Anything you can do I can do better... eh Justine?

Rejoice! After what seems like forever the WTA is receiving a much needed shot in the arm – and it smells like waffles.

Just weeks after Kim Clijsters truly sensational comeback Us Open victory then her great rival and arguably the greatest player of her generation Justine Henin announces that she too wants to get it on the action.

Clearly Henin saw Clijsters brilliant victory in New York and in particular the relative ease with which she dispatched nemesi Serena and Venus en route and fancies herself to do as well.
Who could blame either of them?

Yes the Williams are still the most talented, brutal and dominant players of the last decade, and when Sharapova and the better flock of the Russians get back to winning ways such repeats of Kims storm to the title will be tough. But there’s no guarantee that either the Venus and Serena or the Russians will ever regain their dominance, and the Wozniak(i)’s, Radwasnka’s and Bondarenko’s (not to mention a certain Oudini) still have some maturing to do.

Thus, the path is open for the Belgians to reinstate their own invasion on the top spots.

Of these, Henin is the better player, at least the more accomplished and with a far superior head to head record against Kim you would fancy Justine to fulfil her wishes with more slams.

But Clijsters US Open win will only further her own improving mental strength (undoubtedly her frailty when the Belgians reigned), she will be a much tougher cookie (or waffle) if the two meet again in a latter stage.

Thank you womenstennisblog.com for the pic

Quick US Open Review – Fumes and Fairytales

A refreshingly short post this time – it is impossible for me to lay down some trademark waffle about this years’ US Open as I haven’t been able to watch one full match live.

What with a dour schedule on Europsort when the tournament reaches the final rounds coupled with my evening shifts returning I have been sorely deprived of any action.

But what a tournament it has been this year.

True to form, the players I tipped to go far largely struggled; Safina, Venus, Sharapova and especially my ‘dark horse’ Elena Dementieva – arguably the form player of the women’s event going in. Andy’s Roddick and Murray were disappointing whilst my Djokovic bating was answered by the Serb’s excellent run to the semi finals, beaten narrowly by Federer and his hotdog masterclasses.

The story of the tournament? Well despite Melanie Oudin’s super run to the quarter finals defeating four top Russian’s en route, and even Juan Martin Del Potro’s maiden Slam, this was Kim’s tournament.

Just four weeks into her shock comeback, the endearing Belgian showed us all just why her retirement over two years ago was such a loss to the game. Her fearless yet attractive game plan is a joy to behold and her bubbly, honest and fair persona both on and off the court is such a breath of fresh air amidst the sadly stoic and robotic nature of the current top crop of the WTA.

Sure, it was a diminished field after some shock exits early on, but Clijsters victims this last fortnight still included the tricky Marion Bartoli, dangerous Li Na and both Williams siblings. The win over Venus typified the tournament – a bagel apiece as the momentum shifted violenetly between the two great rivals before a sense of belief mixed with a greater freedom allowed the Belgian to triumph. Venus is still mentally blurred and hardly super confident after that Wimbledon loss, never helped by the partisan crowd and the emotional cauldron of the show courts at Flushing Meadows.

But the pressure was on Kim just as much and she persevered. The semi final with Serena was a similar scenario yet the pressure, rewards and of course emotions were magnified. Serena’s outburst is an ugly stain on her (recent) spotless record. Since the wilderness years, Serena’s comeback has been both impressive in it’s quality and most of all mature professionalism. The manner of her loss last week will not be forgotten in a hurry.

No-one really expected Roger Federer to fail in his bid for a 16th Grand Slam and a sixth straight US Open title, and why should they? With Murray out early, it was the (so far) rusty Nadal, indifferent Djokovic and arguably ‘still developing’ talent of Del Potro standing in the world number one’s way come the business end of the fortnight.

The warning signs must have been clear after the young Argentine’s swift dispatch of Nadal in the semi-finals. Maybe it was merely proff that once the Spaniard met some top 5 pedigree his steady progress would be halted and his incomplete playing levels exposed. However it would take a fearless approach to sweep aside Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 as Del Potro did such is the on court presence of the former number one in the world.

Federer grabbed the headlines with his penultimate winner against Djokovic but Del Potro had a steely determination that defied his years.

Was Roger too relaxed? Did he perhaps not give enough credit to his opponent whom he had comfortably beaten in recent meetings? Was it too easy even for someone as wise and intelligent as the Swiss master to assume that – with this being Del Potro’s first Major final, at some point his opponent would crack or at least tense up allowing Fed to break through.

Who knows, but after a thrilling five set encounter it was Federer who had succumbed to the truly awesome Del Potro forehand.

Vibrant, fearless and fizzing with pulsating youth Del Potro’s performance reminded me of Federer’s first Grand Slam defeat at the hands of Nadal in Roland Garros accompanied by whispers of a new era at the top of the men’s game.

Thanks to BBC and Getty for the original pics

US Open Series review/US Open predictions

Roger Federer – Becoming a father hasn’t affected the master’s play since Wimbledon. A few hiccups on the way to that Cincinnati win merely reflect the lack of complete dominance by any of the world’s top men at the moment. It is this that will help Federer; with the exception of Murray none of the top players are playing anything near to their consistent best. It is times like this when Roger should rack up those Grand Slam titles.

Andy Murray – By far the main threat to Federer at the US Open. His win in Montreal and his regular appearances in the latter stages of the other tournaments suggest he is full of confidence. Such self belief will only be boosted further by Murray’s recent elevation to the number two spot. Whilst his bullish claims of reaching number one very soon are still unrealistic – a fair shot at the US Open is very reachable.

Novak Djokovic – He said it himself: “I was born in the wrong era”. Whilst the Serb may have been half joking after losing to Roger Federer in the final in Cincinnati his words are beginning to look worryingly ominous. Perhaps not so much at the moment with Nadal still getting back to speed, but certainly this year Djokovic has done nothing to trouble the top three this season. If anything the still rather erratic Del Potro has shown greater reason to be ranked at 4 in the world.

Rafael Nadal – Right now we are witnessing the kind of scenario that will make or break Nadal’s career and will determine his future as a possible Federer-beater. The strain the Spaniard’s game places on his body and his knees of course in particular has been clear enough by his absence and inability to defend his Slams. But the slow and steady progress Nadal is making to be back at his very best further points that this isn’t a little niggle of an injury. It will take months to properly heal and such a recovery time will only get longer as Nadal ages. I predict poor Rafa will go backwards again before returning to the summit.

Juan Martin Del Potro – Consistent since Wimbledon brilliantly taking the title in Washington and only narrowly losing to Murray in Montreal. Del Potro is still very young and his game can still (excitingly) grow and evolve. Along with Murray, he must be confident of reaching at least the final in Flushing Meadows.

Andy Roddick – Since Wimbledon Roddick has been solid enough only coming unstuck against Del Potro twice in the Washington final and the semi’s at Montreal. The home support at the US will always be a factor but a repeat of his Wimbledon heroics suddenly doesn’t seem as sure-fire as they did a month ago.

Sam Querrey and Robby Ginepri – have also been playing well in the Series with a title each. Ginepri is still frustratingly prone to confidence and concentration dips whilst Querrey’s early strong form in the last month is beginning to peter out. Should both deliver and go far in New York.

Dinara Safina – Apart from a low key title in Potoroz it has been a quiet US Open Series for the World Number One. A disappointing loss to a Jelena Jankovic still finding her form in the Los Angeles final, having beaten comeback princess Clijsters proving the only highlight. Deserves a Slam title during such a period of dominance in the past year but will need to approach the big matches differently to do so.

Venus Williams – As with Safina, it seems that defeat in a tour final has shattered the confidence in Venus. Marion Bartoli is a tricky customer and this year has been very Jeckyll and Hyde. Venus probably expected to wipe the floor with the Frenchwoman. Since that loss in Stanford it has been horror show stuff for Williams Snr. Needs the US Open title more than anyone.

Serena Williams – An unremarkable lead up to the Open for Serena, never really hitting the heights of her game and apart from Dementieva her victors have been players she should be beating.

Elena Dementieva – Until the win in Toronto it had been a case of the nearly woman that has defined Dementieva’s career. Always up there with a shot but never delivering that killer blow. Well, she looks better and better as she matures and I fancy Elena as an outside bet for the Open.

Svetlana Kuznetsova – Not a happy bunny, the 2004 Us Open champion is having a torrid US Open series. Never really convincing against Clijsters in Cincinnati and a loss to SeedKiller Stosur in the opening round in Toronto. A generous draw at the Us Open may allow the Russian to play herself into form and confidence but it will be tough.

Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova – are two comeback players hitting their stride. Clijsters has of course been away for longer and as such is still adjusting to the new level of the WTA tour which has changed so much in her short two year absence. Like Hingis though, Kim will find her range and be back to title contention. Maria has been playing some brutal tennis and if she can withstand a fortnight of Slam level play then she will go far. The title itself is still too big a task for the grittiest competitor.

Wimbledon 2009 Finals: A tale of dermination, belief and history being made

The 2009 Wimbledon Championships were blessed with two finals which despite being very different – offered a fitting degree of emotion, awe-inspiring tennis and yet more new entries in the record books.

On Saturday the ladies’ final was for the fourth time contested by the Williams’ sisters: rightly back at the business end of the rankings and - for the past fortnight especially – showing exactly why they are so ahead of the pack when it comes to the Slams.

Venus a five time Wimbledon champion went into the match as favourite despite her younger Serena arguably displaying the more impressive performances over her own route to the final. Venus had been solid, and at times her power game truly sparkled as she brushed aside the challenges of Agnieska Radwanska et al.

This however proved to be the crucial factor – or at least a major one. Whereas Venus had indeed been impressive in her play up to the last stage she had never truly been tested. Nowhere was this better encapsulated than in her match immediately Saturday’s encounter with her sister. In Dinara Safina we have a player who can play devastating tennis over a considerable amount of time – it is this consistency that has rightfully earned her the number one ranking. However, at the highest level of the sport the Russian has repeatedly crumbled. The occasion must get into her head and – as with so many of the eastern Europeans – when things go awry there is no plan.B.

A semi-final against the defending champion proved to be one of those insurmountable moments for Safina as she was swept aside 6-1, 6-0.

Serena of course had to battle past a Russian who has shown consistency in a different way. Elena Dementieva has stayed consistent not just in the last six months but six years. Solid groundstrokes, an improved serve and some ever increasing belief in herself have made Dementieva a true Grand Slam contender. She did not choke in her 7-6, 5-7 6-8 loss to Serena, she was simply beaten by a champion who is back to her very best.

Serena has shown an unparalleled level of intensity and determination at this year’s Wimbledon. For so many years she has struggled with off court distractions, family tragedies and fitness.

With such factors quelled – the ruthless, immensely powerful and most importantly clever tennis player who has returned to the women’s game.

I haven’t been the biggest fan of the Williams’ over the years, but they are hard to resist with their emotional, determined and smart-thinking gameplan. They are so much more than just powerful senseless hitters. True they can hardly be described as graceful and despite their doubles success their net-play is far from the best.

But they have every shot in the book and on grass, they are unstoppable.

Despite her loss on Saturday, Venus is still the better grass-court player than Serena, but she simply couldn’t match her sister’s intensity after a comfortable semi-final. Ultimately, when that first set tiebreaker went to the younger Williams sibling, Venus never truly believed in herself.

If Saturday’s final was a tale of one player’s raw belief proving the catalyst for victory then Sunday’s contest was the exact opposite.

Further cementing a fine (and welcome) return to form for American tennis it was Andy Roddick and not the much fancied Andy Murray who faced the shoe-in Federer.

The American has been the player of the tournament coming through the tough tests of a resurgent Lleyton Hewitt and then Murray himself (as well as 14,000 Brits in the Centre Court throes). He had achieved this – and by doing so confounded his many doubters and critics – by improving his all round game.

Larry Stefanki’s influence has really begun to show as A-Rod’s game now possesses a full repertoire. Double backhand passing shots and a tricky one handed backhand slice have now joined that booming forehand and impossible serve. Mentally too, the American has learned to relax and once again have faith in his game in times of crisis.

Against Murray he outthought his opponent – a renowned tactician – and against Federer he almost outplayed him – a renowned outplayer!

With an 18-2 head to head deficit against the Swiss and two previous defeats at the same stage in 2004 and 2005 any other player would be lacking in belief.

Indeed the Roddick of as little as 12 months ago would have seriously questioned if there was any point in even turning up. But this is a man who now knows he can compete with the young wave of power hitters and ultra-fit teenagers.

This view was hard to find elsewhere however amongst fans, pundits and former players: the talk was all about Federer winning his 15th Grand Slam title and becoming the greatest of all time.

With Pete Sampras - returning for the first time since his last match in 2002 – joining the other greats of Borg, Laver and Nastase, the stage was truly set for an historic final.

But Roddick wasn’t phased either by the lack of belief of those around him (a partisan underdog-loving Centre Court not included) or by such legends of the game adding expectation. He started –as always- in top form and was dripping with confidence as much as sweat. His opponent, majestic and seemingly relaxed was nevertheless denied any chance to dictate the match.

Federer – who later admitted he in fact was affected with nerved after Pistol Pete’s arrival – never reached 5th gear let alone 6th.

This was not a ‘bad day at the office’ for the Swiss either – he simply wasn’t allowed to play his game. Surely too, the multi-champion struggled to come to terms with this new and improved version of an old foe.

It was Roddick who looked more comfortable in longer rallies whilst it was the Swiss master pulling aces out of the bag with terrifying ease.

After four tense sets and two breaks of serve – both by the American – it was another five set thriller – the third in a row at SW19. Both players had wowed the nation – Roddick with his revelatory all-round confidence and game-plan mixed with a fervent and justified belief, and Federer with his inhumane mental strength and assuredness.

To come back from 2-6 down in the second set tiebreaker was all the proof needed to see that Federer’s confidence in his own abilities remained the highest.

As the fifth set progressed it was Federer though who looked the more fragile – he would repeatedly lose the first or second point on his own serve and his groundstroke’s were tight and soft. Roddick remained focused despite coming so close earlier in the match. Ultimately it was both physical and mental exhaustion that defeated the number 6 seed.

It had taken him over four hours, but Roger had finally found some rhythm on the return of serve and managed to hit some shots with interest. The slight shift in momentum was too much for Roddick and it was suddenly all over 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14.

Crushed and choked with emotion Roddick was graceful in defeat, apologizing to Sampras for not stopping the inevitable end of his 14-Slam record.

Federer was graceful too as he rightfully congratulated his opponent for a great match – no tears this time though.

Maybe he too knew that this was a match where the best man on the day had lost.

A short word on the ‘Greatest of All Time’ discussion; Federer has statistically proven he is the most successful. But it is disrespectful to rank the Swiss higher than any of those three players who watched from the royal box. Even after summarising the different factors:

Laver’s two calendar Slams, his many years spent banned from winning even more against the fact that those slams were won on just two different surfaces.

Borg’s lack of overall titles against his young age of retirement and incredible feat of winning multiple back to back clay and grass slams.

Sampras’ number of total Slams against a more competitive tennis profession which echoes that of Federer’s today.

Simply treat these players with respect and say that they were truly the best of their respective generations.

Thanks to BBC for the pics.

Murray takes Main stage on Middle Monday

The ‘Middle Monday’ remains the highlight of Wimbledon besides the finals themselves. A day’s rest for all the players means that all fourth round matches are played in one day – thus a packed schedule.

It is perhaps fitting that the first match to be started under the new Centre Court roof would not only feature a British player, but that the match would be a five setter.

The first spots of rain to fall on this years’ Championships arrived a few hours earlier during Amelie Mauresmo’s present to Dinara Safina (a set and a break up – then 3-0 up in the third before crumbling like a French baguette). Although only a few spats of rain came down – the roof remained on as a precaution – for the rest of the evening.

The multi-million pound structure complete with several floodlights would ensure play would continue right into the night if needed – unheard of in Wimbledon’s 132 year history.

With the look and atmosphere resembling the great night matches in Australia at the start of the tennis season – Murray’s impressive 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory over the Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka – finished at 10.38pm BST.

The always dangerous power hitter Wawrinka – whose backhand is bettered only by his fellow Swiss in the top twenty – played a perfect first set before succumbing – partly due to an inability to consistently enforce his game plan, partly due to the pressure.

Most of all though, it was a master class in percentage tennis that won the match for the Scot.

After being blown away in the first set – Murray employed his game plan which never really looked like faltering despite his opponents glorious risk taking – entertaining groundstroke’s and serve.

A few impossible, insane yet identical passing shots (always hit crosscourt from the forehand side while on the run) aside – it was the samey, safe grinding play from Murray which soaked up Wawrinka like an ugly sponge.

Clearly effective (especially when blended with Murray’s incredible speed around the court), but hardly admirable in the same way once marvels at the Federers, Santoros, Henmans and Hewitts of the game.

With SW19 bathed in moonlight, the last quarter final was decided as Murray joins some stellar names in the last 8.

Federer fought past his Roland Garros victim Robin Soderling in three tight sets dictated by serves – something the maestro will be thankful to have practised as he now faces the much lamented Ace machine Ivo Karlovic.

A shy man, Karlovic is very likeable – it is a great shame that his game is so dull.

One man that cannot be described as dull however is Lleyton Hewitt (or indeed his fourth round victim Radek Stepanek). Seemingly down and out at two sets and a break behind – the Aussie Rotweiller scampered his way to a five set victory of his own. He now faces Andy Roddick who powered past the tricky Tomas Berdych in straight sets – impossible to call that one.

Tommy Haas and Novak Djokovic continue to impress as they meet each other in the other quarter final in Federer’s half.

Murray has the easiest match – facing a Juan Carlos Ferrero who despite looking rejuvenated just doesn’t possess the game to hurt the British Number one.

The Women – playing their quarter finals as I type, failed to produce such drama and quality across the field. Daniela Hantuchova decided not to turn up against Serena Williams wilting weakly 6-3, 6-1 whilst sister Venus had an equally tough ride through the fourth round when poor Ana Ivanovic tearfully retired after losing the first set 6-1.

Elena Dementieva looks very strong however after another blink and you’ll miss her performance beating fellow Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-3. Ridiculous screecher Viktoria Azarenka fought back against a disappointing Nadia Petrova (who had her blood pressure taken in the mid-afternoon heat), whilst there were wins for Francesca Schiavone and Agnieska Radwanska – the latter conquering ‘Oudini’.

Safina’s strong willed battle with Amelie remained the highlight – and the Russian deserves another shot at a major final.

Thanks to Official Wimbledon site for pics.

Grunts in the Sun – Wimbledon First Week Review

After just about managing to give you a day 1 round-up on time, I consequently failed to keep up such a feat. A bit of overtime at work, getting down to the courts to play myself or indeed attending the championships themselves (On the first Wednesday – pics and report soon) – it’s all been a bit hectic.

Anywho, it has been a fine, fine tournament so far – plenty of shocks, five set epics and Murray aside – some remaining British interest in the doubles events.

Just as well after one of the most dismal performances by the home nation here in decades. All the more painful regarding the vast improvement – particularly from the ladies – from British tennis in the last year.

There were tears and tantrums as Anne Keothavong, young Laura Robson, Georgie Stoop, Alex Bogdanovic, Josh Goodall and co all bowed out over the first two days.

Only perennial fighter Elena Baltacha and the given Murray made it through to the second round – two Brits from Eleven starters.

Unpleasant stats but British tennis is not in the crisis of previous years: we do have two current top 100 women and elsewhere from the Slams the lads are performing much more consistently.

As ever it is the pressure of these two weeks – where the whole nation suddenly pretends to give a damn, sees our lot come unstuck to the crème de la crème and assume that is the case week in week out. You have to feel sorry for our players – true they are not good enough, but this is down to coaching and the still very backward attitude towards the game in this country.

Still, it is obvious now that these players would only benefit from a few rounds of tennis before the championship begins – a bit of qualifying will help settle their nerves and find some rhythm before the biggest tournament of their year. Wildcards should be left for the younger contingent that are making the headlines for all the right reasons.

At the business end of discussion – the men’s singles saw some excellent matches and a few shocks scattered throughout the week. Crucially though, the already depleted entry list has remained healthy – especially on the top half which saw the loss of Nadal and then Del Potro.

The latter’s conqueror Lleyton Hewitt is looking like his old self here once again, whether that is now good enough against the new breed of Murray and co is doubtful. The Aussie will have to fight off Roddick in the quarters before he can even contemplate a match with the Scot.

Roddick himself has not yet found his best form here, but even when he is playing poorly, that big serve, improved fitness and renewed desire will see him through.

Tommy Haas is playing well, a highlight surely his five set battle against the dangerous but still young Cillic – a modern day mix of Goran and Ancic if ever there was one.

The Women’s’ side has seen some welcome trends – the one dimensional ‘Ova’s’ (Sharapova not included) have been losing out to some new names from the established tennis nations. Indeed a lot of the younger players are losing out here to the old hands. The biggest upsets so far only confirm this fortnightly decline of eastern Europe – American Melanie Oudin’s (Oudini surely) victory over a lacklustre Jelena Jankovic and Kuznetsova’s loss to young German Sabine Lisicki remain the highlights.

I must keep this short as the above distractions are rearing their ugly heads and I must return to looking at Ford Fusion data – still here’s a list of all the Seeds that departed in the first week:

Men:

Juan Martin Del Potro
Jo Wilfred Tsonga
Fernando Gonzalez
Marian Cillic
Nikolay Davydenko
Tommy Robredo
Marat Safin
David Ferrer
James Blake
Rainer Schuettler
Dimitry Tursunov
Phillip Kohlschreiber
Feliciano Lopez
Jurgen Melzer
Mardy Fish
Victor Hanescu
Igor Andreev
Victor Troicki
Alberto Montanes

Women

Svetlana Kuznetsova
Vera Zvonareva
Jelena Jankovic
Nadia Petrova
Dominika Cibulkova
Marion Bartoli
Flavia Pennetta
Jie Zheng
Samantha Stosur
Na Li
Annabel Medina Garrigues
Alize Cornet
Alexandra Wosniak
Maria Sharapova
Patty Schnyder
Kaia Kanepi
Virginie Razzano
Alisa Kleybanova
Sorana Cirstea
Sybille Bammer
Agnes Szavay
Anastasia Pavlunchekova
Anna Chakvetadze

Day 1 Round-up: Federer cruises as Benneteau bruises

It was business as usual on the first day of the Championships: some five set marathons, tense edgy thrillers and the obligatory bagel or two as the majority of scheduled matches were completed.

Early on, it was Great Britains very own junior 2008 Champion Laura Robson stealing the limelight on the new court no.2. Still just 15, 'Robbo' (as she was affectionately referred to by BBC's Caroline Cheese) played a sensational first set against former world number 5 Daniela Hantuchova. Despite the most daunting of occasions it was the experienced Slovak and not the teenager who whowed signs of nerves. When Robson did inevitably realise her achievements (a set and a break up) she lost her concentration, her serve and eventually the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

As she should have been Hantuchova was full of praise after being severaly tested by someone almost half her age, little consolation for the Brit who felt she had thrown away the match.

Elsewhere it was Roger Federer opening up on centre in Nadal's absence. The Swiss, looking dapper as always (in a rather fetching military style jacket which has divided opinion - but gets my thumbs up!) showed enough brilliance to get past an impressive Yen Hsun - Lee.

Serena came through easily in her match on Centre - but doubts must remain if she will ever take the title again here - her loss to Sharapova in 2004 proving something of a psychological hindrance. The younger sibling doesnt share Venus' Wimbly vibes.

Sharapova herself - still rusty after ten months away -rallied to beat blonde, grunter clone number 16543.2A. Viktorya Kutuzova's only distinguishable factor is that she is Ukranian not Russian. It is good to have the greatest competitor of them all in Maria back on the tour - she at least has some mystery behind her one dimensional game.

Some other big names werent so successful - James Blake was beaten in straight sets by the in form Andreas Seppi becoming the first seeded casualty. He was later joined by the inconsistent duo Feliciano Lopez and Rainer Schuettler. Nathalie Dechy also packed her bags early on.

Novak Djokovic survived a stern challenge from French journeyman Julian Benneteau, who made the most of the Serb's erratic play in a match which lasted over 3 1/2 hours. The young Serb's conviction, confidence and fitness have all been talking points for the last year or so - and there was precious little last night to suggest that is going to change anytime soon.

In the dying light on centre, with the British crowd's underdog support ever present - Benneteau was matching Djokovic as the fourth set went with serve all the way to 4-5. Another long-fine quality rally ended as the Frenchman - running back towards the wall after retrieving an overhead - slipped and crashed knee first into the courtside wall.

Despite a brave match point save Djokovic sensed his opportunity and broke to win.

The 4th seed is through, but cannot be regarded a serious contender unti he himself begins to believe.

A special mention for Georgie Stoop who fought back with the last few shots of the day to level a set all with the cat's cradle of emotions Vera Zvonareva.

Seeds out:

James Blake (17)

Feliciano Lopez (21)

Patty Schnyder (21)

Alexandra Wozniak (23)

Thanks to Wimbldeon official site and WTAWorld for the pics

Wimbledon - a celebration and preview

It’s the last week of June, (more or less) and for millions of people worldwide that means only one thing: The Championships.

Forever seeped in history, the green courts of Wimbledon have effortlessly produced drama, emotion, elation and despair in equal measure. With every passing year, as each generation of players with some truly great champions set foot on the hallow grounds of SW19 one thing remains consistent.

The atmosphere.

The Australian open, placed so near to the beginning of the new tennis season, has the intense heat, passionate and knowledgeable (if sometimes a little boisterous) crowd and a frequent flurry of surprise packages as lower ranked players pull of some world beating shocks after a hard graft off-season.

Four months later and the hard courts of the first third of the season are long gone – replaced by the unique challenge of the slow, sapping clay surface. In Paris the grand showpiece of the red stuff is at Roland Garros where the world’s best have to deal with a notoriously partisan crowd - who can turn on a contender with great speed and conviction – as well as the punishing dirt.

August sess the glitz and glam of New York crammed onto a tennis court. The US Open at Flushing Meadows offers some of the sport’s most impressive and intimidating arenas with a patriotic spectatorship who let their presence be known amidst the superfast hardcourt surface.

With each of these events and the many Tier 1/Premier/Masters events the guarantee of truly world class action is delivered. But nothing quite compares to those two weeks in south west London where it is an overriding sense of tradition and (as with so many British sporting events) an unparalleled sense of history.

It remains the ultimate prize for the players, and has done throughout the eons. It is here that the idols and icons of the sport would have been broadcast all over the world and for two weeks would inspire fans, and future professionals alike.

This hasn’t been the case for everyone of course. Some foreign players find the all white dress code and unfamiliar surface a real problem. Mary Pierce once claimed the championships was not “ very player-friendly” citing that ‘there are a lot of things which make it different to other tournament sand it isn’t one I look forward to”. Former world number one and (criminally only) two time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin has notoriously been anti-Wimbledon despite his semi final run last year: “Let’s not talk about Wimbledon…It’s not really the place for me”.

There are other- more understandable reasons why many players haven’t embraced the event: the prize money only became equal for men and women in 2008 after a lengthy campaign by the leading names of the WTA. The surface itself has caused many current women to act indifferently when they lose at Wimbledon knowing that in a week’s time, the grass season will be over and the infinitely more familiar hard courts will return. Current world number one Dinara Safina echoes her brother sentiments: “I’m always arguing with my coach, who tells me I can play there…I don’t understand this surface…I’m fighting badly with it”.

In 2001 the unique seeding strategy (where a players tournament rank can be influenced by past grass court results) led many of the Spanish clay specialists to boycott the tournament altogether: Juan Carlos Ferrero, Albert Costa and Gustavo Kuerten all asked for a fairer reflection. A lengthy battle ensued an today we have 32 seeds instead of 16, but the All England club still reserves the right to alter the order of those 32 based on grass court form.

Some players haven’t even bothered to turn up at all and this includes high profile names such as Ivan Lendl and (for a time) Andre Agassi.

Yes, Wimbledon still hinders rather than helps the attempt to bring tennis to the masses in the UK (something that Andy Murray’s youthful self-assurance and rags to riches image has done much to change). Unlike the other Slams, the exclusivity and air of the upper classes still hangs in the air. But the pomp and ceremony only intensifies the whole occasion and in some eyes restores some sense of intimacy and grace to a game now dominated by the modern world’s obsession with athleticism, technology and celebrity that every modern sporting event is expected to deliver.

True, the face of the Championships has changed since it was first held in 1877. In 1980 service line monitor ‘Cyclops’ was first used, with service speed guns introduced eleven years later. A new broadcast centre and the stunning new No.1 court were opened in 1997 whilst most recently giant television screens and the Hawk-Eye ball tracking device have ensured the tournament remains technologically fresh-faced.

This year, the final stage of the ‘Long term plan’ (drawn up in 1993 to ensure Wimbledon continued to represent the very summit of the sport) will be showcased – a retractable roof.

2009 will be the first year whereby the elements will not affect proceeding on centre court – an occurrence that has arguably decided many a great match as players’ momentum shifts to and fro with every delayed intermission.

So what of this year? Technological advancements aside, one thing we are not promised is a repeat of the truly epic men’s singles final from last year where the very core of the shift in the modern game was showcased in the sports greatest stage. Rafael Nadal the very encapsulation of today’s power game defeated five time champion Roger Federer, a stalwart of the classic tennis makeup; success won through tactics, technique and fluidity.

Nadal’s absence leaves a rather empty feel to this years event, as despite his godlike but ultimately unattractive way of playing may not necessarily be missed, the loss of the defending champion is always damaging.

Federer of course remains favourite to triumph. Full of confidence from his superb win at Roland Garros and now fully rested both physically and mentally after skipping his usual grass court warm-up event in Halle – the Swiss maestro remains the most complete player on grass by some margin.

Andy Murray will too be brimming with self-belief after winning at Queens (albeit against a significantly depleted field), and with a playing style similar to Nadals but perhaps just that bit more suited to the green stuff he is very capable of taking the title. Add to this the tremendous home support (not quite at Henmania levels just yet as the Scot’s on court brashness hasn’t endeared him to all) and a winning record against Federer and you have a home grown talent who has never been better equipped succeed.

Elsewhere, my picks in the men’s game remain with the grass court specialists despite the courts themselves playing all too similarly to their hard court cousins as the years have gone on. Roddick, Simon, Wawrinka and at a stretch the 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt all have the game for grass.

Such is the inconsistency of the women’s game at the moment, that it is only the Williams sisters who really shine out as a safe bet. Elsewhere it really could be anyone, as the new breed of yet more baseliners continue to sine one week and then crumble the next. Of them Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniaki and Agnieska Radwanska will do well whilst the recovering Maria Screamapova is always dangerous despite never repeating her success of 2004.

Thanks to http://www.parkfield.co.uk/, Wimbledon Official Site and BBC for the pics.