Wimbledon 2011

[Keith]

So in the last couple of years I have been getting more into Tennis, and have watched bits and pieces of Wimbledon. I must admit i still don't completely understand the rules, and still struggle sitting though a whole match, but as someone who isn't very sporty, it has become I can enjoy watching, without having to get that deeply involved, and of course I have started having opions of my own on certain players.

Anyway this year I plan on seeing more games than ever, and the action all kicks off tomorrow. Personally I can't see Andy Murray winning the whole thing, he is talented, but I don't see him as being in the same class as the likes of Federer and Nadal. Also I think he cracks under the big pressure, so he may well reach the semis, but I can't see him winning the title. My pick is Novak Djokovic, he is very much the player of the moment, and it is his time IMO.

As for the Women Serena Williams has just returned from an injury, and it is very hard to see past her to take the crown, however it will be interesting to see how young hopefuls like Heather Watson and Laura Robson fare.

I will post here as the Tournment unfolds and give my thoughts on the action. Any other Tennis fans, and if so who do you think will win the men and women's Wimbledon Titles, and who do you consider to be the break out stars of this years event.

 

[Troy]

Good to see another tennis fan on the forum. I thought I was the only one. Wimbledon is easily the best tournament of the year, so much tradition and history. Plus grass looks the best.

For the men's side of things it is tough to split the top four and I see them all making it to the finals. They are in such good form at the moment and it should be a good battle. Murray is a great player but there is so much pressure on him. He might be able to get into the final this year. Novak would be my pick as well, he is in incredible form and he is a good player on grass.

For the women's anyone but the Williams sisters. I can't stand them especially Serena. I will have blind hope that Sam Stosur can do well but I can't see her winning it, just getting into the second week will be a positive. I am going to pick another inform player in Li Na. So far this year she has made the Australian Open final and won the French Open so I think that she will at least make the final.

I will be posting in this thread daily.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Troy I have always been a Tennis fan as well. I usually watch the QF's on of Every Major because I work during the week. Good to see Tennis discussion on here.

 

[ants]

I think the Fed Express proved in the French Open that he is still a force to be reckoned with. All the talk over the last year has been about Djokovic, Nadal and even Murray, but Federer is still very much better than those blokes when he is at his best. I think he will win, which if memory serves me correctly it will give him his 7th Wimbledon Championship. Also, if Lleyton Hewitt does end up playing, expect blind hatred from me, I see him as the opposite of what an Australian sportsman should be, I think he's soft as butter and whinges about being injured every time he finds himself in a bad spot. On an interesting sidenote, the match that went on for days last year in the first round is a replay this year, John Isner and whoever the hell he played. Imagine if its crazy again.

Womens side of the draw, it literally is a raffle in every grand slam with the womens side of the draw. So many good players, and there all really even. I'd love Stosur to win, but I think she just makes far too many mistakes, and gets rattled too easily. Li Na won the French so I cant see her backing up, just due to what I said about the Womens draw varying every tournament. Caroline Wozniacki has always been a favourite of mine for obvious reasons, same as Maria Sharapova so if one of them was to win, it would mean two weeks of watching them on TV, very much appreciated!!

 

[Keith]

Well I do consider Federer to be the greatest player in the world right now, he is true class in everything he does, but I just have a feeling for Djokovic.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Women's draw is always really hard to predict. It is a completely different serface but Na looks great in the French as was in the Final of the Aussie so she has to be one of the favorites here.

As far as the men it's always down to the big 4 but Murray is really the 4th. Any of the other three could take it. I like Novak here as well though, I think it's his time.

 

[Troy]

I think the Fed Express proved in the French Open that he is still a force to be reckoned with. All the talk over the last year has been about Djokovic, Nadal and even Murray, but Federer is still very much better than those blokes when he is at his best. I think he will win, which if memory serves me correctly it will give him his 7th Wimbledon Championship. Also, if Lleyton Hewitt does end up playing, expect blind hatred from me, I see him as the opposite of what an Australian sportsman should be, I think he's soft as butter and whinges about being injured every time he finds himself in a bad spot. On an interesting sidenote, the match that went on for days last year in the first round is a replay this year, John Isner and whoever the hell he played. Imagine if its crazy again.

Spot on with the part in bold. I used to like Hewitt but these past couple of years especially he has just become a pain. He always says he is fit to play in tournaments but when he is knocked out he says that he was injured. He should just retire.

Womens side of the draw, it literally is a raffle in every grand slam with the womens side of the draw. So many good players, and there all really even. I'd love Stosur to win, but I think she just makes far too many mistakes, and gets rattled too easily. Li Na won the French so I cant see her backing up, just due to what I said about the Womens draw varying every tournament. Caroline Wozniacki has always been a favourite of mine for obvious reasons, same as Maria Sharapova so if one of them was to win, it would mean two weeks of watching them on TV, very much appreciated!!

Very true that the women's side is a lottery. They are no real standouts unless Serena Williams gets firing. Stosur is very mentally weak and that is why I can't see her winning it but I do see her going quite far. I wouldn't be complaining if Wozniacki won it either.

Good to see that WS has at least four tennis fans.

 

[Keith]

Well I had a big day one watching three games [or maybe one and two three quaters]

I saw Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal's openers against Akgul Amanmuradova and Michael Russell respectively. In the end it was two routine victories for Williams and Nadal, after slow starts. Amanmuradova [ranked 99th in the world] showed flashes with brilliance, with a slick follow though, nice back hand, and quick feet, but she just wasn't consistant enough and made too many errors. Williams showed great composure and once she worked her way into the match, outpowered Akgul easily. Williams won two sets to nil 6-3, 6-1.

Nadal was given a few more scares early on against the American Russell in an enjoyable encounter, there was one impressive over head shot by him in early on matched Rafael stride for stride, before the classed showed though in the end. Nadal won a narrow first set 6-4, but was more comtrable winning 6-2 and 6-3 to close the game out 3-0.

The best match I saw yesterday though was Dokic VS. Schiavone, a very even match, with saw Dokic's injury come back to haunt her, after a power start and middle of the game she lost 2 sets to 1, 6-4 Schiavone, Dokic then hammered Schiavone 6-1, before losing the final set 6-3.

Right now I am watching young Noami Broady against the more experinenced Ann Keothavong, so far it is two games to one to Broady in the opening set.

 

[Prodigy]

Well Serena Williams is on right now and I wonder if she will back up her claims that she will win the crown back. Rezai seems pretty good!

 

[Andrew]

My girl is the biggest tennis fan, I don't care for Tennis really... Only finals... I don't support Australians in it at all... I chose not to.

Nadal is my favorite and for the girls it's Ivanovic.

 

[Prodigy]

A fantastic 10 minute game ends with Rezai breaking Serena's serve in the first game of the match. A shock could be on the cards here.

 

[Prodigy]

Who is Rezai? Has anyone told her she's playing one of the best women's players ever yet? She is playing fantastic and doesn't seemed fazed by the big occasions, some wonderful line shots. Rezai 2-1 on her serve

 

[Prodigy]

Serena breaks back with ease....probably upping her gear now.

 

[Keith]

Hey nice commentry Prodigy think I might put this match on in a minute!

In the first match I watched today Ann Keothavong beat Naomi Broady 2 sets to nil 6-2 and 6-4. It was a poor game really, with lots of nerves and errors, and no great flow. Broady started off the better, and gained the early games in the first set, with her physical factor coming into play, but the experience of Keothavong came to the front, and she grinded the first set out. It then look like she might run away with it, in the second set, but then let Broady back into it, and it ended up being a closer set than it should had been. Keothavong coming off an injury will just be glad to get through it and maybe improve as the tournment moves along, as for Broady at times she looked brilliant, and others looked lost, so I guess her career could go either way, she is only 20 and appearing at her first Wimbledon after all.

I hope to see Heather Watson later, and before the end of the week Federer and Djorkivic.

 

[Keith]

Federer on court now against Kukushkin who is holding his own quite well, despite losing the first set.