Article Analysis FirstNews Issue 754 27 November – 3 December 2020 SPORT home league games in Getty a row without defeat is 64 the phenomenal tally for Liverpool, after they beat Leicester City 3-0. The Anfield stars went ahead thanks to a Jonny Evans own goal, before strikes by Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino sealed victory. The run, consisting of 53 wins and 11 Having lost to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open semi-finals, draws, is a club record. Getty the ATP Finals gave Daniil Medvedev the chance for revenge LONDON’S FINAL FINALS! Getty THE 2020 ATP Finals looked like they would finish with a showdown between the world numbers one and two – but their semi-final Diogo Jota opponents didn’t agree! Novak Djokovic, the world number one, faced Dominic Thiem in one semi-final. Northern Ireland Each player took a set before the final set ended in a tie-break, which Novak led 4-0. Open titles have been Dominic fought back, however, to win the tie-break 7-5 and book his place in the 3 collected by Judd Trump final. The other semi-final saw world number two Rafael Nadal serving for the match (below). The competition in the second set against Daniil Medvedev. Daniil managed to take the set and it was held in Milton Keynes this year seemed to boost his game, as he powered through the final set, which he won 6-3. because of COVID-19 restrictions, Having won the US Open in September, Austria’s Dominic Thiem went into the but that was the only difference. For final as the slight favourite. He won the first set, before leading the tie-break in the the third year in a row, Judd beat second set. At this point, Daniil’s performance found an extra gear and the Russian Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final, and the won seven points in a row to take the match into a third set. Daniil maintained his scoreline of 9-7 was the same in all strong form and won it 6-4, to claim the biggest victory of his career so far. three matches! For the past 12 years, the ATP Finals have been held in London, but from 2021 they are moving to Turin, Italy. Spectators have been fortunate to watch some superb Getty tennis during that time, so it seemed strange that there were no fans to watch the last tournament. And the new champion added to the low-key atmosphere, as he chooses not to celebrate his victories. After defeating Dominic, Daniil simply shrugged several times before walking to the net to hug his opponent! HAVING won their last six matches against France, RISE OF THE England’s rugby union team must have been feeling confident, but it didn’t quite go their way! A lively match at Twickenham saw England take an early 5-3 lead, with Zoe Harrison scoring the first try of the game. ROSES! After that, the French team took control. Three tries, a conversion and a second penalty saw the visitors charge into Getty a convincing lead. With only ten minutes left to play, England found themselves trailing by 13 points, with the score 10-23. The Red Roses weren’t about to accept defeat, though. A try from Poppy Cleall was swiftly followed by another from Getty Ellie Kildunne, who managed to power through the French Poppy Cleall defenders and carry the ball across the line. Centre Emily Scarratt, who had recently come off the bench, converted the try to leave the score at 22-23. With the clock in the red zone and the game about to end, England were awarded a penalty. Emily kept her cool to claim the three points for England, who ended the 2020 campaign unbeaten. England’s Emily Scarratt takes the 80th-minute penalty Article Analysis FirstNews Issue 754 27 November – 3 December 2020 Questions on: Sport ‘London’s final finals’ Part A: Find and explain the facts A1. Identify the three TRUE statements with a tick. The world numbers one and two in tennis faced each other in the ATP Finals. Novak Djokovic is the world number two. Djokovic faced Dominic Thiem in one semi-final. Djokovic beat Thiem in order to book his place in the final. The other semi-final saw Rafael Nadal play Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev beat Nadal and then beat Thiem in the final. A2. Who was the “slight favourite” going into the ATP Finals? Part B: Deduce and infer information B1. Explain the meaning of the headline: “London’s final finals”. B2. What made the atmosphere at the ATP Finals “low-key”, and why did it seem strange? B3. What evidence is there to suggest that Thiem and Medvedev weren’t expected to win their semi-final matches and that they had to work hard in order to do so? Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1. How is language used in this report in order to engage the reader? Find evidence to support your answer. ‘Rise of the roses.’ Part A: Find and explain the facts A1. Put the sentences into the correct order by numbering them 1-9. Emily Scarratt converted the try to leave the score at 22-23 After that, the French team took control. [England] weren’t about to accept defeat though. England ended the 2020 campaign unbeaten. With only ten minutes left to play, England found themselves trailing by 13 points, with the score 10-23. Three tries, a conversion and a second penalty saw [France] charge into a convincing lead. England took an early 5-3 lead. England were awarded a penalty and scored to claim the three points. A try from Poppy Cleall was followed by another from Ellie Kildunne. Part B: Deduce and infer information B1. What is meant by the description of the clock as being “in the red zone”? Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1. What techniques are used in the headline: “Rise of the roses!” to make it effective? ‘Sport in Numbers’ Part A: Find and explain the facts A1. What do the following numbers refer to in relation to Liverpool Football Club? 64 53 11 3 A2. Answer the following quick-fire questions about the Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament. Where was it held this year? Why was it held there? Who played in the final? Who won? What was the scoreline? Part B: Deduce and infer information B1. Why is the scoreline significant? Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1. Which of the two ‘Sport in Numbers’ stories do you prefer, and why? Article Analysis FirstNews Issue 754 27 November – 3 December 2020 GLOSSARY ATP – (Association of Tennis try – A try is the main conversion – After a team Professionals) It is the governing way of scoring in has scored a try, they are body of the men’s professional rugby. It is scored by awarded a “conversion” tennis circuits. The ATP Finals are grounding the ball in the kick at goal. If this is the second highest tier of annual opposition’s in-goal area. scored then it is worth men’s tennis tournaments after the In rugby union a try is another two points four Grand Slam tournaments worth five points Questions on: Sport ‘London’s final finals’ Part A: Find and explain the facts A1. Identify the three TRUE statements with a tick. The world numbers one and two in tennis faced each other in the ATP Finals. Novak Djokovic is the world number two. Djokovic faced Dominic Thiem in one semi-final. Djokovic beat Thiem in order to book his place in the final. The other semi-final saw Rafael Nadal play Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev beat Nadal and then beat Thiem in the final. A2. Who was the “slight favourite” going into the ATP Finals? ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ Part B: Deduce and infer information B1. Explain the meaning of the headline: “London’s final finals”. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ B2. What made the atmosphere at the ATP Finals “low-key”, and why did it seem strange? ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ Article Analysis FirstNews Issue 754 27 November – 3 December 2020 Questions