Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WIMBLEDON DAY 9


Kvitova,Pironkova,Zvonareva not household names you would expect appearing in a Grand Slam semi final.Serena Williams is the only high ranked seed to appear in the Wimbledon Ladies semi's.Serena was pre tournament favourite and is now virtually unbackable and no doubt will defend her title unless she gets the Venus "shakes".Below are our winners from Day 8 .Ladies Day at Wimbledon!



Today is Men's Quarter Final Day and there are some great matches as we get closer to the Main event.Below are my selections and previews .

MEN'S 

Roger Federer vs Tomas Berdych

Head to Head Federer leads Berdych 8-2.Berdych has struggled so far against less accomplished players than the "King of the grass".Federer has showed in his last two matches why he is the GOAT (greatest of all time.)Berdych is in with an outside chance after all he has nothing to lose and can throw everything he has at Federer.And this is what happens in situations like these players lift their game to above expectations eg Lu against Roddick.Federer should prevail and anything below his best Berdych will take advantage.This year a guy with a Big game serve and solid ground strokes have done very well.

Novak Djokovic vs Yen -Hsun Lu

I am afraid the fairy tale story of the boy who used to catch chickens will be brought to an end by the Djoker, unless the mystery ailments return to haunt Djokovic.You have always got a chance that the Djoker may retire .... on no less than seven matches previous he has yielded.The Djoker will return serve far better than A ROD and should get the job done here.Keep you shirt on Novak.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga vs Andy Murray

This will be a big test for Andy Murray.Tsonga can be a spoiler to higher seeds at this end of the tournament.If he has the adrenalin flowing and playing with emotion he will beat Murray,simply he has a bigger game than the "scot".Now England is out of the world cup football then the British sports public are well an truly on Murray's shoulders.Tsonga to cause the upset here.

MATCH OF THE ROUND


 

Looking at Nadal's previous matches he has struggled against Guy's with a big serve and huge ground strokes!Does this sound like Soderling? Nadal will have to be at his best and must fire early! Do not give Soderling a "sniff".Soderling does not have the fight Nadal has and does crack under tight situations.Soderling only won in five against Ferrer and the Spaniard does not have the class on grass as Nadal.Nadal will have to serve at a high level, he has thrown in some very loose service games in previous matches and can not do so here.One slip can mean the set difference with serve being harder to break on grass.Can Soderling get around on his forehand as much as he can on clay will be the Key.Both Players use this ploy a lot.Nadal has the better back hand and can slice so more variety on this side than Soderling.Nadal is also the better mover of the two.And that just might be the difference in what shapes up as Nadal's most important match do date.Nadal in a tight one.

Just an update on the Junior Wimbledon events also that are being played.Both New Zealand representatives Ben Mclachlan and Sebastian Lavie both went out first round. Australia head the round of 16 with four players still left in the draw.Kubler(AUS) the top seed will be tested by promising British player Oliver Golding.In saying the Aussie boys have done well ,Australia had no girls in the Main draw singles..... disappointing to say the least! All eyes will be on Laura Robson(England) who was a late entry in the juniors can she win her second Junior Wimbledon Title?

MINI WIMBLEDON COMPETITION.
Yesterday we lost Kimmy and the Brown eyed Bomb shell from the competition,and those that must make selection for Men's Matches should do so on this post.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

This is Wimbledon Mr DJOKER!


WHAT 

WILL 

COME 

OFF 

NEXT!

MR

DJOKER!




Post match celebration after Djokovic  ended Lleyton Hewitt's Wimbledon hopes.

Wimbledon Day 8



Andy Roddick was dumped from the 4th Round by world No 82 Yen Hsun Lu. Roddick's return of serve was just terrible and he will not be pleased with the result.Venus Williams ,Serena  Williams ,Rodger Federer and Rafael Nadal were all amongst the winners.Djoker was effected by a mysterious breathing problem however still got the goods from Hewitt and sadly must say looking like the end of a good career as he failed to capitalize on the ailing Djoker.Below are some of the winners on Day 7.


Today is Ladies Quarter Finals below are my preview and selections.


SERENA WILLIAMS VS NA LI


Serena will not get her own way ,she will in the end be too powerful .Her match with Sharapova was the best of 4th round match-ups and had to play well to win it. Great run from Li however all good things must come to an end.


PETRA KVITOVA VS KAIA KANEPI


Kanepi the qualifier has had an awesome run I am sure it will continue!


KIM CLIJSTERS VS VERA ZVONAREVA


Kimmy defeated Henin in a very scrappy match .Got the goods in the end should get through this to face Venus Williams.


TSVETANA PIRONKOVA VS VENUS WILLIAMS


Another surprise packet but Venus who has just had a book released. Hope its not her ten best dress designs! Venus should get this easy.


MINI WIMBLEDON COMPETITION


We said goodbye to Thirsty yesterday when their selection Wozniacki was given a hiding 6-2 6-0 not a great look for the 3rd seed. Ladies draw must post today Kimmy, Lulu and Brown eyed bomb shell attach your selections to this post.

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Lions Roar Today.


As I wrote yesterday today's play at Wimbledon will be spectacular.For me Wimbledon has held its own with the World cup football , last week we had some great matches and story's coming out of the All England Club.We go into week 2 contemplating what drama will unfold as we get to the business end of the competition.You can follow me on twitter also at this LINK

Sunday, June 27, 2010

So you want to be a Pro Tennis Player


Over the next couple of weeks I will be writing a series "So you want to be a Pro Tennis Player".The first point I need to address is that you yourself have to have that goal to be a Pro....... to often it is the parents goal that is the dominant factor and that spells for disaster.I have been in the coaching game for a considerable time now , When I first started I was a young naive tennis coach lacking an essential component that I would not get until years roll by and millions of tennis balls hit, watching countless matches, working with different juniors and players from the grass routes ,National and Pro Levels and of course dealing with a variety of Parents.Its called Hindsight !The thing about tennis coaching is the same with Tennis Matches we are going to make mistakes along the road and that as we say is a way of learning.Just like losing a tennis match one hopes you learn from this loss, well tennis coaching works on the same principal one minute you are on the winning end the next the losing end.What you learn by your losses are equally as important as your wins.A junior trying to be a pro however must be careful at the choices and paths they take in trying to reach the pinnacle of Success, sometimes unfortunately for a lot of juniors their parents will be in charge of taking these decisions.My advice if you do have a good coach is to listen to them , good coaches will be honest and upfront and at times will tell you what you don't want to hear .You as a tennis player do not have that many chances and you only have a few years to create the best opportunity's. Too many parents switch coaches looking for answers that only they themselves can deliver.If you are serious in trying to make it on the Pro Circuit I need to tell you and your parents that both parties have to be committed and that is sacrificing many things such as other family member's at times and both parent and junior forgoing a lot of social aspects that come along frequently in every day life.I also need to say that not too many can do this and that is why only a small percentage make it.So after rambling on the first lesson is Number 1 you , yourself must want to be a player ...not Mum and Dad but you.....Statistics are not in favour less than 2% of junior tennis players will become pro's.Parents remember your dream may not be your child's dream.Good junior tennis players in New Zealand live a very sheltered life and parents can go over board in thinking they have the next Serena or Rodger.If you are not breathing eating and sleeping tennis then forget it just enjoy the social aspect.If you are serious you need to be VERY SERIOUS! Next choosing a good coach

Wimbledon Day 7



A chance to wind down today as Sunday is rest day for all tennis players and spectators at the All England Club.Its the only grand slam that does this and I for one need a day's grace after the exciting tennis that has been played over the last week.I will post the Matches drawn for Monday and what a day that shapes up to be! All men's and ladies 4th rounds are scheduled so all players left in the draw together on the same day!Below is a Montage of most winners from yesterday.



MEN'S

Roger Federer(SUI)[1] vs Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[16] - Federer has not showed too much in his previous matches that stand him out from the field.He was always going to beat the french man last round. Federer always gets through this type of player and I have no doubt that he will get this one .

Andy Murray Vs Sam Queerey- I have been predicting this fourth round match for a while.Murray really has had such an easy draw compared to Nadal and Fed.The Commentators are saying how well Murray is playing .....they always do and then fall in a heap along with Murray. Querrey is going to have to serve at his very best! If not Murray will run his long legs around the court all day and Querrey will end up in Knots. MURRAY

Novak Djokovic(SRB)[3] vs. Lleyton Hewitt(AUS)[15] I wish I could say Hewitt with confidence but Djoker has beaten Hewitt the past two times on grass.It depends how Novak wakes up on the day, we know Hewitt will be ready to play.Out of Loyalty HEWITT.

Paul-Henri Mathieu(FRA) vs Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2] - Gee Rafa everybody so far has brought there A game to play you.I'm tipping you will have easier passage in this match.NADAL

Yen-Hsun Lu(TPE) vs. Andy Roddick(USA)[5]- What a dream match up for Roddick! Lu has had a good run .....a lucky run if you ask me but its coming to an end.American commentators are just as bad as the English talking up how Roddick can win the whole event.Yea Right! RODDICK

Julien Benneteau(FRA)[32] vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA)[10]- Two countryman going at it to see who will be the last French Man standing.Benneteau has been gritty! This will be a close battle.TSONGA

Robin Soderling(SWE)[6] vs.David Ferrer(ESP)[9]- Soderling continues to impress...watch out Rafa he's going to be tough!Too much fire power for Ferrer.SODERLING

Tomas Berdych(CZE)[12] vs.Daniel Brands(GER)- This match is drawn on the infamous Court 18! Berdych looks determined.BERDYCH

LADIES

Serena Williams(USA)[1] vs.Maria Sharapova(RUS)[16]- When some of the other 4th round matches seem so weak , this will be a "ripper" Maria is giving us the "grunt" still and Serena has been ruthless since snubbed by the queen.WILLIAMS

Kim Clijsters(BEL)[8] vs Justine Henin(BEL)[17]
- It only gets better in this section of the draw and don't be surprised if the eventual winner comes from this quarter.
Hard to call , will have to be a Heads or Tails ....no wait didn't we use to call Clijsters Aussie Kim When she was going out with Lleyton.CLIJSTERS

Jarmila Groth(AUS) vs. Venus Williams(USA)[2] -Goodbye Jarmilla.WILLIAMS

Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[3] vs.Petra Kvitova(CZE)- Wozza has been going along just great ...will keep going WOZNIACKI

Tsvetana Pironkova(BUL) vs. Marion Bartoli(FRA)[11]- The girl no ones wants next door Marion should be too good. She had a walkover last round!BARTOLI

Klara Zakopalova(CZE) vs. Kaia Kanepi(EST)-What a match up for these unseeded players, the winner a Wimbledon quarter final.Kanepi is a qualifier! Zako should get there! Zakopalova

Vera Zvonareva(RUS)[21] vs. Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[4] - Another upset ? Jankovic is due to crumble soon or is it just a round too early? Zvonareva

Na Li(CHN)[9] vs. Agnieszka Radwanska(POL)[7]- Li is tough on grass! This could go either way!.Radwanska if not too many unforced errors!

MINI WIMBLEDON CONTESTANTS SHOULD POST SELECTIONS ON THIS POST!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Tell the Ball kid its over!



The above picture says it all...............or does it!

Day 6 Wimbledon


Yesterday the Main players all came through,Roger,Lleyton,Andy.Venus,Justine and Kim.
My selections and thoughts on Today's match up's below.

MEN
Fognini (ITA) v Benneteau (FRA)- The French man would be Favourite however Fognini is having some great wins.Would not be surprised if the Italian can pull off another upset.FOGNINI

Kamke (GER) v Tsonga (FRA)- A close battle looms with Tsonga to get there.TSONGA

Malisse (BEL) v Querrey (USA) - Not so straight forward as the American Commentators would think , will go for Querrey but would not be surprised if Malisse causes the upset.QUERREY

Simon (FRA) v Murray (GBR)- This could be a better test for Murray than previous opponents...has Simon had enough tough matches in the past month to compete is the question.He has just resumed from injury.MURRAY

Soderling (SWE) v Bellucci (BRA) - Soderling to big and strong.SODERLING

Chardy (FRA) v Ferrer (ESP)- Have not picked Chardy yet so I had better for this Match.CHARDY

Petzschner (GER) v Nadal (ESP)- Another tough one for Nadal! The heart of a champion will get him there.

Paul-Henri Mathieu(FRA) vs Thiemo De Bakker(NED)- Another close one De Bakker growing in confidence. DE BAKKER

LADIES

S Williams (USA) v Cibulkova (SVK)-Serena still peeved off.WILLIAMS

Zahlavova Stryc (CZE) v Sharapova (RUS)- Will be tougher for Maria but would love to see the Sharapova /Williams showdown looming for next round.SHARAPOVA

Li (CHN) v Rodionova (AUS)- The most unpopular player in the field(Rodionova) Can Li overcome the player from "hell" Li


Errani (ITA) v A Radwanska (POL
)- This could be a very interesting match will stay with the Italian.ERRANI

Wozniacki (DEN) v Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)- Wozniacki seems to have found her feet on grass.WOZNIACKI
-
Kvitova (CZE) v Azarenka (BLR)- AZARENKA her tweets show her happy and contented.

Pennetta (ITA) v Zakopalova (CZE)- Pennetta will be hard to beat.PENNETTA

Dulgheru (ROU) v Kanepi (EST)- Heads or Tails .KANEPI

Below the main winning players from yeserday.




MINI WIMBLEDON CONTEST UPDATE TOMORROW'S POST

Friday, June 25, 2010

Inside Wimbledon- Serena Not Happy



Earlier this week Serena had been tweeting how she had been practicing her curtsy on the eve of the Queens visit.She said it was the best curtsy ever! You can imagine how she felt when the Daily schedule was released and she found her self on court 2.What the XXXX the Queen of tennis being snubbed by the Queen of England?I tweeted yesterday that Serena would not be happy and pity her poor opponent.So she stepped out on court 2 and "pounded" her opponent 6-0 6-1. She had this to say “I don’t think I should be out there,” the world number one told reporters after booking a last-32 date with Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova.

“Naturally I thought, ‘Well, why wasn’t I on Centre or at least No. 1? I guess they wanted to put Roger (Federer) and (world number 21) Sam (Querrey) and everyone else there. I’m over talking about it,” she added abruptly while indicting she was no longer prepared to be quizzed on the topic.She did get some consolation from the reception from the crowd “The only way to console me was… I just saw so many kids, these little girls, these little boys.

“A lot of these people can’t get into the Centre Court … that definitely made up for it, to see fans I wouldn’t normally see.”

Who made up the schedule and how did they come about selecting the players on Center Court.Rafael Nadal had been invited to meet the queen with other players and former players earlier, but as he has a match declined not wanting to break routine!He was expecting her to stay and watch later his match but the queen left after the Murray match and must not be into under pants picking!

I mean even Rodger can feel a little peeved off who in fact was not even on the schedule for Day Four of the championships.And yes Serena has every reason to be unhappy. Watch out opponents!

Wimbledon Day 5


Day 5 brought the end of the epic Mahut vs Isner with the American getting over the line 70-68 in the fith set!Its a shame that there had to be a loser and Mahut after the match looked very dissapointed as one can be expected. His loosest game was the last game where his first serve deserted him and he missed a critical dropshot that he should of made.Later in the post I have both their after match interviews and reading and hearing them Isner was a little more the relaxed whilst Mahut lacked sleep keyed up ready to go and this may have been his downfall in the end.

Day 5 Matches and Round 3 Matches

>> Round of 32
Federer (SUI) v Clement (FRA) - This will be Feds easiset match to date. FEDERER

F Lopez (ESP) v Melzer (AUT)- This will be a tight one.I will tip MELZER

Berdych (CZE) v Istomin (UZB)- Under the Radar Berdych hasnt had a lot of press but he looms as Feds biggest threat in this section.BERDYCH

Hanescu (ROU) v Brands (GER)- Another close match up.Will go for the German.BRANDS


Djokovic (SRB) v Montanes (ESP)- No one in this section really to press so the Djoker will get this one.DJOKOVIC

Monfils (FRA) v Hewitt (AUS)- Will be close but Hewitt to get the money and Monfils
will feel his injury's more as he goes down.Hewitts old coach coaches Monfils so he will have the "oil" on Hewitt will the inside information be good enougth?.HEWITT

Mayer (GER) v Lu (TPE)- I have not picked Lu yet and will again go against him.MAYER

Kohlschreiber (GER) v Roddick (USA)- Another test for Roddick , the german is tough but Roddick should get there and I stress should.RODDICK

Thiemo De Bakker(NED) vs. John Isner(USA)[23] - Has Isner recovered? Can De Bakker get enough thunderbolts back into play to test Isner? De Bakker has a huge chance here, will go with the warrior ISNER

Will review and select the rest of round 3 match ups in tomorrows post.

Fognini (ITA) v Benneteau (FRA)
Kamke (GER) v Tsonga (FRA)
Malisse (BEL) v Querrey (USA)
Simon (FRA) v Murray (GBR)


Soderling (SWE) v Bellucci (BRA)
Chardy (FRA) v Ferrer (ESP)
Petzschner (GER) v Nadal (ESP)

Women's

Clijsters (BEL) v Kirilenko (RUS) - Kim is in good form and will go for her as the big clash against Henin Looms.CLIJSTERS

Henin (BEL) v Petrova (RUS)- Tough one!!! Henin should get there on mobility and all round game.HENIN

Wickmayer (BEL) v Zvonareva (RUS)- Who ever want this on the day will get it but its a Heads and Tails call! Zvonareva.

A Bondarenko (UKR) v Jankovic (SRB)- Seedings say Jankovic ....form says will be close.JANKOVIC


Pironkova (BUL) v Kulikova (RUS)- Will go with the Bulgarian PIRONKOVA

Arn (HUN) v Bartoli (FRA)- BARTOLI

Kerber (GER) v Groth (AUS)- Groth has exceeded my expectations.KERBER

Kleybanova (RUS) v V Williams (USA) - A hard hitting match ...WILLIAMS

S Williams (USA) v Cibulkova (SVK)
Zahlavova Stryc (CZE) v Sharapova (RUS)
Li (CHN) v Rodionova (AUS)
Errani (ITA) v A Radwanska (POL)


Wozniacki (DEN) v Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Kvitova (CZE) v Azarenka (BLR)
Pennetta (ITA) v Zakopalova (CZE)
Dulgheru (ROU) v Kanepi (EST)

Below are the interview transcipts from Mahut And Isner.
Q. How would you describe the match that you had and your thoughts on why it took so long?

NICOLAS MAHUT: Do you have time (smiling)?

I don’t know. This is just a match I will never forget. I hope the people who watched the match will think the same.

At this moment, it’s really painful.

Q. Would you elaborate? What’s painful about it?

NICOLAS MAHUT: The loss. I mean, I lost this match. I just wanted to win. Was just better than me. Really painful to lose this kind of match.

Q. Do you take a sense of pride in having competed this hard and this long even though you did lose?

NICOLAS MAHUT: Yeah, ask me tomorrow I will probably say yes. Tonight, it’s really difficult.

Q. You showed a lot of commitment in your match today. Would you have liked to see the French football team show an equal level of commitment to that?

NICOLAS MAHUT: (No response.)

Q. Were you aware of the huge interest and respect for you? To many people you’re a hero. Secondly, assuming if your ranking doesn’t go up by next year, will you apply for a wild card for Wimbledon?

NICOLAS MAHUT: I mean, next year is very far. I had already a wild card last year.

Q. Were you aware of the huge buzz?

NICOLAS MAHUT: No, I didn’t know. I hope it was the same in France.

Q. How do you want people to remember this match and what you did in it?

NICOLAS MAHUT: I just want them to remember that we were just two big fighters, and one of them just won.

Q. John said the match was like a dream. It had its own rhythm, its own feeling. What were your feeling as the match went on and on and on yesterday? What was within you?

NICOLAS MAHUT: It’s tough to explain. I was just trying to ?? you know, I was behind all the match. Every time I was serving to stay in the match.

I just try to win the game, just to win the point I was playing. That’s it. Again and again, every time the same.

Q. You feel very sad now. Is there something within you that is proud of your performance?

NICOLAS MAHUT: Yeah, maybe ask to someone else. For now, I don’t think about this. I mean, you will talk maybe better than me about what you saw. I just played.

Q. What are your thoughts about John right now?

NICOLAS MAHUT: He’s a champion. He served unbelievable. Every time I was that close to break him, he just serves aces, aces, bomb. I could not do anything. I tried very hard, but he was just too good.

Q. Do you think the two of you will now have an affinity for the rest of your playing careers and long into your retirement?

NICOLAS MAHUT: That’s for sure, yes.

Q. Do you not want the match tomorrow to go on late? Are you tired of leaving Court 18 at dusk?

NICOLAS MAHUT: To be honest, I’m feeling great. Maybe surprised, but I’m feeling great. Just want to come back on Court 18 and win this time.

Q. We asked John what he did after last night when he went off court, what sort of food he got, what massage or treatment he got, then what time he went to bed. Can we ask you the same thing and how you slept?

NICOLAS MAHUT: I didn’t sleep so much. Like three hours or something. I had massage. I took a cold bath. Then, I don’t know, I ate some pasta or something. But I was not hungry.

I just wanted to play today. I was waiting. I was just waiting for the match.

Q. But the body still felt good?

NICOLAS MAHUT: (Tearing up.)

ISNERS IS RATHER LENGTHY COMPARED TO MAHUT!!!

Q. What kind of a night did you spend last night? Could you sleep? Nightmares? Or what?
JOHN ISNER: I honestly, when I left the match, I really thought it was a dream. I didn’t think that type of match was possible. So I was really expecting to wake up, in all seriousness.

No, I went back. I didn’t sleep great. I only slept for four hours. I talked to Nic. He said he only slept for about three. So we’re both kind of running on fumes right now.

Q. The match had its own internal logic or rhythm. Sometimes it was a little crazy or surreal. Did you feel almost a different kind of space out there? Can you talk about your feelings as the match went on and on and on yesterday?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I mean, yesterday I didn’t know what I was thinking out there, especially once the match got past, you know, 25 All. I wasn’t really thinking. I was just hitting a serve and trying to hit a forehand winner is the only thing I was doing. Fortunately that was going in on my service games. He was serving great and hopping around, you know, eight hours into the match, which was remarkable.

But going out there today, I knew I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be anything like it was yesterday, although it did take, you know, 10 or so service games to finally get a break. I had a feeling it was going to be like that. It wasn’t going to last any more than 20, one way or the other.

Q. You were throwing up your hands as if to say, What can I do?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, trying to guess on a serve. I served exceptional, obviously. And he was really kind of matching me, as well. I know he served a lot of aces. And times when I did guess right. Even if I do guess right, if he hits the line, still nothing I can do. When I get back, he’s on top of the net to put the ball away. It was tough.

I told myself to try not to guess so much, really just hope he misses his spot, and then that will give me a better look at the ball.

Q. Why do you think this match took so long?

JOHN ISNER: I can’t explain that. Obviously both players were serving we both served really well. That’s the main thing. But even in that case, you can’t even imagine it going past 20 All.
I don’t know. I guess it was just meant to be or whatever. You know, I mean, in a way I’m kind of glad it happened, although I am pretty tired. It’s pretty nice to be a part of that match.

Q. Was there any point you were thinking, God, I wish they played a fifth set breaker here?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, without a doubt. 20 All yesterday I was thinking that.

Q. If I’m right, this match, from the second set when there was a service break, went 167 straight games without a service break. It’s unbelievable, including all the other stats, two guys without a service break.

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. Well, I mean, really the nature of the way we both play, we both serve really well and kind of try to take chances on return games. So you combine that, the fact that we both served in this match exceptionally well, uhm, and that it’s grass, you know, you’ll see long stretches of play without a break. But nothing like a hundred and whatever the number was.

Q. Should they play a breaker here in the fifth set?

JOHN ISNER: I don’t think so. Nothing like this, it won’t happen again. Not even come close, so…

I think just keep it the same.

Q. Now that it’s over, how does it feel to be part of tennis and sporting history?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, uhm, it’s great. I guess something Nic and I will share forever really. I don’t think I’ve ever said five words to the guy prior to our match. Not that he’s a bad guy. It is what it is. Now when I do see him in the locker room at other tournaments, we’ll always be able to share that.

You know, like I said, I’m kind of glad it happened. Had I won in straight sets, I might be playing right now in my second round match.

Q. For tennis players, two of their biggest concerns are fitness and mental strength. Do you think you can be pretty confident in both departments after that match?

JOHN ISNER: Yes, I think so. I think especially mentally. Physically I have put in the work at Saddlebrook where I practice in Tampa, you know, with my trainers there.

You know, I put in the long hours. Prior to coming to Wimbledon, I didn’t play in Eastbourne because I didn’t feel fit. I had the long clay court season. So I stayed an extra eight days in Tampa where it was a hundred degrees and a hundred percent humidity. I got in pretty good shape.

My coach actually, believe it or not, said jokingly before the tournament started that I’ll be able to play 10 hours. That’s the truth. After practicing at Saddlebrook in Tampa in that heat, he was right.

Q. Do you think the quality of the play will be remembered or do you think the match will be remembered just for its length? How do you think the quality was from start to finish?

JOHN ISNER: Uhm, I think the quality was pretty good. I mean, you know, we both obviously just didn’t want to lose our serves. If you do, that’s the match.

You know, towards the end, I want to say the last three hours of yesterday’s, whatever you can call it, we were both just hitting winners at will. I mean, I was so tired out there. Couldn’t focus. Didn’t know what I was going through. But I was slapping my forehand as hard as I could, and it kept on going in. The same goes for him.

But I think it will probably be remembered for the distance.

Q. Have you played him in a match before?

JOHN ISNER: He beat me in Queen’s two years ago.

Q. Had you done much research before this game?

JOHN ISNER: I kind of knew what to expect from him.

Q. Have you had responses from other players?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. I mean, the guys that are in the locker room, pretty much every one of them came up to me and patted me on the back or shook my hand or whatnot.

Q. How out of sorts were you by the end last night?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I was completely delirious. I mean, you know, I wanted to keep on playing yesterday, which I don’t know why, because he was the fresher one. But, you know, I said even though it was dark and no one could see, I wanted a final verdict, win or lose. I didn’t want to have to sleep on it. But it wasn’t to be.

When I got in the locker room, sat down, just didn’t know what to think.

Q. Talk us through what your post match routine was. What was the first thing you did? Ice bath? Eat?

JOHN ISNER: I drank a recovery shake just to get some carbs in me right away. My coach came to the locker room with a plate of pasta and a plate of a bunch of stuff, meat, and I don’t know what it was.
But I couldn’t eat that right away. A lot of times after a tennis match, you’re not hungry right away. Takes like 30, 45 minutes. Yeah, then I took an ice bath, iced my arm down. Then I ate as much as possible.

Then actually Andy Roddick left the site and came back with takeout food for myself and my coach, believe it or not.

Q. What time did you actually go to bed?

JOHN ISNER: Probably like 12:30. And I woke up, you know, when the sun’s coming up at 4:00. Never seen that before (smiling).

Q. Do you think you can keep winning? Do you think you can win another match in the tournament?

JOHN ISNER: Yes, I do.

Q. How far do you think you can go?

JOHN ISNER: I don’t know about that. I’m just taking it one match at a time.

But, uhm, I’m going to do everything necessary to get myself, you know, ready for tomorrow. I know my opponent, he’s not the freshest one either. Not nearly like me. But I think I can I definitely think I can win.

Q. Is there something that keeps you patient and mentally fastened on what’s going on, some sort of magic word?

JOHN ISNER: No. I don’t know. A lot of times in situations like that, I always find myself very, very calm and controlled.

I think I learned that in my time in college, playing a lot of, you know, pressure filled matches. Obviously it’s not the magnitude that this is.

That’s something that Coach Diaz at Georgia was really good at, was able to really make me a lot mentally stronger. That’s one of the reasons, you know, I’m here today, what I’m doing right now.

Q. In the finish, was it the will to win or fear of failure that got you across the line?

JOHN ISNER: Oh, that’s a good question. I think it was more so the will to win. Obviously in the back of my mind is, as I’m sure it was with him, I don’t want to be on the losing side of this. It’s going to be a little bit better to be on the winning side.

But I think it was the will to win. Not that I outwilled him. I mean, obviously he gave it his all. I just kind of was a little bit more fortunate than he was.

Q. He did look devastated. Could you imagine what it would be like?

JOHN ISNER: No, I can’t. I don’t even want to think about that.

Q. Do you see yourself reviewing this match one day at home again?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, maybe if my roommate DVR’d it back home, I might have it. I don’t know. We’ll see.

Q. Can you take us through that last game, the shot you hit? Do you remember the winning shot?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah.

Q. Does it stick in your mind?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. I mean, I had a look. He faltered with that missed dropshot. I was way behind the baseline. He tried to make it too good.

Obviously he didn’t even make it that good. Actually slipped. Anywhere on the court, I wasn’t getting to the ball. So that was fortunate.

Then I remember at 30 All I hit a great winner up the line. So at 30 40, you know, in situations like that, when you have a match point returning, you tend to get, you know, a little tight. That’s just natural. I told myself just to go for it. I don’t want to lose that point playing the wrong way.

If I go for my shot and miss a return, then that’s fine. But on that one, I just said not to guess and really just hope he doesn’t hit his spot. Fortunately for me, he didn’t. I was able to put a good hit on the ball.

Q. Did you feel that serving ahead was much of an advantage in the match? Was there ever a point yesterday when you felt like you might have to retire out of exhaustion?

JOHN ISNER: Well, yeah, I said before the match, before the fifth set started, that serving ahead was going to be a big advantage. But obviously it wasn’t, really. I mean, he held 63 times, you know, where he had to hold or else the match was over.

I thought it was going to be a bigger advantage than it was. I don’t think that was one of the reasons that I won.

Q. Do you have any enthusiasm at all for playing men’s doubles now?

JOHN ISNER: We’re still in the draw right now.

Q. When do you expect to play?

JOHN ISNER: We won’t play today; I know that. My partner is playing right now, with the daylight and that.

Q. What was the dialogue you had during the fifth set or with the umpire? Was there any interesting dialogue you had about a time to come off or time to end it?

JOHN ISNER: Are you talking about yesterday?

Q. Yes.

JOHN ISNER: Yes. Once it got past I think we stopped at quarter after or five after. It was getting dark. You know, he said he was having trouble seeing the ball, and so was I. Rightfully so.

So, you know, we really only had about maybe five minutes of decent daylight left. So it was the right choice to call it.

Q. Can you estimate roughly how many bananas you ate and how many bottles of water you got through over the three days? We like our statistics in the British press.

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I’m going to say well, I think I only had about three bananas. But I had about 12 bars. Probably 30 to 40 things of water like that.

Q. Bars of what?

JOHN ISNER: Like Clif bars. It’s like an energy bar.

Q. How many times did you change your shirt?

JOHN ISNER: It’s not as humid here as it is in most tournaments. So I think I only changed my shirt like two or three times yesterday, believe it or not. And the one today was the same one I started the match with.

Q. What did you say when you walked off for the bathroom break, and what did you say after the match?

JOHN ISNER: I apologized because I really had to go. I didn’t want to stop because none of us were taking any breaks. I’m sure both of us could have used a trainer at some point in that fifth set. Neither one of my pinky toes has any skin on ‘em. I could have used some sort of taping there. I’m sure he could have used something as well.

I didn’t want to disrupt the flow, but I couldn’t hold it anymore.

Q. Was there any specific Manny isms that came to your mind from college at any point in that match?

JOHN ISNER: No, nothing specific. I think it’s just the way that he was able to get to me when I was on court. You know, having him on the court with me. I mean, he said so much great stuff to me. It wasn’t anything in particular that stuck out.

Q. What do you think this will mean to your future both on and off the court?

JOHN ISNER: You know, I think what it shows is that a lot of times, two years ago, the knock on me was that I wasn’t that fit. And rightfully so. But I think I’ve gotten better in that department and I can still get better.

You know, I know what it takes now to be at the top of this game, you know, fitness wise. So it’s just a matter of me going out there on the practice court and in the gym doing what it takes.

Q. We saw your mom was on court today with tears at the end. Have you spoken to her? What did she say?

JOHN ISNER: I haven’t spoken to her yet.

Q. She was crying her eyes out.

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, she’s a mom (smiling).

Q. How do you feel about this match potentially defining your career? Do you hope that some of the strength and character you’ve shown means you can go on and win a slam at some stage?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. I mean, this one’s obviously going to stick with me probably the rest of my life really. But I hope it doesn’t define my career. I think I have what it takes, you know, to do some really big things in this game.

You know, obviously the four biggest tournaments of the year are the Grand Slams. I have probably a good seven, eight years left to try to make a good run at ‘em.

So hopefully, you know, this won’t be the thing that I’m most remembered about.

Q. Can you believe how far you’ve come since college to this point?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I’ve come a long, long way. I mean, I didn’t think about going pro until my junior year in college. So I was 21. I mean, I started obviously out late playing pro at 22. This is exactly my third full year from right now that I’ve been playing. So, you know, I didn’t know what to expect.

If I told myself if I ever got to the top 100 at any point in my career, that would be an accomplishment. But now I’m top 20, and I can go further and get higher than that.

Q. How did you feel when you woke up this morning physically? What did you do to prepare for this afternoon’s match? Did you weigh yourself today and whether you lost any weight?

JOHN ISNER: I actually haven’t weighed. I told myself I wanted to do that. When I go back to the locker room, I will.

But I’m one of the heaviest guys actually, I am the heaviest guy on the tour. I have a little bit of excess in the stomach area (smiling). I knew that was going to come in handy one day. It was kind of the reserve tank.

It’s not that I eat unhealthy. I work hard. I just can’t get rid of it.

Q. Is it still there?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. It went down a little bit, I think (smiling).

Q. You said this was like a dream. In some ways, is this even better than a dream? And what did Andy get you for takeout?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah. I mean, I think it really is better than a dream because you can’t even dream of something like this. I mean, you can dream of winning a match 22 20, maybe 34 32, but not 70 68.

Yeah, I guess in that regard it’s a little bit better.
Andy just brought me all sorts of stuff. It was for my coach and my trainer. There was three boxes of pizza, all sorts of chicken and mashed potatoes, anything. I would have eaten 12 BicMacs.

Q. After shedding so much weight in the last 24 hours, do you think you would make a good face of Weight Watchers in America?

JOHN ISNER: I guess. It’s not like I’m a heifer or anything (laughter). Maybe.

Q. Did you lose track of the score at points or even stop caring what the score was, because what mattered was winning that one game to put you over the hump?

JOHN ISNER: Yesterday, like I said after a certain point, maybe 25 All, I lost track of it. I was just going there, holding serve, walking to the bench deliriously, getting up and not breaking, holding. Did that for seven hours really.

Yeah, I forgot about the score.

Q. Do you know how many aces you hit?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I do.

Q. What are your plans to celebrate this win tonight? How are you going to spend the evening?

JOHN ISNER: I’ll probably just get takeout food and get a massage and try to sleep as much as possible, because I’ve got to come back tomorrow and try to get it done.

Q. When did you become aware of the huge interest in the match, the fact it was on the big screen, prime time TV? What did you think of the fact that you were one of the two most famous tennis players in the world yesterday?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, not often do I steal the show from a guy like Federer, but I think I did yesterday.

I knew it was probably a big deal around the tennis world, because this is Wimbledon. So anybody that follows tennis, all eyes are on this tournament. It was when I got back to the locker room that I realized, you know, how big of a story it was really worldwide.

Q. Are you for the tiebreaker in the fifth set?

JOHN ISNER: At Wimbledon?

Q. Yes.

JOHN ISNER: No. I think you should play it out.

Q. How many racquets did you get through?

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, you know, I usually get about seven racquets strung a match. Sometimes I’ll switch every ball change. Sometimes I’ll switch every two ball changes. At one point yesterday, I didn’t have that luxury. All my racquets were used.

I was playing with some. When it felt a little loose, I’d pick up another one. I did that about four or five times.

Q. You weren’t able to get someone to get them restrung for you?

JOHN ISNER: It wasn’t necessary. That wasn’t going to matter either way. I was playing with weed whacker string

MINI WIMBLEDON COMPETION
Selections for round three matches should be attached to this post.

Oh and the Queen visited wimbledon yesterday.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Wimbledon Day 4


Yesterday two players etched themselves in Tennis History.Neither Man will win the tournament but John Isner and Nicholas Mahut put on a show of courage and determination to be locked at 59-59 in the 5th Set before bad light stopped play.It set a lot of records and had every tennis player and spectator simply in awe of what was happening on court 18.This is the longest tennis match ever played in time and in games, all 163 of them. The fifth set of 118 games is longer than any previous singles match. Mahut served 95 aces. Isner boomed in 98. Both break the record of aces in one match held by Croat Ivo Karlovic.Federer had this to say "I've been following this as closely as I could. I walked on court at about 11‑all in the fifth, and they're still going. This is absolutely amazing. In a way, I wish I was them, in some ways I wish I wasn't them. This is a very special match. I hope somehow this is going to end. They'll be fresh again tomorrow if they have to come back."Nadal also was glued to the match as no doubt every player left in the locker room watched as history unfolded.Venus Williams had this to say "It's amazing. It's a marathon - longer than a marathon. I don't think I'd move - if you moved, you lose your seat! Around the grounds, there has to be a buzz around that this match is going so far."Tennis is a unique sport and this match will be remembered for a long long time.Records are made to be broken however this match may stand a life time!



Match Selections Day 4.

MEN

As proven yesterday outside the top seeds matches are very hard to pick.

Fognini (ITA) v Russell (USA)- This could be close , I would like to see Fognini carry on from his great win First Round.FOGNINI

Beck (GER) v Benneteau (FRA)-Another Match that could go either way! Will go for the German.BECK

Seppi (ITA) v Kamke (GER)- This section shows anyone can get through, Kamke is a lucky loser so Seppi on paper should win.Lets throw caution to the wind and go with KAMKE

Dolgopolov (UKR) v Tsonga (FRA)- Tsonga should get this one.TSONGA

Malisse (BEL) v Reister (GER)- Malisse likes the grass so its MALISSE for me

Dodig (CRO) v Querrey (USA)- On his way for a Murray Showdown.QUERREY

Simon (FRA) v Marchenko (UKR)- Simon in another close fought match SIMON

Nieminen (FIN) v Murray (GBR)- I would think Murray for sure unless playing under the watchfull eye of the Queen scares him.MURRAY

Soderling (SWE) v Granollers (ESP)- Soderling for sure. A real contender! SODERLING

Fischer (AUT) v Bellucci (BRA)- Fischer another qualifier ha had a win over Bellucci, will stay with the seed here BELLUCCI another match that could go either way!

Lacko (SVK) v Chardy (FRA)- What with these match ups! so close Lacko just.

Serra (FRA) v Ferrer (ESP)- way too many clay courters still in the draw Ferrer just.

Youzhny (RUS) v Mathieu (FRA)- Youzhny again wil be close.YOUZHNY

Petzschner (GER) v Kubot (POL)- Should be the German! PETZSCHNER

de Bakker (NED) v THE WINNER OF YOU KNOW WHO!!!!

Haase (NED) v Nadal (ESP)- Rafa Vamos!

LADIES

S Williams (USA) v Chakvetadze (RUS) - Serena must be so pissed off not to get Center Court and the Queen ......watch out the Russian. SERENA

Morita (JPN) v Cibulkova (SVK)- Sayornara.......CIBULKOVA

Hantuchova (SVK) v Zahlavova Stryc (CZE)- stryc

Olaru (ROU) v Sharapova (RUS)-Maria is looking good!.SHARAPOVA


Li (CHN) v Nara (JPN)- Li will get this one!

Rodionova (AUS) v Kuznetsova (RUS)- Rodionava has the worst court manners especially to the opponents. Teach her a lesson KUTZNETSOVA

Errani (ITA) v Parra Santonja (ESP) - You would think ERRANI

Brianti (ITA) v A Radwanska (POL)- Surely the 7th seed will get the money RADWANSKA


Wozniacki (DEN) v Chang (TPE) - Wozniaki gets the Queen! Hopefully she will get the win.....Poor Serena WOZNIACKI

Vinci (ITA) v Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) - This could go either way,the russian leads 2-1 head to head so I think its time the Italian won again. VINCI

Zheng (CHN) v Kvitova (CZE) - ZHENG

Jovanovski (SRB) v Azarenka (BLR)- Not much to say AZARENKA


Pennetta (ITA) v Niculescu (ROU)- PENNETTA looks a good bet here.

Zakopalova (CZE) v Rezai (FRA)- REZAI

Dulgheru (ROU) v Oprandi (ITA) - DULGHERU

Gallovits (ROU) v Kanepi (EST)- gallovits

MINI WIMBLEDON COMPETION
Those that went through to the third round from yesterdays round

The Eye- Hewitt
Willy - Monfils
LuLu- Petrova
Thirsty- Jankovic
Kimmy- Zvonareva

Others are pending matches tonight. Unfortunatley we lost Broz yesterday with the choice of Molik!!!

So well done to those that are through and selections for 3rd round will be due from tomorrow.

Below is a little tongue in cheek picture on the eve of the Queen visiting Wimbledon.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wimbledon Day 3



A few seeds fell yesterday including high profile players Fernando Verdasco the Men's 8th seed falling to Fabio Fognini.Verdasco under performs in Grandslam's maybe to many underwear adds!Aussie hope Sam Stosur fell to Kaia Kanepi - a really disappointing result!The grass courts have not been a happy hunting ground for stosur falling consistency in first round appearances.The main players marched on to Round 2 and Andy Murray is the last British player standing in either Men's or Ladies singles!This will create the usual support for Murray from British supporters......expectations can create a burden that players like Henman have found too great in the past.



The Queens visit to Wimbledon is on every players mind.The Great Serena had this to say when asked.

Q. What are your thoughts about Thursday with the Queen’s visit and how are your curtsy practices going?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I was going to curtsy today on the court afterwards, but I think I flubbed it. So I’m definitely going to work on it a little more. I’m trying to tone down my wrist action (laughter).But my curtsy is really fun. It’s something that she’ll definitely never forget, if I ever even get a chance to meet her.
No, we really don’t do that so much in the United States, so I’m really working hard on it.


Now if you followed my Tips yesterday especially in the Men's I gave you some good bets! Malisse over Ferrero....Lacko over Baghdatis.....Haase over James Blake

Below is Matches Drawn for Day 3 ARE IN BOLD ! and my selections.This is all matches for round 2

MEN

Federer (SUI) v Bozoljac (SRB)- Federer has been demoted to Court 1 for poor form.After his wake up call from the first round will be better for it!
Clement (FRA) v Luczak (AUS)- Clement has been around for ages has been higher ranked than Luczak both have had good wins in first round.Will go with the Aussie LUCZAK
F Lopez (ESP) v Berankis (LTU) - Going for a Big Upset here,Berankis has come through qualies had a good win over Ball in the first round and in 2007 was Semi finalist of Junior Wimbledon.The only Spaniard i feel comfortable tipping is Nadal.BERANKIS
Troicki (SRB) v Melzer (AU- Melzer is in good form.MELZER
Berdych (CZE) v Becker (GER) - Anything can happen on grass but the money is on BERDYCH
Schuettler (GER) v Istomin (UZB) Schuettler keeps going and going.ISTOMIN
Hanescu (ROU) v Ilhan (TUR)- Ilhan is a qualifier has had plenty of matches on grass going for the youngster here.ILHAN
Brands (GER) v Davydenko (RUS)- Brands is 6'5 so Davydenko is meeting some tall timber in his matches so far,.DAVYDENKO


Djokovic (SRB) v Dent (USA)- The Djoker was in trouble last round.Dent is built for grass but does he have the consistency to win this match.Djokovic in a tight one.
Evans (USA) v Montanes (ESP) Evans another qualifier and has had a lot of matches on the grass more than Montanes anyhow.EVANS
Monfils (FRA) v Beck (SVK)- Monfils sometimes would not be out of place in a circus ,Beck has had a win on grass over Monfils ...it was in 2005 however.Im tipping Monfils!
Korolev (KAZ) v Hewitt (AUS)- The Aussie will fist pump and C'mon all match and should get over the line on this one.HEWITT


Mayer (GER) v Fish (USA)- The American has had good grass court form and has had two wins over Mayer ...will be a tight encounter.FISH
Lu (TPE) v Przysiezny (POL)- The pole is a hot favorite.PRZYSIEZNY
Kohlschreiber (GER) v Gabashvili (RUS) - The betting market strongly favors the German.Gabashvili is so unpredictable .KOHLSCHREIBER
Llodra (FRA) v Roddick (USA) This is going to be a real test for Roddick.Llodra with new coach Amelie Mauresmo in his box is in good form ,this could shape up as a real beauty.We will see where Roddick is at after this match.RODDICK


Fognini (ITA) v Russell (USA)
Beck (GER) v Benneteau (FRA)
Seppi (ITA) v Kamke (GER)
Dolgopolov (UKR) v Tsonga (FRA)


Malisse (BEL) v Reister (GER)
Dodig (CRO) v Querrey (USA)
Simon (FRA) v Marchenko (UKR)
Nieminen (FIN) v Murray (GBR)


Soderling (SWE) v TBA
Fischer (AUT) v Bellucci (BRA)
Lacko (SVK) v Chardy (FRA)
Serra (FRA) v Ferrer (ESP)


Youzhny (RUS) v Mathieu (FRA)
Petzschner (GER) v Kubot (POL)
Haase (NED) v Nadal (ESP)

LADIES ROUND 2 (matches today in bold)

S Williams (USA) v Chakvetadze (RUS)
Morita (JPN) v Cibulkova (SVK)
TBA v Zahlavova Stryc (CZE)
Olaru (ROU) v Sharapova (RUS)


Li (CHN) v Nara (JPN)
Rodionova (AUS) v Kuznetsova (RUS)
Errani (ITA) v Parra Santonja (ESP)
Brianti (ITA) v A Radwanska (POL)


Wozniacki (DEN) v Chang (TPE)
Vinci (ITA) v Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Zheng (CHN) v Kvitova (CZE)
Jovanovski (SRB) v Azarenka (BLR)


Pennetta (ITA) v Niculescu (ROU)
Zakopalova (CZE) v Rezai (FRA)
Dulgheru (ROU) v Oprandi (ITA)
Gallovits (ROU) v Kanepi (EST)


Clijsters (BEL) v Sprem (CRO)- Kim for sure CLIJSTERS
Perry (USA) v Kirilenko (RUS)- The russian should get there just!KIRILENKO
Henin (BEL) v Barrois (GER)- Justine for sure HENIN
Chan (TPE) v Petrova (RUS)- Petrova


Wickmayer (BEL) v Flipkens (BEL) - Battle of the Belgiums could go either way .FLIPKENS
Hlavackova (CZE) v Zvonareva (RUS) -Zvonareva
A Bondarenko (UKR) v Lepchenko (USA)- BODARENKO
Wozniak (CAN) v Jankovic (SRB)- Never one to excite me but JANKOVIC


Dushevina (RUS) v Pironkova (BUL)- Could go either way DUSHEVINA
Kulikova (RUS) v Shvedova (KAZ)- Heads or Tails for this one!KULIKOVA
Arn (HUN) v Molik (AUS)- Going for ARN-Molik cant keep winning.
BAR d MAR w/o Recap


Peer (ISR) v Kerber (GER)- I guess go with the seed but wouldnt be surprised if the German got up. PEER
Groth (AUS) v Oudin (USA) The american to be to tough when it counts.OUDIN
Kleybanova (RUS) v Kudryavtseva (RUS)- Battle of the Russian's will be tight KLEYBANOVA
Makarova (RUS) v V Williams (USA)- This should be a good second round encounter.Makarova has great pre Wimbledon form.Won't be a walkover.WILLIAMS

MINI WIMBLEDON CONTEST

Well on to the Second Round and your selections are now due.Remember you must stay in the same genre ie if you picked in Mens you always select in Men's.Selections needed from.THE EYE,Willy,LuLu,Broz,Smasherova,gabz,brown eye bombshell,thirsty,Kimmy,Willy or won't he.PLEASE USE THIS POST FOR SELECTIONS! Remember you can select from any round two match-ups but stay in your genre and you cannot select a player you have chosen before! GOOD LUCK.

On a final note , My Tip for the title is Nadal. His pivotal game should be against Sodering and that will be tough... should he get through that he will go all the way.Just noticing his look and body language comapared to Federer in his first round match.I can say that Nadal looks like he's here to do the business.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Wimbledon Day 2



DAY 2 SELECTIONS

MEN

Kei Nishikori(JPN) vs. Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2] - Nadal should of learned a lot from the Federer match ,,,,come out firing and take nothing for granted!.Will be interesting to see how te young Japanese shapes up on the big stage.

Robin Soderling(SWE)[6] vs. Robby Ginepri(USA) ...Soderling too powerfull


Robert Kendrick(USA) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA)[10] - If mOnfils can win here 1st round so can Tsonga

Jan Hajek(CZE) vs. Andy Murray(GBR)[4] -Murray Mania starts today.

Nicolas Kiefer(GER) vs. David Ferrer(ESP)[9] - Kiefer not 100% fit ..likes playing on grass however ..close match Ferrer JUST!

Juan Carlos Ferrero(ESP)[14] vs. Xavier Malisse(BEL) - This will be a tight one ...going with the Belgium

Robin Haase(NED) vs. James Blake(USA) - Blake will be gone early ...not sure if it will be this early but may as well tip against him

Marcos Baghdatis(CYP)[24] vs. Lukas Lacko(SVK) - mentally is Baghdatis up to it?

Gilles Simon(FRA)[26] vs. Guillermo Alcaide(ESP) -Simon

Blaz Kavcic(SLO) vs. Lukasz Kubot(POL)

Mikhail Youzhny(RUS)[13] vs. Dudi Sela(ISR) - Sela is hard to beat!

Jarkko Nieminen(FIN) vs. Stefan Koubek(AUT) HEAD OR TAILS!

Tobias Kamke(GER) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez(ESP) -As i said yesterday the Germans are firing!.

Michael Russell(USA) vs. Pere Riba-Madrid(ESP) -Will anybody be watching?

Oscar Hernandez(ESP) vs. Ivan Dodig(CRO)

Frederico Gil(POR) vs. Marcel Granollers(ESP)

Jeremy Chardy(FRA) vs. Daniel Gimeno-Traver(ESP)

Andreas Beck(GER) vs. Jamie Baker(GBR)

Fernando Verdasco(ESP)[8] vs. Fabio Fognini(ITA)

Ricardo Mello(BRA) vs. Thomaz Bellucci(BRA)[25]

Thiemo De Bakker(NED) vs. Santiago Giraldo(COL) - former Wimbledon junior champ in De Bakker

Go Soeda(JPN) vs. Martin Fischer(AUT)

Kristof Vliegen(BEL) vs. Julien Benneteau(FRA)[32]

Simon Greul(GER) vs. Florent Serra(FRA) - sticking with the
Germans

Julian Reister(GER) vs. Rik De Voest(RSA)

Sergiy Stakhovsky(UKR) vs. Sam Querrey(USA)[18] - on his way to meet Murray

Nicolas Mahut(FRA) vs. John Isner(USA)[23] - Will be close

Nicolas Almagro(ESP)[19] vs. Andreas Seppi(ITA)

Philipp Petzschner(GER)[33] vs. Stephane Robert(FRA)

LADIES

Serena Williams(USA)[1] vs. Michelle Larcher De Brito - turn the sound down for this one.

Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[3] vs. Tathiana Garbin(ITA)

Akgul Amanmuradova(UZB) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS)

Anastasia Pivovarova(RUS) vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[16]

Melinda Czink(HUN) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska(POL)

Na Li(CHN)[9] vs. Chanelle Scheepers(RSA)

Dominika Cibulkova(SVK) vs. Lucie Safarova(CZE)[25]

Iveta Benesova(CZE) vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Monica Niculescu(ROU) vs. Gisela Dulko(ARG)

Sara Errani(ITA)[32] vs. Julie Coin(FRA)

Bojana Jovanovski(SRB) vs. Casey Dellacqua(AUS)

Sorana Cirstea(ROU) vs. Petra Kvitova(CZE)

Arantxa Rus(NED) vs. Kai-Chen Chang(TPE)

Timea Bacsinszky(SUI) vs. Edina Gallovits(ROU)

Ioana Raluca Olaru(ROU) vs. Alize Cornet(FRA)

Alberta Brianti(ITA) vs. Jill Craybas(USA)

Sybille Bammer(AUT) vs. Roberta Vinci(ITA)

Anne Keothavong(GBR) vs. Anastasia Rodionova(AUS)

Anna Chakvetadze(RUS) vs. Andrea Petkovic(GER)

Alexandra Dulgheru(ROU)[31] vs. Kimiko Date Krumm(JPN)

Arantxa Parra Santonja(ESP) vs. Olga Govortsova(BLR)

Tamarine Tanasugarn(THA) vs. Ayumi Morita(JPN)

Mariana Duque Marino(COL) vs. Kurumi Nara(JPN)

Jie Zheng(CHN)[23] vs. Pauline Parmentier(FRA)

Klara Zakopalova(CZE) vs. Yvonne Meusburger(AUT)

Kaia Kanepi(EST) vs. Samantha Stosur(AUS)[6]

Romina Sarina Oprandi(ITA) vs. Heather Watson(GBR)

Flavia Pennetta(ITA)[10] vs. Anabel Medina Garrigues

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova(CZE) vs. Elena Vesnina(RUS)

Daniela Hantuchova(SVK)[24] vs. Vania King(USA)

Mirjana Lucic(CRO) vs. Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[14] - Match of the round and should be a beauty going for the upset!

MINI WIMBLEDON COMPETITION

OK RESULTS OF THE FIRST ROUND YESTERDAY IS AS FOLLOWS THESE HAVE PROGRESSED TO THE NEXT ROUND.

Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER)(THE EYE)
Andy Roddick (Willy)
Jelena Jankovic(LuLu)
The Mighty Petrova....(Broz)
Berdych( smasherova)
jurgen melzer (gabz)
Yanina Wickmayer(brown eye bomb shell)
Makarova(thirsty)

unfortunatley Francesca Schiavone(bombergirl) bombed out big time in Upset of the Day.

You can post a practice round if you want today as you have all progressed to round two.....all except bomber girl.....anyone wishing to join the competition can do so by posting a selection today 1 hour before play starts.Attach it to this post.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Wimbledon -Day 1 Picks and News and a little Gossip


The grandest grandslam of them all kicks off today.I'll be keeping Daily posts over the fortnight .I'm sure as the championship unfolds we are in for high drama, laughs and tears.May the best Male or Female win!

Today's Picks

MEN
Roger Federer(SUI)[1] vs. Alejandro Falla(COL) -Roger will kick off the tournament and also kick Falla out of the tournament. Dam! someone has to play Roger 1st Round.

Novak Djokovic(SRB)[3] vs. Olivier Rochus(BEL) - Now this will be a good Match.Rochus has had a win recently over Djoker( hardcourt)....If hes in one of those moods Rochus can win.

Kevin Anderson(RSA) vs. Nikolay Davydenko(RUS)[7] - Never back Davydenko at Wimbledon! He has not been back that long and Anderson is 6'7 and built for grass.!However last event Anderson retired with a shoulder injury. Heads or Tails!

Rajeev Ram(USA) vs. Andy Roddick(USA)[5] - Roddick all the way ,will be interested to see his form.

Mardy Fish(USA) vs. Bernard Tomic(AUS) - Another great match up will the experience of Fish be too good for Tomic the youngster.You would think Fish but will go with the Aussie.

Maximo Gonzalez(ARG) vs. Lleyton Hewitt(AUS)[15] -C'MON!!!! I know he pixxxs a few off especially New Zealanders but there will be more C'MON'S to come.

Gael Monfils(FRA)[21] vs. Leonardo Mayer(ARG) Who knows with Monfils , fitness cloud but should get through.

Peter Luczak(AUS) vs. Tommy Robredo(ESP)[30] - I think Luczak will take out the 30th seed.Robredo as been terrible in his past few matches.

Ilija Bozoljac(SRB) vs. Nicolas Massu(CHI) - I am going for the qualifyer he has won three matches to get here and Massu hasnt played any of the Grass court lead ups.


Ramon Delgado(PAR) vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili(RUS) -This will be close , Delgado lost 2nd round of qualy's ....Gabashvili coming off a great Roland Garros but no Grass court Form.The russian to come out on top.

Igor Kunitsyn(RUS) vs. Viktor Troicki(SRB) -Troiki leads head to head so will go with that.

Juan Ignacio Chela(ARG) vs. Taylor Dent(USA)- A few years ago I would have no hesitation picking Dent. He has come through qualifying so should have the edge on grass.

Michal Przysiezny(POL) vs. Ivan Ljubicic(CRO)[17] - Ljubicic!

Michael Llodra(FRA) vs. Jesse Witten(USA) - With Mauresmo in his corner Llodra.

Karol Beck(SVK) vs. Santiago Ventura(ESP) -Beck

Igor Andreev(RUS) vs. Daniel Brands(GER) - Going for the German has some grass court form.

Eduardo Schwank(ARG) vs. Evgeny Korolev(KAZ) - Korolev

Horacio Zeballos(ARG) vs. Yen-Hsun Lu(TPE)

Dmitry Tursunov(RUS) vs. Rainer Schuettler(GER) - Another good match up .Could go either way.

Marin Cilic(CRO)[11] vs. Florian Mayer(GER) - You would think Cilic

Tomas Berdych(CZE)[12] vs. Andrey Golubev(KAZ) - Berdych ....he beat Hewitt in an exhibition last week so I think form is good.

Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[22] vs. Jesse Levine(USA) - Lopez , but wont
be easy

Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER)[29] vs. Potito Starace(ITA)

Paolo Lorenzi(ITA) vs. Albert Montanes(ESP)[28] - Going to be brave here Lorenzi and he leads Head to Head 1-0 and at least has played a lead up event.

Ryan Sweeting(USA) vs. Benjamin Becker(GER)

Brendan Evans(USA) vs. Jesse Huta Galung(NED)

Janko Tipsarevic(SRB) vs. Arnaud Clement(FRA) Never bet on Tipsarevic ...but seeing Im not betting money on him will pick him to win.

Ricardas Berankis(LTU) vs. Carsten Ball(AUS) - go the Aussie

Marsel Ilhan(TUR) vs. Marcos Daniel(BRA)

Dustin Brown(JAM) vs. Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[16]

Denis Istomin(UZB) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka(SUI)[20] - Could be an upset here but will go with the seed.

Victor Hanescu(ROU)[31] vs. Andrey Kuznetsov(RUS) Will go for another upset here.

LADIES

Laura Robson(GBR) vs. Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[4] - You have to go with Jelena but the crowd will be pulling for Robson!Will be closer than what Jelena thinks.

Rossana De Los Rios(PAR) vs. Venus Williams(USA)[2]

Kim Clijsters(BEL)[8] vs. Maria Elena Camerin(ITA)

Francesca Schiavone(ITA)[5] vs. Vera Dushevina(RUS)

Tatjana Malek(GER) vs. Nadia Petrova(RUS)[12]


Regina Kulikova(RUS) vs. Melanie South(GBR)

Alisa Kleybanova(RUS)[26] vs. Sandra Zahlavova(CZE)

Tsvetana Pironkova(BUL) vs. Anna Lapushchenkova(RUS) - Pironkova leads head to head 2-0

Stefanie Voegele(SUI) vs. Maria Kirilenko(RUS)[27]

Kateryna Bondarenko(UKR)[34] vs. Greta Arn(HUN)

Polona Hercog(SLO) vs. Yaroslava Shvedova(KAZ)

Sania Mirza(IND) vs. Angelique Kerber(GER) - Another toss of the coin, the Germans have been firing so will go that way.

Yung-Jan Chan(TPE) vs. Patty Schnyder(SUI)

Sofia Arvidsson(SWE) vs. Alla Kudryavtseva(RUS)


Eleni Daniilidou(GRE) vs. Aleksandra Wozniak(CAN)

Ekaterina Makarova(RUS) vs. Agnes Szavay(HUN)

Lucie Hradecka(CZE) vs. Varvara Lepchenko)(USA - Toss the coin again USA

Petra Martic(CRO) vs. Elena Baltacha(GBR)

Justine Henin(BEL)[17] vs. Anastasija Sevastova(LAT)

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn(THA) vs. Andrea Hlavackova(CZE)

Yanina Wickmayer(BEL)[15] vs. Alison Riske(USA)

Shenay Perry(USA) vs. Anastasiya Yakimova(BLR) - what a draw both came through qualifying!.Could go either way .Perry beat Erakovic( nz) 2nd round.

Renata Voracova(CZE) vs. Jarmila Groth(AUS) - hope the Aussie has an on day!

Karolina Sprem(CRO) vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands(USA) A TOIN COSS FOR SURE!

Zuzana Kucova(SVK) vs. Alicia Molik(AUS) - RETIRE ALICIA

Stephanie Dubois(CAN) vs. Kirsten Flipkens(BEL)

Julia Goerges(GER) vs. Marion Bartoli(FRA)[11]

Anna-Lena Groenefeld(GER) vs. Melanie Oudin(USA)[33]

Nuria Llagostera Vives(ESP) vs. Vera Zvonareva(RUS)[21]

Kristina Barrois(GER) vs. Mariya Koryttseva(UKR)

Shahar Peer(ISR)[13] vs. Ana Ivanovic(SRB) - WILL never tip
Ivanovic!

Alona Bondarenko(UKR)[28] vs. Katie O'Brien(GBR)

Wow thats it!!!!!!

CONTEST!!!!!

Ok readers lets play a Mini Wimbledon . You need to pick a winner in either the Mens or the Womens draw ,you cant swap once you chose the genre in future selections.You need to put forward a winner from the days play!Now to stay in the competition your selection needs to win.The catch is you can not pick that player again if you progress.So choosing Fed or Nadal early for example will probably catch you out in the end! So my pick today is in the Men's and thats where I have to pick from in the future ......is Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER)[29].Now to enter all you have to do is leave your selection in the comment section of this post with a nick next to your selection if you post anonymous like Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER)[29](fed express) and that is to recognize you in future rounds!!Entry's have to be in an hour before 1st matches are scheduled for each day!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Nadal an Ordinary Guy


The thing I like about Nadal that makes him stand out from the rest of the Top men Tennis Players is that he is very humble and try's to be just a good tennis player that wins a few majors. No Hollywood persona from this guy. I came across this recent interview where he speaks about the tournament and a personal look at life at home and his every day life during the tournament.When asked about Wimbledon Nadal says "I love everything about it,..... The grass gives something special to the tournament. When you walk around it's different to other places. My goal was always to play well here on grass. I did that in 2006, playing in the final for the first time. That was a big surprise for me. To do it another time the next year made me think: 'I can really play well here.' When I won in 2008, it was one of the most emotional moments of my career, if not the most emotional.A lot of players stay close by the grounds and rent private houses .Nadal goes on to say about staying so close "It's good,'' "You stop for practice, you walk home, I walk back to practice. It's different from normal weeks when you are in a hotel. It feels more like you are at home. I walk to the courts every day." In the interview Nadal speaks about who does the cooking during Wimbledon and does he cook at home? Nadal still lives with his family in his Majorca home and lets us in on a few things including where his trophy's are kept."On one floor there is my room, my sister's room and my parents' room, and there is another room with a sofa and a big TV. My Wimbledon trophy is in there. I also have my five Roland Garros trophies in there. The Wimbledon trophy is in the middle. I also have five Romes, my six Monte Carlos and my five Barcelonas. I have my Wimbledon trophy on top of my TV.''
Now that about says it all and I can imagine that trophy replica sitting on his Tv.There's a lot more in the article so here is the LINK

Wimbledon Draw - How it shapes up


The draw has come out and how does it shape up for the Main Contenders.

THE MEN - FIRST QUARTER

Rodger Federer sits on top in this section and has a pretty good draw.The next-highest seed is Davydenko, who's coming back from a long layoff and has never done much at Wimbledon.Tomas Berdych is also in this section and looks the player that could test Federer.He hasn't had a lot of matches on the Grass so how will that effect him.The other player with some grass court form is Janko Tipsarevic.

SECOND QUARTER

This section is really loaded.Andy Roddick sits in this side of the draw and is seeded to meet Novak Djokovic .Is his form as good as last year. I don't think so!His serve will carry him along but one slip and he's gone.Players he has to watch are Philipp Kohlschreiber and Marin Cilic .Djoker has a minefield ready to explode on him ,Lleyton Hewitt being one.He has to get through his first match against Olivier Rochus who has had a recent win over him.

THIRD QUARTER

Andy Murray could not have wished for a better draw,unless the pressure gets to him he really has a great opportunity to win this section.His main test is Sam Querrey winner of Queens and this will shape up as his key match should they meet.And on the other side, the top two seeds are Verdasco and Tsonga, neither of whom are very good at the majors.Look for a few upsets in this section.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Other hot section has Number two seed Rafael Nadal who opens his campaign against a young Japanese player who is being talked about in some circles as a young player to watch Kei Nishikori . If seeds go according to plan he will meet Robin Soderling in the final round of this section, and that could be a different story on the grass rather than the red clay.Other players to watch out for are Gulbis ,Youzhny .

I'm predicting lots of close matches this year and plenty of upsets!

THE WOMEN - FIRST QUARTER.

Whilst most of the leading players have chose to play warm up events prior to Wimbledon,defending champion Serena Williams has not.One day this is going to bite them on the xxx and this championship could be it.Maria Sharapova is in her section but can she get back the consistency to test Serena or in fact win her rounds before they meet.Serena has Larcher de Brito, a solid hitter , in the first round, and, potentially, Andrea Petkovic in the second. Post Sharapova, Serena might see Li Na, Svetlana Kuznetsova, or Wimbledon adept Aggie Radwanska in the quarters.

SECOND QUARTER

Sam Stosur, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, Zheng Jie are the name players.Look for a Wimbledon flop from Stosur.Reading a recent press release on her chances for Wimbledon she says she will be happy to reach the quarters.I bet Serena doesn't come out and say she is happy to make the quarters ...these players are in it to win it.

THIRD QUARTER

Its a shame Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin could meet in the third round.Jelena Jankovic is seeded 4th but I mean she has as much chance of winning Wimbledon as me. I'm thinking the winner of Henin and Clijsters will come through.

FOURTH QUARTER

Francesca Schiavone AND Venus Williams seeded to meet in this Quarter,Im tipping one of these players wont be there.Falling by the wayside will be Schiavone.Wonder what Venus has in store fashion wise for Wimbledon.....bet it will be something special..UGH!Other players to watch out for Safina, Kleybanova, Szavay, Kudryavtseva ...did i say Safina!!! I meant to say watch which round she exits.!

You can check full draws HERE