Wimbledon - Day 1 OOP

by YvonneT Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:18 pm

Centre Court Matches (1pm start):
Victor Hanescu v Roger Federer [3]
Kristina Mladenovic v Maria Sharapova [3]
Benjamin Becker v Andy Murray [2]

Court 1 Matches (1pm start):
Maria Joao Koehler v Victoria Azarenka [2]
Rafael Nadal [5] v Steve Darcis
Lleyton Hewitt v Stanislas Wawrinka [11]

Full schedule:
http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule/index.html

Match of the day: Hewitt v Wawrinka
Both players come in with grass court form; Hewitt after reaching the semi final at Queens, Wawrinka after reaching the final in 's-Hertogenbosch.
Hewitt's run at Queens included some wins against quality players. The fact that Hewitt has had a week in Wimbledon already while Wawrinka will only just arrive may work in Hewitt's favour, however Wawrinka has played well at both slams this year, and I don't expect Hewitt to stop him here.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 4.

Other matches of note:
Baghdatis v Cillic, Verdasco v Malisse
James Ward plays Yen-Hsun Lu for a chance to play (probably) Murray in R2. Would like to see the local guy win that and get a chance to play on Centre in his career.

by Cav Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:22 pm

Blockbuster of an opening day with 3 of the 4 men's favourites on the show courts on Day 1.

A tea-time treat to be able to watch the local player and another potential cracker with Hewitt vs. Wawrinka.

Looking forward to one of the most wide open Wimbledons in years.

by Danny_1982 Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:12 pm

Don't forget Janowicz v Edmund on day 1 too. Not a match I see Edmund winning but if he pushed Simon he might push the big man too.

Bumper first day. Wish I wasn't working! Sad

by Duty281 Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:17 pm

Best Grand Slam Tournament in Tennis. Can't wait! Come on Muzza!

by ryan86 Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:19 pm

Janowicz hasn't exactly convinced on grass.He lost early at Queens and at the Boodles exhibition, Dimitrov took him apart quite easily when he tried.

by The Special Juan Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:20 pm

He's probably got a better chance v Janowicz than Simon as he dealt relatively comfortably with the big-serving de Schepper in Eastbourne, but then again over a BO5 match you'd fancy the higher ranked player any day.

by MrInvisible Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:07 pm

An attractive 1st day of Wimbledon - unique for a slam to have all those players in action.
Several potential upsets...

Hewitt v Wawrinka as mentioned. Hewitt played really well at Queens and I do think at this stage of his career he does still have a couple of big wins left. Wawrinka, quality player that he is, tends to be vulnerable to early exits in slams.

Fognini v Melzer - Melzer is a decent grasscourter and this is a tough 1st round match for Fognini.

Cilic v Baghdatis - Cilic looked good at Queens - he'll probably be OK, but Baghdatis is a tricky 1st round opponent

Tipsarevic v Troicki - Battle of the Serbians. However, when 2 countrymen play each other, its unusual for the lower ranked player to come out on top.

by invisiblecoolers Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:31 pm

MrInvisible wrote:
Tipsarevic v Troicki - Battle of the Serbians. However, when 2 countrymen play each other, its unusual for the lower ranked player to come out on top.

Nice point, Tipsy not at a good form and neither is Troicki so it could either end up as a classic or a boring dull error fest. furious

by Guest Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:17 am

Cav wrote:Blockbuster of an opening day with 3 of the 4 men's favourites on the show courts on Day 1.

A tea-time treat to be able to watch the local player and another potential cracker with Hewitt vs. Wawrinka.

Looking forward to one of the most wide open Wimbledons in years.

Hello

Welcome, welcome newbie minion.

I am the emancipator.

ghost

emancipator - united nations cultural goodwill ambassador for sports and intergalactic linguistics.

by lydian Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:12 am

Hewitt/Stan should be best match.
Looking forward to the next 2 weeks...its Wimby! Smile

Amazingly, BBC weather has no rain forecast at all from this Monday to week next Wednesday!!! Smile

(as far as their forecast goes at the moment)

by time please Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:42 am

That is indeed a miracle - fine weather that is! Very Happy

by Guest Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:51 am

lydian wrote:Hewitt/Stan should be best match.
Looking forward to the next 2 weeks...its Wimby!
Amazingly, BBC weather has no rain forecast at all from this Monday to week next Wednesday!!! (as far as their forecast goes at the moment)

Great.. should be a virtual clay court by next wednesday.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:04 am

I can see Sharapova going out today. Mladenovic was impressive at the FO, especially in the mixed final for the first set and a bit. Upon saying that now, poor old Kristina's going to get hammered.

Aahhhhhhhhhhhh it's 25 minutes away!!!!

by lydian Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:15 am

I hear we have weather from the Azores coming so a dry spell is predicted for a while...when was the last time we had a completely dry Wimb fortnight, anyone know?

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:37 am

Never would be my guess Smile

Martina!!!!

by Duty281 Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:44 am

Baltacha broken on her first service game. thumbsdown

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:11 pm

Oh dear, the exodus of British players on the first two days is beginning already.

by banbrotam Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:19 pm

lydian wrote:I hear we have weather from the Azores coming so a dry spell is predicted for a while...when was the last time we had a completely dry Wimb fortnight, anyone know?

You are correct!! And for me that favours Andy / Roger as if the conditions are faster it plays more into their more hands

Interestingly Roger talked about the conditions been faster at The Olympics and felt that was a factor in Andy's victory - if I remember where I read this I'll provide a link

by Duty281 Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:22 pm

Baltacha loses the first set, 4-6.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:25 pm

Errani's down a set and a break. Who says there's homogenisation of surfaces?

by Dave. Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:30 pm

The lovely Ana wins the first set.

Fogini and Melzer in a TB on 12........Fog takes it!

by CaledonianCraig Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:33 pm

banbrotam wrote:
lydian wrote:I hear we have weather from the Azores coming so a dry spell is predicted for a while...when was the last time we had a completely dry Wimb fortnight, anyone know?

You are correct!! And for me that favours Andy / Roger as if the conditions are faster it plays more into their more hands

Interestingly Roger talked about the conditions been faster at The Olympics and felt that was a factor in Andy's victory - if I remember where I read this I'll provide a link

It wouldn't surprise me if that was a factor. There is this fallacy that Andy is better on slower courts - I disagree. The faster the courts the better for Andy in my opinion.

by ryan86 Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:33 pm

banbrotam, I have a feeling that there was a dry Wimbledon about 2-3 years ago, possibly the first year they had the roof actually. Maybe not entirely dry perhaps, but a few showers that meant time lost was negligible.

by lydian Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:35 pm

Yep banbrotam, Federer will not complain at faster conditions.
Funnily enough neither will Nadal, as it wouldn't as slick and low.
Its been many a year since I've seen a worn out Centre Court.

I wonder what year(s) it never rained during the fortnight...must have happened a few times?

by banbrotam Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:39 pm

They had a dry start in 2010, if I remember rightly, but the weather deteriorated in the second week

Often it's nothing to do with the weather during the two weeks, but the weather before and we have had (as shown by the cricket yesterday) dryer surfaces than previous years, simply because the cold spring has prevented the normal heavy consistent deluges

But we have to remember that the actual day to day weather / humidity etc does have an effect.

I'd expect the conditions to be the fastest we've seen for a while, remembering we have a low starting base!!

by banbrotam Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:41 pm

lydian wrote:Yep banbrotam, Federer will not complain at faster conditions.
Funnily enough neither will Nadal, as it wouldn't as slick and low.
Its been many a year since I've seen a worn out Centre Court.

I wonder what year(s) it never rained during the fortnight...must have happened a few times?

I'm cool with Murray playing Nadal on faster conditions, simply because it makes Andy's shot speed more consistent - something Rafa naturally generates

by ryan86 Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:44 pm

Lauren Davis first person out, Safarova wins 6-4 6-0.

Must be slightly gutting, getting excited about going to Wimbledon etc and you're out at lunchtime on the Monday.

by shivfan Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:57 pm

A meek exit for Baltacha....four and one.

by Duty281 Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:58 pm

Baltacha out. Rather tame surrender in the end - 6-4, 6-1.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:00 pm

Someone proficient in the Heimlich-Maneuver required on court.... whatever.

by Dave. Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:01 pm

Puig makes Sara see the Errani of her ways......

by ryan86 Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:02 pm

Was that for Puig? I think that was Court 18.

by NickisBHAFC Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:12 pm

Buzzing for Wimbledon Smile

But in the mean time, i have a game of my own today!!!

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:14 pm

ryan86 wrote:Was that for Puig? I think that was Court 18.

Yeah, she nearly made a hash of it.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:15 pm

Anything nicer than Centre Court fully covered in grass? Federer's already weaving his magic wand on it too. That shot to close out the game was great.

by ryan86 Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:18 pm

The Special Juan wrote:
ryan86 wrote:Was that for Puig? I think that was Court 18.

Yeah, she nearly made a hash of it.

But eventually she brought home the bacon.

Whistle

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:20 pm

ryan86 wrote:
The Special Juan wrote:
ryan86 wrote:Was that for Puig? I think that was Court 18.

Yeah, she nearly made a hash of it.

But eventually she brought home the bacon.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:24 pm

Edmund is 18 but already has all the ticks of a top 4 player. He's playing well so far to give him his due.

by Dave. Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:26 pm

Jerzy Bull had a meltdown yet?

by NickisBHAFC Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:28 pm

Rodger playing some good shots early on. I put money on him winning the whole thing.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:28 pm

Ah spoke too soon, the big man breaks Sad

Not yet Dave but keep waiting.

by banbrotam Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:29 pm

Centre Court is looking fast - mind you after the other events, this year, it would do!!

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:32 pm

Oh dear, there goes Djoker number 1....

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:45 pm

This is tennis from the gods at the moment. You get the feeling he had to send out a message after the draw was made and boy is he doing so.

by Mad for Chelsea Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:49 pm

Edmunds desperately needs a game soon, he's looking a little lost out there. Also he's going to need to do something about that backhand, it's a very very ordinary shot at the moment, and Janowicz is basically just keeping the ball on that side where he knows Edmund won't do much damage...

by banbrotam Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:50 pm

I think both he and Murray tend to fret when the conditions are slow more than say the 'just get on with it' attitude of Rafa and Novak

Hence they revel when the conditions are crisp and fast like this

Be interesting to see how Andy matches this!!

Mind you R1 matches have no affect on latter rounds - although it could be argued that the winner out of the Fedalray half might be the one with the most energy left!!

by ryan86 Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:55 pm

The Special Juan wrote:Oh dear, there goes Djoker number 1....

At least it's not costing you anything. Rosol on the other hand looks like putting me to -9. Just imagine what Julian Reister would have done to Nadal.

by Mad for Chelsea Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:04 pm

good scrapping from Edmund to at least make Janowicz serve out the second serve, but he's going to need much more than that...

by Dave. Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:10 pm

Vika had a nasty fall, receiving treatment over on 1.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:10 pm

spAzarenka's looking injured.....

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