No IRL race this week, but some fantastic sports non-the-less. Wimbledon, World Cup and Formula One topped my list.
I, along with millions world-wide, were amazed by the incredible display of athleticism demonstrated by American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut over an epic three-day span at Wimbledon. In the tournament’s longest match ever, Isner ultimately prevailed over Mahut with a final score of 70–68 in the fifth and final set. For 11 hours and 5 minutes, the world of tennis was focused squarely on court 18 and the fierce completion displayed by both athletes.
The American World Cup team made headlines by winning their group in South Africa only to turn around and lose their Round of 16 match to Ghana on Saturday. In typical fashion, the US gave up an early goal, was able to come from behind and tie the match in regulation, but allowed the winning goal from Ghana only three minutes into extra time. Landon Donovan didn’t help the US cause with his lackluster effort relying on teammates to cover for him. Having met Donovan after the last World Cup in 2006, his performance didn’t really surprise me. He seemed completely indifferent about their loss then and appears not to have changed his attitude for this World Cup. Not what you would like to see from one of the team’s major stars.
Finally, the Formula One European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain had drama of its own. Australian Mark Weber suffered a horrific crash with his car going airborne early on, Lewis Hamilton was given a drive-through penalty that didn’t really penalize him and 10 drivers were issued post-race penalties. Meanwhile, Weber’s Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel finished first, while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finished second and third respectively.
