Wimbledon 2004

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You know it's nearly here cos the temperature in London has dropped by 10C and the sky is the colour of concrete and ash. Ho hum.

But still...the qualies finished on time and - tousle my hair with a hand-pumped leafblower - a Brit made it through! Usually content to let his Paraguayan namesake take his place in the main draw, Jamie Delgado burst from the peloton to join Ramon in the Grand One-Two-Eight, with a win over the Roehampton #1 (United Colours of Benneteau). No such joy for our Spuddy hero from Paris - Starchy tutored in grasscourt Terpsichore by Tipsarevic.

In the ladies', Yulia, our favourite strobe-heavy pretzel parlour makes it through, to be joined by Masho(ro)na Washington who hopes to have the same knack for a SW19 upset her brother MaliVai had in '96.

Flawless Feddy mowed down every obstacle at Halle the week before last, taking his grasscourt run to 17 wins - a repeat tourney victory more impressive (but I would say that) than A-Rod's bangathon gambol of a Queen's defence (grrr, Grosjean really had him in that first set) - but clearly these boys are the ones to watch again. RF has a wildcard Brit - Bogdanovic - on day one, so at least the ex-Belgrader will get on the telly. His Last Picture Show, obv.

In the absence of the Belgians, we must look to the Russians to break up the traditional atmos-free family errorfest on the 2nd Saturday. Mysky's #2 but Sharapova just won at Edgbaston. Still have to fancy Serena now the brick dust has settled.

(Oh, and apologies if my jokey attempt to 'lock' the Roland Garros thread rubbed anyone up the wrong way. It started to head in an uncomfortable direction. And as much as some like of us to indulge in the nicknaming thing - often to the point of stomach ache and dental regret - I don't want it to put anyone off! It's Wimbledon, it's on the telly, y'all know what's happening, let's talk abaht it.)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 07:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Hooray... in the honour of her being the highest ranked, if not seeded, player in the draw, here is a badly cut-and-pasted job of Lady Miss Kina.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~monmon77/ladymisskina.jpg

― edward o (edwardo), Friday, 18 June 2004 07:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Serena looks to have a fairly simple draw, too. Whereas Myskina has likely matches with some countrywomen right at the beginning - look at the draw. Venus could have some difficulty, by the looks of it.

― edward o (edwardo), Friday, 18 June 2004 07:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Is it very difficult to get day tickets at the gate? I don't have to camp overnight, do I?

― Girolamo Savonarola, Friday, 18 June 2004 07:24 (twenty-two years ago)

No, you should get into the ground (outside courts) if you join the queue early morning (say 7:30-8am) - there are 6000 ground tickets available every day. If you want one of the 500 Centre or #1 court tickets available daily you should probably queue overnight (the stewards distribute a number of wristbands to queuers - equally distributed to each queue north and south of Gate 3 - equivalent to the number of showcourt seats left for that day). If you're one of the last to get a wristband you'll probably be offered a Court #2 seat. There's also unreserved seating for ground pass holders on courts #3, #13 and #18.

There's a second, cheaper ground admission (for ground capacity minus those who've left) around 5pm which in the past has various involved me started to queue at 4:45 and getting in easily or turning up at the same time to see people snaking all the way around the car park and giving up.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 07:57 (twenty-two years ago)

A question for debate.

How soon will Agassi be eliminated?

― the junefox, Friday, 18 June 2004 08:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought Agassi was injured and would therefore miss Wimbledon?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 18 June 2004 08:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, sorry, PF - AA is out of this already.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 08:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Serena looks to have a fairly simple draw, too.

Capriati in the quarters... and those matches are weird, they seem to be determined solely on the basis of who dominates the series at the time rather than normal factors like form and surface. And Capriati nearly had Serena last year...

I will be queueing for a ground pass on the first Tuesday... and on that day can be found somewhere in the vicinity of Tatiana Golovin, Igor Andreev and the Pimm's tent.

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Just checking in Mike, Lex and co..

How did the Big Ouzo get an 11 seed?

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Serena vs Jennifer on grass? I do not like Capriati's chances one little bit.

Though if you want a draw from hell, your man Coria looks doomed. Rather horrible looking quarter he is in. It's a good time to be Andy Roddick.

Big Ouzo probably seeded due to a good result here blah blah blah, cf Rafter the year he lost to Ivanisevic but it isn't going to happen.

― edward o (edwardo), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Poup's ranked #19, so eight places isn't too generous of a surface-based boost to a former finalist, double quarter-finalist and Queen's champ. Henmang might be wondering quite why he and Bandy aren't ahead of G'mo but maybe the AELTC have got a bit wary of shuffling the top 32 around quite so conspicuously near the top of the pile.

I haven't really studied the draw - I might pick up a broadsheet paper and have a good, long ponder over reheated pasta tonight.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:40 (twenty-two years ago)

The men's seeds are done by a secret grass court 'formula' which the seeding committee never tells anyone about and which is normally an excuse for bumping Henman up the list... which, oddly, they've not done this year. Venus and Serena's artifically high seeds are due not to that but to their official injury rankings which have surely expired by now but oh well.

The Nastya v Sharapova 4th-rounder will be key.

No of top 10 players Venus has beaten this year: 0
No of top 10 players Serena has beaten this year: 1 (Elena D and her serve)

The Aura of Invincibility is long gone, and the games of the rest of the players have caught up... the Williamses both have a lot to prove at this tournament.

(xpost!)

Also - dunno if anyone picked it up but yesterday's Wimbledon guide in the Grau was hilarious, even if it contained 137838228 inaccuracies.

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:43 (twenty-two years ago)

The Nastya v Sharapova 4th-rounder will be key.

yes, but look how many OTHER Russians stand between that. I have an awful feeling it's not going to happen. It's great that the Russians are pumping them out, but could the draw people not have lumped them all into the same half? (Some exaggeration here)

― edward o (edwardo), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:44 (twenty-two years ago)

At least we're virtually guaranteed a Russian semi-finalist. Bovina and Kirilenko... I think Nastya and Big Masha can take them.

Stories from the qualifying: remember Alexandra Stevenson? Toothy American brat, illegitimate daughter of some American famous person, mother ranted on about 'predatory lesbians', fluked her way to the semi a couple of years ago, now ranked comfortably outside the top 100? This is what she's up to these days:

Failure to advance from the women's event proved too much for American Alexandra Stevenson, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals as a qualifier in 1999.

The 23-year-old stormed off court, kicking over two chairs and 'unintentionally' spraying water over the back of Eva Birnerova, her 7-6 7-6 conqueror.

Birnerova, the world number 116 from the Czech Republic, said: "She threw water at me and I will be reporting it to the referee."

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 18 June 2004 09:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Have you had a good long ponder, Michael?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Friday, 18 June 2004 19:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Post-ponder:

Nothing much to add to the above, really. The one thing that really jumps out is the offensively easy draw Roddddick has landed himself - unless Taylor Dent has miraculously rediscovered his misplaced potential, there's no danger until the quarters and maybe not even there.

Predictions for the last eights:

Federer-Hewitt
Fish-Grosjean
Henman-Nalbandian
Schalken-Roddick

S Williams-Capriati
Raymond-Safina
Zvonareva-V Williams
Sugiyama-Sharapova

(I think Bandy and Baxter are the two most likely to vanish in the first 48hrs out of that lot. But I like living on the edge.)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 19:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Sugiyama? Really?

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 18 June 2004 20:02 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think Ai's quarter is all that strong (not very mentally strong anyway) - she's got a Brit to start with (love and two, then - but probably a good workout with lengthy points in front of a racuous minor showcourt crowd) and I fancy her to edge Rubin (though you know I love Chanda, Dan) in r3. Then it could be the Woman Who Cannot Serve, if she makes it that far.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Well yeah, at this point I think that a damp paper bag stands a good shot at ousting poor Chanda. (I haven't looked at the draws yet; I just couldn't conceive of a grasscourt draw that would be favorable to Sugiyama because, well, it's grass court.)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 18 June 2004 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, it took Clijsters to beat her last year in r4 and then they made up and went off and won the doubles together, so she's decent enough on the fast stuff.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 18 June 2004 21:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Sugiyama's great on grass courts, but she's also in a bit of a slump at the moment - and the Brit in question is an excellent serve-volleyer who beat Jie Zheng last week and Magui Serna last year on grass. Anyway... if Ai plans on breaking out of the slump she's got a great draw to do it here, but I wouldn't be surprised if she loses to Jankovic in round two.

My predictions are boring... much the same as Mike for the men's (though I'm going with Safin over Hewitt), and I think all the top seeds will hold up for the women, Davenport's knee pending.

― The Lex (The Lex), Saturday, 19 June 2004 08:42 (twenty-one years ago)

A point for discussion.

How soon will Tim Mayotte be knocked out?

― the pinefox, Saturday, 19 June 2004 09:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Nalbandian in the quarters, certainly, though perhaps earlier. I have a feeling (based on NOTHING) that Jiri Novak might do something this year and he's in that quarter too.

― edward o (edwardo), Saturday, 19 June 2004 10:59 (twenty-one years ago)

And with impeccable timing... the BBC announces that Bandy may be forced to pull out.

Seriously - and unfortunately for me - I think the Henperson is now a virtual lock for the semis, and if any non-Federer is to take Roddick out he's got as good a chance as any... he has a very good record against Roddick. If Ancic (Bandy's first round opponent) ever decides he wants to play well for more than two matches in a row, he will be very very dangerous indeed... but he hasn't so far in his career, no reason for him to start now.

― The Lex (The Lex), Saturday, 19 June 2004 11:10 (twenty-one years ago)

And Bandy IS out - what a blow. With the withdrawal of Agassi the salad has lost its dressing and now it's shy of any truly crunchy greens. May as well throw it in the bin.

I'll change the above to Henman-Haas (Tommy's got to be worth a run back into the big time.)

Weather for Monday: sunshine/showers; Tuesday: probably dry; Wednesday: fugly cold front moves in and it gets a bit fresh.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 19 June 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Hasn't Ivanisevic announced this to be his final Wimbledon appearance?

I wish him well. Always liked him.

― Aaron A., Sunday, 20 June 2004 06:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I loved hearing the announcers try to pronounce his name back when he first arrived on the scene. I also loved seeing a bloc of Croatian homies in the crowd when he played.

Just read that Amanda Coetzer has retired. In her heyday, she was fantastic to watch. She was obviously past her best, but she was lovely.

― edward o (edwardo), Sunday, 20 June 2004 06:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Thought retirement for Amanda mightn't have been far away after the Oz.

About 20 years ago Elton John sang a song about 'ice on fire'. I could never get a sighting of AC without thinking about that line. I'll miss her (although with that magic Sith Eff accent, surely a TV network will make sure we haven't heard the last of her). A wonderful player.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Sunday, 20 June 2004 07:26 (twenty-one years ago)

She did great TV segment. She can mix drinks, and when she came to the Hopman Cup one year, the TV crew put her behind a bar. She was fantastic and looked to be having a great time. And yes, what an accent.

― edward o (edwardo), Sunday, 20 June 2004 07:43 (twenty-one years ago)

'Weather for Monday: sunshine/showers; Tuesday: probably dry; Wednesday: fugly cold front moves in and it gets a bit fresh.'

watched the weather forecast earlier and it said that there will be showers on tuesday too.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 20 June 2004 10:10 (twenty-one years ago)

watched the weather forecast earlier and it said that there will be showers on tuesday too.

Boo! My housemate has worked out that her Centre Court tickets are likely to get her the Serena/Roddick/Henperson show too, and she's not best pleased.

Coetzer gave my favourites hell in the late 90s. I'll probably miss her a little more now she's actually gone.

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 20 June 2004 10:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Coetzer was a favourite of mine too - she was a bit like her (ex-)compatriot Johan Kriek, a ferocious amount of racket skill in one highly concentrated package.

Goran is up against 31st seed Youzhny and will almost certainly lose - but a Centre court swansong is in order.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 20 June 2004 11:03 (twenty-one years ago)

And indeed it is - the Centre Court line-up tomorrow is heavenly: Fed, Goran and Nastya. Pity I'll be on a train for much of it.

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 20 June 2004 12:36 (twenty-one years ago)

There was a special tennis edition of The Weakest Link on just now. Andy Roddick didn't know what letter of the alphabet had the same sound as the word for a female sheep... he answered 'baa', at which point I fell off the sofa laughing.

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 20 June 2004 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, and there was a Seles question which made me fall off the sofa AGAIN: "What was Monica Seles famous for when hitting the ball: a) mooing or b) grunting?"

Elena Bovina should moo when she hits the ball. Actually, EVERYONE should moo when they hit the ball.

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 20 June 2004 17:17 (twenty-one years ago)

That Weakest Link was oddly compelling - they interspersed the tennis questions with "general knowledge for 8- to 10-year-olds" and Pat Cash continually looked bemused - between "This is too easy, it must be a trick" and struggling to decipher Robinson's Scouse-obliterated-by-RP "iccent". John Lloyd genuinely does seem a bit dim and Christine Truman was just making sure people knew the bewildered schtick she's been doing on the radio for 20 years is no schtick.

I'm glad Boris lost in the final.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 08:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm glad Boris lost in the final

mike's having this on his tombstone you know :)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 21 June 2004 08:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Erk...is anyone else having difficulty reaching www.wimbledon.org? "504 Gateway Timeout" is harshing my buzz!

Lessee what BBCi has to offer then... (only FRA-SUI and Steve Claridge from 7:45pm I expect).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 09:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Right - I've got real-time scoreboard working (huzzah for internet at work, boo for actual work itself). We have one score, that being that G Weiner has beaten Davide Sanguinetti in four sets. Odd, cos I though Sango was playing Greg. Hmm.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Martina's on! And she's got a break.

― edward o (edwardo), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Admittedly she is playing someone who all but the most die-hard aficionadi wouldn't even recognise as a perennial round one loser.

Trouble for the lovely Ai Yi Yi too.

― edward o (edwardo), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Right, we've got Sue Barker chatting to various people on BBC2 (which is fair enough up to a point, and that point is about five minutes' time when WE NEED TO SEE SOME LIVE TENNIS), and the option of Court #3 (Janes hammering Sugiyama - oops!), Court #17 (Parmar-Elseneer; hello? Who cares?) or the scoreboard with quarter picture thing on BBCi (freeview).

Whoo! We've got Martina N on BBC2 now.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Doh! Rain! I'm off to the recycler with all the spent bottles from the first week of Euro2004. Tell me if I miss anything amazing.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Martina raising merry hell at 5-0 in the first - and any bets for first seed to fall - Emmie Loit is looking like value.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:31 (twenty-one years ago)

OT: Wimdledon "Franchise" FC have been officially renamed Milton Keynes Dons FC. [as agreed with football league]

long live the real: AFC Wimbledon

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Amanda Janes disappointingly isn't wearing Mary Janes but is sporting an odd top with a small-of-back (medical name, anyone?) exposing void. I presume she's seen Goldfinger recently and wants to avoid asphyxiation.

The sound on the interactive channels is mysterious - off-mic chatter which is either just the commentary without someone plugging the right cable in or they are Beispiele paranormaler Tonbandstimmen.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I wouldn't count out Lefty Loit just yet, she's an interesting one. Erratic, sure, but difficult, and rain break will be a godsend to her.

One might be worried about Vera Zvonareva, particularly if young Samantha Stosur has taken time out from doing awful ads for muesli bars and gotten around to practising...

― edward o (edwardo), Monday, 21 June 2004 10:59 (twenty-one years ago)

The BBCi channels when play is suspended are fascinating slices of outside broadcast verite - cameras pan inelegantly, the director bounces between them randomly; everyone in the OB van is clearly munching hurriedly on their take-out orders from Pret.

The covers are off, mind - that I can see.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 21 June 2004 11:02 (twenty-one years ago)

The Llout nearly hands back a service break to 'Alka' Melzer (I couldn't even fake being less surprised) but recovers.

Stose so far doing OK against Vinegar T's from Prisoner Cell Block H.

The Rodge not getting at all bogged down by Bogdanovich - broke him in game 4.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Monday, 21 June 2004 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 630 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Amelie takes the first t-b 7-4. Cripes.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

'funny, like'

The match sounds good.

I am listening to 'Destroy The Heart' (Peel) again.

It sounds good.

― the bellefox, Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Though still falling to the occasional one down the T, Amelie is doing a superb job of returning Serena's serve. She's getting lots of chances and if she can just convert one early, this could be over quickly.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Mesmo breaks in the 2nd to lead 2-1. She's looking fabulous at this point, but, y'know, so was Davey and then it rained... And it is a bit gloomy out there.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Ammer has broken. Methinks Renes is cactus. Her tennis seems aimless at the mo.

Just had a whinge about a line call.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Rene battles (with broken racket - manages to avoid a code violation by playing on for a couple of points after chucking it) to hold for 2-3. It is drizzling but they're not coming off just yet.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Amelie's serving slower and choking on the forehand - the break has gone. It's 3-3.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Break-back: Revival or just 'dead cat bounce'?

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

This is agonising - Mesmo has fallen apart, for whatever reason, and has now called for the trainer. Serena leads 4-3 in the 2nd.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:03 (twenty-one years ago)

And AM is in injury trouble. Just disappeared down the tunnel with a trainer.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

bah, this is horrible.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

An exhibition has turned into a horror-show - Amelie blows 40/0 on her serve and a Serena mis-hit balloons onto the baseline to break. Only one winner now.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, but Mesmerising Mauresmo breaks back...

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh, so twisty-turny... it's compelling in a much more disquieting way now.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Next two games are semi-comfortable holds - AM will serve at 5-6.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:23 (twenty-one years ago)

the crowd are so silent between points. they're like celebrants.

― cºzen (Cozen), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Disaster - AM gets a lousy call on a perfect length approach at 30/30(ump overrules and the point is replayed - SW wins it with a deft pass) and then hits the second worst second serve fault Centre Court has seen this year (Lleyt hit one almost out of the Borough Of Merton yesterday). 7-5 Serena. I fear a third set mauling for the ailing Mesmo.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

It wasn't even on the outside of the line. The majority of that ball would have been inside the court.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

how do? loses the second set.

― cºzen (Cozen), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha - this thread is full of "she's been broken, her career is OVER" comments, quickly and quietly retracted when said breakee goes on to win the next 12 games.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:36 (twenty-one years ago)

That drop volley was astonishing - if only Dan Maskell was here to tell us how it reminded him of Manolo Santana.

I remember that one! So much backspin it bounced backwards. Seems an eternity ago now, unfortunately :(

― The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

(I really wish I could join in the live fun here but the TV is two rooms away and now I hear the sound of the crowd again)

― The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm, I like to think I'm making my rash predictions and their subsequent retractions at precisely the same volume. I live to be surprised, Mark.

Anyway, AM to serve, 1-2 in the decider.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Nobody's over yet... Ammer saves break point with a big volley dangerously close to the line and two well-placed first serves, one an ace. I have taken Alizee off and put Singuila on in the hope that this will freshen Amelie.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Blimey, this is somethin' else. 4-3 to Serena. You can't believe these two are hitting the winners they are in the context of the howling losers.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

what Lex said. I hope BBCi replays lengthy highlights of both semis tonight

― zebedee (zebedee), Thursday, 1 July 2004 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Crikey - how many times is Mesmo going to deprived of probable winners by duff baseline calls at the near end? Immense hold by SW - ahead 5-4.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

(I am basically awaiting the chance to be really smug now.)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

SMUGGERY IN FULL EFFECT BOOYAH!!!!!!!

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Serena 6-7 7-5 6-4. Classic, obv.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Credit the linespeople, Dan. They should all be taken out and shot.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

X-post. It's a shame that's the first thing that came to my mind because it WAS a very entertaining game.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I will shoot them with kisses! (Kidding obv, no one likes to see a match won based on bad officiating.)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Either of those two semis could have been a final.

― edward o (edwardo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

and past form is that the final is always a damp squib by comparison when the semis are classix. What with Sharon being a "slow starter" and first slam final nerves, I fear it'll be over quickly...

― zebedee (zebedee), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I think that might be the best best-of-three match I've ever seen. Didn't SW says afterwards it was the highlight of her career? Rolling through Slams without dropping a set must be such a drag after a while.

What a way to end our ILX thread!

If I may be so bold (and repeat myself in a medium where such reiteration is redundant) - http://www.network54.com/Forum/323138 might be where we want to go next. (Next = from noon tomorrow anyway).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 1 July 2004 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah well, pauvre Amélie. Linespeople weren't that bad, but Mauresmo got nervy and let her back injury get to her... then Serena stepped up big time.

Is no one watching the MIXED DOUBLES?! One of the Bryan twins and Big Dave lead Discount Booze and Bhupathi, as far as I can tell through the haze of... well... discount booze. French, obv, to commiserate with Amlie.

― The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 1 July 2004 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh... that was quite the match, no? Big props to Mesmo - you get the feeling that could be something of a turning point in her career, somehow, cos when it really started to get heavy, she seemed to be... enjoying it. Just a little. But for a player who hasn't exactly been noted for her mental fortitude before, that was impressive. Perhaps her breakthrough might be coming...

Still, though Serena looked crushing when she REALLY needed to be. You'd have to fancy her to take it against BattleShar Galactica - they're both capable of being scarily good, but sErena's a bit more consistent at it.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 1 July 2004 18:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Right, I'm saving the thread NOW. If anyone has anything to go in the glossary from here on in, put it on the temporary thread on the temporary board. Thank you.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 1 July 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

No worries WBS.

Following her defeat last night (Oz), Lindsay Davenport has indicated this will be her last year of tennis. She was a fine player, and a genuine personality in a media air-brushed age that needed them. She ran her own race without making an exhibition of herself and finished still near the top. Congratulations to her on a good, maybe even great, career.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Friday, 2 July 2004 02:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Hee hee, Sergei Bubka is playing in the boys' doubles!

― OleM (OleM), Friday, 2 July 2004 09:30 (twenty-one years ago)

He cannot be lobbed.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 2 July 2004 09:40 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

From Network 54:

Wimbledon 2004
July 1 2004 at 9:14 AM
Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors)

Just testing whether this is worth pursuing...

Author Reply
Mandee Wright (Login Wolfshirt)

Of COURSE it's worth pursuing, Michael!

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors)

Er, not if the other tennis foax from ILE don't hotfoot it over here on the double all speedy quick-like.

Fred Nerk

Seem to have found my way in.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors)

I suggest keeping Mesmo-Serena stuff over on ILX and keep this forum for tomorrow onwards. Whaddya think?

Fred Nerk

Rene 3-1 in tie breaker

Anonymous

Sounds good.

Markelby (Login Markelby)

Mandee is brillian

I've just rated Mandee's post as brilliant.

Hello everyone. This is odd. Hurray for little Maria! Boo for Serena. That is all.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors)

This is great! The more the merrier...

I'm not going to be posting too heavily in here until I have to; perhaps we can just all sign in as we arrive so we know we've got a little community goin' on like in THE OTHER PLACE.

lauren (Login warmlaunderette)

agreed.

she is brilliant.

Edward O (Login edwardok)

Boo. I'm going away for the weekend so may not be able to watch any tennis, so IN-DEPTH, BITCHY COMMENTS must be waiting upon my return. Please?

Anonymous (Login MrSwygart)

Not sure I'm liking these staggers (oh dear God the glossary is going to be a NIGHTMARE of Hugo Myatt proportions...)
.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 1 2004, 2:49 PM

It's just taken me half an hour to figure out how to work this forum. I'm not good with all this technology.

The BBC gave Amélie a bottle of vintage Bordeaux. Poor love looked distraught in the interview. Silver lining for Mauresmo supporters: the real winner today, more than Little Maria and Big Serena, was the WTA.

Go Maria, etc.

Edward O (Login ParadornSrichapan) July 1 2004, 3:07 PM

What chance does anyone give Sharapova?

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 1 2004, 4:27 PM

If she plays like she did in her third set today, and Williams plays like she did in her third set today, Sharapova wins. Her poise and controlled aggression were breathtaking... and I mean, breathtaking as in the only other player whose shots have amazed me like that this fortnight is Federer.

I'm not sure if Princess Shaz can afford another slow start though. And she'll have to remember that where Lindsay is slow as molasses, Serena is one of the fastest players in the world.

Edward O (Login ParadornSrichapan) July 1 2004, 4:28 PM

Very good. Have your post rated a FIVE for that. Actually, I reckon the nerves will be a minimal factor.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 1 2004, 4:31 PM

You can score posts! Good lord.

Nerves... I don't think they'll be a factor. Experience, yes. I want to see the final NOW!

FabFed vs Big John already has me salivating at the prospect of all that yummy tennis. Sultry Brown Cow Eyes vs Cock doesn't so much.

Edward O (Login ParadornSrichapan) July 1 2004, 4:55 PM

hur hur hur replace "vs" with an apostrophe...

I really WANT to watch the semis but I have to be up agonisingly early in the morning and I can't afford to live nocturnally for the tennix for ever...

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 1 2004, 5:11 PM

Call this payback for the Australian Open.

M-Nav's mixed doubles match got suspended overnight at 10-10 in the third!

I think this is a very special Wimbledon so far. I've just read tomorrow's columns, and the British press are head over heels in love with Sharapova.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 12:39 AM

Yes, the key is that Sharapova appears to fearless - she's mad for it. Serena has to show some weakness for her to profit though, MS seems to feed off that.

Do we see any way CowBoy can floor Dick? I guess Dent net-rushed against Pandy to moderately good effect and Mari is a better volleyer.

Very grey right now over south London but apparently the traditional mix of sun and showers is forecast for the afternoon.

Liz :x (Login wintryme) July 2 2004, 2:48 AM

Ack! I only just noticed that my faves are called (Princess) Maria and (SBCE) Mario: is there something off going on namewise?

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 5:08 AM

Lovely opening break to 15 by Rodge.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 5:24 AM

Grosjean fends off three break-points with surprisingly stinging serves and unsurprisingly delicate net-play. This is good stuff. RF serving at 3-2.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 5:27 AM

Rain! Sebby hit a coupla creamy winners to get back from 40/0 in game six at which point the weather stemmed his flow.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 6:05 AM

This is a whole sack of anti-fun. The sun came out, they knocked up, it started raining, they went away again.

80% chance of showers tomorrow, 30% Sunday.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 7:50 AM

Shall I just copy my last post? Cos it happened again - knocked up, started drizzling, dash for cover. 3-2 40/30 in case anyone's forgotten. It might be 3-2 40/30 forever.

Anonymous (Login anastasiamyskina) July 2 2004, 7:59 AM

The breaks in between the showers last just long enough for them to take the covers off, put the net up, get the players out and start the warm-up. Then it starts pissing down again. Boo. Surely they will put SBCE v Dickhead on another court now?

On the plus side we did get to see the new Rachel Stevens video!

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 9:12 AM

Strangely, I'm less enamored of that Rachel Stevens record now I've heard more than 15 seconds of it.

Yes - it's confirmed, Ancic-Roddick will now be on court #1. I don't want to get into omens but I fancied Mario's chances more on Centre (where he's never lost).

We're promised a 'bright evening' - just as long as they're both finished by tomorrow. Third Monday = huge dilemma for me.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 10:19 AM

First set Fedz 6-2. First three games of Anc-Rod go with serve; Mario does seem to be continuing with his policy of serve-volley at all costs. So, er, good luck with that.

Anonymous (no login) July 2 2004, 10:25 AM

I need to pick up my tennis racket more often.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 10:38 AM

(Who knows who that was?)

First break to Dick - Mario fends off a flurry of attempted passes at 30/40 before Pandy shovels one down the line. Groan. With serve in set two btwn RF and SG.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 10:44 AM

I don't I can watch any more of AR-MA; Roddick takes the first set, holding from 15/40 with - surprise - three hooj serves and a slappable crosscourt hoot. Fed a break up in set two.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 10:51 AM

Fed not exactly on top form but way too many errors from little Sebby - 6-2 6-3. Nav/Paes and the Blacks are back on court after bailing out at 9:10 last night - 11-10 to the older pair.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 11:16 AM

Some small consolation as Ancic narrowly avoids going a double-break down in set two - players who beat Henman in the quarters usually have a bad time of it in their semis (Martin blowing a 5-1 final set lead and who knows how many other chances to finish off Washington in '96, Stich edged out by Pioline in '97, Grosjean never in the hunt against The Ox last year) but the players who put them out get proper stuffed in the final. We can only hope.

RF 6-2 6-3 4-3* SG
MA 4-6 3-4* AR

Nav/Paes bite the dust 13-11 out on court #13.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 11:17 AM

And it's raining again. Jesus.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 2 2004, 11:28 AM

Another instalment in the Beeb's filler catalogue this afternoon during the longest of the interruptions - a McEnroe 'Legends of Wimbledon' thing seemingly dating (judging by Mac's chin-fluff) from the mid-90s. All well and good seeing that footage again but someone had prevailed upon John Barrett to record extra spurts of commentary - nowhere more intrusive and obvious that in the 1980 tie-breaker - "Oh, such anticipation!" - when JB's original sparse interjections were perfect. It was like M*A*S*H with the canned laughter. Bizarre.

The tent's up on #1 so that's probably good night.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 3 2004, 5:57 AM

Sterling work Mike in the absence of seemingly everybody. Rubbish weather again today, but FabFed squeaked the third set out in a tiebreak despite Seb serving for it. Meanwhile, SBCE took the second set (yay!) but at 4-5 down in the third, Dickhead asked for play to be suspended even though it wasn't raining 'because of moisture in the air' ('because I am getting my arse kicked and I need to talk to my coach'), and on resumption took that set (boo!). Then it rained again.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 6:06 AM

I've been in Internet Optimizer hell all morning, so no access to this site for me.

Yes, RODDICK IS A BLOODY CHEAT. Can we just say that? Play continued on every court but #1 during the 'rain delay' and meanwhile A-Rod got his A-Game back together with Brad 'Servant of the Devil' Gilbert. I've seen this happen so often before.

Ancic, though, is missing so many easy volleys it's excruciating to watch. Right now it feels like it's Pandy's destiny to win this tournament. Rodge was pretty flaky against Seb on the resumption and doesn't look like he settles after these interruptions nor is he coping with the wind. I'm worried.

Fred Nerk (no login) 6:18 AM

And the ladies are away....

Fred Nerk (no login) July 3 2004, 6:22 AM

With serve so far. Shara 2-1 up, fought back from 0-30 down to win last game.

Fred Nerk (no login) July 3 2004, 6:35 AM

Serena is two breaks down in first set. I think the technical term for this situation is 'arse deep in trouble'.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 6:37 AM

Bollocks. Ancic serves two doubles to go a break down in the 4th.

Fred Nerk (no login) July 3 2004, 6:42 AM

Shara having trouble serving out the set. Have the nerves kicked in at last? Serena has saved two set points but now faces a third...which Maria double faults.

Fred Nerk (no login) July 3 2004, 6:45 AM

And the 'Head is in the final. Anchovie saved two match points but not a third.

Fred Nerk (no login) July 3 2004, 6:46 AM

Meanwhile Shara finally wraps up the first set.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 6:48 AM

Roddick through 6-4 4-6 7-5 7-5. My nerves are in shreds and my wife is now a committed Andy-hater. Mario saved two m-ps brilliantly and always looked better from the back of the court but Brad G looked on with the smug grin of a man who knows his boy can uncork a 140mph delivery any time he wants (or at least, any time after a phantom 45min 'moisture' break during which I imagine there was some intensive tutoring).

I hope he is destroyed tomorrow.

Meanwhile - blimey! - first set 6-1 to Sharapova.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:01 AM

No sign of a Serena Surge yet - Maria trading angles like nobody's business and holds for 2-2 in the 2nd.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:08 AM

SW holds to love.

Elsewhere...the last remaining flicker of Martina's triple threat ends in the WD semis - with Raymond Baxter she's downed in two tight sets by AI and (not Anke) Huber. They'll meet The Hardest Working Woman In Tennis (Today) - Cara Black and Resistance-aiding, SS-appeasing cafe owner Rennae Stubbs.

Ouch, SW breaks - 4-2.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:15 AM

And Maria S breaks back!

Elsewhere #2...slightly confusing match of the day: MD semi on #2 which saw Knowle/Zimonjic oust Knowles/Nestor in 5 sets. Tony Knowles was the umpire. They'll meet - no surprises here - the ineffable Bjorkman and Woodbridge who vanned Arfurs & 'Anley off the premises in three close chaps.

MS holds for 4-4 with the help of an astonishing topspin lob.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:22 AM

Maria breaks for 5-4 on her fourth b-p after probably the best single game on Centre this year.

Wowser!

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:29 AM

Oh, my. I appear to have something in my eye.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 3 2004, 7:42 AM

Elsewhere #3...Hanley and Ai get their second spell on the grass later when they take on Woodbridge (similarly engaged earlier) and Molik in a XD semi; the line-up of the second XD semi is still to be decided because Mansour Bahrami has decided to deploy his latest trick - the ridiculously extended Over-45s doubles match (7-7 in the 3rd last I checked). The last XD qf is supposed to follow that - the pocket-dynamo that is Cara Black with bruv Wayney vs Sch-Sch, you know who.

W.B. Swygart (Login MrSwygart) July 3 2004, 7:42 AM

The Siberian Tigress delivers a mauling. The first set was incredible - Serena just not at the races at all, Shari shows the odd touch of nerves but pulls through - and then the second. Fuck me - 4-2 down, Serena in the ascendant, you think it's gonna be like Venus-Henin from a few years ago. Then Maria breaks back. Then holds serve - and then the ninth game, the game that wouldn't end, the endless trading of deuce and advantage, back and forth, back and forth, and finally Maria nailed 'er. Then the last game. Shari's serve hadn't been that wonderful throughout, she was double-faulting and second-serving plenty - but she held on. First Championship point she snatched at, you still wondered, and then... incredible. Serena wasn't at her best, but maybe Sharapova wasn't either. A rematch between the two... that'd really be something. But this was amazing nonetheless.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 3 2004, 7:55 AM

I don't quite believe what I've just seen. I know I love it, though. Good. God.

The way Maria stepped it up from 2-4 down... that 4-4 game... if you hadn't known in advance, you'd never have guessed that she was the 17-year-old ingénue.

edward o (no login) July 4 2004, 3:06 AM

Hooray! I actually got to see this even though the person I was staying with has no interest in tennis. The people I went out to dinner with last night were confusing Maria with Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi despite my correct them lots of times and on the long bus back to Canberra there was some kind of volleyball team who kept going on about the "hot Russian chick who won" but couldn't think of the name. "Anna Kournikova?" one of them proffered. "No, she won the doubles though." another said.

Pillocks, the lot of them. Masha was great, but you get the feeling she could have stepped it up another level if needed, as flashes of this were evident when down 2-4. But anyone who breaks the Rene serve as often is a force to be reckoned and when she was giving her speech she smiled in a quite geeky way that made me want to hug her more than usual.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 3:23 AM

The best climax to the women's singles I can remember; it wasn't close enough to be a classic final but the last four or five games were extraordinary.

I guess Cara B never got to play her mixed semi yesterday - instead she's got it today on court #2 directly after her WD final. In theory the XD final (the Woodmols are already there) should follow the battle between light and darkness on Centre.

So, the nerves start here. I'm trying to think of Queen's champions who reach a semi and a final in SW19 and never win it - Tony Roche is my best guess. So here's to A-Rod - future coach of Ivan Lendl.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 5:25 AM

Brit bias shining through even the interactive coverage this afternoon where the women's doubles final is being ignored in favour of showing Miles Kasiri (GBR, of whom I know nothing) in the boys' final. Oh, well, better get used to it if he's the Next Henman.

It's overcast but, at the moment, dry.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 6:18 AM

Roddick breaks first. Federer looking flat.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 6:27 AM

RF has 0/40 on the AR serve and a fourth b-p but takes none of his chances; holds after one deuce: 3-2. Then...rain.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:08 AM

They're back out but it's hard to see why they went off at all (if it was to break up Roddick's momentum then I'm all for it) - play continued elsewhere.

Bjorkman (more than ever looking like a young Max Von Sydow) and Woodbridge pegged back to 2-1 in the MD final (but a break up in the 4th), Cara and Stubbsy winning the WD, the Brit boy losing the junior final.

It's made no diff to Pandy - he's looking ferocious: holds to 15 and takes Fedz to another deuce game. 4-3.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:18 AM

First set Roddick 6-4.

Why never to trust head-to-heads early in players' careers: going into the '77 Wimb final Connors was 6-1 over Borg. Groan.

RF needs to pick himself up here.

Fred Nerk (no login) July 4 2004, 7:20 AM

Evil takes the first set over Good 6-4.

Never cease to be surprised by the 'Head's service action. Has he got a double-jointed shoulder?

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:27 AM

Roddick tosses in a couple of double faults and RF breaks to love; he still looks a bit flat to me but holds to lead 3-0.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:37 AM

A second break for Rodge but Pandy recovers it after the longest game of the match: 1-4.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:44 AM

This is horrible. RF drops serve again and it's 3-4.

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 4 2004, 7:54 AM

Four games held almost without incident: 5-6.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 8:01 AM

They trade flukey net-cords before RF goes screaming down the line on break-point: second set Rodge 7-5.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 8:10 AM

AR goes a break up in set three. What a bizarre match this is - no rhythm from RF for one thing.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 8:14 AM

Fedz holds to love - the first time anyone has (the only other love game was RF's first break in set two). Roddick serving at 6-4 5-7 3-2.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 8:18 AM

Rain again and RF had a great chance to get back on terms - netting a backhand at 0/30. AR leads 4-2 in the 3rd as they go off.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 8:32 AM

Max and Sweeney won the men's doubles in four, btw... Big Dave and Big Bob are playing through the rain trying to finish their mixed semi with the All-Blacks.

As Pat Cash has just pointed out, Rodge just isn't serve-volleying this year. I don't think PC is automatically falling into the Oz nostalgia trap here - RF did net-charge throughout last year's tournament (to brilliant effect against Roddick in the semi). Perhaps Plan B will come into effect after this interruption. He has to do something.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 9:32 AM

Roger likes the sun on his back, obv. - three games in a row on the resumption and an emphatic t-b 7-3. On serve in set four, RF to serve 1-2.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 9:48 AM

Roddick has four b-ps (including 0/40) in game four and another two opportunities in game six, but it's Federer who breaks - to love. He'll serve at 4-3.

Fred Nerk July 4 2004, 9:52 AM

The Rodgermeister is surely in the box seat now. Sandshoe Face is starting to look very frustrated.

Yes Pat, Rodge did indeed serve and volley his way back into the match. Well observed. But I'm afraid you're still a boring, self-promoting, whining little turd.

Michael JonesJuly 4 2004, 9:53 AM

Both hold to fifteen. Federer will serve for the title.

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 9:57 AM

With an ace, I tell ya. With an ace.

Fred Nerk July 4 2004, 10:36 AM

Those two Rodge service games where he threw up a bag of break points but Andy wasn't able to take advantage, had to be the beginning of the end of the match.

A fantastic performance from Federer, had to be better than last year because he did it against a higher-ranked opponent.

Two questions with notice:

Is the 'Head a tad one-dimensional and devoid of a Plan B, a bit like Philippoussis, or is that just how Rodge makes all his beaten opponents look?

How far ahead of the pack have Feddick and Roderer put themselves? Can any of Henman, Hewitt, Grosjean, Safin and co ever mount a sustained challenge for #1 again, or have all those gentlemen found their level and done very well over several years just to maintain it?

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 4 2004, 10:38 AM

To Pandy: BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

God, I spent most of the first three sets screaming abuse at Fedz for, variously, feeding the 'Head's forehand; playing nothing balls down the middle; misplacing his first serve; not volleying; not taking any of his gazillion chances on the Roddick serve; blowing a 4-0 lead in the second set. All's well that ends well though... I guess you can't extinguish real talent. Happiness has ensued.

Also, happiness on behalf of Todd Woodbridge (HOT) who has now got the record for most Wimbledon doubles titles won ever or something, this time with Gudmundsdottirman. No doubt the media will dig another record up to keep him from retirement.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 4 2004, 10:45 AM

"Is the 'Head a tad one-dimensional and devoid of a Plan B, a bit like Philippoussis, or is that just how Rodge makes all his beaten opponents look?"

Both... Our Rodge can make the most brilliant opponent look like an amateur hack, but at the same time Roddick really is the epitome of the ugly, brutish power-player. He's tactically vacant (he never cottoned on that Federer would serve to his backhand on every important point later in the match), possesses dubious volleys, doesn't really 'do'lobs or drop shots, and must have the least threatening backhand of any No 1 player ever.

"How far ahead of the pack have Feddick and Roderer put themselves? Can any of Henman, Hewitt, Grosjean, Safin and co ever mount a sustained challenge for #1 again, or have all those gentlemen found their level and done very well over several years just to maintain it?"

Of those... only Safin, but his temperament might dictate otherwise. When healthy, Ferrero should be in the mix as well. Any of those might sneak out a Slam win (er, Henbot apart)... but challenging for No 1 requires being able to threaten the FedRod axis everywhere, all year. I'm not convinced that Dickhead has set himself quite as far ahead from the chasing pack, though... a startling percentage of his match wins come in America, and he doesn't seem to have the requisite skills to sustain excellence elsewhere.

cozen July 4 2004, 11:06 AM

... all control, no...

-thing to inure him to me.

cozen July 4 2004, 11:10 AM

I thought roddick was charming and funny, post-match. his serving motion is almost mechanically beautiful.

roger federer reminds me of michael burns, you don't know him, he's my neighbour, so of course this insight means little to you.

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 4 2004, 12:47 PM

Aaaand it's all over with the conclusion of the mixed doubles final.

WIMBLEDON ROLL OF HONOUR 2004

Men's singles: Roger Federer
Women's singles: Maria Sharapova
Men's doubles: Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge
Women's doubles: Cara Black and Rennae Stubbs
Mixed doubles: Wayne Black and Cara Black
Boys' singles: Gael Monfils
Girls' singles: Katerina Bondarenko
Boys' doubles: Brendan Evans and Scott Oudsema
Girls' singles: Viktoria Azarenka and Volha Havartsova

Michael Jones July 4 2004, 2:29 PM

Cozen: I knew you wouldn't let me down (though following an ellipsis with a dash is dubious). If McEnroe can have a service action borne out of a back injury then why not one birthed from an angry swipe? Roddick's strokes are like concrete brutalist buildings. I expect I'll always loathe him. He is the new Becker for me. "Jeepers creepers" was nice tho'. He has a whole bunch of points to defend this summer; I imagine the USTA is already thinking of introducing a Challenge Round at Flushing Meadow to ease the strain of his US title defence.

Some karmic thing with the weather - Pandy escaped from a very sticky situation vs Ancic through a bogus player-power-induced 'rain' break but suffered when the drizzle really did arrive in the final. Roger was misfiring his way out of contention until the sun broke through. After the three-game sprint to 5-4 I never had any doubt. Lex is right to question Roddick's court nous but he was doing all the right things at the start. Fed has some inscrutable otherworldliness that I find endlessly attractive - Borg had the same quality.

The mixed final was a cracker - must better than the football.

cozen July 4 2004, 3:06 PM

haha mike, I think you have possibly nailed why I possibly like roddick (besides him being charming and me being contrary), I love concrete brutalist buildings.

cozen July 4 2004, 3:08 PM

see also: I like the way greece (and latterly italy) play football (and so am immeasurably happy.)

Lex (Login anastasiamyskina) July 5 2004, 1:33 AM

Fed has some inscrutable otherworldliness that I find endlessly attractive - Borg had the same quality.

He's like a Zen master on court. It's really amazing to watch. The only thing wrong with him is his hair, and even then it might be some sort of Samsonite power thing.

The mixed final was a cracker - must better than the football.

The Blacks saved an insane number of match point, weren't they 2-6 down in the second set tie break at one point?

Michael Jones (Login mikaelpernfors) July 5 2004, 9:13 AM

Cozen: I was reaching a bit with that analogy (hey, I like some brutalist architecture too).

All through the late 80s and early 90s I had this terrible fear of someone emerging in the men's game with the fastest serve (and a similarly bluntly violent baseline game) who would just blow people away with robotic power. Roddick isn't that player (far too animated, with far too many weaknesses) but he's close enough to my anti-ideal and successful enough in his own realm (North American hardcourts, grass) for me to want to see his rise arrested.

And contrary? Oh, yes - "Cze-Hol best game ever?"

Michael Jones July 6 2004, 4:42 AM

Lex: I came into the XD final at about 4-6 in the 2nd set t-b and, seeing as the Blacks ultimately saved six m-ps and won the breaker 10-8, I suspect they did trail by something like that margin. What's the record for an eventual GS champion - didn't Adriano Panatta save 11 m-ps en route to the French title in '76 or something? Possibly not all in one match and certainly not in the final.

Big movers in the entry rankings: Ancic (up from 63 to 27), Joachim Johansson (43 to 32), Malisse (51 to 36), Mayer (66 to 38) and - oops, the bigger they are, etc - The Ox plummets from 17 to 44. Good luck with the draw in the next year's worth of Slams, big fella.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Friday, 16 July 2004 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, Fred - I didn't think of doing that.

Those times are all PDT or somesuch, in case non-TWXers (and where were you?) are confused.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 16 July 2004 13:23 (twenty-one years ago)

You'll have to wait till next week for the glossary.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 16 July 2004 13:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Final finished 10am Sunday according to that clock, which would put it about 15 hours behind Oz and about 6 behind UK. But I'm only guessing.

Any time, WBS. Thanks for your trouble.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Friday, 16 July 2004 13:28 (twenty-one years ago)

can someone start a tour de france thread now ?

― -Bruno, Friday, 16 July 2004 14:19 (twenty-one years ago)

That other site put nasty spyware on to my computer! Bah.

Updated rankings -

1. Henin-Hardenne
2. Clijsters
3. Mauresmo
4. Myskina
5. Davenport
6. Dementieva
7. Capriati
8. Sharapova
9. Kuznetsova
10. Sugiyama
11. Suárez
12. Petrova
13. Zvonareva
14. Williams, S
15. Williams, V
16. Schnyder
17. Smashnova-Pistolesi
18. Schiavone
19. Farina Elia
20. Sprem

1. Federer
2. Roddick
3. Coria
4. Moyà
5. Henman
6. Nalbandian
7. Ferrero
8. Schüttler
9. Hewitt
10. Agassi
11. Gaudio
12. Grosjean
13. Massú
14. Srichaphan
15. Safin
16. Chela
17. Pavel
18. Fish
19. Robredo
20. Hrbaty

Laydeez in the sunny climes of S California now, gents spreading themselves across LA, Stüttgart and somewhere called Amersfoort. If anyone's up for a general ATP/WTA thread I'd be happy to join in...

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 16 July 2004 16:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Lex, I am, but I'd be basking in your knowledge more than commenting myself, I'm sure.

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 16 July 2004 16:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I liked some of the outcomes, of Wimbledon 2004.

― the bellefox, Saturday, 17 July 2004 12:53 (twenty-one years ago)

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