Wimbledon

[hughy]

I've only seen about 30 minutes of one of Vaidisova's matches this year, as she's been on first every day and I've been working. Unfortunately, the one time I did see her it was the beginning of the third set against Sam Stosur, when she was being battered.

But yeah, it's the same story every year at Wimbledon. Fairly highly ranked players come along thinking they can hit winners off every shot, and end up having a 'shock' defeat because they aren't focusing on returning the ball. It sounds obvious, but when you're playing on any grass courts, especially when they're really slick and fast like the courts at Queens were a couple of weeks back, it's almost impossible to hit winners off deep, sliced, defensive shots. All the main shocks this year have come when steady players come up against big hitters, barring Tipsarevic against Roddick. I don't think anyone can explain where he got that performance from.

Looking back at the draws, the second and third quarters of the mens draws are interesting. I have to say, I think Baghdatis or Wawrinka might be in for a semi-final meeting with Federer. In the bottom half, I'd say Nadal will struggle against the winner of Youzhny/Stepanek (for me it's Stepanek, he doesn't know how to give up), and might have to resort of 5 sets.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I've only seen about 30 minutes of one of Vaidisova's matches this year, as she's been on first every day and I've been working. Unfortunately, the one time I did see her it was the beginning of the third set against Sam Stosur, when she was being battered.

But yeah, it's the same story every year at Wimbledon. Fairly highly ranked players come along thinking they can hit winners off every shot, and end up having a 'shock' defeat because they aren't focusing on returning the ball. It sounds obvious, but when you're playing on any grass courts, especially when they're really slick and fast like the courts at Queens were a couple of weeks back, it's almost impossible to hit winners off deep, sliced, defensive shots. All the main shocks this year have come when steady players come up against big hitters, barring Tipsarevic against Roddick. I don't think anyone can explain where he got that performance from.

Looking back at the draws, the second and third quarters of the mens draws are interesting. I have to say, I think Baghdatis or Wawrinka might be in for a semi-final meeting with Federer. In the bottom half, I'd say Nadal will struggle against the winner of Youzhny/Stepanek (for me it's Stepanek, he doesn't know how to give up), and might have to resort of 5 sets.

I think Nadal won't have it all his own way against Kiefer either. Kiefer is a very experienced player and is playing great.

Baghdatis has actually had the draw of draws thanks to the All England Club seeding him at 10. Would have been a whole lot harder if Karlovic had made it through. Its a pretty funny story, and very unlucky for Karlovic, his downfall this Wimbledon is the fact he has size 16 feet. Nobody does grass court shoes that big. At Nottingham he played in Astroturf football boots. He turned up to Wimbledon and they wouldn't let him because they said it would rip up the courts, so he had to play in hard court shoes. He said he could hardly even stand up let alone move. True story.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Well the women's competition is over as far as I'm concerned. Ivanovic and Sharapova gone...what's the point anymore?

 

[hughy]

Well the women's competition is over as far as I'm concerned. Ivanovic and Sharapova gone...what's the point anymore?

Because I'm sure whoever wins wouldn't mind the £750k that comes with it. Ivanovic was never really a serious contender anyway.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Because I'm sure whoever wins wouldn't mind the £750k that comes with it. Ivanovic was never really a serious contender anyway.

Why was she not a contender? Even if she is not that comfortable on grass compared to other sufaces she is still number one in the world. She has the game to do well at Wimbledon, big serve, big forehand, i'm a bit perplexed as to why she didnt do better other than she didn't use her head enough. Sharapova I can undesrstand, she has played about 4 matches in since March, but Ivanovic could have taken advantage of there not really being an outstanding candidate to win the ladies title. We seriously could end up with a winner outside the top 100, nobody is playing well except Jankovic and well she hasn't proved she can go the extra mile, even though right now she is the best player in the world.

 

[hughy]

As I said, the door's open for the Williams'. I can't believe you haven't mentioned them. They aren't only the most obvious, but they're also the most likely, in my opinion. Yes, neither have had brilliant years, but no one was expecting Venus to win it last year.

 

[SlickMongoose]

My long-shot for the ladies singles is Caroline Wozniaki. Right at the bottom of the draw. 1000/1 with BetFred.

She really caught the eye today, despite losing. She's clearly very talented.

 

[MrWoolley]

Anybody else watching Murray? Quality game.

 

[yid0]

quality....

 

[C0YS]

what a game!!!!

 

[C0YS]

looks like Murrays got cramp....

 

[C0YS]

match point

 

[Tickers]

Not bad. Murray was backed at 75 on Betfair to win the match.

Anyone get on? Or were you one of the clowns backing Gasquet at 1.01?

 

[C0YS]

What are the odds on him beating Nadal!?

 

[Shanks]

Tell you what, that was one of the best tennis games I've ever seen.

I thought Murray was dead and buried, but he found his game just in the nick of time.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

What are the odds on him beating Nadal!?

I think he has a decent chance, if he mixes his game up well. His tendancy to play lots of dropshots will help as well as Nadal isn't particularly comfortable coming forward for very short balls and doesn't do that much with them as he showed against Gulbis. If Murray tries to beat Nadal from the back he might get anhailated.

 

[Coyboy]

I think Murray needs to get his head straight and start well. He has no chance of coming back from two sets down to beat someone like Nadal. It's like conceding a three goal lead to Chelsea. He tried those drop shots so frequently that even he was saying to himself (and the crowd) what the fuck am I doing? Also, why he feels the need to produce these tepid forehand returns off, sometimes, short and weak serves is beyond me. He has a chance but it is slim.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I think Murray needs to get his head straight and start well. He has no chance of coming back from two sets down to beat someone like Nadal. It's like conceding a three goal lead to Chelsea. He tried those drop shots so frequently that even he was saying to himself (and the crowd) what the fuck am I doing? Also, why he feels the need to produce these tepid forehand returns off, sometimes, short and weak serves is beyond me. He has a chance but it is slim.

To be fair he wasn't playing that badly in the first two sets. He didn't serve great but the rest was mostly down to Gasquet playing ridiculous tennis. In the first two sets he hit 39 winners and 6 unforced errors. Gasquet is one of the most unbelievably talented players in the world, if he had the mentality and fitness levels he'd be top 5 in the world easily.

As for Murray, yesterday was hardly the first time he's played way too many dropshots. It is part of his game, always has been ever since he was a kid. Also I like the returns where he takes the pace off, he definately needs to do that sometimes against Nadal, as well as play plenty of slice, use the angles, chip charge etc. If he just tries to drive everything he will always be second best.

 

[Coyboy]

To be fair he wasn't playing that badly in the first two sets. He didn't serve great but the rest was mostly down to Gasquet playing ridiculous tennis. In the first two sets he hit 39 winners and 6 unforced errors. Gasquet is one of the most unbelievably talented players in the world, if he had the mentality and fitness levels he'd be top 5 in the world easily.

As for Murray, yesterday was hardly the first time he's played way too many dropshots. It is part of his game, always has been ever since he was a kid. Also I like the returns where he takes the pace off, he definately needs to do that sometimes against Nadal, as well as play plenty of slice, use the angles, chip charge etc. If he just tries to drive everything he will always be second best.

Yes but my point was not that he does either of those shots but that he does them when he shouldn't. With drop shots even he admitted this, through body language, and as for the sliced returns that is fine when the serve is fierce and in the corner but when it is short, central and slow then it is a complete waste to give the opponent another chance.

 

[Shanks]

Agree IOMLS.

He needs to change it around constantly, and last night I was almost banging the TV telling Murray to stop hitting weak chip shot returns to Gasquats back hand (which was frigging awesome for 3 sets).

When he lowered that chip shot return, Gasquat seemed to struggle against them, not using his footing correctly.

I would love to see Mrray give him a good game, if he can take it to five sets then he has a chance, but it will be bloody tough, Nadal is an awesome player.