Still, despite starting the postseason earlier than anticipated, the Pacific League champions came out focused and wasted little time sweeping visiting Paramount, 25-21, 25-15, 25-15, to advance to the second round.
And that's a lucrative position to be in considering that with a talent-stacked card that includes the anticipated light-heavyweight title rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Jon Jones, the return of Brock Lesnar and the first women's bantamweight title defense by Miesha Tate, UFC 200 at T-Mobile Arena challengellenge UFC 100 as a record-selling event.
While suspense could never be anticipated in a meeting of champions versus team relegated in bottom place, bankrolled Cup holders against potless bankrupts, Pompey gave an excellent account of themselves.
The race also attracted the Epsom Derby winner New Approach, and the meeting of the two champions was much anticipated by the press as a "clash of the titans".
Somerset bowler Steve Kirby says he is eagerly anticipating their forthcoming Champions League Twenty20 matches.
Arsenal anticipate providing new champions Manchester United with a guard of honour when they visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday despite the tension sure to be whipped up by Robin van Persie's first return to the north London club.
The match between Roddick and Hewitt, former No. 1 players and Grand Slam champions, had been highly anticipated although the two had fallen out of the top 10 after struggling with injuries in recent years.
Jones was scheduled to face rival and current UFC 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier in a highly anticipated rematch.
He added bite from a deeper position than the one he initially anticipated playing in and was named the Champions league final's man of the match.
Manchester City were crowned as champions, confirming what most pundits had anticipated at the beginning of the season.
For example, after five years in which there was at least one English club in each Champions League final, ITV will have anticipated large audiences for next week's semi-final.
