What a transformation: From nightmare reno to dream home
AFTER: The front of the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, after it was renovated.“She said; ‘Go and check out this place’,” Mr Bird said.“We went and had a look and half an hour later, the auction started. “I thought, ‘Oh well I’ll have a go and yeah we got it!”Mr Bird said buyer remorse kicked in soon after because they had gone over budget, but he knew they could afford it.They spent about a year living in the house in its original state before starting the renovation.“It took months of constantly redrawing layouts to figure out how we wanted to configure it,” Mr Bird said. BEFORE: The front porch at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, before it was renovated. More from newsParks and wildlife the new lust-haves post coronavirus14 hours agoNoosa’s best beachfront penthouse is about to hit the market14 hours agoAFTER: One of the bathrooms in the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, after the renovation.Then they started gutting the inside of the house, which involved knocking down four complete walls and shifting others to create a large, open plan living, dining and kitchen area.They gutted the kitchen and employed a contractor to redo it, but he pulled out at the last minute, leaving them high and dry. “The day before he calls up and says he’s not doing it,” Mr Bird said.“We’d given him a $5000 deposit!“That was pretty devastating, but we ended up getting the money back.”The couple had to wait six months for a new kitchen to be installed.“We lived in the second bedroom at the back of the house during that time — it was crazy,” Mr Bird said.“We were cooking on the barbecue every night and washing up in the bath tub.” Hayley McGill and Cameron Bird at the house they have just renovated. Picture: Annette Dew.HAYLEY McGill and Cameron Bird’s home renovation experience is the stuff of nightmares.After living for months with a leaky roof, an unwanted house mate and no kitchen, it’s a miracle they are still together.The young couple’s journey has been a whirlwind from the start.They were looking to buy their first house when Mr Bird’s mother called him about a 1930s Queenslander that was going to auction that day in inner city Wooloowin. RELATED: Tired site produces huge gain The house was in a desperate state of disrepair.“Because I’d bought it that day, I didn’t have time to inspect anything!” Mr Bird said.The first thing that needed replacing was the roof.“It was so bad when we first moved in that when it was raining, we’d have over a dozen buckets, pans and pots around the place,” Mr Bird said.“It was terrible.”Then they had to replace the asbestos ceilings.“We did a lot of the (renovations) ourselves, but we paid someone to do that because you don’t want to mess with that stuff,” Mr Bird said. AFTER: The kitchen looks totally different after the transformation. BEFORE: The front of the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, before it was renovated. AFTER: The master bedroom after it was renovated.It’s been a learning curve for the couple, but they couldn’t be happier with the end result — particularly given all the hard work they put in.“I’m an electrician so did all the electrical and we did all the carpentry inside, with a bit of help, as well as all the sanding and painting.“We put in all the new cornicing on the ceilings ourselves.”They wanted to preserve the heritage of the home, but add a modern twist.“We wanted to be a little bit different because so many houses are all the same,” Mr Bird said.“So we did things like adding black fixtures and walls to traditionally white rooms like the bathroom.” BEFORE: The original bathroom in the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin. DURING: The front of the house during the renovation. AFTER: The back yard at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, after it was renovated. MORE: Power couple list luxurious pad BEFORE: The kitchen in the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, before it was renovated. BEFORE: The backyard before the renovations. AFTER: The front porch after it was renovated.The old has been retained in the refurbished grey weatherboards, French doors, polished pine flooring, high ceilings and VJ walls. Modern touches have been added through the artistic pendant lighting, contrasting tile splashback and modern stone benchtops in the kitchen, which features a statement blue island bench.The couple have decided it’s time to move on to a new project, but will take six months off first to enjoy having their weekends back for a while.But Mr Bird has some parting advice for budding renovators out there.“It’s the Bunnings trips that kill you,” Mr Bird said.“Every time you go it’s $200, $300 or $400 that you can never account for because they all add up.”The property is being marketed by Patrick McKinnon and Will Churchill of Place – Ascot and is scheduled to go to auction onsite on Saturday, February 16, at 10am.RENO FACT CHECKTime taken: Two yearsTotal spend: $250,000End valuation: Going to auction so cannot give a price guide AFTER: The kitchen and living area at the house at 57 Rose St, Wooloowin, after it was renovated.The drama didn’t end there.When it came time to paint the outside of the house, Mr Bird asked the painter who was working on his neighbour’s house.He asked if he could camp in their backyard for six weeks while he did the job.“He’s a lovely bloke and so we said; ‘No worries, it’s only six weeks, go for it’,” Mr Bird said.“I thought he’d have a tent in the backyard, but I came home from work one day and he and his son had built a six post shed in the backyard!“It had a Colorbond roof, timber decking boards, lights in it and everything.“Six weeks turned into nine months.” BEFORE: The master bedroom before it was renovated.
Imahe source: Royal IHCRoyal IHC has introduced its new digital service IRIS (integrated and remote intelligence solutions) – a global connected platform that provides IHC customers with operational intelligence on their vessels and helps them to make better informed data-driven decisions.Via a mobile web application users can login and monitor performance indicators, such as production, fuel consumption and operational hours of their fleet or vessel.Multiple roles of the dredging companies’ organisations can benefit from the application; from fleet management, superintendents through operators. Their administrative tasks are unburdened by automated daily reports completed with field information, said IHC.Digitization is a continuous trend in the maritime industryWithin the offshore oil and has, offshore wind and dredging sectors, digitization is a continuous trend and it’s growing faster and faster. New technologies have been disrupting the global maritime market extensively, according to IHC.“Therefore, IHC is developing several integrated digital services to meet customers’ needs, which IRIS is one of. IHC developed IRIS in co-creation with customers, users of standard IHC Beaver® cutter suction dredgers, to make sure that a value-added digital service is delivered,” said the company.In the meanwhile, the app is further developed by adding more functionalities and features.
BACOLOD City – A laborer was founddead in Barangay Punta Mesa, Manapla, Negros Occidental. Police identified the fatality as60-year-old resident Nestor Jordan Esquilito. Jardeliza hired Esquilito to dig ahole at the back of their house, police said. The 49-year-old Abner Jardeliza foundEsquilito lifeless around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, a police report showed. 
Esquilito was brought to the ManaplaHealth Center where he was declared “dead on arrival.” Officers of the Manapla municipalpolice station were investigating the incident./PN
Koeman, who has left his role as manager of the Netherlands, has signed a two-year-deal with Barcelona, who sacked Quique Setien on Monday after he presided over the club’s worst defeat ever in European competition and a first trophy-less season for the club since the 2007-08 campaign. Koeman who was officially presented at the Camp Nou stadium later on Wednesday, is dearly loved at Barca for his role in Johan Cruyff’s hugely successful side known as the ‘Dream Team’ and for scoring the goal that delivered the club’s first-ever European Cup in 1992. The defender later became the club’s assistant coach before embarking on a career as a head coach, managing Dutch sides Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord plus Premier League sides Southampton and Everton and La Liga’s Valencia. “Barcelona and Ronald Koeman have come to an agreement for him to be the team’s coach until 30 June 2022,” said Barca’s statement. “A club legend and Barca’s hero at Wembley who gave fans their first European Cup, Koeman is coming back to the Camp Nou. But this time he will be in the dugout to lead the team.” read also:JUST-IN: Barcelona confirm Koeman appointment Koeman has frequently been linked with the Barcelona job in the past, in spite of a somewhat patchy club record which included disappointing stints at Valencia and Everton. But he worked wonders with the Dutch national team, leading them to 2019 UEFA Nations League final as well as earning qualification to the postponed European Championships after they had failed to reach Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 Newly appointed Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman has said he feels ‘very special’ to coach the club of his dream. The Dutch manager, who is on the mission to reform the club back to winning ways from the disastrous season, said he was proud to become Barcelona coach. “Over the past two and a half years, I have done everything I can to achieve success with the team,” Koeman told the website of the Netherlands’ soccer association, the KNVB. “I look back with pride on what we have achieved together in that period. The Dutch national team has a bright future, I am convinced of that. Everyone knows that Barcelona is my dream club. It feels very special to me to be able to become a coach there.” Promoted ContentTop 10 Historical Mysteries That Still Haven’t Been Solved18 Cities With Neverending Tourist-Flow7 Thailand’s Most Exquisite Architectural WondersWho Earns More Than Ronaldo?10 Characters Who Deserve To Be Official Disney Princesses7 Universities Where Getting An Education Costs A Hefty PennyA Guy Turns Gray Walls And Simple Bricks Into Works Of Art6 Extreme Facts About HurricanesWhich Country Is The Most Romantic In The World?6 Ridiculous Health Myths That Are Actually True9 Iconic Roles Nobody Wanted To PlayLook At Something Beautiful That Wasn’t Made By A Human Being The KVNB’s director Eric Gudde added: “We regret Ronald’s decision, but respect his choice. In the period that Ronald has been national coach, he has achieved good results and given the team colour back in their cheeks after a number of difficult years.” Assistant coach Dwight Lodeweges will act as interim national coach until the KNVB has appointed a successor. Loading… 
BUCKSPORT — Erik McCarthy of Old Town led the way early Saturday morning to take first place in the 43rd running of the Tour du Lac 10-Mile Road Race in Bucksport.McCarthy finished with a time of 52 minutes, 53 seconds. It was his second straight victory in the race after winning with a time of 53:51 last year.Andrew Kephart of Ellsworth was the top finisher from Hancock County. Kephart placed second with a time of 58:54.Tracy Guerrette of Bangor was the first-place finisher on the women’s side for the third consecutive year. Guerrette’s time of 1:01:34 earned her third place overall, an improvement from her eighth-place overall finish last year.This is placeholder textThis is placeholder textJonathan Goupee of Orrington finished fourth, and Perry LeBreton of Blue Hill took fifth. Bradford Eslin of Bucksport, Bob Ciano of Castine, Alison Chase of Brooksville, Ethan Dapice of Brewer and Scott Potter of Portland rounded out the rest of the top 10.The race, which began on Broadway near Tim Emery Municipal Pool and took runners around Silver Lake, drew a total of 62 runners. Below is a list of the race’s top-50 finishers.Erik McCarthy, 52 minutes, 53 secondsAndrew Kephart, 58:54Tracy Guerrette, 1:01:34Jonathan Goupee, 1:02:07Perry LeBreton, 1:02:11Bradford Eslin, 1:05:04Bob Ciano, 1:05:57Alison Chase, 1:06:51Ethan Dapice, 1:07:26Scott Potter, 1:07:47Ian Fraser, 1:08:50Tim Pearson, 1:09:01Thomas Sherman, 1:10:29Joe Roberts, 1:11:55Peter Cannon, 1:13:48Chris Jones, 1:14:29Scott Heidemann, 1:14:46Shane Martin, 1:14:48Ed Hughes, 1:16:52Aaron Hoovler, 1:17:52Deedra Dapice, 1:19:15Heather Knowles, 1:19:29Kristine Guaraldo, 1:21:30Mary Clapper-Buck, 1:21:35Jack Burnett, 1:21:40Lance Days, 1:22:15Dave Farrar, 1:23:09Daniel Gerrish, 1:23:21Margaret Capehart, 1:24:42Joe Capehart, 1:24:43Laura Anderson, 1:25:14Lisa Kearns, 1:25:19Robin Clarke, 1:25:19Mark Libby, 1:25:34Amy Cangelosi, 1:26:26Erica Doyon, 1:26:46Lisa Tweedie, 1:27:01Christopher Almy, 1:27:29Donna Kausen, 1:27:50Katherine Collins, 1:30:23Dave Lebel, 1:31:20Eric Boberg, 1:32:41Allison Dorko, 1:34:40Robert Garnett, 1:36:33Maegan Haney, 1:37:13Kim Shire, 1:37:13Andrew Clappitney, 1:40:59Julie Commick, 1:42:54Ginger King, 1:44:16Jen Noonan, 1:44:23
After kicking off the special live viewing of 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League knockout games on February 14 in Lagos, international premium lager beer, Heineken extended its premium cinematic football experience to the city of Port-Harcourt, with live broadcast of the Chelsea vs Barcelona game last Tuesday.The much-anticipated clash between last season’s English Premier League champions and current Spanish League leaders was watched by hundreds of excited football fans at special Heineken viewing venues simultaneously in Lagos at IMAX Cinemas, Lekki and FilmHouse Cinema, in Port Harcourt.Heineken’s upscale viewing centres equipped with impressive giant screens also offered guests ice cold Heineken drinks and delicious snacks.In addition to the refreshments, football fans also had access to a variety of recreational games to keep busy before kickoff, as well as quizzes, contests and giveaways during the halftime break.The Chelsea vs Barcelona game ended in a one-all draw, courtesy goals from Willian, who scored on the 63rd minute, and Messi, who equalized in the 75th minute, effectively ending an 8 match goal drought against the London side. Also on the same night, Bayern Munich beat Besiktas 5-0, giving the German side a huge boost ahead of the return leg in Turkey in a fortnight.A dramatic night of top class football ended on a high for fans, both in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and sets up delightful expectations for the next set of UEFA Champions League games to be broadcast live at Heineken’s exclusive viewing centres in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja throughout the rest of the 2017/2018 season’s edition of Europe’s elite football competition.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram
Wisconsin athletics has had good fortunes against the best teams in the country over the years, most recently beating No. 1 Ohio State in football and basketball.The Wisconsin women’s volleyball team will look for a similar story Friday night as top-ranked Penn State comes to town.Last weekend, the Badgers opened up Big Ten play by defeating Northwestern on the road 3-1. The Badgers weekend ended with a split Saturday, as they fell to No. 20 Illinois 3-2. Down two sets to one, the Badgers mounted a huge comeback to force a decisive fifth set but lost the final set and the match. Despite the loss, senior middle blocker Mary Ording said a split last weekend isn’t necessarily a disappointment.“The Big Ten is always going to be good,” Ording said. “Yeah, we might’ve been able to beat them [Illinois], and come home with two. A split in the Big Ten is OK. We’ll take that. It’s the first weekend of the Big Ten.”The Badgers rank third in the conference in blocks per set at 2.77 and third in digs per set at 16.02. Wisconsin also ranks fourth in opponent hitting percentage at .158, fifth in hitting percentage at .264 and fifth in kills per set at 14.13.“Northwestern on the road was a big win,” Wisconsin coach Pete Waite said of last weekend. “At Illinois in the fourth [set], we were nearly down and out and we came back and battled back to the fifth. That’s what we have to learn, to be more consistent in our serve receive, tougher in our serving throughout the game and we will give some other teams fits when we do that.”Penn State comes to UW having won its last six matches, including victories over No. 3 Nebraska and Iowa last weekend. Penn State is one of only three Big Ten teams that are 2-0 after the first weekend of conference play. In all matches this season, the Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage at .132 and rank second in the conference in blocks per set at 2.93.Sophomore setter Micha Hancock averages 11.49 assists per set and also has a team-best 27 service aces on the season. Sophomore libero Dominique Gonzalez leads Penn State with 3.16 digs per set. Junior outside hitter Ariel Scott leads the team with 3.71 kills per set. Junior Katie Slay, a 6-foot-6 middle blocker, has recorded 2.45 kills per set while leading the team in hitting percentage at .457 and blocks per set at 1.40.“Penn State is a more mature team,” Waite said. “They were young and we were young last year. Last year they were a team that made more errors than they had in the past [because] they lost some great All-Americans that controlled the ball, so now their players are maturing more and doing similar things.”Penn State leads the all time series against Wisconsin 38-7, including a 15-6 mark in Madison. Penn State beat Wisconsin 3-0 in State College last season, but the Badgers returned the favor in a 3-2 upset of Penn State in Madison. Waite said last year’s victory over Penn State will help them against the Nittany Lions this year.“It’s a confidence thing,” Waite said. “You know you’ve done it. You walk on the court and go after it again. It doesn’t matter what a team’s ranking is. If anything, the target is on their back. It’s always easier chasing a team than being chased.”Badgers welcome No. 22 Buckeyes to Field House Ohio State comes in ranked 22nd in the country with a 10-4 overall record. However, the Buckeyes have lost three of their last five matches, all to ranked opponents. Ohio State is 1-1 in Big Ten play, beating Iowa in straight sets and then losing to No. 3 Nebraska 3-1.Senior outside hitter Mari Hole leads Ohio State with 3.94 kills per set. Senior middle blocker Mariah Booth leads the team in hitting percentage at .349 and also adds 2.19 kills per set. Senior setter Amanda Peterson averages 8.71 assists per set, while junior libero Davionna DiSalvatore leads the team with 3.58 digs per set. Thomas said it will be important for the Badgers to put the Nittany Lions game behind them, win or lose, to be prepared for Ohio State.“It’s something that every other team has to do,” Thomas said. “You play two teams in a weekend. You play one match, you sleep on it, you wake up and the next day is a new day and you have someone else you have to play and work hard for. No matter if we win or lose [Friday]; the next day is just as important as that first day.”Waite said the Big Ten home opener will be a factor for the weekend’s matches.“[The players] will be excited,” Waite said. “I don’t need to do any sort of pep talk, because when these teams come to town they know it’s go time, and they [need] to be ready to go. So, I think the environment creates that high-level of play right away.”
Kamal Miller joked 20 minutes before Syracuse’s contest against Ohio State. He bounced a ball on his head and bombed it across the field to Len Zeugner who nearly ran into a small wall. Miller doubled over, laughing. It was a sign of a loose team, one that had won two straight games and just toppled the No. 1 squad in the country. It was also a sign of how little SU worried about its opponent: a one-win Ohio State team. Fast-forward after a nearly perfect two-hour defensive performance, Miller threw his arm around goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert and laughed again. There wasn’t the same jubilation of three nights ago, but it was another step in the right direction.Syracuse (6-4-1, 1-3-0 Atlantic Coast) easily disposed of Ohio State (1-9-2, 0-3-1 Big Ten), 3-0, Monday in SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange strung together shutouts for the first time in two years. The Buckeyes were limited to six shots. Hilpert was called upon to save just one. SU focused on itself in the days leading up to the game, Hilpert said. Players reflected on what they could do better instead of worrying about a team that has scored six goals in 12 games.After conceding nine goals in its first four matches, there were questions concerning the Orange backline. Zeugner, a grad-transfer, hadn’t yet integrated into the 3-5-2, sophomore Sondre Norheim showed signs of regression and Miller was sidelined for a contest with a Grade 1 knee strain. But since an overtime defeat to Virginia Tech on Sept. 28, Syracuse has allowed just two goals in 378 minutes of soccer.“There’s a belief in ourselves that we have the opportunity to shut out every team,” Miller said. “I feel like we have the talent to do that, especially with this backline.”AdvertisementThis is placeholder textSU relied on communication to snuff out OSU’s offense early on. Following a turnover in the first half, Djimon Johnson yelled at Norheim to “be tighter.” A minute later, Johnson blasted a forward in the box and ended the threat. Johnson, a sophomore who’s now earned consistent starting time as a defensive midfielder, has vocalized himself more often, Hilpert said.Johnson’s presence has allowed two top playmakers for SU — Hugo Delhommelle and Jonathan Hagman — to press higher. The switch has led to more complimentary soccer for the Orange.In the first half up a goal, Johnson and Miller charged at a defender from two sides. The OSU midfielder looked to the side and saw orange and blue stripes. Johnson tipped the ball to Miller, Miller served it back to Johnson, and SU had a breakaway chance.A similar play happened before Syracuse’s second goal. Johnson yelled at Julio Fulcar to get back in position. He clapped for emphasis. A few minutes later, Fulcar bodied a Buckeye forward, Delhommelle picked it off and triggered a sequence that ended with a Ryan Raposo goal.“There’s a belief, there’s an intensity,” Orange head coach Ian McIntyre said. “Tonight, I think we limited a hard-working industrious Ohio State team to a few chances.”The few chances Ohio State did have were dealt with ease. Late in the first half, as OSU pressed, a free kick found an open forward in front of Syracuse’s penalty box. Miller sprinted over, nudged the striker with his left arm and knocked the ball away. The effort drew a light clap from the crowd.On an ensuing possession, a loose ball reached OSU’s 6-foot-6 midfielder Michael Prosuk in the penalty box. Hilpert scrambled to the spot and parried it away. On the sidelines, McIntyre put a hand forward and lowered, signaling to his team to calm down. Prosuk ruffled his hair and shook his head. The defense didn’t let up in the second half. Norheim picked off passes, Johnson bounced in the midfield and disrupted the “key” to OSU’s offense: Brady Blackwell, Xavier Green and Jake Scheper. Hilpert called the trio of Miller, Johnson and Delhommelle the “minds of the game.”“As a goalie, I see the whole field,” Hilpert said. “As soon as you play in the midfield or something, you don’t see the whole field anymore and then you need assistance.”With the result not in doubt, McIntyre dumped out his bench. Jan Breitenmoser, Dylan McDonald and Nathaniel St. Louis all made rare appearances in the second half. But they too maintained the intensity required for a shutout.Breitenmoser, a senior who’s dealt with injuries this season, completed a slide tackle in the 74th minute that drew a gasp from the crowd. The referee, stating it wasn’t a foul, yelled “Good!” and allowed the game to continue. OSU grew desperate and launched passes upfield. SU was on the tail end of a three-game in nine-day stretch and the fresh legs equalized.When the final seconds ticked off the clock, a few Ohio State players walked back to the sidelines, heads down. Their bleak offense had run into a red-hot defense and it was another mission accomplished for Syracuse.“We’re a very talented, cohesive group,” Miller said, before pausing to smile. “It’s all coming together.” Published on October 8, 2018 at 11:25 pm Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez Comments Facebook Twitter Google+
Leadway Pensure has emerged champions of the 2017 Annual UBA Pensions five-a-side football tournament recently held at the Pitches and Court Leisure, Lekki in Lagos.The most fascinating event with over 800 persons in attendance saw Leadway coming tops with seven medals.The sporting event organised by UBA Pensions, was the 8th edition of the tournament which witnessed participation by 13 Pension Fund Administrators.Leadway Pensure, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, AIICO Pensions, ARM Pensions, Trustfund Pensions, Crusader Sterling Pension, Legacy Pension, AXA Mansard Pension, IEI Anchor Pension, PAL Pensions, Sigma Pensions, NA CPFA and the host, UBA Pensions all participated in the competition. Apart from the five-a-side soccer for men, other sporting events at the tournament included penalty shootout (for women); table tennis (for men and women), snooker, scrabble, chess, sack race, egg and spoon race and the FIFA 17 Virtual game.Stanbic IBTC Pension won five medals while AIICO Pension followed closely with four medals to finish in second and third position respectively.Commenting on the tournament, Managing Director, UBA Pensions, Mr. Bayo Yusuf, expressed satisfaction with the successful outcome of the event, which witnessed an increased turnout when compared with previous editions.The objective of the five-a-side tournament is to bond with PFAs and also cultivate healthy lifestyle by taking time out to engage in sporting and other recreational activities.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had one more surprise in his bag of upsets, beating second seeded Roger Federer 7-5 7-6 (3) to cap a scintillating march to the Rogers Cup title on Sunday, Reuters reports.After knocking off world number one Novak Djokovic in the third round, taking out twice champion and eighth seed Andy Murray in the quarters and seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov in the semis, Tsonga denied 17-time grand slam winner Federer a landmark 80th career title.“I played well all this week, I beat many good guys,” said Tsonga. “It’s a big achievement because I worked really hard to come back from my knee injury last year.“Unfortunately there is no secret… behind this there is a lot of work.“I’m waiting for this since couple of months now. I was looking for my best level, today I had it and it’s great.”Certainly there was no disputing that Tsonga’s win was well-deserved, the 13th seeded Frenchman’s hit list including players who had won seven of the last 10 Canadian titles (Djokovic 2012, 2011, 2007; Murray 2010, 2009 and Federer 2004, 2006). It marked the first time since 2002 that a player had beaten the four top seeds to win a Masters series event.“He beat great players along the way and backed it up with another great final,” said Federer, who turned 33 on Friday and had been hoping to celebrate his birthday by lifting the trophy. “No excuses. I think he played really solid and well when he had to.“I wish I could have played a bit better in the finals today.“There were things I could have done better, but, overall it was a positive week.“I go away from this feeling good about my chances next week and also at the U.S. Open.” In 16 career meetings Tsonga had beaten the Swiss maestro just five times but three came on the Canadian hard courts.With Federer appearing in his fifth Canadian final and Tsonga having advanced to at least the semi-finals in three of his four trips to Canada, both men had a cool look of confidence as they walked onto a blazing hot centre court.In a week of superb performances, Tsonga may have saved his best for last, the second seeded Swiss unable to manage a single break chance the entire match.