From Wimbledon Woes to Ashes Heroes; from Missed Putts to Goal Gluts: Wessex Sport gives a Review of the 2009 Summer of Sport.

With a grand slam in tennis, a major in the world of golf, World Championships in athletics, an Ashes test series in cricket and the onset of the new football season, sports fans have barely had need to leave the comfort of their armchair over the past three months.

All eyes turned to Wimbledon in June, with Murray responding to his new found popularity most notably in a thrilling 4th round win against Stanislas Wawrinka that had centre court rocking under its new roof. Murray went on to dispatch Juan Carlos Ferrero in the quarter-finals before falling at an Andy Roddick-shaped hurdle in the semis.

This set up a Roddick - Federer final which saw Swiss maestro Federer triumph in a marathon five setter that lasted an incredible 4 hours and 17 minutes. The final outclassed any in recent history, with the final set finishing an epic 16-14 in games to Federer, now seen by many as the greatest player of all time.

In July it was golf’s turn under the sporting spotlight as the Open Championships took place at Turnberry. The story of the tournament was undoubtedly provided by Tom Watson, the 59 year old who came within one putt of winning the championships. A wonderful and consistent four days of golf saw him leading the field at the 18th on the final day, before Stewart Cink beat a weary Watson in a one sided play off.

Berlin then took centre stage for the Athletics World Championships, with one particular Jamaican keeping suspense levels unbearably high. Smashing records left, right and centre, Usain Bolt rode to three gold medals and set a new world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres. The success of Britain’s Jessica Ennnis and Phillip Idowu made for spectacular viewing with each winning a gold medal in the heptathalon and triple-jump respectively.

During all of this, the Ashes was once again taking place on our shores, as England’s cricket team strived to avenge the 5-0 hammering they took in Australia in 2007. In a tense series often bereft of real quality, they managed to do just that. England owed much of their success to the inspired captaincy of Andrew Strauss but, unsurprisingly, the retiring Flintoff was again the media’s hero of the hour, continually fighting off injury to aid the England cause.

However, in Stuart Broad, who was equally as impressive throughout the series, it appears that England have a more than capable replacement for the departing hero.

Football fans witnessed one of the most entertaining transfer windows in history. Significantly, Manchester City achieved notable media coverage of their conquests. At some stages it appeared that manager Mark Hughes was planning to field something of a 1-1-8 formation as Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz joined the likes of Robinho and Craig Bellamy. But the shrewd acquisitions of Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure have stabilised and balanced a City side that has made a strong start and many feel has realistic ambitions of a top-four finish and Champions League spot.

 Only Real Madrid, with club President Florentino Perez back at the helm, hell-bent on reigniting the era of ‘Los Galacticos’, could match City. Real Madrid smashed their own world record for a transfer fee and then smashed that once more for good measure. Brazilian playmaker Kaka arrived from AC Milan for a staggering £56 million, but the stakes were raised to what Bobby Charlton aptly described as ‘vulgar’ proportions in the £80 million deal that finally saw Cristiano Ronaldo arrive at the Bernabeu.

Any hopes Chelsea may have had to keep apace with the spending spree of their European rivals were dashed thanks to a 16-month transfer ban imposed on the club by FIFA. The signing of French wonder kid Gael Kakuta in 2007 was judged to have been conducted illegally, as a result, Roman Ambramovich’s roubles will be staying in his pocket until January 2011.

England’s thumping 5-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley ensured qualification for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa, and on this showing, Fabio Capello’s outfit will be widely tipped as potential tournament winners.

As the sun began to set on the summer of sport, South Africa cemented their place at the top of the rugby world order by beating off New Zealand and Australia in this year’s Tri-Nations. The crown was sealed in Hamilton as the Springboks held off a spirited Kiwi fight-back to triumph 32-29, making them champions for the first time since 2004.

In Formula 1, Jenson Button has been trying to cement his place at the top of the Driver’s Championship. Impressively taking the mantle from Lewis Hamilton, Button currently leads teammate Rubens Barrichello, as he bids to become the second British champion in as many years.

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