TennisToday

Serena Williams Wins 2012 Wimbledon Title

Wimbledon - Women's Final

6 Serena Williams d 3 Agnieszka Radwanska - 61 57 62

Boy, Serena almost made a mess of that match...

She was up a set and a break before Aga turned it around.

It happened just after NBC showed a graphic of Wimby final beatdowns.

Serena won her 5th Wimbledon title and 14th Slam overall.

Breakdown: 5 Aussies, 1 French, 5 Wimby's and 3 USO's.

Later in the day she teamed with Venus to win a 5th doubles title.

She will move up to #4 in the rankings. But isn't still really the best?

Serena was absolutely giddy after sealing the match.

Post match: Oh my God, I can't even describe it.

I want to thank Jehovah for letting me get this far.

I almost didn't make it a few years ago, but now I'm here again and...

It's so worth it. I'm so happy. I've dreamed of being here again.

It shows if you never give up, you can achieve anything.

Now Serena will go for Olympic gold on the same court next month.

The singles gold is really the only thing missing from her resume.

And she has to be considered the heavy, heavy favorite.

Photo: AP

The Men's Semifinals All Set for Wimbledon 2012

Wimbledon - Men's Semifinal Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-12/Federer

They've played 7 times during '11 & '12 - Nole has taken 6 of those 7.

Each man has lost 6 matches this year. Nole: 41-6. Fed: 44-6.

This is Nole's 16th tip to a Slam Sf: 8-7 and 4th at Wimby: 1-2.

Except for the set he dropped in the 3rd round he's reached the Sf's easily.

Remember: He is the defending champion.

Roger returns to the Wimby Sf's after losing in the Qf's the last 2 years.

This is his 32nd Slam Sf: 23-8 and 8th at Wimbledon: 7-0.

He is looking for his 7th title which would tie him with Sampras.

But wait, there's more: A title would also put him back to #1.

That would also tie him with Sampras with most weeks ever at #1.

And the week after that he'd have the record to himself.

***

4 Andy Murray vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-1/Murray

The one time Tsonga beat Andy was way back in '08.

This is Jo-W's 5th trip to a Slam Sf: 1-3 and 2nd straight at W: 0-1.

As for Andy... this is his 10th Slam Sf: 3-6.

This is his 4th straight Sf at Wimby: 0-3. The last 2 losing to Rafa.

But with him out of the way...

Andy could become the first Brit in a Wimbledon final since 1938.

No pressure. None at all.

***

I'm picking Djokovic vs Murray for Sunday's final.

Hey, I'm in good company as those are Boris Becker's picks as well.

Photos: Getty Images

Prince William & Kate Attend Matches at Wimbledon

Hey, nice of you to join us.

After all, it's not called the Royal Box for nothing.

Maybe Pippa has been talking up the joint.

The pair took in the Federer and Murray quarterfinal wins.

I wonder if they will be back should Murray gain the finals.

It's not as though Andy's not under enough pressure, huh?

Photo: Getty Images

Serean Williams & Agnieszka Radwanska to Play for Women's Title at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Semifinals

3 Agnieszka Radwanska d 8 Angelique Kerber - 63 64

6 Serena Williams d 2 Victoria Azarenka - 63 76(3)

Final Preview

3 Agnieszka Radwanska vs 6 Serena Williams - H2H: 2-0/Serena

***

Big congrats to Aga for winning her 1st Slam Sf and gaining her 1st final.

#1 on the line: If she wins she will also find herself at the top of the pile.

But that is a very BIG 'if' as she faces 4-time champ Serena Williams.

Not only is Serena going for her 5th Wimby but also her 14th Slam.

Their 2 previous matches were both in '08 and both straight sets.

But this is a different Aga - she is a human backboard.

Serena will need to be prepared to see a ton of balls come back.

But in the end expect Serena's serve and power to prevail.

She'll hoist the Venus Rosewater Dish for a Venus Williams tying 5th time.

Photos: Getty Images

Serena Williams Returns to Semifinals at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Quarterfinal

6 Serena WIlliams d 4 Petra Kvitova - 63 75

The legend takes out the defending champion.

This is Serena's 8th trip to the Sf's: 6-1 - she's pretty lethal at this stage.

That one Sf loss was to sister Venus way back in 2000.

Remember: Serena is in the hunt for her 5th Wimby title & 14th Slam.

And she wants it. Bad...

Serena (sounding a lot like Serena) post match: I hate losing.

If you're not first, you're last. If I lose I don't keep the trophy.

I wouldn't bet against her lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images

David Ferrer Earns Quarterfinal at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Fourth Round

7 David Ferrer d 9 Juan Martin Del Potro - 63 62 63

And at 30 years old, y'all.

The old guy also leads the tour with most matches won this year: 47-8.

David has now made a sweep of making all 4 Slam Qf's. He's 3-4.

And he's been to all 3 this year: 1-1.

He will next play 4 Andy Murray - H2H: 5-5.

They last played a memorable match at the French which David won.

Post match: Today was one of my best matches [on a grass] court.

Ya think?

Boy, it's real tough to pick a winner in this one. I say it's even, 50-50.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters Plays Last Match at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Fourth Round

8 Angelique Kerber d Kim Clijsters - 61 61

Awe. Such a meek way to go out.

Kim finishes her Wimby career with a W/L of 29-9.

This is the only Slam that she failed to make the final.

She was a Sf-ist twice: '03 & '06 losing to Venus Williams & Justine Henin.

Kim is a Wimbledon champ - she won the doubles in '03 with Ai Sugiyama.

She will play on the Wimby lawns again in a couple weeks at the Olympics.

Get some rest Kimmy - Belgium wants a medal.

Photo: Getty Images

Andy Murray into 4th Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Third Round

4 Andy Murray d Marcos Baghdatis - 75 36 75 61

The hope of a nation is moving closer to his maiden Slam.

He's been to 3 Sf's here including last year losing to Rafa.

And Rosol took care of his Nadal problem this year. Can he take advantage?

Cilic is next - and beatable. H2H: 5-1/AM.

Post match: It will be important for me to try to get off to a good start...

In the match against him [Cilic].

If you are feeling a little bit tired and you go behind...

It can be tough to come back.

Photo: From Andy's Facebook page

Brian Baker into 4th Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Third Round

Q Brian Baker d Benoit Paire - 64 46 61 63

By now you've heard all the stories about Brian and his return to tennis.

He lost 5 years from the ATP tour owing to many and various injuries.

And suddenly he's back and having great results.

He won the Savannah Challenger in April and was the Nice finalist in May.

Now... he's got a winnable 4th round match against 27 Kohlschreiber.

Win or lose, his result here will propel him into the top 100.

Well done, Brian.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins Thriller at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Third Round

6 Serena Williams d 25 Jie Zheng - 57 76(2) 97

Crazy, crazy match.

Afterward Zheng said Serena said to her at the net at the handshake:

You are crazy. You are crazy. This was an unbelievable match.

Haha, she may have that backwards!!!

Post match Serena had this to say:

I definitely had to dig pretty deep - she was playing really well...

And I had to go out there and do what I could.

I hit so many errors off the returns. I was just off.

Usually I'm returning really, really well.

And I think she played an unbelievable match today.

But I think I can play better.

Lookie there... Serena paid her opponent a compliment.

She next plays Shvedova and is headed for Sharapova in the Qf's.

Now that's the match I wanna see.

Photo: AP

Roger Federer Wins 5 Set Thriller at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Third Round

3 Roger Federer d 29 Julien Benneteau - 46 67(3) 62 76(6) 61

One had a feeling that Julien needed to win in straights or not at all.

Once the 6-time champ won the 4th set TB is was all but a formality.

Rog should have a much smoother passage into the semifinals.

A pair of GOATS: After the match Roger met Jack Nicklaus.

Post match: I did start to play better and better as the match went on...

And that's kind of what I expected of myself...

Once a set down or two sets to love down.

That I guess comes with experience, but also experience alone...

Is not going to win you the match. I had to push deep and extremely hard...

And I'm very happy with the way things sort of happened at the end.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Upset in 2nd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Second Round

Lukas Rosol d 1 Rafael Nadal - 67(9) 64 64 26 64

You're gonna have a bad day at the office once in a while, no?

But... This is one of the biggest upsets in Wimby history.

I'm pretty sure yesterday was the first time I've ever even seen Lukas.

Remember: Rafa was the runner-up last year. This loss will drop him to #3.

This is his earliest loss at a Slam since Muller beat him here: 2R in '05.

Post match: For sure, it wasn't the best one for me. But that's what it is.

I accept that he came back and played unbelievable in the fifth [set].

I was playing well in the fourth. I think I played a great fourth set.

He went on to say: That's sport. You win, you lose.

The last four months were great for me.

It was probably one of the best four months of my career...

Playing unbelievable in the clay-court season.

He'll be back to SW19 in a few weeks to defend his Olympic gold.

In the meantime, I wonder if he'll travel to watch Spain win the Euro Cup?

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic into 3rd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Second Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Ryan Harrison - 64 64 64

Make that 9-in-a-row for Nole at SW19. 5 more wins to defend.

And it was one of those rare indoor matches...

Since the addition of the roof it has only been closed 8 or 9 times.

Post match: It was great to be under the roof once again.

I thought it was a very exciting match to be a part of as a player...

And I thought the crowd enjoyed it as well.

***

It was a good week for Ryan as he was named to the US Olympic team.

He's young. His day will come.

Photo: Getty Images

Caroline Wozniacki Upset at Wimbledon - What on Earth is Going on with Her?

Wimbledon - Ladies First Round

Tamira Paszek d 7 Caroline Wozniacki - 57 76(4) 64

Caro squandered 2 match points in the second set.

But to be fair, Paszek just won the tune-up at Eastbourne.

Seriously tho, the wheels have completely come off the Caro game.

I mean, she was the #1 ranked player in January.

She is currently #7 but will sink further with this 1st round loss.

This is her 4th 1st round loss on a year that sees a W/L of 22-11.

Caro hasn't won a title since New Haven last August.

Post match: There are some matches it's really great to win...

But also really suck to lose.

And this one especially after having two match points and not taking them...

It's not a nice feeling. It was a good match and good tennis...

But that doesn't really help me. I still lost in the first round today.

No one will remember how great a match it was, they'll remember who won.

Hmm, I'm blaming this Rory thing.

Photo: Getty Images

Prince Charles & Camilla Visit Royal Box at Wimbledon to Watch Roger Federer Win 2nd Round Match

Wimbledon - Men's Second Round

3 Roger Federer d Fabio Fognini - 61 63 62

This was Prince Charles' first time to Wimbledon since 1970.

And tennis' royalty made sure he didn't have to stay long as Fed smoked Fog.

Calling the match over BBC airwaves John McEnroe joked:

Perhaps Prince Charles told him he an appointment & that he was in a hurry.

If you're a Fed fan you must be trilled with his draw...

Seriously, who will stop him from getting to the semifinals?

Benneteau? Tipsarevic? Simon? Verdasco? Falla? Malisse?

See what I mean? Cupcake anyone?

Hey Pince-y-poo, come back next weekend and see a good match.

Photos: Getty Images

Mardy Fish Makes Successful Return to Tour with Win at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's First Round

10 Mardy Fish d Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo - 76(3) 75 76(1)

Mardy has been off the tour after surgery for heart arrhythmia last month.

He skipped his post-match presser owing to 'feeling unwell'.

This morning he was interviewed on ESPN and reported that he was fine.

Remember: Fish was a Qf-ist here last year.

Tough road: He could play Tsonga in the 4th R and Rafa in the quarters.

Mardy has opted out of the Olympics to focus on the US summer swing.

And I'm guessing - to rest.

Photo: Getty Images

Petra Kvitova Open Wimbledon Defense with Win

Wimbledon - Ladies First Round

4 Petra Kvitova d Akgul Amanmuradova - 64 64

Nerves played a big part in this match - Petra should've taken this easier.

Post match: It’s very different coming back this time.

I was nervous.

It’s the first time for me being here as defending champion...

And it was a huge honour to be on Centre Court.

It was difficult to know what to expect of myself and of my opponent.

A lot of firsts for me today. I stayed calm inside and I’m happy with that.

She probably won't play on Center in round 2 so she'll be more relaxed.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Wins Opener at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's First Round

2 Rafael Nadal d Thomaz Bellucci - 76(0) 62 63

The 2-time champ lost the 1st 4 games before finding his game.

Post match: I think today I didn't play my best match.

I think especially in the first set, I played [a] little bit too nervous...

Not knowing exactly what to do.

My movement was a little bit in defensive way, not in aggressive way.

The second and third sets I played better...

Even if I had a big mistake in the third at 2-0, 30/0.

I felt in that moment I started to hit better the forehand.

That's the most important thing for me.

Remember: Rafa is looking for a 6th straight final at Wimby.

Should he get there it'd be his 6th straight Slam final: 2-3.

Rafa has a bit of a tricky draw - but don't we say that every year?

If this tennis thing doesn't pan out he can always be a barman:

Photo: Getty Images

Venus Williams Upset in Wimbeldon Opener

Wimbledon - Ladies First Round

Elena Vesnina d Venus Williams - 61 63

Hard to watch this 5-time champion go out like this.

Her record at Wimby is legendary: 5 titles in 8 finals and a  W/L of 71-11.

Post match: It's just a couple of months into getting back.

Life is challenging, but I'm always up for a challenge.

The tour will be around for a few more months this year and...

I will just continue to try to improve my game. I feel like I'm a great player.

I am a great player.

Unfortunately I'm dealing with circumstances people don't normally...

Deal with in this sport - but I can't be discouraged by that.

I have great tennis in me. I just need the opportunity.

There's no way I'm going to just sit down and give up because...

I have a hard time the first five or six tournaments back.

That's just not me.

Venus has nothing to hang her head about.

And she's still in the doubles with Serena. Don't bet against them.

Photo: AP

John Isner Upset in Wimbledon Opener

Wimbledon - First Round

Alejandro Falla d 11 John Isner - 64 67(7) 36 76(7) 75

Yet another 1st round 5-setter. This time a loss.

Something you may not know: John has won TWO matches at Wimbledon.

He's played Wimby 4 times. He's won a whopping TWO matches.

Post match: Lately it's happening quite a lot, [where] I get out there...

In the match and I'm just so clouded. I just can't seem to figure things out.

I'm my own worst enemy out there.

It's all mental for me, and it's pretty poor on my part.

John will get another shot at playing on the grass at Wimbledon.

He's been named to the US Olympic team.

Photo: Reuters