Wimbledon 2016 has been the most frustrated roller-coaster ride. The many starts and stops have altered the experience to the point that watching replays is preferable. Even the popcorn match of the week, Kyrgios vs. Brown drew my ire as a result of the ‘umpire drama’ and rain delay. Hopefully next week we will have some uninterrupted tennis.
Top Moments Thus Far This Week:
5. ITF announced Olympic Teams. Of course Caroline Wozniacki was granted her appeal. While there were no surprises on the USA Team, a couple names on and off the list piqued my interest. With Zika, Brazil’s lack of preparation, economy, and violence the Olympians will need all of our prayers. The pageantry and unity of the Olympics are wonderful, but if it is to continue it needs to be revamped from location selection to player requirements.
4. Wimbeldon seeds are falling like bowling pins on league night. The latest, is Wawrinka to Del Potro 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3. Muguruza was taken out by Cepelova 3-6, 2-6 and Radwanska narrowly escaped Konjoh 6-2, 4-6, 9-7.
3. Marcus Willis has become this slams Cinderella story. He has said that his girlfriend convinced him to play this tournament as he was considering a full-time coaching job in Philadelphia. This journeyman ranked #772 came through qualifying to the second round meeting no other than Roger Federer. He fell just short of the bookmakers odds of 8.5 games while wearing an RF Nike shirt. He lost 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. Though out of shape and not settled in the first set, his serve and hustle were on display in sets two and three. His lefty serve, powerful forehand, lob and drop shot could not secure a third round, but the crowd show their appreciation time and again supporting and uplifting him. What does the future hold for Willis? Hopefully his story ends differently than Melanie Oudin, Brian Baker and others.
2. Rain delays this tournament is proving rather disappointing. Two consecutive days matches were suspended. The Kyrgios vs. Brown match was suspended on break point in the deciding set. Kyrgios returned to win 6-7, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The Venus/ Kasatkina match was stopped thrice, the third time at match point 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (40-30). Venus returned to lose the game but won the match 10-8 in the third set. If this rain continues, 2016 will be the fourth time rain has forced play on the Middle Sunday; previously done in 1991, 1997, 2004. Update——–It is official. We will have play on Sunday.
1. American women are having a great showing at this grand slam. Serena’s play was lackluster in the first round but she secured the win against Sadikovic. McHale seized her opportunity in the second round; serving strong and playing focused she pocketed the first set, but lost the second to an angered and more determined Serena. The third set saw both players at their best. McHale played the best match of her career. She stayed with Serena and pushed her hard, but was broken and collapsed in the ninth game. In the tenth and final game Serena served three beautiful aces reminding everyone that she is the GOAT! 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-4.
Vandeweghe will play Vinci in the third round. Stephens and Querrey may join the other American’s in the third round, but we’ll have to wait till tomorrow for their suspended matches to resume. Stephens can win this match against Minella 3-6, 7(8)-6, 3-3, but she usually starts slow so hopefully she has a really good pre-match warm-up. If Querrey can defeat the beast that is Djokovic, I will be shocked. Up two sets, 7(8)-6, 6-1 he still has a mountain to climb. However, Djokovic looks like he may have injured his wrist in the tumbles he took in the first and second sets. Will the suspension of play give him the time he needs to reset or will Querrey stoke his fires and come out roaring again tomorrow?
Bonus#1- A quick sidenote, I saw a tweet claiming Djokovic’s outfit does not appear to comply with the slam’s requirement. His shirt is highlighted by his sponsor which is allowed, and it also has trim around the collar, arm and sides of the shorts.
There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeve is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm). Shorts, skirts and tracksuit bottoms must be totally white except for a single trim of colour down the outside seam no wider than one centimetre (10mm). Wimbledon
Bonus#2– Why do newspapers still use such leading and bigoted headlines? They can sell papers and engage the public without adopting the language and strategies of GOP Presidential Nominee Donald Trump. No where in the article do they define the players as eccentric. Are they eccentric because of their playing styles, race, or hairstyles? Either way, the language here is lazy and derogatory.
Bad boy Nick Kyrgios beats fellow eccentric Dustin Brown in five-set thriller at Wimbledon- Express Article
See ya next week…
1tennismate 