Seeds Tumble on Wimbledon Thursday
Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick & James Blake Exit
In the gentlemen’s draw, unseeded players retired five of the top ten seeds, and 13 of the 32 seeded men did not reach the third round. The top ladies have fared a tad better, with only two of the top ten seeds out thus far. However, 15 of the seeded women will not see round three.
Andy Roddick & James Blake Sent Home
Headlining the men’s round-two upsets on Thursday was Janko Tipsaric, who tipped over No.6 seed Andy Roddick’s applecart in four sets. Roddick’s Davis Cup teammate, James Blake, failed to bash his way to a rare five-set victory against Rainer Schuettler, after holding a two-sets-to-one lead. Ouch! Not as surprising but still tallied as an upset was No.19 seed Nicolas Almagro’s fall to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in five sets.
Maria Sharapova Ousted
The major surprises on the ladies side included No.3 seed Maria Sharapova shrieking her way out of the tournament courtesy of Alla Kudryatseva in straight sets (2-6, 4-6). Sharapova could find no rhythm in any element of her game and Kudryatseva made her pay. In the other top-ten upset in the ladies’ draw, Alisa Kleybanova, a few weeks shy of her 19th birthday, bounced No.10 seed Daniella Hantuchova in three sets.
Another minor shocker was Tamarine Tanasugarn’s three-set triumph over No.13 seed Vera Zvonareva. This match is a contender for “Tussle of the Day” honors, going 7-6(12), 4-6, 6-3. The 31-year old Tanasugarn claimed her first WTA Tour victory in a grass court tune-up last week, and is riding a wave of confidence. She’s now a good bet to meet Jelena Jankovic (2) in round four
Venus Williams & Jelena Jankovic Move on
Despite the planting of seeds in the Wimbledon turf, some of the players expected to do well moved on to the third round. On the ladies page, defending champion and No.7 seed Venus Williams survived a tough first set and some spotty play on her forehand wing to notch the win over Anne Keothavong, 7-5, 6-2. Jankovic jumped all over Olga Savchuk, posting a 6-3, 6-2 victory in little over an hour.
Dinara Safina & Elena Dementieva Win
Other seeded women moving on included Dinara Safina, who battled Yung-Jan Chan to a 7-6, 6-2 win, and Elena Dementieva, who barely escaped Timea Bacsinszky after losing the first set and going down 1-4 in the second. Dementieva claimed the 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. Dark horse and No.16 seed Victoria Azarenka, was a straight-set winner over Sorana Cirstea (6-1, 6-3).
Rafael Nadal & Richard Gasquet Stay Alive
Amongst the name challengers on the men’s ledger, No.2 seed Rafael Nadal handled precocious and talented 19-year old Ernest Gulbis’ stiff challenge, emerging with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3 victory. Andy Murray (12) had little trouble getting past Xavier Malisse in straights sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-2), and Richard Gasquet (8) received a third set walkover from Sebastien Gosjean after winning the first two sets 6-2, 6-2.
Friday Features Serena Williams vs. Amelie Mauresmo
Two former Wimbledon champions, Serena Williams (6) and Amelie Mauresmo (29) will face off tomorrow. Mauresmo’s talent renders her dangerous despite her struggles this year, but Serena is the heavy favorite.
Another match of interest features a pair of up-and-comers. The match between 19-year old Agnieszka Radwanska (14) and 17-year old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova should be a fierce battle, between players who are likely to be eventual top-ten players on the WTA Tour.
Marat Safin's 3rd Round Test
On the men’s side it will be interesting to see if Marat Safin can maintain the form that sent Novak Djokovic home early when he plays No.29 seed Andreas Seppi. Seppi is relatively unknown, but has wins over Rafael Nadal (2) and Richard Gasquet (8) this year. Safin, can beat anyone, but also can lose to anyone on any given day.
Is Roger Federer Ready?
Although Roger Federer (1) should have little trouble with Marc Gicquel, it will be interesting to see if he is getting closer to the form that won him five consecutive championships. Federer has yet to lose a set, but his form has not been reminiscent of the superb tennis he played against Nadal in last year’s final.
Friday's Potential Upsets
Only two matches pose prominent upset potential on the men’s side. Despite his talent, Marcos Baghdatis (10) has had poor results this year and his top-ten seeding is a puzzle. He should get past Simon Stadler, who is ranked No.172 in the world, but Stadler’s elimination of No.18 seed Ivo Karlovic suggests danger for Baghdatis.
No.11 seed Tomas Berdych could be an upset casualty going up against Fernando Verdasco (22), despite beating Verdasco the last three times they have played. All of those losses were in 2007 and Verdasco has had much better results than Berdych in 2008.
Looking at the women, the Marion Bartoli (11) Bethanie Mattek match-up has high upset potential. Mattek is a proficient doubles player who can attack the net and Bartoli is a baseline-banger who may not relish Mattek’s frontcourt attack.
Though a future top-ten prospect, teenager Agnes Szavay (15) will have all she can handle with Anabel Medina Garrigues who took out No.20 seed Francesca Schiavone in round two. Nicole Vaidisova (18) and Casey Dellacqua should put on a show worthy of center court, having gone three sets both times they have played, and splitting the victories. Don’t be surprised to see Dellacqua moving on.
