2014 Season Preview: John Isner

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Nobody can trigger wild fluctuations between giddy hope and dark despair quite like John Isner. That’s mainly because when he’s on his game and firing aces like rockets, he can dominate anyone—including Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. This year in Cincinnati, Isner scored back-to-back-to wins over then-No. 10 Milos Raonic, No. 1 Djokovic, and No. 7 Juan Martin del Potro.
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Somehow, though, Isner hasn’t been able to put—and keep—the pieces together long enough to break through and establish himself in the Top 10 on a regular basis (he’s been as high as No. 9—for a week). That’s a little surprising, given that Isner is ranked No. 2 in break-points saved (career) and trails only Roger Federer in tiebreaker winning percentage (Isner was 38-18 in tiebreakers last year).
Given those stats, you might reasonably wonder, “How come this guy isn’t winning more tournaments, or big matches?” It’s an intriguing question to which there’s only one good answer: Isner is losing too many matches he ought to win. He won two titles in 2013, but he was a so-so 39-24 on the year.
Ad-In: Isner could really strike the fear of God in his rivals if he begins to beat lesser ranked players more consistently (he lost 11 matches to players ranked outside the Top 50 in 2013) because it will enable him to get more cracks at the elite pros. He needs to play more consistently, and bring high energy to his matches more frequently in order to do that.
Ad-Out: Isner could survive quite a few more years with his present profile; on any given day, he can fire enough aces to pull out matches, or string a few wins together. But that’s the danger for him, too. By leaning too heavily on that big serve and follow-up forehand, he can continue to tread water and never quite maximize his potential.

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12 Days of PowerShares Series: John McEnroe Q&A

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You already know "The Twelve Days of Christmas"—so we're doing something a little different this year. Throughout December, we'll highlight 12 things about the 2014 PowerShares Series, a competitive tennis circuit featuring legendary icons and world-renowned champions beginning on February 5.
For our eighth Q&A, we spoke to John McEnroe, one of the few men in history to hold the world No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles.

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TENNIS.com: How do you train to prepare for the PowerShares Series? 
JOHN MCENROE: I train at a gym and play tennis regularly at my tennis club, combined about five or six days a week.
TENNIS.com: Among PowerShares Series players, who was your toughest opponent during your career and why? 
JOHN MCENROE: Pete Sampras, because his game is very difficult to play against. He keeps his opponent constantly off guard, so it is extremely difficult to get any rhythm or control of the match.
TENNIS.com: Who are you most looking forward to facing this season?
JOHN MCENROE: Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, because we had great rivalries and we both know we will give it our all to beat each other.
TENNIS.com: Most bizarre moment you ever experienced on court? 
JOHN MCENROE: When I was 15 and playing in Kalamazoo, I ran into a light pole on the side of the court and was knocked out for a little while—when I woke up, I was seeing stars!!! Fortunately, the tournament director gave me some time to get myself together so that I was able to continue and eventually win the match.
TENNIS.com: Your best serving tip for recreational players? 
JOHN MCENROE: Get your first serve in the court more often by not going for too much on the first serve.
TENNIS.com: If you could have played any other sport professionally, what would you choose? 
JOHN MCENROE: Professional basketball for the New York Knicks.

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2014 Season Preview: Ana Ivanovic

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At 26, the soaring highs are in the past, and, hopefully, so are the plummeting lows. Ana Ivanovic has spent the last four seasons bumping around in the WTA’s second tier; she hasn’t won a title since 2011, but she’s kept herself in the Top 20, and thus not totally irrelevant.
Ivanovic is always looking for a fresh start, and she’ll have another when she begins 2014 with a new coach. She should start well; she has been a finalist at the Australian Open, and last year she reached the round of 16. But her ever-leaner frame has left her with less power. That’s fine against the players who don’t have her ball-striking skills, but it makes her vulnerable to the bigger hitters. Ivanovic reached the round of 16 at three of four Grand Slams last year, but she recorded just one win over a Top 10 player.

Ad-In: At this point, hanging around within reach of the Top 10, avoiding the top players for as long as she can at the majors, and winning a couple of rounds each week may be all you can ask of Ivanovic. But she has won big before, and a victory over a highly-ranked but less-than-intimidating player like Sara Errani, Angelique Kerber, or even Agnieszka Radwanska could give her a spark. Tennis is, after all, for late bloomers these days.

Ad-Out: With a new coach comes the possibility of a working relationship that doesn’t work. Ivanovic has had her share of them in the past, but at 26 she can’t afford to waste much time or take another tumble in the rankings. The game, slowly but surely, will get younger than her.

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2014 Season Preview: Jerzy Janowicz

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Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski once was dubbed “the Polish Cannon,” but that description might be even more apt for towering, hard-serving Jerzy Janowicz. The 23-year-old from Lodz failed to win a title in 2013, and had trouble holding onto the career-high ranking of No. 14 that he hit in August (Janowicz ended up No. 21). Expect him to be hunting payback in 2014.
Janowicz is one of those wonderful exceptions to the rule—the potential Grand Slam champion who more or less popped up out of nowhere, with none of the developmental advantages enjoyed by so many of his peers, yet who may be destined to surpass most of them thanks to a combination of big game and big guts.
It wasn’t much more than a year ago that Janowicz qualified for the Paris Masters 1000 and belted his way to the final. Janowicz has done a pretty good job backing up that great run, although he slumped dramatically after he threatened to win Wimbledon (he lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Andy Murray).
Ad-In: We can be blunt about this. Janowicz could continue to struggle and watch his ranking drop like a rock down a well, and then win Wimbledon—or perhaps any other of the non-clay Grand Slam events. But that sizzling serve, big forehand, and Janowicz’s willingness to use the drop shot and heavily cut slice backhand will reap the most rewards at most prestigious Grand Slam of them all.
Ad-Out: It’s hard to imagine Janowicz’s serve deserting him entirely, but even if it does on just a few critical occasions, his year could be ruined. A moody guy, he's only played in just six Grand Slam events and lost in his last one (the U.S. Open) to world No. 247 Maximo Gonzalez. More misfires like that would be hard for this hothead to bear.

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Yaya Toure believes Manchester City will become the "greatest club in the world" within two years

Yaya Toure believes Manchester City will become the "greatest club in the world" within two years and says Barcelona are scared of the 2012 Premier League champions.

City will face Barca in a mouthwatering UEFA Champions League last-16 clash in February having qualified from the group stages for the first time after two disappointing campaigns in Europe.
And Toure told Weekend Warm-Up on Sky Sports News that everything is now in place to take the club to the next level.
"To make history sometimes it takes longer," said the midfielder. "I am a lucky man to be in the right place because the club have brought in fantastic players. Everything is in a good place to be honest, and I'm sure in a couple of years Man City will become the greatest club in the world.

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"[Barcelona] are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the PL at home especially, they're quite scared. We play fantastic football and we score goals, it's total attack. But it's going to be a tough game and for us we know if we're to win we need to be at the top of our game."
Toure was full of praise for manager Manuel Pellegrini, who he says is helping to bring the best out of every player.
"Pellegrini is a massive manager and he trusts in any player," he added. "Samir Nasri is in top form now, David Silva is, that's where you can say Pellegrini is a fantastic manager, he gives confidence, it's massive for everyone, he respects everyone, even the guys from the second team.
"Any trophy will be very welcome because we're chasing trophies. To be a top club you have to win trophies. The team we've got and the manager we've got now, I think it's not going to surprise me if we win two trophies this year."
The club's first aim is to win back the Premier League trophy won in such dramatic fashion in May 2012, although Toure accepts there are several clubs in the running after a thrilling first half of the season and expects Manchester United to make a challenge in the new year.
"Arsenal are having a great season, Liverpool as well. My brother is playing there, they have a great manager as well, Brendan Rodgers is fantastic guy," he said.
"Chelsea, Mourinho is there and you know you have to be careful. This year is going to be tough, for the fans and people that love football it's going to be massive.
"United, I'm sure they will come back. Now we know we have a big gap, but they have experience. Of course the manager's changed, but they are a big club and they will come back."

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Premier League: West Ham's James Collins criticises Adnan Januzaj for diving

West Ham United defender James Collins has criticised Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj for diving during their game at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Januzaj was booked for simulation during West Ham's 3-1 defeat but Collins has said the 18-year-old will learn from his mistakes.
"It's cheating basically," Collins told Weekend Warm-Up on Sky Sports News.
"I don't like to see it in the game. He probably thinks I am going to stick my leg out and he's probably already thinking about going over.
"Obviously he's taken a dive. He's a young lad, a great player, I'm sure he will learn. David Moyes seems to have this conversation quite a lot at his club with Ashley Young. It happens in football. He (Januzaj) is a great player and played very well at the weekend. He's learning the game and if he carries on playing the way he is, he is going to be a top-drawer player."

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Manchester United manager David Moyes revealed he would speak to Januzaj after the teenager's latest eye-catching performance.
"I saw it, but I believe he thought he was going to be chopped down." said Moyes. "He's been getting kicked upside down for weeks but we'll be making sure (diving) doesn't creep into his play."
West Ham are 17th in the Premier League and club captain Kevin Nolan cancelled the players' Christmas party because of a poor run of form.
"We don't deserve one really," said Collins. "If we are doing well, it's nice to go out as a team and celebrate. But we haven't been performing. The captain decided it wasn't appropriate for us to be out partying. I think it was the right idea."
West Ham are into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup but have only won one of their last ten Premier League games.
"The confidence has obviously taken a hit after doing so well last year," said Collins.
"We knew it would be a tough season. We're not scoring as many goals as we would like to. We have eight clean sheets but we are just not scoring enough. Everyone needs to be chipping in and that's a major factor as to why we are down near the bottom of the league."
Collins has said Sam Allardyce's experience will prove invaluable as West Ham prepare to face Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park over the festive period.
"He's been in the game a long time. He has a terrific record in these situations with previous clubs. He knows what he is doing and tactically he is spot on and his preparations are spot on.
"We would obviously like to be on more points going into the Christmas period with some tough games. We have played quite well in games where we have deserved to get points."
West Ham striker Andy Carroll will continue his rehabilitation after a repeated foot injury has ruled him out of the season so far.
"He's been great," said Collins. "He's had a tough time. He's been out longer than we all anticipated. He's been working ever so hard. You can see it every day, he's in the gym. It looks like he has turned the corner and he will be back soon."

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Premier League: Wellington Silva hoping to make his mark at Arsenal

Wellington Silva is close to securing the relevant documentation which will allow him to kick-start his Arsenal career.

The Gunners swooped for the Brazilian starlet in January 2010, acquiring his services from Fluminense.
Arsene Wenger made his move in the understanding that Silva would be granted a visa by FIFA, but no paperwork was processed.
Arsenal have therefore been forced to send the highly-rated forward out on loan - with spells taken in at Spanish outfits Levante, Alcoyano, Ponferradina and now Murcia.
Silva believes he will shortly be granted a European passport, freeing him to stake a claim for a place in Wenger's plans for 2014/15.
He told Lancenet: "The process to the get the passport is already under way.
"The Spanish law says that to request the documents you have to have been here two years. In January 2014, it will be three years so I think they will be ready.
"The pre-season in England starts in July and I'll have a passport by then.
"I hope to have the opportunity to achieve my dream of playing for Arsenal. The team is strong and I hope to fit in well."

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