2013 Tennis Thread

[Smallville22]

Robson match upgraded after Wimbledon washout

Laura Robson's second round clash with Mariana Duque-Marino was washed out by the weather at a wet and overcast Wimbledon.
The British number one was due to take on the unknown Colombian on Court Two but will now be upgraded to Centre Court, where she will open proceedings on Friday.
The 19-year old is brimming with confidence after her first round win over tenth seed Maria Kirilenko but has recently struggled against lower-ranked players.
Duque-Marino is a clay court specialist who has only briefly been inside the world's top 100 - and that was three years ago.
But Robson is staying grounded, especially after a succession of high-profile shocks at the All England Club.
"She's tough for sure, she's pretty consistent," said Robson. "I think she's got quite a nasty little slice, so it's going to be a tough match."
"I think you have to treat every match the same. Just go out there, stay focused the whole time.
"You might not have a good start, have a couple bad games, but you just have to stay on it no matter who you're playing.
Second seed Andy Murray will also play on Centre Court when he takes on Spain's Tommy Robredo in the third round.
More bad weather is forecast but the roof on Centre Court guarantees the two remaining British singles players at SW19 will be in action.

 

[Smallville22]

Friday June 28 order of play: Murray faces new pressure

The order of play for day five at Wimbledon, with home hope Andy Murray back in action on Centre Court.
Britain's Murray has to live with the very different pressure that comes with being labelled a shoe-in to reach the final after two of his main rivals suffered shock exits in early rounds.
Second-seeded Murray faces Spain's Tommy Robredo in a third round clash on Centre Court on Friday knowing Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal are no longer lying in wait in his half of the draw.
Even his mooted quarter-final opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was ****** out injured, leaving 15th seed Nicolas Almagro as the highest seed blocking Murray's path to the final.
"Everybody was so obsessed with how the draw was before the tournament started," Murray said. Now everybody wants to change their views on it because a few guys have lost... "I'll just concentrate on my next match. I'm playing a tough player, a very experienced guy. (I'll) Worry about that match."
The Union Jack flags will be out in ***** on Centre Court as Murray is joined by the up-and-coming Laura Robson, who plays her rain delayed second round match against Colombia's Mariana Duque-Marino first on the showpiece arena.
Fourth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer is another who did not make it on court for his second round match against compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut and they will start the Court One action.

Centre Court (1pm)

Laura Robson (GBR) v Mariana Duque-Marino (COL)

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) [15] v Jerzy Janowicz (POL) [24]

Tommy Robredo (ESP) [32] v Andy Murray (GBR) [2]

Court 1 (1pm)

David Ferrer (ESP) [4] v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) [8] v Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [25]

Viktor Troicki (SRB) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [20]

Court 2 (11:30am)

Kaia Kanepi (EST) v Angelique Kerber (GER) [7]

Marion Bartoli (FRA) [15] v Camila Giorgi (ITA)

Ernests Gulbis (LAT) v Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Court 3 (11:30am)

Grega Zemlja (SLO) vs Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [29] To Finish 3-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 9-8

Jurgen Melzer (AUT) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)

Sloane Stephens (USA) [17] v Petra Cetkovska (CZE)

Court 12 (11:30am)

Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) [26] vs Santiago Giraldo (COL)To Finish 6-4 3-0

Alize Cornet (FRA) [29] v Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

Juan Monaco (ARG) [22] v Kenny De Schepper (FRA)

Court 18 (11:30am)

Jimmy Wang (TPE) v Tommy Haas (GER) [13]

Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) [19] v Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)

Lukasz Kubot (POL) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [25]

Court 14 (11:30am)

Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) vs Jeremy Chardy (FRA) [28] To Finish 2-6 7-5 2-1

Vesna Dolonc (SRB) v Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) [20]

Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v Dustin Brown (GER)

Court 17 (11:30am)

Alison Riske (USA) v Urszula Radwanska (POL)

Karin Knapp (ITA) v Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR)

Monica Puig (PUR) v Eva Birnerova (CZE)

 

[Smallville22]

Murray tribute artist avoids singing in the rain

A Scottish fitness teacher who wrote a tribute song about Andy Murray was invited to Wimbledon on Friday by the world number two's ****** Judy and thanks to Centre Court's roof he should be able to avoid singing in the rain.
Amateur musician Keith Meisner's singing career suddenly took off when his fellow Scot shared the song "Under The Lights, Song for Andy Murray" with his 1.5 million social media followers.
Murray told his fans: "A friend of mine who I grew up playing tennis with came up with this song."
That provoked an avalanche of interest with the song about the "Diamond of Dunblane" receiving more than 15,000 hits on YouTube in five days.
"The reaction has been really positive from the fans. It was really good of Andy," said Meisner who used to travel together with Murray on the junior tour.
Meisner, who now works as a physical education teacher at a school in Aberdeenshire, northern Scotland, stopped playing tennis in 2005 just after Murray hit the headlines for reaching the third round at Wimbledon on his first appearance.
Meisner came close himself to appearing at Junior Wimbledon but fell just short in the rankings. "It's a nice touch to be asked down to play the guitar and use more of my musical talents. I am really excited about it," he said.
At rain-soaked Wimbledon where the weather forecast for Friday is abysmal, he will certainly offer some welcome light relief to crowds crouched under umbrellas on Henman Hill - the grassy knoll named after British player Tim Henman where crowds congregate to watch matches on a giant screen but now known as "Murray Mount".
Meisner was inspired to write the song about Murray after watching him playing under the lights in New York and then facing the glare of camera flashes.
The chorus is "He's got a game as sharp as a dagger. He'll boom that backhand past you. He's got a chess player's mind and boxer's feet. That's a combination that is tough to beat."
But at least the weather will not stop the 26-year-old Meisner from supporting Murray on Centre Court
The world number two is due to play Tommy Robredo on the court whose giant roof spares fans from the vagaries of a dismal British summer.
But it was not ever thus.
Before the roof was built, British pop star Cliff Richard famously delivered an impromptu concert on the soaked and bedraggled crowd on Centre Court to cheer them up.
With a nice touch of irony, he launched into his big hit "Summer Holiday" and then was joined up in the stands for "All Shook Up" and Living Doll" by tennis stars Martina Navratilova, Virgina Wade and Pam Shriver.

 

[rivasky]

Petra Martic must die! I'll pay anyone who ***** that Croatian bitch 1,000,000 MyFreeOnes points. Not only did she beat Karolinka Pliskova in the Nottingham final, she also found the chuzpah to eliminate the adorable Czech superbabe in the 2nd round at Wimbledon yesterday. Enough is enough! Petra has outlived her welcome on this planet. :hang:

Gratuitous pic of the day: Laura Robson's left arm is twice as big as her right arm.

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[Smallville22]

Dimitrov follows girlfriend Sharapova out of Wimbledon

Grigor Dimitrov ended up on the second round scrapheap along with girlfriend Maria Sharapova after losing a rain-interrupted five-setter against Grega Zemlja at Wimbledon on Friday.
The Bulgarian 29th seed joined the long list of big names to fall as Slovenian Zemlja held his nerve to claim a 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-4 11-9 victory on Court Three.
Dimitrov, who twice led by a set, had trailed 8-9 in the decider when play was stopped by rain on Thursday.
After another rain delay on Friday, the match finally resumed but took a bizarre twist when, serving at 30-30, Dimitrov slipped over after launching a serve and, despite a valiant attempt to play his next shot on his knees, went match point down.
With Sharapova watching on from the front row of seats behind the baseline, he immediately walked to his chair and told the umpire the court was too greasy to continue playing.
With light drizzle still in the air, the players sat on their chairs for a long time while 22-year-old Dimitrov, once labelled "Baby Federer" because of his stylish game, contemplated trying to stay in the tournament.
When play started again he saved the match point with a hefty first serve which Zemlja returned into the net tape.
He then saved two more match points to level at 9-9.
Zemlja saved a break point in the following game to move 10-9 in front and when his fourth match point of the day arrived he converted with a superb running forehand pass.
The 55th-ranked Zemlja will play eighth seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.

Round 2 results

Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) beat 29-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 3-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 11-9

 

[Smallville22]

Robson crushes Duque to reach third round

Laura Robson moved into the third round at Wimbledon after a convincing 6-4 6-1 win over Mariana Duque-Marino.
British number one Robson, 19, broke her Colombian opponent three times to two in the first set before dominating the second, winning through in one hour and 13 minutes.
The match was delayed from Thursday due to rain and played under the roof of a packed Centre Court.
Robson started slowly, allowing herself to be broken early in the opening stanza before taking the lead, only to fail to close the set out as her serve let her down repeatedly.
But she broke again at the end of the set before going on to show some of her best tennis in the second, blitzing the Colombian qualifier with power and precision.
Robson, who surprised 10th seed Maria Kirilenko in the first round, served out the match to love to set up a last-32 clash with New Zealand's Marina Erakovic.
"It was a great atmosphere out there today and the roof being closed just makes it louder which is really exciting," said Robson, who initially seemed nervous but grew into the match using her trademark thunderous winners.
With British tennis in the doldrums for many years, Robson's progress has boosted a nation that usually views Andy Murray as its only hope.

Round 2 results

Laura Robson (Britain) beat Mariana Duque (Colombia) 6-4 6-1

 

[Smallville22]

Robson crushes Duque to reach third round

Laura Robson moved into the third round at Wimbledon after a convincing 6-4 6-1 win over Mariana Duque-Marino.
British number one Robson, 19, broke her Colombian opponent three times to two in the first set before dominating the second, winning through in one hour and 13 minutes.
The match was delayed from Thursday due to rain and played under the roof of a packed Centre Court.
Robson started slowly, allowing herself to be broken early in the opening stanza before taking the lead, only to fail to close the set out as her serve let her down repeatedly.
But she broke again at the end of the set before going on to show some of her best tennis in the second, blitzing the Colombian qualifier with power and precision.
Robson, who surprised 10th seed Maria Kirilenko in the first round, served out the match to love to set up a last-32 clash with New Zealand's Marina Erakovic.
"It was a great atmosphere out there today and the roof being closed just makes it louder which is really exciting," said Robson, who initially seemed nervous but grew into the match using her trademark thunderous winners.
With British tennis in the doldrums for many years, Robson's progress has boosted a nation that usually views Andy Murray as its only hope.
Spain's 19th seed Carla Suarez Navarro, Italy's Flavia Pennetta and Belgian number 20 seed Kirsten Flipkens all took advantage of some breaks in the cloud to reach the last 16.
However, the fall of the seeds continued as Germany's Angelique Kerber, seeded seventh and who had been a potential fourth round opponent for Britain's Robson, lost her delayed second round match against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.

Round 2 results

Kaia Kanepi (Estonia) beat 7-Angelique Kerber (Germany) 3-6 7-6(6) 6-3

Laura Robson (Britain) beat Mariana Duque (Colombia) 6-4 6-1

Alison Riske (U.S.) beat Urszula Radwanska (Poland) 4-6 6-3 6-4

Round 3 results

15-Marion Bartoli (France) beat Camila Giorgi (Italy) 6-4 7-5

19-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) beat Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 7-5 6-2

20-Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) beat Vesna Dolonc (Serbia) 6-4 6-2

Flavia Pennetta (Italy) beat 29-Alize Cornet (France) 0-6 7-6(4) 6-2

Karin Knapp (Italy) beat Michelle Larcher de Brito (Portugal) 7-5 6-2

 

[Smallville22]

Ferrer wins all-Spanish clash, Dimitrov out

David Ferrer came out on top in an all-Spanish second round match at Wimbledon, getting the better of a baseline battle to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5 on Friday.
When fourth seed Ferrer claimed the first set after 43 minutes, there was no hint that the 60th-ranked Bautista Agut could upset the country's pecking order and reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
But his clever shot-making drew a string of unforced errors from this year's French Open finalist Ferrer in the second set and he tenaciously dug-in to take the third set to a tie-break.
However, Ferrer kept his nerve to regain the lead, broke in the 11th game of the fourth set and closed it out to set up a third-round match against Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Grigor Dimitrov ended up on the second round scrapheap after losing a rain-interrupted five-setter against Grega Zemlja.
The Bulgarian 29th seed joined the long list of big names to fall as Slovenian Zemlja held his nerve to claim a 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-4 11-9 victory on Court Three.
Dimitrov, who twice led by a set, had trailed 8-9 in the decider when play was stopped by rain on Thursday.
After another rain delay on Friday, the match finally resumed but took a bizarre twist when, serving at 30-30, Dimitrov slipped over after launching a serve and, despite a valiant attempt to play his next shot on his knees, went match point down.
With Sharapova watching on from the front row of seats behind the baseline, he immediately walked to his chair and told the umpire the court was too greasy to continue playing.
With light drizzle still in the air, the players sat on their chairs for a long time while 22-year-old Dimitrov, once labelled "Baby Federer" because of his stylish game, contemplated trying to stay in the tournament.
When play started again he saved the match point with a hefty first serve which Zemlja returned into the net tape.
He then saved two more match points to level at 9-9.
Zemlja saved a break point in the following game to move 10-9 in front and when his fourth match point of the day arrived he converted with a superb running forehand pass.
The 55th-ranked Zemlja will play eighth seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.
Being the man that toppled seven-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer counted for nothing as Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky lost his next match to Austrian veteran Jurgen Melzer on Friday.
Unseeded Stakhovsky, desperate to avoid the one-hit wonder tag, showed none of the sharpness that sent Federer spinning out in the second round in one of Wimbledon's greatest shocks, losing 6-2 2-6 7-5 6-3.
It was a workmanlike performance from the dogged Melzer and 116th-ranked Stakhovsky, clearly drained by the greatest victory of his career, could never get in an effective blow against the 37th ranked Austrian.
On Wednesday Stakhovsky had played like a man possessed to end Federer's run of reaching 36 consecutive quarter-finals in Grand Slam play but he never reached those heights again on a dismal and cloudy day.

Round 3 results

2-Andy Murray (Britain) beat 32-Tommy Robredo (Spain) 6-2 6-4 7-5

24-Jerzy Janowicz (Poland) beat 15-Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 7-6(6) 6-3 6-4

Jurgen Melzer (Austria) beat Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukraine) 6-2 2-6 7-5 6-3

Adrian Mannarino (France) beat Dustin Brown (Germany) 6-4 6-2 7-5

Round 2 results

4-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Roberto Bautista (Spain) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5

13-Tommy Haas (Germany) beat Jimmy Wang (Taiwan) 6-3 6-2 7-5

28-Jeremy Chardy (France) beat Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) 6-2 5-7 7-6(6) 7-6(4)

26-Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) beat Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 6-4 7-5 6-3

Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) beat 29-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 3-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 11-9

 

[Smallville22]

Murray beats Robredo in straight sets

Andy Murray defeated Tommy Robredo 6-2 6-4 7-5 to advance to the last-16 at Wimbledon on Friday.
Coming through the first three rounds unscathed would not usually bring cheer to a player who has reached the final in his last three majors but Murray could be forgiven for giving himself a pat on the back this time around.
He has managed to navigate the rough seas that have shipwrecked a fleet of top seeds and can now look forward to calmer waters after a 6-2 6-4 7-5 win over 29th ranked Robredo.
With Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal among those strewn on the rocks, Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, seeded 20, is the highest ranked player blocking Murray's path to a likely showdown with top seed Novak Djokovic in the showpiece match.
As if the hopes of a nation looking for a British man to end a 77-year barren run at Wimbledon were not enough of a millstone for Murray to carry, there is now the added weight of him being expected to at least reach the final.
"I think there's a lot more pressure on me now with them being out," he said. "There are papers in the locker room, so you see some of the headlines. It's not that helpful.
"You need to be professional enough to not let that stuff bother you and just concentrate on each match."
The home fans' hopes, however, are built on the solid foundation of recent results.
Murray has been among the most consistent performers at the Grand Slams, only failing to reach the semi-finals once since the US Open in 2010.
Added to that record, is that fact that he has moved slickly past three opponents without dropping a set.
Although no prizes are awarded for hitting top form in the third round, the number two seed can be satisfied with the way he outplayed Robredo with his aggressive ball striking.
He broke for the first time in the third game of the first set against the number 32 seed and followed that with two more to close out the opener.
A rasping backhand pass delivered another break at the start of the second set and, apart from a brief moment of vulnerability as he was serving it out, the Scot never looked like relinquishing control.
The 31-year-old Robredo, who had never been past the third round in 12 appearances at Wimbledon, upped his aggression levels in the third set but found Murray's defences watertight.
The home favourite broke in the 11th game and wrapped up the win when Robredo netted a backhand on his second match point.
The wet weather, so often an accompaniment to proceedings at SW19, meant the match was played out entirely under the Centre Court roof.
It was the first time Murray had played under cover at the grasscourt slam since losing last year's final to Federer. Then the change in conditions was widely said to have contributed to his downfall.
It should come as no surprise, therefore, that he told reporters he prefers being exposed to the elements.
Waiting for Murray in the last 16 will be the winner of the match between Youzhny and Serbia's Viktor Troicki, which was kept off court by the persistent rain that dogged the day.

Round 3 results

2-Andy Murray (Britain) beat 32-Tommy Robredo (Spain) 6-2 6-4 7-5

24-Jerzy Janowicz (Poland) beat 15-Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 7-6(6) 6-3 6-4

Jurgen Melzer (Austria) beat Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukraine) 6-2 2-6 7-5 6-3

Adrian Mannarino (France) beat Dustin Brown (Germany) 6-4 6-2 7-5

Round 2 results

4-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Roberto Bautista (Spain) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5

13-Tommy Haas (Germany) beat Jimmy Wang (Taiwan) 6-3 6-2 7-5

28-Jeremy Chardy (France) beat Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) 6-2 5-7 7-6(6) 7-6(4)

26-Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) beat Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 6-4 7-5 6-3

Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) beat 29-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 3-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 11-9

 

[Smallville22]

Order of play: Saturday June 29

The order of play for day six at Wimbledon, with Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Britain's Laura Robson all in action.

Centre Court (13:00)

Richard Gasquet (FRA)[9] v. Bernard Tomic (AUS)

Sabine Lisicki (GER)[23] v. Samantha Stosur (AUS)[14]

Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] v. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)[28]

Court 1 (13:00)

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)[25] v. Petra Kvitova (CZE)[8] - to finish

Kevin Anderson (RSA)[27] v. Tomas Berdych (CZE)[7]

David Ferrer (ESP)[4] v. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)[26]

Serena Williams (USA)[1] v. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)

Court 2 (11:30)

Viktor Troicki (SRB) v. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)[20]

Laura Robson (GBR) v. Marina Erakovic (NZL)

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) v. Tommy Haas (GER)[13]

Court 3 (11:30)

Ernests Gulbis (LAT) v. Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Sloane Stephens (USA)[17] v. Petra Cetkovska (CZE) - to finish

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[4] v. Madison Keys (USA)

Klara Zakopalova (CZE)[32] v. Na Li (CHN)[6]

Court 12 (11:30)

Juan Monaco (ARG)[22] v. Kenny De Schepper (FRA)

Eva Birnerova (CZE) v. Monica Puig (PUR) - to finish

Grega Zemlja (SLO) v. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)[8]

Dominic Inglot (GBR) v. Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

Johanna Konta (GBR) Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP)

Court 14 (11:30)


Kei Nishikori (JPN)[12] v. Andreas Seppi (ITA)[23]

Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) v. Petra Martic (CRO)

Alison Riske (USA) v. Kaia Kanepi (EST)

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v. Julien Benneteau (FRA)[11]
Frederik Nielsen (DEN) Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[11]

Court 18 (11:30)

Lukasz Kubot (POL) v. Benoit Paire (FRA)[25]

Roberta Vinci (ITA)[11] v. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)[18]

Igor Sijsling (NED) v. Ivan Dodig (CRO)

 

[Smallville22]

Robson reaches last 16 after inspired recovery

Britain's Laura Robson recovered from a set and a break down to beat Marina Erakovic 1-6 7-5 6-3 and reach the last 16 at Wimbledon.
The last British woman to reach the fourth round at SW19 was Sam Smith back in 1998, and it was far from a comfortable win for Robson after she looked to be on the brink of defeat.
It was a remarkable resurgence from the British number one as she broke her New Zealand opponent when she had been attempting to serve out for the match at 5-4 in the second set.
The world number 38, who has a habit of beating big names but losing to those she should see off, was looking down and heading out after being initially outclassed by lower ranked rival Marina Erakovic.
But after a storming comeback and some impressive service returning, the former girl's singles champion secured her progress 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes.
"I was getting my butt kicked and I was really struggling because she was playing so well," said Robson.
"I just tried to stick with it until she got nervous and that is what happened. The crowd was amazing and I'm so happy to be through and I couldn't have done it without them."
After claiming the first round scalp of tenth seed Maria Kirilenko the draw appeared to be opening up for Robson - the last British women's winner here, Virgina Wade, even backed her to 'do some damage' at the business end of the Championships.
But her New Zealand rival took the first set in just 22 minutes and then had the chance to serve for the match at 5-3 in the second set.
However, from nowhere Robson finally discovered her rhythm and with a partisan crowd chanting her name, capitalised on her rival's nerves, winning eight consecutive games to establish a winning momentum.
Robson is the first home player to reach the second week of the women's singles since Sam Smith beat former champion Conchita Martinez in 1998.
She will now play Estonia's Kaia Kanepi, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, after she defeated American Alison Riske 6-2 6-3 for a place in the last eight, which would better her run to the fourth round at last year's US Open in New York.
Meanwhile, fellow home hope Andy Murray will take on Mikhail Youzhny in Monday's fourth round after he came through in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 against Viktor Troicki.
The second seed and home favourite has won both his previous matches against the Russian, who is ranked 26th in the world, though their last encounter was four years ago.
"It will be a very tough match, he's a great grass court player but there will be no sleepless nights," insisted Youzhny.
"I know the crowd will be with Andy but I'm hopefully going to enjoy the chance to get on Centre Court, it's a very special place to play."

 

[Smallville22]

Australia's Tomic edges Gasquet to reach last 16

Bernard Tomic sent ninth seed Richard Gasquet tumbling out of Wimbledon on Saturday in a thrilling clash between Aussie brawn and Gallic flair.
Dogged persistence won the lanky Tomic a place in the last 16 as he defeated the elegant Frenchman 7-6(7) 5-7 7-5 7-6(5) after a cliffhanger on the sun-kissed Centre Court.
The 20-year-old Tomic was the picture of consistency on the biggest stage in tennis, holding his nerve in two tight tiebreaks against a grasscourt specialist who just could not break the Australian's rhythm.
Tomic has kept his focus despite his ****** and coach John facing a court case for allegedly assaulting his ***'s former practice partner, Frenchman Thomas Drouet. Tomic senior has been suspended from ATP events pending the outcome of the case.

 

[Smallville22]

Berdych hoodoo strikes again for Anderson at Wimbledon

South Africa's Kevin Anderson would be forgiven for never wanting to set eyes on Tomas Berdych again after the Czech beat him for a ninth successive time at Wimbledon on Saturday.
The seventh seed won 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-5 to set up a last-16 clash against feisty Australian Bernard Tomic.
Berdych and Anderson had played each other eight times in the last 18 months, and five times this year, with the former Wimbledon finalist winning on every occasion.
The 27th seed Anderson stands 2.03 metres tall and possesses one of the best serves in the game, but he was cut down to size by the heavy-hitting Czech who overcame losing the first set to scrap his way into the lead.
Anderson served for the fourth set leading 5-3, but could not close it out and Berdych, who needed some treatment on his back, finished him off three games later, wrapping up victory with a service winner on his second match point.

 

[Smallville22]

Robson breaking new boundaries at Wimbledon

Laura Robson is getting accustomed to resetting the record books but she insists everything is now a bonus in her Wimbledon adventure.
The British number one and Olympic mixed doubles silver medallist needed to summon all her fighting instincts to battle into the fourth round after a major scare against lower ranked rival Marina Erakovic.
The New Zealander served for the match in the second set but Robson responded by winning eight games on the bounce and secured her progress 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes.
She is the first British woman to reach the fourth round at the All England Club in 15 years and will conclude the Championship in the world's top 30 players - lofty heights not achieved since Jo Durie 26 years ago.
"I can definitely play better than I did but it's tough to play your best tennis all the time, it's more important to be consistent," said Robson.
"It's my second time in the second week of a Slam, although at the US Open I played on the Sunday, so my ******* said it didn't count.
"Hopefully this means I will be seeded for the US Open but I didn't go into this match thinking if I win I will get into the world's top 30.
"It's all a bonus for me now, hopefully I've got another ten years or more here."
So far this week Robson has beaten a Maria, a Mariana and a Marina but will take on Estonia's Kaia Kanepi on Monday following her 61 minute 6-2, 6-3 win over American Alison Riske.
Kanepi knocked British wildcard Tara Moore out of Wimbledon in the first round and has also claimed the scalp of seventh seed Angelique Kerber.
Robson will now seek video evidence of both those matches in a bid to better understand a player ranked 12 places below her in the WTA Tour standings.

 

[Smallville22]

Beaten Keys earns Radwanska praise, Stephens splutters

Madison Keys lost at Wimbledon on Saturday after fellow American Sloane Stephens came through her third round match but it was the teenager who got the plaudits after nearly upsetting last year's runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska.
Poland's Radwanska survived, winning 7-5 4-6 6-3, but Keys lived up to her billing as the American most likely to challenge for major honours when 16-times grand slam champion Serena Williams decides to hand over the baton.
Stephens, the 17th seed, survived to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time but she put in a patchy performance against 196th-ranked Petra Cetkovska to whom she lost eight games in a row before pulling off a 7-6(3) 0-6 6-4 victory.
Keys, 18, boasts a serve that former American great Chris Evert believes can turn into a weapon like that owned by world number one Williams, while she also has the heavy groundstrokes to back it up from the baseline.
Keys cracked down 15 aces against fourth seed Radwanska, with her first serve almost breaking the 120mph-barrier at times. Her total winner count was 67, compared to Radwanska's 23, although the unforced errors also piled up.
Radwanska was clearly impressed with what she saw.
"She was really playing great tennis," Radwanska, who beat Keys 6-1 6-1 in Miami this year, told reporters. "Especially she was serving unbelievable. Even when I had some break points a couple of times I couldn't do anything.
"I think a couple of months ago some journalist asked me who is one of the young players coming up. I picked her.
"She can really do well. If she's going to work and play like this, we're going to see her much more often."

BOOMING ACES

Keys showed plenty of guts too, saving three match points at 3-5 in the decider, two of them with booming aces.
"I just thought, 'Hit the biggest serve you possibly can'," Florida-based Keys, who made her WTA Tour debut aged 14, told reporters. "I was kind of impressed with my serving today."
Keys said she was just happy to be part of a burgeoning group of American women players of which, including Williams, there are 10 in the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Australian Open semi-finalist Stephens is currently leading the chase but lacks the heavy-artillery of Keys.
However, she proved on Saturday she has that crucial knack of pulling out victories when not playing well.
Her match resumed at the start of the third set on Saturday after it had been interrupted by bad light on Friday after Stephens had lost the second set 6-0.
When she went 2-0 down and a point away from 3-0 in the decider she looked listless and her game was riddled with errors but she recovered her composure to turn things around.
"Today was a new day. I knew I could come out and play, go for it, play a full third set," said Stephens, who will meet a familiar face in Florida-based Puerto Rican Monica Puig for a place in the quarter-finals.
"It did feel weird. I thought I'm only playing one set. This is like a practice set. It was a little tricky.
"I just had to go out and play, play hard," added Stephens.

 

[Smallville22]

Clinical Djokovic in a hurry to crush Chardy

Like a ruthless emperor dismissing an underling, top seed Novak Djokovic ended a highly satisfactory first week at Wimbledon by brushing aside Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-2 6-2 to continue his serene progress.
Chardy, the 28th seed, put up little fight in the evening sunshine on Centre Court with the third round match wrapped up in 86 minutes.
Clinical Djokovic, who eased past the same player in the first round two years ago on his way to a first Wimbledon title, is yet to drop a set in three one-sided contests so far.
His next opponent, evergreen Tommy Haas, should put up more resistance in the last 16.
German Haas surprisingly beat the Serb in straight sets at the Sony Open in Miami in March, although Djokovic took revenge in the quarter-finals of the French Open earlier this month.

 

[Smallville22]

Del Potro suffers injury fright beating Zemlja

Eighth seed Juan Martin Del Potro suffered an injury scare after moving into the last 16 at Wimbledon on Saturday with a straight sets win against Slovenia's Grega Zemlja.
Del Potro fell awkwardly chasing down a drop shot in the third set, receiving treatment and taking a medical timeout before wrapping up a 7-5 7-6(3) 6-0 win.
"I will see the doctor after here, because I was going for the dropshot and I twisted my ankle," he told reporters.
"I hyper-extended my knee, as well. It was really painful. I was a little scared at that moment.
"I finish the match very quickly. Now I start to feel something in my knee and my ankle, as well. I will check with the doctor very soon."
Del Potro, who equalled his best performance by reaching the fourth round, will now face Italian Andreas Seppi.

 

[Smallville22]

Resilient Ferrer outlasts Dolgopolov to make last 16

Fourth seed David Ferrer came through a punishing five-set test against Alexandr Dolgopolov to move into the last 16 in the evening gloom at Wimbledon on Saturday.
Ferrer eventually ground down the 26th seeded Ukrainian 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 2-6 6-1 6-2 in three hours 12 minutes.
"It was a very hard match," this year's French Open finalist Ferrer said. "I tried to fight a lot and to be focused in the right moments and eventually I won."
There were only been 12 five-set matches in the first two rounds of the men's singles at Wimbledon, which was the fewest at the grasscourt grand slam in the Open era.
Ferrer's famed staying power came into its own as he got on top in the fourth set and ended the resistance of Dolgopolov to set up a fourth round match against Croatia's Ivan Dodig.

 

[Smallville22]

Clinical Djokovic crushes Chardy, Murray to face Youzhny

Top seed Novak Djokovic ended a highly satisfactory first week at Wimbledon by brushing aside Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-2 6-2 to continue his serene progress.
Chardy, the 28th seed, put up little fight in the evening sunshine on Centre Court with the third round match wrapped up in 86 minutes.
Clinical Djokovic, who eased past the same player in the first round two years ago on his way to a first Wimbledon title, is yet to drop a set in three one-sided contests so far.
His next opponent, evergreen Tommy Haas, should put up more resistance in the last 16.
German Haas surprisingly beat the Serb in straight sets at the Sony Open in Miami in March, although Djokovic took revenge in the quarter-finals of the French Open earlier this month.
Fourth seed David Ferrer came through a punishing five-set test against Alexandr Dolgopolov to move into the last 16 in the evening gloom.
Ferrer eventually ground down the 26th seeded Ukrainian 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 2-6 6-1 6-2 in three hours 12 minutes.
"It was a very hard match," this year's French Open finalist Ferrer said. "I tried to fight a lot and to be focused in the right moments and eventually I won."
There were only been 12 five-set matches in the first two rounds of the men's singles at Wimbledon, which was the fewest at the grasscourt grand slam in the Open era.
Ferrer's famed staying power came into its own as he got on top in the fourth set and ended the resistance of Dolgopolov to set up a fourth round match against Croatia's Ivan Dodig.
Eighth seed Juan Martin Del Potro suffered an injury scare after moving into the last 16 with a straight sets win against Slovenia's Grega Zemlja.
Del Potro fell awkwardly chasing down a drop shot in the third set, receiving treatment and taking a medical timeout before wrapping up a 7-5 7-6(3) 6-0 win.
"I will see the doctor after here, because I was going for the dropshot and I twisted my ankle," he told reporters.
"I hyper-extended my knee, as well. It was really painful. I was a little scared at that moment.
"I finish the match very quickly. Now I start to feel something in my knee and my ankle, as well. I will check with the doctor very soon."
Del Potro, who equalled his best performance by reaching the fourth round, will now face Italian Andreas Seppi.
Russian Mikhail Youzhny loomed on Andy Murray's horizon and Australian Bernard Tomic hurtled back on to the Grand Slam radar as an unpredictable Championships neared its halfway point.
Youzhny, the 20th seed, beat Viktor Troicki in straight sets to reach the last 16 while bad-boy Tomic continued his impressive form to knock out French ninth seed Richard Gasquet.
Tipped as his country's next big thing the 20-year-old Tomic has instead gained a reputation as a sports car-driving playboy and was left out of Australia's Davis Cup team last year for what officials considered a lack of effort.
A quarter-finalist here in 2011, Tomic had lost his last 11 matches against top-10 opponents but produced a display of maturity and skill to win 7-6(7) 5-7 7-5 7-6(5).
Youzhny's clash with Serb Troicki at a sun-drenched All England Club was one of four men's third round matches in the lower half that had been held over from a rain-hit Friday.
Youzhny served notice that Murray's expected charge into the final for a second consecutive year will not be the cakewalk some predict in the **** of a rash of first-week retirements and withdrawals that decimated the bottom half of the draw.
The burly Russian won 6-3 6-4 7-5 but inevitably most of the questions in his news conference revolved around his impending battle with home favourite Murray.
"Don't worry, I will ***** normal," Youzhny said, when asked if he was concerned about being public enemy No.1 on Monday.
In the others, Spain's Fernando Verdasco, Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Frenchman Kenny De Schepper also reached the last 16.
Yet another injury blighted the tournament with Dutchman Igor Sijsling's retirement from his third round match with Dodig taking the tally of withdrawals to 13 - already equalling the previous worst toll in 2008.
Apart from appearing on Centre Court in a parade of Britain's Olympians, Murray enjoyed a day of leisure having seen off Spain's Tommy Robredo under the Centre Court roof on Friday.
With the hype beginning to boil as he tries to go one better than last year and become Britain's first male Wimbledon champion for 77 years, it was a nice day off for the world number two.
There was disappointment, though, for a legion of Japanese fans watching 12th seed Kei Nishikori as he went down in five sets to Italian Seppi after twice
being in front. Number 23 seed Seppi has now prevailed in his last seven five-set matches.

Third round results

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 28-Jeremy Chardy (France) 6-3 6-2 6-2

4-David Ferrer (Spain) beat 26-Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 2-6 6-1 6-2

13-Tommy Haas (Germany) beat Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 4-6 6-2 7-5 6-4

8-Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) beat Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) 7-5 7-6(3) 6-0

7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat 27-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-5

Bernard Tomic (Australia) beat 9-Richard Gasquet (France) 7-6(7) 5-7 7-5 7-6(5)

Ivan Dodig (Croatia) beat Igor Sijsling (Netherlands) 6-0 6-1 1-0 (Sijsling retired)

23-Andreas Seppi (Italy) beat 12-Kei Nishikori (Japan) 3-6 6-2 6-7(4) 6-1 6-4

Kenny De Schepper (France) beat 22-Juan Monaco (Argentina) 6-4 7-6(8) 6-4

20-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) beat Viktor Troicki (Serbia) 6-3 6-4 7-5

Lukasz Kubot (Poland) beat 25-Benoit Paire (France) 6-1 6-3 6-4

Fernando Verdasco (Spain) beat Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) 6-2 6-4 6-4

 

[Smallville22]

No crumb of comfort for Kimiko as Serena turns on style

Serena Williams unleashed her full arsenal to move almost effortlessly into the last 16 at Wimbledon with a crushing 6-2 6-0 win over Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm on Saturday.
Williams, considered an old-stager herself despite being 11 years younger than her opponent, never allowed 42-year-old Date-Krumm to gain a foothold in the match, crunching winners and firing down aces with her usual high levels of aggression.
The pedestrian Date-Krumm serve seemed to belong to a different era and was ruthlessly dispatched as Williams took the first set in 35 minutes, breaking three times.
The second set was an exercise in ********* as Williams wrapped up the match without dropping another game.
Williams, chasing a sixth Wimbledon title and 17th grand slam overall, will face Germany's 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round.