If we thought Tuesday was full of surprises, then Wednesday at Wimbledon offered up the biggest shock so far. Roger Federer has only gone and been knocked out of the tournament! I don't think anyone would have predicted that, even though he has appeared to struggle a couple of times so far.
Ahead of writing this post, I had a request from Gavin asking who was still left in the draw and what their chances were. As we are heading into women's semi-finals day, this seems like the opportune moment to note down the great matches we have in store. I'll cover both the men and the women, although it will only be the girls out on court today.
The men
Thomas Berdych CZE (12) vs Novak Djokovic SRB (3)
One of Amy's favourite players, and dubbed Nole for unknown reasons, Djokovic has been playing very well recently and finds himself in the semi-finals this year. He sometimes wobbles during matches though, and against Hewitt he certainly wasn't feeling well. However, he'll need all his strength to face of Berdych. Amy described him as a "machine" and Nole is bound to be a bit nervy going up against the man who knocked out Federer.
Andy Murray GBR (4) vs Rafael Nadal ESP (2)
Whether all the pressure is on him or not, Murray doesn't seem to show it. He does get very angry at himself though, and when I watched him lose a set to Tsonga on Wednesday, at one point I thought he was going to explode. He kept it together to take the match though, and now sets up a meeting with Nadal. The Spaniard is still working his way back up from injury, so although my money is on a Rafa final, I don't think it will be easy for him. The pair have met four times, I think, and it is two a-piece, so anything could happen.
The women
Serena Williams USA (1) vs Petra Kvitova CZE
The only top ten seed left in the competition, Serena has been looking on fine form. I've never heard of Kvitova, and although she must be playing very well to have reached the semi-final, you wouldn't rate her chances against Williams, would you? Her sister Venus may be out of the tournament, but Serena is playing really well and has yet to drop a set so far. It would be a major upset for her not to make the final.
Vera Zvonareva RUS (21) vs Tsvetana Pironkova BUL
Neither of these players were expected to make it this far. In the previous round, Zvonareva fought off Kim Clijsters - a hot favourite for the title this year. Equally, Pironkova offered up a shocker by knocking Venus Williams out of the competition. Apparently, Zvonareva had a terrible time the last match she played against Pironkova, winning just two games, but her form must have improved to get this far. This will be an interesting match, hard to predict, but I am hoping Pironkova can do it. Maybe she could get to the final and beat both Williams' sisters in one tournament! Unlikely, I know.
So that's the line-up for the last few days of Wimbledon. The Pironkova match is first up on Centre Court, to be followed by Williams/Kvitova. There'll be plenty of doubles and junior action around the grounds as well. Let us know who you're supporting and who you think will win!
Perfect! Thanks Christine :D
Megablastic!
Hehehehe:
From Thomas from Durham, via text: "This Fed losing malarkey is all a big joke right? Murray will get to the final just to have Fed jump out from behind the chair shouting 'SURPRISE'."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8777777.stm
Thomas must have missed that bit where Rafa's gonna beat him :D
Well, yes, there is that bit. But don't tell anyone. He's our only hope :)
I've got it all planned, it will be a Rafa Nole final and when it's over rather than a handshake they will do this.
And I will have pizza while I watch.
Rafa looks a bit worried there. Like he might get hit in the face with the racket.
I was going to say it works better if both players are right handed or left handed, but the Bryan brothers are chest bump kings and they are proper twins in that they are mirror images of each other :D
Tom is taking over the BBC text now the good stuff is about to get going: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8777777.stm
Sultry day at Wimbledon. The sort of days when tempers flare, where strange things happen - at least in pot-boiler novels.
...which i ghost write, by the way, whilst watching tennis
Yay for Pironkova!
I'm not sure I approve of Tom shortening it to Pironks though.
Darn it. One set all.
She's down a break in the third too? Come on Pironks.
Rats.
I'm glad somebody is watching :D
c'mon. what would tom say?
I'm watching the BBC text!
oh and in answer to "dubbed Nole for unknown reasons"
In Serbian Nole is to Novak as Mike is to Michael in English.
Ooh, yay!
Amy knows everything.
they call his brother Mole but I'm not sure if that's actually a shortened Serbian form of Marko, or if its just to keep the theme going. The problem is I always read it as mole, like, the burrowing kind.
Mm, that's not an ideal nickname.
Now I think of Austin Powers!
"Mole mole mole mole mole!!!"
his other brother is Djordie, I'm yet to learn if they call him Dole :D
One more and it's like the Teletubbies!
He appears to have given up at 5-2 in the final set. Last we had was:
Pironkova serving to stay in the championships, her hopes hanging by a threat - lovely driving forehand, splendid driving backhand.
Then she lost.
How does ones hopes hang by a threat, btw?
the wee one is a total Nole clone. He's apparently better than Nole was at his age, but Marko is kinda rubbish and seems to think his surname should get him into tournaments that are way, way, way beyond his skill level.
http://tennisconnected.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/djokovic-brothers.jpeg
I thought this too :)
How old are they? They look like kids!
Ms Robson almost lost the first set but seems to have turned it around now. 1 set up and 2-0 in the second.
18, 14 and 23. Although that photo was in 2008.
uh oh, according to http://www.novakdjokovic.rs/bio_brothers.php?jezik=2 they do call him Djole.
I'm gonna insist you start calling me Amole.
Serena has been broken? Madness once more!
last years French was deemed Opposite Roland Garros, but Opposite Wimbledon beats it hands down.
Wimbledon has gone crazy! Andy Murray for the victory please :)
Ooh, she done broke back.
Serena won the first set tie break.
Serena has broken and held serve. It must go her way now.
Lou says that Kim Clissksjsisjters is in the 3rd semi final. How am I supposed to learn this sport when my entire perception of a tournament is thrown into disregard?!
mixed doubles!
She's done it. The final will be Williams vs Zvonareva.
Hey look, a ball exploded. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/wimbledon/8780487.stm
UK users only I think, apologies.
How disappointing, not even an explosion!