Eli Manning and the Giants sneak their way into the Super Bowl and a new star arises at the Australian Open! See what else happened this week in sports!
Giants go to Super Bowl
Despite missing two game-winning field goals in regulation, Lawrence Tynes connected on a 47 yard field goal in overtime to lift the New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers 23-20 on Sunday. The game-winning field goal sends the Giants to their first Super Bowl since 2000 where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. Led by Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs, the Giants will have to face a nearly invincible New England Patriots team on Super Bowl Sunday that will take place on February 3, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ.
Upsets at Open
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the talk of the town down in Melbourne, Australia as the unranked French tennis player shocked the world when he rolled through the competition at the Australian Open. Tsonga's most dramatic victory came on Wednesday night when he defeated superstar Rafael Nadal in the semifinals in straight sets! The next night another monster upset occurred when Roger Federer, who has dominated the tennis world the past five years, lost to third seeded Novak Djokovic in straight sets as well. Tsonga will meet Djokovic in the Australian Open Final on Sunday.
Heat Struggling
Two years ago the Miami Heat were the NBA champions. Now, they look like anything but champs as they have dropped 15 straight games. All has gone wrong for the Heat squad this year. Shaquille O'Neal's age is starting to show as he has clearly slowed down. There has been heavy speculation that the Heat will buy out his contract and he will retire. Shaq has publicly denied that plans to retire before his contract ends after the 2008-09 season. Dwyane Wade has battled injuries and hasn't played to the level we are all used to seeing. At 8-33 as of Friday, the Heat currently have the worst record in the NBA.
Notes Around the Sports World
- Maria Sharapova pulled an upset at the Australian Open when she shocked top ranked Justine Henin in the quarterfinals. Sharapova will meet Ana Ivanovic in the finals on Sunday.
- Boston Celtics' forward Kevin Garnett was the leading vote-getter to star for the 2008 NBA All Star Game in New Orleans next month. KG received 2,399,148 votes.
- The hottest team in the NHL lately has been the Philadelphia Flyers who have won eight of their last 10 games. They are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division.
- Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay has been invited to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest during All Star Weekend.
Related Stories:
- This Week in Sports :: January 14-18, 2008
- This Week in Sports :: January 7-11, 2008
- This Week in Sports :: January 1-4, 2008
