Wimbledon 2017

[javero]

Posted: 7/11/17 at 8:47am

I haven't watched a single televised match this year due to a deadline at work.

Nadal was taken out in the 4th round by Gilles Mueller of Luxembourg.  Mueller won the 5th and deciding set, 15-13.  Murray and Federer have already booked safe passage to the men's quarterfinals.  Djokovic is trying to advance to that round right now.  I'm predicting that Sam Querrey will upset Murray in their quarterfinal showdown.  I also predict that the winner of the Federer-Djokovic semifinal will win the title on the men's side if the seeding holds up.

On the distaff side, seems as though Muguruza's got her mojo back but the same can be said of Kutzy who she faces next in one of the ladies' quarterfinal matches.  It's a really good opportunity for either of them to win another major with Serena noticeably absent this year.  Americans Venus Williams and Coco Wandeweghe are still alive in the other half of the draw, both advancing to the quarters.  The Brits are most certainly excited by Johanna Konta's progress all the way to the quarters this year equaling her best showing at a major so far in her career.  I'm leaning towards Muguruza as the titlist, that is unless recent French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko shows up for the final.  If Ostapenko can somehow take out Venus on grass at the Big W, she'll collect her 2nd major title.  She'll play with complete fearlessness & reckless abandon after dispatching Venus, and the grass courts will reward her for it.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:19am

I've watched almost all the matches this year thus far. It has been a very exciting tournament. Of course, I'm sad that Nadal went out yesterday, but the match was very high quality and I greatly enjoyed it.

Most of all, I'm thrilled for Venus, who is into the semifinals. Rooting for her all the way!

[javero]

Posted: 7/11/17 at 3:59pm

A friend of mine called me an idiot for betting against Venus at Wimbledon with Serena sidelined.  I seriously thought that Ostapenko would give Venus fits out there seeing as how they both play somewhat streaky high risk tennis.  So far, the only match I've watched in its entirety was the one in which Muguruza sent Kutzy packing.  When Muguruza's on she's on and she seems to be on again.

After a rain delay, one of the ESPN channels  recast the Djokovic match.  He played "ok"...I wasn't wowed by his tennis so I hope he can step it up in the quarters against Thomas Berdych.  A Federer-Djokovic Wimbledon semifinal promises to be an epic match for the ages.  Surely Fed wants revenge after losing his last two Wimbledon finals to Djokovic.  However, Djojokic somehow saves his best tennis for clashes with Federer and Nadal both of whom have losing head-to-head records against him.  He won Eastbourne over Monfils before Wimbledon which was huge for Djokovic's confidence.

Updated On: 7/11/17 at 03:59 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 2:13pm

Oh well. Djokovic had to retire against Berdych due to injury...and Murray was taken out by Querrey in five sets.

So the mens semifinals are Cilic vs. Querrey and Berdych vs. Federer.

I guess this title really is Federer's to lose now...crazy how only ONE of the big four made it to the semifinals. I definitely wouldn't have predicted that.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 12:43pm

Congratulations, Venus Williams...into another Wimbledon final!

[javero]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:05pm

That was a very impressive win by Venus.  But, there was something suspicious about Djokovic's retirement.  Going into the match, he wasn't pleased one bit about the lack of a day of rest beforehand.  He seems to be reverting to the Young-Joker who would withdraw in a heart beat after losing the 1st set in a big match in a major.  Perhaps he really injured his elbow.  If not, he really should take a sabbatical if his heart's no longer in it. 

Updated On: 7/13/17 at 01:05 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:55pm

At the beginning of that second set, right before he retired, Djokovic's first serve was under 100mph. It seemed like he was actually injured. But, you never know.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/15/17 at 3:48pm

 Muguruza's got her mojo back .

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/15/venus-williams-v-garbine-muguruza-wimbledon-2017-womens-final-live

[javero]

Posted: 7/15/17 at 4:36pm

Venus will always be one of my sentimental favorites so a boxing analogy is apt here.  You gotta knockout a champion to win over the judges and the crowd.  That's what Garbine did.  She served brilliantly throughout the fortnight and played with controlled aggression in the final.  She's shaping up to be the next great big match player now that Venus and Serena are in the twilight of their stellar careers.  Remains to be seen what sort of damage Sharapova & Azarenka are still capable of doing.  Congratulations Muguruza...tough luck V!

Go Federer!!!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 7/15/17 at 7:03pm

Yep it would have been wonderful to see Venus win another one especially at her age. Got to give Garbine credit, she won the match and hung tough down 5-4 in the first set facing two break points. 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/15/17 at 11:10pm

You may be master of

Your chosen occupation

With several strings of

Polo ponies in your stable-

You must remember all the same

That at the crux of every game

Is knowing when it's time

To leave the table.

She is the same age as Navratilova  when she retired from singles.

[javero]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 2:32pm

Garbi was coached at Wimbledon this year by Conchita Martinez who sent Martina packing in her last Wimbledon final.  Coincidentally, Garbi beat Venus earlier this year at the Italian open similarly to Conchita who beat Martina at the Italian Open months ahead of beating her at Wimbledon. 

Venus seems driven by her love of the sport more that titles these days.  Serena, on the other hand, is not coy about her plans to return to the sport to scorch a few remaining records.  However, I predict that if Serena doesn't win a major within a year of her return, she'll bow out quickly out of pride.  No one has ever accused Serena of being the humblest player on tour.  Mary Carillo has often remarked that, "champions are greedy".

Updated On: 7/16/17 at 02:32 PM