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Jun 22nd, 2009, 03:00 AM
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#1
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 Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports (full TV-reports uploaded: added 4r: Hantuchová v S.Williams
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Welcome to the master-thread of my Wimbledon 2009 reports! I reported on each day of the main draw, including TV-reports of my selected women's matches from those televised by the BBC. I then posted full TV-reports for members of my Eternal Fanship in August and September 2009, as detailed below.
From here, you can navigate quickly to the individual posts within this thread (these links open in new windows - or tabs if you prefer):Full TV-reports for members of my Eternal Fanship:- Daniela Hantuchová (1r v Laura Robson uploaded 9th August 2009; 2r v Zheng,Jie uploaded 23rd August 2009; 3r v Ai Sugiyama uploaded 15th September 2009; 4r v Serena Williams uploaded 20th September 2009)
- Maria Sharapova (1r v Viktoriya Kutuzova uploaded 17th August 2009; 2r v Gisela Dulko uploaded 13th September 2009)
- Vera Zvonarëva (1r v Georgie Stoop uploaded 18th September 2009)
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Sep 20th, 2009 at 11:44 PM.
Reason: edit Title; updated link for Daniela Hantuchová
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Jun 22nd, 2009, 03:02 AM
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#2
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's tournament-preview
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Notable main-draw absentees
3. First-round draw
4. Nicole Vaidišová preview
5. Anna Chakvetadze preview
6. Jelena Dokić preview
7. Vera Zvonarëva preview
8. Maria Sharapova preview
9. Daniela Hantuchová preview
10. Magdaléna Rybáriková preview
11. Lucie Šafářová preview
12. Andrew's wishes
13. Order of play for Monday
Abbreviations:
[Q] qualifier
[LL] lucky loser
[WC] wild card
[EF] member of my Eternal Fanship
[DF] member of my demi-fanship
[s] Selesian (two hands both sides)
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1. Photos
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Pretournament party (Vera Zvonarëva, Lucie Šafářová, Ana Ivanović):
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/p...,12781,00.html
http://www.tennisforum.com/showthread.php?t=382571
http://www.tennisforum.com/showthrea...365550&page=33
The following links will be useful throughout the tournament, but I shall post them only once:
Galleries of many players:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/gallery?cap=1&pg=1 (latest 200 only)
http://www.tennis.com/photogallery/p...ry.aspx?pgid=1
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/tennis/photos.html
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/photos/
Where to search for specific players:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/players/
http://news.yahoo.com/
http://www.fotosports.com/
Getty Images
------------------------------
2. Notable main-draw absentees
------------------------------
#141 Michaëlla Krajíček [DF] (chose 's-Hertogenbosch over Wimbledon-qualifying)
#595 Romana Tabaková [DF] (too low)
unranked Iroda Tulyaganova [EF] (hasn't played since May 2008 due to lower-back and left-wrist injuries)
unranked Tatiana Golovin [DF] (hasn't played since May 2008 due to a back-injury)
-------------------
3. First-round draw
-------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
First quarter (Nicole Vaidišová, Anna Chakvetadze)
-------------
* DINARA SAFINA [1] v Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Safina is Nicole's prey)
* Nicole Vaidišová [EF] v Rossana de los Ríos (POJĎME NICOLE!!)
* Alyona Bondarenko v Elena Baltacha [WC] (my loyalty is to Alyona)
* Kirsten Flipkens v ÁGNES SZÁVAY [30] (I think I still prefer Kirsten, although Ágnes has been growing on me)
* Melinda Czink v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (anyone but Mauresmo)
* Aiko Nakamura [Q,S] v Katarina Srebotnik (my loyalty is to Aiko)
* Mariya Koryttseva v Vania King
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v Nuria Llagostera Vives (forza Flavia!)
* CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] v Kimiko Date Krumm [WC] (my loyalty is to Caroline)
* Maria Kirilenko [DF] v Petra Kvitová (davai Maria!)
* Alberta Brianti [Q] v Tathiana Garbin
* Marta Domachowska v ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] (my loyalty is to Marta)
* ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] v Sabine Lisicki [DF] (my loyalty is to ANNA)
* Patricia Mayr v Anne Keothavong
* Pauline Parmentier v Akgul Amanmuradova
* Akiko Morigami [s] v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5] (ganbatte Akiko!)
Second quarter (Jelena Dokić)
--------------
* Stefanie Vögele v VENUS WILLIAMS [3] (hopp Stefanie!)
* Anastasija Sevastova [Q] v Kateryna Bondarenko
* Ekaterina Makarova v Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová
* Carla Suárez Navarro v KAIA KANEPI [25]
* SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] v Bethanie Mattek-Sands
* Jelena Dokić [EF] v Tatjana Malek [Q] (my loyalty is to JELENA)
* Sara Errani v Stéphanie Dubois
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v Lucie Hradecká [s] (my loyalty is to Ana)
* María José Martínez Sánchez v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
* Peng,Shuai [s] v Alexa Glatch [WC] (jia you Shuai!)
* Olga Govortsova v Tatiana Perebiynis (tough choice, but I think I prefer Olga)
* LI,NA [19] v Galina Voskoboeva
* SYBILLE BAMMER [29] v Melanie Oudin [Q]
* Yaroslava Shvedova v Monica Niculescu [s] (my Reason says Monica, but my Passion says Yaroslava)
* Iveta Benešová v Katie O'Brien [WC] (my loyalty is to Iveta)
* Julia Görges v JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] (komm jetzt Julia!)
Third quarter (Vera Zvonarëva)
-------------
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC] (DAVAI VERA!!)
* Mathilde Johansson v Melanie South [WC] (allez Mathilde!)
* Tsvetana Pironkova [DF] v Jill Craybas (aide Tsvetana!)
* Tamira Paszek v VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26] (gemma Tamira!)
* ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK [23] v Francesca Schiavone
* Klára Zakopalová [Q] v Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] (my loyalty is to Klára)
* Timea Bacsinszky v Vesna Manasieva [Q] (hopp Timea!)
* MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] v Chan,Yung-Jan
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] v Julie Coin (poďme Domi!)
* Urszula Radwańska v Maša Zec Peškirič (dawaj Urszula!)
* Elena Vesnina v Yanina Wickmayer (my loyalty is to Elena)
* ALIZÉ CORNET [22] v Vera Dushevina (allez Alizé!)
* Sesil Karatantcheva [Q] v ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27]
* Karolina Šprem [DF] v Regina Kulikova [Q] (ajmo Karolina!)
* Aravane Rezaď v Ayumi Morita [s] (my loyalty is to Aravane)
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v Alla Kudryavtseva (davai Elena!)
Fourth quarter (Sharapova, Hantuchová, Rybáriková, Šafářová)
--------------
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v Séverine Brémond Beltrame (my loyalty is to Queen Victoria)
* Ioana Raluca Olaru v Nathalie Dechy (my loyalty is to Raluca)
* Sania Mirza [DF] v Anna-Lena Grönefeld (go Sania!)
* SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] v Edina Gallovits (hai Sorana!)
* MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] v Viktoriya Kutuzova [Q] (DAVAI MARIA!!)
* Gisela Dulko [DF] v Stéphanie Foretz (Ąvamos Gisela!)
* Maria Elena Camerin v Shahar Pe'er (my loyalty is to Maria Elena)
* NADIA PETROVA [10] v Anastasiya Yakimova
* ZHENG,JIE [16] v Kristina Barrois (jia you Jie!)
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v Laura Robson [WC] (my loyalty is to DANIELA)
* Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] v Tamarine Tanasugarn (Ąvamos Arantxa!)
* Ai Sugiyama v PATTY SCHNYDER [21]
* Petra Cetkovská v ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31] (pojďme Petra!)
* Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] v Roberta Vinci (my loyalty is to MAGDA)
* Lucie Šafářová [EF] v Jarmila Groth (POJĎME LUCIE!!)
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v Neuza Silva [Q]
---------------------------
4. Nicole Vaidišová preview
---------------------------
Nicole followed up her mainly-disastrous 2008 with an even more disastrous start to 2009, for which she's currently in the red with a win/loss record of 9:11.
After beating Alla Kudryavtseva in the first round of Auckland, Nicole lost four matches in a row - including the Australian Open - some of them by deplorable scorelines.
After reinstating her stepfather Aleš Kodat as her coach in February, Nicole returned to some semblance of form at Indian Wells, where she beat #159-ranked Michaëlla Krajíček 6-3 6-4, #30 Alyona Bondarenko 6-3 6-1, and lost in the third round to #102 Jill Craybas: 6-4 6-3.
She did even better at Miami, beating #79-ranked qualifier Patricia Mayr 6-4 6-2 and crushing Alyona Bondarenko 6-1 6-0 before losing 6-1 6-4 to her old nemesis Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round.
At Marbella, Nicole beat #139 Angelique Kerber 3-6 6-4 6-4, but lost 6-3 6-3 to #67 Roberta Vinci. At Barcelona, she beat #228 Yevgenia Savranska 6-2 6-4, then lost 6-2 6-3 to #44 Francesca Schiavone. At Rome, she hammered #279 Eloisa Compostizo de Andres 6-1 6-1, but lost 6-2 7-5 to #109 Yaroslava Shvedova.
Nicole pulled out of Madrid with a viral illness, then suffered a disastrous 6-4 6-3 loss to #133-ranked, 35-year-old Virginia Ruano Pascual in the first round of the French Open.
Last year, Nicole snapped a 6-match losing-streak when the grass-court season began, and successfully defended her Wimbledon quarter-final. There has been no such upswing so far this year: although she beat #97 Edina Gallovits in Eastbourne's first qualifying-round, she became the first member of my Eternal Fanship ever to lose to a Briton when she lost 6-3 6-3 to #130 Melanie South in the second qualifying-round.
Nicole has an easy-looking first-round draw in Rossana de los Ríos, but because of her recent losses, I'm worried she'll even find a way to stuff this one up.
In the second round, she would likely face world #1 Dinara Safina. I think it's a travesty that Safina is the top seed when she's never won a Major, and never been past the third round at Wimbledon, but this is as far ahead as I'm prepared to look for Nicole at this stage.
Nicole is now ranked #67, having been as low as #80 after starting the year at #41. I don't feel like doing the proper calculations right now, but I believe she could be out of the top 100 if she fails to defend her Wimbledon quarter-final.
First-round preview: Vaidišová v de los Ríos
--------------------------------------------
Rossana de los Ríos, currently ranked #100, is one of the few players left on the WTA Tour who are even older than I am! Now 33, she achieved her career-high ranking of #51 in 2001, and has never won a WTA title.
I've seen her play at Wimbledon a few times over the years, but she has looked weak against such top players as Jelena Dokić, Monica Seles, Kim Clijsters and Ana Ivanović, and only once been past the first round.
De los Ríos has a 17:13 record for 2009 so far, but many of her wins have come on the ITF Women's Circuit, or in WTA Tour qualifying. She lost in the first round of the Australian Open 6-3 6-2 to #110 Kirsten Flipkens.
In February, she reached the final of ITF Cali without beating anyone ranked higher than #175, and lost 6-3 6-0 to #103 Anastasiya Yakimova.
She then had a rare main-draw win on the WTA Tour, beating #167 Olivia Sánchez 4-6 6-0 6-1 in the first round of Bogotá; she lost second round 5-7 6-1 6-3 to #46 Gisela Dulko.
A few early exits later, she won ITF Pelham in March, beating #177 Yuan,Meng 6-1 6-1 in the second round, and #179 Jorgelina Cravero 6-4 6-1 in the final.
She then had another main-draw win on the WTA Tour, beating #154 Carly Gullickson 6-1 6-4 at Charleston, before losing 6-3 6-2 to #6 Vera Zvonarëva in the second round.
She lost 6-3 6-1 to #12 Agnieszka Radwańska in the first round of the French Open, then played two ITF tournaments on clay: Galatina (lost 6-2 6-4 to Eva Fernández-Brugues in the semi-finals) and Marseille (beat #76 Patricia Mayr 6-1 6-2 in the first round, but lost 6-1 6-3 to #105 Maša Zec Peškirič in the second round).
Nicole could hardly have drawn an easier first-round opponent than de los Ríos, so I shall be very disappointed if she manages to lose this one too.
---------------------------
5. Anna Chakvetadze preview
---------------------------
If 2008 was a poor year for Anna, then 2009 has been even worse: her win/loss record is in the red at 9-11, and having been ranked as high as #5 after reaching the US Open 2007 semi-finals, she is now hanging onto the top 32 by her fingertips - especially as she now has to defend one of her most valuable results from 2008: fourth round at Wimbledon.
Of course, we still have to qualify any discussion of Anna's form by remembering that she was tied up by burglars who broke into her house in December 2007. But while 2008 did have its highlights - a title at Paris, a Tier I semi-final at Rome and a final at New Haven - 2009 has begun as a continuation of Anna's slump, but without any such highlights so far.
The best that can be said of the first two months of 2009 is that Anna won her first-round match at the Australian Open, and turned in a great performance for Russia to thrash Yan,Zi 6-1 6-2 in Fed Cup. But she lost to Ayumi Morita - the lucky loser who replaced Shahar Pe'er - at Dubai, and to Shahar herself at Indian Wells.
A second-round effort at Miami was more encouraging, considering that Anna thrashed Daniela Hantuchová 6-3 6-1 before losing to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka, but she then suffered two humiliating losses in a row to Flavia Pennetta: 6-4 6-0 in Fed Cup, and 6-2 6-0 at Stuttgart.
Anna got her act together at Rome, as she thrashed Fčs-champion Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-2 6-3 in the first round, and overcame Aleksandra Wozniak 5-7 7-6(2) 6-3 in the second round before losing 6-0 6-7 6-4 to world #5 Venus Williams.
At least Anna's fighting-spirit - which had been questioned in the weeks leading up to Rome - was well and truly back: she fought back from 3-5* to win the second set against Venus, and from *0-4 to 3-4* in the third.
And Madrid was a very similar tournament for Anna: she beat #118 Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-4 6-3, then staged a terrific fightback to beat #31 Samantha Stosur 1-6 6-2 7-6 (7/4): Stosur led *4-1 in the third set, and served for the match at *5-4!
Anna lost 6-0 2-6 6-3 to Alyona Bondarenko in the third round of Madrid, but that didn't seem so bad for Anna when Alyona thrashed Maria Sharapova 6-2 6-2 en route to the Warsaw-final.
Anna's slump plumbed new depths when she lost to #124 Mariana Duque Marino 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the first round of the French Open.
But she enjoyed a confidence-boosting win over world #6 Jelena Janković in the first round of Eastbourne, before losing to #12 Marion Bartoli 7-5 6-3 in the second round.
In the Janković-match, she lost the first set after blowing a 5-1 lead, but hit back to win 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 6-2 as her flat, low-bouncing drives forced Janković to keep bending her legs, making them tired.
Anna: "I am pleased with every win right now, because it's very important to me to get back my confidence. I lost a huge opportunity in the first set, but I'm glad I came back in the second and third."
Anna has an intriguing but winnable first-round match against Charleston-champion Sabine Lisicki, a winnable second round against Patricia Mayr or Anne Keothavong, and then a potential third-round showdown against Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won the French Open but lost 6-0 6-3 to Aleksandra Wozniak in the first round of Eastbourne.
So the door might just open for Anna to defend her fourth round. There, she would almost certainly face Eastbourne-champion Caroline Wozniacki, who some experts believe might actually win this Wimbledon!
First-round preview: Chakvetadze v Lisicki
------------------------------------------
19-year-old Sabine Lisicki is a top player in the making. She has a huge serve and a big backhand, and I consider her one of the most exciting up-and-coming players in women's tennis at the moment. I recently decided to become a demi-fan of Sabine, and would have hoped for her to have a great run at Wimbledon, had she not drawn Anna!
Sabine has a 17:10 win/loss record for 2009 so far. She is currently ranked #41, but will surely be much higher by the end of the year.
After a second-round loss at the Australian Open, Sabine beat Lucie Šafářová 6-3 6-4 in the quarter-finals of Memphis, then lost her semi-final 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7/1) to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka.
Sabine only won two matches in her next three tournaments (Indian Wells, Miami and Ponte Vedra Beach), but then she stunned the tennis-world by winning the Premier tournament at Charleston for her first WTA singles-title: she stunned world #5 Venus Williams 6-4 7-6 in the third round, then thrashed #57 Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-0, #12 Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-1, and #12 Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4 to take the title!
I already knew that Sabine was talented, pretty, and a great fighter, but I think her Charleston-victory proves that she is one of the fine young players making their way towards the very top of women's tennis.
But things haven't really gone Sabine's way since Charleston: she had a respectable 7-5 5-7 6-3 loss to world #4 Jelena Janković in the second round of Stuttgart, then retired in the quarter-finals of Estoril with a right-shoulder injury.
Alarmingly, Sabine was hospitalised with severe abdominal pains two weeks before the French Open, where she lost 6-2 1-6 6-1 to #46 Lucie Šafářová (who had a match-point against Venus Williams in the next round). Not to take anything away from Lucie's victory, it would seem that Sabine was rusty in the first set, and unfit in the third.
Sabine lost 6-2 6-1 to #18 Samantha Stosur in the first round of Eastbourne, which is disappointing as Sabine had lost 6-3 6-4 to Stosur at Birmingham 2008.
Sabine made her Wimbledon-début last year, and lost 6-2 6-4 to #10 Marion Bartoli in the first round.
Sabine could be a very tough first-round opponent for Anna - Sabine beat Anna 7-5 6-1 in their only prior meeting (Miami 2008) - but there are large question-marks over Sabine after her recent health-problems, and those question-marks have had negative answers so far, so I expect Anna to win.
-----------------------
6. Jelena Dokić preview
-----------------------
Jelena made an amazing comeback to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open ranked #187 (she is now #75) - beating world #80 Tamira Paszek 6-2 3-6 6-4, #18 Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 6-7 6-3, #12 Caroline Wozniacki 3-6 6-1 6-2, and #31 Alisa Kleybanova 7-5 5-7 8-6 before losing 6-4 4-6 6-4 to #3 Dinara Safina.
But Jelena warned us at the time that it would be difficult to keep up that form, and so it has proved. She won two matches to qualify for Memphis, but Wozniacki took a 6-1 6-2 revenge. She lost 6-4 6-2 to #102 Jill Craybas at Indian Wells, and blamed tiredness due to a bad schedule of tournaments.
After beating #68 Edina Gallovits at Miami, Jelena lost to Wozniacki again - this time 6-3 5-7 6-2 - then pulled out of Ponte Vedra Beach with sports-fatigue syndrome.
Jelena contributed a win over Stefanie Vögele to Australia's Fed Cup victory over Switzerland in the World Group II play-offs, then reached the semi-finals of ITF Bucharest, but lost 6-1 3-6 6-1 to #141 Andrea Petković.
Jelena lost 6-4 6-3 to #106 Ioana Raluca Olaru in the first round of Warsaw, describing it as "probably my worst match in the last two years."
Jelena beat #91 Karolina Šprem 3-6 6-1 6-2 in the first round of the French Open, and was leading #4 Elena Dementieva 6-2 *2-1 before tragedy struck: at 6-2 *3-4, she retired in floods of tears with a low-back injury.
Jelena has recently had to deal with yet more controversy from her father Damir, who threatened to blow up the car of the Australian ambassador in Serbia over articles in the Australian media confirming what I suspected ten years ago: that he physically abused Jelena. The police raided his house, finding guns and bombs, and he is now serving a 15-month prison-sentence.
Personally, I'm very glad to see Damir finally getting a small percentage of the jail-time he deserves for the way he treated Jelena (albeit for different crimes), but apparently she is "distressed and saddened" about his arrest, which is understandable as, after all, he is still her father. Apparently his health has taken a turn for the worse: already 50 and diabetic, he had to be treated for hypertension while waiting to be sentenced. My heart bleeds for him.
Fortunately, the damage to Jelena's back is not believed to be long-term, although she did have to pull out of Birmingham and Eastbourne, much to my disappointment. She did actually go to Eastbourne to practise - rather than visiting Damir in Serbia, as rumoured - but skipped the tournament as a precaution, and should be fit for Wimbledon.
Jelena starts against Tatjana Malek, and could then face a very tough second-round match against fellow Australian Samantha Stosur, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open, and whose serve-and-volley game can do a lot of damage on grass.
Should Jelena get past that one, she could be facing Ana Ivanović in the third round, and defending champion Venus Williams in the fourth round.
First-round preview: Dokić v Malek
----------------------------------
Jelena will be facing world #101 Tatjana Malek for the first time. The 21-year-old's career doesn't have any scary highlights as far as I can see, but she has an impressive 28:10 record for 2009 so far (including Wimbledon-qualifying) - achieved mainly on the ITF Women's Circuit.
Malek reached the second round of the Australian Open by beating #77 Ayumi Morita 7-6 6-2, and lost 6-2 6-2 to #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova.
In February, Malek won ITF Stockholm, beating #240 Anikó Kapros 6-3 6-2 in the final.
She then lost in the second qualifying-rounds of both Indian Wells and Miami - book-ended by two second-round losses on the ITF circuit.
Malek reached the quarter-finals of WTA Barcelona as a qualifier, beating #89 Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-3 3-6 6-1 in the first round, and benefiting from Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro's retirement in the second round. She lost 6-4 6-0 to #27 Carla Suárez Navarro.
In April, Malek won ITF Makarska, beating #140 Lenka Wienerová 4-6 7-5 6-1 in the semi-finals, and #317 Simona Halep 6-1 4-6 6-4 in the final.
She fell in the third qualifying-round of the French Open: 7-6 3-6 6-1 to #130 Yvonne Meusburger. She then reached the quarter-finals of ITF Marseille, beating #115 Marta Domachowska 7-5 6-2, but losing to #131 Timea Bacsinszky 7-5 6-1.
Malek has played one previous Wimbledon: 2007, losing 6-1 6-4 to Kaia Kanepi in the first round.
Malek has qualified for Wimbledon with the following results:
1q + Julia Vakulenko, 6-2 6-3
2q + Anastasia Rodionova, 6-3 2-6 6-2
3q + Madison Brengle, 6-0 6-3
This year's Jelena wouldn't have any problems against Malek if she were fully fit, but since this will be her first match since retiring from the French Open, there is a question-mark over her. Still, this is a kind first-round draw, so I expect a win.
-------------------------
7. Vera Zvonarëva preview
-------------------------
I'm sick of Vera being overlooked. She's #7 in the world (coming off a career-high #5, which she held for four weeks earlier this year), and yet she has been omitted from every single list of contenders or "women to watch" that I've seen for this year's Wimbledon. The BBC has only televised ONE match of Vera's in the last two years (her second-round loss at Wimbledon 2008), and even though she's drawn a Briton in the first round, that match has been scheduled on the non-televised Court 4! 
Vera beat four top-seven players (#4 Ana Ivanović, #7 Svetlana Kuznetsova, #1 Jelena Janković and #5 Elena Dementieva) to reach the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships last November, and her world-beating success continued in the early months of 2009.
Vera reached her first Major semi-final at the Australian Open, beating #11 Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-4 in the fourth round and #17 Marion Bartoli (who had upset #1 Jelena Janković) in the quarter-finals, before losing 6-3 7-6 to #3 Dinara Safina. None of her matches were televised by the BBC, though!
Vera followed that up by winning her eighth WTA singles-title at Pattaya City, beating #35 Peng,Shuai 6-2 6-3 in the quarter-finals, #48 Shahar Pe'er 6-1 6-4 in the semi-finals, and #126 Sania Mirza 7-5 6-1 in the final.
Vera won her first Premier singles-title at Indian Wells. Having been overlooked as a title-contender (as usual), she beat #13 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-2 in the quarter-finals, #11 Victoria Azarenka 6-3 6-3 in the semis, and #7 Ana Ivanović 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 in the final.
But just as Vera's career appeared to be reaching a crescendo as she headed into the clay-court season (historically her best surface), she retired from Charleston on 16th April with a very nasty right-ankle injury (two torn ligaments: one full, the other partial), and missed everything up to and including the French Open. It was a very bitter pill to swallow after the tremendous progress she had made in the previous eight months.
Had that horrible injury not happened, Vera would certainly have been among the leading contenders to win the French Open - and my personal favourite. With her flairsome power allied to excellent retrieval-skills and tremendous resourcefulness, she is a potential Major champion (in singles - she's already won three Majors in doubles) and a joy to watch.
What hurts me the most is the lack of media-attention Vera has been getting despite her success, which had seen her take a firm grip on the #6 ranking before the injury. I really thought she was going to make the whole world sit up and take notice of her this summer... and I hope she can still make an impact at Wimbledon!
Vera played her first match since the injury at Eastbourne this week, but got the toughest unseeded opponent she could have drawn: Wimbledon 2006 champion Amélie Mauresmo, who beat her 6-3 1-6 6-3. I'm just pleased that she was able to play a three-set match there.
Her first-round match against Georgie Stoop may not be televised, but the BBC might get another chance to put the "vera" back in "coverage" in the second round, where she could face another Briton: Melanie South (though I hope the much more attractive Mathilde Johansson will have something to say about that).
Vera has a nasty-looking potential third-round encounter against her nemesis Virginie Razzano, who leads their head-to-head 4:2 (including one retirement apiece - in fact it was Razzano she was playing when she injured her ankle at Charleston).
Should she survive that skirmish, the seedings project a fourth-round meeting with Marion Bartoli, but Marion's participation is in doubt because of the thigh-injury with which she retired from Eastbourne, so I'm going to predict Aleksandra Wozniak - who reached the Eastbourne semi-finals after thrashing French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-0 6-3 - to come through there instead.
In the quarter-finals, Vera could face world #4 and Wimbledon 2008 semi-finalist Elena Dementieva, although Dementieva hasn't been in great physical shape recently, losing to Samantha Stosur in the third round of the French Open, and to Razzano in the second round of Eastbourne.
Instead of Dementieva, I'm going to make an unseeded prediction for Vera's quarter-final opponent: Yanina Wickmayer, who reached the finals of Birmingham 2008 and 's-Hertogenbosch 2009, and also took a set off Maria Sharapova in the quarter-finals of Birmingham 2009.
I do think Vera has a chance to reach her second Major semi-final, especially because she's in a weak quarter of the draw, with Razzano looking like her biggest threat. At this stage, I'm not going to speculate too much about her potential semi-final opponent, because that quarter of the draw is absolutely packed: former champions Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, Miami-champion Victoria Azarenka, Birmingham-champion Magdaléna Rybáriková, and dangerous floater Lucie Šafářová.
First-round preview: Zvonarëva v Stoop
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After the nightmare-draw of Amélie Mauresmo at Eastbourne, Vera can at least ease her way into Wimbledon against #185-ranked British wild card Georgie Stoop.
I saw Stoop play in the Eastbourne Cup 2006 - an exhibition-tournament for players who lost early in the main tournament or in qualifying. Having lost 6-0 6-0 to Akiko Morigami in the first round of qualifying, Stoop lost 6-3 6-0 to Aiko Nakamura in the Cup, although she did put up surprising resistance at the end of the first set.
Stoop's career-highlight came in November 2006, when she won ITF Nuriootpa, beating #256 Raquel Kops-Jones in the final, having dropped just 24 games in six matches, against players ranked no higher than #243, to reach the final as a qualifier.
Stoop has an 8:13 record for 2009 so far, and most of those matches have come on the ITF Women's Circuit, so she's way below the level of most players who get to play in the main draw of a Major.
In February, Stoop reached the quarter-finals of ITF Surprise, and lost to #79 Yanina Wickmayer 4-6 6-2 6-3.
In March, she reached the quarter-finals of ITF Fort Walton Beach by beating #142 Jessica Moore 6-3 6-1, but lost 7-5 6-3 to #445 Karolína Plíšková. She then reached the semi-finals of ITF La Palma by beating #136 Yvonne Meusburger - the highest-ranked player she's beaten in 2009 - 6-3 6-1; she then lost 6-3 6-7 6-3 to #182 Kristina Kučová.
That started a losing-streak of 7 matches, which Vera will try to extend to 8 on Monday. Stoop's last three tournaments have been on grass: ITF Nottingham (#160 Shenay Perry 6-4 3-6 6-4), WTA Birmingham (#108 Elena Baltacha 6-3 6-4) and Eastbourne (#46 Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 7-6).
Stoop has never played anyone even close to being in the same class as Vera, so even though Vera will be rusty, she should go into this match with the specific goal of winning 6-0 6-0.
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8. Maria Sharapova preview
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Last year, Maria played Wimbledon as the world #2, but only the third seed, due to a quirk in the rankings that saw Jelena Janković ahead of her when the seedings were made. In windy conditions, she suffered an abnormal, embarrassing 6-2 6-4 loss to #154 Alla Kudryavtseva.
This year, Maria will play Wimbledon as the world #60, but elevated to 24th seed, due a quirk in the seeding-rules (normally, only the top 32 players participating can be seeded, but the seeding-committee can move them around within the top 32). Evidently, Maria's 9˝-month injury-layoff has triggered some kind of "exceptional circumstances" clause.
After her exit from Wimbledon 2008, Maria withdrew from Montréal after beating Marta Domachowska 7-5 5-7 6-2 in her opening match, and had not played singles since (she did play one doubles-match at Indian Wells 2009), until she came back at Warsaw.
Maria: "To be here is already an accomplishment. I'm still testing out where my game is, where my body is."
Maria underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on her right shoulder on 15th October 2008, but it has taken a long time to recover her fitness. Although her shoulder appears to have recovered, she is not yet back to full fitness, as all three of her comeback-tournaments have ended in a straight-sets loss after some tough three-setters.
At Warsaw, Maria beat world #68 Tathiana Garbin 6-1 6-7 (8/6) 6-3, then thrashed #209-ranked lucky loser Darya Kustova 6-2 6-0 in 57 minutes, but then lost 6-2 6-2 to #39 Alyona Bondarenko.
At the French Open, Maria won her first four matches all in three sets: #64 Anastasiya Yakimova 3-6 6-1 6-2, #11 Nadia Petrova 6-2 1-6 8-6, Yaroslava Shvedova 1-6 6-3 6-4, and #25 Li,Na 6-4 0-6 6-4. Little wonder that she had nothing left for the quarter-finals, where she was thrashed 6-0 6-2 by #19 Dominika Cibulková!
At Birmingham, Maria came through her first two matches with amazing power but some alarming errors, beating #103 Stéphanie Dubois 6-4 6-2 and #106 Alexa Glatch 6-3 6-4 (the last five points of that match were delayed overnight). In the third round, she looked like the best player in the world as she overwhelmed #50 Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-3, and this continued into the quarter-finals as she took the first set 6-1 against #61 Yanina Wickmayer. But she lost the momentum, struggled to a 6-1 2-6 6-3 win, then turned in a listless performance to lose 6-4 6-4 to #20 Li,Na in the semi-finals.
At least Maria's fitness shouldn't be such a big issue for Wimbledon, because she's had a week off now, she'll get days off between matches (unlike Birmingham), and grass is a much less gruelling surface than clay - grass rewards quick reactions rather than endurance.
Maria has an easy-looking opener against Viktoriya Kutuzova, and an easy-looking second round against either Gisela Dulko (whom she's always beaten easily in the past) or Stéphanie Foretz (whom she beat easily in the first round here last year).
Maria could face Petrova again in the third round, but if she managed to beat her on clay (Petrova's best surface, Maria's worst), she should definitely do it on grass (Maria's best surface, although Petrova is no slouch on it either).
The fourth round should bring an intriguing showdown between Maria and Victoria Azarenka, who is intriguingly similar to Maria: tall and blonde, with very powerful groundstrokes, she shares Maria's on-court intensity, and grunts just like Maria!
Queen Victoria actually beat Maria in their only meeting (7-6 6-2 at Moscow 2007), and has had an excellent year so far, winning Miami over Serena Williams, although her form has dipped since then, and she doesn't have much experience on grass, having never got past the third round in her three previous Wimbledons, nor won a match at any other grass-court WTA tournament.
Maria is seeded to meet Serena Williams in the quarter-finals, and that could work out quite nicely for Maria, seeing as she thrashed Serena 6-1 6-4 in the Wimbledon 2004 final, and Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months. Serena also has a tricky draw, with dangerous Lucie Šafářová in her second round, and Birmingham-champion Magdaléna Rybáriková in her third round - I hope Lucie, Magda or Daniela Hantuchová will come through instead!
First-round preview: Sharapova v Kutuzova
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Maria has never played the beautiful Viktoriya Kutuzova before, but my abiding memory of Kutuzova is seeing her in the crowd for Maria's first-round match at the French Open 2006!
Still only 20, Kutuzova has won four singles-titles on the ITF circuit, but none on the WTA Tour. She is currently ranked #79 - three places shy of her career-high #76 set in 2005. She has an impressive 29:13 record for 2009 so far (including Wimbledon-qualifying) - achieved by mixing WTA and ITF tournaments.
Kutuzova qualified for the Australian Open, but lost 6-3 6-0 to #69 Nathalie Dechy in the first round. She qualified for Dubai, but lost 6-2 6-3 to #51 Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round. She qualified for Acapulco, but lost 7-5 6-3 to #35 Carla Suárez Navarro in the first round. Are we sensing a pattern here?
In March, Kutuzova reached the semi-finals of ITF Latina, but lost 7-5 3-6 6-4 to #213 Andrea Petković. She beat #44 Tamarine Tanasugarn in the first round of ITF Tourhout, and went on to reach the final, where she lost 6-1 6-4 to #98 Karolina Šprem.
Kutuzova reached the third round of Charleston by beating #41 Alyona Bondarenko 6-4 7-5, but lost 7-6 7-5 to #57 Elena Vesnina. She then thrashed #67 Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1 6-1 in the first round of ITF Cagnes-sur-Mer, only to lose in the second round 2-6 6-1 6-4 to #660 Kristina Mladenović (who would go on to win the French Open Girls' Singles)
Kutuzova reached the semi-finals of Strasbourg as a qualifier, thrashing #51 Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3 6-0 in the first round, but losing her semi-final 6-4 6-2 to #79 Aravane Rezaď.
At the French Open, Kutuzova beat #192 Zuzana Ondrášková 6-2 6-4 in the first round, but lost 3-6 6-3 6-3 to #43 María José Martínez Sánchez in the second round. She then lost 7-5 6-1 to #117 Andrea Petković in the first round of ITF Marseille.
Kutuzova has only once got past the first round in four previous Wimbledons: she was due to face Kim Clijsters in the second round of Wimbledon 2006, but: "Something happened. I ate too many strawberries, and all these spots came up on my arms and my back. I could not play on the Centre Court because of that, and was defaulted. So no more strawberries for me!"
Kutuzova was the top seed for Wimbledon-qualifying, and came through with the following results:
1q + Anna Gerasimou, 3-6 6-3 6-4
2q + Lauren Riley Albanese, 6-0 6-4
3q + Shenay Perry, 6-0 6-2
So Kutuzova has had a pretty impressive 2009 so far, and that should be worth a few games against Maria, but I'm not too worried for Maria, because she's in a different class.
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9. Daniela Hantuchová preview
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Daniela has yet to regain the kind of form she was enjoying prior to a ten-week lay-off with a stress-fracture in her right heel from April to June 2008, but she has a respectable win/loss record of 21:15 for 2009 so far. Still, it feels strange to see her unseeded (she just went back up to #32 a week too late to be seeded at Wimbledon, and would have been displaced by Maria Sharapova's elevation to 24th seed anyway) after all the time she has spent in the top 20 and top 10 in recent years.
Daniela had what the French might call "une problčme Cornet" earlier in the year: after losing to Alizé Cornet in the third round of the Australian Open, she also lost to her in the second round of Paris.
Daniela reached the third round of Dubai, but lost 6-2 1-6 6-2 to #58-ranked Virginie Razzano: her first-round opponent here. She then reached the fourth round of Indian Wells, but suffered a disappointing 6-3 6-2 loss to #29 Sybille Bammer, and was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by Anna Chakvetadze - who's having a much worse year than Daniela - in the second round of Miami.
Daniela reached the quarter-finals of Ponte Vedra Beach - only to be thrashed 6-2 6-2 by #12-ranked eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki. She then scored a 6-7 6-3 6-4 revenge-win over Cornet in Fed Cup, then thrashed her 6-3 6-1 in the first round of Stuttgart before losing 6-4 6-2 to world #1 Dinara Safina in the second round.
At Rome, she beat Vera Dushevina 6-4 6-1, only to lose 6-3 6-3 to #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. At Madrid, she beat Gisela Dulko 7-6 6-1 - a fine win on clay - but lost 7-5 6-2 to Jelena Janković in the second round.
At Warsaw, Daniela battled past claycourt-specialist Nuria Llagostera Vives 3-6 6-3 6-3, thrashed #81 Urszula Radwańska 6-3 6-1, then came through another tough battle against #116 Klára Zakopalová 6-3 4-6 6-4 to reach the semi-finals. There, she lost 6-4 6-7 6-1 to #201-ranked qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru, who caused perhaps the biggest upset in tennis-history by winning the Premier title!!
Daniela still doesn't seem to be as fit as she was before her big injury last year, when she was one of the very fittest players on the Tour. To lose 6-1 in the third set to Dulgheru seems to emphasise this.
Daniela succumbed to a very tough first-round draw at the French Open, losing 6-3 6-3 to #36 Virginie Razzano.
But her return to grass was much more encouraging. Although I was disappointed that she skipped Birmingham, she got two wins at 's-Hertogenbosch - #53 Roberta Vinci 7-6 6-4 and #74 Kateryna Bondarenko 2-6 6-2 6-1, who are both good grass-court players - before losing 1-6 6-4 6-3 to Majorless world #1 Dinara Safina in the quarter-finals.
Daniela has an intriguing first-round showdown with 15-year-old Laura Robson, who won the Wimbledon 2008 Girls' Singles.
She could then face Wimbledon 2008 semi-finalist Zheng,Jie in the second round. If Magdaléna Rybáriková could beat Zheng at Birmingham, why not Daniela at Wimbledon?
If the seeds hold after that, Daniela could face Patty Schnyder in the third round and Serena Williams in the fourth round (as in 2007, when Serena suffered a spasm-induced calf-strain but was saved by a rain-delay).
But Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months, and also has a tricky draw, with dangerous Lucie Šafářová in her second round, and Birmingham-champion Magdaléna Rybáriková in her third round - I hope Lucie or Magda will come through instead!
First-round preview: Hantuchová v Robson
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It's not what I was hoping for either of them, but I'm very excited that Daniela gets to take on last year's Girls' Singles champion Laura Robson, who, at 15, is the youngest player in the main draw of the Wimbledon Women's Singles since 14-year-old Martina Hingis in 1995.
It would certainly be humiliating were Daniela to lose. I already had a taste of such humiliation when Romana Tabaková - of whom I'm a demi-fan - lost to Robson in the semi-finals of the Girls' Singles last year. I thought Romana was heading for the title after her impressive win over Polona Hercog in the quarter-finals, but instead she fell to an embarrassing 6-2 7-5 loss to the precocious 14-year-old Robson, and unfairly copped a lot of flak for hitting an underarm ace (a perfectly legitimate shot) at 2-6 *3-4 (Ad Romana).
Robson then beat Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-3 3-6 6-1 in the Girls' Singles final.
Still only 14, Robson made her professional début at ITF Limoges in September 2008, beating #873 Alice Balducci 6-7 7-5 6-4, but retiring in the second round.
She followed that up by reaching the semi-finals of ITF Shrewsbury, beating #128-ranked Wimbledon 2007 Girls' Singles champion Urszula Radwańska 6-3 6-3! She beat #123 Tzipora Obziler also 6-3 6-3, but lost 6-2 3-6 6-0 to #106 Maret Ani.
Robson made her WTA Tour début at Luxembourg 2008, losing 1-6 6-2 6-3 to world #42 Iveta Benešová, and learning the valuable lesson that adults fight back.
She won her first professional title at ITF Sunderland without beating anyone higher than #461, beating #1052 Samantha Vickers 6-3 6-2 in the final.
Robson reached the Australian Open 2009 Girls' Singles final, beating Lertcheewakarn again in the semi-finals, but losing 6-3 6-1 to Ksenia Pervak, who was already a seasoned pro at 17, and was only playing the juniors to justify her trip to Australia after she lost early in the main event.
Robson did not play between the Australian Open and the week before the French Open, as she was suffering from shin-splints due to growing too quickly, and also studying for her GCSEs.
Although Robson inherited the junior world #1 ranking from Lertcheewakarn during her absence, she didn't play like it when she came back. She lost 6-4 6-0 to Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals of a junior-tournament at Milan, then lost in the second round of the French Open Girls' Singles: 7-6 1-6 6-3 to Sandra Zaniewska. But clay is Robson's least-favourite surface, as she doesn't like what it does to her socks.
Robson has prepared for Wimbledon by playing a couple of exhibition-tournaments on grass. At Nottingham, she played three matches against world #169 Olga Savchuk, winning the middle one 7-6 1-6 [17/15], but losing the other two. At Liverpool, she reached the final with wins over a couple of unknown British girls and world #288 Tamaryn Hendler (7-6 7-6), but lost 6-4 2-6 [10/6] to #91 Michelle Larcher de Brito.
Ever since Robson won the Girls' Singles last year, I'd been hoping she would get a wild card into the 2009 Women's Singles (it was only recently upgraded from qualifying to main draw, as the LTA used their "exceptional circumstances" clause to override Robson's WTA ranking: currently #488, which is way below their cut-off point of #250), and was fascinated to see whom she would draw.
I was hoping that Robson would get a winnable match against someone I don't much care for, and was kind of scared she'd get a member of my Eternal Fanship, all of whom are currently struggling with poor form or injuries (except Magdaléna Rybáriková, who sensationally won Birmingham).
Obviously, Daniela and Robson have never met before. I fancy Daniela's chances after her good run at 's-Hertogenbosch. Daniela has an impressive career grass-court record, is vastly more experienced than Robson, and is one of the most flairsomely talented players in tennis-history. All this should be too much for Robson, who has lost a lot of ground with her absence between January and May.
Daniela may have to deal with a partisan crowd, as there has been a lot of hype about Robson in the British media since she won the Girls' Singles. But Daniela's no stranger to playing home-players at the Majors this year, having drawn Casey Dell'Acqua at the Australian Open and Virginie Razzano at the French Open. She only needs to draw an American in the first round of the US Open to complete the set!
I can't wait to see this match on BBC television! The atmosphere is going to be electric!
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10. Magdaléna Rybáriková preview
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I've spent most of the last three years praying for Magdaléna Rybáriková to establish herself as a regular player on the WTA Tour, following her Wimbledon 2006 Girls' Singles final (which she lost 3-6 6-1 6-3 to Caroline Wozniacki) and subsequent struggles after being sidelined for three months with a foot-injury.
By now, Magda has not only established herself, but won Birmingham and a place in my Eternal Fanship! Her all-court game is as attractive as her gorgeous face, and as elegant as her slender body. Every little thing she does seems extraordinary; in short, she is a joy to watch.
For me, Magda returned to the right path when she won two ITF tournaments in March 2008: St. Petersburg-Vsevolozhsk and Patras. She then qualified for the French Open and Wimbledon 2008, reaching the second round of the latter.
She reached her first Major third round at the US Open 2008, and her first WTA Tour semi-final at Tashkent, although sadly she was ill and had to retire on her 20th birthday. She finished 2008 with a 48:20 win/loss record.
Magda has continued her progress in 2009, even if her 16:13 win/loss record doesn't sound too impressive, now that she has left the ITF circuit behind.
She reached her second WTA semi-final at Hobart, after beating world #13 Flavia Pennetta 7-5 6-3 in the second round, but was thrashed 6-1 6-3 by Iveta Benešová in the semis.
She lost to Vera Zvonarëva 7-6 6-0 in the first round of the Australian Open, but it was the first time she ever played a top-12 player, let alone the world #7, so that first set was encouraging.
Magda reached her third WTA semi-final with a 6-4 6-1 thrashing of #12 Caroline Wozniacki at Pattaya City! She then lost 6-4 5-7 6-1 to #126 Sania Mirza.
Magda beat #66 Edina Gallovits 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the first round of Monterrey, but lost 6-4 6-0 to #13 Marion Bartoli in the second round. She beat #144 Arantxa Rus 3-6 6-3 7-5 in the first round of Miami, but lost 6-3 1-6 6-2 to #20 Amélie Mauresmo. She beat #92 Klára Zakopalová 6-1 7-6 in the first round of Barcelona, but lost 3-6 6-3 6-0 to Anastasiya Yakimova.
That was the start of a 4-match losing-streak, but she snapped it in the first round of the French Open with a 6-1 2-6 8-6 win over Kristina Mladenović, who would go on to win the Girls' Singles. She lost 6-1 6-2 to #5 Jelena Janković in the second round, but not without a delightful BBC-televisation! The scoreline was harsh, but it did not detract from the joy of watching Magda.
And then came Birmingham. I went there with the idea of seeing a lot more of Magda, but I had no idea that she was going to win the title, or that I was just a week away from inducting her into my Eternal Fanship! I saw her practise twice on the first day, and went mad taking photos. I then caught the second set of her 6-4 6-4 win over #134 Akgul Amanmuradova, whose net-rushing tactics were neutered by a dazzling array of passing-shots and lobs from Magda.
After the rain, Magda had to play twice on Thursday. She beat #146 Chanelle Scheepers 6-7 6-1 6-3, and then late in the evening, scored a sensational 7-6 6-4 victory over top seed and world #16 Zheng,Jie.
In the humble settings of Court 4, I and half a dozen others stood for an hour and a half in the freezing cold, but it was certainly worth it as Magda saved four set-points in the first set, and needed five herself in the tiebreak. The second set was simpler, although Magda did well to close it out when she did after a 5-2* lead began to slip away.
Magda won her quarter-final with an even more impressive performance against #77 Urszula Radwańska, the Wimbledon 2007 Girls' Singles champion: 6-3 6-3. Both girls are attractive all-court players.
In the semi-finals, Magda beat #98 Sania Mirza 3-6 6-0 6-3. Sania is one of the best exponents of flairsome power, and loves to dominate with hard shots into the corners, but she couldn't handle the way Magda mixed up the pace.
Neither could #20 Li,Na, who had beaten Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals, but was very nervous for the final, which Magda won 6-0 7-6 (7/2). Magda dominated the first set, but serve dominated the second, which had to be decided by a very nervy tiebreak. Magda said she was nervous, but she realised that Li was more nervous.
Magda has a tricky Wimbledon-draw. First up is the old-school, grass-loving Roberta Vinci, then a second round against either the one-dimensional power of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or the choppy shots of Petra Cetkovská.
In the third round, she could face Serena Williams, although Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months, and I'm really hoping that the dangerous Lucie Šafářová can take her out in the second round, so that we can have a mouthwatering Magda v Lucie match!
First-round preview: Rybáriková v Vinci
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The good news is that Magda has a 2:0 head to head over the #53-ranked Vinci, beating her 2-6 7-6 (7/4) 8-6 in the first round of the French Open 2008, and 6-1 6-4 in the quarter-finals of ITF Athens 2008 - both on clay.
The bad news is that Vinci's best surface is grass. She's an old-school player who loves to serve and volley, chip and charge, and go to the net behind sliced backhands. A lot like Magda, in fact, except that Vinci doesn't have a two-handed backhand, and at 5'4", is much shorter than Magda.
The most memorable tournament of Vinci's career - at least for me - was when she reached the semi-finals of Eastbourne 2005, winning six matches including three in qualifying. She beat world #12 Vera Zvonarëva 6-2 7-6 in the second round, and #10 Anastasia Myskina 6-4 7-6 in the quarter-finals, before losing 2-6 7-6 6-3 to #54 Vera Dushevina (who beat Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon 2002 Girls' Singles final).
Vinci's Wimbledon-record isn't so crash-hot, though: in 2005, she beat #25 Ai Sugiyama 6-2 2-6 6-4 and #125 Anne Kremer 6-3 6-2 to reach the third round, where she lost 6-3 6-4 to #13 Kim Clijsters. In 2007, she beat #79 Ashley Harkleroad 6-2 6-1 in the first round, then lost 2-6 6-3 6-2 to #15 Patty Schnyder in the second round. In 2008, she fell in qualifying.
Vinci has a 20:14 record for 2009 so far. She won four matches to reach the second round of Brisbane as a qualifier, before losing 6-7 7-5 6-1 to #5 Ana Ivanović. A retirement at Hobart and first-round loss to #46 Carla Suárez Navarro at the Australian Open followed.
At Acapulco, Vinci beat #47 Lucie Šafářová 6-4 6-4, but lost 7-6 6-4 to #28 Ágnes Szávay in the second round. Second-round losses at Monterrey and Indian Wells followed, then a first-round loss at Miami.
At Marbella, Vinci beat #50 Tsvetana Pironkova 6-7 6-2 6-4 and #58 Nicole Vaidišová 6-3 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals, where she lost to #4 Jelena Janković 3-6 6-3 7-6 (8/6).
Vinci won her second WTA singles-title (after Bogotá 2007) at Barcelona, beating #14 Flavia Pennetta 6-1 6-2 in the second round, #44 Francesca Schiavone 0-6 7-6 6-4 in the semi-finals, and #37 Maria Kirilenko 6-0 6-4 in the final.
But she followed that up by losing to #198 Polona Hercog in the second round of Fčs, and to #61 Kateryna Bondarenko in the first round of Rome.
Vinci won three matches to reach the second round of Madrid as a qualifier, beating #42 María José Martínez Sánchez 4-6 6-2 6-4 in the first round, but losing 4-6 6-1 6-4 to #67 Vera Dushevina in the second round.
She lost 6-4 6-2 to #9 Victoria Azarenka in the first round of the French Open.
At Birmingham, Vinci beat #96 Séverine Brémond Beltrame 6-3 6-2 in the first round (Séverine played and moved very poorly from what I saw of it), and #220 Lilia Osterloh 6-4 6-2 in the second round, before losing 6-1 6-4 to #61 Yanina Wickmayer in the third round.
At 's-Hertogenbosch, Vinci lost 7-6 6-4 to #33 Daniela Hantuchová.
In conclusion: a match that Magda should certainly win on current form, but a tricky one, and it remains to be seen how Magda will react to her first title at Birmingham.
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11. Lucie Šafářová preview
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After enduring an injury-induced slump in 2008, Lucie's recent form is much more encouraging. She has a positive win/loss record of 18:12 for 2009 so far, and has risen from #63 to #48 in the rankings.
Prior to the main clay-court season, Lucie had two wins in each of Brisbane, the Australian Open, Memphis and Monterrey, and one win each at Indian Wells and Miami. Her only first-round losses came at Sydney and Acapulco. She also won both Fed Cup rubbers that she played for Czechia (one in February, the other in April).
Lucie's form improved even more in the clay-court season. She reached the quarter-finals of Barcelona, then took a set off #5-ranked Venus Williams in the second round of Rome before losing 6-2 4-6 6-2.
Then she reached the third round of Madrid, beating world #19 Kaia Kanepi 6-2 2-3 retired in the first round, and #57 Anne Keothavong 6-1 7-5 in the second round. She then lost 6-0 4-6 6-3 to world #1 Dinara Safina - and was the only player to take a set off the eventual champion all week.
At the French Open, Lucie survived a tricky first-round match with #39-ranked Charleston-champion Sabine Lisicki 6-2 1-6 6-1. She then lost 6-7 6-2 7-5 to #3 Venus Williams, who saved Lucie's match-point at *4-5 (30/40) in the third set.
Unfortunately, Lucie didn't get the grass-court preparation she had planned, as she withdrew from 's-Hertogenbosch with 'flu. Apparently she has recovered from that now.
Lucie has a tough draw: first Jarmila Groth, and then Serena Williams, although Serena has been struggling with a knee-injury and poor form in recent months, and I'm really hoping that Lucie can take her out in the second round, so that we might have a mouthwatering Lucie v Magdaléna Rybárikova match in the third round!
First-round preview: Šafářová v Groth
-------------------------------------
"When you see me again, it won't be me."
[The Man From Another Place, Twin Peaks: Episode 29]
Lucie has played her first-round opponent twice before: in 2006, when she was known as Jarmila Gajdošová. Lucie lost their first meeting 7-5 6-4 at ITF Prostějov, but beat her 4-6 7-5 6-4 in the second round of Gold Coast 2006, where Lucie went on to win the third of her four WTA singles-titles.
Gajdošová married the Australian ATP Tour player Sam Groth in February 2009, and tried to change her nationality from Slovak to Australian. The ITF accepted this without a fuss, therefore she is listed as Australian at the Majors, but she couldn't be bothered wading through the red tape that the WTA demanded, therefore she is still Slovak as far as the WTA is concerned.
Jarmila has a 16:15 record for 2009 so far.
At Brisbane, she beat #38 Peng,Shuai 6-4 6-2, but lost 7-6 7-5 to #16 Victoria Azarenka in the second round. At Sydney, she beat #82 Karin Knapp 6-4 6-2, but lost 6-2 6-4 to #4 Elena Dementieva in the second round. Both times, she lost to the eventual champion.
Miss Gajdošová lost to #56 Virginie Razzano 6-1 6-7 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open, and her losing-streak extended to four matches at Pattaya City and Memphis.
Mrs. Groth reached the semi-finals of ITF Clearwater, and lost 6-2 4-6 6-3 to #79 Yanina Wickmayer. She followed that with a first-round loss at Monterrey, second-round qualifying-losses at Indian Wells and Miami, and a second-round loss at Fčs.
Groth reached the quarter-finals of Estoril, beating #64 Mathilde Johansson 1-6 6-1 6-1 and #31 Iveta Benešová 7-5 6-4, before losing 6-2 0-6 6-3 to #54 Shahar Pe'er.
Groth reached the third round of the French Open, beating #312 Kinnie Laisné 6-4 6-3 and #124 Mariana Duque Marino (conqueror of Anna Chakvetadze) 6-2 7-6, but was thrashed 6-1 6-1 by #5 Jelena Janković.
At Birmingham, Groth beat #129 Vania King 6-4 6-4, then lost second round to eventual runner-up Li,Na 6-4 2-6 6-1.
Groth qualified for Eastbourne by beating #112 Marta Domachowska 3-6 6-3 6-3, Akgul Amanmuradova 6-2 7-5 and #44 María José Martínez Sánchez 6-4 6-3. She lost 7-6 6-1 to #46 Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the main draw.
Jarmila has only got past the first round once in four previous Wimbledons (two of which, she fell in the third round of qualifying): she was thrashed 6-1 6-1 by Janković in the second round in 2007.
In conclusion: Groth is not that far behind Lucie, with a ranking of #69 to Lucie's #48, and Lucie has the handicap of having missed her grass-court warm-up with 'flu. I think Lucie has a good chance to win - purely because of her superior talent - but we must be prepared for a tough match.
-------------------
12. Andrew's wishes
-------------------
Second-round wishes: Top half
-----------------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. DINARA SAFINA [1]
+ Alyona Bondarenko d. Kirsten Flipkens
+ Aiko Nakamura [Q,S] d. Melinda Czink
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Mariya Koryttseva
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9]
+ Marta Domachowska d. Alberta Brianti [Q]
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Patricia Mayr
+ Akiko Morigami [s] d. Pauline Parmentier
+ Stefanie Vögele d. Anastasija Sevastova [Q]
+ Ekaterina Makarova d. Carla Suárez Navarro
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Sara Errani
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. María José Martínez Sánchez
+ Olga Govortsova d. LI,NA [19]
+ Yaroslava Shvedova d. SYBILLE BAMMER [29]
+ Iveta Benešová d. Julia Görges
Second-round wishes: Bottom half
--------------------------------
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Mathilde Johansson
+ Tsvetana Pironkova [DF] d. Tamira Paszek
+ Klára Zakopalová [Q] d. ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK [23]
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Timea Bacsinszky
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Urszula Radwańska
+ ALIZÉ CORNET [22] d. Elena Vesnina
+ Karolina Šprem [DF] d. Sesil Karatantcheva [Q]
+ Aravane Rezaď d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. Ioana Raluca Olaru
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Gisela Dulko [DF]
+ Maria Elena Camerin d. NADIA PETROVA [10]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [16]
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] d. Ai Sugiyama
+ Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] d. Petra Cetkovská
+ Lucie Šafářová [EF] d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
Third-round wishes
------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. Alyona Bondarenko
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Aiko Nakamura [Q,S]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. Marta Domachowska
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Akiko Morigami [s]
+ Stefanie Vögele d. Ekaterina Makarova
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. Olga Govortsova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Yaroslava Shvedova
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Tsvetana Pironkova [DF]
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Klára Zakopalová [Q]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. ALIZÉ CORNET [22] (tough decision!)
+ Karolina Šprem [DF] d. Aravane Rezaď
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Maria Elena Camerin
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S]
+ Lucie Šafářová [EF] d. Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] (my Passion says Magda, but my Reason says Lucie)
Strangely enough, I had a dream about Lucie playing Magda before the draw was made! It's very difficult for me to consign Magda to a third-round loss, but I'm going with Lucie because she's a more senior member of my Eternal Fanship, and would deserve it more after beating Serena Williams!
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Maria Kirilenko [DF]
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. Stefanie Vögele
+ Iveta Benešová d. Peng,Shuai [s]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S]
+ Karolina Šprem [DF] d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Sania Mirza [DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Lucie Šafářová [EF]
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Nicole Vaidišová [EF] (Nicole beat Anna here last year, so now it's Anna's turn)
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. Iveta Benešová
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Karolina Šprem [DF]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Daniela Hantuchová [EF] (my Passion says Daniela, but my Reason says Maria)
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF]
Jelena and Vera deserve to be in the final after the unbelievable bad luck they've both had with injuries recently...
Final-wish
----------
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF]
...and Jelena deserves the title more than anyone, because she's a brilliant player who has been through Hell.
----------------------------
13. Order of play for Monday
----------------------------
Courts on which members of my Eternal Fanship are playing singles:
Court One (start 13:00 BST = 12:00 GMT)
WS 1r: MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] v Viktoriya Kutuzova [Q]
MS 1r: ROBIN SÖDERLING [13] v Gilles Müller
MS 1r: FERNANDO VERDASCO [7] v James Ward [WC]
Court 2 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 1r: Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v Laura Robson [WC]
MS 1r: Andrey Golubev v JO-WILFRIED TSONGA [9]
WS 1r: ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v Alla Kudryavtseva
MS 1r: Michaël Llodra v Joshua Goodall [WC]
Looks like I'll have to deal with a Freeview/Freeview clash between Courts One and 2, unless Daniela can go through Robson quickly (or vice versa  ).
Court 4 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
MS 1r: PHILIPP KOHLSCHREIBER [27] v Florent Serra
WS 1r: Maria Elena Camerin v Shahar Pe'er
MS 1r: Nicolas Mahut [WC] v Kristof Vliegen
WS 1r: VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC]
How could Wimbledon 'Stoop' so low as to put Vera on a non-televised court, even when she's playing a Briton!
Court 8 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 1r: Karolina Šprem [DF] v Regina Kulikova [Q]
WS 1r: Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] v Roberta Vinci
MS 1r: Édouard Roger-Vasselin [Q] v Stefan Koubek
MS 1r: Sam Querrey v Ivan Ljubičić
Court 11 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
MS 1r: Ivo Minář v Máximo González
WS 1r: Lucie Šafářová [EF] v Jarmila Groth
WS 1r: Timea Bacsinszky v Vesna Manasieva [Q]
MS 1r: Grega Žemlja [Q] v ALBERT MONTAŃÉS [32]
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
I see the Centre Court OoP is its usual sexist self - despite the roof - with just one women's match scheduled between two men's matches "like the mouldy cheese in an otherwise tasty sandwich"!
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 22nd, 2009 at 04:30 AM.
Reason: Insert subsection "First-round preview: Rybáriková v Vinci" into Section 10
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Jun 23rd, 2009, 03:58 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 1
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. First-round results
3. First-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Robson
4. First-round TV-report: Sharapova v Kutuzova
5. First-round scoreboard-report: Šafářová v Groth
6. First-round scoreboard-report: Rybáriková v Vinci
7. First-round scoreboard-report: Zvonarëva v Stoop (Part 1)
8. First-round draw
9. Second-round preview: Sharapova v Dulko
10. Second-round preview: Hantuchová v Zheng
11. Andrew's wishes
12. Order of play for Tuesday
---------
1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Monday:
sharapova
hantuchova
zvonareva
safarova
rybarikova
mirza
dulko
bartoli
azarenka
kutuzova
camerin
cibulkova
zheng
robson
bremond
bacsinszky
shahar
larcher de brito
johansson
----------------------
2. First-round results (Monday 22nd June 2009)
----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Viktoriya Kutuzova [Q], 7-5 6-4
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. Séverine Brémond Beltrame, 6-2 0-0* (30/0*) retired (left-knee injury)
+ Elena Vesnina d. Yanina Wickmayer, 6-1 6-1
+ Shahar Pe'er d. Maria Elena Camerin, 6-2 7-6 (7/3)
+ Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] d. Klára Zakopalová [Q], 6-2 7-5
What rocked:
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. Anna-Lena Grönefeld, 6-2 2-6 6-2
+ Gisela Dulko [DF] d. Stéphanie Foretz, 6-3 7-5
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Chan,Yung-Jan, 6-0 6-0
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Julie Coin, 6-4 3-6 6-3
+ Ioana Raluca Olaru d. Nathalie Dechy, 1-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-2
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] d. Tamarine Tanasugarn, 6-4 6-4
+ Urszula Radwańska d. Maša Zec Peškirič, 6-3 6-3
+ SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] d. Edina Gallovits, 7-5 6-1
+ Mathilde Johansson d. Melanie South [WC], 7-5 7-6 (7/5)
+ Aravane Rezaï d. Ayumi Morita [s], 6-2 6-2
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-4 6-1
+ Timea Bacsinszky d. Vesna Manasieva [Q], 6-1 4-6 8-6
+ ZHENG,JIE [16] d. Kristina Barrois, 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/4)
What sucked:
- Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] lt. Roberta Vinci, 3-6 2-6
- Lucie Šafářová [EF] lt. Jarmila Groth, 3-6 6-3 3-6
- Tsvetana Pironkova [DF] lt. Jill Craybas, 4-6 5-7
- Karolina Šprem [DF] lt. Regina Kulikova [Q], 6-4 5-7 3-6
- Petra Cetkovská lt. ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31], 2-6 2-6
- Tamira Paszek lt. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26], 0-6 1-3 retired (low-back injury)
All other results:
+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. Neuza Silva [Q], 6-1 7-5
+ NADIA PETROVA [10] d. Anastasiya Yakimova, 6-1 6-1
+ Ai Sugiyama d. PATTY SCHNYDER [21], 6-4 6-4
+ Francesca Schiavone d. ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK [23], 4-6 6-4 6-4
+ ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27] d. Sesil Karatantcheva [Q], 6-2 7-5
Suspended overnight due to bad light:
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 0-0*
* ALIZÉ CORNET [22] v Vera Dushevina, 6-3 0-6 *2-4
---------------------------------------------
3. First-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Robson (Monday 22nd June 2009)
---------------------------------------------
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
A wonderful match in terms of the quality of play, the nailbiting contest (Daniela recovered from a set and a break down: 3-6 2-3*), and of course Daniela's beauty (well, okay: Robson's kind of cute, too).
15-year-old Robson played unbelievably, with big, left-handed serves, groundstrokes of flairsome power, and good hands too (e.g. to cut off a dipping pass with a half-volley dropshot-winner at *0-1 (0/15) in the third). She is a tremendous talent with a very bright future. All she needs is more experience, to be injury-free, and to improve her footwork (sometimes she takes one big step rather than several small steps, and this can cause unforced errors).
Robson made me feel very embarrassed as a Daniela-fan in the first set, as Daniela looked weaker and more erratic.
The momentum began to swing when Daniela was 2-4* down in the first set, as Daniela began to hit the ball much better. Although Robson held for 5-2, and ultimately won the first set, she was getting nervous - so was Daniela, but the difference was that Daniela was experienced enough to capitalise on her opponent's nerves, and Robson wasn't.
Double faults let Robson down big time in this match: she served a total of 14, including one at *3-2 (Ad Daniela) to give Daniela the break back; she also finished the match with a double fault.
By the third set, Robson's body-language - so positive in the first set - was negative, and she allowed some distractions to get to her (I'll explain what they were in my full TV-report). She was making more errors, and had lost her way tactically.
I look forward to watching more of Robson when she defends her Girls' Singles title next week - and to watching more of Daniela in the Women's Singles, of course!
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 8th August 2009).
----------------------------------------------
4. First-round TV-report: Sharapova v Kutuzova (Monday 22nd June 2009)
----------------------------------------------
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Viktoriya Kutuzova [Q], 7-5 6-4
After choosing to watch Hantuchová v Robson during the first set, I saw the second set live.
In the first set, Maria recovered from 1-4* and *3-5. The second set featured seven breaks (including the last five games).
It was like Maria was playing a copy of herself out there! Both girls hit the ball very hard, and grunted very loudly! They also looked alike, with their long blonde hair in ponytails, wearing very similar white dresses with bare shoulders, and white visors. What the match lacked was a contrast of styles.
The difference - at least in the second set - was the occasional flashes of brilliance of which only Maria is capable. Examples:
* the backhand lob-winner with which Maria passed Kutuzova at *2-2 (40/15);
* the brilliant backhand return-winner down Kutuzova's backhand-sideline that Maria hit at 3-2* (15/15);
* the blazing backhand return-winner down the line that Maria hit at 5-4* (15/0*).
The match was also notable for Kutuzova not challenging several calls that Hawk-Eye said were wrong.
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 15th August 2009).
--------------------------------------------------
5. First-round scoreboard-report: Šafářová v Groth (Monday 22nd June 2009)
--------------------------------------------------
- Lucie Šafářová [EF] lt. Jarmila Groth, 3-6 6-3 3-6
A serve-dominated match, with Groth breaking 3 times from 4 BPs, Lucie only twice from 5 BPs. Second and third sets were each decided by a single break. Groth hit 11 aces, and had better percentages of first serves in, and points won on first and second serve.
It seems that Groth was more aggressive - and erratic - with a W:UE ratio of 27:25 to Lucie's 20:14. Groth also won 9 of 14 points at the net to just 2 of 5 from Lucie. I believe Lucie should go to the net more - especially on grass.
Of course it didn't help that Lucie couldn't play a grass-court warm-up, because she had 'flu last week.
I'm so disappointed that Lucie doesn't get a crack at Serena Williams in the second round.
First set
---------
ŠAFÁŘ ___* *@__ 3
GROTH *@* *__@* 6
The match was second on Court 11, and started at 14:27 BST.
Groth serving 0-0: 30/0... held.
Lucie serving 0-1: 0/30... the distraction of watching live Maria Sharapova v Viktoriya Kutuzova on BBC 2 proved too much for me at this point.
Lucie serving 0-3: 15/15. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Lucie. Held.
Groth serving 3-1: 0/30... held.
Lucie serving 1-4: 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Groth serving 4-2: 30/30. Deuce. Ad Lucie (BP). Broken.
Lucie serving 3-4: 15/0... broken.
Groth serving 5-3: 40/0 (SP #1). 40/15 (SP #2). Groth won the first set 6-3 at 14:54 BST (27m).
Second set
----------
ŠAFÁŘ * * * *@* 6
GROTH _* * *___ 3
Lucie serving 0-0: 15/15. 30/15. 40/30. Deuce... held.
Groth serving 0-1: 0/15... held.
Lucie serving 1-1: 15/15... held.
Groth serving 1-2: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Lucie serving 2-2: 15/0. 30/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Groth serving 2-3: 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Lucie serving 3-3: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 40/30. Held.
Groth serving 3-4: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Lucie serving 5-3: 40/0 (SP #1). 40/15 (SP #2). 40/30 (SP #3). Lucie won the second set 6-3 at 15:22 BST (second set 28m, match so far 55m).
Third set
---------
ŠAFÁŘ _*___* *_ 3
GROTH * *@* * * 6
Groth serving 0-0: 40/0. Held.
Lucie serving 0-1: 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Groth serving 1-1: 40/0. Held.
Lucie serving 1-2: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Groth serving 3-1: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. Deuce #1. Ad Lucie (BP). Deuce #2. Ad Groth. Held.
A big chance for Lucie to get back into this match there. 
Lucie serving 1-4: 40/0. Held.
Groth serving 4-2: 40/0. Held.
Lucie serving 2-5: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Groth serving 5-3: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15 (MP #1). 40/30 (MP #2). Groth won 6-3 3-6 6-3 at 15:48 BST (third set 26m, match 1h21m).
----------------------------------------------------
6. First-round scoreboard-report: Rybáriková v Vinci (Monday 22nd June 2009)
----------------------------------------------------
- Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF] lt. Roberta Vinci, 3-6 2-6
This loss is a very bitter pill to swallow after Magda won Birmingham. I'm just glad I inducted her into my Eternal Fanship before she had this chance to 'disimpress' me! ;-)
Without having seen this match, I just suppose Vinci's game matched up better to Magda's than did those of Magda's opponents at Birmingham. For instance, Sania Mirza and Li,Na are big hitters who couldn't handle the way Magda mixed up the pace, whereas Vinci is an old-school player who likes to serve and volley, and hit a lot of sliced backhands.
Vinci was much more aggressive than Magda, with a W:UE ratio of 36:21 to Magda's 22:17. Vinci spent a lot of time at the net, winning 31 of 41 points there, while Magda only won 11 of 21 points at the net.
Magda had inferior first-serve percentages: only 61% in and 54% won. Vinci broke 4 times from 11 BPs, while Magda broke only once from 5 BPs.
Magda had pulled out of 's-Hertogenbosch citing a right-thigh strain. I assumed she just wanted to rest after winning Birmingham, so I don't want to put it on that.
First set
---------
RYBÁR __@__* *_ 3
VINCI *@ @* * * 6
The match started at 14:52 BST.
Vinci serving 0-0: 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Magda serving 0-1: 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Vinci (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Magda. Deuce #3. Ad Vinci (BP #3). Broken.
Vinci serving 0-2: 0/40 (BP). Broken.
They say great champions break back immediately! 
Magda serving 1-2: 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Vinci serving 3-1: 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce #1. Ad Vinci. Deuce #2. Ad Vinci. Held.
Magda serving 1-4: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Vinci (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Magda. Deuce #3. Ad Magda. Held.
Vinci serving 4-2: 0/15. 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Magda serving 2-5: 40/0. Held.
Vinci serving 5-3: 40/0. Vinci won the first set 6-3 at 15:25 BST (33m).
Second set
----------
RYBÁR *_____*_ 2
VINCI _*@*@* * 6
Magda serving 0-0: 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Magda. Held.
Phew! Magda saved a point to have gone a set and a break down!
Vinci serving 0-1: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Magda serving 1-1: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Now Magda /is/ a set and a break down, but so was Daniela Hantuchová earlier today, and she managed to turn it around. Let's hope Magda can do the same...
Vinci serving 2-1: 15/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Vinci. Held.
Magda serving 1-3: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Vinci serving 4-1: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad Vinci. Deuce #2. Ad Magda. Deuce #3. Ad Vinci. Held.
Magda serving 1-5: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
At this point, Magda's just playing for a modicum of respectability in the scoreline.
Vinci serving 5-2: 0/30. 40/30 (MP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Vinci (MP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Vinci (MP #3). Vinci won 6-3 6-2 at 16:00 BST (second set 35m, match 1h08m).
---------------------------------------------------
7. First-round scoreboard-report: Zvonarëva v Stoop (Part 1: Monday 22nd June 2009)
---------------------------------------------------
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 0-0*
I had expected Vera to breeze through this match 6-0 6-0, but it was played late in the evening, when it was no doubt cold, slippery, and difficult to see the ball. Conditions should be very different when it resumes second on Court 18 tomorrow (Tuesday).
It's hard to tell what's going wrong for Vera from the statistics. She has a reasonable W:UE ratio of 21:14 (Stoop's is 21:15), reasonable serve-percentages (better than Stoop's), and has won an impressive 16 of 21 points at the net.
On the other hand, she hasn't put much pressure on Stoop's serve, breaking only twice from 5 BPs, whereas Stoop has converted all three of her BPs.
I just hope Vera's right ankle (in which she tore two ligaments on 16th April) hasn't flared up again.
First set
---------
ZVONA _@*@*___* * T 7(7)
STOOP @____*@* * *_ 6(0)
The match was originally scheduled fourth on Court 4, but was switched to Court 18. I suddenly got excited when I heard they were putting an extra match with British interest on Court One, but that turned out to be South v Johansson instead, so for Vera, I had to make do with live scores at www.wimbledon.org!
The match started at 19:43 BST.
Vera serving 0-0: I missed this game due to the unexpected court-change. Vera was broken.
Stoop serving 1-0: 0/40 (BP). Broken.
Vera serving 1-1: 40/0. Held.
Stoop serving 1-2: 0/30. 15/40. 30/40. Broken.
Vera serving 3-1: 40/0. Held.
Stoop serving 1-4: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad Stoop. Deuce #2. Ad Vera (BP). Deuce #3. Ad Stoop. Held.
Disappointed that Vera couldn't break there after saving two game-points and having a BP. I expect nothing less against Stoop.
Vera serving 4-2: 0/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Shocking. Positively shocking.
Stoop serving 3-4: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
What's wrong with Vera? Is her right ankle bothering her?
Vera serving 4-4: 40/0. Held.
Stoop serving 4-5: 40/0. Held.
Vera serving 5-5: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Stoop serving 5-6: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Vera just can't put any pressure on Stoop's serve. According to the scoreboard, Stoop just hit a serve at 141 mph. If that's true, then she has broken Venus Williams's record by 13 mph!
6-6 tiebreak: *0/0. 1/0*. 2/0*. *3/0. *4/0. 5/0*. 6/0* (SP #1). Vera won the first set 7-6 (7/0) at 20:29 BST (46m).
Second set
----------
ZVONA _* * * *__ 4
STOOP * * * * *@ 6
Stoop serving 0-0: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Vera serving 0-1: 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Stoop serving 1-1: 0/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Stoop just set a new service-speed record of 160 mph, if the scoreboard is to be believed!
Vera serving 1-2: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
Stoop serving 2-2: 40/0. Held.
BBC just showed a glimpse of this match in Today at Wimbledon. It looks very dark, and another court has already been suspended due to poor light. So the only way Vera's going to lose tonight is if - God forbid - she has to retire (I had to word that carefully after I jinxed Jelena Dokić under similar circumstances at the French Open!).
Vera serving 2-3: 40/0. Deuce. Ad Vera. Held.
Stoop serving 3-3: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Vera serving 3-4: 40/0. Held.
Stoop serving 4-4: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
I'm now watching live Johansson v South on Court One. It's so dark that they can hardly see - the commentators are talking about suspending it /before/ the end of the set.
That would explain why this match has been so serve-dominated - it's very difficult for the receiver to see the serve!
Vera serving 4-5: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 30/40 (SP #1). Stoop won the second set 6-4 at 21:07 BST (second set 38m, match so far 1h24m), and due to failing light, play was suspended for the day.
-------------------
8. First-round draw
-------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
First quarter (Nicole Vaidišová, Anna Chakvetadze)
-------------
N.B. Kristína Kučová [LL,S] has replaced Katarina Srebotnik, who hasn't played since October 2008 due to left-Achilles and left-ankle injuries.
* DINARA SAFINA [1] v Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Safina is Nicole's prey)
* Nicole Vaidišová [EF] v Rossana de los Ríos (POJĎME NICOLE!!)
* Alyona Bondarenko v Elena Baltacha [WC] (my loyalty is to Alyona)
* Kirsten Flipkens v ÁGNES SZÁVAY [30] (I think I still prefer Kirsten, although Ágnes has been growing on me)
* Melinda Czink v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (anyone but Mauresmo)
* Kristína Kučová [LL,S] v Aiko Nakamura [Q,S] (my loyalty is to Kristína)
* Mariya Koryttseva v Vania King
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v Nuria Llagostera Vives (forza Flavia!)
* CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] v Kimiko Date Krumm [WC] (my loyalty is to Caroline)
* Maria Kirilenko [DF] v Petra Kvitová (davai Maria!)
* Alberta Brianti [Q] v Tathiana Garbin
* Marta Domachowska v ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] (my loyalty is to Marta)
* ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] v Sabine Lisicki [DF] (my loyalty is to ANNA)
* Patricia Mayr v Anne Keothavong
* Pauline Parmentier v Akgul Amanmuradova
* Akiko Morigami [s] v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5] (ganbatte Akiko!)
Second quarter (Jelena Dokić)
--------------
* Stefanie Vögele v VENUS WILLIAMS [3] (hopp Stefanie!)
* Anastasija Sevastova [Q] v Kateryna Bondarenko
* Ekaterina Makarova v Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová
* Carla Suárez Navarro v KAIA KANEPI [25]
* SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] v Bethanie Mattek-Sands
* Jelena Dokić [EF] v Tatjana Malek [Q] (my loyalty is to JELENA)
* Sara Errani v Stéphanie Dubois
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v Lucie Hradecká [s] (my loyalty is to Ana)
* María José Martínez Sánchez v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
* Peng,Shuai [s] v Alexa Glatch [WC] (jia you Shuai!)
* Olga Govortsova v Tatiana Perebiynis (tough choice, but I think I prefer Olga)
* LI,NA [19] v Galina Voskoboeva
* SYBILLE BAMMER [29] v Melanie Oudin [Q]
* Yaroslava Shvedova v Monica Niculescu [s] (my Reason says Monica, but my Passion says Yaroslava)
* Iveta Benešová v Katie O'Brien [WC] (my loyalty is to Iveta)
* Julia Görges v JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] (komm jetzt Julia!)
Third quarter (Vera Zvonarëva)
-------------
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 0-0*
* Mathilde Johansson won
* Jill Craybas won
* VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26] won
* Francesca Schiavone won
* Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] won
* Timea Bacsinszky won
* MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] won
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] won
* Urszula Radwańska won
* Elena Vesnina won
* ALIZÉ CORNET [22] v Vera Dushevina, 6-3 0-6 *2-4
* ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27] won
* Regina Kulikova [Q] won
* Aravane Rezaï won
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] won
Fourth quarter (Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchová)
--------------
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] won
* Ioana Raluca Olaru won
* Sania Mirza [DF] won
* SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] won
* MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] won
* Gisela Dulko [DF] won
* Shahar Pe'er won
* NADIA PETROVA [10] won
* ZHENG,JIE [16] won
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] won
* Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] won
* Ai Sugiyama won
* ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31] won
* Roberta Vinci won
* Jarmila Groth won
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] won
------------------------------------------
9. Second-round preview: Sharapova v Dulko
------------------------------------------
Gisela may be ranked #45 to Maria's #60, with her flairsome forehand and terrific all-court game, but Maria leads Gisela 2:0 head-to-head, having thrashed her 6-0 6-1 at San Diego 2004, and 6-1 6-1 at Doha 2005.
Gisela's best surface is clay, but she's had some success on grass, reaching three Wimbledon third rounds, the semi-finals of 's-Hertogenbosch 2005, and quarter-finals of Eastbourne 2008. At Wimbledon 2004, she beat a slumping Jelena Dokić and 47-year-old Martina Navrátilová to reach the third round, which she also reached in 2006 and 2008 (albeit on Lindsay Davenport's walkover).
Gisela has an impressive 22:13 record for 2009 so far (including her first round here).
She reached the quarter-finals of Hobart with a 6-3 6-3 win over #24 Zheng,Jie, but lost 6-4 6-4 to Iveta Benešová. She lost 6-3 7-5 to Serena Williams in the second round of the Australian Open.
Gisela was runner-up at Bogotá, beating #67 Edina Gallovits 6-2 6-3 in the semi-finals, but losing 6-3 6-2 to María José Martínez Sánchez in the final.
She reached the quarter-finals of Monterrey, and third rounds at Indian Wells and Miami - the latter by beating #3 Jelena Janković 6-4 7-6 (7/5)! But she lost again to Benešová in the third round: 6-3 6-2.
Gisela reached the quarter-finals of Stuttgart by beating #8 Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3, but lost to #9 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2.
After three relatively disappointing tournaments on clay, Gisela reached the third round of the French Open, beating #61 Tamira Paszek 6-1 6-3, #51 Anna-Lena Grönefeld 7-6 0-6 6-2, and losing 6-4 6-2 to #19 Dominika Cibulková.
At Eastbourne, Gisela was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #12 Marion Bartoli in the first round. She has reached the second round here with a 6-3 7-5 win over Stéphanie Foretz.
I don't expect Maria to have too many problems with Gisela.
--------------------------------------------
10. Second-round preview: Hantuchová v Zheng
--------------------------------------------
Daniela beat Zheng,Jie 6-4 6-2 in their only meeting: in the third round of Indian Wells 2008.
But Indian Wells is Daniela's best tournament, whereas Wimbledon is probably Zheng's best: she reached the semi-finals here last year. But now, by her own admission, she feels the pressure to defend that result.
Zheng is dangerous on grass as she hits the ball early and flat, so it bounces low on grass, which is especially effective against tall girls. She has precise, intelligent placement on her groundstrokes: she knows how to jerk her opponents around.
Zheng is 20:14 for 2009 so far (including her first-round win here).
She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open by beating #59 Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-2, but retired at 1-4 against #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova with a left-wrist sprain.
Zheng reached the third round of Dubai, beating #42 Samantha Stosur 3-6 7-5 7-5, but losing 6-4 6-2 to #1 Serena Williams.
She reached the semi-finals of Monterrey by beating #36 Gisela Dulko 6-3 6-2, but lost 7-5 6-3 to #13 Marion Bartoli.
Zheng reached the fourth round of Miami with a 6-4 6-0 win over #14 Alizé Cornet, and lost 7-5 5-7 6-3 to #1 Serena Williams.
Zheng's clay-court results were relatively modest, with a third round at Rome, and second rounds at Madrid, Warsaw and the French Open - losing 6-4 6-3 to #132 Michelle Larcher de Brito.
At Birmingham, Zheng was the top seed, but after thrashing #122 Melanie South 6-3 6-1, she lost 7-6 (12/10) 6-4 to the eventual champion: #58 Magdaléna Rybáriková.
At Eastbourne, Zheng beat #34 Carla Suárez Navarro 6-2 6-2, but lost 7-6 6-3 to Aleksandra Wozniak.
She has reached the second round here by beating Kristina Barrois 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/4).
Conclusion: Zheng is a tough opponent, especially on grass, but she's not on particularly strong form at the moment, so it should be quite a winnable match for Daniela.
-------------------
11. Andrew's wishes (updated after Monday)
-------------------
Second-round wishes: Top half
-----------------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. DINARA SAFINA [1]
+ Alyona Bondarenko d. Kirsten Flipkens
+ Kristína Kučová [LL,S] d. Melinda Czink
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Mariya Koryttseva
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9]
+ Marta Domachowska d. Alberta Brianti [Q]
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Patricia Mayr
+ Akiko Morigami [s] d. Pauline Parmentier
+ Stefanie Vögele d. Anastasija Sevastova [Q]
+ Ekaterina Makarova d. Carla Suárez Navarro
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Sara Errani
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. María José Martínez Sánchez
+ Olga Govortsova d. LI,NA [19]
+ Yaroslava Shvedova d. SYBILLE BAMMER [29]
+ Iveta Benešová d. Julia Görges
Second-round wishes: Bottom half
--------------------------------
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Mathilde Johansson
+ Jill Craybas d. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
+ Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] d. Francesca Schiavone
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Timea Bacsinszky
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Urszula Radwańska
+ ALIZÉ CORNET [22] d. Elena Vesnina
+ ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27] d. Regina Kulikova [Q]
+ Aravane Rezaï d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. Ioana Raluca Olaru
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Gisela Dulko [DF]
+ Shahar Pe'er d. NADIA PETROVA [10]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [16]
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] d. Ai Sugiyama
+ Roberta Vinci d. ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31]
+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. Jarmila Groth
Third-round wishes
------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. Alyona Bondarenko
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Kristína Kučová [LL,S]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. Marta Domachowska
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Akiko Morigami [s]
+ Stefanie Vögele d. Ekaterina Makarova
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. Olga Govortsova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Yaroslava Shvedova
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Jill Craybas
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. ALIZÉ CORNET [22] (tough decision!)
+ Aravane Rezaï d. ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27]
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Shahar Pe'er
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S]
+ Roberta Vinci d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ Nicole Vaidišová [EF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Maria Kirilenko [DF]
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. Stefanie Vögele
+ Iveta Benešová d. Peng,Shuai [s]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Aravane Rezaï
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Sania Mirza [DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Roberta Vinci
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] d. Nicole Vaidišová [EF] (Nicole beat Anna here last year, so now it's Anna's turn)
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. Iveta Benešová
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Daniela Hantuchová [EF] (my Passion says Daniela, but my Reason says Maria)
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF]
Jelena and Vera deserve to be in the final after the unbelievable bad luck they've both had with injuries recently...
Final-wish
----------
+ Jelena Dokić [EF] d. VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF]
...and Jelena deserves the title more than anyone, because she's a brilliant player who has been through Hell.
-----------------------------
12. Order of play for Tuesday
-----------------------------
Courts on which members of my Eternal Fanship are playing singles:
Court 7 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 1r: Jelena Dokić [EF] v Tatjana Malek [Q]
MS 1r: Fabio Fognini v Denis Istomin
WS 1r: FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v Nuria Llagostera Vives
WS 1r: María José Martínez Sánchez v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
Court 11 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
MS 1r: Óscar Hernández v Leonardo Mayer
WS 1r: Nicole Vaidišová [EF] v Rossana de los Ríos
MS 1r: Chrisophe Rochus v Pablo Cuevas [LL]
WS 1r: Vania King v Mariya Koryttseva
Court 18 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
MS 1r: FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ [10] v Teimuraz Gabashvili
WS 1r: VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 0-0*
WS 1r: ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] v Sabine Lisicki [DF]
MS 1r: Jesse Levine v MARAT SAFIN [14]
WS 1r: Carla Suárez Navarro v KAIA KANEPI [25]
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
P.S. Look out for beautiful Stefanie Vögele first on Centre Court!
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Aug 8th, 2009 at 08:59 PM.
Reason: add point-score to Azarenka v Brémond Beltrame result
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Jun 24th, 2009, 06:06 AM
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#4
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 2
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. First-round results
3. First-round scoreboard-report: Dokić v Malek
4. First-round scoreboard-report: Vaidišová v de los Ríos
5. First-round TV-report: Zvonarëva v Stoop (Part 2)
6. First-round scoreboard-report: Chakvetadze v Lisicki
7. First-round TV-report: Ivanović v Hradecká
8. Second-round draw
9. Second-round preview: Zvonarëva v Johansson
10. Andrew's wishes
11. Order of play for Wednesday
---------
1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Tuesday:
dokic
zvonareva
chakvetadze
vaidisova
maria kirilenko
ivanovic
pennetta
lisicki
wozniacki
voegele
shvedova
benesova
bondarenko
goerges
kucova
domachowksa
cartwright
The last term refers to Bec Cartright, who used to play Hayley in Home and Away, and is still as beautiful now.
----------------------
2. First-round results (Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
- ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] lt. Sabine Lisicki [DF], 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 2-6
- Jelena Dokić [EF] lt. Tatjana Malek [Q], 6-3 5-7 2-6
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Lucie Hradecká [s], 5-7 6-2 8-6
+ Yaroslava Shvedova d. Monica Niculescu [s], 6-1 6-0
+ CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] d. Kimiko Date Krumm [WC], 5-7 6-3 6-1
+ Iveta Benešová d. Katie O'Brien [WC], 6-2 5-7 6-4
+ Olga Govortsova d. Tatiana Perebiynis, 4-6 6-3 6-4
+ Kristína Kučová [LL,S] d. Aiko Nakamura [Q,S], 2-6 6-3 6-3
+ Elena Baltacha [WC] d. Alyona Bondarenko, 3-6 6-3 6-4
+ ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] d. Marta Domachowska, 4-6 6-3 6-4
+ Kirsten Flipkens d. ÁGNES SZÁVAY [30], 7-5 6-4
+ Ekaterina Makarova d. Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová, 7-5 2-6 6-3
+ Kateryna Bondarenko d. Anastasija Sevastova [Q], 6-3 7-6 (7/5)
What rocked:
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 6-4
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. Petra Kvitová, 6-4 6-4
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Nuria Llagostera Vives, 3-6 6-1 6-0
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. Alexa Glatch [WC], 6-4 2-6 6-4
+ SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 6-4 6-7 (6/8) 6-2
What sucked:
- Nicole Vaidišová [EF] lt. Rossana de los Ríos, 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 4-6
- ALIZÉ CORNET [22] lt. Vera Dushevina, 6-3 0-6 4-6
- Akiko Morigami [s] lt. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5], 3-6 6-7 (1/7)
- Stefanie Vögele lt. VENUS WILLIAMS [3], 3-6 2-6
- Julia Görges lt. JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6], 4-6 6-7 (0/7)
All other results:
+ DINARA SAFINA [1] d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino, 7-5 6-3
+ AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] d. María José Martínez Sánchez, 7-5 6-1
+ AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] d. Melinda Czink, 6-1 4-6 6-2
+ LI,NA [19] d. Galina Voskoboeva, 7-6 (7/5) 6-0
+ Carla Suárez Navarro d. KAIA KANEPI [25], 4-6 6-3 6-3
+ Melanie Oudin [Q] d. SYBILLE BAMMER [29], 4-6 6-4 6-2
+ Sara Errani d. Stéphanie Dubois, 7-5 6-2
+ Tathiana Garbin d. Alberta Brianti [Q], 6-4 6-3
+ Vania King d. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-4 6-2
+ Pauline Parmentier d. Akgul Amanmuradova, 6-4 1-6 6-3
+ Patricia Mayr d. Anne Keothavong, 7-5 6-2
-----------------------------------------------
3. First-round scoreboard-report: Dokić v Malek (Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
-----------------------------------------------
- Jelena Dokić [EF] lt. Tatjana Malek [Q], 6-3 5-7 2-6
Jelena led 6-3 5-4*, and was three points from victory at 15/30* in that game.
According to the BBC, Jelena was feeling faint in the second set, and called for the doctor. She also looked a little overweight compared with how she looked at the Australian Open.
Jelena: "Maybe it's a virus or something. I was aching a little bit, and I was dizzy. Maybe I should have called the trainer earlier. But I was still feeling pretty bad in the third set, so I don’t know whether it would have made any difference."
Jelena dominated the match with either winners or errors, with a W:UE ratio of 43:49 (17:9 for the first set, then 26:40 for the next two combined) to Malek's 21:6. Jelena served a monstrous 16 double faults, while Malek served 10 aces.
A big difference between the first set and the next two was that Jelena's second-serve winning-percentage dipped from 64% to 21%
Jelena went to the net a lot, which is unusual for her - perhaps a new strategy for grass, or perhaps because of her injury? She won 22 of 40 points there.
They had 11 BPs each, but Jelena only broke four times to Malek's five, winning the first set by 2 breaks to 0, but losing the second set by 1 break to 2, and the third by 1 break to 3.
First set
---------
DOKIĆ _*@* * *@ 6
MALEK *___* *__ 3
The match was first on Court 7, and started at 12:07 BST.
Malek serving 15/30. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce. Ad Malek. Held.
Jelena serving 0-1: 0/15. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Malek serving 1-1: 15/0. 15/30. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce. Ad Jelena (BP #2). Broken.
Jelena serving 2-1: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Malek serving 1-3: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. Held.
Jelena serving 3-2: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Malek serving 2-4: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Jelena serving 4-3: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Malek serving 3-5: 0/40 (SP #1). 15/40 (SP #2). 30/40 (SP #3). Jelena won the first set 6-3 at 12:35 BST (28m).
Jelena did well to convert 30/40, which is always difficult after missing two BPs at 0/40.
Second set
----------
DOKIĆ *___* *@*___ 5
MALEK _*@* *___*@* 7
Jelena serving 0-0: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Malek serving 0-1: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Malek. Held.
Jelena serving 1-1: 15/0. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Malek serving 2-1: 40/0. Held.
I could do with Jelena breaking back and finishing this in two sets to avoid a clash with Nicole Vaidišová, as Leonardo Mayer is currently 6-0 6-0 up against Óscar Hernández! Jelena was the first player other than Mayer to win a set today.
Jelena serving 1-3: 0/30. 40/30. Held.
Malek serving 3-2: 40/0. 40/30. Held.
Jelena serving 2-4: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Jelena. Held.
Time for Jelena to break back...
Malek serving 4-3: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Jelena serving 4-4: 15/0. 15/30. 40/30. Held.
Well, Hernández has just bought Jelena a bit more time by winning a game to avoid the triple bagel, but it would still be nice to finish this match by breaking in the next game!
Malek serving 4-5: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Jelena serving 5-5: 0/30. Broken.
Darn it. Mayer now leads 6-0 6-0 4-1*, so I'll have to follow Jelena and Nicole in parallel if this goes to a third set. When I did that for Lucie Šafářová and Magdaléna Rybáriková yesterday, I lost them both.
Malek serving 6-5: 0/15. 40/15 (SP #1). Malek won the second set 7-5 at 13:13 BST (second set 38m, match so far 1h06m).
Third set
---------
DOKIĆ _@__*___ 2
MALEK @ @* *@* 6
The third set didn't start scoring until 13:21 BST, which suggests that Jelena and/or Malek took a bathroom-break.
Jelena serving 0-0: 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
What's wrong with Jelena? Has her back flared up?
Malek serving 1-0: 0/40 (BP). Broken.
Jelena serving 1-1: 0/15. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Malek serving 2-1: 40/0. Held.
Jelena serving 1-3: 15/0. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce #1. Ad Malek (BP #3). Deuce #2. Ad Jelena. Held.
Now Nicole Vaidišová is starting, so I have to divide my attention...
Malek serving 3-2: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Jelena serving 2-4: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Malek serving 5-2: 30/0. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Malek (MP #1). Malek won 3-6 7-5 6-2 at 13:49 BST (third set 36m, match 1h42m).
I saw the last point in a BBC round-up: Malek hit a body-jamming serve; Jelena hit a respectable forehand return; they exchanged crosscourt forehands; Malek hit a very short forehand dropshot (I don't think she meant it), forcing Jelena to spray a forehand wide.
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4. First-round scoreboard-report: Vaidišová v de los Ríos (Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
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- Nicole Vaidišová [EF] lt. Rossana de los Ríos, 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 4-6
Nicole seemed to be heading for a straight-sets loss as de los Ríos served for the match at *5-4 and *6-5 in the second, but Nicole broke back both times, and recovered from 1/4* in the tiebreak to win the second set.
Nicole then led 3-1* in the third set, but lost 5 of the last 6 games.
Nicole was more aggressive but also more erratic than de los Ríos, with a W:UE ratio of 41:57 (15:14 for the second set, but 26:43 for the two that she lost) to de los Ríos's 26:26.
Nicole broke 6 times from 13 BPs, but de los Ríos broke 8 times from 17. De los Ríos won the first set by 3 breaks to 2, and the third by 2 breaks to 1, while the second set featured 3 breaks apiece.
The BBC commentator in Johansson v South on Monday said that Nicole is not the player she once was because she's been concentrating on her studies rather than her tennis.
First set
---------
VAIDIŠOVÁ *__@ @__*_ 4
DE LOS RÍ _*@ @ @* * 6
The match was second on Court 11 following a very quick men's three-setter and started at 13:38 BST, so I had an unexpected clash with having to follow live scores for Jelena Dokić's unwanted third set (*1-3 when this one started).
Nicole serving 0-0: 0/15. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
De los Ríos serving 1-0: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad de los Ríos. Held.
One BP goes begging...
Nicole serving 1-1: 0/40 (BP #1). 15/40 (BP #2). Broken.
...and it's always tough to serve after that.
De los Ríos serving 2-1: 0/30. 15/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad de los Ríos. Deuce #2. Ad Nicole. Broken.
Well, the clash with Jelena Dokić didn't last long, as Jelena just lost 3-6 7-5 6-2.
The BBC is currently showing O'Brien v Benešová on both BBC 2 and BBC Red Button, instead of showing Nicole on one of them. What do we pay our TV-licences for?
Nicole serving 2-2: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad de los Ríos (BP). Broken.
De los Ríos serving 3-2: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Nicole serving 3-3: 40/0. Deuce #1. Ad Nicole. Deuce #2. Ad de los Ríos (BP). Deuce #3. Ad Nicole. Deuce #4. Ad de los Ríos (BP). Broken.
Five breaks in a row, which is strange because last year, Nicole was serving well but returning badly on grass.
De los Ríos serving 4-3: 0/30. 40/30. Held.
Nicole serving 3-5: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. Held.
De los Ríos serving 5-4: 30/0. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad de los Ríos (SP #1). De los Ríos won the first set 6-4 at 14:20 BST (42m).
Second set
----------
VAIDIŠOVÁ _@*___* *@ @T 7(7)
DE LOS RÍ @__*@* *__@__ 6(5)
Nicole serving 0-0: 0/40 (BP). Broken.
De los Ríos serving 1-0: 15/0. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Now I have to watch the resumption of Vera Zvonarëva's match on BBC Red Button, so while I'll do my best to keep up with Nicole's scores, there will certainly be gaps.
Nicole serving 1-1: 40/0. 40/15. Held.
De los Ríos serving 1-2: 0/15. 15/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad de los Ríos. Held.
Nicole serving 2-2: 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
De los Ríos serving 3-2: Held.
Nicole serving 2-4: 30/0. Held.
De los Ríos serving 4-3: 40/0. Held.
Nicole serving 3-5: 15/0. 15/15. 40/30. Held.
De los Ríos serving 5-4: 0/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Nicole serving 5-5: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
De los Ríos serving 6-5: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
6-6 tiebreak: *0/0. 0/1*. 1/1. 1/2. 1/4*. 2/4*. *3/4. 4/5*. 5/5*. *6/5 (SP #1). Nicole won the second set 7-6 (7/5) at 15:06 (second set 46m, match so far 1h28m).
Third set
---------
VAIDIŠOVÁ _*@*___*__ 4
DE LOS RÍ *___*@* *@ 6
De los Ríos serving 0-0: 40/0. Held.
Nicole serving 0-1: Held.
De los Ríos serving 1-1: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
Nicole serving 2-1: 15/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
De los Ríos serving 1-3: 15/0... held.
Nicole serving 3-2: 15/0. 15/15. 30/30... Ad Nicole. Deuce #2. Ad Nicole. Deuce #3. Ad de los Ríos (BP). Broken.
Vera just won her match, so I can now give Nicole my undivided attention once again (at least until Anna Chakvetadze starts on Court 18 in a few minutes' time).
De los Ríos serving 3-3: 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad de los Ríos. Held.
Nicole serving 3-4: 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Nicole. Ad de los Ríos (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Nicole. Held.
Two break-points saved that would have left de los Ríos serving for the match at *5-3!
De los Ríos serving 4-4: 40/0. Held.
Nicole serving 4-5: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (MP #1). Deuce. Ad Nicole. Deuce #2. Ad de los Ríos (MP #2). De los Ríos won 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 at 15:47 BST (third set 41m, match 2h09m).
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5. First-round TV-report: Zvonarëva v Stoop (Part 2: Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
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+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 6-4
The BBC put the "vera" in its Freeview "coverage" for just the second time since the Australian Open 2007, as the third set was televised on BBC Red Button!
Vera really struggled with her movement, which apparently was worse on Monday. She had a big black support on her right ankle, and just didn't have the footwork that we're used to seeing from her.
Vera had too much class and intelligent placement for the inexperienced Stoop, but sadly I just can't see her going any further in this Wimbledon with her ankle in the state it's in. Of course she doesn't want to give up on the greatest tournament in the world; I just hope she isn't risking long-term damage by playing on, because injuring your ankle can permanently weaken it.
The third set went with serve until 4-4, with Vera always having to play catch-up. Then, in a game of two deuces, Vera broke with the help of a couple of volley-winners (one to create a 0/30 opening, and another to save Stoop's game-point) and some good, deep recovery shots. She then served out the match to love.
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 22nd August 2009).
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6. First-round scoreboard-report: Chakvetadze v Lisicki (Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
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- ANNA CHAKVETADZE [32,EF] lt. Sabine Lisicki [DF], 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 2-6
Anna led 6-4 *5-4, then 'Chokevetadze' reared her pretty head: she dropped the second set after leading *4/2 in the tiebreak, and never recovered from dropping serve at the start of the third set.
Sabine dominated the match with a W:UE ratio of 37:30 to Anna's 19:32 (and Sabine's W:UE ratio improved from set to set, while Anna's deteriorated). Her first serve was much faster than Anna's: fastest 122-104 mph, average 103-93 mph.
Anna broke 3 times from 6 BPs, but Sabine broke 4 times from 9 BPs. Anna won the first set by a single break, but the second set featured 2 breaks apiece, and Sabine won the third by 2 breaks to 0.
The other statistic that jumps out at me is that Anna's second-serve winning-percentage deteriorated from 71% in the first set to 32% for the second and third combined.
First set
---------
CHAKVET _* * *@* * 6
LISICKI * * *___*_ 4
The match was third on Court 18, and not being among the BBC's Freeview-options (it was showing Llodra v Goodall on both BBC 1 and BBC Red Button, instead of showing Anna on one of them ), I had to make do with live scores.
The match started at 15:36 BST, although I missed the first game as Nicole Vaidišová finished losing to Rossana de los Ríos.
Anna serving 0-1: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Sabine serving 1-1: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Anna serving 1-2: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. Held.
Sabine serving 2-2: 15/0. 15/30. 40/30. Held.
The BBC has finally realised that it was showing Llodra v Goodall on two channels, but is now showing Chardy v Roddick instead of this mouthwatering match. The only women's option at this time is that minger Safina v DoMÍNGuez Lino. 
Anna serving 2-3: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Sabine serving 3-3: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
First blood to Anna! 
Anna serving 4-3: 0/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Anna. Held.
Well saved!
Sabine serving 3-5: 30/0. 30/40 (SP #1). Deuce. Ad Sabine. Held.
One set-point saved.
Anna serving 5-4: 40/0 (SP #2). 40/15 (SP #3). 40/30 (SP #4). Anna won the first set 6-4 at 16:18 BST (42m).
The mistake was made today. It did not go out to the public. You'll never know what it was... 
Now the BBC is showing Chardy v Roddick on both BBC 1 and the Red Button instead of joining this match! Apart from not being able to watch Anna, it will also be a shame if Sabine goes out here without ever having been televised by the BBC.
It makes you wonder whether the buffoons controlling the Red Button service are really that incompetent that it takes them half an hour to realise that the same match is on two channels, or whether they've had complaints about interrupting matches "to give you maximum choice", which they've already apologised for a couple of times.
Second set
----------
CHAKVET @* *___*@__*_ 6(4)
LISICKI __* *@*__@* T 7(7)
Sabine serving 0-0: 0/30. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
A set and a break!
Anna serving 1-0: 40/0. Held.
Sabine serving 0-2: 0/15. 30/15. 40/30. Held.
Anna serving 2-1: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Anna. Held.
Sigh... BBC Red Button has finally realised that it was televising Chardy v Roddick on two channels, but instead of joining this match, it's now showing that loser Alex Bogdanović v Lucie Šafářová's boyfriend Tomáš Berdych. 
Sabine serving 1-3: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Anna serving 3-2: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
I do hope 'Chokevetadze' isn't rearing her pretty head here!  Sabine is a great fighter, so Anna has much to worry about now.
Sabine serving 3-3: 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Sabine. Held.
Anna serving 3-4: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
An important hold for Anna, because Sabine has the momentum (not so much now), and I could smell a break at 0/15.
Sabine serving 4-4: 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Anna will serve for the match - yay!
Anna serving 5-4: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Nothing like serving for the match to make 'Chokevetadze' rear her pretty head!
Sabine serving 5-5: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Anna serving 5-6: 0/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Chakvetadze/Lisicki): 0/0*. *1/0. *1/1. 1/2*. 2/2*. *3/2. *4/2. 4/3*. 4/4*. *4/5. *4/6 (SP #1). Sabine won the second set 7-6 (7/4) at 17:09 BST (second set 51m, match so far 1h33m).
Third set
---------
CHAKVET __* *___ 2
LISICKI @* * *@* 6
Anna serving 0-0: 15/0. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Broken.
From *4/2 in the tiebreak, to a break down in the third set just five minutes later!
Sabine serving 1-0: 40/0. Held.
Anna serving 0-2: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Long delay here... Anna is taking a medical time-out according to the live-scores thread <http://www.tennisforum.com/showthread.php?t=382942&page=29>.
Sabine serving 2-1: 0/15. 40/15. 40/30. Held.
Anna serving 1-3: 40/0. Deuce #1. Ad Anna. Deuce #2. Ad Anna. Held.
A very important hold after 40/0. Anna certainly couldn't afford to go two breaks down against Sabine, who has one of the biggest serves in women's tennis.
Sabine serving 3-2: 30/0. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Sabine. Held.
Anna serving 2-4: 15/0. 15/15. 30/15. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Sabine (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Sabine (BP #3). Broken.
Sigh... looks like it's going to be 3:5 for my Eternal Fanship in the first round. 
Sabine serving 5-2: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Deuce. Ad Sabine (MP #1). Sabine won 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 at 17:50 BST (third set 41m, match 2h14m).
---------------------------------------------
7. First-round TV-report: Ivanović v Hradecká (Tuesday 23rd June 2009)
---------------------------------------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Lucie Hradecká [s], 5-7 6-2 8-6
A wonderful match, with both players having two match-points each!
It was my first time to see Hradecká play. She may not be a pretty girl, but she has an attractive Selesian game (two hands both sides).
Hradecká hits the ball very well, but her movement isn't great: specifically when she's stretched wide to her forehand, which she hits cross-handed. But she certainly played with great authority on her serve in the first set, and also troubled Ana with deep returns throughout the match.
Tracy Austin said it was really hard to watch Ana now, because you can see the fear in her eyes. She has the yips on her serve: her toss is all over the place. She also said Ana had no Plan B when things are going wrong.
She said Ana was in two vicious circles in recent months. One is that you need to have confidence to win matches, and you need to win matches to get confidence; the other is that you need to take time away from tennis, but then you feel guilty for doing so.
The key point of the second set came with Ana at *3-2 (30/40). Hradecká hit a forehand smash straight down the middle back to Ana, then hit a wild forehand smash long and wide! For Ana, it was a release of tension; for Hradecká, the wheels fell off mentally and emotionally after that.
Hradecká was hard done by with Ana at *1-2 in the third. At 15/30, Hradecká hit a down-the-line backhand pass past Ana for a winner, had it not missed the baseline by a whisker. On the very next point, Hradecká hit a terrific backhand onto the baseline, but the umpire called it wrong, even though it was clearly on the line.
Hradecká didn't break there as she deserved, and Ana had match-point at *5-4 (40/30). But Hradecká saved it with a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, broke with another forehand winner, and had two match-points of her own at 6-5*.
But Ana responded magnificently to save them - one with a smash-winner - and followed up with a forehand volley-winner and an ace to win that game. She then made a strong finish, breaking to love with a fantastic crosscourt forehand return-winner, and serving it out to 15.
First set
---------
IVANOVIĆ _* * *@__*__ 5
HRADECKÁ * * *__@* *@ 7
Hradecká serving 0-0: held with an ace.
Ana serving 0-1: Hradecká sprayed a forehand wide. 15/0. Backhand return-winner down the line. 15/15. Hradecká went for a crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide. 30/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner back behind Hradecká. 40/15. A deep forehand return down the line forced Ana to earth a backhand. 40/30. Hradecká netted a backhand return.
Hradecká serving 1-1: Hradecká hit a wild forehand wide. 0/15. Hradecká, stretched wide, netted a forehand. 0/30. Deep first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Ana to earth a forehand return. 15/30. Hradecká crosscourt backhand winner. 30/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30. Ana netted a forehand.
Ana serving 1-2: Ana backhand long. 15/0. Hradecká netted a forehand. 15/15. Ana dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 15/30. Ana's forehand forced a skyscraper-lob, which she dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Hradecká mishit a down-the-line forehand into the tramlines - possibly distracted by the large shadow in that corner. 40/30. Ana ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt forehand winner.
Hradecká serving 2-2: Hradecká crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner. 15/0. Hradecká's hard, low-bouncing crosscourt backhand forced Ana to earth a backhand. 40/0. Service-winner.
Ana serving 2-3: Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Hradecká. 30/0. Deep service-winner out wide: on the service-line. 40/0. Service-winner out wide.
Hradecká serving 3-3: Deep serve on the service-line forced Ana to hit a forehand long. 15/0. Hradecká's deep crosscourt forehand forced Ana to bunt a forehand lob long. 30/0. Crosscourt forehand return + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Hradecká. 30/15. Hradecká's crosscourt backhand clipped the netcord and fell wide. 30/30. A lovely rally with Ana at the net finished with her hitting a crosscourt forehand smash-winner. 30/40 (BP). Ana's crosscourt forehand forced Hradecká to do the splits and net a forehand.
Ana serving 4-3: Hradecká's deep forehand return induced Ana to net a forehand. 0/15. Hradecká's deep forehand return forced Ana to slip onto her knees and net a forehand. 0/30. Hradecká forehand just long. 15/30. Hradecká ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand dropshot-winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Forehand return just long. 30/40 (BP #2). A good serve forced a short return... but Ana ballooned a forehand wide - and that's the difference between her now and when she was getting to world #1 (her slump started as soon as she got there by winning the French Open 2008).
Hradecká serving 4-4: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell back on her side). 15/15. Ana, on the fourth stroke, netted a forehand - just guiding it without conviction. 30/15. Hradecká backhand just long. 30/30. Deep service-winner out wide. 40/30. Hradecká crosscourt forehand winner.
Ana serving 4-5: They had to replay the point after an overrule of a call against Hradecká, who then netted a forehand return. 15/0. Ace out wide. 30/0. Hradecká opened up the court beautifully with a crosscourt forehand, and hit an off-forehand winner as Ana slipped over. 30/15. Backhand return long. 40/15. Short-angled serve out wide forced Hradecká to net a forehand return.
Very good response to being *4-5 down.
Hradecká serving 5-5: Hradecká, stretched wide, netted a forehand. 0/15. Serve out wide + forehand winner down Ana's forehand sideline. 15/15. Ana'd deep return forced Hradecká to hit a backhand dropshot (mini-lob) just wide. 15/30. Hradecká's off-forehand forced Ana, with a cute little yelp, to hoist a backhand lob, which Hradecká dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Ana went for a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, but it was just wide. 40/30. Ana netted a forehand.
Ana serving 5-6: Serve out wide, but down-the-line forehand long. 0/15. Virtual ace down the middle. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. Ana mishit a wild backhand very wide. 15/40 (SP #1). Ana sliced a backhand wide. Hradecká won the first set 7-5 at 18:52 (42m).
Tracy Austin said Ana was struggling mentally and emotionally in that game, so Hradecká made her play the ball.
Second set
----------
IVANOVIĆ _* *@*@* 6
HRADECKÁ * *_____ 2
Hradecká serving 0-0: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand forced a short floater from Ana, which Hradecká dispatched with a thumping forehand smash. 30/0. Ana backhand long. 40/0. Ace down the middle.
Ana serving 0-1: Short-angled service-winner out wide. 15/0. Hradecká's deep backhand return induced Ana to mishit a wild off-forehand wide. 15/15. Ana almost netted an easy forehand smash, but hit a backhand drive-volley winner. 30/15. Ana went after a terrible toss on her first serve, then netted a forehand after a woefully short second serve. 30/30. Ana hit a down-the-line forehand winner, but they had to play a let because a ball from an adjacent court dropped onto this one. Body-jamming serve induced Hradecká to net a backhand. 40/30. Double fault (second serve just wide). Deuce. Hradecká forehand return long. Ana said "ajde". Ad Ana. Ace.
Hradecká serving 1-1: First serve out wide: Ana picked off a down-the-line forehand return-winner onto the baseline. 15/0. First serve: Ana netted a forehand return. 15/15. Ana went to the net, but hit a crosscourt forehand volley wide off a hard, dipping backhand pass down the line from Hradecká. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Ace down the middle.
Ana's mishitting so many balls today, and playing without conviction. There was a flash of the old brilliance in the first point of that game, but it was only a flash.
Ana serving 1-2: Deep first serve forced a floater-return, which Ana dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Serve out wide + off-forehand back behind Hradecká forced her to hit a backhand lob long. 30/0. Deep serve induced Hradecká to hit a forehand return long. 40/0. Ace down the middle: on the sideline.
Hradecká serving 2-2 (new balls): Deep return induced Hradecká to hit a backhand long. 0/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/30. Hradecká's crosscourt backhand lob forced a short, weak ball from Ana, which Hradecká dispatched with an easy backhand winner down the line. 15/30. Hradecká netted a backhand. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve long).
Hradecká's first really bad game of the match. She's now looking up at her coach between points, which is always a bad sign.
Ana serving 3-2: Ana netted a forehand. 0/15. Ace out wide. 15/15. Hradecká's deep ball onto the baseline forced Ana to mishit a forehand wide. 15/30. Ana forehand just long. She complained, even though it was clearly long. 15/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide: Hradecká hit a big forehand return long. 30/40 (BP #2). Hradecká hit a beautiful off-forehand onto the off-forehand, followed by a forehand smash down the middle, but it came back and she hit a wild forehand smash long and wide! Nice to see Hradecká smiling about that one. Deuce #1. Ana forehand just long. Ad Hradecká (BP #3). Hradecká ran down a dropshot, but netted a one-handed sliced backhand. Deuce #2. Hradecká's deep return forced Ana to bunt an off-backhand wide on her side of the net. Ad Hradecká (BP #4). Serve out wide + off-forehand forced Hradecká to net a backhand lob. Deuce #3. Service-winner out wide. Ad Ana. Hradecká forehand long.
That 30/40 point with Hradecká's missed smash could well prove to be the point that decided the winner. For Ana, it was a release of tension; for Hradecká, the wheels have fallen off mentally and emotionally.
Hradecká serving 2-4: Ana crosscourt forehand return-winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. Hradecká netted a backhand. 0/30. First serve out wide: Ana netted a makeable forehand return. 15/30. Ana backhand dropshot-winner down the line forced an airshot from Hradecká. 15/40 (BP #1). Deep service-winner: Ana's lob-return landed just long. 30/40 (BP #2). Double fault (second serve long).
Ana serving 5-2: Ana's crosscourt forehand induced Hradecká to hit one wide. 15/0. Double fault. 15/15. Hradecká's deep forehand return induced Ana to hit a forehand wide. 15/30. Hradecká played a beautiful backhand dropshot + backhand lob-winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Ana's short-angled crosscourt forehand was a virtual winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Service-winner down the middle. Ad Ana (SP #1). Hradecká crosscourt forehand winner. Deuce #2. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. Ad Ana (SP #2). Deep first serve down the middle (on the service-line) + crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner + "ajde". Ana won the second set 6-2 at 19:30 BST (second set 38m, match so far 1h20m).
Third set
---------
IVANOVIĆ _* * * *@__*@* 8
HRADECKÁ * * * *__@*___ 6
Hradecká serving 0-0: Ana dumped a wild forehand into the bottom of the net. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Ana dumped a backhand return halfway up the net. 40/0. Hradecká hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Ana to hit a crosscourt forehand wide.
Barry Davies: "Just when Ivanović thought things were going to work out okay, a little reminder from Hradecká that she's still around."
Ana serving 0-1: Service-winner. 15/0. Ace down the middle + "ajde". 30/0. Service-winner down the middle. 40/0. Hradecká slapped a forehand halfway up the net.
Hradecká serving 1-1: Ana's crosscourt forehand forced Hradecká to earth a forehand. 0/15. Ana backhand return long - she thought the serve was long. 15/15. Hradecká mishit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Hradecká spread Ana with a crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand, forcing her to stretch wide and net a backhand. 30/30. Ana netted a forehand return. 40/30. Hradecká dead netcord backhand winner.
Ana serving 1-2: Ana sliced a backhand into the net. 0/15. Hradecká netted a backhand return. 15/15. Ana completely mishit a forehand into the turf. 15/30. In a nailbiting rally, Ana went to the net and watched Hradecká's backhand pass miss the baseline by a whisker. 30/30. Hradecká hit a terrific backhand onto the baseline, but it was called long by the umpire. The video-replay showed that it clearly hit the baseline, so that umpire should be sacked. 40/30. Ana, driven wide by Hradecká's crosscourt backhand return, netted a backhand. Deuce. Hradecká netted a backhand return. Ad Ana. Hradecká off-forehand just wide.
I have to say: Hradecká was really hard-done-by in that game. She would have had break-points at 15/40 had that pass just caught the baseline, and was clearly robbed by the umpire on the next point. As much as I like Ana as a demi-fan, I think Hradecká should be a break up right now.
Hradecká serving 2-2: Serve out wide + backhand winner down the line. 15/0. Hradecká's deep backhand forced Ana to hit a forehand wide. 30/0. Hradecká crosscourt forehand winner. 40/0. Ana's deep crosscourt backhand return induced Hradecká to net a backhand. 40/15. Deep service-winner out wide.
Ana serving 2-3: Ana, on the third stroke, hit a wild forehand long. 0/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 15/15. Ana's off-forehand forced Hradecká to hit a backhand into the bottom of the net. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Hradecká netted a forehand return.
Hradecká serving 3-3: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Ana forehand just long. 30/0. Ana netted a forehand off a short ball. 40/0. Hradecká forehand smash-winner.
Ana serving 3-4: Ace. 15/0. Deep first serve: forehand return just long. 30/0. First serve out wide: forehand return long. 40/0. Ana ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt forehand winner.
Hradecká serving 4-4: Serve out wide, but crosscourt backhand just wide. 0/15. Ana had the initiative but held back on her forehand, and Hradecká hit a pinpoint backhand virtual winner down the line. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. Hradecká netted a forehand that I think she'll be very disappointed about. 15/40 (BP). Ana forced a short ball, hit a crosscourt forehand winner into the corner, and shouted "ajde!"
Ana serving 5-4: Hradecká hit a huge backhand return-winner down Ana's backhand-sideline. 0/15. A crosscourt-backhand drill ended with Hradecká hitting one wide. Another loud "ajde" from Ana. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Ana thought she hit an ace down the middle, and celebrated with a fist-pump, but it was just long. She hit her second serve into the net for a double fault. 30/30. Service-winner out wide. 40/30 (Ana MP #1). Hradecká hit a forehand return onto the baseline(!) + forehand winner down Ana's forehand-sideline. Deuce. Hradecká's deep return induced Ana to spray a backhand long. Ad Hradecká (BP). Hradecká hit a crosscourt forehand winner back behind Ana, who slipped over.
One match-point saved, and as much as I like Ana as a demi-fan, I can't help feeling that was justice for Hradecká after her earlier misfortunes. Ana paid the price for her premature celebration at 30/15.
Hradecká serving 5-5: Hradecká off-forehand winner. 15/0. Ana forehand just long. 30/0. Double fault #7 (second serve just long). 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Ana just long.
Ana serving 5-6: Ana dumped a forehand into the bottom of the net. 0/15. Hradecká off-forehand just wide... but it was called good, so they had to replay the point after Ana complained. Hradecká netted a forehand return. 15/15. Hradecká's crosscourt forehand forced Ana to net a forehand. 15/30. A nailbiting rally - one that could have seen Ana facing two match-points down - ended with Ana forcing a short ball and hitting an off-forehand winner, and shouting "ajde". 30/30. Ana went to the net behind a short backhand down the line, and Hradecká netted a forehand pass. 40/30. Hradecká hit a pinpoint off-forehand winner onto the sideline. Deuce #1. Double fault (second serve just long). Ad Hradecká (MP #1). Tentative first serve down the middle: Hradecká netted a makeable forehand return. Deuce #2. Ana sprayed a wild forehand wide. Ad Hradecká (MP #2). Ana forced a floater from Hradecká, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner. Deuce #3. Ana went to the net and hit a forehand volley-winner. Ad Ana. Ace down the middle.
Amazing game. Two match-points saved by Ana after having her own at *5-4, and great quality at the critical moments too. I'm reminded of the match of Wimbledon 2007: Ivanović v Vaidišová.
Hradecká serving 6-6: Hradecká netted a forehand. 0/15. Hradecká netted a backhand. 0/30. Ana's deep ball had Hradecká on her knees to hit a forehand long. 0/40 (BP). Ana hit a fantastic crosscourt forehand return-winner.
Ana's terrific response to being match-points down continues.
Ana serving 7-6: Serve out wide + off-forehand induced Hradecká to net a backhand. 15/0. Backhand return wide. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. Ana forehand netcord-winner. 40/15 (Ana MP #2). Hradecká went for a big crosscourt forehand return-winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide. Ana won 5-7 6-2 8-6 at 20:23 BST (third set 53m, match 2h13m).
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8. Second-round draw
--------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
Top half
--------
* Rossana de los Ríos v DINARA SAFINA [1] (Ąvamos Rossana!)
* Elena Baltacha [WC] v Kirsten Flipkens (my loyalty is to Elena)
* Kristína Kučová [LL,S] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (poďme Kristína!)
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v Vania King (forza Flavia!)
* Maria Kirilenko [DF] v CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] (my loyalty is to Maria)
* ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] v Tathiana Garbin (Ąvamos Anabel!)
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v Patricia Mayr (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* Pauline Parmentier v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5]
* Kateryna Bondarenko v VENUS WILLIAMS [3] (davai Kateryna!)
* Ekaterina Makarova v Carla Suárez Navarro (davai Ekaterina!)
* SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] v Tatjana Malek [Q] (my Passion says Tatjana, but my Reason says Samantha)
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v Sara Errani (ajde Ana!)
* Peng,Shuai [s] v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] (jia you Shuai!)
* Olga Govortsova v LI,NA [19] (davai Olga!)
* Yaroslava Shvedova v Melanie Oudin [Q] (davai Yaroslava!)
* Iveta Benešová v JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] (pojďme Iveta!)
Bottom half (Vera Zvonarëva, Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchová)
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* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Mathilde Johansson (my loyalty is to VERA)
* Jill Craybas v VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
* Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] v Francesca Schiavone (vamos Michelle!)
* MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] v Timea Bacsinszky (my loyalty is to Marion)
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] v Urszula Radwańska (my loyalty is to Domi)
* Elena Vesnina v Vera Dushevina (davai Elena!)
* ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27] v Regina Kulikova [Q]
* Aravane Rezaď v ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] (my loyalty is to Aravane)
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v Ioana Raluca Olaru (my Passion says Raluca, but my Reason says Victoria)
* Sania Mirza [DF] v SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] (my loyalty is to Sania)
* MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] v Gisela Dulko [DF] (my loyalty is to MARIA)
* Shahar Pe'er v NADIA PETROVA [10] (kadima Shahar!)
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v ZHENG,JIE [16] (my loyalty is to DANIELA)
* Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] v Ai Sugiyama (Ąvamos Arantxa!)
* Roberta Vinci v ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31] (forza Roberta!)
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v Jarmila Groth
----------------------------------------------
9. Second-round preview: Zvonarëva v Johansson
----------------------------------------------
Vera has never played Mathilde Johansson before. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be worried for Vera, but the way she was moving in her first-round match with her injured right ankle, I don't fancy her chances against the world #86.
Although Johansson is now 24, she doesn't have much experience on grass, having failed to qualify for Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007; in 2008, she successfully qualified, but lost 6-7 7-5 6-3 to world #4 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round.
Johansson has a poor 9:14 record for 2009 so far. She reached the second round of the Australian Open by beating #65 Jill Craybas 6-2 1-6 7-5, but lost 6-3 4-6 6-3 to #21 Daniela Hantuchová.
Johansson reached the quarter-finals of Bogotá by beating players ranked #165 and #181, then was thrashed 6-1 6-2 by #46 Gisela Dulko.
Johansson also reached the quarter-finals of Acapulco, beating #95 Rossana de los Ríos 6-4 6-1, and receiving a walkover in the second round. She lost 6-1 6-3 to #34 Iveta Benešová.
Johansson reached the second round of Miami, beating #100 Sania Mirza 1-6 7-6 7-6, and losing 6-1 6-3 to #2 Dinara Safina.
But her recent results have been poorer: in fact she came into Wimbledon on a 5-match losing-streak. She lost in the first round of the French Open 2-6 6-2 10-8 to #153 Vitalia Diatchenko after squandering EIGHT match-points!
She followed that up with a 6-0 6-2 loss to #124 Klára Zakopalová in the first round of ITF Marseille (clay).
She has reached the second round of Wimbledon with a 7-5 7-6 (7/5) win over British wild card Melanie South - despite squandering a match-point at *5-4 in the second.
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10. Andrew's wishes (updated after Tuesday)
-------------------
Third-round wishes
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+ Elena Baltacha [WC] d. Rossana de los Ríos
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Kristína Kučová [LL,S]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20]
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. Pauline Parmentier
+ Ekaterina Makarova d. Kateryna Bondarenko
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18]
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. Olga Govortsova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Yaroslava Shvedova
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Jill Craybas
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Elena Vesnina
+ Aravane Rezaď d. ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27]
+ Sania Mirza [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Shahar Pe'er
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S]
+ Roberta Vinci d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Elena Baltacha [WC]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. Sabine Lisicki [DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Ekaterina Makarova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Peng,Shuai [s]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Aravane Rezaď
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Sania Mirza [DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Roberta Vinci
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Iveta Benešová
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14]
+ MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] d. Daniela Hantuchová [EF] (my Passion says Daniela, but my Reason says Maria)
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF]
Vera deserves to be in the final after her excellent progress in the last eleven months, and the unbelievable bad luck with the ankle-injury.
Final-wish
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+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Maria Kirilenko [DF]
-------------------------------
11. Order of play for Wednesday
-------------------------------
Courts on which members of my Eternal Fanship are playing singles:
Centre Court (start 13:00 BST = 12:00 GMT)
WS 2r: MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] v Gisela Dulko [DF]
MS 2r: Guillermo García-López v ROGER FEDERER [2]
MS 2r: Sam Querrey v MARIN ČILIĆ [11]
Court 3 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 2r: Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v ZHENG,JIE [16]
MS 2r: FERNANDO VERDASCO [7] v Kristof Vliegen
MS 2r: Simone Bolelli v JO-WILFRIED TSONGA [9]
WD 1r: Naomi Cavaday/Katie O'Brien v Mariya Koryttseva/Tatiana Poutchek
Sigh... another clash between Daniela and Maria, unless Daniela can go through Zheng in less than an hour (or vice versa ), or it rains for long enough for Maria to play under the Centre Court roof (not what the forecast says).
Court 18 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 2r: Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] v Ai Sugiyama
MS 2r: Guillermo Cańas v ALBERT MONTAŃÉS [32]
WS 2r: VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Mathilde Johansson
MS 2r: Vincent Spadea v IGOR ANDREEV [29]
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jun 25th, 2009, 04:08 AM
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#5
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 3
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Second-round results
3. Second-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Zheng
4. Second-round TV-report: Sharapova v Dulko
5. Second-round scoreboard-report: Zvonarëva v Johansson
6. Second-round draw
7. Andrew's wishes
8. Order of play for Thursday
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1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Wednesday:
sharapova
zvonareva
hantuchova
dulko
mirza
bartoli
azarenka
cibulkova
vesnina
olaru
cirstea
radwanska
johansson
parra santonja
dementieva
rezai
zheng
larcher de brito
-----------------------
2. Second-round results (Wednesday 24th June 2009)
-----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
- MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] lt. Gisela Dulko [DF], 2-6 6-3 4-6
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Mathilde Johansson, 6-1 6-3
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Timea Bacsinszky, 7-5 6-1
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. Ioana Raluca Olaru, 6-0 6-0
- Sania Mirza [DF] lt. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28], 4-6 4-6
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Urszula Radwańska, 6-2 6-4
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Aravane Rezaď, 6-1 6-3
What rocked:
+ Elena Vesnina d. Vera Dushevina, 6-3 6-4
+ Roberta Vinci d. ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA [31], 6-4 7-6 (8/6)
What sucked:
- Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S] lt. Ai Sugiyama, 6-7 (5/7) 3-6
- Shahar Pe'er lt. NADIA PETROVA [10], 3-6 2-6
- Michelle Larcher de Brito [WC] lt. Francesca Schiavone, 6-7 (2/7) 6-7 (4/7)
All other results:
+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. Jarmila Groth, 6-2 6-1
+ VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26] d. Jill Craybas, 6-3 6-0
+ Regina Kulikova [Q] d. ALISA KLEYBANOVA [27], 0-6 6-4 6-1
---------------------------------------------
3. Second-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Zheng (Wednesday 24th June 2009)
---------------------------------------------
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5
A pleasing win over last year's semi-finalist, and I got to watch it on BBC Red Button until 6-3 1-1*, when the bustards who control it decided that some men's match was more important.
Daniela made a slow start to go *0-2 down, not moving or hitting the ball particularly well. She's a tall girl, and it takes a while for everything to start flowing in the right direction.
Zheng was moving well and taking the ball early, and she consolidated her break to lead 3-1*.
But Daniela won the last five games of the first set. Her good serve set up forehand winners; she also found some great depth on her groundstrokes, which induced Zheng to make semi-forced errors.
Daniela squandered four break-back points at 2-3*, but saved Zheng's game-point with a backhand return-winner down the line, and her deep, error-inducing groundstrokes saw her earn and convert a fifth break-point to make it 3-3*.
Daniela held for 4-3* with the help of a serve + forehand winner, then Zheng made four unforced errors to give her *5-3.
Serving for the first set, Daniela started with a very confident crosscourt backhand winner, but had to recover from 15/30. A body-jamming service-winner gave her set-point (40/30), and she converted it with a serve + crosscourt forehand winner.
The BBC also showed Daniela's match-point: she sealed victory with a splendid spreading rally: crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand + forehand drop-volley winner.
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 30th August 2009).
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4. Second-round TV-report: Sharapova v Dulko (Wednesday 24th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------
- MARIA SHARAPOVA [24,EF] lt. Gisela Dulko [DF], 2-6 6-3 4-6
It was an unbelievable performance by Gisela, and an amazing match in terms of the calibre of play and the drama of the contest. It was one of the greatest matches of all time - certainly greater than the Wimbledon 2008 Nadal v Federer final, for example. And that's before we even consider that it was between two very beautiful ladies!
It's just a tremendous shame that it ended in the elimination of Maria - who won Wimbledon 2004 at the age of 17 - in the second round for the second year in a row. It was certainly worthy of a Major final, rather than the continuation of Maria's abnormal, embarrassing post-2006 Wimbledon-results.
In a nutshell: Gisela played an amazing first set, her bubble burst in the second set, and Maria got tired in the third.
Gisela made an unbelievable start to lead 6-2 3-0*. Playing with dreamlike confidence, she served with pinpoint accuracy, and hit plenty of forehand winners, including several one-two punches (serve + forehand winner).
Every set ended with an amazing game. When Maria served to stay in the first set at *2-5, she recovered from 15/30 with a dropshot-winner, reached game-point (40/30) with a serve + forehand winner, and Gisela needed two set-points - she converted the second with a crosscourt forehand winner after an amazing rally.
Gisela's bubble burst at 6-2 *3-1, when a wild forehand gave Maria 15/40. Maria went to the net, slipped as she mishit a forehand volley, but Gisela netted a makeable forehand pass.
Maria raised her game to a new level of intensity and aggression, and Gisela served a quadruple fault to get broken for 3-4*.
Gisela at *3-5 led 40/15, but was upset about missing an easy forehand, then Maria hit a stunning crosscourt forehand return-winner, and another down the line to reach set-point. In fact she needed four set-points before Gisela netted a forehand to give Maria the second set.
It seemed inevitable that Maria would prevail in the third set, as she had all the momentum in her favour after winning the last six games of the second. But she looked very tired after the intensity of the second set, and Gisela made her do a lot of running throughout the match: especially running forward for dropshots.
Maria had the first break-point of the third set at 1-0*, but Gisela saved it with a serve + forehand winner, and Maria got broken in the next game on a double fault to give Gisela *2-1.
Maria - like all great champions - broke back immediately, but a quadruple fault at the start of *2-2 suggested that she was really tired. She recovered from 15/40 with an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, and held for 3-2*.
Maria had 0/30 on Gisela's serve, but Gisela recovered, and held for 3-3* with a backpedalling forehand smash-winner, and a backhand pass-winner down the line.
Maria served another quadruple fault to trail *3-3 (0/40), and Gisela broke for *4-3 with an error-forcing dropshot. Gisela then got the better of some chess-like rallies - including one in which she picked off Maria's crosscourt forehand pass to hit a volley-winner - to hold for 5-3*.
Maria played a good service-game to hold to 15 for 4-5*, but what followed was one of the most amazing games I've ever seen.
Gisela won two amazing rallies and hit a forehand winner to reach her first match-points at 40/15. Maria saved the second with a dropshot-winner!! She also saved Gisela's third match-point with an unbelievable down-the-line backhand return-winner onto the sideline!!
At Deuce #4, Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but Gisela used Hawk-Eye to show that it was, in fact, wide. This gave Gisela her fifth match-point, which she converted when Maria hit a forehand over the baseline.
The way I felt immediately after the match confirms that while I am a demi-fan of Gisela, I'm not about to induct her into my Eternal Fanship. I like Gisela's looks and adorable personality, I appreciate her brilliant tennis in this match, but at the end, I felt just as depressed as I always do when Maria loses at Wimbledon - the fact that it was to Gisela did nothing to prevent my lunch from turning to ashes in my mouth.
Maria: "It was unfortunate, the timing of this being only my fourth tournament since the injury, but that is just the way it is. Just being here is a wonderful accomplishment, and I had the pleasure of playing on Centre Court again - I didn't play on it last year. I enjoy every single minute of this event.
"The losses are tough - more here than anywhere else - and it is tough to put the injury out of your mind."
Gisela: "That's the biggest win of my career. It has come in the most important tournament for me, and to beat Maria is a great day for me. She took her chance, and I didn't play very well in the second set. I was really nervous at the end, and wanted to finish there and not go to 5-5."
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 27th September 2009).
--------------------------------------------------------
5. Second-round scoreboard-report: Zvonarëva v Johansson (Wednesday 24th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Mathilde Johansson, 6-1 6-3
A very satisfactory result for Vera after her desperate struggle in the first round, although it does nothing to allay my worries about her fitness (after tearing two ligaments in her right ankle in April) and her terrible third-round draw (Virginie Razzano). Her arms and legs look so thin and weak in the photos from this match.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch the match, as the BBC decided it was more important to have a lengthy discussion about the state of British tennis, show Querrey v Čilić on two channels, and even show an all-British doubles-match instead of the goddess that is the seventh seed!
The first set was one-way traffic, while the second had its moments of concern as Vera squandered a break-point at 2-1*, and broke for *4-2 but was broken back immediately. But she broke for *5-3 after a game of two deuces, then served out to love.
What jumps out from the statistics is that Johansson was much more aggressive - and erratic - with a W:UE of 23:33 to Vera's 10:8, and winning 15 of 22 points at the net to Vera's 3 of 4.
Vera broke 5 times from 12 BPs, while Johansson converted only one of 8 BPs (she wasted 5 BPs in the fourth game).
First set
---------
ZVONARËVA @*@* *@ 6
JOHANSSON ____*__ 1
The match was third on Court 18, and started at 16:54 BST (to the ignoration of the BBC, who are currently showing García-López v Federer, Haas v Llodra and Pavlyuchenkova v Vinci on Freeview).
Johansson serving 0-0: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Vera serving 1-0: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Held.
Johansson serving 0-2: 0/40 (BP #1). 15/40 (BP #2). Broken.
No problems for Vera so far, which is surprising after her struggle against Stoop. She didn't break too often in that match, but she's already broken Johansson twice.
Vera serving 3-0: 0/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Johansson (BP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Johansson (BP #3). Deuce #3. Ad Johansson (BP #4). Deuce #4. Ad Johansson (BP #5). Deuce #5. Ad Vera. Deuce #6. Ad Vera. Held.
Five break-points saved, and still on for the double bagel.
Johansson serving 0-4: 30/0. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce. Ad Johansson. Held.
Vera serving 4-1: 0/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.
Johansson serving 1-5: 15/0. 15/15. 40/15. Deuce. Ad Vera (SP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Vera (SP #2). Deuce #3. Ad Vera (SP #3). Deuce #4. Ad Johansson. Deuce #5. Ad Vera. She won the first set 6-1 at 17:32 BST (38m).
Currently, the BBC is showing Querrey v Čilić and Pavlyuchenkova v Vinci on the Red Button, while on BBC 1, they're wasting time talking about the state of British tennis!
Second set
----------
ZVONARËVA * * *@ @* 6
JOHANSSON _* *__@__ 3
Vera serving 0-0: 30/0. 30/15. 40/15. Held.
Johansson serving 0-1: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Vera serving 1-1: 40/0. Held.
Now that Pavlyuchenkova v Vinci is over, that channel is now showing Curtis/Smith v Robson/Stoop, while both BBC 1 and the other Red Button channel are now showing Querrey v Čilić!
Johansson serving 1-2: 0/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad Vera (BP). Deuce #2. Ad Johansson. Held.
A 0/30 opening and break-point wasted. It's important for Vera to win in two quick sets if her movement is going to deteriorate as it did on Monday.
Vera serving 2-2: 40/0. Held.
Johansson serving 2-3: 0/15. 15/15. 15/30. 30/30. 30/40 (BP). Broken.
Vera serving 4-2: 0/30. 15/30. 15/40 (BPx2). Deuce. Ad Johansson (BP #3). Broken.
Vera's break is snuffed out immediately, and she's in danger of handing over the whole momentum of this match to Johansson right now.
Johansson serving 3-4: 15/15. 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Deuce #1. Ad Vera (BP #1). Deuce #2. Ad Vera (BP #2). Broken.
Very important that Vera broke there to reestablish her momentum. Serving for the match is just the icing on the cake.
Vera serving 5-3: 40/0 (MP #1). Vera won 6-1 6-3 at 18:09 BST (second set 37m, match 1h17m).
I did at least see the match-point in a BBC round-up: Vera's deep serve out wide (on the service-line) + deep forehand down the line induced Johansson to hit a backhand long.
--------------------
6. Second-round draw
--------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
Top half
--------
* Rossana de los Ríos v DINARA SAFINA [1] (Ąvamos Rossana!)
* Elena Baltacha [WC] v Kirsten Flipkens (my loyalty is to Elena)
* Kristína Kučová [LL,S] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (poďme Kristína!)
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v Vania King (forza Flavia!)
* Maria Kirilenko [DF] v CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] (my loyalty is to Maria)
* ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] v Tathiana Garbin (Ąvamos Anabel!)
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v Patricia Mayr (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* Pauline Parmentier v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5]
* Kateryna Bondarenko v VENUS WILLIAMS [3] (davai Kateryna!)
* Ekaterina Makarova v Carla Suárez Navarro (davai Ekaterina!)
* SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] v Tatjana Malek [Q] (my Passion says Tatjana, but my Reason says Samantha)
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v Sara Errani (ajde Ana!)
* Peng,Shuai [s] v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] (jia you Shuai!)
* Olga Govortsova v LI,NA [19] (davai Olga!)
* Yaroslava Shvedova v Melanie Oudin [Q] (davai Yaroslava!)
* Iveta Benešová v JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] (pojďme Iveta!)
Bottom half (Vera Zvonarëva, Daniela Hantuchová)
-----------
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] won
* VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
* Francesca Schiavone won
* MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] won
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] won
* Elena Vesnina won
* Regina Kulikova [Q] won
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] won
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] won
* SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] won
* Gisela Dulko [DF] won
* NADIA PETROVA [10] won
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] won
* Ai Sugiyama won
* Roberta Vinci won
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] won
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7. Andrew's wishes (updated after Wednesday)
------------------
Third-round wishes
------------------
+ Elena Baltacha [WC] d. Rossana de los Ríos
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Kristína Kučová [LL,S]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20]
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. Pauline Parmentier
+ Ekaterina Makarova d. Kateryna Bondarenko
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18]
+ Peng,Shuai [s] d. Olga Govortsova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Yaroslava Shvedova
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
+ MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] d. Francesca Schiavone
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. Elena Vesnina
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Regina Kulikova [Q]
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28]
+ Gisela Dulko [DF] d. NADIA PETROVA [10]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Ai Sugiyama
+ Roberta Vinci d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Elena Baltacha [WC]
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. Sabine Lisicki [DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Ekaterina Makarova
+ Iveta Benešová d. Peng,Shuai [s]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
+ Gisela Dulko [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Roberta Vinci
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Iveta Benešová
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Gisela Dulko [DF]
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ Maria Kirilenko [DF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Daniela Hantuchová [EF]
It's very tough for me to choose between Vera and Daniela now that Big Maria is out, but I still stand by what I said from the start: Vera deserves to be in the final after her excellent progress in the last eleven months, and the unbelievable bad luck with the ankle-injury.
Final-wish
----------
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Maria Kirilenko [DF]
-----------------------------
8. Order of play for Thursday
-----------------------------
Centre Court (start 13:00 BST = 12:00 GMT)
MS 2r: Lleyton Hewitt v JUAN MARTÍN DEL POTRO [5]
WS 2r: Maria Kirilenko [DF] v CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9]
MS 2r: ANDY MURRAY [3] v Ernests Gulbis
I'm very disappointed that Wimbledon continues to schedule one women's three-set match (albeit a very attractive one) with two men's five-set matches on Centre Court. Now that there's a roof, there's no excuse not to schedule two or even three women's matches on Centre Court.
And why does Centre Court always finish with a men's match prior to the quarter-finals? Why should the women be denied those late-night thrillers that draw the biggest audiences and the best atmosphere? Will the scheduling change when Andy Murray has retired, leaving Laura Robson as the only great Briton?
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 26th, 2009 at 01:16 AM.
Reason: minor correction
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Jun 26th, 2009, 05:01 AM
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#6
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 4
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Second-round results
3. Second-round mini TV-report: Stosur v Malek
4. Second-round TV-report: Ivanović v Errani
5. Second-round TV-report: Kirilenko v Wozniacki
6. Third-round draw
7. Third-round preview: Zvonarëva v Razzano
8. Third-round preview: Hantuchová v Sugiyama
9. Andrew's wishes
10. Order of play for Friday
---------
1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Thursday:
maria kirilenko
ivanovic
pennetta
lisicki
wozniacki
benesova
shvedova
kucova
peng
errani
malek
cartwright
-----------------------
2. Second-round results (Thursday 25th June 2009)
-----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
- Maria Kirilenko [DF] lt. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9], 0-6 4-6
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Sara Errani, 7-5 6-1
+ Kirsten Flipkens d. Elena Baltacha [WC], 7-5 6-1
+ SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] d. Tatjana Malek [Q], 4-6 7-6 (8/6) 6-4
What rocked:
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Vania King, 6-2 6-2
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. Patricia Mayr, 6-2 6-4
+ ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] d. Tathiana Garbin, 7-6 (7/5) 6-3
What sucked:
- Kristína Kučová [LL,S] lt. AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17], 3-6 3-6
- Yaroslava Shvedova lt. Melanie Oudin [Q], 6-3 2-6 4-6
- Iveta Benešová lt. JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6], 2-6 4-6
- Peng,Shuai [s] lt. AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11], 2-6 7-6 (8/6) 7-9
- Olga Govortsova lt. LI,NA [19], 4-6 2-6
- Kateryna Bondarenko lt. VENUS WILLIAMS [3], 3-6 2-6
- Rossana de los Ríos lt. DINARA SAFINA [1], 3-6 5-7
- Ekaterina Makarova lt. Carla Suárez Navarro, 5-7 6-4 1-6
- Michael Jackson died
All other results:
+ SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5] d. Pauline Parmentier, 6-1 6-3
----------------------------------------------
3. Second-round mini TV-report: Stosur v Malek (Thursday 25th June 2009)
----------------------------------------------
+ SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] d. Tatjana Malek [Q], 4-6 7-6 (8/6) 6-4
I watched this match casually on BBC 2. Stosur has an excellent game for grass - a serve-and-volleyer with a big serve - but she played very poorly here. I expected much more from her after her French Open semi-final and 6-2 6-1 thrashing of Sabine Lisicki at Eastbourne. The reasons for her poor Wimbledon-record can surely only be mental.
Malek is a mildly attractive girl, who did nothing special in tennis-terms from what I saw of this match (I started watching it at *3-2 in the first set, and stopped early in the second). The only thing that really sticks in my memory is that she hit a lot of sliced backhands - to mess up Stosur's rhythm rather than go to the net behind them, which is the only valid use for sliced backhands in attractive tennis.
It was a boring match, and would have been so much better had Jelena Dokić come through the first round instead of Malek!
I wrote all of the above before I stopped watching it: when Stosur was trailing 4-6 *1-3. She also trailed *2-4 in the second set, *0/4 in the tiebreak, and *1-4 in the third set, so it was a pretty amazing turnaround!
--------------------------------------------
4. Second-round TV-report: Ivanović v Errani (Thursday 25th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Sara Errani, 7-5 6-1
A far-from-convincing win for the French Open 2008 champion, who was world #1 this time last year.
Ana is playing with a lot of pressure and fear at the moment - she complained in a panicky voice about two calls in the first two games, which she lost to go *0-2 down.
In a streaky first set, Ana won the next three games to lead 3-2*, lost the next three to go *3-5 down, then won the next six (saving four break-points at *5-5) to lead 7-5 2-0*.
Ana beat Errani at the French Open, but while I tend to think of Errani as a clay-court counterpuncher, when she does hit a sliced backhand on grass, it stays low and does a lot of damage to a tall girl such as Ana.
Ana cruised through the second set 6-1, but that was largely because Errani's form deteriorated.
First set
---------
IVANOV __*@*___*@*@ 7
ERRANI @*___*@*____ 5
The match was second on Court 18, and started at 14:37 BST.
Ana serving 0-0: Ana went to the net, but a dipping pass forced her to hit a backhand half-volley long. 15/0. First serve: forehand return long. 15/15. Ana netted a backhand. 15/30. Serve + deep forehand forced Errani to net a backhand. 30/30. Ana off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). Ana forehand just long. She complained to the umpire in a panicky voice.
Errani serving 1-0: Ana sprayed a forehand long. 15/0. Errani netted a backhand. 15/15. Ana forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner. 15/30. Errani forced a very short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner. Ana complained again. David Mercer: "It shows her mental state that she's got involved in two rows, and we're only in the second game!" 30/30. Ana crosscourt forehand + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Errani. 30/40 (BP). Ana got jammed and netted an off-forehand - poor footwork. Deuce. Ana ran down a dropshot, but hit a backhand wide. Ad Errani. Ana sprayed a wild forehand very long.
Ana serving 0-2: Errani netted an off-forehand. 15/0. Ace #1: down the middle. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Errani to hit a forehand return wide right. 40/0. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner.
A much better game by Ana after a horrendous first two.
Errani serving 1-2: Ana netted a forehand return. 15/0. Errani netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Errani backhand wide. 30/30. Errani forced a short ball and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Ana crosscourt backhand winner. Deuce. Ana went to the net, and got away with an indecisive volley as Errani hit a makeable forehand lob very long. Ad Ana (BP). Ana's crosscourt forehand forced Errani to net a forehand.
Ana serving 2-2: Errani off-backhand return wide. 15/0. Errani netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 30/0. Errani forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand - her forehand is quite a weapon. 30/15. Service-winner out wide (108mph). 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Errani serving 2-3: Ana netted a forehand return. 15/0. Ana crosscourt forehand return + off-forehand winner. 15/15. A short serve went unpunished as Ana hit a loose forehand return very long. 30/15. Ana got jammed as she ran around her backhand, forcing herself to net a forehand. 40/15. Ana hit a huge off-forehand return-winner onto the baseline. 40/30. Ana netted a backhand.
Ana serving 3-3: Ana went to the net behind a short approach, giving Errani an easy backhand down the line pass-winner. 0/15. Ana netted a backhand on the third stroke. 0/30. Ana went to the net, but hit a backhand volley just long. 0/40 (BP #1). Ana off-forehand + off-forehand winner back behind Errani. 15/40 (BP #2). Ace out wide. 30/40 (BP #3). Errani's deep return - just inside the baseline - forced Ana to net a forehand.
Errani serving 4-3: Ana forced a short ball, but netted a forehand volley. 15/0. Errani crosscourt backhand + backhand volley-winner down the line. 30/0. Ana down-the-line backhand wide. 40/0. Errani's sliced backhand forced Ana to net a forehand.
Ana serving 3-5: Ana glided into the net beautifully and hit an off-forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Ana netted a backhand. 15/15. Ana's depth forced Errani to bunt a backhand lob wide right. 30/15. Ana netted a backhand. 30/30. Ana's depth forced Errani to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Ana ended up all at sea at the net; Errani hit a backhand pass-winner. Deuce. Ace #3: out wide + "ajde". Ad Ana. Serve + off-forehand winner.
Errani serving 5-4: Ana off-forehand + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. Ana netted a backhand. 15/15. Ana's deep forehand forced Errani to hit one long. 15/30. Errani forehand just long. 15/40 (BP). Double fault (Errani went after a wild toss and hit her second serve wide - what the heck was she thinking?).
Ana serving 5-5: Ana crosscourt forehand just wide. 0/15. Errani forehand dropshot-winner. 0/30. Ana netted a forehand, and doubled over. 0/40 (BP #1). Service-winner down the middle. 15/40 (BP #2). Ana crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #3). Serve down the middle + off-forehand winner. Deuce #1. Errani forehand dropshot-winner; she celebrated with a shout. Ad Errani (BP #4). First serve out wide: Errani netted a makeable backhand return. Deuce #2. Service-winner down the middle. Ad Ana. Errani netted a forehand return.
Errani serving 5-6: Ana got away with a high-bouncing dropshot as she picked off Errani's forehand with a crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 0/15. Errani hit a hard off-forehand wide. 0/30. Errani tried to run around her backhand, but got jammed and netted a forehand. 0/40 (SP #1). Errani sprayed a forehand long. Ana won the first set 7-5 at 15:27 BST (50m).
Second set
----------
IVANOV *@ @*@* 6
ERRANI __@____ 1
Ana serving 0-0: Ana netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/0. Ana's depth induced Errani to net a forehand - not moving as well as in the first set. 15/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Errani to bunt a backhand lob-return long. 30/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 40/15. Service-winner.
Errani serving 0-1: Ana's deep forehand down the line forced a floater, which she dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 0/15. Ana's wrong-footing forehand induced Errani to net a backhand. 0/30. Ana's deep forehand return forced Errani to net a forehand. 15/30. Errani off-forehand + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/30. Second serve out wide: Ana forehand return-winner down the line. 30/40 (BP). Errani netted a backhand dropshot.
Del Potro has just broken back from Hewitt serving for the match, which buys Ana some more time before I have to deal with a potential clash between her and the mouthwatering Kirilenko v Wozniacki match!
Ana serving 2-0: Ana played a beautiful point at the net... but Errani hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. Ana's forehand clipped the netcord and floated wide. 0/30. Errani netted a backhand. 15/30. Ana off-forehand winner on the sideline + "ajde". 30/30. Ana ran down a dropshot, and hit a forehand long. 30/40 (BP). Errani's depth forced Ana to net a forehand.
Ana doubled over, and swished her racket several times in frustration.
David Mercer: "And still she can't release the tension".
Errani serving 1-2: Ana went to the net behind a deep approach onto the baseline, forcing Errani to hit a forehand pass wide. 0/15. Big serve out wide + crosscourt forehand would-be winner just wide. 0/30. Errani crosscourt backhand forced Ana to hit a backhand wide. 15/30. Ana netted a cheap forehand return - she looks as tight as a drum at the moment. 30/30. Ana's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Errani to net a forehand. 30/40 (BP). Errani, on the third stroke, sprayed an off-forehand wide, and Ana shouted "ajde".
Hewitt just beat Del Potro, so soon I'll have to give up watching this match for Kirilenko v Wozniacki...
Ana serving 3-1 (new balls): Ana crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Ana went to the net, but Errani forced her to retreat down her forehand-line, and hit an off-forehand into the wide open court. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Ana forced a floater and hit a forehand smash-winner down the line. 40/15. Ace out wide: on the sideline.
Errani serving 1-4: Deep first serve out wide forced Ana to hit a forehand lob-return very long. 15/0. Errani went to the net behind a weak approach: Ana backhand pass-winner down the line. 15/15. Second serve: Ana off-forehand return-winner + "ajde". 15/30. Ana hit an off-forehand return-winner on the baseline and said "ajde", but she celebrated prematurely, as it was long. 30/30. Errani crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/40 (BP). Off-forehand return + crosscourt forehand winner + "ajde".
Ana serving 5-1: A big serve forced a short return, but Ana netted a forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Errani crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Service-winner out wide: on the sideline. 30/15. Errani's depth induced Ana to spray an off-forehand wide - still as tight as a drum. 30/30. Ana's aggressive forehand forced Ana to hit a defensive forehand lob just long. 30/40 (BP). Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand virtual winner. Deuce. Service-winner. Ad Ana (MP #1). An intriguing rally ended with Ana hitting a forehand winner down Errani's forehand-sideline. Ana won 7-5 6-1 at 15:55 BST (second set 28m, match 1h18m).
David Mercer: "Life's a tightrope for Ana Ivanović at the moment, but she just managed to get across that particular canyon."
Well, I said I'd have to watch Kirilenko v Wozniacki soon, but it hasn't actually started yet!
------------------------------------------------
5. Second-round TV-report: Kirilenko v Wozniacki (Thursday 25th June 2009)
------------------------------------------------
- Maria Kirilenko [DF] lt. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9], 0-6 4-6
Maria started the match by trying to hit hard from the baseline, and her game looks so laboured and flairless when she does that, which is why I haven't inducted her into my Eternal Fanship despite that she is one of the very most beautiful girls in tennis-history (especially in 2005-2008).
I hoped to see Maria mixing it up with more touch and going to the net, which is what she has done when she's played well at Birmingham over the years.
Maria did try going to the net a few times, but that didn't work either. She couldn't live with Caroline from the baseline for the first set and a half, so what she needs to improve is her approach-shots: get them deep and low-bouncing. But that's not natural for Maria, who tends to hit her groundstrokes with topspin rather than flat. This being the case, I think Maria needs to develop an effective sliced-backhand approach.
Maria looked to be heading for the dreaded double bagel at 0-6 *0-3, but suddenly she started hitting her groundstrokes with much more authority, and playing with much more passion: fist-pumps, "c'mon"s, and very loud grunting!
If Maria had played like this from the start, it would have been a much closer contest. As it was, she managed to recover from *1-4 to 4-4*, but errors crept back into her game as she lost the last two.
Caroline is one of my favourite players below my demi-fanship. I put her on a level with Alizé Cornet and Dominika Cibulková: the players I'm most likely to promote to my demi-fanship if they can show me just a little added value.
Caroline Wozniacki: "I thought I started really well. I played really well in the beginning, and I was up with a break in the second set as well, but she started to play more aggressive, and things were going right for her, and then I got a bit more tight at the end than I was hoping for."
First set
---------
KIRILENKO ______ 0
WOZNIACKI *@*@*@ 6
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 16:01 BST.
Virginia Wade explained the black band on Maria's left knee: "Band below her kneecap is to stabilise her kneecap - an odd-looking strapping, but a very successful one."
Caro serving 0-0: A very long baseline-rally ended with Caro's crosscourt forehand forcing Maria to net a forehand on the 28th stroke. 15/0. Double fault (second serve just wide of the centre-line). 15/15. First serve out wide: Maria mishit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/15. Caro crosscourt backhand + off-backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Caro forehand long. 40/30. Caro, on the third stroke, dumped a forehand into the net. Deuce. First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. Ad Caro. She forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand virtual winner.
Maria serving 0-1: Caro forehand return long. Caro, driven wide of the tramlines, hit a stunning forehand winner down the line: just inside both sideline and baseline!! 15/15. First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/15. Caro hit some heavy groundstrokes, finishing with a backhand winner down the line. 30/30. Caro's netcord forehand return induced Maria to spray a forehand long, with a cute loud "ah". 30/40 (BP). Caro pounced on a rather weak crosscourt backhand from Maria, hitting a searing crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline.
Caro serving 2-0: Caro down-the-line forehand just wide. 0/15. Caro hit a deep forehand down Maria's forehand-line, forcing her to net a forehand. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15. Huge 106mph serve out wide forced Maria to earth a backhand return. 40/15. Maria's forehand return down the middle jammed Caro, forcing her to spray a backhand wide. 40/30. Caro's deep off-forehand forced Maria to earth a backhand.
Maria serving 0-3: Caro netted a forehand off a mildly awkward deep ball from Maria. 15/0. Maria down-the-line forehand just wide. 15/15. Maria went to the net, but hit an indecisive backhand volley wide. 15/30. Caro pounced on a short ball with a crosscourt forehand winner. 15/40 (BP). Caro off-backhand winner.
Virginia Wade: "Kirilenko is struggling so much with the pressure that she isn't getting ideas in her head."
Caro serving 4-0: Maria drew Caro to the net with a dropshot, and hit a beautiful backhand lob-winner over Caro's head. 0/15. Caro's crosscourt forehand forced Maria to net a forehand, but her movement to that ball wasn't great. 15/15. Service-winner. 30/15. Maria threw in a short sliced forehand down the line, inducing Caro to hit a crosscourt backhand wide - the first time she's looked awkward running to a ball. 30/30. Maria hit a forehand return just long, and wasted a challenge. 40/30. Caro's deep backhand down the line forced Maria to net a forehand.
Maria played a good point at the start of that game, but now all I can ask of her is to avoid the double bagel in her first-ever singles-match on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Maria serving 0-5: Maria netted a backhand. 0/15. Maria went to the net, her dropshot forcing a floater, which she dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 15/15. Caro's depth forced Maria to hit a forehand wide. 30/15. Caro's mishit forehand clipped the netcord and the sideline for a winner. 40/15 (SP #1). Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30 (SP #2). Maria went to the net, but her approach sat up nicely for Caro to hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. Caro won the first set 6-0 at 16:27 (26m).
Second set
----------
KIRILENKO ___* *@*__ 4
WOZNIACKI *@* *___*@ 6
Caro serving 0-0: Caro's depth induced Maria to hit a backhand wide left. 15/0. Caro went to the net, and Maria's weak topspin forehand sat up nicely for Caro to hit a forehand volley-winner. 30/0. Service-winner out wide. 40/0. Ace. 40/15. Caro's deep, hard forehand on the baseline forced Maria to earth a forehand.
Andrew Cotter: "Kirilenko plays in a very conventional manner for young players today, and is not even doing /that/ very well."
Maria serving 0-1: Caro netted a forehand, and rolled her head. 15/0. Caro backhand just long. 30/0. Maria hit a forehand just long on the third stroke. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Caro to hit a forehand long. 40/15. Caro dominated the rally from the baseline and went to the net; Maria's down-the-line forehand pass clipped the netcord and fell wide. 40/30. Maria backhand just wide. Deuce #1. Second serve: forehand return just long. Ad Maria. Caro's deep backhand on the baseline forced Maria to net a forehand wide. Deuce #2. Sliced serve out wide induced Caro to hit a forehand return long. Caro went to the net; Maria's forehand pass-winner down the line was initially called long, but overruled as good by the umpire. Deuce #3. Caro's deep forehand forced Maria to hit an off-forehand wide. Ad Caro (BP #1). Maria went to the net, and picked off a dipping ball with an off-forehand half-volley winner. Deuce #4. Caro's deep forehand on the baseline forced Maria to hit a forehand wide. She wasted a challenge. Ad Caro (BP #2). Caro hit a deep crosscourt forehand into the corner, forcing Maria to spray one wide.
Caro serving 2-0: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/0. Maria netted a backhand return. 30/0. Caro's deep forehand on the baseline forced Maria to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 40/0. Caro tried to serve and volley, but a dipping forehand return forced her to net a forehand. 40/15. Deep first serve forced Maria to spray a crosscourt forehand wide.
Maria still hasn't avoided the double bagel, and it's so sad to see her not having the confidence to do the things she needs to do on grass, which I've seen her do at Birmingham. If she's going to lose 6-0 6-0 from the baseline, she might as well make a positive commitment to going to the net.
Maria serving 0-3: Maria went to the net, and hit a forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Caro netted a forehand. 30/0. Maria's crosscourt backhand forced Caro to hit a backhand winner down the line. 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Caro forced a floater, but hit a wild forehand smash very long to put Maria on the scoreboard.
Much better from Maria. Virginia Wade: "She's timing the ball better, and coping better with the pace from Wozniacki."
Caro serving 3-1: Caro's deep forehand return forced Maria to net a backhand. 0/15. Ace out wide. Maria went to the net and hit a delectable forehand dropshot. 0/30. Caro's deep forehand down the line forced a deep floater from Maria, which Caro dispatched with a highly impressive forehand smash-winner down the line. 15/30. Maria sprayed a crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/30. Second serve: Maria dumped a cheap forehand return into the net. 40/30. Short second serve: Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline (called wide but overruled by the umpire). Deuce #1. Maria's deep forehand return induced Caro to spray a forehand long. Ad Maria (BP). She hit a forehand just long. Deuce #2. Forehand return just long. Ad Caro. Ace down the middle.
Virginia Wade: "The actual points have been competitive, but there's usually only been one winner at the end of the points."
Maria serving 1-4: Deep first serve: Caro netted an off-backhand return. 15/0. Ace #1. 30/0. Ace #2: down the middle. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand + forehand smash-winner.
Excellent service-game! Andrew Cotter: "If it was /this/ Maria Kirilenko in the first set..."
Caro serving 4-2: Caro forehand just long. 0/15. Maria hit a deep, aggressive forehand return, forcing Caro to net a forehand. 0/30. Caro forehand long - seven points in a row to Maria! 0/40 (BP #1). Caro off-forehand winner back behind Maria. 15/40 (BP #2). A long baseline-rally ended with Caro netting a forehand.
Wow - suddenly Maria is playing good, error-free tennis from the baseline, and Caro looks very brittle!
Maria serving 3-4: Second serve sat up: Caro's deep forehand return forced Maria to net a forehand. 0/15. Caro's depth induced Maria to hit a forehand long. 0/30. Caro went to the net and hit a backhand volley-winner (Maria used up a challenge on the first serve). 0/40 (BP). Maria went to the net behind a dropshot to draw Caro there too, and hit a beautiful off-backhand pass-volley winner! 15/40 (BP #2). Deep first serve out wide forced Caro to spray a crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner + fist-pump + "vamos!". Deuce. First serve out wide (on the sideline) + off-forehand winner... but Caro challenged the serve and it was wide. Second serve: Caro's forehand return clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner - it's funny how the luck always goes with the player who's winning easily. Ad Caro (BP #3). Maria's deep crosscourt backhand forced Caro to slip and miss a backhand. Deuce #3. Service-winner out wide + fist-pump + two "c'mon"s. Ad Maria. Maria's depth induced Caro to hit a forehand long.
Maria is now playing with much more passion than earlier - with fist-pumps and "c'mon"'s - and her grunting became very loud in that game!
Virginia Wade: "Wozniacki has lost a little bit of her nerve."
Caro serving 4-4: Maria off-forehand wide. 15/0. Maria crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/0. Maria netted a cheap forehand return, and reacted with a cute little jump. 40/0. Maria forced a short ball, but hit a forehand long.
Maria serving 4-5: Maria forced a floater, and dispatched it with a down-the-line backhand drive-volley winner. 15/0. Maria, on the fifth stroke, hit an off-forehand wide, and muttered. 15/15. Caro hit a pinpoint crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 15/30. Maria netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/40 (MP #1). Caro sealed her victory with a crosscourt backhand + deep backhand winner down the line, and celebrated it with the Sign of the Cross. Caro won 6-0 6-4 at 17:17 BST (second set 50m, match 1h16m).
-------------------
6. Third-round draw
-------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
* Kirsten Flipkens v DINARA SAFINA [1] (komaan Kirsten!)
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (forza Flavia!)
* CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] v ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] (kom sĺ Caroline!)
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5] (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* VENUS WILLIAMS [3] v Carla Suárez Navarro
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v SAMANTHA STOSUR [18]
* LI,NA [19] v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
* JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] v Melanie Oudin [Q]
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26] (DAVAI VERA!!)
* MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] v Francesca Schiavone (allez Marion!)
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] v Elena Vesnina (my loyalty is to Domi)
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v Regina Kulikova [Q] (davai Elena!)
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v SORANA CÎRSTEA [28] (my loyalty is to Queen Victoria)
* Gisela Dulko [DF] v NADIA PETROVA [10] (Ąvamos Gisela!)
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v Ai Sugiyama (POĎME DANIELA!!)
* Roberta Vinci v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (forza Roberta!)
-------------------------------------------
7. Third-round preview: Zvonarëva v Razzano
-------------------------------------------
Virginie Razzano would be a nasty draw for Vera at the best of times: although ranked only #23 to Vera's #7, Razzano leads their head to head 4:2:
+ 2003 Strasbourg 1r: Vera 6-0 6-4
- 2005 Amelia Island qf: Razzano 6-4 6-4
+ 2007 Auckland qf: Vera 7-5 2-0 retired (low-back strain)
- 2008 Montréal 2r: Razzano 6-3 1-6 7-2 (7/2)
- 2009 Dubai qf: Razzano 7-6 (9/7) 7-5
- 2009 Charleston 3r: Razzano 1-1 retired (right-ankle injury)
Razzano doesn't have a great Wimbledon-record, having lost in the first round in four of her eight previous Wimbledons (including 2006-2008), and in the second round of three Wimbledons. In 2004, however, she reached the third round as a qualifier, knocking out #9-ranked Eastbourne-champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 3-6 6-4 in the first round.
Razzano has an impressive 26:13 win/loss record for 2009 so far (including her first two rounds here).
She reached the semi-finals of Hobart, third round of the Australian Open by thrashing world #15 Patty Schnyder 6-3 6-1, but lost 6-4 6-1 to #45 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at Paris.
Razzano then had an amazing run to the final of Dubai, beating #2 Dinara Safina 6-4 6-2, #41 Daniela Hantuchová 6-2 1-6 6-2, #5 Vera Zvonarëva 7-6 7-5, and #24 Kaia Kanepi 6-1 6-2, before losing 6-4 6-2 to Venus Williams in the final.
She then retired from the second round of Indian Wells with a mid-back injury, lost to #115 Julia Görges in the first round of Miami, and to #12 Caroline Wozniacki in the second round of Ponte Vedra Beach.
Vera was playing Razzano in the third round of Charleston when Vera suffered her nasty ankle-injury. Razzano was then hammered 6-2 6-0 by Wozniacki in the quarter-finals.
Razzano beat #51 Magdaléna Rybáriková 6-0 6-7 6-4 in the first round of Rome, then lost 7-6 6-1 to world #1 Dinara Safina. She beat #48 Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-0 4-6 6-3 in the first round of Madrid, then lost 7-5 6-3 to #52 Elena Vesnina.
Razzano reached the fourth round of the French Open, beating #33 Daniela Hantuchová 6-3 6-3, #20 Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-2 6-2 and #71 Tathiana Garbin 7-5 7-5, then surprisingly lost 6-1 6-2 to #32 Samantha Stosur.
Razzano reached the final of Eastbourne, beating #22 Alizé Cornet 7-6 6-2, #4 Elena Dementieva 6-0 3-6 7-6 (7/4), #11 Agnieszka Radwańska (the defending champion) 7-6 7-5, and #12 Marion Bartoli 6-4 1-0 retired. She lost the final 7-6 (7/5) 7-5 to #9 Caroline Wozniacki.
Razzano has reached the third round with the following results:
1r + Tamira Paszek, 6-0 3-1 retired (low-back injury)
2r + Jill Craybas, 6-3 6-0
Vera's route to the third round has been much tougher:
1r + Georgie Stoop [WC], 7-6 (7/0) 4-6 6-4
2r + Mathilde Johansson, 6-1 6-3
Conclusion: Razzano is a streaky player who can be a very dangerous floater at the best of times, and is on particularly strong form at the moment. Given Vera's current lack of fitness and movement, I'm not even thinking about the possibility of her beating Razzano; I'm just grateful that she's at Wimbledon at all - let alone in the third round.
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8. Third-round preview: Hantuchová v Sugiyama
---------------------------------------------
33-year-old Ai Sugiyama has been Daniela's most regular doubles-partner in the last four years. Together, they have won Birmingham 2005, Doha and Rome 2006, and been runner-up at two Majors: French Open 2006 and Australian Open 2009. Sugiyama has been Daniela's only doubles-partner outside Fed Cup this year, and they are considered genuine contenders for the Wimbledon title!
When doubles-partners have to play each other in singles, the lower-ranked player often prevails, because she has inside information about her partner, and it's also tough emotionally to play your partner.
Sugiyama has been the lower-ranked player in all their singles-matches against each other except in 2004, is currently lower ranked at #38 than Daniela's #32, and leads their head to head 6:4:
- 2002 San Diego 2r: Sugiyama 6-4 1-6 7-5
+ 2004 Eastbourne qf: Daniela 6-1 7-6
- 2004 Montréal 2r: Sugiyama 1-6 6-4 6-4
- 2004 Linz 2r: Sugiyama 6-2 6-1
- 2005 San Diego 2r: Sugiyama 7-5 4-6 6-2
+ 2005 Zürich 1r: Daniela 1-6 7-5 6-4
+ 2006 Zürich 2r: Daniela 7-6 6-2
- 2008 Miami 3r: Sugiyama 6-4 6-7 7-5
- 2008 Stanford 2r: Sugiyama 6-3 6-1
+ 2008 Olympics 1r: Daniela 6-2 7-5
Sugiyama is a plucky counterpuncher; playing her is often like pulling teeth.
Sugiyama has been a tough opponent at Wimbledon even for top players over the years. In 1996, she beat #5 Anke Huber 7-6 6-1 to reach the fourth round (which she also reached in 2003). In 2002, she gave #4 Monica Seles a tough match before losing 4-6 6-1 6-4. In the 2004 quarter-finals, she gave eventual champion Maria Sharapova a mind-bogglingly difficult two sets before losing 5-7 7-5 6-1. In 2006, she beat former champion Martina Hingis 7-5 3-6 6-4.
The good news for Daniela-fans is that Sugiyama has a terrible 6:13 win/loss record for 2009 so far (including her two wins here). Her only four wins this year prior to Wimbledon came in January.
At Sydney, she beat #65 Jill Craybas 6-2 6-3 and #23 Anabel Medina Garrigues 2-6 6-1 6-2, then received a walkover from Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the semi-finals, where she lost 6-4 7-6 to #3 Dinara Safina.
At the Australian Open, she beat #128 Stéphanie Dubois 6-0 7-6 and #69 Nathalie Dechy 1-6 6-1 6-3 to reach the third round, where she lost 6-4 6-4 to #1 Jelena Janković.
That started an 11-match losing-streak: up to and including her 6-7 7-5 6-4 loss to #52 Vera Dushevina at Eastbourne.
But Sugiyama has reached the third round of Wimbledon with the following results:
1r + PATTY SCHNYDER [21], 6-4 6-4
2r + Arantxa Parra Santonja [Q,S], 7-6 (7/5) 6-3
Daniela's path to the third round:
1r + Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
2r + ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5
Given Sugiyama's form this year, I have to fancy Daniela's chances (and Daniela herself, of course  ), but it would be dangerous to underestimate Sugiyama with all her experience and her 6:4 head-to-head over Daniela.
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9. Andrew's wishes (updated after Thursday)
------------------
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Kirsten Flipkens
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. VENUS WILLIAMS [3]
+ JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] d. LI,NA [19]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S]
+ DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
+ Gisela Dulko [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Roberta Vinci
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Sabine Lisicki [DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Gisela Dulko [DF]
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. Daniela Hantuchová [EF]
It's very tough for me to choose between Vera and Daniela now that Big Maria is out, but I still stand by what I said from the start: Vera deserves to be in the final after her excellent progress in the last eleven months, and the unbelievable bad luck with the ankle-injury.
Final-wish
----------
+ VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
If I don't get this final, I can always pull the Indian Wells final out of my backlog of DVDs to watch!
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10. Order of play for Friday
----------------------------
Court 2 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 3r: Roberta Vinci v SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
WS 3r: VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
MS 3r: FERNANDO VERDASCO [7] v ALBERT MONTAŃÉS [32]
WD 2r: (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4] v Sabine Lisicki [DF]/Aleksandra Wozniak
For those hoping to see the BBC put "vera" back in their Freeview "coverage", the good news is that she's very likely to be playing at least part of her match between 13:45 and 15:25 BST, when BBC 1, BBC 2 and both Red Button streams will all be transmitting live tennis.
Court 18 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 3r: Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v Ai Sugiyama
WS 3r: DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14] v Elena Vesnina
WS 3r: MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] v Francesca Schiavone
MS 3r: Andreas Seppi v IGOR ANDREEV [29]
Also look out for a mouthwatering Mixed Doubles match - Anna Chakvetadze/Andy Ram v Maria Kirilenko/Igor Andreev - being assigned to a free court in the evening.
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 26th, 2009 at 05:17 AM.
Reason: minor corrections
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Jun 27th, 2009, 04:02 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 5
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Third-round results
3. Third round: Vera Zvonarëva's withdrawal
4. Third-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Sugiyama
5. Third-round TV-report: Azarenka v Cîrstea
6. Third-round draw
7. Andrew's wishes
8. Order of play for Saturday
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1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Friday:
hantuchova
dulko
lisicki
azarenka
bartoli
cirstea
vesnina
cibulkova
vinci
dementieva
kulikova
I had never heard of Regina Kulikova before I saw the draw for this Wimbledon, but I got to watch some of her match against Dementieva casually today. She's a bit more attractive than I had realised from a Google image-search - not in facial terms, but her shoulders and hands look very nice.
Sabine Lisicki was playing a Women's Doubles match with fellow ethnic Pole Aleksandra Wozniak against the Williams-sisters, which I watched casually on BBC Red Button. Sabine is very pretty, and played this match with a lovely smile.
----------------------
2. Third-round results (Friday 26th June 2009)
----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28], 7-6 (7/2) 6-3
+ Elena Vesnina d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [14], 7-5 4-6 6-4
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Regina Kulikova [Q], 6-1 6-2
Domi may not have justified her seeding, but I'm very pleased that she was able to reach the third round, because prior to this year, she had only played three matches on grass and lost them all.
What rocked:
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Ai Sugiyama, 6-4 6-3
What sucked:
- VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] lt. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26], walkover (right-ankle injury)
- Gisela Dulko [DF] lt. NADIA PETROVA [10], 6-3 3-6 4-6
- MARION BARTOLI [12,DF,S] lt. Francesca Schiavone, 6-7 (5/7) 0-6
- Roberta Vinci lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 3-6 4-6
I'm very angry that Gisela lost to Petrova after beating Maria Sharapova. Maria owns Petrova and would certainly have beaten her here, but now the muscular Petrova takes a fourth-round place that should have been filled by a much more attractive player.
As for Marion, it was doubtful that she would even play Wimbledon after retiring from Eastbourne with a thigh-injury, so I'm very grateful that she made it through to the third round.
-------------------------------------------
3. Third round: Vera Zvonarëva's withdrawal (Friday 26th June 2009)
-------------------------------------------
- VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] lt. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26], walkover (right-ankle injury)
At 13:25 BST - a few minutes after Serena Williams won the opening match on Court 2 - Rob Curling told Freeview-viewers that there would be a delay before the next match on that court because Vera had pulled out.
I think it's a wise decision. It was all too obvious from Vera's first-round match that she wasn't really ready to come back, and in fact she retired from her first-round doubles-match on Thursday (whilst trailing 5-6*).
So 2009 passes by with the BBC having televised just one set of Vera on Freeview all year: her third against Georgie Stoop in the first round here.
The BBC did show a close-up of Vera playing a point in her second-round match against Mathilde Johansson: at 6-1 *1-0 (30/0), she hit a backhand off a deep ball, then a winner from Johansson went just past her forehand.
I hope Vera now takes all the time she needs to recover her right ankle as fully as it can ever be recovered after all the damage it has sustained, even if it means missing the North American hard-court season.
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4. Third-round TV-report: Hantuchová v Sugiyama (Friday 26th June 2009)
-----------------------------------------------
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Ai Sugiyama, 6-4 6-3
I watched this match on BBC Red Button until 6-4 1-0*, when the show-courts got underway and it was no longer available on Freeview.
It was the best performance I've seen from Daniela so far this Wimbledon. It's so wonderful to watch Daniela hitting her groundstrokes with flairsome power, and playing great spreading rallies.
Daniela recovered from another *0-2 start (just as she did against Zheng,Jie in the previous round) - not so much a slow start by Daniela as an excellent one by Sugiyama.
At *0-2, Daniela started to spread Sugiyama, opening up the court, forcing floaters, and going to the net to hit volley-winners. Even so, she had to save a break-point to avoid going 0-3* down, but it was an excellent hold for 1-2* in the end.
The next four games went with serve, as Daniela's good form continued in her own service-games, but with a bit of moisture on the grass, she couldn't put much pressure on Sugiyama's.
One of Daniela's best points came at *1-3 (30/15), when she drew Sugiyama to the net with a lob, and hit a perfect backhand lob-winner onto the baseline!
At 3-4*, Daniela finally broke back. She played a wonderful point at the net with a forehand drop-volley winner, sandwiched between two Sugiyama errors to give her 0/40. Sugiyama saved the first two with a forehand volley-winner and an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline, but Daniela converted the third break-point as her depth forced Sugiyama to net a forehand.
Daniela recovered from *4-4 (0/30) with a crosscourt forehand winner, and held with a one-two punch: serve out wide + backhand winner down the line.
At 5-4*, Daniela broke to win the first set. A couple of hard, deep forehands forced Sugiyama into errors, and an unforced error gave Daniela two set-points at 15/40. Sugiyama saved it with a first serve out wide + off-forehand winner, but Daniela converted the second when Sugiyama hit a backhand long.
Daniela held for 6-4 1-0* with the help of a backhand winner down the line and an off-backhand winner. She broke for *2-0, but was broken back immediately, despite saving two break-points.
Daniela squandered three break-points at 2-1* (40/0*) before Sugiyama held for 2-2. Daniela held to 15 and broke to love for *4-2, then almost blew a 40/0 lead as she had to save a break-point in a game of four deuces before holding for 5-2*.
Sugiyama held to 15, but Daniela at *5-3 managed to serve out the match, needed three nonconsecutive match-points. The BBC showed the last point: a deep first serve down the middle induced Sugiyama to hit a forehand return just long.
I find it amusing that BBC presenter Sue Barker can't mention Daniela without adding "who put out Laura Robson".
Daniela: "It's never a nice feeling having to play Sugi, because she's one of my best friends. She's a great person, so winning or losing, I knew always it was going to be a strange feeling for me. So I just tried to take it as another match, and not to think that she was on the other side."
Then came the sad news that Daniela was feeling unwell and had gone home. It was later confirmed that she was suffering from 'flu (hopefully not of the swine-variety) and had gone to see a doctor, but at least she has until Monday to recover...
Daniela: "I've been fighting a 'flu for the last few days. Before was more, you know, inside. Now it's coming out to the voice."
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 4th October 2009).
--------------------------------------------
5. Third-round TV-report: Azarenka v Cîrstea (Friday 26th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. SORANA CÎRSTEA [28], 7-6 (7/2) 6-3
This match was second on Centre Court, and I saw it on BBC 1.
The first set was an intriguing glimpse of the future of women's tennis, as it was between two 19-year-olds who have yet to establish their true places in women's tennis, but played to an extremely high level, with full-blooded hitting from both girls. They are, as Sam Smith put it, "two young women who believe in the front foot".
In particular, they both have huge first serves. I didn't realise until today just what dynamite Sorana possesses! There was only one break in the entire match: against Sorana in the second game of the second set.
Simon Reed: "She's very tightly strung, Victoria Azarenka. Sometimes her emotions can get the better of her. She's metronome in her accuracy from the baseline. Her problem is that her future has been mapped out for her. She's been the queen-in-waiting for the last couple of years now, so if it doesn't happen, it will be a major disappointment for her. She's just devastated whenever she makes a mistake."
And that's the difference mentally between Vika and Maria Sharapova, who turns to the back fence to erase the memory of the mistake.
Sam Smith: "What I love about Cîrstea is that she doesn't ever want to take a step backwards, and she's got these lovely soft hands to soak up the pressure, so she doesn't really have to move off the ball and away from that baseline too much. She instinctively knows where to hit the ball - full-blooded at all times."
Sorana looked slightly the more impressive early on. She hit a tremendous deep crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner at 3-2*, and had break-points at 15/40 in that game - Vika saved them with a crosscourt forehand winner and a deep, error-forcing backhand. Vika escaped from that service-game when Sorana blasted a thunderbolt of a forehand return just wide - a sign of what might have been, and what hopefully will be in the future for Sorana.
Sorana saved 30/40 at both *2-2 and *3-3 with good tennis, and by the time she held for 6-5*, Vika was getting very frustrated that she couldn't hit through Sorana.
Nevertheless, Vika held for 6-6 with an off-forehand drop-volley winner, and although Sorana hit a crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner on the first point of the tiebreak, Vika dominated the rest of it, with a stunning crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline to reach set-point, which she converted with a crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner.
Vika has more big-match experience than Sorana, and it shows in these tight situations.
The second set was disappointing compared with the excellent first, as the atmosphere went very flat when Vika broke for 7-6 *2-0.
That break was greeted with a hush from the crowd, who were very partisan in their support of Sorana, celebrating her winners with loud cheers, and Vika's with polite applause. Simon Reed suggested that they were turning against Vika because of her grunting, as well as liking what they saw from Sorana.
I can't help thinking that the British media have brainwashed the public against grunting, with their ridiculous articles about Michelle Larcher de Brito and other grunters. The crowds in Vika's previous matches here have even mimicked her grunts between points. It's not fair that they never let her scream, they never let her scream...
I'm not used to seeing such a partisan crowd in England (except when a Briton plays a non-Briton). They're usually much fairer than this. At least they're not as rude as the French Open crowd, who applauded Vika's double faults.
I must admit that I too found my loyalty leaning towards Sorana, even though Vika's the one I promoted to my demi-fanship earlier this year, while Sorana remains outside for now (although I'm certainly asking myself why I shouldn't promote her to my demi-fanship too).
Vika is an impressive clone of Maria Sharapova - the power, the accuracy, the song-grunt and the intensity, not to mention being tall and blonde - but I don't feel emotionally connected with Vika as I do with Maria.
I also find Sorana facially more attractive than Vika, although Vika does have a nice, slender body. Facial beauty is more important to me than a nice body, and I love the look of Sorana's eyes as she looks up to serve.
Simon Reed: "It was tough for Azarenka for a long time, but the second set was a breeze. Cîrstea didn't do herself justice there. It will be interesting to see what she can do when she gets her exams out of the way and can commit fully to tennis."
Victoria Azarenka: "It was a very good match today: a lot of tight moments. I'm very happy with the way I hung in in the first set. Not closing out the match, but at the beginning I was a little bit shaky - first time on Centre Court. I still think I have to grow up a little bit more, but I'm very happy with my results this year - I've improved a lot."
First set
---------
AZARENK _* * * * * *T 7(7)
CÎRSTEA * * * * * *__ 6(2)
The match started at 15:55 BST, but BBC 1 missed the first game while they were faffing around with a documentary about Wimbledon's greatest champions.
Vika serving 0-1: BBC 1 joined the match at 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Sorana netted a forehand return. 40/0. Ace out wide.
Sorana serving 1-1: Forehand return long. 15/0. Vika's depth induced Sorana to net a forehand. 15/15. Virtual ace down the middle: 111mph. 30/15. Vika backhand long. 40/15. Serve + deep, hard backhand forced Vika to earth a forehand.
Vika serving 1-2: Virtual ace down the middle. 15/0. Double fault (tentative second serve into the net). 15/15. Sorana netted a backhand. 30/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Sorana to bunt a forehand return wide. 40/15. Service-winner down the middle.
Vika's big serve was certainly in good working order there, despite the double fault.
Sorana serving 2-2: Sorana netted a forehand. 0/15. Vika went to the net behind a deep off-forehand just inside the baseline, although Sorana was unlucky that her backhand lob-winner landed just long. 0/30. Serve out wide + off-backhand winner. 15/30. Huge service-winner out wide - just inside the sideline and service-line. 30/30. Sorana off-forehand just wide. 30/40 (BP). Sorana's deep forehand down the middle - just inside the baseline - forced Vika to hit a forehand long. Deuce. Vika, on the fourth stroke, dumped a cheap off-backhand into the net. Ad Sorana. Another huge service-winner out wide!
Sorana showed there that she too has a dynamite first serve! I'm very impressed by her performance so far - more so than by Vika's.
Vika serving 2-3: Sorana went to the net and hit a deep crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. 0/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Sorana netted a backhand, and cutely rehearsed the stroke. 15/30. Vika dumped a forehand into the net. 15/40 (BP #1). First serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Vika's deep backhand forced Sorana to net a forehand. Deuce. Vika hit a pinpoint backhand down the line: just inside both baseline and sideline. Ad Vika. Double fault (second serve long). Deuce #2. Service-winner down the line. Ad Vika. Sorana blasted a thunderbolt of a forehand return just wide of Vika's forehand-sideline.
Sorana is on great form, and really should have broken there. It will be interesting to see how she reacts to those missed break-points.
Sorana serving 3-3: Sorana dumped a forehand into the net. 0/15. Vika's backhand on the baseline was called long by the umpire, but she successfully challenged it, so had to replay the point (much to the annoyance of Vika, who had the initiative with that deep backhand). Vika crosscourt forehand just wide - no challenge this time. 15/15. Sorana hit a deep backhand down the line - just inside the baseline - forcing Vika to spray a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/15. First serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/30. Vika played a great spreading rally, culminating with a crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner. 30/40 (BP). A meaty rally ended with Vika hitting a crosscourt forehand just wide; she wasted a challenge.
It's intriguing to watch too young players playing to such a high level, when neither of them have really established "what we've come to expect from them" yet. As Sam Smith put it, we're watching the future of women's tennis here.
Vika serving 3-4: Deep first serve forced Sorana to hit a forehand lob-return long. 15/0. Vika's depth induced Sorana to hit an off-forehand just wide. 30/0. Sorana hit a big forehand down the line just long. 40/0. Deep first serve out wide: backhand return long.
Sorana serving 4-4: Sorana went to the net behind a penetrating forehand down the line, but Vika dug out a terrific backhand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. Vika netted a backhand. 15/15. First serve out wide: forehand return long. 30/15. First serve forced Vika to hit a forehand long. 40/15. Vika spread Sorana, forced a short ball and hit an off-backhand winner into the open court. 40/30. Deep serve: Vika off-backhand return wide.
Vika serving 4-5: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand + forehand smash-winner off the resulting short floater. 15/0. Vika went to the net, forcing Sorana to net a backhand. 30/0. Sorana crosscourt backhand just long. 40/0. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell long). 40/15. Vika's deep crosscourt backhand forced Sorana to hit wide.
Sorana serving 5-5: Sorana, on the third stroke, hit a forehand just long. 0/15. Vika crosscourt backhand wide. 15/15. Vika backhand just long. 30/15. Sorana off-forehand virtual winner. 40/15. Sorana netted a forehand on the third stroke. 40/30. Vika hit a crosscourt backhand virtual winner (I think I heard it clip Sorana's outstretched racket, but I'm not sure). Deuce #1. Ace out wide. Ad Sorana. Sorana off-forehand just wide. Deuce #2. Sorana's deep forehand down the line forced Vika to net a backhand. Ad Sorana. Vika backhand just long.
Sam Smith: "Frustration for Azarenka: she can't hit through the Romanian."
Sorana got a huge roar from the crowd when she won that game.
Vika serving 5-6: Service-winner. 15/0. Azarenka crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Sorana forehand just long. 30/15. Sorana hit a hard forehand return onto the baseline, which was called long but overruled by the umpire (Vika then wasted a Hawk-Eye challenge), so they had to replay the point - a shame for Sorana, as it had forced a weak forehand from Vika. On the replay, Vika's depth and pace forced Sorana to hit a backhand long. 40/15. Vika off-forehand drop-volley winner.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Azarenka/Cîrstea):
{0/0*} Sorana hit a crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner from no-man's-land.
{*0/1} Sorana netted a forehand.
{*1/1} Vika forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt backhand winner.
{2/1*} Vika crosscourt backhand winner.
{3/1*} Sorana service-winner out wide.
{*3/2} Sorana forehand long.
{*4/2} Good second serve: Sorana netted a backhand return.
{5/2*} Vika hit a stunning crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline.
{6/2*: SP #1} Vika hit a penetrating backhand down the line, forcing Sorana to hoist a forehand floater, which Vika dispatched with a crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner just inside the sideline. Vika won the first set 7-6 (7/2) at 16:48 BST (53m).
Second set
----------
AZARENK *@* * * * 6
CÎRSTEA ___* * *_ 3
Vika serving 0-0: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Vika off-forehand winner just inside the baseline. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. Sorana's hard, pinpoint backhand down the line forced Vika to hit a down-the-line forehand wide. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (BP). Sorana's footwork let her down as she netted a backhand. Deuce. Sorana forehand long. Ad Vika. Vika's crosscourt backhand to the sideline forced Sorana to slice a backhand into the net.
Sorana serving 0-1: Vika forehand long. 15/0. Sorana blasted a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Vika forced a short ball and hit an off-forehand winner back behind Sorana. 15/30. Vika dumped a backhand return into the net. 30/30. Vika off-backhand down the line forced Sorana to net a forehand. 30/40 (BP). Vika hit a tremendous crosscourt backhand deep into the corner.
Vika serving 2-0: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Backhand return just wide. 30/0. Backhand return just long. 40/0. Sorana blasted a forehand long.
The atmosphere is just flat now after such a great first set.
Sorana serving 0-3: Sorana forehand long. 0/15. Vika's acute crosscourt backhand forced Sorana to net a backhand. 0/30. Vika off-backhand return wide. 15/30. Backhand return just long. 30/30. Vika off-forehand wide. 40/30. Vika sliced a backhand just long.
Vika serving 3-1: Sorana off-forehand virtual winner got a loud cheer from the crowd. 0/15. Vika netted a backhand, yelled, and swiped her feet with her racket. 0/30. Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. Polite applause. 15/30. Vika's deep crosscourt forehand forced Sorana to net a forehand. 30/30. Deep serve forced Sorana to net a "desperate" forehand return. 40/30. Vika's deep crosscourt backhand forced Sorana to net a backhand. Polite applause.
Sorana serving 1-4: Vika's deep backhand down the line forced Sorana to net a forehand. 0/15. Vika dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/15. first serve out wide (on the sideline) + forehand winner down the line (just inside the other sideline). 30/15. Big first serve out wide forced Vika to earth a backhand return. 40/15. Vika's backhand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. She gave Sorana (and the crowd) a prolonged apology with both palms. 40/30. Sorana ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand winner down the line.
Vika serving 4-2: First serve out wide forced Sorana to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Sorana netted a backhand. 30/0. Sorana netted a forehand. 40/0. Short-angled service-winner out wide.
Sorana serving 2-5: Vika crosscourt backhand just long. 15/0. Sorana hit an impressive backpedalling crosscourt forehand smash, then had to stretch low and wide for Vika's crosscourt forehand pass to hit a forehand volley-winner. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. Sorana's forehand on the third stroke was called long, but Vika challenged and it caught about 1% of the baseline!! First serve + deep forehand forced Vika to bunt a backhand long.
Vika serving 5-3: Serve out wide + off-backhand winner back behind Sorana. 15/0. Vika's depth forced Sorana to hit a forehand long. 30/0. First serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Sorana to earth a backhand. 40/0 (MP #1). Whistles from the crowd as Vika caught her toss. Sorana went to the net, but netted a forehand volley. 17:20 BST (second set 32m, match 1h25m).
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6. Third-round draw
-------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
* Kirsten Flipkens v DINARA SAFINA [1] (komaan Kirsten!)
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17] (forza Flavia!)
* CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] v ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20] (kom så Caroline!)
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5] (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* VENUS WILLIAMS [3] v Carla Suárez Navarro
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v SAMANTHA STOSUR [18] (ajde Ana!)
* LI,NA [19] v AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
* JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] v Melanie Oudin [Q]
* VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26] won
* Francesca Schiavone won
* Elena Vesnina won
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] won
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] won
* NADIA PETROVA [10] won
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] won
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] won
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7. Andrew's wishes (updated after Friday)
------------------
Fourth-round wishes
-------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Kirsten Flipkens
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. VENUS WILLIAMS [3]
+ JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6] d. LI,NA [19]
+ Francesca Schiavone d. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
+ Elena Vesnina d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. NADIA PETROVA [10]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] d. Sabine Lisicki [DF]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6]
+ Elena Vesnina d. Francesca Schiavone
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Elena Vesnina
Final-wish
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+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
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8. Order of play for Saturday
-----------------------------
No members of my Eternal Fanship are playing singles on Saturday.
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
Since there's no play on the middle Sunday, I am going to take my time over my Day 6 report, and post it on Sunday night.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 27th, 2009 at 11:49 AM.
Reason: minor correction
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Jun 29th, 2009, 03:30 AM
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#8
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 6
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Third-round results
3. Third-round TV-report: Ivanović v Stosur
4. Third-round TV-report: Lisicki v Kuznetsova
5. Fourth-round draw
6. Fourth-round preview: Hantuchová v S.Williams
7. Andrew's wishes
8. Qualifying
9. Women's Doubles: First round/Second round
10. Mixed Doubles: First round/Second round
11. Girls' Singles: First-round draw
12. Order of play for Monday
---------
1. Photos
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Search-list for Saturday:
ivanovic
mirza
pennetta
lisicki
wozniacki
cartwright
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2. Third-round results (Saturday 27th June 2009)
----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18], 7-5 6-2
+ CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] d. ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [20], 6-2 6-2
What rocked:
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5], 6-2 7-5
What sucked:
- FLAVIA PENNETTA [15,DF] lt. AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17], 5-7 3-6
- Kirsten Flipkens lt. DINARA SAFINA [1], 5-7 1-6
All other results:
+ VENUS WILLIAMS [3] d. Carla Suárez Navarro, 6-0 6-4
+ Melanie Oudin [Q] d. JELENA JANKOVIĆ [6], 6-7 (8/10) 7-5 6-2
+ AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] d. LI,NA [19], 6-4 7-5
Janković was ill, and took a lengthy medical time-out after winning the first set. She led 7-6 5-4* (30/15*), then BBC 2 joined it one point later and the match turned around, putting 17-year-old Oudin into the fourth round one year after she lost to 14-year-old Laura Robson 6-1 6-3 in the second round of the Girls' Singles.
Janković's evaluation of Oudin: "She cannot hurt you with anything. She doesn't have any weapons. She's a consistent and quite solid player, but she doesn't do anything."
I could say the same about Janković.
-------------------------------------------
3. Third-round TV-report: Ivanović v Stosur (Saturday 27th June 2009)
-------------------------------------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. SAMANTHA STOSUR [18], 7-5 6-2
A delightful performance by a delightful girl, with none of the mental frailties that Ana showed in her first two matches here. At last she seems to be enjoying her tennis this Wimbledon.
Ana looked in full flow, particularly the way she ran around her backhand to hit the off-forehand - her trademark shot from of old, but one that had exposed her in her previous two matches, when her footwork wasn't as perfect.
If Ana keeps playing like this, then she even has a chance of winning the title, although she has a very tough fourth round against Venus Williams.
Ana: "I feel my game has improved and my serve has improved. My game is probably even better than it was when I was number one. I went through a lot over the past year: being number one, having some disappointing losses and tough times. That made me stronger, and made me appreciate some things. I feel much more experienced and mature."
The big-serving, serve-volleying Stosur played excellently at times - she even looked in control of the first set for a couple of games when she broke back for 4-4 - but her by-now-all-too-familiar nerves let her down once again, not least when she quadruple-faulted at *5-5 (15/30).
My abiding memory of this match is the cute little scream of delight Ana emitted when she won. Long may that continue!
First set
---------
IVANOV @* * *___*@* 7
STOSUR __* * *@*___ 5
The match was on Court 2 and started at 12:10 BST, but the BBC missed the start due to BBC 1's protracted discussion of Andy Murray's forthcoming match, whilst BBC Red Button was showing Moto GP.
Stosur serving 0-2: BBC Red Button joined the match at 40/15. Serve + crosscourt backhand volley-winner onto the sideline.
Ana serving 2-1: Deep first serve on the service-line forced Stosur to net a backhand return. 15/0. Crosscourt backhand return just wide. 30/0. Serve down the middle + off-forehand winner. Liz Smylie: "Ana Ivanović plays this shot as well as anyone on the Tour: the inside-out forehand from the backhand-side." 40/0. Stosur netted a sliced backhand to give Ana the first break.
Stosur serving 1-3: Stosur went to the net, but Ana hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner just inside the sideline. 0/15. First serve: backhand return very long. 15/15. Serve out wide + forehand down the line + crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 30/15. Almost an ace down the middle, but it was just wide. Second serve out wide + backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Stosur's deep crosscourt forehand on the baseline forced Ana to net a forehand.
Ana serving 3-2: Deep first serve down the middle forced Stosur to net a backhand return. 15/0. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 30/0. Stosur's crosscourt forehand return to the sideline + crosscourt sliced backhand forced Ana to earth a backhand. 30/15. Ana's sliced backhand induced Stosur to slice a backhand into the net. 40/15. Ana hit a "fabulous" forehand winner onto the baseline, and Nick Mullins was impressed by her movement.
Stosur serving 2-4: Ana sliced an off-backhand just wide. 15/0. Stosur, on the third stroke, hit an off-forehand onto the sideline, but it was called wide. 15/15. Stosur's depth induced Ana to hit a forehand just long - called by the umpire. But Ana challenged it, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the back edge of the baseline by about 10%. Ana gave the umpire a telling look: umpires aren't supposed to overrule unless it's a clear mistake. On the replay, Stosur forced a floater, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner. 30/15. Big first serve out wide: on the service-line - forced Ana to bunt a backhand return wide. 40/15. First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return just wide.
Ana serving 4-3 (new balls): Serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. A deep return induced Ana to dump a forehand into the bottom of the net. 15/15. Stosur forehand return just long. 30/15. Ana wasted an excellent first serve out wide - right in the corner - by blasting a wild crosscourt forehand long on the third stroke. 30/30. Ana netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP). A deep, body-jamming off-forehand forced Ana to net a forehand, giving Stosur the break back.
Stosur serving 4-4: Stosur's depth forced Ana to hit a defensive backhand lob long. 15/0. Stosur pounced on a very short mishit return with an error-forcing crosscourt forehand. 30/0. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell long). 30/15. Deep service-winner out wide. 40/15. Service-winner down the middle.
Ana serving 4-5: Ana played a good point with a crosscourt backhand + forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Ana off-forehand just wide. 15/15. Stosur sliced a backhand return wide. 30/15. Ana forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner - lots of little steps. 40/15. Service-winner.
Stosur serving 5-5: Deep first serve down the middle forced Ana to net a forehand return. 15/0. Ana's deep return forced Stosur to hit a backhand wide. 15/15. Stosur went to the net, but Ana dug out a brilliant backhand pass-winner down the line: low over the net and on the sideline. 15/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/40 (BP). Quadruple fault (second serve into the net).
Nick Mullins: "It's funny what nerves can do to you. Having looked in control, Stosur is throwing that control back over the net."
Ana serving 6-5: Stosur error. 15/0. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner onto the sideline - back behind Stosur. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0 (SP #1). Stosur's deep forehand return forced Ana to net a forehand. 40/15 (SP #2). Stosur netted a sliced backhand. Ana won the first set 7-5 at 12:47 BST (37m).
Second set
----------
IVANOV @*@* * * 6
STOSUR ____* *_ 2
Stosur serving 0-0: Good first serve out wide, but Ana's deep forehand return forced a short ball, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 0/15. Ana's depth induced Stosur to slice a backhand just wide. 0/30. Stosur tried to serve and volley, but a dipping forehand return at her feet forced her to net a forehand half-volley. 0/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/40 (BP #2). First serve out wide - right in the corner - forced Ana to hit a crosscourt forehand return just wide; she wasted a challenge. 30/40 (BP #3). Ana hit an acute crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline, forcing Stosur to net a backhand.
Ana serving 1-0: Ana went to the net, forcing Stosur to net a backhand. 15/0. Stosur's sliced backhand return stayed really low, forcing Ana to slice a backhand into the net. 15/15. Stosur forced a floater, but netted a forehand smash - her sunglasses didn't help her there! 30/15. Double fault (second serve wide). 30/30. First serve down the middle - on the centre-line + delectable backhand drop-volley winner. 40/30. First serve: backhand return just long.
Stosur serving 0-2: Service-winner out wide + thunderous off-forehand winner off the short return. 15/0. Stosur, on the third stroke, hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/15. Stosur backhand just long. 15/30. Ana pounced on Stosur's short sliced backhand approach to hit a sliced backhand pass-winner down the line. 15/40 (BP). First serve out wide, but Ana picked off a brilliant forehand return-winner down the line.
Ana serving 3-0: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. First serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Stosur forehand long. 40/0. Ana crosscourt backhand just wide. 40/15. Stosur netted a forehand return.
Stosur serving 0-4: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. First serve out wide forced a floater, which Stosur dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. First serve out wide hit the sideline with a puff of chalk, forcing Ana to hit a backhand lob-return wide. 40/15. First serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand smash-winner.
Excellent game by Stosur there. She recovered from some major deficits against Tatjana Malek in the previous round, although nothing as wide as 0-4.
Ana serving 4-1: First serve down the middle forced Stosur to hit a forehand long. 15/0. Stosur forced a short floater and hit a thunderous forehand smash-winner onto the baseline (unnecessary precision). 15/15. Stosur dominated the rally with deep, hard forehands, finishing with an off-forehand + forehand winner down Ana's forehand sideline. 15/30. First serve: forehand return just long. 30/30. Stosur netted a backhand, and Ana said "ajde". 40/30. Ana's deep crosscourt backhand forced Stosur to slice a backhand wide. Ana pumped her fist and said "ajde".
Nick Mullins: "This is her best performance by some distance."
Stosur serving 1-5: Ana forehand just long. 15/0. Stosur hit a wild forehand drive-volley from no-man's-land very long - what the heck was she thinking? 15/15. Ana crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline + "ajde". 15/30. Stosur crosscourt backhand + off-forehand winner back behind Ana, whose weak sliced backhand had sat up nicely for Stosur. 30/30. Stosur, on the third stroke, blasted a forehand into the net. 30/40 (MP #1). First serve clipped the netcord and fell wide. Ana opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but her down-the-line forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. Deuce #1. Ana's crosscourt backhand landed on the sideline but was called wide. Ana challenged it, but Hawk-Eye showed that it missed the sideline by less than 1%! Ad Stosur. Ana's off-forehand forced Stosur to net a backhand. Deuce #2. Stosur went to the net and hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner after an excellent first volley to pin Ana to her forehand-sideline. Ad Stosur. She went to the net, forcing Ana to net a forehand.
This match has gone rather quickly, with no deuces until that last game. It's interesting to note that Jelena Janković - who started her match against Melanie Oudin at the same time as this one - has only just this minute taken the first set 7-6 (10/8).
Ana serving 5-2: Stosur's dropshot forced Ana to net a backhand. She kicked the ball into the net. 0/15. Ana hit a beautiful off-forehand winner back behind Stosur, and said "ajde!" 15/15. Service-winner down the line. 30/15. Stosur backhand just long. 40/15 (MP #2). Stosur forehand return just long. Ana won 7-5 6-2 at 13:20 BST (second set 33m, match 1h10m), and reacted with a cute little scream.
----------------------------------------------
4. Third-round TV-report: Lisicki v Kuznetsova (Saturday 27th June 2009)
----------------------------------------------
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [5], 6-2 7-5
Not a bad return for Anna Chakvetadze's first-round loss to Sabine!
Not a happy return of the day for Kuznetsova on her 24th birthday, though!
I started this report on the assumption that the BBC would televise it at some point, seeing as it was on Court One and the fifth seed was in real trouble, but with only two channels available for tennis at the time, they wasted them both on men's matches and then Safina v Flipkens!
So I started by following live scores on a game-by-game basis, and then went into point-by-point mode when it looked like Sabine was about to win at 6-2 5-2*.
At least the BBC did later show Sabine's three missed match-points at 6-2 5-4* and the last game of the match.
The BBC commentators appreciated Sabine as follows:
David Mercer: "This young woman has a massive serve, huge groundstrokes, and real intelligence: real variety in her stroke-play."
Virginia Wade: "That's the second time I've watched her play a spectacular match that she's just been /so/ impressive. Her serve is just a /giant/ of a serve. Also, her demeanour is just beautiful."
I really hope I get a chance to watch Sabine play a full singles-match this Wimbledon! (I did casually watch her doubles-match against the Williams-sisters.)
First set
---------
LISICKI _@*@* *@ 6
KUZNETS @____*__ 2
The BBC didn't even mention this match in a round-up during the first set, let alone bring live coverage!
Sabine saved break-point in a deucy game at *4-2.
Second set
----------
LISICKI * * *@*___*@ 7
KUZNETS _* *___*@*__ 5
I thought BBC Red Button would surely join this match when Hewitt v Petzschner finished, but instead, it showed Safina v Flipkens (Court 2) from the start on Stream 302, while Stream 301 was showing the Glastonbury Festival!
Kuznetsova serving 2-5: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Sabine serving 5-3: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Is this the start of a massive choke? Sabine really needs to break for the match in the next game, because if Kuznetsova can hold here, she would really have the momentum and Sabine's chances would be slipping away.
Kuznetsova serving 4-5: 0/30. 30/30. 30/40 (MP #1). Deuce #1. Ad Sabine (MP #2). Deuce #2. Ad Kuznetsova. Deuce #3. Ad Sabine (MP #3). Deuce #4. Ad Kuznetsova. Held.
Three match-points wasted. Has Sabine missed the boat? She needed many match-points to win the Charleston-final.
Sabine serving 5-5: 0/15. 40/15. Held.
Kuznetsova serving 5-6: 40/0. Deuce #1. Ad Kuznetsova. Deuce #2. Ad Sabine (MP #4). Deuce #3. Ad Sabine (MP #5). Sabine won 6-2 7-5 at 17:21 BST (second set 49m, match 1h26m).
I switched over to BBC 1 - which I believed was still showing Melzer v Roddick - to see Sabine shaking hands, smiling, and looking close to tears of joy as she sat in her chair.
Then I saw the following play in the BBC's highlights-show: Today at Wimbledon:
First set: Kuznetsova serving 2-5 (30/40): Double fault (second serve into the net).
Second set: Kuznetsova serving 2-3 (15/40): Sabine off-backhand + forehand winner down the line.
Second set: Kuznetsova serving 4-5 (30/30): Double fault (second serve just wide). 30/40 (MP #1). Kuznetsova forced a floater and dispatched it with an off-forehand smash-winner... Ad Sabine (MP #2). She dumped a makeable off-forehand return into the net... Ad Sabine (MP #3). She mishit a forehand return wide left, and yelled in frustration.
Kuznetsova serving 5-6: Kuznetsova went to the net and hit an off-backhand volley-winner. 15/0. Sabine netted a down-the-line backhand. 30/0. Sabine off-backhand return just wide. David Mercer: "It's been a very good service-game by Kuznetsova." 40/0. Second serve: Sabine hit a backhand return-winner down the line. 40/15. Sabine hit a terrific crosscourt forehand return low over the net, forcing Kuznetsova to hit a forehand just long. 40/30. A nailbiting rally ended with Kuznetsova hitting a forehand wide and just long. Deuce #1. Sabine sprayed a wild backhand return very wide. Ad Kuznetsova. She netted a backhand dropshot from the baseline on the third stroke - what the heck was she thinking? Deuce #2. Kuznetsova sprayed a forehand long. Ad Sabine (MP #4). Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner back behind Sabine. Deuce #3. Serve out wide forced a short return, but Kuznetsova dumped a backhand into the net. Ad Sabine (MP #5). First serve into the net. A nailbiting rally ended with Kuznetsova hitting an off-backhand wide on the seventh stroke - off a mildly awkward crosscourt backhand from Sabine.
Sabine threw her arms in the air and screamed. She blew kisses to the crowd, and looked very delighted.
Sabine's BBC interviews
-----------------------
Sabine's first BBC interview (immediately after the match): "I'm just so happy. I think it was my sixth or seventh match-point! I just kept fighting, and when it was 5-5, it was tough, but I'm so happy that I pulled it off. [I told myself] 'Just play one point at a time, you have nothing to lose' - just the same thing as I went into the match, and just to start over again. It's a huge win for me, because before I came into this Wimbledon Championships, I hadn't won actually a match on grass. So I can't believe I'm in the fourth round, and I'm just so happy."
It was wonderful to see Sabine so smiley, and she has a cute high-pitched voice, too.
Sabine's second BBC interview (later): "It means a lot to me, because before coming to the Wimbledon Championships, I hadn't won a match on grass, actually. So I really hadn't thought that I would get to the second week for the first time in Wimbledon."
--------------------
5. Fourth-round draw
--------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
* DINARA SAFINA [1] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17]
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9] (my loyalty is to Sabine)
* ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] v VENUS WILLIAMS [3] (ajde Ana!)
* AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] v Melanie Oudin [Q]
* Francesca Schiavone v VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26]
* Elena Vesnina v ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] (my loyalty is to Vesnina)
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v NADIA PETROVA [10] (davai Vika!)
* Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (POĎME DANIELA!!)
Lisicki v Wozniacki is an intriguing clash between two beautiful ethnic Poles. I like Caroline only a little less than it would take to promote her to my demi-fanship, while I have a hunch that Sabine even has the potential to be the next member of my Eternal Fanship.
Sabine beat Caroline 6-2 6-4 at Charleston, so she should certainly beat her on grass, which should favour Sabine's power-game over Caroline's counterpunching.
Mauresmo and Safina are my two least-favourite players. Mauresmo is the only player against whom I would support Safina, and I do so in this case because I believe that the grass-hating, Majorless, injured Safina is less capable of winning Wimbledon than the ageing Mauresmo, who loves grass, and has enjoyed something of a resurgence this year after her seemingly-terminal slump of 2007/2008.
------------------------------------------------
6. Fourth-round preview: Hantuchová v S.Williams
------------------------------------------------
Whenever I think about Daniela playing Serena Williams, I immediately remember their last meeting: that dramatic fourth-round match at Wimbledon 2007, when Williams collapsed at 6-2 5-5* with a spasm-induced calf-strain, writhing and screaming in agony.
It looked like Williams was about to retire, but amazingly, she eventually got up and managed to force a tiebreak, despite hobbling between points!
Then Williams was saved by a two-hour rain-delay (with Daniela leading 4/2* in the tiebreak), after which Williams's movement dramatically improved.
Daniela did manage to win the tiebreak, but she folded horribly in the third set, as Williams indulged in some bizarre gamesmanship, including asking to go to the toilet before each of Daniela's last two service-games (which she broke), and refusing to go to the toilet before her own service-game in between.
I would like nothing more from this Wimbledon than for Daniela to avenge that bullying display by Williams, and go on to win the title. Unfortunately that doesn't seem very likely, as Williams leads their head to head 6:1:
- 2002 Wimbledon qf: Williams 6-3 6-2
- 2002 US Open qf: Williams 6-2 6-2
- 2005 Dubai qf: Williams 6-4 6-3
+ 2006 Australian Open 3r: Daniela 6-1 7-6 (7/5)
- 2006 Los Angeles 3r: Williams 1-6 6-3 6-3
- 2006 US Open 2r: Williams 7-5 6-3
- 2007 Wimbledon 4r: Williams 6-2 6-7 (2/7) 6-2
Williams isn't having a great year by her own standards as a ten-time Major champion who currently holds the US and Australian Open titles, but still has an impressive 28:7 win/loss record for 2009 so far (including her three wins here).
At Sydney, Williams saved four match-points in the first round before beating world #46 Samantha Stosur 6-3 6-7 7-5, and saved another three match-points before beating #12 Caroline Wozniacki 6-7 6-3 7-6 in the quarter-finals. She was then thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #4 Elena Dementieva.
But Serena almost always rises to the occasion for Majors other than the French Open, and she claimed her tenth Major at the Australian Open. In the fourth round, she was being thrashed by #14 Victoria Azarenka before Vika sadly was taken ill, and had to retire leading 6-3 *2-4. Williams also pulled off a great escape against #8 Svetlana Kuznetsova, who led 7-5 5-3* before losing 7-5 5-7 1-6, then beat #4 Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals, and thrashed #3 Dinara Safina 6-0 6-3 in the final.
However, Williams has struggled with a right-knee injury ever since winning the Australian Open. She reached the semi-finals of WTA Paris, but gave Dementieva a walkover.
She reached the semi-finals of Dubai by beating #8 Ana Ivanović 6-4 6-4, but lost 6-1 2-6 7-6 to #6 Venus Williams. She avenged that defeat by beating Venus 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the semi-finals of Miami, but was thrashed 6-3 6-1 by #10 Victoria Azarenka in the final (just as she would have been at the Australian Open, had Vika not been ill).
Amazingly, that was the start of a four-match losing-streak for Williams, which continued into the clay-court season at Marbella (6-4 3-6 6-1 to #95 Klára Zakopalová), Rome (6-2 2-6 6-1 to #20 Patty Schnyder) and Madrid (4-6 retired against #45 Francesca Schiavone).
The French Open 2009 was one Major where it was absolutely safe to write off Williams's chances of winning the title, yet she almost beat the eventual champion before bowing out in the quarter-finals. In the first round, she avenged her loss to Zakopalová 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4, then thrashed #133 Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2 6-0. She beat #43 María José Martínez Sánchez 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the third round, then thrashed #24 Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1 6-2 in the fourth round. In the quarter-finals, she recovered from 6-7 *1-4 and 3-5* against #7 Svetlana Kuznetsova, yet she was the one who got tight when leading *3-2 (40/0) in the third; Kuznetsova won 7-6 5-7 7-5.
But while it was safe to write off Williams at the French Open, it certainly isn't at Wimbledon! She won Wimbledon in 2002 and 2003, and was runner-up to Maria Sharapova in 2004, and to Venus Williams in 2008. Grass is a much more forgiving surface than clay, and of course Serena now has much more match-play than she did going into the French Open.
Williams has reached the fourth round with the following results:
1r + Neuza Silva [Q], 6-1 7-5
2r + Jarmila Groth, 6-2 6-1
3r + Roberta Vinci, 6-3 6-4
Daniela's route to the fourth round:
1r + Laura Robson [WC], 3-6 6-4 6-2
2r + ZHENG,JIE [16], 6-3 7-5
3r + Ai Sugiyama, 6-4 6-3
All things considered, I believe Daniela can at least push Williams to two tight sets; the problem is their respective mental strength when it does get tight. Daniela's failings in this department are well documented, while Williams proved as recently as the French Open that she is still an extremely tough competitor under pressure.
One thing Daniela needs to avoid is going 0-2 down at the start, as she has done in all three of her previous matches here. Williams is a big server and a fearsome frontrunner, so it really needs to be at least 1-1 after the first two games. Perhaps Daniela needs to do some more exercises before the match than she would normally do, so that everything is flowing in the right direction from the start.
Another factor is, of course, Daniela's 'flu, with which she went home early and saw a doctor after winning her third-round match on Friday. She lost a doubles-match 6-4 6-7 6-2 on Saturday, so I can only pray that it won't impair her performance on Monday.
------------------
7. Andrew's wishes (updated after Saturday)
------------------
Quarter-final wishes
--------------------
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. DINARA SAFINA [1]
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
+ Elena Vesnina d. Francesca Schiavone
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] d. Sabine Lisicki [DF]
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. Elena Vesnina
Ana v Sabine would be an intriguing test of my loyalty:
* Ana is currently my favourite non-member of my Eternal Fanship - but if I was going to induct her, I would have done so last year at the latest. I just don't have the passion to follow Ana's career with the level of dedication I call Eternal Fanship.
* Sabine is currently 11 places lower than Ana on my list of favourites, yet I have a hunch that she might be the next player I induct into my Eternal Fanship. Sabine is very pretty, and I also get excited about her tennis (even though I have only been able to watch little bits and pieces of her matches since the one whole match that I did see her play at Birmingham 2008).
Final-wish
----------
+ Daniela Hantuchová [EF] d. ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF]
-------------
8. Qualifying
-------------
I didn't have time to list my favourite qualifying-results at the time, but I want to do so now.
8.1 First round (Tuesday 16th June 2009)
---------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ VITALIA DIATCHENKO [10,S] d. Naomi Broady, 7-6 (7/5) 6-4
+ TATJANA MALEK [3] d. Julia Vakulenko, 6-2 6-3
+ POLONA HERCOG [17] d. Corinna Dentoni, 3-6 6-0 6-3
What rocked:
+ VIKTORIYA KUTUZOVA [1] d. Anna Gerasimou, 3-6 6-3 6-4
+ KLÁRA ZAKOPALOVÁ [24] d. Sofia Arvidsson, 6-2 6-0
+ Kristína Kučová [s] d. Ekaterina Ivanova, 6-2 5-7 7-5
+ Aiko Nakamura [s] d. Natalie Grandin, 6-4 6-2
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [s] d. Selima Sfar, 6-3 3-6 6-3
+ Eva Hrdinová d. ARANTXA RUS [4], 2-6 6-4 6-0
+ VARVARA LEPCHENKO [2] d. Elizabeth Thomas, 7-5 6-4
+ ANGELA HAYNES [23] d. Ekaterina Dzehalevich, 6-1 6-1
+ Ekaterina Bychkova d. MARIANA DUQUE MARINO [7], 6-4 6-1
+ Zuzana Ondrášková d. LENKA WIENEROVÁ [24], 6-4 6-0
What sucked:
- Yuliana Fedak lt. ANGELIQUE KERBER [20], 2-6 6-7 (4/7)
- Olga Puchkova lt. Lauren Riley Albanese, 6-7 (5/7) 1-6
- MARET ANI [21] lt. Kathrin Wörle, 5-7 6-7 (6/8)
- Jade Curtis lt. Sesil Karatantcheva, 1-6 3-6
- Sandra Záhlavová lt. Silvia Soler Espinosa, 4-6 6-7 (5/7)
- Hsieh,Su-Wei [s] lt. Yuan,Meng, walkover (why?)
- Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [s] lt. Vesna Manasieva, 7-6 (9/7) 4-6 1-6
8.2 Second round (Wednesday 17th June 2009)
----------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ Aiko Nakamura [s] d. POLONA HERCOG [17], 6-4 7-5
What rocked:
+ VIKTORIYA KUTUZOVA [1] d. Lauren Riley Albanese, 6-0 6-4
+ KLÁRA ZAKOPALOVÁ [24] d. Tomoko Yonemura, 6-1 6-1
+ Kristína Kučová [s] d. ANDREA PETKOVIĆ, 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-4
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [s] d. Renata Voráčová, 6-1 6-2
+ TATJANA MALEK [3] d. Anastasia Rodionova, 6-3 2-6 6-2
+ Zuzana Ondrášková d. Yuan,Meng, 6-2 6-4
What sucked:
- VITALIA DIATCHENKO [10,S] lt. Neuza Silva, 3-6 5-7
- Eva Hrdinová lt. Lindsay Lee-Waters, 6-7 (5/7) 4-6
- VARVARA LEPCHENKO [2] lt. Mervana Jugić-Salkić, 2-6 3-6
- ANGELA HAYNES [23] lt. Abigail Spears, 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 4-6
- Ekaterina Bychkova lt. Regina Kulikova, 6-7 (5/7) 2-6
8.3 Third round (Thursday 18th June 2009)
---------------
Nice qualifiers:
+ VIKTORIYA KUTUZOVA [1] d. Shenay Perry, 6-0 6-2
+ KLÁRA ZAKOPALOVÁ [24] d. Mervana Jugić-Salkić, 6-2 6-1
+ Aiko Nakamura [s] d. Lindsay Lee-Waters, 6-3 6-3
+ Arantxa Parra Santonja [s] d. Gréta Arn, 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3
+ TATJANA MALEK [3] d. Madison Brengle, 6-0 6-3
Nice lucky loser:
- Kristína Kučová [s] lt. MELANIE OUDIN [15], 3-6 0-6
Not-so-lucky loser:
- Zuzana Ondrášková lt. ALBERTA BRIANTI [9], 4-6 4-6
--------------------------------------------
9. Women's Doubles: First round/Second round
--------------------------------------------
I've got some catching up to do with the doubles as well!
9.1 First round (Monday 22nd - Thursday 25th June 2009)
---------------
+ Anna Chakvetadze [EF]/Maria Elena Camerin d. Edina Gallovits/Katalin Marosi, 5-7 7-6 (7/4) 6-4
+ Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF]/Yanina Wickmayer d. Līga Dekmeijere/Viktoriya Kutuzova, 6-3 6-0
+ (DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[6] d. Tamira Paszek/Olga Savchuk, 6-0 6-1
+ (VICTORIA AZARENKA [DF]/ELENA VESNINA)[7] d. Elena Baltacha/Amanda Elliott, 6-0 6-4
+ Gisela Dulko [DF]/Shahar Pe'er d. Jarmila Groth/Renata Voráčová, 6-4 6-3
+ (YAN,ZI [s]/ZHENG,JIE)[13] d. Akiko Morigami [s]/Ayumi Morita [s], 6-1 6-1
+ Iveta Benešová/Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová d. Sybille Bammer/Alexa Glatch, 6-2 2-6 7-5
- Nicole Vaidišová [EF]/Eva Hrdinová lt. Julie Ditty/Ekaterina Dzehalevich, 5-7 7-6 (12/10) 5-7
- (VERA ZVONARËVA [EF]/LISA RAYMOND)[9] lt. Sara Errani/Carla Suárez Navarro, 5-6* retired (Vera's right-ankle injury)
- Lucie Šafářová [EF]/Vladimíra Uhlířová lt. Anastasia Rodionova/Galina Voskoboeva, 1-6 3-6
- (MARIA KIRILENKO [DF]/FLAVIA PENNETTA [DF])[8] lt. Kaia Kanepi/İpek Şenoğlu, 3-6 6-7 (4/7)
- (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/PENG,SHUAI [s])[5] lt. Sorana Cîrstea/Caroline Wozniacki, 4-6 6-2 2-6
9.2 Second round (Friday 26th - Saturday 27th June 2009)
----------------
+ (YAN,ZI [s]/ZHENG,JIE)[13] d. Gisela Dulko [DF]/Shahar Pe'er, 6-4 6-1
+ Iveta Benešová/Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová d. Yaroslava Shvedova/Tamarine Tanasugarn, 2-6 6-4 6-4
- Anna Chakvetadze [EF]/Maria Elena Camerin lt. (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3], 3-6 5-7
- Magdaléna Rybáriková [EF]/Yanina Wickmayer lt. (VICTORIA AZARENKA [DF]/ELENA VESNINA)[7], walkover (Magda: right-shoulder injury)
- (DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[6] lt. Alisa Kleybanova/Ekaterina Makarova, 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 2-6
9.3 Third-round draw (Andrew's selections)
--------------------
* Iveta Benešová/Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová v (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1]
* (VICTORIA AZARENKA [DF]/ELENA VESNINA)[7] v (NURIA LLAGOSTERA VIVES/MARÍA JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ SÁNCHEZ)[11]
* (YAN,ZI [s]/ZHENG,JIE)[13] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4]
-------------------------------------------
10. Mixed Doubles: First round/Second round
-------------------------------------------
10.1 First round (Thursday 25th - Saturday 27th June 2009)
----------------
+ (Fabrice Santoro [s]/Anabel Medina Garrigues) d. Lucie Hradecká [s]/František Čermák, 7-6 (7/4) 6-3
- Anna Chakvetadze [EF]/Andy Ram lt. Maria Kirilenko [DF]/Igor Andreev, 2-6 6-3 2-6
10.2 Second round (Saturday 27th June 2009)
-----------------
+ (SANIA MIRZA [DF]/MAHESH BHUPATHI)[13] d. Sarah Borwell/Colin Fleming, 7-6 (7/4) 6-4
+ (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4] d. Galina Voskoboeva/Jean-Juliën Rojer, 6-3 6-4
+ (Fabrice Santoro [s]/Anabel Medina Garrigues) d. (PENG,SHUAI [s]/MARCELO MELO)[14], 6-4 6-3
+ (IVETA BENEŠOVÁ/LUKÁŠ DLOUHÝ)[15] d. Yaroslava Shvedova/Eric Butorac, 7-5 7-6 (7/1)
+ (ELENA VESNINA/DANIEL NESTOR)[5] d. Elena Baltacha/James Auckland, 6-1 6-2
To be played on Tuesday:
* Maria Kirilenko [DF]/Igor Andreev v (CHUANG,CHIA-JUNG/CHRISTOPHER KAS)[16]
------------------------------------
11. Girls' Singles: First-round draw
------------------------------------
Andrew's selections (to be played on Monday):
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] v Eugenie Bouchard (allez Kristina!)
* Valeria Solovieva v HEATHER WATSON [12] (davai Lera!)
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v Alejandra Granillo (al-na Noppawan!)
* LAURA ROBSON [2] v Katarena Paliivets (go Laura!)
I miss Romana Tabaková (she's playing ITF Cuneo instead), Elena Bogdan and Anna Orlik in this draw!
----------------------------
12. Order of play for Monday
----------------------------
Court 2 (start 12:00 BST = 11:00 GMT)
WS 4r: Elena Vesnina v ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
WS 4r: Daniela Hantuchová [EF] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
MS 4r: Lleyton Hewitt v RADEK ŠTĚPÁNEK [23]
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
P.S. It's a real shame that Lisicki v Wozniacki is scheduled for Court 4, where the BBC will never televise it.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 29th, 2009 at 03:51 AM.
Reason: minor correction
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Jun 30th, 2009, 03:58 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 7
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Fourth-round results
3. Fourth-round mini TV-report: Ivanović v V.Williams
4. Fourth-round TV-report: Azarenka v Petrova
5. Fourth-round TV-report: Hantuchová v S.Williams
6. Quarter-final draw
7. Andrew's wishes
8. Women's Doubles: Third round
9. Mixed Doubles: Third round
10. Girls' Singles: First round
11. Girls' Singles: First-round mini TV-report: Robson v Paliivets
12. Order of play for Tuesday
---------
1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Monday:
hantuchova
ivanovic
lisicki
azarenka
wozniacki
vesnina
dementieva
According to the photos, Lisicki and Wozniacki bumped shoulders at one of the changeovers - I'm not sure what that was about.
-----------------------
2. Fourth-round results (Monday 29th June 2009)
-----------------------
Nice winners, nice losers:
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [9], 6-4 6-4
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Elena Vesnina, 6-1 6-3
As expected, Lisicki v Wozniacki was unavailable to Freeview-viewers, but I saw Sabine's match-point in a BBC 1 round-up: at 6-4 *5-4 (40/0), a long rally culminated with Sabine's deep, low-bouncing backhand down the line forcing Caroline to bunt a forehand lob just long. Again, Sabine looked very emotional when she won.
There was an intriguing interview with Elena Dementieva on BBC 2 after her match. She's developed quite a posh English accent! But she went giggly when the male interviewer complimented her on her "style" - he wasn't talking about her style of play!
What rocked:
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. NADIA PETROVA [10], 7-6 (7/5) 2-6 6-3
What sucked:
- Daniela Hantuchová [EF] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 3-6 1-6
- ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] lt. VENUS WILLIAMS [3], 1-6 1-0* retired (left-thigh injury)
Other results:
+ DINARA SAFINA [1] d. AMÉLIE MAURESMO [17], 4-6 6-3 6-4
+ AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] d. Melanie Oudin [Q], 6-4 7-5
+ Francesca Schiavone d. VIRGINIE RAZZANO [26], 6-2 7-6 (7/1)
-----------------------------------------------------
3. Fourth-round mini TV-report: Ivanović v V.Williams (Monday 29th June 2009)
-----------------------------------------------------
- ANA IVANOVIĆ [13,DF] lt. VENUS WILLIAMS [3], 1-6 1-0* retired (left-thigh injury)
I had the option of watching Ana's match live on BBC Red Button, but chose to stay with Azarenka v Petrova, which started an hour earlier, and was an intriguing battle.
A round-up showed Ana in floods of tears at 1-6 *0-1 down, then she shook hands with Venus. A later round-up showed Ana actually winning the point and the game before she retired, with a deep service-winner down the middle! But she immediately burst into tears, and that was that.
I watched the match casually on DVD later (not having time to write a proper report for it). Ana showed no signs of injury in the first set; she didn't play badly; Williams was just too strong for her.
Ana: "Even though the score was not indicating that, I thought it was pretty close."
Ana did have problems with her service-toss, having to catch several wild tosses.
In the first game of the second set, Ana saved two break-points at 15/40 - the second with an ace. But when she landed after that serve, she grimaced in pain, and immediately called for the trainer.
Ana: "I didn't feel anything up to that point. When I landed, I just felt a sharp pain on my inner thigh, and I couldn't step on my leg again."
After a lengthy medical time-out between first and second serves at Deuce, Ana hit a second serve + sliced backhand to force Williams into error, but was already crying after that point. She held serve with the aforementioned service-winner, but felt unable to continue, and made her tearful exit.
I wish Ana a full recovery rather than a speedy one.
---------------------------------------------
4. Fourth-round TV-report: Azarenka v Petrova (Monday 29th June 2009)
---------------------------------------------
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. NADIA PETROVA [10], 7-6 (7/5) 2-6 6-3
It was a tense and gripping battle, with a couple of foul-mouthed tantrums from Vika (one after she failed to serve out the first set at *5-4, the other at 7-6 2-4), but she managed to avenge her third-round loss to Petrova at Wimbledon 2008, and level their head-to-head at 2:2.
If Dinara Safina had behaved the way Vika did at *5-4, I would have called it disgusting behaviour, but I actually found myself emoting with Vika in that game - the first time I've ever felt that for Vika.
Petrova took a medical time-out for a heat-related illness at the end of the first set, but came back strongly in the second, which I had to stop watching at 2-3* because Daniela Hantuchová's match was starting.
My report as done is as follows:
First set
---------
AZARENK _*@*__@ @__*T 7(7)
PETROVA *___*@ @ @*__ 6(5)
The match was first on Court 3 ("The Graveyard of Champions", renumbered this year - it will be bulldozed after these Championships), but BBC 2 missed the start as Sue Barker and John McEnroe had a protracted discussion of the forthcoming matches, particularly Murray v Wawrinka!
Petrova serving 1-1: BBC 2 joined the match at 30/40 (BP #2). Petrova went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, but Vika broke with a backhand pass-winner down the line.
Vika serving 2-1: Vika played a lovely point of flairsome power and spreading: down-the-line forehand + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Double fault (both serves into the net). Vika groaned. 30/15. Petrova went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, and hit a forehand volley-winner into the open court. 30/30. Petrova sprayed a wild off-backhand very long and wide. 40/30. Ace out wide.
Petrova serving 1-3: Petrova's deep forehand down the line induced Vika to spray a backhand long. 15/15. Petrova netted a backhand. 15/30. Second serve out wide: Vika hit a "grooved" crosscourt forehand return-winner. 15/30. Petrova forehand long. 15/40 (BP #1). Petrova crosscourt forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Petrova's depth induced Vika to hit a backhand long. Deuce. 118mph service-winner down the middle. Ad Petrova. First serve out wide forced Vika to earth a backhand return.
Two points for the double break (*4-1) went begging. The next game is huge for Vika.
Vika serving 3-2: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Petrova went to the net behind a dropshot, and hit a delectable off-backhand drop-volley winner past Vika at the net. 0/30. Vika's crosscourt backhand forced Petrova to hit a backhand long. 15/30. Vika netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/40 (BP #1). Service-winner down the middle; Petrova yelled in frustration, which is not a good message to send to your opponent when you have her at break-point. 30/40 (BP #2). Service-winner out wide. Deuce. Double fault (second serve just long). Ad Petrova (BP #3). Petrova's deep crosscourt backhand induced Vika to mishit a backhand into the earth.
A surprising break back, as Vika appeared to have the momentum, and to be mentally stronger than Petrova.
Simon Reed said the problem with Vika's grunt is that it is very long, finishing just before her opponent hits a groundstroke (I am dismayed by the general anti-grunting campaign at this year's Wimbledon).
Petrova serving 3-3: Vika sprayed an off-forehand wide. 15/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Vika's off-forehand to the sideline forced Petrova to earth a backhand. 15/30. Vika blasted a backhand winner down the line - on the rise, great timing. 15/40 (BP). Vika's depth induced Petrova to hit a forehand long, reinstating Vika's break.
Vika serving 4-3: Her depth induced Petrova to float a backhand very long. 15/0. Petrova netted a backhand, and threatened to throw her racket. 30/0. 89mph serve out wide: forehand return-winner down the line. 30/15. Petrova's depth induced Vika to spray a backhand long. 30/30. Petrova mishit a forehand long, and threw her racket against the ground with some force. 40/30. Petrova's depth induced Vika to hit a forehand long; she muttered. Deuce. Petrova's depth forced Vika to bunt a forehand long. Ad Petrova (BP). Petrova broke back crosscourt forehand winner back behind Vika.
Simon Reed: "Two highly-strung individuals."
Petrova serving 4-4: Petrova netted a backhand. 0/15. Petrova went to the net, but Vika hit a lovely short-angled crosscourt backhand pass-winner just inside the sideline. 0/30. Serve out wide forced a short return, which Petrova dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 15/30. First serve forced a very short return, which Petrova dispatched with an easy crosscourt forehand winner. 30/30. Ace down the middle. 30/40 (BP #1). Vika's depth forced Petrova to net a forehand. Deuce #1. Vika sprayed a forehand long on the fourth stroke. Ad Petrova. Vika's deep crosscourt backhand induced Petrova to hit a backhand long. Deuce #2. Petrova netted a forehand. Ad Vika (BP #2). Double fault (second serve very long).
Four breaks in a row, but now Vika gets to serve for the first set.
Simon Reed suggested the heat could be a concern for Vika after she retired ill from the Australian Open (she was leading Serena Williams 6-3 2-4 at the time). But the heat here is nothing like that in Australia, and I thought Vika was already ill going into that match.
Vika serving 5-4: Double fault (second serve long). Vika yelled. 0/15. Second serve: Petrova hit a "wasteful" backhand return just long. 15/15. Vika's deep forehand induced Petrova to hit a forehand long. She muttered. 30/15. Petrova played a powerful spreading rally: crosscourt forehand + pinpoint forehand down the line induced Vika to hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. Vika questioned the call (Hawk-Eye is unavailable on Court 3). 30/30. Vika netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP). Deep 89mph second serve just inside the sideline induced Petrova to hit a backhand return long. Deuce #1. A meaty baseline-rally ended with Vika hitting a pinpoint backhand winner down the line. She said "c'mon". Ad Vika (SP #1). Second-serve let... second serve just long for an agonising double fault. Vika yelled loudly and at length. Deuce #2. Petrova dumped a cheap backhand return into the net. Ad Vika (SP #2). Vika forehand just long. Deuce #3. Double fault (second serve very long). Ad Petrova (BP). Petrova went to the net and broke with an off-backhand drive-volley winner on the sideline.
Vika walked up to the umpire, complained with the 'F' word, and whacked the net with her racket.
At this point, the pictures of this match were moved from BBC 2 to BBC Red Button, but with the sound for Dementieva v Vesnina.
Petrova serving 5-5: Petrova hit a backhand onto the baseline, inducing Vika to hit a forehand half-volley just long. 15/0. Petrova went to the net and hit a crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. 30/0. Ace out wide. 40/0. Vika crosscourt forehand wide.
Vika serving 5-6: Vika's deep backhand down the line forced Petrova to hit a forehand wide. 15/0. Petrova crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/0. Service-winner. 40/0. Petrova forehand long.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Azarenka v Petrova):
{0/0*} Vika went to the net, and Petrova hit a makeable crosscourt forehand pass wide.
{*0/1} Petrova went to the net, forcing Vika to hit a down-the-line forehand pass wide.
{*1/1} Petrova crosscourt backhand just wide.
{2/1*} Vika went to the net, but netted a sliced backhand off a short ball.
{2/2*} Petrova hit a down-the-line forehand wide.
{*3/2} Petrova backhand very long.
{*4/2} Petrova's deep forehand return forced Vika to net a forehand.
{4/3*} Vika crosscourt backhand wide.
{4/4*} Vika's crosscourt backhand forced Petrova to net a backhand wide.
{*5/4} Petrova's deep return forced Vika to net a forehand - didn't move her feet at the critical time.
{*5/5} Petrova forehand long.
{6/5*: SP #3} Petrova, on the third stroke, netted a crosscourt backhand. Vika won the first set 7-6 (7/5) at 13:18 BST (1h01m).
Petrova took a medical time-out for what I presume was a heat-related illness rather than cramping as the commentators thought. She lay down while the trainer iced her legs.
Second set
----------
AZARENK *___*___ 2
PETROVA _*@* *@* 6
Vika serving 0-0: Vika error. 0/15. Petrova short-angled crosscourt backhand winner back behind Vika. 0/30. Vika netted a backhand. 15/30. Vika, on the third stroke, hit an unbelievable sliced backhand dropshot-winner from the baseline. 30/30. Petrova went to the net, but Vika's crosscourt forehand pass sent her sprawling. 40/30. Service-winner down the middle.
Petrova serving 0-1: Vika played a good spreading rally: crosscourt backhand + off-backhand winner onto the sideline. 0/15. Petrova had the initiative, but hit an off-forehand long. 0/30. First serve out wide induced Vika to mishit a crosscourt forehand return just wide. 15/30. Vika forehand winner down the line, back behind Petrova. 15/40 (BP #1). Petrova saved it with a crosscourt forehand + forehand winner down the line. 30/40 (BP #2). Petrova went to the net behind a short sliced backhand, and hit a crosscourt forehand pass-volley winner. Deuce #1. Ace out wide: right in the corner. Ad Petrova. Vika's deep backhand forced Petrova to hit a forehand wide. Deuce #2. Service-winner out wide. Ad Petrova. Serve down the middle forced a short floater, which Petrova dispatched with an off-forehand volley-winner just inside the sideline.
Petrova still looks unwell, but she played a series of excellent points from 15/40 there.
Vika serving 1-1: Petrova nailed an off-backhand winner to the sideline. 0/15. Service-winner down the middle: on the centre-line. 15/15. Vika crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 30/15. Petrova's depth induced Vika to spray a wild forehand very long. Vika shouted "wooh!" 30/30. Double fault #7 (second serve into the net). 30/40 (BP). Petrova hit a deep off-forehand to force a floater, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner.
Petrova serving 2-1 (new balls): Vika hit a great return + crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Petrova's deep forehand forced Vika to hit one long. 30/15. Vika's deep forehand return just inside the baseline induced Petrova to hit an off-forehand wide. 30/30. An exchange of dropshots ended in Petrova's favour at the net. Ad Petrova. Ace out wide.
Vika serving 1-3: A poor first serve went unpunished as Petrova hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Petrova netted a backhand. 30/0. Vika sprayed a forehand wide. 30/15. Ace down the middle + "c'mon". 40/15. Petrova netted a sloppy forehand return to make it *3-2.
I stopped watching at this point, as Daniela Hantuchová's match was just starting, so I had to sit on BBC 2 until it was televised there. I won't apologise for this priority - just be grateful I didn't leave Vika for Ana Ivanović earlier!
Apparently I missed Vika throwing a major tantrum at 2-4 in the second set, when she accused the umpire (the very cute Eva Asderaki) of "ruining the game". I look forward to seeing that when I reach this match in my video-collection in early 2011 or so!
Vika: "I didn't apologise, but I actually felt pretty bad. But sometimes it's tough to control your emotions. I really have to learn how to do it."
Third set
---------
AZARENK *__@ @*@* 6
PETROVA _*@ @____ 3
I caught the last point during a changeover in Daniela's match: at 14:42 BST, Vika sealed her victory with a crosscourt forehand winner into the corner.
--------------------------------------------------
5. Fourth-round TV-report: Hantuchová v S.Williams (Monday 29th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------------
- Daniela Hantuchová [EF] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 3-6 1-6
It was Daniela's joint-heaviest loss to Serena. She played some good tennis in the first set, but Williams was too strong in the end. In the second set, Daniela's challenge faded badly with a series of unforced errors.
Daniela was broken for 1-3* just before BBC 2 started televising it. She broke back immediately with a scorching forehand winner down the line at 40/30, and a gorgeous backhand winner down the line at break-point!
At *2-3, Williams broke to love with three winners in the row - the last a lucky netcord-winner. This time, she consolidated her break with three big serves.
At *2-5, Daniela played an excellent service-game: at 15/15, she played a gorgeous spreading rally finished with a backhand volley-winner, and a serve + crosscourt forehand winner on the following point.
Williams sealed the first set with two aces in a row, and won 15 points in a row from *5-3 in the first set to 2-0* (40/0*) in the second. By this time, Daniela's errors were much more unforced than in the first set, and her confidence looked shot.
Three Williams forehand-errors saved those break-points, but Daniela made one herself, then surrendered her serve on a double fault.
BBC 2 stopped showing it at 0-3*, but televisation continued on the Red Button at *0-4 (30/15). From there, Daniela won one point with a good first serve, but the other two points she needed for her lone game of the second set were really gifted to her by Williams netting two makeable forehand returns.
At 1-4*, Daniela put some pressure on Williams's serve with a good spreading rally and an error-forcing forehand down the line, but Williams held with three big serves and an off-forehand winner.
At *1-5, Williams's off-backhand winner gave her a 15/30 opening, and Daniela hit a semi-makeable crosscourt forehand pass wide to go 15/40 down. Her fate was sealed when she hit a down-the-line forehand wide.
Williams: "I was definitely out there not to stay out too long [in the 30°C heat], and just do the best I could do, whether it was win or lose."
I'll post my full TV-report - with a blow-by-blow description of every point - at a future date (ETA 11th October 2009).
---------------------
6. Quarter-final draw
---------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
* Sabine Lisicki [DF] v DINARA SAFINA [1] (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11] v VENUS WILLIAMS [3]
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v Francesca Schiavone (davai Elena!)
* VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (davai Vika!)
------------------
7. Andrew's wishes (updated after Monday)
------------------
Semi-final wishes
-----------------
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11]
+ VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
Final-wish
----------
+ Sabine Lisicki [DF] d. VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF]
-------------------------------
8. Women's Doubles: Third round (Monday 29th June 2009)
-------------------------------
Andrew's selections:
- (VICTORIA AZARENKA [DF]/ELENA VESNINA)[7] lt. (NURIA LLAGOSTERA VIVES/MARÍA JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ SÁNCHEZ)[11], walkover (Vesnina: heat-illness)
- (YAN,ZI [s]/ZHENG,JIE)[13] lt. (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4], 0-6 0-6
- Iveta Benešová/Barbora Záhlavová Strýcová lt. (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1], 6-2 3-6 4-6
-----------------------------
9. Mixed Doubles: Third round (Monday 29th June 2009)
-----------------------------
Andrew's selections:
+ (IVETA BENEŠOVÁ/LUKÁŠ DLOUHÝ)[15] d. (LISA RAYMOND/MARCIN MATKOWSKI)[3], 4-6 6-4 6-2
- (SANIA MIRZA [DF]/MAHESH BHUPATHI)[13] lt. (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1], 2-6 7-6 (7/2) 3-6
I watched the second and third sets of Sania's match casually on BBC Red Button. I was bored stiff until 2-6 6-6, but then Sania played an excellent tiebreak with her groundstrokes of flairsome power, and carried that form into the third, where the Indian duo were 3-1* up before the top seeds fought back to win.
To be played on Wednesday:
* (Fabrice Santoro [s]/Anabel Medina Garrigues) v (SAMANTHA STOSUR/BOB BRYAN)[2]
* (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4] v (Maria Kirilenko [DF]/Igor Andreev v (CHUANG,CHIA-JUNG/CHRISTOPHER KAS)[16])
* (ELENA VESNINA/DANIEL NESTOR)[5] v (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9]
-------------------------------
10. Girls' Singles: First round
-------------------------------
10.1 First-round results (Monday 29th June 2009)
------------------------
Andrew's selections:
+ Valeria Solovieva d. HEATHER WATSON [12], 6-4 1-6 6-4
+ LAURA ROBSON [2] d. Katarena Paliivets, 6-3 6-2
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. Alejandra Granillo, 3-6 6-3 7-5
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. Eugenie Bouchard, 6-3 2-6 7-5
10.2 Second-round draw
----------------------
* Valeria Solovieva v Miyabi Inoue (davai Lera!)
* LAURA ROBSON [2] v Sally Peers (go Laura!)
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v Nastja Kolar (al-na Noppawan!)
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] v Sachia Vickery (allez Kristina!)
------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Girls' Singles: First-round mini TV-report: Robson v Paliivets (Monday 29th June 2009)
------------------------------------------------------------------
+ LAURA ROBSON [2] d. Katarena Paliivets, 6-3 6-2
I watched this match casually on BBC Red Button.
Robson didn't look happy out there (which is a shame, as her prettiness is determined by her facial expression), and while she never looked in danger of losing, it was nowhere near as impressive a performance as the one that almost beat Daniela Hantuchová a week ago. Robson had 18 unforced errors by 3-3 in the first set.
The commentators suggested that Robson was struggling to adapt to the lower pace of junior-tennis after playing Daniela, and that it was hard to get motivated for the juniors after the excitement of making her Major début in Women's Singles.
I would add that Robson might be feeling the pressure of defending the title - it would be a real bummer if she couldn't repeat at 15 what she achieved at 14 last year!
Robson actually wants to quit junior-tennis to concentrate on the professional game, but those who run her life at the moment won't let her. Virginia Wade said that playing junior-tennis would give her more opportunity to develop her game, rather than "getting in over her head all the time."
Robson: "Juniors is still a main part of my schedule - a lot bigger than seniors. So it's still the main thing that I'm going for."
Plenty of distractions for Robson in this match: the noise from Centre Court as Andy Murray was playing at the same time, the general humdrum of people moving around outside the court, and lots of insects flying around in the summer evening.
By 6-3 *2-1, Robson was playing much better than when I wrote the above, having hit some sharp groundstrokes and a couple of nice volley-winners (one at set-point). A lapse of concentration saw her facing break-back points at *1-3, but she saved them.
Paliivets double-faulted to get broken for 2-5*, and threw her racket.
Robson serving 5-2 (new balls): Paliivets forehand winner down the line. 0/15. Paliivets off-forehand long. 15/15. Robson crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/30. Quadruple fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (BP). Ace down the middle. Deuce. Paliivets forehand long. Ad Robson (MP #1). She went for an ace out wide, but it was just wide. Second-serve ace out wide! Robson won 6-3 6-2 at 19:49 BST (1h02m).
I hope to see Robson playing a darn sight better, and enjoying it more, in her remaining matches this week.
-----------------------------
12. Order of play for Tuesday
-----------------------------
Centre Court (start 13:00 BST = 12:00 GMT)
WS qf: Sabine Lisicki [DF] v DINARA SAFINA [1]
WS qf: VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
MD qf: (BOB BRYAN/MIKE BRYAN)[1] v (BRUNO SOARES/KEVIN ULLYETT)[5]
I'm very pleased that the two most attractive quarter-finalists are on Centre Court, but why can't they play all four back to back on Centre, now that the roof allows play to continue indefinitely?
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jun 30th, 2009 at 04:17 AM.
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Jul 1st, 2009, 03:04 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 8
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Quarter-final results
3. Quarter-final TV-report: Lisicki v Safina
4. Quarter-final TV-report: Azarenka v S.Williams
5. Semi-final draw
6. Andrew's wishes
7. Mixed Doubles: Second round/Third round
8. Girls' Singles: Second round
9. Girls' Singles: Second-round mini TV-report: Robson v Peers
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1. Photos
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Search-list for Tuesday:
lisicki
azarenka
dementieva
solovieva
robson
capra
alexandra walker
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2. Quarter-final results (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
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What rocked:
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Francesca Schiavone, 6-2 6-2
What sucked:
- Sabine Lisicki [DF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [1], 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 1-6
- VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 2-6 3-6
Indifferent:
+ VENUS WILLIAMS [3] d. AGNIESZKA RADWAŃSKA [11], 6-1 6-2
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3. Quarter-final TV-report: Lisicki v Safina (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
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- Sabine Lisicki [DF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [1], 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 1-6
Sabine put up a great performance in the first set, although she should have won it earlier, as she led 5-3* before having two games where she could barely get the ball in.
But she played a stabilising service-game at *5-6 to force the tiebreak, which she played very well.
For the first set and a half, Sabine was overpowering the Majorless world #1, who was erratic and served 15 double faults in the match. But at *3-3, a single break of serve was enough for Safina to go on and take the second set.
Dinara Safina: "I had chances in the first set I didn't took [sic], but she had chances in the second set. I think I was Santa Claus serving so many double faults [15]."
But Sabine's challenge faded badly in the third set as she got tired: she wasn't playing with the brilliance of the first two sets, and was hitting too many dropshots with too little success.
At 1-4* in the third, Sabine took a medical time-out to get her right calf massaged.
Sabine Lisicki: "She was more experienced than me, and had already been in the couple of second weeks at the Grand Slams [sic] already, so she knew how to deal with it. I gave it all I had, but she was fitter than me."
Sam Smith: "Safina showed us why she's won so many matches in the last year. Extra experience, extra tactical nous, and extra conditioning really stacked up to make that difference, especially in that final set."
Tracy Austin: "I think it all caught up with Lisicki in the second set, after she led 3-2, but she is a tremendous talent. She has a massive serve and a massive forehand, and she's only 19 years old."
First set
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LISICK _*@* * *___* 7(7)
SAFINA *___* * *@*_ 6(5)
Sam Smith (re. Sabine): "She is the most terrific young talent. Gives the ball quite a whack. This year, it's all come together for her. She's been more consistent. She's still hitting the ball hard, but they're going in."
The match was first on Centre Court, and started at 13:10 BST. Safina won the toss and elected to serve.
Safina serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Sabine ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner - she's fast! 0/30. Second serve: Sabine off-backhand return wide. 15/30. Safina crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 30/30. Sabine mishit a forehand return just long. 40/30. Sabine walked down a poor dropshot from Safina, but hit a crosscourt backhand wide - indecision.
Sabine serving 0-1: Ace out wide (30th of her tournament!). 15/0. Sabine got jammed by Safina's return and dumped a cheap forehand halfway up the net, but she's smiling. 15/15. Safina netted a cheap forehand return. 30/15. Sabine forced a short ball, but hit an aggressive crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/30. Safina dumped a cheap backhand into the net on the fourth stroke. 40/30. Sabine started grunting, and hit a fabulous short-angled crosscourt backhand, forcing Safina to hit a backhand just long.
Safina serving 1-1: Safina went to the net, but left herself exposed to a forehand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. Safina's depth induced Sabine to net a backhand. 15/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/30. Double fault (second serve just wide). 15/40 (BP #1). Safina hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, inducing Sabine to spray a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Safina ran down an inadequate dropshot and hit a crosscourt backhand winner. Deuce. Sabine's backhand down the line forced a floater, which she dispatched with an off-forehand winner. Ad Sabine (BP #3). Sabine's backhand was called long but overruled, so they had to replay the point. Double fault (second serve just long).
Now it's my turn to smile!
Sabine serving 2-1: Sabine dumped a backhand into the net. 0/15. Sabine backhand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 15/15. Sabine forehand just long. 15/30. Safina forehand just long. 30/30. Serve down the middle forced a floater, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. Sam Smith: "If there's a ball to be hit, she'll hit it. Front foot all the time. Absolutely no hesitation." 40/30. Double fault (second serve just long). Deuce #1. Sabine went to the net behind an acute crosscourt backhand, and dispatched the resulting floater with a beautiful off-backhand winner. Sam Smith: "What's so exciting about Lisicki is that she wins points in so many different ways." Ad Sabine. She blasted a crosscourt backhand just long, and smiled. Deuce #2. Safina dispatched a short ball with an off-forehand winner as Sabine slipped. Ad Safina (BP #1). Sabine's deep crosscourt backhand induced Safina to net a backhand. Deuce #3. Sabine blasted an off-backhand wide. Ad Safina (BP #2). 116mph ace down the middle. Deuce #4. Sabine's forehand down the line clipped the netcord twice, and fell back on her side. Ad Safina (BP #3). Safina had the initiative, but dumped a cheap forehand into the net. Deuce #5. Sabine's acute-angled crosscourt forehand forced Safina to hit a forehand long. Ad Sabine. Deep first serve on the service-line forced Safina to hit a backhand return wide.
A very important game to come through for Sabine.
Safina serving 1-3: Deep service-winner out wide: on the service-line. 15/0. Sabine's forehand return clipped the netcord, and this time, dropped dead for a winner. She apologised, but there was a big smile on her face. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Safina's forehand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner, and Sabine smiled again. Barry Davies: "How nice to see someone smile when something has gone against them." 40/15. Sabine netted a backhand return.
There was a nice close-up of Sabine serving at the changeover. While her legs still look muscular, they look nicer than I remember them from Birmingham 2008 - the only previous time I saw a whole Sabine-match and not just a game.
Sabine serving 3-2: Safina ran down a dropshot but hit a forehand wide. 15/0. Second serve down the middle induced Safina to net a forehand return. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Safina blasted an amazing acute-angled crosscourt backhand winner - I bet she can't do that again! 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the service-line (I thought I heard a call, but if I did, it certainly wasn't from an official).
Safina serving 2-4: Safina crosscourt backhand + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 15/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/15. First serve down the middle forced Sabine to earth a backhand return. 30/15. Safina's deep crosscourt forehand forced Sabine to hit one long. 40/15. First serve down the middle - on the service-line - induced Sabine to hit a backhand return long.
Sam Smith: "If Safina can just stay tight to Lisicki, she can impose her #1 status. But she's almost having to counterpunch out here - that is how big the strike is from the young Lisicki."
Sabine serving 4-3 (new balls): First serve down the middle induced Safina to hit an off-backhand return wide. 15/0. Sabine opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but dumped an off-forehand into the net. 15/15. Sabine forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Virtual ace out wide. 40/15. Ace down the middle caught the back edge of the service-line (Safina used up a challenge to prove it).
Safina serving 3-5: Serve out wide + off-forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Service-winner down the middle. 30/0. Double fault (mishit second serve wide of the /wrong/ sideline!!). 30/15. Sabine down-the-line forehand just wide. 40/15. Safina opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand winner, and hit a crosscourt backhand winner into the space.
Sabine serving 5-4: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Sabine, on the third stroke, hit a wild forehand long. Sam Smith: "She almost had too much time to think about that forehand." 0/30. Safina hit a deep down-the-line forehand return onto the baseline, forcing Sabine to bunt a defensive one-handed backhand lob wide. 0/40 (BP #1). Backhand return long. 15/40 (BP #2). Sabine netted a backhand.
A couple of drops of blood in the water, and Safina pounced like a piranha.
Safina serving 5-5: Sabine forehand just long. 15/0. Sabine netted a backhand return. 30/0. Sabine forehand return long. 40/0. Sabine's deep return induced Safina to hit a forehand long. 40/15. Sabine off-backhand wide.
Safina has found the rhythm on her serve, and Sabine can barely get the ball in since *5-4.
Sabine serving 5-6: Sabine's down-the-line forehand appeared to catch the baseline, but was called long. She didn't challenge. 0/15. Sabine's deep forehand induced Safina to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Sabine pounced on a short ball with an off-forehand winner. 30/15. Safina down-the-line forehand just wide. 40/15. Deep second serve induced Safina to hit a forehand long.
A stabilising hold for Sabine after a two choky games from *5-4.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Lisicki/Safina):
{0/0*} Deep first serve: Sabine netted an off-backhand return.
{*0/1} Sabine's deep forehand forced a floater, which she dispatched with an off-forehand drive-volley winner. Sam Smith: "She's a front-foot kind of girl. She goes after anything in the air."
{*1/1} Safina backhand drive-volley wide. She muttered.
{2/1*} Safina hit a loose forehand long, much to Sabine's delight.
{3/1*} Very short second serve out wide: Sabine crosscourt forehand winner.
{*4/1} Double fault (second serve wide).
{*4/2} Safina spread Sabine, but hit a crosscourt backhand wide on the 13th stroke.
{5/2*} First serve down the middle forced Sabine to net a forehand return.
{5/3*} A deep ball from Sabine hung for an age for Safina to hit... and she dumped a forehand halfway up the net. Good defence by Sabine.
{*6/3: SP #1} Safina pounced on a short ball with an off-forehand winner.
{*6/4: SP #2} Sabine's serve forced a short return, but she blasted an off-forehand just wide, much to her dismay. She wasted a challenge to show that it was quite wide.
{6/5*: SP #3} Double fault (second serve very long). Safina threw her racket and got a code-violation. Sabine won the first set 7-6 (7/5) at 14:09 BST (59m).
Second set
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LISICK * * *___*_ 4
SAFINA _* * *@* * 6
Sabine serving 0-0: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Ace out wide: such an acute angle, on the sideline, "spun away from the flailing racket of Safina" [Barry Davies], "lovely wrist-work" [Sam Smith]. Sabine went to the net and hit a lovely off-forehand punch-volley winner.
Safina serving 0-1: Serve + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Safina crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Sabine's depth pushed Safina back on her heels, forcing her to net a forehand. 30/15. Backhand return long. 40/15. Safina crosscourt backhand wide. 40/30. Safina crosscourt backhand winner.
Sabine serving 1-1: Forehand return long. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Safina blasted a wild off-forehand long. 40/0. Deep, hard first serve out wide forced Safina to bunt a backhand return wide.
Safina serving 2-1: Safina pounced on a short ball with a big crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. First serve out wide: Sabine netted a backhand return. 30/0. Sabine's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Safina to earth a backhand. 30/15. Sabine crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand induced Safina to hit a backhand long. 30/30. Backhand return long. Sabine smiled at the umpire, but didn't challenge the lack of call on the service-line. 40/30. Safina's off-forehand forced Sabine to miss a backhand.
Sabine serving 2-2: Safina netted a forehand off a short ball. 15/0. Sabine's deep forehand induced Safina to hit a backhand long. 30/0. Safina mishit a crosscourt return forehand wide, and muttered. 40/0. First serve out wide: Safina netted a backhand return.
Sam Smith (re. Safina): "She's won most of the major tournaments - except the Majors."
Safina serving 2-3: Double fault (second serve wide of the centre-line). 0/15. Sabine hit a gorgeous short-angled crosscourt forehand virtual winner!! 0/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Sabine to stretch wide and net a backhand. 15/30. Sabine netted a cheap forehand return. 30/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Sabine to hit an off-backhand wide. 40/30. Double fault (second serve long). Safina muttered. Deuce. Deep first serve down the middle forced Sabine to hit a forehand return wide. Ad Safina. Her depth induced Sabine to spray a crosscourt forehand very long and wide.
Sabine serving 3-3: Sabine unforcedly netted a backhand. 0/15. Safina's deep crosscourt backhand forced Sabine to hit a backhand long. 0/30. First serve: Safina mishit a forehand return long. 15/30. Sabine ran down a dropshot and almost ran into the net, but hit a backhand dropshot that forced Safina to hit an off-backhand into the tramlines. 30/30. A deep forehand return induced Sabine to spray a wild backhand very long. 30/40 (BP #1). First serve down the middle + beautifully-flighted off-forehand winner deep into the corner forced Safina to earth a backhand lob. Deuce. Sabine's down-the-line forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. She smiled. Ad Safina (BP #2). Double fault (second serve long).
What a shame. Safina continues to play poorly by #1-standards, but... gorgeous Katherine Jenkins, who sang at the roof-exhibition in May, is sitting in the Royal Box!
Safina serving 4-3: Service-winner. 15/0. Sabine netted a forehand return. 30/0. A woefully short second serve, and Safina hit a forehand long on the third stroke. 30/15. Serve out wide + backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Safina's down-the-line backhand forced Sabine to stretch wide and low, and earth a forehand.
Sabine serving 3-5: Ace down the middle caught the outside edge of the centre-line (123mph - her fastest of the tournament so far). 15/0. Sabine netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/15. Safina hit a deep forehand return onto the baseline, forcing Sabine to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Ace #12: down the middle. 30/30. Deep first serve down the middle induced Safina to hit a forehand return long. She screamed. 40/30. Another forehand return long.
Safina is playing much better now than up to 6-7 3-3, but excellent serving by Sabine to recover from 15/30.
Safina serving 5-4: Double fault #10 (second serve just long). Safina muttered. 0/15. A great first serve enabled Safina to dominate the point, finishing with an off-forehand volley-winner. 15/15. First serve down the middle + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Safina backhand long on the third stroke. 30/30. A long, nailbiting baseline-rally ended with Safina netting a backhand winner. Sabine screamed "c'mon!" 30/40 (BP). Safina hit a deep backhand down the middle - on the baseline - that shot through on Sabine, forcing her to bunt a backhand lob wide. Deuce #1. Sabine ran down a dropshot, but mishit a crosscourt forehand dropshot wide. Ad Safina (SP #1). Double fault (second serve just long). But Safina challenged the call, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the back edge of the service-line, so they had to replay the point (Safina complained). Safina forced a short ball, but hit a crosscourt backhand just long. Deuce #2. Sabine netted a forehand off a low-bouncing ball, and reacted with a cute little jump. Ad Safina (SP #2). Sabine netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. Safina won the second set 6-4 at 14:52 BST (second set 43m, match so far 1h42m).
Both commentators refuse to predict who will win the third set.
Third set
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LISICK _@_____ 1
SAFINA @ @*@*@ 6
Sabine serving 0-0: Safina went to the net, but Sabine hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 15/0. Sabine crosscourt backhand wide. 15/15. Sabine hit a deep forehand onto the baseline to force a short floater... but hit an off-forehand just wide. 15/30. Safina hit an off-forehand wide, and yelled loudly. 30/30. Sabine netted a backhand on the third stroke. 30/40 (BP). Sabine hit a delectable forehand dropshot, but unfortunately Safina managed to run it down and return the favour; Sabine's backhand was "not up".
Safina serving 1-0: Sabine forced a floater, glided into the net, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 0/15. Safina forced a short ball, but sprayed a wild forehand very long! 0/30. Sabine crosscourt forehand just long (called by the umpire). 15/30. Sabine netted a backhand return. 30/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/40 (BP #1). Safina's depth forced Sabine to hit a backhand long. Deuce #1. Safina crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Sabine (BP #2). Sabine backhand long on the fourth stroke. Deuce #2. Sabine's forehand dropshot-return induced Safina to net a forehand. Ad Sabine (BP #3). Safina's depth induced Sabine to hit a forehand just long. Deuce #3. Sabine blasted a crosscourt forehand just wide. Ad Safina. Safina stopped the rally to challenge Sabine's crosscourt forehand on the sideline, but Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the outside edge of the sideline by about 1%, so Sabine won the point! Deuce #4. Safina's depth forced Sabine to net a forehand. Ad Safina. Sabine ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand dropshot-winner that drew a loud cheer from the crowd. Deuce #5. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Sabine (BP #4). Sabine's off-forehand clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner.
Two game-points saved, four break-points needed, and Sabine breaks for the first time since 1-1* in the first set!
Perhaps Sabine's advantage of having won 6-4 6-4 yesterday, while Safina had to play three sets later in the day, could come into play here.
Sabine serving 1-1: Sabine went to the net behind a deep backhand, but Safina's pass forced her to lunge wide and miss a backhand volley. 0/15. Safina sprayed a wild forehand very long. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. Sabine netted a forehand. 15/40 (BP). Sabine sprayed a backhand long.
All that hard work of the previous game just frittered away in the blink of an eye.
Safina serving 2-1: Deep first serve down the middle forced Sabine to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 15/0. Forehand return just long. 30/0. Sabine backhand just long. 40/0. Safina, on the third stroke, hit a forehand just wide. 40/15. First serve out wide induced Sabine to chop a forehand return into the net.
Sabine serving 1-3: Second serve out wide: Safina blasted a forehand return long. 15/0. Sabine drew Safina to the net with a dropshot, but hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 15/15. Safina went to the net on a short ball from Sabine, but Sabine hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. 30/15. Sabine went to the net, but hit a forehand volley just long, and wasted a challenge. 30/30. Safina forced Sabine to retreat, but hit a backhand long. 40/30. Sabine netted a sliced backhand. Deuce. Sabine forehand long on the third stroke. Ad Safina. Safina broke with a deep backhand down-the-line return virtual winner.
The umpire announced that the trainer had been called to the court. Sabine changed her socks, then she sat at the changeover with an iced towel around her neck. The trainer was for her. Sabine stood up, and there was a lovely close-up of her legs. She lay down on a towel, and the trainer massaged the back of her right calf - I wouldn't mind that job!
Safina serving 4-1: Sabine forehand just long. 15/0. Safina backhand dropshot-winner. 30/0. Safina ran down a dropshot and hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner. 40/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 40/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 40/30. Double fault (second serve just wide of the centre-line). Deuce. Safina hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline, but it was called wide. She risked her last challenge to show that it caught the outside edge of the sideline by about 5%. Ad Safina. Sabine netted a backhand. She looks quite disappointed now.
Sabine serving 1-5: Safina's deep crosscourt forehand forced Sabine to earth a forehand. 0/15. Safina netted a horrendous forehand off a short ball from Safina that didn't sit up much. 15/15. Safina went to the net behind a forehand down the line, but Sabine exploited the gap with a crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 30/15. Safina blasted a crosscourt foerhand just wide. 40/15. Sabine went to the net, but Safina hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner just inside both the baseline and the sideline. 40/30. Safina's deep off-forehand winner forced Sabine to hit a backhand lob long. Deuce #1. Safina forehand long. Ad Sabine. She netted a backhand. Deuce #2. Sabine crosscourt forehand + forehand winner down the line. Ad Sabine. Double fault (second serve just long). Deuce #3. Sabine netted a crazy backhand dropshot off a deep ball from Safina. Ad Safina (MP #1). Safina's deep forehand return forced Sabine to hit a backhand wide. Safina won 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-1 at 15:39 BST (third set 47m, match 2h29m).
Both of the quarter-finals on Court One had finished by the time this one did!
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4. Quarter-final TV-report: Azarenka v S.Williams (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
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- VICTORIA AZARENKA [8,DF] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 2-6 3-6
Vika did not play badly, but Williams was playing so well and error-free that Vika was having to come up with something special just to win a point.
Victoria Azarenka: "She was striking the ball so hard and so good [sic]. She didn't give me many opportunities. She really showed the unbeatable Serena. It was just her day, and she played amazing tennis."
Vika did stand too far in to receive serve. This is what the girls are coached to do these days, but against the Williams-sisters, this robs them of time to return their big serves.
First set
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AZARENKA _* *____ 2
WILLIAMS * * *@*@ 6
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 15:59 BST.
Vika's voice sounded very hoarse in the interview that the BBC televised during the warm-up - all that shrieking must have taken its toll!
Williams serving 0-0: First serve: forehand return long. 15/0. A deep, body-jamming backhand return at Williams's feet forced her to net a forehand. 15/15. Serve + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Five first serves in: a very impressive start by Williams.
Vika serving 0-1: Vika went to the net, and Williams hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner just wide. 15/0. A deep, hard return forced Vika to bunt a forehand long. 15/15. First serve down the middle forced a short return, which Vika dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/15. First serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Williams to hit a backhand return long. Williams used up her first challenge. 40/15. Vika forehand just long. 40/30. Williams went to the net, but Vika hit an excellent crosscourt backhand pass-winner.
Simon Reed: "Early signs are that this could be a cracking match."
Williams serving 1-1: A deep ball from Williams pushed Vika back on her heels, inducing her to net a forehand. 15/0. Vika went to the net, but left herself exposed to a crosscourt forehand pass-winner to the sideline. 30/0. Ace down the middle (120mph). 40/0. Vika's deep backhand return - just inside the baseline - induced Williams to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 40/15. Vika forehand long.
Vika serving 1-2: Williams painted the sideline with a crosscourt backhand winner. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Williams to mishit a crosscourt backhand return wide. 15/15. Vika forced a short ball, and hit a huge, rather wild crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline! 30/15. Williams forehand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 30/30. A body-jamming first serve induced Williams to net an off-backhand return. 40/30. Deep first serve out wide induced Williams to hit an off-backhand return wide.
Williams serving 2-2: Vika opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand return, but hit an off-forehand just wide, and wasted a challenge. 15/0. Serve forced a short return, which Williams dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Vika's deep, fast, low-bouncing forehand return forced Williams to net a forehand. 30/15. Vika crosscourt forehand wide. 40/15. Serve out wide + off-backhand forced Vika to earth a forehand.
Vika serving 2-3: Williams forehand return long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve very long). 15/15. Vika crosscourt forehand just long; she looked up at her coach, and decided not to challenge. 15/30. Vika forced a short ball, but netted an off-backhand. 15/40 (BP). Vika off-backhand wide.
Williams serving 4-2: Serve out wide + down-the-line backhand virtual winner. 15/0. Serve out wide + pinpoint backhand winner down the line: just inside the baseline, and close to the sideline too! 30/0. Vika unforcedly netted an off-forehand. 40/0. Acute-angled off-forehand return forced a short ball, which Vika dispatched with a backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Virtual ace down the middle (123mph = Sabine Lisicki's fastest serve of the tournament).
Simon Reed: "Williams's movement is so good that Azarenka is struggling to punch a hole."
Vika serving 2-5: Vika backhand just long. Someone in the crowd called out "c'mon Vicky". 0/15. Williams down-the-line backhand wide. 15/15. Williams's crosscourt forehand forced Vika to net a forehand. 15/30. Williams crosscourt forehand wide. 15/40 (SP #1). Williams broke with a hard, pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Williams won the first set 6-2 at 16:25 BST (26m).
Second set
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AZARENKA _* *@____ 3
WILLIAMS * *__@*@* 6
Williams serving 0-0: Vika's deep forehand on the baseline induced Williams to hit a forehand long. 0/15. Deep first serve out wide forced Vika to net a backhand return. 15/15. Service-winner down the line. 30/15. Williams glided into the net and hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner as Vika slipped over. 40/15. Vika's penetrating backhand down the line forced Williams to net a forehand. 40/30. Vika's crosscourt backhand return jammed Williams, inducing her to net a forehand. Deuce #1. Vika's forehand return on the baseline was called long, but she challenged it, and it caught the back edge of the baseline by about 10%, so they replayed the point. Williams forehand long. Ad Vika (BP #1). Williams went to the net behind a deep, floater-forcing forehand, and hit an error-forcing crosscourt backhand drive-volley. Deuce #2. Williams backhand just long. Ad Vika (BP #2). Second-serve ace down the middle! Deuce #3. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. Ad Williams. Ace down the middle.
Two break-points go begging.
Vika serving 0-1: Service-winner. 15/0. Vika netted a backhand return. 15/15. Williams backhand return long. 30/15. A meaty baseline-rally ended with Williams netting a forehand. 40/15. First serve out wide induced Williams to blast a forehand return long.
Williams serving 1-1: Backhand return long. 15/0. Vika's deep backhand return down the middle induced Williams to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/15. Vika went to the net, but Williams hit a backhand pass-winner down the line. 15/30. Williams netted a backhand. 30/30. Second serve: forehand return just long. 40/30. Virtual ace down the middle.
Vika is winning most of her points now by inducing Williams to make errors: neither fully forced nor unforced.
Vika serving 1-2: Double fault (second serve into the net). Vika muttered. 0/15. Vika's crosscourt forehand forced a floater, which she dispatched with a rather casual crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner, as Williams had a nasty-looking fall. 15/15. Vika forced Williams into error. 30/15. Serve out wide + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 40/15. Vika mishit a forehand just long. 40/30. Double fault (second serve just long). Deuce #1. Williams stranded Vika and hit a forehand winner down the line. Ad Williams (BP). Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Williams to hit a backhand return wide. Deuce #2. Williams netted a backhand return. Ad Vika. Williams's fearsome crosscourt backhand forced a very short ball, but she dumped a cheap backhand into the net.
Break-point saved, and Vika is having to work so hard to keep this second set competitive. A few unforced errors are creeping into Williams's game now.
Williams serving 2-2: Vika off-backhand just long. 15/0. Good serve forced a short return, but Williams hit a forehand just wide. 15/15. Vika's crosscourt forehand to the sideline forced Williams to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Vika's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Williams to hit an off-backhand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). A good rally, with both players hitting close to the baseline, ended with Vika hitting a crosscourt backhand just wide; she wasted a challenge. 30/40 (BP #2). A penetrating forehand return forced Williams to net a forehand, putting Vika a break up!
Simon Reed: "Azarenka was taking a pounding in the first set, but her belief never went."
Virginia Wade: "Williams played so well in the first set, but it was impossible to keep that up."
Vika serving 3-2: Vika off-backhand just wide. 15/0. Williams hit a backhand return long, and said, "Oh God." Do not use the Lord's name in vain! 15/15. Williams forehand return just long. 30/15. Williams hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline; it bounced low, forcing Vika to net a forehand. 30/30. Vika hit a loose down-the-line forehand just long and just wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Vika ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand down the line; Williams took it on the full, dumped a forehand into the net, and did the splits! Deuce #1. Vika's depth induced Williams to hit an off-backhand wide. Ad Vika. She netted a backhand. Deuce #2. Vika got up off her knees after bending for a low ball, forced a short ball, but hit a forehand long. She doubled over in frustration. Ad Williams (BP #2). Serve + crosscourt backhand winner back behind Williams. Deuce #3. Vika blasted a crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Williams (BP #3). Williams's deep return induced Vika to spray a down-the-line forehand just wide. Williams roared "c'mon", and Vika threw her racket.
Williams serving 3-3: Ace out wide. 15/0. Vika crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/0. Ace out wide (again). 40/0. Williams's down-the-line forehand forced Vika to net a backhand, and there was a wry smile on Vika's face.
Vika serving 3-4: Williams off-forehand winner. Vika muttered to herself for giving her such an easy shot. 0/15. Vika's serve forced a deep backhand lob-return, but she hit a backhand just long. 0/30. A short, low-bouncing ball from Vika induced Williams to spray a wild backhand very long. 15/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Vika caught her racket and looked quite upset. 15/40 (BP). Williams hit a deep backhand onto the baseline, inducing Vika to hit a crosscourt forehand just long.
Williams serving 5-3: Deep second serve out wide forced Vika to spray a down-the-line forehand return long. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. First serve out wide + pinpoint forehand winner down the line: right in the corner. 40/0 (MP #1). Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Vika: on the baseline. Williams won 6-2 6-3 at 17:13 BST (second set 48m, match 1h14m).
It was nice to see Vika waiting for Williams, and smiling as they walked off together.
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5. Semi-final draw
------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win.
* VENUS WILLIAMS [3] v DINARA SAFINA [1]
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (davai Elena!)
------------------
6. Andrew's wishes (updated after Tuesday)
------------------
Final-wish
----------
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. VENUS WILLIAMS [3]
------------------------------------------
7. Mixed Doubles: Second round/Third round (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
------------------------------------------
7.1 Second round
----------------
- Maria Kirilenko [DF]/Igor Andreev lt. (CHUANG,CHIA-JUNG/CHRISTOPHER KAS)[16], walkover (why?)
7.2 Third round
---------------
+ (IVETA BENEŠOVÁ/LUKÁŠ DLOUHÝ)[15] won on Monday
- (Fabrice Santoro [s]/Anabel Medina Garrigues) lt. (SAMANTHA STOSUR/BOB BRYAN)[2], walkover (why?)
To be played on Wednesday:
* (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4] v (CHUANG,CHIA-JUNG/CHRISTOPHER KAS)[16]
* (ELENA VESNINA/DANIEL NESTOR)[5] v (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9]
-------------------------------
8. Girls' Singles: Second round
-------------------------------
8.1 Second round (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
----------------
What rocked:
+ LAURA ROBSON [2] d. Sally Peers, 6-3 6-2
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. Nastja Kolar, 6-1 6-3
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. Sachia Vickery, 6-1 6-3
+ Beatrice Capra d. Tamara Čurović, 7-6 (7/4) 6-1
What sucked:
- Valeria Solovieva lt. Miyabi Inoue, 3-6 6-3 4-6
- Alexandra Walker lt. CAMILA SILVA [10], 4-6 6-7 (6/8)
Valeria Solovieva first-round report and photo:
http://www.renaissancetennis.com/news/
8.2 Third-round draw
--------------------
Andrew's selections:
* LAURA ROBSON [2] v Quirine Lemoine (go Laura!)
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v TAMARYN HENDLER [13] (al-na Noppawan!)
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] v Akiko Omae (allez Kristina!)
* Beatrice Capra v Miyabi Inoue (go Beatrice!)
--------------------------------------------------------------
9. Girls' Singles: Second-round mini TV-report: Robson v Peers (Tuesday 30th June 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------
+ LAURA ROBSON [2] d. Sally Peers, 6-3 6-2
I watched this match casually on BBC 2.
It was a pretty impressive, domineering performance by Robson against the buxom Peers, whose mother Elizabeth Little played Wimbledon and the US Open in 1981.
The BBC got Peers's coach Louise Pleming to comment on this match alongside Andrew Cotter. Pleming could barely hide her allegiance to her fellow Australian - to her, they were "Sally" and "Robson", and much of her commentary was "Sally needs to do this" and "Sally needs to do that" - which was a refreshing change from the BBC's usual sickening British jingoism, where they try to brainwash viewers into supporting the British players instead of judging players on their own merits.
Great Australia has given me so many wonderful things - the Australian Open, Jelena Dokić, Neighbours and Home & Away - and in fact Robson was Australian until she changed her nationality in February 2008!
Robson at 3-4* made the vital break of the first set with some good returns. She uses the angles from her opponent very well, returning them with interest onto the sidelines.
Robson dominated the second set, and took Peers to Deuce at *1-5 before Peers held with a serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner.
Robson serving 5-2: First serve down the middle - on the centre-line - forced Peers to net a backhand return. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Peers to net a backhand return. 30/0. Double fault (second serve long). 30/15. Robson hit a wild down-the-line forehand long and wide. 30/30. Good second serve down the middle induced Peers to hit a backhand return long. 40/30 (MP #1). Robson was attacked by a bee - she's absolutely terrified of bees! A long, nailbiting rally ended with Robson opening up the court with a crosscourt forehand, and hitting an off-forehand winner into the open court. Robson won 6-3 6-2 at 18:38 BST (1h03m).
Robson celebrated with a nice smile, then signed some autographs and posed for a teenage boy to take a photo. I must admit I was pretty nervous watching her make her way through the crowd by Court 4 after the stabbing of Monica Seles and the alarming rise of knife-crime in Britain, which last year claimed the lives of 29 teenagers in London.
Robson: "I played much better than yesterday. My body-language was good. I don't feel the pressure. All my friends were watching me. I don't mind it [signing autographs], but it can get quite aggressive sometimes - people pushing through the crowd. I have so many security-guards - it was quite intense.
"There's nothing wrong with British women's tennis - we all had a chance to win a couple of matches here."
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jul 1st, 2009 at 03:12 AM.
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Jul 2nd, 2009, 02:06 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-report for Day 9
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Women's Doubles: Quarter-finals
3. Mixed Doubles: Third round
4. Girls' Singles: Third round
5. Girls' Singles: Third-round TV-report: Robson v Lemoine
6. Order of play for Thursday
---------
1. Photos
---------
Search-list for Wednesday:
robson
lemoine
mladenovic
cartwright
Photos at http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/
- Day 1: Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchová, Victoria Azarenka, Séverine Brémond Beltrame, Laura Robson
- Day 2: Ana Ivanović, Flavia Pennetta, Victoria Azarenka, Kristína Kučová
- Day 3: Maria Sharapova, Gisela Dulko, Victoria Azarenka, Mathilde Johansson, Alyona and Kateryna Bondarenko, Cara Black, Jarmila Groth
- Day 4: Maria Kirilenko, Ana Ivanović, Peng,Shuai, Yan,Zi, Zheng,Jie, Kirsten Flipkens
- Day 5: Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki, Victoria Azarenka
- Day 6: Ana Ivanović, Sabine Lisicki
- Day 7: Ana Ivanović, Sabine Lisicki, Caroline Wozniacki, Cara Black
- Day 8: Sabine Lisicki, Victoria Azarenka
- Fashions: Maria Sharapova, Maria Kirilenko, Ana Ivanović, Elena Dementieva
- Memorable Moments: Monica Seles, Jelena Dokić, Marion Bartoli, Jana Novotná, Anna Kournikova
----------------------------------
2. Women's Doubles: Quarter-finals
----------------------------------
2.1 Quarter-finals (Wednesday 1st July 2009)
------------------
+ (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1] d. (MARÍA JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ SÁNCHEZ/NURIA LLAGOSTERA VIVES)[11], 4-6 6-3 6-0
+ (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3] d. Kristina Barrois/Tathiana Garbin, 1-6 6-3 6-4
+ (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL)[2] d. Ekaterina Makarova/Alisa Kleybanova, 6-4 7-5
2.2 Semi-final draw
-------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win:
* (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4]
* (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL)[2] v (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3]
-----------------------------
3. Mixed Doubles: Third round
-----------------------------
3.1 Third round (Wednesday 1st July 2009)
---------------
What rocked:
+ (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4] d. (CHUANG,CHIA-JUNG/CHRISTOPHER KAS)[16], 6-3 6-2
What sucked:
- (ELENA VESNINA/DANIEL NESTOR)[5] lt. (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9], 4-6 4-6
3.2 Quarter-final draw
----------------------
The players on the left are the ones I want to win:
* (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] v (AI SUGIYAMA/ANDRE SA)[11]
* (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4] v (VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL/STEPHEN HUSS)[12]
* (IVETA BENEŠOVÁ/LUKÁŠ DLOUHÝ)[15] v Liezel Huber/Jamie Murray
* (SAMANTHA STOSUR/BOB BRYAN)[2] v (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9]
------------------------------
4. Girls' Singles: Third round
------------------------------
4.1 Third round (Wednesday 1st July 2009)
---------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
- LAURA ROBSON [2] lt. Quirine Lemoine, 2-6 6-4 6-8
What rocked:
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. TAMARYN HENDLER [13], 6-4 6-3
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. Akiko Omae, 6-3 7-5
What sucked:
- Beatrice Capra lt. Miyabi Inoue, 2-6 3-6
4.2 Quarter-final draw
----------------------
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] v SLOANE STEPHENS [7] (allez Kristina!)
* Zsófia Susányi v Miyabi Inoue
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v SILVIA NJIRIĆ [11] (al-na Noppawan!)
* Quirine Lemoine v TÍMEA BABOS [6] (kom op Quirine!)
----------------------------------------------------------
5. Girls' Singles: Third-round TV-report: Robson v Lemoine (Wednesday 1st July 2009)
----------------------------------------------------------
- LAURA ROBSON [2] lt. Quirine Lemoine, 2-6 6-4 6-8
A humongously disappointing result, which pretty much kills off the Girls' Singles event in terms of the chances of the quarter- and semi-finals being televised by the BBC. We might just get to see part of the final if we're lucky with the scheduling.
Laura Robson is a tremendous talent with a very bright future - if she can get back to being injury-free. She won the Girls' Singles title last year at the age of 14, so I just assumed it was inevitable that she would repeat that success at 15 - especially after her hugely impressive (albeit ultimately losing) performance against Daniela Hantuchová in the Women's Singles. I'm not saying all this because Robson is British - I judge her by world-class standards.
But today, Robson was hampered throughout the match by a nasty-looking back-injury. She took a lengthy medical time-out at 0-3* in the first set, her movement was severely restricted when she continued, and she kept clutching her back between points.
Her back appeared to be better in the second set, which she won by a single break in the very last game, but it flared up again in the third set (albeit not as badly as in the first).
Robson showed amazing courage and determination in adversity, which are very encouraging qualities to see. She dug deep to recover an early break in the third set, and again to escape a service-game with two break-points at *1-1.
Robson fought off three match-points at *3-5 (0/40), then thwarted Lemoine's attempt to serve out the match at *5-4 with an incredible forehand lob-winner over her head and onto the baseline!
Robson saved a fourth match-point at 6-7* (0/40*) by winning a nailbiting rally, but Lemoine converted her fifth with an ace down the middle: plumb on the centre-line.
I like what I saw from the beautifully-named Quirine Lemoine. Not just a beautiful name but a beautiful girl, who looks a bit like Magdaléna Rybáriková. She was wearing a frilly dress that was sexily short on her right leg. She's left-handed - as is Robson, and hit some nice, flairsome groundstrokes. She did get very nervous at times - no doubt suffering from the syndrome of playing a wounded opponent.
I would have supported Lemoine, had it not been for my prior loyalty to Robson - loyalty not because Robson is British, but because she's flairsomely talented, quite cute, and very charming in interviews. The only British aspect of my loyalty is that it would have given the BBC a much bigger excuse to keep televising the Girls' Singles if Robson had advanced.
First set
---------
ROBSON ___@*___ 2
LEMOIN @*@__*@* 6
The match was second on Court 18, and started at 13:38 BST.
Robson serving 0-0: 0/15. 15/15. 15/40 (BP). Broken.
Lemoine serving 1-0: 15/0. 30/15. 40/15. BBC Red Button joined the match at 40/30. Robson netted a forehand.
Robson serving 0-2: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Lemoine down-the-line forehand just wide. 15/15. Robson, on the third stroke, sprayed a wild off-forehand wide. 15/30. Robson netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/40 (BP). Robson dumped a forehand halfway up the net.
The court is playing fast, Robson is rushing and looks out of sorts, and she's called for the trainer. She's sitting at the changeover holding a bag of ice to her neck (it's 32°C out there, which is exceptionally hot for Britain), and looking very sorry for herself. A replay showed her clutching her back after a serve.
The commentators said this might be another problem due to Robson growing too quickly in recent months.
After a long delay, the trainer arrived on court. Robson stood up while the trainer examined her back. She then lay on a towel while the trainer prodded away, and then gave her a deep-rooted back-massage until the umpire called "time".
Lemoine serving 3-0: First serve: forehand return just long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Lemoine sprayed a wild crosscourt backhand wide. 15/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/40 (BP). Lemoine backhand just long on the third stroke.
Looks like Lemoine is suffering from wounded-tiger syndrome, knowing that Robson is injured, and having had that long wait while robson got treatment.
Robson serving 1-3: Lemoine's depth induced Robson to hit a forehand long. 0/15. Robson's depth induced Lemoine to bunt a backhand long. 15/15. Lemoine netted a backhand off a mildly awkward crosscourt forehand from Robson. 30/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/30. Deep 101mph service-winner out wide. 40/30. Lemoine's deep off-backhand forced Robson to hit a forehand long. Deuce. Robson hit a deep forehand onto the baseline, forcing Lemoine to hit a forehand long. Robson shouted "c'mon". Ad Robson. Lemoine netted a makeable backhand return.
Good fightback for Robson, but she's not moving well, and is clutching her back after every point. She needs to go for her shots and keep the rallies short, while Lemoine needs to prioritise placement over power.
Robson got another, quick massage during the changeover.
Lemoine serving 3-2: Serve out wide + off-backhand winner into the corner. 15/0. Robson forehand return-winner down the line. 15/15. Forehand return wide. 30/15. Service-winner. 40/15. Double fault (second serve long). 40/30. Service-winner out wide.
Robson serving 2-4: Robson netted a backhand. 0/15. Lemoine forehand return just long. 15/15. Lemoine netted a cheap backhand return. 30/15. Serve out wide but forehand into the net. 30/30. Lemoine spread Robson with a crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner - Robson didn't run for that one, which she would normally have reached easily. 30/40 (BP #1). Robson forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner. Deuce. Lemoine crosscourt forehand winner - Robson didn't even try to run. Ad Lemoine (BP #2). Serve out wide but forehand wide.
Robson got another quick massage at the changeover, and took a painkiller. I have to wonder how long she might continue, given her lack of movement in that last game.
You never know with back-injuries. Iva Majoli looked on the verge of retirement against Karen Cross at Wimbledon 1997, but battled back bravely, saving match-points in the second set, and ultimately winning.
Robson's mother has left the court. The commentators suggested she might be talking to the trainer.
Lemoine serving 5-2 (new balls): Robson forehand just long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/15. Robson off-forehand return just wide. 30/15. Lemoine went to the net, but hit a poor forehand volley very long. 30/30. Lemoine netted a backhand. 30/40 (BP). Robson down-the-line forehand long. Deuce. Robson forehand just long. Ad Lemoine (SP #1). Good deep serve, but Lemoine netted a backhand on the third stroke. Deuce #2. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. Ad Lemoine (SP #2). Robson netted a backhand. Lemoine won the first set 6-2 at 14:15 BST (37m).
Nick Mullins called Robson "very, very restricted at the moment."
Robson's mother has reappeared: this time in the front row.
Second set
----------
ROBSON * * * * *@ 6
LEMOIN _* * * *__ 4
Robson serving 0-0: Lemoine netted a backhand return. 15/0. Lemoine backhand wide. 30/0. Double fault #4. 30/15. Deep first serve on the service-line: forehand return very long. 40/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Deuce. Lemoine netted a forehand return. Ad Robson. Lemoine crosscourt forehand just wide.
Lemoine serving 0-1: Robson ran down a dropshot but netted a backhand - at least a sign that her movement may be improving. 15/0. Robson's sliced backhand induced Lemoine to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Lemoine netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/30. Robson opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, and hit a big forehand winner down the line. 15/40 (BP #1). Lemoine's depth induced Robson to bunt a forehand half-volley long - she could have stepped back to take it, but I've seen plenty of this kind of error in the Women's Singles. 30/40 (BP #2). Robson forehand long. Deuce. Backhand return long. Ad Lemoine. Forehand return just long.
Two break-points go begging - a real lifeline for Robson in this match not taken.
Robson serving 1-1: Lemoine's forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand forced Lemoine to net a backhand. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. Lemoine's big forehand return down the line forced Robson to earth a backhand. There was a long delay while a lineswoman went up to talk to the umpire - perhaps she thought Robson was getting advice from the stands, but the umpire didn't do anything about it. 30/30. Serve + forehand winner down the line. 40/30. Robson forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner.
Lemoine serving 1-2: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Lemoine backhand long. 15/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand virtual winner. 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Robson netted a forehand.
Robson serving 2-2: Robson crosscourt forehand wide. 0/15. Robson went to the net, forcing Lemoine to net a forehand - but she didn't look ready to hit a volley, had it been necessary. 15/15. Double fault #7 (second serve clipped the netcord and fell wide). 15/30. Double fault #8 (second serve just long). 15/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve out wide induced Lemoine to hit a backhand return long; Robson yelled "c'mon". 30/40 (BP #2). Robson's depth induced Lemoine to spray a forehand long - poor footwork. Deuce. Robson's depth induced Lemoine to hit a forehand long. Ad Robson. Lemoine went to the net behind a poor dropshot that sat up nicely for Robson to hit an error-forcing crosscourt forehand pass.
Nick Mullins: "She could have bowed out gracefully, but is determined that that is not going to happen. We're learning a lot about the courage and tenacity of this young girl in adversity."
Lemoine serving 2-3: Robson's crosscourt forehand return induced Lemoine to hit a backhand long. 0/15. Lemoine went to the net behind a sliced backhand, forcing Robson to net a forehand. 15/15. Lemoine crosscourt forehand virtual winner. 30/15. Second-serve let... Lemoine's depth forced Robson to mishit a forehand wide. 40/15. Backhand return long.
The good news is that Robson appears to be in less pain now. She's fighting through the injury, and that's one of the qualities you look for in a player.
Robson serving 3-3: Robson's deep return induced Lemoine to hit a forehand long. 15/0. First serve out wide + down-the-line forehand virtual winner. 30/0. Deep serve forced Lemoine to hit a backhand return long. 40/0. Robson went to the net, but Lemoine hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 40/15. Virtual ace down the middle.
Lemoine serving 3-4: Lemoine's dropshot forced Robson to net a backhand. 15/0. Robson's depth forced Lemoine to mishit a forehand wide. 15/15. Good serve out wide, but crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/30. Robson forehand long. 30/30. Ace down the middle. Lemoine celebrated with a cute little "c'mon". 40/30. Robson hit a deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Lemoine to net a forehand. Deuce. Robson netted a backhand return. Ad Lemoine. Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line.
Nick Mullins: "If you'd just joined this match, you'd have no idea that Laura Robson had been struggling with a back-injury."
Jo Durie: "She's still a little bit restricted, but she's no longer wincing after every serve."
Robson serving 4-4: Lemoine went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was just wide. 15/0. First serve: forehand return long. 30/0. Lemoine's depth forced Robson to hit a forehand just long. 30/15. Double fault #9 (second serve into the net). 30/30. Lemoine netted a backhand return. 40/30. Lemoine crosscourt forehand return just wide.
Lemoine serving 4-5: Ace #5: down the middle. 15/0. Double fault #5 (second serve into the net). 15/15. Double fault #6 (second serve into the net). 15/30. Double fault #7 (second serve into the net). 15/40 (SP #1). Robson off-forehand virtual winner just inside the sideline. Robson won the second set 6-4 at 14:53 (second set 38m, match so far 1h15m).
Third set
---------
ROBSON _@* *___*@*___ 6
LEMOIN @__* *@*___*@* 8
Robson serving 0-0: Robson ran down a dropshot, but netted a forehand. 0/15. Service-winner. 15/15. Lemoine backhand long. 30/15. Deep first serve out wide: forehand return wide. 40/15. Lemoine hit a deep forehand down the middle, forcing Robson to hit an off-backhand wide. She clutched her back. 40/30. Lemoine hit a crosscourt forehand deep onto the sideline, forcing Robson to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Deuce #1. Deep first serve down the middle forced Lemoine to net a forehand return. Ad Robson. Serve out wide, but wild forehand down the line wide. Deuce #2. Lemoine's deep forehand down the middle forced Robson to net a backhand. Ad Lemoine (BP #1). First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return wide. Deuce #3. Lemoine netted a backhand. Ad Robson. Lemoine's deep crosscourt backhand forced Robson down on one knee after she hit a sliced backhand into the net. Deuce #4. Lemoine hit a deep crosscourt forehand onto the baseline, forcing Robson to hit a forehand long. Ad Lemoine (BP #2). Lemoine's deep crosscourt forehand return induced Robson to net a down-the-line forehand.
This break is bad news for Robson, who only managed to break Lemoine once in the second set. Robson's back may be feeling much better than in the first set, but Lemoine is playing much better than then.
Lemoine serving 1-0: Robson off-forehand return-winner. 15/0. Crosscourt forehand, but down-the-line forehand long. Robson pulled up with a look of pain on her face. 15/15. Forehand return long. Robson clutched her back. 30/15. Robson netted a forehand, and muttered in frustration. 40/15. Deep forehand return-winner just inside the baseline. 40/30. Lemoine got jammed, and netted a forehand. Deuce #1. Lemoine netted a rather cheap backhand. Ad Robson (BP #1). Backhand return long. Deuce #2. Deep first serve out wide forced Robson to hit a backhand return long. Ad Lemoine. Robson crosscourt backhand winner - lovely delay while she waited for Lemoine to commit. Deuce #3. Robson crosscourt backhand winner again. Ad Robson (BP #2). Ace down the middle. Deuce #4. Lemoine sprayed a wild crosscourt forehand wide. Ad Robson (BP #3). Lemoine hit a backhand long, and hit a ball into the ground in frustration.
Robson dug deep to break back there, despite 40/15!
Robson serving 1-1: Lemoine dumped a forehand halfway up the net. Loud music coming from outside the court. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Lemoine's crosscourt forehand forced Robson to bend and net a backhand. 30/15. Double fault #10 (second serve just long). 30/30. Robson went to the net, but her backhand approach-shot sat up nicely for Lemoine to hit a forehand pass-winner down the line. 30/40 (BP). Lemoine dumped a forehand halfway up the net. Deuce #1. Robson hit a down-the-line forehand just wide, and muttered "unbelievably bad". Ad Lemoine (BP #2). Deep first serve out wide forced Lemoine to hit a forehand long. Robson yelled "c'mon". Deuce #2. Lemoine sprayed a wild forehand very long - off a mildly deep ball from Robson. Ad Robson. First serve out wide forced Lemoine to earth a forehand lob-return.
Another deep dig by Robson - two break-points saved.
Lemoine serving 1-2: Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand induced Robson to net a forehand. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Robson to hit a forehand return long. 30/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand virtual winner. 40/0. Lemoine's deep backhand forced Robson to hit a forehand long. She clutched her back.
Robson serving 2-2: Robson's depth induced Lemoine to spray a forehand long. 15/0. Lemoine played a great spreading rally, peppering the baseline and then hitting an off-forehand winner back behind Robson. 15/15. Double fault #11 (second serve into the net). 15/30. Deep first serve induced Lemoine to net a makeable forehand return. 30/30. Robson's depth induced Lemoine to hit a backhand long. 40/30. Robson netted a forehand, bent over and clutched her back. Deuce. Lemoine backhand long. Ad Robson. First serve out wide forced Lemoine to hit a forehand return long.
Well recovered from 15/30, but a bad miss for Lemoine at Deuce - after Robson clutched her back.
Lemoine serving 2-3: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Lemoine played a good spreading rally with a crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). Lemoine hit a ball in frustration. 15/30. Robson's deep return induced Lemoine to hit a backhand long. 15/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve down the middle forced Robson to net a forehand return. 30/40 (BP #2). Lemoine dispatched a short sliced backhand with a forehand winner down the line, and yelled a high-pitched "kom op". Deuce. Lemoine drew Robson to the net with a dropshot, and hit a forehand lob-winner over her head - Robson was only prepared to deal with passing-shots. Ad Lemoine. Robson netted a backhand return.
Robson serving 3-3: Lemoine backhand on the baseline forced Robson into error. 0/15. Robson hit a forehand long, and yelled in anguish. 0/30. A nailbiting rally ended with Lemoine's crosscourt forehand forcing Robson to run back and left and net a forehand. 0/40 (BP #1). Ace down the middle. 15/40 (BP #2). Robson hit a down-the-line forehand wide, and clutched her back as she walked to the changeover.
Lemoine serving 4-3: Ace down the middle: just inside both the centre-line and service-line. 15/0. Robson went to the net behind a penetrating forehand, but Lemoine's mishit forehand pass somehow landed in for a winner. 30/0. Robson forehand long. She moved gingerly between points. 40/0. Robson blasted a forehand return into the net.
Robson serving 3-5: Robson went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, but Lemoine hit a cracking forehand pass-winner, and yelled "kom op". 0/15. Robson mishit a backhand long. 0/30. Robson drew Lemoine to the net with a short sliced backhand, but netted a backhand pass. 0/40 (MP #1). Lemoine netted a forehand return. 15/40 (MP #2). Lemoine netted a forehand. 30/40 (MP #3). Virtual ace down the middle. Deuce. Lemoine netted a forehand on the fourth stroke - she's as tight as a drum right now. Ad Robson. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand into the corner forced Lemoine to net a backhand.
Wow! Three match-points saved at 0/40. My heart started racing when she saved the first one.
A big test for Lemoine right now...
Lemoine serving 5-4: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Second serve clipped the netcord and creeped over. A nailbiting rally ended with Robson's forehand on the baseline forcing Lemoine to net a backhand. 0/30. Robson down-the-line backhand just wide. 15/30. Slow first serve out wide: off-backhand return wide. 30/30. Lemoine opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but dumped a crosscourt backhand into the net. 30/40 (BP). Lemoine went to the net behind a deep backhand just inside the baseline, but Robson pulled off an incredible forehand lob-winner over her head and onto the baseline!!
Robson serving 5-5: Lemoine forehand volley on the baseline + forehand volley-winner down the line. 0/15. Ace #2: down the middle (105mph). 15/15. Lemoine forehand just long. Robson yelled "c'mon". 30/15. Lemoine netted a backhand. 40/15. Robson off-backhand just wide. 40/30. Lemoine's deep forehand just inside the baseline forced Robson to earth a backhand. Deuce. First serve out wide forced Lemoine to net a backhand return. Ad Robson. Service-winner out wide.
Lemoine serving 5-6: First serve out wide: Robson netted a backhand return. 15/0. Robson's crosscourt forehand forced Lemoine to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Service-winner down the middle + "kom op". 30/15. Robson on the fourth stroke hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line: on the sideline. 30/30. Lemoine opened up the court and hit a backhand winner down the line. 40/30. Lemoine's crosscourt forehand forced Robson to hit a down-the-line forehand wide.
Robson serving 6-6: Lemoine crosscourt backhand + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 0/15. Lemoine's depth forced Robson to miss a defensive lob. 0/30. Lemoine backhand winner down the line. 0/40 (BP). Lemoine's depth forced Robson to hit a forehand long. Lemoine pumped her fist.
Lemoine's second chance to serve out the match...
Lemoine serving 7-6: Robson forehand long. 15/0. Lemoine crosscourt sliced backhand dropshot forced Robson to net a backhand. 30/0. Robson went to the net, but Lemoine hit a short forehand lob-winner just beyond her reach. 40/0 (MP #4). A nailbiting baseline-rally ended with Robson's depth inducing Lemoine to mishit an off-backhand wide. 40/15 (MP #5). Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. Lemoine won 6-2 4-6 8-6 at 15:55 BST (third set 1h02m, match 2h17m).
Cruising around me, the flames burn my body
Wishful beginnings
Does this remind them again and again?
You're a sorry little girl
You're a sorry little girl
Please hide, for the pain must feel like snow
Shame burns
Breathing in, breathing out
Breathing in, only doubt
The pain must feel like snow
There you go
We were deep in the dead air
And this one will never go down
We had such wishful beginnings
But we live unbearable lives
[David Bowie, "Wishful Beginnings" from 1.OUTSIDE]
-----------------------------
6. Order of play for Thursday
-----------------------------
Centre Court (start 13:00 BST = 12:00 GMT)
WS sf: ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
WS sf: VENUS WILLIAMS [3] v DINARA SAFINA [1]
MD sf: James Blake/Mardy Fish v (DANIEL NESTOR/NENAD ZIMONJIĆ)[2]
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jul 2nd, 2009 at 02:19 AM.
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Jul 3rd, 2009, 03:16 AM
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#12
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 10
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THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
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1. Photos
2. Semi-final results
3. Semi-final TV-report: Dementieva v S.Williams
4. Semi-final TV-report: V.Williams v Safina
5. Mixed Doubles: Quarter-finals
6. Girls' Singles: Quarter-finals
7. Girls' Singles: Quarter-final mini TV-report: Mladenović v Stephens
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1. Photos
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Search-list for Thursday:
dementieva
mladenovic
lemoine
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2. Semi-final results (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
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If you can serve at 130mph
If you can run down every ball
If you can anticipate your opponent's every move
And not get upset by a close call
If you can return your opponent's serve with interest
And hit great passing-shots on the run
Then you will beat the Williams-sisters
And, which is more, you'll be a man, my son
Schadenfreude:
+ VENUS WILLIAMS [3] d. DINARA SAFINA [1], 6-1 6-0
Enttäuschung:
- ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-8
What a contrast: Venus beat Safina in almost the same amount of time (52m) that it took Dementieva to take the first set off Serena! Dementieva v S.Williams was the longest Wimbledon Women's Singles semi-final in the Open Era (2h49m), while V.Williams v Safina was the most one-sided since 1969.
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3. Semi-final TV-report: Dementieva v S.Williams (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
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- ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-8
It was an amazing match, which Dementieva was unbelievably unlucky not to win, considering that:
(a) Williams at 6-7 *3-4 (30/40) hit a down-the-line forehand winner that caught about 1% of the outside edge of the sideline according to Hawk-Eye's visual representation. Had it been but a millimetre further wide, Dementieva would have served for the match at *5-3 (she did hold her serve at *4-4 as it was).
(b) Dementieva broke for *3-1 in the third set, then played a horribly nervous game - making errors when she had the initiative - to get broken straight back.
(c) Dementieva had a match-point at 5-4* (40/30*), and might have converted it with a backhand pass down the line. But she went crosscourt instead, and Williams hit a backhand volley-winner that clipped the netcord.
(d) Dementieva had five points at 6-5* where she was two points from victory (30/0* to 30/30, and two Deuces).
Dementieva played the best I've ever seen her play, and served the best I've ever seen her serve. The placement of her groundstrokes induced Williams to make many errors, and Williams was slipping and sliding all over the place.
BBC presenter Sue Barker called it "the match of the Championships by a mile". Obviously, she has already forgotten the amazing second-round match between Maria Sharapova and Gisela Dulko!
Dementieva: "I thought it was a great match from both of us. I was not that good against Venus Williams in the semi-finals last year, but today I was very focused. I just said from the beginning: 'I have to be very focused; I have to be very aggressive.'
"I think about one point: my match-point. I should go down the line. It's very disappointing for me, because I like to make a passing-shot. This is probably my favourite part of the game. I felt like I should go down the line, but it was so quick, and she has great reaction at the net. What can I say? C'est la vie."
Serena Williams: "It was really, really tough. She's been playing so well, and won a lot of matches against me in the past, so I'm finally hoping to do a little better against her. [At match-point down] I thought: 'Ace. It's my serve - if I can just stay calm, think positive.'
"I think my forehand went to Hawaii - I need her back for the final!"
First set
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DEMENTIE @__* * * * *T 7(7)
WILLIAMS _@* * * * *__ 6(4)
The match was first on Centre Court, and started at 13:14 BST.
Dementieva had won three of her last four meetings with Serena going into this match, yet the BBC commentators were talking about Dementieva like she already lost the match, simply because Williams has a much bigger serve.
Williams serving 0-0: Ace out wide. 15/0. Williams hit a forehand long - off a short ball from Dementieva. 15/15. Dementieva netted a forehand. 30/15. Williams forced a short ball and went to the net behind a down-the-line forehand, but Dementieva hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner onto the sideline. 30/30. Dementieva hit a tremendous running forehand down the line, forcing Williams to net a backhand. 30/40 (BP). Williams sprayed a crosscourt backhand wide.
Dementieva moves so well that it's very difficult for Williams to overpower her.
Dementieva serving 1-0: An intriguing rally saw Dementieva with the initiative and both players defending excellently, but Dementieva, running backwards, netted a backhand. 0/15. Dementieva backhand just long. 0/30. Williams netted a forehand. 15/30. Ace out wide. 30/30. Williams, driven wide, hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line: on the sideline. 30/40 (BP). Dementieva hit a down-the-line forehand just wide.
Williams serving 1-1: Kick second serve: Dementieva dumped a backhand return into the net. 15/0. Big first serve out wide forced Dementieva to hit a backhand return wide. 30/0. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 40/0. Dementieva backhand long.
It's ironic that the commentators are calling Serena's second serve the best in women's tennis, because in the Wimbledon 2004 final, it sat up nicely for Maria Sharapova to hit!
Dementieva serving 1-2: Williams forehand just long. 15/0. Double fault (first serve looked like an ace out wide but was called wide; second serve into the net). 15/15. Williams netted a forehand return. 30/15. Williams backhand long. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Williams serving 2-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Dementieva backhand just long. 30/0. Kick second serve down the middle: off-backhand return just wide. 40/0. Williams netted a running backhand. 40/15. Dementieva netted a backhand.
Dementieva serving 2-3: Williams crosscourt backhand wide. 15/0. Dementieva, driven wide, netted a forehand. 15/15. Dementieva forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Deep service-winner out wide. 40/15. Dementieva's depth induced Williams to spray a crosscourt forehand wide.
Williams serving 3-3: Dementieva backhand long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Ace down the middle: just inside the centre-line. 30/15. Body-jamming first serve forced Dementieva to hit a down-the-line backhand return wide. 40/15. Williams netted a forehand. 40/30. Ace #4: down the middle.
Dementieva serving 3-4: Dementieva got jammed by Williams's deep return, and netted a backhand. 0/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 0/30. Dementieva backhand long. 0/40 (BP #1). Dementieva's deep off-forehand induced Williams to hit a backhand long. 15/40 (BP #2). Service-winner down the middle. 30/40 (BP #3). Dementieva's crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline forced a short floater from Williams, which Dementieva dispatched with an off-forehand winner. Deuce. Dementieva hit a deep forehand down the middle, jamming Williams: forcing her to hit a backhand wide. Ad Dementieva. Williams netted a forehand.
I'm beginning to appreciate what people mean when they say Dementieva has some of the best groundstrokes in women's tennis. Williams is on the back foot so often, which we didn't see against Daniela Hantuchová or Victoria Azarenka, who have more powerful groundstrokes than Dementieva, so I guess Dementieva must have superior placement.
Williams serving 4-4: Williams off-backhand winner. 15/0. Dementieva's forehand landed way inside the baseline, but was called long. Dementieva didn't challenge it, so either she or I probably need(s) to go to an optician. 30/0. Service-winner down the middle. 40/0. Service-winner down the middle.
Dementieva serving 4-5: Dementieva ran down a dropshot and hit an off-backhand winner. 15/0. Dementieva got caught in no-man's-land by a perfect crosscourt backhand lob-winner from Williams. 15/15. Serve out wide induced Williams to spray a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Williams serving 5-5: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Two service-winners down the middle. 40/0. Serve + dropshot, but Dementieva ran it down and hit a down-the-line one-handed backhand, forcing Williams to net a forehand volley. 40/15. Williams crosscourt backhand + pinpoint backhand winner down the line.
Dementieva serving 5-6: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Dementieva, driven wide, hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line: plumb on the sideline. 30/0. Service-winner out wide. 40/0. Williams, on the fourth stroke, sprayed a forehand very long.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Dementieva/Williams):
{0/0*} With both players at the net, Williams's forehand drive-volley forced Dementieva into error.
{*0/1} Williams dumped a backhand into the net, and grimaced. She's really struggling with her footwork on the brown patch behind the baseline.
{*1/1} Williams off-backhand wide.
{2/1*} Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Dementieva to net a backhand. Williams emitted a high-pitched squeal of relief.
{2/2*} Williams's crosscourt forehand forced Dementieva to hit a forehand long.
{*2/3} Williams hit a down-the-line forehand wide, after slipping on the green grass behind her forehand-tramline earlier in the rally.
{*3/3} Williams backhand just long.
{4/3*} Williams crosscourt forehand wide.
{5/3*} Dementieva's deep forehand return forced Williams to net a forehand.
{*6/3: SP #1} Double fault (second serve just long).
{*6/4: SP #2} Williams went for a forehand return down the line, but it was just wide. Dementieva won the first set 7-6 (7/4) at 14:05 BST (51m).
Perhaps Williams needs to change her shoes to turn this match around, because she's doing a lot of slipping and sliding at the moment.
Second set
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DEMENTIE __* *@* *___ 5
WILLIAMS @* *___* *@* 7
Dementieva serving 0-0: Williams netted a forehand return. 15/0. Dementieva hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 30/0. Dementieva netted a backhand off a short return. 30/15. Dementieva forehand long. 30/30. Williams crunched a crosscourt forehand return-winner. 30/40 (BP). Williams's deep crosscourt backhand forced Dementieva to hit a backhand wide.
Williams is 13:2 in Major semi-finals.
Williams serving 1-0: Williams netted an off-forehand off a deep ball from Dementieva. 15/0. Dementieva netted a running forehand. 15/15. Ace out wide. 30/15. Deep serve down the middle induced Dementieva to net an off-forehand return. 40/15. Dementieva's deep forehand return - just inside the baseline - induced Williams to net a backhand. 40/30. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Tracy Austin: "Serena Williams will in no way be giving up, and that puts fear into her opponents, because in the critical situations, she just gets fiercer."
Dementieva serving 0-2: Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 15/0. Backhand return just long. 30/0. Forehand return-winner down the line. 30/15. Williams's forehand on the baseline was called long but overruled by the umpire, so they had to replay the point. Dementieva's crosscourt forehand forced Williams to net a forehand. 40/15. Deep first serve down the middle: Williams blasted a backhand return long.
Williams serving 2-1: Dementieva netted a backhand. 15/0. Dementieva ran down a short ball, but hit a backhand long and wide. 30/0. Serve forced a short return, which Williams dispatched with an off-backhand winner. 40/0. Williams's deep backhand down the line induced Dementieva to hit a forehand just long.
Dementieva serving 1-3: Deep first serve out wide forced Williams to net a forehand return. 15/0. Williams forehand long (bad bounce?). 30/0. Williams backhand just long. 40/0. Williams blasted an off-forehand return just long.
Williams serving 3-2: Dementieva off-backhand return-winner. 0/15. Williams went to the net, but Dementieva hit a roaring crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 0/30. Dementieva's deep forehand return down the middle forced Williams on the back foot to hit a backhand long. 0/40 (BP). Williams fiddled with her hair before serving. Dementieva pounced on a short, weak ball with an off-forehand winner to break back!
Dementieva serving 3-3: Dementieva's right arm tightened up as she mishit a forehand long. 0/15. Dementieva went to the net, but with no conviction: Williams hit a sharp backhand pass-winner down the line. 0/30. Slow first serve: Williams dumped a forehand return into the net. 15/30. Service-winner out wide. 30/30. Williams's deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline forced Dementieva to hit a forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). Dementieva got the better of a terrific rally, turning defence into attack with a crosscourt forehand onto the baseline, and hitting a down-the-line forehand that forced Williams to hit a defensive backhand lob long. Deuce. Second-serve ace down the middle: 110mph!! Ad Dementieva. Williams forehand long.
Dementieva played an amazing game to recover from 0/30 and 30/40 there, and is now two games away from her third Major final!
Williams serving 3-4: A very short ball from Williams forced Dementieva to net a backhand. 15/0. Dementieva's deep return induced Williams to net a backhand. 15/15. Dementieva, driven wide, hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 15/30. Deep first serve down the middle induced Dementieva to net a forehand return. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (BP). Williams lived dangerously with one forehand landing on the baseline and a down-the-line forehand just clipping the outside edge of the sideline by less than 1%!! So said Hawk-Eye when Dementieva challenged, and it was a winner. Deuce. Dementieva's deep forehand forced Williams to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Ad Dementieva. First serve down the middle + roaring crosscourt forehand winner + "c'mon". Deuce #2. Williams went to the net behind an acute crosscourt backhand, and hit a backhand volley-winner down the line. Ad Williams. Service-winner down the middle.
Dementieva was desperately unlucky with that unbelievable call at 30/40: one millimetre further wide and she would now be serving for the match at 5-3.
Dementieva serving 4-4: Deep first serve out wide: Williams forehand return just long. 15/0. Williams ran down a dropshot and hit a down-the-line backhand winner just long. 30/0. Second serve out wide: Williams netted a forehand return. 40/0. Williams's deep return induced Dementieva to net a backhand. 40/15. Williams's extreme slice forced Dementieva to hit an off-forehand just wide. 40/30. Double fault (second serve just long). Deuce. Dementieva's depth induced Williams to hit a down-the-line backhand just wide. Ad Dementieva. Service-winner just wide.
If that call at 4-3* (40/30*) had gone the other way, Dementieva would be in the locker-room by now, celebrating reaching her first Wimbledon-final.
Williams serving 4-5: Ace out wide. 15/0. Williams's depth induced Dementieva to chop a forehand long. 30/0. Dementieva hit a running crosscourt forehand wide. 40/0. Ace down the middle.
Dementieva serving 5-5: Williams went to the net, but Dementieva's crosscourt backhand pass induced her to net a backhand volley. 15/0. Double fault (second serve long - she went after a bad toss). 15/15. Williams, driven wide, hit a down-the-line forehand winner just inside the baseline. 15/30. Dementieva's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord and fell wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Dementieva's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord and the sideline for a winner... but Williams challenged it, and it was just wide.
Williams serving 6-5: Deep second serve out wide forced Dementieva to hit a forehand return wide. She looked up at her box. 15/0. Dementieva crosscourt backhand + backhand winner down the line. 15/15. Williams, on the third stroke, dumped a forehand into the net. 15/30. Williams netted a backhand. 15/40 (BP #1). Ace down the middle: on the service-line. 30/40 (BP #2). Williams's crosscourt forehand induced Dementieva to net a forehand. Deuce #1. Dementieva's down-the-line forehand forced Williams to net a backhand. Ad Dementieva (BP #3). Ace out wide: on the sideline - Dementieva challenged it, and once again, Hawk-Eye was not her friend. Deuce #2. Dementieva's crosscourt forehand forced Williams to stretch wide and net a forehand. Ad Dementieva (BP #4). Dementieva opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand... but tightened up and hit what should have been a down-the-line backhand winner wide. Deuce #3. Ace down the middle: on the sideline - Dementieva used up her last challenge. Ad Williams (SP #1). Ace out wide - it looked long, but Dementieva had run out of challenges. Williams won the second set at 15:01 BST (second set 56m, match so far 1h47m).
Third set
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DEMENTIE * *@__* * *___ 6
WILLIAMS _*__@* * * *@* 8
Dementieva serving 0-0 (new balls): Williams off-backhand winner. 15/0. Williams netted a forehand return. 15/15. Williams dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 30/15. Double fault (second serve just long). Dementieva muttered some desperate-sounding Russian. 30/30. Williams went to the net, but Dementieva hit a crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30. Dementieva crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline.
Williams serving 0-1: Dementieva netted a forehand. 15/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Dementieva to net a backhand return. 30/0. Ace #13: down the middle. 40/0. Williams pounced on a deep but slow return with a crosscourt backhand winner.
Dementieva serving 1-1: Serve out wide + deep forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Dementieva's deep crosscourt backhand forced Williams to spray a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/0. A mishit return turned into a very effective dropshot, drawing Dementieva to the net, and giving Williams an easy crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 30/15. Second serve down the middle induced Williams to miss a forehand return. 30/30. Body-jamming service-winner. 40/30. Dementieva hit an off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Williams to hit a defensive backhand lob long.
Williams serving 1-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Dementieva crosscourt forehand winner off a high bounce. 15/15. Dementieva crosscourt forehand + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. 15/30. Kick second serve out wide forced Dementieva to hit a backhand return long. 30/30. Serve out wide + off-backhand winner back behind Dementieva. 40/30. Dementieva off-forehand winner onto the sideline. Deuce #1. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Dementieva (BP). Williams opened up the court and forced a short ball, but netted a forehand and threw her racket.
Dementieva serving 3-1: Williams's deep crosscourt forehand forced Dementieva to hit a forehand long. More Russian muttering. 0/15. Dementieva's depth forced a short ball from Williams, but she netted a very cheap crosscourt backhand. 0/30. Williams off-backhand return long. 15/30. Williams's deep crosscourt backhand return - on the baseline - forced Dementieva to mishit a backhand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Dementieva went to the net, forcing Williams to net a forehand. 30/40 (BP #2). Dementieva netted a forehand off a high-bouncing ball.
A very nervous game by Dementieva - making errors when she had the initiative in the rallies. Williams is just making her play the ball.
Williams serving 2-3: Dementieva's crosscourt backhand induced Williams to hit a down-the-line backhand wide. 0/15. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 15/15. Dementieva netted a backhand. 30/15. Deep first serve out wide: Dementieva backhand return long. 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Dementieva serving 3-3: Dementieva replied to a dropshot with a backhand dropshot winner - great touch despite her recent nerves. 15/0. Williams backhand long. 30/0. First serve out wide: Williams crosscourt forehand return just wide. 40/0. Double fault (second serve just long - she went after a bad toss). 40/15. Dementieva's depth induced Williams to hit a forehand just long.
A stabilising hold for Dementieva. Mark Petchey: "She's a complex competitor. She's won the Olympic Gold Medal and been at the back end of all the Majors, but you still have this question-mark over whether she can finish this match."
Williams serving 3-4: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Williams's crosscourt forehand forced Dementieva to net a running forehand. 30/0. Deep serve induced Dementieva to hit a forehand return long. 40/0. Dementieva's pinpoint backhand down the line forced Williams to earth a forehand. 40/15. Ace down the middle hit the centre-line with a puff of titanium pigment.
Dementieva serving 4-4: Serve out wide: down-the-line forehand return just wide. 15/0. Second serve hit the service-line and took a weird hop, bouncing into Williams's body, forcing her to net a forehand return. 30/0. First serve down the middle forced Williams to net a backhand return. 40/0. Deep second serve - on the service-line - forced Williams to net a backhand return.
Williams serving 4-5 (new balls): Dementieva's deep crosscourt forehand induced Williams to hit a down-the-line forehand long. Suddenly my heart is racing! 0/15. Second serve: Dementieva netted an off-forehand return. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15. Dementieva had the initiative early in the rally, but Williams took control and went to the net... and hit a forehand volley long. 30/30. Dementieva hit a deep crosscourt forehand winner after an excellent deep lob-return of a big first serve. 30/40 (Dementieva MP #1). First-serve ace just long. In a nailbiting rally, Williams went to the net, Dementieva hit a backhand pass crosscourt (wrong way!), and Williams hit a backhand volley-winner that clipped the top of the net. My heart is about to explode! Deuce #1. Service-winner down the middle. Ad Williams. She sprayed a wild forehand long and wide - off a pretty deep crosscourt forehand from Dementieva. Deuce #2. Big first serve out wide forced Dementieva to net an early forehand return. Ad Williams. Dementieva forced a short ball, but sprayed a wild off-forehand wide.
One match-point goes begging, and that last point betrays Dementieva's nerves.
Dementieva serving 5-5: Dementieva netted a forehand, and reacted with a short, quiet scream. 0/15. Dementieva forced a short ball, hit it straight to Williams, but Williams overran it, got jammed, and netted a forehand down the wide-open line. 15/15. Dementieva's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Williams to net a forehand. 30/15. First serve out wide forced Williams to net a backhand. 40/15. Dementieva's deep backhand forced Williams to hit a crosscourt backhand wide.
Dementieva looked very much in control of the rallies in that game, with the placement of her groundstrokes.
Williams serving 5-6: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Dementieva's crosscourt sliced backhand forced Williams to slice one wide. 0/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Dementieva to lunge wide and net a backhand return. 15/30. Ace out wide: just inside the service-line. 30/30. Dementieva backhand just long. 40/30. Dementieva's off-forehand to the sideline forced Williams to earth a backhand lob. Deuce #1. Ace down the middle: on the sideline. Dementieva wasted a challenge, but she might as well as the challenge-counter gets reset at 6-6. Ad Williams. Dementieva's depth induced Williams to hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. A nailbiting rally ended with Williams's backhand on the baseline forcing Dementieva to hit a backhand wide, and to sink to her knees and fall over. Ad Williams. Dementieva went to the net, but Williams hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. The crowd got noisy even as Dementieva approached the net.
This is now the longest Women's Singles semi-final at Wimbledon in the Open Era: it has been going for 2h40m, overtaking Conchita Martínez v Lori McNeil at Wimbledon 1994 (2h34m).
Dementieva serving 6-6: Dementieva forced a short floater, and dispatched it with an impressive off-forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Excellent defence from Dementieva, but Williams forced a floater and dispatched it with an off-forehand drive-volley winner. 15/15. An amazing point ended with Williams at the net, hitting a high crosscourt backhand volley-winner onto the baseline! Dementieva once more on her knees. 15/30. William's crosscourt backhand return induced Dementieva to mishit a backhand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Dementieva went to the net, forcing Williams to hit a crosscourt backhand pass wide. 30/40 (BP #2). A great baseline-rally ended with Williams hitting a deep off-backhand winner back behind Dementieva.
Williams serving 7-6: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Dementieva backhand return just long. 15/15. Williams went to the net, forced a floater, and dispatched it with a crosscourt backhand drive-volley winner. 30/15. Williams, on the third stroke, dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 30/30. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 40/30 (Williams MP #1). A netcord from Williams gave Dementieva plenty of time, but she hit a down-the-line backhand just wide. Williams won 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 8-6 at 16:03 BST (third set 1h02m, match 2h49m).
--------------------------------------------
4. Semi-final TV-report: V.Williams v Safina (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
--------------------------------------------
+ VENUS WILLIAMS [3] d. DINARA SAFINA [1], 6-1 6-0
A fun match to watch, for those of us who can't stand Safina. The WTA has confirmed that this was the most one-sided smackdown ever of a reigning world #1 (albeit one who has never won a Major). It was also the most one-sided Wimbledon semi-final since Billie Jean King beat Rosie Casals also 6-1 6-0 in 1969.
It makes a mockery of the WTA's ranking-system that Safina can be #1 without a Major, and having won only four games in two matches against the Williams-sisters at the Majors this year. Winning Majors is what all the top players play for, and all that the Williams-sisters seem to care about (apart from interior design, fashion-design, acting and all the rest of it) any more.
All the great players are judged firstly by whether or not they have come back and won a Major after being stabbed by a deranged fan at a changeover, secondly by the number of Majors they have won, thirdly by their best-ever result in each of the four Majors, and only fourthly by their number of weeks at #1.
This particular result is not an embarrassment to women's tennis; it is an embarrassment to Safina, whose Majorless #1 status is an embarrassment to women's tennis.
The WTA needs to award many more points for winning a Major if its ranking-system is to regain its normal credibility.
First set
---------
WILLIA *@*@* * 6
SAFINA _____*_ 1
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 16:22 BST.
Williams serving 0-0: Williams's depth induced Safina to hit a backhand long. 15/0. Williams's width induced Safina to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/0. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 40/0. Deep, body-jamming serve forced Safina to earth a backhand return.
Safina serving 0-1: Safina netted a forehand. 0/15. Williams crosscourt forehand winner. 0/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 0/40 (BP). Safina hit a good first serve down the middle, went to the net, but Williams hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner.
Williams has won the first eight points against the Majorless #1!
Williams serving 2-0: First serve down the middle forced a floater, which Williams dispatched with an off-backhand drive-volley winner. 15/0. Safina's off-forehand return to the sideline forced Williams to stretch wide and net a backhand. 15/15. A long baseline-rally ended with Williams netting a down-the-line backhand. 15/30. Williams's depth induced Safina to hit a forehand long. 30/30. Ace down the middle: 124mph, just inside the centre-line. 40/30. Williams forced a deep floater, but, running backwards, netted a forehand. Deuce #1. Safina forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Ad Safina (BP). Williams hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Safina to spray a crosscourt forehand return wide. Deuce #2. First serve out wide: forehand return long. Ad Williams. She went to the net behind a sliced backhand, and showed a very long arm to hit a crosscourt backhand volley-winner.
A tough service-game for Williams after winning the first nine points of the match, but we're still on for the double bagel.
Safina serving 0-3: Williams pounced on Safina's short down-the-line forehand with a crosscourt backhand winner. 0/15. Short second serve, but Williams dumped a backhand return into the net. 15/15. Safina hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 30/15. Deep first serve out wide: backhand return wide. 40/15. Safina netted a forehand. 40/30. Williams's deep crosscourt forehand induced Safina to mishit a forehand wide. Deuce #1. Williams's depth forced Safina to hit a backhand just long (Williams could have hit a volley, but judged it correctly). Ad Williams (BP). Safina netted a forehand.
Still on for the double bagel against the Majorless world #1.
Williams serving 4-0: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Williams's depth forced Safina to hit a forehand long. She hit her feet with her racket in frustration. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Safina crosscourt forehand just wide.
Double bagel. Majorless #1.
Safina serving 0-5: Deep first serve down the middle forced Williams to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/0. Safina crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Safina's crosscourt backhand winner on the baseline was called long, but she made a successful Hawk-Eye challene. 40/0. Safina netted a crosscourt backhand. 40/15. Williams forced a floater, and dispatched it with a forehand drive-volley winner. 40/30. Deep first serve out wide: Williams netted a backhand return.
Well, Safina may have avoided the double bagel, but she's still #1 without EVER having won a single Major!
Now the question is: can Williams beat her 6-1 6-0?
Williams serving 5-1: Safina off-forehand just wide. 15/0. Safina's deep forehand down the line forced Williams to earth a backhand. 15/15. Service-winner. 30/15. Deep first serve forced Safina to bunt a forehand return long. 40/15 (SP #1). Williams's crosscourt backhand forced Safina to hit a defensive backhand long. Williams won the first set 6-1 at 16:50 (28m).
I ask again: can Williams beat the Majorless world #1 6-1 6-0?
And another intriguing question: can Williams beat Safina before I have to change video-tapes for the second time today? I am currently 3h28m into a four-hour video-tape, and I really don't want to have to unwrap another during the match.
Second set
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WILLIA @*@*@* 6
SAFINA ______ 0
Safina serving 0-0: A point of forehand smashes from Williams and forehand lobs from Safina ended with one of the former going for a winner. 0/15. Williams crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner. 0/30. Safina went for a crosscourt backhand, but it was just long. 0/40 (BP). Good first serve, but Safina hit a forehand just long on the third point.
Safina believes she has to go for the lines to beat Williams, and she's not making them. Can Williams beat the Majorless world #1 6-1 6-0?
Williams serving 0-1: Williams's depth induced Safina to net a forehand. Safina threw her racket onto her foot. 15/0. Safina hit a forehand long, and muttered. 30/0. Service-winner down the middle. 40/0. Safina off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 40/15. Forehand return long.
Can Williams beat the Majorless world #1 6-1 6-0?
Safina serving 0-2: Safina's deep forehand smash - though she was backpedalling - forced Williams to net a backhand. 15/0. Williams's deep crosscourt backhand approach forced Safina to hit an off-backhand wide onto the umpire's chair. 15/15. Deep forehand return onto the baseline forced Safina to net a forehand. She muttered some more. 15/30. Williams netted a forehand. 30/30. Williams crosscourt backhand return-winner. 30/40 (BP). Safina off-forehand wide.
David Mercer: "Safina is getting increasingly desperate. She cannot deal with the serve of Venus Williams, nor the return of Venus Williams."
So, can Williams beat the Majorless world #1 6-1 6-0?
My video-situation is looking good: only 3h40m into a four-hour video-tape.
Williams serving 3-0: Safina's off-forehand clipped the netcord and fell wide. 15/0. Safina's deep forehand down the line forced Williams to net a backhand. 15/15. Deep service-winner out wide. 30/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 40/15. Ace down the middle.
Can Williams beat the Majorless world #1 6-1 6-0?
Safina serving 0-4: Safina forehand just long. 0/15. Safina forced a short ball, but hit an "awful" crosscourt forehand just long. David Mercer: "Just totally scrambled of the mind now." 0/30. Williams netted a forehand, and Safina got loud applause from the crowd, even though she's hardly the underdog in this match or any other while she's #1 (albeit without ever having won a Major). 15/30. Williams crosscourt forehand wide. 30/30. Deep service-winner. 40/30. Williams sprayed a down-the-line backhand wide. Deuce #1. Safina forehand long. David Mercer: "Starting to rush, starting to panic." Ad Williams. Double fault (second serve just long). Safina whacked a ball into the net in disgust.
David Mercer: "How on earth are people going to understand how Safina is ranked #1 without ever having won a Major, while the Williams-sisters have won 17 between them?"
Sam Smith: "The rankings reward consistency. The Williams-sisters have done well in the Majors, but not so well on the WTA Tour."
Williams serving 5-0: Williams sprayed a forehand long - off a mildly deep ball from Safina. 0/15. Service-winner out wide. 15/15. Safina forehand just long. 30/15. Williams forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner. 40/15 (MP #1). Safina netted a backhand return. Williams won 6-1 6-0 at 17:14 BST (second set 24m, match 52m).
The look on Safina's face says: "I don't see how I could possibly have won that match, or how I could ever win such a match in the future."
Venus Williams: "I'm in my eighth final - a dream come true to be here again, and to have the opportunity to hold the plate up. You know, she's so talented, and she's played so consistently in the last year, but I was so focused and experienced."
Dinara Safina: "I had a very good lesson. Simply: she showed me how good she is on grass. She put me straight under pressure from the start. She served too good. With my service-game, I didn't do anything. I didn't have such good placement that I could have an easy shot like she does. In the first set I had break-point, and game-point at 40/15, but I wouldn't say I had the chance - even close - to beat her today. Definitely, this is not my favourite surface. I can play on this surface - I just have to change my head, my mentality."
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5. Mixed Doubles: Quarter-finals
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5.1 Quarter-finals (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
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Nice winner, nice loser:
+ (VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL/STEPHEN HUSS)[12] d. (HSIEH,SU-WEI [s]/KEVIN ULLYETT)[4], 6-3 5-7 9-7
What rocked:
+ (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] d. (AI SUGIYAMA/ANDRE SA)[11], 6-3 6-3
What sucked:
- (IVETA BENEOVÁ/LUKÁ DLOUHÝ)[15] lt. Liezel Huber/Jamie Murray, walkover (Dlouhý injury)
- (SAMANTHA STOSUR/BOB BRYAN)[2] lt. (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9], 6-0 5-7 3-6
5.2 Semi-final draw
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* (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] v (VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL/STEPHEN HUSS)[12]
* Liezel Huber/Jamie Murray v (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9]
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6. Girls' Singles: Quarter-finals
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6.1 Quarter-finals (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
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What rocked:
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. SLOANE STEPHENS [7], 6-1 6-0
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. SILVIA NJIRIĆ [11], 6-4 6-4
What sucked:
- Quirine Lemoine lt. TÍMEA BABOS [6], 6-2 1-6 4-6
The other quarter-final:
+ Miyabi Inoue d. Zsófia Susányi, 4-6 6-2 7-5
6.2 Semi-final draw
-------------------
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] v Miyabi Inoue (allez Kristina!)
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v TÍMEA BABOS [6] (al-na Noppawan!)
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7. Girls' Singles: Quarter-final mini TV-report: Mladenović v Stephens (Thursday 2nd July 2009)
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+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. SLOANE STEPHENS [7], 6-1 6-0
I tuned into BBC Red Button at 11:59 BST, and wished I had got up an hour earlier, as this big, blonde girl was serving at 6-1 5-0 (15/15).
Mladenović hit a big serve down the middle - on the service-line - to force a short backhand return that sat up nicely for Mladenović to clout an equally big off-forehand winner into the corner. 30/15.
Another big serve plumb on the service-line forced another short backhand return that sat up nicely for Mladenović, but this time she blasted a wild off-forehand into the net. 30/30.
Another massive first serve - this time out wide, right in the corner - forced Stephens to bunt a forehand return long. 40/30 (MP #1).
Another huge first serve - 122mph, just inside the sideline - went straight to Stephens's forehand: she bunted back a deep floater, and Mladenović, in no-man's-land, blasted a forehand drive-volley into the net. Deuce.
Yet another big first serve on the service-line forced Stephens to bunt back a short off-backhand return, which Mladenović dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. Ad Mladenović (MP #2).
For once, Mladenović missed a first serve. Her second serve was much slower, but still just inside the service-line; it jammed right into the body of Stephens, who bunted back a short, mishit backhand return. Mladenović hit a crosscourt forehand deep into the corner, forcing Stephens to earth a forehand. Mladenović won 6-1 6-0 at 12:01 BST (47m). She celebrated with a shout and a fist-pump.
I'm just amazed by what I saw from Mladenović in those six points. Every single shot apart from that one second serve was absolutely massive, and she hit a serve there that was just 2mph shy of the record 124mph for the Women's Singles set by Venus Williams! Every serve was on the service-line or just inside it, and her opponent could only block the ball back every time.
But there were a couple of wild unforced errors from Mladenović, and I guess that's the only reason she isn't #1 in the WTA Rankings yet! She's already #1 in the ITF Girls Ranking.
To recap: 16-year-old Mladenović won the Girls' Singles title at the French Open - after losing 6-1 2-6 8-6 to Magdaléna Rybáriková in the first round of the Women's Singles. She matched Venus Williams's fastest serve of 124mph for the French Open.
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Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jul 4th, 2009, 01:18 AM
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-report for Day 11
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Women's Doubles: Semi-finals
3. Mixed Doubles: Semi-finals
4. Girls' Singles: Semi-finals
5. Girls' Singles: Semi-final TV-report: Lertcheewakarn v Babos
6. Order of play for Saturday
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1. Photos
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Search-list for Friday:
mladenovic
lertcheewakarn
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2. Women's Doubles: Semi-finals
-------------------------------
2.1 Semi-finals (Friday 3rd July 2009)
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One nice winner, two nice losers:
+ (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3] d. (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL)[2], 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 6-2
- (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1] lt. (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4], 1-6 2-6
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3. Mixed Doubles: Semi-finals
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3.1 Semi-finals (Friday 3rd July 2009)
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Nice winner, nice loser:
+ (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] d. (VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL/STEPHEN HUSS)[12], 6-4 6-4
The other semi-final:
+ (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9] d. Liezel Huber/Jamie Murray, 6-2 7-5
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4. Girls' Singles: Semi-finals
------------------------------
4.1 Semi-finals (Friday 3rd July 2009)
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+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1] d. Miyabi Inoue, 6-1 6-2
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. TÍMEA BABOS [6], 6-2 6-0
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5. Girls' Singles: Semi-final TV-report: Lertcheewakarn v Babos (Friday 3rd July 2009)
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+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. TÍMEA BABOS [6], 6-2 6-0
Lertcheewakarn is the Selesian (two hands both sides) who was runner-up to Laura Robson last year. This semi-final could have been a Lertcheewakarn v Robson rematch, had an injured Robson not lost to Quirine Lemoine, who lost in turn to Babos.
Babos actually looked like the likely winner until *2-2, as she had a big serve, while Lertcheewakarn looked out of sorts. But it was Lertcheewakarn who broke first for *3-2; in fact Babos didn't win another game after leading 2-1*, and took a medical time-out at 2-6 0-1* to get her left thigh strapped.
First set
---------
LERTC _* *@*@* 6
BABOS * *_____ 2
The match was second on Court 4, and started at 15:05 BST.
Babos serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 15/15. Deep, hard first serve out wide forced Lertcheewakarn to bunt a forehand long. 30/15. Babos forced a floater and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner. 40/15. Lertcheewakarn, on the fourth stroke, hit a backhand winner down the line. 40/30. Serve out wide + pinpoint backhand winner down the line.
Lertcheewakarn serving 0-1: Double fault (second serve into the net, and way wide of the centre-line). 0/15. Lertcheewakarn, on the third stroke, dumped a backhand into the net. 0/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Babos. 15/30. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt backhand forced Babos to net a backhand. 30/30. Babos backhand return just wide. 40/30. Babos crosscourt backhand return + backhand winner down the line - Lertcheewakarn made no attempt to run for that one. Deuce #1. Deep second serve induced Babos to spray a forehand return wide. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Lertcheewakarn held with a forehand netcord-winner.
A good recovery by Lertcheewakarn after a couple of dreadful points to start her service-game, but she's looking rather out of sorts.
Babos serving 1-1: Double fault (second serve long). 0/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Lertcheewakarn to bunt a forehand long. 15/15. Ace out wide. 30/15. Babos, on the third stroke, dumped a cheap backhand return into the net. 30/30. Ace out wide: 117mph, just inside the service-line. 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Deuce #1. Crosscourt backhand return + off-backhand forced Babos to net a forehand. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #1). Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. Deuce #2. First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return winner onto the sideline! Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #2). Huge first serve out wide: just inside both sideline and service-line - forced Lertcheewakarn to earth a backhand return. Deuce #3. Lertcheewakarn sprayed a wild crosscourt forehand wide. Ad Babos. Deep first serve out wide + off-forehand dropshot-winner.
Three aces, two double faults, and two break-points saved. It's clear that Babos's serve is a huge weapon (she was regularly hitting it above 110mph in that game - I think I saw 118mph at one point), but consistency may be an issue for her.
Lertcheewakarn serving 1-2: Babos netted a backhand return. 15/0. Babos netted a backhand return. 30/0. Babos's deep crosscourt backhand forced Lertcheewakarn to stretch wide and net a one-handed backhand. 30/15. Babos netted a backhand return. 40/15. Babos's deep ball down the middle induced Lertcheewakarn hit an off-forehand wide. 40/30. Babos forehand long.
Babos serving 2-2: Serve out wide + off-backhand winner back behind Lertcheewakarn. 15/0. Double fault (second serve wide). 15/15. Lertcheewakarn forced a floater, and hit an error-forcing crosscourt forehand. 15/30. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt backhand return-winner. 15/40 (BP). Lertcheewakarn ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand pass-winner down the line.
Lertcheewakarn serving 3-2: Babos hit a deep backhand return down the line, forcing Lertcheewakarn to net a bakhand. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn's pinpoint backhand down the line forced a floater from Babos, which Lertcheewakarn dispatched with a backhand drive-volley winner. 15/15. Babos crosscourt backhand wide. 30/15. Babos hit a good return + forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt forehand induced Babos to hit a forehand wide. 40/30. Babos opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand, but Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt backhand induced her to net a backhand half-volley down the open line.
Babos serving 2-4: Babos went to the net, but Lertcheewakarn hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 0/15. Ace out wide. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn backhand return just wide. 30/15. Second-serve let. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Babos to net a backhand. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn ran down a dropshot, but pushed a down-the-line forehand wide. 40/30. Babos went for a backhand winner down the line, but it was just wide. Deuce #1. Babos sliced a backhand quarterway up the net. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP). Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt backhand return forced Babos to hit a backhand wide, giving Lertcheewakarn *5-2.
At this point, BBC Red Button stopped televising the match to show Ladies' Invitation (i.e. veteran) Doubles instead. This would never have happened if Laura Robson had come through instead of Babos.
Second set
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LERTC @*@*@* 6
BABOS ______ 0
There was a long delay at *1-0. I did venture into the murky world of online live coverage (not something I make a habit of, as the quality is very poor compared with TV) to find out what was going on: I missed the time-out, but Babos now had her left thigh strapped.
Babos appeared to be in tears at 0-5*, but smiled when she hit a down-the-line forehand winner to reach break-point. Lertcheewakarn had to save three break-points in a multi-deuce game before sealing her inevitable victory.
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6. Order of play for Saturday
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Centre Court (start 14:00 BST = 13:00 GMT)
WS final: SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v VENUS WILLIAMS [3]
MD final: (BOB BRYAN/MIKE BRYAN)[1] v (DANIEL NESTOR/NENAD ZIMONJIĆ)[2]
WD final: (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4]
I want Serena to win the Women's Singles final, so that Dinara Safina's Majorless sojourn at #1 might end before she catches Maria Sharapova's career-total of 17 weeks at #1 (next week will be Safina's 12th at #1, regardless of who wins the final).
But I expect Venus to win - and very one-sidedly - because she was much more impressive in the semi-finals than Serena, who was slipping and sliding all over the place, while her forehand was in Hawaii.
But I doubt that I'll watch the Women's Singles final live, because:
Court One (start 14:00 BST = 13:00 GMT)
GS final: NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] v KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1]
(followed by two Invitation Doubles matches)
Wow - I thought putting last year's Girls' Singles final on Court One was an exception for Laura Robson rather than a change of policy!
I want Lertcheewakarn to win, because she is a Selesian, is still looking for her first Girls' Singles title at the Majors despite finishing 2008 as junior world #1, and was the losing finalist here last year.
But I expect Mladenović to win - and very one-sidedly - because she simply has too much power for any other junior to handle on grass.
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jul 5th, 2009, 01:04 AM
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#14
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 12
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THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
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1. Photos
2. Women's Singles: Final TV-report
3. Girls' Singles: Final TV-report
4. Women's Doubles: Final TV-report
5. Girls' Doubles: Semi-finals
6. Order of play for Sunday
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1. Photos
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Search-list for Saturday:
lertcheewakarn
mladenovic
stosur
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2. Women's Singles: Final TV-report (Saturday 4th July 2009)
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+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. VENUS WILLIAMS [3], 7-6 (7/3) 6-2
It was a disappointingly boring final. Of course I might have found it more exciting had I watched it live, rather than recorded after the Girls' Singles final, knowing the result, but it was certainly a poor sequel to their high-quality Wimbledon 2008 final.
The first set was like one of those men's matches on grass from the 1990s: serve-dominated, and few rallies with more than four strokes. The only break-points were against Serena at *3-4 (15/40), and she saved them. Serena dominated the tiebreak, hitting three winners.
The second set was shaping up as more of the same, as Serena led 3-2*. But perhaps Venus's knee-injury caught up with her (her left knee was heavily strapped, and she was grimacing between points), as she played a feeble game to get broken for 2-4* on a double fault.
Serena hit a couple of aces as she held to love for 5-2*, then broke Venus again after a marathon-game of four deuces, four championship-points, and the only rallies of the match that I would describe as nailbiting.
It's Serena's eleventh Major Women's Singles title - one shy of Billie Jean King's twelve (four of which she won before the Open Era) - and third Wimbledon Women's Singles title.
Serena now holds three of the four Major titles, with the exception of the French Open (Svetlana Kuznetsova), yet Dinara Safina - who has never won a Major - will still be #1 next week! I really hope Serena can overtake Safina before 10th August, when Safina would match Maria Sharapova's career-total of 17 weeks at #1.
Prematch routine
----------------
The match was first on Centre Court.
Serena: "We're just here to have fun, and do our best out there both."
Venus: "This is what we always dreamed of: playing each other in Majors, especially here. I love this surface, and I have a good record here."
The match started at 14:12 BST. I watched it recorded, having chosen to watch the Girls' Singles final live.
First set
---------
SEREN _* * * * * *T 7(7)
VENUS * * * * * *__ 6(3)
Venus serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Serena crosscourt forehand + deep forehand down the line induced Venus to hit a backhand long. 15/30. First serve: Serena netted a forehand return. 30/30. First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/30. Venus's depth induced Serena to loft a forehand long.
Serena serving 0-1: Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/0. Serena crosscourt forehand (just inside the sideline) + forehand winner down the line. 30/0. Big first serve down the middle forced Venus to bunt a backhand return wide. 40/0. Venus netted a backhand return.
Venus serving 1-1: Serve out wide + deep crosscourt backhand virtual winner on the baseline. 15/0. Serena netted a forehand return. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide: forehand return long. 40/0. Virtual ace out wide.
And virtually no rallies at the moment, either. 
Serena serving 1-2: Venus went to the net; Serena hit a short off-forehand pass-winner onto the outside edge of the sideline. 15/0. Ace out wide. 30/0. Serena backhand just long. 40/0. Serena netted a forehand to drop her first point on serve. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Venus serving 2-2: Venus ran down a dropshot and hit a backhand winner down the line. 15/0. Serena's crosscourt forehand forced Venus to net a forehand. 15/15. Deep first serve down the middle: Serena netted a backhand return. 30/15. Serena netted a forehand return. 40/15. Serena off-backhand return wide.
Serena serving 2-3: Serena forced a short ball, and hit an off-forehand that forced Venus to earth a backhand. 15/0. Serena's deep forehand just inside the baseline forced Venus to net a forehand. 30/0. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 40/0. Serena's depth induced Venus to hit an early off-forehand wide.
Venus serving 3-3: Serena pushed Venus way out of court with a crosscourt forehand to the sideline, and hit a down-the-line forehand winner into the wide-open court. 0/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15. Serena netted a backhand. 30/15. Ace out wide. 40/15. Deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Serena to net a forehand return.
Serena serving 3-4: Crosscourt forehand return + forehand down the line forced Serena to net a backhand. 0/15. Venus's deep crosscourt backhand return forced Serena to hit an off-backhand wide. 0/30. Deep first serve down the middle forced Venus to bunt a backhand return wide. 15/30. Serena netted a forehand. 15/40 (BP). Brave kick second serve on the service-line induced Venus to hit a backhand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Serena went to the net, left a huge gap to her right, but Venus hit a crosscourt forehand pass just long. Deuce. Ace out wide. Ad Serena. Ace down the middle.
Either of those break-points could easily have gone the other way, then Venus would be serving for the first set at *5-3.
Venus serving 4-4: Deep first serve down the middle forced Serena to net a backhand. 15/0. Venus drove Serena into the tramlines with an acute crosscourt forehand, and hit a backhand winner down the middle. 30/0. Venus's crosscourt backhand forced Serena to net a backhand. 40/0. Venus crosscourt forehand just wide. 40/15. Backhand return just long.
Serena serving 4-5: Deep first serve down the middle forced a short return, which Serena dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Venus netted a forehand off a short ball from Serena. 30/0. Venus's backhand return clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. 30/15. Serena's crosscourt backhand + down-the-line forehand forced Venus to hit a forehand long. 40/15. Serena crosscourt forehand + pinpoint forehand winner down the line.
Venus serving 5-5: Venus went to the net, and hit a down-the-line backhand volley that forced Serena on the run to hit a forehand wide. 15/0. Serena crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/15. Serena crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/15. Serena's off-forehand + crosscourt forehand forced Venus to hit a running forehand long. 30/30. Serena dumped a forehand return into the net. 40/30. Venus down-the-line backhand long. Deuce #1. Forehand return just long. Ad Venus. Serve forced a short return, but Venus sprayed a forehand long. Deuce #2. Deep first serve out wide forced Serena to hit an off-forehand wide. Ad Venus. Deep first serve out wide forced Serena to earth a backhand return.
Serena serving 5-6: Venus went to the net and hit a forehand smash-winner. 0/15. Deep first serve down the middle forced Venus to net a forehand return. 15/15. Ace out wide: just inside both sideline and service-line. 30/15. Ace down the middle. 40/15. Serena spread Venus with a serve out wide + forehand down the line + backhand down the line, forcing Venus to hit a running forehand down the line just wide.
6-6 tiebreak (all scores Serena/Venus):
{0/0*} First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return wide.
{*0/1} First serve out wide forced Venus to net a backhand return.
{*1/1} First serve forced a short return; Serena's crosscourt forehand forced Venus to net a forehand pass.
{2/1*} Serena's deep off-forehand return forced Venus to net a backhand.
{3/1*} Body-jamming serve + crosscourt backhand on the baseline forced Serena to bunt a crosscourt backhand wide. Serena used up a challenge to show that it was on the baseline.
{*3/2} Serena forced a short ball, and hit an off-forehand winner.
{*4/2} Venus crosscourt backhand wide.
{5/2*} Serena hit a crosscourt backhand + amazing short-angled crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline.
{6/2*: SP #1} Venus went to the net; Serena hit a crosscourt forehand pass just wide. She used up another challenge, but still has two remaining.
{*6/3: SP #2} Venus went to the net, but Serena hit a crosscourt backhand lob-winner over her head. Serena won the first set 7-6 (7/3) at 15:04 BST (52m).
Second set
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SEREN * * *@*@ 6
VENUS _* *____ 2
Serena serving 0-0: Ace out wide. 15/0. Venus dumped a very makeable backhand return into the net. 30/0. Venus crosscourt forehand just wide. 40/0. First serve out wide: Venus netted a backhand return.
Venus serving 0-1: Body-jamming serve induced Serena to net a forehand return. 15/0. First serve down the middle: forehand return long. 30/0. Serena forced a short ball, but netted a forehand. 30/15. Serena's crosscourt backhand return forced Venus to net a backhand. 40/15. Ace down the middle.
Serena serving 1-1: Serena netted a cheap forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. First serve out wide: Venus netted a makeable backhand return. 15/15. First serve down the middle: Venus netted a backhand return. 30/15. Deep first serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15. Deep first serve out wide + down-the-line forehand forced Venus to net a backhand.
Venus serving 1-2: Serena backhand winner down the line. 0/15. Deep serve hit the service-line, and a bad bounce forced Serena to miss a forehand return. 15/15. Deep first serve down the middle: Serena hit her forehand return too early: it flew wide. 30/15. Serena crosscourt backhand wide by a whisker. 40/15. Serena netted an off-backhand.
How Serena managed to run away with this match from here, I'm about to find out...
Serena serving 2-2: Backhand return long. 15/0. And again. 30/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Venus to net a forehand return. 40/0. Serena netted a cheap forehand on the third stroke. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Venus serving 2-3: Venus grimaced before serving, and Serena's deep off-forehand return forced Venus to earth a backhand. 0/15. Venus crosscourt forehand + off-forehand on the baseline forced Serena to net a backhand. 15/15. Venus netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/30. Serena netted a forehand return. 30/30. Venus netted a backhand off a mishit moonball from Serena, and groaned. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (second serve just long).
What a feeble way to give Serena a break!
Serena serving 4-2: Ace out wide. 15/0. Venus hit a forehand long "with no conviction". 30/0. Ace out wide. 40/0. Serena's deep crosscourt forehand forced Venus to spray one wide.
Venus serving 2-5: Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell wide). 0/15. Venus opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand, but netted a down-the-line backhand. 0/30. Serena crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/30. Serve out wide + off-forehand forced a floater, which Venus dispatched with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Serve out wide, but crosscourt forehand wide. 30/40 (CP #1). Second serve down the middle: crosscourt forehand return wide. Deuce. A nailbiting rally ended with Serena hitting a forehand winner down the line. Ad Serena (CP #2). Serena appeared to take the rally by the scruff of the neck when she hit a deep crosscourt forehand + forehand down the line, but Venus bunted back a defensive backhand lob; Serena got tentative, and netted a backhand three strokes later. Deuce #2. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Serena. Ad Venus. Serena opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, then hit a low-bouncing forehand down the line, forcing Venus to net a one-handed backhand. Deuce #3. Serena's penetrating backhand return forced Venus to net an off-backhand wide. Ad Serena (CP #3). Venus went to the net and hit a crosscourt forehand smash... but had a long, anxious wait as Serena bunted a skyscraper forehand lob wide. Deuce #4. Serena's deep backhand induced Venus to hit one long. Ad Serena (CP #4). Body-jamming serve: Serena's off-forehand return sat up nicely for Venus to... dump a backhand into the net. Serena won 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 at 15:39 BST (second set 35m, match 1h27m).
Quotes
------
Venus's on-court interview: "Today she was too good. She had an answer for everything. She played the best tennis today, so congratulations. I don't think the loss has set in yet, 'cause I'm still smiling! I love what I do, and I love playing these finals."
Serena's on-court interview: "I feel so amazing. I'm so blessed. I thank my God Jehovah for letting me get healthy through this match. I feel like I shouldn't be holding the trophy, because it's named for Venus! [the Venus Rosewater Dish]
[Re. their father going home to cut the grass instead of watching them play each other] "Venus and I want it to be well-kept, so we always try to do our best in the tournaments."
Serena's press-conference: "I see myself as #2. Dinara Safina is #1: she won Rome and Madrid! I'd rather be #2 with three Majors than #1 with no Majors."
----------------------------------
3. Girls' Singles: Final TV-report (Saturday 4th July 2009)
----------------------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [4,S] d. KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [1], 3-6 6-3 6-1
Last year, Lertcheewakarn was runner-up to Laura Robson here. This year, the Selesian (two hands both sides) former junior world #1 goes one better to win her first Major Girls' Singles title.
I thought the big-serving Mladenović would overpower Lertcheewakarn, but Mladenović seemed very nervous at the prospect of adding the Wimbledon title to her French Open title, and of earning a main-draw wild card for Wimbledon 2010.
Even in the first set, Mladenović wasn't firing on all cylinders, and allowed herself to get sucked into Lertcheewakarn's counterpunching game: Mladenović didn't enjoy the lack of pace, nor the uncomfortable positions in which Lertcheewakarn's angles placed her.
Mladenović actually led by a set and a break (6-3 *2-1), but Lertcheewakarn then raised her game to a new aggressive level, playing excellently to break back and win five of the last six games of the second set.
Mladenović lost her composure after being broken from 40/15 up in the first game of the third set, and unravelled in a stream of unforced errors (and I'm tempted to say tears: she certainly looked close to them at one point, and her face got very red).
At 1-4* in the third, Mladenović consulted the trainer about her right knee, which had a thin strap on it, then lost eight of the last nine points as Lertcheewakarn claimed her first Major title.
Mladenović can take solace in the fact that the runner-up in the Wimbledon Girls' Singles often goes on to have a better career than the champion:
1998 Katarina Srebotnik d. Kim Clijsters
1999 Iroda Tulyaganova d. Lina Krasnoroutskaya
2000 María Emilia Salerni d. Tatiana Perebiynis
2001 Angelique Widjaja d. Dinara Safina
2002 Vera Douchevina d. Maria Sharapova
2003 Kirsten Flipkens d. Anna Tchakvetadze (Chakvetadze)
2004 Katerina Bondarenko d. Ana Ivanović
2005 Agnieszka Radwańska d. Tamira Paszek
2006 Caroline Wozniacki d. Magdaléna Rybáriková
2007 Urszula Radwańska d. Madison Brengle
2008 Laura Robson d. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn
2009 Noppawan Lertcheewakarn d. Kristina Mladenović
First set
---------
MLADENOVIĆ *@__* *@* 6
LERTCHEEWA __@* *___ 3
The match was first on Court One and started at 14:09 BST.
Chris Bailey: "Noppawan Lertcheewakarn is back in the Girls' Singles final: same court, same time, same commentary-team, but last year she was facing Laura Robson, and we all know what happened there."
Mladenović serving 0-0: Mladenović netted a forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn forehand wide. 15/15. Ace out wide. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn backhand return just long. 40/15. Ace down the middle.
SS: "Lertcheewakarn has great timing, and hits the ball extremely hard, considering that she's quite small for a tennis-player."
Lertcheewakarn serving 0-1: Lertcheewakarn dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn netted a backhand on the third stroke. 0/30. Forehand return long. 15/30. Mladenović opened up the court, but netted a down-the-line backhand. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand. 30/40 (BP). Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand.
Lertcheewakarn looks rather rushed at the moment, even though she has really short backswings on her groundstrokes. Sam Smith said Mladenović looked much more capable than Lertcheewakarn of making the transition from juniors to the WTA Tour; Chris Bailey said Lertcheewakarn could make life difficult for Mladenović if Mladenović has an off day with lots of errors.
Lertcheewakarn has a really high toss on her serve: it drops about two metres before she hits it, and she doesn't extend!
Mladenović serving 2-0: Lertcheewakarn's deep return induced Mladenović to net a forehand. 0/15. Ace down the middle. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Mladenović's depth forced Lertcheewakarn to hit a forehand long. 40/15. Double fault (second serve long). 40/30. Mladenović netted a backhand. Deuce #1. Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand. Ad Mladenović. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt forehand forced Mladenović to hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. An intriguing baseline-rally ended with Lertcheewakarn firing a crosscourt forehand wide. Ad Mladenović. Lertcheewakarn hit a crosscourt forehand to the sideline, forcing Mladenović to net a forehand. Deuce #3. Ace down the middle... but it was a let. Second serve: Lertcheewakarn hit a deep forehand return just inside the baseline that shot through on Mladenović, forcing her to net a backhand. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP). Mladenović hit a woefully short second serve, and sprayed a crosscourt backhand wide on the third stroke.
Lertcheewakarn serving 1-2: Mladenović's deep forehand return induced Lertcheewakarn to spray a backhand very long. 0/15. Mladenović backhand return long. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn went to the net and hit a crosscourt forehand drive-volley that forced Mladenović to hit a forehand long. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn went to the net: Mladenović crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 30/30. Mladenović forehand just long. 40/30. Mladenović netted a backhand.
So far, we haven't seen the awesome power Mladenović showed at the end of her quarter-final against Sloane Stephens (6-1 6-0)!
Mladenović serving 2-2: Mladenović, on the third stroke, hit a forehand just long. 0/15. Deep second serve on the service-line forced Lertcheewakarn into error. 15/15. Deep body-jamming first serve forced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand return. 30/15. Mladenović pounced on a short ball with a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15. Lertcheewakarn off-forehand winner onto the sideline. 40/30. Mladenović forehand return long. Deuce #1. Mladenović dumped a forehand halfway up the net. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #1). Lertcheewakarn forehand just long. Deuce #2. Lertcheewakarn's depth induced Mladenović to hit a forehand long. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #2). Lertcheewakarn crosscourt backhand wide. Deuce #3. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #3). Lertcheewakarn sprayed a forehand long, and muttered. Deuce #4. Mladenović netted a backhand. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #4). A netcord from Mladenović induced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. Deuce #5. Lertcheewakarn forehand long. Ad Mladenović. Ace out wide.
40/15 blown, four break-points saved, and Mladenović is as tight as a drum at the moment. Lertcheewakarn is taking the ball early and neutralising her power.
Sam Smith: "You don't want to get into long rallies with Lertcheewakarn, because she'll put you in all sorts of uncomfortable places. Really knows her angles, this one. Mladenović is really getting sucked into the Thai's game."
Lertcheewakarn serving 2-3: Double fault (the sun caused problems with Lertcheewakarn's very high toss: second serve long). 0/15. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt backhand winner. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand. 15/30. Mladenović netted a backhand return. 30/30. A low-bouncing ball from Lertcheewakarn induced Mladenović to dump a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30. Lertcheewakarn hit an excellent crosscourt backhand to force a floater, but hit a crosscourt backhand drive-volley wide. Deuce #1. Forehand return long. Ad Lertcheewakarn. She hit a backhand just long. Deuce #2. Lertcheewakarn's depth forced Mladenović to net a backhand. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Mladenović off-backhand just wide.
Sam Smith: "Clearly not enjoying the lack of pace out here, Mladenović. She would much prefer a hard-hitting encounter, I suspect."
Mladenović serving 3-3: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Mladenović's depth forced Lertcheewakarn to hit an off-forehand wide. 15/15. Mladenović crosscourt forehand winner clipped the sideline according to Hawk-Eye. 30/15. Serve out wide + down-the-line backhand winner onto the sideline. 40/15. Mladenović's crosscourt forehand forced Lertcheewakarn to hit a one-handed forehand, which she dispatched with a forehand winner down the line.
Lertcheewakarn serving 3-4: Mladenović netted a backhand. 15/0. Mladenović's deep backhand down the line forced Lertcheewakarn to earth a forehand. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, and patted a crosscourt forehand volley-winner into the open court. 30/15. Mladenović crosscourt forehand + forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Double fault (short second serve just wide of the centre-line). 30/40 (BP). Mladenović hit a deep off-forehand return down the middle, forcing Lertcheewakarn to bunt a crosscourt forehand just wide.
Mladenović serving 5-3: Mladenović's big, deep crosscourt forehand forced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. 15/0. Service-winner down the middle. 30/0. Lertcheewakarn hit a deep ball down the middle, inducing Mladenović to hit an off-forehand wide. 30/15. In an amazing rally, Mladenović drew Lertcheewakarn to the net with a dropshot; Lertcheewakarn's forehand clipped the netcord and the outside edge of the sideline; Lertcheewakarn had a couple of backhands that she should have put away at the net, but Mladenović hit a crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 40/15 (SP #1). Ace down the middle. Mladenović won the first set 6-3 at 14:50 BST (41m), and celebrated with a cute little scream of "yes".
Second set
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MLADENOVIĆ _*@__*___ 3
LERTCHEEWA *__@* *@* 6
Lertcheewakarn serving 0-0: Lertcheewakarn spread Mladenović, her crosscourt forehand forcing Mladenović to hit a forehand wide. 15/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Mladenović netted a forehand return. 30/15. First serve out wide forced Mladenović to net a backhand return. 40/15. Lertcheewakarn, on the third stroke, dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30. Lertcheewakarn forced a short ball, but hit an off-forehand just wide. Deuce. First serve out wide - just inside the sideline - forced Mladenović to net a forehand. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Lertcheewakarn spread Mladenović with a crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand, forcing Mladenović to net a backhand.
Mladenović serving 0-1: Lertcheewakarn crosscourt backhand winner. 0/15. Service-winner down the middle. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt forehand forced Mladenović to net a forehand. 15/30. Mladenović opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, but netted a down-the-line forehand off the resulting short ball. 15/40 (BP #1). Service-winner out wide. 30/40 (BP #2). First serve out wide + pinpoint backhand winner down the line. Deuce. Mladenović's deep forehand on the baseline forced Lertcheewakarn to hit a forehand long. Ad Mladenović. Lertcheewakarn's body-jamming crosscourt backhand return forced Mladenović to mishit an off-forehand into the net. Deuce #1. Mladenović's netcord forced Lertcheewakarn to run forwards and earth a forehand. Ad Mladenović. Ace down the middle.
Sam Smith suggested that Mladenović kept tightening up because she's thinking about the main-draw wild card for next year's Wimbledon that is regularly awarded to the winner of the Girls' Singles (there was some doubt over whether Laura Robson would get one because of her low ranking, but she did get one in the end).
Lertcheewakarn serving 1-1: Mladenović short-angled crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 0/15. Mladenović netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/15. Mladenović netted a forehand. 30/15. Mladenović's crosscourt forehand opened up the court and forced a short ball, which she dispatched with a forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn mishit an off-backhand wide off a high-bouncing ball from Mladenović. 30/40 (BP). Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt backhand clipped the netcord and fell wide.
Mladenović serving 2-1: Service-winner out wide: on the sideline. 15/0. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt backhand forced Mladenović to net a backhand. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline. 15/30. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt forehand return-winner. 15/40 (BP). Mladenović netted a forehand on the third stroke.
An excellent game by Lertcheewakarn to break back.
Lertcheewakarn serving 2-2: Lertcheewakarn forced a short ball, but hit a down-the-line forehand long. Sam Smith: "She doesn't like it when she has to generate her own pace. Much more comfortable when the ball's coming hard at her and she can just steer it all around the court." Mladenović backhand long. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn spread Mladenović with a crosscourt forehand return + down-the-line forehand, forcing Mladenović to net a running backhand. 30/15. Mladenović's wide crosscourt forehand forced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. 30/30. Mladenović netted a cheap forehand return. 40/30. Mladenović's crosscourt forehand induced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. Deuce #1. Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt forehand induced Mladenović to slap a forehand into the net. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Mladenović backhand winner down the line + "c'mon". Deuce #2. Crosscourt forehand return just wide. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Mladenović hit a "mighty" forehand return-winner down Lertcheewakarn's forehand-sideline. Deuce #3. Lertcheewakarn went to the net, forcing Mladenović to net a backhand. Ad Lertcheewakarn. Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt forehand forced Mladenović to hit a crosscourt forehand long.
Mladenović serving 2-3: Ace down the middle: 116mph, on the centre-line. 15/0. Mladenović crosscourt forehand + forehand winner down the line + "c'mon". 30/0. First serve out wide: forehand return long. 40/0. Ace down the middle.
Lertcheewakarn serving 3-3: Lertcheewakarn's off-forehand forced Mladenović to hit a backhand long. 15/0. Mladenović mishit a crosscourt backhand return just wide. 30/0. Mladenović's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Lertcheewakarn to hit a forehand long. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand, and hit a hard, deep backhand down the line, just inside the baseline, forcing Mladenović to net a forehand. 40/15. Mladenović went to the net, but Lertcheewakarn hit a forehand pass-winner down the line.
Lertcheewakarn's best and most aggressive game of the match so far.
Sam Smith suggested that Lertcheewakarn will just get blown off the court on the WTA Tour, but I think she underestimates Lertcheewakarn's counterpunching-skills, which are certainly causing plenty of problems for the powerful Mladenović besides making unforced errors because she's tight.
Mladenović serving 3-4: Lertcheewakarn bunted a forehand onto the sideline, and Mladenović used up a challenge. 0/15. Mladenović hit a huge crosscourt forehand winner on the third stroke. 15/15. Mladenović mishit a forehand into the net. 15/30. Lertcheewakarn hit a cheap forehand long. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn's depth induced Mladenović to net a backhand. 30/40 (BP). Mladenović netted a backhand, putting Lertcheewakarn a break up for the first time.
Lertcheewakarn serving 5-3: Mladenović went for an off-forehand winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide. But she challenged it, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught the outside edge of the sideline by about 10%! 0/15. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt forehand forced Mladenović to hit a forehand long. 15/15. Deep first serve: forehand return wide. 30/15. Mladenović backhand long. 40/15 (SP #1). Lertcheewakarn hit a deep forehand down the line: onto the baseline, forcing Mladenović to net a backhand. Lertcheewakarn won the second set 6-3 at 15:25 BST (second set 35m, match so far 1h16m).
Sam Smith said Mladenović was the better player out here, but questioned her nerve and point-construction.
Third set
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MLADENOVIĆ ____*__ 1
LERTCHEEWA @*@* *@ 6
Mladenović serving 0-0: Mladenović's depth induced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. 15/0. Mladenović backhand long. 15/15. Mladenović crosscourt forehand + deep crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Mladenović hit the baseline twice, her crosscourt forehand forcing Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand. 40/15. Mladenović blasted a crosscourt forehand just wide, and wasted a challenge. 40/30. Mladenović netted a sliced backhand. Deuce #1. Mladenović forced a very short, very high-bouncing ball from Lertcheewakarn, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner. Ad Mladenović. She hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. Lertcheewakarn went to the net, opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand volley, and hit an error-forcing forehand volley down the line. Unorthodox volleys! Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP). Mladenović netted an off-backhand, and threw her racket.
Sam Smith: "Not the same cool customer who clinically got through that first set."
Lertcheewakarn serving 1-0: Mladenović netted an off-backhand. 15/0. Lertcheewakarn netted a backhand on the third stroke. 15/15. Mladenović netted a forehand return. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn netted an off-backhand. 30/30. Mladenović dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30. Mladenović forehand just long.
Looks like Mladenović is really feeling the pressure now. She's hitting a lot of balls into the net, which is worse for a junior than hitting it long.
Mladenović serving 0-2: Ace down the middle just wide. Mladenović forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a meaty forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Lertcheewakarn netted an off-backhand. 30/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/15. Mladenović netted a backhand on the third stroke. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn's deep forehand just inside the baseline forced Mladenović to hit a panicky off-backhand wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Massive first serve down the middle forced Lertcheewakarn to bunt an off-forehand lob-return wide. Deuce. A long, nailbiting rally featured some hard hitting from Mladenović, but then she hit a forehand moonball just long. Ad Lertcheewakarn (BP #2). Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt backhand onto the baseline forced Mladenović to hit a wild off-backhand into the net and wide.
Mladenović is getting up tight, but Lertcheewakarn is hitting some excellent deep returns.
Lertcheewakarn serving 3-0: Lertcheewakarn hit a short-angled crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 15/0. Mladenović's deep forehand induced Lertcheewakarn to dump a backhand halfway up the net. 15/15. Mladenović sliced a backhand just long. 30/15. Mladenović's down-the-line backhand forced Lertcheewakarn to hit an off-forehand just wide; she used up a challenge. 30/30. I thought Mladenović's backhand return was long, but she lost the point anyway when she sprayed a crosscourt forehand wide. 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Deuce. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt backhand forced Mladenović to net an off-backhand; she looked close to tears. Ad Lertcheewakarn. First serve out wide: forehand return just wide.
Mladenović serving 0-4: Double fault (second serve just wide of the centre-line). Mladenović bent over; she looks very red in the face. 0/15. Mladenović's deep forehand induced Lertcheewakarn to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/15. Mladenović down-the-line backhand + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Mladenović netted a backhand, and bent over again. She asked to see the trainer at the next changeover. 30/30. Mladenović forced a short ball, and hit an off-forehand winner that forced Lertcheewakarn to hit a down-the-line backhand pass wide. 40/30. Lertcheewakarn's dropshot forced Mladenović to slice a backhand long. Deuce #1. Serve out wide + off-forehand dead-netcord winner. Ad Mladenović. Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt forehand induced Mladenović to dump a forehand halfway up the net; she bent over again. Deuce #2. Mladenović crosscourt backhand + off-backhand winner. Ad Mladenović. Lertcheewakarn forced a floater, but hit a wild crosscourt backhand drive-volley wide.
Mladenović saw the trainer about her right knee, which already had a thin white strap on it. The trainer didn't do much except talk to her.
Lertcheewakarn serving 4-1: Mladenović sprayed a backhand very long. 15/0. Mladenović hit a pinpoint backhand return-winner down the line: on the sideline. 15/15. Mladenović opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand, but hit a down-the-line backhand winner just long. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn went to the net behind a low-bouncing forehand, forcing Mladenović to net a backhand pass. 40/15. Deep first serve down the middle: off-backhand return wide. Mladenović wasted another challenge.
Mladenović serving 1-5: Lertcheewakarn's crosscourt backhand forced Mladenović to net a backhand. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn's deep crosscourt forehand forced Mladenović to net a forehand. 0/30. Lertcheewakarn forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a down-the-line backhand winner. 0/40 (CP #1). Ace down the middle just long. Short second serve; crosscourt backhand return; Mladenović dumped a down-the-line backhand into the net. Lertcheewakarn won 3-6 6-3 6-1 to 16:03 BST (third set 38m, match 1h54m).
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4. Women's Doubles: Final TV-report (Saturday 4th July 2009)
-----------------------------------
- (SAMANTHA STOSUR/RENNAE STUBBS)[3] lt. (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[4], 6-7 (4/7) 4-6
A closer match than might have been expected, considering that the Williams-sisters had brushed aside Major champions Yan,Zi/Zheng,Jie 6-0 6-0 and Cara Black/Liezel Huber 6-1 6-2 in previous rounds!
Of course the Williams-sisters were entitled to be tired after their Women's Singles final, but while Venus was the one who had faded physically there, Serena was the one who looked sluggish and erratic here, dropping her opening service-game en route to a *1-3 deficit.
The Australians held onto that break until *4-3, when Stubbs netted three volleys to get broken back to love. She also had to save a set-point at *5-6 (30/40) before forcing a tiebreak, which the Williamses dominated.
The second set was just as tight: the only break came against Stubbs in the seventh game. The Australians saved a championship-point against Stosur's serve at *3-5 (30/40) as Serena hit top form in that game; Serena then came through a tricky service-game at *5-4 to seal the Williams-sisters' ninth Major Women's Doubles title with an ace.
First set
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STOSUR/STUBBS _*@* *___* *_ 6(4)
WILLIA/WILLIA *___* *@* * T 7(7)
The match was third on Centre Court and started at 19:20 BST (which was nice, as we got to see Stosur without her sunglasses), but BBC 2 missed the start of the match whilst interviewing Rod Laver.
Venus serving 0-0: 30/0. BBC 2 joined the match at 30/15. Serena crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 40/15. Double fault (second serve long). 40/30. Stubbs's crosscourt forehand volley forced Serena to hit a forehand volley long. Deuce. Serve out wide + Serena crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Ad Venus. Service-winner out wide.
Stosur serving 0-1: Serena hit an error-forcing forehand volley. 0/15. Stubbs forced Serena to hit a forehand wide. 15/15. Serena blasted a crosscourt backhand return wide. 15/30. Service-winner out wide. 30/30. Serve out wide + Stubbs off-forehand volley-winner. 40/30. Serve out wide + Stubbs backhand volley-winner down the middle.
Serena serving 1-1: Stosur's dipping crosscourt forehand return forced Serena to net a backhand volley. 0/15. Serve down the middle + Venus crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 15/15. An intriguing rally ended with Stubbs hitting a backhand winner down the line. 15/30. Serena mishit a forehand volley long. 15/40 (BP). Serena forehand lob long.
You'd expect Venus to come out flat after the disappointment of the Women's Singles final, but Serena's the one making errors at the moment.
Stubbs serving 2-1: Serena netted a forehand return. 15/0. Venus crosscourt forehand return-winner. 15/15. Serena's backhand volley forced Stosur to net a backhand. 15/30. Service-winner out wide. 30/30. Serve out wide + Stubbs forehand volley-winner down the line. 40/30. Venus forehand return long.
Venus serving 1-3: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Stosur forehand volley-winner called long but overruled as good. 30/15. Service-winner down the middle. 40/15. Serena's crosscourt backhand volley forced Stosur into error.
Stosur serving 3-2: Ace out wide. 15/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/15. First serve out wide: Serena netted a forehand return. 30/15. Stosur forehand smash-winner down the middle. 40/15. Venus off-forehand forced Stosur to net a backhand. 40/30. Serve + Stubbs crosscourt backhand volley-winner.
Serena serving 2-4: Stosur forehand return just long. 15/0. A dipping ball at Stosur's feet forced her to hit a backhand volley long. 30/0. Serve out wide + Venus forehand drop-volley winner. 40/0. Serve out wide: Stubbs netted a backhand return.
Stubbs serving 4-3: Stosur netted a backhand volley. 0/15. Stubbs netted a forehand first volley. 0/30. Stubbs netted a forehand volley. 0/40 (BP). Stubbs netted a backhand volley.
Venus serving 4-4: Venus forehand long. 0/15. Ace out wide (116mph). 15/15. Stubbs netted a forehand return. 30/15. Stubbs backhand return just long. 40/15. Serena backhand volley long. 40/30. Stubbs's forehand volley forced Serena to net a backhand volley. Deuce. Body-jamming service-winner. Ad Venus. Serena backhand volley virtual winner.
Stosur serving 4-5: Venus backhand volley very long. 15/0. Serena off-forehand volley wide. 30/0. Stosur's forehand volley forced Serena to net a backhand volley. 40/0. Serve out wide + Stubbs backhand volley forced Serena to hit a crosscourt forehand wide.
Serena serving 5-5: Stosur's deep return induced Serena to hit a forehand long. 0/15. Ace down the middle. 15/15. First serve out wide - on the sideline - forced Stosur to bunt a forehand return wide. 30/15. Venus off-forehand drive-volley winner back behind Stosur. 40/15. Double fault (second serve long). 40/30. Ace down the middle.
Stubbs serving 5-6: Serena unforcedly netted a forehand return. 15/0. Venus's off-forehand return forced Stubbs to net a backhand volley. 15/15. Venus hit a crosscourt backhand drive-volley into Stosur's body, forcing her to hit a backhand volley wide. 15/30. Venus backhand return long. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (SP #1). Stubbs's short-angled sliced crosscourt backhand forced Venus to net a backhand. Deuce. Body-jamming serve: Serena netted a forehand return. Ad Stubbs. Venus netted a backhand.
6-6 tiebreak:
{Venus *0/0} Stosur netted a backhand volley.
{Stosur *0/1} Stosur's forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side.
{Stosur *0/2} Service-winner out wide.
{Serena *2/1} Serena forehand volley virtual winner.
{Serena *3/1} Serena backhand lob-winner on the baseline.
{Stubbs *1/4} Venus netted a backhand return.
{Stubbs *2/4} Serena netted a forehand return.
{Venus *4/3} Stubbs off-backhand volley wide.
{Venus *5/3} Serve out wide + Venus forehand winner down the line.
{Stosur *3/6: SP #2} Body-jamming service-winner out wide.
{Stosur *4/6: SP #3} Venus forehand volley-winner down the middle. Williams/Williams won the first set 7-6 (7/4) at 20:09 BST (49m).
Second set
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STOSUR/STUBBS * * *___*_ 4
WILLIA/WILLIA _* * *@* * 6
Stosur serving 0-0: Double fault. 0/15. Venus crosscourt backhand return-winner. 0/30. Stosur crosscourt forehand volley forced Serena to net a forehand. 15/30. First serve down the middle forced Venus to hit an off-forehand wide. 30/30. Venus off-backhand return wide. 40/30. Venus crosscourt forehand return-winner on the baseline... but the Australians challenged it, and it was just long.
Serena serving 0-1: Ace out wide. 15/0. Serve out wide, but Serena netted a backhand. 15/15. Ace #4: down the middle: on the centre-line. 30/15. Stosur crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. 30/30. Stosur down-the-line forehand return-winner just wide. 40/30. Deep first serve out wide forced Stubbs to hit a backhand return long.
Stubbs serving 1-1: Stubbs hit a backhand volley long after a close-range volley-exchange with Venus. 0/15. Stubbs off-forehand volley-winner. 15/15. A crowd-pleasing rally ended with Stosur hitting a short-angled crosscourt backhand winner - and Stubbs had hit a shot through her legs earlier in the rally! 30/15. A dipping ball forced Serena to hit a backhand volley long. 40/15. Venus forehand volley-winner down the middle. 40/30. Stubbs off-forehand smash wide. Deuce #1. Stubbs netted a forehand volley. Ad Venus (BP #1). She sprayed a wild off-forehand return very long. Deuce #2. Serena off-backhand return-winner. Ad Venus (BP #2). Serve out wide + Stubbs crosscourt forehand volley-winner. Deuce #3. Venus forehand smash-winner. Ad Venus (BP #3). Venus netted an off-forehand return. Deuce #4. Stubbs carefully aimed a forehand volley into Venus's body, inducing her to hit a backhand volley wide. Ad Stubbs. Stosur hit a forehand volley into Stubbs's back! Deuce #5. Venus netted a backhand volley. Ad Stubbs. Stosur played a beautiful point at the net, finishing with a crosscourt forehand volley-winner.
Stubbs is in amazing shape for a 38-year-old who has come through two career-threatening wrist-injuries.
Venus serving 1-2: Deep first serve down the middle: Stosur off-backhand return wide. 15/0. Serena forehand volley virtual winner. 30/0. Venus's dipping forehand volley forced Stubbs to net a backhand volley. 40/0. Venus, on the third stroke, hit a sloppy forehand drive-volley just long. 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the service-line.
Stosur serving 2-2: A hard ball straight at Venus forced her to hit a forehand volley long. 15/0. Venus backhand return-winner down the line - Stubbs moved across the net too early. 15/15. Ace out wide: on the service-line. 30/15. Venus's forehand pass clipped the netcord and jumped over Stubbs's racket for a winner. 30/30. Serve out wide + Stubbs off-forehand volley-winner. 40/30. Serve out wide + Stubbs crosscourt backhand volley-winner.
Serena serving 2-3: Stubbs's off-forehand induced Venus to hit a forehand volley wide. 0/15. Serena's backhand down the line hit Stosur on the right arm. 15/15. Stosur netted a forehand return. 30/15. Deep service-winner out wide. 40/15. Service-winner down the middle.
Stubbs serving 3-3: Venus off-forehand volley virtual winner. 0/15. With both Australians at the net, Venus hit a forehand very long. 15/15. Stosur forehand smash-winner. 30/15. Venus's dipping return forced Stubbs to net a backhand volley. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (BP). Serena broke with a backhand winner down the line, and screamed "yes!"
Venus serving 4-3: Venus's crosscourt forehand forced Stosur to net a forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Body-jamming first serve forced Stubbs to bunt a backhand return long. 30/0. Serena intercepted but hit a forehand volley long. 30/15. Stubbs netted an off-forehand return. 40/15. Venus's crosscourt forehand forced Stubbs to net a forehand volley.
Stosur serving 3-5: Serena's crosscourt forehand forced Stosur to net a volley. 0/15. Body-jamming serve forced Venus to net a forehand return. 15/15. Serena crosscourt forehand return virtual winner. 15/30. Deep body-jamming serve forced Venus to net a forehand return. 30/30. Serena hit a sizzling crosscourt forehand return-winner. 30/40 (CP #1). Venus netted a short-angled crosscourt backhand pass. Deuce. A dipping ball at Venus's feet forced her to hit an off-forehand half-volley wide. Ad Stosur. Venus backhand long.
One championship-point saved. Serena hit some great shots in that game, but the Australians are hanging in...
Serena serving 5-4: Serve out wide + Venus crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Serve out wide + Venus crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 30/0. Stubbs crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 30/15. The Australians forced a floater, which Stubbs dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Virtual ace down the middle: 122mph, on the service-line. 40/30 (CP #2). Serena netted a forehand. Deuce. Serena crosscourt forehand forced Stosur to net a forehand volley. Ad Serena (CP #3). Ace out wide. Williams/Williams won 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 at 20:54 BST (second set 45m, match 1h34m).
------------------------------
5. Girls' Doubles: Semi-finals (Saturday 4th July 2009)
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+ (KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ/SILVIA NJIRIĆ)[2] d. Beatrice Capra/Martina Trevisan, 6-3 6-3
I saw the last game on BBC Red Button. Mladenović looked nice, Capra looked nice, but there were no close-ups of the other two girls. At the end of the match, Mladenović complained to the umpire when she found that their towels had already been removed (presumably by staff).
+ Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [s]/Sally Peers d. (DARIA GAVRILOVA/KSENIA KIRILLOVA)[5], 6-2 6-3
I watched the last game on BBC Red Button. Not so much eye-candy in this one, but it was nice to see Lertcheewakarn hit the winning shot: a backhand drive-volley winner.
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6. Order of play for Sunday
---------------------------
Centre Court (start 14:00 BST = 13:00 GMT)
MS final: ANDY RODDICK [6] v ROGER FEDERER [2]
XD final: (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] v (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9]
Court One (start 14:00 BST = 13:00 GMT)
BS final: Jordan Cox v Andrey Kuznetsov
GD final: Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [s]/Sally Peers v (KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ/SILVIA NJIRIĆ)[2]
Men's Invitation Doubles final: Donald Johnson/Jared Palmer v Jacco Eltingh/Paul Haarhuis
Full order of play:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/
I am going to take my time over my Day 13 report, and post it on Monday night.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jul 6th, 2009, 07:26 PM
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#15
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 13
=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Major)
================= http://www.wimbledon.org/
Contents
--------
1. Photos
2. Men's Singles: Final TV-report
3. Girls' Doubles: Final TV-report
4. Mixed Doubles: Final TV-report
5. More reports to come!
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1. Photos (in alphabetical order of surname)
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Victoria Azarenka [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312001.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=azarenka
Timea Bacsinszky:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=bacsinszky
Marion Bartoli [DF,S]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta020631.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=bartoli
Iveta Benešová:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta020576.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=benesova
Cara Black:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta020351.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=cara+black
Séverine Brémond Beltrame:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=bremond
Beatrice Capra:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta314338.html
Dominika Cibulková:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312894.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=cibulkova
Sorana Cîrstea:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312469.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=cirstea
Elena Dementieva:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta040289.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=dementieva
Jelena Dokić [EF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta040344.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=dokic
Gisela Dulko [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta040388.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=dulko
Sara Errani:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310761.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...hotos&p=errani
Kirsten Flipkens:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310331.html
Julia Görges:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=goerges
Daniela Hantuchová [EF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta080394.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=hantuchova
Hsieh,Su-Wei [s]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310053.html
Ana Ivanović [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta311710.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=ivanovic
Mathilde Johansson:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta100162.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=johansson
Maria Kirilenko [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310577.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=kirilenko
Kristína Kučová [s]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312673.html
Regina Kulikova:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta311436.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=kulikova
Viktoriya Kutuzova:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=kutuzova
Michelle Larcher de Brito:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta314929.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=larcher
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [s]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta314684.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...lertcheewakarn
Sabine Lisicki [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312520.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=lisicki
Tatjana Malek:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310440.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=malek
Sania Mirza [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310112.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=mirza
Kristina Mladenović:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta315616.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=mladenovic
Arantxa Parra Santonja [s]:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=santonja
Shahar Pe'er:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta311168.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...hotos&p=shahar
Peng,Shuai [s]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta160471.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/..._photos&p=peng
Flavia Pennetta [DF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta160391.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=pennetta
Urszula Radwańska:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=urszula
Aravane Rezaď:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=rezai
Laura Robson:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta316629.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...hotos&p=robson
Virginia Ruano Pascual:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta180160.html
Maria Sharapova [EF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta310137.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=sharapova
Samantha Stosur:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta190787.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...hotos&p=stosur
Nicole Vaidišová [EF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta311911.html
Elena Vesnina:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta311220.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=vesnina
Roberta Vinci:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta220214.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=vinci
Stefanie Vögele:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta312336.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...otos&p=voegele
Caroline Wozniacki:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta313402.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=wozniacki
Klára Zakopalová:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta110492.html
Zheng,Jie:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta260144.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=zheng
Vera Zvonarëva [EF]:
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/playe...wta260142.html
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=zvonareva
---------------------------------
2. Men's Singles: Final TV-report (Sunday 5th July 2009)
---------------------------------
- ANDY RODDICK [6] lt. ROGER FEDERER [2], 7-5 6-7 (6/8) 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 14-16
15 is the easiest number in tennis to achieve - all it takes is a single point! Federer's all-time record of 15 Majors (less than seven years after Pete Sampras set the record at 14) only strengthens the fact that Rafael Nadal is the greatest male tennis-player of all time, as he owns Federer - the most successful player - 13:7.
The fact remains that Federer has beaten Nadal in only two of the 15 Majors he has won, while Nadal has beaten Federer in all six of his.
I really wanted Roddick to win. With his huge serve and forehand, I thought he was going to do it in 2003, but he lost to then-unheralded Federer in the semi-finals. He lost to Federer again in the 2004 and 2005 finals, so he would for certain have won at least two Wimbledons - to go with his lone Major title: the US Open 2003 - if it wasn't for Federer.
Roddick was desperately unlucky not to win. He had four set-points for a 2:0 lead at *6/2 in the second-set tiebreak. Federer saved the first with an unbelievable flick of a crosscourt backhand pass-winner, and the next two with two big serves. The match was won and lost at *6/5, when Roddick missed an awkward backhand smash.
Shortly after Federer won the second set, I chose to watch the Girls' Doubles final live instead. As important as the Major Men's Singles finals are to me, they just can't compete with the ability to watch four cute girls on BBC Red Button!
Fifth set
---------
RODDICK _* * * * * * * * * * * * * *__ 14
FEDERER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *@ 16
Once the Girls' Doubles final was over, I watched the fifth set from 2-2 onwards (Federer serving first). Although extremely long (in fact the longest fifth set in Major history) and serve-dominated, it was exciting to watch live, as the games went by so quickly (2m25s per game on average, excluding changeovers), and it was intriguing to see who would crack first. In the end, Roddick just got tired - and, as we now know, injured a hip.
Federer looked in trouble in the rally at *7/7 (15/15), but hit an amazing sliced forehand smash-winner down the line.
Federer serving 8-8: Roddick put him 15/30 down with a sliced backhand approach that landed on the baseline, forcing him to net an attempted pass. Roddick's pinpoint backhand winner down the line gave him break-points at 15/40, but he couldn't convert.
Roddick serving 10-11: a couple of loose shots saw 40/15 become Deuce - two points from defeat - but two service-winners saved the day.
Federer serving 12-12: he made two wild forehand errors to go 15/30 down. But he recovered with an ace down the middle and two aces out wide!
Roddick serving 12-13: Federer crosscourt forehand winner. 0/15. Roddick's off-forehand forced Federer to earth a backhand. 15/15. And again! 30/15. Service-winner out wide. Federer's crosscourt backhand forced Roddick to net a backhand. 40/30. Federer forced a short ball and hit an off-forehand winner. Deuce. Virtual ace down the middle. Ad Roddick. Second serve out wide: Federer netted a backhand return.
Roddick serving 13-14: Roddick backhand just wide. 0/15. Federer mishit a backhand return just wide. 15/15. Second serve forced a very short return, but Roddick earthed a very tired forehand. 15/30. Roddick went to the net, forcing Federer to net a forehand pass. 30/30. Two deep service-winners down the middle.
Federer held serve easily after both of those games.
Roddick serving 14-15: Roddick netted a backhand. 0/15. A deep forehand return from Federer induced a tired Roddick to mishit a forehand lob long. 0/30. Service-winner down the middle. 15/30. Deep body-jamming serve forced Federer to hit a backhand return wide. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle. 40/30. Federer's depth forced Roddick to mishit a backhand wide. Deuce #1. Deep service-winner down the middle. Ad Roddick. Federer's depth induced Roddick to hit a backhand just long. Deuce #2. Roddick mishit a forehand just long - I think - or was it Federer's off-forehand pass-winner that won the point? Ad Federer (CP #1). First serve into the net. Roddick mishit a forehand lob wide. Federer won 5-7 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/5) 3-6 16-14 at 18:28 BST (fifth set 1h35m, match 4h16m).
Presentation-ceremony
---------------------
Andy Roddick: "I'm one of the lucky few that gets cheered for. He's a true champion, and he deserves everything he gets. Sorry, Pete - I tried to hold him off. I still hope that one day my name will be up there as a winner of this tournament."
Roger Federer: "He played unbelievable. Don't be too sad - I had a rough time too here last year. There has to be a winner, and I was on the lucky side. It was a crazy match. It was an unbelievable end; my head is spinning; it's an unbelievable moment in my career. It's not really one of those goals you set as a little boy; breaking records is not why I'm playing tennis. I hope to continue for many more years. Of course I'm aware that Rafa [Nadal] didn't play here. To win Paris and London back to back - like Björn Borg did a few years ago - it's amazing."
And he was arrogantly wearing a tracksuit with "15" emblazoned on it.
At least Roddick took his defeat like a man - no bursting into tears at the presentation-ceremony for him! He even jokingly called out "at least you only lost one final" at the appropriate point in Federer's on-court interview.
With this win, Federer becomes - like his fellow 27-year-old Serena Williams - the holder of three of the four Majors. But he has not had to face Nadal in any of his three, and Nadal beat him in the Australian Open final.
I really hope Iroda Tulyaganova - currently sidelined for over a year due to injuries - can take inspiration from her fellow 27-year-olds!
----------------------------------
3. Girls' Doubles: Final TV-report (Sunday 5th July 2009)
----------------------------------
Nice winner, nice losers:
+ Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [s]/Sally Peers d. (KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ/SILVIA NJIRIĆ)[2], 6-1 6-1
Intriguingly, this was a repeat of the Girls' Singles final, except that Mladenović and Lertcheewakarn now had partners!
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn completed the double of the Wimbledon Girls' Singles and Doubles titles, and won her third Major Girls' Doubles title (following the US Open 2008 with Sandra Roma, and French Open 2009 with Elena Bogdan).
The great thing about the ić-girls is that they remained positive, and maintained good communication. The bad thing is that they played like two singles-players, while Lertcheewakarn and Peers combined much better, and behaved very professionally.
Kristina Mladenović may hit the ball as hard as Venus Williams, but what appears to be holding her back is her junior temperament. She threw her racket across the court after netting a volley to go a set and a break down, then angrily went for broke, making more errors than good shots. But she's only 16, and is a terrific prospect for the women's game in the future.
Silvia Njirić is much cuter on TV than in any of the photos I've seen before or from this match. On TV, she looks almost Kirilenkoesque.
First set
---------
MLADE/NJIRI ____*__ 1
LERTC/PEERS @*@* *@ 6
The match was second on Court One, and started at 16:09 BST.
Liz Smylie: "It's almost the kiss of death to win the juniors! You look down the list, and you think: 'Where did they go?'"
Mladenović serving 0-0: Njirić netted a forehand smash. 0/15. Mladenović netted a backhand. 0/30. Second serve out wide: Lertcheewakarn crosscourt forehand return wide. 15/30. Ace down the middle. 30/30. Peers intercepted and hit an off-forehand volley-winner. 30/40 (BP). Peers broke with a backhand return-winner down the line.
Peers serving 1-0: Serve out wide + Lertcheewakarn forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Njirić crosscourt backhand return induced Lertcheewakarn to net a backhand. 15/15. Mladenović off-backhand return wide. 30/15. Peers's depth forced Njirić to hit a backhand long. 40/15. Ace out wide.
Njirić serving 0-2: Serve out wide + Mladenović forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Njirić netted a forehand. 15/30. Peers netted a forehand return. 30/30. Lertcheewakarn's deep topspin forehand forced Njirić way behind the baseline to net a backhand 30/40 (BP). Mladenović's depth forced Mladenović to hit a backhand long. Deuce. Mladenović netted a forehand volley. Ad Peers (BP #2). Double fault (second serve just long). Njirić used up a challenge.
Lertcheewakarn serving 3-0: Njirić off-forehand volley-winner. 0/15. Mladenović off-backhand volley-winner. 0/30. Mladenović netted a backhand. 15/30. Mladenović netted a backhand volley. 30/30. Peers off-forehand volley-winner. 40/30. Peers crosscourt backhand volley-winner.
Mladenović serving 0-4: Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand return. 15/0. Mladenović crosscourt backhand wide. 15/15. Njirić off-forehand smash + forehand smashwinner down the middle. 30/15. Mladenović hit Njirić's backside with a forehand. 30/30. Mladenović crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Peers netted a backhand.
Peers serving 4-1: Mladenović chopped back a weak forehand return, which Lertcheewakarn dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Mladenović moved across too early; Peers backhand winner down the line. 30/0. Peers crosscourt forehand wide. 30/15. Njirić netted a forehand. 40/15. Peers netted a forehand. 40/30. Njirić's crosscourt backhand pass forced Lertcheewakarn to net a forehand volley. Deuce #1. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt forehand smash-winner. Ad Peers. Depth induced Njirić to hit a forehand just long.
Njirić serving 1-5: Deep first serve out wide induced Lertcheewakarn to hit a forehand return wide. 15/0. Njirić backhand just long. 15/15. Mladenović off-forehand volley-winner onto the sideline. The opponents used up a challenge to show that it clipped the sideline by about 10%! 30/15. Njirić off-forehand smash just wide. 30/30. Deep first serve out wide induced Lertcheewakarn to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Deuce #1. Quadruple fault (second serve just long). Ad Peers (BP). Peers backhand return-winner. Lertcheewakarn/Peers won the first set 6-1 at 16:34 BST (25m).
Second set
----------
MLADE/NJIRI _*_____ 1
LERTC/PEERS * *@*@* 6
Peers serving 0-0: Deep first serve out wide: Mladenović forehand wide. 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Lertcheewakarn dispatched a floating return with a forehand smash-winner. 40/0. Lertcheewakarn, driven wide, netted a backhand. 40/15. Lertcheewakarn dispatched a floating return with a forehand smash-winner.
Peers has a very good serve.
Mladenović serving 0-1: Njirić forehand volley wide. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn forehand volley just wide. 15/15. Lertcheewakarn netted a forehand. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line.
Lertcheewakarn serving 1-1: Mladenović netted a forehand. 15/0. Mladenović intercepted a crosscourt-backhand drill, but netted a backhand volley. 30/0. Mladenović off-backhand return-winner just wide. She used up a challenge. 40/0. Double fault (slow second serve clipped the netcord and fell long). 40/15. Lertcheewakarn hit a forehand onto the baseline, forcing Mladenović to earth a backhand.
Njirić serving 1-2: Njirić netted a forehand volley off an awkward dipping ball, and emitted a cute little yell. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn off-backhand error-forcing volley. 0/30. Mladenović hit an error-forcing forehand volley. 15/30. Njirić off-forehand wide. 15/40 (BP). Mladenović crosscourt forehand volley-winner. Mladenović netted a forehand volley and threw her racket across the court. Amazingly, the umpire turned a blind eye to it.
Peers serving 3-1: Mladenović's aggressive return forced Peers to net a forehand. 0/15. Lertcheewakarn crosscourt forehand volley at Njirić's feet. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Lertcheewakarn netted a backhand volley off an awkward return. 30/30. Peers hit a wild off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). First serve out wide forced Njirić to net a backhand. Deuce #1. First serve: Mladenović netted a backhand return. Ad Peers. Double fault (second serve just long). Deuce #2. Peers off-forehand winner. Ad Peers. Lertcheewakarn forced a short ball, but Peers netted a backhand. Deuce #3. Peers down-the-line forehand foced Njirić to net a backhand volley. Ad Peers. Serve out wide forced Njirić to net a backhand return.
Mladenović serving 1-4: Quadruple fault (fourth serve long). 0/30. Service-winner out wide. 15/30. Peers forced a short ball, and hit an off-forehand pass-winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Ace down the middle (117mph). 30/40 (BP #2). Peers hit a terrific hard, dipping forehand at Njirić's feet, forcing her to hit a forehand long.
Lertcheewakarn serving 5-1: Mladenović netted a forehand. 15/0. Njirić netted a backhand. 30/0. Mladenović crosscourt forehand + forehand pass-winner down the line. 30/15. Mladenović netted a forehand, and threatened to throw her racket. 40/15 (CP #1). Second serve out wide: Mladenović dumped a cheap forehand return into the net. Lertcheewakarn/Peers won 6-1 6-1 at 16:57 BST (second set 23m, match 48m).
---------------------------------
4. Mixed Doubles: Final TV-report (Sunday 5th July 2009)
---------------------------------
- (CARA BLACK/LEANDER PAES)[1] lt. (ANNA-LENA GRÖNEFELD/MARK KNOWLES)[9], 5-7 3-6
It was, as the BBC commentators put it, a "crazy" match, the outcome of which was determined primarily by two players: one male, the other female.
In the beginning, it was the Leander Paes show. A nine-time Major champion and one of the most flairsomely talented players in men's tennis, Paes does 90 minutes of yoga every morning to help with his reactions at the net, but it was more his passing-shots that helped the top seeds to cruise to a *5-2 lead.
Cute Cara Black failed to serve out the first set at *5-2, then Paes unbelievably tightened up at *5-4! Perhaps time is catching up with him at the age of 36 - this may have been his last opportunity to win his tenth Major, considering that he hasn't won one since the French Open 2009, or in Mixed Doubles since the US Open 2008!
It was the hefty Anna-Lena Grönefeld who made the difference for the winning pair. If you didn't know that she was appearing in her first Major final - while the other three players are multiple Major champions - you would never have guessed it. She has the most powerful groundstrokes of the four players, and also has a big serve.
For Mark Knowles, it's his first Major Mixed Doubles title. He has won three Major Men's Doubles titles - ironically at each of the other three Majors - so this one gives him a Career Grand Slam in Men's and Mixed Doubles combined.
First set
---------
BLAC/PAES _* *@*@_____ 5
GRÖN/KNOW * *____@*@*@ 7
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 19:04 BST.
Knowles serving 0-0: Grönefeld backhand just long. 0/15. Grönefeld hit a forehand smash at Paes's feet. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Grönefeld crosscourt forehand drop-volley forced Black to hit a forehand volley wide. 40/15. Grönefeld off-forehand volley at Black's feet forced her into error.
Paes serving 0-1: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Service-winner out wide: on the service-line. 15/15. Knowles's dipping forehand return forced Black to earth a forehand volley. 15/30. Deep first serve out wide forced Grönefeld to hit a backhand return wide. 30/30. Grönefeld's forehand volley forced Black to earth a forehand lob-volley. 30/40 (BP #1). Service-winner down the middle. Deuce #1. Knowles forehand lob-volley winner. Ad Grönefeld (BP #2). She hit a down-the-line backhand return just wide. Deuce #2. Deep service-winner down the middle. Ad Paes. He held with a running off-backhand volley-winner.
It's a surprise for me to see Grönefeld receiving in the ad-court. Usually it's the man who does that. Grönefeld is the only one of the four who's in her first Major final.
Grönefeld serving 1-1: Paes forehand return long. 15/0. Service-winner down the line. 30/0. Paes mishit a crosscourt forehand wide. 40/0. Deep body-jamming service-winner.
Black serving 1-2: Knowles netted a forehand return. 15/0. Grönefeld's backhand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 30/0. Serve out wide: Knowles netted a forehand return. 40/0. Serve out wide: Knowles backhand return long.
Both women have held serve to love - unlike the men!
Knowles serving 2-2: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Service-winner down the middle. 15/15. Paes's dipping pass forced Grönefeld to hit a crosscourt backhand volley wide. 15/30. Knowles thought his serve wasn't coming back, and Grönefeld hit a crosscourt forehand just wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Grönefeld's deep forehand forced Paes to hit an off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Paes's forehand pass down the line knocked Knowles's racket right out of his hand(!), so he couldn't do anything about Paes's subsequent forehand pass-winner down the line.
Paes serving 3-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Black's deep forehand forced Knowles to hit a forehand lob just long, which put a big smile on Black's face. 30/0. Grönefeld netted a forehand volley. 40/0. Grönefeld netted a forehand return.
Grönefeld serving 2-4: Grönefeld netted a forehand return. 0/15. Knowles pounced on a floating return with a wristy forehand smash-winner. 15/15. Paes netted a forehand pass. 30/15. Black backhand return wide. 40/15. Black forehand volley-winner. 40/30. Double fault (second serve long by a whisker). Grönefeld used up a Hawk-Eye challenge. Deuce. Paes off-forehand return-winner. Ad Black (BP). Grönefeld netted a backhand.
Black serving 5-2: Paes off-forehand volley wide. 0/15. Grönefeld's forehand hit Knowles in the back. 15/15. Paes forehand volley-winner down the middle. 30/15. Grönefeld netted a forehand return. 40/15 (Black/Paes SP #1). Knowles's forehand pass forced Paes to hit a forehand volley wide. 40/30 (Black/Paes SP #2). Grönefeld's dipping crosscourt backhand pass forced Black to net a backhand volley. Deuce #1. Knowles hit an off-backhand volley-winner past Black at the net. Ad Grönefeld (BP #3). Paes intercepted Grönefeld's return with a crosscourt forehand volley-winner. Deuce #2. Knowles's forehand pass forced Paes to net a backhand volley. Ad Grönefeld (BP #2). She netted a forehand return. Deuce #3. Grönefeld crosscourt backhand winner. Ad Grönefeld (BP #3). Knowles's forehand volley forced Paes to hit one wide.
Two set-points go begging, but still one break in hand with Paes's serve to come...
Knowles serving 3-5: Grönefeld's backhand down the line forced Paes to net a forehand. 15/0. Black netted a forehand return. 30/0. Grönefeld forehand just long. Knowles used up a challenge. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Knowles netted a forehand off a dipping Paes return. 40/30. Service-winner out wide.
Paes serving 5-4: Paes snatched at a backhand volley, dumping it into the bottom of the net. 0/15. Grönefeld backhand return long. 15/15. Paes backhand volley long. 15/30. Paes netted a forehand - he looks so tight at the moment. 15/40 (BP). Grönefeld forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #2). They decided to use the 'I' formation (the server's partner crouching by the centre of the net) for the second serve. Black gave Paes two signals with her left hand: one with her little finger stuck out, which apparently means "serve down the middle", and one with her thumb stuck out, which means she'll move right after the serve. Well, he hit his second serve out wide; she did move to the right, and hit a forehand volley long.
Unbelievable that such an experienced Major doubles-champion as Paes should have tightened up there!
Grönefeld serving 5-5: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Service-winner down the middle. 30/0. Paes forehand long. 40/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 40/15. Black backhand volley-winner down the line. 40/30. A close-range exchange ended with Paes bunting a crosscourt forehand just wide.
Knowles seems concerned about the soles of his shoes.
Black serving 5-6: Grönefeld backhand volley-winner down the line. 0/15. Grönefeld's off-forehand return, low over the net, forced Black to net a backhand volley. 0/30. Knowles netted a makeable backhand return. 15/30. Paes backhand volley-winner down the middle. 30/30. Knowles's backhand return clipped the netcord, forcing Paes's forehand volley to turn into a backwards lob. 30/40 (Grönefeld/Knowles SP #1). Grönefeld hit a pinpoint backhand lob-winner over Black and onto the baseline. Grönefeld/Knowles won the first set 7-5 at 19:53 BST (49m).
Second set
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BLAC/PAES ___* * *_ 3
GRÖN/KNOW *@* * * * 6
Knowles serving 0-0: Grönefeld backhand volley-winner. 15/0. Paes off-backhand winner. 15/15. The bustards at the BBC closed down BBC 2's live transmission, and stuffed up BBC Red Button's for a few points in the process! A "MotoGP" screen appeared on BBC Red Button while the sound from the match continued: judging by the grunting and the sounds of the shots, I'd say Grönefeld hit a forehand smash-winner. 30/15. Judging by the sounds, I'd say Knowles hit a forehand smash on the third stroke, forcing someone to earth a shot. 40/15. Judging by the sounds, I'd say Black's pass forced Knowles to net a volley. 40/30. With the correct pictures restored on BBC Red Button, Grönefeld's deep crosscourt forehand volley forced Paes to net a forehand.
Paes serving 0-1: Second serve: Knowles netted a backhand return. 15/0. Paes netted a backhand volley on the third stroke. 15/15. Grönefeld crosscourt backhand drop-volley winner. 15/30. Grönefeld crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Knowles forehand return just long. 30/40 (BP #2). Grönefeld's dipping crosscourt backhand pass forced Paes to net a backhand volley.
Sam Smith: "The brute force of Grönefeld is just going right through them."
Grönefeld serving 2-0: Double fault #3 (second serve long). 0/15. Black's forehand return induced Knowles to net a forehand volley. 0/30. Service-winner out wide. 15/30. Knowles picked off a brilliant off-backhand volley-winner off a testing crosscourt backhand volley from Paes. 30/30. Paes hit a down-the-line forehand wide, and threatened to throw his racket. 40/30. Black forehand just long.
The abnormal, embarrassing situation continues: from *5-2 in the first set, the top seeds have now lost eight games in a row.
Black serving 0-3: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Grönefeld netted a makeable forehand return. 15/15. Deep first serve out wide: Knowles forehand return long. 30/15. Paes intercepted Grönefeld's return with an off-backhand volley-winner. 40/15. Grönefeld drilled a crosscourt backhand drive-volley into Paes's feet. 40/30. Paes crosscourt forehand volley-winner down the middle.
Knowles serving 3-1: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Grönefeld intercepted Black's return, but hit a crosscourt forehand volley just wide. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Black called "me" and hit a high off-forehand smash-winner. 30/30. Knowles's deep forehand forced Black to hit an off-forehand lob long. 40/30. Paes crosscourt backhand volley-winner. Deuce #1. Knowles backhand drop-volley winner (Paes backhand "not up"). Ad Knowles. He hit a wild forehand volley long. Deuce #2. Grönefeld crosscourt backhand winner. Ad Knowles. Double fault (both serves into the net). Deuce #3. Deep service-winner out wide. Ad Knowles. Service-winner out wide.
Paes serving 1-4: Good serve out wide, but Paes netted a forehand drop-volley. 0/15. Paes netted a forehand. 0/30. Paes hit a sliced backhand onto the baseline; Grönefeld's backhand lob was only just long. 15/30. Serve + off-forehand volley forced Grönefeld to net a backhand. 30/30. Service-winner down the middle. 40/30. Body-jamming first serve forced Grönefeld to net a forehand return.
Grönefeld serving 4-2: Grönefeld crosscourt forehand wide. 0/15. Black netted a forehand return. 15/15. Service-winner out wide. 30/15. Service-winner. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Black serving 2-5: Paes, on the third stroke, hit an off-forehand volley onto Grönefeld's feet. 15/0. Knowles netted a backhand volley. 30/0. Paes intercepted Knowles's return, but netted a forehand volley. 30/15. Black's deep off-forehand forced Grönefeld to bunt a one-handed backhand lob long. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Knowles serving 5-3: Knowles's crosscourt backhand forced Black to net a backhand volley. 15/0. Knowles sliced a choky crosscourt backhand wide. 15/15. Deep second serve just inside both lines forced Paes to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/15. Paes pounced on a short ball with a forehand winner down the line. 30/30. Knowles's deep backhand volley forced Paes to dump a forehand halfway up the net. 40/30 (CP #1). Virtual ace out wide just clipped Black's racket. Grönefeld/Knowles won 7-5 6-3 at 20:32 BST (second set 39m, match 1h28m).
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5. More reports to come!
------------------------
This completes Phase 1 of my Wimbledon 2009 reports - the daily reports while the tournament was running.
Phase 2 is to finish the full BBC TV-reports for my Eternal Fanship over the coming weekends (after completing my Birmingham eyewitness reports and photos):
* 1r: Daniela Hantuchová v Laura Robson (ETA 9th August 2009)
* 1r: Maria Sharapova v Viktoriya Kutuzova (ETA 16th August 2009)
* 1r: Vera Zvonarëva v Georgie Stoop (ETA 23rd August 2009)
* 2r: Daniela Hantuchová v Zheng,Jie (ETA 30th August 2009)
* 2r: Maria Sharapova v Gisela Dulko (ETA 27th September 2009)
* 3r: Daniela Hantuchová v Ai Sugiyama (ETA 4th October 2009)
* 4r: Daniela Hantuchová v Serena Williams (ETA 11th October 2009)
The above dates are pessimistic estimates (I'll try to get ahead of them), but are subject to change in either direction.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jul 6th, 2009 at 07:35 PM.
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Andrew's TV-reports (full TV-reports uploaded: added 4r: Hantuchová v S.Williams
