Wimbledon 2021

The draw is out for Wimbledon, with defending champ Djoko opening against GB's Jack Draper.

Djoko is, of course, clear favourite and won't have to play Rafa or Thiem who have had to drop out along with, among others, Raonic and Stan the Man.

Federer opens against Mannarino and could play Gasquet in round two and Cameron Norrie in the third round. More importantly, Roger is in the bottom half of the draw and away from Djoko.

Andy Murray, who could have been drawn against any of the top seeds, has got 24th seed Basilashvili which won't be easy but could have been even tougher.

Dan Evans, seeded 22nd, could be up against it. He plays grass-court specialist Feliciano Lopez in the opening round. An intriguing round one match is Kyrgios v Humbert who won in Halle.

No one can be sure how Federer will play. He does not have too difficult a start and may be able to run into some form for the later, harder matches. Berrettini, seeded 7, could be a handful if his Queen's form carries on. Difficult to look beyond Djoko, although Novak could face Anderson in round two.

As mentioned in the previous topic 2019 champ Halep is not fit enough to start. Practically impossible to predict a woman's winner. Gauff could go deep. Kvitova and Kerber, two previous SW19 champs, seem to have run into some grass-court form as does 2017 French champion Ostapenko, who has reached a Wimbledon semi before.

Two GS winners - Kerber and Ostapenko - won grass-court titles today.

These are two players who've had tough times of late. But they will now go into Wimbledon in some form.

Order of play for Day One of Wimbledon is out. After the Djoko-Draper opener we have a GS champs meeting on Centre between Kvitova and Sloane Stephens.

Andy Murray is next on so that BBC can maximise their viewing figures by showing him during peak viewing time.

From what I've seen of an interview Murray gave, the Scot ain't too impressed that his first-round opponent Basilashvili is still playing after allegations of domestic violence.

Weather doesn't look too wonderful for the first few days. If it's inclement the second week they can just stick all the singles on the covered Centre and No 1 courts. But there's only so many matches that can be completed if it rains from the start.

I reckon we may see a few upsets early on, Medvedev has to play Struff and Tsitsipas has to play Tiafoe, followed by Pospisil, and also has Shapovalov to contend with in his quarter. Really don't see anyone who can trouble Djokovic in his half before semis other than perhaps Schwartzmann.

It is a pretty decent draw for Federer, though I have a feeling it'll be either Zverev or Berrettini coming through from that half. Kyrgios is also lurking in that bottom half along with Querrey.

Medvedev, at least, can point to a first grass-court tournament title in Majorca yesterday.

He could reach number one by winning the whole thing. although that's unlikely.

MrI mentioned Kyrgios who is the subject of a Simon Briggs interview in the Daily Telegraph yesterday. The Aussie, as Pat Cash said before him, has explained that he doesn't really like tennis as a career - he just happens to be good at it.

I find this a bit sad. Yes, I'm sure the constant travelling and training takes its toll, not to mention the recent Covid restrictions, but you'd like to think that, win or lose, most of the guys were at least enjoying it.

Konta out of Wimbledon. Dropping like flies from this Championships

Tough on Konta. May not be much play today. Fairly dismal weather forecast.

Presence of the two roofs really helps the top seeds as they beat the weather by playing on Centre and No 1 courts.

I see the BBC has resumed its annual Wimbledon tradition of requiring viewers to switch back & forth between channels 1 and 2 whilst matches are already in progress. 🤨

Struggling to think of any sensible explanation / reason for this strange practice - other than a perpetual wish to annoy its audience.

Draper wins the first set v Djokovic, saving about half a dozen break points on the way.

Duty281 wrote:Draper wins the first set v Djokovic, saving about half a dozen break points on the way.

Lost the next three, winning only 5 more games. Decent prospect, but some way to go yet to challenge the top guys.

Katie Swann also finding things difficult against a seeded opponent in Maddison Keys. Just won her first game to make it 3-1

Tsitsipas in deep doggy-do. Two sets down and now a break down early in the third.

I guess Draper got one more set than many reckoned he would get. Certainly didn't disgrace himself.

Swan loses first set 6-3.

Tsitsipas has form, lost to Fabbiano in the first round in 2019. Just isn’t good on grass.

Tiafoe just a couple of service games away from beating Tsitsi in straight sets.

Tsitsipas OUT. Beaten in straight sets by Tiafoe.

Tsitsipas had numerous opportunities on the Tiafoe serve in that third set but couldn't take them.

He bows out in the opening round for the second successive Wimbledon. He certainly does not look comfortable on grass, as Just John noted above.

Former US champ Sloane Stephens is a set up against Kvitova, while Katie Swan lost in straight sets.

Lags72. The BBC drive everybody crazy with their constant channel switching during Wimbledon. If Murray is on they always try to get him on BBC1. If you're trying to tape matches it's just impossible.

No doubt that Tiafoe’s victory was totally deserved, though always disappointing to see flair players exit early.

And yes, Tsitsipas has indeed struggled on grass. That said, he is way too good a talent to not improve and gradually master the surface. I believe he will go deep here in future years, during what should be a long career ahead.

Boulter with every chance to progress to R2.

Former Wimbledon champion Kvitova is out, with former US champ Sloane Stephens winning in straight sets.

Stephens can be brilliant on her day, but is mercurial. Very difficult to know whether this win means anything or not.

Briton's Katie Boulter has levelled her match with Lao of America. Kevin Anderson, a possible next opponent for Djoko, is one set all and a break up in the third in his opening match.

I like Tsitsi but I've never understood why so many say his style of play reminds them of Federer. Aside from having a 1-handed backhand they are not really very similar at all imo. His backhand and forehand are generally hit with more heavy topspin than Federer tends to use, and he doesn't slice much or very well. He's good at the net I suppose but I wouldn't really call him a flair player - he plays aggresively but more in a meat and potatoes sort of way.

He's going to have to learn to return better on the quicker surfaces if he wants to do well here. Tough for a 1-hander but Federer's block returns are something he can aim to replicate.

@ Oioi - some fair points, I hear what you say.

I guess ‘flair’ will inevitably always have something of a mixed / subjective meaning. When Tsitsi is at his very best, firing on all cylinders, I feel he is exciting to watch …… plays quick, no-fuss tennis, and certainly goes for his shots.

Comparisons with Federer are rarely welcomed by players who tend to sense it will only bring an undesirable level of (harsh) scrutiny ; something of a poisoned chalice perhaps … ?  Tsitsipas is his own man and has scored two good wins over the Fed, although fair to say that any such victories in the context of Fed’s current age carry a significant asterisk.

Perhaps having Federer as the bar for flair is a bit unfair. It is an interesting thought that everyone will have a different idea of what flair is, I think you're right with that. Kyrgios is the next player that comes to my mind when it comes to flair, and he plays very differently to Federer.

Murray takes the first set 6-4 against big-hitting Basilashvili who didn't look happy with the low slices or drop shots of Andy.

One British success today as Katie Boulter won in three.

The umpires have got to get better at understanding when a corrected call should result in a player losing a point. The one Murray just got called against him was a total joke.

Born Slippy wrote:The umpires have got to get better at understanding when a corrected call should result in a player losing a point. The one Murray just got called against him was a total joke.

Agreed, that was a shocker. Was surprised how little Murray contested that given how upset he tends to get with these things. Glad he.moved on quickly and held on that game. He's looking good out there tennis wise, but the movement is just too limited at the highest level.

Only Murray could make this third set a tense affair from 5-0 triple break up.

Basilashvili wins the third set. Roof being shut

Worst choke I've ever seen there. Losing seven games in a row is ridiculous. Can he recover from that?!

How did Murray lose that set from THREE breaks up?

You have to think Basilashvili will win now.

Good straight-sets win for Briton Liam Broady who has strung one or two victories together this season.

I do fear the worst for Andy now. He looks gassed and his first serve disappeared. Hoping he can regroup in the break while the roof closes.

Andy is just so match-rusty that it was always going to be a challenge to get past such a big hitter. But the collapse was still little short of stunning when it came.

The 15 minute breather is happening at the right time for Andy.  Does he have the stamina (and clear-thinking) to take one of the next two sets …… ? Very questionable right now.

5-3 up.

I’ll be bold and say Murray will NOT lose it from here (unless he does)

Great drama there. Wonder if winning in that fashion with all the ups and downs might actually be good for Murray's mental game and will also give him good data on how his body holds up to 4 sets of tennis (hopefully well!)

I’m missed Murray reducing my life expectancy by a year or so every time he plays a grand slam match. Good win - if a comedy way to get it!

I guess the roof shut break helped Andy. Actually I think it was Basilashvili who looked tired at the end.
Agree that a four set win probably more use to Murray than a quick straight sets job.

I must say I thought Murray would be toast after that extraordinary third set.

Yes, the roof break helped but the clinching of the match was probably down to experience as much as anything.

Andy now gets to play a qualifier in round two. Funny how that happens occasionally - you get thru a round and face an easier opponent, at least on paper.

After a dire, but happily wrong, weather forecast, they managed to complete 32 matches yesterday, with 11 more starting but not finishing.

Federer is second on Centre today against Mannarino. Zverev and Medvedev also in action. Dan Evans has tricky encounter with F. Lopez. Another stand-out match is Humbert v Kyrgios.

To be honest the miracle is that Murray is still on a tennis court let alone being able to beat a No 24 seed over four sets despite being encased in rust and playing just his second tour match all year. Perhaps it will boost his confidence and hope for the future a bit as he looks to salvage something from his cruelly curtailed career.

Murray plays the winner of two qualifiers who had to go off when tied at 9-9 in the fifth due to bad light, so they will be back today to finish off. If he can get through that, and his body holds up, a match against Shapovalov in R3 would be fascinating to watch.

Born Slippy wrote:Murray plays the winner of two qualifiers who had to go off when tied at 9-9 in the fifth due to bad light, so they will be back today to finish off. If he can get through that, and his body holds up, a match against Shapovalov in R3 would be fascinating to watch.

To be honest it is all very small steps for now. Considering he has hardly played any tennis competitively for four years then, for now, it is about getting court time under his belt to improve his physical conditioning and improve his recovery from matches such as those yesterday. Every win is a bonus and points in the rankings bank to enable a climb back up the rankings - hopefully. A heartening win though this was I would not hold out hope of a long run here at Wimbledon. I hope he can use it on a step to his recovery though.

Dan Evans a set up on Deliciano and on serve in the second set. Hayley Dart looks to be on her way out in straight sets against Mertens.

And Dan Evans takes a two set lead over Deliciano.

Regarding Tsitsipas, I'd flagged up earlier that he could be vulnerable and so it proved. We've been spoilt over the years by the big 4 (including Murray in this) easily adjusting to the green grass of Wimbledon after Roland Garros but forgetting how difficult this is, especially this year with just a 2 week break. The young Greek has still played v little on grass during his career so far. I still think he can do well on the grass in future but this defeat didn't surprise me. Well done Tiafoe - he's due another good run in a slam.

Got to admit it's a shock seeing Murray play again - evidently not the same player after all his injury comeback struggles. Lovely to see him in front of a crowd on centre court though. Can't see him beating Shapovalov if they meet but I'm sure he'd still be happy reaching 3rd round.

Really can't see anyone bar perhaps Schwartzman providing much of test for Djokovic before final. Federer's half looks pretty open though.

Dan Evans sees off gallant Deliciano who is still capable of some lovely grass-court tennis.

7-5 in the third, avoiding a possibly awkward tiebreak. This was a tricky first rounder for Dan and he showed his delight with the win.

Dan Evans first slam match win of the year.

Venus wins after almost chucking away a two-breaks lead in the final set. Still a great fighter, if some of the power has gone.

Aussie De Minaur lost the first two sets against fast-rising star Korda but has taken the third and has a break in the fourth.

Play still going on on some courts but stopped on Centre and One where the roofs are going on.

Federer in a real battle with old-hand leftie Mannarino with the Frenchman levelling the match at one set all.

Barty taken to three by Cancer-beating S-Navarro before running away with it.

Seb Korda knocked out 15th seed De Minaur in four.

Fed gets lucky. Mannarino has to retire at the start of the 5th after a nasty injury in the fourth set, having been two sets to one up.

Rog admits afterwards that he got fortunate. Like Murray and Evans he'll probably have an easier match in the second round than the first.

Struff has started to strut his stuff against Medvedev by taking the third set but still trails by two sets to one.

Briton's Francesca Jones has lost the first set to Coco Gauff 7-5 in a match where almost every game has gone against serve.

Oh, and England beat Germany 2-0 at Wembley. YAYYYYYYY

Federer wins after Mannarino retires. Very unfortunate. Federer needs to play a lot better, if he really wants to get to the second week.

Serena Williams seems to have damaged her ankle after 5 games. Limping badly.

Serena Williams out of Wimbledon

Just been watching some of the Fed match wot I taped. Very nasty fall by Mannarino but Rog was beginning to play a lot better before the injury.

Medvedev was taken to four but came thru.

Serena Williams has to retire thru injury just six games into her first match. Will this be her last Wimbledon? Her elder sister's still going strong, so may be not.

Gauff came thru in straight sets, while the qualifier slugfest between two qualifiers ended with a 12-12 tiebreak won by German Oscar Otte who now plays.....Andy Murray.