2017 has started with a bang with four unlikely names making January a great start to the sporting year.
It didn’t come as any surprise when 23-year-old American Justin Thomas became the youngest golfer to fire in a 59 on the way to winning the Sony Open in Hawaii in mid-January, opening and closing with eagles.
He was ranked 12th in the world at the time. He’s now eighth and a major winner sooner than later.
But Adam Hadwin’s 59 in the Career Building Championship came from left field, and was indeed a career building round.
The 30-year-old journeyman was ranked 191 in the world to become the first Canadian to achieve the feat on American soil – he’s now ranked 112th.
Then it was the maestro Roger Federer’s turn to return to Slam champion status after a drought of 1688 days.
The 35-year-old hadn’t won a Slam since the 2012 Wimbledon when he beat Andy Murray in four sets.
At two sets apiece, with Rafael Nadal owning a 23-11 head to head lead, Federer lost his opening serve in the fifth, but held his next serve to be down 2-1.
He had more break points, but Nadal held serve for 3-1 as Federer fans starting fearing the worst.
It was time for the real Federer to stand up against the trend of play by holding serve and breaking Nadal for 3-3.
But no-one could possibly have thought what was in store.
Federer held to love and broke Nadal to love to win eight points in a row and a 5-3 lead, serving for the match.
He lost the first two points and after two aces, was still down 30-40, but fought back to deuce.
That he won the title on a Hawk Eye decision only added to the drama, and more than three hours and a half hours of tension for the meritorious win.
Sports lovers thought nothing could top Roger Federer’s fifth Australian Open and record 18th Slam.
Marcus Stoinis tried his best to top it, as he walked to the Eden Park centre yesterday with Australia 5-54 chasing New Zealand’s 286.
The top order was gone, and to all watching so were Australia’s hopes – an humiliating loss was just around the corner.
Not to the 27-year-old Stoinis, playing only his second ODI.
He had a 13-run stand off 32 with newcomer Sam Heazlett (4) who has only played 13 Sheffield Shield games for Queensland – 6-67.
In came and went James Faulkner (25) in an 81-run stand off 97 with Stoinis (61) – 7-148.
Pat Cummings (36) added some belief to the scoreboard with a 48-run stand off 39 with Stoinis (73) – 8-196.
Mitchell Starc (3) had a 30-run stand off just 12 with a now rampaging Stoinius (98) – 9-226 still way short.
In came Josh Hazlwood who was in the centre for 26 minutes and never faced a ball as Stoinis continued on his one-man mission impossible.
That they got to within six runs off a freakish victory did no justice to Marcus Stoinis’ epic innings – the best all-round ODI performance by an Australian with 3-49 off 10, and 146 not out, an Australian record for a No 7 batsman, with nine fours, and 11 sixes – the latter only bettered by Shane Watson’s 15 sixes against Bangladesh
It’s also the highest total by any country from six wickets down.
But Australia failed by just six runs, thanks to Hazlewood having a brain explosion and being run out at the bowler’s end, backing up too far.
Dumb dumb cricket when the most unlikely of all wins was just a shot away.
Hazlewood denied Marcus Stoinis, and the team, a victory for the ages.
But to Justin Thomas, Adam Hadwin, Roger Federer, and Marcus Stoinis, your spine-tingling feats have 2017 international sport off to a flying start.
Craig
Guest
There are plenty of meaningless ODI's, this series included.
DavSA
Guest
I was probably a touch harsh using the word meaningless David but stand by my sentiments on the lack of importance of this series. I mean the Australian selectors are using the series to rest key players (understandably) and are also using it to blood in some youngsters. The logical inference is that they (selectors) themselves don't take it that seriously. So what am I a neutral Saffer to make of it. I do concur on your first point though.
David Lord
Expert
davSA, I wasn't comparing any of the four examples, they were important milestones in their own sports. For you to say a ODI is meaningless at Eden Park, especially the first of the series, doesn't do you any credit.
David Lord
Expert
Add No Show Maxwell to your list, but Hazlewood deserves the biggest serve. He didn't have to face a ball in his 26 minutes at the centre, while Marcus Stoinis was playing one of the all-time superb ODI digs. All Hazlewood had to do was stay in his crease, and he couldn't even do that, especially as Kane Williamson, who ran him out, was within spitting distance at the time. Dumb dumb dumb.
davSA
Guest
I was also humbled by the sportsmanship on display . Here are arguably the two best players in the history of tennis going toe to toe . They have every reason to be spoilt brat/ prima donnas should they so choose. ... But they choose not to and are an example to so many lesser sporting mortals with far lesser sporting values who could take a lesson from them. David , how about an article on the bad boys/ girls of world sport .
davSA
Guest
Come on guys . You're asking a number 11 batsmen to do the job that the top order should have done. In SA we suffered a bit ( well a lot) watching Donald's brain freeze moment . But it wasn't his fault for the same reasons that he shouldn't have been put into that situation in the first place. I've watched interviews of the guy and he still chuckles about it. It's after all only a game of cricket . I didn't have the pleasure of watching what by all accounts was a remarkable innings by Stoinis. But unfortunately because he couldn't pull off the win it will probably be quickly forgotten by the cricket world. I did however have the pleasure of watching Federer/Nadal and was mesmerized. This is truly the very cutting edge of world sport . The extraordinary quality of play , the history of both players on a bit of a comeback and the sheer drama as well as , and well done to Australia , a superb venue. So sorry David , but no comparison between a meaningless one dayer in Eden Park and the tennis.
Bee bee
Guest
I think some of the batsmen, particularly SMarsh (Mallow) and T - (Bone) Head should get more criticism then Josh (why am I here) Hazelwood.
spruce moose
Guest
In fairness, Allan Donald got the treatment because he did it twice in a row that over. If the ball was in anyone else's hands but Lehmann's, the match would have ended the ball before. But Lehmann wouldn't be able to hit water if he fell out of a boat. Allan Donald flatly did not learn from his stupidity.
Sydneysider
Guest
"Marcus Stoinis tried his best to top it, as he walked to the Eden Park centre yesterday with Australia 5-54 chasing New Zealand’s 286." Yeah, that innings in another one day series that means nothing globally was almost the equivalent of Roger Federer winning another grand slam title....?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?! I come and post here just for the laughs..... Thanks for another laugh David Lord.... LOL.....
qwetzen
Guest
Huzzah for Mr Lord! You're the only Sydney scribbler I've seen who's given Hazlewood the serve he deserves. The contrast between the treatment that Alan Donald got/gets compared to what Hazlewood's received so far is amazing.
GM
Guest
"But to Justin Thomas, Adam Hadwin, Roger Federer, and Marcus Stoinis, your spine-tingling feats have 2017 international sport off to a flying start." On the grammar, I'll leave you be today David, and just pass on a little tip on the above: writing's 'rule of three'. The principle suggests that things that come in threes are funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things. (see that even came in three.) Having the two golfers cluttered it ... should have axed one. In parting, "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, not Life, liberty, niceness and the pursuit of happiness."
spruce moose
Guest
I just love that this article was in the blue column....
duecer
Guest
Small correction - Fed did not break Rafa to love at 3-3, Rafa was down 0-40, then got back to deuce before being broken. Amazing game. Marcus isn't in the same ballpark as that match.
jeff dustby
Guest
its all over the news globally
Peebo
Guest
East mate ... it was an extraordinary performance
peeeko
Guest
a victory for the ages? exaggeration. he has kick started the sporting year world wide because of one good dig in a ODI?