will the 3rd time be a charm?
Halep’s Semifinal vs Kerber
The Halep-Kerber Semifinal was epic!
Halep was quite solid versus Kerber until she was up 5-0 to serve out the first set and probably couldn’t believe she got there so fast. It looked like she started to think about it and handed Kerber 2 free points from double faults. Kerber picked up her game after that until Halep broke her to win the first set 6-3.
The 2nd set was a ding-dong battle even though Kerber was still plagued with unforced errors. With Halep looking slightly fresher and up 8-7, both had lost 2 match points until Halep lost a 3rd match point on Kerber’s serve and she kept pressing until she took full advantage of the 4th match point in the same game and won.
Date and Time of the Women’s Final
Saturday (Friday night) at 3:30am
Suga’s Prediction
Simona Halep has the reputation of choking in major matches, always coming close and losing it mentally and physically. However, she has stated there is a new Simona now and I believe her after the courage she showed versus the stubborn, Angelique Kerber.
I do not think Halep is giving up on this opportunity. I also doubt it will be a close or epic final. Suga calls Halep for the win.
MEN
Marin Čilić (6) reached to the Semifinals after World #1, Rafael Nadal retired in the 5th set agonized by a hip injury.
Marin Čilić (Photo: The Sun)
I like to refer to Čilić as Sparta. Whether he reached to the Semifinals by default or not, he is quite a fighter.
He played Kyle Edmund in the Semis.
Kyle Edmund (Photo: www.express.co.uk)
On the other side of the draw lies the young, South Korean, Hyeon Chung. He is the first Korean to reach the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals.
Hyeon Chung (Photo: hindustantimes.com)
Chung sent former World #1, Novak Djokovic packing in the 4th round in straight sets. Djokovic expressed frustration with his chronic elbow injury.
Chung then went on to defeat Tennys Sandgren in the Quarterfinals who previously took out Dominic Thiem (5) in 5 sets.
Who does he meet next?
Roger Federer (Photo: The Indian Express)
He will meet the G.O.A.T and current World #2, Roger Federer tonight at 3:30am. Roger previously defeated Tomáš Berdych (19) in straight sets.
Were there any Upsets and Who’s Already in the Men’s Final?!
Marin Čilić has booked his spot in the Final and will wait on the winner of the Chung-Federer Semifinal! No surprises there. Čilić beat beat Edmund 6-2, 7-6, 6-2.
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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