Wimbledon Day 3

First topic message reminder :

GOATgate

Roger Federer has been told he cannot wear trainers with orange soles again at Wimbledon. The Swiss defending champion wore the trainers as he eased past Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-2 6-0 in the first round.

The official guidelines state that: "Including the warm-up period, players at Wimbledon must be dressed almost entirely in white."

Worthy of a DQ


Centre Court - 1.00pm

Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [6] v Ernests Gulbis (LAT)
Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) v Roger Federer (SUI) [3]

No.1 Court - 1.00pm

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v Julien Benneteau (FRA) [31]
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) v Andy Murray (GBR) [2]
Petra Kvitova (CZE) [8] v Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

No.2 Court - 11.30am

Dustin Brown (GER) v Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Petra Cetkovska (CZE) v Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [9]
Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR) v Maria Sharapova (RUS) [3]
Kenny De Schepper (FRA) v Marin Cilic (CRO) [10]

One thing is sure - you can't question the quality of Stak's play. He has been beyond superb.

Was Simon ever a break up on Roger in the 4th or 5th sets? I can't remember.

In other news, Flemmy lead 2 sets to 1 and are a break up in the 4th.

Not quite sure why Fed decided to give Stak some volleying practice on that first BP, poor. Couldn't take advantage of a tight service game...these opportunities that go begging are going to come back to haunt him.

Absolutely Craig. Wonderful play from Stakhovsky - he's won this, rather than Federer losing it.

Nerves of steel now by Stakhovsky to hold after saving 2 break points.

Roger really does not want to win today.

These missed forehands are really the difference, coupled with Stakhovsky's great play.

kemet wrote:

emancipator wrote:Judging by the live scores it seems Federer is looking more vulnerable on serve. Is that right?

His forehand, his bread and butter in the past, has let him down and Stakhovsky is playing a blinder.

Now Roger is down a break in the fourth.

I had a bad feeling this could happen...

Fed's forehand has been real pathetic, no idea how he survived this long, it should have been st.sets for Sergy bit unluck in the first set for him.
Its either Sergy gonna lose coz of his over confidence or he gonna win Federer doing nothing to win this match.

Surely not?

kingraf wrote:I couldnt tell you Emanci, everything I say is apparently from an upset  Nadal fans perspective. Couldnt even predict that Stakhovsky could still improve from his second set play.

Sergy is playing an ok match and certainly could improves notches, but current Fed's form is pathetic, its either Sergy gonna win or lose from here on, everything is in in racket.

It has to happen sometime.

Just, so many favourites in trouble, this early, plus so many injuries, plus pretty quick grass, it's been a bizarre Wimbledon

bogbrush wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:How massive a shock will this be? I still won't rule out Roger but Stakhovsky is looking so strong and focussed.

On paper, yes. But with hindsight I think we'll all know we saw it coming.

Yes but not against a player ranked 100+ surely?

It's a false ranking on this surface, he's better than that.

But why not? He's been slipping down the grades of who we get used to him losing to, time for the big step down methinks.

But in the last year. Murray (x3/4), Berdych (x2), Djokovic, Benny, Nishikori, Nadal (x2), Tsonga.

Apart from Benny in Rotterdam, who is still good enough to get seeded in the Slams, it's not a bad group.

Gotta give this thou, Sergy's girl friend is so cute , beautiful and hot, I am watching the match just for her.

I did say you can't write Fed off.

Federer: 50 winners, 13 unforced errors.
Stakhovsky: 59 winners, 12 unforced errors.

Fair indication of the match? Federer breaks back, yes!

invisiblecoolers wrote:

kingraf wrote:I couldnt tell you Emanci, everything I say is apparently from an upset  Nadal fans perspective. Couldnt even predict that Stakhovsky could still improve from his second set play.

Sergy is playing an ok match and certainly could improves notches, but current Fed's form is pathetic, its either Sergy gonna win or lose from here on, everything is in in racket.

IC, Sergy is playing out of his skin. But I agree with Fed's assessment. Just been so poor at the crucial points.

Finally, Roger discovers how to return again

Fed breaks back. Hold on tight now.

CaledonianCraig wrote:I did say you can't write Fed off.

Sergy is way too over confident CC, which is annoying me, if he keeps his head down and just focus rather than stupid fist pump celebrations he could easily win this match.

kemet wrote:Finally, Roger discovers how to return again

I thought you said he didn't want to win this?

Oh dear Sergiy, we were all getting a bitty excited there. You get the feeling he has to hold his next service game.

Federer takes years off my life at times, still find it amazing how he always looks so poker faced

I could be wrong (and I have in the past) but i reckon that break back is gonna see Fed go on a tear that takes him too the match.

Johnyjeep wrote:

invisiblecoolers wrote:

kingraf wrote:I couldnt tell you Emanci, everything I say is apparently from an upset  Nadal fans perspective. Couldnt even predict that Stakhovsky could still improve from his second set play.

Sergy is playing an ok match and certainly could improves notches, but current Fed's form is pathetic, its either Sergy gonna win or lose from here on, everything is in in racket.

IC, Sergy is playing out of his skin. But I agree with Fed's assessment. Just been so poor at the crucial points.

JJ sergy is playing good, he indeed played a very good first set and was unlucky not to have won that, but this is not a game that would scare Fed in his prime form, Fed on this form anybody can win and If sergy lets this slip its coz of his over confidence.

I have had such a release of tension when he broke back I forgot he's still 2 sets to one down! Heart rate going up again

CaledonianCraig wrote:

kemet wrote:Finally, Roger discovers how to return again

I thought you said he didn't want to win this?

I'm still not convinced. Stakhovsky's level dropped at a crucial time and Roger's forehand is still dodgy.

I don't know...

What I like about Fed is cool and composure , win/loss he is not ready to take any tensions that is helping him out in this pressure situations.

Er...is that Mila Kunis in Stakhovsky's box?

That's nice to see from Fed. A completely legal play too.

What a shot was that? Fed seems furious now.

Seems like Fed wants this badly and ready to fight it out but can he win this with this form? will he step up?

Of course not invisible, in his prime form he would have taken some of his numerous break chances earlier on that were wasted on misses. Anyhow it's amazing tennis for this era...

Do they close the roof if we go 5?

Silver wrote:Er...is that Mila Kunis in Stakhovsky's box?

I know she is super cute, I just wait for the camera to focus her when Sergy hits a winner.

its great entertainment, for a match that has gone 6-7 7-6 7-5 5-4* its only been on 2.42mins and its been awesome quality.

who's more nervous? Fed or Stak?

Silver wrote:Er...is that Mila Kunis in Stakhovsky's box?

I've been thinking that all game!!

Dave. wrote:Do they close the roof if we go 5?

Bwahahahah

Dave. wrote:Do they close the roof if we go 5?

I'm surprised they haven't engaged the roof already. It seems light enough for it to go on longer though.

All Federer needs to do is win this set in my opinion. He does that and he wins the match. End of story.

CaledonianCraig wrote:I did say you can't write Fed off.

I said that about Rafa on Monday, though. But yes, it isn't over until it's over

The Special Juan wrote:

Dave. wrote:Do they close the roof if we go 5?

I'm surprised they haven't engaged the roof already.  It seems light enough for it to go on longer though.

True, but it might be better to use it when players are tied, IF we get there. If!

federer didnt apologise for that net cord did he?
It Just Got Real!

Sergy has been consistently targeting Fed's backhand while serving, its really puzzling me why Fed not adjusting to this and adamant to stay at the same position for the return, its a question of which is the worst today, serve?return , forehand or backhand? , but I guess return comfortably wins to be worst of today.

He did apologise kingraf, pretty half-hearted though apparently (it was off camera). He's irritated though!

Finally a very good forehand to finish the game, yes another high tension match.

When was the last time that neither Roger nor Rafa made the 3rd Round of a slam?

Dave. wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:

Dave. wrote:Do they close the roof if we go 5?

I'm surprised they haven't engaged the roof already.  It seems light enough for it to go on longer though.

True, but it might be better to use it when players are tied, IF we get there. If!

Definitely, it'd be a tragedy for them to come off mid-set. However, they would get accused of robbing momentum if it goes to a 5th set and who knows, it might be a very quick 5th set should we go there.

CaledonianCraig wrote:All Federer needs to do is win this set in my opinion. He does that and he wins the match. End of story.

You forgot what Rosol did last year thou? the story was more or less similar

Oh, my mistake. Wasnt critiqueing him. I just thought he was in "fight mode"

Oh jeez, this is going to be just like last year against Benneteau - tiebreak shootout, and Fed needs to win. I'm honestly not sure my nerves can take it, they're shredded to pieces already.

And no worries mate!