Shanghai becomes the focus of the Formula 1 world this weekend as the teams arrive for the Chinese Grand Prix. This year represents the 11th running of the Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit and could well be one of the most exciting yet with the Mercedes team looking to continue their unbeaten run in 2014 but a number of challengers looming. Championship favorite Lewis Hamilton and last year’s race winner Fernando Alonso have both won here twice but the likes of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren’s Jenson Button will be looking to make their mark.
The Snooker World Championships get into full swing this week with the world’s top 16 players as well as 16 qualifiers vying for the £300,000 top prize. For many, this is a race between three. Five time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan has a great record at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and has prevailed the past two years; world number one Neil Robertson will be hoping to add a second World Championships title to his resume after winning here in 2010; while China’s Ding Junhui can become the first player to ever win six rankings events in a single season should he go all the way.
The Monte Carlo Masters reaches its conclusion this weekend as the ATP Tour begins its march towards the French Open. Monte Carlo is the first of three Masters events to be played on clay this year and as usual Rafael Nadal will be the man to beat. However, Novak Djokovic looks to be in ominous form as well in the early rounds while David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro have also scored emphatic wins so far.
The PGA Tour continues on its merry way in the wake of the US Masters with the Heritage Classic beginning tomorrow in South Carolina. This is one of only five invitational events on the PGA Tour with this year’s field including the likes of Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, Jim Furyk and defending champion Graeme McDowell.
And some big games in the NRL with South Sydney hosting Canterbury in a Friday night blockbuster and Parramatta and Wests Tigers facing off in the battle of the west, while the AFL sees big guns Sydney and Fremantle going head to head with the Swans hoping to turn around their awful start to the year. We like Souths, Parramatta and Fremantle in those three.
Good luck and good punting.
