WIMBLEDON 2010: Women's Semifinals Preview

BY Mad Professah

Here are my predictions for the women's semifinals at the Wimbledon Championships for 2010. This Wimbledon is very special for me, because it will be one where I will finally visit the All-England Tennis Club for the first time.

I previously predicted the women's quarterfinals and was right in 2 of 4 matches.

Serena Williams USA (1) vs Petra Kvitova CZE. This match could be trickier than it looks on paper. Although I predicted this match up, not playing her best tennis and experiencing movement difficulties. The two have played once before, in the second round of this year's Australian Open, with Serena winning a straight sets match which was closer than the 6-1 6-2 scoreline. Kvitova is a lefty, and has a good serve and powerful groundstrokes. She's also a good mover. But with Serena serving up an average of a dozen aces per match, she is practically unbeatable. This match will be closer, but the end result will be the same, with Serena Williams the overwhelming favorite to reach her third consecutive Wimbledon Ladies' final and win her fourth Wimbledon singles title.
PREDICTION: Serena in 2 sets.

Venus Williams USA (2) Tsvetana Pironkova BUL vs. Vera Zvonareva RUS (21).One of the most stunning upsets in Wimbledon history occurred earlier this week when 5-time Wimbledon champion lost in straight sets to the unheralded Bulgarian. Pironkova is dangerous, with tricky spin and deceptive power, but clearly she can be overpowered. Venus hit 29 unforced errors in 17 games of tennis (but she also hit 22 winners). The problem was with her feet, which got her to balls late (or early) causing her to hit them feet out of the court. Zvonareva has long been one of my favorites (so is Kuznetsova) but there's no question that she's a headcase. Getting through a 3-set slugfest with Kim Clijsters was an excellent result for the Russian. It's possible that Venus' loss today and Clijsters' win yesterday were the bigger factors in the Belgian's defeat in the quarterfinal. The two have played once before, last year on hard courts in Moscow after Zvonareva had been out for months with a tn ankle injury and Pironkova won easily in straight sets. That will not be the case this time. Zvonareva deserves to win this match and I believe she will. PREDICTION: Zvonareva in 3 sets.

Quote For The Day

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"That's [Tomas Berdych's] game. He took a lot of chances, you know. I tried to slice it; I tried to play aggressive. You know, first you just want to try to make the returns.

"But, you know, I mean, I had my chances. I don't think I needed to change much. The way I returned, this match I could have won as well, you know.

"But, uhm, I was just not playing well enough. And when he had to, he was able to come up with some good stuff, you know. But I definitely gave away this match, I feel." --Roger Federer

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Guess I watched a different match, because the match I saw, Berdych took the victory, Raja didn't give it away. Certainly not the way Alejandro Falla gave away the match in the first round.

But what do I know?

WIMBLEDON 2010: Men's Quarterfinals Preview

Here are my predictions for the men's quarterfinals at the Wimbledon Championships for 2010.

(By the time you read this I will be in the air from LAX to London Heathrow on my way to Wimbledon. Depending on the vagaries (and expenses) of internet access, I may or may not have semifinals predictions for the men's and women's draws tomorrow.)

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs. Tomas Berdych CZE (12). The 6-time champion had started off his quest for a record 7th title weakly but in his last two matches his game has looked strong. Berdych is a very talented, huge serving, huge hitting 6'5" Czech player who has already beaten Federer once this year (even though he needed 5 match points to do it). He is a very similar player to Robin Soderling who beat Federer at this same stage of the tournament at the French Open a month ago, although possibly Berdych is not as good a mover as Soderling (which he demonstrated by beating Berdych in Paris). Before beating Federer earlier this year in Miami, Berdych had lost 8 straight times to Federer, including once at the 2006 Wimbledon. The Mighty Fed will find a way to win. PREDICTION: Federer in 4 sets.

Andy Roddick USA (5) Yen-Hsun Lu TPE vs. Novak Djokovic SRB (3). This is Novak Djokovic's dream draw and Andy Roddick's nightmare. Roddick lost to the unseeded player from Taipei despite losing his serve only once, a repeat of what happened in his loss last year inthe thrilling final against Federer. This time, however, Roddick was much less aggressive at attacking his opponent's serve and mentally was only able to hold his serve until the 16th game of the 5th set, not the thirtieth game like last year, nowhere near the amazing 138th game thatNicolas Mahut was able to do in his jaw-dropping performance against John Isner. Some wags were flogging Lleyton Hewitt's chances of penetrating deep into the draw, since the Aussie had finally ended his 16-match drought against Federer last week by winning the grass court title in Halle. I was not one of them. Djokovic is the #3 best player in the world, and made sure that Hewitt knew it. By the end of this match, Lu will know it as well. PREDICTION: Djokovic in 3 sets.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA (10) vs. Andy Murray GBR (4). This match should be the highlight of the 2010 Men's Quarterfinals. Tsonga and Murray have only played three times, with Murray leading 2-1. That one loss came at the 2008 Australian Open, where Tsonga made his breakthrough to his first major final, eventually losing to Djokovic. There's no question that Tsonga has the weapons to beat Murray. This match should come down to the intangibles, which for Murray at Wimbledon are always difficult to evaluate. Does the fact that the British crowd will be overwhelmingly in his favor help him over the hump to victory, or will their outsize expectations smother his chances? I think it is no coincidence that the two places that Murray has reached major finals (Melbourne 2010 and New York 2008) were in cities where he does not carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Last year, he was curiously flat against Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon semifinals. I had picked him to win that match last year but this time I think if the match gets "complicated" it will be the Frenchman who will come out on top. Murray is the only player in the draw not to drop a set and it's possible (but unlikely) that this will happen again. PREDICTION: Murray in 3 sets or Tsonga in 4 or 5 sets.

Robin Soderling SWE(6) vs. Rafael Nadal ESP (2). This is a repeat of the 2010 Men's Final at Roland Garros where Nadal did not lose a set for the entire tournament. There's no question in my mind that the Spaniard is the greatest clay court player of all time. But this match-up is on grass, and of course, these two have a troubled history at Wimbledon. In 2007 the two played a much-delayed 5-set match over 5 days where Soderling made a fool of himself by mocking Nadal's quirks. He has since apologized. Up until his previous round's 5-set match against David Ferrer, Soderling had not dropped a single set in this tournament, the only top player (besides Murray) to have done so. Another problem for Nadal is that he has been troubled this tournament by two youthful, big servers in Robin Haase of the Netherlands and Philipp Petzschner of Germany. Soderling can not only serve regularly in the 130 mph range but he can back it up with power on both wings. But then again, if Ferrer gave Soderling that much trouble and his game is really a weak imitation of Nadal's then surely Nadal will give Soderling trouble as well. Out of the Top 4, I think Soderling (and Tsonga if he can stay healthy) are the most likely to break through to a major title in the near term. Here is where Sodelring will need to show if he can get through Nadal (and later, possibly Federer) to do it. I think he has a fairly decent chance of succeeding. PREDICTION: Soderling in 3 or 4 sets, Nadal in 5 sets.

WIMBLEDON 2010: Women's Quarterfinals Preview

By Mad Professah

Here are my predictions for the women's quarterfinals at the Wimbledon Championships for 2010.

Serena Williams USA (1) vs Na Li CHN (9). The only year this century that there has not been a Williams sister in the Wimbledon final was 2006 (Mauresmo beat Henin) and that fluke will not be repeated in 2010. Li Na is one of my favorite players (my dog is named after her!) and is an excellent grass-court tennis player. She won the warm-up tournament in Birmingham this year (defeating Maria Sharapova) and is the first Chinese player in the world's top 10. These two players met in the Australian Open semifinals this year, after Li had beaten Venus Williams in the quarterfinals and Serena beat Li in a very tight match (in two tiebreak sets) despite not playing her best tennis and experiencing movement difficulties. Serena looks 100% at Wimbledon right now and is serving like a woman on a mission. She has yet to drop a set in this year's tournament (not even against Maria Sharapova, who beat her in the 2004 final) and is unlikely to do so on her inexorable march to Saturday's women's final for the third consecutive year. PREDICTION: Serena in 2 sets.

Caroline Wozniacki DEN (3) Petra Kvitova CZE vs. Kaia Kanepi EST. This is the "anonymous" quarterfinal which will probably not get any television coverage. However, it should be a barn burner. Kvitova has ended her last two matches by bagelling her opponents, World #3 Caroline Wozniacki and former Top 10 Victoria Azarenka. The only person she has lost a set to is last year's semifinalist Zheng Jie. Kaia Kanepi is no joke either, and has long been regarded as a player to watch. Both players simply crush the ball on both wings. However, they are both in uncharted territory playing in their first Grand Slam quarterfinal with a chance to reach a major semifinal for the first time (where they are likely to face defending champion Serena Williams). I believe Kvitova is ready to reach that level. PREDICTION: Kvitova in 3 sets.

Kim Clijsters BEL (8) vs. Vera Zvonareva RUS (21) Jelena Jankovic SRB (4). Many, many commentators were salivating over the 4th round clash between the "Belgian sisters"--their first meeting in a major since they both un-retired. Before that sabbatical, Clijsters had a very unremarkable 2-5 record against Henin and only had won one major (and did not face her nemesis) t her rival's seven. Since their return Clijsters has won another major and has beaten Justine all three times they met. It appears as if the 18-month gap of parenthood and maturity have done wonders for Clijsters' mental toughness. Mental toughness are NOT two words one associates with Vera Zvonareva. She was in the process of demolishing World #4 Jelena Jankovic when the Serbian fell on the court and retired from their 4th round match soon after. Zvonareva has great weapons, but as Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dinara Safina have repeatedly demonstrated, the most important weapon in a player's arsenal is not one that can be developed in the gym or the practice court. PREDICTION: Clijsters in 2 sets.

Venus Williams USA (2) vs. Tsvetana Pironkova BUL Marion Bartoli FRA (11). Mademoiselle Marion Bartoli did not hold up her half of the bargain to have this quarterfinal be a repeat of the 2007 Women's final by losing in two tight sets to Pironkova. Venus was relatively lucky herself to slip past hard-hitting Aussie Jarmila Groth in two very close sets. Pironkova and Venus have played before, most notably at the 2006 Australian Open where the Bulgarian bounced the American out of the tournament in the 2nd round, winning 9-7 in the third set. I'd be shocked if Venus allows Pironkova to win 9 games in the entire match this time. PREDICTION: Venus in 2 sets.

Wimbledon 2010 Middle Sunday Tirade

by Craig Hickman


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Not a tirade at all. Just a bit of melodrama to perk up your ears. Not as though I have a whole lot to say, mind you. But it's Wimbledon. My favorite tournament. I ought to, no?

It was an eventful week. The Queen of England made a rare appearance. Defending champion Roger Federer almost lost in the first round. (Lleyton Hewitt had to be praying.) Victoria Azarenka keeps proving me right. Andy Roddick keeps proving me wrong. Victor Hanescu was defaulted after losing his mind because a fan was allowed to keep insulting his sick mother and he wasn't having it. Svetlana Kuznetsova's slide continues. Unheralded 29-year-old Jurgen Melzer is into the second week of a Slam for the second consecutive Slam for the first two times is his career. Unheralded 23-year-old Jarmila Groth is into the second week of a Slam for the second consecutive Slam for the first two times in her career. And John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played such a legendary match that it ended up as the No. 1 segment on Countdown with Keith Olbermann after it finally finished 70-68 in the final set. 70-68.

I still can't wrap my mind around that.


I can wrap my mind around this, though: the round of 16 match between Tsvetana Pironkova and Marion Bartoli steals the show for the most anticipated round of 16 match in either draw.

I'm serious.

See, Pironkova is a pit bull who can hit the cover off the ball as well as anyone. But she's frail. Unless she's not. Then, she'll kick you in your teeth no matter what your name. Love. That.

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Bartoli is, well, Bartoli. Grass is her favorite surface. When's she's firing on all cylinders, well. I will never forget the way she tore apart Justine Henin the last time Henin played this event back in oh-seven. I'll never forget the extended ovation the fans extended to a player who put on one of the best grass-court displays for the better part of two sets that the stadium had ever seen. I'll never forget how I felt that I'd just seen something utterly remarkable.
,
I'm serious.

Not because I think it takes some superhuman feat to beat Henin on grass. It doesn't. But the way Bartoli went about it can only be appreciated for its remarkability in the witnessing. I really can't begin to describe it.

I understood the fan's extended ovation.

So.

If both of these players bring their A-games and compete as though their egos depend upon it, then we're in for something special. Remarkable. Unpredictable.

If I had to pick a match on the men's side that had the potential to produce the kind of fireworks mentioned above, I would pick, half-halfheartedly, the tussle between Paul-Henri Mathieu and Rafael Nadal. Though I do find it intriguing that Federer and Melzer have never played before....

This is your Wimbledon 2010 Day 7 Open Thread.

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Order of Play for Monday 28 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Roger Federer (SUI) [1] vs Jurgen Melzer (AUT) [16]
2. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs Maria Sharapova (RUS) [16]
3. Sam Querrey (USA) [18] vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4]

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Kim Clijsters (BEL) [8] vs Justine Henin (BEL) [17]
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [3] vs Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) [15]
3. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Jarmila Groth (AUS) vs Venus Williams (USA) [2]
2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [3] vs Petra Kvitova (CZE)
3. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs Andy Roddick (USA) [5]

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [21] vs Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [4]
2. Julien Benneteau (FRA) [32] vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10]
3. Robin Soderling (SWE) [6] vs David Ferrer (ESP) [9]

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Na Li (CHN) [9] vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [7]
2. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [12] vs Daniel Brands (GER)

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs Marion Bartoli (FRA) [11]
2. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) vs Kaia Kanepi (EST)

Wimbledon 2010 Day 6 Open Thread

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Serena Williams of the United States prepares to serve during in her match against Slovakia's Dominikova Cibulkova at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, Saturday, June 26, 2010.

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Order of Play for Saturday 26 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
2. Philipp Petzschner (GER) [33] vs Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]
3. Gilles Simon (FRA) [26] vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4]

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Robin Soderling (SWE) [6] vs Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) [25]
2. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs Maria Sharapova (RUS) [16]
3. Xavier Malisse (BEL) vs Sam Querrey (USA) [18]

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Sara Errani (ITA) [32] vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [7]
2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [3] vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [29]
3. Tobias Kamke (GER) vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10]

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs David Ferrer (ESP) [9]
2. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [10] vs Klara Zakopalova (CZE)
3. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) [31] vs Kaia Kanepi (EST)

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [14]
2. Na Li (CHN) [9] vs Anastasia Rodionova (AUS)
3. Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA) [32]

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START
1. Ladies’ Doubles match
2. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs Thiemo De Bakker (NED)

Wimbledon 2010 Day 5 Open Thread

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A worker sprays her face with water prior to play on Day Five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 25, 2010 in London, England.

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Which match on the top two show courts are you looking most forward to watching today?

Order of Play for Friday 25 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Justine Henin (BEL) [17] vs Nadia Petrova (RUS) [12]
2. Gael Monfils (FRA) [21] vs Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) [15]
3. Roger Federer (SUI) [1] vs Arnaud Clement (FRA)

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [3] vs Albert Montanes (ESP) [28]
2. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) [26] vs Venus Williams (USA) [2]
3. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) [29] vs Andy Roddick (USA) [5]

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Kim Clijsters (BEL) [8] vs Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [27]
2. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) [28] vs Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [4]
3. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [22] vs Jurgen Melzer (AUT) [16]

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Greta Arn (HUN) vs Marion Bartoli (FRA) [11]
2. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [15] vs Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [21]
3. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [12] vs [B]Denis Istomin (UZB) [/B]

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [13] vs Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
2. Angelique Kerber (GER) vs Jarmila Groth (AUS)
3. Victor Hanescu (ROU) [31] vs Daniel Brands (GER)

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Thiemo De Bakker (NED) vs John Isner (USA) [23]
2. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs Regina Kulikova (RUS)
3. Florian Mayer (GER) vs Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)

70-68

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The match that would never end finally did. John Isner notched the victory, but both he and Nicolas Mahut, who was so gutted after t players deserved every accolade received, including the special presentation by the AELTC after the match. Savannah summarizes the extraordinary event with her usual aplomb.

The story wasn't just covered on the front pages of newspapers across the globe, it also received coverage in segments on political shows.

Tennis. Politics. These are a few of my favorite things.

Great day for the sport.

Her Majesty

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Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by tennis world No. 1 Serena Williams and world No. 2 Roger Federer as she attends the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships on Day 4 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 24, 2010 in London, England. It is the first visit by Queen Elizabeth II to the Championships in 33 years.

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This is your Wimbledon 2010 Day 4 Open Thread.

Order of Play for Thursday 24 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4]
2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [3] vs Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)
3. Robin Haase (NED) vs Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) vs Maria Sharapova (RUS) [16]
2. Robin Soderling (SWE) [6] vs Marcel Granollers (ESP)
3. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [13] vs Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10]
2. Florent Serra (FRA) vs David Ferrer (ESP) [9]
3. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
4. Na Li (CHN) [9] vs Kurumi Nara (JPN)

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Gilles Simon (FRA) [26] vs Illya Marchenko (UKR)
2. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [14]
3. Ivan Dodig (CRO) vs Sam Querrey (USA) [18]
4. Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) vs Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [19]

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Alberta Brianti (ITA) vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [7]
2. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [10] vs Monica Niculescu (ROU)
Not before 3.30 pm
3. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs John Isner (USA) [23] 120 T/F 4/6 6/3 7/6(7) 6/7(3) 59/59
4. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) and Bobby Reynolds (USA) vs Bob Bryan (USA) and Mike Bryan (USA) [2]

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Martin Fischer (AUT) vs Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) [25]
2. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) [24] vs Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE)
3. Philipp Petzschner (GER) [33] vs Lukasz Kubot (POL)
4.

COURT 8 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Edina Gallovits (ROU) vs Kaia Kanepi (EST)
2. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) [31] vs Romina Sarina Oprandi (ITA)

COURT 14 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Andreas Beck (GER) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA) [32]
2. Roberta Vinci (ITA) vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [29]
3. Ayumi Morita (JPN) vs Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)


COURT 16 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs Tobias Kamke (GER)
2. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) vs Aravane Rezai (FRA) [18]
3. Xavier Malisse (BEL) vs Julian Reister (GER)


COURT 17 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Jie Zheng (CHN) [23] vs Petra Kvitova (CZE)
2. Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs Michael Russell (USA)


COURT 19 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Lukas Lacko (SVK) vs Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
2. Sara Errani (ITA) [32] vs Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP)

59 Games All

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The score board during the Nicolas Mahut and John Isner match on Day Three of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 23, 2010 in London, England. The match became the longest in Grand Slam history.

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The fifth set became the longest "match" in tennis history.

I've never seen such a display of will from two players during a tennis match.

It's beyond historic. It's downright legendary.


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Wimbledon Breaking News

by Savannah

The Wimbledon Referees have released the Order of Play for Centre Court tomorrow. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be in attendance.


The Championships 2010 Intended Order of Play for Thursday 24 June 2010

CENTRE COURT ONLY

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4]
2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [3] vs Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)
3. Robin Haase (NED) vs Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

Should I go into my conspiracy theory bag and think the WTA wanted Wozniacki on Centre Court as opposed to the defending champion?

More on this later from Craig I'm sure.

ETA:

You know they always say never assume. I assumed that Serena would be on Court 1. I was wrong. Here are the Court assignments for Courts 1 & 2. I can't talk about this now.

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) vs Maria Sharapova (RUS) [16]
2. Robin Soderling (SWE) [6] vs Marcel Granollers (ESP)
3. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [13] vs Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10]
2. Florent Serra (FRA) vs David Ferrer (ESP) [9]
3. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
4. Na Li (CHN) [9] vs Kurumi Nara (JPN)

Wimbledon 2010 Day 3 Open Thread

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As I said yesterday, Andy Roddick's day at the office would be a tough one. And so it is as I wake up for oversleeping from my nap after morning chores to see Andy already down a set and struggling to hold his first game of the second set. I suppose this will be the Roddick Upset Thread before the day is done.

Order of Play for Wednesday 23 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Michael Llodra (FRA) vs Andy Roddick (USA) [5]
2. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs Venus Williams (USA) [2]
3. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [3] vs Taylor Dent (USA)

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Kim Clijsters (BEL) [8] vs Karolina Sprem (CRO)
2. Evgeny Korolev (KAZ) vs Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) [15]
3. Roger Federer (SUI) [1] vs Ilija Bozoljac (SRB)

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Justine Henin (BEL) [17] vs Kristina Barrois (GER)
2. Gael Monfils (FRA) [21] vs Karol Beck (SVK)
3. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [12] vs Benjamin Becker (GER)
4. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) vs Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [4]

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Vera Dushevina (RUS) vs Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
2. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [22] vs Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
3. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [15] vs Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)
4. Daniel Brands (GER) vs Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) [7]

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Greta Arn (HUN) vs Alicia Molik (AUS)
2. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs John Isner (USA) [23] T/F 4/6 6/3 7/6(7) 6/7(3) 0/0 0-0*
3. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) [26] vs Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
4. Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs Denis Istomin (UZB)
5. Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) [1] vs Jonathan Marray (GBR) and Jamie Murray (GBR)

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Shahar Peer (ISR) [13] vs Angelique Kerber (GER)
2. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) [24] vs Vania King (USA) 10 T/F 6/7(4) 7/6(4) 0/0 0*-0
3. Shenay Perry (USA) vs Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [27]
4. Arnaud Clement (FRA) vs Peter Luczak (AUS)
5. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) and Bobby Reynolds (USA) vs Bob Bryan (USA) and Mike Bryan (USA) [2]

COURT 6 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) and Santiago Ventura (ESP) vs Jamie Delgado (GBR) and Joshua Goodall (GBR)
2. Fabio Fognini (ITA) and Kevin Ullyett (ZIM) vs Chris Eaton (GBR) and Dominic Inglot (GBR)
3. Jocelyn Rae (GBR) and Heather Watson (GBR) vs Casey Dellacqua (AUS) and Alicia Molik (AUS)
4. Sania Mirza (IND) and Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs Anne Keothavong (GBR) and Melanie South (GBR)

COURT 7 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Kveta Peschke (CZE) and Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) [6] vs Jill Craybas (USA) and Marina Erakovic (NZL)
2. Jesse Levine (USA) and Ryan Sweeting (USA) vs Stephane Robert (FRA) and Rogier Wassen (NED)
3. Vania King (USA) and Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) vs Alberta Brianti (ITA) and Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
4. Daniele Bracciali (ITA) and Potito Starace (ITA) vs Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) and Travis Rettenmaier (USA)

COURT 8 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Somdev Devvarman (IND) and Treat Conrad Huey (PHI) vs Rohan Bopanna (IND) and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK)
2. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) and Aravane Rezai (FRA) vs Liga Dekmeijere (LAT) and Petra Kvitova (CZE)
3. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) and Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) vs Chia-Jung Chuang (TPE) and Olga Govortsova (BLR) [17]
4. Xavier Malisse (BEL) and Olivier Rochus (BEL) vs Jurgen Melzer (AUT) and Philipp Petzschner (GER)

COURT 9 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Jonathan Erlich (ISR) and Dusan Vemic (SRB) vs Martin Damm (CZE) and Filip Polasek (SVK)
2. Tatjana Malek (GER) and Andrea Petkovic (GER) vs Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) and Tathiana Garbin (ITA)
3. Iveta Benesova (CZE) and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) [12] vs Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) and Jasmin Woehr (GER)
4. Christopher Kas (GER) and Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs Thiemo De Bakker (NED) and Robin Haase (NED)

COURT 10 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Gisela Dulko (ARG) and Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [4] vs Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) and Arina Rodionova (RUS)
2. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) and Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs Lukasz Kubot (POL) and Oliver Marach (AUT) [5]
3. Natalie Grandin (RSA) and Abigail Spears (USA) vs Sara Errani (ITA) and Roberta Vinci (ITA)
4. John Isner (USA) and Sam Querrey (USA) [12] vs Michal Przysiezny (POL) and Dudi Sela (ISR)

COURT 11 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Leos Friedl (CZE) and David Skoch (CZE) vs Robert Lindstedt (SWE) and Horia Tecau (ROU) [16]
2. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) and Klara Zakopalova (CZE) vs Melinda Czink (HUN) and Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP)
3. Julie Coin (FRA) and Marie-Eve Pelletier (CAN) vs Alicja Rosolska (POL) and Zi Yan (CHN) [15]
4. Marcel Granollers (ESP) and Tommy Robredo (ESP) [11] vs Johan Brunstrom (SWE) and Jean-Julien Rojer (AHO)

COURT 14 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs Jurgen Melzer (AUT) [16]
2. Jarmila Groth (AUS) vs Melanie Oudin (USA) [33]
3. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) vs Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [21]
4. Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) and Max Mirnyi (BLR) [4] vs Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) and Sebastian Prieto (ARG)

COURT 15 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Ekaterina Dzehalevich (BLR) and Tatiana Poutchek (BLR) vs Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP) and Meghann Shaughnessy (USA)
2. Mariusz Fyrstenberg (POL) and Marcin Matkowski (POL) [6] vs Michael Kohlmann (GER) and Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
3. Rik De Voest (RSA) and Mischa Zverev (GER) vs Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) and Leander Paes (IND) [3]
4. Maria Kondratieva (RUS) and Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE) vs Cara Black (ZIM) and Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) [11]

COURT 16 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs Michal Przysiezny (POL)
2. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs Edina Gallovits (ROU) and Klaudia Jans (POL)
3. Brendan Evans (USA) vs Albert Montanes (ESP) [28]
4. Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) vs Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) and Francesca Schiavone (ITA) [8]

COURT 17 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Florian Mayer (GER) vs Mardy Fish (USA)
2. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) vs Nadia Petrova (RUS) [12]
3. Victor Hanescu (ROU) [31] vs Marsel Ilhan (TUR)
4. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) [28] vs Varvara Lepchenko (USA)

COURT 19 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Regina Kulikova (RUS) vs Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) [30]
2. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) [29] vs Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)
3. Alejandro Falla (COL) and Santiago Giraldo (COL) vs Lukas Lacko (SVK) and Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)

Wimbledon 2010 Day 2 Open Thread

(Savannah's World)

A slew of unexpectedly long matches yesterday, and while a few huge upsets were avoided, unpredictable was the word for the day.

The women's defending champion and world No. 1 Serena Williams takes Centre Court today. I'm looking forward to the game of her screaming opponent. And virtual defending champion Rafael Nadal plays his first match in two years.

Andy Murray opens on Court 1 while Robin Söderling (and Robby Ginepri!) opens on Centre Court? Interesting. Guess the man in the photo above had something to do with the scheduling.

Order of Play for Tuesday 22 June 2010

CENTRE - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR) 2
2. Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]
3. Robin Soderling (SWE) [6] vs Robby Ginepri (USA)

COURT 1 - SHOW COURT - 1.00 PM START

1. Robert Kendrick (USA) vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10]
2. Jan Hajek (CZE) vs Andy Murray (GBR) [4]
3. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [3] vs Tathiana Garbin (ITA)

COURT 2 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) vs Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [19]
2. Nicolas Kiefer (GER) vs David Ferrer (ESP) [9]
3. Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) vs Maria Sharapova (RUS) [16]
4. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) [14] vs Xavier Malisse (BEL)

COURT 12 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Anne Keothavong (GBR) vs Anastasia Rodionova (AUS)
2. Andreas Beck (GER) vs Jamie Baker (GBR)
3. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [8] vs Fabio Fognini (ITA)
4. Serena Williams (USA) and Venus Williams (USA) [1] vs Julie Ditty (USA) and Renata Voracova (CZE)

COURT 18 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) vs Sam Querrey (USA) [18]
2. Kaia Kanepi (EST) vs Samantha Stosur (AUS) [6]
3. Romina Sarina Oprandi (ITA) vs Heather Watson (GBR)
4. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs John Isner (USA) [23]

COURT 5 - SHOW COURT - 12.00 NOON START

1. Melinda Czink (HUN) vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [7]
2. Robin Haase (NED) vs James Blake (USA)
3. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) [24] vs Lukas Lacko (SVK)
4. Na Li (CHN) [9] vs Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)

COURT 6 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Gilles Simon (FRA) [26] vs Guillermo Alcaide (ESP)
2. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) vs Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
3. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) vs Lucie Safarova (CZE) [25]
4. Iveta Benesova (CZE) vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [29]

COURT 7 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Marc Gicquel (FRA) vs Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
2. Monica Niculescu (ROU) vs Gisela Dulko (ARG)
3. Blaz Kavcic (SLO) vs Lukasz Kubot (POL)
4. Sara Errani (ITA) [32] vs Julie Coin (FRA)

COURT 8 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [13] vs Dudi Sela (ISR)
2. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) vs Stefan Koubek (AUT)
3. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) vs Aravane Rezai (FRA) [18]
4. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) vs Casey Dellacqua (AUS)

COURT 9 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Tobias Kamke (GER) vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
2. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs Petra Kvitova (CZE)
3. Michael Russell (USA) vs Pere Riba-Madrid (ESP)
4. Arantxa Rus (NED) vs Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)

COURT 10 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) vs Ivan Dodig (CRO)
2. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) vs Edina Gallovits (ROU)
3. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) vs Alize Cornet (FRA)
4. Frederico Gil (POR) vs Marcel Granollers (ESP)

COURT 11 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Illya Marchenko (UKR) vs Michael Berrer (GER)
2. Alberta Brianti (ITA) vs Jill Craybas (USA)
3. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
4. Sybille Bammer (AUT) vs Roberta Vinci (ITA)

COURT 14 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) vs Andrea Petkovic (GER)
2. Ricardo Mello (BRA) vs Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) [25]
3. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) [31] vs Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN)
4. Thiemo De Bakker (NED) vs Santiago Giraldo (COL)

COURT 15 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Lisa Raymond (USA) and Rennae Stubbs (AUS) [7] vs Polona Hercog (SLO) and Petra Martic (CRO)
2. Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) and Harsh Mankad (IND) vs Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) and Eduardo Schwank (ARG)
3. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) and Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) vs Vera Dushevina (RUS) and Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [13]
4. Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) vs Olga Govortsova (BLR)

COURT 16 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Go Soeda (JPN) vs Martin Fischer (AUT)
2. Kristof Vliegen (BEL) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA) [32]
3. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) vs Ayumi Morita (JPN)
4. Mariana Duque Marino (COL) vs Kurumi Nara (JPN)

COURT 17 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Jie Zheng (CHN) [23] vs Pauline Parmentier (FRA)
2. Simon Greul (GER) vs Florent Serra (FRA)
3. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) vs Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)
4. Julian Reister (GER) vs Rik De Voest (RSA)

COURT 18 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Sergiy Stkhovsky (UKR) vs Sam Querrey (USA) [18]
2. Kaia Kanepi(EST) vs Samantha Stosur(AUS)[6]
3. Romina Sarina Oprandi(ITA) vs Heather Watson(GBR)
4. Nicolas Mahut(FRA) vs John Isner(USA)[23]

COURT 19 - 12.00 NOON START

1. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [10] vs Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)
2. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) [19] vs Andreas Seppi (ITA)
3. Philipp Petzschner (GER) [33] vs Stephane Robert (FRA)
4. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs Elena Vesnina (RUS)

Wimbledon 2010 Day 1 Open Thread

Getty

I feel like I just swam the English Channel. We had to cater a dinner party for 10 last evening with no electricity. A storm blew up the circuits just down the road. Actually saw the fire through my kitchen window. Thought the trees were going to go up in flames. Amazing how creative one has to be to cook without electricity, even with a gas stove top. Found Found myself "baking" macaroni and cheese on my outdoor grill just after the ribs came off. It was like a Food Network challenge.

I pulled myself out of bed like a deep-rooted weed just in time to see first ball on Centre Court.

Ah, Wimbledon. Let the games begin.

Wimbledon 2010 Schedule for Day 1: Monday, 21 June 2010

Centre Court 13:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Roger Federer (SUI)[1] v. Alejandro Falla (COL)
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Laura Robson (GBR) v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4]
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] v. Olivier Rochus (BEL)

No. 1 Court 13:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)[7]
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Rajeev Ram (USA) v. Andy Roddick (USA)[5]
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) v. Venus Williams (USA)[2]

Court 2 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Kim Clijsters (BEL)[8] v. Maria Elena Camerin (ITA)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Mardy Fish (USA) v. Bernard Tomic (AUS)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[5] v. Vera Dushevina (RUS)
4. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) v. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[15]

Court 5 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Tatjana Malek (GER) v. Nadia Petrova (RUS)[12]
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Gael Monfils (FRA)[21] v. Leonardo Mayer (ARG)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Regina Kulikova (RUS) v. Melanie South (GBR)
4. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Peter Luczak (AUS) v. Tommy Robredo (ESP)[30]

Court 6 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) v. Nicolas Massu (CHI)
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)[26] v. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) v. Anna Lapushchenkova (RUS)
4. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Ramon Delgado (PAR) v. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

Court 7 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) v. Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[27]
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) v. Viktor Troicki (SRB)
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) v. Taylor Dent (USA)
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)[34] v. Greta Arn (HUN)

Court 8 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Michal Przysiezny (POL) v. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)[17]
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Polona Hercog (SLO) v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)[30]
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Michael Llodra (FRA) v. Jesse Witten (USA)
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Sania Mirza (IND) v. Angelique Kerber (GER)

Court 9 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) v. Patty Schnyder (SUI)
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) v. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Karol Beck (SVK) v. Santiago Ventura (ESP)

Court 10 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Igor Andreev (RUS) v. Daniel Brands (GER)
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) v. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN)
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Eduardo Schwank (ARG) v. Evgeny Korolev (KAZ)
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v. Agnes Szavay (HUN)

Court 11 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Horacio Zeballos (ARG) v. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) v. Rainer Schuettler (GER)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Lucie Hradecka (CZE) v. Varvara Lepchenko (USA)

Court 12 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Petra Martic (CRO) v. Elena Baltacha (GBR)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Marin Cilic (CRO)[11] v. Florian Mayer (GER)
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Tomas Berdych (CZE)[12] v. Andrey Golubev (KAZ)
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Justine Henin (BEL)[17] v. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT)

Court 14 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Feliciano Lopez (ESP)[22] v. Jesse Levine (USA)
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) v. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)[15] v. Alison Riske (USA)
4. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[29] v. Potito Starace (ITA)

Court 15 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Shenay Perry (USA) v. Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) v. Albert Montanes (ESP)[28]
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Ryan Sweeting (USA) v. Benjamin Becker (GER)
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Renata Voracova (CZE) v. Jarmila Groth (AUS)

Court 16 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Karolina Sprem (CRO) v. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Brendan Evans (USA) v. Jesse Huta Galung (NED)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Zuzana Kucova (SVK) v. Alicia Molik (AUS)
4. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v. Arnaud Clement (FRA)

Court 17 12:00 Start Time

1. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v. Carsten Ball (AUS)
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Marsel Ilhan (TUR) v. Marcos Daniel (BRA)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Stephanie Dubois (CAN) v. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

Court 18 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Julia Goerges (GER) v. Marion Bartoli (FRA)[11]
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Dustin Brown (JAM) v. Jurgen Melzer (AUT)[16]
3. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Denis Istomin (UZB) v. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[20]
4. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) v. Melanie Oudin (USA)[33]

Court 19 12:00 Start Time

1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) v. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[21]
2. Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round
Victor Hanescu (ROU)[31] v. Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS)
3. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Kristina Barrois (GER) v. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR)

TBA Start Time

Not Before:17:00
1. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Shahar Peer (ISR)[13] v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
Not Before:17:00
2. Ladies' Singles - 1st Round
Alona Bondarenko (UKR)[28] v. Katie O'Brien (GBR)

The 2010 Wimbledon Draws

by Savannah

Wimbledon Men's Main Draw - Top Half

Roger Federer SUI (1) v Alejandro Falla COL
Ilija Bozoljac SRB v Nicolas Massu CHI
Janko Tipsarevic SRB v Arnaud Clement FRA
Peter Luczak AUS v Tommy Robredo ESP (30)

Feliciano Lopez ESP (22) v Jesse Levine USA
Ricardas Berankis LTU v Carsten Ball AUS
Igor Kunitsyn RUS v Viktor Troicki SRB
Dustin Brown JAM v Jurgen Melzer AUT (16)

Tomas Berdych CZE (12) v Andrey Golubev KAZ
Ryan Sweeting USA v Benjamin Becker GER
Dmitry Tursunov RUS v Rainer Schuettler GER
Denis Istomin UZB v Stanislas Wawrinka SUI (20)

Victor Hanescu ROU (31) v Andrey Kuznetsov RUS
Marsel Ilhan TUR v Marcos Daniel BRA
Igor Andreev RUS v Daniel Brands GER
Kevin Anderson RSA v Nikolay Davydenko RUS (7)

Novak Djokovic SRB (3) v Olivier Rochus BEL
Juan Ignacio Chela ARG v Taylor Dent USA
Brendan Evans USA v Jesse Huta Galung NED
Paolo Lorenzi ITA v Albert Montanes ESP (28)

Gael Monfils FRA (21) v Leonardo Mayer ARG
Karol Beck SVK v Philipp Petzschner GER
Eduardo Schwank ARG v Evgeny Korolev KAZ
Maximo Gonzalez ARG v Lleyton Hewitt AUS (15)

Marin Cilic CRO (11) v Florian Mayer GER
Mardy Fish USA v Bernard Tomic AUS
Horacio Zeballos ARG v Yen-Hsun Lu TPE
Michal Przysiezny POL v Ivan Ljubicic CRO (17)

Philipp Kohlschreiber GER (29) Potito Starace ITA
Ramon Delgado PAR v Teimuraz Gabashvili RUS
Michael Llodra FRA v Jesse Witten USA
Rajeev Ram USA v Andy Roddick USA (5)

Wimbledon Mens Draw - Bottom Half

Fernando Verdasco ESP (8) v Fabio Fognini ITA
Michael Russell USA v Pere Riba-Madrid ESP
Andreas Beck GER v Jamie Baker GBR
Kristof Vliegen BEL v Julien Benneteau FRA (32)

Nicolas Almagro ESP (19) v Andreas Seppi ITA
Tobias Kamke GER v Guillermo Garcia-Lopez ESP
Marco Chiudinelli SUI v Alexandr Dolgopolov UKR
Robert Kendrick USA v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA (10)

Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP (14) v Xavier Malisse BEL
Julian Reister GER v Rik De Voest RSA
Oscar Hernandez ESP v Ivan Dodig CRO
Sergiy Stakhovsky UKR v Sam Querrey USA (18)

Gilles Simon FRA (26) v Guillermo Alcaide ESP
Illya Marchenko UKR v Michael Berrer GER
Jarkko Nieminen FIN v Stefan Koubek AUT
Jan Hajek CZE v Andy Murray GBR (4)

Robin Soderling SWE (6) v Robby Ginepri USA
Frederico Gil POR v Marcel Granollers ESP
Go Soeda JPN v Martin Fischer AUT
Ricardo Mello BRA v Thomaz Bellucci BRA (25)

Marcos Baghdatis CYP (24) v Lukas Lacko SVK
Jeremy Chardy FRA v Daniel Gimeno-Traver ESP
Simon Greul GER v Florent Serra FRA
Nicolas Kiefer GER v David Ferrer ESP (9)

Mikhail Youzhny RUS (13) v Dudi Sela ISR
Marc Gicquel FRA v Paul-Henri Mathieu FRA
Thiemo De Bakker NED v Santiago Giraldo COL
Nicolas Mahut FRA v John Isner USA (23)

Ernests Gulbis LAT (27) v Stephane Robert FRA
Blaz Kavcic SLO v Lukasz Kubot POL
Robin Haase NED v James Blake USA
Kei Nishikori JPN v Rafael Nadal ESP(2)

Wimbledon Ladies Draw - Top Half

[1] WILLIAMS, Serena USA vs LARCHER DE BRITO, Michelle POR
CHAKVETADZE, Anna RUS vs PETKOVIC, Andrea GER
TANASUGARN, Tamarine THA vs MORITA, Ayumi JPN
CIBULKOVA, Dominika SVK vs [25] SAFAROVA, Lucie CZE

[24] HANTUCHOVA, Daniela SVK vs KING, Vania USA
ZAHLAVOVA STRYCOVA, Barbora CZE vs VESNINA, Elena RUS
OLARU, Ioana Raluca ROU vs CORNET, Alize FRA
BONDARENKO, Kateryna UKR vs [16] SHARAPOVA, Maria RUS

[9] LI, Na CHN vs (W) SCHEEPERS, Chanelle RSA
DUQUE MARINO, Mariana COL vs (Q) NARA, Kurumi JPN
KEOTHAVONG, Anne GBR vs RODIONOVA, Anastasia AUS
AMANMURADOVA, Akgul UZB vs [19] KUZNETSOVA, Svetlana RUS

[32] ERRANI, Sara ITA vs COIN, Julie FRA
PARRA SANTONJA, Arantxa ESP vs GOVORTSOVA, Olga BLR
BRIANTI, Alberta ITA vs CRAYBAS, Jill USA
CZINK, Melinda HUN vs [7] RADWANSKA, Agnieszka POL

[3] WOZNIACKI, Caroline DEN vs GARBIN, Tathiana ITA
RUS, Arantxa NED vsCHANG, Kai-Chen TPE
BAMMER, Sybille AUT vs VINCI, Roberta ITA
BENESOVA, Iveta CZE vs [29] PAVLYUCHENKOVA, Anastasia RUS

[23] ZHENG, Jie CHN vs PARMENTIER, Pauline FRA
CIRSTEA, Sorana ROU vsKVITOVA, Petra CZE
JOVANOVSKI, Bojana SRB vs DELLACQUA, Casey AUS
(Q) LUCIC, Mirjana CRO vs [14] AZARENKA, Victoria BLR

[10] PENNETTA, Flavia ITA vs MEDINA GARRIGUES, Anabel ESP
(Q) NICULESCU, Monica ROU vs DULKO, Gisela ARG
ZAKOPALOVA, Klara CZE vs MEUSBURGER, Yvonne AUT
RYBARIKOVA, Magdalena SVK vs [18] REZAI, Aravane FRA

[31] DULGHERU, Alexandra ROU vs DATE KRUMM, Kimiko JPN
(Q) OPRANDI, Romina Sarina ITA vs (W) WATSON, Heather GBR
BACSINSZKY, Timea SUI vs GALLOVITS, Edina ROU
(Q) KANEPI, Kaia EST vs [6] STOSUR, Samantha AUS

Wimbledon Ladies Draw - Bottom Half

[8] CLIJSTERS, Kim BEL vs CAMERIN, Maria Elena ITA
SPREM, Karolina CRO vs (Q) MATTEK-SANDS, Bethanie USA
(Q) PERRY, Shenay USA vs (Q) YAKIMOVA, Anastasiya BLR
VOEGELE, Stefanie SUI vs [27] KIRILENKO, Maria RUS

[17] HENIN, Justine BEL vs SEVASTOVA, Anastasija LAT
BARROIS, Kristina GER vsKORYTTSEVA, Mariya UKR
CHAN, Yung-Jan TPE vs SCHNYDER, Patty SUI
MALEK, Tatjana GER vs [12] PETROVA, Nadia RUS

[15] WICKMAYER, Yanina BEL vs (W) RISKE, Alison USA
OUDIN, Melanie USA vs FLIPKENS, Kirsten BEL
(W) LERTCHEEWAKARN, Noppawan THA vs (Q) HLAVACKOVA, Andrea CZE
(Q) LLAGOSTERA VIVES, Nuria ESP vs [21] ZVONAREVA, Vera RUS

[28] BONDARENKO, Alona UKR vs (W) O’BRIEN, Katie GBR
HRADECKA, Lucie CZE vs LEPCHENKO, Varvara USA
(Q) DANIILIDOU, Eleni GRE vs WOZNIAK, Aleksandra CAN
(W) ROBSON, Laura GBR vs [4] JANKOVIC, Jelena SRB

[5] SCHIAVONE, Francesca ITA vs DUSHEVINA, Vera RUS
PIRONKOVA, Tsvetana BUL vs LAPUSHCHENKOVA, Anna RUS
KULIKOVA, Regina RUS vs (W) SOUTH, Melanie GBR
HERCOG, Polona SLO vs [30] SHVEDOVA, Yaroslava KAZ

[22] MARTINEZ SANCHEZ, Maria Jose ESP vs (Q) ARN, Greta HUN
KUCOVA, Zuzana SVK vs MOLIK, Alicia AUS
MARTIC, Petra CRO vs BALTACHA, Elena GBR
GOERGES, Julia GER vs [11] BARTOLI, Marion FRA

[13] PEER, Shahar ISR vs IVANOVIC, Ana SRB
MIRZA, Sania IND vs KERBER, Angelique GER
VORACOVA, Renata CZE v GROTH, Jarmila AUS
GROENEFELD, Anna-Lena GER vs [20] SAFINA, Dinara RUS

[26] KLEYBANOVA, Alisa RUS vs ZAHLAVOVA, Sandra CZE
ARVIDSSON, Sofia SWE vs KUDRYAVTSEVA, Alla RUS
MAKAROVA, Ekaterina RUS vs SZAVAY, Agnes HUN
DE LOS RIOS, Rossana PAR vs [2] WILLIAMS, Venus USA

Lawn Champions

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Li Na of China celebrates with the trophy after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in the Women's Singles final during the AEGON Classic Tennis at the Edgbaston Priory Club on June 13, 2010 in Birmingham, England.

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AP

Australian Lleyton Hewitt kisses the trophy after he won the final match against Switzerland's Roger Federer at the Gerry Weber Open ATP tennis tournament in Halle , Germany, on Sunday, June 13, 2010. Hewitt won 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

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Sam Querrey of US holds the trophy after winning his match against Mardy Fish of US, 7-6, 7-5 during the final singles match on the seventh day of the AEGON Championships tennis tournament at Queen's Club, in west London on June 13, 2010.

Americans In London

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Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey emerged from a strong field as the last two men standing at the AEGON Championships, Queen's Club. The clay season gave us an All American final in Europe and now the grass season repeats the endeavor. Querrey won the match on clay. Can he repeat on the lawns and beat Fish for the first time?

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Across the Channel, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt will face off in their first ever grass court final. Federer always plays Halle, Hewitt always played Queen's until this year. What's old is new. Does Hewitt have a chance to win their 25th meeting and end a 15-match losing streak?


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Back in Birmingham, Li Na will face Maria Sharapova to crown the first grass court titlist of the WTA this season. Will Maria exact revenge against the woman who sent her packing in the semis here a year ago?

Face Of The Day

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Retired French tennis player Amélie Mauresmo turned coach watches the match between Mardy Fish of U.S and Michael Llodra of France, during their quarterfinal singles match on the fifth day of the AEGON Championships tennis tournament at Queen's Club, in west London on June 11, 2010.

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Singles - Quarterfinals
[8] F Lopez (ESP) d [1] R Nadal (ESP) 76(5) 64
[7] S Querrey (USA) d X Malisse (BEL) 63 75
M Fish (USA) d [12] M Llodra (FRA) 64 64
R Schuettler (GER) d [14] D Sela (ISR) 75 64

Singles - Third Round
M Fish (USA) d [3] A Murray (GBR) 64 16 76(2)

Doubles - Quarterfinals
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [5] M Fish (USA) / M Knowles (BAH) 64 62
N Djokovic (SRB) / J Erlich (ISR) d [2] W Moodie (RSA) / D Norman (BEL) 46 76(6) 10-3
K Beck (SVK) / D Skoch (CZE) d [6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) 63 76(3)
[8] J Benneteau (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) d A Golubev (KAZ) / D Istomin (UZB) 64 61

Doubles - Second Round
[6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) d M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) W/O (Nadal - right hamstring)

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Halle

Singles - Quarterfinals
[1] R Federer (SUI) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) 75 63
[8] L Hewitt (AUS) d [WC] A Beck (GER) 76(0) 61
P Petzschner (GER) d L Lacko (SVK) 64 63
B Becker (GER) d [WC] M Zverev (GER) 76(4) 60

Doubles - Semifinals
S Stakhovsky (UKR) / M Youzhny (RUS) d [1] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) 36 63 11-9

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Birmingham

Singles - Quarterfinals
(1/WC) Li Na (CHN) d. (Q) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 64 62
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Sesil Karatantcheva (KAZ) 62 64
(Q) Alison Riske (USA) d. (3) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 67(5) 64 63
(4) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (5) Sara Errani (ITA) 76(2) 75

Singles - Third Round
(1) Li Na (CHN) d. (13) Angelique Kerber (GER) 46 63 75
(5) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Marina Erakovic (NZL) 76(5) 64
(Q) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) 62 62

Doubles - Quarterfinals
(1) Huber/Mattek-Sands (USA/USA) d. Pelletier/Senoglu (CAN/TUR) 61 61
(2) Black/Raymond (ZIM/USA) d. Rodionova/Rodionova (AUS/RUS) 63 62
Grandin/Spears (RSA/USA) d. (4) Chuang/Govortsova (TPE/BLR) 75 36 10-6

Doubles - First Round
(1) Huber/Mattek-Sands (USA/USA) d. (WC) Robson/Watson (GBR/GBR) 64 64
(2) Black/Raymond (ZIM/USA) d. Erakovic/Tanasugarn (NZL/THA) 67(3) 75 10-5
(3) Hsieh/Kudryavtseva (TPE/RUS) d. Dzehalevich/Poutchek (BLR/BLR) 61 64
(4) Chuang/Govortsova (TPE/BLR) d. Ditty/Savchuk (USA/UKR) 63 63
Pelletier/Senoglu (CAN/TUR) d. (WC) Keothavong/South (GBR/GBR) 76(3) 63
King/Shvedova (USA/KAZ) d. Czink/Errani (HUN/ITA) 76(1) 63
Rodionova/Rodionova (AUS/RUS) d. Borwell/Kops-Jones (GBR/USA) 16 64 10-6

Dive Of The Day

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Dudi Sela of Israel dives to win match point during his third round match against Andy Roddick of USA on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England.

Grass

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Julien Benneteau of France and Kevin Anderson of South Africa play their match while a rain cloud approaches during their second round singles match on the third day of The AEGON Championships tennis tournament at Queen's Club in west London on June 9, 2010.

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You all have already been talking about the tennis on the green grass of London (and Halle and Birmingham), so I decided to get my act together and give you an open thread to continue the discussions. I won't be able to follow tennis till this weekend, and I'm not even sure about that.

Enjoy.

Back On Top

Reuters

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Queen Sofia of Spain poses for a photograph with Spain's Rafael Nadal after he won in the men's final match in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 6, 2010, in Paris.


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A few of you may remember me commenting that when Roger Federer got back his Wimbledon crown last year and the No. 1 ranking, it was as though nothing had ever changed.

Just shy of a year later, the tour is almost back to where it was before Rafael Nadal had to sit out with injury: the Spaniard sits atop the rankings and holds the Roland Garros trophy.

Robin Söderling, unwittingly I suppose, played the third side of this tennis triangle. Buoyed by a crowd that wanted so desperately to see Federer win their title and complete the career Slam, he hit a struggling Nadal off the court last year, ultimately made it to the final, and gave the fans what they wanted. This year, he hit an in-form Federer off the court in the quarterfinals, denying him the chance to remain No.1 and break Pete Sampras' record, and then fell to an in-form Nadal in the final. If someone had told him three years ago he would play such an important role in the fate of the top two players in the world, he'd probably have shrugged it off as stupidity.

You can make this stuff up.

Rafa is back. I hadn't seem him weep like that in his chair after a tennis match since he lost that grueling Wimbledon final in 2007 because his knees failed him. He won every big title there was to win on clay this season, a first even for the Ruler of the Red Stuff. Sure, his camp is now saying the focus is on the US Open, but no one will convince me Nadal won't move heaven and earth to win back a title he was unable to defend last year on the lawns of London.

Sister Slam

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Lost a bit in all the singles drama, Serena and Venus Williams captured the Roland Garros doubles title for their fourth straight Slam victory and 12th overall.

They became only the third women's doubles pair to win four major titles in a row. Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver did it in 1983-84, and Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva did it in 1992-93.

Serena called it the Williams' Slam.

All of sport may never see such accomplished siblings again.

Nothing Is Impossible

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The T-shirts said it all.

At 29 years of age, Francesca Schiavone became the first Italian woman in the Open Era to win a singles Slam title.

Fans are speculating and hoping about what this victory means to Schiavone's future. I don't have a clue and won't even speculate. To see her pure elation is enough to last for a while, so I'm going to enjoy her victory right along with her.

What I wrote of the match in the comments:

I thought Schiavone had the overall package to neutralize Sam's game and confidence, and that's exactly what happened.

As for Sam's serve. I do believe that her placement is top notch and with such work on the ball, it's a bit difficult for some players to get a handle on even when they know where it's going. Still. Remember how well Serena returned it in Melbourne? Had she actually been on the court in Paris, she may have remembered that and returned it similarly, but we know where she was.... As it was, Sam won 8-6 in the third. Randy has characterized this as "coldclocking". I suppose we need to define our terms.

But I digress.

Schiavone had no trouble returning Sam's serve. With Sam not winning the free points as she did against Jelena, she had to play longer rallies, and in those, Schiavone out-maneuvered her by attacking her backhand and slicing it the ball short to disrupt her baseline rhythm. She also owned the net.

I should also mention the obvious: Francesca has a one handed backhand, as does Justine, but Sam's kick didn't bother her because her form is better. I'm going to say that again: Francesca's backhand form is better than Justine's. It has no hitch in the swing, and unlike Justine, she's always balanced when she hits it. In short, she didn't allow the ball to jump over her shoulders. She took it on the rise because she could.

I can't compare Stosur's game to anyone's off the top of my head. I like her quite a bit, I even enjoy watching some of her matches, but her game is rather blase to me. And, yes, she's fragile.

Still, it was an excellent effort from both players to advance to the finals against all the odds, so it was fitting the player who ultimately won did so against the odds.

Best women's Slam Roland Garros final since Roland Garros 2001.

Roland Garros 2010 Men's Final Open Thread

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Argentina's Agustin Velotti, left, holds his first place trophy next to runner up USA's Andrea Collarini after a boy's finals match for the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 6, 2010.

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From peytonallen:

So we get the “other” final everybody wanted. Personally, this one is more fascinating to me than another Fed/Nadal matchup. Roger wasn’t winning that one, no matter how many people gathered hands and prayed. We’ve seen that match too many times. Why would it change now when Fed is a year older? Madrid proved it wouldn’t. But Sunday we find out if Soderling is Nadal’s Panatta.

A lot on the line for both guys. I don’t see Soderilng becoming a future #1 player or really even a Slam champion at any point, but there have been late career surges before. Rafter isn’t an all-time talent but for a couple of years there he was Pete’s main rival and the best player in the world. I can see why the Swedes would push the hype, though I think Robin’s career path has already been set. But as Peter Korda proved anyone can rise up and win a slam.

If he wins it certainly would be the most interesting/explosive 12 month run at the French. Beating the new Borg, then ending Fed’s streak and taking home the title. Who would’ve thought Soderling at any point in his career would be regarded as the best clay court player?

If Nadal loses it’s the end of the Federer/Nadal stranglehold on tennis. They may both win another slam, but a loss at the French, in his element, would signal a slight end for Rafa. It’d be a sign he’ll always struggle against the ‘power merchants’ for the rest of his career.
If he wins, he’s #1 and on his way to 10-11 slams and proves his break last year was just that, a pit stop while on the road to more glory. He’d have the rest of his career to chase Borg’s French mark and he’d be the overwhelming favorite to defend his Wimbledon crown.

Soderling may be a little less nervous than last year, but I still think he’s got an uphill battle to win this title. He was hitting winners from everywhere last year and like his win over Federer serving out of a tree. He’ll play well Sunday but he has to match his performance from last year, if not exceed it to win. I’m not sure he can do that. If he has an average service day, he’s out in straights.

Rafa has to save his BP’s against and show his new aggressive game was worth it. If he repeats last year’s performance and gives Robin a steady diet of short balls he’ll be in for a long day.

A few weeks before their match last year Nadal beat Soderling 6-1, 6-0. It’s hard for me to believe suddenly he’s the only man Nadal can’t beat in Paris.

Nadal in 4.