As Carlos Alcaraz makes history at Wimbledon and the build-up to the Women’s World Cup continues, I discuss the sporting weekend’s biggest talking points.
1. King Alcaraz
With plenty of royalty watching on at approximately 7pm on Sunday evening Centre Court witnessed the coronation of a new king. Carlos Alcaraz triumphed in sensational style against a ruthless Novak Djokovic becoming the first man not named Djokovic, Nadal, Federer or Murray to win the tournament since 2002.
What made it more remarkable, is Djokovic did was doing exactly what Djokovic does, winning a brutal first set 6-1 in a breathless 35 minutes. Everything was going according to the script for the man with 23 Grand Slams to his name. Instead of being cowed by the occasion and by his opponent, Alcaraz roared back and was simply the better player on the day in what appears to be an era-defining victory for the 20-year-old.
Alcaraz to win the US Open @ 8/5
2. Anderson in
It all comes down to this. England need a win to keep the series alive and head to the Oval with a chance of winning the Ashes.
The stage is set at Old Trafford after a pulsating victory at Headingly and England make one change to their bowling attack bringing in Jimmy Anderson for Ollie Robinson. Anderson has endured a tough series with only three wickets to his name thus far. But Old Trafford has been a happy hunting ground for England’s all-time leading wicket-taker and bowling from the James Anderson end with a raucous home support behind him, should see the desired improvement.
Anderson to be England’s top wicket-taker @ 7/2
3. Kick off Down Under
By the time the Women’s World Cup kicks off on Thursday the Lionesses will have been in camp for 31 days. The extended build up was intended to offer the team plenty of time to shake off the effects of jet lag Down Under. Instead, it has provided ample time for speculation and doubts to creep in especially after a series of slightly underwhelming performances against Australia and Portugal.
There will be great desire to banish any negativity in what looks like a winnable opening game against Haiti. If England are to threaten in the latter stages of the tournament, new heroes will have to take centre stage. With last summer’s stars Leah Williamson and Beth Mead ruled out through injury it’s over to the likes of Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone to fire England to World Cup glory.
England to win the Women’s World Cup @ 4/1
4. Superlative City of Troy
In racing there are rarely performances that take your breath away in the manner that City of Troy’s did in the Superlative stakes. The common refrain heard all around the July Course after his six-and-a-half length victory was “what have we just witnessed?”
It certainly not unusual for Aidan O’Brien to be blessed with the crème de la crème of juvenile talent, but this son of Justify has firmly announced himself as a potential superstar. He has now been installed as the 5/2 hot favourite for next season’s 2,000 Guineas. It is too early to say whether his short price will prove accurate, but no juvenile this season has quite captured the imagination in the same way.
City of Troy to win 2024 2,000 Guineas @ 5/2
5. Trolly dash?
It was always going to be a summer of transition for Liverpool after a disappointing 5th place finish. The midfield was a particular area of weakness for the Reds last season, but after the acquisitions of Dominic Szobozlai and Alexis Mac Allister there was the sense of good business done early. But now best laid plans are under threat. Fabinho – the subject of a 40-million-pound bit from Al Ittihad – has been left out of the squad for their pre-season tour, while captain Jordan Henderson appears to be edging closer to a reunion with Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq.
Losing the collective experience of Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Naby Keita in one window will leave a gaping hole. Where Liverpool finish next season will be defined by how they respond to these departures. No doubt in the next few days there will be at least one, maybe two “here we go’s!”
Liverpool to win the Premier League @ 8-1
