World No. 1s Federer, Davenport Lead Off Monday at Wimbledon
Posted on June 20, 2005
Sharapova Pressed to Defend at WimbledonWorld No. 2 Maria Sharapova feels confident on the grass.
Which is a good thing considering that compared to last year's Wimbledon lay-up, with many of the top players suffering niggling injuries (Williams sisters) or out of the game completely (Justine Henin-Hardenne, Kim Clijsters), Sharapova is not the favorite to repeat.
"Every time I step onto grass I feel confident because I feel like it really suits my game," Sharapova said. "You never know what can happen on a certain day. But I feel like I have a bigger advantage against a lot of my opponents and I feel really good, confident."
"A lot of my opponents" presumably does not include Henin-Hardenne, who has dominated the Russian "global icon" in their last few meetings, or Clijsters who has won all three of their career meetings, including earlier this year in Miami.
Throw in Serena Williams, who is looking to collect her second slam title of the year after Australia and avenge last year's Wimbledon final where she practically handed the Russian the title (according to Serena).
"I'm definitely going to triple my efforts, do everything I can to play better next time," said Serena after the loss, only her second in eight slam finals at the time.
Oh, and don't forget world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who beat Sharapova 0-and-0 in their last meeting.
The top-heavy women's draw could easily result in an all-Belgian final. Were Sharapova to advance to the final again it would have to be through either Henin-Hardenne, Venus or Serena (who meet each other in the 4th rd.) in the semifinals of the bottom half.
Big-girl match-ups in the top half would be Davenport vs. Clijsters in the fourth round, while Amelie Mauresmo has the best opportunity to meet the winner in the semis, possibly facing an injured-addled Elena Dementieva in the quarters.
On court Monday for the ladies are (1) Davenport vs. Jidkova, (3) Mauresmo vs. Melinda "The Fifth Element" Czink, (9) Myskina vs. Bohmova, O'Brien vs. (15) Clijsters, Smashnova-Pistolesi vs. (13) Likhovtseva, Benesova vs. (6) Dementieva, Dominikovic vs. Nakamura, Borwell vs. Perry, Mamic vs. (30) Safina, (23) Sugiyama vs. Vinci, (22) Farina Elia vs. Martina "Nurse, I Need a" Sucha, Perebiynis vs. Arvidsson, Kirilenko vs. Callens, Vento-Kabchi vs. Sequera in an all-Venezuelan, (10) Schnyder vs. Antonella Serra "Nevada" Zanetti, Spears vs. Anne "Kosmo" Kremer, Selima "S'near" Sfar vs. Loit, Chakvetadze vs. (17) Jankovic, (28) Amy "Joltin' Joe" Frazier vs. Washington in an all-American, Strycova vs. Osterloh, Irvin vs. Obata, Sanchez Lorenzo vs. Domachowska, Tanasugarn vs. (25) Karolina "The Spreminator" Sprem, (27) Vaidisova vs. Kostanic, Shaughnessy vs. Schruff, Marrero vs. Jamea "Action" Jackson, Morigami vs. Mirza, Diaz-Oliva vs. Keothavong, Llewellyn vs. (5) Kuznetsova, Stosur vs. Pastikova, Baltacha vs. Klaschka, and Maleeva vs. (24) Asagoe.
Wimbledon Mens Draw: 2005 Tennis-X Preview
World No. 1 and two-time consecutive Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, and last year's runner-up and 2005 Queen's Club winner Andy Roddick have put themselves far and away ahead of the rest of the pack on the ATP Tour, so much so that it would be stunning to see another player in the final this year.
Federer warmed up for Wimbledon by winning his third consecutive grasscourt title in Halle ("Holla!"), while Roddick's Queen's win was also a three-peat, the first time in the Open Era that two players have been so dominant on grass at the same time.
What of 2002 winner Lleyton Hewitt, you say? Too much on his plate this year between a series of injuries/accidents, and worrying about his impending fatherhood after quickly impregnating Australian soap star Bec Cartwright following his all-too-public break-up with Kim Clijsters.
Marat Safin, who beat Federer this year at the Australian Open? Yeah, he also took a set off Club Fed in the grasscourt final at Halle last week, but that followed 11-1/2 months of the Russian responding to every grasscourt question with 'I hate Wimbledon.' Besides sporting a bum knee, you know he's one bad bounce from smashing all the racquets in his bag and going fishing.
Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski? Please, they've qualified for the ATP pension plan and at this point are logging overtime hours.
And you could legitimately narrow it from two favorites this year to just one.
Roddick played out his proverbial behind in last year's final, ditching his awkward-approach-and-poke-volley game to suddenly channel Stefan Edberg in threatening to go up two sets to one before a rain delay dampened his momentum. Federer, who weathered a very, very-off day, still won.
"If Roger Federer plays well then there is no way he's going to lose, and I could see him not playing his best tennis and still winning," said former Wimbledon champ John McEnroe on handicapping this year's field.
With two Wimbledon titles under his belt, a third is his for the taking with the only player seemingly able to stop Roger Federer being -- Roger Federer.
Here is a look at how the four sections of the men's draw shake down for the 2005 Championships at Wimbledon:
First Quarter
Seeds: (1) Roger Federer, (8) Nikolay Davydenko, (11) Joachim "The Jackhammer" Johansson, (13) Tommy Robredo, (21) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, (23) Juan Carlos Ferrero, (25) Nicolas Kiefer, (31) Mikhail Youzhny
Floaters: Julien "United Colors of" Benneteau, "Grinning" Greg Rusesdki, Marcos "Bombs Over" Baghdatis, Scott Draper
You've got to think Roger Federer was all smiles Thursday after seeing himself land in the "claycourt section" of the draw with dirt seeds Daydenko, Robredo, Gonzalez and Ferrero. Especially if the drizzle from last week continues, making it even more difficult for the baseliners. The Swiss opens against Frenchman Paul-Henri-Mathieu, who is 1-2 at Wimbledon, with his first possible resistance coming in the third round against the grass-proficient (25) Kiefer, or Benneteau who last year stretched Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic to five sets. In addition to the Kiefer-Benneteau opener, other first-round oddities effecting later play will be (8) Davydenko vs. Draper, a great opportunity for the Aussie at what is likely his last Wimbledon; (21) Gonzo vs. Brit (WC) Alan MacKin with a huge opportunity for the struggling homecountryman; (31) Youzhny vs. Baghdatis just to see how Cypress' No. 1 is progressing; and (13) Robredo vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco in an all-Spanish meeting. (11) J.Johansson, still struggling to recover from the shoulder injury, will likely have his hands full in the second round against Britain's own Grinning Greg, who has likewise failed to find his footing in the grasscourt lead-up. All in all, things couldn't look better for the Swiss. Federer will likely face J.Johansson, Rusedski, or an even uglier prospect in the quarters (Draper? Bjorkman? Pete Sampras leaping from the stands shouting "This is bull****!"?) to advance into the semis.
Second Quarter
Seeds: (3) Lleyton Hewitt, (5) Marat Safin, (10) Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic, (16) Mariano Puerta, (22) Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty, (24) Taylor "Acci-" Dent, (26) Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez, (29) Nicolas Massu
Floaters: Christophe "The Roach" Rochus, (WC) James Blake, Sargis "Sarge" Sargsian, Lars Burgmuller, Cyril Saulnier, (WC) Mark Philippoussis, Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan
Besides not being overjoyed at Andy Roddick receiving the No. 2 seed, and as the No. 3 seed lining up to face Roger Federer in the semis instead of the final, Lleyton Hewitt can be satisfied with a fairly easy early road at the All-England Club. Hewitt opens against the underwhelming Christophe (not brother Olivier) "The Roach" Rochus in a first-time meeting, then likely faces the oft-choking American James Blake before his draw really opens up, with a possible meeting with (24) Taylor "Acci-" Dent in the third, if the big-serving overweight American can stay uninjured for three rounds. Some low-powered floaters in the quarter benefit from meetings with grasscourt neophyte seeds, such as (29) Massu vs. the smooth-stroking "Sarge" Sargsian (with a career grasscourt title to his credit), German Lars Burgsmuller with a fine draw vs. Mariano Puerta, and France's Cyril Saulnier against the slow-court-loving (22) Dominator. Per usual, Russian train-wreck Marat Safin will provide much of the early excitement in the second quarter, opening against the grass-loving Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, then if passing his initial test, squaring off against former Wimbledon runner-up Mark Philippoussis, who has his own opening-round tester against the grass-proficient Karol Beck in a first-time meeting. A Safin or Flipper vs. Ancic fourth round would be a show stopper, with the winner possibly facing Hewitt to see who emerges into the semis.
Third Quarter
Seeds: (4) Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal, (12) Thomas Johansson, (14) Radek Stepanek, (18) David Nalbandian, (19) Tommy Haas, (27) Richard Gasquet, (28) Jiri Novak, (33) Olivier "The Roach" Rochus
Floaters: Max "The Beast" Mirnyi, Peter "Nuclear" Wessels, "Everybody Loves" Raemon Sluiter, Vince Spadea
A strong underdog could emerge from the deceiving third quarter, which appears clay-challenged at first glance but contains a number of who-would-have-thought potential semifinal contenders in T.Johansson, Stepanek, Nalbandian, Haas and Gasquet. The top part of the section threatens to open up quick, with (33) Rochus facing Max "The Beast" Mirnyi in the second round, and (28) Novak against the grass-loving Dutchman Peter "Nuclear" Wessels. Is there a Dutchman that isn't proficient on grass? The Netherlands' "Everybody Loves" Raemon Sluiter is, and will have an advantage against (18) Nalbandian in their opener knowing he beat the Argentine in their only previous meeting. French Open winner Rafael Nadal, more curiosity than threat to emerge into the semis, faces another baseline scrapper in his opener in American Vince Spadea. Tip (19) Haas or (12) Johansson to face either (14) Stepanek or (27) Gasquet in the quarters to see who emerges into the semis from this motley lot.
Bottom Quarter
Seeds: (2) Andy Roddick, (6) Tim Henman, (9) Sebastien Grosjean, (15) Guillermo "El Mago" Coria, (17) Dave Ferrer, (20) Ivan Ljubicic, (30) Robin Soderling, (32) Filippo Volandri
Floaters: Jarkko Nieminen, Alexander "My Serve Has" Popp, Wayne "The Serving Machine" Arthurs, Guillermo "G-Lo" Garcia-Lopez, Michael Llodra, Xavier "X-Man" Malisse, "Dr." Ivo Karlovic
Not a great draw at all for the defending runner-up Roddick, with "Dr." Ivo in the second round, (30) Soderling (who gave Federer problems on grass earlier this month) in the third, then former Wimbledon semifinalist Xavier "X-Man" Malisse in the fourth round, and (9) Grosjean, (6) Henman, or a floater in the quarterfinals. The American definitely won't have a chance to work his way into the tournament ala Federer's cushy draw. Henman sees no definitive threat in his opener against Fin Jarkko Nieminen, but add up the Brit's sliding results and lack of confidence, and each match could easily be his last. Other openers of interest with upset potential in the bottom quarter are (32) Volandri vs. the Aussie grass-coveter Arthurs, (17) Ferrer vs. G-Lo in an all-Spanish likely upset, and (9) Grosjean vs. Llodra in a tough all-French match-up with the winner to face the upset-minded fastcourter Kenneth Carlsen. If Roddick falls early, something ugly from this way comes.
Federer (2004-03) and Hewitt (2002) are the only returning singles champions in the field, whereas three-time defending doubles champions Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge split up last year and compete in 2005 with different partners.
On tap for Monday at the All-England Club are (1) Federer vs. Mathieu, Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan vs. (5) Safin, (3) Hewitt vs. Christophe "The Roach" Rochus, (23) Ferrero vs. Delgado, A.Martin vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski, Beck vs. Philippoussis, Mackin vs. (21) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, Draper vs. (8) Davydenko, Monfils vs. Okun, Goodall vs. Di Mauro, Bjorkman vs. Jeff "The Lizard King" Morrison, Sherwood vs. Ricardo Mello "Yello," Burgsmuller vs. (16) Puerta, Minar vs. Tabara, Florian "Oscar" Mayer vs. Ventura, Acasuso vs. Zib, Udomchoke vs. Koubek, (26) Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez vs. Phau, Justin "Time" Gimelstob vs. Garcia, (24) Taylor "Acci-" Dent vs. D.Norman, (11) Joachim "The Jackhammer" Johansson vs. Montanes, Julien "United Colors of" Benneteau vs. (25) Kiefer, Sargis "Sarge" Sargsian vs. (29) Nicolas "The Golden Child" Massu, (31) Youzhny vs. Marcos "Bombs Over" Baghdatis, Saulnier vs. (22) Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty, Dupuis vs. Berdych, K.Kim vs. Bogdanovic, Hernych vs. Blake, Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco vs. (13) Robredo in an all-Spanish, (10) Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic vs. Summerer, Enqvist vs. H.-T. Lee, and O.Hernandez vs. Lisnard.
Ancic Breaks Title Jinx at ATP 's-Hertogenbosch
Croatia's Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic threw off the title jinx Sunday, defeating defending champ Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4 to win his first career title in his third final.
Ancic lost to Wayne Arthurs in the Scottsdale final earlier this year, and in his first career final in 2004 at Milan lost to Frenchman Anthony Dupuis.
"In my first final I lost 7-6 in the third, my second final was this year in Scottsdale. I was really focused today to get one title under my belt," Ancic said. "I knew the feeling after my first two finals."
Llodra was looking for his second career title after 's-Hertogenbosch last year.
"Of course you are disappointed when losing in a final but Mario played too well," Llodra said. "It was difficult for me to return his serve. Every time I had an opportunity he hit a big serve."
In the doubles final No. 2 seeds Cyril Suk and Pavel Vizner defeated Tomas Cibulec and Leos
Friedl 6-3, 6-4 in the all-Czech final for their first title as a team.
"It's a good feeling, said Suk on winning his fifth 's-Hertogenbosch title. "To win the title here is special for me, because I've played very good tennis here every time. I think it's very tough to win any title, and to win a title five times is very special to me."
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TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
High heat is expected to continue at Wimbledon, with a chance of showers Monday and Thursday...Should one more men's seeded player pull, Paradorn Srichaphan is next in line for that spot (and lucky loser Jan-Michael Gambill would get Paradorn's place versus Marat Safin)...After his title in Nottingham, is Richard Gasquet the new favorite to come out of the weak third quarter in the men's draw into the semis?...Mario Ancic is no longer the highest ranked player without a title. That new honor goes to -- (tune in)...Roger Federer has won 29 straight matches on grass. Bjorn Borg holds the record mark at 41...Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and a host of others turned out for the player party at the Hard Rock Cafe in London Saturday evening...When was the last time the Williams sisters, Justin Henin or Lindsay Davenport played a match on grass? Compare your findings with those of the top men...The ATP has named Etienne de Villiers, a former Walt Disney executive, chairman of the board. De Villiers will assume the position beginning Sept. 1, when current chairman and CEO Mark Miles steps down. During the transition ATP CFO Philip "Flip" Galloway will assume the temporary role of COO while the ATP continues to look for a new CEO...As only a millionaire teen would, Maria Sharapova will reportedly wear tennis shoes encrusted with 18-carat gold specks at Wimbledon: "It shines unbelievably," Sharapova said. "Hopefully it will distract my opponents a little bit." Not as much as that giant gold chain with the Volkswagon hood emblem around your neck. What's next, gold teeth?...The interns at ESPN.com stoned it on Sunday with the headline "Serena-Venus Final Possible (at Wimbledon)" -- what, in the fourth round? Will that count that as the final?...Cedric Pioline defeat an injured Goran Ivanisevic 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final of the ATP senior stop in Novi, Croatia: "He hurt his arm which was a shame, but I played well," Pioline said. "I only knew on Sunday night that I was coming here because of Boris (Becker) withdrawing and I was happy because Goran had told me that it was a nice place." Bet he wishes he could take that back...Xavier "X-Man" Malisse leads everyone on tour in the percentage of break points he converts on his opponent's serve, a good look for the former Wimbledon semifinalist.