So that's the first week of Wimbledon out the way with the players that are through now awaiting a stern second week as we are about to progress into the 4th round, and what a first week its been.
On Friday we saw Andy Murray given his sternest test yet as he faced the Croat baldy giant (sorry Ivan!) Ivan Ljubicic and was pushed to 4 sets as it took a 4th set tiebreak to decide the match, with Andy winning in the end with 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4). To be honest Andy's performance was once again a bit erratic and he could have closed out the match potentially in 3 sets if he didn't drop his serve right at the start of the 2nd set. Also he could have served for the match in the 4th set at 5-4 but he did meet a fightback from Luby at that point, but he did get the win in the crucial tiebreak so that's what counts I guess. Next up for Andy is indeed Richard Gasquet, which no doubt will prove to be his toughest match yet, as they have had very close matches in the past, with Andy winning the previous two encounters. So here's hoping he can do the same tomorrow, its going to be a hell of a match methinks.
Onto Nadal who hadn't the same trouble, but he did face a tough opponent in Gilles Muller from Luxembourg, the first two sets didnt allow any chance for Nadal to break Muller's serve, but in the 3rd Nadal got the break right away and then it was plain sailing in 7-6, 7-6, 6-0. Federer also breezed past David Nalbandian in straight sets too in 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 (I think!) so he and Rafa are yet to drop a set, so they are both looking very impressive. In fact I strongly feel they will both meet in the final.
Onto Djokovic who however didn't have an easy time either as he met Marcos Baghdatis and it took him 4 sets to get past the tricky and flashy Cypriot in 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. It was a very entertaining, crowd pleasing match with Baghdatis showing off his skills and doing keepy uppies and getting the crowd on his side. In the 2nd set Baghdatis really got under Djoko's skin as he was a break down and hit a return long which saw him smash his raquet into the ground. This is the first time I've seen Djokovic break a raquet this year so it is starting to show the cracks in his game and he is no longer as invincible as he was, and I do think he won't get past Federer in the semis, but who knows? We shall see. But overall it was a really good match, and I did feel a bit sorry for Djokovic when he was put on the spot about his outburst and he admitted he did lose it for a bit, its only natural though, players do lose the rag now and then and you have to get it out somehow.
Also in regards to the British ladies matches on Friday I have to say a few things as we had two excellent matches with the British No.1 and No.3 with Elena Baltacha playing against Peng Shuai of China and Laura Robson only taking the former World No.1 Maria Sharapova. Elena put in a gutsy performance against the Chinese No.2 as she fought hard over 3 sets to try and stay in the tournament, unfortunately though she couldn't push to a 3rd set tie break and fell in 7-5 in the last set. Its a shame Elena can't seem to progress further forward than she has in the bigger tournaments in the grand slams and the WTA tour, as she has beaten some of the top players in the past including the two French champions Li Na and Francesca Schiavone. But moving onto Laura Robson's match who took on Maria Sharapova, I was really surprised just how well the young Brit fought against the mighty Russian as she pushed her to a 1st tiebreak but lost in 7-6(5), in the 2nd set though Sharapova took control, but Robson did still manage to break back before losing in 6-3. It was a really gutsy performance from Laura Robson and she definitely looks to be one of the most promising players in the future of the ladies game.
So tomorrow will see some more very promising matches on both mens and ladies, with the Williams sisters facing two very stern tests as Venus is to face Tvsetvana Pironkova, who defeated her last year, and Serena to face an on form Marion Bartoli, they are going to be belters. And on the mens, as I said Andy faces Richard Gasquet, so he better watch he doesn't blow one (a gasket that is!!), and Rafa faces maybe his toughest test yet in Del Potro, should be a cracker. Another very promising match will be David Ferrer who takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, so that also should be a cracker, bother players a very tough and talented, so expect a very tough battle. I hope Ferrer wins because he hasn't gotten past the 4th round so far at Wimblydon so it would be great for him to progress into the quarter finals. Tomas Berdych also faces current American No.1 Mardy Fish, who has been doing well, but out of the two I'd rather see Berdych win, which he most likely will because he has yet to drop a set at the tournament. Djokovic will next play Michael Llodra, who could be another sticky customer, who is also a great grass player with a big serve, so the road for Djoko could also be quite bumpy from hereon in, unless he recovers his best form for tomorrow.
So that'll do for now, very much looking forward to tomorrow's festivities, its going to be quite a day at SW19.
No comments:
Post a Comment