Clash of Continents – Day 1
Top-class tennis returns to Singapore
6,238-strong crowd treated to a day of fantastic tennis action as the opening day of the Clash of Continents got off to a roaring start
[24nd November 2012, SINGAPORE] – After more than a decade, Singapore tennis fans finally got to witness world-class tennis on these shores as four of the world’s top players served up some entertaining action at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Match 1 – Europe vs N.America (7-6, 6-2)
(Singapore, 24 Nov 2012) Europe’s World No.9 Janko Tipsarevic won the opening match of the Clash of Continents tournament at the Singapore Indoor Stadium against North America’s World No.22 Sam Querrey, but not before the American put up a strong resistance despite suffering from jet lag.
Tipsarevic had raced into an early 3-0 lead against Querrey, who had only arrived in Singapore late last night after his flight was delayed. But the big American, a late replacement for Mardy Fish, surprised everyone in the arena by fighting back to 3-3 and even lead 6-5 at one point before Tipsarevic forced a tie-break, which the colourful Serbian player eventually won 7-3.
The fatigue factor eventually told in the second set as Querrey again found himself 3-0 down early after losing his service. Unlike the first set however, he never recovered and eventually lost the set 6-2, and the match in 1 hour and 20 mins.
Match 2 – Asia vs S. America (6-7, 2-6)
South America’s Juan Monaco defeated Asia’s No. 1 Kei Nishikori in an exciting second match at the Clash of Continents. The two players were evenly matches in the first game, breaking each other’s serve in the first two games. At 15-15 in the 12th game, the crowds were entertained by a point full of drama in which Monaco eventually won with a drop shot at the net.
They continued to trade games throughout the first set, before it went to a tie-break. Japanese ace Nishikori stormed to a 4-1 lead in the tie-break, but World No 12 Monaco came back to eventually triumph 4-7 to take the first set.
The second set promised to be as exciting as the first. Monaco continued to work Nishikori’s backhand and winning several points at the net. At 2-2 Nishikori seem to struggle against Monaco, who controlled the rest of the set and eventually went onto win the second set 6-2 and the match to extend his career head-to-head record against the Japanese to 3-1.
The result meant that Asia will play North America in the day’s 3rd match while Europe will play South America in the final match.
Match 3 – Asia V N. America (6-3, 6-4)
A tired looking Sam Querrey struggled to find any sort of form against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in his second match of the day as North America lost for the second time, going down to Asia 6-3, 6-4 in the day’s third match.
Having lost to South America’s Juan Monaco in his earlier match, Asia top player Nishikori came out fighting to take an early 4-1 lead, after breaking Querrey’s serve early on. Nishikori had an opportunity to close out the game but an unforced error at the net allowed Querrey to hold his serve at 5-2. But despite the brief resistance, it did not take Nishikori long to close out the set 6-3.
In the second set Nishikori moved Querrey around the court beautifully and took full advantage of the big American’s fatigue. Nishikori eventually broke Querrey’s serve to take a 3-2 lead. From there onwards Nishikori held his serve for the remainder of the set and eventually went on to win 6-4 and close out the match, much to the delight of his army of fans amongst the 6,238 crowd in the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Match 4 – Europe V S. America (7-5, 3-6, 10-5)
In the final match of the day, tennis fans were treated to an exciting contest between the winners of the earlier matches, Janko Tipsarevic (Europe) and Juan Monaco (South America), as they thrilled the enthusiastic 6,000-strong crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. But Tipsarevic eventually prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 10-5 after a marathon tie-break.
In the first set both players were evenly matched and made few mistakes, providing very few opportunities for either player to break serve. The first game was dominated by long rallies and clinical precision. It was Tipsarevic who pressured Monaco into making the errors and eventually broke serve in the 11th game to make the score 6-5. Despite losing the first two points, Tipsarevic fought back to take a 40-30 lead. However, two critical errors saw Monaco take back the advantage. Tipsarevic once again dug deep and took back the advantage and played the point of the set in a stunning 15-shot rally and winning the first set 7-5.
In the second set Tipsarevic continued to play strongly taking an early 3-1 lead. However, with the crowd behind him, Monaco fought back to draw at 3-3. There was no stopping Monaco as he continued to break Tipsarevic’s serve with beautiful passing shots in final few games, eventually winning the set 6-3 to force the game into a final deciding set to be settled on tie-break, with Tipsarevic winning 10-5 for his second victory of the day.
The result meant that the final match-ups for tomorrow will be Querrey (North America) v Monaco (South America) in the first match starting at 4.30pm following the exhibition match between Daniela Hantuchova and Peng Shuai, as well as the showcase by British songbird Leona Lewis, while Nishikori (Asia) v Tipsarevic (Europe) will be the finale.
For more event details and ticketing information, please visit www.clashofcontinents.com
For more tennis community chats and action, fans can join the complete Clash of Continents social experience via Facebook and Twitter.
www.facebook.com/clashofcontinents
www.twitter.com/clashcontinents
All photographs taken by Mr Leong. Credits goes to him.
Leona Lewis Live In Singapore Concert for Clash of Continents 2012
In addition to world‐class tennis stars, the inaugural Clash of Continents Tennis Championship is proud to announce that superstar Leona Lewis
will perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday, 25th November during the Clash of Continents event, making it the first time the Brit has performed in front of her Singaporean fans.
Lewis’ showcase will break the tennis action on the final day of the tennis event that features a women’s exhibition match between Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova and China’s Peng Shuai as well as the main event with male tennis stars Kei Nishikori, Janko Tipsarevic, Mardy Fish and Juan Monaco, who will be battling it out on court for continental honours. With the ambition of elevating the sport of tennis in Singapore and Asia, the organisers
believe that an artist like Leona Lewis will help culminate sport and entertainment together that reaches to new audiences.
Tournament Director Mr. Kenneth Low said: “We are excited to announce Leona Lewis as our headline act on Sunday. During an exciting afternoon of tennis, Leona will entertain and inspire fans and players alike.
This will be Leona’s first live performance in Singapore and it’s fantastic that she will be making her Singapore debut at the Clash of Continents.
Lewis rose to fame after becoming the first female winner of the X‐Factor in 2006. ‘Bleeding Love’ her global smash hit single Reaching No.1 in over 30 countries and was the bestselling single worldwide in 2008. Her debut single, a cover of ‘A Moment Like This’ was downloaded over 50,000 times in 30 minutes upon its release. Her debut album, Spirit, released in 2007 sold over 6 million copies (correction by the readers 9 million) and featured the two smash singles ‘Bleeding Love’ and ‘Happy’. Releasing her second album, Echo, in 2009 Lewis embarked on her first tour the follow year. ‘The Labyrinth’ tour was critically acclaimed and further launched her as a global star, Lewis has just released her third album ‘Glassheart’ to widespread critical acclaim. Last month Leona released her third studio album ‘Glassheart’ and announced a brand new 2013 UK tour. Alongside executive producer Fraser T Smith, Leona worked with some of the
best songwriters and producers around, including: Emeli Sandé, Naughty Boy, Ina Wroldsen,Bonnie McKee, Jörgen Elofsson, Ryan Tedder, Autumn Rowe, Ammo and Rodney Jerkins
Leona Lewis has previously visited the Lion City as part of her promotional tour of Asia, but did not get the chance to perform before her legion of adoring fans on that occasion. Said the 27‐year‐old former X‐Factor winner: “I am excited to finally perform in front on my fans in Singapore. I have heard so many wonderful things about the country that I am looking forward to spending more time in Singapore soon.
“After the excitement of The Olympics and Wimbledon this summer I’m a huge tennis fan and I am looking forward to watching the matches at Clash of Continents.”
The 2‐day tickets for the Clash of Continents event priced at S$60 (Balcony), S$90
(Terrace) and S$150 (Arena) are now available for sale at all SISTIC outlets or online
at www.sistic.com.sg
For more event details and ticketing information, please visit
www.clashofcontinents.com
Nationals Tug of War
The Singapore Flyer grounds were abuzz with excitement as the National Tug-of- War Championship erupted with some pulsating action.
The world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel, the Singapore Flyer was abuzz with loud cheers today as the National Tug-of-war Challenge saw some of the region’s top tuggers battling it out for top honours for the second year running.
Last year’s first runner-up Team Prisons Sports & Recreational Club of Singapore could not muster a strong enough effort to tug their way into the Finals which left the door open for the two invited teams from Polis Diraja Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam Team B to lock horns as the final two.
The team from Malaysia are the defending champions and showed just why they held that title when they defeated the in-form Bruneians in a mouthwatering clash that got the fans on their feet. Team Prisons Sports & Recreational Club of Singapore had to settle for third.
I can’t explain to you the excitement I felt when I see them tug, it was like going to WAR, imagine this, athletes the size of football players or Rubgy players staring at each other like they are gonna kill each other (ok I made that up, maybe smiling to each other) but when the whistle blows, its all business.
The technique, the strength and the coordination was just superb. You just have to be there to feel the energy. Also this was a Tug of War is gonna be features in the SEA Games in the future. Oh I can’t wait. KEEP TUGGING Guys !
“My Grandfather Road” #SaveStickerLady #SKL0
Yes, Limpeh meaning “My father” in hokkien dialect, this was one of the many kewl works done by a so called artist going by the moniker skl0
I am sure many of you guys have seen the below (more…)
Shoe Porn Monday
Recently I just got back from a Tokyo trip and I saw the most amazing shoes that I think are only available in Japan. I can tell you that in Japan, they carry the most colors available for any brand that you know, be it Nike, Adidas, New Balance or Merrel, they sure paint their shoes like they are gonna be partying in it, I manage to capture some of the pictures of the shoes as I was afraid that some wielding katana samurai will come blazing down the aisle telling me I cant take any photograph in their store, well ok I was stopped at the Nike store, but I manage to sneak a few just before he asked me to stop.
As for the shoes I have not seen any of them on the SEA market, Ok maybe one or two of them I have seen em in retail stores.. but do check out the rest.. They are totally in crazy colors, I believe Japan has always the privilege of being able to wear crazy colors and getting away with it, I was wearing em funky Pink Puma Faas when I was there and I would say I fit right in.
Do you like em Pink Shoes? well I sure do .. Enjoy the Slide show .
Sentosa Port Of Lost Wonders
Port Of Lost Wonders is the latest attraction by Sentosa and this event also marked the launch of Sentosa’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Port of Lost wonder is Singapore’s First Kids’ Club by the Beach designed to provide a unique family experience. Targeted at children aged 3 to 10 years old, the attraction houses a signature water play area, themed islets for picnics and leisure activities and distinctive retail and dining experiences. Together with a myriad of specially-designed activities aimed at satisfying wonder, curiosity and connection, it is here where families can come together to explore and discover new experiences and create unforgettable memories.
Celebrity ran a 3:55 Marathon but disqualified
Not sure if you guys know Edison Chen? LOL.. who doesnt, he was the one acted in Batman where he ushered Bruce Wayne into the tower in Hong Kong. He was the one created such big news on his naked photos with all the celebrity and models in HK. So with all that bad rep, he tried to be good.. He signed up for the Hong Kong Marathon that was held on the 5th of February 2012
He successfully managed to (more…)
