Day 2 also faced lots of top seed packing their bags back to home, which include Fernando Verdasco(8), considering James Blake(110) not as top seed but still he is very good player in history. Nicolas Almagro(19), Juan Carlos Ferrero(14). Some very competitive player lost in first round itself.
Round 2 begins in the first half, centre court will have Michael Llodra(46) v Andy Roddick(5). Liodra who won against Jesse Witten(170) in 4 set. Roddick had a cake walk against Rajeev Ram. Another match between Taylor Dent(96) v Novak Djokovic(3). Novak who struggled against Christophe Rochus in his first round.
Court 1, will have top seeded Roger Federer(2) v Llija Bozaljac(153). Federer was on the verge of loosing in the first round but escaped, will see how will he gonna take things in his second round match. Another match worth watching is Evgeny Korolev(77) v Lleyton Hewitt(26).
Court 2, will host Gael Monfils(20) v Karol Beck(86) and Tomas Berdych(12) v Benjamin Becker(48) will see a very good match.
In Court 12 we can see Nikolay Davydenko(7) taking on Daniel Brands(100). In Court 14 top seeded Jurgen Melzer(14) v Viktor Troicki(40). Court 17:Florian Mayer(59) v Mardy Fish(70).
Showing posts with label Roger Federer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roger Federer. Show all posts
Wimbledon 2010 Champions: Day 1 Round Up(Mens)
"NEVER BACK DOWN" this was the sentence which was going on Roger Federer(2) mind. Never expected Roger had to struggle so much in the first round, he was almost in losing to Alejandro Falla(65). Later in the final set he showed what six-time Wimbledon champion is made of. I thought this would be the biggest top seed upset but the way he pulled out the thing was just awesome by 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-0.
Federer was 199-28 with a record 16 titles in Grand Slam action and reached the final at 18 of the past 20 major tournaments, after win against Falla it made 200 win in Grandslam Federer will remember his entire life about this victory. Falla mentioned "Well I was thinking that i have a big opportunity to beat Federer here. Was a big chance. And I just doubted a little bit in that moment, in the first two points. And then he played good points."
Last year finalist Andy Roddick(5) didn't had any problem winning over Rajeev Ram 6-3 6-2 6-2. Court 1 also witnessed another good match against Kevin Anderson(94) v Nikolay Davydenko(7) which was also a 5 set where in Nikolay had to battle to pass over Anderson 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 7-5, 9-7.
After losing the first set Hewitt came back strong showed some confidence of defeating Federer in Halle. Maximo Gonzalez(188) lost to Lleyton Hewitt(26) score was 5-7 6-0 6-2 6-2. Gael Monfils(20) beat Leonardo Mayer(52) 6-1 7-6(9) 6-2.
Biggest upset was on court 12 and 8. Marin Cilic(12) was brought down by Florian Mayer(59) in straight set 6-2 6-4 7-6(1). Ivan Ljubicic(15) became the second big causality at Wimbledon Championship, was defeated by Michal Przysiezny(93) 7-5 7-6(5) 6-3.
Other match which was stressed out at the center court was match between Novak Djokovic(3) v Christophe Rochus(66), eventually he won 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, because he is a person with lots of ambition with almost 3hrs 51 mins. If the round 1 competition is more interesting, just imagine coming matches think it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Last year finalist Andy Roddick(5) didn't had any problem winning over Rajeev Ram 6-3 6-2 6-2. Court 1 also witnessed another good match against Kevin Anderson(94) v Nikolay Davydenko(7) which was also a 5 set where in Nikolay had to battle to pass over Anderson 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 7-5, 9-7.
After losing the first set Hewitt came back strong showed some confidence of defeating Federer in Halle. Maximo Gonzalez(188) lost to Lleyton Hewitt(26) score was 5-7 6-0 6-2 6-2. Gael Monfils(20) beat Leonardo Mayer(52) 6-1 7-6(9) 6-2.
Biggest upset was on court 12 and 8. Marin Cilic(12) was brought down by Florian Mayer(59) in straight set 6-2 6-4 7-6(1). Ivan Ljubicic(15) became the second big causality at Wimbledon Championship, was defeated by Michal Przysiezny(93) 7-5 7-6(5) 6-3.
Wimbledon 2010 Championship Preview
This is the 124th Wimbledon Championship will be held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom starting from 21st July 2010 till July 4th 2010.
Center Court match at 1.pm against Roger Federer(2) v Alejandro Falla(65). Not necessary to give much of info on Roger mentioning he is the 2009 champion that these. But like to info on the comment made on his Rank 2 position. That he doesn't have any extra pressure this year even thou he is the 2009 champion don't know what made him to say these. But he can regain his number 1 rank if he wins Wimbledon 2010.
Roger also added "I'm happy with the way I'm playing. It was unfortunate not coming through in Halle, but I think my level of play is fine. The loss in Halle doesn't worry me in any way. So, I'm excited about Wimbledon."
The other matches to watch out in center court are Novak Djokovic(3) v Christophe Rochus(66) . Laura Robson(234) v Jelena Jankovic(3).
Court 1 will have Kevin Anderson(94) v Nikolay Davydenko(7), Rajeev Ram(92) v Andy Roddick(5) , Rossana de los Ríos(91) v Venus Williams(2).
Court 2: Kim Clijsters(8) v Maria Elena Camerin(121), Maximo Gonzalez(188) v Lleyton Hewitt(26).
You can witness other BIG matches on Court 8: Ivan Ljubicic(15) v Michal Przysiezny(93). Court 5: Gael Monfils(20) v Leonardo Mayer(52) Court 12: Marin Cilic(12) v Florian Mayer(59), Tomas Berdych(13) v Andrey Golubev(79), and Justine Henin(16) v Anastasija Sevastova(57). Court 18: Julia Goerges(72) v Marion Bartoli(13).
Center Court match at 1.pm against Roger Federer(2) v Alejandro Falla(65). Not necessary to give much of info on Roger mentioning he is the 2009 champion that these. But like to info on the comment made on his Rank 2 position. That he doesn't have any extra pressure this year even thou he is the 2009 champion don't know what made him to say these. But he can regain his number 1 rank if he wins Wimbledon 2010.Roger also added "I'm happy with the way I'm playing. It was unfortunate not coming through in Halle, but I think my level of play is fine. The loss in Halle doesn't worry me in any way. So, I'm excited about Wimbledon."
The other matches to watch out in center court are Novak Djokovic(3) v Christophe Rochus(66) . Laura Robson(234) v Jelena Jankovic(3).
Court 1 will have Kevin Anderson(94) v Nikolay Davydenko(7), Rajeev Ram(92) v Andy Roddick(5) , Rossana de los Ríos(91) v Venus Williams(2).
Court 2: Kim Clijsters(8) v Maria Elena Camerin(121), Maximo Gonzalez(188) v Lleyton Hewitt(26).
You can witness other BIG matches on Court 8: Ivan Ljubicic(15) v Michal Przysiezny(93). Court 5: Gael Monfils(20) v Leonardo Mayer(52) Court 12: Marin Cilic(12) v Florian Mayer(59), Tomas Berdych(13) v Andrey Golubev(79), and Justine Henin(16) v Anastasija Sevastova(57). Court 18: Julia Goerges(72) v Marion Bartoli(13).
ATP Tour Finals 2009: Day 3 Report
First match was between my favo Fernando Verdasco, he suffered a last minute defeat at the hands of Juan Del Porto. It was first meeting against each other. They were neck-and-neck throughout most of the match, until Verdasco suffered an defeat during the final tie-break, with Del Potro winning the set by 7-1.
The game lasted 2 hour 20 min and had audience over edge of the seat. Verdasco started edgily in front of an expectant crowd of more than 15,000, and trailing 2-1 in the first set, the Spaniard mis-hit the simplest of forehands. His winners was 34 to 24 but his unforced error costed him dear 38-27 against Del Potro.
"Of course I was nervous, because I knew if I lost, I would probably be going home," Del Potro later admitted.
"The win was important for my confidence, and now I hope to play my best tennis against Roger," said Del Potro.
Fed Express came through 3-6 6-3 6-1 against Murray at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, a reminder of the gap Scotland's finest must bridge if he is to unseat the world No.1 next year. Murray's serve, which had been so dominant early on, faltered as Federer broke three times to wrap up the win.
Murray said: "I served terribly and that was the main difference in the match. "You can't serve at 40% against Roger because you give him so many opportunities to dictate play, but that's what I did.
Federer said: "I played a great match and him as well. I'm glad it lived up to the expectation. "Andy was playing well and I couldn't get a proper read on his first serve. "He's also one of the best returners in the game and when you're behind against the top guys it's not easy. "But it's a huge improvement and gives me confidence."
The game lasted 2 hour 20 min and had audience over edge of the seat. Verdasco started edgily in front of an expectant crowd of more than 15,000, and trailing 2-1 in the first set, the Spaniard mis-hit the simplest of forehands. His winners was 34 to 24 but his unforced error costed him dear 38-27 against Del Potro.
"Of course I was nervous, because I knew if I lost, I would probably be going home," Del Potro later admitted.
"The win was important for my confidence, and now I hope to play my best tennis against Roger," said Del Potro.
Fed Express came through 3-6 6-3 6-1 against Murray at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, a reminder of the gap Scotland's finest must bridge if he is to unseat the world No.1 next year. Murray's serve, which had been so dominant early on, faltered as Federer broke three times to wrap up the win.
Murray said: "I served terribly and that was the main difference in the match. "You can't serve at 40% against Roger because you give him so many opportunities to dictate play, but that's what I did.
Federer said: "I played a great match and him as well. I'm glad it lived up to the expectation. "Andy was playing well and I couldn't get a proper read on his first serve. "He's also one of the best returners in the game and when you're behind against the top guys it's not easy. "But it's a huge improvement and gives me confidence."
ATP Tour Finals 2009: Day 1 Report
British number one Andy Murray wins end of year event against US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. He doesn't feel under pressure to deliver a home triumph in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Murray has won six ATP titles in a year, still haven’t won any GrandSlam. Who has compiled a 65-10 match record, is looking for his second title on home soil after ending a 71-year wait for a homegrown winner at the AEGON Championships in June.
Murray was able to transition well from defence to attack and took his opportunities to carve out an early 5-0 lead in the first set.
"When I got close to winning at the end of the match, the atmosphere was excellent," said Murray of the capacity crowd on centre court at The O2. "That's going a make a big difference going into the next couple of matches."
“Against Andy, always the match is very tough,” explained del Potro. “We play three sets in every tournament, every match. Today was a little strange, but he played great tennis in the third set.
Four-time Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champion Roger Federer survived a scare on Sunday evening against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco before prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the second Group A match at The O2 arena in London.
He had arrived in London on the back of successive defeats in the final of the Basle Open, his home event, by Novak Djokovic, and then in his opening match of the Paris Masters, defeated by Julien Benneteau of France.
Verdasco, like his compatriot Rafael Nadal a left-hander, has had an excellent year, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and qualifying for this elite eight-man field for the first time.
Verdasco will take on Del Potro with both men knowing a win is vital if they are to maintain a realistic challenge.
Murray has won six ATP titles in a year, still haven’t won any GrandSlam. Who has compiled a 65-10 match record, is looking for his second title on home soil after ending a 71-year wait for a homegrown winner at the AEGON Championships in June.
Murray was able to transition well from defence to attack and took his opportunities to carve out an early 5-0 lead in the first set.
"When I got close to winning at the end of the match, the atmosphere was excellent," said Murray of the capacity crowd on centre court at The O2. "That's going a make a big difference going into the next couple of matches."
“Against Andy, always the match is very tough,” explained del Potro. “We play three sets in every tournament, every match. Today was a little strange, but he played great tennis in the third set.
Four-time Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champion Roger Federer survived a scare on Sunday evening against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco before prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the second Group A match at The O2 arena in London.
He had arrived in London on the back of successive defeats in the final of the Basle Open, his home event, by Novak Djokovic, and then in his opening match of the Paris Masters, defeated by Julien Benneteau of France.
Verdasco, like his compatriot Rafael Nadal a left-hander, has had an excellent year, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and qualifying for this elite eight-man field for the first time.
Verdasco will take on Del Potro with both men knowing a win is vital if they are to maintain a realistic challenge.
Roger & Mirka - Twin Girls Pictures
They are so adorable...... Thanks Roger:) Warm Wishes to You & Your Family..As said in Facebook by Roger "As promised, here is a family picture that my dad took. He thinks he's becoming a professional photographer. It was very funny as both girls had the hiccups while we were trying to take a decent picture. The girls and mom are doing great. Thanks for all your warm wishes".
Pete Sampras says “he could have beaten Roger Federer”
The 14-time Grand Slam champion says Federer doesn't see true serve-and-volley players and he doesn't think anyone could beat him on grass in his prime.
"I think one thing Roger doesn't see on grass is a true serve-and-volleyer, someone that's willing to come in and put pressure on him, make him pass, return," Sampras said during a recent conference call. "With these big serves, I don't think anyone really scares him. I think my game would make Roger a little more uncomfortable. I would come in on both serves, put pressure on his backhand, and go from there.
"Do I think I could have beaten Roger in my prime? Sure. I don't think anyone could beat me in my prime on grass. I felt unbeatable in the mid-'90s. But he'd be a tough guy to break, especially when he's hitting 50 aces like he did at Wimbledon. It would have been a great matchup."
Roger & Mirka Blessed With Twin Girls
Roger Federer has become a father after his wife Mirka gave birth to twin girls on Thursday.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Federer said: "I have some exciting news to share with you. Late last night, in Switzerland, Mirka and I became proud parents of twin girls".
"We named them Myla Rose and Charlene Riva and they are both healthy and along with their mother they are doing great.
"This is the best day of our lives."
Basel (home town) Honours Roger Federer (Ehrespalebaerglemer)
World No. 1 Roger Federer has been named 'Ehrespalebaerglemer', an award given to outstanding citizens of Basel. A small crowd of 200-300 fans, friends & family members attended the ceremony on 17/07/2009. The plaque sits alongside those honouring other local heroes in the historic city centre of Basel.
“It's a nice honour for me to receive the plaque and I will walk past it, I am sure, just a few more times,” said Federer. “It's going to be a proud moment, maybe also to show my kids in the future.”
Federer made history as he won a record breaking 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, an epic victory over Andy Roddick.
Fighting back: Rafael Nadal Aiming to Return
Rafael Nadal, who started training on monday in Majorca, after being sidelines with tendinitis in both his knees for nearly two months.
Rafael Nadal told media in Majorca "Even if I return at 100 per cent, you have to be realistic, the rest of the season is going to be difficult because after stopping for one month, almost two, you lose the rhythm of the competition."
He lost his French Open and Wimbledon titles, as well as his world No 1 spot also added "I have still one advantage over Roger Federer in that I am only 23 years old."
Nadal says he might play at the Montreal Masters, where he is the defending champion, which gets underway on Aug 8.
Rafael Nadal told media in Majorca "Even if I return at 100 per cent, you have to be realistic, the rest of the season is going to be difficult because after stopping for one month, almost two, you lose the rhythm of the competition."
He lost his French Open and Wimbledon titles, as well as his world No 1 spot also added "I have still one advantage over Roger Federer in that I am only 23 years old."
Nadal says he might play at the Montreal Masters, where he is the defending champion, which gets underway on Aug 8.
Wimbledon 2009: Roger Federer – What Legends Say?
Roger Federer won his 15th grand slam by defeating Andy Roddick in the Men's Singles final at Wimbledon, reaction from the sporting world of Legends.
Rod Laver: "Roger's got too many shots, too much talent in one body. It's hardly fair that one person can do all this - his backhands, his forehands, volleys, serving, his court position... the way he moves around the court, you feel like he's barely touching the ground, and that's the sign of a great champion."
Pete Sampras: "I'm a fan of how he plays, what he's about... he's a class guy on and off the court. He's fun to watch. Just his athletic ability, what he's able to do on the run. I think he can and will break every tennis record out there."
Bjorn Borg: "He simply does not have any more weaknesses left in him. It is such a pleasure to see him play. To me, Roger Federer is the right model for anyone aspiring to be a tennis player. It is such a pleasure to just watch him play. His shot-making has got better and I doubt there is any shot he cannot make in any part of the court."
Jimmy Connors: "In the modern game, you're a clay-court specialist, a grass-court specialist or a hard-court specialist... or you're Roger Federer."
John McEnroe: "He's the most gifted player that I've ever seen in my life. I've seen a lot of people play. I've seen the Rod Lavers, I played against some of the great players - the Sampras, Becker, Connors, Borg, you name it. This guy could be the greatest of all time. That, to me, says it all."
Mats Wilander: "I'd like to be in his shoes for one day to know what it feels like to play that way."
Tim Henman: "I don't think there's anyone that hits the ball like that. Sure, if you take Roddick's serve and Andre Agassi's returns and my volleys and Lleyton Hewitt's speed and tenacity, then you've probably got a good chance against Federer."
Tiger Woods: "What he's done in tennis, I think, is far greater than what I've done in golf."
Tracy Austin: "I've never enjoyed watching someone playing tennis as much as Federer. I'm just in awesome. Pete Sampras was wonderful but he relied so much on his serve, whereas Roger has it all, he's just so graceful, elegant and fluid - a symphony in tennis whites. Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal."
Serena Williams: "Roger is obviously a pinnacle athlete across all sports and he just does a great job. He's so graceful out there. I love watching him play. I learn so much from him."
Andy Roddick: "It's almost impossible. That's one of the most impressive stats that we'll see in tennis." (Federer's 21 consecutive grand slam semi-finals).
Wimbledon 2009:Finals(Men's)
Roger Federer has been crowned Wimbledon champion for the sixth time after an epic victory over Andy Roddick on Sunday. The day when Andy Roddick’s serve was broken just the once, in the 77th game of a 77-game Wimbledon men’s final. That one break of Roddick’s was all that Roger Federer needed to take the fifth set 16-14, to become the first man to win 15 grand slams, and to regain the world No 1 ranking.
Federer’s 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 victory meant that, the greatest number of games ever played in a men's final. After his victory in a five-set battle that lasted four hours and 16 minutes, the debate was reignited over whether the 27-year old is now beyond doubt the best tennis player of all time.
The All England Club will lament having witnessed a men's singles final so commendable that the fans wound up chanting the name of the man who did not win: "Roddick! Roddick! Roddick!" they roared.
When Roddick came out to serve at 14-15, it was the 11th time that he had got up off his chair to serve to stay in the match. Roddick had won his previous 37 service games. A forehand error from Roddick’s racket brought up match point for Federer. Another forehand mistake from Roddick, and the match was over.
Federer’s reaction to victory was to leap into the air. Roddick’s reaction, after an embrace with Federer at the net, was to fling his racket on to the grass, and to then sit down on his changeover chair, and to put his head in his hands as he waited for the prize-giving ceremony.
"Roddick, I think, is going to be so difficult to beat again," Federer said, proving he's outrageously talented and occasionally prescient.
"Sorry, Pete," Roddick would say moments later toward Pete Sampras in the front row of the Royal Box. "I tried to hold him off.". "I lost," Roddick summarized inaccurately.The first question to a brooding Roddick went: "Did you just lose to the world's greatest tennis player ever?" Roddick, in a word: "Yes."
"You know, he was having trouble picking up my serve today for the first time ever," Roddick said. "He just stayed the course. You know, you didn't even get a sense that he was even really frustrated by it.
Longest game
Set14-16 Roger Federer v Andy Roddick, 2009
13-11 Jaroslav Drobny v Ken Rosewall, 1954; Ashley Cooper v Neale Fraser, 1958
Most games
77 Roger Federer v Andy Roddick, 2009
62 Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, 2008
Time
4hrs 48mins Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal 2008
4hrs 16mins Roger Federer v Andy Roddick, 2009; Jimmy Connors v John McEnroe 1982
The longest ever Wimbledon match...
Pancho Gonzales’s first-round encounter with Charlie Pasarell in 1969 was so long it prompted the introduction of the tie-break. After 5hrs 12mins and 112 games, Gonzales won 22-24, 1-6, 16-14, 6-3, 11-9.
Wimbledon 2009: Daily preview (Day 9) Men’s
Last year Roddick suffered his earliest exit at Wimbledon when he was beaten in the second round by Janko Tipsarevic. This year he will play British favorite Andy Murray for a place in the final. The sixth seed booked his fifth Wimbledon semi-final with a 6-3, 6-7 (12-10), 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Hewitt that took two hours and 55 minutes.
Roddick served 43 aces in the match, with a top speed of 140mph. Not only did he serve aces, he served them when they mattered. It had been an ominous start from the American who won his first service game to love, including a 139mph ace, then promptly broke Hewitt’s serve.
Tommy Haas, the oldest man in the draw, brushed aside Novak Djokovic, the No.4 seed and the youngest man left in the tournament 7-5, 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-3 in the quarter finals. He is 31 and has learned the value of fitness, training and preparation.
The German took a distinctly old-fashioned approach to playing on grass – he kept attacking the net. That was when he was not staying back and using his stunning backhand to unpick the Serb’s defenses. Djokovic was playing in the modern way – thumping ground strokes and explosive power.
Roger Federer is in such confident form at the 2009 Championships that even gun does not faze him. Wimbledon's five-time champion cruised into the semi-finals with a 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) victory in an hour and 43 minutes. It was Federer who proved supreme when it came to serving. Never faced a break point and was only once threatened by having his delivery taken to deuce.
Karlovic, came into this quarter-final contest having served 137 aces in his first four matches. He had also won all of his 79 service games and faced only four break points. These statistics in only the fourth game of the opening set, breaking the unbreakable serve by tackling the Karlovic power head on.
Andy Murray as the number three seed beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 on Centre Court. The authoritative victory over the former world number one puts Murray through to his first Wimbledon semi-final. Murray was winning his serve with ease, and Ferrero had to work much harder to hold on to his serve.
Last month at Queen’s where Murray wrapped up a simple straight sets victory. True, the Spaniard had a couple of jitters at the outset, and he pushed a half-volley long to give Murray an early chance to break. But nonetheless the Spaniard was playing a canny game.
Wimbledon 2009: Daily preview (Day 7) Men’s
The first match to be played in its entirely under a closed roof at Wimbledon turned out to be a classic as well as a marathon as Andy Murray staged a dramatic recovery to defeat Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets, 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3, and gain a place in the quarter-finals for the second successive year.
The 3rd seed, under relentless pressure to become the first British player to win the Wimbledon men's crown for 73 years, had been in serious trouble early on against Wawrinka. These two men are good friends and regular practice partners, but there was nothing friendly about the fashion in which Wawrinka went after Murray in that opening set, serving brilliantly and hammering ground strokes which reduced Murray to frustration.
Roger Federer trod a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) reassuringly familiar pathway (rematch of this month’s French Open final) into the quarter-finals when he defeated Sweden's Robin Soderling in their Centre Court. It was Roger’s 11th successive victory over Soderling.
Even though the result was never really in doubt, it always felt like a close match, with Soderling riding high on a potent serve, which was broken only once. Unfortunately, he never captured the Federer delivery.
Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion, struggled through the first two sets against Radek Stepanek, he came back reinvigorated after a medical timeout, and even a break for rain could not stop him. Hewitt emerged victorious 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 after two hours 54 minutes and his first Grand Slam quarter-final in three years.
Stepanek had injury problems of his own, had endured two draining five-setters in his second and third round matches. Yet it was Stepanek who started the match full of energy. Hewitt showed typical spirit in saving four set points but a fifth proved too much.
Roddick won 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 48 minutes and is now one victory short of his third Wimbledon semi-final. Roddick turned Berdych’s form upside down in his win. Roddick blew all that away with a strong and accurate hitting performance that justifies his optimism before Wimbledon started.
Berdych had come into the last 16 without dropping a set, something he had not achieved in a Grand Slam since 2007. This showed that he was finding his feet again on grass and he might even have fancied his chances of making the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic moved comfortably into the quarter-finals with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win over unseeded Israeli Dudi Sela. He is creeping through the draw without fanfare, produced a solid display, firing off 11 aces and 30 winners.
Sela was clearly enjoying the moment in what has been the best year of his career. He also reached the third round, as a qualifier, at this year’s Australian Open.
It was the giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic, pattern of aces(he served up 35 aces today) and very few rallies - in which the tiebreaks became all-important and he prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-6), 6-4, 7-6 (11-9) in three hours and one minute against crowd darling Fernando Verdasco. This tie was also destined to be a close-fought battle of very few chances.
The crowd simply rejoiced when either player grabbed a return point, to break up the love service games that were becoming so common. Both players then had opportunities to win the tiebreak.
Juan Carlos Ferrero became the first wild card since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to make the quarter-finals at Wimbledon after clinically dispatching eighth seed Gilles Simon 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2. The Spaniard played solid tennis throughout the contest and stood firm.
Simon, meanwhile, had been on a terrible run coming into the tournament, barely able to string two wins together over the past few months, but he put this behind him to make a run to the fourth round here, dropping only one set on the way.
Tommy Haas needed just three sets to get past Igor Andreev 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, 6-4 and into the quarter-finals. It had started off as a tense, tightly fought match. But using his greater experience, Haas managed to break away by taking the critical points in this their first meeting on grass.
This was a match of big-hitters, with both players regularly sending down serves in excess of 120mph. Both had survived five-setters in previous rounds but any chance of that happening disappeared as Haas grew in confidence and Andreev faded as the match went on.
The 3rd seed, under relentless pressure to become the first British player to win the Wimbledon men's crown for 73 years, had been in serious trouble early on against Wawrinka. These two men are good friends and regular practice partners, but there was nothing friendly about the fashion in which Wawrinka went after Murray in that opening set, serving brilliantly and hammering ground strokes which reduced Murray to frustration.
Roger Federer trod a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) reassuringly familiar pathway (rematch of this month’s French Open final) into the quarter-finals when he defeated Sweden's Robin Soderling in their Centre Court. It was Roger’s 11th successive victory over Soderling.
Even though the result was never really in doubt, it always felt like a close match, with Soderling riding high on a potent serve, which was broken only once. Unfortunately, he never captured the Federer delivery.Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion, struggled through the first two sets against Radek Stepanek, he came back reinvigorated after a medical timeout, and even a break for rain could not stop him. Hewitt emerged victorious 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 after two hours 54 minutes and his first Grand Slam quarter-final in three years.
Stepanek had injury problems of his own, had endured two draining five-setters in his second and third round matches. Yet it was Stepanek who started the match full of energy. Hewitt showed typical spirit in saving four set points but a fifth proved too much.
Roddick won 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 48 minutes and is now one victory short of his third Wimbledon semi-final. Roddick turned Berdych’s form upside down in his win. Roddick blew all that away with a strong and accurate hitting performance that justifies his optimism before Wimbledon started.
Berdych had come into the last 16 without dropping a set, something he had not achieved in a Grand Slam since 2007. This showed that he was finding his feet again on grass and he might even have fancied his chances of making the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic moved comfortably into the quarter-finals with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win over unseeded Israeli Dudi Sela. He is creeping through the draw without fanfare, produced a solid display, firing off 11 aces and 30 winners.
Sela was clearly enjoying the moment in what has been the best year of his career. He also reached the third round, as a qualifier, at this year’s Australian Open.
It was the giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic, pattern of aces(he served up 35 aces today) and very few rallies - in which the tiebreaks became all-important and he prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-6), 6-4, 7-6 (11-9) in three hours and one minute against crowd darling Fernando Verdasco. This tie was also destined to be a close-fought battle of very few chances.
The crowd simply rejoiced when either player grabbed a return point, to break up the love service games that were becoming so common. Both players then had opportunities to win the tiebreak.
Juan Carlos Ferrero became the first wild card since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to make the quarter-finals at Wimbledon after clinically dispatching eighth seed Gilles Simon 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2. The Spaniard played solid tennis throughout the contest and stood firm.
Simon, meanwhile, had been on a terrible run coming into the tournament, barely able to string two wins together over the past few months, but he put this behind him to make a run to the fourth round here, dropping only one set on the way.
Tommy Haas needed just three sets to get past Igor Andreev 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, 6-4 and into the quarter-finals. It had started off as a tense, tightly fought match. But using his greater experience, Haas managed to break away by taking the critical points in this their first meeting on grass.
This was a match of big-hitters, with both players regularly sending down serves in excess of 120mph. Both had survived five-setters in previous rounds but any chance of that happening disappeared as Haas grew in confidence and Andreev faded as the match went on.
Wimbledon 2009: Daily preview (Day 5) Men’s
The golden rules of sport kept Roger Federer on Centre Court for rather longer than he would have liked today. The Swiss slipped into experimental mood rather than applying the killer touch and paid for it when he dropped his first set of the tournament before bouncing back to win 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1.
For 28th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, that fateful day came in the third round here at Wimbledon. “When the draw came it I thought it was probably the worst one I could have got,” he said with a philosophical shrug after his 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-1 defeat to the de facto top seed in the absence of Rafael Nadal. “You look to see when you’ve got Federer and then think ‘well that’s the end of the line’.”
A four-hour marathon on No.1 Court was suspended in the gathering darkness at 9.33pm with Marin Cilic and Tommy Haas standing level at 5-7, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) and the final set on a knife-edge at 6-6. By the time they were forced to give in to the failing light.
Novak Djokovic, the fourth seed and probably the greatest threat to Roger Federer's peace of mind in the lower half of the men's singles draw, marched into the last 16 with a solid and competent 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory in one hour 58 minutes over Mardy Fish of the US.
Ivo Karlovic served his way to victory with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over the eighth seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France on No.1 Court. It was a fine win for the 22nd seed at the age of 30 because he had been beaten in the first round for each of the past four years here and despite having a game suited for grass.
Facing such a big server, Tsonga knew what was coming even though he had not played Karlovic previously. But the Frenchman is no slouch himself when it comes to serve and volley, which is why he was able to sustain his challenge for so long.
Fernando Verdasco came from a set behind to dispose of Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory played in glorious conditions on No.2 Court this afternoon . Verdasco wasn’t playing badly in the first set but that Montanes simply slapped the life out of the ball and hit the lines with incredible accuracy, giving the illusion that his top 10 opponent was a tad slow around the court.
Soderling beat Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 6-4 in just under two hours on Court 3 to set-up a replay of the French Open final against Roger Federer in the fourth round. Soderling was so consistent on his serve that Almagro did not get a break point opportunity all match. Yet it was hard work for him to manufacture break points of his own.
For 28th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, that fateful day came in the third round here at Wimbledon. “When the draw came it I thought it was probably the worst one I could have got,” he said with a philosophical shrug after his 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-1 defeat to the de facto top seed in the absence of Rafael Nadal. “You look to see when you’ve got Federer and then think ‘well that’s the end of the line’.”
A four-hour marathon on No.1 Court was suspended in the gathering darkness at 9.33pm with Marin Cilic and Tommy Haas standing level at 5-7, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) and the final set on a knife-edge at 6-6. By the time they were forced to give in to the failing light.
Novak Djokovic, the fourth seed and probably the greatest threat to Roger Federer's peace of mind in the lower half of the men's singles draw, marched into the last 16 with a solid and competent 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory in one hour 58 minutes over Mardy Fish of the US.
Ivo Karlovic served his way to victory with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over the eighth seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France on No.1 Court. It was a fine win for the 22nd seed at the age of 30 because he had been beaten in the first round for each of the past four years here and despite having a game suited for grass.
Facing such a big server, Tsonga knew what was coming even though he had not played Karlovic previously. But the Frenchman is no slouch himself when it comes to serve and volley, which is why he was able to sustain his challenge for so long.
Fernando Verdasco came from a set behind to dispose of Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory played in glorious conditions on No.2 Court this afternoon . Verdasco wasn’t playing badly in the first set but that Montanes simply slapped the life out of the ball and hit the lines with incredible accuracy, giving the illusion that his top 10 opponent was a tad slow around the court.
Soderling beat Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 6-4 in just under two hours on Court 3 to set-up a replay of the French Open final against Roger Federer in the fourth round. Soderling was so consistent on his serve that Almagro did not get a break point opportunity all match. Yet it was hard work for him to manufacture break points of his own.
Wimbledon 2009: Daily preview (Day 3) Men’s
Roger Federer's Wimbledon stroll continues. Having conceded a mere seven games in the first round, the second seed and five-time champion permitted Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain just eight games as he forced his way into the last 32 of the men's singles.
His display in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win in the Centre Court sunshine was another master class of tennis. It is already becoming very clear that the Swiss will take some stopping at the 2009 Championships.
Federer was impregnable on serve, dropping just five points in a 27-minute first set - one of which was that eye-opening rarity, a double fault from the Swiss - and he faced only two break points in the entire match.
There cannot have been many observers on No.1 Court expecting much of Simon Greul in his second-round match against fourth seed Novak Djokovic, entertaining attacking play, before Djokovic emerged the 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 winner.
Loose shots from Djokovic, along with a double fault, handed a break to the German in the first game. Greul was developing a taste for grasscourt play, fooling his opponent with an approach to the net and a great dropshot on the half-volley. But when he tried another dropshot from the baseline, it tipped back on the wrong side of the net to give Djokovic break point.
The battle of the big hitters between California and Croatia went the way of Europe in the late evening on Centre Court when Marin Cilic outlasted Sam Querrey in a five-set marathon 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 in three hours 24 minutes.
For much of this gripping encounter, it was Querrey's ability to produce an ace - he hit 24 of them. The 11th-seeded Cilic needed a touch of good fortune, and found it when he broke the Querrey serve with an outrageously lucky net cord that fell dead into the American's side of the court.
There was more good news for Croatia as the 6ft 10in Ivo Karlovic defeated Belgium's Steve Darcis 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to join Cilic in the third round.
Fernando Verdasco of Spain was forced to fight for nearly three hours before overcoming Kristof Vliegen of Belgium in a battle of the big servers on Court 3. Verdasco, the seventh seed, eventually won 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, the score reflecting the dominance of both players’ serving on a warm day when the conditions complimented power play.
Both players maintained the intensity of their serving through to the fourth set when Vliegen was the victim of the only service break. With Verdasco ahead 5-4, and on the match point, the Belgian gifted him the match with a forehand error off the service return.
Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling was pushed all the way in his 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 7-5 victory over Marcel Granollers. Throughout the two hour 46 minute contest.Granollers had begun the season by reaching the semi-finals at Chennai and peaking at No.44 in the world but was then unable to string together two wins in a row. Soderling was on a similar run, even dropping down to the Challenger circuit when he lost in the first round at Indian Wells.
His display in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win in the Centre Court sunshine was another master class of tennis. It is already becoming very clear that the Swiss will take some stopping at the 2009 Championships.
Federer was impregnable on serve, dropping just five points in a 27-minute first set - one of which was that eye-opening rarity, a double fault from the Swiss - and he faced only two break points in the entire match.There cannot have been many observers on No.1 Court expecting much of Simon Greul in his second-round match against fourth seed Novak Djokovic, entertaining attacking play, before Djokovic emerged the 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 winner.
Loose shots from Djokovic, along with a double fault, handed a break to the German in the first game. Greul was developing a taste for grasscourt play, fooling his opponent with an approach to the net and a great dropshot on the half-volley. But when he tried another dropshot from the baseline, it tipped back on the wrong side of the net to give Djokovic break point.
The battle of the big hitters between California and Croatia went the way of Europe in the late evening on Centre Court when Marin Cilic outlasted Sam Querrey in a five-set marathon 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 in three hours 24 minutes.
For much of this gripping encounter, it was Querrey's ability to produce an ace - he hit 24 of them. The 11th-seeded Cilic needed a touch of good fortune, and found it when he broke the Querrey serve with an outrageously lucky net cord that fell dead into the American's side of the court.
There was more good news for Croatia as the 6ft 10in Ivo Karlovic defeated Belgium's Steve Darcis 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to join Cilic in the third round.
Fernando Verdasco of Spain was forced to fight for nearly three hours before overcoming Kristof Vliegen of Belgium in a battle of the big servers on Court 3. Verdasco, the seventh seed, eventually won 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, the score reflecting the dominance of both players’ serving on a warm day when the conditions complimented power play.
Both players maintained the intensity of their serving through to the fourth set when Vliegen was the victim of the only service break. With Verdasco ahead 5-4, and on the match point, the Belgian gifted him the match with a forehand error off the service return.
Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling was pushed all the way in his 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 7-5 victory over Marcel Granollers. Throughout the two hour 46 minute contest.Granollers had begun the season by reaching the semi-finals at Chennai and peaking at No.44 in the world but was then unable to string together two wins in a row. Soderling was on a similar run, even dropping down to the Challenger circuit when he lost in the first round at Indian Wells.
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