Tennis

Australian Open/ Men's final

Novak Djokovic prevails

In what can easily be described as one of the greatest tennis matches of all time, 24 year-old and world number one, Novak Djokovic, defeated arch rival and former world number one ranked Rafael Nadal, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5/7), 7-5 to capture the Australian Open Men's title at the Rod Lever Arena in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, January 30.

In an epic battle that lasted five hours and 53 minutes, the longest grand slam final ever, saw both champions playing unbelievable tennis. But when it ended, Novak joined Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Nadal as the only men who have won three consecutive majors since the Open Era, when in 1968 tennis professionals were allowed to compete in grand slams. Novak has defeated Nadal in three grand slams. Novak will attempt to win and hold all four grand slam titles at the same time when he seeks to capture the French Open in May 2012.

TRACK & FIELD

Usain Bolt healthy

Usain Bolt has confirmed his fighting shape for the 2012 Olympic year.

"For me this is going to be my biggest Olympics, so I am definitely focused and I am looking to go out there and surpass my own feat that I accomplished in Beijing, so I am definitely working on that," said Bolt. "I am putting in the work and hopefully, with God's willing and the weather, it should be good for me there," he added.

Since his record-breaking 100m run in 2009, Bolt has been plagued with injuries and back problems.

"The back won't be a problem this year because we have put in a lot of work in that as well as my strength work and core work," says Bolt. "I am very happy with the progress that I have been able to make up to this point in training and I am focused and ready to work even harder."

SOCCER

Two young Jamaicans in MLS draft

Two Jamaicans, Darren Mattocks and Nickardo Blake, are up for the 2012 Major League Soccer(MLS) draft.

Mattocks, a 21-year-old former Bridgeport High School soccer star, represented University of Akron in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One Championships last season. He is tipped by many U.S. soccer pundits as the number one prospect for the draft. He scored 39 goals in 47 games over two years at Akron.

Blake, a 22-year-old right full back from Clarendon, represented the University of Connecticut. At 6' 1", 167 pounds, Blake's strength, speed and offensive skill have also attracted a number of MLS scouts.

Cricket: West Indies versus India third ODI

West Indies keep series alive

West Indies recorded their first tour victory over India by capturing the third One Day International match played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad by 16 runs.

In the day to night encounter, India won the toss, leaving the West Indies to bat. The West Indies posted 260 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to 58 runs by Marlon Samuels, 41 runs not out from Captain Darren Sammy and 40 runs not out from Andre Russell.

India in their reply was bowled out for 244 runs in 46.5 overs. "Man of the Match" pace bowler Ravi Rampaul produced a fine opening spell, claiming three wickets in eight overs and then returning to wrap up with the final match wicket in his ninth over. Rampaul finished with four wickets for 57 runs. The only Indian batsman to offer any resistance was Sharma, who made 95 runs before being run out.

Cricket: Trinidad

The "Big Eight" create history.

Trinidad and Tobago have created history for becoming the first territory to have eight players selected to a West Indies One Day International Squad. The players are the talented young batsman Darren Bravo, recalled wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, opening batsmen Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath, hard-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard, young batsman Jason Mohammed and spinner Sunil Narine.

Cricket : West Indies versus India

West Indies lose opening ODI

West Indies went down to India by two runs in the first of the five One Day International (ODI) in Cuttack India on November 29. The match saw West Indies making 211 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs (Darren Bravo scored 60 runs), while India made 213 runs for 9 in 48.5 overs. (Rohit sored 72 runs and Roach took 3 wickets for 46 runs.)