Wimbledon '13: Point by Point Coverage

[mooncreek]

As happy as I'd be for any result on the ladies side, the WTF factor with Bartoli has me slightly leaning towards her. I mean, she couldn't have been playing worse this year, the coaching situation is chaos, she brings in a guy who's in the middle of another drama (the guy John Tomic beat up), the one big name who couldn't play in the Olympics. She hasn't really been involved in any of the storylines this tournament. It's so utterly ridiculous that it'd be the perfect cap on this crazy two weeks.

On the men's side, tough to picture the soon-to-be Top 3 not in the semifinals (and yes, that felt really weird to type). Berdych and del Potro would be much better off if they were playing each other's opponent.

[mooncreek]

Pretty sure at this point that the match is going to end with Delpo in tears.

ETA: Of course, those tears could mean "I can't believe I'm in the semifinals with my knee like this".

[lt]

I seem to be mostly sticking to Djoker/Berdych. So glad that Djoker won that first set after he had converted that break point but didn't know it because he didn't challenge the call (shades of Li Na there. . . ). Still can't believe Berdych had two breaks in the second and still lost the set. That's got to be disheartening.

I know I'll be concentrating on Andy/Fer but I will watch some of Kubot because I want to see some more proper net play.

eta: that was so wild--it looked like Ferrer/Delpo was going to end way before Djoker/Berdych but then Ferrer made it more of a fight and Delpo went away. A 10-second difference between the two matches ending.

[mooncreek]

That match felt a lot like Delpo's 2009 USO run... which is remarkable given the first few minutes were about his knee.

So I'm sure everyone predicted at the start of the tournament that Verdasco would be the last Spaniard standing.

ETA: Aga in the stands for the start of the Pole match. Yes, I'm actually mostly sticking with watching that while scoreboard and twitter watching to see if Fernando does anything remarkable.

[lt]

Darn on Kubot having a set point and then losing that and then losing his serve and then losing the set. That big serving/no net play of quite a few of the guys left is so boring to me. (eta: oops, I forgot Berdych is now out--I should say two of the guys left. . . )

Fer is holding in but not playing well. If he works through his nerves I'm curious to see where this match will go. However, very good points from both guys so far.

eta: ooohhh, I think Andy let Fer stay in too long and get his forehand working. I think I want Andy to win but I'm very happy Fer just took that first set.

[harry24]

I think I want Andy to win but I'm very happy Fer just took that first set.

I just came in here to ask you whom you were rooting for, lt.

What is it you love about Murray?

[lt]

harry, I love his game. I like the all-around guys (which is why I'm turning around on Djoker--his game is winning me over). I do wish Andy came in to the net a bit more though. I've always dis-liked the Sampras-style of play so the players who can beat that style have historically been my favorites. The reason I'm rooting for Andy over Fer (who is one of my top faves of all time) is because of what it would mean to the country and because I'm looking ahead a bit--Andy/Djoker (if it gets there) would be a great final. Before that, since I don't think Kubot will win, I want the guy who has the best chance of beating that boring (to me) style of Janowicz.

That said, I'm ridiculously happy that Fer is making himself relevant again.

eta: on a completely different note, it's a good thing Wimbledon isn't played in WI--I've been here for a week-and-a-half and it has rained at least a little (and sometimes much more) every day. The strawberries I look forward to each year are tasteless because of all the spring rain.

Holy Moses indeed--that's the craziest net cord I've ever seen for Fer to get that break.

This match (Andy has just gone up a break in the fourth) is insanely well played. Centre court has seen some stellar tennis the past two days.

[tikigirl]

Although his game is great overall, I just can't warm up to Murray. He's lacking just a bit of that killer instinct that characterizes amazing (to me) champions like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic (blech, I can't believe I had to type that -- still hate him).

On a shallow note, which I never seem able to avoid -- Verdasco is looking rough. What happened? I used to think he was so hot...

ETA I'm totally rooting for Radwanska on the women's side. Such the game!

[lt]

I don't want either player to lose! Every time it gets close to a break in this fifth I get all nervous. If this were the final I'd be happiest person in the world.

tiki, I think Fer looks better this year than he has the past couple of years since he's dropped so much of that muscle weight. His biggest problem is his hair--for someone with such a gorgeous full head of hair he never seems to be able to get the style right. Long, short, in-between. . . it just never looks right. But yeah, his baby face has grown into cragginess--I prefer cragginess so I'm good with what he's got now.

You know, I don't blame Andy for being pissed about the cameras--I know you can turn off the "click" on a digital camera, can't you turn it off for a DSLR?

My goodness! This match! I'm going to feel so bad for Fer if he loses another crazy-good 5-set Grand Slam match.

[mooncreek]

This is the best Fernando has looked in a few years - and I mean both his tennis and his appearance. He might be one of my most-disliked players (something about his attitude has really pissed me off over the years) but I cannot deny that he shouldn't be toiling in the fifties in the rankings, either.

That said, I am so so relieved Andy won. It was inevitable, given all the nonsense going on, he had to have a match like this.

[falafaclese]

The past few days have been hectic. I was disappointed that Na lost her quarterfinal, but I've liked Aga for so long, I couldn't be too sad. That bad call at the end of the first set that Na didn't challenge was maddening though.

I got a little choked up watching Kirsten Flipkens' people getting choked up over her win. I like Kvitova, but it was so rewarding to see an underdog buckle down and just do what it took to get the upset. She was so steady, and her game is very enjoyable when she manages to pull off some of those beautiful on-the-run shots.

So was the outcome of Murray/Fer all about Fer bringing it, or was Murray not playing up to par? I'm really starting to get invested in Andy taking this title.

[lt]

So was the outcome of Murray/Fer all about Fer bringing it, or was Murray not playing up to par?

Little bit of column A, little bit of column B. Fer was not playing well in the beginning of the match--he was very tight--but Andy wasn't taking advantage of it. When Fer found his forehand it was too hard for Andy to match his level and that was the end of the first set. Andy was up in the second but Fer started going for everything and it was paying off. I can't believe I'm going to agree with John McEnroe but Fer as swashbuckler is a really apt description--he's going to live and die by the sword. Fer never really dipped but after Andy had one of his changeover breakdowns Andy picked himself up and started playing better.

I loved Darren and Brad in the studio talking about how coaching Fer has made Darren lose his hair. Brad wouldn't say anything about what coaching Andy has done to him (he said the hair was already a lost cause). I also loved them giving the BBC a red card for their awful post-match interview with Andy. No wonder Andy is short with them--saying that Lendl should go into the locker room and yell at Andy because he didn't win more easily. Ridiculous and insulting to both players.

Speaking of the studio, I really like Mike Tirico for tennis. He obviously knows the sport and either watches a lot or did a lot of studying because he's been very on top of things. I think Pam Shriver has found her niche and she's really good explaining how the elements and distractions of the courts affects the players and play. Chris Evert has gotten good too! I really didn't like her when she first started commentating but she doesn't get all down on the players like she used to. Basically, curmudgeon John is the weakest link but he was fine today because he likes both Verdasco and Andy and he always does a better commentating job when he actually likes the players. I watched Djoker/Berdcych for the first match so I don't know how John did with Delpo and David but he was very complimentary talking about that match during the second one.

Really looking forward to the women's semis tomorrow--it's been a while for me. Flipkens/Lisicki is what I'm hoping for the final.

[falafaclese]

Thanks lt. It sounds like I missed an entertaining match. I'll have to see if I can find a replay on espn3.

I don't know why, but I'm slightly amused that Marion went to the one-piece dress for the semis when I'm pretty sure she's been wearing the two-piece outfit all along. She's dressing up for the occasion.

btw, Lotto did a great job with that dress, it looks great on everyone who's wearing it.

[falafaclese]

Flipkens seems a little bit flat, but Bartoli is really playing well.

[lt]

Oh dear, this is going way faster than I would like.

I'm glad Mike and Mary Jo mentioned that Bartoli is a really nice, friendly person. It's silly, but that helps me like her a little more.

Okay, the shaking of the hand while she's trying not to cry is very endearing.

I do with Kvitova had won that QF just so this match could have maybe been more compelling.