2012 The Championships, Wimbledon

[Wooderson]

Wimbledon is just days away! Definitely some good story-lines going in. Rafa has a three match win streak over Nole, and just beat him in a slam final. Nole is defending champion and, while not quite at the same level as 2011, is still ranked #1 in the world. In Roger's last two trips to the SW19, he has lost in the quarters, last year after being up 2 sets. To get to the final, surely he will have to go through either Rafa or Nole. Will Andy Murray finally give the Brits what they want?

As far as the rankings go, same situation as was at Roland Garros. Nole, Rafa, Roger, and Murray are at the top of the list.

Draw comes out on the 22nd. Very interested to see in which half Roger will land. Tournament begins on the 25th.

Before anything gets started, Queen's and Halle are going on this week. For the first time, Rafa has entered Halle, rather than Queen's. The British tax laws were to thank for that. So we could see a possible Rafa/Roger grass tuneup. Nole has already pulled out of Queen's. If the respective seeds hold up, here are the potential match-ups ...

Queen's Club (AEGON Championships)

(1) Andy Murray GBR vs. (5) Feliciano Lopez ESP
(4) Gilles Simon FRA vs. (7) Andy Rod$#@! USA
(3) Marin Cilic CRO vs. (3) Janko Tipsarevic SRB
(8) Julien Benneteau vs. (2) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA


Halle (Gerry Weber Open)

(1) Rafael Nadal ESP vs. (8) Philip Kohlschreiber GER
(3) Tomas Berdych CZE vs. (6) Marcel Granollers ESP
(7) Andreas Seppi ITA vs. (4) Alexandr Dolgopolov UKR
(5) Milos Raonic CAN vs. (2) Roger Federer SUI

[spystud13]

Will Andy Murray finally give the Brits what they want?

Of course not.



I voted for Fed as usual, but that is now more out of tradition than confidence...

[Wooderson]

Halle quarters are ... Nadal/Kohlschreiber, Berdych/Haas, Stepanek/Youzhny, Raonic/Federer

At Queen's, pretty much all of the top seeds are already out.

[perfectchaos007]

Haha Nalbandian had quite the exit today from Queens. Anyway, Djokovic is the new federer when it comes to non-clay surfaces. I'll predict Djokovic wins Wimbledon while only dropping 3 sets in the tournament.

[TexArcher]

Rooting for Federer to get one more, but it's Joker's to lose.

[The Dog]

In other news, Brian Baker didn't get a wild card so he had to qualify - which he just did successfully today.

[Wooderson]

Monfils has pulled out. Seeds are below ...

(1) Novak DJOKOVIC SRB
(2) Rafael NADAL ESP

(3) Roger FEDERER (SUI) [3]
(4) Andy MURRAY (GBR) [4]

(5) Jo-Wilfried TSONGA (FRA)
(6) Tomas BERDYCH (CZE)
(7) David FERRER (ESP)
(8) Janko TIPSAREVIC (SRB)

(9) Juan Martin DEL POTRO (ARG)
(10) Mardy FISH (USA)
(11) John ISNER (USA)
(12) Nicolas ALMAGRO (ESP)
(13) Gilles SIMON (FRA)
(14) Feliciano LOPEZ (ESP)
(15) Juan MONACO (ARG)
(16) Marin CILIC (CRO)

(17) Fernando VERDASCO (ESP)
(18) Richard GASQUET (FRA)
(19) Kei NISHIKORI (JPN)
(20) Bernard TOMIC (AUS)
(21) Milos RAONIC (CAN)
(22) Alexandr DOLGOPOLOV (UKR)
(23) Andreas SEPPI (ITA)
(24) Marcel GRANOLLERS (ESP)
(25) Stanislas WAWRINKA (SUI)
(26) Mikhail YOUZHNY (RUS)
(27) Philipp KOHLSCHREIBER (GER)
(28) Radek STEPANEK (CZE)
(29) Julien BENNETEAU (FRA)
(30) Andy ROD$#@! (USA)
(31) Florian MAYER (GER)
(32) Kevin ANDERSON (RSA)

[Kevin O'Shea]

Ferrer 7th??

[Wooderson]

yeah, they switched he and Berdych. It is of no matter, though, as they are in the same grouping (5-8). The big changes are Feliciano Lopez, ranked 17th seeded 14th, and Marin Cilic 18th to 16th. One of those moves was fine as Monfils needed to be replaced. However, Verdasco was the one that was affected, being knocked down from 16th to 17th. Sucks for him.

Likewise, Rod$#@! caught a big break, being seeded 30th. He is ranked 33rd, which is not an automatic seed. Historically, I understand it. He has had success at SW19. However, going into this week at Eastbourne, he is 7-11 on the year, and riding a six match losing streak. That doesn't deserve a seed. Mikhail Youzhny was affected, ranked 32rd and left unseeded.

[BigOrange]

djokovic.

[Kevin O'Shea]

Andy Rod$#@! won the AEGON International today. Not a strong field, but hopefully it will give him enough confidence to not lose in the first or second round.

[Stellcat]

Rod$#@! couldn't have asked for a better draw. If winning Eastbourne gives him a little momentum, he could reach the 2nd week.

[Stellcat]

I'm seeing this as the same old, same old of the top four reaching the semifinals. That's where it gets interesting and unpredictable. Djokovic proved he could win on grass last year. Rafa has won Wimbledon twice and is coming off a great clay court season...a win would give him 12 Slams, moving ahead of Laver and Borg. Roger used to own Wimbledon but hasn't reached the semis since 2009. He can tie Pistol Pete with his 7th Wimbledon title. Murray has to break through sometime...he's too talented to never win a major.

I love that the Olympics at Wimbledon gives us an extended grass court season this year. It always goes by so quick.

[Ruffian]

Rooting for Federer to get one more, but it's Joker's to lose.

This

[Longhornmaniac8]

I've got a feeling about Federer this go around. He's got the easiest path to the semis by a long shot. Janko is a good player, and you never know what you're going to get, but that is by far the easiest of the 4 quarterfinal match ups.

My predictions:

Djokovic vs. Federer

Del Po vs. Tsonga

Federer d. Tsonga.

Karlovic will beat Murray in the second round. You heard it here first.

[Longhornmaniac8]

I'm seeing this as the same old, same old of the top four reaching the semifinals. That's where it gets interesting and unpredictable. Djokovic proved he could win on grass last year. Rafa has won Wimbledon twice and is coming off a great clay court season...a win would give him 12 Slams, moving ahead of Laver and Borg. Roger used to own Wimbledon but hasn't reached the semis since 2009. He can tie Pistol Pete with his 7th Wimbledon title. Murray has to break through sometime...he's too talented to never win a major.

I love that the Olympics at Wimbledon gives us an extended grass court season this year. It always goes by so quick.

Yes, he's talented, but his problem is he has the mental fortitude of a 2 year old.

[Wooderson]

If the seeds hold up, here is what we are looking at for the 3rd round ...

Top Half, Top Quarter:

(1) Novak Djokovic SRB vs. (28) Radek Stepanek CZE
(24) Marcel Granollers ESP vs. (15) Juan Monaco ARG
(12) Nicolas Almagro ESP vs. (18) Richard Gasquet FRA
(31) Florian Mayer GER vs. (6) Tomas Berdych CAE

Other Notables: Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP, Ryan Harrison USA, James Blake USA, Viktor Troicki SRB, Jeremy Chardy FRA, Dmitry Tursunov RUS, Philipp Petzschner GER, Ernests Gulbis LAT

Thoughts: I have a feeling Nole will struggle early. His path to the second week won't be easy. That said, he will find form and prove he is the man to beat. Berdych has a shot. If he red-lines and paints the line, he can pull off the upset. I don't see it happening, though. This is Nole's quarter to lose. My pick: (1) Novak Djokovic over (6) Tomas Berdych

Top Half, Bottom Quarter:

(3) Roger Federer SUI vs. (29) Julien Benneteau FRA
(17) Fernando Verdasco ESP vs. (13) Giles Simon FRA
(11) John Isner USA vs. (23) Andreas Seppi ITA
(26) Mikhail Youznhy RUS vs. (8) Janko Tipsarevic SRB

Other Notables: Michael Llodra FRA, Xavier Malisse BEL, Paul-Henri Mathieu FRA, Nicolas Mahut FRA, Donald Young USA, Ryan Sweeting USA, David Nalbandian ARG

Thoughts: Roger really couldn't have asked for a better draw. Even though he has lost his last two trips in the quarters, nothing is really scary this year. In my opinion, the wild card is Big Johnny Bulldog. Something tells me he might get hot and make a run. My pick: (3) Roger Federer over (11) John Isner

Bottom Half, Top Quarter:

(7) David Ferrer ESP vs. (20) Andy Rod$#@! USA
(19) Kei Nishikori JPN vs. (9) Juan Martin Del Potro ARG
(16) Marin Cilic CRO vs. (21) Milos Raonic CAN
(32) Kevin Anderson RSA vs. (4) Andy Murray GRB

Other Notables: Sam Querrey USA, Albert Montanes ESP, Marcos Baghdatis CYP, Ivo Karlovic CRO, Nikolay Davydenko RUS

Thoughts: Murray definitely has the toughest draw. Combined with the fact that as of late he has not played well, I don't like his chances. I have a feeling a big hitter will come out of this quarter. My pick: (9) Juan Martin Del Potro over (21) Milos Raonic

Bottom Half, Bottom Quarter:

(5) Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga FRA vs. (25) Stanislas Wawrinka SUI
(20) Bernard Tomic AUS vs. (10) Mardy Fish USA
(14) Feliciano Lopez ESP vs. (22) Alexandr Dolgopolov UKR
(27) Philipp Kohlschreiber GER vs. (2) Rafael Nadal ESP

Other Notables: Lleyton Hewitt AUS, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez ESP, Jurgen Melzer AUT, Jarkko Nieminen FIN, Tommy Haas GER, Thomaz Bellucci BRA

Thoughts: Rafa has a few landmines in his quarter. It won't be an easy path. I think he will get well tested against Tsonga. That said, Rafa has made the Wimbledon final the last five times he has played this slam. My pick: (2) Rafael Nadal over (5) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


I don't see DelPo beating Rafa. He won't have enough left in the tank that late in the second week. So, once again, we will get treated to either the greatest tennis rivalry of all time, or what is quickly becoming high on the same list. It will either be ... Nadal/Federer IX or Nadal/Djokovic VI.

I think Roger will make a spirited effort against Nole. He might even take the 1st set. That will be all he gets, though. Right now, Nole is just too good. He will get to the final, setting up what will be an all-time classic. Rafa and Nole will, once again, fight for hours. It will go five sets and rival their Melbourne final. It will have many momentum swings, and produce amazing shot making. In the end, Rafa will find a way to take the 5th. The confidence he earned from Roland Garros will be a big factor in this match. He will stay aggressive, and lift his 12th slam trophy, setting things up for a great rest-of-the-summer.


My semi picks: (1) Novak Djokovic over (3) Roger Federer; (2) Rafael Nadal over (9) Juan Martin Del Potro
My Finals pick: (2) Rafael Nadal over (1) Novak Djokovic

[spystud13]

Come on, son...





And I'm picking Angelique Kerber to win the women's side.

[Wooderson]

Here are the experts' picks:

ESPN Picks

Darren Cahill: M - Roger Federer; W - Maria Sharapova

Cliff Drysdale: M - Novak Djokovic; W - Serena Williams

Chris Evert: M - Roger Federer; W - Serena Williams

Mary Jo Fernandez: M - Rafael Nadal; W - Maria Sharapova

Brad Gilbert: M - Rafael Nadal; W - Maria Sharapova

Patrick McEnroe: M -Rafael Nadal; W - Serena Williams

Pam Shriver: M - Roger Federer; W - Serena Williams

Greg Garber: M - Novak Djokovic; W - Maria Sharapova

Kamakshi Tandon: M - Roger Federer; W - Serena Williams

Ravi Ubha: M - Rafael Nadal; W - Serena Williams

Matt Wilansky: M - Rafael Nadal; W - Petra Kvitova

[spystud13]

ESPN's picks...

5 - Nadal
4 - Fed
2 - Djokovic


6 - Gorilla
4 - Maria
1 - Kvitova




Yahoo's picks...

Berdych v. Fed, Murray v. Nadal
Fed over Nadal


Maria v. Venus, Gorilla v. Vika
Gorilla over Maria

[spystud13]

^ That's $#@!ed up, guess you beat me to it!

[Wooderson]

Tennis.com Picks

Peter Bodo
Senior Editor: "Rafael Nadal: Rafa will keep the momentum going and continue to avenge himself on Novak Djokovic. -- Maria Sharapova: The newly crowned champ of France and once-again No. 1 comes in on a serious roll."

Steve Tignor
Executive Editor: "Rafael Nadal: The last time Rafa played Wimbledon and failed to reach the final was way back in 2005. -- Maria Sharapova: It could very well be that we’re in the midst of watching Sharapova’s finest season yet."

Richard Pagliaro
Senior Editor: "Novak Djokovic: Grass rewards agility, and the defending champion excels improvising on the run. -- Serena Williams: The 2010 champion is still the game’s best server and remains its best closer on grass."

Ed McGrogan
Online Editor: "Rafael Nadal: He comes in on a roll, and he’s reached the SW19 final at the last five times he’s played it. -- Serena Williams: If she can manage to survive the first week, she’s still the player to beat in this tournament.

[Wooderson]

Day 1 Schedule of Play for the Showcourts is below. ESPN2 has coverage from 5:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..

Centre Court - 7:00 a.m. (CDT) start
(1) Novak Djokovic SRB vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP
(1) Maria Sharapova RUS vs. Anastasia Rodionova AUS
Ernests Gulbis LAT vs. (6) Tomas Berdych CZE

No. 1 Court - 7:00 a.m. (CDT) start
David Nalbandian ARG vs. (8) Janko Tipsarevic SRB
(3) Roger Federer SUI vs. Albert Ramos ESP
Kim Clijsters BEL vs. (18) Jelena Jankovic SRB

No. 2 Court - 5:30 a.m. (CDT) start
(3) Agnieszka Radwanska POL vs. Magdalena Rybarikova SVK
Venus Williams USA vs. Elena Vesnina RUS
Sergiy Stakhovsky UKR vs. (28) Radek Stepanek CZE
Igor Andreev RUS vs. Oliver Golding GBR

No. 3 Court - 5:30 a.m. (CDT) start
Carla Suarez Navarro ESP vs. (5) Samantha Stosur AUS
Grega Zemlja SLO vs. Josh Goodall GBR
(11) John Isner USA vs. Alejandro Falla COL
Jamie Lee Hampton USA vs. (27) Daniela Hantuchova SVK

[qwater25]

rooting for Maria only because she's $#@!ing hot!

[IPoopOnWhoop]

federer over nadal in his swan song

[spystud13]

Yahoo's picks...

Maria v. Venus, Gorilla v. Vika
Gorilla over Maria

Ha ha, $#@! you Chris Chase! See ya, Venus.

[spystud13]

Hannah Storm is smoking $#@!ing hot. Goddamn.

[lubbockhorn88]

I'm able to watch the tourney on espn3 for like 5 minutes before our IT system shuts it down. fml

[Wooderson]

Glad to see Clijsters back, even if only for the summer. I hope she makes a deep run.

[Wooderson]

Well, so much for two of my quarterfinalist picks. Isner goes down to Falla. Not a good outing for him. Berdych gets taken out by Gulbis, virtually assuring Nole a spot in the semis. Nice to see Ernests play up to his potential for a change. Now, if he can only make it consistent. He is Safin, just without the slams. All the natural talent in the world, and yet the immaturity and work-ethic of a child.

[Kevin O'Shea]

Well, so much for two of my quarterfinalist picks. Isner goes down to Falla. Not a good outing for him. Berdych gets taken out by Gulbis, virtually assuring Nole a spot in the semis. Nice to see Ernests play up to his potential for a change. Now, if he can only make it consistent. He is Safin, just without the slams. All the natural talent in the world, and yet the immaturity and work-ethic of a child.

He's certainly not motivated by money.

[WBT]

Well, so much for two of my quarterfinalist picks. Isner goes down to Falla. Not a good outing for him. Berdych gets taken out by Gulbis, virtually assuring Nole a spot in the semis.

Wasn't Nole virtually guaranteed a spot in the semis when his plane touched down at Heathrow?

[Wooderson]

Day 1 seeded losers: M - (6) Tomas Berdych CZE, (11) John Isner USA, (23) Andreas Seppi ITA, (24) Marcel Granollers ESP; W - (16) Flavia Pennetta ITA, (18) Jelena Jankovic SRB, (23) Petra Cetkovska CZE, (27) Daniela Hantuchova SVK, (29) Monica Niculescu ROU

Day 2 Schedule of Play for the Showcourts is below. ESPN2 has coverage from 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..

Centre Court - 7:00 a.m. (CDT) start
Akgul Amanmuradova UZB vs. (4) Petra Kvitova CZE
Thomaz Bellucci BRA vs. (2) Rafael Nadal ESP
Nikolay Davydenko RUS vs. (4) Andy Murray GBR

No. 1 Court - 7:00 a.m. (CDT) start
(12) Vera Zvonareva RUS leads Mona Barthel GER 2-6, 7-6 (3)
(5) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA vs. Lleyton Hewitt AUS
Irina Falconi USA vs. (2) Victoria Azarenka BLR
Jamie Baker GBR vs. (30) Andy Rod$#@! USA

No. 2 Court - 5:30 a.m. (CDT) start
(20) Bernard Tomic AUS vs. David Goffin BEL
(6) Serena Williams USA vs. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE
Robin Haase NED vs. (9) Juan Martin Del Potro ARG
(7) Caroline Wozniacki DEN vs. Tamira Paszek AUT

No. 3 Court - 5:30 a.m. (CDT) start
Laura Robson GBR vs. (24) Francesca Schiavone ITA
(32) Kevin Anderson RSA vs. Grigor Dimitrov BUL
Laura Pous-Tio ESP vs. Anne Keothavong GBR
(7) David Ferrer ESP vs. Dustin Brown (GER)

[spystud13]

$#@!ing Stosur chokes on the grass again, throws up a bagel in the 2nd, then completely loses it in the 3rd. On the plus side, Rus is a hot little lefty.

[Kevin O'Shea]

Wow a European woman smacking the $#@! out of the ball! I like Paszek

[Kevin O'Shea]

I knew this match wouldn't be easy for Novak. Novak will probably finish it in straight sets, but he had to earn this win. I like the way Harrison plays, he really comes at you. If he could ever improve his consistency he has the weapons to get in the top 20.

[spystud13]

Maria loses the 2nd set tiebreak to force a 3rd, her serve is acting up again. Pironkova disappears for 50 weeks a year, but she's made the semis & quarters here last two years. Kind of an unlucky draw for both.

[WBT]

And now Maria's about to serve for the 3rd set, up 5-0. I guess it just took her a few games to get warmed up for the restart today.

[spystud13]

Yeah, I guess my reverse jinx worked cause she just $#@!ing bageled her.

[BigOrange]

um, anyone watching nadal right now? wtf??

[BigOrange]

haha, swing and miss. i do that sometimes.

[Bodowned]

This $#@!in' Rosol guy is POUNDING the ball. His forehand is unbelievable.

[BigOrange]

down goes rafa!

[michaelpshayes]

[Kevin O'Shea]

What a performance! Way to crank it up Rosol!!!!! I wanted to post two hours ago but didn't want to jinx it. He totally blew Rafa off that court!

[creasy]

Well, damn... I need to find that match to watch later.

[dbecks]

LOL @ Nadal.

[HornOnTheBayou]

3 aces in the last game. Holy $#@!.

[kicksumass]

spain vs portugal. I blame that match for his loss. :P

[Intercourse with Gray]

So how long until Nadal blames this loss on an injury?