Umpire's Chair
Beauty And The Beast: Thoughts On The Final
Written by Claire Mayer   
Sunday, 08 July 2007
Unconditional: not subjects to conditions or limitations. Absolute.

You could almost have portrayed the Miami 2007 Final as a Greek tragedy. It had all the necessary elements: two characters (Justine Henin and Serena Williams), with opposing philosophies on life, caught up in a controversial feud, both with their own ‘fatal flaws’. Pathos towards the two; one because she wasn’t meant to get this far, not in this tournament, not after what she’s been through in recent times, the other for constantly having to prove her place, to win over the doubts who still murmur after her win in the Australian Open that it’s all a fluke, that she should just give up now. Beating Sharapova, twice, didn’t prove anything except that maybe Hingis isn’t the only haunted player by her own ghosts.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 September 2007 )
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Justine Henin: The Quiet Belgian
Written by Claire Mayer   
Sunday, 08 July 2007

There is an intrigue to Justine Henin which is hard to explain. It is in her personality as much as her style of play. You don’t just watch her play — you watch her with interest, curiosity, wondering what she will do next. She asks questions, and you don’t know the answers. She needs support, from her coach, from the fans, but doesn’t know how to ask for it. There’s a vulnerability to the Belgian which is unusual in most professional athletes.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 September 2007 )
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Hingis: The One Which Got Away
Written by Claire Mayer   
Sunday, 08 July 2007
If I’ve always associated Hingis’ comeback to Train’s ‘Drops of Jupiter’, then I feel that what happens afterwards follows more the script laid out in ‘Away From The Sun’, courtesy of 3 Doors Down: ‘It’s down to this, I’ve got to make this life make sense… The feeling’s gone, there’s nothing left to lift me up’.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 September 2007 )
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Formula 1 - Latest News

McLaren Gets Away But Swears Vengeance

14.09.2007 | Formula 1

So we now know that McLaren are being penalised for the whole Stepney and Coughlan shenanigans.  So what does this mean to the team? Well they will fight on, both in the championship, and also…     Readmore

Tennis - Latest News

Henin and Golovin in Stuttgart final

07.10.2007 | Tennis

(Stuttgart, Germany) The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has the final the audience in the Porsche Arena was hoping for: Pretty Glamour Girl Tatiana Golovin of France is up against Worlds Best Tennis Player…     Readmore