Wimbledon 2014

[lt]

As usual, I'm on a work trip for Wimbledon which works nicely for me since when I'm not physically at the plant I work from my hotel room where I can watch on TV. Thanks to the World Cup the ESPN coverage is a bit all over the place but my hotel has all the necessary channels (although EPSNews is not HD). I'm currently watching the Anderson/Bedene on the Watch ESPN stream (they have a lot of courts on there!) with Venus's match on mute on the TV.

Sad that Fer went out in the first round, especially since the preening that Matosevic did after winning was unseemly to say the least. Not really surprised that Stosur went out--this year has not been good for her I feel.

Loved the standing ovation Andy got when he came out on to Centre Court. It was like all the people who didn't get to go to last's year's final was thanking him for the Championship.

I wish Boris Becker would start coaching Dustin Brown. I love his game so much but he's not getting over the hump and one of the best serve and volleyers would help him. I think Brown would do well being around Novak a bit as well.

[roseha]

I had to flip through my new lineup in Time Warner Cable (in New York City) to find ESPN News at 11:30 AM after the switch over to World Cup coverage. I found it at 302 here, if that helps anyone.

Did Li Na get through? She was struggling but I didn't see them go back to her.

[harry24]

Did Li Na get through?

Yes, thank goodness. She's my gal fave, followed closely by Madison.

[lt]

So Fognini appears to be pissing off all and sundry. He actually got a point penalty after some code violations and he started yelling at the supervisor. PMac and Darren thought he could have been defaulted because he actually touched the guy. They said the chair umpires and tournament folk are getting sick of Fognini's antics. Interesting.

Meanwhile, I'm watching Dolgo and he's playing really well. Looks like he'll win this one in straights. And he just did. Yeah!

I like Melzer (I admit, playing mixed with his wife and doubles with Feli is coloring my opinions in a positive way) but c'mon Tsonga! Play better.

[harry24]

I like Melzer

Thanks to Tennis Channel's coverage and willingness to interview even non-superstar players, I remember Bill Macatee doing a delightful interview with Melzer and that Melzer seemed like a really nice guy.

[falafaclese]

Jun 23, 2014 18:41:05 GMT lt said:

They said the chair umpires and tournament folk are getting sick of Fognini's antics. Interesting.

I don't doubt it. At some point during the clay court season, I watched him invite one of the umpires to meet him outside (presumably so they could work out their differences physically)after the match. I don't know if this is a new development, or if he was always like this and his improved results have just increased his visibility. He needs to get over himself.

[lt]

I don't know if this is a new development, or if he was always like this and his improved results have just increased his visibility.

I think it might be the latter. I remember watching him years ago at some side court at the Open (playing Feli which is why I was there) and Fognini being quite. . . volatile.

I must admit, I was a bit upset with Ferrer after his comments about how he couldn't beat Rafa (pre-match) and then admitting he threw in the towel against Rafa (post-match) so I'm not crying he lost today but I'm still not happy about it.

Novak losing a set to Stepanek doesn't surprise me--Radek is the ultimate dangerous floater--but I hope it's just one set that Djoker loses to him.

Sad about Vika, coming back from this injury has not been easy.

So, with Tulowitzki being named the NL Home Run Derby captain I think he should invite Novak as an honorary captain--Tulo's been crediting Nole's book and lifestyle changes (Tulo is now gluten free as well) with helping him become injury-free and healthy this year. And I would love to see if Nole could hit a home run from a BP pitch.

[falafaclese]

Jun 25, 2014 17:55:02 GMT lt said:

Novak losing a set to Stepanek doesn't surprise me--Radek is the ultimate dangerous floater--but I hope it's just one set that Djoker loses to him.

Sometimes I love the British commentators. About Stepanek in the first set: "That may be a 35 year-old skin, but he's playing out of it."

[GrandSlamGuru]

I missed the last couple of days but did get to watch Venus win this morning.

[skyz]

Streams for Wimbledon - www.stream2watch.me/tennis

Hopeful for a Venus win against Petra and for both her and Serena to make it through in the doubles. Serena played like crap in the doubles yesterday, came out and won in 49 minutes in singles today.

Rafa's down a set against Rosol. I don't think he'll lose the match. Rosol will have a lot more pressure on himself to close out the match if he gets in that position. But I may be surprised.

[lt]

Darn it all Lukas! You should be up 2 sets. Now you're going to lose.

He was playing with such great abandon but as soon as he plays tentatively it will be all over. Double-faulting to end the 2nd set tiebreak is really going to hurt him (understatement of the year).

[falafaclese]

That second set was so tight! It doesn't feel like Rosol can maintain though.

[lt]

I like John Isner but he has to learn how to play better in his return game. Wearing out the opponent is not thrilling tennis.

eta Friday: Caro is in the ESPN booth and I'm so glad to see her happy. She discovered the downfall of posting a selfie with a teen idol--a couple of the guys from One Direction were at her match and she put a photo with one of them on Twitter only to be slammed with a ridiculous number of comments from teens saying "he's mine." Hee! Stupid kids.

Good for Kevin Anderson taking out Fognini--who completely tanked that last set. I was watching online and the british commentators were not pleased with Fabio and his not living up to his talents. Also good for Kevin for not relying only on his serve. His return game has gotten so much better--too bad John never learned that (although I hope John doesn't figure it out for his next match because he's playing Feli). If Andy wins today he'll meet Kevin and Cahill said that Kevin and Andy practice together a lot in Miami so that should be fun.

[lizm]

Jun 26, 2014 16:42:15 GMT lt said:

I like John Isner but he has to learn how to play better in his return game. Wearing out the opponent is not thrilling tennis.

That's the way I feel about Raonic, who I like personally and want to do well (/biased Canadian) but surprised me by winning against Nishikori. When I get really frustrated, I think of him as "No-Return Raonic". But that's not really fair. It's just that he has almost no chance against people who can reliably return against his serve (the top 5 or so).

Heh, it just always feels like he's disappointing me, especially compared to his counterpart Bouchard - whose redirection of the ball, constant aggression and ability to turn matches around is more fun to watch.

Exciting week for Canadians, though!

[francienolan]

Haven't been here in a year(s?) but after thinking I had bumped into tikigirl (who I mistakenly called tikilady!)on twitter came to find my original on line tennis faves.

I watched a little of Kyrgios at AO but wasn't convinced he'd win today. Definitely a case of bringing your best to big stage.

And despite all help Maria gave Kerber still didn't think she'd close it. But her defense was really on, teased if I squatted every time she did would have gotten 100 squats in easy

Will definitely pop over here more often but if any of you are on twitter please let me know. Those of you who remember me from way back might recall my plan to raise tennis players/fans. Well despite a move to FL that hasn't happened. One child swims which makes sense. The other plays ice hockey so I'm 0 for 2. lool