Number 2 !!

Fantastic moment for Andy Murray tonight in Montreal, with a win over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the semi-final of the Rogers Cup which guaranteed a rise to number 2 in the ATP rankings, breaking four years of Federer/Nadal domination. The rankings began in 1973, and no Briton has reached these dizzy heights before.

The rankings require consistent performance and participation, and Murray’s cause has certainly been helped by Nadal’s recent injury. If Murray wishes to be seen as a top 2 player, he has a perfect opportunity in the upcoming US Open. In form, and on his favourite surface, the weight of expectation may be the most difficult opponent to overcome. As Serena Williams noted rather ungraciously recently, you’d rather have a bagful of Grand Slam titles than a number one ranking.

Premier League opening day thoughts :

· Never give a footballer an excuse. Everton were supposedly upset by City’s chasing of Joleon Lescott. Result – 1-6 home defeat.
· Dark horses – Fulham. A top manager, allied to a consistent line-up and a hard-working ethic. They’ll be nearer the top than bottom come May.
· I don’t believe that today taught us much we didn’t know, just confirmed a couple of strong theories – Pompey and Hull are in for a long hard season, and the promoted teams will be joining them near the bottom.
· Add Burnley to the list of teams who can’t deal with a Rory Delap throw-in.

Moan of the day – why do clubs allow the kit manufacturers to persist in moving away from a team’s traditional design just to suck in more cash from parents. West Ham now seem to be wearing a Torino strip. Hull City - aren’t they known as ‘The Tigers’? Since when were tigers gold with a black pinstripe? My favourite new strip – Aston Villa’s. Simple reasoning – it instantly looks like a Villa kit.