Day 8 Wimbledon Tips and Comments

If you are following my Tips yesterday I predicted that Sharapova would be out of the tournament .Rain played havoc with matches yesterday and those not completed will be played today. This has been a crazy Wimbledon and more upsets and shocks are to come.

Centre Court (12:00 BST)

David Ferrer (ESP) [7] vs Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [9]

Serena Williams (USA) [6] vs Petra Kvitova (CZE) [4]

* This will be a great match up ,I am finding myself pulling for Serena

Sabine Lisicki (GER) [15] vs Angelique Kerber (GER) [8]

* These girls are putting Germany back on the tennis map ,can Sabine continue on her winning way, I think she can

No1 Court (12:00 BST)

Marin Cilic (CRO) [16] vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4] To finish: 5-7 1-3

* Rule Britannia ...ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [3] vs Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [17]

* Wow Radwanska is still in it. Should win

Paszek (AUT) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]


* Victoria

No2 Court (11:30 BST)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [5] vs Mardy Fish (USA) [10] To finish: 4-6 1-1

*Its about time you stepped up and won matches at this point in the tourney Jo Wilfred because if you don't win where is no way Fish will beat Murray!

No3 Court (11:30 BST)

Richard Gasquet (FRA) [18] vs Florian Mayer (GER) [31] To finish: 3-6 1-2

* I tipped Florian

Court 12 (11:30 BST)

Brian Baker (USA) vs Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) [27]

* Bakers great run should end today

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What is a Tennis Coach and how does this body relate to organizations that have industry standards.

If I wanted to start a business say as a doctor and I do a first aid course, we know exactly what would happen if I advertised the following week I was a qualified practitioner.

Over the next couple of months I will be posting stories of despicable treatment dished out to tennis coaches in this country.The story's here come from fare and wide but need to be told.There are many disgruntled coaches and they lack the support of a strong body to help develop and protect its members. Hence the start of a  formation called The Kiwi Tennis Coaches Association. You would wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to be a tennis coach. I am told that The Kiwi Tennis Coaches will start having meetings around the country soon and are looking for members, their aim is to build an organisation with a strong code of ethics, protecting coaches and clubs. They are of the opinion that coaches are completely 'disposable' without meeting industry standards in contracts etc.There have been many occasions where a top performing coach has been removed from a club for no good reason other then the whim of a hostile committee member, who sees need for a change, it could also be an influential parent, who sees their 'prima donna' child being reprimanded. Too many good coaches are leaving the industry sick of the politics and complete lack of respect for them. Virtually anyone can call themselves a tennis coach, many with 'Weet Bix' certificates achieved after a week ends course! Part time coaches are flooding the market, and just like dodgy house painters they offer nothing to the industry other then to cheapen it. It's a jungle out there , but I am of the opinion that their is hope with the formation of Kiwi Tennis Coaches. I have been sent many emails from coaches outlining their situation and one so shocking that would make for a 60 minutes story .In my opinion if there are not correct standards put in place it makes a mockery of the industry. In one case brought to my attention an association has even gone as far as taking out a trespass order to a long standing highly qualified tennis coach. If you are a good coach and doing a good job you should not be victimized due to personal agenda there has to be a valid reason....Unfortunately boards etc choose not to answer when questioned and that leaves coaches ...well strong coaches that are ready to stand up for principle the only option... and that option is to take legal action to be dealt a fair go.

Coaches leave a comment to this posting if you have something to say.

Its Time To Smell the Roses- Tennis In Australia

Australia has had its worst Wimbledon since 1938 but the spin by Tennis Australia is that Australia is in good shape tennis wise, A closer look at Players and tennis in Australia suggests otherwise.Drive around towns and cities go past tennis courts and clubs and they are empty.Large Associations that had plenty of courts are now selling up part of their complexes as a lot of the courts are not being utillized.Tennis this side of the world is not coping and losing out big time to Team Sports.Even in New Zealand where I am based call in the the Association courts and its like a "ghost town".

Paul McNamee, a four-time Grand Slam doubles champion, including twice at Wimbledon, says Tennis Australia has failed to develop a next generation of players to replace those who have retired or are aging.

McNamee says Tennis Australia has placed too many young prospects into its own system rather than allowing them to work on their game with their own coaches.

“We had a lot of very good juniors over a long period of time now, but we haven’t been able to ‘transition’ the juniors into successful senior players, and I believe it’s because we haven’t had the right philosophy to coaching,” McNamee said. “Tennis Australia takes kids away from their own coaches and effectively imposes coaches and there’s a little bit of a merry-go-round.”

This is a big problem National Associations shun coaches that are producing players and getting results and back coaches who do not work with these players. "I am still waiting to be contacted by the TNZ national body for putting South Canterbury on the National tennis scene with results and players that have come from this region in the past 8 years. Would you not think coaches that get results need to be recognized and assisted by the National body.

Bernard Tomic is Australia's top ranking male player at 28 in the World. His game on analysis is not a top 10 player, he is constantly having off court issues and if he is the future of Men's tennis for Australia I hope he can get his act together.Marinko Matosevic is 26 of age has had some good results this year and is 72 in the world.At 26 hes nearly reached his peak, hes no Pat Rafter.Mathew Ebden is ranked 76 he is 24 and no real weapons I cant see him going deep into a major tournament.

James Duckworth is Australias next highest ranked player at 20 years of age and 195 in the world.Nothing spectacular here just a solid good tennis player ,of  which there are many between 150-200 in the world.Then theres Lleyton at 202 great Australian player but literally on his last legs! Theres no Hewitt in this next generation so McNamee is some great points.

Sam Stosur is the exception at the moment , she is no 5 in the World, but watching her sometimes its hard to believe she has that ranking.She is 28 and I have to say her best days may be behind her.Jamila Gajdosova married an Australian and since have split she is 76 and really did not come up in the Australian Junior System so you cant call her a product of the program.She is 26 and another who wont be in the second week of a major.Same could be said of Casey Dellacqua at 27 and 108 in the world.

Olivia Rogowaska showed some promise early with a few good wins however has not done much lately she is ranked 124.Rounding out the top 5 Aussies another player we cant call home grown Anastasia Rodionova ranked 133 again another player not going into the second week of a major and probably not to the second round.She is 30 and best days behind her.

Ashleigh Barty is a shining light at end of a gloomy tunnel she is only 16 but has already had outstanding results both juniors and recently against the big girls as she enters the Pro Tour.

4 Australian Junior Boys made the Main draw of Junior Wimbledon Luke Saville is the top seed , 3 have won through their first round.Only 1 Australian junior girl was in the maindraw after she came through qualifyling but was beaten first round. This is not such a great outlook for girls tennis which had poor representation at the French Open Junior just past.Of course transgression from juniors to Pro's does not happen to everyone.Ben Mitchell who reached a junior Wimbledon Boys singles final recently has not exactly set the world on fire with results so far on the Pro tour.

As I have noted in past articles Administrators make more than most players trying to make it. However, Tennis Australia tournament director Craig Tiley said the events at Wimbledon did not reflect the Australian game’s true state.

“It’s an overreaction to a moment in time, Tiley said. “Not a good moment, and one we’re not feeling good about, but it’s not a reflection of the hard work that’s being done.

I think its time to Wake up and smell the roses Craig ,we have had a few lucky results that have glossed over what is truly "cupboards are bare"reality.

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Wimbledon Day 7 tips and comments

Can this week bring as much drama as last week, we had Rafa sent packing,we had Karlovic complain about linesman cheating against him when he played local hope Murray,What will happen this week as play continues after the Sunday rest day.

Centre Court 1pm

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Roger Federer (SUI)[3] v. Xavier Malisse (BEL)

* No upset here the GOAT to win the one

2. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[14] v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[2]

* Now that Anna has ditched Aussie golfer Adam could it be possible she could win?

3. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] v. Viktor Troicki (SRB)

* Novak heading for the final Victor a bump along the way.....small bump

No.1 Court 1pm

1. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Maria Sharapova (RUS)[1] v. Sabine Lisicki (GER)[15]

*Could there be an upset on the cards here

2. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Marin Cilic (CRO)[16] v. Andy Murray (GBR)[4]

* The question here will the same linesmen be used that were on court for the Murray Karlovic match....Murray gives me a headache every time I watch his antics on court....get rid of him Marin

3. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

David Ferrer (ESP)[7] v. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)[9]

*Should be an interesting matchup David vs Goliath ...History aid David won but I am going for the big fellow today

No.2 Court 11:30am

1. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Serena Williams (USA)[6] v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

*If we lost you Serena the tournament would not be the same.

2. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[3] v. Camila Giorgi (ITA)

* Will the suprise packet win again ..why not she has come this far

3. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[5] v. Mardy Fish (USA)[10]

*Its matches like this smoking Jo might lose , hopefully not today

No.3 Court 11:30am

1. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[24] v. Petra Kvitova (CZE)[4]

*Petra

2. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Kim Clijsters (BEL) v. Angelique Kerber (GER)[8]

*Every one wants Kimmy to win.....except Kerber

3. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Richard Gasquet (FRA)[18] v. Florian Mayer (GER)[31]

* Florian has been playing well !

Court 12 11:30am

1. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Tamira Paszek (AUT) v. Roberta Vinci (ITA)[21]

* Seedings say Roberta

2. Ladies' Singles - 4th Round

Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[17] v. Shuai Peng (CHN)[30]

*Maria

3. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Brian Baker (USA) v. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[27]

* Can the best story of this Wimbledon get up again? back when he used to play Americans could play on grass just ask Pete

Court 18 11:30am

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 4th Round

Denis Istomin (UZB) v. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)[26]

* Who ever wins is duck feed for their next opponent.

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Wimbledon Day 4 Tips and comments

Well yesterdays tipping I ran at 77% being a loyal Aussie of course I tipped Stosur the 5th seed! Another Wimbledon and another failure.She was the last of the Australians, New Zealand now have more players left in the Main-draw singles than Australia. I have an article coming up on Australian tennis. Oh Na Li you let me down and I guess Caroline spends way too much time on her nails another favorite to go down.Had to laugh one commentator said she has the game to win a slam...Not sure which part of that game will get her that win.


Ok well on to today's tips and comments!

Centre Court 1:00 PM Start Time

Serena Williams (USA)[6] v. Melinda Czink (HUN)

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v. Andy Murray (GBR)[4]

Lukas Rosol (CZE) v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]

* Serena,Andy and Rafa will get the 3 wins on this court, Murray should be able to break the big serve of Karlovic once or twice.

No. 1 Court 1:00 PM Start Time

Maria Sharapova (RUS)[1] v. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) - to finish 7-6(3) 3-1

James Ward (GBR) v. Mardy Fish (USA)[10]

Sam Querrey (USA) v. Milos Raonic (CAN)[21]

Elena Baltacha (GBR) v. Petra Kvitova (CZE)[4]

*Maria will grunt out the win ,the match up between the to big guys should be good with Milos a bit better of the ground than Sam, should be plenty of Aces and the linesman will be ducking for cover. Petra will put the Brit out.The Fish will put paid to the Brit.

No. 2 Court 11:30 AM Start Time

Anne Keothavong (GBR) v. Sara Errani (ITA)[10]

David Ferrer (ESP)[7] v. Kenny De Schepper (FRA)

Bjorn Phau (GER) v. Andy Roddick (USA)[30]

Romina Oprandi (SUI) v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[2]

*Roddick has had a pretty good draw and should win,the Ferret will get there as will Sara...there goes another Brit and shrieker will also be through to the next round.

No. 3 Court 11:30 AM Start Time

Xavier Malisse (BEL) v. Gilles Simon (FRA)[13]

Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[14] v. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[5] v. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)

*Im thinking Simon and his seeding should be too good but Xavier has a good record here.Its about time I started to tip against Ana and Jo-Wilfried Ali will get the money also.

Court 4 Not Before:1:00 PM

Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) v. Julia Goerges (GER)[22]

Marin Cilic (CRO)[16] v. Lukasz Kubot (POL)

*Julia don't let me down! and good match up with Cilic winning against Kubot but could go either way.

Court 5 11:30 AM Start Time

Roberta Vinci (ITA)[21] v. Marina Erakovic (NZL)

Lukas Lacko (SVK) v. Jurgen Melzer (AUT)

*Oh dear Marina from the land of the long white cloud, I put this question to readers however who was the last new zealand born female to play in the Maindraw of a slam ...singles that is..Gee another close one , Heads or Tails Melzer

Court 7 11:30 AM Start Time

Radek Stepanek (CZE)[28] v. Benjamin Becker (GER) - to finish after doubles match 6-2 5-6

*Cmon Becker I tipped you!

Court 9 11:30 AM Start Time

Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) v. Brian Baker (USA)

*Would love to see the American get the win! What a story this guy has! Head says Jarkko Heart says Baker

Court 10 11:30 AM Start Time

Nadia Petrova (RUS)[20] v. Timea Babos (HUN) - to finish after doubles match 6-4 5-5

*the rest would of done Nadia good!

Court 12 11:30 AM Start Time

Fernando Verdasco (ESP)[17] v. Grega Zemlja (SLO)

Mirjana Lucic (CRO) v. Marion Bartoli (FRA)[9]

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)

Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)[26] v. Jana Cepelova (SVK)

*You know Fernando is about in the same class as Stosur except hes never been in a slam final I am tipping against him.Great match up the experienced player against a young up and coming player , Grigor has won junior Wimbledon in fact he beat Bernard Tomic in the final...Im going for youth here. Marion will get there unorthodox but effective.Toss the coin once more ,you should back the seed but im going to be daring and go for Jana

Court 14 11:30 AM Start Time

David Goffin (BEL) v. Jesse Levine (USA)

Tamira Paszek (AUT) v. Alize Cornet (FRA)

Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[27] v. Malek Jaziri (TUN)

*Goffin has plenty of talent and will be interesting to see if he can back up his good form he had against Tomic.

Court 16 11:30 AM Start Time

Christina McHale (USA)[28] v. Mathilde Johansson (FRA)

Alejandro Falla (COL) v. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) - to finish 6-4 6-3 4-6 3-3

Benoit Paire (FRA) v. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)[22]

*McHale just scraped through and I was not that impressed with her play against a Wildcard so C'mon Mathilde .Dam Mahut all the court time on grass he has had he should be winning!

Court 17 11:30 AM Start Time

Kei Nishikori (JPN)[19] v. Florent Serra (FRA)

Kiki Bertens (NED) v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) v. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[24]

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)[31] v. Varvara Lepchenko (USA)

*Nishikori is he as good as they say? Serra will push him another close one looming here.Because Yaroslava last name ends in "a" when in doubt tip the A. Schiavone should get this one and beware of the USA girl with the Eastern Name.

Court 18 11:30 AM Start Time

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v. Angelique Kerber (GER)[8]

Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) v. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)

Go Soeda (JPN) v. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)[9]

* Geez even Japan has more men left than the Aussies well the will have one less after the big D finishes Go today

Court 19 11:30 AM Start Time

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v. Jie Zheng (CHN)[25]

Klara Zakopalova (CZE) v. Olga Govortsova (BLR)

* Zheng is tough and oh no both Klara and Olga's last name ends in A ....Klara because I remember a cartoon character called Clara Bell the cow.

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Day 3 Wimbledon Day 3 Comments and tips.

Well day 2 saw the worst Australian male performance at Wimbledon since 1938. I tweeted a day ago the Aussies could look like Custer's last stand at little Big Horn and I was pretty spot on.Hewitt did say they would do better in the Olympics.......yes sure Lleyton ! Well I tipped a little better than Day1 and still a few unfinished matches on today's program with rain washing out play late .So below are my Day 3 tips.


 "Centre Court 1:00 PM Start Time


 Roger Federer (SUI)[3] v. Fabio Fognini (ITA)


 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[7] v. Tamira Paszek (AUT) - To Finish 2-2


 Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) v. Kim Clijsters (BEL)


 Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] v. Ryan Harrison (USA)


 * Not a bad line up Fabulous Fabio will meet his end today. fingers crossed for our Kimmy, Caroline to finish and Novak to win also....but the Harrison is a scrapper and he's full of confidence and will be up for this one.


No. 1 Court 1:00 PM Start Time


 Arantxa Rus (NED) v. Samantha Stosur (AUS)[5]


 Andy Roddick (USA)[30] v. Jamie Baker (GBR) - To Finish 7-6(1) 4-2


 Maria Sharapova (RUS)[1] v. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)


 Xavier Malisse (BEL) v. Gilles Simon (FRA)[13]

* Well A Rod to finish and win, Sam Stosur....oh just thinking about her consistency sends shivers down my spine, the grounds are alive with the sound of Maria, and i might be mad but I know Xavier can play on grass.





No. 2 Court 11:30 AM Start Time


 Heather Watson (GBR) v. Jamie Lee Hampton (USA)


 Ryan Sweeting (USA) v. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)[8]


 Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) v. Richard Gasquet (FRA)[18]


 Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v. Angelique Kerber (GER)[8]


* tipping a Brit again! go Heather and Janko should be too good and Richard will win as will Angelique



No. 3 Court 11:30 AM Start Time


 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) v. Juan Monaco (ARG)[15]


 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[3] v. Elena Vesnina (RUS)


 Nicolas Almagro (ESP)[12] v. Guillaume Rufin (FRA)


 * Juan has the nod but really this match could go either way, Vesnina ...didnt she beat Venus , just to show how bad venus was Elena will go out this round, Almagro was lucky to win his first round coming back from 2 sets down ,,,form not great so will tip an upset.


Court 5 11:30 AM Start Time


 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v. Dudi Sela (ISR) - To Finish 6-4 6-4 1-1 after doubles match


I tipped Dudi but hes not going to get up unless a miracle happens


 Court 6 11:30 AM Start Time


 Julia Goerges (GER)[22] v. Shahar Peer (ISR) - To Finish 6-2 2-1 after doubles match


Unlucky that the rain came , Julia will finish the job today.



Court 7 11:30 AM Start Time


 Milos Raonic (CAN)[21] v. Santiago Giraldo (COL) - To Finish 6-4 6-4 5-4 after doubles match


*And so will Milos


 Court 8 11:30 AM Start Time


 Olga Govortsova (BLR) v. Annika Beck (GER)


 Igor Andreev (RUS) v. Denis Istomin (UZB)


 Court 9 Not Before:12:30 PM


 Wayne Odesnik (USA) v. Bjorn Phau (GER) - To Finish 3-6 6-3 7-6(3) 3-6 Not Before:12:30 PM
 * Cmon Bjorn



Court 10 11:30 AM Start Time


 Lukasz Kubot (POL) v. Tatsuma Ito (JPN) - To Finish 7-6(6) 6-3 5-3 after doubles match

 Court 11 11:30 AM Start Time


 Alize Cornet (FRA) v. Nina Bratchikova (RUS) - To Finish 6-0 5-5 after doubles match





Court 12 11:30 AM Start Time


 Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v. Sabine Lisicki (GER)[15]


 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) v. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[25] - To Finish 3-6 7-6(2) 2-6 6-4 5-4


 Michael Russell (USA) v. Julien Benneteau (FRA)[29]


 Fernando Verdasco (ESP)[17] v. Grega Zemlja (SLO)


 Na Li (CHN)[11] v. Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
* After the first two days these type of match ups could go either way



Court 14 11:30 AM Start Time


 Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[14] v. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP)


 Shuai Peng (CHN)[30] v. Ayumi Morita (JPN)


 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)[26] v. Inigo Cervantes (ESP)


 Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) v. Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[17]
* I dunno about these matchups 50/50



Court 15 11:30 AM Start Time


 Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) v. Mandy Minella (LUX) - To Finish 3-3 after doubles match




Court 16 11:30 AM Start Time


 Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) v. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)


 Sara Errani (ITA)[10] v. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) To Finish 6-1 5-3


 Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) v. Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA)


 Alejandro Falla (COL) v. Nicolas Mahut (FRA)


 Anna Tatishvili (GEO) v. Camila Giorgi (ITA)





Court 17 11:30 AM Start Time





Petra Cetkovska (CZE)[23] v. Sloane Stephens (USA)





Jerzy Janowicz (POL) v. Ernests Gulbis (LAT)


 Nadia Petrova (RUS)[20] v. Timea Babos (HUN)


* well after beating Berdych you would think Gulbis would be a shoe in ....Nadia to win





Court 18 11:30 AM Start Time


 Florian Mayer (GER)[31] v. Philipp Petzschner (GER)


 David Ferrer (ESP)[7] v. Dustin Brown (GER) - To Finish 7-6(5) 6-4 1-1


 Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[12] v. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP)


 Benjamin Becker (GER) v. Radek Stepanek (CZE)[28]





Court 19 11:30 AM Start Time


 Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)[13] v. Klara Zakopalova (CZE)


 Viktor Troicki (SRB) v. Martin Klizan (SVK)





TBA Not Before:5:00 PM


 Christina McHale (USA)[28] v. Mathilde Johansson (FRA)" 

Day 2 Wimbledon Tips and comments

Wow what a first day at Wimbledon, punters would of lost money for sure with some of the results. I picked 37 winners but 17 of my tips went down, among them Thomas Berdych who lost in three straight sets and his Wimbledon dream is now a nightmare with Gulbis " Freddy Kruger" sending the 6th seed packing.Gulbis is 6 wins from 11 matches in 2012 and lost last week at Queens to Simone Bolelli in straight sets Round of 64. Gulbis played his best match ever but really Thomas did you take this guy to cheap? Berdych would be no doubt waking up today and asking what went wrong? Another sure thing Flavian Pennetta the Ladies 16th seed went down to qualifier.Camila Giorgi in a battle of the Italians.I did give you one good tip fabulous Fabio beat Llodra of France. 5 times winner Venus Williams was also sent packing and on this performance she wouldn't win a "chook" raffle at a local pub! So my goal on Day 2 is to lift my percentage but the transition to grass will always bring upsets and Day 1 had its fair share!And I forgot to mention John Isner capitulating also first round!!!! ahhhhh another certainty packing his bags.





Centre Court (13:00 BST):


 Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) v. Petra Kvitova (CZE)[4]


 Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]


 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) v. Andy Murray (GBR)[4]


* This has to be a gimme court 3 out 3 winners here for sure! Unless Murray's Back plays up!



Court One (13:00 BST):


 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[5] v. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)


 Irina Falconi (USA) v. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[2]


 Jamie Baker (GBR) v. Andy Roddick (USA)[30]


* Another 3 out of 3 here for sure! Ok heres the deal I have been a Hewitt supporter through most of his career but the Aussie Battler playing days are numbered his ranking is in the 200s and its only through past performance hes been given a wild card here.



Court Two (11:30 BST):


 Bernard Tomic (AUS)[20] v. David Goffin (BEL)


 Serena Williams (USA)[6] v. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE)


 Robin Haase (NED) v. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)[9]


 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[7] v. Tamira Paszek (AUT)


* Well I'm yet to warm to Tomic and being an Aussie I want to support him...I'm just not convinced he is the real deal with what the press writes....he does have a reasonable draw however. Oh Serena surely you will not exit like your sister did,,,,and Del Potro will not have it all his own way against the Dutchman. Caroline should get through but tournaments wins have been few.


 Court Three (11:30 BST):


 Laura Robson (GBR) v. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[24]


 Kevin Anderson (RSA)[32] v. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)


 Laura Pous-Tio (ESP) v. Anne Keothavong (GBR)


 David Ferrer (ESP)[7] v. Dustin Brown (GER)


 * I need to say how well the British girls are going especially the young ones such as Robson. I'm thinking Francesca will have too much experience but it will be a very interesting match up and could go the way of the Brit. Dimitrov is a former Junior Wimbledon champ and beat Anderson last week but in three sets.Anderson is suited to the Grass with a big serve but im going for the Federer Clone Grigor. Ferrer will not have it all his own way also as he plays the unorthodox Brown.I said yesterday i dont tip Brits but I am changing my tune!


Court Four (11:30 BST):


 Lucie Safarova (CZE)[19] v. Kiki Bertens (NED)


 Mirjana Lucic (CRO) v. Alexandra Panova (RUS)


 Marin Cilic (CRO)[16] v. Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER)


 Shahar Peer (ISR) v. Julia Goerges (GER)[22]


* as the court numbers increase , so does the straight forwardness of the wins...





Court Five (11:30 BST):


 Vera Dushevina (RUS) v. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN)


 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)[31] v. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)


 Lukas Lacko (SVK) v. Adrian Ungur (ROU)


 Kenny De Schepper (FRA) v. Matthias Bachinger (GER)


*punters stay clear of this court! Matches could go either way on this court.





Court Six (11:30 BST):


 Jurgen Zopp (EST) v. Malek Jaziri (TUN)


 Albert Montanes (ESP) v. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)


 Greta Arn (HUN) v. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ)


 * Geez! another court to stay clear of! Betting that is


Court Seven (11:30 BST):


 Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) v. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)[22]


 Polona Hercog (SLO) v. Kristyna Pliskova (CZE)


 Lukas Rosol (CZE) v. Ivan Dodig (CRO)

* dont bet your house on any of these players 



Court Eight (11:30 BST):


 Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) v. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)


 Johanna Larsson (SWE) v. Melinda Czink (HUN)


 Urszula Radwanska (POL) v. Marina Erakovic (NZL)


 Alize Cornet (FRA) v. Nina Bratchikova (RUS)


* Interest on this court with New Zealander Erakovic playing...grass is her best surface so could get a win.







Court Nine (11:30 BST):


 Jesse Levine (USA) v. Karol Beck (SVK)


 Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) v. Romina Oprandi (SUI)


 Wayne Odesnik (USA) v. Bjorn Phau (GER)


 Olga Govortsova (BLR) v. Annika Beck (GER)


* I have gone against the American guys here  ....



Court 10 (11:30 BST):


 Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)


 Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) v. Florent Serra (FRA)


 Tatsuma Ito (JPN) v. Lukasz Kubot (POL)


 Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) v. Mandy Minella (LUX)


* no eventual winners on this court





Court 12 (11:30 BST):



Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) v. Mardy Fish (USA)[10]


 Casey Dellacqua (AUS) v. Marion Bartoli (FRA)[9]


 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) v. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[25]


 Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) v. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[32]


* not a bad line up on this court



Court 14 (11:30 BST):



Kei Nishikori (JPN)[19] v. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)


 James Ward (GBR) v. Pablo Andujar (ESP)


 Roberta Vinci (ITA)[21] v. Ashleigh Barty (AUS)


 *  Throw the dice on this court, Nishikori hasn't played a match for a while but should win, James ward is a british male player and I only tip Murray Andy that is and Excited to see how Barty does and being an Aussie will not tip against her this round.


Court 16 (11:30 BST):


 Brian Baker (USA) v. Rui Machado (POR)


 Go Soeda (JPN) v. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)


 Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)[26] v. Simona Halep (ROU)


 Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) v. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)


* Great Story with Baker out for 6 years with Injury coming through the qualies hes a special to win this one and who would back a 41 year old....Me !  Date Krumm for the win





Court 17 (11:30 BST):





Matthew Ebden (AUS) v. Benoit Paire (FRA)


 Patricia Mayr-Achleitner (AUT) v. Varvara Lepchenko (USA)


 Jana Cepelova (SVK) v. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)


 Vasek Pospisil (CAN) v. Sam Querrey (USA)


* ebden has a good first round match up its winnable if your any good....is he any good that the question?
surely the other tall yank wont do a runner...wonder what Brad the mouth had to say about Isner?





Court 18 (11:30 BST):


 Feliciano Lopez (ESP)[14] v. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)


 Elena Baltacha (GBR) v. Karin Knapp (ITA)


 Coco Vandeweghe (USA) v. Sara Errani (ITA)[10]


 Santiago Giraldo (COL) v. Milos Raonic (CAN)[21]


* Now if I had to pick anyone outside the big 4 in the men its Milos ! hes going to be hard to beat so keep an eye out for him. 





Court 19 (11:30 BST):


 Stephanie Dubois (CAN) v. Jie Zheng (CHN)[25]


 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[27] v. Tommy Haas (GER)


 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v. Dudi Sela (ISR)

Gee tough court and if you dont have main court tickets get a seat here and you wont be disappointed , Sela is hard to beat if your not top 10 and Karlovic is not top 10 ..the veteran Haas or Nadal slayer Kohlschreiber
  




NOT BEFORE 5:00 PM:


 Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)[13] v. Klara Zakopalova (CZE)


 Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[14] v. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP)" 


Phew  that is it and another great day with some very interesting match ups !

Wimbledon Day 1 preview and Tips

It's that time again and plenty of great matches await us on Day 1 of the championships and for me no sleep!


As in previous years I will provide Daily Tips, always hard and of course upsets are common as players transgress from clay to grass.


My Tips are in Bold


Centre Court (1300): (1) Novak Djokovic (Ser) v Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa), (1) Maria Sharapova (Rus) v Anastasia Rodionova (Aus), Ernests Gulbis (Lat) v (6) Tomas Berdych (Cze)


*there will be no upsets on this court today,



Court 1 (1300): David Nalbandian (Arg) v (8) Janko Tipsarevic (Ser), (3) Roger Federer (Swi) v Albert Ramos (Spa), Kim Clijsters (Bel) v (18) Jelena Jankovic (Ser)


* I am taking a punt here Nalby has a point to prove and we know he can play on grass and Kimmy has always been better than Jelena.



Court 2 (1130): (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk), Venus Williams (USA) v Elena Vesnina (Rus), Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) v (28) Radek Stepanek (Cze), Igor Andreev (Rus) v Oliver Golding (Gbr)


* C'mon Venus we dont want to see you leave the tournament too early...cant wait to see what your wearing !!! NOT 



Court 3 (1130): Carla Suarez Navarro (Spa) v (5) Samantha Stosur (Aus), Grega Zemlja (Slo) v Josh Goodall (Gbr), (11) John Isner (USA) v Alejandro Falla (Col), Jamie Lee Hampton (USA) v (27) Daniela Hantuchova (Svk)


* No big surprises here , Will Slamming Sam bring her A game ...she has a few B and C and D



Court 4 (1130): (17) Fernando Verdasco (Spa) v Jimmy Wang (Tpe), Vesna Dolonc (Ser) v Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul), (23) Petra Cetkovska (Cze) v Vania King (USA), Paolo Lorenzi (Ita) v Nicolas Mahut (Fra)


* Pretty Boy Fernando should be to pretty for Jimmy ,Mahut should be more experienced than his opponent
and the other matches could go either way. 



Court 5 (1130): Sorana Cirstea (Rom) v Pauline Parmentier (Fra), Bojana Jovanovski (Ser) v Eleni Daniilidou (Gre), Jeremy Chardy (Fra) v Filippo Volandri (Ita)


* Certainly a court to have a nap on... no one on this court is going to win the tournament.





Court 6 (1130): Adrian Menendez-Maceiras (Spa) v Michael Russell (USA), Stephanie Foretz Gacon (Fra) v (29) Monica Niculescu (Rom), Sloane Stephens (USA) v Karolina Pliskova (Cze), Guillaume Rufin (Fra) v Steve Darcis (Bel)

* Another lottery dip , Russell sort of a sure thing here.



Court 7 (1130): Gilles Muller (Lux) v (29) Julien Benneteau (Fra), Kai-Chen Chang (Tpe) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze), Timea Babos (Hun) v Melanie Oudin (USA), Denis Istomin (Uzb) v (23) Andreas Seppi (Ita)


 * Very close match ups on this court bet if you dare.


Court 8 (1130): Ryan Sweeting (USA) v Potito Starace (Ita), Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) v Virginie Razzano (Fra), Philipp Petzschner (Ger) v Blaz Kavcic (Slo), Edina Gallovits-Hall (Rom) v Silvia Soler-Espinosa (Spa)


* Stear clear with betting on this court also ,, lots of close ones here.



Court 9 (1130): Camila Giorgi (Ita) v (16) Flavia Pennetta (Ita), Inigo Cervantes (Spa) v Flavio Cipolla (Ita), Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) v Alberta Brianti (Ita)


 * Not thinking major upsets here.


Court 10 (1130): Carlos Berlocq (Arg) v Ruben Bemelmans (Bel), (30) Shuai Peng (Chn) v Sandra Zaniewska (Pol), Simone Bolelli (Ita) v Jerzy Janowicz (Pol), Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) v Mathilde Johansson (Fra)


 * Shuai Peng the only certainty on this court


Court 12 (1130): (11) Na Li (Chn) v Ksenia Pervak (Kaz), Benjamin Becker (Ger) v James Blake (USA), Ryan Harrison (USA) v Yen-Hsun Lu (Tpe)


 Geez is James Blake still playing?



Court 14 (1130): Jarmila Gajdosova (Aus) v Ayumi Morita (Jpn), (24) Marcel Granollers (Spa) v Viktor Troicki (Ser), Xavier Malisse (Bel) v Marinko Matosevic (Aus), Alexandra Cadantu (Rom) v (17) Maria Kirilenko (Rus)


* couple of Aussies on this court have gone for Big Hitting Jarmila lets hope she hits them in the court today. Marinko has been in his best form of his career but not in the same class as Xavier ...but in tennis thats not a shoe in for victory



Court 16 (1130): Petra Martic (Cro) v (15) Sabine Lisicki (Ger), Martin Klizan (Svk) v Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg), Naomi Broady (Gbr) v Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spa), (12) Nicolas Almagro (Spa) v Olivier Rochus (Bel)


* I never back the brits and Chela has been around too long also.



Court 17 (1130): Tobias Kamke (Ger) v (18) Richard Gasquet (Fra), Arantxa Rus (Ned) v Misaki Doi (Jpn), Leonardo Mayer (Arg) v (15) Juan Monaco (Arg), (28) Christina McHale (USA) v Johanna Konta (Gbr)


 * My Neice played a few matches against Johanna Konta when she lived in Australia they moved to the UK early in her juniors days and she has a wild card for this event.


Court 18 (1130): (26) Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) v Donald Young (USA), Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) v (13) Gilles Simon (Fra), Lucie Hradecka (Cze) v (8) Angelique Kerber (Ger), (20) Nadia Petrova (Rus) v Maria Elena Camerin (Ita)


 *A pretty straight forward court.


Court 19 (1130): Tamarine Tanasugarn (Tha) v Anna Tatishvili (Geo), Fabio Fognini (Ita) v Michael Llodra (Fra), (31) Florian Mayer (Ger) v Dmitry Tursunov (Rus)


 * Another pretty Boy on this court Fabio....have selected him for an upset win here.


TBA: (12) Vera Zvonareva (Rus) v Mona Barthel (Ger), Iveta Benesova (Cze) v Heather Watson (Gbr)" ]
 * Vera who?????????????? 


Will give you my score card with tomorrows tips !!!!

The top ITF Junior Girls

So who are the up and coming junior female tennis players .Above are the top 10 ranked ITF junior girls. Taylor Townsend comes in at No 1 from the USA in fact two other players from the USA are also in the top 10. Six of the 10 are 16yrs which is an indication that they may succeed on the PRO TOUR. Aussie Ashleigh Barty No 2 won a major break through Pro Tour event last week and she will be in the Main draw of the ladies singles at Wimbledon next week she is just 16 years of age.Looking out side the top 10 look out for Ana Konjuh from Croatia who is only 14!!! Another player to keep an eye on outside the top 10 is Antonia Lottner from Germany.I have always used the formula win major events as a Junior you can make it on the senior tour.Its no guareentee but its a good start.New Zealand has one junior girl inside the top 50 at 17 years of age.I will also put up the boys over the next few posts.The "eye "will be keeping watch on how these players do at Wimbledon.At the end of the day Junior points dont mean a lot ,wins on the senior tour will and that juniors will be the key to success.

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll

"Ridin' down the highway' to a show ....Stop in all the by-ways...playing rock and roll" A well known AC/DC song might be the anthem for many young tennis players trying to make the grade to become a pro tennis player. Players that make the top 25 Male of Female ranks make good money,but it's a hard road to get there and many have failed.I was asked the question on my blog how local juniors are shaping up to say a Marina Erakovic who is an exception in the modern era of Pro tennis players from New Zealand being ranked in the top 50 female players in the world .I have to say none at this stage in my opinion are in the Erakovic class.Marina did very well in the Junior ITF grade consistently making quarters,semi's and finals of Grade A and Grade 1 Junior ITFS. Whilst achieving this ,it is no guarantee to transgress to the pro rankings however it's certainly a good start.To know where one sits in a realistic ranking amongst peers you have to study results and know that a few top 50 junior players are not going to make top 100 men or women .These players accumulate lots of points locally but when they step up to the bigger tournaments on the other side of the world are found wanting. You can check Marina's junior record at this linK. Many of the junior girls semi finalists in Paris have WTA rankings and obviously have been winning matches not just in the junior grade but on the senior circuit.A 15 year old qualifier reached the semis with the hard fact of what depth there is in Europe.I guess there are a few juniors that stay within the comfort zone of just playing juniors....I think playing too many can be a detriment and certainly gives you a false sense of security and especially for girls the sooner you step up the better...this will then make or break your career. There will be no New Zealand player in my lifetime winning the French Open.And here's a serve for the NZ tennis website...really guys headlining meaningless doubles events as major achievements ....who cares at the end of the end of the day it's singles that count. On a positive note however Queenstown’s Ben Mclachlan, who currently attends California Bears US College, has picked up his first ATP point at the US$15,000 Men’s Futures in Sacramento.Ben has had a great year tennis wise with the bears and results such as this all goes well for the future.


I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' rollU
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll

History will be made with French Open Men's Winner

The Men's Final at Roland Garros will be a beauty.Maria took out the Ladies final but for most the Men's event will be the main event.Both Nadal and Djokovic want this title it will be a slug fest by the worlds two best players. The "eye" says Nadal but he knows the Djoker will be tough he is the only player capable of dethroning the King Of Clay.

Roland Garros Men's Semi final Match ups

The eyes picks for tonight. Rafa and Djoker . Will not be easy and Ferrer and Federer will be there trying. Disappointment for Australia's Sam Stosur but with 49 unforced errors another below par performance at the important end of the tournament.

 

Being a Tennis player as unstable as the share market

I came across a great article about trying to make it as a Pro tennis Player that all parents need to read especially some local parents with big dreams. Do you have enough patience, nerves, and money needed for your child to be able to go through this long process? What exact goals are you setting when you are sending your kid to play this difficult and expensive sport? Are you even setting any goals at all? Don’t hide behind the back of a little child, telling yourself that your kid likes the sport and made the commitment  when he saw Maria Sharapova or Roger Federer on TV. Remember that tennis is like quicksand. Once you get in, it’s going to be very hard to get out. But if you have decided that tennis is a right sport to your kid, be prepared for a long journey that is sometimes enjoyable, sometimes very tough. Read this very Good article HERE
The article puts it into perspective using American Tennis players as an example. A country as small as New Zealand has little or no chance to produce a Wimbledon champion let alone a top 20 player.Marina Erakovic is a stand out exception in the modern era being the only player men or women from NZ to be ranked in the Top 100.

Who is the Greatest Tennis player of All time.

Have you ever heard the term Goat.This is short for Greatest of all time.Many say Federer of the modern era has earned that title.Certainly his achievements puts him up there.This picture sums up those that think Federer owns this title.Great photoshop job to get this image.