Tuesday’s Results
Doubles Round of 16
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. 7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) 6-2 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 6-3
9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) def. A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU) 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-7(6) 14-12
Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan def. 5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-2 6-1 6-4
2 D. Nestor (CAN/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) 6-2 6-3 6-4
Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Quarterfinals
2 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. 22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
3 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 24 Tommy Haas (GER)
6 Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Doubles Quarterfinals
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) vs. 9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL)
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) vs. J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA)
Wednesday’s Order of Play
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The really horrible news started earlier this month with his Wimbledon withdrawal and now Davis Cup. Rafael Nadal will not play in Spain’s Davis Cup quarterfinal against Germany, which takes place from July 10 through July 12. The pull out is due to his ongoing battle with tendinitis in both of his knees.
In his absence, Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Feliciano will take on Team Germany, which will include Philipp Kohlschreiber, Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev and Andreas Beck.
The injury is now wrecking havoc on his career. The Spaniard was at the top of his career from the French Open 2008 until this year’s Barcelona tournament. The problem revealed itself after his epic semifinal with Novak Djokovic in Madrid. He eventually won that match, but he was clearly out of gas by the final. His once great year went downhill from there up to now:The news comes in the wake of comments made by leading tennis coach Sven Groeneveld, who said at the weekend that he has never known a player to be so badly afflicted with tendinitis at such a young age.
"I think he is quite a unique case," said the coach of Ana Ivanovic and Fernando Verdasco. "It's bad enough for him not to play and defend the title. It must be very, very hurtful, besides the pain in the knees."
Hopefully, he can take time off and overcome this setback. Otherwise, this could be another career cut short by injuries.
(Image: Andy Rain/EPA)
Monday’s Results
Singles Round of 16
2 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 13 Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-4 7-6(5) 7-6(5)
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-2 6-4 6-1
6 Andy Roddick (USA) def. 20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) 7-6(4) 6-4 6-3
22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. 7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 7-6(9)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. 8 Gilles Simon 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. 23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 4-6 2-6 6-1 6-2 6-2
24 Tommy Haas (GER) def. 29 Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-6(8) 6-4 6-4
Doubles Second Round
9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) def. I. Andreev (RUS)/E. Korolev (RUS) 7-6(2) 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4
Doubles Round of 16
1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan def. L. Friedl (CZE)/D. Skoch (CZE) 7-5 6-3 6-1
2 D. Nestor (CAN/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. J. Delgado (GBR)/J. Marray (GBR) 7-5 6-4 6-4
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. P. Amritraj (IND)/A. Qureshi (PAK) 6-4 5-7 7-6(3) 6-0
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. R. Wassen (NED)/I. Zelenay (SVK) 6-4 7-6(2) 7-6(4)
8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. C. Kas (GER)/V. Troicki (SRB) 6-7(2) 7-6(4) 6-1 6-3
J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA) def. 15 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 6-4
7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) To Finish 2-6 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 7-6(2) 2-2
Tuesday’s Matches
Doubles Round of 16
7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) To Finish 2-6 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 7-6(2) 2-2
9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) vs. A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU)
Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan vs. 5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM)
2 D. Nestor (CAN/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. 8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT)
Tuesday’s Order of Play
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Stanislas Wawrinka tested the Scotsman in a five-set thriller that ended at 10:38 PM. To avoid suspending the match, the tournament put its new roof to use by closing it and turning on the lights. It was essentially Wimbledon's first late night match.
In the end, Andy Murray prevailed 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3 after withstanding the Swiss onslaught in just under four hours of play. The match was a good challenge for the World No. 3 and should be a good tuneup for his possible final matchup with Roger Federer. Murray will first meet Juan Carlos Ferrero in the quarterfinals.
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Another old-school favorite has advanced into the quarterfinals. Juan Carlos Ferrero took care of Gilles Simon 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 pretty convincingly. Both players have struggled of late, but both really began playing their way into the tournament last week.
Ferrero and Simon have similar playing styles. Both are great counterpunchers who like to play their opponents off the court. The two players also have great movement on the court. A negative for both players is that they tend to hang out on the baseline when they get into trouble. Today, Ferrero was better at all of their positive attributes and did not fall back on his heels. In fact, the 29-year-old Spaniard was pretty aggressive.
At first, Simon came out and was executing his game plan better. He managed to break Ferrero and serve for the first set, but Ferrero stepped up his game to eventually break Simon back. Like in his last match, he was able to pick apart and outplay the French Musketeer. Ferrero evened the set at 5-5 and was able to take the set to a tiebreak, where he snatched the set from Simon at 7-4. With a set under his belt, the former French Open champion sailed smoothly to the finish line.
Ferrero will have the large task of playing Andy Murray. Murray is heavily favored to meet Roger Federer in the finals. The Scotsman leads their matchup 1-0. In their only meeting, Murray beat Ferrero in the semifinal of this year’s Queen's Club tournament. We shall see if Ferrero will be able to exact revenge or if he allows the odds and history steamroll him.
(Image: AP)
Tommy Haas continues to prevail in a march that began with his round of 16 appearance at Roland Garros and continued with his title in Halle a couple of weeks ago. Now, the German veteran has improved on his French grand slam appearance by advancing into the Wimbledon quarterfinal. He beat Igor Andreev 7-6(8) 6-4 6-4.
Haas now draws a tricky matchup with Novak Djokovic in the next round. Djokovic leads their head-to-head matchup 2-1. The 31-year-old veteran won their last meeting in Halle this year, when Haas stunned the Serb for the title. We shall see if the German's win was an aberration or a trend. Wednesday’s rematch should be titillating.
(Image: AFP)
Gilles Simon, Radek Stepanek and Fernando Verdasco were all upset today. All faced dangerous players, but ultimately they all allowed their opponents to get the better of them and ended up being sent home.
Simon was stunned by Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2. The Frenchman had been playing better lately, but he allowed the Spaniard outplay him for a berth in the quarterfinals.
Stepanek was in the drivers seat for much of his match with Lleyton Hewitt. The Czech was up two sets, but the veteran Aussie managed to turn his fortunes around. He rallied to stun Stepanek 4-6 2-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 in just under three hours of play.
Verdasco was undone by Ivo Karlovic, who has yet to be broken in the entire tournament. The Croat's serve continued its steamroll. He rained down 35 aces on Verdasco. Karlovic ended up upsetting the Spaniard 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 7-6(9).
(Images: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images, AP, AP)
Monday’s Matches
Singles Round of 16
2 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. 13 Robin Soderling (SWE)
3 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR)
6 Andy Roddick (USA) vs. 20 Tomas Berdych (CZE)
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. 22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
8 Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)
23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
24 Tommy Haas (GER) vs. 29 Igor Andreev (RUS)
Doubles Second Round
9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) vs. I. Andreev (RUS)/E. Korolev (RUS)
Doubles Round of 16
1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan vs. L. Friedl (CZE)/D. Skoch (CZE)
2 D. Nestor (CAN/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. J. Delgado (GBR)/J. Marray (GBR)
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) vs. P. Amritraj (IND)/A. Qureshi (PAK)
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) vs. R. Wassen (NED)/I. Zelenay (SVK)
7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS)
8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) vs. C. Kas (GER)/V. Troicki (SRB)
15 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) vs. J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA)
Monday’s Order of Play
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Increased contact between the boys and girls tours spurs more love connections (WSJ)
Wimbledon misses Nadal. No kidding! Though, Tommy Haas and Juan Carlos are doing their darnedest to fill the void (Bangkok Post)
Nadal has more heartache. Pobrecito! (Daily Mail)
Suspect betting patterns hit Wimbledon (CBS Sports)
Nicolas Kiefer is not a fan of gossip (Croatian Times)
Saturday’s Results
Singles Third Round
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. 30 Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-2 6-3 6-4
6 Andy Roddick (USA) def. 26 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 7-6(2) 7-6(2) 4-6 6-3
8 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 6-2 7-5 6-2
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. 10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 4-6 7-5 6-4 4-6 6-4
24 Tommy Haas (GER) def. 11 Marin Cilic (CRO) 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7(3) 10-8
20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. 12 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-2 6-3 6-2
23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 16 David Ferrer (ESP) 7-5 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4
19 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Jesse Levine (USA) 5-7 7-5 6-3 6-3
29 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-1 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(5)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 7-5 7-6(3) 6-3
Doubles Second Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. 10 T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) 7-5 6-7(1) 6-2 6-3
L. Friedl (CZE)/D. Skoch (CZE) def. Chris Eaton (GBR)/A. Slabinsky (GBR) 6-4 6-3 7-6(0)
J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA)/M. Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 6-4 6-2
Monday's Order of Play
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Tommy Haas and Juan Carlos Ferrero both upset seeded players to advance into the second week of Wimbledon. Both players have had problems with injuries and have not consistently played on tour over the last couple of years. Now, it seems both players have put together runs that have now moved them into the round of 16.
Tommy Haas concluded his epic match with eleventh-seed Marin Cilic by upsetting the Croat 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7(3) 10-8 after 4 hours and 28 minutes of play over two days. The last six games of their match were played today.
The German will meet Igor Andreev on Monday. Andreev leads their head-to-head 1-0, but it was a Davis Cup match on clay in 2007. Haas has played well since Roland Garros and went on a tear during the grass-court season. Their rematch should be an exciting one.
Juan Carlos Ferrero ended up getting into the other exciting match today with tenth-seed Fernando Gonzalez – even though Boris Becker kept calling him Francisco if you were watching it online. Ferrero upset the Chilean 4-6 7-5 6-4 4-6 6-4 after 3 hours and 1 minute of play.
Gonzalez, who is known for his big forehand and serve, pummeled Ferrero throughout the match. Instead of relinquishing the match to Gonzalez, Ferrero went for his shots and managed to outmaneuver his opponent on the court. Gonzalez rained down 24 aces on the Spaniard and held his serve easily, but Ferrero took care of his serve and broke when he needed to.
Ferrero will now meet play Gilles Simon in the round of 16. Surprisingly the two players have never played in ATP competition. Both players are playing well, so it should be a good one.
(Images: AFP)
Gilles Simon had a really solid match today. It was probably the best his played in months. He had a routine win over Victor Hanescu 6-2 7-5 6-2. The last Frenchman in the draw now advances to play Juan Carlos Ferrero.
(Image: AP)
There are quite a few today:
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. 10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 4-6 7-5 6-4 4-6 6-4
24 Tommy Haas (GER) def. 11 Marin Cilic (CRO) 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7(3) 10-8
20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. 12 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-2 6-3 6-2
23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 16 David Ferrer (ESP) 7-5 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4
(Images: AP, AP, AFP/Getty Image, AP)
Friday’s Results
Singles Third Round
2 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 27 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3 6-2 6-7(5) 6-1
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 28 Mardy Fish(USA) 6-4 6-4 6-4
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 32 Albert Montanes (ESP) 4-6 6-1 6-4 7-6(2)
13 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 7-6(7) 6-4 6-4
Dudi Sela (ISR) def. 15 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-6(8) 7-5 2-6 7-5
22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5)
24 Tommy Haas (GER) ties 11Marin Cilic(CRO) To Finish 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7(3) 6-6
29 Igor Andreev (RUS) leads Andreas Seppi (ITA) To Finish 6-1 7-6(5) 4-6 5-5
Doubles First Round
10 T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) def. P. Cuevas (URU)/L.Mayer (ARG) 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(3)
Doubles Second Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. J. Brunstrom (SWE)/JJ Rojer (AHO) 6-0 6-2 6-4
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. R. Kendrick (USA)/ S. Querrey (USA) 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. P. Petzschner (GER)/A. Peya (AUT) 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 6-3
7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) def. S. Ratiwatana (THA)/S. Ratiwatana (THA) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3
8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. C. Guccione (AUS)/F. Moser (GER) 6-2 6-4 3-6 7-6(4)
15 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. J. Cerretani (USA)/V. Hanescu (ROU) 6-3 6-3 6-7(12) 7-5
J. Delgado (GBR)/J. Marray (GBR) def. 13 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 2-6 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 7-6(9) 6-2
P. Amritraj (IND)/A. Qureshi (PAK) def. R. Junaid (AUS)/P. Marx (GER) 7-5 6-4 6-7(3) 6-7(3) 8-6
A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU) def. E. Butorac (USA)/S. Lipsky (USA) 6-4 6-7(9) 3-6 6-4 15-13
C. Kas (GER)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. 11 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa(BRA) 7-6(1) 7-5 4-6 6-3
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. A. Bogdanovic (GBR)/J. Ward(GBR) 6-2 6-4 5-7 6-3
Friday's Order of Play
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Marin Cilic and Tommy Haas are locked in an extremely close match that will be finished tomorrow. Haas took the first-two sets and was cruising to victory until Cilic rallied to win the next two sets. I watched the last set, and the two players were in quite the shootout. Try to watch this match tomorrow, because it should be quite the finale.
(Images: Julian Finney/Getty Images, Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was upset by Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5). Karlovic is always trouble since he is equipped with a huge serve. Unfortunately for Tsonga, Karlovic rained down 46 aces onto the Frenchman. The big Croat will now face another Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco.
Tommy Robredo was stunned by Dudi Sela. Sela skirted by the Spaniard 7-6(8) 7-5 2-6 7-5. The Israeli now gets to meet Novak Djokovic in the round of 16.
(Images: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images, Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
Juan Carlos Ferrero gives the retiring Fabrice Santoro a hug after their match. It was Santoro's last match at Wimbledon, as Ferrero ended the Frenchman's last Queen's Club run 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4 6-3.
(Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)
Thursday’s Results
Singles Second Round
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-2 7-5 6-3
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. 5 Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG) 6-3 7-5 7-5
6 Andy Roddick (USA) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-2
8 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Thiago Alves (BRA) 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4
10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-4
12 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Victor Crivoi (ROU) 6-4 6-4 6-2
16 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-2 6-2 6-3
19 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-2 6-2
20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 6-2 6-4 6-4
23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 6-4 4-6 6-2 4-6 6-3
26 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 7-6(6) 6-3 7-6(1)
30 Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 6-7(5) 6-0 1-6 6-3 7-5
31 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 6-2 6-3 6-1
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4 6-3
Jesse Levine (USA) def. Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-2 6-1 4-6 4-6 6-3
Philipp Petzschner (GER) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 4-6 7-6(13) 3-6 7-6(5) 6-0
Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Marc Gicquel (FRA) 7-5 6-4 6-7(3) 5-7 6-4
Doubles First Round
J. Blake (USA)/M. Fish (USA) def. 3 L. Dlouhy(CZE/L. Paes(IND) 6-4 6-4 6-3
R. Wassen (NED)/I. Zelenay (SVK) def. 12 J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Kerr (AUS) 3-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 9-7
C. Eaton (GBR)/A. Slabinsky (GBR) def. M. Granollers (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) 6-3 6-4 6-2
J. Cerretani (USA)/V. Hanescu (ROU) def. O. Hernandez (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3
J. Brunstrom (SWE)/JJ Rojer (AHO) def. C. Fleming (GBR)/K. Skupski (GBR) 6-7(4) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-4
R. Junaid (AUS)/P. Marx (GER) def. G. Garcia-Lopez (ESP)/I. Navarro (ESP) 6-4 6-2 6-4
A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU) def. K. Beck (SVK)/J. Levinsky (CZE) 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4
A. Clement (FRA)/M. Gicquel (FRA) def. S. Koubek (AUT)/D. Sela (ISR) 6-2 6-4 2-6 7-6(3)
R. Kendrick (USA)/S. Querrey (USA) def. J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer(AUT) 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4
I. Andreev (RUS)/E. Korolev (RUS) def. Y. Lu (TPE)/B. Phau (GER) 7-5 7-5 7-5
C. Guccione (AUS)/F. Moser (GER) def. B. Becker (GER)/R. Schuettler (GER) 7-6(4) 6-4 6-7(5) 7-5
Friday’s Order of Play
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David Ferrer barrelled past Fabio Fognini. He defeated the Italian 6-2 6-2 6-3 after just 100 minutes of play. I guess the Spaniard had better things to do because he was all business today.
Ferrer will play Radek Stepanek in the third round. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 3-2 and won their last meeting at Roland Garros in 2008.
(Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)
Juan Martin del Potro was upset by Lleyton Hewitt 6-3 7-5 7-5. The 2002 Wimbledon champion is a tough competitor, so it was a tough break for del Potro that he drew the Australian in the second round.
The 20 year old is having a phenomenal year, but Wimbledon has been a major obstacle for him. He has yet to make it past the second round at the Queen's Club. I am sure he will turn that fact around in the future, and he will definitely tear up the hardcourt circuit this summer.
(Image: Alastair Grant/AP Photo)
Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
2 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-2 6-2 6-4
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Simon Greul (GER) 7-5 6-1 6-4
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-4
9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) Walkover
11 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4
13 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 4-6 7-6(7) 6-4 7-5
15 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Stefan Koubek (AUT) 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1
Dudi Sela (ISR) def. 18 Rainer Schuettler (GER) 7-6(3) 6-3 6-2
22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. Steve Darcis (BEL) 7-5 6-3 6-4
24 Tommy Haas (GER) def. Michael Llodra (FRA) 4-3 Ret.
27 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Ivo Minar (CZE) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2 8-6
28 Mardy Fish (USA) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4
29 Igor Andreev(RUS) def. Vincent Spadea (USA) 6-3 7-5 6-2
32 Albert Montanes (ESP) def. Guillermo Canas (ARG) 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-3
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Taylor Dent (USA) 7-5 7-6(6) 4-6 6-7(3) 6-4
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Karol Beck (SVK) 6-4 7-6(2) 3-6 3-6 7-5
Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs. Marc Gicquel (FRA) To Finish 7-5 6-4 6-7 5-5
Doubles First Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. D. Vemic(SRB)/M. Zverev (GER) 6-3 6-4 6-3
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. K. Anderson (RSA)/S. Devvarman (IND) 6-7(4) 6-4 7-5 7-5
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. Y. Allegro(SUI)/F. Santoro(FRA) 6-7(4) 6-2 6-4 6-1
7 M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) def. S. Gonzalez (MEX)/T. Rettenmaier (USA) 6-2 3-6 6-3 3-6 10-8
8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. J. Erlich (ISR)/J. Murray(GBR) 6-4 6-3 6-1
9 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) def. J. Auckland (GBR)/J. Goodall (GBR) 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
11 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. R. Ram (USA)/L. Zovko (CRO) 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3
13 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gil (POR) 6-3 6-4 6-4
L. Friedl (CZE)/D. Skoch (CZE) def. 14 R. De Voest (RSA)/A. Fisher (AUS) 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3
15 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. J. Acasuso (ARG)/S. Prieto (ARG) 6-2 6-2 6-3
16 P. Amritraj (IND)/AUH Qureshi (PAK) def. S. Huss(AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 6-4 6-7(12) 6-4 3-6 6-3
J. Delgado (GBR)/J. Marray (GBR) def. N. Devilder (FRA)/C. Rochus (BEL) 6-1 4-1 Ret.
A. Bogdanovic (GBR)/J. Ward (GBR) def. D. Martin (USA)/JC Scherrer (SUI) 6-4 6-4 6-4
S. Ratiwatana (THA)/S. Ratiwatana (THA) def. S. Roitman (ARG)/MV Arguello (ARG) 6-2 6-1 6-1
C. Kas(GER)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. I. Kunitsyn (RUS)/D. Tursunov (RUS) 6-4 7-6(1) 6-3
P. Petzschner(GER)/A. Peya (AUT) def. A. Motti (ITA)/J. Sirianni (AUS) 6-3 6-4 6-3
P. Cuevas (URU)/L. Mayer (ARG) vs. 10 T. Parrott(USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) To Finish
7-6 6-7 3-6
Thursday's Order of Play
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After Michael Llodra's retirement, Tommy Haas hit some balls with the ballkids. This video is too adorable, and he is too adorable. It is nice to see him in such good form.
Poor Michael Llodra. He had been out with an injury for most of the clay-court season. He returned to the French Open and was on track during the grass season. After playing consistently for a month, Michael Llodra took a nasty spill at 2-3 in the first set, which happens to be documented in the video. Two games later he had to retire.
What a tough break for the Frenchman!
Fernando Verdasco beat Kristof Vliegen of Belgium 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-4. The Spaniard was not in his best form today, but he was able to get the win nonetheless. Verdasco now advances to play compatriot Albert Montanes. He currently has a 2-0 edge over Montanes.
(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
Roger Federer unveiled his new Wimbledon outfit from Nike in his Queen’s Club debut on Monday. It was a whole lot of look for one person. The jacket and the pants were already enough and then there was a vest.
What really pushes this outfit off the cliff are the accessories. Just because there is a wall of accessories at Nike headquarters does not mean you need to take the whole accessories wall with you to the match. Someone in his camp needs to pull back on the extravaganza because he looks like he is about to join Michael Jackson’s Victory Tour.
I get it. When Federer is confident, his gear is over the top and more subdue when he is less confident. Rafael Nadal is injured in Mallorca and is not around to instill fear and doubt in the Swissman. The Mallorcan needs to heal soon because I am already afraid of what getup Federer will show up in for the US Open. He is already about a half-step from sequins and a cape.
I now take back everything I said about the Wimbledon kits from Adidas.
(Images: Getty Images, AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
Adidas unveils it's Wimbledon 2009 line. Fernando Verdasco and Novak Djokovic are sporting their Queen's Club kits. In deference to Wimbledon's tradition of strawberries and cream, the German athletic company mixed it up by changing the color of the tri-stipes and lettering to red from the usual black tri-stipes and lettering.
While I wished they would mix it up a bit, you can never accuse Adidas of being inconsistent.
(Images: Getty Images)
Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Robert Kendrick (USA) 7-5 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4
5 Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-3 6-1 6-2
6 Andy Roddick (USA) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-3 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3
8 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-4 6-3 6-3
10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-5 7-5 6-3
12 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-2 6-3 6-3
Jesse Levine (USA) def. 14 Marat Safin (RUS) 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4
16 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Kevin Kim (USA) 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-2
19 Stanislas Wawrinka(SUI) def. Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 7-5 6-4 6-1
20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Alex Bogdanovic (GBR) 6-3 6-4 6-4
23 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-4 6-4 6-1
24 Tommy Haas (GER) def. Alexander Peya (AUT) 6-7(5) 7-6(0) 6-3 6-4
Mischa Zverev (GER) def. 25 Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 6-4 6-2 3-0 Ret.
26 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. Wayne Odesnik (USA) 6-1 6-4 6-2
30 Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Brian Dabul (ARG) 6-4 6-4 6-3
31 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Ivan Navarro (ESP) 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 6-7(5) 12-10
Fabrice Santoro (FRA) def. 33 Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-4 6-2 6-2
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3
Michael Llodra (FRA) def. Joshua Goodall (GBR) 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-4 6-1 6-1
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3-6 6-0 4-0 Ret.
Ernests Gulbis (LAT) def. Riccardo Ghedin (ITA) 6-2 6-4 6-4
Fabio Fognini (ITA) def. Denis Istomin (UZB) 1-6 6-7(3) 6-4 3-1 Ret.
Benjamin Becker (GER) def. Roko Karanusic (CRO) 6-4 6-4 6-1
Thiago Alves (BRA) def. Andrei Pavel (ROU) 6-3 2-6 6-1 2-6 6-1
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Frederico Gil (POR) 6-1 2-6 6-4 6-2
Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) def. Pablo Andujar (ESP) 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 7-6(0) 6-3 Ret.
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-0 6-0 6-3
Pablo Cuevas (URU) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-1 11-9
Philipp Petzschner (GER) def. Rajeev Ram (USA) 2-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-1
Nicolas Devilder (FRA) def. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 3-6 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5
Taylor Dent (USA) v. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) To Finish 5-7 6-7 6-4
Doubles First Round
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. S. Bolelli (ITA)/A. Seppi (ITA) 6-2 4-2 Ret.
E. Butorac (USA)/S. Lipsky (USA) def. 6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 6-3 6-3 6-3
R. Wassen (NED)/I. Zelenay (SVK) def. M. Gonzalez (ARG)/J. Monaco (ARG) 6-1 4-6 2-1 Ret.
P. Amritraj (IND)/A. Qureshi (PAK) vs. 16 Stephen Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) To Finish 6-4 6-7 6-4 3-6
Wednesday's Order of Play
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Juan Carlos Ferrero was able to dismiss Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3. The former World No. 1 played well and looked like he was in good form. The Spanish veteran will meet Fabrice Santoro in the second round. Ferrero is 4-2 over Santoro, with the Frenchman winning their last meeting in this year's Australian Open.
(Image: PA Photo)
Nicolas Kiefer and Marat Safin were both upset at Wimbledon today. Frenchman Fabrice Santoro sent Kiefer home 6-4 6-2 6-2 in a battle of the veterans. Santoro is playing in his last Wimbledon tournament, as he is retiring this year. American Jesse Levine took out Safin 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4 in the Russian's final Wimbledon appearance.
Also, Dmitry Tursunov retired against German Mischa Zverev 6-4 6-2 3-0. He injured his ankle in last Saturday's Eastbourne final. He promised to play in Wimbledon but was not able to make it through his first-round match.
(Images: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images, AP)
Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
2 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 7-5 6-3 6-2
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 6-2 6-4
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. James Ward (GBR) 6-1 6-3 6-4
9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-3 5-7 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
11 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-3 6-4 6-4
13 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1 6-2
15 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Luka Gregorc (SLO) 7-6(4) 6-4 5-7 7-6(3)
Andeas Seppi (ITA) def. 17 James Blake (USA) 7-5 6-4 7-6(5)
18 Rainer Schuettler (GER) def. Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-7(9) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-1
Karol Beck (SVK) def. 21 Feliciano Lopez 1-6 7-5 6-3 4-6 10-8
22 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. Lukas Lacko (SVK) 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3
27 Phillip Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 7-6(3) 6-1 6-4
28 Mardy Fish (USA) def. Sergio Roitman (ARG) 6-3 6-2 6-1
29 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 7-6(4)
32 Albert Montanes (ESP) def. Grega Zemija (SLO) 6-4 6-4 6-4
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-7(3) 6-7(7) 7-6(5) 6-4 8-6
Sam Querrey (USA) def. Danai Udomchoke (THA)* 6-3 6-4 6-4
Steve Darcis (BEL) def. Frank Dancevic (CAN) 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. Agustin Calleri (ARG) 6-2 6-3 6-2
Vincent Spadea (USA) def. Paul Capdeville (CHI) 6-0 6-4 7-5
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 6-4 6-4 7-6(4)
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Andreas Beck (GER) 6-2 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2
Kristof Vliegen (BEL) def. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 6-3 7-6(6) 5-7 5-7 6-4
Dudi Sela (ISR) def. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) 6-4 4-6 7-6(2) 6-3
Stefan Koubek (AUT) def. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-3 3-6
Marc Gicquel (FRA) def. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-2 6-2 6-4
Simon Greul (GER) def. Michael Yani (USA) 6-4 6-2 7-5
Ivo Minar (CZE) def. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) 6-4 3-6 7-5 6-0
Simon Bolelli (ITA) def. Daniel Koellerer (AUT) 6-7(3) 2-6 7-5 6-4 6-4
Guillermo Canas (ARG) def. Diego Junqueira (ARG) 6-1 6-2 6-2
Michael Llodra vs. Joshua Godall (GBR) To Finish 4-6 7-6(5)
24 Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Alexander Peya (AUT) To Finish 6-7(5) 7-6(0) 6-3 4-4
*Replaces Ivan Ljubcic (CRO)
Doubles First Round
12 J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Kerr def. D. Ferrer (ESP)/M. Lopez (ESP) 6-1 6-2 7-5
S. Asplelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. F. Fognini (ITA)/P. Storace (ITA) 6-1 6-4 5-7 6-4
Tuesday’s Matches & Order of Play
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Novak Djokovic started out slow today but managed to turn it around. In the end, he was able to get passed Julien Benneteau 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 6-2 6-4. Hopefully, the Serb will play his way into the tournament if he wants to advance deep into the second week. He is definitely capable of turning it on, and I hope he does. Hats off to Benneteau who really played his heart out and banged himself up in the process.
For Djokovic, his next opponent will be current World No. 106 Simon Greul from Germany. The two players have never met in ATP competition or a grand slam.
(Image: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images)
James Blake and Feliciano Lopez were sent packing on the first day of the Queen’s Club tournament. Lopez lost to lucky loser Karol Beck of Slovakia 1-6 7-5 6-3 4-6 10-8. Blake lost to Italian Andreas Seppi 7-5 6-4 7-6(5).
After his loss, he blasted the tour:I'm probably not supposed to say anything about the schedule or about the ATP in that way, but it's just tough for guys. There's really not many ways to mess with the schedule, to take tournaments away, but it would definitely help the players' careers be a little bit longer.
I don't want to sit here and say there's an easy solution, because I know it's tough. I've been on the [ATP] player council. I know how difficult those meetings are, how much the tournaments want to hold on to their spots. But for the players' longevity, something should be done.
Normally, I would say it was a case of sour grapes, but he is onto something considering all of the player injuries of late. He is also referring to Nadal, in particular, in this statement.
(Images: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images, A. Rain/EPA)
Monday’s Matches
Singles First Round
2 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. James Ward (GBR)
9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs, Andrey Golubev (KAZ)
11 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Alberto Martin (ESP)
13 Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Gilles Muller (LUX)
15 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Luka Gregorc (SLO)
17 James Blake (USA) vs. Andeas Seppi (ITA)
18 Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs. Xavier Malisse (BEL)
21 Feliciano Lopez vs. Karol Beck (SVK)
24 Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Alexander Peya (AUT)
27 Phillip Kohlschreiber (GER) vs. Florent Serra (FRA)
28 Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Sergio Roitman (ARG)
29 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. Evgeny Korolev (RUS)
32 Albert Montanes (ESP) vs. Grega Zemija (SLO)
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)
Michael Llodra vs. Joshua Godall (GBR)
Ivan Ljubcic (CRO) vs. Sam Querrey (USA)
Frank Dancevic (CAN) vs. Steve Darcis (BEL)
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. Agustin Calleri (ARG)
Paul Capdeville (CHI) vs. Vincent Spadea (USA)
Jan Hernych (CZE) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs, Kristof Vliegen (BEL)
Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX)
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs. Stefan Koubek (AUT)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs. Marc Gicquel (FRA)
Simon Greul (GER) vs. Michael Yani (USA)
Ivo Minar (CZE) vs. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG)
Simon Bolelli (ITA) vs. Daniel Koellerer (AUT)
Diego Junqueira (ARG) vs. Guillermo Canas (ARG)
Doubles First Round
12 J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Kerr vs. D. Ferrer (ESP)/M. Lopez (ESP)
S. Asplelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) vs. F. Fognini (ITA)/P. Storace (ITA)
Monday’s Order of Play
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Singles
Rafael Nadal (knee), Gael Monfils (wrist), David Nalbandian (surgery), Richard Gasquet (suspended), Mario Ancic (illness), Marco Baghdatis (knee), Carlos Moya (leg)
Doubles
Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske (injured)
City: Wimbledon, Great Britain
Surface: Outdoor Grass
Championship Points: 2000
2008 Singles Champion: Rafael Nadal
2008 Doubles Champions: Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic
Rafael Nadal will unfortunately not defend his title this year. This occurrence moves all the odds onto Roger Federer. It will be interesting to see if someone can stand in his way. If he wins this title, he will beat Pete Sampras’s record of 14 grand slams and regain the number one ranking.
Federer could see Fernando Verdasco in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard should not really be an obstacle since he has yet to live up to the hype of having some of Agassi’s former people behind him. Another obstacle for Federer could be Robin Soderling, who turned it on for the French Open but fizzled in the final against the Swissman. The question will be whether Soderling has enough gumption to exact revenge in a possible round-of-16 rematch.
James Blake and Novak Djokovic anchor the top quarter of Federer's half of the draw. Djokovic actually has a good quarter to advance into the semifinals against Federer. Let’s hope the Serb is focused, rested and confident. He should have no real pressure on him and will be under the radar this year with all of the focus being on Federer and Murray. Last year he had a lot of pressure on him because he was close to upsetting Nadal for the No. 2 spot, and Marat Safin consequentially bounced him out of the tournament in the second round. We shall see if he makes a run this year and challenges Federer in a possible semifinal showdown.
Andy Murray is Federer’s main obstacle and is on the other side of the draw. The two could meet in the final. Should this happen, it will be different for Federer because the crowd will definitely be behind Murray. Murray is trying to be the first Brit to win the trophy in 73 years since Fred Perry did it in 1936.
Murray’s main obstacle could be Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 – luckily for Federer, he is not in his quarter. Simon anchors the other part of Murray’s quarter, but I doubt the Frenchman will give him any trouble due to his lackluster season. Let’s hope he proves me wrong.
The most interesting quarter is the top quarter, which is anchored by Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick. We shall see if the old guard, Roddick or the new guard, del Potro gets to possibly meet Murray, but these two are the most vulnerable to being upset. Lleyton Hewitt, Nicolay Davydenko, Tomas Berdych and newcomer Grigor Dimitrov could shake up this part of the draw.
Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles
And The Qualifiers Are . . .
Rajeev Ram (USA), Simon Greul (GER), Xavier Malisse (BEL), Roko Karanusic (CRO), Lukas Lacko (SVK), Alexander Peya (AUT), Alejandro Falla (COL), Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA), Grega Zemlja (SLO), Santiago Gonzalez (MEX), Taylor Dent (USA), Riccardo Ghedin (ITA), Adrian Mannarino (FRA), Luka Gregorc (SLO), Michael Yani (USA), Jesse Levine (USA)
Tournament Malfeasance
Mischa Zverev vs. Dmitry Tursunov
Jeremy Chardy vs. Andy Roddick
Juan Carlos Ferrero vs. Mikhail Youzhny
Evgeny Korlolev vs. Igor Andreev
Nicolas Almagro vs. Juan Monaco
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(Image: Getty Images)
Dmitry Tursunov won his sixth career title and his maiden grass title. The Russian surpassed Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic 6-3 7-6(5) after 82 minutes of play. Tursunov denied the Canadian of his first career title.
Despite winning the title, Tursunov injured his ankle towards the end of the match. Asked if his it will affect him at the all-England club:I am definitely going to try to come out, unless I am going to be on crutches. Even then I will try to come out.
The title win gives the Russian some momentum for Wimbledon, and Tursunov definitely agrees:
It's a good win and it doesn't matter what surface it is on. Playing on grass can be tough because we only get three or four weeks on it, but it seems like a good surface for me. It's human nature to want to beat someone whether it's Eastbourne, Wimbledon or a Futures or Challenger event. And it's given me some practice on grass which is very important in the lead-in to Wimbledon.(Image: AP)
Qualifier Benjamin Becker of Germany won his first career title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The 28 year old defeated Dutch wildcard and ATP World No. 866 Raemon Sluiter 7-5 6-3 in a 75-minute match. Germany is now two-for-two in the last two weeks with Tommy Haas winning the tournament in Halle last week.
On the doubles side, Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman won the doubles title by beating Johan Brunstrom and Jean-Julien Rojer 7-6(3) 6-7(8), 10-5. This is their first title together.
(Images: Imago, Belga)
Rafael Nadal has finally made the decision to pull out of Wimbledon. For the last couple of weeks, the Mallorcan had hoped to play, but his physical status kept him wavering. He played two exhibition matches – with Lleyton Hewitt and Stanislas Wawrinka – but lost both. His situation was always iffy at best. Nadal finally made the call and posted yesterday on his website:
I am not fit enough to play and as I said, I can't go on the centre court of Wimbledon if I am not 100% fit to play. The evolution of my knees are better, that's why I tried at Hurlingham, but I am not at the required level to play. As you can all imagine I am very disappointed, but I had to take this decision, one of the worst of my career.As someone who is eternally grateful that Nadal is around, is such a great competitor and inspires other players to go for more, this news is terrible. The idea of Roger Federer going unchallenged at Wimbledon bores me to tears. Let’s hope Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic or someone else finds some inspiration to keep Federer honest in the upcoming fortnight.
As for Nadal, please get better so you can give 'em hell later in the season.
Here is the video of part of the press conference:
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