Federer vs Soderling

So, Federer beat Soderling this morning, three straight sets. I watched one before I had to go to work and, despite its outward appearances, it was close. I mean tie breakers going all the way the the last point on two sets? It was intense. In the end, Federer prevailed. 23 Aces. What can you do? He played amazingly, both of them did. But in the end it circled round and all effort and preparation went out the window. It wasn't important. Federer is just a better player.

Federer

Roger Federer just demolished Garcia-Lopez. Danced around him, three straight sets, and made him look like he belonged on a highschool court, JV. Well, maybe he fought back a little...

BIG UPSET

So I forgot to post this yesterdy, but I did watch what ESPN2 chose to show and it was pretty amazing. American Jesse Levine, 22, ranked 133rd, beat Russia's Marat Safin. Safin is ranked 14th and was the clear favorite for the match. Upsets in tennis are rare and this was quite the surprise. But it's great to see an American move up in the ranks! Hopefully he can keep it going but he is quite the underdog, no titles, only 22, ranked 133rd!
















Photo Courtesy of the AELTC

Murray vs Kendrick

So I'm watching this incredible match. Murray and Kendrick are tied at a set a piece and the play is intensifying. ESPN2, in all its absurdity, has decided that this is the perfect moment to flash to one of the women's' matches that I absolutely do not want to watch. It's not that I'm sexist, or a pig, or against sexual equality in sports, but it's round 1. It's 2 players I don't care about, and the Murray-Kendrick match is GOOD.

But, tennis is only on this channel. Shit.

Results

The results of the first day are up and I'd suggest reading them at Wimbledon's website as many newspapers and other sources have merely posted the terrible messes that they had in print.

Djokovic, a top seed (4), did go on to win and will be facing Germany's Simon Greul in the second round. Sweden's Robin Soderling will also advance. He beat Rafa Nadal at the French Open, but lost to Federer in the final. The consensus is that the final round will go down to Soderling and Federer, but we'll have to watch them go through 2 more matches before it's decided. I wonder how it feels to be one of the other players, important enough to be ranked, but not enough to be talked about and foreseen as a winner. I would think it would add a psychological barrier when you go into a match and everyone is expecting you to lose. Anyways, first round continues tomorrow.

Match Update

Benneteau lost his footing and as he's had knee surgery a trainer is checking him out, apparently he's worried about his hip.   Still, Djokovic is leading 3-love this round and is just playing better tennis.  

On an aside, ESPN2 is annoying and surprising me for not airing Federer's match...

Also, play just recommenced, he seems alright.  

The Wimbledon is today! I'm watching Centre Court, J.Benneteau v. N.Djokovic, two players who you likely do not know. It's hard to tell who will win the match, but I'm betting on Djokovic, he's making smart plays and he's reading Benneteau's style and using that knowledge to his advantage. On the other hand, his skill seems to be lacking a bit as his follow through doesn't deliver. Well, at least the though is there. I know these are the least exciting rounds, but there's nothing else to watch so turn it on, ESPN2.