Wimbledon Day 8

Tennis fans what a treat for the day.

Murray v Gasquet
Nadal v Del Potro
Federer v Youzhny
Djokovic v Llodra

Where is the banana skin?? I think Llodra could upset 2011's Iron Man Novak Djokovic given that he has been serving well all championship and has a solid net game.

Also the side dish of today's play is
Kubot v Lopez
Fish v Berdych
Ferrer v Tsonga
Malisse v Tomic

Out of the above I would say Federer & Djokovic are probably the safest and as for the rest it could go either way.

I think Llodra's got very little chance.

Nole likes a target, and eventually he'll get the breaks he needs in each set.

On the other hand, how on earth is Llodra gonna stay with the Joker on the latter's service games?

I think Llodra has a chance. He no doubt will use the FH slice off the serve if he can't get returns in on his BH or FH. IP have no doubt he will chip and charge on Djokovic's 2nd serve. I expect Llodra to attack. Djokovic may like a target, but as against Baggy, Llodra can get under his skin and rattle him.

Federer on court 1, last match, must be fuming. They certainly won't be able to start the match, let alone, finish it.

I fancy Ferrer to beat Tsonga in what would be a mini shock.

I'm going for Murray in 4.

Murray v Gasquet - Murray in perhaps 4 sets

Nadal v Del Potro - Rafa in 3 or 4, perhaps a TB in one

Federer v Youzhny - Federer in straight sets

Djokovic v Llodra - Djokovic in straight sets. Don't think Llodra is good enough at the things he does to really threaten

Kubot v Lopez - FLo in 3 or 4. Must be confident after dispatching Roddick

Fish v Berdych - Berdych seems to have been inspired by coming back to Wimby, so I think will win through in straight.

Ferrer v Tsonga - On grass, and given his recent form, I expect Tsonga to have too much power for Ferrer. Probably 3 competetive sets.

Malisse v Tomic - Tough to call. Both have exceeded expectations already. Malisse has previously been a good grass court player and has far more experience, so I think might be too much for Tomic.

Interesting that only two matches actually include both of the players seeded to get there (Fish v Bird, Ferrer v Tsonga), and my predictions would mean only one of the QFs will be the players seeded to there (Nadal v Berdych). Murray and Djoko (if both get through) will have unseeded QF opponents - could be a big advantage for the semi-finals as NAdal v Berdych and Federer v Tsonga are likely to be more difficult and draining matches.

Tenez, son't see why you are worried about Federer's schedule on Ct 1. Bartoli v Serena will take less than an hour, so Djokovic v Llodra will start about 2pm and I don't think will take longer than 2 hrs. So Fed will be starting about 4.30, which should give him enough time to finish considering it is light to after 9.30 (weather set fair for a scorcher today).

dummy_half wrote:So Fed will be starting about 4.30, which should give him enough time to finish considering it is light to after 9.30 (weather set fair for a scorcher today).

That's ignoring the predictions of showers by mid/late afternoon and spectacular thunderstorms by early evening

Davie wrote:

dummy_half wrote:So Fed will be starting about 4.30, which should give him enough time to finish considering it is light to after 9.30 (weather set fair for a scorcher today).

That's ignoring the predictions of showers by mid/late afternoon and spectacular thunderstorms by early evening

Ah, but as Sue Barker will tell you at least 42 times before play starts; Centre Court has a roof.

Thought Fed was on Ct 1?

Davie wrote:Thought Fed was on Ct 1?

Last on Centre i thought?

well all the other players have had their go on court 1, and on paper Federer-Youzhny is a less interesting game than Murray-Gasquet or Nadal-Del Potro so I think it's logical for him to be on Court 1. Would love to see Llodra really push Djokovic, but I think Djokovic will make too many good returns.

I can see Murray in 4, Nadal in 4, Djokovic and Federer in 3. Tomic Malisse I can see going to 5 with the Australiant teenager winning, Tsonga to beat Ferrer in 3 or 4 sets, Lopez in 4 with a couple of tie-breaks, and Berdych in 3.

Nope Fed is last on court 1

They've all had their fair stint on Number 1 court and today's turn is Federer's. So whatever happens with the weather, he'll just have to deal with it.

Wimbledon has Sir Cliff if the rain comes. Surely Federer on air guitar?

Yep Fed most likely won't finish today, Showers and thunderstorms expected from 1600 onwards, he probably won't start today.

Maybe Fed fans should start a thread whining about how this is a 'disgraceful way to treat a six time champion'?

Well Ive heard (dont quote me) But players will be allowed to play with their rackets inside the plastic bags and all players are to be issued with WHITE wellington boots.

Gutted murray is up first... was looking forward to a rollercoaster when i got home from work!

will have to make do with the iphone and bbc coverage on it :-)

Hope that Delpo gives rafa a good game.

But Fed has already played on court 1 once this year. If anything he woudl not mind playing on court 2 or 3 but earlier.

Davie wrote:Nope Fed is last on court 1

Apologies, Davie. You were correct!

Tomic has started like a train, and leads 3-0 in the first. Lookin very good so far.

Murray v Gasquet time. My afternoon is set. Albeit being a Murray fan, I can't wait for the matches later involving Nadal and Federer.

There is royalty in town with the royal newlyweds in the royal box. I heat Kate Middleton plays tennis, look me up on allplay Katie and we can have a knock about

You are talking tennis LK ?????? Naughty boy

I am indeed Haddie. Mrs LK wouldn't be happy if it was otherwise.

No and somehow I dont think The Duke would be either..... off to the tower with you no less

Looking at Centre Court and the sun beating down and how much the grass has worn on the baseline, will make it difficult for players to contemplate challenges. The was an out call if Murray had challenged showed it was in. I admit I thought it was out.

I am sure that royal bunch are an understanding people Haddie

So far we have been on serve throughout. Gasquet has had a sniff of a break on the Murray serve. Gasquet looks the more settled in rythm terms.

Murray trying to be aggressive so far but making quite a few mistakes. Gasquet has been solid so far.

Ten bob says that Kate loves Rafa ...

Agreed

Murray needs to settle himself down. He doesn't look settled at all. That second serve, 79mph. He holds, but is looking vulnerable. Settle into a grove andy.

I'm watching the match....only have an hour tho'.

Come on Andy!

Solerina

Love the extension in Gasquet's BH. I think if he can step the aggression now on the Murray's serve and I think he can break it.

good luck rg

Murray gets his first look-in there at deuce, but Gasquet holds firm with some big serving. He's served really well so far.

We are still on serve in this one. At the moment in this set, I would fancy Gasquet at the moment. Things can change.

Second serve by Murray at 100mph!! Thats the stuff!

Union Cane wrote:Bonne chance, Richard!

So which boxer does Gasquet look like UC before I treat that comment as wumming?

good tennis by the frenchman

Big service game coming up for Murray.

LK

Murray's 2nd serve is such an enigma isn't it? Can hit a pretty good 100-105mph serve with a bit of spin, but seems to prefer the kicker which rarely tops 90mph and on occasion doesn't even have the speed to reach the net.

For a guy with a 130+mph first serve, it seems crazy he takes so much off it for the 2nd one. Has he never watched videos of Sampras and his 110+mph second serve, and how effective that was?

It is strange d_h. Seen 79mph, 85mph, 89mph, 91mph and 100mph today. There is enough proof to suggest he can put a little mustard behind it if he wanted to.

Murray is looking very tight. This has tiebreaker written all over it. His BH has been on the mark today.

Gasquet playing really smart here, just not giving Murray any rhythm on his service games and Murray can't get a look-in.

Its the most sublime BH on tour I think... he is so good to watch Gasquet

good work Gasquet

This first set has really been about energy conservation. Both players haven't really engaged in long rallies. That last service game, Gasquet hit a second serve at 98mph, then his next first serve was 97mph. Both guys clearly factoring to the heat into this one.

30 miles west of SW19 and the temperature is already falling here. Summer could well be over and the heat won't be as opressive as first suggested

tie break good luck rich