Credit: Lou
Tsonga and photographers
Yesterday saw a pretty good day of tennis, although neither of the players that I finally decided I liked made it through, which is disappointing. Today we have more great stuff in store with the Men's Semi-Finals.
First up on Centre Court, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga versus Novak Djokovic. Tsonga has been something of a surprise so far this tournament, particularly knocking out Federer, as he did in the last round. However, he's been playing very well and looking confident, so he should be on top form. Djokovic, however, seems to have been struggling the more this tournament goes on. His last round match saw him looking particularly despondent, so the big question is what mood he'll be in when he takes to the courts today.
Following their match, Rafael Nadal versus Andy Murray. Murray is playing well and will have the power of the crowd behind him, but they do so love Nadal too. It's going to be a tough ask for Murray to get past the World Number 1, although Nadal has seemed a little injury-prone so far this tournament. Anyone counted the number of times he's called out the trainer?
Elsewhere, British player Liam Broady is through to the semi-finals in the junior championships, whilst Sabine Lisicki will be back in action on Centre in her doubles semi-final match as well.
The weather forecasts suggest sun throughout the day, with some clouds during the afternoon, but certainly no rain. We'll see.
Back just in time.
There's Goran again!
I fully expect this thread to just be me, seeing as Goodwood stole my Lou.
i'm in the process of the worlds largest database backup, so although i can't watch, i shall join you in making fun of tennis fashion.
Silly men don't wear as mad things as the women. Although I do wonder why women don't have more pockets, so they can tuck the ball in there like the men, rather than under their skirts.
One of those Princesses is there. The ones who wore the weird hats at the wedding.
i said they need to wear shorts.
i don't actually understand where the balls go though, surely a ball in your pocket would restrict movement?
the ampersand one?
That's the one.
Brief hello to say come on Tsonga!! It is the battle of invisible letters in their names :)
I think I am with Tsonga today. He seems far more bouncy.
I believe they secretly throw one at their opponent during the match like a Mario kart power up. Yes that is what definitely happens.
A long while ago, some of the ladies used to wear a clip on their back and secure the ball there. If it was me, I'd just ask for a new ball each time. If you're not being all fussy about which to choose, it doesn't take very long.
Tsonga breaks already.
It's a struggle but Tsonga keeps his serve. 2-0.
I mean, Tsonga just collected four balls and gave two back before serving. Four! Why not just get them all lined up and pull out a magnifying glass just to make sure.
Pippa is there again.
That was an utterly ridiculous point, they both ended up laughing with each other!
Loved it.
You're awake!
I have been awake since my conversation with mr c in the night. Except for a quick 1 hour power nap.
It's for second serves isn't it? So they don't have to go back for them and they can stay in position.
It is, but ball people can throw that far, I've seen it.
Aha!
I am glad I can still comment I thought Mr c might have banned me after my cheekiness on twitter :)
Hehehe, one day he will give in and accept that I am right.
I think it's good that we can't understand Serbian.
Did you know all tennis players are into the occult.
You know Goran EvenHe'sAWhich...
Wimbledon should borrow the TARDIS for two weeks so we can all understand everyone.
Djokovic gets break back points.
This is becoming a great match.
Deuce.
And now duce. If Tsonga gets this game, Dhonkovic is going to wonder what he has to do
He gets the break. 5 games all.
Now that was important.
i know you're right, i just don't have time to fix it.
Well that was far too easy.
:)
watching tennis must be quite trippy in that state!
It's ridiculous that this is up on YouTube already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsU0jOhwYc
Even if it is recorded off TV.
Waaaaay back when tsonga was winning
Yes. At least he's not losing yet.
That would be now
Djoko gets the opening set. No one I want to win is winning. I hate Wimbledon.
Some epic points being played. It's all for naught really, but they are diving around all over the shop!
I think Tsonga broke back so it's equal again in the third set.
...and then he double faults. Bah.
Piers: About to say Expected Time of Murray is 10mins away when Tsonga breaks back in third. Popular break, JWT has made a lot of fans. #bbctennis
Djokovic broke again. Serving for the match now.
Now Tsonga broke back. This match is crazy.
Djokovic is a bit of a grump, looks like he is going to win, wish he wouldnt though...
I agree.
@H_Kovalainen: Don't you think Djokovic looks like Adrian Sutil?!
https://twitter.com/#!/H_Kovalainen/status/86801124174204929
Erm... not really :)
That Royal Peep Show woman is there today too.
WOOOO, set to Tsonga.
Awesome!
Happy beats grump :) Long way to go yet though!
The crowd are properly behind him now too.
By the way, I spotted those energy gel things in the supermarket today. They are next to the Red Bull.
you didn't buy one?
Erm no. I did buy Red Bull though :)
Do you want to try some then?
3 break points to Djokovic already.
Boo.
sure thing.
Next time then.
3-0 to Djokovic so far.
Nice to see how the Internet has given us the possibility of writting emails instead of talking with the people we have near us hehehe.
MrC, Christine: Don't you live together? :P
we don't talk to each other, we comment and tweet :)
First thing I ever said to you was via email. If it ain't broke, etc...
5-2 Djokovic. Don't think Tsonga has it in him to fight back again.
Serving for the match once more.
Match point.
Big hugs at the net. Djokovic through. Poor smiley out.
Murray and Nadal on court now. Dreading this one.
Judy!
(for Amy)
James Cordon and Michael McIntyre sitting next to each other.
Andy's brother there too.
Ah ha! Break points for Murray for the set. I ain't holding my breath though.
First set Murray!
gosh I've just been off dealing with food type things... Upset for Tsonga... Looks like this is an interesting match...
Sorry to abandon you Christine... I had to make a vat of Pasta Sauce...
That's probably the set there then...
It's okay, I am on food duty now :)
Aww, I tune in to see Alan lose a set :(
Funnily enough so did Andy at the same time this supposed Alan did
#fail
Alan Murray... the lesser talked about brother
Wonderful shot...
There's the other brother in the audience
Somehow I fell asleep and now its 3am and I don't think I can be bothered watching what's left of this match :)
Yaaaay for Other Murray
I think there's like 7 of them
You missed the good match.
I
Don't worry Amy... I'm expecting Nadal to ask for a time out in a minute and the game will still be going on when you wake up ;)
Andy, Judy, Jamie, Dopey, Stinky, Sleepy and Tim
Sounds like it was really good earlier.
come on Tim!
I think this is why 'come on tim!!' upsets andy. Tim Murray isn't playing
heheh
The commentator says, "I wonder what Murray can do now to win this"?
I guess the answer is, "break back serve?"
I've somehow lost my watch so I really have no concept of time when I wake up and it's dark. I went to the iPad and went "3.15? Noooo!" because that was the match I'd rather have seen :(
We need to feed British players more Hobnobs to stop them falling apart so easily
Am very happy Rafa ain't #1 in the world anymore though.
The key game is this one... Murray needs to win this one.
Andrew Castle is being awfully negative as if Andy has already lost.
Nadal is flipping good, though. How is anyone meant to beat him!
Oh of course :)
But it ain't over till it's over, look at Tsonga the other day. That federer chap isn't too bad either!
True enough. And commentators should no better. Fans are allowed to get depressed, commentators are there to cheer us up again :)
know better, sorry.
w00t!
lovely...
Important point there... And important game...
Mr C went a bit Bruce Forsyth: "Good game, good game."
Migt pick him back up and give him a bit more confidence again after breaking him
he he... Higher Higher... Lower... Lower...
I feel sorry for the lines judge people when they are overruled or Hawkeyed and the cameras pick them up. It's not like we are actually judging them, we don't need to see their face.
Oh dear :(
Looks tense!
This is trouble...
lucky!
I think that's probably it...
Oh dear. Too good!
Nadal is just a bit too good.
The one time I decide I want Murray to win, gah!
So it's your fault is it?? :D
2 set points...
Everything going Nadal's way...
it can't be, my tv isn't even on! I'm only following what's happening via you lots comments so it's your fault!
Noel looks so fatigued I think Rafa would beat him, even with a "broken foot"
That's just not on.
I've just got home so it's not me!! Maybe coming home will mark a turning point :D
Nole. I hate you stupid iPad.
uh oh....
he is just too good
No kidding!
Can someone break his other foot please?
stoopid andrew castle.
*mutes tv*
So is anyone watching this in 3D?
the crazy thing is how much running Murray made Nadal do on that first point and how much of it Nadal still made!
i refuse to watch any 3d until it looks as good as the shark in back to the future II.
:)
I am lemsipped up and going back to bed. Goooo Andy!
Duuuuuuuude that was your chance to break backkkkk
Poor andy :(
Is he out?
Rafa is saying "for sure"
Yes he lost but Nadal is just too good. I have no idea how anyone can match the likes of Nadal or Djokovic
It's a pity but it was inevitable. It's Wimbledon, it's the law
Gosh, what a depressing ending to that broadcast. Cheers for filling us with hope for british tennis, bbc!
I find the negativity so silly. They should be celebrating how far Andy got. Have they not seen how good Nadal was?!
#minirant