Dinosaur Roar!

This morning we went to the Yayasan Pahang building to see the dinosaur exhibition. It cost us RM12 and Lauren got in free, although once we entered I wondered how the fees could be so high. It was a very small show with limited activities and we only spent about 45 minutes there. That was probably because Lauren was scared of all the loud dinosaur noises resonating around the room.

We did take some fun pictures which we were able to send to my email address, which are included below. The dinosaur models were very realistic, mobile and created quite a din!

I struggle to imagine how my tuition students managed to spend 6 hours there though!

Super Swiss Swats Staggering Scot

Early this morning Roger Federer slew Andy Murray in the 2nd Round Robin match at the ATP Tour London Masters. The score read 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Federer.

The O2 arena, bathed in a mesmerizing sea of blue lighting, looked stunning as Andy Murray and Roger Federer entered the spotlight on Centre Court.

Murray took the opening set with the decisive break of serve coming in the 6th game, despite having some troubles with his serve. Federer looked unfazed and began to find his rhythm in the second set, hitting more winners as Murray's double fault tally increased. The Swiss broke in the 6th game as he built some much-needed momentum. Murray's shot-making was off and his serve was crumbling.

Federer took the set 6-3 and his momentum continued as he swatted the British 'hope' aside 6-1 in the final set. I was overjoyed to see Federer playing at his fluent best again and perhaps now he has just become the favourite to win in London, although Djokovic looks like he could run him close.

Meanwhile, same old Murray doesn't have a hope as usual and now he can eat his ill-thought-out words describing his 6-3 head-to-head record versus Roger and how he was planning to just 'get this one out the way.' How dare he talk like that about a match against the greatest player the planet has ever seen!

I doubt after last night's beating he'll ever speak so casually about Federer again.

ATP Tour World Finals

The first two matches have been played in the O2 Arena in London. Andy Murray firstly defeated struggling Del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 before Roger Federer launched a great comeback to down Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.

World number one Roger Federer was looking in trouble when he was a set down and a game away from a tiebreak, but he decisively broke Verdasco in the 12th game of the 2nd and then walked through the decider 6-0. Looking as though he is possibly running out of steam at the end of the season, this should sound a warning to his rivals that he's not finished yet and can still turn out a love set when he's in the mood.

Meanwhile, Andy 'can't-win-a-major' Murray never will. Reflecting on last year's semi-final defeat to Davydenko, he maintained he had no regrets about going all out to beat Roger Federer in a dead rubber for him in the final group stage match. He was too tired the next day and as a result, lost. But he's well used to that now isn't he?

"I'd do the same thing again," he remarked, about doing everything to beat Federer in a pointless match at the expense of winning the competition. Stupidity.

"Unfortunately it didn't go well for me the next day but winning against Federer six times and losing three times, I can keep that with me for my career," said the unkempt Scot. Just for the record, Andy-dipstick-Murray, head-to-head records count for nothing and are pretty useless statistics in determining greatness. Can you name the head-to-head record between Borg and McEnroe? How about Sampras and Agassi? No. The only thing that matters is Grand Slam titles.

And Murray finishes it off with the most ridiculous quote I've ever heard. Ok, brace yourself, here it comes: "It's not always just about winning tournaments all the time, sometimes it's nice to beat the big players in epic matches and unfortunately sometimes that takes it out of you a little bit."

Sorry to be the one to break it to you Andy, but actually it IS about winning tournaments all the time, in particular, Grand Slam tournaments. It will come as no surprise that Murray's victories over Federer have come in small competitions that are pretty meaningless to a multiple Grand Slam champion, but absolutely vital to players who don't have a prayer in bigger events. Most notably, Federer gave Murray a good trashing in the US Open final of 2008. The final score read 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 on that occasion.

And maybe, just maybe, he has finally realised he is not future champion material in admitting that 'it's nice to beat the big players.'

It will be an interesting match between these two players from opposite ends of the tennis greatness spectrum. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray won. But we all know that Federer is a winning machine. He selects the events that are most important - Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Flushing Meadows - and is always meticulously prepared to win when it matters.

And that's the difference between Federer and Murray. That's what makes one a memorable champion and the other a forgotten also-ran - the Scot wins when the stakes are low. Federer wins when it really matters.

A Monitor Lizard Encounter

It's been a number of months since I went monitor lizard hunting around the back alleys and drains of Bukit Sekilau. Armed with camera and tip-toeing with hushed steps I spotted many a lizard in the hot sun. Since then however, the drains have become littered with all sorts of rubbish and the year has now entered the annual rainy season, making it difficult to observe any sightings of these intriguing creatures.

Returning home from a photography session somewhere in the back roads behind the petrol station, I came across a spot of good luck as I caught this specimen walking the drain:

A medium-sized lizard, yet it was the second biggest one I had seen. I was privileged to see a huge lizard about a year ago slowly trudging his way down a side road, but I was unfortunate not to have my camera on me! This monitor lizard however, hung around for me to take a number of pictures and a video.

These scavengers are rarely seen amongst people and have a network of residences underground, generally travelling in the numerous drains around Bukit Sekilau.

They have beautiful, intricate patterns on their skin. I love the design on their front legs, as in the picture above.

He finally made a dash for it as I got too close for comfort, clumsily crossing the little stream of water before hastily galloping, arms and legs splaying, back up the drain until I followed him no more.

ATP Tour Finals

The tennis tour finals is almost upon us, and the draw has thrown up some tantalizing matches in the group stage. World number one Roger Federer has been paired with Andy 'can't-win-a-major' Murray, Argentine scum-bag Del Potro, and Fernando Verdasco.

In the other group meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is matched up with three players who have all recently beaten him. His rivalry with Swede Soderling continues after he entered through the backdoor due to Roddick's injury. The Spanish bull will also face Novak Djokovic, who gave him a good stuffing last week, and Nikolay Davydenko (Mr. Consistency) who beat him well a few weeks ago.

It all starts on Sunday November 22nd, 2009 and I can't wait. In the back of my mind, I really worry for Rog as he just seems a bit off the pace at the moment, but I am reminded that Rog is a winner through and through, he wants Grand Slams and is not really bothered about inferior tournaments - those are for Andy 'can't-win-a-major' Murray. But on the flipside, I'm hopeful that Federer's period of rest will stand him in good stead and that he will produce his best tennis when it really matters.

The end of year finals is still a good tournament to win, but it doesn't really signify anything special nor accurately predict the outcome of the upcoming year. (Just take Murray's victory in last year's Shanghai finals and contrast that with his performance in 2009)

Anyway, whatever competition he is playing in, I want him to win. COME ON ROG!!!