Wimbledon Day 7.... or 8?

Here we are, the most magical time of the tennis calendar.  The second week of Wimbledon is where legends are made.  16 will start the week.  Only 1 will be victorious.

Centre Court 1.00pm

LADIES' SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Serena Williams (USA) [1] v Sabine Lisicki (GER) [23]  GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [20] v Andy Murray (GBR) [2]  GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] v Tommy Haas (GER) [13]

No.1 Court 1.00pm

LADIES' SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Laura Robson (GBR) v Kaia Kanepi (EST)  GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Andreas Seppi (ITA) [23] v Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [8]  GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND Bernard Tomic (AUS) v Tomas Berdych (CZE) [7]

 Source: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule/index.html

First up on Centre Court is the irrepressible, unstoppable Serena Williams against the grass court specialist Sabine Lisicki in what will most likely be the American's toughest test on the way to her very likely 6th Wimbledon singles title.  The German is not to be underestimated as she possesses the weapons to make life more than uncomfortable for Williams, especially her first serve which regularly tops 115mph.  Also on Lisicki's side is her Wimbledon record against the year's French Open champions: in 2009 she defeated Kuznetsova, in 2011 she defeated Li Na and in 2012 she beat Sharapova.  Will it be fourth win in a row against a reigning French Open champion?  With the form Williams is in, I doubt it.  Prediction: Williams in straight sets.

Next onto Centre is home hero Andrew Murray against Mikhail Youzhny.  Murray has a 2-0 record against the Colonel but the last of those meetings was a few years ago so not much can be read into the head-to-head.  Whilst Youzhny is in superb form on the grass, having only lost to Federer on the cow food in for what seems like every previous tournament, the 2nd seed will be the heavy favourite to progress and on his current form and and with his grass court pedigree, who would disagree?  Prediction: Murray in straight sets, perhaps 4.

The final match of the day on Centre Court is the veteran Tommy Haas (ATP Comeback Player of the Year 2004 AND 2012) against a certain world number 1 Novak Djokovic.  Haas has had previous success against Djokovic at Wimbledon and also won their most recent meeting but Djokovic these days at majors compared to Masters is a different beast altogether.  After throwing in a sublime performance against Jeremy Chardy and making the Frenchman look completely weaponless, this will be a different test for Djokovic and Haas must not be underestimated but at 35 years old, could he go to 5 sets against The Ironman of tennis?  Prediction: Djokovic in 4 sets.

Starting off proceedings on Court 1 we have "Princess" Laura Robson against Kaia Kanepi who already has one British scalp to her name so far in this tournament.  Kanepi's on the comeback trail after injury and is no doubt a top 20 player (where she was ranked before injury) but if Robson can bring her first serve along and does not crack under the pressure, I can see her winning and taking her place in her maiden major quarter-final.  Prediction: Robson in 3 sets.

8th seed Juan Martin del Potro never really had much success on grass until last summer's Olympics where he was oh-so-close to a gold medal match.  However, the big man managed to shrug off the disappointment of losing out to Federer deep into a 3rd set to out-gun Djokovic in straight sets and claim bronze.  He threw in a below-par performance at Queen's but has looked in good shape this tournament and has not dropped a set heading into the 4th round.  Up against del Potro is Italian Andreas Seppi, a man more suited to the clay courts of Western Europe rather than the grass of England.  Seppi has done incredibly well to reach this round, especially after defeating Kei Nishikori in 5 sets, but he does not have anything to trouble del Potro who is looking more comfortable on grass with every match he plays.  Prediction: del Potro in 3 sets.

The last match of the day is possibly the most eagerly anticipated match in the men's 4th round.  Australian playboy Bernard Tomic has reached the quarter finals here before but after a couple of years of average results and off-court drama, perhaps he is turning a corner in his career.  However, he's up against Tomas Berdych who has made a potentially dangerous first 3 rounds look fairly easy except a below-par serving performance against Kevin Anderson.  Tomic was highly impressive against perennial disappointment Richard Gasquet but faces a much tougher challenge against the big serving, big hitting Czech.  This is possibly a bridge too far for the Aussie but I think he will give all he has on the court.  Prediction: Berdych in at least 4, possibly 5 sets.

Just read an interesting fact... Nine players 30 or older reached the fourth round, tying an Open-era Wimbledon record set in 1975. 30 the new 20 it seems.

I have the day off work and my own personal order of play is Laura, Muzza, Novak.

Spain, France and Poland (!) the only countries with two players still in the tournament.

Danny this tallies with some stats Lydian produced about the average age of the top 100 increasing by 2 years or something...

I'm always charmed by Lisicki's smile so I'm hoping she does well tomorrow.

Henman Bill wrote:Danny this tallies with some stats Lydian produced about the average age of the top 100 increasing by 2 years or something...

Though I think that "9 players over 30" must include both men and women.  I do not think nine out of the 16 remaining men are 30+.  So it is 9 out of 32.  Still a fair bit, and still consistent with the data showing that top players are now older, but still with 30 being - on average - distinctly over the hill.

Yes it is both combined. Ferrer, Haas, Youzhny, Melzer, Kubot....

But also Dodig, Seppi, Verdasco, Berdych... All 27 or over.

Only Tomic and Janowicz really flying the flag for younger players.

Why have there been no articles celebrating Tomic and Janowicz?  God only knows there'd be plenty if no-one under 23 had reached the 2nd week.

The Special Juan wrote:Why have there been no articles celebrating Tomic and Janowicz?  God only knows there'd be plenty if no-one under 23 had reached the 2nd week.

I think people did talk about them but, also, if nobody under 23 had reached the 2nd week, that would be a bigger event.  Historically, you would definitely have expected a few of the 20-22 year old players in the round of 16.  From that perspective, the two of them just made sure that nothing extraordinary happened.

In fact, the vast majority of the really top players would have won a slam before 22-23, so there is just not enough to get excited about - at least not yet.  If one of them wins here - or at least makes the final - I am sure there will be plenty of discussion.

DelPo and Berdych seem the two vulnerable players tomorrow. DelPo more so (never gone past R16 @W) with his losses to Ferrer, Nadal, Hewitt, Wawrinka and Federer.

Wow good OP laverfan, what a great day of tennis one of the best days in the calendar. Tomic and berdych and the Jerzy/Melzer contest are particularly interesting to me. Not to mention Haas and Djoko as well. Del Potro looks like he injured himself in the last match but he has a pretty easy match up. If he is fit I actually see him getting to the semis.

It's forecast to be red hot on Sunday, with 'average' temps in their mid 20's, sun, no wind etc, i.e. hot on Centre Court

Could be the fastest final (in terms of conditions) we've had in years

I'll settle now for the Dubai conditions of last year and the players who reached the semi-final  

And the same result, Socal  

The Special Juan wrote:Why have there been no articles celebrating Tomic and Janowicz?  God only knows there'd be plenty if no-one under 23 had reached the 2nd week.

As discussed. The day we think that there is something special about a couple of under-23 year old's reaching the last 16 of a slam, is the day when the peak age is up to 30

Mind you that might happen  

Come on Laura

Dodig on court, but no sign of Ferrer?

Is there a time limit before Ferrer defaults.

Djoko vs. Haas should be a cracker - attacking players vs. Djoko usually produce very good matches.

Hold up, DelPo has a problem with his left knee after he fell on Saturday. I hope the big man's ok.

Should be a cracking day with the two home favourites on more or less back to back.

Not that supporting your own country's players is allowed by some on this forum of course!

Janowicz quickly a break down to Melzer.

Whoa Jurgen's come out firing today. Gwan Jurgen!!

VTR wrote:Should be a cracking day with the two home favourites on more or less back to back.

Not that supporting your own country's players is allowed by some on this forum of course!

It's not my place to stop people doing stupid things.

Melzer takes the first set 6-3.

bogbrush wrote:

VTR wrote:Should be a cracking day with the two home favourites on more or less back to back.

Not that supporting your own country's players is allowed by some on this forum of course!

It's not my place to stop people doing stupid things.

I'm glad you are in the minority. I think its good for a tournament if you have matches with the atmosphere Robson had on Saturday - applies to other tournaments as well e.g. Tsonga at Roland Garros.

I can't believe I read on here that someone went to Wimbledon and seemed to be surprised and offended by home players getting more support!

VTR wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

VTR wrote:Should be a cracking day with the two home favourites on more or less back to back.

Not that supporting your own country's players is allowed by some on this forum of course!

It's not my place to stop people doing stupid things.

I'm glad you are in the minority. I think its good for a tournament if you have matches with the atmosphere Robson had on Saturday - applies to other tournaments as well e.g. Tsonga at Roland Garros.

I can't believe I read on here that someone went to Wimbledon and seemed to be surprised and offended by home players getting more support!

It would be great if that atmosphere could be duplicated. The best way for that is for fans not to need nationalism to get them interested, but there you go.

I agree, I can't believe anyone would be surprised by that, it's what so many seem to do. I also agree that I'm glad I'm in the minority, it makes life a lot easier for me!

I've decided I don't like Janowicz. His on-court attitude stinks.

Haha, fair enough bb. I do agree, a better atmosphere in general would be good. I only know there is a crowd there for the matches I am watching now because I can see them in the background!

Where's my British flag?

#comeonlaura #comeonandy

Duty281 wrote:Where's my British flag?

#comeonlaura #comeonandy

Don't you mean "Princess Laura, winner of our hearts"?

An interested Melzer, will be far more of a problem than JJ for Murray, simply because he know how to play in the alien fast conditions that we are likely to get should they meet in the SF

It's only two years ago that Melzer was just failing to get to the O2, he's a fairly decent player, who oddly for a German is way too disinterested in 100% dedication to his Tennis, 100% of the time

bogbrush wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Where's my British flag?

#comeonlaura #comeonandy

Don't you mean "Princess Laura, winner of our hearts"?

Princess Laura, darling of the nation, conqueror of my heart, a beautiful tennis player.

Yes her.

Personally I am hoping for a Melzer win here.  Should they both make the semis it would be good match for two players in these conditions.

Also there has been a bit of antagonism between the two at DC in the past which always adds an interesting element

Trying to follow Brad Gilberts tweets is hard work, can't keep all the nicknames straight  

And Dodig takes the 1st against Ferrer.

carrieg4 wrote:Personally I am hoping for a Melzer win here.  Should they both make the semis it would be good match for two players in these conditions.

Also there has been a bit of antagonism between the two at DC in the past which always adds an interesting element

They also had a humdinger of a match at US08' - which I remember trying to follow whilst on my way to Crete via a Greek Ferry!!

I wouldn't want anything like that  

Daveed's not been himself so far this tournament. I know he's having trouble with blisters but I wonder if there's something else up with him.

ryan86 wrote:And Dodig takes the 1st against Ferrer.

Ferrer looks dodgy to me. Really should have gone out last time out. In fairness, it must be very hard to keep mentally going after reaching the French final

The Special Juan wrote:Daveed's not been himself so far this tournament.  I know he's having trouble with blisters but I wonder if there's something else up with him.

Bet me too it   Ah! So that might be the problem

banbrotam wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Daveed's not been himself so far this tournament.  I know he's having trouble with blisters but I wonder if there's something else up with him.

Bet me too it   Ah! So that might be the problem

Great minds!!

The Special Juan wrote:

banbrotam wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Daveed's not been himself so far this tournament.  I know he's having trouble with blisters but I wonder if there's something else up with him.

Bet me too it   Ah! So that might be the problem

Great minds!!

I'm not finishing that quote......................... 

Sorry, couldn't resist   

Had to chuckle at the huge cheer for Robson winning her first point on Kanepi's serve due to an unforced error!

So apparently Robson and Kanepi have both averaged 4mph faster on groundstrokes than S Williams. Which is pretty hard-hitting...

Looking very impressed with Robson again, the way she comes back from losing a game. For the age of 19 that is already very impressive. 

Going to be a great game this one!

Big point here for Kanepi

Yes!!! Well played princess Laura.

Now serve it out girl...

Needs to keep her nerves and keep the 1st serve in

Ahh didn't get the 1st's in and Kanepi played well to take advantage

Well pressurised by Kanepi, but Laura looked nervy there

Goddam it!!!!

Should have won that point

Also watching the Lisicki-Williams match...boy Sabine can serve and hit big...multiple serves at 122mph already...and 2nd serves >100mph, bigger than Murray. Impressive stuff.