Wimbledon 2021

First topic message reminder :

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.

sirfredperry wrote:Very nasty fall by Mannarino but Rog was beginning to play a lot better before the injury.

The fourth was much better with forays to the net, but the thirdsecond-set TB was very bad.

I'm wondering if Serena came into the tournament with an injury?

Atila wrote:I'm wondering if Serena came into the tournament with an injury?

Well she had her left thigh heavily strapped so I'd say that is a definite.

A bit surprised they never moved the Norrie V Pouille match onto Centre Court in a bid to complete. It is empty doing nothing. Pouille took a tight first set on the tie-break before the match was brought to a halt due to bad light.

Norrie played two awful service games to lose that Queen's final a few days ago and two terrible DFs, one on his own set point, did for him in the tiebreak today.

AELTC STATEMENT ON CONDITION OF COURTS is an interesting read.

The weather conditions on the opening two days have been the wettest we have experienced in almost a decade, which has required the roof to be closed on Centre Court and No.1 Court for long periods. This is at a time when the grass plant is at its most lush and green, which does result in additional moisture on what is a natural surface.

Players should be careful with their footwork.

Did anyone catch Medvedev - Struff yesterday? It was on during the England game so perhaps not, but I watched most of the first couple of sets and thought Med was sensational against a very tough first round draw. For me, Med's the only player in the draw who has any chance of beating Djokovic. I must stress that it's a small chance though!

Rain has led to an unlevel playing field at Wimbledon. Lajovic, for example, had a four-hour match yesterday but has to play again today against Dan Evans who's had a day off.* *

Absolutely nothing can be done about this, although the lower-ranked players can point to the fact that the big names get guaranteed on-schedule matches cos they are on Centre or No 1 where there are roofs.

No football today so BBC can do their usual trick of moving Murray, third on on Centre, back and forth between BBC1 and BBC2.

* * Apologies. In all the excitement, I forgot that Evans DID play yesterday. But I think I'm right in saying that some guys will have to play two days running and others will not.

Berrettini already taking his Queen's form into Wimbledon by taking the first set 6-4 v Pella.

Andreescu already in trouble in the first set v Cornet. The Canadian looked ill at ease on the grass at Eastbourne in the match I saw. Cornet is an experienced old hand.

Surprise, surprise Isner's first set (against Nishioka) has gone to a tiebreak.

Berrettini Drops Serve Shock. One break is enough for Pella to level the match at one set all.

Hadn't realised Pella had got to the Wimbledon quarters in 2019. Meanwhile Andreescu managed 23 UEs in losing the first set 6-2 to Cornet. Looks totally adrift on grass.

After a very even contest - one set all and 4-4 in the third - Berrettini ran away with it against Pella, reeling off eight straight games.

The Italian manages to mix up the big stuff with some delicate drop shots and slices and looks a real handful.

Two guys doing really well this season - Ruud and Karatsev - are both two sets to love down.

Chardy defeats Karatsev, Nishikori wins, Shapovalov has a w/o vs Andujar.

Djoko, looking v. efficient, takes first set 6-3.

Cameron Norrie now two sets to one up v Pouille. Isner into a 5th set despite nasty fall. Verdasco wins first set 6-3v Dimi.

Ruud battling back. Took third set and is a break up in 4th v Thompson.

Cameron Norrie wins in four. Fourth set was 7-5. He could face Federer in round three.

Djoko now two sets to love up. Ruud 4-2 down in final set. Dimi has levelled at one set all with Verdasco.

J-W Songa, who has been plagued by injury, lost the first set v Ymer but is now two sets to one up.

Svitolina won in three v Uytvanck.

LATEST: Ruud out, beaten 6-2 in the 5th by Jordan Thompson who had never won in four previous SW19 visits.

Kygrios knocks out in-form Herbert 9-7 in the fifth after they had had to come off at 3-3 last night.

High-quality match with the Aussie having to battle from 15-40 down in that final game.

I'll anger Craig no doubt but I still find it sad watching Murray struggle so much in matches for little end reward. His recovery has been over three years now, safe to say this is the level he's at from now on.

Soul Requiem wrote:I'll anger Craig no doubt but I still find it sad watching Murray struggle so much in matches for little end reward. His recovery has been over three years now, safe to say this is the level he's at from now on.

Read my thoughts on Murray on page one of this thread.

And any tennis player all say the same - they want to end their tennis careers on their own terms. As in quit when you no longer have the hunger, the desire or appetite for the sport. Andy has all of that still in bucket loads. You are analysing the performance of an Andy Murray playing only his fourth match all year. He's already beaten a No 24 seed - an impressive feat for one so encrusted in rust and lacking match sharpness. And here he is two days later over three hours into his next match 48 hours later still showing great guts and giving the fans great entertainment.

Retirement will come. It may be later this year but it may be next year or three years down the line but hopefully it will be on Andy's terms. And in no way, shape or form am I saying Andy will ever win a slam again or an ATP event but if Andy is happy I am happy.

Murray wins in five sets. Another epic match and another win he pulled from the jaws of defeat. And following up from my last post ....he's happy.

Shapovalov (No 10 seed) next who got a bye today as Andular pulled out of their Second Round match due to injury.

Andy Murray, goodness me, can any British sportsman put the country through the wringer in quite the way he does?

I am not really expecting him to win anything these days and I am not even sure he is but it is such a pleasure to watch him willing his broken body through the games and still winning them.

Most professional sports people will tell you that they are a long time retired and he just still loves playing the game and he keeps putting himself back in a position to play games like that.

We are going to miss him when he is finally gone.

What a nail biter that was. I think Murray is doing fantastically well considering! Barely noticed his movement being off the pace at all in that match, it was more him playing too passively and poor shot selection that got him in trouble. Hopefully Andy recovers well for his next outing against 10 seed Shapovalov.

Haven't seen enough of Shapovalov to predict the outcome of their match, but I know he's a huge shot maker that can be erratic. I can therefore see the match going one of two ways - he'll either blast Murray off the court or Murray will extract tons of errors from him with his variety. Would be good to hear thoughts from someone more familiar with Shapo's game!

Murray played well, with huge crowd support. The adulation at such elite levels is a great motivator for many a athlete. It is very tough to leave such affection and walk into the sunset. It may be painful for fans to watch their favourites struggle mightily, but it is immensely satisfying for the athletes.

This is Andy Murray's second career - setting new records of achievement for those with a replacement hip.

Amazing stuff again from Murray, although if Wimbledon had been roof-less Andy would not have had the chance to be so ruthless.

For the second match running the closing of the roof and the opportunity to have a short rest and regroup has helped Andy.

The crowd has also been a big factor, driving him over the line. Totally different atmosphere this year, with tennis clubs not getting any tickets due to Covid and more of the younger, keener, louder fans getting in.

Dan Evans and Cam Norrie are progressing almost unnoticed in the wake of Andy.

I think Andy can beat Shapovalov. The Canadian has a big game but Murray is still one of the best returners in the sport. Besides, if Andy's losing they'll just close the roof.

Norrie saw off Shapovalov in straight sets at Queens. Didn’t see much to frighten Murray.

Murray can’t keep sustaining five set matches though, and Shapovalov with a walkover, will be considerably fresher.

I am just enjoying seeing Andy back doing what he loves. It is ridiculous to see him as a potential winner or even QF's etc at present as he is so devoid of match play tennis. You can count on the fingers of your hands how many matches he has played in the last four years. Now here he is with a metal hip still exciting the fans in a late night classic on centre court. As No Name Bertie said earlier this is like a new career for Andy with a metal hip. Has anyone performed to such a high level in men's singles tennis reaching the 3rd Round of a slam? I doubt it.

For me, even with a loss on Friday, it will give Andy renewed confidence and belief that he can genuinely extend his career as he's proven he can still beat seeded players, win back-to-back five set matches and excite the crowd.

Murray certainly provides entertainment (and stress). His movement isn't what it was (where he was probably in the top 4 movers on court of all time - Djoko, Nadal, Chang and Andy), but that is a combination of age and wear and tear, but is still as good as most opponents. It's more been his consistency of shot making and decision making that has been the cause of the erratic performances. He's had spells where he looks like the old Murray, perhaps even playing more aggressively than in his prime (looks to be trying to shorten points), and others where the rustiness totally takes over.

One thing I notice is his first serve looks to be 10 mph slower than before the injury - rarely getting over 120-122 mph, where he could crank it up to well over 130 in his prime.

Agree with the assessment above, Shapo might just blow him off court or might be forced into so many errors by Andy's craftiness that he beats himself.

Cameron Norrie bidding to move into unchartered territories at Wimbledon today by reaching the 3rd Round. He takes on the wildcard Australian Alex Bolt. A golden opportunity for Cam.

dummy_half wrote:Murray certainly provides entertainment (and stress). His movement isn't what it was (where he was probably in the top 4 movers on court of all time - Djoko, Nadal, Chang and Andy), but that is a combination of age and wear and tear, but is still as good as most opponents. It's more been his consistency of shot making and decision making that has been the cause of the erratic performances. He's had spells where he looks like the old Murray, perhaps even playing more aggressively than in his prime (looks to be trying to shorten points), and others where the rustiness totally takes over.

One thing I notice is his first serve looks to be 10 mph slower than before the injury - rarely getting over 120-122 mph, where he could crank it up to well over 130 in his prime.

Agree with the assessment above, Shapo might just blow him off court or might be forced into so many errors by Andy's craftiness that he beats himself.

As much as i'm not a Djokovic fan, his movement around the court is unsurpassed and unchallenged, he has on occassion made Rafa and Andy look sluggish in comparison which is probably the biggest compliment I could ever pay him. Michael Chang would be some challenge on the slower courts nowadays.

Norrie's whole season has been pretty much uncharted territory. Currently at 32 in the live rankings (would need to reach R4 to move any higher) and 12 in the 2021 race points (Evans is at 22). Isn't it 3 finals for the year now as well? OK, still to win one, but he's had a number of good match wins.

dummy_half wrote:Norrie's whole season has been pretty much uncharted territory. Currently at 32 in the live rankings (would need to reach R4 to move any higher) and 12 in the 2021 race points (Evans is at 22). Isn't it 3 finals for the year now as well? OK, still to win one, but he's had a number of good match wins.

Oh he has certainly stepped up a level or two this year. That is undeniable and he looked more assured and confident due to the great start to the year. He now needs to move onto the next level.

Norrie certainly has an interesting history. Welsh and Scottish parents working in SA at the time of his birth, moving to NZ when he was young, partly for security reasons. Norrie moving to London as a teenager for tennis reasons and transferring allegiance from NZ to Britain (partly because of good LTA support after minimal support in NZ), then going off to the US and playing very successfully in college. Relatively late turning pro at 21 or 22, but established himself within the top 100 reasonably quickly, and now making a step forwards to being well inside the top 50.

Slow start for Norrie as Alex Bolts out of the blocks by winning the first three games.

Earlier, fairly straight forward 3-0 win for Zverev against Sandgren.

Norrie wins four games in a row to go a break up at 4-3. Much more like it.

sirfredperry wrote:Norrie wins four games in a row to go a break up at 4-3. Much more like it.

Make that six games on the bounce to take the first set 6-3.

Make that nine in a row, well that turned very quickly.

Now 9 games in a row: 6-3 3-0

Make that 10 in a row. Bolt can't seem to get on the board

Norrie 6-3, 6-1.

Svitolina's poor GS record hasn't improved. Dumped out today in straight sets my Magda Linette. Elina's boyfriend Monfils could be exiting too. He's two sets to love down against Martinez.

After Norrie's win Berrettini, still looking powerful, narrowly avoided going into a 4th set and managed to win in three against a spirited Dutchman.

Monfils has fought back from two sets down. He took the third and it's on serve in the fourth.

Medvedev has an early break against 18-yr-old Spaniard Alcaraz.

Ash Barty was very up and down in her straight-sets win on centre v Blinkova. There were a number of double faults and UEs. Good trick, though, to win when not at your best.

Medvedev won in hardly any time at all (although Bedene's straight-setter was even quicker).

Nishi looked to be exiting in three but took it to four before falling to Thompson of Australia. Monfils went down in a fourth set tiebreak.

Coco Gauff won in straight sets. Looked good in parts, but will have to play better against the higher seeds.

Federer v Gasquet on now. Their 21st meeting and the Frenchman has won.....twice.

Winner will play Norrie who quipped after his own victory today: "Come on Gasquet."

Richard has reached two Wimbledon semis and I suppose given Fed's long lay off this match gives Gasquet more of a chance than he normally has against Rog.

Who will the British support if it is Federer vs Norrie in the third round? A declining "goat" who nearly won in 2019 and a fast rising Britain who has yet to win anything on the ATP tour and has yet to progress beyond the third round of any slam.

Quite comfortably, Federer.

Norrie’s rise is great and all, but people want Federer in the final, or at least take down, Djokovic

It may not be Fed playing Norrie at this rate.

I supported Fed even when he played Andy in the 2012 Wimbledon final, although I was happy enough for Murray to outplay Rog to win Olympic Gold shortly afterwards.

Kerber has just won an extraordinary match against Sorribes Tormo of Spain getting MPs around 80 minutes after her first MP and taking it in the third set in 3hrs 19mins.

No name Bertie wrote:Who will the British support if it is Federer vs Norrie in the third round?  A declining "goat" who nearly won in 2019 and a fast rising Britain who has yet to win anything on the ATP tour and has yet to progress beyond the third round of any slam.

It would have to be Federer, got to make the most of watching him while he's still around. He's not playing great at the moment but after a couple of matches he normally starts putting it together.

After a close first set, Fed wins the tiebreak 7-1. Kyrgios and Cilic are both a set up, while Taylor Fritz and Steve Johnson are into a final set.

Federer looks a lot more like himself now, good to see

Federer thru in straight sets and now takes on Cameron Norrie. I would have given Norrie more chance if it had been in the first round.

But now Rog has chalked up a couple of wins, seen how the courts are, worked out how he feels, what's going to work etc etc.

Norrie certainly won't want to make a slow start as he did today. Against a top player, such a start will cost you a set. And Rog is one of the great front runners.

Another very disappointing defeat for Dimi today. Tournament after tournament he seems to lose to players he should, ranking-wise, have no trouble with.

Kyrgios won again today and could end up playing F A-A, although the Canadian has lost the second set to Tsonga's conqueror Ymer. So it's one set all there.

Decibel levels will now drop as Azarenka is out - beaten in three by Cirstea who needed four MPs to get over the line.

Ticket allocation changes this year due to the special circumstances have led to noisier, more passionate crowds.

Cirstea, many years on the circuit, said today was the best atmosphere in which she'd played.

F A-A came thru in four and will now play Kyrgios. 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu, with a Romanian father and a Chinese mother beat former French Open finalist Vondrousova in straight sets to reach the third round. Looks a fine prospect.

Can Murray beat Shapovalov today? The Canadian is a great shotmaker but he'll be up against a terrific returner and also the crowd.

Dan Evans is also in Centre Court action and takes on Seb Korda.

sirfredperry wrote:Can Murray beat Shapovalov today? The Canadian is a great shotmaker but he'll be up against a terrific returner and also the crowd.

Dan Evans is also in Centre Court action and takes on Seb Korda.

Personally, a win for Murray would be a massive bonus. Remember where he was coming into this tournament. The media portraying it as his big goodbye, him constantly being asked if he is going to retire due to injuries and only a handful of matches in a year. Now, even if he loses today, Murray has shown the detractors that he is still up to winning matches, beating seeded players and coming through three hour plus matches. So those that want him out of tennis are going to be disappointed as it looks like his career has a new lease of life.