It's been a difficult week for the players and spectators with all the rain delays but that's all part of any British tennis event - Maybe they will consider covering court 2 as well?
Highlights/Talking Points of the Week
1/ Andy Murray's match with Tsitsipas for me was the highlight of the week. It's such a shame that Andy couldn't get over the line and we can see how gutted he was. However, I believe that this was one of the greatest efforts of his entire career if you are to consider all that he has been through.
The mental resilience he demonstrated in the first 3 sets of the match was quite incredible when you consider the level of tennis that Tsitsipas was playing. It's a pity that the match wasn't able to continue but even more of a pity that Andy didn't challenge with Stefanos serving at 4-4 15-30 in the 4th set when the umpire convinced him not to! (and the ball was in!) That could have made all the difference in a match of such small margins? Time for electronic scoring?
Andy continues to be an inspiration to so many tennis fans throughout the world and the game will be a much poorer place without him. Obviously, he will need to decide if the pain is worth the gain in terms of continuing for another year but selfishly, I really hope that he does and has one more go at Wimbledon.
2/ Stan is still the man! Wawrinka showed once again that his A game tennis is too good even for Novak as it was in the past. Yes, I know he lost but in the 3rd set he began to show that his best tennis was always better than anyone else including Roger, Rafa and Novak. It was great to see and I hope that he can also continue for at least one more year.
3/Jabeur is a joy to watch - Her variety of play and wonderful personality make her a crowd favourite. It's also good to see Andreescu back on form as the women's game needs players with her exciting type of tennis and courageous play.
4/ Who saw Rublev's squash shot after diving against Bublik in one of the biggest points of the match? He said it was lucky but I reckon it showed his determination to get the ball back and great hand skills. Have a look if you didn't see it - an incredible shot.
5/ Look out for Mirra Andreeva from Russia who is a real talent and only 16 years old. She lost, after being a set and 4-1 up against Keys, who has been playing so well and such a clean striker of the ball. Keys could play Sabalenka in the quarters.
6/ Novak certainly looks like the best player in the men's draw but his bottom half of the draw is perhaps easier than the top half for Alcaraz. Carlos has already had a tough one with Jarry and now has to play Berrettini. His potential opponent in the quarters could be Rune and then Medvedev or Tsitsipas unless there is an upset. Novak has Rublev in the quarters (if he beats Hurkacz) and then likely to be Sinner which is a tough one but overall an easier run to the final.
7/ A great match between Svitolina and Azarenka last night spoiled a bit by some elements of the crowd booing Azarenka as she left the court. It was most unfortunate that they didn't realise that she was trying to avoid any awkwardness with Svitolina as she knew that there would be no hand shake. The pimms brigade had maybe one too many as suggested by Azarenka? I'd love to see Svitolina go far, but she will now have to overcome Swiatek.
8/ Doubles - well done to so many of the British doubles players led as ever by Jamie Murray. So many great victories and in particular Glasgow's Maia Lumsden and her partner Bains who are now in the 3rd round. Connor Thomson and Jacob Fearnley also from Scotland have both won matches, losing today in a good match to the experienced pair of Bopanna and Ebden. Jonny O'Mara is still in the mixed. The influence of Jamie Murray and the doubles coaching guru Louis Cayer have made a huge impact on the progress and self belief of many of our players. And we shouldn't forget the work done by Toby Smith (of the fabulous Smith brothers - Leon, Gary & Toby), who works hard behind the scenes to help many of these aspiring young tennis players. So many lesser known coaches don't get the recognition they deserve, like Toby.
9/ Looking forward to seeing how Eubanks will do against Tsitsipas. So good to see a player developing his game relatively late in his career especially with such a great game to watch and a lovely personality.
10/ What's happened to "Today at Wimbledon"? No more studio comments from McEnroe, Navratilova etc which was always so much fun and informative at the same time. Be interesting to see if it stays like that next year?
So, who is going to win the singles events?
For the men I suppose we should ask who is going to win if Novak breaks his leg on the slippy grass. (Not out of the question and a discussion for another day)
So, leaving aside the Serbian terminator, I would take the winner of Alcaraz and Berrettini to take the title. Matteo's best chance would be if the roof is closed as it then becomes an absolute server's court and his serve is ridiculous! The same could be said of Hurkacz last night but he didn't have Berrettini's forehand to finish off the match!
In the women's event I'd be surprised if Rybakina doesn't win again as she is just too strong on the grass. Apart from her, my heart wants Svitolina or Jabeur to win but my head says Pegula. Grass suits ball strikers like Pegula who hit the ball clean and early. Having said that Swiatek may now have more self belief on grass after saving match points last night with Bencic?
Looking forward to week 2 and hope it stays dry!
Highlights/Talking Points of the Week
1/ Andy Murray's match with Tsitsipas for me was the highlight of the week. It's such a shame that Andy couldn't get over the line and we can see how gutted he was. However, I believe that this was one of the greatest efforts of his entire career if you are to consider all that he has been through.
The mental resilience he demonstrated in the first 3 sets of the match was quite incredible when you consider the level of tennis that Tsitsipas was playing. It's a pity that the match wasn't able to continue but even more of a pity that Andy didn't challenge with Stefanos serving at 4-4 15-30 in the 4th set when the umpire convinced him not to! (and the ball was in!) That could have made all the difference in a match of such small margins? Time for electronic scoring?
Andy continues to be an inspiration to so many tennis fans throughout the world and the game will be a much poorer place without him. Obviously, he will need to decide if the pain is worth the gain in terms of continuing for another year but selfishly, I really hope that he does and has one more go at Wimbledon.
2/ Stan is still the man! Wawrinka showed once again that his A game tennis is too good even for Novak as it was in the past. Yes, I know he lost but in the 3rd set he began to show that his best tennis was always better than anyone else including Roger, Rafa and Novak. It was great to see and I hope that he can also continue for at least one more year.
3/Jabeur is a joy to watch - Her variety of play and wonderful personality make her a crowd favourite. It's also good to see Andreescu back on form as the women's game needs players with her exciting type of tennis and courageous play.
4/ Who saw Rublev's squash shot after diving against Bublik in one of the biggest points of the match? He said it was lucky but I reckon it showed his determination to get the ball back and great hand skills. Have a look if you didn't see it - an incredible shot.
5/ Look out for Mirra Andreeva from Russia who is a real talent and only 16 years old. She lost, after being a set and 4-1 up against Keys, who has been playing so well and such a clean striker of the ball. Keys could play Sabalenka in the quarters.
6/ Novak certainly looks like the best player in the men's draw but his bottom half of the draw is perhaps easier than the top half for Alcaraz. Carlos has already had a tough one with Jarry and now has to play Berrettini. His potential opponent in the quarters could be Rune and then Medvedev or Tsitsipas unless there is an upset. Novak has Rublev in the quarters (if he beats Hurkacz) and then likely to be Sinner which is a tough one but overall an easier run to the final.
7/ A great match between Svitolina and Azarenka last night spoiled a bit by some elements of the crowd booing Azarenka as she left the court. It was most unfortunate that they didn't realise that she was trying to avoid any awkwardness with Svitolina as she knew that there would be no hand shake. The pimms brigade had maybe one too many as suggested by Azarenka? I'd love to see Svitolina go far, but she will now have to overcome Swiatek.
8/ Doubles - well done to so many of the British doubles players led as ever by Jamie Murray. So many great victories and in particular Glasgow's Maia Lumsden and her partner Bains who are now in the 3rd round. Connor Thomson and Jacob Fearnley also from Scotland have both won matches, losing today in a good match to the experienced pair of Bopanna and Ebden. Jonny O'Mara is still in the mixed. The influence of Jamie Murray and the doubles coaching guru Louis Cayer have made a huge impact on the progress and self belief of many of our players. And we shouldn't forget the work done by Toby Smith (of the fabulous Smith brothers - Leon, Gary & Toby), who works hard behind the scenes to help many of these aspiring young tennis players. So many lesser known coaches don't get the recognition they deserve, like Toby.
9/ Looking forward to seeing how Eubanks will do against Tsitsipas. So good to see a player developing his game relatively late in his career especially with such a great game to watch and a lovely personality.
10/ What's happened to "Today at Wimbledon"? No more studio comments from McEnroe, Navratilova etc which was always so much fun and informative at the same time. Be interesting to see if it stays like that next year?
So, who is going to win the singles events?
For the men I suppose we should ask who is going to win if Novak breaks his leg on the slippy grass. (Not out of the question and a discussion for another day)
So, leaving aside the Serbian terminator, I would take the winner of Alcaraz and Berrettini to take the title. Matteo's best chance would be if the roof is closed as it then becomes an absolute server's court and his serve is ridiculous! The same could be said of Hurkacz last night but he didn't have Berrettini's forehand to finish off the match!
In the women's event I'd be surprised if Rybakina doesn't win again as she is just too strong on the grass. Apart from her, my heart wants Svitolina or Jabeur to win but my head says Pegula. Grass suits ball strikers like Pegula who hit the ball clean and early. Having said that Swiatek may now have more self belief on grass after saving match points last night with Bencic?
Looking forward to week 2 and hope it stays dry!
RSS Feed
