Global temperature for 2013 ranked 2nd on record

Global temperature for 2013 ranked 2nd on record

 

[caption id="attachment_12215" align="alignnone" width="212"] (Japan Meteorological Agency)[/caption]

 

The annual anomaly of the global average surface temperature for the year 2013 (i.e. the combined average of the near-surface air temperature over land and the sea surface temperature) is estimated at +0.20°C above the 1981-2010 average, ranked as the second warmest record for the 123-year period since 1891 (Figure 1).

 

The monthly average air temperatures for September and November 2013 and the boreal autumn average temperature (i.e. for the three months of September to November) were record highest since 1891.

 

Warm temperature deviations are widely seen across much of Eurasia, Australia, and the central North Pacific. Meanwhile the equatorial Pacific experienced cooler than normal conditions (Figure 2).

 

On a longer time scale, the annual global average surface temperature has been rising at a rate of about 0.69°C per century.

 

The average temperature over land alone is +0.34°C above the 1981-2010 average, which is the fourth warmest record since 1891.

 

Each of the 13 years in this century ranks in the warmest 15 years since 1891.

 

The recent high temperatures are thought to be explained by the combined effect of the global warming trend due to increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations including carbon dioxide, and decadal natural fluctuations intrinsic to the earth’s climate.

 

(Japan Meteorological Agency, 3 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Bush fires destroy dozens of houses in Australia's south east

Bush fires destroy dozens of houses in Australia's south east

 

Firefighters in Australia battle "horrendous" wildfires including a blaze with a 24-mile front on the outskirts of Melbourne

 

[caption id="attachment_12133" align="alignnone" width="400"] (The blazes have reached the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia's second largest city (Photo: EPA))[/caption]

 

Thousands of firefighters in Australia are battling wildfires across the country's south-east which have destroyed dozens of homes and set a coal mine alight.

 

The worst of the fires spread in swirling winds across the state of Victoria, which faced its worst threat since the Black Saturday fires in February 2009 which killed 173 people.

 

The fires, which include a blaze with a front more than 24 miles long, have spread across the state and reached the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia's second largest city.

 

Thousands of people were evacuated across the state, more than 30,000 residents spent the night without power and some rural train services were suspended.

 

No lives have been reported lost but further losses of homes are expected.

 

In Kilmore, a town about 35 miles north of Melbourne, residents said the damage was "horrendous".

 

"You could just see houses exploding, it was absolutely incredible," a resident, Mark Schrimpton, told ABC after five houses on his street were destroyed.

 

"It was just horrendous. You could see more smoke that flames at one stage."

 

Authorities said they had learnt the lessons from Black Saturday, when many residents in fire zones were caught with little warning and were confused as to whether to evacuate or stay and protect their homes.

 

"There is no doubt Victoria is much better place - and yesterday showed that - than where we were five years ago in Black Saturday," said Dennis Napthine, Victoria's premier.

 

"We have learnt the lessons."

 

Firefighters from interstate and from New Zealand joined the battle, as authorities deployed more than 200 tankers and 21 aircraft.

 

Police are investigating nine cases of arson, which may have contributed to the 150-odd fires that have broken out in recent days.

 

Milder conditions have assisted fire crews but about 48 blazes in Victoria remain out of control.

 

A fire has broken out in an open-cut coal mine in the Latrobe Valley, east of Melbourne, which is likely to take several days to control.

 

"They were ferocious fires, they ran hard, they hit homes," Craig Lapsley, the state's fire services commissioner, told ABC radio.

 

"We think we are up to above 20 significant impacts on houses, seven of those are confirmed to be total losses."

 

Other reports put the loss of houses at 30.

 

(Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney)

 

(The Telegraph, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Australian central bank holds rates at 2.5% as mining boom unwinds

Australian central bank holds rates at 2.5% as mining boom unwinds

 

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia's central bank held its cash rate steady at a record low of 2.5 per cent and hinted at a prolonged pause, saying a period of interest rate stability was prudent as the mining boom unwinds.

 

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens said the board decided to leave interest rates on hold for a fifth consecutive month, as expected by analysts.

 

Despite inflation coming in at a stronger-than-expected 0.8 per cent in the final three months of last year, indicating a pick-up in consumer spending, Mr Stevens said growth and labour market prospects remained shaky as Australia's decade-long Asia mining investment boom began to decline.

 

"Information becoming available over the summer suggests slightly firmer consumer demand and foreshadows a solid expansion in housing construction.

 

Some indicators of business conditions and confidence have shown improvement," he said.

 

(The Strait Times, 4 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Ireland boss set for first Six Nations 'final' against Scotland

Ireland boss set for first Six Nations 'final' against Scotland

 

Dublin (AFP)

 

Joe Schmidt was preparing himself for "five finals" ahead of his first Six Nations game in charge of Ireland, against Scotland in Dublin on Sunday.

 

The New Zealand-born former Leinster boss was appointed as Declan Kidney's successor last year, and lost two of three November Tests, going down 15-32 to Australia, before agonisingly losing 22-24 to the world champion All Blacks with the last kick of an epic game.

 

Schmidt could have made history by leading his adopted nation to its first ever victory over his homeland in over a century of trying, but Ireland couldn't back up a stunning first 40 minutes and ultimately came up short once more.

 

But he knows there will be far less sympathy if Ireland slip up in the Six Nations, a tournament he's enjoyed only as a spectator before now.

 

"I'm still learning in this job," Schmidt said at the squad's training base near Dublin on Friday.

 

"It (the Six Nations) is a competition of five games but it's five finals and that probably makes it slightly different to the Autumn where we did feel maybe we had to have a look at a few guys.

 

"Whereas this is the Six Nations, this is the major tournament that we play and we can't afford to lose our first game.

 

"It's pivotal for us to get a good start. You only get one shot at your first game and you've got to give it your best shot."

 

Of the XV that started against New Zealand, Schmidt is without Tommy Bowe and Sean O'Brien through injury.

 

Schmidt also caused some mild surprise by deciding Gordon D'Arcy's stomach illness at the start of this week was sufficient reason for him to be left out, even though the veteran midfielder was one of the best players on the pitch against New Zealand.

 

D'Arcy has been replaced at inside centre by Ulster's Luke Marshall, one of four players from the northern province to make the starting lineup, a reflection of their unbeaten status in this season's European Cup.

 

Much of the rest of the team picks itself, with star centre Brian O'Driscoll set for a landmark 129th cap that will see him overtake retired outside-half Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's most-capped player.

 

This is also O'Driscoll's final season of rugby before retirement, and he's expressed his determination to 'empty the tank' in the pursuit of only a second Championship title in 14 attempts.

 

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell agreed with O'Driscoll's assertion that the country's 'golden generation', so successful at club level, have underachieved in the Test arena.

 

But the experienced lock said the present side might be the most talented group of Ireland players he's been involved with.

 

"We have an excellent squad that is equally good and possibly better (than the Grand Slam winning side of 2009," O'Connell claimed.

 

"But until we go on and do something you can't say that.

 

"We need all the good things we did against New Zealand in terms of our accuracy and detail, but that doggedness that was there in 2009 needs to be there as well."

 

Indeed it was that very quality of grim determination that did so much to see Scotland to an upset 12-8 win in last year's corresponding clash with the Irish at Murrayfield.

 

But Scotland coach Scott Johnson is wants his side to expand their game.

 

And with the return of full-back Stuart Hogg, who missed the November Tests with a wrist injury, in a back three also featuring New Zealand-born wing Sean Maitland and veteran flyer Sean Lamont, Johnson is convinced his side can pose a real attacking threat at Lansdowne Road.

 

"We can go the length with that back three," said Johnson.

 

"For a seasoned campaigner Sean Lamont has some legs still. His form over the last 24 months for us has been outstanding," the Australian added

 

"Like something in my wine cabinet he's certainly getting better with age."

 

(Agence France-Presse, 2 Sunday February 2014 The Roman)

 

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

 

Hanoi (AFP)

 

Communist Vietnam's first private airline, VietJetAir, said Wednesday that it was close to finalising a $ 6.1 billion order for 62 Airbus aircraft.

 

The deal is expected to be signed at the Singapore Airshow next month, VietJetAir's managing director Luu Duc Khanh told AFP.

 

VietJetAir and Airbus signed a letter of intent in September for the purchase of 62 A320 medium-haul aircraft worth US$ 6.1 billion at catalogue prices, and for options for another 30.

 

The low-cost carrier began operating in late 2011 and is the first private airline in Vietnam to offer domestic and international flights.

 

It currently serves 11 cities in Vietnam plus Bangkok.

 

Last year, the carrier took delivery of a ninth leased A320.

 

The letter of intent was for 14 of the current single-aisle A320 model and 42 of the new A320Neo due to enter into service in 2015, which promises airlines considerably better fuel efficiency.

 

Another six planes will be the longer A321 version, which can be configured with up to 220 seats.

 

While VietJetAir has a good foothold in the Vietnamese market, analysts say it is facing stiff competition in the low-cost segment in Southeast Asia, behind Malaysia's Air Asia, Lion Air of Indonesia, Singapore's Tiger Airways and Jetstar of Australia.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 28 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_11403" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - William West)[/caption]

 

Schmerzhafte Niederlage

 

Ein Weltranglistenerster am Boden: Rafael Nadal hat überraschend das Finale der Australian Open gegen den Schweizer Stanislas Wawrinka verloren.

 

Der Spanier war als turmhoher Favorit in das Tennis-Match gegangen - musste sich aber zu Beginn des zweiten Satzes am Rücken behandeln lassen und konnte sich nur noch unter Schmerzen über den Platz schleppen.

 

Painful defeat

 

A world ranking first on the ground: Rafael Nadal has surprisingly lost the final of the Australian Open against Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

 

The Spaniard had gone as towering favorite in the tennis match - but had at the beginning of the second set can be treated at the back and could only drag still in pain over the place.

 

(AFP - William West)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 27 Monday January 2014 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Stanislas Wawrinka upsets the odds to beat Rafael Nadal and claim 2014 Australian Open title

Stanislas Wawrinka upsets the odds to beat Rafael Nadal and claim 2014 Australian Open title

 

World No 1 suffers a back spasm mid-match as he loses 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 to hand Wawrinka his first grand slam title

 

[caption id="attachment_11346" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Giant-killer: Stanislas Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on his way to winning the title (Photo: GETTY IMAGES))[/caption]

 

Rafael Nadal was struck down by a back spasm today in the middle of the Australian Open final, turning what was promising to be a thrilling match into one of the strangest spectacles this sport has seen for years.

 

The immediate consequence is that Stan Wawrinka has joined the gilded inner circle of grand slam champions.

 

He is the first man to break the stranglehold of the “big four” since Juan Martin del Potro won the 2009 US Open.

 

But the narrative was complicated by Nadal’s injury, which knocked Wawrinka off his big-hitting game for a while.

 

The Swiss lost the third set in an otherwise dominant 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory, which was the period when Nadal was least able to move around the court.

 

This was especially ironic because Wawrinka had opened the match in rip-roaring style.

 

He was “zoning”, as the players like to say.

 

Every time Nadal hit a shot that was less than perfectly placed, Wawrinka was smacking a winner.

 

He took the first set in just 37 minutes, striking 12 clean winners to just four from Nadal.

 

Then came the start of the most peculiar passage of play.

 

Nadal pulled up dramatically after dumping a forehand in the net with the score standing at 4-6, 1-1.

 

He bent double and put a hand to his back, and had soon disappeared off the court with the trainer while Wawrinka furiously demanded to know what the problem was.

 

When Nadal came back on court after a six-minute delay, he was loudly booed – which must be a first in his history at this event.

 

Yet there was immediate evidence that he was not malingering as his first-serve speed dropped to around 80mph.

 

He could barely move along the baseline and had to rely on swinging hard at anything that came within his reach.

 

Wawrinka finished off the second set quickly, but he was beginning to become confused about his best tactics.

 

For at least half-an-hour, the Swiss stopped swinging with the same conviction, and lost the width on his groundstrokes.

 

Even though Nadal was only playing at around 20 or 30 per cent, he took the opportunities presented to him and pulled one set back.

 

If Wawrinka had continued to waver, this could have ended badly for him.

 

The commentators were starting to invoke the spectre of Guillermo Coria, the Argentine who threw away a two-set lead in the 2004 French Open final and was never the same again.

 

But the Swiss steeled himself and managed to rediscover the booming forehand that had dominated the first set.

 

Nadal’s serve speed and movement were actually picking up now, presumably as anti-inflammatory medicine kicked in, but he could not sustain his resistance with what was still a major handicap.

 

It was fitting that a Wawrinka forehand down the line – the most potent shot throughout this match – should have concluded matters after 2hr 21min of unpredictable drama.

 

“Bad luck was against me today but you really deserve it,” said Nadal afterwards.

 

“To the crowd, it’s been very emotional two weeks. I am sorry to finish this way, I tried very hard.”

 

Wawrinka replied by saying “I am really sorry for you. I hope your back is going to be fine. I still don’t know if I’m dreaming or not but I guess I will find out in the morning.”

 

Some might argue that there will always be an invisible asterisk against this result.

 

But after knocking out Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final, and then opening this match with a fusillade of brilliant winners, Wawrinka has genuinely made his own luck.

 

He has become the first man to beat Nadal and Djokovic in the same slam and the first to beat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds at any major tournament since Sergi Bruguera at the 1993 French Open.

 

Wawrinka fully deserved to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the end of the night.

 

(Simon Briggs)

 

(The Telegraph, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado

 

[caption id="attachment_11339" align="alignnone" width="400"] (El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka, en acción durante el partido contra el español Rafa Nadal de la final del Abierto de Tenis de Australia. EFE) (The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in action during the match against Rafa Nadal Spanish final of the Australia Open Tennis. EFE)[/caption]

 

El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka ganó hoy su primer título del Grand Slam al vencer a Rafael Nadal por 6-3, 6-2, 3-6 y 6-3, en dos horas y 21 minutos, en la final del Abierto de Australia, donde el español jugó visiblemente disminuido por una lesión en la espalda.

 

A pesar de ese inconveniente, Nadal fue capaz de ganar el tercer set, y luchar hasta el final, después de recibir masaje en el vestuario y dos veces sobre la pista por el fisio del torneo, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 domingo enero 2014 la Roman)

 

 

Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

 

The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka today won his first grand slam title after beating Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes, in the Australia Open final, where the Spanish played noticeably diminished by a back injury.

 

Despite this drawback, Nadal was able to win the third set, and fight to the end, after receiving massage in the locker room and on the track twice by physio tournament, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado

 

[caption id="attachment_11339" align="alignnone" width="400"] (El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka, en acción durante el partido contra el español Rafa Nadal de la final del Abierto de Tenis de Australia. EFE) (The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in action during the match against Rafa Nadal Spanish final of the Australia Open Tennis. EFE)[/caption]

 

El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka ganó hoy su primer título del Grand Slam al vencer a Rafael Nadal por 6-3, 6-2, 3-6 y 6-3, en dos horas y 21 minutos, en la final del Abierto de Australia, donde el español jugó visiblemente disminuido por una lesión en la espalda.

 

A pesar de ese inconveniente, Nadal fue capaz de ganar el tercer set, y luchar hasta el final, después de recibir masaje en el vestuario y dos veces sobre la pista por el fisio del torneo, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 domingo enero 2014 la Roman)

 

 

Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

 

The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka today won his first grand slam title after beating Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes, in the Australia Open final, where the Spanish played noticeably diminished by a back injury.

 

Despite this drawback, Nadal was able to win the third set, and fight to the end, after receiving massage in the locker room and on the track twice by physio tournament, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F toshiki speed news press, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, Australian Open live Winning Interview Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, Australian Open live Winning Interview Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_11325" align="alignnone" width="345"] (Photo The Telegraph)[/caption]

 

Live Australian Open scores

 

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-3

 

Winning Interview

 

Rafael Nadal

 

11.22 Here is the Aussie Open finalist Nadal speaking on court: "We have played at a lot of important times. Roger is a great champion and it's an honour to be here with him."

 

11.24 On the prospect of a final against Stan Wawrinka: "He will be a very tough ooppnet. His serve is huge and he is hitting the ball very hard. I need to be aggressive and not let him hit the ball in easy positions."

 

11.26 Oddly (and a bit creepily if you ask me) interviewer Jim Courier also asked Nadal if his girlfriend is going to fly in for the final. The answer: No.

 

11.28 There is no doubting it then - Roger Federer is no longer Switzerland's number one male tennis player.

 

11.34 Can Federer hold the title of "the greatest" when he repeatedly comes up short against Nadal? The answer to that question may well be "yes" because of his brilliant all-round record but it's an interesting debate.

 

11.40 That's almost all from me. Federer's 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final ends in defeat. Will he ever win another grand slam? It is looking increasingly unlikely having made only two finals in the last four years. His best bet appears to be at Wimbledon. Meanwhile the Nadal show continues. He has won two of the three grand slams since his long absence through injury last year and is now odds-on to claim his second Aussie Open title on Sunday.

 

11.44 It's time for me to wrap this up. The match wasn't the epic nail-biter we had hoped for and that is down to the sheer power and class of Rafa Nadal. If he beats Stan Wawrinka on Sunday he will become the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice in the Open era. That final kicks off at 8.30am on Sunday so do come back for that. Thanks for following. Cheerio.

 

(Ben Bloom)

 

(The Telegraph, 24 Friday January 2014 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 24 Friday January 2013 The Roman)

 

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

 

[caption id="attachment_11278" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Mal Fairlough)[/caption]

 

Effort

 

Le Serbe Novak Djokovic renvoie une balle du Suisse Stanislas Wawrinka à l'Open d'Australie, à Melbourne.

 

Effort

 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns a ball to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka Australian Open in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Mal Fairlough)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 22 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 23 Thursday January 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_11271" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Paul Crock)[/caption]

 

Rafa in action

 

Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his men's singles match against Japan's Kei Nishikori on day eight of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Paul Crock)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 21 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Wawrinka upsets champion Djokovic at Australian Open

Wawrinka upsets champion Djokovic at Australian Open

 

Melbourne (AFP)

 

Stanislas Wawrinka dumped three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic out of the Australian Open after a thrilling five-set match on Tuesday.

 

The Swiss eighth seed beat Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7 in a four-hour quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena to set up a semi-final with Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 21 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro

 

[caption id="attachment_11146" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Saeed Khan)[/caption]

 

Smash

 

Le joueur de tennis argentin Juan Martín Del Potro face à l'Américain Rhyne Williams à l'Open de tennis d'Australie à Melbourne.

 

Smash

 

Argentine tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro to American Rhyne Williams at the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Saeed Khan)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 15 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 16 Thursday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Open d'Australie: Djokovic et Williams pour marquer un peu plus l'histoire Australian Open : Djokovic and Williams to score a little more history

Open d'Australie: Djokovic et Williams pour marquer un peu plus l'histoire

 

[caption id="attachment_11125" align="alignnone" width="398"] (Le Serbe Novak Djokovic à l'entraînement le 11 janvier 2013 le Roman à Melbourne (Photo AFP)) (Serbian Novak Djokovic in training 11 January 2013 The Roman in Melbourne (Photo AFP) )[/caption]

 

Novak Djokovic et Serena Williams essaieront d'ancrer un peu plus leur place dans l'histoire du tennis à l'Open d'Australie, qui commence lundi à Melbourne et où le premier vise un quatrième titre consécutif, la seconde un 18e titre du Grand Chelem.

 

Si le Serbe devra compter avec la présence du N.1 mondial Rafael Nadal, absent sur blessure l'an passé, l'Américaine n'a pas d'égale.

 

Pas même la Bélarusse Victoria Azarenka, double tenante du titre.

 

Depuis un an et demi et son élimination surprise au 1er tour de Roland-Garros face à la Française Virginie Razzano, Serena est quasiment invincible.

 

Pendant cette période, elle a remporté 114 victoires en 119 matches.

 

Redevenue N.1 mondiale en février 2013, elle a remporté Wimbledon, les JO, l'US Open et le Masters en 2012, puis Roland-Garros et à nouveau l'US Open et le Masters en 2013.

 

Entièrement dédiée à son sport, après s'être un peu dispersée au milieu de sa carrière, l'Américaine de 32 ans se préoccupe à nouveau de la trace qu'elle laissera dans l'histoire de son sport.

 

En cas de victoire cette année à Melbourne, qui serait sa sixième après ses titres de 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 et 2010, elle rejoindrait Chris Evert et Martina Navratilova au nombre de titres en Grand Chelem (18).

 

Djokovic invaincu depuis 2010 à Melbourne

 

"Ca signifierait énormément pour moi que de me retrouver au même niveau que de telles joueuses", a-t-elle souligné.

 

Elle a besoin aussi d'une victoire en Australie pour prétendre à un Grand Chelem, réussi seulement deux fois dans l'ère professionnelle, en 1970 par l'Australienne Margaret Court et en 1988 par l'Allemande Steffi Graf.

 

L'Américaine n'a personne d'autre à craindre qu'elle-même, ou une éventuelle blessure, comme celles qui lui avaient causé une élimination prématurée à Melbourne en 8e de finale en 2012 et en quart en 2013.

 

La concurrence est un peu plus vive dans le tableau masculin, où Djokovic doit composer avec Nadal et Roger Federer.

 

Ce trio infernal a remporté neuf des dix dernières éditions de l'Open d'Australie, seul le Russe Marat Safin se glissant au palmarès en 2005.

 

Mais le Serbe s'impose comme le favori N.1 à Melbourne, où le dernier à l'avoir battu est le Français Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en 2010 (en quart).

 

Il pourrait devenir le deuxième joueur à gagner quatre fois de suite ce tournoi, après l'Australien Roy Emerson, vainqueur en 1961 puis de 1963 à 1967.

 

Federer et Murray un ton en-dessous?

 

Djokovic est invaincu depuis sa défaite en finale de l'US Open face à Nadal en septembre, et a bénéficié d'un tirage au sort beaucoup plus clément que le N.1 mondial.

 

Après avoir manqué la précédente édition pour une blessure au genou gauche, l'Espagnol, déjà vainqueur en 2009, se verrait bien ajouter une nouvelle fois son nom au palmarès.

 

Mais il devra échapper aux nombreux pièges (Tomic, Monfils, Nishikori, Del Potro...) qui parsèment sa route.

 

Nadal pourrait aussi être désavantagé par une surface qu'il estime plus rapide que les années précédentes.

 

Derrière Djokovic et Nadal, la hiérarchie risque fort d'être bousculée cette année.

 

Les deux autres membres du "Big Four", Federer et Andy Murray, pourraient être un ton en-dessous des années précédentes.

 

L'Australie a longtemps été l'une des destinations favorites de Federer, vainqueur en 2004, 2006, 2007 et 2010.

 

Mais le Suisse sort d'une année noire, au cours de laquelle il n'a gagné qu'un titre mineur (Halle), et fait moins peur qu'avant.

 

Murray, finaliste en 2010, 2011 et 2013, risque de son côté d'être à court de compétition.

 

Le Britannique a subi en septembre une petite opération au dos, ce qui modère ses ambitions pour Melbourne.

 

Les dix derniers vainqueurs des simples dames et messieurs de l'Open d'Australie:

Simple dames:

2013: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2012: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2011: Kim Clijsters (BEL)

2010: Serena Williams (USA)

2009: Serena Williams (USA)

2008: Maria Sharapova (RUS)

2007: Serena Williams (USA)

2006: Amélie Mauresmo (FRA)

2005: Serena Williams (USA)

2004: Justine Henin (BEL)

 

Simple messieurs :

2013: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2012: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010: Roger Federer (SUI)

2009: Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2008: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2007: Roger Federer (SUI)

2006: Roger Federer (SUI)

2005: Marat Safin (RUS)

2004: Roger Federer (SUI)

 

 

Par Cyril BELAUD© 2014 AFP

 

(La Nouvelle, 12 dimanche janvier 2014 la Roman)

 

 

Australian Open : Djokovic and Williams to score a little more history

 

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will try to anchor a little place in tennis history at the Australian Open, which begins Monday in Melbourne where the first is a fourth consecutive title, the second a 18th title of Grand Slam.

 

If the Serbian will count with the presence of world No.1 Rafael Nadal, who was absent through injury last year, the U.S. has no equal.

 

Not even the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, double title holder.

 

For a year and a half and his surprise at the first round of Roland Garros facing elimination French Virginie Razzano, Serena is almost invincible.

 

During this period, she won 114 victories in 119 matches.

 

Returned to world No.1 in February 2013, she won Wimbledon, the Olympics, the U.S. Open and the Masters in 2012 and Roland Garros and the U.S. Open again and the Masters in 2013.

 

Dedicated to his sport, having a little scattered in the middle of his career, the 32 year old American is concerned again it will leave a trace in the history of his sport.

 

In case of victory this year in Melbourne, would be his sixth with titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010, it would join Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to the number of Grand Slam titles (18).

 

Djokovic unbeaten since 2010 in Melbourne

 

"It would mean a lot to me to find myself on the same level as these players," he said.

 

It also needs a victory in Australia to qualify for a Grand Slam succeeded only twice in the professional era in 1970 by Australia's Margaret Court and in 1988 by Germany's Steffi Graf.

 

The American has no one else to worry about herself, or any injury, such as that caused him premature removal in Melbourne 8th finals in 2012 and fourth in 2013.

 

The competition is a little more lively in the men's draw , which must deal with Djokovic Nadal and Roger Federer.

 

This infernal trio won nine of the last ten editions of the Australian Open, only the Russian Marat Safin gliding charts in 2005.

 

But the Serbian itself as the No.1 favorite in Melbourne, where the last one is beating the French Jo -Wilfried Tsonga in 2010 (fourth).

 

It could become the second player to win four consecutive tournament after the Australian Roy Emerson, winner in 1961 and 1963 to 1967.

 

Federer and Murray a tone below ?

 

Djokovic is unbeaten since losing in the U.S. Open final against Nadal in September and received a draw much more lenient than the world No.1.

 

Having missed the previous edition for a left knee injury , the Spaniard, who won in 2009, would be well again add his name to the winners.

 

But he will escape many pitfalls (Tomic Monfils, Nishikori, Del Potro ... ) that dot the road.

 

Nadal could also be disadvantaged by a surface that feels faster than in previous years.

 

Behind Djokovic and Nadal, the hierarchy is likely to be shaken this year.

 

The other two members of the " Big Four", Federer and Andy Murray could be a tone below previous years.

 

Australia has long been a favorite destination of Federer, winner in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

 

But the Swiss out of a bad year, during which he has won a minor title (Halle), and is less afraid than before.

 

Murray, a finalist in 2010, 2011 and 2013, may turn to be short of competition.

 

The British suffered a little in September back surgery, which moderates its ambitions for Melbourne.

 

The last ten winners of single ladies and gentlemen of the Australian Open :

 

Ladies' Single :

 

2013: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2012: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2011: Kim Clijsters (BEL)

2010: Serena Williams (USA)

2009 : Serena Williams (USA)

2008: Maria Sharapova (RUS)

2007: Serena Williams (USA)

2006 Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

2005 : Serena Williams (USA)

2004 : Justine Henin (BEL)

 

Men's Singles :

 

2013: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2012: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010: Roger Federer (SUI)

2009 : Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2008: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2007: Roger Federer (SUI)

2006 : Roger Federer (SUI)

2005 : Marat Safin (RUS)

2004 : Roger Federer (SUI)

 

By Cyril BELAUD © 2014 AFP

 

(La Nouvelle, 12 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse,  15 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

F1: Vettel remporte le GP du Japon et se rapproche du titre F1: Vettel wins Japanese GP and closer to title

F1: Vettel remporte le GP du Japon et se rapproche du titre

 

(AFP)

 

SUZUKA — L'Allemand Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault), triple champion du monde en titre, a remporté le Grand Prix du Japon dimanche sur le circuit de Suzuka, devant l'autre Red Bull de son coéquipier Mark Webber et la Lotus-Renault du Français Romain Grosjean.

 

Malgré cette victoire, Vettel n'est pas encore champion du monde car son principal rival, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), a réussi à terminer 4e.

 

Vettel consolide sa première place au championnat pilotes avec 90 points d'avance sur Alonso, à quatre manches de la fin de saison.

 

C'est la 35e victoire de Vettel en F1, dont neuf cette saison, en 15 manches, et cinq d'affilée depuis le GP de Belgique, fin août.

 

Il est plus que jamais lancé vers une 4e couronne consécutive, qu'il pourrait coiffer dès le prochain GP, le 27 octobre en Inde, à condition de conserver 75 points d'avance sur Alonso après cette course dans la banlieue de Delhi.

 

Vettel a réussi une course parfaite, comme souvent, et bien profité d'une stratégie à deux arrêts pour changer de pneus, alors que son coéquipier australien, parti de la pole position, en a effectué trois.

 

Grosjean a pris un départ parfait, surprenant les deux Red Bull au premier virage, et mené tout le début de course, puis a été victime de la stratégie mise au point par son équipe, moins efficace que celle de Red Bull Racing pour Vettel.

 

En terminant 4e, alors qu'il était 8e sur la grille, Alonso a préservé un semblant de suspense jusqu'au GP d'Inde.

 

Semblant seulement, car personne ne semble capable d'enrayer la marche triomphale de Vettel.

 

Copyright © AFP 2013. Tous droits réservés.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 13 dimanche octobre 2013 La Romaine)

 

 

F1: Vettel wins Japanese GP and closer to title

 

(AFP)

 

SUZUKA - Germany's Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull -Renault), triple world champion title, won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday at Suzuka, before the other Red Bull teammate Mark Webber and the Lotus- Renault's Romain Grosjean French.

 

Despite the victory, Vettel is not yet world champion as his main rival, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), managed to finish fourth.

 

Vettel consolidated his lead in the drivers championship with 90 points ahead of Alonso, with four rounds remaining in the season.

 

This is the 35th victory of Vettel in F1, including nine this season, 15 rounds, and five in a row since the Belgian GP in late August.

 

It is more than ever to launch a fourth consecutive crown, he could comb from the next GP, October 27 in India, provided to keep 75 points ahead of Alonso after the race in the outskirts of Delhi.

 

Vettel managed a perfect race as often and enjoyed a two-stop strategy to change tires, while his Australian teammate, started from pole position, made ​​three.

 

Grosjean had a perfect start, surprising the two Red Bull at the first corner and led the entire race start, then fell victim to the strategy developed by his team less effective than Vettel Red Bull Racing.

 

Finishing fourth, when he was eighth on the grid, Alonso has preserved some semblance of suspense to the Indian GP.

 

Just pretend, because nobody seems able to stop the triumphant march of Vettel.

 

Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 13 Sunday October 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 13 Sunday October 2013 The Roman)

 

Asia-Pacific leaders on track to sign trade deal by year end

Asia-Pacific leaders on track to sign trade deal by year end

 

[caption id="attachment_9201" align="alignnone" width="722"] (US Secretary of State John Kerry (second from right) speaks with his country's Trade Representative Michael Froman, as New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (second from left) speaks with his Trade Minister Tim Groser at the Trans-Pacific Partnership meet in Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday, Oct 8, 2013. The United States and 11 other nations negotiating an Asia-Pacific trade pact say they are on track to agree on a comprehensive deal before the year's end. (PHOTO: AP))[/caption]

 

BALI (AP) - The United States and 11 other nations negotiating an Asia-Pacific trade pact say they are on track to agree on a comprehensive deal before the year's end.

 

A statement issued by the 12 leaders on Tuesday after an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali said they have made "significant progress" in setting standards for trade in goods and services, and for investment and public procurement.

 

It said they had agreed "to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year a comprehensive and balanced, regional agreement."

 

US Secretary of State John Kerry stood in for President Barack Obama, who stayed home to deal with the debt stalemate.

 

The nations include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam.

 

(The Straits Times, 8 Tuesday October 2013 The Roman)

 

 

US Open: Rafael Nadal en 8e de finale US Open: Rafael Nadal in the eighth-finals

US Open: Rafael Nadal en 8e de finale

 

[caption id="attachment_7992" align="alignnone" width="400"] (L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal victorieux du Croate Ivan Dodig à l'US Open le 31 août 2013 le Roman à New York (AFP Stan Honda)) (The Spaniard Rafael Nadal victorious Croatian Ivan Dodig at the US Open 31 August 3 2013 The Roman in New York (AFP Stan Honda))[/caption]

 

Le N.2 mondial Rafael Nadal a préservé son bilan parfait sur dur cette saison grâce à une 18e victoire en passant facilement le 3e tour de l'US Open avec un succès 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 sur le Croate Ivan Dodig (38e à l'ATP).

 

L'Espagnol de 27 ans, qui affiche un bilan de 56 victoires et 3 défaites cette saison, rencontrera lundi l'Allemand Philipp Kohlscheiber (N.22) pour une place en quart de finale, où il pourrait bien se retrouver face à face au Suisse Roger Federer (N.7).

 

Kohlscheiber, tête de série N.22, a éliminé l'Américain John Isner (N.13) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).

 

C'est la deuxième fois d'affilée que l'Américain subit la loi de l'Allemand au même stade du même tournoi.

 

Après trois matches à New York, le Majorquin n'a de son côté pas perdu un set ni perdu son service et a passé moins de six heures au total sur le court.

 

Nadal a déjà remporté la bagatelle de neuf titres en 2013, dont trois Masters 1000 sur dur (Indian Wells en mars et l'enchaînement Montréal-Cincinnati en août).

 

Il effectue la meilleure saison de sa carrière alors même qu'il n'est revenu qu'en février d'une sérieuse blessure à un genou qui l'avait éloigné des courts pendant sept mois, manquant notamment les jeux Olympiques, l'US Open et l'Open d'Australie.

 

Nadal, vainqueur à Flushing Meadows en 2010, peut redevenir N.1 mondial à l'issue de l'US Open s'il remporte le titre et que le Novak Djokovic ne parvient pas en finale ou bien s'il parvient en finale et que le Serbe chute avant les quarts de finale.

 

(La Nouvelle, 1 septembre 2013 le Roman)

 

 

US Open: Rafael Nadal in the eighth-finals

 

The world No.2 Rafael Nadal has preserved its perfect record on hard this season with a 18th win easily from the third round of the US Open with a success, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to Croatia's Ivan Dodig (38th in the ATP).

 

The Spanish 27-years, which shows a balance of 56 wins and 3 losses this season, will meet German Philipp Monday Kohlscheiber (N.22) for a place in the quarterfinals, where he could come face to face Switzerland's Roger Federer (N. 7).

 

Kohlscheiber, seeded N.22, eliminated American John Isner (N.13), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).

 

This is the second time in a row that the American subject to the law of the German at the same stage of the same tournament.

 

After three games in New York, Nadal has on his side not lost a set or lost his serve and spent less than six hours in total on the court.

 

Nadal has won a whopping nine titles in 2013, including three Masters 1000 on disk (Indian Wells in March and linking Montreal-Cincinnati in August).

 

It performs the best season of his career even though it returned in February from a serious knee injury which had far short seven months, including missing the Olympics, the US Open and the Australian Open.

 

Nadal, winner at Flushing Meadows in 2010, can become world No.1 after the US Open if he wins the title and the Novak Djokovic fails in the final or if it to the final and Serbian fall before the quarterfinals.

 

(La Nouvelle, 1 September 2013 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 1 September 2013 The Roman)