If I was at Wimbledon this year, these are the matches I would be observing live from the press row…
Court 16 McDonald vs Berankis, two sub six footers, both long overdue for a major breakout. Two feisty but powerful players, this one has five sets written all over it. Berankis in five.
Court 17 Karlovic vs Youzhny, two veterans both pushing 40 and both ranked now around the 100 zone. Both are desperate for some wins and points to get back into the ATP main draw mix. The loser of this match could be finished. The winner too. Very important match for both. Youzhny in four.
Court 15 Johnson vs Bemelmans. Bemel always looks nice on grass with his lefty game and slice backhand, Johnson is the perfect contrast for a battle. Johnson in four.
Court 10 Stakhovsky vs Sousa. The old school Ukrainian is ranked outside 100 and is desperate. Can Wimbledon grass rekindle his career? Sousa is always a tough out, another nice contrast of styles. Stak in five.
Court 8 Giorgi vs Sevastova is another baseline basher vs the 21 seed slicer and dicer. Sevastova in two sets. But if Giorgi is on her groove, it’s upset city.
Court 7 Muller vs Mmoh, veteran lefty vs young powerhouse. Mmoh probably isn’t ready for such a daunting task as topping Muller on grass but this kid has the firepower to present major trouble for Gilles. Gilles in three.
Court 7 Ryan Harrison vs Carballes Baena, always like to see Harrison play, but he’s especially good theater when he’s desperate to end a losing streak slump which he’s been in most of this year post Melbourne. Harrison in four.
Court 5 Luksika Kumkum vs Berarda Pera, Kumkum of Thailand has a diverse and varied game with a nasty slice, I think she can do well at Wimbledon. The Thai in two sets.
Court 12 Medvedev vs Coric, two ambitious, intense battlers, this will surely be a classic. I like Coric in five.
Court 2 Cilic vs Nishioka. Top contender Cilic should be able to handle the Japanese lefty but if he’s a little off and Nishioka can summon his genius, this will be a thriller. Cilic in three.
65 comments
<< Life Away From Center Court: Where Is the Next American Grand Slam Winner?
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 2 Next »Hartt · July 2, 2018 at 11:34 am
Fed had such an easy win over Lajovic that it wasn’t an entertaining match.
Milos had a tight first set against Broady, but then broke to take the set 7-5. After that it was one-way traffic, with Milos totally dominating in the last two sets. He had to be very pleased with how he played, not just his serving, but his groundies and net game as well. In the post match interview he was asked how he felt. Milos replied, “fantastic,” with a huge smile.
catherine · July 2, 2018 at 11:51 am
Is this the Wimbledon thread ? Some comments on previous thread but this seems more appropriate.
Wawrinka limping around. Serena looking rusty v Rus 🙂
Chazz · July 2, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Stephens is so inconsistent in GS. Last 4 results:
2017 US Open Won
2018 Aus Open Lost R1
2018 French Open Runner-up
2018 Wimbledon Lost R1
Doug Day · July 2, 2018 at 2:03 pm
2 top ten men in the 4th take a back seat to Coco in the 1st? Thanks,ESPN for losing us even more eyeballs in your noble cause. Collective male guilt.
Hartt · July 2, 2018 at 2:09 pm
After losing the first set, Stan wins over Grigor in 4 sets. So Grigor continues to underwhelm.
Chazz · July 2, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Doug, you can watch different matches if you get the free “Watch ESPN” app. You just need to enter login info for your cable provider.
Chazz · July 2, 2018 at 2:43 pm
That’s a terrible loss for Dimitrov. Wawrinka’s worst surface is grass and he hasn’t done much at all this year.
catherine · July 2, 2018 at 3:00 pm
I reckon Stan was inspired by the example of his gf Vekic.
In the first set it seemed he could hardly move.
catherine · July 2, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Out goes Svitolina to Tatjana Maria – sliced to bits ? A match I didn’t see but wish I had. Svitolina’s disappointing year continues.
catherine · July 2, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Julia G thumps down 16 aces v Puig – be nice to see her do something at W’don because somehow that’s never happened.
Scoop Malinowski · July 2, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Doug, Coco vs Siniakova was a good match but they had to show more of Johnson vs Bemelmans, big no no. ESPN not giving equal time to American men today.
Scoop Malinowski · July 2, 2018 at 4:36 pm
What a match Ruse, the total unknown from Romania, playing her first main draw match vs Radwanksa, winner of nearly 600 matches and $27m. Ruse, the qualifier had six match poi9nts but gambled on some return winners up the line with her backhand that missed by inches. She’ll need therapy to get over this blundering loss. Another classic salvage by Radwanska who has done this dozens and dozens of times.
Michael in UK · July 2, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Hi Catherine, all,
I didn’t know Stan was with Donna.
Good picks Scoop!
Dr Ivo wins in 4. Borna Coric loses in 4, but Medvedev is a tough competitor.
And Serena won her first round match, looked strong, confident, and terrific imo.
What great ball striking.
I hope she wins.
Michael in UK · July 2, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Oops, typo, meant to say Borna loses in 3.
Michael in UK · July 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm
I’ll stop in a minute. 🙂
I like that post about the Radwanska match scoop.
Roger in Uniqlo. Never mind the outfit, I was stunned to read suggestion via WSJ that the 10 year deal is worth $300 Million. Jeepers. Can that really be true?
Duke Carnoustie · July 2, 2018 at 7:44 pm
If Catherine didn’t see it, I doubt anyone saw Svitolina go out. Is it time to give up on her? I know she won in Rome but this was a bit ridiculous.
Anyone sensing a run for Petkovic like I am? Can Vika knock off Pliskova? How about Bencic over Garcia?
Duke Carnoustie · July 2, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Stan has been with Donna for awhile if you recall the ugly Kyrgios incident in Cincinnati back in 2015. Donna has turned into a solid pro on her own account.
Grigor really sounded down and out in his press conference. The poor guy is searching for answers and he said he is going to take some time off. He won’t play again until D.C.
catherine · July 2, 2018 at 8:53 pm
Michael – as Duke says Donna/Stan have been an item for a while and Donna has improved a lot since hiring Torben Beltz after Kerber sacked him, and also bringing Novkovic on board as a fitness coach. And maybe Stan’s influence ?
The Uniqlo figure I heard was $200 million but what’s $100 million between friends. Uniqlo have a store in Wimbledon, down in the town – maybe a personal appearance there by Roger 🙂 Most players probably don’t know that part of W’don exists.
Petko for the title Duke ? Somehow I like the sound of that 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · July 2, 2018 at 9:57 pm
Michael UK, you must stay better in tuned with tennis-prose, our gossip maestro Duke reported the Vekic-Stan union years ago. Tough loss for Coric, he said he was playing his best tennis ever and boom, he loses to Medvedev who is a tricky assignment for anyone, especially name players he seems to get more up for.
Chazz · July 2, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Today was a crazy day of big upsets, which is great, makes things interesting. Stephens, Svitolina, Dimitrov and Coric (who was red hot after winning Halle title over Fed). Mmoh almost beating Muller (who made it to 2017 QF). Donaldson and McDonald deserve special mention as young players that had fairly convincing wins.
Dan Markowitz · July 3, 2018 at 1:40 am
Qball looked good against Sock-killer, Thompson. Next, he plays Stakhovsky who won in five sets today and I don’t think Sam will have much problems with him, but he’s a rare serve and volleyer.
I love the headline in an English paper today about Norrie and Broady both losing exposes the lack of depth in English men’s tennis. When did the English ever have depth in men’s tennis? Or for that matter, women’s tennis either. Saw an interview with Madison Keys and Laura Robson, and both are very attractive women apparently good friends, but Robson is going in for hip surgery soon. She won Wimbledon junior title 10 years ago and she’s still only 24.
Duke Carnoustie · July 3, 2018 at 1:57 am
Very proud indeed of my gossip acumen. Actually I was just looking up Domi Thiem’s former gf – Romana Exenberger – and I must say I find Kiki more beautiful though Exenberger was supposedly Miss Austria.
Another scoop is that Tennys Sandgren is dating Britt McHenry, the blonde reporter who ESPN fired because she is conservative and supports Trump. Look for her in the player’s box as her man tries to take down Djoker.
Duke Carnoustie · July 3, 2018 at 1:58 am
Dan had mentioned Maddie Keys, she is dating Bjorn Fratangelo for those who didn’t know.
Any comments on Grigor?
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 2:42 am
Dan – How many countries have ‘depth’ in tennis ? Many just have one or two top players, or none at all.
(the article was in the Guardian BTW, which is a British paper))
Just to instruct you: it’s not ‘English’ tennis – it’s ‘British’ tennis. However, there’s no such country as ‘Britain’, it is the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and for the time being, Northern Ireland. So it should be ‘Great Britain’ tennis although no one can be bothered with that.
Just for further clarification, we compete in the Olympics, and in tennis, as Great Britain, in football and cricket and some other sports as England, Scotland and Wales but Ireland sometimes competes as Ireland, including NI. The ‘British Isles’ would include the Channel Islands and various other islands dotted around our silver seas.
I’m sure you don’t want to know any more.
Laura Robson may be ‘very attractive’ but she is virtually finished as a player. Too much publicity too young and not the best temperament. I certainly hope life works out well for her but it probably won’t be on the tennis court.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 2:57 am
Duke – do you mean gossip about Grigor ? As far as I know, and I don’t keep my finger on the pulse or my nose in the Daily Mail, he was with Lewis Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend, but I don’t know if this is still on. Can’t remember her name.
I can’t see Dimitrov winning a GS. He’s had strings of coaches hasn’t he ? I see him as a player perpetually ‘promising’ but seldom delivering.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 7:31 am
Why does the umpire call Serena ‘Mrs Williams’ ?That’s not her married name. If she doesn’t want to be called by her married name why not just ‘Ms Williams’ ? or ‘Serena Williams’ ?
Or is it a new thing to called married women ‘Mrs’ and append their maiden name ?
(BJK went on being called ‘Mrs King’ until she retired and long after she and Larry were divorced.)
And…Radwanska is still called ‘Radwanska’ although she’s married. Or is she also ‘Mrs Radwanska’ ?
Fine points of etiquette 🙂 Men don’t have that problem.
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:55 am
maybe the marriage is s sham?
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:57 am
No it does not look good for Dimitrov, even McEnroe and Lendl and Becker are not interested in coaching him. Dimitrov’s best shot as in Australia last year and losing that semi to Rafa in five sets was a career killer.
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:59 am
Duke, good job, please share Sandgren’s and Frantangelo’s pick up lines when you obtain that information 🙂
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 9:17 am
Scoop – I don’t think the marriage is a sham – what would anyone be trying to hide ? I just think the AEC hasn’t consulted the rule book on modern marital convention 🙂
You’ll be pleased to see that Hsieh bt Pavs today.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Petra out, 6-0 in 3rd. Seems she was very tired. Great shame. Maybe her schedule before W’don took a lot out of her.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Kerber bts Zvonareva 7/5 6/3. Good match. Angie looked bouncy. Her adidas whites are nice too.
Players should wear white more often. It’s good in the heat and flattering for both men and women. Classy.
Duke Carnoustie · July 3, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Wearing white is a great Wimbledon tradition I hope never goes away. It is great and ideal for the Brits, who focus on tennis and are even refusing to show the World Cup soccer. Good for them – they are running a tennis club, after all.
Thiem goes out. Meanwhile Taylor Fritz sets up a winnable match with Sascha, who is injured. I say Fritz has enough to pull the upset.
Also Jack Sock alert: he was up two sets but is capable of collapsing as usual.
Michael in UK · July 3, 2018 at 2:16 pm
Matt Ebden puts out 10th seed Goffin.
Duke Carnoustie · July 3, 2018 at 2:51 pm
How short is this skirt on the girl playing Shazza? You can see her panties? How is this allowed at Wimbledon?
Joe Blow · July 3, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Think Sock retired down 15-40, 2-5 in the 5th, after blowing a two set lead..He’s trash…Don’t know what, or if he was injured, still a weak move
Chazz · July 3, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Score says he lost the 5th 6-2, not 5-2. Total trainwreck though.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 3:01 pm
As long as the panties are white Duke. You don’t remember frilly knickers obviously.
Sock’s out.
Joe Blow · July 3, 2018 at 3:01 pm
The other guy had two match points..40-15 on his serve, up 2 breaks in the fifth
Joe Blow · July 3, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Wimbledon site put the check mark next to his opponents name at 40-15,5-2
Chazz · July 3, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Joe, they had that briefly but then switched it to 6-2.
Chazz · July 3, 2018 at 3:23 pm
OT: Way to go England, hopefully they hang on here. Colombia is one of those teams that plays a dirty brand of football.
Hartt · July 3, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Denis Shapovalov won over Jeremy Chardy in 4 sets. It was a close match, with good serving by both players. But, as the commies said, it seemed that the result would depend on how Denis played. He hit some amazing winners and made some loose UFEs, but overall, was just a bit better than Chardy. He will play Paire next.
catherine · July 3, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Sharapova out. Not a tremendous surprise. I wouldn’t think she has any more tournament titles left in her.
Hartt – good win by Denis and good luck next round.
Dan Markowitz · July 3, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Wow, Sock lost to a guy who’s won a total of 5 matches on tour. This is definitely the biggest swan dive any Top 10 player has ever taken from year to the next without a serious injury.
You wonder if at some level, when Johnny Mac asked him in the Laver Cup, “You’ve got to decide, you’re 25 years old tomorrow, you’ve got to f—ing not take no for an answer because you’re with this guy (meaning he was playing Nadal.”
Maybe Sock realized this is all he’s got and he didn’t have another level. It’s like Sock has suffered a nervous breakdown. This hardcourt season is crucial for Sock to get back on some kind of a track else DY and Sock might be playing first round matches soon in Binghamton.
Hartt · July 3, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Thanks, Catherine. Denis served well generally, and he will need to do that against Paire. It would be great if he could get through a couple more rounds at least.
I agree about Sharapova. Am surprised so many people still think she is a top player – her results are not bearing that out.
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:13 pm
Sock lost all his confidence months ago. I believe he worked hard and tried to do the right things but the losses kept mounting, losing to Fritz twice, Opelka, and other guys he surely expected to beat, in his mind. Now he’s a broken player, not only lost confidence but lost spirit, lost everything. He has no answers for himself or the media. Sock has three options – Vince Spadea, Capriati or Agassi. Three players who were at absolute rock bottom and turned it around. Sock is at rock bottom, he must make a drastic bold move.
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Good win for Shap, now he can take care of Paire too. But Paire will be extra motivated as no on likes losing to the kid.
Scoop Malinowski · July 3, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Maybe it’s good for Maria, now she can spend more time with her hero occultist Marina Abramovic and do some more of those spirit cooking
and bizarre cannibalism art dinners.
Duke Carnoustie · July 3, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Seems a bit poetic for Shazza to blow match point and collapse to a no-name after all that witchcraft. Sometimes you get what you deserve for being in the company of left-wing lunacy like that.