Rafa wins Wimbledon title
July 7, 2008
Rafael Nadal claimed the Wimbledon title in a dramatic five set thriller. Rafa went two sets up and looked like it was going to be a whitewash. Especially when at 4-4 Nadal at 3 break points. Federer saved them all and went on to win the next two sets in tiebreaks.
The fifth and final set was long, intriguing and was up and down like a yoyo. Until the 15th game. Where Rafa got a crucial break and served out the match to take the Wimbledon title.
Afterwards Rafa said…
“It was the most emotional match I have played in my life. Winning here will stay with me for the rest of my life. Of the four grand slams it is the most traditional. To win here on grass is very special. To win Wimbledon for us Spanish is hard to imagine. I am very happy for me, but sorry for him, because he deserved this title, too.”
Simon Says…
Quite simply the best match I have ever seen. Both players were hitting winners after winners and holding nerve on their serve. But in the end Rafa was too strong. I have to say that he is the best in the world at this moment in time, he has proved that he can play the best on grass and most importantly beat him! I thing I must say is there will never be a better final played than this, EVER!
Roger overcomes Hewitt
June 30, 2008
Roger Federer continued his dominance on grass with a convincing display over former World number one Lleyton Hewitt. The Swiss maestro won in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-4. Hewitt was a little hampered by his hip injury but even if he was fully fit he would have struggled against the dominance of Federer.
Roger said…
”I think I served really well which was important against Lleyton, I saw he was struggling with his hip but nevertheless, he was dangerous. I think the key was the first set tie-break and afterwards I played consistently well and saved a lot of break points which was crucial.”
In other Wimbledon news all of the top four seeds in the Women’s draw are out. This means that the favorites are now the Williams sisters who both had comfortable victorys. Rafael Nadal overcame Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets to meet the winner of the Gasquet Murray match. Finally Roger’s next opponent will be Mario Ancic who won a marathon match against Verdasco in the fifth set 13-11.
Murray defeats Tommy Haas
June 28, 2008
Andy Murray continued his fine form at Wimbledon with a tough fought victory over Tommy Haas. The Scot dropped his first set of the tournament but still won 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
After the match Murray said…
“It was a good match. I had a chance to win in straight sets but played a poor service game. But he had few chances on my serve and I played very well. I was pleased with the way I managed to play in the tight situations. My mentality on court was very good. The older you get, the more you get used to everything. I’ve got some good people around me and I’m just enjoying myself on court.”
Murray now faces number 8 seed Richard Gasquet who defeated Giles Simon. Andy knows he will have to improve but if the crowd get behind him and he keeps his composure he has a chance of making it to the quarters,
Rafa overcomes Kiefer at Wimbledon
June 28, 2008
Rafael Nadal overcame a tricky first set to book his place in the last 16. Rafa won the first 7-6. Many would have though the match was going to be close but Nadal stepped it up a gear and claimed the second set 6-2. He then won the third set 6-3 to shrug off Nicolas Kiefer’s challenge.
After the match Rafa said…
“Kiefer was a difficult opponent, he has a very good serve. Right now, I’m just happy to be in the fourth round, I’m doing well and have just lost one set (to get to the last 16). Now I know I have a tough opponent and I must focus on my game.”
Rafa will now meet Mikhail Youzhny who won in 5 sets over Radek Stepanek. 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
It will be another hard match for Nadal. Nevertheless I certainly won’t be backing against the Spaniard in his quest to win Wimbledon.
Murray into next round
June 27, 2008
Andy Murray put in a very good display to dispatch of former Wimbledon semi-finalist Xavier Malisse. The Scot fired down 16 aces in what was arguably his best ever serving performance. He won the match 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Afterwards he said…
“To win my first two matches in straight sets is what I wanted. At the start of a Slam, to win games comfortably is what you want. I don’t think Xavier played his best match but there were stages where he hit some great shots and I had to make sure I did not let him back into the match. I am feeling good on court. Before matches, I get butterflies and excited but when I get on court, I calm down. I have started both matches well, when I have got early breaks.”
Murray now meets talented German Tommy Haas.
Marat Safin defeats Novak Djokovic
June 25, 2008
Novak Djokovic has amazingly been knocked out of Wimbledon. The world number 3 was defeated by Russian Marat Safin in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. Everybody including myself was waiting for a Federer-Djokovic semi-final with the winner facing Nadal. But it didn’t go to plan.
After the match Safin said…
”For me to beat Djokovic on Centre Court, especially on this surface, is great. I had to concentrate from the beginning and take my opportunities because he is the one under pressure, trying to be number one in the world at the end of the year. For me, nobody expects anything. I didn’t look in the draw beyond this when I saw Djokovic in the second round.”
Seeds are falling at Wimbledon with now Juan Carlos Ferrero, Nikolay Davydenko, David Nalbandian and Ivan Ljubicic the biggest casualties.
Rafa wins at Wimbledon
June 25, 2008
Rafael Nadal cruised to a straight sets victory in his first round match against Andreas Beck. The Spaniard won 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 to earn a place in the second round.
Rafa spoke about his victory…
”He was another leftie and his second serve was difficult to read. He served to the body and that was hard for me. But in the tiebreak I hit some good forehands. It was a strange match. There weren’t many points from the baseline and I play mostly from the baseline.”
Rafa will be thrilled with the win and he now faces talented young Latvian Ernests Gulbis after he defeated favored American John Isner.
Simon Says…
I really want Nadal to win this year, I think he is ready to overtake Roger at the top and be World number one. The way he goes about himself on and off the court is unbelievable and his power and shots that he makes are great to watch. The Gulbis match should be good and with Djokovic in the other draw Rafa should get in the final for the third time running.
Andy Murray thanks McEnroe
June 24, 2008
Andy Murray has thanked John McEnroe for his kind comments ahead of his first round match against Fabrice Santoro.
Andy said…
“It’s great when people say nice things. It helps build your confidence. Ultimately, they are the people that know the most about tennis and, if they’re being complimentary about me, then that counts for something.”
Murray’s opponent will be 35 yr old Santoro. He spoke about the challenge of facing Andy…
“It’s a great challenge to play Andy. But, as you get towards the end of your career, you want these sort of matches. I was hoping I would play on Centre Court for the first time. I have had a 19-year career and I’ve played on every other court apart from Wimbledon’s Centre Court. I was pleased when I saw the draw. Andy’s a smart player. One day he will do something big.”
Simon Says…
I really hope Andy can perform well this year and make it to the quarters or beyond. He has all the talent in the world and one day he will win Wimbledon.
Federer wins at Wimbledon
June 24, 2008
Roger Federer is through to the next round of Wimbledon after easily defeating Dominik Hrbaty. The Swiss won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Roger has been slated in the press after the French Open with many suggesting he was past his best.
He said…
I haven’t been reading and I haven’t been listening to what has been said. So, of course I haven’t been affected either. I’ve been working in there as defending champion, opening Centre Court, trying to defend the title again. That’s all that mattered to me. I came from a good tournament in Halle. I couldn’t do any better than not dropping a set, not dropping a service game, so I feel like I’m right there to do the same thing again this week.”
Simon Says…
It was a very enjoyable match played in Great Spirit. Roger looked really focused throughout and talk of the title being taken away from him is nonsense. Ok maybe not nonsense but I cannot wait to see Rafael’s reaction, them two are probably going to be in the final.
