WEEK OUT

Big names bow out

The French Open is as unpredictable as they come and the past week at the Roland Garros was no different. Big names were shown the exit door by determined and feisty competitors. Reputations counted for little as tenacity counted for more and Samantha Stosur was nothing if not tenacious. The Australian accounted for Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic and entered her first Grand Slam final. On the men's side, last year's runner-up, Robin Soderling, turned the tables on Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.

Minnows win

A 'second string' side that can't beat a Zimbabwean cricket team, which probably just plays one-tenth of the matches that India plays in a year. We were under the impression that domestic cricket was hale and hearty, but then what went wrong in Zimbabwe of all places? Maybe it's just over confidence. Maybe the competition isn't worthy of being taken seriously. If performances like this continue, then thank god, hockey is still our national game.


WEEK IN

Lakers take the lead

The NBA finals got under way two days ago but there's a lot of time left before a clear winner can be called. Kobe Bryant had 30 points to lead the LA Lakers past the Boston Celtics 102-89 in Thursday's opening game of the 2010 NBA finals. Game two of the best-of-seven series is on Sunday in Los Angeles. For the second time in three years and the 12th time in history the Lakers and the Celtics are battling in the post-season showcase.

Bring it on!

The world will come to a standstill at 7. 30pm on Friday evening when the Jabulani (the official ball) is kicked in South Africa. The FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet, gets underway in less than a week. Have you picked your favourite yet?